Georgia Satellites, Keep Your Hands to Yourself. I won't even link; you know it. It makes me violently angry. The hate is too much.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 10:32 AM on July 25, 2008

Charlotte's Web was my first, too. I was 6 and I read it cover to cover in one evening. I was being babysat by my aunt and there was nothing to do and no one to play with, so I just grabbed one of my cousin's books and started reading. Shortly followed by every Nancy Drew book ever written (the old ones).

I wonder if in France there's a more uniform reading level among young children. I know that I was shocked to see what books my 9 - 10 year old neices and nephews are... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 9:12 AM on July 23, 2008

I used the BodyGem once. The results were pretty much identical to most online calculators, so I'm not sure if that's a coincidence or what. (My thought at the time was that the BodyGem was crap. It was new then, and I figured it wasn't really testing anything, but was using the same formula as an online calculator. But that was just my personal experience - I don't know anything about its true accuracy.) My stats were 63" height, 140 pounds, BodyGem results: 1420. It wasn't particularly... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 10:20 AM on July 22, 2008 marked best answer

peperoxors: "Keep in mind in order to lose weight you need to take in about 500 calories less than your actual RMR. ."

Er, not really. Unless you are completely and utterly sedentary. Your RMR is the number of calories you burn by EXISTING, and doing nothing more. Not even getting out of bed to pee.

If a person consumed 500 cals less than their RMR, plus lived a moderately active lifestyle (walking around at work,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 9:05 PM on July 22, 2008

I second Eugene. And would recommend Davis, CA.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 9:00 PM on July 22, 2008

Yes, what you want is daycare. My 2.5 year old goes to full time daycare, and the school calls his class "early preschool." Daycares differ in whether they offer part time options or not. For example, my son goes 4 days but we have to pay for 5. If he only went 3 days, we'd get a discount. Other centers around here have full time ONLY, or per day prices. We went with our center for reasons other than price.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 2:36 PM on July 20, 2008

Go Sailor!

Here you can listen to some. I like Ray of Sunshine. Some of their music was on the "But I'm a Cheerleader . . ." soundtrack.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 1:07 PM on July 18, 2008

Can you watch The Office? I agree with the idea of exposure therapy. I used to watch it with my hands over my face, but over time the cringe factor really fades.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 8:34 AM on July 18, 2008

It has been a LONG time since I worked on the health side of my company, but as I recall, the only time 100% participation could be required was for EMPLOYER paid benefits. When the ER is making the Employee pay for any portion of the premium, the employee is free to opt out. Are you sure your insurance company understands that your company is not paying 100% of the premium?

Your company can also shop around for a different insurer. Get coverage for your son! You are... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 9:16 AM on July 17, 2008

Cleaning your oven on self-clean mode is one of the most satisfying household chores. Literally no work on your part, and you will be shocked at how clean your oven is. You'll never want to clean an oven the old way ever again. I'm sure your manual mentions this, but you may want to remove the racks. Some older ones will get discolored if they're left in there.

It will smoke and smell but won't hurt you at all.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 8:10 PM on July 16, 2008

This might sound bizarre, but as a kid I used to like chewing on a big wad of cinnamon dental floss! Never liked cinnamon gum.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 2:50 PM on July 11, 2008

ditto that girl. I get failures in XP, Windows 2000, IE, FF, etc. Clicking ON the video (and thus being directed to YouTube) rather than playing it from the embedded link, usually works.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 8:22 AM on July 11, 2008

Now THIS is a good example of the true definition of begging the question.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 3:05 PM on July 10, 2008

thejanna, from the link in your comment:

You may deduct only the amount by which your total medical care expenses for the year exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. You do this calculation on Form 1040 Schedule A in computing the amount deductible.

Just as an FYI for anyone, it's pretty rare for the medical deduction to come into play for the average person/family.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 10:34 AM on July 8, 2008

We have this one, which is pretty good. The singing voice is a little high and chirpy, but it's one of the least annoying CDs we have. Now I would like to pimp Philadelphia Chickens and Blue Moo, which you should own if you don't already.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 10:30 AM on July 8, 2008

Are you female? I have pain on my left side for a significant portion of the month, and I've been told it's because my uterus is tipped quite a bit in that direction. It's definitely not a CONSTANT pain, though. I would be more concerned if I were you.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 11:15 AM on July 7, 2008

This recipe for Souvlaki is unbelievably good. I think it's usually made with lamb, but this is a pork recipe. We are not usually pork fans, but this is delicious.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 5:36 PM on July 3, 2008

I would ditto the "get something that comes close and have a tailor finish the job" suggestion.

Has anyone here done this for the busty problem? I ask because I have the same issue and I can't imagine it costing only $10 - $20. I have similar proportions to the OP, and to buy a shirt that fits my bust I would have to go up to a size 14 or 16, when the rest of my torso is about an 8. The shirt would have to be altered literally at every... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 11:08 AM on July 3, 2008

I've noticed this, too. Especially with Foxtrot (in the past), Get Fuzzy, and Pearls Before Swine. There may have been one more.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 9:42 AM on July 2, 2008

I've never been able to take any adult formula multi-vitamins, with or without iron. I thought it was the iron, too, but after giving birth I took two 325mg ferrous sulfate pills everyday (on the advice of my OB) and was never even slightly nauseated by them (and that is a lot of iron!).

Children's chewables are what I take now. I've taken Costco and Target generics, and Flintstone's brand name ones and no problems! I have NO idea what element is making me sick, but... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 1:23 PM on June 30, 2008

I did as a kid, all the time! I hadn't even thought of this in years. I don't feel it anymore.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 12:18 PM on June 28, 2008

Girlfriend in a Coma, sort of. Not really much fighting for survival, but there are post-apocalyptic elements.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 2:32 PM on June 27, 2008

Second Dinosaur Jr, but Goin' Home is my favorite. Complete with mumbly intro from J. Mascis. Love.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 7:59 AM on June 27, 2008

Second looking at surf stores. Also try looking for triathlon stuff. Example here.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 10:04 PM on June 26, 2008

Thirding the Mr Coffe 4 cup. I own it, and it works great. $20 a Target.

I also own a French press and love the coffee it makes. But I agree that it's not very hot, and it can be hard to master the proportions of coffee/water/grind. And it's a pain to clean. Maybe I'm just lazy, but I could never use it two days in a row because I never wanted to clean it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 2:42 PM on June 24, 2008

I don't know where that other "e" went.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 2:45 PM on June 24, 2008

A month ago you said you'd been working at your current job for 9 years. What's the truth?
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 10:15 PM on June 20, 2008

I have a secretary-ish job, and I can unzip a file and zip a file. But oddly, I'd never heard it called a zip archive before today. We don't have winzip or anything like it at work; I haven't even used it at home forever.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 8:56 AM on June 18, 2008

Oatmeal Carmelitas. (bar cookies. I recommend them withOUT nuts)
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 9:22 PM on June 14, 2008

Some possible gas sources:
Chewing gum (the air you swallow)
Pop, beer (carbonation)
Fake sugars (maltitol, etc.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 6:44 PM on June 13, 2008

Microserfs, yes! One of the only books I've read that's made me literally LOL. I'm more of a laugh on the inside type.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 9:07 AM on June 11, 2008

Bibbit, you can edit the tag for future readers.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 2:19 PM on June 9, 2008

Our lawn is pretty much a fungal colony, topped with moss and clumps of crabgrass. We just keep it mowed and it looks more or less like a grass lawn. But I live in Portland, where having a brown lawn 9 months out of the year is more than acceptable. As long as you are happy and think it looks good, go for it!
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 10:09 PM on June 5, 2008

Wow, that was amazing.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 11:38 AM on June 5, 2008

I make this one from recipezaar. I don't use the optional Velveeta, and it's pretty good. You really have to cook the onions longer, IMO, and you do have to cook the roux for at least 5 minutes, or the onions are gross and crunchy.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 12:19 PM on June 1, 2008

Neither your income nor your savings have anything whatsoever to do with your credit score.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 2:16 PM on May 28, 2008

I remember the old Heath Bar having a chocolate base - no?
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 7:51 PM on May 27, 2008

Harry was exactly what I thought, too.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 7:04 PM on May 27, 2008

I live in the Northwest, and I rarely take off my shoes when I go inside my own house.

For one thing, being barefoot (unless it's in the hottest, driest part of summer when I might go barefoot all day) sort of signifies super-casual, ready-for-bed time. It makes me feel a little lazy, like I've called it a day even though it's only 5:00 PM.

If I want to go back out to grocery shop, or workout, or play outside with my son - each time I'll have... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 3:13 PM on May 26, 2008

You'll be here for the Starlight Parade! And the Starlight Run.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 11:06 AM on May 23, 2008

Many others have touched on several other things I was going to say, but there's one thing I wanted to say. There's no delicate way to say it, and I don't know you or your child. But I remember middle school painful clearly.

Teachers, other parents, my own parents: they are nearly always wrong about who the "bad influence" is in any situation.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 8:25 AM on May 23, 2008

This doesn't meet either of your 2 criteria, but maybe it could be used in combo with other suggestions. You could try to make the snacking as unappealing as possible by setting rules.

Example: can eat in the middle of the night, but you have to go into the kitchen, sit at the dinner table with a proper plate and utensils, and the lights must be on. You have to wash up and brush your teeth before you can go back to bed.

This is one of those... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 10:18 PM on May 21, 2008

First, you should be able to take your dress anywhere and have anyone alter it - you own the dress, so the shop can't make you use their in-house tailors, if they have them. Both times I've been a bridesmaid, the shop has had a handful of people they recommend, but no one on staff. (I had a family friend do my alterations.)

Did you buy a sample size off the rack, or did they take your full measurements and order specifically for you? The dresses in store are usually... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 10:06 PM on May 20, 2008

Peacock?
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 10:09 AM on May 20, 2008

I'm no sound engineer, but I wonder if the mile distance is short enough to still hear the cry, but takes the high pitch down a bit? We had neighbors (like 4 houses down) who had a peacock when I was a kid. It was really stressful. It sounded like a woman flatly crying "HELPme. HELPme." Robotic, flat - those words in your description are what made me instantly think peacock. Plus, even though we could see the peacock - it would sit on their roof - the sound seemed like it was... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 10:20 AM on May 20, 2008

Growing up, I may have gotten $5 from one or two of my aunts & uncles (and I have about 20 aunts & uncles). And that would have come from the aunt who lived on our same street, for example. Me & my closest aged female cousin were best friends growing up, and even her mom & dad didn't come to my birthday or give me a present. Birthdays were not really a big deal, which was just fine with me.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 3:40 PM on May 19, 2008

Those really remind me of Bad News Hughes. He's not updating the blog anymore, but the archives are still there. Here's an entry about ass blood that I found quite hilarious. And here's where Patrick goes to a Renaissance Faire.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 1:48 PM on May 19, 2008

Forget putt putt golf, work at a REAL golf course! Drive the snack cart, caddy, work in the pro shop, whatever they're hiring for. Totally fun!
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 10:56 AM on May 19, 2008

PatoPata: My vet gave me a handy pill-shooter. It's a syringe-like doohickey that makes it easy to pop the pill in the back of the kitty's throat. Kitty swallows out of reflex and you're done. It was more efficient and less traumatic than all the other ways I tried.

It's called a pet piller and it worked for my cat, too. Dirt cheap, too.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 2:56 PM on May 17, 2008

Tiny follow up. It's been HOT so I haven't done much stove cooking, but I have used the pan to roast asparagus as suggested by foodgeek. Fresh local asparagus, really fat spears. I cooked them for about 6 minutes, although a few of the larger pieces could have used a few more minutes.

They were nicely browned, and tasted WONDERFUL. Very smoky.
posted to Ask Metafilter by peep at 10:58 AM on May 16, 2008