So, I'm at an anti-Iraq war rally with a few thousand other people. Although I'm fairly close to the stage, I can't make out what the speakers are saying because a few dozen hippies are really in a groove in their drum circle. Also, we're trying to prevent 500 pound bombs falling from the sky and turning people into hamburger so maybe you should leave your fucking puppets at home!
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 2:36 PM on July 31, 2008

They're also ruining Ween shows.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 2:42 PM on July 31, 2008

Have you been on long rides before? If not, don't start with a transcontinental ride. Have you been on long rides with this bike? I personally wouldn't want to ride a sports bike for several hours a day for days on end. Are you able and willing to check out the bike every morning?

You have about three weeks before you leave, so I suggest you do a little test run. Pack everything you plan to take on the big trip, including the backpack and tent, and ride for a couple of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 2:34 PM on July 24, 2008

You just harshed our mellow
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 11:23 PM on July 4, 2008

So, you were both drunk when she gave you a fairly convincing line. It's easy to parse and poke holes in her motivations after the fact, but the line did kinda give you plausible deniability at the moment. And, you were drunk. So, mistakes may have been made. If you did have sex with her, was it among the best sex you've ever had? If no, then don't bother even thinking about doing it again until you get some sort of confirmation from the husband. But, what if the sex was mind blowing?... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 11:28 AM on July 4, 2008

Grilled cheese. Peanuts are a great snack. I live on vegi burritos. Pizza. Beer. Spaghetti. Fresh mozzarella and tomato sandwiches. The Gardenburger fake ribs are pretty good.

Eating meat substitutes doesn't make you less of a vegetarian. There's always someone more punk than you.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 5:17 PM on May 19, 2008

Thanks kalessin and Rabulah. This looks exactly like my neighbor's plant.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 11:10 AM on April 28, 2008

In order to build large forearms, roll a few hundred balls of dough in one day, then do five reps a week. Be careful though, if you only manage to do four reps a week while you happen to be completely stoned, it means that you're working at Papa Murphy's Pizza.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 10:04 PM on April 14, 2008

What about first names?

The men I've met named Neil seem to be meek. Do you think having a first name which is pronounced like kneel, meaning to fall or rest on the knees, can lead to a passive person? I guess the answer will be mostly confirmation bias but I think there's a bit more to it. Armstrong and Diamond are anomalies.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 12:17 PM on January 31, 2008

elendil71: I've heard Sacramento, Ca referred variously as "Sacratomato" or "Sacrademento". The latter may be more apropos. Not sure where the 'tomato' part comes in, but certain publications and locals have come to call the city "The Big Tomato".

Sacramento is in the heart of the Central Valley, a place where millions of tons of tomatoes are grown each year. Trucks hauling tomatoes are a common sight on Sacramento... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 6:10 PM on December 17, 2007

Coast Redwood
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 12:54 AM on December 16, 2007

Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 12:30 PM on December 7, 2007

What? Does someone have an English to Bro dictionary? I'm not following him.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 6:39 PM on November 14, 2007

Tea can inhibit iron absorption.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 3:06 PM on September 23, 2007

I agree. Check out the area around the top of Lake Merritt on through Piedmont Ave. and over to the Temescal area.

When you're settled in, check out the farmers' market on Saturday at Grand and Lakeshore or the Temescal one on Sunday. The Parkway Theater also kicks ass.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 4:19 PM on August 9, 2007 marked best answer

It would be fun helping you practice. My email is in my profile if you're interested.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 12:34 PM on May 30, 2007

Thanks for the update, loiseau. I'm glad the final meeting went well and that you're holding up okay.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 7:34 PM on May 25, 2007

Harold and Kumar go to White Castle has one of the best cameos ever but just a normal sized cast.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 10:37 AM on May 15, 2007

Buying a used bike is tough. The hard part is figuring out if the bike has been down (I'd guess about half of the bikes have been dumped), and if they were down whether anything important was damaged.

So, check to see if the forks are straight and if there are any scrapes on the handlebars or sides. If there's rust it should give you pause, but also bargaining power.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 2:14 PM on May 3, 2007

A tree suggestion: Live Oak. These beautiful trees are a common sight along the bay area countryside.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 7:38 PM on April 16, 2007

Yeah, guy's might not know they're attractive. I, for example, have no clue.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 12:14 PM on April 14, 2007

It's not a grapefruit spork.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 4:24 PM on April 2, 2007

A lot of people have posted a lot of great links and quotes, but it seems to me that only Saddam explicitly stated that Iraq had no WMDs. Everyone else seems to either say that the Bushies had no proof of Iraq's reconstituted weapons, and thus shouldn't invade, or that Iraq isn't really a threat to the US.

Here's Scott Ritter from that Time link above:

Time: "In 1998, you said Saddam had "not nearly disarmed." Now you say he... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 2:32 PM on March 21, 2007

Perhaps the grass has been treated with blood meal or a fish-based fertilizer.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 11:17 AM on March 20, 2007

You have to back away. Even if you two were the same age, it seems that you stole her number and are the only one making any effort.
If she calls/texts then you know she's interested. If not, find another girl.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 4:56 PM on March 19, 2007

I come from a family of strong silent types, that when asked how they're doing are always, “pretty good.” They would never burden someone with their problems or worries -and this is even after my father committed suicide.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 1:42 PM on March 13, 2007

Here's how to dip your toe in-
Find the reform synagogue near your new place and check out a Friday night shabbat service. Dress a bit conservatively (it's too bad that I have to add that, but we all know how much Meifa likes tube tops). You could try a conservative temple, but there will be much less English and much more boring (huh, I guess I'm still a little bitter). If you want, talk to the rabbi after the service.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 6:16 PM on February 28, 2007

Check out the War Nerd column. He's an asshole but he seems to get it right.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 10:02 PM on February 12, 2007 marked best answer

This is Consumerist's bread and butter. Send them and email.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 4:12 PM on February 12, 2007

Check out SF Jewish Family Services. You don't need to be Jewish.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 2:49 PM on January 29, 2007

I use a disc lock mostly because it's small enough to easily carry around. I do use a bright cord that attracts attention to the lock so thieves know it's there and I remember to remove it. The locks are fairly cheap and hopefully annoying enough to get a thief to look for an easier target.

But, my bike is nothing fancy so I don't have to worry about a determined thief. If you're riding a Harley or nice BMW then spend the extra money necessary to protect it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 11:59 AM on January 25, 2007

Here's my two cents:

After the academy you will probably spend at least a couple of years working in a jail before patrol is even an option. These years will callus your soul.

Cops are among the most cynical people you'll ever meet. They just seem to have a jaded outlook on life.

Alcoholism is endemic for cops because it aids in "decompressing" after work.

On preview: never mind
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 2:43 PM on January 23, 2007

Do you have a paypal account? If so, post it and let Mefi do something nice.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 4:27 PM on December 17, 2006 marked best answer

we need pics
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 8:31 PM on December 11, 2006

My old woodcarving teacher always carried a nothin' fancy Old Timer, but it was just his out-and-about knife. I'd recommend getting a regular carving knife if you're serious about your new hobby. Something with a small fixed blade and long handle.

But truthfully, the type of knife isn't as important as being able to get it sharp and to keep it that way. So, get a strop and some gradually finer whet stones. Using a dull knife is frustrating and therefore dangerous. But... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 10:35 AM on December 10, 2006

There were no brake-in instructions. I did take it very slow at first.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 8:59 AM on December 6, 2006

I didn't bleed the brakes but did top off the reservoir after I was done. They feel neither squishy nor tight -just normal.

I only have a side stand so I'm not able to spin the wheel.

Also, I was careful not to damage the hydraulic hoses.

Thanks for the help.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 12:24 PM on December 6, 2006

Your father-in-law sounds a lot like me. So, here's a few things I enjoy: my subscription to Foreign Affairs, the book The Assassins' Gate: America in Iraq, umm, and that's all I can come up with right now.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 4:13 PM on November 18, 2006

Very nice, 10ch.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 4:31 PM on November 17, 2006

Here's another link
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 8:04 PM on November 15, 2006

Raising Arizona
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 9:46 PM on November 6, 2006

What's the game?
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 1:18 PM on October 12, 2006

Hey Bolognious, is this related to this thread? What ever happened with that guy.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 7:27 PM on October 5, 2006

I saw a Canadian goose in a tree once.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 6:29 PM on September 10, 2006

Cheers! You've made the right choice.

But, you can't just "try the backing off thing."

It's going to hurt like hell, but you must stick to your guns. Good luck.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 11:11 AM on September 3, 2006

If you go with T-mobile and buy a $100 pre-paid card, it only costs 10 cents per minute. And unlike some pre-pay plans, the minutes won't expire for a year. Like almost everything else, it's cheaper $/min to buy in bulk, so avoid $15 pre-paid cards with T-mobile.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 1:13 PM on August 14, 2006

Please let us know how it works out.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 10:29 PM on August 5, 2006

Neither.

Keep looking.
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 10:40 AM on July 22, 2006

I demand closure!
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 4:33 PM on June 29, 2006

Spork's girlfriend writing:

I have found a good way to get dirty bathroom floors clean but I'm sure I'm not the first to come up with it. It also works for the kitchen but it usually isn't necessary because the floors aren't as dirty.

I get the floor a little bit wet by just dropping about 1/2 cup of water from a cup or a sponge. Then I sprinkle Ajax or Comet on the floor and spread it around with a broom that has stiff plastic bristles. Then... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by spork at 9:55 PM on June 18, 2006