When I was a kid, we rented art from our library. Now I'm going to have to find out if anybody still does that.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 4:09 PM on July 30, 2008

Jesse Helms is the subject of one of my favorite jokes by the political comedian Will Durst.

Back in the early 80's, when Helms was trying to slash funding for the NEA, Durst said that "Jesse Helms doesn't know enough about art to spell it, even if you spotted him the A and the T." Later in the same routine, Durst is talking about a painting of dogs playing poker or somesuch, and he imagines Jesse Helms pointing to the painting and exclaiming, "Now... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 10:44 AM on July 4, 2008

Henry Alden, vice president of Walala Gualala Redwoods Inc.

I know Gualala is a teeny little town, but it's still nice to spell it correctly.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 1:21 PM on July 1, 2008

The road ahead, curves sharply left, then right.
The road ahead, curves sharply right, then left.
The road ahead, turns sharply left.

I could not, finish the test, because I was driven mad, by the misuse of commas.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 11:35 PM on June 20, 2008

I can't help imagining how much fun it would be to tie this guy to a chair and park him next to a meat-on-a-stick concession at the county fair. Or anywhere at the fair, really.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 9:38 PM on May 27, 2008

There's a much better article about this subject: America's Most Overrated Product: the Bachelor's Degree, and an NPR story about the article.

I find that I'm increasingly differentiating between a college degree and a college education. I know plenty of people with no college degree who are highly skilled and intelligent, and I see plenty idiotic people who essentially bought their way through college. It's a commodity now, and... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 5:17 PM on May 21, 2008

There are more pictures of inter-species love at Let's Be Friends. And my recent favorite: Rex, the kangaroo-saving dog.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 4:50 PM on May 7, 2008

ZakDaddy: "Added to bookmark list right up there with icanhascheezburger.com, failblog.wordpress.com, and ihasahotdog.com.""

Don't expect much; it hasn't been updated since 2007. I suspect that's right around the time Cute Overload cornered the market on adorable animal pictures.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 7:34 PM on May 7, 2008

There is a book out now, The Big Sort, about our tendency to cluster into like-minded groups. Here's an interview with the author, in which he makes an interesting comment about education and political homogeneity:
Meanwhile, educated people like to think their lives are filled with diversity and worldly sophistication. But it turns out that those with the most homogenous political lives are Americans who have suffered through graduate school. The best-educated citizens are the least... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 2:22 PM on May 6, 2008

The San Diego Fox affiliate has an article with interview footage. In part of the interview she claims that they were willing to drop the charges if she set up another guy but she said she was unable to do so and was told that pleading guilty and taking an arranged deal for probation was her best bet.

I'm not sure I buy either side of the story. There seem to be a lot of inconsistencies, but I can't tell if that's due to outright lying or just shitty reporting. Probably... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 10:51 AM on May 2, 2008

That's an awesome story.

As far as the umps not knowing what they were doing, I'm not so sure. Since she failed to tag first base, and was going back to do so when she was injured, I don't know if they can technically say she was "proceeding to" first, which is what the rules cited here are stating.

I'm curious as to the rule they used, though. If there is some obscure exception for an injury while returning to tag a... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 3:22 PM on April 29, 2008

..the classmates wait outside the classroom and chase them with peanut butter sandwiches

Uh uh. And after they chase allergic kids with sandwiches they go "collar" someone who's wearing a green polo shirt, and have amazing teenaged sexcapades.

It's obviously a good thing to have more people aware of the dangers of serious food allergies, but repeating unsubstantiated stories that reek of urban legend doesn't help... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 6:50 PM on April 24, 2008

Just to clarify, I don't mean to imply that people with food allergies are hysterical. I just don't think that a "kids get chased with sandwiches" tale is the best way to be taken seriously about the dangers of food allergies.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 6:59 PM on April 24, 2008

tehloki, try this link or check out the Moai series.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 5:26 PM on April 18, 2008

This is awesome. I loved the part where she went from patiently sitting to putting her hand on Anne's face; when she feels Anne speak, her face lights up with a pure joy that's almost contagious.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 6:54 PM on April 8, 2008

This is so awesome.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 9:35 PM on March 24, 2008

The video alluded to a possible diagnosis of Parkinson's and then in the last clip, ten days before he shot himself, they show him greeting Hitler youth. There is a shot of his hand behind his back and it looks like a five legged octopus being electrocuted and there's nary a mention.

That clip was a recreation of the event; the film from the actual event was shown in black and white (as opposed to the blue/green tint of the recreation)
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 9:18 PM on March 22, 2008

Outline some solutions, then we'll talk.

I saw this point made elsewhere, and it kind of confused me. Why can't we talk now? Wasn't that the point, that he said "Maybe we could all start talking about this elephant in the room. I'll wait while you guys get used to that idea". What's the value in him saying he's got a five-point plan for dealing with the elephant, when half the country is saying "Elephant? What elephant? Why is he... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 10:46 AM on March 19, 2008

Miko, do you even have a clue about how naive it sounds to be comparing Pat Robertson to Obama

I thought it was kind of obvious that her comment was a Robertson/Wright comparison rather than a Robertson/Obama comparison. And I'd kind of like to know why a senile racist, homophobe, and probably a philanderer is not wholeheartedly condemned by the same media that's so up in arms about Wright.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 12:36 PM on March 20, 2008

I guarantee that this excuse would be used many more times in the future ("Hey, that guy got a furlough to see his dying daughter, so maybe I should try that!"), and in most cases it'd be bullshit. I think it is worthwhile to deny this case in order to prevent the costs of investigating future cases.

The US Marshals Service says they require documentation that the person's illness is terminal before they allow the furlough. It looks like... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 11:07 PM on March 19, 2008

That is completely fucking awesome. The "special effects", the superhero outfit, and especially the happy kids. Righteous, indeed.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 7:19 PM on March 16, 2008

snofoam, you've discovered the secret to filtering MetaFilter; just find the posts with the fewest comments and you'll end up with some great links with a dozen or so people saying "Awesome! Thanks!" Find the one with over 100 comments and there's a good likelihood it's a whingefest; if it's got more than 200 comments it's probably a whingefest about politics.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 12:37 AM on March 19, 2008

Wow. Like a letter to Penthouse, but with rhyme. I clicked through to the New York Times review of the erotic poem anthology, which doesn't reveal the poem but ends with this sly hint:

Anthologies like this one are best viewed as contests (best metaphorical labia! best profane blazon!), and dear old Auden wins this one by a knockout blow.

posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 12:44 AM on March 18, 2008

I was hoping I would see these actual drunk animals, from a Disney documentary made in the 70s. Even after 30 years, I still remember those drunken elephants.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 6:51 PM on March 17, 2008

Looks kinda like Samegame, I think.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 11:50 PM on March 13, 2008

How did you know I was getting desperate for new and interesting podcasts? Thank you; this is awesome.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 11:13 AM on February 27, 2008

It probably bears mentioning that the launch party is (in part) presented by The Onion.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 11:48 PM on February 23, 2008

Yeti. And the orange balls were swamp gas.

Swamp gas at -30 with several feet of snow on the ground? Where is the methane coming from?

The Yeti, of course.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 11:57 AM on February 22, 2008

So cool. But that wave totally reminded me of The Karate Kid.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 8:12 PM on February 1, 2008

I'm confused. Is he talking about this 2006 study? Because that study fairly clearly states that our happiness hasn't changed much over time.

The poll only has three options (four, if you count "I don't know"). His whole essay kind of falls apart if you point out that about half of the Americans surveyed said they were somewhere between "very happy" and "not too happy" (which I translate to "Eh... I'm doing all right, I guess").... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 1:28 AM on January 17, 2008

Check out jonson's Sackfull of Obscure Christmas Music as well.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 12:14 PM on December 18, 2007

The summary above is totally wrong, except for the ex-boyfriend being the shooter.

Mother and daughter were going to stay at Aisha Ford's house, not the ex-boyfriends. Aisha Ford is the one who was driving the car, and the one who was "taking too long" at the gas station. The mother and daughter never intended to go anywhere with the ex; he just pulled the gun on mother, daughter, and Aisha Ford when Aisha arrived to take them to her house.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 6:30 PM on December 13, 2007

I liked the last one better when there was a dog in it.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 10:30 PM on November 2, 2007

I'd like to see some doctors selling women on kegels, which are totally free, good for things other than orgasms, and last longer than a few months.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 2:14 PM on October 30, 2007

They made a t-shirt every year to celebrate Fup's birthday. If you wear one, you have to spend a lot of time explaining that the giant FUP on your back is not something dirty, but is just a cool store cat. Then you get to explain what a store cat is.

RIP, Fup. I hope you had a good time here.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 12:30 PM on October 30, 2007

Apparently our local news folks gave up on making slick graphics and just held up Thomas Guide map pages and pointed to where the fires were.

There was a lot of finger pointing in previous fires, from people who waited until the very last minute to evacuate and were subsequently killed or seriously injured. I think both the public and the public agencies have been more on the ball about evacuating, and as far as I know injuries have been minimal up to now. There are many... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 5:51 PM on October 22, 2007

I realize that it may seem like a good idea to stick around and try to hose down your house, but fire (particularly this kind, with powerful winds and 0% humidity) is fast, unpredictable, and deadly.

Houses can be rebuilt; families can't. It's not worth risking your life or your family over, and too many times we've seen the tragic results of people misjudging these fires. Get off the damn roof, grab a handful of valuables, and get somewhere safe. Your life is what... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 8:06 PM on October 22, 2007

DaShiv, there's no news about the Guejito (now merged with the Witch fire). The winds and temperatures should hold things for tonight, but tomorrow they are expecting another bad day (dangerously low humidity, strong winds, etc), so it's kind of up in the air.

It's promising that they haven't evacuated the east side of the 15 at Mercy Road, and both Mt. Carmel and Mira Mesa high schools are still open as evacuation centers. They're also being much... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 10:09 PM on October 22, 2007

For those of you still checking in:

The hot spot right now is Mt. San Miguel (they're calling it a new fire, and not part of the Harris fire). The fire has come over the ridge and moving west. Some residents are getting evacuation orders, but most of the area (Chula Vista, Eastlake, Bonita, Spring Valley, Lemon Grove and Rancho San Diego) is on alert, although they may be doing a reverse 911 in Spring Valley shortly. If you're watching/listening from out of... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 3:58 AM on October 23, 2007

Building code in the Southern California area requires terra cotta tile roofs, precisely to prevent houses going poof that way.

That only applies to new construction since 2004, when that code went into effect. And even slate and tile roofs are vulnerable to embers blowing up into the eaves and igniting fires (which is why you'll probably hear people talking about wanting to require "boxed eaves" again).

People... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 1:15 PM on October 23, 2007

Crap. They're evacuating Harmony Grove now.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 1:19 PM on October 23, 2007

It may be that tile roofs have only been mandatory since 2004, but a lot of houses and apartments built before then have tile roofs.

Thankfully, that's true. I'm just torqued that there could be many more buildings with tile roofs right now, if only San Diego didn't have such a hard-on for cedar shake.

(And did anybody else see "Poomacha" and immediately think Pollomacho?)
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 2:12 PM on October 23, 2007

BatGrl, fire breaks are now pretty much handled by individual communities. The government doesn't really have the resources to take care of that, and people have figured out that pitching in to help their neighbors increases their collective fire safety.

You can increase your safety, but not by clearing just the few yards of brush near your back yard. We have lots of brush fires that aren't accompanied by erratic and powerful Santa Ana winds; those... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 2:39 PM on October 24, 2007

maudlin, most of the QI episodes are hidden in plain sight.

Also available: Never Mind the Buzzcocks
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 8:11 AM on October 23, 2007

Holy crap this is awesome. Thank you.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 5:01 PM on October 17, 2007

Thanks, BitterOldPunk. I'm glad I'm not the only one here old enough to remember that song. I nearly died of shock the first time I came across a Kinko's, wondering what idiot would name a store after a perverted clown.

Someone has made a weird little video for it, by the way.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 2:59 PM on October 12, 2007

Huh. I never realized until now how much Merlin Mann sounds like Max Headroom.

F-F-F-Freaky.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 8:23 PM on September 14, 2007

God, that song is addictive. The cover versions are ok I suppose, but there's something about Malvina's wobbly voice and odd little inflections that are just pure quirky goodness.

Now I'll be humming that song for months. Again.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 1:13 AM on August 15, 2007

Here's a pdf of the complaint.

The Pride parade is generally friendly, but there is some drinking and cat-calling. If these had been women who, as part of their job, had to go to a place where drunken guys yelled at them to show their tits, I don't think we'd be dismissing it so easily. Anybody who's ever seen that parade should have known that the crowd interaction goes a bit beyond polite smiles and flag-waving.

In any event, the complaint... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 3:16 PM on August 8, 2007

The annotated version (by iTulip.com) is much better, if only because it periodically quiets the shrieking in order to explain what Cramer just said.
posted to MetaFilter by stefanie at 10:18 PM on August 7, 2007