Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with mission

Electronic Drums with an old analogue Reciever

Scoops — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:55:07 -0800

Can I plug a Yamaha DT Explorer Drum kit into the AUX channel on my old Harmon Kardon analogue receiver with a set of big Mission speakers? .. or will something bad happen….?

So, do ya think it still works?

miss lynnster — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:25:29 -0800

Allegedly, this is the original key to the choir loft of Mission San Luis Rey. A) How can I confirm its origins? B) What should I do with it? My mother went to school at the Mission in the 1930s and tells that she was given this artifact by a priest who befriended her. It's just been kinda hanging out in our family ever since. I don't know how to verify its history, and I am not sure what the best place for it would be. I DO know that the best place for it probably isn't sitting on top of my television. No idea of its worth historically or monetarily. When I called the mission, they just sounded confused.

Panamaniacs, tell me about Panama!

attercoppe — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:57:39 -0800

My wife-to-be and I are going to Panama for our honeymoon. Following are a whole slew of questions about Panama! These are leftover questions from my research via the internet, Lonely Planet et al, and a guy we know who is from Panama (who tends to be evasive and inconsistent in his answers). (Some of these have been partially answered in other Asks.)

What's the best/cheapest plastic to take? A credit card (and if so, which one) or our regular debit cards (one is US Bank, one a regional bank)? Since Panama uses US dollars, I assume that there would be no currency exchange fees either way, how about ATM fees, international transaction fees, etc?

Where should we stay in Panama City the first night we get in? We'll be arriving about 10pm on a weeknight, can we wait and find a hotel that late or should we make a reservation ahead of time? We'll probably also stay there the night before we leave, as our flight out leaves at 7:30am. Bonus points for cheap!

Any recommendations on places to stay in or near Los Santos province, and/or near Bocas del Toro? Again bonus for cheap, also for long term, near the beach, and private.

Any "just jump in" sort of missions/social outreach opportunities in late May/early June? Not looking for the typical package deal, just something like a soup kitchen, orphanage, construction (or whatever) where we can simply show up and go to work. We'd prefer something Christian, but other options are great.

Wherever we go from Panama City, should we fly (quick but more expensive) or bus it (cheap but long and possibly cramped)? Or other?

Any cultural things we should know? Tipping, handshaking, whatever.

Any other advice you can give! Thank you hive mind!

Mission District or Mission Bay?

holympus — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 22:14:55 -0800

SF residents: were money no object, would you prefer to live in the Mission District near 16th and Valencia, or in Mission Bay near AT&T Park, and why? Coming from someone with very little direct experience with the city. I know they're very different places having just recently spent a day in both, but as a young person who has never really lived in a city before, I'm not sure which I'd prefer.

Any salient information about you and/or facts about these neighborhoods that will help me interpret your answer is greatly appreciated. I'm intentionally not saying too much about myself because I'm curious to know what you would prefer and why. Thanks.

Furnish me with furnishing ideas

Gordion Knott — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:30:57 -0800

After years of enduring slapdash, el-cheapo furnishings, I'm taking the plunge and buying honest-to-goodness, real furniture for my living room. That growling noise in the background is my gut clenching in fear. Help me with advice on purchases! First, I know what I want to get. Sofa, love seat, sofa table (to go behind the sofa). Sounds simple, but stylistically, I'm aiming for the heavy oak stuff with vertical wooden slats -- I think it's referred to as "arts and crafts" or "mission," but I'm not sure which term is appropriate. (Set me straight?).

Of course, I'll be buying replicas of mission or arts and crafts, not the real stuff from way-back-when. I'm not an antiques kinda guy.

The big issue is, my living room has a southern exposure. It gets pounded, yes, pounded in the afternoons by Mike Tyson-level blasts from the sun. Everything in there gets bleached out after five years or so. Carpets, everything.

I can't use blinds in this room, because the windows . . . well, let's just say that the original architect exercised creativity with their shapes and placement that don't conform to the dull geometry of curtain makers. Blinds are out.

So I'm thinking, to protect the furniture against the onslaught of the sun, maybe I should use leather instead of cloth for the cushions. Does this make sense? Also, what should I do about protecting the wood? Are there any finishes that hold up against sunlight better than others? Or types of wood that are known to resist sunlight?

Problem number two. Ordering the furniture. The stuff I'm looking for doesn't seem to be available in my local furniture outlets, which seem to specialize in plump, overstuffed couches and chairs. Think "Carmella and Tony Soprano," and you'll get the picture.

What to do?

Are there any stores with an online presence that are known for this type of livingroom furniture? And, when I'm ordering online, what caveats should I be watching out for?

Delta 2 Rocket Mars rover mission

mitzyjalapeno — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 19:59:15 -0800

Where do I find the audio file of the radio communications from mission control of the Delta II rocket launch? Preferably in .wav format. Thanks in advance.

making a personal vision / mission statement

bukvich — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 14:15:32 -0800

Do you use a personal vision and/or mission statement? I have one that is really vague and generic (~= golden rule, that level) and I am wondering about taking a couple hours and writing down something more formal. Searching google, etc. for HOW-TO's brings up zilch.

How did you turn your life around?

DarkForest — Sun, 13 May 2007 19:55:57 -0800

How did you turn your life around? I'm looking for inspiring stories and general patterns. Be as philosophical or as specific as you like. I'm not looking for things like giving up drug/drink/abusive mate; those don't apply in my case. I'm also not looking to find religion, except perhaps in some metaphorical sense like finding a mission in life.

Closer to it might be your attitude toward life and people, liking life and facing the stuff that happens everyday. Changing from wanting to stay in bed to being one of those people who can't wait to get their day started.

How did you do it? What really worked for you?

Thanks.

Mission Statements in Film

Pater Aletheias — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:56:35 -0800

Mission Statements in Film: I'm working on a presentation about the importance of having clear objectives, and am interested in relevant video clips. What I need are some examples from films (or TV, if it's on DVD) where some character lays out exactly what needs to be accomplished. On example would be the anytime on Mission Impossible when you hear "Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is..." but I'm racking my brain trying to think of other clear instances of similar mission statements. (It can be a lot less obvious than "This is our mission." Anything where someone lays out a plan for action. Creative examples from children's movies or comedies especially welcome.) TIA.

Valencia Street Parking

mto — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 21:41:22 -0800

In San Francisco, CA, on Valencia Street, in the Mission, I've noticed that many people park in the turn lane. Is this legal? There is almost always free parking in the turn lane, but I've always been to chicken to park there. Do these folks have a pass? Are they just taking a chance? I see people do it during the day and the night, so I'm starting to think it's legit.

United Nations

the fire you left me — Fri, 09 Apr 2004 12:47:08 -0800

Is the United Nations merely a guide for other nations to follow, or is their an innate burden of power within its charter?