Alison B

When applying for a new job, or creating a new resume, is it bad to check the "do not contact my former employers" box? Or in the case of a resume, is it bad to leave their contact information off? Although I have good relationships with my former employers, I am always afraid of what they might talk about and have always checked the box/left information out. Does this make me look like a bad hire?

There is loads of information on the web about spotting fake purses, but can the same ideas be applied to the designer wallets? a lot of websites tell you to look at the details, notice the liners, and demand a certificate of authenticity. however, when purchasing these wallets used these items are not always available. Also, do designer wallets have id#'s? Can a person bring an item to one of the official dealers and get a replacement "certificate of authenticity" , if theirs has been lost?

Most of the people around me know that I am health conscious, and love to eat well, but not many of them know that I am vegetarian (with a few vegan tendencies). I'm not that annoying vegetarian who shoves it down other people's throats. If somebody asks, I tell, if they don't want to hear it, I don't tell them. However, holiday times are hard because most people buy me nice foods and candy. Some of which I can't eat!

no food should ever go to waste, so I give away what I can't eat. When it comes to closer family members is when the situation gets weird. For instance my boyfriend's mother just sent me a valentines day candy box, most of which contains gelatin (which i have chosen not to eat). If I don't say anything then she will continue to buy gelatin containing goods for me and the problem continues. But on the other hand, it's not her responsibility to keep track of what I eat, and what I don't. Thankfully she is a really understanding woman with her own weird semi vegetarian diet.

How do I kindly tell my relatives thanks, but no thanks. Is there a way I can not come off wrong? suggestions please!!!

Do you think that adult angel fish will make a fast meal of Amano shrimp?

About a year ago I bought a ficus tree and re-potted it using the near black soil from the bottom of my compost bin. The compost pile uses the microbial process and has yet to have worms added. Should I worry about adding extra fertilizers? Or will my compost soil be good enough?

Recently, with an upgrade to vista, my mp3 player has become useless. After fighting with the company for a few hours this morning i have decided to simply replace my player, and save my sanity.

I was wondering if anybody has had any bad experiences with their 2nd generation zune player. I have talked to one owner of a 1st generation who says that it is ok,...not great. I am wondering how well the 2nd generation works, and if generaly people are satisfied. please be specific!!!! Thank you in advance!

I have two pet mice who were doing fine until i got home this morning at 2. When i checked on them before going to bed i noticed that one of my mice was buried in the bedding, not really moving or interacting with her friend(as she normally did) . It turns out that the other mouse has been stealing her food and i don't know how long it's been since she has had a good meal. Her body is very stiff, she doesn't move very much and is too weak to eat her lab blocks.

I stayed up for about an hour last night, petting her and trying to get her to eat. petting her really seemed to make a difference.

At the moment i am offering her. lab blocks (softened with water), carrots (that i have taken a knife to so that it is softer) and peanuts ( i figured that the protein and fat would be good).

the mouse isn't really taking an active role in eating (tasting yes, but chewing no). I have gotten it to drink a little. I was wondering if you can force feed a mouse, how, and what to feed it.

I was wondering if anybody out there has experienced issues with their O and loud sounds. I have found some websites claiming that it does bother them, I would just like to know if there is something behind that.

Recentley the water company has been playing with our sources of city water. The pipes that feed my home are most definetley old because it is not uncommon to recieve shards of some kind of stone in our tap and toilets.--which i don't trust for myself, never mind the fish. We purchase drinking water from Poland springs .

It seems that every week different chemistry issues arise with the tap water, and i am sick and tired of having to add tons of chemicals into the water. I have come to discover that reverse osmosis may be the answer. Is there a better option? I have also come to learn that there are ones meant for aquariums and then ones meant for human use. Is there a difference?

I was born on February 18th, the cutoff date for the zodiac sign Aquarius. I have always had the mixed traits of Aquarius as well as it's neighbor Pisces.

I've always wondered if the cutoff dates are exact, and if the time of birth will make a difference. Is it normal that i have never truly identified with one zodiac?

I have a blue/three spot gourami (almost four inches) which has recentley become aggressive. He has begun to spar with his reflection and chase his tankmates arround, he has made it clear to all parties involved that he has established "his"territory in the tank. ( the other fish are perfectley fine) I am wondering if anybody else has experienced this kind of aggression, possibly as a result of adolescent gourami.

However, the issue could lie within my filter. Within the past week my filter has been making very strange noises. Two nights ago I awoke to the gourami with his aggression face on in the direction of the noisy filter (internal). This afternoon I did a "deep clean" of the filter and totally got rid of any leaves or algae which could be causing this terrible sound. Hopefully his recent agression will end with the annoying, disfunctional sounds. questions

1) have you experienced any adolescent gourami aggression?

2) could this behavoir be the result of the filter noises?

On the internet i've heard a lot about protein skimmers, but not a lot about exactley what they do or how they work. I've read of people who make their own, and i've seen their plans but i can't figure it out. What importance are they to the aquarium?

I have recently been given a fifteen gal tak which measures 19 inches tall and 13 inches across. The hood on the tank was COMPLETELEY broken and in no condition for useage. All glass no longer makes hoods for this tank. So i decided to diy it. Got glass cut for the top and purchaced a 12 inch hood which fit perfectley once you factor in the switch on the side. However i cannot find a bulb which is A)powerful enough for my tank and b) provides my plants with the light they need to prosper. 12 inch hoods only come with the screw in bulbs, and i already checked home depot for an alternative. HELP!

when i was in early highschool i guaged my ears to a six (?). about a month later when my parental unit came back i was grounded for life and forced to remove them and surrender "all" my guages. (sad to say they came out perfect) then a couple years ago i tried to do it again and it took FOREVER for them to strech,vasaline and all (got to about an 8 and gave up). now that i'm out of the house i want to re-do it, this time for real. does anybody know any tricks on getting them to strech for one last time (hopefully evenly), or should i seek perfessional help?

i bought three platy's with a 2:1 female male relationship, as most websites reccomend (so that the male doesn't bully the females). but now they are reproducing very quickly. is there anyway to stop it other than giving away my male?

i have been looking everywhere for the pattern and cannot seem to find it. could anyone point me in the right direction?