# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=886 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 887 --- ## [Mid life career change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mid-life-career-change/679253)
**Author:** [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2014, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mid-life-career-change/679253 "2014-01-25T00:55:25Z")
I’m a little new to the dope, so I don’t know if this has ever been a thread before. Anyway, does anyone have any inspiring or uninspiring stories of mid life career change - themselves or someone else? --- ## [Are there relatively safe investments that offer 6% APY](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-relatively-safe-investments-that-offer-6-apy/522042)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2014, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-relatively-safe-investments-that-offer-6-apy/522042 "2014-01-24T22:49:16Z")
I ask because at my old job one of the coworkers was going to retire, and he was talking to another guy. He said he had 200k invested and he could take $1,000 a month out w/o it affecting the principal. So that comes out… --- ## [The 'Jelly Donut' rock on Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jelly-donut-rock-on-mars/679311)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2014, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jelly-donut-rock-on-mars/679311 "2014-01-24T18:13:34Z")
Just stumbled across this quite interesting story today - a rock just ‘appeared’ next to the Opportunity rover on mars. Story link (the best one I could find for image quality) My first thought was: doesn’t it look li… --- ## [NYC's first cyclist death of 2014 is my former co-worker.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nycs-first-cyclist-death-of-2014-is-my-former-co-worker/679576)
**Author:** [@CatherineZeta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatherineZeta)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2014, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nycs-first-cyclist-death-of-2014-is-my-former-co-worker/679576 "2014-01-24T17:13:56Z")
Cite for first cyclist death comes from this article on DNAinfo about it. He was hit by a bus that was pulling out of a bus stop while he was passing it and he fell underneath the wheels. He was a good guy who was supp… --- ## [Brain blanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-blanks/679605)
**Author:** [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2014, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brain-blanks/679605 "2014-01-24T16:38:20Z")
So I’m reading this fascinating Wiki article about the snail telegraph, and I think to myself: “Wow, that would be a great subject for a question on that splendid British quiz show, QI! Maybe I should post a comment abou… --- ## [Do you enjoy Gummi Bears? Do You enjoy pooping? You'll love Haribo's Sugarless Gummi Bears!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-enjoy-gummi-bears-do-you-enjoy-pooping-youll-love-haribos-sugarless-gummi-bears/679619)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2014, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-enjoy-gummi-bears-do-you-enjoy-pooping-youll-love-haribos-sugarless-gummi-bears/679619 "2014-01-24T16:10:38Z")
The reviews are worth the cost of, well, anything: Anyone up for experimenting with them for the SDMB? --- ## [Can someone recomend a small measuring cup that measures to a 1/6 ounce?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-recomend-a-small-measuring-cup-that-measures-to-a-1-6-ounce/679464)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2014, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-recomend-a-small-measuring-cup-that-measures-to-a-1-6-ounce/679464 "2014-01-24T15:27:55Z")
I need to accurately measure some fuel stabilizer for my generator gas. 1 ounce treats 6 gallons. My generator has a 1 gallon tank. So 1/6 ounce is needed. My cans are 2 gallon and that requires 1/3 ounce. All the measu… --- ## [SC woman charged with stabbing husband with ceramic squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sc-woman-charged-with-stabbing-husband-with-ceramic-squirrel/677369)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2014, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sc-woman-charged-with-stabbing-husband-with-ceramic-squirrel/677369 "2014-01-24T13:17:27Z")
Link Sounds like a rocky relationship. Still, she could have stabbed him in the nuts. Let’s see… \[ul\]\[li\]Southern state? Check.\[/li\]\[li\]Common-law marriage? Check.\[/li\]\[li\]Beer issue? Check.\[/li\]\[li\]Tacky decorat… --- ## [Unintentionally Funny Headlines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unintentionally-funny-headlines/679466)
**Author:** [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2014, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unintentionally-funny-headlines/679466 "2014-01-24T07:22:59Z")
Just noticed another one today that might be a classic. Had to make a thread; maybe we can collect these as w run across them. Please use this to post funny headlines you’ve actually seen – preferably current ones. I’… --- ## ["Nelson Mandela ceremony interpreter branded 'fake'"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nelson-mandela-ceremony-interpreter-branded-fake/676068)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2014, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nelson-mandela-ceremony-interpreter-branded-fake/676068 "2014-01-24T03:29:03Z")
Holy shit. Did some dude just jump up on stage with the world leaders and start pretending to sign? Where does he buy pants to accommodate his gigantic balls? --- ## [Have you ever eaten something made by someone while you were on bad terms with them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-eaten-something-made-by-someone-while-you-were-on-bad-terms-with-them/679349)
**Author:** [@One\_Love](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_Love)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2014, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-eaten-something-made-by-someone-while-you-were-on-bad-terms-with-them/679349 "2014-01-24T01:19:23Z")
Does the question make sense? Someone prepares something to eat, and you end up eating it even though your relationship with them is sour. I remember once I was visiting a guy who had just broken up with his girlfriend.… --- ## [The NYTimes 25-question American Language Guess-Where-You're-From map/algorithm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nytimes-25-question-american-language-guess-where-youre-from-map-algorithm/677104)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 224\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2014, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nytimes-25-question-american-language-guess-where-youre-from-map-algorithm/677104 "2014-01-24T01:11:43Z")
The NYTimes 25-question Guess-Where-You’re-From-Test The Graphics Editor got the sole credit, which is unprofessional. No name of linguistics data specialists. Any ideas, or comments on the make-up of this particular on… --- ## [Probably the best obituary I have ever read!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-the-best-obituary-i-have-ever-read/652748)
**Author:** [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/probably-the-best-obituary-i-have-ever-read/652748 "2014-01-23T21:36:21Z")
I didn’t know Harry Stamps, but I really wish I had! --- ## [Do you ever eat when not hungry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-eat-when-not-hungry/679368)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-eat-when-not-hungry/679368 "2014-01-23T21:18:40Z")
I do. Sometimes I will eat because a food will go bad if not eaten soon. I dislike throwing food away. And preserving it isn’t practical. If I haven’t eaten all day, I may think “my body needs nutrition”, and will ea… --- ## [Ask the intravert who's taking an improv comedy course](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-intravert-whos-taking-an-improv-comedy-course/678824)
**Author:** [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-intravert-whos-taking-an-improv-comedy-course/678824 "2014-01-23T19:13:08Z")
Philly has a pretty active improv community, it turns out, and the Philly Improv Theater offers a lot of classes in improv, sketch comedy, and the like. After taking a free intro workshop last month, a friend and I signe… --- ## [A student gave me a military coin - surprised and speechless!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-student-gave-me-a-military-coin-surprised-and-speechless/679378)
**Author:** [@Faelyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faelyn)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-student-gave-me-a-military-coin-surprised-and-speechless/679378 "2014-01-23T18:39:14Z")
Holy crap. I can’t even process this right now. I work as an academic peer advisor at my university, and one of the things I do is to help students pick their classes, get registered, put in permits, etc. Last month I w… --- ## [Help translating German mail from UBS bank?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-translating-german-mail-from-ubs-bank/679511)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-translating-german-mail-from-ubs-bank/679511 "2014-01-23T16:43:54Z")
I got two e-mails seemingly from UBS Bank that I’m sure shouldn’t have come to me. I have no account with them. One the one hand, they seem to be legitimate but simply mis-directed (they came from ubs.com and are full … --- ## [How many real people can we name with months for first names?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-real-people-can-we-name-with-months-for-first-names/679410)
**Author:** [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-real-people-can-we-name-with-months-for-first-names/679410 "2014-01-23T16:34:09Z")
January Jones May West (spelling it wrong is okay) – Zetterling June Haver – Allyson – Lockhart Plenty of blanks to fill in. If you give a real name it’s okay to add a junk one or two, such as May DeVonner. --- ## [How can I invest in atheism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-invest-in-atheism/679463)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-invest-in-atheism/679463 "2014-01-23T16:33:00Z")
I see it as the wave of the future in America, though to be sure it’s not racing toward us at breakneck speed. How can I make a buck off of it? How can I consider it as a long-term investment? --- ## [NYC Police Cops Bloody 84 Year-Old Asian Man for Jaywalking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-police-cops-bloody-84-year-old-asian-man-for-jaywalking/679345)
**Author:** [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-police-cops-bloody-84-year-old-asian-man-for-jaywalking/679345 "2014-01-23T12:18:56Z")
According to the following news story: An 84 year-old Chinese man was walking across the street in NYC the police beat him and gave him a bloody face and … well … you can read it for yourself. I don’t live in the USA… --- ## [If you had to choose a last name . . .](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-choose-a-last-name/679200)
**Author:** [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-to-choose-a-last-name/679200 "2014-01-23T05:36:34Z")
Last names were started in 13th and 14th century Britain, first by the aristocracy and then by everyone. They were used for identification - if he was John and he was also John, before last names there wasn’t a way to te… --- ## [I'm doing Independent Study...WTH have I got myself into?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-doing-independent-study-wth-have-i-got-myself-into/679403)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-doing-independent-study-wth-have-i-got-myself-into/679403 "2014-01-23T02:50:21Z")
Last semester I did a Research Seminar, in which the end product was a research proposal. This semester, time to carry it out. My topic is: “The Sexual Behavior of People with Physical Disabilities”. --- ## [Introvert in Dorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132)
**Author:** [@Mathematics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathematics)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introvert-in-dorm/679132 "2014-01-23T01:48:12Z")
I am in my dorm for the first time today. I live in a single room near the stairwell on the highest floor of a ridiculously tall residence hall. It’s nothing like I imagined it would be. Everything I read online said t… --- ## [People are shameless vultures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-are-shameless-vultures/679448)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-are-shameless-vultures/679448 "2014-01-23T00:07:59Z")
My father died a year ago, leaving my mom alone. Of course she goes and complains to anyone who will listen about how her son is three thousand miles away and she has the BIG C(she has a very minor and survivable cancer)… --- ## [I am somewhat afraid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-somewhat-afraid/678956)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2014, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-somewhat-afraid/678956 "2014-01-22T13:27:10Z")
I work at a state government office. Among my duties is being the backup for the two staff normally assigned to the building entrance reception desk. Which puts me at the desk maybe once or twice a week for varying per… --- ## [Reading about the "knockout game" makes me feel old](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-about-the-knockout-game-makes-me-feel-old/679373)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2014, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reading-about-the-knockout-game-makes-me-feel-old/679373 "2014-01-22T09:20:43Z")
:mad:I feel like an old grumpy man predicting the downfall of western civilization if this amuses the kids nowadays. How is this even a game?! Randomly assaulting old women is shits and giggles? I felt the same way wh… --- ## [Twenty years ago in Northridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-ago-in-northridge/679137)
**Author:** [@movingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/movingfinger)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2014, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twenty-years-ago-in-northridge/679137 "2014-01-22T06:50:27Z")
On January 17, 1974 Los Angeles was shaken awake by the Northridge earthquake (I heard someone on the radio excitedly referred to the “Earthridge Northquake” which devastated many homes not only in Northridge but in part… --- ## [Plane crash in Poulsbo, WA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plane-crash-in-poulsbo-wa/679371)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2014, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plane-crash-in-poulsbo-wa/679371 "2014-01-22T05:20:18Z")
A 1946 Ercoupe crashed in Poulsbo, WA yesterday afternoon. The 70-year-old pilot called 9-1-1 after he regained consciousness, and he was sitting upright and was answering questions when they took him to the ambulance. … --- ## [Any snow stories anyone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-stories-anyone/679420)
**Author:** [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2014, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-stories-anyone/679420 "2014-01-22T04:29:20Z")
I didn’t go in to work today, due to the federal government closing, so I’d like to read about other NoVa dopers (or anyone else) and their snow tales. Any accidents, loss of heat or cable TV? It was non-eventful for m… --- ## [The bank made an error in my favor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bank-made-an-error-in-my-favor/679186)
**Author:** [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2014, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bank-made-an-error-in-my-favor/679186 "2014-01-21T23:15:30Z")
I just got a bank letter regarding my Chase credit card, which I haven’t used in over a year, informing me of this: WOWW!!! A whole penny!! I am so excited and amazed that a major bank not only owned up to the error,… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=885) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=887)