I just got this dress from Athleta -- another fabric print here. It is an astonishingly well-designed dress (the wrap is wide enough, the fabric tie is secure) and comfortable (nice cool-feeling fabric) and flattering and everything good for summertime. Now I wish I could buy a few more, in solid colors, and get rid of two Banana Republic wrap dresses I own that look nice but are too awkward to wear.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 12:11 AM on June 9, 2008

The Dodworth Saxhorn guys play on period instruments, but from the mid-1800s -- not sure if that will fit the bill.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 8:02 PM on June 6, 2008

I make a pilgrimage to Al's Deli [warning: music at website] in Evanston every time I go. There is a Jarlsberg cheese//baguette sandwich that is simple and MARVELOUS and four other nonmeat sandwiches for some variety (and of course all kinds of meaty sandwiches). It's off the Purple Line Noyes St. el stop.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 3:16 PM on June 4, 2008

I have noticed that there are groups of people who always try to point out the differences between themselves and others. It's persistent and annoying and tends to make me feel bad. It's "Well, this weekend I'm going to my cottage up north with my kids. Oh, that's right -- you don't have a cottage, and you don't even have kids, either! Well, geez, then what DO you do for the holidays??"

This is vs. the folks who will say "Oh, I'm going up north this... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 10:42 AM on May 24, 2008

Some comments: what's funny about being a new driver is that it's still challenging for me to pick up a water bottle while driving at the same time. I do have a cellphone, but won't be coordinated enough to use it while driving (probably even with a hands-free unit). Music is a definite yes and will be supplied by one or two ipods. My own food and water is also a high priority and I love to plan road-trip-food menus. I'll likely be anxious about getting there but not anxious enough to be... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 1:15 AM on May 12, 2008

gesamtkunstwerk has it right, as does stewriffic. Shortly after I started taking the first medicine that helped, I got this weird physical sensation which I've never had happen since. I was sitting on my bed and staring at the wall -- and then I swear I felt something switch in my brain, exactly like a railroad track switch. That happened and then about a second later I thought "Geez, why am I sitting on my bed right now? I should get up and do something." AND... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 10:12 PM on March 5, 2008

Check out what kind of memory problems you experience most. (For example, I remember number patterns and words very well. However, I have terrible problems with certain time periods and events, like: in no way can I remember what I had for dinner yesterday. Some people remember the movie but not the title; I remember the title but not the movie.) When you notice what frequently slips your mind, you can pinpoint what you need to improve -- AND then you can start relying... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 8:12 PM on March 2, 2008

I own both a HappyLite (like PatoPata's) and a Verilux floor lamp (like Tbola's). I've owned the HappyLite for maybe five years and the Verilux for about two and both have been fine for me. And though you won't need to buy a replacement bulb for a long time, when you do, stay with ordering them from a big company like sylvane.com or similar. They send their lightbulbs quickly and in HUGE amounts of packaging. I thought that was all very silly until I tried ordering a replacement bulb from a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 6:19 PM on February 21, 2008

The awesome-local-Korean-restaurant waitress lady looked confused the first time I ordered some food "vegetarian." There was a long, awkward pause while I then tried to figure out how to pantomime vegetables or something. (Well, at least I didn't just repeat the word louder.) Then she figured it out. "Oh! No meat?" she said. "No meat!" So now I just say "bibimbap, no meat."
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 4:43 PM on January 29, 2008

I've been trying to cut back/structure my internet time better, and increase time spent on other things I want to get done -- creative projects, reading books, getting daily exercise, blah blah. A few weeks ago I was frustrated with my lack of progress, and I hung up two makeshift gigantic, opaque curtains (OK, OK, fine, they're bedsheets) that blocked off my desk and blocked off another part of the room where I'd also usually waste time.

When I walk into my study now,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 6:19 PM on January 19, 2008

There are some Linux distros available for BitPim. (Disclaimer -- IANALinux user -- but that program [as Windows version] + a USB cable let me sync my phone to my computer easily, and I am super-happy about that.) So I don't know if it'd work for you, but I'll at least put in a vote for that software incase it helps.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 2:01 PM on January 12, 2008

Well, there's a recent article about a brass band conductor who was murdered by his son. His son apparently had "mental health issues," and the stabbing may have been prompted by a reminder for the son to take his medication. Horrendous tragedy. You don't want that to become real for you.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 3:31 PM on January 9, 2008

the old Pink Panther cartoons (compiled on video and now probably DVD)?
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 7:14 PM on January 4, 2008

I bookmarked the SideJobTrack website at some point, but haven't used it myself.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 7:24 PM on January 2, 2008

I have a rear rack for my bike, and a trunk bag to fit -- but I also have a much much smaller bikebag that I can wear around my waist. This has been very helpful for the times when I want to have a more minimal ride and not haul stuff around.

I always recommend the Python cable lock so you can lock your bike to almost anything.

You might want to carry a powergel/clifshot/energy-gel packet (small and lightweight) just in case of a blood sugar... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 5:29 PM on January 1, 2008

For desserts: Small-Batch Baking?
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 8:07 PM on December 28, 2007

I can tell you that I was VERY happy to abandon the wired bike computer and go with a wireless one. (But mine is a Sigma Sport 1600 . . . for sure not very fancy). The only trick is to be careful about not significantly bumping the magnetic thing on the spoke, or it won't pick up any data -- but then again, it's pretty easy to tell if it's not working. The distance and speed readings seem to be accurate.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 4:17 PM on December 26, 2007

The Gandhi quote above made me think of another one: "To believe in something, and not to live it, is dishonest," which seems (to me) like the cool way of saying "Don't be a poseur."

This helps me bridge the gap between thought//good intentions and, you know, DOING something about it. Nobody really wants to be the sort of person who wants to do something but can't. Ideally, your clients will go from saying "I want to try to lose weight" to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 3:57 PM on December 7, 2007

My cat isn't exactly happy about it, but I give him Petromalt and put it on the roof of his mouth. Smearing it on his face or one of his paws is 100% guaranteed to cause a mess.

Also, depending on how much attention you want to devote to this issue, you could try getting the different flavors of Petromalt or other brands of hairball goo -- if he doesn't like the malt-flavor kind, maybe he would go wild for the tunafish-flavor kind?
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 4:38 PM on November 24, 2007

Overstriding, especially on asphalt, might leave you more vulnerable to shin-splint tendencies. You don't want years-long problems with shin splints. [I almost added "YMMV," but I guess it does anyway.]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 6:03 PM on November 15, 2007

Seconding jenfullmoon's suggestion to find a cookbook of (or website with) "5 ingredients or fewer" recipes -- Recipezaar is a favorite website of mine for this. Plastic binder + printed-from-website recipes + my notes scribbled in + manila folders used as section dividers = my very own cookbook! I even indexed it!

And I learned that I don't mind cooking so much but that I HATE HATE HATE washing dishes. If you can find out what about the cooking process you... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 9:26 AM on October 22, 2007

You have the full-spectrum light, but are you using it 'as prescribed'? You should be 1-2 feet away from it when it's on -- the farther away you sit from it, the longer period of time you'll need. (Mine is right next to my bed and is plugged into a timer: it greets me every morning from 6:55am-7:55am.) Do some experiments [I read an unrelated article recently where the author suggested "Be your own scientist," which I thought was a nice phrase] and see if you can get it to work any... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 6:14 PM on October 14, 2007

Unfortunately enough, I've also had BSOD troubles for the past few days (semi-resolved, for now, by removing the hard drive and connecting it to a borrowed laptop. The rest of my computer is still a doorstop until I can fix it.) Anyway, I found a very nice page of Windows stop errors (they're listed in numerical order and everything!) You might see what the people there have to say . . .
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 4:33 PM on July 30, 2007

Maybe some of the products and exercises for brass players would do some good? The Breathing Gym book and/or DVD is often recommended (disclaimer: not a personal endorsement, since I've never even read this book -- but I guess I ought to someday). A lot of the basic breathing exercises for musicians are yoga-based and most suggest efficiency (pdf link) and relaxation. Many of the routines you can find online are based on the teachings of tuba players Sam Pilafian or Arnold Jacobs. Two other... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 10:35 AM on July 1, 2007

Seconding the "Artist's Way" books (and also the proverb that says "After three days without reading, talk becomes flavorless.") Otherwise: Go to weird parts of town. Buy different groceries. Sit on balconies or on the roof of your house or on the highest floor of a tall building. Watch. Absorb.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 3:52 PM on June 20, 2007 marked best answer

You can buy little packets of Propel-drink-powder to add to plain water -- also, Target has the generic "fitness water" equivalent packets, and there's at least one other supermarket generic as well. A box of 10 packets costs about $3 (here). The stuff has B vitamins and makes water taste good.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 8:14 PM on April 13, 2007

Seconding Methylviolet's suggestion, although I have the Eden style of Birkenstocks. Very versatile. Have worn them everywhere, for many many miles at a time. (And when I broke my little toe last summer, those shoes were the only ones I could wear for several weeks . . .)
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 4:53 PM on March 21, 2007

Whoops -- I just noticed the original poster is not female. Well, anyway, Keen or Docs or Danskos should serve you well.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 4:55 PM on March 21, 2007

Google gave me something that's close (-ish?):
Laurence Sherr: Trio in Baroque Style, 1975
Variable instrumentation: two treble, one bass
(although he composes music for flute.)

I also looked at the International Double Reed Society site and found a list of miscellaneous chamber music -- but it doesn't seem to be there, based on the information you have.

This is a tough one!
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 11:29 AM on March 4, 2007

One other late-to-the-question trick:
If I need to wake up RIGHTONTIME for something important, sometimes I'll sleep at the opposite end of the bed, i.e., my head is at the end of the bed and my feet are where the pillows usually would be. It's just different enough that it's (weirdly) much much easier to wake up . . .
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 1:58 PM on January 27, 2007

One vote for Brooks Adrenaline shoes. My shins (and feet) are happy now.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 8:15 PM on January 7, 2007

Silk handkerchiefs!! You can get plain ones at Dharma Trading Co. (and then try silkpainting them, if that appeals).
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 2:48 PM on December 11, 2006

LuxuriaMusic is another good one.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 2:48 PM on December 5, 2006

Etching cream (from craft stores)?
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 7:42 PM on October 24, 2006

Mental Health Sanctuary has a chat, Journey Towards Freedom has a chat, Walkers in Darkness has a chat, DBSA has online support groups. The Depression Center has an online cognitive behavioral therapy course (with a session diary, moodtracker chart, and stuff like that).

Here's an abstract about internet support groups for depression -- I bet the other articles & cites would be an interesting read.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 7:33 PM on August 28, 2006

Google gave me the writer's name (Thomas Kinsella) and part of the poem, but not the name of the poem itself. If you can get your hands on a copy of The Collected Poems 1956-1994 (The Oxford Poets), apparently "virtually all his poems" are in there.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 2:55 PM on August 24, 2006

I lived on a tiny street (Garnett Place) between Ridge and Maple and it was fine. (However, our landlord lived in a different state and thus was not all that attentive to repairs.) It was close to the Foster el stop. Your cousin might not want to get a place DIRECTLY underneath the el line, but I don't remember the el being atrociously noisy.

He might be interested in being pretty close to the el stops, though? (north to south)... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 1:14 PM on August 23, 2006

I was feeling mopey about my own situation until I talked to a friend of mine who got a great job right out of school (he had just finished his master's degree) -- and since that time he's worked a good schedule and traveled and has had most every trouble solved (and for example, he's moving to Japan for two years. Everything there has been arranged for him.) And HE was moping that at age 29 he felt like he hadn't grown up yet . . he'd never had to find his own apartment, change jobs, go... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 8:06 PM on August 21, 2006

Apple peaches pumpkin pie
Who's not ready holler I!
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 12:57 PM on August 9, 2006

I had a cheap DVD player that played CDs fine, but wouldn't play two tracks 'seamlessly' . . . there was an abrupt pause inbetween every track. If that sort of thing bugs you, be careful.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 2:21 PM on August 8, 2006

The "Misc. Gift Idea Brain Blockage" section of the craftster.org forums has some good generic ideas (or search the entire forum for "nerdy" or geeky" or "linux" -- you get 4 pages of results just searching for "linux".) Since you don't know him, all the t-shirt/complicated knitted scarf/etc. ideas seem too personal -- but any kind of miscellaneous useful object would be cool.

(Whoa, there's a downright serious site about... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 10:54 AM on August 6, 2006

Try air typing to get a good sense of the heights you need for your chair and desk and keyboard and mouse. Then see if you can at all duplicate this with your current setup (use stacks of books, get your desk lowered, whatever). Also, look into buying or borrowing the book from the RSIRescue folks. It's a very thorough and well-researched book.

Be very specific when you talk to your doc -- apparently there's a big difference between pain on one side of your forearm... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 2:23 PM on July 24, 2006

Traveling somewhere really, really helps me with this. Grocery shopping helps too. If you can remind yourself to not plan out your reactions, but just let yourself *react*, it might help you too.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 11:12 AM on July 9, 2006

Edward Gorey (and Ogdred Weary) did this too. I had thought it was just to be funny.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 2:30 PM on June 26, 2006

I like to use Tower Records' classical search option (it seems to be more useful than on some other CD sites, and it lets you search by keyword). Several CDs of hunting horn music exist, but there aren't TOO many in the world (there could never be too many!) Try the out-of-print-CD sites too.

Check for: Jagdmusik (Hunt Music) or Jagdhorn (or jagdsignale, anything 'jagd'), Waldhorn, Naturhorn, or pieces referring to St. Hubert (patron saint of the hunt). There's an... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 3:09 PM on June 21, 2006

John Ciardi has a great poem called "4:00 A.M. on the Terrace," from the book In Fact. (But argh, I let someone borrow my copy of the book two weeks ago and thus I can't quote from it . . .) The poem's also in the Collected Poems of John Ciardi.

The gist of the poem is: sure, I should go to bed early, "as anyone can" . . . but then who will stay up late and discover all the cool sounds and things that happen in the middle of the night?
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 3:03 PM on June 16, 2006

or there's this one: "No civilized person ever goes to bed the same day he gets up." - Richard Harding Davis.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 3:21 PM on June 16, 2006

Classical musician Dennis Brain.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 2:35 PM on June 14, 2006

I second the "Superfood" juice recommendation -- I would swear it staves off colds, flu, sinus infections, etc. -- so it will probably help with that post-rockstar feeling.

Definitely try to get some sleep.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 3:18 PM on June 8, 2006

The book Write It Down, Make It Happen, by Henriette Anne Klauser, is the, well, "writing-it-down" version of this.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oldtimey at 11:17 AM on June 4, 2006