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The most intense potato flavor you've ever experienced.

I've long wondered about rosin cooked potatoes because I own a copy of Joy Of Cooking that contains it as a recipe. The rosin i'm familiar with is used on string instrument bows to help them grab the strings better, but I'd assume it can't be too different -- even those tiny "rosin up your bow" packages reek of tree scent.

I can't imagine how to even get enough rosin to put in a pot to cook potatoes. And I'd assume, that pot is then forever relegated to having… [more]
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 8:37 AM on June 2, 2024

I mean the fun about old copies of The Joy Of Cooking is how utterly prairie housewife they get. Need illustrations on how to skin a squirrel? Yeah, they were in there. Want to use every part of that animal you've slaughtered? Yes, you'll have instructions on boiling non-meat parts to extract tallow and other things.

I know they aren't always great recipes, but those older copies of TJOC were the sort of thing that should have been included with those Sears houses you… [more]
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 9:01 AM on June 2, 2024

Boiled potatoes taste nothing like roasted potatoes. And I assume that rosin potatoes are closer to roasted potatoes because of the higher temp of the rosin.

My favorite potato at this point is a russet that's been well washed, had four stabs with a fork, put into a microwave for 6-9 min depending on its size, and then rubbed with oil and salted and put in a 400°F oven for about 20 minutes until the skin begins to get crisp. Slice that in half and add butter and maybe a… [more]
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 9:04 AM on June 2, 2024

Why would the potato boiled in rosin have any more concentrated potato flavour than a potato baked in the oven?

I assume the thickness of the rosin actually doesn't allow steam to escape the potato and it's the result of all that steam being trapped inside the starch of the potato interior that really transforms that interior.

Baking in an oven will allow water to escape.

Boiling will allow water to… [more]
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 9:07 AM on June 2, 2024

Mockumentary? Documentary? Ren Faire.

I haven't been to TRF since the early Nineties. It's an amazing immersive space. I'll be interested to watch this bit of media about it.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 7:08 AM on June 2, 2024

I could run forever, but I won't get far (free thread!)

And the medical appointments continue, with me seeing a GI specialist today. And I want to say... WOW! What a difference! The PA I was seeing was quite interested in my symptoms, was deciphering possible diagnoses while I was talking to her, and after spending nearly an hour talking to her [I know!!!] I walked out with a clear plan of things to try to solve my issues and an appointment for an endoscopy in less than a month.

I haven't had a doctor's visit where I felt… [more]
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 11:58 AM on May 30, 2024

Other than as a human statue posing as part of buffet with the taco holder being regularly replenished for buffet feasters to select, I can't imagine what the purpose of that actually is. And I've been pondering it for far too many hours at this point.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 7:54 PM on May 30, 2024

So, I need some reassurance...

The GI specialist [see above] recommended that I take a small amount of Murilax laxative to help alleviate my diarrhea and constant needing to sit on the toilet.

A few months ago I was given some fiber gummies that had chicory root fiber, inulin I think they call it, and it reduced me to howling factoids from rectal irritation and once I stopped taking it, that stopped too.

I know this isn't… [more]
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 4:48 PM on June 1, 2024

The RPG Campaign That Became A Novel

How do you write a list, Barnes & Noble, of novels that started out as RPGs and not include the granddaddy of them all, Dragonlance?
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 12:05 PM on June 1, 2024

crap gaming/tie-in novels

But the Dragonlance novels are actually quite good!
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 12:32 PM on June 1, 2024

House Of Leaves was based on an RPG but then the butter and the camel began to duststorm and octopus fnord froynlevyn wee;j wjfk x.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 3:49 PM on June 1, 2024

Trump Verdict Thread

Conviced felon ex-president Donald Trump

I've been thinking I might want to put a yard sign out but I get nervous going with a candidate or a party because I live in a pretty red area. But maybe I could just get "GUILTY" printed up and put that in my yard. Seems factual and informative.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 2:18 PM on May 30, 2024

Man, I really hope they're able to protect those jurors.

Weirdly also mr. hippybear's first observation... "well, now all those jurors will have to move and get new jobs..."

I have no idea how well they've managed to keep their identities safe. I hope they've done well.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 2:20 PM on May 30, 2024

so, I think it might be bigger if it is elevated to a felony? The sentence of "potentially 4 years" has been floating about.... The legal analysts I've been listening to have been saying it might be a sentence of house arrest, suspended, maybe with some public service?

I think if there weren't a presidential election going on, he might be subjected to house arrest. or... maybe a sentence is delivered that is delayed until after the election so he could be… [more]
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 2:36 PM on May 30, 2024

It’s going to take a team of surgeons two hours to remove the smile from my face.
posted by Capt. Renault

I'm shocked, SHOCKED to find you're pleased about this.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 2:37 PM on May 30, 2024

I suppose I shouldn't mention Rule 34, but I'm unable to help myself.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 3:13 PM on May 30, 2024

I really, really wish I had a badge maker.

Fedex Office or Staples or Office Depot, if you're near to any of those places, might have a print shop that could help you out. I'm often surprised by what I could get printed at such places.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 3:30 PM on May 30, 2024

I guess the hope is that there is enough of them to impact the outcome of the election.

There are probably 3 or 4 different little contingent of Trump voters who have people likely to move away from Trump after these convictions. If 1% of those move in the correct states, he loses. If 3% of those leave regardless of which states, he loses. It won't take much. Just a couple of people out of every hundred to say "nah".
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 3:33 PM on May 30, 2024

Mah Na Mah Na, Doot Dooo Dee Doo Doo

It's Donald Trump, Conviiiicted Felon
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 3:48 PM on May 30, 2024

Hrm. Maybe a clear slurpee cup with jail bars printed on it and an orange colored flavor to put in it?
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 4:23 PM on May 30, 2024

No, I mean, have you ever REALLY looked at your hands?
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 4:54 PM on May 30, 2024

Has the jury reached a verdict?

We have, your Honor.

Hit it! yt

Featuring Carl Anderson who sang Judas in the film version of Jesus Christ Superstar as the Judge!

Cop Rock had so much potential.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 5:44 PM on May 30, 2024

Mueller She Wrote is a rather specific lens through with to get one's news. Their editorial choices about which stories to carry can be a bit off from what everyone else is talking about. I like them but have cut out their daily news and now just do their two Trump roundup podcasts, Cleanup On Aisle 45 and Jack.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 6:14 PM on May 30, 2024

I sort of wonder if Trump has circulation issues. He's used to pacing around a lot, I don't get the impression he sits still for a long amount of time, he was complaining that a courtroom that others have documented to be above 70° was freezing, and he was falling asleep at the table. I'd be curious to know how healthy he actually is vs how the propaganda says he is.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 6:44 PM on May 30, 2024

The speculation is running wild in here, absolutely wild.

Is this your first time on MetaFilter?
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 6:59 PM on May 30, 2024

Being a good butler involves you anticipating someone else's needs and striving to fulfill them before the other person even knows they have the need. Trump... only has his own needs.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 7:11 PM on May 30, 2024

I do feel like the planet shifted a bit on its axis today. I honestly wasn't expecting this, but it is portentous, I think.

Wondering how this might affect the SCOTUS decision we should have already had a month ago.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 7:14 PM on May 30, 2024

Lisa Ferri Senior Producer for MSNBC’s “Deadline White House with Nicolle Wallace” takes Katie Couric through what it was like in the court room as the verdict was read in Donald Trump’s Hush-Money Case. [20m]
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 7:36 PM on May 30, 2024

Yeah, I read that same link from jonp72 and it was an excellent read and worth the time. It's mid length.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 7:53 PM on May 30, 2024

Wow, that article that Nelson posted is a bit more unhinged with what it's talking about than these pull-quotes posted here thus far. The level of stochastic terrorism that seems to be acceptable in our society by certain parties these days is truly terrifying.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 4:36 PM on May 31, 2024

Literally every article I see is saying Trump wins in a landslide no matter what.

You are maybe reading news sources which are doing horse race calling six months out from an election using flawed polling?

The majority of the US electorate isn't even paying real attention to the election yet and they won't until maybe mid Sept, early Oct. All polling now, and even FiveThirtyEight is beginning to admit polling is broken more… [more]
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 8:52 PM on May 31, 2024

My question stands: if he does win, and if he does proceed with dismantling American democracy – which seems extremely likely – what are you actually going to do?
Are you going to accept it as a legitimate democratic result? The people have spoken? America is not a democracy anymore?

This is a wide derail from the subject of the post, but I'm sure there will be a lot of protests in the streets. Maybe some people with power in various ways… [more]
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 11:54 AM on June 1, 2024

Don’t forget that while he was in office, many, many people refused to carry out his illegal orders (as well as just not talking to him about a lot of shit in the first place). IIRC he wanted to bomb Venezuela, and they tried once or twice to explain to him why they couldn’t do that.

Yes, and this is where Project 2025 comes in, because they have been interviewing people for months and months to try to get as many new people ready to go to be… [more]
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 12:09 PM on June 1, 2024

Does anyone actually, truly, think that there is even a single real estate developer who hasn't committed felony fraud by falsifying documents like Trump did?

A single real estate developer? I bet there are millions of them.

I have a much more optimistic view of my fellow humans and know that many of them are good, upright people who follow the laws of their countries.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 1:27 PM on June 1, 2024

Aren't there secret FEMA camps all over the country, supposedly, ready to take in people the government has decided need to be rounded up?

I mean, okay, that's a conspiracy theory.

But in theory, there are plenty of ways Trump could be held. Anyone saying it isn't possible is lacking imagination and information about exactly how carceral the US is as a country.

We hold more people in custody than any other country. More than China. Which has 4x our population.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 3:29 PM on June 1, 2024

I just crossed the barrier. I'm not afraid anything!

The documentary was made 10 years ago. The description is lifted direction from the YouTube description.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 9:01 AM on June 1, 2024

I feel like the documentary is implying that Australia didn't have much acceptance of gay culture pre-Priscilla, and then it was after that when the Mardis Gras began? Am I interpreting that correctly?
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 2:29 PM on June 1, 2024

Fish are smarter than we think

I mean, It's a bit like a spaceship? Or maybe reverse SCUBA? I'm left wondering, if we built these bigger and put bigger, smarter fish in them, where would they try to go? Would they have bigger aspirations? And what even are the aspirations of a fish who finds themself driving a vehicle in a city park?

The question about stereo vision is an interesting one because it's been pretty much solved in mammals for a while -- animals that have eyes that are close enough… [more]
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 3:47 PM on May 31, 2024

The Spectacular Failure of the Star Wars Hotel

Did you get your new Nicholson Achievement for your YouTube account? That badge lets others know you watched to the end!
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 2:54 PM on May 31, 2024

Not an accurate depiction of the fur trade

Much of this is more silent movie era with its visuals, even while it's using sound.

It's fascinating. I'm watching with delight. Thanks for posting!
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 8:02 PM on May 30, 2024

Some weird echoes of but not rhymes with Lynch's Rabbits thing.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 8:13 PM on May 30, 2024

"continually inventive" is the only phrase I can come up with.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 9:47 PM on May 30, 2024

I don't remember anything terribly inappropriate, but I don't have kids of my own so my dial is set pretty tolerant.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 9:58 AM on May 31, 2024

'Like drinking a music festival': this is ultrasonic coffee

Why are we continually trying to find new "better" methods for brewing coffee? It's a fine beverage in so many of its forms, surely it should just be appreciated for existing and not chasing after the shadow of its Platonic ideal on the cave wall.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 7:56 PM on May 30, 2024

The Deliberation

On closer read: apparently it's not exactly against the law, but it's something that can be a reversible error (ie, grounds for overturning the conviction on appeal) even if the defense and prosecution agreed that it's okay, so the judge is quite sensibly treading very carefully.

Especially with two lawyers in the jury, it could get pretty easy to begin playing with the exact wording of written jury instructions to find a novel verdict which of… [more]
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 1:03 PM on May 30, 2024

It might be "not guilty" for the first 10 or 11 charges as those are the checks he didn't sign. So it could feel a bit soul killing at the beginning of the process.

Of course, this isn't televised, so... less drama that way.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 1:50 PM on May 30, 2024

Mary Trump, Jen Taub, and Brian Karem discussing the impending verdict here.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 1:59 PM on May 30, 2024

okay well, they've gone for all 34 counts.

the hair on my entire body is standing on end.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 2:07 PM on May 30, 2024

What about Mother Teresa? Any word from the jury on her?

I understand she was really difficult to work with. But that's not first-hand knowledge.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 2:11 PM on May 30, 2024

It got continued over there.
posted to MetaFilter by hippybear at 3:14 PM on May 30, 2024