You absolutley don't want to take an Americorps job if you aren't committed to these two things: (1) service and (2) living plainly. This isn't a last-resort-i-need-a-job kind of option.

I'm about to start my VISTA position next month, and I interviewed for several. At each interview, they made it very clear that you are living on a small stipend (its calculated at just above the poverty level, although some positions will providing housing and all provide health... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 12:30 PM on July 9, 2008

One thing that set of alarms for me (uh, besides the obvious) was this:

"For instance, when she told him, "Calling me a c*nt is verbally abusive," he responded, "Well you abuse me, too."

Blaming the victim is a totally classic tactic in domestic abuse scenarios.

I know these situations are tough, and I know they do have some good times, but there is absolutely no justification for the kind of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 12:32 PM on July 1, 2008

Great advice everyone, thanks a lot!
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 11:59 AM on June 26, 2008

My mom works for a non-profit, and she has to go to these kinds of meetings all.the.time. She was just complaining yesterday about how these games are annoying and everyone feels awkward doing them (Although these kind of party games are normally up her alley). She told me that the best one she ever did involved a group of about 20 people, and the leader just asked everyone to talk about a book they'd been reading lately and what they thought about it. My mom said that it was really nice... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 8:35 AM on June 7, 2008

I don't garden myself, but I did take care of some gardens for places I was house-sitting last summer, and they were very specific, especially with the tomatoes, that the plants needed be to be watered directly at the base of the plant. I was also told that getting much water on the leaves of the tomato plants was bad. So, from my experience I'd say the answer is no.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 12:27 PM on May 21, 2008

There are lots of good ideas in this thread, and I'm really just going to echo what others have said. When I was growing up, we never had much money at all, and so my mom would always allow my brothers and I to have a few friends over, and you know what? We never realized we were poor. We'd do things like play at the park (there's not need to provide sit-down entertainment, like a magician, for six-year olds, I think. The best fun is running wild!). I totally agree with others in the thread... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 8:19 AM on April 19, 2008

i second the handlebar mustache
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 7:32 PM on April 6, 2008

How to help a loved one from the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 8:18 PM on March 30, 2008

Thanks, everyone!
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 7:59 AM on March 7, 2008

many of the ladies who post in wardrobe remix have a kindy edgy style, and many of them post outfits they wear to work. I find it pretty useful for inspiration, myself. Here are some photos in the pool tagged with office.

Search etsy for funky, handmade accessories. I've bought quite a few really unique items there on the cheap.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 4:03 PM on March 5, 2008

I recently took a class on Holocaust Literature and one of the best things I read was Still Alive: A Holocaust Girlhood Remembered by Ruth Kluger. I highly recommend it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 7:04 AM on February 9, 2008

Spirit in the Sky
It's pretty jesus-y, but I'm a sucker for anything catchy.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 9:12 AM on February 2, 2008 marked best answer

Well, I'm obviously guilty of reading every comment but the last one in the thread.

I thought of another one: Working on Leaving the Livin
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 9:24 AM on February 2, 2008 marked best answer

I just got back from 2 and a half weeks in China, and one of the people I was traveling with is vegan. She had no trouble at all getting food (we were mostly in large cities, Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, Nanjing, if that makes a difference.) Lots of travel books have information on where vegetarian and vegan restaurants are in the cities, and there are a number of them (not an extreme amount, but not too hard to find, especially in a place as large as Shanghai), so it shouldn't be an issue.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 11:03 AM on January 29, 2008

I agree that most people that age probably haven't seen Roots. I'm a college senior taking an African American History class, and we just watched a part of Roots in class and one one else had seen it before.

I'd like to second Whale Rider. I really enjoyed it, and I could see 11th graders really liking it.

I also recently saw Old Man River, and that fits the bill, as well.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 6:33 AM on October 15, 2007

I vote for a nintendo DS. I love mine, and there are plenty of brainy, pick-up-and-play pu8zzle type games available. My husband's young cousins (6-12) love theirs, and every time I see them, they rush to talk to me about what they are doing on Animal Crossing or Cooking Mama.

Additionally, you can use your DS to play Gameboy Advance games, so there's really no downside to getting one. You can play games from both systems.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 12:32 PM on October 13, 2007 marked best answer

(I'm SURE I read this orginally on mefi, but god knows where. I googled it and found it again. It is has been a favorite of mine for a while)

Charles Dickens: Please, sir, I'd like a martini.
Bartender: Sure thing. Olive or twist?

James Joyce: I'll take a Guinness.
Bartender: So Charles Dickens was in here yesterday.
James Joyce: (drinks)
Bartender: And he asked for a martini and I said, "Olive... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 2:45 PM on September 23, 2007

I'm getting very mixed opinions from everyone I've talked to about this... some say that I'd better make a move before it's too late...

I don't understand people encouraging you to make a move. What kind of move, anyways? She's already made it clear that she isn't interested in...err- moves.

It seems to me that you are both having a nice time and moving slowly towards a relationship. Maybe she just wants to fall into a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 6:30 AM on August 28, 2007

Against all odds a few years ago, my father, who, to say the least, is not well known for his enjoyment of/ability to deal with children took on the job of coaching my 8 year old brother's basketball team.

My then 16 year old brother, worried about my dad leading a bunch of kids, gently gave him this advice:

"Treat the kids with respect, being frustrated doesn't mean you have to be angry and mean, make sure they have at least a little bit of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 6:39 AM on August 21, 2007

i think you should ask them what they mean when they say it's "who they are". it's always interesting to ask people about their beliefs, what they stand for, and why they're attracted to it.

I agree with this. It seems like some of the straight edge kids I know have used to to define themselves, which isn't necessarily bad, lots of people identify with popular or subcultures as a way of feeling like they belong and having the ability to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 6:10 AM on August 17, 2007

Recipezaar has over 900 balls
Allrecipes has 300 more
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 9:52 AM on August 16, 2007

Edit:

(C) Try to take both even though that could potentially mean I'll be incredibly busy (I'm also taking another history class, a gym class, and my senior seminar in addition to my ridiculous amount of extra-curricular stuff.). But also it could mean I won't be THAT busy because it is supposed to be a stupidly easy class?
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 7:50 AM on August 15, 2007

Thanks for the advice. I am going to go with option B, which is what I pretty much decided anyways, but I think I needed to be talked into it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 10:52 AM on August 15, 2007

Your nieces will probably have a good time with you no matter what you do as long as you are talking to (and listening) to them and letting them be themselves.


I agree.

When I was young, I looked up to the people most who just really wanted to talk to me and didn't seem annoyed my questions or treat me differently because I was "just a kid".

Being memorable and fun isn't that... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 6:37 AM on August 10, 2007

My summer job boss did this for me when I went to college, and I was really surprised and touched!

Here is what the office put together for me: a coffee mug, tea bags, hot cocoa, a small desk set (probably from the dollar story or something, but I still use it: a large notebook and a small one, a little box of scrap paper, and some pens), some laundry detergent and dryer sheets, a Wal-Mart gift card, and some granola bars and some blank CDs.

And... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 6:25 AM on August 1, 2007

I also encourage you to check out Aldi. My household is two students, so we're used to scrounging for money. We get most of our staples from Aldi, and then supplement that with produce from the farmer's market and a local grocery store.
I think $200/month is pretty feasible, that's about what we spend and we eat pretty well.

Obviously: Make sure you pay attention to sales, only buy brand names if you absolutely HAVE to, watch out for easy, frozen convience... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 7:15 AM on July 26, 2007

It is best to play some music that you think most people will recognize.

Don't forget to include some slow songs, people like that.

I dont know about your crowd, but people at our wedding were all about the typical songs you always hear - Y.M.C.A, the chicken dance, the twist, etc.

Also: Don't forget Motown. Who doesn't like motown?

Also:
Top Party Songs
Top Wedding and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 7:32 AM on July 23, 2007

I think different movies/tv shows/etc might do this differently for different people. I really think the most important thing is to have well-rounded portrayls of people- good, bad, whatever- as long as the characters seem like REAL people instead of somebody we're supposed to laugh at our look at in terms of how different they are from "normal" people.

An incredibly homophobic girl in my Gender Studies class finally had a wakeup call after watching Boys Don't... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 5:32 AM on July 20, 2007

To the OP: portion control, buddy. Eat whatever you want -- just eat less of it. Switching out the bacon cheeseburger for hummus and pita isn't going to save you significant calories and may well slap more pounds on your frame, as I've learned this year to my chagrin. Eating one burger instead of two? That'll do wonders.

I agree with this. My husband and I are working on eating healthier, and while I'm okay with eating tons of fruits and veggies, it... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 9:22 AM on July 19, 2007

I had initially planned on getting her 40 earrings with a card that went something like "40 isn't all that bad when you get an earring for each year ;-)", but darn, I can't afford that many.

Couldn't you do the same thing with a different object? Like, a box of chocolates with 40 pieces?

A gift basket with 40 presents--it can be inexpensive things, anything that's she's into. A lot of little presents is often better/more fun than one big one.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 7:13 AM on July 19, 2007

along the lines of putting current news stories- about a week ago Newsweek had a special (i think double issue) where the feature was basically things you should know about the world at this point in time, that might be nice to include.

Additionally, I'd just suggest putting something of yourselves in there. What CDs are you and your wife listening to right now? DVDs? etc. What would you have been interested to know about your parents when you turned 21?
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 9:56 AM on July 14, 2007

I way way into historical-ish fiction around that age, and I'm going to second, third, nth reccomendations for a few, and (i think) add a few to your growing list:

I highly highly support the inclusion of both The Diary of Ann Frank and Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, both were riveting to me; and I believe, helped me start my life-long quest to learn about other culture's, empathize with suffering, and facilitate cultural understanding, SERIOUSLY. (I'll be working on my... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 5:50 AM on June 21, 2007

I am a soon-to-be senior in college who has been working at the library as a work study student for three years so far, so I think I have a fair amount of expirence.

Overall, my number one biggest problem with working at the library (which I really love to do) is that sometimes there isn't enough supervision. On our shifts, there are usually two student-workers and one supervisor present at the circulation desk, and our job is to manage patrons, re-shelve books, help... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 12:37 PM on June 20, 2007

I have a strained relationship with my father, (and, besides that, I personally hate the 'giving away' tradition) so at my wedding at the end of this month I've chosen to walk down the aisle myself. I think it would be appropriate, though, to have anyone particularly close to the bride, especially a realitive, fill in for the bride's father. Before I decided to forget that whole aspect of the ceremony in the first place, I considered asking either my mother or one (or all!) of my brothers to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 6:20 AM on June 11, 2007

I really like the idea of having your child help out at the food bank/homeless shelter/soup kitchen/whatever. When I was young, my family and I had to go to the food bank every other week to get food, and I still remember seeing and talking to kids there my age helping out, and it made me feel like I was going to a friendly place.

Around Christmas (if that's your thing) there are lots of organizations that sponsor programs that are all about buying gifts for... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 7:06 AM on June 6, 2007

I'm not sure if this is what you had in mind, but my friends and I have spent many a drinkin' night and more than a few sober evenings playing Death is Not an Option. Fair warning: you have to be ready for a fair bit of silliness, but it can be a good time, especially with a large group of people.

The basic premise is: One person presents you with the option of two people to have sex with- you have to pick one- and death is not an option. For example: Death Is Not An... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 10:08 AM on June 4, 2007

I think that most of Demetri Martin's jokes qualify for this.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 6:11 AM on June 4, 2007

Stand By Your Man has always annoyed me.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 12:33 PM on May 10, 2007

Name one.


According to Wikipedia, "He has referred to his political convictions as being ;socialist or independent.'"
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 10:34 AM on April 30, 2007

I would check out Susie Bright. Here are some relevant postings from her blog.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 9:20 PM on April 5, 2007

I second all of Stacey's suggestions, and I'll say that at the Warhol there is a really great exhibit right now curated by the National Holocaust Memorial Muesum. I haven't seen the exhibit yet, but I did get to hear the woman who curated it speak, and it sounds great, I am going to try to stop by in the next week before it is gone.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 9:46 AM on March 11, 2007

Why can you you do someting like "Partner & Partner2 together, with their parents invite you.." That way, it seems like the parents are invovled, whoevere is reading it can decide which parents are included in the definition.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 12:38 PM on February 22, 2007

I second the puppy bowl. Add some booze, make it an adventure.

I live on a college campus, so last year I volunteered to work during the super bowl, because everyone else wanted to take off, and then I had the added bonus of having a quiet place to be where I didn't have to listen to people talk about football.


As for Valentine's Day, I reccomend checking out a V-Day performance of The Vagina Monologues. You can use the website to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 8:49 AM on January 24, 2007

NO ONE should be listening to Nickleback.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 12:01 PM on January 4, 2007

I'll second Shel Silverstein.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 11:14 AM on December 12, 2006

I have been saving Mr. Fancypants and TFU (which stands for: The Fuckest Uppest) for when I get fish, but feel free to steal.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 6:51 AM on December 11, 2006

I'd also reccomend checking out Etsy, I've found all kinds of unique, (handmade!) stuff there, including mirrors.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 2:59 PM on December 6, 2006

Sorry, I should have been more clear.

Additional information:

1. It will be held in late June, and the food will be for a dinner
2. we will have use of a large kitchen at the place of the reception, one, maybe two days before hand
3. There is no set theme, the only food we have settled on so far is from various family members offering to cook whatever speciality dish they are known for making.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 8:46 AM on October 6, 2006

I agree, Black Books.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 1:04 PM on September 22, 2006

Check out etsy for ideas. Look under "geekery" for some truly original, nerd friendly creations.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nuclear_soup at 10:32 AM on August 6, 2006