If anybody in Iceland is listening, send me some Brennevin.

I just emailed the embassy to find out if they know of any sources for hardfiskur or brennivín in the MD/DC/VA area. If I get a response with useful information on the brennivín I'll pass it along.

What? Embassies are there for cultural exchange and diplomatic relations, aren't they?
posted to MetaTalk by weebil at 7:26 PM on October 9, 2008

For a first vet visit, the vet should do a thorough physical exam, an FeLV test, and administer an initial set of vaccinations. Many vets routinely deworm kittens at the first appointment, especially if the kitten's origin is unknown or it's from an outdoor mother. Other vets elect to test a stool sample--either a sample you bring in from the litter box or a sample the tech collects manually. Flea treatment may be standard or optional depending on the vet.

Ask your... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 10:41 AM on October 9, 2008

Dominic West has a somewhat flattened Yorkshire accent. It's both a little posh and a little Americanized; I presume that's from his education and his work experiences.

The first thing I noticed about that clip was that Dominic seemed to be altering his accent for the interview. He has a more pronounced Yorkshire accent when he's conversing casually. On the couple of occasions when I met him, I didn't find it too difficult to follow but still a bit... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by weebil at 8:33 PM on October 8, 2008

Here in Baltimore Ellerslie Avenue is pronounced "ellers-lee." But considering how we pronounce "Thames" (among other things) you may want to hold out for a second opinion.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 7:03 PM on October 6, 2008

From the MA BC/BS site:

Your doctor may request an exception from our Clinical Pharmacy Department to provide coverage for a non-covered drug when medically necessary. If approved, the drug will require the highest level co-payment. If the request is not approved, you will remain responsible for the full cost of the prescription. You may use our standard member appeals process to request further review.

So call them and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 9:14 PM on September 28, 2008

Congratulations!

As long as your wife is adopting your last name or hyphenating the names, she just needs to take her marriage certificate, driver's license or passport showing her "old" name, and a completed SS-5 with her to the SSA office.

SSA recognizes documentation of marriage or civil union for name change purposes when the marriage or civil union is recognized by the State in which the document was issued.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 8:31 AM on September 25, 2008

Don't worry about age. It may be a young group now, but you'll see all sorts coming in during October, especially once Congress recesses and staffers head out into the fray. I have several friends in their late 30s and mid 40s who were in Ohio in 2004 and will be heading off to swing states in a couple of weeks.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 7:31 AM on September 24, 2008 marked best answer

There may be a time period between when you separate and when you are eligible to file for divorce.

In Maryland, you have to be separated for a year before you're eligible to file (at least for no-fault). Your signature on the divorce paperwork attests that you have lived apart from your spouse and have had no sexual relations with him/her for 12 months prior to the date of filing.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 5:32 PM on September 23, 2008

I haven't taken the course you're asking about, but I've taken at least half a dozen other LT courses on subjects like server administration, SQL, and IIS, and each one has far surpassed training I've had with other vendors. The LT instructors have been experts in the subject matter with real-life experience, adept at communicating complex concepts, and very good at interacting with students. All of my instructors have been skilled at keeping the class moving at a pace that is comfortably... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 10:37 PM on September 19, 2008

Places exist where dogs aren't immediately put down for biting someone?

Yes, there are--all over the US. According to the CDC, 4.7 milliion Americans are bitten by dogs each year and 800,000 people seek medical attention. At least half those bites occur on the owner's property and a significant majority (77%) are by dogs owned by friends or family of the victim. All of these dogs are not being euthanized.

Generally, when it... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by weebil at 4:21 PM on September 17, 2008

schroedinger: Certainly the victim's wishes may influence or even have a formal role in the decision-making process, but the decision to euthanize is supposed to be based on the facts of the case. (Also, there are cases where the animal control officer or court do not believe the circumstances merit euthanasia, but the owner chooses to put the dog down for their own peace of mind.)
posted to MetaTalk by weebil at 7:26 PM on September 17, 2008

Dog owners should not allow their "friendly inquisitive" dog to approach a child, even in an off-leash park, and should recall the dog back to their side or keep the dog leashed at all times out in public.

Nope, sorry, you're wrong. Off-leash parks are designated areas where dogs are legally permitted to be off-leash. In fact, most parks' rules explicitly state that dogs MAY NOT be leashed within the off-leash area. Dogs are required to... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by weebil at 6:26 PM on September 18, 2008

angrybeaver: Definitely different types of dog parks. We do have a 2.5-acre fenced park in the suburbs here, but most of our parks are much smaller. All the official parks I know of in the area are fenced with the exception of the dog beach. I'd love to have bigger park space, but a small area is better than none.

I apologize for the tone of my previous comment. Upon reread, it was a bit harsh.

On preview: We have folks here who have been... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by weebil at 9:35 PM on September 18, 2008

Plinth, thank you for this post. Reading it last night brought to mind fond memories of someone with Down syndrome I knew many years ago and sent me to bed with happy tears in my eyes. He was unbelievably cantankerous and most people found him to be a trial--a definite exception to the "always happy" stereotype--but he taught me how important it can be to see the world through someone else's eyes. I doubt I would be as empathetic and compassionate today if I hadn't known him. I wish... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by weebil at 5:43 PM on September 17, 2008

Just so this earlier information doesn't get skewed: the back legs thing is not about trying to pull a dog off a victim by pulling/yanking at its back legs.

NOT. That would be a very bad idea. BAD.

The advice is to lift up the two back legs wheelbarrow-style, so that the dog has to struggle to keeps its balance on its two front legs. The theory is that a dog cannot do that and also keep biting its victim - all its attention will be on... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 12:12 PM on September 17, 2008

They're probably getting much of the water they need from the wet food, so there's no need to panic. I saw a huge drop in water-drinking when I switched my cats from dry to wet food.

I would keep the fountain turned off for several days and let them use it like a normal water dish. When you do turn it on, set the water flow to the lowest level where it will be quiet and won't splash kitty in the face. Once they are drinking from it, you can gradually increase the water flow.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 8:50 PM on September 14, 2008

Maybe I'm putting vaginas on a pedestal, but I'd imagine that a sandy vagina would be much more irritating than a sandy perineum, no?

No. And that is a major reason this gibe annoys the hell out of me--it makes no sense! Sand in the folds of the labia, sand in the gluteal cleft, sand caught between the thighs, or sand stuck to the perineum would all be irritating. Sand inside the vagina would probably be as unnoticeable as a tampon string because... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by weebil at 3:15 PM on September 12, 2008

Well, goddammit, give me your next shot of Glenlivet. I can hold my single-malt.

Dear God in Heaven! Shots of Glenlivet and a hyphen in single malt??? I've never had an internet crush die this hard.
posted to MetaTalk by weebil at 4:04 PM on September 10, 2008

Ah, well, if we're talking quotations and units of measurement, all is forgotten. (Would've said so sooner; got distracted by Spore.)

I feel like we must be tripping across some cultural/regional vocabulary variance here. A shot is a unit of measurement where I come from, regardless of how long one spends putting it away.

Yeah, probably. In my experience, folks here certainly use shot in lieu of... [more]
posted to MetaTalk by weebil at 8:11 PM on September 10, 2008

This map proves a sneaking suspicion that I've had for quite some time now. It's not that there aren't single guys in my area it's that they really are all Eagles and Flyers fans.
posted to MetaFilter by weebil at 3:25 PM on September 10, 2008

Thanks for the answers! I was pretty certain that a non-supervisor's recommendation would be fine provided it addressed the skills relevant to the academic program and your answers have reassured me.

saxamo: I don't know if it will improve my odds, but I do think it's an important statement about my time management and organizational skills that I've been able to successfully balance a full-time job and leadership roles in volunteer organizations.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 8:17 PM on September 9, 2008

Will buying this camera create significantly better pictures for me, a point and shoot type, who doesn't really know what he's doing?

If you really don't know what you're doing, the money may be better spent learning about photography and how to use the camera you have. Most camera stores and community colleges offer inexpensive workshops on the basic principles of photography and how to use the features of digital cameras. The great thing with... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 12:02 PM on September 5, 2008

Do come join Ravelry! There are several groups on Ravelry for sewers, weavers, quilters, and other fiber artists. And you can also create your own groups.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 7:18 PM on August 31, 2008

I have integrated, separated, and moved cats several times and the one thing I've learned is to expect the unexpected. Each time--even when moving the same cats from one house to another--I've seen distinct changes in behavior and how they interact with one another. You may find that your street cat becomes submissive or that one of the erstwhile sweeties becomes a bully. Start with several options for perching high and hiding low and adjust as you watch the relationships develop. Make sure... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 5:38 PM on August 29, 2008

Scrabble. Quiddler. Spill and Spell. All 3 are games that will grow with your family. My family played with rules that varied depending on a player's age and skills: younger players can take longer to make a play, older players have minimum word-lengths, etc.

I echo what others have said about continuing to read aloud with her. Read books that YOU enjoy so she sees you enthusiastic about reading. My dad and I developed a routine when I was in preschool that lasted... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 9:31 PM on August 21, 2008

Shred/chop the foam and use as stuffing for toys or pillows?

Could you find some used vinyl to encase and "pee-proof" the memory foam? Then sew/buy a removable and washable fabric or fleece cover for the dog bed.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 1:17 PM on August 18, 2008

Thanks for this! I keep an Excel spreadsheet--sort of. Being able to compare data with friends and others with the same model might make me better about actually recording all the receipts I keep.
posted to Projects by weebil at 6:32 AM on August 8, 2008

Time Capsule works as both a wireless external hard drive and a wireless router/access point. If your daughter doesn't need a router/access point and is okay with connecting her laptop to an external HD via USB to run backups, you can get a 500 GB external HD for less than 1/2 the cost of the Time Capsule. (I am using a Western Digital external HD with my imac and Time Machine is running backups just fine.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 1:20 PM on July 29, 2008

By the end of my year in Iceland and for a while after I came home, I would dream almost exclusively in Icelandic. I rarely do anymore, although every once in a rare while, I will have a dream that includes at least some Icelandic. The only time it has ever seemed odd was when I had an Icelandic dream while in Italy--that was a bit weird.

When I was dreaming exclusively in Icelandic, the setting and characters in the dream could be anyone anywhere. My friends and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 9:36 PM on July 26, 2008

The insect looks like a mallow sawfly. Unfortunately, I'm not finding any good info on organic methods of removal other than picking off any bugs and spraying with neem oil.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 3:26 PM on July 24, 2008

You might want to look at Nauvoo: Kingdom on the Mississippi by Robert Bruce Flanders. It provides a good look at the economic and political aspects of the early LDS church.

There are also other academic works available from the University of Illinois Press.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 3:12 PM on July 24, 2008

To clarify on the Sunday issue, most counties and Baltimore City don't allow store sales on Sunday. However, Anne Arundel County, just south of Baltimore, does allow Sunday sales. (Liquor stores in Baltimore City are allowed to sell on the Sundays between Thanksgiving and New Year's if they apply for a separate special license for each Sunday.)

Also, a small number of bars in Baltimore have a 1:00 license, not a 2:00 license. This can be a bit jarring if you're not... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 5:52 PM on June 27, 2008 marked best answer

This is one of the ones with push-button controls on the top? I had one that would turn itself back on after you turned it off and do exactly what you're talking about with volume even when no one touched the dial. The buttons and dials get gummed up with dust and grime over time and contacts start sticking or just wear out.

If you leave the back-up battery out, unplug the thing and STILL have this problem, then all bets are off.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 9:43 PM on May 29, 2008

North and South and Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 7:38 PM on May 24, 2008

Most Lubavitch Hasids believed that Rebbe Schneerson would become the Messiah. His death in 1994 threw a bit of a wrench into the works. Some still believe that he is the Messiah (or the catalyst for the Messiah's coming) and will be resurrected (or emerge from hiding because he never really died) soon.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 9:41 PM on May 23, 2008 marked best answer

When you block the hole, you can't be overzealous in fastening the screening or boards. I have aggressive starlings that have managed to squeeze through every attempt I've made at blocking them. Last weekend, an 2 adults managed to get into the house proper through a light fixture. The noise is now the least of my worries!
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 5:51 PM on May 22, 2008

Raw with a side of lager. They're like beer nuts for my mom's side of the family.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 5:11 PM on May 22, 2008

My diploma reads "Baccalaureae in Artibus magna cum laude"

FWIW, this phrase, the proper names of the recipient and college president, and the date are the only places where lower case letters appear on the diploma.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 4:38 PM on May 22, 2008

My brother had recurrent ear infections as a kid and our pediatrician recommended a couple of drops of warmed-to-body-temperature mineral oil (not baby oil!) in the ear to help soothe the pain of the ear ache. It worked. I keep it around now to deal with my ear aches from sinus/allergy problems. Of course it doesn't do anything to cure the underlying illness, but it does ease the pain so the patient can sleep.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 8:05 AM on May 22, 2008

Can you put a soaker hose in the veggie bed and connect it to your sink via a regular hose that hangs out the window? That would allow you to avoid the splashing water and wet leaves that can spread the fungus on tomatoes and (bonus!) you wouldn't have to stand and spray for 20-30 minutes.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 2:58 PM on May 21, 2008

Another vote for Wellness here. My cats only eat wet food, and my dog gets dry. Are fruits and veggies necessary? No, but I like that the Wellness products have squash and/or sweet potato in them--I have seen definite improvement in the consistency and regularity of bowel movements since starting the cats on the food.

My vets recommend Wellness, Innova Evo, Merrick, and Nature's Variety Instinct. They consider them to be pretty much equivalent and say it comes down... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 12:12 PM on May 8, 2008

Why? Because Virginia has found that revoking driving privileges is a really good method of coercing people to do what they want them to do. If they let you re-register your car before you paid your delinquent property tax, what incentive do you have to pay the property tax (which is doubtless greater than the cost to renew your registration)? If you can't drive your car legally or park it on the street legally, you have a lot more incentive to settle up your bill with the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 4:59 PM on April 30, 2008

Seconding clarkie666's suggestions to check out the bimmerforums. Anything you want to do to your BMW, someone there has already tried it.

Also, if you're hoping to get the ID3 text on your radio display, you need to make sure the radio is ID3 compatible. I know the stock unit in my 2003 MINI isn't.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 10:13 AM on April 28, 2008

If your daughter really wants to play guitar, but you give her a uke or violin or recorder she may decide she doesn't want to play anything at all. Get her a too-big guitar and she'll be uncomfortable and frustrated when trying to practice (says the girl who had to practice/perform on a full-size violin while her smaller one was in the shop). Give her the appropriate-sized instrument of her choice and you stand the best chance of fostering her enthusiasm. Yes, the 1/2 size guitars aren't the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 6:50 PM on April 23, 2008

My 19 lbs cat lost 4.5 lb when I switched him from dry to wet food. I gradually reduced the amount of dry on offer until it finally disappeared altogether. (I still keep a small bag of kibble around to use as treats and if I need to go away over a weekend.) I haven't seen a reduction in activity; in fact, I've seen happier kitties, no recurrence of urinary crystals, fewer hairballs, and (not to be even more indelicate) more regular and consistent poop.

Initially I fed... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 10:21 AM on April 23, 2008

I doubt you'll need a hotbox in DC, a coldframe should suffice. You may want to spend some time poking around the DC Urban Gardeners site for more information and links to resources.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 5:04 PM on April 22, 2008

Just want to add to the responses saying that "normal" is a range and an individual's optimal point may be at different places within that range. I am hypothyroid as are 2 of my closest friends. One friend is doing absolutely fine with a TSH slightly above the new AACE limits; the other has symptoms that are only mitigated by keeping her TSH below 1.5. I happen to fall somewhere in between (about 2.5).

If you are still not satisfied with how you feel, would... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 9:11 AM on April 18, 2008

gum? mints? lip balm? microfiber cloth for cleaning windshield/sunglasses?
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 10:21 AM on April 17, 2008

Looks like California gives you an automatic extension to file. As with the feds, though, you must pay your balance due by today.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 9:39 AM on April 15, 2008

Per the IRS, you won't be penalized if you are due a refund.

Penalties and interest do not apply in years in which a taxpayer is entitled to a refund. About a third of those who file returns for past years discover they have a refund coming.

Penalties and interest apply to years in which money is owed. The interest charged on late payments changes quarterly. During the last several years the interest rate has ranged from a high of 9 percent to a low of 4 percent.
posted to Ask Metafilter by weebil at 9:34 AM on April 15, 2008