I tried Bella Sebastian's recipe... my flatmate and I really like it! Made some changes to the recipe because we didn't have some of the ingredients: used a different type of mushroom, used garlic paste rather than garlic, used oregano and basil instead of thyme, ketchup instead of tomato paste (heh), shao xing cooking wine instead of red wine, chicken stock instead of vegetable stock, white miso instead of dark miso, and no yeast. I didn't read the last sentence so it actually simmered for... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 9:41 PM on September 18, 2008

You're like my parents - they wanted unique-sounding one-syllable names for all their children too. :) (Mine's one of those you like.) How about Thea?
(My sister once said she wanted to marry a guy with the last name "Lee" and name her kid "Love"...)
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 10:33 AM on September 7, 2008

ginkgo biloba, ginseng...?
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 1:09 AM on August 22, 2008

Try ginkgo biloba supplements.
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 2:15 AM on August 4, 2008

This is a general answer -
Try asking at hotels (probably, you'll have better luck with the smaller ones), pubs/bars and churches - for starters. I used to go piano-hopping/hunting when I was somewhat addicted to pianos; one can usually find pianos in hotels, pubs, churches, shopping malls, sometimes condomeniums/apartment blocks (my friend's service apartment in NYC had a piano on one floor)... and then of course there are piano/music shops and showrooms, music rooms belonging to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 1:41 PM on August 3, 2008

2) Eyewashes and eyedrops (maybe those re-wetting drops for contact lenses) help. Also, if you're not already using them - get daily lenses rather than monthly or bi-weekly lenses. Much better in avoiding irritation and keeping your eyes moist.

3) I probably can't help much wrt brands (I'm currently using a Korean line for sensitive skin; not sure whether it's available in Canada), but a green makeup base helps a lot in covering up redness. You just need to apply it... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 6:52 AM on August 3, 2008

I have a close relative who had 2 C-sections, then a (successful) vaginal delivery, then another C-section. Doctors have differing opinions on this - the OB involved in the VBAC was apparently very supportive, positive and attentive wrt the VBAC, while the OB involved in the last C-section thought the VBAC OB irresponsible to allow and encourage a vaginal delivery after 2 C-sections. If you do mean to go ahead with this, you should find a midwife / OB who has a lot of experience with VBACs.
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 6:30 AM on August 3, 2008

Thirding dance.

I didn't like exercising either; was/am very uncoordinated and although good at running (during the rare times I actually bother to run substantially), don't really like the seeming pointlessness of running for the sake of exercise. (In addition, I preferred not to be in the sun too much...)

I took up pole-dancing at a dance studio in town, and I really love it. Before I started dancing, I hardly got out of the house or did much... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 7:36 PM on July 24, 2008

Uh yeah, what's your website's url? I'm a musician too.

Also, post on music forums!! There are tons and tons of music forums out there...
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 8:14 AM on July 23, 2008

Definitely, 2pac's Keep Ya Head Up.
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 10:13 PM on July 22, 2008

Okay... heheh, which hawker centre? I'm fine with... uh... almost any date in July, but it does depend on the time.
posted to MetaTalk by aielen at 2:14 PM on July 4, 2008

not free on the evening of July 24, free on July 25, may not be free on the evening of July 26, free from the afternoon onwards on July 27.
posted to MetaTalk by aielen at 3:27 PM on July 10, 2008

July 27 is a Sunday. Won't be free on the evening July 26 (Saturday). Maybe July 25 then...
posted to MetaTalk by aielen at 4:01 PM on July 15, 2008

I'm 4'11". Heels and platforms have worked quite a bit for me. I also place my bags behind me on the seat (currently, I carry a huge bag that tends to take up about 3/4 of the seat... not specifically for this purpose, but I suppose it does help to fill up the seat). Occasionally, I sit indian-style. I sometimes brace my feet against table posts/legs or chair rungs - sometimes both feet, sometimes just one foot (with the other leg crossed over). Whatever the case, my feet rarely wind... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 3:12 PM on July 15, 2008

(I like this question.)

The girl group song-and-dance sequences in Suicide Club (sort of like Sparkle Motion, only much better IMO), and perhaps the song sung by Genesis in the same film. There are probably other scenes in the film that do the same thing, but I'm too scared to look those scenes up on youtube, at the moment (staying up alone at night...).

& the kitchen scene in the first Final Destination movie.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 2:59 PM on July 10, 2008

i like this a lot more than the original. the original always struck me as rather pretentious.
posted to MetaFilter by aielen at 8:06 AM on July 1, 2008

Why does our tolerance for repeated exposure to film and stories change as we get older, but not our tolerance for songs?

Time seems to be a pretty big factor for me. I actually don't think I've 'grown out' of wanting/liking watching films and reading stories repeatedly. I still watch some films repeatedly (i.e. watching the same film repeatedly, with not more than maybe half an hour's break in between, about 3 times) when I have the time. And... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 9:27 PM on June 24, 2008

I started learning piano when I was 3 (and later violin when I was 8) and I'm so glad I did. I suppose I had 'structured' lessons, but they were fun; I learned via the Suzuki method at a Suzuki music school (and then later switched to a regular music school after maybe 5 years). My sister also started learning music fairly young, via the Yamaha method at a Yamaha music school - and that's supposed to be very stimulating for children as well. So yes, there are certain methods of music-teaching... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 3:15 PM on June 22, 2008

I think I sneeze like papafrita described... I keep my mouth shut and I clench my jaw/teeth, and my sneezes are often silent. (I've also been told it's not good for my insides... but I guess I don't want to break the habit just yet heh.) I used to be a really loud sneezer when I was a kid; at one point my classmates knew me because of my sneezes (if you get what I mean..). So this was a learned mechanism. It helps to start out by sort of cupping/pressing your hands over your face such that... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 1:34 PM on June 19, 2008

I've had irregular/'weird' sleep cycles for years, and I've also experienced a period of years with the amount of sleep you mentioned. From what I can remember, polyphasic sleep didn't really affect my skin much either way. But generally, I don't really have a problem with acne, although my pores could always do with refining.. Personally, I've found that my diet affects my skin more than my sleep does in terms of acne - although getting a healthy (8 hour-ish) amount of sleep does make my... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 1:23 PM on June 19, 2008

I've been trying to solve the same (or at least, similar) problem with my voice teacher's advice. Apparently I speak in a head voice normally, which is why there are limits as to how loud I can speak, even when I'm really trying to speak loudly. Have you tried placing your hand on your chest (below your collarbone) to feel whether you're speaking using a chest voice? (You should feel vibrations from that chest area if you're speaking using a chest voice.)

Speech and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 11:12 AM on June 16, 2008

echoing what some others have suggested, maybe you've never had an official breakup because you've never had an official relationship.
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 9:49 AM on June 14, 2008

do you have long hair? sometimes i get acne from my hair hanging over my back a lot; it's also dependent on the kind of shampoo and conditioner i use (and how thoroughly i wash off the conditioner, too). scrubbing your back with a scrub and/or rough washcloth also helps a lot.
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 8:15 AM on June 13, 2008

You sound like you've been doing well so far. (A lot better than I was at first, anyway, after my most recent break-up...)

It's great you've been keeping busy and trying to have alone time. You could try to take up hobbies/activites out of your comfort zone... I know that's helped me a lot. I took up dance classes and DJ-ing lessons, being a complete noob at both... and they've helped me to see myself in new ways, with new possibilities. I guess learning completely... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 10:16 PM on June 5, 2008

Shiseido has worked for me. (And in terms of sun protection - it's better than Neutrogena, IMO... I was using Neutrogena sunscreen before I switched to Shiseido; physical blockers (what Shiseido uses) are supposedly more effective and healthier for your skin than chemical blockers (what Neutrogena uses).) It's also important to use make-up remover when removing sunscreen, though... and basically double-cleanse your face.
Also, you could find out which specific ingredients your face... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 12:08 AM on May 28, 2008

Well... for one thing, faith comes from God. And you can pray for it (Mark 9:24)! :) But also - maybe you need to feel God in your heart and not just your head... and to build not just an intellectual but also an emotional relationship with God. Psalms 100 helped me a lot recently; I realised, again, that God's love is everlasting and unconditional - and that gave me peace and renewed faith. I go through bouts of depression as well, but I'd rather go through the depression with God than... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 8:14 AM on May 8, 2008 marked best answer

It's great that you're respecting her personal space, although the physical contact you've described does sound rather intimate. If you are serious about her - pursue her, chase her as a gentleman. :) It's great that you're actually waiting for the first kiss - that you're actually thinking this through, and being considerate of her feelings wrt this.

Maybe contrary to what some other MeFites here would say or are saying... I suggest:
Don't worry about... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 2:04 PM on May 7, 2008

The girl in your class is extremely immature, selfish and very manipulative. Not to mention deceitful - towards her boyfriend, and towards you. You're also being selfish, and very unfair to the boyfriend of your classmate. Think about that; maybe you owe him an apology.

Am saying this on a hunch, but - take care not to mistake emotional complexity, baggage and/or 'experience', and intellect for 'maturity'.

Perhaps you really need to take some... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 6:53 AM on April 12, 2008

I play both the piano and the violin. (Started with Suzuki method for piano, and semi-Suzuki method for violin... but went on to non-Suzuki teachers.) Piano was the first instrument I started out with.

Re learning the violin: most people sound bad for (at least?) the first two years or so. It's easier to sound bad on the violin than the piano. The technique involved is very different. You need good ears to play the violin (as compared to the piano), because of all... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 8:48 AM on April 9, 2008

Clarification: when I was talking about grasping the basics in the sentence about sight-reading, I meant grasping the basics in terms of technique and actually knowing how to play the violin.
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 8:50 AM on April 9, 2008

I've had hives problems for a few years. I used to get hives from almost any slight touch or pressure against my skin - so this meant I got hives from carrying things, from my clothes, from my own hair brushing against my skin, from leaning against a table, etc (the list goes on...). I tended to get hives on most parts of my body (face, neck, torso, limbs...uh actually almost everywhere except the bottoms of my feet) - although I don't think I've ever got any on the soles of my feet. I still... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 8:59 AM on April 3, 2008

Like rhizome suggested, he may not have been lying if he had reached a point of numbness. Sometimes people feel so intensely that they eventually become numb (not sure how to phrase this more eloquently), as a coping mechanism. Then again, if his voice was tense and his body shook, perhaps he was feeling something - but even then, he may not have associated you with what he was feeling. Perhaps, when he said those things, he was focusing more on his own agency in the relationship, and viewing... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 9:50 PM on March 31, 2008

am from SE-Asia. My mom generally recommends kuali.com as an online resource for Asian recipes.
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 8:13 PM on March 31, 2008 marked best answer

mmm. Adding 5 spice chicken, herbal/emperor chicken and salt-baked chicken to your list of suggestions. Asian stuff. There are recipes online that tell you how to make them from scratch, or - if you don't want to do that - there are packets of premixed spices that you can buy at Asian stores (they usually include instructions on how to cook the chicken with the premix). Umm. Premixes like these or these.

I've actually never cooked those particular chicken dishes... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 8:24 AM on March 31, 2008

nihraguk and i may be going...
aren't there any more MeFites currently in Singapore? who else is going to be there?
posted to MetaTalk by aielen at 10:37 AM on March 18, 2008

7.30pm 25th March isn't a very good time for us though... mon/wed/thurs might be better, if you're looking at 7.30pm onwards...
posted to MetaTalk by aielen at 11:01 AM on March 18, 2008

tuesday isn't a good day for nihraguk. i'm ok with it myself. but maybe nihraguk won't be going anyway; i'm not sure. maybe mefi mail him or sth?
posted to MetaTalk by aielen at 10:42 AM on March 22, 2008

so which day is it? saturday late afternoon isn't too ideal for me. friday evening works. but who is going, when's everyone else free, etc etc...??
posted to MetaTalk by aielen at 5:10 AM on March 24, 2008

ok, so the cydonian suggests we should all try for a meetup again; i'm game...
am assuming we're looking at 7.30pm onwards, again? this week or next week...? i'm not free this friday night or next saturday night; besides that, i'm relatively flexible.
posted to MetaTalk by aielen at 7:06 AM on March 31, 2008

sounds like the book should be retitled "How To Speed Up Your Breakup".
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 9:47 AM on March 30, 2008

if you do take up the coconut milk suggestion - perhaps you should use coconut cream instead. it has a much thicker consistency than coconut milk.
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 6:35 AM on March 23, 2008

Facial exercises may help. My mom also advised me to wash my face in a certain way (upward hand motions rather than downward) to prevent/delay sagging cheeks. Botox might serve as a quick (albeit short-term) fix. Less invasive alternatives include mesotherapy and thermage.

I've heard Clarins Shaping Facial Lift / Lift Affine Visage can be very effective if applied correctly; not sure whether it's available where you are, though. Basically, you probably want to look... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 2:21 PM on March 16, 2008

"The Time of the Doves" (aka "La placa del Diamant") by Merce Rodoreda. From the outset its prose seems almost deceptively simple, but it's actually a very layered commentary on the Spanish Civil War.

Personally, I also like (or remember liking...) stuff by Anais Nin, Marguerite Duras, Angela Carter and Joan Aiken... but their styles may not be to your taste. Angela Carter's "Love" was/is the book I've always wished I could write.
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 4:37 PM on March 10, 2008

Some of the meanness / snarkiness here seems unnecessary. Maybe we should wait for cortex to speak to sansgras privately, first, before speaking to sansgras on the assumption that she's lying. I think it's still possible she's an actual person; maybe some of the details she's related over the span of her askme questions don't seem to add up, but like others have pointed out, if you're a victim of the type of abusive situation she's been in for most of her life, your sense and perspective of... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by aielen at 1:40 PM on March 10, 2008

Oops, posted that before I saw cortex's latest comment.
posted to MetaTalk by aielen at 1:41 PM on March 10, 2008

Stevie Nicks? The Cardigans?
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 8:03 AM on February 26, 2008

At one point, I relied upon sheer memory to compose and write songs. But, since this ability didn't come naturally (I'm aware some lucky people can do this without consciously training themselves to), I had to invest a lot of time and effort in developing that skill.
I basically: 1) improvised a lot, for many hours at a stretch, and sort of allowed songs to "form themselves" - after improvising for some time, some musical themes would reoccur and sort of... develop... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 12:27 PM on February 22, 2008

actually food does sound good. yum yum vietnamese spring rolls!!! you could learn a vietnamese recipe and bake/cook her something? you probably shouldn't attempt a whole meal if you're not that good at cooking or following recipes... but maybe something manageable like dumplings or spring rolls or cakes etc.
or you could learn a vietnamese song (ah... one of those male-female love duets? there are so many of them!) and surprise her at karaoke. :)
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 1:21 PM on February 18, 2008

there's a chinese toy museum around little india (oh... museum of shanghai toys) that's quite quaint and informative if you have a little time to spare (esp. if you're going to be lodging around little india). i love the katong laksa around the little india area... around jalan besar i think? it's SGD$2.50 per bowl, although the helpings aren't very big. then again, there are lots of other good katong laksa places in singapore...

there is plenty of good food in... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 11:13 AM on February 16, 2008

hey i had the same problem with my ex! only he gave me two printers.
he said he didn't want them back and that i should keep them around for myself, too.
i've kept one and thrown away the other. on hindsight, i should've sold it! (it was a laser printer.) i'm gonna sell the second one on ebay someday :)

as others have pointed out, he's given the printer to you.
even if he'll want the printer back in future - he's refused to take... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by aielen at 10:13 AM on February 11, 2008