# (Old) Alexa, start the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [January 20, 2025, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150 "2025-01-20T12:09:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/141 "2025-01-21T14:51:15Z")
It’s neg 8 in no. Illinois. Have to go to the pulmonary dr for my annual and so he can tell me the results of the CT which I already know. Then to the gym which is across the street from the Dr office. And MAYBE Trader Joe’s if I have the energy. ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/142 "2025-01-21T14:52:42Z")
Oh my goodness you all are a chatty bunch this week. 140 posts by Tuesday morning! **Metal Mouse** I’m glad to see you’re bouncing back so quickly! **BBBoo** I hope your successful surgery makes you feel a little less anxious about getting the other eye done! **Last Night Non-Sober Shoe** If you can get all that done after a joint and some drinks, I need you to teach me your ways **nellie** It sounds like your neighbor has had issues with noise complaints in the past and knows how to play the game to stretch this out as long as possible. I hope you and the other neighbors can annoy the manager enough that she’ll finally take care of the problem. **FCM** I hope you both have an enjoyable vacation and that it does you good to get away for a bit. **Taters** sorry you are losing your telework options. I know several people affected and none of them are happy about it. It’s chilly here but nothing like what a lot of you are dealing with, so a relatively toasty 8f/-13c. I’m at a stuck point at work - I can’t move forward until other people send me their things, and none of them seem close to being ready to do so. A short reprieve from busyness is nice, but if they take too long then it’ll take some frantic work to get it all wrapped up in time. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/143 "2025-01-21T14:54:10Z")
philly is at 12 degrees with 7 mph winds gusting to 14. the gusts are playing havoc with the building’s elevators. the doors don’t close properly and a person inside and a person outside have to give the doors a synchronized push together. this seems to be a double door problem. not a single door problem. a good journey to the chats! i hope y’all have a wonderful time away. in an odd coincidence, after trying 2 options this morning, i settle on a turtleneck (polo neck) with my fun squirrels in snow shirt. turns out today is squirrel appreciation day, doth say the office computer. proper dressing win! ---
**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:** [January 21, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/144 "2025-01-21T16:14:45Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Therefore, I’ve eaten a banana, am currently making applesauce, and will have rice for dinner. The BRAT diet is never exciting, but usually pretty smart. I hope it helps. > [@peedin](#): > > She was picking out shreds of Corellevfrom her calf the rest of the evening. Dang! I’ll bet that sort of shrapnel makes a big mess of human flesh. That sounds like a lovely card writing group, I’m glad you had fun! > [@Chefguy](#): > > We’re sad that he’s gone, but he sure had a good run. It sounds like he was a delightful person, the world is a lesser place without him. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > So the only sensible course of action was to … snuggle my nose in his fur, and drift back off for awhile. What else could you possibly do? > [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > You couldn’t have just taken my word for it, that they were all dead, and that’s why I was there, trying to give you money? He got yelled at once for not checking. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > I may try going to the gym and just doing some light walking (slow and no elevation) so that I am getting some exercise. I know that you don’t want to just sit around for your entire recovery but please check with your doctor before doing anything. While I agree that some gentle walking shouldn’t be a problem, we aren’t trained medical professionals and there might be good reasons to avoid it. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Every Bluetooth device constantly broadcasts "My name is [whatever] and I’m a [whatever kind of device] & I’d like to connect _if you’re willing_. I’ve actually locked that feature down which caused a problem that one time hubs was trying to find my hotspot. But whenever I go to turn my hotspot on, my phone gives me a list of devices in the area. I rarely seen any that are unlocked anymore and ours are locked of course. > [@nelliebly](#): > > I’m going to the office to talk to her tomorrow, but it sounds like the rest of us are going to be suffering for the foreseeable future. See if you can get her cell number. Call every time there is noise. Start calling the police. Get your neighbors to do the same thing. You folks deserve your sleep and there are noise rules for very good reasons. > [@scareyfaerie](#): > > It’s always nice to be recognised 🙂 I did some proofreading for a friend’s book of short stories. In the acknowledgements, he credited me with the 187 commas I’d added to it! 😂 > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > When **FCD** gets up, it will be shower, dress, and pack time. I’m hoping we’re on the road shortly after 9 Have a safe trip and relax and enjoy. You sure do deserve it! > [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](#): > > Regardless, I have to go out and run some errands today. I’m so sorry you are still sick. Be sure and wear a mask. You will protect the folks around you while keeping your throat and sinuses from the freezing air. > [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Schools have canceled because of the danger so I’m off in a few minutes to do Grandma grandkid wrangling at my daughter’s. Please drive very carefully, some folks just have no idea how to drive in the snow and I don’t want you getting hit again. > [@rocking\_chair](#): > > philly is at 12 degrees with 7 mph winds gusting to 14. the gusts are playing havoc with the building’s elevators. I sure hope nobody gets stuck. I spent my lunch break in an elevator once. It was not fun, I really needed to pee and the other person with me was panicking and crying and running back and forth like a crazy person. So it is warming up nicely, it is already up to 14F. I’m fairly sure the trash got picked up this morning so I will go out at some point and bring the bin back to its fillin’ spot. I gave the birds some more walnuts and peanuts when I got up so the kitty TV is going. I still have some white-work homework to do before tonight. It’s been hard to work on it because it is so bright when the sun is out. I was going to do it yesterday while it was cloudy but I got distracted by the piece that was on the stand and spent the day working on that instead. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/145 "2025-01-21T16:26:25Z")
Happy Toosday! It is 4, feels like 4, degrees outside. The dogs are outside laying in the sun. Some of my friends are worried about their dogs hanging outside in this weather. One lets her stay outside for no more than 10 minutes, and if they won’t come in,she takes a leash out to drag them in. I think that as long as the dogs are healthy adults, they are fine. They do know how to come in out of the cold. Happy Travels FCM! I remember 404. Wayne the Pain lived in Frankford, right by Bethany Beach. You could tell by the smell when crossing from MD to DE. Do you go through Bridgeville? Or turn off before getting there? I was pretty sure the town’s only source of income was from the fines on speeding tickets. I once made a small contribution. Of course, all of that was a long time ago, I’m sure things have changed since then. Not much planned for today. I have to irk, and take my son to his irk. I am not looking forward to going out. I need to stop being such a wimp. I have some laundry to put away. The living room is a mess, but all the deliveries piled in there need to go in the garage. That can wait until the weekend when it warms up a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/146 "2025-01-21T16:47:12Z")
> [@Sahirrnee](#): > > I think that as long as the dogs are healthy adults, they are fine. > They do know how to come in out of the cold. It’s the paw pads that cause the most problems. It’s why mushers always use dog booties, which are available on Amazon and other places. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2025, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/147 "2025-01-21T17:09:23Z")
So they let all the seasonal people go, along with the newbie who was chronically late. So we were short staffed. Then they added two package cars and routes, so they sent me to load 'em. then because the one set was being loaded by the one guy from Smalls who didn’t know how to load, they pulled me to help thee, leaving me with 2 unfinished jobs. Plus tons of missorts and add/cuts, and the package cars were all out of their usual place. What a day. It’s all the way up to 26 degrees Ferret Height, and Spot has bundled himself up on the couch. [![](https://64.media.tumblr.com/0b33bc465a520238613a786874d48bf6/19858def13c68cf7-29/s540x810/2f915156c18c1cadca153e46c3879c9f43468d6e.jpg) ](https://64.media.tumblr.com/0b33bc465a520238613a786874d48bf6/19858def13c68cf7-29/s540x810/2f915156c18c1cadca153e46c3879c9f43468d6e.jpg) > [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](#): > > Do these two sentences go together?? Yes, usually in reverse order, as both the soup can and the soup get recycled. Hope you feel better, and Annie can snooze undisturbed. > [@Taters](#): > > People were upset due to an Executive Order Ah, that one. > [@Sahirrnee](#): > > They do know how to come in out of the cold. Yours are smarter than any of mine were, then. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/148 "2025-01-21T17:47:36Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > I know that you don’t want to just sit around for your entire recovery but please check with your doctor before doing anything. While I agree that some gentle walking shouldn’t be a problem, we aren’t trained medical professionals and there might be good reasons to avoid it. Yes ma’am. And you are right of course, I probably did way too much yesterday so staying in and quiet is a better plan. Couple webcomics I can binge on… **doggio**. Spot looks quite self-satisfied in that pic… Pretty much continuing sloth, book my remaining airline tickets for my June trip, managed to screw it up and got billed twice. Bank said it was a pending charge so they couldn’t do anything and Delta said it was self-correcting and all will be well in a couple of days (it better be…). One more major cost for vacation to do next month and I should be good to go. Outside of that have tried to practice sloth for the most part, while trying not to oversnack. So far I have temptation under loose control (snacking, but on carrots) but you never know… Hang in there all. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/149 "2025-01-21T18:12:08Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Please drive very carefully, some folks just have no idea how to drive in the snow and I don’t want you getting hit again. Preach it, sistah! Me either. No snow or ice here, just deadly cold. The kind where even sitting in the car my hands in good LandsEnd gloves start to burn with the cold and that’s not even being out in the wind chill. I kept having to pull over and park every mile or so to clear the frozen condensation off the inside of the windshield so I could see well enough to stay in my lane at 35 mph. The car never did warm up enough to heat the air blowing out of the vents. I guess I could have stopped exhaling warm moist air but that causes a whole ‘nother set of problems. The glare of the rising sun complicated driving with my operated on eye but I changed my route to be on side streets with tree canopies to buffer that and I took my time. Going home should be easy, it’ll be after sunset and over a route I’ve done literally thousands of times. I should have left that fluffy thick robe in a pile on the couch for Moxie to burrow into all day so it would be all warm to slip into the instant I get home. Tactical error for a severe winter advisory. Pretty sure she’ll forgive me as soon as I turn the electric blankie onto ‘stun’ to preheat my bed. I’ll do that on my way in from the front door to the couch and space heater. Had it not been for kidlets needing care I would never have gotten out of my jammies and fluffy thick robe nor gotten more than a foot away from my oil filled radiator space heater and lap cat. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2025, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/150 "2025-01-21T18:36:29Z")
> [@](#): > > BRAT So far, so good. And unlike the last two years, I can look at enchiladas in the freezer case and not have the bile rise. > [@](#): > > I should have left that fluffy thick robe in a pile on the couch for Moxie to burrow into all day I wish someone would do that for me. Guess I can bring the blankets I slept on back downstairs and heap them on myself. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2025, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/151 "2025-01-21T18:49:18Z")
It’s 3 (F) here … oh, I’m sorry, _FOUR_ now … and we got a bit of the white stuff. Not much, though, and the power never went out. (Thank you, all ye gods of power!) I turned on my Xmas lights and lava lamp yesterday evening, and never turned them back off. Usually I prefer it _dark_ to sleep, but it was comforting to see, just by squinting one eyelid, that yes, the electricity was still on. I gotta scoop up both Car(e)less Co-worker AND Special Co-worker - ain’t nobody walkin’ in this crap on my watch - so it’ll be time to find clean, warm socks’n’undies and venture forth. [![](https://i.imgur.com/17FY3F4.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/17FY3F4.jpeg) ---
**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:** [January 21, 2025, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/152 "2025-01-21T18:50:45Z")
Broom for scale, since I own no bananas. Top of car shows snow accumulation fairly accurately. What, two inches or so? Maybe three? Not bad. But jeebus, that cold goes right to the bones. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/153 "2025-01-21T19:29:00Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > What, two inches or so? Maybe three? Various weather sites say 6” to 8”. This cold hardened Iowa girl says 6” at a minimum on top of your adorable car. If Muskegon is at all like Lincoln those 6” can get blown into much higher drifts up against doors, window sills and trees or bushes. ---
**Author:** ![Kitten\_Mitten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b782af/32.png) [@Kitten\_Mitten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitten_Mitten)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/154 "2025-01-21T19:43:03Z")
**FCM** glad you found the tote bags. I often have that sort of hunt. I’m so happy for you and **Boo** that you have wonderful grands!!! Both of your stories always bring a smile to my face. 🙂 > [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > It is tiring as the eyes squabble what which eye is right in seeing what they are seeing. had that same thing happen so what I resorted to in the first days/weeks after the cataract surgery was to only have one eye open at a time. Eventually the weirdness went away. I only had one eye done as the cataract in the other eye was miniscule. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Ah, work, where the minutes are kept and the hours are lost… I always have to smile at this expression because it is so true. > [@dogbutler](#): > > This is mine My sister has the same pattern; she got it for her wedding 34 years ago. > [@Taters](#): > > I’m not looking forward to work today. People were upset due to an Executive Order, and my messages blew up. There is nothing we can do but hang on and wait for direction from much higher-up leadership to trickle down. Suffice it to say, I will be in the office much, much more, and I’m not even sure I’ll get a single telework day. We shall see. Depends totally on your department and agency heads. Here is a link to the order: [https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/return-to-in-person-work/](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/return-to-in-person-work/) Here is the order: "Heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government shall, _as soon as practicable_, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, **provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary**. This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law." Italics and bolding added by me. So, hopefully your department/agency heads deem it not practicable or else makes large scale exemptions. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > See if you can get her cell number. Call every time there is noise. Start calling the police. Get your neighbors to do the same thing. You folks deserve your sleep and there are noise rules for very good reasons. I have not been happy that you, **nellie** , are having to endure this. If I go to sleep and Hubs is still up watching late night tv, I just yell down for him to turn the volume down. You should NOT have to be going though this. I concur with JtC’s suggestions. If you can’t get a cell number, call the office number each time so the timing is captured and perhaps also let the noise be recorded onto the answering machine. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > I spent my lunch break in an elevator once. It was not fun, I really needed to pee and the other person with me was panicking and crying and running back and forth like a crazy person. I probably would start praying until the other person was crying and running back and forth like a crazy person. Then I would have screamed at them to calm the F down as someone would be rescuing us in a reasonable amount of time. Then I would have resumed praying 🙏 YMMV. 124 posts yesterday. Is that a record for mmp’s? I left off at post 59 last night before I signed off and now I have gotten through post 144 although there are currently 153 posts but I’ve had enough of reading and commenting. Plus Hubs went out to buy some more food for the birds so it is a good time to go work out on the NuStep. TTYL. and stay warm! ---
**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:** [January 21, 2025, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/155 "2025-01-21T19:49:55Z")
We’re here. As soon as I figure out this tablet, I’ll post a pic. But imagine yourself on the 5th floor staring at the ocean. Yep. Lunch was yum! Supper probably won’t be needed. Temps in the 20s and quite windy. Cozy in our room. Off to figure out the picture thing. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2025, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/156 "2025-01-21T20:15:28Z")
Here we are: [[Album] Imgur: The magic of the Internet ![](https://i.imgur.com/LLdGa5N.jpeg?fb "Imgur: The magic of the Internet") ](https://imgur.com/a/V0tSJ4Q) ---
**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:** [January 21, 2025, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/157 "2025-01-21T20:23:14Z")
Just saw someone walk through the parking lot, not to a car. I hope they’ll be okay. The coldest is to be 4-8 am at -5 but right now wind is at 18 mph and am worried about the power. I’m always worried about it. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/158 "2025-01-21T20:26:07Z")
ooooh, that looks lovely. so peaceful. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2025, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/159 "2025-01-21T20:50:06Z")
I saw the maintenence guy downstairs and asked him about the pipes. He said the generator works and the building ( quite old) has boilers which don’t run on electric. Thursday I can exhale. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2025, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/160 "2025-01-21T21:11:32Z")
There’s no one here! It’s great. Next weekend, the place will be overrun with cheerleaders - we’ll be gone before they arrive. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150.md?page=9)