This is not a Free Thread, so don't leave off-topic comments here
December 11, 2023 5:48 AM Subscribe
...or perhaps it is a free thread, in which case do? If a MeFite makes an irrelevant comment on a front page post, does anyone read it? What is commenting, anyway? What is commenting... not? Will the many academics who keep studying what we write on MetaFilter ever tell us? Discuss. Or don't. Does anyone care? And is Cool Whip really edible?
Is it better to have a bottle in front of me? Or a frontal lobotomy? Discuss.
posted by SPrintF at 5:53 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by SPrintF at 5:53 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
No.
Thanks. Okay moderators, we've solved the main philosophical question of today; please close up this thread now.
posted by Wordshore at 5:54 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
Thanks. Okay moderators, we've solved the main philosophical question of today; please close up this thread now.
posted by Wordshore at 5:54 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
In other commentary, I'm skimming through the linked white papers while playing Alan's Morissette (it has been a very ANGSTY morning and I am filled with middle-aged woman rage) and I am finding it utterly fascinating, so thank you Wordshore.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 6:04 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 6:04 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Hey, thanks for the academic pubs! Oddly for me, I've never gone looking for research literature on MetaFilter.
Funny story: a quarter of a century ago, I was reading a book-length sociological study about early online communities. I thought it was a cool book! So cool, in fact, that I happily nattered away about it to the woman I'd recently met and started dating, recounting interesting factoids and the Very Deep Thoughts I was having associated with the reading. She indulged my newfound interest and chatted with vim and gusto about online communities.
You can see it coming, right? Turned out, she'd for years been an active member of one such community. It wasn't one of the book's case studies, but it might as well have been, and I think her then-community was actually referenced in a footnote. She was kind about it, and (to be fair to younger me) participating in online communities wasn't something she or anyone else I knew led with at that time, but it was a good lesson.
posted by cupcakeninja at 6:05 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
Funny story: a quarter of a century ago, I was reading a book-length sociological study about early online communities. I thought it was a cool book! So cool, in fact, that I happily nattered away about it to the woman I'd recently met and started dating, recounting interesting factoids and the Very Deep Thoughts I was having associated with the reading. She indulged my newfound interest and chatted with vim and gusto about online communities.
You can see it coming, right? Turned out, she'd for years been an active member of one such community. It wasn't one of the book's case studies, but it might as well have been, and I think her then-community was actually referenced in a footnote. She was kind about it, and (to be fair to younger me) participating in online communities wasn't something she or anyone else I knew led with at that time, but it was a good lesson.
posted by cupcakeninja at 6:05 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
"Why is this large language model we trained on Metafilter getting jammed with beans?"
posted by clawsoon at 6:07 AM on December 11, 2023 [10 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 6:07 AM on December 11, 2023 [10 favorites]
"The conversation as the answer: collective information seeking and knowledge construction on a social question and answer site"
That's a funny title, given the rules around back-and-forth conversation in AskMe...
posted by clawsoon at 6:09 AM on December 11, 2023
That's a funny title, given the rules around back-and-forth conversation in AskMe...
posted by clawsoon at 6:09 AM on December 11, 2023
Shepherd and I went with a friend yesterday to see Godzilla: Minus One.
Did I like the movie? Well, I liked what I could focus on as I had the unfortunate experience of being seated next to a six-year-old with his dad. His dad proceeded to spend the entirety of the movie reading the subtitles aloud to his kid--and said kid had quite the cough and did not cover his mouth at all--and explain what things meant. As a female, I am sadly coded to be non-confrontational and seethed and glared. (I really wish I had gotten an employee to talk to him, but I didn't think of that option. Also, when I think about it, do I also want to expose someone just trying to do their job to possible parent anger?)
Anyway, I look forward to seeing it again at home without inconsiderate dads and cheaper snacks. Definitely reminds why I don't go to bigger theatres anymore to see things.
posted by Kitteh at 6:13 AM on December 11, 2023 [7 favorites]
Did I like the movie? Well, I liked what I could focus on as I had the unfortunate experience of being seated next to a six-year-old with his dad. His dad proceeded to spend the entirety of the movie reading the subtitles aloud to his kid--and said kid had quite the cough and did not cover his mouth at all--and explain what things meant. As a female, I am sadly coded to be non-confrontational and seethed and glared. (I really wish I had gotten an employee to talk to him, but I didn't think of that option. Also, when I think about it, do I also want to expose someone just trying to do their job to possible parent anger?)
Anyway, I look forward to seeing it again at home without inconsiderate dads and cheaper snacks. Definitely reminds why I don't go to bigger theatres anymore to see things.
posted by Kitteh at 6:13 AM on December 11, 2023 [7 favorites]
Q: What do you call a certain type of cereal grain from The Netherlands?
A: Holland Oats
posted by New Frontier at 6:19 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
A: Holland Oats
posted by New Frontier at 6:19 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
And is Cool Whip really edible?
Yes.
Been chillin' in Florida for the past couple of weeks helping my mom after her knee replacement surgery. She's been doing great and I'm hoping to book a flight back to NJ later today.
Florida is still a hellstate, but at least people here in Broward County are fighting the good fight. Also, there's Publix.
posted by May Kasahara at 6:36 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
Yes.
Been chillin' in Florida for the past couple of weeks helping my mom after her knee replacement surgery. She's been doing great and I'm hoping to book a flight back to NJ later today.
Florida is still a hellstate, but at least people here in Broward County are fighting the good fight. Also, there's Publix.
posted by May Kasahara at 6:36 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
Publix is one of the few things I miss about Florida. The deli sandwiches … ::chef’s kiss::
posted by johnxlibris at 7:00 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by johnxlibris at 7:00 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Whether or not Cool Whip is edible, you can stir a tablespoonful or so of cocoa in it to create a substance that I will eat until I am stopped.
posted by Countess Elena at 7:09 AM on December 11, 2023 [12 favorites]
posted by Countess Elena at 7:09 AM on December 11, 2023 [12 favorites]
And is Cool Whip really edible?
Why is everybody putting so much emphasis on the H?
posted by FishBike at 7:12 AM on December 11, 2023 [7 favorites]
Why is everybody putting so much emphasis on the H?
posted by FishBike at 7:12 AM on December 11, 2023 [7 favorites]
Tiny Monster has been sick since Thanksgiving with alternating colds and stomach bugs. I spent half an hour on the side of the highway in the rain yesterday trying to scrub enough sick out of a car seat with wet wipes to reinstall it and get him the rest of the way home. Anosmia is sometimes a blessing.
Weird that Florida came up. I have to fly down there in a few hours for work. I rented an EV which will apparently be a model 3 since Hertz sends me emails every day trying to explain how to drive it. I should have rented an Altima so I could be a proper Florida Man.
posted by The Monster at the End of this Thread at 7:13 AM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
Weird that Florida came up. I have to fly down there in a few hours for work. I rented an EV which will apparently be a model 3 since Hertz sends me emails every day trying to explain how to drive it. I should have rented an Altima so I could be a proper Florida Man.
posted by The Monster at the End of this Thread at 7:13 AM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
I just want to say how much I appreciate these free threads. I'm a shut-in (practically hikikomori), so I enjoy (for certain values of enjoy) reading about the Tiny Monster's tribulations.
posted by SPrintF at 7:26 AM on December 11, 2023 [11 favorites]
posted by SPrintF at 7:26 AM on December 11, 2023 [11 favorites]
I've had CoolWhip/ or at least whipped cream out of a can, exactly once in the last thirtysomething years and it was an unpleasant experience. I was shocked and revolted and saddened and a couple other more amorphous emotions, which, yet, all were pointed in the same direction. Dismay. Why is this not as delicious as it looks like it could be. Saturday I made whipped cream to have with the Tart Tatin I'd made earlier that day - we get 'vanilla sugar' here, which is exactly what it sounds like, sugar with vanilla mixed, it comes in little sachets and one is good for one thing of cream (about a cup). And it's glory when it's all ready. There was one other important point about Tart Tatin I think I discovered which is the following: left in the oven for a little longer - say a half hour plus instead of twenty minutes ish - the caramel mush made during the stove-top phase of the production, dries up a bit, is absorbed by the apples and the result is frighteningly delicious.
Or, it's december the most insane month, the month when it's all so so so so so so dark you swear you start thinking like a mole, start looking at small caves at the bases of the trees and wonder if you could get yourself in there sleep until february... Ten more days until the solstice.
posted by From Bklyn at 7:34 AM on December 11, 2023 [5 favorites]
Or, it's december the most insane month, the month when it's all so so so so so so dark you swear you start thinking like a mole, start looking at small caves at the bases of the trees and wonder if you could get yourself in there sleep until february... Ten more days until the solstice.
posted by From Bklyn at 7:34 AM on December 11, 2023 [5 favorites]
Whether or not Cool Whip is edible, you can stir a tablespoonful or so of cocoa in it to create a substance that I will eat until I am stopped.
4 oz. heavy whipping cream
2 packets Truvia (stevia/erythritol mix)
2 tablespoons cocoa
Blend with one of those Braun wand mixer thingies, eat right out of the blending container with a spatula.
posted by Halloween Jack at 7:40 AM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
4 oz. heavy whipping cream
2 packets Truvia (stevia/erythritol mix)
2 tablespoons cocoa
Blend with one of those Braun wand mixer thingies, eat right out of the blending container with a spatula.
posted by Halloween Jack at 7:40 AM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
The bad thing about Publix sub sandwiches is that they do a vertical cut into the bun, while everyone knows it should be a horizontal cut...Oh, and the shredded lettuce. Why, why, why...
posted by Czjewel at 7:41 AM on December 11, 2023
posted by Czjewel at 7:41 AM on December 11, 2023
Film Student Update -- a busy week for film:
I didn't get the role in the film that I went through callbacks for. Oh well, if the production team thought someone else would do better, I'd rather they cast them, I know I'm not perfect for every part.
Although the 'dream' film was technically our final, there was one last project, worth pretty much just 'class participation' points, to make a experimental "collage" short using just videos already on our phone (or created for this film, but still only from the phone) -- Here's mine. When the professor started explaining the project and showing an example, I started recording so I could be meta about it.
Friday night was the fall semester Juried Show for the film and animation departments at school -- I had submitted the saddlemaker video for it. Mortified: they showed my rough edit...again. Success: I won one of the Jury-voted awards! Not the big awards, but a "hey we liked yours too". The woman I complimented on her work the week before won the Best Non-Fiction, and she deserved it.
About 10 minutes in, I had some cognitive dissonance: a video I made for editing class over the summer showed up in the show, but I hadn't submitted it -- and as the show went on, more videos from other students from that same class appeared as well. I think they didn't get long enough submissions to fill an hour and a half for the juried show, so they tossed in some other class' work. I got a compliments on this video afterwards too.
But: one of the last films, almost at the end of the juried show, came up and when I saw the title I sat straight up in my seat: it was the movie I acted in! I hadn't seen it yet, and I had told the producers that I hoped I'd get to see it with an audience, and here I was in an auditorium seeing it on a movie-theater-sized screen. Ten seconds in, there's my name in the credits, second only after the lead. I got to see myself performing, smoking a cigarette behind the restaurant (I don't smoke), freaking out that I ruined the food, and getting thrown into some cabinets and threatened with a fork for my mistake.
I was thusly reminded that I don't like the sound of my voice or how I look or pretty much anything about seeing myself on screen -- BUT IT WAS AWESOME. Plus, that film won the Best in Show, and the lead won Best Performance, and I want to think they won another technical award. When they were doing winner photos, the team that made the film called me over and insisted I be included in the team photo.
Saturday: I'm on the jury for a local film festival, and after watching a couple dozen movies over the last four months, Saturday we all put in our votes for what should be shown and which festival awards they'll be considered for. It was my first year and I was pleased that I was on the same page with quite a few other jury members, I was worried I'd walk in with weird interpretations on how I should vote, but I managed to suppress the imposter syndrome for the most part.
Sunday was Christmas at Grandmas, where I got lots of compliments on my short films from family members that I rarely see.
Also, this was the first time I've seen the cousin who performed in my 'dream' film -- we commiserated over how much we hate watching ourselves on film.
posted by AzraelBrown at 7:50 AM on December 11, 2023 [26 favorites]
I didn't get the role in the film that I went through callbacks for. Oh well, if the production team thought someone else would do better, I'd rather they cast them, I know I'm not perfect for every part.
Although the 'dream' film was technically our final, there was one last project, worth pretty much just 'class participation' points, to make a experimental "collage" short using just videos already on our phone (or created for this film, but still only from the phone) -- Here's mine. When the professor started explaining the project and showing an example, I started recording so I could be meta about it.
Friday night was the fall semester Juried Show for the film and animation departments at school -- I had submitted the saddlemaker video for it. Mortified: they showed my rough edit...again. Success: I won one of the Jury-voted awards! Not the big awards, but a "hey we liked yours too". The woman I complimented on her work the week before won the Best Non-Fiction, and she deserved it.
About 10 minutes in, I had some cognitive dissonance: a video I made for editing class over the summer showed up in the show, but I hadn't submitted it -- and as the show went on, more videos from other students from that same class appeared as well. I think they didn't get long enough submissions to fill an hour and a half for the juried show, so they tossed in some other class' work. I got a compliments on this video afterwards too.
But: one of the last films, almost at the end of the juried show, came up and when I saw the title I sat straight up in my seat: it was the movie I acted in! I hadn't seen it yet, and I had told the producers that I hoped I'd get to see it with an audience, and here I was in an auditorium seeing it on a movie-theater-sized screen. Ten seconds in, there's my name in the credits, second only after the lead. I got to see myself performing, smoking a cigarette behind the restaurant (I don't smoke), freaking out that I ruined the food, and getting thrown into some cabinets and threatened with a fork for my mistake.
I was thusly reminded that I don't like the sound of my voice or how I look or pretty much anything about seeing myself on screen -- BUT IT WAS AWESOME. Plus, that film won the Best in Show, and the lead won Best Performance, and I want to think they won another technical award. When they were doing winner photos, the team that made the film called me over and insisted I be included in the team photo.
Saturday: I'm on the jury for a local film festival, and after watching a couple dozen movies over the last four months, Saturday we all put in our votes for what should be shown and which festival awards they'll be considered for. It was my first year and I was pleased that I was on the same page with quite a few other jury members, I was worried I'd walk in with weird interpretations on how I should vote, but I managed to suppress the imposter syndrome for the most part.
Sunday was Christmas at Grandmas, where I got lots of compliments on my short films from family members that I rarely see.
Also, this was the first time I've seen the cousin who performed in my 'dream' film -- we commiserated over how much we hate watching ourselves on film.
posted by AzraelBrown at 7:50 AM on December 11, 2023 [26 favorites]
And is Cool Whip really edible?
Is it enjoyable? That's between you and your dessert and is none of my business. But is it edible? Yes it is.
posted by eekernohan at 7:51 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Is it enjoyable? That's between you and your dessert and is none of my business. But is it edible? Yes it is.
posted by eekernohan at 7:51 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
pink fluff has entered the chat
posted by cupcakeninja at 8:06 AM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by cupcakeninja at 8:06 AM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
Publix made our wedding cake, it was AMAZING.
Two (additional) things - I came to understand the new movie "Poor Things" is a modern take on Shelley's Frankenstein. This just tickles me, in this era, and so I'm going to read Frankenstein again starting today. (Before seeing the movie)
Second, after two years and a successful launch I'm rolling off my contract at the end of the month. I'm a little nervous to be back on the job search, but less so than ever, hard to explain but nice to not be racked by insecurities looking forward.
posted by djseafood at 8:13 AM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
Two (additional) things - I came to understand the new movie "Poor Things" is a modern take on Shelley's Frankenstein. This just tickles me, in this era, and so I'm going to read Frankenstein again starting today. (Before seeing the movie)
Second, after two years and a successful launch I'm rolling off my contract at the end of the month. I'm a little nervous to be back on the job search, but less so than ever, hard to explain but nice to not be racked by insecurities looking forward.
posted by djseafood at 8:13 AM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
I file Cool Whip under "Food-like products that you should never read the ingredients list for". Yes, it's a rather long descriptor but it works for me.
Which brings up a story from long ago. A co-worker invited everyone in the department to his house for a holiday lunch featuring his basement tavern (no one was returning to work, obviously). On the bar was a glass jar of small sausages that looked like it never been opened. I made some comment about it and he told me to just read the ingredient list. Listed first, meaning it was the primary component, was beef lips. And I was enlightened.
posted by tommasz at 8:17 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
Which brings up a story from long ago. A co-worker invited everyone in the department to his house for a holiday lunch featuring his basement tavern (no one was returning to work, obviously). On the bar was a glass jar of small sausages that looked like it never been opened. I made some comment about it and he told me to just read the ingredient list. Listed first, meaning it was the primary component, was beef lips. And I was enlightened.
posted by tommasz at 8:17 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
There are times when I dine out and a dessert menu item that I would otherwise want mentions that it comes with whipped cream and I don't order it because I don't want to deal with whipped cream removal and then have to look at a pile of accusing aerated sludge while I eat the part I want.
posted by srboisvert at 8:20 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by srboisvert at 8:20 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Oh, and the shredded lettuce. Why, why, why...
I've come to realize that shredded lettuce is the my favorite lettuce for a sandwich. If lettuce is placed as one solid leaf, I'll pick it off and eat it separately. It contributes nothing to the sandwich. Shredded, OTOH: allows for proper condiment flow, adds a great texture to a sandwich, doesn't slide off, and adds a small bit of height to a sandwich.
posted by hydra77 at 8:23 AM on December 11, 2023 [8 favorites]
I've come to realize that shredded lettuce is the my favorite lettuce for a sandwich. If lettuce is placed as one solid leaf, I'll pick it off and eat it separately. It contributes nothing to the sandwich. Shredded, OTOH: allows for proper condiment flow, adds a great texture to a sandwich, doesn't slide off, and adds a small bit of height to a sandwich.
posted by hydra77 at 8:23 AM on December 11, 2023 [8 favorites]
Re: Public/Florida. HEB remains one of the best things about TX and one of the few that I miss. And I've lived in most of the major US grocer regions while rarely patronizing restaurants, so I feel like I know what I'm talking about. It really is better than most!
posted by SaltySalticid at 8:24 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by SaltySalticid at 8:24 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
I've had CoolWhip/ or at least whipped cream out of a can...
I'm sorry to inform you that these are very different beasts. Whipped cream out of a can is slightly acceptable in a pinch. But Cool Whip is exponentially more artificial tasting and vile. Be grateful that you've not encountered it.
posted by hydra77 at 8:25 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm sorry to inform you that these are very different beasts. Whipped cream out of a can is slightly acceptable in a pinch. But Cool Whip is exponentially more artificial tasting and vile. Be grateful that you've not encountered it.
posted by hydra77 at 8:25 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Second, after two years and a successful launch I'm rolling off my contract at the end of the month. I'm a little nervous to be back on the job search, but less so than ever, hard to explain but nice to not be racked by insecurities looking forward.
TIL:
TIL:
Do you rack or wrack your brain?posted by srboisvert at 8:26 AM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
Wrack and rack are etymologically distinct, meaning they come from different words. Many usage guides will advise that you should use wrack for meanings such as "to utterly ruin," and rack for "to cause to suffer torture, pain, anguish, or ruin." If you follow this advice, the proper choice for what you do to your brain when thinking very hard is rack. However, wrack has long been used as a variant of rack, and numerous fine writers have avowedly wracked their brains or found something nerve-wracking.
Is it racked or wracked with pain?
Some guides feel that "racked with pain" is the preferable choice, although wrack is in many cases an acceptable variant. The verbs are often conflated despite their very different origins (the former from Middle Dutch rekken, meaning "to stretch," and the latter from the Middle English word for shipwreck, wrak).
"Do you rack up or wrack up debts?"
While there are a number of settings in which wrack is considered an acceptable variant of rack, the accumulation of debts is not one of them. In this context rack up typically means "to achieve, score; to accumulate."
What's worse than Cool Whip? Store brand "frozen dessert topping." Reminds me of unsanded grout. (gags)
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:29 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:29 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Cool Whip taps straight into childhood dessert memories and thus the chemical taste is the point. My brain doesn't really put it in the same category as actual cream. Anymore than Twinkies are the same as sponge cake.
posted by emjaybee at 8:57 AM on December 11, 2023 [9 favorites]
posted by emjaybee at 8:57 AM on December 11, 2023 [9 favorites]
beef lips
I didn't even know beeves had lips!
posted by uncleozzy at 9:00 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
I didn't even know beeves had lips!
posted by uncleozzy at 9:00 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
Alan's Morissette
A delightful typo, and an excellent username.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:04 AM on December 11, 2023 [9 favorites]
A delightful typo, and an excellent username.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:04 AM on December 11, 2023 [9 favorites]
Similarly, Totino's Party Pizza is not actually pizza, and is a separate food product that can have its own individual craving.
posted by hippybear at 9:39 AM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 9:39 AM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
Alan's Morissette
A delightful typo, and an excellent username.
Once again I catch a typo well outside the edit window...
My poor child has to visit the podiatrist for the third time in 6 weeks tomorrow to get yet another ingrown toenail addressed. On his birthday. When the scheduler asked for his DOB, I dissolved into laughter, as he also has a checkup this week that I jumped through hoops to avoid scheduling on his birthday. The kid was doomed no matter what.
The scheduler promised birthday wishes.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 9:46 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
A delightful typo, and an excellent username.
Once again I catch a typo well outside the edit window...
My poor child has to visit the podiatrist for the third time in 6 weeks tomorrow to get yet another ingrown toenail addressed. On his birthday. When the scheduler asked for his DOB, I dissolved into laughter, as he also has a checkup this week that I jumped through hoops to avoid scheduling on his birthday. The kid was doomed no matter what.
The scheduler promised birthday wishes.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 9:46 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
one weird trick to prevent ingrown tonails- clip them so that there is an ever so slight v (pointing towards the nailbed) in the center of the toenail. sides of nail sort of grow towards the gap. YMMV, but learned this from shoe-avoidant Australians and it has worked for me.
posted by wowenthusiast at 9:51 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by wowenthusiast at 9:51 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
the shredded lettuce. Why, why, why
Finely chopped celery is great in sandwiches. I am by no means a chef, but I include a mirepoix in almost every dinner.
posted by SPrintF at 9:53 AM on December 11, 2023
Finely chopped celery is great in sandwiches. I am by no means a chef, but I include a mirepoix in almost every dinner.
posted by SPrintF at 9:53 AM on December 11, 2023
A can of Eagle brand condensed milk, unopened and boiled for a hour in a water bath in a covered pan on top of the stove, makes for an amazingly good caramel dessert topping.
posted by jamjam at 10:07 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by jamjam at 10:07 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
butts.
posted by bombastic lowercase pronouncements at 10:13 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by bombastic lowercase pronouncements at 10:13 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
they do a vertical cut into the bun, while everyone knows it should be a horizontal cut
Wait, doesn't that just make it a taco?
posted by nickmark at 10:32 AM on December 11, 2023
Wait, doesn't that just make it a taco?
posted by nickmark at 10:32 AM on December 11, 2023
You know what's worse than Cool Whip? Sugar-Free Cool Whip. You have not experienced true dessert disappointment until you've had the Diabetic Special: a dish of Sugar-Free Jell-O (or Sugar-Free Jell-O Brand Pudding) topped with a big dollop of Sugar-Free Cool Whip. Curse you diabetes, curse you all the way to hell!
posted by Daily Alice at 10:34 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Daily Alice at 10:34 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
I don't think I've ever had a Publix sandwich, but their elephant ears are always a must-get for me, and during this trip I was introduced to their Jamaican patties, which are excellent.
posted by May Kasahara at 10:36 AM on December 11, 2023
posted by May Kasahara at 10:36 AM on December 11, 2023
Ah, yes, a large wedge of Cool Whip on a slice of pumpkin pie, and that gelatinous can-imprinted cranberry gel wiggling on the table of the holiday feast table. The taste of retro childhood. None would touch the cranberry, but the Cool Whip was a hotly contested topping.
Also, a breakfast of "French Toast": my favorite topping of butter and powdered sugar. I would look at the tiny mountains of clumped powdered sugar and dream of large thunderhead clouds of powdered sugar raining diamond crystals of sugar on the planet.
I would be terrified to taste any of these comestibles today; it would completely ruin my nostalgia.
posted by effluvia at 10:38 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Also, a breakfast of "French Toast": my favorite topping of butter and powdered sugar. I would look at the tiny mountains of clumped powdered sugar and dream of large thunderhead clouds of powdered sugar raining diamond crystals of sugar on the planet.
I would be terrified to taste any of these comestibles today; it would completely ruin my nostalgia.
posted by effluvia at 10:38 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Unstructions inclear; brain is wrecked.
posted by DeepSeaHaggis at 10:44 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by DeepSeaHaggis at 10:44 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
The only place for Cool Whip is in ambrosia. Otherwise? Big ick. It was one of those things that was always around when I was a kid but even then I only ate it because, duh, I was a kid.
posted by uncleozzy at 10:51 AM on December 11, 2023
posted by uncleozzy at 10:51 AM on December 11, 2023
Whipped cream, Cool Whip, whatever it is: it's just white crap and really has no flavor whatsoever. I don't know why I should care and when asked if I want it, I'm all, "Uh....I dunno....I don't notice it?"
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:57 AM on December 11, 2023
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:57 AM on December 11, 2023
My grandfather used to call Cool Whip "Cow Swallup". Is that a regional thing or just a him thing? I suspect the latter.
posted by downtohisturtles at 11:09 AM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by downtohisturtles at 11:09 AM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
This Thanksgiving, after all our houseguests had gone home, we found Cool Whip in our freezer. I assumed my wife had obtained it as an ingredient for some extremely specific recipe that had fallen through the cracks, which would be just like her. She thought I bought it just to torture her, which isn't like me at all, I swear. We just don't ... do Cool Whip. Neither of us would obtain any on purpose.
We never figured out where it came from.
posted by Western Infidels at 11:36 AM on December 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
We never figured out where it came from.
posted by Western Infidels at 11:36 AM on December 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
Now I want to start a secret holiday tradition of going to someone's house for a meal and surreptitiously leaving Cool Whip in their freezer.
posted by hippybear at 11:45 AM on December 11, 2023 [10 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 11:45 AM on December 11, 2023 [10 favorites]
downtohisturtles, Your grandfather was making a sort of phonetic pun of codswallop
posted by effluvia at 11:47 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by effluvia at 11:47 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
I did not know until I was an adult that a person could take a container of heavy cream, a little powdered sugar, and just whip that shit until it was ready for some pie. yes, I grew up in the 70s, eating Cool Whip on my Jell-o, lots a Kraft Mac & Cheese, Kool Aid etc., I'm surprised I'm still alive...
posted by supermedusa at 11:48 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by supermedusa at 11:48 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
My grandfather used to call Cool Whip "Cow Swallup". Is that a regional thing or just a him thing? I suspect the latter.
Where is your grandfather from? My folks are from northwestern Tennessee and it's a thing there, too. It's a reference to the frothy stuff cows get around their mouths when they get too hot.
It sounds absolutely revolting but if your grandmother sits you down and fixes you a wobbly bowl of Jell-O and returns with a big spoon and a tub of Cool Whip, she'll inevitably say, Oh, I thought I'd put some calf's swallop on it, make it pretty, it's a special occasion, then you know she loves you.
posted by mochapickle at 11:49 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
Where is your grandfather from? My folks are from northwestern Tennessee and it's a thing there, too. It's a reference to the frothy stuff cows get around their mouths when they get too hot.
It sounds absolutely revolting but if your grandmother sits you down and fixes you a wobbly bowl of Jell-O and returns with a big spoon and a tub of Cool Whip, she'll inevitably say, Oh, I thought I'd put some calf's swallop on it, make it pretty, it's a special occasion, then you know she loves you.
posted by mochapickle at 11:49 AM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
This is not a number, this is a free thread! Today Vera Wylde and Jessie Gender finished their podcast review of The Prisoner (1967).
For those who haven't seen it, The Prisoner is an ostentatiously high-concept cold war allegory. Here's quite possibly the best TV show intro of all time (those who disagree will be consumed by a Rover).
The entire series seems to be available for free on youtube. Episode 1 and a playlist. (the episodes in that playlist are out of order...or are they?)
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 11:50 AM on December 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
For those who haven't seen it, The Prisoner is an ostentatiously high-concept cold war allegory. Here's quite possibly the best TV show intro of all time (those who disagree will be consumed by a Rover).
The entire series seems to be available for free on youtube. Episode 1 and a playlist. (the episodes in that playlist are out of order...or are they?)
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 11:50 AM on December 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
Now I want to start a secret holiday tradition of going to someone's house for a meal and surreptitiously leaving Cool Whip in their freezer.
That reminds me, I have a friend who is horrified by centaurs. Really hates the concept. I bought a Santaur this year to leave on their tree, but I haven't had a chance yet and time is running out. I need to figure out a reason to drop by the house.
posted by uncleozzy at 11:50 AM on December 11, 2023 [5 favorites]
That reminds me, I have a friend who is horrified by centaurs. Really hates the concept. I bought a Santaur this year to leave on their tree, but I haven't had a chance yet and time is running out. I need to figure out a reason to drop by the house.
posted by uncleozzy at 11:50 AM on December 11, 2023 [5 favorites]
I may have turned against margarine, Miracle Whip, instant mashed potatoes, instant coffee etc. but I prefer Cool Whip over actual whipped cream.
posted by Foosnark at 11:50 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Foosnark at 11:50 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
I likes the Santaur, uncleozzy, but it raises the question as to where one would perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the Santa location or the equine heart location?
posted by effluvia at 11:54 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by effluvia at 11:54 AM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
The propellant for Cool Whip used to be nitrous oxide; probably still is, and that gave it a cachet at some kinds of parties that other dessert topics couldn’t match.
posted by jamjam at 11:56 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by jamjam at 11:56 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
I am so excited to discover there’s a podcast about The Prisoner, which is just so great.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:01 PM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Bella Donna at 12:01 PM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
A friend used to work at the supermarket when we were in high school and apparently keeping people from snorting the whipped cream was part of the job, on par with cleaning up aisles and stocking shelves. Apparently the trick is to not shake the can...
posted by maxwelton at 12:08 PM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by maxwelton at 12:08 PM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Okay, so I just called my mother about the cow's swallop thing and I was roundly and soundly reminded that no, it's not cow's swallop -- it's calf slobber. Which also refers to cows oversalivating to the point of frothiness, and also is the local colloquial term for fluffy white dessert topping, but she insists they weren't saying swallop.
posted by mochapickle at 12:13 PM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by mochapickle at 12:13 PM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
I've been making a poor-man's semifreddo using homemade whipped cream, beaten in a metal bowl with almond extract, till it just starts to form stiff peaks. I then whip in some fresh raspberries, blackberries or both, smashing some of the berries up at the same time, but most left whole. I fold this mixture together with a rubber spatula, scraping down the sides of the bowl to make a single mass of cream in the middle. I do NOT smooth this mass out however, leaving the top with some peaks and swirls.
Next, put the bowl in the freezer, leaving it there for about 15-20 minutes, long enough for the whipped cream to begin to freeze but not long enough to freeze all the way through. (Length of time for this to happen is dependent on amount of whipped cream in the bowl and intensity of the freezer. YMMV) Using a rubber spatula, I break up the cream mass, scraping frozen chunks off the side of the bowl, mixing thes up with the unfrozen cream.
Return the bowl to the freezer once again, leaving it in maybe another 10 minutes or so. What you want is for the whipped cream to be *mostly* all frozen but with some of the cream just cold and stiff, i.e. semifreddo.
Final move: portion out into bowls, folding in a few more of the berries, and serve.
posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 12:15 PM on December 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
Next, put the bowl in the freezer, leaving it there for about 15-20 minutes, long enough for the whipped cream to begin to freeze but not long enough to freeze all the way through. (Length of time for this to happen is dependent on amount of whipped cream in the bowl and intensity of the freezer. YMMV) Using a rubber spatula, I break up the cream mass, scraping frozen chunks off the side of the bowl, mixing thes up with the unfrozen cream.
Return the bowl to the freezer once again, leaving it in maybe another 10 minutes or so. What you want is for the whipped cream to be *mostly* all frozen but with some of the cream just cold and stiff, i.e. semifreddo.
Final move: portion out into bowls, folding in a few more of the berries, and serve.
posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 12:15 PM on December 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
The propellant for Cool Whip used to be nitrous oxide; probably still is, and that gave it a cachet at some kinds of parties that other dessert topics couldn’t match.
NOTE: Cool Whip is the stuff in tubs; Rediwhip is the stuff in cans w/ the nitrous propellant.
All of which reminds me of college and the trips to the local restaurant supply store to buy boxes of NO carts (Kidde Whippet or, later, ISI brand) for my dorm room's dispenser. In the course of one school year, that particular store went from leaving the boxes on the shelf (where we could buy 10-20 at a time) to putting them behind the counter so we had to ask for them, to limiting sales to one box per visit.
posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 12:21 PM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
NOTE: Cool Whip is the stuff in tubs; Rediwhip is the stuff in cans w/ the nitrous propellant.
All of which reminds me of college and the trips to the local restaurant supply store to buy boxes of NO carts (Kidde Whippet or, later, ISI brand) for my dorm room's dispenser. In the course of one school year, that particular store went from leaving the boxes on the shelf (where we could buy 10-20 at a time) to putting them behind the counter so we had to ask for them, to limiting sales to one box per visit.
posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 12:21 PM on December 11, 2023 [3 favorites]
Do I live in some alternate universe where Cool Whip is is a plastic tub and Redi Whip is in a pressurized bottle or is all of this kind of stuff called Cool Whip generally?
I only learned shockingly recently that when people say tupperware they most often don't mean Tupperware. I really thought people must have a lot of extra money to have so much Tupperware and leave it with people or throw it away. I didn't realize it had gotten the Xerox/Kleenex/Band-Aid treatment. When I was a kid Tupperware did not leave the house. We used cheap plastic food containers for that. There was a difference, but then my mom was a prescriptivist English teacher, so words tended to have actual meanings more often than not.
Cool Whip is not food at all but is very tasty and I enjoy it the few times a year I have it. Redi Whip is supposed to be actual cream but I don't like it and it sure doesn't taste like actual whipped cream to me. I have a mixer so it's pretty easy to make actual whipped cream if i want any of these things, though I sure do understand the convenience factor.
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 12:24 PM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
I only learned shockingly recently that when people say tupperware they most often don't mean Tupperware. I really thought people must have a lot of extra money to have so much Tupperware and leave it with people or throw it away. I didn't realize it had gotten the Xerox/Kleenex/Band-Aid treatment. When I was a kid Tupperware did not leave the house. We used cheap plastic food containers for that. There was a difference, but then my mom was a prescriptivist English teacher, so words tended to have actual meanings more often than not.
Cool Whip is not food at all but is very tasty and I enjoy it the few times a year I have it. Redi Whip is supposed to be actual cream but I don't like it and it sure doesn't taste like actual whipped cream to me. I have a mixer so it's pretty easy to make actual whipped cream if i want any of these things, though I sure do understand the convenience factor.
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 12:24 PM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Or what Insert Clever Name Here just said. That'll teach me for not previewing.
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 12:25 PM on December 11, 2023
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 12:25 PM on December 11, 2023
Yeah, growing up in Kansas City, we were a margarine/Cool Whip/Miracle Whip house. But even my mom wouldn't go for instant mashed potatoes...
I don't do mayo-type products, and am butter only now, but I still have occasional thoughts about Cool Whip.
posted by Windopaene at 12:34 PM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
I don't do mayo-type products, and am butter only now, but I still have occasional thoughts about Cool Whip.
posted by Windopaene at 12:34 PM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Instant mashed potatoes are just potato flakes! They are great! You are all missing out!
posted by uncleozzy at 12:38 PM on December 11, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by uncleozzy at 12:38 PM on December 11, 2023 [5 favorites]
I am allergic to Cool Whip.
I'm an executive secretary, and one of my One Weird Tricks to come in under-budget on semi-fancy meeting things is to use Publix for petit fours.
posted by joannemerriam at 12:54 PM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm an executive secretary, and one of my One Weird Tricks to come in under-budget on semi-fancy meeting things is to use Publix for petit fours.
posted by joannemerriam at 12:54 PM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
codswallop
An interesting bit of non-codswallop about codswallop
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:56 PM on December 11, 2023
An interesting bit of non-codswallop about codswallop
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:56 PM on December 11, 2023
The propellant for Cool Whip used to be nitrous oxide; probably still is
I remember a time when most convenience stores wouldn't allow anyone to buy more than one can at a time.
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:56 PM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
I remember a time when most convenience stores wouldn't allow anyone to buy more than one can at a time.
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:56 PM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Where is your grandfather from? My folks are from northwestern Tennessee and it's a thing there, too.
My grandfather was from Oklahoma so it's probably a thing around the South/Ozark areas. Maybe more.
posted by downtohisturtles at 12:59 PM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
My grandfather was from Oklahoma so it's probably a thing around the South/Ozark areas. Maybe more.
posted by downtohisturtles at 12:59 PM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
You can just buy a seltzer bottle and nitrous cartridges and do whippits all you want without the messy cream involvement.
posted by hippybear at 1:06 PM on December 11, 2023
posted by hippybear at 1:06 PM on December 11, 2023
when we buy the whipped cream in a can we get the Gay Lea stuff, which is cream, water, sugar, and a few additives to stabilize the foam ... and nitrous oxide (ingredients page). Gay Lea's dairy-free coconut whipped topping tastes really strongly of coconut, which is unfortunate for people who don't like coconut but otherwise it's pretty good; not gross like Kool Wip or whatever.
posted by seanmpuckett at 1:10 PM on December 11, 2023
posted by seanmpuckett at 1:10 PM on December 11, 2023
I remember when, in the mid 80s, I took a backpacking trip with my college roomate and his friend from Arkansas. We stopped to get supplies, and his friend went to the back, and started sucking the nitrous out of the reddiwhips. Hadn't known that was a thing. Nitrous is the only thing that makes going to the dentist not a nightmare...
But those bastards always start turning it down. "I get it that I have become non-communicative, and this song is rocking my headphones. And now I have to fake pain and even more anxiety to get you to crank it back up? I'm paying $75 for this nitrous, KEEP IT COMING!"
posted by Windopaene at 1:23 PM on December 11, 2023
But those bastards always start turning it down. "I get it that I have become non-communicative, and this song is rocking my headphones. And now I have to fake pain and even more anxiety to get you to crank it back up? I'm paying $75 for this nitrous, KEEP IT COMING!"
posted by Windopaene at 1:23 PM on December 11, 2023
My boss is out of office, the end-of-year sales bullshit is complete, fa la la la la la la la la.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 1:52 PM on December 11, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 1:52 PM on December 11, 2023 [5 favorites]
The week has been interesting.
My wife and I had a long talk and realized that we were in fact feeling better about our relationship, which is good.
I had to practically go into Mortal Kombat with CVS because of how long it took to get some of my HRT (estradiol seems to be hard to get lately), but they finally got it. I'm still hoping that sometime next month I can see an endocrinologist at the Mazzoni Center here in Philadelphia, to help with both diabetes and HRT.
The book continues to be written. I've been writing some parts and redrafting other parts and it keeps getting a bit stronger as I work on it, so that's good.
I keep walking 10K steps a day, and my right knee wants to explode at night, but some voltaren gel and some aleve helps me sleep.
posted by mephron at 2:25 PM on December 11, 2023 [5 favorites]
My wife and I had a long talk and realized that we were in fact feeling better about our relationship, which is good.
I had to practically go into Mortal Kombat with CVS because of how long it took to get some of my HRT (estradiol seems to be hard to get lately), but they finally got it. I'm still hoping that sometime next month I can see an endocrinologist at the Mazzoni Center here in Philadelphia, to help with both diabetes and HRT.
The book continues to be written. I've been writing some parts and redrafting other parts and it keeps getting a bit stronger as I work on it, so that's good.
I keep walking 10K steps a day, and my right knee wants to explode at night, but some voltaren gel and some aleve helps me sleep.
posted by mephron at 2:25 PM on December 11, 2023 [5 favorites]
The only place for Cool Whip is in ambrosia. Otherwise? Big ick.
Melt a big bar of Hershey’s chocolate, stir it into a tub of Cool Whip, dump that mix into a chocolate cookie crust, then sit it in the fridge for a few hours. Or freeze it. That’s an all-american dessert right there.
posted by Thorzdad at 3:03 PM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
Melt a big bar of Hershey’s chocolate, stir it into a tub of Cool Whip, dump that mix into a chocolate cookie crust, then sit it in the fridge for a few hours. Or freeze it. That’s an all-american dessert right there.
posted by Thorzdad at 3:03 PM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
So as I haven't had any gripping, life-threatening conditions for a while to report upon lately, (which is pretty awesome) and post things to get sympathy favorites, not sure I have free-threaded except with jokey comments lately, but...
I post "Blue" comments to Ask quite frequently, and they always get deleted... Sigh.
And I have been playing a Vietnam wargame over email with someone, and Cambodia is a part of what happened. And I am a huge fan of Spalding Gray and Swimming to Cambodia. I am rewatching it currently.
And to make this an ask, I saw him in Seattle in probably 1996, and I cannot find what monologue it is. The day around his town seems like it, but the synopses I see make it seem way happier than I recall this monologue. Maybe that was just my life state being bad, (stillborn child), but I remember his story not ending well. And the day in the life one didn't seem to have a similar downer. Ideas?
AND! As I have been trying to get StC reloaded off archive, (no script said 2 things were blocked but wouldn't show what they were?), found out that Laurie Anderson wrote the soundtrack! Which, even before I knew this fact while watching, thought, "This soundtrack is terrifyingly perfect".
Glad to see "O Superman" becoming a thing on TikTok. Watch Home of the Brave next you young'uns
posted by Windopaene at 4:36 PM on December 11, 2023
I post "Blue" comments to Ask quite frequently, and they always get deleted... Sigh.
And I have been playing a Vietnam wargame over email with someone, and Cambodia is a part of what happened. And I am a huge fan of Spalding Gray and Swimming to Cambodia. I am rewatching it currently.
And to make this an ask, I saw him in Seattle in probably 1996, and I cannot find what monologue it is. The day around his town seems like it, but the synopses I see make it seem way happier than I recall this monologue. Maybe that was just my life state being bad, (stillborn child), but I remember his story not ending well. And the day in the life one didn't seem to have a similar downer. Ideas?
AND! As I have been trying to get StC reloaded off archive, (no script said 2 things were blocked but wouldn't show what they were?), found out that Laurie Anderson wrote the soundtrack! Which, even before I knew this fact while watching, thought, "This soundtrack is terrifyingly perfect".
Glad to see "O Superman" becoming a thing on TikTok. Watch Home of the Brave next you young'uns
posted by Windopaene at 4:36 PM on December 11, 2023
I have been given an Official Deadline of January 15 to ah...medically make my case at work, as it were. Well, let's hope. I have one or two Things on my record now, I'm not sure if that counts as "enough" but since I have to wait till the end of the month for confirmation anyway, hopefully something's officially and officially done by then.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:41 PM on December 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:41 PM on December 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
Was making mille-feuille and for some reason I got a tub of cool whip instead of whipping cream or heavy cream. The stuff's ok in my book.
posted by porpoise at 5:18 PM on December 11, 2023
posted by porpoise at 5:18 PM on December 11, 2023
I'm currently reading The House of Rumour by Jake Arnott. It reminded me that a book was published years ago called Secret Agent 666 which claimed Aleister Crowley was an agent for British Intelligence during the war. (Arnott's book features many historical figures along with non-famous characters.)
So, Metafilter, what do we think? Is it plausible that Crowley really worked for British Intelligence?
posted by wittgenstein at 5:41 PM on December 11, 2023
So, Metafilter, what do we think? Is it plausible that Crowley really worked for British Intelligence?
posted by wittgenstein at 5:41 PM on December 11, 2023
I'm reading "Exadelic" on a recommendation from I don't remember who, and I'm vexed by it because I just don't like the writing very much at all, which is not a great feature for a novel! but am still curious where the story is going and giving it some extra slack because it was a recommendation. It reminds me in its clumsy characterization and narrative voice of Andy Weir—The Martian is a good yarn, Artemis was at times a good yarn, but woof the ham-handed style of it all just feels very reach-exceeding-grasp in terms of writerly chops. Will see if it ends up feeling worth it.
Glad to see "O Superman" becoming a thing on TikTok.
It has been a delightful development. The kids are alright.
posted by cortex at 5:44 PM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Glad to see "O Superman" becoming a thing on TikTok.
It has been a delightful development. The kids are alright.
posted by cortex at 5:44 PM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Given that TikTok has yielded chart-topping hits, I would entirely ADORE if Laurie were suddenly atop Billboard. What a late-in-life moment that would be for her!
posted by hippybear at 6:03 PM on December 11, 2023
posted by hippybear at 6:03 PM on December 11, 2023
My very frugal mother frequently reused cool whip containers as food storage. So, growing up, our fridge would often have multiple containers of cool whip inside, but when you opened one, it would be full of like mashed potatoes or leftover taco meat. Or, very rarely…cool whip!
posted by bitbotbit at 6:15 PM on December 11, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by bitbotbit at 6:15 PM on December 11, 2023 [5 favorites]
"Ok kids, tonight's dinner is Mystery Mix'n'Match - you open it, whatever it is we eat it!"
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:19 PM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Greg_Ace at 6:19 PM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
One thing about the old Cool Whip containers was that they didn't have printed lids, but rather had a circle of cardboard that was held in place with little plastic tabs. This meant that it was easy to have those plastic containers but not have the branding attached. I appreciated that when growing up.
posted by hippybear at 6:20 PM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 6:20 PM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Honorable Eldest Offspring has her official birthday in a few hours. Seems like yesterday.
Instead, she's at work today and doing a few things with her boyfriend this evening. Messages were exchanged and a request was made for "time, not presents," which is good. We will probably get together for a meal this week on her day off.
I checked in the fridge. There is no Cool Whip. There was vanilla ice cream in the freezer yesterday, but that was consumed with some other toppings.
I reserve the right to enjoy fudgesicles, snow ice cream, and any other frozen desserts.
And the enjoyment of holiday lights continues. The sweet husband and I drove through the swanky part of town that was renowned for its fantastic seasonal displays back when the kids were little.
There was a time when drivers circled past the entrances, waiting in line to pull in... turn off their headlights... and follow the other vehicles as they cruised past the awesome decorations.
There were multiple neighborhoods that did this nearby. Prizes were awarded. It made the local news each December.
And the homeowners were somewhat tolerant of the convoy of cars that arrived each night through New Years Day to share in the holiday spirit.
It's been years since we checked out their community Christmas extravaganza.
It was so meh.
What happened? I saw a few people putting up their decorations at dusk, but the wild blankets of colored lights draped over every vertical surface were gone.
So tame. So sedate. Dare I say it -- so old-fashioned.
And then we went home and watched a program on cable about families across the United States competing for the most blingtastic, over-the-top displays of seasonal excess as can be had with a credit card and an enormous power supply.
It made my wizened Grinch heart grow three sizes that day.
Happy Holidays, one and all.
posted by TrishaU at 6:22 PM on December 11, 2023 [5 favorites]
Instead, she's at work today and doing a few things with her boyfriend this evening. Messages were exchanged and a request was made for "time, not presents," which is good. We will probably get together for a meal this week on her day off.
I checked in the fridge. There is no Cool Whip. There was vanilla ice cream in the freezer yesterday, but that was consumed with some other toppings.
I reserve the right to enjoy fudgesicles, snow ice cream, and any other frozen desserts.
And the enjoyment of holiday lights continues. The sweet husband and I drove through the swanky part of town that was renowned for its fantastic seasonal displays back when the kids were little.
There was a time when drivers circled past the entrances, waiting in line to pull in... turn off their headlights... and follow the other vehicles as they cruised past the awesome decorations.
There were multiple neighborhoods that did this nearby. Prizes were awarded. It made the local news each December.
And the homeowners were somewhat tolerant of the convoy of cars that arrived each night through New Years Day to share in the holiday spirit.
It's been years since we checked out their community Christmas extravaganza.
It was so meh.
What happened? I saw a few people putting up their decorations at dusk, but the wild blankets of colored lights draped over every vertical surface were gone.
So tame. So sedate. Dare I say it -- so old-fashioned.
And then we went home and watched a program on cable about families across the United States competing for the most blingtastic, over-the-top displays of seasonal excess as can be had with a credit card and an enormous power supply.
It made my wizened Grinch heart grow three sizes that day.
Happy Holidays, one and all.
posted by TrishaU at 6:22 PM on December 11, 2023 [5 favorites]
I got to see metafilter user Cold Chef yesterday when he eulogized his best friend, my nephew. Can you imagine giving the eulogy for your best friend? (Perhaps you have done that.) Cold Chef told me before the service that he had talked to Jessamyn who had told him "You've been training for this your whole life". He spoke for about 30 minutes; he was funny and warm and gave a marvelous tribute to the deceased with many stories that I hadn't known.
It says a lot about my nephew that the memorial was attended by all of his aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. And many more extended family members and a couple of hundred friends.
As for me, the death hasn't sunk in yet.
posted by neuron at 6:34 PM on December 11, 2023 [28 favorites]
It says a lot about my nephew that the memorial was attended by all of his aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. And many more extended family members and a couple of hundred friends.
As for me, the death hasn't sunk in yet.
posted by neuron at 6:34 PM on December 11, 2023 [28 favorites]
American Treasure "Cold Chef" you mean.
Sorry for your loss neuron.
.
posted by Windopaene at 7:38 PM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
Sorry for your loss neuron.
.
posted by Windopaene at 7:38 PM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]
neuron, my sympathies, and gentle best wishes for lots of gentle time. I have given the eulogy for my best friend, and I made people I didn't know laugh and hopefully have a glimpse of how wonderful that person was for me, and I didn't cry my face apart, so it went as well as I could hope. This is the first year in 5 years that I haven't automatically thought "On this day..." so, thank you, gentle time.
We got some lights up on our front porch today, the ambition to outline the house roof was quashed by the reality of annoying indestructible whatever bushes in front of the bay window. But my carpal tunnel/nerve crap is easing up, so the rainbow tree will go up in the window and our block is that much more festive.
LOL Cool Whip, LUXURY! Dream whip, now, that is some vile shit I tell you what. Especially when it's mixed with hard old leftover rice and described as "rice pudding" and we shall not even mention what the raisins were like.
posted by winesong at 7:48 PM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
We got some lights up on our front porch today, the ambition to outline the house roof was quashed by the reality of annoying indestructible whatever bushes in front of the bay window. But my carpal tunnel/nerve crap is easing up, so the rainbow tree will go up in the window and our block is that much more festive.
LOL Cool Whip, LUXURY! Dream whip, now, that is some vile shit I tell you what. Especially when it's mixed with hard old leftover rice and described as "rice pudding" and we shall not even mention what the raisins were like.
posted by winesong at 7:48 PM on December 11, 2023 [4 favorites]
neuron and Cold Chef, my condolences for what they are worth.
In a series of jumbled and horrifying events, I lost a dear friend this weekend and (possibly as a result? Or a coincidence?) broke through what I now realize was a depressive episode that has marked the past seven? Ten? Twenty? years of my life. It feels strange to schedule an emergency therapy session due to abruptly wanting to live? Hello doctor, please help, I'm okay!"
(I mean I'm not "okay," I'm sobbing in grief and joy and bewilderment every six minutes, but at the same time I am very much wanting to be alive. While this is very unsettling to me, it typically does not constitute an emergency.)
So anyway, I've got that going for me.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 7:58 PM on December 11, 2023 [21 favorites]
In a series of jumbled and horrifying events, I lost a dear friend this weekend and (possibly as a result? Or a coincidence?) broke through what I now realize was a depressive episode that has marked the past seven? Ten? Twenty? years of my life. It feels strange to schedule an emergency therapy session due to abruptly wanting to live? Hello doctor, please help, I'm okay!"
(I mean I'm not "okay," I'm sobbing in grief and joy and bewilderment every six minutes, but at the same time I am very much wanting to be alive. While this is very unsettling to me, it typically does not constitute an emergency.)
So anyway, I've got that going for me.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 7:58 PM on December 11, 2023 [21 favorites]
. We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese
Living seems to be keep being pretty cool tho...l
posted by Windopaene at 8:13 PM on December 11, 2023
Living seems to be keep being pretty cool tho...l
posted by Windopaene at 8:13 PM on December 11, 2023
First and foremost, as always, my sympathy to hearts that grieve and best wishes for love and peace to those who struggle with THE WEIGHT.
In my own struggle with THE WEIGHT, the tiniest of tiny victories today. I finally got tomato soup and I baked a loaf of bread last night so I had soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. I toasted the bread in the toaster, then spread a mixture of softened butter and mayo on the outsides and put the good Boar's Head cheese in the middle. It was good.
posted by ob1quixote at 8:39 PM on December 11, 2023 [5 favorites]
In my own struggle with THE WEIGHT, the tiniest of tiny victories today. I finally got tomato soup and I baked a loaf of bread last night so I had soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. I toasted the bread in the toaster, then spread a mixture of softened butter and mayo on the outsides and put the good Boar's Head cheese in the middle. It was good.
posted by ob1quixote at 8:39 PM on December 11, 2023 [5 favorites]
So, mini marshmallows.
Not the white ones. Not the dehydrated ones you might find in a hot chocolate packet.
Those colored ones? That might vaguely be different flavors, but mostly you want them because they're different colors?
They've gone away this holiday season.
I bought a couple of packets off of Amazon after visiting every grocery store in my town and three larger grocery stores in the Big City Near Us. The recipe I want to make is one that literally makes no sense if you don't use colored marshmallows, so after all my in-person seeking my choice was order online or not make the thing. And I will say... there was EXACTLY ONE SELLER who had the things, and they were only offering them as a two-bag purchase per buyer.
So the supply chain remains broken even all these years "post-covid".
Anyway, they will arrive tomorrow, and I have a small circle of neighbors I'm striving to build community with which is weird in this college town.
I'll post the recipe later. My mom photographed the card instead of typing it in, so let me deal with that transcription process.
Although really, even if I do post it here, if those marshmallows are in short supply it'll not be useful for this holiday season.
posted by hippybear at 8:50 PM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Not the white ones. Not the dehydrated ones you might find in a hot chocolate packet.
Those colored ones? That might vaguely be different flavors, but mostly you want them because they're different colors?
They've gone away this holiday season.
I bought a couple of packets off of Amazon after visiting every grocery store in my town and three larger grocery stores in the Big City Near Us. The recipe I want to make is one that literally makes no sense if you don't use colored marshmallows, so after all my in-person seeking my choice was order online or not make the thing. And I will say... there was EXACTLY ONE SELLER who had the things, and they were only offering them as a two-bag purchase per buyer.
So the supply chain remains broken even all these years "post-covid".
Anyway, they will arrive tomorrow, and I have a small circle of neighbors I'm striving to build community with which is weird in this college town.
I'll post the recipe later. My mom photographed the card instead of typing it in, so let me deal with that transcription process.
Although really, even if I do post it here, if those marshmallows are in short supply it'll not be useful for this holiday season.
posted by hippybear at 8:50 PM on December 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
Recipe: Cathedral Window Candy Cookies
Use EXTREMELY low heat.
1. Melt 12 oz pkg chocolate chips
2. Stir in 2 lightly beaten eggs and cook over low heat until smooth.
3. Set aside to cool. [Ed note: I had a conversation with my mother yesterday, where I was complaining about how I couldn't find the marshmallows needed, where she said "one big problem is people don't let it cool enough, and the marshmallows go in and then disappear". Just sharing that sudden tip that she'd never told me before literally yesterday.]
4. Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla when cool
5. Stri in 1 pkg miniature colored marshmallows and 1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans
6. Shape into 3 or 4 rolls.
7. Cost with confectioner's sugar or coconut, either optional, roll up into wax paper
8. Chill overnight. Slice into 1/4" slices.
Colored marshmallows bound together with thin layers of chocolate and some pecans here and there. They look like little slices of stained glass.
posted by hippybear at 8:59 PM on December 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
Use EXTREMELY low heat.
1. Melt 12 oz pkg chocolate chips
2. Stir in 2 lightly beaten eggs and cook over low heat until smooth.
3. Set aside to cool. [Ed note: I had a conversation with my mother yesterday, where I was complaining about how I couldn't find the marshmallows needed, where she said "one big problem is people don't let it cool enough, and the marshmallows go in and then disappear". Just sharing that sudden tip that she'd never told me before literally yesterday.]
4. Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla when cool
5. Stri in 1 pkg miniature colored marshmallows and 1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans
6. Shape into 3 or 4 rolls.
7. Cost with confectioner's sugar or coconut, either optional, roll up into wax paper
8. Chill overnight. Slice into 1/4" slices.
Colored marshmallows bound together with thin layers of chocolate and some pecans here and there. They look like little slices of stained glass.
posted by hippybear at 8:59 PM on December 11, 2023 [6 favorites]
LOL Cool Whip, LUXURY! Dream whip, now, that is some vile shit I tell you what.
Aside from my partner's family I did not even know anyone knew Dream Whip existed. There is a box in our pantry right now. Only available to purchase in quantities of two and it's a nostalgic thing for my partner that gets made on Thanksgiving. Not sure about vile (I've never eaten the dessert with which it is a NECESSARY ingredient), but only WalMart and Amazon sold it, so I'm pretty sure it's evil, at the very least.
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 6:05 AM on December 12, 2023
Aside from my partner's family I did not even know anyone knew Dream Whip existed. There is a box in our pantry right now. Only available to purchase in quantities of two and it's a nostalgic thing for my partner that gets made on Thanksgiving. Not sure about vile (I've never eaten the dessert with which it is a NECESSARY ingredient), but only WalMart and Amazon sold it, so I'm pretty sure it's evil, at the very least.
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 6:05 AM on December 12, 2023
I'm not Jewish, but I love my mezuzah (Sally Quinn, WaPo, gift link). This made me want to get one immediately., and also it's a very touching article.
I note I have a similar "protect the house" object in my place--it's a dragon paper by the door--and so far, nobody's broken in. (I could probably use one for my patio, which did have everything stolen off of it, but I don't know how you'd use it there.)
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:30 AM on December 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
I note I have a similar "protect the house" object in my place--it's a dragon paper by the door--and so far, nobody's broken in. (I could probably use one for my patio, which did have everything stolen off of it, but I don't know how you'd use it there.)
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:30 AM on December 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
I just can't stop making stupid mistakes and forgetting at work and they are writing down every little one for firing me :( I just fucked up AGAIN and I can't stop fucking up.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:53 AM on December 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:53 AM on December 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
Deep breath, friend. Make it through the day, then make it through the week. You can do this.
I had a manager who was dead set on firing me and I kept making mistakes, just a snowballing series of stupid little mistakes, all because I was so stressed out. It's the worst, and I'm sorry. And I know you're dealing with health stuff, which makes everything harder. The one thing that helped was finding some kind of win for myself at the end of the day. I paid a bill on time, or wiped down the doorframe, or helped a friend. Somehow that seemed to balance out the universe a little.
posted by mochapickle at 9:06 AM on December 12, 2023 [5 favorites]
I had a manager who was dead set on firing me and I kept making mistakes, just a snowballing series of stupid little mistakes, all because I was so stressed out. It's the worst, and I'm sorry. And I know you're dealing with health stuff, which makes everything harder. The one thing that helped was finding some kind of win for myself at the end of the day. I paid a bill on time, or wiped down the doorframe, or helped a friend. Somehow that seemed to balance out the universe a little.
posted by mochapickle at 9:06 AM on December 12, 2023 [5 favorites]
I'm not Jewish, but I love my mezuzah (Sally Quinn, WaPo, gift link). This made me want to get one immediately., and also it's a very touching article.
Somehow, even though I have never lived in particularly heavily Jewish neighborhoods, every apartment I've ever lived in has had a mezuzah already. Sometimes on the front door, sometimes on the back, sometimes just on one bedroom. Those are the most touching, to me--leaving me to ponder a roommate, a boarder, what have you, carving out their sacred space in a shared house. In my current apartment there is one on the back door, and it's been painted over once or twice at this point, presumably by workers who didn't know what it was about.
Being what my grandfather would call "Jewishish" (as in, the bloodline is Jewish but it's been at least 4 generations since any of us in the US practiced) I always delight in finding them. This year, I bought a little cottage for my mother to retire in. (Sight unseen, long long story.) It was some months before I was able to visit the house, but when I finally arrived the first thing I saw? A little mezuzah on her front door. I'm not a spiritual person but I'm not going to lie, it felt like Some Kind of Thing.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 9:48 AM on December 12, 2023 [5 favorites]
Somehow, even though I have never lived in particularly heavily Jewish neighborhoods, every apartment I've ever lived in has had a mezuzah already. Sometimes on the front door, sometimes on the back, sometimes just on one bedroom. Those are the most touching, to me--leaving me to ponder a roommate, a boarder, what have you, carving out their sacred space in a shared house. In my current apartment there is one on the back door, and it's been painted over once or twice at this point, presumably by workers who didn't know what it was about.
Being what my grandfather would call "Jewishish" (as in, the bloodline is Jewish but it's been at least 4 generations since any of us in the US practiced) I always delight in finding them. This year, I bought a little cottage for my mother to retire in. (Sight unseen, long long story.) It was some months before I was able to visit the house, but when I finally arrived the first thing I saw? A little mezuzah on her front door. I'm not a spiritual person but I'm not going to lie, it felt like Some Kind of Thing.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 9:48 AM on December 12, 2023 [5 favorites]
A friend of my partner used to make marshmallows from the actual marsh mallow plant according to an old family recipe and give us a small raft of them every late Fall.
They were just so different in texture and flavor from the gelatin substitutes that they defeat my ability to describe them. We weren’t big chocolate drinkers, but we had hot chocolate every ten days or so until the marshmallows were gone.
posted by jamjam at 10:41 AM on December 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
They were just so different in texture and flavor from the gelatin substitutes that they defeat my ability to describe them. We weren’t big chocolate drinkers, but we had hot chocolate every ten days or so until the marshmallows were gone.
posted by jamjam at 10:41 AM on December 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
I volunteered this weekend, and my partner and I had to do a child transport for two young siblings. The transport was in-city, but partway through it turned out we might have to leave Seattle and go to the Eastside. We had to get permission from our supervisor, and then my partner and I have to agree we're comfortable with it. So supervisor gives us permission, and I asked my partner "are you comfortable going to the Eastside?" And she said "yes, I am". I said "I am, too".
Then from the child seat in the back, a tiny, four-year old voice says "me too!"
My heart melted.
posted by Gorgik at 11:01 AM on December 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
Then from the child seat in the back, a tiny, four-year old voice says "me too!"
My heart melted.
posted by Gorgik at 11:01 AM on December 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
I'm not Jewish, but I love my mezuzah
I tried to find the thread, but I'm a member of some "I own an old house" groups on Facebook, and one had a thread which started with "I just bought a house, what's this weird thing by my door", and (counter to most internet discussions) turned into a very thoughtful and nuanced conversation about whether it's OK for someone outside of the Jewish faith to have a mezuzah. There were some 'no' answers, some who got technical to where it's only OK if the prayers aren't still in it, but for the most part the Jewish community was very open and welcoming to the idea that anyone who wants a mezuzah can have one.
posted by AzraelBrown at 11:24 AM on December 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
I tried to find the thread, but I'm a member of some "I own an old house" groups on Facebook, and one had a thread which started with "I just bought a house, what's this weird thing by my door", and (counter to most internet discussions) turned into a very thoughtful and nuanced conversation about whether it's OK for someone outside of the Jewish faith to have a mezuzah. There were some 'no' answers, some who got technical to where it's only OK if the prayers aren't still in it, but for the most part the Jewish community was very open and welcoming to the idea that anyone who wants a mezuzah can have one.
posted by AzraelBrown at 11:24 AM on December 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
Deep breath, friend. Make it through the day, then make it through the week. You can do this.
Well, I had a pre-screening appointment right after fucking up hugely at work--I fucked up EVEN MORE, even BIGGER, literally could not remember things I've done for years, and my teammate tattled on me--cried hysterically, and now I'm on psychiatric medical leave again at least for the rest of the week while they set me up with a virtual treatment program for the next two weeks that will also get me out of work. If you talk to these people while crying, they will move heaven and earth to get you talking to a psychiatrist in a few days, y'all.
I mentioned the friend who had a suicidal breakdown after I wasn't doing well? Well, guess what, friend wanted to go back to karaoke tonight and now I can't go because I can't be around her while unhappy. Grr, but there it is.
I did pay bills and do the dishes, at least.
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:13 PM on December 12, 2023 [9 favorites]
Well, I had a pre-screening appointment right after fucking up hugely at work--I fucked up EVEN MORE, even BIGGER, literally could not remember things I've done for years, and my teammate tattled on me--cried hysterically, and now I'm on psychiatric medical leave again at least for the rest of the week while they set me up with a virtual treatment program for the next two weeks that will also get me out of work. If you talk to these people while crying, they will move heaven and earth to get you talking to a psychiatrist in a few days, y'all.
I mentioned the friend who had a suicidal breakdown after I wasn't doing well? Well, guess what, friend wanted to go back to karaoke tonight and now I can't go because I can't be around her while unhappy. Grr, but there it is.
I did pay bills and do the dishes, at least.
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:13 PM on December 12, 2023 [9 favorites]
I am still here and keeping on keeping on. Things they didn't tell me about cancer: all the HOMEWORK. Between appointments and managing appointments and filling out questionnaires, it's a part-time job!
After a bunch of negotiation I have surgery in mid-January & 70% chance that will solve everything, unless we find out something unexpected on one of these tests between now and then.
posted by gentlyepigrams at 7:44 PM on December 12, 2023 [9 favorites]
After a bunch of negotiation I have surgery in mid-January & 70% chance that will solve everything, unless we find out something unexpected on one of these tests between now and then.
posted by gentlyepigrams at 7:44 PM on December 12, 2023 [9 favorites]
jenfullmoon: Yes, if you present as an adult having a full-on emotional breakdown they will pay attention. If you try to be an adult trying to handle your situation in an adult way like adults do, you get shuttled backward or ignored or anything but actually paid attention to. I've found this out myself.
I really need to get medical things rolling forward for myself in a serious way but I'm so loathe to deal with the process. I need to overcome that unwillingness for myself and deal with the grind and maybe work myself up into a breakdown if that's what it will take.
gentlyepigrams: After a bunch of negotiation I have surgery in mid-January & 70% chance that will solve everything
That... sounds like it could be amazing. I'm personally rooting for this to happen for you and then you're done.
posted by hippybear at 7:53 PM on December 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
I really need to get medical things rolling forward for myself in a serious way but I'm so loathe to deal with the process. I need to overcome that unwillingness for myself and deal with the grind and maybe work myself up into a breakdown if that's what it will take.
gentlyepigrams: After a bunch of negotiation I have surgery in mid-January & 70% chance that will solve everything
That... sounds like it could be amazing. I'm personally rooting for this to happen for you and then you're done.
posted by hippybear at 7:53 PM on December 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
I have a guy friend who has also been having health problems and a psych breakdown this fall. Worse than me. Told him about today snd he was all, maybe I should have cried in the hospital instead of trying not to, and trying to be nice to the nurses because other patients were hitting them up for hard drugs and he barely asked for Tylenol. I said yeah, crying Gets Results, while patiently waiting for 3+ weeks for a callback did not.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:12 PM on December 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:12 PM on December 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
Beef Lips and Butthead.
posted by y2karl at 10:26 PM on December 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by y2karl at 10:26 PM on December 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
I got good news. I had my tumor tested with the Breast Cancer Index and my probability of reoccurrence is low, so I can go off the hormonal treatment instead of staying on until 10 years. Now if my period comes back, I'm going to be majorly pissed.
posted by kathrynm at 11:52 AM on December 13, 2023 [9 favorites]
posted by kathrynm at 11:52 AM on December 13, 2023 [9 favorites]
Hope you feel better, jenfullmoon. ~~~positive vibes sent~~~
I believe I had a couple (possibly gross!) Cool Whip Weight Watchers recipes many years back. One was pumpkin spice something or other.
Well. My sweet but grumpy, vexing, stoic and often silly Dexter dog [YT slideshow] passed very unexpectedly overnight at the emergency vet last week. He had a few years of respiratory issues, but I had no reason to believe I wouldn't be collecting him the next day after a cardiologist appt. He was only 9, my little shadow. The very worst part is that he was with strangers at the end, and all he ever wanted was to be with me. But he got to come to work every day the last couple years along with his fluffy bro, and I think he had a good life.
My year-end bonus went to the emergency vet. I was lucky to have that! But what an absolute bummer on top of losing my friend. Dangit.
posted by Glinn at 1:20 PM on December 13, 2023 [16 favorites]
I believe I had a couple (possibly gross!) Cool Whip Weight Watchers recipes many years back. One was pumpkin spice something or other.
Well. My sweet but grumpy, vexing, stoic and often silly Dexter dog [YT slideshow] passed very unexpectedly overnight at the emergency vet last week. He had a few years of respiratory issues, but I had no reason to believe I wouldn't be collecting him the next day after a cardiologist appt. He was only 9, my little shadow. The very worst part is that he was with strangers at the end, and all he ever wanted was to be with me. But he got to come to work every day the last couple years along with his fluffy bro, and I think he had a good life.
My year-end bonus went to the emergency vet. I was lucky to have that! But what an absolute bummer on top of losing my friend. Dangit.
posted by Glinn at 1:20 PM on December 13, 2023 [16 favorites]
Glinn, I'm so sorry for your loss.
posted by luckynerd at 1:27 PM on December 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by luckynerd at 1:27 PM on December 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
Came in here to say: Looks like I'm in my annual "being-triggered-over-something-random-and-breaking-down-because-I-miss-my-dead-husband" phase. The problem with some triggers is that you forget they exist until they slam into you without warning.
I've done my usual things--taking time for self-care (read: smoking weed and sleeping in) and I'm trying to put in almost a full day at work. I'm ever so grateful that I'm salaried and work for a reasonable man.
I also realized that I'm waaaaayyy sensitive to people yelling when I'm in this state.
posted by luckynerd at 1:33 PM on December 13, 2023 [11 favorites]
I've done my usual things--taking time for self-care (read: smoking weed and sleeping in) and I'm trying to put in almost a full day at work. I'm ever so grateful that I'm salaried and work for a reasonable man.
I also realized that I'm waaaaayyy sensitive to people yelling when I'm in this state.
posted by luckynerd at 1:33 PM on December 13, 2023 [11 favorites]
That really sucks, luckynerd. I hope you find some peace or support. Or both.
posted by Glinn at 4:40 PM on December 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Glinn at 4:40 PM on December 13, 2023 [3 favorites]
The new Chrome update is pissing me off because I am old and don't like pointless change.
The new fonts are making me need to wear reading glasses with my laptop which I have never needed before except for when using photo editing software. Moving the tab search from the right side to left led to me think it was missing for the first half day (it was a nightmare like thinking you had lost a limb).
For love of dog these big companies need start forcing devs to use older hardware with smaller screens and have some testers who are not young!
posted by srboisvert at 4:08 AM on December 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
The new fonts are making me need to wear reading glasses with my laptop which I have never needed before except for when using photo editing software. Moving the tab search from the right side to left led to me think it was missing for the first half day (it was a nightmare like thinking you had lost a limb).
For love of dog these big companies need start forcing devs to use older hardware with smaller screens and have some testers who are not young!
posted by srboisvert at 4:08 AM on December 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
jenfullmoon and luckynerd and everyone else who is having the December What More Can I Take, I Didn't Sign Up For This Blues, I will appeal for you to get the help you need to keep at least your heads above water.
My wife just got some medical tests back and she need to do a lot of changes to her diet and exercise and medication schedule, so that made this week drop down the suck scale a lot.
posted by mephron at 8:07 AM on December 14, 2023 [4 favorites]
My wife just got some medical tests back and she need to do a lot of changes to her diet and exercise and medication schedule, so that made this week drop down the suck scale a lot.
posted by mephron at 8:07 AM on December 14, 2023 [4 favorites]
Glinn, your video for sweet Dexter has me crying. He's so lovely. You gave him such a wonderful life.
posted by mochapickle at 9:12 AM on December 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by mochapickle at 9:12 AM on December 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
Annie Lennox getting her Christmas on?
Sweet trees are decked with these
Who am I to disagree
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:19 AM on December 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
Sweet trees are decked with these
Who am I to disagree
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:19 AM on December 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
Apple TV+ has picked up Murderbot.
posted by seanmpuckett at 3:18 PM on December 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 3:18 PM on December 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
I do have to say TV+ seems to really be doing series for reasons different from other "networks". They just gave Foundation a third series, which is a thing that I don't think ANY other service would have done given its numbers.
So if they've picked up Murderbot... maybe they'll do it right and support it to the end.
posted by hippybear at 3:22 PM on December 14, 2023
So if they've picked up Murderbot... maybe they'll do it right and support it to the end.
posted by hippybear at 3:22 PM on December 14, 2023
Cool Whip aficionados, look up peanut butter pie.
Obviously you perform CPR on the human heart location of a centaur, you couldn't flex the ribs enough on the horse one and the risk of getting kicked in the face is much higher.
A grad student I worked with just defended and I hope she's not getting ravaged by her committee right now. Maybe just enough ravagement to put her off doing a PhD.
posted by momus_window at 4:08 PM on December 14, 2023
Obviously you perform CPR on the human heart location of a centaur, you couldn't flex the ribs enough on the horse one and the risk of getting kicked in the face is much higher.
A grad student I worked with just defended and I hope she's not getting ravaged by her committee right now. Maybe just enough ravagement to put her off doing a PhD.
posted by momus_window at 4:08 PM on December 14, 2023
What food do centaurs eat, and in what quantities? Do they eat human food, only enough of that to sustain an additional 600 lbs of horse body? Or do they consume horse food, obviously through the human mouth as it's the one they have? How much do horses eat every day anyway?
And this doesn't even get into questions of exactly how digestion works.
posted by hippybear at 4:26 PM on December 14, 2023
And this doesn't even get into questions of exactly how digestion works.
posted by hippybear at 4:26 PM on December 14, 2023
Santaur eats oat cookies, obvs. Millions in one night.
posted by uncleozzy at 5:15 PM on December 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by uncleozzy at 5:15 PM on December 14, 2023 [2 favorites]
"Uncle David said he saw something fly out of the, um, back end of the Christmas Turkey"
"Yeah, sure he did. Has Dave been at the sherry trifle a little too enthusiastically again?"
"Uhhhhh..."
posted by Wordshore at 9:15 AM on December 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
"Yeah, sure he did. Has Dave been at the sherry trifle a little too enthusiastically again?"
"Uhhhhh..."
posted by Wordshore at 9:15 AM on December 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
I am coming in just to lodge a complaint about something -
Yesterday I was diagnosed with pinkeye (first time ever). I was given some medicated eyedrops to treat myself with, and there is already improvement.
However - I also have a long and deep-seated body-horror trigger of anything involving eyes. Like, I literally can't even watch someone take out contact lenses without getting freaked out. So right now, the biggest problem with the pinkeye is trying to overcome the psychological trauma of having to INTENTIONALLY DROP FLUID into my own eyes EVERY TWO HOURS.
gah
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:32 PM on December 15, 2023 [2 favorites]
Yesterday I was diagnosed with pinkeye (first time ever). I was given some medicated eyedrops to treat myself with, and there is already improvement.
However - I also have a long and deep-seated body-horror trigger of anything involving eyes. Like, I literally can't even watch someone take out contact lenses without getting freaked out. So right now, the biggest problem with the pinkeye is trying to overcome the psychological trauma of having to INTENTIONALLY DROP FLUID into my own eyes EVERY TWO HOURS.
gah
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:32 PM on December 15, 2023 [2 favorites]
I've had pinkeye and I am also eye-squeamish, I hear you on that :/
jenfullmoon and luckynerd and everyone else who is having the December What More Can I Take, I Didn't Sign Up For This Blues, I will appeal for you to get the help you need to keep at least your heads above water.
Well, that has happened today! I talked to a lovely temporary psychiatrist who prescribed me sleeping meds that actually work/aren't addictive that I will pick up later today, AND he said he'd sign off on my work paperwork, AND while so far none of the doctors I've talked to this week will officially confirm my likely diagnosis of what I put in to be diagnosed with until next week's appointment, it sounds...pretty likely :)
So...this firing nightmare may be postponed after all! There is legit hope!
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:09 PM on December 15, 2023 [8 favorites]
jenfullmoon and luckynerd and everyone else who is having the December What More Can I Take, I Didn't Sign Up For This Blues, I will appeal for you to get the help you need to keep at least your heads above water.
Well, that has happened today! I talked to a lovely temporary psychiatrist who prescribed me sleeping meds that actually work/aren't addictive that I will pick up later today, AND he said he'd sign off on my work paperwork, AND while so far none of the doctors I've talked to this week will officially confirm my likely diagnosis of what I put in to be diagnosed with until next week's appointment, it sounds...pretty likely :)
So...this firing nightmare may be postponed after all! There is legit hope!
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:09 PM on December 15, 2023 [8 favorites]
My friend is ?maybe missing? She was a no show for 2 shifts at work, didn't even call out. Has barely been responding to texts, and her replies don't make a lot of sense. Mostly phone calls go straight to voicemail, occasionally the phone is answered but she doesn't say anything, just background noises. This is all very much not like her. She's supposedly coming to work today, I guess I'll know more in 4 1/2 hours. I'm worried and stressed, and honestly will be kind of upset with her if she just comes back like everything is normal.
posted by dorey_oh at 2:11 PM on December 16, 2023
posted by dorey_oh at 2:11 PM on December 16, 2023
Is this a friend that you know well enough to swing by their residence between now and the beginning of the work shift? See if maybe they need help getting themselves together because they've missed shifts, just a friend stopping by to help out/wellness check?
posted by hippybear at 2:45 PM on December 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by hippybear at 2:45 PM on December 16, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm at work now, she covers the shift after me. And I don't know her address, although another coworker has it. If she doesn't show tonight I think things are going to escalate from the management side, police report maybe. I'm still hoping she just has a bizarre story to share, but I'm on edge right now.
posted by dorey_oh at 4:04 PM on December 16, 2023
posted by dorey_oh at 4:04 PM on December 16, 2023
Well, my friend showed up to work, acting like everything is normal, not that she had everyone worried for 2 days. I dunno. Glad she's ok, I'll sleep better tonight!
posted by dorey_oh at 7:59 PM on December 16, 2023 [8 favorites]
posted by dorey_oh at 7:59 PM on December 16, 2023 [8 favorites]
I am so glad that your friend showed up and I’m also glad that you were worried about your friend. It’s important to look out for one another even if sometimes we feel like some folks don’t deserve it. There may be a good story behind her absence. In any case, I was touched by your concern. You’re a good friend, dorey oh!
posted by Bella Donna at 11:51 AM on December 17, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Bella Donna at 11:51 AM on December 17, 2023 [5 favorites]
I've decided to continue making batches of NYT cinnamon rolls, and the process is becoming less intimidating every time I do it. It's still a pain in the ass that takes far too much time and attention and effort, but it's not scary anymore!
Anyway, this current batch will be to give away, the next batch will include some for our freezer and our Xmas morning. And then I'll be done for a while!
posted by hippybear at 11:57 AM on December 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
Anyway, this current batch will be to give away, the next batch will include some for our freezer and our Xmas morning. And then I'll be done for a while!
posted by hippybear at 11:57 AM on December 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
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No.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 5:52 AM on December 11, 2023 [1 favorite]