The current issue of Ready-Made has an article on making Valentines from pilfered office supplies.
I plan on buying a bag of good-quality chocolate chips and an assortment of fruit. Mix a half teaspoon or so of oil with the chocolate, and you can melt it in the microwave without forming clumps - instant chocolate fondue!
For the record, the pond scum comparison was basically driven by a legitimate angle on the story: researchers were inspired by the workings of pond scum flagellae. My transcription of the pond scum comparison (here's a link to the video):
Blah scientists blah blah sperm blah pond scum. Obvious comparisons aside, blah science blah blah.
It was clearly meant to be a joke and not a serious restatement of the old "men are pigs" canard. Which doesn't mean it was funny.
When I had mine out, I tried most of the oral wound cleansers on the market; warm salt water was by far the most pleasant. Be diligent about rinsing after meals, and don't be in a hurry to get back on solid foods - getting popcorn stuck in the hole hurts like a mofo.
I had all four out at once; the bottom two were horizontally impacted. They gave me an IV of valium. I was able to do chicken soup by the evening after the operation; the day after I actually felt great, in a cottage cheese and canned pears sort of way. What they don't tell you in the aftercare instructions is that the worst pain sometimes comes just after you think you're healing up quite nicely... my absolute worst day was the third. Merry Christmas!
But, it was only the bottom ones that ever gave me trouble; if yours aren't impacted at all, you'll probably be fine for soup, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy...
Is this really a foregone conclusion? It looks like they're taking public comments on this proposal through next June. It sounds like some things are non-negotiable, as the copyright holders of foreign data are locking down on redistribution, but maybe we can save a few bits and pieces?
It sounds like you've done the easy things to cut expenses, and I have no idea what your situation is... but just on general principle, I wouldn't say you're out of options for reducing costs. Can you sell your car for a cheaper one, or a bike? Does your budget include money for new clothes, that you could buy at Goodwill instead? What are your major budgeted expenses?
Most energy companies provide free energy efficiency audits, which might show you some good places to start cutting your utility bills. A surprising amount of electricity can be sucked up by "vampire" appliances that draw a current even when they're turned off - try unplugging your TV, stereo, etc. when you're not using them, or plug things into a switched outlet or power strip that you can turn off. Clothes dryers are also big energy eaters - it's worth putting up a clothesline, outside or in the basement, even if it's cold the clothes *will* dry eventually.
The Tightwad Gazette is a good resource for cost-cutting tips - don't buy it, of course, pick up a copy at the library.
LordSludge, how can you bring up Danish without mentioning hygge? I thought that was the canonical Danish untranslatable.
posted by yami 19 years ago
In "Sweatin' Monkey:"
The current issue of Ready-Made has an article on making Valentines from pilfered office supplies. I plan on buying a bag of good-quality chocolate chips and an assortment of fruit. Mix a half teaspoon or so of oil with the chocolate, and you can melt it in the microwave without forming clumps - instant chocolate fondue!
posted by yami 19 years ago
In "CBS News: Men Are Scum"
For the record, the pond scum comparison was basically driven by a legitimate angle on the story: researchers were inspired by the workings of pond scum flagellae. My transcription of the pond scum comparison (here's a link to the video): Blah scientists blah blah sperm blah pond scum. Obvious comparisons aside, blah science blah blah. It was clearly meant to be a joke and not a serious restatement of the old "men are pigs" canard. Which doesn't mean it was funny.
posted by yami 19 years ago
In "Curious George: Wisdom Teeth"
When I had mine out, I tried most of the oral wound cleansers on the market; warm salt water was by far the most pleasant. Be diligent about rinsing after meals, and don't be in a hurry to get back on solid foods - getting popcorn stuck in the hole hurts like a mofo. I had all four out at once; the bottom two were horizontally impacted. They gave me an IV of valium. I was able to do chicken soup by the evening after the operation; the day after I actually felt great, in a cottage cheese and canned pears sort of way. What they don't tell you in the aftercare instructions is that the worst pain sometimes comes just after you think you're healing up quite nicely... my absolute worst day was the third. Merry Christmas! But, it was only the bottom ones that ever gave me trouble; if yours aren't impacted at all, you'll probably be fine for soup, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy...
posted by yami 20 years ago
In "Maps are latest casualty of government secrecy (PDF)."
Is this really a foregone conclusion? It looks like they're taking public comments on this proposal through next June. It sounds like some things are non-negotiable, as the copyright holders of foreign data are locking down on redistribution, but maybe we can save a few bits and pieces?
posted by yami 20 years ago
In "Curious George: Budget help"
It sounds like you've done the easy things to cut expenses, and I have no idea what your situation is... but just on general principle, I wouldn't say you're out of options for reducing costs. Can you sell your car for a cheaper one, or a bike? Does your budget include money for new clothes, that you could buy at Goodwill instead? What are your major budgeted expenses? Most energy companies provide free energy efficiency audits, which might show you some good places to start cutting your utility bills. A surprising amount of electricity can be sucked up by "vampire" appliances that draw a current even when they're turned off - try unplugging your TV, stereo, etc. when you're not using them, or plug things into a switched outlet or power strip that you can turn off. Clothes dryers are also big energy eaters - it's worth putting up a clothesline, outside or in the basement, even if it's cold the clothes *will* dry eventually. The Tightwad Gazette is a good resource for cost-cutting tips - don't buy it, of course, pick up a copy at the library.
posted by yami 20 years ago
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