MetaTalk Queue April 19, 2013 9:01 AM Subscribe
We're turning on the MetaTalk queue for the weekend.
Just a heads up—we've turned on the MetaTalk queue for the weekend. The moderators are stretched thin with the recent breaking news posts so MetaTalk posts will be queued instead of posting to the site immediately. That way if a MetaTalk post is about something that a moderator can help with, they can work with the poster without also managing the community discussion. If the MetaTalk post requires community input, they can approve it when there are enough moderators available to help.
We usually do this around holidays when we're short-staffed. This time we're using it due to the extraordinary strain breaking events are having on our staff. You can find a history of our use of the MetaTalk queue here.
Just a heads up—we've turned on the MetaTalk queue for the weekend. The moderators are stretched thin with the recent breaking news posts so MetaTalk posts will be queued instead of posting to the site immediately. That way if a MetaTalk post is about something that a moderator can help with, they can work with the poster without also managing the community discussion. If the MetaTalk post requires community input, they can approve it when there are enough moderators available to help.
We usually do this around holidays when we're short-staffed. This time we're using it due to the extraordinary strain breaking events are having on our staff. You can find a history of our use of the MetaTalk queue here.
Hey, guys:
Hugs. It's been one long week, you've been on the ball the entire time.
Thanks.
posted by eriko at 9:14 AM on April 19, 2013 [118 favorites]
Hugs. It's been one long week, you've been on the ball the entire time.
Thanks.
posted by eriko at 9:14 AM on April 19, 2013 [118 favorites]
Thanks for understanding folks. A few more "Advice for emergencies in online communities" reminders for folks.
1. We're reading every comment in the fast moving threads. We appreciate your flags but flagging stuff from several hours ago in megathreads is unlikely to have any effect. Elsewhere: feel free to flag as usual, please don't go on any flagging tears.
2. Please read over your posts and comments extra carefully for typos and/or appropriateness; it's easier for us if you can fix your own stuff yourself generally but especially on days like today.
3. Be mindful that everyone may not appreciate edgy humor/comments or grok what is and isn't sarcasm when they are stressed and upset. It's your call, we're making no mod proclamation, just try to be thoughtful.
4. Similarly, people deal with stress in different ways, try to figure out if your strong reactions to things are a site issue (if so: flag, email us, reply) or a personal issue (if so: take a walk, talk to a friend, go for a jog/bath/donut). Read over twice, post once.
We generally feel that things are going okay here at MetaFilter and our thoughts are with members, friends and family who are dealing with bad or scary stuff as well as everyone else who is just enduring the media frenzy and waiting for it to end. Thanks for mostly being decent to each other. Thanks for understanding when maybe we can't be.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:27 AM on April 19, 2013 [46 favorites]
1. We're reading every comment in the fast moving threads. We appreciate your flags but flagging stuff from several hours ago in megathreads is unlikely to have any effect. Elsewhere: feel free to flag as usual, please don't go on any flagging tears.
2. Please read over your posts and comments extra carefully for typos and/or appropriateness; it's easier for us if you can fix your own stuff yourself generally but especially on days like today.
3. Be mindful that everyone may not appreciate edgy humor/comments or grok what is and isn't sarcasm when they are stressed and upset. It's your call, we're making no mod proclamation, just try to be thoughtful.
4. Similarly, people deal with stress in different ways, try to figure out if your strong reactions to things are a site issue (if so: flag, email us, reply) or a personal issue (if so: take a walk, talk to a friend, go for a jog/bath/donut). Read over twice, post once.
We generally feel that things are going okay here at MetaFilter and our thoughts are with members, friends and family who are dealing with bad or scary stuff as well as everyone else who is just enduring the media frenzy and waiting for it to end. Thanks for mostly being decent to each other. Thanks for understanding when maybe we can't be.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:27 AM on April 19, 2013 [46 favorites]
Good work, modly people.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:36 AM on April 19, 2013
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:36 AM on April 19, 2013
We are having a toddler birthday party featuring a trampoline, dogs, cats, balloons, rockets, and cake. So instead of griping on MetaTalk, you are all invited to come over! You will get dirty, be advised.
posted by Mister_A at 9:38 AM on April 19, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by Mister_A at 9:38 AM on April 19, 2013 [7 favorites]
Thanks for doing all this for us, mods. I'm sorry it's been so difficult.
posted by batmonkey at 9:40 AM on April 19, 2013
posted by batmonkey at 9:40 AM on April 19, 2013
But I was going to announce my 8-track swap!
posted by mintcake! at 9:40 AM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by mintcake! at 9:40 AM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Thanks for the heads up.
I think I'll hold off on the post I've been making that is fantastically interesting but on a historically fighty inducing topic and opt for a walk instead.
Hugs all around
posted by Blasdelb at 9:42 AM on April 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
I think I'll hold off on the post I've been making that is fantastically interesting but on a historically fighty inducing topic and opt for a walk instead.
Hugs all around
posted by Blasdelb at 9:42 AM on April 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
Cheers, lads and ladies. If I could I'd come round with a cold compress to pat your brows and hook you up with something cold and strong with a bendy straw so you don't have to remove your furious typing fingers from the keyboard. But the gummint has asked me to stay at home today.
posted by Diablevert at 9:53 AM on April 19, 2013
posted by Diablevert at 9:53 AM on April 19, 2013
This seems like an excellent time to point out that I think that the level of moderation the site has is just right - not too much and not too little. Yay good job modding, mods!
posted by insectosaurus at 9:59 AM on April 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by insectosaurus at 9:59 AM on April 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
That's fine, just as long as today's Larp Trek gets posted soon.
posted by slogger at 10:04 AM on April 19, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by slogger at 10:04 AM on April 19, 2013 [5 favorites]
Since you guys are on duty, I'm gonna drink this scotch in your honor.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:06 AM on April 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:06 AM on April 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
~ ~
( o )o)
( o )o )o))
(o( ~~~~~~~~~o
( )' ~~~~~~~~'
( )|) |-.
o| _ |-. \
o| |\/||_ | \ \
| | || | | |
o| | / /
| |." "
| |- '
.=========.
posted by mazola at 10:06 AM on April 19, 2013 [14 favorites] I would be just fine if any of you would like to have one (mind you, ONE) margarita on my behalf. It's been a week.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 10:09 AM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 10:09 AM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Thank god. I'm pouring you all bourbons/Scotches/otherdrinkofyourchoice this weekend. And/or filling a bowl, if that's your thing.
Thank you all. You've been beyond awesome through this whole shitty, shitty week.
posted by rtha at 10:10 AM on April 19, 2013 [4 favorites]
Thank you all. You've been beyond awesome through this whole shitty, shitty week.
posted by rtha at 10:10 AM on April 19, 2013 [4 favorites]
You guys have done impressive things this week.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:17 AM on April 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:17 AM on April 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
this sounds like a good decision but it's a serious bummer that you have to do this for a situation of unspeakable fear and tragedy rather than to go have a rockin holiday weekend with family and friends.
thanks for everything this week.
posted by sweetkid at 10:17 AM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
thanks for everything this week.
posted by sweetkid at 10:17 AM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Good. I've been concerned for the mods about the exceptionally high number of MetaTalk posts this week even setting aside the news-related ones.
posted by Dixon Ticonderoga at 10:18 AM on April 19, 2013
posted by Dixon Ticonderoga at 10:18 AM on April 19, 2013
But I was going to announce my 8-track swap!
You say this like it is a joke.
seriously though, I've a friend who is releasing his next album on cassette tape in a week or two. Not as hard core as the 8 track but...
posted by edgeways at 10:22 AM on April 19, 2013
slogger: "That's fine, just as long as today's Larp Trek gets posted soon."
Understandably, Larp Trek isn't happening today.
posted by ocherdraco at 10:29 AM on April 19, 2013
Understandably, Larp Trek isn't happening today.
posted by ocherdraco at 10:29 AM on April 19, 2013
This has been an awful week. Glad you're doing this for yourselves.
Thank you Team Mod, for working so hard for us. Hope y'all have a nice weekend!
posted by zarq at 10:33 AM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Thank you Team Mod, for working so hard for us. Hope y'all have a nice weekend!
posted by zarq at 10:33 AM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Can we buy you all a drink?
Seriously. Show me how I can and I'll buy you each a drink for being so patient this week.
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 10:35 AM on April 19, 2013
Seriously. Show me how I can and I'll buy you each a drink for being so patient this week.
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 10:35 AM on April 19, 2013
I think I may have been posting that when you were commenting here, slogger. No worries, just didn't seem worth it to try and crank a strip out with my mind not in it this morning.
Anybody is always welcome to buy me a drink if we happen to be in the same place at the same time and that place is a bar. Beyond that, kind words are plenty. I really appreciate everybody whose made the effort to try and keep things working here even when shit is crazy and tense.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:39 AM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Anybody is always welcome to buy me a drink if we happen to be in the same place at the same time and that place is a bar. Beyond that, kind words are plenty. I really appreciate everybody whose made the effort to try and keep things working here even when shit is crazy and tense.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:39 AM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Mods, just thinking of your workload this week makes me tired. Thank you for everything.
I'm guessing this weekend is hardly going to be "off", just slightly more manageable with the queue on.
posted by Lyn Never at 11:10 AM on April 19, 2013
I'm guessing this weekend is hardly going to be "off", just slightly more manageable with the queue on.
posted by Lyn Never at 11:10 AM on April 19, 2013
Every once and awhile I flag comments from people who don't seem to understand that the edit feature is just for typos. Is this still how it works, or have we given up on that? Should I flag these still or am I just making more work?
posted by ODiV at 11:10 AM on April 19, 2013
posted by ODiV at 11:10 AM on April 19, 2013
Feel free to flag them, yes, or send us a note if it's something otherwise innocuous in a fast-moving thread since we may not see it.
posted by cortex (staff) at 11:12 AM on April 19, 2013
posted by cortex (staff) at 11:12 AM on April 19, 2013
Hugs to all of you mods. I don't know how you put up with some of this stuff.
posted by kimberussell at 11:13 AM on April 19, 2013
posted by kimberussell at 11:13 AM on April 19, 2013
Thanks so very much to the mods. The internet is a crazy place, but MF is the only place for me during times like this, and the mods are no small part of that.
Drinks all around!
And hugs. Lots of hugs.
posted by blurker at 11:17 AM on April 19, 2013
Drinks all around!
And hugs. Lots of hugs.
posted by blurker at 11:17 AM on April 19, 2013
These past couple of weeks--and this week especially--have been super crazy personally and professionally for me. The stress and worry coming from national events is also on my mind a great deal, as I know it has been for other Mefites. So I really want to say thank you to all the mods because this site has really been a lifeline and the mods are definitely part of the reason why. I hope that y'all are able to take some quiet time this weekend.
posted by librarylis at 11:21 AM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by librarylis at 11:21 AM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Previously, the Queue was so the mods could have some personal time over holidays. Now it's "we're overworked". What next, "we're all getting bikini waxes for Cortex's concert"?!
Jesus, where does the slippery end?!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:25 AM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Jesus, where does the slippery end?!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:25 AM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
brandon that is not even a sentence
posted by cortex (staff) at 11:29 AM on April 19, 2013 [16 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 11:29 AM on April 19, 2013 [16 favorites]
Interesting how you didn't deny the bikini waxes.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:36 AM on April 19, 2013 [23 favorites]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:36 AM on April 19, 2013 [23 favorites]
It's obvious the queue will eventually be on all or almost all of the time as the site continues to expand it's userbase. It doesn't seem to be a huge problem; meta issues are rarely time sensitive.
posted by Mitheral at 11:42 AM on April 19, 2013
posted by Mitheral at 11:42 AM on April 19, 2013
The slippery end is because of the bikini waxes obvs.
posted by 2bucksplus at 11:44 AM on April 19, 2013 [10 favorites]
posted by 2bucksplus at 11:44 AM on April 19, 2013 [10 favorites]
Thanks for everything, mods. Hope this is a chill-ful (but not too chilly!) weekend for you all.
posted by scody at 11:45 AM on April 19, 2013
posted by scody at 11:45 AM on April 19, 2013
It's obvious the queue will eventually be on all or almost all of the time as the site continues to expand it's userbase.
We have no plans for this. It's not the craziest idea in the world or anything—the idea of metatalk as explicitly queued has come up as a suggestion here more than once over the years—but it's not something we consider to be in any way obvious or inevitable as a future state thing.
posted by cortex (staff) at 11:45 AM on April 19, 2013
We have no plans for this. It's not the craziest idea in the world or anything—the idea of metatalk as explicitly queued has come up as a suggestion here more than once over the years—but it's not something we consider to be in any way obvious or inevitable as a future state thing.
posted by cortex (staff) at 11:45 AM on April 19, 2013
Kudos, thanks, and a peaceful and hopefully outdoors weekend to the mods (and to all MeFites).
posted by Wordshore at 11:55 AM on April 19, 2013
posted by Wordshore at 11:55 AM on April 19, 2013
I think this is a great idea. Thanks for letting us know what's up. Do what you gotta do and have a chill weekend!
posted by iamkimiam at 11:55 AM on April 19, 2013
posted by iamkimiam at 11:55 AM on April 19, 2013
The moderators are stretched thin with the recent breaking news posts so MetaTalk posts will be queued instead of posting to the site immediately.
This time we're using it due to the extraordinary strain breaking events are having on our staff.
Sorry to hear that, rest well folks.
posted by sgt.serenity at 12:10 PM on April 19, 2013
This time we're using it due to the extraordinary strain breaking events are having on our staff.
Sorry to hear that, rest well folks.
posted by sgt.serenity at 12:10 PM on April 19, 2013
It's obvious the queue will eventually be on all or almost all of the time as the site continues to expand it's userbase.
That is far from obvious, not in our plans and not even something we talk about as "Gee that would be nice" As pb said in another thread, these megathreads are still very very much the exception and not the rule. If they became the rule and the site got different, we'd look at different approaches. We are not doing that now.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 12:12 PM on April 19, 2013
That is far from obvious, not in our plans and not even something we talk about as "Gee that would be nice" As pb said in another thread, these megathreads are still very very much the exception and not the rule. If they became the rule and the site got different, we'd look at different approaches. We are not doing that now.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 12:12 PM on April 19, 2013
I was about to suggest that all of MeFi go into Read-Only mode for the weekend, so this seems quite tame in comparison. Thanks for all the hard work, and hope you can all get some rest.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:14 PM on April 19, 2013
posted by Rock Steady at 12:14 PM on April 19, 2013
Where am I supposed to complain and what is the point without an audience?
posted by Ad hominem at 12:22 PM on April 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Ad hominem at 12:22 PM on April 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
Come have dinner with my family!
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:31 PM on April 19, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 12:31 PM on April 19, 2013 [5 favorites]
pb, can you turn on the WholeWorld queue for the weekend? I think we could all use a couple days.
posted by grapesaresour at 12:34 PM on April 19, 2013 [34 favorites]
posted by grapesaresour at 12:34 PM on April 19, 2013 [34 favorites]
Well deserved, it's been a rough week all round.
Now, tell me more about how I get one of these multi-purpose jog/bath/donuts.
posted by arcticseal at 12:39 PM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Now, tell me more about how I get one of these multi-purpose jog/bath/donuts.
posted by arcticseal at 12:39 PM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Where am I supposed to complain and what is the point without an audience?
If you don't mind doing some weeding and moving some porch furniture, you can come over to my place. Downside: Evac'ed UMass Dartmouth in next town, population not relaxed, but maybe more relaxed than MeFi populace.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 12:51 PM on April 19, 2013
If you don't mind doing some weeding and moving some porch furniture, you can come over to my place. Downside: Evac'ed UMass Dartmouth in next town, population not relaxed, but maybe more relaxed than MeFi populace.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 12:51 PM on April 19, 2013
Downside: Evac'ed UMass Dartmouth in next town
They've evac'd UMass Dartmouth to Vermont?
posted by Jahaza at 12:54 PM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
They've evac'd UMass Dartmouth to Vermont?
posted by Jahaza at 12:54 PM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
I am not currently in Vermont I'm in Westport MA. Though that would be cool. Maybe them and actual Dartmouth could fight!
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 1:02 PM on April 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 1:02 PM on April 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
Thanks for the offers. I think I might just turn this into an opportunity and try to go a whole weekend without complaining.
posted by Ad hominem at 1:10 PM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Ad hominem at 1:10 PM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
through this whole shitty, shitty week.
I mean, Jesus, this week, am I right?
posted by octobersurprise at 1:24 PM on April 19, 2013 [5 favorites]
I mean, Jesus, this week, am I right?
posted by octobersurprise at 1:24 PM on April 19, 2013 [5 favorites]
I hope everyone, especially the mods, has a fantastic and replacing weekend.
posted by Big_B at 1:33 PM on April 19, 2013
posted by Big_B at 1:33 PM on April 19, 2013
grapesaresour: "pb, can you turn on the WholeWorld queue for the weekend? I think we could all use a couple days."
Yes, please.
posted by gingerbeer at 1:46 PM on April 19, 2013
Yes, please.
posted by gingerbeer at 1:46 PM on April 19, 2013
... or a personal issue (if so: take a walk, ...
I would love to go take a walk, but Tom Menino phoned me this morning and told me not to!
But seriously, take care mods! I'm sure this has been a hard week for you and you've done a great job.
posted by benito.strauss at 1:50 PM on April 19, 2013
I would love to go take a walk, but Tom Menino phoned me this morning and told me not to!
But seriously, take care mods! I'm sure this has been a hard week for you and you've done a great job.
posted by benito.strauss at 1:50 PM on April 19, 2013
Thanks for the work, mods. It's been a hell of a week.
posted by rmd1023 at 1:55 PM on April 19, 2013
posted by rmd1023 at 1:55 PM on April 19, 2013
I thought I was doing pretty well with everything until I stepped out on my porch this afternoon, got SNOWED ON for like the 5,000,000th consecutive day, and came very close to having a shrieking fit right there.
posted by FelliniBlank at 2:17 PM on April 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 2:17 PM on April 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
Which is to say, I'd be glad to pull weeds anywhere with temperatures above 50 degrees F.
posted by FelliniBlank at 2:18 PM on April 19, 2013
posted by FelliniBlank at 2:18 PM on April 19, 2013
I'm not sure anyone should be trying to turn on the MeTa queue. It's usually pretty worked up to begin with, and any more stimulus might lead to results... well, best left to the imagination.
posted by GenjiandProust at 2:21 PM on April 19, 2013
posted by GenjiandProust at 2:21 PM on April 19, 2013
Come have dinner with my family!
What are we having? I'm really hungry, thanks to something I just found in someone's living room.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:23 PM on April 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
What are we having? I'm really hungry, thanks to something I just found in someone's living room.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:23 PM on April 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
Excellent decision, and I join all MeFites of good will in thanking the mods for their efforts above and beyond the call of duty. (Frankly, I think mathowie should give the other mods combat bonuses this week.)
posted by languagehat at 2:25 PM on April 19, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by languagehat at 2:25 PM on April 19, 2013 [4 favorites]
Someone sent me this, thought it was hilarious. You should try it.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:31 PM on April 19, 2013 [14 favorites]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:31 PM on April 19, 2013 [14 favorites]
Blessings on each and every one of you. And hugs for each and every one of us!
{{Metafilter}}
posted by Lynsey at 2:33 PM on April 19, 2013
{{Metafilter}}
posted by Lynsey at 2:33 PM on April 19, 2013
This is the first "situation" of this sort, where metafilter has been the primary source of news for me, rather than a secondary source. Particularly when there is difficult news, and I am working on my own, the community experience of news is something entirely new, and a much richer experience.
Well done Modefilters. Much appreciated, especially from abroad.
posted by nickrussell at 2:59 PM on April 19, 2013
Well done Modefilters. Much appreciated, especially from abroad.
posted by nickrussell at 2:59 PM on April 19, 2013
Yes, I'd also like to chime in to thank the mods for all their patience and hard work during this week. I have two preschoolers at home and don't want the tv news on while they are awake, or even news websites on the computer. MetaFilter has allowed me to keep informed without freaking out my kids.
Maybe the best way to demonstrate my appreciation would be to STFU for the next 48 hours or so.
posted by ambrosia at 3:05 PM on April 19, 2013
Maybe the best way to demonstrate my appreciation would be to STFU for the next 48 hours or so.
posted by ambrosia at 3:05 PM on April 19, 2013
Thank you, mods. You will be drinking for free if ever we meet.
posted by agatha_magatha at 4:36 PM on April 19, 2013
posted by agatha_magatha at 4:36 PM on April 19, 2013
cortex: "Come have dinner with my family!"
Ey, the next time you're in Denver, we'll go get a sugar steak at Bastien's.
Or if anybody who's already in Denver is interested, hey, let's do that.
Have a good weekend, peeps.
posted by boo_radley at 4:48 PM on April 19, 2013
Ey, the next time you're in Denver, we'll go get a sugar steak at Bastien's.
Or if anybody who's already in Denver is interested, hey, let's do that.
Have a good weekend, peeps.
posted by boo_radley at 4:48 PM on April 19, 2013
Big_B: "I hope everyone, especially the mods, has a fantastic and replacing weekend"
Wow. Autocorrect fail. Relaxing weekend....
posted by Big_B at 5:04 PM on April 19, 2013
Wow. Autocorrect fail. Relaxing weekend....
posted by Big_B at 5:04 PM on April 19, 2013
I was thinking about something earlier. As far as I can remember, since Metafilter started hiring mods, no one has ever left the job. Everyone who's ever been hired to mod is still actively working, I think. Is this the Hotel California, where you can check out any time you like but you can never leave?
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:21 PM on April 19, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:21 PM on April 19, 2013 [6 favorites]
Of course, not, it's just all in all a really great job.
S E N D H E L P
posted by cortex (staff) at 5:33 PM on April 19, 2013 [37 favorites]
S E N D H E L P
posted by cortex (staff) at 5:33 PM on April 19, 2013 [37 favorites]
Standard procedure is for Matt to trap them behind a desk.
posted by ODiV at 5:38 PM on April 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by ODiV at 5:38 PM on April 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
If it'd help, I've got a jug of homemade dandelion wine I can donate to the cause of soothing stressed & overworked mods..... don't know what the actual exact alcohol content is, but "eats through glass" might describe it.
posted by easily confused at 5:43 PM on April 19, 2013
posted by easily confused at 5:43 PM on April 19, 2013
Hi, mods. You've all been fantastic this week & every week. I've never met any of you. But, whenever we meet, drinks and cookies and ice cream and pony rides are on me. Well, the pony rides are on the ponies. But you know what I mean. Until then, I have a postcard lined up for jessamyn. Any of you others fancy such a wee token from The Continent?
posted by knile at 5:54 PM on April 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by knile at 5:54 PM on April 19, 2013 [3 favorites]
Thank you, mods. I believe that y'all are due for a bit of a break.
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:15 PM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:15 PM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm sorry if I've contributed to the strain on the mods in any way. You're good folks, and you do a wonderful job keeping this most special website going.
Thank you for everything you've done, both this week and always.
posted by Kevin Street at 6:48 PM on April 19, 2013
Thank you for everything you've done, both this week and always.
posted by Kevin Street at 6:48 PM on April 19, 2013
Have a good weekend folks. Go pet a puppy, or kitty, or whatever brings the zen.
posted by HuronBob at 7:19 PM on April 19, 2013
posted by HuronBob at 7:19 PM on April 19, 2013
I have this vision of when the Metatalk queue switch gets flipped, then the switch of all those of us who've pledged booze, kittens, or banhammer/con-flag-aration fighting finger massages gets activated, and those promises come due.
This seems relatively easy to implement with standing orders at delivery services.
posted by Cold Lurkey at 7:27 PM on April 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
This seems relatively easy to implement with standing orders at delivery services.
posted by Cold Lurkey at 7:27 PM on April 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
I was thinking of coming on MetaTalk to post a thread about how impressed I've been with the mods through the past few weeks. First Thatcher's giant death thread, then the Marathon bombings, and now this long, drawn out manhunt.
Good job mods, and thanks. Your work makes this place better.
posted by clockbound at 7:33 PM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Good job mods, and thanks. Your work makes this place better.
posted by clockbound at 7:33 PM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Better everybody queuing than peeing.
posted by maryr at 8:11 PM on April 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by maryr at 8:11 PM on April 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
...I'm tired. That's where my sense of humor is. It stinks. PU. See?
posted by maryr at 8:12 PM on April 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by maryr at 8:12 PM on April 19, 2013 [2 favorites]
Okay, Mary. Just let it be. Leave things as they are. It's better for you.
Going to bed now.
posted by maryr at 8:21 PM on April 19, 2013
Going to bed now.
posted by maryr at 8:21 PM on April 19, 2013
Thanks so much for all your work! It's been a very emotional week, I hope you all have a nice weekend-and beyond.
posted by annsunny at 8:41 PM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by annsunny at 8:41 PM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
for i in 1:mods
Hugs mods[i] * bazillion
Print "you guys are the best"
posted by special-k at 10:47 PM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
Hugs mods[i] * bazillion
Print "you guys are the best"
posted by special-k at 10:47 PM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]
O, maryr!
posted by iamkimiam at 6:07 AM on April 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by iamkimiam at 6:07 AM on April 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Oh, c'mon. This "it's been a rough week" excuse is really just cover for the fact that this weekend is 4/20 and the mods are all going to be to stoned to work a keyboard.
posted by hippybear at 6:53 AM on April 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by hippybear at 6:53 AM on April 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
I've been to a lot of rock shows and let me tell you something, there is no such thing as too stoned to work a keyboard.
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:07 AM on April 20, 2013 [23 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 7:07 AM on April 20, 2013 [23 favorites]
I have two preschoolers at home and don't want the tv news on while they are awake, or even news websites on the computer. MetaFilter has allowed me to keep informed without freaking out my kids.
I just want to really, strongly second this. Last night I was glued to this site, because have a friend who is an EMT who was working all day in Watertown. But turning on the TV or even streaming video would have immediately drawn little eyes to something I didn't want him to know about (as it was he came back from camp on Wednesday with a drawing of a man throwing a bomb at another man).
So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
posted by anastasiav at 7:10 AM on April 20, 2013 [2 favorites]
I just want to really, strongly second this. Last night I was glued to this site, because have a friend who is an EMT who was working all day in Watertown. But turning on the TV or even streaming video would have immediately drawn little eyes to something I didn't want him to know about (as it was he came back from camp on Wednesday with a drawing of a man throwing a bomb at another man).
So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
posted by anastasiav at 7:10 AM on April 20, 2013 [2 favorites]
cortex: yeah, that is true. I've seen video of Brent Mydland at the keys during Dead shows with his eyes so dilated his head had to make extra room for his pupils. But there he is, actively contributing to the jam...
(Yes, I know... that's not exactly 420 stoned... but still...)
posted by hippybear at 7:20 AM on April 20, 2013
(Yes, I know... that's not exactly 420 stoned... but still...)
posted by hippybear at 7:20 AM on April 20, 2013
"when will the slippery end?!?!?!" is the perfect thing to wail, while pounding the table, at my next task force meeting.
Thanks, BB, for checking that off mywunderto-do list.
posted by crush-onastick at 7:40 AM on April 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Thanks, BB, for checking that off my
posted by crush-onastick at 7:40 AM on April 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Thank you, mods! I hope you can enjoy some well-deserved rest!
And thanks for mentioning Larp Trek! I must've missed the post on the blue last year, so I'm just discovering it now. The laughs are exactly what I needed, thanks!
posted by wiskunde at 8:10 AM on April 20, 2013
And thanks for mentioning Larp Trek! I must've missed the post on the blue last year, so I'm just discovering it now. The laughs are exactly what I needed, thanks!
posted by wiskunde at 8:10 AM on April 20, 2013
Thank you for the hard work this week, mods. As a runner, I appreciate it.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:22 AM on April 20, 2013
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:22 AM on April 20, 2013
Thank you, mods, for all you do and hopes that you each get stress-free and relaxing weekend. I've been in read-only mode all week.
Like a lot of us, I've been very tense this last week and left work early yesterday afternoon because I needed a break. About the first thing I did on getting home was try to catch up on the situation in greater Boston. Along the way, I clicked on one of the links to a police scanner, and nothing happened so I just kept reading.
Nothing happened until 3 a.m. this morning that is, when I woke abruptly thinking first that police were outside, then IN MY HOUSE. It took several minutes to realize that the audio from the police scanner had come to life on my laptop at full volume over twelve hours after I had clicked that link.
I hope we all get a chance to relax a little, is what I'm saying.
posted by vers at 10:44 AM on April 20, 2013 [3 favorites]
Like a lot of us, I've been very tense this last week and left work early yesterday afternoon because I needed a break. About the first thing I did on getting home was try to catch up on the situation in greater Boston. Along the way, I clicked on one of the links to a police scanner, and nothing happened so I just kept reading.
Nothing happened until 3 a.m. this morning that is, when I woke abruptly thinking first that police were outside, then IN MY HOUSE. It took several minutes to realize that the audio from the police scanner had come to life on my laptop at full volume over twelve hours after I had clicked that link.
I hope we all get a chance to relax a little, is what I'm saying.
posted by vers at 10:44 AM on April 20, 2013 [3 favorites]
Cortex: "There is no such thing as too stoned to work a keyboard."
That. T-shirt message. Best seller. Do it. Please.
posted by Wordshore at 11:06 AM on April 20, 2013 [2 favorites]
That. T-shirt message. Best seller. Do it. Please.
posted by Wordshore at 11:06 AM on April 20, 2013 [2 favorites]
I hope we all get a chance to relax a little, is what I'm saying.
I'm filling in for LobsterMitten for part of her shift today because she has birthday parties to go to. I wasn't officially working yesterday but we've all pitched in as needed which has been pretty terrific. This whole series of events hit home for a lot of people whether it was because you were a runner, knew a runner, were from Boston, were in Boston, were on MetaFilter talking to people about what had happened, knew people in Boston/Watertown/Cambridge/Belmont/Arlington, went to UMass Dartmouth, were in/near Dartmouth MA, had a boat in your yard, nkew someone with a boat in your yard, knew a 19 year old, knew someone at MIT, knew a local police or EMT person in the Boston area, knew someone who worked in the Boston area, knew someone who took public transportation in the Boston area, took public transportation in the Boston area yourself, was a Yankees fan, was a Red Sox fan, liked baseball, liked St Elsewhere or a whole lot of other things that put you in the many overlapping circles of people affected. And most people had more than one, oftentimes many more.
I'm heading in to the city today to see some friends and drink some beer and enjoy talking about a lot of this in the past tense. Thanks to most of you who made this one of the better online places to be this week.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 11:08 AM on April 20, 2013 [48 favorites]
I'm filling in for LobsterMitten for part of her shift today because she has birthday parties to go to. I wasn't officially working yesterday but we've all pitched in as needed which has been pretty terrific. This whole series of events hit home for a lot of people whether it was because you were a runner, knew a runner, were from Boston, were in Boston, were on MetaFilter talking to people about what had happened, knew people in Boston/Watertown/Cambridge/Belmont/Arlington, went to UMass Dartmouth, were in/near Dartmouth MA, had a boat in your yard, nkew someone with a boat in your yard, knew a 19 year old, knew someone at MIT, knew a local police or EMT person in the Boston area, knew someone who worked in the Boston area, knew someone who took public transportation in the Boston area, took public transportation in the Boston area yourself, was a Yankees fan, was a Red Sox fan, liked baseball, liked St Elsewhere or a whole lot of other things that put you in the many overlapping circles of people affected. And most people had more than one, oftentimes many more.
I'm heading in to the city today to see some friends and drink some beer and enjoy talking about a lot of this in the past tense. Thanks to most of you who made this one of the better online places to be this week.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 11:08 AM on April 20, 2013 [48 favorites]
I have been waiting for this moment to make my break.
posted by Paphnuty at 11:09 AM on April 20, 2013 [9 favorites]
posted by Paphnuty at 11:09 AM on April 20, 2013 [9 favorites]
*stares into snowglobe*
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 12:12 PM on April 20, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 12:12 PM on April 20, 2013 [7 favorites]
I was out of town Monday (I live on the Back Bay/South End border in Boston) and came back Wednesday night. Between MeMails of support and helping me work out practical details of getting back home (turns out I have more than one neighbor here!) to updates on the manhunt thread so I didn't have to interrupt Elmo for CNN, I have never appreciated MetaFilter more than I have this week.
Thank you, mods, for making this place such a valuable community.
posted by sonika at 1:37 PM on April 20, 2013 [5 favorites]
Thank you, mods, for making this place such a valuable community.
posted by sonika at 1:37 PM on April 20, 2013 [5 favorites]
cortex: there is no such thing as too stoned to work a keyboard.
Totally. Man, I need some plutonium nyborg. "It's like you know your perspective's fucked so you just gotta let your hands work the controls as if you're straight."
posted by rmd1023 at 2:17 PM on April 20, 2013
Totally. Man, I need some plutonium nyborg. "It's like you know your perspective's fucked so you just gotta let your hands work the controls as if you're straight."
posted by rmd1023 at 2:17 PM on April 20, 2013
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone, from the mods easing back on the incessant posting of small updates to the folks who kept posting those timely updates when I was losing the scanner feed.
During those times, you were the source of the information I counted on to relay updates to my family, who were right in the midst of all of this in East Watertown. I really, really appreciate that.
posted by rollbiz at 2:51 PM on April 20, 2013
During those times, you were the source of the information I counted on to relay updates to my family, who were right in the midst of all of this in East Watertown. I really, really appreciate that.
posted by rollbiz at 2:51 PM on April 20, 2013
Now go get some rest and get stoned out of your gourd or whatever. :)
posted by rollbiz at 2:53 PM on April 20, 2013
posted by rollbiz at 2:53 PM on April 20, 2013
Ok
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:09 PM on April 20, 2013
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:09 PM on April 20, 2013
Waaaay ahead of you.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 3:53 PM on April 20, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 3:53 PM on April 20, 2013 [3 favorites]
I, for one, am enjoying a Dogfish Head Raison d'être kindly brought over by another mefite earlier this week.
posted by ocherdraco at 3:57 PM on April 20, 2013
posted by ocherdraco at 3:57 PM on April 20, 2013
I'm drinking red wine and playing Mass Effect Citadel
posted by The Whelk at 4:12 PM on April 20, 2013
posted by The Whelk at 4:12 PM on April 20, 2013
I'm sitting on the N train but I gotta bag fulla fancy beers an snacks from Astoria Bier & Cheese,
posted by jonmc at 4:41 PM on April 20, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by jonmc at 4:41 PM on April 20, 2013 [2 favorites]
Ugh. Looks like we lost EricB due to a disagreement with the mods (dunno which one). Just thought in a thread full of plaudits, it's fair to mention that — it looks like a big mistake.
posted by klangklangston at 6:53 PM on April 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by klangklangston at 6:53 PM on April 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Can't post a drink update cuz I'm having an epic allergy attack. Whenever I have those I really need everyone to know
posted by sweetkid at 6:56 PM on April 20, 2013
posted by sweetkid at 6:56 PM on April 20, 2013
EricB's last post or comment was over 3 weeks ago, so it doesn't look like there was some kind of hot disagreement with the mods this week. He could have left for some reason unrelated to the site moderation.
Sweetkid: hope you feel better soon. Perhaps a hot toddy would help?
posted by SLC Mom at 8:00 PM on April 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Sweetkid: hope you feel better soon. Perhaps a hot toddy would help?
posted by SLC Mom at 8:00 PM on April 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Thanks SLC Mom! Hot toddy is a great idea but I'm doing paleo and not really drinking :(
Usually ice cream is my go to feelgood thing mid allergy but no go for that either. Tea I guess!
posted by sweetkid at 8:10 PM on April 20, 2013
Usually ice cream is my go to feelgood thing mid allergy but no go for that either. Tea I guess!
posted by sweetkid at 8:10 PM on April 20, 2013
I am sad about ericb apparently buttoning but hopeful that it's just a temporary fit of...thing.
posted by rtha at 8:12 PM on April 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by rtha at 8:12 PM on April 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Even the slipperiest of slopes has a bottom.
Wait... I'm not sure I'm expressing that thought right.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:38 PM on April 20, 2013
Wait... I'm not sure I'm expressing that thought right.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:38 PM on April 20, 2013
Anyway, thanks, guys. I too have been following all this crap, bombing, ricin, West blowing up, manhunt, etc pretty much exclusively here all week with only occasional forays out to recommended news stories. This site is a blessing and ya'll are saints for running it so well.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:41 PM on April 20, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:41 PM on April 20, 2013 [3 favorites]
It seems like you guys have to sometimes herd cats...not an easy task. I appreciate how difficult this must be at times. I hope all of you have had a peaceful weekend.
posted by cairnoflore at 9:27 PM on April 20, 2013
posted by cairnoflore at 9:27 PM on April 20, 2013
All the electronic highway signs on the way into and out of the city said WE ARE ONE BOSTON. THANK YOU TO ALL.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 10:23 PM on April 20, 2013 [8 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 10:23 PM on April 20, 2013 [8 favorites]
I am back from those birthdays, thank you jessamyn for filling in.
One of the birthdays was at a single-A baseball game (between two teams that are not Red Sox affiliates). Flags at half-staff, moment of silence, and they played Sweet Caroline. This little relatively modest ballpark, far from Boston, but still in solidarity with Boston.
Thank you everyone for hanging in there this week.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:47 PM on April 20, 2013 [3 favorites]
One of the birthdays was at a single-A baseball game (between two teams that are not Red Sox affiliates). Flags at half-staff, moment of silence, and they played Sweet Caroline. This little relatively modest ballpark, far from Boston, but still in solidarity with Boston.
Thank you everyone for hanging in there this week.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:47 PM on April 20, 2013 [3 favorites]
Yes, some electronic billboard I passed on 495 said BOSTON STRONG, which was nice (and then segued into a Geico commercial).
posted by theredpen at 7:18 AM on April 21, 2013
posted by theredpen at 7:18 AM on April 21, 2013
Thanks to Ocherdraco.
I'm gonna make a pony request about the supposed 'all activity' button one of these days.
posted by SLC Mom at 9:48 AM on April 21, 2013
I'm gonna make a pony request about the supposed 'all activity' button one of these days.
posted by SLC Mom at 9:48 AM on April 21, 2013
seriously though, I've a friend who is releasing his next album on cassette tape in a week or two. Not as hard core as the 8 track but...
The thing is...
posted by Pope Guilty at 10:38 AM on April 21, 2013
The thing is...
posted by Pope Guilty at 10:38 AM on April 21, 2013
My car still takes tapes.
posted by cjorgensen at 11:20 AM on April 21, 2013
posted by cjorgensen at 11:20 AM on April 21, 2013
my car still plays tapes. my brother made fun of me for having a cassingle in the back seat.
posted by nadawi at 11:38 AM on April 21, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by nadawi at 11:38 AM on April 21, 2013 [1 favorite]
All the electronic highway signs on the way into and out of the city said WE ARE ONE BOSTON. THANK YOU TO ALL.
So do the ones in the western end of the Commonwealth.
posted by plinth at 4:48 PM on April 21, 2013
So do the ones in the western end of the Commonwealth.
posted by plinth at 4:48 PM on April 21, 2013
The MBTA buses also seem to be flashing WE ARE BOSTON STRONG or something like that, but when I tried to take a picture all I got was 39 BACK BAY and a bus almost hit me. So I'm not sure of the exact wording.
posted by maryr at 5:18 PM on April 21, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by maryr at 5:18 PM on April 21, 2013 [5 favorites]
It was Vermont Day at Fenway today- I think they knew jessamyn was coming to town. There was some Boston Strong stuff, but everything else was Vernon Boy Scouts, mysterious Vermont sports mascots dancing on dugouts, and footage of tractors and maple syrup.
posted by zamboni at 6:14 PM on April 21, 2013
posted by zamboni at 6:14 PM on April 21, 2013
Vermont sports mascots dancing on dugouts
CHAMP!
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 6:33 PM on April 21, 2013 [4 favorites]
CHAMP!
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 6:33 PM on April 21, 2013 [4 favorites]
There is no such thing as too stoned to work a keyboard.
You've never had one of my emails from when I fell asleep with my nose on the keyboard, have you?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 11:55 PM on April 21, 2013
You've never had one of my emails from when I fell asleep with my nose on the keyboard, have you?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 11:55 PM on April 21, 2013
Speaking of baseball, there's a lovely little video on Vimeo made at Fenway Park on Patriots Day three years ago, when the Boston Red Sox were playing the Yankees.
posted by Wordshore at 12:35 AM on April 22, 2013
posted by Wordshore at 12:35 AM on April 22, 2013
Rally seems to be UVM's mascot (which would make him a catamount). It looks like Skip is the mascot for the Vermont Mountaineers from the New England Collegiate Baseball League, which I have never heard of. Skip is a woodchuck.
posted by maryr at 7:20 AM on April 22, 2013
posted by maryr at 7:20 AM on April 22, 2013
Yea, what everyone else said. That. And beers.
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:06 AM on April 22, 2013
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:06 AM on April 22, 2013
Pidgin XMPP client setup instructions for chat.metafilter.com
Nobody has tested them yet that I know, but it should get you close :)
posted by lordaych at 1:05 AM on April 25, 2013
Nobody has tested them yet that I know, but it should get you close :)
posted by lordaych at 1:05 AM on April 25, 2013
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by the man of twists and turns at 9:14 AM on April 19, 2013 [1 favorite]