Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with things

Who are "Bob and Terry"?

ladypants — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:03:07 -0800

In the film version of Where the Wild Things Are, (spoiler alert!) who are Bob and Terry supposed to be? (spoiler alert!)

So I just saw Spike Jonez's film adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are. I thought it was pretty bleak, but I loved the facial expressions on "Bob and Terry", the owls that KW has tucked under her arms. But who or what are they supposed to be?

I'm totally baffled by the symbolism. KW seems to be the "cool" monster, the hip one, the Karen O/Michelle Williams stand in... (not that I am making any assumptions about Mr. Jonez's creative process or anything...).. who has friends who are presumably more worldly than the Wild Things - the famous Bob and Terry.

But then she goes and hucks rocks at a pair of soaring birds, knocking them out of the sky, and tucking them under her arms where they look none too amused. What is their relationship all about?

Are Bob and Terry based on specific people? Heads of Warner Brothers? Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore? Are they symbolic? If so, symbolic of what? Are they saints? Are they frauds?

Sorry, my head hurts. It's a loaded image, and I'm hoping the wise folks of MeFi can help me make some sense out of it.

Monday/Tuesday Bay Area Stuff to Do

yellowbkpk — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:20:39 -0800

What else can I visit in the last 2 days of my Bay-area visit? After dropping my wife off at the airport tomorrow morning, I have 48 hours to see as much cool stuff as possible. I realize that I'm getting awfully close to duping numerous "cool/geeky things to do in the Bay" questions, but the unique twist here is that it's Monday/Tuesday: most of the cool things (like Computer History Museum) are closed these days.

Can anyone suggest some neat things to drive by and take pictures of, see, or do? What's worth the drive time? Apple HQ? Netflix? Google? Yosemite National Park? Mythbusters/M5 Industries?

I've already seen the Exploratorium, and walked around Crissy field and Stanford.

Thanks!

If you think about it, if someone helps CF Kane get the sled back earlier, a lot of people lead much better lives. So who is that hero?

rileyray3000 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:53:57 -0800

Say that Citizen Kane really wanted to find Rosebud - who would he call? Is there a kind of specific person who tracks down these personal lost things? So I’m doing research for a project and I’m wondering if there is a specific class of person of searcher, or researcher or private investigator who goes looking for objects that are lost. Kind of like art provenance people but more general if that helps.

If there’s a name or kind that exists and you can tell me, that would help. And if there really is some sort of expert out there you can name that I could then try to reach out to and ask some questions that would help more.

Tactfully breaking off casual dating

Anonymous — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:11:26 -0800

How to tactfully break things off with a woman I just started dating? I’m a late 20s guy with fairly limited dating experience. I’ve been in two long-term relationships thus far (both ended very amicably) and in several short term ones. My short term relationships mostly fizzled out without any formal break up. The few that ended formally, my girlfriend was the one to break it off (“we should just be friends”) but this was after 2-6 months of dating.
After many years of not being able to land a date, I gave up and now seem to be going on dates all the time (women I meet offline and online). Although I am having a good time, I have no idea how to end these casual dating relationships when I am no longer interested. Example: I recently met a girl at my coffee shop (we’re both regulars there). We chatted a couple of times, I asked her out, and went on a date. A week later we had a second date. After both dates, she wrote me a nice email saying how much she enjoyed it and that she was looking forward to seeing me again. She seems like a nice person but after two long conversations with her, I realized that I don’t enjoy being around her. My usual response to a situation like this is to not return the email and hope that she doesn’t contact me again. I would probably also avoid that coffee shop for a little while. But clearly this is not the adult thing to do.
Writing her an email saying “Hey, I’m not interested in dating you anymore” sounds weird and formal (because we are not in a relationship). But then I don’t want to leave her hanging. What is the graceful, adult thing to do here?

PS: I have been on the other side of this too. A few weeks ago I went on a date with someone I met on okc. I wrote her an email and called a few days after the date. We played text tag for a couple of days but then she stopped responding and deleted her profile. So that was the end of that. Is that the way to go? Stop responding and the other person just takes the hint?

What's a 14 Year Old Boy to Do In NYC???

musofire — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:38:11 -0800

My 14 year old stepson is bored in New York. What should he do? How about Montreal? My 14 year old stepson can't think of anything fun to do in New York. I know, I know. Me, I would go to the Natural History Museum. The Museum of Television and Radio. Ellis Island. The Cloisters. I would walk around. I might go swimming at the Y. I might even sign up for a language course.

He has rejected all of these. What other things are there to send a 14-year-old boy off to do by himself? He has no friends in New York, and I'm in Canada.

Also, he'd like to come back and spend some of the summer with us, in Montreal. Aside from the Just For Laughs Festival and La Ronde, what other fun things am I missing for him to do?

Help Me Get Things Done

parmanparman — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:21:26 -0800

I love taking risk-taking. I am bold, tenacious, speak my mind and if you've met me you would know that I get a certain thrill out of it. Increasingly, I am finding myself wanting for ways to channel my love of risk into the energy I need to get things done. Please help me do this. In almost every aspect of my life, I can say with honesty that I take advantage of my love of being challenged. In work, I have moved from difficult position to difficult position looking for ways to create better enterprises but have been happy with my work in general.

I fear I am unable to put real strength into overcoming certain obstacles that are "New Beginnings". I want to take the GRE and finish my MA; I want to become a leader at work instead of just being the "Idea Guy who is good at building relationships"; I need to show that I can implement my own good ideas and be a capable ally to others. I am not following up all of the projects and people like I need to be doing and it's bad for me.

I ordered "How to Lead When You are Not in Charge" and "Inside the Millionaire Mind" but I would like to especially hear from creative people who decided they needed to get moving on things and found ways to be constructive, please people and most importantly please themselves. Any other help, links, or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

The steps I am taking now are:
1. Knowing I cannot please everyone.
2. Being aware of when I might overstep my station.
3. Taking care with information I have gathered.

Too Much Stuff!

divabat — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:03:32 -0800

Less than six months before moving internationally - how do I manage all my stuff? I just completed my degree and am waiting for graduation in March. I'm doing some uni research work over the holidays - I don't know yet how long the work will go for, but it typically lasts till Dec/Jan. I might then go home for a short while and return for graduation, or just stay in Australia until graduation day, when my visa stops being valid.

What do I do with all the stuff I acquired? Specifically, what's the best plan of action I can take that won't add extra stress (with this research work and all) but also won't leave me with too much to do before I have to leave the country?

The complicating factor here is that I've suddenly been evicted from my earlier room rental and have to find somewhere else to stay in a week. (I'm currently at my boyfriend's place.) This makes it harder to go through my stuff thoroughly, as I'm only back at the ex-house for a few hours a day (I don't trust the houseowner much anymore and feel unsafe there). So I have about a week to pack everything up, including things I likely won't need, and chuck it somewhere. There is a possibility of me moving back to college till February, or else there's private rental.

I have tons of books, some clothes, some electrical goods (fan, iron, kettle), accessories, toiletries, and other miscellania. Also LOTS of paper.

* What do I absolutely need to keep? Certificates, bank statements, anything else?
* I've been trying to get rid of some of my books through BookMooch, but they're not all going and I end up getting more. I've tried selling them to a second-hand bookstore and got measly returns. What else can I do?
* My friend might organise a garage sale soon, and I was thinking of selling off some things. I know the electric goods would go OK, and perhaps some of the books/clothes/media, but how about half-used toiletries (shampoos, creams, etc)? Magazines? Shoes?
* How do I get rid of any leftover dry food?
* I'm thinking of sea-frieghting some of my things back to Malaysia. However, I'm worried that Malaysia Post will lose them (it has happened), and I'm not sure if registered & insuring them will be worth the cost. What are some good strategies to ensure my things get home?

If you've had to move back home after international (or just outstation) work/study/travel, how did you deal with your things? What was your goal with your things? Did you get any return? Is it worth trying to get money, or am I better off just giving things away (and to who?)?

Do you know the (best) way to San Jose?

ClanvidHorse — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:43:14 -0800

Things to do in San Jose! And how to get there... I am working in San Jose for a few weeks from Monday and flying out to San Francisco from the UK tomorrow.

I intend to spend my middle weekend doing things in SF but was wondering what there is to do in and around San Jose at night. I will have the full day Sunday in San Jose too so any ideas for then would be great too. Bars/restaurants/sights... I am interested in anything that the hive can think of!

Also, I won't be driving, how easy is to get to San Jose from San Francisco International airport? What is the best method? Am I best to just get a taxi?

Thanks

Recipes for a rescued day, please.

Arch1 — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:40:52 -0800

How do you get away without going away? I understand that life, to an extent, is learning to make a heaven of where we are, but adult life, at least from my perspective, is aiming for contentment while in a grind of necessary work and rewarding parenthood. My question: serious vacation-- the thing of real time in a other-place of startling beauty and relaxation-- is at least a few years away. What do you do to bring a bit of notable temporary bliss, either daily or occasionally? Looking to avoid inventing the wheel when clearly, the Hive Mind has them already. And no, not looking for the pat pharmaceutical or proselytizing answer, please.

I can't seem to hang onto anything.

wastelands — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:18:25 -0800

I am a purger. How do I stop throwing away so many things and start collecting? I suspect most people with OCD are hoarders. I am the opposite. My friends admire me for how minimalistic, organized, and "Zen" my home and computer spaces are. Yet, the flip side is that I constantly throw away things that I later regret tossing. This includes important items too, like a recent state employment department letter.

It's crazy, I know. My first reaction when cleaning house is not, "How might this be useful in the future," but instead, "Is there any way I can get rid of this?" I am completely unsentimental and merciless in purging things. A few years ago I canned a newly-purchased $250 watch because I became tired of winding it every day. I gave away a 5.1 speaker system to a neighbor when I felt the wires were unsightly.

I have improved since then; however, I still admire greatly people who can do what I can't yet do: build gigantic collections of music, books, coins, photos, whatever.

For example, I read a lot. I'd like to have a book collection so I can reference previously-read books, show people who visit my house what I'm interested in, etc. Despite reading hundreds of books in my lifetime, my current collection is a mere ten books... and even those are in danger! I'm sorely tempted to sell them for cash/trade value. They're just sitting around! It bugs me. It feels wasteful, and it takes a tremendous amount of discipline to not get rid of them.

I'm especially interested in hearing from people like me, because I don't know anyone who "purges" like me. I'd also love to hear from people who have big collections, people who can explain the mentality of how one goes about acquiring and retaining things in a deliberate, organized fashion. Thanks!

Help me manage my people collection.

Naberius — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:38:22 -0800

I seem to have a very particular social skills deficit. Can you suggest software that might serve as a kind of brain prosthetic for me? I like people - I really do. But I'm an introvert. And, for lack of a better word, I just lose people if they don't get in my face on a regular basis. I want to maintain relationships, but I just lose track of people and before I know it months have gone by and the friendship has atrophied. A lot of my interactions with friends are sort of "yeah, sorry I haven't been in touch, how are things going with you? I'll try to be better about that." Over and over again.

Also I'm in a field where the ability to network is quite important and because of this particular issue, I really suck at it. Basically I seem to be able to keep up with only a very small inner circle of friends - smaller than most people's - and everyone else drops off into that outer circle of contacts or acquaintances, whether I want them to or not. Sometimes they are hurt. More often they just realize they're having to put in most of the work to keep the connection running, while I'm not really holding up my end, and they let things drift off.

Its occurred to me to wonder about contact management applications like ACT. I gather salespeople use them to manage social connections with more people than our primate brains could normally deal with. But I don't really know much about them. What do they actually do? Would they be useful for me? Or perhaps there's some other kind of application that could basically keep a database of people I know, track how long it's been since I did something to keep that particular plate spinning and prod me to give so and so a call or an email or something? What would you suggest?

Where can I find these metal things to hang a sign on a pole? Pic

austinlee — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 10:44:52 -0800

Where can I get these metal things to hang a sign on a pole? Picture included! I need help finding these metal things to hang my sign on a pole. You can see an image here. Someone suggested just making them but I would feel comfortable buying one? I tried home depot but had no luck!

What are the minimal possessions with which the average person could reasonably live?

hypervenom — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 09:13:24 -0800

What are the minimal possessions with which the average person could reasonably live? I know that quite a few people have tried to live with the minimal amount, for different reasons - to avoid clutter, simplify their activities, etc. Has anyone done this in an urban area while attending school/working a typical job with the average amount of need for computers and other technology? This question is really general, so any advice or relevant links? Thanks.

So can I have your number?

whoaali — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 17:30:57 -0800

[Inane and impossible to answer dating question filter] Why don't boys call? I know I know, there could be so many reasons, but I'll narrow it down for you a bit. Some version of the following has happened to me over and over and it's driving me insane.

Meet boy at bar/party/social gathering (generally friend of a friend of a friend type deal).

We chat, he asks for my number, seems very into me, etc. No plans are made, but we seem to hit it off.

He never calls.

Sometimes there are a few variations. Lately, I've been trying to mix it up. I mean this is 2007, I know a guy shouldn't have to do all the work, so I've tried to show a little interest back to encourage them. This generally entails me messaging them on facebook or emailing them. Always very short, usually along the lines of "bring up something we talked about" and "how is you paper/job/current life crisis going?"

So far I've gotten friendly notes back or no response. The friendly notes back are never followed up by more from him.

When guys go to so much effort (some have been noticeably nervous asking me for my number) why don't they ever follow up?

So I have a few theories:

1) Boys just ask girls for numbers if they think they can get them and then decide later whether they are really interested.

2) They were all drinking and in the sober light of day I wasn't quite so awesome.

3) Boys are basically being polite in asking for a girl's number after they have talked/flirted with her for enough time, even if they have no intention of calling.

4) Calling girls is hard and guys will only do it if they feel it is really worth it.

So what gives?

Fun stuff in Dallas, Texas!

drstein — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:34:35 -0800

Help me find fun stuff to do in Dallas this week. I apologize if this seems like chatfilter, but I'm going to be in Dallas, TX from July 24th to July 27th. Flying into DFW, and I'll have a rental car.

Generally these kinds of questions are answered with "Well, it depends on what you want to do.." but I'd like y'all to avoid those kinds of answers if at all possible.

What do you guys think are some "must see/must do" things in the area? I like beef, good beer, guns, NASCAR, and other seemingly 'white trash' activities but I'm open to pretty much anything. Even museums.

Bullet Theory (Not JFK related).

ryecatcher — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 16:23:04 -0800

An empty field. Nothing for miles and miles and miles. And a gun. I shoot the gun. The bullet blasts out of the barrel and doesn't stop until....well, that's my question. Few more details inside. How far does a bullet travel if you assume that it hits nothing, there isn't any wind resistance and whatever else you need to make this as easy on you as possible when doing my thinking for me.

Further, how far would it be before it is rendered ineffective (i.e. bullet wound) but still in motion? Like I could just swipe it out of the air with my bare hand and receive nothing more than a sting and some redness on the fingers?

I hope I'm clear in my question.

Thanks all.

I should really wonder about other things. But I don't.

ryecatcher — Mon, 07 May 2007 19:05:10 -0800

80sTVShow/FantasyFilter: Sword and Sorcery. At the end of each episode (?), the image would freeze and covert to a painting of said image. That's all I remember. I was 7 or 8 at the time so this would make it around 1985 or so. So. Yeah. That's all you get. Go to it, Mefites. On further thought, it might not have been the end of each episode...maybe the end of each commercial break.

And maybe...just maybe it was a sci-fi made for tv movie. I don't know.

Oh god it's humping my leg

skjønn — Thu, 03 May 2007 11:28:17 -0800

I hate dogs. Help me deal so I don't lose my jobs. I'm writing this in a spirit of desperation as I find myself in my office dry heaving after needing to pick up a dog and carry her the space of 30 feet.

I'm 23 year old girl working very awesome and challenging part time jobs. 30 hours a week as a paralegal for a local law firm and 10 hours a week for a local fashion boutique.

Everything about both jobs is perfect except for thing: the dogs. By some very cruel twist of fate, both of my bosses are dog people.

The lawyer I work for bought an ultra fancy purebred puppy poodle something that cost thousands of dollars after I started working for him. He put a kennel in his office and brings the puppy to work with him everyday.

The owner of the fashion boutique I work for brings her little dog with her everyday too.

Both of these dogs are free to roam most of the time and the office and the boutique have been pet-proofed.

Although I love animals in the general sense and have a ton of compassion for them in general and would never wish an ounce of harm on either of these doggies, I can't deny I despise everything about them.

Their smell, the touch of their fur, the way they rub up against my leg, its enough to make me puke (and actually has made me do so more than once). My dad had allergies and my mom hated pets so I never had them growing up.

Here is my question: I can coexist with these doggies in the same building, but how do I make them stay away from me? Obviously strategies that would harm the dogs are out the question.

I am open to:
-learning to alter my body language...but how?
-purchasing discreet ultrasonic devices i can set off when the doggies get close. I'm poor but price is not a problem, this is desperate.
-applying lotions/creams/perfumes that repel canines (as long as it wouldn't make me too repellant for humans)
-anything else you could offer on how to make the doggies not touch or come near me.

Not open to:
-seeing a therapist to brainwash me into liking these little furry beasts.

Thank you. :)

Complete list of nerdy things in White And Nerdy video not mentioned in lyrics?

vanoakenfold — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:55:43 -0800

What nerd-associated things am I missing from this list of unspoken visual gag/gripes found in the newish White and Nerdy Weird Al video? Or is there an in-depth list of these already? Visual nerd-references not directly mentioned in the lyrics
1. cordless electric lawnmower
2. mowing while wearing collared shirt and khakis
3. Pac-Man candle arrangement in the background
4. drives a hybrid car
5. hind-slapping appearance of Buffy alum Seth Green in action figure clip
6. Periodic table of elements hanging on the wall in bedroom
7. RF scanner on desk next to computer (blue scrolling lights)
8. Bill Gates (online now!), Napoleon Dynamite, Mr. Peabody, Einstein, Screech(?), Frodo, Pee Wee Herman as Myspace Top 8
9. Trivial Pursuit card has questions:
* In what city is the largest ball of twine built by one man?
* What's the deal with Lindsay Lohan? I mean, seriously?
* FDR -- was he faking it?
* On what page does Harry Potter die in the next book?
* What is the melting point of a gorilla's head?
* >>> can't read the last one, looks like How many Wicker men are there on a 43-man Squeamish team? but that doesn't make sense, to me.
10. Customized/Modified Segway
11. __?__ equation in the background when with Donny Osmond
12. Star Wars Kid spoof
13. Power strip for a gift
14. Wearing yellow __Carl_(Sagan?)__ tshirt in the comic shop
15. Dog is named after Pentium chip flaw "f00f"
16. Rotating solar system dome with light-up sun on the table in freaky bubble wrap scene
17. Yearbook photos have him in the same location on the page in each picture
18. Star Wars Holiday Special on VHS
19. Owns bowling shirt and towel
20. Spock sign as gangsta hand gesture

Gripes about visual gags or erroneous lyrics:
1. Having Stephen Hawking in your library is not a bragging point
2. MySpace page only modified slightly (not "pimped out"), still has Tom as a friend despite 27 total
3. Plays minesweeper with the keyboard
4. Wearing glasses in shower, not likely a nerd practice
5. Water splashing too close to keyboard in shower, not likely a nerd practice
6. Pocket protectors are not for protection of pens
7. Website design for dog looks hideous
8. Bubblewrap romance, wtf?
9. What nerds dress preppie and play badminton, perhaps just for emphasis on white?
10. Players are sitting in wrong places in Chess club photo in relation to boards
11. Probably would not have done the cash swap for a VHS tape -- probably instead have it overnighted or downloaded, or in LaserDisc
12. Picard is obviously way better than Kirk
13. Ren-faire does not occur every weekend
14. Eating a corndog at faire
15. Wearing a tie to the faire; not in costume

Please point me to a more complete list, if there is one, or add anything I forgot or you disagree with except for the Kirk/Picard remark ;D

What to do in Salt Lake City in December

freddymungo — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:25:08 -0800

So I have a friend flying in to Salt Lake City to visit on the weekend of December 8-10, getting in Friday morning and leaving Sunday night. What is there to do around town that weekend that's really awesome?

Looking for fun

matthelm — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:27:20 -0800

I am in the search of finding free and or cheap things to do in the LA area (Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City, Marina Del Rey Etc)...any ideas? Just something you have found that you really enjoy...

Super-human ability to stick myself in others shoes?

yellowbkpk — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 21:55:09 -0800

If I stare at something and "zone out," after a while a little switch in by brain flips and I suddenly feel as if I am seeing that something for the first time, as someone with a very limited knowledge of that thing. Is that weird? Has anyone else experienced this before? That question isn't very good, so here's a specific example. When I was driving home from work the other day, I was zoning out (probably not good while driving, but hey, I was paying attention to the road!) and the framilierity of the neighborhood that I have grown up in was suddenly gone. I felt as though I had voluntarily started to view the area as if I had just flown in from Europe for the first time, seeing the trees, landscaping, roads, and houses for the first time.

This is not the first time this has happened, and the other times that it has happened it has been extremely interesting and thought-provoking to be able to put myself in someone else's shoes so readily.

To be sure, I don't think of this as a mental problem, I'm curious as to what other's experiences are.

Has this type of experience happened to anyone else?

What the heckaroni is this thing?

josher71 — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 21:33:40 -0800

China Filter: Ok, on the way to see the Great Wall at Badaling I was in a car with a woman who spoke very little English. We passed by this deserted amusement park looking castle thing. There was part of it that looked to still be under construction but the whole thing looked as though it was mostly forgotten about. Does anyone know what I'm talking about and, if so, what the heck it is?

Crawfish crises!

Ugh — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 12:29:21 -0800

Um.. now that I have 20 pounds of crawfish, what do I do with them? Friends were going to have a crawfish boil but had to go out of town unexpectedly so they just dropped twenty pounds of live crawfish on my door. I've never had a boil, never even been to one, and have NO clue as to what to do now. I've found some recipes online, but they all differ so much and all of them start from when you're ready to cook them. There's no way I can cook them today so a friend said I had to get them on ice to keep them alive until tomorrow. I busted open the sack, put them in a cooler, left the drain open, and poured ice all over them. Now what?

what to do during the work day?

annoyance — Wed, 10 May 2006 10:36:51 -0800

i need things to do during the day, at work, on the computer or that look like work. so my job work load fluctuates a lot, sometimes i am very busy for a couple weeks, then i have almost nothing to do for a couple weeks.
so i need suggestions of things to do during the day so i feel more productive. they can be online stuff (interesting/educational blogs or sites or places to participate) or perhaps something offline that will appear to be work like reading or whatever.
i have to be at my desk, in a cubicle for 8 hours a day and currently exhaust all of the blogs and fantasy baseball sites i know and like after a couple hours. i had started a blog of my own as i like to write but can't always think of good things to write about. i work on my own websites occasionally, reviewing root beer, or records or whatever but need something else.

it can be educational or just entertaining.
i know there are many threads about good blogs, but i could not find a real question like this. pardon me if it has been asked before.