OhKatie!

I just went online for my credit report and there are a few things listed from companies I don't recognize. How do I request more information so I know wether or not to dispute the claim? I don't recognize the company, or the amount that I supposedly owe so I'd like to investigate it a bit.

Why all the random race questions today?

-Why so many white women dating black men?

-Why don't black people tip well?

-Why is there no White History Month?

Why does it matter, folks? Wouldn't we be better off celebrating our differences and learning from each other, than swelling on those differences and letting them divide us?

I try to be environmentally conscious and friendly- I recycle everything I can, I take my own bags to do my shopping whenever possible, I use energy-efficient lightbulbs, I even conserve the water I use in my toilet!

I'm just wondering if anyone has any other quick, easy, and efficient tips to keep living green?

I see postings in this forum and hear people out and about talking about how they were saved through Jesus when they hit some particularly low point in their life or had committed some terrible act, and they go on to say that they prayed to God for mercy and he forgave them.

My question is, how do you know he forgave you? When people talk about this happening they make it sound as if they had a conversation with the guy next to them, as if God said "no worries, you're forgiven".

So how did you come to the conclusion that you were forgiven by God? Did you actually hear a physical say so or was it more of a hunch you've had?

A strange question here, but I'm wondering what people think of marriages for citizenship. I've decided to move to another country to be with my boyfriend. We're having trouble with immigration and he has suggested having a civil ceremony so that I can work, go to school and be covered with healthcare benefits while I'm there. I would be paying taxes and working, so I'm not doing it to get a free ride on another country's bill. The thought is that we're looking at this as a serious relationship that will probably lead to marriage in the future, but that won't happen if we're living on seperate continents so this is a means to an end. We would really only be married on paper and wouldn't live as if we were man and wife. That would come later and if we did eventually decide to go through with the real thing, we would have this "marriage" annulled and have a real wedding with friends and family.

What are everyone's thoughts? Keep in mind, before we go down the religious track, that he and I are both Agnostics and don't believe that a civil service would be anything more than a legal arrangement.

(Sorry to put this in the LGBT section, it was the closest I could get and my computer won't let me pick from the full list.)

I'll be moving out of the US this summer which means I won't be here to vote in November, but I'll still be a citizen and as such, I'd still like to vote. Does anyone know how I can do this and what the procedure is?

I wonder, for all of the Christians who want the Ten Commandments posted in our courtrooms....How would you feel if they were the Ten Indian Commandments?

-Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect

-Remain close to the Great Spirit

-Show great respect for your fellow beings

-Work together for the benefit of all Mankind

-Give assistance and kindness wherever needed

-Do what you know to be right

-Look after the well-being of mind and body

-Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good

-Be truthful and honest at all times

-Take full repsonsibility for your actions

We all know that most theists are opposed to the act of suicide from a religious/moral standpoint. But I wonder what you guys think of it. Is it an act you can sympathize with? Or are you adamantly opposed to it for one reason or another?

I'm just wondering if anyone knows how/if I can write off charitable donations on my taxes if I use the EZ tax form. I've been donating every month for the last 2 or 3 years and didn't even think of writing off the donations until this year. Can I do that using the EZ form?

Does anyone else wish they could see who gave them thumbs up or down? I go back occasionally and read over the questions I've answered and I'm always curious about why people gave me an up or down. It doesn't mean I'll change my thoughts either way, I'm just curious. Anyone else feel the same?

My parents and I were recently discussing a newspaper article written about a parent who was enraged with her son's history teacher for giving the boy a failing grade on a term paper because the entire thing was written in "text speak" (LOL, idk, omg, ur, etc.). The mother claims that the teacher had no right to fail the paper because it was written for a history class, not an English class. The teacher argued that in school, regardless of the subject, students should use proper English, and I wholeheartedly agree.

Your thoughts?

For Christmas, I'm fairly certain that I'm finally geting an MP3 player (I'm behind the times, I know) so I need to start thinking of good songs to download. What are your favorite songs, especially those to work out to?

I'm just wondering if anyone here has ever participated in a "fitness boot camp" and how it worked out for you. My gym is offering a boot camp and I've never tried one, but I'm willing to give it a shot in hopes that I can fit into my size 14 shorts for my vacation in March. Any advice?

For the first time in almost 5 years I have New Year's Eve and the following day off from work and I'm looking to party! Any ideas for a great party for a single chick and maybe one or two friends? I prefer Baltimore or Annapolis to DC, but I'm open to anything.

I'm not looking for a miracle here, but I'm wondering if anyone has any good advice on the healthiest, fastest way to lose weight. I just bought plane tickets last night to go to Fiji and New Zealand in March, to see my best friend (who has the body of a tennis player) and an old boyfriend (who's a martial arts guru). I know neither of them will judge me for my weight, but it'll bother me. I just want to look my best when I get there.

I've been working out almost every day for weeks now, but I wonder if anyone has any tips on how to slim down and tone up quickly?

Abount a month ago I joined a local gym and have been really good about going to work out 3-4 times a week (I'll go more frequently after I sell my house in a few weeks), but so far I'm not noticing any visual changes in my body. A big part of that, I know, is how I eat and that's where my problem begins.

I'm a volunteer with the local fire department and I'm actually "living" at the fire house (it's like a dorm situation except that we run emergency calls in the middle of the night). There are about 12 other live-ins, plus the career crews during the week and all the other volunteers that are there round the clock and we're all sharing 1 kitchen. With all those hungry folks (mostly the guys) keeping food that I've bought in the kitchen for more than 20 minutes is nearly impossible and going to the grocery store every day is tiring.

So I wonder if anyone has any bright ideas for how I can eat better without a kitchen at my disposal and without going broke.....

I was recently told that the police in Baltimore City have started posting signs on the doors of registered sex offenders that warn parents not to bring their children to that house. If the resident is found to have removed the sign, he or she will be in violation of any probation or parole, and will be arrested.

Your thoughts?

I've recently begun a fairly intense workout routine in an attempt to shed many unwanted pounds. I'm told that a great way to stay motivated is to reward yourself at every goal marker you achieve. My question is, when to reward myself and how?

I recently saw a picture of Muslims who were gathered to "pray on the death anniversary of Imam Ali, cousin and son-in-law of prophet Mohammed" and in one picture it shows them all with their right hand on their heads and in another, they all have the Qu'ran on their heads. Does anyone know the significance of these customs?

My friend and I are set to visit New Zealand in March for the first time. We're staying with a friend of mine in Masterton and I have a few questions for anyone who lives there or has ever visited......

1. Has anyone ever taken the train from Auckland to Wellington, and how was it?

2. We'll be there over St.Patrick's Day (March 17), but we're curious about whether or not Kiwis even celebrate St.Pat's.

3. What months does the rugcy season cover and what team is closest to Wellington/New Zealand?

4. How are Americans generally received?

5. How difficult/expensive is it to travel between the north and south islands?

6. Most importantly....does anyone have any ideas for great things to do or see? We're really interested in seeing the country through the eyes of the locals so any lesser-known spots or activities are exactly what we're looking for. The less-touristy the better!

Thanks in advance!