Weretable nails it. Do post TNG timeline stuff. Also, why on Earth (pun intended) have they never made:

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.

It would make a pretty decent movie, but a KILLER series, and weaving the other canonical timelines into it is easy. It grabbed me enough when I first thought about it that I even had to write episodes for my own enjoyment, and I don't do that very often.

Why yes, I am a geek. Why do you ask?
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 1:22 PM on August 3, 2006

I would consider myself a well-spoken, intelligent conservative.

Who doesn't drool too much.

So, here's a novel thought: Let any two consenting adults (hell, make it three if you like) agree to a binding union.

Let's call it...... a "Fred."

So, these two people can have their Fred, with all the civil benefits of a "traditional marriage." If said couple want to take a big... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 8:54 PM on February 4, 2005

This movie, a fictional newscast about a nuclear bomb going off in my city, was shown here with the word "FICTION" in the upper right hand corner, a frequent crawl on the bottom, and disclaimers on every commercial break.

The local affiliate's phone lines practically melted with people calling in asking if they should evacuate.

Go figure.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 2:43 PM on October 17, 2002

"Yeah, well sometimes I like to crumble up the Weetabix in the blood. Gives it a little texture. "

don't hurt me. I had to do it.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 9:19 AM on September 24, 2002

Every major dead guy evil type since the beginning of the series is back?

Yay!

wait. is this pathetic?
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 6:10 PM on September 24, 2002

Oddly enough, where I am in the South, I never hear "Coke" used as a generic for soda.

[lame humor attempt]

Friend of mine from the Midwest was down here being touristy, asked me where the "pop machine" was. My response was, "Down the hall, turn left, go out the west entrance, go to the garage, get in your car, turn left on Church Street, pick up the Interstate and drive back to Ohio, you freak. And bring me back a... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 2:43 PM on September 12, 2002

Also, said friend from Ohio looked askance at me for putting peanuts in my Coke.

Damn foreigners, I swear.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 2:48 PM on September 12, 2002

For future reference, Florida stops being the South just south of New Smyrna Beach, I think. There are no signs, you just know. :)

As far as getting grits and sweet tea in "foreign lands": Trip 3 years ago to NYC, I wish I could remember the name of this place, small hole in the wall in TriBeCa. I had been away from home for a week, and as much a second home as Manhanttan is, I was feeling homesick. Walked in and the place had shrimp and grits, cornbread,... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 7:05 PM on September 12, 2002

But apparently manna doesn't teach you to spell. :)
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 7:07 PM on September 12, 2002

12 people in my office, gave everyone the day off tomorrow, or the option of taking another day later. It's split about half-and-half. It just seemed like the right thing to do, given that we (as a group) had five friends/relatives die that day, and one more (who got out of Tower One and survived) take her own life around Christmas.

As for me, I plan to spend some time by the ocean being quiet (unbearably beautiful Indian summer weather down here on the coast of... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 9:20 AM on September 10, 2002

You know, the Village People sang "In The Navy."

A classic for any age.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 1:53 PM on September 5, 2002

Me: Glass juicers, books, food art (especially miniatures painted on metal), books, old fountain pens, books, old bottles.

My sister has a real obsession for pre-Revolutionary War porcelain fragments.

Oh, and did I mention books?
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 8:44 PM on August 28, 2002

In a completely unscientific study, I went out to lunch today with some friends, and the study revealed collections of:

Bubble gum comics.
Recalled consumer products.
Parking tickets.
Tech conference stuff (Frisbees, key chains w/logos, etc)
Books (a very popular item).
Ticket stubs (ditto).
Coca-Cola art.
National Geographics.
Ex-wives (you had to be there).... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 1:57 PM on August 29, 2002

Many colorful pictures? Perhaps an encyclopedia, that had a color pane of all the flags of the state?
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 10:31 AM on August 22, 2002

A couple years ago, I was talking about Carson with a friend of mine, and he had a great idea (for which I will now take the credit):

The Carson Channel. On cable.

Show Carson repeats, and other talk shows (like Merv, Mike Douglas, etc.), and tag them with the date they originally aired, maybe even with some teasers like Robert Osborne does for AMC.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 6:06 AM on August 19, 2002

There is a certain appeal to soap operas, not to derail this too much. Example: I am gainfully employed, and record Guiding Light every day, watch it on the weekend. I've watched it since 1972 (when I was 12 years old). My mom has watched it since Eisenhower was President. My grandmother listened to it on the radio in the 40's.

So my lowbrow habits span generations. :)

And, they just signed Joan Collins for a six-month run on the show.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 5:21 PM on August 6, 2002

This afternoon's pie output:

1 banana cream.
1 key lime with Italian meringue.
1 chocolate bourbon pecan pie.

(I'm making pies to take to my mom tonight for a lunch she's hosting tomorrow.)

Any day filled with Pie is a Good Day.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 3:03 PM on July 31, 2002

Oddity # 1:

Take small candy bars (typically called "fun size" here in the States - seen the most at Halloween) and wrap them in canned (Pilsbury) crescent roll dough, seal 'em up, bake them according to the directions on the dough.

Butterfingers work best. Crispy and brown pastry shell, melty goodness on the inside.

Oddity # 2:

Grilled peanut butter, banana and honey sandwiches.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 8:11 AM on July 21, 2002

Also, a layer of potato chips on a hamburger is a good thing.

As is dry Nestle's Quik chocolate powder mixed in with vanilla ice cream.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 11:27 AM on July 21, 2002

A very cool thread. And I was speaking to my sister this evening about it, and she added one I had forgotten about - we used to call it "superfries." French fries hit with salt, sugar and chili powder right out of the oil. Sometimes dipped in mayo.

I'm ready for my new arteries now, Doctor.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 11:49 PM on July 21, 2002

*insert obligatory Buffy musical episode reference here*
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 9:29 AM on July 19, 2002

"a stronger gender identity?"

So, let me get this straight (um, so to speak) - there are Approved Lists Of Things Your Gender May and May Not Do?

This is not an attack, but boy, do you have a lot to learn.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 7:12 AM on July 19, 2002

True story: Buddy of mine is a serious database jock, lives, sleeps, breathes the stuff. Right about this time of year in 1999, he got contacted by some parties interested in reviewing their "operational system" for Y2K compliance and doing some SQL development. Group of drug dealers in the southeastern US. Clandestine meetings, blind drops and blindfolds, etc. Small to medium small fry, no doubt, but one thing my friend said (he was intrigued by it, and thought seriously about it,... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 7:05 PM on July 17, 2002

I was at the Riverdogs game the other night, it was pretty cool. A picnic in the park outside the stadium, good breeze coming in off the water, and a sense of humor all around, in that this little escapade was making it into the Hall of Fame.

Along with my signature (and a few thousand others) on the banner.

This was a promotion, not a protest.

And more power to these guys who are staging their protest - baseball is... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 4:19 PM on July 10, 2002

Will there be bunnies?
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 6:08 PM on July 5, 2002

Great post, and for some reason it makes me want to watch the episodes of Sealab 2021 I have saved up on TiVo.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 11:24 AM on July 2, 2002

The article in National Geographic is great. I was one of the throng out in the harbor on a boat the morning the Hunley came up. The moment it broke the water, every church bell in the city (it seems) went off, which was really amazing. The other amazing part was that as the barge with the sub on board was heading up the river to the lab, automotive traffic (9 am, typical workday) on both suspension bridges over it stopped. All lanes. Both directions. People getting out of their cars and... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 12:25 AM on July 3, 2002

I'm about to depart for Vegas to see the World Pastry Cup, terrorist threats be damned.

Vegas. Pastry. Could I be any happier? I think not.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 11:56 AM on July 1, 2002

Today's featured item was ice cream cones made out of chocolate chip cookie dough. For my 9-year-old goddaughter who does in fact have me wrapped around her little finger, thank you.

Any gaps in the cones (say, at the base) are easily sealed up with some tempered chocolate in a piping bag.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 2:12 PM on May 22, 2002

"I miss Ferris Matthew. Broadway Matthew -- I find him cold."

Never miss a chance for a Buffy reference.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 12:09 PM on June 1, 2002

Speaking of flowers, and in my continuing effort to turn things to Matters of Pastry, the vanilla plant (vanilla planifolia) is the only species of orchid that produces something edible, namely vanilla beans pods.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 10:44 AM on June 7, 2002

Can the 2nd be far behind?
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 9:51 AM on July 1, 2002

nofundy: It's number 1 at amazon.com as I write this. Maybe you can get a discount?
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 8:51 AM on June 28, 2002

thomcatspike: Senator Dianne Feinstein is one of the two Senators from California. The Vice President of the United States (Dick Cheney) serves as President of the Senate, so when the Senate is in session, members of that body will address him as "Mr. President."

If you ever watch one of our State of the Union addresses, you will hear the President of the United States address him as "Mr. President."

FYI.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 9:31 AM on June 27, 2002

My faith is important to me, but I am typically pretty quiet about it (well, except for now), and I can't stand having it forced upon me.

When I was a kid, reciting the Pledge, I didn't feel "Under God" belonged. I still don't. So I think this decision is an appropriate one.

The government of the United States should be as neutral as possible in as many areas regarding religion as possible. Will it ever be a hundred percent? I... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 1:01 PM on June 26, 2002

In celebration of this tonight, I think a nice grilled steak and some Belgian fries with horseradish mayo.

And salad? Piffle.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 12:04 PM on June 25, 2002

It's a Transformer.

If a plane approaches it, the pyramid becomes a head, the four towers become limbs off the fifth tower, and rockets speed the building and its inhabitants to safety.

Oh yeah, and it fires laser beams out of its eyes.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 7:49 AM on June 24, 2002

Dammit, the shopping cart is offline! My evil plans are foiled!


Curses.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 10:17 AM on June 20, 2002

I'm half-British, so I can comment briefly. It really was amazing stuff, and I only caught a part of it.

My aunts (who were in the thick of it), who are usually unflappable, called me a few times in the midst of it, near tears with excitement.

I almost flew over, but decided not to go to that effort, so She will just have to hang on another 25 years for the Diamond.

And I would love to see of the Beeb's "Best... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 3:04 PM on June 5, 2002

[Disclaimer: I am an employer.]

Given people of equal skills, I will always, always, always hire the person with more of a "team player" attitude. I look for it specifically in interviewing. Matter of fact, I would rather hire person A with 20% less relevant skills/experience, but the right spirit, than person B with
greater skills and a "that's not in my job description" demeanor. It really is the secret to going far.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 6:43 AM on May 24, 2002

rushmc: Monday. Was my turn. Change the Clorox tablet in the tanks and everything.

Took out five bags of trash today.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 11:31 AM on May 24, 2002

There is something to be said about grinding your own, actually. A mix of sirloin and other cuts, and you can do it in a food processor, and control exactly what goes in it.

And there is this local hamburger joint that used to be a walk-in freezer, hasn't cleaned the grill since Carter was president, and has the best burger, so there.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 11:28 AM on May 24, 2002

I am reminded of Sandra Boynton's book on chocolate. Any book with chocolate recipes, history AND cartoon hippos is a winner.

On her cookie recipe (which is quite excellent), at the top, it says: "Theoretical yield: 24."

How true.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 2:15 PM on May 22, 2002

To kind of balance out the fasting, I think I'll smoke a pork loin in the smoker this weekend and make some horseradish and garlic mashed potatoes, heavy on the cream.

Also, pie would be good. As it always is.

Can you tell I don't miss a meal?
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 1:49 PM on May 16, 2002

Up early, went to the gym, then went to the co-op and got some beautiful fennel and a couple kinds of potatoes and dazzling strawberries and other keen stuff. The produce, she sings to me. Then to the butcher.

Our group plans to have some bright, clear pork loin and such in our stomachs around 8 tonight.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 10:05 AM on May 17, 2002

..that violates the school's zero-tolerance policy toward violence.

We can all sleep easier at night knowing their zero-tolerance policy toward common sense remains intact.
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 11:09 AM on May 16, 2002

Geneaology is such a keen thing. The standing joke in my family is if that a carefully chosen twenty thousand or so people die, my oldest brother will be King of England.

So you guys watch out. :)
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 3:52 PM on May 12, 2002

>> I'm quite sure that you'd encounter the same consequence. You shouldn't be opening your door blindly in any circumstance. <<

Agreed on the not opening your door without looking in the mirror to see what's up behind you.

I Am Not A Lawyer, But You Can't Shake My Family Tree Without Getting Rained On By Lawyers Or Judges (IANALBYCSMFTWGROBLOJ), and the immediate reaction to the above is once you parallel park, you lose the right... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 10:54 AM on May 11, 2002

Most excellent story, and more power to Marc Hall. Kid's got intestinal fortitude (I would have said balls, but, you know...). Bet he'll go far in life.

Others upstream have referred to the exact correct answer about taking public money and having to obey the laws. Living in the hometown of the Citadel, it amazed me how obvious the answer was when they went through their little issues a few years ago - if you don't want to admit someone, and that doesn't violate the... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 10:21 AM on May 11, 2002

Okay, I confess. I'm a talk radio geek.

Neal Boortz, 10 - 12. Neal is my favorite, and not just because my political philosophy is most like his (libertarian).

Rush 12 - 3. Entertaining, thought-provoking, occasionally informative.

Local 3 - 6. We just lost a great local host (Michael Graham)who is "moving up" in the Clear Channel maw.

Jim Kramer 6 - 7 - financial advice,... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ebarker at 10:11 AM on May 11, 2002