to answer 2-

-a major newbie mistake is not to properly check the ground before pitching your tent. If you don't, you will probably get stuck with a lovely tree root or a stone right where your head wants to be. Not fun!

-things which must be brought: definitely bug repellant. It is your friend! and tons of sunscreen. A good sleeping bag is a must, and they last forever if you put the money into one (mine has lasted me for 14 years now, and I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 5:51 PM on June 29, 2008

dang, Razzle Bathbone got there before me.

This Hour is really good, although Rick Mercer made it really good (he left the show to pursue his solo effort the Monday Report)

Canada also has some incredibly good stand up comedy shows, if you're interested, such as Just for Laughs (from Montreal), and the Halifax Comedy Festival (collections of clips from many stages in Halifax during... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 4:30 PM on June 29, 2008 marked best answer

I can't believe people are recommending Goderich! (I was born there!!!) But I absolutely second it. It's a lovely small town, and not too far from this great valley type thing with a wooden bridge across it. On the bridge are names of people who sponsored it, and my name's on there somewhere... not that that particularly matters, but it's a lovely spot to just walk around and see natury-things.

What about Kingston? It's very touristy, but also quite pretty (also, mefi me... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 8:25 PM on June 22, 2008

how about marshmallows and black licorice, either mini marshmallows with little black nibs or something, or melt the marshmallows over top. Actually, come to think of it, this actually sounds strangely delicious, and now I want some! (but can't have them due to the late hour.. *sigh*)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 8:15 PM on June 22, 2008

There's a man near where my parents live whose house burned down not that long ago. He didn't have insurance and had very little money to begin with, so now he's living in his basement with a very shaky structure and tarping serving as a roof overtop. That's the first time I've seen a basement as a house, and it's definitely not a construction "style" in this case, but a matter of emergency.

The town (which is very small) had a fundraiser to try and help him... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 8:56 PM on June 19, 2008

My job is rather special, in that we're a group of students who get dressed in military uniform circa 1867 and march around and do drill/artillery/music performances to match the era. As you might guess, we have LOTS of traditions, including:

-rain dances when it's about to rain
-a certain object which is "stolen" by the drill squad periodically
-wild parties every wednesday (and monday, and most saturdays, and some thursdays)... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 9:00 AM on June 14, 2008

Seconding opera glasses. They're classy.

As an opera lover myself, I would actually appreciate dvds of live operas. They're expensive enough (usually around 40$ for a 3 hour opera) to make it a good present.

Otherwise, tickets are good, OR the IOU of a ticket for when he travels to a city which has a really good opera company.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 2:53 PM on June 10, 2008

I didn't really read through the other anecdotes (heh..., sorry). I just wanted to say that the way I finally ended up feeling comfortable with myself was by no longer caring what other people think of me, but not in an arrogant way. So basically, if I feel like going and playing on a play structure (I'm approaching 20 and still have a tendency to do this), then I will, and I don't give a shit if other people think I'm weird because of it. However, I do mind if people think I'm mean or something,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 9:04 PM on June 5, 2008

to all who recommended Gold Bond: I'm definitely going to try that, thanks!

To mendel: definitely not possible to alter the uniform (note the historical accuracy part, and the pants alone cost 400$ each!!!! I'd have issues explaining that to the Quarter master)

To allieger: I'll keep that in mind, do they have their own website? I want to see if they sell in Canada.

to fshgrl and beerbajay: If I had enough money to get... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 4:47 PM on June 1, 2008

desuetude: linen and cotton are notoriously fire-catching... we play with gun powder, so that would be a safety infraction (sadly)

I think i'm going to go with the gold bond ultimate comfort powder stuff, I don't want cancer!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 3:08 PM on June 2, 2008

the wikipedia article gives lots of nice information (I didn't read through it all, sorry, but it does seem lengthy!)

Also, it seems like Berlin would be within a fairly easy day trip distance... Berlin is far and beyond my favourite city in the world as of yet, and would be well worth the visit (although you might end up wanting to stay there for longer than one day!)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 6:37 PM on May 24, 2008

nthing leftovers.

I spent last summer eating frozen meals, then discovered to my great surprise that one frozen meal didn't even fill up my little thermos!!!! which would explain why I felt hungry most of last summer (very physically exerting job)

Anyways, I'm currently living very well off 50$ canadian per week for food, for one very hungry and active young woman. My typical lunch is something either in tupperware or heated in a thermos, usually... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 6:33 PM on May 24, 2008

maybe try classified adds? Or, alternatively, if you friend has facebook (or something similar), tell them to put a request into the area's marketplace. There's probably someone there who wants to sell a bike.

I know this isn't the most helpful, since I don't know exactly where to get one, but bikes are really popular in Europe, so I have no doubt that you friend would be able to find one very easily at a very decent (read: low) price.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 8:48 PM on May 19, 2008

the key here is family... if my parents and grandparents got livejournal and/or facebook, I think the sun would freeze over!!!

I used a livejournal blog last time I travelled, and it worked fine (so it's a last resort) but I want a bit more security while still allowing my internet-unsavy relatives access...
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 7:49 PM on April 28, 2008

I considered a mailing list, but I don't know if people's emails will be big enough to handle video and pictures... it's also on my list of possibilities, of course, and I might combine it with Flickr... but the last thing I want to do is read through long reply emails from people on my trip when I can read through comments more quickly...

I'm going to investigate yahoo groups and wordpress, though.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 8:27 PM on April 28, 2008

yeah, loiseau, that was my worry about email.

Typepad seems what I'm looking for, and I'd be willing to pay for it if I can't find a free option... anyone know of one?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 9:36 PM on April 28, 2008

library! complete with leather chairs, floor to ceiling book shelves and a ladder that moves back and forth along a track :D
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 10:30 PM on April 27, 2008

Is this the kind of surgery that requires a bowel movement to be released? If so, I suggest dates. Got my step-dad out of the hospital nice and quickly after double-hip surgery.

Otherwise, a good book, favourite food (cookies? jelly beans?), maybe a mini DVD player and some good movies? (this last one is expensive, I know, but if you have one lying around it might be useful)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 11:00 AM on April 20, 2008

Bridge over the river Kwai

Chariots of Fire

seconding Pink Panther, those movies are incredible

thirding Harold and Maude!

(19 year old girl here, and I loved all these movies when my mum "forced" me to watch them)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 6:08 AM on April 20, 2008

Bring them to a shelter or daycare or some other place which has kids and might not have the money to buy too many books.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 1:26 PM on April 19, 2008

Fuschl am See (not sure about the spelling) is a tiny town outside Salzburg... it's not the most exciting of towns, but it's very pretty and very typical-Austrian. And it has really pretty mountains surrounding it (sadly I don't have any pictures on this computer).

When I was there, it was march (break) and everything was pretty closed down, but by the looks of the town it's quite possible that it becomes more popular over the summer.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 5:09 PM on April 18, 2008

seconding Salzburg. It has beautiful architecture, history, touristy things, and a pretty happening night life (including an irish pub!!!)

It also has the original Mozart chocolate store. mmmmmm. This is the second time in two days that I've pimped mozart chocolates, and now I REALLY want one.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 12:24 PM on April 18, 2008

Oh, and a bunus: the train ride from Munich to Salzburg is breathtakingly gorgeous.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 12:25 PM on April 18, 2008 marked best answer

Be careful with using the Eurorail pass because you will may have to pay a reservation fee for some travels (Eurorail passes are never purchased by Europeans, mainly for this reason....)

That being said, when I was backpacking through Europe my favourite cities were Berlin, Vienna and Saltzburg.

Berlin is lovely and much less "big-city-ish" than, say, Paris and London. And you'll find the prices are much cheaper there than in other... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 5:18 PM on April 17, 2008 marked best answer

Oh, all these cities have hostels. Mefi mail me if you want some recommendations :)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 5:19 PM on April 17, 2008

Another Czesky type of place is Brugges in Belgium. Also sleepy, has all that belgium has to offer (mmmm waffles and chocolate) but smaller and much prettier than Brussels. (and cheaper!)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 6:54 PM on April 17, 2008

I had a couple of others!

Hyeres, a small town in the south of France, right on the Mediterranean... I think it's about an hour fron Niece, but I'm not entirely sure.

nthing Heidelberg... it's where I'm going next year for school, and I have yet to hear a bad thing about it. It wasn't touched by world war II, it's university was built in teh 1300s, and it's supposed to be absolutely lovely!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 8:13 AM on April 18, 2008

Congrats to grandma!!!

When my Great-Grandma turned 100, all her grand kids pitched in to make her a family tree with caligraphy which started from her and decended to my generation. Although I suppose this takes more planning than you have time to give, she was really appreciative.

Also, my uncle gave her a shawl made of alpaca wool which came from his alpacas he raises in New Zealand. Again, not something which might be appropriate here, the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 5:05 PM on April 17, 2008

There's a blind girl on my campus, and she uses a seeing eye dog (absolutely gorgeous, I must say) and usually has a friend around to help her. I don't actually know her personally, but whenever I've seen her around campus she's had her dog lead in one hand, and a friend on the other arm...
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 10:36 AM on April 16, 2008

Getting mad at your doctor is not the answer here. You might have convinced yourself that you have ADD (medical/psychology student's syndrom), when you actually ARE suffering from stress.

IANAD, but if you're really so dead set on having ADD, I suggest getting a second oppinion. Don't just ditch your doctor for incompetence, but you can easily get a diagnosis from a specialist. However, as far as I know (in Psychology at least), you should have been suffering from this... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 11:55 AM on April 15, 2008

If she turned 40 lbs of fat into 40lbs of muscle, she wouldn't weigh more, she'd look the same but disturbingly thinner and full of toned muscles. As far as I'm concerned, if your friend was happy with her body before, then the trainer was totally out of place in telling her to work out. There's healthy and then there's rediculous. Also, women need a certain body fat percentage to actually MENSTRUATE, so this could do far more damage than good (although IANAD and I don't know your friend's body... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 8:21 AM on April 15, 2008

how about that photo with US soldiers raising a US flag on a pole in ... uh... vietman? on a bit of rock somewhere (I'm not american, please excuse the ignorance) It was the first one to come to mind when I thought of instantly recognizeable pictures from history, and shouldn't be too hard... just find some sort of flag on a pole
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 10:20 AM on April 14, 2008

thanks, Static Vagabond... Sadly my American history consisted of a year in high school where we never got beyond 1920. At least I had the right part of the world, right? (wrong)

I had a few other thoughts:

-the birth of Venus
-Michelangelo's David
-the kiss in Time Square from... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 10:49 AM on April 14, 2008 marked best answer

candy. definitely candy. It helps.

Make sure there are bright colours and stuff to attract the stragglers, as well as the important interactive information for people who are actually intent to study computer science. Having a tv set up with an example of a game playing would be cool, if possible, or even a couple of laptops playing different games/web design examples (sort of in a power point format)

Doing it solo might be a challenge if there... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 10:02 AM on April 14, 2008

Sober people do everything the same as non-sober people do... just, you know, sober. I'm not an addict to anything drug or alcohol related, so I probably don't have the proper view on this, but I've always been able to go to a bar and have fun without having a drink. Video games are great, but it's a very singular way of passing time. I suggest she join some sort of club where she can socialize in an environment where alcohol and drugs aren't front and center. There have been one or two people... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 6:33 PM on April 13, 2008

eye brow waxing and facial/beauty products.

I worked at an AVEDA spa for a year, and the pampering I got as a result of free eye brow waxing and being able to take home products over night (not to mention ordering stuff on the way cheap) was well worth the hell I got while working there. Student budgets, sadly, make me unable to afford the 30$ shampoo and 100mL bottles of face wash. Store-bought stuff just doesnt equate. 17$ was also well worth the eyebrow wax quality I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 6:17 PM on April 13, 2008

These IKEA frames have been around for AGES (I used to paint them when I was 10). They're plain, they're cheap, they come in many different sizes (although the site lists them in cm, I'm sure it would be easy enough to transfer... My photos have always fit in them), and you can stain them or paint them in any colours you want.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 10:21 AM on April 13, 2008

fun: twister.. clothes optional? scavanger hunt with um.. "fun" clues and prizes, pillow fight?

romantic: follow the rosepetals to x place (bath, breakfast in bed, something sweet)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 12:19 PM on April 12, 2008

You should probably go see your doctor, because it might be something very easy to fix medically, such as an allergy, or a vitamin deficiency. On top of the B vitamins, or instead of, you might have an iron deficiency. I know when I don't take my iron tablets every day for a few days I start being groggy when I wake up, even when I've had hours of great sleep.

A simple blood test could rule out vitamin B and iron deficiencies, and an allergy test could rule out common... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 8:30 AM on April 11, 2008

not a new yorker, but a canadian like yourself. The main thing that I found was to j-walk... all the time.. unless in immediate danger of being hit by a car. It was obvious who the tourists were because they WEREN'T j-walking, so that helped me a lot.

As a side not, and as a Canadian, go see the Virgin records store in Time Square. The classical music section alone is larger than the small-to-medium sized HMVs. It's impressive.

Have fun!!! NY is a great city.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 12:33 PM on April 10, 2008

another thing as a foreigner in the city: be careful of the fact that some trains with the same number or letter end up in different places! I ended up in.. Rockefeller something in an attempt to get to the airport. Thankfully, as Hermitosis said, the people are friendly, and I got kindly directed to the correct train (good thing I was a few hours early!!!)

Also beware that there are both "local" and "express" trains. The A-train that I got FROM the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 12:48 PM on April 10, 2008

My dad lives in toronto, although I only visit him about four or five times a year. Down town toronto is pretty vibrant, and (as easterblot says) Toronto Island offers a lovely getaway (and a GREAT skyline, especially when there are thunderstorms.... that's a bit of another story though).

China town in Toronto is really cool, and has great fruit and veggies, and great chinese food, of course.

You might want to take a serious look at the crime... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 3:45 PM on April 9, 2008

There is absolutely not a shooting every few days, although the news media loves to sensationalize the gun violence that occurs, it is actually quite low and mostly localized outside of the downtown core.

sorry, I should've added the caveate that the media broadcasts a shooting every two days (I don't actually live in Toronto, so I just get what is shown on TV). For a city with an immalgamated 5 million person population, it's still extremely safe,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 4:14 PM on April 9, 2008

whatever you do, don't use AXE to cover it up! that will do far more damage than good.

Similar to what amtho is proposing, but a bit more far-fetched, is it possible to keep your clothes at work or in your car? I know this sounds REDICULOUS, but what if you had fresh clothes, nice and clean and fresh smelling out of the dryer that you keep in the car, then change either on the way to work or when you get there? in a bathroom or something. The cloth tends to absorb more... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 7:38 PM on April 7, 2008

Most (if not all) universities have policies banning teacher-student relationships, although i'm not sure if it extends to teaching assistants. This is mainly to discourage any sort of favouring.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 10:06 PM on April 6, 2008

I'm not sure if this is applicable to you, but this program runs volunteer abroad programs to various third world and developing countries. You have to pay THEM, however, so it might not appeal, but it would look very good on a resume.

This is the page dealing with medical and health volunteering.

I've wanted to do this program for a few years but have never had the time/money to participate. I hope you end up finding what you're looking for :)... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 1:18 PM on April 3, 2008

When I'm too tired to do anything involving reading, I use this little simple stir fry recipe:

-chicken breast
-chopped veggies (fresh or frozen)
-oil
-soy sauce
-some form of stir fry sauce

Stick chopped chicken breasts in soy sauce and oil, wait until brown-ish, throw in veggies, coat in sauce, wait until yummy-looking, serve on rice and chow down.

Also, you can stir fry... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 7:55 PM on March 31, 2008

I say go for the bacon. A little bit of fat every so often is not going to clog your arteries (although IANAD so I wouldn't want to put huge amounts of money on that). If you balance it out right, for instance eating bacon with a salad, or only having bacon for breakfast once a month/two weeks/whatever you decide, you should be fine :).

Now I want bacon...
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 1:55 PM on March 31, 2008

HEY i didn't say "indie rock" i said MAYBE :P as in I've never heard them on mainstream radio stations (sorry loiseau!)

and I've never heard of prog rock, so thanks ludwiv_van for that title... that will help me find similar sounding stuff.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 2:34 PM on March 29, 2008

or, rather, i said "sort of"... BIG difference... in my world... in my head... if I hadn't said indie, would it have made a difference in the answers?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Planet F at 2:41 PM on March 29, 2008