Perhaps it was jicama.
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 9:29 PM on August 7, 2008

Mindmaps have been my saving grace over the last year. I use the CMAP program pretty exclusively (you see screengrab of one I made for a presentation here, and several that I made for the purposes of organizing my thoughts for my thesis here) with great success.

With the exception of animation, CMAP appears to fulfill all of your requirements (i.e. it allows you to drag and drop image files into the map, and arrange them as you see fit). Also,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 1:41 PM on August 5, 2008

Bailiff. Plaintiff. Etcff.
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 12:51 PM on July 29, 2008

Burhanistan beat me to the suggestion: I take EmergenC effervescent powders for exactly this reason. I cannot stomach large vitamins, but have so problem sucking down a small glass of fizzy vitamin 'juice.' Also, the super orange is surprisingly delicious. You can pick these up at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, or any number of cute little co-op's in the greater SF area.
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 3:13 PM on July 28, 2008

Given the route/distance you're describing, there is very little along the I-5, really, until you get beyond the Grape Vine and into Valencia. The stretch of the 5 that spans from the 152 to Valencia is really sparse in terms of places to stop and check out. On a roadtrip last year, my friends and I pulled off the freeway before the grade and had a picnic along a vineyard. So, there's that, but I hardly imagine you want to trespass anywhere with your infant daughter. After the grade, though,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 11:59 AM on July 28, 2008

Self-Help: Stories by Lorrie Moore
Like Life, also by Lorrie Moore.

I enthusiastically and emphatically recommend that you pick these two collections up immediately. You will not be disappointed.
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 4:32 PM on July 27, 2008

Eleni Mandell, over and over again.
Some stuff by Shannon Wright (i.e. Defy this love)
Jen Wood
Kristy London & the Other Halves (you can listen to one of their songs via Mefi Music. So so lovely.)
The Ditty Bops
Big Runga
Sixpence None The Richer
Tara Jane O'Neil
The Murmurs (omg, I LOVED them in high school.)
And have you heard Fiona Apple's Extraordinary... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 3:36 PM on July 18, 2008

Ooooo, all of these look so wonderful so far. Thank you for your suggestions! and keep 'em coming!
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 7:19 PM on June 18, 2008

All of these suggestions are going to break my bank! They are all so fantastic (omg, I am in love with the ones by 16 Sparrows!). Thank you all so much. I am going to be sending the spiffiest letters ever!
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 9:37 PM on June 19, 2008

Stevie Wonder and India Arie recorded a duet of "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts)," which is pretty upbeat. Additionally, if you have access to iTunes, you may want to check out their "Alternative Christmas" selection. Some of the songs may be what you're looking for.
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 2:02 PM on June 13, 2008

Pasadena City College has a number of those cubby-type desks on the upper levels of the Shatford Library. It's air conditioned, very safe, and extraordinarily quiet during the summer months due to the decrease in enrollment.
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 2:56 PM on June 12, 2008 marked best answer

I do whatever I can that occupies my body but frees up my mind. These activities usually involve something that I'm so familiar with that my body just goes on autopilot. So, showering, organizing and tidying up, walking/running, folding laundry, chopping vegetables, even driving over long distances with the radio off (which isn't to say that I'm not aware of my surroundings; that would be dangerous!). I will say, however, that some of my best and brightest ideas occur to me while I'm in the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 11:02 AM on June 10, 2008

To further complicate matters, there are outliers in every population. So, after taking into consideration the issues mentioned by others, are you looking for the species that has the largest scrotum on average, or are you looking for the singular occurrence of the largest scrotum that has ever been recorded, regardless of biological norms?
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 6:19 PM on June 4, 2008

These .pdf artcies (one, two) from this page may be of interest to you.
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 11:28 AM on June 5, 2008

That sounds like a swell party! Here are some suggestions:
• Jelly Roll Morton (e.g. Original Jelly Roll Blues)
• King Oliver (e.g. Edna)
• Bessie Smith (here's some pretty great footage of her singing St. Louis Blues)
• Duke Ellington (e.g. Cotton Tail - quality is not so great on this one, but it's a fantastic song! And here is some history on the video.)
• Count Bassie (e.g. One • O'Clock Jump)
• Chick Webb (e.g. Soft... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 10:55 PM on June 4, 2008

I've not used this program, so I can't speak to the quality of the free demo (also, its usage is exclusive to PCs - not mac compatible), but TicketCreator appears to do exactly what you're asking for.

There are also these additional MS Office Ticket templates available (here are a few more).... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 5:05 PM on June 4, 2008

YFLMD (You Fuck Like My Dad) by Giant Drag.
Cowboys by Portishead

I'm making this part small because I'm hesitant to let this golden cat out of the bag, but for the sake of helping out: I enthusiastically recommend that you poke around at EPITONIC; it lets you stream (and download) songs from a wide variety of mostly independent bands making really awesome music. You know, sort of like MeMu,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 12:34 AM on June 4, 2008

It appears that you can purchase the finger puppet set that jamaro suggested here.
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 4:05 PM on June 3, 2008

It's not a funeral chant per-se, but Monteverdi's Lasciatemi Morire (also called Lamento di Arianna) is one of the most mournful (and beautiful) choral works that I've ever heard. Here is a brief operatic sample, and here is a lovely madrigals version of it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 6:19 AM on June 3, 2008

I disagree with norabarnacl3 to the extent that the attitude of owners of these statues has any bearing whatsoever on the statues' racist implications. Statues like this are remnants of a long legacy of racist representations of black folk, and as such are inextricably tied to that history, regardless of their owners' current attitudes. They are racist regardless of where one finds them, regardless of current intention on the part of the owners.

So I would say yes,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 12:41 PM on June 2, 2008

Seconding Nick's basement from "Freaks & Geeks." Totally awesome.
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 12:55 AM on May 31, 2008

Is it stuck in the grout? If it is, I would suggest getting some baking soda, mixing it with a little bit of water, letting it sit for a bit, and scrubbing it out with a toothbrush. If that doesn't do the trick, you can use OxyClean (Trader Joe's sells a generic equivalent in a big plastic tub, which is cheaper than if you picked it up elsewhere) or dishwashing powder (like Cascade), and do the same thing.

If none of these things work, you can use a 3% hydrogen... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 9:45 PM on May 30, 2008

Slambrosia is great! Here are some others:

• Doc Holliday / Doc Rolliday
• Georgia O'Grief
• Malice Cooper
• Goria Malign'em
• Miss Aries (or Miss Airy) - Also BONUS since you actually are an Aries!
• Madam Throws'ya (ugh, I tried. Nothing rhymes with ambrosia.)
• Siouxsie Siouxicide WHAT

And depending on your... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 11:07 PM on May 29, 2008

It sounds a lot like Portishead to me. Perhaps something by Beth Gibbons?
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 10:16 PM on May 28, 2008

Are your classes really so terribly boring that you must drink for their duration? Though I really don't suggest bringing alcohol into your classes (many universities have explicit policies against the consumption of alcohol within the classroom setting; you may want to check your university's handbook before actually doing this so that you're fully aware of the consequences if you're caught in the act), I will suggest the perfect summer gin: Hendrick's. It has a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 2:20 AM on May 27, 2008

I know that some baseball players spend time familiarizing themselves with the way the opposing team's players pitch, hit, what their weaknesses are, etc. While this has traditionally occurred in the club-house, the emergence of video ipods has allowed players to study when and where they like.

I'm also an A's fan (Go Oakland!), and last October I met members of the team (read: Swisher!!!) at the hotel they were staying at while playing the Angels in Anaheim. From... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 12:02 AM on May 19, 2008

I'm incredibly late to the party, but I have to put in my vote for the Lost Coast Wilderness (in Kings Range, Humboldt County, CA). I had my first genuine peak experience backpacking the 26-mile stretch of beach during my senior year of high school, and I dream of finding the time to return and hike it again.

There are dilapidated cabins (I love decaying architectural relics), abandoned lighthouses, trickling waterfalls in unexpected places leaving multicolored... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 6:28 AM on May 16, 2008

I rather fancy Oh Joy! and Creature Comforts.
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 11:46 PM on May 12, 2008 marked best answer

Fin!
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 9:35 PM on May 12, 2008 marked best answer

Stick a fork in it.
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 9:38 PM on May 12, 2008 marked best answer

Is the beer restriction a recent thing, due to celiacs? Or was this a pre-existing restriction? I ask this because my grandmother was diagnosed with celiacs sprew over three decades ago, and as such my family had become quite innovative in our cooking when we are with her (for instance, I made these delicious butternut squash ravioli with gluten-free flour, and they were spectacular). Recently (and much to her pleasure) we discovered Redbridge... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 7:24 PM on May 12, 2008

Ah! I missed the part about the salad dressing. I'm not sure if you can have these per your acid reflux, but these are two dressings that I alternate whenever I make a fresh salad, and are incidentally acceptable for those with Celiacs.

Fresh Garlic and Lemon dressed salad - this dressing is light, delicious, and rather refreshing. It is my all-time favorite, and never fails to impress. People are always SHOCKED that it takes so few ingredients!... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 7:55 PM on May 12, 2008

mudpuppie and others beat me to the punch: your local REI (or Patagonia/North Face/outdoor outfitter) should have a number of different options. I'm not petite (5'7"), but purchased this backpack and love it. REI is also currently having a pretty big sale through May 11th (this Sunday), so if you do find the opportunity to take a short trip out of town over the weekend, I highly suggest it.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 12:43 PM on May 8, 2008

There are several really fantastic restaurants in Newport Beach that would be perfect for this. If price is no obstacle and you like seafood, I recommend both the Rusty Pelican or The Cannery (warning: terrible website!). Both are situated along Newport Bay (which is brimming with sailboats during the day), and both feature big windows upon which to enjoy your surroundings.
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 8:31 PM on May 2, 2008

Perhaps Westerncentric or Western ethnocentric (/ethnocentrism).
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 6:33 AM on April 30, 2008

I'm currently enrolled in my senior seminar, entitled "Music and Religion," wherein we're studying Reggae (within the context of Rastafari), Hip Hop (with a focus on the Five Percenters), and Qawwali (in relation to Sufism). I freaking love. this. class. The professor is brilliant (seriously, so brilliant), and we're analyzing music on both phenomenological, rhythmic, and lyrical levels. I'm so sad that we're on the quarter system instead of the semester system; I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 4:48 PM on April 25, 2008

both. Aarg.
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 4:50 PM on April 25, 2008

A cursory search of etsy provides this lovely satin set for $44.
Otherwise, you really can't go wrong with Hanky Panky. I wear their underpinnings almost exclusively because they are just that comfortable.
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 8:30 PM on April 22, 2008

Currently, Annie Hardy of Giant Drag (her former bandmate left the band, but she kept with the name).
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 10:46 AM on April 21, 2008

Of course you can find a proper English breakfast in Los Angeles! If you're anywhere on the Westside, and feel that Santa Monica isn't too far, I'd suggest checking out the Ye Olde King's Head. It can get pretty busy, but the wait is worth it. There's also an adjacent shop that sells delicious British goods (HP sauce! mmmmm), which is nice when you want to bring something back home with you.

If you're closer to the Valley, I'll suggest my favorite... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 3:49 PM on April 19, 2008 marked best answer

pedmands: That's my plan if jailbreaking my phone would compromise anything like visual voicemail. As it currently stands, however, there are certain things that I want to do with my phone that I simply cannot currently do. I am paying a pretty penny for service, and I'd really like to maximize my current usage of it now, instead of 2 1/2 months down the road. In addition to this, I'm not even sure that these types of apps will even be available... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 12:27 PM on April 18, 2008

dyslexictraveler: That's great news about the visual voicemail; it's one of the iPhone's features that I appreciate the most, and I'd really hate to lose that function.

jon4009: Do you know what does cause a phone to brick, then? I suppose I assumed that some glitch in the jailbreaking process caused the phone to lock-up. Is this not the case?

eatcake: Thank... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 3:30 PM on April 18, 2008

I really wanted to suggest that you check out Yelapa (I am in shock that they even have a website!), but given that you're not really into the outdoors, and that you don't speak Spanish, this might be difficult for you.

What I will suggest you do is eat a copious amount of fish while on the beach. Several times an hour, one of the fishermen will walk down the beach selling grilled "pescado." When you buy one, the fisherman will... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 7:24 PM on April 17, 2008

To me, it sounds a bit like "Why don't you do right" (made popular most recently by Jessica Rabbit's rendition in Who Framed Roger Rabbit).
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 8:18 PM on April 10, 2008

Just a note on the Hotel des Arts: I reserved the David DeRosa room, which they tout as a "Deluxe Queen" room. There was absolutely nothing deluxe about it. The rooms are tiny (teeny tiny, in fact), and the bathrooms are something of a literal water closet, with a single, uncovered light bulb on the ceiling. I have no idea how they managed to make the room look so spacious in that photograph (because it certainly wasn't when I was there!). I was so eager... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 8:25 PM on April 8, 2008

CASHEWS! Cashews cashews cashews cashews. Something happens to them when they go into the oven atop a pizza...they emerge buttery and soft. I just suggested this recently, so I'll just cut+paste:
Also, our local pizzeria makes a veggie pizza to die for. They use pesto instead of marinara, and top it with mozzarella, artichoke hearts, garlic, tomatoes, red onions, and cashews. It's really the last ingredient that makes it so magical. If you eat this drizzled with our... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 7:39 PM on April 8, 2008

This flickr pool has a bunch of beautiful women.
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 10:57 AM on April 8, 2008

Ingredients: scrambled eggs, hash browns, onion bagel, cream cheese, Tapatio, ketchup, cracked pepper, lobster bib.

Step 1: Toast onion bagel, and smear with cream cheese.
Step 2: After cooking, mix hashed browns with copious amounts of Tapatio.
Step 3: Pour ketchup on scrambled eggs, mix well.
Step 4: Take hash browns and layer them on top of bagel. Smoosh down with fork.
Step 5: Take scrambled eggs+ketchup, and gingerly... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 7:45 PM on April 2, 2008

I'm not sure of the degree of levity you're looking for, but Edward Albee's The Sandbox may hit all your points, and calls for a cast of five players. The set itself needn't be wildly elaborate: when we performed it, we used a turtle-shaped sandbox and a beach umbrella in lieu of an actual beach backdrop, and played one of those "relaxation" CDs of captured beach sounds. The entire thing is poignant in a ludicrous sort of way, which I think lends a balance when... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 2:57 PM on April 2, 2008

There's a great Brazilian restaurant called Bossa Nova in LA with several locations throughout. I happen to like the West Hollywood location the best. It's reasonably priced, and really, really delicious. You can check out their menu to get a feel for the cuisine and prices here (my favorite is the salmon with a side of yucca and plantains). It's about 4 1/2 miles from the Pantages Theater, so not too far. It shouldn't be too busy on a Wednesday night, but I would suggest you call in the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by numinous at 12:00 AM on April 2, 2008