foodgeek - not everyone trusts their intuition enough to believe that would be safe -- some people's version of "just build it" can be a little rickety, have exposed nails, etc.

Although I personally would have wanted to build my treehouse myself :)
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 7:56 AM on August 19, 2008

I can imagine her behaving the same way toward you if you were female, actually. The "sexy" gestures/poses are possibly you own interpretation, possibly not, but her objective actions -- spending time with you -- are what one would do with a friend.

Was she flirting with you? Maybe. Maybe she's not, or you're not, quite sophisticated enough to play-flirt without the potential for massive miscommunication. If she can forgive you, you should forgive her and forget it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 6:32 PM on August 18, 2008

If they already have a merchant account (i.e. can accept credit cards in person), then Mals-e.com might be a good match. It's free for most basic accounts. They've been around for years.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 6:15 PM on August 18, 2008

I just found this AP article through Google News: China has not approved Olympic protest requests
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 7:39 AM on August 18, 2008

You could get a refrigerator with an automatic ice maker - figure that cost as contrasted with your cost of time + the energy lost every time you open the freezer door to make ice.

Also, you have significant time/effort involved with purchasing and lugging around ice. And you have no idea what kind of water goes into it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 7:35 AM on August 18, 2008

Are you saying that they can "get" an "opportunity" without paying for it if they prefer?
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 7:31 AM on August 18, 2008

Bear in mind - winter's coming, and I bet you'd look good in hats. That might get you over a rough period, and would be an interesting thing to try in any case.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 3:42 PM on August 17, 2008

Could it be that your exercising at the gym, which brings you into contact, and more intimate contact, with a lot more people's germs?

Maybe being extra careful about hand washing/cleaning equipment, and not taking packed aerobics classes with who-knows-whose-children's-preschool-bugs might help.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 3:02 PM on August 17, 2008

I meant "you're", obviously. It started out as a different kind of sentence, "...that your exercising is the type that..."
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 3:03 PM on August 17, 2008

Free Math! (or, The Free Math Podcast - assuming it's free, of course)
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 10:10 PM on August 16, 2008

Can you practice somewhere else? School? If you can drive, or bike or take public transport to a university, you can maybe start thinking creatively about finding other practice space; this will still take some thought and creativity on your part -- finding practice space is a classic problem -- but it can be done.

Also, even if you have an acoustic instrument, is there an electronic equivalent that you could use just for practice? "No" is a completely... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 8:34 AM on August 16, 2008

Any communication depends both on the transmitter (in this case, you as flirter) and the receiver (your hapless/lucky victims/companions). Just be aware that there's no one way to answer this. Some people will think you mean more than you do; be sensitive to that, pay attention to them so you can notice what they're "hearing". Then you should have a graceful way to communicate more precisely.

Also, be aware that if/when you actually _do_ want a more real... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 2:25 PM on August 14, 2008

Can you heat water up in a large rice cooker (or something), then pour that water into the bucket?

I've also seen small heating elements - essentially a metal bit on the end of an electrical cord - for making tea. You might need a few of these if it's a large bucket. Heat the water, then add the clothes (no setting clothes on fire or scorching them).
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 1:59 PM on August 12, 2008

I looked at the page Miko linked, and it looks like head lice eggs take ~ 1 week to hatch. So, while 48 hours away from a host would kill live ones, the eggs might linger longer.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 9:27 PM on August 12, 2008

AND that page lists three different types of lice, so YMMV.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 9:27 PM on August 12, 2008

Sounds like you want a backup plan in case things don't go your way with this round of testing and this endocrinologist. How about just having another endocrinologist picked out? It sounds like this one is not your favorite.

You could also prepare a document listing all your medical history so far -- similar to what you've written here, maybe with dates and doctors' names added -- so that you can give it to the new endocrinologist (or the current one, if you stay with... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 2:51 PM on August 12, 2008

Just make a simple HTML site that's available instead of the Flash site. People or search engines can visit whichever one suits them.

I'd advise against using Flash for only navigation elements - the navigating with Flash is one important thing that the search engines can't do.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 11:31 AM on August 12, 2008

Modern dance performance. I probably wouldn't go, but the critics would love it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 9:37 AM on August 12, 2008

You've probably thought of this, but might want to give it a second thought: is there any way to incorporate the publisher's advice, or at least the goal of his advice, while keeping some form of your puzzles intact? In other words, I guess I'm encouraging you not to give up on reconciling the two too easily.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 8:19 AM on August 12, 2008

Seconding education. Including people just talking to each other - educating each other. I wish we did more of this, but we're too worried about interpersonal conflict.

Trying to bring about change through _government_ won't work, or won't work well, if there are masses of people who don't understand or agree with the change. Or if the people bringing about the change don't understand the needs of others.

Lack of understanding / lack of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 11:33 PM on August 11, 2008

You might want to look at finding/making a more attractive cat bed -- then a) the cat might prefer it to your room, and b) you'll feel less like a meanie (which you aren't) for keeping the cat away from what it sees as a refuge.

An attractive cat bed will have the right amount of privacy and will be very, very soft.

And every time you see the cat in the bed you provided -- trust me, even if you don't really like the cat -- you'll feel a sense of accomplishment.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 5:13 PM on August 11, 2008

Any teaching / water pistol approach is going to require a certain amount of time and focus on your part to make it really work; otherwise, the cat will just learn not to go in your room when you're there. Which is probably not the real problem.

Your best bet is figuring out some way of keeping the door closed. Doorstop, latch, chair under the door, rope around the doorknob hooked to some stable thing (screw in drywall anchor in wall), fixing the knob (do some internet... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 8:09 PM on August 11, 2008

Which part of the pencil most attracts him? Does he chew the eraser, or the metal part? Maybe he likes the particular weight of the overall pencil?
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 6:55 PM on August 11, 2008

Have you tried commercially-available string-on-a-stick toys? Some cats ignore the string/toy part and just drag around the sticks. They can also enjoy chasing the end (either end) of the stick if you wave that around.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 8:00 PM on August 11, 2008

Clarification: I mention those because the sticks are solid plastic. Not my favorite, but maybe better than splinters.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 8:01 PM on August 11, 2008

I use a Thunderbird add-on that inserts my pre-defined text in my message, whereever the current cursor is, with just a shortcut key. It's originally for "signatures" -- I use [Ctrl]-D for a two-line signature that I add to some messages but not others -- but you can define arbitrary blocks of text and arbitrary shortcut keys. It's called "Signature":

> http://signature.mozdev.org/

Very simple, very quick to use. As with... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 1:02 PM on August 11, 2008

All I can suggest is that you put a lot of thought into the kind of people you want around you in the future, in particular romantic partners. Be careful that you don't gravitate toward other crazy people, or people who'll manipulate you.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 11:25 AM on August 11, 2008 marked best answer

Once I found a can of soy whipped topping at the store. I bought it. It was kind of yucky.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 11:17 AM on August 11, 2008

Sounds like Mom doesn't want to deal with the passage of time. Let's not address this, but I would like to introduce you all to a holiday I invented:


Happy Why Not Day

Want to give presents to someone? Want to inflate a bunch of balloons? Want to try unusual fruit combinations and plan a picnic? Want to buy yourself a new steering wheel cover?

There are always reasons to be found for not doing things.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 11:14 AM on August 11, 2008

That is not to imply that you can force your wife to be happy - sorry, I didn't express that well. Just that you can give gifts even on non-birthdays. Of course, this may or may not work with your wife, but you could consider it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 11:15 AM on August 11, 2008

I have a friend who sends out a blanket invitation to all his friends, every year, to hang out with him on his birthday. He has a lot of friends. I always feel like it's not important for me personally to visit with him on his birthday because he has so many friends -- I'd just be an additional burden at worst, a number at best.

If you want people to really connect with you, connect with them. Take the time to send them an individual message, or call (sometime when... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 8:48 PM on August 10, 2008

I wouldn't necessarily be comfortable using Magic Eraser on a linoleum or no-wax floor; they're actually abrasive, and I'd worry that they'd add tiny scratches that would make the floor stain more readily.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 4:35 PM on August 10, 2008

Nobody's said "cleaning houses" yet. Until now.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 8:21 AM on August 9, 2008

Do it because you feel like it. Do it because you're human and you want to. It will make you happy.

Don't do it as a way to manipulate the landlord into being a better landlord or person.

Do it because you're grateful he cared enough (even if that's only a little) to do his job right. If people only do the minimum required, it can get a lot worse. That feeling of gratitude? It's real and you shouldn't ignore it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 11:26 PM on August 7, 2008

Do you think you should only thank people, or show them appreciation, or reach out to them, when it is "necessary"?
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 2:23 PM on August 8, 2008

This is great:

The book includes things you can do and say as a friend or peripheral relative for someone in the hospital, at home bedridden, survivors of violence, young people, older people, grieving families. It also includes some of the things not to do and say.

Title: "What can I do? / How to be a friend when your friends are hurting"
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 9:11 AM on August 8, 2008

Don't let them push you around.

Listen, learn, accept their expertise -- but you know you better than they do.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 8:05 AM on August 8, 2008

pyjammy - lasers? What?
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 8:06 AM on August 8, 2008

You're in a tunnel; things will be different at the other end. Probably fabulous.

But while you're still stuck on the train, keep working hard, and focus on something else. Getting ahead at work; saving money; learning a language (if you can do this while exercising); whatever you want that's _not_ totally about your body or personal attractiveness. That'll be there when you're done. And you do need to focus on your body a lot, I know; but not on how hot you look... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 10:45 AM on August 6, 2008

Heretic, that's brilliant!
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 8:45 AM on August 6, 2008

How about just wiping her with a damp washcloth - it could be fun, like petting her - rather than actual sinkular immersion?

Alternatively, could you guys just play with her a lot before bedtime to a) wear her out, and b) give her some solid bonding time with you? I'm looking for a panting, exhausted, happy kitty here.

If she's so upset she's vomiting, the "cry it out" approach might not yield a happy cat. I'd look for a solution to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 9:26 AM on August 6, 2008

In addition to separate spaces, you might also want to consider separate times: does he have an activity that will take him out of the house a few times per week (or however much you need)? Work this out, and make it clear, very clear, that this is something that you need him to take seriously.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 8:34 PM on August 5, 2008

phrontist's comment is a great way to think about why web design / Javascript coding is _so impossible_ to do well across browsers. Browser coders were being too _nice_, and now we all have to suffer.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 12:26 PM on August 5, 2008

For the record, I had a credit card throughout college (almost all 7 years) and it wasn't a problem at all. It was very handy.

My college had a credit union - if there's a credit union that she can join, this would be much much better than one of the less customer-centered big credit card companies.

One caveat - she should read _all_ the fine print, and understand every word. She probably won't do this as carefully when she's older, but she... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 6:56 AM on August 5, 2008

One further note - people keep talking about cards that have a low limit, or that don't "let" you spend over the limit. My belief is this: she should know, at every moment, what her _personal_ limit is, that is, how much she can spend (she should make a budget and review it every month), and what the balance is on the card. A personal finance program like Moneydance is very helpful for this - maybe something like this could be her gift from you.

That combined... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 7:00 AM on August 5, 2008

Two reasons why you would want a credit (vs. debit) card:

1) Consumer protections, especially since card numbers can get compromised;

2) Emergencies.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 7:01 AM on August 5, 2008

It could be a side effect of something being wrong that isn't even originally stomach related. Yes, you've got to take him to an emergency room. Better now than if he becomes unconscious and can't get himself into the car. Plus, that's super scary (and rightly so). Just do what needs to be done -- yes, again, although I know it's hard -- and deal with the consequences later. Good luck. There's really nothing else you can do.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 8:04 PM on August 3, 2008

ebellicosa, scody - I can understand it being a tough call, aside from the money issues. If you were really really sick, bed would be a far more restful place to be than sitting in an emergency room, and it sounds like their last experience was truly nightmarish. It sounds like they have a plan, at least.

If if were me, I guess I'd hope that my fiance would have taken me to some kind of ER yesterday, but at this point, with a DR's appointment tomorrow morning, I guess... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 12:10 AM on August 4, 2008

I was in a co-op program, where I went to school (public) for a quarter, then worked a quarter, etc. I was lucky enough to get jobs with corporations where I was able to earn enough (barely) to cover expenses that way, although I also had a $2K/year scholarship for three years, and I covered most of my last year by accumulating a several-thousand-dollar balance on my credit card -- luckily, I was able to pay that off pretty quick once I graduated.

I lived very very... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 9:11 PM on August 3, 2008

My co-op jobs were all in the same town as my school (Atlanta) which helped a lot with expenses and savings (and time that would have been spent re-locating). Although I will say that doing this with no car was kind of time-consuming; taking the Marta bus + train for 45 minutes each way, plus walking between dorm, bus station, bus stop, and office building was quite an experience. I think I'd probably have tried harder to get a car (and car insurance) if I had to do it again. But I'm not sure... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 9:51 PM on August 3, 2008