# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=972 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 973 --- ## [3M accidentally invents force field? Has anyone else heard this one?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3m-accidentally-invents-force-field-has-anyone-else-heard-this-one/527771)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2013, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3m-accidentally-invents-force-field-has-anyone-else-heard-this-one/527771 "2013-06-06T13:06:08Z")
A 3M plant in South Carolina was the site of a very weird occurrence: So, is this an old chestnut or has it just been backdated? Does anyone else have similar stories to this? I don’t believe it for a minute, but if i… --- ## [Kim Jong-Il's Sushi Chef's amazing story](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-ils-sushi-chefs-amazing-story/660185)
**Author:** [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2013, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-jong-ils-sushi-chefs-amazing-story/660185 "2013-06-06T11:12:24Z")
Dear (departed) leader’s Sushi Chef Reveals it all here. \* North Korea is a mythically strange land, an Absurdistan, where almost nothing is known about the people or, more important, their missile-launching leaders. … --- ## [Has anyone used Singapore's public transit system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-used-singapores-public-transit-system/660256)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2013, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-used-singapores-public-transit-system/660256 "2013-06-06T05:43:31Z")
In this article they mention that in Singapore they use heavy taxes to prevent people from purchasing personal vehicles, and a Prius costs 154k because of it. So I am assuming Singapore must have a pretty impressive publ… --- ## [So, we're not talking about the FLOTUS' confrontation with a protester yesterday?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-not-talking-about-the-flotus-confrontation-with-a-protester-yesterday/660271)
**Author:** [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2013, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-not-talking-about-the-flotus-confrontation-with-a-protester-yesterday/660271 "2013-06-06T03:51:35Z")
The gist of it is: MO was at a fundraising, delivering comments, when a heckler shouted during her speech. MO paused, then said, “One of the things I do not do well is this.” At which point according to eyewitnesses, s… --- ## [Facebook folks...Your most Liberal and Conservative recent friend posts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-folks-your-most-liberal-and-conservative-recent-friend-posts/660005)
**Author:** [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2013, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-folks-your-most-liberal-and-conservative-recent-friend-posts/660005 "2013-06-06T02:30:13Z")
Please provide recent links to what your furthest left and furthest right buddies have posted recently on FB that confirms why they are your most extreme “friends” - thanks! Here’s mine: LW:https://www.facebook.com/pho… --- ## [Olga](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olga/660172)
**Author:** [@slowlearner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slowlearner)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2013, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olga/660172 "2013-06-06T02:16:02Z")
I’m in love with a Russian scam named Olga. She Emails me often, her English is rather stilted and sometimes she quotes whole paragraphs from Wikipedia, but she is so sweet, and really cares for me, and her pictures! Dau… --- ## [Depression caregivers' support thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/depression-caregivers-support-thread/660190)
**Author:** [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2013, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/depression-caregivers-support-thread/660190 "2013-06-06T01:30:16Z")
So as not to derail the depression thread, I thought I’d start one for caregivers. Today has been shit. Came home and committed the crime of Insufficient Enthusiasm, which quickly descended into getting blamed for the s… --- ## [I caught an oriental cockroach](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-an-oriental-cockroach/660117)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2013, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-caught-an-oriental-cockroach/660117 "2013-06-06T00:01:38Z")
The other night I was watching the TV and out of the corner of my eye I saw something moving across the floor. I live in the basement apartment of a house, so the occasional insects are to be expected. At first it look… --- ## [velocityenergyceleritus@yahoo.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velocityenergyceleritus-yahoo/660221)
**Author:** [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2013, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/velocityenergyceleritus-yahoo/660221 "2013-06-05T20:53:10Z")
I could be completely off base but our odd friend may be the target of a variant on a Nigerian scam. “Relative” died, named vec as beneficiary, and now the “IRS” is trying to get its share. --- ## [Ask the newly laid off teacher](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newly-laid-off-teacher/657812)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2013, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-newly-laid-off-teacher/657812 "2013-06-05T20:18:44Z")
It happened today. After 7 years of seniority, I was laid off due to deep budget cuts to education, deep enough for the layoffs to penetrate all the way up to me. It’s deeply disappointing and sad, but this is the way it… --- ## [One Third of All Marriages Result from Online Meetings--and More Satisfying](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-third-of-all-marriages-result-from-online-meetings-and-more-satisfying/660071)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-third-of-all-marriages-result-from-online-meetings-and-more-satisfying/660071 "2013-06-05T17:25:14Z")
“Now, a new survey of American households shows just how important this phenomenon has become: since 2005, a third of marriages were the result of online meetings, with nearly half of those coming through online dating s… --- ## [Is there a name for this literary pet peeve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-literary-pet-peeve/660113)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-literary-pet-peeve/660113 "2013-06-05T16:59:50Z")
Example: “CostCo’s raison d’etre, or reason for existence, is providing great deals to its customers.” I have a vague notion that I was taught this in school, but now it just seems like good common sense. If you’re go… --- ## [Playboy Mansion Representative](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playboy-mansion-representative/660202)
**Author:** [@velocityenergyceleritus\_yahoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velocityenergyceleritus_yahoo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2013, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playboy-mansion-representative/660202 "2013-06-05T14:47:24Z")
As a telepathic Empath I have endured many perceptions of my biological relatives after they had entered the state of fear and for that duration; I perceive any number of their anatomical senses as if they were my own. M… --- ## [Could you tell the difference between a toy poodle and a ferret?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-tell-the-difference-between-a-toy-poodle-and-a-ferret/660204)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2013, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-tell-the-difference-between-a-toy-poodle-and-a-ferret/660204 "2013-06-05T14:36:20Z")
A guy in Argentina couldn’t. http://www.petmd.com/news/strange-but-true/man-buys-toy-poodles-learns-they’re-ferrets-steroids There’s a video of the local strory in Buenos Aires at the bottom of the link, with more pict… --- ## [And Now for Something Completely Different: The Dead Parrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-for-something-completely-different-the-dead-parrot/660008)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-for-something-completely-different-the-dead-parrot/660008 "2013-06-05T14:21:05Z")
Britain’s RAF pays out 2200 pounds (US$3300) in compensation for a parrot that dropped dead from the sound of a low-flying jet. Story here. Transcript of the parrot owner trying to receive compensation is here. --- ## [Chance discoveries that changed history](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chance-discoveries-that-changed-history/659951)
**Author:** [@Beelzebubba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beelzebubba)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2013, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chance-discoveries-that-changed-history/659951 "2013-06-05T14:11:57Z")
I read an article earlier about medications that were discovered by chance or even by accident. For example, the discovery of penicillin was basically a fluke and could easily have gone unnoticed. It can cure or preven… --- ## [What does this mean? (seen on a vehicle's rear window today)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-mean-seen-on-a-vehicles-rear-window-today/660076)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2013, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-mean-seen-on-a-vehicles-rear-window-today/660076 "2013-06-05T08:16:55Z")
I’m driving down the road minding my own bidness, listening to the iPod on shuffle mode (the tune at the time was Elton’s Border Song) and I read this message on the rear window of the vehicle in front of me: Putting a… --- ## [OMG Theres a mouse in my food.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-theres-a-mouse-in-my-food/660114)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2013, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omg-theres-a-mouse-in-my-food/660114 "2013-06-05T07:14:13Z")
Says the scared cat. :stuck\_out\_tongue: This cat is no mouser. No sir. I’ll just quietly lap my water while Mr. Mouse enjoys my dinner. Fraidy-cat loses his dinner. --- ## [UK House of Commons Approves Gay Marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-house-of-commons-approves-gay-marriage/649455)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2013, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-house-of-commons-approves-gay-marriage/649455 "2013-06-05T05:01:42Z")
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/06/world/europe/britain-gay-marriage-vote.html Thoughts? Considering this law only applies to England and Wales, what is happening in Scotland over the gay marriage issue, although Norther… --- ## [Just a chore, not a job, and smelly thieves need not apply](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-a-chore-not-a-job-and-smelly-thieves-need-not-apply/660100)
**Author:** [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2013, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-a-chore-not-a-job-and-smelly-thieves-need-not-apply/660100 "2013-06-05T04:11:59Z")
Posted in a local community message board. This just cracked me up. Some minor editing to take out some personal info: I thought it might me nice to help this lady, but I don’t know how to work a steamer and would prob… --- ## [I'm sick and tired of...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-and-tired-of/658350)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2013, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-sick-and-tired-of/658350 "2013-06-05T03:28:37Z")
Kale. Enough with the kale already. It’s been around forever, but we’ve just discovered it. Jennifer Hudson’s Weight Watchers commercials. She looks great. Move on. The word “awesome.” Give it up. Find another word. T… --- ## [Saying Screensaver when you mean Wallpaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-screensaver-when-you-mean-wallpaper/554806)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2013, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-screensaver-when-you-mean-wallpaper/554806 "2013-06-05T03:09:17Z")
Not strong enough to put in the pit but it bugs me in ads and in conversation when people, for example, take a picture and say, “That would make a good screensaver,” when what they really mean is wallpaper. If you mean… --- ## [Stoddard Wells airplane mystery solved](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoddard-wells-airplane-mystery-solved/654432)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stoddard-wells-airplane-mystery-solved/654432 "2013-06-05T02:33:57Z")
Very mundane, and very pointless. For years, whenever I’d drive on the 15 near Victorville, I’d see a twin-engine airplane sitting just off the west side of the freeway, off Stoddard Wells Rd. (I’m not well-versed on l… --- ## [Ducks remind me of fighter jets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ducks-remind-me-of-fighter-jets/660021)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2013, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ducks-remind-me-of-fighter-jets/660021 "2013-06-05T01:11:01Z")
Mundane and pointless: Ducks remind me of fighter jets. They have large heavy bodies and small wings, which means two things: -they fly fast for their size (but not ridiculously so, like small songbirds). You’ll neve… --- ## [Uterus Finale](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uterus-finale/659779)
**Author:** [@applebetty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/applebetty)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2013, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uterus-finale/659779 "2013-06-04T22:41:08Z")
The Rant The Update I guess I needed time to process, I was just unable to post this any sooner. My hysterectomy was May 2nd at 0800, courtesy of my wonderful doctor and the DaVinci robot. I’m not a candidate for abl… --- ## [Germany drops its longest word.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/germany-drops-its-longest-word/660116)
**Author:** [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2013, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/germany-drops-its-longest-word/660116 "2013-06-04T22:17:01Z")
Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz. Oh, sure, and the kid before me only had to spell “ostrich”. The word - which refers to the “law for the delegation of monitoring beef labelling”, has be… --- ## [Incredible Survival Stories!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredible-survival-stories/660069)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2013, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredible-survival-stories/660069 "2013-06-04T15:40:26Z")
Bus loaded with passengers drives over waterfall…and everybody lives! --- ## [Internet dating. WTF? is wrong with you people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-dating-wtf-is-wrong-with-you-people/659883)
**Author:** [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2013, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-dating-wtf-is-wrong-with-you-people/659883 "2013-06-04T14:32:17Z")
Trying out a new internet dating site. Speeddate DOOOOT COOOOM! Jesus, Joseph, and Mary. Throw the devil in there too. What an epic disaster and time waster. Okay, now keep in mind my account doesn’t even have a pictur… --- ## [A 40-foot rubber duck is coming to Pittsburgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-40-foot-rubber-duck-is-coming-to-pittsburgh/660090)
**Author:** [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2013, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-40-foot-rubber-duck-is-coming-to-pittsburgh/660090 "2013-06-04T11:34:31Z")
A 40-foot rubber duck is going to be coming to Pittsburgh this fall. I bet Lil’ Neville will love this. --- ## [What prison does to you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prison-does-to-you/659847)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2013, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-prison-does-to-you/659847 "2013-06-04T10:07:04Z")
Having worked in the business, I saw thousands of cases of it. Prison makes you old before your time. Every year in prison ages you like three normal years. As evidence, here’s OJ Simpson when he was sentenced to prison… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=971) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=973)