Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2006 September 2

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Judicial Bypass

I read that if you are under 18 and want an abortion in Minnesota, you need parental notifcation, or a judicial bypass. The things I read seemed to say that you have to not only not want your parents involved and be capable of making the decision on your own, but that you have to prove that your parents should not be a part of this process at all (i.e., they are abusive sexually or emotionally)

Would you be able to get a judicial bypass if you just didn't want your parents to know, or do you have to have the problems?

I'm not a lawyer, but I would guess that the intent of the law is to prevent just that, keeping an abortion a secret because you just don't want your parents to know. --Maxamegalon2000 05:20, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

I'm not a lawyer either. MN statute 144.343 is what applies, read it and make your own interpretation. [1] It seems to say that notification of both parents at least 48 hours in advance it required. But, it also says "Any minor may give effective consent for medical, mental and other health services to determine the presence of or to treat pregnancy and conditions associated therewith, venereal disease, alcohol and other drug abuse, and the consent of no other person is required." So, notification of parents is required, their consent is not. Here is another resource on that [2]

My guess is that the only way to proceed without parental notification, or parental consent would be to be emancipated by a court as an adult. The court would probably not be likely to do that easily unless you were over the age of 16, and then they would want to involve your parents in that process to determine how that could be in your best interests.

They are changing the law so that it will be a crime for any adult to assist someone under the age of 18 in getting an abortion in another state, (Wisconsin, Iowa, North and South Dakota for example) But, Wisconsin requires parental consent, not just notification. Iowa requires parental consent of one parent (but a grandparent may substitute). South Dakota requires parental notification, and North Dakota requires consent of both parents. Parental notification and parental consent were stopped by the court in Illinois. I'm not recommending anything, and certainly not recommending that you look to not involve your parents in such an important thing in your life. You have the right to stay in Minnesota, and do what you think is best. In MN your parents both need to be notified, but only your consent is required. This is a good law, because involving your parents, as difficult as it may be, it what is in your best interests in the long term.

A good resource for information to help you dedide what is best for you is [3].

Atom 16:33, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Movie with the smallest cast

Anybody have an answer? The best I can come up with is 3: Belafonte, Stevens and Ferrer in The World, the Flesh and the Devil. Clarityfiend 02:03, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

How about 'The broken little toe'? 8-)--Light current 02:32, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Not counting movies filmed using dolls or animated characters, it's hard to have a cast with fewer than one -- see Give 'em Hell, Harry!. SWAdair 03:57, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Swimming to Cambodia. If you discount the archive footage, it has 1 cast member (Spalding Gray). Anchoress 04:40, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Sleuth had only 2, Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine. JackofOz 05:47, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Apparently we've already reached one, but I can't resist mentioning Hell in the Pacific which is one hell of a movie.--Rallette 06:39, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Can't you have a documentary without any characters ? Perhaps March of the Penguins might qualify, if you don't count the narrator or the penguins as "characters". StuRat 10:05, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Persona is a major film with a small cast. If I recall correctly, there are only four people, two of which are on for less than a minute (Nurse Alma, Elisabet Vogler, the Husband and the Doctor).

Persona is a great movie, I could also mention Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, including only five characters (with a bar owner or something only present for about a minute). 惑乱 分からん 10:19, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

Actually you are all wrong. The film with the smallest visual cast was Derek Jarmans 'Blue'--Light current 14:55, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

I'd say the color blue has a certain amount of character to it.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  16:30, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Yes it has the character of being blue! Not much else 8-)--Light current 16:53, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

I didn't specify "visual". Your bloated candidate has 4, count 'em, 4 cast members. Looks like Hairy Cambodian Swimmer From Hell takes the prize. Clarityfiend 00:07, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Consumption of bananas

I have a question about eating bananas. I feel retarded asking this, but I honestly don't know the answer. Are you supposed to eat the bottom end of a banana(the end attached to the peel after you open it from the stem)?

--216.164.193.135 02:42, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Well. My personal experience with bananas is that there is only one thing to worry about concerning the bottom end of a banana, namely a little something that projects from the peel part and sometimes breaks off and is eaten with the flesh. Especially if the banana is not quite ripe. I don't know what it is and what it contains, but it leaves an unpleasant hairy feeling in my mouth. Other than that, bon appetit.--Rallette 06:33, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Yea, there's an unpleasant little spike at the bottom. StuRat 10:02, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

I dont eat the bit at the bottom, so I dont get that hairy feeling. 8-) (You could probably eat the skin as well, but dont take my word for it)

--Light current 15:05, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

As long as the banana hasn't been heavily treated with fertilizers, the entire thing (peel and all) is good to eat. Since you must suspect that many/most fruits are treated, don't eat the peel, but as long as you don't mind the fact that it's a little bit harder than the rest of the flesh, go ahead and eat the spike. I bet there's a culture somewhere in the world that considers it the most healthy part.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  16:27, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Yeah they're called monkeys. They eat this bit first, I seem to remember. 8-)--Light current 16:56, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

On a weird note, I was eating a banana today, and I realized that it didn't have a spike on either end, and neither did any of the other bananas in the bunch. I can only assume that the Japanese were sufficiently disgusted at the sight of the little brown bit that they had it genetically removed.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  15:38, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Pregnancy Tests

What happens when a man uses a pregnancy test (uses his urine)?--Life 04:36, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

They should read negative, assuming untampered with urine, although it might depend on the specific test kit used. See [4] (PDF) for a test done with male urine to which various amounts of hCG had been added.-gadfium 05:23, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

If its positive I d get worried.--Light current 15:08, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Either that or a temporal paradox swallows the universe. —Tamfang 17:28, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

MMORPG item spawns

Why, when a piece of loot is going to spawn on the ground in an MMORPG, does it always do so at a fixed point? Wouldn't it require less suspension of disbelief -- and be less likely to encourage camping -- if the spawn could happen anywhere (at random) within a defined area that was too big for one PC to control? NeonMerlin 04:52, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Depending on the engine, I could think of a few reasons (though not every game can be so easily excused).

• Lazy collision detection. Without good collision detection you can end up with a lot of objects in walls/water at stuff like that, which is much less believable.
• Difficulty of predicting "realistic placements". Even if collision detection works great, objects popping into existance in corners, under tables, etc. may look awkward. That would necessitate manually drawing out the possible drop points, which shouldn't be that hard, but it adds a lot of work.
• Item balance. It's a lot easier to control what items appear how frequently and at what time during the game if you just attatch them to a script.
• If you're talking about games like Quake3, it's done on purpose. The whole "rocket launcher spot" and "health boost ledge" aspect of the game has become a major strategy point, and while campers might tick you off, just realize that they're sitting ducks and you can figure out a way to beat them.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  06:42, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Also, if you play the game with the same map several times, you could get quite an advantage over your opponent. Now, who wants to play with Quake 3 with me on the map I created. :-P Jayant,17 Years, India • contribs 16:39, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

I'm talking about RPGs, not FPSes. And the range could be only seven or eight tiles across in each dimension, as long as it wasn't possible for a single person or a very small team to camp it. (A tile, for my purposes, is the amount of space one typical PC can occupy.) NeonMerlin 19:04, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

Clapping to the rhythm

What's with the way that crowds always eventually start clapping faster than the beat of the song that they're all clapping to? It really irritates my ears, and I would assume that half of the people who can't clap to the beat should end up clapping slower, thus cancelling out the annoying beat-mismatch effect!  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  06:48, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

It could have something to with the antici.................................pation.  :-) SWAdair 07:14, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Crowd psychology might offer some more insights. (btw, bad music ensembles tend to rush tempi too.) ---Sluzzelin 08:11, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Yes, that's true too. That's why a lot of rock bands have their drummer on a metronome. Are you attempting at a plural of tempo?  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  08:34, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Si! ---Sluzzelin 09:24, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Most audiences are not musical and have very little sense of time (tempo)--Light current 15:10, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Speeding up while clapping due to group dynamics is common, however it can also have to do with the fact that sound travels relatively slowly, so in big stadiums it's difficult to clap 'in time' with the concert since it's going to reach different parts of the audience at different times. People in the nosebleed seats clapping with the floor crowd will be clapping in time with the music but will seem ahead of the beat to their neighbours. Anchoress 15:40, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Yes, that sounds completely logical. No matter where you are, chances are you will closer to the music (a speaker) than to the average location of the crowd, so that could cause some drift in rhythm. But still, if inability to sync the two sounds was the problem, I don't think the overall sound would alternate between fully synced sequences, and progressively drifting sequences. Also, a large portion of the clapping you could hear would be coming from the audience in your immediate vicinity, who wouldn't clapping with any noticable difference in timing.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  16:23, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

At a performance at a summercamp for musically talented children, I noticed the parents clapping with perfect adherence to the rhythm. So I conjecture that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Musically talented children tend to come from musically talented parents, or perhaps parents who have sung in a chorus, played in a band, or marched in step tend to send their musically capable children to such a camp. Others may be unable to synchronize their internal clock with an external beat, and thus must march to a different celestial drummer. In such a tempo-challenged crowd of people as the average audience, there may be a stampede effect such that each clapper wishes to keep up with the fastest, and are more influenced by their neighbor than by the musician on stage. Edison 20:53, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

For it to work everyone needs to clap in visual sync with the person on the stage leading the clapping.--Light current 20:58, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

I also see a link with the accelerated clapping in a football stadium, starting with a slow clap and gradually building up the speed. This causes a sense of excitement (and fittingly ends with shouting, but that's not relevant here). People clap to music when they are excited about it, so to speed up would be fitting. DirkvdM 04:20, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Warehouse Management

Determine and discuss 5 objectives of material handling in a warehouse.

Don't drop it, don't break it, don't cut it, don't crush it, don't ask someone else to do your homework. SWAdair 07:25, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Yeah... and above all, dont eat it!--Light current 15:11, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

At least disguise it. --Proficient 07:13, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Warehouse Layout and Design

In your understanding, a good warehouse should have a good layout and design "state of the art". Why is a good layout and design so important?

A good warehouse design is essential so that important items can be located and retrieved, such as answers to student's homework questions. StuRat 07:28, 2 September 2006 (UTC) StuRat 07:27, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

The premise is bull. Whether the design should be state of the art depends on the target clientele. When my grandfather built a new warehouse (the Glaspaleis) that was very much state of the art, he had to keep the old shop open for those who didn't dare enter such a modern building (farmers mostly - among his best customers). DirkvdM 04:23, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

currency difference

i would like to know how much one US dollar is worth in Suriname, South America

1 US dollar (USD) is worth 2.74 Suriname dollars (SRD) according to Yahoo's currency converter two minutes ago. But it's also equal to 2.74 SRD according to the rate as of July 2006 according to the Suriname dollar page. So it might be a fixed rate. ---Sluzzelin 11:12, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Nailgun

(Note-I DON'T plan on trying this). Is it possible to pin someone to a wall (material can be altered to make the answer yes) using a nail gun (shooting them in several strategic location) in such a way that the person is completely incapable of freeing themselves.Cuban Cigar 12:17, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

If the nail gun is fired from close enough range, I see no reason why not.--Light current 15:14, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Sure, all you need to do is put a some good close range shots into their shirt to hold the body up and then hit them in the forehead. 9.9 Seriously though, it should be possible with loose enough clothing and subject participation to relatively safely pin a living subject to a wooden wall with a nailgun.—WAvegetarian•(talk) 15:21, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

If the nail gun is A) set so that it will not simply fire the nails all the way through the person's flesh and thus just make a hole instead of holding them pinned, B) loaded with nails long enough to hold the person's skin/limbs/etc while still going far enough into the wall to secure them. Also, the person must prefer to be pinned rather than tear even more flesh getting themself off the wall.

Light current, in order for modern nail guns to even fire, the tip of the gun must be depressed by the material that you're putting the nail into. They aren't like typical (bullet firing) guns in that you can simply aim at something and pull a trigger. Dismas|^(talk) 15:23, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for that info!--Light current 15:25, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Dismas, are you talking from experience (or even, dare I say, prison)? —Daniel (‽) 18:37, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Luckily, I've never nailed myself (insert dirty joke here). I have used nail guns in the past though. Dismas|^(talk) 09:35, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

I would look for nails with a large head, so the person can't just jerk the flesh loose. In crucifixion, the Romans used disks of olivewood for that purpose. Common nails, in general, would work better than finishing nails. Long drywall screws with washers might be effective, though more painful. Don't try this at home. In high schools, people have been duct taped to doors or flagpoles, with much less injury. Edison 20:57, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Okay okay okay, two points, one directly above and one further up. First, most strips of nails for the guns (both compressed air and propane) have about half a head, as they stack closer together that way, that is, angled so that the half hooks to the back of the nail above it, but the nail can still lie flat against the nail below. That is, the half a head would still be possible...painful, but possible...to rip yourself out of. Second, though not as germane to the conversation, it's not too difficult to mod the modern nailgun beyond its physical limitations (thus maing it automatic, rather than pressure sensitive). Just some filing and some of the old jamming of foreign objects. I'm a bad speller. Love--24.250.33.247 23:37, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Ok so long nails with big heads. Cuban Cigar 06:08, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

finding an rc car

hi im trying to find where i can buy this rc car http://www.wherearemypants.com/index.php?pid=56 i've followed the link on the above website but couldnt find it

thanks--81.157.200.22 13:35, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

• Have you tired a place like RadioShack? They always seem to have electronic/RC stuff in the background, failing that, the Sharper Image seems like a good place to look--71.247.243.173 13:37, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Try eBay. --Lambiam^Talk 15:47, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Viscious dogs

What is the best unarmed defence against dogs attempting to bite you?--Light current 15:15, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

The neighbour's kid. BAP IT ON THE NOSE. 81.93.102.35 15:16, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

You mean bap the dog on the nose or the kid?--Light current 15:20, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Pick up the kid and use it as a club to bap the dog's nose. I hope that's clear. —[oops, wrong number of tildes the first time] Tamfang 18:22, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Remove yourself from their immediate area. Dismas|^(talk) 15:18, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

If you're unable to run, or can't run faster than the dog, then I guess the best way would be to sacrifice an arm or a leg, like you see stunt men do in all those stupid action movies. I would suggest a leg, because it's probably pretty easy to puncture an artery in your wrist, especially if you're skinny.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  16:12, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Dogs will always out run humans. I was wondering if ther was a martial arts solution?--Light current 16:21, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

You could carry a stick around with you. A biiiiig, hefty one would suit just fine. And always take care that there are no humans in the immediate vicinity when you swing the stick. You can hit the dog where ever you like. I'd suggest you to watch some videos of some home-runs. :-P Jayant,17 Years, India • contribs 16:24, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Say I left my stick at home?--Light current 16:27, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Disturbing image warning. "If you have got a [bicycle] pump or stick, hold it at both ends and offer it to the dog horizontally. Often the dog will bite the stick/pump and hang on. Immediately lift the dog up and offer a very solid kick to the genitals. Follow up by breaking the dog's ribs and crushing it's head with a rock." Courtesy of Richard Ballantine who devotes several pages of his classic Richard's Bicycle Book to this problem (pp.170-173). He suggests numerous defences including climbing a tree, pepper spray, and a water pistol loaded with an ammonia-water solution, but if defence fails you need to attack by ramming your bicycle pump or your fist down its throat, or, if it's a small variety, "picking it up by the hind legs and dashing its brains out".--Shantavira 16:30, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

You could try to scare if off, I suppose, making some scary faces or shouting like a drunkard might just do the trick!. Practise in front of the neighbours kids. :-P. Jayant,17 Years, India • contribs 16:36, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

I left my bike pump at home as well. Surely there is an unarmed method if incapacitating a dog?--Light current 17:05, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Mail carriers where I live carry mace / pepper spray. Legality varies with jurisdiction, and different countries have different rules. There are varieties specifically marketed for use against dogs, i.e. they don't injure the animal. A quick google shows you can buy these online. Antandrus (talk) 17:10, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

(ok, I am not gonna talk crap now, I promise) Well, the most logical method I can think of is to wait for the dog to make a jump for you and maybe sidestep it or punch hard enough to hurt it. If its making a grab for your legs, I'd suggest you kick as hard as you can! ;-D Jayant,17 Years, India • contribs 17:15, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

I found this advice by a dog trainer, including psychological warfare, evasive tactics and also physical combat tips. He admits he's a pro and thus less afraid of dogs and better at 'reading' them. So he also has specific advice for laypeople. ---Sluzzelin 17:17, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

(edit conflic) I was thinking more like: a sharp poke in the eyes followed by a hefty swipe in the nose, then when the dog is wondering what happened, you tackle it to the ground and stand on its neck...etc etc. At this point you have the advantage and can do much more damage before running away. Would that work? Or how about a strangle hold?--Light current 17:19, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Viscous dogs can be very hard to catch, they keep slipping from your grasp. No, erm, wait... JIP | Talk 17:40, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

I know its a sticky problem--Light current 17:42, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Some practices utility companies teach their workers: When you enter a backyard and you don't know if there is a dog there, never close the gate behind you, so you can get out quicker. Be very wary, and watch for signs of a dog when you enter property: is thre a water bowl, doghouse, chain, wear patterns in the grass, dog toys? The dog may be sleeping and suddenly appear. Always ask the owner to confine the dog, even if the swear it would never bite anyone. "Company rules, ma'am." Always carry something you can interpose between the dog's teeth and your flesh: a backpack, toolpouch, briefcase, clipboard. When the dog shows up and is aggressive, try to make a friend. Sound like you are delighted to find the dog there. Dogs may be stupid and think you mean it when you say "GOOD boy! Who's a good dog? Where's your ball?" (Make sure he doesn't think you are referring to YOUR balls). "Want to go for a ride?" An aggressive dog may decide you are a friend. Psychology is crucial, and many people have the nack of making friends with a strange dog, who doesn't rellay know if you are a guest or a burgler. Do not stare down a strange dog. It is not always a good idea to turn your back and run, because then a cowardly dog will not be afraid to chase you and bite your leg or butt. Backing away while speaking soothingly and keeping a barrier between you and the dog is a pretty good practice. Getting the owner to come and get their dog is a good idea. Multiple dogs are far more dangerous than single dogs. If you can climb something they can't that is an option, as is vaulting a fence. Pepper spray may discourage a dog unless his bloodlust is up, in which case it may just make a tasty sauce to go with your throat. Attacking a dog which has merely growled and barked is not a good idea. The owner might shoot you, and if you injure a dog you are subject to arrest. Edison 21:14, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

First, I'd try talking to it in a friendly way while you back off. If that fails, then try raising your arms to the side to make yourself look bigger and shout at it as loudly as possible. StuRat 00:19, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

If it comes down to a fight, and you are completely unarmed, I'd suggest kicking it. You can manage more force with a kick, and a dog is at the right height to get the kick directly in the face. Also, assuming you are wearing shoes, they will offer some protection, if the dog takes a bite at your foot. StuRat 00:13, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Alternatively, if you have a set of keys, use them as a weapon, trying to puncture it's eyes. Eye injuries are quite painful, so may persuade it to retreat. Also, if you succeed in blinding it in both eyes, that will give you a considerable advantage. StuRat 00:16, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Yeah thats what I thought. Blind the b****. --Light current 00:22, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

"The owner might shoot you"? Are we messing with police dogs now? And whacko policemen?

Anyway, different dogs can react very differently. One technique I once heard for the kind of dog that bites and holds on no matter what (such as nasty critters like pitbulls) is to wrap a coat or something around your arm, offer that (it will go for the first limb it encouters) and start turning around your axis. Move towards a tree or lamppost and break the dog's back against it. Nasty business. DirkvdM 04:47, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

You seem to have forgotten that in the US, whacko policemen aren't the only ones who own guns. In Soviet Russia, the guns own whacko policemen!  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  11:02, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Do those ultrasonic devices work? After yet another dog attack the other day I'm thinking of investing, even though they look quite expensive for what they are. -- Q4 15:10, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Try a cattle prod instead, that will convince the average dog to leave you alone. StuRat 06:58, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Do dogs have carotid arteries? If so, compressing them for a few seconds by strangling would soon lead the dog to pass out, hopefully releasing its grip. --Light current 18:59, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

You might have trouble getting your fingers near the dogs neck, unless being severed and swallowed counts. :-) StuRat 06:58, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

If it really bothers you that much, you could always just try living your life in some sort of reinforced plastic bubble.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  07:24, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

I'll assume that you're not trapped in a tiny hut with vicious dogs outside. bibliomaniac15 19:47, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

Wikipuppies:Reference Dogs

What is the best unarmed defence against Wpians attempting to blind, pepper, kick or kill you? —Preceding unsigned comment added by GoodOldPal (talk • contribs)

Just bite. -- DLL ^{.. T} 20:57, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

WP:NPA. Assume good faith.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  16:36, 5 September 2006 (UTC)

Looking for origin of unusual picture

I have an odd request, but I hope someone here can help! I've seen a picture (I can't find it now, typically!) and I'm trying to work out where it's from. It looks like it's done in the style of a textbook page, with a black blocky female figure (much in the style of the female figures on public toilets) underneath which is XX. To the far left of it is a similar style figure of an alien or robot, with, I think, ZZ underneath it. In between is an unusual looking figure that may be intended to be an interspecies hybrid, underneath which is written XX then under that, OO. Any ideas? Snorgle 18:11, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Never heard of it. All I can think of is try google images and search for key terms that might hit the image your thinking of it, the website its hosted on, and possibly info about it.--Mitaphane _talk 20:21, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

It might have something to do with genetics. See Mendelian Inheritance or Punnett Square. bibliomaniac15 01:58, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Cuisine recommendations

(transcluded from my Userspace - Mgm|^(talk) 14:36, 3 September 2006 (UTC)) Every once in a while I like to go mad with cooking and make something my family doesn't normally cook. We usually have veg, meat, potato dishes and we also eat a lot of Italian and Eastern dishes. I just made onion bahjis which went down pretty well, but now I'm looking for inspiration for my next outburst. What cuisines should I consider and what are the particularly tasty dishes in those cuisines. I just want a few guidelines to dish names and ingredients. I'll google (or visit the wikicookbook) for recipes myself. Any help is appreciated. --Mgm|^(talk) 18:40, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Most tapas is pretty easy to cook. I find tortilla de patatas very easy to make (if you're patient): served with a simple green salad and balsamic vinagrette it's great. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 18:45, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

• You're right that does sound tasty. Any other suggestions? - Mgm|^(talk) 19:56, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Cajun is pretty easy to do well: gumbo, jambalaya, dirty rice... If you're in the States I'd suggest the Zatarain's mixes to start although I usually add extra vegetables: always okra for the gumbo, frozen if your local store doesn't sell the vegetable fresh. Works well with chicken, sausage, or shrimp (or if you're like my cousins in Louisiana, just dig up some crawfish from the backyard). Durova 20:37, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Try our Cuisine article. Maybe you can make pierogies; they are really good.—EdGl 03:48, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

North African and Middle Eastern cuisines are both rich in tasty dishes, and pretty easy to make (if you're already eating Eastern dishes you may have all the requisite spices). Very healthy too. I was also pleasantly surprised to find how delicate and tasty German food can be, contrary to the stereotype. Some things can be a bit of work, though. Anchoress 11:09, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

• Thanks for the ideas. Keep 'm coming. - Mgm|^(talk) 14:36, 3 September 2006 (UTC)
• cassoulets(sp?) which are kind of bean stews are pretty nice-hotclaws**==(82.138.214.1 21:20, 7 September 2006 (UTC))

Pattern Solver

If I recall correctly, I think I once visited a website that allows you to input the first numbers of a pattern and it gives you the rest. What website was that? Thanks if you can help me. I've been trying to search through google but cannot find the website. --Proficient 20:06, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Maybe the The On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences is what you're looking for. –RHolton≡– 20:11, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

This is a classic case of forgetting to "look under your nose". The page you are looking for is at http://labs.google.com/sets.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  15:24, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Actually, google sets isn't really meant for patterns, only filling out hypothetical sets. I'll just walk away slowly now.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  15:27, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Trapped wind 2

Sorry, I've tried twice to append this reply to the Trapped Wind section above, but I waited 20 minutes each time while nothing happened and then just got an error page. So here's the reply:

You may be, or are becoming, lactose intolerant like me. When I drink milk it takes some hours to have similar symptoms. You be consuming more milk in food than at home. Or you could be becoming dairy intolerant, etc.

You may have been trying to edit a transcluded or archived page. I think that may be disallowed. --Light current 20:43, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

No I think I was consuming more beer than at home 8-)--Light current 20:54, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Gay People

How many gay people does it take for them to be able to stand in a circle and all simultaneously have anal sex with each other?--216.164.193.108 20:41, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Im assuming you mean all males here. Maybe you could do it with 3. I havent tried--Light current 20:44, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

If you dropped the circle requiremnet, maybe two could do it --- but ive not seen it yet!--Light current 20:46, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

360°/φ(max). The sexual preference is irrelevant to the question. ---Sluzzelin 20:54, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

What is φ? Also, the sexual preference is not irrelevant, only redundant.--216.164.193.108 21:05, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Probably one, if sufficiently endowed.

Depends how youre defining sex President Clinton ! Not that Im saying he's gay- far from it--Light current 21:21, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Do you understand how anal sex works? Two isn't even conceivable, unless you have some sort of portal. Three only really makes sense if you're pretty flaccid, because all 3 guys would be pointing downwards. Since sex usually requires you to be aroused, I'm going to put the minimum at 4, though I'm leaning towards a sweaty 5. Just in case anyone's wondering by now, I'm comfortable enough with my sexuality to imagine 5 throbbing naked guys in strange formations without cringing or giggling.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  10:46, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Penetrative sex isn't the only kind of sex. Rimming is sex, too. That would only require 2, or 3 with comfort. JackofOz 11:44, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

In colloquial speech, "sex" refers to sexual intercourse, which is the common term for coitus, which necessitates arousal. If we're talking legally though, I'll take your rimming and up you (anal) masturbation, which only requires one gay person who is capable of standing in a circle to fulfill the question requirements. Now sexual preference is irrelevant.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  14:55, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

We need a Government research study to gather data on this. And it may vary by culture (average weight of participants). Atom 14:40, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

No original research. But there's nothing stopping you doing private research to while the time away. JackofOz 13:19, 5 September 2006 (UTC)

I heard that it was theoretically possible for two single males to engage in simultaneous penetration (if their penises were erected downwards, and they lay in a position similar to the one illustrated at tribadism, I guess) but that it required too much energy and concentration to be enjoyable... =S 惑乱 分からん 22:47, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

Disney/Dimension Films

Since October 1, 2005 Harvey and Bob Weinstein left the Walt Disney Company to make their own independant company taking Dmension films with them. Disney still has rights to join in for sequels to Scary Movie, etc.. but does Disney still own the rights to the rest of Dimension Film's Movies (Sin City, Brothers Grimm...)?

Best game ever?

What do you guys think is the best PS2 or Xbox game ever? I think i will have to side with GTA: San Andreas but Time Splitters comes a close second.

"Best" is a highly subjective adjective. You have to define a criteria by what is meant by "best" to even start to answer that question. There is the article Computer and video games that have been considered the greatest ever that notes games that have been considered greatest by user polls, critic polls, magazine lists, and sales number. A few 6th generation(the generation that includes the PS2 & XBox) console games mentioned in the article include Resident Evil 4, the modern GTA games, Halo, Metal Gear Solid 3, Metroid Prime, Zelda: Windwaker.

As far as my personal decision of best game ever, (taking into account personal preferences, sales, and critical acclaim) that would be Tetris. Not exactly a PS2/XBox game, but a very good one at that. --Mitaphane _talk 01:36, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

I think Halo: Combat Evolved is an overwhelming favorite for the Xbox (and then there's Halo 2...). As for PS2, you mentioned TimeSplitters, and that's a great game I'm pretty sure (I have TimeSplitters 2 for GameCube). I also love playing Conflict: Desert Storm.—EdGl 03:43, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

I've had the most fun with Guitar Hero and Resident Evil 4, but I found Shadow of the Colossus (and its sister game Ico) to be very moving, which is a rare experience in videogames. I'd rank Shadow of the Colossus as my personal favourite this gen. Pesapluvo 06:30, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

I agree. SotC and Ico are great games, very deep. Partisan 5 23:56, 4 September 2006 (UTC)