# Smarter minds and, uh, butts in the MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [August 22, 2022, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078 "2022-08-22T10:20:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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 22, 2022, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/21 "2022-08-22T16:16:15Z")
Goodness, this week is not getting off to a good start. **Yank** , hope the problem is repairable and you’ll be fine; anything with the eye is cause for concern in my abode (have worn glasses since the age of 7). And **nellie** , hope the migraine can be dealt with. And **Sunny** , didn’t know you had dealt with MS; a checkup is probably a good idea. **Bumba** , hope the new Doc is a good one. **VanGo** , hope the back stops acting up and behaves itself. And I think that takes care of all the infirmities so far… I’m doing fine, a bit of a runny nose but nothing much, just finished my shoppin-n-sammich run. Do apples coast a lot where you are? I bought 8 eating apples today at Publix and they cost me nearly $10! Going back to eating bananas at this rate. And the newbie at the register at Jersey Mike’s almost forgot to give me my change back when I had a problem with the points machine. And that is about as exciting as things will hopefully get at Casa Rat. Hope things go well for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2022, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/22 "2022-08-22T16:25:12Z")
I was on my way to bed last night and all of a sudden outta nowhere my middle to lower back started to hurt like all hell and all I was doing was walking getting up to feed my cousin … and ow .going to lay back down for a bit to see if it finally stops … ---
**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 22, 2022, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/23 "2022-08-22T16:25:12Z")
I’m a crack 'o dawner myself. It starts getting light around 0600 in Big Minnie at this time of year, and once I wake up, I usually gotta get up, if for nothing else than to drain the septic tank. Took the family truckster to the local body shop to get the crinkled bumper replaced and picked up the rental car; a Mitsubishi Shitbox XL or some such. Hey, it’s fine for temporary transpo. Had a nice walk with the Ms yesterday, which culminated in stop at Sebastian Joe’s ice cream parlor down the street. Damn, that’s some fine 'scream. The knee is talking to me today, of course. I need to find a decent brace for it. ---
**Author:** ![Mikkel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikkel/32/13151_2.png) [@Mikkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikkel)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2022, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/24 "2022-08-22T16:25:42Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > That sure sounds like a retinal tear to me. You’re smart to have gone to the doc right away. Yep. I had one a few years ago. It will probably be repairable. Mine was welded by laser and now, a few years later, I can see the spot where the tear was, but only if I look for it. My eye works fine and edit the spot out. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2022, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/25 "2022-08-22T16:48:17Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Do apples coast a lot where you are? I like Gala apples and I think the last time I got a 3# bag, it was around $4. Laundry is done. Oh, and if you felt a disturbance in The Force, I also dusted… with Lemon Pledge… 😲 It really needed dusting. **FCD** was on the phone with his mom - they’ve got a Dr appt this afternoon, but when they were in the car, FIL couldn’t figure out how to start it. _WHY IN THE HELL IS HE STILL DRIVING???_ Because they’re both pigheaded, that’s why. Is it wrong that I want to slap them both?? OK, deep cleansing breaths. I’m going to search for senior apartments in our area. Just in case. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2022, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/26 "2022-08-22T16:48:30Z")
How does one tear a retina, so I know to nevereverEVER do that thing?!? > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Do apples coast a lot where you are? Only with the right kind of transmission. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/27 "2022-08-22T17:40:54Z")
Whew! I just had the aura, which has mostly cleared, and no pain. I still have light sensitivity, but that’s to be expected. > [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > **Nellie** Are there other treatments by any chance? This one sounds horrific. Sending 🫂 I hope recovery is easy from here. Thank you! You mean other treatments to stave off osteoporosis? Yes. There’s an oral version of the same med I got via infusion, but it has its own issues. And there’s a different infusion you get every 6 months, which is what I told the PA I wanted, but she forgot, and I thought it probably wouldn’t matter. I should emphasize that almost nobody gets side effects as severe as mine were/have been. I’m tellin’ ya, my body’s weird. > [@Seanette](#): > > I used to have a friend who swore Midol was a miracle drug for his migraines. If it’s not contra-indicated, maybe tr I’m on a daily migraine-prevention Rx, so normally I only get one every month or two. I blame the infusion for upsetting my system. Midol probably helped your friend because it contains caffeine, an old tried-and-true method of alleviating migraine pain that works for some people. Mom used to take aspirin with a cup of coffee to try to stave off hers (way cheaper than either Midol or another caffeinated product, Excedrin Migraine). But caffeine withdrawal can also trigger migraines, and caffeine doesn’t do much (or is contraindicated) for some of us. **FCM** , hope MIL tells the doc about the hallucinations. My BIL had 'em. The doc put him on an Rx for dementia psychosis, and they stopped. He also slept. It made a hellish situation more bearable for my sister. And I hope the doc tells them NO DRIVING. I don’t blame you for wanting to slap them. They’re going to end up…well, no use repeating that. > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > How does one tear a retina, so I know to nevereverEVER do that thing?!? Honey, getting older is the main cause, and I think you want to do that. (WE want you to!) Glaucoma doesn’t help. Still, only something like 10% of the population gets them, so I don’t think you need to worry. > [@Mikkel](#): > > My eye works fine and edit the spot out. Yaaay for that! SO cool! > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Do apples coast a lot where you are? Yes, and I live in apple country. Wish we had these cheap grocery store options like Aldi that some of you have. Last I checked, Aldi isn’t even considering expanding into the PNW. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2022, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/28 "2022-08-22T17:59:37Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Only with the right kind of transmission. Thanks for the smile and grin~I needed it! Waiting to hear how everybody is doing. Glad to hear people are taking their eyes, etc., to the doctors right away. **FCM** , steel yourself. Years of community home health nursing of people like your in-laws tells me an ugly comeuppance will happen before their stubbornness changes. You and **FCD** will get to deal with the aftermath, with no warning. A bad car accident, a terrible fall at home, etc. Too bad **FCD** can’t sell their car the next time he is down there. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2022, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/29 "2022-08-22T18:03:05Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Whew! I just had the aura, which has mostly cleared, and no pain. I still have light sensitivity, but that’s to be expected. Glad you got off so easy. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/30 "2022-08-22T18:06:14Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > They’re going to end up…well, no use repeating that. > [@nelliebly](#): > > Honey, getting older is the main cause, and I think you want to do that. (WE want you to! Right on both counts! My first retinal tear happened when I was in my mid-late 20s. I was in Boston then and even there there wasn’t treatment that could save my vision in that eye. Things have gotten vastly better since then. And I didn’t see @nelliebly’s wise “no use repeating that” before I had, um, repeated that. Older folks never seem to think it will happen to them. And apples here cost about a dollar apiece to get a decent one, Fuji or gala. The swank ones like Pink Lady and honey crisp, delightful though they are, cost more. I live near several historic orchards but with only huge chain grocery stores now those vintage apple varieties no longer make it into town so I can purchase some. Now, driving 50 miles+ to buy one person’s worth of apples seems disrespectful of the environment and my finances. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2022, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/31 "2022-08-22T18:30:04Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Honey, getting older is the main cause, and I think you want to do that. (WE want you to!) Glaucoma doesn’t help. Well, there’s an, ah, herbal supplement that supposedly helps with glaucoma. I have preemptively taken, ah, quite a bit over the last hours/days/years - as a prophylactic, donchaknow - so that means I’m immune to retinal tears. … RIGHT?!? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2022, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/32 "2022-08-22T18:42:24Z")
I’ve been rising at the buttcrack of dawn for 35 years now. Part and parcel of being a teacher. The state actually made us start an hour later this year, but I volunteered to teach a “Zero period” class just so my internal schedule wouldn’t get messed up. I am much envied by some other teachers, who have discovered that they no longer have the time to go shopping, run errands, go to doctor’s appointments, etc. after school any more. Starting the second week of school and the kids are settling into things. Good bunch this year, and my classes start out weird (but in a good way) and just get better as the day goes by. If this is my last year teaching, it looks like it will be a good one. Prophylactic application of herbal supplements is a tried and true method of avoiding all sorts of problems. Great way of dealing with high blood pressure, tension headaches, minor physical aches and pains, etc. I live about 5 miles from the premier apple-producing area in SoCal, so I am spoiled. Was very handy back when I was making quality cider for home brew competitions. Fly low, stay loose and fight glaucoma daily! Confusion to the French! ---
**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:** [August 22, 2022, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/33 "2022-08-22T18:51:15Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > RIGHT?!? Or at least you won’t care😜 ---
**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:** [August 22, 2022, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/34 "2022-08-22T19:00:17Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Confusion to the French! ??? ETA: WTH? It made me type 5 ?s to be able to post, but is only showing 3 of them. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2022, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/35 "2022-08-22T19:08:39Z")
> **[Confusion to the French!](https://books.google.com/books/about/Confusion_to_the_French.html?id=AgqOnQAACAAJ)** An old family toast, as it were. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2022, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/36 "2022-08-22T19:25:44Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Well, there’s an, ah, herbal supplement that supposedly helps with glaucoma. It does! However, my retinal specialist said it only reduces eye pressure while you’re actually high. OK, show of hands: who thought, “I guess I’ll stay high, then”? > [@silenus](#): > > If this is my last year teaching, it looks like it will be a good one. That’s wonderful! And good on you for arranging a schedule that suits you! I don’t much miss the butt-crack-of-dawn wake-up time (4:50 a.m. for me), but I’d have hated it if school got out later. What time do the other teachers get out? > [@Seanette](#): > > Glad you got off so easy. Thanks. I am, too. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2022, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/37 "2022-08-22T19:41:48Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > What time do the other teachers get out? 3:30pm. Doesn’t seem late, but if you are used to 2:30pm it’s forever. Then you have to add the 25 minutes it takes for the parking lot to clear out. Not a big deal in the Great Scheme Of Things, but annoying if you’ve been on the previous schedule for any length of time. We used to be able to get good appointment times because we were off work before the hordes of 9-5 drones. Not so much anymore. ---
**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 22, 2022, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/38 "2022-08-22T20:01:33Z")
Not a teacher, but I once worked in an office where we had staggered shifts due to having customers in all time zones. I always requested the earliest possible shift. Though it was never fun getting up before the sun, being able to stroll out the door at 2 pm made it worth it! ---
**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:** [August 22, 2022, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/39 "2022-08-22T20:16:37Z")
Wow, you must have started _really_ early. I like that! We had to be at work by 7:30. (I always got there by 6:30: got a good parking spot, no line at the copy machine, and almost an hour of uninterrupted work time.) Classes started at 8:00, except for zero hour, which was essentially physical conditioning for athletes). School got out at about 3:30. Teachers had to stay until 4. With IEP’s and kids making up tests, I seldom left before 4:30. How sure are you this will be your last year? ---
**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:** [August 22, 2022, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078/40 "2022-08-22T20:31:01Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > OK, show of hands: who thought, “I guess I’ll stay high, then”? Well, I mean, I kinda was gonna anyway, but _if you say so_ and since this would be following medical advice … { _snerk_ } Said out loud, this would’ve been the point where I make a joke about not being able to keep a straight face m’self. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smarter-minds-and-uh-butts-in-the-mmp/970078.md?page=3)