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I talked with a therapist today about doing EMDR therapy to try to work out some rather egregious physical symptoms I'm suffering which might be traced back to an incident in which I was smashed against the side of my delivery van by a semi rig sliding sideways on an icy road. She said some things today which have confused me a bit, and I'm hoping people can help provide some broader information. [more inside]
posted by hippybear at 10:03 PM PST - 8 comments

I have a short phone screen interview coming up. I haven’t done formal interviewing in 17 years, and have no idea what to expect. My experience, qualifications and the job requirements are a good match. This is for biotech. Also, any tips on what to ask them?
posted by gryphonlover at 9:47 PM PST - 9 comments

Yesterday morning I was eating an egg, cheese and taylor ham on a bagel. I ate half and felt fine. Started eating the 2nd half and felt something weird in my mouth. Something that wasn’t eggy, ham-y, cheesy, or bagel-y. (Possibly gross details) [more inside]
posted by mokeydraws at 9:24 PM PST - 15 comments

Can you recommend a wristwatch brand/style that's moderately expensive but still looks feminine and delicate on a small wrist? [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 7:47 PM PST - 15 comments

Can someone explain what the heck happened to environmentalism? I mean, 40 years ago we knew about global warming and everyone was on board for sustainability. Now, two generations later, it seems like we're even worse off. [more inside]
posted by dum spiro spero at 6:58 PM PST - 39 comments

Difficulty level: Bay Area, below-market rent, but somewhat undesirable location. [more inside]
posted by ziggly at 4:54 PM PST - 12 comments

Looking for music recognition software or an app that will listen to a song and suggest songs that are similar to it, not actually identify the song that is playing itself. Turns out this may not be a thing? [more inside]
posted by BeeJiddy at 3:48 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm a longtime bike commuter in Seattle, but not much of a mechanical expert. I currently have a road bike (carbon fork) and a hardtail mountain bike. Several things have gone wrong on both bikes in recent months, and the annual Seattle bike swap is coming up this weekend. Should I look for parts to fix the issues, or scrap em and jump ship? (snowflakes inside) [more inside]
posted by SoundInhabitant at 3:46 PM PST - 15 comments

I've had a large increase in junk calls that spoof my own area code. I have some questions! [more inside]
posted by AppleTurnover at 3:00 PM PST - 27 comments

How can I determine the popularity of a variety of podcasts? Is there any sort of aggregator that pulls in listener/download/subscriber numbers from iTunes, Stitcher, etc? (Note: I'm not looking for podcasts, but evaluating podcasters seeking media credentials.)
posted by Unsomnambulist at 12:48 PM PST - 9 comments

I am not on Facebook, Linked In, Instagram, Twitter, etc. etc. Are these platforms more important or beneficial when looking for a new job today? [more inside]
posted by kilohertz at 11:31 AM PST - 17 comments

Our cat got out yesterday. The challenges of living in a dense neighborhood is making it challenging to really search around us. Do you have any ideas? We're trying to not freak out. [more inside]
posted by justalisteningman at 11:01 AM PST - 26 comments

I recently purchased a pair of second-hand lamps. The shades have a plastic lining and a woven paper exterior. I didn’t realize they’re quite stinky til I got them home. I suspect the previous owner had one of those air freshener/oil diffuser things as the paper is unstained, so I don’t think they were Febrezed. [more inside]
posted by stillmoving at 10:36 AM PST - 11 comments

I want to create a searchable/sortable database, sort of like Ravelry on a smaller scale, for my specific craft/hobby. I'm considering using Airtable or Google Sheets, but am open to other possibilities. I would also like to monetize this in some way. [more inside]
posted by susanaudrey at 10:18 AM PST - 5 comments

On a recent trip, my spouse and I discovered that he owns the platonic ideal of a hanging toiletry bag - right size, number of compartments, material. We only have one and I'd like to buy another one, but I can't identify the brand or product. The zippers have a logo "AT" with triangles above and below, which is difficult to Google. Imgur pictures here. [more inside]
posted by rogerroger at 10:01 AM PST - 7 comments

I ended up with a couple extra days of dead time next week in Hong Kong. Never been, and need suggestions for ways to spend the time. Quirky, unusual , mostly daytime activities and excursions most appreciated.
posted by 2N2222 at 9:29 AM PST - 15 comments

How does a (potential) career changer know if she can hack med school? [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 8:28 AM PST - 17 comments

I recently applied to an internship and was informed via phone that while I was highly qualified and interviewed well, the position was being offered to a person of color in support of institutional diversity efforts. I commend that decision. Those efforts are important and align with my values. I do not want them to reconsider and am accepting a different offer anyway. However, I feel compelled to let the hiring manager who called me know that I am Hispanic, despite my complexion not making this obvious; I look white. [more inside]
posted by calcetinporfavor at 7:56 AM PST - 18 comments

As someone taking a sabbatical from vegetarianism, I have recently discovered the joys of chicken wings. Please help me either buy or make the best. If I had to choose, I'd rather buy them pre-made and just heat them up in the oven (dealing with raw meat squicks me out), but I can cook if you have an awesome recipe. [more inside]
posted by Fig at 7:54 AM PST - 23 comments

Please help with selecting a bottle of scotch for a friend- I'm happy to spend up to the $100 range. Friend is an experienced scotch drinker who likes the smoky peaty thing. This is what's available in my state stores. Thanks for all suggestions!
posted by tangaroo at 7:41 AM PST - 30 comments

I am a one person IT consultant who has about 10 small business (1-50 employees) and residential clients at a time, for whom I provide ongoing support for servers, network, helping users, etc. I've been doing this since 2010, all via word of mouth. I'd like to gain 1-2 new clients a year. Where can I find them? [more inside]
posted by ridogi at 7:14 AM PST - 20 comments

My spouse would like to invest some of our savings in the stock market. I'm a card-carrying socialist who is very uncomfortable with this idea. What do we both need to know? [more inside]
posted by Kitty Stardust at 7:07 AM PST - 24 comments

I'd like to smoke pot inside my house, but I don't want my house/bedroom to always smell like pot. Are there devices that actually work for limiting it, like air purifiers? What about carpets/curtains/etc? Do they absorb the scent? Or am I being overly concerned? [more inside]
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 6:50 AM PST - 21 comments

What to do with tasty but ugly macarons? [more inside]
posted by everybody had matching towels at 6:37 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm looking for songs in which a woman calls her lover Daddy. Google is useless for this because it can't distinguish between this kind of daddy and fathers. Can you help?
posted by HotToddy at 6:07 AM PST - 44 comments

Simple question, I hope, for people who know more than me (and hopefully saving me a fruitless afternoon/day/week/year at the Genius Bar): The WiFi on my 2015 MacBook Pro is almost completely unreliable. Can it be fixed? [more inside]
posted by Medieval Maven at 5:54 AM PST - 14 comments

How can I ensure harmonious living between my cats and (prospective) indoor plants? [more inside]
posted by milque at 12:51 AM PST - 13 comments

Why don't people lie about what they said after an Isaac Chotiner interview? [more inside]
posted by mark k at 11:00 PM PST - 3 comments

I have trouble with smoke, so my friend made me a batch of thc oil. We tried some after he'd extracted with isopropyl and it was great. Then he added glycerin to make it easier to handle and it's not pleasant at all now. What could have gone wrong? How can I use the rest of the oil? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:56 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm preparing to paint a room with plaster walls. In several hand-sized spots around the room, the paint is coming away from the wall and exposing what I think is the brown coat of plaster. Can I get away with skimming the peeled-away areas with spackling paste (what I have is the light-bodied kind) or do I need to go get some joint compound (setting-type?) or patching plaster? Something else? Prime before spackling? [more inside]
posted by lakeroon at 8:28 PM PST - 11 comments

My wife and I swore we would never sleep on the ground again after our last camping adventure. The hotels around national parks are terribly expensive, and we are both teachers. What's our next move? [more inside]
posted by mecran01 at 7:39 PM PST - 35 comments

Freelancers, consultants and others who bill by the hour, how do you track time? [more inside]
posted by tavegyl at 7:32 PM PST - 13 comments

Is it possible to buy a Guitarra de Coimbra in the U.S.? [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 6:47 PM PST - 5 comments

We just spent the day driving south from Chicago through subzero temperatures and couldn’t help but notice the profusion of disabled semis by the side of the road. Once the outside temperature warmed to about zero F or so, the number of disabled trucks dropped off dramatically. Does the cold freeze the diesel fuel, or what?
posted by DrGail at 6:26 PM PST - 5 comments

What is the best alternative to Adobe Photoshop/Elements out there these days, that I can buy and just have? "Best", meaning: most features, easiest to learn (i.e. most similar to Photoshop), most intuitive interface. Need not be free, prefer a download to a browser app. I have Elements, want something beefier and non-Adobe. Thanks!
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 5:47 PM PST - 12 comments

I found a hobby/class I like in a new city, where I have the possible opportunity to stick with and make friends. My partner wants to tag along (because he is also interested in this class.) Is it wrong that I would rather him try another class because I would like to have my own hobby time? [more inside]
posted by socky bottoms at 5:37 PM PST - 15 comments

My organization does once a week presentations in an open courtyard. For sound we have a little 8" all-in-one amp/MP3 player/cuisinart that sits up front. We're looking for recommendations for a speaker to attach to its Speakon OUT port. [more inside]
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 5:25 PM PST - 5 comments

My bright child has found “burninglaserpointer” dot com and wants to buy one. This site seems a little hinky. Does anyone know if it’s a good source? Are there other sources? Apart from that, would anyone in their right mind ever let a child use a laser with very close supervision and safety goggles? This is a two part question. Thanks for any help.
posted by kerf at 4:55 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm specifically looking a time tracking phone app that does Pomodoros, recording results to a Gantt chart available on a website, and overall time assignments on a calendar. Does this exist already in some form? [more inside]
posted by diode at 4:15 PM PST - 4 comments

Lookin for some strong animal video/doc content to beef up my lazy day list of stuff to watch [more inside]
posted by emirenic at 3:53 PM PST - 10 comments

The gross world product in 2018 was apparently something like $84.8354 trillion USD. The world population in 2018 was near enough 7.633 billion. That gives a mean income of $11,051 USD per person. Isn't that kind of a problem? [more inside]
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 3:44 PM PST - 24 comments

Please help me solve this old mystery! For a while, i fairly consistently weighed more when i woke up than when i went to bed. I would weigh myself right before going to bed and as soon as i woke up. I would eat no food and drink no water between those times. Why/how is this possible? [more inside]
posted by miss so and so at 3:42 PM PST - 14 comments

I had a minor medical procedure and I am trying to decide whether CBD is a good choice for my recovery. YANMD etc [more inside]
posted by janey47 at 3:29 PM PST - 5 comments

I've recently been trying to drink more water, because hydration is good and stuff. The problem is, any time I drink more than a couple of sips, I get a splitting headache. Do you know why? [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 2:37 PM PST - 17 comments

Doing up a room in our house and looking for a unique double switch plate but I’m coming up empty. Any style welcome !
posted by pintapicasso at 1:59 PM PST - 13 comments

What is the 2019 version of this extremely cheap but entirely sufficient laptop? [more inside]
posted by Snarl Furillo at 12:51 PM PST - 8 comments

My partner has an AS in education and currently works as a pre-school teacher. They have wanted to take steps towards working with special needs children, but the reality of simply planning going back to school is daunting. What are the steps to take? I assume that finishing a BA in early childhood education would be the first step? What happens after that? [more inside]
posted by kittensofthenight at 12:30 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm interested in making my wedding ring. There's a class coming up near me that's teaching ring making with silver metal clay. I haven't heard of PMC before, and every search result seems to be from someone selling it. [more inside]
posted by Wembly at 10:06 AM PST - 7 comments

Mastering audio: do streaming services like Spotify measure overall true peak of an entire song, or only at loudest points? Should I worry about songs getting clipped? [more inside]
posted by deern the headlice at 9:46 AM PST - 4 comments

Our 8.5-month old baby fights naps. Any tips? Wall of details inside. [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:46 AM PST - 24 comments

What is a good bed platform for a heavy person? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 8:46 AM PST - 7 comments

Recommend washcloths I'd like, given my preferences. [more inside]
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 8:16 AM PST - 8 comments

For several years now, I've been riding in the Texas MS150, which is a two-day charity ride from Houston to Austin undertaken to raise money for MS. Turns out, I'm pretty good at fundraising. But to keep improving, I need to build some tools. It looks like this has been asked before, but not since 2014, so... [more inside]
posted by uberchet at 8:01 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm looking for a headset for use in an office environment with a few requirements, and I can't seem to find exactly what I want. [more inside]
posted by mhz at 7:59 AM PST - 1 comment

I am fortunate enough to have a first edition of "First Love, Last Rites", the first published book by Ian McEwan. It's a nice enough thing to have, but there's no real emotional attachment. I see that Mr McEwan will have a new book out in 2019 and it occurred to me I could go to a signing and get my first edition signed, which will increase the value 10-fold. Yes I am just in this for the money, but I have some questions below : [more inside]
posted by el_presidente at 6:48 AM PST - 16 comments

Help me get my sex life back after genital surgery gone wrong. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:14 AM PST - 8 comments

We are eloping to Boston at the end of March. Our original idea was to have the (short) ceremony at Boston Common, but it might be a very good idea to have a backup plan so there's indoor space. Trying to find somewhere that will let us do this without spending $$$ or paying for catering is giving me a headache. Any tips? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:14 AM PST - 19 comments

Someone I know may lose custody of his young son. Circumstances mean that the child will be placed in foster care if this happens. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:13 AM PST - 28 comments

Learning small engine repair never occurred to me before this question got me thinking it might be a hobby I'd like. Is there a better way for me to start than this community ed class? Is it a hobby that can generate a little profit? What are the other pros/cons/things to consider? [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 3:54 AM PST - 7 comments

My fiancé and I will be spending the next week in Breckinridge, or more precisely, Blue River. She's never seen snow so we are very excited. Any suggestions on what we should do would be awesome as we're not familiar with the area. [more inside]
posted by ratherbethedevil at 2:58 AM PST - 5 comments

Friend who is crashing at our place started smoking and we are not ok with it [more inside]
posted by uncreative at 2:22 AM PST - 23 comments

Girl Scout Cookie Prices - What are they selling for in the San Francisco Bay Area? [more inside]
posted by ryanrs at 12:51 AM PST - 10 comments

I am a person who has a hard time sticking with A Thing (a hobby, a sport, a craft, etc) past the "general competence" stage. I feel like I have this internalized message that mastery leads to contentment, but I'm tired of beating myself up for losing interest in things. I need more perspective. [more inside]
posted by snerson at 8:37 PM PST - 39 comments

What are some harmless ways to let off steam when you're upset about a particular person? I'm talking about things like putting pictures on dartboards, drawing caricatures, and giving silly nicknames. I don't mean general self-care like exercising or therapy, or even talking to the person about it.
posted by mermaidcafe at 7:28 PM PST - 21 comments

Greetings all! In the midst of a career change, and looking for advice. Likely field is digital marketing. Lots of free options, courtesy of Google, Facebook, Hootsuite, etc. Another option is formal education/training - for example, the eCornell "digital marketing certificate" program. Any advice/recommendations on any or all such options? Much appreciated, MeFites! [more inside]
posted by davidmsc at 6:22 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm trying to find the name of a Raymond Chandler short story in which a character, an executive in the film business, is used to express an opinion on the personal characteristics of movie stars. More inside ... [more inside]
posted by southof40 at 6:01 PM PST - 2 comments

I can do this! if it's not dangerous. [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 3:53 PM PST - 17 comments

I'm having a hard time deciding what to do with a friendship that's been seriously impacted by my divorce: cut and run or hold out hope of revival? [more inside]
posted by El Curioso at 3:05 PM PST - 40 comments

Is there a site or app that will aggregate good news for me? I’m familiar with the fact that lots of people in the world are doing much better than ever. Nonetheless, reading the news everyday and seeing new nuclear weapons, climate change, babies in wells, austerity, etc., gets me into a bit of a state. I don’t want to completely bury my head, but is there somewhere I can go where the news is always on the sunny side?
posted by stillmoving at 2:46 PM PST - 11 comments

Is there a reason aside from ease of production why flutes have circular bores? When making PVC Irish flutes, could one squish the distal end, reducing it's cross-sectional area and effectively creating a conical bore like recorders have and bringing the second octave into tune? [more inside]
posted by starfishprime at 2:20 PM PST - 9 comments

Targeted internet advertising seems to think that I want a cheap projector. Are these all the garbage engines of heartbreak my natural pessimism knows them to be, or the bright sparkly fun machines the astroturf promises? [more inside]
posted by roue at 1:52 PM PST - 17 comments

So things are not looking good for Webfaction accounts. The GoDaddy merge seems imminent and reports about CS response lately is bad. I have 1 managed VPS account and about 20 shared hosting accounts I work with. [more inside]
posted by humboldt32 at 1:44 PM PST - 7 comments

The head of HR is disappointed we did not host an event for Martin Luther King Jr Day, and has asked for a list of upcoming holidays that we should be aware of. I've ..... found 30 pages of events. Please help me create a decent starting list! [more inside]
posted by rebent at 1:43 PM PST - 21 comments

I have an empty ten-gallon aquarium and I am considering filling it with a rescued turtle, tortoise, or terrapin. My first google searches on turtle care bring me to care pages written by major pet stores, which I don't trust. Can you direct me to some reputable sources on ethical shelled-creature care? [more inside]
posted by bq at 12:50 PM PST - 7 comments

Is there a modern (digital) version of a 1970s overhead projector? [more inside]
posted by wisekaren at 12:33 PM PST - 9 comments

Basically what it says on the tin; a few snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by coffeeand at 12:07 PM PST - 17 comments

My two children, 2.5 and 3.5 year old boys, have sensory issues and we are in therapy but one thing that is making life VERY difficult is their need to touch EVERYHTING, ALL THE TIME. It doesn't matter if I tell them to stop. It doesn't matter if we discuss before going in to a shop or office reception- when we get in they are touching and grabbing everything. It's better but not good when they are separate. What to do!? [more inside]
posted by catspajammies at 11:25 AM PST - 24 comments

I'm writing a story for a creative writing class, and I'm no good at coming up with titles. Help! [more inside]
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 10:41 AM PST - 21 comments

Inspired by the recent post about Wendy Pini, I decided to re-read all my old Elfquest comics and get to the Final Quest (which I have yet to read). [more inside]
posted by ikahime at 9:49 AM PST - 1 comment

I need to complete some visa paperwork at YVR airport next week. Can I use my Nexus pass for some (but not all) of my journey? [more inside]
posted by crazycanuck at 9:43 AM PST - 2 comments

What's your favorite place to get a non-fancy burger in the East Bay? Oakland preferable but elsewhere works, too. Thanks!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 8:59 AM PST - 22 comments

My 8 year old is having a psycho-educational assessment done (she's had her first 3 hours of testing, 4 left to go and then we'll get the report). I have long suspected sort of mild ADHD which I thought might be impairing her a bit at school and other pursuits. The tester (registered psychologist, former teacher and school counsellor) said at the end of yesterday's testing that it seems that she may have ADHD, but she is definitely intellectually gifted. I was, and am, shocked and confused. [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 8:56 AM PST - 62 comments

What's the best way to repair this earring (it's supposed to be two complete hoops, one end of the outer hoop is detached)? I can't tell how it was originally assembled...do I want to glue it with some special glue? Solder it? other??? It's a very tiny attachment point.
posted by lemonade at 8:53 AM PST - 6 comments

In the lovely Luis Enrique song Yo No Se Mañana, there is a line where I wonder if I am missing an idiom (I'm lazily learning Spanish): "De un café pasamos al sofa, de un boton a todo lo demas." The literal (machine) translation is "From a coffee we go to the sofa, from a button to everything else." Does "un boton" refer to sexytimes or ...? A kiss? A button on the TV remote next to the sofa?
posted by exogenous at 7:05 AM PST - 4 comments

We're thinking of buying a house later this year. We're not ready to apply for a pre-approval yet, but I'm about to get a hiring bonus at my new job. What's the best balance between cash on hand, paying down 0% APR credit card debt, and paying down low-interest student loans? [more inside]
posted by Chaussette Fantoche at 6:55 AM PST - 8 comments

Are there any good sources that examine Dungeons and Dragons alignments in terms of real-world philosophy, or, alternatively, are there any good sources arguing that the alignment system necessarily relies on narrative logic and can never be productively used outside of the game? [more inside]
posted by Merus at 6:41 AM PST - 5 comments

Looking for documentaries I can watch with my 4 year old daughter. [more inside]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 6:14 AM PST - 11 comments

I’m in a new relationship with someone awesome. She's revealed to me that she has herpes. This is not at all a deal-breaker and doesn't change how I feel about her in the slightest, but it’s also not something I’ve ever had to deal with. Seeking practical, real-world advice beyond what I can find on Google. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:22 AM PST - 19 comments

I've just left a long-term relationship. I've wanted to move away from this city for years, and now's my chance. I want to stay with family for a little while, but I'm worried that I shouldn't be changing too much at once. Does it make sense to stay put, just for a sake of continuity? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:22 AM PST - 22 comments

What's your favorite Super Bowl recipe? [more inside]
posted by jabo at 1:16 AM PST - 14 comments

Harp is an important part of the Irish/Scottish folk music tradition, and Irish/Scottish immigrants influenced American folk music traditions - so why isn't there any harp in North American roots music, such as Appalachian folk, bluegrass, and related genres? Or is there harp that I don't know of? [more inside]
posted by dreamyshade at 10:35 PM PST - 12 comments

Need recommendations for to do list software [more inside]
posted by christiehawk at 10:19 PM PST - 4 comments

I've often left my oven slightly ajar after using it in the winter thinking that I'm taking advantage of the residual heat to help warm the air in my house. But given that my house is a (relatively) closed system, the law of conservation of energy holds that the total energy in the house is constant: if I close the oven door, its heat will eventually radiate into the house anyway. So is there any reason to leave the oven door ajar while its heat dissipates?
posted by stopgap at 9:03 PM PST - 9 comments

Apple discontinued the ability to order prints directly from Apple, choosing instead to direct me to third party apps. None of them do what I want, or those that do have terrible reviews. How do I go about printing the high resolution portraits from Apple Photos? [more inside]
posted by apex_ at 8:29 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm in an imbalanced friendship, and would like some strategies on letting go. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 7:28 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm looking for things that would be new and exciting to an American like me. [more inside]
posted by lalunamel at 5:42 PM PST - 62 comments

What are these things? The outsides are like thick leather; the insides are viscous red liquid. Gulls bring them in from the ocean, drop them on the beach, poke them until they deflate, and eat them. [more inside]
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 5:21 PM PST - 6 comments

We will be visiting Scotland for 10 days in July. Help us find unique and fun things to do and see while we're there! [more inside]
posted by quantum at 4:58 PM PST - 13 comments

I was seeing an acupuncturist and I believe that they are doing some shady insurance stuff. How do I proceed? [more inside]
posted by k8t at 4:39 PM PST - 10 comments

Once, when I was a kid, I wore a friend's winter boots. They had the best grip of any winter boot I've ever worn. I've had no luck finding something similar. The bottom was soft, flexible, and had a pattern something like... uh... kinda sorta like the bottom of this fungus or this one. Has anyone seen a boot like this? Know what it's called? Know where to find one?
posted by clawsoon at 2:58 PM PST - 12 comments

My childhood cat has not received any shots/vaccines since she left the shelter at 1 year old. She's now 15 and we've moved somewhere that requires a pet license. The license requires a rabies shot. What do I need to consider here? [more inside]
posted by brook horse at 2:27 PM PST - 17 comments

I was recently reminded of a song by Cross Canadian Ragweed called "Boys from Oklahoma". In turn it reminded me that I've wondered about this question for years. [more inside]
posted by uberchet at 12:31 PM PST - 7 comments

I have to attend a two-day training session in mid-February, and I'd like to record the different speakers and presenters. I'm not going to hold up my iPhone for eight hours a day, but I am going to be taking notes on my laptop. Is there a good program for OSX or app for iOS that can do hours upon hours of audio recording?
posted by tzikeh at 12:23 PM PST - 12 comments

The Jan 25 episode of "Today Explained" ( "The Man with the Nixon Tattoo" ) about Roger Stone ended with about a minute of a parody of "Like a Rolling Stone" with the lyrics changed to be about Roger Stone. Can anyone tell me who did this work and point me towards a more complete recording (if such a thing even exists). [more inside]
posted by metadave at 12:22 PM PST - 4 comments

Has there ever been a case of a curator at an arts museum involved in an art theft? I know of heists involving security guards and such, but I'm wondering if there were ever thefts involving higher ups. (I'm writing a mystery story and need some case histories to explore!)
posted by storybored at 11:35 AM PST - 19 comments

My wife has some high-heeled shoes with chunky plastic heels that are supposed to be black, but a lot of the coloring has scuffed off in the back, making it the natural whitish color of the plastic beneath. What is the best way to paint/color/dye these back to a uniform black?
posted by tracer at 11:27 AM PST - 7 comments

What was this website? It had user-submitted lists of movies and I remember many of the lists had unusual / funny themes. I remember one of them was something like "comedies with bold red text on the poster." A lot of the themes would be comically specific and but they would still manage to find two movies to fit the bill. I also seem to remember the website having a dark color scheme. It's not TV Tropes.
posted by mustardayonnaise at 9:30 AM PST - 6 comments

I am failing very very badly at basic google/library skills today. Can anyone point me towards a listing of theatrical productions of "King Lear" that have been filmed and are available to purchase/rent/view somehow? [more inside]
posted by Dorinda at 8:43 AM PST - 4 comments

I am going to be officially unemployed soon and I have an issue with handling two jobs I’m pursuing. [more inside]
posted by fluttering hellfire at 8:36 AM PST - 9 comments

Does this movie exist or is it a figment of my imagination? This is all I remember: A man mistakes insurance salesman for his guru and spiritual teacher. He follows him around and in spite of salesman not being an actual guru, the man eventually reaches enlightenment.
posted by leigh1 at 8:25 AM PST - 4 comments

I have a big puzzle and want to encase it in epoxy resin. Any tips on how to do this? [more inside]
posted by doggod at 8:14 AM PST - 13 comments

How can I better prepare my no-knead bread so it forms a skin that I can slash before baking? [more inside]
posted by too bad you're not me at 7:45 AM PST - 18 comments

My daughter is 5, and no tights or trousers or leggings will stay up. She almost always has half her bottom showing. Dungarees (overalls) are great for her, but she wears a school uniform and mostly wants to wear tights. I feel I have tried every brand out there. Are they too small? Too big? A belt seems a bit over the top at 5, and she would struggle with the buckles a bit. Plus they don't work for tights. Suggestions please! :)
posted by heavenknows at 6:56 AM PST - 31 comments

So - for clarification sake and illustration - say my email address (which I've had for over 20 years) is UnbelievablySarahWiser@gmail.com - an email with Unbelievably.SarahWiser@gmail.com is arriving into my mailbox. I see that I also able to use Unbelievably.SarahWiser@gmail.com as my account name and the sent email also arrives in my Sent folder. [more inside]
posted by watercarrier at 6:47 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm tasked with making a dashboard for my org, which will show the current status of our accounts/goals/KPIs. The challenge: We have a lot of qualitative updates. I'd like to use something that can automatically pull some things (Asana, Google Analytics, etc.), but can also handle team members adding in arbitrary text updates. What would you use? [Snowflakes inside.] [more inside]
posted by matrixclown at 6:35 AM PST - 3 comments

I’d like to see my unread mail count on the menubar. Is there an app that does this for the mac's default mail client? Thanks.
posted by captainscared at 6:33 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm the mom of a 15 year old boy on the spectrum and need help picking an electric razor. If that's what's best. Really, I have no clue, hence this ask. And yes, I spoke to him about his feelings on this and talked about asking here. [more inside]
posted by 80 Cats in a Dog Suit at 6:06 AM PST - 20 comments

I made a >$10K mistake. By generating a lot of capital gains at once, I doomed us to having to purchase expensive health insurance for 2019, instead of qualifying for affordable insurance. I am up for paying a tax pro if there's a decent chance we could fix this. But just based on googling, I think there's not. Can anyone fact-check me to see whether there's in fact enough hope that I should hire a pro to look into it some more? [more inside]
posted by Other at 3:59 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm heading to Europe and have a week in Feb unaccounted for. Where should I go? [more inside]
posted by sunflower16 at 3:22 AM PST - 5 comments

I love Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup. I also am trying to eat vegan. Is there a recipe out there that will produce a vegan equivalent?
posted by purplesludge at 3:13 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm looking at getting my husband a Japanese puzzle box for his birthday. Which are the best types? [more inside]
posted by poxandplague at 1:57 AM PST - 3 comments

After anxiety attacks, therapy, anti anxiety meds, and a fortune long vacation, my boyfriend has come to the conclusion that he needs a healthier relationship with work. Good: he actually works somewhere where overtime is supposed to be pre-approved and paid, so overtime should be rare. Bad: he's been doing a lot of overtime anyway without correctly filling in his time sheet... On top of that he has a severe personal weakness re: saying no. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:04 AM PST - 5 comments

My city has about half a million people and major challenges. I have been active in politics for about three years. I had been planning to run for a seat on the City Council in 2023, but now I am considering doing it this year. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:03 AM PST - 9 comments

Any time someone is having interpersonal issues at work the advice is to "document" and "create a paper trail". What's the best way to do that and JUST that. I just want a record of what happened from my point of view without alerting anyone that I'm doing this. I DON'T want the narrative to be "bleep went to HR! Now we have an HR problem! Bleep is a problem!" Is that possible? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 11:44 PM PST - 11 comments

I've been batch cooking [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 5:30 PM PST - 7 comments

I bought a few Orion paper lanterns (they're actually some type of thin plastic-y material) to hang along a wall in my living room. I love the way they look unlit, but I'd like to figure out how to light them up safely without having cords dangling all over my wall. Help? [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter at 5:08 PM PST - 3 comments

When I listen to certain podcasts using my bluetooth speaker, it doesn't sound right. The beginning of some words are missing. Other speakers play these same podcasts just fine, though. Is there a way to get my bluetooth speaker to work right? [more inside]
posted by meese at 1:09 PM PST - 5 comments

We don't have or want a TV, but we do watch a lot of streaming on the 17" laptop. Illness means we do it even more now, and I'm exploring options for our small space. Do you have experience with tiny projectors and tabletop screens? Or...a screen magnifier? [more inside]
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 11:51 AM PST - 16 comments

I am having abdominal surgery and have been advised that it will be easiest to wear zip- or button-front robes (with nothing else) during my recovery, because it will hurt to try to pull anything over my head. My criteria: 1) natural fibers only and 2) as not-hideous as possible. Doesn't seem unreasonable but is proving to be a unicorn as everything I'm finding is a polyester pastel floral. Can you help?
posted by HotToddy at 11:25 AM PST - 34 comments

After being stored with a bit of pond water in it for seven years, there's a thin ring of light green algae growing around the bottom of the (Katadyn Hiker) filter cartridge. Do I need to replace it? [more inside]
posted by nzero at 11:15 AM PST - 6 comments

YANME: Whoever installed my breaker box 18+ years ago failed to fill in the little box that says AMPS. How do I tell if my loft (which used to be an office) can handle the amperage to install a 160 amp tankless water heater? FWIW all the breakers add up to 555 amps (pic).
posted by musofire at 11:13 AM PST - 8 comments

Is there a way to fix my suggested topics in Chrome? [more inside]
posted by downtohisturtles at 10:58 AM PST - 4 comments

Please help me find archives of public domain or CC-licensed photos of notable people of color or other underrepresented groups. [more inside]
posted by jessamyn at 9:37 AM PST - 9 comments

I have many many books on art that my mother collected over the years. They range from scholaraly to coffee table style books. Think of the type of books for sale in a museum gift shop. They probably date back to the 60s, in varying condition. What's the best way to get rid of them, in bulk, short of throwing them away. If I could get a little money out, even better. [more inside]
posted by askmehow at 8:14 AM PST - 8 comments

What are some works that intentionally complicate the human notion of scale, in terms of space, time, or perception? [more inside]
posted by icosahedron at 7:38 AM PST - 19 comments

I was on disability for 2 years (through a privately funded company) due to mental illness, have received ongoing treatment since then and would like to return to work. My disability benefits were managed by a third party who told me I had to apply for SSDI, which I did. My hearing is scheduled for March. I have just begun working with an organization that helps disabled adults find employment. Will starting a job prior to my hearing effect my eligibility for SSDI? I don't want to sabotage that if my illness takes a turn for the worse.
posted by htm at 7:12 AM PST - 13 comments

I have a presentation to give this coming weekend and need help/advice/reassurance connecting a projector to my MacBook Pro, please. [more inside]
posted by Tchad at 6:21 AM PST - 6 comments

How can I make Windows 10 Tablet mode work better? I have a 2-in-1 laptop and it is great as a laptop and useful for watching Netflix on the treadmill at the gym as a tablet but it is pretty terrible at just being a usable tablet compared to my android tablet. Are there any tricks, hacks, apps, or mods that can make the Windows 10 Tablet experience better?
posted by srboisvert at 5:43 AM PST - 2 comments

My partner and I have recently discovered that we love hosting dinner parties together. I like to cook and they like to entertain. [more inside]
posted by unstrungharp at 2:55 AM PST - 25 comments

I have been wondering who have developed something like an addictive relationship with the internet and have gotten over it (ok, maybe not an overrepresented demo hereabouts) do when that urge to kill four hours by clicking around strikes? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:16 PM PST - 18 comments

New department chair directed us to stop using our current domain name (programmename.org) and switch to programmename.lifesciences.universityname.edu. She thinks this will make people associate our programme's success more directly with our department. We think this actually accomplishes little toward that goal. Instead, it does destroy our years of building a brand and following. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:16 PM PST - 8 comments

Does Paul call Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band "Sergeant Pepper" or "Sergeant Peppers"? [more inside]
posted by noelpratt2nd at 8:47 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm moving and need someone to do a move-out cleaning next weekend. I could of course use Handy, but I'd really rather give my money to an actual small business or self-employed person than hand over a big cut to "disruptors." (I haven't used professional cleaners in a few years, and my old cleaning person is out of the game.) Does anyone have personal experience with someone RELIABLE who might be available in Manhattan on such short notice? Thanks.
posted by praemunire at 8:22 PM PST - 7 comments

I want to hear all about your favorite mushroom recipes! Where either the mushrooms are a main ingredient or are heavily featured. I impulse-purchased a large container of dried mushrooms at Costco (a mix of portobello, oyster, slippery jack, and black trumpet according to the label) and don't quite know what to do with them, so dried mushroom recipes would be useful, but I'm also learning to love fresh mushrooms, so tell me how you cook them! No allergies in our house, but I'm not great with spicy foods.
posted by skycrashesdown at 7:57 PM PST - 19 comments

We have a Senseo from c. 2004(?) that is still limping along. All along I've bought pods for it from Amazon because Amazon had the best price and variety available. But there were other sources too. (To be clear, I've always only bought Senseo brand pods, because they tasted best to me. I'm not interested in third party suppliers just yet.). Now the price of Senseo pods has shot up on Amazon, we can't get all the varieties we used to, and I can't find another supplier. What happened and where can we buy the pods? [more inside]
posted by Tandem Affinity at 6:48 PM PST - 8 comments

How can I find someone who can help me understand my options, and perhaps spiff up my resume? Who might that person be? [more inside]
posted by breakin' the law at 5:48 PM PST - 12 comments

So for my daughters science fair project she built an XY wall plotter but having a bit of a problem with the software side in that the Y axis isn't plotting a straight line, it's a line that points towards the center of the machine. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by zeoslap at 2:55 PM PST - 22 comments

What is this tool we found in my parents’ house? It has a tiny bottle brush, a tiny metal loop, and a tiny magnet. Pics inside. [more inside]
posted by Salvor Hardin at 2:53 PM PST - 4 comments

A friend has a radio show and a podcast about geek life, including gaming. I suggested to her that five of my grandkids all play different computer and online games and she wanted me to talk with them for a special show about kids and gaming. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 1:52 PM PST - 7 comments

I know you all have excellent opinions about bags and backpacks. Please share them with me! Difficulty level: must be lightweight, would love it to be waterproof, backpacks only. [more inside]
posted by halation at 1:40 PM PST - 21 comments

I’m moving this week but I’ve got some snowflakes that don’t come up when I search the archives for past AskMes tagged for moving/packing. Help! [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 1:22 PM PST - 8 comments

One year ago, I signed up for a digital subscription to the Washington Post with an error in my email address "****@gmailc.om" and then forgot about it. I didn't notice that I had been charged until the subscription renewed this year and I looked back through my PayPal transactions. The email address has now been corrected, but what are the chances that I can get my money back for last year's subscription? [more inside]
posted by Prunesquallor at 12:41 PM PST - 6 comments

My morning voice sounds like Barry White played through a subwoofer caked in mud. How do I sound like this always? [more inside]
posted by Freelance Demiurge at 12:38 PM PST - 5 comments

If so, what is the simplest method? [more inside]
posted by ragtimepiano at 12:01 PM PST - 2 comments

Six months ago I had my first kidney stone and it was a nightmare of being in and out of the emergency room, surgery and a stent that was all excruciating and traumatic. I have another one, and my GP has sent me home with Difene and Buscopan. So far this seems suspiciously okay, but I realise I have no idea what to expect. Please tell me your tales of kidney stone passing at home. [more inside]
posted by DarlingBri at 11:47 AM PST - 11 comments

I lost my favorite cloth eyeglasses case, and can't seem to find a suitable replacement. Excellent shoppers and googlers of MetaFilter, please help! [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 10:01 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for good books with some fun court intrigue! Murder plots, marriage plots, or other dramatic dealings welcome. [more inside]
posted by space snail at 8:52 AM PST - 24 comments

I am wondering if there is a text to speech app for android that would read, for instance, an open web page on a news site for me. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 8:24 AM PST - 5 comments

The hot water faucet in my bathroom sink is not producing *any* water - not even a trickle. Is the pipe frozen? [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 7:28 AM PST - 13 comments

If I have 365 tweets, one for each day of the year, what’s the best way to get them tweeted automatically, each on the relevant day?
posted by Segundus at 6:03 AM PST - 6 comments

I’m looking for a wall mounted light that matches the IKEA Magnarp floor lamp - specifically, the type of light that the paper shade part gives off. [more inside]
posted by john_snow at 5:33 AM PST - 2 comments

It looks like I'm moving across the country with several musical instruments. How strict is Amtrak regarding baggage size, if you're traveling in a sleeper instead of a coach seat? [more inside]
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 11:57 PM PST - 8 comments

Soup experts: help me decide whether and how to use raw chicken scraps in the broth for homemade soup. [more inside]
posted by NumberSix at 10:20 PM PST - 15 comments

Kitty has had a rough month. Saw the vet on Wednesday morning, got appropriate care (details inside) and - not related to the reasons for his vet visit but relevant to my current worry - his heart and breathing all seemed in good shape then. But he seems to be having a little bit of labored breathing tonight (Friday night). Possibly just kitty stress from lots of recent poking and proding, but maybe something urgent? [more inside]
posted by eviemath at 9:42 PM PST - 6 comments

Besides using some type of oral condom, is there any other way to prevent cunnilingus from causing a yeast infection? [more inside]
posted by Dansaman at 8:19 PM PST - 20 comments

I have to renew my Illinois driver's license. For many years I have used a family member's address for license/registration purposes with no issues (I can receive mail in my name at that address, and it's a former residence of mine.) I'm concerned that these new verification steps where the state runs some sort of unexplained "fraud check" will result in problems, given that my voter registration, tax records, etc. are linked to a different address. Does anyone have any recent post "central issuance" experience with this?
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 4:49 PM PST - 8 comments

Can the example domain fooblog.blogspot.com be forwarded to fooblog2.blogspot.com using blogspot's consumer-facing toolset? [more inside]
posted by mwhybark at 2:58 PM PST - 2 comments

Have been using my son-in-law's cast-off XS men's down and feather jacket for the past year. It's now shedding feathers whenever I take it off, and has holes in various places. Help me find a replacement. [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna at 2:19 PM PST - 11 comments

I've seen L. E. Modesitt, Jr.'s Recluce novels recommended lots of places for their unusual world-building and magic system. I'm part way through the first one, and those things *are* interesting...but I'm finding the writing to be super clunky. To the point where I have to keep putting the book down. I can power my way through this one, but I'm not really interested in pursuing further if the writing doesn't improve. Is this something that gets better in the series (it looks like this was one of his first books)?
posted by Chrysostom at 2:19 PM PST - 13 comments

What's a great shop with great people in New York city that will help me figure out what electric guitar I want to buy? [more inside]
posted by wemayfreeze at 1:36 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm having a problem with UPS mis-delivering packages. The complication is: I'm not the person they're SUPPOSED to go to, I'm the person UPS IS delivering them to when they shouldn't. How do I get them to stop? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:29 PM PST - 11 comments

A contact in Sweden is a big succulents grower and the seeds she wants to grow are not easily available there. Turns out the seed packets are here. And cheap. Also cheap are tickets from NY to Stockholm. My sister just loves traveling and, if my contact in Sweden picks up the flight and hotel, she'd happily deliver a giant bag of seeds. My question is: can she? Do you need a special permit or is "giant bag of seeds commerce" legit?
posted by rileyray3000 at 1:06 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm going to be in Ottawa for an event at the end of February, and looking for recommendations on where/how to get my makeup done. It's a professional event where I will be accepting an award; not crazy-fancy, but dress is semi-formal and there will be lots of photos which will likely end up online or in publications. I'm also basically clueless about makeup. Do I just book this at a makeup store or go to an cosmetologist? Halp please! [more inside]
posted by Paper rabies at 12:29 PM PST - 4 comments

Simply put, I got this new phone and I can’t do it any more. Why? [more inside]
posted by markslack at 11:43 AM PST - 6 comments

I've been looking at some of the frameworks like tabulator and datatables.net for a project I have in mind. I have a 25mb table that I want users to search and filter based on a bunch of column variables. Is there a SAAS which can do this as an MVP before I program it all? [more inside]
posted by mtstover at 10:45 AM PST - 1 comment

I'm editing a commentary for publication, and I'm trying to track down the source of a quote that I believe has been misattributed to F. Scott Fitzgerald in The Great Gatsby: “There’s a loneliness that only exists in one’s mind. The loneliest moment in someone’s life is when they are watching their whole world fall apart, and all they can do is stare blankly.” [more inside]
posted by virago at 9:47 AM PST - 14 comments

There’s a strong possibility that I’m going to be moving this June—across the country or across my county. I’ve got about 40 small succulent plants, many of which I’ve grown from props. What’s the best way of transporting them in their many tiny pots?
posted by ocherdraco at 9:06 AM PST - 15 comments

How do I hire my spouse? [more inside]
posted by Sreiny at 8:48 AM PST - 19 comments

I need to keep about 25 large, flat cardboard boxes on hand in a limited space. I'd rather have a storage rack of some kind rather than just lean them up against the wall. [more inside]
posted by you're a kitty! at 7:57 AM PST - 13 comments

In our new apartment, we have gray, solid surface countertops that constantly look dirty. I’m sure they’re not natural stone, but rather a synthetic material. There are some stains I can’t get rid of that look like water streaks that never dry. (Is this what etching is? Maybe I could etch the whole thing so at least it appears uniform?) [more inside]
posted by jroybal at 7:52 AM PST - 6 comments

I need some kind of mop over here but in the past I've been less than thrilled with the quality of consumer-grade mops that I've encountered. I think a commercial-grade string mop would be pretty overkill for my needs, but I do want something effective and sturdy, not some cheap plastic thing. I do not want a swiffer. What should I get? [more inside]
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 7:27 AM PST - 24 comments

Whenever I am in Asia I find Japanese-brand eyebrow razors but the ones I get in the US (usually at CVS) are lower quality, not as sharp. I think i ordered from Amazon once too and was not satisfied. Anyone know where I can get good quality, sharp, eyebrow razors? Is Shiseido brand on amazon good? Should I order directly from Japanese supplier? Thanks.
posted by bearette at 7:13 AM PST - 13 comments

Seeking a printer that is good at printing envelopes. Hoping to keep this within a budget but if that isn't possible, please suggest the alternative expensive printer that is awesome. [more inside]
posted by sciencegeek at 6:27 AM PST - 6 comments

I need a long-term plan for my personal finances. Retirement, planning to buy a house – things like that. I have no idea where to begin. Is there financial planning software that meets my needs? (And, in general, where do I begin?) [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 6:27 AM PST - 26 comments

My 2.5 year old gets screen time on an iPhone. I do not want her watching whatever the YouTube Kids algorithm spits up. What are the best alternatives? [more inside]
posted by Xalf at 5:53 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm thinking of the headscarf that is stereotypically associated with the Romani people in Halloween costumes, etc, with gold coins dangling down from the edges. Were those actually historically worn by the Romani? And/or where and from what culture(s) do those type of scarves originate?
posted by overglow at 6:48 PM PST - 8 comments

I want to ship my road bike to myself, from US to France. Will I be on the hook for value-added taxes?
posted by Ian Scuffling at 5:09 PM PST - 4 comments

I just found out this morning the person we're hiring soon to do my old job will directly report to me (whee!) and I'm responsible for interviewing three people on Monday. I've never interviewed anyone before. Help me not suck. [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 4:20 PM PST - 20 comments

How do I find a rental condo or apartment, in Chicago, that's available on a certain date 2+ months in the future? [more inside]
posted by amtho at 4:07 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm currently a PhD student in STEM, working on my first paper for publication, hooray! Generally, the research itself looks good, but my advisor and I are caught in a paper-revision cycle that I need help resolving, creatively! [more inside]
posted by Pieprz at 3:21 PM PST - 25 comments

Last week it was a diagnosis of kidney disease, this week it was a 12am grand mal seizure + diagnosis of a probable brain tumor for my sweet old pup. The seizure was an absolutely awful experience that was extra rough because I was alone. I'd like help thinking through the logistics of making the last months of her life as manageable as possible for the both of us. [more inside]
posted by quiet coyote at 2:33 PM PST - 5 comments

I am a candidate for weight loss surgery, but I cannot afford it. Anyone have any experience with weight loss surgery in Mexico? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:32 PM PST - 8 comments

Who fillibustered today's bills to open the government? Was there one or more specific Democrats who fillibustered the Republican favored bill? Which ones? Was there one or more specific Republicans who fillibustered the Democratic favored bill? Which ones?
posted by crocodiletsunami at 2:22 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm looking for an Android game, musical instrument player or other non-productivity app to teach touchscreen eye-hand coordination to my very elderly mother. [more inside]
posted by scalefree at 1:40 PM PST - 7 comments

Hi y’all, our finished basement currently has about 6 inches of standing water and more is pouring in below the exterior doors. I rented a 3/4” sump pump which is currently running but I’m pretty sure we have more coming in than going out. Is there some type of expert I can call in? [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 1:27 PM PST - 20 comments

I'm in the USA. It seems to me that I qualify for the child and dependent care credit, yet, Credit Karma tells me no. What am I doing wrong? Or am I fundamentally misunderstanding how this credit works? [more inside]
posted by srrh at 12:35 PM PST - 5 comments

My 2006 Acura TL is worth from trade in (just based on the internet) about $3k. It needs $3k of work. Is there a forumula that determines' if it makes sense to not get it repaired? [more inside]
posted by Towelie at 12:26 PM PST - 9 comments

In March I'm gonna be headed to Europe for the first time. Very exciting! Most of the time is going to be split between London and a small town in Bavaria where my wife's family is. I've looked online and seeing as how London is quite large there are very many record stores. Where should I go?? [more inside]
posted by rainperimeter at 11:57 AM PST - 5 comments

What are ingenious ways social enterprises have generated sustainable income, exclusive of government funding/grants/fundraising? What related business models have been successful (particularly in the Canadian context)? (What search terms am I even looking for?) [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 11:41 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm trying to find a pair of Kobe X High sneakers in a size 10-10.5. Are eBay sellers my only reliable option? [more inside]
posted by Everydayville at 11:23 AM PST - 4 comments

Hi. I bought an old house with an old central AC. I would like to replace it with a model that uses a non-HFC refrigerant. [more inside]
posted by atchafalaya at 11:18 AM PST - 10 comments

California first-timers here. Would you recommend starting our sightseeing adventure in San Francisco and heading south, or starting in San Luis Obispo and heading north? [more inside]
posted by emelenjr at 11:15 AM PST - 16 comments

My shower grout consistently gets gross and I really need to find some kind of cleaning regimen that I can actually stick to. [more inside]
posted by massofintuition at 11:10 AM PST - 18 comments

Hi friends - Looking for specific recommendations / resources for secular tours or dedicated tour guides in Israel for 4-7 days for an older couple, one with some mobility issues [more inside]
posted by cotesdurhone at 10:56 AM PST - 3 comments

In late February I'm going to be in NYC to see a show and hit MOMA with my partner. While there, I also want to do as much crate digging as possible. What stores are the best bets if I can only spend about a day total in record hunting? [more inside]
posted by jzb at 10:55 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm trying to find this mopar part # 68235446AA for much cheaper than $50. I can not for the life of me find any generic or aftermarket version for this part, fitting a 2015 Dodge Journey. Does such a thing exist?
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 9:31 AM PST - 4 comments

Someone complained about my employee's personal Facebook behavior. How can I (politely) tell him no one cares? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:05 AM PST - 46 comments

My family would like to take a train trip some time in March somewhere in North America. What's a good 2-3 day trip? [more inside]
posted by bondcliff at 8:10 AM PST - 43 comments

My local paper has an opening for a freelance/part-time reporter, and I want to apply. The paper asks for a resume, cover letter, and three clips. My clips are ancient, from college over a decade ago. My relevant credentials are all ancient, really. How do I apply with such out of date experience and materials? [more inside]
posted by rue72 at 7:38 AM PST - 8 comments

I have very close ties with a local psychologist office and they're wanting to integrate an outdoor therapy program into the practice. We're looking at starting quite small and conservatively and we've gotten one quote for the pilot run of said program from the office's normal policy holder that seems really high. I suspect the quote doesn't reflect a familiarity with the field in question. How/Where do I go about getting more, and hopefully better, quotes from, ideally, agencies/brokers that are perhaps more used to this sort of thing? [more inside]
posted by RolandOfEld at 7:15 AM PST - 5 comments

We vaguely remember some short videos where a guy would draw a flowchart or diagram explaining a topic. I think they were humorous and may even have been commercials for something. Topics would be something like UPS workflow. Does anyone have any idea what these might have been?
posted by spynotebook at 7:03 AM PST - 4 comments

I have two door etiquette questions, brought to you by the front doors of my office building. [more inside]
posted by coppermoss at 6:18 AM PST - 21 comments

Asking for myself and anyone else who keeps seeing Internet dudes citing the fact that mothers are sometimes (often?) given precedence in custody cases. Since I never see a number of states or more specificity associated with these claims, I wonder if it’s more complicated than a simple checklist. I have a few more specific questions as well: [more inside]
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 3:31 AM PST - 15 comments

I foolishly booked a trip to London, by rail, around Brexit Day (29th March). Should I still go? [more inside]
posted by daisyk at 2:25 AM PST - 13 comments

Help me stop using the conjunction ‘but’ so much. I overuse it in my writing and, more generally, I think I rely too much on sentences structured as:

[clause], [conjunction] [contrasting clause].

Does this come from a mode of thinking that I can try to change? [more inside]
posted by theory at 10:27 PM PST - 23 comments

The title is "The Moment." It's science fiction, it's wonderful. Who wrote it? Or, what other ways could I look for an answer? [more inside]
posted by kestralwing at 7:21 PM PST - 5 comments

As a student, I got a lot from annotating books and papers. Now, I'd like to re-start this practice, with the aim of being a more involved reader. I am happy to read anything, with the exception of horror stories. I am sure there are interesting and creative ideas that my teachers never thought of, both in terms of how to annotate, and what materials are rewarding. [more inside]
posted by Calvin and the Duplicators at 6:50 PM PST - 4 comments

I’m supposed to fly to JFK to Oakland tomorrow evening. I’m hearing some stuff on the news about the safety of flying right now that doesn’t exactly make me feel good about this. If you were me, would you fly on a nonbusiness trip right now? [more inside]
posted by holborne at 6:45 PM PST - 32 comments

I'm looking for an Italian market that sells fresh or frozen pasta and ravioli and other Italian specialty items. Bonus points for fresh mozzarella availability. Northern King County and Snohomish County preferred, please.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 6:26 PM PST - 9 comments

This mystery object was found in my grandfather's summer cottage on the coast of Maine. Nobody in my family has any idea what it is. Do you know? He enjoyed sailing and birding, if that gives you any ideas. Link to photo album:
posted by lohmannn at 4:38 PM PST - 24 comments

Hi, AskMe. :) I bought a game on a whim a week or so back, and was pleased to discover it's ~98% accessible to the blind, almost by accident. I'm wondering how I might go about bridging the gap? [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 4:23 PM PST - 2 comments

In search of the absolute best kneeling chair money (hard cap of $200, shipping inclusive) can buy. [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 4:19 PM PST - 7 comments

When I moved into my apartment some three years ago, I moved in with a friend. He left a while ago, and while his name was on the lease, mine wasn't due to unstable finances at the time. Everything is much better, but I'd like to clear the axe over my head of "if the management company finds out I'm living here without being on the lease, I'm doomed." [more inside]
posted by Philipschall at 4:13 PM PST - 8 comments

I recently took some photos using my Fuji x100f at my nephew's wedding. I was shooting mostly on aperture priority. For the most part, the shots came out well. A few shots came out unfocused and I am wondering why. [more inside]
posted by jtexman1 at 4:10 PM PST - 11 comments

I need to transition from my beloved iPod Classic to a new, probably non-Apple player. I know lots of them will play AACs, Apple music files, but I want to keep my playlists. Is there a device, software overlay or other ecosystem that will make this possible? More inside. [more inside]
posted by Shotgun Shakespeare at 3:52 PM PST - 3 comments

I have a bar shower and have never had a shower like this. The nozzle sprays nigh horizontally and it drives me crazy. How to fix? [more inside]
posted by uncannyslacks at 3:47 PM PST - 4 comments

Having just read a story in the news about a man dying from the yellow fever vaccine, I am terrified about my family getting the same vaccine tomorrow before our trip to Colombia. Should we do it? [more inside]
posted by first edition at 3:46 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm finding a lot of anecdotal internet info about this, but is it actually, scientifically true? My experience, inside. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 3:05 PM PST - 11 comments

How much of a risk is it to let your dog sleep in bed with you after surgery? Specifics: knee surgery, dressing under gauze under ace bandage. [more inside]
posted by hwyengr at 2:57 PM PST - 6 comments

My 14 month old is scheduled for an upper endoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy because of recurrent colicky abdominal pain. Please tell me anything you know about endoscopies, anesthesia, emergence delirium, and eosinophilic esophagitis in toddlers! [more inside]
posted by bananacabana at 1:37 PM PST - 3 comments

Can you help me figure out if it's possible in the US to buy an electric range (oven/cooktop combo) that includes griddle and grill accessories as part of the cooktop? This seems to be an option with duel fuel and gas ranges, but not electric. [more inside]
posted by bluedaisy at 1:21 PM PST - 6 comments

Last April my mother passed away. I'm the only child and sole heir. I'm struggling with what to do with her stuff, and as a result, her house. She LOVED her stuff. Her house, now mine, is sitting unoccupied and still full of her possessions. I can't move forward with selling her house until I get rid of the contents, and I can't really rent it furnished with all of her furniture inside. I have to move forward but can't figure out how. [more inside]
posted by karst at 1:02 PM PST - 38 comments

I need to buy a dishwasher - looking for recommendations under $600, preferably based on 4-6 months minimum use experience.
posted by ryanshepard at 12:43 PM PST - 9 comments

I’m about to go through a (so far) very amicable divorce. I’d like to change my name back to my maiden name, however, I am currently on a temporary work visa in Germany for up to 3 more years. I have questions. [more inside]
posted by LizBoBiz at 12:24 PM PST - 2 comments

A woman in a neighboring district is challenging her state rep. The challenger is in my demographic, the district has similar demographics to mine, and I want to run for the same position in my district in a few years. However, I don't have a preference for the challenger over the incumbent based on platform. Should I still volunteer for the challenger's campaign, basically for research and networking opportunities? [more inside]
posted by static sock at 11:40 AM PST - 10 comments

Mr Bookish & I are looking to spend 1-2 weeks holidaying in Europe this year. We're trying to decide where to go and the possibilities are overwhelming us. Some criteria inside the fold - would love suggestions for offbeat places! [more inside]
posted by kariebookish at 10:42 AM PST - 23 comments

There is a very real homelessness problem in my city, and it is something I am extra aware of because I work in the downtown core. When I have cash on me I try to give it, but I never have cash on me. (If I have it, I spend it, so I never have it.) I'd like to keep a little stash of things in my bag that I could offer someone homeless that isn't cash. Suggestions? Is there anything I should pointedly avoid giving? [more inside]
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 10:28 AM PST - 34 comments

I just turned 44 and find myself with a burgeoning tum that I’d like to get under control. This will be my first time trying to achieve a weight loss goal. I’ve always assumed that (within certain health and dietary constraints), the basic principle of “eat less, exercise more” would be all I really needed to know. But there are so many ways of eating now (keto, no this, all that) that I wonder whether there’s a different way I need to approach this. [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 10:24 AM PST - 29 comments

We are probably moving away from the Bay Area in something like a year. We've lived here five years. Portland, OR is tentatively on the list, and I'm trying to convince myself to be more enthusiastic about it. Have you lived in both? Bonus points if you do badly with seasonal darkness and can say how hard it was to get used to extra dark and how you managed. [more inside]
posted by Smearcase at 10:06 AM PST - 13 comments

Freelance/self-employed writing filter: What are some good approaches for pitching & sustaining work in data journalism/technical tutorials/data science & visualization-backed nonfiction writing? I'm curious to learn more about (1) writing in these specific domains and (2) sustainably writing on the side of a full-time position. [more inside]
posted by elephantsvanish at 10:00 AM PST - 1 comment

I have started a new job which requires a strong focus and attention to detail for success. Help me be nice to myself while I learn it. [more inside]
posted by Armed Only With Hubris at 9:50 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm thinking of buying a Chinese brand tablet (Chuwi / Teclast / Alldocube) from a site like AliExpress or BangGood, but am worried about the process; can you give me personal stories (or trustable testimonials) pro or con? [more inside]
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 9:29 AM PST - 13 comments

I supervise a team member who is new to the concept of systems thinking and I'm looking for a good beginner-level book on this. [more inside]
posted by archimago at 8:15 AM PST - 7 comments

I discovered, to my great distress, that How Stuff Works is no longer making mp3's of their podcasts available. I've lived off these podcasts for years now, since my commute and work office don't have easy internet access. I'm looking for similar podcasts. Requirements within. [more inside]
posted by backwards compatible at 7:54 AM PST - 14 comments

I have a vinyl cutting machine and I would like to made car decals for people who are supporting the non-conservative parties in the upcoming Alberta and Canadian elections. I see a lot of really, really offensive car decals out here ie. 'Punt the C**t' for Notley, and I want to help be a force to counter them (I'd charge people cost only, so about $1). The problem is - I can't think of anything clever, or anything at all...Help? [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 7:49 AM PST - 7 comments

We had a box-like structure built to mask our TV, but it's too short and I want to add molding to the top but don't know what or how... [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 7:32 AM PST - 7 comments

Do you have some good reading on the class and ethnicity structure as depicted in the movie Roma? Looking at both articles and statistics can help sort of questions inside and maybe some perspectives from those not in that culture. [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 7:08 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm in my late 20s, and have been a freelancer and small business owner (designing websites, solo and later supported by a small remote team) for nearly half of my life. I'm about to make a big shift though: on Monday, I start my first "real job". Having never been gainfully employed before, what should I know going in? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:57 AM PST - 26 comments

I'm wondering if medication or transcranial magnetic therapy for depression might help me form and sustain close relationships. What's your experience? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:57 AM PST - 7 comments

We like a movie night in our house - couple of recent favourites have been Grease & Ferris Bueller's Day Off - before that it was Pitch Perfect & Mean Girls. What else should we be watching that hits a similar spot? Kids are 15 & 13. [more inside]
posted by rd45 at 6:28 AM PST - 61 comments

A friend and I will have an opportunity for a 1-2 day layover in the US on the way to Central America - Dallas (we’ve never been) or LA. Should we time our flights to be in town on the Fourth of July? [more inside]
posted by Naanwhal at 3:48 AM PST - 10 comments

So I took a shower about an hour ago. Everything functioned as normal. Now, an hour later, the shower has just turned itself on. Not dribbling a little water, full-on shower levels. The shower handle lever is still in the down/off position. Is this a burst winter pipe situation? What do I do? I have never had to deal with this before ever. It is the middle of the night, so calling the landlords is not optimal but I could try.
posted by vegartanipla at 11:32 PM PST - 13 comments

Hey metafilter! I'm in Ottawa and I have a few coins to unload -- nothing crazy, just Canadian silver coins and a couple 1/10th ounce gold coins, all minted in the last few years. I feel like Google is turning up mostly Cash4Gold places that feel like payday loan sharks, so I'm hoping for some other people's experiences to get some guidance. I just don't want to be ripped off. :-/
posted by Decimask at 7:26 PM PST - 4 comments

One of the things I both strive for and struggle with in my photography is portraying a sense of depth. Photography is an inherently monocular medium, and also photos are still, which rules out two of real life's biggest depth cues. Therefore, one must resort to tricks. Tell me some tricks for achieving a sense of depth in photography. [more inside]
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 7:25 PM PST - 16 comments

New year, same old mistakes. I dated a guy for only four months and we stopped seeing each other a year and a half ago, but it seems like we can't stay away from each other. He ended things because he didn't want a relationship, and I liked him very much, I still don't think I am over him. Every time I begin to forget about him, we seem to run into each other in very strange places, and the timing always seems like the universe is playing a practical joke. Am I just crazy and reading into things too much? Do I tell him how I feel? [more inside]
posted by bebebardot at 7:22 PM PST - 40 comments

I always assumed being a foster parent was a good thing. Now I'm not so sure. I need some material that will help me get a grip on this issue. [more inside]
posted by windykites at 6:28 PM PST - 17 comments

I’m confused, frustrated and lost in this crossroads of life. I’m hoping the Hive Mind can help. [more inside]
posted by Imogenetic at 5:54 PM PST - 21 comments

Just for fun, I'm trying to make some citrus confit. Difficulty: I have never made or tasted this before. I have a jar of salt, sugar, olive oil, citrus, salt, sugar, olive oil, citrus, salt, sugar, olive oil in a jar in the fridge right now. Except half my citrus ended up above the olive oil, which has solidified, and the other half are suspended in it. Opening the jar, it smells like pickles. So, AskMe, am I making confit or am I making poison?
posted by headspace at 5:01 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm looking for a short story, probably non-fiction, about a seafood market in South Korea. The market may be Noryangjin, but I am uncertain. I believe the author is Korean-American and the story was originally published in English. Thank you!
posted by easy, lucky, free at 3:27 PM PST - 2 comments

Did I make a mistake in buying a prepaid Visa card for someone asking for change? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:19 PM PST - 17 comments

We're moving to Detroit! I've never lived in Michigan or the Midwest before, though she has. What did you wish you knew before you moved to a snowy Rust Belt city? [more inside]
posted by skookumsaurus rex at 1:59 PM PST - 26 comments

This may come off as weird, but for certain reasons, I'd like to memorize interesting passages from sacred texts. Interesting in the sense as a) core locus for a less well known theological debate / thesis or b) an interesting discrepancy between different parts of the text or c) interesting passage in light of later developments. [more inside]
posted by kmt at 1:56 PM PST - 8 comments

Is there anywhere I can get a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate PADDED Envelope in the flesh tomorrow in Philadelphia or South Jersey? I urgently need to send something for which i already prepaid the label for a flat rate padded envelope and 3 post offices today did not have these envelopes, saying I had to order a pack of 10. IS there anywhere I can go in person to just get one? Thanks. [more inside]
posted by WeekendJen at 1:14 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm about to start taking Anatomy & Physiology as a nursing school prereq. I knew going into it that this class would probably involve dissection(s). I just found out that we're dissecting a cat, though, and I'm freaking out about it. Please help me figure out how to cope with this! [more inside]
posted by mandanza at 12:48 PM PST - 25 comments

Baby room accent wall help needed for the functionally color-inept. [more inside]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 11:47 AM PST - 9 comments

We're in Toronto and we make a traditional English Seville Orange marmalade. (Family lore says the recipe came from Buckingham Palace) But this year the oranges aren't available, and nobody we've talked to has any idea when or if they're coming. Does anyone know if there was a catastrophic orange failure, or are they just late this year?
posted by Pablo MacWilliams at 11:14 AM PST - 4 comments

My mother and I made a very stupid, awful error and had an accountant w/o the CPA designation do her taxes (in Canada) for the 2017 tax year and long story short she had to pay a large five-figure amount in tax. In August we found a new CPA designated accountant to refile her taxes to fix this error. I'm still not sure if I can trust this CPA or if he's doing the process correctly and I am having massive anxiety about it. How do I know if this CPA is reliable? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 11:09 AM PST - 9 comments

I've been dating someone for almost 2 months now. This man can be absolutely wonderful until his anxiety kicks in. He's berated me when we have gotten into arguments, texts for hours, and then tries to turn it around and say I'm emotionally immature.... [more inside]
posted by irish01 at 11:05 AM PST - 35 comments

I have a shin splint and for once I am going to do the proper thing and wrap it. But with what? [more inside]
posted by unannihilated at 10:32 AM PST - 8 comments

I want to launch a podcast and use as the podcast's theme, the Julie Gold song as sung by Bette Midler. How do I find and contact the proper people for permission. And if that's not successful, can I pay for the rights to use the song as an opening and closing theme in the podcast?
posted by CollectiveMind at 9:52 AM PST - 8 comments

I would like a massage in Austin, sometime this weekend (or next if that's impossible), that includes access to a sauna. This is proving very difficult to search for, not least because spa sites are terrible. I would like to spend around $80 plus a tip, so $100 total. [more inside]
posted by fiercecupcake at 9:44 AM PST - 3 comments

Any way I can smooth relations between my temperamental toddler and grandma? He has previously enjoyed her company but now runs away when he sees her. [more inside]
posted by skewed at 9:40 AM PST - 26 comments

Can you help me figure out what shoes I saw? No photo available, but will do my best to describe. Lace-up terra cotta/light brick colored leather, low hi-top/ankle bootie-ish women's shoe with gum rubber soles. [more inside]
posted by stillmoving at 8:40 AM PST - 9 comments

When visiting the doctor's office, what is etiquette around referring to the medical staff that we interact with? I know the amount of training and education that doctors and nurses complete and I want to respect their status. So, call an MD "Dr. So-and-so.” What about a nurse? Nurse Last-name? Nurse First-name? Just first name? [more inside]
posted by pithy comment at 8:20 AM PST - 12 comments

Something not so great happened to me a year ago. I really want to move on with my life. I feel like sometimes I talk about it too much and I would like to reduce this. How do you stop talking about something that is buried shallowly in your brain? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:17 AM PST - 14 comments

I want to make more cabbage slaws, but lack good recipes. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 7:24 AM PST - 36 comments

What are the coolest cats playing to soundtrack their lives and good times? [more inside]
posted by mymbleth at 4:42 AM PST - 36 comments

I get really excited when environment/development/social improvements intersect with a major trend in emerging media: today its video games (e.g. on console/PC/mobile platforms and AR/VR) and info about the video game industry. Some games are built expressly for social causes, but increasingly there are fundraisers held on very large/established game platforms donating "media time", or characters, or in-app purchases or donations to social causes. I want to know more. Where/to whom do I look? [more inside]
posted by iiniisfree at 4:30 AM PST - 5 comments

I have type A influenza, most likely caught at work as others in the office had it before me. Had to take some unpaid time off as I haven't accrued enough sick leave as a new employee. Tentatively said I'd be back on Thursday and just looked at my schedule to see I've been scheduled for a strenuous task Thursday morning. I'm not sure if my feelings about this are justified. [more inside]
posted by LoonyLovegood at 2:02 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm writing a story where I'm contemplating that one of the characters is wearing a Gritty costume, but I'm not sure if that would violate some sort of Gritty IP law. The story is set in Philly; hence my desire to use the Gritter [more inside]
posted by angrycat at 1:57 AM PST - 7 comments

Just like the title says -- I'm looking for the highest and lowest recorded temperatures for the entire US on a couple of dates in the recent past -- specifically the 19th and the 20th of January, 2019. The data on the NOAA website excludes Alaska and Hawaii, but I want those states included.
posted by theory at 9:49 PM PST - 5 comments

Besides being frigid, and having to leave the state for Target and Starbucks, tell me about Brattleboro. [more inside]
posted by dancinglamb at 9:21 PM PST - 15 comments

I detest bras. I've been wearing Express's camis with shelf bras every day for the past 7 or so years, and love them. Now I'm halfway through my pregnancy, managing with the same camis sized up. Two questions: (1) will they sustain me for the third trimester, or should I look for maternity options? (2) is there a good nursing cami on the market that's similar -- cotton, firm shelf bra, soft, full torso coverage?
posted by redlines at 9:14 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm looking for what I think is a thermogenic supplement (or possibly a pre-workout supplement or vitamin/herbal supplement?). They appear to be expensive, with aggressive over-promising marketing, so I'd only like to fork over the cash for something likely to work. The results I'd like, in order of priority, are: [more inside]
posted by ClaireBear at 7:57 PM PST - 11 comments

I made chicken stock in my instant pot and forgot about it until the next morning. Do we think it’s safe to eat? [more inside]
posted by sixswitch at 7:18 PM PST - 18 comments

I recently read Circe by Madeline Miller, and I realized I have a huge knowledge gap when it comes to Greek and Roman mythology. I know almost nothing. Please help me get up to speed! [more inside]
posted by bonheur at 6:25 PM PST - 19 comments

(or should I just get a Google Pixel and deal with the annoying headphone situation?) [more inside]
posted by Pademelon at 6:13 PM PST - 29 comments

Unlike some non-profits, mine is large and well funded, but burnout has been creeping up on me ever since a co-worker passed away a couple of years ago. However, my burnout is pretty high-functioning and difficult for others to see. How can I persuade management to see that I have a real problem? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:58 PM PST - 19 comments

I was seeing graphics artifacts in Xubuntu 18.04 while using the Nouveau driver. I changed that to the proprietary NVidia driver, then rebooted. When the reboot stalled, I eventually forced the shutdown via power button. Now that I've restarted, I can't see any of my USB drives, udiskie won't start, and "sudo gparted" seems to scan forever without ever showing my disks. Ideas? I need to access my USB drives. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by circular at 4:19 PM PST - 5 comments

My wife has "Becoming" by Michelle Obama in the house but neither of us has had a chance to read it yet. My fifth grade daughter has picked it up and is about 100 pages in and is devouring it. Is there anything in there inappropriate for kids? I'll be skimming it as soon as I can but I wondered if there is anything that jumps out as potentially upsetting for a 10 1/2 year old. She is sensitive - I am going to check out the part on Sandy Hook and probably put a post-it in there so she can skip it or at least come talk about it before she gets into it. Anything else that jumps out for people?
posted by mzurer at 4:19 PM PST - 8 comments

Is there anywhere to buy buckeyes in NYC? [more inside]
posted by ferret branca at 4:17 PM PST - 5 comments

Wanted: recommendations of public-domain audiobooks for a family member in assisted living. [more inside]
posted by queen anne's remorse at 3:59 PM PST - 12 comments

I have a pretty straightforward separation agreement from my employer. Do I need a lawyer to look it over, and if so, where I can I find a free one? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:01 PM PST - 8 comments

If it is time for a change, where can I turn? And how can I cope with my current job while looking for something else? [more inside]
posted by summertimesadness1988 at 2:21 PM PST - 9 comments

Hello! I keep trying brownie recipes in an attempt to recreate my ideal brownie, as remembered from my youth. I haven’t found it yet and I’m getting tired of the wrong brownies. Please help! Specifics inside. [more inside]
posted by Weeping_angel at 2:10 PM PST - 38 comments

Mr. Mysticle and I have just begun mentoring a 12 year old boy. He likes math. (He also likes cooking, baking, and basketball.) For our first hangout, we all had fun building bridges with marshmallows and toothpicks and then testing how much they could hold without buckling. What are some other activities/projects that would be fun, new, and exciting? [more inside]
posted by Mystical Listicle at 1:41 PM PST - 12 comments

Any gazebo experts in the crowd? [more inside]
posted by letahl at 1:20 PM PST - 3 comments

YANMD. Recently I was sick with a terrible cold, and as a result of days asleep in bed, I inadvertently went cold turkey on my medication, of which I am prescribed many types. I felt so much better not taking it (I often have terrible nausea, hair loss, sore throat, tiredness that I know is due to multiple side effects, and my doctor knows this but shrugs it off) that I stayed off of it for a week. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:10 PM PST - 12 comments

Grimes: We Appreciate Power. harunemuri: kick in the world. More like this, please. [more inside]
posted by signal at 12:38 PM PST - 8 comments

Like many people I get "strawberry" legs after I shave which means rather than having just uniformly colored skin I have all these black dots that linger until hair grows back again. I exfoliate. I use good shaving cream. I even wait till my hair is longer than half an inch which is not my favorite thing to do. Why can't I get rid of the dots? Why do I have them in the first place?
posted by Hermione Granger at 12:00 PM PST - 19 comments

They have video screens but whoever manages them seems to be pretty tuned out and play the same music all the time. I'd like to pick an appropriate mix of popular and lesser known local and international pop music to play maybe two hours a month. I would do this for free. [more inside]
posted by Captain Chesapeake at 11:23 AM PST - 5 comments

The three ferromagnetic metals iron, cobalt and nickel also happen to have consecutive atomic numbers. Why is that?
posted by storybored at 11:13 AM PST - 2 comments

As a project manager, I frequently have to deliver news of things being late. Understandably people get upset. I've been upset in similar scenarios. What are some good ways to handle these situations? "life pro tips" if you will, for both being sympathetic and not taking things personally?
posted by aeighty at 11:11 AM PST - 11 comments

Is it possible to buy white grapefruit in NYC? If so, where, and what time of year? Alternately, are there any places that ship white grapefruit that you might recommend? Thanks!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 11:05 AM PST - 7 comments

Partially inspired by this question, I'm looking for advice/guidance/permission on opting out of birthday gift giving for adult family members. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:32 AM PST - 22 comments

Identify this music video: couple on a road trip that starts off great but goes downhill fast [more inside]
posted by amicamentis at 10:13 AM PST - 3 comments

A weird situation has presented itself. A few weeks ago, I noticed a small patch of dry skin on the back right side of my neck, now it has slowly moved to the left side. [more inside]
posted by monologish at 10:00 AM PST - 8 comments

I've switched to aluminum free deodorant and am now learning the struggles of clothes with actual body odor on it after wear. How do I get the smell out, especially from dry clean only clothes? [more inside]
posted by amycup at 9:36 AM PST - 10 comments

My husband and I will be honeymooning in Barcelona for 5 full days during the first week of April. I've started reading about the can't miss sites, but I'm concerned there isn't enough to fill a 5 day trip. Am I wrong? [more inside]
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 9:23 AM PST - 19 comments

Sometimes my book club is very, very lucky and the author of a particular book joins us. For our next meeting, the esteemed translator of an award-winning novel will be joining us. We are all very excited as translation of books into other languages gives us all new voices and perspectives. But we're also a little nervous. [more inside]
posted by Lescha at 9:16 AM PST - 7 comments

I have about 20-30 each of limes, lemons and eggs and I'm looking for recipes to use them up that preferably result in something I can freeze. Lemon or lime meringue would be the obvious answer but would like to go beyond that. I also have an instant pot. [more inside]
posted by roolya_boolya at 8:25 AM PST - 14 comments

The vacant apartment underneath me had a dying smoke detector for months that made my life hell that has since stopped beeping, but now there is a new problem: they have their heat off, and the pipes have frozen as a result. [more inside]
posted by sockermom at 8:22 AM PST - 17 comments

If you wanted to do a bathroom renovation how would you pay for it? [more inside]
posted by JenThePro at 7:40 AM PST - 7 comments

this is a slightly ridiculous but honestly to me upsetting hostel situation. i booked into a hostel for one night and arrived at 8pm, a mixed dorm. i'm a woman, and the the woman in the bed next to mine spent the entire hour i was there loudly masturbating. [more inside]
posted by mosswinter at 3:44 AM PST - 19 comments

We're getting married in Florida in June! Being from the UK, the more obscure corners of US tipping etiquette are a bit of a mystery to us and so we're wondering who and how much we should at the wedding chapel, or even if this is A Thing? Inevitably there's quite a bit more inside. [more inside]
posted by Chairboy at 3:20 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for experiences with the FemCap, Caya or any other cervical caps and diaphragms, especially in conjunction with the ContraGel spermicide. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:48 PM PST - 9 comments

So my partner forgot it was my birthday. Like, literally forgot. I really don't tend to make a big deal of birthdays, for Reasons To Be Boringly Explained Below, and I knew that we had nothing planned for today, but this has happened before (with this partner and with others) and I know it will probably happen again (with this partner, who is a Permanent Partner, and who is extremely not good at remembering birthdays). I'm not on social media, and a recent move means I don't have a lot of close in-person friends right now, so I don't really have anyone else who will be taking up the slack and remembering my birthday. Part of me wishes I didn't care so much. Part of me actually really doesn't care that much. But part of me does care. What do I do with my feels here? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:47 PM PST - 36 comments

My parent is a radiologist. I want to tell him that I'm pregnant by getting a sonogram done in his office without telling him details beforehand. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:47 PM PST - 9 comments

I realized that most of the people I know greet me by saying, "Hi, [brook horse]" (or similarly, going past be or accidentally bumping into me, "Sorry, [brook horse]!" or "excuse me, [brook horse]." I almost never do this unless there's a chance it's not clear who I'm talking to. Is it more polite to use people's names when you greet them? [more inside]
posted by brook horse at 6:57 PM PST - 30 comments

How do you figure out if you like somebody before trying to get them to love you? [more inside]
posted by Sock Meets Body at 6:03 PM PST - 9 comments

I have $211 to spend with Southwest by April 11. It is usable in my name only. I welcome any outside ideas, as I am fresh out! Details and mitigating factors inside. [more inside]
posted by Cloudberry Sky at 5:48 PM PST - 13 comments

I am looking for recommendations for well made, semi-inexpensive clothing. I was really surprised by how much nicer amazon essentials t-shirts were than my Target woman's t-shirt staples. I am looking for similar swaps. [more inside]
posted by Kalmya at 5:42 PM PST - 11 comments

I would like to read some fantasy novels (ideally aimed at adults) that feature unicorns or dragons as characters, rather than cool-but-not-sapient horses/lizards. Protagonists, antagonists, or support characters are all good, so long as they're prominently featured. Other snowflake details below. [more inside]
posted by darchildre at 5:30 PM PST - 28 comments

I'm visiting South Korea and Japan from the beginning of May to mid June. Korea is from early May to mid May and Japan is from mid May to mid June. This is my first time staying at hostel type places, and I was wondering if it's necessary in these countries to book my hostel dates in advance. [more inside]
posted by starlybri at 4:54 PM PST - 7 comments

I have an old car that's had some work done on the fuel system recently (details inside) and the gas mileage has dropped quite a bit since that work. Any thoughts on what it could be? [more inside]
posted by misskaz at 4:14 PM PST - 9 comments

I've had a really rough couple of years, and spent 2016-2018 recovering from a confluence of events that entailed a layoff, a hostile roommate situation and a breakup, followed up by a plus-yearlong spell of unemployment, depression and what I now realize was an abusive relationship. And for about six weeks or so in the very last bit of 2018, I was incandescently happy with someone who broke up with me the day before New Years. I hope we broke up due to circumstances and not because we were fundamentally mismatched -- but I don't trust my own judgement because I'm carrying around a lot of relationship baggage. Should I ask him to try again? [more inside]
posted by blue rare at 4:04 PM PST - 16 comments

Help me interpret this dietary warning about processed meat. [more inside]
posted by LonnieK at 3:50 PM PST - 13 comments

I have a vague recollection of a short story or possibly narrative non-fiction set during a disaster (I think hurricane Katrina). What is it? [more inside]
posted by crazy with stars at 3:33 PM PST - 2 comments

Should I drive my own car or rent for long distances? [more inside]
posted by ljs30 at 2:51 PM PST - 13 comments

I'd like to get a prism to hang in the window to cast rainbows. Ideally it would be a few bright rainbows instead of a ton of tiny rainbows. I've bought a few from shops and they either have many tiny, or no actual rainbows cast. Can you help me?
posted by rebent at 11:52 AM PST - 8 comments

I used to know a lot of math. That was well over a decade ago. I haven't used it since, and now I'm in a position where I need it again. Is there an online course or a textbook (or a couple textbooks) that will take me on a speed-run from pre-calc to differential equations/linear algebra? With exercises, and the exercises have worked-out answers? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:52 AM PST - 9 comments

I just replaced my old Galaxy S7 Edge with a Galaxy Note 8, and I wasn't expecting this, but I love it, and especially love the experience of using the "S Pen" / stylus. I never would've thought using a stylus with a smartphone would make any sense at all, but the precise input is something I always wanted - most user interfaces are designed to account for this, but on some level I still dislike "fat fingering" the screen and only being aware of a pixel radius that I'm coming in contact with rather than a specific pixel. I'm not much of a visual artist (though I'm interested in exploring that), but now that I'm sold on the stylus, I'm primarily interested in music-making apps and games that 1) benefit from precise or semi-premise control, or 2) which have a lot of information and interactivity on-screen because their UIs are ported from bigger tablet, computer, or TV displays and are intended for them. Would love some recommendations along those lines. Some personal tastes and initial selections inside. [more inside]
posted by naju at 11:40 AM PST - 3 comments

We're traveling in a few weeks. Can we bring anything that would be helpful to TSA staff? [more inside]
posted by pdb at 10:45 AM PST - 8 comments

Lets say there was a earthquake in the Bay or Seattle area or someone in whitehouse decided to use his "emergency powers" to cut web based communications/access to the internet in the USA (I realize this may be mean global shut down) what are our options to get and share information with others? [more inside]
posted by specialk420 at 9:36 AM PST - 15 comments

Trying to remember in which MST3K episode a certain scene occurred... [more inside]
posted by kuanes at 8:07 AM PST - 9 comments

I have 2 sibling boy cats that are 5 years old. Back in December, one of them started peeing down the bathtub drain. He got a clean bill of health from the vet, so I proceeded like it was behavioral. I've had limited success getting this strange new behavior to stop and am out of ideas. [more inside]
posted by tryniti at 7:05 AM PST - 11 comments

I have a steep staircase, an adventurous baby, and a chubby cat who can't jump. How the heck do I child-proof the stairs? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 10:09 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm finding it surprisingly difficult to find a watch that (1) has glow-in-the-dark hands and numbers (so you don't have to push a button to read it), (2) has very long battery life or else can be charged via exposure to light, (3) is somewhat waterproof, and (4) does not cost very much. Suggestions very much welcome. [more inside]
posted by StrawberryPie at 8:50 PM PST - 10 comments

I currently live in a big city but I'm considering a move to a smaller/cheaper area so I could work less and prioritize my leisure time and quality of life. [more inside]
posted by ohsnapdragon at 8:42 PM PST - 22 comments

I'm recovering from a stomach bug and have been craving pickles like whoa. I've eaten two small meals today; both left me feeling nauseous, until I gave into my pickle craving. Is there any possible way that pickles could be helping with my nausea? [more inside]
posted by leftover_scrabble_rack at 7:27 PM PST - 12 comments

I read recently that the verse of Billy Joel's Piano Man is loosely a limerick - the first 2 lines don't rhyme, but the meter and the rest of the rhymes are right. I'm looking for other songs that fit the limerick pattern.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 6:04 PM PST - 16 comments

I am entirely unable to fall asleep on my back. I can fall asleep on my side (either side) or on my front. But I have a rotator cuff issue and I think that this sleep position is making it worse, and I occasionally wake up with both my hands numb. How can I retrain my brain to fall asleep while on my back? (NB I have no back issues.) [more inside]
posted by jeather at 4:16 PM PST - 25 comments

I'm looking for advice on how to monitor the available space/visualise space used on the drives of a headless Linux (Ubuntu) server from a Windows 10 Desktop. [more inside]
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 3:35 PM PST - 10 comments

This is probably a total waste of a question, but I read a book that haunted me when I was a kid in the '80s. I don't remember much, except that it was a hybrid picture/chapter book and -- get this -- there was a point where a kid entered a room with a "ball of magic" hanging from the ceiling. It was absolutely terrifying and it haunted me for months and months. I think it was in the context of a haunted house maybe? Any ideas?
posted by heavenknows at 2:19 PM PST - 4 comments

I am looking for good online resources concerning the history of "theme music" being used in movies. [more inside]
posted by jammy at 1:06 PM PST - 4 comments

We got a notice that we're affected by Experian's exposure of T-Mobile customer data. Is there any reason to pass on the judgement / settlement / whatever it is? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 1:03 PM PST - 4 comments

My WMV movie files are from a camcorder I had a few years back. When I try to upload the WMV movie file to I cloud, it WILL download it to I cloud, but it shows a little white thumbnail with WMV inside it and there is a corner of the thumbnail turned down. When I try to click on it to watch it, it just says windows media. Is there a reliable app I can get that will convert WMV to I phone or to I cloud or to MOV? There are so many apps online and want to pick a reliable one. Thanks!
posted by lynnie-the-pooh at 1:03 PM PST - 7 comments

My wife is looking for a book she read in 1999. All she can remember about it is that it was a youth-related book about a teenager in a community that mostly hunted wild boar, and that it was about an 8th grade reading level. Ring a bell?
posted by bbqturtle at 12:12 PM PST - 12 comments

Last night, out of the blue, my foot felt like it was sprained/twisted, with pain, even though it wasn't and nothing happened externally to impact it. Has anyone else experienced this? [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 12:08 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm totally blind, and so end up solving a lot of Recaptchas from GOogle, AKA the "I'm not a robot," checkbox. THeir audio challenges are weird, and I wonder where they come from? [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 12:04 PM PST - 2 comments

dutch oven? stock pot? or pressure cooker? [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 11:56 AM PST - 25 comments

which emoji mean something very different from US english in other languages/countries? [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 10:05 AM PST - 8 comments

A series of IRS monthly withdrawals (for back taxes) from my checking account was to begin last week, but it hasn't. Is this one of the things halted by the shutdown? [more inside]
posted by Francolin at 9:21 AM PST - 5 comments

My 88 year-old dad is going out of his mind with boredom. Please help us identify some projects or pastimes that can keep him engaged, but that don't encourage him to start up his power tools. His only diversion now is crossword puzzles, but there is a limit to how many puzzles you can do. [more inside]
posted by amusebuche at 8:48 AM PST - 41 comments

How do you know whether you're doing something good by stepping out of your comfort zone, or whether you're just forcing yourself into doing things you get no enjoyment out of?
posted by iamsuper at 8:41 AM PST - 12 comments

Hi, A few minutes ago I was responding to a potential Craigslist buyer who sent me an email on Gmail. I was using the Android quick response feature where a little window pops up when you touch the email on the screen and for some reason the little screen disappeared and the email completely disappeared. [more inside]
posted by Ironmouth at 8:17 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm a grad student (course based) and a pretty bad procrastinator who has finally come to the realization that, perhaps, it is not wise to begin writing my papers a handful of days before they are due. It adds so much unnecessary stress to my life! I have no idea how to write a paper over the course of a few weeks and not stress about it the night before it's due. How... do people do this? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 6:21 AM PST - 37 comments

Our parents are travelling from Australia to London to see their new grandchild. in a few months. Complication: they're elderly, increasingly technophobic, and historically very high maintenance during visits. Further complication: I asked them to book travel just three weeks after my due date (major rookie mistake), so there's every chance I'll have given birth just days before they arrive. Help us head off major problems at the pass. [more inside]
posted by nerdfish at 5:33 AM PST - 28 comments

If you were as good as I am at using Illustrator (real good!) to create vector designs, what sort of images would be worth your time to create and upload on a stock image site (and is likely to sell)? Any other tips (like adding a daily design to increase visits, seasonal art, topical)?
posted by b33j at 12:28 AM PST - 9 comments

I mailed a card that never arrived. Weird, but OK. I mailed it again and... it still never arrived. Speculations welcome. [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 12:03 AM PST - 19 comments

My elderly dog was diagnosed with kidney disease today and needs to go on a renal diet. But I’m already on an extremely tight budget and she (apparently) has a hard time with chicken, which appears to be in every renal diet food that’s not cost prohibitive. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by quiet coyote at 11:37 PM PST - 10 comments

Why does my husband make chewing/lip smacking noises while he's sleeping? [more inside]
posted by cozenedindigo at 11:15 PM PST - 5 comments

I am likely going to be getting a new-to-me car in a few months when I graduate medical school and start my residency. I’ve never done this before; all my previous vehicles have been purchased by or from family members. What resources can I use to figure out which car I want, and how can I get the best value for money? How can I figure out which cars have features I like? What’s the deal with leasing—is it ever a good idea?
posted by ocherdraco at 8:54 PM PST - 19 comments

I need a new water filter for my Frigidaire fridge after 3 months. They're selling about $40-48 online from reputable retailers. Does anyone actually know if the ones on Ebay are genuine or not? They say genuine, and have the markings of a genuine filter, but are $12 or $13, way cheaper than from Amazon or Walmart. [more inside]
posted by seattlejeff at 8:34 PM PST - 7 comments

I need exercise footwear that will not slip when standing stationary on a finished concrete floor. These shoes would be worn while doing stationary TRX strap excersizes.
posted by Raybun at 4:17 PM PST - 9 comments

I need to extract myself temporarily from a tricky employment situation involving contracting, a not terribly bright employer, and finding a way to not have to form my own company as a short term solution. Canada, but any advice will be helpful. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:44 PM PST - 10 comments

A pregnant friend is being threatened by her former/partner in an escalating manner. I think she is in denial of the danger of the situation - what resources are available to her and what resources are available to me? I am in San Francisco. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:42 PM PST - 13 comments

A friend's Blogger/Blogspot blog is indexed incompletely by Google (i.e. many live posts don't show up in searches). I'm trying to help debug via Google Search Console, but it's comically confusing. Help! [more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover at 2:04 PM PST - 7 comments

I took azithromyxin almost 24 hours ago and I'm still completely exhausted. I'm working on getting a different antibiotic, but what can I do to feel better now? The half life is 68 hours. I've tried food, water, probiotics. Dr and pharmacist were no help. I had to cancel everything today. Does anything help counteract?
posted by mermaidcafe at 1:24 PM PST - 14 comments

Do organizations buy their AWS services directly, or go through a VAR/reseller/partner? And if you have to use a reseller, how do you choose? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 1:23 PM PST - 3 comments

I need a new passport. I live in NYC. What is the most efficient way to do this? [more inside]
posted by davidstandaford at 1:14 PM PST - 8 comments

I have a vintage electronic device with a powder-coated metal case. When I bought it, long ago, police used to recommend marking your social security number on your gadgets for identification in case they were stolen. Ah, more innocent days. Now I want to sell it on eBay and I can't get the SSN off of it! [more inside]
posted by moonmilk at 12:01 PM PST - 24 comments

If a president is impeached he’s immediately removed from office and the VP is sworn in. Is he allowed to pick up personal things from the White House? Given protection like an outgoing president? What about his other properties which I’m sure have confidential information in them? What are the logistics. [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 11:15 AM PST - 14 comments

For health reasons, my family needs to switch to a no-starch, no-sugar diet. Fats are okay, but it's not actually keto. I am having a really hard time figuring out what to cook. Please, if you have heard of this diet, bestow your best recipes upon me!
posted by corb at 11:13 AM PST - 21 comments

I’ve got fragments of a beloved song stuck in my head and I can’t remember the name or artist. All I can remember is ab outline of a litany of losses and something about “I’ll pull that bow across the string.” Please help! [more inside]
posted by cnidaria at 11:11 AM PST - 3 comments

My hands get so dry and scaly and cracked in the winter, but I cannot STAND any feeling of lotion on my skin so I don't use it until it gets REALLY bad, and then only at bedtime so I am asleep while I have it on. Lotion really helps but especially in this age of touchscreens and keyboards, can you tell me how I can keep my hands moisturized without having to wash my electronics every day? [more inside]
posted by rabbitrabbit at 11:09 AM PST - 53 comments

We’re going to Big Sur for the holiday weekend. We’ve been following the updates on Hwy 1 and our route is still accessible, hooray. But a lot of the trails we were interested in (Tanbark specifically) are closed. Where should we go that’s still open? [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 10:41 AM PST - 6 comments

I need a new cellphone plan with some specific requirements. I've been googling and not finding much that meets the last requirement, probably because I'd like to keep the cost as low as possible (<$30US). I'm hoping other cheapskates here have discovered something that will work.

1. US number and coverage.
2. Prepaid, no contract.
3. Will port your existing number for you.
4. Allows you to receive SMS messages from the US while in Mexico. Pay-per-message OK.

[more inside]
posted by bricoleur at 10:20 AM PST - 16 comments

How can Affordable Housing be built? Construction. Encouraged in urban areas? Defined. What income levels can be represented? Are there any examples of greener?
posted by ebesan at 8:52 AM PST - 12 comments

I have an old friend; I'll call her Chores. (Important background: she spent some of her working life in Window Display for department stores, so she is home-dec oriented.) She collects and is surrounded by decorative pillows, and other cluttery decorational artifacts. As a semi-minimalist, that's not my thing. [more inside]
posted by BostonTerrier at 7:53 AM PST - 73 comments

I'm in search of the perfect undershirt for my husband. He hates undershirts. Details within. [more inside]
posted by DoubleLune at 7:37 AM PST - 12 comments

I am a male introverted, quiet, engineer type who would like to to improve sharing my feelings, being less reserved, and giving words of affection & physical touch with my partner. What are some cute tips that my partner can do to support me in this, or that I can do to improve? [more inside]
posted by Mr. Papagiorgio at 7:33 AM PST - 15 comments

StupidFilter: I sent my laptop off to the recycler with ALL my information still on it. I also have everything uploaded to the cloud (I think). Is there any way for me to keep my cloud information but wipe my computer from afar? [more inside]
posted by rue72 at 6:27 AM PST - 8 comments

I can’t use the internet in moderation, but it is functionally impossible to cut myself off entirely. Is there anything I can do to improve my situation here? I’m very open to tech solutions, if they aren’t easily defeated. [more inside]
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 3:24 AM PST - 28 comments

An acquaintance whom I occasionally hang out with invited me to their birthday. They had a lunch planned, after which we were supposed to head back to their place for an evening of movies and a home dinner. I replied the next day that I could only make it to lunch, and I was simply given a reply that they're no longer doing lunch, and also sent over the list of people who were going and that their place was maxed out for the evening. And that was it. [more inside]
posted by TrinsicWS at 2:37 AM PST - 19 comments

What it says on the tin- I received a slow cooker just before Christmas and am looking for a cookbook to use with it. I would like it to contain a variety of recipes- risottos, meat and vegetables, pasta whatever. I have never used a slow cooker before and am an intermediate cook (I have basic skills but something with techniques in it would not be wasted). Most importantly recipes should be tasty!!
posted by EatMyHat at 11:02 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for cook-the whole meal-all-at-once instant pot recipes. Difficulty level: not stews/soups/casseroles. Either pasta dishes, rice dishes (but not risotto), or meat with side that can all be cooked at once and all in the instant pot. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:04 PM PST - 8 comments

I like thoughtful, concise book reviews. Where can I find them?
posted by Crookshanks_Meow at 7:47 PM PST - 4 comments

In light of the current federal shutdown in the United States, is there any way that a solar wall could be used to turn this crisis into an opportunity to expand green energy capacity in the United States? It would take a solar field roughly 10 or 11 miles in width to provide enough solar power to power the entire United States. It there any way this could work? [more inside]
posted by metasunday at 7:29 PM PST - 14 comments

I love my small kitchen apartment, but it's lacking on storage space, and I'm looking to go vertical. From designing my own basic shelving to building it, what sort of things should I have on hand and/or be aware of that aren't obvious? [more inside]
posted by lesser weasel at 7:06 PM PST - 8 comments

Two middle-aged lesbian moms have a kickass tween ladyhuman. We're old-school Queer-Nation-y hairy-legged birkenstockers, and she's... experimenting. With Girling. Totally appropriate. Totally not our scene. We're down with the self-expression but we can't help her. Can anyone point us to Youtube channels that teach the nuts and bolts of makeup and hair without the toxic femininity, or channels that help tween girls think critically about all that gender crap while still using makeup, hair stuff, and clothes as play/costumery?
posted by pomegranate at 6:31 PM PST - 13 comments

Lately I've been listening to Methyl Ethel and Kurt Vile a ton. Too much. Although they're not identical in style at all, there's something about both singers that's caught me. Any recommendations for other male singers with similarly lazy yet catchy tunes?
posted by MCMLXXXIV at 6:22 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm trying to integrate a 10 month old male kitten with my existing two cats (9 year old female and 8 year old male) and it is not going as well as I had hoped. The kitten, Sammy, seems totally cool with everyone and everything. Merlin, my 8 year old male cat, hisses at him and hides under the bed. I think if I just let them alone they would learn to co-exist. Pixie, on the other hand, is being a little diva. More info inside. [more inside]
posted by MaryVictoria at 6:13 PM PST - 7 comments

A thing I've thought about during my years in social services is the way many, important systems like social security disability benefits are set up in a way that makes them almost unusable and indeed unusable to people who aren't fully functional in one way or another. Is this something that has been written about? [more inside]
posted by Smearcase at 5:28 PM PST - 8 comments

Ok, so I was reminiscing over my youth recently and watching Franz Ferdinand concert videos. In this 2004 live performance of Take Me Out I spotted a confederate flag in the crowd--wtf? [more inside]
posted by fozzie_bear at 5:19 PM PST - 5 comments

Me teenager, with no previous signs or warnings, just sent me and my spouse a long text coming out as transgender. Where do I go from here? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:14 PM PST - 43 comments

I have a reading challenge for 2019, with a lot of amazing titles and a renewed interest in visiting my local library. I'm close to finishing my third book of the year, but I keep finding myself wishing that I retained more than just nebulous good/bad feelings and a few memorable lines. How do I become the type of person who can formulate long, thorough reviews? What prompts/nudges can I build into my reading to help me remember more of a book's contents? [more inside]
posted by erratic meatsack at 5:12 PM PST - 14 comments

I want to make a drop down type shelf...thing. [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 4:10 PM PST - 5 comments

In my inner circle is a 28-year-old Taiwanese-American man who will graduate with a B.A. from UCLA this Spring 2019 in psychology with a number of business courses. This person is both bilingual (completely fluent in Mandarin and English, also proficient in Cantonese) and bicultural (has lived in the US and in Taiwan, and has traveled extensively in Asia). He would like to start job hunting now for a position in the Bay Area for after college. [more inside]
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 3:44 PM PST - 6 comments

I work in the middle of a 90s beer commercial, or at least that's what it sounds like from over the cubicle partition. I'm looking for articles or other resources that might help encourage a more inclusive (and maybe quieter) work environment. [more inside]
posted by asperity at 2:57 PM PST - 11 comments

Is a router with guest network capability the best way to give separate wifi networks to two roommates, each with their own individual devices who do not want to step on each other's toes? Or is there a better option? Is there a particular router that excels at this? [more inside]
posted by acidic at 2:05 PM PST - 12 comments

I joined a gym recently (and I'm struggling to get myself to go) after being completely sedentary for years and years. I promised myself I would buy some workout clothes if I hit a certain number of visits. I've been wearing regular fairly heavy cotton leggings and an oversized stretched-out cotton t shirt, but I keep hearing I should be wearing "performance" fabrics. I have 2 concerns: I don't want to pay much money, and I don't want tight or overly fitted tops. I am an older lady on the cusp of plus size with a lumpy, bumpy body, and I want a top that will cover my crotch and my butt and will barely skim rather than cling to my body. I guess I'm looking for full-length leggings, capri leggings for warmer weather, and short-sleeve tops. I don't want a lot of jazzy designs, cut-outs, mesh inserts, etc. I'd prefer plain dark colors. [more inside]
posted by primate moon at 1:45 PM PST - 21 comments

Where can I find the complete series of "Community" dubbed in Italian? Preferably with English and Italian subtitle options. DVD/Streaming options are equally okay. [more inside]
posted by logicpunk at 1:16 PM PST - 3 comments

Hi! We need to put together a grab bag of little toys and objects (not food) for some kindergarteners. We'd really like to avoid them being cheap plastic junk that winds up in the trash after ten minutes. Any suggestions for inexpensive items that will actually have staying power with kids?
posted by malhouse at 12:51 PM PST - 29 comments

I tried to remove a big playlist full of my favorite songs off of my ipod to make some room and ended up accidentally deleting the songs from my itunes library entirely! (stupid "syncing"... isn't Apple supposed to be merciful to tech morons?) I suspect I have most of them on an old external hard drive but I'm not sure how to find them and I don't want to make another similar mistake. Can y'all walk me through this? [more inside]
posted by dgaicun at 12:29 PM PST - 4 comments

Around 20 or 25 years ago, an unusual cigarette ad published in various magazines kind of went viral, in that it created a lot of buzz about what was going on in the picture. [more inside]
posted by beagle at 12:28 PM PST - 9 comments

I am trying to recall the name of a forgotten/recently rediscovered female singer. She was American 1920s-50s recorded very few songs which were released on vinyl that is now exceedingly rare. Genre may have been blues/jazz and she may have played the piano. I seem to remember she had a brother who might have been more well known.. [more inside]
posted by mani at 12:09 PM PST - 3 comments

Looking for more women writers and/or books with women protagonists in the mystery/thriller/crime genres. Of course there's [more inside]
posted by soundguy99 at 11:59 AM PST - 31 comments

How worried should I be about vermiculite in the attic of my 1920s rental house along with an older gas heater? [more inside]
posted by beware the frog person at 11:51 AM PST - 3 comments

An ongoing indigenous rights & title dispute in Canada exploded in the media last week, involving plans to build new fossil fuel infrastructure. How could the attention of The Economist magazine be attracted to this story? Where to start? [more inside]
posted by Verg at 11:45 AM PST - 4 comments

Difficulty level: Apartment in GA. [more inside]
posted by miss_kitty_fantastico at 11:41 AM PST - 22 comments

I got a balsam candle to try to get some Christmas-tree smell, and it was kind of sweet and cloying and not super tree-like. Can you recommend a specific tree-scented candle that actually smells like a Christmas tree? [more inside]
posted by kristi at 11:01 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm a huge fan of cities, but I just realized that I know very little about them. What are the best books/longform articles about cities? Histories, cultural, technical, etc. [more inside]
posted by miltthetank at 10:49 AM PST - 27 comments

Several years ago I used an iPhone app called Equanimity as a meditation timer. It was a clean and elegant app that did its one primary task well, and logged some simple statistics about how long I had meditated in total (and a daily average) that I found encouraging. (Here are some screenshots.) Unfortunately, Equanimity is no longer available for download from the App Store and so I’m looking for a replacement. [more inside]
posted by dyslexictraveler at 10:45 AM PST - 9 comments

I need a German speaker in NYC to translate my hospital bills, and to translate for me on the phone when I call the billing department of a Berlin hospital. [more inside]
posted by Autumn Willow at 10:27 AM PST - 6 comments

There is an odd corner of my kitchen that has a nice granite countertop cantilevered from the wall but no cabinet underneath. The granite matches the rest of my kitchen—but is essentially a quarter-oval. I’d like to build a cabinet beneath the countertop because I want to put something heavy on top that I’d worry about if unsupported. But I’m now sure what the cabinet should be! [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 9:05 AM PST - 9 comments

If I'm going to start going to a gym for the first time at the age of 40, how do I cheaply and appropriately attire myself? [more inside]
posted by selfnoise at 8:11 AM PST - 25 comments

I need to replace some cabinets as part of a kitchen damage control project that is already costing me a lot - Ikea? Other moderately-priced, not garbage options? I'm out of my depth here and need to figure this out shortly. [more inside]
posted by ryanshepard at 8:07 AM PST - 12 comments

What movies have helped you deal with a breakup? [more inside]
posted by cmoj at 7:22 AM PST - 26 comments

My Ferritin is at 26.02 and I have been having symptoms of dizziness, chornic fatigue, headaches, brain fog, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, loose stools. However, my TIBC is low which indicates too much iron in the blood. Are these symptoms indicative of low ferritin even with normal to high iron levels? [more inside]
posted by nichostetler at 7:18 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm moving into a new apartment, and I'm bringing very little with me, so I'll be restocking most small household objects, kitchenware, cookware, bathroom, etc. What are the things in these categories that you love having and are a step above the generic version of that object? [more inside]
posted by mercredi at 7:18 AM PST - 53 comments

I've had a particular type of vacation in mind for a long time that I actually want to make happen...I'm sure it exists, but I'm not sure where! Help me figure it out! Snowflake details within! [more inside]
posted by wooh at 7:04 AM PST - 17 comments

Hope someone can help. I am looking for the desk drawer insert plate thing that sits flat in the top of the drawer that that has a glass/plexiglas cover under which you place, for example, a phone extension list so that when you open the drawer, there it is. [more inside]
posted by AstroGuy at 6:59 AM PST - 11 comments

Say there are two drivers, each with distinct reaction times, in two identical vehicles, on a straight two-lane country road. Each is heading the same direction at the same speed. Give a number of variables (e.g. probability of a deer crossing, reaction times, braking time), what configuration—you in the front or back, space between the cars, and speed—would minimize the chance of you striking a deer, while maximizing your speed? [more inside]
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 6:54 AM PST - 10 comments

If you had four nights / four days for a train loop from Amsterdam (maybe Utrecht - Rotterdam - the Hague - Amsterdam), and your goal was seeing the most interesting range of modern art, which museums would be your musts? And where would you spend the middle nights – in Rotterdam? [more inside]
posted by kalapierson at 6:42 AM PST - 9 comments

I am trying to make my own spicy paste from Sichuan Peppercorns, for a loved one who is off of nightshades (which include tomatoes and chili peppers). I love Chinese Ma La sauce (the main ingredient in Ma Po Tofu aka "Granny's Spicy Bean Curd") but it has both of those ingredients. My first thought is just to grind up some Sichuan Peppercorns (aka hua chiao, prickly ash, Zanthoxylum) and mash them into some oil. But that doesn't seem quite right. What about aquafaba (the liquid in a can of beans)? Other suggestions?
posted by msalt at 12:42 AM PST - 23 comments

I have a probably unhealthy fascination with large containers of things. Sometimes I save a bunch of time and money, and sometimes I find out why people are willing to pay more per unit for a smaller package. E.g., 32 lbs of canola oil is working out pretty well. 35 lbs of cream cheese, didn't so much. What have you bought in bulk? And how did that work out for you?
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 11:03 PM PST - 41 comments

What are the black drip markings on this rock? (Sorry no scale, 3-4 ft or so across) Rock is in Southern California, a few miles from the ocean in the hills north of San Diego.
posted by lemonade at 10:09 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm dying to remember a story that I read years ago. I want to read it again and it keeps coming up in my head to use as an example in conversation but I can't quote from something I don't remember the name of (or any quotes from). I'm pretty sure it was a short story, and I'm pretty sure it was written between 1940 and 1970 but I am certainly not 100% on that. Please help me extract it from my brain. [more inside]
posted by no_context at 9:25 PM PST - 11 comments

I bought some tea a while ago from a local tea shop that sort of gave the impression that they make their own tea blends, but when I was trying to buy some more online I found that in fact a bunch of places carry what seems to be exactly the same tea with different names. Which is fine, whatever, business is business! But who actually makes this tea? [more inside]
posted by hapticactionnetwork at 9:10 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm trying to identify a cartoon (probably from the 50s or 60s) where a fancy lady, who's been shopping all day, stops at a lunch counter for a milkshake. The cafe staff serve her the milkshake with an improbably long straw through a tower of shopping boxes. Do you know the name of this cartoon? I think it's probably Warner Bros, but I can't for the life of me find it online.
posted by moxie_milquetoast at 8:36 PM PST - 4 comments

I post book photos and capsule book reviews (<500 words) on Instagram. I really enjoy the combination of photo + book review, and the ability to share books with real-life friends and family (and some strangers). However, using a Facebook product is starting to make me feel squicky, to the point that I’m not posting much anymore. Is there a solution I haven’t thought of for sharing book reviews online? [more inside]
posted by rogerroger at 7:54 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm stuck at home with a broken ankle and need some good book recommendations. I'm looking for history books that aren't stuffy and boring. I like reading books that are engaging and have conversational style of writing. I'm mainly after history (of anything) recommendations but if you have any other non fiction recommendations, please feel free to include them. [more inside]
posted by poxandplague at 7:41 PM PST - 31 comments

I don't recall ever using more than 3 burner at a time. 3 is rare. Usually one or two for everyday use. Are there any advantages to a 5 burner compared to a 3 burner? [more inside]
posted by oink at 7:22 PM PST - 11 comments

I’m thinking about applying to a business school with a requirement for a GRE Quantitative score of 155. I am pretty successful professionally (sixteen years professional experience, and seven years in a senior management position) and I think would otherwise be a good candidate, but maths is not my strong point. [more inside]
posted by ryanbryan at 6:40 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm currently finishing up a post-bac premed program and will be applying to (US) med schools starting in June. If all goes well, I'll start in fall of 2020. I'm looking for a periodical that covers general, big issues in medicine at a level accessible to someone with a good understanding of undergraduate level science. [more inside]
posted by tom_r at 6:03 PM PST - 8 comments

I had knee surgery. Now I have a sheaf of physical therapy exercises. I can't figure out the search terms to find what I'm looking for but I want to be able to check off each time I do a set. and then each time I do a ....session? is that the right word? Some things I have to do 10 times. Do that 3 times. That 3 time thing? Do that 6 times each day. [more inside]
posted by Jenny'sCricket at 4:08 PM PST - 3 comments

Random pain, hopefully not a big deal and not related to other things [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 4:06 PM PST - 12 comments

My SO has spring break off and we where thinking of spending it someplace “wintry” and “local”. What can you tell us about visiting Provincetown for a week in March? Or what upstate NY winter resorts/towns we could chill at for a while? We’re two dudes, based in NYC, one of us can drive but we’d like to avoid it as much as possible. Cozy, small towns, queer content, historic mansions with tours, rural curiosities, and natural wonders are all pluses.
posted by The Whelk at 3:40 PM PST - 6 comments

is there a not-too-crazy way to order 50-100 euros worth of toddler clothes from a netherlands company (HEMA) and get them in the US?
posted by zippy at 3:34 PM PST - 4 comments

Have you had a colonoscopy without sedation? How was it? Did it hurt? On a scale of bad gas cramps to gallstones how bad was it? Is this even an option I can bring up with my doctor? Have you had one with sedation? How was the sedation is it less bad than I'm picturing? [more inside]
posted by wwax at 2:12 PM PST - 48 comments

I'm making a corner desk out of two pieces of wood. How can I most securely join them? Is a square or a diagonal join better? [more inside]
posted by arnicae at 12:49 PM PST - 17 comments

I am helping to organize a theatre festival for the first time. We're thinking of selling passes for the entire festival. One issue is that if people with passes choose not to go to one of the shows, that seat goes empty. It would be nice if we could sell a ticket for that seat, but we definitely don't want to lock out the person who has a pass. What's a good way to maximize our ticket sales in this situation?
posted by storybored at 11:19 AM PST - 8 comments

Does anyone know where I could find a copy, digital or physical, of the album "Panic In A Pagoda" by Dog Traders aka Drew Toothpaste aka Kompressor? [more inside]
posted by prize bull octorok at 11:12 AM PST - 4 comments

I have gone NC (no contact) with a member of my family. He participates in commenting/liking photos on another family member's shared iCloud album. Is it possible to block him so I don't see his comments and he doesn't see mine, without asking the photo album owner to make any changes? I have googled and it looks like no, but thought I'd ask the hive mind here. He is blocked in my iPhone contacts already which seems to make no difference to iCloud album permissions.
posted by some chick at 10:16 AM PST - 0 comments

If one wanted to do a little under-the-radar skidding around, does anyone know of a large parking lot/paved area that's unused/unmonitored at certain hours or just abandoned (but not to the point of endangering tires with road hazards)? Asking for a friend who is about to replace their tires and wants to have a little fun with the old ones. ;) In San Francisco (ha), Peninsula, East Bay, North Bay (ha).... ?
posted by roxie110 at 10:13 AM PST - 18 comments

I'm going to a spring training game with my brother. The wrinkle, I'll be the fifth wheel so I'd like to have options away from the group. This is Scottsdale (Salt River Fields) and my hobbies are libraries. [more inside]
posted by notned at 10:03 AM PST - 6 comments

I live in an apartment complex, and I know a part of apartment living is hearing your neighbors. An adorable two year old kiddo lives above me, and he has grown to be quite the stomper / runner. Two-fold question: 1) I need help adjusting my attitude so I'm not wanting to pull my hair out from listening to him run around all evening, and 2) Anyone know to be reliably woken up by an alarm while having earplugs in? [more inside]
posted by blueberrypuffin at 9:27 AM PST - 33 comments

I work at a large university. I'd like to apply for another job within the university, but I'd rather my current boss not know I'm applying. The only way to apply is via the university HR's online application system. Will my current boss likely be alerted that I'm applying for another job via that system? Or is it standard for large HR departments to keep this kind of thing confidential? (I looked for an answer to this question within the HR website, but found only a statement that my information would not be shared "outside of those involved in the hiring and recruiting process.") Thanks especially to anyone with personal HR or supervisor experience in a large educational setting who might know how this typically works.
posted by barefoot at 8:57 AM PST - 17 comments

Where can I go on vacation this March with my family, that is in driving distance from the Hudson Valley (upstate NY) and can accommodate a big dog? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 7:50 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm buying a guitar for a beginner and would like to also pick up an adapter so they can plug right into their iPhone to play with various guitar tones/pedals/etc. What's the best combo of guitar ➡️gizmo ➡️iPhone ➡️app for a non-pro?
posted by gwint at 7:41 AM PST - 11 comments

My son spilled a mug of tea on our MacBook - what's my best plan of action? [more inside]
posted by Mid at 7:02 AM PST - 17 comments

We would like to use our reward points to go from London to somewhere in Central/ South America, for a trip of 10-14 days in July. Please help suggest itineraries or cool cities/ locales to visit. The constraints: We will have a 2 year old toddler (no packed itineraries), and our start/end points are direct flights with BA only. [more inside]
posted by moiraine at 4:53 AM PST - 7 comments

I know I’m a lark – my physically and creatively most productive hours are 8am to noon-ish – but I still struggle with the whole ‘getting up’ bit of the day. [more inside]
posted by AFII at 4:07 AM PST - 26 comments

...maybe not like I'm five, but like I'm a anxiety riddled adult. I'm struggling lately to get by, and I know it's time to get professional help on board. Can someone walk me through the best steps and things to look for/ask about in order to find a "good fit" therapist and psychiatrist for me? [more inside]
posted by Thirty7Degrees at 3:18 AM PST - 10 comments

I'll be visiting a friend in Belgrade from Friday to Friday. I'm remote worker and need to do about 3-4 hours of work every morning, so I'll need to find a place to work. [more inside]
posted by tillermo at 11:44 PM PST - 2 comments

It seems unbelievable but I am searching on Google and I am not seeing a site where I can search the Social Security Death Index (for the US in case that wasn't clear) for free and without registering. How can it be possible that these public records aren't online? I would have thought (given all the trouble I had to go through to access it 25 years ago, going to the local LDS church and looking it up on microfiche) that by now it would be easily findable and free. What am I missing, researchers? Thanks.
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 7:49 PM PST - 6 comments

It's a rainy night in Long Beach, and I'm looking for more music like the albums Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen or To Bring You My Love by PJ Harvey -- or songs like "Masters of War" by Bob Dylan, or "Needle in the Hay" by Elliott Smith. Bum me out please!
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 6:56 PM PST - 45 comments

In the movie Breakfast with Curtis, some of the characters live in a multi-story house, referred to in the movie as The Purple Citadel. I feel like it's a definite architectural style, but nothing floating around in my head matches up and I don't know enough about the subject to Google it. [more inside]
posted by bricoleur at 6:24 PM PST - 5 comments

I need new music/playlists/radio stations to work to, ideally available online for free and with minimal advertising. Basically like Spotify or Pandora but not a subscription model, and I'd love it if I could scroll through a list of existing playlists and choose one (which you can do on Spotify) without having to think of a "seed song" (the way you do for Pandora). For a long time I used YouTube for this, but now they insert ads after every song, and sometimes even within songs, especially on mobile devices. [more inside]
posted by danceswithlight at 5:26 PM PST - 17 comments

On Sunday night my wife was at our local grocery store and while driving down the lane to park, another driver backed out of a space and hit the front of my wife's (fairly new) car. My wife had stopped moving and honked but the other driver continued backing out and hit her. The other driver apologized, including for causing my wife the annoyance of having to deal with insurance/repair, etc. She also called her own insurer to start the claim and explained that she'd backed into my wife's car. My wife explained she was stopped and honked. The other driver did not take my wife's insurance information nor did her insurer request it. My wife has the other driver's information. [more inside]
posted by rbf1138 at 5:12 PM PST - 17 comments

What are some good board games for a mixed group? Meaning: some folks prefer familiar social/verbal games without a lot of strategy or complex rules (e.g., Scrabble or Trivial Pursuit), while others prefer more strategic games (e.g., Settlers of Catan or Pandemic – but nothing more hardcore than that). [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 4:55 PM PST - 55 comments

I'm raising a 20 foot, homebrew ABS pipe tower with 10 feet of antenna mast, antenna and rotor at the end. Together, that part weighs about 6 pounds. The four, approximately five foot sections weight about 22 pounds each. The tower pipe is 3" in diameter. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 4:45 PM PST - 7 comments

Instant Pot says any oven safe container. Some people use Pyrex 7 cup storage containers and even Pyrex mixing bowls. I have read somewhere that Pyrex refuses to ok it. Others are using stainless steel Tiffin type containers or mixing bowls or aluminum cake pans. What do you use? And do you use an aluminum foil band to remove the pot or a silicone lifter or a pot holder? [more inside]
posted by Sunday Morning at 4:33 PM PST - 12 comments

My 9 year old cat, Shadow, received stereotactic radiation treatment (for an inoperable thoracic sarcoma) in December. Since treatment, he has improved dramatically in some ways (e.g., appetite), but is "up and down" in others (e.g., mobility). We're working closely with a specialty vet team to monitor his progress, and you are not my vet, but if your pet has been through this (especially if they did well!), what was the recovery period like? [more inside]
posted by aecorwin at 4:02 PM PST - 1 comment

I accidentally left food in my InstantPot for an unspecified amount of time and I am freaking out on whether I should use it or not. Is it safe or don't even bother? [more inside]
posted by lunastellasol at 3:45 PM PST - 13 comments

I have gone back and forth on this question for a while now, and I will sometimes buy organic for fruits or veggies that are eaten with the peel/skin kept on, but through my research, I've recently been exposed to the idea that there's actually more pesticides on organic produce and that it's all a marketing scam. And then of course there are others who are still staunch defenders of organic and non-GMO. Have you found any reliable sources that have influenced you to either buy organic or not?
posted by Forty-eight at 3:45 PM PST - 23 comments

I've recently stopped seeing my therapist of 6 months. She was nice and probably effective for other issues, but I was not getting any traction in our sessions and I'd like to find a new one. I have experienced depression over a long period of my life and would like to find help. However, I am adamant about not using SSRIs or other meds to overcome this pervasive condition and it has been difficult to find someone who will not push them on me. If you have any therapist recommendations preferably female, who take Moda insurance, in the Portland, OR area for depression, who can be effective without prescribing meds, I'd love to start making a list of people to contact. I want to start living my best life. :)
posted by anonymous at 3:03 PM PST - 6 comments

Would you notice movement inside of you if you swallowed a handful of Mexican jumping beans? [more inside]
posted by amicamentis at 1:52 PM PST - 12 comments

Asking for a friend in DC, but neither of us can find documentation. How long can a DC landlord leave a built-in microwave broken? My friend isn’t actually interested in legal action over this, we’re just curious. [more inside]
posted by OrangeVelour at 1:43 PM PST - 8 comments

I parted ways with a very bad company last year due to a bullying/harassing boss. After I left, I moved and now have a new home and physical address. My former employer needs my new address to mail my W-2 for tax purposes. I don't want this boss to know my current physical address, for my personal safety and other reasons. How can I get around this? [more inside]
posted by chatelaine at 1:03 PM PST - 22 comments

The short: I manage about a dozen different topic-areas, with projects ranging between "do right now" and "there are 20 different steps to take, over the next two years," and my current to-do and note-taking systems are less than ideal. What are better ways to track activities and deadlines? The long: [more inside]
posted by filthy light thief at 12:53 PM PST - 4 comments

Do you use an inflatable mattress as your regular bed? Tell me about your experience! [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 12:50 PM PST - 31 comments

I need some recs for online resume writing services. I have a bit of an odd work history, and I need someone who can package it properly on paper. [more inside]
posted by Archipelago at 11:21 AM PST - 2 comments

Trying to remember where I heard that people are divided into two organizational philosophies: those who like things displayed so they can find them and those who prefer things filed but hidden so they can find them. [more inside]
posted by sciencegeek at 11:15 AM PST - 10 comments

My library subscribes to Hoopla, an app featuring instantly-borrowable audiobooks, albums and movies. Here’s what I can’t figure out: is there a unifying theme around Hoopla’s offerings? How does a book/album/movie get listed on Hoopla? [more inside]
posted by rogerroger at 10:45 AM PST - 10 comments

I was reading an article this morning, about 45's fast food absurdity. A few tweets linked from it compared the situation to something which might happen if a child was president. I got to wondering, what movies/TV/other media feature an unconventional person in the Whitehouse? [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 9:59 AM PST - 27 comments

I want an app to track/organize the yarn that I'm using for projects. NOT RAVELRY! Anyone have any suggestions of a good visual project organizer, knitting-specific or otherwise? [more inside]
posted by HonoriaGlossop at 9:12 AM PST - 10 comments

I have a one year old daughter and this year has been crazy in terms of picture taking. I've filled up my phone completely. I also have pictures on my camera, and my partner's phone, and videos. Now my phone is overflowing. What is a good solution to manage the ever increasing quantities of photographs one takes? I've thought of printing them and making albums, but its too time consuming and I never seem to keep up. I thought I'd upload them all to FLICKR at one point, but that seems a shakey long term solution. I'm interested in both technological ideas (apps, etc) as well as ideas about how organize their workflow.
posted by cacofonie at 7:49 AM PST - 29 comments

Why did Trump wait for the new Congress to demand border wall money? [more inside]
posted by LonnieK at 7:45 AM PST - 12 comments

Looking for recommendations for shows (ideally but not exclusively comedies)! [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 7:31 AM PST - 32 comments

I did Nutrition Response Testing, and my diagnosis is PARASITE. Not just that, but large parasite in my prostate. WTF? [more inside]
posted by uncannyslacks at 6:58 AM PST - 32 comments

So I did two reaaaaaaally stupid things: 1) got back with a terrible ex, and 2) after re-breaking up with him, failed the breakup dignity test. Hard. Help me get my recovery back on track and stop beating myself up. [more inside]
posted by wreckofthehesperus at 3:00 AM PST - 26 comments

I have a day-long layover in Seoul - best eats and where to go? [more inside]
posted by monocot at 2:39 AM PST - 6 comments

A friend and I will have about 5 nights to spend in Mexico after travelling through Costa Rica in July. We are after some relaxing beach time and Tulum was recommended to us, but after researching we are concerned about the smelly seaweed issue. Any suggestions from the hivemind? [more inside]
posted by Naanwhal at 12:01 AM PST - 5 comments

A close relative just died. My family asked me to write a “proclamation” to be read at her memorial. I’m confused. Help? [more inside]
posted by Pretty Good Talker at 10:50 PM PST - 4 comments

My apartment complex is installing keyless entry for each unit. As someone who believes that household objects that aren't actual computing devices have no business being on a network or requiring a power source, I am not pleased. Worse, they're responding to valid after-hours lockout cost complaints by providing a phone app that can be used for unlocking the door, which seems like an additional vulnerability in the system. Am I justified in my concern, or should I get over myself? [more inside]
posted by rhiannonstone at 7:50 PM PST - 35 comments

I bought an iPhone 6 from a friend 3 days ago. It thinks I'm entering the wrong password but I'm not. WTF? [more inside]
posted by Frenchy67 at 6:46 PM PST - 8 comments

I'll be visiting Strasbourg (FR) for a few days toward the end of March, with two teens (girl 13 and boy 16). We currently have no particular plans. We'll check out the Cathedral, of course. We'll actually be staying in Obernai, but I'll have a car and can drive anywhere within a reasonable distance. I was thinking about renting bikes, but am not sure where best to ride. Any suggestions as to interesting and/or out of the ordinary sights to see or things to do would be much appreciated.
posted by lex mercatoria at 6:40 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm trying recall the title of a film from around 2006-8 about a devout Jewish couple who struggle with infertility and community expectations. Ring any bells? [more inside]
posted by freya_lamb at 6:27 PM PST - 5 comments

We had a one on one catch up and my boss let me know he thinks i need more self confidence. I did not say it to his face (was rather surprised and a bit upset) but I disagree. I used to get this comment a lot when I was younger but no one has said it in ages. [more inside]
posted by EatMyHat at 4:47 PM PST - 22 comments

I found this J.Crew t-shirt at a thrift store, same as this one here on Poshmark. It says "KISS" in many different languages (at least I think it does), and I want to know which languages is which, and if it does for sure mean "kiss" in that language. I found most of them, but I'm having trouble googling "koss." Thanks! [more inside]
posted by Shadow Boxer at 4:26 PM PST - 6 comments

Do you have some TV show or movie suggestions for a 12 year old boy? Examples of types of shows he likes inside. [more inside]
posted by Sassyfras at 3:42 PM PST - 23 comments

I would like to find a schedule for the traveling exhibit “King Tut: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh” that just left Los Angeles. It seems like I can only find info on the current or next stop and a list of future stops with no dates. [more inside]
posted by soelo at 3:31 PM PST - 3 comments

What is your favorite recipe or book of recipes for scratchmaking seitan and/or summoning the Dark Lord? I'd love to hear about other kinds of fake meat/demons. Also, suggestions for cooking with fake meat, since I'm new to all this. [more inside]
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 2:00 PM PST - 15 comments

Mrs. Weary and I will be traveling to Paris this spring with our (then) 18-month-old. I'd really like to take her out for one nice, romantical, adult dinner while we're there. What are your tips on how to find a trustworthy babysitter while traveling?
posted by wearyaswater at 1:49 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm engaged, I love my partner, and I'm not very into weddings. They just seem expensive and stressful. Can you tell me about your fun, affordable 100-person wedding? (Nontraditional weddings are a-OK.) Bonus points If you can recommend affordable venues in New England or New York/New Jersey other than my parents' backyard.
posted by marfa, texas at 1:34 PM PST - 27 comments

I kick off my shoes and put on a pair of Asian-style house slippers the moment I get home; they keep my toes warm and the soles of my feet protected. I learned the art of carrying the shopping home with a "granny cart" from a brief stay in Paris, where no one goes to the store without one. What other near-ubiquitous household items from other countries should more Americans know about?
posted by capricorn at 1:24 PM PST - 47 comments

I work as a single member LLC, mostly on Upwork. I want to diversify and productize some services, for instance,offer a flat rate consultation session. Should I charge sales tax for that? I live in MA.
posted by spacefire at 1:18 PM PST - 2 comments

I said "uh TAH muhtuh" in a conversation, my coworker responded with "auto MAH tuh", and I can't stop thinking about the discrepancy [more inside]
posted by involute at 1:13 PM PST - 24 comments

~20 years ago, there was a brief "olive pop" musical moment, where Middle Eastern performers like Ofra Haza and Elissa got a little bit of traction in the US and other Western markets. What other similar artists can you suggest for me? I'm primarily interested in women vocalists, and I'd like to find a healthy mix of nationalities and ethnicities from the region -- what I'm mostly looking for is that "Middle Eastern" sound, which I don't know how to describe. A few examples under the cut. [more inside]
posted by OrangeDisk at 12:42 PM PST - 14 comments

There's a song in a 2002 episode of the show Boomtown that I like. It goes "Some day/some way/I'm leaving for California." Can you ID it?
posted by kirkaracha at 12:35 PM PST - 3 comments

This 3 year old fellow is my first cat ever! He's sweet and playful and curious. Rather than immediately hiding as I've heard most cats do upon coming home, he explored the entire apartment and then plopped himself down at my feet. He's an observer, a climber, and a lover. I've never named a pet before, please hope me! He came with the name Stevie from the shelter, which I don't hate, and I am toying with the name Jasper, but I'm not 100% sold.
posted by mollymayhem at 10:52 AM PST - 58 comments

I'm seeking opening and closing readings that I can read out loud at a small-group meeting for new members at my UU congregation. The theme needs to be "welcome". Guidelines below the fold. [more inside]
posted by matildaben at 10:43 AM PST - 7 comments

I remember a few years ago a MeFi post about some closed-door Congressional committee briefing where the participants were said to have left the briefing "visibly shaken" or "pale" or words to that effect ... [more inside]
posted by ZenMasterThis at 10:28 AM PST - 10 comments

I've got a multi-spray shower head with a 6 foot hose on my shower. When the flow of water is interrupted at the head for even a fraction of a second, the temperature of the water increases significantly. What's the physics behind this? [more inside]
posted by moonmilk at 10:26 AM PST - 8 comments

My niece is coming into NYC with my mother this weekend, and I need help figuring out things to do with her. Halp? [more inside]
posted by holborne at 9:53 AM PST - 26 comments

After years of exercise and diet tweaking and smashing headlong into the plateaus associated with altering one's physique, I'm considering going to one of those full-body scan places that measures body composition, does metabolic and cardiovascular testing, etc., in the hopes of getting a better understanding of what I'm doing right and what I should change. [more inside]
posted by myotahapea at 9:32 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm trying to reduce waste and save money by repurposing things. I'm saving containers before I have any idea what to do with them. Help me brainstorm? [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 9:22 AM PST - 19 comments

What do I owe my aging co-dependent parents? [more inside]
posted by TryTheTilapia at 8:56 AM PST - 24 comments

We have two of these cobalt blue, double handled soup bowls, made in Italy for Sur La Table. My wife likes them a great deal, and would be very pleased if we had four so we could use them with company. However, Sur La Table apparently no longer carries them, and eBay has failed me. Can you suggest where I might find a pair of them?
posted by Naberius at 8:44 AM PST - 5 comments

My boss wants a new sleek/fancy monitor/computer for our office front desk, with none of the unsightly cabling that our normal workstations have. Clients won't see the front of the monitor, but they will see the back. What monitors have the sexiest backs? [Snowflakes inside] [more inside]
posted by matrixclown at 8:25 AM PST - 5 comments

Stuck HELOC application following withdrawal or cancellation of mortgage, what to do? [more inside]
posted by jet_silver at 8:06 AM PST - 4 comments

I am possibly going to embark on a fun kink-related adventure this year and would like to document the process. Help me figure out how I should document this, as well as work out whether it's better to be anonymous (hence the anonymity of this question) or go by my usual pen name. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:27 AM PST - 4 comments

My husband and I are going to Europe in June. We're flying from NYC to London. But he's going home first, from Amsterdam, whereas I'm going onto Rome and then back to the US from there. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 7:20 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm trying to set up a new blog. I have a header image I want to use. I am making sure that the size of the header fits Wordpress's specs for my theme. It is still cutting off bits of it anyway. Help. [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:19 AM PST - 14 comments

I came across a physical media kit (sealed!) for a 20+ year old Solaris and have an unused low-power computer. Good idea or bad idea to run a dedicated firewall with an ancient OS that's EOL'd? [more inside]
posted by hwyengr at 7:13 AM PST - 10 comments

Back in the 90's when the Power Rangers were all the rage, and every other show targeted to that demographic was some kind of Power Rangers knock-off, I remember there was one that was in the same visual style but which had variations (rip offs?) of classic Universal Monsters. A vampire, a mummy, etc. For the life of me I can't remember what this show was called. It was live action (so not Mummies Alive), and very much in the genre of "American teenagers get Japanese powered armor and fight Ultraman-style villains". Was this show just a fever dream, or does anyone remember this as being an actual thing? All of my searching turns up lists of Power Ranger clones, but none with the lead monsters I am remembering....
posted by Lokheed at 7:08 AM PST - 8 comments

My daughter has just turned 8. We live in Scandinavia at the moment and so she didn't actually start school until she was 7. She's an extremely articulate, thoughtful and sensitive little soul. She's inclined to listening to story tapes, being read to, playing with her lego etc. Just to give you some background. Nothing about the way we interact or converse with her as her parents gives me any cause for concern. [more inside]
posted by dance at 4:43 AM PST - 20 comments

Hi, From the past few months I am having this feeling which is like ground is soft under my feet. If I stand on ground and shake my legs hard I can feel ground moving sensations. I am having difficulty while walking because of this. kind of pushing, swaying etc. Anyone ever experienced this?
posted by bharath at 3:18 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm a furloughed federal employee with rent to pay and dog food and ramen to buy (not necessarily in that order). I've been trying to sell furniture and antiques on Craigslist to raise cash but haven't gotten any nibbles. Any suggestions on how to best sell things locally? I have a pickup and can deliver and have some (seemingly desirable) furniture items. I don't have anything that a pawn shop would be interested in. Unfortunately I'm "excepted" so I'm not available to look for work (or eligible for unemployment).
posted by anonymous at 1:46 AM PST - 15 comments

I’ve been dating an amazing man and I don’t know what to do. He wants to get married. I’m not sure. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:42 AM PST - 30 comments

I spent a disconcerting amount of money on a bunch of stickers from a seller in China on Etsy. They are incredibly thin and seemingly impossible to peel the back off of! Some of them feel more like stickers I'm used to, with a glossy front, and I could peel the backs off with my fingernails very carefully, but these for example just feel like thin paper. Any tips/tricks for peeling the backs off? All I seem to be doing is bending the edges of the stickers. Thanks!
posted by skycrashesdown at 8:06 PM PST - 8 comments

So this is kinda a weird question for January, but as my crazy weird sun gold cherry tomato plant is finally dying in the January wet and cold- I’m thinking about making sure I get my plants in at the right time this year (all my plants were put in late last year because of surgeries) SO! If I wanted 2-4 tomato plants this year, what are the best varieties for the Excelsior district of San Francisco? [more inside]
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 7:43 PM PST - 10 comments

My family uses plastic bags to put the cat waste in, and then we put the bags in the dumpster. Is there a more environmentally correct way to dispose of cat waste, without using plastic bags? Are paper lunch bags the best solution? [more inside]
posted by maurreen at 7:31 PM PST - 21 comments

So there I am, cutting nice new 45 degree angles on my scroll saw when suddenly the blade stops moving. There is still power to the engine. [more inside]
posted by New England Cultist at 7:28 PM PST - 3 comments

Howdy MeFites! I’m trying to remember the name of a film I saw maybe 15 years ago and which moved me deeply when I saw it. I’d be grateful if someone could point me in the right direction. Plot summary is inside. Cheers! [more inside]
posted by darkstar at 7:16 PM PST - 3 comments

I need to create a custom single-screen window/interface to run on Windows 10. It would function like a more advanced shortcut - instead of just calling the program, the small window would contain a few controls (an option menu, slide bar, a couple buttons) that, when the user hit the OK button, would call a program, like a shortcut does, but with appended command-line parameters derived from the controls the user set on this new window. [more inside]
posted by Rash at 6:56 PM PST - 10 comments

I would like to read books that feature groups of friends who love each other. I would like the book to be a page-turner and not depressing. Mysteries, romances, space operas, fantasy, literary fiction, whatever. Bonuses for comedy, sex/romance, novels that are part of a series, and settings that include real cities. I am new to genre fiction so “obvious” recommendations are fine too. [more inside]
posted by hungrytiger at 6:27 PM PST - 26 comments

Looking for dinner recommendations, specifically seafood, in Old San Juan. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by spinturtle at 5:58 PM PST - 3 comments

We are a family of four (two adults, toddler, newborn) and I’d like to use a spare bedroom to create a functional home office/computer space for all of us. Meaning: it would work for remote adult work as well as for eventual homework and computer useage for our kids. How would you set this up? I haven’t found many examples of ways we could create office space for both kids and adults in the same room.
posted by melodykramer at 5:57 PM PST - 10 comments

Hello out there, MetaFilter! I'm currently updating my cover letter to reflect some freelance work I've picked up recently. Does the below paragraph make sense/work? [more inside]
posted by shelle at 5:41 PM PST - 9 comments

Hot toddies are my jam this winter. Help me make them utterly delectable. [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 4:52 PM PST - 22 comments

Looking for a children's book from the 80s wherein a crocodile cooks soup. [more inside]
posted by Miss T.Horn at 4:43 PM PST - 11 comments

Last year, I stumbled across a personal blog by a woman who saves terrible internet wedding dresses, turning really awful shoddy dresses into something that makes people happy. It was interesting and had some great detail about her work. Anyone know it? [more inside]
posted by crush at 4:39 PM PST - 2 comments

Pretty much what it says in the title.. I have reviewed every cold feet/sock trouble shooting thread I can find on metafilter and still only came across one link from years ago to a product (thunderbolt socks) that had some questionable reviews. Turns out electric socks (or insoles) are actually fairly pricey .. [more inside]
posted by elgee at 4:31 PM PST - 4 comments

I am... not a person who is great at adulting. Chores slip by, I procrastinate, and sometimes my work doesn't get done. 1) Did you go from this state to someone who is more or less organized and stays on task? How did you do that? 2) Do you have a habit/task list Android app you can recommend? Specific criteria inside. [more inside]
posted by Adridne at 1:28 PM PST - 26 comments

What are your shopping habits like during mania or hypomania if you have Bipolar 1 or 2? What is the sensation or rationale that you experience when it comes to making a purchase? Do you have the same feelings when you are buying something that is essentially pragmatic but expensive vs something that is out of the realms of realistic by a lot? NOTE: I am only looking for answers about shopping, not gambling or any other behaviors present during a manic episode.
posted by Hermione Granger at 1:15 PM PST - 8 comments

I found this monster in the second floor bathroom. Should I be worried about more? How did something this big get into my house? D:
posted by homodachi at 12:05 PM PST - 15 comments

This was me. Your stories did their job-- I have elected not to buy a house... for the moment, while I build up my savings to handle the roof collapse/leaky basement/plumbing disaster that would assuredly befall me as a first-time buyer. What are some things to do to make it easier on myself while I look and prepare for buying, but do not buy (yet)? [more inside]
posted by coffeeand at 11:51 AM PST - 11 comments

Is there a way for me to play Minecraft online with my son, if I'm playing on a PC (Win OS) and he's playing on Switch? [more inside]
posted by JamesBay at 11:38 AM PST - 6 comments

I have struggled with pessimism and fixating on what is wrong most of my life. This is a byproduct of decades of anxiety and depression. I am in therapy and taking medication. What are some practical things that I can do to fix this? [more inside]
posted by kbbbo at 11:05 AM PST - 20 comments

What are some products/movies/music/etc. that failed not because they inherently sucked, but because they arrived at the wrong time? For example, Kia Borrego (a 15 MPG SUV that launched in the 2008 recession and $4 gas...and was discontinued after only a year). Again, the Borrego wasn't necessarily a great car but mainly flopped because it came out at the worst possible time.
posted by Seeking Direction at 10:45 AM PST - 39 comments

How can I create an alarm that is dependent on time AND location in Android? It used to be possible, and now seemingly isn't. [more inside]
posted by altolinguistic at 10:14 AM PST - 3 comments

When I'm cooking, I want to be able to say, "Hey, Siri, remind me in ten minutes to turn off the pasta." And then 10 minutes later, I want Siri to say out loud, "Turn off the pasta." I don't want my iPhone to speak all notifications out loud -- just specific reminders I've asked for. This is proving surprisingly hard to do. What am I missing? [more inside]
posted by yankeefog at 9:32 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm considering purchasing a new or very well-kept pre-owned car in the $19-24K price range and I'm looking for advice on how to determine the best financing option. What are the pros and cons of using a home equity line of credit versus financing through a dealership? [more inside]
posted by AnnaBegins942 at 7:52 AM PST - 10 comments

I was trying to listen, on my iMac (10.14.1) to some FLAC files I'd gotten a while back and never tried. While some are fine, others stop 30 seconds in or fade out halfway through. I've tried playing them on VOX and VLC, and the result is the same on both. [more inside]
posted by the sobsister at 7:41 AM PST - 5 comments

I got a new very good amplifier for quite cheap. It’s my first amp without a phono in so I need a preamp. What’s the difference between a cheap solid state preamp (say a used Realistic/Radio Shack) and one of the more expensive versions (like a Cambridge or Pro Ject)? (I have a decent TT, an old Systemdek, if that matters at all.)
posted by OmieWise at 7:41 AM PST - 2 comments

I am teaching a fifth-grader grammar. We are going to be working on coordinating and subordinating conjunctions (using the FANBOYS and AAAWWUBBIS mnemonics) and then will do a lesson on when to use because, and, and so (from The Writing Revolution, if you're interested). I'd like to include a game at one or more points in this series of lessons. Can you suggest anything? [more inside]
posted by pipti at 7:07 AM PST - 1 comment

I've got 100+ books in Audible and I really want to keep my library. Audible's only allowed me to suspend my membership so far. There's a lot of conflicting advice about Light memberships, cancelling outright to downloading everything as a precaution. I'd like to hear from anyone who has escaped - (especially the DRM!)
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 5:57 AM PST - 8 comments

Room 25 by Noname is one of my favorite albums of last year, both musically and lyrically. Can you recommend recent hip hop in the same vein?
posted by Kattullus at 5:19 AM PST - 5 comments

I have a huge, beautiful scarf/shawl thing that I would like to make the most of. Do I wear it or hang it on the wall or something else, and in any case how? [more inside]
posted by huimangm at 2:55 AM PST - 7 comments

You know those threads at Christmastime about the best cookie recipes? Now for muffins. [more inside]
posted by athirstforsalt at 2:32 AM PST - 17 comments

I have a way of increasing increasing the range of vehicle (ICE or electric) by 5% or so. I'm only interested in the idea going to Nissan or Tesla (with preference for the latter). How would I go about this? I have a CAD model of the idea. Tesla seems to have become enough of a bureaucracy that they have no clear ideas box on the web [more inside]
posted by unearthed at 1:40 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm a cis female in my early 30s living in the Boston area. I've known I'm queer for well over a decade, identifying as aro-ace. A throwaway comment on New Year's Eve made me realize a series of interactions 2 years ago was a very deep, very intense crush on another woman and I just was in deep denial. Re-evaluation of other events has led me to realize I'm actually interested in women romantically. While this is very thrilling, it is also terrifying because I am introverted enough that I have enough trouble trying to figure out how to meet new people to make friends. I know I want to, but I have no idea what to do. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:14 PM PST - 5 comments

How do you maintain a new close friendship without either flaming out or fading out? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:14 PM PST - 6 comments

It would be a dream come true for my daughter to meet Jojo Siwa. Can you guys help me make that happen? [more inside]
posted by Spyder's Game at 10:01 PM PST - 2 comments

Can anyone give me a summary of the Roman Catholic approach to the Liturgy of the Hours (a.k.a. the Breviary), specifically evening prayer (Compline)? I want to add it to my evening routine, so recommendations of a compact book of them would be REALLY useful. [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 8:34 PM PST - 9 comments

Every year for 4 years, the doc at my yearly health evaluation tells me my LDL cholesterol is too low and to “eat more eggs.” Have you been told this before? [more inside]
posted by sacchan at 7:23 PM PST - 8 comments

We have interviews scheduled with professional doulas, what should we be asking/looking for? [more inside]
posted by A god with hooves, a god with horns at 6:17 PM PST - 9 comments

My stylist used the shimmer shine yesterday and I love how it made my hair look and feel. Smelled absolutely gross though. Any similar products I could try?
posted by misanthropicsarah at 6:13 PM PST - 1 comment

I have a new iPhone XR and can’t figure out what is causing the headphones to not function in the cold. Any ideas for troubleshooting? [more inside]
posted by charmedimsure at 6:01 PM PST - 4 comments

I am building a Heroes Wall in my home office and want to download high-quality resolution portraits/photos of my heroes from the Internet to frame and hang for an inspirational gallery. How can I best do this to create photo-quality images and ensure the images will fit the frames I purchase?
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 5:02 PM PST - 5 comments

According to the internet, the chorus of Yesterday's Mistakes by Oi Va Voi is: Velifnei konech techinateinu hapili. Uvea’d amech. What does it mean?
posted by redneck_crake at 4:04 PM PST - 2 comments

It’s been almost two years since my husband died, and his car dealership continued to send me junk mail. I don’t drive. I’m not going to buy a car. I’ve tried all the obvious things to make the mail stop and still, it comes. How do I escalate this? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 3:45 PM PST - 11 comments

My six-month-old daughter seems to like TMBG, Raffi, Jack Johnson and Ben Harper. She also "sings" along to Feist. I thimk she likes the higher pitch. What other female lead vocalists are we missing? Bonus points for children's songs.
posted by onecircleaday at 2:36 PM PST - 23 comments

I want to try the CanaKit Raspberry Pi 3 B+ (B Plus) with 2.5A Power Supply sold by Amazon as this is complete except for the Samsung 32GB 95MB/s (U1) MicroSD EVO Select Memory Card with Adapter which is sold separately. [more inside]
posted by lungtaworld at 1:46 PM PST - 10 comments

Please help me track down this art gallery in Marrakech so I can get an awesome surprise birthday gift for my partner! [more inside]
posted by rrose selavy at 1:14 PM PST - 4 comments

I've had chronic, constant tinnitus for 6-7 years now, and was told at the time it started that I would just have to "learn to live with it." I also grind my teeth. Since then it has continued to get worse, even after cutting out things like concerts and headphones. I'm having new symptoms that I think are related, and am looking for advice on what sort of specialist to see, as well as any doctor recommendations one might have in the Boston area, and lastly some sort of general strategy to take control of my health issues. [more inside]
posted by JimBennett at 12:58 PM PST - 12 comments

I would like to get my music distributed more widely, reviewed, and possibly on a label. Or on vinyl? How feasible is that in 2019? What channels should I explore? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:52 PM PST - 6 comments

I am marrying someone whose family is part of a community that really cares about weddings, and specifically ostentatious weddings. Help me buy an inexpensive, but seemingly expensive 'wedding ring' for one-night only! [more inside]
posted by thelastpolarbear at 12:13 PM PST - 14 comments

By "regulatory environment" I mean not the biological, social, or moral aspects of reproduction, but what programs, policies, and laws are relevant to child-rearing in NYC? A random sampling of things I've researched on my own recently: 529 plans; NY state Paid Family Leave; NYC universal pre-K, mandatory kindergarten, and first grade age cutoff; postpartum depression screening; kindergarten gifted-and-talented program. None of this is obscure stuff, but I had to think to look for it. There's a real unknown-unknown problem here. Is there anybody that has collected this information for me? [more inside]
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 11:57 AM PST - 4 comments

Why are there always two Kleenexes at the top and the bottom of the box? It seems wasteful (especially for a single-use item), and I imagine there is technology available that allows the very first and very last Kleenex to be dispensed individually. (Or perhaps this is like the deceptively complex engineering behind printers and paper jams?)
posted by stillmoving at 11:51 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm feeling overly dependent on Microsoft. I have well over ten thousand files of my writing (almost all .doc files, not docx.) that, at the very least, I want to convert to .txt files. So yes, I am looking for a reasonably simple batch conversion strategy. [more inside]
posted by philip-random at 10:55 AM PST - 17 comments

Help me succinctly explain to a male friend why this interaction was sexist and gross. [more inside]
posted by i_mean_come_on_now at 10:31 AM PST - 33 comments

I know you are not my kid's speech therapist, but I'm hoping for other clues to figure out why my 3 year old does not want to use sentences. [more inside]
posted by heavenknows at 10:22 AM PST - 14 comments

My iPhone X has recently begun giving me a random, almost mechanical-sounding, beep and I can't identify why. [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 9:21 AM PST - 7 comments

I am contemplating moving back several steps career-wise for a few years, while my children are young. However, I'm concerned that by doing this, I'm never going to be able to recover. If you've taken a step backwards (or several) career-wise, were you able to recover in terms of salary and role? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:55 AM PST - 18 comments

(Besides the fact that we're more sensible.) I thought I knew the answer to this (in very general terms) until I read this piece in Slate, "The Shutdown to End All Shutdowns" -- the main point for me being that a continuing resolution to renew funding, in the absence of the passage of a money bill, might go on forever. Automatic CR legislation might be written in a way that gives one party in particular a reason to prefer it over passing a budget. [more inside]
posted by feelinggood at 8:15 AM PST - 8 comments

I know this can be done, but the Google results I get when I try to research a recipe are causing me to pressure cook my own brain with rage. Can you outline the process for me, or link me to a recipe that isn't an incoherent soup of SEO garbage? [more inside]
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 8:08 AM PST - 18 comments

So after a solid decade with a beard, it went gray streaked like Dr. Strange and so I went back to no beard. What I found underneath was a lot of dry skin, dry scabs and scaling. So is this just a transitional thing that happens when you get rid of a beard? Is this something I need to be proactive about? Or do I give up and go back to looking like an evil hypnotist?
posted by rileyray3000 at 7:53 AM PST - 7 comments

I have a vague recollection of two large posters in the background of an episode of House of Cards. The were either of runners or about running or fitness, I think. I don't really feel up to hours of scanning through Kevin Spacey to find them again. Does anyone remember anything about these posters that could help me to find them online?
posted by Frenchy67 at 7:01 AM PST - 1 comment

Can y'all connect me up with some music played on an out of tune piano? As a kid, I had the pleasure of occasionally playing on an old upright out of tune porch piano with a stuck loud pedal. I loved the way it sounded. [more inside]
posted by a humble nudibranch at 1:56 AM PST - 18 comments

I need to get a new-ish, specialized surgical procedure and am having trouble getting prior authorization - BCBS reps say it's "waived." [more inside]
posted by CancerSucks at 1:26 AM PST - 7 comments

Is there a way to filter (also known as Outlook rules) email messages in Outlook based on two letters (between hyphens) in the subject line? [more inside]
posted by SockISalmon at 7:00 PM PST - 11 comments

So I am fond of word search puzzles where the words are not in a straight line (i.e., the letters can fall in sequence at right angles or diagonals, changing direction any number of times). I'm looking for further sources of them, and any suggestions of search terms to find them. [more inside]
posted by cats are weird at 7:00 PM PST - 6 comments

I just bought a cutting board at Marshall's and when I got home, saw that it's marked "for dry food only." This seems to defeat the purpose of the board if I can't cut vegetables on it. Do you know why it is likely to have been marked like that? I'm aware of standard wooden cutting board care/washing/drying/oiling etc. Should I sand the surface off and use a food safe oil? Or is it fine to use for vegetables, just not for raw meats? Any ideas? The board is from Tommy Bahama but is not currently available on their website or anywhere I could find online for more info.
posted by argylekneesocks at 6:05 PM PST - 7 comments

My bathtub was not properly set on the ground. When I stand in the basin, it creaks and feels like it's giving way. I can see, from a crawlspace, where it's unsupported. How can I fix it? [more inside]
posted by mr_bovis at 3:53 PM PST - 10 comments

Is tennis harmful to the body? [more inside]
posted by ljs30 at 3:20 PM PST - 13 comments

For whatever reason I deplore saying I am going to "hang out" with someone. What can this phrase be replaced with, when referring to the plans you have with friends? "Date" has such strong romantic connotations it doesn't work for me.
posted by long haired child at 3:12 PM PST - 31 comments

Please help me ID a novel I read several years ago. My memory is vague, but I think it was about siblings who grew up together on a farm, and then had sections about their separate adult lives. Gambling in Nevada was involved, and there was an extended section about an artist in France? [more inside]
posted by no regrets, coyote at 2:25 PM PST - 4 comments

NYC karaoke-filter: Im in rockaway Beach, looking for a karaoke lounge in lower Manhattan easily train accessible for tonight. Preferably someplace queer/freaky. I need to get out of my parents house for a night before family events start this weekend. [more inside]
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 2:16 PM PST - 4 comments

So my microwave died (or became immortal, since it won't turn off unless I unplug it), and I have questions. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 1:57 PM PST - 11 comments

I'd like to include a lady I'm seeing on some ski-based activities that I'll do with my kids this winter. All of us enjoy skiing, and it's a 2.5 hour drive (one-way, assuming no traffic). However, I'm not sure that the lady in question, who I've been seeing for a little over 6 months, is a 'forever' - type relationship. [more inside]
posted by Doc_Sock at 1:56 PM PST - 30 comments

I'm at a bit of an impasse. I have a really old phone, an iPhone 4S that's probably from 2012 or so. It has a broken screen and the battery barely functions anymore. Hence, I'm in the market for a new phone. At the same time, though, one of the reasons my phone is so old is that I have an uneasy relationship with smartphones. I find myself in the position of needing to buy something that I do not want. Is there a compromise? [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 1:51 PM PST - 15 comments

How to find the names of participants in this MS Excel sheet? [more inside]
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:45 PM PST - 5 comments

My college freshman son has between 1 & 2 grand saved aside that he’d like to invest or put away somewhere to earn a bit - to start a long term investing plan. This seems like small potatoes and I believe that my own broker would charge him too much for his small investment. What’s a good vehicle or company or ??? to put this money in, that he can manage himself if he gets more interested? (That could grow with him?) My impression is that CDs are lame - but do banks offer other smarter options?
posted by chr1sb0y at 1:23 PM PST - 8 comments

Inexperienced traveller... I guess I'm going to San Salvador, El Salvador next week. What to do/expect? [more inside]
posted by one of these days at 1:08 PM PST - 3 comments

We invited my MIL over yesterday to talk wedding plans, and she tiraded about how she doesn't think we should be getting married. I feel hurt and offended. What kind of boundaries can I set with her to minimize hurt going forward? [more inside]
posted by unstrungharp at 1:04 PM PST - 24 comments

I threw out my back and can't move very well. This has happened before in the past (twice in 15 years) and each time I called my GP and they called in a prescription for me. My current GP says I need to come to the office (impossible). I explained that in the past I was able to handle things over the phone, and they said that it was probably a long time ago when rules were different. It's true that the last time this happened was 9 years ago. But I just find it unbelievable that a patient who can't physically move would be expected to physically move in order to get the drugs that could help her physically move. I'm wondering if the rules really are this strict or if just this GP is.
posted by january at 12:43 PM PST - 16 comments

In the footage from April 25, 1945, the US Third Army blasts the Nazi symbols from the Nuremberg Zeppelin Field. Precisely which divisions were responsible for the task?
posted by jefficator at 12:43 PM PST - 1 comment

Why is my cellphone using much more data than the usage report indicates? [more inside]
posted by Rumple at 12:39 PM PST - 9 comments

I've noticed that the tin lining smears more easily on some of my copper pots than others, and I'm hoping a metallurgist/chemist/physicist will support or debunk my idea about why that is. [more inside]
posted by woot at 11:51 AM PST - 11 comments

It's time to build out our kitchen. We've gotten started and we have a few ideas for what we want next. We've done a lot of housesitting and seen a lot of kitchens. We have ideas for what we want. What we don't have is half a sense of aesthetic kitchen layout. That's where you come in! Tie it together for us! [more inside]
posted by aniola at 11:50 AM PST - 10 comments

I was watching an old episode of St. Elsewhere last night ("Cora and Arnie", first aired November 23, 1982) and at the end of the episode a man "checks out" of the hospital by getting handed a bill and then paying for it with what appears to be a credit card. Was this typical? [more inside]
posted by Automocar at 10:00 AM PST - 16 comments

Do pci thunderbolt cards for pc just use your pc's integrated graphics card? Or can a thunderbolt connected display utilize the gpu of whatever additional video card you may have purchased for your system? [more inside]
posted by bitterkitten at 9:11 AM PST - 10 comments

We are a small, non-profit domestic violence agency serving two large counties in a state that is mostly rural. We are trying to set up computer workstations in some of our counties’ most rural areas, to serve domestic violence victims who can’t physically come in to our office. I haven’t needed to purchase computers in about 10 years, so I need help figuring out what the most efficient use of our money would be. [more inside]
posted by MexicanYenta at 8:59 AM PST - 7 comments

I've been tasked with making a short list of engagement rings, which is very exciting, but incredibly daunting because I've never thought about an engagement ring before. After looking through Etsy and Pinterest, I've settled on some Art Deco rings that I like a lot; my problem is that the price range swings from a little less than $1000 to $2500. My boyfriend and I will be financing most of our wedding on our own and to me, spending money on a ring isn't the best use of our savings. How did you make a decision on an engagement ring? Did you regret the choice you made? Are there other factors I should consider when choosing a ring?
posted by orangesky4 at 8:33 AM PST - 42 comments

Hello! My soon to me eleven year-old is having a card game themed birthday party. I'd like to find a printable card game with creative commons licensing to give for party favors. Kids are 10-12 and into Harry Potter, RPGs and larping. What are your recommendations?
posted by a22lamia at 8:11 AM PST - 3 comments

I’m writing a piece about royalty, and I’d like to use some cliches and colloquial expressions that evoke royalty. So far I have “to the manor born” and “king’s ransom”. What are some other cliches that evoke royalty?
posted by pxe2000 at 7:44 AM PST - 37 comments

We are looking for chapter books or story books that have protagonists or prominent characters who are male-identified (boys or men) who are gentle and kind. We are struggling to find these narratives, and so often read stories with female-identified characters ("feminist girl books.") [more inside]
posted by anya32 at 7:26 AM PST - 48 comments

Where can I find ideas on to do lists, project management, etc by and for neuroatypical folks? I'm bipolar, and it's just been extra stressful to try a lot of systems that simply weren't meant for the way I think. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 6:44 AM PST - 7 comments

I have to bring two readings for a group tonight. The focus of the group is going to be on building (non-sexual/non-romantic) intimacy, trust, and community. The readings don't have to be on that theme, but it seems like it would be nice if they were. I'll be reading them out loud. Looking for one- to two-paragraph (or thereabouts) readings. [more inside]
posted by lazuli at 6:38 AM PST - 2 comments

We are renting a car in Munich, Germany for a road trip via Innsbruck, Austria to Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy in the Dolomites in the last week of March this year. The car will already be equipped with snow tires (as required by German regulations) and we are experienced winter drivers in non-mountain conditions. Would those knowlegeable about driving in this area recommend renting the optional snow chains from the car rental company? Also, any other road tips/side trips for this itinerary would be most appreciated.
posted by fairmettle at 12:40 AM PST - 4 comments

I know this has been answered before, but have a hard time finding it: My email address has been om.nomnom@gmail.com for the past decade. Suddenly, I am receiving email for a woman with the same name under omnomnom@gmail.com. [more inside]
posted by Omnomnom at 11:38 PM PST - 30 comments

Since we moved out of my parents' house, my cat has been acting weird and needy. Right now she is crying about ghosts in the basement. A minute ago she was just running back and forth through the living room. I think she's bored. [more inside]
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 6:44 PM PST - 28 comments

Women: Have you shaved / buzzed your head? Are you glad you did it? If you have grown out your hair since, was the growing out period worth it? [more inside]
posted by insectosaurus at 5:21 PM PST - 38 comments

I'm looking for a charity that will pick up a full-sized memory foam mattress in perfect condition in Oakland, California. [more inside]
posted by Surprised By Bees at 4:33 PM PST - 13 comments

I just got an invitation to my favorite kind of wedding - two very lovely people who belong together having a fancy costume party. There is an added theme of "birds/space." They have left it open as to whether costumes should involve just birds, just space, or both. This couple never half-asses anything, and I'd like to have a costume worthy of the event. [more inside]
posted by queensissy at 3:47 PM PST - 21 comments

What are your favorites? [more inside]
posted by sprezzy at 3:31 PM PST - 67 comments

I'm having trouble finding information about protests and pressure tactics being used to help end the shut down. Does anyone know of anything? I'm assuming the main pressure tactics are getting the Democrats to hold strong for a clean bill with no wall funding, Republicans to fold and help pass legislation to over-ride a Trump veto, or for Trump to back down. [more inside]
posted by andoatnp at 3:26 PM PST - 10 comments

My co-worker is interviewed in this segment from Chicago's CBS News. He called the station for a copy for himself but was told no. Is there a way to download this video? [more inside]
posted by tzikeh at 2:58 PM PST - 15 comments

I get TV from the cable company, and I get internet from the same cable company. It's all bits of electronic data that come through a coax cable into a box in my house, then into my screen devices. I can leave the TV on TBS and watch Friends 24/7 for the whole week and nobody cares ... but I can only use X-hundred GB of data before the cable company will cap me for the month, so I can't stream Friends on Netflix 24/7 in the same unrestricted way. [more inside]
posted by mccxxiii at 2:37 PM PST - 8 comments

My hair used to be sleek and shiny and like wouldn't knot ever, like a hair commercial. I could tie my hair in a literal knot and it was just go NOPE and slide apart. BUT for the past year and a half ish it's gotten more and more disagreeable. It's tangly, what my stylist calls "sticky." Like it just WANTS to bond and interweave with itself. We're at a standstill in our troubleshooting. Ideas? [more inside]
posted by Grandysaur at 2:26 PM PST - 21 comments

I'm looking for a good, short-ish, factual and well-sourced backgrounder on the Special Counsel Investigation that is taking up space, rent free, in so many of our minds. Ideally something that is being updated on a regular basis, but also something that is a manageable size to read and that tells a narrative that an ordinary reader who is not steeped in this stuff can follow. Thanks!
posted by gauche at 2:23 PM PST - 7 comments

So, we just had something very strange happen. My husband's mother got a call from someone claiming to be from Jenkins Logistics (or something like that) regarding a "civil case" against him. The person provided a phone number and a case number. My husband called the number, and the person said they were from Smith and Watson, and that there was a civil lawsuit filed against my husband, but refused to give any further information unless my husband confirmed his SS# and birthdate, which my husband refused to do. [more inside]
posted by sarcasticah at 2:20 PM PST - 20 comments

It's finally my turn to ask a silly food question. I soaked black beans overnight, cooked them in the morning, drained and transferred them to another bowl, and promptly forget the bowl on the counter (in my chilly kitchen) for 12 hours. [more inside]
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 1:57 PM PST - 16 comments

I’m having issues with my ADHD prescription and feeling anxious about it/not sure what I need to do but it feels urgent. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:45 PM PST - 16 comments

Many years ago while in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I purchased a print of the 1961 painting El Heladero by Myrna Báez. Unfortunately, the print didn't survive the trip back. I'd like to track down another copy to frame and display in our home, but I can't find anywhere it's available for purchase. (I've already tried emailing the museum where I purchased the print, as well as the museum where the original is currently hanging, but haven't heard back.)
posted by duffell at 10:42 AM PST - 3 comments

In early November my wife and I found out she was pregnant. She had been doing the ovulation calendar thing and knew what point she was at (about a month). When we had the visit for the eighth week prenatal visit, there was no heartbeat, and long story short, a few days later she had a normal D&C procedure as a result of the miscarriage. After the 2 weeks that we had been told to abstain from sex passed, we had unprotected sex. My wife had not had her cycle yet, of course. [more inside]
posted by rbf1138 at 10:15 AM PST - 21 comments

If you've moved into a new house recently, what are your magical tricks to make it smooth? I'm thinking I spend the first day doing a deep clean since it will never be so empty again...so I need a broom, mop, towels, etc. for that. What do you wish you'd done differently, or what worked well for you? [more inside]
posted by OneSmartMonkey at 10:09 AM PST - 35 comments

Backing up my firefox profile due to imminent laptop death got me to wondering about what firefox add-ons/extensions are out there now. I'm not just asking about privacy/safety stuff, but also other useful or fun stuff. [more inside]
posted by gudrun at 9:54 AM PST - 12 comments

My HIV-positive partner is deceiving someone he’s having unprotected sex with about his HIV status. If it were out of sight, out of mind, I might be able to ignore it but my partner seems infatuated with this other person and wants him to socialize with us. I’m disappointed in him and I feel uncomfortable but he said if I tell this guy the truth about his HIV status he will end things with me. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:43 AM PST - 69 comments

Is there a desktop media player that will play each file in a playlist more than once before moving to the next? [more inside]
posted by Lesser Shrew at 9:06 AM PST - 8 comments

I need to have a 45-page educational guide translated from English into Italian, Spanish and French. The guide contain culturally sensitive material that needs careful translation and localization. I would appreciate AskMefi's recommendations on service providers.
posted by azzurra at 8:05 AM PST - 3 comments

I would like some advice on purchasing and learning to play medieval instruments if anyone has any! More specific questions and purpose for use follow! [more inside]
posted by xarnop at 7:43 AM PST - 10 comments

I bought a quarter of a heritage breed hog, so this is the first of what no doubt will be several questions on what to do with the various cuts. I want to start with the shoulder. Please point me to your most delicious recipes.
posted by HotToddy at 6:31 AM PST - 25 comments

How important is an intro video to your decision on whether or not to back a Kickstarter project? [more inside]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:59 AM PST - 23 comments

I know someone whose first name is Tara and who habitually pronounces it with a short A, like "tap" or "taxi". Almost everyone she meets politely asks if it's "Ta-ra" or "Tar-a" (with a long A like "tar") so when she tries to explain it's "Ta-ra like taxi" they 100% of the time get a baffled look on their face, like well now I have less information than I did before. Is there a better or different hint or clue she can give? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 9:35 PM PST - 111 comments

I have an old Canoscan Lide 20 scanner that I would like to have work with my Windows 10 laptop (64 bit if that matters). Canon no longer make drivers for this particular scanner and seem never to have supported 64 bit anything, as far as I can tell. I can find downloads that are supposed to be drivers that will work, but am very wary about downloading random stuff from teh interwebs when I'm not sure of the source. [more inside]
posted by ninazer0 at 9:11 PM PST - 7 comments

I have to go to Las Vegas for a conference in March. I need to find accommodations with an actual freezer in the room to keep my medical ice packs cold. The conference hotels can't help me, and I am not sure how to find a place that will work out! [more inside]
posted by radioamy at 8:48 PM PST - 23 comments

I have found a therapist service that offers sign language services; Kaiser will not seem to accept them as a referral and cover them, despite the service saying they had success with Kaiser in the past. How should I navigate this? More details inside. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 8:16 PM PST - 10 comments

Simple question - I've bought some pretty watercolor digital images (from Etsy, etc.) and am ready to print them. Somehow, I assumed I could just buy a nice textured paper from the craft store and print them on my cheap-ass inkjet printer. But they're not looking so good - faded, in particular. The paper is absorbing the vibrancy of the ink, for one thing (I can see this via a comparison with regular paper and the textured paper I bought). I plan to frame and mount these things, so how do I make them look nice? Better paper, or different printer (in other words, take it to Staples or the local print shop?). Or both?
posted by kitcat at 8:01 PM PST - 10 comments

I am currently seeing a psychiatrist (or more specifically, the RNs in their office). I would like to find a new psychiatrist. How difficult would it be to keep my medication regimen the same? Would I just have the old office send my files over, or will the new one want to do their own evaluation? This is a concern mainly because I'd like to keep my attention-deficit medications which I use rarely and as-needed, and I don't know if I'd actually be diagnosed with mild attention deficit right now.
posted by coolname at 7:39 PM PST - 8 comments

I have an adult (30 year old) child who is learning how to drive. He has a learner's permit and is taking a series of professional lessons; these are going well. The instructor says it would be good for him to practice between lessons. But I don't have a car. [more inside]
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 6:51 PM PST - 8 comments

I used to go into the office, and I used to be - for me - a reasonable shape and size. I telework now, and after having my last baby and gaining a large amount of weight and separating my abdominal muscles, I no longer have business clothes that fit. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:34 PM PST - 22 comments

I'm a burnt out worker who needs a break. I think moving to part time at my current job will give me some much-needed breathing room while I figure out what to do next. I have never made a request like this before. Help me figure out how to approach my employer as skillfully as possible? [more inside]
posted by sock paper scissors at 5:57 PM PST - 11 comments

Help! We're going to Ireland for the first time. We'll be in Dublin for an event lasting 5 days at the end of the trip, and we'll want to explore Dublin a bit before that, too. Let's say 3 days. If we can, we'd like to stay in a single place in the city for all that. That leaves us with 4-5 days. Should we look into heading outside of Dublin--maybe somewhere smaller, cheaper, and more scenic--after we arrive? If so, where? [more inside]
posted by wintersweet at 5:50 PM PST - 13 comments

I have trouble making myself go to bed, and I think it might help to have something brief and comforting to read before turning out the light. I'm seeking suggestions for: prayers for nighttime, thought-provoking snippets from any genre, blessings, stories -- anything that promotes a feeling of well-being and isn't more than a couple pages/~1,000 words. [more inside]
posted by delight at 3:38 PM PST - 20 comments

I am a long-time user of USB drawing tablets -- the kind that plug into your computer so that your pen movements on the tablet are duplicated on the screen. I feel like the default state of every tablet I've owned is "your driver has crashed." [more inside]
posted by space snail at 3:26 PM PST - 7 comments

Hoping someone out there with structural engineering experience can give me a rough idea of whether my paved courtyard could take the weight load of a swim spa. Intending to hire a structural engineer to confirm if it seems likely it may be possible but hoping to save the hassle if the answer is absolutely no way. [more inside]
posted by ryanbryan at 3:20 PM PST - 5 comments

Found a cute little linen painting at Goodwill and am curious about its history. [more inside]
posted by Polyhymnia at 2:45 PM PST - 8 comments

Do you have a delicious recipe for greek giant (gigantes) beans in tomato sauce? My kids love them from our local restaurant and I’d love to make them at home.
posted by gryphonlover at 2:30 PM PST - 7 comments

I could have sworn there was a "law" named for someone (e.g. Betteridge's law of headlines) that stated that all news seems reliable unless it's in your specialist area, in which case it's immediately obvious all the details are misreported or misunderstood. [more inside]
posted by spielzebub at 2:20 PM PST - 5 comments

Suggestions for a GPS tracker for a child to use while in Disneyworld? [more inside]
posted by CrazyLemonade at 2:17 PM PST - 17 comments

I'm on two medications that 1. almost eliminate feelings of hunger until after I get home from work and 2. make me slightly queasy. As a result, I keep skipping lunch, which is bad. Recommendations for stuff I can eat? [more inside]
posted by showbiz_liz at 1:35 PM PST - 42 comments

Probably because my cheapO wireless mouse is dying, right? Is it possible to resuscitate it? [more inside]
posted by Don Pepino at 12:44 PM PST - 8 comments

On this cold winter's day, I am really craving a warm and hearty stew. I'd prefer beef, but I've never made a chicken stew before, so I am open to that. However, I cannot seem to find an Instant Pot beef stew recipe that looks appealing. Are there any great beef stew recipes that you guys can suggest? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 11:16 AM PST - 23 comments

Hello hivemind, One of my job responsibilities is to compare lots (and I mean hundreds) of different options for flights in a short amount of time. Is there a solution to do this faster someone knows of? [more inside]
posted by skittlekicks at 10:16 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm presented with a challenge: I want to design a dance floor that (from a specific spot) seamlessly appears to have a grid extending off in the distance into a false horizon - think TRON. How? [more inside]
posted by TheNewWazoo at 9:26 AM PST - 5 comments

Looking for a specific essay (I think it may have been the introduction to another book?) or short book about the unrecognised dangers of cinema as a new language, shaping people’s ways of seeing the world and modes of expression. A bit like Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death, except I think shorter and related specifically to cinema.
posted by chappell, ambrose at 8:33 AM PST - 10 comments

I have wide, "tall" feet with high arches and insteps; also, duck-style splayed toes that I like to wiggle up and down when I walk. Normally I do barefoot or minimalist shoes, but most brands have limited winter offerings. Can anyone suggest proper waterproof snow boots (not fashion boots) that have wide, ideally untapered toe boxes AND a deep midfoot that won't press down on the tops of my feet? Light and flexible soles would be a huge bonus, but not absolutely required. [more inside]
posted by Bardolph at 8:31 AM PST - 22 comments

I'm trying to remember a children's picture book with a little imp? devil? some kind of cute little creature who, of course, gets separated from his bigger siblings and gets into trouble. [more inside]
posted by moonmilk at 7:45 AM PST - 2 comments

A friend is engaged in a civil suit in Minnesota. The friend's lawyer has notified the other party that the lawyer is representing my friend. My friend has not received a corresponding notification from the other party's lawyer. Why? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 7:31 AM PST - 9 comments

My wife does voice over work and is impacted by high frequency sounds coming from outside our dwelling. We are looking at three booths in particular, but they vary in price so wildly, and we're unsure of how to make a decision. Can you help us? [more inside]
posted by lilies.lilies at 7:24 AM PST - 8 comments

Thinking of going to the Tate Modern to see Christian Marclay’s The Clock next week. It would be during a weekday as it finishes the following weekend and I anticipate it will be too busy then. It will be a special visit to London; does anyone know what the queues are like at the moment? Long? Looong? Walk straight in?
posted by Kiwi at 7:17 AM PST - 10 comments

I am wondering if anyone here has successfully quit their job and got their employer to agree to severance or "termination without cause" so they could collect unemployment. If so, how did you do it?go [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:14 AM PST - 20 comments

I recently came into possession of a bit of weed. I am in a state where weed is legal (yay!) but for REASONS I would still like to consume my weed discretely. I don't want to smell up my house, my clothing, or myself with the smell of weed. I also don't want to have to find a Weed Store and buy a Weed Thing to smoke my weed. I would like to buy what I need on-line and not have it arrive in a package that says WEEDSTUFF DOT COM. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:14 AM PST - 14 comments

This is a question about psychology/how other people handle their thoughts and feelings partially out of curiosity and partially because this is something I struggle with. When you are in any given situation, do you ask yourself how you feel about it and then allow what comes up in your mind, or do you try to act how you want to feel? Pls see extended explanation as this is a bit complicated. [more inside]
posted by oracleia at 10:56 PM PST - 11 comments

Found out recently I'm still part of a health plan from an old job I quit over a year ago. Now I'm covered under two separate plans. Should I do anything about it? (btw I'm in the USA) [more inside]
posted by sammich at 10:19 PM PST - 7 comments

A family member is (*very unfortunately*) dealing with a legal situation that could possibly end with a short time in federal prison (Canada). [more inside]
posted by audio at 10:14 PM PST - 2 comments

Let's say I want to compose music at a PC, assign different instruments to different voices, and achieve something that sounds maybe like orchestra music in some cases, and maybe like electronic music bleepies in other cases... [more inside]
posted by Sing Or Swim at 8:32 PM PST - 14 comments

Alas, our previous plans have fallen apart. What show to see in Las Vegas on Saturday February 23? [more inside]
posted by k8t at 8:03 PM PST - 11 comments

You may have heard that there's a little partial government shutdown going on. If it continues for much longer I'm going to have to think about making some side money. This got me thinking about online tutoring as a possibility to make some extra cash. Tell me your experience with and tips for online tutoring. Some additional details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by runcibleshaw at 7:22 PM PST - 13 comments

On my laptop, in a few websites I can't use "return" properly. For example, on the web version of What'sApp, return does not send my message. I have to manually click the little arrow key to submit it. Within Gmail, if I type a search term then click return, it doesn't search. I have to click the dropdown for advanced search and then click on the "search" button. Has anyone else seen this before? Is there any fix? [more inside]
posted by lollusc at 6:28 PM PST - 4 comments

I listened to a favorite album, a music file, on my Samsung J3 smartphone and it was clearer than I've ever heard it. But I see the file's properties list it as only at 144kbps-! [more inside]
posted by noelpratt2nd at 4:47 PM PST - 19 comments

I want to cancel with my cleaners (UK), they’ve not been great for a while and I just got a rather odd note from them. Difficulty - I’ve lost the paper contract which I’m sure had a very draconian cancellation clause - how best to proceed? Thanks! [more inside]
posted by Flitcraft at 4:25 PM PST - 8 comments

My 80-year-old mother-in-law is visiting a retreat center in Kerala, India, and she fell and broke her arm. We are seeking some advice/information/assistance. [more inside]
posted by MelanieMichelle at 3:43 PM PST - 9 comments

I have inherited a useful resource at work, but despite being shown how it works many times, the uptake is still not great. Part of the issue is that it has a weird name. Can you help me think of one that better describes what the actual use of this thing is? [more inside]
posted by Youremyworld at 3:42 PM PST - 13 comments

My wife and I have different last names but are considering changing them to another name we both like that we think is a bit more fitting. I know it's generally expected that women will do it at some point in their life so it's socially accepted, but I'm wondering if it'll have more implications since I'm a guy? [more inside]
posted by mikesch at 2:57 PM PST - 23 comments

My kid has expressed an interest in Minecraft. Although I am a (casual) gamer, I never got into Minecraft. One of the big advantages of Minecraft is the wide range of platforms it's playable on. On the other hand, this is giving me a paralysis of choice. Which is the best platform to play it on (and why)? [more inside]
posted by Betelgeuse at 2:46 PM PST - 15 comments

I often hear that migrant labor fills jobs that "Americans don't want" or are hard to fill. Is this more true, as a result of our low unemployment rate and people choosing less back-breaking work, or more false, and these jobs under pay in order to keep costs artificially low at the grocery store? Ala, America needs a permanent underclass to ensure I can buy a quart of strawberries for $5.00.
posted by cgs at 2:42 PM PST - 25 comments

I'm in the NYC area, and my father's grave is in Parlin, NJ. He was buried in February of last year and we've yet to order a gravestone for the site. What would our process for getting one made and placed be? None of us have any experience with this. Specific requirements and questions below the fold. [more inside]
posted by coolname at 2:20 PM PST - 9 comments

Learning Greek with my wife and wondering if a Greek-language dub exists of TOS or TNG...and if it exists, how we might go about finding one.
posted by johngoren at 2:13 PM PST - 1 comment

I am searching for a short-term residential placement for my 16-year-old, who is currently a danger to himself and us. Right now he is on the psych ward of the local hospital, which is more a holding pen than a therapeutic environment. His long-time psychiatrist is adamant that it's too dangerous for him to be at home. His issues are with impulsive aggressive behavior toward other family members and property destruction (including setting fires). He does not use illegal drugs or alcohol. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:27 PM PST - 18 comments

It goes something like this: The hallmark of a good book is measured by how fast you read in the beginning and how much you slow down by the end. Thank you!
posted by dostoevskygirl at 1:25 PM PST - 0 comments

Getting a new car. Have narrowed choices to Lexus RC, Infinti Q60, and BMW 440. All three come in RWD or, for $2500-4000 more, 4WD. Living in San Diego, I don't have to deal with bad road conditions or bad weather, which are the two scenarios I associate most with benefiting from 4WD. What other benefits come with 4WD, and do you guys think they make 4WD worth the extra money? Thanks!
posted by BadgerDoctor at 1:12 PM PST - 19 comments

Hyperbole aside, after seeing the recent image of the Trump press conference where he was flanked by four bald white guys, I've realized I kinda look like a type of person I really don't like. [more inside]
posted by BenevolentActor at 1:01 PM PST - 60 comments

A day and a half in Barcelona, to see whatever. Difficulty level: medium blizzard. [more inside]
posted by sailoreagle at 12:48 PM PST - 8 comments

Hi, Me and my wife will be traveling to the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon and Zion in late June with our two kids, ages 3 and 7. We will spend most of the days hiking and exploring. [more inside]
posted by burlsube at 12:38 PM PST - 7 comments

A friend is doing a movie marathon for their birthday, and wants a theme of comedy movies with high body counts, preferably death by murder. Examples inside. [more inside]
posted by Garm at 12:07 PM PST - 61 comments

Can anyone recommend a book with a grant writer as the protagonist? [more inside]
posted by dlugoczaj at 11:03 AM PST - 4 comments

I have four extra days by myself in Japan before flying out of the Osaka airport. Where should I go? [more inside]
posted by monologish at 10:29 AM PST - 9 comments

I am looking for poems by well-known authors with a twist at the end, probably but not necessarily funny. [more inside]
posted by ubiquity at 10:27 AM PST - 33 comments

Are there some well-written books that deal thoughtfully with the topic of aging and the perception of women in society? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:27 AM PST - 12 comments

A few days ago, when I was stuck at an airport, I experimented with trying to archive old emails. (I use Gmail, and searched for emails older than 12/1/18, then created a filter to archive them. I was hoping to get back to zero unread emails in my inbox while still being able to look at unread emails that were archived, but it didn't work.) After doing that, my flight was delayed, so I kept answering emails. During that time, I was still getting new emails normally. [more inside]
posted by pinochiette at 9:56 AM PST - 3 comments

I am working on an PowerPoint 2016 document in which I have inserted a large number of comments. I noticed that each comment shows the exact date and time I posted it, but I would like to remove this information - partly for privacy reasons, partly so my client does not know how slow (and ADD-addled) I work. Is there a way to go about doing this? (I tried Googling the answer with no luck) [more inside]
posted by CottonCandyCapers at 9:48 AM PST - 5 comments

Hey Brilliants! I'm looking for examples of psychic protagonists in stories, film, tv, novels, etc. Thanks so much for your help!! :) Sunny [more inside]
posted by sunnyblues48 at 9:44 AM PST - 20 comments

Hoping some fellow thick-hair-having MeTas can help me out. I have a lot of very thick hair, and managing it while sleeping has gotten out of control. If I leave it down, I wake up halfway through the night drenched in sweat. If I put it up in a ponytail, I sleep comfortably but have the dreaded 'pony crease' the next day. The same goes for any sort of braid, bun, etc. [more inside]
posted by dotgirl at 9:36 AM PST - 14 comments

I'd like to get my wife a new work bag. Must be: waterproof (or nearly), lightweight, good sturdy wheels, and not too gigantic (think a big briefcase or small suitcase). Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by Beardman at 9:24 AM PST - 2 comments

My father's younger brother died and we had lost touch with him completely. His Landlady sent a letter to my mom whose address she found on a Christmas card when cleaning out his apartment. We have some questions.... [more inside]
posted by amanda at 9:12 AM PST - 11 comments

My current and very-longstanding OKC account is about to expire. What are the pros and cons of letting my current subscription expire, deleting my profile, and starting a new profile afresh? [more inside]
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:33 AM PST - 17 comments

I'd like a smart thermostat. I don't want my data stored or shared, if I can help it. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by kristi at 8:30 AM PST - 10 comments

Do I need to binge season 1 of Jon Glaser Loves Gear before diving into upcoming season 2?
posted by Quisp Lover at 7:46 AM PST - 2 comments

In a couple weeks my wife and I are traveling to Hawaii. We will spend time on both Maui and Kauai and will have some time to kill on Oahu before our flight leaves to go back to the mainland. [more inside]
posted by likeplus at 6:58 AM PST - 14 comments

I need to find a dress that is: a. under $100; b. Suitable to wear to a black tie January wedding; c. fits my new-to-me postpartum bod - 4’11”, 115 lbs with all my weight in my upper arms, chest and stomach; d. Available online. [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 6:42 AM PST - 16 comments

The apartment underneath me is vacant and their smoke detector is out of batteries. What recourse do I have? [more inside]
posted by sockermom at 6:09 AM PST - 16 comments

My husband and I are planning a road trip in the spring, roughly between Kansas City, Wichita, Tulsa, maybe Oklahoma City, and Fayetteville. We are roadside attraction and folk art enthusiasts. What shouldn't we miss? [more inside]
posted by LeeLanded at 5:53 AM PST - 18 comments

I've largely been a TV producer most of my adult life. I'm getting out of it to go back to teaching. I'm also divesting myself of all my social media. I have a personal website that's largely a name placeholder - and a twitter handle of my name. The other major person with my name is a successful video director. I offered to sell him my twitter handle and domain. He's interested. So what do I charge?
posted by rileyray3000 at 4:41 AM PST - 7 comments

I have finished and submitted my final masters project in the last month... but now what? [more inside]
posted by teststrip at 4:03 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for an investment calculator that will tell me, if I put in x amount each month for y years, what the expected return would be (either for a fixed rate, or even better for a pessimistic history-based model of the stock market). But I want the calculator to also be able to deduct taxes (either at the end or during, depending) and management fees. Does such a thing exist? [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 4:01 AM PST - 5 comments

I have been asked to write an affidavit affirming that I have witnessed a friend to be a good parent. Have you done this? What did you include? It needs to be notarized - what does that mean given that I'm not literally composing it in front of the notary? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:25 PM PST - 7 comments

Is it professional and appropriate to put a cover letter for a job you are applying for onto your current job's letterhead? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 9:38 PM PST - 10 comments

I'd like to watch more of my favorite type of tv show: an android, robot, alien, or supernaturally cursed or just plain old traumatized person learns how to be a person when they're not sure they can. The key to humanity should not be the love of a good woman (or women's emotional labor in general, unless it's reciprocated). Some examples inside -- I would love your recommendations for more! [more inside]
posted by snaw at 7:26 PM PST - 40 comments

A friend is trying to remember the title of a historical novel he read in the last 5 years which he thinks was recently published when he read it. [more inside]
posted by fever-trees at 6:57 PM PST - 5 comments

I am renting a parking space in my driveway. I want access to the car key, in case the alarm goes off or I need to move the car in an emergency. Is it generally a safe practice to store a car key in a lock box? Is there a better solution? [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 6:16 PM PST - 13 comments

I'd like to familiarize myself with Wendell Berry's work but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed due to the sheer number of essays, books, short stories and poems he's written. There's a newish anthology of essays, but is he better known as a novelist? Would it be better to start with things he wrote earlier in his career, or later? Help! [more inside]
posted by rogerroger at 6:07 PM PST - 6 comments

New landlord here, renting out a place on my shared property (such as a basement apartment, guesthouse, ADU). I plan on screening very carefully. If someone comes by to view the place and they're clearly not a good fit, should I give them an application anyway then reject them later, or not offer them an application? If the latter, is there an easy way to phrase that?
posted by acidic at 5:24 PM PST - 25 comments

Due to my own background I have a lot of difficult feelings about school, and they are rearing their head now that my own kids are school age. Therapy has not been helpful. I’m looking for guidelines and tips about how to manage these feelings in such a way that they do not damage my kids. Blizzard of snowflakes within. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:22 PM PST - 29 comments

In 2019 is there a reliable alternative to Skype for a softphone / VOIP landline-equivalent? [more inside]
posted by Ian.I.Am at 4:53 PM PST - 10 comments

My mother is terrified of flying - there's no way I'll ever get her on an airplane. I'm a big time traveler though, and I now live in Australia (NSW). My mother is in New York. How do I find a cruise that'll get her here (and back)? [more inside]
posted by jacquilinala at 4:04 PM PST - 19 comments

I know this is a weird ask in the era of don't-read-the-comments, but I'm looking for recommendations of long comment/forum threads to read. What can you suggest? [more inside]
posted by 168 at 4:04 PM PST - 15 comments

I am interested in discussions, papers, theory, etc. about whether the proper role of government is to do what people want (which may not be useful) or what's advantageous for the country (which may not be popular). [more inside]
posted by saeculorum at 3:29 PM PST - 5 comments

My 2007 Chevy is nearing the end of its useful life. I live on a farm, and need a full 8ft box for hauling stuff, and don't want a long cab or any of the "options" that now seem to mostly be standard. Not finding any trucks like this on the market. [more inside]
posted by ackptui at 2:40 PM PST - 11 comments

I was pouring boiling water into my mug and discovered I was actually pouring it into my tin of tea. About 3 oz of Gen matcha - $15 worth, a couple months supply. It wasn't too much water and I dumped it all onto a cookie sheet to dry. What can I do besides throw it all out? [more inside]
posted by rebent at 2:30 PM PST - 6 comments

When we bought our lumpy little house a little over two years ago, we purchased through a Neighborworks program that gave us some money for renovation. They put in a new countertop in our kitchen, but it was low-budget. Over the weekend I noticed this crack which has opened up. Now what? [more inside]
posted by PussKillian at 2:24 PM PST - 7 comments

Dentists and other knowledgeable people: just how plausible is it that I failed to develop two second molars (upper left and right quadrant) but that two extraordinarily kind and thoughtful wisdom teeth stepped in to take over their position and role? [more inside]
posted by maudlin at 2:20 PM PST - 11 comments

Taking my first trip to Spain on Sunday and would like to get my short hair trimmed and/or styled during my brief holiday in Barcelona. Cis gal seeking cheap do (unless you know about a queer-friendly place that could make me look fabulous despite having almost nothing to work with). TBH I do not identify as queer yet but I would be delighted to look queer (I'm bi).
posted by Bella Donna at 2:16 PM PST - 1 comment

My wife wants to show her high school geometry class a movie to start the semester. What can she show her kids? Specifics inside. [more inside]
posted by wellifyouinsist at 1:39 PM PST - 30 comments

I will be in Houston (west side of town) for the first two weeks of February. I'm looking for a place where I can do lap swimming, indoors or in a heated outdoor pool. [more inside]
posted by SallyHitMeOntheHead at 1:26 PM PST - 3 comments

Does anyone have recipes for energy bites or breakfast cookies (freezable, if I'm being picky) that aren't insanely sweet? Every recipe online calls for like 3 cups of honey and fifty dates...
posted by malhouse at 12:58 PM PST - 12 comments

Uncovering kid-friendly East Bay/Northern CA gems within ~2 hours of Benicia/Vallejo? [more inside]
posted by thenewbrunette at 12:13 PM PST - 20 comments

In follow up to this question I'm wondering if a move out notice would be sufficient to prevent getting charged for the remainder of an apartment lease if I move out early. [more inside]
posted by ridogi at 12:07 PM PST - 5 comments

Been annoyed by a couple shows we got into (Firefly, Dark Matter) that got cancelled with no plot resolution. Can you recommend either shows that got to complete their story arc, or that are episodic enough that completion is a non-issue? More preferences inside. [more inside]
posted by HaveYouTriedRebooting at 11:43 AM PST - 60 comments

House sitting for the next few months but feeling so unsettled it's putting a cloud on the whole situation. [more inside]
posted by kmr at 11:19 AM PST - 17 comments

Do the massive amounts of antibiotics given to pigs affect the gut flora of people who eat them? [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 11:11 AM PST - 9 comments

I made a delicious shrub with soft dried figs, thyme, sugar, and cider vinegar. I now have a load of delicious sugary vinegary thyme-y chopped figs (about 3+ full cups worth) that would probably make a great chutney. How do I get to there? [more inside]
posted by cilantro at 10:03 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking for a 20oz wide mouth Kleen Kanteen but I'd love to find one that's more fun than the standard colors. Any leads? [more inside]
posted by mercredi at 9:29 AM PST - 5 comments

What's a good ad hoc journalism school syllabus for an autodidact reporter? [more inside]
posted by rue72 at 9:20 AM PST - 5 comments

Trying to get this set up and it seems like what I need but for a couple really frustrating annoyances... [more inside]
posted by Meatbomb at 8:28 AM PST - 7 comments

I have major concerns about updating my ThinkPad to Windows 10. Please talk me through them. [more inside]
posted by sardonyx at 7:36 AM PST - 17 comments

I have been Googling. I have reached out to friends. I have talked with colleagues. But I need some experienced recommendations for a company or contractor to design my new website. [more inside]
posted by arniec at 7:26 AM PST - 4 comments

I am on the market for podiatric shoe inserts, for comfort and relief of minor to moderate foot pain. I have had inserts made by a podiatrist in the past and they have helped. I have worn through those and am now considering bypassing the podiatrist and ordering directly from Upstep or Wiivv. My sense is that podiatrists themselves use third party services for producing their inserts. It's not clear that schlepping to the podiatrist offers me an advantage. What do you think? Have you used one of these new services?
posted by dziga at 6:59 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm looking for simple changes that I can make to my purchasing habits to save money. [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 6:59 AM PST - 62 comments

Are there any brands of soft t-shirt/jersey-style men's long-sleeved shirts available in the UK that are notably longer in the body than other brands? [more inside]
posted by terretu at 5:59 AM PST - 4 comments

I need a new dishwasher ASAP and am totally overwhelmed. Have you bought one recently? The "good" ones now feature digital bells and whistles, like setting it ahead on your phone, that I do not need. I thought I'd just ask the green instead of reading another hundred reviews ... [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 5:42 AM PST - 23 comments

I need a solution to take regular, monthly online payments but to also manage a mailing list and some kind of member benefits page. Are there any solutions you could recommend? I am in the UK.
posted by parmanparman at 5:24 AM PST - 5 comments

Seems odd, but have no other explanation, and have been unsuccessful with searching the interweb.. figured I'd ask the hive mind. [more inside]
posted by rich at 5:15 AM PST - 7 comments

Sometimes I feel blown off by people who on a lot of other measures appear to be my friend. I get that sometimes life happens etc. and I try to be accommodating but I guess I just don't understand that kind of inconsistency as I feel like I'm a pretty consistent person myself. Does it work to talk to people about this sort of thing? Is communication key or will it just make things awkward? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:18 AM PST - 23 comments

I have moved abroad for work and think our family dog seems depressed, with no will to do anything but sleep - probably because no one cares about him; do you think he would be happier with me in the big city despite the fact that I am away a lot because of work? [more inside]
posted by Salicornia at 2:28 AM PST - 17 comments

Black cat that weights 6lbs. Gentle but playful! Very sweet and demonstrative. [more inside]
posted by typify at 12:02 AM PST - 38 comments

So we aren’t entirely sure yet but my sister and I think that our Mum has dementia. We are in the process of persuading her to get tested. There is a family history though, so assuming the worst case scenario I just had some questions about the illness, such as: How fast does it progress? (I know there is a spectrum) Is there anything we can do now to make it easier later? [more inside]
posted by EatMyHat at 11:30 PM PST - 9 comments

I want to be able to create a plausible, dynamic economy for tabletop roleplaying games. I have no clue how to model the economics, so I’m looking for books/other resources on the topic (or other online communities that may have people who know how to do this). I explain what I have in mind within! [more inside]
posted by wooh at 6:59 PM PST - 17 comments

I can sort of afford to live by myself, but I'm hesitant for financial reasons. At the same time, living with roommates (in general) has induced several breakdowns. What should I do? Snowflake details inside. [more inside]
posted by adelaide at 5:28 PM PST - 37 comments

I recently asked this question, Resources re: Inattentive ADHD, and a few of us were wondering about starting some kind of group discussion/chat/club for MeFItes having similar experiences: women, 30s/40s, just recently diagnosed, never treated. [more inside]
posted by Archipelago at 5:27 PM PST - 32 comments

A couple of weeks ago, I got a new pair of progressive bifocals. I have had bifocals, and progressive bifocals, before and have not had trouble, but now I do. [more inside]
posted by maurreen at 5:19 PM PST - 11 comments

Why can't I pay for and install Adobe Creative Cloud? [more inside]
posted by monkeymike at 4:48 PM PST - 2 comments

My work recently installed a "VDI" system using VMWare Horizon. I want to buy something (a laptop? A table?) that makes working remotely as painless as possible. What should I get? [more inside]
posted by Mid at 4:34 PM PST - 5 comments

Hi can I eat opened Trader Joe's Tomato-less Corn and Chile salsa that's been in my fridge since before I left for the holidays two weeks ago?? Thank you!! Hopefully this will be answered ASAP!
posted by bquarters at 3:20 PM PST - 13 comments

I drive a 2005 Prius, and while it's in great shape now (fingers crossed) I want to be poised when the time comes to replace it. Help me figure out what my next car looks like? [more inside]
posted by thejoshu at 2:58 PM PST - 21 comments

I am trying to find a fantastic article that I have attempted to find on Metafilter for years now. It was an article written about the nature of robber barons and the West, as well as how cattle farmers took on and subverted the sheep herders and the other agrarian forms. It was written in the 1930's, I believe, was very plain text and made a deep impression on me. I've referenced it in conversation a number of times sense but can't seem to find it. It was partially about how the myth of the Western Wild man was a false premise and that they were largely antisocial humans and were being manipulated by robber barons and banks and that their premise of being free from society was not true, for their freedom was predicated on plundering the West. I think it then said something about how we continue to exploit this mythology about Cowboys and what not but I can't remember. Thanks! This is very vague, I know.
posted by burntbook at 1:46 PM PST - 4 comments

I have had a crush on a married colleague for about two months now. I’m normally good at diffusing crushes. I think it’s gone during the weekend and then I see him and I’m a high school girl all over again. So far (from his perspective), I’ve clearly tried to avoid any non professional or friendly interaction with him, even though he is really friendly to everyone and best friends with my boss. He must think I hate him a little and must mildly sense how nervous I get around him. [more inside]
posted by kinoeye at 12:40 PM PST - 26 comments

We have a Mitsubishi mini-split system with Honeywell RedLink RF dumb thermostats that don't even monitor humidity. I'd like four things: a central controller for all three zones, a smart thermostat that allows us to program "home" and "away" profiles to save costs, a thermostat that monitors humidity and has a dehumidify mode, and it can't be accessible from the internet. [more inside]
posted by domo at 11:49 AM PST - 2 comments

My friend just went to Japan and brought me a gift from the Tsujiki market. I love to cook but I'm not sure what this is so not sure how to research how to use it. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by monologish at 11:35 AM PST - 9 comments

I had a (possibly hare brained) thought that maybe I could record my skiing technique by getting a cheap-ish low-res recording device (which could store several hours of footage), attaching it to the foot of a chair tower near the end and center of a run (facing uphill), leaving it recording, and then doing laps on that run. Am I nuts, and if not, what would be a good camera for this? [more inside]
posted by 7 Minutes of Madness at 10:01 AM PST - 8 comments

I set the Instant Pot for X start up time + 12 minutes + 5 release for frozen chx wings. I came back after 17 minutes to start making the sauce, and realized I forgot to set the switch over from release to "hold" pressure. Now I switched it over, should I just cook them for 12 minutes (after it pressurizes), or less? TIA
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 9:55 AM PST - 2 comments

I am in the Caribbean with my mom, dad, husband, and son. My legs are covered in bug bites while everyone else has just a few. I don’t wear perfume. We are all using the same shampoo/conditioner/bar soap/sunscreen/detergent/deet bugspray (except for the baby). I think these are mosquito bites but I did check for bed bugs and found no evidence. What the hell is happening?
posted by pintapicasso at 8:59 AM PST - 24 comments

I have a book of creative work (poetry, microfiction, etc.) that I've been working on for several years and am considering self-publishing. Can anyone recommend a good platform to accomplish this sort of thing as an unknown writer? Has anyone used Amazon's self-publishing service or something similar? Any and all advice is appreciated. [more inside]
posted by AnnaBegins942 at 7:27 AM PST - 14 comments

What weekly newspaper did I deliver as a youth in 1960s Vista/Lewisboro/Westchester NY?
posted by RobertP at 6:49 AM PST - 4 comments

I've been trying to find a Flash animation that I recall watching years ago. It was a sequel to Lemon Demon's Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny. My Google-Fu fails me. [more inside]
posted by radwolf76 at 6:21 AM PST - 1 comment

I used to like reading McMansion Hell, both for her delicious take-downs of the houses everyone loves to hate and also because I felt like I was learning something useful about architecture and architectural history, without being talked down to. But there hasn't been a substantive post in ages, so I'm looking to get my snark-fix elsewhere. [more inside]
posted by basalganglia at 6:05 AM PST - 9 comments

ProctorU wants access to my MacBook Air and warns me that it'll be able to "transfer, delete, overwrite or copy files" and "run scripts." I can't allow that. If I create a new user account under macOS Mojave, will that successfully restrict what ProctorU can access? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:16 AM PST - 9 comments

I've finished reading the long and awesome "What's Your Best Nursing Ghost Story?" thread recommended by this old askmefi and am looking for similar stories in hospital/nursing home settings online. [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 4:32 AM PST - 1 comment

I have a brief few-month lull, before a series of major life events are all due to hit in short succession. My coping method for my anxiety about the sheer number of unknowns I am heading into is to try to get anything I do have control over in some semblance of order in advance. Please help me brainstorm areas I can work on. [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 3:54 AM PST - 15 comments

Suddenly curious... Are there musicals that do not start with "opening numbers," but instead have one or more scenes without music and singing beforehand?
posted by one for the books at 10:13 PM PST - 18 comments

Is it ok to replace a fiber optic Christmas tree power supply of input: 120V-60Hz 32W Output 12v-max 25VA with a new power supply of Input: 120v-60Hz Output 12v-max 2000ma [more inside]
posted by ragtimepiano at 9:51 PM PST - 5 comments

I have gotten the runaround with dating this past year, and it's making me more anxious and neurotic when in the throes of new relationship energy than usual. How do I deal? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:03 PM PST - 14 comments

I want to dance like this (Genghis Khan, Miike Snow). I mean both the specific and generally. Would this be possible by someone that is essentially a dance novice, to do in my spare time? [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 8:46 PM PST - 12 comments

My cat has kidney disease, which results in dilute urine. She is also leaking what is probably urine, but which doesn't glow (at all) in under UV light. ...Does dilute cat urine leave stains and glow in the dark? Are the glow-ing and stain-leaving chemicals active in extremely small concentrations? [more inside]
posted by flibbertigibbet at 7:19 PM PST - 6 comments

You are not my mechanic. But maybe you are *A* mechanic? My car’s starter crapped out on New Year’s Eve. I got it to a mechanic who replaced it, it began starting like a dream, hooray. Now today the battery inexplicably died. What’s up? [more inside]
posted by centrifugal at 7:12 PM PST - 14 comments