Wendell has a great image parodying the whale, if you haven't seen it yet. It's possible he knows?
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 2:19 PM on June 19, 2008

Wow. This is the perfect 1 from Spurious' links.

And 2!
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 7:10 PM on June 18, 2008

I think the biggest problem is that you "hate that I do it." Let go of the shame. Thinking about sex is a natural and normal thing to do most of the time.

However, if you are thinking about sex when you should be doing other things (working on a project with a tight deadline, for example), to the point where you are unable to function, Skorgu and hasper411 have the right idea: find a way to distract yourself.

Having sex is more... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 12:51 PM on June 18, 2008

Twenty years of no tears--painless and professional dental services.

(Because when I go to the dentist, I am white knuckling it, and why should people going in for dentures be worried any less about pain?)
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 11:42 AM on June 14, 2008

Be safe, be honest, have fun and don't make important decisions when under the influence. Congratulations on being 21, it's a great time of life.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 11:35 AM on June 14, 2008

If you go to Shabby Apple, my friend over at Simplemom has a 15% discount code! Yay!
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 7:41 PM on June 11, 2008

My niece went on a school field trip to the Holocaust Museum. We are Americans of German descent (and a lot of other things, too, basically mutts). The woman leading the school kids on a tour asked if anyone had any German heritage. When my niece and others raised their hands, she looked at them and said, "You are the ones responsible for this." My niece was understandably as upset as you were when the girl ran out on you.*

So, I guess this girl isn't... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 9:02 PM on June 10, 2008

I think not addressing the criminal allegations, trial or sentence is the way to go. You enjoyed his work, so just say so.

If you don't want to appear to be a fan of someone whose character you don't admire, then don't write. If you are addressing him, as an author whose work you enjoyed, in the hopes of getting a reply, "Hi, I loved this book and that book, especially blah blah blah..." is perfectly fine.

What you don't want to do... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 8:38 PM on June 10, 2008

Writing: Kids write every frickin' day, in journals or some such, for the first few minutes of class. Pick a subject or interesting hypothetical, put it on the board. Helps them to settle down right away, too. With older kids, I would find the Book of Questions was a great resource for this, but with younger ones you will want other sources.

Reading: Assign 20 minutes of reading a night as homework. Let the kids pick what they want to read, but ask parents to set a time... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 8:16 PM on June 10, 2008

Who has primary custody of this child? Has one parent spent considerably more time with the boy than the other? What I am getting at here is that in a situation like this what is in the child's best interest is what's most important, not some power play. I can see that you are on Dad's side--does Dad really know the boy better than Mom?

Let's assume he does. Rather than making this uglier than it has to be, then, I would certainly ask to sit down (Dad, Mom, you, and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 8:03 PM on June 10, 2008

How about a red stapler (Office Space)?
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 6:31 PM on June 9, 2008

I kinda like donklephant.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 9:17 AM on June 5, 2008

B sounds passive aggressive to the nth degree. Instead of just saying, "No, I don't want to go to Event 2," B indicates whatever it takes to get you to go along with B in the first place, and then backs out so that you are stuck doing what B really wanted to do.

I've been a victim of this, and you can bring it up if you really think it is unconscious on B's part. But it's more likely this is B's way of getting what B wants. In B's mind, B is devilishly... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 2:53 PM on June 3, 2008

This seems to happen a lot with B making plans: B will agree to an outing, and then realize several minutes, hours, or days later that it's in conflict with other plans, or B just doesn't feel like it anymore....this is so frequent an occurrence with B that I feel I can never take B's word when plans are being made

I think that's selfish, yes.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 3:17 PM on June 3, 2008

French bread pizza is yummy. You could try putting some green peppers, olives and mozzarella on with a good tomato sauce.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 2:39 PM on June 3, 2008

I have thyroid problems, and had your symptoms, but there were other symptoms that were more pronounced, as well.

My hair would fall out, in the shower or just running my hands through it, several strands at a time, and it was very dry.

So--o-o tired. Not just lacking energy, but dozing off if I so much as read a few pages in a book.

My skin was really dry. Heels so cracked the kids would ask me what was wrong with my... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 1:54 PM on June 3, 2008

I'm Southern, too, but if your heels start bleeding because they are so cracked, and your lips, too, that's a good sign there's something going on.

I don't know if your hair loss is normal because I don't know if it's always been coming out at that rate. I really noticed the difference in mine.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 2:32 PM on June 3, 2008

representing for the screamers.

Seriously, it depends on how intense the session is. It's not about words, it's all involuntary response. I can't see how anyone could stay silent.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 10:32 AM on June 3, 2008

Legality isn't what matters here. What matters is how these incidents have affected you life and your emotional well-being, and working through those very real feelings so that you can learn to trust other men and have healthy relationships in the future.

Here's why I say what I do about the legality issue: from your account and all the things you have written about what you felt, you were clearly a victim of emotional and sexual abuse. Yes, you were raped.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 10:00 AM on May 31, 2008

Just thought I would pop in to say this: Do keep telling her how utterly thrilled you are!
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 5:26 PM on May 25, 2008

Personal blog? Tips on stuff? Recipes? Related to your field? Hard to give an answer without a little more details, at least for me.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 1:45 PM on May 21, 2008

I'd go with "Talking Points", because that's what I think of when what you describe above happens. People keep repeating things to alter the public's perception of the facts. It's what Stephen Colbert calls Truthiness, but that's trademarked!
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 2:25 PM on May 21, 2008

Of course you realize that you and your fiance' are going to have to deal with your own issues regarding diet, etc. before you get married, so as far as the other stuff goes:

Food stuff: When you go visit for a family dinner, you can offer to bring a "side dish" that is something healthy you will eat. Do not try to correct them. You may change your fiance's eating habits because he loves you and will listen to you, but to them you are... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 2:21 PM on May 21, 2008

First off, make a link to your web app /site in your Metafilter profile, because now I'm curious.

Go to bloglines or stumbleupon or some such and make a profile there, with your link. There may be a group that fits very well into your particular niche.

If you think this is something that would appeal to professional bloggers, you could try approaching Problogger or Scoble, for suggestions on how to reach out. You could also try looking up... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 1:56 PM on May 21, 2008 marked best answer

Oh, and seconding jeanmari's input on all the unsolicited proposals bloggers receive.

I have a submissions policy on my blog, and if you follow it, I will respond (not necessarily accept, but respond). The unsolicited pitches generally get ignored.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 1:58 PM on May 21, 2008

Estimated retail value up to $1,700 depending on winner’s point of departure.

That's the figure I would use.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 1:49 PM on May 21, 2008

Thank you! That's done it, and apparently it wasn't something I did, so now I even feel good about it!
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 11:05 AM on May 13, 2008

The only problem with this plan is that you seem to feel that you are going to fail at it. And you shouldn't feel that way.

At the risk of sounding incredibly sexist, I will tell you this: most guys want sex, and not just to get it over with, and just about any woman could have sex any time she wanted if she was willing to take on, well, just about any guy. Al woman who lets it be known she wants no-strings-attached sex can certainly "get lucky" if she wants... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 10:04 AM on May 13, 2008

As a new Mom, I would have loved something this Glider Rocker. Takes the pressure off your back and lets you soothe your baby while being comfy yourself. Of course, her taste may vary, but a nice comfy chair is a godsend for those late night and early morning feedings.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 5:08 PM on May 12, 2008

I would think the entire conflict would start with the zombies trying to eat human brains, and the robots set on defending the humans from the zombie, per the First Law.

So the robots would be hampered by two things: (1) protecting self while protecting human, when human clearly trumps self in all Laws, and (2) differentiating between humans and zombies. Obviously, they could do this, but it wouldn't (most likely) be part of their initial programming, so unless a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 7:47 AM on May 12, 2008

Zombie Terminator scares me. *whimpers*
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 4:26 PM on May 12, 2008

Just a word, FYI. My husband, who is high-up management level (I can never remember his new title) at a semi-conductor engineering firm, says that most recruiters and marketing folks, at least in his business, want business cards that they can scan in now, so that they can keep track of their contacts on their computers.

So they prefer that business cards be scannable in a machine like this one.

I mention this because I was really impressed... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 3:57 PM on May 9, 2008

They really don't market it well in the UK; articles I read indicated it isn't a big enough seller in the UK so they go with the diet caffeine-free Coke. I got so annoyed by that I just thought I would buy you a case online; then I couldn't find anyone who would ship it overseas!

So, I went to the UK Coke page, and asked where you can buy it over there, or where I can buy it online to have it shipped to you.

And they said...that they'd have... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 3:51 PM on May 9, 2008

Take it slow. He's known you for a year and waited patiently, which suggests he's a decent guy, but there's no reason to rush things anyway. Don't feel like you have to sleep with him because he's waited.

When you do go out with him, let him know that you have some fears and that respect is important to you.

That's honestly all you can do, because no relationship comes with guarantees.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 2:36 PM on May 9, 2008

Actually, I would use a glass mixing bowl, not a stainless steel one. And you can buy just the top half of Barbie from any place that has cake decorating tools and supplies.

But if you don't want to go to the trouble, most grocery stores will make Barbie cakes with no problem. To have it by tomorrow, order SOON!
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 2:27 PM on May 9, 2008

A great woman named www.izzymom.com used to manage a list of review bloggers. She has run out of time and doesn't keep it up, but I have my own list of current review bloggers listed on my site, since I'm a Mommy blogger who does product reviews myself.* They will have lots of reviews of strollers for you to assess.

You can find the REVIEW BLOGGERS list on my blog on the left sidebar: here.

*My own kids are too old for any of my... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 8:13 PM on May 7, 2008

For Savannah, I like Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Any Carl Hiaasen book for Miami, but my favorite is Hiaasen's Skinny Dip.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 7:29 AM on May 7, 2008

2. My oldest son has a summer birthday, and it's a tough time because so many families go on vacation at that time. We have found the best way for him to communicate with his friends was to get their phone numbers and emails in the last couple weeks of school, so that he could keep in contact with them via gmail (he doesn't do the MySpace thing, but a lot of teen and tween girls do). Then, about ten days before the party, the kids start calling each other, and you can nail down the details.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 7:15 AM on May 7, 2008

My Mom likes Crabtree and Evelyn, so I am sending her a little something from their online store.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 8:01 PM on May 6, 2008

Speak up. If something happens that you disapprove of, say so. What's the worst thing that could happen, they don't invite you next time? Raising your kids to be strong and independent is far more important than ruffling a few feathers.

If you feel that you simply can't do this, then tell your kids to be respectful of others, tolerant of their differences--and do what they think is right. You've raised them with your moral values and code of ethics. They'll do fine.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 4:16 PM on May 6, 2008

Not much money to be made writing soft-core porn any more, unfortunately; I can verify that. When General Media was around, you could make some decent money through their Penthouse line, but now that's defunct. I know nothing about hard-core porn or movie writing, sorry.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 7:14 AM on May 6, 2008

It is universally believed among women that if they gain a little weight, herculean measures must be taken to lose it, but if a man has a few extra pounds, he can simply skip lunch one day and he'll be back to normal. This is, of course, hyperbole, but women do start out with more fat than men and have less testosterone, as mentioned above. Women are not naturally "less fit" than men, just...curvier.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 7:09 AM on May 6, 2008

Stress can kill you. Yes, that's melodramatic, but it's true. It eats away at your immune system. And since you are so fit in every other area of your life, I think stress is showing up for you as lack of libido. And worrying about will just add to the cycle, so talk it over with your therapist. Incidentally, if you are on any kind of antidepressant, that will of course affect your libido as well (I assume you aren't, or you would have mentioned it, but FYI).
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 7:06 AM on May 6, 2008 marked best answer

I always called it a tag, and I wish it were easier to identify which movies had them, because we always wait in the theater until the credits are over now, just in case. Some tags have been essential to the storyline (I'm thinking of an XMen movie, and also Ironman this summer), while others were just throwaways, and a few movies that should have them have nothing.

grrrr inconsistency.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 7:02 AM on May 6, 2008

Okay, I don't live in CA, and I know housing is outrageous there, so I'm going to address the universals:

Retirement: Scale back the 401K to equal the highest your employer will match. It's okay to do this! You are still saving a good deal each month.

Travel: Once you have children, you are within your rights to say, "Please come visit us. It's too hard to travel with the baby, and we want to start our own family traditions in our own... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 3:55 PM on May 5, 2008

Speaking from personal experience, with my second child, I knew I was pregnant before I had even missed a cycle. I went to the doctor over a week later, and they were only able to tell I was pregnant through a blood test, because (and at this point I was 5 weeks pregnant) it was impossible to tell by an invasive physical exam at such an early stage. The doc even said, "Are you sure you are pregnant?" and since I was, it wasn't an issue to me, but the point is, if... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 2:27 PM on May 4, 2008

I don't think you are shallow; I appreciate your honesty. You can't fake what isn't there, at least not for long, and why should you? I think you made a mistake in taking things to the physical level you did, knowing your feelings, which complicates things, though.

So...yes, you need to end it now, because otherwise you are sending her completely the wrong messages, and that's not fair to her.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 1:59 PM on May 4, 2008

I'm the same as you, and often wondered how some people so easily and casually make connections. I'm fine talking with others, exchanging ideas, etc., but I'd feel awkward calling someone up out of the blue, for example, and asking them to go shopping with me or to the gym or whatever. I have a great family and I am very close to them, but I don't really have that BFF thing going on, except with my spouse.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 8:14 AM on May 4, 2008

I'd go with a simple white or green sweater tossed over your shoulders.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 10:05 AM on May 2, 2008

Based on her question alone, I would advise you to DTMFA.
posted to Ask Metafilter by misha at 8:06 AM on May 2, 2008