Looks like no one mentioned Takoma Park - I would definitely recommend it. Very kid-centric with lots of activities at the elementary school and community center, and library - all in easy walking distance from most houses. You could live a few blocks from these with the Metro a few blocks on the other side, and have the "downtown" area with a few shops and restaurants also walkable. There are also several small parks with playgrounds scattered around for kids. I used to see kids... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 4:01 AM on September 3, 2008

For the social side of your life - I am going to guess that you are probably involved in some fandoms, maybe Japanese culture-related. There are probably others in your area that might hold meetups. That would be an excuse to go out of the house, and meet people in a no-pressure situation - fangirls/boys tend to be pretty tolerant of social foibles, and some of them are probably dealing with the same issues you are. Try to reach out to them.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 10:44 AM on August 23, 2008

If you've had a headache for two days, go to the doctor, get checked out, and talk about prescriptions. (Triptans like Imitrex work for a lot of people.) If your doctor has diagnosed you with migraines before, s/he might be willing to call in a prescription to your local pharmacy. In the meanwhile, you can try to ingest some caffeine, or take a shower, which seems to help a lot of migraine sufferers. There are also neck exercises you can try to relieve tension, just carefully stretching your... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 2:16 AM on August 21, 2008

Aside from everything else it just sounds like you have different priorities - you want to move around, she wants to settle. And so far the priorities haven't been addressed equitably, since neither of you are satisfied. So, if you moved again, she would resent you. And if you stay, you resent her. In fact, you probably feel like she "owes" you for being her caretaker during her health problems. The thing is, counting points and obligations isn't really a good way to run a relationship.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 7:56 PM on August 20, 2008

Faking an illness definitely works if your friends can't deal with you simply preferring some alone time at the hotel.

Another coping mechanism, if you are so inclined, might be to start composing the hilarious tale of the Worst Vacation Ever that you can tell for the rest of your life. Embellishments and creative license are encouraged - make a mental list of everything that sucks about this trip, and come up with some cringingly good anecdotes you can tell at parties,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 8:27 AM on August 18, 2008

My first question would be - is this actually about noise, or is there something else amiss in her life or your relationship? Maybe she is bothered by or unhappy about something she can't or won't articulate, and she is expressing it by being hyper-sensitive to noise. So, depending on you relationship, you may ask:
- please tell me straight out if something I am doing is bothering you instead of focusing on enforcing silence
- is there anything I could do that would help... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 5:39 AM on August 16, 2008

It sounds like you've lived in an unpleasant, unstable situation for a long time. Moving out and getting away from the craziness will help, but don't be surprised if it's very hard at first. You are used to the crazy, and trying to live sanely may feel strange or overwhelming.

Also, as you are aware, your family fucked you up. Getting away from them will stop further damage, but it may not be an immediate cure-all. There is a decent chance that you may become depressed... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 9:51 AM on August 11, 2008 marked best answer

Oh, and the best and only thing you can do for your siblings is get out, get your shit together, and become that role model. They may well not follow but if you are away, sane and happy, you can at least be a stabilizing force at some point down the line.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 10:02 AM on August 11, 2008

- Go to a spa and get pedicures while sipping champagne
- Rent a fancy hotel suite and have your party there, male strippers optional
- Do something like a sauna or Turkish bath, where you can get relaxed, or silly with the nudity, etc
- Do something adventurous the bride has always wanted to do, like skydiving, target shooting, car racing, etc
- Paintball (with everyone wearing veils over their masks), followed by drinking
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 1:49 PM on August 8, 2008

The depth perception thing is common, and you will likely adjust in a few days.

But I would still recommend that you have your prescription double checked, just in case. I was prescribed a pair of glasses a couple years ago that made me terribly disoriented, the optometrist told me I'd adjust but another optometrist checked the glasses and found out that they'd read the prescription wrong and made one of the lenses incorrectly. Once fixed, the glasses didn't bother me at all.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 6:57 AM on August 8, 2008

To follow up: I like the specs of Thinkpads and a lot of people swear by them, but we used them at work and I've seen many of them fail in very spectacular and exciting ways. Which is why I can't bring myself to buy one. I am theoretically open to the idea of running Windows on a Mac.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 1:28 PM on May 7, 2008

To follow up, very very late, I ended up buying a Sony Vaio TZ285N (11" screen, 2 gigs of RAM, solid state HD) and I LOVE IT. It ran a bit slow with Vista, but Sony was kind enough to provide an XP downgrade disk.

With XP it runs just fine, I can use MS Office, Photoshop, etc with little or no lag. There is just as much screen real estate as on some larger versions (1366x768 resulution), it weighs nothing, and the battery life is very close to the promised five... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 8:24 PM on August 7, 2008

Is there any environment where you don't swear? Work, church, etc? If you already have a "formal language mode," try to include being around your kids in the set of places you're in that mode.

If not, try to develop one, perhaps by speaking more formally in general - no profanity, proper grammar, complete sentences, no slang, etc. Pretend you are being interviewed on a TV show or something. Being conscious of your language for a while should develop a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 2:04 PM on August 6, 2008

To clarify, then, alternatives for "that asshole cut me off!" would be, "How rude!" or "What is he thinking?!" Just get out of the habit of one-word expletives while with the kids, even if they're euphemisms.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 2:07 PM on August 6, 2008

Have you talked with her about your concerns? I can definitely see how a woman could be offended if you insist on condoms, whether it's logical or not. She might think you don't trust her to take the pill correctly, or don't trust her, period.

Anectodally, the pill is very effective - I don't know of a single failure in my circle of female friends, and most of us have been using it for years and years. But you need to talk about what would happen in case of failure... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 8:44 PM on August 1, 2008

If you're dreading going to work and have a new gig lined up, why not quit? The only cons might be:
- the possibility of burning bridges at the former employer (you're not leaving anyone in a lurch, are you?)
- for paycheck, which you seem ready to forfeit (but what if you have unexpected expenses?)
- two more weeks of being unemployed may not be as fun as they sound (do you have plans, or will you just bum around?)

If the answers to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 10:41 AM on August 1, 2008

One caveat about the Litter Robot - our fluffy, 15 pound cat refused to use it. There is not a ton of space inside, so it might be best for a smaller cat. On the other hand, we were able to re-sell it on craigslist for the price we paid, so it's worth a shot.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 7:30 AM on July 30, 2008

You get to experience a very different culture while enjoying a very Western-style developed, convenient, high-tech infrastructure. The air-conditioned trains run on time and the stores sell anything you like (at least in the bigger cities) but at the same time you can immerse yourself in a brand new culture.

The culture is different enough to be humbling (something most westerners could use) yet liberating - Japanese people will cut a gaijin a lot of slack on making... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 11:32 PM on July 23, 2008

Having been to Japan in August, I'd say a fitted short-sleeved blouse sounds great. In fact, fitted everything - look put together and well-tailored. A blouse, a knee-length pencil skirt and a pair of nice shoes with a low heel would be a good choice. Think simple and elegant - no loud patterns or very bright colors, but everything should be coordinated and fit you like a glove.

For shoes and purses, the Japanese love designer attire, but of course you won't want to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 5:49 PM on July 11, 2008 marked best answer

Go hiking in Patapsco Valley State Park. Lots of great trails, just up 95.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 10:19 AM on July 11, 2008

Sounds like stress-induced brain fog. Also, benzos aren't really good as sleep aids, the duration is too short. For over-the-counter sleep aids, have you tried melatonin? I've found it pretty effective as a sleep aid when going through a stressful period.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 10:10 AM on July 11, 2008

For what it's worth, I've also dyed and bleached my eyebrows at home for years. Very carefully. I am not blind yet. I've even gotten bleach into my eye once or twice, and all it did was sting until I rinsed it out. Still, I wouldn't try it if you're clumsy, or have never dyed your hair before. Go to a salon and check the products they use.

Any beauty supply store will have hair bleach (usually in powder form) - there are many brands, Clairol is one. You'll need developer,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 8:30 AM on July 9, 2008

You think you've hit the "genetic jackpot" but that's quite subjective. Has Cubby been subject to rigorous health testing to see if he's carrying any genetic problems that could get passed on? What about his hips, Goldens are subject to hip issues.

If everything is perfect, the only benefit to keeping him intact would be that you could enter him in shows, or obedience/agility competitions. then, if he is a champion dog, he might be worth breeding and you're... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 9:39 AM on July 8, 2008

P.S. Some neutered males exhibit aggression toward intact males. And intact males may have aggression toward each other. So by leaving Cubby intact, you are making him into a potential target for other dogs, which means being extra careful on walks, dog parks, etc.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 9:41 AM on July 8, 2008

One of my friends gave out lovely silk/cashmere shawls to the bridesmaids. They went with the dresses, so we could put them on if we got cold, and make great scarves in winter or cover-ups in planes, overly air-conditioned offices, etc. I remember she got them on eBay relatively cheap, so it's definitely within your budget - and if you wanted to get fancy, you could always get them monogrammed.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 5:11 PM on July 7, 2008

A good selection of magazines - maybe a shelf that highlights a few new or obscure magazines every week/month. Availability of foreign magazines a big plus.

A good selection of comics and graphic novels, organized in some sort of logical order.

Staff recommendations in every genre, not just one shelf for the whole store.

Shelving by author within a section. Borders often shelves the hardcovers and trade paperbacks away... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 9:07 AM on July 4, 2008

Seconding Patricia McConnell - and training classes, as well. Helps socialize the dog if you can get her into a group class.

For training treats, our trainer recommended cooked chicken breast cut into small cubes, or bland hot dogs. Obviously you want very small bits so as not to upset the puppy's stomach, but anything smelly should be extra effective.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 1:11 PM on June 30, 2008

Some people are just perverse. If you tell then you hate moths, they'll throw moths at you. If you are in new/fragile clothes and trying not to get wet, they'll splash you with water. If you hate dancing, they'll try to physically drag you to the dance floor, etc. And they think it's all in good fun. You can try to persuade them it's NOT all in good fun: "This phobia may seem silly to you but it's real, and worrying about encountering moths (water, dancing, etc) seriously reduces my... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 8:09 AM on June 28, 2008

Thank you everyone, these are great!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 4:41 PM on June 27, 2008

Learn all you can about the organization, not just your tiny part of it. Try to figure out how your tasks contribute to the larger whole, ask questions, see how things work. This will help you:
- prioritize your tasks once your bosses become more hands-off
- figure out how to become more valuable to the org and reap benefits in terms of promotions/raises
- figure out what you want to do career-wise in general: maybe another department looks more interesting to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 9:43 AM on June 26, 2008

Can you make a case to management that there is too much work for one IT person? Getting some help, even part-time, might free you up to pursue more interesting projects while staying at the job. You would get some management experience, to boot.

If not, you may want to look for a new job. At a company that does something that interests you personally, so you are more invested in the success of your projects.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 6:42 PM on June 18, 2008

Are you talking about something like the "Blue Ocean Strategy"?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 5:16 PM on June 18, 2008

You have only been out of college a year? Don't go to grad school yet! Try a different job or pursuing some interests extra-curricularly.

Only go to grad school once you are reasonably sure of the discipline you would like to specialize in. Grad school is a time- energy- and money-intensive commitment. Don't make the commitment until you are certain.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 2:28 PM on June 18, 2008

First, see your doctor(s) before freaking out. All those symptoms can be MS, but they are also very common symptoms of anxiety. So the more nervous and stressed you are, the more you may be feeling it physically. Whether you do or do not have a neurological illness, consider taking steps to relax and get the worries off your mind, whether by distraction, exercise, making plans for the worst-case scenario, even medication if your doctor recommends it. Good luck!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 10:58 AM on June 16, 2008

Most of the problem with HFCS is the extra calories. A lot of extra calories in places where you wouldn't expect them. Most of the problem with aspartame is the potential long-term cancer risk. I think the main variable is the amount you consume:

If you drink a few cans of soda a week, it probably doesn't matter either way.

If you drink several cans a day: with HFCS, you WILL consume extra calories and probably gain weight and experience the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 10:20 AM on June 16, 2008

I am sorr for your loss.

Chiming in on #3 - I once had a sweet, cuddly kitten grow up to be a high-strung, violent cat who attacked my guests. She has her evil charms, but since then I've only adopted adult cats - friendly ones!

If you want to get a better idea of their personalities, try going through a rescue instead of a shelter, or a shelter that fosters out its cats. That way you can visit the cats in their foster home and get an idea of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 8:30 AM on June 11, 2008

Er, you probably already know this, but it looks like a 1000 ruble Russian war bond from 1916. The language is a bit too formal for me to offer a complete translation, but is there anything in particular you wan tot know about it?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 11:34 AM on June 5, 2008

"My father constantly brags to his colleagues that I was the only sucker willing to take this job for such a pathetic salary, which pretty much cements my assumption that I'm worth next-to-nothing."

This doesn't mean you're worth next-to-nothing. This means your father is trying to make you believe that, so he can keep paying you next-to-nothing and treating you unprofessionally. And it sounds like he's been successful, since you deprecate yourself all through... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 11:20 AM on June 5, 2008

Admit positions = admin positions of course. Typo sneaked past previewing.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 11:22 AM on June 5, 2008

I grew up in a former Soviet republic, but was quite young when I left. Still, I can talk some about my family.

Housing was scarce, even in the medium-sized city we lived in. My grandparents, aunt, housekeeper, and me all lived in a two-bedroom, one bath apartment - and my grandparents were relatively well off, as you can guess by the presence of a housekeeper. I lived with them because my parents didn't have an apartment of their own, even after they were married they... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 8:01 AM on May 29, 2008

Disrupting your sleep schedule can cause migraines. Change in posture can cause tension headaches - do you spend most of the workweek in a particular position, such as sitting in a computer chair? There were a few months where I spent a lot of time laying down and propping myself up on my elbows to read or use the computer, then when I switches to sitting at a desk, I started getting terrible headaches that OTC drugs didn't help. Turns out they were tension headaches caused by the change in... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 2:38 PM on May 27, 2008

Going to be nice and answer this straight, here is a trick I've seen used in job interviews:

Bring up a topic they know nothing about, then ask their opinion. See how they handle it - if they ask questions, what kind of questions, do they perceive the nuances, generalize from similar topics in their experience, etc. Basically, see if this is someone who has a good intellectual framework for processing and acting on information.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 1:04 PM on May 27, 2008

It sounds almost as if you've developed a phobia of car rides, so a treatment plan for phobias might work in overcoming it. I am not an expert but as far as I know they are usually overcome with controlled exposure.

So maybe start by taking really short rides - "this is just 5 min so I don't have TIME to get an IBS attack", then gradually increase the length. Or go for rides with a friend in the car, having a fun conversation, playing a word game, putting on... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 12:57 PM on May 27, 2008

These acquaintances sound very annoying. If they're repeating the same unfunny comments over and over again, they're the ones not great at socializing. Or just not too bright, and unable to think of anything new to bring up. You can either minimize contract, or just let them know that it stopped being funny a long time ago and now they're just embarrassing themselves with the lame attempts at humor.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 7:35 AM on May 24, 2008

I can't clarify that much because my plans are rather nebulous. I will be working/living abroad (someplace developed, likely several places) for a couple of years at least. I won't make immediate plans to return to the US but would like to leave that door open, at least for a few years.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 12:07 PM on May 15, 2008

I just made sure to adopt tough, confident cats. Some dogs will chase if a cat runs - these cats never run from anyone. If the dog bugs them, they are free with the paw-smacks. A hierarchy is established and harmony reigns.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 11:16 AM on May 15, 2008

My grandmother's 89, and really quite surprisingly content. She lived through world war 2 in the former soviet union, had her family scattered and reunited, outlived two husbands, immigrated in her 70s, has a mentally ill daughter, bouts with cancer, and a recent hip replacement... And she's usually upbeat, active, socializes often with other seniors and is always calling and writing back and forth with other family members. It's definitely a personality thing - she is not, perhaps, the deepest... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 6:27 AM on May 15, 2008

She can probably get private loans. Try the big banks like Citi, and sites like
gradloans.com. If you are willing to co-sign and your credit is good, the rates on private loans might actually be lower than on federally backed loans.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 6:18 AM on May 15, 2008

Figure out why you're buying stuff you don't need.

If you're shopping for fun, can you do other things that are fun? Take up a sport or hobby, read a library book, cook, go out with friends (yes, it costs money, but at least you aren't filling your house with crap), etc.

If you're particularly susceptible to advertising, try to limit your exposure - avoid magazines, watch TV on DVD or skip the commercials, etc.

If you... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 7:05 AM on May 14, 2008

Your fruit / veggie platter can be the kolkhoz-nucopia.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mr Bunnsy at 8:03 PM on May 7, 2008 marked best answer