Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with West

Book explaining Islam?

edbyford — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:10:41 -0800

What's the best book for obtaining an overview of Islam (and its attitudes towards 'Western' culture)? My girlfriend has recently been reading a book about Muslims and the effects of their westward migration. It's sparked some really interesting debates between us, but I do think that the book she's reading is a little one-sided.

The book in question is Hurra, wir kapitulieren! (my girlfriend is German). The main argument of the author seems to be that we in the west compromise our ideals to suit Islamic beliefs (he cites a German orchestra who had to make their women wear burqas for a concert in Iran) but that Muslims would not compromise theirs if put in a similar situation. He also seems to assert that no Muslim leaders have denounced terrorist attacks. I am not posting this here to incite a discussion, rather to give you an idea of what issues the book raises.

For Christmas I would like to give my girlfriend a better, more balanced book, which could act as counterpoint to the above.

Any suggestions? It would be great if the book were in German (as this makes it less stressful for my gf to read) but all suggestions are gratefully received.

How did saloons in the Old West get their liquor delivered?

Senor Cardgage — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:19:52 -0800

How did saloons in tiny towns in the Old West get liquor delivered? I'm watching Silverado (pretty good flick btw) and wondering how small town saloons in the old west managed to keep their liquor in stock.
If it's true (and it may not be) that getting goods from point A to point B without your wagon train getting robbed was such an issue, and if it's also true that there wasn't much for a man to do in these towns BUT drink then it seems to me like you'd run out of stuff like crazy.

Did they keep huge storehouses of the stuff?
Weekly wagon deliveries?
Were there regional liquor distributors running well-secured freight operations?

My curiosity has been piqued.

Btw you should check this movie out if you like westerns, Costner notwithstanding.

Which is the best book for a reasonably in-depth introduction to American politics and particularly the workings of The White House?

logicalsequence — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:33:53 -0800

Which is the best book for a reasonably in-depth introduction to American politics and particularly the workings of The White House? I'm a Brit but have become a huge fan of The West Wing after receiving the DVD boxset as a gift. I have a basic knowledge of American politics but I'm looking for a book that can fill in the blanks and expand my knowledge a little, particularly with regard to the "real" West Wing.

I'm not especially interested in the minutiae of US politics and similarly I'd prefer it if the book was written with something resembling humour (I have in mind in the style of a Bill Bryson or PJ O'Rourke), so perhaps a textbook wouldn't be suitable, more an idiot's guide.

Any offers?

Thanks.

Over the rainbow...

wild like kudzu — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 11:30:33 -0800

I'm flying myself somewhere for my birthday this year, but seeing as I am a girl who would be all by my lonesome and without access to a car, I'm wondering where I should go. I'd like to go someplace stateside that I've never been before, perhaps like S.F. or Seattle, Boulder, Oregon, NorCal... I could even probably make it to Hawaii if I set my heart on it. Typically I would go to NYC or Boston, but having been there multiple times in the past I'd like to branch out. Besides, I've never been west of Tennessee.

So, given that it needs to be easily accessible by bike/walking/horseback riding/metropolitan transit and that I like beautiful trees/nature/etc., where would you go if you were me?

Should I Watch The Post-Sorkin West Wing?

kirkaracha — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:05:35 -0800

Should I watch The West Wing after Season 4? (Spoilers) I watched seasons 1-4 of The West Wing when they originally ran. I stopped watching when Aaron Sorkin left the show, but I also thought season 4 was a little spottier than the previous ones. I've been rewatching the Sorkin-era seasons on DVD, and I'm thinking about watching seasons 5-7.

I already know some of the things that happen during those seasons, and some of them (Leo as Vice President, CJ as Chief of Staff) seem pretty improbable. I also know there are some happy endings to romantic pairings I don't care about. Are the later seasons worth watching?

Science of Listener Attention

chrisalbon — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:31:12 -0800

Is the Science of Listener Attention a real thing? If not, is there anything similar I can learn? On an episode of the West Wing, Toby said this:

"You want the benefits of free trade? Food is cheaper. Food is cheaper, clothes are cheaper, steel is cheaper, cars are cheaper, phone service is cheaper. You feel me building a rhythm here? That's 'cause I'm a speechwriter and I know how to make a point. It lowers prices, it raises income. You see what I did with "lowers" and "raises" there? It's called the science of listener attention. We did repetition, we did floating opposites and now you end with the one that's not like the others. Ready? Free trade stops wars. And that's it. Free trade stops wars! And we figure out a way to fix the rest! One world, one peace. I'm sure I've seen that on a sign somewhere."

Is their such a thing as the science of listener attention? Where can I learn it? If not, is there anything similar I can learn to improve my presentations?

Why have the NBA's western teams been better than its eastern teams in recent years?

ORthey — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:06:52 -0800

Is there a geographical reason the NBA's Western Conference has been so much better than the East? What's the deal? It does seem in the past couple years the East is catching up and, who knows, maybe is better this year, but that said - the West has been dominating (at least during the regular season) for some time now. I wonder if anyone knows of any articles that specifically address WHY and HOW this happened, rather than what I see all the time, which is more about PROVING the west's superiority, using stats and such.

Given that there are no rule differences (as in MLB with the DH, for example, which leads to totally different strategy), it doesn't make any intuitive sense that teams in one half of the country would generally be better than the other - other than migration of better players to the better conference.

Ideas, theories, and resources welcome!

Whose Gaza is it anyway?

parmanparman — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:37:46 -0800

Is Gaza considered a separate nation-state from the Palestinian Authority by the Israeli government? Israel is at war with Hamas, the militant group/political party that won elections in the Palestinian Authority a few years ago and then recently took control of Gaza in a military coup that routed Fatah militias and the Palestinian Authority's police. If both of those groups are not present in Gaza, doesn't that mean that Hamas has instituted a wholly separately Palestinian nation with a different political structure?

The West Bank is run by the Palestinian Authority and the Fatah Party. If Hamas runs Gaza, is it still a part of the Palestinian Authority? Or, is it considered by Israel to be a second Palestinian nation-state that is entirely separated from West Bank/Palestinian Authority? If Hamas is decimated in Gaza, who is the de facto head of state?

The Han and Cinema

the_binary_blues — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:47:11 -0800

The Han and Cinema I am working on a paper on the Korean concept of Han and how Han is communicated directly or through the use of trope in film and television. Of particular interest are films and television from East Asia, those which feature East Asian actors, and those which are set in East Asia. The definition I am seeking to support or reject is the idea of Han as: The pain of victims that has festered in their hearts for a long time. My ideas thus far: The West Wing (2003) Episode 504 - entitled Han. The Good Earth (1937) In addition to the plot of the film of interest is the fact Anna May Wong was passed over for the role of O-Lan and the pain and woundedness and the sense of "Han" she experienced. M*A*S*H (1972-1983) set in Korea but not focused on Korea. The Korean people are merely a silent witness in the series, they have no voice. If you have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

Bookfilter: what book(s) would my father love?

Acer_saccharum — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:40:59 -0800

Book filter: Getting a head start on Christmas presents - what books would you recommend for my kung fu instructing, deadwood watching, social work teaching freemason father? The last books my father really enjoyed were The Poisonwood Bible and The Davinci Code. He joined up with the freemasons shortly after he read the D. Code. He is a social work prof with special focus in aboriginal issues and community mental health organizations, has been teaching martial arts since before I was born and runs his own studio, and he and my mother ADORE the show Deadwood and have watched the entire series repeatedly.

I want to buy him a few books for Christmas that he will adore. I do not read up on these subjects and am at a loss. Help!

PS - If a movie/show/gadget/weapon is coming to mind, feel free to throw that suggestion in also. Much appreciated!

Bachelorette Party Fun in Paw Paw

eggerspretty — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:19:09 -0800

How do I do an inexpensive and not lame bachelorette party in a tiny town in West Michigan? I'm helping to host a bachelorette party in a very small town in West Michigan. The nearest city of any real size is 25 minutes away and the city with any real activity is 1 hour away. The bride has asked that all of the girls come in two days early, and this is the only thing they will have as an activity for the two days before the wedding so I want to make it fun.

Unfortunately, the maid of honor has given up planning or paying for the party so I am left trying to figure out what to do with ten late-20-something women who have all flown in to Michigan and driven three hours to the hotel that morning.

I am planning on having us trek to the city 25 minutes away for a nicer dinner and some bar hopping later in the evening, but I need something for us all to do from about 3pm-6pm that will not be hokey or expensive. It also will have to be in a Holiday Inn conference room. (woohoo!) I am also driving 13 hours the day before with two dogs so I can't bring a lot as far as supplies.

I have called yoga teachers, spas, cooking teachers, and caterers. They are all either too expensive or won't travel that far for a class. The bride has made it clear that we have to be "active" - she originally asked for the party to be from 11am-11pm, but I nixed the idea when it turned into me planning and paying for most/all of it. (Plus, I pity the fact that everyone would have to fly into MI an extra day earlier than they would expect just for a weekend wedding with little notice at this point.)

Thanks for the ideas. The wedding is in Paw Paw if that helps, and I have called the wineries in the area but am weary of adding daytime drinking/tasting onto nighttime events.

Nice, caring place in West LA to board my cats for a few weeks?

eric1200 — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:59:56 -0800

I'll be out of town for two weeks over the holidays and I'm already starting to worry about care for my two cats. Can anyone recommend a great kennel (not the right word, is it?) where my cats can stay? We live in Westwood so anywhere in the area would be great... however I am most concerned that I find somewhere that will best care for the kitties while I'm gone.

Beyond 'Little House on the Prairie'

orrnyereg — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:21:53 -0800

My mom really enjoys books about the Old West (nonfiction only). I'd like to get her an addition to her collection for her birthday, but I have no experience in this particular genre. Can anyone out there pass on some suggestions? For example, in the past I know she's enjoyed the autobiography of Charles Goodnight and biographies of various Texas Rangers. She also really liked the diaries of Lewis and Clark that I gave her a few years ago, so the exploration theme works as well.

Thanks in advance!

Help troubleshoot and enhance my move / road trip from Lawrence, Kansas to Eugene, Oregon.

Derive the Hamiltonian of... — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:27:01 -0800

Help me troubleshoot and enhance my roadtrip / move to Eugene, Oregon. I will soon depart Lawrence, KS for adventures that will eventually leave me in Eugene to begin graduate studies with UO. I'm going to outline the planned itinerary in the hopes that the hive mind can suggest areas to visit at our planned stops, beautiful or interesting routes to take between them, and interesting pit stops to make. Also, warnings of potential trouble spots or situations will be greatly appreciated. The Participants:

A mated pair of chemical engineers and myself. We all love the outdoors, interesting technology, interesting architecture/engineering (especially anything energy efficient, otherwise green, or enormous), anything that will increase our nerdlore, and any delicious food of almost any variety. We're all in very good shape, although my 270 lb ass will not be running up any mountains.

The Vehicle:

A 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit, so no unimproved roads.

Itinerary:

Day 1:

Leave Kansas and pick up two friends at Denver International, thus officially beginning the road trip. Drive to Great Sand Dunes National Park and set up camp. We're thinking about stopping at Garden of the Gods on the way down. I'm kinda torn between driving down on 29 so that we can see Garden of the Gods and driving out on 70 and then down on 24/285 to get some awesome mountain highway action in.

Day 2:

A hurried attempt at acclimation for days 3 to 4. Play around on the Dunes and see other interesting things in the area. So far, besides the Dunes, I know of Zapata falls, although I cannot remember the exact location.

Day 3:

Get up very early, drive to the Mt. Blanca/Ellingwood trailhead, and pack in to Lake Como. Set up camp and enjoy the lake, trees, and canyon walls. I should mention that I've done the Blanca/Ellingwood combo before and that we are all experienced hikers. I'm not enthusiastic about doing this two days after getting to altitude, but this is the portion of the trip I'm most sure of. One question; on my previous trip, we were in Jeeps and easily made it to the beginning of the serious incline before we got out and started hiking. Are there spots on the sandy, car-navigable part of the road where I will be able to pull over and park without going into the bushes and rocks? 14ers.com seems to indicate so, but I want to be sure that I'm not going to have to park within sight of the highway.

Day 4;

Summit Blanca and Ellingwood, head back to the vehicle, and drive off into the midday sun. Head out to Black Canyon of the Gunnison and make camp. For the drive to Gunnison, we're currently set for doing 285 to 114 to 50, but 149 looks really fun and twisty.

Day 5:

See what we can in Gunnison during the early morning, drive to Arches National Park, see what we can in a few hours, and drive to Great Basin National Park to camp for the night. This is a very rushed portion of the trip, but we want to have several days in SanFran later on and are constrained by plane tickets.

Day 6:

Drive from Great Basin to Grass Valley, CA, where we will apparently be hanging out at some awesome bathing holes near some awesome waterfalls.

Day 7:

Drive from Grass Valley to San Francisco and crash with friends. We will be staying at an apartment in what my friend calls the McBaker Heights neighborhood, although I'm not sure whether that name is colloquial. The intersection of Baker and Golden Gate gives you a general area. My understanding is that the area requires some sort of special neighborhood permit and has no off-street parking, so I need to figure out a safe arrangement for parking my car. Non-exorbitant garage parking would probably be fine. We'll reach SF on a Saturday afternoon, so I'm hoping to avoid doomtraffic.

Days 8 – 9:

San Francisco! Oh, what shall we see?!? Our friends in the city have plans already, but suggestions would be great. Bonus points for godlike sushi and any other kind of interesting ethnic food.

Day 10:

Drive up the coast to Redwood National Park. We're not sure about the route yet, although we would love some awesome coastal highway action. We also aren't sure of what portion of the massive park to camp in.

Day 11:

Drive to Crater Lake, check it out, drive to Eugene and crash at the co-op I'll be living in. Any suggestions for awesome places to eat dinner or night scenes to check out?

Day 12:

Get the other two to Portland for a 10 am flight.

What is the best studio in Manhattan and/or Brooklyn for learning Swing/Lindyhop and WC Swing?

wildrain2008 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:23:22 -0800

What is the best studio in Manhattan and/or Brooklyn for learning Swing/Lindyhop and WC Swing? Also what are the best boards where I can find a partner if I choose to later compete? I used to take ballroom lessons back in HS but had to stop when college started. Would love to get back into it concentrating on Swing/Lindyhop and WC Swing. I recently visited a gem in the city called Swing 46 and it just put me over the edge! So now I’m seriously looking to learn Swing! The music is also amazing - Brian Setzer Orchestra, Big Bad Voodoo Daddies as well as the plethora of fantastic Rockabilly music ranging from Elvis to modern!

Best Activities to do in Western USA

benji — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:54:30 -0800

What really fun, random, and cheap activities can I do with a bus full of thirty 16-year olds thoughout the western USA? Starting this Sunday, I will be staffing a teen travel trip throughout the Western united states. We take a bus from Michigan and travel all the way to Cali and back.

We are a non-profit summer camp and need some fun, cheap and random/goofy ideas to entertain the kids while we aren't camping or in the backcountry.

Anyone have any ideas or recomendations? I will take any suggestions. The more goofy the better. Thanks.

Here is our general itinerary:

Scott Country, IA
Estes Park, CO
Buena Vista, CO
Moab, Utah
Springdale, Utah
Twenty Nine Palms, CA
Santa Monica, CA
Sierra Nevada, CA
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Salt Lake City, Utah
Jackson, WY
Yellowstone Park, WY
Wall, SD
Luverne, MN
Back to Michigan

Some ideas that we had were:

Pig Wrestling at a fair
Roller Derby
Water Parks
A Mine Tour
Juggling Lessons
Baseball games
Etc.

Thanks for all your help! I appreciate it.

Where to stop in Colorado?

Bill Katz — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:36:48 -0800

Where do we stop on a roadtrip through Colorado? Kitchy, awe inspiring, vomit inducing, we're up for whatever. I'm headed off on a multi-state roadtrip with my pops. We're starting in West Texas and then going up through NM, out to the grand canyon, up into Bryce, etc... Plenty to do in those states, but I'm having trouble finding sweet stuff to stop and hit on the way through Colorado, basically from Bryce Canyon on out to CarHenge in Eastern Nebraska.

Any Ideas?

We're then going back to Boston, so any ideas along the way (Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, etc...) would be great.

Thanks!

Show Me the Way

cloeburner — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:25:30 -0800

What are some ways to tell the direction [North, East, South, West] you are headed? And more generally, what are some cool nature tricks you've learned through the years? I know of ones such as looking at where the moss is growing or where the sun is relative to the time of day, but there must be tons of direcitonal tips that I do not know. It would be great to hear of them, even ones that only apply to certain localities.

Additionally, nature tricks would be great to know as I set out into the great expanse. I know neat things like making whistles out of acorn tops and other semi-useful miscellany, but the more you know the better!

Perhaps a zine could come of all this information.

Where can I get some Lady Bugs in West LA?

skEwb — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:33:12 -0800

Where can I get some Lady Bugs in West LA? I'm looking to protect a garden from other insects. Thanks! I'm in the mar vista/culver city area.

Ye spill muddled flows that befuddle scholars

cashman — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:09:04 -0800

Where are you yeezy? And try to hit you with the.... ??? What in the heck is Kanye saying in his song Flashing Lights right before the end of the first verse? "She in the mirror dancin so sleezy...I get a call like 'Where are you, yeezy?' And try to hit you with the ....(unintelligible)... til I got flashed by the paparazzi."

I've done a bunch of googling of the lyrics, and all of the suggestions are nonsensical (Ol wopty, oh dee wah dee, oeu blah blah, oh, do I be). I've listened to the song a good 40 times, thought about it, and I cannot figure out what in the world he is saying right there.

What's he saying, that makes sense?

Says Deavere-Smith, go West young man, despair, come back hopeful.

sully75 — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 04:37:24 -0800

I remember seeing about 2 years ago a clip where Anna Deavere Smith was doing a piece on Cornel West. Channeling him saying that he uses the "language of despair" because you must despair before you can hope. Something like that. It was quite moving...and I've thought about it many times in the interim. I can't remember the exact quote or where I heard it from. Any ideas?

And also...I've loved everything I've seen her do but not sure where to go next to dig in deeper. Any suggestions? I watched her Ted Lecture, it was amazing.

Thanks

Is hunting good for animal populations?

wigglin — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 20:18:50 -0800

Growing up in West Virginia, which is a state where almost everyone hunts deer, I was constantly told that hunting was in the deers best interest. The rationale being that if the hunters didn't kill some of them off, there wouldn't be enough food to support the entire population, causing many of them to die off over the winter. Looking around the internet, I haven't found anything that supports this idea. So i'm wondering if there is any truth to this, or if perhaps it is just something people made up to justify their animal killing hobby.

Holiday Celebrate. Just one day out of life...it would be so nice!

Snoogylips — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:35:30 -0800

Looking to spend a romantic get-away weekend somewhere in Texas after the new year with my husband. Possibly January or February. We live in West Texas and would like to travel somewhere nearby and stay for a Saturday and Sunday. We do not drink, smoke, and will not be traveling or lodging with pets. We would like somewhere close by preferably in Texas. We usually visit Austin, Tx for getaways but I want something closer and not so busy. Just for ideas when we do go to Austin the main things we do are eat at Rudy's BBQ, Wan Fu, and watch movies at Alamo draft house. We usually stay with friends there but I prefer something for just the two of us. Cost is a factor-hopefully something under $150.00 a night. Doesn't have to be anything fancy just away from home for a day or two. We have never been to a bed and breakfast, so i am not sure about that. Maybe a lake house that would rent for two nights for a couple? Any towns and/or ideas?

Storing stuff in Vancouver, BC, self storage or pods??

lois1950 — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:05:33 -0800

I must pack up my daughter's Vancouver BC west end studio apartment and store her stuff for around 3 months. Need recommendations - pods or self storage units? Companies to use, conpanies to avoid. (I'm in Seattle) Plan to hire movers from Craigslist. Any advice graciously appreciated. Need to do this before the end of December. Thanks!

Does anyone have experience in starting a co-op?

humannaire — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 22:19:41 -0800

How do I start a grocery co-op? Do any mefites have experience with this? Here on the island of Key West, a crisis has developed. Our island's best grocery, Waterfront Market, supplier of fresh seafood and all sorts of goodies for Islanders, our boating communities and the dock workforce, is being by forced to close by a combination of bureaucratic greed and ineptitude. But there is hope!

A very solid group of neighbors and citizens has banded together with the idea of taking over the reigns of the market and transforming the successful business - 20 years with 45 employees - into a co-op. And I am spearheading the movement! Any insight or recommendations?

(My applicable background is in market research, organic farming, and ecology. I have done the google work, and come up with some very good/well-established groundwork. What I am looking for is recommendations and insight based on personal experience in starting a co-op.)