Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with number

Searching for activation number for debit card.

ofthestrait — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 11:46:15 -0800

I have a debit card from my credit union. I tore the activation sticker off of it before calling the number. Any way I can find the number somehow?

a shitty question

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:46:03 -0800

Poop question about normalcy and bowel movements [possibly disgusting] First, I realize this is sensitive issue, but any feedback would be appreciated (although that might be difficult since responses can't be anonymous).

First, some background. I lived the first 27 years of my life assuming that pooping would take 20-30 minutes and afterwards my butt would be dirty. We're talking really dirty. It would take maybe 1-3 minutes of wiping to clean things up. This might not sound terrible, but the point was that I could _always_ wipe more. There was no point at which the toilet paper would be completely clean. I hated this situation, but I assumed everyone lived like this and I was too embarrassed to mention it to anyone. However, I was more open with my second girlfriend .The subject was broached when I asked her eating habits after noticing (what I thought were) incredibly short bathroom trips. This led to me watching my diet more carefully and finally realizing that I was lactose intolerant. I also discovered the wonders of psyllium husk. Since then pooping has gone from something I dreaded to something I look forward to and actually enjoy. I feel "empty" when I'm done. And I usually wipe completely cleanly (I mean I wipe once to make sure, but most of the time it's completely clean). I'm also usually in the bathroom for less than five minutes, as opposed to a half hour. Occasionally things won't work this well, but that's an abberation.

Now there seem to be two possibilities. One is that this story is unique and most people are not walking around with mudbutt, assuming they don't shower immediately after a dirty poop. I hope this is the case. The other is that many people are living how I used to live. I realize there are obviously personal variations, but I wonder what you experience personally or what you believe is normal or common.

To clarify: When I say a poop is "complete", I mean I feel "empty" and done afterwards and I rarely have to wipe more than once or twice.
When I say a poop is "incomplete", I mean I could keep wiping forever and the toilet paper would still be dirty (from the anus, not the cheeks). Wiping at this point is mainly to get poop off your ass while acknowledging that nothing can really be done about the poop that keeps coming out. I suppose showering would be one solution to this.

I've noticed a few things that have led me to believe a large amount of people are walking around with mudbutt.

1) The prevalence of bathroom reading materials. In movies and on TV people are always reading in the bathroom. I can't imagine having the time to read anything these days, although before my poop habits changed I could probably have read a novel in a sitting. Assuming length of time sitting corresponds with dirty/"incomplete" poops (does it?), this seems to suggest that people who find reading in the bathroom normal are more likely to have dirty butts.

2) Sheryl Crow recently said that one or two squares of toilet paper should be sufficient. This led to a wave of ridicule (ie, Jay Leno: "Remind me not to shake her hand!"). But ridiculing her seems to suggest that people use way more than one or two squares, which should not be the case if their poops are "complete".

3) I've spoken to women (obviously I don't think all women are the same) who have talked about being mortified about farting in public bathrooms. Men's bathrooms seem to smell much more and women seem to not take as long when pooping. These are gross generalizations, but I wonder if length of time in the bathroom and smell correspond with "incomplete" shits and on average, men have mudbutt more often than women.

4) I recently mentioned an "invisible shit" I had to a friend since it was such a rare occurance. By "invisible shit" I meant that I had taken a poop, but it has disappeared into the bowl and when I looked down, I could see nothing in the toilet. He thought I was talking about not having to wipe, where an "invisible shit" meant that nothing was on the toilet paper after pooping. Since he found this to be an extremely rare occurance, that suggests that he often has "incomplete" poops.

I'd be interested if complete/incomplete was actually something other people experienced or just something I made up, and what other people's normal habits are.

How do I port my number to Cricket from Vonage.

2oh1 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:29:58 -0800

Cricket says it isn't possible to port my phone number from Vonage but there has to be a way, right? What's the cheapest way to accomplish this? I'm assuming I'd need to port it somewhere else first. Or not?

Don't call me, I'll call you. No, seriously, I'll call you. Don't call me.

aristan — Fri, 23 May 2008 09:10:05 -0800

I'm currently out of work and looking for a new job. I share a cell plan with my family, but thanks to the combination of my having little money coming in and my sister & her boyfriend deciding that text messages are super fun, my phone's been cut off. So now I have dozens of resumes floating around with a bad phone number! How do I let prospective employers know my new number? It's easy to update Monster.Com, Career Builder, etc, but I've sent out lots of resumes direct. What's the best way to update everyone with a new phone number? I want to appear professional and not overly pushy or like a dead beat who can't pay his bills!

Order my contents?

mcarthey — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:05:22 -0800

How can I create a table of contents for a professional portfolio that contains a collection of material gathered from various sources? I have to submit a professional portfolio for my education certification. It will contain newly created annotations and artifacts/examples of my work. Some of the documents were written years ago, and some of the artifacts are examples of handouts and student work. I will be creating tabbed sections, but the table of contents is a required item. I'm not completely satisfied because of the various fonts used throughout the collection of work, but I don't have complete control over that.
I had thought of scanning in the entire collection (all on 8 1/2x11) and somehow numbering and reprinting everything. I have also considered using stickers or something similar that may be made for this purpose (although I don't know what that would be, if they exist). I am afraid it would look tacky.
Is there an accepted method for accomplishing this?
Thanks all!

Help me keep my phone number a year from now

furtive — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 15:48:07 -0800

Canadian Phone Question: I'll be leaving my city and province for a year, and I'd like to make sure that I have the same phone number when I return as when I left. What are my (cheapest) options? The obvious choice would be to have my number (it's a cell number) transfered to a land line at a relative's house, but that's about $50 + 12 x $25 = $350. What other options do I have?

For the record I'm in Montreal and will be out of the province for 6 months to 1 year.

Why do commercials for Disney World have a toll number?

aerotive — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:22:04 -0800

Why do commercials for Disney World have a toll number? It's always struck me as odd and stupid that so giant and profitable a company wouldn't spring for an 800 number. Is it just a cost-cutting measure? Have they always done it this way?

What to these take-off parts fit?

ShawnStruck — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:47:13 -0800

Can you help me figure out what model of Ford Pick-up truck these parts can fit? (links to large pictures of parts and serial numbers inside) Set of front shocks, serial number close-up)and a wide view

coil spring, wide view and best quality

Here's a front spindle and a close up of the serial number

Some rear shocks, wide view, and a close up of the serial number here.

So, anyone have any idea how I'd find out where these go to?

I want 55 5th St. But, noooo!

wsg — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:24:39 -0800

How are house numbers allotted in Walton County, FL? The fellow at the courthouse said it is determined by distance and has something to do with emergency services. The house right next door to me is 53, but my number is 61. Why isn't it 55? Googling has failed me.

NFL jersey numbers

robstercraw — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 19:47:26 -0800

Can anyone help me find the most-sold NFL football jersey number? e.g., Have more #7's been sold than any other number, regardless of team or player?

How would you assign numbers to the different types of human effluvia?

Mapes — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:51:32 -0800

How would you assign numbers to the different types of human effluvia? We all know what "number one" and "number two" stand for. There is some precedent for referring to semen as "number three." What are some smart, memorable ways of numbering our other discharges: tears, sweat, earwax, saliva, breast milk, etc.?

Assume that the numbers might be used as a shorthand or code for privacy or obfuscation ("Cleanup number five on aisle seven").

The best answers will be suitable as mnemonics and be clever enough to seem obvious in retrospect. Example: #8 = vomit, because it's what you "ate." Creativity and memorability win here.

Point me in the right direction...

chrisfromthelc — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:50:10 -0800

I need to find a Phone Number Bank-type service that works for Houston, TX phone numbers. I've got a 281 (Verizon) number that I absolutely cannot lose (business). Apparently, our long-distance PRI carrier cannot port in a local number,...only the toll free one.

I've checked out Phone Number Bank (https://www.phonenumberbank.com/), but, they cannot service our area (apparently, they are limited to East Coast numbers.

Anyone out there have any ideas short of getting on Vonage and doing a call forward?

Formatting Phone Numbers

debit — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 10:44:29 -0800

Why are certain phone numbers written out differently on web pages, e-mails, business cards, etc? Such as 123-456-7890 or 123.456.7890? How did this originate and are there situations where one format is more appropriate than another?

Keeping my cell number alive for 2 years

sdis — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 22:11:47 -0800

CellPhoneFilter: What's the cheapest/best way for me to keep my US cell phone number while I'm gone abroad for 2 years? I'm moving to Austria for two years, but would like to keep my US cell number (Mostly so I can add a voicemail message with my current contact info, and so I can use it occasionally when I'm visiting home).

My T-Mobile contract expires next month, and I was planning on switching it to T-Mobile Prepaid. Seems like if I purchase 1000 minutes for $100, then those minutes will expire after one year, and I can get smaller increments of minutes after that with the same 1-year expiration.

Advantage: Relatively easy, don't need to get a new SIM card.
Disadvantage: 1000 minutes may go to waste the first year (aka minute expiration is irritating)
Net expense: $100 + whatever minutes I need the second year. ~$0.10/minute for the first year.

Are there other options I should consider? Can I move my cell number to a SkypeIn account or something snazzy like that? (Not that having a prepaid cell in the US when I visit is such a bad idea)

Parking or forwarding my phone number, while living abroad

cmiller — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 11:55:08 -0800

I know that phone numbers can be moved from carrier to carrier, but I'm moving outside the country for a while. Can I "park" my fantastic mobile number and reclaim it when I return? I live in the US, and I'm moving to Ireland for at least a year, but I don't want to give up my phone number (which is currently with AT&T née Cingular). In best to worst order, I want:

- calls to go to my new phone,
- calls to go to voice-mail,
- my number to be disabled with a message, or
- my number to be disabled.

When I return, I want to resume using my number, in any case.

I know of services like GrandCentral and YouMail for telephony hacks, and LNP to Skype e.g. is impossible -- all have some essential piece missing. How can I safeguard my phone number, and perhaps even use it in some capacity, without spending more than, say USD$100 per year?

HPShopping.com back-end number

strangelove — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 18:41:56 -0800

Does anyone have a back-end number for HPShopping.com, i.e. a means to call from Canada? Relates to my previous question; I am in Canada and want to purchase a Tx1000z and journey down to buffalo to pick it up.

Weird phone numbers showing up on my cell phone caller ID

parilous — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:04:49 -0800

There are weird phone numbers showing up on my caller ID - what's going on? What should I do about it? (I've already called Verizon about this, but they had no information.) The past two days I have received:
* 7 calls from: 233-242-248101
* 6 calls from: 01

The phone rings/vibrates only once, as if I had received a txt message. They take place between 1-2 minutes apart. I have received three "sets" of these calls -- 9am (MST) yesterday, 11am (MST) yesterday, and 1pm (MST) today. My cell is an LG, but I doubt that makes any difference.

I have googled the number and it looks like it may be an international call, possibly coming from Ghana, and likely connected to a calling scam. I don't know how to stop these calls, but have been assured that no minutes are being deducted if I don't answer. I guess what I'm worried about is whether or not my phone is being hacked (or something similarly nefarious). What's going on, should I worry about it, and how should I take care of it?

Looking for 1/2 house numbers

joshuaconner — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 14:20:51 -0800

Anyone know where you can find some nice 1/2 house numbers online? (I live at 217 1/2 N. joshuaconner St. and want to put my address outside.)

A number plate worth cherishing?

sagwalla — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 06:51:07 -0800

Does anyone have experience with buying, selling or swapping UK "cherished reg" car number plates? I have a 15-year-old car that I am thinking about retiring. For no especial reason it has a number plate that is the letter J, a single digit (not "1") and then TES.

When I bought the car, the dealer gave me a certificate that valued the reg at £497. But the reg never really mattered to me. It just happened to be on the car that I bought.

Now that I am thinking about retiring the car, I see that, according to websites, this reg might be worth upward of £2000. If that's the case, it's probably worth more than twice what the car is.

But how much might the reg be worth to me?

Has anyone had experience of selling a number plate through one of these services? How much do they really pay you if they're selling your plate? I can't imagine there's a ready market for this, because you can have an E-reg for (still) about £500. But vanity is an odd thing.

I was also thinking about moving the reg to the replacement car; it looks like that can be done for £80, but I guess then I need a number plate for the old car if I want to sell it for anything. I wonder what this whole exercise would cost.

You can also "park" a reg off car for £110. I guess that's what people do who want to sell the plate without the car. Is this sensible?

I am wondering if this whole universe is worth entering. I've always been mystified that this is potentially such a big business.

How do I get my old phone number back?

®@ — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 10:06:47 -0800

How do I purchase my old phone number? So I moved, had to get a new phone number. It happens. But now my alma matter's released their yearly screenplay directory, and it still has my old number (I moved after the submission deadline, so I couldn't get it changed).

I tried calling my old number so I could just ask the current residents to forward my calls, but I just got the "not in service" message. Does anyone know any special tricks to getting the phone company to sell you back your old number? The other problem is that I'm currently in a different borough (Brooklyn, used to be in Manhattan).

Keeping phone number with voicemail only for a reasonable cost.

crewshell — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 15:22:42 -0800

I have an old Cell phone from the states ( i just moved to the US Virgin Islands) that I would like to have go to voicemail only (thus keeping the number for if / when I move back to the states and so I dont have to update everyone with my new number (they can just call it, leave a message and I can return the call with my local cell) but I am having a hard time finding a service that accomplishes this. I want to keep my current number (on verizon wireless) but I dont want to pay 40 some bucks a month just for voicemail (thats their cheapest plan) a search online found a few options but they seem expensive... I'd like to pay something like 60 70 80 a year for this... Is that service out there where I can port my number over?

800 Number: Pro's and Con's

avoision — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 19:51:56 -0800

I'm considering getting a 1-800 number. How best to go about this, and is there a chance I could get burned with a huge bill? I am working on a personal project wherein I hope to have people call me, and leave a one minute message. This is not for a home business; it's for a personal project.

I want a LOT of people to call. While I can give out my home phone number, I know that a 1-800 number would be much easier to remember, and easier to pass along.

I realize this is weird. But try to ignore the fact that this is for a personal project, and that it's *NOT* for a business.

That said, what's the best way to obtain a 1-800 number? I've tried calling my phone company, and it usually takes 20 minutes just to get to one person who knows anything about custom numbers. Just curious if there's another way.

And finally... my understanding is that I will be paying for all the calls that come in, local as well as long distance. If I happen to get my wish, and a ton of people do end up calling, is there a chance I could wind up with a $10,000 phone bill?

Girl advice

comatose — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 23:31:21 -0800

Question about getting this girl's number and possible creepiness factor. So I am in the 7th week of 10 week summer classes and in my 1 night a week astronomy class there is this cute girl... She has been to class twice- once the first week and once two weeks ago. Two weeks ago was the first time I noticed her and we talked a bit in class about random bs, nothing special. Now for some reason I find that I can't get her out of my head. It's doubtful that she will come to class again. However, she has a friend that I see regularly. Now it is not above me at all to ask the cute girl's friend for the cute girl's number.

So the question is for the MeFi ladies... If you received a call under these circumstances (guy you've talked to once getting your number from a friend), what would you think? Creepy? Awesome?

ps unless I get a substantial amount of creepy responses I am doing it

maybe this is a good thing

randomstriker — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 22:13:43 -0800

Haven't done a #2 in a few days now. No pain or discomfort whatsoever...anything to worry about? For most of my life I've been pretty regular. The only issues I've had with bowel movements have been when I've been obviously ill.

In the last couple months however I haven't been so regular, and in the last week I've almost stopped shitting altogether. I don't feel any bloating, pain or discomfort at all, just the occasional smelly fart. Certainly I could have some more fibre in my diet but I wouldn't say it's especially unhealthy as of late. I phoned my doctor and he said doesn't sound like anything worth going to see him for.

Should I worry?

Why the same serial number, Autodesk?

skree — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 08:03:17 -0800

Since the dawn of recorded time, you can use a certain easy to remember serial number¹to install any Autodesk product. This number is widely known and used by the "try before you buy" crowd². Why would this be so? Any conjectures on why Autodesk hasn't plugged this hole? ¹I won't post the actual #, lets say it starts with a multiple of 100 and then has a bunch of digits in sequence. ²Or so my friends tell me.