My Masshole motoring was insured by Plymouth Rock as well.

As for why it's so much cheaper, I don't think it is because all the riders die in accidents, but more that a motorbike cannot inflict as much damage on other vehicles, people, or property (with exceptions, of course. Trikes, etc. could run more costly.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 2:58 PM on July 13, 2008

vodka's on the money. have you seen this Frontline?

The entire episode is fascinating (including the story of HOW the photo got out of the country). I'd also call your attention to section 6, which shows just how excellent China's been at tamping down the information you'd try to disseminate in your flier. They've seen you coming a ways off.

Be safe. Talk, sure, but gods beneath us, be reasonable.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 3:51 PM on July 11, 2008

You're asking whether you are onto something, and whether you should act.
You are, and you should.

You've saved the money of hiring a P.I. to discover and prove what you already knew.

TEAM DTMFA for the win!

(this doesn't mean you shouldn't try to talk to him, but I'd try steeling yourself first, and accepting that at the end of the conversation(s), he's still dumped)

you deserve better, both from him and yourself.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 4:16 PM on June 21, 2008

nothing good will come of this.

the bills will come due, most likely unexpectedly. I've gotten (and used) the offer of transferring my balance onto a new card, but you cannot count on that forever. Also, signing up for a dozen credit cards quickly is a red flag on your credit rating, I believe. They'll come offering yet more, because the card that gets the ultimate balance spent through this method is going to be the ultimate winner.

The... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 1:43 PM on June 15, 2008

I was under the impression that bad CV joints made clicking noises going around corners.

As for your question RE: gas, I just picked up a new [to me] motorbike that's only supposed to take premium (BMW). I weighed the potential pitfalls with current gas prices, but as people have noted, the difference now between regular and premium is pretty small. I did my affordability test expecting it to be $5/gallon. Mileage is a bigger factor.

and IMO,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 1:22 PM on June 15, 2008

I read through the entire Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome while waiting for the second season of the HBO series. At times it was a bit wordy, but she adheres pretty damned well to historical accuracy (where possible. she also is aware of her discrepancies, and justifies them in the prologue).

I third the recommendation of O'Brian. I haven't read through his entire series, but found the first few books highly enjoyable, even when I had no idea what the hell he... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 9:59 AM on June 15, 2008

on preview, From Hell is a great recommendation. I'd start there. I read it as it came out and again when compiled into a nice, fat (dense) package. Great stuff.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 10:01 AM on June 15, 2008

ant, cack...
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 12:54 PM on June 11, 2008

10K and drapes should do you.
I've felt as you do RE: cooking, except with doing dishes.
Working around heat sources in weather like this (NYC) is begging for discomfort.
Get a fan to blow directly on you while cooking. It's going to be a losing battle.

I've got two 12K for my apt., which has 10' ceilings. one for my bedroom (350SF) and one for the common area of apt (400 SF). My bedroom is COLD and the main room is nice and cool.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 1:19 PM on June 9, 2008

I loved my time in Morocco, and look forward to going back.

I skirted Marrakech and Tangiers, but from what I heard, you should be fine. Keep on your toes. Everyone I met there (locals and travellers) told me Tangiers was the place they heard Tourists complaining of the most.

I flew into Casablanca and travelled up to Rabat (the capital) and Sale (it's less tourist-friendly, more islamic neighbor), then struck East to Meknes (which I loved.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 5:49 PM on June 8, 2008

I found that just by saying 'Shokran' ('thank you') when talking to people made them very warm. Various places in Morocco pronounce it differently, but it's often the last syllables spoken in conversation.
I'm just saying, such measures got me the best dinner I ate while there (a berber family sit-down).
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 11:58 AM on June 9, 2008

I agree with 23skidoo.

This sounds damned embarrassing, to hear that your friend was getting a blowjob while you were passed out next to him (of course, here in NYC, 8 feet could be two rooms away, so context matters). Sleeptime is vulnerable time, and obviously you feel your friends didn't have your back.

I assume your friend told you, not knowing the history between you two, and was duly embarrassed himself afterwards. That he could get off in... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 12:02 PM on June 8, 2008

Been there. Was honest. Was miserable as a result.

Keep it to actions, not faces. There's ways around outright lying.
It sounds like you've got a good thing going, enjoy!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 11:30 AM on June 8, 2008

Maybe you could both insist he be there for you for the day, then kick him to the curb after.
From the glimpse you've given us of him, you'll need to be precise and communicative in what you may/will want. While you can maybe make him witness, making him feel (or really be there), that's a tall order.

the indifference that you see in him when talking about 'her' could apply to you as well.
his excuse of 'keeping up appearances' contradicts... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 1:35 PM on June 7, 2008

12 minutes until you are cleared for decibel havoc!
(the answer is 10:00 am)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 8:39 AM on June 1, 2008

Never underestimate a dork's obliviousness.

so yeah, be direct, be brave (easier said than done).
keep in mind that he might not be into so much after all (but asking will find this out).

in the meantime, enjoy the crush.
I've found crushes to be one of the best treats available to the single person.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 7:54 AM on June 1, 2008

I've made it a point to make it to a launch before they end the program altogether. So thanks for asking!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 5:38 PM on May 31, 2008

Can someone track you down from your license plate? Yes, for a price. It'd take more effort than I'd expect from a road rage fallout however.

He was probably just trying to scare you (and succeeded somewhat).

Unfortunately, there's not a lot you can do at this point other than worry about it, which would be a waste of time, ultimately.

**HOT MERGING ACTION**
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 2:34 PM on May 31, 2008

I traded my gaming box and monitor for an IBM thinkpad that couldn't handle games too well (with a flawed screen to boot). This broke my very compulsive habit for about a year and a half. I recalibrated my time and priorities, still playing occasionally, but for much less time due to the poorer quality of the experience, which made it less of an escape. (Also, it turns out I live in a somewhat interesting city. who knew?)

I always justified my gaming benders as time... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 11:23 AM on May 31, 2008

very little? it's based around a high school football team, but despite my extreme hatred for my high school team while there, I found the show actually really good. it surprised me.

30 Rock is the best sitcom on air now, I'd bet. most others lose me quickly with gimmicky stupidness. 30 rock's full of stupid, but done intelligently somehow. It's fast paced and will deliver jokes you'd miss on first watching, because it's so well written.

those... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 10:51 AM on May 26, 2008

I'd try another ribbon (bought from another store, for control purposes)
I've had this effect with certain typewriters, only to have the e's and o's open up nicely later.

I got rid of all my machines except the 1929 Underwood portable, which is still a fantastic model, despite the lack of paper guide (!).

Hadn't thought that the rubber roller could degrade to same effect.
good luck, and thanks paulsc for the links!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 6:18 AM on May 11, 2008

I was self-taught also, using a large parking lot in the springtime (watch out for sand/dirt in corners, they'll bork your control experiment, especially at the low speeds you'll be travelling at. I did this (figure 8's, circles) until I couldn't bear the boredom. I played with the braking performance on a longer patch, braking hard vs. soft/smooth.

after a couple of hours of this, I finally rolled out of the parking lot and onto the road home.
I found... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 11:38 AM on May 10, 2008

Yeah, inquiring minds want to know!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 6:54 AM on May 10, 2008

Personally I use 'Mazel tov!'. Sure, it's a callout to astrology, but it works.
Also, see, 'the gods favor you!'.

Then again, I DO call my dog 'dog!' at times, and I had to read your 'question' five times before getting the sense of it.

What's wrong with demanding someone interpret a noun, pray tell?
it's part of the old communication machine. Everything you utter is going to be inferred one way or another.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 6:52 AM on May 4, 2008

As a member of Team DTMFA, I concur wholeheartedly. Her wayward eye isn't going to stop anytime soon, and you don't sound like you're looking, only full of understanding why SHE's looking. Just to be contrarian, maybe you're right about her. Those little things are stupid, annoying, insipid, and maybe she's not as hot as you once thought. There. You're a viking at at laserlike criticism! Now go find some woman who can appreciate unending haranguing.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 3:25 PM on May 3, 2008

Musicians are scumbags. Self-absorbed and charming by force of habit. If you're looking for a scumbag, invite away! You just ended (are in the process of ending) a relationship. don't expect much from him, and have a good talk/what-have-you, but be careful. I really cannot stress enough how shitty most self-described musicians are. That said, there are always exceptions. His dropping out of contact and pathological lying (how do you screw up REPLYING to a text?) don't paint a rosy scenario.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 2:41 PM on May 3, 2008

once they've got the taste for blood, it's kind of there.
I'm more than a little impressed with a fat, declawed cat catching a squirrel. if you never saw it alive, I agree it may have been found outside. Blech. My cat was nice enough to leave them on the porch. it is an offering. you're staring a gift squirrel in the mouth.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 6:49 AM on April 19, 2008

I've got and use the tray Kadin mentioned above. While the ice doesn't stink, it has a relatively small payload (and, in my emptying it many many times, I broke the screwtop a long while ago. Also, it's loud as hell when getting the ice out.

I've also got a couple of the trays cunninglinguist linked, and prefer to use them most. They do definitely work. and they stack nicely.

(Also also, my friends enjoy adult beverages, a lot of them, and I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 6:19 AM on April 19, 2008

My guess is that you could find the same deals with diligent searching through freely available deal sites. The question is whether it's worth paying to you to potentially save time. Are you looking to purchase this weekend, the near future, by a certain date coming up?

There are a lot of those sites out there, and I would definitely check them before ponying up the $35, but finding a specific product at a specific time can be difficult, and often... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 6:05 AM on April 19, 2008

I think it's just part of the cost of associating with humans.

We have communicated much longer verbally than we have in writing, and there's something vestigial about the oral tradition. Whether it be reliving experiences or fine-tuning a story (you must admit that once your listener hackles have been raised, you're less likely to notice a nuanced change in the narrative, should there be one). A lot of times people will talk just to process an experience/recollection.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 10:11 AM on April 16, 2008

Another for Grant's Tomb (or Riverside Park, generally). It's free to enter and wander, beautiful architecturally, and the bells of Riverside Church are an excellent beat for your thoughts. Also, it's rarely busy (special occasions being the exception. I've come across a stage setup in front, which drew a crowd, but mostly, just the occasional unicyclist or skateboarder, and there's always a place to be solitary (if that's conducive to your relaxing...)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 12:54 AM on April 9, 2008

I also would recommend Freespace II.
Download the easy installer (it's free now) and be amazed at how gorgeous an older engine can still look. There's some learning curve, (and without a joystick, I found it impossibly steep), but once you're in it, you're hooked. The story's pretty good, and the missions absolutely engrossing.

Personally I'm desperately waiting for the full Battlestar Galactica Mod to come out. The demo's available now, and it looks/is... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 11:48 AM on November 18, 2007

It's hard to say, since you're not sure if you offended or not. I've trebled damage by apologizing for something that I felt was out of line, only to find out that noone thought twice about it, until I made my apology. Then it had the effect I'd imagined, only it was fresh for the next day in its offensiveness.

I suppose assessing the impact is important. (In your words, figure out how true the 'cold light of day' is representing your actions...)... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Busithoth at 6:36 AM on April 17, 2005