Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with ball

Peter Brady Can't Play Ball In the House, but My Dog Wants To!

xingcat — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:03:49 -0800

Are there any non-Kong dog balls that my Lab won't destroy? My 4-year-old black Lab loves to play ball, but when she has a ball inside the house, it takes her an average of 15 minutes to destroy any ball she'll play with.

Tennis balls are her favorites, because she can spend 5 minutes removing all the fuzz, and then she chews them in half and rips the ball into tiny rubber confetti.

We've gotten her Kong balls, which she doesn't seem to be able to destroy, but she doesn't like playing with them, either. It seems to be a mouth-feel thing with her, where if it's too solid, she has no interest.

We've tried mini-tires, squishy foam balls (which she loves, but it only takes her slightly more time to chew apart), "indestructible" fabric toys, and she can kill them all dead.

Any hope for a ball-playing but very strong-jawed dog?

ball python care in winter

crapples — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 06:46:49 -0800

Ball-Python-Care-Filter: How do we best care for our ball python during the cold cold winter? We just got him in May and we absolutely love him. We have been lucky because he eats really well, and is great with the kids.

However, I live in the midwest and when winter comes it will be cold. Our house will regularly get down to 58 degrees at night and rise to no more than 67-68 during the day.

He lives in a 20 gallon-long tank. We have an under-tank sticky heating pad on one side of the tank, and that has been his only source of heat during the summer. So, I know that I will have to get a heat lamp for the winter.

My questions are these:

1 - Do I leave the heat lamp on 24 hours a day? Or can he handle a cold night as long as he warms up during the day?

2 - Should we change his feeding schedule during the winter (right now he eats a mouse every week, exactly. He doesn't mess around either! He grabs that thing within seconds of it being in the tank with him).

3 - Anything else I should know?

Thanks a lot.

Caster disaster!

pullayup — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:25:24 -0800

I'm looking for a very specific kind of caster. Ok. They originally supported a lathe, if that helps.

They are similar to this, but rather than mounting via a plate, they are situated at the end of a threaded rod with a hexagonal inset opposite the bearing--they're essentially a large set screw with a ball bearing caster on one end. The bearing itself is a little smaller than 1".

The threaded portion of each caster extends upwards all the way through the base, allowing it to be leveled with an allen wrench.

I'd love it if someone could point me towards a source (I only need four; the originals are rusted solid), or even just tell me their proper name.

Thanks!

I Love Lucy playing golf...

dawson — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:24:32 -0800

Lucille Ball plays golf after aborted attempts at other sports.... she and Ethel are jealous of the time lost to Desi and Fred...they take up golf to be with the boys and the boys 'teach' them a silly way of 'playing'...haliarity doth ensue. I am, of course, looking for the episode, which most could find in 30 seconds, but I am having no luck..and, almost more importantly...is it on line anywhere?
I swan I just saw it on hulu..but alas, no dice...

Your experience with ball pythons.

Yasuo — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:24:32 -0800

How is it like to own a ball python? I'm asking for personal experiences only please, as I can always Google for husbandry, etc.

Sitting On Air

nam3d — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:48:40 -0800

I've been sitting on a swiss ball (gym ball) for a few weeks and whilst I've found it's improved my pousture I like the look of the Isokinetics Fitness Ball Chair and the Gaiam BalanceBall they both don't ship to the UK. Could someone please point me in the direction of an alternative product which has stockist's in the UK?

Get out of the way of that round object.

pseudostrabismus — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:20:32 -0800

I throw like a little kid, and it's embarrassing. Please help me excel at adult dodgeball. I just joined a dodgeball league. We're playing in elementary school gymnasiums. 10" balls- foam interior, rubber skin.
All hits must be below the shoulders without a prior bounce. If a ball is caught before it bounces, the thrower is out.

I learn best from clear verbal descriptions of how to do sports-related things, as I don't instinctively pick up on applied physics. I need to be told in very specific & descriptive words what to do. For instance, I could never control where I bumped a volleyball until someone said, "Pay attention to the speed of the incoming ball and adjust the force of your bump to compensate- so if the ball's coming in fast, your bump should actually pull *away* from the ball, to absorb some of the energy." Sounds obvious, but I never figured it out in years of casual volleyball games, and until that day, I had no idea why my bumps were so erratic.

So, dodgeball. I'd like to learn:

How to throw fast, long, low balls. My throws need to hit people's shins from 6 yards away without bouncing first, and must be difficult for them to catch. I have decent upper body strength for a girl, but I don't know how to use it. My throws often go higher than I want, and are easy to catch- that's no good.
I tend to throw in arcs, but I've observed that it's better to throw in straight lines... how?
How to catch a fast incoming ball without fumbling it.
What exercises could I do to boost my dodgeball arm?
Any other dodgeball strategies that'll make me look like a champ.

Thanks!

To what level was pinball banned in New York in the 1940s?

zacharyseibert — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:04:34 -0800

To what level was pinball banned in New York in the 1940s? I know pinball was considered illegal in New York at the time, but what I can't seem to find is whether or not it was strictly a commercial ban of pinball machines, or personal pinball machines were banned as well. I assume they were only banned in commercial locations because the root of the ban lies in the fact that pinball was believed to be more chance than skill, making it gambling. If the machine were for personal use, there would be no gambling involved.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Different kinds of partay....

fvox13 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:51:51 -0800

What's the difference between various types of parties? Why are some called hootenannys, others called hoedowns, still others called mixers, balls, dances, shindigs, etc? Can anyone point me towards a (semi-serious, or totally facetious... either one would be valuable) list or comparison of various types of parties? Bonus points for descriptions of linguistic / dialectical differences.

Mystery pain in sole of left foot

maudlin — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:12:56 -0800

I suddenly developed a knot/lump and pain in the ball of my foot late last night that has persisted for 24 hours. I know it's not plantar fasciitis as I don't have stabbing pains in my heel or midfoot. I was walking around the house last night in some ill-fitting socks that got twisted around and creased to the point where they were uncomfortable to walk in, so I took them off. Immediately, I felt as if there was a lump in the ball of my left foot, and it was very sore when I walked on carpet or the wood floor. I presumed I had contorted my sole in an attempt not to walk on the creased part of the sock.

I went to bed shortly afterwards, and when I got up this morning, it felt significantly better, but it's been getting bad again and now hurts as much as last night. I've been barefoot in the house all day, no socks or shoes. Massage with my little rubber reflex hammer, which helped a lot with the plantar fasciitis I dealt with a couple of years ago, doesn't seem to break up the knot or relieve the soreness.

The ball of the left foot is definitely swollen. The lump -- right in the middle -- is sore when pressed. The top of my left foot, at the instep, feels bruised in comparison to my right foot, but nothing is visibly different. I've taken some Advil and am resting my left foot on an icepack and it seems to be helping a bit.

Right now, I'm presuming that this is a weird but temporary strain that will resolve itself in another day or so. But are there any other scenarios or treatments that I should consider?

Custom fit hole-drilling worth the cost? the potential for error?

skyper — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:38:27 -0800

Bowling ball wanted; I'm seeking advice as first-time buyer. My local bowling alley has to special order a 10-lb plastic (for straight rolling) one so I must wait til Monday for it to arrive. They took measurements on my fingers but I am petite/fineboned enough (wrists under 5" around) that on a normal game I'd use an 8 lb ball. At least that's my recollection; I bowl infrequently, just read somewhere how much bacteria etc. finds its way into public-use bowling balls' holes, so it made sense to purchase one.

What does a first-time buyer need to know -- esp. has anyone gotten the holes custom-drilled and *not* found it to their satisfaction? And, since it's a $25 markup for the custom, has anyone found it's just as easy to track down a *used* ball that fits just fine?

(FYI they won't drill until I've arrived to pick it up and, I don't pay til they drill. I'm just uneasy that the drilling could go awry).

Where can I find a "Magic 8 Ball" in Panama City, Panama....today?

wogbat — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 08:04:59 -0800

Where can I find a "Magic 8 Ball" in Panama City, Panama....today? If I had one...it would be able to help answer my own question about where to buy one...

Help me find or make a clear plastic ball for my drinking bird costume (yes, a drinking bird costume).

ethorson — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 07:34:32 -0800

I'm going to be a drinking bird for Halloween and need a clear plastic ball to fill with colored liquid and attach to my butt. How can I buy or make one? The ubiquitous drinking bird... a wonder of science and also (I hope!) my Halloween costume. I have the top hat and beak covered, but I'm hitting a Google wall on the clear plastic ball to be filled with liquid (I'm planning on attaching it to myself as a sort of tail). I figured I'd buy a clear beach ball, but the only ones I can track down online are on sites that make promotional products and you have to buy in bulk. So any ideas on where I could find one? I'm also very open to making one somehow--two plastic bowls glued together, maybe? Keep in mind it has to hold liquid.

Any other general drinking bird costume tips are welcome as well.

balls balls balls balls balls

Greg Nog — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 09:06:16 -0800

I'm throwing a Balls Ball. You know, just a buncha dudes, enjoying balls, watching 300 and drinking together. That kind of thing. We have a reasonable menu already, but still, I would like you to suggest your favorite balls. Give me your balls. Right now, the menu is:

Hors D'Oeuvres:
Melon balls
Cheese balls

Main course:
Swedish Meatballs
Souzoukakia (Greek meatballs in tomato sauce)
Other possibilities?: Malai or Palak Kofta, Pan de Yucca

Dessert:
Bourbon Balls
Peanut Butter Balls

Drinks:
Highballs

So that ain't bad, but I'm sure that there are key balls I'm neglecting. What other balls could I serve, metafilter? Suggestions are nice, but recipes are nicer! Thanks in advance for your balls.

Strike 4! No wait, ball 5! Err...

phaded — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:48:50 -0800

BaseballFilter: If a batter has a full count and then fouls off the next few pitches, do those pitches go as a ball or a strike in the pitcher's pitch count for the game?

MYSTERIOUS PHOTOS TAKEN IN BANGKOK

selton — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 14:54:57 -0800

Mysterious bangkok street photos.
I was recently in Bangkok and took, on my camera phone, two photos (one in focus one not).
Could anyone explain/wildly speculate what occured to create this scene? ie. What the ball is and why was it steaming/smoking? What is the sandy stuff on the floor? How did it come to crush a motorbike? There was nobody around to ask (in English) what had happened and it was very hot, in fact I didn't notice how strange the scene really was until I looked at the photos on my laptop later.

What I noticed is...
1) The ball was steaming/smoking from the "craters".

2) There was no crane around (when I got there) that could have dropped the ball.

3) A traffic cone is emerging from the sandy substance on the floor.

4) There is some road paint markings on the sandy stuff.

5) There are tree branches, so the ball must have been dropped from something.

6) The sand appeared to me to be hardened in some way, though that was just the impression I got, I didn't touch it.

To anyone that's interested, I can explain where I took the photos. If you exited the Siam Paragon, crossed the street and walked into the backstreets for about 100yards, it was roughly there. I can't be more specific as I was lost at the time.

I have not doctored the photos in any way.

Looking for non-Zorb-licensed plastic bubble riding info

nitsuj — Mon, 14 May 2007 10:12:40 -0800

What's the name for those giant plastic bubbles people get into to walk on water, slide down a hill, and crowd surf with called? (besides ZORB) I know about ZORB, but I'm trying to find "unofficial" (as in, not ZORB) places to do this worldwide. And not limited to rolling down a hill....I've seen people walking across lakes with these things.

Searching Google for this information is tough, since I don't really know what these things are called outside of ZORB.

I know about these locations already: Smoky Mountains, USA, Rotorua, New Zealand, South UK, and Australia. And I know you can buy your own.

We need a better name than "seed ball."

hydrophonic — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 15:04:56 -0800

Help-us-name-filter: Our urban envirionmental group is working on a project to seed vacant land. We're using the seed ball technique pioneered by Masanobu Fukuoka--forming seeds, humus and clay into small balls which are tossed onto the ground or thown over a fence . We need a catchy name for the process, something better than "seed balls," and without the violent/militaristic/terroristic assoiciations of "seed bombs." (Although we do like what these folks have done.)

The goals of seeding vacant lots are beautification, restoring life to dead soil, and increasing water permeability. Some plants can be useful in cleaning up contaminants and breaking up asphalt. A main focus our our project is education and awareness of the seed ball technique, and we hope to make a public exhibit and involve schoolkids and community groups in improving blighted land in their neighborhoods.

Rejected names include Seed Delivery Devices, DIY OXN (Do It Y-Oself Xeriscape Nutriballs), Thyme Release Capsules, VDS (Vegetative Delivery System), and so on.

What would Sun Tzu say?

oxford blue — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 23:43:48 -0800

Help me be the win at paintball. I have paintball on the weekend. Help me:

a) Not lose horribly
b) Not end up looking like a cast member from the Bravia ads

Please suggest tactics, stratagems, past experiences, advice, &c.

what's the name of the sport where the players have a scoop on their arm

Svea — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 07:37:52 -0800

what's the name of the sport where the players have a scoop on their arm

SpheroidTruncatedIcosahedronFilter!

i_am_joe's_spleen — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 18:57:10 -0800

My daughter wants to decorate a sphere in a football pattern. How do we determine the correct side length for the pentagons and hexagons, given a sphere of diameter n?

Help! Costume Deficient

Hexidecimal — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 16:54:06 -0800

What costume would be good? For the Bonnaroo Ball This Year.

My girlfriend and I are going to Manchester Tennessee this year for Bonnaroo and they've just added a masquerade ball. We've been wracking our brains to try and come up with something cool and something that will stand out but so far we're not coming up with much. The only thing I even kind of came up with was going as Shaun fro SoTD, but I'm not attached to it. We could use any ideas you guys can come up with.

Reputable Asian Ball-Jointed Doll Vendor?

vanoakenfold — Tue, 09 May 2006 08:48:58 -0800

Asian Ball Jointed Dolls Filter -- Can you recommend a reputable American seller/dealer, and what has been your experience with them (the vendor)? It seems like the only ones I can find are foreign companies and I'd rather buy from someplace stateside if I can, unless I'm confident enough in them from recommendations.. Only just today I came across a couple of livejournal entries when surfing toothpaste that had people making fiction shorts with these dolls, posing in different ways to act out comic-like panels with a caption. I found Gigglegeek.dk that has loads of sites to buy from, but pretty much all of them look foreign and I don't know one from the other as far as reliability.

In addition (although the recommendation is what I'm really after) -- How expensive would you say they are generally? I'd like to get one just to set on my desk. Is it possible to get customized eyes? I'd rather have one with cat-slit eyes than the regular kind.

Oh, what to wear!

ciaron — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 14:27:55 -0800

Invitation to a ball. Which dress option would you choose? The invitation specifies "Formal Attire / National Dress / Suit". I'm unclear about "Formal Attire" first of all - does that mean tuxedo / dinner jacket? It's at this place, which looks swanky but I don't know it. I'm Irish, so a convincing national dress seems out of the question. If I go for a suit, is a light colour inappropriate for an evening ball?

Can any of our more sartorially aware colleagues help me?
[I'm male, if I didn't make that clear]

Sit different

ldenneau — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 12:35:47 -0800

Where can I get one of those ball chairs like they have in the Apple Store? My kid loves em. Tried looking, got as far as the Baleri Italia web site and its user-hating Flash interface (they're in the "tato collection"). Anybody on the west coast carry them or a less expensive knockoff?