Activity from Shepherd
Displaying post 50 to 100 of 207
from
ask
Europop song, late '80s or early '90s, about Peter and the Wolf
I know the song exists, and I have a vivid memory of it from a mix tape a friend made in high school (long out of touch). It's the story of Peter and the Wolf, narrated by a John-Hurt-sounding type, but the music is 100% Pet-Shop-Boys-esque pop. When the narrator says "the hunters came out of the woods," there's a Frankie-style tribal drum riff. The song cuts off abruptly with a younger (still adult) voice saying "...and you know the rest."
What plays are they performing in high school these days?
Not a heavy question and a bit North-America-centric, but discussing our embarrassing theatre nerd high-school days with my wife and wondering if the same plays were still being done in high school as they were ~30 years ago.
Setting up a discrete social media persona from my work persona
Have you created social media profiles distinct from your professional self? I'm interested in process and logic, especially as regards which name you use for which, and how you establish the newer identity.
Help me identify this sectional couch-part!
Last year, I bought my wife this corner part of a modular sectional couch thing as a holiday gift. We love it! It's comfortable and nice. We'd like to get more pieces! But... I can't remember what the company was called, and I can't find an invoice or shipping information in my email. 99% sure it's a Canadian company. It shipped all compressed like those podcast mattresses, and you stuffed the compressed foam into a zippered shell. Photos here:
https://imgur.com/a/sUmqQRj
Academic writing on images vs. text on the Internet
Academics of MetaFilter! I'm working on a paper and am hoping to put some meat behind the received wisdom that the Internet is a visual space where images perform better than text. It's almost a "water is wet" problem where it's so understood that few people have bothered to prove it.
Is hand-washing two peoples' clothes feasible for several months?
We've ordered a new washer and dryer -- paid already -- as part of an overall, long-budgeted kitchen reno. Unfortunately there's no firm date on delivery (supply chain issues), and initially we were happy to wait a few months so we could synch this up with other things like getting a window enlarged. But the old washer died this morning. What's the challenge rating for a couple washing clothes by hand, possibly for several months?
What makes a large employer good at internal comms?
Have you ever worked for a large (250+ people) organization that just did an amazing job at internal communications? If yes -- what did they do and why did it work?
Tips on re-energizing for mental work in the evening after a taxing day?
I'm pursuing a graduate degree part-time, and it's down to the major paper. I'm having a really hard time, after a full day of a challenging job that combines managing people, creative work, and strategic/tactical problem-solving, to find it in me to work on the degree. Ideas for re-energizing?
Why is the landlord in the Wicker Man played in the camp style?
My wife and I were watching The Wicker Man (1973, the 'Final Cut' released in the 2000s) for the summer solstice, and neither having seen it for decades, had forgotten quite a few of the details -- including the fact that the landlord in Summersisle can only be described as tremendously camp. It's great to see queerness in cinema, but we're wondering what the narrative point is.
Cheap cell numbers for annoyance validations?
A Discord I occasionally post in is now saying "I must verify my identity by phone before you can send messages in this server." It won't accept my VoIP phone (even though it can accept text messages). Is there any very low-cost way I can get a forward-only "cell phone number" to manage a rapidly growing number of companies I don't want to give my phone number to, but still want to use?
Citeable source on the growth of higher ed digital presence?
I'm working on an essay for a law course I'm taking on information privacy; attempting to trace the evolution of "privacy in public" theory in the context of photo consent, and contrast it to both Canadian legislation and the growth pressures people in higher ed marketing are facing. I'm looking for information on how much higher education presence online has grown in the last decade -- increasingly large websites, more social media presences, etc. -- and it's been surprisingly difficult to find anything definitive, but I figured maybe y'all would have some ideas?
Why is my network appearing even when the router is off?
After a few days of wonky Internet I decided to do a periodic reset, and unplugged the modem and router across the house. The wifi network is still appearing, though, and phones and desktops are connecting to it (without internet), even after “forget this network”, it’s findable and connects. I can’t ping or connect to other devices in the house, though. What’s up with the “ghost” network?
Zen story... possibly from Xen Cuts?
About 25 years ago, there was a track that mashed up hip-hop beats with a Zen-like story (Jack Kornfield?) about a bug who lived his life in carpet fibre, and only when getting scooped up by a... bird?... could see the beautiful pattern of the carpet. Do you know what track that was? It may have been on the Ninja Tune Xen Cuts compilation.
GREETINGS FROM 2019, FUTURE HUMANS OR SENTIENTS
I have to get my shared sewer line dug up and there's currently a 10-foot hole in my driveway. I'm thinking about shooting a little iPhone video with my wife and bunging it on a USB key or something for when they fill it in, to probably never be seen again, but you never know. Any good ideas on extremely cheap ways of future-proofing this?
What questions about media and the law would you like answered?
I'm the staff coordinator for a project in which law students will research media-industry questions for people. They are not lawyers and will not give legal advice, but will answer with links to relevant statutes and court decisions to let you know what the laws are. I'm trying to furnish them with questions to answer to kickstart this project. What media-related questions would you want to ask them?
What's the best (paid) stock site out there in 2018?
I work on a team where we're going to need a number of semi-generic images, sourced by various people for various things at various times. What's the best stock image site out there right now? Money is not no object, but we're willing to pay for quality and variety. We're in Canada, if it matters.
What is this round ball of twine thingy?
My mom won this at a curling club raffle. She doesn’t knows what it is. It appears to be a ball of twine about five inches in diameter, with a braided twine “handle”. It’s heavy — about two pounds — heavier than I think it would be if it were just twine. She has glued the “handle” to the ball to make it into a base, and is using it as a doorstop. Here’s a picture: ball of mystery.
What's the best combination of weight, cost, size and availability?
I want to make a small (8" x 8") piece of plywood very, very heavy by affixing something to the top of it. It could be a single solid object, or a container filled with a very heavy particle (sand, metal pellets, whatnot). The weight on top of the plywood can be up to 4" in height but no higher. I'd like to do this as cheaply as possible.
What will give me the best combination of (a) weight, (b) cost to purchase, (c) availability and (d) size?
Mastodo's and Mastodon'ts
I'm considering setting up a Mastodon instance at the school (college, so adult students) where I work. Have you done something or used something similar? Any advice or recommendations as I look into this?
Debunked best-sellers of days gone by
What best-selling books that "explain things" have gone on to be thoroughly debunked? I'm thinking of things like Guns, Germs and Steel and The Bell Curve.
Can I restore this decorative stone bowl?
My wife and I were given a nice stone bowl as a wedding gift about 10 years ago. Over time, it's gotten some discoloration and "tarnishing." I'm not sure what type of stone it is, or how to clean/polish(?)/seal(?) it. How would I go about this?
What movies/TV shows have somebody saying "wake up"?
I'd like to find movies and television episodes where somebody says "wake up," or something idiomatically similar ("rise and shine," "wakey wakey," "get up," etc.).
Ideally with links to clips of that moment in the movie or TV show. This is for an audio project, so "interpretive" wake-ups (silent films with title cards, animals making noises to wake each other up, foreign languages) are delightful but don't serve my purpose: hoping for clear, English-language "wake up" spoken clips.
Getting from zero to USB MIDI in as few steps as possible
I have (a) a USB MIDI keyboard, (b) a licensed copy of Reaper, and (c) kind of an understanding that there are things called VSTs that make the keyboard go 'boop'. What's the best/fastest way of understanding how all this works?
Name my law podcast!
I'm working on a podcast that will support an undergraduate-level university course, available online, intended to give students a comprehensive overview of Canadian law. What do I call it?
Is it easy to start a natto culture? To perpetuate one?
So I'm down to probably about 50 lbs of soy beans, and having recently found and tried natto, really like it! So I'd like some natto-culturing advice.
What's your go-to SHORT inspirational/motivational phrase?
There's a great AskMe about inspirational quotes, essays, etc., but I'm wondering if you have a specific short, like 12 words or less, "go forth and conquer" thing you say to yourself when you need an internal kick in the pants, shot of confidence or to ground yourself before a challenge.
What's the coolest ($3 or less) swag you've received recently?
Helping organize a 450+ attendee conference, with a focus on I.T. in education for next year at my home institution; among other things I'm looking into various swag ideas for those who come. What's the coolest conference swag you've seen recently that has a pretty low price point?
Balancing community obligations with operational needs in a public org
I'm on the board of directors for our local community radio station, sitting on the grievance committee, and trying to help the station move forward from a situation where a problematic volunteer meant well in some ways but was a toxic presence in others, and was ultimately dismissed. Is there any existing work or wisdom on how to balance a community organization's obligation to accommodate community members against its practical limitations in dealing with people with extraordinary needs?
Soy far, soy good
So I have a thrift store soy milk maker and one thing led to another and now I have a 60 lb. sack of dried soy beans. What can I do, besides soy milk? Tofu is an easy answer, but what else?
Longshot filter: current, updating, blogs about French music in Quebec?
I'm finding it harder than I figured to keep up with Quebec music, two years after moving to Ontario. I'm looking for websites or blogs that are currently active, and focus on French-language music in Quebec.
Not songs _about_ April Fools, but songs that _illustrate_ April's Fools
Working on the weekly radio show for Saturday, April 2 and looking for good songs to celebrate April Fools... not songs _about_ April 1, but songs that are themselves tricks, jokes, fake-outs and deceptions. Some examples...
Any ideas for speakers for a conference about how I.T. benefits people?
I'm helping organize a 2017 conference on I.T. in higher education; the theme is going to be how I.T. benefits people on a daily basis. We've got an array of prospective speakers already, but in the interest of broadening the pool... any suggestions?
SF/F MAPL? SVP! ASAP!
My wife and I do a radio show on a community station in Canada, usually roughly theming the show around something in the community (or going on with us) every week. A comic-book/SF convention is rolling through town next weekend. We try to have a lot of Canadian content on the show. What Canadian musicians have performed songs about SF/fantasy/comic-book themes?
Can YOU solve the mystery of the missing soymilk maker manual?
Bought a used soymilk maker at a thrift shop today. I've never had or used one before. I can't find any information about this model online (ESTAR ESM-1300S). I've emailed the manufacturer, but the company website doesn't lead me to believe response will be stellar. Can you help me find either a manual for this machine, or a generic how-to that will work for most soymilk makers so I can try this out within the return/refund window? Pics at this standalone webpage...
Why am I invisible to exercise machines?
I've tried wearing a Polar chest strap in the past, with good results. I am, to the best of my knowledge, neither dead nor a vampire. I can feel my pulse. I'm an average-sized man of average height in average shape. My heart rate is not particularly fast or extraordinarily slow. So why am I invisible to the heart-rate sensors on gym exercise equipment?
Rhymes in that ol' 5A, 5A, 7B; 5C, 5C, 7B structure
What poems follow the rhyming scheme and syllable pattern shared by The Cremation of Sam McGee, Rocky Raccoon and the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald?
Does my home-board-game-night dream organizer exist?
My wife and I moved about a year ago to a town where we already had some friends, and have made new friends. Trying to invite people to play games via e-mail quickly devolves into micro-scheduling. "Big" board game nights are unwieldy and unfun. I'm looking for something that feels like it should exist, but I haven't found it yet. Full details inside:
Is installing Plex on Ubuntu with an external hard drive really hard?
I'm medium-capable with computer stuff; not afraid of a command line, but not a lot more sophisticated than mkdir and mv commands. I've got an ECS LIVA box that I'd like to try putting a Plex server on. I've installed Ubuntu 14.04, and connected it to a 5TB external drive, but I'm getting a bit nervous. Is Plex on this setup within my skill range?
Text to speech software -- what do you recommend?
There seem to have been lots of developments in text to speech since the subject was last raised, and I was wondering if anyone could point me to a solution fitting some specific criteria for an arty project. Details inside:
Solid data on "messages received" increasing over time?
I'm working on something with the sloppy premise that over the gradual shift from print to digital, communications isn't a zero-sum game. The general idea is that the introduction of things like first the Internet and e-mail, and later social media and texting, have increased the total number of messages people receive, and that people are increasingly "messaged at" over time. What sources can help me prove this, or disprove it?
Can you explain the advantage of a 10-year mortgage (Canada)?
Buying a house here in Canada, and my mortgage broker has mentioned that we're in an unprecedented mortgage rate slump, with five-year fixed at about 2.7% and now 10-years at around 3.8%. I can sort of figure out some math here, but I'm not sure I grasp the full nuances of this decision with compound interest, etc.
Real estate lawyers: worth it for "normal" homebuying? (Ontario, Canada)
My wife and I are actively looking to buy a house in Kingston, Ontario and have been working with a real estate agent that we're quite happy with. What would the advantage of having a real estate lawyer in the mix be? We're considering modestly priced single-family homes, possibly with an added apartment, and not sure what value we'd get by adding about $1,000 in legal fees to the proceedings.
Help me create a movie title that is (a) intriguing and (b) open-ended.
Now that my wife's been bitten by the radio bug, the desire to do a show/podcast is starting to sink its teeth into me as well. The high-concept idea that I'm working with is to do a 16-part series that are all the soundtrack to a forgotten movie -- the title of the movie is the same every week, but the movie itself changes.
What's the best way to say "don't say anything"?
I'm working on a social media response protocol (similar to the Air Force classic template here), but trying to come up with a pithy Golden Rule along the lines of "If you don't say anything, you can be almost certain that you're not making things worse". But... better. Ideas?
Successful cafes with a no-laptop/no-iPad policy?
Are there any cafes out there in the wild that have survived (or better, thrived) with a strictly enforced no-laptop, no-iPad (essentially, "no portable electronic offices") policy? I'm looking for reasonably well-documented examples of coffee houses that have bucked the student/mobile-office market and done well. The more it's presented as a business case, the better.
Election sites that track positions on issues on a per-candidate basis?
There's a municipal election coming up, and a friend of mine is hoping to develop a Web site that allows users to cycle through key questions (e.g. "Do you think the city should allow a casino to be built downtown?" "Do you support the closure of the Simpson History Museum?") and see the positions of various candidates, grouped by electoral district. Can you think of a Web site that does such a thing? Bonus points if it's created by a group that might be willing to share their infrastructure.
What to expect at a university comms/marketing position?
I've been hired to be the Director of Marketing for a humanities faculty at a small but prestigious North American university. I've spent the last nine years at a mid-sized national ad agency. I start in two weeks. What should I expect in my new position?
How can I convince my VoIP router (PAP2T) to connect?
I'm trying to get my VoIP at home (through a PAP2T, working perfectly until now) working with a new router (Linksys DIR-825), and having no luck past a certain point. My provider's support service isn't very supportive.
Post-lithotripsy pain in the legs, several days after procedure?
Have you ever had a lithotripsy? I got one (torso) on Monday for kidney stones, and while things seemed fine for the 48 hours following the procedure, starting yesterday afternoon I've been experiencing intense, radiating pain in my upper legs and hips. Enough that I can't sleep, even with hydromorphone painkillers. I've left a detailed message at the urologist's, but while I wait to hear back, I'm wondering if this is something in the realm of "normal" or "super weird" or even "Emergency room stat". This is Quebec, so I'm not incredibly optimistic about the doctor getting back to me promptly, either.
Would a Chromebook be right for us?
Between my wife and I, I'm the "computer guy," while she basically uses her computer to write, engage in social media, and update a couple of blogs with all that this entails (light photo editing, etc.). We have to replace her aging Dell laptop. Would a Chromebook be a good option?
Reliable sources of corrective financial advice in South Carolina?
My in-laws in South Carolina, who don't have a stellar history with money, are facing some challenges that are really restricting their circumstances. They're not against cleaning up their act in terms of budgeting and being smarter about money, but don't really have a head for it. What's the best way to help from a distance?