Screw the suit. Be the cool guy in the Guayabera. Every single guy at the party will wish they were as cool as your guy.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:38 PM on June 19, 2007

And if anyone can tell me why in the world I have 32 feet of water, I'd be greatful

Because I really do think AquaFina tastes better than Dasani, and that square Fiji bottle won't fit in my car's cupholders. And I like to take fliers on things, like Ramlösa, because I suffer from the delusion that there's a better water out there.

Speaking of water ... my suggestion would be to take a look at what... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:31 PM on June 17, 2007

Tater tots (and any fried food, really), done right, are not inherently little nuggets of fatty death. Alton Brown explains proper frying in an episode on fish and chips.

Join us as we rediscover frying. We'll find the right vessel to FRY in, choose the right FAT to FRY with, produce the perfect plate of fish-and-chips and hopefully silence forever those FANATICS who would defame FAT and FRYING as four-letter words when, indeed, they are truly good eats.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 8:04 PM on June 17, 2007

Just about every industry you could possibly be interested in will have business development folks, where contract development and negotiation is required.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 7:36 PM on June 17, 2007

Eucalyptus trees are a dime a dozen (and moveover, are not native to SoCal). Remove the tree, save the pool and go plant 20 more native trees somewhere else. SoCal needs more native live oaks. Go forth and do good karma.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 1:35 PM on June 17, 2007

She ... swore that it's her and not me

... and she's right. It IS her and not you.

Dude, she's telling you she doesn't want to be in the relationship, but she's too cowardly and immature to actually tell you.

She is not a unique snowflake. This. Happens. All. The. Time.

Years from now, you'll look back on this time and wonder why you didn't see it for what it is.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 1:32 PM on June 17, 2007

Everyone is missing the modern classic definition from the movie Reality Bites.

Winona Ryder is the hard-charging valedictorian. On a job interview, she is asked to define irony. She sputters that she can't define it, but she's knows it when she sees it.

Later, she complains to Ethan Hawke that her interview was unfair, because they asked her to define irony. Hawke, the ultimate lazy slacker that is going nowhere in life -- Ryder's opposite in... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:52 PM on June 14, 2007

By the way, the ironic suicide referenced above is a myth.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 1:05 PM on June 17, 2007

The cell phone option is not gonna work because the situation I'm looking at is if I'm being attacked in a parking lot or something like that...the attacker is not gonna give me enough time to dial 911. However, if I can just press 1 simple button, then it will make for a hasty emergency call.

Most cell phones will allow customizations to dial numbers with just one button push. Put it in your hand when you feel endangered, with a finger over the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 10:28 PM on June 16, 2007

Most likely, the frame piece will just slide or pop out, or be held up with tabs or wires that can be gotten to. Other than that, go into the attic and attack it from that side.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 8:23 PM on June 16, 2007

Secondly, we have a sprinkler system but can't figure out how to operate it

If you're really planning to count on that sprinkler system actually turning on in case of a fire, your best bet is to have it professionally inspected.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 8:24 PM on June 16, 2007

lawn sprinkler, not indoors

In the basement, in the garage, outside near where the water pipe comes into the house ... look for the box.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 8:35 PM on June 16, 2007

The first step is determining exactly where you fit into the classic "disciplines" of game development:

Production
Design
Art
Animation
Engineering
Marketing
Public Relations
QA
Community Relations

Each of these disciplines will have sub-disciplines, too (for example, environmental artists vs. character artists; technical... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:16 PM on June 14, 2007

My interests/skills are varied and so I'm trying a bit of everything right now.

All well and good, but realize that at the end of the day, if you're going for an animation position, we couldn't care less about your television editing experience -- the only question we want an answer to is your capability to animate.

Let's say skill is a 10 point scale. If you have Designer Level 5 skills and Animator Level 3 skills, that... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 6:39 PM on June 16, 2007

I am not a skydiver. I am, however, a rock climber. So, the concept of safety gear is not unknown to me. And I would never, ever, ever buy used safety gear. I don't know if this is common practice in skydiving ... but used gear? Really?
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 12:52 PM on June 16, 2007

Concrete is cheap. Heat is expensive. Concrete + no heat = cold.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 12:48 PM on June 16, 2007

Many of these regional and community colleges near you will offer A.A. Fire Science degrees, which are firefighter feeder programs.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 12:46 PM on June 16, 2007

I need to be able to show I had possession of an object before a specific date via a photograph.

This is patently impossible without cheating (e.g. finding an old newspaper).

Logically, a photograph can only show possession at the time the photo was taken -- because in theory, you could have first acquired the object mere seconds before the photograph was taken, and discarded it seconds later.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:30 PM on June 14, 2007

Jewtimate

Hebrewtimate
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:21 AM on June 13, 2007

Reminds me of one night when I used to manage comedy clubs in SoCal. We had a bachelorette party sitting in the front few rows. They were having a good time, but were perhaps a little too noisy. The comic picked up on the vibe.

A bachelorette party, huh?

-- squeals of joy from the group

Where's the bride?

-- more squeals of joy; a woman is pointed out as the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:20 PM on June 12, 2007

A raquetball court is 800 square feet.

So, 1,000 square feet is "a little big bigger than a raquetball court."
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 4:31 PM on June 12, 2007

As a "peak aware" twenty something ...

... you should do more research about your assumptions before making any big decisions.

A college physics professor told me flatly that the world would completely run dry of oil within 20 years. I still remember one of the class projects was to make presentations on alternate energy technologies in preparation for the coming societal disaster.

That was... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:38 PM on June 4, 2007

frogan (who really should do some research of his own)

Have fun storming the castle!
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:35 PM on June 11, 2007

Supposedly, LA police chief Bratton is a big proponent of the "broken windows" theory of community law enforcement

He is. However, the LAPD is among the most understaffed police forces in the country. You are not likely to get a useful response.

Motion detector + camera to tell who or what it is. If human, then sign + motion detector + light + alarm to get rid of him.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:08 PM on June 11, 2007

Let's say that, at some crucial, life-or-death moment, you realize that you need to suddenly accelerate.

OK, let's say that. Here's the process.

Automatic
---
See problem.
Determine problem requires rapid acceleration.
Slam on accelerator.
Delay.
Accelerate.

Manual
---
See problem.
Determine... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 11:51 AM on June 10, 2007

Well, for one thing, your dog is not overweight. Good job. Seriously.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 11:37 AM on June 10, 2007

Weightlifting. You'll use crutches, yes? You'll thank yourself for the improved upper body strength.

I can't go in the water with the cast.

Ask to get a removable cast as early as possible.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 11:34 AM on June 10, 2007

He insisted that this display of muscle was a powerful deterrent and helped reduce everyday petty crime as well. I highly doubt that part.

Broken windows theory

Malcolm Gladwell on New York City crime and the broken windows theory
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:00 PM on June 9, 2007

Is there another course of action we should be considering?

You don't mention drugs and/or alcohol as possible reasons for and/or influences on his current behavior. While a drug problem might not be the reason your son is having trouble, it is clearly a problem for many kids his age that display these sorts of behaviors. First step is to rule this problem in or out of the equation.

Assuming there is no... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 8:11 PM on June 9, 2007

Softball is an inherently unbalanced sport because of several factors, including:

* The pitching circle is placed significantly closer to the plate than a baseball rubber.
* The ball is softer than a baseball, obviously.
* The bat is not tapered (it's a cylinder, not an inverted cone shape), which gives it less power.
* The bases are shorter than baseball.
* It's generally played by women, who have less upper body strength,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 10:23 PM on June 6, 2007 marked best answer

Now to frogan, I don't believe that softball is unbalanced

Baseball has been played at a major-league level for more than 100 years. In that time, strategy has not changed significantly, and neither has the nature of the day-to-day, routine plays. Guys are still thrown out at first about two steps away from the bag, and the base length hasn't changed, but the athletes are 10 times faster. That's balance. And since softball is... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 1:44 PM on June 7, 2007

47 feet

'Scuse me ... it's only 43 feet in college ... even closer.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 1:47 PM on June 7, 2007

Being closer to any type hitter is an advantage for the pitcher. Less response time, less room for error.

A slap hitter is just trying to contact the ball. It's like a bunt, so response time is almost meaningless.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 11:26 PM on June 8, 2007

they don't resemble the firm bananas I love so much

Firm bananas are not fully ripened, green (or green-ish) bananas, and they contain indigestible starches, which give some folks tummy aches. Wait for the banana to be a little spotted for best results.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 8:32 PM on June 8, 2007

Sounds like a collision between Wired, Fast Company, the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, the Atlantic and the Red Herring. That'd be a sweet magazine, IMO. I'd help you!
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 2:28 PM on June 8, 2007

Do they still do the Spot the Fed contests?
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:48 PM on June 7, 2007

Robcorr has it ... but ask your opponent to imagine what the result would have been if you had fully connected with your smash and the ball had bounced completely out of the court and over a fence. Essentially the same situation -- an unreturnable shot. Your point.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 10:20 PM on June 5, 2007

Where is the job, where is the job, where is the job?

That'll be the deciding factor.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:34 PM on June 5, 2007

I don't think any of the Wii Sports or Wii Play games require the nunchuk.

Also, look for strategy, turn-based games or games that don't require twitch control. I'm thinking of things like the Sims, Cooking Mama, Elebits, etc.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:44 PM on June 4, 2007

Is it possible for the chlorine to dissipate, but only from, say, the water in the top half of the glass or so?

Yes.

What's more likely is that chlorine that comes out is still hanging around in the glass, and you're smelling it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:21 PM on June 4, 2007

The warning is political posturing about intended targets, not actual targeting data. "If you shoot us, we'll shoot X, Y and Z."
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:39 PM on June 3, 2007

Gandhi was a capitalist. He wanted it done responsibly, so the British weren't keeping India as a client state, a "junior partner" that was not entitled to its own resources. Above all things, Gandhi wanted people to be self-sufficient, to be able to trade and govern themselves as fairly as possible. Gandhi was great, but there's been a tremendous amount of myth-making.

I’ve been clinically depressed for a long time now, and ever since my treatment... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 9:23 PM on June 2, 2007

For you evolutionary biologists: does every little quirk and feature need to have an instrumental reason for being?

Yes.

Maybe some things, such as hair that keeps on growing, have no purpose whatsoever -- they're just incidental artifacts of the process.

Things that have no purpose cost energy to be created. Hair doesn't grow by itself. It costs calories. The organism is... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 11:31 AM on June 2, 2007

Oh, and nevermind the fact that in the wild, our Cro-Magnon forebears were probably killed by sabretooth lions long before the ever-growing hair became a problem ... or perhaps it was the long hair in the eyes, obscuring vision, that caused us to be killed by the sabretooths...? And perhaps it was the high rate of sabretooth deaths that led Thog and the tribe to develop tools to kill the sabretooths...?
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 11:50 AM on June 2, 2007

but, especially in our cushy lives that permit us to post to MeFi instead of roaming the plains hunting for tonight's meal, do the calories used for hair growth really cost us much?

You're kinda falling into a trap that many people fall for -- the conceit that "now" or even "recent time" has any bearing whatsoever. Humans are mammals. Mammals have hair. Modern humans have been around for thousands of years. Mammals have been... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 1:30 PM on June 2, 2007

You could make it the most un-nautical looking Dharma wheel possible and most people will still ask you what it is. Most people have never even heard of the term "Dharma" outside of "Dharma and Greg" and "The Dharma Initiative."
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 1:14 PM on June 2, 2007

He's a batty old man. Meh.
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 11:16 AM on June 2, 2007

an assless Star Trek uniform over a gorilla suit

MY EYES!
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 12:00 PM on June 2, 2007

Seattle has good bus transportation, and good bike potential to get around the various neighborhoods.

I'll second Washington DC on foot, bike and subway, if you're a museum-and-history kinda guy. I had no idea all those Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo and such were all totally free. Whaddya know, the tax money gets spent on a good thing every now and again...
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 11:57 AM on June 2, 2007

But why would they sell this stuff at a liquor store, dammit?!

Because corrupt Third World nations like Mexico have no effective consumer protection agencies (See Chinese toothpaste).
posted to Ask Metafilter by frogan at 11:14 AM on June 2, 2007