Afternoon Delight. The YouTube link -- if you dare. There have been a lot of great songs about fucking. This isn't one of them.

OK, if you followed that link, you probably can't feel anything any more. So ...

Christmas Shoes. Video with Rob Lowe.
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 9:19 AM on July 25, 2008

Carol Anne wins the thread. Gawd, I'd repressed that one.

Now, where's that melon baller? It's not as if I'll be using this frontal lobe any more ...
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 11:09 AM on July 25, 2008

Congratulations on the major ride!

Assuming you were wearing new, properly padded gloves and were changing your hand position frequently, you may need to raise your handlebar to get some weight off your hands and/or get some aero bars. There's some discussion of aero bars and hand numbness here and further discussion of preventing and treating numbness here.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 6:38 PM on July 20, 2008

0) To make Paula Begoun cry?

1) Blue is probably the most common favourite colour out there, so it makes sense that given the option of brown, plum, grey, green and blue eyeshadow (for the most part), a lot of women choose blue unless they're very fashionable or if blue is very unfashionable.

2) Women often match their eyeshadow colour to their eyes or their clothing, even though, as others have mentioned, complementary colours may be a better... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 11:35 AM on July 17, 2008 marked best answer

Litter boxes are cheap. I'd strongly suggest just buying a new one. You may have to place it in your bathroom to start, if he associates the current location of the box with the peppermint. In addition, you may think the box doesn't smell like peppermint any more, but cats have a keener sense of smell.

So:

1) Get a new box
2) Air out the old litterbox area as much as possible, in case peppermint is still lingering in the air.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 9:16 AM on July 12, 2008

If anyone out there is offended by you exposing your full arms and your legs from the knee down on the street, or by seeing you in a modest and comfortable one piece swimsuit, that's THEIR problem. Screw 'em.

Dress comfortably for the environment you find yourself in. That means that you want to stay as cool as possible while also enjoying some sun exposure, while not exposing so much of your body that YOU feel uncomfortable.

Number 1 on your... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 6:18 PM on July 10, 2008

Somebody lit the clafouti-signal, I see ...

Clafouti is an awesome fruit-loaded custard that puffs up beautifully on the top and has a nice pancake-like bottom layer. It's dead easy to make and surprisingly low in calories (eggs, milk, fruit, a little sugar and flour, no added fat). This is Julia Child's cherry clafouti recipe, easily adapted to all kinds of tasty fruit. Just substitute 3 cups of blueberries for the cherries, or any combination of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 6:07 AM on July 4, 2008 marked best answer

If you're going for cranberries in clafouti, you should add some more sugar directly over them before you pour on the batter. I've found that apple and cranberry make a nice crumble, so that combo may be good for clafouti, too.
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 4:17 PM on July 6, 2008 marked best answer

Subcutaneous fat is an insulator. If you spend a lot of time in the water, you may become very fit, you may lose fat from other parts of your body (visceral and intramuscular), but your body will tend to hang on to the subcutaneous fat and lose it last. You may see some very defined male swimmers, and even female swimmers (scroll down for a picture of Dara Torres), but they're pretty rare.
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 7:20 PM on July 4, 2008

Congratulations on being one step closer to getting your first bike!

I own 2 bikes: a Trek 7300 (just one step up from what you're looking at) and an old Mongoose mountain bike. I'm riding the Mongoose exclusively these days, and am going to sell the Trek (hey, short Toronto women -- want a very nice bike, lightly used?), but a Trek may still be a good choice for you.

In your other question, you said that:

* you want to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 4:17 PM on July 3, 2008 marked best answer

(I mean, they are all Treks, the 7xxx series as well as the Navigator. I'm just saying you may want to get the Navigator for now and something better than the 7xxx down the road.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 4:25 PM on July 3, 2008

In addition to that great Sheldon Brown article, you might try this. (I might have found it here, but a search doesn't turn up the URL.)

Your most likely issues are:

1. Your saddle may be too wide and cushy. I started cycling again this year and found that the club-chair-sized seat with massive springs on my Trek hybrid hurt my butt, but switching to my old mountain bike and its smaller, narrower seat kept things quite comfortable. Measure... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 11:57 AM on July 3, 2008

Could it have been a mashup featuring part of the version by The Chapin Sisters? (The mp3 is here, for now.) I'd call it more plaintive than smoky, but even if it's not what you heard, it's a pretty nice version.
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 6:38 PM on July 2, 2008

D'oh! Forgot about Ronson's version, and I have it. Jake, that could be it. The male singer is a clear tenor, so he could be mistaken for a woman.

(Just checked: it's Killer GMV of The Darkness. Here's the YouTube.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 6:51 PM on July 2, 2008

Congratulations on th weight training! I hope you're seeing some real strength and general fitness gains, and that you keep on training.

In addition to the advice on getting more active and tweaking your diet, I'd also want to check that you're getting enough sleep. Not only does your body require rest to add muscle mass, but lack of sleep stimulates the appetite and makes it harder to lose weight.

If you hate your current choice of cardio,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 3:06 AM on July 2, 2008

I saw Billy Bragg last week when he played Toronto, and although he went for tea throughout the show, he was drinking his usual Corona afterwards. Sometimes, he drinks Bud. Why? Because he really doesn't like beer, and he thinks those two brands are the most inoffensive flavours he can get -- they're the Coke of beers.

So certainly try out any of the neat beers people have suggested. But if you end up liking some cheap mass market beer, it won't automatically make you a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 5:44 PM on June 22, 2008

The bay leaf is something I've never seen in any chai recipe. It has a smoky, herby flavour meant for savoury dishes. It does not belong in sweet chai. But I agree with taff that just a wee bit of black pepper can work. It's odd, but pepper and fresh strawberries work, too.

Yes, there's too much cloves. And while pure milk instead of milk and water is probably not a source of bitterness, most people use a combination of milk and water instead to get the right balance of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 5:56 AM on June 17, 2008

Opinions vary widely on the value of the Smith machine. Krista at Stumptuous is one of those who argues against using the Smith.

I have used both machines and free weights, and prefer free weights:

1) Lots of machines don't fit small people well, even with adjustments.
2) You improve not just the strength of the large target muscles, but the small stabilizer muscles as well when you go through a natural range of motion with free... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 12:57 PM on June 16, 2008

If you're over 220 pounds, you may have a hard time finding a folding bike as many say 220 is their upper weight limit. This UK company makes solid folding bikes, but you're in Chicago. Trek makes several folding models (F100, F200, F400 and F600) and at least one of those should handle 220+ pounds. (Sorry, can't remember which). Dahon may also have some sturdy models.

if you're just under the weight limits, you may be fine on any well-rated bike for the pleasure rides... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 5:32 PM on June 15, 2008

I have a brown Burmese who makes a raspy, closed mouth "Mmmmpth!!" sound when he's confused, curious or upset (see: this afternoon's bath). He sounds remarkably like Marge Simpson.
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 4:37 PM on June 14, 2008

Hey, where did you get told that Billy was born in Dorset? He lives there now, but he was born and raised in Barking. From the official bio Still Suitable for Miners by Andrew Collins:
Billy was born Steven William Bragg on 20 December, 1957 in Upney Hospital, Barking, at that time part of Essex, but swallowed up in 1965 by Greater London; although you try telling the locals they don't live in Essex (you can take the town out of the county, but you can't take the county out of the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 11:30 AM on June 11, 2008

Put firm pressure on the weird area. If it hurts, it could well be a stress fracture. I had a stress fracture on my fibula last year, but I thought it was just a strain until my doctor very clearly disabused me of that notion with just that test. Meanwhile, the x-ray showed nothing just because it was fresh, although often healed stress fractures will show up on x-rays.

If it doesn't hurt, do all the usual sensible things (rest, ice, Advil) and see a doctor soon if it... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 11:23 AM on June 3, 2008

parmanparman, use French if it feels like a fun thing to do, but it's not necessary. It's proper to use "nous" in your French reply if you're speaking for two or more people, but if you're the one and only person replying, use "je" (unless you're the Queen, or a Presidential candidate, or if you have a mouse in your pocket).

So "Nous répondons à votre invitation" would be correct for a reply from two or more people, or "Je réponds à... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 8:36 AM on June 3, 2008

Morning pain in the heels sounds like plantar fasciitis. This is an overuse problem, associated with bad foot biomechanics, tight calf muscles and achilles tendons, and unsupportive shoes.

But PF doesn't come on suddenly from a single incident, and the pain is worst in the morning, or after you've been sitting down for a long time. It sounds as if your pain came on in the morning, but is getting worse throughout the day, so your case may not be PF, or it may be PF plus... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 6:40 AM on June 3, 2008

I had a similar YT video problem today on FF with NoScript installed. I closed my browser, restarted, got a notification of a NoScript update, and once it was done, all was well.

Check any other add-ons, but if all you have is AdBlock, drop them a line to see if this is a general problem. You shouldn't have to get rid of a useful add-on unless you have no other choice.
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 6:50 PM on June 2, 2008

Most people react well to nitrous oxide to some degree, but the one time I tried it last year I found it did little or nothing to relax me. I asked the dentist if I was getting enough, as I didn't feel any change at all during prep, but he said I was getting the standard dosage. I found that the topical anaesthetic gel still made the needle almost painless, but I can't say that the added expense of nitrous oxide would have been worth it if I had been paying the bill myself.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 11:17 AM on June 2, 2008

dmd has it. Pure hues will appear closer or more distant as Kosslyn describes depending on their warmth or coolness.

Another factor that affects the perception of distance is saturation. Purer hues seem closer than desaturated colours or colours that have been greyed down by the addition of a complimentary colour, as shown in this figure.
The light reflecting off objects in the distance is recombining to white light, to a certain extent, and getting... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 7:33 PM on June 1, 2008

It looks like the imperative to me: pronounce it as "reed".
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 5:44 PM on May 29, 2008

As you mentioned, it's pretty common in here in Canada to take your shoes off inside the house. (This may be weather-related). I think the one time I found that people INSISTED I come in the house with shoes on was when I was doing door to door beer surveys as a student while wearing Capezio sandals with a lot of lacing. People didn't care about me tracking in summer road dirt as long as they got their free beer and soda crackers. (The days I wore more sensible shoes, I slipped them off at the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 2:20 PM on May 26, 2008

(That is, as long as they got their free beer and soda crackers ASAP.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 2:23 PM on May 26, 2008

Well, my personal non-cultural reason for wearing shoes in my own house is that I need to wear supportive shoes and orthotics to avoid getting plantar fasciitis again, so I have a pair just for the house. But I don't wear street shoes in the house, unless I'm running in and out and am staying on the main floor, which is hardwood.

If I had hardwood throughout my house, which is easier to clean than carpets, I'd have no qualms about wearing street shoes throughout,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 2:38 PM on May 26, 2008 marked best answer

loiseau, walking barefoot didn't used to be painful for me, and it still feels much more natural to go unshod in the house. But I developed a bad case of plantar fasciitis years ago (exacerbated by walking up and down Manhattan while wearing flimsy sandals on vacation), and it tends to recur if I'm not careful about protecting my feet. It sucks.
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 4:59 PM on May 28, 2008

Fast, easy, healthy fried tofu

Extra firm tofu (full or half block)
1 egg per half block
Flavour: soy sauce, pepper, sesame oil or chili oil or chili flakes
Optional dip: soy sauce, rice vinegar
Optional: green onion for final pancake

1. Slice the extra-firm tofu into pieces the size of large dominoes.

2. Dip each piece into a bowl of egg beaten with a little soy, pepper,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 5:13 PM on May 27, 2008

(D'oh! I didn't put bread crumbs in the ingredient list, but you'll figure it out.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 5:14 PM on May 27, 2008

I think the dividing line is styling, not how you access the bag or purse. Any bag that seems overtly feminine, colourful, dinky or cutesy can be called a purse, and most men wouldn't dare carry one. The more that a bag resembles a messenger bag, a briefcase, a backpack or a camera bag, the more unisex or masculine it appears.

MEC here in Canada sells a variety of bags that both men and women use. This shoulder bag can be accessed without taking it off, but it isn't... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 10:01 PM on May 24, 2008 marked best answer

Ha! I just noticed one of the reviews of that MEC bag: "The perfect man-purse".
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 10:04 PM on May 24, 2008

jb, is it possible that the origin of your term was "coal ash", but the pronunciation shifted locally? After all, we're talking about Etobicoke, where the k is silent.
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 4:53 PM on May 10, 2008

Thanks for all the ideas so far, everyone. My foot is only slightly swollen compared to my right foot now and is significantly less sore. I hardly feel the lump when I walk on carpet, but going down the stairs and walking on the wood floor makes it a little more sore. (Yes, a22lamia, it definitely feels like a wad of gum under there -- annoying!) I'll see if it gets more sore through the day as I continue walking around the house.

I didn't think Morton's Neuroma was... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 4:26 AM on May 8, 2008

Well, it looks as if I had what vytae had. I was pacing a lot this week, most of it barefoot on a hard floor, but the phantom walnut-sized lump was gone and my foot felt 100% better by Friday night. No fracture, no Morton's -- whew!

Thanks again, everyone.
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 12:28 PM on May 10, 2008

One of the strongest arguments I've heard is hell, NO, don't seat the superdelegates at all. They're the ones who played chicken with the DNC and lost. Any number of solutions with pledged delegates seems fair, but the superdelegates who set up beauty contests instead of elections screwed the voters, not just the candidates. The voters didn't get the benefit of up close and personal campaigning with the candidates (no, national media is not an appropriate substitute), they didn't get to make... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 11:05 AM on May 9, 2008 marked best answer

There's this place called Gandhi Roti ...

Oh, and there's a meetup in early June being planned, although it looks as if we're going east of Yonge St. this time. Come along!
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 9:18 AM on May 6, 2008

Seriously, I'd rate New York Subway above Gandhi's (sorry, tehloki!), and the 'Shoe is immortal. It's a great place to play hooky on a weekday afternoon, too: good music, good beer, and a good mixture of people.

Further west, the Gladstone Hotel always has some neat things going on, many that are free or cheap. It's not as drop-dead hipstery as the Drake, either. And there's a string of art galleries along the path from your place to the hotel that are worth a stroll.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 9:42 AM on May 6, 2008

It's not clear from your question how long you've been able to run at a stretch. You've done the couch to 5K with walking/running, but how long were the stretches of running?

I could never run longer than a furlong for years. But I went out one fall and jogged embarrassingly slowly, and found that I could keep on going for 5K, even sprinting madly at the end out of sheer jubilation that first time. (NOT RECOMMENDED.) I kept running 5K, 3 times a week, through all... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 2:27 PM on May 5, 2008 marked best answer

Seconding the aquarium. You can see these adorable otters close up. The whales and the like are pretty cool, but OMG!1!1! the otters!
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 2:19 PM on May 5, 2008

It's also been used in a Lipton green iced tea commercial -- beautiful people all over the world start humming scraps of the melody, the handclaps come in, but you don't actually hear the full original version of the song.
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 2:51 AM on May 4, 2008

Actually, if you file online with Netfile, you officially have another week to file. (If you owe money, you still have to send that payment today). The CRA computers are overwhelmed with submissions -- even the web site won't load -- so you have until midnight (local time) May 6 to file electronically.
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 10:46 AM on April 30, 2008 marked best answer

I've looked at your pictures. You look nice both when you're shaven (you have a chin!) and when you're bearded. With the beard you look a little more rustic, and without you look younger.

Why is your fiancée terrified? There's documentary evidence that you look nice shaven, so what consequences does she fear? Does she LOVE your beard, or just put up with it? She may prefer the clean-shaven look, but not enough to make you do somethign either of you could regret. Do you... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 10:53 AM on April 23, 2008

I usually have to wrap a napkin around the plastic/rubber neck as additional insulation, and find it really awkward to pour, with dribble a distinct possibility. I agree with GuyZero that the design offers a lot of advantages to the restaurant, but I don't think think any consumer likes it, beyond the initial novelty.

(I sometimes manage not to dribble tea from a metal teapot if I partially open the lid, but I think that only works with certain designs.)... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 2:16 PM on April 21, 2008

The reception will almost certainly not be over by 9:30, although it wouldn't hurt to ask someone in advance. I was at a wedding this weekend and some people left that early because they had to travel, but the reception went on until 1 AM. However, this was a small wedding that started at 5, with cocktails at 6 and a buffet dinner from 7 to a little after 8. If your wedding is bigger, the dinner may still start by 7, but the speeches and toasts may last for 2 hours. I'd suggest not leaving by a... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 5:41 AM on April 16, 2008

You're dealing with ******, right? (Six letters, big Canuck name, may have evoke fond associations in our American cousins.) That is one inept, ass-sucking excuse for an ISP. I was getting a series of 553 server errors, as were many other people, after they made the switchover, and it took several visits to their voicemail hell to get things set up correctly. They told me that this was a security measure in order to prevent spammers from emulating my email addresses (although, as nicwolff says... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by maudlin at 12:02 PM on April 10, 2008