Arenkay

I own my own home, and I have a roommate. I got a great deal on a machine I've always enjoyed at the gym that will arrive to my home in about two weeks. Problem is... The weight limit is either 270 or 275lbs, and my roommate is significantly above this weight.

I feel like such a horrible person... but I look in the mirror... and I really want to feel healthy again so badly! How do I tell her when it arrives that she can't use the machine because of her weight?

I have a 2010 Chevy Impala LT with less than 50k miles on it. Moonroof, leather interior... I got it used in 2010 for $18k, all said and done. It is in as good of a condition now as when I got it, maybe even better. I only use Royal Purple oil/filters, always gas with cleaners, like BP or Shell, I add chevron techron when I get an oil change, yearly detailing with premium products like Blackfire Wet Diamond, leather conditioning to prevent cracks... etc. It shines. I bought the best all weather tires I could get last year or the year before... Warranty on the tires is still active.

All that being said, someone told me to put my money into real estate, not cars. That real estate has the chance to appreciate, but a car will only depreciate. And, money-wise, I pay $700/year in insurance (female, 20s), and I drive 7k miles a year on today's gas prices. Most of my driving is highway. I live in Chicago.

Originally, I was going to keep my car until it hit 200,000 miles. That being said, I've heard the Elio is classified as a motorcycle, so insurance rates should definitely be less than the $700 I'm paying. And gas prices are going up again. Their calculator said I'd save $600/year by getting the Elio, so compared to me keeping my current car until 200,000 miles, which at my current rate of usage, would be 20+ years, I could save $12k, making it more than pay for itself.

I don't know, that's why I'm asking you. Any thoughts? Advice?

There's this part where there is this one person who is friends with two or more others that are natural enemies of one another. Like, normally, one would have killed the other, but because of their trust in their mutual friend, they get in the car with each other and drive somewhere.

I know it isn't much to go on, but it's really bothering me.

Thank you for any help

I just signed a contract to buy a condo in the same complex, but not the same building, as another one that caught fire very recently. The fire became a 3-alarm one, and after doing a bit of research, I found that the same exact building caught fire several years ago. Also a 3-alarm fire.

This is my first home purchase, so I m already a bit nervous, but hearing about two 3-alarm fires in the same exact building is bothering me a bit. Like... maybe they didn t fix the problem. So, I m asking, would you still buy the condo or look elsewhere?

On the news they reported there is no sprinkler system in the buildings. Is that common in condominiums?

Thanks for any advice!

I'm definitely not looking for yaoi, and I'm not looking for typical shounen ai either. Maybe... shounen ai undertones? How do I explain... Are you familiar with any of these:

Nabari no Ou

Legend of the Legendary Heroes

No.6

I, personally, wouldn't really classify any of them technically as shounen ai because no one confesses or dates or... really, romantic feelings aren't even technically mentioned, but there is at least one scene where as you are watching, you definitely feel that sort of tension like the characters are close to making it so you have to add "shounen ai" to the genre list, but they never actually do enough to truly warrant it. Like, romance isn't really the focus, but a friendship that is so close it has that potential (or steps over to that side for a little bit), at least in one scene of the manga or anime.

I like a deep male friendship and a story that has absolutely nothing to do with them dating. But, going though something side by side makes them super close. Specifically in a gentle, protective, or understanding way towards one another.

Thank you for any suggestions!

A few days ago I was having breakfast and watching tv on my Macbook as I have every morning for years while chatting with the family when I laughed at something and hit a glass of water and drenched my Macbook (yes, stupid me. I know...). Needless to say, it's toast (I'm having someone look at it anyway, though...). So, I fired up the old Windows computer, which was running as slow as molasses. I just thought I'd been babied by having a Mac, so I didn't really think much of it, but a couple days later, people started reporting to me that they were getting spam from my email address.

So, I changed my password using a different computer, turned off the Windows computer, etc.

Yesterday, another round of spam went out in my name... The only accounts signed into that account now that I've changed my password are my iPhone and iPad and my work computer, which has loads of spam protection from our IT guy. Neither mobile device is jailbroken or modified in any way, so I know they aren't the causes. What is going on? How can I stop spam from going to my contacts? Once is annoying, but twice is mortifying!

This year for my birthday in May, I spent half a month in Japan. It was so amazing. Best birthday I'd ever had.

For 2015, I want to go to Mexico or somewhere in South America. Any suggestions? I've never been to either place. I want to go somewhere with loads of photo opportunities. Should I take a cruise? Stay in a resort? What would you recommend? (I speak Spanish by the way.)

My limit for air fare + lodging is $3k. Not including food or souvenirs or transport while I am already at the destination. I aim to stay for a week or two. I also have a few free nights at the Intercontinental and at the Hyatt, if that helps.

Thank you for any suggestions!

I've noticed recently that whenever people I've never spoken to before call me on my phone, they start with not their own name, but "Is this (insert my first name here)". This annoys me, so I always respond, "May I ask who's speaking?" before letting them know they have reached me.

I can't remember if I was simply trained differently by my parents growing up or if introducing oneself before inquiring of the identity of the person who answered the phone is something that used to be considered correct years ago, but has since been changed.

I'm extremely new to the handheld gaming world. I haven't used a handheld system since the Sega Handheld of what... the 90's?

Anyway, I saw the PS Vita's limited colors in the US vs Japan's color offerings, and I'm not thrilled with our selection here. I speak Japanese, so ordering it from Japan and getting it shipped to me is not a problem. But, my worry is, would it be region locked? I may read Japanese, but English is easier.

Thanks!

I would like to learn the language and customs of my greatest percentage of ancestors. What would be a good DNA site to use for this?

I have been working at my company for over 10 years, and one of my responsibilities is to interview. Before now, I had never gone looking for a job, so as the "person of power", I suppose, I asked this question because I know it is frequently asked, but... What's the point? Now that I am looking to switch companies and I'm being asked this, I don't get it.

If a person feels uncomfortable at their current position because of others, they can't say that in an interview. If it is that the salary is not high enough, they could come across as being easy to snatch away for the right price and not loyal. Like, only in it for the money. There are a lot of good reasons that can have negative responses, so who is really honest when answering this question anyway? I'm beginning to think that if someone has been at a position over a decade and decides to leave, something must have happened or there must be a really good reason. But, that reason isn't for the recruiter to know because frankly, something is wrong where they are, and it was enough for them to leave, so there must be something bad, meaning they most likely won't tell you anyway.

Which brings me back to my original question: why ask in the first place? Also, I'm tired of making up things that sound like good reasons to leave a company. Can I just tell them I'm not comfortable with sharing my reasons?

If you don't see any brainwashing in the US, this question isn't for you.

For those who see it, what do you think their plan might be? I've been pondering this for a while, but I can't figure out the final objective. Power? But what is the value of power over sheep? Money? Politicians already have so much. What in the world could they possibly be lacking? I have enough sense to know I don't want to be around when the objective has been completed, but for now, I'm here and curious. Not to mention, it's clear enough that it can't be stopped. Whatever it is.

A debt that cannot be repaid, perversion of morals, government owning the minds of the next generations, identification of and abortion of babies with abnormalities, censoring of the internet and press... What am I missing?

I wonder if I even see all of the pieces. It is highly likely I'm at least partially brainwashed too.

The next result seems like a nation straight from the Twilight Zone or some movie where genetic abnormalities are a rarity, no one criticizes anything and believes in everything and thus nothing, and extreme government reliance... Seem's surreal... So, I'll be safely in another country that values longstanding traditions until I'm convinced the result isn't as creepy as it sounds... Whatever this is, though, it's worldwide... At least in all 1st world countries... Though, I'm pretty sure nothing can go truly everywhere.

But, what are your thoughts? What do you think is the "end game"?

I am going to Japan for the first time in a few days.

I'm have my yen plus a no foreign transaction fee visa signature with a chip. My aim is to use the card as much as possible and use the cash as a backup, since I'm aware Japan doesn't favor plastic as much as cash, but I personally prefer plastic.

I have almost exclusively 10,000 yen bills. My question is, where would I go to get smaller bills? Is it like the US where I could just walk into a bank and ask them to exchange a 10,000 yen bill for some more manageable bills/coins? (And yes, I speak Japanese)

I need to translate the name "Kinison", as in "Sam Kinison" to Japanese. Yes, I could just write it in romaji or katakana, but I want to try to keep the pronunciation, but use kanji.

I was thinking:

木二村

Ki for tree, and though 二村　is more typically "futamura", I know the 二 part can be

"ni" and the 村 part can be "son". To my American eyes, "Tree Two Village" seems pretty nice, but I wanted to check with those who have a more native understanding of Japanese than I. Is that ok for a last name?

Everywhere I read, I keep seeing people recommend the JR Rail Pass. But, as much as I can tell from outside of Japan, I don't think I need it. That being said, I wanted to post a question to make sure:

I will be in Japan in a little less than 3 months, and will be staying there for half of a month. I will be in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. I won't be driving:

Entering Japan via airport in Tokyo --> Tokyo (a week and a day) --> Kyoto (4 nights) --> Osaka (3 nights) --> Leaving via airport in Osaka

From what I've heard, Japanese train tickets are like 250 yen each way or so? I really do not anticipate us going to more than 2 areas in a day, like Hotel --> Place A --> Place B --> Hotel. But, for good measure, let's say 1000 yen in transportation per day. 15 days, so 15000 yen or roughly $150. One of those days we will be taking the Shinkansen from Osaka to Kyoto, which I've heard is 13200 yen. So, 2 weeks, less than $300. Kyoto and Osaka are close, so maybe more like $300 give or take for half a month of transportation. Are my calculations off? Am I missing something? I don't want to get there and then wish I had a JR Rail pass, but since the 7 day is like $270 and the 2 week is over $400, would I not save money not getting it?

Thanks for any input!

I am going in May to Japan for my birthday with my friend. On the actual day of my birthday, we will be in Tokyo. After that, Kyoto and then Osaka, for a total of a half-month trip.

I know I want to spend a day in Akihabara (and hopefully find a butler cafe!), a day in Shibuya, a day in Ginza... etc. and so on... But what should I actually do on the night of my actual birthday?

I don't know if this helps, but I will be turning 26, and I speak Japanese. This will be the 7th country I've been to, and the 4th continent. I am not a fan of sushi, okonomiyaki, tempura, soba, or takoyaki, but I do like tonkatsu, chicken katsu, yakitori, sukiyaki, ramen, tsukemono, udon, yakiniku, and Japanese-style curry and burgers. Money isn't a problem because I started planning for this trip two years ago, and all of our lodging and half of my air fare was paid for by points/free nights. My biggest thing is I want to have fun on my birthday. Expensive or cheap, doesn't matter. I just want to remember the night of my birthday as the best night of my entire trip to Japan.

I get drunk too fast to enjoy drinking much, so alcohol isn't really necessary to me.

I love unique experiences. I go out of my way to find hidden gems.

I am not going to have a car (I know driving on the other side of the street will mess with my head), but anywhere accessible by public transport will work.

Thank you for any suggestions!

My goal is to play ice hockey. I have been skating 5 hours+ a week at open skates plus exercising off of the ice when I can't skate, and I am improving at a pace I'm happy with, but am still definitely a beginner. I don't want to do anything that would mess me up as I learn to skate.

My friend wants me to go quad skating with her at the local rink. She really enjoys it. Would it mess me up at all to go with her once a week? Would it actually help me at all with my ice skating?

Thanks for any input!

I am in my mid 20's, and I just started learning to skate this season. I have two goals; my main is to play hockey, but also, I was very inspired watching people do a little bit of dancing on hockey skates. That would also be fun to do. I have no interest in doing jumps, just the fancy footwork.

I started out with absolutely no physical fitness whatsoever and without the ability to skate at all. So, I've been exercising (with the biggest emphasis on leg strengthening exercises) during the week for a combined total of 4 hours and skating 5 hours over the weekend (2 on Friday, 1.5 Saturday, 1.5 Sunday) at the open skates. Mondays I let my body rest, unless there is a special holiday open skate, like they had for Martin Luther King's birthday.

If I keep this schedule up for a year, think I might be able to join the local beginners hockey league next season?

There is a cosmic skate open skate near me. Every time I get on the ice I fall multiple times during the open skate, so I guess I'm not ready for that. How long does it take to pretty consistently not fall?