My fiancée says she sleeps a little better alone, probably because I roll about a bit, but I know I fall asleep faster when we're together. We both enjoy the being together though and deal.

Now, her dad and his second wife have separate bedrooms because he snores really loud. As in rattling change on the bedside table loud.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 3:39 PM on October 7, 2008

Universities usually have lots of help desk positions as well. Here's the website for jobs at CU.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 3:19 PM on October 6, 2008

University students are more likely to care about copyright than the average voter. Finding some way to highlight the disastrous copyright bill (C-61) that the Harper government introduced not long before Parliament dissolved. Michael Geist has a lot of information about C-61 on his website.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 9:40 PM on October 3, 2008

As graduate admissions are handled on a departmental basis, there are no answers that will be correct across the board. But when I was helping out with grad admissions in my department (coincidentally, Computer Science at UBC), I'd be a little bit wary of someone that didn't include GRE scores.

It wasn't a deal-breaker, but if it came down to someone with a good GPA, solid recommendations and a decent GRE score versus someone that had the same except with no GRE score at... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 4:05 PM on October 2, 2008

If you're an art gallery person, the Asian Art Museum is quite impressive.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 11:56 AM on October 1, 2008

Whatever you do, get him some Vegemite. While seemingly incomprehensible to anyone with a functioning sense of taste, every Aussie I've met loves the stuff.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 3:59 PM on September 30, 2008

I've been a software engineer for about 6 years now, all in the same job.

There's your problem. Some development companies have perpetual unpaid overtime, some never do. Most have crunch only when necessary, usually when a big milestone is coming up.

Overtime for knowledge workers has been well studied and crunch time for anything but very small periods quickly ends up making software projects later that they would have been if... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 8:58 AM on September 30, 2008

You already mentioned speaker cables, but HDMI cables (and any other digital cable in general) are an even more stark example. With analog cables, one can maybe make the argument the the more expensive ones carry the signal better, minimize interference, etc.

But digital cables are binary (literally and figuratively)- they either transmit the correct 0/1 or they don't. There's no quality middle ground. If the $10 cables you buy off NewEgg work, then... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 3:31 PM on September 29, 2008

Portal's very friendly, it's quite difficult to die and if you haven't played if, ye gods is it a fantastic game.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 9:04 AM on September 29, 2008 marked best answer

I'm a much bigger fan of Twitteriffic.

I'm quite happy with Twitteriffic as well and they've got a solid iPhone version.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 12:21 PM on September 25, 2008

If you have been writing procedural code in PHP, switching up to C# will be a bit like upgrading from a skateboard to flying the space shuttle.

Heh, a very appropriate analogy. The stuff you're asking about are language fundamentals than can't be quickly understood. Check the archives for question about learning object-oriented programming.

I'm not sure what the best OO intro book is these days, but once you've got a foundation... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 8:53 AM on September 24, 2008

ETS, Princeton Review and other services have practices exams online or on a CD you purchase with their materials. I took the GRE three years ago, so things might be different, but as far I remember, the practice test format was exactly the same as the real thing. And IIRC, you got scratch paper with the computer-based test.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 8:45 AM on September 24, 2008

Sounds like if you get to the national "finals," you get invited to a free banquet. But yea, by my reading, I see $ for the HS, burgers for the student. Om nom nom!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 3:00 PM on September 23, 2008

Easiest thing to do is to buy both an upscaling DVD player and a Blu-Ray player from somewhere with a friendly return policy (e.g. Costco). Take them both home, rent the Blu-Ray version of some DVD you own and see how they compare. Have some family/friends that don't know which is which look at them both. Then take whatever one you like less back.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 12:27 PM on September 23, 2008

I'm an American now living in Canada, I've been trying to follow both elections. Based on what folks are saying, the Conservatives will probably end up gaining/losing a few seats, but things will basically look the same as they have since the last election.

Currently, all the party leaders are pretty lame. Aside from their love of spending, I like the NDP, but Jack Layton isn't terribly inspiring. Without a majority, Harper can't do anything too offensive (although C-61... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 10:32 AM on September 23, 2008

If you've got a rig to run it, don't just buy Portal, buy the entire Orange Box. You get Portal, which is simply incredible, but you also get Half-Life 2 and two 5-8 hour episodes, which combined is one of the best FPS shooter experiences. Finally, you get Team Fortress 2, which is possibly the best online multiplayer shooter out there (it's a lot more accessible and doesn't have the septic tank audience of Halo and other X-Box Live shooters).

If you like adventure games,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 6:53 PM on September 22, 2008

The thing is, what do I study next? A PhD? One more Masters?

What do you want to do with this professionally? As interesting as it may be, I get the feeling you're not going to find a way to pay the bills doing this outside of an academic environment. Academically, two Masters doesn't get you much more than one does. A Ph.D. means you can teach and apply for grants to research this more.

It sounds like you're trying to find a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 10:17 AM on September 22, 2008

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has free wifi operated by the airport. Similar to what someone said upthread though, I'm pretty sure the SSID of the network is not just "Free Public Wifi."
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 10:04 AM on September 22, 2008

In a way, this is sort of like asking why more boxers don't study tae kwon do. They don't do it because it's against the rules of the sport. Professional MMA is not a no-holds-barred Thunderdome. It's a sport with rules and given those rules, the Muay Thai/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu combination best emphasize what's allowed.

I studied both Muay Thai and kung fu in Colorado before I moved to BC. In general, Muay Thai was a lot more straightforward and focused. I personally found... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 6:34 AM on September 19, 2008

@tdismukes Sorry, to clarify, I meant UFC banned moves. I assume the OP was asking about MMA as practiced as a sport in UFC and the like, rather than Muay Thai/BJJ styles in general.

Another thing to consider in regards to sport MMA is the fighters are gloved, which might impair the ability to deliver precise hand strikes. I imagine this is part of why the Muay Thai's emphasis on elbow and knee strikes has gained such prominence (in addition to be good in a grapple).... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 11:39 AM on September 19, 2008

She has denied me the right to intervene since he's also the softball coach and she will most likley be on the softball team.

This is a little weird to me. The teacher/coach is clearly an asshole, but she doesn't want you to intervene in the class situation (where the standards of teacher conduct are higher) because she wants to play on his softball team (where the standards of coach conduct are much lower)? If he is bullying your daughter in a teacher... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 8:35 AM on September 19, 2008

Depending on what your degree is in, tutoring might be a good side gig.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 1:25 PM on September 18, 2008

Start with Javascript and its most badass library, JQuery. You'd be amazed what you can do with just HTML, CSS and Javascript.

(You mentioned Java several times ... do you mean Javascript? Aside from the name, the two have little to do with each other. Or do you mean Java applets? If it's the latter, I'd focus a lot more on the former. Java applets are nowhere near as prevalent as they were a few years ago.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 9:17 AM on September 17, 2008

Are salmon vegetables? Are shrimp? Then no, you can't be a "vegetarian" and eat animals.

I find the whole "I'm a vegetarian, but I eat fish, chicken and eggs" thing infuriating. It's confusing and arguably misleading. Ethically, that's a different story and one I'm not qualified to enter into (namely because I think Singer's arguments are naive and absurd).

But please, for our sanity, don't call yourself a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 9:02 PM on September 15, 2008

I too have a $30/6 GB plan with Fido and I'm really happy with my iPhone. My fiancée and I went to Victoria the weekend after I got it and the maps application alone was worth it. I'm always connected to 3G when I'm not on wifi and the speeds are pretty darn good.

Having a fully functional (well, almost - Flash is still a no go) web browser and email plus a fully functional iPod is quite fantastic. I listen to a lot of podcasts and now I don't miss phone calls because... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 10:26 AM on September 15, 2008

I would like to hear from people that actually tried it and would recommend it?

Unless they're doctors, why should their opinion matter? I'm sure there's someone out there that would recommend huffing aerosol fumes as relief for some affliction, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Peer reviewed, scientific studies are basically in agreement that colonics are not only unnecessary, but can potentially be very harmful. E.g.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 7:19 AM on September 15, 2008

Aye, most people don't think about clearance when choosing their wardrobe in the morning. It's likely he didn't even think about it until some PA noticed and said duct tape would be easier than blurring in post (since I think shows like MythBusters try to have as little post as possible).

Maybe the folks on MythBusters think the rules about clearance are stupid (IMHO, reasonable) and are only complying with Discovery's rules in the most obvious and minimal way possible.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 8:44 AM on September 11, 2008

Does she have numbness/tingling/coldness in any fingers in particular or along any particular lines in her arm, shoulder or back?

She has described tingling in her fingers, but I think it was just isolated to the hands.

I've also lost a disc or two in my spine

This sounds weird, but how does one lose a spinal disc? Would that require some sort of injury or is it something that just happens?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 9:44 AM on September 10, 2008

Excellent, thanks everyone. We'll discuss nerve issues with the GP today and see about getting a referral to a neurologist or a similar strategy.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 11:50 AM on September 10, 2008

While he was most prolific in the 70s and 80s, Peter Singer has published quite a few books/papers since 2000.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 9:38 AM on September 10, 2008

Or download it and use your key to install the game.

I'd just go with this. One may be morally opposed to downloading games off of BitTorrent (I know I am), but you've already purchased the game. Download it, install with your key and you'll be fine. After install you don't need the disc.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 8:10 PM on September 8, 2008

I can't say for sure, but I'd guess either the Kids' Market on Granville Island or Crystal Mall would have prime Sanrio goods.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 1:08 PM on September 8, 2008

Soundtrack by Gogol Bordello is basically non-negotiable.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 9:39 PM on September 7, 2008

If you can't find this one, the Real McKenzies(another Canadian punk band) have a kickass version on their album 10,000 Shots.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 8:01 PM on September 5, 2008

Double Hugh Laurie recommendation ahoy!

House is really, really good. A bit older, but Black Adder is great too.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 7:55 PM on September 4, 2008

I went to the Blue Nile Ethiopian restaurant a few years ago and remember really enjoying it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 10:57 AM on September 4, 2008

Spoilers for Carnivàle ahead

On a semi-related note, there's a really intense tarring and feathering scene in the second season of Carnivàle, episode #9.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 10:10 PM on September 3, 2008

I was going to suggest Oblivion as well. It's definitely swords and sorcery, but it's fantastic. The upcoming Fallout 3 is made by the same studio (Bethesda) and will likely have a very similar open world style.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 11:23 AM on September 3, 2008

Slickity Jim's Chat & Chew is the probably the best breakfast I've had in Vancouver. It's on Broadway & Main, so just a quick 98-B bus from Broadway & Granville.

Lots of folks love Sophie's Cosmic Cafe, but I was somewhat underwhelmed when I went. Might just have had made a poor menu choice or something though.

While it's a chain (and their need to prepend "De" onto everything is maddening), I really like... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 6:01 AM on August 28, 2008

A Utilikilt.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 3:37 PM on August 27, 2008

Thirding Stockholm, though Copenhagen is a good second choice, and they're not too far from each other (5-hour train ride).

I'm quite bias since my father's family is all Swedish, but this is what I would suggest as well. Plus there are ferries between they two if you'd like to see some of the Baltic.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 2:13 PM on August 27, 2008

Hotel Dusk - Room 215, FF Tactics Advance 2

Second both of these. FFT:A2 has relatively bland story (and the protagonist's red beret, my god), but the game itself is absolutely awesome.

Dementium: The Ward is one of the few M-rated games on the DS and it's the good one. If you like horror-ish games, give it a shot.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 1:00 PM on August 27, 2008

I'll be annoyingly literal, but this quite amusing to watch someone consume, if nothing else. On my 21st, a bartender comped me one of these and it was quite ... memorable. He called it a Backdraft.

Get a brandy snifter and add equal amounts of Grand Marnier, Drambuie and a 151 proof rum. Swirl gently to give the side of the glass a light coating of alcohol, then light. Immediately place your hand over the top of the glass and the alcohol will burn the oxygen sealed in... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 10:49 AM on August 27, 2008

My Canadian grad school supervisor had the US version of this visa (I forget its designation) for a number of years and he said the process was quite painless. As long as you're honest and have all the documentation they ask for, you should be fine. When it comes to the actual paperwork, when in doubt, bring it.

(For what it's worth, I'll actually be flying to Seattle and crossing overland at Blaine, so I won't have to deal with touchy airport customs people.)... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 3:21 PM on August 26, 2008

While not in humans, it's close: Monkeys control robot arm with thoughts.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 11:32 AM on August 26, 2008

If you're okay loading a Linux firmware on your router (or have a router that supports it out of the box), try setting up QoS.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 7:01 AM on August 26, 2008

The Pogues, pretty similar to the Chieftains and the Dubliners.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 6:26 PM on August 24, 2008

There are certainly cultures where presenting the palm of the hand to someone is considered to mean 'go to the devil'. Or similar.

Or something even more colourful.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 5:50 AM on August 22, 2008

I did my undergrad at CU and being an engineering student, I didn't get into Boulder as a city that much. However, if you're looking for nightlife, Boulder is not the place. If the place isn't closed by 9 PM, it's filled with drunken frat-boy louts. The Hill is a mess practically every night of the week.

Despite all the talking people in Boulder do about being liberal and accepting, don't expect to find a very warm reception if you differ much from the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 9:00 PM on August 19, 2008

1) Trying to avoid sharing.

Probably time to abandon this notion. If you're getting desperate, start looking for roommates.

I don't know about Montreal, but even if it's leagues better than Vancouver, $550 for a bachelor that provides easy access to a big university is still a pretty tall order.

I'm also not if this just a function of Vancouver's obscenely low vacancy rate, but a lot of rental units... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Nelsormensch at 12:10 PM on August 18, 2008