# Mumping for Dollars (or writing an MMPOP when you have no ideas) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [February 8, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094 "2010-02-08T01:46:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/81 "2010-02-09T17:41:38Z")
> [@Silver Tyger Girl](#): > > I have to scrape the crud out of the rollers every three or four weeks and I get a line of sweat or whatever along one button. At my last job, the mouse was optic so no ball, but it would still collect crud along the bottom. It was gross. > > And I had better get going because I just realized that the project I scheduled for taking a week and a half is due in two days and I haven’t started it. :eek::eek::eek: then maybe you could explain how cat hairs get in the mouse at work? ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/82 "2010-02-09T18:41:23Z")
I still haven’t shoveled the snow. I got my hair done and it’s ok. I’m kind meh about it–I thought it would look different. No pics, sorry. I have cookies in the oven, and pork in the crockpot. I also have a sinus headache that is BAD. I need to take drugs for it, but I haven’t… I am wasting my day off. This is a good thing, but I will regret it later. I may not go into work tomorrow–it depends on if the middle school has a snow day. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/83 "2010-02-09T19:57:21Z")
> [@SpazCat](#): > > Hi, didja miss me? I missed me. Had you lost yourself? > [@Mahna\_Mahna](#): > > **Nava** , that’s just silly talk. Besides, I thought it was **LiLi** who was under a no-contractions mandate?.. apparently pregnant women and translation students have more in common than I thought. 😃 Well, both groups display a fondness for chocolate… [rant]Having classes at a time at which caffeine sources are unavailable ought’a be against the law, say I. But at least today we were given a bunch of info on that no-contractions rule and some others which we were supposed to know of but didn’t. This should make further documentating easier, as we’ll have a better idea of what is it we’re supposed to do and how. A large amount of the grades is based on dotting the t’s and crossing the i’s, which we will gladly do once we know we have to, but at least half the class had gone and crossed the t’s and dotted the i’s. I find it :rolleyes:😛 that the teachers keep talking about how “in academic settings you must always do things XYZ” when the evidence from having to prepare bibliographies is that 90% of the articles out there in this particular piece of academia do not follow whichever convention they’re talking about. Seriously: 15 years ago, I could identify which Chemistry Journal had an article come from just by looking at table and citation formats; the Translation and Interpretation Journals we’ve been using are all over the place re. formatting. You can open any normal issue of a journal, pick any of those “rules we should know already,” and find at least one article which breaks it. I say any normal issue because monographics tend to be more consistant. [/rant] One of the reasons I like this specific keyboard model is that its N key withstands my typing for more than five minutes. Seriously, I’ve had keyboards whose N was fuzzy within a week of meeting me and had gone MIA in a month. No idea why. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/84 "2010-02-09T20:26:57Z")
> [@VunderBob](#): > > **BioRosie** , some of us are Gentiles. What is a (plain old) mitzvah? > > \*\*Spaz, \*\*you date a guy for 3 weeks, and you’re getting headaches? I’ve been getting these migraines for three months and it’s starting to get worrisome. My mother got migraines with her pms and I’m terrified of getting Alzheimer’s and somewhere in my twisted mentality the two are connected. I tried to get an appointment with PP today but so far I haven’t heard anything. Oh well, if I get written up for missing today I don’t care. I needed a sanity day. In other news, sweet potato pancakes are the best kind of pancakes in this wide world. ---
**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:** [February 9, 2010, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/85 "2010-02-09T20:28:57Z")
Howdy Y’all! One down and four to go! I had me some more Super High Intensity Trainin’ today. Two hours worth of well, I have no idea. It’s stuff that _might_ happen either by February 21st or never. Either way, I’m good. **Taters** sounds like doggy is missin’ his sister, poor thing. You people have some gross keyboards and mouses! ICK! **rigs** I thought wastin’ time was the point of a day off at home alone. **Ruble** I hope you didn’t spill beer on the Lenin. You might be made to take a walk on the pier Andropov. 😛 No soup left **Muppet**. Sorry. We made pigs of ourselves last night and the leftover soup got eaten for **N.O.L.** today. Tonight’s dindin is pot roast with carrots and **N.O.T.** and lima beans. I may makie some cornbread also. NUM! ---
**Author:** ![taxi78cab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@taxi78cab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taxi78cab)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/86 "2010-02-09T20:36:46Z")
I got a new computer at work while I was away. I hate it. I did not _want_ a new computer. It’s _slower_ than my old computer. It’s brand-frickin-new and it’s slower than my old 5-yo computer. They forgot to install IM so I can’t quickly talk to anyone or check to see if they’re available (the spying part is the more important part really). They forgot to activate one piece of software so I can’t use it until they come by with the license. And they switched my mouse buttons on me. I told them last week that even though I have the mouse on the left, I like the buttons the “normal” way. But no, they switched them. Yes, I know how to fix that, and I did, but it’s part of the over all annoyance. That and the repeated freezing. And the fact that the programs on my task bar won’t stay in place. I’m used to a certain order, and I open my programs in that order so they’re always in the same place on the task bar. But no. Firefox (at least they did install that, thankfully. It’s not standard where I work, and I thought they might not be happy that I had it.) keeps moving to the end of the line, which is NOT where it belongs. I’m a little peeved. Other than the annoyances of being back at work (and being reeeeeeeeeeeeally tired of training new coworkers), I had a good long weekend and a good trip to Charleston. The weather was meh. But good visits with family friends and lots of good food. I’ll post pics at some point. But five minutes after being back, the relaxation of vacation is loooooooooooong gone. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/87 "2010-02-09T22:32:07Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > then maybe you could explain how cat hairs get in the mouse at work? They fell off my shirt. At least while I had cats. Otherwise it non-cat related crud. I’m doing good! I’m actually working! And now I’m getting back to work! ---
**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:** [February 9, 2010, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/88 "2010-02-09T22:50:49Z")
Good for you **ShinyCat**! I haven’t had to lecture you once about your work. Now if only certain others (you _know_ who you are!) would only follow your example. Dindin was gooooooooooood! Good enough to be et again tomorrow night cause there be leftovers! ---
**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:** [February 9, 2010, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/89 "2010-02-09T22:57:08Z")
So, I’ve noticed **FCM** hasn’t posted today. I wonder if she had to go into work. I hope she didn’t lose her power. Hugs and smooches to all. ---
**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:** [February 9, 2010, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/90 "2010-02-09T22:57:33Z")
The driveway has been shoveled. That is all. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/91 "2010-02-09T23:03:38Z")
Awwwww, **Taters** , aren’t you sweet for noticing! 😉 I didn’t lose power, but shortly after my last post yesterday, I lost internet access and I just decided to turn the machine off and knit. I did go to work today, even worked 45 minutes over, then stopped by the grocery for a rotissed chickie, some salad, and a boston creme pie. Yummy supper! We’ve eaten, the dishwasher is running, and here I is! Round 2 of white shit from hell has started. It’s not snowing here, tho - it’s pelleting! I don’t know if it’s called sleet or frozen rain or Evil Demon Pellet of Ice from Hell, but it sounds all crackly when I let the dogs out. I’ll be surprised if we have work tomorrow - they’re saying we may get another 6-8" tonight and tomorrow. I foresee working on Saturday, alas. Our deadlines aren’t shifting and my team lead gave me a major to-do list this afternoon. Oh well… Such is my life. I’m achy, but I’ve been sleeping well - exhaustion will do that. I’ll knit the evening away again after I’m done reading the funnies and Dear Abby. Who can I warm my cold hands on?? Anyone?? ---
**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:** [February 9, 2010, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/92 "2010-02-09T23:14:04Z")
Well, you know, I worry about my fellow Mumpers… You can’t warm your hands on me, **FCM.** My own hands are cold as two blocks of ice. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/93 "2010-02-09T23:15:23Z")
Oh, I forgot the tale of yesterday’s delayed opening at work. Apparently the back gate on base didn’t open till 10, traffic was backed up at both gates, and the parking lot at our buildings had not been cleared. As the clearing progressed, people ended up parking so that they blocked the early comers in. I made the right choice by staying home. Yay me! 😃 ---
**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:** [February 9, 2010, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/94 "2010-02-09T23:29:35Z")
I’m freezing, too **FCM**. Need to pull on one of the blankets that live on the couch. It’s been snowing all day. We’ve gotten about 4 inches already (I need to get out and shovel) and are supposed to get 2 more tonight and then 2 more tomorrow. Big fun. Glad you had a nice time in Charleston, **taxi**. Mouse stories like the above are the reason I use a trackpad whenever possible. Glad they’re keeping DH, **gotti** , even if they’re not making him permanent (yet). I’d really like to take a nap, but I think I need to shovel, first. GT ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/95 "2010-02-10T00:01:29Z")
Well, crap. We can’t do our refi after all. The credit union where we have our HELOC has some requirement that’s incompatible with USAA. So much for paying it all off in 15 years. I’ll look around for someone else. But it pisses me off - we had to pay USAA a $350 nonrefundable fee. Thanks for nothing, guys. ☹ ---
**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:** [February 10, 2010, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/96 "2010-02-10T00:11:09Z")
Damn, that sucks, **FCM.** Sorry to hear it. ---
**Author:** ![tarragon918](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@tarragon918](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarragon918)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/97 "2010-02-10T00:34:40Z")
Fed. govt in DC area is closed for Wednesday, February 10. This is getting old! I mean, not that I -want- to actually venture out into the cold and snow, but OMG, we are going to have to pay for this, big time, I suspect. I’m also feeling a bit snappish, unfortunately. Corned beef and cabbage for supper tonight; at least that was very tasty. 🙂 I forgot to thank **BBBBBobbio** for the bambulance tales, they are a welcome distraction! It also occured to me that some of your EMT folks - the ones that have been there the longest - might actually know my cousin and her hubby, who used to run a private ambulance service in Suffolk. My cousin used to be dispatcher. Heh. Everyone please stay warm and dry. **FCM** , sorry that I don’t have anything to warm up your hands with though! **Rosie’s** sig to any and all who need or want it. 🙂 ---
**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:** [February 10, 2010, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/98 "2010-02-10T01:35:37Z")
Add another one to the cold pile. We also had rotisserie chicken for dinner along with Bob Evan’s mashed potatoes. Very tasty! Now I’m putting off important work by doing less important work. Go figure. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/99 "2010-02-10T01:39:55Z")
Shoveled AGAIN. Probably not going to library tomorrow. Pork in crockpot was good, and I made popovers to go with. Yum. We’re supposed to get 10 inches tonight (I should be so lucky–did I just say that? I don’t believe it!) 😉 Throat is scratchy. Not good. Haven’t had a cold in over a year. ---
**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:** [February 10, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094/100 "2010-02-10T01:46:48Z")
I’m watching German TV online and writing Valentines. Haven’t shoveled yet. Might consider it if I go out to mail the Valentines tonight yet. Maybe. I’ve warmed up in the meantime (two blankets and a laptop help). Donwanna go to work tomorrow. But you can bet the State of Ohio will be up and running. Back later. GT [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mumping-for-dollars-or-writing-an-mmpop-when-you-have-no-ideas/528094.md?page=6)