Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with central

Determining suit size and measurements.

Unsomnambulist — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:40:20 -0800

Is there a down and dirty way to determine my suit measurements without going to see a tailor or using anything other than a normal tape measure? I'm selling my soul to Central Casting (film and TV extras casting) to help pay some bills through this unemployment lull. In addition to an ID, I9, and other documents, they want measurements for a suit. Any suggestions on how a bachelor can get these numbers (or roughly the right numbers) in the comfort of his own home?

Do we stay (in NYC) or do we go (to Budapest)?

Hwaet — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:20:36 -0800

Following the trail of adventure and windborne caution, my boyfriend and I are kicking around the idea of moving to Budapest next year. Pipe dream or feasible goal? Questions about teaching ESL abroad (ten years after the Central European expat boom, no less!), expat experiences in 2009, Eastern European culture, general questions about Hungary, and... I've been living in Brooklyn for nearly three years, which has been fun but now I'm getting restless. I have worked as a bartender for a year that, sadly, has no future or room for upward mobility. I convened with my boyfriend and he's maybe game for moving to Europe, if we can swing it without bringing destruction to our finances. I honed in on Budapest because as a student studying abroad in Prague a couple years ago, Budapest was by far my favorite city. I liked the metropolitan, open-spaced feel that Prague seemed to lack, the wide streets, friendly but pessimistic people, the lovely architecture, the relatively cheap living (compared to NYC), the spas and operas and flea market, and its central location to other great locations.

I assume I'd probably have to teach ESL, probably business English. I have a college degree in English lit, and it seems I'll need to be certified in order to compete with Budapest's preferred English-speaking Hungarians. My boyfriend dropped out of college with a semester to go before completing his degree in English, and now he's a graphic designer who specializes in designing and selling signs. Do we have a chance in hell at scraping by in Budapest if I teach English and he freelances as a designer? Have you or anyone you know had experience with the TESOL programs? What's the most effective route that will make me appealing to employers that won't also break my bank?

Assuming we did move to Budapest, what should we expect in terms of culture shock? Is Hungarian culture very different from Czech culture? Keep in mind that I was still an American student living with fellow Americans during my time in Prague, so I might have very little idea of authentic Eastern European lifestyles.

Nitty gritty: What salary range should I expect as a first year ESL teacher? How much do decent, centrally-located apartments cost? What's the ex-pat community like? Can I bike in Budapest?

Barring Budapest, should I consider another city? I'm not really game for Asia, as I'm predisposed to cool, gloomy habitats. Budapest is so appealing partly because A) I've lived in Central Europe before and have some idea of how things are run, B) I'm a Brooklyn resident who likes big cities with a small town feel, and C) I'm dying to get away from the NYC mentality that justifies spending tons of money on booze and entertainment. More than anything else, I want to do something challenging before I settle down for marriage and babies and a mortgage. My boyfriend and I have each other, we're bright and adventurous, and I don't want to waste that energy living in America for the end of our days if it's feasible to try another country, however short of a time.

Is this possible?

How can we most enjoyably spend 1.5 months this summer [in spanish]?

Acari — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:06:29 -0800

Please help me decide whether to spend the summer in south america or in central america. My new wife and I have about 1.5 months to do with as we please this summer, and we'd like to go away.

The main aim would be to hang out and not to *omgseeeverythingrightnow*, but we'd most likely want to:
-take an intensive spanish course
-maybe hang out on a beach for a few weeks
-scuba dive, if it's possible and not too expensive
-take short [less than 200km] bike trips to neighbouring towns.

The south american plan would either be to [fly into peru, take a spanish course in bolivia, hang out in ecuador, fly out of Lima] or to [fly straight into ecuador and just stay there]

The central american plan would be to maybe fly into costa rica or cancun [cheapest points of entry to the region for us right now], and then take a bus to one or two 'base camps' from which we could accomplish similar amounts of nothing.

We have both been to [different countries in] south america before, and love the friendliness, the food, and the inexpensiveness of our experiences. Neither of us have been to central america, but just sort of assume that it will be pleasant in similar ways.

The only way for this to be a long trip will be for it to be a cheap trip, so we won't be staying in hotels or renting helicopters, but it would be really cool if we could go diving at least a couple of times somewhere amazing because it's just so fun.

Is there anywhere great to dive near ecuador that isn't the super-expensive galapagos islands? If we fly in to cancun or costa rica, where should we try to find a place to stay?

What am I forgetting?

Caribbean/Central America Trip Ideas in Late April

groovekiller — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:35:09 -0800

Looking for recommendations to travel to Central America or the Caribbean in late April. Sunny weather and beach a must. Hiking possibilities also appreciated. My wife and I have about 7-10 days to take this vacation. We don't like very heavily touristed areas but would rather go somewhere right on the brink of being discovered.

Thanks so much!

GK

Gold! Always believe in your soul, you've got the power to know...

Zé Pequeno — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 07:54:22 -0800

I am basing my Masters in International Business thesis on Prof. Barry Eichengreen's 1998 paper, 'Does Mercosur Need a Single Currency?' Although by no means an expert, I've been interested in the Austrian School for a long time and, as a result, am instinctively distrustful of central banks and fiat money. Can anyone direct me to any reputable, well-written and persuasive essays arguing the inherent weaknesses of currency unions in relation to this? I'm also keen to read any persuasive essays able to stand up to close scrutiny that successfully argue a reintroduction of the Gold Standard.

I know many economists dismiss Austrian economics as voodoo science, so I don't wish to get involved in an academic discussion.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Recommend me a room for talks and drinks in London, that doesn't cost the earth...

handee — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:58:46 -0800

Can anyone recommend a room to rent in central London for an evening do? We'd like the room from 6.30-10 (or so). Needs to be able to hold about 100, with projection facilities, and preferably with the ability to bring our own refreshments (or to have decent and cheap catering).

Victorian era travel journals and exploration books?

thewalrus — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:02:55 -0800

I'm looking for historical travel journals and books in the public domain. Specifically I'm interested in anything related to Victorian era exploration of the middle east and central Asia. About one month ago I came across the Project Gutenberg collection of books written by Arnold Henry Savage Landor, who seemed to delight in traveling "the hard way". As an example, in 1902 he decided to ride the train from Moscow to Baku, get on a Caspian lake steamer, travel to a port in Northern Iran and make his way over land through Iran to the western end of Balochistan, and from there to Quetta. In true Victorian era explorer fashion he brought a huge and unwieldy collection of scientific instruments, cameras, modern rifles, pistols and other things which baffled the local population. Reading any of his books one shifts between a sense of amusement (the guy believed in phrenology!) and genuine fascination at his observations of places and cultures that had rarely been explored or contacted by English speaking cultures. He goes into some detail about the historical, tribal and cultural background of the people in western Balochistan and southern / south-west Afghanistan.

Another example of a book in this genre is the Mark Twain non-fiction work Following the Equator in which he devotes a large section to describing his 1895 travels over-land throughout Australia, India and South Africa, with many amusing Twain-style anecdotes about the local cultures seen from the perspective of an American humor writer.

I'm looking for more public domain books in this style, although the Victorian era doesn't need to match exactly. Scientific observations aside, I found Darwin's Voyage of the Beagle to be a fascinating read. If it's something I can get from Project Gutenberg in plain TXT / HTML formats that would be a plus.

What's the name of that American Competition TV show...?

russ9595 — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:56:49 -0800

What's the name of that American TV show where a woman draped the American flag into a stunning dress without cutting it, and did the photo shoot inside Grand Central Station? I think it was some kind of photographers competition.

Valentines Day has left me partially blind

msali — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:31:53 -0800

Is there an ophthalmologist in the house? School me on central retinal vein occlusion. I woke up this morning and couldn't quite wipe the fuzzies out of my left eye. Before too long, I realized that those fuzzies were in my eye, not on it. Concerned, I scheduled an exam with my local optometrist who tentatively diagnosed me with central retinal vein occlusion.
Pretty common eye disorder, so it seems, if you are over the age of fifty. Being a 35 year old woman of sound mind (hah!) and body, I guess it is fairly uncommon. This optometrist referred me to a retinal specialist, and cautioned me to take an aspirin and not do much until my appointment tomorrow morning. My understanding is that there is no treatment for "CRVO", rather it is more important to determine the cause. My own research is freaking me out, so I thought I would pose it to my internet friends. What know ye of this illness in the young?

Garden State Living

Papa Mango — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:50:15 -0800

We are relocating to Central New Jersey and are looking for recommendations for towns. Mama has got a new job in Princeton, New Jersey
This would be our first time on the east coast so we are looking for recommendations for towns in Central New Jersey.
Details in order of relevance:
- We are in our early 30's and expecting our first child in June. We'd like recommendations for OB/Gyn and midwives with expertise in natural and minimally invasive prenatal/birthing practices (emails in profile if you would rather refer off the green)
- We are a one car family and would like to keep it that way. Mama's office is close to princeton station so any towns on public transit would be great. Ideally not more than 20-30 minutes commute time.
- Looking for local and preferably organic grocery stores and farmers market/co-ops close by.
- Family and friends are mostly in Northern NJ / upstate NY so we are not looking to head south of Princeton
- Not looking to buy in the near term, so any insider tips to finding great apartments besides CL and all the apartments.com type listings would be great.

Thanks in advance all!

T-Shirt print shop in London

Wilder — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:03:59 -0800

T-Shirt printed while you wait in central London?? My Goggle skills have completely failed me. I know these places exist. I need to either e-mail or phone an order which someone will pick up tomorrow. I just need 2 little boys T-Shirts printed with a short message. Can anyone help?

Drooling A/C must be stopped.

mrmcsurly — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 17:57:19 -0800

My A/C is making my furnace drool. A lot. We live in a main-floor/basement apartment, and our landlord lives on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The furnace and hot water heater are in the basement in our apartment, and the central air unit is in front of the house.

We've been in the house over two years, but very recently we have noticed a lot of condensation running off the furnace when we operate the A/C. It doesn't just "sweat", it actually drips and pools on the concrete floor. This is a new development, and we're obviously worried about water damage in our basement.

As part of our central air setup, the landlord built an enclosure that contains the unit as part of our garbage enclosure -- let me tell you, it gets very hot under there. Doesn't A/C need lots of ventilation? Could the lack of exposure to allow ventilation be pushing the condensation inside into the cooler furnace area?

Origin of a drastically false assumption about actual alarm system status?

Quarter Pincher — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:55:23 -0800

Where does the idea come from that an alarm company can actually tell whether the system actually is armed? I've worked for an alarm system monitoring company for 6 years. In all my experience, there's only been one single system (that 98% of customers do NOT have) that a dispatcher can actually go into right that moment and determine whether the system is armed or not. Very very few people have this system, yet it is "common knowledge" that alarm companies are able to do this, despite being absolutely untrue. Where does the idea come from that alarm companies can tell? Movies?

On all the rest of the systems, the status is only determined by the signals the central station has received in the past even if that was moments ago. There is no way to actually tell if the system is actually armed right this second. If there is a severed connection, such as a clipped phone line (with no radio-based backup)(among thousands of other possibilities), the system very well could be disarmed and we simply wouldn't know. The fact that an alarm company says "the system is armed" is purely a guess providing for an absurd number of assumptions such as the phones being in proper order, etc.

We've had so many cases of people simply failing to hang up their phone properly that prevented the alarm signal from reaching us (because it couldn't dial out), that when we tell them "it isn't armed" they go back to check to discover that it really is armed (and thus get mad at us), we've had to resort to "we show it is not armed" or "the building may not be armed."

Every time we explain why we only "show" that it isn't armed or why it "may not" be, it's like they're brand new every time, and to a lot of people we have to explain it multiple times, as if the "we actually know" assumption is the automatic default.

Or is this simply not the case at other alarm company central stations?

Local or Express?

2bucksplus — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 06:36:42 -0800

Help me optimize my daily New York City Subway commute! A good question for those who love transportation puzzles: Every business day, I travel from Union Square to Grand Central at 8:30AM and return at 5:30PM via the 4,5 or 6 train. These trains depart from opposite sites of the same platform. Given the frequency of the trains, and their comparative speeds (and the fact that the local stops along the way), am I better off:

1. Always getting on the first train that arrives, be it local (6) or express (4,5)
2. Always getting on the first express train that arrives, even if that means not getting on a local train (4,5)
3. Some other answer?

Why?

Now, say I just miss an express train (i.e. see it depart the station), am I better off:

1a. Getting on the next train to arrive, be it local or express (4,5 or 6)
2a. Getting on the next express train to arrive even if that means skipping a local train (4,5)
3a. Some other option?

Why?

I am assuming in this question that I always can board any train, but if I estimate that the express trains are too crowded 10% of the time, and the local trains are never too crowded, does that change your answer?

I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again.

Gordion Knott — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 05:11:42 -0800

We're planning a ten-day jaunt in Central America. Recommendations for the best scenic, jungly country to visit? My wife and I have traveled hither, thither and yon -- to undeveloped nations as well as developed -- but Central America has passed us by. To remedy this, we want to visit one of the Central American countries in February. But we're stymied as to which country best fits the bill.

Topping the wish list:
Leafy jungles with tropical wildlife.
Colonial architecture.
Tasty fish, shellfish and veggie dishes.
That "you're not in Kansas anymore" feeling.

Acceptable, but not deal killers:
Quiet beaches.
Ruins.

Thanks but no thanks:
Adventurous travel (eco-tourism, treks, etc.). (Nothing against these, but we're chillin' this time around).
Long plane and bus rides.
Noisy cities (if avoidable).
Nightlife.

Preferably, we'd like to aim for a single country, and keep the in-country travel to a minimum. Right now, Honduras, Panama, and especially Guatemala seem like our best bets. Suggestions?

Good vegetarian food in central London?

hoverboards don't work on water — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 07:50:16 -0800

Restaurants that serve good vegetarian food in central London? By good I mean food created with vegetarians in mind - not merely a token dish with the meat removed.

By central London I mean within reasonable walking distance of the touristy areas.

Thanks!

Is it common for US Americans to incorrectly assume that Russian is only spoken in Russia

gregb1007 — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 02:37:32 -0800

Is it common for Americans to incorrectly assume that Russian is only spoken in Russia but forget that it is also a common language in the former Soviet states? My question is prompted by a recent conversation with a friend from Latin America. He told me that he didn't trust in a Kirgizi young woman's ability to speak correct Russian because she was not from Russia. He thought she must have learned Russian as a second language, although she has spoken it as a first language.

I was kind of shocked by lack of my friend's awareness of how many people from post-Soviet states spoke Russian as a first language.

My question is: Do US Americans often tend to mistake this mistake as well? My friend was from Latin America, but I wonder whether a person from the US is also likely to be unaware that Russian is commonly spoken in the former Soviet Republics outside of Russia, (especially Central Asia)

P.S (I am only concerned about US-Americans knowledge in this question, even though this question was prompted by a conversation with someone from Latin America.)

Love it or leave it

youthenrage — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 18:14:44 -0800

What's the best way to get a job abroad? Specifically in the broad field of computers? I'm a recent college graduate with about 2 years of work experience, a bachelors in CS. I really want to work overseas, preferably in a spanish speaking country, but really anywhere would be awesome. I speak basic spanish, definitely not fluent, but I got around south and central america for about 3 months.

How do I go about getting a job overseas? Dice.com kinda sucks for outside the US, monsters a little better. Anybody whose currently working overseas, specifically in IT/programming/computers/etc... how did you end up finding your job?

Help me understand Honduras.

airguitar — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 01:04:40 -0800

Help me understand Honduras. What is a 'police state'? Why do the police officers here carry shotguns and wear paramilitary sweaters and boots? Why do police officers with shotguns, paramilitary sweaters and boots work shifts at Popeye's Chicken and the shoe store?

Starting from Ohio, I crossed the border in Brownsville, TX and wound through Mexico via Ciudad de Mexico, Oaxaca, Salina Cruz and Tapachula. In Guatemala I noticed the heavily armed heavy police presence and in Honduras I've seen the same.

Today, leaving my sister's apartment in San Pedro Sula, I saw a dead man slumped over into the passenger seat of his Toyota, having been shot moments before. Blood on his shirt, crashed into a tree. Camera crews around, police tape cordoned about the scene.

Mexico was poor but pleasant. Guatemala and Honduras have been desparate and paranoid before becoming violent.

This isn't a question for anyone with Google-fu enough to find a wikipedia article. I've been there. Have you lived here? Have you gone to college and studied Latin American economics or history?

Some footnotes. A conversational synopsis. Personal anecdotes. Weatherworn opinions.

Maybe it's the humidity.

central jersey to jfk airport?

ProfLinusPauling — Sun, 25 Dec 2005 14:53:23 -0800

Does anyone have any polite advice on driving from central new jersey to jfk airport so to get there for a 7:00 am flight? Here is a discreet portion of the mapquest directions:

Merge onto I-287 N toward BOONTON. (2.38 miles)
5. Merge onto I-80 E via EXIT 41A toward NEW YORK CITY. (18.97 miles)
6. Take I-80 EXPRESS LN E toward I-95/NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE/G. WASHINGTON BR. (5.43 miles)
7. Take the I-95 N exit- EXIT 68B- on the LEFT toward G WASHINGTON BR/NEW YORK. (0.62 miles)
8. Merge onto I-95 EXPRESS LN N/NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE N. (2.67 miles)
9. I-95 EXPRESS LN N/NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE N becomes I-95 N (Portions toll). (7.19 miles)
10. Merge onto I-678 S via EXIT 10 toward WHITESTONE BR (Portions toll). (14.64 miles)
11. Take the exit toward TERMINAL 1 2 3. (0.11 miles)
12. Take the ramp toward TERMINAL 1 DEPARTING FLIGHTS/TERMINAL 1 ARRIVING FLIGHTS. (0.04 miles)
13. Turn SLIGHT LEFT to take the TERMINAL 1 DEPARTING FLIGHTS ramp. (0.18 miles)
14. End at John F Kennedy Intl Airport (JFK) Jamaica, NY US
Total Estimated Time: 1 hour, 6 minutes
Total Distance: 53.87 miles

Essentially, I can't afford to miss this flight, so I need some advice on any of the potential pitfalls that I may encounter while driving to JFK on this route. [i.e. Any exits that are difficult to see? Any of those annoying highways divided into express and local lanes that might prevent me from getting to an exit? Does anyone have a toll cost estimate? Should I give myself more than two hours?]

Good books to read before wandering about Central and South America

airguitar — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 10:56:34 -0800

Good books to read before wandering about Central and South America for a few months? Culture and history and politics. The relationships between neighbor countries and neighboring people. Current affairs in the context of a greater story.

Help me not waste water..

jwhittlestone — Wed, 02 Nov 2005 06:42:58 -0800

watersalvagefilter: Ideas to save water from an inevitable shower.. I'll explain, the central heating is faulty and so to get it working I have to run the shower for five mins or so to fool it into coming on.

Five mins is a lot of water, any ideas for saving it for something? I don't want to have to keep hanging around for long..

I live in UK, so there no need to put it on the garden :)

Granddaughter visiting NYC

jjcurtis — Mon, 15 Aug 2005 12:35:35 -0800

Will be visiting New York City for three days in September. I'll be working but am bringing along my wife and five year old granddaughter. What would be good (fun) activities to keep them (esp the granddaughter) occupied. Will be staying near central park area.

vacation filter - sun and warmth

specialk420 — Wed, 16 Mar 2005 15:12:18 -0800

vacation filter: recommendations for vacation spots in the next couple weeks? - off the beaten path, sun, surf, adventure, tranquility. we are thinking souther costa rica (osa peninsula) but are open to other recommendations (nicaragua, panama, brazil, hawaii)... suggestions? thanks in advance.

What's the new South Park Commercials modeled after?

rampy — Thu, 10 Mar 2005 14:42:12 -0800

It's driving me crazy. There's these new South Park commercials on Comedy Central that's a take on some interstitial, show intro, or commercial from my childhood (born in '76). It's the quasi-pinball roller coaster ad, where the silver ball goes by and flips up 3 flags. What are these ads a parody of? I'm thinking it had to be part of a show, or common commercial/interstitial on nickelodeon or PBS or the like... way back in the early 80's