Another long-term thyroid-hormone-taker chiming in, basically to second what others are saying. The reason for the empty-stomach directions is because of the way certain foods will interfere with the absorption of the medicine, and the main thing is to stick to a consistent schedule and make sure your levels are monitored regularly. I take a combination of levoxyl and Armour Thyroid, and my doctor and I tweaked my dosage and schedule until it worked for me - where "it worked" meant... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 1:12 PM on August 6, 2008 marked best answer

Adding another data point to the "talk to your old teachers" advice. I tutored in math all throughout high school and the vast majority of my referrals came from my math teacher (small school, she taught everything from geometry to AP calc). The school even let me use classroom space right after school let out to tutor in.

As for rates, this was back in the early 90s and I think I charged $10 for pre-algebra, algebra I and geometry, $15 for algebra II and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 7:18 AM on July 21, 2008

OP here with an update - after some hunting, I found a Coach Ergo hobo bag in brown leather at Marshall's. It fits my requirements to a T and was only $130 - more than I'm used to paying for a purse, to be sure, but within my budget and a big savings on the normal price, and it's obviously much higher quality, both in materials and in workmanship, than the ones I've been getting.

Thanks very much to all who responded!
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 10:01 AM on July 14, 2008

Also - you may be able to find used pots at yard sales/Goodwill. They seem to be one of those things that are expensive to buy new but that people tend to accumulate in their garages and purge periodically.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 11:28 AM on July 7, 2008

There is a bicycle co-op in my area that will teach you to fix a bike, lend you the tools you need, and charge a small amount for replacement parts, workshop supplies, etc. You may want to see if there is something similar in your area.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 7:54 AM on July 1, 2008

I recently got an Electra Townie as my first bike in nearly 20 years, and I adore it. I have the 21-speed, and although I was very skittish about shifting manually I got the hang of it very quickly. It is cute as can be with a retro style and allows you to sit upright, and has a stepthrough frame that is ridable in a skirt. You can also get any number of accessories from the company, so you can arrange your preferred configuration of fenders/basket/rack/bell/streamers/whatever.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 12:31 PM on June 30, 2008

If the "bumps" she has are sort of pimply, especially if the doctor expressed some pus out of one of them for the test, it is possible that she may have infected sweat glands/hair follicles. I have a friend who many years ago had a massive outbreak of these which was both frightening and painful. The doctor had no idea what caused it but a short course of antibiotics cleared it up fairly quickly, IIRC.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 6:54 PM on June 19, 2008

You probably won't need that much extra, and you probably won't need the same amount of extra everywhere on the pattern.

There are two routes you can take here - basically, draping and drafting.

If you want to try to design a pattern, I suggest getting this book or one like it, and using the techniques described to size the pattern up. Of course, you will need to use the method described below to fine-tune the fit.

If you... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 1:48 PM on June 16, 2008

My parents had a dog with a similar issue- a rescue dog, about 4 when we got her, but she wasn't aggressive so much as terrified and defensive. You've gotten lots of good advice above re training and remembering that no trainer can train a dog whose family doesn't stick to the training - I just wanted to add that this sort of issue CAN be addressed! It just won't go away by itself.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 9:21 PM on June 6, 2008

Seconding those who mention subclinical hypothyroid as a possibility. I know from experience that it is quite possible to have "normal levels" on the standard tests and still actually really need thyroid hormone replacement to get to a point where your individual body feels "normal."

In addition, some hypothyroid patients feel better taking some T3 in addition to and/or instead of the traditional synthetic T4 treatment. (I am one of them and would be... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 1:20 PM on June 3, 2008

Just wanted to thank everyone for the advice! I'm going to go ahead and try it for the first appointment, and then see how it works and take it from there in the future.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 8:40 AM on June 3, 2008

You've had lots of good advice above. One other tip that might help is to try different positions the next time. If you are on top, you have a lot more control over things like positioning and pace, and it can help you relax to know that nothing's going anywhere until you're ready to make it so.

I've been where you are, so if you want to MeMail me for more details in private, please feel free. :)
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 6:40 AM on June 3, 2008

Oblique Mom is a certified lactation consultant, so I asked if she had any insights for you. Her reply:

"It was unclear to me as to whether this mom has been able to breastfeed directly or not, or if all of the breastmilk is fed via bottles. It seems that all of the breastmilk is fed via bottles and if that is the case, indeed that can be a taxing chore. Direct breastfeeding, once every one has gotten the "hang of it" is usually considered to be a pleasure... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 2:15 PM on May 13, 2008 marked best answer

I don't know if this is related, but I have a cousin who is just about to start working on her dissertation in Nigeria, studying a certain form of very popular and often pirated film that is made with video cameras and distributed on VHS. A search for "Nigeria Video Film" may help you determine if this is the same thing (or may at least provide you with an interesting related topic.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 6:24 AM on April 30, 2008

First, allow me to send you a virtual hug - I went through a very similar experience to yours when I was in college, and it was difficult and frightening and challenging in very many ways. But I also want to encourage you; if your experience is similar to mine, you will very likely find that when you come through this journey (which, of course, isn't the end, but the beginning of your lifelong spiritual journey) you will be more at peace, more confident, and stronger in your faith than you were... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 2:01 PM on April 9, 2008 marked best answer

I used The Knot for the checklists and tools and especially the guest list/address list/gift log features.

On a more philosophical level, one thing that saved me a lot of stress was deciding up front what things I absolutely for sure wanted, and which I didn't. Then I gave my (desperate to overcompensate for her other daughter's elopement) mom carte blanche to do the other bits within certain specifications- she did all the decorations, and all I told her was what the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 1:16 PM on March 26, 2008

The local GameStop is our game shopping destination of choice for the following reasons:
-carries a nice selection for all our current systems (PS2, XBox, DS, Wii, PC)
-Availability of bargain-bin older used games
-Employees generally know what they're talking about and can answer questions like "so, is it worth it to pay the extra $10 for the Game of the Year special edition?"
-Fun to browse and be able to pick up and look at the boxes... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 11:15 AM on March 21, 2008

To me, the "traditional" romantic stuff with flowers/candy etc. seems kind of generic. To me a gesture is romantic when it shows thought. Buying red roses is sweet and much appreciated. Buying me pink tulips because that's what we had in our wedding and he knows I love them is sweet AND romantic.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 2:57 PM on January 26, 2008

You might also look into Canadian band The Headstones (broken up now, but they put out a fair number of CDs first) - they have angry/driving stuff in a variety of tempos to suit different workout needs.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 12:25 PM on January 23, 2008

Hi there- pointystick's friend here.

I was diagnosed with strabismus, together with amblyopia ("lazy eye") when I was in sixth grade. I have undergone two surgeries for it, and am currently in my third week of vision therapy.

I highly recommend finding a behavioral or pediatric optometrist who provides vision therapy in his/her practice and has experience treating strabismus. A doctor who is expert in strabismus and similar eye issues... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 9:32 AM on January 23, 2008

If the boss is supportive of employee development, another strategy can be to sign up for meeting facilitation classes through your company or similar. They will teach you most of the same techniques HappyDave mentioned. Then you come back to your boss excited and fired up about these amazing new techniques you learned in the class and ask for the opportunity to practice by facilitating some meetings yourself. This way it comes across as "I've just made this new discovery that can help us... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 11:20 AM on January 16, 2008 marked best answer

Based on my experience with my Focus- when you get your brake pads/shoes replaced you will have to get the brake flush anyway. If you are planning on doing the brakes anytime soon you may want to wait until then for it.

When I had some needed repairs recently, I pushed the mechanic to classify them - "Which things could cause my horrible flaming death?" I did those right away and prioritized the others by how soon they might cause Much Worse Damage.
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 7:19 AM on January 15, 2008

If you are interested in a humorous/parody take on the genre, you should check out Sam and Max: Freelance Police (http://www.telltalegames.com/samandmax).

I also second the Deja Vu games if you can find them- I adored the first one on the NES.

The point and click games don't have the complete freedom you get in a GTA (especially the older ones- systems didn't have the power to support it, for one thing) but they do give you a non-linear... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 10:39 AM on January 14, 2008

Here's my own experience.

My mom and I were walking our dog (a corgi mix- not tiny like your little one but still smallish) when a neighbor's rottweiler came running out from behind the house and attacked our dog, picking her up by the scruff of her neck and trying to shake her. I scooped up our dog to try to protect her, and the rottweiler then bit *me*- right at its mouth level, on my upper, inner thigh- and held on. My mom yelled at the dog and hit it on the nose, and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 1:15 PM on January 9, 2008

I would suggest looking into sapphire or ruby stones- as mentioned above, they can be easily created in the lab and come in a wide variety of colors. Lab created sapphires are not "fake" but are chemically and physically the same as natural ones, but much less expensive and without the concerns over the treatment of mine workers, etc.- and since they are man-made you can afford really high quality ones.

I share your feelings about the diamond industry and the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 3:11 PM on January 7, 2008

Things to consider when making your decision:

How sensitive are you (and your gf) to noise?
How quiet does the room have to be to allow you to sleep?

My parents' house is a short distance from a freight train track and we all got used to it very quickly- I don't wake up from it even now when I visit them, and actually find the noise kind of soothing.

But then, I like a little noise (fan, computer, air... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 2:31 PM on January 7, 2008

In my experience, one thing that can help you move toward a more healthy kind of eating is to start by ADDING things to your diet, not taking them away, and only once you've established the good habits do you start working on the bad ones.

For instance, if you eat lots of refined carbs and processed foods and not many vegetables, fruits, and fiber-rich foods, your first step might be to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. You let yourself eat... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 8:23 AM on January 4, 2008

I think your best course of action will depend on why you are being advised to reduce your computer usage, and also how you feel about the possibility of a career change. If the best medical advice you can get (I agree with previous posters not to change careers without a second opinion!) says that the computer work is damaging your eyesight, you may have no other choice. However, if the computer work is causing you symptoms but not permanent damage, you may... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by oblique red at 9:04 AM on December 21, 2007