# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=955 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 956 --- ## [Shark Attack Mitigation Systems (SAMS) - now yous swiminin' wit da fishes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shark-attack-mitigation-systems-sams-now-yous-swiminin-wit-da-fishes/664025)
**Author:** [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2013, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shark-attack-mitigation-systems-sams-now-yous-swiminin-wit-da-fishes/664025 "2013-07-20T12:30:34Z")
I’m not sure how much the stuff referencing Sharknado and Ghost Shark is tongue-in-cheek, but the wet suits seem to be for real (and I made sure to check that it’s not April 1st). --- ## [Just ended a friendship of 15 years.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-ended-a-friendship-of-15-years/663850)
**Author:** [@Quasimodal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodal)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2013, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-ended-a-friendship-of-15-years/663850 "2013-07-20T11:14:05Z")
I decided to put a stop to a fifteen year friendship of mine earlier in the week. As I’ve regained (and gained more) confidence this year…I realized that the friendship we had was unhealthy, and was unhealthy for a longt… --- ## [Shapes of political entities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shapes-of-political-entities/663856)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2013, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shapes-of-political-entities/663856 "2013-07-20T03:56:10Z")
How many political entities (countries, states, cities, counties, etc.) look like a recognizable object? For instance: Italy looks like a boot. Florida looks like a penis. What others? --- ## [I got my bar clearance letter today!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-bar-clearance-letter-today/661319)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2013, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-my-bar-clearance-letter-today/661319 "2013-07-20T02:54:13Z")
It’s not a big deal, but it sort of is. Basically, it means I don’t have to appear at a character and fitness hearing before they’ll let me take the bar exam. I’m not surprised - I don’t have a criminal record or anythi… --- ## [Gawsh, but it's hot out.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gawsh-but-its-hot-out/663559)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2013, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gawsh-but-its-hot-out/663559 "2013-07-20T01:00:55Z")
For the first time in my entire life, I’m taking a large umbrella out with me to use as a shield against the brutal sun. I also plan to hydrate heavily and indulge in one of the medical community’s great treatments for … --- ## [New member of my pack](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-member-of-my-pack/663577)
**Author:** [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2013, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-member-of-my-pack/663577 "2013-07-19T20:06:08Z")
This is our new pup, who arrived just yesterday. She’s a survivor of the Moore, OK, tornado, which occurred when she was less than a week old. We’re still working on a name, maybe something weather-related? Breed is ind… --- ## ["The Local Pub Is Haunted!" say my dumb ass friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-local-pub-is-haunted-say-my-dumb-ass-friends/663798)
**Author:** [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-local-pub-is-haunted-say-my-dumb-ass-friends/663798 "2013-07-19T19:21:37Z")
“Didn’t you hear?? We got a g-g-g-g-ghost, Locrian!” These are what my friends are all telling me this week. These are people who range from all backgrounds, 30-47 years old, some married, some divorced, some have kids… … --- ## [How to undress for your husband 1930s style: (Life Magazine)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-undress-for-your-husband-1930s-style-life-magazine/663804)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2013, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-undress-for-your-husband-1930s-style-life-magazine/663804 "2013-07-19T16:32:36Z")
I never knew there were rules for undressing in the bedroom. :stuck\_out\_tongue: I don’t think this article was ever meant to be taken seriously. An amusing retro article that made our grandparents laugh. slideshow at … --- ## [Sitting around waiting in southern Alaska](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitting-around-waiting-in-southern-alaska/663952)
**Author:** [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2013, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sitting-around-waiting-in-southern-alaska/663952 "2013-07-19T16:25:48Z")
Or never, never despair in British Columbia. Or anyplace on the globe in three words. I am not sure what use this is, but it is fun to play with. Speed bonny boat is not in Scotland. I was zooming out trying to figu… --- ## [Too-weak-for-the-Pit gripes from a hospital volunteer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-weak-for-the-pit-gripes-from-a-hospital-volunteer/609475)
**Author:** [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2013, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-weak-for-the-pit-gripes-from-a-hospital-volunteer/609475 "2013-07-19T15:51:47Z")
Meaning me. Weak rants follow. To certain people who come through the front door: When I take your papers to Admitting so they can register you, please don’t ask me a mere two minutes later when they’re going to cal… --- ## [This mermaid can swim in my pool anytime she wants to](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-mermaid-can-swim-in-my-pool-anytime-she-wants-to/663803)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2013, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-mermaid-can-swim-in-my-pool-anytime-she-wants-to/663803 "2013-07-19T15:50:33Z")
I don’t what’s the matter with some people. HOA Throws Mermaid out of Pool --- ## [Just gave a colleague CPR, now I'm back at my desk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-gave-a-colleague-cpr-now-im-back-at-my-desk/663844)
**Author:** [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2013, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-gave-a-colleague-cpr-now-im-back-at-my-desk/663844 "2013-07-19T14:44:22Z")
They paged in the office for anyone with medical training to report to the conference room, I had been a volunteer EMT yeas ago. One of my colleagues was on the floor not breathing with no pulse. Me and another colleag… --- ## [What scientific principle toy or project would you like to demonstrate to a bunch of kid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-scientific-principle-toy-or-project-would-you-like-to-demonstrate-to-a-bunch-of-kid/663755)
**Author:** [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2013, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-scientific-principle-toy-or-project-would-you-like-to-demonstrate-to-a-bunch-of-kid/663755 "2013-07-19T14:30:54Z")
There are a bunch of novelties that demonstrate physics. Some of these were on the shelf and some were in old encyclopedias and such. What would you show a kid to interest them? The drinking bird The jumping disk The … --- ## [Boeing's 787 problems return with Dreamliner fire in London](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boeings-787-problems-return-with-dreamliner-fire-in-london/663347)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2013, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boeings-787-problems-return-with-dreamliner-fire-in-london/663347 "2013-07-19T14:13:33Z")
"Just when Boeing thought its Dreamliner problems were over, the company faced a fresh crisis Friday when an empty 787 caught fire on the runway at London’s Heathrow airport. No injuries were reported, and the cause of … --- ## [Same sex marriage to be signed into law by end of the week in the UK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-marriage-to-be-signed-into-law-by-end-of-the-week-in-the-uk/663572)
**Author:** [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2013, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-marriage-to-be-signed-into-law-by-end-of-the-week-in-the-uk/663572 "2013-07-19T09:02:45Z")
The bill has just sailed through the House of Lords, which means after a perfunctory debate tomorrow in the Commons (which has already voted heavily in favour), the bill is expected to be put before the Queen for her sig… --- ## [Interesting time-lapse video of a passing thunderstorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-time-lapse-video-of-a-passing-thunderstorm/663822)
**Author:** [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2013, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-time-lapse-video-of-a-passing-thunderstorm/663822 "2013-07-19T05:08:45Z")
A severe thunderstorm passed though today–so severe, it bordered on a tornado. It was on the late TV news, of course, and photos and video have been appearing on the internet through the evening. But one of the more in… --- ## [We found a baby squirrel at the park](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-found-a-baby-squirrel-at-the-park/663728)
**Author:** [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2013, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-found-a-baby-squirrel-at-the-park/663728 "2013-07-19T04:46:00Z")
…and left it right there! My daughter saw a little squirrel huddled in the gutter by our neighborhood park. She came home to get her camera (and her mom) and we examined it from a safe distance. It was breathing and its… --- ## [I just took my first antibiotic in over 40 years.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-took-my-first-antibiotic-in-over-40-years/663907)
**Author:** [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2013, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-took-my-first-antibiotic-in-over-40-years/663907 "2013-07-19T04:32:09Z")
Ugh. I’ve had this upper-respiratory nasty crud for two weeks. Coughing up crud, sneezing out crud. Ribs and throat hurt from coughing so much. I’ve been using my Advair inhaler, Mucinex-D, my sister’s nebulizer, to no a… --- ## [Former foster dog on death row](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-foster-dog-on-death-row/662003)
**Author:** [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2013, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-foster-dog-on-death-row/662003 "2013-07-19T04:05:07Z")
I am so very sad about this. I fostered a dog for two months - a medium size, mix breed shepherd. She was adopted by a great family, and for the first week, everything went great, they loved her, and then she bit one o… --- ## [Technician shows hard-core porn by mistake on a giant screen in a big square](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technician-shows-hard-core-porn-by-mistake-on-a-giant-screen-in-a-big-square/663699)
**Author:** [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2013, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technician-shows-hard-core-porn-by-mistake-on-a-giant-screen-in-a-big-square/663699 "2013-07-19T01:06:52Z")
Lovely event in the city of Jilin. I cannot even begin to imagine the scene XD XD --- ## [Gloomy Future - Best Investment Strategies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloomy-future-best-investment-strategies/663807)
**Author:** [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2013, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloomy-future-best-investment-strategies/663807 "2013-07-19T00:59:10Z")
Didn’t know where else to muse about this, so here goes. I consider that human population growth is the most serious problem we face in the near future. Its natural to think about climate change and/or collapse of the … --- ## [Tripolar/Trinopus/Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tripolar-trinopus-troppus/661697)
**Author:** [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2013, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tripolar-trinopus-troppus/661697 "2013-07-18T22:46:20Z")
You all confuse me with your screen names that blur together slowly from one to the next. I’m trying really hard to differentiate the three of you in my mind but it’s all just one “Tr”-blur. That is all. I guess I shoul… --- ## [Lovely slap fight between Patton Oswalt and Salon.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovely-slap-fight-between-patton-oswalt-and-salon-com/663636)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lovely-slap-fight-between-patton-oswalt-and-salon-com/663636 "2013-07-18T20:27:55Z")
Patton Oswalt makes Asian name joke, in response to racist KTVU news report Salon.com is usually on the progressive side of things and their reaction to being called humorless, clueless prudes by Oswalt is the most beau… --- ## [The Satanic Temple performs Pink Mass, gay unions at Westboro Baptist Church gravesite](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-satanic-temple-performs-pink-mass-gay-unions-at-westboro-baptist-church-gravesite/663805)
**Author:** [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2013, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-satanic-temple-performs-pink-mass-gay-unions-at-westboro-baptist-church-gravesite/663805 "2013-07-18T18:13:15Z")
From the official press releasefrom The Satanic Temple: The website also provides instructions on how to conduct your own Pink Mass, to render a deceased loved one, or in the case of Fred Phelps’ mother, a deceased per… --- ## [Airship will drop fire retardant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airship-will-drop-fire-retardant/663843)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2013, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airship-will-drop-fire-retardant/663843 "2013-07-18T17:11:01Z")
There’s a fire burning about 40 miles from here. The news said that fire retardant would be dropped on it. The text on the image said ‘An airship will drop fire retardant.’ That would be something to see, eh? A zeppe… --- ## [Really!?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really/663836)
**Author:** [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2013, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really/663836 "2013-07-18T16:45:58Z")
I suspect that this is a result of having listened to the Zimmerman trial closing arguments, where the defense especially used the term “Really!?” approximately 700 Thousand Times! Has this term just recently made it ou… --- ## [I love my auto insurance company](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-auto-insurance-company/663813)
**Author:** [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2013, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-auto-insurance-company/663813 "2013-07-18T15:27:18Z")
Of corse it helps that the other driver lied to her own company. Long story short, she cuts in front of me, I try to avoid her but her tow hitch catches my bumper. No damage to her car. I report it to my insurance who… --- ## [FDA permits marketing of first brain wave test to help assess children and teens for ADHD](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fda-permits-marketing-of-first-brain-wave-test-to-help-assess-children-and-teens-for-adhd/663622)
**Author:** [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2013, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fda-permits-marketing-of-first-brain-wave-test-to-help-assess-children-and-teens-for-adhd/663622 "2013-07-18T13:52:46Z")
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm360811.htm Well, that’s pretty damn cool. Both as a tool to help in more accurate diagnoses, and to help reduce overdiagnosis. As well as to hopefully encour… --- ## [(Crowdfunding) USB charger analyzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowdfunding-usb-charger-analyzer/663727)
**Author:** [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2013, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowdfunding-usb-charger-analyzer/663727 "2013-07-18T04:40:36Z")
Problem: With the huge range of USB chargers available and their various power ratings, how do you know which is the best one for your device? How do you know your charger is really fast-charging your device? How do you … --- ## [Anyone who knows anything about Citizen watches who can help me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-who-knows-anything-about-citizen-watches-who-can-help-me/663644)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2013, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-who-knows-anything-about-citizen-watches-who-can-help-me/663644 "2013-07-18T02:37:03Z")
As I mentioned in another thread, I bought a Citizen watch recently. It was sold to me (by a reputable store) as an Eco-Drive watch. The box they gave me that the watch (supposedly) came in is marked as such. Yet the … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=954) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=956)