# Dumb thing(s) we did today **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 18, 2025, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456 "2025-02-18T16:11:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/1 "2025-02-18T16:11:08Z")
I do dumb things often-ish, and I’ve decided to celebrate them! Feel free to join in (or mock me, that’s also good). Today I bought a lovely new bird feeder for outside the window, to replace the old, gross one that’s hung there for decades. While I was out there transferring seeds from one to the other, it was rather windy, and some of the seeds & associated dust unexpectedly blew into my face/eyes. Did I mention that we get the “hot” seeds coated in capsaicin? I doubt it was as effective as, say, getting sprayed by an actual pepper spray canister, but holy shit. Eventually a lot of cupped hands and warm water ameliorated it, but man, I’m still tingling. I should have seen it coming, huh. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/2 "2025-02-18T22:44:37Z")
I thawed chicken on the countertop for about six hours today. I’m still going to eat it too! ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/3 "2025-02-18T22:46:35Z")
Just please make sure it is very thoroughly cooked. I’d consider using it in soup for the boiling. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/4 "2025-02-18T23:07:21Z")
I usually sprinkle some cinnamon on my breakfast oat groats, but one time after adding the usual butter and maple syrup, I grabbed the jar next to the cinnamon and sprinkled a mix of garlic, onion, shallots and chives all over it. It didn’t work well in that context. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/5 "2025-02-18T23:25:22Z")
I think a savory porridge maybe with some bacon crumbled in it might be good. StG ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/6 "2025-02-18T23:27:37Z")
Might be, but not with the maple syrup already in it. At least that was my conclusion. In our house, we do add oat groats to a lot of stews, soups, and other savories. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/7 "2025-02-19T00:02:10Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > Just please make sure it is very thoroughly cooked. Oh, I will! Though I figure if I get sick I win the thread. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/8 "2025-02-19T00:04:52Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > While I was out there transferring seeds from one to the other, it was rather windy, and some of the seeds & associated dust unexpectedly blew into my face/eyes. Two things to think about here: do not transfer seeds to a new feeder, that is how bird flu gets transmitted. Clean your feeders with a bleach solution weekly which will not only help stop the bird diseases from spreading, it will stop the dust from accumulating. Also, milk help with pepper spray, I would expect it would help with a face full of pepper dust as well. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/9 "2025-02-19T09:19:02Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Did I mention that we get the “hot” seeds coated in capsaicin? Is this to prevent squirrels? Dumb thing I did the day before yesterday, met a girl, got to kiss her, but cannot remember her name, and did not get a number. DOH! ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/10 "2025-02-19T09:35:44Z")
This wasn’t today, but a few weeks ago, I treated myself to a hunk o’cow. (I wanna say a piece of sirloin?) In my kitchen, beef gets a nice, long salt treatment, prior to searing. In my pantry, there is a canister of salt. Next to it, sits a very similar looking canister of sugar. … you can guess what happened. After some cursing, I gave the hunk o’cow a quick rinse and pat-dry, salted it _with the correct fucking canister_ and the residual sweetness still detectable was … not displeasing at all. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/11 "2025-02-19T10:19:44Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > I thawed chicken … what is the problem? I regularily (always?) thaw chicken overnight … I mean itś not that once it reaches +1 degree celsius it Will go bad or turn into tóxic waste. it Will turn from frozen chicken into refrigerated chicken, which I then use as indicated. my DOSE of stupidity yesterday: installing a solar lamp high up on a ladder over my fence … which has 30cm long spikes on top to keep honest people honest … ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/12 "2025-02-19T10:48:38Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Also, milk help with pepper spray Washing your eyes with milk? Yuck!! > [@scudsucker](#): > > but cannot remember her name, and did not get a number Did _she_ get your name and number? There is still hope! > [@Al128](#): > > itś not that once it reaches +1 degree celsius it Will go bad Exactly. And you should do something about that Spanish keyboard setting in your tablet. My dumb deed of the day? I just told someone to do something which is not my business. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/13 "2025-02-19T11:39:53Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Exactly. > And you should do something about that Spanish keyboard setting in your tablet. if you think that this is a nuisance to read - you should see the nuisance of me typing this thing up on my tablet (8 out of 10 mistakes I stop/correct before my msg. hit SDMB) … very frustrating! (typing on the computer now) My everyday com. needs are 80% spanish, 15% english and 5%german … you should see me type msg on whatsapp in german to my parents … LOTs of coursing as every damn word gets ~~autocorrected/autocorregido~~ auto-irgendwas …on my phone ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/14 "2025-02-19T11:50:40Z")
Oh, man, I could post in this thread daily. My latest: After receiving about 5 inches of snow I went out to crank up the snow blower. After about 15 minutes of effort the dang thing would not start. Frustrated, I shoveled the entire walk/driveway/porch/patio the old fashioned way. When done shoveling, I began disassembling the blower to investigate. I removed five screws when I noticed that I had not placed the key in the ignition, which is obviously required for starting. The key will now stay in the ignition, not on a nail in the garage. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/15 "2025-02-19T14:57:29Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > Is this to prevent squirrels? Yeah, we switched maybe five years ago when the red squirrels overran the feeder. I don’t mind them occasionally, but they’ll eat/carry off huge amounts of seed. They also dug a hole in the roof eave over the feeder that I haven’t figured out how to fix. > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > My latest: After receiving about 5 inches of snow I went out to crank up the snow blower. After about 15 minutes of effort the dang thing would not start. Frustrated, I shoveled the entire walk/driveway/porch/patio the old fashioned way. > > When done shoveling, I began disassembling the blower to investigate. I removed five screws when I noticed that I had not placed the key in the ignition, which is obviously required for starting. > > The key will now stay in the ignition, not on a nail in the garage. I apologize, but I laughed so loud that my wife asked what I was reading. I’m sure we’ve all done something similar. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/16 "2025-02-19T15:02:20Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > what is the problem? I left the chicken out on the counter until it got to room temperature. I usually treat chicken with more care than that. However, I couldn’t bring myself to throw it out, so I cooked the dickens out of it and it was fine! I haven’t done anything remarkably dumb today, but it’s still early… ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/17 "2025-02-19T15:16:30Z")
I always thaw my chicken and ground beef on the counter. It takes days to thaw in the fridge. I’ve been doing it this way for 40+ years and nothing has ever happened. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/18 "2025-02-19T15:20:22Z")
Well, if y’all insist, I was smart all day yesterday then! 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/19 "2025-02-19T15:24:10Z")
I accidently watered my new tree for 4.5 hours. I probably doubled my monthly water bill. I’m just glad that my neighbor saw it and texted me about just as I was going to bed… ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456/20 "2025-02-19T18:40:39Z")
After a 7 hour presentation about finance planning in the local language, which is not my mother tongue, I decided to get a Snickers bar. I took it back to my desk and decided I wanted water. So I grabbed my water bottle and took the elevator to the ground floor to get chilled drinking water. At least that was my plan. After I stepped off the elevator I realized I still had the Snickers bar, but no water bottle. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dumb-thing-s-we-did-today/1014456.md?page=2)