Bottlebrush: They send the PIN on a postcard to a physcial mailing address, not an email address.

I had problems getting my PIN as well - it took 3 tries till I got it. No good advice on how to make the process work though.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 10:42 AM on August 18, 2008

For future reference I managed to fix the same error using 'erd commander 2005' (an old program that has since been acquired by microsoft and stripped of much of its functionality).

It lets you boot into a windows like interface and I managed to patch my system by going to the last system restore point (C:\System Volume Information\_restore\RP### - pick the highest number). Then copy the five 'hives' (_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM, _REGISTRY_MACHINE_DEFAULT,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 8:06 PM on July 13, 2008

Can you take a leatherman on a plane these days?

Well there is always the option of getting the 'knifeless Fuse' Leatherman. It replaces the knife with a file, although my guess is that some overzealous TSA agent might still try and take it away, especially since it has scissors and screwdriver heads in it as well.

I actually recently got this as a groomsman gift, but haven't tried taking it on a plane with me, so no first hand reports.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 6:32 AM on July 8, 2008

I know several people in the same situation. Apparently when they transitioned the system back in 2002/2003 they fell into a huge backlog and basically put everyone who applied back then at the back of the list. Every new application seems to get prioritized over the people from then.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 8:18 PM on June 23, 2008

I'll second MC - I've done 2 five day loops at the Gila and they were a blast. The weather should be no problem - I was there in late March and hit some snow high up, but it wasn't enough to do more than slow us down.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 4:53 PM on April 17, 2008

I remember a shrunk and sent inside the body adventure game as well - although I was playing on the IIe.

At the moment though I can't remember the name, but I know at one point you had to remember the name of your partner in the body, who was a red blood cell named "Arby Sea" (RBC). Does that ring a bell?

I know there was also another game similar to that one as well- same style although a different overall premise.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 7:50 PM on March 25, 2008

I've alerted schiddin (and she definitely is from Singapore) although no idea when/if she is available. And I would be deeply disappointed in her if she didn't at least respond in this thread.

Hi Sherlee!
posted to MetaTalk by langeNU at 4:47 PM on March 17, 2008

Get smashed yourself.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 1:45 PM on March 7, 2008

So which phone is it Octoparrot?
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 6:20 AM on February 17, 2008

Companies (almost) always announce when they will release their earnings. Generally there is a 3-4 week period each quarter over which most companies will do this. For example, we are in the midst of earnings season right now.

For any given company I would check out their investor relations page to find out announcements about upcoming reports. For industries as a whole, the Yahoo finance earnings calendar mentioned above is good, and almost every professional (investor... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 4:12 AM on February 15, 2008

I've had a couple good experiences at Home Front Hardware (202 e 29th St). They are open 24 hours there and one of the women who works there was incredibly helpful (the 2 times I've been there). They seem to take the random late-night wanderings of the Murray Hill residents in stride too.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 8:48 AM on February 11, 2008

Woo. Change in plans means I get to do valentine-y things with you all!
posted to MetaTalk by langeNU at 9:01 PM on February 8, 2008

That is of course unless afternoon plans run way too long and leave you stranded for another hour till you can begin to make it back into nyc...
posted to MetaTalk by langeNU at 2:17 PM on February 9, 2008

Make sure to check out Maroubra as well - may be a bit more of a hassle to get to but it is a very different scene than Bondi.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 12:36 PM on February 8, 2008

Lehrer actually wrote 11 songs for The Electric Company.
4 of these he wrote and sung:
Silent E
L-Y
O-U (The Hound Song)
SN (Snore, Sniff, and Sneeze)

6 others were written by Tom and sung by others (including Without an S)
Why Not Fight? (a/k/a "The Fight Song")
N'T
The Menu Song
Finch and Dinch
The Mumble Song
Without An... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 10:34 AM on February 8, 2008

Zengargoyle - Saw that one but but I don't think that is Tom's song (I've never heard it) - if you read the "About this video" it says specifically that this one isn't Tom's, and that "Without an S" is the only one not available on Youtube :(
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 10:51 AM on February 8, 2008

IANAA (I am not an astronomer) but also consider that the sun will likely go through 2 red giant stages - the first will be as the hydrogen fuel source is almost used up, after which there will be a helium flash at which point the sun will contract again, shedding some mass and now burning helium at its core. According to a lecture found here
the sun will only expand to engulf Mercury at this stage. Additionally, the loss of mass and force of expansion could push the remaining inner... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 7:52 AM on February 5, 2008

Note 2: I guess I shouldn't have previewed (as Freaky wasn't there when I was) and then I would have beaten him to the punch.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 7:55 AM on February 5, 2008

If the money was actually paid to Indiana the W-2 is correct - do you have old payment stubs on which you can see your tax breakdown?

If you didn't actually pay any tax to Indiana then you need to talk to HR and see what happened. Otherwise just file your taxes with Indiana, get your refund there and then use that to pay off CA. And if you file soon in Indiana and closer to April 15th in CA you could have the money in hand to pay for what you owe if that is an issue.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 12:19 PM on February 4, 2008

Can't help you on the total number, but I know that Honeywell (Aerospace) has about 40,000 people working there, a number of whom are at least tangentially related to the Shuttle design in one way or another. Tangentially could include anything from control systems to circuit board designs to any number of areas, and tracing it back there are a huge number of people who support them with raw materials, etc.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 3:35 PM on January 25, 2008

If they have one of the pull down attic ladder doors you can get it up there such that the next time they pull it down the lobster tumbles down and attacks.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 8:11 AM on January 22, 2008

I have what are probably the same stamps (Statue of Liberty) dated 2006. The post office said to put 2 cents extra postage on them when I asked although they said that 9 out of 10 times it wouldn't matter.

However, since what I'm usually sending is my rent check, that one out of ten definitely matters to me! Hence, I've added my 2 cents.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 5:08 AM on January 17, 2008 marked best answer

I went through the consulting interview process as well, and ended up having about 10 different cases thrown at me over the course of three rounds of interviews. They ran the gamut in terms of different styles and types of problems.

The ones that were the most interesting to me (all of which were real situations they had been in) -

1. An Asian beer company is looking to increase market share, but the industry is tightly regulated by the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 3:17 PM on January 16, 2008

A friend who is just getting started mentioned Church St. Boxing to me the other day. Not a personal experience, but she just started lessons there a couple weeks ago. Definitely a beginner as well, and she said she likes it a lot there so far.

From their website it looks like they have lessons and instruction separate from the complete membership package as well.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 7:28 AM on January 15, 2008

Don't think so - just sign up at Elfster (about halfway up the thread).

Oh mods, maybe we could get that link thrown up top somewhere too?
posted to MetaTalk by langeNU at 12:33 PM on December 5, 2007

Hmmm I just got mine. Anyone else?
posted to MetaTalk by langeNU at 2:55 PM on December 12, 2007

Same thing happened with my address - poof, it disappeared - Is seems like you can put your address up as a 'wishlist' and they will be able to see it. Conversely, you can ask a question of your quonsar-ee and hopefully get their address that way.
posted to MetaTalk by langeNU at 1:18 PM on December 15, 2007

You may think your gift was the greatest, but tell me, did your Secret Quonsar get you... Bacon Salt‽
posted to MetaTalk by langeNU at 4:50 PM on December 20, 2007

I think the major issue with Elfster was that as soon as the exchange date passed, all the addresses went invisible.
posted to MetaTalk by langeNU at 2:06 PM on January 10, 2008

Just take note that when you deposit the check the bank will likely put a hold on some or all of the money until it clears. This time can range from a day or two to a few weeks depending on your bank.

The hold time will likely be significantly reduced or eliminated by using a bank/cashiers check, or better yet a wire transfer. The $5-$50 this could cost will more than be made up by the interest gained from not waiting 10+ business days for your money.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 6:42 AM on January 8, 2008

Also, make sure to consider the impact of gravity on how the sand falls in the hourglass. If the focus of gravity shifts than the sand could start flowing in a new direction, impacting the flow of time.

So jumping off of gerryblog's idea, have the shrunken character inside the hourglass when gravity shifts - he/she better quickly find out a way to keep the sand where it is supposed to be!
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 1:58 PM on January 6, 2008

Kelly Services worked for me a few years back. I was doing various tasks for an insurance company, but they should have a variety of positions available.

As far as salary, it is totally dependent on where you are working. I would imagine they start at the minimum wage and go up from there. I'm not sure how high they go, but definitely something in the high teens or low twenties/hour should probably be attainable (I think I was at $17 or $18 in 2003 with no real... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 7:14 AM on January 4, 2008

I like nyc meet ups. And waffles. And I would like an invitation to waffles.

I'm inviting you to waffle. Or not. Maybe? Ok lets do it!
posted to MetaTalk by langeNU at 2:22 PM on January 2, 2008

They also have them at Subtle Tea on Madison at 30th. I was in last week and one of the guys there was brewing a pot of it and it was delicious!
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 4:44 PM on December 20, 2007

I'm assuming, yhbc, that you get better?
posted to MetaTalk by langeNU at 2:07 PM on December 15, 2007

Just throwing this out there, but it might be possible to use a radioactive isotope of phosphorous to determine age from DNA, but it would take a lot of work. As DNA uses phosphate groups in its backbone, it would theoretically be possible to introduce radioactive isomers of phosphorous (P32 or P33, with half-lives of 14.3 and 25.4 days, respectively) into this backbone, and measure decay over time.

Of course, you'd have to introduce the mother to a very specific... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 12:17 PM on December 12, 2007

And I'm out - my grandmothers 85th bday celebration (yay!) was moved from a lunch to a dinner (boo!) which means I probably won't get to meet up with you folks unless I dash quickly over to Manitoba's and/or Katz's sometime later in the evening.

As such, is there any sort of consensus (or mandate from TPS/Hermitosis, given that it is their production) as to where the party will be headed post-all that Austrian goodness?
posted to MetaTalk by langeNU at 1:10 PM on December 10, 2007

Wonderful, well hopefully I'll be there in time for 'Melanie Moser and the eleventh hour'!
posted to MetaTalk by langeNU at 2:17 PM on December 11, 2007

Marzipan - email me with the details of what you are looking for specifically (i.e any specific products and any specific countries) and I can pass it on to someone within my company that may be able to help. We sell reports about a variety of consumer goods (we also cover healthcare, energy, automotive, financial services and other verticals if you need something there too) some of what you'd expect and some esoteric.

Thus, if you are interested in the sales of cat... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 2:24 PM on December 10, 2007 marked best answer

While not totally appropriate unless you have very specific guests, the following comes from an old book (The games magazine classic, The book of sense and nonsense puzzle)on what to serve the following people:


1. Queen Noor Al Hussein
2. Sandra Day O'Connor
3. Notra Dame's "Fighting Irish"
4. Prince Charles
5. a Turkish nobleman
6. three hobos
7. two Arab potentates and their... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 11:16 AM on December 4, 2007

There was also Kevin Fox's project, Randompixel doing a similar pass-the-camera project - started in 1998, the results from several cameras posted in 2004 (with a few previews earlier) and further results always expected at some point in the near future.

Random trivia - before it was known as randompixel the project was called cameo.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 11:09 AM on December 4, 2007

To expand on francesca too's comment, it is a microdeletion on 7q 11.23, which encompasses the gene responsible for the production of elastin, which gives blood vessels their 'springiness'. Without elastin they are significantly more rigid, causing the cardiovascular problems often associated with this Syndrome.
posted to MetaFilter by langeNU at 10:58 AM on December 3, 2007

Was it alladvantage you are thinking of? (AllAdvantage.com is now a survey site, but I think that was the name). It was a bar of rotating adverts on the bottom of the screen circa 1998 or 1999.

I also remember downloading a program to keep my mouse moving constantly when I wasn't around, which helped wrack up the dollars.

Gone are the days of money for nothing on the internet, now you actually need content!
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 6:56 AM on November 30, 2007

Alladvantage became agloco at some point, although I never actually used it under that name.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 12:30 PM on November 30, 2007

I've had the same on/off issue previously, but haven't had a problem since FF2.0.0.9.

It has only been when I've been on the actual song page that I've had a the music stop when flipping to a new tab. From the front page of music it has always played seamlessly.
posted to MetaTalk by langeNU at 11:35 AM on November 30, 2007

It's gone from Amazon already.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 10:19 AM on November 30, 2007

Having an age might help if anyone on here is from the area, and certainly if you can remember things like a school name you can check in all the usual social networking places.

Also, there is certainly a strong English presence on facebook that if Nicky would be in the right age range to be using it she might be on there.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 7:45 AM on November 30, 2007

Oh I got a question in the podcast! And to think I almost missed it.

And I pronounce it lange-n-u although I admit it really doesn't scan well and I probably should have picked a name on here that is somewhat more pronounceable given that I introduce myself with it.
posted to MetaTalk by langeNU at 7:08 AM on November 26, 2007

Nail polish remover might work as well, but try and test it somewhere not visible first so you can make sure it doesn't discolor or do anything else to the underlying metal.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 7:25 AM on November 21, 2007

And to think I was actually up in Ithaca this past weekend. I can confirm that winery tours are lots of fun, the hiking is great, even in the cold and the people are very friendly.
posted to Ask Metafilter by langeNU at 10:43 AM on November 20, 2007