G

a does not equal b

1/x + 1/a = 1/b

solve x

Difficult situation for someone close to me - their car recently kicked the bucket and now they are in need of a small loan ~$3,000 to get a used car. Dealerships won't approve anything since this individual has no credit history. They are also pending college graduate (Masters student, not undergrad) and anticipate moderate student loan repayment later in 2010.

What would you say are the best banks to check out, if any? I suggested local small banks, such a trivial amount carries less risk overall for any bank but getting approved is probably the hardest part in this situation.

While I'm sure travel expenses are factored into labor / other costs in the final bill, would it be necessary to tip an automotive glass repair service that comes to the house?

Places I tip for sure include haircut, restaurant/bar service, valet service and I've even tipped a tow truck driver $5 for that extra insurance that my car is taken care of behind the scenes. This is a serivce I'm not entirely sure of how appropriate a tip, (if any) might be.

I'm usually not one to ask questions on here, as I love to share my knowledge and experiences with others, but I could definitely use some advice/suggestions. Here's the story -

I'm a recent graduate of an ABET accredited program from a highly ranked school in southeastern Pennsylvania. I've earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering with a Minor in Architectural Engineering. My GPA was about B range, just past 3.1. So, my grades were decent, I have the degree, and I do have 6 months of internship experience with a consulting firm whose services were in site design / land development.

As suggested by my univeristy and others, the job search began in fall of my senior year (2008). I attended three school-hosted career fairs and made use of the university's career development and interviewing services. I also searched on my own. My resume was handed out to well over 30 companies, and in the winter/early spring I interviewed with a handful of firms. Some replied and clearly stated I was not selected, others simply made no follow up gesture (go professionalism!!!). Other firms were kind enough to send mail stating they were not hiring at this time.

Anyways, I'm not here to complain. I feel that I've made a decent effort in my search. I've been browsing online nightly for weeks trying to find entry level work. Many positions are structural yet my concentrations were in water resources and transportation. I applied at my internship firm and got no reply. I will be taking the F.E. in October of this year which would make me an EIT by about January if I pass. This would definitely make me more marketable. My resume is solid and was recently reviewed by a relative who is a PE. I'm a friendly person, highly motivated, a very hard worker and capable of getting things done. Who would have thought getting your foot in the door could ever be so hard with an engineering degree. According to Forbes.com "engineer" is the hardest profession to fill in America. Unfortunately the economy is against me and fellow graduates no matter what their field of study.

So I ask, is there any advice those in industry might have for landing that first job? The work may not be here geographically and I understand that, so relocating is a possibility. There must be some firm out there who needs cheaper labor and a young mind with new perspectives.

Thanks in advance!

My girlfriend and I were about to start protected sex. I was not yet inside her and I think things were a bit too dry. Right as I tried to enter there was a very loud snap, obviously the condom broke but we both heard it and I backed off immediately. I know pre-ejaculate has sperm, no need to tell me, but we both realized that I wasn't even in her, it was probably just the pushing force and too much friction.

Her last period ended about a week ago...at best we were considering the morning after pill but really don't think it's needed. There was little, if any pre-ejaculate, I immediately backed away and put on a new condom. Sure anything is possible, any thoughts / agreement that these odds are quite low?