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Let's see, about me - I'm an educated (but lowly-degreed) 20-something woman living in South Florida. I am highly familiar with music, youth subcultures, and women's issues. I'm slightly familiar with American history, Electronics, Judaism, and India. I'm vaguely familar with...well...everything else. I love good food and drink, but indulge in it infrequently. Oh, and I'm Black (partial Jamaican heritage) for what it's worth. But most importantly, I'm pretty open-minded...so ask away!
Website: Shona's Porch
E-mail: Rishona@gmail.com
Gender: Female
Location: Miami, FL
Occupation: real estate title
Age: 26
Yahoo: MissNiceness79
Member Since: October 16, 2003
Answers: 74
Last Update: July 21, 2006
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I recently bought a 77 Firebird Trans-Am. The restoration on it is going great but i am stuck finding a certain part for the a/c. Does anyone know where i can find a Receiver/Drier for a 1971-1981 Trans-Am? Preferrable an original used one, I've tried a couple of the current ones they come out with and they dont fit properly. (link)
You may want to try junkyards and scrap yards. It will depend on where you live, though. I know where I'm from in Pennsylvania, Trans Ams and Camaros were very, very popular and it was no issue finding parts. Here in Miami, they are a bit harder to come by. But call just call; those people know what they have and don't have and it takes relatively little time.

I had a headlight motor go in my 1990 Ford Probe and scored big time by getting one for $30 (auto part stores/dealers wanted $200+ for one) so in my opinon, it's worth it.


I'm 16/f and I have my license but I'm just starting to learn to drive stick and I have a question. What happens if (and I know you're not supposed to do this) while you have the clutch down to switch gears, you keep the gas going as well? (link)
In addition to what the other columnists said, your shift probably won't be smooth at all; since when you go into your new gear, the throttle (which is fed by your gas pedal) is going to be open and not sync with the gear and lunge the car forward a bit. Advanced drivers can do this since they know just about exactly which RPM mates up with a certain gear (very advanced drivers can shift with no clutch at all - but DEFINITELY not recommended).


Is it possible to block a call from a Verizon Wireless cell phone? (link)
This feature depends on your phone model. My Motorola has this option; but I don't know how standard it is. Check with your service provider; they may be able to block a particular number; but I am not sure and they would most definitely charge you extra for it.


Hey! I currently have Verizon cell phone service. If I was to buy a Cingular phone that Verizon doesnt carry, but its an unlocked phone, would I be able to have my Verizon plan on the Cingular phone? (link)
I went to a Verizon dealer two days ago and asked this question. The response from the manager was that "We don't sell only the sim cards for Verizon service". I do not know if he meant just his store, or Verizon on a whole.

Keep in mind the whole sim card thing really works against what these companies want; which is to keep you sticking to their service. The phones can be had at a huge discount since you are committing to contracts with them. If you don't (or can't) enter into a contract then they want you to purchase one of their pre-paid phones. For you to come in with your own phone, get their sim card, use their service for only 3 months, seems like a huge loss to them. Really, it's a huge loss to us, but that's beyond the point :-)



Can you be forgiven for being gay? Is it really a sin? What if you just want to try it and see what happens are you going to be penalized for that? Can someone help me asap.. these questions are for a friend who really needs it (link)
It depends on your own relgion.

In my religion (Judaism), being gay in itself is not a sin; but acting on homosexual impulses is. As far as forgiveness, you just do "teshuvah" (which means "return" in Hebrew) and vow to not engage again. Violating this vow, you have again transgressed not only the sin of homosexuality; but also the sin of making a false statement to G-d.


what does cankersores mean? (link)
Cankersores are a type of ulcer; similar to stomach ulcers; and can be caused by a variety of factors - depending on the person. Some of these factors include stress, reaction to a food that has been eaten, unbalanced PH levels, etc. Unfortunately, once one erupts, there is little you can do to make it heal faster. But if you know what causes them, you can take preventative measures.


I just recently got a haircut so before anything dont tell me to go get one please.

I just have a lot a lot of hair and major split ends.

I already have repairing conditioner.

Is there anything else i could to to help them?

thanks =) (link)
I also have an issue with split ends. Split ends can be triggered by heat styling; but I myself never straighten or use heat styling and they are still a problem. The key is to moisterize. I make my own hair spritz of water, jojoba & almond oil (not too much), vitamin E (I take the liquid gel caps and break them open) and some 911 brand leave-conditioner, and put that all in a spray bottle. I spritz on before and during styling.

You may also want to change hairstyles sometimes. Sleek ponytails and updos and large braids minimize exposure to the elements (think of a flag that is constantly being whipped around in the wind - eventually it frays!) Get regular trimmings. If the problem persists, you may want to consult a hair care professional.


ok can someone please help me, i am at a total lose of knowledge here. so when you get car insurance you pay like every couple of months right? so when youi buy a car do you have like monthly payments for that too? and when you see like one of those cars on the side of the road that say 'for sale' do you only pay the flat fee to the seller, or do you pay monthly somehow?

i need all the info anyone and everyone can give, please! (link)
Your payment of car insurance is up to the insurance company. The quote you a premium and you can either pay it all at once or pay in installments (usually monthly - but sometimes not every month - like a 9 month policy). Some insurance companies will tack on a bit more to your premium when you spread out the payment.

Car payments are determined by the bank that gives you the car loan; or in some cases by the dealer. Private sellers almost never finance (because they don't have the means to collect if you do not pay for the entire thing) - but ultimately it's up to them.


My girlfriend(22) of 5mths has broken up with me.
We were always so close. I did everything possible for her. Flowers, woodwork projects, poems, etc. She left me finding a porn site on my computer. Nonetheless, this site cant be the only reason she left me. I am going to meet up with her in a couple of days. What should I say to her. What can I say that will melt her heart. What can I say that will make her feel for me the way i do for her. I said enough sorries. I do strongly believe her mother is behind the whole break up and she is afraid of her mother. We used to IM alot and I know she still has me on her messenger which tells me she is not ready to let me go. I don't want to be harsh with her. But I do want to vent my heart. I love this girl even though she broke up with me. I believe she is afraid of her mother and therefore has no interaction with me in case her mother finds out. We were very very close. Any advice my dear readers? I want to be with her again and then a smile I once had can once again find its place on my face.
(link)
I notice a lot of "I believe"s in your post. Keep in mind that no one can force another person back into a relationship that they broke off. I would suggest putting the idea of "getting back together" on the back burner and concentrate on re-establishing the foundation to any healthy relationship; communication and friendship. Let her know that you still care about her. Let her know that you are interested in her dreams, hopes and goals. Try to state this without mixing in the romantic and/or sexual aspect of your past relationship (very hard - but you need to treat it like a broken bone - and just keep the pressure off for a bit). By opening up this line of communication (which may take a lot of time and effort to get going, but don't give up), you can find out the true reasons behind your breakup. So even if you don't get back together, you can at least have some sort of closure by knowing what was going on with her.

A sent letter (with no name on the return address so that it's not "intercepted") or an e-mail may work better at first. When she begins to initiate replies, then you know you're getting somewhere.

Best of luck!


i want to go to comm. college for a year then transfer to a university but does it look bad to the university that ive been to community college? like-- would they think i didnt get into a university? (link)
It depends on the school, but in general, no - it's not seen as "bad" by the university you wish to transfer to. Keep the following points in mind though (I worked as an assistant for 2 years in my university's student service division in the engineering school - one of those "services" being giving handouts on transfer procedures!)

1. If you plan to go to a public university within the same state as the community college is in, your transfer *should* be pretty seamless (depending on what your intended major is). Stay in close contact with the office that handles Transfer Credit/Advisors. I would say that at least 1/3 of students at community colleges plan to transfer so you won't be alone.

I myself did not start at community college, but I took several courses over the summer at community college. At my CC, they had complete packets outlining what course at X university was equivilant to the course you were taking.

2. Get a copy or at least keep up to date with the latest college catalogue from both the CC and University. The University will ask you for it.

3. Sometimes, CC is an assest to admissions, in that if you have a couple really good semesters at CC, they'll weigh that more heavily that your high school transcript (which covers 4 years of subjects you were forced to take and maybe didn't do so well in!) in that it is "proof" that you can handle college level work.

A few schools; mainly private, would much rather perfer that you start with them as a freshman and take few transfers. This is especially true if you're are going into some really rare major; like Ocean Engineering or something of the sort - where even if they accept you, you'll have to take some pre-requisite classes before they'll accept you into the major. This can be bad if you don't plan because you'll be wasting time and money by taking classes that will not count towards your degree.

Best of luck to you!


What are some good love songs of the classic rock genre?

thanks!
xoxo (link)
Anything from Queen's Greatest Hits album.


I have a real problem with a flatmate of mine. I am mixed caucasian/african and he is South African. The first time we met (I am the newest flatmate in a long established shared house) he just glared at me , didn't smile or introduce himself.

Now, he is forever accusing me of not doing my share of the cleaning and making a mess in the bathroom, which is unfair. Up until now, i have just aplologised in order to keep the peace, but his unjust attitude(which i suspect, as i have implied, is caused by racism) is really starting to bug me. Any suggestions? Thanksx.

(link)
Hmm. There is no garuntee that your flatmate's issues are stemming from racist attitudes; but if they are, you have little chance of changing them (especially being that he's a grown man and all; and the culture he grew up in is a pretty strong foundation for his current values - or lack thereof). I'm sorry, life is just not like a made-for-TV movie where the people who are wrong learn their lesson at the end of two hours. I would not "give up on him"; if he gives any hint of noticing his errors or if it comes up in conversation - address it. Also address blatant acts (such as calling you "colored" which I believe is the South African term for those of mixed race) right away. You are entitled to his respect. Even if he does not like you; make him deal with you in a respectful and civil manner.

As far as the cleaning and bathroom thing; don't give him any rope. Make a list of all cleaning duties. Mark off (with time and date if you REALLY want to keep him at bay) the tasks that you complete. If you are sharing a bathroom, make it a "neutral" area where both of you keep your toiletries in you bedroom (shaving cream, toothbrush, towels, etc.) and bring them in as you need them and take them out when you are finished. If he complains, simply explain that this is necessary to eliminate confusion as to "who made the mess in the bathroom" and if can't believe your word, than this is what it's going to have to be.

Good luck, and hopefully after your lease is up, you can find another roomate!


My friend and I are both 23 so I wouldnt think this would still be a problem, makes me think of more a problem with teens. But anywhooo. Im married with three kids and my best friends sence 1st grade is still single.
When we go to bars or etc she turns into a total different person. She acts like a ditz and does nothing but through herself at men. Even if they ignore her she still insists that they really do like her. So often she goes home with men she just met and when they dont call her she keeps calling them over and over. Ive tried to tell her the that those kind of men only want one thing and shes wrong for believing differntly. She tells me sence Im married I have no idea what it feels like to be single and looking.
I just hate to see herself through herself on everyone and fall in love instantly with every guy she meets.
I dont know what to do anymore. Every time I say something to her she gets defensive. (link)
Try to introduce her to someone from outside the bar scene. Perhaps a single friend of your husband's or perhaps a co-worker that you know. Go back to basics. He calls her; they go on a real date (preferably somewhere where alcohol won't be a central presence - like a restaurant or a movie); rinse and repeat :-) Maybe you could find a babysitter and you guys could even double-date...could be fun. Good luck!


hey my name is chel and well i used to cut but then i stopped for like a year now i started again and i really want to stop but i can't what should i do?? It's because like my best friends always gets the guys i like to like her and i get stuck with no one liking me and thinking i'm hot. But then i have this kid that like LOVES me he has for 2 years but i just don't like him that way plus he's WAY to young for me..and the only reason why i started cutting was b/c i wanted to experimenting with other things to cut with..and it's way easier with a razor but for some reason it doesn't hurt me at all but it bleeds like CRAZY...HELP ME!?!?

From, CHell

**********I'LL RATE HIGH PLEASE ANSWER!!!!***** (link)
This is a self-esteem issue; a serious one at that. Pain is in the mind, so if your mind is numbed by self-hating feelings, you won't feel it. Please visit this link to try to find professional help before you need to be hospitilized. There are those who love you; seek them out. From there you can work on getting to the point where you can start to love yourself. {Hugs}


My car keeps dying every once in a while. It happens usually when I brake to stop. I had the air filter changed, I got a new muffler, etc. What could be causing this and how do I stop it. It died when I was on a steep him, and I rolled into the middle of the intersection and almost got hit. I don't want to get into an accident, I can't afford it. (link)
Um, for the person that gave the carburetor advice - most modern cars do not have them. They are quite inefficient. Most mainstream cars from the late 80s on have fuel injection.

It's not the battery; that's to start the car. It's probably not your alternator either (that is what provides the "juice" to the car) because while a bad alternator can cause the car to turn off when you stop, it would happen EVERY time you stop.

Is your car automatic or standard shift? Anyway, it could be several things. Your idle could be set too low. When the car is not in gear (moving forward basically for an automatic), the car is fed a minimal amount of fuel to keep the engine running. In automatic cars, there are many other things that can fail in this system; between the idle and normal driving - so keep that in mind. The car's thermostat can also effect the idle (when the car is cold, the idle is set to higher in that it takes more to rev the engine at a cold temperature than at a warm one). Does the car cut off when it's cold or after it's been running for a while? My last car would cut out after it the engine got warm because (get this) it had a sensor where if the car would overheat, it would just shut off (better than burning your engine out). Easy fix though - needed to add more coolant to my radiator. Morale of the story is with new cars, you have to real careful when making conclusions as to what is wrong. There are sensors/electronics everywhere that will cause your car to shut down as a precaution. Another (but unlikely) scenario is that your fuel pump could be going (although in my experience, when a fuel pump goes, you car shut off and stays off - it's not a gradual thing unfortunately!).

So in short: check your cooling and fuel system. The problem is probably somewhere there.


In college...

1. If you pass a class but fail the AP exam, which is calculated in your GPA? Do you have to retake the AP exam?
2. If you fail a class but pass the AP exam, which is calculated in your GPA? Do you have to retake the class?
3. If you get a B in a class and a C on the AP exam, which is calculated in your GPA?

Thank you! (link)
The AP exam is for college; and has no bearing on your high school grades (of course each and every high school is unique, so perhaps there is SOME school out there that may factor it into GPA, but I have personally never heard of it).

1. - Yor GPA should go by your class grade. If you fail the exam, you do not have to retake the class UNLESS the teacher of that class is using the exam as an item to count towards your class grade.

2. - The failed class should negatively effect your GPA. The passing score on the exam normally gives you college credit, but being that you failed the class, it could be left up to the discretion of the college. Then again, there are many who take the AP exam without ever taking a corresponding class - so it's probably a rare case.

3. - Grades on the AP exam are not noted in high school or college GPAs.


how much do they generally cost to get a well done tounger piercing & like does it hurt...could someone fill me in a lot about like before during and after you get your tounge pierced...like does it really mess up your teeth?! (link)
Tongue piercings run from aroung $30 to $60. In my opinion tongue piercing is about the same as getting your ears done (with a needle - it's less painful than the gun piercings for sure!) and less than a naval piercing. But the after effect is much worse for the tongue. Enjoy your favorite crunchy, chewy food or drinking through a straw because you won't be able to partake in any of that for 1-2 weeks! The day after mine I could only handle drinks from a cup and some yogurt. The next few days, oatmeal, pudding, soups and ice cream only for me! This is because your tongue WILL swell considerably after the piercing. However, the tongue is also one of the fastest healing parts of the body; which is why the "healing period" is only 2 weeks as oppossed to 6 with the ears. It is important to frequently brush and use mouthwash during the healing period, even though your tongue hurts!

After the swelling, you'll have to learn to chew with the stud through your tongue. As a newbie, a few times you'll accidentally clamp down on the bar which HURTS. But I dunno, in my case it didn't happen to much after the 3rd week or so, although I know of those where it them a lot longer to get used to it.

As far as the damage to the teeth; I had my tongue piercing for 3 years with absolutely no damage to my tooth enamel. But again, I did have that much of an issue of clamping my teeth down on the bar and my piercing was set pretty far back on my tongue (it didn't lay against my teeth at rest). You may want to ask the piercer about a wider range of experiences (although they'll be biased, but who knows, maybe you'll find an honest one).


So I don't usually get bad cramps, but yesterday and today I feel like someone it stabbing me in the uterus. Mydol doesn't work. Anything I can do? I already know the whole exersizing helps, I did last night and it didnt help. THANK YOU! (link)
Midol doesn't work for me either. Try Advil or Motrin; both are anti-inflammatories and should target the uterus (which is a muscle) directly. Also try light aerobic activity like walking to help to get your blood flowing, and cutting out caffeine during your period.


Alright, I'm 13. I've been getting my period for about 6-7 months and it was pretty regular. Well, the time's passed for me. I was supposed to get it about a week ago, but I never had sex (and don't plan to for awhile) so I don't know what's going on.

Since I'm still kinda new to the whole period thing, I'm a little freaked out. Help me? (link)
I got my period when I was 12. I think it took until age 15 when it started coming regular. I remember going 3 months and not having a period; and then when it did come it would last 2 weeks. It's normal. If you are not having sex, you have almost zero risk of pregnancy.


What are some inexpensive, easy colleges in Georgia? It doesn't matter if they're community college or not. Thank you! You will get 5's! (link)
What are you looking to major in? The vast majority of public colleges/universities will be cheaper than private; so restrict your search to those. But "easy" is a very broad term. At some schools Liberal Arts is an easy major, at others it is one of the toughest. Computer science is an easier major for those who know how to program but are not good at writing term papers. Try to honestly assess your strengths and what you want to major in. Any major that you enjoy will be made "easier" because you don't see your studies as a chore.




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