Start shopping so you know what you want, and can wait for the perfect deal.

Back up your data.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 1:21 PM on July 24, 2008

Paper that is pulped is 1 step closer to compost. Most newspaper ink is soy-based. Should be fine for plants. Shredded paper can be used in compost.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 1:17 PM on July 24, 2008

At any school, you're building your network. These are people you should stay in touch with for many years. You'll help each other find jobs, you'll be in professional organizations. Your network is critical for getting good jobs, so make sure the other students are high caliber.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 11:36 AM on July 24, 2008

If you can sort it into blue-ish, reddish, yellow-ish, and combine into full gallons, it will find a home on freecycle. I just gave away 2 gals of what ended up as light green latex paint.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 11:26 AM on July 24, 2008

You're not being a prude. I swear like a longshoreman, but I don't wear stuff with swear words on it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 5:06 PM on July 23, 2008

From having pulled up carpet and rugs, I can tell you that dust and grit will filter down and join any small amount of dust you leave. Lots of dust & grit.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 8:00 AM on July 23, 2008

Some of y'all are a bit specific about how to be treated. It's retail, and if you are acknowledged politely, then allowed to browse, that seems pretty reasonable.

Don't give advice unless you know it's accurate. I hate when somebody says "this tool will do the job" when they don't actually know it.

Listen & give options. Don't keep a customer waiting 15 minutes while you look up an answer they don't care much about.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 7:57 AM on July 23, 2008

And give the coins 1st, then the bills. I hate getting the bills, then somebody carefully puts the coins on top of them, and they slide onto the floor.

Use the penny dish, and don't give customers 4 pennies.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 7:58 AM on July 23, 2008

Old Faithful erupting by moonlight is one of the most beautiful sights ever. We stayed in tent cabins in Grand Teton; they had tiny pot-bellied stoves and were cozy.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 9:08 PM on July 22, 2008

I have poor hearing, and my voice is consequently a bit loud. I try to modulate my voice, but I don't hear myself correctly. Hopefully, once people learn why, it is not as annoying. Try to pitch your own voice a bit softer; that sometimes helps.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 3:30 PM on July 22, 2008

Put more effort into developing other friends & interests so that you will be too busy and will naturally put less into this friendship. If it gets to the point where she asks, tell her you've gotten busier, developed more interests, and would like to maintain contact, but not necessarily quite as often. Be as kind as you can be while staying honest.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 3:27 PM on July 22, 2008

Movies are so passive. Go to goodwill and get a selection of really fancy dresses, or get your friends to donate some bridesmaid dresses. Let her be a fairy princess, which should be more empowering. The Harry Potter books seem to play to the same fantasies.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 3:20 PM on July 22, 2008

Don't keep cash; keep traveler's checks. They still don't collect interest but they can be replaced.

I've used the hollowed out book in a business, and it worked; they took the loose and rolled change from the cash drawer, but the deposit was in a book, and was safe. My sense of security was not intact.

If there's space under the kitchen counter, behind a drawer, you could attach a small container there - it's dark.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 3:51 PM on July 21, 2008

Seriously? Write a letter stating that you had a large, pre-move yard sale, and took several years' worth of coins in to be converted to paper. Your bank should accept 2,000 in yard sale cash.

Also, mortgages are paid in arrears. You'll pay pre-paid interest at closing, but then not owe for up to at least 1 month. So you get a breather in payments. It was a big surprise to me when I bought my house.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 11:05 AM on July 21, 2008

Some people use a large truck tire rim as a fire pit. If I had that in my yard, that's how I'd use it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 6:24 AM on July 21, 2008

When I interviewed for my current job, I did have questions, but I also said, "I'd like a chance to tell you about strengths that didn't come out yet" and proceeded to do so, briefly.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 9:05 PM on July 20, 2008

Heaven, Joan Armatrading
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 8:17 PM on July 20, 2008

My data point: The 1st 6 months of breastfeeding, no significant weight loss. From my son's 6th month to @18th month, I ate whatever I wanted, and dropped weight effortlessly, back to less than I weighed pre-pregnancy. Make sure you're getting enough water and fluids. You may be eating when you're actually thirsty more than hungry. I loved nursing; it was so cozy. Happy to hear you're planning to nurse for a while.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 7:05 AM on July 19, 2008

A brisk walk will help. Drink coffee; caffeine stimulates kidneys, bladder, etc.

Mazel tov!
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 6:47 AM on July 19, 2008

You will still have to pay taxes on it at some point. It will reduce your FICA salary, which may reduce your eventual Social Security benefits. There are numerous periods of time when you may not trade the stock, because you work for the company, and there are insider trading rules. Who sets the stock value? There are lots of opportunities for you to have trouble, esp. if the company is not doing well.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 11:40 AM on July 18, 2008

At a wedding, the whole family is there, as dressed up as they ever get. Get a lot of family groups, esp. with GrandDad, who may not be at the next wedding.

Look at the women's feet, and remind them to pose their feet. Tell subjects to take a deep breath and relax their shoulders. People tend to get their shoulders hunched up.

Almost everybody looks better smiling.

Flatter and flirt; it gets good responses.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 9:57 AM on July 18, 2008

After neutralizing the bleach, use more pet enzyme. Then try some cedar oil, which is a mask, but the smell is a woody smell, so it does a good job. It will seep into the wood, lasts a long time, and repels moths.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 2:23 PM on July 17, 2008

Kids have so much structured time these days. Consider having a supply of fun stuff, and letting them discover what they want to do, on their own. Pack lunches, and take them for an easy walk in a woods. Get funky, interesting clothes, and have a box of dressups. Get a couple of refrigerator boxes, washable markers & paint, and let them create. You be the knife-wielder as needed. Change the available playthings, so that even older toys have fresh appeal because they haven't been seen... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 9:41 AM on July 17, 2008

It won't hurt you, though it sometime makes me cough. This is a good time to wash all your bedding and get it out of the apt. There is usually an industrial burnt smell that is mildly unpleasant. To get rid of the smell, I usually put some cloves, cinnamon, and other nice spices in some water, and simmer them. Really spicy tea, or wine-mulling spices work well, too.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 7:08 AM on July 17, 2008

I used escrow.com for a domain transfer. Easy.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 4:28 PM on July 16, 2008

Some of the chunky French jelly-jar glasses would hold flatware nicely on a counter or table.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 4:26 PM on July 16, 2008

Post to the Items wanted section on craigslist.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 11:33 AM on July 16, 2008 marked best answer

Doesn't she deserve someone who really loves her? You didn't post anonymously, and if there's any chance that she will ever discover your MeFi name, then this is really unkind. Cancel the wedding and set her free. Or admit to yourself that this is pre-wedding fears and drama.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 6:49 PM on July 15, 2008

fyi, MeTa

Miss L, the issue of a signed post is that it is more likely that it will be found. If the fiancee is computer literate and nosy, or just uses the OP's computer for something, it could be found by accident. Would be quite hurtful.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 11:29 AM on July 16, 2008

I enjoy the anticipation and fantasy of buying an occasional ticket. As noted, the chances of winning are tiny, but the result would be so pleasant. A few tickets a year is cheaper than a movie.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 6:55 PM on July 15, 2008

New York is huge, and you've heard a lot of scare stories. But it is very easy to navigate, and generally pretty safe. You can maximize that by learning to walk purposefully. Stop in a store if you need to look at the map. Take a cab if you are unsure of the route by bus. If you're really nervous, make sure you have pockets, and don't carry a purse that could be snatched.

If there's an event not too far from your hotel, consider going out. You may meet other... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 8:55 AM on July 15, 2008

You either have to say No, or suck it up and shell out the cash. Say No to the excess. Talk to other members of the wedding party about sharing a room, finding cheap accommodations, etc. Decorating the room? See if other bridesmaids will give you their flowers, spritz some cologne from a dept store sample, make sure it's adequately clean. If not, make the motel staff clean it. If there's leftover champagne, amke sure a bottle gets to the room.

You explain by... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 8:47 AM on July 15, 2008

Focus on values. Try to use positive statements. "I love spending time with you, so I schedule my travel to be with you as much as possible. I miss you when I'm away" "My work is interesting, and it helps me support my family." "Wow, those are great cleats. Let's go practice passing. "

Focus on who you want them to be. You want them to be people who love and respect their Mom, so encourage them to do just that. They'll remember the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 8:25 PM on July 14, 2008

If you freeze something in a really cold freezer (the back of the lowest shelf is usually coldest) then pack in serious styrofoam cooler with dry ice or icepacks, it will arrive frozen. If you ask around, somebody you know will have gotten Omaha steak as a gift, and you can recycle the container.

I never heard of jar cakes before; sounds like fun.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 8:30 AM on July 14, 2008

What sort of stuff do you like? Stores will be hiring part-timers soon for the Christmas rush. Employees usually get a discount. You might have a skill you could tutor kids in. If you like the challenge, buying stuff cheap and reselling on ebay can be profitable. Like the bar scene? Learn to bartend. Or, given that you want to manage your time, volunteer to build houses for Habitat for Humanity. Whatever you do, try to do it in an environment where you'll meet people who have some... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 4:27 PM on July 13, 2008

I like the George Winston version, Variations on Pachelbel's Canon in D. It's on the December album. You might use the quieter parts elsewhere in the service and save the celebratory part for the kiss/recessional.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 10:13 AM on July 13, 2008

Be yourself. Don't try to bullshit people with tech skills you don't have. Do good work; be willing to learn; praise others for their real skill & knowledge. While you're worrying about how to impress them, they're wondering how to impress you. In fact, as a female IT worker, I've found it to be a good idea to keep a few skill/certs quiet, and when they surface weeks or months later, it makes a bigger impression.

You don't have to be male, watch particular... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 9:33 AM on July 13, 2008

Contact your city councilor, call the police every time there is prostitution-related trouble, call you landlord. Repeatedly. Or use the opportunity to break your lease.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 9:22 AM on July 13, 2008

What is the appraised value of the house? Appraisal will cost @ 300. Don't trust your own judgment, get it appraised. Also a very good negotiating tool. You are emotionally tied to this house, and need to apply facts.

Try more banks, esp. a credit union. If there is a local bank, an honest-to-goodness locally owned bank, not part of BankofCitiFargo, try them. They are able to use more common sense. What have you been paying for rent? Get documentation, and show... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 9:13 AM on July 13, 2008

You're doing this as a gift to yourself. Being inactive, being out of shape and not liking your body makes you feel bad. Being active and being in shape makes you feel great and leads to really liking your body.

Can you try to redirect some of your anger at The Man into a fast walk on a treadmill, or against the punching bag at the gym?

Give yourself non-food rewards. After a week of meeting exercise goals, you deserve a pedicure, or a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 5:26 AM on July 12, 2008

I'm a dog owner, dog lover, and landlord who allows dogs. If a dog bounds up to a young child, then pees on their floor, they have a very serious right to be very upset. Dogs often pee when anxious, so I wouldn't assume the dog was hit. To get into a heated argument resulting in a police visit instead of apologizing was unwise.

Your friend needs to improve her door, get both dogs into obedience training, and learn that even the sweetest dog can bite someone, esp. a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 5:11 AM on July 12, 2008

Strawberries & dip (plain yogurt & brown sugar), crackers & cheese, sparkling water & a great mix cd. Ginger ale, tylenol, vitamin C, grapefruit juice and crackers for the hangover.

This is also your opportunity to play practical jokes, like a tape player with a tape that has a long silent pause, then something funny for then to hear as they drive along.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 8:41 PM on July 11, 2008

Get some of those flossers, at least occasionally. Flossing is good for teeth & breath.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 1:14 PM on July 11, 2008

In theory, maybe this would work. In the current market, which is largely saturated with homes for sale, small variations in price make a big difference to buyers. It might be ethical, but if I were the buyer, I'd ask about commissions. The buyer is present at closing and will know the commission at that time. If I were a buyer, and saw an above-normal commission at closing, I'd walk.

If anything, the Internet is changing the way people buy real estate. I expect to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 1:09 PM on July 11, 2008

Don't call. Go in person. Stay until there is an offer of resolution. Most likely scenario is they were mis-delivered. Be very calm, very polite and very firm about replacement. If you are not satisfied with their offer, small claims court.

In order to be successful in small claims court, you need documentation of the lost items; receipts would be very useful, documentation of all calls, etc.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 1:01 PM on July 11, 2008

I think you feel incredibly self-conscious and want to minimize that feeling. Size 18 is not terribly uncommon, and should not cause dismay in onlookers. But, since you are feeling nervous, I recommend some short-ish, pleated print skirts; cute, fashionable ones. Lots of them on sale right now, and a skirt may be less likely to elicit comments, but is still very cool, esp. in cotton or linen. Pima cotton shell, in women's sizes, in lots of colors. Linen camp shirts are nice to have to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 7:00 PM on July 10, 2008

Join a credit union and see if they'll refi the loan to a more manageable rate. Pay it off as aggressively as possible. It's a crappy deal, which you already knew. Most, if not all auto dealers will make it worse.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 1:35 PM on July 10, 2008

Your kids don't seem to be listening, but they are. Talk to them about the impact of buying drugs - supporting a criminal economy that doesn't care much about people or the environment. The consequences of a drug bust can be severe. If you can reward good behavior, it will help, too.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 9:44 AM on July 10, 2008

There are a lot of terrific personal finance blogs. If you read them, you get good ideas, and you also get encouragement to be frugal. Advertising is everywhere, encouraging you to spend. Learning to tune it our is very helpful. I don't notice most ads on websites, don't read most of the flyers in the newspaper, and tune out most ads on teevee. You want that Starbuck$ frappa-mocha-latte-chino, but coffee from home in a thermos will give you the caffeine, without the cost, or the calories.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 9:39 AM on July 10, 2008

plus, MeCha is fun, and having some fun is often more productive than complaining.
posted to Ask Metafilter by theora55 at 9:25 AM on July 9, 2008