Posts for Thursday, December 6, 2007

Question #41400 posted on 12/06/2007 3:01 a.m.

Comments

Q:

Dear Lucy the Valiant,

In response to (^41145) the Prince Caspian trailer was posted online today and can seen here:
http://movies.yahoo.com/premieres/5318892/standardformat/

-Humble Master (who wishes he knew how to insert a link from the ask a question window...)

Question #41265 posted on 12/06/2007 3:01 a.m.

Electronics/Technology

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

So my dad has this old vinyl record that he'd like to have on a cd, but it isn't available to buy anywhere. I was thinking this would make the perfect Christmas present. Is there anywhere on campus that could do something like that, do you think, like the LRC or the music department?

Thanks.

Best. Daughter. Ever.

A: Dear don't call me daughter (not fair to),

The place you're looking for is the Information Commons in the Harold B. Lee Library. They have "self-service dubbing racks" that purport to convert LPs into CDs. The staff that I've met there have been very friendly and will gladly help you with your conversion needs.

-=Optimus Prime=-

Question #41264 posted on 12/06/2007 3:01 a.m.

Medical/Body

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

In recent decades we have associated drinking alcohol during pregnancy with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Why was FAS not a problem during medieval Europe when everyone drank alcohol all the time?

I base that generalization on several of my biology and history classes where we were taught that Europeans put alcohol in all their drinks because of the antimicrobial effects. By parallel, Asians went the route of boiling water for tea.

Seems like an interesting historical question.

- Not a drinker

A: Dear Reader,

From this site:

It's true that clean drinking water was not easily available and that people drank and cooked in ale, cider, wine and mead. However, they did not consume nearly as many alcohol units as people do today! The ale brewed for everyday consumption was considerably weaker than modern beer, and wine was almost always mulled and warmed - which will reduce its alcohol content. There was, of course, recreational drinking of stronger ale and cider, but that was distinct from the former variety and served in ale houses or at major meal times. Hard liquor (brandy etc.) was almost non existent in medieval times.

So, medieval Europeans drank a lot of alcoholic beverages, but the actual alcohol content wasn't very high.

- Katya

Question #41263 posted on 12/06/2007 3:01 a.m.

BYU - Academics

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

I am currently signed up for Chem 105, Physics 105, and Stats 221 next semester. Is that a horribly bad, disgusting idea? Or will it be ok?

-Death by Homework

A: Dear Death by Homework-

Depends. Are you good at science and math? I know people that wouldn't think twice about that schedule, and some that would rather swallow a whole hive of bees than have those classes. I wouldn't worry about it too much, since the classes aren't too advanced, but that's me. You'll likely have to make a judgment call on this. Good luck.

-Foreman

A: Dear Death,

Hey, guess what? I just did that this semester! OK, not the Stats 221 (knocked that one out last year), but I had both the science classes combined with a rather brutal combo of accounting and finance. And I'll be honest with you, I've never had so much homework in my life. I've never studied harder. On the other hand, I've felt pretty fulfilled so far. We'll see how that goes come finals, but honestly, it's doable. As Foreman said, it depends on how much you want to do it, but trust me, it CAN be done.

-Claudio

A: Dear it's true,

I would personally fail or almost fail all but the stats class if I had only the three, and no other classes.

They're right, it depends on your personal capacity for math and science. You should know yourself and your limits by now; call up a couple professors that teach each class and ask for a syllabus or an explanation of what will be expected of you in a given week. Talk to people who have a similar capacity to yourself and see what they think, too.

-You, the Reader

Question #41262 posted on 12/06/2007 3:01 a.m.

Relationships - Breaking Up

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

About two months ago I was dumped by my fiance. Where is the best place to sell the ring? I have tried facebook and KSL classifieds with no results.

-Stuck with an expensive ring.

A: Dear George,

Try ebay or craig's list.

-Kicks and Giggles

A: Dear,

Wait, wait. If you broke up with your fiance, give the ring back to him, so he can do whatever he wants with it.

If you broke up with your fiancee, then go ahead and sell it yourself. You could try the Wilk Board, too.

-Uffish Thought

A: Hey ringer,

There's a pawn shop across the street from DI. I bet they'd take it.

Don't cross me.

Double White Lines

Question #41259 posted on 12/06/2007 3:01 a.m.

Food & Drink - Cooking

Food & Drink

Utah - Provo/Orem Community

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

I need some CrÃ¨me fraÃ®che for a baked pasta dish that I want to make but I am having one heck of a time finding any. I live in Provo, but am I going to have to go all the way to Salt Lake to find it? Or is there somewhere closer?

- The new chef

A: Dear newbie,

How about your own kitchen? This page has a recipe that seems pretty simple:

For whoever lamented not being able to find creme freche on store shelves, here's how to make it at home (found it in a french cookbook, never bought actual creme freche again):

Measure 1 cup of heavy cream, and add one tablespoon of buttermilk. Mix well. Cover container or glass measure cup with plastic kitchen wrap. Leave the container out on kitchen counter overnight or for 24 hours. Once it looks like the cream is solidifying on top, transfer it to a fridge proof container with a lid, and let rest for one more day. The creme freche should then be creamy but solid, and is ready to use. It can be used (if properly refrigerated) for up to 1 week.

Or if you prefer the living room, you can order it online here. You might also want to try Meadow Gold Dairy in Orem (845 S State St, 801-225-3660) and Snow Dairy Inc in Springville (119 W 800 S, 801-489-6081) or anything else you can find in the Yellow Pages to see what they offer.

-=Optimus Prime=-

Question #41258 posted on 12/06/2007 3:01 a.m.

BYU - Campus (physical) - Buildings

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

In the HFAC 5th floor B wing stairwell, there is a metal panel and a little pedal something attached to the wall. There might be one in the A wing or on other floors, I don't remember. Do you know what those are?

- I've been wondering this for four years

A: Dear been wondering,

It makes me so happy to be able to answer this question for you and put four years of wondering to rest. The fixtures you describe are actually fossils - the remnants of a disposal system long extinct. The pedals on the wall opened the lids to the garbage bins. The lovely woman at the HFAC I spoke with said she'd been there for 18 years, and these bins were out of use before she got there.

Enjoy living free from this overwhelming mystery.

Sincerely,

The Cleaning Lady

Question #41257 posted on 12/06/2007 3:01 a.m.

Health

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

Two things happened the day after I got home from Thanksgiving break - I got a monumental cold, and I started Aviane, a brand of birth control pill. Since that day, I've been breaking out like rarely before. I never thought those first two things could cause the third thing. Do you think either of them did?

- the spotted bride

A: Dearest spotted bride,

Acne is a common side effect of birth control pills. According to the fine print for Aviane, "acne may improve or get worse." I'm sorry to say that in your case, it might have gotten worse. I believe the cold has very little to do with it, but you could try switching birth control methods. The first link has a list of pills that may actually help improve your acne. Good luck.

Sincerely,

Old Bald Guy

Question #41256 posted on 12/06/2007 3:01 a.m.

BYU - Campus (physical) - Buildings

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

I have the oddest problem:

Early Saturday morning, I was practicing at the JFSB, for my modern dance class. I dance there all the time, and I figured 7AM on Saturday was a good time as any. The room I like is the empty "studio" on the east side, second floor. It's a lovely spot for working on creativity and getting new ideas. I have danced there frequently for over a month and never once have I been confronted. Ever!

Anyway, we were accosted by a self-important person, who kicked us out (twice) because, "There Is No Dancing Here". The second time, I tartly pointed out werf's logical error. There WAS undeniably dancing in the building for an hour previous to their unwelcome arrival. Werf denied making up the rule, but argued that it was official and inescapable. I suspected jealousy. After interrogation, werf gave up the location of a Boss, in B109, during the week, whom I could seek out at my leisure, ha ha. This is a custodial office, am I wrong?

I have never heard of such policies or practices, and am anxiously wondering, is this truly and officially verboten? Or, should I just not practice early on Saturdays?

Dance Free or Die,

~~Endangered Creativity

A: Dear Endangered Creativity,

After talking with a wonderful woman in JFSB custodial, it turns out that it is not your creativity that is in danger, but rather the very fine hardwood floors in the alcove. Unlike the floors in the RB and Wilk, these floors have a water-based finish that is easily damaged by excessive wear. Because you are not the only dancer who has discovered this empty room, this floor has unfortunately been a victim of dance. Hence, the JFSB custodians and deans have talked to the dance department and asked them to please inform students that they are not to use that room, and others like it, in the JFSB.

And actually, in a couple of weeks, this will be completely moot, as starting in January, the alcove will no longer be empty; it will house a gallery called "Education in Zion."

For the sake of your creativity, I do hope you find another suitable room for your Saturday morning romps, with floors that are not quite so sensitive.

Sincerely,

The Cleaning Lady

Question #41253 posted on 12/06/2007 3:01 a.m.

Relationships - Dating

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

Remember when I asked Board Question #39203? Well, you may be happy to know that I just got home from my second date with Girl in the Ward. We had a good time, and I think your suggestions were helpful.

So here's another dating quandary for you: First, let me express how much I dislike the end-of-date doorstep moment. Bear in mind, I'm talking about first, second, maybe third dates--still just casual dates, nobody's expecting any kissing (and for some reason end-of-date hugs have always seemed awkward to me). So, when I have walked to the doorstep with my date, I feel like I've just stood there awkwardly. To avoid such awkward moments, I've gotten into the bad habit of pulling up to the car, leaving it running, and allowing my date to simply let herself out and walk to the door. Such was the case tonight, and the last time I took this girl out (as well as with most other girls I've taken out recently). Every time I do it, I think afterwards of how I'm probably sending the wrong message--i.e., that I'm not interested, or that I'm just rude, neither of which is the case.

So my ultimate question(s): What's the best way to navigate the culmination of a date at the pre-kissing stage, without creating an awkward doorstep moment? Additionally, how do I undo the bad precedent I've already set on my previous two dates with this girl (assuming she'll go out with me again)?

- Gentle Giant

A: Dear George,

Okay, first of all, STOP just dropping them off. That is LAME. I think guys should always walk their dates to the door, for many reasons, upon which I will abstain from expounding at this time.

Basically, just be confident in what you're going to do: walk to the door, tell her what a nice time you had, give her a hug, and head back to your car. If you have a plan and know what to do and expect, it'll be less awkward than just standing there. If she does something unexpected, just go with it and improvise as needed to complete the objective of your plan: drop off your date at her door without too much awkwardness.

-Kicks and Giggles

A: Dear GG,

I agree with Kicks and Giggles completely. Definitely walk her to the door. You clearly mean no disrespect, but it's much more courteous to not just drop her off. I agree that a hug at the end is nice, but if you're not comfortable with that you can just walk up with her, thank her and wish her a good night—then go back to the car. It'll only be awkward if you act indecisive and make it awkward. Kicks definitely has the right idea.

—Laser Jock

Question #41244 posted on 12/06/2007 3:01 a.m.

BYU - Culture

Statistics

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

What is the percentage of inter-racial marriages at BYU?

- I'm not your regular white girl.

A: Hey girl,

100%. Ain't nobody a pure breed nothin'.

Don't cross me.

Double White Lines

A: Dear rock on,

Double White Lines is totally right, I think. Worrying about "race" in general is so silly. From a biological/evolutionary adaptation standpoint, only good things can come from genetic variation and variety. I smile every time I see an interracial couple of any kind.

Plus, speaking as a honky, I must acknowledge that black/hispanic/asian chicks are totally hot.

I used to work with a hilarious Jamaican guy who summarized this phenomenon with enlightened pithiness. He put it this way: "The world is a ice cream store. And all the difference races are just different flavors." That pretty much covers it.

-Cognoscente

A: Dear girl,

At my on-campus workplace: 28.6%

The other 71.4% of us are unmarried.

-Tangerine

A: Dear Cognoscente,

Now I wonder if comparing race to ice cream is a Jamaican culture-ish thing over there. I had a Jamaican friend in my home ward who, after comparing race to ice cream, asked if he could add a little chocolate to my vanilla. It was funny...

~Krishna

A: Dear Non-White:

According to Wikipedia, it was estimated that about 7% of all marriages were interracial in 2005. I would imagine it hasn't changed much in the intervening years. "56.4% of the individuals in the [August 2007] graduating class were married," states the graduation statistics page. (Yes, I know there are BYU students who get married but don't graduate. We're going for a ballpark figure here.) Due to both a conservative culture and a majority white population, I will say that interracial marriages are somewhat less common at BYU than among the general populace. Four percent sounds reasonable. That would mean that with a student body of 30,242, that about 17,056 will be married by the time they graduate. Four percent of that is 682 students, which is 2.26% of the entire student body.

That is my educated guess.

---Portia

Question #41209 posted on 12/06/2007 3:01 a.m.

Utah

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

Don't know where the 100 Hour Board folks hail from, but here's an observation and a question. Residents of Utah County have a reputation, deserved or not, of being judgmental, rigidly severe, and ultra-conservative. (Last night I saw a well-dressed couple at a large grocery store reduce a checkstand girl to tears over a petty disagreement about a gas discount card.) Do you think that alleged reputation is justified? I came from a more rural background and I find Utah County people very...intense.

--WasatchMan

A: Dear Country Boy:

Like most stereotypes, I think this one has some grounding in reality. I went from being the signature goody-goody at my high school to a near-radical just by moving one county south: I don't think I was the one changing that much. Your observations remind me of a brother of a former roommate: he felt compelled to disagree with any opinion of mine, and his seemed . . . out there, for sure. "Those Italians only have five to six kids!" I think a complete lack of ambition would have been one of the most attractive traits possible to him. He was from Arizona, so I don't think it had much to do with the geography of any state, but rather, personality. Still, I think you'll find a much higher number of these "intense" people, as you call them, in the Happy Valley.

However, like all stereotypes, it's blown out of proportion. There are a lot of intelligent, witty, unique, non-sheep-like people, even here in Utah County. My fellow Board Writers have seemed like such people. The less I worry about people I don't get along with, the happier I am. There are a lot worse places than Provo.

---Portia

Question #41196 posted on 12/06/2007 3:01 a.m.

Housing

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

I'm currently waiting to hear back on my application to BYU as a transfer student. Assuming I'm accepted, I'll be there as a sophmore summer semester but can stay with relatives until fall semester. I have a couple questions regarding housing:

If you transfer, do you have to spend your first year in the dorms like freshmen?

If not, when would you suggest starting to look for off-campus housing?

Where would you suggest looking? (websites, bulletin boards, etc.)

I have heard that Glenwood is to be avoided, any other notorious places to be cautious of?

Any that you'd consider better/a better deal than others?

Thanks!
Nomad

A: Dear Wanderer:

If you transfer, do you have to spend your first year in the dorms like freshmen?

No. No one is required to live in on-campus housing, actually.

If not, when would you suggest starting to look for off-campus housing?

It couldn't hurt to start now. Most people start thinking seriously about it in February or March.

Where would you suggest looking? (websites, bulletin boards, etc.)

Here, here, and here are great resources. Since you'll be moving in Fall, you'll be able to sign a contract the standard way, so I would suggest going to some complexes you're interested in before you committ (or have a relative go).

I have heard that Glenwood is to be avoided, any other notorious places to be cautious of?

I agree with you on Glenwood. Liberty Square has been dubbed "the dorms for sophomores." Cinnamon Tree and Arcadia look like cheap motels in depressing Wyoming towns. I've heard that rooms in Centennial are pretty small and dingy.

Any that you'd consider better/a better deal than others?

SpyGlas is the nicest complex I can think of off the top of my head. It is also ridiculously expensive. Stadium Terrace is cheap, you get two fridges, have a big bathroom, but it's not luxurious by any means. I liked the townhouse layout of Sparks II (the thrilling sequel!). Wyview is fairly inexpensive, and a lot newer than what you'll find around these parts. It all depends what you're willing to dish out: you could live in Condo Row--Kensington, especially, is very nice, but still on the expensive end for my taste (not as bad as SpyGlas, though).

See also Board Question #41185.

---Portia

Question #40821 posted on 12/06/2007 3:01 a.m.

Dance

Music

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

This weekend I went to Dancesport. I really liked one of the cha-cha songs. It was played around 4:30 or so on Saturday night, and I think the competition was called the standard...there were 4 heats, and they did the cha cha, rhamba, and samba. Does anyone happen to know the name of the cha cha songs played around that time?

- 5490659381

A: Dear 24601,

According to Eleanor Wiblin, a fantastic lady in the ballroom dance office, "Do you know how many cha-cha's were played at Dancesport? Hundreds! These programs are set up and put into the computer, and then when the competition's over, that's it. It's not archived for another time. A whole new program gets put together for the next competition. I really do not hold out much hope."

Despite the dismal prediction you see here, Eleanor kindly gave me contact information for the person who did the music for Dancesport, who replied first with, "That's a crap shoot," followed by, "I may still have the log on my computer. I'll check."

Fantastic people. They certainly did what they could for you, but in the end, they were both right. The music guy's assistant has cleaned out the system, thus erasing the log information for Dancesport. He suggested you listen for it during the next Dancesport and then go ask him directly. He'll be the guy by the laptop. In my experience, he's usually around awhile after the show while the packing up goes on.

-Olympus

Question #40760 posted on 12/06/2007 3:01 a.m.

Board - Writers

Q:

Dear Quandary,

What will you do now?

YKW

A: Dear YKW,

Check out this poll on the Board message board. That should give you some idea. If it doesn't, well, I'll just say that things will only get better from here.

Quandary

Question #40735 posted on 12/06/2007 3:01 a.m.

Famous People

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

What Boy Scout rank did Robert Pershing Wadlow (the world's tallest Boy Scout) get to before leaving Scouting?

- Bronzed

A: Dear Bronzed,

The foremost source of information on Wadlow's life is The Gentleman Giant, by Frederic Fadner. Alas, this volume does not state what Boy Scout rank he finally attained and I haven't found any other source which does.

- Katya