# Random thoughts **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 24, 2019, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234 "2019-10-24T13:30:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/101 "2019-11-06T20:04:03Z")
^ Did they not hear you correctly and give you an estimate for a ballpark? Jeez! šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/102 "2019-11-06T20:30:45Z")
Thatā€™s the only reasonable explanation. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/103 "2019-11-06T20:49:24Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > The first ballpark estimate came back on our addition/garage project at $250,000. This is double plus ungood. Good marble is pricey these days, then thereā€™s shipping it across the Atlantic. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/104 "2019-11-06T22:11:36Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > The first ballpark estimate came back on our addition/garage project at $250,000. This is double plus ungood. I bet its the luxury boxes and the jumbotron that are driving the price up. (Maybe just ask them about the cost of a place to put your cars and see how that goes). ---
**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:** [November 7, 2019, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/105 "2019-11-07T02:26:42Z")
Ok, Dung I have watched the Masked Singer. Stupidest show that has ever made me laugh so hard. I got stupider tho. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![MacSpon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@MacSpon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacSpon)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/106 "2019-11-07T03:13:38Z")
I turned 55 recently. It doesnā€™t feel much different to 54. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/107 "2019-11-07T06:10:02Z")
> [@MacSpon](#): > > I turned 55 recently. It doesnā€™t feel much different to 54. Wait until youā€™re in your 70s. Every DAY is worse. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/108 "2019-11-07T06:54:41Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Ok, Dung I have watched the Masked Singer. Stupidest show that has ever made me laugh so hard. > I got stupider tho. > šŸ™‚ I have never watched ā€œSo you think you can danceā€. But some of the best laughs Iā€™ve had lately have been typing Sean Spicerā€™s name into youtube and watching him stomping around like a lame Clydesdale in a dressage competition. The loyal Alt-Righters keep phoning in to prolong his humiliation, and he apparently still thinks they are doing him a favor. Itā€™s obvious the costume folks hate his guts. Iā€™m not usually one to indulge in schadenfreude. But I heartily dislike being lied to, and that boy lied to me, a lot. ---
**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:** [November 7, 2019, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/109 "2019-11-07T07:04:11Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > I have never watched ā€œSo you think you can danceā€. But some of the best laughs Iā€™ve had lately have been typing Sean Spicerā€™s name into youtube and watching him stomping around like a lame Clydesdale in a dressage competition. The loyal Alt-Righters keep phoning in to prolong his humiliation, and he apparently still thinks they are doing him a favor. Itā€™s obvious the costume folks hate his guts. > > Iā€™m not usually one to indulge in schadenfreude. But I heartily dislike being lied to, and that boy lied to me, a lot. Itā€™s hilarious watching him try to dance. I feel sorry for his dancing partner. I bet heā€™s stepped on her feet so much. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/110 "2019-11-07T11:53:08Z")
Yesterday my son sent me a selfie in which he was wearing a cap, gown, and surgical mask. For a minute I assumed it was from Halloween, then the fact that his wifeā€™s due date was in a few weeks hit me. Having a granddaughter is making me feel even older. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/111 "2019-11-07T11:59:58Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > I have never watched ā€œSo you think you can danceā€. But some of the best laughs Iā€™ve had lately have been typing Sean Spicerā€™s name into youtube and watching him stomping around like a lame Clydesdale in a dressage competition. The loyal Alt-Righters keep phoning in to prolong his humiliation, and he apparently still thinks they are doing him a favor. Itā€™s obvious the costume folks hate his guts. > > Iā€™m not usually one to indulge in schadenfreude. But I heartily dislike being lied to, and that boy lied to me, a lot. Iā€™ve only seen him in a couple of videos, but damn. The one where he looked like John Travoltaā€™s much-shorter cousin, at least I got an impression that he was familiar with the source material. The salsa with the pale green thingā€¦ yeah, that was like watching a sardine try to do the Nutcracker by itself. Actually, the sardine might have been more graceful. Apropos of nothing else: there canā€™t be that much of a difference between cauliflower and broccoli. I mean, ok, theyā€™re different colors butā€¦ So do I hate the one while being OK with the other just because of personal history, or does cauliflower really tend to smell like ass and taste accordingly? ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/112 "2019-11-07T14:22:37Z")
Iā€™ve been spending too much time seeing doctors recently. Thereā€™s a new innovation in the surgery waiting room: a big screen and a robotic voice, to tell you that the doctor is ready to see you now. So on the big screen youā€™ll see something like: \*\*Mr Treppenwitz Dr S Wilson Room 7\*\* BUT the robotic voice says:\* Mr Treppenwitz - Drive South Wilson - Room 7. \* Man that is disconcerting. Bug and feature all in one, if you ask me. The strangest thing is that, while you might think that (Doctor) Drive South Wilson is probably the noob (and therefore so far down the pecking order that nobody cares), the senior partnerā€™s first name is Nigel. Drive North, Doctor, Drive North. j ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/113 "2019-11-07T14:40:17Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Ok, Dung I have watched the Masked Singer. Stupidest show that has ever made me laugh so hard. > I got stupider tho. > šŸ™‚ Me too, and I never had smarts to spare! > [@TruCelt](#): > > Iā€™m not usually one to indulge in schadenfreude. But I heartily dislike being lied to, and that boy lied to me, a lot. I take the opportunity to say terrible things to him. šŸ˜ƒ > [@kayaker](#): > > Having a granddaughter is making me feel even older. About time you caught up with the rest of us, Pappy! (My grandson canā€™t say Grandma Julie, so he says, ā€œGranma Doodyā€. You know Iā€™m lovinā€™ it.) ---
**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:** [November 7, 2019, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/114 "2019-11-07T15:54:24Z")
My oldest Grandwrek tried to call me ā€˜Bubbaā€™ when she was learning to talk. Umm?! Nope. Cleared that right up. Iā€™m Nana. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/115 "2019-11-07T15:58:10Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Good marble is pricey these days, then thereā€™s shipping it across the Atlantic. > [@Moriarty](#): > > I bet its the luxury boxes and the jumbotron that are driving the price up. Yā€™all would be funnier if the second ballpark number hadnā€™t come in at $350,000. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/116 "2019-11-07T18:28:28Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Yā€™all would be funnier if the second ballpark number hadnā€™t come in at $350,000. Retractable dome?? ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/117 "2019-11-07T19:39:36Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > The first ballpark estimate came back on our addition/garage project at $250,000. This is double plus ungood. There has to be more to this story. You live on top of a mountain, and the construction equipment has to be flown in by helicopter? You are above the permafrost line? There is an old cemetery which has to be relocated first, and all the local contractors saw ā€œPoltergeistā€ at an impressionable age? Your plans are for a 5,000sq ft. addition with a 3-car garage? The rest of the house was built in 1874 so none of the existing utilities can be used due to code violations? Your wealthy son parked his Lambo out front on the day the estimators came by to inspect? You want them to dig a basement for the addition at risk of destroying the existing foundation? This is really an outrageous amount of money. What is so hard? ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/118 "2019-11-07T21:24:40Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Yā€™all would be funnier if the second ballpark number hadnā€™t come in at $350,000. We kept shopping til we found someone willing to work with our budget. Which was half the first estimates weā€™d gotten. Finally found a crusty Old School Guy who started sharpening his pencil on day one, but also gruffly telling us weā€™d have to give up some of our dream ideas. The estimate ended up lower because he factored in my helping out. Which was time-consuming but fun, too. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2019, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/119 "2019-11-07T23:25:06Z")
Thereā€™s something thatā€™s been bugging me of late, and I wonder if there is a name for it: The attitude by some people that, no matter what, ā€œthings always were for the best.ā€ Doesnā€™t matter if weā€™re talking about some disaster, or a bad decision, or whatnot, they always insist ā€œI wouldnā€™t change a thingā€ because whatever things turned out to be, must have been for the best. I donā€™t doubt that in some cases, things perhaps did turn out for the best, but it smacks more of denial or a reverse case of sour grapes. ---
**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:** [November 8, 2019, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234/120 "2019-11-08T03:20:13Z")
Iā€™ve always prided myself in finding good things in everything. You know, glass half full kinda gal? Iā€™ve changed my thinking. Iā€™m more of a Murphyā€™s law type now-a-days. Itā€™s new enough thinking, to me, that Iā€™m still surprised some days. :smack: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-thoughts/842234.md?page=7)