Frank

I'm trying to figure out what this scam was. A guy was blocking a street with his SUV (a nice one). It lurched forward a few times. He kept getting out and told the exact same story that sounded a little too rehearsed to people in other cars behind him. "I'm just trying to get my wife and kids out of the city. I don't know how to turn off the parking brake." He said it exactly the same way every time. I've driven with my parking brake on, but the lurching didn't look like a parking brake that was on.

After blocking traffic for about 5 minutes, he drove off. There was nobody else in the vehicle (no wife and kids).

This felt like some sort of scam, like he would steal my car while I was helping him with his SUV. Does anyone have any idea what kind of scam this might have been?

I was replacing a showerhead using a standard adjustable wrench (carefully).

For the next time, is there a better tool that won't risk marring the chrome?

I've seen protective rubber sleeves for pliers, but I couldn't find anything for an adjustable wrench.

Thanks.

My deck was built with two steps connected to wooden sides. This unit sits next to the deck and is attached to the deck with steel strapping in the back. It wobbles slightly on the ground. It isn't a big deal to me, but it bothered a friend's young child who was visiting.

How can I attach this more firmly to the ground so that it doesn't wobble? On one side, it rests on the concrete pavers that lead up to the deck. On the other side, it rests on the dirt.

I'm fairly handy, but other than building a box and pouring concrete to create a flat surface (which seems like a lot of work), I can't think of much.

The ground feels firm underfoot, not squishy, but settling might be an issue. This is in New England if climate matters.

Thanks.

I saw an advertisement in Denmark for the lotto. This was about 1991.

It showed a picture of a brick wall, with graffiti "Sex is good".

The line underneath was "Men fyre er bedre".

(Seven numbers to win the lotto -- ha, ha.)

Google can't seem to find it. Does anyone have any idea where I might find a link to this online or a link to someone who is selling the old paper advertisement, or some other lead I could follow?

Mange tak.

Both my window air conditioners make a noticeable thump when the compressor turns off. It's enough to wake my girlfriend.

Is this just what happens when the compressor turns off, or should I try shopping for a new A/C ?

The water supply to my washing machine has a standard-looking water valve. When the washer fills, it drops the pressure too much in the shower. If I turn the valve partly closed so that the machine fills more slowly, everything works well.

Is that OK? Will leaving a valve partly closed cause it to erode in some way that is bad? Thanks.

It is a standard-looking valve, just like the kind you see on a million outdoor hose faucets.

I was checking out my neighborhood on Zillow and it shows that my next-door neighbor has a notice of foreclosure.

Is there anything I can or should do to protect the value of my home?

I was looking because I wanted to buy a larger house in the area, and his house would be the right size for me. Is this an opportunity to get a deal?

Thanks.

I purchased an A/C that has no drain on the outside for condensed water because it has a ring that slings the water against the hot coils, where it evaporates.

My other A/C drips water onto the lower roof underneath, causing mold problems. Is there a name for this feature that I can look for when I replace the second A/C with one that evaporates the water instead of draining it? (Putting a drain hose would not look good in this location.)

The window opening is 12.5", which is a further limitation, but if I could name this feature, I could find one that fits. I hope.

With dollars, $1.50 is a dollar-fifty or a buck-fifty or one dollar and 50 cents. $1,000 is a grand. $100 is a C-note or a Benjamin (both are not common). What are some of the names you use for amounts in pounds?

What is this song? I know it from my childhood. I don't think the last part is exactly right, but this is all I remember of the lyrics.

Merci.

A miniature schnauzer was laying in my lap for a few minutes, when she peed on me. We had been for a nice walk just before this, so it wasn't like she was desperate to go.

I know the dog well. She's 9 years old. She showed no sign of discomfort before, during, or after. Is this possibly a sign of something more serious, or should I just chalk it up to an accident?

Tak.

In a video, I see half a dozen dancers in perfect sync with each other. I understand that they are professionals, but how long does this take to learn one dance and get it so smoothly synched?

Minutes? Hours? Days?

Is there anyone who might have the plans that my house was built from? The registrar of deeds seems to only record who has owned it.

I'm trying to figure out the plumbing of the house (how the pipes run), but someone added a plaster ceiling in the basement, so I can't see the pipes in many places. I don't want to tear that down or poke a lot of holes in it.

Thanks.

The house is made of wooden shingles, and the shutters have just been nailed next to the windows. One nail at the top, and one nail at the bottom.

When it gets windy, the shutters rattle. (Surprise!) Any thoughts on attaching them more securely? Do I just put a big lag screw in each corner and hope the shingles and whatever is underneath will be enough to get some grip? I can easily get to the inside wall next to the windows, and I've determined with a stud sensor with electrical detection that there are no live wires near the windows.

The stepped angles of the shingles seems to rule out putting a bead of caulk around the back of the shingles because only the points of the shingles at the bottom touch the shutter.

I tried taking them off (with only two nails holding them, they easily slip on and off), but the house doesn't look right, possibly because every other house on the street has the same style.

From the inside, I have wallboard on top of standard wood studs. I don't know what is between the studs and the shingles on the outside. The house was built in 1968 in New England.

Thanks.

I'm attaching a small battery-powered light to the side of my house. I was going to drill pilot holes and then screw it into the wooden shingles on the house. Should I do anything to water-proof the holes?

Thanks.

Are there English sounds that are unusual for Danes? Or do they all feel familiar because you learn English early?

Basically, is there an English version of Rødgrød med fløde that is challenging for Danes to say?

Tak.

Very infrequently, I need a flame to fuse the ends of nylon rope.

If I get a zippo lighter and use it every other week, will it keep its fuel, or does the fuel evaporate out even if the lighter isn't used?

Is there another option? I don't have a gas stove.

Thanks.