Nthing the recommendation to make your own. I love Hellman's but there's definitely a place for homemade mayo. Once you've tried that, take it a step further:

Make a homemade mayonnaise with canola oil and some olive oil for taste.

Flavor with lemon juice, maybe a little vinegar.

Leave out the salt (this is very important).

Mix with Greek Tarama.

--> Deeelightful on... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 7:39 PM on July 3, 2008

I was in a similar pickle at age 30 and this is what I did:

1. I sold everything I owned (well, almost - I left a few boxes of stuff valuable only to me at a friend's house).

2. I planned a trip abroad that would cost as little money as possible and still feel safe and interesting.

3. I took my bike on a plane to Europe (Greece, specifically) with the idea of touring on my own, camping in olive groves and sleeping in... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 7:30 PM on June 25, 2008

I have 3 teens and a tween, each with their own unique interests and of varying attention levels, and they have loved going to Colonial Williamsburg (and would go back in a heartbeat).

We've never checked it out, but there's Busch Gardens nearby as well.

And for some reason I can't fathom, there seems to be a higher density of pancake houses in the area than I've seen anywhere else in all my travels.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 5:21 PM on May 27, 2008

I'd keep interactions with such acquaintances to a minimum. And find new quasi-friends.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 7:31 AM on May 24, 2008

For starters, you couldn't go wrong with Old World on Nassau St. Their pies are traditional Italian, thin, and best eaten fresh.

You might want to read this guy, who has an amusing (if a bit dated) take on the local eating scene.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 3:06 AM on May 23, 2008

Here are a couple of sites to peruse:

Site 1

Site 2

Not cheap and not easy to search, but might be worth the effort for something you will probably have to buy only once.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 4:28 PM on May 21, 2008

Thank you for having a look. Sorry not to have posted a link to my site, I didn't want to appear to be self-promoting.

The site looks truly abysmal in the IE on a brand new Dell with Vista (for some reason I can't find the version of IE in Properties).

I will now go in search of a freelancer . . .
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 2:25 PM on April 24, 2008

unixrat, totally agreed (with both your points).

1. The site looks placid on my Mac using safari or firefox. That's certainly what I was aiming for. In IE, you're right, it looks closer to a bad MySpace page.

2. I have a domain name, I was just using .mac as a placeholder.

What I'm thinking now is maybe someone could take what I've done as a loose template and create something anew. And hopefully it won't cost me a fortune.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 2:40 PM on April 24, 2008

unixrat, I think I got your email. If so, you'll get my reply, and we can keep talking that way. Thanks everyone.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 2:48 PM on April 24, 2008

My brother in law has worked abroad for General Motors doing IT for decades. Most of that time he's lived outside the US, in South America and Europe, and has had plenty of opportunity to travel the globe for work & pleasure.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 5:48 AM on April 12, 2008

I'm with mumkin. When I'm in a particularly jolly mood I tend to wink when I smile at someone. It's not something intentional, just sort of communicating upbeat camaraderie.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 9:36 AM on March 23, 2008

Susan Griffin's Woman and Nature is a deep, poetic, and utterly transforming examination of the roots of patriarchy. Highly recommended alternative to polemic.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 3:18 PM on March 10, 2008

If your mother is suffering from dementia (and it sounds like she is) and you suspect that her husband may not have her best interests at heart, you should talk to a lawyer about the possibility of being granted power of attorney. It sounds like you don't trust her husband to do the right thing, the first of which would be thorough evaluation by a geriatrician. Best of luck.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 11:37 AM on February 20, 2008

I think the dishdrawers had problems with leakage when they were first introduced, but this has been resolved. We have them and they're wonderful. Fisher & Paykel is a great company to deal with if any problems should arise.

If you can fit a single dish drawer in, it's 24" wide, but only half as tall, so you could use the base for storage.

This site has a good search tool, but their prices are high. You can find better deals elsewhere.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 8:40 AM on February 8, 2008

Capturing the Friedmans and 51 Birch Street

Not shiny happy, but both are thought-provoking documentaries about family secrets. Lots of food for discussion.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 4:48 PM on February 7, 2008

Here is one summary of the candidates' positions.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 5:41 AM on January 20, 2008

You don't say how old you are, but the condition you describe is to one degree or another universal. I'd venture to say that no one feels entirely adequate. What to choose to do with that realization?

Therapy is certainly an answer. But you may be unsatisfied with therapy for a variety of reasons. It's expensive. It's hard to find a good therapist. It's often difficult to know whether therapy is "helping." You can spend a long time with a therapist only... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 3:44 AM on January 19, 2008

whole grain toast + nut butter - peanut, almond, etc - or tahini + sliced/mashed banana +/- touch of honey
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 9:19 AM on January 16, 2008

I really feel for you. The situation sounds potentially quite dangerous, for you, and possibly for your wife and/or MIL. Do you think your FIL truly has the wherewithal to convince/pay others to harm you? Does he own or have access to a gun? Is he sneaky/conniving or just kind of a blowhard - all talk and no game?

Does he have any insight into his illness or is he purely delusional? If the latter, I'd honestly consider moving or having him institutionalized (ie -... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 8:53 AM on January 9, 2008

Seconding the Rat Zapper. My mother in Manhattan swears by hers and though I've only used mine to get rid of mice it worked like a charm.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 12:03 PM on January 8, 2008

This works like a charm for me. I've used "A Trip to the Beach" for years. I don't think it's ever once failed to put me to sleep. I really can't recommend it highly enough. It's on iTunes now as well.

I find Benadryl pretty sedating. When I was younger I could handle it but now, pushing 50, it gives me vertigo the next day. Not worth it. That said, prescription sleepers like Ambien work great and have fairly few side effects for most people.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 11:55 AM on January 8, 2008

mr pammo here:

this may be what you are looking for. other books referenced on this page may be of interest as well.

that it equals 1 is just a mathematical identity. Far from any great mystical revelation, it just illustrates how concise and consistent mathematics can be. e and pi are transcendental numbers and i is imaginary, yet euler discovered years ago a simple mathematical relationship between them holds.

as to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 5:49 PM on January 6, 2008

You could try the cooking forum on That Home Site.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 6:45 PM on January 4, 2008

OK, I love me some Phil Nugent.

Also, James Wolcott can be fabulously cutting.

And then, there's Digby.

Still mourning the loss of Billmon. He was the best.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 11:17 AM on January 4, 2008

Also, was the baby ever bottle-fed (with pumped breast milk)? If not, the bottle itself could be part of the problem. When I first needed to start my baby on the bottle when starting daycare, despite using pumped breast milk he wouldn't take a bottle for at least a week.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 9:14 AM on January 3, 2008

Depending on your plans, you can gain a ton of insight from the forums at That Home Site. Best of luck in your new digs!
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 5:24 PM on December 30, 2007

Oooh, all good answers. Thanks, Philly Mefites.

Yes, we live for camp and cheesiness. And, we're more Stonewall than Disney, so this sounds right up our alley. If the weather behaves, we'll be there with bells on.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 10:04 AM on December 20, 2007

The Stages of Change Model might be interesting for you (or them) to look at. Perhaps your parents could use a therapist or other support person whom they see regularly to help them stay on track, set reasonable goals, deal with setbacks. A personal trainer, especially one found at a gym, may not be the best answer for folks their age. In my experience, personal trainers tend to have limited understanding of the physiology of aging, and the needs of older people.

If... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 7:09 AM on December 14, 2007 marked best answer

Honestly, if you told the doctor you were gay, she should have asked about anal sex &/or done a rectal exam to check for HPV. HPV causes rectal cancer, not just cervical cancer. Although the vaccine is not yet approved for use in men, I'd consider getting vaccinated if you engage in anal receptive sex, or plan to. I'd have done a testicular exam as well, even though the evidence suggests it's not worth doing.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 2:54 AM on December 13, 2007

A BBC piece about vaccinating men against HPV.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 3:00 AM on December 13, 2007

outdoor furniture
umbrella
garden hose
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 11:51 PM on December 8, 2007

I did something like this, but 20 years ago, so my input is limited. The airline lost my bike and all my stuff for the first 5 weeks - and every day said they were sure to find it tomorrow - so I wound up hoofing it around a cold and breezy Greece in March, then finally cycling Greece and making my way to Rome where I stayed with friends and got some work doing babysitting. My language skills were similar to yours, as was my financial situation. I spent 5 months in all,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 1:48 AM on December 8, 2007

These might help:

Joe's Goals

zenhabits

Wishing you the best.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 5:09 PM on December 5, 2007

Thanks hivemind! These were all great suggestions (now I wish I could go to Japan and check out the hot springs!).

I picked the two that I thought would suit him best and that he might not otherwise have considered:

I just ordered an inexpensive compass with OK reviews on Amazon, plus the Japanese food book suggested by betweenthebars. And we will definitely write a nice note as well. I'm sure he'll be touched.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 9:33 AM on December 5, 2007

Shebear, PointIt looks seriously useful. I doubt he knows Japanese, so at the risk of overdoing it, I think this will go on the list too. If we feel like it's too much and we decide to keep it, I know the book will come in handy next time I go to India (hopefully soon!).
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 9:38 AM on December 5, 2007

Wow. That's a lot of questions. I've renovated 3 kitchens and I only have 2 suggestions. The first is that you consider painting at the very end. That's what most people do. Unless you're planning on painting twice. You will have major touch-ups at the end.

My other suggestion is to search through these sites:

The Kitchen Forum. at That Home Site. There's also an Appliance Forum.

And the Ikea Fans site will help... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 5:06 AM on December 5, 2007 marked best answer

Dear anonymous, Why not try an AA meeting? I'm sure you don't want to think you have a problem but all signs point to that. I really wish you luck. I hope you don't have to hit bottom. I hope you can find some way to face your fears, whatever grief you're seeking to escape, anxieties, terrors even. I believe that's what's really going on. You're terribly wounded and have found a way to escape, have fun, forget.

But life is telling you to stop. Turn around. Look... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 8:13 PM on December 3, 2007

I had a near-drowning experience in my teens and it was very close to what Dee Xtrovert describes. Very very close. I do remember the light surrounding me and a sensation of - here are words that apply: love / brotherhood / camaraderie / relationship - also surrounding me. And a brighter light somewhere in the distance above me and a movement toward that light or it toward me.

My own take on this is that hypoxia / metabolic buildup in the brain rapidly produces these... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 4:29 AM on December 1, 2007 marked best answer

what about putting them in a larger, dog-sized crate, one that will fit in the back of your car? you could keep everything in there - food, water, litter, blankies.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 9:30 AM on November 30, 2007

Serve the jello on a light table.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 11:39 AM on November 29, 2007

nthing vermouth
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 3:54 PM on November 28, 2007

Wow. I thought I was the only one. I use it for everything, but I originally bought it for brisket (which I make on the stovetop). You can do all the searing and simmering in one pot. I've also begun to use if for bacon, since the tall sides keep the splatter inside. I recently made coq au vin in it. So, yeah, everything. I keep it on my cooktop at all times.

Here's my tried and true brisket recipe:

Have on hand:

4 lb... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 3:50 PM on November 28, 2007

um, instead of skillet, make that the dutch oven.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 3:52 PM on November 28, 2007

I don't know Chicago well at all, but here's what I would do. Pick a neighborhood and use that as your base. Get to know it inside and out, then start poking its outer limits, this way and that. You'll quickly learn what's safe at what time of day.

I'm a born and bred Manhattanite, and I've done a lot of traveling in my life - First World and Third - and I've never passed up a chance to meander. I'm really unafraid to walk in any neighborhood, especially during the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 4:25 AM on November 28, 2007

I'm like this. My face is like a billboard / neon sign. I don't think there's anything you can do about it, except maybe work on maintaining equanimity in the thought department. Sort of like what ottereroticist had to say.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 10:23 AM on November 27, 2007

I live in downtown Princeton, and I highly recommend finding a place in town if you can. That way you can walk to get most of your shopping done, don't have to get in the car to take the baby out, etc.

There are 2 organic grocers in town - the better one is Whole Earth, but the hours at Olive May are better. There's a Whole Foods a few miles from town, not really good walking distance from anywhere.

Wish I could recommend a midwife for you.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 5:12 PM on November 26, 2007

I used to live in Lambertville and agree that it's ultra-charming. In fact, I lived there, and in Stockton, while I did my medical training in Hunterdon (delivered babies, too!). Be aware though that it's a bit of a hike from Lambertville to Princeton. It's a gorgeous drive, but it can take 30-40 minutes on a good day.
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 7:18 PM on November 26, 2007

Hiking and cycling is surprisingly good around Princeton. For one thing, there's the easily accessible towpath, aka
Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park, which runs along rivers and canals for 70 miles. It's flat enough that you could bring a stroller and a picnic and go for hours. There are bald eagles nesting within a mile of Princeton on Lake Carnegie.

Some of our favorite places are listed here. We particularly enjoy the Institute Woods and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 4:44 AM on November 27, 2007

How about mixing it in some apple pie fillings, leaving out as much sugar in the original recipe as you think would be necessary. Once you baked the pies (sounds like you have enough for 4 or 5 pies) you could freeze them for later.

Another idea would be to mix some into muffin batter before baking. The possibilities there are endless. Apples, nuts . . .
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 9:19 AM on November 26, 2007

So many good and helpful thoughts here.

Just wanted to put in another word on yoga. My suggestion wasn't so much for the sake of increasing your partner's grace, but for the use of yoga as a practice to do together, a spiritual as well as physical practice of tuning into the body - the breath, especially, and alignment, the way energy moves through the body in various ways. Doing this together at home can be quite enlightening and help you break down barriers to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by pammo at 4:59 AM on November 17, 2007