I'd simply call Fox straight up (310) 369-1000 and ask for feature film publicity. Explain what outlet you're with (name of your site), and that you have a writer who'd like to cover the event.
They'll likely steer you to someone up in SF who handles those requests.
I think mentioning your authors binge sounds pretty funny, and might actually help if just asking for press access doesn't work.
I wouldn't rely on the website contacts... could take some time.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 3:12 AM on July 10, 2008 marked best answer

I just posted this query at LA Metblogs for insight:
http://la.metblogs.com/2008/07/08/how-do-you-get-a-gig-as-a-script-reader/
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 3:36 PM on July 8, 2008 marked best answer

Sharkfu, no offense intended, nor taken. As a matter of fact, I quoted your advice because I actually thought it was worthwhile... but still just advice.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 11:51 PM on July 8, 2008

Brilliant!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 1:19 PM on July 8, 2008

To clarify, I'm looking for a connection between the Celtics and Los Angeles as a geographic region... not between the Celtics and the Lakers.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 10:03 AM on June 10, 2008

I agree with Hal C On - except don't call 911. 911 is for immediate emergencies. Call your local PD directly and explain the situation (or, if you live in LA, dial 311).
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 11:20 PM on June 9, 2008

Beverly Hills Volvo Repair is pretty good, although they're on La Brea in West Hollywood, not Beverly Hills.
http://www.volvoautorepair.com/

But Two Guys from Sweden are also great.

To be honest, I've never run into a Volvo specialty xhop that has been less than stellar.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 2:43 AM on May 9, 2008

Said the psychiatrist to his crazy patient: "dude, you need professional help!"

But seriously, anonymously, what state? I may not have answer, but I'm sure the answer will depend on what state you're in.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 5:49 PM on April 11, 2008

Little Snitch sounds like a great option, but at $25 I'd prefer to manhandle the firewall on my own - thanks for both suggestions!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 5:45 PM on April 11, 2008

I also hate to be crude, but besides being understanding, you shouldn't have to adjust your life dramatically to keep her anxieties down. Force yourself to go out regardless of her anxieties... maybe ease into it a bit, but don't allow her anxieties t influence your life so much.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 5:15 PM on February 18, 2008

Just a note: the url is being assigned to me as part of a larger website.
Alas, I'm hoping to find a name that doesn't need an explanation as to how to spell it.

Some ideas I had ran along the lines of "The 5th Estate" (but its already being used) and "Spring Street, USA" (the street where L.A.'s city hall is).
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 3:50 PM on February 18, 2008

A study by New Zealand scientists released a couple weeks ago indicate that, "Smoking a joint is equivalent to 20 cigarettes in terms of lung cancer risk." The ABC News article points out that the increased risk is in part due to the lack of a filter, and because stoners inhale "more deeply and for longer, facilitating the deposition of carcinogens in the airways."

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws takes issue with the study... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 6:25 PM on February 17, 2008

Thanks for the tips.

And no, the idea here would definitely NOT be to hotlink images. In fact, the concept would be to drive additional traffic to other sites (even though I'd be copying some of their images to do this).
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 2:30 PM on February 11, 2008

I hear Carrot Top is having a yard sale....
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 10:38 PM on February 5, 2008

Barney's Beanery.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 10:37 PM on February 5, 2008

I say USE PHOTOSHOP, at least for this project.

I'd suggest scanning in a current magazine you like to use as a template, then erase and replace elements as needed. Take a Time Person of the Year cover, for example, and replace the photo with an image of the Pope. Find a font that matches (or to your liking) and use it to replace existing text.

This, of course, requires a little Photoshop knowledge, but you'll more quickly be able to match a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 3:16 AM on January 18, 2008

Check out these guys:

The Hobo Soul

They moved out of their apartments and into a cheap RV, and live in it around Los Angeles. On the site they offer ways to make the lifestyle not just doable, but practically luxurious, with tips on living cheap and surviving without a home.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 12:15 AM on January 16, 2008

You can submit to United Artists and the Weinstein Co., but since they're among the few able to purchase scripts they'll probably be even quicker to dismiss your script than at any other time.

As for agents, in spite of the above comments, right now may not be a bad idea to send out your script - just be sure to suck up to the assistants, who may just be bored enough to read spec material.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 12:30 AM on January 15, 2008

The book "Into the Wild" might fit perfectly - the movie captures the essence as well.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 12:24 AM on January 15, 2008

Yikes - apologies for not properly posting the question so it takes so much real estate up on the main page.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 1:24 AM on November 30, 2007

Thanks - I'll have to test that out a little later!

However - I'm actually hoping to add more posts to the two column part - essentially adding rows.

Is this possible?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 12:07 PM on November 30, 2007

Actually, playing with doubling up on some existing code and adding the offset tag to the second row pretty much did the trick.

Eliminating some of the other lines of code also took away some functionality with ensuring that only certain catgeories appear on the front page, which may not be needed for some users, but I need to keep.

Appreciate the help on this.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 10:12 PM on November 30, 2007

If all else fails, when you're calling around for quotes ask the vendors if they can send you an Adobe Illustrator template for your model of car.
When you get close to finishing, they may be able to use your art to show show you what it will look like at the shop.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 2:00 AM on November 30, 2007

Nice. I'll try and snag it while dodging other shoppers tomorrow.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 6:44 PM on November 22, 2007

Bought, and now halfway through reading, How To Spell Chanukah.
EXACTLY the sort of stuff I was looking for. Thanks!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 12:36 PM on November 24, 2007

Try blogging.la (which I write for), blogdowntown.com, and LAist.com ... and check out the blogrolls on each site. Each blog is written by LA residents.

Is there anything in particular you're looking to learn about? Or just an LA perspective of LA?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 6:27 PM on November 22, 2007

Actually, 1947 Project only covered 1947 in its first year. This year they're writing about 1927... but still pretty cool, and you can always check their archives for the 1947 posts...

Another really good site is Curbed LA (la.curbed.com) - it focuses on real estate, but includes new stores and stuff... They touch a lot on the rental market, so if you're trying to get a feel for where to move back to, keep an eye on them.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 9:17 PM on November 22, 2007

Well, I grew up with it being anytime between noon and 3pm, depending on which side of the family. That was in the Midwest and East Coast.

In Los Angeles, it varies even more widely, but the more solid family types here that I've spent it with have celebrated at 2 or 3pm.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 9:11 PM on November 22, 2007

Thanks everyone!
The blog Oriole mentioned is pretty intense, and may lead me to what I'm looking for.... and happens to be free! ;)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 11:12 AM on November 4, 2007

I was gonna suggest utilizing a picket sign, but someone beat me to it. Still, theres so many ways you could go with this... dress up like a hobo, asking for handouts, all the while maintaining your demand for residuals. Or, in lieu of the hobo outfit, wear a Trader Joes or Starbucks uniform while diligently picketing.

OR

Ue a sandwich board to make yourself look like an issue of TV Guide - maybe the Emmys issue, showing a crappy reality or game... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 2:36 AM on October 23, 2007

I know those crazy kids who work at Macaroni Grill will sign their names UPSIDE DOWN in crayon on your table.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 12:18 AM on October 22, 2007

MCMike may have it right - usually these guys and gals will volunteer in exchange for either training hours OR to use it to market themselves, give out biz cards, etc.

I'd play it safe and give $5 flat fee, but thats just me.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 12:26 PM on October 21, 2007 marked best answer

I believe it was the Field Guide to Roadside Technology, but printdevils look very close as well.

Thanks guys!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 10:03 AM on July 2, 2007

Maybe some music (not that anyone buys CDs anymore). Depending on her personality and needs, she may appreciate something uplifting and inspirational, or maybe something that reminds her of her dad.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 5:13 PM on March 9, 2007

I'd take both routes - a list to check against IDs, and something to print out and share. In the digital age, most people prefer to not print out coupons. However, leaving the option open would encourage them to "share the love".

In fact, offer the key people on your list an incentive - if they have friends who use the "coupons" that they printed out (with their name on it) they get a commission of some sort - maybe its free admission the next time,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 5:25 PM on March 7, 2007

Yeah, I'd ditch the hypnotist.

When I went skydiving, what alleviated my nervousness was just watching all the people landing in the drop zone. It was like watching tissue paper fall to the ground. Very relaxing.

I wasn't afraid til much later, when I was on the plane, and my jumpmaster was strapped to my back. When the door of the plan opened and I saw everyone else jumping out, thats when I got really nervous again. And by really nervous, I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 5:20 PM on March 7, 2007

Thanks. That program is definitely what I'm looking for, but unfortunately doesn't work with the LG VX980.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 4:13 PM on February 23, 2007

Any other suggestions? Or just wait patiently for an upgraded version or new phone?
(now that I know its out there, I MUST have it!)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 4:14 PM on February 23, 2007

Nope. It detects the cell phone, but doesn't offer the option to redirect.

BluePhoneElite, after further testing, almost works, but is very glitchy.

If there is a step by step way to do this thru the Mac directly, I'd love to know how.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 12:17 AM on February 24, 2007

I always thought it was a Twix. And didn't they refer to these as "food sticks"?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 4:10 PM on February 23, 2007

Wonder why the vomit layout killed their numbers - regardless, its a look and layout I really want to go for.

Hemingway might work... but anything for MT?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 6:24 PM on January 15, 2007

Here's a few basic tricks I learned to find sources and land interviews while as an assistant to an investigative journalist:

1. While doing research on your subjects, ask whatever sources you find if they can suggest anyone else to talk to regarding different aspects of your subject. Unless you want your reporting to be kept quiet, the more you dig around your subject the more apt they might be to actually cooperate.

2. A prior writing record... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Unsomnambulist at 1:36 AM on April 19, 2006