Water absorbs heat very efficiently, and fat functions as insulation. I hypothesize that warm muscles work better than cold ones, and in cold water with all else being equal, insulated muscles work better than uninsulated ones.

Subcutaneous fat is an insulator. If you spend a lot of time in the water, you may become very fit, you may lose fat from other parts of your body (visceral and intramuscular), but your body will tend to hang on to the subcutaneous fat... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 12:55 AM on July 5, 2008

My guess, to answer your question, is that this is due to a combination of factors:

1) Even the shortest event (50m freestyle) lasts for at least 20 seconds. Very few athletes compete exclusively in the shortest sprint distance, so their muscle development will be broadly spread over slow twitch and intermediate-fast twitch fibers, both of which are less bulky than fast twitch fibers.

2) Success in swimming is heavily dependent on technique... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 1:11 AM on July 5, 2008

I'd tread VERY carefully. The Mrs. Robinsons of the world are experts at manipulation and this one has obviously done a number on you.

Setting aside your moral hesitations, she (or her husband) could seriously fuck you up in any number of ways.

Just for the sake of self-preservation, I would steer clear. But do it VERY diplomatically, because she might seriously fuck you up for rejecting her.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 11:41 AM on July 4, 2008

Ha! Guess my cover is blown.

Especially since you have disclosed your full name, location and profession in your profile. Better remove it quick or you could be in for a world of hurt.

I'm constantly surprised how many people around me read MeFi / AskMeFi. In fact a co-worker once referred me to an AskMeFi post, with him not realizing that I had made the post because he was no help when I asked him the same question earlier.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 4:31 PM on July 4, 2008

Figure of speech. Not an actual underground railroad. Rumours of it being funded/operated by many interested parties including European and American intelligence services.

Also known as Operation Yellow Bird.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 1:54 AM on July 3, 2008 marked best answer

I've got bad news for you: this is just the beginning. Everything else on your body will go into slow decline as you age.

Do your best to accentuate the positive and hide the not so positive (i.e. work with what you've got), but at the end of the day you need to be comfortable with yourself. And focus on the other great things that come with age. Such as money, power, fame, cars, houses, kids, mortgages, credit card debt....etc.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 12:43 AM on July 1, 2008

And once more, to make sure the difference is clear, filing is not the same as owing/paying. Filing means doing all the paperwork to demonstrate what you owe or are owed. You definitely have to file.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 2:44 PM on June 30, 2008

Best thing to do is for him to take a cab to the Flying Beaver restaurant, by the south terminal of YVR. Close enough so that he's not wasting time going back/forth, and not risking missing his flight due to security lines.

It's a restaurant by the water where you can watch all the float planes take off / land. Great place to chill out for a few hours on a sunny day.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 5:55 PM on June 29, 2008

If, unlike the stockmarket, past performance is a reliable predictor of future performance, then CBC (the Canadian public broadcaster) is your choice for live coverage. "Highlights" shown by American broadcasters have always been packaged up into some nauseating video equivalent of Reader's Digest.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 11:23 AM on June 26, 2008

AIESEC
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 9:44 PM on June 25, 2008

Inspection of commercial freight at US/Canada land crossings is largely automated, with extensive use of x-ray scanners and chemical sniffers. Your boxes would only be opened if you won the random-check lottery or if your package is blatantly suspicious.

If you don't want to raise any red flags, just make sure you fill out the documentation accurately and thoroughly, and pay all fees and duties.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 1:17 PM on June 25, 2008

rokusan, yes, but a Bachelor's in CS should be a pre-requisite for any developer. There's a lot of essential, fundamental theory that most self-taught developers can't/don't learn on their own, and is best acquired in a structured learning environment (a.k.a. "school").
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 11:16 AM on June 25, 2008

Also agreed.

Nobody likes to waste their time, so the fact that they're interviewing you again is proof that you handled yourself well last time.

If they ask, just be honest. And being discreet is not being dishonest -- if you want you can just say that you had to deal with a serious family emergency and leave it at that. If they pry, then THEY'RE being unprofessional and you should reconsider whether or not to work for them.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 10:33 AM on June 25, 2008

A year ago I was in your exact situation, so you have my sympathy.

I'm sorry but the only real solution is for you to take time off. Do what it takes with your doctor to be approved for at least 2 months of stress-leave. 6 months if possible.

If your request for sick leave is denied, then sell your house and quit your job (assuming you don't have kids). Downsize and take some brainless McJob to cover the bills. Relax, reflect, and find... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 5:42 PM on June 24, 2008

As much as I think little suggestions like getting better sleep, finding a hobby, excercising, etc are useful for most of us in our everyday lives, the fact is that saturn25 is in clinical depression and needs to make fundamental changes to his life to get better. Come on guys, he's on SSRIs...they don't give those to folks who have just gotten a little slack in their gym routine or their diet. Let's assume that he has correctly identified what is causing the depression (he hates his job) --... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 10:25 PM on June 24, 2008

Go for the tourer, which will be more comfortable, more durable, more stable, and more versatile for racks, fenders, etc. You won't win any races on it but if you're strong you'll have a bit of fun. And it'll feel like a "racer" compared to a mountain-bike.

Once you're used to the tourer, you can eventually get the racer in order to experience a stiff/responsive (but jarring), light (but fragile) and agile (but twitchy) bike for fast rides.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 1:04 AM on June 24, 2008

Actually, Lego sucks for walls. Just try building a Lego wall that's more than 5 layers tall, and then press your finger in the middle. It will buckle.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 12:03 PM on June 23, 2008

listen to music that you enjoy and with a good beat, all the time. one day you'll wake up and realize you've now got rhythm. trust me.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 12:00 PM on June 23, 2008

I have a T61p. You'll be fine.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 10:28 PM on June 19, 2008

I'd suggest a much simpler reason than those offered so far: those services that operate 9-5 do so because there isn't enough demand to support other operating hours. If there were a business case for them to do so, they would. It would take a while for an industry to change, but change it would.

Think about it: would you rather go to the dentist in the evening instead of being with the wife and kids, or would you rather just take some time off work?
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 6:26 AM on June 18, 2008

check that your employer is ok with this. some have their heads up their asses -- a girl recently did this to support cancer and she was fired. she had no legal recourse, unfortunately (in Vancouver, BC)
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 11:01 AM on June 16, 2008

I've raved a few times about Bromptons in the past: once, twice, thrice. For your intended-use, don't even bother with anything else.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 9:11 PM on June 15, 2008

If you think pleasant fiction is necessary, ask for more than a photo. Ask for them to talk about themselves in much more detail. You can then much plausibly say "you're not my type" without having them immediately realize it's for shallow reasons. Don't prefix it with "You're cute, but..." unless you are into less-than-white lie territory.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 6:22 PM on June 13, 2008

oh and if they respond with only a photo, then you can plausibly say you're worth a little more effort -- better luck next time.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 6:23 PM on June 13, 2008

oh, sorry - for some reason in my mind i thought you were [insert whatever race they're not]

insanely bad idea. and many a dating sight expressly forbids this.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 10:58 PM on June 13, 2008

Also, at the risk of saying an offensive, sexist truth:

If you are a girl rejecting the guy because of his looks, "you're not my type" will do. Most men are used to being rudely rejected by a woman.

If you are a guy rejecting the girl because of her looks, white lies are usually necessary. After all, why else would there be the universal advice to "compliment an intelligent woman on her looks, and a beautiful woman on her intelligence"?
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 11:20 AM on June 14, 2008

I've been away from systems administration for many years now so I'm not going to address the technical side of your questions.

I will however advise that it's very important for you to communicate with your boss and ensure that his expectations of you are reasonable. Don't be a hero, because you'll end up with no life, chained to the server. If you need help, ask for it. If you need training, ask for it. It looks like you're doing all these things now, but remember... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 12:04 PM on June 13, 2008

To answer your question directly: I'm chinese, and I will never get sick of chinese food. I could eat the same shit all day, every day.

Sure, sometimes I might fancy a fillet mignon, a linguini al pesto or some murg tandoori but I would NEVER turn down a bowl of rice with veggies & meat cooked in soy sauce.

Unless you offered me Peking duck. Or beef brisket in noodle soup. Or congee. Or Shanghai fried noodles. Or wonton noodle soup.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 7:24 PM on June 12, 2008

The buzzword for this is "tethering".
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 9:28 PM on June 11, 2008

I was an actuary. I don't think it matters a ton what your fiancee does in the next year or so. Would be good to work in some sort of finance / accounting related industry, but the most important thing is to pass some exams. The first (P) at the very minimum, the second (FM) and third (C) if possible. Getting the exams over with before starting work will also make her life (and yours) much easier because, having been through the process, it ain't fun working and studying at the same time.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 9:05 PM on June 8, 2008

Oh wait, I think M is #3. Whatever...you can look it all up on the SOA site.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 9:06 PM on June 8, 2008

I run on the road because, in our car-centric culture, the road is always better maintained than the sidewalk.

Precisely because of the crowned surface, I try to run near the centre of the road if there is no traffic. If there are cars, I will alternate going with or against traffic. If I stay on the same side too long, I will have assymetric joint pain.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 7:21 PM on June 7, 2008

Possibly because it costs more to precisely separate 100% pure egg whites.

More likely because consumers who care about that last 1% are willing to pay more.

Fact is that it's much cheaper just to buy whole eggs and separate the yolks from the whites yourself -- what you're really paying for is convenience.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 1:44 PM on June 4, 2008 marked best answer

Actually, yath, dairy markets (and agriculture in general) are widely uncompetitive throughout the OECD. Huge monopolies and oligopolies, with protectionism and subsidies (i.e. corporate welfare) galore.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 4:20 PM on June 6, 2008

Already checked all suggestions made so far, and none apply.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 1:16 PM on June 6, 2008

Unfortunately, Catkins does not have the right answer. All low-hanging fruit have been picked, all suggestions made do not resolve the issue.

Any further, more advanced insights would be appreciated.

File system is NTFS.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 4:04 PM on June 6, 2008

It wasn't always this way. In fact the US was indifferent to or at odds with Israel until the Suez Crisis -- allying with Israel because of objections to British behaviour. Since then, many other factors have led to America and Israel becoming like two peas in a pod. Many would say that a major reason is the obvious significance that Israel occupies in Fundamentalist and Evangelical Christianity, which overwhelmingly dominates the American cultural and religious landscape.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 10:04 AM on June 6, 2008

Oven thermostats are notoriously unreliable, and makers of "ovenproof" utensils are aware of this -- usually they make their products to take a little bit of abuse beyond the stated limits.

If you accurately turn up the oven to 450 using a thermometer, I think your skillet should be fine.

The foil trick is just to negate uneven heating due to convection currents or radiation. Ambient oven temperature which should be fairly steady and is... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 2:21 PM on June 2, 2008

Definitely focus on eating right. For most people who don't do physically demanding work, it's very difficult to "lose weight" by exercising in their spare time.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 10:56 AM on June 2, 2008

My other half has commented that she'd like to see some muscle definition in me.

Ignore her.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 10:49 AM on June 2, 2008

Absolutely, you were raped. Maybe what you went through won't meet the "legal" definition in your jurisdiction, but you were violated against your will. So what if you were too messed up to forcefully express your objection. The guy manipulated you and he knew it.

You need help. You need to heal. You need to become whole again. Go to a women's crisis centre -- they will know what you've been through and what you need.

My sister... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 9:56 PM on May 30, 2008

Probably because the interface / form-factor sucks. What's the point of upping the power when the screen and keypad are tiny? You may as well use your computer with Mathematica, Maple, Matlab, etc on it. Especially if you are doing Real Work®, rather than some trivial problem out of a textbook. If it's trivial enough for a calculator, a seasoned professional will just make an estimate (e.g. sin θ = θ when θ is small) 90% of the time.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 8:05 PM on May 28, 2008

I assume you're posting anonymously to evade being caught for tax evasion. It's not worth it. The CRA is very good at sniffing out anomalies, especially when your lifestyle doesn't match your income. It may take them some time to get around to auditing you, but audit you they will.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 10:18 PM on May 26, 2008

Another vote for angle grinder. Has worked many times for me.

Don't use a jack -- if something slips or snaps you could have flying pieces of metal.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 11:17 PM on May 23, 2008

This applies to all but the most unprofessional organizations: if you were fired from your last job you won't get a good reference from them but you don't have to worry about them saying you that were fired or why you fired. They will merely confirm your last-held position and dates of employment. Thing is that companies are afraid of being sued for ruining your ability to find new employment -- I forget the details but there is case-law precedent for it.

Furthermore,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 11:08 PM on May 23, 2008

I'm not gonna get into the details, but the basic premise is: if you don't project physical power, then project social power. Look at how rich and powerful people dress and carry themselves. Especially old money, not nouveaux riches. Nobody cares that, undressed and unpainted, most of them are rather fat and ugly.

The "classic" look that everyone mentions but few can pull off is exactly what you want to go for. Wear a jacket and collared shirt with trousers,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 12:51 PM on May 23, 2008

Even if you can buy three (low-end) x for the price of one (high-end) y, go with y.

Respectfully, I must disagree.

Aside from choosing materials for comfort and climate (which is sometimes expensive), my thinking is that it doesn't matter how much each individual piece costs. What matters is how well the whole package is put together. Some of my favourite items are from the bargain bin or from a thrift store, and made from... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 2:30 PM on May 23, 2008

If your suits no longer fit you, can you have them tailored?
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 11:58 AM on May 23, 2008

If, on powering on, the screen is visible for a second or split second and then goes dark the rest of the time, then it's definitely the backlight.

If it's just dark all the time, then you need to diagnose with a multimeter.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 10:12 AM on May 23, 2008

As a teetotaller, one could feel "out of place" for reasons other than a desire to conform. We are social animals given to shared experiences. Sometimes, when everyone zigs, it's just not as much fun to zag.
posted to Ask Metafilter by randomstriker at 6:36 PM on May 18, 2008