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I'm considering getting a dog. But a little terrified.... [more inside]
posted by treetop89 at 10:08 PM PST - 42 comments

I have a Cort AJ-870 12 string guitar. Serial # is 02022085. It looks to be a 2002 that is in excellent shape and has hardly been played. A friend of mine purchased it, played some intimate events and left it behind at another friends house Looking for someone who knows the value of guitar. Cursory Google searches show used versions selling fro between $175-$225. These seem relatively new. No dates are given as to when they were built [more inside]
posted by goalyeehah at 8:06 PM PST - 5 comments

I’m travelling to the US from Canada soon and am likely coming down with a cold. Will I have trouble crossing the border with Sudafed? I know there are some restrictions on pseudoephedrine in the US, one time there I was not able to buy it, but it is the only decongestant that works for me. I will be driving from BC to Washington and Oregon. Thanks.
posted by vanitas at 5:50 PM PST - 17 comments

I moved recently and my toilet is annoying. I have to hold down the handle a bit to flush it. It has also clogged twice when there really has been no reason for it to clog. [more inside]
posted by bookworm4125 at 2:53 PM PST - 12 comments

I've partially completed work on replacing a porch light fixture for my home, which is on an old knob & tube circuit. While K&T wiring is indeed potentially dangerous if manipulated, I also know there's a lot of misinformation out there about just how dangerous it is. Having mostly completed the job, I'm now debating whether I should go ahead and finish it, or dive into a much more complex rewiring with Romex. I'd appreciate any help thinking it through! [more inside]
posted by biogeo at 2:10 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm looking for places in Salt Lake City with free self-serve iced tea refills that don't mind someone hanging out for a few hours. [more inside]
posted by hermanubis at 12:10 PM PST - 5 comments

My Pixel 6 Pro got pretty badly damaged in a bad fall. Both sides are cracked and the top 3/4 of the screen no longer are touch sensitive and the part that does work is wonky. I have repair coverage through Assurant who are offering me a local repair via a local repair shop for $30 or just replacing it entirely for $130 or so. Any experiences with getting local repair for that type of damage? [more inside]
posted by Candleman at 10:53 AM PST - 2 comments

I recently inherited a Norwalk 280 juicer. It's extremely heavy, takes up a lot of countertop space, and seems complicated to operate/clean. We are not green-juice health fanatics, in fact, kinda the opposite. Is it worth keeping for the price of $free? [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 9:15 AM PST - 13 comments

Where is a good place to Experience Halloween on a Monday in NYC? Is the Village Halloween Parade? [more inside]
posted by wowenthusiast at 8:41 AM PST - 5 comments

I love the Smitten Kitchen pumpkin bread and it might be a nice thing to bring to Thanksgiving. My brother-in-law has celiac. I am not a skilled baker or cook (hence why I love this recipe) and don't really know how alternate flours will affect this bake or how to choose one. Can you help me make this bread safe? [more inside]
posted by babelfish at 8:13 AM PST - 13 comments

What does this woodblock text say? The characters look, to my untrained eye, Chinese. [more inside]
posted by jcrcarter at 7:56 AM PST - 7 comments

I am in a band with some other parents from my town. It is fun, and I think we sound pretty decent. While this is a very low-key undertaking, I'd love to hear from people who have played in more bands about how to get my head into my role and group as a whole so that I and my friends can get the most out of this. [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 7:01 AM PST - 15 comments

I have a project in iMovie 10.2.5 on a Mac running macOS 10.15.7, and I get the "missing media" error when I try to save my project as a QuickTime file - it will appear to let me go ahead and save it, but the file will be zero bytes, throw a "not compatible with QuickTime" error or occasionally an error that the export failed. The suggestions in this article didn't work for me. The project still plays in iMovie, but how can I salvage this video?
posted by Seeking Direction at 6:40 AM PST - 2 comments

I have been in a pretty rare position: I have no had to deal with covid much at all since the beginning of the pandemic. I will likely be moving somewhere where I will have to deal with covid, and I don't really know how to deal with that...both emotionally (I'm terrified) and pragmatically (what are the reasonable ways to deal with this in a world where nobody gives a fuck?). more details within [more inside]
posted by wooh at 6:09 AM PST - 27 comments

What it says on the tin [more inside]
posted by mumimor at 4:45 AM PST - 10 comments

I was going through my deceased father's filing cabinet to determine what could be thrown out and what might need to be kept to get financial things in order. I found a Statement of Credit Denial for a "signature loan" of $7000 from his credit union from 20 years ago. That sounds normal enough, except getting a loan is absolutely out of character for him and there is an unknown person's name on the form. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:00 AM PST - 16 comments

Two women in our early 60s will visit Apache Junction for a few days before Christmas. I lived there 25 years ago but haven't been back. We have a place to stay already. We plan to hit Goldfield Ghost Town and Boyce Canyon Arboretum. Is kayaking available in the area? Anything else we shouldn't miss? Anything special likely to be going on for the holidays? [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 9:12 PM PST - 3 comments

I have been following on a surface-level the election in Brazil and learned of the new (or rather returning?) leftist President, Lula. Can someone explain more to me what this means? Wasn't he recently in prison for corruption? Was he found innocent? Is this an indication of a wider left-shift for other countries in the region? What has he promised regarding the Amazon? What are his policies and his political agenda for this presidency? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 8:05 PM PST - 9 comments

Saw some decorations last night on a walk home, and one of the jokey gravestones said: "Cob Chila". I don't get it - any help? [more inside]
posted by Paper rabies at 7:58 PM PST - 7 comments

I've only ever worked for established companies, and want to make sure that I don't make any major mistakes [more inside]
posted by wooh at 7:40 PM PST - 3 comments

It's been, by all accounts, a tremendously difficult year for me. Lots of endings and some new beginnings, too. I want to kick off 2023 with a self care solo vacation, get away from stressors, and possibly learn some new ways to approach life's challenges. [more inside]
posted by miratime at 7:18 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for headphone recs (<200€ and available in Europe) with specifications: (1) wireless, bluetooth, over the head / bulky style (not earbuds), (2) very good microphone for regular calls, (3) comfortable to wear for several hours at a time, (4) at least basic active noise cancelling, (5) audio quality "good" (I'm not an audiophile so my standards probably aren't super high), (6) bonus points if the microphone can somehow perform well in moderate wind [more inside]
posted by unid41 at 7:15 PM PST - 6 comments

Answer: NOT! Not at all. In fact, my iPad is objectively cool. And yet, it keeps insisting it's overheating. Why? [more inside]
posted by invincible summer at 5:06 PM PST - 6 comments

I would like an Android app that will allow me track everything I eat but NOT tell me anything about calories, whether I'm eating "good" or "bad" food, or if I'm over/under a certain daily value. I mostly need to track fat and cholesterol. Any recommendations aside from ate?
posted by The Adventure Begins at 5:01 PM PST - 3 comments

Hasn't she always been Lady Lilibet? [more inside]
posted by hworth at 4:38 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm in the mood for a book of a very specific feel. A swashbuckly Robin Hood type adventure about a dashing rogue. Seeking recommendations. [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 4:14 PM PST - 36 comments

Since hearing Lou Harrison’s gorgeous La Koro Sutro, sung in Esperanto, I’m hoping to hear more music of any genre sung in Esperanto. I’ve googled and found some names like Persone, but I’d love to hear more currently active artists. Any recs?
posted by mermaidcafe at 4:01 PM PST - 4 comments

What should I see in Toronto Nov. 17-23? [more inside]
posted by klausman at 3:15 PM PST - 20 comments

I recently figured out (with my therapist's help) that the older family member (OFM) I share a house with has been/is verbally and psychologically abusing me. A lot of the resources I see seem to focus on healing from abuse, but I need resources on coming to terms with the situation. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:37 PM PST - 7 comments

Is Washington Square a good neighborhood to stay in while visiting New York City? [more inside]
posted by ljs30 at 12:48 PM PST - 12 comments

I desperately need a new bed. I do not want a box spring - definitely want a frame and a mattress. But with beds without a box spring, I realized that a lot of them end up being fairly low to the ground. What are the benefits to having a lower bed vs. a higher bed, or a higher bed vs. a lower bed? How does one choose to go higher or lower? What are your preferences, and why?
posted by tiny frying pan at 11:52 AM PST - 38 comments

In the story I'm writing set in the 90s, there's a 1979 Subaru Leone. I chose this car for no reason other than that I liked the sound of it. I want to convey that the car is nearing the end of its life and that all sorts of things are gong wrong with it. The owner fixes one thing and something else needs fixing. I know very little about cars. What are the sorts of repairs an old car would have needed back then?
posted by swheatie at 11:45 AM PST - 17 comments

Thinking about travelling in 2023 with our daughter who will be 5. We've really only gone to visit family or friends, or vacationed with family, and i know that it won't feel like much of a vacation unless we have someone else there to help out with her. I have been looking at previous questions and i love the idea of a kids club. It does seem like a lot of the places with all day kids clubs are beachy. My husband doesn't like the beach at all, and i don't like the heat at all. [more inside]
posted by katieanne at 11:24 AM PST - 11 comments

A Dunkin’ occasionally doubles my order and then gives me a 50% discount. Why? [more inside]
posted by Diskeater at 11:14 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm in need of some interesting facts about outer space. The more off-the-wall the better, but don't let that limit you. Is there a space fact that's made your brain melt?
posted by Charity Garfein at 10:05 AM PST - 36 comments

I need a suit. Average height, weight. I don't want anything trendy, and don't want to hire a tailor. 3 seasons. Are the 'fake' pockets on some men's jackets a sign of cheapness, or meant to prevent unsightly bulging? How wide a lapel? Don't like pinstripes. Good material. Have a light complexion. Need it soon.
posted by ebesan at 9:57 AM PST - 16 comments

Looking for some good books on NYC underground culture in the 1970s, with a focus on the subcultures that would be affected by the AIDS crisis. Especially looking for nonfiction. [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 9:31 AM PST - 15 comments

I want to visit some giant sequoias but I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. I want to go at a time of year when air quality is decent, when it's not too hot but not too cold, but it's also not terribly crowded and difficult to find accommodations. These might not all be possible at the same time. I really want to see General Sherman, but other giant tree goals are flexible. [more inside]
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 8:50 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm considering a winter trip to the Black Forest. Have you been to the region, especially in the winter? Please give me your tips on absolutely everything! I'm especially looking for ideas for cool activities + great towns to base oneself in + great hotels with a local vibe. Thanks!
posted by artisthatithaca at 7:53 AM PST - 4 comments

My kid bought a secondhand cookie jar that turned out to be a giant glossy strawberry, much nicer than we’d expected. The battered box said Nature’s Delight and the bottom is stamped Alco Industries, made in China. I’m sure it’s a common brand but Google shows me next to nothing. What is the make and how can we find more?
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 5:17 AM PST - 5 comments

A young, healthy cat with access to plenty of fresh water; premium fresh dry cat food; a clean litter tray; and a very comfy cat bed but who is miaowing very indignantly for several minutes is most likely to be saying (options inside) [more inside]
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 12:44 AM PST - 43 comments

What are we liking these day's in terms of men's pajamas that are (1) super comfortable and (2) not a heavy/heat-retaining material? Winter is coming, and I need to get my hygge on, but the top floor of our house is always pretty warm because of the way our heating system works. [more inside]
posted by sockshaveholes at 8:20 PM PST - 6 comments

We have finally saved up enough for a new couch, but we have cats. Cat scratch details inside! [more inside]
posted by Kitteh at 5:17 PM PST - 21 comments

My house is 100+ years old. I would love to learn more about, e.g., who has lived here, what kind of work has been done over time, etc. [more inside]
posted by pear at 4:23 PM PST - 22 comments

Where can we find these reading glasses that fit inside regular glasses? [more inside]
posted by ragtimepiano at 3:29 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm not too familiar with the iOS app world. What software should I put on a new iPad Pro to optimize my enjoyment of same? [more inside]
posted by Alterscape at 3:23 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm pondering _how to find_ companies, academics, foundations, granting organizations, or non-profit organizations that are doing innovative, exploratory, or results-based work to help communities, small, large, and global, build trust and communication to actually solve fundamental society-affecting problems. (I mean, more systematically than reading Metafilter and watching TED Talks.) [more inside]
posted by amtho at 3:11 PM PST - 10 comments

What's a part of your job that you actually like? What task or part of your work day, other than lunch, do you really enjoy, to the point of thinking, yeah, this is it, this is where I fit? [more inside]
posted by jessamyn at 11:52 AM PST - 77 comments

Are arraignments open to the public basically everywhere in America? I can show up to the courthouse in NYC, walk in, sit in a courtroom, and watch arraignments. Can people do that everywhere?
posted by andoatnp at 11:43 AM PST - 5 comments

My fitbit Inspire is in the process of dying, and I’m thinking of replacing it with something that looks nicer. I am leaning towards a hybrid watch – something that looks like a real wristwatch, but has some of the functionality of my old fitbit. I’m also willing to consider another smart watch if it fit my criteria. Most important functions: looks nice, an analogue clock, step tracking and vibrating notifications. I’m flexible on price, say up to $300 CAD if it is really nice. Complication: tiny wrists, so something small is best. Available in Canada Snowflakes below the fold: [more inside]
posted by Valancy Rachel at 10:57 AM PST - 15 comments

What would practically happen in states where abortion is legal under state law if there was a federal abortion ban? [more inside]
posted by virve at 10:31 AM PST - 17 comments

Is there something I can apply to the underside of the exposed part of fingernails to strengthen them? [more inside]
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 9:40 AM PST - 6 comments

My wife's been using arnica tablets labeled "30C HPUS" to treat pain, and has reported good effects; she also uses topical arnica gel which actually contains arnica. What with the oral tablets helping her in spite of containing no active ingredients, it seemed to me that oral tablets which, y'know, actually contained detectable levels of arnica (which 30C HPUS dilutions do not) might help, but a lot of what I'm finding suggests (somewhat ambiguously) that arnica is toxic. [more inside]
posted by jackbishop at 9:22 AM PST - 10 comments

I have been procrastinating some VERY important financial housekeeping for five years. Can someone please break the process down for me step by step because I literally cannot bear to think about it? Details within, pls and thx. [more inside]
posted by MiraK at 8:59 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm wondering if anyone makes wireless earbuds in this particular shape. Picture inside. [more inside]
posted by entropyiswinning at 8:52 AM PST - 3 comments

Seeking movies and images of aspirational men who have long curly blond hair. [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:05 AM PST - 20 comments

We're having friends over tonight. Since it's the 29, we're serving gnocchi, of course. We bought a nice pesto, but I'd like to make one or two more sauces. Which? [more inside]
posted by signal at 7:45 AM PST - 11 comments

I’m moving on from Twitter for obvious reasons, and am looking for a Mastodon server to occasionally toot from about civic tech, gardens, and dogs. With this whole federated situation, I’m looking for a server that has a strong focus on community safety and a sustainable model for operation. [more inside]
posted by rockindata at 4:34 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm at a bit of a sticking point career-wise and I'm not sure if "career help" services such as career coaches, resume writers, etc. are actually helpful, or just expensive chaff. If you've worked with and have benefited from these kinds of services, do you have advice on finding and working with them? [more inside]
posted by Shepherd at 3:02 AM PST - 8 comments

I am a grown-ass woman who has embarrassing meltdowns a couple times a month when I feel I am under too much stress or stimulation. Like I will go cry uncontrollably and hyperventilate and it will take me hours to calm down. I’ve thrown a ton of money and time at this problem but nothing seems to stick and every therapist has a different idea of what’s wrong with me. How can I Not Do This? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:06 AM PST - 46 comments

I'm looking to extricate myself from Twitter, but there are still too many sources I follow that post news primarily or solely via Twitter. I'd like to start ingesting them as RSS feeds instead, but there's no reader I've found that acts like Tweetdeck, and building one from scratch is a lot. Are there any RSS clients that essentially reproduce Tweetdeck's user interface? [more inside]
posted by chrominance at 10:56 PM PST - 10 comments

I have been for the last week, having symptoms of what could be a heart attack. The problem is, I'm mostly feeling fine right now AND there are other health issues that explain some symptoms, which make the other ones I am experiencing not really enough to think heart attack. I know the answer is probably going to be to go to the ER, but I'm not sure what to say because I'm feeling ok right now. Especially given I feel like I probably am not having a heart attack. [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 7:53 PM PST - 27 comments

Frost will happen any day now, and yet my tomato plant is still hopefully pumping out ludicrous amounts of green tomatoes that will never ripen. I have no idea what to do with them, but I bet you do! What's your favorite recipe for green tomatoes? [more inside]
posted by rednikki at 7:22 PM PST - 16 comments

I’d like to read articles written by employees or subculture members about what their world is like. Could be a big company, could be a religion, or an unusual career, etc. Any great articles come to mind? (Articles, not books please, my attention span begs you)
posted by nouvelle-personne at 6:26 PM PST - 12 comments

I've been thinking about hard-driving pop songs I love and one of the things I've recognized is how much I love emotive but club-ready tunes that have a driving but expertly musically well-rounded vibe like e.g. Robyn's "Dancing On My Own" and Carly Rae Jepsen's "Run Away With Me". That's a fuzzy definition but the key is: absolutely unstoppable pop production married to a lyrical vibe that has a stark emotional/narrative appeal. [more inside]
posted by cortex at 4:39 PM PST - 36 comments

Recently I was on a restaurant’s website and saw that they had “unparalleled air circulation - a minimum of 16.5 times per hour” and “hospital grade MERV-13 air filters”. What other spaces and places in NYC have improved their air quality in the past two years, or had it to begin with? I am interested in restaurants, hotels, malls, venues, atriums, etc - any public spaces.
posted by xo at 3:57 PM PST - 2 comments

What's the name of this friend I saw hanging out on my rose plant? I've never seen a real bug like this before. Also, I accidentally sprayed them with Neem oil, do you think I hurt them? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 3:33 PM PST - 3 comments

I just returned from a conference, where I was asked to shoot video. I shot three cameras, each with about 67 GB each and transferred the video to my computer's HD. I first tried to upload one of the video files to Google Drive, but after an hour, it said it would be another 175 hours. I'd read it should only take about 2 hrs. The store clerk suggested using an Ethernet cable rather than Wifi. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 1:48 PM PST - 8 comments

Person A lives in Canada, has an Amazon.ca account and a wish list on the Amazon.ca account. Person B lives in the US, has an Amazon.com account, but wants to send a gift to Person A from Person A's Amazon.ca's wish list. How does this work? Does Person B need to create an Amazon.ca account as well? What are the steps that Person B will have to take to send the gift to Person A? Will it be so complicated that Person B will wind up not bothering? Thanks!
posted by purplesludge at 1:17 PM PST - 7 comments

The latest episode of Andor depicts the protagonist slaving away in a dystopian prison labor camp. Got me wondering: other than the brutal consequences for subpar performance, is the depicted experience any worse than that faced by employees of Amazon, Walmart, etc.? I have a cushy white collar job, so I cannot directly relate.
posted by wutangclan at 1:13 PM PST - 9 comments

The boss is a chocoholic and his birthday is Thursday. Several employees (along with his wife/cofounder) surprise him each year with something CHOCOLATE! We've outdone ourselves every year and are needing new ideas! What is the most extreme, most chocolatey chocolate [fill in the blank] that can be procured in Austin, TX? Bonus if it will feed about 10 of us small servings while leaving him with CHOCOLATE to take home. Recipes also welcome, I think there's a baker or two among us.
posted by MuChao at 12:51 PM PST - 7 comments

A friend's Halloween costume is the Wheel of Morality, as featured on Animaniacs. It's an interactive costume; the wheel can be spun, and a moral selected and read aloud. The morals featured in the cartoon, as listed in that link, include such gems as "Never ask what hot dogs are made of," "Do not back up. Severe tire damage," and "Early to rise and early to bed makes a man healthy, but socially dead," as well as less evergreen ones like, "You can teach an old dog new tricks, but you can't teach Madonna to act." What are some other good morals to include? The target audience is drunk people.
posted by 4th number at 12:39 PM PST - 60 comments

What would be the best way to configure this this tub of 21 somewhat old but functional Chromebooks for use in a small two room K-6 Montessori school? [more inside]
posted by Stonestock Relentless at 12:09 PM PST - 2 comments

Trying to focus on being my best self after some rough times, I'm tackling a bunch of issues that have bothered me a while. One is stubborn acne pitting. Unfortunately this is a huge (and expensive) industry and so Googling reveals a lot of competing information. I do however trust Mefites! Is there anything that you personally have used and been happy with to deal with heavy acne scarring?
posted by corb at 12:06 PM PST - 10 comments

My daughter has been through 5 or 6 psychiatrists in the last 10 years, and we have yet to find one who is truly helpful. Most seem to only be interested in medication management and are not very good with that. Can you recommend anyone in the Baltimore area? Willing to go as far as DC or into Delaware/PA if needed. Specialties should include anxiety, ptsd, and treatment resistant depression.
posted by maxg94 at 11:50 AM PST - 12 comments

There's a chance I may be moving to NE Ohio to be closer to family. I have midwestern roots, but I've become quite accustomed to a liberal Pacific NW life. Help me understand what I might be getting myself into, and show me the good in the area... [more inside]
posted by hydra77 at 10:52 AM PST - 21 comments

My wifi is intermittent, getting worse. My geek intuition is that it's a problem with my service (Optimum, Brooklyn NY) but I'd like to figure out a way to actually know whether it's my router or my service. [more inside]
posted by wemayfreeze at 10:50 AM PST - 9 comments

I want to make a loaf of bread or rolls that are healthy but also tasty with good texture and I need help understanding the general rules about the ratios of white/bread/all purpose flour to whole wheat/almond flour and seed meal. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 9:33 AM PST - 8 comments

If cost is no option, what's the absolute best e-reader available today? [more inside]
posted by signal at 8:47 AM PST - 22 comments

A relative sent me a pic of grandchild dressed as superman. I masked out the background and saved the image with transparent background hoping to upload to Dall-E and add in a cool phonebooth + their city background. But Dall-E keeps changing the part of the image I uploaded instead of just inpainting the background. How do I do this now? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:39 AM PST - 2 comments

As above, I’m looking for a good well moderated mental health peer support discord, ideally with good social justice values and inclusion. I’m well experienced with discord good practice for safety and privacy. I’ve got reliable professional help—this was their suggestion!
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 8:36 AM PST - 1 comment

Looking for a non-glass, good quality hand soap dispenser for the bathroom countertop. Any pointers? [more inside]
posted by splitpeasoup at 8:34 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm designing a halloween one-shot for a couple of friends. The basic idea is that all the characters are in a spooky woods late at night, and a minor fae takes them to a land of eternal autumn. Then they have to do... something... to get out. Probably should include at least one combat, but maybe also a puzzle. Help me think of the something! [more inside]
posted by bridgebury at 8:31 AM PST - 9 comments

I mean that's it. I know I may be over-simplifying things, but I DO know that corporate profits are soaring. Also, the stock market is NOT soaring. OK, so please help me understand why corporations that are raking in record profits don't have record stock prices and dividends. Please do this in language that a non-economist can grasp. Thank you!!
posted by mmf at 8:22 AM PST - 7 comments

Cocktail enthusiasts and mixologists: what should I infuse my simple syrup with for my Halloween punch? [more inside]
posted by too bad you're not me at 8:16 AM PST - 18 comments

I'm trying to redesign my desk area and I'd like to visualize it in 3D space on my (Windows) PC. Ideally this will allow me to easily swap in furniture and move stuff around. It would be nice if there are presets rather than having to build everything from scratch. I did a little bit of 3D modeling back in the day with TrueSpace and SketchUp, but it's been a long time since I've done anything like that.
posted by Carlo at 7:30 AM PST - 5 comments

What is (are?) the current textbook(s) approved for use in Alabama public schools to teach state history at an elementary level? If there are multiple approved textbooks, what is the most frequently used?
posted by quintessence at 7:01 AM PST - 2 comments

For example: In San Francisco, USA, a gallon of gas is $5.50 and a seared tuna entree at an upscale restaurant is $35. In Medellin, Colombia, the respective prices are $2.00 and $7. Gas and tuna not local goods, there's a global market for them. Why are they cheaper in poorer countries? [more inside]
posted by Roy Batty at 6:59 AM PST - 16 comments

In my previous Ask, I almost called 911 due to not being able to stand or move about properly (intense pain/a potential gallbladder attack). I talked with my primary doctor and asked for an ultrasound to try and re-detect my gallbladder. However, the process is still inconclusive. Not sure how to proceed. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 6:37 AM PST - 12 comments

My husband has a rare progressive condition (adult FPIES) that causes him to be allergic to a very large number of foods. These include most nuts, corn, peas, asparagus, kale, lentils, beans, whole wheat flour and oats. This is a real diagnosis given to him at the specialist allergy clinic at our local hospital as referred by his GP (i.e. this is not some BS pseudoscience). In addition, he is vegetarian and I am unable to persuade him to start eating meat or chicken (so far) and he hates fish and seafood so will never persuade him to eat those. I'm looking for ideas for meals for him and also am looking for a professional to suggest things he can eat in order to keep him as healthy and happy as possible. [more inside]
posted by hazyjane at 6:00 AM PST - 12 comments

Just my luck, the most expensive bra I own has developed a hole in a place I've never seen before in my many years of wearing underwire bras. Is there any hope? Photos linked inside. [more inside]
posted by cilantro at 4:27 AM PST - 13 comments

It can be biographical or non-fiction/talking about research, as long as it's about South or East Asian children or teens immigrating to a Western, individualist culture. [more inside]
posted by wandering zinnia at 2:37 AM PST - 9 comments

There's a scene in the movie Commando in which our hero, played by AS, jumps out of a plane shortly after takeoff and falls, sans parachute, probably 100 feet or so into some marshy shallows. When he hits the water, he goes straight in, ie, no forward momentum sending him skidding along the surface. My question are: is this an accurate depiction of the physics at work? Would forward momentum have dissipated in the time it took Arnold to fall from a great height?
posted by BadgerDoctor at 1:17 AM PST - 13 comments

Making a short film for a contest. In one scene, the character pounds on a door in an effort to get out. In real life, the door is not strong enough to take a pounding :) How do I convey this action on film without breaking the door? Video examples on youtube welcome! [more inside]
posted by storybored at 7:11 PM PST - 14 comments

Diversity/equity/belonging/etc. means different things to different people. What component of DEB (etc.) would you like to be more in your community's or mainstream society's awareness(es)? [more inside]
posted by aniola at 6:48 PM PST - 11 comments

I’m trying to wash my sweaters / tops less and using a spray of water, vinegar, and a few drops of essential oil on the underarm after a few wearings (if they’re tight enough to even make contact with my underarm). An incident with natural deodorant a few years ago makes me worry slightly that I’m condemning my sweaters to stank. [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 6:46 PM PST - 16 comments

Please recommend a high-quality, high-lumen, smart LED bulb for a ceiling fixture with a standard E26 US fitting in a small (~350ft² / ~33m²), high-ceiling office. Color temperature and brightness should be controllable from an iPhone. Wish list below the fold: [more inside]
posted by theory at 6:40 PM PST - 4 comments

Can you help me find the name of this number font? [more inside]
posted by karizma at 6:25 PM PST - 11 comments

In Contact, the book, what was the explanation (was there an explanation?) for why the message suddenly stopped without a time delay? [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 5:22 PM PST - 4 comments

Schwab has decided to close my brokerage and checking accounts without explaining why. So I need to open a new account and would like to find a good one that reimburses overseas ATM fees since I'm out of the country most of the time. [more inside]
posted by lometogo at 5:03 PM PST - 6 comments

I saw the thing in person a month ago yet there was conflicting information. Googling gives me conflicting information. This AskMe, when complete, will hold the answer. Art majors and historians from here on out will reference it. [more inside]
posted by bondcliff at 4:52 PM PST - 9 comments

Since we will be near by I am thinking about taking my kid (who's a Freshman in HS) to Kennedy Space Center despite not being super into Space travel. What are a couple of movies that might get us a bit into Kennedy's exhibits? He is very into science and physics.
posted by beccaj at 3:25 PM PST - 19 comments

I'm coming down with something. Out of curiosity, what is causing my symptoms? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 2:27 PM PST - 8 comments

I made a little birdfeeder, filled it with sunflower seeds, and put it in my fence. Three weeks later the seeds are untouched. Both the birds and squirrels are ignoring it. So, what did I do wrong?
posted by Marky at 10:52 AM PST - 19 comments

I finally has one! It’s Bluetooth and supposedly only works with it’s app. However I see there’s a bunch of these printers and a bunch of software, do you know of a better app that I could use instead? [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 10:45 AM PST - 4 comments

Inspired by Easy Bake Battle, I'd like to become a better cook again. Difficulty level: clingy toddler (I'll try to work around this)/needs to be lower in sodium/needs to avoid some ingredients due to allergies. Is it even possible? I don't know. [more inside]
posted by kinddieserzeit at 10:44 AM PST - 22 comments

Does anyone here have personal experience working with an EMDR provider in NYC? I've looked through the therapist finder on Psychology today, but wondering if anyone here has someone they can personally recommend. [more inside]
posted by bingbong at 10:11 AM PST - 2 comments

I just heard Sam Smith's Unholy yesterday. I would like more music like this, please. [more inside]
posted by daikaisho at 9:56 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm going on an extended road trip and would love to branch out from podcasts and music. My primary reading is technical documentation and science fiction. I'd love to listen to a book that is in neither of these categories. Can you recommend some?
posted by aeighty at 9:36 AM PST - 30 comments

I spent a week in a "camping festival" setting wearing 10-inch Wolverine Wellington-style boots and walking a lot, over varied terrain. I got terrible blisters on my 4th toes; I figure the boots have too narrow of a toe box for me. I was otherwise happy with them, with no foot or knee pain other than the toe blisters. What's a good pair of replacement boots? Requirements: brown leather with a plain-looking toe, tall enough that I can step into mud without fear (8"-12"), and with a toe box that doesn't want to crush my poor toes. [more inside]
posted by 4th number at 9:24 AM PST - 7 comments

I still occasionally see people wearing masks that don't cover their nose. I see this even with (otherwise) effective masks like [K]N85 style. When governments and businesses mandated masks, I could kinda see why someone would wear a mask like that as some sort of partial compliance/partial noncompliance notion - "I am following your rule, but I'm not going to inconvenience myself because of it". However, it's no longer the case anywhere I go that masks are required anymore - or even common. So why would someone, today, wear a mask in a useless way?
posted by saeculorum at 7:56 AM PST - 37 comments

What are your best recipes for cooking or preparing a day or so ahead of time and serving cold or lukewarm? [more inside]
posted by carrioncomfort at 7:38 AM PST - 22 comments

I have a model with that has three cells of output. With different inputs, these outputs change. I want to find a way to record all the outputs in a sheet without manually pasting all of them as values. [more inside]
posted by millipede at 7:28 AM PST - 11 comments

Is it safe to feed cats (shelled) hard boiled egg as a one off treat?
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 6:53 AM PST - 9 comments

My husband and I are thinking about putting some of our savings into Series I bonds. What do we need to know? [more inside]
posted by joannemerriam at 5:56 AM PST - 21 comments

According to the label, permethrin-treated clothing is not supposed to be laundered with non-permethrin treated clothing. How concerned should I be about laundering one permethrin-treated sock in a load of non-permethrin clothing? [more inside]
posted by beryllium at 5:33 AM PST - 12 comments

I didn’t wish to receive a trust distribution and was expecting the trust document to arrive plus a normal check that I didn’t intend to cash until some questions were cleared up, it ended up being a cashiers check. When I signed that I received the letter does that mean I have officially now received a distribution?
posted by anonymous at 3:47 AM PST - 7 comments

My dwelling is in a mountainous area with very strong gusts of wind that literally come out of no where, and there is no knowing when or how strong. Want to secure netted tarps for shade and privacy, mostly for the wintering of my plants. [more inside]
posted by watercarrier at 9:51 PM PST - 11 comments

If a person needed to buy leggings specifically for horse riding, in Berlin on a weekday OR in Naples, Italy on a Saturday, where should they go? [more inside]
posted by bilabial at 8:38 PM PST - 5 comments

The story would have appeared in one of the science fiction magazines (Analog, Asimov’s) in probably mid to late 1990s (roughly). Main character is a classic gifted (bordering on genius) child who hasn’t lived up to their potential as a young adult, but with a twist: as a child, they were visited by aliens(?), and they spend all of their time trying to build a machine to re-contact their childhood friends, living at home with parents, possibly working a menial minimum wage job or possibly unemployed.
posted by eviemath at 8:22 PM PST - 3 comments

I really thought everyone experienced this and just found out it's rare? [more inside]
posted by atomicstone at 5:23 PM PST - 21 comments

I have a balcony. I live in Portland Oregon. It will rain 50% or more of the days for the next 6 months as far as I can tell. I want this balcony to be useful and aesthetically enjoyable, both as a place to grow things and as a place to sit when it's not raining. What should I do? What plants in containers can handle this much rain? [more inside]
posted by spamandkimchi at 5:21 PM PST - 13 comments

What the title says. My husband was a head-to-tail butcher and loves beef and pork. This diagnosis is incredibly depressing, in addition to other medical issues. There is not much talk here recently about alpha gal, so just wondering if folk here have insights, hacks, or anything that have come to light since 2019. Thank you in advance. DX was recent, just trying to wrap my head around things.
posted by soleilMia at 5:03 PM PST - 9 comments

I am a mediator for a large agency. Currently, my agency rates my work on the amount of money claimants collect and the number of cases I settle. Both measurements have inherent problems. What are other metrics that can be used to measure the success of a mediation program? [more inside]
posted by furtheryet at 4:55 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm suddenly having trouble with MetaFilter. Specifically, the theme doesn't seem to be loading. Here's what it looks like. [more inside]
posted by Reverend John at 4:43 PM PST - 8 comments

PEOPLE WITH PERIODS: I've been using my period cup for a few months, not fully to my satisfaction. What am I doing wrong? [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 2:44 PM PST - 30 comments

Something fell out of my ceiling. Help me fix it. [more inside]
posted by pdb at 2:36 PM PST - 3 comments

For those of you who are city-dwellers with craft-y (sewing, welding, woodworking, what have you) and farm-y (gardening, raising animals, etc.) interests, what have you done to pursue your hobbies in the big city? [more inside]
posted by woofo at 1:55 PM PST - 24 comments

Is it a KVM? One of those newfangled USB hubs? Or something else? [more inside]
posted by un petit cadeau at 12:50 PM PST - 15 comments

About once or twice a day, a memory completely unrelated to what I'm doing at the time vividly presents itself in my mind. It's mildly distracting, sometimes kind of nice, but I know from asking around that not everyone gets this, and I've only really noticed it in the last few years. Does anyone else get this? Or have any cool explanations for it?! [more inside]
posted by greenish at 12:31 PM PST - 26 comments

For a birthday present for an 11-year-old, I am thinking of buying a karaoke machine. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 10:49 AM PST - 10 comments

(Background explainer on A, B, and C-type plots) I'm in the middle of another Star Trek TOS rewatching, and in today's modern algorithms that's meant YouTube got me started on an impromptu mid-century TV marathon*. The point of this Ask however is me realizing that the episodes I'm watching, regardless of genre, have very straightforward plotting. Background characters or story diversions, they're not separate plotlines that dovetail to the main ("A") plot, they're all the same plot. But these days, basic screenwriting advice would insist to at least have a secondary ("B") plot running as well before it all wraps up in the third act. When did this A/B/C plotting becomes commonplace and de facto in American tv shows? Was it the movies? Other countries? Conventions that happened, separating it from theatre? Observational comments are welcome too. [more inside]
posted by cendawanita at 10:40 AM PST - 11 comments

I need to start producing a monthly staff newsletter. Difficulty level: Outlook and I cannot export the mailing list. I would prefer it to be snazzy and graphics heavy and appear in people's inboxes without anyone having to click a link. You are using one you like. What is it? [more inside]
posted by mygothlaundry at 10:33 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm changing jobs. I currently have things like doctor's appointments, school events etc. in my work calendar which is using Google. I need to transfer those over into my own google calendar. And I think the new job will use Outlook. Is there a way to move these to my own google calendar and/or into Outlook? Or What's best practice here so that my non-old-job calendar events don't get lost in the shuffle and do get accessible from work at the new job?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 10:19 AM PST - 7 comments

So, I've worked retail / customer service for 35+ years (mostly as manager or owner of stores). I have a well-honed skill of spotting inefficiencies. This week, I worked in the polls during the recent elections in Toronto. It was my first time doing it. To describe the workplace as a shitshow of incompetence would be complimentary. I am certain I could streamline the system and make things better for workers and voters. Is such a thing a job and if so, what is that job and how do I get it? [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 10:15 AM PST - 15 comments

The evidence base is strongest for paroxetine, sertraline, and fluoxetine for PTSD. Sometimes venlafaxine is used as well. Are there other medications that have a better side effect profile? [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 9:23 AM PST - 18 comments

My husband and I just bought tickets to the 2023 Women's World Cup (yay!). Now we're starting to think about planning our trip and we're super overwhelmed. I'd love some help thinking through a rough itinerary! [more inside]
posted by catoclock at 9:13 AM PST - 10 comments

Please help me find a multivitamin with Lutein in it! [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 9:12 AM PST - 8 comments

So having explored my cart options, I decided I like my current cart. I bought new wheels for it and have held them up to the cart, measured, etc, and feel reasonably confident I can attach them securely. But first I have to get the other wheels off. How do I get these off? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:03 AM PST - 4 comments

Rushing at the dog park. Slipped on some wood chips. Turned it hard. Assumed it was a sprain but after two weeks I got it check and I got the bone on the pointy part of my left inside foot popped off (WITH a sprain thrown in). What's the best way to recover from this?
posted by rileyray3000 at 6:53 AM PST - 6 comments

I had a hankering to read some good video game journalism - video game reviews in specific, but about the culture in general is fine too. I'm looking for the type of articles where the enthusiasm of the reviewer really comes across. Also, articles where the reviewer uses the video game as a platform to go off on tangent discussions. Doesn't have to be super current. Thanks!
posted by triage_lazarus at 6:47 AM PST - 18 comments

Our enterprise IT leaves shortcuts (Adobe, Zoom, etc) on my desktop with every update, so they reappear almost daily. Can I automate removing them? [more inside]
posted by Dashy at 6:33 AM PST - 5 comments

It is like a %*#! pigeon convention on my balcony recently and I wouldn't mind except the %*#! pigeons never SHUT UP. I can't sleep or focus with half a dozen pigeons making their %*#! pigeon noises all day long. What can I use to repel them? [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne at 6:17 AM PST - 16 comments

I want to go the the ROM After Dark event at the Royal Ontario Museum here in Toronto. But it's sold out. Anyone have a lead on tickets? An extra ticket you can sell? A suggestion on how to get in? Thanks!
posted by ManInSuit at 6:10 AM PST - 4 comments

Hofstadter in his amazing A Person Paper on Purity in Language notes that he did not simply take a Safire column and substitute race for gender to write his satire, but that he was using Safire as his principle inspiration. Without needing to purchase anything Safire wrote or otherwise indicate support for him, can anyone point me to a column or two of his defending gendered language? [more inside]
posted by Hactar at 4:07 AM PST - 2 comments

Certain emotions seem to be strongly associated with specific bodily sensations and reactions, for example, burning with anger, butterflies in the stomach, cold feet, blushing. Are there any good guides for non-specialists that provide an overview of the physiological phenomena responsible for these sensations? [more inside]
posted by nanny's striped stocking at 1:16 AM PST - 9 comments

I am slowly getting my home office redone. Please give me your flooring advice. [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 10:41 PM PST - 11 comments

I teach a Video Production class to middle schoolers, and every Wednesday we advance in film history. The timing is right, both for Halloween and in our history, to watch some Universal horror classics. Help me choose. [more inside]
posted by argybarg at 10:09 PM PST - 16 comments

I need recommendations for a Seattle area dressmaker/tailor to make some alterations to a dress. A bit more complicated than raising a hem, looking for adding in darts and taking in room on the sides.
posted by brookeb at 8:26 PM PST - 3 comments

My cat showed up in our barn around 6 months old. She had to be an exclusively outdoor cat for about a year due to someone else that was living with us for a while, but for the past year and a half she's mostly been inside and only let out when she wants to go. She wanted out the night of Wednesday the 19th and normally would show back up first thing in the morning, but she still hasn't been home. I am absolutely heartbroken and feel so guilty for letting her out at night [more inside]
posted by Eyelash at 7:00 PM PST - 18 comments

What are people putting down in home gym/workout spaces? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 6:38 PM PST - 6 comments

I have an 11 year old experiencing panic attacks 2-5 times a month.At what point do I advocate for meds? What meds treat panic attacks? [more inside]
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 6:12 PM PST - 21 comments

What sort of adapter would be needed to connect a USB C plug into a computer that only has USB A ports? [more inside]
posted by downtohisturtles at 4:28 PM PST - 11 comments

My parents gave Child 1 $X as a gift for achieving a religious milestone. They are giving Child 2 20% of $X for the same achievement. I'm not sure how to handle this. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:09 PM PST - 43 comments

I work in New York, and as a part of my job, I am exposed to x-rays. My employer failed to supply me with a dosimeter badge for the first seven months of employment. They are also not keeping current on the dosimeter badge that I have now. Is there any agency I can report them to? Is this an OSHA violation?
posted by anonymous at 4:09 PM PST - 7 comments

I'd like to start an organization that will throw fundraising events to benefit a few different charities, and I'm unsure how to go about this. I've read about private foundations vs. public charities vs. supporting organizations, and I'd love for any resources or advice on how to proceed. What I'm trying to accomplish below the fold: [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:09 PM PST - 4 comments

My work computer has something called LabTech Service Watchdog installed on it, to keep tabs on me. But what is it actually showing my employer? Only websites I visit? Screenshots every however many minutes? Idle time? How far back does it keep this information? I'm unable to find much about this program.
posted by anonymous at 4:08 PM PST - 5 comments

I have been experiencing painful hemorrhoids for about a week. Please hope me! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:08 PM PST - 9 comments

I have a friend/coworker who has a long history of depression and anxiety. He has been on and off of SSRIs (and the like) in the past and usually his bad episodes are provoked by a specific stressor and are self-limited. Now, he is in the midst of a very bad period that doesn’t seem to have had any particular cause, and he’s having suicidal thoughts. I want to know what kind of role I can play when he already has a robust support structure, medical care, etc. More below. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:00 PM PST - 6 comments

I am attempting to set up MS Bookings for a few coworkers (not by choice - we had a good system already!), and one thing I cannot figure out is how to see the names of attendees for group bookings when viewing them on Outlook calendars. Is this possible? [more inside]
posted by Acari at 3:28 PM PST - 0 comments

Years ago, when we still used Blue Apron occasionally, I ended up falling in love with the potato salad side in an otherwise forgettable Southern style chicken or pork dish. I had lovingly preserved the recipe until my husband, in his infinite wisdom, purged our recipe binder and tossed it. HELP. [more inside]
posted by lydhre at 2:23 PM PST - 7 comments

Tell me your tales of always losing your keys, wallet, shoes, hairbrush, earrings, purse, etc. etc. etc. and how now you NEVER lose that thing because you figured out how not to. [more inside]
posted by Jenny'sCricket at 2:17 PM PST - 40 comments

I am a fan of Mark Wiens the foodie YouTuber and I am curious to know if anyone knows his favourite specific dishes and cusines? It seems like he's fond of Indian/Pakistani/middle eastern kebabs and asian cusines. But I'm not sure if there are more or specific dishes?
posted by RearWindow at 2:13 PM PST - 1 comment

Help me find a book! This ask is a stretch. Details of the book: found at a thrift store in Montana, cloth bound, dusty and yellowed. The plot: I only got a few chapters in, but the things I remember were that the main character was a single cowboy on a working ranch, and the first plot point was that he received a wedding invitation from an old friend or brother. It was told in the first person I think. The memorably bit: he used “dearly beloved!” as a curse. It WAS NOT a Louis L’amour novel. I know that I’ve described 95% of westerns out there, but I hope the “dearly beloved!” but will ring a bell with someone. Thanks!
posted by Grandysaur at 2:12 PM PST - 2 comments

Any good art shows, exhibits, or openings in NYC from now through the end of November? What have you seen that is particularly good, or what are you interested in that is opening soon?
posted by andoatnp at 1:57 PM PST - 8 comments

I turned my display to black-and-white on my Pixel phone, but now I want to change it back. Trouble is I can't find the dang setting. Halp! I looked in the Accessibility and Display menus and the setting is not there.
posted by storybored at 1:34 PM PST - 2 comments

I along with everyone else who has ever donated a dollar to a campaign am currently being absolutely deluged with desperate appeals for money. Every single one seems to try to push that it is a CRISIS, RIGHT NOW. While this may drive a certain subset of people to give money, has there been any research into the effect this constant fear based messaging has on voters views on a party or on politics in general?
posted by rockindata at 1:20 PM PST - 2 comments

I usually ignore texts that seem random from numbers I don't know as I assume they are sent by scammers. Today I got a few messages from a number I don't know. These could be the same spam crap. But if they aren't, the context they are presenting makes me really sad. So, what happens if I reply to tell the this is a wrong number? [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 12:53 PM PST - 14 comments

Show me some excellent (whatever that means) examples of childrens music remixed to dance/techno beats. [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot at 11:56 AM PST - 21 comments

I ordered this jacket online and it just came. I love it EXCEPT it has no closures! This is a cold weather jacket! (obviously) I feel like an idiot for not realizing that it had no closures (none of the pictures of it showed it closed --- DUH --- why did it not occur to me that it didn't close??) Anyway, this is fake fur. Do you think I could take it to a dry cleaner/tailoring place and they could put hooks 'n eyes on it, or would the fabric just tear? I actually have another fake fur jacket (black) and it does have hooks and eyes on it. But... I don't know, I'm disappointed. Should I just return it? Should I go to the tailors and trust them one way or another?
posted by DMelanogaster at 11:09 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm looking to learn a new skill, to exercise my brain/body or expand my skills base, but also, importantly, to expand my community. But I can't think what. Seeking ideas. Parameters below. [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 10:23 AM PST - 25 comments

I’m looking for gift ideas for my favorite aunt who’s in her 70s. She likes what most ladies that age would like- she’s ‘basic’ if that weren’t a pejorative. Have you given a successful gift to a woman that age recently? [more inside]
posted by dianeF at 10:11 AM PST - 28 comments

I've posted about working at a large company before but I have an issue where they change meetings at the last minute. For example I had an 8AM meeting that was changed to 7:30AM at 12:27AM. I was the only one who missed it. Is this normal behavior? Are people expected to be "on" all the time now? I never experienced it. Additional questions about sprint planning within. [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 9:29 AM PST - 28 comments

I have a bunch of button-up shirts from J. Crew / Banana Republic etc, that don't have a place for a formal collar stay. After repeatedly putting these shirts through the laundry, the collars have a tendency to curl/peel. The best way to solve this is obviously ironing or dry-cleaning, but I am too cheap and lazy for that. What's the second best solution? Any products you would recommend?
posted by jtothes at 9:09 AM PST - 4 comments

I want to watch the World Series (go Phillies!) and election coverage. What's the best way to have FOX (for the World Series) and some news channel for the election? Is it Sling Blue? [more inside]
posted by madcaptenor at 8:58 AM PST - 6 comments

What are your super-delicious kosher potluck recipes? Please suggest good kosher main dish recipes that I can finish an hour or so ahead of everyone's arrival that will retain good flavor, texture, and appearance, and need minimal attention for serving. [more inside]
posted by conscious matter at 8:48 AM PST - 12 comments

Metafilter depends almost entirely on user contributions. The community needs your help to stay up and running and to improve in the future. Contributions, especially recurring contributions, are what pay for servers, moderators and technical support. Please contribute through the Metafilter funding page! [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne at 8:36 AM PST - 3 comments

YANMV. I have a wonderful new kitten, who is three months old and a happy, energetic little imp. She’s been peeing in my bed at night. How do I make this stop?? [more inside]
posted by centrifugal at 8:00 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for a dinner and lunch recommendations in the Penn Station/Herald Square area. It's just me, and I'm born and raised in NYC, though now living in Boston. Likely looking for non-European cuisine, for which I have fewer options in Boston. Obviously, Koreatown is right there, but there are lots of options around--I'd appreciate your suggestions! [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 7:08 AM PST - 6 comments

I just bought a container of sour cream within the past hour. From refrigerated section if the store. Expires Nov 5. It has a sort of cottage cheese texture. Smells fine, I guess? I'm making onion dip and that's the only way I ever eat sour cream so "does it taste off" is not really a test I can do. Can I eat it?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:30 AM PST - 5 comments

I have a 1970s tandem in bad shape. I've found a shop that might be able to restore it, but I'd like to know a bit more before I bring it in. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 6:26 AM PST - 8 comments

A fat orange spider has taken up residence next to the walkway on the side of our house since summer. Now that winter is almost here, how do I make sure my little spider friend is comfortable? [more inside]
posted by keep it under cover at 11:05 PM PST - 10 comments

I like VLC because it has good functionality (will play pretty much anything) but feels pretty lightweight...but it doesn't support very good playlist management [more inside]
posted by wooh at 10:56 PM PST - 7 comments

Where do we take our out of town guests in Jeff City, Missouri, when we just got here ourselves? [more inside]
posted by hworth at 9:33 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm redoing a bedroom, with a view to ultimately fixing up the whole house. It's shabby in all the predictable ways - peeling wallpaper, threadbare carpet, chipped and flaking door/skirting, etc. What's the proper order to do things in, so that I don't e.g. get paint on the new floor? [more inside]
posted by wattle at 6:44 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm looking for British TV and film set from roughly the 1950s to the 1980s. Especially those that are concerned with the lives of ordinary middle- and working-class people, outside of the big cities – and especially those that are particularly evocative of their time and place. [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 6:10 PM PST - 38 comments

There is a supermassive black hole that rings a very low B-flat. As I understand it, the surrounding gas is affected by pressure waves from the black hole in such a way that they can be translated into sound (or could be theoretically heard, if you were in the surrounding gas). Is this a special case, or would all black holes surrounded by appreciable amounts of gas make a sound? [more inside]
posted by solarion at 5:34 PM PST - 5 comments

A chance remark has lingered in my mind for years. Please help me put it to rest. [more inside]
posted by Armed Only With Hubris at 4:54 PM PST - 37 comments

I have a friend who's looking for a book. It's about a girl who can control shadows and has a connection to the moon somehow. Can you help us find this book? [more inside]
posted by blueberry monster at 2:43 PM PST - 10 comments

I use the ios voice memos app all the time to record practicing guitar. Sometimes I use the apple watch version, and sometimes the iphone version. There are a couple things I can't seem to make work the way I want them to. [more inside]
posted by umbú at 1:52 PM PST - 1 comment

I have a situation where a group of kids are ending up outside in mildly inclement weather (chilly and wet - not dangerously cold and snowy). I want them to have a tent. It has been pointed out to me that 'previous tents' were 'unstable and unsafe'. [more inside]
posted by bq at 12:55 PM PST - 18 comments

Is it fair/accurate to say that a current (Series 8) Apple Watch GPS model has exactly the same functionality/capability as the equivalent current (Series 8) Apple Watch cellular model, if the GPS model is always (1) close to the paired iPhone or (2) on Wifi? [more inside]
posted by andrewesque at 12:49 PM PST - 6 comments

Why does calcium sodium phosphosilicate (Novamin) hurt and Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) doesn't hurt? [more inside]
posted by aniola at 10:48 AM PST - 1 comment

I will be in Atlanta for work next week. Will I be able to find children's pain and fever meds on shelves at CVS and other pharmacies? [more inside]
posted by walkinginsunshine at 10:40 AM PST - 13 comments

Two households, one in fair Los Angeles, the other in wintry Boston, both with teens & tweens, would like to meet someplace for a few days of fun activities and solid relaxation. Direct flights prioritized. Where are we meeting? [more inside]
posted by cocoagirl at 9:11 AM PST - 26 comments

Please explain this to me like I'm five years old - between these computer options, which make more sense? [more inside]
posted by tiny frying pan at 8:45 AM PST - 14 comments

I have a number of co-workers from India and I know virtually nothing about the country. (I am from Canada.) Can anyone recommend a good starting point for learning more? My co-workers are from Bengaluru, if that helps. [more inside]
posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 8:42 AM PST - 13 comments

I am doing some research on what healing and esoteric arts practitioners are charging for on-line/personal services in major urban areas. I am also looking for going rates that yoga teachers are being paid for studio in-person classes. i am specifically looking for yoga sessions, massage therapy, healing modalities such as reiki or other hands-on-healing types, and esoteric practices such as dream interpretation, astrological reading, psychic readings etc.
posted by goalyeehah at 8:39 AM PST - 5 comments

I've got five days there... [more inside]
posted by KickTheBobo at 8:07 AM PST - 18 comments

My cat is obsessed, to the point of assault, with ice lollies, particularly milk based choc ices or mini milks. I want to make an ice lolly I can actually let her have. Can I just freeze some lactose-free milk or is it still really bad for her? Alternative suggestions? I did try freezing wet cat food and chicken stock and she had no interest in either.
posted by stillnocturnal at 7:14 AM PST - 18 comments

I'm looking for recommendations about resources on housing policy and homelessness. I am especially interested in what can be done at the city level in the USA to make housing more affordable. Also what should be done at various levels to address and prevent homelessness.
posted by NotLost at 6:23 AM PST - 23 comments

A friend of mine made a series of drawings for me that I would like to make and sell yes, I have her permission. What's a good source to get acid-free semi-gloss prints made? If this matters, I'd like to get something postcard-sized (4 x 6).
posted by pxe2000 at 6:20 AM PST - 7 comments

I made niku jaga this weekend, a Japanese pork and potato and shirataki noodle stew. The recipe called for thinly-sliced, skinless, boneless pork belly, cut into bite-sized pieces. To save money, I bought skin-on pork belly on the bone and trimmed it at home. Now I have about a pound (1/2 kilo) of raw pork skin and bone and fatty bits with tiny scraps of meat in my fridge. What can I make with these pork belly trimmings? Just broth, or something more interesting?
posted by dywypi at 6:01 AM PST - 5 comments

I never got into the new Dr. Who stuff, but I'm interested in checking some out. What would be some good episodes to be sure not to miss? [more inside]
posted by cats are weird at 11:47 PM PST - 25 comments

I am after expressions or slang terms for very junior people who, when given small amounts of power or recognition in organisations, let that go to their heads. [more inside]
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 11:22 PM PST - 21 comments

My husband’s skin seems to exude some kind of substance that makes our bedsheets waxy. After being washed and then sitting in the closet for a while, the sheets even get a crayon-like smell. What is this substance, and how do we keep our sheets from accumulating it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:23 PM PST - 39 comments

I’m away for the night and forgot the water chamber for my AirCurve 10. I do not have a side cover. When I turn it on it very loudly leaks air where the chamber would be. Can I DIY a fix for this, something I can put there?
posted by mermaidcafe at 9:03 PM PST - 5 comments

My University class recently celebrated its' 10 year anniversary, and as part of that, I purchased a jersey with the year number, University name, and my last name on the back. The quality/material of the jersey is very high quality, and "heavy", with the year, name, etc. 'raised'. Not sure how to explain it. It's starting to smell like BO, because I wore it to my University's Homecoming event, which was hot and sweaty. How do I wash it? [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 7:15 PM PST - 6 comments

We've been to Oaxaca once before in the Spring and absolutely loved it. We are returning for Dia de los Muertos and are seeking tips for the best (and most respectful) way to enjoy the festivities. If you have tips about where to go/what to do during the festival (or things to avoid) please chime in!
posted by egeanin at 3:28 PM PST - 1 comment

Which console should I buy? [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 2:56 PM PST - 20 comments

You all kindly helped me wrap my head around getting Minecraft for my kid. Now help me pick a video card! [more inside]
posted by number9dream at 11:03 AM PST - 10 comments

What are some famous moments to use in a calendar about legal work in the public interest? [more inside]
posted by andoatnp at 10:56 AM PST - 11 comments

Sometime around 1985, when I was just starting to cook, I had the great good fortune of stumbling across a "cookbook" that was more of a narrative guide to cooking skills. I think it was pretty obscure even then, so this is a long shot, but maybe you remember it? Full description within. [more inside]
posted by HotToddy at 10:33 AM PST - 15 comments

For 20+ years, I've regretted not taking a comparative religion course in high school, as I think it would have helped me to overcome my Christian fundamentalist upbringing much faster than I subsequently did. But rather than continue to uselessly rue something I can't change now, I would like to address that regret by a course of self-study. I want to better understand the origins and role of religion in human history from a secular standpoint, and to learn more about other religions. What books/articles would you recommend I read in order to accomplish that?
posted by orange swan at 10:20 AM PST - 16 comments

I remember bits of a private school, emerging awareness of sexuality, wealth, a young man who died early, a young woman who was a close friend... New York City? Italy? Someone whose parents ran in the same circles as a famous author, and a less famous author may have heard the story and made it into a best-selling novel or movie and subsequently became famous? I want to say it is _Call Me by Your Name_ by André Aciman but I can't find the article anywhere and now I am wondering if I dreamed it. I think the article is fewer than 2 years old.
posted by CCCC at 9:50 AM PST - 7 comments

As a lactose intolerant person, generic Lactaid tablets allow me to enjoy yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream, and the like. And one 9000 unit caplet is always enough to do the trick. While I would love to eat ice cream once in a while, one caplet just doesn't protect me from the onslaught of lactose. Before I take the risk of actually trying ice cream with two or three caplets as protection, I would love to hear from others in similar situations as to whether that has worked for you.
posted by DrGail at 9:37 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm staying at Stanford University for a few days next week - I will be at a loose end while my wife is at a conference. I'm planning to go into SF as well while I'm there. I have been to SF before but not since the late 90s. Looking for some recommendations to see - more details inside. [more inside]
posted by crocomancer at 9:37 AM PST - 13 comments

Back in the 90s, on the north coast of California, we used to regularly find dandelions (or maybe a false dandelion species) with certain stalks that were irregularly fattened — almost like tumors or burls. We’d pull the flower tops off and put them in our dollhouses as alien visitors. I can’t seem to find ANY info online about this phenomenon. Anyone know what this is called, or what caused it?
posted by alycoop at 7:59 AM PST - 6 comments

I bought some Audible audiobooks for my 6 yo. I would like to be able to hand him my iPhone so he can pick a book himself, so while I use Guided Access to restrict him to the Audible app I can't use it to block parts of the screen. If the app is signed into my account I'm worried he'll accidentally select one of my Stephen King books instead. So how do I get him a kid-only Audible experience? Do I create an Amazon account for him? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 5:33 AM PST - 6 comments

TWs: abuse, CSA, disordered eating For reasons this Ask may illuminate, I have a generally very close relationship with most of my spouse's family of origin. But I am struggling with encounters that involve one of my sisters-in-law, who has a tendency to make references in conversation to having a "traumatic" and difficult childhood. I could use some advice on whether and how to respond, because I feel like I'm starting to crack. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:53 PM PST - 20 comments

Assume I move my PHEV as soon as it's finished charging. What are the ethical considerations surrounding my decision to take up a charger or not? [more inside]
posted by workerant at 9:39 PM PST - 18 comments

If I was an active participant in the poetry scene, who would (or should) I respect, enjoy, be inspired by, feel challenged by? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 7:13 PM PST - 8 comments

Is it possible (or how do I) obtain a high-quality image file of a page in a digitized manuscript in the British Library collection? [more inside]
posted by janell at 3:33 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm interested in reading a good, engaging history of the Battle of Agincourt—particularly one that directly grapples with the various contradictory sources and unresolved questions about the battle. Bonus points if there's an audio version (extra bonus if the reader has a lovely British accent). Thanks!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 2:18 PM PST - 3 comments

Trying to make a GIF from photos to celebrate a friend’s wedding - would love to do it without having to sign up for Giphy or download a third-party tool. iOS has an option to create GIFs from photos in Shortcuts, but when I try, I get the error message, “The file XYZ couldn’t be opened because you do not have permission to view it.” Boo! All photos were taken using this iPhone SE, with the current version of iOS (15.6.1), with no changes to my Apple ID or sharing settings. [more inside]
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 2:06 PM PST - 10 comments

Short version: I had an affair with a partnered man. I confided in a close friend about it, and the friend unbeknownst to me let the man's partner know (anonymously). Is it my ethical responsibility to follow up with her non-anonymously? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:47 PM PST - 36 comments

I am deliberately leaving this vague for privacy reasons and am asking on behalf of a friend. We would like for our state to enact something that will provide funding for a cause we believe in (and that is already on the books in another state) and am passionate about. We have reached out to our Assemblymember but got a response that we should come up with a "legislative proposal" and provide reading materials before they'll even schedule a meeting with the Assemblymember. [more inside]
posted by toastyk at 10:38 AM PST - 10 comments

Someone came to my door this morning and I'm trying to figure out WTF it was about. Help me decipher? [more inside]
posted by sucre at 9:19 AM PST - 8 comments

I love to watch more movies or TV series that have beautiful sets. Can you suggest some, please? Examples of shows that have what I'm looking for inside... [more inside]
posted by mcduff at 9:11 AM PST - 44 comments

The same thing happens to all my jeans so I buy a lot of jeans. I'd rather repair them... [more inside]
posted by less-of-course at 8:15 AM PST - 27 comments

I have come into possession of the latest model iPhone Pro Max (the big one), which is mine to do with as I please, except sell or give it away. I generally try to keep the smallest form factor smartphone as I can for pocketability and ease of one-handed use, but am curious enough to give this a try. Folks who prefer the larger format phones: what do you like about them? [more inside]
posted by btfreek at 7:37 AM PST - 30 comments

I've been watching Pawn Stars and I understand why some people need to pawn things, or I thought I did for emergency funds. While I know it is a television show, do people really bring extremely valuable items to pawn shops like gold bars and Jimi Hendrix guitars? Even cheaper items with the rise of Facebook Marketplace and eBay it seems like possibly the worst place to sell random collectible items or do real, non-television pawn shops offer more realistic values. [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 7:06 AM PST - 20 comments

I need some recommendations for zero-effort foods that I can eat. When I say zero effort, I mean open a tin or unwrap a packet. I can sometimes microwave something if I'm having a good day, but I often can't. (I'm mostly bedbound.) [more inside]
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 6:31 AM PST - 43 comments

I have a new gig where I'll need Census data early and often. Different surveys, different tables, different places, all.the.time. I've really come around to liking PowerQuery as a tool to work with various data and get it into shape for automation/analysis. How are there not more resources about these two things together? If not PQ, is there another turnkey application that takes outputs from Census and makes them into usable table data? [more inside]
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 5:09 AM PST - 5 comments

This will be a challenge because I'm a picky plant-based eater! But I need the protein for muscle hypertrophy. Give me your best recipes! [more inside]
posted by CancerSucks at 3:01 AM PST - 20 comments

I inherited four watches, three of them luxury, that I want to get worked on, but am unsure of how much to budget for the repairs. More explanations and specifics inside [more inside]
posted by Hactar at 2:00 AM PST - 9 comments

I made an offer on a cute 2-bedroom condo and it was accepted. Yay! I am a first-time home buyer and condo buyer however and am undergoing baptism by fire about home maintenance and condo governance, in an older building to boot. Might be getting cold feet... [more inside]
posted by knownfossils at 11:16 PM PST - 9 comments

My father died a few years ago and I’d like to remember him by writing a memoir about a specific 4-year period of my childhood when he played a significant role. How do I start, having little creative writing experience? [more inside]
posted by scantee at 6:59 PM PST - 19 comments

My child would like to understand musical time signatures, both normal and weird. Do you have a good explainer YouTube video? We'd like to watch it!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:41 PM PST - 14 comments

Let's say a somewhat large Company A (with a pension plan for retired employees) is acquired by some other Company B -- is there any reason for Company B to continue to honor the pension plan? A quick search on the terms of the pension indicates Company A reserves the right to change the plan at any time for any reason. Does this basically guarantee that Company B will end the pension plan as soon as it gets around to it? [more inside]
posted by mhh5 at 6:12 PM PST - 2 comments

Questions on getting an out-of-print book scanned? [more inside]
posted by Ndwright at 4:15 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm trying to put together a playlist of rock/rock-adjacent (no classical/opera for this list, that's its own world with its own candidates) songs, but of a very specific type. [more inside]
posted by pdb at 3:34 PM PST - 28 comments

I have a basil plant that is full of leaves that have become bitter with time (the plant has been flowering for awhile now). Oddly, given how common this is, I can't find any recipes that lean into the slight bitterness of old basil. Surely it must serve some uses? Curious if anyone here has recipes that work well for basil that is well past its prime.
posted by coffeecat at 3:11 PM PST - 4 comments

I have had basically the same haircut for 25 years hope me. [more inside]
posted by latkes at 3:08 PM PST - 3 comments

I am looking for recommendations for ADHD evaluation in NYC, specifically a practitioner who has experience diagnosing/working with adult women with ADHD. [more inside]
posted by cardamom at 2:35 PM PST - 1 comment

After 23 years, my old wire shopping cart broke (the rubber stripped off one wheel). I"m in the market for a new one. They're much harder to find these days, it seems. Anyway, I notice that there are a bunch of overpriced ones on Amazon. What catches my eye about them though is that the wheels swivel. Would that be awesome or annoying? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 1:33 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm a week away from flying from Europe to Australia alone with my 1.5 year old daughter. How do you eat an airplane meal with a baby on your lap? [more inside]
posted by twirlypen at 1:23 PM PST - 23 comments

One confusing aspect of the ongoing monetary/leadership crisis in the UK has been the detail that so many homeowners in Britain have "fixed" mortgage terms of only two or five years, with a reported ⅓ of borrowers facing a sharp increase in costs over the next year. In the US a fixed mortgage term is often 30 years. Why is there such a big difference in lending practices? [more inside]
posted by fedward at 12:12 PM PST - 10 comments

Do you recognize this flat paper mask of a smiling or laughing boy, with round holes cut out for the eyes? [more inside]
posted by theatro at 12:08 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm investigating smart film for a project and I'm having trouble finding recommendations for the placement of busbars. For small samples putting them next to each other on the same edge appears to be preferred, but there are references to putting one at each end for longer pieces. I've also seen two busbars at each end. Is there a formula for this?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 11:06 AM PST - 1 comment

I’m part of a Ukraine-related volunteer project that involves translating or fixing/editing auto-generated and auto-translated captions (usually 70% accurate, 30% gibberish) from Youtube videos that we did not create ourselves. We are starting from the transcript that's available to normal youtube viewers. No access to the creator's original files. We do different things with the result depending on whether we know the creator or not and that affects the format we need the end result to be in. I need advice. Questions about word processor stuff and best format practices below the fold. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:59 AM PST - 3 comments

My mother's cognitive, psychological, and physical health are in free fall, and my family is struggling to provide her the support she needs while avoiding collateral damage. I would like some advice on how I can best support her as I try to transition to a primary caregiver role. Voluminous details included below the fold. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:27 AM PST - 16 comments

I have wanted a Tesla since the Model S came out and finally feel financially comfortable enough to do so. I am very interested in the Model Y (Performance) but gosh the price just keeps going up. I *think* I am open to a used one since they only just came out in 2020 so, uh, still seems pretty new to me! [more inside]
posted by thelasttango at 9:19 AM PST - 29 comments

I am using PowerPoint 365 on a Mac. I often create templates and I would like to make them such that some of the text can be edited by a user but other text as well as the layout and sizing of the objects are locked. [more inside]
posted by synecdoche at 8:45 AM PST - 4 comments

I am a bit of a black sheep in a family of conservative republicans. I’ve always been able to handle it. The last few years have made it a bit more challenging. Looking for advice and perspective [more inside]
posted by IWantAnswers at 8:27 AM PST - 16 comments

Best support cat food? My poor sweet foster kitten from 2009 turned up, alone, in an apartment, two weeks after his owner had died. He's super thin (body condition: 3). I have him for now. What should I feed him if he might have early-stage kidney disease? Apparently high-protein food is good for muscle mass but bad for kidneys. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 8:15 AM PST - 16 comments

I'd like to develop some broad, career-related discussion prompts to drive engagement on our social media pages. [more inside]
posted by jschu at 7:18 AM PST - 7 comments

Need a perspective on Seattle from reliable narrators. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:01 AM PST - 30 comments

I'm building out a list of books, music, video games, and any other media that make an explicit connection between death and dancing. See my current list in the "more inside." What else belongs on it? [more inside]
posted by sleevener at 5:36 AM PST - 29 comments

I picked up a carrot cake muffin at our local coffee shop this morning expecting it to be, well, carrot cake. It is - but it isn't! It's more like cake with carrots, and it's freaking delicious. Do you have a proven recipe for this sort of thing? [more inside]
posted by okayokayigive at 5:32 AM PST - 10 comments

I have Nest thermostat that was connected through Alexa to control the thermostat through routines via Alexa. All was working fine. Last year we had to disconnect the furnace for maintenance and it was without power for months as we waited on a part. Now that the furnace is all working again, the Nest won't sync back with Alexa. What am I missing? [more inside]
posted by archimago at 5:26 AM PST - 1 comment

I remember hearing about an interesting set of exercises aimed at improving posture. Similar type of thing to Pilates or Alexander technique, but it began with a G. It sounded to me like a Hungarian-sounding surname. Anyone know what it might be?
posted by iamsuper at 12:25 AM PST - 4 comments

We need to be in London for work in late November, and are wondering if we should bring the kids along to have an extended family trip in Europe (specifically Scandinavia). Given the possible gas shortages due to the war, though, is this a good idea? [more inside]
posted by destrius at 11:49 PM PST - 16 comments

I have 2 donated laptops that don't have an OS installed. What is the best and easiest way to install on OS on these without a budget? Chrome or Ubuntu? Is there a way to get Windows for free? These will be used primarily with people that have limited computer literacy so the most standardized OS would be the best.
posted by kittensofthenight at 7:49 PM PST - 14 comments

I’m using Textra on an S10 and an issue has cropped up in the past few days that is driving me batty. Normally when I get a text a notification appears and stays on the lock screen until I open the app to read the message or swipe the notification away. But now, if I lock my phone while the app is still open, I’ll get the notifications but they will disappear after a moment as if the text has been read. This does not happen if I go to the home screen and then lock the phone. [more inside]
posted by Diskeater at 6:40 PM PST - 1 comment

What is the title of a satirical Sci-Fi Story/Novel about aliens in the future making a theme park of 20th century Earth, and re-creating commuter traffic jams. Their overlord is called "CB", and there's a CB radio pun.
posted by ovvl at 5:56 PM PST - 1 comment

Are you dealing with exhaustion? If so, how do you manage your work day? [more inside]
posted by Saucywench at 5:30 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm planning a trip to Tokyo and I'm curious about traditional Japanese archery. As an archer myself, I bring some common interests and respect for the activity. As a white American, I bring blechhhh and acquisitiveness. Please advise. [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 5:19 PM PST - 4 comments

The quote is this, exactly: “ Time is kinetic, It flows forward. As should you.” If you have heard it before, do you know the source? TIA.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:17 PM PST - 4 comments

My aunt is Mexican, poor, and doesn't speak English. She's 61 and wants to visit my family in USA once. She said she heard that they only give visas to rich people, and that on the Mexican side you have to bribe officials to get an interview for a visa. I read "THE STRAIGHT FACTS ON US VISAS IN MEXICO | Travel.gov" and my sister said she can sponsor my aunt, but I'm still overwhelmed and confused. How do I go about getting my aunt a tourist visa to USA from Mexico? Where do I start? Thanks in advance.
posted by maxexam at 5:16 PM PST - 9 comments

The other party in a romantic breakup gone bad decided to give me a giant middle finger by trashing the house we previously shared while occupying it alone for a brief period. I need a specialized cleaning service as soon as humanly possible. There are extra difficulty filters, around grossness, sorting of trash from items, distance/method of payment, and expense. Please help! [more inside]
posted by corb at 5:14 PM PST - 9 comments

I tried Factorio and was pretty "meh" about it, esp. since the core drive seems to be to obliterate everything natural and turn the entire landscape into a factory. What are some good (fun, interesting) games about restoring nature? [more inside]
posted by johnofjack at 4:29 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm researching Sendy solutions for a volunteer organization that has a monthly newsletter with ~2000 users. I can do the setup, but I need it to work and keep working while hiding as many gory details as possible. And of course it needs to be ultra-cheap and come with a free pony. Suggestions?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 3:01 PM PST - 2 comments

What's the usual procedure when an auto insurer assesses the damage to an insured car? My friend's car was hit, and her insurer is acting shady -- or is it? [more inside]
posted by pleasant_confusion at 2:38 PM PST - 8 comments

A friend of mine is trying to recall a story she read in the 1980s, involving a ghost named Jackie, possession, and transgender themes. Can you help? Her description is below the fold. [more inside]
posted by Faint of Butt at 2:33 PM PST - 2 comments

I’ll be under sedation and have someone to drop off / pick me up / watch me for the day. But I’m pretty scared of what people describe as being totally zonked or out of it afterward. What is the experience actually like? [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 2:24 PM PST - 21 comments

Are there places where can I order a full Thanksgiving dinner for 6 people delivered to my apartment in Manhattan NYC on Thanksgiving Day? [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 2:09 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm considering living in a group house with 6 other people. I'm also pretty covid-cautious. We are all vaccinated and boosted and resuming normal social activities. Overall, what is my risk of getting long covid? (e.g. by order of magnitude — is getting long covid in this situation, within the next year, more or less likely than getting hit by a car in the next year?) [more inside]
posted by icosahedron at 1:52 PM PST - 21 comments

I had newly flickering lights and outlets that weren't working consistently. Apartment handyman came a couple times and wasn't able to fix stuff, so today a real electrician came out. He messed around with some stuff, installed the new GFCI correctly (the handyman hadn't) and the green light was on. He did checks of all the outlets on the circuit and all were pulling appropriate amounts of power. We had stuff plugged in to all the outlets and running and there were no flickers or cut outs. He stayed for a few minutes and there were no issues. I was happy and he left. Now, like an hour later, the green light on the GFCI is out, but I still have power from that outlet and downstream. The one lamp plugged in downstream is flickering slightly, but not as badly as before. [more inside]
posted by misanthropicsarah at 12:57 PM PST - 8 comments

Last month, I completed a very stressful move from the city to a beautiful home on a lake. The house is amazing, and I feel so lucky to have gotten it! But I find that I’m having a hard time feeling comfortable here. [more inside]
posted by kinsey at 12:54 PM PST - 23 comments

I'm trying to find a definitive article / book / blog on historic trends in retail/shopping floor space (per capita seems most meaningful) from 1100* to say 1995 (internet retail muddies waters too much). Have searched a lot but all I can say so far is that retail space is rising faster than population. *1100 onward makes most sense following from Keene 2018 The property market in English towns, A.D. 1 100-1600 [link is pdf @ persee.fr - a publisher] [more inside]
posted by unearthed at 12:40 PM PST - 3 comments

I read aloud semi-regularly for a children’s story time. Most kids present are 4-6, though ages range from under 2 on the young end to probably 8 or 9 on the older end. At the last session, the book ‘Rattletrap Car’ by Phyllis Root and Jill Barton was received really well - kids were engaged and ‘with’ the story, partly due to the large page size of my copy. Now I want more BIG BOOKS to share! What are other similar books I can add to my read-aloud line-up? Especially interested in books with BIG PAGES. [more inside]
posted by jolenex4 at 12:36 PM PST - 4 comments

I grew up in the 70s and have always been a kind of free-swingin' gal...That is, I haven't worn a brassiere since junior high school and have always worn camisoles or tank tops underneath my blouses and T-shirts. I am now scheduled for a needle biopsy for next week and among the instructions I was given was to bring a sports bra or supportive undergarment to hold an ice pack and just plain avoid post-needle pain. Do I need to shop for lingerie? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by Oriole Adams at 12:31 PM PST - 16 comments

I recently became aware that Policy Debate was replaced by Public Forum Debate. What was the rationale for the change? [more inside]
posted by Stuka at 11:55 AM PST - 3 comments

My 7yo and two of his friends set up and ran a wildly successful lemonade stand last weekend, and they've agreed to donate most of the proceeds to "kids in Ukraine," bless their hearts. Can you help me find a reputable charity for this donation? [more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu at 11:53 AM PST - 4 comments

My bank of many years, where I've had a savings account along with a checking account, offers me a 0.04% rate on said savings account as a "relationship APY" due to my making X number of purchases per month using their card. By contrast, Goldman Sachs' Marcus product offers 2.35%. How can a bank offer such an uncompetitive rate? I asked, and a banker there said something about being "well capitalized." Does this mean they have so much money under management that they don't gaf about consumer accounts?
posted by the sobsister at 11:52 AM PST - 8 comments

I follow Bob Wachter’s advice about dining indoors: it’s fine when the local COVID case rate in a California locale is five or fewer cases per 100,000. This is because US cases are under-reported due to the prevalence of home testing. The true case rate would be equivalent to 25 cases per 100,000, according to Wachter. Question: is underreporting also the case in Japan? [more inside]
posted by Atrahasis at 10:07 AM PST - 5 comments

I wear sandals for most of the year and walk 30 to 40 miles a week. Do comfortable sandals exist that will last me at least a year? Alternatively, is there anything special I should be doing to prolong my sandals' lifespan? [more inside]
posted by aws17576 at 9:40 AM PST - 27 comments

What's the Japanese equivalent of the New York Times Best Sellers books? The most popular books sold recently, in Japan.
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:39 AM PST - 1 comment

Is there an app for ascertaining the vomit-quotient of a particular movie? I want very much to see the new “All Quiet on the Western Front” (Netflix) but I’m afraid of being taken by surprise. I have a high gore threshold, but I can’t take….that. [more inside]
posted by BostonTerrier at 9:22 AM PST - 6 comments

Most every day for the last few weeks, my biceps are sore and it hurts to unfold my arms all the way. It's the way you would feel after a hard session lifting but I haven't been lifting, just a normal amount of running. No problems anywhere else. Google is not helping and I don't have high faith in a doctor knowing what's going on; has anyone else experienced this? Thanks in advance for any advice/help!
posted by ftm at 8:33 AM PST - 8 comments

What’s the best place to buy FFP2 and FFP3 masks in the U.K.? [more inside]
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 7:48 AM PST - 9 comments

Interesting, wholesome brief content for a 17 year old boy who's looking to improve his US-centric English skills? [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 11:26 PM PST - 10 comments

What can I make for a potluck this weekend with all this bison? [more inside]
posted by rpophessagr at 4:43 PM PST - 15 comments

Sorry to ask 2 so quick! Is there a requirement in Puerto Rico to report someone with suicidal plans to the police? (Don’t worry, everyone’s fine.)
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 4:37 PM PST - 5 comments

Two non-smokers; we bought our house in 2015 and have lived here smoke free since then. Certain rooms of the house sometimes smell like cigarettes. Today, my wife's blouse smelled like cigarettes. What's up? [more inside]
posted by Shepherd at 3:11 PM PST - 31 comments

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is at 216 right now, which is pretty bad—it's visibly smoky outside. I don't think I have to worry about my smoke alarms going off. But I am curious, what is the AQI in my apartment when I set it off by burning something on the stove?
posted by bigbigdog at 2:45 PM PST - 8 comments

My mom has been moving very fast in a new relationship. She's really either not made an effort or completely fumbled integrating this new person into our family and is now saying she's going to have to skip my birthday to spend time with him. As someone who would like to celebrate my birthday with my mom (and her new partner) as well as the rest of my family, how do I let her know this bothers me without damaging our relationship? [more inside]
posted by petrafine at 2:07 PM PST - 21 comments

I’ve worked at the same company for about a decade, since I graduated college. It has always been a dysfunctional workplace and has taken a toll on my mental health over the years—anxiety, depression, chest pains, dread. I moved across the country in part because I thought working remotely would improve the situation, and it sort of did, but now things are really bad. Help. [more inside]
posted by aaadddaaa at 1:38 PM PST - 27 comments

An acquaintance asked me to be a sperm donor. I'm inclined to do it, but this question came out of left field for me. I've literally never considered this even at the most hypothetical level before. What should I be thinking about? [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 1:34 PM PST - 20 comments

I want to convey, intelligibly, in an instant, with my appearance, that I am in profound grief, in a way that does not culturally appropriate or offend in other ways. All ideas welcome. Society parses me as female, fat, and ugly. This is an emergency that is interfering with my daily life, so quick solutions encouraged.
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 1:14 PM PST - 18 comments

I got an IPad Mini and Apple Pen as a gift. It is a great gift but I hate using it. I found Pixiv extremely interesting to use, but drawing on the pad is painful. Do you have a set up that frees you from holding the pad or slouching while using it? Links to equipment and photos of actual use are welcomed.
posted by parmanparman at 1:10 PM PST - 7 comments

My partner doesn't want to be a teacher anymore, and it's the only "real" job he has had. He would love to find something that would still qualify for the public service loan forgiveness program, and the option to work from home would be a huge bonus. He has no idea where to start because he isn't sure what he's qualified for. [more inside]
posted by robadobdob at 12:14 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm trying to move the electronics from an old Prius key to a new case, something that is harder (for me, at least) than it looks in this video. The old plastic case is now split open, but there's a tiny bit of plastic overhanging the chip on one side, and I'm worried about how to pry it out in general. Is there a good way to avoid possibly breaking it? Is a flat screwdriver a bad idea? [more inside]
posted by pinochiette at 11:30 AM PST - 3 comments

There are a ton of groups writing postcards for candidates, especially, but not limited to, swing states. Local candidate for state legislature is a good Dem running a poor campaign for reasons. Probably too late for this year, but this seems like a resource that could be incredibly helpful. How do candidates access this?
posted by Mom at 10:47 AM PST - 5 comments

Hi folks. I have to mount a bridge rectifier in a stereo amplifier, and I can't drill a hole in the chassis, so I figured I could use thermal glue. This is not something I have experience with. Does anyone have any suggestions? It doesn't have to be conductive.
posted by Slinga at 10:39 AM PST - 3 comments

I am tenured faculty at a state university. I want to leave academia. I have applied for similar jobs all over the coast that I live on and I do not get interviews. Hope me. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:29 AM PST - 24 comments

Looking for an expert who can offer professional advice/support to someone who is going through a breakup with their decades-long partner in North Carolina. [more inside]
posted by aniola at 10:23 AM PST - 1 comment

I have a folder full of GIFs. I have a csv file with their file names and text associated with them, as well as headings. I want to make this into a page on SharePoint, one way or another. I don't want to do it manually. Help? [more inside]
posted by lookoutbelow at 10:15 AM PST - 3 comments

I have a small dogwood tree in a large pot in my garden. The tree is probably 4-5 years old, the pot's about knee-high and, including the pot, the tree stands about chest-high. I'm happy with how it looks where it is. I'd like it to get bigger so I probably need to plant it out – but I like its current height and don't to lower it by half a meter. Will it be OK if I just remove the bottom of the pot, loosen the roots, and sink it a few centimeters into the ground? Or will it be much better to plant it out?
posted by snarfois at 9:37 AM PST - 7 comments

I am building a PUMA microscope, but instructions leave the optics to the builder. How do I choose an eyepiece and objective, and how do I know if a specific used one is in acceptable condition, say on EBay? I can't find much in terms of microscope optics reviews online. Build notes refer to "Olympus SPlan objective and Olympus WK 10x/20L-H eyepiece" as the opposite of "plastic toy from Ali Express", so failing any other information that is what I will purchase! [more inside]
posted by lemonade at 8:16 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm over 50 and watched reruns of Gilligan's Island when I was a kid. Do people in their 40s know about this show? I want to reference it in a short story I'm writing, but want to make sure my 40-something characters would know what it is.
posted by swheatie at 7:11 AM PST - 67 comments

I stepped away from gaming for a long time, but in the last year got into Hollow Knight after playing a demo version at museum. I've been picking at it for a while now and I'm now 98% of the way through the game, but I'm bored. The end of the game seems to be all boss fights and fiddly platforming, but what I enjoyed was the aesthetic, the mythos, and most of all: exploring. What other games might scratch that itch? [more inside]
posted by threecheesetrees at 7:05 AM PST - 21 comments

Should I get winter tires, or minus-one wheels and winter tires? [more inside]
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 7:03 AM PST - 11 comments

Friends are planning to convert a Ram promaster van to a rolling living space. There is so much information to sift through online that it is bewildering. Interested in learning which sites others have found to be relatively straightforward and not simply shilling for equipment manufacturers. [more inside]
posted by bullatony at 5:59 AM PST - 6 comments

Is it possible/practical to get bivalent booster during a 10 hour layover at DFW? [more inside]
posted by onya at 12:29 AM PST - 19 comments

I was dating a guy for years who got turned off by my severe mental health issues and refused to be intimate because of that, but was not willing to break up. I’m afraid of that repeating sharing too much in new relationship. [more inside]
posted by Salicornia at 11:08 PM PST - 7 comments

For years now I’ve occasionally had a website icon that I’ve pinned to my homepage swap for the icon of another site. I’ve just put up with it but the other day my MeFi icon swapped to TikTok’s. I don’t even do tiktok! This is unacceptable. Help? [more inside]
posted by Mizu at 10:53 PM PST - 5 comments

I need your help determining how local a thing is, both in time and place. I learned something a certain way when I was a kid. I assumed EVERYONE learned it this way but recent events have SHOOK ME TO THE CORE and now I'm not so sure. There are actually RULES inside! [more inside]
posted by bondcliff at 7:23 PM PST - 237 comments

I think it was a screengrab from the New Yorker, written about eight years ago, and it essentially said the West has a choice: build up Ukraine with NATO and everyone loses OR demilitarize Ukraine and try to rebuild a relationship with Russia. But now my google-fu turns up short. Help. [more inside]
posted by history is a weapon at 5:34 PM PST - 1 comment

I want to get a gift for someone whose partner uses a wheeled mobility device, so they can just grab onto their shoulder and be pulled along, rather than having to walk next to them. I don't want to get them something that is going to make their life worse, but I could easily see that happening because i don't know anything about this. Any pointers? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 2:42 PM PST - 15 comments

My mother died a couple of days ago. I'm just curious about the consensus for people choosing not to grieve. I know that might sound weird so I will try to explain. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 12:50 PM PST - 27 comments

I very much want to read an article in the New York Times. I do not have a subscription. Any thoughts on how someone in Europe might be able to access it? Heading to bed now, so can’t respond to questions immediately. Here is the URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/17/health/clitoris-sex-doctors-surgery.html?
posted by Bella Donna at 12:17 PM PST - 17 comments

I elected to put $1,500 into my tax-free flexible spending account for 2022. I just received paperwork that says that I contributed $1,153.83, withdrew $1,500, and my balance is zero. I thought this was a tax-free account. What's going on? [more inside]
posted by twelve cent archie at 10:41 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm having an MRI today, and I can't for the life of me remove the captive bead rings in my helix piercings. They've been there for 28 years and were a gift- I assume they're titanium (the bead is hematite) but i don't know for sure. Are they going to be a problem? [more inside]
posted by oneirodynia at 10:21 AM PST - 18 comments

Six years ago, I visited Teufelsberg Listening Station in Berlin. I've never heard an acoustic phenomenon like I did in the main radome, where the sound seemed to atomize into a fractal mist of sound. It wasn't like the long echo of a cistern, but the hundreds of tiny reflections bouncing off one another seemed to take the sound apart and reconstruct it in a random order. It got me to wondering if there are any abandoned radomes in the continental U.S. that are reasonably (if not exactly legally) accessible. [more inside]
posted by mykescipark at 9:31 AM PST - 5 comments

If an employee is caring for a sick family member who will likely recover reasonably soon (within a week or two) but might have intermittent support needs, is there any advantage to filing for FMLA vs just taking sick leave? The employer seems to require that the sick leave be used concurrently with the FMLA leave. [more inside]
posted by lapis at 8:03 AM PST - 20 comments

So I have a script that runs a search for some properties, the search results are supposed to be limited to a specific town but we're finding results from all over the place. I wanted to limit the results to a specific coordinate box and I tried to remove results that were outside that area but I'm getting inconsistent results with the update and select methods [more inside]
posted by missmagenta at 7:36 AM PST - 6 comments

How to wrangle two languages into a social media post caption, one of which reads left to right and the other right to left... when one's laptop environment is set up for left-to-right? [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 7:09 AM PST - 5 comments

I have a Dell G7 15. I have this dock. Usually it works. Sometimes I take the laptop away and bring it back and it works. Sometimes I take the laptop away and I bring it back and it doesn't. I try everything. It doesn't work. Then a few days later it works again.I can't find the pattern. What's happening? Hope me! [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:05 AM PST - 6 comments

Looking for something without a waistband that I can wear under dresses but don't need to take the whole thing off to use the bathroom. [more inside]
posted by Jacqueline at 6:29 AM PST - 22 comments

I know an amazing couple who are first time foster parents. They just received their first placement -- five siblings under 7. The parents have a very large, strong community around them providing both support for the kids' needs and emotional support for them. I live several hours away. What can I get for the *parents* to let them know we're thinking of them? Bonus points if it's practical, too. [more inside]
posted by pear at 5:51 AM PST - 17 comments

My apartment has a toilet with the bolt holes 6" apart. I can't seem to find a (round) seat that works, since US bolts seem to be 5.5" standard. None of the search terms I'm using are getting me any closer either. (I'd esp love a cute/silly/floral/gaudy seat of any sort, but would be 1000% grateful for help finding anything that fits.)
posted by octaviabutlerfan at 5:00 AM PST - 4 comments

My girls (10 & 13) are with me about 1/3 of the time. Since the split 5 years ago--when I originally had them only 2 weekends a month--they've kept their clothes at their mom's and packed overnight bags for when they're with me. As the split has become more even, I've bought them more clothes, but they're starting to not want to pack bags at all--and demanding (echoing their mom) that I buy them an entirely new set for my house. Is this as unreasonable as it sounds? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:41 AM PST - 47 comments

I have a "Wahl Cordless Magic Clipper" that got wet and now no longer functions. I've replaced the battery but it is still unresponsive when I flip the switch. [more inside]
posted by xxx9038709992203 at 10:05 PM PST - 7 comments

I'd love some help brainstorming businesses that started out developing fully custom, designed to spec products, that pivoted to more of a semi-custom or off-the-shelf model. Looking specifically for big ticket examples like cars or airplanes. Bonus points for B2B examples. Thx!
posted by gillianr at 7:17 PM PST - 12 comments

What solution have you found to corral stuff in your car's trunk? Mainly thinking about grocery bags, but for other stuff I carry in there as well. Something that would fit in a Corolla sedan, if it matters.
posted by cozenedindigo at 7:08 PM PST - 19 comments

For nearly a decade, someone has been using my email address (firstnamelastname@gmail.com) as their own. The crucial difference is that they've been separating the first and last name with a "." like firstname.lastname@gmail.com. This, of course, doesn't make a difference and I've been getting their hotel reservations, e-commerce orders and random mailing list sign-ups for years. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by steve.wdc at 5:40 PM PST - 52 comments

If an Android phone was originally locked to a carrier. Then it was unlocked and moved to a different carrier, will that phone continue to get updates? [more inside]
posted by mbarryf at 4:33 PM PST - 4 comments

Here's what I'd like to do. I want to download a web page that has an inset CSS or Javascript window with scrolling content and to be able to share that web page file as easily as I would a PDF or .docx. Is that possible? [more inside]
posted by Countess Elena at 1:02 PM PST - 10 comments

I've started a low dosage course of pregabalin for nerve pain (minor sciatica). While it manages the nerve pain, it makes me feel very spaced out and separated from my senses. Is this a thing, or is it a me thing? [more inside]
posted by scruss at 12:51 PM PST - 21 comments

As usual, the California ballot is a complicated mess, and I have ZERO idea about which, if any, of its 13 judicial appointees I should be voting for. Looking for objective resources about how to vote for/against the judges on the current California ballot. [more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu at 11:39 AM PST - 17 comments

Going to be centered on Manhattan for the next week, am booked to hell and back on the weekend, but would love some tips on what could be fun for the other days and nights. I've been to NYC a couple of times, but not for a good ten years! Turns ons inside. [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 10:18 AM PST - 12 comments

It feels like my condo board is overpaying for service and maintenance on our keyless entry system, and I want to point them toward some better options, if they exist. Do they, in 2022? [more inside]
posted by ryanshepard at 9:04 AM PST - 3 comments

I am looking for examples of (pop) cultural events/releases that were delayed or cancelled because an unforeseeable event eerily echoed their content in some way. For instance, I just discovered that Kylie Minogue's 6th album 'Impossible Princess' was delayed by almost a year because Princess Diana died just before its planned release in 1997 (obviously because of the proposed title). What other cultural creations suffered similar setbacks because of absolutely unpredictable circumstances (so-called 'Black Swan' events)? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious at 8:51 AM PST - 34 comments

I've used Todoist for years (free, but 59,931 karma!), but I want an app that's more flexible in terms of due dates. I have two types of tasks in my life: things that need to be done on a certain date, and things that need to happen X times in a given time frame (e.g., there are seven different 'workouts' I do a week, and I don't care which days they happen on, just that each one happens once a week). Is there an app that provides that level of flexibility? [more inside]
posted by po822000 at 7:59 AM PST - 12 comments

I have otherwise sun-loving plants that really got fried by the sun/heat this summer (jade, sansevieria [snake plant] in particular. They are all on a drip irrigation system, and continued to get watered. I haven’t wanted to use shade cloth because I live in a windy area. Ridiculous question, but does some sort of spray on physical sunscreen barrier exist for plants?
posted by arnicae at 7:57 AM PST - 5 comments

What's the best place to host an image online? [more inside]
posted by tavegyl at 7:37 AM PST - 5 comments

What it says. Was gifted with about a kilo or so of delicious pears from someone's tree. Now they are going bad, and it is breaking my heart. Prefer recipes like cake or bread so I can return a gift of my own to the kind person who gave me this fruit. But easy ways to preserve these pears in some form that does not turn into cake or something else are also welcome. Thanks!
posted by Bella Donna at 6:45 AM PST - 11 comments

I keep my guitars in my basement office, which has a low ceiling with a sand-coat--essentially like having painted sandpaper for a ceiling. I keep hitting, and damaging, my guitar headstocks on the ceiling. What's the best way to provide a long-term solution that will not itself damage the guitars' finish when I remove it? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:42 AM PST - 9 comments

What it says on the tin. I'm not for or against UBI, I'm aware of the concept and it sounds interesting. But I am too stupid to understand it, because everyone keeps talking about UBI, and I can't imagine how if there was UBI, landlords wouldn't just go, "OK, you have an extra [UBI] a month? Guess what, your next month's rent is [current rent + UBI}." I need someone to explain to me how that isn't exactly what happens. I can understand most of the economics argument, but I'm missing this particular part, and I don't even know where to look for the answer. Who's got the papers, blog articles, and Tweet threads such to explain how UBI isn't just a wealth transfer to rentiers?
posted by saysthis at 6:23 AM PST - 27 comments

My husband and I just got married. We are in our 40s and live in the US. He has three kids from a previous marriage. One kid just started college and the other two will be starting pretty soon. I have no kids and this is my first marriage. We are not planning to have kids of our own. How can we handle our finances to minimize the resentment I feel regarding the college tuition costs? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:11 AM PST - 41 comments

What are the risks of erectile dysfunction from my upcoming vascular surgery? I know you are not my doctor, but my doctor seems embarrassed to answer my questions. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:11 AM PST - 3 comments

A self portrait by Zinaida Serebriakova, painted in 1909, featured in this twitter thread today. Many people commented that it looks contemporary. Are there technical reasons why? Is it something specific to the composition, the palette, her facial features lining up with current tastes?
posted by Ballad of Peckham Rye at 1:43 AM PST - 20 comments

I have volunteered to set up an online auction (through Bidding Owl, if it matters) for a non-profit organization in California. A board member has opposed the idea, citing that charity auctions are not legal in the State of CA. Can you help me prove that it is too legal? [more inside]
posted by ainsleymoon at 8:17 PM PST - 7 comments

How do I know the right size of baseboard heater to buy? [more inside]
posted by miles1972 at 7:42 PM PST - 9 comments

While visiting relatives, my daughter was charmed by a shawl that is, sort of, u-shaped. She’s asked for one for Christmas. I am struggling to know how to search for it. [more inside]
posted by gauche at 4:42 PM PST - 7 comments

I bought this outfit for a significant, milestone event. Help shoe me! [Snowflakes inside.] [more inside]
posted by feistycakes at 4:18 PM PST - 10 comments

I've got a huge bundle of chives. What should I do with them? [more inside]
posted by Sterros at 1:39 PM PST - 15 comments

I was gifted a beautiful pair of new leather Chelsea boots. They fit (not too tight or too loose, my usual size), but are so uncomfortable and hard on my feet, mostly due to the stiffness of the leather at the heel and toe. [more inside]
posted by CancerSucks at 12:15 PM PST - 14 comments

So far I've tried three random places that ranged from "actively terrible," to "oddly bland." It doesn't have to duplicate Tex-Mex I'm used to (I like California Mex and am open to varied ingredients) but it should have flavor beyond "we threw some hot-ass peppers on top of otherwise flavorless ingredients." [more inside]
posted by emjaybee at 12:11 PM PST - 23 comments

My wife dunked her iPhone in the toilet. How long should it stay under a fan to dry? [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad at 11:01 AM PST - 4 comments

My Trader Joe's is not selling my favorite shampoo, the nourish spa shampoo. A lot of shampoos make my scalp itch, but this one is great. It might be the terpenes (fragrance) that was doing it. Does anybody know what similar shampoos are out there? [more inside]
posted by Kalmya at 10:38 AM PST - 6 comments

OK, so I am in the middle of the tedious proces of getting rid of all the stuff I have accumulated over the years, mostly because family members have died. For years a paper bag in the middle of my living room has held my granddad's coin "collection". [more inside]
posted by mumimor at 10:34 AM PST - 5 comments

My perfect car doesn’t exist, and probably won’t in 2024 when I’ll want a new car, but what might come closest? Location: Canada (not one of the primary EV markets though). Asking now since a phev or fully electric vehicle would be nice, but those have long wait lists (2-3x as long in my region as average US wait times), so I may need to put in a reservation soon in order to be able to replace my current vehicle with something better when current vehicle is at the end of its life. [more inside]
posted by eviemath at 9:51 AM PST - 14 comments

My niece and nephew love to play with the video effects and little games that are built into Facebook messenger chat, but the ones that require interaction often don't seem to work for me. Why not? [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne at 9:43 AM PST - 2 comments

[ADHD Filter] I started working as a freelance editor earlier this year, and I've been pretty successful so far. However, I'm still working out the angles when it comes to work/life balance (see snowflakes below the fold). Freelancers of Metafilter: regardless of your industry, what practical steps do you take to manage your freelance workload so that you maintain a steady stream of work and income, but aren't consistently overwhelmed? [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 8:28 AM PST - 5 comments

What albums, artists, or genres would you recommend as being neither "traditional" (religious) nor "contemporary pop" (Mariah Carey). It CAN be either of those genres, but ideally far enough from mainstream where it still feels new. [more inside]
posted by bbqturtle at 7:47 AM PST - 45 comments

How do "no-rinse" hand laundry detergents (Soak, Eucalan) work on a chemical/physical/molecular level? DO they actually behave differently than other laundry detergents on a chemical level? Bonus: do the recipes for homemade no-rinse detergent (soap and methylated spirits, mostly--not what's in the commercial ones) successfully do this too? [more inside]
posted by needs more cowbell at 6:04 AM PST - 7 comments

I’d like to paint a kiddo’s face for Hallowe’en, with some kind of skin-safe paint that will dry down to a durable dry finish that will last all day and not be smeary or messy. I’m reasonably good with artsy stuff so it’s ok if the paint takes a bit of skill to figure out. What should I get? Available online in Canada, please, thanks!
posted by nouvelle-personne at 5:57 AM PST - 3 comments

I’m frustrated as I have been laid off again because of the economy. I do wonder if there is a chance that layoffs are a way to get rid of people that aren’t great but not bad enough to fire. [more inside]
posted by sheepishchiffon at 2:58 AM PST - 12 comments

I've been coughing ALL THE TIME for a month, which is a separate issue my dr has covered. It's caused really painful costoconditis and feels like my ribs are stabbing me all over. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 8:36 PM PST - 10 comments

It's well known that seizures can be accompanied by phantom smells of burnt toast or burnt flesh, but can it go the other way? I became aware of this personally during a root canal when the smell of cauterising my roots sent an "electric" feeling down my spine and brought me to the brink of passing out. It felt somewhat like an incipient muscle cramp in my whole back, combined with a struggle to remain conscious. [more inside]
posted by sjswitzer at 7:32 PM PST - 7 comments

I primarily take photos on hikes, and in doing so invariably wind up damaging my camera: my latest victim is a Sony RX100VA, and the repair bill is too high ($675). I'd love something both rugged and small - i.e. with a retractable lens and will fit in my running vest - which will take better shots than my phone (which the "tough" cameras don't seem to do). Does this camera exist (doesn't have to be new - used/ old is fine)? Because I'm mostly shooting in bright light, a viewfinder would be real nice too. [more inside]
posted by my log does not judge at 6:51 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm looking for recommendations about where to get a new suit in the Seattle area [more inside]
posted by Cogito at 4:40 PM PST - 7 comments

I've got dark hair, and want to dye it some kind of red for Halloween. I don't want to bleach my hair if I can avoid it, and don't want the dye to last more than a few days (up to a couple of weeks is okay but really I'm just looking for a weekend, if I can). What are my options? What are some specific products I should check out?
posted by curious nu at 1:26 PM PST - 15 comments

I inherited the family phenotype of tall/thin/genetically underweight for my height. As the years go on, the standard womenswear has adjusted to an average body type easily 30-40 lbs above mine — so, if the sleeve length fits, the body just hangs off of me — easily 3-4” of excess fabric on each side. I’ve tried to adapt by purchasing jeans made for teenaged boys and buying from the Junior’s section instead of the women’s, but the older I get, the less comfortable I am wearing the younger trends - and I want to wear items geared toward my age, dignity, and build. I am looking for recommendations for clothing lines or stores that trend thin, or are geared toward super reedy people. My thanks in advance.
posted by Silvery Fish at 12:49 PM PST - 12 comments

I was diagnosed with kidney failure this year and am on dialysis. I haven't worked since July. I'm on long-term disability through my former employer's insurance and expect to be approved for Social Security disability soon. I had to negotiate a payment plan with a credit card company. If I fail to make payments, it will go to a collection agency. Besides the constant phone calls, what will happen then? What is the most an agency can do?
posted by manageyourexpectations at 11:31 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm interested in engaging history books about the pre-modern era—aside from that, any time period or part of the world is great. Specifically, though, I'm looking for authors who spend some time—but not too much!—grappling with the difficulties posed by contradictory sources or simply missing information. A couple of examples inside. [more inside]
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 11:12 AM PST - 13 comments

My wife and I were just gifted a Superstone La Cloche . I'm an infrequent bread baker and I was assured it had many other uses by the giver... who also had never used one. Do you have one or a similar thing? Give me all your recipes/tips. [more inside]
posted by wellifyouinsist at 10:46 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm having a (small) Halloween party and I want to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible once guests get here. Looking for suggestions on make-ahead dishes that can easily be eaten potluck-style. Difficulty level: one friend is allergic to onions and garlic. [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 10:44 AM PST - 11 comments

I suddenly have access to an abundance of salt cod. What shall I make?
posted by stray at 9:35 AM PST - 10 comments

Any genre welcome. Thoughtful lyrics appreciated. I'm looking for songs about people in any kind of relationship with a loved one who is experiencing addiction. I already have A Minor Incident and Bad, but what else should I add to this playlist? Definitely not looking for songs with the point of view of "you're worthless because you're an addict." Thanks.
posted by corey flood at 7:50 AM PST - 50 comments

I seem to have gone from someone who avoided doctors with a vengeance to someone who obsesses about every single little thing. How do people who have a normal level of health-related vigilance actually operate? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 7:11 AM PST - 9 comments

I didn't expect to be asking this question, but here we are. My mom and I live in the pacific Northwest, and have been seeing these bugs, for the past few days. They apparently have mostly been outside, though mom says she found one in her bedroom, which was a little off-putting. [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 6:38 AM PST - 10 comments

I’m CTO of a small fintech startup in the UK. Currently we’re less than ten people, so still a small team, with a few new engineers who’ve just joined. How do I make the office, and the company, a nice place to be? [more inside]
posted by osmond_nash at 4:23 AM PST - 23 comments

Getting married in less than three months. It's my first, my partner's second. We've been through a lot and I'm confident in the relationship but looking for a) any advice for navigating a "been there done that situation" and b) any books you'd recommend I read before I get hitched? [more inside]
posted by teststrip at 3:10 AM PST - 4 comments

I once danced a polka with my grandfather that featured a move that was very swing-dance like. It was a bit like the "Slip and Slide" in this video at 1:29, although the lady didn't flip over after sliding. I don't know if it was a traditional dance or something choreographed recently, but I'm hoping to find the music to that dance, or a video to play at his memorial service next week.
posted by Soliloquy at 1:15 AM PST - 4 comments

I am thinking about hiring an interior designer to improve my home office. Do you have any advice on hiring and working with someone? [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 10:32 PM PST - 7 comments

I moved into a new apartment a couple months ago and though I keep the kitchen in a pristine state by never cooking anything and throwing out my takeout containers immediately after eating, my trash is infested with these bugs. [more inside]
posted by bendy at 10:24 PM PST - 17 comments

Just had a conversation with my spouse, sounds like we're getting divorced. What next? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:24 PM PST - 21 comments

I have separated from my spouse of many years. My teen offspring has come with me. We are in an apartment in a complex that allows two animals. We have three. One is my teen's service animal. Two are pets. Help me understand and assert our rights with the management. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:24 PM PST - 6 comments

I now need to buy a bunch of plant pots and would like a few to be handmade specials but searching Etsy returns 90% factory made - I know because the same pots came up in my searches on Taobao! What keywords or other search tricks can I use to find actual handmade pottery?
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 9:34 PM PST - 8 comments

I need a shower curtain that is at least 84 inches wide; 96 is even better. It also needs to be fabric and machine washable (not one of those vinyl things). But it seems like you can only buy shower curtains in a standard or long size?? Where did you buy your extra-wide shower curtain? [more inside]
posted by goodbyewaffles at 5:42 PM PST - 10 comments

On certain zooms I log on, let the other person in, and see some message about a transcript--I've dismissed it quickly when it happens so I don't know the exact wording, but I get the impression possibly the other person has turned on a transcript and I do not wish to have the zoom transcribed. I've googled this and, as with a lot of things, all the answers that come up seem to refer to an old version of Zoom or something. Is there a way to keep this from being turned on?
posted by less-of-course at 5:29 PM PST - 7 comments

I want to ask for descriptions/explanations of how it was built that could be understood by a group of second graders. [more inside]
posted by bookworm4125 at 3:55 PM PST - 6 comments

Okay, so I know that the Fixed Term Parliament Act has been repealed, but what I don't understand is what will cause a new general election to be called, rather than Liz Truss just being replaced with another Tory, the way she replaced BoJo. Please explain to me the state of play, or point me to some good explainers about the current moment and its politics. [more inside]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 2:13 PM PST - 16 comments

I own a psychotherapy practice and want to be sure our therapists and staff are as safe as possible. I’m looking for silent panic buttons for each individual office that will ring into another office and the police. Any suggestions?
posted by Jandasmo at 1:55 PM PST - 3 comments

After spending the summer in apparent hibernation, my aji amarillo plant is now covered with chiles, far more than I will be able to eat fresh. What can I do with them to be able to continue to enjoy them? [more inside]
posted by Lexica at 1:36 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm trying to ship some very large artworks from Bruges, Belgium to Brooklyn. The pieces are large Wondering if anyone have advice on shipping very large artwork from Europe to NYC? Any tips on favorite storage places in the tristate area? [more inside]
posted by johnasdf at 11:49 AM PST - 10 comments

How do I calculate how long to air out a house after someone has been inside, for covid-prevention purposes? [more inside]
posted by john_snow at 10:46 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm working on a line of cotton products (grown and manufactured in India) and am trying to figure out what the carbon footprint would be. All I have been able to find online are websites with free carbon footprint calculators but I need an actual study around the production and processing of the cotton. Does anyone know of a company that specializes in doing this?
posted by nolnacs at 10:32 AM PST - 4 comments

I've allowed my Reddit feed to become filled with negative stuff by gradually subscribing to subreddits that highlight the worst in human behavior. (Why do I do this to myself?) I've unsubscribed from those that no longer bring me joy. But I'm here to ask you: Can you recommend quality subreddits full of positive vibes and/or longreads and/or interesting links and videos? Niche and obscure is fine (like /r/Mainstallation for nerdy Star Wars talk). Basically, I want my Reddit feed to look more like Metafilter and less like Reddit haha. [more inside]
posted by jdroth at 9:26 AM PST - 40 comments

After watching Ken Burns' US and the Holocaust I'm left wondering how the Germans had enough loyal soldiers to invade and hold so many territories.
posted by captainscared at 6:35 AM PST - 22 comments

I had surgery two weeks ago that involved a horizontal incision on the front of my neck. I’m looking for products that will help minimise scarring. [more inside]
posted by Salamander at 1:24 AM PST - 19 comments

We are expecting a lot of houseplants soon, and are trying to figure out how to best handle pots for these plants. They will arrive in standard plastic pots and we want to either put those inside caches/cover pots, or repot them. These plants will sit on top of shelves, cabinets and floors and we are puzzled how people handle water and soil dripping from the drainage holes post-watering. This is complicated by living in a dengue zone so we can't have standing water. What's the smart solution?
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 12:27 AM PST - 19 comments

I’ll be in downtown Austin from October 21-26. I will be staying downtown and conferencing downtown. I won’t have a car, but I would like to walk and use transit to experience some of the neat things Austin has to offer. [more inside]
posted by Juniper Toast at 12:03 AM PST - 9 comments

Where can I get a single custom iron-on patch created for a reasonable price? [more inside]
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 11:19 PM PST - 6 comments

In the early days of the COVID vaccine, people who were vaccinated were much less likely to get COVID and less likely to pass it along. So I only saw ciients in-person if they were vaccinated, otherwise we worked via video. I am now on-boarding new clients for the first time in many months. How much of a difference does it makes to my COVID risk if I allow unvaccinated clients? (Assume we are wearing masks and there is a HEPA filter in the room.) [more inside]
posted by metahawk at 9:39 PM PST - 21 comments

Do we know how many people attended the TFG's speech on January 6, 2021 including those who didn't go through the magnetometers? I can't find any numbers other than what the various law enforcement groups were expecting and those predictions range from 2,000 to 80,000.
posted by donpardo at 7:25 PM PST - 2 comments

I have a J-Tech Digital mouse that was I got last Christmas. It died yesterday during my last sprint for my dissertation proposal. My capacity to think and research other options is 100% gone right now. Please suggest me a wireless rechargeable ergonomic mouse that will not die in 10 months. Budget is $50 or less. [more inside]
posted by brook horse at 4:17 PM PST - 12 comments

I need an easy dessert recipe for something that is: non-dairy, gluten-free, and has no egg. Hope me? Do you have one you can vouch for? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 3:15 PM PST - 32 comments

I've developed a new anxiety symptom in which I constantly flex my pointer fingers. Why am I doing this and how do I stop? [more inside]
posted by leftover_scrabble_rack at 1:43 PM PST - 8 comments

I saw a great pair of shorts on a woman, but she got away before I could ask her where she got them. Can you help me find a similar pair? They came to just barely below her knees. They were on the loose side -- not tights, leggings, or yoga pants, but not as baggy as knickerbockers. For working out in, made out of some kind of jersey. They were cuffed, like joggers, at the knee. [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:35 PM PST - 5 comments

My grumpy late middle-aged cat gets cold in our drafty house and I was thinking of getting her a heated cat bed. Do you have one? Can you recommend one? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 1:31 PM PST - 14 comments

A friend saw a dress in a vintage store and has fallen in love with is. But to fit her it needs to be about 2 inches bigger around the chest. Is it possible to get something altered to be bigger? Is it possible to get someone to make a copy of an existing dress? How do you do these things? Is it expensive? (My friend, the dress, and I, are all in Toronto) [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 1:08 PM PST - 10 comments

I bought some Airpod Pro earbuds at a lost and found sale for $20. I tried them out, and the noise cancellation was nice and the transparency mode was underwhelming. Everyone says they are amazing. What am I not getting here? [more inside]
posted by mecran01 at 12:31 PM PST - 13 comments

I often have to visit San Francisco for errands. After completing the errand I used to enjoy having a nice meal, but because of reasons I can only do that at places that have actual-dactual patios, not the "tables on the sidewalk" setup, preferably with heaters. Suitable places are really hard for me to find though and last time I was there I just had to slink home hungry because I couldn't find a single place to eat. Could you suggest some places I could try? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 12:08 PM PST - 11 comments

I have been using a 37" monitor, as my pc is also my tv, movie theatre and gaming machine. I am considering moving up to 55" 4k, and I think this would work out ok for my personal day to day computing (surfing, some music production), as well as to watch stuff on...However, I work from home, using a corporate laptop which does not output 4k. Is this likely to be manageable? I work doing tech support, using web based apps, and Microsoft Teams to connect to user's desktops.
posted by not_that_epiphanius at 11:30 AM PST - 6 comments

My spouse is in a lot of pain and we could use some advice on alternative avenues of pain relief. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:45 AM PST - 33 comments

I got a job offer. I was expecting a competing job offer to come in with a higher salary, and so I told the recruiter that and asked if there was flexibility in the job offer. I learned today I didn't get offered the second job. How do I negotiate the salary for the job I _was_ offered? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:45 AM PST - 14 comments

I need someone to take the face of Mark Zuckerberg's meta avatar, and then print it out onto an IRL physical mask that I can wear. What service will do this for me? [more inside]
posted by queen anne's remorse at 9:43 AM PST - 5 comments

Last year I was in a short-lived, emotionally abusive same sex relationship. We are both in our 40s. I live in a small community. Any advice on how to navigate this situation? Do I just wait awhile to start going out (we broke up almost a year ago)? Do I move? How have you been able to feel safe taking up space in a similar situation? [more inside]
posted by BooneTheCowboyToy at 9:40 AM PST - 5 comments

I cannot decide if I should accept a volunteer position. It is in a field related to my MA and it is a part-time remote position. I have a lot going on right now because I am in a full-time MA programme with multiple language requirements. I work (paid) on a freelance basis. My work hours vary every month. The volunteer position is a mangerial role - so it is not entirely aligned with my interests (which are more creative). [more inside]
posted by bigyellowtaxi at 9:28 AM PST - 9 comments

What should I make with these pom-poms? [more inside]
posted by Melismata at 8:29 AM PST - 7 comments

Recently I visited Russel Wright's Manitoga and Philip Johnson's Glass House. I have plans to see Donald Judd's workspace in New York. Where else should I go?
posted by xo at 8:15 AM PST - 24 comments

I am now officially on the list for a fairly major, medically-necessary surgery that will happen in about 3 months time. It's going to require 6-8 weeks of medical leave and a graduated return to work after that. However, I won't have an exact date until about a month before the surgery, and I'm trying to figure out when to tell my boss and team at work. [more inside]
posted by cgg at 7:26 AM PST - 9 comments

My google scholar account duplicated itself, with some differences and with the second copy not fully set up. How do I get rid of the duplicate? There are complications. [more inside]
posted by biffa at 7:07 AM PST - 2 comments

UK. Who/where/how do I sell a gold sovereign without getting fleeced? [more inside]
posted by popcassady at 6:02 AM PST - 7 comments

I burnt the inside of my mouth on a piece of food last week. It still feels rough and not healing today. Is there anything I should be or could be doing to heal it? What would a dentist do to heal it?
posted by Xurando at 4:10 AM PST - 7 comments

In my work life, I am a straightforward person who tends to keep professional communications quite matter of fact. I write short sentences and use simple vocabulary. However, it's clear to me that a more elaborate, literary style is preferred by my superiors. I find this very hard to put into practice. How can I change my professional writing style? [more inside]
posted by sockandawe at 11:37 PM PST - 29 comments

Currently I live out of hotels. So if I don't HAVE to be in town for work, I do google flights and go international. But it's taken a toll. I've gained some weight (THANKS CHEAP, GOOD GUATEMALA FOOD) and lose focus (...tinder). So I'm looking at a two week trip somewhere I can work out twice a day and stay out of too much trouble. Places like Calgary. Or Rapid City SD. Any recommendations?
posted by rileyray3000 at 8:31 PM PST - 15 comments

I’m in my early thirties and I started seeing a female therapist in her late thirties at a clinic for LGB issues and other personal family issues. I’m quite attracted to her but I don’t think it is wholly to do with transference. I’m feeling confused and not sure what to do? [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 8:15 PM PST - 24 comments

Inspired by this post, I have some questions about colonoscopy prep! Namely, I have had a poor prep in the past and have only managed to extract the very vaguest of instructions from my GI clinic about how to have a better prep this time. [more inside]
posted by Bottlecap at 6:59 PM PST - 10 comments

I know I've seen projects like this for Perl, and they probably exist for PHP (PHPMyAdmin is only so-so), but: is there an open source Python project somewhere that will let me set it up on my shared hosting and quickly configure a front end to a MySQL database? I want to be able to add/modify/delete/query/sort, make the input form compact and helpful, and show listings in a multi-line/custom/pretty format. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 5:54 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm almost hesitant to wade in on this issue because many people, including me, feel so strongly about it. But while I can come up with numerous examples where the Oxford comma provides much-needed clarification, and a few examples where it really doesn't matter, I can't conceive of an example where the Oxford comma actually confuses matters. Can you? Or shall I remain forever a steadfast proponent of the Oxford comma, regardless of what the style guides say?
posted by DrGail at 5:18 PM PST - 26 comments

I'm writing a graphic novel (I put the part I finished in Projects already). (but here it is anyway). [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 4:59 PM PST - 2 comments

The Sensa app promises a plan to help you stop procrastinating. Have you used it? Did it help? [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne at 3:51 PM PST - 6 comments

My deadline is Friday. I have a bunch more work to crank out for the client and I am having major problems sleeping tonight here in Europe. I hope to wake up to advice on how to be productive tomorrow on very little sleep. I have two features and two shorts to write and a not-very-sick grandkid to mind. What keeps you awake and functioning after a rocky night?
posted by Bella Donna at 3:41 PM PST - 14 comments

Got to thinking about how Bowie was in The Hunger and Tom Waits was in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Are there other vampire movies with iconic musicians? Other horror works too .
posted by mermaidcafe at 1:50 PM PST - 25 comments

Can anyone recommend a type of mind mapping software for Mac or iOS that will fit MY particular needs? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 1:46 PM PST - 4 comments

I recently bought a pair of New Balance 574s and I really like them. They fit well and are comfortable. However, one of the shoes makes an annoying popping type noise with every step I take with that foot. [more inside]
posted by walkinginsunshine at 1:42 PM PST - 4 comments

As a reading challenge, I’d like to read the best novel set in each US state. What are your favorites? [more inside]
posted by tatiana wishbone at 1:40 PM PST - 117 comments

I could use a restaurant recommendation for the Toronto area for Saturday October 15th... with caveats of course. [more inside]
posted by Ashwagandha at 12:26 PM PST - 6 comments

Every now and then I come across a website that is very professional, shows contact information, links to random projects completed over the years, and maybe has some photos or other useful stuff. Here is an example. I'm looking for more examples I can check out so I can design my own. [more inside]
posted by rebent at 12:05 PM PST - 10 comments

What's the simplest way to enable a home ariel setup with a tall ceiling? My search for a specific type of nylon webbing is turning up with no results. [more inside]
posted by justalisteningman at 11:12 AM PST - 5 comments

After getting into watching speedruns and gaming streams by players like Kosmic, I'm interested in playing some NES games myself, but unsure about how to approach it… [more inside]
posted by Cogito at 11:11 AM PST - 15 comments

In the book I'm writing at the moment, I need to set things up so that one character has a way to find out that another character is searching for information about them online. [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 10:28 AM PST - 16 comments

We sometimes get deliveries from Hungryroot, and I really like their Superfood Tomato sauce. I'd like to either find it available elsewhere or come up with a recipe that's pretty close to it. I'm just not sure how to start! Pics, ingredient list, and nutritional info inside. [more inside]
posted by amarynth at 9:56 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm in therapy, and finding that there's a lot of stuff that we'll talk about in a session which will come up outside that session, and which effects my day-to-day life a great deal. I'm looking for advice from others who've gone through the same: how did you handle the fallout from therapy sessions outside the therapy room? [more inside]
posted by six sided sock at 9:04 AM PST - 13 comments

Elon Musk sent Starlink access terminals to Ukraine, but recently denied access in Crimea: a lot of power for an individual to hold. There is precedent for the US government to prevent companies from interacting with an "enemy" , or claim the property of a company or individual, shutter satellites or limit their export, and force a U.S. company to make goods. Is there law or precedent that allows the U.S. government to control a U.S. based private entity's foreign (or outer space) property? ***I'm wondering about the range of US powers, not the ethnics of Musk as an eminence grise/kingmaker.***
posted by rubatan at 8:36 AM PST - 7 comments

My industry is sadly rife with scammers including those who pose as legit business opportunities. I usually click on links on a sandboxed computer on its own separate Wi-Fi. That computer is temporarily down. Is there a way for me to install a secure sandbox on an extant machine? MacOS and iOS. Happy to subscribe to a commercial service. Thank you!
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 8:35 AM PST - 1 comment

I got two emails last month and two more this month from abuse@verizon.com warning me about "unauthorized traffic originating from my IP". I need to track down any compromised device/devices and fix this. However, nobody at Verizon tech support or Verizon security has any record of the emails being sent to me so they're saying the emails are fake. But they look and sound very real! More details inside, including one of the full emails. [more inside]
posted by MiraK at 7:18 AM PST - 43 comments

My grandpa, a Dutch Jew raised in Antwerp, liked leftover roast meat cooked as a sort of hash with no potatoes — just meat and onions and black pepper. The name of this dish got passed down through the English-speakers in the family as "eye-a-fleysh" /aɪǝflaɪʃ/, and I think in real Dutch it maybe would be something like uivlees "onion meat"… [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone at 7:15 AM PST - 11 comments

We expect to trade in our 2013 Forester in the near future. It has low mileage for its age, and is generally in good shape. No accidents, some exterior paint scrapes, and generally current on maintenance. In this very odd 2022/2023 car market, what should I do to prep this car in anticipation of trading in at the dealer? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:54 AM PST - 8 comments

I really enjoyed watching Treme and The Eddy and I'm wondering if there are any other good TV drama series in which jazz plays a prominent part. [more inside]
posted by fabius at 5:48 AM PST - 9 comments

I am spending a few weeks in Japan, and I don’t speak any Japanese. Some of my travel plans have me going to places where I don’t necessarily expect anybody to speak English — for example, I know that the proprietor of a ryokan I’m staying at does not. Technology to the rescue? Do you have (and love) an app for that? [more inside]
posted by Metasyntactic at 4:48 AM PST - 8 comments

CW for hopelessness, discussions about capitalism, and general doom. I'm a trauma survivor and struggle with mental illness. Currently trying to rebuild my life and find some modicum of stability and joy. However, I keep running into the reality of what our current capitalist hellscape world is, and it leaves me hopeless and frozen around focusing on my recovery. Is it possible to recover within the daily violence of our system, at least to some degree? Is it possible to make my daily life tolerable—or better than that, decent—within our present circumstances? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:46 AM PST - 31 comments

I'm making a custom Settlers of Catan game as a Christmas present, and some of the pieces have warped. Is there anything I can do to fix them? (pics here) [more inside]
posted by twirlypen at 4:43 AM PST - 4 comments

My partner has just agreed with me that a sapphire I adore and that we can afford would be great for The One Ring I want to wear for the rest of my life to look at and think of my beloved. It seems that, in the past couple of weeks, the Etsy seller has increased the price from $350 to more than $2k. I want this seller to have health care and take nice vacations and retire! But this is a huge change, and I would really like to ask in a respectful way... what caused the price increase? whether he would be willing to negotiate? ...nothing, because I should accept that this is his price and that I should walk away if I can't or won't pay it? Experienced gem-buyers, jewelers, and Etsy sellers/buyers of MetaFilter, your help would be much appreciated! [more inside]
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 10:11 PM PST - 20 comments

My cat Franklin is 12 years old this month. I noticed yesterday his all black solid black toe pads are losing color and there is a lot of pink. I went back thru old pics and his beans were still solid black as of late August. [more inside]
posted by misanthropicsarah at 9:48 PM PST - 3 comments

I need very well-cushioned running shoes to create a low impact, because of some bone issues. I have liked Hoka sneakers, but I'm on my second pair and both times, wires broke through into the inner heel within a year. [more inside]
posted by ojocaliente at 9:22 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm trying to be more economical in a variety of ways and would like to buy tube squeezers to use with toothpaste tubes to reduce waste to a minimum. I looked online for some and came across multiple different forms of them such as this roll-up style one and this style. What type should I go with?
posted by GlassHeart at 8:28 PM PST - 14 comments

I wonder if low B12 can cause anxiety and depression and other mood disorder symptoms? [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 7:06 PM PST - 7 comments

I find that using the prompt "whimsical Fantasy steampunk" in an AI art prompt gets a very distinct art style. Looking for the original artist who did this style that the AI must be copying. [more inside]
posted by The otter lady at 6:20 PM PST - 8 comments

I have old ikea cabinetry and one of the hinges just broke off. See photos here I took photos of an unbroken hinge for reference too. How do I fix this? I can’t just put in the screws because they were wrenched out of the screw holes and won’t hold. I can’t move the hinge either.
posted by cacofonie at 5:34 PM PST - 18 comments

My emotions want to rage, my body does not. I could use suggestions for physical activities to work through some anger that won’t put me in a pain flare. [more inside]
posted by bluloo at 4:05 PM PST - 23 comments

A young man of my acquaintance is about to celebrate his bar mitzvah. He's a great kid, and he really doesn't need things, which leaves me a little stumped for coming up with an appropriate gift. He has really taken with an enormous amount of enthusiasm to learning Hebrew. Are there any suggestions for a good bar mitzvah gift (beyond a really good dictionary) for a linguistically inclined young person?
posted by pleasant_confusion at 3:14 PM PST - 8 comments

I need to replace some window frames in my house, but they'll be painted so I don't particularly care what they look like. I have access to some skilled craftsmen who will have no trouble producing a custom set of casement windows. Is there any reason to get fancy?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 2:10 PM PST - 4 comments

Where can I learn how to do this? [more inside]
posted by Joan Rivers of Babylon at 1:46 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm moving to a new home in a few months, and a relative has very generously offered to buy me a new bed as a housewarming gift! How do I choose a frame and mattress that will last me for, hopefully, many years to come? [more inside]
posted by btfreek at 1:19 PM PST - 25 comments

My favorite bath salts for seasonal allergies are harder to come by locally. What do you toss into your tub for steamy relief from the dreaded stuffiness and sinus pressure that comes with fall weather? (More below the fold) [more inside]
posted by TrishaU at 12:37 PM PST - 5 comments

Looking for some online game suggestions to play with a group of friends (4-6 people) where we will also be video chatting. This is not going to be a regular gathering so something that is pretty lighthearted, casual, quick to learn would be great. I don't think we'd like to play anything scary either... just something fun to help take our minds off things.
posted by madonna of the unloved at 12:21 PM PST - 12 comments

Is there a good resource anywhere that will tell me when a product shortage is likely to be over, and ideally why the heck there's a shortage in the first place? I'm especially hankering after Carr's Ginger Lemon Cremes cookies, but curious about several items. [more inside]
posted by kristi at 11:29 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for a dataset that contains the following information: for each year X, I'd like to know the distribution of parental ages of everyone born in year X in the United States. Basically, I'd want to be able to know things like "X% of the people born in the US in 1981 had at least one parent who was born in 1962" or "Y% of the people born in the US in 2003 had parents who were born between 1950 and 1955. [more inside]
posted by mhum at 11:19 AM PST - 3 comments

Several posts back, I asked if I should try to get my play, (which is being turned into a musical, and which was based on a self-published book) produced in its own right. The responses were clearly toward getting it produced. So (after some fear-based procrastination), I got around to sending requests for information on how to do that to Dramatist, Pioneer, Broadway and Concord play publishers. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 11:03 AM PST - 9 comments

I find myself stressed and in a pickle at work often, and when I look back at it, it's because I took a shortcut earlier. I either simplified something, created an undocumented step somewhere (think random sheets in excels) or didn't get feedback on something that might require a hard conversation. [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 11:00 AM PST - 12 comments

Can you please recommend a scanner app? My parents frequently need to send documents and I know they need not be running to FedEx/Kinkos when they both have iPhones.
posted by sarajane at 10:52 AM PST - 9 comments

Looking for recommendations for a wheeled dog carrier suitable for a 10-15 lb. dog that you know to be airline-compliant. I'm good with the googling part, I'm really just looking for people's personal experiences, especially with fitting under seats (I know that space can vary, assume regular national airline seats, so 18x11x11). Thanks!
posted by praemunire at 10:36 AM PST - 0 comments

How can I talk to someone close at a sad time without making them sadder? [more inside]
posted by troywestfield at 9:49 AM PST - 21 comments

My job is increasingly becoming trying to communicate complex processes and systems to other people. I'm looking for resources that will make me better at presenting this information to other people. [more inside]
posted by edbles at 9:36 AM PST - 7 comments

Is it possible to get steel toed boots for kids? If not, what's the next best option? My daughter is engaging an activity that recommends steel-toed boots, and I haven't been able to find anything in her size (4.5 US). [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 7:34 AM PST - 13 comments

How did you come to terms with how dysfunctional your family is? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 7:08 AM PST - 18 comments

Ok. I work in a library, and we have an interesting patron request involving ebooks and all the countries of the world! [more inside]
posted by LaBellaStella at 6:57 AM PST - 8 comments

I have a 41-year-old cousin with Stage 4 stomach cancer. At this point, it's pretty much considered terminal -- chemo will keep him alive for awhile, but it will be hard, and in the next few years, he will probably die. He's scared, but doing pretty well with it, all things considered. His mom (my aunt), on the other hand, is not coping well. I'm looking for any suggestions for how she might find some help. [more inside]
posted by nosila at 6:15 AM PST - 9 comments

Short and simple - I really, really like The 30th by Billie Eilish, especially the building crescendo of the bridge (at 2:16 of the link) that ends...sort of quietly. Could you please recommend other songs that are either similar in composition or evoke the same feel? Assume no limitations re: artists/genres/language, and no prior knowledge. Thanks.
posted by Nieshka at 5:22 AM PST - 6 comments

I am looking for an app (or something?) that will allow me to take a picture of a location, record GPS coordinates/locate the pictures on a map, and allow me to add notes to each location. Ideally I could share this map with someone who could click on a dot on the map to open the picture and notes. I am open to any and all solutions. I prefer Apple products. Do I need GIS software? A specific App? Could I do this with a dedicated google account and dropping pins? Thank you!
posted by unreasonable at 4:48 AM PST - 7 comments

I have an older Samsung Galaxy Note Pro (I think) Android tablet that can take a Micro SD card. I think I need plain Jane 64 MB Micro SD, but searching for that only turns up Micro SDXC or SDHC. Any suggestions? Vendors with a really good search interface?
posted by amtho at 1:06 AM PST - 4 comments

I had a prescription for doxycycline (low dose - 100 mg) to take as needed (following treatment schedule: 2x/day for 2 days then 1x/day for 2 weeks) for rosacea flare-ups. I refilled it right before everything shut down at the start of the pandemic (in late March, 2020), as a just-in-case sort of thing (I had needed it the previous fall, wasn't sure how long the shutdown would last and if it would be stressful enough to trigger another flare-up). I haven't had to use it since, but am having a rosacea flare-up now. Complicating factor: my family doctor retired, the practice she was at didn't reassign her clients to other doctors, so I've been without a family doctor for a bit; and local walk-in clinics are hard to access. I'll keep trying the walk-in clinic option and YANMD, but you might know something about the pharmaco-chemistry involved: can I take this two-and-a-half year old antibiotic, or will it have likely lost enough of its effectiveness that that would be un- or counter-productive?
posted by anonymous at 11:12 PM PST - 11 comments

With a few relationships in my life now I've been stuck on a stage where I need to talk to the other person about social justice issues that affect our relationship but I get burnt out or upset if they keep pushing back. These are best friends/romantic partners level of relationships and they are otherwise safe and supportive, but we hit an intimacy wall at this point because I feel like I can't talk to them about things that affect me and have them support me. Are there groups or organisations that I can outsource this kind of 'education' to? What are they called in your area? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:12 PM PST - 8 comments

What steps can I take to maximize my body's absorption of water in the course of a day? I strongly suspect I have hyperthyroidism – I tried today to really keep up with hydration and have had over 12 litres of water. At times I have felt hydrated but at others have fell behind and felt very dehydrated. I am seeing my doctor about this ASAP – but in the mean time, how can I try to absorb as much water as possible? [more inside]
posted by lookoutbelow at 10:50 PM PST - 21 comments

We have an old fireplace that we'd like to put an electric insert into. There are a lot of options and they look pretty cheap and cheesy. Is there anything out there we should consider? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 8:42 PM PST - 5 comments

I do not want to risk Covid and haven't had a knowledgeable haircut since before it began, my hair is, to put it mildly, a seriously hot mess. What are you all doing to have safe haircuts, because the thought of going into an enclosed salon and taking my mask off (or even with a mask for that extended a time in a space that confined and probably not ventilated well) bothers me greatly. Not looking for people trying to convince me to go anyway, I seriously can't get this thing. Thanks!
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 4:47 PM PST - 43 comments

With the strength of the US dollar right now, I want to order some products* directly from a German manufacturer. The company has US distribution, but the US stores are about 2.5x more expensive than what the manufacturer lists on their site. Anyway to beat the system? [more inside]
posted by Farce_First at 4:33 PM PST - 7 comments

Hi, I made some long tweet thread drafts and I spent hours and would really like to recover them - I had logged out and logged back in so they seem to be gone but they’re evidently in a cache? Am on iPhone.
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 3:30 PM PST - 2 comments

Our beautiful companion Ada needs a new vet. She is FeLV-positive, but has been healthy and happy for the year she's been with us. We're in Jackson Heights, and are, for various reasons, disenchanted with the neighborhood guy we've been seeing. The local vet has been calling, and telling us she needs new vaccinations, but we really don't want to go back to him. [more inside]
posted by neroli at 3:15 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking for a new therapist, and found a qualified, clinical hypnotherapist. I can't find much literature or personal experiences on treating complex PTSD with hypnotherapy. Does anyone have any successes (or failures) with it? Any literature or helpful information I might look into that talks about its effectiveness/safety (or lack thereof)? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:49 PM PST - 6 comments

I am taking what is essentially a neurobiology class, where I am learning and having to remember a lot of information on brain and nervous system anatomy and biological processes. I have discovered sketching is the best way so far for me to remember the boatload of information being thrown at me. I want to do the sketches using color, but with the ability to erase. I am currently using color mechanical pencils, but I stumbled upon colored pens and markers that claim to be erasable. And have no idea where to start. [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 2:37 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm a third-year (out of a five-year course) medical student in the UK (although I don't feel like I took in / retained very much from the first two years). I get very frustrated with the way we're taught: lots and lots of "how to do ___", lists of symptoms or side-effects, descriptions of algorithms for managing a problem... but not enough explanation of why. I'm looking for suitable resources that are user-friendly (not horribly dry) and at approximately the right level, that actually *explain* things. [more inside]
posted by tangerine_poppies at 2:12 PM PST - 5 comments

Why is a cassowary the "least birb-like bird on the planet" but the Shoebill stork qualifies as a muppet-like birb? According to the extremely important birb guide, muppet-like birds qualify as birbs under rule #3. Seems to me like they should both be birbs or neither. Please help clarify this difficult taxonomical question for me. [more inside]
posted by aniola at 1:05 PM PST - 20 comments

I made a mini-lasagna in a 4" x 8" baking dish. It's slightly shallower than my 9" x 9" and 9" x 13" pans. How long should I bake this? [more inside]
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 12:53 PM PST - 4 comments

In advance: I know this is a meaningless statistic in all meaningful domains of meaning and I attach no meaning to it. But nonetheless I wonder what it means. How do amazon best seller rankings work and what do they really signify in terms of book sales? [more inside]
posted by ojocaliente at 12:04 PM PST - 5 comments

I had a wonderful art book that was published sometime in the early/mid eighties. It's been lost for years and years and internet searching is not helpful. Does the description within ring a bell? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 10:58 AM PST - 2 comments

I have a job title and employment history that seems to imply that I should be a great computer programmer. My job is actually maybe only 10% writing and reviewing code, and 90% synthesizing complex information, defining specifications for product features, negotiating said specifications with various uncooperative groups, and preparing really good presentations about all of the above. If I never want to sit through a whiteboard coding interview ever again, what kinds of jobs could I be looking for, and how can I tailor my resume/cover letter toward them? [more inside]
posted by btfreek at 10:12 AM PST - 21 comments

I'm looking for a boudoir photographer in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Any recommendations are welcome!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 9:57 AM PST - 2 comments

This was my experience this morning: I'm cycling, and I see this guy running, opposite direction to me. He has a cap on, and on top of the cap was what (at first) I thought was a light. Then I thought maybe it was a camera. Then as he got closer I thought it was a donut, like maybe an orange cream filled or something. then as I got closer I heard very regular beeping that I'm pretty sure was coming from the not-donut. And then I couldn't tell what it was, apart from it was orange and about 2 inches tall, maybe cylindrical or donut-shaped. My best guess is that it was some sort of device to help him regulate head/posture, kind of like "teach kids to walk while balancing books on their head". Google is not helping. Can the hivemind suss this out?
posted by Gorgik at 9:06 AM PST - 3 comments

Seriously! I know they can't be kept together. I have tried keeping them in separate cupboards but they need air circulation. I don't have a lot of counter space and I don't have a basement. What has worked for you?
posted by uans at 9:01 AM PST - 26 comments

I'm editing a slideshow in Apple Keynote and every time I start it, a video I had inserted in another slide (but removed) starts playing. I'm trying to 'delete' it from Keynote but can't seem to find where it lives, or how to remove it. Any ideas?
posted by dearleader at 8:35 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm due to happily march my high school sophomores through the difference between compound and complex sentences. I do not understand how they are actually different. Please help me understand. [more inside]
posted by argybarg at 8:23 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm going to be out of the country for the next six months. I'm hoping to find a friend who is willing to drive my 2017 Prius C2 around the block once or twice a month to maintain the battery charge and prevent other issues that happen when a car sits for a long time. But if I need to just leave it somewhere, how do I do that without ruining it? I'm trying to sort through info on Google but I'm getting confused. (more details inside) [more inside]
posted by ananci at 8:02 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm tasked with ordering a treat for a group. On a weekday afternoon - something fun to follow an outdoor lunch. What should I get? Toronto-specific reccos would be great. [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:27 AM PST - 20 comments

Word fritzed out on me today and now my documents appear to have only about 5% of their original text. What is going on? What should I do? [more inside]
posted by Ollie at 6:33 AM PST - 10 comments

UK citizenship question. My friend's children were born in the UK between 2006 and 2021. The children's parents were both EU nationals. I'm trying to figure out if the kids are UK citizens. Help me out? [more inside]
posted by rouleur at 5:36 AM PST - 2 comments

An elderly friend has a broken arm. We'd like to drop off hot meals for her but she'd struggle to open a traditional thermos. Can you recommend a way of keeping food hot that's easy to open with one hand? More broadly, how can we improve the life of an elderly person with a broken arm? [more inside]
posted by yankeefog at 3:22 AM PST - 12 comments

Not sure how to cook them both together in the Instant Pot for maximum flavor. I’d like to add some creole seasonings and “holy trinity” (green pepper, celery, onion) as well. I usually follow Instant Pot directions verbatim, how would you do this? Can’t seem to find a helpful recipe online. [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 9:09 PM PST - 8 comments

I woke on Thursday morning to smoke detectors alerting, visible smoke, and a burning smell. The fire department came and was unable to find a fire or a source for the smoke, and the smoke cleared. Where did the smoke come from? [more inside]
posted by miscbuff at 8:24 PM PST - 16 comments

My granddaughter (1.5y) adores buttons and music and the last toy shop visit she was entranced by a plastic toy piano. I am drowning in toy piano choices online, and I want something more than cheap plastic crud, but less than actual-expensive-piano. We are very crowded in space and want to buy a toy piano that is (criteria below fold) [more inside]
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 7:24 PM PST - 13 comments

My 5 year old is a new Beaver Scout. He tends to be a little afraid about new things so I'd like to give him a better idea what Scouting is like and give him something to get excited about. Books excite him and he often gets excited about things we read about in books. Point me to some books about scouting. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 4:21 PM PST - 14 comments

Hello, Catholic funeral mass. Old Testament one is all set. Priest is fine with the family choosing readings. Need one from the gospels (M,M,L,J) and one not. Any extraneous advice on funerals in general are fine.... [more inside]
posted by rhonzo at 3:42 PM PST - 11 comments

There are some iMessage conversations that I never want to lose. Is there a way of backing them up to my own storage instead hoping I never inadvertently delete the conversation? [more inside]
posted by AMyNameIs at 3:35 PM PST - 6 comments

SF Bay Area, preferably Upper Peninsula/SM County, or San Francisco. Various tests and multiple Drs tell me I have minor Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, medium+ Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, and likely Thoracic Outlet Syndrome as well. I'd like to connect with someone who can help me learn not only what exercises and movements can help reduce discomfort help build strength, but knows also which movements I need to avoid. In other words, someone with actual experience treating people with complex concurrent conditions affecting the hands, arms, shoulders and upper thoracic region. [more inside]
posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only at 3:24 PM PST - 5 comments

Another playlist question! Looking for songs to listen to during the hardest part of an extremely long and difficult hike - climbing up a very steep, long, and technical mountain pass. Songs that fit any of these descriptions would be great: inspirational, bad-ass, motivating, make you feel like a superhuman, powerful, conquering, etc etc etc. I've searched for old posts and pulled lots of ideas but looking for more. [more inside]
posted by carlypennylane at 3:04 PM PST - 36 comments

I have an existing set of vintage dinnerware and I would like to have a service track down a matching set. [more inside]
posted by captainsohler at 2:56 PM PST - 6 comments

I have 2 different species of spider plant - one variegated, one not. When they get really dry, the leaves take on a blue-ish tint, kind of a subtle teal colour. When they're well watered, they turn a bright yellowy-green colour (not immediately, maybe 1/2 a day after a good soak). Why?
posted by nouvelle-personne at 1:06 PM PST - 2 comments

Am at a milestone in my life as a pet owner: i have to administer daily subcutaneous drip. I have the target dosage, i have the instructions, but the vet overlooked to review how to read the volume markings for me, and I forgot to double check, because as it turns out, there are two rows of volume markings. For something so basic, my search results are giving too little information or too much about IV management. If I have to give 200ml, which row should I be reading? [more inside]
posted by cendawanita at 12:47 PM PST - 7 comments

I have a YouTube channel with my .edu (Gsuite) Google account and I want to know if there's any way I can transfer the account, specifically the YouTube channel, so that the URL for the videos I've made on it don't disappear. I know I can save the videos and reupload them, but I'm wondering if there's a way to keep them in their original location so that people who have embedded or linked to them will still get to the video.
posted by 10ch at 11:02 AM PST - 3 comments

Made traditional kimchi from scratch for the first time. Used coarse gochugaru as the recipe suggested. It tastes great but has a ...gritty texture? Like when a pizza crust has cornmeal on the bottom — it's totally edible, there's just a noticeable grit that I don't taste in other people's kimchi, which I assume is the coarse flakes of chili. Did I miss a step that would have softened the texture? [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone at 9:56 AM PST - 6 comments

Should I try to get extended wear contacts even if eye doctors don't seem to want me to? [more inside]
posted by Countess Elena at 9:18 AM PST - 13 comments

Does anyone have any recommendations for cheaply available art books that I could use to cut out pictures from? Any genre of art is welcome. Ideally the book would have lots of (preferably large) pictures and the minimum of text. Nothing too nice that I would feel bad about desecrating!
posted by an opinicus at 3:14 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm looking for a service where i could upload a document, and it will get printed out and mailed in the country of the recipient. This would insure a relatively fast and inexpensive local delivery of that document. [more inside]
posted by PardonMyFrench at 2:43 AM PST - 2 comments

Song in question. I immediately recognized it from something, maybe a youtuber or such but I can't place it and it's driving me mad! Anyone have a lead on this?
posted by Ferreous at 7:48 PM PST - 2 comments

Twisted my ankle this week and needed an ACE bandage and I thought, "has this tech not changed since I was 5? IS there something better I should have on hand for this sort of sprain that needs compression?" So my question to you is...is there?
posted by rileyray3000 at 6:08 PM PST - 13 comments

I’m a regular at a nearby cocktail bar in Toronto. The owner is interested in ways of making it a more sociable space: A place where people can come and talk with people other than the friends they came with. Looking for ideas to move things in that direction. [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 3:14 PM PST - 24 comments

I have a milestone birthday coming up right after Christmas. My husband and I are considering a getaway in Charleston, SC the week of December 26. I’ve never been, and he hasn’t visited in a decade or more. I’ve looked at older questions about the area, but am hoping for some more recent information about hotels, restaurants, and our tentative itinerary. [more inside]
posted by little mouth at 2:59 PM PST - 6 comments

Took new job at company but the offer was different on paper.... [more inside]
posted by irish01 at 1:14 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm using a paste made from baking soda and water to remove rust from metal window frames. The frames are not removable and the paste (which needs to stay on for an hour) tends to slide off shortly after being applied. It seems like it needs something to make it a little sticky without interfering with the rust dissolving properties. Suggestions?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 1:13 PM PST - 15 comments

I have a female character that needs a name and accompanying diminutive with some parameters. [more inside]
posted by Sassyfras at 1:07 PM PST - 45 comments

In November, I am going to Copenhagen for a seminar and would love to hit one thrift shop. I googled the thrift shops and came up with a Copenhagen list but not sure which one is best for tchotchkas, costume jewelry, an odd coffee mug etc. Not really interested in clothing, please. I know this is a long shot, but Ask MeFi is a goldmine of information and maybe someone reading this has a lead for me?
posted by rowboat at 12:38 PM PST - 1 comment

I inherited approximately 50 vintage 80s-90s cross stitch patterns. They are in excellent shape and some are out of print now. I want to get them to people who will actually use them so how do I do that outside of eBay? [more inside]
posted by tafetta, darling! at 10:11 AM PST - 15 comments

(also Linuxfilter) I am happily using the 'formtools.org' application to create forms for entering data into a database. I can query the resulting database from the command line or via phpMyAdmin and its ilk. But I'd rather have another web form of the same simplicity to use to query the database and bring up the record in the fields of the form. Is there a way to do this in formtools or a similar app? [more inside]
posted by Quesaak at 10:10 AM PST - 2 comments

After about 20 minutes, the TV disconnects from the Rogers stream. [more inside]
posted by sardonyx at 10:02 AM PST - 6 comments

Hi everyone; I would like a simple laser printer(not all in one). Black & white is good. Doesn't have to be real fast. A laser printer where I can buy 3rd part toner,lol. Apparently HP requires you to ONLY use HP toner. Suggestions please? Thank you :-)
posted by LOOKING at 8:27 AM PST - 22 comments

People I know seem to try and influence me in ways I'm not comfortable with [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 7:31 AM PST - 14 comments

I love these women's boy short underwear from Ridge Merino - except that I am disappointed in their longevity. Any recommendations for replacements? Very picky details follow. [more inside]
posted by hilaryjade at 7:15 AM PST - 9 comments

I am a member of a Tenants & Residents Association (TRA) on a housing estate in London, based at the estate's community hall. A month ago the TRA has started offering a food bank on Friday afternoons, run by an independent person (not a TRA member), with food donations from the City Harvest charity. Privately, other TRA members have come to me with several complaints about how the food bank is run. I'd appreciate advice – especially if you have experience of well-run food banks. [more inside]
posted by snarfois at 4:58 AM PST - 12 comments

Does this look familiar to you? I am looking for a book from which I have one page of text and one image of a white tree and moon against a black background. Google, etc. are leading me nowhere. Chapter 3 Into the Woods I had always loved the city outskirts, the woods in particular with its well thought-out, curvaceous trees. It was a place where I felt at peace. (More inside) [more inside]
posted by saltykitten at 4:03 AM PST - 8 comments

Desperately want to quit my job for burnout recovery, but I'm my household's source of employer-sponsored health insurance. Is the NYS health insurance marketplace reasonably affordable and good? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:51 AM PST - 7 comments

I am seriously considering moving to New Zealand within 2 years. I am on the skill shortage list and am exploring all the red tape. I have done biggish moves before but always within the UK where I knew at least one person to 'get me started'. Depending on where I went, I may not have that. Are there any ways of me building links from afar and/or potentially with other people who may be migrating from here or elsewhere? I'm not a FB fan but wouldn't rule it out. I'm asking about friends of friends. [more inside]
posted by tanktop at 10:41 PM PST - 7 comments

What clear coat will stand up best in the Arizona sun to protect my Adirondack chairs? [more inside]
posted by Tandem Affinity at 10:24 PM PST - 8 comments

I need to access a Gmail account that I haven't accessed in about a decade. [more inside]
posted by neuron at 8:57 PM PST - 5 comments

Looking for examples of good comedies. My buddy and I are looking for inspiration for our film project! Thanks! (not animation)
posted by storybored at 6:56 PM PST - 8 comments

What's your favorite smartwatch to use with a (non-Samsung) Android phone? [more inside]
posted by cozenedindigo at 6:36 PM PST - 9 comments

Is there any reason for a nonbinary person to NOT get "x" as their gender on their US passport? The person can pass for the gender they were assigned as birth, if necessary, but obviously that's not ideal. So far their only planned travel on this passport is Japan and Canada, but let's presume they're going to want to see more of the world.
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:11 PM PST - 18 comments

What's this strange new phenomenon I've noticed in TV advertising including sports on the side? [more inside]
posted by downtohisturtles at 5:43 PM PST - 8 comments

For an autoimmune condition, I've just started taking weekly methotrexate. It's kicking my butt pretty hard. I need help figuring out how to manage this. Details and a few other questions inside... [more inside]
posted by invincible summer at 2:14 PM PST - 9 comments

I’ve recently been enjoying 80s-90s TV with self-contained episodes (no or very little overarching plot) and minimal complicated camerawork, lighting, cuts, etc. (I find it difficult to process much modern TV for this reason.) [more inside]
posted by brook horse at 1:26 PM PST - 46 comments

I know this is an extreme long shot, but I wonder if anyone can identify the label inside my 1940s maple dresser. There's not much to go on, and it could be a local maker. The characters also might represent the maker's line. I've googled furniture-makers' logos and maker-marks and also tried Google image search. Thank you!
posted by jgirl at 1:08 PM PST - 3 comments

I've never had a tattoo. Do you? If so how did you find someone who does quality work? I'm in the Charlotte / Davidson / Lake Norman area of NC. There are a lot of tattoo shops. Are reviews reliable? I presume a request to lie down is reasonable, i. e.: I want an inner wrist tattoo, but I need to lie down due to hip injury. This tattoo is to honor my BFF. If you've done that, what did you come up with? I have photos similar to what I want, but not exact. I presume the *tattooist* will take the info and create what they think I want - and we can tweak it til it's "right"? All recommendations, tips, suggestions welcome. Thank you!
posted by racersix6 at 1:03 PM PST - 12 comments

...it's the fabric in the minivan coming loose from the top. Any ideas how to keep it up there? [more inside]
posted by ditto75 at 12:50 PM PST - 11 comments

My work requires us to be in the office, but outside folks are required to test. I was going to be in charge of escorting a new person into the office, and he tested positive for Covid on the 15 minute rapid tests. He immediately left, but I'm now left feeling unsure of the proper steps to take here, and how to protect myself and my partner. [more inside]
posted by Carillon at 11:54 AM PST - 11 comments

I've been a high school English literature teacher and school administrator for the past decade or so. I'm thinking about the next ten years and realize I'm getting pretty burned out. [more inside]
posted by Trespassers William at 11:29 AM PST - 8 comments

Per some articles I've seen recently, what are some strange/"lucky" things people do regarding a certain object/location to find love? Such as this "groping a statue to find love" article in the NYT or writing letters to a love tree in Germany. Just wondered how often stuff like this comes up around the world.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:47 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a fairly decent PC (IMHO) which is also fairly old (about 10 years I think). My son has suggested he'd like a graphics card for Xmas. Will a new one work with my PC? Which one should I get? [more inside]
posted by popcassady at 10:33 AM PST - 13 comments

I want to go as Evelyn w/ hot dog fingers from Everything Everywhere All at Once for Halloween, but I'm stumped on how to pull it off. I'm pretty handy/crafty so I'm looking for any and all good ideas. I already know about the A24 gloves but those look like crap, so I want to make my own. [more inside]
posted by GoldenEel at 10:12 AM PST - 10 comments

I am pretty good at Word but this issue is vexing me horribly. I have a new document with a heading that needs to start at 16.1.3. Easy! But when paragraph marks are set to "show" 1.0 to 16.0, 16.1.1, etc. show up. My team always has paragraph marks set to "show" and this hidden text appearing will confuse them and cause a lot of sturm und drang. How can I get this to work as desired? [more inside]
posted by misanthropicsarah at 9:35 AM PST - 7 comments

What's the best way to annotate PDFs with Mac and Windows devices? [more inside]
posted by spockaway at 9:01 AM PST - 16 comments

How, pray tell, should I burn a CD in 2022? [more inside]
posted by Synesthesia at 8:43 AM PST - 7 comments

My desktop PC stopped working, coincidentally during the time the house cleaner my wife and I hire was here. I do not believe it's our house cleaner's fault, because a PC should not stop working due to any level of nearby cleaning. That said, I'd like suggestions about how to change my setup after I rebuild/repair to prevent this from happening again in the future! [more inside]
posted by Alterscape at 8:20 AM PST - 8 comments

I booked a train ticket for Renfe (Spain) via the Omio app. However for the life of me I can not figure out how to add my cat to the journey. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by socky_puppy at 8:15 AM PST - 2 comments

Obsidian users: What advice do you have for someone just starting with the app? Or what do you wish you had known when you got started?
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 7:27 AM PST - 13 comments

I have 4 hours to kill before my flight home in LA tomorrow Saturday. Staying at the airport. Would like to go somewhere and do a thing before being trapped on the plane for 6 hours. Dont want to go more than a 30 minute drive away. Any suggestions?
posted by edbles at 6:58 AM PST - 16 comments

Okay hive mind, help me maintain my sanity. For a couple of weeks there's been an odd smell in my home office. Best I can describe it is like the sweet smell of fermenting apples combined with an acrid chemical smell. As the smell has been getting worse, it's started irritating my throat and giving me a headache. From extensive googling, I suspect it's a blown capacitor. In my office, that means the smell could be coming from one of two MacBook Pros, or a couple of LED bulbs, or an LG monitor. But.... [more inside]
posted by bassomatic at 6:36 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm looking for stories (essays/non-fiction or thoughtful fiction, not trite pop stuff) about people who realize they don't actually want what they thought they wanted and come to terms with that/pivot/find new desires/a life that suits them better. Intentionally casting a broad net--it could be [more inside]
posted by needs more cowbell at 6:15 AM PST - 7 comments

English idiom usage: In contemporary English language use, does the appositive: "if not impossible" -- as used in the example sentence: "It would be difficult, if not impossible, for this machine to produce 100 widgets in a day" -- most commonly imply: A.) "It would be difficult, but I'm specifically allowing that it's not impossible..." or, B.) "It would at the very least be 'difficult'; and if not merely difficult, it might actually be impossible."? [more inside]
posted by jjjjjjjijjjjjjj at 4:27 AM PST - 32 comments

I tried to make sauerkraut for the first time, but didn’t have a sharp knife or mandoline, so used a dull cheesegrater that turned the cabbage into a puree practically. Is that going to be a problem for fermentation? [more inside]
posted by asimplemouse at 3:46 AM PST - 9 comments

How do I stop taking it personally when the people I work with are jerks, and it feels like I’m being set up to fail? Added difficulty: often the only woman in the room, and the only remote worker, too. [more inside]
posted by btfreek at 1:37 AM PST - 14 comments

You: Are a person who still believes Covid poses a danger to you - either mortality or long term health effects - and have chosen to relax your Covid precautions. How do I ask about that in a way that won’t make you feel defensive? [more inside]
posted by Bottlecap at 1:08 AM PST - 50 comments

Yesterday I made a huge crock pot of Lentil veg soup. It was delicious! Unfortunately I fell asleep shortly after having my dinner, and when I woke, the crock pot was cold! It was turned off about 6 hours. Can I eat the rest, or should I just toss it? Thank you all.
posted by james33 at 1:08 AM PST - 5 comments

How dry should a salad spinner be getting leaves? Is this user error or are they always going to be kind of damp? [more inside]
posted by Adifferentbear at 10:32 PM PST - 10 comments

I want to get colored contact lenses for Halloween / cosplay, but I don't know which kind would be best for me. Can you help me? Details inside... [more inside]
posted by DEiBnL13 at 8:27 PM PST - 1 comment

We have a 6-person Intex inflatable spa. We've deflated it, but it doesn't deflate ABSOLUTELY COMPLETELY so you can fold it up and put it in the nice bag that came with it. Instead, it's this MASSIVE lump of spa protoplasm lying on the ground. What should I do next?? And how would you completely DRY such a thing? leaving it out will dry its exposed surfaces, but how would I get it dry enough everywhere to store? thank you!
posted by DMelanogaster at 7:56 PM PST - 9 comments

I am looking for the dress Sarah Millican wears while doing filmed task segments on Taskmaster S14. You can see it here: dark blue knee length shirt dress, elbow length sleeves, and a distinctive large bird print. Thanks for any help!
posted by lizard music at 7:55 PM PST - 7 comments

I want to say that one analysis is ____ of another. Or that two analyses are _______. Where the blank word means -- "look, they're the same thing in a different form. They're just simple transformations of each other. You can pull out your calculator and turn this one into that one. They spit out different numbers but they mean EXACTLY the same thing" I feel like there's a word for this. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:33 PM PST - 17 comments

How can I wear my hair for a fancy black tie wedding this weekend? I have zero hair skills. [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 7:29 PM PST - 12 comments

The addition to our home has really cold floors. [more inside]
posted by atomicstone at 4:33 PM PST - 15 comments

We bought a new bed that we both loved for a while. How do I fix it so that I still do? [more inside]
posted by pdb at 4:29 PM PST - 6 comments

I was attempting to download a book from Project Gutenberg and it asked me to sign in to my google account and gave a zoom-like "needs access to your account" screen, which I unthinkingly signed in to. However, there is no log-in or privacy policy on PG's site and I have not been able to download the book. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 4:17 PM PST - 4 comments

I am looking to find a good sex therapist/sex positive group/resource center/website in Los Angeles. I am a sapio-sexual male in my late 50's. I would like to get some clarity on sexual fantasies and would like to find some like minds to discuss these fantasies with. [more inside]
posted by goalyeehah at 3:49 PM PST - 1 comment

I saw a woman yesterday wearing a pair of red fabric lace-up athletic shoes yesterday. They were completely encrusted in red sequins and rhinestones of different sizes and were jaw-dropping. I can find similar items online, but they all have a white sole. Hers had a transparent red sole. They looked like very high-end performance sneakers. Any help finding them?
posted by manageyourexpectations at 3:47 PM PST - 7 comments

Hi! Through the winter months, the poverty reduction working group that I am a part of is seeking to host a couple of "community film nights", and we are looking for suggestions for films that might fit the theme. [more inside]
posted by wats at 2:14 PM PST - 7 comments

Our assigned parking spots at our apartment building are unavailable during construction, and our property management company appears to be avoiding taking responsibility for the situation. What do we do? [more inside]
posted by rustybullrake at 1:20 PM PST - 19 comments

What's the most economical reverse phone number lookup service if we only need to use it occasionally? [more inside]
posted by Dansaman at 1:08 PM PST - 3 comments

I have psoriasis and get fairly extensive callous build-ups on my arms, legs and back. It's just dead skin, no open wounds or anything. I have to exfoliate once a week, and I prefer a cream that sluffs the dead skin off over a scrub. The cream works great on my arms and legs. I rub it on, and a few minutes later, I rub my skin and the callous build ups sluff off. The problem is that I can't rub my own back -- when I had a partner, they would rub my back for me, but I'm single now. I don't want to ask a friend to do this, it feels too intimate. I'd like to pay someone to do it, but who? It's just like peeling a sunburn, but even easier.
posted by OrangeDisk at 11:49 AM PST - 16 comments

My husband and I own a home (a condo) that we bought with cash in 2016. We are considering selling this and buying a home that works better for us, for about the same amount.... but how does that work? (I am in the US) [more inside]
posted by jabes at 11:26 AM PST - 24 comments

I own my house outright. Practically and emotionally, my house is my one source of security in an unstable world (I have a terrible family of origin and am divorced from a borderline abusive ex). The thought of allowing someone to move into my house terrifies me, but I may be in that situation in a few months. How do I best protect my interests? [more inside]
posted by stockpuppet at 11:10 AM PST - 36 comments

I recently landed a new job that is flexible, 100% remote, and pays enough to cover our basic expenses. My spouse and I are considering spending a "season" (1-4 months?) somewhere else in the world while I work remotely. But where should we go? [more inside]
posted by Otis the Lion at 10:57 AM PST - 9 comments

Trying to find any spooky instrumental tracks from the 50s and 60s that actual sound eerie, and especially not surf rock or big band music -- I'm looking for moody tunes that aren't just songs with a horror-ish title slapped on it.
posted by Unsomnambulist at 10:44 AM PST - 11 comments

For the last several months I have been coping with a very significant loss. The grief has improved, however the sadness and longing don’t seem to change. There is now a heaviness to life and a feeling that most things are insignificant. I am interested in hearing from folks who have been able to overcome/manage these types of feelings. I would also like to know when folks who used grief counseling felt they were ready to stop. Thank you. [more inside]
posted by fies at 10:32 AM PST - 6 comments

I have family coming to my house this weekend and I'm seeking a movie we'll all enjoy. It's all adults, no kids. We have all the normal streaming services, and a good home theatre setup. Details on what we're looking for inside; thank you in advance for your help :) [more inside]
posted by Susan PG at 9:45 AM PST - 30 comments

I would love any recommendations for Bay Area walks/hikes with my shih tzu. [more inside]
posted by bookworm4125 at 9:00 AM PST - 4 comments

I have had, by all objective standards, a really shitty few years and after yet another big disappointment I am finding it hard it to hold on to any optimism about my future. I would love to hear any and all stories from folks who went through really rough times and came out on the other side happy, particularly in mid/later life. My specific sad sack story inside. [more inside]
posted by nancynickerson at 8:29 AM PST - 10 comments

I bought a jar of them. I thought about just shoveling them into the maw, but how are they prepared for civilised people? I am Australian and have never seen them before.
posted by adept256 at 7:29 AM PST - 14 comments

Looking for Reccs for New York City, Indoor, Covid Safe-er restaurants now cold is upon us? Including but not limited to large spacing between tables/High-ceilings/exceptional ventilation + not crowded?. [more inside]
posted by lalochezia at 6:00 AM PST - 4 comments

I have a karaoke night coming up. I’m not a great singer, but it will be among friends and I think we’re all planning on plenty of liquid courage. I’m not afraid of sounding bad (especially where I lean into it)—but I’d also like recommendations particularly for UK songs from the punk era to today that would suitable for a baritone-ish voice with limited upper range. [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 5:31 AM PST - 18 comments

Can go to any part of the GTA. Heard good things about North York General? Toronto General? [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 12:55 AM PST - 6 comments

Does anybody have a suggestion of a company or resource that could possibly convert my ancient QuickBooks99 file and/or extract the transactions and invoices from it? [more inside]
posted by amtho at 11:23 PM PST - 11 comments

Freeze dried fruit. Sun-dried fruit exists. Fruit preserves exist. sun-dried persimmons exist [NYT]. If a piece of fruit has dried out in my fridge, what are my food-safety considerations? It can't be any less safe than sun-dried, right? Just might not taste very good? [more inside]
posted by xueexueg at 9:12 PM PST - 5 comments

I have long been a problem drinker and used alcohol to destress and relax. My worst most tempting time is from 4-6pm. I did a great course and stopped drinking last year but summer was stressful and I started drinking on the vacation from hell and now that I’m home I have found it hard to stop again. Any tips? [more inside]
posted by pairofshades at 8:52 PM PST - 19 comments

Help me find a ring that is styled like a tree, where the band is the truck and the stones are the canopy - ideally in gold and turquoise. [more inside]
posted by suviko at 8:49 PM PST - 6 comments

I have a bake sale coming up in a week that I'm baking 3 things for. My oven has started misbehaving and underbaking my cakes in a very specific way. Please help me diagnose AND adjust for the problem. [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:06 PM PST - 17 comments

Looking for a list of the James Bond movies in order. Just a list of the titles… [more inside]
posted by SillyShepherd at 6:31 PM PST - 6 comments

I am looking for the comfiest, softest sleep t-shirts. Short sleeve is a must. No pajama sets, as I am all set with sleep pants.
posted by bookworm4125 at 4:51 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm drinking a sweet bourbon cocktail and just did that thing where instead of swallowing, I coughed and inhaled a bit of the cocktail. How concerned should I be, and what, if anything, should I watch for? [body experience details below the fold] [more inside]
posted by spindrifter at 4:43 PM PST - 8 comments

Hi. I’m in my early thirties and I’m in a hetero relationship but yearning to explore non-monogamy and find a girlfriend specifically for me only outside of my heterosexual relationship with my boyfriend. Yet, would it be difficult to find an older woman that is open to poly/non-monogamy? [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 4:37 PM PST - 10 comments

I am trying to figure out how to vote for the school board members in my district and the race is Non Partisan. This phrase "Curriculum Transparency" keeps coming up and it is hard find anything else substantial about these candidates' views. [more inside]
posted by soelo at 4:21 PM PST - 3 comments

My phone does not receive calls or texts. Multiple calls to tech support; many hours trying various fixes on their part have not been successful. The department manager even went "off script" and said "this is weird, I do not know what else to do." [more inside]
posted by woman at 3:25 PM PST - 9 comments

I know salmon run through Toronto. Did they really swim here all the way from the ocean? That seems so hard to believe. The ocean is really really far from here. Where are their breeding grounds that they're going to?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 3:06 PM PST - 7 comments

On my way to relieve my sister who has been at the hospital with our mother since yesterday morning. Sister wants to sit right there in the room constantly, gets pissy with staff for not doing their jobs to her standards. I'm more the sort to think it's ok to walk down the hall to get a coke. My sister will be livid if she finds out I approached it like that when it's my turn for the overnight. Help me avoid drama. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 2:25 PM PST - 23 comments

Due to wfh and a move in the pandemic, I've lost a strong daily routine. [more inside]
posted by dog-eared paperback at 2:23 PM PST - 10 comments

Sometime between 2007 and 2012 I saw a video that was a really cheezy song about candlepin bowling. I think it must have originated from somewhere in New England. Can you help me find it online? I need to see it again. [more inside]
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 2:10 PM PST - 2 comments

My partner is continuing to get really into backyard stargazing and I'd love to help support them. I'm very much not an expert, so would love books or other ideas that I could get them to support their journey. I'm not interested in telescope recommendations as they have that covered. [more inside]
posted by Carillon at 1:41 PM PST - 9 comments

Since I was a teenager (when I started drinking coffee), caffeine has never really affected me. I’m a pretty bad procrastinator and used to chug coffee at night to stay awake but literally felt nothing. At best, I’d get a little bit of placebo effect and I like the taste of coffee anyway but I could drink multiple cups and then fall asleep within a few minutes. [more inside]
posted by Forty-eight at 1:17 PM PST - 23 comments

Hi folks. Eldest kiddo is away at attending their first year at university. I reach out to them a few times a week to see how they are doing or say I'm thinking of them or what have you, and am finding myself frustrated at their delayed and/or brief responses. Looking for perspective. [more inside]
posted by walkinginsunshine at 12:51 PM PST - 89 comments

Our neighborhood homeowners association is talking about spending a large sum of money (tens of thousands of dollars) to replace signs with the neighborhood name on them. I'd like to push back and suggest other uses for the money that would actually improve quality of life for residents. Some examples I have thought of include: more streetlights in dark areas, or planting trees in a common ground. What are some things that your HOA spends money on that you really think is worthwhile? [more inside]
posted by chrisamiller at 12:43 PM PST - 18 comments

Hi all, I am looking for suggestions for cat litter that ideally is unscented, and hopefully as natural as possible, that is also effective for covering smells. ALSO, that doesn't easily track all over the house. (I have one cat who is good with using the litter box)
posted by bearette at 11:49 AM PST - 18 comments

While walking in the woods in a remote area of the PNW, my husband heard this sound. It must be some kind of animal, but what exactly is it? [more inside]
posted by shirobara at 11:46 AM PST - 6 comments

I am looking for information as to the benefits of the use of any currently illegal drug (incl. cannabis) particularly for persons diagnosed with schizophrenia or similar illness (studies or anecdotal data welcome) [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:45 AM PST - 7 comments

My company seems to be withholding an exorbitant amount of tax from my paychecks. Or am I just bad at math? What should I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:44 AM PST - 22 comments

I've taught my seven year old everything I know about chess... which is... not a lot! [more inside]
posted by scottatdrake at 10:38 AM PST - 7 comments

Maybe I've been watching too much music theory Youtube recently, because I've become interested in odd time signatures. I think I understand the basics of how they work, and if I know the time signature of a Soundgarden or Tool song, I can count it off like I can 4/4 or 3/4. But like, bands who write songs in odd meters tend to be on the proggy end of things, whereas my taste tends more toward straightforward pop-rock: Cheap Trick, the Ramones, Tom Petty, the Gin Blossoms, etc. Can you recommend some songs that aren't in 4/4 or 3/4 but are more, let's say, accessible?
posted by kevinbelt at 10:29 AM PST - 37 comments

I'm looking for a device that can play audio files on a predefined schedule with no interaction, like you would find in some kinds of public sound installations. Is there something that I can buy off-the-shelf that will do this? [more inside]
posted by toxic at 10:13 AM PST - 7 comments

Tis the season! I’m looking for the world’s best roasted pumpkin seed recipes. I prefer savory over sweet but anything goes. Helpful preparation tips are welcome as well.
posted by Diskeater at 9:50 AM PST - 5 comments

I'd like some tricks for pinpointing quickly which colleagues are going to struggle with emails and need to communicate in spoken language. [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 8:39 AM PST - 35 comments

I recently bought a USB-to-HDMI adapter from Amazon. I didn't read the reviews carefully until after I plugged in the device and installed the drivers (this is a Windows 10 machine). Some of the reviews say that the drivers might be bundled with malware. [more inside]
posted by akk2014 at 8:26 AM PST - 2 comments

Our six year-old tabby has a new habit. Two or three times a week we find one of his back legs caked in litter from toes up to the … uh … elbow? Vet says he's fine. Cat isn't happy when it happens, and neither are we. Any ideas about what's up? (Details about cat box behavior in the link.) [more inside]
posted by Ookseer at 8:08 AM PST - 6 comments

Looking for the best lung protection (respirator mask) for working in a parking garage. Is a chemical cartridge respirator the way to go? [more inside]
posted by hot_tea at 5:28 AM PST - 11 comments

My search skills are weak, and finding mostly (a) garbage listcicles and (b) ones that focus on 13" printers; I need something that prints on 24" rolls and can cut to length. Personal experience is a pretty big part of the recommendation, which I'm not getting from the TECH GORBZ' TOP 10 PRINTERS 2022 search results.
posted by Shepherd at 4:53 AM PST - 12 comments

what is the best way to streamline the software development process depending on the specific project and organization involved? [more inside]
posted by ocimtech at 1:56 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm a bit obsessed with the track "Like This" by the artist Baby Powder, theme music from the "Abroad in Japan" podcast . The song is available from the stock music site Premium Beat and I would happily pay a couple of bucks to download or repeatedly stream a copy, or up to about $15USD to download a full copy with all the loops and stems to play around with, but I can't justify $49USD which is the minimum for a web/personal/corporate license. Is there any other way to obtain this piece solely for personal use?
posted by Cheese Monster at 1:23 AM PST - 2 comments

So at some point I was yanked out of the void and ended up with a body. The body is fine but I have always been really pissy about the maintenance — at a minimum it needs food, shelter from the elements, regular sleep, and a bit of exercise. I resent all of it. Have you felt this way and found your way to a better place? How did that work? [more inside]
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 11:05 PM PST - 23 comments

I started a company years ago but finally am getting around to building a website for it. I have interviews highlighting my abilities (as a sort of reel), but the site really intends to promote other work, like interviewing sure, but small producing for documentaries, theater productions, etc. A lot of my content has, over the years, been spread out in a lot of places; on a local radio station's archive, on Google business sites, my own hard drive. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 8:19 PM PST - 3 comments

Following 20+ years at a computer keyboard, at least half of those with pretty good ergonomics, I developed repetitive stress injury (RSI) eventually diagnosed as an ulnar nerve issue. I did all the noninvasive treatments (saline/steroid injection, PT, focused bodywork, 'nerve glides'), but none of that worked. Eventually I settled on decompression surgery, a short procedure which releases tissue that is binding the ulnar nerve. The surgery and recovery went well, but 4+ months on, the problem is worse. [more inside]
posted by falcon42 at 7:38 PM PST - 8 comments

My 5th grader is doing a project on pneumatic tubes, like the ones in banks and hospitals. Are there books on pneumatic tube systems for kids? Please? Pretty please? [more inside]
posted by medusa at 7:07 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm interested in reading about people who almost died but did not, and how they processed this and moved on with their lives. Attempting to Google this only gets me "near-death experiences", which is not what I'm looking for. [more inside]
posted by earth by april at 5:01 PM PST - 15 comments

My master’s dissertation was a mix of history and literature. I would love to do a PhD but I also know how rubbish the job market is in the UK. Having said this, a lot of people I know are in PhD programmes and/or starting their PhDs soon - so I can’t quite shake off the feeling that I should do a PhD at some point. Scare me so I can move on. [more inside]
posted by bigyellowtaxi at 3:46 PM PST - 24 comments

In todays video on yt the Vlog brothers play a word game together. I would love to learn other word games played between two people. [more inside]
posted by ljesse at 3:06 PM PST - 9 comments

This is not a question of worldly importance, but it's something I've pondered for a while and haven't come up with a satisfying answer to, not even a guess. Every cooking pot I've ever owned, except an aggressively oversized one, has had a diameter smaller than the length of the spaghetti that I purchase. [more inside]
posted by LSK at 2:19 PM PST - 36 comments

I paid out-of-pocket ($3,000+) for a crown lengthening procedure and a crown. The dentist said it would last at least 10 years. It has fallen out 7x in 2 years. The dentist retired. How can I best advocate for myself at this dental office? [more inside]
posted by Viola at 1:03 PM PST - 9 comments

You had a colonoscope with twilight sedation, not full anesthesia. What was that like? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 12:21 PM PST - 47 comments

What should my testing schedule be after being exposed to coronavirus? [more inside]
posted by davidstandaford at 12:03 PM PST - 7 comments

Like so many, I'm a school administrator/teacher looking to leave the field. My expertise is in behavioral management and kids with trauma and disabilities; my inability is to actually figure out how to translate those into a remote career. [more inside]
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 12:00 PM PST - 9 comments

I can see and feel what looks to be a small scratch in a new glass food storage container. Is this safe to use or no? [more inside]
posted by rustybullrake at 10:21 AM PST - 8 comments

I want to propose an amount of rent to my landlord to move to an apartment across the hall. I think my suggestion will be to compare the market rate between the two, and increase my rent proportionately if necessary. Hoping for help on what the appropriate comparison between the two would be, and maybe bonus thoughts on how I should negotiate this. [more inside]
posted by lookoutbelow at 9:59 AM PST - 11 comments

I usually start off the week with a lot of energy and ready to go. But by Wednesday, I feel mentally fatigued, lacking motivation, prone to procrastination, unable to focus creatively. The worst part is that I really need the energy to push through to Friday deadlines. I am not under any extraordinary stress or extreme working conditions, but just normal work. Do you have any tips or advice to deal with this? [more inside]
posted by roaring beast at 9:59 AM PST - 10 comments

I currently administer my organization's facebook page, but I'm leaving the organization and need to transfer it to someone new. For the life of me, I cannot figure out how to add a new user to manage it- all the google results for my question seem to be from outdated resources that no longer resemble what the meta business suite looks like now. Help?
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 8:37 AM PST - 8 comments

The Dark Sky weather app is being subsumed by apple weather. One of the things I like about it is when you look at the satellite map, it presents as a globe when you pull back, rather than a flat map. Duckduckgo-fu is failing me - are there any other weather maps that have this? Apple does not :( and Dark Sky says they are done at the end of the year. Thanks!
posted by cindywho at 8:20 AM PST - 5 comments

I ordered a book for my sister who lives in a city other than mine, and I had it shipped directly to her. When I received tracking information from the seller, I realized I had entered the correct zip code, but accidentally entered my city rather than hers. Will she still receive it or will it be returned to sender?
posted by SageTrail at 8:19 AM PST - 12 comments

I know it's late in the season, but can anyone recommend groups that will distribute money I donate to the most important midterm races? [more inside]
posted by mark k at 8:19 AM PST - 7 comments

Hello all, this question relates to a recent amplification question posted here.. I've checked out the previouslies and there are a few references to recordings, but I am looking for extensive lists of field recordings by enthusiasts (trains in motion leaving or arriving, train horns, platform noises). Contemporary and historical, and any specific to western Canada would be great but by no means restricted to that area. [more inside]
posted by elkevelvet at 7:40 AM PST - 2 comments

I am on my second Kensington Orbit with Scroll Ring and it is mostly great, but the left button has started double-clicking when I single-click. I would like to replace it once and for all. Wirecutter recommends the Kensington Expert Mouse but I'm wondering is there are other brands that are more durable? [more inside]
posted by mkb at 7:21 AM PST - 14 comments

I see a lot of spammy/scammy posts about duct cleaning on local facebook groups. They always use specific language, have companies with generic names or don't name the company, and are posted by people who have just joined the community and have generic profiles. Duct cleaning is not a service I need, but I'm curious what the scam is/what the people spamming get from it: do they actually come to people's houses but then upsell them a bunch? Case the houses to be burgled? Take an advance payment and never show up?
posted by needs more cowbell at 7:18 AM PST - 13 comments

Lingering doubts turned into pressure-in-my-chest-anxiety... Perspective needed! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:45 AM PST - 39 comments

What are the user-friendly, not-overly-techy options for managing a very large data set of plain text snippets, with an eye on maintaining the long-term accessibility and integrity of said data set? [more inside]
posted by TayBridge at 2:38 AM PST - 6 comments

Hi MeFites! I was recently fired from the only local ISP that serves my area (far Northwest of Fort Worth, Texas). I'm 20 months into the wait list for Starlink and am hoping to have it by EOY, but in the meantime, can you help sanity check my dual mobile-hotspot router set up? [more inside]
posted by getawaysticks at 9:20 PM PST - 14 comments

One mile down, I will see a lot of history. What will it be? 5 hours on a burro X 2, in the sun, what will I need?
posted by ebesan at 5:26 PM PST - 14 comments

Looking for a specific article and also general reading on related topics: The specific article I believe was a longer feature in the Washington Post (maybe???) Maybe 5 to 10 years ago(??) about a state (can't remember which state, maybe the states in general) funding people's Social Security disability application processes - to save themselves money on state welfare benefits, and I believe it touched on the social implication on 'incentivizing' (requiring??) people to label themselves as disabled in order to receive money required to live on? I remember something about people with chronic pain featuring heavily... [more inside]
posted by latkes at 2:54 PM PST - 5 comments

The MetaFilter Steering Committee (SC) wants your input on this and future year's fundraising drives. Join us inside for details and to share your ideas! [more inside]
posted by kimberussell at 2:42 PM PST - 58 comments

Not only is it decorative gourd season, it's also Brown Marmorated Stink Bug season. I would like to do as much as possible to prevent as many as possible from overwintering in my house. I will be working to seal up cracks and crevices and regularly monitoring, so my question to you is... Is it worth to also engage an exterminator to spray around the foundation and doors? If you've sprayed for BMSB before, did it help lessen the invasion? [more inside]
posted by brookeb at 2:39 PM PST - 5 comments

Sixty something adults arriving Ho Chi Minh City very late on a Thursday night in February, departing Monday morning. [more inside]
posted by elf27 at 1:29 PM PST - 7 comments

Sometimes, rather than assume something is impossible, it doesn't hurt to ask if an improbable thing exists. In this case, it's the existence of a career that checks all the desirable boxes. Getting to the point, I mean a career that fulfills all the following criteria: [more inside]
posted by ggp88 at 1:12 PM PST - 20 comments

I have old video files of animations I created as a student in the late 90s or early 2000s, and I'm not able to play them anymore. They are mainly .SWF, .MOV, or .FLC format. [more inside]
posted by snarfois at 12:42 PM PST - 14 comments

'Tis the season for annual reviews, and one of the questions we have to answer in our self-reviews is, "Where did you fall short this year?" This is a new job (1 year) and in addition to a rough start I'm going through a slight sour patch right now re: communication and tact when commenting on or questioning administrative decisions. I'm pretty sure it'll be considered poor form if I don't address those things in my answer to this prompt, so how do I do it? [more inside]
posted by The Adventure Begins at 11:50 AM PST - 12 comments

I have a lot of laundry. Getting it washed and dried is not the problem, that is easy, but then I have 3-5 loads of clean laundry that sit around for weeks. It takes me ages to fold it and put it away. There must be a better way! (Please do not recommend a service, that is not an option.)
posted by epanalepsis at 11:34 AM PST - 55 comments

Help me find my ideal apple: tart and crisp. [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 11:23 AM PST - 42 comments

Calling all Mefi musicians that read scores, tabs, and lead sheets: how do you memorize what you're working on? Have there been any specific techniques passed down from teachers and friends that have been particularly helpful?
posted by umbú at 10:32 AM PST - 11 comments

I, a late-twenties woman, have been seeing a guy for about two months. Things have been feeling a bit one-sided for some time now. I am considering ending things and would like some perspective. [more inside]
posted by Clyde Sparrow at 8:56 AM PST - 36 comments

In the series "Reservation Dogs", the protagonists sometimes communicate with each other in a signed language. Are they using Plains Indian Sign Language? How authentic and/or widespread is this among contemporary Native Americans? [more inside]
posted by signal at 8:34 AM PST - 1 comment

I have a bunch of t-shirts that I got at the same time. They're great, I wear them often. They're tagless, with a printed logo where the tag would go. As I've washed them, this printed logo has started to come apart, and the pieces left behind have rough, uncomfortable edges. Surely this is a solveable problem - is there a way that I can just get the rest of the logo off somehow? Something else I haven't thought of? This problem is weirdly un-googleable, because I just get a bunch of ads for shirts, but I'm sure someone has a solution.
posted by Ragged Richard at 8:02 AM PST - 7 comments

I would like to replace my addiction to twitter with an addiction to something that will just show me interesting but harmless boring stuff instead of piquing my flight/fight response. Does an app like that exist for iPhone? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 7:41 AM PST - 23 comments

For no good reason, I'm making a playlist of songs from 1989. What are your favorites? [more inside]
posted by box at 7:19 AM PST - 41 comments

Want to find a sewing pattern that looks like these pants, but isn't size restricted. I wear a size 22 (or a whole size up or down, depending on the sizing) and just am not going to buy from pattern designers who have restricted sizes anymore. I refuse! But I can't find any patterns that hit quite right from mainstream pattern publishers, and searching for plus size anything on etsy is a joke. Help! [more inside]
posted by wellifyouinsist at 7:14 AM PST - 9 comments

Last December I made DIY Christmas crackers and they were an enormous hit. People have already started asking if I'm making them again this year! Could you help me think of some fun things to include in this year's batch? Open to both flat items and 3D assuming they're small enough. The interior space of each cracker is approximately 5 inches long by 1.5 inches in diameter. [more inside]
posted by cimton at 7:14 AM PST - 14 comments

We're in the market for a new car, and would like to have a hitch. We don't intend to do a lot of towing, but would like something for bikes and maybe a little luggage platform (but bikes would be more likely). Does it make more sense to look for a vehicle with the hitch installed by the dealer, or get it done by an after-market shop? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:49 AM PST - 7 comments

Here's the situation: I'm trying to set up a new number on my daughter's iPad for sending and receiving text messages on the iPad. She has a Timex smart watch which only allows texting between her and me and her mother... [more inside]
posted by Liquidwolf at 6:36 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm in Chicago tomorrow and would like to bike the North Branch Trail from Gompers Park (or nearby) to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Is there a bike rental that I can use? [more inside]
posted by aquamvidam at 6:35 AM PST - 4 comments

The file system I have used for many years to organize my digital work documents is breaking down under the demands of a new role. I would really appreciate a few hours of consultation time with someone who can help me design a new folder hierarchy/strategy. How do I find this person? [more inside]
posted by Hellgirl at 5:57 AM PST - 5 comments

I sometimes see reviews for movies that extol the director's "confident direction." In a short review of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, for example, is this: "There’s George Roy Hill’s confident direction...." When you, as someone in the film industry or who is a dedicated film buff, think of "confident direction," what does this mean to you? Is there a difference between being a technically competent or even skilled director and a confident director?
posted by bryon at 11:55 PM PST - 11 comments

My buddy and I write screenplays but we've not shot our own film. We're going to start by entering a contest. They're looking for a 7 minute film to be done in 60 days (starting yesterday :)). So what are the things that will save us time and effort? [more inside]
posted by storybored at 9:50 PM PST - 9 comments

As a New Yorker subscriber, I should be leveraging my ability to delve into its back catalog more. What are the best things that you have read in the New Yorker from any year? I don’t care about having to dig into the weird archive of old scans - any story from any era would be great. (If you know the actual year, that will be very helpful in looking the story up.) Thanks!
posted by Going To Maine at 9:30 PM PST - 28 comments

2 years of Covid and a bum knee forced me into being a homebody, and it's time to break out. But I'm stumped. So - I'm looking for a CHEAP idea for where to take myself for the week between Christmas and New Years'. Help? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:59 PM PST - 16 comments

How did This American Life find its stories before it was famous? I have a project idea, and I want to source stories from strangers, but not sure where to start. [more inside]
posted by monologish at 6:11 PM PST - 10 comments

Well, the pain didn't actually, completely, go away since last year. I have an upcoming endoscopy appointment on Thursday, but today, I've recently gotten really bad stomach/back pain, literally to the point where I can't walk and have a hard time breathing—but it comes and goes. For convenience, since I've been having cycling, recurring problems with my stomach/back for a year, I've made a timeline below. No, YANMD, but figured I'd ask. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 4:47 PM PST - 32 comments

Looking for a place to buy roasted coffee beans online at a good price. Been using Deans Beans and like them but shipping cost went up so I"m looking to see if there are other comparable quality at a more competitive price. I buy in 5lb quantity, basic dark roast.
posted by GernBlandston at 4:17 PM PST - 4 comments

My niece will have to decide on their A-Levels soon. They have no idea what they want to do at university or for a career. Do you have any advice about how to narrow down career choices? [more inside]
posted by paduasoy at 1:45 PM PST - 33 comments

I’ve worked in higher ed admin for 12 years. I think I’m done with the high workload for low pay model, but I’m stuck on the values aspect of leaving education. Where do I go next? [more inside]
posted by perpetual color at 12:54 PM PST - 9 comments

I am trying to strip an old dresser and have encountered four distinct layers of surface that seem to respond differently to my removal techniques. What are they and how should I remove? [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 10:40 AM PST - 1 comment

I'm seeking suggestions for card decks I can use as journal prompts or reflection purposes. Do you have any favorites? More details inside, but that's really the main idea. [more inside]
posted by carlypennylane at 10:07 AM PST - 12 comments

A question for MeFites of faith. How does one pray without feeling sad and anxious? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 7:29 AM PST - 32 comments

In HBO's Julia episode 1, Julia and her book editor Judith conspire to get Paul onboard with the idea of Julia creating her new TV show. Can someone help me understand what all is happening here? I'm trying to put a name on what tactic(s) they are employing and where else this may have been used, in fiction or non-fiction. [more inside]
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 7:21 AM PST - 1 comment

I'm trying to find articles by child development experts about how to have discussions with my 4-year-old about which children's shows might be more worthwhile than others. [more inside]
posted by johngoren at 3:22 AM PST - 14 comments

My new pixie cut unlocked some very dormant waves and curls that are wiry and REALLY stubborn. How can I keep everything flat/smooth while I sleep so I don't end up with immovable cowlicks in the morning?
posted by The Adventure Begins at 2:36 AM PST - 10 comments

I feel like all my questions are self-help, sad sack questions. Here's another one: I've been told by Mrs. I_Count_Crows that I display one personality when around others, and another while at home. I realized I don't know what is natural. Who am I really? How do I find out who I am and what personality is the actual one for me. More deets inside. [more inside]
posted by I_count_crows at 12:18 AM PST - 39 comments

I love the chilly, sparse, austere but warm sound of Jan Johanssen's "Jazz på svenska" so much. Can you rec other albums that remind you of it? [more inside]
posted by potrzebie at 11:11 PM PST - 15 comments

Going from 9 hours per weekday without kids to 6.5 hours has sent my stress levels so high that I'm getting stress headaches for the first time in my life. Looking for advice on how to feel better in this situation. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:26 PM PST - 27 comments

Do you know of any knowledgeable forecasts about covid? I'm hoping for something along the lines of "In X time, we could be Y safer, because of Z". Z might be better vaccination, a cure, herd immunity, etc. [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 9:53 PM PST - 8 comments

I am looking for this very surprising quote several decades ago, about Russian and English novelists, but can only remember the rough outline. [more inside]
posted by raheel at 9:32 PM PST - 1 comment

I'm looking for a site that documents the ins and outs of how tweets display on Twitter. For example, I've seen quote tweets where the quoted tweet contains a video, but it is not displayed and you only see the pic.twitter.com URL of the video. But I've also seen quote tweets where the video is shown as a player. [more inside]
posted by Otto Franz Joseph Leopold von Soxen-Puppetten at 8:36 PM PST - 1 comment

I really like the particular illustration style of this male character that Dall-E 2 coughed up. The style seems very familiar to me and I like it so much I would like to generate more but I need a name to include in further prompts. [more inside]
posted by Turtles all the way down at 7:58 PM PST - 10 comments

I've co-authored a children's picture book having to do with biodiversity loss, and I'm looking for ways to print it that don't make the problem worse. Any recommendations for printing services that at least try to use recycled materials, or otherwise have sustainable practices? [more inside]
posted by crookedgrin at 4:49 PM PST - 3 comments

All my university study has been coursework. Now I am applying for an industry research study grant for the first time. The application has a range of questions, most of which I am OK with. But I'm stuck on the big question: "Detailed information about the study (1150 Words)". Generally, what do folks include in a question like this? [more inside]
posted by Thella at 3:56 PM PST - 9 comments

I’d like to take a section of a bike wheel rim and straighten it out. As in, I have a rim that I’ve cut in half so that it’s a big arc, and I want to end up with a long flat piece piece of metal. The rim is aluminum, box section, 700cc. How do I prevent it from buckling or cracking in on place under that pressure? [more inside]
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 2:00 PM PST - 13 comments

I am trying to help my mother with her ongoing cardiac symptoms that seem to have no organic cause. With nothing being revealed by testing, she is being pointed towards "Coronary Artery Spasm". I have also come across the description of "Da Costa Syndrome" or more recently cardiac neurosis/somatoform autonomic dysfunction of cardiac type. I'm wondering if anyone has experience of either of these diagnoses or has any other ideas? [more inside]
posted by Balthamos at 1:40 PM PST - 7 comments

What the title says--I need cheaper therapy options. Do you have an online one that you recommend? [more inside]
posted by kingdead at 1:29 PM PST - 6 comments

I was recently laid off and, while we have a modest cushion, we are about to enter a period of serious belt-tightening. It has been a while since I've had to deeply worry about / closely monitor daily expenses, and I'm looking for some good, contemporary tips for saving money that might not be immediately obvious to someone out of practice. [more inside]
posted by ryanshepard at 12:19 PM PST - 36 comments

Literally the only space for my chalkboard pig is on the front of my 10-year-old chest freezer. How can I attach it? (Don’t care about permanently affixing something to freezer. Thanks!
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 10:17 AM PST - 12 comments

Ohio girl here, traveling to Tucson and Phoenix next week, looking for wardrobe advice. Specifically, how do the locals dress for fall without roasting in "traditional" October garb, i.e., sweaters and heavier fabrics? White clothes and sandals don't feel right to me, but I want to know what to wear instead. In addition to hiking and visiting tourist attractions during the day, I will be dining out and attending a family reunion. So wardrobe range is from casual/outdoorsy to dressy casual. [more inside]
posted by mama penguin at 8:16 AM PST - 7 comments

If I am willing to spend money to be sure my internet connection stays completely stable during important Zoom calls on one specific date (or even 3-hour block of one specific date?) what are my options (*beyond* basic steps to get the most out of my current internet)? [more inside]
posted by rollcredits at 7:15 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm going to see "Triangle of Sadness" tonight and want to avoid seeing most of the puking scenes. My friend says they're concentrated over like 10-15 minutes of the film (and it will be obvious when it's coming). Could anyone who has seen it suggest a good point for me to leave the theater and roughly how long for? (I've trying to minimize spoilers but fine to say something like, "Leave when everyone eats the rotten fish..." or whatever...)
posted by spisspisspis at 6:06 AM PST - 3 comments

I have a friend who loves conversation but can’t handle crowded, noisy spaces. When he goes to a party, he gets overwhelmed by the ambient noise and can’t focus on the people he’s trying to talk with. Will adaptive transparency help? [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 5:26 AM PST - 13 comments

Amazon recently built a facility in my town that has drastically increased road traffic near my house. I want to build a wall to block the noise, and I'll need a height variance from the city to make it worthwhile. The building code specifically notes that "Any standard cited in an application for “reasonable accommodation” or “reasonable modification” under the federal Fair Housing Act Amendments of 1998" as a reason a variance would be allowed, which would apply to me. Do I need a lawyer? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:05 AM PST - 9 comments

Mostly I just want tips for moving on from ambiguous loss. I feel physically ill from it, because the way it went down mimics other cut and run sort of losses of really significant relationships (friend/chosen family ships, not that it matters, it all seems to hurt the same to me, romantic or other wise)... what do you do besides like.. chain smoke. obviously not a good option. yes time. I just can fall pretty deeply into various abysses and get pretty damn blue and out of my life. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:05 AM PST - 6 comments