Activity from croutonsupafreak

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How likely is MY bank to fail in the coming months?

How can I evaluate the financial health of a US bank using publicly available records?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 7:11 PM on July 12, 2008 (11 comments)

What do I need to know about being treasurer of a nonprofit?

I've been elected treasurer of a small nonprofit. I'd like some advice about best practices for creating a budget and tracking our finances, and also about other responsibilities I should be aware of.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 6:05 PM on June 3, 2008 (7 comments)

I'm trying to find meaning in these odd homeownership patterns. Please help.

Help me understand quit claim deeds, why they are so prevalent in this particular heavily-foreclosed-upon Washington state neighborhood I am researching, and some other fishy data I have uncovered.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 6:32 PM on April 29, 2008 (9 comments)

What's a good wedding present for someone who doesn't believe in the sanctity of marriage?

What's a good wedding present for someone who doesn't believe in the sanctity of marriage?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 2:58 PM on December 29, 2007 (20 comments)

Where can I buy women's blue jeans without "stretch" for under $50 in the US?

Where can I buy women's blue jeans without "stretch" for under $50 in the US? I'll go to chains, web sites, or retailers that are local to Portland, Ore.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 10:54 AM on December 4, 2007 (27 comments)

Seeking technical directions for making a mix CD.

What is current mix CD file format etiquette? I'm looking for technical, not musical, advice.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 3:05 PM on November 26, 2007 (11 comments)

Is the Wasp Factory as bad as it seems?

Does the book "The Wasp Factory" get any better or less upsetting as it goes? (Minor spoilers only, please.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 7:20 AM on October 29, 2007 (35 comments)

What class can I take to get better at managing time and being organized?

What kind of one-day or multi-day session training can I attend to help me improve my time management and organization skills? I need to take this course in the greater Portland, Ore., area. Googling yields a LOT of results, and no easy way to evaluate how good they are.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 2:29 PM on October 11, 2007 (5 comments)

How can I do right by this photographer?

I would like to use a Creative Commons-licensed photo in the top-of-the-page banner of a web site I am developing. The photo has this license. What is the best way to fairly attribute the photo and respect the photographer's wishes?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 2:10 PM on September 3, 2007 (4 comments)

Wanted: inverter that will drain a battery all the way?

My brother is looking for an inverter to use with a deep cycle battery while camping.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 12:53 AM on August 12, 2007 (8 comments)

Help me prepare to prepare my web project.

I'm in the very early phases of putting together a special-interest web site, which will begin as a blog but could eventually add other features. For at least the first year or two, I expect to lose money on this. Eventually, I hope to cover my costs or maybe even make a small (very small) profit with advertising. What business, tax and technology considerations should I keep in mind as I get going?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 3:56 PM on July 23, 2007 (1 comment)

Can we run our window unit AC indoors, as long as the vent points out at the screen?

Our homeowner's association doesn't allow window air conditioning units to be mounted outside of dwellings. But with our built-in inside window ledge, we can put our AC window unit right against the screen, keeping it fully indoors while still venting outside. Are there any health or safety reasons why we shouldn't do this?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 6:47 PM on May 31, 2007 (15 comments)

How do I motivate myself to be a good cog in the machine?

How do I motivate myself at work now that I'm at a much bigger employer and my contributions to the organization aren't that important anymore? "Just do it" is the WRONG answer. So it GTD. I need a new way of thinking about the world, or a life coach, or something.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 10:00 AM on May 21, 2007 (10 comments)

Seeking data about the health effects of dieting for non-overweight people interested in moderate weight loss.

Is there data about moderate weight loss for the relatively thin? For example, we all know that yo-yo dieting is bad, etc., etc. But is there any data about whether it's bad for a not-overweight person to gain five pounds every winter and then lose it every spring? It seems like all the healthy eating and weight loss stuff I read is based on studies of fat people.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 11:16 AM on April 23, 2007 (7 comments)

Housing market crystal ball?

Is this the worst possible time to become first-time home owners in Portland, Ore., even though we found what looks like a pretty good deal on a condo? This sort of thing scares me, but we just found a place that we like and that seems very reasonably priced.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 2:39 PM on April 2, 2007 (26 comments)

Temporary free server space?

How can I get free web hosting for a few days or a week, just so I can post a message explaining why my web site is gone until I can work out a new permanent server situation?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 4:57 PM on March 6, 2007 (13 comments)

What can I cook without any ingredients?

What should I bring to a potluck dinner, when many people attending have food allergies and dietary problems and the list of banned foods is huge? (No meat, dairy, onions, garlic, tomatoes, potatoes, and many, many other things, listed inside.) Recipes needed.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 11:55 AM on February 15, 2007 (63 comments)

How should a weight-lifting, running, vegetarian woman eat to have energy and life forever?

The more I work out, the more I realize that nutrition has a huge impact on my energy. When is the best time to eat various foods during the day so I have the most energy when I get to the gym at 5:30 p.m.? And how can I meet my nutritional needs, given that I'm a vegetarian who likes less-processed foods but doesn't have a lot of time for cooking (and can't handle eating beans every day)? I feel like I need a lot more protein all of a sudden.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 12:45 PM on January 22, 2007 (25 comments)

It's not just about the money. When should we really buy a house?

How do we figure out whether we're financially and emotionally ready to buy our first home? We have a really good handle on what we can afford, which neighborhoods we like best, what houses are going for. We've read "Home Buying for Dummies." We've saved up an OK chunk of cash. But my husband and I are both worried, and for different reasons.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 3:00 PM on January 7, 2007 (32 comments)

Will everyone hate us for our beautiful music?

My husband plays saxophone. Should this affect whether we buy a house or a condo? I'm interested in anecdotes from musicians, and also from their neighbors.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 8:15 PM on November 26, 2006 (26 comments)

Dropped my planner in a puddle, this has got to end.

I'm about to buy my first briefcase, and I'm looking for advice. I don't need to carry a laptop, I just want something that will help me juggle a couple books, my planner, loose sheets of paper, a 3-ring binder, a newspaper, and my purse as I go between home, work and work-related appointments. It should be easy to carry, professional looking, good at organizing these things, and maybe it can replace my purse during the work day. What are the best features of awesome briefcases? What should I be wary of?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 11:11 AM on November 18, 2006 (7 comments)

I need assistance with my cheesecake!

You buy a frozen cheesecake at the natural food store. It doesn't come with directions. You're hungry. Do you eat it frozen? Wait while it thaws on the counter? Heat it up in the microwave? Heat it up in the oven? Something else?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 8:37 PM on October 28, 2006 (22 comments)

What's the minimum oil we need?

What's the minimum oil will it take to keep our new apartment warm through the winter? We're in a relatively moderate climate (Pacific Northwest).
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 8:38 AM on October 10, 2006 (3 comments)

Has craigslist really destroyed the local paper's rental listings? What now?

Is craigslist now the only place to search for apartments in urban areas of the U.S.? What does this mean for the significant share of the population that is not computer literate?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 3:14 PM on September 29, 2006 (17 comments)

What is this even called?

What kind of jobs exist for people who think about numbers and money from a consumer perspective, in a weirdly logical and obsessive way?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 7:32 AM on September 11, 2006 (18 comments)

Shopping the sales -- how does it work, when does it happen, where do I go??

Over the next few months, I need to buy a lot of new clothes to bulk up my professional (woman's) wardrobe. I want everything I buy to fit well. Slacks, skirts, blazers need to be lined. I will not buy anything without trying it on first, so web and catalog shopping is out. I don't have the budget to buy this all at full price. What kinds of strategies can I employ to get the best deals possible? Are there specific stores I should be shopping in? Are there sales I should watch for? Are there specific dates, weekends or times of year when I can get the best deals? How can I find out about and obtain about great coupons and upcoming sales?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 7:06 AM on August 30, 2006 (41 comments)

What's the best non-fiction I haven't found yet?

I'm looking for more great non-fiction books. Requirements: writing to make an English major swoon; a thesis or narrative structure that makes for an organized, logical flow; well-reported; interesting; true, with embellishments of known fact made known by the author.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 10:25 PM on August 22, 2006 (46 comments)

Is is safe to give blood on a diet?

I'm giving blood today. I'm eating 1200 calories per day in an effort to lose a few pounds. Should I eat more to make up for the calories "burned" during donation?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 9:04 AM on July 11, 2006 (12 comments)

Rhubarb cherry fajita?

A couple of days ago, I was googling around for help when it came to cooking rhubarb and cherries together. I found a recipe that looked really good that called for baking them wrapped in tortillas with butter, sugar, and I don't remember what else. Now I can't find the recipe any more. Any suggestions on how this might work?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 10:59 AM on July 1, 2006 (5 comments)

I am not rational right now, and need advice.

What's the best way to approach our hippie landlord so that he agrees to waive our July rent?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 8:54 AM on June 14, 2006 (19 comments)

Let's base our new life together on unreasonable expectations and outrageous debt!

What's the median cost of a wedding these days? The average must be skewed high by the outrageous spending of the super-rich.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 11:23 AM on June 4, 2006 (39 comments)

Is there a clearinghouse for price information by region in the U.S.?

I want to compare the prices of common consumer commodities over time within a specific region of the U.S. Is there any clearinghouse for this information?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 4:37 PM on May 23, 2006 (4 comments)

How can I give up driving to become a bike commuter?

Help me get in shape & learn what I need to know so I can start biking the seven miles to work (and seven miles back)!
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 12:16 AM on April 23, 2006 (23 comments)

Can our apartment be functional and still look nice?

Is there any aesthetically pleasing way to arrange two computers (and desks, office chairs), a TV (and table), and a big comfy couch in a single room. I'm always embarrassed at the ugliness of my functional apartment when people come over.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 10:47 PM on February 12, 2006 (20 comments)

What can I learn about women's changing roles in the world?

In the U.S., we get all caught up in the decisions that adult women make and the consequences of those decisions. (To have children, not to have children, to work, to stay home with the children, not to work, to marry, to have children without marrying, etc.) Are there similar convulsions about these cultural issues in other countries, especially non-English speaking ones? How can I learn about them? I'm curious both about how women's roles in in their societies are changing and about how those societies are reacting to the changes.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 8:30 PM on November 30, 2005 (6 comments)

What's the Miranda warning called in countries where Miranda never happened -- or is it called anything at all?

The Miranda warning is well known in the US. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law...". But are there equivalent warnings that people in other countries hear when they are arrested? What are they called? How are they worded?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 10:36 PM on November 8, 2005 (14 comments)

How can I change my time-wasting ways and transform myself into a super-efficient super human?

How can I break out of my 27-year-long habit of procrastination? I'm looking for tips to help me mentally as well as specific tools or methods that will help me manage my time better -- especially at work.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 4:49 PM on October 5, 2005 (35 comments)

tasty popcorn toppings

What are some tasty toppings I can put on air-popped popcorn that contain no cholesterol, no salt, few calories and are vegetarian?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 9:59 PM on September 26, 2005 (33 comments)

on the straight and narrow (hair)

Will straightening my hair advance my career? How should I go about it?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 7:32 AM on July 11, 2005 (34 comments)

Law & Order: SVU vs. real life

Is it true that we can't be arrested in our own homes in the United States?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 7:58 PM on June 26, 2005 (11 comments)

Help us prepare for the fanciest dinner of our lives.

Help us prepare for the fanciest dinner of our lives.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 4:55 PM on June 9, 2005 (28 comments)

What should we do for our honeymoon?

What should we do for our honeymoon? The soon-to-be Mr. Supafreak and I are planning to get married in summer '06. We have somewhat limited funds, speak only English, and want to learn about the world when we travel.
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 4:00 PM on April 21, 2005 (22 comments)

Skin care tips

Other than using sun screen, what should I be doing to keep my skin healthy as I age? What do all these anti-aging products actually do, anyhow?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 11:13 AM on March 28, 2005 (13 comments)

How does VOIP work for big bandwidth users?

How does VOIP work for big bandwidth users? I like to play online flash games and watch streaming video from time to time. My boyfriend plays games like Everquest and World of Warcraft. Is VOIP realistic for us, or should we stick with our landline and calling cards?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 12:38 PM on March 4, 2005 (11 comments)

Handling money in a relationship.

How do you handle money within your relationship?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 11:42 PM on February 17, 2005 (37 comments)

You're an 18-year old guy six months out of rehab...

You're an 18-year old guy six months out of rehab with a creative mind and a severely disfunctional family. You've got a GED and a job in sales. You're going to be spending Christmas with your aunt, because you're mom is too messed up to deal with you. What two or three things do you want for Christmas that can be bought for roughly $20 each?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 6:52 PM on December 23, 2004 (19 comments)

I'm flying in a few weeks, and I'm majorly worried...

I'm flying in a few weeks, and I'm majorly worried by some of the stories I've been hearing about physical TSA screenings. There are certain ways I am not willing to consent to be touched by strangers, no matter what.

Do I have any recourse if I am singled out for a physical search of my person, other than not to fly at all? How can I prepare in advance for potential conflicts?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 12:13 AM on December 1, 2004 (24 comments)

How do you take a vacation? I want to take a few...

How do you take a vacation? I want to take a few days off, get away from home, relax and not feel any particular pressure to do anything. It seems like every vacation I've ever been on has been work. If I'm not touring or driving, I'm skiing or hiking. I don't want to take time off and just be home, but I don't know how to travel and relax. Any general tips or specific vacation recommendations?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 11:28 PM on October 26, 2004 (16 comments)

If you were going to throw out the etiquette books,...

If you were going to throw out the etiquette books, forget every tradition you've ever learned and try to build an inexpensive, small (30-50 person) wedding from the ground up, what traditions would you absolutely want to hold on to? What would you throw out the door? What would you do to make it less stressful for a couple that doesn't handle crowds well? And if you've got more than a year lead time, when would you even start thinking and worrying about this?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 12:19 AM on October 20, 2004 (22 comments)

I'm a U.S. citizen, curious about looking for work...

I'm a U.S. citizen, curious about looking for work in one of Canada's major cities. I know that our neighbors to the north are bilingual and more of a socialist democracy than the U.S., but otherwise I'm pretty ignorant. I couldn't find all the provinces on a map, for example. What books and web sites should I read to learn more about Canada's politics, geography, history and culture? With more social welfare are job benefits different? Could I expect more time off than my current two weeks a year? Any advice you can give me to help me make a final decision on relocating?
posted to Ask Metafilter by croutonsupafreak at 9:23 PM on August 21, 2004 (19 comments)