35 Ask MetaFilter answers by Seth
How does one find a lawyer? I'm skeptical of the online directories I can find with Google, as well as lawyers who are aggressively advertising. There must be a better way than picking one at random from the phone book. A friend looking for legal help with disability stuff has asked for my advice on this matter, and I turn to you, O MeFites.
comment posted at 11:53 AM on Nov-18-04
What do you say or do when someone out of the Blue - generally a fellow user who rarely comments and so is quite new to you - suddenly e-mails for the first time saying he or she will be in town, is interested in something you could help with and would like to have a drink with you?
It's clearly a friendly invitation but how do you politely decline, without having to lie and/or appearing to be a stuffed shirt?
comment posted at 11:55 AM on Oct-21-04
US election question: The US Presidential election is being held Nov. 2, 2004. Last election was on Nov. 7th. I was confused last time and this time because I swear that I remember learning that elections are always held on the second Tuesday of November. Anyone aware of whether that second Tuesday thing is a rule, and, if so, is there some historical origin to it? If it is a rule, anyone know why the last two elections were held on the first Tuesday of November?
comment posted at 8:25 AM on Sep-14-04
comment posted at 8:47 AM on Sep-14-04
I'm trying to find an old poem or essay that I read many, many moons ago. I am not sure I even have the specifics correct. It basically dealt with having to reject a dinner party invitation because the author couldn't stand to be with bores and the people there. For some reason I think it was by Wilde, Orwell or Larkin. If anyone can help me find it, I will be much appreciative. Thanks.
comment posted at 7:10 PM on Aug-29-04
PoetryFilter - So I'm getting married in 9 days. My bride-to-be has decided to read this poem by Pablo Neruda to me as part of the ceremony. She wants me to come up with a poem for her in response ...[more inside]
comment posted at 3:23 PM on Jul-23-04
FreeLegalAdviceFilter: What's the difference between a "contract" and a "letter agreement"?
comment posted at 11:22 AM on Jun-10-04
Is it true that it's illegal for an employer to give an employee a reference beyond confirming that the person worked for the company over a certain period of time?
comment posted at 11:45 AM on Jun-10-04
In the gray, Mathowie wrote, "it's my hope that all Americans take part in the democratic process ... I'm kinda pissed that American Idol logs half as many votes as the entire last presidential election every wednesday night. Get out there and vote, people!" I admit that I haven't voted in ten years. Why should I? [More inside.]
comment posted at 11:08 AM on Apr-23-04
Question from a very beginner guitar player about chords and strumming.
comment posted at 1:58 PM on Mar-30-04
After twenty years of wet shaving, I'm buying an electric shaver, mainly for traveling. Any useful recommendations for lower budget ones (i.e. less than $100), or more importantly, ones to avoid? I have fast growing, black, thick/wiry stubble, so it needs to have plenty of torque or whatever it is that electric shavers have.
comment posted at 10:54 AM on Mar-30-04
Which are the truly, undeniably American sodas and bar snacks?
comment posted at 2:59 PM on Mar-26-04
Me and two friends are headed out of Chicago to Costa Rica from March 14th until the 23rd. While we have a list of things we would like to do, I'm looking for suggestions on things not to miss. So far we are planning to hit Montverde, the Arenal Volcano, and Playa Montezuma. Any suggestions or trips for our travels?
comment posted at 12:11 PM on Mar-8-04
comment posted at 12:16 PM on Mar-8-04
My senior partner from west Texas always make me laugh by using silly sayings such as "looking at me like a cow at a new fence" or "smiling like a jackass eating cactus." I was looking for help finding some website with similar sayings. Is there some compendium or usage guide somewhere for these kind of colloquial sayings? Do these kind of sayings have a recognized name (besides similie)? Anyone know any other similar and funny sayings?
comment posted at 10:11 AM on Mar-4-04
Wake-up problems. I'm currently seeing a doctor to deal with my insomnia. Some progress is being made with getting to sleep, but my other major problem is getting up in the morning. (more inside)
comment posted at 8:54 AM on Mar-4-04
A computer illiterate question about DvD burn: got a new top-o-line computer with a dvd burner and a dvd-rom. I have blank dvds. I go to Blockbuster and rent _____. Is it possible to simply copy the Blockbuster DVD and then have my own useable copy? It seems to me that there would be a problem with the menus or something. Is there software which I need to copy DvDs so that they play in my TV-DvD player? Is there a copyright protection issue?
comment posted at 11:06 AM on Feb-27-04
comment posted at 1:34 PM on Feb-27-04
comment posted at 1:40 PM on Feb-27-04
What is the correct pronunciation of "forte?" [more inside]
comment posted at 12:00 PM on Feb-2-04
comment posted at 2:55 PM on Feb-2-04
comment posted at 12:10 PM on Feb-3-04
Are Ryan and Trista from the Bachelorette going to have a very very bad April 15th?
comment posted at 2:18 PM on Jan-31-04
I'm working on a Valentine's Day mix CD for that special someone, and was hoping some of you MeFites might have some suggestions. [More Inside]
comment posted at 12:06 PM on Jan-19-04
Not only am I not a lawyer, I don't have one, either.
Do I need one for my wife and I to write a simple will, mostly to specify who should take care of our daughter in case of mutual demise? We live in Georgia, US.
Yes, I know... I should ask a lawyer...
comment posted at 6:13 AM on Jan-9-04
I just started dating this really awesome girl, and we spend the night together often, and I want to know how long I have to wait before I can fart in bed.
comment posted at 8:45 PM on Dec-17-03
comment posted at 9:06 AM on Dec-18-03
I'm a film junkie and am running out of things to watch. What's an obscure feature-length movie that's available on dvd or video that you can recommend to someone who's seen more movies than had warm meals?
comment posted at 12:03 PM on Dec-17-03
comment posted at 12:31 PM on Dec-17-03
comment posted at 8:33 PM on Dec-17-03
Christmas trees. Real or artificial? Or rather is it worth paying a high price for an artificial tree that looks very real rather than a relatively low price a real tree that looks, well, real?
comment posted at 12:11 PM on Dec-17-03
I'm recently engaged and my fiancée and I are stuck between families. Ideally we could see both sets of family for Christmas but geography rules it out.
How do you handle sharing the holidays with a minimum of stress or hurt feelings? Rotating, where you go to one house on one year and the other house the next year? Split each holiday into halves and see both each year? Any ideas?
comment posted at 2:31 PM on Dec-10-03
My wife's B-day is coming up on the 15th.
She wants a nice digital camera.
Since I am always stuck on the fact I have to purchase her a nice B-day gift, followed immediately by purchasing her an even nicer Christmas gift, I am asking your advice about digital cameras that won't be more than the $500 range.
She wants a good quality one. But she also wants a smaller one that fits into her purse. I am going to go check out some buyer guides, but I thought I might ask people's advice on a good one to make her happy.
comment posted at 12:34 PM on Dec-10-03
Law school final exams are here! The key is analysis and clarity rather than rote memorization, so rest and concentration are ideal. But I'm a complete insomniac. What's the best way to ensure 8 hours of sleep before a 9 AM exam? Chemical solutions (over the counter), while not preferred, are OK unless there is a chance that they will interfere with mental ability the next morning.
comment posted at 10:17 AM on Dec-10-03
comment posted at 10:51 AM on Dec-10-03
comment posted at 11:53 AM on Nov-18-04
What do you say or do when someone out of the Blue - generally a fellow user who rarely comments and so is quite new to you - suddenly e-mails for the first time saying he or she will be in town, is interested in something you could help with and would like to have a drink with you?
It's clearly a friendly invitation but how do you politely decline, without having to lie and/or appearing to be a stuffed shirt?
comment posted at 11:55 AM on Oct-21-04
US election question: The US Presidential election is being held Nov. 2, 2004. Last election was on Nov. 7th. I was confused last time and this time because I swear that I remember learning that elections are always held on the second Tuesday of November. Anyone aware of whether that second Tuesday thing is a rule, and, if so, is there some historical origin to it? If it is a rule, anyone know why the last two elections were held on the first Tuesday of November?
comment posted at 8:25 AM on Sep-14-04
comment posted at 8:47 AM on Sep-14-04
I'm trying to find an old poem or essay that I read many, many moons ago. I am not sure I even have the specifics correct. It basically dealt with having to reject a dinner party invitation because the author couldn't stand to be with bores and the people there. For some reason I think it was by Wilde, Orwell or Larkin. If anyone can help me find it, I will be much appreciative. Thanks.
comment posted at 7:10 PM on Aug-29-04
PoetryFilter - So I'm getting married in 9 days. My bride-to-be has decided to read this poem by Pablo Neruda to me as part of the ceremony. She wants me to come up with a poem for her in response ...[more inside]
comment posted at 3:23 PM on Jul-23-04
FreeLegalAdviceFilter: What's the difference between a "contract" and a "letter agreement"?
comment posted at 11:22 AM on Jun-10-04
Is it true that it's illegal for an employer to give an employee a reference beyond confirming that the person worked for the company over a certain period of time?
comment posted at 11:45 AM on Jun-10-04
In the gray, Mathowie wrote, "it's my hope that all Americans take part in the democratic process ... I'm kinda pissed that American Idol logs half as many votes as the entire last presidential election every wednesday night. Get out there and vote, people!" I admit that I haven't voted in ten years. Why should I? [More inside.]
comment posted at 11:08 AM on Apr-23-04
Question from a very beginner guitar player about chords and strumming.
comment posted at 1:58 PM on Mar-30-04
After twenty years of wet shaving, I'm buying an electric shaver, mainly for traveling. Any useful recommendations for lower budget ones (i.e. less than $100), or more importantly, ones to avoid? I have fast growing, black, thick/wiry stubble, so it needs to have plenty of torque or whatever it is that electric shavers have.
comment posted at 10:54 AM on Mar-30-04
Which are the truly, undeniably American sodas and bar snacks?
comment posted at 2:59 PM on Mar-26-04
Me and two friends are headed out of Chicago to Costa Rica from March 14th until the 23rd. While we have a list of things we would like to do, I'm looking for suggestions on things not to miss. So far we are planning to hit Montverde, the Arenal Volcano, and Playa Montezuma. Any suggestions or trips for our travels?
comment posted at 12:11 PM on Mar-8-04
comment posted at 12:16 PM on Mar-8-04
My senior partner from west Texas always make me laugh by using silly sayings such as "looking at me like a cow at a new fence" or "smiling like a jackass eating cactus." I was looking for help finding some website with similar sayings. Is there some compendium or usage guide somewhere for these kind of colloquial sayings? Do these kind of sayings have a recognized name (besides similie)? Anyone know any other similar and funny sayings?
comment posted at 10:11 AM on Mar-4-04
Wake-up problems. I'm currently seeing a doctor to deal with my insomnia. Some progress is being made with getting to sleep, but my other major problem is getting up in the morning. (more inside)
comment posted at 8:54 AM on Mar-4-04
A computer illiterate question about DvD burn: got a new top-o-line computer with a dvd burner and a dvd-rom. I have blank dvds. I go to Blockbuster and rent _____. Is it possible to simply copy the Blockbuster DVD and then have my own useable copy? It seems to me that there would be a problem with the menus or something. Is there software which I need to copy DvDs so that they play in my TV-DvD player? Is there a copyright protection issue?
comment posted at 11:06 AM on Feb-27-04
comment posted at 1:34 PM on Feb-27-04
comment posted at 1:40 PM on Feb-27-04
What is the correct pronunciation of "forte?" [more inside]
comment posted at 12:00 PM on Feb-2-04
comment posted at 2:55 PM on Feb-2-04
comment posted at 12:10 PM on Feb-3-04
Are Ryan and Trista from the Bachelorette going to have a very very bad April 15th?
comment posted at 2:18 PM on Jan-31-04
I'm working on a Valentine's Day mix CD for that special someone, and was hoping some of you MeFites might have some suggestions. [More Inside]
comment posted at 12:06 PM on Jan-19-04
Not only am I not a lawyer, I don't have one, either.
Do I need one for my wife and I to write a simple will, mostly to specify who should take care of our daughter in case of mutual demise? We live in Georgia, US.
Yes, I know... I should ask a lawyer...
comment posted at 6:13 AM on Jan-9-04
I just started dating this really awesome girl, and we spend the night together often, and I want to know how long I have to wait before I can fart in bed.
comment posted at 8:45 PM on Dec-17-03
comment posted at 9:06 AM on Dec-18-03
I'm a film junkie and am running out of things to watch. What's an obscure feature-length movie that's available on dvd or video that you can recommend to someone who's seen more movies than had warm meals?
comment posted at 12:03 PM on Dec-17-03
comment posted at 12:31 PM on Dec-17-03
comment posted at 8:33 PM on Dec-17-03
Christmas trees. Real or artificial? Or rather is it worth paying a high price for an artificial tree that looks very real rather than a relatively low price a real tree that looks, well, real?
comment posted at 12:11 PM on Dec-17-03
I'm recently engaged and my fiancée and I are stuck between families. Ideally we could see both sets of family for Christmas but geography rules it out.
How do you handle sharing the holidays with a minimum of stress or hurt feelings? Rotating, where you go to one house on one year and the other house the next year? Split each holiday into halves and see both each year? Any ideas?
comment posted at 2:31 PM on Dec-10-03
My wife's B-day is coming up on the 15th.
She wants a nice digital camera.
Since I am always stuck on the fact I have to purchase her a nice B-day gift, followed immediately by purchasing her an even nicer Christmas gift, I am asking your advice about digital cameras that won't be more than the $500 range.
She wants a good quality one. But she also wants a smaller one that fits into her purse. I am going to go check out some buyer guides, but I thought I might ask people's advice on a good one to make her happy.
comment posted at 12:34 PM on Dec-10-03
Law school final exams are here! The key is analysis and clarity rather than rote memorization, so rest and concentration are ideal. But I'm a complete insomniac. What's the best way to ensure 8 hours of sleep before a 9 AM exam? Chemical solutions (over the counter), while not preferred, are OK unless there is a chance that they will interfere with mental ability the next morning.
comment posted at 10:17 AM on Dec-10-03
comment posted at 10:51 AM on Dec-10-03