# (Old) The Gift of Life in the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [June 29, 2026, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267 "2026-06-29T10:02:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 17
**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:** [July 5, 2026, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/321 "2026-07-05T21:16:15Z")
> [@Filbert](#): > > I’ve barely used my German since, I worked in a bakery for five years between high school with two to four German nationals (the number varying as people left and new ones were hired), so I actually got to use it a bit. And one summer I spent a couple of days with a group of Silesians, ranging from teens on up, who were demonstrating German folk dances at the state fair. (Schlesien was part of Germany up until the end of WW II, and is now part of Poland. They thought it was amusing when they found out that the Ostfrieslander jokes they were telling included several that I knew as Polack jokes.) > [@Filbert](#): > > one of my favourites My favourite teachers in high school were the drama teacher and my German teacher. We had two of the latter, and I lucked out and had the fun one. Somebody had found out when his birthday was, and we had a party for him each year. One year the first present he opened was a block of beeswax and some cheesecloth, so he could polish his balding head; the second present was a fifth of whiskey. And one day we had an all-school assembly, which meant shortened classes so we could fit them all in; we spent that day listening to a Cheech & Chong album instead of doing class-work. 😃 ---
**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:** [July 5, 2026, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/322 "2026-07-05T21:26:49Z")
Lazy morning. Then I showered and we went to church. There was a guest, who has her doctorate in the study of Dude-eronomy. She didn’t mention Lebowski at all. 🫤 After the service, my wife was talking to a Vietnamese girl named Chao. I said hello, then asked, 'So… Would I say “Chào Chao”? She laughed, and asked if I spoke Vietnamese. I said I only know ‘Chào cô’, ‘Chào chị’, and ‘Chào anh’, plus some foods. I have a pot of chile colorado simmering. Should be done in about three or four hours. ---
**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:** [July 5, 2026, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/323 "2026-07-05T21:27:36Z")
Blackout(power, not overidulgence on tequila) ---
**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:** [July 5, 2026, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/324 "2026-07-05T21:49:06Z")
I worked for 2.5 hours, and by the time I went downstairs two boxes from Da Jungle had been delivered. One included a small rolling shelf unit for the master bathroom: it wasn’t at all difficult to assemble – and I put it together on the kitchen counter so I didn’t have to bend over/get on the floor – but somehow doing so really did a number on my back! Afterwards I was only able to sit at the kitchen table and build Lego (and watch the Yankees get shellacked by the Twins) for about an hour before I had to move to the couch in the TV room. Random back stuff makes me feel old. 👵 Anyway, I got about halfway through the Shelby Cobra set. I have to finish the car tonight, so there won’t be random Lego pieces – and the stuff that accompanies my Lego building – all over the kitchen table when the cleaners come tomorrow. (That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 😁) I don’t think _1776_ is going to happen this Independence Day weekend. I love that movie, but I simply haven’t been up for it. I watched it a few months ago; maybe I just saw it too recently. I finished _The Good Wife_ and have started re-watching _The Good Fight_ (Paramount+), which I’m watching now. Yesterday I watched the first episode of _The Boroughs_ (Netflix), and liked it well enough; I might watch more of that in a little while. > [@Filbert](#): > > GCSE, which is the exams one takes age 15/16 in England This was 40+ years ago, but my family left England shortly before I turned 14 and I remember hearing about impending O-levels then…did the GCSE replace them, or are O-levels (followed [replaced?] by A-levels for those on the university track) something different? Or has my aging memory, like my aging back, utterly betrayed me? > [@dogbutler](#): > > Blackout(power, not overidulgence on tequila) Posting during the latter would have been super impressive, though. 😁 (Hope your power comes back on soon!) ---
**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:** [July 5, 2026, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/325 "2026-07-05T22:10:50Z")
> [@dogbutler](#): > > not overidulgence on tequila Are you bragging, or complaining? ---
**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:** [July 5, 2026, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/326 "2026-07-05T22:23:58Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > Posting during the latter would have been super impressive, though. 😁 That would have been: B k clout.\< power, not tequila ober indulgewncr] 😉 > [@SCAdian](#): > > Are you bragging, or complaining? Needing it after tomorrow. 😉 ---
**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:** [July 5, 2026, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/327 "2026-07-05T22:53:29Z")
Powers back, temp dropped 23 degrees, and Onan’s out for a snack. [![](https://64.media.tumblr.com/c8dbe574756fb46bb5145b18ea68e8e7/cdaff57652ad4e22-0d/s540x810/d8870d6830bd18e2ac416753bdea4dd1cb298083.jpg) ](https://64.media.tumblr.com/c8dbe574756fb46bb5145b18ea68e8e7/cdaff57652ad4e22-0d/s540x810/d8870d6830bd18e2ac416753bdea4dd1cb298083.jpg) ---
**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:** [July 5, 2026, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/328 "2026-07-05T23:39:02Z")
**FCD** had a hankerin’ for catfish, so we went to Cracker Barrel for supper. Then a quick detour to the boat to fit-check the cabinet he’s making. Now we’re home waiting for possible rain. Looks like they’re doing the fireworks in Solomons tonight since it got rained out yesterday. When we were there, the sheriff had traffic cones all over the place to discourage rogue parking. But we were able to get in and out with minimal problems. Tomorrow, **FCD** plans to work in his shop all day. I’ll start out with more weeding, then who knows what will follow. Kinda depends on the temp and my back. Nothing important will be happening tonight, tho. Chillage. ---
**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:** [July 5, 2026, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/329 "2026-07-05T23:46:58Z")
Afternoon all. Back from the gym/soccer watching after dining at the Olive Garden, to reward my calorie burn I stopped at Kroger and got a pecan sticky bun for dinner, it’s bad for me I know but damn it tastes so good… Inside now and getting ready for the evening game. Hope tonight is quiet for all the folks missing sleep from the fireworks last night; we usually get a few left-over blasted off around dark tonight but usually they are done early. Happy Doper Anniversary, **Oopsie**. Happy tree trimming! And I simply don’t watch that many movies anymore, but _Hamilton_ will be on my list. Happy Lego’ing. **FCM** , haven’t been to Cracker Barrel in over a year, may have to look for one when I’m on my short vacation in a week or so. **Nut** , glad a find of twine kept away the whine… **Cat Glove** , glad all the logistics worked out this morning. I love it when a plan comes together. **rocky** , Ben and Jerry’s for breakfast sounds like a good plan, fireworks or no… > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > who has her doctorate in the study of Dude-eronomy. She didn’t mention Lebowski at all. ISWYDT. 😃 **doggio** , nice pic. Hope Onan doesn’t expect royalties… And need to give brother a call and settle in for the England-Mexico game. See y’all later. ---
**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:** [July 5, 2026, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/330 "2026-07-05T23:49:50Z")
According to Sis, their neighbor across the street usually puts on quite the fireworks show. This year, however, their place was dark. We weren’t sure if it was because of FIFA (lots of folks spent their money on soccer rather than fireworks) or because they’re immigrants who didn’t want to draw attention to themselves. Anyway, we came in once BIL and his son had set what they had bought off. I took two years each of French and Spanish and absorbed some Latin from the nuns in grade school, but speak none of them fluently. I can still read a French menu and surprisingly enough can follow some French from plays and movies. I’ve been around a lot more Spanish speakers, so do better with that, but still am far from fluent. Stay safe and healthy y’all! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/331 "2026-07-05T23:52:16Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > but _Hamilton_ will be on my list If you can, find a copy of the lyrics and read them before seeing the movie. Some of the rapped performances were difficult for me to understand because of the speed. But It’s an amazing show. I’m usually in tears at the end. ---
**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:** [July 6, 2026, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/332 "2026-07-06T00:37:49Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I said I only know ‘Chào cô’, ‘Chào chị’, and ‘Chào anh’, plus some foods. That’ll get you a smile at a restaurant. ---
**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:** [July 6, 2026, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/333 "2026-07-06T03:45:34Z")
Late night final, as the World Cup games are done (and both were pretty damn exciting). A/C is still acting weird, it dies for a couple hours in the afternoon and then starts working for no discernible reason and does fine for about 18-20 hours..then goes off for some mysterious reason. We’ll see how it does tomorrow. **FCM** , good idea, I have trouble follow rapped lyrics, so having them available is a good idea. And off to a little reading and a lot of sleep. Catch all y’all tomorrow on the next MMP. ---
**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:** [July 6, 2026, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/334 "2026-07-06T05:46:48Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > Ben and Jerry’s was the smart move for breakies. I did that in college sometimes. Matter of fact, my very first morning _all on my own_ in the dorms I decided that, since I could have ice cream for breakfast, I would. And did. It was Ben & Jerry, too, in fact - probably Phish Food, cuz they sold that in the dorm store where we could ~~mis~~ spend our cafeteria points. > [@swampbear](#): > > with the exception of one hymn I can’t stand Spill, which is it? > [@swampbear](#): > > My high skool Spanish teacher told me “¿Donde esta el juan?” is not the appropriate way to ask that question. Thank you for the late-nite LOL. > [@SCAdian](#): > > They thought it was amusing when they found out that the Ostfrieslander jokes they were telling included several that I knew as Polack jokes Guarantee those jokes are also re-told in Texas as “Aggie” (TX A&M … big rivalry with U.T. Austin) jokes. > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > There was a guest, who has her doctorate in the study of Dude-eronomy. She didn’t mention Lebowski at all. 🫤 Was there a rug to tie the room together? > [@Misnomer](#): > > I finished _The Good Wife_ and have started re-watching _The Good Fight_ Were they both good? ---
**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:** [July 6, 2026, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/335 "2026-07-06T06:11:42Z")
Up, caffeinated, off to heave. It’s 73 degrees Ferret Height(22.778 Centipedes) ---
**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:** [July 6, 2026, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/336 "2026-07-06T11:23:02Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > A/C is still acting weird, it dies for a couple hours in the afternoon and then starts working for no discernible reason Is there a connection between your a/c and your electric company? Ours will “take control” of the a/c for brief periods to control usage so the utility isn’t overloaded. Worth looking into… ---
**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:** [July 6, 2026, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267/337 "2026-07-06T13:05:01Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Is there a connection between your a/c and your electric company? Ours will “take control” of the a/c for brief periods to control usage so the utility isn’t overloaded. Worth looking into… Never been notified of that and never have had the problem before, so I’m guessing no, but will keep it in mind. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-gift-of-life-in-the-mmp/1031267.md?page=16)