# Bad, bad, bad Beck is and her quarantine shopping. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 6, 2020, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221 "2020-04-06T21:15:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221/41 "2020-04-09T14:18:12Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > 1. Panties. I’ve ordered a butt-load of underwear. If yer butt’s loading yer underwear, yer doing _something_ wrong. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221/42 "2020-04-09T14:21:48Z")
Since we can’t go out, I decided to treat myself to a new steam engine casting kit. [This is the one.](https://tiny-power.square.site/product/2v-10m/26?cs=true) It arrived few weeks ago, in the form of a very heavy box filled with cast lumps of bronze wrapped individually in brown paper. This thing will take about 50 hours of machine shop time to complete, so I have plenty to do. The best part? I get to order all kinds of little tool bits and assorted machinist paraphernalia. Every day or so a new package arrives, and I try to guess what it is. Yesterday a 1/4” carbide ball end-mill cutter showed up. Maybe my 11/16” reamer will appear today. Or the 7/16-40 tap and die. I love buying new tools…it’s half of the fun of this hobby! ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221/43 "2020-04-09T15:09:52Z")
And just a few minutes ago the mailman stopped by. Cool! the 11/16" reamer arrived, along with the 7/32-40 taps and die. Now I have some fun stuff to do. Who knows what will show up tomorrow… ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221/44 "2020-04-09T15:30:51Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Laptop arrived at least a day early, but for my past transgressions it still needs to be opened by a staff member to see if Amazon slipped in a bottle of vodka. I hate this dump. Man. That would be nice. Amazon could really up their sales with that business model. “Here, Mr.Zone, enjoy a nice adult beverage, on us. Be sure and look/buy more more and more!” I just got an alert, my origami paper will arrive today. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221/45 "2020-04-09T15:48:33Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Aside from supplies I needed to set up a home work space (and things I probably should have had already anyways), like keyboard and mouse wrist rests (I got a set of [these cute pink pig ones](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/317zhoK8E9L._SL500_AC_SS350_.jpg)), I’ve been buying stuff to put together a survival bugout bag. > > I already had a good knife, and I bought: > > [ul] > [li]drybag backpack[/li][li]lightweight fiberglass handle hatchet[/li][li]folding entrenching tool[/li][li]Army compass[/li][li]canteen with steel cup[/li][li]200 ft of neon yellow 750 lb paracord[/li][li]200 ft of green camo 750 lb paracord[/li][li]magnesium strips and flint strikers[/li][li]10mm thick 8x10 tarp[/li][li]iodine tablets[/li][li]lifestraws[/li][li]hand-crank solar LED flashlights[/li][li]headlamps[/li][li]first aid kit[/li][li]compact fishing kit[/li][li]compact sewing kit[/li][li]a bunch of heavy duty waterproof zip bags (so some of this stuff can just go in a normal JanSport)[/li][li]mylar space blankets[/li][li]mosquito net[/li][li]roll-up ponchos and rain pants[/li][li]fishing hats with neck and face flaps[/li][li]book: “ACEP First Aid Manual, 5th ed.”[/li][li]book: “Wilderness Survival for Dummies”[/li][li]book: “Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods”[/li][/ul] > > My wife thinks I’m a little nuts right now, but I’m certain this thing is going to save our lives one day. Maybe sooner than either of us thinks. I assured her I wasn’t about to “Mosquito Coast” us. Then I had to explain to her what “Mosquito Coasting us” meant. 😃 > > Now I’m thinking about what maps I should get. Very very nice, DC! May I make a small suggestion? Tuck a few tubes of LANACANE cream in a nook or cranny of that bag. When you bug out, the bloodthirsty bugs BITE. Lanacane will save your soul and your sanity. You can worship me later.😃 ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221/46 "2020-04-09T16:12:25Z")
Amazon Prime - phooey! I ordered something last week. Thursday, a message was posted on the order, saying that the package had been picked up by the carrier, from a Amazon warehouse less than 10 miles from my house. Saturday, the message says it was transferred to the local postal carrier. WTF? So an Amazon carrier drove it to the post office, so it could be delivered to my house, 10 miles away? Why am I paying for Prime? ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221/47 "2020-04-09T16:50:24Z")
How are you doing that? Nothing I’ve ordered has shown up in less than 2 weeks, and that includes a CD and some face wash foam. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221/48 "2020-04-09T17:06:17Z")
Dunno. It might be that a lot of what I’ve bought isn’t actually sourced from Amazon warehouses. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221/49 "2020-04-09T18:37:09Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > . . . DIL says anything coming from China may take longer. We’ll see how long my origami paper takes. It’s straight from China. Oh. That’s why my [“Green ball Ant Animal Antenna Headband Hairband Halloween Cosplay Party Costume Headwear”](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T9RLC6Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) took so long to come. Fortunately, I don’t need it before Halloween. Also, the item that arrived was better than the picture. I salute you, **minor7flat5**. You’re doing this right. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221/50 "2020-04-09T20:32:17Z")
Bread has been made from the gluten-free flour. I added the requisite xanthan gum, and followed the space-shuttle-button-pushing-instructions for my breadmaker. I’m just now polishing off my slice. Definitely an OMG moment. I am really glad, since I have about 350 pounds of the gluten-free flour left. Xanthan gum was purchased on Amazon, and received shortly after I clicked my mouse on “Place Order.” ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Quondam\_Mechanic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quondam_mechanic/32/3404_2.png) [@Quondam\_Mechanic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quondam_Mechanic)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221/51 "2020-04-09T21:33:54Z")
In my neighborhood, either the uptick in mail orders from the quarantine or the release of some unknown malefactor from the hoosegow has led to a resurgence in porch piracy. And of course Amazon delivery crews can’t be expected to ring the doorbell the way UPS does… sigh. But it’s keeping me from going the way of **Beck** , at least for now. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221/52 "2020-04-10T03:20:13Z")
My origami paper showed up ‘on’ my mailbox. Yes I said ‘ON’, DIL said the obvious Amazon white shipping bag was balanced on top of the mailbox. Now, my RR mailbox is several miles from my driveway. It’s amazing it was still there. Low traffic road is all the saved it. I usually have things sent to a post office box I rent. UPS has been doing better about bringing things to my Drive. Sometimes they leave pkgs. on the gate or the driveway. If you stand at my gate and look toward the house you can’t see much. It’s kinda spooky. Occasionally they’ll come on down the driveway, to deliver. I know when they stop at my gate because I have a gate alarm. So I know somebody is there or coming to the house. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221/53 "2020-04-10T06:17:37Z")
I have nightmare stories about UPS. We try desperately to get stuff delivered to the PO BOX, but Amazon has hissy fits over that. The US Mail box for our AZ property is right off the paved highway. And that’s two and a half miles away from the house. FedEx knows where our house is. Everyone else is confused. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2020, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221/54 "2020-04-12T23:36:24Z")
Well, after receiving my special tap and die I got down to business and made the tiny oil cups for the bearings of the steam engine–the funky tap and die were needed for those fine threads on the lids. They were made from a solid brass rod, and each one took a dozen or so machining operations. [Hand made oil cups](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-xCSMXDv/0/50d4d3c0/X3/i-xCSMXDv-X3.jpg) [Current state of steam engine](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-gsBPTFK/0/8c9c581d/X3/i-gsBPTFK-X3.jpg) I have a feeling this project will keep me busy for a few months. By then we can hopefully peek out of the bunker. Meanwhile, it continues to give me excuses to buy more tools! ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2020, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221/55 "2020-04-13T12:24:50Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > I have nightmare stories about UPS. > > We try desperately to get stuff delivered to the PO BOX, but Amazon has hissy fits over that. The US Mail box for our AZ property is right off the paved highway. And that’s two and a half miles away from the house. > > FedEx knows where our house is. Everyone else is confused. > ~VOW Whoever it was that named the streets in my neighborhood was an idiot. My street is, let’s call it 65th St. It’s 65th St. from the main road all the way to the cross intersection just past my house. At that point, and there’s no stop sign or anything, straight across the intersection for some reason becomes 65th Place, and 65th St. continues after a 90 degree right turn. _Why the fuck would you continue a street around a corner and rename the remaining section something else?!_ I cannot come up with any practical explanation. These streets were all built at the same time, there’s no fucking reason for this at all. I’ve been writing to the county/city (we’re not technically inside the borders of the city our postal address lists us at) for years to try and get at least one of these streets renamed but haven’t made much progress. And of course, UPS and FedEx drivers are prohibited from using their own GPS (“It’s a distraction from driving” is their reasoning), so they always, always go down the wrong street (the part after the right turn) and claim my address doesn’t exist. If I’d realized this when we were looking at the house I’d never have bought it, it’s the source of endless frustrations. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221/56 "2020-04-23T01:46:13Z")
I just recieved a gift I bought for someone from Amazon. I can’t wait to gift it. My understanding is this item came from Guatemala. It came in 4 days from the time I ordered it. Simply amazing how fast USPS got it to me. Yay! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-is-and-her-quarantine-shopping/851221.md?page=2)