Originally appeared in the Perkins Lobby Suggestion Book.
How the hell did Paul Allen get that 8:30 res at Dorsia? On A Friday!? [3556A]
As co-founder of Microsoft, owner of the Portland Trailblazers and Seattle Seahawks, and one of the wealthiest and most philanthropic men in America, Answer Person assumes Paul Allen has no problem getting a reservation at any restaurant.
What is the meaning of the title of “Quantum of Solace”? [3550B]
[written in answer space: Surely, the smallest possible unit of solace, about as much as you might attain from a weak smile from a stranger after you slip on the street]
Answer Person concurs.
Why do I fall in love with every girl who shows the slightest amount of interest in me? [3549C]
[written in answer space: It’s not love]
[in other hand: Maybe it is!]
[in other hand: because you just had your memory erased–two years worth]
Perhaps you’re a hopeless romantic.
I miss the sunny/warm weather but I’m dreading summer already (I’m staying here) because of the cockroaches that kept me company ALL last summer on Central. How do I tell them that they’ve overstayed and are no longer welcome? [3549B]
[written in answer space: usually it involves poison of some type]
Tell them they’ve overstayed their welcome by feeding them a mixture that’s four parts borax, two parts flour, and one part cocoa powder. Sprinkle the mixture in a line at the baseboard and get ready to enjoy a roach-free summer.
I am going to be here over the summer to take a class, but I want to take advantage of some of the things Duke has to offer that I normally would not have time for. Can you give me some good suggestions? [3552C]
Answer Person apologizes for not returning from hiatus earlier and answering this question. Duke Performances had a terrific concert series this summer in Duke Gardens, Wednesday evenings at 7.00 pm, culminating with a sublime set by Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey. But you can still check out “Beyond Beauty: Photographs from Duke University Special Collections Library” at the Nasher Museum of Art. Each Wednesday evening in August, popular movie musicals will be shown for free in Duke Gardens. The series kicks off on August 5 with “The Wizard of Oz.” Shows start at roughly 8:30 pm. Summer is also an excellent time to get to know Durham, which has lots of entertainment possibilities throughout the summer. Check the Independent for ideas the suit your tastes.
Should I get an iPhone 3G or a Blackberry Bold? [3538C]
Answer Person cannot endorse one product over another, but suggests checking reviews at CNET.com before purchasing any electronic device.
Do mannequins have nipples? [3548B]
[written in answer space: Yes]
No. Since mannequins are made of fiberglass, polystyrene, or wood, they can only have the verisimilitude of nipples.
Is it so wrong to wear UNC blue? It’s a good summer color. [3502C]
[written in answer space: Death to you.]
If you want to keep your core temperature low during the summer months, it is actually more appropriate to wear light blue, since dark colors absorb the sun’s radiation more than light colors. In other words, the wise person abandons cool to be cool.
What is the effect of the eCB pathway in memory extinction of fear? [3502A]
It depends on whether you’re referring to the European Central Bank or endogenous cannabinoid.
Why have the prices of food gone up so much in the last year/since last semester? [3388A]
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I don’t know if this is a lame question, as the next person says, but it may be inappropriate for this book if you were hoping to get your paper done on time. There are issues with the demand for ethanol driving up the price of feed corn. There may be more weather events this year: droughts (e.g., NC) or floods (e.g., Texas, Minnesota). The folks at the Reference desk can suggest databases that index articles in this area (business, economics, agriculture, public policy).