Wikipedia:Reference desk archive/Miscellaneous/2006 July 15

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[edit] naked singer

Were there any singer of any type of music who used to sing naked in his/her music video?

Do you mean completely starkers? Red Hot Chili Peppers are known to wear strategically-placed socks. User:Zoe|(talk) 02:32, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
I found a hybrid of this question and the next at Hair (musical). StuRat 03:02, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
All of them? Geez, there have been several. Try, for example, Thank U by Alanis Morissette. Ziggurat 04:29, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
Rammstein (German metal band) are known to have done this live, but I doubt in a music video.--Mark (Talk | Email) 21:36, 16 July 2006 (UTC)
The Bravery performed naked at glastonbury. Philc TECI 23:50, 16 July 2006 (UTC)
Possibly Har Mar Superstar - AllanHainey 08:01, 17 July 2006 (UTC)
Or how about the entire cast of the Oh Calcutta musical. --Kickstart70-T-C 02:36, 27 July 2006 (UTC)
Not a singer, but doesn't No Doubt's drummer get naked in their music videos?  !172.167.13.87 00:18, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] hairstyles

Which hairstyles are meant for only girls and which one meant for only boys?

It depends where you live. Each culture has some hairstyles that are considered apropriate for men, some that are considered appropriate for women, and some that no one ever even thinks of getting. In the US, traditionally shorter hairstyles are considered masculine and longer hairstyles are considered feminine, though this is obviously much less true than it used to be. You might be interested in picking up a book on the history of hair. --George 02:17, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
Generally short styles are for men and women wear their hair long. Hairstyles.--Proficient 04:09, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
You really can't go wrong with a mullet, whether you are a Man or a Woman.
Surely you mean that you can't go right with a mullet? Back to the actual question, I would say that for long-haired men, anything more elaborate than a ponytil is very uncommon. -- AJR | Talk 18:50, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
A ponytail is more elaborate than a ponytil, and they're not that uncommon.  :--) JackofOz 00:31, 17 July 2006 (UTC)
I think a single braid is also common on men with very long hair. Crypticfirefly 03:33, 18 July 2006 (UTC)
If a guy has long hair, he can put it into a ponytail (one cord of hair) but braiding hair into more than one tail is like wearing a pink dress. And never, ever putting any decorations in your hair (beads, whatever). Son of a Peach 21:59, 23 July 2006 (UTC)
Hmmmm, maybe in your world, but aboriginal and black men wear their hair in multiple braids (without the pink accessories).--Anchoress 22:05, 23 July 2006 (UTC)
And as for accessories, I saw a guy on the bus who had nuts (as in bolts) at the ends of his braids.  !172.167.13.87 00:21, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Military Testing Village

Can anyone tell me or give me links regarding this subject. these were villages and houses completely furnished and with mannequins in them and used for nuclear testing. I am wanting photos or info about them

Such testing was carried out in Nevada in the 1950's. Pictures can be found here and a video can be found here.--Melburnian 06:31, 15 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] What's this movie!

When I was younger they had horror movies on Sunday after noon and I wonder if you could help me with two of them. The first one is something like this young girl has to go search for her father and she goes on this bus and then out side the window on this trip she sees like werewolves and things and thinks one is her father. She gets off the bus and the next thing I remember is she encounters this woman in a castle and then the last hing i remember is she is in this barn with this young guy and at the end it seems at some point she turned into a vampire because she bites him. What is this movie?

Second is only a bit of info. It's black and white..it starts off with a shot of a nuclear blast. At some point a woman stumbles into a town thats deserted and hears a church bell ringing and when she rushes to see who it is its a skeleton on the end of the rope that is making it ring. At some point she has a baby and when trying to feed the baby it turns out its dead? What is this movie?

It has been driving me crazy for years.

I love when people ask these kind of questions. It's cool to remember really old movies, find out what they're called, then rent or get to see them again after so long. New perspectives are incredible. I don't know the answer to either of your descriptions of movies, yet I am sure someone else does. (And they'll answer in due time.) Perhaps it will also be easier if you gave a time range of when these movies were seen/released. Good luck! --Proficient 05:07, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
Hopefully you'll be able to get your answer here, but if not, I'd suggest posting something on the IMDb bulletin boards, or a bulletin board devoted to horror movies or old movies. There must be lots of them around.--Anchoress 05:12, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
By far the best place to ask this question is the I Need To Know Board on IMDB - you will probably get the answer in a few minutes. I've used it many times myself and it's amazing what the Guys there can work out from the barest minimum of information. Jooler 07:07, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
Could it be The Company of Wolves? User:Zoe|(talk) 20:55, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
Doesn't sond like the same film but Paura nella città dei morti viventi AKA "A zombie hung on the bell rope" sounds like a cool film with a woman puking up her own guts. MeltBanana 00:36, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] power electronics converter

The design of inverter in application in industry

SYNTAX ERROR Search failed, see instructions at top of page. KWH 04:41, 15 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] In the news: Report of Alan Colmes' death

How can Alan Colmes be dead when he is still on Fox news tonight? Was this a joke?--70.241.201.189 06:40, 15 July 2006 (UTC)--70.241.201.189 06:40, 15 July 2006 (UTC)

Probably a hoax. User:Zscout370 (Return Fire) 06:45, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
Damn it. I read it as Ann Coulter's death. *puts away the cookies* =D --mboverload@ 06:48, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
That's not possible, only people with souls can die. :-) StuRat 15:32, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
It was a hoax? --Proficient 18:05, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
No, I read it on the Internet so it must be true...

Fox News is always pre-recorded about a week in advance. You'll keep seeing him on the show for a few more days. Other stations use this technique too - especially over the Christmas holidays (all of January's news is pre-recorded in early December). Grutness...wha? 00:33, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

Then how did they report the boxing day tsunami's? or where they planned?... Philc TECI 23:48, 16 July 2006 (UTC)
Methinks I should have added a smiley? Grutness...wha? 09:12, 17 July 2006 (UTC)
Me feels gullible. Philc TECI 23:01, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] back pain

Well it's not realy a back pain,but more of of lower shoulder blade pain. I've had treatment by doctors,muscula sketal practioners,accupunture ect, but to no avail,still have this 8 out of 10 pain just at bottom edge of left shoulder blade. This occures at any time, sometimes with movement,under the shower when hot water runs onto my back,even when I'm relaxed in bed. Pain only last a very short time[about the time it takes you to read the last sentence]and returns a number of times then goes away to return maybe five hours later. It seems as though someone has a voodoo doll in my image and they push a knife into my back[about an inch below the skin] twist it then pull it out again,causing this intense pain. I am hoping somebody out in the world of cyber space has had this experience,and maybe help me solve my problem.

Although I'm not a doctor, it sounds like maybe some sort of muscle or other internal strain/damage, considering how you mention about it being sporadic. Hmmmmm. I get the same sort of pain you described in my neck, except it was said to be a reccuring pinched nerve by my specialist. Hmmmmm. Is there any movement (like twisting your upper body left/right, maybe the movement of your left arm in a certain way) that triggers it, even if the movement pattern is really general? Try to monitor your actions and see what you were doing in the upper half of your body just before these pains hit, otherwise there isn't really all that much we can do.  Killfest2  13:58, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
Go back to the doctor. --Proficient 18:06, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
  • A muscle tear could heal and leave an adhesion or tendonitis but go back to the doctor and demand he does his job and find out what it is.hotclaws**==(81.134.77.56 09:03, 16 July 2006 (UTC))

[edit] A Jazz question: Who wrote this song?

I am trying to find out the name of the person who wrote the song "Never let me go" The only thing I know is that he possibly committed suicide. I have included the lyrics as there are a few songs with this title. Thanks Jenn.

Just let me love you tonight, Forget about tomorrow. Please darlin' you hold me tight, and never let me go

Dry your eyes, No more tears, no more sorrows. Cling to me with all of your mind, never never never let me go.

A million times or more We said we'd never ever part. But lately I find, you're a stranger in my heart. Give me the right, in summer or in springtime to tell the world that you'll always be mine. Never never let me go

I think the artist is Luther Vandross, from the album "Never Let Me Go" (1993). Are you looking for the artist or the person who actually wrote the song?  Killfest2  13:54, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
Luther Vandross died in 2003, but of natural causes (a stroke) as opposed to suicide. However, I do not know who actually wrote this song. Andrew (My talk) 22:02, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
The guy who actually wrote the song.. Thanks J
Joseph C Scott, according to these search results. Natgoo 10:13, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Banks: Capital requirements: Risk weight of first mortgages on single family homes

The following is currently posted on Wickipedia.

Basel I

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .... (snip) ....

"Basel I, that is, the 1988 Basel Accord, primarily focused on credit risk. Assets of banks were classified and grouped in five categories according to credit risk, carrying risk weights of zero (for example home country sovereign debt), ten, twenty, fifty, and up to one hundred percent (in this category has, as an example, most corporate debt). Banks with international presence are required to hold capital equal to 8 % of the risk-weighted assets.

Since 1988, this framework has been progressively introduced in member countries of G-10, currently comprising 13 countries, namely, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States of America." ............................. end of quote from Wickipedia -------------

Background on question which follows:

I am trying to determine The average capital requirement for a theoretical bank in the United States which only lends money on first mortgages of single family homes, secured by a deed of trust on the property, where each loan is 50% of the appraised value of the home. In order to know the capital requirement, I think I have to know the "risk weight" of such loans.

Question 1: What is the "risk weight" (as defined in "Basel 1" above) of loans as described in the previous "background".

Question 2: What is a ballpark estimate for the average capital requirement for banks in the United States who primarily lend money on first mortgages as described above.

Martirc 13:38, 15 July 2006 (UTC)

You are way beyond us! All I know is the average American has 9 credit cards, and if the value of his house tanks, he (she) is in big sheesh. --Zeizmic 01:59, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Emigrating from Australia to the US?

How easy would be to emigrate from Australia to the US? What sort of tests would I have to undertake, and what costs? What would the greatest adjustment be? What do you do for a job in that situation?

Just considering the job aspect, if you have some high level skills, you can try to get a job over the Internet, using Monster.com or other job sites. Many companies will even help with the immigration process, for valuable employees. On the other hand, if you are only qualified to flip burgers, you will have to wait until you get to the US to apply in person. StuRat 16:10, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
The greatest adjustment would probably be the language, which in this case is just accents and expressions. I suppose the seasons and day and night being reversed would take some getting used too, as well. But clothing, religion, culture, etc., are all quite similar. StuRat
A niece of mine married a guy form the US and she has lived there for over a year now, with a job. Still, she has no certainty she can stay. I think this is the 'green card' thing is sometimes hear of in films. If you want to emigrate you probably want to stay there. :) And that isn't easy. Don't just read the official story. Look for actual experiences people have had. There must be some internet sites dealing with that. DirkvdM 07:34, 16 July 2006 (UTC)
It isn't that hard. An average of 940,000 people immigrate to the U.S. each year while 604,280 immigrants became naturalized citizens of the U.S. last year.[1] But just to work in the U.S. legally only requires a Green card or a Employment Authorization Document [2] or another kind of work visa. See also the Contemporary immigration section of Immigration_to_the_United_States and the Naturalization section of United States nationality law Rmhermen 18:50, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

In a strange coincidence, 94,000 people immigrated to the Netherlands in 2005 (0.6% of total population) while 940,000 immigrated to the U.S. (0.3% of its population). Rmhermen 19:01, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

And how many of those 94,000 just came for the legal marijuana ? StuRat 01:04, 21 July 2006 (UTC)
Numerologically speaking, perhaps. JackofOz 00:29, 17 July 2006 (UTC)
Ehm, that's not quite numerology. I wonder what those figures are now, because we've got a real bitch for a miniter of integration (disintegration would be a better word), Rita Verdonk, who has tried her best to give immigrants a hard time. She has even commissioned a film that is meant to put the Netherlands in a bad light, to scare off immigrants. This has to be pretty unique. DirkvdM 18:02, 17 July 2006 (UTC)
And here I thought you were employed to scare off would be immigrants to the Netherlands (or is that the Nether Regions ?) via Wikipedia. :-) StuRat 01:04, 21 July 2006 (UTC)
Well, 94,000 and 940,000 are not what I'd call a coincidence either. A factor of 10 is no more "strange" than any other factor (in fact, it's incredibly common in a metric world). The only commonality is the digits, hence the numerological comment. :-) JackofOz 23:20, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Gardening questions

I have a garden in south-east england, UK. (For the benefit of people outside europe, it is Zone 8, but since I'm near the moderating effects of the sea it could be Zone 9 locally).

1) Yesterday I saw something which I at first thought was a rose bush, but it did not have any thorns. It was covered with white four-petaled flowers, with a heavy scent. The leaves (using the descriptions from the article Leaf ) were ovate in shape, serrate in margin, and had veins branching off alternately from a central vein. It was about 4 or 5 feet high. Anyone able to identify what it was please?

2) Recently I have often seen a vetch or pea-like plant, which had many small spikes or groups of pinkish-red flowers. The many colourful blooms are very noticable. It is in bloom now. Where the flowers were finished it had thin pea-like pods. Any ideas what it is please?

3) The book An Illustrated Guide To Perennials by Marshall Craigmyle, gives about 30 features of about 1680 different plants arranged alphabetically. It would be great to have all this information in a computer database and be able to search for those particular combinations of features you wanted. Does anyone know of such a database?

4) I only like perennial or self-seeding flowers, as I havnt got the time or inclination to fuss with much gardening. I have a small west-facing front garden. It has a low wall at the front, and consists of lawn with flower beds currently on two sides, although I might extend these to three, four, or even perhaps do away with the lawn altogether. Would anyone like to recommend some suitable perennial or self-seeding flowers for the flower beds please?

I'd like lots of colourful flowers (who wouldnt?). I do not like cliched flowers like roses or daffodils, do not like dwarf plants, nor do I like 1970's-style creeping confiers. A cottage style garden would be good, I understand these are in fashion currently. Ideally I'd like flowers that grow all by themselves and dont need weeding, and have long lasting colourful flowers etc, but this combination may be an impossible dream.

I'd love to stun my neighbours by having a front garden completely full of flowers!

5) I grew some tomato plants from seed for the first time ever this year. I planted three of the plants in a three-hole grow bag, and put another five in large pots filled with general purpose compost next to them. The grow-bag tomato plants are big and green; the potted plants have been growing OK but are noticibly smaller and yellower. There may be slightly less compost per plant in the pots, and I may have planted out the pot plants a few days later. Does anyone know why theres the difference please? Even after I started to fertilise them, the difference remains. How big should the pot be per tomato plant?

6) Anyone like to recommend a free UK gardening forum that could answer questions like those above?

Thanks very much for any and all replies.

  • Royal Horticultural Society or the BBC have good gardening websites ,and a great program called "Gardeners Question Time "on BBC4 which is archived on the internet;also there will probably be a local gardening society,try the Library for that. hotclaws**==(81.134.77.56 09:08, 16 July 2006 (UTC))

[edit] Bob Roll

On Tour de France commercials in the United States, Bob Roll mentions the word "maganga". What is a maganga?

According to Websters' Dictionary Online, it is a word from the native langauge of the Ngoni people, which translates into English as "stone".  Killfest2  01:27, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] How many dogs are there?

Does anybody know how many dogs there are? (In total, roughly.)

In France? In the world? In my pants? Domesticated, or including wild dogs? This is the sort of question where I doubt someone will have gone to the trouble to find an answer...a classical Fermi_problem--inksT 23:21, 15 July 2006 (UTC)
Well, I believe there are about six million dogs in Britain, so thats astart. Jameswilson 00:16, 16 July 2006 (UTC)
This question is hard to answer, obviously. Even an estimate is probably horridly wrong. --Proficient 00:28, 16 July 2006 (UTC)
This book claims to answer that question in the product detail without, of course, giving the answer.--Fuhghettaboutit 00:46, 16 July 2006 (UTC)
Dogs are everywhere where there are people. And from my travelling experience I'd say usually around 1 dog for every 10 people. So about half a billion, I'd say. Roughly (which is what you asked for). Britain is a bad example to extrapolate from. Brits are notorious dog-lovers, aren't they? (In a non-sexual sense, I mean.) DirkvdM 07:38, 16 July 2006 (UTC)
Google gives a range of guesstimates, 160-720 million (one says 65M but they may be misquoting dogs in the USA only). A tenuous majority favours the estimate 400 million. Half a billion indeed seems to be in the ballpark. Weregerbil 14:52, 16 July 2006 (UTC)
The canine population of the U.S. for 1992 was estimated by the Pet Food Institute at 52.3 million, at least 1 dog as pet in 37.9% households. NealIRC 10:46, 17 July 2006 (UTC)