As someone who was trained in HCI as usability in college, your site made me scream a little.

The navigation/layout is not intuitive at all. It took me awhile to figure out that each box in the left corner was a different example of your work, and even longer to figure out that your cute poetic descriptions explained what the work was.

Your resume/portfolio should be accessible. Rather than have everything how you do, why don't you try and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 2:41 PM on July 21, 2008

Speaking as a guy, you're the backup just in case nothing else works out for him.
Stop hanging out with him and don't sleep with him.

If after a while of no contact with him, he calls you up and says he might be ready ... don't fall for it. He's most likely just looking to stick you on the back burner again. You'll date a little, it'll be fun, and then ... suddenly things will be "moving to fast" for him and you'll be right back where you started.

DTMFA
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 9:06 AM on July 10, 2008

How about a family camp? They'll have trained staff to keep your kids busy, leaving the adults to relax and do what they please.

From personal experience as a child camper and later as a summer counselor, I'd recommend Montecito Sequoia Lodge. Its located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Sequoia National Forest and is beautiful. They have their own lake for water skiing, a pool, horse back riding, hiking trails, etc. All your meals are included in the price, and you... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 12:15 PM on May 27, 2008

I don't have any good suggestions, but I'm dying to know why you keep your todo list this way. Is there a particular reason for it? Does it save a significant amount of time? Is it just for fun? Please tell us!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 6:37 AM on May 18, 2008

4Hero - Mr. Kirk's Nightmare
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 7:36 PM on May 13, 2008

I know you said you're not that interested in fuel belt solutions, but perhaps you're just using the wrong size belt? I use this and it's worked wonders. There is enough room in the pocket for ID, keys, gels, and salts. My local running store had multiple sizes, and the size I original bought would bounce while I ran, which needless to say, is very annoying.

I went back later and bought a smaller size, and it has yet to bounce. I also wear it a little lower on my... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 4:32 PM on May 5, 2008

Adderall?
But seriously - starbucks cards, snacks (salty and sweet things!), vitamins - I always forget to eat properly and end up getting sick without them, gift card to her favorite take out place, basic necessities like soap, toothpaste, etc - it sucks having to go do normal chores - so anything that makes her need to leave the house or library less.

Also, maybe consider earplugs? My school provides them, but if her's doesn't - people talking in the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 1:50 PM on April 26, 2008

Pretty much all female fashion from Japan. And Jpop! Yay Jpop
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 3:06 AM on March 25, 2008

The climbing season for Mt. Fuji is July-August. To climb while you're there you'll need a special climbing permit. Wikitravel also says:

"Climbing outside the official season is not only technically illegal without police permission but extremely dangerous without alpine climbing experience and equipment. Nearly all facilities are closed in the off season. The weather, unpredictable any time of year, is downright vicious in the winter and there are cases of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 8:57 PM on February 24, 2008

2nding Cities and Knights expansion for Settlers. So much fun!
My friends and I always play with a black ship hit = drink rule
Boardgames that create their own drinking games are great!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 7:50 PM on February 19, 2008

Three Tales of My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 12:15 PM on February 18, 2008

The importation of meat products into China is restricted. I'm looking for a link for you now, but I'd guess even if the hotdogs stayed edible after the flight, customs would make you toss em.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 11:47 AM on February 15, 2008

He's just gonna toss it if he gets it back. Listen to everyone else that says it's yours to do with as you please. Quit over thinking it. Maybe you're the one being emotionally immature?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 9:19 AM on February 11, 2008

Maybe I'm just being dude, but I don't see how this guy is the bad guy here and hasn't kept her as the backup for years. The girl was his top choice, and she decided she wanted something else. Since then it seems like if anything this girl has kept him as her backup and is now disappointed that he's finally moved on.
posted by apetpsychic

This was my first thought as well when reading the question, and was honestly surprised someone... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 2:28 PM on February 4, 2008

Just tell her you won't need her services anymore. Simple and straight forward. This isn't some sort of complicated relationship. She cleans your house; you don't want her to do it anymore. Just tell her.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 11:42 AM on February 4, 2008

I ran my first marathon through Team in Training But like the AIDS marathon, they have a fund raising requirement. What the requirement is depends on the race you decided to train for. They raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Don't let the fundraising requirement scare you off though. They provide you with a fundraising coach, fundraising ideas, and fundraising groups. It's easier than you'd think. I managed to raise enough while I was still a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 8:12 PM on February 3, 2008

IRAC IRAC IRAC!

It doesn't matter how you write as long as you spot all the issues. I found following a really annoyingly strict IRAC (issue, rule, analysis, conclusion) format for my writing helped dramatically. If you're used to writing, I'm sure writing this way will piss you off to no end (I know it still bothers me to do it this way, but I've got the top grade in a few of my classes now that I've switched from writing essay style to writing this way), but it will... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 3:56 PM on February 2, 2008

If you don't mind going back to school - Patent lawyer

or possibly even one step further, work as a patent lawyer for a few years, go back again for an MBA, work for a VC firm or hedge fund doing IP valuation.

You can always go a duel J.D./M.B.A. route and save a few years.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 2:41 PM on January 29, 2008

OP doesn't need to go back to school to become a patent lawyer. It's one of the few legal jobs that demands an engineering degree and NOT a law degree. All he has to do is study for the patent bar. ( patbar )

That's not entirely correct. Taking the patent bar allows you to be a patent agent. So you can draft patent applications and submit them to the USPTO without having a j.d. If you want to do any patent prosecution or patent litigation, you... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 9:34 PM on January 29, 2008

Does that 1k include airfare? Or is it the cost of getting somewhere + 1k?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 3:03 AM on December 30, 2007

I had dreadlocks while living in Chicago. I also had dreadlocks while living in San Diego. So I've dealt with cold and I've dealt with sand. Additionally, my hair also does not naturally lock on it's own, so it did take quite a bit of work.

Putting them in will require time and patience. Helpful friends as well. Check out Dread Head HQ for useful tips and products. Their dreading kit works wonders! Make sure to get the lockpepper as well, it will save you HOURS!... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 5:19 PM on December 17, 2007

The sears tower skydeck is a waste of time. If you want a nice view, just head to the signature lounge on the top floor of the Hancock. You don't have to pay, the view is imo (and in lots of guidebooks opinions) better, and you can eat a tasty dessert/drink something.

Other than that ... its cold out now! Do in door things. The Chicago Art Institute is always nice. For pizza, check out Unos or Giordanos I'm sure other people can recommend some other less mainstream... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 4:34 AM on December 15, 2007

Not to say that this is what's going on or anything ... but I know it is currently finals time for law schools. I'm suffering through it myself right now. This question seems really strange and off the wall - and I hope is not some sort of take home final you might have. (not knowing if you are a law student or anything. I have seen law students ask take home questions on forums before)

So ... if you are a law student, and this is a take home final, this is probably a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 7:13 PM on December 9, 2007

A perusal of my answers in AskMefi strongly suggests I write software for a living.

Yah I thought as much, but you never know. Lots of software people in law school these days. Patents and all.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 7:34 PM on December 9, 2007

That was a great video!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 11:04 PM on November 19, 2007

I've got mine on top of the fridge and there doesn't seem to be any problems with it. Go for it!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 2:56 PM on November 12, 2007

fake - that doesn't do anything :-(
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 1:23 PM on November 10, 2007

I'm so excited you asked this question. Now I don't have to ask it :) I recently moved to Chicago from San Diego, and the weather is quickly dropping. I hate running on treadmills, so a nice winter running guide will be key! (winter sucks! wtf are these "seasons" things anyways?)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 9:04 AM on November 9, 2007

Unbreakable
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 3:56 PM on November 8, 2007

I recall a Japanese movie called "[Someone's] Moving Castle" had a remarkably bad ending.
Howl's Moving Castle! It's a Miyazaki film.
Now that you mention it, I do remember that the ending pissed me off. It was almost as if they got tired of drawing. "I'm sick on animating this damn thing, lets just end it"

Booo!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 4:04 PM on November 8, 2007

I think you could probably take him to small claims court. You had a contract to buy the car. He failed to deliver, there by breaching the contract. You had expenses because of your reliance on the contract that he broke. IANAL but it seems like a pretty good argument for some reliance interest to me.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 10:46 PM on November 5, 2007

I probably should have included this link on Reliance Damages - "Reliance damages are valued by a party's reliance interest for the foreseeable amount. It puts the injured party in the same dollar position as if the contract never happened."
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 10:56 PM on November 5, 2007

I don't at all get how it's clear you've been scammed.

Whether he was scammed or not shouldn't really be an issue for him getting his travel expenses back. The seller broke the contract. Pater should be entitled to some damages.

Call the seller. Ask to see the damages, maybe the damages are really minor and you'd still want the car? If he won't show it to you, something fishy could be going on, but either way... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 11:12 PM on November 5, 2007

Don't even worry about this till you're in law school. You can't pick your first year classes. Lots of people switch practice areas after they start. Focus on the LSAT. Get into a good school. Spend your first year focusing on classes. Get good grades. Worry about what you'll do later.

Once you're actually in law school your career services will put on plenty of "landing your first legal job"/"finding your legal niche"/other crap seminars that... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 8:26 PM on October 30, 2007

This is just begging to become a facebook app!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 11:00 PM on October 9, 2007

Seconding San Diego (although anything coastal in Southern California works as well). Why oh why did I ever move away?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 4:27 PM on October 5, 2007

Yay gang signs! Seriously though .... I hope your brother (1) knows what that means and (2) isn't randomly doing it in certain areas of major cities.

You can spell Crips with your hands too, I just don't remember how to do it :)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 11:09 AM on October 3, 2007

I'm heading into my 2L summer and looking to do this type of work as well, so I'll be watching this closely. Thanks for asking! :)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Arbac at 11:21 AM on October 2, 2007