# Happy birthday, Bob, BTW, there's a helicopter in your yard... This week's MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [August 2, 2010, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868 "2010-08-02T09:02:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/121 "2010-08-05T10:27:22Z")
I’m jittery and the setup at work does not allow for walks, does anybody have a human-sized hamster wheel I can borrow? ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/122 "2010-08-05T11:28:28Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > ..Is that homemade clam chowder? I’ll caulk for clam chowder! But not if it comes in a can. The clam chowders in a can I’ve tried were all on the bad side of yuck :(… Sadly, no. Progresso makes edible canned clam chowder. Not great, but good enough to buy and eat once in a while. Up later than I wanted to be. Am awake and need to make a list of what I need to get done. Off to find breakfast and get ready for company. Might not be back till late tonight… GT ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/123 "2010-08-05T12:04:21Z")
Up, caffeinated, off to irk. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/124 "2010-08-05T12:27:14Z")
Blurf. I kept waking up 'cuz I couldn’t breathe last night. When you wear a CPAP mask, and your nose gets stuffy, it sucketh mightily, it does. Carry on. (I can haz Firday, plz?) ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/125 "2010-08-05T13:01:33Z")
Hello, everyone. I feel awkward just butting in here but truth be told I miss you guys. So here I am! News: About three months now in late April my mother died. I have been dealing with the fallout from this in various ways. My dad has come back into my life much heavier than I am prepared to deal with and at a point in my life when I don’t really need or want a dad that was passive almost my whole life. The issues with my mom and I are swimming in the back of my mind and I am sad to think that now there is no chance of patching up our relationship. But I went to see her before she died and she saw the SO, and I am happy about that. It’s not all bad news though. Summer is going very well otherwise. We spent a lot of weekends traveling back and forth from Bethlehem, Penn… which is where my mom and dad lived, and where my dad lived until the end of June, to the point where I really got tired of traveling. My family - mom’s cousins - were super-catty at the wake and just showed off the high class people we are! 🙂 Last week I was at a training and met up with **OtakuLoki** and had dinner with him, which was fun. I’ll write more as time goes on! Just wanted to update everyone a bit…HELLO! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/126 "2010-08-05T13:05:39Z")
Hi **Mika**! Long time no see in this particular corner, but you know where the fridge is, c’mon all the way in. ---
**Author:** ![Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sticks_and_scones/32/16951_2.png) [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sticks_and_Scones)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/127 "2010-08-05T13:18:55Z")
I’m starving!!! In completely unrelated news, we’ll be heading to the funeral of our church’s former pastor in a little while. I posted his obituary on fb. He was a good man and full of faith. He passed away at the age of 82. Unfortunately, the church has gone downhill greatly in recent years after he and his son both left. My grandparents still attend there because it’s practically the only church they’ve ever known. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/128 "2010-08-05T14:27:55Z")
Hi **mika**! Sorry to hear about your mom. I know the two of you did not have the greatest of relationships, but still it’s a sad time. I’m glad to hear things are goin’ well otherwise. You noticed we redecorated no doubt. Just don’t move any of the plants. That will freak **gt** out! 😃 I have run a couple of quick errands and have vacuumed and dusted and cleaned off the back porch. It’s heatin’ up quick outside so I’m glad to have all that done. I lurve Summer but if’n outside stuff does not get done early it gets to be too much to do. ETA: Sorry to hear about your former pastor **StickyBuns**. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/129 "2010-08-05T14:31:23Z")
> [@swampbear](#): > > Hi **mika**! Sorry to hear about your mom. I know the two of you did not have the greatest of relationships, but still it’s a sad time. I’m glad to hear things are goin’ well otherwise. You noticed we redecorated no doubt. Just don’t move any of the plants. That will freak **gt** out! 😃 Yes, it certainly looks lovely! I am quite pleased. August was going really well in terms of heat - 85 to 90 every day but very little humidity, until last night, when it suddenly turned sweltering. I woke up several times because it was so damn HOT. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/130 "2010-08-05T14:56:42Z")
> [@dogbutler](#): > > > [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](#): > > > > Oh, I see how it is. > > > > It’s _boys night out_ and I’m not invited. ☹ > > Don’t be mad, **Sticky** , let’s bury the hatchet.:eek: I will be there all week. With 25 pounds of DuPonts finest, he could end up all over the place all week! 😃 > [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](#): > > I wasn’t mad, honest! I just forgot the 😉 at the end of my post. So, let’s not \*bury the hatchet \*and say we did. 😛 > > We’ll just plan to [del]axe murder[/del] meet with **kopek** on Monday and if you’ve already made it to town, then we’ll [del]axe murder[/del] meet with you, too. 🙂 Note to self: check the supply of drip-proof trash bags. > [@swampbear](#): > > **StickyBuns, Doggio and Ruble** sounds like y’all have a plan to [del]axe murder[/del] meet each other next week! What would give you that impression? [http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2009/01/11/theshining\_wideweb\_\_470x312,0.jpg](http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2009/01/11/theshining_wideweb__470x312,0.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Taters](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/taters/32/2845_2.png) [@Taters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taters)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/131 "2010-08-05T15:05:46Z")
Hi **Mika**! It’s so good to see you here. I’m sorry about your mother, but am glad things are going fairly well otherwise. I was up before the buttcrack of dawn, but did go to back to bed for a little while. I had to get up for good because Polar kept whining at the door to be let in. I’ve got some errands to run today and I want to do some more stuff in the backyard. I think that’s the extent of my plans. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/132 "2010-08-05T16:22:52Z")
Welcome back, **Mika**! We missed you, too! Sorry about your mom, and the resulting stress and stuff. ☹ I don’t know if I’ve mentioned the red headed boy much lately, but he’s still here! On Saturday, I’m taking him to the SPCA and start official proceedings. He will have been here two weeks with nary a word from the owner. The last time I saw her, and practically begged her to give him to me or let me buy him, and got her to at least let him spend the night, she said she would pick him up “tomorrow afternoon at 2:00.” Which was July 24. In my mind, he is abandoned. So we’re gonna adopt him legally, and stop this nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![Taters](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/taters/32/2845_2.png) [@Taters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taters)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/133 "2010-08-05T16:39:39Z")
I’m so glad, \*\*rebo. \*\*I’ve been wondering what’s going on with your red-headed boy. I hope it all works out this time. I need to finish getting motivated so I can head out to the stores. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/134 "2010-08-05T17:25:44Z")
**Meeeeeeeeeks!** Sorry to hear about your mother. Glad things are going well otherwise, though. Progressing with the clean up. Office is done; living room is cleared out, but not vacuumed, am working on the guest room. Then I need to put the bathroom back together again and clean the kitchen. Shouldn’t take long, but still… Faraway Best Friend was planning to get to her brother’s around noon. Haven’t heard anything yet (it’s 1:30 here). I’ll call once I’ve got everything in reasonable place. Back later, maybe… Hugs. GT ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/135 "2010-08-05T18:34:56Z")
I’m sorry about all of your recent stress, **Anaamika**! This morning I found out that a friend has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and will be having a mastectomy on the 13th. This makes the second friend with breast cancer in as many years, and the umpteenth friend or family member with some kind of cancer since I was 9 and it killed my grandfather. F\*\*k cancer. :mad: I don’t do any walks, but I’ve been involved with [Relay for Life](http://www.relayforlife.org/) a few times (and last August my dog and I did “Bark for Life”). [QUOTE=FairyChatMom] \*\*Misnomer \*\*- first off, you need a shorter nickname. 😃 [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=gardentraveler] I agree that Misnomer needs a shorter name. I was thinking MN (because I lack imagination and am attached to two-letter nicknames, apparently) and that led me to LMNOP. (Hey! It’s better than Minnesota, which would, you know, be longer…) [/QUOTE] You guys know the rule about nicknames: the name-ee has no say! Whatever y’all decide on will be fine. 🙂 [QUOTE=FairyChatMom] Secondly, you’re close enough, sorta, to me that we should plan a mini-Mumpfest! Do you like to sail? [/QUOTE] I have no idea. 😃 In my lifetime I’ve been on a speedboat, a cruise ship, a fishing boat, and a hovercraft: I enjoyed those four well enough, so I’d be up for sailing! ---
**Author:** ![Tupug\_Anachi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@Tupug\_Anachi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tupug_Anachi)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/136 "2010-08-05T19:08:06Z")
Well, it’s almost like old home week! Hi **shadow**! Cute kitteh! Hi **meeks**! I know exactly what you mean about not having closure with your mother. My condolences. Condolences to you, too, **bob**. What can anyone say about such a sad happening. On a happy note. My phee-one has arrived and I’m going to pick it up on my way home. Yikes! Where are the crib notes? **mooom** , why did I think you had also met **rue**? Happy Thors Day to all. Tupug ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/137 "2010-08-05T19:12:35Z")
On the phone with Mom, who’s already said three times that expected deaths aren’t so bad. Apparently she thinks I don’t remember that her denial was so thick you could have used it to plate a tank… Oh yes, and her mother is selfish. No shit, wonder who she takes after? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/138 "2010-08-05T19:12:59Z")
Thank you all, and I’m sorry to hear about your friend, Misnomer. ☹ On another note, why is it that I can go the whole day quietly and then EVERYONE needs my attention all at the same time? ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/139 "2010-08-05T19:21:29Z")
**Missy** (I have spoken thus mote it be!) your friend is in my thoughts and prayers. We’re goin’ for an early dindin at the seafood place cause I’ve been savin’ up my appetite to go and I’s hongry! So we’ll go around 4:30ish like the geezers we are. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868/140 "2010-08-05T20:09:57Z")
\*\*Puggy \*\*- I never did meet **Rue** , although we spoke on the phone once. I’ve never had occasion to visit Cincinnati and he obviously doesn’t love me enough to leave his family behind and come visit me, so… _\_ I have some vague memory of him thinking maybe about visiting the DC area as an education trek for his kids, but I don’t think it ever happened. \*\*Missy \*\*(good choice, **swampster**!) - September is usually prime sailing time on the bay. August is too doggone hot. We’ll figure something out. The window guy was just here replacing the window that had the broken lift handle. Once again, I have to say I love my contractor! Rather than fixing it, they ordered a whole new sash. Tonight’s exciting plans involve getting a new battery for our van, and having dinner out. Oh yeah, we’re wild! After I feed the animals, we’ll go - maybe half an hour from now. Welcome back, \*\*Meeks \*\*and **Shadow**! Didja bring us presents?? 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-bob-btw-theres-a-helicopter-in-your-yard-this-weeks-mmp/548868.md?page=8)