Ask MetaFilter questions in the sports, hobbies, & recreation category

What are good coop games for tweens on iOS for a road trip?

Addlepated — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:49:12 -0800

What games would tweens (11-13) like to play together on an iPad or coop with their own iPods during a road trip? Are there other non-electronic games you recommend for road tripping? We have Rubberneckers, which is fun up to a point, as is the alphabet game. There are only so many DVDs they will watch. They've both got iThingies, but I'd like for them to interact with each other and/or us rather than be nose-deep in their own screens, oblivious to the world. Family time and such.

Help me make OUR day the best day ever...

schade — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:16:29 -0800

Where can I find either quality empty settings in silver or 8mm and 6mm cut slabs of Amethyst larger than 9 square inches in area; the latter preferably from the Four Peaks Mine in Arizona, USA? My SO (MuChao) wants a hand-fasting; I want to make our rings beforehand from some of the beautiful 'Deep Amethyst' from the Four Peaks mine in Arizona.

The original idea was to carve rings from solid stone, but would consider getting a nice setting and putting smaller chunks in said setting. We had also chosen a stone (purpurite) which we both loved; but, in the end, it proved quite brittle when coring out the center hole to the proper size.

I could use the stone I have if I end up going the setting route, but would love to find the cut slabs for making one piece stone rings. I do have access to the proper lapidary tools to so what I want.

How easy is to to cheat with dice?

Cannon Fodder — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:19:00 -0800

Rolling a standard six sided dice, how easy would it be for someone to roll it in a way that makes sixes (or any number) come up more frequently? Would it be obvious if someone was doing it?

Cheap fishing lures?

KokuRyu — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:52:37 -0800

What are some good, cheap fishing lures for saltwater fishing in the PNW? I've just taken up saltwater fishing with my eldest son (he loves it). We fish off a breakwater (a popular fishing spot with access to ling cod, rockfish and Chinook salmon). There is a deep, rocky bottom, with spots that are free of kelp.

However, sometimes the lure drifts into kelp, and, more often than not, gets snagged.

We've been using buzz bombs, and losing one to the kelp hurts - they're $4 apiece.

Is there a cheaper lure I can use or make? I noticed you can buy packs of little rubber squid lures for a couple of bucks, which seems more economical. But their is no shot (weight) or hook. Should I just try to make a lure?

Any ideas?

Endgame tools for a cyclist trying to bike down every street in a city?

jjjjjjjijjjjjjj — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:03:47 -0800

For the past year I've been trying to bike down every street in St Louis. In the beginning this was easy and wide-open and fun. The middle has been less so. Now, sitting at ≈65% completion [map: zoomable | 1.5mb png | GPX] my current approach has become overwhelming and tedious, and is no longer working; I need to get way smarter about this. How would a programmer, a mathematician, or a GIS/transit specialist approach this endgame, and what tools/software would he/she use? This is getting much harder, and my return on time spent has trended towards unsustainable. I gotta make some big changes. I need help with: 01) overall approach, and 02) tools/software that'd make it most easy. I'd give myself a budget of $200 for this (but would range up to twice that if there was an amazing/transcendent solution).

As you can tell by the map, I've pretty much hit up all the low-hanging fruit, in regards to easy, gridded streets. This leaves me with a maze of irregular streets and a daunting number of small missed streets.

To this point I've just made a simple cue sheet marking the boundaries of what I'd be doing that day. But as of late these cue sheets have become tedious and hyper-specific and a chore to make, and a bigger chore to follow.

If this were 6 years into the future, a great solution might be a Google Glass sort of deal that'd highlight unridden streets as green, or something... but I'm trying to finish this before winter.

Three notes framing the problem (feel free to ask if other info would be helpful):

I don't have a car, but have access to a robust transit system [map: 2.6mb PDF], and can take the bike on all buses and trains.

I live in the centrally-located Shaw neighborhood.

Preferred ride lengths are in the 20mi-30mi range 4×/week, and a 40mi-50mi ride 1-2×/week.

List of tools I currently have/use:

Garmin Edge 500 GPS

Android smartphone w/GPS

Strava Pro account w/GPX export: [profile | GPX for all rides]

GRASS, QGIS, Google Earth, etc, with "C-" skills at employing each.

A 10-year-old and never-professionally-used Geography/GIS undergraduate degree. I bring this up to say that I can grok geospatial things well enough, but couldn't begin to develop tools, and shouldn't be trusted to be adept at their use.

So programmers, mathematicians, GIS/transit folks: thanks in advance for your insight and your expertise. If I've left out anything important -- and I bet I have -- please don't hesitate to ask. Many thanks.

Help name my political story game!

hayvac — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:20:35 -0800

I'm writing a tongue-in-cheek tabletop RPG about a bunch of soulless backstabbing ladder-climbers trying to become the leader of a group. It needs a name. The game is a GM-less, single-sitting, story-style tabletop RPG like Fiasco. One player starts as the leader of the group and wins by holding on for three full rounds -- the other players win by dislodging him or her and becoming the leader themselves. Players score points by successfully manipulating other players, and then use the points to move themselves up the ladder.

Even though I think of the game as political, it is deliberately setting-agnostic. I want players to be able to play as ancient Roman senators, British MPs in the 1950s, members of a motorcycle gang, command staff of a nuclear submarine, etc.

The game isn't meant to be serious and I'm looking for a name that captures the idea of political back-biting, amoral ladder-climbing, false loyalty, etc. In short, something cute and derogatory. Unfortunately, I'm coming up blank and I'd be grateful for any suggestions!

How do I make a busy box for my baby?

TryTheTilapia — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 07:42:20 -0800

Help me make a big box of awesome. My ten month old baby loves velcro, textured fabrics, soft books with little surprises in them (like, say, a kitty cat hidden underneath a lift-up flap), rattles, flowers, butterflies, latches, switches, hinges and, above all, anything electronic with buttons he can fiddle with.

What I'd like to do is to fashion a box out of wood, paint it, cover portions with pieces of fabric, and then affix to it the aforementioned thingamajigs. I have a good idea of where and what sort of thingamajigs to get to affix to the box and how to make some others, but I have some questions:

- Is there a place where I could purchase a prefabricated cube or box for this sort of thing?

- If not, what dimensions should I make the box? Would a hardware store cut wood to order? Home Depot? Or would a craft store be more appropriate, or maybe an art supply store? I'd like it to be heavy and durable, both so that he can pull himself up on it and so that it won't fall apart. We don't have a saw but we do have tools like hammers, power screwdrivers, hardware, etc.

- What sort of paint is best for this kind of thing?

- What's the best kind of glue or other sort of adhesive to use to affix the things to the box? Should we use screws, nails, etc.? What kind?

- Any cautionary advice?

Any ideas on how to achieve maximum fun appreciated. Say, if you can help me figure out how to spring load a heart behind a little door without using a metal spring, or how to make the buttons do something unexpected when you press them, that kind of thing. All ideas welcome.

Thanks for the help. I'm biting off more than I can chew but I'm committed to making this silly notion a reality.

Summer Jobs/Activities For an Almost Sixteen Year Old?

BlerpityBloop — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:22:01 -0800

My wife's son lives with us for 2 months during the summer (July 1st - August 30th) in San Diego. He is 15 1/2, too young to get a McMinimum wage franchise job at In-N-Out or Target and a bit too old/mature for 'camp'. Would love some suggestions on what, on earth, this child is going to do for 2 months. What did you do during your summer before Junior year? He turns 16 the week after he leaves in September - the working age in California is 16 unless you get a note from the local school (which he doesn't attend). Regardless, the application to hire process may take months.

- Left up to his own devices, he would play video games online with his friends 20 hours a day. So would I, but that's just not a healthy way to spend your summer. We want to give him a bit of purpose and structure this summer, paid or not.

- We would LOVE LOVE LOVE a volunteer program for him. Something where he shows up at 8 in the morning and helps out doing.....something...watering plants, restocking library books, handing towels to swimmers at the Y... We have no idea what volunteerism there is for 15 year olds.

- The Junior Lifeguarding program he was in last summer is full (he's on the waitlist, but they just wrote it's not looking good).

- I've called all the local grocery stores asking about bag boys and mopping help, 16 is the minimum for the family owned ones, unions and no seasonal help for the chains

- He will not be driving but has a bike that can get him around the Point Loma/Ocean Beach area

- San Diego is flush with low wage, adult immigrant help. Busboy's and general kitchen help is almost impossible to find

- We looked in to computer camps, learning Java and such, great for a week, but for a month of 'classes' and a month to chill would feel like summer school (this is our current plan, for what it's worth)

- Mowing laws, walking dogs and other 'kid' type jobs that I grew up with are done by professionals

Signing him up for camp is our last resort, it seems very childish and he's resisted every mention of it. What else are we not thinking of?

I know and appreciate that some folks may want to answer 'just let the kid be a kid and relax', and while that may be helpful for some children, this particular child needs some contact with the outside world and structure not given to him by his parents.

Calling all backpackers: help me prevent/cure hip belt rash

mskyle — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:11:48 -0800

When I cinch down my backpack's hip belt enough so that the weight actually rests on my hips, it tends to cause some soreness and, more annoyingly, a bit of a rash after a day of hiking. The pack is not that heavy (around 20 lbs/9kg with food and water - I'm not planning to do backpacking with a tent, just hut-to-hut hiking) and fits comfortably otherwise. Further considerations:

Lightweight nternal frame pack, similar to this one.

I have very little in the way of hips/bum and tend to carry excess weight around my waist, so I find I need to cinch the belt quite tightly.

When I loosen the belt up, I find my lower back gets sore by the end of the day - presumably because more of the weight is hanging on my shoulders. I prefer the belt soreness to the back soreness.

I'm wearing ordinary polyester workout/outdoor clothes - not magical super-wicking fabrics but not cotton either.

I have pretty sensitive skin.

Mostly I've been a day hiker, and carrying more than a lightweight day pack that can rest on my shoulders is new for me.

I'm open to suggestions for pack adjustments, clothing recs, pharmacological solutions, whatever. I've got a 10-day hut-to-hut hike planned, and would really like to have a way of addressing this before I start! If the answer is, "You'll get used to it and it won't be that bad," I can deal with that.

Three-Card-Monte style swindle for someone inept with card tricks?

Juliet Banana — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:28:50 -0800

My bike gang (previously) is throwing a "Street Hustle" themed alleycat bicycle race. I need to play a simple hustler card game with 20-30 different people who will pass through my checkpoint. Three Card Monte would be perfect, except I doubt my ability to perform the actual sleight-of-hand. Is there a similar card game that is easier to perform? An alleycat is a bicycle race where cyclists are given a list of locations ("checkpoints") around a city. They must turn in a manifest showing that they have visited every checkpoint at the race's end location. My bike gang throws themed alleycats where racer perform activities at each checkpoint. For instance, we previously did a Scout Race themed race where at each checkpoint racers did merit badge/summer camp activities like sewing a button or crafting a god's eye.

During Street Hustle, cyclists will be visiting various locations where they'll participate in simple gambling games like blackjack, dominoes, or a shell game. Three Card Monte would be perfect for my checkpoint, but I'm not sure I convincingly master the sleight-of-hand required. (For those unfamiliar with three card monte, you can see it performed/explained on video here)

I'm not exactly Ricky Jay. I need a similar (but much simpler) card trick to perform. Some specifics:

-very simple card-handling mechanics on the hustler side; no complicated sleight of hand
-can be explained in under twenty seconds to the "mark"
-instead of betting actual money, the "mark" will be awarded 0-10 points depending on how well they perform during the hustle (they can also be awarded 10 points at the beginning which they lose during the swindle depending on how badly they perform)
-some of the marks should win and some should lose; if it's so difficult that every mark loses and gets zero points, it's not useful to us

Paper crafting with old machine...

Eumachia L F — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 02:05:26 -0800

Calling all experienced paper crafters: I have an old Sizzix Original die cutting machine - the red one. I don't have one of the system converters that would allow me use thinner dies, and they are increasingly difficult to come by. Presumably it has no other function than to narrow the space between the press and the cutting die. In that case, can I just use a piece of wood to elevate the cutting pad+paper+thinner die up to the necessary height? It seems like it should work, but I don't really know if I'm missing something. Thoughts? And yes, I know this is all very "last generation" but I can't afford one of the newer systems. I can't even really afford the system converters when they are available on ebay. Hence my quest for creative solutions.

how do ballroom dancers keep cool?

d. z. wang — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 17:36:46 -0800

My grandfather doesn't like how hot and sweaty he gets while dancing. Could the ballroom dancers of MeFi describe how they stay cool? Note that I am not a ballroom dancer and will have to translate your answers, so be generous with your explanations. For contra, I just wear a cycling jersey, but apparently ballroom people are less accepting of garish shrink-wrap.

Help me follow the instructions.

Widepath — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 16:19:02 -0800

I love following the instructions when i put something together, and I am trying to find a way to follow instructions more. I really like LEGO, but the really big sets with the great instructions are too expensive.
I like to cook and follow recipes, but I can only eat so much.
I love putting stuff from Ikea together. Yea i'm that guy.
I like setting up and playing those super complicated board games, but I would like something I can do solo.

So, I guess what I'm looking for is a set of instructions that are long and elaborate, for just about anything. Any needlessly complicated kits I could get? Are there specifically designed instruction following challenges out there?

Please, I need my instruction fix.

Please share your papermaking tips and hacks.

Sweetie Darling — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 06:03:09 -0800

Help me have an awesome papermaking day! The next step on my crafty journey is papermaking. I've been collecting scraps of paper and flower petals, bought Arnold Grummer's Paper Making Set, bookmarked lots of how-to webpages and scheduled a vacation day in a couple of weeks to play.

Would love to hear from crafty Mefites with tips and hacks and lessons learned in your papermaking adventures. I'm especially interested in how many molds you would recommend in order to have a fun and productive day.

Thanks!

RPGs for reading, not playing

subject_verb_remainder — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 20:49:32 -0800

I like reading pen-and-paper RPG rulebooks. Can you recommend some of your favorites? Extra points for: non-Tolkein universes, a cool new spin on classes or magic, and anything that has interesting non-combat systems. I've previously read Dungeons & Dragons 3.5, Exalted, Vampire: The Masquerade, and Shadowrun. I haven't read anything that uses the GURPs system mostly because I don't know where to start. I've read some short one-off campaigns in different systems, but nothing too extensive.

I've played so many fantasy roleplaying video games that I'd prefer stuff that deviates from the orc/human/halfling wizard/paladin/thief fighting kobolds/dragons/necromancers with STR/DEX/CHA type stats.

I would love some Arabian or Middle East or African mythology-inspired RPGs. Steampunk, cyberpunk, Cthulhu mythos, sci-fi, and alternate history also interest me. They don't have to be fun to play (I'm not playing them), but interesting ideas and well written are a must. If you can, recommend a good GM supplement with detailed maps and scenarios to go with it.

What Towers Have I Not Yet Defended?

Lipstick Thespian — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 14:49:01 -0800

I'm a Tower Defense game junkie. I need to place the towers and I need to stop the hordes. I want to make sure I've placed them all and stopped them all. Where should I go for the Ultimate TD Deathtrip? Now, before you release the hounds, know this:

- I have played Gemcraft in all of it's iterations.
- I have played Kingdom Rush.
- I have played Incursion and Incursion 2.

Also please know I am well-acquainted with Armor Games and their ilk.

I need to know what else is out there that only the purest addicts love. Give me your all-time TD recommendations here.

volunteer work in liverpool

apophenia — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 11:24:03 -0800

What are my options for volunteer work as a US citizen who will be staying in the UK for three months this summer (i.e. what are the legal restrictions of doing volunteer work abroad?) I am an American who will be staying in Liverpool with my (British) boyfriend this summer (on a tourist visa). As one of the most important aspects of my life in the States is the volunteer work I do, I'd really enjoy being able to do some kind of volunteering in the three months I'm abroad. I've looked at some of the positions on volunteeringliverpool.org--and it's a great site, but some positions require CRB checks and I'm assuming as someone who isn't a resident, that may disqualify me from certain positions. Is it even feasible as a traveler to volunteer locally? If so, what kind of work could I do? Obviously, long-term commitments are not possible, but I am willing to commit for the 3 months I am there. My main areas of interest here in the States are working with incarcerated youth and the homeless population (i.e. socially excluded groups), so I'd appreciate something similar to that, but I can also understand if my residency status and lack of long-term commitment options means that's not possible.

Male masturbation and using lube

Too-Ticky — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 09:53:21 -0800

I honestly don't know this, and almost none of the men that I know are circumcized, so I wouldn't know who to ask in person. Is it generally so that lube is more needed/vital/ important/whathaveyou for masturbation if one is a male who is circumcized? I could imagine this being true, but I don't own a penis, so I'm no expert. Can anyone tell me whether this is so?

What is the most popular spectator sport in the following countries?

Jack V — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:11:00 -0800

What is the most popular spectator sports in the following countries? United States- I say football China- Probably basketball or soccer France- Probably soccer Japan- Maybe Baseball Russia- Soccer or Hockey

How can I learn to roll my Rs?

Hartham's Hugging Robots — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 07:23:07 -0800

Never been able to do it before; it never really mattered. Now I need to do it for a part... help! I'm 23*(cough.. ok, 40 actually).

I've never been able to roll my Rs. It's never particularly mattered, either, although I've always been a bit sad I couldn't enjoy what appears to be a rather pleasurable vocal technique.

Shanyhoo, I'm a performer. And I've just been given a part which has a fairly central R rolling component. If I can't do it, I can't do it... but maybe now this is finally my opportunity to learn!

How can I learn to roll my Rs, metafilter? What are your failsafe tips? You've never let me down before...

Can you identify this ukulele?

craniac — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 06:50:24 -0800

Can you identify this ukulele? I've contacted the seller, but no response. I haven't seen this model of electric ukulele before and I'm curious about it. Thank you! I can almost make out the name but not quite. Using Tineye just takes me to the auction page, which I am not linking to because I don't want this post to look like I'm spamming.

Meadowbrook in Gilford NH

wisekaren — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 04:34:52 -0800

Has anyone been to a concert at Meadowbrook in Gilford, NH? I'm going this weekend and trying to figure out logistics, but I can't find much info on their website. For instance: Is there food/drink available to buy there? We have a parking pass, but we don't know how early we should arrive (gates open at 4:30 for a 7:30 show.) Also, we were unable to find an inn that would take us for just 1 night, so we are staying all the way dow in Portsmouth -- does anyone know of somewhere closer we might be able to stay? Any other info about the venue that would be useful is much appreciated!

Why do you sail?

molloy — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:16:40 -0800

I have started to go sailing with a friend. A small 16 foot hobie cat. I would love to like it, but I'm not really sure I get it. My friend wants to eventually sail around the world (on a different boat!). I'm not so sure and struggling to get past the learning stage. So why do you sail? Any tips for getting the most of it? I particularly enjoyed Pirsig's essay Cruising Blues and Their Cure which covers some of my ambivalence.

Plan My Days For Me Again

wittgenstein — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:20:51 -0800

Mrs. W and I will be speeding four days in Galena, IL at the end of July. Recommendations for restaurants, book stores, arty type things, craft stores, and any off the beaten path treasures that typical visitors might not know about? I am leaving this very open ended; if you liked something there, or in the general area, let us know.

Box on back of Canadian women's soccer players.

Feisty — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 21:52:14 -0800

During the Canada vs USA friendly women's soccer match, many of the Canadian players had a single rectangular shaped protrusion located high between the shoulder blades and under the jersey. What might this be?