# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1218 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1219 --- ## [US-Mexican border: Is the passport check going out the same as coming in?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-mexican-border-is-the-passport-check-going-out-the-same-as-coming-in/958260)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-mexican-border-is-the-passport-check-going-out-the-same-as-coming-in/958260 "2022-01-25T23:55:10Z")
Never been there before: Is Customs and Immigration essentially scanning your passport and “emigrating” you when you go into Mexico exactly the same when you come right back in and they scan and “immigrate” you? --- ## [Repair man says txts and phone calls to my phone don't work. Could he be right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repair-man-says-txts-and-phone-calls-to-my-phone-dont-work-could-he-be-right/958309)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repair-man-says-txts-and-phone-calls-to-my-phone-dont-work-could-he-be-right/958309 "2022-01-25T23:07:23Z")
I’ve been trying for weeks to get this repair man to come fix something and plans keep falling through, he says partly because he can’t send txts or get calls to ring or leave phone messages on my iPhone. However, it wor… --- ## [Digitizing Old Photos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digitizing-old-photos/957929)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/digitizing-old-photos/957929 "2022-01-25T21:44:12Z")
I came across a collection of old family photos. I am betwixt and between. On one hand, I have not bothered to look at these things in decades. They have little value to me, and will have less value when I pass away. On … --- ## [Garden Gnomes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/garden-gnomes/474302)
**Author:** [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Replies:** 372\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/garden-gnomes/474302 "2022-01-25T18:44:07Z")
My neighbour had, up to yesterday 17 of these bastards in his front garden. Gnomes fishing, ringing bells,climbing miniature trees,sitting on toadstools, shaking hands, sitting on wells. Everything except shagging but I… --- ## [How best (that is, cheapest & easiest) to get wifi to a chicken coop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-that-is-cheapest-easiest-to-get-wifi-to-a-chicken-coop/954346)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-best-that-is-cheapest-easiest-to-get-wifi-to-a-chicken-coop/954346 "2022-01-25T18:17:49Z")
We have a chicken coop about 200 ft from the nearest corner of our house. We moved it there last spring and expanded it. Over the previous winter, it had been tucked in next to our house and we put in several Wyze Cams t… --- ## [Drafts Offline - Reload Page message](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drafts-offline-reload-page-message/958264)
**Author:** [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drafts-offline-reload-page-message/958264 "2022-01-25T18:15:54Z")
Got this message a few times this morning between 3am-4am central US time. So I would reload the page and it would be missing part of what I had written. Anyone else or was I just lucky? Edit: And now it just timed out… --- ## [Amazon warehouse near St. Louis damaged by tornado \[And other tornados 12/10/2021\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-warehouse-near-st-louis-damaged-by-tornado-and-other-tornados-12-10-2021/955871)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-warehouse-near-st-louis-damaged-by-tornado-and-other-tornados-12-10-2021/955871 "2022-01-25T17:10:37Z")
Or at least high winds; this was most likely an EF0 or EF1 storm, and while the number of injuries is unknown, local First Responders are calling it a mass casualty event until everyone’s accounted for. This is in Edw… --- ## [Meaning of "Here's mud in your eye!"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-heres-mud-in-your-eye/958209)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-of-heres-mud-in-your-eye/958209 "2022-01-25T16:38:51Z")
I’ve never understood this toast. How is drinking alcohol related to getting mud in one’s eye? I did a little googling, but the results were not edifying. I’m hoping somebody here can enlighten me or at least provide a p… --- ## [Popcorn Ceiling Coming down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popcorn-ceiling-coming-down/925479)
**Author:** [@Marion\_Wormer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marion_Wormer)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popcorn-ceiling-coming-down/925479 "2022-01-25T16:25:34Z")
I noticed last night that I have a foot long tear in the popcorn ceiling in my family room. The popcorn seems to have been put over wallpaper or something. The family room was built in 79 so that meant the popcorn mater… --- ## [Help me spec out a new work at home PC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spec-out-a-new-work-at-home-pc/952008)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 226\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-spec-out-a-new-work-at-home-pc/952008 "2022-01-25T16:04:51Z")
So my current personal home PC workstation, while once state-of-the-art long ago, is really starting to show its age. Still, I do most of my WAH work on it because it’s still faster and better than my ancient work-issued… --- ## [My roommate came up positive for Corvid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-roommate-came-up-positive-for-corvid/958241)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-roommate-came-up-positive-for-corvid/958241 "2022-01-25T16:00:55Z")
I’m even more isolated than usual. Given the state of my lungs (a nurse listed off all the things wrong with them which Oldest with medical power of attorney and better access to my chart than me summed it up as, “You’r… --- ## [Do you know somebody who really resembles a TV character?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-somebody-who-really-resembles-a-tv-character/855303)
**Author:** [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-somebody-who-really-resembles-a-tv-character/855303 "2022-01-25T15:37:28Z")
My coworker Dena has an uncanny resemblance to Dina from Superstore. She’s my Toastmasters mentor. Like Dina, she’s confident, brassy, and her name differs by one letter. I’m also sure she’d eviscerate me if I pointed th… --- ## [Another fun song ID question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-fun-song-id-question/958318)
**Author:** [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-fun-song-id-question/958318 "2022-01-25T15:28:38Z")
Heard part of a song on the radio the other day (I’ve already checked the stations online playlist, but it doesn’t go back far enough). Overall sound of the vocal reminds me of late George Harrison, definitely a late 70s… --- ## [The grammar of "got"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grammar-of-got/958240)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grammar-of-got/958240 "2022-01-25T12:45:17Z")
As I understand it, “got” is nothing but the simple past of “to get”, and in British English it is also the past participle of that verb (in American English, that participle would be “gotten”). Nonetheless, it seems th… --- ## [Trying to set up PureVPN (openVPN) on my Synology Diskstation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-set-up-purevpn-openvpn-on-my-synology-diskstation/958335)
**Author:** [@EmbarrassingDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmbarrassingDad)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-set-up-purevpn-openvpn-on-my-synology-diskstation/958335 "2022-01-25T11:39:07Z")
It’s asking for a ca.crt but I can’t seem to find or make one. Can anybody help? --- ## [The Suicide Squad - 2021 version (open spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-suicide-squad-2021-version-open-spoilers/948141)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-suicide-squad-2021-version-open-spoilers/948141 "2022-01-25T04:53:34Z")
This movie is out today and is available for at home viewing and in theaters. I saw it at home, which has become my preferred way to see almost everything. Anyway……yeah, it’s much better than the original. Is it amazing… --- ## [Knee Pain at Night](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knee-pain-at-night/957725)
**Author:** [@half-elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/half-elf)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2022, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knee-pain-at-night/957725 "2022-01-25T03:43:04Z")
When I sleep on my side, the bottom knee starts hurting after a while. I wake up a couple of times for peeing purposes so I do not really know if the pain plays any part in waking me up. Anyway, when I return to bed I… --- ## [Most famous or interesting fictional alumni from your school?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-or-interesting-fictional-alumni-from-your-school/920108)
**Author:** [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2022, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-famous-or-interesting-fictional-alumni-from-your-school/920108 "2022-01-24T23:50:54Z")
What’s the most famous and/or interesting alumni from your school? I went to Dartmouth, which has been represented in fiction fairly well as an elite but not exceptionally exclusive eastern liberal arts school with a lo… --- ## [NFL Pick 'em and Survival Leagues 2021](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-pick-em-and-survival-leagues-2021/949269)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2022, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-pick-em-and-survival-leagues-2021/949269 "2022-01-24T22:06:46Z")
last year’s thread. An invite to everyone in the leagues last year was sent out when the leagues renewed. Otherwise the league numbers will follow. Everyone is invited to play - it’s not like fantasy football where you … --- ## [Human on a bicycle is the most efficient traveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-on-a-bicycle-is-the-most-efficient-traveler/958214)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2022, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-on-a-bicycle-is-the-most-efficient-traveler/958214 "2022-01-24T21:42:56Z")
I have heard this statement before but here is a chart from a 1973 Scientific American article. Kind of small, perhaps someone has a link to the actual article. --- ## [Help me remember a British cop series- detective solves crime in city, sent to remote locale](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-remember-a-british-cop-series-detective-solves-crime-in-city-sent-to-remote-locale/958237)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2022, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-remember-a-british-cop-series-detective-solves-crime-in-city-sent-to-remote-locale/958237 "2022-01-24T20:41:27Z")
What I remember (FWIW) from the first episode is that a British detective in London solves a controversial crime involving higher-ups, possibly in sex crimes related to a child or children. He’s a brilliant fellow and so… --- ## [Is the Dog and Cat War Biologically-Based?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-dog-and-cat-war-biologically-based/958254)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2022, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-dog-and-cat-war-biologically-based/958254 "2022-01-24T20:28:16Z")
Because I have had a large number of cats and dogs throughout my life. And they never quite got along. Some were certainly more tolerant than others (dogs). But that’s the farthest it went. We got this collie mix in 199… --- ## [Coffee nap - anybody do this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-nap-anybody-do-this/958311)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2022, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-nap-anybody-do-this/958311 "2022-01-24T20:03:59Z")
Some mornings, my wife will wake up, have one or two cups of coffee, then go back to sleep for another 30-40 minutes. To me that sort of defeats the whole purpose of the coffee, which is to help wake you up. But hey, it … --- ## [Priest confession legality question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/priest-confession-legality-question/957842)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2022, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/priest-confession-legality-question/957842 "2022-01-24T20:01:44Z")
In another thread, not mainly about this subject, I asked a question that never really got addressed. I’m not Catholic, never have been, never will be (religious in any way) so maybe that’s why I’m unclear, but say a pri… --- ## [The Appeal of Wordle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-appeal-of-wordle/958192)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2022, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-appeal-of-wordle/958192 "2022-01-24T19:52:39Z")
Having played it for the past few weeks, my conclusion is that it’s a kind of Internet feel-good game, by which I mean it’s designed to have a VERY high rate of success. I mean, think about it: you’ve got 30 blank boxes… --- ## [Reaction to Pfizer booster: did anyone feel unusually cold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-pfizer-booster-did-anyone-feel-unusually-cold/957769)
**Author:** [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2022, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reaction-to-pfizer-booster-did-anyone-feel-unusually-cold/957769 "2022-01-24T18:38:03Z")
I got the booster yesterday and last night I nearly froze to death. I couldn’t get warm despite extra blankets, wearing a heavy sweater in bed, and keeping the heat on. I’m in southern CA, so it wasn’t the weather. H… --- ## [You're President. How do you decorate the Oval Office?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-president-how-do-you-decorate-the-oval-office/958248)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2022, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-president-how-do-you-decorate-the-oval-office/958248 "2022-01-24T15:43:44Z")
Drapes, carpet, busts, paintings, etc.? My taste in color would probably be considered horrid by many; I like gaudy red, orange and yellow and the drapes and carpet that I’d pick would make the Oval Office look like som… --- ## [Mangetout's "Slaughter Valley" videos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mangetouts-slaughter-valley-videos/957484)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2022, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mangetouts-slaughter-valley-videos/957484 "2022-01-24T15:16:34Z")
Our own Mangetout has recently started uploading a new series of videos to his YouTube channel where he posts under the name “Atomic Shrimp”. In the past he’s posted mostly videos about scambaiting, food, and other misce… --- ## [A couple of cool science videos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-cool-science-videos/958279)
**Author:** [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2022, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-cool-science-videos/958279 "2022-01-24T14:39:33Z")
I came across these totally by accident, but thought I would share because I found them quite interesting. The first is a talk given at the Royal Institution in London by Sean Carroll on quantum mechanics. Carroll is m… --- ## [Would it be inaccurate or misleading to define a "miracle" as an "impossibilty"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-inaccurate-or-misleading-to-define-a-miracle-as-an-impossibilty/956665)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2022, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-inaccurate-or-misleading-to-define-a-miracle-as-an-impossibilty/956665 "2022-01-24T14:30:35Z")
I’m imagining that those who believe in miracles would have an issue with this definition, and those who don’t would not, but I’m not sure if this true or why it would be true. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1217) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1219)