Again, not answering your question (although frozen is better than canned, usually), but my secret to using fresh vegetables quickly is to immediately, as soon as I bring them home from the store, wash/cut/prepare them for cooking and/or eating. Then it's just as fast to put my pre-washed, pre-cut green beans in a pot as it is to put canned or frozen ones in a pot.

For greens, go ahead and fill the sink up with water, then put the greens in the water and swish them... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 4:40 AM on October 5, 2008

So, in five years, what happens? Your parents and siblings go... where? Do they suddenly have more $$ in five years? Will there suddenly be many more housing options to choose from?

This is going to sound glib, but why not use your extra cash, and research time, to find and support some kind of systemic relief effort, either in your geographic area or maybe an institution that's researching smart ways to make living better (i.e. resolving the financial crisis, looking... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 4:31 AM on October 5, 2008

Seconding cotton garments. Sometimes even washing synthetics doesn't get odor out. Then, you don't really notice that the odor's stayed in the fabric until it gets worn and warmed up again - leading to the false perception that the person wearing it smells bad instantly.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 10:41 PM on October 3, 2008

Could it be that your appearance doesn't match your personality? I think that I, for instance, look a lot more conservative than I am.

Some people think that "appearance" should be a dimension of personality, like "introversion".
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 2:00 PM on September 30, 2008 marked best answer

My question about how you dressed was actually a suggestion - if you dress differently than you "are", then realize that people are going to have to guess at your personality at least a little bit before they get to know you. Your style of dress is a bunch of clues that they *must* use - it may seem superficial, and of course it is in a way, but on the other hand *you* are choosing these clothes (hairstyles, shampoo scents, whatever), putting them together, spending time or not... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 8:13 PM on September 30, 2008

Um, no. Bernt Pancreas, chaosscontrol, maybe "a lot of kids" do this kind of thing, but it's not honest, and it's not normal to "assume" that when someone hands you a $20 for a snack, that you get to keep the whole thing. Even it this _was_ customary, when change was requested, it should be given back immediately. That said, I admit that it's possible that the girl misunderstood, or was temporarily thrown off by an unfamiliar situation.

But: saying... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 1:48 PM on September 30, 2008

What you can do is think about whether there's anything you can do for her at the end of the day. Maybe not -- if you were closer, you might call her S.O. once she leaves to prepare him to take care of her a bit, or her roommate if she's got one of those. Gifts seem like a bad idea...

You might also want to prepare an answer in case she asks you whether you know _why_ she got fired, or if you can give her a recommendation or a lead for a new position.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 7:19 AM on September 30, 2008

Um, I think orthogonality's method is _the same_ as telling her.

Even if she were to quietly accept her fate, that's several hours of torture for her trying to _pretend_ she doesn't know.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 7:26 AM on September 30, 2008

The most fulfilling job I ever had was as the cook for a preschool. No A/C, all the popsicles I could eat, and I eventually persuaded the owner to let me add oregano to the gallon jugs of "101 Sauce" that was used for tacos, spaghetti, and chili. I was 17 and I don't think I've had that much responsibility since.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 9:08 PM on September 29, 2008

Do you have any trusted friends who speak the family's language well enough, and know and like you well enough, to help you with this?
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 5:19 PM on September 29, 2008

Build a rock wall (or path). Seriously. If you've ever looked at the biceps of stonemasons, you'll know I'm right. Bonus: you'll be creating something that can stand for literally centuries, if you plan it well.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 6:46 AM on September 29, 2008

I've heard that World of Warcraft is good for this.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 6:34 AM on September 29, 2008

Make a concrete plan for ways to spend time together, as a couple, so that your relationship stays strong and you'll be there for her. Come up with small vacation ideas and actually list them on a piece of paper or in a small notebook. This can be as simple as a date every two weeks or whatever you think is appropriate, but PLAN IT.

Think about what it would take for you to entrust her care to someone else for a couple of days -- if that seems unthinkable, make a list... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 6:29 AM on September 29, 2008 marked best answer

My only downside might have been not knowing how to treat women like princesses.

Actually, it sounds like the OP believes women want to be treated like princesses. Well, maybe sometimes, but citing this as his main "flaw" does kind of sound like he might benefit from a little research and/or introspection.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 8:30 PM on September 28, 2008

I have a Zoom H2 and it's pretty great. $199 and I bought it at a local music store. Has a tuner and metronome built in, too. You can only hear sound played back through earphones or some kind of amp, in case that's an issue. It's quick to set up & use - three settings for gain (low, med, high), you can put it on its tiny little stand and let it record in the middle of a group of musicians, or set it to record in a more focused way. Sound quality is pretty good. The review that... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 2:18 PM on September 26, 2008

Batteries: get Eneloop batteries. Unlike other NiMH batteries, they'll hold a charge for a long time if you leave the device/batteries just sitting around. It's very disappointing to charge your batteries, have them ready, then go to record something (or take a photo) only to find that the charge dissipated even without your using the device.

Eneloops (and I think there's one other brand) are something everyone should know about!
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 8:04 PM on September 28, 2008

Seconding the suggestion of miso soup. If you want to get creative, there are different kinds of miso paste you can get (check an asian grocery); I've never really explored all of them, but they sound interesting. You may also want to look into the other ingredients used to flavor miso soup. It's generally very easy to make and could be an interesting experience, as well as a reasonably healthy thing to eat.

You could also think about exploring different kinds of teas.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 5:03 AM on September 28, 2008 marked best answer

OK, whether you were left off or not, it's important to deal here with the possibility that you intentionally weren't invited, for whatever reason. It sounds like you're being a great sport about it. I do not endorse Fairchild's advice at all.

You probably should make sure it was intentional, so you might bring it up with the bride-friend by just enduring a moment of awkwardness and saying something to her like [I'm sure you can do better, or someone else in this... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 6:49 AM on September 27, 2008

Demonstrating deep and profound understanding of, and sympathy with, those who believe differently. Both by listening, and by addressing the unspoken fears of the other camp.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 3:13 PM on September 26, 2008

shaking hands and rolling over are classics, very cute, and always charming.

fetch is awesome, too; interactive, and fun for the dog. It's also very fun to see a dog catch things in its mouth, but be careful that kids don't try to throw things that are too heavy or awkward for the dog (i.e., you'd want to carry a soft ball around with you).
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 2:28 PM on September 26, 2008 marked best answer

Depends on whether she'd need to know this to know _you_.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 2:22 PM on September 26, 2008

You might look into mediation instead of counseling, but counseling might be better. Depends on the emotional weight of the issue, I guess.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 2:11 PM on September 26, 2008

Well, if they didn't treat you as an adult before, maybe they will now.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 9:39 PM on September 25, 2008

I have no idea how to search for this now, but I remember being taught that the land around there (maybe there? maybe another desert region?) used to be more fruitful before a certain point in history, when temperatures rose by a degree or two and made climates closer to the equator too hot, and climates in more northern areas (e.g. Europe and the UK) able to support agriculture for the first time. Please let me know if I'm way off with this, but if I'm remembering correctly, it would be a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 2:40 PM on September 25, 2008

Leaving college is like going through a prism. In school, everyone's trying, in a sense, to do the same thing, accomplish the same thing, impress the same people - good grades, good papers, recommendations. White light, all the same, going in the same direction.

After that, though, people go in all different directions, and will be more or less suited to the directions they go in. You'll really shine then. You'll be vivid, you'll go in a direction that really suits... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 2:35 PM on September 25, 2008

As for making changes -- can you somehow get the seller to hire you or your friend to make some of the changes you were wanting? Definitely check with relevant lawyers first, but this seems like a way around the stipulation that you not make changes. There might be some footwork involved, as if the seller were wanting to make changes during the closing process, but if the seller's sufficiently motivated, it could work. The seller could pay a token amount or the actual amount -- your lawyer... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 2:27 PM on September 25, 2008

1. faunafrilly, what is your definition of cybersquatting?

2. I think the OP is talking about actually building a web site, complete with interesting and/or useful content, and then selling that. That's definitely not cybersquatting.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 9:53 AM on September 24, 2008

I rescind 1. above - sorry I didn't read the whole post.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 9:54 AM on September 24, 2008

If you can fight it, and if you really are in the right, the please do fight it. "Case law" is formed this way. If you don't fight it, and other people like you don't fight it, then this kind of thing gets that little bit more usual and accepted.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 2:42 PM on September 22, 2008

First, promise yourself that you'll go back again later to look at this stuff in more detail, but:

A visit to the lower-level area of the British Museum, the area with all the very large ancient statues, might be interesting for her. But I doubt you'll be able to stay long, or to see all that Daddy will want to see.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 9:22 AM on September 22, 2008

This is an amazing opportunity for you to really talk with someone on the other side of this issue, which is clearly important to you both, and for both of you to maybe come to a fuller understanding of why your feelings and his feelings, and your beliefs and his beliefs, are what they are. I'm not saying that coming to such an understanding would be easy, but giving up on the basis of "You wont be able to change his mind and he wont be able to change yours" seems... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 6:02 PM on September 21, 2008

Good letter stating your position, but here's a follow up suggestion:

Your next move has to be listening to him, and showing him that you really understand his position (after you do). That's going to be difficult, for sure. Then make sure you let him know that you're _working_ here, and ask that he do the same.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 9:24 PM on September 21, 2008

Teach/play cat's cradle or other string games.

I've heard that video games sometimes keep people up late :)
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 6:11 PM on September 21, 2008

I can't believe no one's mentioned "Ohio" by Leonard Bernstein, from "Wonderful Town". It's a musical, yes a Broadway musical, about two sisters who leave home in Ohio for the adventure of New York. Naturally things start off a little rough, they get homesick, and naturally they break into song. Here's a link to some lyrics (all caps, sorry) with a complimentary ringtone (use at your own risk, I know nothing about ringtones). Here are more readable lyrics.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 2:23 PM on September 19, 2008

When you say your back wall is "all glass", does that include sliding glass doors? Because there are indeed pet doors that work with those.
posted to Ask Metafilter by amtho at 7:46 AM on September 15, 2008

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

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