# (Old) Heading to the land of penguins in the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [January 15, 2024, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115 "2024-01-15T11:29:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/121 "2024-01-16T16:08:36Z")
That’s beautiful. I was very close to my grandparents growing up, and still feel deep affection for them. It’s such an important relationship. I wish my son had it. But he has a billion cousins, so that’s something I guess. I should probably encourage any opportunity to see his cousins even if it’s a birthday party grumble grumble. * * * Good therapy session as per usual. I have a plan for my next confusion episode. 1. Eat something 2. Do a yoga pose or something physical 3. Set a timer to remind yourself to check in 4. Get away from screens 5. Remember this will pass Back to work… ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/122 "2024-01-16T16:42:40Z")
I was also very close with my maternal grandparents. They lived in our town. My paternal grandmother lived a three hour drive away, and she was kind of reserved, although she did try teach me how to embroider. The locals were Grandma and Grandpa, dad’s mom was Grandma Surname. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/123 "2024-01-16T16:54:17Z")
Nice!! That jaunt is on my bucket list. ---
**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 16, 2024, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/124 "2024-01-16T17:29:03Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Raw and honest indeed. Just had to find it. Darling, this one’s for you: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/P9DuLnd7Tqw/hqdefault.jpg "Johnny Cash - Sunday Morning Coming Down") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9DuLnd7Tqw) ---
**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 16, 2024, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/125 "2024-01-16T19:14:13Z")
Afternoon all. Had enough going on this morning to not get around to the MMP until now. Day started sunny & warm albeit breezy and we walked to the near-beach breakfast place. I enjoyed a chorizo benedict w chipotle hollandaise. Now mid afternoon it’s still warm & windy but has clouded up and there are a couple of rain shafts visible in the far distance. Got my useful phone calls made, but still have a couple of useful stops as yet undone. That’s next. While I was in Colombia Her Ladyship did a couple of solo dance lessons. I’ll be starting to get even with her this afternoon in a bit. **Cookie** : wife and I slept every winter for 15 years with an oil-filled space heater running in our bedroom. We’d have been miserably cold otherwise. We didn’t leave other space heaters running unattended (much) in other rooms, but didn’t worry about this one. This was 20-plus years ago now, but the heaters we had were very similar to this: **[Optimus 600-Watt to 1500-Watt Electric Portable Oil-Filled Radiant Portable Heater 98593169M - The Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/p/600-Watt-to-1500-Watt-Electric-Portable-Oil-Filled-Radiant-Portable-Heater-98593169M/313156119)**. ISTM any concern about it starting a fire is overblown scare-mongering. YMMV of course. There’s something really missing from a kid’s life if they don’t like raisins. I can’t eat many now (stoopit pancreas) but they’re still a close runner-up to dates as “nature’s candy”. Sooo yummy and perfect for putting in cookies. Or pancakes. Or just gobbling a mini-box or three … ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/126 "2024-01-16T19:47:30Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > Congrats on ditching the toxic boss, **GuanoLad**! Thanks for all the support on what is a scary decision, everyone. Here’s hoping it was the right one for me, as it’s not exactly an employment bonanza out there right now. Just FYI, and without going into any specifics in case I get in some trouble, here’s an article that might give some insight into my decision. > **[Are You Working For A Tyrant Boss? (And what you can do about it)](https://yourpositiveoasis.com/are-you-working-for-a-tyrant-boss/)** > > Multiple studies have indicated that a large percentage of people are unhappy with their jobs. Research carried out by Microsoft in 2021, showed that 41% of the workforce are considering leaving their employer. Sometimes, this dissatisfaction comes... ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/127 "2024-01-16T19:49:42Z")
I wouldn’t say I’m exactly proud of it but a clear running theme in my life is an unwillingness to tolerate toxic bosses. At times this has found me quitting with no clear follow-up plan, which is the part I’m not proud of, but dammit, people should not have to tolerate abuse at work. ---
**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 16, 2024, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/128 "2024-01-16T20:08:25Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > > [@peedin](#): > > > > But I’m a D.F. so don’t listen to me. > > Do the colonials want to know what a D.F. is? 🙂 Damn foreigner. I prefer Kris Krisofferson’s version. It’s sadder and makes me think of my brother. ---
**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 16, 2024, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/129 "2024-01-16T20:38:50Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > **Cookie** : wife and I slept every winter for 15 years with an oil-filled space heater running in our bedroom. We’d have been miserably cold otherwise. We didn’t leave other space heaters running unattended (much) in other rooms, but didn’t worry about this one. I used to have one of those that I would leave in the RV when it was tucked in for the winter in Portland. On the rare occasions when temps dropped below freezing, I’d plug it in to keep bad things from happening. Heaters without exposed elements don’t bother me much. What happens with high-wattage things like portable heaters is that over an extended period of time the insulation on the power cord can start to break down, and people have a bad habit of putting rugs or other things over the cords. ---
**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 16, 2024, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/130 "2024-01-16T20:39:03Z")
Afternoon all. Well, I tried to drive over to the gym, I managed OK yesterday, but today…between the very cold air, a little more snow, and no treatment to the roads at all…well, I got out of my subdivision but at the first stoplight on a very mild grade…no go. Finally got the car turned around and back to my house, where I think I’ll stay for the next 48 hours or so (that’s when it’s due to get above freezing again). Saw maybe 4-5 other cars out there, hope they made it OK to wherever they were going. **BBBoo** , I always liked the Arlo Guthrie “City of New Orleans”, but Johnny Cash is worth a listen anytime…and in duet with his wife June Carter, the pleasure was doubled: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdYYaZ2pAwQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdYYaZ2pAwQ) OK, am considering nappage; take care 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 16, 2024, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/131 "2024-01-16T21:23:59Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > I always liked the Arlo Guthrie “City of New Orleans” I think all of us could have guessed this. In February I’ll be taking the California Zephyr to Denver to visit my son and his new bride. Only 7 of hours on the train, starting at 12:15 midnight, so no roomette but you can bet I’ll be humming 🎶🎵🎼City of New Orleans​:musical\_note:🎼🎶 and 🎼🎶🎵On The Road Again 🎼🎵🎶. ---
**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:** [January 16, 2024, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/132 "2024-01-16T22:04:40Z")
Round one of packing is done. My bag is about 30#, **FCD** ’s is 47#. So the toiletries will go in my bag on Thursday morning. I need to sit and make a list of little stuff that we want to remember, like chargers. It’s getting real… ---
**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 16, 2024, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/133 "2024-01-16T22:09:49Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I need to sit and make a list of little stuff that we want to remember, like chargers. On cruise ships, do they use US chargers or European chargers? Talked to Dad this afternoon. He’s staying in and keeping warm. The lady who comes in morning and evening to put on / remove his compression stockings couldn’t get out today, so he said he was spending most of his time in the recliner with his feet up. I’ll check our weather hotline before bed to see what we’re doing irkwise tomorrow. It wouldn’t surprise me if there’s a late start. It wouldn’t break my heart, since that would put me going out in the daylight. ---
**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:** [January 16, 2024, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/134 "2024-01-16T22:20:22Z")
> [@missred](#): > > On cruise ships, do they use US chargers or European chargers? They have both on the various ships I’ve been on. ---
**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 16, 2024, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/135 "2024-01-16T22:28:52Z")
Howdy Y’all! A cold, for us, day today so it’s been good to be inside and warm. We slothed and I made an early sup. Now we are goin’ to do some serious Netflix and chill. ETA: Doc’s office and I are now on good terms again. I have an appointment for nine-forty five Thursday mornin’. I was nice, but also firm in expressin’ my displeasure over what happened. **shoe** _Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down_ is one of my all time favorite songs. It was written by Kris Kristofferson and that is a thing you now know in case you didn’t already. **BatBoy** yay for ditchin’ the toxic boss. **Talky** yay for new oven. I know you’ll be even more yay when the new heater gets there. **Spicy** that’s a lot! I’ve been there and done all that in my irk life. You will get through it all. **MetalMouse** I like the idea of there bein’ a super-secret underground base under your house. Tell that to your neighbors if’n they ask. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/136 "2024-01-16T22:46:47Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > out I found @VOW. She’s ok. Fell into a reading frenzy of 38 books in a series. Thanks for the concern, on her behalf. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/137 "2024-01-16T22:48:12Z")
That is… very relatable. And of course we all want to know what series. ---
**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 16, 2024, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/138 "2024-01-16T23:21:23Z")
Wow! That is a serious book frenzy! ---
**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 17, 2024, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/139 "2024-01-17T00:24:48Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > She’s ok. Fell into a reading frenzy of 38 books in a series. > Thanks for the concern, on her behalf. The very best reason for not posting! The same thing happened to me when I discovered the historical time travel _Outlander_ series. Glad all is well. ---
**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 17, 2024, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115/140 "2024-01-17T02:13:45Z")
> [@scareyfaerie](#): > > **JtC** you are very kind to bake cookies for those kids. Thank you for your nice words, I’m still grumbly about the whole thing. For the most part, I like our community and get along with most of our neighbors (all but the ones who have three lonely dogs living in their front yard where they can hear the kids playing in the back yard and cry), but sometimes I get slapped in the face by that sort of ignorance and it just makes me all GRRRR! > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Oh, and Mom fully intends to keep cruising… Go Mom!!! I’m happy she will still be doing what she enjoys. > [@overlyverbose](#): > > Today is new oven day. I hope you love it! But…considering the weather, you will probably love your new heater more. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I honestly don’t know why he’s all pissy today… I am sure that all the recent stress and worry has nothing to do with it. > [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I plan to ingest a little bit of sugar if necessary - I’m sure trying to go cold turkey hasn’t helped. So I’m switching to a more gradual approach. How is your relationship with caffeine? Would a nice mug of sugar-free hot chocolate (and five minutes to just sit and sip) help? > [@Chefguy](#): > > Today, the wife got up to use the bathroom and turned the heater on so I wouldn’t get up to a cold living room. What a nice thing for her to do. We also have a couple of oil filled heaters here, I would be too worried about our idiot long hair cat setting himself on fire with a regular space heater. > [@GuanoLad](#): > > Here’s hoping it was the right one for me, as it’s not exactly an employment bonanza out there right now. I quit my toxic boss just before the world ended. It was the best decision I have ever made. I really hope it works out to be the best decision you could have made as well. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Finally got the car turned around and back to my house, where I think I’ll stay for the next 48 hours or so Isn’t being retired the best! I like to get up early on snow days so I can watch the young folks across the street struggle out of their driveway. It has warmed up enough that the bird baths have stopped freezing at night, but it is still cold enough in the mornings to swap out the hummer feeder. Hubs reports that they know he is bringing warm syrup because they back away from the cold feeder and wait for him to get the warm one hung without being snots about the delay. I’m seeing a lot of trees starting to bud out, this is not going to be a good year. As our housekeeper was here today, one of the chores we did while we were out was to stop by the post office and bitch about Mom’s cheese. I went to the same counter (there are only two) and the same person who took the package and bought a book of stamps. Then I compared the receipts so I could see the codes that said where the package had been shipped matched. THEN I went back in and complained about package being lost and tracking just going away and she tried to tell me that I must not have really shipped it with them. Receipts were produced, identifying numbers were pointed out and everyone in the post office was crowding around to listen (small town folks take their excitement where they can find it) so she said she would look into it. I suggested that she do it in a timely fashion because if I didn’t get an answer, I would start writing emails. The end result is that a check for the insured amount will be in the mail shortly. The main reason the cane didn’t come out was because they did manage to deliver a very battered and travel weary envelope containing a lovely, bejeweled Christmas card from @peedin! The original post mark is Dec. 12, but it is obvious that this card has traveled. Thank you so very much for the lovely card, @peedin. It really made my day 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115.md?page=8)