Displaying comments 1 to 50 of 227
Ask post:
Kill the Grasshoppers
Gallon or quart jar half-filled with water + sugar syrup. Wire mesh shaped into a cone with a hole at the tip inserted into the mouth of the jar.
The Grasshoppers check in, but they don't check out.
Grasshoppers are attracted to yellow, I've heard, so you might add some food coloring. We never did. The jars filled up just fine on their own.
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 9:17 AM on July 10, 2008
Ask post:
Game, set and match
I've never played tennis anywhere but on the old SNES and the new Wii. Unexpected prompts another question:
Federer was 1 for 13 in break chances, which is brutal, but also intriguing. Federer earned those break chances by winning points -- lots of points -- off Nadal's serve.
Was Nadal saving his best serves for critical moments of the match?
Was Federer unable to close the deal?... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 6:08 AM on July 7, 2008
Ask post:
Jack in the wine box
Ditto airing it. Or, you know, drink a few glasses - the taste might grow on you.
Or. Buy an expensive bottle of wine you know you like. Drink that first, then, when your palate doesn't know any better and you have dulled your ability to give a crap, tap the box.
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 9:19 AM on June 26, 2008
Ask post:
I'm not the only one
I'd add to DevilsAdvocate's and Futurehouse's sage advice a third to do:
Include follow up with your minions in your process, particularly concerning corrections sought by the client. Because clients always ask for corrections. That's how they "own" the project. And how they test you.
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 8:36 AM on June 24, 2008
Ask post:
Subaru motor of death?
Can't give you firsthand info, but here are more interwebs:
NASIOC, despite its focus on Imprezas, is good for most things Subie. Here's a NASIOC thread about where to find Outback related forums.
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 4:12 PM on June 22, 2008
Ask post:
Would it be absolutely ludicrous to look into buying a car that takes premium fuel in this day and age?
I like cars. Probably too much. I wouldn't let premium fuel stand between me and the car (both mine and my wife's require it). The price difference is negligible.
I like financial security, too. So while premium isn't a deal-breaker for me, big monthly payments are.
The cars you've listed, with the exception of the Mazda, are luxed-up sport sedans under pricey brands. There are less expensive alternatives (from Mazda, Honda/Acura, Subaru). What... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 8:21 AM on June 15, 2008
Subaru Legacy GT (Real AWD; STi guts, adult manners).
Mazda Miata (RWD; light, sporty)
Honda S200 (RWD; light, extra-sporty, at the end of the production run and available at a steep discount).
If those are too small -- the Mazda RX-8 gets you a back seat.
BMW 1 Series (RWD (no LSD, however); smaller, lighter, cheaper than your 3 Series).
The Pontiac G8 is RWD and it... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 12:23 PM on June 15, 2008
Oh wow. Good call there. So there goes the A4, SPEED3, and 335i for the use of regular gas.
Premium is not much of a premium, cost-wise: the premium you're clearly prepared to pay for the Teutons is much bigger. Turbo-charged cars generally get better gas mileage than other cars that achieve comparable performance with Naturally Aspirated engines (since turbos are generally stacked onto smaller, more efficient engines).
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 1:02 PM on June 15, 2008
Ask post:
Retcon of the Jedi
The American Short Story writer Raymond Carver continued to tinker with his stories after their publication. In fact, several were re-published following the tinkering. The most famous example of this is, I think, "The Bath" rewritten and republished some years later as "A Small, Good Thing".
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 8:19 AM on June 5, 2008
Ask post:
Stand alone streaming music player.
Love my Squeezebox. Recommend it without reservation, however it's right at the top end of your budget. There are less expensive solutions (Roku Soundbridge, is a popular alternative, I think).
Pandora is supported (though I've never used it).
The SB Duet, with its fancy remote, looks even cooler than my plain Jane SB (controlled remotely via a Nokia N800).
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 12:38 PM on June 4, 2008
Oh wait. Standalone?
The Squeezebox needs to be connected to something with speakers (a stereo, a boombox, whatever.)
However, the software that drives the Squeezebox -- Squeezecenter -- should run on those devices you list. It's free.
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 12:56 PM on June 4, 2008
Ask post:
How can a "lazy" person develop successful work habits?
Twenty-one people have favorited this AskMe, yet only half a dozen have offered suggestions. So you're not alone in wanting to be motivated and there's big market for motivation, even here at MeFi, a select company of savvies.
I consider myself closer to the 21 than to the six, but when I need to bear down and focus, I remind myself of something the college fencing coach said at the beginning of the semester: In fifteen weeks, when the course has ended, when inevitably... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 12:00 PM on June 3, 2008
Ask post:
Looking for detractors of Literary Darwinism
The second link in your google link -- this NY Times Magazine Story -- approaches parts of your question.
In any case, thanks for bringing this up. I'd never heard of Literary Darwinism before. At first blush (and as your query suggests), the theory seems focused on interpreting/analyzing the behavior of literary characters through the lens of evolutionary biology at the expense of analysis of analysis of text and technique and so on. A Literary Darwinist analysis of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 7:30 AM on June 3, 2008
Ask post:
work vehicle ideas
Woodweb* discussion on the topic.
Additional searches there might be fruitful, too.
-----------------
* Many woodweb commenters are professional cabinetmakers, carpenters, furniture makers, and so on.
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 7:20 AM on May 30, 2008
Used Dodge Sprinter vans should be coming onto the market soon. Probably pricey, still, but what a van!
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 7:24 AM on May 30, 2008
Ask post:
A year ago, gas was 2.70/gallon
Since leaving isn't an option, you can ask for more money.
Or you can start angling for a promotion.
Or you can ask for more work (overtime).
Or you can moonlight.
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 1:31 PM on May 29, 2008
Ask post:
Name that pug
"Stumpy" sounds good to me. Organic, too, since you are and he will be.
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 12:27 PM on May 28, 2008
Ask post:
Resources to learn to identify furniture-quality woods.
The Woodbook (on my wish list: illustrated wood!).
The USDA Encyclopedia of Wood (also on my wishlist: the Bible of North American wood!)
What Wood is That? (formerly on my wishlist; now on my coffee table: real pieces of real wood included!)
Second jon1270's advice to learn more about Krenov.
Also George Nakashima.
And Sam Maloof.
David Marks (of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 9:16 AM on May 25, 2008 
marked best answer
Ask post:
I think I need a putty knife...
Weird. There must be studs somewhere in the wall. Find those (electronic stud finders are cheap), tack a strip of wood horizontally at each stud, and hang shelves and cabinets and whatever from that French cleat style.
These might work for you, too: Skinny metal French cleats (Z Clips).
Good Luck!... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 8:40 AM on May 25, 2008
Ask post:
My own hotspot...
This is perhaps the wrong place for this (maybe it deserves an AskMe of its own), but say one was willing to overlook their provider's TOS and willing to tolerate their neighbors' perversions, how would said one go about providing an open access point while also securing said one's own household WiFi network (the PC, the NAS, the SlimServer) from the perverts outside?
How about doing the above AND reserving enough bandwidth for oneself to take part in the occasional MeFi... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 2:49 PM on May 15, 2008
Ask post:
Nerd classes or normal?
My experience was like uncleozzy's (frankly: it was kinda lame. However, the instructor was also a grognard and so in addition to the word games and so on, we were introduced to Avalon Hill style games (Third Reich, Stellar Conquest, etc)).
Ask the school administrators if they will allow you to audit a class or two.
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 7:27 AM on May 8, 2008
Ask post:
Home Stereo of the Future, revisted
Not a single system, and still requires a computer for MP3 listening, but for computer-free Internet radio and computer-encumbered music streams around the house, I think you might be happy with Logitech's Squeezebox Duet.
I know I have been happy with my Squeezebox Classic.
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 8:54 AM on May 5, 2008
Ask post:
What's the fairest way to rank entries to a creative contest?
When I took my turn at the helm of RipRap -- the annual literary journal of Cal State University Long Beach -- I used a combination of dersins' and pmbuko's scoring system and editorial capriciousness.
We totaled all the scores and I gave the editors the opportunity to wrangle over points and to horsetrade. The editors managed to settle all the ties without too much input from me (other than setting the ground rules).
It worked out pretty well. I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 6:25 PM on April 29, 2008
Ask post:
"Is it really made of cheese?"
Ask him how the food was ...
... at the craft services table.
Not really. I suggest you do as so many others have suggested and ask him about something else and see where that gets you.
What's the context of the meeting? Maybe talk about that, instead.
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 8:44 PM on April 23, 2008
Ask post:
Weight loss for kitty
We left a bowl full of Science Diet kitty kibble out alla time for ol' Spoon (God Rest His Soul), and he was thin and fit -- right up until his pancreas went wacky.
But he was an indoor/outdoor kitty who got plenty of exercise. Maybe that's the answer.
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 7:06 AM on April 23, 2008
Ask post:
Where should my girlfriend and I stay around Big Sur in June?
Every fall we stay at this place, in one of the A-frame cabins. Affordable, comfortable, close to all the Big Sur attractions. A little too private campgroundy, but not too bad.
I've always wanted to stay here. A little more upscale than the A-Frame (and maybe closer to your $500/night expectations). I've eaten at the restaurant a couple times and it was good.
Ventana might be the place you're looking for (although it may be outside your budget).... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 2:18 PM on April 17, 2008
Hmm. I think Nepenthe, as noted by luriete, was the place I had in mind for the deck and and the view and the cappuccino, not Ventana.
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 2:23 PM on April 17, 2008
Ask post:
Begging the question, for all intensive purposes: misused colloquialisms in modern English
My Gramma's Austrian boyfriend (of forty-odd years) taught himself English with a dictionary and a newspaper subscription. He didn't always get things right, particularly when using idioms.
For example, one afternoon he wanted to teach me how to change the oil in the VW. His routine was to drive out into the desert, drain the oil into the sand (yes, yes, awful), then refill with fresh thirty weight.
When I asked where we would be doing this chore,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by notyou
at 7:47 AM on April 3, 2008
