If you can't get rid of the redness, consider wearing sunglasses and comment that you need to wear them for a few days due to some eye medication.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 11:10 AM on September 5, 2008

"She's Not There" by the Zombies? The singer has some high Canned Heat-ish parts. It's a song about a woman in a negative light. She is not mentioned as the devil or anything, but throwing it out there in case you were getting wires crossed with the band name itself.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 5:44 AM on September 4, 2008

I'm in Brooklyn, if it matters.

I think it does, since you might find good practice resources in Brighton Beach:

The neighborhood, with an estimated population of 350,000 (mostly from Russia and Ukraine), has a distinctively ethnic feel – akin to Manhattan's Chinatown.

Not quite immersion, but probably helpful.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 12:37 PM on September 2, 2008

Thanks all for the proper material names and other suggestions! I didn't realize other fabric could be so cheap, so I will venture off to a fabric store and take a look.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 10:18 AM on August 27, 2008

Another vote for taking the job, at least for now. He says he "doesn't have much flexibility" in terms of pay, which means he has some. Ask for 10% higher, and take whatever he comes back with. The job may or may not work out for some reasons you cite, but in the meantime you have gained experience and (more importantly) contacts.

I am afraid that if I start out with a low-wage it will be harder in the future to command more money from employers.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 1:02 PM on August 22, 2008

"his girlfriend treats him like a child, doesn't trust him, checks his text messages"

Send him a text message mentioning how he should tell his gf about his cheating.

More usefully:

"He has told me repeatedly over the past 6 months that he's not sure he wants to be in a relationship"

It sounds like he is sure now that he doesn't want to be in this relationship. Tell him to stop being a coward and come clean.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 7:46 AM on August 21, 2008

You could also ask your boss for a whitelist of people (this might include some salespeople) he does know and would want you to put through immediately.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 10:49 AM on August 20, 2008

Any advice to prevent this or prevent this type of thinking on my part?

Meditation?

I think you have a few separate problems. First, it looks like you resent that you'll be basically furnishing this apartment. If you can't get over this feeling of resentment, then you should just call it off now - it will color every moment of your co-habitation.

Second, it seems that you resent that he is... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 12:21 PM on August 18, 2008

It sounds like you better agree on a cleaning agreement as well before you move in together.

Re: art on the walls, etc. - well, you get to take all that stuff with you when you move to your next place.

He made some different decisions than you, and if he ever decides he wants to buy a plasma tv and art he will have to "catch up" as you say. It seems like he has a steady job, so the rent is covered. You seem to like him/think he is a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 12:44 PM on August 18, 2008

Assuming you will be running the freezer anyway, it's cheaper to make the ice cubes. Your freezer will actually be more efficient the more full of ice it is. Don't forget to factor in any time/costs associated with going out to buy the ice.

How much time does is take you to make ice that you think it is a factor? Protip: you don't have to watch it freeze.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 7:27 AM on August 18, 2008

If you want to turn this into a somewhat fun trip instead of a get-there-fast trip, buy a National Parks Pass and visit the many that will be along your route, more or less. You can also camp in many of them, and as it is "car camping" you don't really have to worry about your valuables in your car as it will be a few feet away from your tent as you sleep. Optionally find a friend who wouldn't mind a free ride to the west coast to come along to make the driving easier.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 12:35 PM on August 14, 2008

The Snowy Day, or anything by Ezra Jack Keats, would do nicely and are considered classics here in America. Corduroy is about a bear, really, but the girl and her mom in it happen to be not-white.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 5:49 AM on August 7, 2008

pointystick's comment reminded me of The Hello, Goodbye Window, a new-ish book by Norton Juster, illustrated by Chris Raschka.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 6:04 AM on August 7, 2008

You can also list it in the "Pets" section of Craigslist, if one is active in your area.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 10:23 AM on August 6, 2008

When I diving in St. Lucia, the place where I stayed had a handful of prescription masks. They did not have one as strong as my prescription, but using what they had was still pretty good. You can probably call ahead and see what's available.

Another option would be to take the arms off a pair of your backup glasses, then affix some sort of thin yet strong elastic that goes around your head to hold them on. A quality regular mask should fit/seal over this pretty well.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 5:28 AM on August 6, 2008

The next time a conversations starts, try saying something like "Don't worry, I remember your feelings about dogs/pets! Mine are all the same so if yours are too we can skip this conversation and get on to [whatever]!" But say it cheerfully not snarkfully if possible.

I wouldn't change your behavior, or crate the dog when he comes over unless you were going to anyway. The dog will eventually adapt to not receiving affection from him due to lack of positive... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 12:30 PM on July 22, 2008

Apple’s U.S. consumer market share now 21 percent

That's an article from April:

Market Share: According to IDC, Apple’s worldwide market share grew from 2.4% in 2006 to 2.9% in 2007. (See chart below.) Munster is conservatively modeling global market share to remain flat this year, but he notes that enterprise sales account for 70% of the worldwide market, a segment Apple is not aggressively targeting. In the consumer market, where... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 11:30 AM on July 22, 2008

I like to draw little pictures instead. Nobody seems to care.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 11:24 AM on July 22, 2008

Very few people swim at Ocean Beach. Mostly hard-core surfers and I've even seen a couple of them have to get rescued off a rock by helicopter.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 1:17 PM on July 18, 2008

I'd take the offer. I've been tracking houses and prices for a over a year in the area and I don't think you'll do any better any time soon. You say you're renting the property so in theory you could hold out for a long while but it sounds like you'll value your freedom from being a landlord (and just not worrying about the house/market in general) more. (I am not a realtor)
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 7:18 AM on July 18, 2008 marked best answer

and have not decreased or increased in the last 12 months.

I am sorry that I didn't keep a spreadsheet or anything of houses I was looking at, but prices have definitely fallen within the last 12 months in this area. Either it is a general trend, or just a big coincidence that only the houses I was watching lowered in price.

If you want some anecdotal evidence, feel free to memail me and I'll give you some numbers, but I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 8:36 AM on July 18, 2008 marked best answer

The solution I see is to no longer be an employee of the company. You resign and then are hired back as a contractor at a rate equal to your salary.

Then it is still "100% participation of all eligible employees", your son has health insurance and nobody gets screwed.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 8:59 AM on July 17, 2008

Craft store usually have some Halloween stamps with skulls, etc. You may have to wait a couple of months to get a good selection.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 10:01 AM on July 10, 2008

Never tell family members name ideas ahead of time. Someone will always tell you why the names you are considering are wrong/horrible/weird/etc., sowing seeds of doubt in your mind for the next few months.

When your kid is born, take a look at it, live with it a day or two if you like, name it, THEN tell people - anyone who then takes issues with your kid's name is a cad. In the case of your question I'll agree with most who don't see an issue. If cousin has some sort... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 5:56 AM on June 30, 2008

Payments start at $813 assuming you get a loan at 5.25% APR. My guess is that most people looking to put money down with middle-to-good credit won't get that low a rate. So, depending on your credit score and the amount of down payment you are coming up with, $813 may or may not be close to what you will pay.

You can call and find out what the HOA payment is, and what the taxes are. Then, get pre-qualified for a mortgage at a few places based on the total price of 139,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 12:17 PM on June 27, 2008

Maybe I am reading the question wrong, but my read is that CWitt doesn't want a 9 to 5 because they would find it boring, not because they think it would be too much work. If that is the case and you are looking dive into 12-hour+ days because you are looking for that sort of challenge then the food business could be right for you.

I agree with everyone else that you should work in the business for a while and see how it goes from there.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 12:24 PM on June 26, 2008

My first thought when I saw the photo before reading the [more inside] was that I'd seen this photo before. So I would agree with those advising to check into the motivations of the person who sent it to your aunt.

And I'll agree with everyone else that it looks like some Photoshopping has taken place.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 5:29 AM on June 26, 2008

I don't think everyone here jumped to that conclusion but rather based it on experience with digital and non-digital manipulation of images.

Sure, the fact that it looks like the face was cut out from another image and pasted onto this one (line under chin, overlaying of one ear on top of another, jaggy line up the side of the face, different skin tones, etc.) could be explained due to something non-digital/old-timey, but add in the tell-tale look of some common... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 11:22 AM on June 26, 2008

BOBLOBLAW
HENRY6PT2
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 7:38 AM on June 26, 2008

Check with your local Costco/BJs/warehouse store. This is usually one of the services they offer through an affiliate, although I am not sure what the minimum order would be.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 7:29 AM on June 26, 2008

I'll just pile on here since everyone has already said to just go ahead and do all the same stuff you were thinking about for a boy.

One thing you can look forward to with a girl that perhaps you have not thought about is breaking down gender barriers and stereotypes.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 10:05 AM on June 23, 2008

Forgot to add, recommended listening: When I Was A Boy
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 10:09 AM on June 23, 2008

Do you tell them to do a &$(#^% simple online search before they send the thing on to everyone they know or is it better to ignore them?

Yes, but usually with a bit more diplomacy

"Wow, that sounded interesting/alarming/surprising, so I did a search and I found out it is a hoax."

[cut and paste a summary paragraph]
[include link to de-bunking]

In cases... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 5:40 AM on June 19, 2008

If you like Reflections, you should go with Reflexions
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 5:39 AM on June 18, 2008

I think Joy of Flex is really good, and comes across as respectable enough
I also think Bump and Find is great, but probably fails to meet your respectability threshold
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 8:11 AM on June 18, 2008

Mom: "The Johnsons have offered to put you up while while you finish up dealing with your insurance company to make permanent arrangements. They'll be expecting you on the [one week from this date, give or take a day or two if the weekend is more convenient]"

Family: [objection of some kind]

Mom: "I understand what you're saying, but I feel it would be rude to deny the Johnsons what they feel is their calling to serve God by... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 7:26 AM on June 10, 2008

If someone uses Yahoo! webmail I think it includes the IP address of the sender in the headers (it certainly used to), so no subpoena required.

This is correct for many webmail clients. Last I checked, gmail does not include the originating IP address in headers (but obviously you should check).

If you don't want to use Tor but want to do this electronically, probably your best bet is several levels of obfuscation:... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 1:05 PM on June 9, 2008

For a while I had a medium-sized soft-side lunchbox that I just attached to my rack with two carabiners (here's a blurry pic). It could hold my lunch, some bike tools, a few other things. Easily it could hold more than four CDs and a burrito. Once I got to work I just unclipped the carabiners and took the bag inside.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 5:53 AM on June 9, 2008

I would avoid any of the Euphoric ones, because it is going to involve a lot of spelling when you, or a customer, is relating the URL to someone.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 12:39 PM on June 5, 2008

You could install MAME and turn it into a dedicated classic games box for all the ROM images you legally own
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 7:30 AM on May 30, 2008

junkedmail.com (surprisingly not taken)
towhomitmayconcern
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 11:59 AM on May 29, 2008

dreadletteroffice
stampofimbecility
notsosincerelyyours
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 12:00 PM on May 29, 2008

Add her to your spam filter.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 9:09 AM on May 21, 2008

I started biking to work in Maine and lost 20 pounds in less than a year, without really modifying my diet. If anything I ate more.

It's more like 15 miles round trip and I do it in my work clothes unless it gets very hot - then I use some (regular) shorts.

30 miles a day is a lot to start off with, but this is the perfect season to start trying.

Is there somewhere halfway where you can park your car and switch to the bike.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 9:26 AM on May 20, 2008

a friend of mine swears that putting a crying baby in front of a mirror will cause it to stop

That might make his baby stop crying, but I don't think it is a universal fix. Putting my baby's feet under some cool running water from the sink often stopped her from crying.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 9:21 AM on May 20, 2008

I'll third the shuttle. After you get your luggage just follow the signs that point where to exit the airport for the shuttles. You'll see lines of vans right out there. Tell them you are going to RWC, they'll put your luggage on a shuttle. You may have to wait for a couple of more customers heading in the same direction to fill up the van. Then they'll drive you right to your door.

I lived in Redwood City for a while; feel free to email me with any questions.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 8:34 AM on May 16, 2008 marked best answer

Agreeing with above, they usually start with the concept of time in kindergarten (age 5-6) but how much a kid "gets it" can vary by years.

My daughter caught on to the concept fairly quickly, could read digital clocks and calculate how many minutes until something, etc. She's almost seven now and has a good concept of minutes, hours, days, years.

Oddly enough for a long time we jokingly noted that she was "time dyslexic"... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 5:27 AM on May 8, 2008

The easiest things to avoid are the behaviors that might cause immediate harm - excessive drinking, drinking and driving. Once the gathering enters these territories, it is simply time to go - a simple "this is turning into a party that's not really a good place for a baby to be around" will do. Retreat back to your hotel room.

Oh yes, always get a hotel room even if your parents have plenty of room to put you up.

When the baby is a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 12:49 PM on May 6, 2008

So, it really bothers you but as you see it your only option is to possibly get them fired. And it doesn't bother you enough to do that. Since it looks like you can do nothing to change them, you'll have to work on changing you.

As noted above, you pick your battles and it looks like you are not picking this one. So stop worrying about their hours and go on with the job for four months.

Alternatively, shorten your work week to match if it will... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 11:14 AM on May 6, 2008

In San Francisco we (one programmer, one non-profit worker) lived in the Outer Sunset in a one-bedroom apartment. It was considered less desirable because not much is going on out there, but we loved being across the street from the ocean and one block away from Golden Gate Park. Our neighbors in the same building had three kids, and I think they were both teachers.

I'd say the area skewed highly in favor of families, with a healthy dose of surfers sharing apartments.
posted to Ask Metafilter by mikepop at 10:09 AM on May 5, 2008