# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 28, 2022, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380 "2022-09-28T11:33:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 231
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4604 "2023-06-02T16:22:40Z")
I’ve met a few Dopers IRL. I met **kopeck** a couple of times. We participated in Pittsburgh’s SantaCon/Santarchy. He was an Amish Santa and gave out cigars to good boys and girls over 18. I was a dirty Santa and gave out pornography to good girls and boys over 18. We had some plans to do things down the road. Sadly, he passed away. I also met **ScumPup** at a bar one summer. In person he was a really cool guy, not like his persona here. He was banned. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4605 "2023-06-02T16:34:30Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > I’d arranged to meet another Doper in Pawtucket in 2012 after a game, but he flaked on me. Don’t remember who it was. Just went through my PMs and found that it was @TriPolar I was going to meet up with. And it turns out _I_ flaked on _him_! Sorry about that, TP! ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4606 "2023-06-02T16:38:25Z")
If there are any Dopers near lake county Ohio( east of Cleveland), I am up for it. Just look for the woman with a top that says The Committee! ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4607 "2023-06-02T16:40:09Z")
I’ve had phone conversations with a couple of Dopers. ---
**Author:** ![TruePisces](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/truepisces/32/13628_2.png) [@TruePisces](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruePisces)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4608 "2023-06-02T17:43:04Z")
I’ve met more Dopers and former Dopers than you can shake a stick at. Being in NYC in the early 2000s when there were the yearly mega Fests, then being in charge of putting together regular Philly Fests, plus going to one DopeFest here in Nashville… Back in 2000, I was introduced here by a friend/boyfriend. In 2003, I married another Doper. Some of my best friends are people I met in the day. Yeah, the Dope has been really good for my life. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4609 "2023-06-02T17:52:56Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I cut myself some slack on the interstate question. I’ve driven the _entire_ length of I-5 multiple times, but the trip I counted was one that started in Bellingham, WA and ended in northern San Diego county. I count it because I did it in one swell foop, stopping only to gas up and eat/pee. Took me just over 18 hours. That’s a decent time. I’ve driven almost non-stop from Eureka to L.A., (I stopped for a real meal) and that took me 14 hours. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4610 "2023-06-02T18:07:37Z")
Long time ago. Didn’t we both remember it after after the day had passed? Oh, well, too late now, the Pawsox are now the Woosox. On the subject of meeting Dopers, I did go to one get together in Boston. I don’t remember exactly who was there except for CalMeacham and I think ElvisL1ves. There have been other Dopers from Rhode Island, any of whom I may have met without knowing it. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4611 "2023-06-02T18:10:35Z")
Dicussion thread? I didn’t know we had one of those. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4612 "2023-06-02T18:15:02Z")
But where should we discuss the polls discussions? Maybe we need another thread. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4613 "2023-06-02T18:18:10Z")
Read more closely. The word quoted isn’t “discussion.” thorny – now I’m pretty well guaranteed to make a similar error soon – locust ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4614 "2023-06-02T19:04:05Z")
I don’t know what my basic resting facial expression is. I’m not looking at it. And when I’m looking at my face in a mirror, it’s either because I’m looking at something in particular on/about my face, or looking at my face in general before going somewhere in order to see if there’s anything unusual about the way it looks that I could do something about; I’m not paying attention to what my expression looks like. – if I try feeling my face right now, my mouth has a slight downturn; I still can’t tell what any of the rest of my facial expression’s doing. So does that qualify as “slight frown”, or not? (And I think it changes if I look at the cat. So is that not a ‘resting’ expression? Or is the one while I’m looking at the computer not a ‘resting’ expresssion? I’m usually looking at something/somebody, unless I’m asleep.) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4615 "2023-06-02T19:05:00Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > … it makes me nostalgic about movies set then from decades later during my own childhood or teen years (like _Meremaids_ in 1990)… They may have been meremaids back then, but now they own the whole damn hotel! > [@SuntanLotion](#): > > If there are any Dopers near lake county Ohio( east of Cleveland), I am up for it. Just look for the woman with a top that says The Committee! **BMalion** and **elmwood** both hosted fun Cleveland-area DopeFests back in the day, but there hasn’t been one in a long time. I also once had the pleasure of attending a Joisey DopeFest hosted by **What Exit?** , at which I met him and **Loach** , among other estimable Dopers. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4616 "2023-06-02T19:13:43Z")
**peccavi** , you’ll appreciate this: > **[Johnny Cash Has Been Everywhere (Man)!](http://www.johnnycashhasbeeneverywhere.com/)** I’d never heard “Sleepwalk” by Santo & Johnny until I read an interview with Dan Chaon, whose near-future dystopic America novel _Sleepwalk_ takes its title from the song. Then I looked it up on YouTube. I’ve only been out-and-out drunk once in my life, at a cast party in college where I didn’t realize those screwdrivers were 'way more potent than I thought. When I’m tipsy or have a buzz on, though, I’m happy and relaxed, and a bit chattier than usual. I saw the night sky in all its starry glory several times when I was a Boy Scout, camping in remote areas, including Philmont Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico. Glorious! If I had to choose one seafood, it would be shrimp, which I love and which can be prepared in all sorts of interesting ways (as _Forrest Gump_ teaches us). But I’d hate to give up lobster, clams, crabs and oysters. Pittsburgh was our nearest big city, growing up, so I went to quite a few baseball games at Three Rivers. My parents were at the very last game at Forbes Field, its predecessor, in 1970, when fans were encouraged to bring crowbars, hammers, screwdrivers etc. and take away anything they liked. My dad still has the Forbes Field folding bench they got that day. I don’t remember highway numbers and can’t be arsed to look them up for a poll. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4617 "2023-06-02T20:11:11Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > I still have my ticket stub from the All-Star game at the Kingdome I worked with a guy who told me he went to the first Mariners game in the Kingdome, so I said, well, then, you should go to the last one. And, of course, he took my advice. I have been to a couple football games, but those were boring enough – I doubt I could get drunk enough to sit through the raw tedium of baseball. Luckily, we do not have to worry much in US about cricket. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4618 "2023-06-02T21:16:17Z")
I would prefer a simple tax code to a “fair” one. Complexity favors people who are already wealthy enough to hire accountants and lawyers. Whenever politicians try to screw the rich, they usually succeed in screwing the poor and the middle class. Small mom-and-pop businesses go bankrupt, and the big corporations end up with more market share than they had before. In a debate, Donald Trump once said to his opponent, “If you want me to pay more taxes, all you have to do is change the tax code. But you’re not going to do it. Because your donors use the same loopholes that I use.” ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4619 "2023-06-02T21:41:19Z")
I have met many Dopers! Mostly at Dopefests in SE Michigan, Philadelphia and New York City. I have become good online friends (with one wonderful in-person meeting) with **Asimovian.** @Least_Original_User_Name_Ever and **tracyfish** live local to me and we hang out every month or so. We bring them hand-me-downs for their new baby boy and they cook us smoked meats. I would consider them good friends. Occasionally we get to see @cmyk. Remember **Ambivalid**? Never actually met him before, but his Mom is my MIL’s best friend, so I know his Mom. He originally posted under his full name and I was like, “Waitaminute…” Hope he’s doing well. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4620 "2023-06-02T22:42:45Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I don’t know what my basic resting facial expression is. I’m not looking at it. Yeah, this. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2023, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4621 "2023-06-02T22:52:47Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > I would prefer a simple tax code to a “fair” one. “Simple” could theoretically be fair. Just set the income tax to an inexorable parabolic that makes it all but impossible to get past a certain level of wealth. Also, include assets (like a property tax). Wealthy people tell us we should strive to get rich, but all the evidence suggests that wealth makes people stupid, so we should discourage it. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2023, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4622 "2023-06-03T20:59:34Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > > > I don’t know what my basic resting facial expression is. I’m not looking at it. > > Yeah, this. There are these crazy things the kids these days are all calling “mirrors.” ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2023, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380/4623 "2023-06-03T21:07:15Z")
Resting face is when you’re completely focused on something besides social interactions, and the process of looking in the mirror is you focusing on what you look like. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=230) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-1/972380.md?page=232)