Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with plan

Resources wanted - cultural diversity, youth, arts

divabat — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:20:02 -0800

Cultural diversity, youth, and the arts/creative industries - where do I start looking for resources? I'm doing a work placement with an Australian youth arts organization (non-profit) that provides advice and services to young emerging artists. I've been tasked with preparing a cultural diversity strategy, both to get more young people from culturally diverse backgrounds using their services, and also to make their current programs more respectful of cultural needs.

I've never actually written a strategy paper before, but I personally find the topic interesting so I'd like to do as much work as possible. I'd like to know where I can get more information.

I'm guessing this is largely a question of terminology, as searching for resources in my local libraries haven't given me much - what should I be looking for? So far I can think of:

* Brisbane/Australia's policies re: cultural diversity and the arts sector
* How other countries and cultures regard the arts and creative industries (no idea how to search for this)
* Examples of strategy papers
* Efforts in integrating different cultures, not just with young people and/or the arts world

What else should I be looking at? What resources fit the above list and what else should go on that list? Are there any universities/organizations that would be helpful?

How does a strategy paper look like anyway? It seems like right now I'm writing a plan for a strategy paper. (This project is only a week old so far so there are opportunities for adjustment.)

The org is Queensland-based and has offices in Caboolture and Brisbane, but resources from anywhere in the world are fine. My supervisor's worked in Eastern Europe and USA, and I'm from Malaysia, so we're all pretty good at taking our multicultural backgrounds and incorporating it into our work. I don't want to rely on stereotypes though, so I'd like to look at as much info from everywhere.

Plan B = Acne side effect?

BlackStrapMolasses — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:53:27 -0800

Plan B = Acne Breakout? I took Plan be about 2 weeks ago, and am now having terrible acne. Granted, it's summer, and I'm under a lot of stress, but I've never broken out this badly. They seem like serious zits, too, really deep and large. Acne is listed as an uncommon side-effect, but I've also read that some folks have have had REALLY bad break outs, long term. I'll be making a Dr. appt. soon, but has this happened to anyone? If so, what's going to become of me?!? Do I just have to wait it out, or is there something that I can do?

iPhone and family plan

jjcurtis — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:48:48 -0800

Can two iphones owners be on family plan from AT&T if one phone is an original iphone and another is a 3g iphone? Family member with original iphone doesn't want to upgrade, and likes the free SMS and lower monthly rate. If another family member buys a 3g phone with higher rates must they be on the same (higher) monthly rate plan to be considered a family plan? What is the best (least expensive) way for both family members to have two phones - one an first generation phone and one a 3g phone?

Has anyone used Careington Dental plan, or something comparable?

nitsuj — Sat, 17 May 2008 08:01:46 -0800

Has anyone used Careington Dental plan, or something comparable? My girlfriend and I are looking to get some basic work done on our teeth. We don't have insurance, so are looking at using a dental plan of some sort. Does anyone have any experience with Careington?

They offer a $6.95 per month plan that gets you great rates on lots of procedures. Too good to be true?

It doesn't seem like full dental insurance would make sense for us, since we rarely have work done.

This is in the United States.

Automatic Revision Planner

edbyford — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 06:44:46 -0800

I need a solution which will help me work out my revision plan automatically (Possible Excel filter?) Please help! Hello everyone

I'm revising for university exams at the moment. The way I do this is to go through either the textbook or my notes, making summaries as I go.

At school I used to set myself to do an hour of this, an hour of that etc. but I found that didn't work as I rushed things somewhat. So I've set out a plan which requires me to do a certain number of pages for each exam every day.

The trouble with this is, I still miss things out! I'll skip a day because of whatever, or I won't manage to get one set of pages for a certain exam done, or (as I've had to do) I realise that there is some additional book it would be useful to look at, so I double the amount of pages I'm doing in order to fit the second book in afterwards.

What I would love to do would be to have a program which I can type in the number of pages I have to do, the date I have to have revised them by, and whether I'm planning to take a break on certain days (or over the weekend), and also be able to tell it if I missed certain day, or didn't finish all the pages for one day, and have it tell me what I need to do over the remaining time available to catch up.

I use Windows (so no cross-platform solutions needed, though that would be cool), and I'm guessing maybe an Excel spreadsheet would work best for this, but I would prefer a web-based solution (although I could just upload it to Google Docs).

I have no idea how to implement this, but it would be such a cool idea for students and GTDers the world over.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Help with my high-metabolism food shopping list

sprocket87 — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 07:42:59 -0800

What are some sample meal plans or food lists for a high-metabolism, frequent small meal diet? Looking for specific ideas for the "eat 5-6 times a day" routine. I've been reading a lot about the benefits of eating less, more often. My eating habits as of late have been atrocious (lots of heavy dine-out foods and snacking in between). I can see the benefits of eating smaller portions designed to keep your metabolism working to your advantage (I think I'm subconsciously sabotaging my metabolism!).

So I ask your help in finding specific food shopping lists and food plans to help me get in the routine of eating this way. A sample of what I'm looking for:

• 7:30 a.m.—1/2 cup cooked oatmeal; one cup skim milk; one slice of whole wheat toast with one tablespoon peanut butter; one cup of blueberries
• 10 a.m.—8 ounces of non-fat yogurt with a tablespoon of walnuts or flax seeds
• 12:30 p.m.—Large spinach salad (two cups) topped with carrots, radishes, onion, cucumber and two ounces of tuna (packed in water), a teaspoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of vinegar; six whole-wheat crackers; one apple
• 3 p.m.—One cup of raw vegetables and one-quarter cup of hummus dip
• 6 p.m.—Three ounces of grilled, skinless chicken breast; one cup of brown rice; 1.5 cups of steamed broccoli; one piece of fruit
• 8 p.m.—One piece of fruit or three cups of light microwave or air popped popcorn

Source: http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2500/2589.asp?index=9788

I'm NOT looking for generic "eat high protein/high fiber/low calorie foods". I need specifics. I need a shopping list. Foods I can stick to exclusively and know that I'll be relatively safe until I get into the routine. I don't necessarily need the specific schedule as laid out above (though it would be awesome and very helpful if you have some daily plans like that!), but specific food choices would be great.

Thanks all!

Help a cheapskate pick a cell phone model and plan.

iTristan — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:57:32 -0800

We've all basically acknowledged that Canadian cell/mobile industry players are wankers and price themselves waaay too high for what we get. So until they get their act together I'm going to be cheap on my next purchase/plan. My requirements are :
1/ phone model must be Mac-friendly, speak to iCal, Address Book, sync well etc
2/ Instant Messaging is a must; particularly on AIM; adding MSN and/or Jabber is a plus
3/ email/web browsing etc, not particularly important, but nice if it works well and doesn't add much cost above #1 & 2

Not looking for fancy phone - just one that works and does the above well.

I'm currently on Bell, and don't particularly have loyalty to them, although it seems their rates are pretty good for basic voice and data - sticking with Bell is fine (and easy) if the deal is right. I don't really like Rogers as a corp, but if someone gave me an iPhone for free and said I had to use Rogers, I wouldn't think twice (but this isn't gonna happen!).

Would prefer to keep any contract to a 1 yr max.

How should I complain about this?

GrooveStix — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 19:11:33 -0800

Help me write a good complaint letter so I can get my $99 back. The billing department in my college failed to notify me that they changed their billing practices for the payment plan I use - a four installments plan.

In the past, when my financial aid passed, it respectively cleared the installments of my payment plan. This provided me enough time to gather enough funds, to pay what was left if my aid was short. It usually cleared the first three and I paid the last one.

In this semester when the financial aid passed, it was disbursed onto each payment equally, which left me with a due date in the beginning of the semester.

Now, had I known this, I would've saved and not spend cash on silly things during the summertime, but the problem is that I didn't know AND I wasn't notified about it when I signed up for the payment plan. It ultimately led me be late for three of the payments and pay $99 in late fees, which I believe belong to me. I have never received ANY late fees in my life (yes, I am young. I know. lol)

My question is, what arguments can I use to write a good complaint letter, besides the obvious inconsistency with their past practices. Is this legal? Is there a policy or an act that forbids things like this from happening? From an ethical point, it seems very unfair but I do think that our MeFi hive will have a better idea than me. Please help!

Canadian eligible for retirement plan in U.S.?

zgg105 — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 15:53:36 -0800

My boyfriend is a Canadian citizen working in the United States on a TN visa. Is he eligible to enroll in his employer’s retirement plan? If so, what are the limitations in terms of withdrawing those funds if he decided to move back to Canada to live/work? Are they transferrable?

The company he is with is smallish so HR was hazy on the policies. We’re having a tough time trying to find information on this so any input would be appreciated!

How do you stick to your long-term goals?

schroedinger — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 07:14:55 -0800

How do you maintain sight of your long-term goals? I chronically sacrifice long-term success for short-term gains and it's not working out for me. You know the tale of the Grasshopper and the Ant? Yeah, I'm the grasshopper. As soon as I make a resolution to, say, do my homework, eat more healthfully, stick to a budget, etc, within five minutes I've broken it. I can make all kinds of beautiful plans but I fall woefully short at implementation. On a day-to-day basis I just don't make the visceral connection that all the little breaks I give myself now create a big pile of crap in the long-term--though when it comes around to bite me in the ass it is all too clear.

I've tried to-do lists. I've tried GTD. I have ADHD, and have tried medication and therapy. I put little post-it notes everywhere. I can get the system to work for a few days--even a few weeks--and then I slack off or something comes up that breaks my concentration and it's all over. I think the problem comes at making the transition from the "good" behavior going from a temporary fix to incorporating it into my life.

I'm living like I'm five and there are no consequences, though they hit me again and again. It's gotta stop. What tricks do you use to activate your willpower and implement long-term change so you can ultimately realize your goals?

How to Create a Benefits Package

goalyeehah — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:02:34 -0800

How does one develop a benefits package when starting a new business? I am in the process of writing a business plan for a yoga studio and I would like to have a benefits package (health/dental/paid vacation, etc) How does one go about developing such a package. Are there pre-designed plans available.

Lastly, should benefits even be offered. I read some books awhile back that encouraged employees to work free-lance, be responsible for their own health-care, etc. and ask for what the business wants to offer as benefits to be instead added to salary.

Business plan authoring services?

jma — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:47:37 -0800

Business plan authoring services? I have a small company in operation for two years. We're three people with families and full-time jobs doing this whenever we can. We've had great success thus far, with promising results on the horizon even if it were to remain a side thing for us.

We can make this huge if we could do it full-time, and through personal contacts we've hit upon a few very interested sources of financing.

They want to see a business plan. The one we have is god awful. We don't want to screw this up so we're looking for a service to create a plan for us, something like Master Plans.

Does anyone have any advice/past experience/warnings on finding or using one of these services?

Got the weights, NOW what?

unSane — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 06:22:42 -0800

On AskMe's advice I bought a set of adjustable dumbbells and a bench. Now I need the hive mind's help to design a workout plan. I need to design a simple workout plan using only a bench, a stability ball, a step (if necessary), medicine ball (if necessary), and a mat.

I am recovering from a back injury and it is important to me to build up my core strength. I have no interest at all in 'bulking up' or 'sculpting' or anything like that. I am getting cardio elsewhere (biking). I'd like to plan a 30-minute, 5-day a week workout that works my whole body over the course of a week.

Although I worked out with a trainer for a year I am a real beginner at this stuff, so assume I have no knowledge at all.

Most of the stuff on the web seems to be aimed either at Ultimate Fighting Dudes (bench press 900lbs) or Pathetic Grannies ("your exercise for today is to stand in the same spot and breathe gently").

I am 42, 5'10 and a bit, 175lbs. Yes, I'm going to take it very easy at first.

Thanks in advance!

Factoring Utility Costs into Business Plan

goalyeehah — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 10:13:40 -0800

How does one estimate utilitiy costs utilities in 4000 square foot retail space? I am in the process of developing a business plan for a yoga studio and would like to know how does one calculate average utility costs for the year. Are their any sites out there that calculate costs per square foot?

What artists are in the same vein as the Dismemberment Plan?

Mali — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 15:50:29 -0800

Recommend me some good music in the vein of The Dismemberment Plan. So as of lately I've been getting really into the Dismemberment Plan and Travis Morrison, but I've worn through Change, Emergency and I, and The Dismemberment Plan is Terrified pretty heavily in the past few months. Are there any other artists out there in this vein (the spoken vocals, almost schizophenic musical feel, not necessarily experimental but with that frantic energy that's there in songs like Dismemberment Plan Gets Rich and Girl 'O Clock) that I should look into? I've heard a little bit of So Many Dynamos and they've sort of got a similar sound, but I'm looking for even more.

Please help me find affordable individual health insurance as a recent college graduate who is unemployed.

orangeshoe — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 15:42:30 -0800

I need affordable individual health insurance not merely a discount health plan - where do I get it? I recently graduated from college, where I was enrolled under the college's student health insurance. I have not yet found employment, but I need health insurance. I do not like those gimmicky "discount" health plans. I want real health insurance - specifically one that provides for individuals, not for family or small businesses health insurance.

I am willing to pay a co-pay but do not want any deductibles if possible. I also would like to have prescription medicine discounts. My budget for health insurance is preferably around $200 to $250 per month - is this too little to get the type of plan I'm looking for?

I am totally lost in the plethora of sites that pop up when I enter relevant search terms. Please help! I appreciate insight from anyone who's gone through this as I'm sure many have.

What's the cheapest cell phone plan?

k8t — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 12:37:39 -0800

Finding a cell phone plan. 517 + cheap - $20/month or less. I'm looking for a cell phone plan for a college student who has almost no money. I would be willing to pay for a phone for her that would be $20/month or less. This is for her safety and to ensure that I can get ahold of her easily.

Her zip code is 49224 and the area code is 517.

She would probably do some text messaging. Her phone calls would mostly be to people in her area code and some to people in other area codes. I would instruct her to try to keep her calls to a minimum outside of the freebie times. She does occasionally travel outside of her area code and would need to use the phone outside of her area.

I don't know if a pay-as-you-go would end up being more expensive than a plan. Aren't most pay-as-you-go plans rip offs? I have a used Sprint phone here that I think could be transferred over to her, I think. Sprint has a $30/month plan with 200 anytime minutes. I also have an older Nokia CDMA phone that I could give to her.

Any recommendations?

What is the best way to workout using weights?

fox_terrier_guy — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 06:24:04 -0800

Help me understand newer trends in muscle development with weights. OK, so I have been working out using weights off and on for numerous years since I was a teen. In the past I had always been told that you need to work the muscle to (near) exhaustion, as that is what causes growth - well, that and increasing the weight you lift every time if possible.

However, some recent articles I read tells me of a new trend; that of only doing one exercise/session/group and going heavier. For example, rather than doing 5 sets bench press (to say 200#) and then later coming back to the pec deck to fully exhaust the chest, the article says to simply do benches to five sets but try to go to 205#. Then you move on to the next group.

The theory is that when doing the pec deck, you don't actually stimulate growth as the weight will most likely not be heavy enough. I like the idea of streamlining my workouts, but why do workouts if they don't *work*?

So, looking for knowledgable responses on this topic. FWIW, I am a middle age ectomorphic guy and I do try to go to greater weights every time by keeping a logbook.

Help me plan a parade!

Sfving — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 08:23:23 -0800

Help me plan a parade! I'm in charge of planning a parade in Michigan next month, and I expect about 7,000 people to show up. Mostly teenage guys and their dads - think of this as a Boy Scout event but skewed five years older. I need to make this parade kickass, but there's some limitations:

- Nothing that offends parents. This is not a love parade.
- No cars on the parade route. But we have golf carts.
- We need a ride for a beauty queen. Too bad we can't have convertibles.
- We also need rides for six VIPs.
- We need some focus on the founding of our organization.

Besides the beauty queen we've got nothing incredible. What other awesome things could we put in this parade? How should we drive around our beauty queen and VIPs? How can we bring in history in a cool way? I'd also love to hear from people who have planned parades before.

Medicare drug plans

sandra194 — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 06:20:46 -0800

I need to pick a Medicare drug plan for Mom. Is there a resource that explains the plans in relatively easy to understand language?

Must... Kill... ... iPod

crapples — Sat, 03 Dec 2005 09:27:03 -0800

How can I get a new iPod, or at least a new iPod battery, for free using my still current Apple Care Plan? I have a G3, 20gb, black/white iPod with an 8 hour battery. I timed the battery yesterday and now it lasts 4 hours and 35 minutes! My Apple Care Plan expires in March of 2006, but I can't take advantage of it unless my battery charge drops below 4 hours (50% of original). I must make my battery fail, or get my iPod to stop working altogether, before the expiration date! How can I abuse my battery to get it to drop below 4 hours in the next two months?

NOTE: I talked to Apple, and they told me that dropping it, smashing it, and other similar solutions are out. They don't cover accidental damage.

Question number 14839

machaus — Sun, 06 Feb 2005 17:18:43 -0800

Need some advice on GIS route software.

Question number 14151

glibhamdreck — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 09:01:37 -0800

The math threads got me thinking; maybe someone can help my students? [+]

Question number 11799

Danelope — Mon, 15 Nov 2004 15:10:43 -0800

Can you recommend a flexible Win32 application for designing test plans?

Question number 11083

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 10:23:10 -0800

I'm 27, and getting to the point where I understand I'm not a big kid but an adult in denial. I want to change that attitude. I like who I am (hey, been that way for 10 years!), but apparently that's no good for an adult. I keep saying I like to seize the day, but I'd like to seize my future now (woohoo). I need to become responsible, to think long in advance, to make decision quickly... such things I tend to procastinate through, or let wane until the problem arises again.
So, my question : how do I grow up ? I have found such things as "planning your future" or even the "Life Assessment Quiz". I'm kinda looking for more advices on what I should do next, pointers, ways to kick my own ass, that sort of things.
Please, no "have a kid, that shall do the trick" tips :)