# (Old) It's still dark MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [August 14, 2023, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550 "2023-08-14T09:40:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**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:** [August 15, 2023, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/61 "2023-08-15T13:26:53Z")
::clap clap:: All down her back back back **JtC**. so sorry about CoC. The silence is deafening. **Cookie**. Words fail me. I remember a commercial “Jock itch? Get Cruex!” No idea what jock itch but it sounds icky. Floor installation has been postponed to the day after Labor Day. The installers are working on a big job. They hoped would be done by Friday but after today’s flooding there was water damage so it will take longer. I’m fine with that I don’t want them to rush my job or the other job. Today I take Ursula Kitteh to the VET for her arthritis shot. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2023, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/62 "2023-08-15T14:46:31Z")
**{JtC}** 🌈 > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Life lesson worth learning. Never, EVER argue about words with a professional librarian!!! 😏 > [@scareyfaerie](#): > > we usually split our packing so that half my stuff goes in his luggage and I have half of his. Never thought of doing this; great suggestion. > [@NinthAcolyte](#): > > I went back and forth between whether it was a joke or not a few times and I lost the coin flip. I didn’t take it as a joke either. > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > **Taters** , you suffer from the Curse of Competence; people at work know that and hold up doing stuff because they know you’ll do it, and do it right. except it seems they are underlings and should be doing that work; seemed lazy to me. It’s the feast of the Assumption so I’ll be going to mass today. Also want to go to the Fitness Center. I just hope I can get home before the thunderstorms hit. Planning to make million dollar pasta casserole and blueberry peach struesel bars this afternoon. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2023, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/63 "2023-08-15T14:57:57Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > **Cookie** , that does sound unpleasant, hope the treatments help. Don’t believe I’ve ever had the crotch itch, and from your description I don’t want too!! If you’ve ever had athlete’s foot or ringworm, then you have. They’re all the same fungus, just differently named for different parts of the body. And a bit of trivia: ringworm has nothing to do with worms. Basically, the series “The Last of Us” is about athlete’s foot gone berserk. I think things are marginally better this morning, but I’m still moving gingerly. In a better mood, though, and not quite as ready to plunge a skewer into my eye. Perhaps I should change my username to Seven Plagues. ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/64 "2023-08-15T15:00:12Z")
> [@Taters](#): > > My return went as expected. They left stuff for me to take care of, including some items that should have been dealt with as soon as they received the email. Although I expected this would happen, I’m still highly annoyed. Either my Deputy or MPA could have moved some of that stuff along, and neither of them did so. When I was the MPA, I jumped on that stuff in the former AED’s absence. I just don’t get it… I understand that frustration - I never go on leave without writing a detailed handover document with every job I’ve started but haven’t been able to finish, and things that I know are coming up during the time I’m off. It will have web links, email addresses, contact info, Teams links, files and just about anything you could possibly want. And I know when I come back, it won’t even have been looked at. Sometimes I am convinced that a bunch of people I report to have been promoted well beyond their level of competence. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2023, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/65 "2023-08-15T15:12:29Z")
Ursala Kitteh was very good for her shot and nail trim. She is now sulking under the bed. I gave myself my second Dupixent shot. It stung but I didn’t cry. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2023, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/66 "2023-08-15T15:16:41Z")
Pack essentials in your carry-on, including one change of clothes with two changes of underwear. Medications, obviously, and toiletries. If your checked luggage doesn’t arrive at the ship with you, you may be entitled to compensation including reimbursement for clothing from the ship’s store to get you through. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/67 "2023-08-15T15:24:05Z")
> [@Kitten\_Mitten](#): > > It’s the feast of the Assumption Which explains the full church parking lot this morning - I guess for 8am Mass. Being very lapsed, I forget that stuff. Kids are lunching. I’m going to try to get Tobias to nap. Hahaha I made a joke!! ---
**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:** [August 15, 2023, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/68 "2023-08-15T15:27:46Z")
dupixent is weird. sometimes it really hurt/stings, and other times it is fine. i don’t know why. i am just so very happy it works. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2023, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/69 "2023-08-15T15:36:01Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > > > HDL (‘good cholesterol’) should be 40 - 59 mg/dL, and mine is 83; so it’s a bit high > > My doc says the higher the high, the better. She wouldn’t lie, would she?? [Can Good Cholesterol Be Too High? (webmd.com)](https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/good-cholesterol-too-high) > If having high HDL is good, are higher numbers even better? > > Not necessarily. When it comes to HDL cholesterol, you can have too much of a good thing. > > ## How High Is Too High? > > Very high HDL [cholesterol levels](https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/understanding-numbers) not only don’t protect you more, but they might be harmful. In one study, people who had HDL cholesterol levels above 60 mg/dL were nearly 50% more likely to have a heart attack or die from heart disease than people whose HDL levels were between 41 and 60 mg/dL. I do eat a lot of red meat and cheese. I’d like to eat more fish and chicken, but the Spousal Unit tires of those _very_ quickly. ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/70 "2023-08-15T15:51:51Z")
Me, walking in and seeing a fresh crop of Blueberries getting oreiented: [![](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/53/29/08/53290806274b66dd4293ed15b57e24eb.gif) ](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/53/29/08/53290806274b66dd4293ed15b57e24eb.gif) Spot was in “Pupils dilated, berserk running and yowling” mode for an hour. Now he’s evaporated into Napland. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I did think of that… after I booked our flights. Changing them would up the fare by over $3K! So nope. You could almost ship an emergency suitcase down there for that much. Pro tip: pack your Underoos in your carry on. Also, don’t pack 200 puck bottle openers, a gold lamé purse, and a stolen In and Out tray in the same suitcase. TSA will notice. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/71 "2023-08-15T15:57:11Z")
> [@LH75](#): > > Try my favorite cooking channel: > [Sam the Cooking Guy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbx49vtCILc) 4 more channels > [@Kitten\_Mitten](#): > > It’s the feast of the Assumption so I’ll be going to mass today. Aha! That’s the reason for today’s holiday. Nice to get the extra holidays, but as I am not Catholic, I don’t always remember which holiday is which. A contractor showed up to work today and my neighbor had to explain why the contractor isn’t allowed to work, as the holiday means it’s basically Sunday and therefore it’s not permitted to make noise. Unless it’s cannons or fireworks. 🙁 Because it’s a holiday, I can’t use the string trimmer to shorten the grass after 6 weeks. But tomorrow the scaffolding people are coming to remove the scaffolding and will be tramping on the grass. So I’m using edging/hedge shears to take some off the top. But it’s hot and uncomfortable work, so I have to take lots of breaks. 🙂 Fortunately the grassy area is rather small. So far I’ve found one anchor bolt, a rubber wedge (from our patio, one’s still missing), a small rubber cone and various trash. Some of those things will probably not do well if I used a string trimmer, so this is another reason to use the shears. Then I might be able to get to the rake and then use the rake to find other non-vegetable matter in the grassy area. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/72 "2023-08-15T16:24:02Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The offending restaurant is “Burke in the Box” near gate D52 where Delta parks. We came in to D54 at about the same time you were hitting “Reply.” So it’s safe to say we passed within a few yards of one another. I’ve never been tempted to try BitB, and will be even less so now. If you’re ever in that concourse again, I do recommend Ruby’s Diner. Tasty burgers and legit breakfast food. > [@Chefguy](#): > > If you’ve ever had athlete’s foot or ringworm, then you have. They’re all the same fungus, just differently named for different parts of the body. My late FIL used to call it the “Creeping Crud.” A pretty apt moniker, if you ask me. **JtC** , I am so very sorry to hear about COC. No matter how many pets we’ve lost, it never gets easier to say goodbye to them. Hugs. Our backyard landscaping has begun this morning. The kitties are not happy. It’s not a big yard, and if it was up to us, we’d just do some very simple hardscaping. But the HOA requires a certain number of trees and bushes of various sizes, and we decided on a multi-tiered design, so it’s going to take a few weeks. At least it’ll look nice when it’s done. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2023, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/73 "2023-08-15T16:55:20Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > My late FIL used to call it the “Creeping Crud.” My brother called it that, also. Perhaps it’s an Army thing. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2023, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/74 "2023-08-15T17:57:55Z")
Afternoon all. Phone returned to Verizon and credit given, so that much is done. Really need to head for the gym, with soccer from 5:30-7:30 pm tonight, need to get home and rest a bit between activities, but having a ‘donwanna’ moment right now…just need to get up and dress for it. Chance of rain today is at 1% right now, so I need to prepare for a deluge… **FCM** , ouch, that would sting. Crossing fingers all the flights are on-time. OK, I will get up and I will go to the gym…I think. Take care all. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2023, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/75 "2023-08-15T18:53:05Z")
2015 on a 12-hour clock is 8:15. 8/15 on a calendar is August 15th. And that’s how I remember we were married on 8/15/2015. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/76 "2023-08-15T19:59:18Z")
I hate skipping MMP Mondays! They’re what the first “M” is all about!! ☹ But once a month we have to send four “formal” reports and a slide presentation to our customer, and they were due today – which means I spent most of yesterday gathering the inputs and getting them ready. I dealt with some other stuff, too, but Monday was busier than usual because of the deliverables. I also took an hour at lunchtime to go to the grocery store, and made up that time afterwards. So by the time I logged off, I just wanted to eat dinner and watch some TV (and play the NY Times Spelling Bee). This morning I submitted said deliverables and caught up with some other stuff that had gotten put off yesterday, but work has been pretty quiet since lunchtime (🤞). So I’ve been catching up here, and doing some texting with one of my cousins. Her father is the one whose funeral I went to last month: her mom is now living with her and her family, and today is her parents’ 58th wedding anniversary. My aunt has some dementia, so my cousin decided not to mention the anniversary until/unless she brings it up (sometimes she forgets that her husband is dead, which is just heartbreaking for all involved). This first year of anniversaries and birthdays and holidays is just going to suck. But my cousin and I were also able to chat about her niece’s upcoming wedding – I’ll be going back to NJ in less than a month! – and it’s _so_ good to have something happy to look forward to. Joining a gym ($) and signing up for personal training ($$) really have me thinking about my monthly expenses, and ways that I can trim them. I’ve already reduced my therapy sessions from weekly to monthly, and I’ve identified a couple of memberships/subscriptions that can go, but mostly I keep thinking about cutting the cord. I tried it once before, 10 years ago, and it didn’t take. I watch a _lot_ of TV; it’s always been my main form of relaxation. Back then the streaming options were somewhat limited – Hulu was only 5 years old, and kind of sucked – and the amplified HDTV antenna I had couldn’t overcome weather interference. It all added up to not being able to watch what I wanted to when I wanted to often enough. But streaming services have come a _really_ long way since then – they’re mostly what I watch these days – and I think I could be happy now. I currently have a landline/cable/internet bundle with Verizon: I’ve done some spreadsheet math, and – assuming the cost of my internet service wouldn’t increase without the bundle – I could save $130/month\* by dumping the landline (which I’ve never used) and cable pieces. I could add a few more streaming services if I want and _still_ save money. And, I think I live close enough to DC’s transmitters for a $20-30 basic indoor HDTV antenna to provide local stations (because of the better streaming options, I’ll care less about weather issues on those channels). \*This takes into account everything I can think of, from having to start paying for HBO Max separately to no longer having to pay a CableCard rental fee (for use in my TiVo). The bundle pricing is the big unknown at the moment: I just have to gather the patience to call Verizon sometime (their website is frustrating) and ask a bunch of questions. Maybe this weekend. And maybe I’ll go ahead and order an antenna… Those are some super cute animals, **sari** and **doggio**! > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > I feel like I’m slowly crawling out of a massive Hole O’Dysfunction. Excellent!! 🎉 > [@overlyverbose](#): > > I’m guessing we have a matter of weeks 🫂 > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > It’s done. The lil guy went peacefully I’m so sorry. 💙 > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Chance of rain today is at 1% right now, so I need to prepare for a deluge… LOL! [80s movie reference] I think _your_ weather guy and _my_ weather guy should get together and go bowling… [\80s movie reference] > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > And that’s how I remember we were married on 8/15/2015. Heh. And happy anniversary!! 🥂 Not only is it also my aunt and recently-deceased-uncle’s anniversary, as mentioned above, but 8/15 was my parents’ anniversary as well: my mom got married on her brother’s 5th anniversary. (I’m pretty sure I’ve asked my dad how/why that happened, but I don’t remember the answer; I’ll have to ask again sometime.) ---
**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:** [August 15, 2023, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/77 "2023-08-15T20:12:10Z")
> [@Taters](#): > > Either my Deputy or MPA could have moved some of that stuff along, and neither of them did so. When I was the MPA, I jumped on that stuff in the former AED’s absence. I just don’t get it… I get it loud and clear. See below. > [@scareyfaerie](#): > > I understand that frustration - I never go on leave without writing a detailed handover document with every job I’ve started but haven’t been able to finish, and things that I know are coming up during the time I’m off > … > And I know when I come back, it won’t even have been looked at. > > Sometimes I am convinced that a bunch of people I report to have been promoted well beyond their level of competence. Not quite. Or rather, yes they’re beyond their competence, but that’s a feature, not a bug of the organization. For both of you. … As long as you cover for your superiors’ and subordinates’ failings they will continue to do half-assed work and leave you to make them shine. Practice defensive bureaucracy; they sure are. The goal of any skilled bureaucrat is to foist all the actual work off on others; either their superiors, their subordinates, or their laterals. A bit like a marriage this sad adage applies: “He who cares least, wins.” So let them blow deadlines, screw up budgets, whatever. Just make damn sure you’re making sure their grandboss or great grandboss knows exactly who dropped the ball every single time. The game is so much easier to play once you know the game they are playing. You’re both doing something called “working diligently” and they’re all doing something called “creative loafing while other suckers work.” As to me, I survived my run to Mexico & back. Now downtown & about to go get casual lunch / dinner someplace. We arise tomorrow at 245am to be at irk at 4am & push back at 5am. Local sunrise is 7am. Ouch. So despite it being mid-afternoon here now, bedtime is in just a couple of hours. Ugh. I’m an early bird, but there’s such a thing as too much of a good thing. Y’all are on your own tomorrow until tomorrow afternoon. Cheers and good luck to 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:** [August 15, 2023, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/78 "2023-08-15T21:33:11Z")
Howdy Y’all! Laundry got laundered and the promised sloth got slothed. Instead of meatballs 'n sketties, I did sketties 'n meat sauce just cause. Anywho, it got et and the kitchen is all cleanded up. Supposed to be rainy soon. We shall see. **Flyboy** Happy Anniversary to you and the missus! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/79 "2023-08-15T22:06:37Z")
We got rain and more is promised before 9. Supper has been ingested and dishes are done. Chillage mode at max. I’m taking the kids to the sprayground tomorrow for one last time for the season. That’ll kill the afternoon. ---
**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:** [August 15, 2023, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550/80 "2023-08-15T22:26:28Z")
Happy anniversary! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-its-still-dark-mmp/988550.md?page=5)