Ooh is this a best/worst commute contest? I get tourist traffic, but also I get to see bebbeh whales play in the bay.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 12:24 PM on April 11, 2008

I'm a sucker for famous people and their pets, but the Punch and Judy dolls and German Posters are nifty too.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 11:17 AM on April 11, 2008

I saw this today and my first thought was: "Man, I can't WAIT to get home and try this on the dog!"

Hell yeah paddysat!
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 3:54 PM on March 13, 2008

Of course you don't want to push it too far, payback is a bitch.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 4:51 PM on March 13, 2008

Oh yes, they are gathering strength.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 5:25 PM on March 13, 2008

(Needless to say, no cat would allow that sort of assault on their dignity.)

Are you sure about that?
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 8:34 PM on March 13, 2008

Those looked so good, it made me rethink my silly vegetarian ways. So I made them with fakin' bacon (self-link). I readily acknowledge the bacon heresy, but they were still tasty.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 3:01 PM on February 28, 2008

Well flarbuse, either way someone gets porked.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 3:13 PM on February 28, 2008

I love all of these, but this one really hits home. It's sound advice all around.

Perhaps it's just because I have vivid memories of seagulls stealing sandwiches off my elementary school lunch tables.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 9:27 AM on January 24, 2008

I was thinking the same damn thing pinky.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 8:57 AM on January 23, 2008

Heard that too AV.

It's neither here nor there, but Flea's dad was my high school ceramics teacher. He was a sweet old surf dude and very proud of his son. As I recall, he was also very liberal in answering that age old question: is it art or is it a bong?

The waves were crazy last week and the surfers even crazier. I heard reports of guys coming up from the cliffs with broken bones jutting through their wetsuits. I opted to stay warm and... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 4:12 PM on December 11, 2007

Am I the only one fixating on the BBC's photo caption?

Xingu is said to be intelligent and fond of salty biscuits.

It's good to know fellow intelligent creatures share my fondness for salty biscuits.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 12:21 PM on August 13, 2007

I love Mike Rowe so much, I envy the crazy caller lady.

Actually, I have reality TV-induced crushes on half the cast of The Discovery Channel: Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, The Hansen Brothers, Danny Forster . . .

I'll stop now.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 9:27 PM on July 3, 2007

Oh lordy, don't get me started on my love for Louie!

Ummm, I think I might have a problem.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 10:46 PM on July 5, 2007

I second that Danf. He added a little deadpan quirkiness that was needed.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 10:17 AM on May 2, 2007

Ahhhh, the resourcefulness of our banana slugs. I'll have to check it out this week.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 9:18 AM on April 10, 2007

For the uninitiated, The Banana Slug Fight Song (track 14).
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 12:43 PM on April 10, 2007

I love it! It reminds me of Brandon Hunt's Lennie Grabs a Dog from this exhibit. Previously mentioned somewhere around here.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 10:42 AM on April 9, 2007

I loved Weird Weekends and The Call of the Weird. I think this weekend exemplified Louis' ability to be silmultaneously self-depricating, mocking, curious and appreciative of his hosts.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 9:11 AM on April 6, 2007

What a sad and frustrating situation. I have never been to Detroit, but the detroitblog post instantly reminded of when I used to live in Poughkeepsie, NY. I recognize the neighborhoods decaying into woods and fields. They seem beautiful and picturesque, especially this time of year when everything is green and flowering. But "the dope dealers, the hookers, and the walking dead ambling past empty fields" make it an unsettling or dangerous place to be.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 10:09 AM on March 21, 2007

Seeing those posts together brings this to mind.

I miss The Brunching Shuttlecocks.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 12:42 PM on January 19, 2007

The Alice in Wonderland photos are wonderful too, but I'm a sucker for all things Alice.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 9:16 AM on September 5, 2006

What a great site! Thanks so much for posting this!
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 12:07 PM on July 24, 2006

As a former coordinator at a nerd camp, let me tell you, the "first kiss" phenomenon was not lost on the staff. It was like watching the world's most awkward soap opera. I'll never forget how we strategized about confronting the student who was caught kissing three girls in the same night. He was secretly known as Johnny "The Pimp" Doe from then on.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 12:48 PM on July 21, 2006

That's an amazing animal, it's surreal to see it in a domestic setting.

Second that notmydesk.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 4:48 PM on June 23, 2006

Thanks for the post, I loved EOD.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 2:51 PM on May 17, 2006

Truly excellent. I could spend all day reading snippets.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 10:14 AM on May 9, 2006

Many cities/counties in California have the same laws. I believe Canada also requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 1:44 PM on January 26, 2006

The photographs really don’t do it justice, but this (scroll down) gives you an idea of the elegance and kookiness of the house/museum.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 8:33 AM on December 15, 2005

It warms my heart to see how many other people love Soane's house. I had the incredible luxury of getting a behind-the-scenes tour while on a college research trip and I fell in love with the place.

Ever since, I've had several photos of the house pinned up in my cubicle/office as antidotes to grey walls and soulless office furniture.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 1:47 PM on December 16, 2005

I've never heard Bouguereau described as particularly obscure or forgotten. His works are widely exhibited and you can find reproductions everywhere. I had his Nymph and Satyrs on my wall in college. My roommate's family didn't quite know what to make of it, but there were plenty of people who recognized the work. His Shepherdesses and allegorical works are also really popular.

Great links and the David Hockney article is a hoot.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 9:10 AM on November 29, 2005

As a proud owner of a Dachuahua or Chiweenie (a nightmarish Chihuahua-Dachshund mix), I'm all for people embracing mutts and mixed-breeds. However, there are plenty of them in shelters. There's no need to go to a breeder for that. Haven't people heard of hybrid vigor?
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 11:32 AM on November 3, 2005

Okay, but only because Faint of Butt asked . . .


posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 12:48 PM on November 3, 2005

I think people are obsessed with pugs because pugs are obsessed with people. I've never met a breed that is so interested in the attention and affection of humans. Personally, I can't resist their ridiculous corkscrew tails.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 1:45 PM on November 3, 2005

Famous (and highly recognizable) artwork is rarely stolen for its resale value. Sometimes collectors are interested in having a specific piece for a private collection, but there are other possibilities.

Banks don't always check on the provenance of lesser-known (but still valuable) works that are used as collateral, allowing "clean" loans to come from stolen art. In addition, paintings, prints, and drawings make great (portable) currency for all kinds of... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 9:59 AM on October 27, 2005

My sixtysomething friend is racing this year. I am in awe of her physical stamina, but also the mental fortitude that a race like this requires.

As for the "everyman" triathletes, I think they are the embodiment of the IronMan mantra "Anything is possible."
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 10:59 AM on October 14, 2005

That reminds me of the little taqueria in the bus station near my office. It used to be owned by a Chinese couple who came to the US via Mexico. Their food was outstanding and the wife taught me how to make ginger tea. I think of her every time cold & flu season comes around.

The worst Chinese food I've ever had was in Rome.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 1:52 PM on September 22, 2005

Holy crap pracowity! That's the best description I've seen. Yes, they do "look like men in men suits!"
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 11:27 AM on May 25, 2005

UC Santa Cruz has one going on right now.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 1:22 PM on May 23, 2005

As I recall, he also stepped up to support Sinead O'Connor during the Pope photo-ripping backlash. He even wrote a song about it.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 1:39 PM on May 20, 2005

I agree with luriete, I'm glad to see The Dickens Project get a nod. The conference brings a diverse group of folks together and it shines light on all the ways Dickens is relevant today. Plus, they're down with PPP (post-prandial potations), and that'll spice up any academic event.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 1:11 PM on February 8, 2005

There was a show on A&E called Take this Job . . . that featured Chopper's dealership as well as a Mary Kay saleswoman. It was appropriately named "The Big Sell." It was fascinating to see the two sales positions side-by-side.

It made me grateful that when I did work in Sales (very briefly), people actually wanted to buy what I was selling.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 5:16 PM on January 24, 2005

Wow, awesome link Julie! That stuff is amazing. I love this one. That ain't your grandma's needlepoint!
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 4:56 PM on December 16, 2004

Ooooohh, I wonder what it's like typing on the ElectriClerk? I know that's not the point, but what a great machine.

The whole thing reminded me of this, discussed here.

I'm also a sucker for just about anything made out of a Mac Classic.
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 5:07 PM on December 15, 2004

Maybe exlotuseater can help me with this one . . . I had heard that widows or surviving daughters were occasionally allowed to take on the role of their mason husbands/fathers. Meaning, these women became honorary freemasons. Does anyone know if this is true?
posted to MetaFilter by annaramma at 3:57 PM on November 29, 2004