Posts for Saturday, December 29, 2007

Question #41867 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Comments

Q:

Dear Neanderthal-

Regarding Board Question #41777, which must have slipped by me in the holiday lazy season, I'd guess what you're asking about are Ley lines, ancient alignments of important sites that are often ascribed supernatural powers. Some studies claim that locations along these lines possess greater electromagnetic energy than average. The whole issue is very much uncertain, of course.

Stonehenge is said by Ley line theorists to have been built at a convergence of Ley lines, and is therefore a site of power (see here).

You can find maps and images by using Google Image search. Most of the sources you're going to turn up are pretty kooky, though.

-Foreman, who may or may not have written a paper about Stonehenge in 8th grade.

Question #41861 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Comments

Electronics/Technology

Telephones

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

Regarding Board Question #41682, in my experience, Verizon Wireless will ordinarily replace a non-functioning cell phone with a reconditioned phone of the same model for $50. You also can ordinarily purchase used phones for use on the Verizon Wireless network on eBay.

-- Daryl Gibson

Question #41816 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Games - Computer/Video Games

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

What would be the best combination of spells/charms and attribute distribution for a twilight in Exalted by White Wolf?

- The Discomfited Watch

A: Dear DW,

Alas, our staff is appears to be currently lacking in Exalted players (or in friends who are Exalted players) leaving us with little recourse other than to throw your question out to the general Board readership.

- Katya

Question #41815 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

LDS - Doctrine

Relationships - Family - Parenting

Education - Teaching

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

I am considering homeshcooling my children next school year. We are confident that we could do a great deal of good with their education but have serious hesitations about "in the world" situations. My question: We are told as members of the church to "be a light unto the world" . . . to do missionary work . . . be an example. I feel that if we shelter our children too much from "the world", we will miss their oppotunity to be missionaries now and to build that spiritual strength. Does any one have comments on that?
Also: I was recently told that President John Taylor at one point told all church members to educate their own children. I was told that the church rescinded this command because the members didn't comply. Any one know about THIS?

Thank you,
Trying to do what's right

A: Dear Gertrude,

My oldest sister, Susie Homemaker, homeschools her kids and I think she's doing a fantastic job, and her kids are by no means sheltered. I asked her what her comments were regarding your question, and this is what she had to say:

Kicks and Giggles,
I don't know how to answer this exactly - I guess it depends on every situation. Where we are, there are very few members of the church - none that homeschool. So any homeschooling group that we do things with, we are the only members. We don't flaunt that we are LDS and some may not even know but as long as we are setting a good example with how we treat our kids and uphold our standards, I think being an example is the key.

Aside from that, there are many other opportunities to be examples in other activities. Our kids are in gymnastics, girl scouts, cub scouts, music lessons, etc. Each activity has a different teacher and aren't LDS (as well as all the kids in them) so we take advantage of those opportunities. Once when we were moving, we gave Niece Giggles's piano teacher a French Book of Mormon (he was from France) and she put her testimony and picture in the front of it so he could remember her. That was a little outside my comfort zone [Susie Homemaker has a tendency to be a little shy] but it's good for our kids to be missionaries and help us with it as well.

I hope some of that helps. If nothing else, it can give you ideas.
Love,
Susie Homemaker

So Gertrude, I think one of the most important things in this example is that even though Susie's kids don't go to a public school, they still get plenty of "in the world" experiences through extracurricular activities. Susie requires them all to have at least one physical education-type activity, and that helps get them out of the house, in addition to music lessons, etc.

Please remember that homeschooling â‰ hiding your children from the world. If they are leaving the house and having other experiences, great. If they are instead living in the house without seeing the sun for weeks at a time, that might be cause for concern. Nobody wants your kids to be awkward homeschooled weirdos. There's enough awkward weird people in the world as it is.

-Kicks and Giggles

A: Dear Trying,

I was homeschooled. I never set foot in a school until I came to BYU when I was 18, and I definitely don't think you need to send your kids to school to let them have "in the world" situations, "be a light unto the world," or "do missionary work." I remember laughing when people expressed concern over whether or not I got enough "socialization," when the way I saw it, I got to be out in the real world every day, while most kids were stuck in a classroom seven hours a day. I guess what I mean by that is that I don't think that by homeschooling your children you will be sheltering them from the world, because I don't consider school an accurate representation of the real world.

You don't need to just hide your kids away at home all day. One of the greatest things about homeschooling is that you have the freedom to get up and go anywhere you want to whenever you want to. When I was growing up, I remember sometimes we'd just get up one morning and decide to go to the Zoo. Or the state capital. Or San Francisco. And there was nothing to stop us, because we didn't have to go to school.

I can't speak for everybody, but I don't feel that I missed out on my share of missionary opportunities because I was homeschooled. I still had friends, even though I didn't go to school. I had friends who weren't LDS, and we had plenty of opportunities to discuss religion with each other. I had coworkers who weren't LDS, and we talked about the Church every day.

I know that lots of people homeschool their kids lots of different ways, so I guess all I want to say is that maybe not all ways work well, but it can work well. Just use some common sense, raise your kids to be proud of what they believe in, and be a good example, and you shouldn't have any trouble finding "missionary experiences" along the way.

Cheers,

-Tangerine

Question #41812 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Animals

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

How much pandas live in the world?

pandas lover

A: Dear Pandering,

Estimates of the number of Giant Pandas range from around 2000 to about 3000, including a couple hundred in captivity and a couple thousand in the wild.

—Laser Jock

A: Panda Lover,

Your grammar pains me. Just sayin'.

-Calcifer

Question #41811 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Animals

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

What is the biggest fish in the world?

Fish lover

A: Dear Fishy,

The largest fish in the world is the whale shark; the largest documented specimen was 41.5 feet long, 23 feet around, and weighed 23.65 tons (47,300 pounds).

—Laser Jock

Question #41808 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Legal (law) - Law Enforcement

Legal (law)

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

I was told yesterday by a guy I work with that there is a speed above which the police won't chase a motorcycle just to give them a speeding ticket. He said the reason for this is the person on the bike could press charges for attempted murder. Now, I can see how maybe in the intrest of safety, they might let someone go, but I find it rather hard to believe, especially the attempted murder bit... Is there any truth to any part of this? If so, how fast would the motorcycle have to be going?

Bemused Co-worker

A: Dear smirk,

I couldn't find any direct reference to the attempted murder charge, but I did find this study that states:

We surveyed law enforcement officials, departments, and organizations in all of the states. Based on the very limited responses, the problem of motorcyclists speeding and riding on sidewalks does not appear to be uncommon. Many of the responding departments, like Hartford, have a "no pursuit" policy. Others have very restrictive policies that allow pursuits only under clearly defined circumstances. The departments most often cite, as the rationale for the prohibition or restriction: (1) liability issues and litigation costs and (2) the danger that pursuits pose to the public and police officers.

So yes, litigation is definitely a factor they consider, but I seriously doubt attempted murder is high on their list of worries. The rules would be different within each police department, so I couldn't give you a specific speed, if it exists at all. I know for a fact that some police will chase motorcycles, however, because I have a brother that has been pursued and caught and pursued and gotten away. He also has been in situations where the cop didn't even bother trying, because there was no way the cop could have turned around or caught up fast enough.

As for whether or not the attempted murder charges would hold up in court, I would have to give it a pretty slim chance. The police and the courts are pretty buddy-buddy and it's not like the motorcyclist has to flee. It's werf's choice to endanger werfself.

-=Optimus Prime=-

Question #41807 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Food & Drink

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

I've been keeping a tin of the pepermint flavour mints you can get at Victoria's Secret on the dashboard of my car, on a just in case basis. You know, the really freaking strong tasty ones. (Smily face). Anyway, yesterday I opened the tin to partake of one, and there was fuz stuff all filling it up. At first, I thought a spider had gotten into them and left a cob web mess, but upon closer inspection, I realized that the fuz smelled like the mints, then tasted like the mints, so I concluded that it must be mint stuff. My question to you is this: How on earth did my tin of sexy little mints produce sexy little cotton candy all by itself on the dash of my car?

Buggy

P.S. In case it wasn't clear, all of the mints were still there and intact, as far as I could tell.

A: Dear,

Ah, Victoria's Secretive Mints have a Secretive Mission, and I can't tell you about it. Instead, I'm going to fabricate a story about how the friction of the mints rubbing against each other as your car was moving caused little minty fibers to dislodge and become this mass. Or how it was mint mold. Does mint mold? I don't know, but I don't know that I'd trust that webby mess, either. Get some new mints.

-Uffish Thought

Question #41805 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Recreation

Utah

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

What is there to do near or around Tooele?

- Not know a thing about his own town

A: Hey loser,

Nothin'. That's why you ain't found nothin' yet.

Don't cross me.

Double White Lines

A: Dear knot now,

Wow, our readership extends all the way to Tooele, huh? I know nothing about the town, but surely the internet will know.

This site states, "Sorry, there are no attractions for Tooele". Hmmm, that's not a good sign. If you're a history buff, you could check out these cool places, like Danger Cave and the Telephone Monument. This list of things to do actually looks pretty decent. This site recommends the grist mill and local theater and most of the other sites recommend golfing. Personally, I recommend making some friends and trying to forget you live in Tooele.

-=Optimus Prime=-

Question #41804 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Computers - Internet (general)

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

I am confused by some of the terms that many use in facebook, for example, what exactly does random play mean? (And I already know it means nothing to do with playgrounds, the BYU network facebook page already dealt with that type of answer months ago.) I also don't know what is implied by an open relationship, "Whatever I can get" and networking. Can you help me out?

- Lost and confused

A: Dear Lost,

Random play - A physical relationship without commitment.

Open relationship - "A relationship in which two people agree that they want to be together, but can't exactly promise that they won't see other people too." (UrbanDictionary.com) This could probably be described as a shade more committed than "random play."

Networking - "Expanding one's social network or sphere of influence by initiating mutually advantageous new relationships with people." (iuniverse.com)

"Whatever I can get" strikes me as pretty much self-explanatory.

- Katya

Question #41803 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Music - Bands/Artists

LDS - LDS Music

Music - LDS Music

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

I believe you know my brother, Craig Jessop (not the real one). He and I were talking the other day about the new Josh Groban album with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and he thinks that it was recorded in the Conference Center with the Orchestra at Temple Square and the Conference Center Organ and the real Brother Jessop at the helm. Apparently there are some distinguishing characteristics that if you listen closely you can pick up. But he doesn't remember Josh Groban ever appearing with the Choir (at least recently), and, believe me, he would know of all people. I think it was done in a studio with a studio orchestra. We both agree that it is very obviously not a Mack Wilberg arrangement (what, with the way the arranger used the sopranos overly much and underused the huge sound producing power of the choir and underused harmony--that's just not part of the Wilberg style).

The question I mean to ask is what were the circumstances under which the track was recorded? When, where, who, and all that. Settle our argument. Please.

- Giovanni.... Schwartz

A: Dear George,

According to his own news release, the album was recorded in Los Angeles and Abbey Road Studio in London. No mention is made of being in Salt Lake City, and the only orchestra mentioned is the London Symphony Orchestra.

My guess is they were recorded separately and mixed for the CD.

-=Optimus Prime=-

Question #41800 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

BYU - Academics

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

I am going to take Acc 210 in the winter Semester... I am really worried that I am going to fail.... I heard the practice review don't even come close to the actual exam. Please if someone can tell me some way to do good or prepare for this class please let me know.

A: Dear,

Same as any class. Put a lot of effort in. Take good notes. Sit near the front. Take advantage of office hours, from the teacher or TA. Study all through the semester. Study a few different ways. Also, in some groups. Take care of your health. Someone may write in with some class-specific suggestions, which would be great, but you can do better in almost any class by simply being a better student. It's often a better investment than tips and tricks, anyway.

-Uffish Thought

Question #41799 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Entertainment - Movies

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

are any of you guys going to go see Sweeny Todd?

Myna Mehere
Who thinks the idea of Johnny Depp singing is pretty much genius

A: Dear Bast,

No.

-Azriel

A: Dear Myna ~

Not to my knowledge. But you never know what I'll get talked into...

~ Dragon Lady

A: Dear Myna,

It's rated R for violence, so I probably won't see it unless it comes highly recommended by my close friends, or unless I get a chance to see it edited.

- Katya

Question #41798 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Health - Hygiene

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board (specifically Azriel),

Regarding a question your recently answered... what leave creams and conditioners do you use? Any others you like?

-curious

A: Dear Petulia,

OK. Chalk all this up to my excellent memory, and if I don't call something exactly by name, don't blame me. I had to leave all of my conditioners and leave-in creams in Provo because they just don't fly well (imagine that).

Conditioner the first (after applying shampoo and rinsing that out): Biolage detangling solution
Conditioner the second: John Frieda's Brilliant Brunette (I rotate between the two options available)
Conditioner the third: Red Ken's Smooth... whatever-it-is. Sorry, I can't remember exactly what it's called, but it comes in an orange bottle and helps to tame frizz.

Leave-in cream one: Red Ken... stuff... Umm... Anti-Snap, maybe? Blue bottle that you pump to get the stuff out. (Really, if you had asked this question either three days earlier or two weeks later, I could have been a lot more specific and maybe even included pictures of my vast assortment of hair products!)

Leave-in cream two: Herbal Essences' Break's Over strengthening leave-in cream

I haven't actually found any other conditioners/ creams that I like, and I tell you what, I've tried quite a few in my life.

Let that satisfy your curiosity. Or if it doesn't, you know how to reach me.

-Azriel

Question #41797 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

LDS - Missionaries

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

After coming home from your mission how long did it take you to adjust to "normal" life again?

-excited to see her best friend come home!

A: Dear excited,

I'd say I was at least 85% adjusted after about a week. There are some changes that are easier to accept than others, of course, but after a week, I think you'll find that they're pretty normal. Dating is excluded here; that's so varied between returned missionaries that I won't make any predictions. For what it's worth, though, I was ready to go on dates the day after I got back.

-Yellow

A: Dear excited,

It depends on the person. It took me ages to feel normal. I went to a stake dance a week after I got home, and dancing with a girl was unimaginably nerve-wracking! Give your friend space and let them adjust to a new life. It's hard. Be patient, and they'll be grateful.

-Cognoscente

A: Dear excited~

In a sense, never. I never became the person that I was before I left.

Other than that, I admit that I'm a little confused about what exactly you mean by "normal" life. It took me about two to two-point-five weeks to stop wishing every moment that I was back in New York, approximately ten seconds to want to go on a date, and about a month before I stopped muttering to myself about how worldly everything around me was.

So I guess my full desensitization took a month. Thanks for letting me think through that.

~Will I ever adjust to "normal" Board writing again?

A: Dear,

My friend, the Master of Phoney Accents, just gave me his theory on this! He says there are three stages in the re-adjustment of a returned missionary. First, he realizes that everyone around him is going to hell. Second, he realizes that he's going to go to hell, too. And thirdly, he realizes he's all right with that.

-Uffish Thought

P.S. "Pass the popcorn, will you? And have you got anything that's PG-13? This stuff is tame."

Question #41795 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Food & Drink

Trivia/Riddles

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

Food A tastes good with Food B and Food B tastes good with Food C, but Food A does not taste good with Food C.

What are each of these foods?

- Stumped.

A: Dear,

A: Oranges
B: Chocolate
C: Peanut butter

-Uffish Thought

Question #41792 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Language & Linguistics

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

What is the best way to learn a new alphabet? I need to learn cyrillic because I was recently called to a russian speaking mission, and I am always getting their sounds confused with english when I try. Are there any good drills? Thanks friends.

- Action Man

A: Dear Action Man,

Congrats! Here is one page with a few alphabet links. For more general practice I'd recommend going to the Russian Wikipedia, clicking on the "random article" button (Ð¡Ð»ÑƒÑ‡Ð°Ð¹Ð½Ð°Ñ ÑÑ‚Ð°Ñ‚ÑŒÑ) and trying to sound out the word. Russian has a ton of English cognates (especially where proper nouns are concerned) so you should be able to recognize a lot of the words you come across by their sound. If you see an English sister article (at the bottom of the sidebar), you can use it to double check your guess.

After a while, reading the alphabet will become second nature and you won't have trouble sounding out the words, even if they have letters which have different sounds in English.

Good luck!

- Katya

A: Dear Action Man~

I agree with Katya's advice entirely. Find Russian and sound it out; don't worry about understanding it until you get your reading speed up a bit.

Also, I assume your studies will include some kind of vocabulary words, so go ahead and write those down several times, sounding them out as you do so. I found writing improved my Cyrillic even faster than reading it.

Ð£Ð´Ð°Ñ‡Ð¸.

~Still not back

Question #41791 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Housing

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

To rent or to buy? That is the question this recent BYU graduate with spouse and a full-time job in Utah county is facing.

What would you do?

- Anon Y. Mous

A: Dear Anon ~

I assume you speak of a house. How long are you planning on staying? For a long time? I'd go for buying (if you can afford it). If you're only here for a year or two, perhaps rent.

Right now, the house market in Utah Valley is very bloated and inflated. They're selling for much more than they're worth. Also, there are so many houses on the market right now that you may get into one then go to sell it and it will have dropped in value considerably. Brother looked very seriously into buying a house in Utah Valley recently and that's what he found. After much time and effort... he is still renting.

It wouldn't hurt to look into it. Find out how much of a loan you would qualify for. Go out and start house shopping. Don't let yourself actually commit to a house quite yet. Get out there and see what there is. Pay attention to surroundings. (Are you near railroad tracks? Are you in a bad neighborhood? Would you be comfortable raising a family here?) Shop around. Talk to people who know. Then decide if it's something you really want and can afford to do.

~ Dragon Lady

Question #41790 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Health - Diets

LDS - Missionaries

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

So I report to the MTC in less than 2 weeks. I am going to be living there next to three months! Can you tell me what I can expect to eat? I know its cafeteria style, but what type of meals am I to expect? do they have options for vegetarians and vegans? (I'm not one, but just curious)

Any information would be helpful

- a sister who doesnt wanna gain massive amounts of weight at the MTC

A: Dear sister,

If you've ever been to the Morris or Cannon cafeterias, it's basically just like that. There's plenty of variety (even vegetables, though it's not really feasible to be vegetarian as a missionary if you ask me), and it's not bad food actually. Y'know, as far as cafeteria food goes.

Know that you'll be spending hours upon hours in classrooms just sitting. Your caloric intake should drop accordingly if you want to maintain your current weight. Use a Basal Metabolic Rate calculator to find your BMR, and use the Harris Benedict Equation to discover how many calories you'd need daily to maintain your current weight. Then, try to meet that goal. If you take advantage of the scheduled gym sessions with a good workout, you should fall between "lightly" and "moderately" active while in the MTC. PROTIP: 3500 calories is one pound. To lose a pound a week, you should eat about 500 calories less than your goal every day. That's like two cokes! Easy.

-Cognoscente, who swelled up like a balloon in the MTC... stay away from the free ice cream.

Question #41788 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Board - Writers

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

How often do the lovely female writers get asked out via the Board? All this intrigue with Foreman of late has got me to wondering if the friendly woman-types get to have as much fun as he seems to be having.

Buggy

A: Dear Buggy ~

I've gone on dates with male Board writers, but never via the Board. Though, sometimes via Gmail chat, which is really the best Board communication between writers. I've never been asked on a date via the Board... reader or writer. I think the closest I ever got was when bismark asked me if I was Japanese. When he found out I wasn't, that in fact, I have red hair, he lost all interest.

But that doesn't mean I have less fun. I like to think that I have lots of fun. In fact, I think I've had much more fun than Foreman this past week. While he was busy taking finals, I was walking through the library laughing at those people studying, I was watching movies, playing with friends, going out to dinner, etc. Oh, and hosting the annual Board Christmas party! (Which Foreman didn't come to.) Who says Foreman has more fun?

~ Dragon Lady

A: Dear Dragon Lady,

Your hair is only red in the summer. Despite what certain writers may have claimed at the party.

-Yellow

A: Dear Buggy,

How often do the lovely female writers get asked out via the Board?

I think about as often as we want to, thanks.

- Katya

A: Dear Bugs:

I've had some Board dating shenanigans, but not with lots of people or anything.

Dark Chocolate

A: Dear Dragon Lady-

Actually, I've had a ridiculously cool week. I didn't study at all, nailed each of my finals by 3:00 on Monday afternoon, and was done for the week. Not only did I quit my on-campus job, I had a rockin' date with a girl from the ward and then flew cross-country to do all kinds of exciting and mysterious things in the nation's capital! Sure I didn't get to attend the party, but how many other people are going to the Smithsonian this weekend?

Yeah, that's what I thought. Whoo!

-Foreman, on assignment in D.C.

A: Dear Hat,

I got asked once via the Board. It's not something I ever want to repeat.

-Azriel

A: Dear Yellow ~

And here I thought it would be Laser Jock that would argue my hair color... So, if it's red in the summer and brown in the winter, what color of hair do I have? Should I get a new drivers license with the correct color every six months? [wry smile]

Dear Foreman ~

Very well. You may have fun without us. [sniff]

~ Dragon Lady

Question #41787 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

BYU - Academics

Q:

dear one hundred hour board,

say a person takes a certain exceedingly difficult mechanical engineering course during winter semester and fails it. since it is a required course for his major, he takes it again in fall. and fails it again. would you recommend he retake it a third time the next winter semester, because all the information is fresh in his mind, or should he take a break from it, take some other (required) courses from his program, and come back to it the next fall?

--lanada

A: Dear lanada,

I would recommend taking a break but (1) trying to work on the material in the meantime (because your third time taking it will be the last chance you get) and also (2) taking it some time when you've got a lighter courseload. If you can take other classes which cover some of the same materials, take those as well so that you get a chance to approach the same information from a different perspective.

- Katya

Question #41785 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Relationships - Affection

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

OOPS! I fell in love with my friend with benefits.....yeah, we've been FWB since around November 2006. To further screw it up, we only took "breaks" when I had boyfriends, but ultimately, he was the reason my relationships ended.I kinda sorta wonder if we had some unspoken commitment due to the length of time we're talking about, but we ALWAYS say "oh no we're just freinds" when people ask......yeah, I'm gonna get my heart obliterated. Also it might be important to know that, we have a real frienship underneath all the makingout. OF COURSE, I'm going to tell him, but......how? And how unhealthy/possible would it be to REALLY REALLY be just friends?

~His secret admirer

A: Dear Reader,

The hard truth is that when you get in to a physical relationship with someone, you often end up getting emotionally attached to them. This is, in fact, why we're counseled not to get into such relationships. What you're doing isn't as serious as premarital sex, but it's still in the same genre, and I find it baffling that people can be so short-sighted as to engage in such behavior and think that no one is going to get hurt.

So, you're physically and emotionally in love with someone who hasn't made any sort of commitment to you and who probably doesn't want to, which means that no matter what you end up doing, it's just going to hurt for a while. At least do yourself a favor and (1) quit making out with him and (2) don't get any more "friends with benefits."

- Katya

A: Everyone:

"Also it might be important to know that we have a real friendship underneath all the making out."

Yes. Preferably in that order, too.

Dark Chocolate

A: Dear secret admirer of his~

I'm glad that you've finally fallen in love with the chap you've been de facto dating for ages. Instead of "telling him", as you say, why not just date him exclusively and ask the same of him? Something along the lines of, "Since we're making out all the time, shouldn't we really be dating each other?"

Are you really in love with him? Well, I think that might be debatable, but you need to stop screwing with your heart and his if you're going to figure out if there really is a friendship buried underneath all of that making out.

~Still not back yet

A: Dear,

Do I know you? If not, I know someone uncannily like you.

You don't need to go up and say "I'm in love with you." I agree with Hobbes, though. If you've got the friendship and the love and the attraction, which it sounds like you have, you probably shouldn't be dating other people. Especially if you feel like you're cheating on him, and it's killing your other relationships. If you don't want to define it all, that's okay. Do things together, enjoy each other's company, kiss him, and so on. Don't violate his trust by going on dates with other people, if he's thinking you're only spending time with him. And if you don't want to spend time only with him, then don't lead him on.

At this point, I don't know how possible "just friends" is. The deeper connection you had, the harder it will be, and the good friendship plus the making out makes it nearly impossible. If I were giving advice on how to be friends again after something like this, I'd advise a lot of time and space before you even attempted it. Don't let that discourage you from ending it, though, if that's what you feel you need to do. It'll hurt like crazy for a while, but you'll get over it sooner than you expect, and drawing out the pain because you don't want to face up to things makes it so much worse. If you need to stop, then stop cold turkey, and face the consequences as they come.

If I were you, for the record, I'd stop seeing other guys, and just start seeing the one, if he's up for it. But I'm not you, and this is your call.

-songs of inexperience

Question #41780 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Animals

Board - Writers - What's your favorite

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

I really like animals. A lot. I was wondering though- Are you dog or cat people? And what breeds are you partial to?

- Owner of a chocolate lab and a Maine Coon

A: Dear Reader,

By natural temperament, I'd say I'm a cat person. However, I've gotten to know enough dogs and dog lovers over the years that I now like dogs, too.

I don't know enough about the various breeds to have very specific preferences, but I like animals that are relatively low-maintenance, so no toy varieties and nothing that sheds terribly or requires huge amounts of grooming.

- Katya

A: Dear Gertrude,

I am such a dog person it's a little ridiculous. Whenever I go home, I hug my dog before I hug my mom. The highlight of Thanksgiving day television for me is not the Macy's parade; oh no, it's the National Dog Show. I know. It's bad.

I prefer big muscly breeds like pit bulls and boxers. I also like the cute squishy faces on bulldogs, and I think weimaraners and Australian shepherds are pretty. And I'm partial to beagles as well.

-Kicks and Giggles, currently living with dogs that are not big nor muscly

A: Dear Tuvelpit,

Yes. Growing up we mostly had dogs (both of which have passed away in the past two years, and it was really sad). We had a few cats, too, but most of them didn't last long. However, our house has a new record and has been owned by The Cat for almost 5 years now! We love The Cat.

As far as dogs go, I'm rather partial to mutts and small-ish sized snuggly ones. Not necessarily at the same time.

-Azriel

A: Dear Owner ~

Cat. Cat. Cat, cat, cat, cat, cat.

I miss my kitty, but my step-aunt is doing a great job of it in my absence.

~ Dragon Lady

Question #41774 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

BYU - Alumni

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

How on earth do the Alumni Departments find me? I left BYU-I some 4 years ago and, without updating any information to them, they find me. Recently, my brother graduated from BYU and moved to Arizona where they bought a house and got a new phone number. Some how, BYU Alumni got that new house number and address. How do they do it?

Your old pal,

Resilient

A: Dear,

Did you give the BYU magazine your contact info? I hear they can track people though that, as well. Other than that, I'd guess forwarding address, family, or some good researchers. Good luck escaping detection next time,

-Uffish Thought

A: Dear Resilient ~

They hire retired Board writers. The omniscience should be put to good use somehow.

~ Dragon Lady

Question #41772 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Relationships - Affection

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

Lets say for example I am sick or have a cold sore. And I am on a date in which I would like to be kissed by the gentelman I am with. And casanova decides to go in for the kiss, how do I tell him I want his ham without actaully kissing so he doesn't get herpes?

- Germaphobe

A: Germaphobe-

"I want your ham" has earned a place among my list of Five Worst Things to Say Right Before Someone is Going to Kiss You. "I might give you herpes" is on it, too.

Dark Chocolate

A: Dear,

Back off a little, smile, say something like "Dang, I really wish I could kiss you, too. But I'm sick, right now, and I don't want to get you sick, too. Also, I have this deadly cold sore. Can I get a rain check?"

Just don't be surprised if he doesn't mind getting sick or a cold sore, too. Sometimes, it's worth it. Then again, you're the germaphobe, not him. Perhaps you should explain about that, instead of saying your reasons are a cold sore or a mild sickness. "I'm not sure I want to kiss you" generally has more clout than "you might not want to kiss me."

-songs of inexperience

Question #41721 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

Fashion/Style

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

I have a distressing hat problem. Every single time I buy a fitted cap, it develops a little peak behind the button on top. EVERY TIME. It doesn't matter if the hat is too big or fits just right, whether I treat it poorly or put it on a hat-mold thingy to keep them nice, it always develops that pooch and it is AGGRAVATING. What causes this, and how to I defeat it?!?!

- the Mad Hatter

A: Dear George,

Have you considered that perhaps you have an odd point in your head that forms your hats that way?

-Kicks and Giggles

A: You-

I think a bigger problem than having a pouf in your hat is that you are putting on a hat-moldy thing. Moldy hats . . . ewww . . .

Dark Chocolate

A: Dear,

I'm sorry your baseball caps have been doing that. I'd guess it's just because your head and the caps are shaped so they do what they do, and there's not a lot you can reasonably do to fix it. If you'd like to be unreasonable, though, may I suggest fitting the inside of the hat with steel or something, so that your head can't pull at the hat and make it peak? This may solve all your problems.

-Uffish Thought

Question #41700 posted on 12/29/2007 3:01 a.m.

LDS - LDS Music

Music - LDS Music

Q:

Dear 100 Hour Board,

I have been looking all over for this CD or song that I heard on my mission. The song contains the testimonies of many of the latter day prophets and apostles set to "churchy" music. I think it's called "Fishers of Men" or something like that. Or nothing at all like that. People say its "Special Witnesses of Christ," but I attest that it is not. Do you know what I'm talking about and where I can get a hold of a copy? (preferably online and free:)

Nicholas "The Chilean Lover"

A: Dear Nicholas ~

I think I may know what you're talking about. It has Bruce R. McConkie's famous talk about not knowing any better when he meets Christ than he knows now... right? If that's it, my former roommate has it. Tragically for you, her brother sent her a burned CD on her mission. So I have no idea how to get it, but I can attest that it exists and you are not crazy.

~ Dragon Lady

A: Dear Lover of Chileans or South American Casanova?-

Sorry, but I'm going to get this out of our inbox. Someone in my ward has this recording, and I can get it from him... but not until everyone gets back for the new semester. Sorry if it's lame, but I'll post information on it as a comment once I get more about it.

Patience, young one.

-Foreman