Our company's currently looking for a web designer. Send me a me-mail with her resume if she's interested, and I'll see if our art director is willing to look it over.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 2:26 PM on August 25, 2008

I just visited the site and went through a few steps in the registration process. As the penguin lady talked, a clipboard popped-up asking if you wanted to continue with the registration. I clicked the OK button at the bottom of the clipboard, which then sent me to an actual sign-up screen. Is this clipboard the one that continually sends you back to the main web page? It worked for me, on broadband with Firefox.

Make sure your flash plugin is up-to-date, you've cleared... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 4:48 PM on February 6, 2008

I think some clarification is in order. In graphic design, the use of grids has to do with layout and placement, not visual shapes. So you could have as many triangles and squiggly lines in your design as you wanted, and as long as the overall structure adhered to the grid guidelines, the assumption is that it will look decent.

In web design, some make use of grids to align columns, borders, text and images in a very structured, boxy style. I think this stemmed... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 8:17 PM on February 4, 2008

Are you fluent enough to be a translator/transcriber? My Japanese roommate gets a few side jobs from an editor once in a while. Contact any websites/publications that target the Tagalog-speaking audience, including governmental agencies, tourism sites, etc. Good luck!
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 5:37 PM on January 30, 2008

Eh, if you need to get rid of plus-size clothes and want to make a bit more cash, I'd suggest selling lots on eBay or joining Fatshionista and making a Friday sales post.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 2:49 PM on January 28, 2008

If you look on the drugbuyers forum, try to find reviews for "friendly pharmacy" or something along those lines. I ordered some generic Wellbutrin from them in early January, and they arrived the next day for a reasonable cost.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 6:26 PM on January 22, 2008

I'd focus on pursuing two of your interests right now: a practical one that'll allow you to make money and support yourself, and one which you can funnel your creative passion into. Take a few days to research all your interests (I think a lot of your questions can actually be answered by some Googling, to be honest). Write down the time, costs, and payoffs for your practical goal, and really figure out what makes your mind swoon as far as your creative goal. And then just do it!... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 10:26 PM on January 10, 2008 marked best answer

When I had my nervous breakdown as a high school student, I saw a psychiatrist who was able to give me a note to send the school district with an official diagnosis the same day. This was after crying the entire session and basically pleading with her that I was unable to function. So...if you can find a sympathetic doctor, then yes they can write you a note.

The problem, as you're discovering, is being able to see a psychiatrist right away. You'll just have to call... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 2:47 PM on January 9, 2008

I want to reiterate that meds do and can help. Yes, for some people exercise and diet is a good enough boost to help them emerge out of depression, but for others, there is a serious neuro-chemical imbalance going on in your head that no amount of physical stimulation will fix. So ask your therapist to recommend a psychiatrist or go to your doctor to get a temporary prescription if you don't feel better in a few weeks.

Also, add me to the list of people offering to be... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 2:09 PM on January 8, 2008

My friend and I went to Las Vegas for Labor Day and left the Tuesday after. We thought scheduling a 6AM flight would mean that we could show up only an hour ahead of time. The security lines were awful! At 5AM, it took us most of that hour to get through security, but we did and didn't even have to wait at the gate to board, because we got there just in time to hear our section being called. :) Since your flight it later in the morning, which would mean more travelers, I'd definitely get there... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 10:54 PM on January 2, 2008

Texas is not "the South", though I'll grant East Texas is pretty darn close. Trust me, as a native Texan, I had a lot of culture shock when I visited Louisiana, Tennessee, and Georgia, states that I consider Southern; Texas is rather different in comparison.

But yes, KotH is pretty close to reality of a certain established segment of the population. My family lives in the "exburbs" of Houston, and if you ignore the influx of white-flight... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 6:10 PM on January 1, 2008

Thanks all. The car's in the driveway, so I can't walk away or cancel the order. I'm just dreading the confrontation with the dealer when I go back tomorrow, though I now know I legally have 30 days to cancel the extended warranty and get it deducted from my total loan.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 1:28 AM on December 20, 2007

Well, I went with my dad and brother, and though they brought in the manager to do the hard sell, we got the warranty canceled. Hope the cancellation doesn't get "lost in the mail," but I can always contact Toyota directly to check on the status. Thanks all for the reassurance.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 1:40 PM on December 20, 2007

If you are a US customer and make sure any eBay cellphone you buy says unlocked for US carriers which includes T-Mobile, then yes you can. I had a 3 year old phone that I get with my cheap T-Mobile plan, and last year bought a cool Samsung cell (made for the Asian market) which worked fine with my SIM card.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 10:38 PM on December 13, 2007

To my ears, I make a very soft "b" sound mixed with an airy "v". I'd advise non-native speakers to go with a standard English "v", never use a hard "b" unless it's at the beginning of a word, and don't try to do the whistley "v/w" because it makes you sound ridiculous. (My family speaks Mexican Spanish, for the record.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 5:29 PM on November 17, 2007

I've been to Corpus with my family and once to visit a friend. Besides the beaches, there's not much. I think you'd be a bit disappointed by the Lexington, Aquarium, and Selena, to be honest, as I was. But camping out *at night* on the beach was amazing. The water might be too cold, but it really is beautiful just to experience the sunset and sunrise and the clear night sky.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 10:24 AM on November 14, 2007

You probably want to live around the University. Stay out of West Campus, look in the Hyde Park area or North Campus. Near campus you sacrifice cost and quality to be within walking distance to UT. There's a lot of student-living apartments away from campus, around the Arboretum and the Far West area. I live off Cameron Road, but I wouldn't recommend that area for people new to Austin. I suggest looking at Facebook and Craigslist for subleases, since there's always people who graduate in the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 6:20 PM on November 4, 2007

I was an Anthropology major, and while I believe it was a worthwhile experience, it would have made my current career path easier if I had also pursued design in college. I would suggest double-majoring in a "practical" field that also suits your interests. You get the chance to satisfy your academic desires and learn a set of skills that will help you get a job.

The practical fields in my university that tended to get people jobs right after graduation were:... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 9:43 PM on November 1, 2007

If you were in Austin, TX going out on 6th street, I'd say you'd just be competing with the other 2 or 3 giant inflatable penises I see every year. If you're going to the wild part of town, I wouldn't have any worries.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 3:16 PM on October 31, 2007

"[W]e all want Mary to be able to return to the support of her brothers and sisters."

That sounds horrible and terrifying; no matter if these adults have changed and are no longer abusers, I can't imagine it being at all helpful for your wife to re-establish contact. Your wife should not directly engage with Cathy. It will open the door and encourage her to strengthen her efforts.

If you do not want to investigate whether Cathy was... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 10:34 PM on October 14, 2007

My alma mater has these, FIGs, Freshman Interest Groups. But salons/colloquiums/symposiums sound much cooler.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 10:05 PM on October 3, 2007

May not seem logical at first glance, but college campuses. There's always a lot of Christian/insert-ethnicity student groups, and I second the statement that 1st and 2nd generation minorities tend to live conservative lifestyles even though they are in most other respects pretty Westernized.

In fact, I'm pretty sure my entire gang of ethnic gal pals, whom I all met in college, are still virgins.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 6:59 PM on September 19, 2007

I can't speak for tours going from California to the Grand Canyon, but I took one from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon (West Rim) last week over Labor Day. I was satisfied with everything, no problems. Only a few minor caveats about these types of bus tours:

1.) The bus driver is on a schedule; if he gets delayed for whatever reason, including the tour company's fault, you pay for it in time lost visiting your destination.
2.) Because they are on a schedule,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 4:05 PM on September 10, 2007

Yeah, I'm 26 and right in the middle of this. What I tell myself is that I can live my life according to either others' expectations or my own, but only one way will make me happy. My previous accomplishments were cheered on by others, but really, I was a miserable smart, talented kid. So I'm working in the field I want, traveling a lot, indulging myself, loafing around, finding happiness in fulfilling myself instead of using accomplishments to prop up my self-esteem.

I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 9:24 PM on August 7, 2007

I vectorized a photo into a large poster for a birthday present recently. For someone who's familiar with Illustrator or another vector program, it's simple enough. Of course, the more life-like you want it, the more time-intensive it would be.

I triple the Rasterbator idea, perhaps on photo or glossy paper to make it a step above just a bunch of printouts taped together.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 3:46 AM on August 4, 2007

When I was on Wellbutrin, it gave me lots of energy and dampened my appetite. This wore off after a few months, but it was nice to actually feel peppy after a year of depression.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 2:55 PM on July 20, 2007

American fruits and veggies are grown for display purposes in a store. Who doesn't get excited walking into your local grocery and seeing an entire display of shiny, red apples, crisp, green lettuce, or bright yellow bananas? Their looks make you think they'll taste great, overriding the fact that their bland imitations of their natural versions. Grow your own or go a farmer's market or visit those road-side tables or just buy a watermelon out of the back of a pickup truck. They might look lumpy,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 11:57 PM on July 16, 2007

If you're truly not at a place to seek romantic companionship, you still need to cool down the friendship. I know depression makes it hard to stop obsessing, especially on a person who you've depended on for so long, but it will be easier than trying to deal with the resultant drama bomb if she finds out. Try fixating on something else. Throw yourself into a hobby that forces you to meet more people, or focus your social energies on your job instead of the friend.

I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 5:26 AM on July 16, 2007

Holy wow...I'm in Austin, just decided to take some time off and have all of July & August free. I don't have a passport though, but if you want to hop over to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Canada, I'm game for traveling. (Or if someone can figure out how to travel overseas and get back into the US without a passport, just the proof of application, I'm up for overseas travel.)

Email's in my profile.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 2:04 AM on July 14, 2007

One thing I've noticed in my own Spanish (Mexican-American) as opposed to my parents (Mexican) is I tend to slur some Spanish words, which sounds like an American accent. (Mexican) Spanish is cleaner, crisper, more smoothly lyrical to my ears than English. Sounds coming from the back of my mouth or getting "caught" in my teeth/sides of mouth make me sound American.

And of course the vowel thing is a biggies, nothing aggravates me more than English-speakers... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 6:51 PM on July 11, 2007

If you really want to do this, which I strongly suggest you DON'T, I'd couch it in terms of user feedback.

"Hey Manager/Bossman, some of my friends use our service/website, and have been having difficulties with X, Y, & Z. I'm no web designer, but it seems like we might want to take a second look at the redesign, in terms of usability and organization--I've got no problems with the "look" and "style," but if our clients/audience can't find... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 12:38 PM on July 6, 2007

Me, in the last thread: Until he abandons the two of you and you post to AskMe about how to live as a single mother when your ex has flown the coop.

Aw, hell yes. Move over Miss Cleo, I'm takin' over. Oh wait, it's not clairvoyance, it's having a lick of common sense. You have mental problems. Serious issues. This is not meant to call you a crazy bitch, but to let you know that something is seriously messed up in the way you think of this man and the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 5:08 PM on June 18, 2007

If you want a "real world" perspective, I'm the child of Mexican (illegal) immigrants, and I used to toy with the idea of writing down their and my experiences, like:
finding out your dad used to work as a bartender under a different name with a fake SSN when he was your age;
knowing that your mother crossed the border in the back of a delivery truck while she was pregnant with you;
having to be the family spokesperson at the free clinic, food... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 8:21 PM on May 17, 2007

Have you tried BetterWorld.com? You end up paying about 1/2 to 1/3rd the cover price, US shipping is less than a dollar, and you get to help fund various literacy programs with your purchase.

If you need a specific edition, this may not be ideal, but if you just need the books to read, I recommend it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 11:28 PM on May 3, 2007

In the pro design world, "spec work" is really looked down upon. You have to figure out if this falls into that arena or not. If this is a design firm, then I don't think it's unreasonable. If not, you'll have to decide whether the job's worth it or not.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 1:30 PM on April 6, 2007

You really are putting scientific, logical men in a bad light, to me at least.

I've actually said I don't believe in atoms. Why? Because I'm not a science nerd and at the time I was completely surrounded by bio and chem freaks who'd natter on and on about nucleotides and chemical bonds and blah blah blah. Shut up about all these facts you've memorized (what's funny is that science undergrads are some of the least critically thinking people I've ever met. Not that I want... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 4:13 PM on March 26, 2007

"...Focusing on the person you're signing with while hands are flailing around you is something you get used to."

That's a good point. I just notice C's hand gestures becoming a lot more sign-ish when interacting with the deaf person, so I was wondering if they distracted the deaf person like they did me...probably not then.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 12:33 PM on February 21, 2007

There's at least one chain, since I always see them around Houston: white building, red lettering, Mexican people everywhere.

Here's another article about the legal issues around the name.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 3:50 AM on February 18, 2007

I actually think you two deserve each other. You're obviously living off the drama and/or have no real sense of how damaging, crazy, and illogical it is to remain with this man. I'd wash my hands of your whole mess, except, YOU'RE HAVING A BABY! If there was ever a time for the hysterical, "Think of the children!" reaction, I think this is it. But you'll probably say that it's important for the child to know its father, and remain with the man. Until he abandons the two of you and you... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 11:58 AM on February 14, 2007

Do you want a graphic designer who can make logos, illustrations, and icons? The design department in any art school will have these kids. Ask for a portfolio.

Do you want a web designer who knows about layout, typography, and web trends? Knows the tenants of user-interface design? Major universities tend to have inter-disciplinary programs that pull end these types of kids. Ask them to give you an overview of the major issues with web sites today and how they would... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 10:54 PM on February 10, 2007

When you are 25, 30, 40, 50, do you want to look back at your life and realize you have done nothing with it, because you folded and gave up your future for someone who never treated you well?

Seriously, either run far far away or set up doable plans to leave and get on your own two feet.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 1:23 AM on February 8, 2007

I'll grow a pair and fess up to being a very feminist woman who uses that expression. There's something deliciously crude about it, (and terms like pussy and cunt, as in don't be such a pussy, what a total cunt) that I like, because to me it's very working class, but you know what?

None of the justification I can write matters, because sometimes I just get sick and tired of the feminist "establishment" telling me what to say and who to say it to. I love being... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 11:14 AM on January 21, 2007

I was (am) you on a much smaller and limited scale, did great in school and professionally, but in my case not well socially. It sounds like you've done everything right and invested all your self-worth in your accomplishments without ever stepping back to work on your emotional health and maturity. I don't mean "mature" in the acts like a grownup way, I mean in the level of development and thoughtfulness you've put into yourself.

All these things you're... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 11:37 PM on January 17, 2007

Oops, "are flawed and not logical.
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 11:37 PM on January 17, 2007

Dude, tell your wife to grow a pair. Women are socialized to be nice to everybody, but which would she rather have, being rude to a "friend" who she doesn't even like, or having a pissed-off husband because she can't bring herself to say no?

Also, this woman has her email and phone #; if she weasels her way further, she'll know where you live!
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 8:33 PM on January 16, 2007 marked best answer

I say go for it. You have the time to really look for somebody and not just accept any schlub of the street.

You really need to discuss your lifestyle, get out all the quirks between the two of you so you know what to expect. What's their typical day like? What's yours? How much does their social life come into their home? What's your standard of cleanliness? Look around at your shared spaces. What can you tolerate another person doing in them? Cooking dinner for a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 5:34 AM on January 16, 2007

You know, I m surrounded by people leading unfulfilled lives: a mom working as a custodian as a chance to get out of the house and escape the confines of being a cloistered housewife; a dad who came to the US only to find himself doing back-breaking labor for the next thirty years trying to raise a family; a brother and sister-in-law who are juggling school, work, and a baby and are being pulled taught by the demands of being a young family; a coworker who's a talented artist but cannot make the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 5:59 PM on January 15, 2007

dizzy, I'm not actually in the same city as my family, and they...don't really want to think about these things, they leave it all up to me. I'm okay with being limited in my choices, I just want to get my family out of the house! My mom's never travelled in her entire life, and my little brother just sits in front of the computer all day. I want them to see the world before my mom gets "too old" (her words) or my brother turns into a lump!

But Chicago and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 12:27 AM on January 11, 2007

I just want to say, I know there are a lot of places in the US where being gay would mean harassment and abuse, but if you raise him properly and support him, he will be able to find a welcoming community, even if it means moving away. Any big city in the US will have a cool gay population, as well as most college towns. It's not a big deal being gay in these types of environments, just as it's not a big deal being black, or an immigrant in most urban areas.

Every... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 4:08 PM on December 18, 2006

Ok, I'm a young woman doing OKcupid right now. The reasons I would stop replying to someone in either situation:

1. I'm a procrastinator, and after a week, I feel embarrassed that I'd put it off for so long.
2. He mentions something or says something a certain way that turns me off, so I write him off as an uncouth mouthbreather.
3. The conversation is so fake/meaningless, I feel like a fool keeping up the charade (That just might be me though.)... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by lychee at 2:39 PM on December 13, 2006