George N

I'd like to get some video of a train out in the middle of nowhere in the United States. Assuming I know a particular train crossing location, is there a schedule or other database I can look at to get an approximate idea of when a train will pass?

The problem is that I want to find a scenic location for the video shoot, but I've no idea when a train might come by that location.

I need a system for mounting a camera to an object that will allow me to remove and replace the camera at-will, yet will always maintain the camera's orientation.

For example, I'd like to photograph a scene once a week over a period of a year, but I don't want to leave the camera at that location. I'd like to go to the site once a week, mount the camera and be assured that it is in the exact same position and orientation as it was last week, take a picture, then remove the camera and repeat next week.

The problem with most screw-type mounts is that I can't reliably replicate the direction the camera is pointing as the camera can pivot on the axis of the screw.

I'm sure there's something out there that does what I want, but I don't know what to call it. I imagine it involves some sort of mounting plate on the camera that can be installed in the exact same position every time relative to the camera.

Big deal or 2012 hysteria?

And when did Michio Kaku become a volcanologist?

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2011/01/...

I've heard there have been 67 elements detected in the sun. I've read there are 92 natural elements on Earth. Why the disparity? Is it just because any other elements are too deep in the Sun's interior to be detected, or have they been "cast off" or broken down?

I went to China on very short notice for a few days. My destination was Guangdong. I know nothing of the language or culture. Basically I was a token white guy being showcased for the company, filling in for the regular token white guy.

Nothing matched my idea of "Chinese" food. It was horrible. I didn't understand the customs, like washing out my soup bowl with soup and throwing it away. I think it was soup. I'm not sure. I thought maybe it was disinfectant or something, but they drank it after dumping the first batch.

Anyway, my idea of Chinese food is generally Orange Chicken, Beef Broccoli, Pepper Steak, and Fried Rice and an Egg Roll or two, maybe with some Egg Drop soup. Not very extensive, I know, but it's what I like.

I'm guessing I was just in the wrong part of China for those things, or maybe the American idea of Chinese it more warped that I thought. (I understand things like Chop Suey and Fortune Cookies are American inventions).

Also, on the flight back we were served dinner. One of the things served was a white role with jelly. I've no idea why, but all the Chinese on the flight were offering me their white rolls and jelly. I don't speak any of the language and graciously accepted. I've no idea why they were doing this. Someone told me that they generally don't like white bread, and that I was the token "white guy" on the flight. I'm OK with that, I guess.

And what's the deal with "moon cakes" and that egg yolk thingy? Someone told me that was good luck? Belch!

Bottom line, why was my food experience so odd?

Sorry for my cultural illiteracy.

How would you feel to be caught in one during a winter storm?

Mainly I'm interested in individual machine recovery, but other network security tools would be a plus.

I'm looking for a nuclear explosion film depicting a strike on Omaha, NE circa 1980s. It was aired on one of Omaha's TV stations.

The signature scene was the Indian head logo of Mutual of Omaha being stripped from the headquarters building.

I think this inspired the "Mutant of Omaha" spoofs.

Any pointers to this video?

I'm trying to find the name of a science fiction movie I once saw on TV in the '70s.

I remember it involved some sort of bug-like creatures found in a tunnel.

I seem to remember people having visions of these bugs on the march.

The end scene was a man riding a crane or on a tower that was crashing into the flames that sort of looked like a devil's head.

Sorry that it's not much to go on, but I hope it's enough to go on.

I have chronic sleep problems (over 10 years). I have extreme difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. I'm seeing a sleep specialist next week, but I'd appreciate some feedback on what to ask.

I had as sleep study done 10 years ago and was diagnosed with hypopnia (not apnea). CPAP seems to help, and is tolerable.

It's hard to deal with the CPAP when you can't fall asleep for hours, so I often fall asleep without it and it does little good.

I've been taking Ambien for 5 years, but it's loosing effectiveness. Now it causes me to loose memory, and I'm getting up and doing things during the night with no memory.

I've gotten fed up with that side effect, and had my doctor switch me to Lunesta this week. It doesn't have the knock-out punch of Ambien, but it seems like I'm still awake all night. I'm asleep at some level, but it sure feels like I'm awake.

I think all the Ambien does is make me forget I can't sleep.

Any advice?