I wish I'd read Uther Bentrazor's comment before trying to explain to someone what I thought about Death Magnetic. That's the most perfect summary ever.
posted to MetaFilter by Mamapotomus at 8:00 AM on September 23, 2008

We're staying home here on the southwest side and hoping for the best. Thanks so much bwanabetty and Ufez :-)

Take care of yourselves everybody!
posted to MetaTalk by Mamapotomus at 8:10 PM on September 11, 2008

House is mostly fine, family is fine, still no power :-( It's amazing to see my city so affected by this; I really didn't think it would be this bad. At least the weather has turned cooler so the lack of AC isn't so terrible.
posted to MetaTalk by Mamapotomus at 6:40 AM on September 17, 2008

Fourthing the Blinc Mascara and adding in the Smashbox Photo Finish foundation primer. I use the "light" version (for oily/ sensitive skin) and it's amazing- my makeup doesn't move, looks great and it's the first primer I've tried that didn't wreck my skin. The Urban Decay eyeshadow primer is wonderful as well.

Seriously, at least get a sample of the Kiss Me Mascara because it's the hands-down best beauty product I've ever used.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 12:12 PM on September 11, 2008

RE: saladin: Our family has 2 08 Scion xb's and we're quite happy with them.
They're also about $6000 cheaper than the Honda Element (which I owned previously) and the Element definitely isn't 6 grand nicer.

I'm sure the minivan would have more capacity, but check out the new Scion first to see how much bigger and zippier it is than the one you have now.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 8:42 AM on January 11, 2008

I'm sure no one will ever read this, but I smashed my 2008 XB (mentioned above) into a full size pick-up at 40 mph and we all walked away without a scratch. The airbags deployed, the motor mounts snapped to drop the engine instead of smashing it into my legs and I will sing the praises of that car to anyone who will listen.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 6:35 PM on August 15, 2008

Count Ziggurat, his posts are all from different IP addresses.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 9:59 AM on September 5, 2007

The IPs are from a single subnet and we've been fighting this guy for about a month. The poster is presenting themselves as a kid but their public posts just don't feel right. I can't really explain without going into detail but his comments just don't "fit" with either a typical poster or someone who actually knows anything about the sport.

I've got a call in to our lawyer and we contacted the FBI per the advice above. I'm going to contact the ISP next and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 12:26 PM on September 5, 2007

Resolution: The FBI actually sent an agent to collect printouts with the posts and IP info. The culprit was a minor, and we were told they paid a visit to his home and had an "informal discussion" with him.
Problem solved, thanks AskMe.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 6:20 PM on August 15, 2008

I want to laugh but I have the horrible suspicion that if my boss worked in our office I'd see memos similar in craziness to these. The memos we get now are close enough in tone that I can easily imagine him going into full TigerMike mode if he noticed us more.

(Not that we are "hippies, long-hairs, dope fiends or alcoholics" or anything)
posted to MetaFilter by Mamapotomus at 10:42 AM on August 13, 2008

Oh geez, I went through this. After about the second day home (when it really hit me that OMG I LOVE THIS BABY MORE THAN ANYTHING EVARR!!!) I had the SIDS thought. I swear I didn't sleep for days- I would literally lay next to her making sure she was breathing and any funny baby noise sent me into a panic. I got a "life is unpredictable, that's what makes it special, lighten up Francis" speech from an Aunt and was finally able to unclench. My best friend not only worried about SIDS... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 11:19 PM on August 8, 2008

Mmmm, yeah. In my decade working in both high and low-end restaurants I've seen it a few times. In my experience it depended on the attitude of the other workers in the establishment. In the high-end steakhouse NOTHING was thrown away; if it hit the floor pick it up and pour some more melted butter on it. The Mayor or the Secretary of Education at table 2? Ptooey. In the casual dining place it was pretty rare for a server to care enough to risk the bad karma with the big exception being... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 10:59 PM on August 8, 2008

We get up to 10 of these automated calls a DAY at my office. Never a live person though. All of our numbers are on the Do Not Call List as well.
(Sorry I don't have a solution, I just wanted to toss another data point in here.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 1:47 PM on August 7, 2008

I've had good luck finding oddball stamps on Etsy- lots of people make custom designs in very non-traditional motifs.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 10:52 AM on July 10, 2008

Until I clicked the links I had completely forgotten sticker albums existed; much less that my 10 year old self owned and obsessed over several of them. I can even remember the smell- where the hell has this been hiding in brain all these years?
posted to MetaFilter by Mamapotomus at 8:57 AM on June 26, 2008

My Secret Quonsar got me the Heavy Metal Funtime Activity Book. I've since bought several copies for other people as gifts and it's universally loved.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 8:32 AM on May 21, 2008 marked best answer

These little fuckers are in my bathroom RIGHT NOW. Reason 912 why living in Houston must be punishment for something bad I did in a past life.
posted to MetaFilter by Mamapotomus at 6:47 PM on May 16, 2008

It's a horribly designed website, but these guys are out of California and this looks close to what you're looking for:
Sly Paintball "Don" Hoodie

It's hard to tell from the black-on-black picture but the hood zips all the way up, with two eyeholes and one small mouth hole. (Upper right of main photo).
There's also a dealer locater on the sight that might help you find one locally. They retail for about $50.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 2:56 PM on May 9, 2008

I'd suggest MicroCenter or maybe EPO. EPO is closed Sundays though.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 7:50 PM on April 26, 2008

Thanks everyone! No single best answer, but my friends employer has offered their legal counsel to get this taken care of.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 12:16 PM on February 21, 2008

Yay! Thanks for this, I never would have seen it otherwise.
posted to MetaFilter by Mamapotomus at 7:33 AM on February 5, 2008

Thanks to this, I now know the faint memory of a little person having wacky adventures was called The Wizard and wasn't a hallucination. Thanks MeFi :-)
posted to MetaFilter by Mamapotomus at 11:34 AM on February 1, 2008

Ack! To the person who drew me:
I hit "return" before finishing the address and Elfster closed the answer box! Can you shoot me another question so I can give you the address?
posted to MetaTalk by Mamapotomus at 7:57 AM on December 14, 2007

My Secret Quonsar is the greatest gift giver of all time!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
posted to MetaTalk by Mamapotomus at 12:55 PM on December 20, 2007

Whoo-hoo! I'm in!
posted to MetaTalk by Mamapotomus at 3:19 PM on November 15, 2007

..alongside 23 other celebrities in the northern city, including philosopher Gottfried Leibniz and hard rock band The Scorpions.

I'd say it's the coolest advent calendar ever.
posted to MetaFilter by Mamapotomus at 8:02 AM on November 9, 2007

I grew up with a gin drinking cat. She also ate olives, and would attempt to drink her way down to them in the martini glass.

So, yeah, it just depends on the cat.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 7:23 PM on November 5, 2007

Unless it's Bruce's Sweet Potato Pancake mix, it's just no good.
posted to MetaFilter by Mamapotomus at 7:56 AM on November 1, 2007

Thanks jbickers, for making me feel 14 again!
posted to MetaFilter by Mamapotomus at 1:46 PM on October 31, 2007

You will need a "real" merchant account to use a card imprinter. We've done it with our business in the past, then run the card numbers later on our terminal. Usually the fees are higher with non-swiped cards and at least twice a year the service provider would deny a charge because we didn't swipe the card. While we were always able to get the funds and prove the charge was legit it was still an annoying waste of time. Of course you're always going to run the risk of the card... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 8:24 PM on October 30, 2007

Martin Picard
For this Canadian chef (left), the meal would start with one kilo of caviar and blini, a Russian pancake, followed by fresh bluefin tuna from Nova Scotia, served raw with a soy sauce and self-hunted snipes (a type of wading bird), prepared classically.

Eh?
posted to MetaFilter by Mamapotomus at 12:08 PM on October 24, 2007

If that's a snipe, then what's the thing when you take someone out in the country and abandon them under the pretext of hunting?

(Thank goodness I've only been horribly embarrassed here, and not in public or anything.)
posted to MetaFilter by Mamapotomus at 12:43 PM on October 24, 2007

I just booted our Epson CX4600 to the curb as well. I think in the two years we owned that steaming heap it worked once.

I replaced it last week with the HP Photosmart C4280 All-in-One (on sale for something like $80) and it's worked wonderfully. I've been pretty surprised by the color quality for such a cheap printer.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 10:29 AM on October 24, 2007

I'll be there during the day, but I'm still checking to see if I'll be able to stay overnight. The idea of driving back to Houston after drinks does not appeal.
posted to MetaTalk by Mamapotomus at 5:42 PM on October 18, 2007

Okay, can anyone familiar with the area point me towards a hotel near the Gingerman?
posted to MetaTalk by Mamapotomus at 7:20 PM on October 18, 2007

Nevermind, found one. Yay!
posted to MetaTalk by Mamapotomus at 7:57 PM on October 18, 2007

Or casually saunter up to people with a mushroom and ask them to identify it?
posted to MetaTalk by Mamapotomus at 7:43 AM on October 19, 2007

Okay then- 8:30, look for the obvious MeFite watching the game?
posted to MetaTalk by Mamapotomus at 6:14 PM on October 19, 2007

I'm planning on heading up there Friday after work and coming back some time Sunday.
posted to MetaTalk by Mamapotomus at 9:38 AM on October 4, 2007

Here's a link to the local entertainment listings starting the 14th.
The Houston Chronicle
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 6:24 PM on August 31, 2007

Awesome- thanks so much everyone!
I can't tell you how much I appreciate the links and traffic info for the city.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 2:39 PM on August 6, 2007

Holy cow zachxman, Google Transit is the greatest thing ever! Forget Vancouver, I'm just going to plot out places to go in Portland for the next week :-)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 6:46 AM on August 7, 2007

Don't forget siblings- often I've lost a friend and can't find them online but have been able to track down a sister or brother and make contact that way.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 9:17 PM on June 9, 2007

So I clicked the link expecting to mention the "Gabba Gabba Hey" bib I bought my infant daughter, but instead got birds and hands and maybe I *did* have one too many gin and tonics tonight.
posted to MetaFilter by Mamapotomus at 10:22 PM on May 25, 2007

Holy cow- instead of farting around on Metafilter right now I'm supposed to be getting product ready for a scenario game in FL this weekend.
I never ever thought an FPP would be about my *job* :-)

(At least scenario players are fun-crazy, not whiny-crazy like tournament players.)
posted to MetaFilter by Mamapotomus at 10:30 AM on May 23, 2007

Karmakaze: I scored one of the Shats' autographed jerseys at a charity auction last year.
Yeah, no one else cares either.
posted to MetaFilter by Mamapotomus at 11:26 AM on May 23, 2007

Aaargh, I finally managed to forget about Boomshine. Love the music, hate hate hate the damn game.
( I won it the very first time I played and spent two solid days attempting to do it again. It hates me!)
posted to MetaFilter by Mamapotomus at 7:12 PM on May 19, 2007

His version of Like a Virgin was awesome- funny and unexpected.
posted to MetaFilter by Mamapotomus at 8:38 AM on May 18, 2007

I got a set of cast iron one Christmas and HATED it for the same problems you're having. When I decided to try them again I ended up having to Brillo off rust spots, then brushed them lightly with melted lard and baked them in the oven at a fairly low temp for a couple hours to re-season them. I don't think you have to worry about damaging the pans by scrubbing them; you can always start over again.

When I use them I use a non-stick cooking spray or oil before cooking... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 8:04 PM on May 15, 2007

(To clarify: Brillo is the 'nuclear' option here, not your usual cleaning tool.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by Mamapotomus at 8:29 PM on May 15, 2007