I'd go the donate blood route, if only because there are some pretty severe blood shortages, especially if you have a rarer blood type as I do (B-). It's an easy process too. Just dunno how long it takes them to type it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 6:10 PM on September 24, 2008

Um, that should be "he expect" not "be expect"
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 9:54 AM on September 11, 2008

Addendum: It wasn't a party. I was mistaken. Either way, they have chicken pox for sure.
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 9:55 AM on September 11, 2008

Thank you everybody for your information and experiences!! I've been passing on the information, and I think he's getting the message.

On another note, I do want to impress that this WASN'T due to a chicken pox party like I had thought and put in the addendum. Just being around other kids who happened to have chicken pox normally.

Either way, it sounds like he should avoid it to be sure.
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 12:53 PM on September 11, 2008

My sister was recently diagnosed with MS about six to seven months ago. It is important to note that MS looks like a lot of other things, and vice versa. Really nailing down whether or not you have MS can take a number of tests... and sometimes people don't know if they really have it until they have their first real relapse (in my sister's case, a bad and sudden case of Optic Neuritis, which was originally misdiagnosed by an ophthalmologist). Not to scare you but my sister went through a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 10:04 AM on June 16, 2008

That's a great book, I used it a lot when I was little! I'm sure you could get it from eBay or something. Actually that Amazon link has a listing of a bunch of used copies.
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 8:40 AM on May 19, 2008

I think it would actually be a great hobby!! It will definitely be empowering to know, and you might have a lot more fun with it than if it was a profession where others tell you what to do. Instead, you'll be able to do what you want!

Regarding tips, one good thing about Python is that it forces you to code in a readable format (it won't work if it isn't spaced correctly, for example), which will definitely help with reading other people's code.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 8:33 AM on May 19, 2008

One of my favorite things to do when I have friends in town is take them to the Canadian Embassy, which just so happens next to the Newseum. I've never actually been in the embassy proper, but there is an awesome echo chamber built into the building. You can't miss it, and is always a surreal experience once you enter it and start talking or start stomping around!

If your kids like nature, the National Arboretum on New York Avenue (may be a small hassle to get there)... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 11:24 AM on May 15, 2008

Half-smoke with Ben's Chili Bowl Chili all the way. By which I mean, order it "All the way."

You don't have to get it from the Ben's stand though, any of the hot dog stands can do a half smoke with Ben's chili. The Ben's line can get realllly long.

Hard Times Cafe has a stand too, and I'm a big fan of their Cincinnati chili Frito Pie. Comes with corn bread as well!

Giffords Ice Cream has a stand as well,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 1:05 PM on May 9, 2008

OH! Also note, the Metro is having a switch replaced on the Green line... FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS. They have posted this advisory (emphasis mine).

"Yellow and Green Line Track Maintenance

Metrorail customers traveling between the L’Enfant Plaza and Mt. Vernon Sq/7th St-Convention Center Metrorail stations should add 30 to 45 minutes of travel time for their trips because of switch maintenance work at the Mt. Vernon... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 1:10 PM on May 9, 2008

Could the second one be House II: The Second Story? It was a lot sillier than the original, and there was a catepillar-puppy creature.

Trailer for it can be found here: and I think it shows that giant plant stalk you were talking about
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 10:55 PM on March 21, 2008

Mother, by Albert Brooks, has a very funny scene involving a video phone.
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 10:42 PM on March 21, 2008

I tend to buy at Best Buy because we have tons of them in the DC area which means there's a good chance you can get what you want... at least one store will have it. I'm a pretty well informed gamer, so I don't really need to talk to people at the store to find out whats good, so that helps as well :) I also am a big fan of the whole reward points thing which has helped me out a number of times. I WISH I had a better option than Best Buy, but I don't.

I have had a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 1:16 PM on March 21, 2008

The biggest problem with design, as a lot of people have said, is dealing with the nitpicky types who always wanna change things, and refuse to make up their mind (a problem that has been going on a lot where I work currently).

Note also that as a designer, or at least someone who will be doing more front-end work, you will be required to also take on challenges like cross-browser compatibility (ensuring everything looks the same between all browsers) and accessibility.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 11:21 AM on March 20, 2008

And yes, once you get into the business, it's fairly easy to work both sides of the fence, and I would actually encourage you do... makes you understand the business better on both ends, which can really help from a consultancy standpoint. It will also make it easier for you to work with others from both groups.
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 11:22 AM on March 20, 2008

Zorro: What you may wanna think about doing first is getting decent at JavaScript as that language isn't going anywhere, and is a key part of design and will give you good skills to step up to other programming languages that are used behind the scenes as it has object oriented aspects. Plus, since JavaScript often dovetails nicely with css and dhtml work, it might start getting you some work on front-end.

I'd also get familiar with scriptaculous and prototype, which... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 1:09 PM on March 20, 2008

Ack, one more thing... learning about css will also help if you decide to go into more design work to help navigate the shoals of browser compatibility issues, which helps EVERYONE.
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 1:10 PM on March 20, 2008

One of the loveliest pieces I have ever heard is The Lark Ascending by English composer Ralph Vaughn Williams. There are a number of arrangements of it which set off different aspects of the work, you may want to find one that is more violin centric than orchestra-centric.

I think it would be a nice piece for illustrating the path of one's life.
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 12:46 PM on March 19, 2008 marked best answer

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Banana.
Banana who?
Knock knock
Who's there?
Banana
Banana who?
Knock knock
Who's there?
Banana
Banana who?
(etc)
Knock knock
Who's there?
Orange
Orange who?
Orange you glad I didn't say Banana?
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 8:47 AM on February 22, 2008

Might wanna wait until the end of GDC this week to see if a new version of the PS3 will be announced, since the rumor is if the 120 Gigger comes out, it will have the dual shock controller which is coming soonish too I think.

I have a PS3 and am now starting to enjoy it as better and more interesting games are starting to come out for it. If you like games, I dunno if there's a reason why you shouldn't just go for the PS3 version over a standalone as I hear it's a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 10:24 AM on February 20, 2008

While I don't have Warhawk (and I know I should from what I hear about it), it is very popular it seems with PS3 owners on Penny Arcade and other places on the net. Like CXImran said, you shouldn't have much worry at all.

And who knows, with the death of HD-DVD you may get more people buying PS3s, and therefore Warhawk in the coming months.
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 12:57 PM on February 19, 2008

You may not think you have time to learn a new language, but really you do at least for visiting. I HIGHLY recommend going through the first month (or more depending on when in April you are going) of a Pimsleur course in Spanish. I did just about a month of the Japanese level 1 disks prior to my going over there for a two weeks vacation and while I couldn't get into big conversations with people, I could ask for directions, figure out how much things were, and use pleasantries which are always... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 1:51 PM on February 13, 2008

Chronologically, though I think that is changing.

Wikipedia has a decent article on postal addresses in Japan.


Street names are seldom used in postal addresses (except in Kyoto and some Hokkaidō cities such as Sapporo), and most Japanese streets do not have names. Banchi blocks often have an irregular shape, as banchi numbers were assigned by order of registration in older system, meaning that especially in older areas of the city... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 9:58 AM on February 11, 2008

There really is almost no reason NOT to have a DS. I have both a DS and a PSP, as well as a PS3 and I've never been able to reliably get remote play to work, usually because of network settings outside of my control (work, etc).

I almost never use my PSP, and my DS goes with me everywhere. I used to play games with my coworkers on the DS ALL THE TIME when we had a chance until they cracked down. We still do so when we can. Tons of great DS games to play with... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 1:19 PM on January 31, 2008

"Did any of you (now) DS lovers think you wouldn't like it before you bought it? I just couldn't get over the 'kiddy-ness' of it, and the (seemingly) cutesy-poo nature of its games."

I got my DS (phat) at launch, and at first I was a bit concerned with it because the games that came out for it were ok, but nothing super amazing. Often the use of the dual screen seemed a bit tacked on (go fig), and eventually I found myself just playing old... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 1:01 PM on February 1, 2008

This a bit of a segue, but remember that on the MeFi wiki we have a listing of Metafilter users who have Xbox Live accounts, if you wanted to play with other MeFites or see what they're playing for ideas.

And, while I don't have it for the 360, I can't recommend Puzzle Quest enough for puzzle fans. Geometry Wars too because its pretty and fun. Rez HD for the same reason!
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 10:46 AM on February 1, 2008

While it isn't 100 percent turn-based, it is pretty darn close and very deep regardless, you will find few RPGs with as highly hailed a story as Planescape: Torment for the PC. Many people consider it the best RPG of all time.
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 1:16 PM on January 31, 2008

I third Audacity. It's great.
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 1:34 PM on March 8, 2006

How quick is "fairly quickly?" Ballpark. Just so I can let my friend know.

Do you happen to know how bad customs would be? Since, as I said, we would be outgoing and don't know if that would add an appreciable amount to our wait time. Does the "get there two hours before" rule apply in Japan?
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 3:57 PM on January 20, 2006

Thank you so much for helping me!

Um, we're flying from Osaka to Tokyo and from Tokyo to the US on April 12th, which is a wednesday. The flights I found on ANA are in the morning. Like, arrive at Haneda at 8:03, flight back to the states at 11:08 from Narita. If that information helps at all.

Also, any recommendations on airlines? American vs. Japanese? Other options? Am I just getting worked up over nothing? :)... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 4:12 PM on January 20, 2006

If you can avoid it, though, just fly to/from Narita or Kansai airports.

That is what we may do. United offers that. Just, again, I'm a little wary of an American airlines. But I'd rather not be crying stuck in Japan too. ;)
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 4:13 PM on January 20, 2006

I second Rehobeth. Nice quiet beach, and doesn't tend to get nearly as much traffic as Ocean City or other beaches.

And, of course, during the summer... Grotto's Pizza. Mmmm
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 10:31 PM on February 19, 2004

nelleish: That's so true, especially with Shaggy-Dog jokes which are just fun to watch, listen, and tell. The more crazy, the better.

Here's one I love to tell to friends, although it's not really all that long. And I am tired, so I just found it online and am cutting and pasting it in... I tell it slightly differently.

----
A wife and her husband were having a dinner party for all the major status figures in Rome, Italy. The... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 10:08 PM on February 19, 2004

Oh, and my little sister's favorite joke for the longest time:

Two men walk into a bar.
Ouch Ouch.
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 10:13 PM on February 19, 2004

Definitely give Python a go. We've been using it more and more here at work (myself not as much as others, sadly), and it's really becoming beloved. Friend has suddenly made it his language of choice of late. I believe it's being used in a lot of open source projects itself, as well. .. and it has quite a good community attached to it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 9:42 AM on February 17, 2004

The diaries at DailyKOS are pretty good if you REALLY like the political threads here. And most people don't.
posted to Ask Metafilter by tittergrrl at 9:47 PM on February 16, 2004