phantom_of_valkyrie

I know many of the covered bridges were washed out in the flooding after Irene. I am planning a trip to Vermont at the beginning of October. How can I find out which bridges were washed away?

I know many of the covered bridges were washed out in the flooding after Irene. I am planning a trip to Vermont at the beginning of October. How can I find out which bridges were washed away?

So I'm getting into DIY projects. I have my new staple gun and a couple flea market chairs. Wood body that I'm repainting, cushions that need new fabric. Now I'm searching for some fabric online. The first few aren't going to be that great but you get better. Got my paint booth set up as well.

So on amazon there are over 60,000 fabric results and it would be much faster if I could limit it by fabric type. Ok I don't want jersey, lace, taffeta or vinyl but batik, batiste, broadcloth? calico, muslin?

If anyone just had a basic idea of what fabric works for this it would be helpful. I don't want it to be too lightweight.

I don't want to buy expensive upholstery fabric until I at least get half decent at it.

So I'm getting into DIY projects. I have my new staple gun and a couple flea market chairs. Wood body that I'm repainting, cushions that need new fabric. Now I'm searching for some fabric online. The first few aren't going to be that great but you get better. Got my paint booth set up as well.

So on amazon there are over 60,000 fabric results and it would be much faster if I could limit it by fabric. Ok I don't want jersey, lace, taffeta or vinyl but batik, batiste, broadcloth? calico, muslin?

Any idea just a basic tip like stay midweight vs heavy weight?

I don't want to buy expensive upholstery fabric until I at least get half decent at it.

I have an acquaintance. Mostly we are just facebook friends. We go to a bar a couple times a month together. She vents. Constantly. Pretty much she's fun to get around when I get upset with anything b/c she's always so drama and her life is always 10 times worse in her mind. But one of those people you can't be around too often b/c she'll bring you down.

She is in school. Nearly every week she gets into a fight with someone in one of her classes and is asking me what to do about it. I know exactly what the problem is. She's from NY and for some reason a huge amount of people from NY start a lot of sentences with "In NY, we...". But this is the south and a lot of people would specifically NOT do it the way they do it in NY.

In her case, she says "everyone" a lot when she's angry. Everyone from this state is so stupid. In NY no one is like this. Everyone is a no account hick.

Well it's fairly obvious why that's offensive to people. I just laugh it off and try to remind her that she means everyone in her class or everyone she works with but I understand why people get pissed at it. She doesn't seem to understand that she's insulting the people she talks to when she does that even if they aren't the ones she is mad at.

Usually I don't say anything b/c she's just venting but as this happens every week and seems to bother her a lot, I've wondered at what point is "Why are people like that" an honest question? At what point in a friendship would you tell someone what they do that may cause a lot of their problems in life? It's the same thing with her dating life. On a date she tells the guys that all men are dogs and cheat on her. Every man is an ameoba on fleas on rats. Well if they guy is willing to hear that all night and ask you out again, chances were he wasn't listening--and is a dog who will cheat.

But when a lot of people vent they just want to air their grievances, not hear any advice. It would be different if we were really close but mostly our friendship is based on venting (I go to her first if something pissed me off too). Would you inform an acquaintance that this particular behavior might be the cause? But since it's so obvious, I can't be the only person to tell her that "everyone" includes...well...everyone.

After the 7th time she pleads "Why does this keep happening to me?" I'm beginning to think it's a real question. HELP!

My husband and I each have a small kayak. Emotion comets. under 10 ft. We drive a Hyundai Santa Fe with factory roof racks.

http://www.rei.com/product/801042

We are looking at a Yakima roof rack and are debating between a couple of different ones. The Mako Aero saddles are the top runner and they will be on sale for Labor Day, but I can't find any evidence as to if I can fit 2 of those at the same time.

http://www.rei.com/product/767992

The Hull Raiser is the 2nd choice.

http://www.rei.com/product/753408

We are just wanting to take the kayak out around, so less than 30 miles or so. I'm not looking for a system for trucking across the US, nor do we have expensive kayaks.

Does anyone out in cyberland know if you can fit 2 saddle style holders on a roof rack? Or do you need to have an upright design no matter how small the kayak?

It's only a $50 difference in price but I'd hate to buy the wrong one, find out it doesn't fit and miss the sale price.

My biggest complaint about the Nook instead of the Kindle is the lack of travel books available. Lonely Planet, books on hiking trails. Many are available on the Kindle but not the Nook.

Does anyone know another site where you can get travel books in ePub format that would be available on the Nook?

It's been a while since I've been stalked by a YA troll so I guess it was about time it happen again. I answered this question two years ago

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=200809...

Now I got an email from someone (not the original poster--someone completely different) who says:

There is a harsh world outside of your perfect little bubble of going on cruises, boat invitations, clubbing, and skiing. We aren't all as lucky as you, even though we work equally hard if not harder. I realize first impressions are important, but people make mistakes on a piece of paper, and deserve second chances. Futures are at stake, and the way you talk about tossing resumes in the trash sickens me. Karma's a *****."

It sickens them that company's throw resumes in the trash? All the bad things in the world today and the fact that every company won't frame your resume like a firstborn's artwork is sickening? And of course company CEO's probably never work hard. That has nothing to do with how much they make. Oops got off on a tangent.

But anyway my etiquette question is this...

When you get the silly emails (always from a Questions set to Private, member for less than 6 months, Level 3 kinda person) do you respond? Or do you just delete them?

I always feel it is polite to respond. I feel the way on Craig's List if I post an item and sell it. I respond to everyone else to tell them I sold the item. But when people are just flaming about how karma helps those that are nasty, do you just delete them? Or RAMO? (Does anyone report emails?) Or like me, feel obligated to respond?

I have a Bersa 97 so it's very hard to find magazines for it. Do you have any ideas on websites or places to call that might carry magazines for older pistols like that?

I live in NC if you know local places.

I found a good deal on some skis I like. Volkl Oceana. I'm a novice/intermediate skier so that's right in my range. I found some for a good deal. I usually just rent my skis when I get to the area.

I need new boots this year though so I don't know what brand I'll be buying. My lasts were Solomon. I've always just handed my boots to the rental counter when getting the skis and they did it. When buying used skis, does it matter if the bindings aren't the brand of boots you buy? Many online mention "solomon bindings". Would you buy your skis when you don't have your boots yet?

Any help would be great as it's my first pair of skis.

I have been looking at getting a new Columbia jacket and they are selling their interchange system hardcore. I love my old Columbia jacket (it hasn't worn out at all) but I'd rather have a better color and my old one is frankly too warm for skiing. I'd like one of the 3 in 1 interchange ones--however no where online can I find a picture of it opened.

Inside, do they have a regular polar fleece inside? Or is it a different thing? If it's a different style of jacket, can a regular polar fleece be zipped in it? It is a 3 in 1 jacket, what is the other layer?

I read some reviews on Amazon and everyone mentions that the women's jackets run small/tight through arms but no one mentions what the individual layers are. I don't live anywhere near a Columbia store so before I drive 3 hours to the nearest one, I want to know if it's going to be what I want.

The actual Columbia site hasn't put it up yet for the new 2010/2011 styles but I like to buy things off season b/c I can get better deals. If you have one, tell me about the 3 layers and can you wear them as separate pieces?

pictures would be fabulous

I have recently gotten a wake board but the binding/boot on it needs to be replaced. Where do you go to get replacements? Is there a good site?

I went to West Marine which doesn't sell them. Overton's doesn't either. All the wakeboards already have boots on them. Scheel's has the really nice expensive tie up boots but I was looking for a cheaper more generic type, more like a ski has, since there are so many different foot sizes.

Do you know of a great website?

I'm looking for some new snow ski equipment. I've had a pair of boots for years. Recently I noticed they were too small and wanted to post them on Craig's List but I noticed no one else had snow ski stuff up. If you are a Craigs List/Ebay addict, what time of year does that stuff normally go up? I live in the south so eastern mountains don't get snow until Jan but I know out west it's earlier. Same with ski jacket. My old one is just too thick.

I've also decided to quit renting my skis and buy a used set on Craigs List. Have you found it easier to wait until you get to the place (I do my skiing around Salt Lake City) as there are more skiiers? Or on Craig's List would that be too hard since time is of the issue?

I have 3 stalks of bamboo in my kitchen. One of them appears to be dead but it has new growth on the top. What is the best course of action? Should I cut off the old roots? Cut off just the new growth and put it in water by itself? Or will the green color come back?

I wasn't sure if I should separate the one that appears dead from the healthy ones to preserve it. I got bamboo b/c people said you couldn't kill it. My thumb is not green in the slightest but this bamboo has lasted 4 years.

To give a tad bit of background, I do not have a mother figure. I started dating my husband as a teenager so my MIL has been in my life for over 10 years now. I love her.

There is a coworker of hers who is attached herself. When my husband and I are in town to see the in-laws, she is always there for dinner. She stays in our bed. When my MIL drives down to see us, this coworker tags along uninvited. She was originally assigned to my MIL as a mentor program.

My issue is this--She is now decorating my MILs house with pictures of these mother-daughter outings. Any picture of my husband and me has been replaced with pictures of her at all the family outings.

It bothers me more and more. Originally it didn't get to me. I thought in a year or so, the girl would stop needing to be mentored. I thought the girl would be with her own family or date someone. My husband and I joked about her wanting to be the daughter-in-law and marrying my husband. But now that my husband and I have been married for 4 years, the fact that I'm not invited to ANY of these events bothers me. I understand if I can't go since we are a couple hours away, but to not even be invited and then have all the mother daughter pictures posted everywhere hurts.

What would you do? How would you discuss this? Am I just being insanely over-emotional or jealous? Or would this bother you? Or would it be natural to be invited to mother-daughter outings first, even if there is the possibility I couldn't go, with my own family before a stranger was invited? I won't talk to her about it if I'm just being jealous but replacing all my pictures and sleeping in my bed seems creepy to me. Off base?

To give a tad bit of background, I do not have a mother figure. I started dating my husband as a teenager so my MIL has been in my life for over 10 years now. I love her.

There is a coworker of hers who is my age and has basically moved in. When my husband and I are in town to see the in-laws, she is always there for dinner. When we aren't, she stays in our bed. When my MIL comes to see us, this coworker tags along uninvited. My MIL complains about her a bit but isn't willing to say anything. She was originally assigned to my MIL as a mentor program but unlike the other ones who did the mentor thing for a year or two, this one is permanent.

My issue is this--She is now decorating my MILs house with pictures of these mother-daughter outings. My MIL's sister (does one have aunt in-laws?) and her daughter, my MIL and this coworker go to all these events. They have pictures of them at Wicked, when my cousin went to Prom, going to high tea.... You just can't help but think mother-daughter, mother-...who is this is every picture? hmm must be her daughter in law.

It bothers me more and more. Originally it didn't get to me. I thought in a year or so, the girl would stop needing to be mentored. I thought seeing us for dinner would eventually mean coworkers not invited or that over a couple years, my MIL would come to visit us without tagalong. My husband and I joked about her wanting to be the daughter-in-law and marrying my husband. But now that my husband and I have been married for 4 years, the fact that I'm not invited to any of these events bothers me. I wanted to see Wicked and I could understand if I couldn't go (I do live 3 hours away) because of prior commitments, but to not even be invited and then have all the mother daughter pictures posted everywhere hurts.

What would you do? How would you discuss this? Am I just being insanely over emotional simply b/c I don't have a mother of my own? Or would it be natural to be invited to mother-daughter outings first, even if there is the possibility I couldn't go?

So this all started with foreign travel. In many countries it is exceptionally rude if you enter a restaurant, and do not greet the host.

It got me thinking. When you walk into a restaurant, do you greet the host? Do you say something first or just say the number of people in your party? I always smile and say hi. When asked how many I say "2, please." If he/she says How are you this evening first, I respond to that (something like "Fine thanks. 2 please").

It wouldn't be odd for me in the slightest to say Bonjour first in France before telling them how many in my table.

Do you normally greet the hostess or do you just say a number in response to her greeting? If you think back, how often do you actually greet the receptionists or do you just get to your business?

I am often asked about the diversity of the town I live in while interviewing for jobs.

Now I am from Charlotte so I'm used to a big city with a lot of diversity. The small town I live in now has about 3000 people and I haven't seen one Asian person or Hispanic person (other than the one family who owns the restaurant) since I moved here. I hate it. When asked about it's diversity I've often said

"It isn't. I'm used to a bigger city with lots of diversity. This town is very small. About 3,000 residents. I think there may be 5 people who aren't white in the entire town. You probably wouldn't want to go there looking for diversity. That's part of why I'm interested in this position in ___insert whatever city__. I'm from Charlotte originally so I'm looking for a larger more diverse city"

Several times there has been an African-American man (though one was British or actually African due to the accent) as the head of HR and I've wondered if that was offensive to them. I mean the town isn't diverse at all but I fear saying that might paint me in a bad light. But if you researched it on the internet you'd see. Wikipedia says it's 9.71% other races.

Would you find that offensive? If so, how would you say it so that it comes across differently--without just outright lying about it? Thanks for any help

So yesterday I'm dealing with insurance companies and trying to find out what they will pay and why they haven't shipped a Rx to me yet (it will have been been a month on the 1st). So I'm a bit frustrated dealing with someone reading from a script instead of answering my actual question.

At the end of it she starts using my first name. (name changed) "Well Sarah I hope I answered your questions. Sarah have a great day".

I was a bit taken aback. You don't know me. We are not friends. You don't know my age bracket. I would think Mrs Jones would have been the appropriate comment.

That's happened recently at the airlines too when I show them my id. I get "Have a great flight Sarah". We are not friends and this process is not a friendly process. I'm only talking to you in the first place b/c there is a problem that usually involves someone at your organization not doing something right. Has the courtesy of calling someone by their title been lost?

Does that bother you?

I will add it doesn't bother me in a happy environment. For example if a store clerk were to say that while ringing me up, but they have always said Mrs Jones. But in a frustrating situation it seems to me that just that little common sign of respect could go a long way towards escalating or defusing the situation. Am I completely out of line?

My college is asking people to upload pictures to their fan page. I am a fan. When you go to the photos, I don't see anything that allows me to upload a picture to them. From my pg I didn't see anything either.

Does anyone know?