In college, I was very interested in pursuing social event planning (ie. weddings and parties, no corporate/convention) as a full-time career, so I did a lot of research. This would be in the mid 90's, so take this with a grain of buttercream -- but I've since been in several weddings with planners, so I think it's all still fairly accurate. I'll assume you're in the US, barring other info:

There's a lot of regional flux on pricing and practice. What brides in the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 11:40 AM on June 8, 2008

My first inclination is to agree with beagle. But, is there a chance that, if Editor's publication hires Friend, and she is training or working with him in a transition role, your relationship with Friend will come up regardless? Will it then seem weird that you didn't mention it?

I think I would do this:

Go to the meeting with the Editor. After we've shaken hands and got into a bit of small talk, say something along the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 12:38 PM on June 4, 2008

What is the need for a new card? In general they are not an official ID. I haven't had one in over 20 years. If a social security number is needed to be verified you can show copies of tax returns etc.

This is a Texas thing. Texas requires that you show SS card for driver's license purposes in order to verify US citizenship while also checking you against the "deadbeat dads" database. The DMV reports your SSN to the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 1:26 PM on May 27, 2008

Two additional resources that might be helpful:

- a sample letter you can crib

- and the forum at FlyerTalk discussing the same issue
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 11:55 AM on May 8, 2008

It's blowing your mind because international travel with multiple passengers on multiple itineraries and multiple carriers is HARD. If it wasn't, "The Amazing Race" wouldn't be so entertaining. The main thing we would need to know to really help you: are you booking codeshare, interline or point-to-point? What about your friends? If they booked through Expedia or Orbitz, etc.

Codeshare: Carrier #1 receives all the money for the tickets. Passengers might... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 9:09 AM on May 1, 2008

If I get experienced sexually outside of a loving relationship, might this take away from the thrill of sex with someone I really love?

No.

Could I end up developing a taste for a variety of men, and find it harder to be satisfied with monogamy?

Sure. That's why some people find faithful monogamy extraordinarily hard to maintain. But right now, what are your alternatives? Be... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 2:11 PM on April 30, 2008

I want to second shifafa's comment, and to say that I just did this trip with my stepdaughter last month, who is a couple years younger but really loves the shopping/sightseeing/nice hotels also, and wanted to visit California for the first time -- although she does not watch any of the TV shows set in SoCal so I know she wasn't envisioning Orange County. Your Teenager May Vary.

What made me choose San Francisco was two-fold: we weren't going at a beach-friendly time,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 5:55 PM on April 27, 2008 marked best answer

Is there anything else I should do to study up before we move?

I don't have a particular book to recommend (a native might step in here), but I think it would be helpful for you to learn all about Mardi Gras as a cultural phenomenon. Most people view it as a debauched week of parades with beads for boobs and lots of drunks -- but that's the French Quarter soundbite MTV version, propagated to the rest of the country. Many of the parades are actually... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 5:36 PM on April 24, 2008

Have you looked into all the various styles of bento box? This one is melamine... I know there are metal ones too, if you Google.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 8:51 AM on April 24, 2008

on preview, now that i see there are performance problems, it's worth sending them an email saying "going over last year's numbers, i couldn't help but notice you both took a lot of vacation days at the same time. perhaps it was a coincidence, perhaps not. i don't care. however, i'd like to take the opportunity to remind you that i very much value what you bring to this organization and hope that whatever goes on in your private life would not compromise your professionalism here.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 8:25 AM on April 24, 2008

Already mentioned: ostensibly, fecund, ubiquitous, schadenfreude, gravitas, salient. I only use "lionize" in MeTa, it would seem (which I'm sure makes some kind of psychological statement about me as a person or MeFite).

Others that I seem to find handy: cocurricular, peccadillo, frisson, soupçon, venerable, askance, curmudgeon, asymptotic, porte-cochere, assuage, denouement, vacillate. Umbrage and its friend,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 3:13 PM on April 22, 2008

[advance warning of super-long comment]

This is a great bridesmaid's manual -- v. realistic and practical. Recommend highly A+++

kidsleepy's overview of the general course of events is spot-on. I've been a bridesmaid a dozen times, and consequently have thrown probably a dozen showers/bachelorette/pre-wedding parties. Here are the tips I've accumulated along the way (mostly the hard way).

- Definitely talk to your... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 9:28 AM on April 21, 2008 marked best answer

I'm a fairly lazy person by nature, so when it comes to skin care, I have to find products that can be easily incorporated into my regular routine. If it becomes a big production, I won't do it, so then it doesn't matter how effective or miraculous the cream/oil/lotion/scrub/serum is. On that note, in addition to the suggestions for maintenance and night care, I'd like to add two products that have worked for me:

- An in-shower treatment. I really like this product... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 10:10 AM on April 7, 2008 marked best answer

Anonymous, if your initials are MW, all I can beg you is please just come out with it and tell us. (My dearest oldest friend is in a situation so very similar that this post almost brought tears to my eyes. So let me play the devil's advocate role of your pals)

Telling them how you feel might alienate them. Most people expect their friends to be happy about their success. It might come as a blow to find out that is not entirely the case.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 9:00 AM on April 1, 2008

It sounds like you had a mild chemical burn from the electrode glue.

If it were me: I would immediately stop putting additional chemicals on it (benzoyl, salicylic acid, neosporin, moisturizers), which are likely just making the situation far worse. As you've noted, you've got the red burny areas (which need moisture and healing) but the pimply areas (which need drying), so any one chemical solution is just going to fix one while exacerbating the other. Also, I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 9:00 AM on March 31, 2008 marked best answer

Oh, and for the days of the events, if the spots weren't gone, I would probably try something like the Clean & Clear Advantage Invisible Acne Patch. It goes on like a liquid but then dries to a kind of smoothed out surface patch with some sort of polymers, and you can put makeup over it. Because it's got salicylic acid, you wouldn't want to leave it on any longer than necessary, but it could be a short-term fix.

I've never actually tried this stuff myself, but I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 9:16 AM on March 31, 2008 marked best answer

I agree with those who have already disagreed with the suggestion to advocate for pressing charges. That is an incredibly complicated decision for the survivor to make (as much as those of us on the outside wish it weren't. Naturally we want to see those bastards pay, but sometimes that desire has to take a backseat), and letting her arrive at that decision in her own time and as best meets her needs is a critical part of the empowerment that is crucial to healing.

I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 8:04 AM on March 31, 2008

anonymous said: "Is there a way for the student to prove financial independence from the parents and have their request evaluated solely on their income and financial situation? Would this simply require not being claimed as a dependent?

I assume this it's not possible for one to just say their parents will not be assisting in paying for one's education since most everyone would do that. "

Anecdata: At the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 6:44 AM on March 29, 2008

I used to be a freelancer, and these are the lessons as told to me by my tax-professional spouse:

Generally, what you can write off is anything that you use exclusively, 100% for work. So, if you also play on it or listen to it or watch it for fun, then it's not a deduction. You could try to estimate what percentage of the item's use is for work/recreation, but then you still can't deduct the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 2:51 PM on March 27, 2008

The Straightener said: "Throw them away. One of the most frustrating things about working in social services is dealing with donations, most of which turn out to be cast off garbage. People mean well, but some don't understand that just because someone is homeless or poor doesn't mean they want to wear clothes that are tattered and full of holes. ...You'll just be making work for someone else, who will wind up throwing your stuff away anyhow. Save them the time and effort.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 12:11 PM on March 27, 2008

earlier I said: "take your more-worn items to Goodwill or Salvation Army" but sure enough, the East Bay Area Goodwills don't appear to participate in secondary market textile sales (yes, I saw your AskMe title, but I incorrectly assumed you were using Goodwill as a generic thrift store name! mea culpa!), so check with Salvation Army?

But, I still think that finding secondary market is preferable to just putting them in... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 12:17 PM on March 27, 2008

I agree that some sort of citrus addition might really sparkle things up -- maybe a lemon twist or an orange twist. Or an orange wedge, which would add orange oils and also a squeeze of sweetness.

The ex-bartender in me does love it when a cocktail's name also rings a bell on the ingredients ("Slow Comfortable Screw" is a perfect example). But I agree that "Tequila Cringe" sounds scary, instead of refreshing and fruity.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 6:46 AM on March 27, 2008

LoriFLAPoster said: "I think I'm worried nobody will come, but that's probably just me worrying too much."

It would be a blessing in disguise if they didn't all come: the rule of thumb is that the best number of guests for a kid's party is X+1 where X equals the child's age.

And By The Grace of God is spot-on. I promise that no one would not come because they were mad that you missed their kid's party.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 2:12 PM on March 26, 2008

You might also put your reader in touch with Rob Rummel-Hudson, who just had a book published about his family's experience with discovering assistive technology, obtaining a device for his daughter Schuyler, and dealing with various school systems in the funding and support of the use of the device.

Disclaimer: I know Rob personally. Regardless, as an experienced consumer and kid advocate, I can't see a way that he wouldn't be a fine objective resource for... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 9:58 AM on March 26, 2008

I'm getting cheeved that this thread has become "all cultural consumer differences" instead of clothing, apparel, jewelry and fashion as specified by the OP. It's making things quite noisy in here.

Planet F: I have yet to see a pair of sweats on a European body!

I've certainly seen them in Ireland/UK, on women. Europe doesn't seem to be immune to the knocked-off-Juicy-tracksuit look. (unless you meant "on a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 10:14 AM on March 25, 2008

Those are popular in the U.S.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 12:18 PM on March 25, 2008

squid patrol said: "pineapple wrote: squid patrol said:

Actually I was quoting uandt, with whom I disagreed. I think you and I are in agreement that Europe is no longer a SUV-free zone. :)"

Totally right, sorry about that.

Also, I just left the insane quoting above because it's funny. It's like an episode of Friends. "They know, that we... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 9:34 AM on March 26, 2008

A couple things jump out here for me, and maybe they are things that you could put back to your friend to help get a bit more focus on where she wants to go.

watercarrier said: "What would be the ideal type of work for someone with no formal education but who has amazing talents? ...dropped out of Junior High and never looked back, basically educating herself via books, experience and internet. She is super smart...... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 3:15 PM on March 25, 2008

On personal principle, part of me is loath to recommend her (because outside of the wine writing she's an affected twit), but Natalie Mclean has great media (newsletter, site, books), which offer approachable, informative doses that even a wine newbie can benefit from. Her wine writing manages to be simultaneously entertaining and helpful.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 12:34 PM on March 24, 2008

My aunt used to swear by the tailor at the southwest corner of Memorial and Dairy Ashford. She took all the family tailoring there, including pants and jackets for my uncle. I myself have had some fairly complicated alterations on party dresses done by the ladies at that shop, so I woudn't hesitate to recommend them for simple pants hems and cuffs.

Google reports that they are still at 14459 Memorial Drive, and the shop name is now Bridal Designs and Alterations. I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 7:01 AM on March 24, 2008

If you don't think "Just for the Halibut" is too crude, then might I recommend my fave fishing t-shirt:

Ain't No Nookie Like Chinookie.


I can't believe I have a favorite fishing-humor t-shirt.

And that I just admitted it on the internet.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 8:20 PM on March 18, 2008

xo said: "I wonder how many people who've answered so far are artists or musicians..."

xo, while I appreciate that you can contribute the relatively unique perspective of two-full-time-artists-making-it-work, your comment scanned to me as "If you support art and since he is An Artist, this is how it should be, because Real Artist Relationships work like this, and anyone who doesn't get that, doesn't Get Art and The... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 4:25 AM on March 18, 2008

Seconding provisions. I use it regularly in this exact way, to describe feeding and watering of the small beasts in our house such as child and cat without expending additional energy on the second and third words ("food and water," eg.), and it seems to work.

Plus now the child has learned the word, and it's cute when she asks if we can "stop for provisions" or announces that she "thinks we... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 4:33 PM on March 17, 2008

Pineapple's spouse here - the member of the family with the guitar knowledge.

As far as cleaning things up, a safe solvent for all Gibson finishes is Naphtha. Naphtha also happens to be the only ingredient in cigarette lighter fluid. You can pickup a small plastic bottle at any grocery store or drug store for just a couple bucks and it will last a long while.

Apply it to a soft cotton cloth (like an old t-shirt) and it should lift most... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 6:59 PM on March 12, 2008 marked best answer

I use Backpack, and also 30Boxes.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 1:41 PM on March 11, 2008

Two resources that might provide additional helpful food for thought: the Hansard Society's Parliament for the Future report, and the Feb. 16, '08 Economist issue that focused on government and technology (with a strong European/UK bent, imo, which the Economist is wont to do).

Here's an article called "Government offline: Why business succeeds on the web and government mostly fails". And if you look at this main index... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 6:08 AM on March 7, 2008

Who do you envision participating? Would it be the implementers? The agency? Who would be supplying the answers? Who would be encouraged to ask?

I think the reason AskMe works so well is that it was borne of a community that self-selects and rewards quality posting and quality knowledge sharing. I would worry that in a more public venue where the barriers to participation were low, that the result would be more "Yahoo! Answers," less "AskMetaFilter."
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 9:00 AM on March 10, 2008

Beignets
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 12:29 PM on March 7, 2008

Bageena said: "My wife and I, at the ripe old ages of 25 and 27, have decided that we're tired of working. ...Unfortunately, we're neither independently wealthy nor lucky enough to know anyone who is that we could mooch off of. ...We're happy with the way our lives are now, we just don't want to work so much anymore. Any ideas?"

I think you might be confused by what it means to work from home. Working from home is still... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 7:49 AM on March 7, 2008

Ditto what jejune said -- I'm having a very hard time following who was doing the possibly-inappropriate disclosing, and in what way it felt like a "support group."

Without knowing more about your particular situation, I can say that I personally would not feel comfortable with a therapist, especially in a couples counseling setting, who did not seem to be able to identify with my situation. I would probably subconsciously worry that I was being judged, or... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 6:37 PM on March 3, 2008

You could ask him to move the video game set-up to his own room. You don't have to give the exact brutal reason ("I'm #@$%ing sick of the sight of you") but can go with something gentler yet still truthful ("I don't use it but it still sort of prevents me from using the living room too, and I'd like to watch TV or read or have people over -- so since it's a you thing and not an us thing, would you mind relocating it to your space instead of our space?").... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 2:58 PM on March 3, 2008

My Briggs & Riley tote, I might go for first in a house fire. At $129 MSRP, it's not cheap, but it is super-durable (two years of weekly flights and mine looks new), and roomy (this can hold: my big travel wallet, zip-up jewelry case, camera case, ipod case, headphones case, a padfolio and couple of manila folders, a paperback and magazine, change of clothes, and toiletries Ziploc, plus that day's purse holding purse things -- and not be crammed too full for comfort).... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 1:34 PM on March 3, 2008 marked best answer

I had never heard of l'ortolan and was driven to Google for further info, where this thread on the now-defunct* Google Answers popped up. (Totally SFW but not safe for those who like to avoid food porn or graphic descriptions of meat eating)

And I'm left with far more questions than answers. Did "Tryxie" go to Paris? Did she wear the mask? Did she and Bryan have the rendez-vous l'ortolan they were planning? Inquiring... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 3:23 AM on March 1, 2008

Just another data point toward the existence of the stereotype:

I'm white, middle-aged, female, from Texas. Spent time with family in all the economic ranges. Had never heard or observed anything growing up, relating to race wrt dogs.

Cut to my first office job; all the [female, Texan, various ages] admin assistants are standing around the coffee machine.

Admin 1: So, how's the patio remodel going?
Admin 2:... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 5:00 PM on February 25, 2008

How do we get locals who are passionate about their particular scenes (fine art/punk rock/hiking/environmental activism/whatever) to blog about them on a regular basis?

I would like to second what LobsterMitten said: "Make it super-easy technologically, for people who might be older or less blog-savvy."

I have a sort-of-parallel experience in my community with trying to bring people online to share information. And I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 12:10 PM on February 21, 2008

Maybe it was a West Coast cultural thing? Like, a local television PSA trying to prevent teen pregnancies that said, "Be Smart" or something similar that was misinterpreted? I've heard the "PT" one and "'are you positive' = 'positive for AIDS'", but not "smart = pregnant."

On the same line as DoctorFedora, in our school yard it was

Kid 1: Are you a homo?
Kid 2: No.
Kid 1: What?... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 8:49 AM on February 19, 2008

I had "Tight Fittin Jeans" ready before I even read the thread, it's perfect.

I'd argue that the Eagles' "Lyin' Eyes" is absolutely country, and the lyrics fit:

A rich old man
And she won't have to worry
She'll dress up all in lace and go in style

Late at night a big old house gets lonely
I guess every form of refuge has its price
And it breaks... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 7:21 AM on February 19, 2008

Emily Post's Etiquette
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 1:19 PM on February 16, 2008

Could the bakery in Baltimore have named them wrong?

A sable is a shortbread-like French butter cookie, and Googling reveals that sables are pretty popular sandwiched together with frosting or jam.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 1:04 PM on February 16, 2008

mcarthey: "One thing I'm a bit confused/disappointed about is that I had found a flight on Avianca from Florida for about $400/person, whereas booking the flight direct from a local location ups the price to nearly $1000/person. Is the hassle of "interlining" (as backupjesus stated) really that much of a hassle to warrant the savings? I haven't found or looked for any direct flights, but I can only imagine it's going to be even more crazy expensive.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pineapple at 11:05 AM on February 14, 2008