Some nice replys.

@vilcxjo_BLANKA: awesome answer. Thanks again to everyone, and I'm certainly open for more suggestions.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 6:17 AM on March 19, 2008

Handsome's self-titled release. Drives me nuts.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 12:31 PM on March 12, 2008

Back in my hardcore bodybuilding days, I would gain 20+ lbs in less than 48 hours using the ketogenic diet and glycogen supercompensation. The amazing thing was I didn't gain an ounce of fat - it just revved up my metabolism even hotter.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 1:23 PM on February 21, 2008

I'll disagree with the martial arts suggestion, having taken it myself. Martial arts will make you fit, give you more confidence, and maybe give you a better chance in a fight - but it's very possible to know martial arts and still be a gushy spineless wimp.

Being assertive, having morals (which is completely unfashionable these days) and looking people straight in the eyes while you tell them exactly how you feel [albeit considerately] is way tougher in my opinion.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 4:55 AM on February 9, 2008

@mpls2: I'm just looking for something to give me a bit of a positive mental zip. I like anecdotes and success stories, and even interviews with successful people.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 1:16 PM on February 3, 2008

Personally, I wouldn't trust HR to keep a secret. HR will sell you out in a second because, quite frankly, they know which way their bread is buttered.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 2:06 PM on February 2, 2008

Some very helpful answers thus far. Thank you.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 8:22 PM on January 26, 2008

4th result for ballard pornography nature

I don't know how the heck I missed that. But thank you.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 7:14 PM on January 18, 2008

At age 45, you should already know your strengths and talents, so I suggest making your mark now by utilizing a favorite talent. Call it synergy, call it momentum, call it whatever you want - but I personally don't think it's a good idea to learn something completely new and off-the-wall like programming regular expressions in perl in this stage in the game. I don't even suggest you visit a foreign land. You've got some skills, now use them.

When... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 5:05 PM on December 30, 2007

Wow, I'm glad you asked this question, since my cat is going through a very similar behaviour right now. I don't know if she's in heat or if she's just kind of high strung and slightly neurotic (I love her anyway).

Anyhoo, I believe a single cat would appreciate another cat around. My first cat Autumn would wait by the patio window for hours for the neighbour's cat to drop by, and they always had fun together (neighbour has since moved away). I did eventually get... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 5:40 AM on December 29, 2007

What are "inferior devices"? Parchment? Feather quills? Or do mean something like scratching a novel onto a prison wall with a toothpick?

Yes, yes and absolutely.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 10:48 AM on December 28, 2007

The answers I've gotten so far are amazing.

cerebus19: Any real-life examples of literary works written on "looseleaf paper, index cards, napkins, the backs of photos, the interiors of other books, and other miscellaneous scraps" as Rhaomi put it would be awesome.

Again, some good answers thus far.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 11:13 AM on December 28, 2007

Schweet! Some great answers here. Thanks for everyone's input!
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 2:33 PM on December 28, 2007

Metropolis was based on Toronto (not a US city, I know) and I believe Gotham was based on Detroit.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 10:53 AM on December 28, 2007

I suggest vigorous exercise (weight lifting, running, what have you) to get those happy hormones flowing. Also, I recommend staying VERY busy from now on. Set some relatively short-term goals and dive right in.

Whatever you do - stay busy, busy, BUSY!
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 4:18 PM on December 27, 2007

I suggest being supportive and excited. She still has to carry the baby for 9 months, so she'll need whatever support she can get (as she is probably pretty nervous about the whole thing).
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 4:13 PM on December 27, 2007

gauchodaspampas and burnmp3s: She doesn't like to wear headphones, because when she sings along to the song, she says she sounds stupid. I agreed with her (jokingly of course).

cashman: I do that all the time ;) Problem is, I'm starting to know the lyrics to these songs (but then I get my revenge by singing them to her, even when we're walking down the street together. Drives her nuts.

I think you're on the right track... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 8:47 AM on December 17, 2007

It might be the way your sleeping Ashley. Sleeping on your face will do it everytime.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 2:17 AM on December 17, 2007

gradient, don't channel your relationship angst on the dog. The dog really has nothing to do with it. It never had a choice. The issue is with the girlfriend.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 3:14 AM on December 15, 2007

Wow. Now I can speak french. It feels awesome being bilingual.

Thanks everyone.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 5:44 PM on November 26, 2007

Yes, schadenfreude. I want to know German now. The women will go mad with desire!
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 5:48 PM on November 26, 2007

Clarification: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary/ Encyclopaedia Britannica online did work - just not in Internet Explorer (imagine that). In Firefox it worked fine.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 6:00 PM on November 26, 2007

A&L is cool, but the stories seem a little too familiar. Popurls is rss heaven, and it used to be my homepage. Maybe I should add it in the mix again.

As for Neatorama, Mental Floss and Morning News: brilliant!
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 2:28 PM on November 15, 2007

Thanks everyone for the input so far, and I'll be checking back on the thread from time to time (as I'm sure many other people will too).
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 3:19 AM on November 16, 2007

You probably haven't been straight forward with him. Look him straight in the eyes and tell him you're not interested in joining his faith and you feel uncomfortable accepting gifts from him. End of story.

No need to call the military or hide a baseball bat under your pillow.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 5:32 AM on November 9, 2007

Honestly, most people (I'm talking 98%) don't make jack from affiliate marketing. It's the truth. You either have to be a complete idiot or extremely persistant and clever to make a decent buck in ad-based/affiliate marketing.

Anyone who tells you differently is lying.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 4:36 AM on November 5, 2007

My last post kinda didn't make sense (I'm one of those complete idiots I was referring to).

What I meant to say is that you'd have to be a complete idiot or be an extremely clever and persistant individual to think you can eek some sort of living from online affiliate marketing. I've done it, and I liken it to being a Chinese rice farmer in the middle of nowhere, toiling long hours for pennies a day. There is a distinct difference however: a Chinese rice farmer is... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 4:57 AM on November 5, 2007

Thanks for your excellent responses everyone.
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 3:10 PM on October 11, 2007

PoopyDoop,
Could you give me some links to blooks so I know what you mean?
-John
posted to Ask Metafilter by survivorman at 10:18 PM on October 3, 2007