about




My name's Jennifer, but I'm more commonly known as Jen or Sporkster. I love lots of things/people including God; volleyball and soccer, my two favorite sports; and cheese. I also love Pi, but that's a story for another day.

I've been answering questions on Advicenators for over three years now, so I'm pretty experienced with it. I love answering questions and helping you out anyway I can, so if you've got a question, just ask me!

Ask me about: Christianity, athletics, physical fitness, love-life, relationships, friendships, HTML queries, book suggestions, music suggestions, musical theory, history, English (or Spanish) grammar, Paint Shop Pro 8, skin problems, sports injuries, "punk" fashion, nutrition, etc.

advice

Q: my name is Theresa and i live in Australia and i'm 14. have a really big crush on my best friend and i'm afraid to do anything about it. some days it's like he likes me as well and other days he doesn't give a poop. i've tried sending him e-mails but i chicken out and tell him to delete then straight away without looking at them. i really want to go out with him but i don't want to stuff-up our friendship. what can i do?

A: Well, best friend-dating is tricky. It's so easy to fall for your best guy friend, because, well, they're your buddy! There's no harm done in letting him know that you like him as more than just friends. Drop him a few hints every now and then, or just flat out tell him you like him. Since you two best friends, he'll probably want to give it a try. You know they say that love is "friendship set on fire", so who knows? Definitely let him know how you feel--you never know what may happen.

Best of wishes with you and your friend!

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Q: I have always wanted a boyfriend. But my public persona says NO. Even though I've wanted a boyf. really bad, guys (almost every, the only ones who aren't either are gay or have a girlfriend)are really mean to me because my ideas are kind of old-fashioned, I like classical music, I dress kind of old-fashioned, and I'm uncontrollable, and incredibly opinionated. I tried liking a guy once, but he just laughed in my face and told the whole grade. If I sort of let down and turn into just a regular girl, people will think i've gone soft and I won't feel like myself! Advicenators, help me!

A: Don't conform to everyone else's standards just to get a boyfriend or to be liked by people in your class. That's just trying to fit in with the "normal" people, and you definitely won't be being yourself if you do that. Be proud that you're not just like everyone else! I'm often called "opinionated", "old-fashioned", "ultra-conservative", etc., but you know what? Don't let it get you down. They're probably just jealous that you have something more than they do. Guys are probably intimidated by you, but don't let that bother you either. Wait for a guy that'll like you for who you are, not for something you pretend to be.

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Q: can u really get breast cancer if u sleep with a bra on? please answer quick.

A: No. Cancer isn't caused by what you wear, etc. Only by radiation or exposure to a substance that could cause cells to become mutated. Sleeping with a bra on will not cause any cells in your breasts to mutate.

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Q: I'm trying to learn how to play guitar, & I don't relly want to ahve to go get lessons, so I wanted to be self-taught, but I don't know any iste where I can learn how to play or know where to buy any books to learn how to play.

I don't know any chords or keys or anything, I am JUST starting so I'd need like the things what show you where to put your fingers & how to tune the guitar & stuff

so if anyone could show me a site that I could learn form or where to buy these books I would really appreiciate it!

& I was also wondering, should I buy an accoustic or a eliktic guitar? (I'm 14/M/TX)

thank you so much!

-Cameron

A: If I were you, I'd get lessons to start out with. That way you could get hands-on information, learn the basics, etc. so you could build on that and teach yourself the rest. But, if you don't want to, that's fine as well.

Try going to musicnotes.com and downloading Guitar Guru if you want to see a few samples of songs. It shows you the tempo, how to position your fingers, how to play certain notes, etc. They've also included a tuner (but it only for the normal EADGBE tuning). It's a cool little program for beginners, but I wouldn't just go by this.

Head to your local McFadyen, Pearson, or Duncan Music Company and look for some self-instruction books on how to play guitar. They even have books like that at Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, the Ink-Stand, etc. They'll probably have quite a few books to choose from--just flip through the pages and find one that has illustrations, photos, good explanations of everything, a list of chords, etc.

I'd probably learn how to play acoustic, or classic guitar first. You can play a wider variety of songs and you actually learn how to play a guitar. I'm currently learning to play on my dad's classic (Goya). I like the Ibanez acoustics, but I don't particularly like Fenders. Research and find a guitar that's right for you, though. You're going to be the one playing it.

I hope this may have helped you a little bit, but if you really want kick ass guitar advice, ask MFS.

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Q: My question: Is it rude to correct someone who uses a word incorrectly if they made the mistake while giving a compliment? I sent my boyfriend an e-mail. I concluded the e-mail with "Your Hot" signed by my name. My boyfriend responded to the e-mail. He concluded his response by italicizing "You're Hot" signed by his name. At first I thought he was emphasizing how he thought that I was the one who was truly hot in the relationship until I realized he was pointing out to me that I had misused the word "Your."

A: Well, if you were correcting someone you didn't know, I'd think it was a tad bit odd, maybe rude, but I'm sure he wasn't trying to be rude; he was probably just joking around. I do that all the time to my boyfriend as a little joke (he hates English grammar. I'm a grammar Nazi), and he doesn't mind. If it really bothers you, tell him about it. Just don't let it get to you, ok?

Ask me if you've got any more questions. I'll be glad to help!

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Q: I am 13 and a girl who has never had a boyfriend and I think think this is my chance.There is this boy who has gone to mostly every school I have gone to(were in the same grade).But I think he likes me.Its like he has been drooping clues like he stares at me all the time with this serious look on his face,he saved me one time(if thats what you wanna call it)because I was walking and I wasn`t waching where I was going so I was about to bump into the wall then he said somthing to me then that made me look up,and his friend heeps on looking at me.So how do I figure out if he likes me without talking to him and can you give me information on how to tell if a boy likes you.

A: Well, honestly, I can't give you any other answer than you can't tell. Guys are big flirts, and some flirt with girls that they don't even like. Maybe this guy does like you. You'll just have to flirt back and see what his reaction is. Hopefully, he does like you! Maybe you'll get your first boyfriend soon.

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Q: At the moment, I am studying for my math exam. my teacher was nice enough to give us a study guide to fill out. I have a few things that I dont understand:
What is 39% of 500?
What percent of 64 is 3.2?
60% of 85 is what number?
What percent of 85 is 1.7?
What number is 150% of 26?
What i 40% of 400?

Not only do I not understand them, I dont know how to do them! So could someone PLEASE EXPLAIN ot me how to do them?

A: Here's an easy way to do it.

Translate an English sentence to a mathematical equation:

What is 39% of 500?

What number (unknown) = n (or another variable)
Is = well, =
39% = .39
of = multiply
500 = 500

So your equation would be

n = .39(500)

There's your example for those types of problems.
Now, for this one:

What percent of 64 is 3.2?

What percent = n
of = multiply
64 = 64
is = =
3.2 = 3.2

Your equation is

64n = 3.2

And for this type of problem:

60% of 85 is what number?

60% = .6
of = multiply
85 = 85
is = =
what number = n

Your equation is

85(.6) = n

It's really easy once you get the hang of it. I find it alot easier than setting up a porportion, even though you're really supposed to do it that way... >< But, this is a little way to "cheat" and do it the easy way.

I hope this helps you, it sure did help me out in math.

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Q: Well, there is this girl that I'm okay friends with, but now don't really like her that much anymore. My boyfriend is starting to hang out with her more and talk to her more. Sometimes talking to her more on AOL than me. While I was away for two weeks my boyfriend went on a choir trip to Six Flags. Ashley (the girl that I'm okay friends with) and my boyfriend hung out the whole time. IE. Rode rides together, walked together, got food and ate it together. That doesn't make you're girlfriend feel very good, but now she's in his info. It's an inside joke with her, but surprisingly it's about the same lenght as me in his info. Well, my whole info is about him. Am I being stupid to be mad, that's what he said.

A: I can completely understand what you're going through--I went through it last year when my boyfriend and I had just started dating. He would talk to this girl on AOL all the time, flirt with her, etc., and it really hurt my feelings.

I was his first girlfriend, so I think he just didn't understand that what he was doing was hurting me. I talked to him about it, but he said I was "being stupid", that he was just friends with this girl and he could talk to her if he wanted to. He now realizes how much it bothered me though, and says that he was the stupid one.

Anyway, your boyfriend probably doesn't know how much it's really bothering you. He probably is just friends with this girl, and doesn't see the line that you've drawn for his female friends. Just pull him aside and explain to him that it really bothers you that he and this girl are really close, and that you'd like him to spend more time with you and not this other girl. If he says you're being stupid about that, well...it's time to drop him.

If he agrees to spend more time with you, take that time to get closer to him, and build up trust. That's all you can do if he's still going to be around other girls--trust him. Also make sure that you get the point across to him about being around other girls and it bothering you. He'll get the point, hopefully, and stop doing it.

I hope you can sort things out with your relationship. Feel free to ask me anything else because I've been through this before and come through it happy.

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Q: you know those chermicials that say when your little brother needed you and you weren't there you can just tell him that you were out getting stoned. What does the getting stones part mean?

A: Getting stoned = getting high...

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Q: ok so i unzipped a file now how can i use it on word prosser or on paint?

A: What kind of file? A font file or a picture file? If you mean a font file, once you've installed the font, it will be usable on any Windows program. That includes Word, Works, Paint, etc. Just select the font in the font toolbar, and it should work.

If you mean something else, make sure you clarify so I can help you out more.

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Q: Ok i had a boyfriend..but we never talked one bit..sometimes online but not a very lightening conversation. So i dumped him on feild day. Then he says he has a different girl friend on that same day. He wont tell people who..but i still kind of liked him. The only real reason i dumped him is because we didnt talk..and it was weird when we did. Do you think i made the right choice? Should i just give up on him and fall for another?

A: Well, you definitely did the right thing. You guys obviously had no communication whatsoever--and communication is an essential element in a successful relationship. If he had another girlfriend, then so what? Just another reason to dump him, eh?

Give up on him. He seems like he doesn't have a clue about relationships, but I'm guessing you're young, so his lack of experience isn't that bad. Just wait it out and the right guy will come along. In a relationship, always always ALWAYS make sure both people involved have good communication with each other and like talking to each other. It's VERY important. Just some advice for next time.

As I always say (and mean), if you have any other questions about this, ask away!

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Q: ok i recentaly downloaded a new font and the file is zipped can someone please tell me how to unzip the file please.

A: Do you have a program like WinZip? If you don't, try downloading the "evaluation trial" here:

http://www.winzip.com/downwzeval.htm

You can continue to use the program even after the trial period has ended. Once you've downloaded and installed WinZip, click on your zip file and WinZip should pop up asking you whether you want to unzip it or not. Go through the steps to unzip it (use Wizard mode) and install your unzipped font!

If you need any help unzipping the file, just IM me or ask me via email. I hope this helps!

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Q: Eh, I was just wondering who knew what the heck courtship was, or what it means, and if they could like explain it, cause its totally screwing with me right now, Thanks!

A: Too put it simply, think about how people dated back in the early 1900's. Courtship is the traditional "guy goes to girl's house, they sit on couch/talk in living room, guy leaves" type of dating. I read something about it in the newspaper here recently, and it said something like "courtship is a great alternative to dating because it restricts possible sexual experimentation." So, yeah. I think courtship is going to levels of the extreme in that case, and that seeing each other at the movies every now and then is perfectly fine. I guess you'll just have to form your own opinion about it.

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Q: On a scale of one to ten how much does it matter to a guy when looking for a gfhow heavy she is? I mean not obcenely heavy but definately not thin.

Just looking for insight into a guys mind!!

A: Well, I'm not a guy, but I've got really close guy friends. Let me tell you, most guys really don't care about what you weigh. They like a pretty face, and attractive attitude, a good, sweet personality, and (let's face it) a big booty. If you're just a few pounds overweight and you've got big thighs/butt/hips, guys love that. I dunno why, I've tried asking the few that I know, but all they could come up with was, and I quote: "Because they're...round?" "...Yeah" "Uh-huh, what he said." Guys like girls with muscle and meat on their bones, not these stick-thin models that girls aspire to become like. Be proud of your figure!

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Q: I used to have Paint Shop Pro that someone burned for me but I felt guilty for using it because I knew how illegal that was. I deleted it & decided I would just download the trial because I knew that I had money coming so I could *buy* the full version. Needless to say, I was unable to successfully download the trial version. Near the end of the downloading process, this is what happens:

Error 1931. The Windows Installer service cannot update the system file C:\WINDOWS\...\msvcp60.dll because the file is protected by Windows. You may need to update your operating system for this program to work correctly.

Then I click okay and it continued downloading...

Then another box comes up that says: Files that are required for Windows to run properly have been replaced with unrecognized versions. To maintain system stability, Windows must restore the original versions of these files. Insert your Windows XP Home Edition CD-ROM now.

The only problem is, I never got that CD-ROM. My computer came with Windows XP & I never got a disk with it.

Then I click Cancel... & obviously that is unsuccessful because it comes up again but I click cancel on that.

Then one last box comes up and says: Error 1933. This setud requires Internet Information Server 4.0 or higher for configuring IIS Virtual Roots. Please make sure that you have IIS 4.0 or higher.

I click okay & the installation rolls back action.

I had this program before, it's just when I tried downloading it, it wasn't working. I've tried everything, different versions from different sources. I'm going crazy trying because I love this program & I use it alot. If you anyone could help me I would give you the highest rating ever & deffinetly owe you one because I'm in desperate need of help! ♥

A: If you're having this many problems with downloading the trial version, just give up on downloading it. PSP, though not the best graphic editing software, is a really good program. Go ahead and buy the whole shabang at your local Best Buy. The last time I checked, they had this $30 (or was it $50?) for PSP. So it would end up costing you around $70, $80. If you're going to be using it for awhile, it's definitely worth it to buy the program.

If you don't want to buy it, keep trying to figure out what's going wrong with downloading the trial version. Are you downloading it to the right folder? Do you have enough disk space? Is the software compatable with your computer? Chances are there's probably just a tiny little thing you're doing wrong that's messing up the whole download. Try downloading it again and going through the previously mentioned list to make sure you're doing everything right.

I'd still go ahead and buy the software, though. I hope this advice helps you, and if you've got any more questions you'd like to ask, shoot!

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Q: are there any websites to like makeover people with clothes/makeup?

A: If you have Internet Explorer 4+, try http://www.makeoversolutions.com. It's a decent site that allows you to select from about thirty people to makeover, or you can upload a picture of yourself to makeover. Have fun!

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Q: Hello, I am a girl and I want to buy an at home waxing kit for my face, mainly my upper lip and my eyebrows. I have sensitive skin. Im not that educated on waxing. I dont know the difference between, hot waxing, cold waxing, 'sugaring', and no heat waxing, ready to use strips, or something. There seems to be alot of products by sally hansen. My question is, which is the best, easiest, and cheapest one to buy? Keep in mind my skin is a little sensitive, and I dont have alot of money, either. 10 dollars is even alot for me. I also dont want the hair to grow back very fast, i just got a wax on my uperlip and it was a very bad job and grew back in 2 days. Any suggestions on which little kit thing i should buy (no nads)? THANKS!

A: Try the Sugar Wax kit by Sally Hansen. My brother's wife uses it and she says it's great. She has really sensitive skin, so she has to be careful about what products she uses. She says that it goes on really well, and that it doesn't cause any redness or allergic reactions. She said the hair grew back in about two weeks, so it lasts a decent amount of time. The kit isn't that expensive, I don't think, so it'll be easy on your wallet (purse?).

I hope this advice helps you.

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Q: All of my girl-friends were like "omg the notebook is soo sad! I cryed so hard!" and my cousins told me so too..they said it made them cry soo hard..but then I watched it for the first time..and it wasn't sad or anything..they died together..I didn't cry or feel any sorrow..is something wrong with me???

A: Um, no. The Notebook sucked anyway. That's just my opinion, but whatever. No, there's nothing wrong with you. I'm not a very emotional person either, when it comes to things like that. You're just different from them. Nothing wrong with that.

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Q: Does anybody speak albainian as a first or second language? Is it a hard language to learn?

If not wat about Latin or French? I already no spanish and i want to get into a thrid languege.

A: Well, I don't think you're going to find many people on here who speak Albanian as a first or second language. Anyway, why do you want to learn it? It's not really useful over here in North America or over in Europe, or anywhere else in the world, for that matter, except Albania. *shrugs* Do what you want to, though.

If given a choice between learning Latin or French, I would definitely choose French. Latin is a DEAD language. You'd be better off learning Italian. Well, Spanish, Italian, and Latin are basically all tied together by origin. So, if you've already learned Spanish, Latin would be a breeze for you. Learn French, it's intriguing and mysterious. Even if those stupid French people aren't.

Have fun!

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Q: I met this girl online and i really liked her i asked her out and she said yes so now we go out but im getting these weird feelings that she found another guy or somethin ive asked and she has said no she is really pretty also and im also thinkin this long distance relationship isnt strong
~Signed Help~

A: Well, typically, most long-distance online relationships don't last. Some do, sure, but most of them don't. If you think this girl's got another guy, even if she's said no, you have to wonder. If you just like her because she's really pretty, well, that's not a good basis for a relationship. Even so, if you've got mixed feelings/unsure feelings about the relationship or you think it's shaky, I think it's time to break things off. It'll be better for both of you.

I hope things work out for the best for you.

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