The friend zone is a pernicious, and I think especially useless, myth. I've slept with nearly all of my female friends.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 8:34 AM on May 7, 2008

All right -- here' s the thing. I'm writing scripts for hard core films as a project. I have had one film produced, years ago, and I made, I think, about $200 for it. I know companies still buy scripts, and I know they still pay next to nothing. I just want to make sure I know precisely what that next to nothing amount is. Anyone sell a script lately, or know someone who did, who can tell me what they made?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 7:59 AM on May 6, 2008

Many women in porn are strippers, and, by doing porn, they can raise their visibility, and therefore their rates. The porn shoot may not pay a huge amount, but, if it's gonzo, it only takes a few hours, and suddenly demand for lapsdances, etc. skyrockets.

Why do men get into it? Lots of sex with young, hot chicks would be my guess.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 4:13 PM on April 28, 2008

Watch What Dreams May Come. If you've seen it before, watch it again.

I have to disagree with this, because it's a terrible movie.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 4:08 PM on April 28, 2008

I think you already know that this is not your fault, and that you couldn't really have prevented it. A lot of what ifs pop up when people die. It's totally natural, and you're not going to be able to avoid thinking about them. The best you can do is acknowledge them and try not to dwell on them -- whenever you have a guilty thought, recognize it, and then will yourself to replace it with a good memory of your friend. You must have known him a long time, and the good times together are worth... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 1:06 PM on April 27, 2008

If you're in an Irish bar, it gets simple. A shot of Irish whiskey and a beer. Whisket burns a little served neat -- I always add a splash of water, which I find brings out the flavor. Unlike a lot of alcohols, where the most popular brand is also pretty dreadful, Jamison is actualy quite good, and, from there on up, it starts getting heavenly. I particularly like Red Breast and Black Bush, but there are a lot of Irish whiskeys out there, and they are great fun to try. Additionally, Irish... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 2:49 PM on April 25, 2008

Hm. Movies tend to represent New Orleans pretty badly. I'm partial to King Creole and Panic in the Streets, because both were actually shot around the French Quarter and caught a whiff of the character of the town. But both are set in the 60s, so they're interesting mostly from a historical perspective.

As for books, well, I'll start out recommending the one every human on earth would recommend: A Confederacy of Dunces. Not only is it a great... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 5:07 PM on April 24, 2008

Oh, and a quick note: Don't call it N'awlins when you're down there. It immediately marks you as an outsider. It's New Orlee-ans or New Orlins, but I've never heard the "new" abbreviated. And neveer New Orleens, although there is a street in the Quarter called Orleans but pronounced Orleens.

Locals are called yats, because they greet each other by saying "Where y'at." A lot of them sound more like they are from the Bronx than the south. You'll get... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 5:18 PM on April 24, 2008

And I'm excited to see Mardi Gras from the inside -- the whole Bourbon Street, drunken, boob-flashing thing sounds like my idea of hell... but the rest of it, away from that, sounds really wonderful.

Yeah, steer clear of that; Bourbon Street is mostly for tourists anyway. But see the parades, none of which (but for the pedestrial Krewe de Vieux) takes place in the Quarter. Otherwise it's a pretty family friendly event. Definately see both the Rex and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 10:49 AM on April 25, 2008

If you had died on the way back, would it nonetheless have been worth it?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 5:16 PM on April 23, 2008 marked best answer

Lay lines.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 8:43 PM on April 7, 2008

Cocktails that contain both cranberry juice and ginger ale are often improved with the addition of orange or apple juice; with orange you would have a variation on a tequila sunrise, which is a tried and true recipe. There is a drink at Masa in Boston than uses both orange and apple juice, along with a bit of lime juice, to make a tequila cocktail, and apparently it is delicious.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 7:09 AM on March 27, 2008

Primarily I'm looking for suggestions for specific films.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 9:11 AM on March 10, 2008

Statistically. Americans spend much more money on alarm systems than they lose in burglaries, which seems a misapplication of resources, an investment in peace of mind that far outweighs the cost of crime. You're better off investing in a floor safe for your real valuables and good insurance for anything that can be replaced. It will be much cheaper in the long run.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 4:11 PM on March 9, 2008

Who is right? Who know? Try it yourself. If it negatively affects you, don't do it again.

People's digestive problems tend to be pretty idiosyncratic.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 5:14 PM on March 5, 2008

Masturbate whenever and wherever the hell you want to, and feel free to make a lot of noise as you do so.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 12:21 PM on March 3, 2008

I'm looking for swear words, not curses.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 11:35 AM on February 28, 2008

Just to clarify.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 11:37 AM on February 28, 2008

I've been recording and playing back my own voice for a while now, and have gotten used to it, but once in a while it sounds darned strange to me.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 4:37 PM on February 20, 2008

Make your own. (Mid way down the page)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 6:12 PM on February 15, 2008 marked best answer

Ouija board. A demon named "Pazuzu" contacted her using the name "Captain Howdy." Presumably, by befriending Pazuzu via the Oija board, Regan gave the devil (who is actually identified at one point as being The Devil) the ability to possess her. The mechanism is never explained.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 8:54 PM on February 14, 2008

There's was specific name for the genre when it was created, although "Space Age Bachelor Pad Music" was applied after the fact, along with other attempts at naming.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 9:06 AM on February 13, 2008

Let me just point out that "authentic" and "delicious" are not synonyms. I would suggest looking for authenticity less than just the best possible guac recipe. I'm sure the ancient Mexicans weren't using Worcestershire sauce. That doesn't mean they wouldn't have, though, if they had the option.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 9:35 AM on February 12, 2008

I've heard it and used it.

Now excuse me, I must 23 skidoo. I left my mad money in my flivver.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 8:56 PM on February 11, 2008

If you're going to be in the Quarter, I especially recommend Fiorella's on Decatur. The po boy called the Paisano is excellent, and they make a great bread pudding. It's the one place I would take people that they would want to go back to again and again when they visited. And it's going to be super busy, but the baked potato at Port of Call is unbelievable.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 9:20 AM on February 11, 2008

Though I realize you'll want beignets at Cafe Du Monde and brunch at Commander's Palace, I failed to mention a few other restaurants that are NOLA staples, even if they don't specialize in all things Creole.

Regarding Cafe du Monde, everybody eats there, it's a tourist joint, and nothing special. If you're looking for chickory and beignets, I suggest Cafe Beignet, which is just a few blocks down, much less crowded, serves better food (and a wider... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 1:22 PM on February 11, 2008

I laugh more, and am generally happier, at 40 than I did and was at 20.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 2:33 PM on February 10, 2008

There are all sorts of hidden nooks at Coffman Memorial Union. I swear, you could hide a body there. Also, most classrooms at the U of M are not locked when they are not being used, and easy to sneak into for some private time.

Spoonbridge and Cherry is monitored 24 hours a day by closed-circuit surveillance cameras, and there are speakers nearby where security guards can bark commands at you. Not recommended.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 2:25 PM on February 10, 2008

True dat. All right, lor of votes for kung fu. Anything more off the beaten path?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 1:02 AM on February 10, 2008

My Own Private Idaho
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 10:00 AM on February 7, 2008

If the question is about film whose title don't seem to relate to the the film, then Chariots of Fire. The hymn is sung in the film, but otherwise the title is not referenced, and it is a line from a Blake poem that references a legend about Jesus visiting Glastonbury. Pretty oblique.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 10:50 AM on February 7, 2008

"How about a one night stand?"
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 11:08 AM on February 4, 2008

You might not want to blow your weed in your cat's face, though.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 5:09 PM on January 31, 2008

Do you want to go?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 10:43 PM on January 29, 2008

I've had lovers whose contractions were quite noticeable, and I've had lovers who made no indication that they had any orgasms, but for the fact that they told me they had multiple.

As to whether you're a good lover or not, well, you'd do best to talk to someone who has slept with you to get an answer to that.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 9:00 PM on January 29, 2008

Tell him. Nothing good will come from withholding the info. At least once it is in the open it can be addressed.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 5:42 PM on January 25, 2008

Clifford Simak's City winds down from the end of a man to a time when all that remains are dogs. The middle section, in particular, deals with the last humans on earth.

The latter chapters of The Martian Chronicles have a number of sequences of isolated humans, left behind on Mars, and, in one instance, and automated house that simply continues its daily activities.

Wall•E, when it comes out, is about a robot left behind on earth when humanity... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 4:39 PM on January 25, 2008

Del Maguey Mezcal Santo Domingo Alebrradas.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 1:16 PM on January 25, 2008

Yes, it's a mescal. There are some excellent mescals that get overlooked because people are obsessed with tequila.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 1:18 PM on January 25, 2008

I can think of no word that describes exactly what you mentioned. Perhaps we should invent one. Sansvexation?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 11:11 PM on January 23, 2008

Not only can a paranoid schizophrenic go to jail, but people with mental illness often do. It helps if you've already been diagnosed with the illness and can refer the lawyer to a doctor that can confirm the diagnosis.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 11:08 PM on January 23, 2008

It seems to have originated with Stanford White, who is supposed to have used that invitation to seduce, and, quite probably, rape, many young women. His etching were erotic images of cavorting nudes.

Hitchcock later used the line in Blackmail, which is likely to be the source of its entry into popular culture.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 11:50 PM on January 21, 2008 marked best answer

Well, hoe are you defining love? Is it some fantasy where your heart palpitates every time you see your spouse? Do you expect birds to sing when he or she enters a room? If that's not there, don't worry.

Or is it concern for their welfare, enjoyment of their companionship, affection for their personality? If that's not there, you should end the relationship.

Is it sexual desire? If that's not there, you've got a problem too.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 9:47 PM on January 21, 2008

If the point of the game is pass the lobster, it's all about getting the lobster involved with whatever your family members are doing next. Are they going to a restaurant. Then, as someone suggested, tip the waitress to bring them the lobster. Are they going to the beach? Wrap the lobster in a beach tower. Are they headed to a movie? Talk to theater management about putting the lobster in the concessions area, with a price on it, or placing it in a bag of popcorn. Are they going to a football... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 7:44 PM on January 21, 2008

I am curious about the smells of your friends' houses.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 7:35 PM on January 21, 2008

I bet this is true. Even in the late 1800, they were making pacifiers out of lead, because children enjoyed the sweetness.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 5:47 PM on January 21, 2008

Party game. Preferably with alcohol involved.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 4:10 PM on January 21, 2008

Keep in mind, the psychiatric value of the inkblot test is not absolutely certain.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 4:43 PM on January 21, 2008

My theory is that the monster didn't want to be photographed and had been following Hud all the way through the film to destroy the camera.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 4:13 PM on January 21, 2008

On the other hand, I am a firm believer that, for every month you dated, you should be able to enjoy one post-breakup booty call. But some people can't handle it and use it as a pretext for getting back into bad relationships.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Astro Zombie at 4:06 PM on January 21, 2008