I agree with the Empress on IYH hostels (although I was charmed by the Ottawa jail hostel, perhaps because my partner and I got upgraded to a twin cell). Here in Baltimore, we have a nice one (disclosure - I'm an occasional volunteer there). I'm going to Iceland this fall, and planning on staying only in hostels.

I'm 43. My partner is 64. Neither of us have felt too old or been treated strangely.

The noise can be too much. Of the 6 nights I spent... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 8:49 AM on July 24, 2008

Rykey, this is exactly why there is a bill being debated in MD (pdf warning) right now to force the police to videotape interviews with murder suspects. Some think all interviews of felony suspects should be taped.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 8:32 AM on July 24, 2008

In Ann Arbor, please be sure to visit Zingerman's.

For Detroit, I have no idea how you could see the city without a car, and I'm a native. My list of very Detroity things to do would include the Lebanese businesses on Warren Rd. (some in Dearborn, I recommend Shatilla's for ice cream and pasteries, Golden and New Jasmin for bakery stuff and Al Amir's for food, but you can't go far wrong anywhere on that strip), the Detroit Historical Museum, Sindbad's off Jefferson for... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 7:35 AM on July 24, 2008

If you want more background on English and the future tense, there is a fascinating section on it in Bauschatz's _The Well and the Tree_.

Basically, there is no perfect future tense in Modern English (or Anglo Saxon or Old Norse or other Germanic languages) because in the pre-Christian Germanic conception of time, you were standing in the present (you can see it, but perhaps not well as it is too close), looking into the past (which you can see clearly because it has... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 7:24 PM on July 9, 2008

I snag large plastic pots that come from tree plantings. Maybe ask a landscaper if he has any he'll sell you, or dumpster dive near a planting?

They are a little ugly, but can be painted.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 11:02 AM on July 7, 2008

My partner ended up getting some kind of vacuum assist toilet (possibly a Gerber). She went to the local plumbing supply joint, and asked what they'd recommend. They pointed her to their bathroom, where she was able to try it out.

She loves it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 8:27 PM on July 2, 2008

SquidLips, it doesn't work. Once the debt collectors have your number, it doesn't matter if the person they are really after is dead, moved to Albania or otherwise gone. They'll keep calling and harassing you until they have a good number for the person they are trying to reach, and payment.

Do Not Call doesn't matter, either.

I used to pick up the receiver, put it down on a table, and walk away. That didn't work, either.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 8:24 PM on July 2, 2008

I've heard you can mash them up, maybe with some sauteed onions, but I haven't tried it yet.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 7:51 PM on July 1, 2008

Detroit is very cool, but also very hard to get to know without a local guide. If you are in to American history, Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI would take up your entire trip, easily.

It would be an easy day trip to Lehman's Hardware, the Amish hardware store. Lots of non-powered equipment. Can get crowded and touristy, but they've got stuff you don't see every day.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 9:51 AM on July 1, 2008

I have the T-Mobile version of the HTC Wizard (Cingular 8125). Don't have a Mac. I use OggSync to synchronize my calendar with my google calendar.

The Wizard is infinitely customizable. The Howard Forums have tons of stuff, from apps to registry hacking to ROM hacking. You might have better luck if you search for the 'HTC Wizard'.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 7:51 PM on June 29, 2008

A bit north of where you'll be, but Oil City has a very fun state park, with a railroad ride and a wonderfully tacky film sponsored by some industry group in the 50's and staring Vincent Price.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 3:52 PM on June 29, 2008

Another violist here, and, dirtynumbangelboy, you are wrong. This is as good an explanation as anything else I found.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 7:17 AM on June 27, 2008

Countryside is great. I would also take a look at Home Power. Very geeky, does solar, microhydro (my particular lust), wind, etc.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 7:46 PM on June 25, 2008

There are a lot of pit bulls in my urban neighbourhood, and I adore them. Loving, sweet mushes. But, they do take consistent handling and a lot of time and energy.

I'd recommend contacting your local pit bull breed rescue group, and asking them to recommend a good dog trainer. The pit might not need it, but you do. Good dog trainers train the human.

My first dog is a chow cross. Folks will tell you that chows and part chows are dangerous, first... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 7:41 PM on June 25, 2008

The two things that have consistently made the biggest difference for me are making a list of what I absolutely need to get done today, then being happy if I do half of it and walking.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 7:21 PM on June 25, 2008

Optimus nailed it, but may I add what you might want to aim for?

I'm a lesbian, and it makes me very happy when female friends' husbands don't get jealous when we hang out. Men like that are secure, and those relationships are strong, loving, caring and generally very pleasant to be around.

I tell my friends to keep those guys. They are mature, I enjoy being around them, and it actually takes a burden off me - I don't have to worry that I'll harm... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 6:46 PM on June 21, 2008

Did they tell him how to do the background checks? Could he, say, run their names by the RCMP rather than the local police?
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 7:50 PM on June 20, 2008

Nimbu pani is the Indian way to rehydrate. Squeeze a couple limes into a big glass of ice water, add a small pinch of salt, stir, drink. It doesn't taste salty (the salt just cuts the bitter). No sugar, some salt, tastes great.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 12:54 PM on June 19, 2008

"Sir" and "Ma'am" are appropriate for any stranger. If you are writing a formal letter, then there are books in the library and websites with the proper salutations. If you really were planning on memorizing titles from all the religions just in case, you could use those books.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 5:57 AM on June 18, 2008

My favourite two places were Fatehpur Sikri and Jaipur. I enjoyed Delhi, too. If you are in the area, the Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur, Karnataka was cool.

Wander around by train, or bus if there isn't a train, be respectful and you'll have a great time no matter where you end up.

Lived in Belgaum for a year, as an exchange student 25 years ago, traveled all over giving speeches on life in America to Rotary clubs.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 6:07 AM on June 17, 2008

I second Succa on India. Amazing place, the expensive part is getting there. Lots of challenges, but also lots of friendly, helpful people. I spent an amazing year there, learned so much.

My boss is from Bulgaria, and while she wants me to go there with her sometime, when I casually mentioned that Bulgaria looked like a wonderful place to motorcycle around, she got pale and told me that it wasn't safe, what with the big people. I'm pretty sure she meant organized crime.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 5:12 PM on June 14, 2008

Graduation rituals? My alma mater, Mount Holyoke College, has a weekend full. There is the senior canoe sing, where drunken seniors try to make patterns with their torch-decorated canoes while other seniors on shore sing songs (which they may or may not know the words to). The year I graduated, unfortunately, no one capsized. I wouldn't be surprised if this hasn't been toned down a bit since my day.

Then there is the Laurel Parade, chock full of yet more obscure meanings.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 3:32 PM on June 14, 2008

Definitely consider growing chard. When I lived where it actually got cold, I never picked it until after the first frost. It is sweeter that way. You can get the pretty multicoloured stem variety, and plant it as a combination ornamental and veg.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 7:58 PM on June 13, 2008

I bought some orchata today, and vitroleros didn't have ice in them. I was offered ice in my cup before she started dipping it out.

At the local festivals, there has been tons of ice in the aguas frescas. I've seen vendors stir them loudly, especially on hot days.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 7:54 PM on June 13, 2008

Backups are the most important thing. Get that sorted, and you can google, join forums, read TechNet, etc. the rest. If you have good, restorable backups and know how to use them, nothing is fatal.

If you can make a small home network to play around on, great. It sounds like you've got a mishmash of old and medium-old hardware and software, set up by someone else. That is the worst possible environment, but also the most fun.

I don't know where... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 7:19 PM on June 13, 2008

Everyone in the religion I belong to is a convert (although that term doesn't really apply, as it is a monotheistic concept not useful for polytheists).

In my experience, there are a number of folks who go from religion to religion, getting excited, converting, becoming disillusioned, then moving to the next. What that number is, I don't know.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 7:13 PM on June 10, 2008

My partner, who has used a BiPAP for over 16 years, swears by her heated humidifier. She says she'd be dead without it.

For what it is worth, she never could get used to the ones that ramp up, and she has nothing but magic 4 letter words for the people who talked her in to trying the surgery.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 8:48 PM on June 7, 2008

You've made your decision (and the right one, I think), but I'd like to add that I moved, with my elderly, crotchety, can't be trusted around children, arthritic and beloved chow cross to a new city (not NYC) about a year ago. He's gone from a snappish (at every but me), slow moving dog to a friendly, kid-loving (even toddlers), long walk loving happy pup. I've also met lots of people because of him.

We're both happier than before the move.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 12:49 PM on May 21, 2008

Please do make sure their bosses know. A letter addressed to Principal, Foo High School or to the school board will be very helpful.

A gift basket or flowers work well. If you were physically there, I'd recommend homemade cookies or a box of donuts, but since they can't see you to know you aren't a creep trying to poison them, something that comes from a local vendor is probably better. You could even have a pizza sent over, especially if there is someone there (a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 12:12 PM on April 20, 2008

Lot of good suggestions so far (and some utter crap), so I'll just add Janet Kagan's Mirabile, if you happen to run across a copy. Reprints of stuff that was in Analog and Asimov's back in the 80's, just good, plain, scientific fun with good characters that are, sometimes, a little too good.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 10:27 AM on February 8, 2008

Dozerman didn't get a shot off, any more than Kima did (have watched both episodes within the past week).
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 2:10 PM on February 7, 2008

Get an MLS, and become a law librarian. They are probably the best paid branch of the profession, and lawyers love their librarians.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 12:51 PM on January 5, 2008

No major relationships for the first year. Talk to your sponsor.

Really, ask.metafilter is about the worst place you could bring this. There are reasons that meetings take place offline.

Yes, I know there are online meetings now. They aren't what will get and keep you sober.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 6:55 PM on January 4, 2008

You can carve it. You can make incense out of it (a waste if it is nice stuff). Or put it in a bowl, as nanojath said.

Or how about trading it to someone who could use it for something you want? Or give part of it to a jeweler, in return for them making something for you (or for someone you want a gift for) out of the rest of it?
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 6:53 PM on January 4, 2008

Just as a data point, I cannot eat eggs without becoming at least a little ill (anywhere from bad gas to vomiting) unless I have a craving for them. When I do crave eggs, it is very strong, and I can eat them without side effects.

One doctor I told this to told me I shouldn't get a flu shot (it is egg based, apparently), and that I shouldn't eat eggs unless I craved them (duh). Why this happened, he had no idea.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 11:39 AM on January 2, 2008

Thanks for the clarification, Caviar.
Didn't mean to derail.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 11:40 AM on January 3, 2008

Halifax, NS. Just big enough to be interesting yet small enough to be friendly and manageable. Wonderful history. Several colleges, so you get culture.

Baltimore, MD has been a lot more fun and interesting than I ever thought it could be. But, I really can't recommend the US these days.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 11:29 AM on January 2, 2008

As someone who was forcibly baptized as a child by one parent against another parent's express wishes as part of a power play, I'd just like to point out that cutting someone slack because they are related can lead to really nasty problems, some of which might even (G_d forbid) end up in court.

But, you must have your facts straight before you do anything else. All I can tell from the original post is that you don't, and that you need help getting your emotions in check... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 9:56 AM on December 28, 2007

The Baltimore Christkindlmarkt at Zion Lutheran that ubersturm linked has some ornaments, but chocolate, liebekuchen and stollen are the main attraction.

Their website is filled with bad design and wonderful, fascinating history. And, they still have German language services.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 7:14 PM on December 13, 2007

I second the Norwich recommendation. I picked up the shorter at the library, because I felt guilty for knowing nothing about Byzantium, despite being an educated type. It was so good, I ordered the three volume set, also by Norwich, that the shorter was abridged from, before I'd gotten 3 chapters in.

It is one of the two best history books for the intelligent layman that I've read. Norwich is a diplomat by profession, and has a keen eye for political scandal and the kind... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 11:16 AM on December 3, 2007

A friend of mine felted a Feegle. I lust after it.

Knitted monstrosities onna stick would work, too.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 9:11 PM on November 21, 2007

Paul Martin was from Windsor, Ontario, and while his family was francophone, his French was so bad, they sent him to boarding school in Quebec.

It'd be pushing it to call him either quebecois or francophone. Or a minority of any kind (except maybe "con").
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 8:22 PM on November 21, 2007

Beeswax works, if you have some around, as a temp filling.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 7:52 PM on November 21, 2007

wreckingball, that sounds like a fascinating neighbourhood, within walking distance of where I'll be working. Unfortunately, I am hoping for something with a small, fenced yard.

But, I'll definitely keep an eye on that website. Thank you. I had not run across that website before, although I've seen the odd craigslist ad for Bolton Hill.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 9:16 PM on April 11, 2007

Thanks, gang. The consensus seems to be that I should do my homework, and chill. And, so I will.

I promise to be back to mark best answers after the move.

If anyone happens to see an interesting for rent sign, my e-mail is in my profile...
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 8:10 PM on April 12, 2007

I ended up renting a lovely row house in Patterson Park from a landlord who was on Craigslist, and willing to do a lot by e-mail. Basically, we e-mailed back and forth a bit, set up a time for me to see the place, and 5 hours later, we agreed I had the place. 4 days later, I moved in.

Tight enough to be scary, but you guys were right, I just needed to do my homework. I must appreciate you all calming some of my pre-move jitters.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 3:08 PM on May 10, 2007

There are Christian credit cards that will not allow tobacco or alcohol to be charged on them. A buddy has one from work. He said there is a different code that restaurants and stores use for these purchases.

Having said that, I don't think anyone is keeping track, outside of paranoid Christian employers.
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 7:42 PM on April 11, 2007

Last time I was trapped at the Gaylord, I found there are city buses that go downtown, but I didn't actually try them. Mostly, I walked around between the hotel and the mall, spinning. The mall itself is...a typical mall, but if she is on a per diem, it is a far less expensive place to eat than the hotel.

The gardens inside the hotel are beautiful, and worth walking around a bit, but the hotel in general gives me the creeps.

I'd recommend taking... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 3:30 PM on March 20, 2007

Ended up getting some stainless steel flat head screws, some stainless nuts and washers, then drilling holes at the 4 corners (or 2, if that is all that is needed), and using some combination of nuts and washers to level the grates. If I were to do this again, I'd get more nuts and fewer washers, buy a metal drill bit or use a punch instead, and maybe use a little thicker screws. The nuts can be bigger than the screws, but it is nice to have a nut that fits on the bottom of the pile of metal... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 5:30 AM on February 13, 2007

sonofslim, I didn't mention the time my brother set fire to the kitchen making Mom breakfast in bed (he put the toast in the toaster, went to take one of his 1.5 hour showers, and it malfunctioned). He was 24 then, I think.

So, keep a box of Arm and Hammer (unlike you, I have to look up the difference between baking soda and baking powder every time, because I haven't made that mistake yet) around to throw on kitchen fires, and you are all set. You learned about eggnog,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by QIbHom at 5:23 AM on February 13, 2007