I knew this question would press some buttons. Some people just go off like half-cocked triggers, don't they?

The questions stands. Deal with it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 6:48 PM on March 12, 2007

Pity. Most of the answers so far have been very linear and been completely predictable. Is this all you got?
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 6:57 PM on March 12, 2007

echo0720: No, or else I would've worded it that way.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 7:05 PM on March 12, 2007

I'm looking for standard sequences of behaviors to verbal stimuli, as there are many that have been inbedded in human behaviour since our early hunter-gatherer ancestors. These psychological principles have been used in negotiations and in the exchange of goods and commerce for centuries. Since it's such a broad subject, I wanted to narrow it down to the exploration of possible simple linguistic constructs that appeal to a woman's metaphysical state. I was careful not to define my question too... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 7:22 PM on March 12, 2007

I'd like to improve the signal to noise ratio on this thread, so I'm flagging all irrelevant, obscene posts.

Make room for the intelligentsia.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 7:31 PM on March 12, 2007

Go before your audience believing you love each and everyone one of them. Look at them squarely in their faces and and tell them you love them (in your mind, of course). It sounds corny as heck but it works.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 8:57 AM on March 10, 2007

"everyone one" - ya know what I'm sayin'
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 9:16 AM on March 10, 2007

I'm assuming that if you're a Metafilter reader and a Mormon, then you're probably not a die-hard, absolutist Mormon (of course, that is an assumption and could very well be wrong).

It's wrong. My life is in complete lockstep with the doctrines of the church. Also I'd like to add that I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. The restored gospel, with all its doctrines, is too deep and too inspired to be the workings of an uneducated plowboy - or... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 6:16 PM on March 7, 2007

The Greatest Salesman in the World. Be the change you want to see in the world.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 2:41 PM on March 3, 2007

corpse: spell it out brother. I want this to be beneficial for anyone reading this, regardless of how good or bad they are at math.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 9:30 AM on February 24, 2007

corpse: It seems I wrongly assumed you to be a male, because the website link on your profile leads to the page of a female author.

If I have made this careless mistake, I apologize in advance.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 9:47 AM on February 24, 2007

This is turning out to be a great thread. Keep'm coming!
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 11:09 AM on February 24, 2007

Somewhere, someone with tape on their glasses is reading this thread and having a nerdgasm.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 12:31 PM on February 24, 2007

I second Johnny. Strat-o-matic is amazing. I used to play the hockey and baseball versions all the time as a kid. I even had a Strat-o-matic Fanatic t-shirt ;)
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 11:44 AM on February 24, 2007

Prosper.com?
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 12:38 AM on February 24, 2007

I like Classical music from time to time, but I'm certainly no aficianado on the subject, however, I've always found Amazon.com a great source for music recommendations.

Maybe start with Beethoven and then follow either "Customers who bought this item also bought" or Listmania.

Good luck!
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 5:17 AM on February 19, 2007

Thank you ewiar and muddgirl. Your comments help.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 5:17 PM on February 1, 2007

Ever since I actually started paying for Skype, the service has been terrible. My guess is it's not the headsets.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 3:38 PM on February 1, 2007

All I can think is Lame 3.0.

Go out for a hot chocolate on a cold night instead.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 2:11 PM on January 25, 2007

What saythis said was bloody brilliant. Cope-dar, I love it.

Anyhoo Cookie Monster, she has changed her mind. Something you have said or done or didn't do, or the piece of broccolli lodged between your two front teeth scared her away. Or more likely, she was flirting with you to begin with. She never had any intentions of getting back with you.

It's not love CM. Maybe it was then but it sure isn't now. Hopefully next time, you'll leave the past... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 2:12 PM on January 23, 2007

This is where my confusion lies: I need to remember that things like rent earned goes under "revenues" in the income statement, but not included in the balance sheet (although it is an asset... that kinda thing), and what belongs in an owners equity statement yadayada. "Hep me".
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 10:28 AM on January 18, 2007

Thanks for all the comments. You all rule in my book.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 6:59 PM on January 18, 2007

amileighs: Are you active during the day? Exercise a lot? I wake up every single night around 2:30 am with the same hunger pangs and I eat - carbs, protein, fat, whatever.

Eat something and get back to bed.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 7:17 AM on January 13, 2007

Sounds like the power supply, which shouldn't cost more than $30-40 to replace.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 1:36 PM on January 7, 2007

I just finished the ride today, and it kicked the snot outta me. I figure it's worth 10 miles running (5:1) but I'd like other perspectives. Maybe I should go by caloric expenditure? METS?
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 1:46 PM on January 3, 2007

Thanks for the input thus far, and I agree with everything that has been said.

As for my previous statement, I should've said "I figure it's worth at least 10 miles running" and even 3:1 sounds fair since I was wearing a backpack with about 15 lbs of crap.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 2:22 PM on January 3, 2007

I plan on piling on the running miles btw, but the cycling time is necessary and the energy expenditure needs to be factored in somehow.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 2:39 PM on January 3, 2007

Which one are you doing, DropKick?

(I ask because I'm doing my first 50k in a few weeks and will be diving into longer distances shortly thereafter.)

It's a fat ass run I'm organizing for a Saturday sometime in July in Ontario Canada. I'll publish more information on it in a few weeks time, when I have some details ironed out. I will email it to you if you wish.

What's the biking terrain... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 7:38 PM on January 3, 2007

All the answers are well articulated and much appreciated. I'm going a little crazy with the "mark as best answer" feature, so any that weren't marked as such, please know I highly regard your comments also. Thanks again.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 7:47 PM on January 3, 2007

More great comments!

I do resistance training too, especially the major compound movements and especially, especially squats, and I know this has attributed positively to my running. Is squats and running apples and oranges? Absolutely, but they're also interrelated.

I think ph00dz really nailed it, and the experts in the running magazines confirm it: you can't replace the long run. It has to be done. I also agree with... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 6:37 AM on January 4, 2007

I am sorry you are going through this. I too have lived through this nightmare with three daughters.

Here is the best advice I can give you: base all your decisions around the best interests of the child and don't speak ill of your estranged wife to your son either, because it will only increase his suffering and confusion. You obviously don't want to do this.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 7:14 PM on January 3, 2007

Consider genealogy. Start digging into your family history (father's side) to uncover who they were and, consequently, who you are, then you'll have lot's of questions and things to talk about with your father. Family history really does bring families together, even estranged family.

I suggest starting off with Ancestry.com, which is arguably the largest searchable database and the best, although it has a monthly membership fee. Alternately, here is... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 10:47 AM on January 2, 2007

For the book that I should be writing right this very minute instead of loligagging on metafilter, I use a binder with tabbed inserts and all my notes/ideas/info goes into there along with the book itself.

The trick is not to let it build up too much but - a heck - I'm gonna do some writing now
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 10:55 AM on December 30, 2006

After years of divorce my ex-wife continues to use my last name, which I'll admit kinda irks me (if she wanted autonomy from our relationship, you would think she would drop all associations to me). However it's my understanding there is a) nothing I can legally do about it b) it's not important enough to get riled up about and c) would show weakness and enmity.

If the reason you really want to keep his last name is because it sounds better than "Naaktgeboren",... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 10:35 AM on December 29, 2006

I can relate AuroraSky, because I struggled with severe depression about 5 years ago. I got so depressed I was off work, and getting out of bed became a major endeavour. During those grey days, I had a hard time talking to anyone face to face. I just felt so sad and worthless all the time. I would force myself to go to the grocery store and buy a small item, just to say hello the the checkout lady and have some human contact for the day. And I would wear sunglasses too, to avoid eye contact and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 7:18 PM on December 26, 2006

If I understand your question correctly, I'd suggest working your core: abs, obliques and lower back. Squats (sans weightbelt) will work all these muscles.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 6:52 PM on December 26, 2006

My cat is a lot like me, affectionate for short periods of time and then getouttamyface. When she head bumps me, it's because she wants attention.

And I have a confession: After being a borderline cat-hater for most of my life (I reluctantly got a cat because of my daughter) I now know without a doubt that cats have souls and feelings, and the stereotype that cats are arrogant creatures who strut around thinking they own their environment is untrue and unfair. My cat... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 6:05 PM on December 19, 2006

@Coaticass: I wake up just before 5am every weekday morning - that's early enough! But thank you and everyone else for their input. God bless you!
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 4:29 PM on December 17, 2006

I say 45 minutes to an hour before work, either on the treadmill,stairclimber or lifting weights. Make the workout strenuous and you'll feel invigorated for much of your day.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 8:27 AM on December 12, 2006

Fixmbr.

Good luck.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 9:20 AM on December 11, 2006

When I read your question, the immediate impression I got of you is that you seem like an intelligent, good natured guy. You need to stop stressing about what others think because it's completely unhealthy.

I say chill, go to the gym, pump some"arn", and allow yourself to be you. Defy the world by continuing to be who you are.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 2:17 PM on December 10, 2006

I'm not looking for a spiritual awakening, but rather to open up new pathways of thinking to benefit my writing and communication skills.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 7:34 PM on December 7, 2006

The top 500 websites are an example of linear, relentless, monotonous data stream consciousness as are the top 150 best selling books. All different but all the same.

I know it's a terrible generalization to make, but I just feel bored with everything I read lately.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 8:08 PM on December 7, 2006

Timothy Levitch in the documentary The Cruise was a breath of fresh air to me. He's a little nuts, and his rants were caustic at times, but he's an original thinker. I'm looking for more passionate, out-of-the-box thinkers.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 8:16 PM on December 7, 2006

I'm excited about the possibilities here. Thanks to everyone!
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 4:47 AM on December 8, 2006

My dad's a comic book artist, and he has plenty of friends who are also comic book artists. You can drop him a line.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 12:44 PM on December 7, 2006

Several years ago I was in a very similar situation as you anon. This is how I got through it:

I became very thrifty. I hand washed my clothes, I borrowed free movies from the public library instead of renting, and never paid full price for anything. It became like a game to save money.

I streamlined my life and removed any extraneous items or services that wasn't absolutely essential. TV: gone. Internet: smell ya later. Phone: I didn't have a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 7:40 PM on December 5, 2006

One more thing: look at your bank account statements. Make sure the bank isn't taking unnecessary/hidden fees from you. This happened to me at a time when every penny counted. The bank was hitting me with service charges for using my debit card over and above what my plan allowed. (One month it was $90 in extra services charges! That sure woke me up!)

What I learned the hard way was that the banking plan with the least monthly service charges also had the most hidden... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 8:18 AM on December 6, 2006

I'm going to suggest my website and ebook Zero to Superhero.com, although self-linking aggrandizement of this sort will likely get me beat up in a back alley somewhere.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 1:42 PM on December 2, 2006

She needs to be in a fitness club with modern equipment and a personal trainer to give her guidance and ensure her safety. It's money well spent.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dropkick at 1:35 PM on December 2, 2006