# What were you THINKING? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 13, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532 "2023-10-13T19:36:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 331
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6990 "2026-03-26T16:21:52Z")
Best wishes. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6991 "2026-03-26T16:34:04Z")
Your participation has been much appreciated, **Dinsdale**. All the best to you as you move on. May I say also, fine example of an exit statement! ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6992 "2026-03-26T16:36:18Z")
Goodby, good luck and enjoy retirement. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6993 "2026-03-26T16:38:40Z")
Woah–my grumbling about Dinsdale was 150 posts back. This thread moves fast! I hope your retirement goes well. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6994 "2026-03-26T16:39:43Z")
While there were one or two issues on which we disagreed, you were generally a thoughtful poster and will be missed. That was a gracious goodbye and I wish you the best in your retirement. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6995 "2026-03-26T16:41:30Z")
I can relate. I’ve been slowly fading here as well, but I also understand the just walk away approach. I’ve enjoyed your posts and perspectives. If you decide to stay, that’s great but if you elect to leave, you will be missed. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6996 "2026-03-26T16:44:13Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I agree. I’ve not ever ventured into that thread, and I don’t really lift weights, but the title has always struck me as being just a little off, and a little confrontational. But, no, I don’t go in there just to threadshit, either. This is me, as well. I’ve never read it or had any desire to. I occasionally work with small weights (should do it more often), but talking about it is sooooo boring. I got the impression as @hajario mentioned that it was a “do you even lift, bro?” type thread and noped away from it. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6997 "2026-03-26T16:50:55Z")
I may still wave to you at the Farmer’s Market! Best of luck. Maybe come back once just to let us know what happens with the Brio trains? 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6998 "2026-03-26T16:53:26Z")
Best wishes from me, too, and enjoy a pleasant retirement. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/6999 "2026-03-26T17:02:06Z")
Oh. Thank you for the notice. When people just disappear sometimes I worry … ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7000 "2026-03-26T17:07:50Z")
Farewell ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7001 "2026-03-26T17:13:13Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > But people who have less energy available because of getting older have less energy available for whatever they’re doing; and if they spend it lifting weights, it won’t be there for whatever else they might have done with it That’s the [spoon theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoon_theory) of energy management. If you are young and/or healthy you have plenty of energy – plenty of spoons – to spend on your daily activities without much thought. If you are old and/or infirm the number of spoons you have is limited and you have to make decisions on how to best spend them. If you spend them on a doctor’s appointment and grocery shopping you might not have any left to clean the house or tend the garden. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7002 "2026-03-26T17:19:26Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I’m fine with catchy thread titles. Catchy is fine, I agree. It’s the _misleading_ ones that are annoying. Like, **“Today I found out I’m probably dying”** and then the OP describes finding such a good deal on hair dye at the local drugstore that they’re going to buy a case and start using it. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7003 "2026-03-26T17:21:32Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > If you are old and/or infirm the number of spoons you have is limited and you have to make decisions on how to best spend them. If you spend them on a doctor’s appointment and grocery shopping you might not have any left to clean the house or tend the garden. This is very true. After I’m done grocery shopping and have hauled everything into the house, I have to sit for a few minutes swigging a bottle of water before I can summon the energy to even put stuff away. The usual wisdom in these circumstances is try just a little bit of exercise, because a little is better than none. I do just that, thank you, every time I go up and down the stairs! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7004 "2026-03-26T17:45:29Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > If you are old and/or infirm the number of spoons you have is limited If you are infirm. Old is not necessarily infirm. Yes someone with very limited energy should pace themselves and dole out their supply wisely. That’s the current guidance for ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) btw. Do but don’t overdo. And it is completely possible to be old and not infirm. I won’t share how. Don’t want be seen as bullying after all! Oh. If anyone is interested I brought up the subject of the different impacts of occupational physical activity and recreational in that thread. No need to hijack more here. > [@Why don’t you lift weights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-you-lift-weights/918144/1162): > > @enipla’s post got mentioned in the “What were you thinking?” Pit thread, and discussion there, @thorny_locust’s belief that physical activity done as work gets dissed, and this one, for example: got me thinking about the healthspan disconnect between occupational physical labor and recreational physical labor. So did some digging. Not “sneering” here. The idea that “I lifted heavy things for a living and don’t want to now.” is of course a valid reason for not wanting to lift weights as a for… ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7005 "2026-03-26T17:53:40Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > If you are infirm. Old is not necessarily infirm. True. I tried to cover that with ‘young and or healthy.’ Let’s face it though. As you age your energy level goes down. You might have started with enough reserves there’s not much effect – still have plenty of spoons – but it is there nonetheless. When I was ten my forty-year old father had a habit of taking a 90 minute nap on Saturday and I didn’t understand why in the world he did that. Then I became forty… ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7006 "2026-03-26T18:06:31Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Like, **“Today I found out I’m probably dying”** and then the OP describes finding such a good deal on hair dye at the local drugstore that they’re going to buy a case and start using it. If they spelled it properly, and titled it “Today I found out I’m probably dyeing”, I’d actually give them props. Because they are warning people about what it is really about. If they instead said “dying” then that’s not just misleading, it’s a lie. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7007 "2026-03-26T18:22:16Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Today I found out I’m probably dyeing”, Yes, props for sure. And I’d read that thread. ---
**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:** [March 26, 2026, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7008 "2026-03-26T18:38:40Z")
Fairwell @Dinsdale. I trust you will greatly enjoy yor impending retirement from work. And all the changes that will bring to your daily life. I too struggle with cutting back on anything and find cold turkey the best way to realign my habits, good or bad. I have quit this place cold turkey twice. Not specifically intending either time to be a temporary sabbatical, nor a permanent walk-away. I just quit until it felt like time to return. Which may happen sooner, later, or not at all. Turns out to be 2 and 4 years for me as best I recall. You may find the same occurs for you at some point some time from now. If so, don’t let your farewell message here now be an obstacle to that return. Nobody who matters is going to neener about it then. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532/7009 "2026-03-26T18:44:26Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I have quit this place cold turkey twice. Not specifically intending either time to be a temporary sabbatical, nor a permanent walk-away. I just quit until it felt like time to return. Which may happen sooner, later, or not at all. Turns out to be 2 and 4 years for me as best I recall. FWIW, your absence was much noticed by me, and I sure hope you stick around as, IMHO, one of our most valued posters. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532.md?page=330) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-thinking/991532.md?page=332)