Seconding the lead acid battery.
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 6:35 AM on August 21, 2008

My proposed plan of action is to 'target' Top 100 CEO's and the like, sending them a 'teaser' package pointing out some of the obvious, yet specific to them, risks to their current life security. This package would ideally prompt them to contact me for further, in-depth security consulting.

Most of these guys already have their own corporate security guys, many ex-FBI, and the most likely response to receiving such an unsolicited package would be to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 7:11 AM on August 20, 2008

There is no accountability in the TSA. Kip Hawley is obviously incompetent. The agency is all show and no go. Putting a wing on a Yugo isn't going to turn it into a Corvette, and the current no-fly list system is the equivalent of a huge bolt-on wing. Given the 9/11 attacks and the prospect of future similar attacks it is vitally important that the TSA capably and efficiently screen and search passengers, cargo and the like. However, they, like much of the rest of the Bush administration,... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 6:51 AM on August 20, 2008

There are lots of options.
For sports like fishing
For around town
for conservative... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 9:14 PM on August 19, 2008

I'd also like to point out that if you had gone back in time to October-November 2001 and told everybody that the "Praise Allah" anthrax letters would eventually be traced back to a US Army Research Lab and a top-level US scientist, they would have called you an America-hating conspiracy-nutter.

How about December 2, 2001?
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 8:50 AM on August 1, 2008

The issue of the administration being on Cipro is not small. This is not like taking tetracycline long term for acne or something. Cipro is an extremely potent antibiotic with tons of side effects and not really appropriate for prophylactic long term therapy, although it is not unknown to use it long term with known infections. Unless there was some very real fear, prophylactic long term use of Cipro is essentially reckless prescribing behavior. Why would they do this unless they knew... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 12:59 AM on August 2, 2008

Altruism is just collective self-interest on a larger scale. I help you because I know that some day I might need your help.


Wow. It must suck to be you.
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 6:24 AM on August 2, 2008

nice link fff
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 8:51 PM on August 19, 2008

Turn your fellow man to Christ, not the faux religion of the mega-church, mega-judgers, (the perverters of Christ's message to justify their own greed) but the Christ of redemption, the Christ of love and goodwill towards your fellow man.
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 8:49 PM on August 19, 2008

Thin.
I would have left it as there was enough interesting stuff not all over CNN to justify it, but I have no quibble with its deletion either. Also, the whole site has been lacking in any interesting links for the past few days, or few at least, so that it is judged against a bleaker background.

I just hope that when Obama does pick a running mate that we get more than a single link CNN post about it. I am not looking for some silly seventh grade... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by caddis at 8:40 PM on August 19, 2008

Belize?
Costa Rica?
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 10:50 AM on August 18, 2008

It has no strategic ground forces in reserve and is in no position to intervene on the Russian periphery. This, as we have argued, has opened a window of opportunity for the Russians to reassert their influence in the former Soviet sphere.

Pshaw. Even in the '90s we would not have been able to intervene. It's one thing to thump your chest and take on tin pot dictators in Iraq, but quite another to take on the Russian bear in its own backyard.
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 9:14 AM on August 14, 2008

Blowback from Bear Baiting
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 9:05 AM on August 18, 2008

To speak better - Toastmasters.

As for talking down, you are not always right. Really, you are not as smart as you think you are. None of us are.

Now, are you really talking down, or are you just oblivious to your audience. Not knowing your audience's expertise in a subject and talking above their expertise level is not talking down to people, but quite the opposite. Talking down would be more like under appreciating how much they know.
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 7:20 PM on August 16, 2008

Fellow ME here. I went to the kind of school that prepares you for grad school and teaching more so than working as an engineer, a very high theory to practicality ratio, so please read my comments through that filter. Anyway, I entered the field with a very strong foundation, but knew how to do almost nothing. The first few years are really kind of an apprenticeship, you use your foundation and then use your mentors to learn how real engineers do it. There are many different paths in... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 6:48 PM on August 16, 2008

The punk kids roaming the streets are pissed but the adults are happy. Get off my lawn street punk.
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 1:59 AM on August 14, 2008

Bonnie and Clyde had BARs. The current punks are quite underpowered by comparison.
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 12:45 AM on August 15, 2008

fxcuisine is the best food blog on the internets, period.
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 12:43 AM on August 15, 2008

you mean this guy?
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 1:48 PM on August 14, 2008

Our next President.
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 7:39 AM on August 2, 2008

Of course the US needs to compete.
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 7:48 AM on August 2, 2008

I wouldn't put too much faith in overall poll numbers. This is not decided on the popular vote, but rather on the electoral college.
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 11:21 AM on August 4, 2008

Unfit to Lead
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 12:30 PM on August 14, 2008

The White Stripes come to mind, but they are but a mere duo.
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 11:44 AM on August 14, 2008

The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Al;so, both of pardonyou's suggestions are great.
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 10:02 AM on August 14, 2008

He tends to get goofy in his columns but when he pairs up with Mark Shields on the Newshour it is great stuff, although David Gergen was much better.
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 9:18 AM on August 14, 2008

That the asker is breaking the rules isn't an excuse.

Wrong
posted to MetaTalk by caddis at 2:02 AM on August 14, 2008

Typically, unless there is a specific provision in the lease, when you break the lease the landlord can only ding you for the lost rent, but you need to check on your particular locale. Some landlords take revenge on lease breakers through charges for "repairs." On your way out, photograph every aspect of the apartment. Oh, and see a lawyer, or at the very least some tenant advocacy group.
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 8:33 AM on August 13, 2008

I think your father is being quite strict, perhaps even overly so. However, rather than fighting him on this I suggest that you use it as an opportunity to learn good homework habits that will serve you well later in life. Get your homework done by 10, every day. Shoot for 9 so that you can play between 9 and 10 and have some slack in your schedule in case you need extra time to get something done. With cell phones, does anyone still IM anymore? Text your friends after 10 if you need a fix,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 8:33 AM on August 12, 2008

I think flat bars are trouble. Part of the solution is changing your hand position every now and then to prevent a repetitive stress on your wrists. Flat bars, even with bar ends, make this more difficult, although those Ergon grips look great. Regardless of whether you go with flat bars or road style drop bars (you can go off road with these, just look for cross bikes) just as with typing you also must keep your wrists straight. This is extremely important. I would suggest riding with your... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 8:23 AM on August 12, 2008

Who cares? He has been done politically for some time.
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 4:27 PM on August 8, 2008

You've got no insulation in your roof I bet. I had this once in an apartment. Hot sunny days were killer; the sun beat down on that black roof mere inches above my ceiling. At least I wasn't in Phoenix where all the days were hot and sunny. Is your ceiling unduly warm? You might have them check the insulation, if there is any. If you absolutely must have this apartment and they won't help you then I guess you could insulate yourself on the inside, with some nonflammable foam, but it would... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 2:38 PM on August 4, 2008

So you go on and on about your windows. Is your ceiling warm?
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 9:14 PM on August 4, 2008

Yay!
I missed you terribly and I am glad you are feeling better.
posted to MetaTalk by caddis at 11:26 PM on August 2, 2008

Likelihood of you being FEMALE is 3%
Likelihood of you being MALE is 97%


Site Male-Female Ratio
youtube.com 1
cnn.com 1.35
imdb.com 1.06
digg.com 1.56
drudgereport.com 2.08
huffingtonpost.com 1.35
wired.com 1.41
metafilter.com 1.27
boingboing.net 1.5
gawker.com 1.17
statesman.com 1.06
dailykos.com 1.56

Busted.
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 7:27 PM on August 2, 2008

Interesting that he mentioned Springsteen. I'm publicly on record as being a huge Springsteen fan, but the reason why...I've been listening to 'Radio Nowhere' over and over again lately, and it reminds me of certain times in my life, just the existensial loneliness of those periods, and hearing in punches me right in the gut. On the other hand, I've never been the child of a single mother living in the projects and Everclear's 'Father Of Mine' hits me like a ton of bricks as well.... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by caddis at 8:44 AM on August 2, 2008

You can try to make them inhospitable. Cover them in wet towels or something else that he does not like.
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 7:45 AM on August 2, 2008

I think this belongs in the Mars water post (which wasn't even 24 hrs old when this was posted), not in a new FPP.
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 7:32 AM on August 2, 2008

About forty percent of the kids don't know a frog when they see one? This will ruin some nursery tales.

and by the way, that is not a Robin, this is a Robin. ;)... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 12:10 PM on August 1, 2008

This really just an abuse of the terror fears to catch a few child porn users and in the meantime inconvenience lots of innocent people. If the Bush administration could enforce a police state as strict as China's they would do it in a heartbeat.
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 9:12 AM on August 1, 2008

Very interesting. Thanks for this post.
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 8:28 AM on August 1, 2008

spend your money on buying excel and then make a bunch of fancy spreadsheets and teach yourself how to use it. It is quite simple. A course that runs you through all the available features, or a book, would perhaps speed your work. Employers will be less impressed by a course than by a true statement that you are fluent in excel.
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 12:08 AM on August 1, 2008

Just to be clear here, the article calls the gun that killed this pig as a .50 caliber revolver.

Except that like the fatness of the pig this appears to have been faked also. It's unclear what weapon the lad used, but it was no high powered rifle and no .500 magnum.
posted to MetaTalk by caddis at 9:46 AM on July 31, 2008

What a quaint and interesting concept.
posted to MetaFilter by caddis at 7:52 AM on July 31, 2008

Man's duty of love and compassion towards others both as an individual duty and as a group duty.
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 4:49 AM on July 31, 2008

I have to sort of agree with TeachTheDead (although I come from a tradition in which most of the sermons were about how we treat one another rather than some sort of personal responsibility.)

Many of the suggestions in the thread are more about politics than about the teachings of the Bible. People come to a church for many reasons but community and a connection to God are usually paramount. You can have a successful organization that skips God, such as the Ethical... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 7:32 AM on July 31, 2008

The best people to talk to about this are the project managers that you work with. I have done some construction project management and it can be tricky. It is the sort of career that requires a lot of experience to become really competent. To get that you first must get your foot in the door. Other than people who built their own businesses the people I know who do this mostly started out as engineers. That is hardly necessary from a knowledge point of view, but it may play into hiring,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 7:12 AM on July 31, 2008

Rather than setting your standards too high it sounds like you are setting them too low. You sound like you are coasting on your innate talents without challenging yourself. Like many high achievers you likely have a fear of failure which prevents you from taking on greater challenges. Within your comfort zone you excel and don't really risk failure. Short term this is a cozy comfortable feeling. Long term you may very well find it unsatisfying. (Of course I could be totally wrong about... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 6:53 AM on July 31, 2008

another double no
posted to MetaTalk by caddis at 6:47 AM on July 31, 2008

totally worth any extra gas and time spent. bring cameras and try to get some low sun angle shooting in
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 4:44 AM on July 31, 2008