Your tank size is woefully inadequate, but might work for a while. Goldfish are heavy poopers and foul their water quality easily. They grow to large proportions quickly (they will not "grow only to the size of the tank" like some people think) and will need plans for their future. For those two I wouldn't consider less than a 10 gallon tank.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 8:56 PM on April 20, 2008

I'm a little confused as to why building management is an issue? You don't want to take your pets home?
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 5:47 PM on April 21, 2008

Yes. Please see a doctor. It could be as simple as a nerve being compressed by congestion, but a lot of diseases, from what I understand, manifest some flu symptoms you describe and you should get checked out.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 1:21 PM on March 27, 2008

I know you want an answer that's beyond medication, but it sounds like you have generalized anxiety and that's what medication is FOR. Please see someone who can prescribe it for you if you need it. What's the harm in trying it?
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 10:01 AM on March 27, 2008

Sorry to hear that. Thinking good thoughts for you and yours.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 1:52 PM on March 26, 2008

File a police report. You should ALWAYS file a police report and call the police at the scene of an accident, if only because most injuries don't show up right away due to shock.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 1:51 PM on March 26, 2008

Anything dealing with the head should be taken seriously. Your brain is in there, and you don't sound like you have consulted a doctor? See a doctor.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 8:52 AM on March 26, 2008

A cat making a chirping noise doesn't mean she thinks she's a bird - it is an excited response to seeing prey. She wants to EAT the bird, not be one.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 6:29 AM on March 26, 2008

Impossible to answer this question without knowing your workplace or coworkers. How could we know how they'd react?
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 7:24 AM on March 25, 2008

Sheldrake Point is a tremendous winery. The Meritage red was our favorite (on our honeymoon!)

Also note that while you're in that area, you are extremely close to Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, which is gorgeous and there's a drive-through trail. We went to this area on our honeymoon and even drove the trail at night, seeing dozens of deer and a coyote as well as many other animals.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 2:26 PM on March 24, 2008

whiskey point seems to be talking about lucky bamboo. Doesn't real bamboo need a much deeper pot? (I'm sorry for no info, I'm interested in this question as well).
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 10:53 AM on March 21, 2008

I honestly find saying that the planes were CGI'd in so offensive and counter-intelligent it's exactly on par with saying something like the Holocaust never happened. I could not talk to someone who had those views. I'm not sure I could ignore it. This friendship might need to cool down.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 8:26 AM on March 20, 2008

Seriously. Is she calling all those eyewitnesses liars?
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 8:46 AM on March 20, 2008

Certain views DO bother certain people enough that they can't stop thinking about it. I wouldn't be friends with a Holocaust denier or a person who hated black people. This issue might be that important to the OP, and that's not wrong. We all make choices about who we want to associate with, and sometimes something gets thrown into the mix that throws you, so to speak.

That said, I have a friend who is the complete opposite of me in political views, including some... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 9:07 AM on March 20, 2008

Her POV differs from yours. You don't really know.

Except, that on certain points, she's wrong. The OP DOES really know that planes crashed where they crashed because, well, they did. Asserting otherwise is just completely wrong.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 2:41 PM on March 20, 2008

Sounds like an excuse to break up. I can't imagine a good relationship where one person preemptively tries to strike a deal like this. Furthermore, the "wouldn't be fair to you," is a cop-out designed to make the person doing the asshole thing like a saint for being concerned about your feelings.

Trouble. Absolutely gives me a bad feeling.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 2:29 PM on March 17, 2008

My perhaps not helpful suggestion - consider not using foundation again, only because it's unnecessary. Do you ever see men worrying about "uneven skin tone?" I think this is a problem often created by women and "solved" by the makeup industry. Your skin could only benefit from the pores not being clogged by foundation every day.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 11:53 AM on March 17, 2008

Really? I read the opposite, that the first stall is the most often used. Curious.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 2:45 PM on March 14, 2008

One reason, Jacqueline, is that it's almost impossible for women who haven't had children to get sterilized. Most doctors will refuse to do it, on the ridiculous grounds that, "You'll change your mind and sue me later."
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 2:08 PM on March 14, 2008

Even if you describe all that to someone without kids, they can never really get it.

Please, stop this type of statement. Those of us who have decided not to have kids DO get it - we get it well enough that we've decided it's not for us.

My opinion might not carry much weight with you, kingfish, as my husband and I have only been married since 2005, but we've decided not to have kids and we're happy with that. We're just not... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 8:18 AM on March 12, 2008

You could get a spy lens! (I want one myself.)

I know what you mean. I have this problem too. If you have a smaller camera, you can always fiddle with it. Make faces, be annoyed. People will assume, in this device-laden culture, that you're having trouble with it and aren't actually taking pictures. Also, you can get good at the "walk and shoot" method, which is quick and dirty and might not get the composition you're looking for, but it can result in some... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 1:54 PM on February 27, 2008

What's going to happen when she gets pregnant?

Uhh, how about IF she gets pregnant?

What if she starts drinking?

What if ANYONE starts drinking?

You're one month in. You haven't taken anything close to an in sickness or in health vow. RUN.

This is an absymal view of relationships. Please learn more about the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 12:06 PM on February 27, 2008

I find the breed being absent to be kind of strange. Why didn't you mention your dog's appearance at all besides the weight?

Unless you noticed that black people overwhelmingly respond negatively to your dog compared to other racial groups, I'd have to agree with the confirmation bias diagnosis.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 1:43 PM on February 25, 2008

To me, she looks like a pit bull. Many people are afraid of pit bulls. I think that's all that's happening here.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 6:37 AM on February 26, 2008

I don't know how you feel about it, but a container of soy milk will last over a week without spoiling, even if opened.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 1:28 PM on February 20, 2008

For BV, no, but I find this wrong for yeast infections:

The lacto found in yogurt, or in health food store supplements/suppositories are not the same strain of lacto in the vagina, and is completely ineffective in treating any vaginal complaints.

It works GREAT for yeast infections, although I buy acidiophillus pills and take them orally when I have a hint. Works far better for yeast than any other remedy ever, and I have... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 12:35 PM on February 19, 2008

I notice junk on the ground, because I do a lot of assemblage and collage work and there are some really interesting things that people have dropped, depending on the place. I notice a lot of *tiny* things.

My husband always surprises me when he notices potentially dangerous things I wouldn't - like that those guys in the corner of the bar are selling drugs or the semi truck who's tire is about to fly off.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 1:38 PM on February 12, 2008

I've had this same issue and I too am growing a distrust of dentists. Even getting recommendations doesn't seem to help. I don't WANT to be an anti-dentite, but I'm interested in the responses here.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 12:22 PM on February 8, 2008

Also, let me echo someone's old advice on this site. Chicago hates your car, and will do anything in it's power to make you pay for owning it. Welcome to our "fair" city. =)
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 2:11 PM on February 6, 2008

Daley said to tell you, "Up yours." =)
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 12:20 PM on February 8, 2008

Check etiquettehell.com if you like this sort of thing. =)
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 9:19 AM on February 7, 2008

I agree with just a glass candle holder. Contains the candle safely instead of using a sheet of glass (wax can still spread, fire can still spread). The glass will let the light down on the DVD.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 9:16 AM on February 7, 2008

Please let us know the outcome. I'm worried about your kitty!
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 6:59 AM on February 5, 2008

My mom called my dad at work and told him and he came home from work bringing me a rose. Which I found embarassing but both my parents were all sappy about me "becoming a woman." I still find that odd. I know it's an age marker and everything, "little girl growing up," but it did seem weird to acknowledge my womb doing something.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 2:00 PM on February 1, 2008

My cat loves catnip. But she doesn't ALWAYS want it. Sometimes I will get it out and she will meow loudly and back away. Only to come out 5 minutes later and get into it like she always does (their brains are the size of a walnut). Cats, much more than dogs, will let you know VERY clearly if they don't like something. If the cat is enthusiastic, give 'em the nip however you want.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 7:33 AM on February 1, 2008

It's possible to be pissed as hell at your kids. But you can't hate them. Or: I don't think it's genetically possible.

Many abused children would beg to differ.

The phrasing of your question concerns me. You haven't talked about this with your SO? Your SO doesn't seem to like or want children, which is totally valid. She is probing YOUR desires to have or not have kids so she'll know if you'll want them down the road. Do... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 8:15 AM on January 30, 2008

(Personally, my husband and I have decided not to ever have kids. We are both artists, we enjoy our freedom, and look forward to traveling and exploring the world as much as possible. We don't want the financial burden of kids, either. The tedium, the responsibility of caring for another human - no. I have all I have ever wanted in life - my husband. Our love for each other feels like more than I could ever need, and children just sound like a chore to me.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 8:18 AM on January 30, 2008

If you're up by the Green Mill, you're also close enough for a cozy little Italian place, La Donna, on Clark in Andersonville. Andersonville in general is also full of upscale shops and delightful bakeries, antique shops and restaurants (I live there but it really is nice).
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 7:56 AM on January 29, 2008

It's not just you, Thorzdad.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 7:49 AM on January 29, 2008

There is really no way around an allergy. When you can afford it, a dermatologist and/or an allergist might be able to help you, but trust me, allergies aren't something you "toughen up" about. If you're lucky, it will go away in the future but there's no predicting that.

For casual clothes, I think American Appearal is all cotton?
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 8:25 AM on January 25, 2008

Ok, if it's only in one spot than I'm going to retract that it's an allergy. The only thing to suggest is to try and keep it covered and moisturized (Eucerin makes a great anti-itching cream) and wait to see a dermatologist.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 12:48 PM on January 25, 2008

Thanks, good leads so far!
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 8:26 AM on January 25, 2008

I agree with your bottom line, and in truth, wouldn't have the heart to do it to the animal.

Relieved to hear that, although I'm positive that the OP loves the animal enough that she wouldn't do it either, so I think it's kind of moot.

I disagree that there's no moral argument that could be made for doing this

It's justified to harm an animal if you think that will trick someone into... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 1:32 PM on January 11, 2008

It's simple utilitarianism (which you may not credit as being moral), in which you assess not only the potential harm to the animal but also the benefit of staying in a certain to be loving home. As to the contingent aspect, that can't be determinative; you're just quarreling about the odds, about which neither of us knows enough.

I'm "just" quarreling about the odds? Yes, I am. There's no need to harm the animal to try and prevent what is... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 2:44 PM on January 11, 2008

Any updates on what has happened?
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 12:24 PM on January 24, 2008

All these suggestions are good, but elements of OCD can certainly override all these suggestions. If you try a few things and still feel those compulsions, please look into therapy. /speaking as an OCD sufferer myself
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 8:50 AM on January 22, 2008

Inside a pillowcase. We used to do the same thing with several ugly objects with family friends of ours. One was a full-sized popporri "pie" (yes, looked like a pie), and the other was a really bizarre set of weighted cloth ducks. We put the pie everywhere we could find, and the ducks were hung from nooses outside their house.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 8:22 AM on January 22, 2008

What Static Vagabond said and not caddis. An adult keeping a peanut-allergic kid away from peanuts isn't being cautious with the times, they are trying to stop their child from dying. These allergies are very real and they ARE increasing. No one does know why, exactly. So yes, they seem more prevalent today cause they are.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 10:11 AM on January 18, 2008

It's not rude to leave your friend at the bar if he or she doesn't want to brave the cold just to watch you smoke.

As a non-smoker, I'd like to second this, for reassurance's sake. I've been out twice since the ban started in Chicago, and I am thrilled when smokers go outside, only because I am relieved that I won't be smelling it (I'm allergic to smoke, so my reactions are stronger than someone who just doesn't like it). I don't find it rude at all... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 7:53 AM on January 16, 2008

I agree - why are you talking with them? Your insurance company should be dealing with them.
posted to Ask Metafilter by agregoli at 12:22 PM on January 15, 2008