The Wreck of Old 97

Some (but not all!) versions of The Ballad of Casey Jones are more or less accurate

Probably a number of railroad songs are mappable in some sense.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 7:16 AM on August 8, 2008

The Billionaire Boys Club.

There's this weird story from China:
Yuan, 40, was convicted in January last year of hiring a hit man in a failed plot to kill a business partner who had caused Yuan's company to lose 90 million yuan (US$11 million; euro8 million) in futures trading, according to earlier news reports.

The man who found the hit man for Yuan then blackmailed him, and Yuan paid his brother and then his cousin to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 12:23 AM on August 8, 2008

A certain generation of notebooks got smaller than laptops by having an external connector for floppies and CD-ROMs. If yours is that old, it's probably very cheap to get one (like $10), and it will simplify using it greatly.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 12:04 AM on August 8, 2008

I was born in Chicago, grew up in Wisconsin, and after spending a couple of years in NYC, I moved to Chicago for about 15. Although I loved and miss New York for what it is, I prefer Chicago for many reasons. In a nutshell, it's New York crossed with Midwestern sensibilities.

It's possible that you've been to Toronto. I know that Torontonians consider Chicago to be the closest analogue to themselves in the US.

My view of New York is that for most... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 11:48 PM on August 7, 2008

The DMV/DOT is in the business of getting you in compliance with the law. They are not going to retroactively bill you. Sometimes state troopers (in Illinois, anyway) or local cops will run enforcement actions near DMV centers or courthouses where they try to ding people who get their license taken away or don't get one and then drive off anyway. But there is an expectation of vehicles without tags being driven to DMV centers and without stopping you they can't be sure that you don't have a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 10:28 PM on August 5, 2008

I get this too, but it only bugs me when I've taken a pill in the dark (e.g. only by my computer monitor's light). I also get the residual sensation of a pill being on the back of my tongue or near the top of my throat even when it's gone down correctly, especially with larger pills, which annoys me more.

I think it is a trick of perception. The tongue is designed for locating and moving around stuff in your mouth, and it's better to be overly sensitive than the other... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 1:20 PM on August 5, 2008

I don't think there's a particular name for this, but it's natural that with a trend toward deeper and bolder colors (from pastels and naturals a few years ago) that trim would go lighter. White provides good contrast with almost any color, even a lighter one, and that's popular. White is also a good way to create a constant theme throughout a series of spaces that may be different colors.

Here's an article on the white trend, partly as a result of new technology to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 1:08 PM on August 5, 2008

Dylan's "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35", aka "Everybody Must Get Stoned".

Lots of love's labors lost laments would fit this, because they're implicitly about getting knocked down and getting back up again. Petty's "The Waiting", George Michael's "Faith", The Pretenders' "Back on the Chain Gang".

Springsteen's "No Surrender" is more generic lyrically, but a lot of Born in the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 12:57 PM on August 5, 2008

There's a reason business card designs don't vary much. They're already minimalist.

I would concentrate on having a nice but not obtrusive design, and put all the standard information in that people (and occasionally, software biz-card readers) expect. It's actually showing respect to your customers that you're not trying to be too cute or too pretentious or too anything.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 12:17 PM on August 5, 2008

A non-toxic and inexpensive way to control roaches (and other nasties such as bedbugs) is diatomaceous earth -- the powderized skeletons of diatoms, which scrape open the insect's exoskeleton. It isn't a fast solution, though. Ask at your gardening center.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 9:58 PM on August 3, 2008

Usually herbal, for example, The Smoking Man in The X-Files. They also substitute for joints.

To some extent nonsmoking actors tend to screen themselves out of smoking parts because it's usually in the audition materials. The shots using actual smoke may be limited. On stage some actors may get away with holding but never lighting a cig.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 9:55 PM on August 3, 2008

People wash hardwood floors with water all the time, wisely or not. The paint probably offers ample protection against damage, and you say you plan to refinish anyway, which will pretty much eliminate all but the worst blemishes (and often you need to replace a few boards when you do this regardless; keep in mind that the floor may have been painted because it was already ugly).

If you are exceptionally concerned about locking in moisture, you could go over the carpet... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 11:35 PM on August 2, 2008 marked best answer

Just call his bluff. He's apparently trying to confuse the issue for reasons of his own, but you don't have to play along. Send him a letter outlining the proposed tenant and your rights under the lease and insist that he perform or you will contact a housing attorney.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 11:23 PM on August 2, 2008

Ibrik may be correct, but it still looks like an enamel butter warmer to me -- in fact that looks exactly like the set my parents still have. You can also find many similar under the name dipper, and it overlaps a lot with what is often called a milk pan. These are not unknown to American cookware, in other words.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 9:58 PM on August 1, 2008

In the era of the celebrity anchor, I would say that managing editor and ultimate editorial control are usually and effectively part of the anchor's contract. That doesn't mean they look at everything the way a real operating editor might, but it does mean that there is no editor that can really veto anything the anchor wants to or doesn't want to do.

In Broadcast News, which was written by James L. Brooks based on the experiences of his colleagues at CBS News, which... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 9:33 PM on August 1, 2008 marked best answer

Zodiac (yes, the inflatable raft company) also sells evacuation slides to many aircraft manufacturers through its Air Cruisers subsidiary. It's possible they could hook you up for a one-off.

These guys have "a complete line" of slides as well as rafts, but the former aren't listed online.

This British firm both sells new and repairs and refurbishes existing slides.

As for surplus, this guy is probably as... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 9:25 PM on August 1, 2008

I'm certainly no expert, but this sure sounds like (the male version of) lesbian bed death^.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 10:14 PM on July 30, 2008

TTLB was a minor neo-con "war blog" some years ago, started this blogging ecosystem thing, then quit and went inactive so it was taken over by another site -- which itself quit in 2003. The ecosystem rankings are probably accurate by the system he (N.Z. Bear, who claims to be a professional writer/editor) uses but it's a very narrow snapshot of the internet that emanates outward, essentially, from Instapundit, and thereby misses galaxies and universes full of blogs devoted to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 10:43 PM on July 28, 2008

You may be reading too much into this. Bilbao was a unique case in some ways, but there were a lot of factors beyond just the building. It wasn't just a museum, it was the first European arm of the Guggenheim. It was in a city ripe for tourism experiencing a lull in the long Basque separatist violence that gave the region a bad reputation. Spain was finally booming after 15 to 20 years of playing catch-up with the rest of Europe economically. It showed up in a James Bond movie. And so on.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 9:59 PM on July 26, 2008

Floyd Collins, not that he had an opportunity to take real advantage.

Catherine O'Leary.

The Loud Family. They knew they were in a documentary, they had no idea it would fascinate the entire country.

Louise Woodward. Elian. Monica Lewinsky. Numerous other criminal or legal cases that became temporary sensations. The Little Rock Nine.

Sgt. York. The Dionne quints.

Even... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 1:42 AM on July 26, 2008 marked best answer

Related: Dude, especially the external links.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 11:30 PM on July 20, 2008

This is actually called an "identity rhyme" or just an "identity". It came up in last year's limerick thread.

I found Morrissey's best same-word rhymes. I have tip-of-my-tongue memories of these somewhere in the oeuvres of Bob Dylan, Trent Reznor, and even a pretty famous Tin Pan Alley song, but I can't dredge any of them up at the moment.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 11:04 PM on July 20, 2008

I have a similar problem. A relative's PC didn't like my nephew's camera, so I uninstalled HP ImageZone -- but the PC was HP brand and came with their photo management software, so I must have broken something deep down. For two weeks .NET has been trying to reinstall. Not exactly the same thing, but as the forum link from paulsc says something in the deep logic seems to be broken.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 11:53 PM on July 19, 2008

I think you are depressed, and I think cognitive therapy could help you. Your post shows several areas of self-demeaning cognitive "errors" that you could learn to correct. A good place to start is Dr. David Burns's Feeling Good website and books, which have been recommended many times on AskMe.

For instance, you say that you lost track of some of the early material in a book you were reading. But then you jump to the conclusion that this means you are... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 11:44 PM on July 19, 2008

Yeah, it's easy to make those things disappear from the default view. Check this first.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 12:33 AM on July 17, 2008

I've had bladder issues before. The durn thing runs on automatic most of our lives, but it annoyingly has a psychological component. You can literally "teach" yourself to have bad urination habits. Sometimes there are things you can do to your diet (as taff notes). But you can also start doing things like making sure you have a really good pee before you go to bed, and peeing thoroughly whenever you do so. It's like a rechargeable battery with... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 12:32 AM on July 17, 2008

So you're saying a public forum had a transcript posted of an IRC discussion you thought was secure. But you don't believe one of the participants deliberately leaked the info.

But were any of them using unsecured computers or wireless networks? What about trojans and rootkits on their "secure" computers? What about memory sticks or that sort of thing?

It seems to me if you have no evidence of intrusion you must consider another route... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 12:22 AM on July 17, 2008

I think you're looking at this the wrong way. It's not so much that you want to kill your lawn, you just want it to be less aggressive.

First, back off on whatever fertilization you're doing. Just as you should cut your feeder rate in half when you hit shade, cut it back here because the grass obviously doesn't need as much. (In fact, I wonder if half the problem isn't so much just water as it is nitrogen runoff from another lawn. You may want to look uphill and see what... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 1:10 AM on July 16, 2008

I would say that if in doubt, do not assume that any outside lane permits a right turn. It appears to be illegal in Wisconsin, for example. The places I know that it would be possible (if it were legal) have explicit signage and red turn signals prohibiting it.

If you're planning on turning right, and you believe you'll get stopped by the light, then move into the rightmost lane. Traffic is moving, anyway, isn't it?... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 2:53 PM on July 13, 2008 marked best answer

I agree that those may well be adequate, but they would not bring me peace of mind the way that molly bolts or toggle bolts would.

The other downside of those is removal. I always feel wasteful when I'm dropping part of the anchor into the wall ... forever.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 12:04 AM on July 13, 2008

I used to have a car with no passenger side mirror, and people used to ask me if it broke off (in Chicago, narrow streets meant lots of mirror KIAs).

But really, I think it was normal until 1980 or so to have only one mirror. By 1990 or so it was normal to have both. But it's still not required.

Still, if it's actual damage, it's pretty easy to fix. I'd do it. I doubt you'll be pulled over randomly because of it, though.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 11:59 PM on July 12, 2008

Speaking as a landlord: Remove the carpet. If you can't, then shampoo it. Using the anti-smell (maybe "pet odor") formula. Twice. If you have a furnace/AC for your unit, make sure you change the filter. Wash down every wall surface using an appropriate cleaner.

I don't understand why you CAN'T paint the walls or ceiling, as long as it's the same color the landlord used. Generally this rule is because people do wacky things like paint it black or fluorescent... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 11:55 PM on July 12, 2008

She needs a bankruptcy lawyer and fast, like yesterday. Wheels are in motion and if she doesn't know what wheels are turning, how fast, and whether or not she's going to be under them when they reach her, she's gonna get creamed.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 11:44 PM on July 12, 2008

It really isn't (too good to be true). I speak only from second hand knowledge, but there is a whole gamut of HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies. They're sort of like Habitat for Humanity Lite. Basically, at the lowest level, there are neighborhoods that have foundations and non-profits dedicated to local betterment. One of these local goods is widely recognized as home ownership. Thus, there are federal monies and mortgage programs available, and these places exist to provide you with... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 11:42 PM on July 12, 2008

The bit in the linked article where he has an asterisk to the footnote "Actually not that bad" speaks volumes.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 11:38 PM on July 12, 2008

What's been said above is good. As a jaded veteran of the good-neighborhood-gone-bad wars, absolutely call the cops every time you have a halfway decent excuse. (They may not want you to call 911 for a noise complaint, but they sure will for a fight.)

The other part of the equation is the community response. How many of your neighbors do you know? How many of them call the cops? How many of them have complained to the landlord?

Outside your... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 11:32 PM on July 12, 2008

I have experienced depression, and I live about four blocks from a place where a robbery of an elderly man took place in broad daylight.

Yet I am not experiencing (crime-related) anxiety. It is a matter of mindset. Your mind is playing cognitive tricks on you and you need to find ways to counter those tricks. The standby here at AskMe is David Burns' Feeling Good. In the early chapters you will learn some of the tropes or tricks that are bad habits your mind has fallen... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 11:20 PM on July 12, 2008

Portugal's nationalist ideology was pretty much blown to bits by the end of the monarchy, the Estado Novo fascist regime, and then the Carnation Revolution and decolonization. In general, European nationalism in the modern era is quite mild compared to American nationalism, which has suffered fewer turns of fate by an order of magnitude. We measure ourselves by the "good wars" we fought, the Civil War and World War II in particular, while our less-proud moments are... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 11:09 PM on July 12, 2008 marked best answer

Circuit Court Cook County Online Case Search -- Traffic
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 1:43 AM on July 12, 2008

I think you're looking at traveling by cargo ship. You can go what's called "working passage" and actually make some spending money for the time ashore, or on a select few freighters you can actually pay for a passenger berth.

Otherwise, it's pretty expensive.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 12:29 AM on July 11, 2008

Lebannen, perhaps my comments should have more precisely reflected the links, but working a passage is possible in limited circumstances.

Here's a review of a related book, Work Your Way Around the World. Working passage used to be quite common, but has declined for probably the very same regulatory reasons you cite.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 1:27 AM on July 12, 2008

It was not in the original sheet music.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 12:50 AM on July 11, 2008 marked best answer

peachfuzz, if she had insurance, the insurance company would be suing the firebug. If she doesn't, it's the only real choice. We can all regret his negligence, but it was nonetheless negligence.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 12:32 AM on July 11, 2008

Press charges. As noted, you don't have a good kid who's made a few mistakes. You have a full-fledged klepto on your hands, one who doesn't seem to care about getting caught or any sort of consequences.

You have the honor of showing him some.

I know, you're reluctant, because you're not his parents. His parents should be the ones to show him. But one is showing him by being in prison, and the other is probably enabling the hell... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 12:56 AM on July 4, 2008

The architects may create an architectural model of the building. See if he can get it afterward.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 5:23 PM on July 2, 2008

According to the Encarta Book of Quotations, the first is Attrib., meaning they didn't have a firm grasp of the origin either. Its earliest publication per Google Books is in Uncle John's Bathroom Reader, which is not particularly encouraging.

I found no corroboration of the Franklin quote in Google Books, which makes me think it's just a recent misattribution.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 9:36 PM on June 29, 2008

Ah. Poor Richard's Almanac does have:

Glass, China and Reputation
are easily cracked
and never well mended.

I believe it unlikely that Franklin had another similar aphorism about reputation. Also note that it just doesn't sound very 18th century.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 9:40 PM on June 29, 2008 marked best answer

Quite apart from the technical issues is this basic conundrum.

Table saws, when used correctly, are generally safe.

Expensive table saws are purchased by people with enough investment (as a profession or a hobby) that they take safety seriously already.

Cheap table saws, on the other hand ....

This is an argument that could also be applied to many other safety devices, of course, but in general I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 12:29 AM on June 29, 2008

I would have to say either ADD or a mild auditory learning disability. My father and my brother were never good with learning in the classroom -- they didn't learn the material unless they took notes. My brother pursued careers where he could learn things by example and then demonstrate his knowledge, from being a Navy boiler mechanic to driving a train.

I think this is especially noteworthy because the majority of movies ARE written for lower-attention audiences these... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 12:10 AM on June 29, 2008

Everywhere I go I see vehicles for sale, and mostly SUVs and other large vehicles (not to mention boats and RVs and what have you). It's a buyer's market out there. No matter what KBB says, they are probably running behind local conditions because they have to have reports to base their price on.

I'd say if you need to sell it, you're going to have to drop your price.
posted to Ask Metafilter by dhartung at 11:28 PM on June 25, 2008