We have the same problem (except it's our own house so we have no one to blame but ourselves.) We put in interlocking pavers from Lowe's. Works great. Really cheap (under $10).
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 3:27 PM on August 26, 2008

The pavers I got are 4 1/2". Or, he could pile 2-3 stepping stones one on top of the other. He might still be in a little puddle, but at least he won't be ankle deep. It really does work, because I'm doing it here. (My puddle is also about 4" deep)
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 4:22 PM on August 26, 2008

OP I've got a native grapevine growing on the cyclone fence betw me and my neighbor Ialso in Chicago). You've probably seen these-- walk down any alley; they're all over the north side. You should be able to find someone you know who will give you a rooting or three (maybe me!). They grow very fast, almost invasively, but they will stay on the fence. Once they get going they look beautiful and they are indestructible. Just don't put one in if there is any kind of garden on either side of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 3:44 PM on August 26, 2008

NBC's videos on line don't work if you have an older computer. Those of us who don't upgrade their operating systems ever 8 minutes, and who opt out of the extremely expensive and useless (except once every two years) cable tv system basically got swimming, track (like 17 heats of every fucking sprint and every blessed mile of the marathon), pointless repetitive interviews, and endless endless endless beach volleyball. Coverage could only be considered comprehensive it you're either rich or a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 4:14 AM on August 25, 2008

Yes, it's called exaggeration, dda. (Should have given all due respect to computer geeks-- I love you!) And doing the upgrade would be pointless if just for this purpose, because if you don't have cable you get stopped dead at the "please enter the name of your cable provider" box. And I'm sorry, but some of us find "quick update to Name That System" challenging and off-putting. NBC lost large swaths of viewers who are intimidated by this stuff. Your attitude is uncalled... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 9:46 AM on August 25, 2008

She doesn't cry when she wakes up. She cries when she's tired of you not being there. She's been happily awake for hours.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 4:26 AM on August 25, 2008

mr. nax also charges per page rather than hourly. Rates comparable to those noted above.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 4:19 AM on August 25, 2008

State Fairs often have product testing centers, but of course you have to pay to get into the State Fair. On the other hand, State Fairs can be extremely entertaining, what with the piglet races, butter cows, and of course, product testing.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 6:47 PM on August 23, 2008

I don't see why you need to use the English equivalent. My kids have a lot of friends with ethnic names, my daughter uses her (to english speakers) oddly-spelled chinese name, my own name starts with an X, and no one blinks an eye. Use Tzachi, your son will get used to explaining how it is pronounced, and he will have a wonderful story to tell about the origin of his name.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 7:15 PM on August 22, 2008

No such thing as an old document without historic value. Contact the local historic societies in your current and your parents' home communities.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 9:57 AM on August 22, 2008

I'm afraid I don't have any god answers to the actual questions, but I do note some questions you are not asking (I hope because you have already asked/answered) and that is-- what do your clients, users, customers, and donors need? How do you find out? Which set of users are you aiming the new website at? Why? Are you just looking for a cool website, or do you have an actual business reason for the redesign? What is the reason-- promotion, profile, attracting clients, attracting donors,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 7:11 PM on August 21, 2008

I don't have any good answers either. I'm afraid god had nothing to do with it. (Damn, I want an edit option)
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 7:11 PM on August 21, 2008

Northside: Cubs
Southside: White Sox

If you or your parents are transplants from one to the other, you may retain your allegiance to your team of origin. If you live on the north side and *choose* to support the Sox, you're just a contrarian and I have no respect for you. (Hear that miss nax?)

why doesn't MeFi know the word "contrarian?"
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 6:04 AM on August 21, 2008

In the novel Dragonwyck, the bad guy uses a pepper mill to trick his wife into grinding oleander (a deadly poison) onto her food. Just sayin'.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 2:54 PM on August 20, 2008

Guns Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond
Mr. Gatling's Terrible Marvel by Julia Keller
Connections, by James Burke

More historical, scientific than about markets and money, but still fun and thought provoking reads about unintended consequences.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 2:52 PM on August 20, 2008

I'm a professional figure skating coach who has taken a lot of seminars in the unbelievably complex new judging system. While more detailed and complex than the gymnastics one it has some things in common, including combining a start score for difficulty with another score for execution. Within the execution score there are a range of choices combining completely subjective ones with standard as well as mandatory deductions. The judging panel itself is also complex, in both sports, and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 8:07 AM on August 20, 2008

If you fall off the apparatus you get marked down for the fall on your execution score, and you don't get credit for the skill that you fell from. Not a bad score-- a zero score, charged to your level of difficulty. Same in figure skating. You have to land, even badly, to get scored. If you fall on the landing before rotation is complete, you get no mark for that skill-- a zero, taking your baseline down.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 2:47 PM on August 20, 2008

You are not laid back, or willing to let things slide, and she is not a nag or emotional. In fact, you are making her be in charge of this stuff. You are making it both her fault and her responsibility for things to be done. If you wait until she either a) just does it herself or b) goes apeshit on you, well, gee you were going to get to it, right? Trust me, she does not enjoy nagging, she does not enjoy having to get emotional before you get up off your passive-aggressive ass and she sure as... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 7:53 AM on August 20, 2008

Excellent idea to have a separate office you can go to; it's hard enough to feel professional working at home without an infant under foot. If you really control your own work hours, I think, at least for the first year, you can probably arrange shifts: one person at the office, one in charge of the baby. You could hire a nanny for a few hours per week (maybe two half days) if you can afford it, but having a nanny taking care of your child in your house while you're there is not going to solve... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 4:14 PM on August 19, 2008

My dear friends Jack and Babe have been married more than 60 years. They knew each other for 2 days before they got married. So, yes.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 1:54 PM on August 18, 2008

Don't send out automated acknowledgments. Every donation deserves a personal thank you letter, and it will also help to increase donor loyalty. You're not the ASPCA, you need to personally thank your donors. Just work the IRS language regarding tax deductibility into the letter. I don't know what Ironmouth means by "IRS forms." A donor does not need to fill out any kind of form other than the line item on his 1040; a letter of acknowledgment from the nfp will do it. (sorry for... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 1:51 PM on August 18, 2008

You should just talk about what you're doing politically, and talk about how you feel about politics in its greater sense, and see who bites. But if you really feel like you need people who share this passion with you, what's to stop you attending meetings, joining a campaign, volunteering at an activist organization, or taking a class so that you meet *new* friends who share this interest? Are you limited to the new friends you've already made for some reason? How did you meet these... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 1:44 PM on August 18, 2008

I second taking a class. Call any large fabric store in your area, they can probably advise you. You should also pick up some really basic pattern-- these are going to be the ones on the racks rather than in the drawers at the fabric store. I would suggest an a-line skirt, an apron, or a simple dress with sleeves (if you're ambitious). Follow the step-by-step instructions, they'll be pretty straightforward. Anything that doesn't make sense google it verbatim; the web is *full* of basic... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 1:40 PM on August 18, 2008

I work at a public sports facility; I love small children; I am very liberal in my attitudes. And yet, I really do not like seeing naked children running around in a public space. Please do not:

Let your child run around naked in public, especially in a place that could not remotely be construed as your own space (i.e. not within walking distance of your house).

Please do not, repeat, do NOT change your child's clothes in public. There are... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 7:24 AM on August 18, 2008

You've got a hipster bod, go to the hipster stores. This does not you a hipster make (I've got a super skinny son with the same problem). Sorry to be sending you to chain stores, but I have found pants that fit him at Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, and H&M. I haven't tried Untitled (do I have the name right?) but my daughter says they're good too. You might also try Viva Vintage on Belmont and Crossroads (there's one in downtown Evanston, not sure about Chicago), but they're resale... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 5:56 AM on August 15, 2008

So pitch the actual-- somewhere around 9%, and hope for the government-employee amount-- somewhere around 4%. Good luck! I will live vicariously through you, as I will never in a million years get a raise, as I work for a small nonprofit.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 9:17 AM on August 14, 2008

Does it have to be an organized effort or incorporated entity? How about neighborhood clean up? Regularly pick up the litter along your block, or as far as you want to go.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 3:20 PM on August 12, 2008

Math facts flash cards. In second grade my son had to know all the basic arithmetic facts up to 12s (A-S-M-D) and had to be able to do all the answers in 3 minutes or less. The school provided flash cards for every kid, and we would drill this nightly. It was surprisingly fun, it was a great challenge for parents and kids, and man, that kid (um, young man) can still do his math facts lightning fast, and so can I.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 3:17 PM on August 12, 2008

My father wouldn't get any "best parent" prizes, but one of my sweetest childhood memories is of him standing between my and my brother's bedrooms and singing "A foggy day in Londontown" and "Around the world in 80 days" at bedtime.

Plus, when I was a kid, I hated chocolate bars with nuts, and everyone else loved them, so that's what they bought. My mother would chip away parts with no nuts and save those for me (In those days an almond... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 3:13 PM on August 12, 2008

They just did this next door. I cannot resist saying that you are not putting in grass, you are murdering a garden, but that said, here goes.

You need to dig everything out by the roots. You need to turn the mulch over and level it, but you do not need to get rid of it. You need to do some serious weed prevention. Now here's the thing-- I assume you're murdering (sorry, prejudice showing) the garden because you don't like to garden, but starting a lawn from seed is... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 2:53 PM on August 12, 2008

Always hit that button too soon-- the yard next door that they just did this is 30x60 feet. 8 guys did the entire thing (and we're talking taking out a fair amount of hardscaping, 5 mature lilacs and similar shrubs, and 20-year old sedum, hardy geranium, salvia, and more), in about 10 hours. So be prepared. It's a hell of a job. Please let your neighbors who are gardeners know you are doing this. They may want to salvage plants. Be prepared for them to hate you.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 2:56 PM on August 12, 2008

Oldie but goodie: Afternoon Delight (I hope you weren't looking for subtle)
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 10:07 AM on August 11, 2008

This idea of being "assigned" a mentor comes up here every now and then, and it always puzzles me. I have never worked in a commercial business, always in nfp, so maybe things are different in a place like a bank or wherever. In nfp, mentors are thick on the ground (we're all a lot of warm-fuzzy-dogooders who like helping the newbies), but this idea that someone can be your official mentor just leaves me flat. It is not a relationship that you can shoehorn into some outline of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 10:04 AM on August 11, 2008

Welcome to adulthood. Birthdays suck. No one cares except your mother, and she doesn't care all that much. Eventually you'll probably settle into some sort of tradition with a couple/few good friends every year, but you need to get over the "it has to happen ON my birthday" idea. People's lives are complex and you just can't expect everyone to arrange, on your sayso, birthday or not, one particular day.

I know there is an apparent prohibition against... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 2:39 AM on August 11, 2008

You gotta make the choice-- soul killing job or income sufficient to buy toys. I sat in a cubicle for many many years, and finally decided I couldn't take it. So I took the $30K pay cut (about 50%) instead and have never regretted it for a single minute.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 7:16 AM on August 10, 2008

or income INsufficient to buy toys. Gak.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 7:17 AM on August 10, 2008

mr. nax and I have been through the "security cleaned out your desk while you were being fired" routine. In 10 years, we have never forgiven them, and bad mouth the company to anyone who asks. It is a really really really shitty thing to do to someone, severance pay or no. If you have a good relationship with this employee, then at least give them to the end of the day to put their own affairs in order, for pity's sake. If you have a reasonable expectation that they will trash the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 2:06 PM on August 8, 2008

bl1nk, you're missing a crucial piece of the AD-- it's not just material prosperity, or ownership, but prosperity and ownership on one's own terms, regardless of the circumstances of your birth, and without anyone (specifically The Man, or the government) telling you what to do and how to do it. We're not quite as shallow and materialistic as the world likes to think we are (almost, but not quite).

OP, sorry for the derail. Your topic is interesting, but I'm not sure... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 2:01 PM on August 8, 2008

Check out the shop in the Chicago Cultural Center. They have all sorts of unusual Chicago-centric tchotchkies from cheap to boi-oi-oing. There also used to be a shop like this in that North Pier building just west of Navy Pier and Lake Shore Drive, but strangely, North Pier has no website (or it's not called North Pier anymore), so I can't find it. You might also contact LillStreet Art Center (no longer on Lill Street) or the Hyde Park Art Center for local artisan-made Chicago... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 1:52 PM on August 8, 2008

Screwed up the Hairy Who link. Here 'tis.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 1:53 PM on August 8, 2008

It's a gorgeous day. Chicago Architecture Foundation walking tour.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 10:16 AM on August 7, 2008

Navigation, maritime or other. Urban planning (oh, you've already done that one). Archeology.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 10:12 AM on August 7, 2008

Confess, Fletch thanks so much for that link. Vindicated on buying the "cute" camera (from one source anyway)!
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 8:06 AM on August 7, 2008

When I was 6, my mother taught me to say "piss, shit and corruption" instead of um, swearing. I must have been one foul-mouthed little so-and-so. Anyway, I still do it, but you could maybe say "pee poop and corruption" instead? It not only fills the swearing niche, it makes you laugh, thus defusing the temper. (Demonstrating how hopeless this is, when my son was three he came home from his first day of preschool and informed me, in case I didn't know, that... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 2:09 PM on August 6, 2008

Well, pesto of course. You can also freeze fresh basil-- chop it roughly, and freeze in water in ice cube trays (about 1 teaspoon basil per cube). Just drop it into whatever you're cooking about 1 cube per serving. Will last for a year before the freezer-burn gets it, especially if you dump the frozen cubes into ziplock freezer bags.

Pesto can also be frozen; freeze serving-size portions in ziplock bags. My basil and oregano pestos darkened, but tasted fine; the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 11:26 AM on August 6, 2008 marked best answer

Just came off crutches and cast (thank freaking god). I used an office chair relay (three office chairs), had the same threshold problem. Having a relay meant I just had to transfer from one chair to the other, no hopping involved. The trick is to be forward at the threshold so that you're just rotating from one seat to the next (seats facing each other). This worked great.

I was able to wash the dishes from one of the chairs (it was quite high), but never did manage... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 7:43 AM on August 6, 2008

Giant City
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 7:25 AM on August 6, 2008

We got my son a low limit credit card on which he COULD NOT go over the limit, which guaranteed no raising of the limit for 12 months, and had the bills come to us. He was to use this for direct school expenses like books (so that he didn't have to use his limited living cash on books and other academic expenses) and travel home, that were part of what we were paying for.

This system worked great. He had the credit he needed, wasn't able to rely on the card, and we... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 1:59 PM on August 5, 2008

Post it notes. My bro-in-law divides life into "BPN" and APN."
The internet.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 7:01 AM on August 5, 2008

A similar concept also finds its way into legal arguments against capital punishment (n Guilty men). Don't care that it's a double or explored before, thanks for reminding me of this beautiful and affirming philosophy.
posted to Ask Metafilter by nax at 6:57 AM on August 5, 2008