# (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:** 9
**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, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/161 "2025-01-21T21:12:50Z")
I had a crown come off some months ago and they glued it back on but said I need a new one. I put it off because the holidays were approaching and I didn’t feel like dealing with it. Then cleaning time came around and today I decided to get appointments for both issues. Called and got that done, although the crown is out in February. Hung up the phone and thought “a muffin would taste good”, bit off a mouthful and the crown came off. After much cursing, I called the dentist again and managed to snag an appointment for tomorrow morning. It will be a temporary fix, I’m guessing, but what timing, eh? Luckily, this dentist prioritizes such things. I put a big pot of water on the stove to get some moisture in the air. We’re walking arc machines at this point. ---
**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, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/162 "2025-01-21T21:27:42Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > bit off a mouthful and the crown came off N.O.Boooooo! ---
**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, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/163 "2025-01-21T21:29:24Z")
> [@Kitten\_Mitten](#): > > I probably would start praying until the other person was crying and running back and forth like a crazy person. I used to floozy with an elevator guy and learned how they work. Elevators too. Modern elevators don’t just fall like you see on TV. There are too many fail safes for that. As long as you stay out of them during emergency conditions, the worse that will happen is that you will be stuck with someone running around and screaming. I did pray, but mostly that she would hyperventilate and pass tf out and be quiet. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Here we are: How lovely. It’s a shame you won’t be able to sit on your little balcony and read, but you have a very relaxing view. > [@Chefguy](#): > > I put a big pot of water on the stove to get some moisture in the air. We’re walking arc machines at this point. Someone suggested leaving that pot of hot water on the stove to also radiate heat into the place. A couple of days ago I was watching cooking vids/pics and saw a Biscotti cake. Mom likes Biscotti. I have the interwebs. I ordered her a big box of two cookie packages and they arrived today. I called and told her to look on her porch and she sounded pretty happy so that made me feel good. She also asked me again if I had ever heard of wordl ☹ ---
**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:** [January 21, 2025, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/164 "2025-01-21T21:52:15Z")
Howdy Y’all! The apocalypse has begun here in southwest Georgia! 😲❄🌨 It’s snowin’ harder than I have seen it in all the years I’ve lived here. We sat on the back porch and watched it for a while whilst sippin’ hawt choklit with a hefty shot of rum. A pirate’s favorite Winter drink! We are now inside and warm. Also, the taco soup is especially tasty if’n I do say so myself. **MOOOOOOM** glad y’all made it there safe and sound. Enjoy! **Cookie** ouchie! Hope you can get that fixed soonest. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/165 "2025-01-21T22:12:56Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > > [@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 I was talking about Bluetooth and “hotspot” is WiFi. But your point stands. Hiding the WiFi transmitter name was a teeny bit of security by obscurity 20 years ago. Pointless and inconvenient now. ---
**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, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/166 "2025-01-21T22:25:06Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Someone suggested leaving that pot of hot water on the stove to also radiate heat into the place. I went down and pitched a bitch at management this afternoon. There is no heat in the common spaces, which affects everybody, and I need whatever is wrong with my unit to be fucking fixed or we’re going to have to talk contract. They’ll send someone tomorrow. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2025, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/167 "2025-01-21T23:02:49Z")
Since I’m a day behind, I’m starting at the very beginning and plowing through! Hold on, 'cause it will be a long one! > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Anyone here use Alexa or similar devices around the house? For the longest time, I didn’t. I wanted one. Hubby had concerns. But when we were going through Dad’s house after he died, we found one which I brought home for us. And now, I use it all the time and even got one for the living/dining/kitchen area. (I think seeing the usefulness at Former Partner’s house got him more on board.) Ours are named Ziggy instead of Alexa, one speaks with an English accent and the other an Australian. I have mine set up to tell me “Get your \*ss out of bed” (I hate the profanity filter), update me with the weather and what’s on my agenda and give me my flash briefing. It hooks in nicely to the Hue Bulbs I’ve had for over a year so I just have to say “Good night” and the bedroom lights go off and thunderstorm sounds start playing. Honestly, I’d love to get other goodies to work with it but the things that I’d want (temp control, etc) are usually frowned upon by apartment complexes. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > My main problem with it is when I ask for something, then I get “By the way, do you know I can…/would you like me to…?” It’s kinda creepy. Agreed! Especially when it has absolutely nothing to do with what you asked it for. “Ziggy, what’s the weather outside?” “23 degrees. By the way, you’re running low on printer ink. Would you like me to order more for you?” “No, because I’m _not_ running low on printer ink… and why would you bring that up now anyway?” “I’m sorry, I can’t help you with that.” > [@AskNott](#): > > When talking _about_ her, we say “our lady of the shelf,” We had to change our wake word for ours from “Computer” to “Ziggy”. I neve realized how often we talk about computers in this house until then! > [@dogbutler](#): > > I have Alexa on my Firestick remote, > [@Ellecram](#): > > I have tested the Alexa feature on my kindles a couple times and the Hey Google feature on my phone but have never used them. > [@Taters](#): > > I don’t have an Alexa, although I do have a Firestick. I don’t have a Firestick, but all the talk of a Firestick reminds me that the new TV in the living room has Google Assistant. I’ll use that sometimes (because BtY regularly misplaces remotes) but I’ve found that on it and on the Roku in the bedroom, trying to get what I want to happen _to_ happen is usually an exercise in frustration. **Taters** , even if it isn’t as devastating for you, I’m still sorry about your loss. > [@peedin](#): > > My sister lives in L.A. Lower Alabama. She is FREAKING OUT because there is the possibility of an inch of snow. For 73 years she lived in Illinois. She can deal with an inch of snow. She doesn’t have to leave the house. I’m finding that for most of us Southerners that relocated from the north, it’s more about those who can’t handle an inch of snow. She may not need to leave the house, but then again, something may come up when she has to. It’s more about the ice here anyway. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Hope so - I’ve pretty much checked everywhere else. Dammit. They’re always in the last place you look! _d&r_ > [@Sahirrnee](#): > > This weather is freakin’ crazy. That, my friend, is the understatement of the year! > [@Ellecram](#): > > I did not try to connect to the system and I don’t know how far along in the process it would have kicked me out. If I’m thinking of it right, it’s probably just searching out any bluetooth signal within it’s range. I get a lot of things that show up on my devices when I try to connect via bluetooth, but most things don’t connect without a code. What I hate about bluetooth is when multiple people in the house connect to the same item. I’ll loan CtE my headphones every once in awhile, and then when I go to use them myself, they automatically connect to her phone or computer. Which has me asking her to turn her bluetooth off so I can get it back to knowing who it’s rightful owner is! > [@nelliebly](#): > > A friend sent me a book he recently got published. I critiqued an early draft for him, and he incorporated some of my memories, so my name is in the acknowledgements. it’s a good memoir, and he worked very hard on it, so I hope it’s successful. Congratulations to both him and you! > [@Misnomer](#): > > It was a fun build, and went pretty smoothly…except that I got lazy while putting the 3rd wing together and accidentally assembled some parts backwards, which wasn’t obvious but made it impossible to secure the wing to the fighter. It took several frustrated tries for me to realize that some parts simply weren’t lining up correctly, and then another minute to see my mistake. I’ve made similar mistakes on projects. It’s one of the more frustrating things about being crafty. I love looking at your finished projects. My hands just can’t do that kind of work anymore. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Gooooooo, me! 🏆 Go you! Whoo-hoo! My eyes are starting to glaze and nothing is sticking with me. I may be back later with more witty bon mots in response to you wonderful people or I may say “Good enough!” and accept that if there’s anything I miss, I’ll see it in someone else’s responses. It’s been more than a bit chilly here of late. This morning, we were down to 9 ferret heights. Right now, we’re only at 23. The one problem I’ve found with my bedroom is that when the temperature drops like this, my bedroom refuses to stay warm. According to my various bits and pieces that tell me the ambient temperature, it’s only about 65 in here, while it’s 72 in the rest of the house. Luckily, I can type blanketed up. BtY was off yesterday for MLK day (which would have been weird if he wasn’t because he goes to MLK Magnet High School, but I digress). I was hoping that, because of the severe cold warning that the school system would call today off but no… we were one of the only counties in the area that still had school. With all his problems, getting to school was a requirement. And at least I didn’t get any phone calls. We may end up having to find another option school-wise for him. They aren’t going to kick him out (even though he’s failing every class) but they worry that this might not be the best fit for him. The problem is that we don’t know what would be a good fit for him. Virtual is out because he’s not a self-starter. The zoned school would put him back with kids that bullied him. And no matter where he goes, if he doesn’t buy in to his own education, then nothing will work. We had an IEP meeting last week to talk about what to do and we’re trying to come up with things. It’s just very slow going and frustrating. It makes me feel like a failure of a mom. CtE, however, is excited to start classes tomorrow. We almost thought she wasn’t going to be able to thanks to a financial snafu, but we got that taken care of. She’s already done the reading for her two virtual classes. Tomorrow, she has intro to music theory and Friday, English Comp II. I really think letting her have the semester off to figure herself out was helpful. She actually seems excited again. Thanks to the snow that we got two weeks ago, we had to reschedule this month’s Sunday Assembly. Instead of having it on the 12th, we had it on the 19th. But I got up and sang with the band (I got to be lead on “Shake It Off”, which was fun) and I did my Trying My Best, talking about being a recovering people pleaser. In two weeks, we’re doing February’s Assembly and I’m hosting that one. Hubby is going to be our speaker, talking about Endosymbiosis. Luckily, he’s good at talking in normal person so we shouldn’t see too many eyes glazing over. And he gets a small honorarium for it. All of which is good for both my socialization and our wallets. Now if I can just get together with Former Partner to actually do the program. Things just keep coming up to push things off. We’re supposed to tonight, but his wife is having a rough day, so we may have to push it off again. Ah well, even if we look at doing March’s together instead of February’s, I know he’ll take care of getting this one done without me. I’m trying to stay positive because that’s what I need in my life. Especially after my phone call with my sister. My mom is in the hospital. She’s been out of it for the last week, has a serious UTI and may be declining health-wise. Sister’s not sure she’ll be coming home. Of course, we did a lot of that back and forth with Dad. So we’ll just have to wait and see. But her dementia is getting worse. Now I need to think about putting some food in my belly. There’s been too much running around today and I’ve been ignoring my self-care because of it. Have a wonderful evening/morning/afternoon/wherever you may be! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2025, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/168 "2025-01-21T23:03:40Z")
Had to come down to Burrrrrrien today. Actually, it’s not that cold. About 32 Ferrets this morning, and about 43 now. I guy I know in Marerro, Louisiana sent me a short video of himself going out in the snow. Looks like there were a couple of inches there. I told him, ‘Better thee than me!’ I’m glad we’re having a mild Winter. But at the same time, I dread what Old Man Winter has in store for us _next_ year. 🥶 Apparently there are certain ‘categories’ and ‘wage levels’ that require workers to be hourly. So my shift to hourly seems to be part of an effort to come into compliance with state laws. I was assured the laws are there for my protection. They don’t want me to be exploited by being salaried. I told La Jefe that I can’t not work a little more than required. If I’m in the middle of something, I want to finish it. She said to just sign out and pick it up the next day. It’s not easy to say, ‘OK, [whatever] o’clock! I stop now!’ Anyway, after this discussion she asked me if I had any retirement year in mind. I just laughed. She said, ‘Oh, I guess you’ve been answering that question. :p’ We’re allowed to carry over 80 hours of PTO into the new year. I ended the year with _just under_ 80 excess hours of PTO. I will also accrue 5 weeks of PTO over the year. I’ve requested the ‘last Friday’ (-ish) of each month off. That will take care of the leftover PTO from _last_ year. I’ll probably take entire days off for periodontal and dentist visits, and doctor visits. And since I’m now hourly, I can use PTO by the hour for errands. And now it’s 15:00. I need to think about the long trek home. Seven-hour day, and I have 90 minutes of ‘overtime’ to make up the shortage. In addition to excess hours worked last week. It’s going to be a little learning curve. ---
**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, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/169 "2025-01-21T23:48:58Z")
So, how was the trek here, you ask. Not terrible, just long. Funny how in our younger days, driving 8-10 hours or more was no big deal. Today, it was just 3 anna half with a potty stop and a lunch stop and we were beat. The traffic was mostly ok and it was mostly overcast, altho I did drop my sun visor a couple of times. It was about 1230 when we stopped at Doyle’s for lunch and about 1:30 when we got back on the road for the last 17 miles. We checked in right away to an oceanfront room on the 5th floor. Recently remodeled and quite nice… except the bathtub doesn’t have a grab bar. And the tub is slippery. I shall make a comment. But the hot tub was hot and deserted. And now we’re in the chill mode. Breakfast downstairs looks really nice - a varied menu, tho it doesn’t mention if they have Coke or Pepsi products. Guess we’ll see in the morning. Oh, and the fitness center has a recumbent bike that I plan to try tomorrow. Not sure what else tomorrow will bring. There’s a threat of snow tonight, dammit, and I forgot to put the snow brush in the trunk. Oh well… TV time. ---
**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 22, 2025, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/170 "2025-01-22T00:11:59Z")
And a good early evening to all. Been quite active in doing nothing all day, did have some pancakes for a mid-day snack but otherwise been fairly good on the calories. Will get some dinner (Mac-n-Cheese) here in a little bit and spend the night browsing the internet. Down to 23F now and heading to single digits during the night hours. But the snowy stuff is staying south of here, so still nice and dry outside. **FCM** , glad you made it and are settled in, enjoy the time away and if we don’t hear from you we’ll figure your enjoying your time in other ways… **flyboy** , guess your a victim of state laws; hope it works out for the best. The US Government let me carry a max of 240 leave hours over from one year to the next, any extra got erased. Use it or lose it, as we used to say… **Real Fish** , nice to see you around the thread; missed you. Good luck with the spawn. And {{hugs}} for your mother’s condition. **Cookie** , hope your rant to management helps; not just for you but for some of the older, frailer residents there. And uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, I guess (hope the fix works out until you get the new one). **swampy** , so are you going to go out an build a snowman? **Coppertone** , good of you to worry about others, but be sure to take care of yourself. > [@Kitten\_Mitten](#): > > 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. Nice Idea. **Taters** , since I worked pre-WFH times, I can’t reasonably comment, but hope they can work things around. **Shoe** , **BBBoo** is accurate about the top of the car, but looking at the chain-line fence it looks like about 2"-3" on the ground to me. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > I gotta scoop up both Car(e)less Co-worker AND Special Co-worker - ain’t nobody walkin’ in this crap on my watch You are good people. **BBBoo** , stay warm, I know what you mean and how fast the cold can get to you, no matter how bundled up. Take care. And time to get the M&C into the microwave. Have a warm evening all. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/171 "2025-01-22T00:48:02Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > We, for some reason, have two Corelle bowls – different sizes and shapes, and both plain white. The only Corelle that I’ve ever owned was a set of French White casserole dishes that I bought years ago through a supermarket promo. I recently gave them to my great niece, who is just starting housekeeping. > [@Paintcharge](#): > > > [@missred](#): > > > > I could see me using Alexa or Google to turn on my porch light when I come home after dark > > My outside porch light is on a motion sensor which picks up the truck when I drive into the garage. It occasionally will turn on to a passing bunny/squirrel, but not very often. I live on the side of my apartment building away from the parking lot, so even if I lived on the front side, my light would be coming on at all hours. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I’m hoping we’re on the road shortly after 9. Enjoy your trip! > [@swampbear](#): > > We sat on the back porch and watched it for a while whilst sippin’ hawt choklit with a hefty shot of rum. A pirate’s favorite Winter drink! When I tended bar, a favorite winter drink was a Captain Morgan brownie. Hot cocoa, creme de cacao, Captain Morgan with a whipped cream and shaved chocolate garnish. Dang, if I had all of the ingredients, I’d make one right now. Murphy showed back up at irk this morning. One database had been updated without the prerequisite notice / linky to the new version, then my laptop decided to get weird. After, my cow-orker told me that she might not get this week’s priority done for me to get out of our inventory by this weekend’s cycle count. The icing on the cake was a noob cycle counter from my old department came to me with a carton dated 16 Oct and wanted a new label for it. Wait…it’s not been in my location for 3 months, you’re counting another department and you want me to make a new label with a different quantity on it? Nope, ain’t gonna happen. Ask the specialist in the department that you’re counting. One more bitter cold night. It was so cold this morning that I thought that Nelson would get frozen to the tree that he hiked his leg on! ❄ Stay safe and healthy y’all! ---
**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:** [January 22, 2025, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/172 "2025-01-22T00:53:58Z")
Howdy Y’all! It’s still snowin’ out and looks like it will continue into the early mornin’ hours. Glad we don’t need to get out in it. I think schools will be closed tomorrow. I hope places that don’t have to be open aren’t, but we know how that goes. **MetalMouse** I already have a man, so I don’t need one made of snow. ☃ Besides I am happy to look at the snow from the inside. I have no desire to commune with it. ---
**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 22, 2025, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/173 "2025-01-22T00:56:41Z")
> [@TruePisces](#): > > And no matter where he goes, if he doesn’t buy in to his own education, then nothing will work. You are so very wise. It’s like quitting smoking, if you don’t really want to quit, you won’t no matter how much your loved ones beg and offer resources. I’m happy for CtE though. It’s good that she’s starting to spread her wings and flap them around. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > **Shoe** , **BBBoo** is accurate about the top of the car, but looking at the chain-line fence it looks like about 2"-3" on the ground to me. So how does snowfall get measured? Does it get measured by the water after melt or do people go out and stick measuring sticks in the ground? I just went by what fell on the suet feeder daily because that was the easiest thing to clear every evening. I just finished class two and I’m even less happy with the instructor than I was last week. No I’m not going to share her name, but will say that it would work better if she knew how to count. It will be a lovely piece when I’m done and that’s the problem with many designers. They are awesome at picking threads and writing instructions or they are awesome at teaching. Not many of them are awesome at both. It’s back down to 16F but the snow has stopped so it is just cold. I keep track of what is happening back in the lakes and their weather isn’t great either. It is 30 degrees warmer but has the icy wind blowing off the mountains which made it even more miserable. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/174 "2025-01-22T01:35:17Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > So how does snowfall get measured? Does it get measured by the water after melt or do people go out and stick measuring sticks in the ground? I go out and poke a yardstick into the snow on the porch. Not that we’ve ever had enough snow here to need the yardstick, but my back would be unhappy if I were bending over to use a 12" ruler. Or I just eyeball the depth of the snow on the porch railing. I’ve never had a job where working from home was possible. I find it difficult to even manage what such a job would be like. Currently 18 ferrets/-8 centipedes out, wind chill 8/-13, with a predicted overnight low of 6/-14 and a 20% chance of snow before 0100. Wonder if I’ll ever see a normal winter again. (I grew up in MI and IL; it’s not a “normal” winter if the snow isn’t eight inches deep at least once.) ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/175 "2025-01-22T01:51:56Z")
My phone, hooked to google says it’s 4 ferrets. My brand new thermometer says it’s -0.6. But a minute ago it said -14. I don’t trust the new therm. Too much working on short things. I’m tired. Stay safe y’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 22, 2025, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/176 "2025-01-22T02:26:53Z")
> [@missred](#): > > Hot cocoa, creme de cacao, Captain Morgan with a whipped cream and shaved chocolate garnish. Dang, if I had all of the ingredients, I’d make one right now. I need one now too. Now you’ve done it! I have the makings for hot chocolate and a nip of spiced rum somewhere, that will have to do. We can call it the stripped down Capt. Morgan. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/177 "2025-01-22T02:44:52Z")
I wish I had some sizzling stories to spice up my posts instead of this ad nauseam neighbors issue. I had a very long talk with the manager–very long because she needed to vent even more than I did. She said she’s been in this business for many years, and she’s NEVER (her emphasis) had this many complaints from this many people about ANY tenant, and her brain is boggled that this tenant has only lived here less than a month. She got another complaint this morning about last Sunday. The tenant claims it must be discrimination against her because she’s only had “quiet family dinners” and one “meeting,” and the birthday bash was just a low-key gathering with “one cupcake.” She asked the manager to move her to a different building due to this alleged discrimination. The manager told her no, she’s not going to inflict the noise problem on other tenants [Oh, please feel free to spread the joy!], that the complaints are coming from multiple people [literally every occupied apt. in my building] of various ethnicities, and that she’ll get evicted if this keeps up. There have to be FOUR such incidents and warnings before the eviction process starts, and there have only been two before this current one. So I guess we’re halfway there? Three-fourths? My sympathies to all who are suffering the frigid weather. I’ve been wussified here and shiver if I hear it’s “only” in the 30s. I may have said this before, but the coldest temp I ever felt was -48ºF.–not windchill, the actual temp–and schools were NOT closed. Our vehicles were nonoperational, even the one plugged in, as its accelerator cable contracted due to the cold, so I walked my son the 3 blocks to his school. En route, his tears started freezing on his eyelashes, so I wound his scarf around his face and led him to school like a little hostage. Northern Montana is insane. Anyway, sounds like it was a good day to stay inside with a good book, a warm cat or dog, and a nice cuppa. I went to the gym and worked out for **MetalMouse** and myself. You just sit back and relax, bud, I got this. **Taters** , I’m so sorry about the return-to-office order. I confess I don’t understand the reasoning behind it, and I don’t want to get political here, so I’ll just say I hope the other drivers appreciate the additional traffic. Oh, and I think you should all be able to wear jammies to work. 🙂 > [@TruePisces](#): > > Congratulations to both him and you! Oh, thanks, but it all belongs to him. In the interim between critique and publication, he lost his beloved wife, who was someone I admired and really liked. He could have given up then, but he didn’t. He incorporated the pain and loss into the book. > [@TruePisces](#): > > It makes me feel like a failure of a mom. No, no, no. As someone who sat in on many an IEP, the grappling for answers part is where good parents become apparent. It’s so, so easy for parents to show up at a cut-and-dried IEP, sign papers, and bolt. The really great parents are those who keep trying to find the best route, even when the answers aren’t clear and the path ahead is foggy. It’s not the result that determines who’s a good parent; it’s the slog. You’re good. Prayers for your mom! **FCM** , thanks so much for posting about your trip. What a beautiful view! I live vicariously, so I’m enjoying your vacation as well. 🙂 **Shoe** , you get a gold star for helping others. Also, you are hereby awarded the highly-coveted position of Line Leader. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > So how does snowfall get measured? Does it get measured by the water after melt or do people go out and stick measuring sticks in the ground? It’s the latter. And one inch of rain is roughly equivalent to one foot of snow. > [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > the stripped down Capt. Morgan. Just FYI, I hear he won’t strip for less than 100 doubloons. ---
**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 22, 2025, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/178 "2025-01-22T03:01:03Z")
Snowpocalpse 2025 in the 27609: [![](https://64.media.tumblr.com/a67247b82d1ff1bd2a0abc7b15234f14/5a177a2fd58fab26-c1/s540x810/8e405642ac700fa4559fe69a80111d298609be26.jpg) ](https://64.media.tumblr.com/a67247b82d1ff1bd2a0abc7b15234f14/5a177a2fd58fab26-c1/s540x810/8e405642ac700fa4559fe69a80111d298609be26.jpg) I’m watching hockey, and having a Manhattan and Redneck Stirfry. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Pointless and inconvenient now. Mine is “FBI Surveillance Van #4”, so I _want_ it to be seen. Have fun, **FCM**!(Y’all need it) > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > used to floozy with an elevator guy Aerosmith wrote a song about [that](https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-iba-3&ei=UTF-8&hsimp=yhs-3&hspart=iba&p=Love+in+an+elevator&type=sdff_9527_FFW_ZZ#id=2&vid=b33f9f6f2bc1cedc4313a38689e71dcf&action=click). ---
**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 22, 2025, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/179 "2025-01-22T03:03:12Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > There have to be FOUR such incidents and warnings before the eviction process starts, and there have only been two before this current one. At least something will happen if you all keep calling and complaining. Please share this with your neighbors as well, everyone needs to complain every time something is happening. If the noise keeps going after 10 pm, or starts up between 10 pm and 6 am, call the police as well. The more complaints and fuss, the faster they will go. Grrrr. > [@nelliebly](#): > > It’s the latter. And one inch of rain is roughly equivalent to one foot of snow. Well, I got the stick in the snow thing going. I never once wondered about how much snow made an inch of rain but now I have so many questions about collection and evaporation. I must smoke and think on this for a while. I have put creme de cacao on the shopping list for the next storm but will need to do a taste test on Saturday. ---
**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:** [January 22, 2025, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150/180 "2025-01-22T03:06:58Z")
@Dogbutler NICE picture, especially using a phone camera! I’m sure @Bob_Blaylock will agree (photography’s a big thing of his). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-alexa-start-the-mmp/1013150.md?page=10)