Huh? None of these are particularly good opening sentences.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 8:25 AM on July 25, 2008

I know yalla from Arabic. People think I'm Jewish about as often as they think I'm Muslim (I'm neither) because I tend to throw fits at work about being open on major non-Christian holidays and have no tolerance for Christian-centric bigotry.

Still, I'm not sure where I picked up all the Yiddish and Hebrew words I recognized (and use). I think I'm just a sucker for cool words that succinctly express useful concepts. Especially insults.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 7:09 AM on July 24, 2008

I like my coffee more than my woman. Please don't tell her, or I'll have to bribe her with more of my precious home-roasted coffee beans.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 11:04 AM on July 22, 2008

BrotherCaine, the sad thing is that the illegals aren't making a living wage. Those jobs pay crap.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 11:44 AM on July 18, 2008

Same kind of thing is happening in my neighbourhood in Baltimore. Militantly anti-lower income mostly white yuppies ignore all laws they don't feel like following (open container laws, leash laws, parking laws, etc.), but complain to high heaven, frequently in really offensive language, when lower income people do anything they don't like (litter, move trash cans, have drumline competitions, steal GPSes left openly in cars, etc.).

I've seen people argue openly that the... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 5:46 PM on July 9, 2008

If anyone is flying through BWI Airport (now Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport), there is an exhibit in the middle of the horseshoe, top floor, on his life. It is worth a few minutes, even if it does sugar-coat just how much pernicious racism he had to deal with.

And I love that U of MD's law school library is now named after him. That is some sweet, sweet revenge.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 6:25 AM on July 3, 2008

Rabid, noble-rot? I think the postmen would have noticed if Owney had rabies. It isn't a stealth disease, and reports say the reporter was mistreating Owney.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 7:12 PM on July 2, 2008

While I'm sure that I'll start paying more for everything soon, because of the rising gas prices here in the US, I've got no sympathy for folks who choose to live in suburbs and drive SUVs. I chose to live in the city, with no car and take public transportation. Yes, it makes me an insufferable bitch, but I made the right choice.

I am infuriated by oil company price gouging. Not surprised - been waiting ever since we all rolled over and let Dubya and friends steal two... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 6:49 PM on June 29, 2008

kookaburra, you aren't taking into account the corporate welfare the oil companies get. Add that and the infrastructure costs for cars, and we've been very, very foolish, indeed, here in the states.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 4:20 PM on June 30, 2008

Gods, Canada has come a long way. I gave up my dreams of emigrating to Canada 25 years ago because gays were banned, and I refused to lie (I did when I joined the US Army, later).

At Baltimore Pride last weekend, we had Chipotle, Visa and Best Buy's Geek Squad marching. Why not the military? The thought of the Canadian Armed Forces recruiting at Pride is delicious, after all those accusations that gays recruit.

Sure we do. And, there is an... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 3:32 PM on June 29, 2008

Making aluminum is poisonous (ever seen an aluminum smelter in the US?). Micro-hydro power is clean, but on this scale, you are killing land to cut down on hydrocarbons. That might be a devil's bargain.

Iceland has a very hard history. Poisoning their land isn't going to help matters any.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 4:52 PM on June 27, 2008

If the Catholics had tanks half as cool as that they'd get more people on their tours. The Varangian Guard is cool and all, but a Merkava, that's an impressive bit of kit.

Um...the Varangians guarded in the Byzantine Empire, which certainly wasn't Catholic. They were Vikings, more or less.

Did you mean the Swiss Guard?
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 7:06 AM on June 27, 2008

Detroit's symphony orchestra is excellent.

What they did was film the conductor, then write a script to have the robot mimic what he did. No processing, or decision making at all. Just a joke, really.

Chilling, though, to see a Honda leading my hometown orchestra. Revenge of Vincent Chin, I guess.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 7:16 AM on June 26, 2008

This would be cooler if WorldCat's holdings were anywhere near accurate. None of the libraries I work in do deletions, and some public library co-operatives are in there as a single entity.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 7:04 PM on June 25, 2008

It really isn't historically accurate to describe USian slavery as a southern thing. There were slaves, both Native American and black, in the northern states, too. And in Canada, although the Peculiar Institution was a bit different up there.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 5:09 PM on June 21, 2008

Guess this explains why dyke bars are tougher than biker bars.

Yes, this kind of research can be scary to this dyke, knowing history and how people abuse tools, but it is still fascinating and should be done.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 5:43 AM on June 17, 2008

Geeze, these pictures are all over (and just about every other place has them on one page, grump). The only information on the breed I could find was at google books.

It looks like they are hand fed. No grazing.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 5:34 AM on June 15, 2008

I still have nightmares from watching that breathing water piece in a HS English class. Our teacher also showed us the broken glass piece.

I can't get past the shock and horror to figure what he's after.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 12:39 PM on June 9, 2008

Voltairemodern said, Can you show me anyone here who counts themselves one of Odin's faithful?

Here? No. But I know at least 30 IRL, and I follow one of the other Aesir.

I'd quibble about the term "faithful", as it is a Latin rooted term and not really descriptive of the Germanic world view, but that would be pedantic.

As for the coat hanger, I used to work for a director who had a... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 1:28 PM on June 7, 2008

That people assume now, like in 1953, that marriage is desirable for anyone continues to astound me.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 1:04 PM on June 7, 2008

Um...ok, the US is the world, and "race" is a code for "black". That right there is offensive.

Interesting list, besides that, up until the last few. Not definitive, but I've seen worse.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 9:50 AM on February 8, 2008

dersins, CP is known for its events calendar, which is pretty good, except it misses all the church suppers, church pierogi sales and all.

I will admit, I'm a bit surprised to see this posted to the blue.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 1:35 PM on February 7, 2008

what's more, these "awards" are almost exclusively a bit of advertorial glad-handing doled out to the businesses that buy display ads in these papers, so it's even more meaningless than you think.

There was a big stink in the letters this year because City Paper gave some backhanded award to Ace of Cakes, dissing them for looking good but tasting like crap, while at the same time Ace of Cakes was doing the cake for CP's big birthday bash. I... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 8:39 AM on February 8, 2008

The timing on this is really bizarre, as we just had the lowest Jan. in 30 years (since before crack) for murders.

I'd point out that Baltimore just added crack to heroin, rather than crack replacing heroin, and that US society seems to be quite happy with poor black folks killing themselves with drugs and guns, and that my former home, Detroit, is even worse off, racially and murder-wise, but that would distract the Wire snark, so why bother?... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 5:52 PM on February 6, 2008

My mom should be in those pics (we killed the site), and she used to drive a BMW 2002 tii stick shift, bought within months of BMW entering the states.

She's never had a Malibu or any kind of minivan.

They are a seriously nice bunch of ladies. Well worth going to see their competitions, even if, like me, you'd rather gouge out your eyes with a rusty spoon than listen to barbershop.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 3:30 PM on January 24, 2008

I hate that time period, and I still couldn't resist them. I detest horny, superior men, yet I must read Flashman.

Damned talented man, Fraser.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 5:58 AM on January 4, 2008

Yes, PeterMcDermott. Which is part of the joke.

Besides, Fraser took a one-dimensional small time bully, and created art. Eat your heart out, Andrew Dice Clay.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 6:16 PM on January 4, 2008

It is the northeast's New Orleans or Detroit. If a catastrophe reigned down on Baltimore, it would never come back.

Nope. I lived in Detroit for years before moving to Baltimore. Detroit has given up on itself. The city is actively trying to kill the few functional neighbourhoods that are left. There are *no* jobs. The mayor has been bought and paid for by rich white folks from north of 8 Mile (the suburbs), and funnels what little money is left to... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 9:37 AM on January 3, 2008

geoff, what makes you think that local solutions can solve national, or even global problems? Or even regional issues, like getting people to work in non-gridlocked ways?

Simon has said that "The Wire" is about how institutions screw individuals. In Baltimore, the neighbourhood can be an institution. That is why Brodie, in the first season, asks if there are any other guys from Western when he ends up in the juvenile facility.

There are... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 10:01 AM on January 3, 2008

Cool, Geoff. That is more flexible than I thought at first. Sorry, I misread.

I'd argue that we need a combination of local and larger solutions, but I also hate hierarchy, so I'll admit to some odd political views.

Transportation is a regional issue, so here in Baltimore, the buses, trains and subway are run by the state. This makes sense. But, I want to require that the white suburban guys who are at the top of the MTA actually ride the buses,... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 11:02 AM on January 3, 2008

hopeless romantique, that Simon interview is better than any of the links in the FPP. Thank you.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 11:34 AM on January 3, 2008

Kwantsar, I invite you to check Mayor Kilpatrick's campaign contributions. I believe the Freep gave the top 10. While you are at it, you might want to check his mother's.

Then you can start in on who is getting all the city contracts. Really, it isn't difficult to follow.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 12:27 PM on January 3, 2008

Pastabagel wrote: but a few comments above someone mentioned a military base bringing 30,000 new jobs to the city. That isn't the result of a successful experiment by the city of Baltimore or the state of Maryland, that's socialism from the top down - national defense spending going to help the city of Baltimore (let's face it, does Baltimore really need a military base?).

BRAC is not bringing anything directly to Baltimore, but rather to communities... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 3:40 PM on January 3, 2008

That Sky Factory site has some amazing pics.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 3:51 PM on December 13, 2007

This kind of thing is why I'm prone to giggling fits when people suggest tossing out DDC and LC and shelving books in public libraries using the same system Barnes and Noble uses.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 4:42 PM on July 28, 2007

I want to know what the rest of the filing said. I can't think of anything all of those have in common. What did the Fort McHenry Tunnel ever do to anyone?
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 9:07 AM on July 28, 2007

Macho Women With Guns

This sounds amazingly like some of the really bad, Sherry Tepper and vodka inspired fantasy that I used to write as a young women's studies major.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 5:56 PM on July 9, 2007

I just hope Martel doesn't send Harper _Handmaid's Tale_. He'd probably find it inspiring.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 2:41 PM on April 18, 2007

Prof. Librescu should be honoured. He protected his students.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 8:28 AM on April 17, 2007

That curse is serious overkill.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 8:35 PM on April 11, 2007

My HS English teacher used to play him reading the usura canto for us. Wonderful stuff. Thank you.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 11:41 AM on April 10, 2007

This would have been a lot funnier 5 years ago. I still know people who'd love this "service", though.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 9:27 AM on April 1, 2007

I used to work for a company that had recently hired a CIO from England. The woman was brainless, but between her severe blond hair and her accent, folks just gobbled up her inane pronouncements. Being as this was 1999, trying to compensate for her attempts to kill the corporate network while concentrating on the Y2K dress code rather than server standards was not fun.

Gods, we Americans are gullible twits sometimes.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 8:26 AM on March 21, 2007

I was a gopher die hard, mudding (like ijoshua, although I preferred Infinity) and wandering around finding stunning amounts of free cool stuff, like the Holocaust files from Jerusalem and the Weather Underground.

Until I found NASAs picture archives, I couldn't understand why anyone would want slow, crashy, buggy www access. Actually, I'm still not sure.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 2:30 PM on March 20, 2007

It has always amused me that ISBNs were neither standard nor international, as we used them here in the US. This is a start.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 10:57 AM on February 12, 2007

Man, when Canadians go bad, they sure go all the way! I have to send this to my Thorian friends....
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 9:59 AM on February 12, 2007

mkb, Detroit should have the Fisher Building and the Guardian Building, two of the finest examples of Art Deco in the US. The Ren Cen is just ugly. Not to mention a really nasty maze inside.

There are definite reasons one should ask experts. This is, unfortunately, just a popularity contest.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 9:09 AM on February 12, 2007

The article is a lot funnier if you s/American/Toronto.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 8:17 PM on February 7, 2007

Not carrying things is also a sign of status. As is carrying things for others, come to think of it, albeit a sign of low status.

It isn't necessarily caste, although that can play in to it. Nothing is that simple.

I carried my own tiffin to college, and there is nothing like some nice home cooked food between Hindi films...erm...classes.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 8:28 PM on February 2, 2007

Got it. Next time, don't be cute, spell it out. As Slothrop noticed, the topic was Detroit Hair Wars. The meat is the flaunt it link, which I should have put first.

But, hey, thanks for the other links. They need a place, too. Might as well be in this thread.
posted to MetaFilter by QIbHom at 8:29 AM on February 2, 2007