Well it depends on what you mean by "reasonably priced." With messenger bags, you definitely get what you pay for. I can personally recommend WaterField bags. They're not exactly cheap, but the quality is outstanding and they last forever.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 9:38 AM on July 23, 2008

I can't link to it directly because I'm at work, and it's not a "music video" per se, but the video of the Keepon dancing to Spoon's "Don't you Evah" is adorable.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 10:22 AM on July 22, 2008

My mom got me into these Volcanic Rock odor absorbers. I hung them in a room where a stanky housemate had lived (she never cleaned her bunny's cage and there were bunny pee stains everywhere) and it really helped.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 10:15 AM on July 19, 2008

I guess there are some kind of garbage cans at Burning Man...but if there aren't and/or you can't throw stuff away immediately, bring you can put your used sanitary supplies in zip lock bags along with black tea bags and aspirin to absorb the odor.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 10:11 AM on July 19, 2008

There is a local artist in New Orleans who does some amazing stuff on the backs of skateboards.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 9:44 AM on July 19, 2008

Honestly, things got a lot easier for me when I got my Queenbee Wonder Wallet. I really like the way it's laid out. It's really easy to see all my cards and keep my money and receipts organized.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 9:41 AM on July 19, 2008

Well this isn't exactly what you asked for, but I know a number of families who have set up a Caring Bridge website to help keep everyone updated. Helps keep down on the constant phone calls and individual updates. I helped a coworker set one up for her nephew and it was really easy. Just thought I'd pass that along.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 7:23 PM on July 15, 2008

You can buy a cheap tv on Craigslist for $100-$200. Especially now when college students are ditching all their stuff to move. I have a 20" CRT TV and it is fine for movies and the Wii.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 2:14 PM on July 15, 2008

My friend made a record for me as a thank-you (I think it was Custom Records but I will have to check when I get home). He remixed one of our favorite songs, and it was an incredibly touching gift.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 11:17 AM on July 14, 2008

phunniemee, the whole point of naming a pet is that you don't have to give it a "normal" name. It's not going to get made fun of by the other dogs at puppy school!
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 9:25 PM on July 11, 2008

I am a big fan of food names for pets (I had a kitten named Tempura, and when my friend couldn't name his kitten I came up with Pepper, which stuck). So I vote for previously mentioned Toffee, Taffy, or Butterscotch.

Oriole Adams, our dog Honey (see above about food names) became Honey Petunia.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 11:55 AM on July 12, 2008

You need to just figure out what you need to do to make you happy. I live in New Orleans myself. I earn a pretty measly salary and rent an apartment from a slumlord. But I love my job, my friends, and this city, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. You just make tradeoffs.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 11:29 AM on July 10, 2008

Have you lived with her before?

My boyfriend and I just moved in together. The biggest adjustment for me was dealing with morning routines. I am a roll-out-of-bed, get ready as fast as possible in a zombie-like state while trying to slurp coffee down type. He gets up earlier, likes to dawdle and talk and kiss and such. I finally had to tell him that his constant chatter, grabbing my butt while I was putting on makeup, etc, was not cutting it in the morning.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 10:35 AM on July 9, 2008

bove is right. It's pretty hard to fail a class in an MBA program. They want to keep you on track to graduate because a) they want your money and b) it looks good for them.

I had no idea what I wanted to do afterwards. I just kinda meandered along and took classes that seemed interesting.

Looking back, I wish I had socialized more. I went to an MBA program in a city I was already living in, at the same school I attended for undergrad...I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 10:30 AM on July 9, 2008

From having done these things in orientations and retreats, I would definitely recommend trying to come up with a "noisy" way rather than writing things down or raising paddles. That way people get more into it and there is more energy in the room.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 11:40 AM on July 8, 2008

Just so you know, un-fixed male dogs will break down a door to get to a female in heat.

As an anecdote, our Shih Tzu was never fixed (my dad's decision, I was only 10 when we got him). The dog used to hump everything, and it was really embarrassing. When he was older he developed some kind of growths on his butt that was related to the excess testosterone...and he had to have surgery to have them removed. And he died as a result of complications of the surgery.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 11:31 AM on July 8, 2008

Well first, make sure that any time you use a hot tool, you are putting a product on before-hand. Anything that is advertised for straightening. Most product lines make something of this type. It acts as a barrier to keep the heat from damaging your hair. Otherwise a straightening iron will KILL your hair.

A couple years ago my hair was really dried out and my mom's stylist did a Kerastase treatment on my hair. It felt so much healthier and shinier afterwards!... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 9:54 AM on July 7, 2008

Try renting a humane trap...our local shelter will probably have one. I know here you can rent them for like $10/day. You put food in them, so the cat goes in, trips the door closed, and is safely stuck inside.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 10:59 AM on July 5, 2008

Why don't you just turn the water off when you shave? You're wasting water otherwise.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 11:05 AM on July 4, 2008

twistedonion is right on the money, istockphoto is awesome.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 9:49 PM on July 3, 2008

My grandmother used to spread mayo and peanut butter on matzohs. My mother was horrified when she found out that I was not only fed that on multiple occasions, but actually enjoyed it. It's amazing.

I like to mix pesto into my mayo for turkey sandwiches.

Also last fall, after the leftover turkey ran out and I couldn't make any more turkey sandwiches, I found myself eating mayo and cranberry sauce on bread.

And yes,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 9:49 PM on July 3, 2008

Well I don't know about gemstones per se, but the silver mines in Virginia City are pretty neat. We used to go there on day trips from Tahoe.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 8:49 PM on June 30, 2008

My parents divorced when I was 21. It is really really awkward in the beginning but it slowly gets better. It definitely changed my relationship with both my parents, but for the better.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 6:09 PM on June 30, 2008

Along the lines of what tristeza recommended, I would say try cross-stitching. I find it's easier than hand-embroidery because you don't have to worry about your stitch size and doing neat little stitches. It's cheaper than needle-point. Also faster than needle-point because you generally only stitch the foreground design, you don't have to fill in the background. I highly recommend Subversive Cross-Stitch. Their kits are affordable and fun. Then when you get more comfortable, you can... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 6:06 PM on June 30, 2008

I would imagine that you could find these at jewlery kiosks in the malls. Try Northgate. Northgate also has a Claire's, and some place called Fantasy Jewels.

I'm sure downtown San Rafael, San Anselmo or Fairfax would have some jewelry or hippie clothing store that would have what you're looking for, but I don't live in Marin anymore so I can't recommend a particular store.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 10:38 AM on June 28, 2008

Your regular Animal Control/Humane Society might actually not be able to help you...they will probably have you call a wildlife specialist. Raccoons are meeaaannnn creatures.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 10:25 AM on June 28, 2008

He can probably handle Mario Kart DS.

Nintendogs is really a lot of fun. My cousin loves it.

Instead of (or in addition to) a game you might want to get him a sturdy case. The 7-year-old I babysit has something like this. He might also like a fun skin for it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 7:29 PM on June 25, 2008

As a kid we used to camp at Muir Woods. It's beautiful.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 7:25 PM on June 25, 2008

I don't know how much they cost exactly, but I know my friends' band always brings a portable washing machine on tour!
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 5:42 PM on June 25, 2008

I echo getting a well-fitted bra. Do you have a Nordstrom near you? Their lingerie department is great. It is much easier and faster to find a good bra when you have a pro helping you. And once you have a good bra, it will be easier to find new clothes, I promise.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 8:31 PM on June 24, 2008

I really enjoyed Best American Nonrequired Reading . I linked to the 2002 edition because that is the first I picked up, but I believe they're all quite good. It's got a little bit of everything. I enjoyed the chapter from Fast Food Nation so much that I ended up buying and (and enjoying) that as well.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 8:25 PM on June 24, 2008

Most gyms have a per-use drop-in fee...may be more economical than actually buying a membership if you only need it occasionally for a few months.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 9:15 AM on June 23, 2008

You can dehydrate food using the Alton Brown Method.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 6:04 PM on June 21, 2008

Fruit flies are freakin relentless. You have to leave the traps out for longer than you think, until they are all gone for a few days.

Fill plastic cups with either wine, vinegar or OJ. You can put a few pieces of cut banana in there for extra oomph. Then cover with plastic wrap but poke some holes in it. The idea is that they go in but can't get out.

I've heard that lemongrass oil is helpful for fruit flies. I used it the last time I had... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 10:36 AM on June 20, 2008

I'm just glad I'm not the only one annoyed by this.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 6:04 PM on June 19, 2008

Maybe there is someone on Etsy that could do this for you on commission?
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 4:09 PM on June 17, 2008

Ah yes, autojack mentioned the 11pm crouching euro-shower. Awesome.

I don't need to bother to nth renters insurance, but I will point out that you can probably get it cheap as an add-on to your auto insurance.

Congratulations BTW! A first apartment is so much fun, I have so many great memories from mine!

As for making it homey, are you allowed to paint? Painting parties are fun! Tell your friends you'll buy lunch... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 4:08 PM on June 17, 2008

Personally I find taking a shower in a shower-bath combo feels much roomier than a shower-only, even when it's a big shower stall.

Plus, man, sometimes you just want to take a hot bath. I'm not a "bath person" but nothing is better when you're sick.

Also, if you go shower-only, make sure you have some shelves built in for product storage. The most annoying thing about shower stalls is reaching down constantly to get shampoo, conditioner, etc.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 12:35 PM on June 16, 2008

IANAD. But I work at a blood bank and we talk about this all the time. You can increase your hemoglobin/hematocrit by altering your diet. Generally, increase your intake of green leafy vegetables, dried fruits, and red meat. The Red Cross has information on their website.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 4:49 PM on June 15, 2008

I have had good luck calling places and asking to be taken off the list. They already know you're a valid address because they bought your name from a list. Generally companies that spend money for direct mail are actually legit enough to have the decency to stop mailing you if you ask. I'd just call.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 7:35 PM on June 13, 2008

You are way cooler than my mom. She would have never braved Warped. (Fortunately, my best friend's older brother was around to chaperone us).

Expect it to be hot and tiring. Bring water. Sometimes they are weird about what you bring in, I think your water needs to be unopened. Slather yourself with sunscreen. Ugh I can still remember getting my hair part burned one year when I wore pigtails. Bring a lot of cash for food, water, etc. The girls will probably want... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 12:05 PM on June 11, 2008

klangklangston is right on with the earplugs. I have always worn them. At Warped I don't remember the noise level being too bad because it's outside, but it's been a long time since I've gone.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 2:02 PM on June 11, 2008

In the future, I would suggest putting deodorant on your knees and then baby powder to keep you from sweating/rubbing there.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 9:18 AM on June 11, 2008

I may be totally clueless, but did the OP post a link to the survey? I am confused how katillathehun was able to make all those educated critiques...
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 5:42 PM on June 10, 2008

OK well at least I'm not going crazy!
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 7:31 PM on June 10, 2008

I hate to be a downer, but the "Diamond Star band" looks to me like a rip-off of the Tiffany Etoile ring. "Etoile" even means star.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 10:30 AM on June 9, 2008

Second a Netflix subscription (and a portable DVD player if she doesn't have a player in the room).
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 10:44 AM on June 7, 2008

I have to say that Brain Age for the DS completely improved my mental math. Granted, that's not going to give you a fast pass to calculus, but it made me so much more comfortable with numbers.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 9:47 PM on June 5, 2008

When I was taking Spanish, I found diccionarios.com to be extraordinarily helpful. It is a great dictionary and gives you idiomatic phrases as well.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 5:45 PM on June 4, 2008

She who breaks up moves out. When my dad served my mom with divorce papers (thoughtful, I know), it didn't occur to him to get an apartment immediately or move to a hotel for a while so she could sort things out, find a lawyer, get an apartment, etc without being in the same house with him. I think it was extremely suffocating for her.
posted to Ask Metafilter by radioamy at 1:58 PM on June 4, 2008