11 replies

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katstermonster

@katstermonster: I have to take the GRE tomorrow morning. I don't wannaaaaaaaa.

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Laura Northrup

@katstermonster: The GRE isn't so bad! The only thing I wish someone had told me was to be ready to write down my scores when they flashed across the screen at the end, since I forgot them. I remembered the first two digits because they were shockingly high (I got 1430, I think, which I didn't expect and it really surprised me)

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MostlyHarmless

@Laura Northrup: Whooo!! Same there. But I totally expected mine to be that high :P

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hotdogsunrise

@katstermonster: Standardized tests are the worst.

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MostlyHarmless

@katstermonster: Oh no worries. You will do GREAT!!!

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Laura Northrup

@katstermonster: WIN.

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@katstermonster: Orzo (from Latin hordeum, sometimes called Italian rice) is Italian and means \"barley\" [1], from which orzo was originally made. However, in common usage in the United States, orzo is understood to mean rice-shaped pasta, slightly smaller than a pine nut. It is frequently used in soups and baked casseroles. Despite its rice shape, orzo is made not of rice but of hard wheat semolina. It is also known as risone in Italian, manéstra or kritharáki (\"little barley\") in Greek, and şehriye (in Turkish).

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katstermonster

@Oranges w/ Cheese has 2 cats! ahahaha.: I loooooove Orzo. Love love love. Well, ok, the bastardized American Orzo.

@GitEmSteveDave_CanCommentz: You're just jealous!

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@katstermonster:

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Crabby Cakes

@GitEmSteveDave_CanCommentz: Brilliant, my friend, utterly brilliant. You need to share this with the entire world!

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@Crabby Cakes: [s165.photobucket.com] All I ask is that if you use one, you leave a comment on the page the picture is on, so i know where they are \"in the wild\".

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dohtem

@GitEmSteveDave_CanCommentz: You win!

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InsertPithyNicknameHere

@GitEmSteveDave_CanCommentz: That, sir, was awesome. Thank you for sharing.

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@InsertPithyNicknameHere: I can track where my picts re used through Photobucket, and almost as soon as I posted it, it started making the rounds on all the rice burner websites, and still is.

@Laura Northrup: Win? No.

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barb95

Happy Friday Folks. I just got off the phone with BofA regarding Flood Insurance policies. Apparently FEMA now thinks I am in a flood zone and I was forced to buy the darn insurance. The worst part, I don't live remotely close to anything with water. I'm in California and would probably lose my house to an earthquake first before a flood.

Maybe FEMA knows that the apocalypse is close? Sigh.

3 replies

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Ratty

@barb95: You'd be shocked. A little less than 2 years back, nearly a whole town was damaged by a serious flood here in nevada. A FLOOD. Guess who had flood insurance?

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pecan 3.14159265

@barb95: What about mudslides?

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barb95

@pecan 3.14159265: nope, nothing. My neighborhood has been around 60 years and has NEVER seen a natural disaster relating to water.

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@barb95: You say that now... BUT TOMORROW THE GIANT WATER SPRAYING ROBOTS COME!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

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barb95

@Oranges w/ Cheese has 2 cats! ahahaha.: True that. Maybe BofA has them hiding in their garage?

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pecan 3.14159265

A cat and a waffle?! Consumerist, you spoil me.

3 replies

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theblackdog

@pecan 3.14159265: That waffle needs chocolate chips!

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@theblackdog_FeelingRandom: Eww.

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pecan 3.14159265

@theblackdog_FeelingRandom: The cat could contribute to that.

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@pecan 3.14159265: DOUBLE EWW!

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Trai_Dep

@pecan 3.14159265: For, verisimilitude, shouldn't we bring in Laura's hamster?
It'd be a TRIPLE picture win!

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pecan 3.14159265

@Trai_Dep: Hamster sitting on a cat sitting on a waffle?

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DangerMouth

@pecan 3.14159265: Stuff on my waffle doesn't quite have the same ring to it.

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@DangerMouth: Sounds kinda dirty actually.

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pecan 3.14159265

@DangerMouth: Well, if it's a cat sitting on a waffle, technically that waffle is on that cat.

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theblackdog

@pecan 3.14159265: Have to do it

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DangerMouth

@theblackdog_FeelingRandom: oh damn, I'm too slow.

+1 for you

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pecan 3.14159265

@theblackdog_FeelingRandom: RIP Oolong, RIP.

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theblackdog

@pecan 3.14159265: Sorry, it was just your comment about the waffle being on the cat made me think of this.

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CompyPaq

I really liked the new site esp. the company listing. I also thought that the search was better. I would have liked the quotes to be more distinguishable, but I can live with change.

I assume it put too much load on CR's server which was why it was sooooooo slow and why it was removed.

Anyone know when its coming back?

8 replies

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psm321

@CompyPaq: I thought it was incredibly ugly

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@CompyPaq: I was asleep when it happened : ( By the time I was up that day it was gone.

/SadKitteh

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Paladin_11

@CompyPaq: If you want to see the new site, Engadget \"upgraded\" to the exact same software at the same time. It's still running over there, so check it out. I personally have a few issues with it but I'm sure I'll adapt eventually.

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CompyPaq

@Paladin_11: I didn't even notice the Engadget change until now. I believe that the new Consumerist uses Typepad, which was CR's blogging platform. Although, if I'm not mistaken, Gawker also uses a modified version of Typepad.

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Nick1693

@CompyPaq: The new Consumerist site is Movable Type Enterprise.

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Paladin_11

@CompyPaq: I got to play around with the new Consumerist site when it was somewhat live, and it's exactly the same as the new Engadget. It didn't seem like Typepad at all to me. I wonder if CR is planning an upgrade as well?

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Trai_Dep

@CompyPaq: Err, I blush as I'm typing this, but what changes? I'm on Safari and can't see many. I thought the improvements were all backend stuff.

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CompyPaq

@Trai_Dep: They temporarily switched off of Gawker's servers and debuted a new design (which is why they disabled the comments - they wanted to prepare). The site went uber slow, and they reverted to the Consumerist we know and love.

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@CompyPaq: I didn't really get a chance to look around but I did enjoy the layout a lot. Especially the cat walker :D

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DangerMouth

@Oranges w/ Cheese has 2 cats! ahahaha.: What's a cat walker, and how how we lived without it this long?

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ExtraCelestial

After that Eggo story I specifically went out and bought some. I haven't eaten Eggo's in years, but I am can't wait to fork up that toasted yumminess this weekend. Stuff just tastes better when it's scare.

3 replies

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@TinkishDelight: My favorite way to eat eggos is frozen. I don't know why but they are so good frozen - they never really freeze solid so its this cold mooshy waffly foodstuff.

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ExtraCelestial

@Oranges w/ Cheese has 2 cats! ahahaha.: I had a friend in undergrad that liked them that way. Was not a fan.

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InsertPithyNicknameHere

@TinkishDelight: I think that the implied gloating makes it taste better. And the more I hear about this, the more I want Eggos.

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OMG OPEN THREAD!

1 replies

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@Oranges w/ Cheese has 2 cats! ahahaha.: WOOOO!!!

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MostlyHarmless

WHEEEEEEEEEE OPEN THREAD!!!!

Okay, I have to ask Eyebrows to share some stories from the \"Over Protective Parents From Hell\".

8 replies

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@MostlyHarmless: So I don't normally criticize other people's parenting as long as the child isn't in danger, because you don't know what's going on in people's lives, but when he was three, I finally asked her if he'd been to the pediatrician lately because his language was about a year delayed. As time went by he got to FIVE YEARS OLD with the language skills of a 24-month-old, not because of any underlying condition, but because HIS PARENTS DON'T TALK TO HIM, and when they do talk to him, it's exclusively the way one talks to a toddler.

(I'm all in favor of babytalk, but you know when you talk to a little kid, some of it's babytalk, some of it's adult talk, some of it's nonsense rhymes, some of it's songs, etc. There has to be variety so they learn.)

He couldn't hold a conversation, couldn't express himself, his language was unintelligible because the only people he ever talked to were his parents, who mostly ignored him anyway ... so at age five he actually is developing behavioral problems because he's socially isolated and he can't express his wants or needs because he can't freaking talk. They finally take him to a behavioral therapist for his \"awful temper tantrums\" (read: typical kid meltdowns) who tells them basically what my opinion was, which was that he needs to have HUMAN INTERACTION, both with other kids and with his parents.

So they do a day gym program, and finally, just now, and only because the state is about to come knocking since he's 6, enrolled him in school. They were \"homeschooling\" but that consisted of five minutes here or there because \"he just doesn't want to learn right now.\" So now he's at a private school because the public and Catholic schools both indicated he needed special educational services, so they found a school that would agree to ignore his special needs.

He's actually much improved now that he's seeing other children and a teacher on a daily basis, but there's still a lot of crap that goes on at home. It's crazy over there.

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@MostlyHarmless: Oh, I have to tell the baby shower story. So she's one of those mothers who's very proud of her (alleged) attachment parenting and both wants to insist it's normal and wants to feel special and persecuted because it's not normal and people don't understand. So we're at a baby shower with some other people, and a friend of mine who takes in foster children is discussing formula with a friend of mine who has two sons with a chromosomal condition. The foster-friend obviously can't breastfeed, and she has taken some special medical needs kids, one of whom needed very expensive special formula (I've mentioned her when we talk about food stamps from time to time -- she gets them for the foster kids, and it enables her to buy this very expensive formula), and they were comparing stories because the sons with the chromosomal condition also needed some specialized nutritional support.

So this woman goes, very loudly and fairly belligerently, \"Am I the only one here who thinks breastfeeding is important?\" And starts trying to pick a fight about breastfeeding. With a woman who takes in high-risk foster children and a woman whose sons have a chromosomal condition. It was ... staggering.

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@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): Holy geez... That is a crazy story. I fear something similar might happen with some children that I know (Relatives) but I don't want to accuse anyone of anything because that would start some crazy family drama. It is a story I'm interested in telling though, just not exactly here where it's so.. googleable.

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MostlyHarmless

@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!):

..... wow.

I thought it was going to be funny. Its just starting to get scary and infuriating.

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subtlefrog

@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): This woman sounds like she's diagnosable. Her poor child. Wow. Wow.

And terrifying that a school would \"agree to ignore\" his special needs - what you are describing I would consider to be a form of child abuse. Perhaps not as bad as physical abuse, but devastating if she is not allowing the child to develop properly.

Like you, I don't tend to stick my nose in - and I don't have kids, so I don't presume to know what it is like to parent. But my god. If your kid isn't potty trained at 4& a half, and can't speak at that age, not because of developmental disability - there is something not right, or so it seems to me.

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@subtlefrog: He's fed, clothed. loved, and gets regular check-ups, so DCF is unlikely to be interested in plain bad parenting.

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@MostlyHarmless: Okay, so, they're late-life first time parents. He's an only child. Neither of them has any experience with children. They're both highly educated, and they're perfectly nice.

So Dad can't stand any sort of tantrum or noise (bad idea to have a kid) and becomes convinced that his kid in the \"terrible twos\" has \"serious behavioral problems\" because he occasionally throws tantrums. (I have a lot of experience with kids, and I can tell you, this kid was the most compliant kid I have ever met and hardly EVER threw tantrums, and those he did throw were very minor.) Mom is almost pathologically shy and is terrified to go places and talk to people, partly because she has absolutely no social skills. My husband and I were their only friends. And again -- they're nice people, and good neighbors, just a little weird. That's fine.

So neither of them disciplines him, ever, because sometimes he cries and doesn't want to be disciplined. (Imagine that!) She would put him in front of the television for HOURS because it would keep him quiet so she could go about her hobbies (one of which was WoW). She complained that she and her husband never got any alone time because he couldn't (at age 4) play by himself for 10 minutes (although he could sit in front of the TV for two hours, I'm not sure how that didn't count, but whatever). She refused to send him to daycare or take him to \"mommy and me\" classes on the grounds he'd get sick. I pointed out (which she knows, she's a biologist) that kids catch everything, it's part of building up their immune system. She said she knew, but it got HER and her husband sick, and it was just better if nobody got sick. Really she was afraid to leave the house.

(More next post.)

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nbs2

@MostlyHarmless: i was thinking. Last week you said you would be in DC from the 25th to the 1st. Are you leaving before or after lunch on the 1st? Maybe we do the meetup that day?

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MostlyHarmless

@nbs2: Unfortunately that particular plan got scrapped. (Which caused me a lot of distress initially). But now my sister is coming to visit me, instead of the other way around. So no go on the meetup :(

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@MostlyHarmless: Okay, so he's about two and half or three and I'm out gardening, potting plants from a fresh bag of STERILE dirt. Her son, who has been running unchecked around my garden all afternoon trampling on things (because he doesn't like to be disciplined), comes over and grabs and handful of dirt and goes to shove it in his mouth. I just look at him with one raised eyebrow because, hey, we're about to learn a life lesson here.

She comes racing over SHRIEKING at him not to put the dirt in his mouth. (THE STERILE DIRT. It's not even real dirt!) He spends the ENTIRE SUMMER trying to eat dirt and sand because it's a guaranteed way to get mom's attention and he thinks it's funny when she freaks out.

She kept \"trying\" to pottytrain him, but kept giving up after three days because he was \"just too resistant\" and would \"scream\" (probably because screaming got her to give in to EVERYTHING for years). She tried for TWO YEARS. He was four and a half and she hadn't put more than a sporadic 3 days here or there in to potty training. She insisted she had tried \"everything\" and \"nothing works with him.\" Grandma came and trained him in five days.

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MostlyHarmless

@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): Hahaha I saw the grandma part coming.

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InsertPithyNicknameHere

Any fun plans this weekend for anybody?
I'm going to a craft show in Chicago on Saturday, hopefully with a few friends (if they can get themselves together).

12 replies

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HogwartsAlum

@InsertPithyNicknameHere: Missed the stupid thread because I went home SICK! Stupid gallbladder!

I have a plumber coming in the morning and will probably just clean and rest all weekend. My surgery appointment is Monday.

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MostlyHarmless

@HogwartsAlum: Hey, just saw this message... BEST LUCK FOR THE SURGERY. We'll put some charms up so that it goes through without a hitch.

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Trai_Dep

@InsertPithyNicknameHere: Two friends have birthdays, so this weekend is party, then party. Then late night? Party.

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pecan 3.14159265

@InsertPithyNicknameHere: We're so boring. We're probably going to catch up on sleep this weekend. And we'll probably just sit around at home cause we're lazy bums and I have hours of Star Trek special features to go through.

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@pecan 3.14159265: We're boring as well.. Like I said.. the haircut will be the excitement for my weekend. And boooo Star Trek. (Don't hit me.)

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pecan 3.14159265

@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: You hurt me! Right here! *points to high heels* As such, my heels are very important (I keep a few pairs in my cubicle, and they're locked up when I leave).

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@pecan 3.14159265: Star Trek qualifies as one of the things I hate that I am scared to admit hating in front of certian people. Another example of this conundrum is \"The Beatles\".

I swear, if you're a Beatles fan I'll just go hide in a corner.

As a short lady, I wish on my heart of hearts that I could wear high heels.

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pecan 3.14159265

@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: Why can't you wear high heels?I'm short too. I love heels. Don't worry. I don't like the Beatles.

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@pecan 3.14159265: I have foot/ankle issues.. I can only wear sneakers : (

I liked your dress tip in the other thread but I don't wear dresses because of that. It stinks.. but eh. Could be worse I guess. Atleast I have feet. (Allthough sometimes I think having prostetic feet would be easier/more comfortable than what I've got going on.. but whwatever.)

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katia802

@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: I can't wear heels either. You'd be amazed at the sweet little flats you can find if you're willing to spend waaaaay too much time looking. Can get away with em with dresses too, anyone eyeing my shoes gets the stink eye, lol

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pecan 3.14159265

@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: I didn't previously wear dresses but a few years ago on a whim I tried one on and fell into a deep, deep obsession. $150 bought a lot of evidence that I, after years of feeling dumpy, could wear a kick ass dress. And now I love dresses and own many of them. And heels. Cause I fell into that obsession at age 11.

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@pecan 3.14159265: There's nothing wrong with sleep, Ms. Pi!

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Paladin_11

@InsertPithyNicknameHere: It's Big Game weekend! The annual Stanford - Cal football game where I just know this year we're going to put the smackdown on those dirty Golden Bears.

I guess whether or not it's a good weekend depends on the outcome. Sort of.

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hotdogsunrise

@InsertPithyNicknameHere: Jealous! I love craft shows. The ones around here are mostly lame. I need me some good crafts.

And I can't make them, so that's not an option.

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subtlefrog

@InsertPithyNicknameHere: Wine tasting in Santa Barbara. YUM!

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outshined

@subtlefrog:

I'm a member of the Brander Vineyard club (Los Olivos). Good stuff, nice people.

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@subtlefrog: Oh that sounds awesome! Is it just a winetasting or are you getting a winery experience too?

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subtlefrog

@Oranges w/ Cheese has 2 cats! ahahaha.: We're going to Los Olivos, which has about 20 winery tasting rooms all right in one town that is approximately the size of one intersection. It's about 2.5 hours away, so we try to go up every 3-4 months. It's ideal because you park and walk - there is no driving once there. Then you taste all day, then go to the olive oil place, try that. Go sip coffee. Then go to a big sitdown dinner, sober up fully. Then drive home. (Most places there are several $100 per night with 2 night minimum stay, so we don't stay).

The strategy works well.

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@subtlefrog: This sounds awesome! Have a great time!
I'm working on Saturday, but on Sunday we're going to Movie Tavern to see Fight Club on the big screen. Yay for date night.

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@InsertPithyNicknameHere: I'm going on holiday! Yay! Might see snow.

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larrymac thinks testing should have occurred

>The readers who joined that got error codes and were unable to get the annual sub will be recontacted and provided a link to sign up for the one year trial.

tappy foot . . .

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bloggerX

I Survived the No Comment Days '09!!!!

First we couldn't comment for what it seemed like a century, then I got wisdom teeth pulled so I couldn't eat, TORTURE!!!

8 replies

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@bloggerX: Did you at least get the good drugs? They are the only nice part of wisdom tooth surgery.

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bloggerX

@h3llc4t, breaker of office dress codes: Nope. The only pain I felt was not eating solid foods! Seriously though, it doesn't hurt. I got the procedure done on Monday evening, I didn't eat anything solid until yesterday. When I sprained my knee I got the \"stuff\" and man was I goofy!

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@bloggerX: You're lucky. I got all 4 of mine out at once and it was a living hell. They messed up my stitches and my mouth took weeks to heal. All I could eat was pudding, and even then only enough to get my meds down. I was in agony for way longer than was normal. At least I don't have any more teeth to take out back there.

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bloggerX

@h3llc4t, breaker of office dress codes: The stitches are getting on my nerves, they're all loose back there. The area feels good though, I just wash my mouth with lukewarm salt water after eating small stuff. I noticed on the pencillin they gave me a side effect is a black, hairly tongue!!! DO NOT WANT!

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CompyPaq

@bloggerX: When I got my wisdom teeth removed, my cheeks swelled up so much that I could barely open my mouth and I couldn't keep down the anti-inflammatory I was prescribed because I wasn't eating solid food. I lost 10 pounds that week. It was a great diet.

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pecan 3.14159265

@CompyPaq: Beware the painkillers. The drugs they gave me made me feel sicker than the pulling of teeth did. I had to subsist on yogurt, lukewarm soup, and regular tylenol.

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bloggerX

@CompyPaq: At my job we are doing a biggest loser style fundraiser, between the abcess I had at the beginning of this month and the teeth extraction I've dropped 20 pounds!!!!! The sad thing is I know I've lost some muscle as well :(

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CompyPaq

@bloggerX: I tried surviving them, and then I found a back door way to comment and commented anyway. But then I realized it wasn't as fun when nobody else was commenting.

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@CompyPaq: I guess I qualify as that \"nobody else\" person you're talking about.

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katia802

@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: You and bloggerX kept me sane at work during the no comment period. Two quiet days at work and no loooong comment sections to read, was going nuts!

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CompyPaq

@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: Sorry. I hyperbolized a little there. No offense was meant to you or GESD.

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@CompyPaq: That's ok : ) I have this weird need to feel special. Elitist, if you will.

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bloggerX

@CompyPaq: Did you notice the website changed?

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CompyPaq

@bloggerX: I noticed the website change shortly after 12AM my time, looked around, liked it, and went to sleep shortly thereafter hoping that I would wake up to an email with the new commenter info.
Instead I woke up to find the site changed back.

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DangerMouth

@CompyPaq: I saw that! And I was jealouse until I realized it was alot like talkin to yourself in an empty room, lol.

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RandomHookup

@bloggerX: I got to spend the morning in a procedure room at a local hospital getting a camera shoved down my throat (not as much fun as it sounds). But real torture is that they were playing cheesy Xmas music (and, according to the staff, had been for 2 weeks). I plan on calling Amnesty International to file charges of cruel & unusual punishment.

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bloggerX

@RandomHookup: oho...now thats torture :( The christmas music was only putting salt on the wounds...sea salt at that...

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Crabby Cakes

I want to know how GitEmSteveDave was getting comments in yesterday when comments were shut down. I have a feeling it has something to do with that lab coat of his...

7 replies

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CompyPaq

@Crabby Cakes: Just taking advantage of Gawker's servers is all.

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@Crabby Cakes: Do not question the might that is GitEmSteveDave. Do not taunt GitEmSteveDave.

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bloggerX

@Crabby Cakes: I concur!

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bloggerX

@Crabby Cakes: He probably offered kitties for comments...

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@Crabby Cakes: Yes, I was wearing the labcoat when I developed the super secret technique (called the Venus Butterfly in the 80s & 90s and just recently renamed \"teh Broken Cowboy\") to comment while the comment servers were having anti-snark crumple zones installed. And yes, I did share it with a select few TWILFS of mine. Because, I mean, I'm addicted to this site, and I gotta have my fix!

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@GitEmSteveDave_CanCommentz: I am glad that I had the secret bestowed upon me. I did use it for good and not evil. Even if evil was called for, I resisted.

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RandomHookup

@GitEmSteveDave_CanCommentz: Hmmm, revenue source. Cash to comment.

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theblackdog

YAY!

So this weekend is the second (and last) set of performances for the play I am in. Also had a job interview today for a supervisors position in my department. I think I did well, but there's 13 people applying for it, so the competition will be fierce.

Then it's Turkey week and the infamous Black Friday. I have to wonder, has anyone seen a deal yet that they will actually consider braving the crowds for? I haven't yet this year. The last time I went for a deal, two years ago, it was to get the Nintendo DS that came with Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.

5 replies

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HogwartsAlum

@theblackdog_FeelingRandom: Good luck with the job!

I have seen nothing that I can either afford, or woudl brave the crowds for. If I'm lucky, I'll be recovering from surgery next week; that is, if the surgeon doesn't make me wait until after the holiday. I plan to cry, plead, beg...anything to stop this stupid stomachache.

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@theblackdog_FeelingRandom: High five for applying-for-fiercely-competitive-promotions! I'm in the same boat, if they don't tell us their decision soon I'm going to go nuts. Good luck!

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theblackdog

@h3llc4t, breaker of office dress codes: Thanks! We shall see, it will be about 2-3 weeks before we know since they're still interviewing.

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CompyPaq

@theblackdog_FeelingRandom: Good luck on the job.

Last year on Black Friday, my friends and I camped outside of Best Buy for fun with no intention of buying anything. I ended up finding a 8GB flash drive for $5 so I impulse bought it.

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theblackdog

@CompyPaq: Nice. I'd consider it but the Best Buy's around here get crazy sometimes. About 3 years ago I did actually hit the point of being at a near tantrum at one because they tried to claim I needed a ticket for an item that according to their ad, I did not need a ticket for. It did make the item I wanted appear though.

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OK, I got called today by a reporter out of Philly to do a interview about RoofCoffeeCup ( [www.instructables.com] & [Twitter.com] ). Here's the question. I have done a lot of work to separate my \"real\" identity from GitEmSteveDave, for when I have to get a job in the \"real\" world. When the reporter called, she called me Steve, and I didn't disagree. So should I do the interview AS Steve Davidson?
What do you think Consumerica?

10 replies

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PsiCop

@GitEmSteveDave_HazEnvy: If it fits, to the point that it seemed to make intuitive sense to someone else, then go with it!

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@PsiCop: Well, I actually respond to SteveDave if people say it, which is funny. It's like the nickname I wanted as a kid, instead of the ones the mean kids called me. So it all turned out good in the end.

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Trai_Dep

@GitEmSteveDave_CanCommentz: No.
Keep three identities. Personal, professional and snarky smart-ass.
At least, that's my strategy, with a couple minor exceptions.

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@Trai_Dep: i have 3 identities... my \"secret online\" identity (nobody that i know IRL knows that it's me - it's my IRC nick)
my \"public online\" identity - not really sure how to qualify this, but it's what i use on consumerist. it involves parts of my real name, and i've done nothing to try to keep it a secret from people i know IRL.
then there's my \"offline\" identity, which is what everyone knows me as. (i'll classify facebook as under this \"offline\" or \"real\" or \"primary\" identity)

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bloggerX

@Trai_Dep: That's a good strategy!

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pecan 3.14159265

@GitEmSteveDave_CanCommentz: Why not maintain your status as a mysterious international man of business?

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bloggerX

@GitEmSteveDave_CanCommentz: Yes, do Steve Davidson. Having different personas rock!

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DangerMouth

@GitEmSteveDave_CanCommentz: I think this page will show up if you do a google search for Steve Davidson.

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@DangerMouth: MANY things show up if you google Steve Davidson. Luckily, the comment sections of most gawker blogs don't get indexed.

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bornonbord

@GitEmSteveDave_HazEnvy: Hrm... I really thought you were one of the few people who had transparency about their online persona...

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@bornonbord: I'm not ashamed to say who I am online when in the real world. However, online, I don't like to say who I am.

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katia802

@GitEmSteveDave_HazEnvy: heh, you google my real name and you get some nuclear scientist in california! always got a kick out of that

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@katia802: Mines an author, and also a famous performer in a \"one man show\".

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@GitEmSteveDave_CanCommentz: so wait, Steve Davidson is your \"internet name\"? my internet name (what i put on forms wen i don't want people to know my real name) is \"Internet Handle\"

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hotdogsunrise

Birthday on Sunday! Yippee!!

I don't have anything planned yet. Is it lame that all I really want is to sit around most of the day and go to the dog park with the pups?

9 replies

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HogwartsAlum

@hotdogsunrise: It's your birthday...you do what ever you want! Happy Birthday!

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bloggerX

@hotdogsunrise: Happy pre-Birthday! That doesn't sound lame. What is lame though is when your friends say they'll do something for you, when the day comes they can't even TEXT you, and talk about what they want done on their birthday's! Now that's lame!

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subtlefrog

@hotdogsunrise: Happy birthday! I think spending it with the pups is a marvelous way to spend it. But then, it's no secret that Daisydog is MY life.

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subtlefrog

@subtlefrog: And with that, I think we should incorporate the obligatory pet thread: Here is DaisyDog. No, she is NOT wearing a snuggy.

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HogwartsAlum

@subtlefrog: Awww how cute. That's a sweet little doggy face.

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@hotdogsunrise: Happy Birthday! I think you should spend it how ever you want to. Who cares what other people think is lame?

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hotdogsunrise

@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: It's true. I just hate how everyone asks, \"What are you doing for your birthday?\" Uhhh... nothing?

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@hotdogsunrise: Yeah.. I just said \"Well, we're going out to dinner\" which we did.. Other than that? Not much. Too much work getting in the way.

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theblackdog

@hotdogsunrise: Happy Birthday! and no, that's not lame.

Lame is not only having a rehearsal that evening like I did, but also having your headlights burn out so you have to call for a ride to the auto parts store or risk getting pulled over by the police.

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hotdogsunrise

@theblackdog_FeelingRandom: Yeah, that's no fun. Both headlights out? Yuck.

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theblackdog

@hotdogsunrise: Yeah, one burned out as I was leaving work, then 45 mins later as I was about to pull out of the UPS store, the other one burned out. It was either high-beams on a very busy road, or call for help.

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pecan 3.14159265

@hotdogsunrise: Happy birthday! I think going to the dog park is a lot of fun. I don't have a dog, but I like watching other people's dogs.

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subtlefrog

I'm currently living in fear of my inbox - long series of events, involving essentially good and evil. I fear that some drama that has unfolded will result in a manifestation of pure evil emailing me for the first time in some time (in all honesty, I do believe the guy is a sociopath). And the worst part is that it's the direct result of one of my best friends essentially selling me out, kind of without realizing it. The whole thing really threw me for a loop.

Maybe I will change my email filter so that any incoming email from the evil person just gets marked as read and goes to spam.

12 replies

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Paladin_11

@subtlefrog: You do know that Consumerist has a squad of Ninja Assassins on call, right? As far as I know they've never actually killed anyone (but then, as Ninjas how would you know to attribute it to them in the first place?) but they have been known to severely annoy people into submission.

If you need them activate the Consumerist Ninja Assassin signaling beacon. It's near the fedora...

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pecan 3.14159265

@Paladin_11: Look, I have a post it pad, a pencil, and some Chlorix wipes. I'm sure I can McGuyver this into some kind of ballistic missile.

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subtlefrog

@pecan 3.14159265: @Paladin_11: & @ all other Consumerists - Thank you all. You guys are amazing. You put a smile on my face - and with the Ninja corps, the head of which is Kimaroo, and Pecan with her MacGuyver ways, I feel safer already.

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@subtlefrog: Awesome, I am the special.

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theblackdog

@subtlefrog: I had to do that with an ex, he's currently set to have any E-mails from him go straight to my trash can. The only downside to that is that I still know when he tries to E-mail me because Yahoo Mail marks that there's an unread message in the trash.

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pecan 3.14159265

@subtlefrog: Uh oh. I agree with Oranges. Maybe instead of them going to a spam folder, you should designate a folder and if it gets worse, you can take those to the police? At least let them know that you're having these problems.

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MostlyHarmless

@pecan 3.14159265: No use. Said evil person is in another country.

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pecan 3.14159265

@MostlyHarmless: In that case...hope he angers a mobster and pops up on Interpol?

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MostlyHarmless

@pecan 3.14159265: Hahaha good one. From what froggy told me, I am surprised he as not done so already.

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@subtlefrog: I am honing my NinjaKim skills in anticipation.

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@subtlefrog: Well the good thing is that it is only email... I would keep it in case of the situation getting worse, sort of as proof?

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CompyPaq

@subtlefrog: Sounds like your having trouble with an EX. If you think that he's sane, then hear him out, otherwise filter your email

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subtlefrog

@CompyPaq: Oh, so not an ex. Former collaborator. Tried to ruin my PhD. For no apparent reason, never told me why, just decided one day that he wanted to ruin my life. He chooses people at random to do this to. Of course, when I got involved with this collaboration, I had no idea.

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MostlyHarmless

@subtlefrog: BTW, since its acadio-professional, I suggest moving them to a different folder where you can keep them but dont have to look at them right away.

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subtlefrog

@MostlyHarmless: Evilman already has his own folder. In my old email address. But since I use Thunderbird, it checks all of my addresses at once (I've got a few academic addresses).

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hotdogsunrise

@subtlefrog: Oh, I've totally done this. It's so worth it. Don't let that person bother you. Set it to be immediately deleted, and bam. You never even know if/when they email you. It's great.

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MostlyHarmless

@subtlefrog: Of all the stories involving Good and Evil in the Hindu literature, and of all of those that involve millions of animals, there simply isnt one with Frogs in it. Because otherwise i could have extrapolated something from there.

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subtlefrog

@MostlyHarmless: Wow. That's a little depressing. And I'm gonna guess any involving reptiles, the reptiles are the bad guys?

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MostlyHarmless

@subtlefrog: No, not necessarily.

I can remember at least one huge reptile being good.

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dragonfire81

Alright fess up! How many of you will be partaking in Black Friday sales next week?

My employer is requiring me to arrive at 5:30 am for a 6:00 am opening, what joy. I don't feel like fighting the crowds but sometimes the deals ARE worth it. I've scored my share of goodies during Boxing Day sales up north (if you don't know, Boxing Day is the Canadian equivalent of Black Friday, when stores open up uber early and have crazy deals).

I think I might jump into some untested waters this year and see if I can score some Black Friday deals online this year. Getting a few Christmas presents at rock bottom prices would be fine with me.

Anyone got any tips for online Black friday success?

6 replies

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Nemesis_Enforcer

@dragonfire81: I will be too busy working :(. I dont work retail, I work in a lab so we are working on BF. And I was sick earlier this year so I dont have any time off. Grrrr I hate it that my job mixes sick time and vacation together!

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@dragonfire81: i rarely ever buy anything - my brother does, though

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theblackdog

@dragonfire81: Usually I'll check BFAds.com a few days before to see what is in the leaked ads, if I see something good, then I'll head out.

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Ratty

@dragonfire81: Buy Nothing day for me that day. I'm parking my ass in the house, watching movies, playing Warcraft, and eating far too many thanksgiving leftovers.

Oh, and hitting the gym. ;)

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bloggerX

@dragonfire81: Not me! I remember when I worked in retail having to wake up extra early to work! I was at Target as a cart boy, I didn't do anything because people were grabbing carts off one another when they were done! It was great-I was walking around all day doing nothing :)

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Fanboy1217

@dragonfire81: suburban areas are sometimes your best bets for shopping.

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So, i got back into the twitter...
any consumeristas that wish to join the antics, post your twitter url so anyone interested can follow you

(i've been following kaster, pecan, kimmaroo, mostlyharmless, subtlefrog, and a few others... they use it like a giant chatroom, though)

10 replies

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Dustbunny

@gStein_wondering if this will work: I'm CrankyOwl on Twitter. I follow most of the Consumeristas but can't be as chatty as them during the day. My boss sits behind me & can see my 'puter screen so she knows when I'm goofing off ;-)

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@gStein_wondering if this will work: i can't even keep up!

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@gStein_is on the new consumerist site: it would have been nice if i'd linked to my own account... i was just so excited about OPEN THREAD!!!!!!!! [twitter.com]

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@gStein_is on the new consumerist site: OK, you might want to write this down. My name on Twitter is:GitEmSteveDave. My gmail is: GitEmStevedave. My AIM is: GitEmSteveDave. My Facebook is: GitEmSteveDave. Yes, there is a pattern there. ;)

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@GitEmSteveDave_HazEnvy: LOL!! : ) Yes.. I will always know how to find you. And if I'm ever not sure that it's really you (Imposters do exist!).. I will ask you something about a kitty that I know you would know.

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@GitEmSteveDave_HazEnvy: so, if i were to try to find you on google wave, i'd look up \"WearsGrannyPanties\"?

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theblackdog

@gStein_is on the new consumerist site: I'm theblackdog2071 on Twitter, and yeah, we Consumerists are a chatty bunch on there.

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Kuchen

@gStein_is on the new consumerist site: I just signed up for a Twitter account last week. I don't really get it. Maybe because I don't actually write anything, I just read what others wrote. Any tips for getting more out of Twitter?

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@gStein_is on the new consumerist site: Follow me jamina1 @ twitter and yeah.. I forgot my livejournal was hooked up to my twitter stream. The update today is going to be MASSIVE.

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theblackdog

@Oranges w/ Cheese has 2 cats! ahahaha.: That reminds me, I need to see if there's a Blogger plugin that will tweet when I update my blog.

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thisisasignin

I saw the consumerist site change the other day.
Do not want.

3 replies

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CompyPaq

@thisisasignin: I'm sure if there are parts that aren't liked, they can be fixed much easier now that the Gawker overlords will be gone and Consumerist controls their own site.

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Laura Northrup

@thisisasignin: What didn't you like about it?

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@Laura Northrup: from the precursory glance i got, i didn't like the linear commenting, but @bpopken already said that it'd go to nested comments shortly after launch.

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WOOOOOOOOO!!!

I'm so glad it's open thread time!! It's my favorite.

This week has been the week of deflated bread. It makes me sad, but I haven't given up yet. I think it's a salt problem.. because other issues just couldn't be.

My dad helped me buy a new showerhead and install it last Friday and it is wonderful. It's like a whole new shower world in there. I don't know why I put up with no pressure so long before! Rinsing out my hair is 1000% easier now! (Yes, mathematically impossible, but yet true all the same!)

Speaking of hair, I have a haircut apointment this Sunday, and I am EXCITED!

I don't mean to sound like a deranged squirrel, it's just been a really long week, and a long day today.

7 replies

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pecan 3.14159265

@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: Deflated bread? Hmm. Sure it isn't a yeast problem? I went to a new salon this week. My poor hair was so blegh for so long. It's so dry now, and cold all the time. And it took 20 minutes to blowdry in the morning. I got it cut shorter and yaaaaay!

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@pecan 3.14159265: Well, my yeast is brand new.. The reason I think it's a salt problem is because I've been using kosher salt, and it measures differently than regular table salt. Salt controlls the yeast, and as Ms. Subtlefrog said, if there isn't enough salt, the yeast blows its load too early and then the bread deflates right before baking.

If it isn't the salt (I might try tonight or tomorrow) I will give up, because I have no other ideas.

I have been keeping my hair short this past year and I love it! I got the Victoria Beckham short in the back/longer in the front bob. I'm a little bored with it now but it does look nice on me. I wish there were something new and exciting to do but I'm not brave enough for the Kate Gosselin cut. LOL

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pecan 3.14159265

@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: I considered the Victoria Beckham cut, but my face isn't nearly as angular so it would've looked odd. You should consider the Katie Holmes flapper bob. I did that earlier in the year.

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@pecan 3.14159265: Do you have a pic?

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pecan 3.14159265

@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis:[www.instyle.com] could be a little less severe if you want but I really like it. It helps highlight the eyes too.

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@pecan 3.14159265: Hmm.. It is interesting. My face is not round though.. more of a longer shape. It looks like what I have going on but with strong bangs, which I have considered.

I'm not sure if I want to take the plunge on the bangs.. I've been toying around with it but I haven't had them since I was a wee lil Kim. I'm afraid it might make me look young again (Being so small doesn't help)

I don't know. I might ask my hair girl and see what she thinks. I don't hate it though. It's more like \"I don't know if I'm brave enough for that\" lol.

I honestly do like the Kate G cut too, I think it would work with my hair.. but I don't know if people would think it would be ugly on me or not. It would freak Mr. Aroo out because he hates her. LOL

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subtlefrog

@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: And here's more from On Food and Cooking:

Salt inhibits yeast activity and, if added to excess, will reduce the volume and lightness of the loaf. By forming strong ionic bonds with side chains on hte flour proteins, salt tends to make them less mobile and so the gluten less extensible, more tough...the end result is a denser loaf.

Oranges w/ cheese - was it your mom who always made loaves that were \"thumpers\"?

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@subtlefrog: CRAP.. So not too much salt either.

*Sigh* Maybe I'm not scientific enough for bread. This hurts my nerdy ego. A lot.

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NatalieErin

@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: Dangit. I have a bread book that offers a convrsion between kosher salt and table salt that seems to work, IMO. I can't remember it, though.

You don't need to be that scientific for bread baking - you just need to start with a relatively easy recipe and work your way up to the harder ones. If it has any ingredients other than flour, water, yeast, and salt, it's not beginner level.

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hotdogsunrise

@pecan 3.14159265: I got bangs this week! Yippee! Side swept bangs, baby. It looks pretty hot, I must say.

It only took me two months of seriously thinking about it before I did it, mind you.

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pecan 3.14159265

@hotdogsunrise: I love bangs. I had bangs earlier in the year, and I loooved them. My mom dug up photos of me as a kid and I had bangs then too. I'm taking a break from bangs for now, but I will return to them next year.

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HogwartsAlum

@pecan 3.14159265: My bangs are really long now, and I wear them parted on the side and waved around my face. It's a pain to do in the morning, but I was so TIRED of the fringe that I've had for YEARS. I can't seem to get the hang of pulling them across my forehead, though. No matter what I do, it looks stupid.

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pecan 3.14159265

@HogwartsAlum: For bangs to sit just so, they have to be thick and you should be able to shape it with a round brush and a blowdryer.

@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: I had bangs when I was a kid, too. I thought it would make me look young, but I was pretty surprised. I looked a little younger, but not too young. Definitely not like a kid.

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subtlefrog

@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: Do not doubt my scientific analysis of your salt problem. It's all about salt crystal size.

Besides, I get bonus points for being vulgar even discussing bread & salt. I'm good that way (See, h3llc4t, why you need twitter?)

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@subtlefrog: I do not doubt you, besides I do remember a little thing Alton did with kosher vs table salt on a balance scale.

I don't know why I thought I could fly in the face of science/weight/math/ratios. My ego got in my way, I guess.

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@subtlefrog: Yes, your sex/salt/yeast analogy was amazing.

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MostlyHarmless

@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: Actually 1000% easier only means 10x as easy. Well within mathematical possibilities.

And I agree, even as a guy, a good well pressured showerhead is one of the best pleasures in life.

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Ratty

Today is work's Turkey Day... man oh man I'm stuffed. Blah. And they want us super productive. Not a genius idea for a lunch thanksgiving buffet. it was very tasty though.

This weekend I make Fight Club soaps.

2 replies

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GearheadGeek

@Ratty: Fight club soaps? Where are you getting the human fat? Are you gonna rob a lipo clinic?

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barb95

@Ratty: Mine too! They made it a potluck/thanksgiving lunch so I just finished a plate of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, fried chicken, lumpia, guac with chips and a huge hunkin piece of tiramisu cake! Seriously, how am I supposed to work without passing out?!

Zzzzzzz.......

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squinko

This weekend I'm off to buy the materials to make Skittles vodka! :D

4 replies

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@squinko: you mean, \"This weekend I'm off to buy skittles and vodka\"

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bloggerX

@squinko: Taste the rainbow!

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squinko

@squinko: Damn you Ratty! You kicked me off the first page!

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Ratty

@squinko: Bahahaha. That's what you get for talking with me.

Let me know how skittles vodka goes, I really want orange skittles vodka. mmmmm.

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Laura Northrup

Guess what I did on Wednesday? I ordered some pretty basic components from Newegg and MADE MY OWN COMPUTER AT HOME.

It has 2 gigs of RAM and Xubuntu, My Mac is my first love, but this is great to work on.

4 replies

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bloggerX

@Laura Northrup: Make sure the Mac doesn't see you two together, it may get jealous. The next time you turn on your PC, you'll might see the dreaded BSOD...

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@Laura Northrup: woooo! I am impressed!

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PsiCop

@Laura Northrup: Very nice. Custom-builds are always \"labors of love\" that you never quite get over. I built my first PC back in 1993 and guess what, it's still sitting in my attic collecting dust, because I can't bear to part with it.

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@Laura Northrup: You never forget your first build, Laura. Congrats.

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Work has had me so busy lately that I haven't had time to do anything but crank away at one job, go home, go to the next job, and pass out. I visit Consumerist while files are loading and it's the only thing keeping my sanity together.

The high point of my week was when I was lying upstairs in bed and one of the cats brought me her lobster toy. That quickly devolved when I got up and heard the other cat crying, so I picked her up to cuddle her. Her paws were wet. After some investigation, I'm 99% sure it was toilet water. I'm not sure that they didn't plan it that way.

1 replies

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bloggerX

@h3llc4t, breaker of office dress codes: Poor Kitty! My next door neighboor basically abandoned their cat, poor thing. I take care of her now. This is the third cat they have done this on. I'm thinking about reporting them, but I have no evidence since the other two cats got ran over...

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I just got Christmas SCREWED. I put all this energy into finding the perfect present for a loved one, and someone else who knew about it went and got the same thing AND GAVE IT TO MY LOVED ONE TODAY so that I'm completely pre-empted.

I have never had anybody do that to me before. Christmas in Eyebrows-world are delightful happy things full of liquor and presents and good cheer. NOT PEOPLE SCREWING ME.

8 replies

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katia802

@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): My sister and i do this unintentionally every year. Find the perfect gift, only to come home to a voice mail that says guess what I just bought for myself!!! Grandma does this all the time unintentionally, guess my family is just too impulsive.

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@katia802: I don't mind if it's unintentional -- one year my mom and my husband both got me an iPod, everyone laughed and made \"great minds think alike\" jokes, and I returned one for a whole honking chunk o' iTunes gift cards. No big. But this was intentional and done to be MEAN.

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HogwartsAlum

@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): Send the evil person a fruitcake.

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@HogwartsAlum: hey, i happen to like fruitcake!
my aunt makes a really good one (from my grandmother's recipe)
was at Costco the other day, and the one they had samples of was good, but not as good as the homemade one.

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econobiker

@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): Not nice. Mark that up for future reference on that gifting assassin or what ever you'd call him/her...

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GearheadGeek

@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): Ah, the joys of the holidays. If this is a family member, you can save your Christmas sanity by plotting revenge while watching \"Home for the Holidays.\"

And, speaking of liquor, it makes a great gift for many people. My stepdad is much easier to buy for than my mom, because he's always happy with a nice bottle of Scotch he'd be too cheap to buy for himself, and he always shares. ;) Dunno if this is helpful advice for your loved one who received the pre-emptive strike ..er.. gift.

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hotdogsunrise

@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): That's pretty low. I'd be none too pleased, either. Pre-empted on a gift... that's nuts.

I'm just hoping no one bought me the Star Wars blu-ray. As if I'd wait to buy that ... pfft. Bought it and watched it the day it came out.

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lehrdude

@hotdogsunrise:

Are you my mother?

My sister just bought my son the Frog-O-Sphere from Brookstone...and my mother is really upset that she didn't get to buy it...

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lehrdude

My new favorite way to piss off collection agents is to ask them \"Is that your professional legal advice?\" after everything they say...

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HogwartsAlum

I never thought I'd say this, but I want Monday to come. My surgical appointment is Monday morning. Today I went home early, just absolutely whipped, dizzy, still with the stomachache. I WANT THE STINKING GALLBLADDER OUT ALREADY.

Can your pancreas hurt? I think mine does.

4 replies

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katia802

@HogwartsAlum: I'd contact the doc, this sounds way scary to be dealing with for a long time. When my son's gallbladder went bad, they kept telling him that it wasn't major and not to worry, we can operate later, he kept getting worse still in the hospital, finally they operated and discovered that he had a really bad infection that all 3 scans and 20 or so docs and nurses poked at and didn't notice, would have killed him when it burst. Call em and tell them to check you again, is much better to be safe.

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HogwartsAlum

@katia802: I see the surgeon tomorrow; I am a little scared, because I've also been feeling faint and I've had a stomachache now for a WEEK. I think I have pancreatitis. I'm going to INSIST they take it out NOW.

I can't afford to be sick for a long time; I have no sick time or personal time, and I only have three vacation days for the year left. :P

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@HogwartsAlum: oh, so they're pulling the whole thing out? did they ever decide what exactly it was, polyp or stones?

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HogwartsAlum

@gStein_wondering if this will work: They didn't know. I don't know. All I know is I hurt! Grrr!

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katia802

help! how do i post pics?

1 replies

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@katia802:
this code:

will give you this image:

(notice the lack of a trailing >)
if you want to add text after your image, make sure to start a new line.

November 23, 2009 5:32 PM

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HyperHacker

I'd like to see more articles on how to do/make/repair your own stuff at home, get more bang for your buck, and alternatives to expensive goods and services. These stories are all quite entertaining, but some useful information (besides \"Foo Corp Rips People Off\") would be a bonus.

November 23, 2009 5:32 PM

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567Kate

I'm trying to plan out some of my Christmas shopping, and I was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions for a practical gift for someone who is underemployed. I saw some cool business card holders, and thought that might be nice for job-hunting, but I'd love to hear others' ideas.