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I'm a woman in a male-dominated hobby where we run events at local hobby shops. One of the local shop owners in my neighborhood has a well-known history of physically abusing their intimate partners. However, many of my fellow hobbyists continue to run and attend events at this particular shop. What can I do about this? Or should I do anything at all? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:31 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm not a cultured person, and as such, have not encountered or made any real efforts to encounter much poetry. I would like to remedy this and try to find some that speak to me. I am particularly interested in poems about death, pain, suffering, mortality, or cruelty, and that are possibly introspective, because that's the sort of person I am. Bonus if the poet is female. English or Spanish is fine. I have access to a good library and can also buy books. Culture me, metafilter.
posted by succus entericus at 8:23 PM PST - 48 comments

I'm looking for co-op PC games for a couple in a long-distance relationship to play together online/while talking on VOIP in between visits. Details about interests and machine specs below the fold. [more inside]
posted by Alterscape at 8:07 PM PST - 11 comments

My trusty macbook mid-2012's secondary hard drive is making the beeping noise. I need some SSD recommendations for this model [more inside]
posted by jadepearl at 7:29 PM PST - 2 comments

Okay, so I have some tire chains (that my neighbor hand-made for me). When not on the tire they are laid out like a ladder -- one chain on each side, with a large number of 'rungs' across (i.e. like this. This is great, they are super heavy duty.... but it's somewhat important I don't let them loop through themselves. Is there a topologically sound solution to preventing them from ever accidentally looping through themselves? [more inside]
posted by so fucking future at 5:25 PM PST - 6 comments

My 2020 planner is bound. I want to add more pages here and there. How to best do so? [more inside]
posted by katypickle at 5:17 PM PST - 5 comments

I am trying to find monthly calendars online that I can use in my junior-size ARC planner. I'm finding lots of calendars, but they're all too big for my purposes. Can anyone point me to a source for free, printable 2020 monthly calendar templates that have a portrait orientation and are designed to fit on a 5.5" x 8.5" page?
posted by orange swan at 3:23 PM PST - 7 comments

I had a bad fall while skiing (on a beginner slope no less!). Pain is mostly right below the knee, not really in the knee itself. Should I go to the emergency room? [more inside]
posted by hotchocolate at 2:00 PM PST - 25 comments

Tonight, a small collection of my friends and I are going to release 2019 back into the toxic void from whence it came. What group activities/prompts do you like for taking stock of where you were/are and where you're going, or reflecting back on a (in this case, tough) year and transforming these reflections into steely resolve, hope, insight, inspiration, and/or something actionable for the year ahead? [more inside]
posted by quiet coyote at 10:56 AM PST - 6 comments

I advertised a gift card on Craigslist, and have a buyer (I think). She wrote that she will take "digital delivery" after payment to my PayPal account. I responded, asking her to explain to me how digital delivery works with a physical card, and she responded, "Digital delivery is to send picture/details of the gift card claim code after payment... What's your PayPal email so i can make the payment?" Does this sound legit? It's a $100 gift card, so not really small potatoes and I don't want to lose it.
posted by Dolley at 10:53 AM PST - 3 comments

Who played with him at the Iridium 12/29/19? (2 nights ago)
posted by ebesan at 10:38 AM PST - 4 comments

I am in Beirut now. There's a massive New Year's Eve / Revolution celebration happening right outside my hotel, and I've been going in and out of the crowd for a while now. There are multiple children, under 12, who are "selling" bottled water, i.e. begging. They're young and sweet. They're aggressive. They mime that they're hungry. [more inside]
posted by Capri at 10:07 AM PST - 12 comments

I want to get better at riding my bike, so I can feel more comfortable/in control when I'm riding in traffic to go places. I've got my bike, a helmet, an empty parking lot and a couple days off. Can you suggest specific drills/things for me to practice so I'm not just literally riding in circles? What skills are essential for the commuting/everyday cyclist?
posted by btfreek at 10:04 AM PST - 17 comments

I am an independent IT consultant for Apple centric small businesses and residential in Manhattan and nearby areas. I’ve been in business for 10 years and all of my clients are word of mouth referrals. I’d like to expand my business to help people setup 1Password, 2FA, and otherwise secure their accounts. This would be over the phone and shared screen sessions so clients could be anywhere. How do I find those new clients? [more inside]
posted by ridogi at 9:57 AM PST - 10 comments

What are my mac based software options for creating a digital planet I can zoom in on and lakes and rivers? [more inside]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:45 AM PST - 1 comment

I'd like to learn more about Judaism. The main goal is to be able to attend reform services without feeling awkward. An additional goal is to be able to socialize with friends who are Orthodox without putting my foot in it. There aren't any in-person Judaism 101 classes going on now that I can attend, so I was hoping that there are podcasts out there (or possibly videos) that can teach me the basics. What are the best podcasts for learning about Judaism for a beginner? And that are specifically focused on religious practice/values/belief? [more inside]
posted by static sock at 8:12 AM PST - 6 comments

What is the current (start of 2020) best email service for me? I need private low-cost low-bells-and-whistles email. My main concern is that the company be in business for at least the next five years and have web access to my inbox. After that, standard email should do fine. Private does not necessarily mean encrypted, I just don't want anyone parsing my email as a matter of course.
posted by OmieWise at 6:45 AM PST - 28 comments

It is often stated - usually for the purpose of saying that we don't need more women in STEM careers - that the most reliable difference between men and women is that "men are more interested in things and women are more interested in people." Cordelia Fine and Virginia Valian have criticized this conclusion based on the limitations of the surveys used to determine it. I'm having trouble accessing the surveys, as they all seem to be products behind paywalls. Can anyone who does have access expand on the accuracy and relevance of their criticisms? [more inside]
posted by clawsoon at 6:32 AM PST - 0 comments

We're finally able to upgrade from our ~8 year old, 40 inch LED LCD to something bigger and better? What make/model/retailer would you go with if you were in our shoes? Bonus points if I don't have to step foot in a store. I know that sounds crazy/bold but I tend to get flooded with options and would rather have delivery than dealing with hauling a huge TV home. [more inside]
posted by RolandOfEld at 5:40 AM PST - 18 comments

I need a new cloud backup service for my home computers, external drives, AND file server/NAS. Can you recommend one? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 4:46 AM PST - 6 comments

I need to batch-process a slew of very low-fidelity mp3s to increase their sample rate. Music.app (née iTunes) does not appear to offer this functionality. I gather that Audacity is the open source tool of choice, but it seems awfully complicated and disclaims support for MacOS 10.15. Is there an easy way to accomplish this? Some sly command-line copypasta I can employ? A miraculous droplet? [more inside]
posted by mumkin at 12:11 AM PST - 7 comments

What can I do as an individual to improve my life and resist exploitation? I am unable to leave the city and live off the land. [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 9:29 PM PST - 31 comments

We newly live in an area of the country with very hard water. We're planning to have a water softener installed and I have been doing research, but I am unclear about what seems to be high price variability between different brands. E.g. why are this and this so much more expensive than this? What are the factors that I should be looking out for in making my choice, and what is impacting the pricing? Recommendations, including brands to consider or stay away from?
posted by ClaireBear at 7:43 PM PST - 9 comments

I want to give my phone a bedtime in pursuit of better sleep hygiene, but I also don’t want to miss true emergency calls in the middle of the night. I don’t have a landline, I do have an iPhone, and I am willing to spend up to $100 to solve this. Hope me.
posted by hollyholly at 7:11 PM PST - 11 comments

I think there's a market for the charts I have created. How can I get them printed and sold, preferably on-demand? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:03 PM PST - 2 comments

Looking for hearty winter fare for 8, vegan style. [more inside]
posted by Lyn Never at 4:23 PM PST - 33 comments

Playing Rummikub last night and my daughter was unable to play the required 30 point starting play until she had drawn her 31st tile. That got us thinking - what is the most tiles you could accumulate in a 4-player game without having 30 points to play? [more inside]
posted by COD at 2:56 PM PST - 5 comments

We got a switch for christmas and we've been playing minecraft. I launch the game under my profile and my wife plays as player 2. I don't really understand player data and how her information is saved, but she would like to be able to open our world in single player and play as her, not me (with her items and map, etc). [more inside]
posted by Naib at 2:38 PM PST - 2 comments

My dad got full dentures four or five years ago and has had nothing but trouble ever since. They are constantly too loose or causing sores. [more inside]
posted by SLC Mom at 2:01 PM PST - 3 comments

For Reasons, I will be spending some time in Kenmore over the next few months. Downtown Seattle it isn't, I realize. If you live on the north side of Lake Washington, what are your favorite things? [more inside]
posted by OneSmartMonkey at 1:04 PM PST - 11 comments

How realistically does Elizabeth George depict UK (mostly London) life in her Inspector Lynley books? [more inside]
posted by peacheater at 1:01 PM PST - 7 comments

I watch over-the-air television broadcasts via a SiliconDust HDHomeRun DUAL tuner connected to a Windows 7 computer running Windows Media Center. This system works well, except during live sports events. [more inside]
posted by alex1965 at 12:03 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm thinking of getting an HP tango printer for printing in colour and photo printing. Because it has free ink (sort of) for photos printed from your phone (actually "Mobile device.") using their app. So two questions: 1. Can I send photos from google photos to the app (and thus print edited pictures including those edited on my computer) easily? 2. What's the likelihood I can set up an android emulator on my windows computer and print from there and have those count as "free."?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 11:20 AM PST - 7 comments

I have made a chipotle rice knockoff -- with plenty of the "dressing" of lime, lemon, salt, and olive oil to spare. I think that'll be fine for a while in the fridge, but what to do about the cilantro? Am I best off putting it in the mixture to keep, or praying to the fridge gods that it won't get slimy by itself, or should I freeze it? [more inside]
posted by snerson at 11:00 AM PST - 8 comments

With the rise of the new Roaring 20s right around the corner, what advice do you have for a 22-year-old facing an uncertain decade? [more inside]
posted by NewShoo at 10:11 AM PST - 50 comments

A dear friend who lives in Portland, Maine just experienced a loss and I'd like to send him a delivery of food, ideally some prepared meals. Are there any places you'd recommend? Thank you.
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 9:56 AM PST - 3 comments

My mom has a Samsung Galaxy S7 and I'm trying to come up with a way for her phone photos to automatically sync to her Windows 7 PC in some way so she can move them into her organized photo folders on her computer without needing to download them. I need it to happen automatically because my mom is terrible with technology and will struggle to manually transfer the photos off her phone onto her PC. [more inside]
posted by AppleTurnover at 9:54 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm lucky to get several months of leave for my first child, which I split it into two halves due to circumstances. I was an exhausted depressed mess during the first half, went back happily to work for a few months, and will be taking the second half starting tomorrow. Help me make better use of it this time around. [more inside]
posted by redlines at 9:42 AM PST - 15 comments

Help me identify this sci-fi short story. [more inside]
posted by komara at 9:27 AM PST - 6 comments

Hi! I received this novelty oversized Enter key in my office's White Elephant. I have zero use for another Enter key, but this could be useful if it was mapped to another keypress. Looking at the images, does anyone have any advice for reprogramming the button? I am obviously not interested in remapping my computer's Enter key to another key, I want to be able to modify this hardware somehow.
posted by obtuser at 7:20 AM PST - 14 comments

Please tell me like I’m 5 years old. I’m single, financially stable with no debt (except one car payment), almost 20K saved up, and am committed to staying in the area (Philadelphia suburbs). I feel like there is nothing stopping me, but I am very intimidated by the process. I’ve never been good with making big decisions, especially with something I know nothing about. For those who have gone through it – where do I begin, how do I find a good realtor with little to no social connections, and do you have any general tips?
posted by koolaidnovel at 7:08 AM PST - 25 comments

Our 5.5 year old is a “spirited kid” to borrow from Mary Sheedy Kurcinka’s work. We’d like to get a dog in the spring (probably a puppy and probably from a breeder). Can you recommend a breed (and a breeder) that might be a good fit for our needs? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:55 AM PST - 29 comments

My dad needs a new Windows desktop. I haven't bought a PC in forever - how do I choose a budget-friendly PC these days and/or what do you recommend for his pretty simple use case? [more inside]
posted by codhavereturned at 6:14 AM PST - 17 comments

I have expertise in a particular field and am contemplating two job offers in the nonprofit world. One of the two offers is probably a better cultural fit for me, also possibly a better career move with an important organization in my field, but I am anxious about the founder (and founder's syndrome). I would be taking the founder's position (a boomer) who has had the job for decades. The founder does not want to fully retire but wants to work part-time. The founder has strong views and can be challenging. I am friends with founder who respects me but founder does not have much self-awareness. Is there any way to navigate this with rules and boundaries? Or is this impossible? In search of guidance, articles, studies, suggestions.
posted by anonymous at 3:33 AM PST - 10 comments

Which brands of “period pants” currently available in the UK have coverage all the way up to the waist in the front? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:33 AM PST - 1 comment

I’ve been single for 14 years and lately it has really started getting me down. I’ve tried dating apps to meet a guy but had no success - only a few dates and lots of rejections and ghosting. This year I decided not to spend New Years with my dysfunctional family in my hometown like I usually do, but I’m the city where I live and work. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:33 AM PST - 17 comments

We found a sectional we really like at Macy’s that comes in about 100 or more different fabrics (in store) and we’ve taken home swatches to consider. I love the look of velvet and we’re leaning towards a navy velvet (I don’t know what material is made of and assume it’s probably a microfiber velvet-look). Anyone have experience with this kind of upholstery — dark, velvet — in everyday life? [more inside]
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 10:26 PM PST - 14 comments

This year, we pulled this "talking" jigsaw from the back of the closet and it was a hit because once the little four-piece "windows" are assembled, figuring out where to place them in the larger puzzle was a matter of visual clues and logic. The "Talking Puzzles" are no longer made so I am looking for some other style of jigsaw that requires more use of color/image/word clues and logic and less dependent on matching shapes. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by metahawk at 9:37 PM PST - 7 comments

I’m anticipating having a rough night on NYE and the next day so looking to binge on some feelgood British drama. Can you recommend me some favourites? Can be either movies or TV. I’ve got access to Australian Netflix, ABC and SBS catch-up apps and can buy DVDs as well. Some I’ve liked: the Good Liar, Call the Midwife, Love Actually, the King’s Speech, Killing Eve, Scott and Bailey, Apple Tree Yard. [more inside]
posted by EatMyHat at 9:16 PM PST - 24 comments

Looking for a nail salon in MANHATTAN that does nail art and extensions with nail art designs I can only describe as a hip original millennial aesthetic (this is, probably obviously, not for me but for someone a lot younger). It should be like Paintbucket Nails in Williamsburg. But in Manhattan.
posted by nantucket at 8:46 PM PST - 7 comments

I work retail seasonally, and possibly for a while. I need supportive shoes. My ~$50 Nordstorm Rack Nike shoes crapped out, literally falling apart at the seams after around 8 months of use, and my feet are killing me after standing and walking at work for long periods of time. Helpful suggestions for shoes would be appreciated, with good support for standing all day, longevity, and up to $120-$150, but less is preferred. [more inside]
posted by thoughtful_analyst at 8:39 PM PST - 10 comments

You have ADD/ADHD, but you successfully changed/developed long-term habits. You became someone who exercises regularly, maintains a relatively tidy home, meditates, etc to the point that these things no longer require a significant mental effort. Please tell me how. [more inside]
posted by bunderful at 7:51 PM PST - 30 comments

I've got some 30+ year old Eljer sink faucets that have begun to leak. Problem is, no one can tell me how to remove them to get at the guts to see if I just need new washers or what. Called a plumber who tried and failed, so I'm asking here. Pics within. [more inside]
posted by Right On Red at 5:36 PM PST - 16 comments

Our kind, new neighbors gave us some delicious, gingerbread cookies in one of those holiday gift tins you can buy. Is there an etiquette for returning the tin? (Are you expected to give the tin back)?
posted by nanook at 4:59 PM PST - 15 comments

I am designing a new home office/guest room and trying to determine if this Ikea stackable bed is a good option for day to night living. Questions inside, as well as a request to share general lessons learned about having a home office that doubles as a guest room. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 4:13 PM PST - 8 comments

If a restaurant offers delivery through more than one platform, is there one that is better (better pay, lets them keep more tips, whatever) for restaurants and/or the delivery people? Is there a good rule of thumb? [more inside]
posted by Kpele at 3:45 PM PST - 10 comments

I have a bachelor's degree which I received very recently. I have my own car paid for and $10000+ in savings. Unfortunately I also have student loans of about 21k. I have been employed the last two years, however they have not been related to my degree. I've never left home and it's taboo for women to leave home before they get married. [more inside]
posted by sheepishchiffon at 3:34 PM PST - 21 comments

Last minute appetizer emergency. What is fresh, light, crunchy/crispy appetizer can we throw together to precede a meal of standing rib roast? Ideally it would be something like a little shrimp and apple salad in endive leaves but there's no time for that.
posted by HotToddy at 3:18 PM PST - 5 comments

Is there any grocery store that lets you one-click an "automatic" re-order? Bonus points if it syncs with any grocery list app [more inside]
posted by leotrotsky at 3:01 PM PST - 5 comments

My apple orchard will be opening for the first time this fall and I want to have a basic, attractive wall display showing our products and prices. I like the items at George & Willy but I am hoping to find something less expensive. Do you know of a good place to find similar alternatives? [more inside]
posted by Emmy Rae at 12:49 PM PST - 10 comments

Hi All, I've used Parsec for cloud gaming with friends, but have recently been having weird trouble with it and wondered what alternatives people might recommend. A few snowflakes are inside. [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 11:23 AM PST - 2 comments

After testing with a child psychologist, she confirmed what I had suspected which is that our almost 10-year old son has ADD (but NOT ADHD). He has pretty significant deficits in working memory (nothing in the lower average range, but definitely way below normal). [more inside]
posted by tafetta, darling! at 9:08 AM PST - 6 comments

I start year 2 of a new job in January after many, many years of freelancing and 'creative' careers. Help me fake it until I make it. [more inside]
posted by Caskeum at 8:44 AM PST - 8 comments

Spanish-speaking MeFites - I'm trying to buy a gift certificate on Linio for a colleague overseas. I don't speak Spanish but I can get by using a combination of GT and general web savvy, but but I'm not finding the option anywhere. Am I missing something, or are gift certificates not a thing here?
posted by war wrath of wraith at 8:37 AM PST - 2 comments

Please recommend good sites for designs of laser cut wood and acrylic. [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 8:05 AM PST - 6 comments

I've been holding off on updating my Google Pixel 2 phone to Android 10 because of numerous reports of features breaking after updating. Things like wifi dropping, battery life reduction etc. Has anyone on Mefi updated on a P2 successfully? My phone is working fine currently but I worry about things like future security updates.
posted by cozenedindigo at 6:52 AM PST - 11 comments

My wife has apparently had her identity stolen, and they used a trick I had not heard of. What should she do next? [more inside]
posted by bitslayer at 6:13 AM PST - 8 comments

What are the best women's work pants for a person with a smallish waist and largeish hips? I can find lots of resources online for the best jeans for this body type, but not much about other types of pants. Details inside! [more inside]
posted by missrachael at 5:52 AM PST - 11 comments

Staying in an Airbnb in Vienna and it seems like the shower does cold and colder- do I need to do something with this wall mounted water heater thing next to the shower? There is hot water to the sink in there. Thanks!
posted by tangaroo at 3:28 AM PST - 5 comments

i belong to a bipolar support group. we all have the exact same auditory hallucinations. how is this possible?
posted by megan_magnolia at 2:28 AM PST - 8 comments

Please help me find the right genealogy software to create a "family" tree - not for my family but for the village I married into, where everybody knows everybody and I can never remember anyone's name. [more inside]
posted by any_name_in_a_storm at 2:16 AM PST - 8 comments

I work for a large healthcare organization where the nurses and support staff are unionized and the other professions (physicians, etc) are not - the latter includes me. The union has authorized a strike and it's looking like the strike might happen shortly if negotiations don't move in a favorable direction. I want to be supportive of the union and don't want my actions to hamper their efforts. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:12 AM PST - 11 comments

YANMD (or my therapist) but I have had debilitating brain fog, targeted headaches, and perception shifts for over a year. It's been a whirlwind of specialists and doctors with nothing to show for it. Help me figure out what to do next. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:10 AM PST - 23 comments

I need to auction an antique photo that is very rare but no one searches for the word "rare". And no one really knows the photographer's name. Halp! [more inside]
posted by cda at 8:49 PM PST - 18 comments

I have a Wordpress blog, with my own domain name registered on Google Domains. I would like to retire the content on the blog, and keep a permanent archive of it. How? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:19 PM PST - 5 comments

Specifically looking for additions that come into play after baking 🍕... [more inside]
posted by sucre at 7:29 PM PST - 41 comments

Help me fulfil my resolution to read Ulysses next year. [more inside]
posted by roolya_boolya at 7:19 PM PST - 11 comments

What do you do with a cat who will not stop marking in the house? [more inside]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:39 PM PST - 13 comments

Every year, my family has depressing New Year's rituals and I'm dreading it. I am looking for ways I can protect my mental health and not start the year sad (first) and maybe some suggestions of new things we or I can do. [more inside]
posted by starlybri at 3:22 PM PST - 37 comments

I have an old Power Mac G5 with two DVI outputs, presumably dual-link. I did have a 30" Cinema display (2560x1600), but I destroyed it because I'm a complete idiot. Let's say I want to connect a newer non-Apple 2560x1440, 60Hz display. Is this possible with currently available options? [more inside]
posted by klanawa at 3:02 PM PST - 3 comments

Help me find "PEEK", an out of print art zine by Hong Kong artist Little Thunder. [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 2:19 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm tasked with finding the best solution for coordinating volunteer signups for the house tours that our neighborhood puts on two or three times a year. Right now we're using a shared Google spreadsheet that's proved to be not as effective as we'd hoped. [more inside]
posted by octothorpe at 1:42 PM PST - 2 comments

Looking for recommendations on where to snorkel to see healthy reef. [more inside]
posted by DrumsIntheDeep at 1:31 PM PST - 7 comments

A friend is the executor for an estate in Greenville, Texas (near Dallas.) She needs to empty an entire house worth of stuff (nothing antique but some potentially valuable newer household items.) Have you had a good experience with an auction company and/or estate sale company that serves this area? [more inside]
posted by prewar lemonade at 11:34 AM PST - 3 comments

Sure, I could laminate the 8.5x 11" piece of paper I am referring to, which I fold down to about a 2.5" by 2" rectangle - but I want it to fit in my front pants pocket with other stuff. Is there any kind of new-fangled lamination material/device that would allow for this? [more inside]
posted by bitterkitten at 11:03 AM PST - 17 comments

How do I get rid of my cookbook collection? [more inside]
posted by plasticpalacealice at 10:07 AM PST - 8 comments

I recently skimmed a review for a Switch game that had Minecraft elements and a far more dynamic plot and gameplay setting. Unfortunately, I can't remember much more than that and looking through Metacritic isn't helping. I know that the game was well-reviewed.
posted by One Hand Slowclapping at 9:48 AM PST - 4 comments

About to live on my own—finally! How do I navigate the future? [more inside]
posted by pleasebekind at 9:09 AM PST - 27 comments

Sometimes my friends invite me to do stuff I would quite like to do, and I say so, but then they don't follow up. How do I act so things don't get weird? [more inside]
posted by Argyle Road at 8:24 AM PST - 23 comments

I have Kobo's desktop reader installed on my Mac, but when I click on it in Launchpad or Finder, I get the error message "The application "Kobo" can't be opened". How do I fix this? [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne at 8:10 AM PST - 8 comments

I want to read about everyday life in Great Britain during WWII. Nonfiction is strongly preferred, but great novels will probably also make it onto my TBR list. I’m looking for accounts of how ordinary people who were not in the military lived during that period. Any suggestions?
posted by bookmammal at 7:45 AM PST - 17 comments

Looking for Instagram fashion accounts to follow, plus a meta-question about staying inspired and building my own sense of style. [more inside]
posted by heyforfour at 7:21 AM PST - 7 comments

I have just acquired a book from the 1880s which has colour plates in it. The colour plates are starting to stick to the facing page (I think it's specifically the coloured ink which is becoming tacky). I presume that there is some sort of non-stick paper that I can put in the book to deal with this - but I'm not au fait with the language of book conservation, so I'm not sure how to start looking for this. [more inside]
posted by Vortisaur at 7:00 AM PST - 7 comments

Installed a new wordpress, and imported content of a prior site successfully, but widget contents (and customized theme) are missing, but I still have a local backup of the full WP directory tree & contents. Can I dig around via notepad and locate a custom-HTML widget to cut-and-paste from, into a new one? Where would they be? [more inside]
posted by Quarter Pincher at 4:11 AM PST - 4 comments

Hi Hivemind, I'm going to be giving a series of lectures in a few weeks, and they're going to involve me displaying and marking up a number of PDFs on a projector screen. I think a tablet would be ideal for this - any recommendations? Preferably something on the cheaper side. Snowflake details inside. [more inside]
posted by matkline at 3:36 AM PST - 6 comments

I spilled a beer over my old reliable Apple keyboard (https:// www.amazon.com/gp/ product/ B078YG84MN/) and it’s not working right. The interwebs say I can soak it in distilled water with a bit of iso alcohol and let it dry. Has anyone been successful with this or is there a better method? And if all else fails, is there someone that will recycle mucky keyboards? Sadly… this is the 2nd time I have done this in the last few months and I now have 2 unworkable key boards.
posted by jabo at 11:20 PM PST - 6 comments

Purchased this thing many years ago at an antique fair in Rome. What is it? [more inside]
posted by degoao at 7:39 PM PST - 4 comments

There's been plenty written about the gameplay experience of Death Stranding's asymmetric multiplayer, how the interactions are used in the game, and how it all works in-fiction. I understand all of that! But even >100 hours in I'm stumped on what's happening behind the scenes that explains how it operates and I'm really curious about it. It seems like more than simple instancing or separate "servers". Exhaustively detailed specifics follow! [more inside]
posted by churl at 6:37 PM PST - 5 comments

My kids are tweens and we don’t live in the USA. My daughter does the “gotcha” version of the sign, most recently in extended family Christmas photos. Should I tell her it’s been stolen by white supremacists and ask her to stop? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:29 PM PST - 45 comments

10 days ago, the basement in our NYC apartment building flooded. It was then discovered that 4 of the gas lines to our 8-apartment building have leaks in them (more on that inside). Gas was shut off to the building and there is no end in sight. We just received an email from the landlord asking us to pay January rent. Please help. [more inside]
posted by Sreiny at 4:42 PM PST - 17 comments

Name that tune: a recent-ish (?) pop rock song where the singer says: "No No No" at the finale over the end. I heard it on the car radio (college radio) and didn't get the credits. It was a catchy ironic song.
posted by ovvl at 4:08 PM PST - 18 comments

If I categorized my personality in social "hey hows it going, good friend " situations I'm a pretty humble and likeable person. In situations where I'm approached by someone who's "Hey there would you like to talk to me and find out how much we have in common I'm interested in meeting you" I would [more inside]
posted by The_imp_inimpossible at 3:21 PM PST - 16 comments

I’ll be spending NYE behind the bar. What can I do to make it special for both myself and customers? [more inside]
posted by Champagne Supernova at 3:13 PM PST - 6 comments

We have about 10 episodes recorded of a show about teaching. We both want to be able to edit the podcast feed, address stuff with advertisers, and upload the episodes. However, when we tried using Anchor, it looks like you can only have one email associated with one show. Is there another option?
posted by spunweb at 2:12 PM PST - 5 comments

The Australian series "War on Waste" looks very interesting! But it's from 2017 and 2018, and ABC no longer has it on their web site -- plus I am in the U.S. so I couldn't watch it anyway. Is there another way to see it? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 2:03 PM PST - 4 comments

This is for a company event a few days into the new year, which includes a cocktail hour, buffet, program and awards. I am a woman. (Bonus points for what men should wear.) My wardrobe is fairly limited for dressier stuff right now. Is this suit/dress territory? Are separates okay? I have: [more inside]
posted by moira at 1:58 PM PST - 22 comments

Biological MeFites, my friend who is writing a novel asks: "Are there examples in nature of self-culling in plants, animals, or bacteria? It could be war, could be suicide, could be contraception - anything which might keep a species from hitting the wall of carrying capacity or environmental degradation."
posted by exceptinsects at 1:45 PM PST - 12 comments

I want to treat myself to a physical gadget for around $100. Not a video game or app, something physical. [more inside]
posted by Eddie Mars at 12:55 PM PST - 28 comments

I just lost a toenail, but I didn't hit my toes, my shoes don't put pressure on the nails and I'm pretty sure I don't have any sort of infection. Are there any other reasons a toenail could fall off? [more inside]
posted by all the light we cannot see at 12:08 PM PST - 11 comments

I need to up my game with shoes and boots this coming year. But I've gotten lazy over time about wearing only the most comfortable shoes possible: athletic shoes, slippers, flip flops [lol], Crocks [double lol+tragic], occasionally some chukkas. [more inside]
posted by zenpop at 11:45 AM PST - 13 comments

I would like a shallow-ish pan, maybe lidded or maybe not, that can be used to, eg, saute things on the stove and then put in the oven to finish. I'm not sure what to buy. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 11:36 AM PST - 24 comments

They fixed a hole in my shower today. The smell is abominable. How best to deodorize beyond airing it out and waiting? [more inside]
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 11:29 AM PST - 11 comments

Looking for a story from old elementary school Reader (1930’s or 40’s maybe?) about a little goblin doorknocker that comes to life and creates mischief around the house.
posted by pjlalala at 10:43 AM PST - 3 comments

I am looking for a wool coat for a mild winter climate. Who makes a 100% wool and lined coat for women that is warm and of good quality? [more inside]
posted by baptismal at 10:41 AM PST - 12 comments

Whenever I make a mistake in my professional life it sends me into a spiral of terror, anxiety, and self-recrimination. It is deeply unhelpful, and fuels my workaholicism because I then feel like I have to make up for my mistakes. How do I chill out? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:18 AM PST - 19 comments

Just that - recommendations for Bayberry scented things. Dad's not into scented body soap or candles, but I think anything else is fair game. Household cleaning supplies, laundry detergents, was scent melts, hand soap...anything you've got.
posted by jrobin276 at 9:10 AM PST - 3 comments

Charlie Brooker used to do a snarky year in review. 2015 wipe, 2016 wipe, etc. He stopped. What can I watch instead?
posted by Monochrome at 7:54 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking to express my pride in a more visible way and would like to find an LGBTQ friendly tattoo artist comfortable with pride/sex-positive/kink imagery and the sort of intimate area work discussed here. I'm in Central Texas but definitely willing to travel for the right person. Links to resources and/or specific artists would be much appreciated.
posted by LastOfHisKind at 7:51 AM PST - 8 comments

I was rude to a relatively new family member and don’t want it to happen again. Apologies for the long explanation to follow. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:06 AM PST - 18 comments

I want to spend as little as possible on a graphics card for a specific set of tasks. [more inside]
posted by Crotalus at 10:46 PM PST - 5 comments

Not sure if my coworker is behaving strangely because he senses I have a crush and doesn't reciprocate, or worse, thinks I'm a creep for being attracted to him, or because he is trying to hide an attraction himself. By the way, he's at least early 60's and I'm 38. Unsure of his current relationship status now [more inside]
posted by lohachata at 10:04 PM PST - 9 comments

NYE is going to be just three of us: me, my spouse, and our fifth grader. What traditions are there from your family or around the world that might make the night fun?
posted by Comrade Doll at 9:38 PM PST - 29 comments

I've been having carpal tunnel issues. My doctor recommended wearing a brace that prevents my wrist from bending, as close to 24/7 as possible for at least a few weeks. The brace I bought at the drugstore works OK but isn't particularly comfortable. What's the next step up? [more inside]
posted by doift at 9:18 PM PST - 10 comments

My things will arrive from Hong Kong to my home in Jakarta in three weeks. I have several appliances which run nearly continually. Jakarta has the same voltage, but uses plug types C/F as opposed to Hong Kong which uses G/D. I do not want to rebuy these articles. Is a converter plug sufficient? [more inside]
posted by frumiousb at 8:36 PM PST - 12 comments

I've been craving lasagna all day and I want to make it for myself! I've never made lasagna (to be honest I can't remember when I've last had homemade lasagna! :( ) and I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the recipes out there for it. I'm not the greatest cook, but I'm pretty competent. Can you recommend a lasagna recipe for me? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 5:17 PM PST - 22 comments

I have a newish Macbook Pro (2016), but am only just now trying to direct iTunes to my iTunes library that lives on an external drive that I backed up from my old laptop. I want to use that location as my default iTunes library instead of putting it all on my laptop (not enough room anyway), but none of the procedures for pointing iTunes at an external drive is working. Help! (Running Mojave 10.14.6)
posted by tzikeh at 3:49 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for a product that has shown up on just two obscure websites. It's out of stock at Amazon and eBay. Do you think it would be wise to order from these places? [more inside]
posted by Borborygmus at 3:27 PM PST - 7 comments

My old toaster is, um, toast. Can you help me buy a better toaster? [more inside]
posted by Paper rabies at 2:55 PM PST - 10 comments

I have seen ads for refillable stainless steel capsules that are compatible with Nespresso coffee machines. This question was asked but not really answered last year. I am wondering if anyone has used these, and whether they really worked, and didn't damage the coffee machine. And if there is a recommended brand or retailer. Thanks!
posted by chavenet at 2:09 PM PST - 3 comments

I’m a beginning woodworker and want to buy my first table saw. I want to buy at a brick and motor store where I will receive excellent advice about selecting and setting up my new toy. [more inside]
posted by carterk at 12:34 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm going to play a bit dumb here, I've been using Docker extensively. I have an environment that requires Windows and Linux containers, things have been evolving very fast and I want to reaffirm things. Some of these questions can be answered more broadly, "how do large organizations like Amazon use microservices and prove their code works?" and i do not mean so much in an integration test/unit test way but presenting to someone in upper management or other stakeholder that doesn't realize that passing integration tests / using proxies should work. Sorry for the broad nature of the topic, it will make more sense inside. [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 12:21 PM PST - 7 comments

New iPad (7th generation, iOS 13). I want it to be “mine” but usable for the whole family (spouse and 4 year old). I don’t want to repurchase apps I’ve already bought on my iPhone, and I’d like to use it for work emails, but I don’t want my text messages and email notifications popping up when spouse or kid are using it. [more inside]
posted by Kriesa at 11:44 AM PST - 8 comments

Are there good books or websites related to archaeological collections in private hands? [more inside]
posted by mortaddams at 10:20 AM PST - 1 comment

I am looking for the right acronym to use for an update of my psychotherapy practice website. I am not trying to imply expertise or specialization, I am simply trying to find the best term to express openness, inclusivity, and a warm welcome to all who are interested in my practice. The last Ask Metfi post on this was 2016, so I am hoping for updated opinions. I am leaning towards LGBTQ* or LGBTQ+ (and frankly I don’t know the difference, I would appreciate clarification on this). I have considered LGBTQIA (* or +) but because I am using this in a fairly generic and not specific context, I think the former (shorter) acronym may be more preferred? All opinions welcome! Thanks in advance.
posted by Lylo at 10:17 AM PST - 28 comments

I bought my kids this stress ball as a gift. It's already got a hole in it. [more inside]
posted by Leontine at 9:35 AM PST - 4 comments

I'd like to improve my skill at the delicate little attentions that make people feel warmer toward you-- things like notes, little gifts, cards, etc., at exactly the right time. What low-key gestures are part of your emotional labor routine with colleagues or acquaintances? Bonus points for enough details to make it relatively foolproof/ low-risk for awkwardness. [more inside]
posted by Bardolph at 9:31 AM PST - 20 comments

I would like to learn the very basics in photoshop: tracing a jpg or gif graphic image, saving a clean vector file, flattening layers and whatever other very basic things that could be helpful in preparing digital artwork for enamel pin manufacturing. I've tried to teach myself photoshop - but this was literally decades ago - and found it to be incredibly non-intuitive. Can you recommend a concise and direct tutorial, and also is there a way to do this without paying a huge subscription fee to an Adobe cloud account? I am PC based if that matters. [more inside]
posted by yoga at 8:23 AM PST - 24 comments

in Scrooge, the 1970 musical version of the story, with Albert Finney, he lights his candle with matches when he gets in the house, but then he takes a small stick from a cup/vase (seemingly made for the purpose of holding these things), lights it with the candle and then uses the stick to light his fire, other candles, etc. What is that stick? [more inside]
posted by dirtdirt at 8:17 AM PST - 12 comments

I keep my garbage in my garage and have a problem in that everything in my garage takes on its (which is dominated by noxious notes of cat poo and pee litter). I don't put the garbage bins outside, because I'm concerned about them attracting predators of my outdoor cats. Just wondering if there are any super-duty trash bins anyone could recommend that contain smell or any other methods not occurring to me.
posted by Jon44 at 8:02 AM PST - 12 comments

We have the occasion need for more seats in our car, but not so often that we need a mini van. What is out there? [more inside]
posted by k8t at 7:46 AM PST - 17 comments

I’m having an EXTRA stressful time, beyond what I’m already doing, what helps you? [more inside]
posted by Crystalinne at 6:24 AM PST - 12 comments

I am getting ready to move and filling out the application for my first choice home. There is a question to share "anything else we should know." As a landlord, what are you looking for in a question like this? [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 6:18 AM PST - 10 comments

I had a small pouch that I fill with those little things (tissues, pills, lipstick, etc) that I could just move from one bag to another. And I lost it. I need another, but I think one with a clip that I can attach to my bag would be better. Does anyone know where I can get one? [more inside]
posted by AMyNameIs at 6:16 AM PST - 8 comments

Do you own dining room chairs that are indestructible yet comfy enough for a day of telecommuting? Tell me about them! What qualities should I use to evaluate new-used chairs for purchase? [more inside]
posted by Maarika at 5:46 AM PST - 8 comments

Forgive the grossness up front, and skip if need be. I like to walk barefoot. Over time, I've gotten splinters, shards of glass, all the things in my feet. I've always gotten them out. A few months ago, I got some household glass in my foot, and I couldn't get it out. [more inside]
posted by heigh-hothederryo at 11:49 PM PST - 21 comments

I’m making a bunch of fancy stuff for New Years, and I’d really like to make a really nice, smooth pork liver mousse. I’ve had what I’d like to make at French restaurants in the past, where there’s essentially a spoonful of mousse dolloped onto a plate, so it’s fluffy enough to be gently scooped out with a spoon. Any ideas how I get there, and avoid dense, coarse liver spread? [more inside]
posted by Ghidorah at 6:52 PM PST - 7 comments

I will have a 5 hour stopover in Newark Airport (EWR) this Friday, Dec 27, from 3pm to 8pm, with two kids (11 and 13) in tow. I want to surprise them with a whirlwind experience in Manhattan at Christmas time so they can see how spontaneous and carefree I am. I am neither carefree or spontaneous. Is this possible in reality and do you have any tips? [more inside]
posted by Short End Of A Wishbone at 5:18 PM PST - 15 comments

I have a vague impression that in some cultures men wear the fanciest, most colourful clothing (look at those Cavalier boots!) and in other cultures women do (I'm assuming those are Roundheads all around). I'm guessing there are cultures where men and women and other genders all wear fancy colourful clothing. Is there an anthropological word for the categories, sorta parallel to matrilocal/patrilocal/bilocal/avunculocal?
posted by clawsoon at 2:32 PM PST - 6 comments

For probably 3 months now I’ve been noticing these little flies, slightly larger than fruit flies, in many rooms of our house. I made sure it wasn’t a trash or dirty dishes issue, and they’ve still been around with no drop off in numbers. It does seem like they tend to be in slightly greater numbers in our upstairs bathroom and our kitchen but they’re definitely in most rooms, generally. [more inside]
posted by rbf1138 at 7:25 AM PST - 18 comments

The Catalina upgrade (64-bit) does not accommodate (32-bit) Diablo II, which is of course the greatest dungeon-crawl video game of all time for those of a certain age. Do you have a recommendation as to a configuration for a Mac on Catalina that could run both Windows and then Diablo II? Thank you in advance for your consideration, and Merry Christmas!
posted by PaulVario at 5:42 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for a strategy to keep pooping when I transition from eating lots of fiber to no fiber whatsoever for a week. Ideally, this would be a fiber supplement which I can buy in NYC, carry a week's worth in my personal item (no carryon) through TSA, and eat without additional preparation. [more inside]
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 11:25 PM PST - 52 comments

I've only recently started making PDFs (using Photoshop CS2 on an old Mac) from loose image files. The 200 DPI grayscale scanned JPGs, when collected together to make a PDF, produced a single PDF only somewhat smaller than the total size of the JPGs included in it. (For example, a 28.5 MB folder of JPGs resulted in a PDF of 25.5 MB; one of around 85 MB resulted in a PDF around 81 MB.) [more inside]
posted by tenderly at 7:38 PM PST - 6 comments

I want to set up a memorial fund/nonprofit/something which does a very specific thing. How do I go about doing this? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 6:39 PM PST - 10 comments

Years ago I read a sci-book (or series of books?) about some people on a spaceship carrying something like 7 ancient weapons capable of destroying planets. I’d love to reread it, but despite my best Google efforts, I haven’t been able to turn up the name of the series. Help!
posted by TheCowGod at 5:54 PM PST - 4 comments

Ack I missed my friend's birthday! Help me get a belated gift for him that he will enjoy. What do I get someone who 1) is into plants and flowers 2) has a small apartment and no garden 3) can be sent from the internet? [more inside]
posted by dragonfruit at 5:40 PM PST - 15 comments

i would like to use my phone less. of course it’s hard because there’s always something to look up. and being out of my home country it’s how i get news and info about The Thing Happening. i want to stay informed. i do. but oh my the info avalanche... [more inside]
posted by affectionateborg at 3:24 PM PST - 8 comments

I recently learned, after years of learning French, that monsieur is pronounced [məsjø] and not [mɔ̃sjœr] (I always thought meu-ssieuh was just the quick version or something). It got me thinking, what other French words don't follow French pronunciation rules? [more inside]
posted by iamsuper at 1:26 PM PST - 18 comments

How can I outsource the responsibility for buying things from my Amazon wishlist/shopping list? [more inside]
posted by itesser at 10:21 AM PST - 6 comments

A straightforward health risk assessment question is being clouded by some family history, and I'd like some help thinking it through. [more inside]
posted by unannihilated at 9:05 AM PST - 29 comments

My MIL fell for a scam. What can we do to help protect her, as well as her income/assets? [more inside]
posted by Chaussette Fantoche at 8:35 AM PST - 6 comments

I am in a very happy relationship, things are getting serious and we are spending more nights together and talking about moving in together. The only problem—we are completely unable to sleep next to each other because I (apparently) move in my sleep a LOT. Details below. [more inside]
posted by leafmealone at 6:26 AM PST - 22 comments

I have a nephew and niece in college. I'd like to help them out financially with scholarships and/or loans. What's the best way to do this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:55 AM PST - 9 comments

Recently brought a house with a very expensive high end refrigerator worth approx $10k included as part of the sale . It appeared to be working and wasn’t disclosed as having a fault (on sellers disclosures), but after we closed the sellers sent us a note that they knew it had a fault and had tried to fix before close but couldn’t and they will get it fixed. Two months later and several repair attempts - no fix. So should we make a legal claim? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:55 AM PST - 13 comments

For purposes of fiction: what arts/crafts/foods might be sold at a typical small-town carnival that would be environmentally unfriendly? It can't just be unhealthy to the human body; it also has to be unhealthy to the planet in some hopefully apparent way. The more realistic the idea the better [more inside]
posted by angrycat at 3:32 AM PST - 21 comments

I have a 10-pound, boneless center-cut rib roast that I am cooking for Christmas dinner. But, I must travel with it. Questions below the fold ... [more inside]
posted by jrchaplin at 3:11 AM PST - 5 comments

Hi. I *accidentally* bought a moth damaged coat on Etsy. The seller doesn't do cancellations or refunds, so I'm stuck with the coat. And it cost 70 dollars. I'm wondering if there's an easy way to repair moth damage, because it's the kind where the fuzzy top surface has been eaten away to reveal the weave of the fabric underneath. Also, I read on Ask that sealing the clothes inside a vacuum for a few weeks is sufficient to kill the moth larvae and eggs. I can buy Ziploc bags. But how do I create a vacuum with it? [more inside]
posted by catbird at 1:32 AM PST - 13 comments

I scoff at most best before dates. And I'm prepared to scoff at these, but want some mefi reassurance. I have some Hickory Farms summer sausage and a chorizo, both vac packed, but years beyond their BB dates. Nom nom, or not nom nom?
posted by kate4914 at 7:13 PM PST - 22 comments

I recently made this teddy bear and I want to make more stuffed animals. It is imperative that they have the softest fur in the universe. Can anyone suggest where to get amazingly soft, dense faux fur? I know i want about 1.5 cm pile.
posted by SampleSize at 5:03 PM PST - 7 comments

The last Star Wars movie has eft me so sad and cynical about what this franchise has turned into that I am asking the Mefiverse for a retroactive replacement for my childhood sense of wonder. [more inside]
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 4:02 PM PST - 50 comments

Ive got a harasser who is probably never going to stop. It’s been years now. They’re smart enough to exploit loopholes in the law, but I am pursuing legal action, criminal and civil. I’m looking for readings on how to continue to live life if I *can’t* manage to neutralise the threat. [more inside]
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 3:45 PM PST - 8 comments

Have a new friend group this year. Didn't think they did gifts. Surprise, they did! Now I feel really bad because I didn't! Now what? [more inside]
posted by jenfullmoon at 3:33 PM PST - 11 comments

A friend's going through a rough time. What can I do to support them given both our hectic schedules and the semi-long-distance nature of our relationship? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 3:19 PM PST - 6 comments

I heard a radio story within the past 10 years or so featuring a guy who knew Orson Welles toward the end of his life. The details I can remember can be found within. [more inside]
posted by fozzie_bear at 1:36 PM PST - 4 comments

I need a photo print that's 2-3/4" x 2-3/4", which is apparently a weird thing to need. Shutterfly, etc., don't do this. Can you recommend a place that does custom sizes? Or is there a hack for getting such a thing done from a place like Walgreens?
posted by HotToddy at 12:33 PM PST - 7 comments

Recommendations for innocuous podcasts about animals or adventure that could be set up for easy access on my (very conservative) mom's Kindle Fire? [more inside]
posted by redsparkler at 11:44 AM PST - 5 comments

I may have seen a similar Ask before, but I can't find it! I'm looking for insights and experiences about dealing with heavy life situations in the midst of casually dating someone. If you've been there (as either the person to whom the heavy thing was happening, or the one dating that person), how did you handle it? How soon is too soon to drop a bomb into an otherwise casual, fun, hearts-and-unicorns situation? [more inside]
posted by gold bridges at 11:40 AM PST - 17 comments

I'd like to read the Bible on my Kindle. This could be an annotated version, or just the straight up Bible. I don;t know anything about it, so do mention all kinds of Bibles. I wanna read all the weird stories, the glorious stuff, the terrible stuff, the digressions, the revelations, the Hebrew Bible, the pre-Jesus stuff, the whatnots, the what-have-yous. So please do recommend.
posted by beshtya at 10:52 AM PST - 10 comments

Bathroom reno! Two questions about tile: A - Which floor will look cleaner, dark grey or black? And B- Is there a grout sealant that will actually keep white grout looking clean in the shower and backsplash? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 10:09 AM PST - 13 comments

I couldn't get a large enough prime rib, so I had to buy two. The are bone in. One is about 5 pounds and the other is smaller - about 3 pounds. How would you cook them? We like ours to have a range of medium rare to blue rare. I intend to remove from the oven when the temp hits 126 ( I used to take it out at more like 120, but it's always way too much rare meat that way). Would you tie them together and treat as 1 roast? And if so would you sear all sides or just the outer-facing ones? Or would you treat them seperately, sear all sides of both roasts and take one out early? Help, my worst fear every Christmas is to screw up the meat!
posted by kitcat at 9:39 AM PST - 9 comments

What movie best captures the zeitgeist of the aughts? [more inside]
posted by I EAT TAPAS at 9:26 AM PST - 65 comments

I tell stories to kids professionally. I've written a bunch of stories that have science concepts in them and together with some inventions I've made I put on a show for them. My stories work great for kids ages 9 and up or so, but I often get asked to perform to students in US grades K-2 (ages 5-8) and I sometimes lose these younger audiences. What resources should I seek out to improve my performances for these kids? [more inside]
posted by Archibald Edmund Binns at 9:16 AM PST - 1 comment

Do you have good, supportive friendships in your life? What does that look like to you? How do you know when a friendship isn't working? I often find myself resentful of the way my friends treat me. I wonder what exactly it is that needs to change. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:47 AM PST - 12 comments

I ordered to hoodies on etsy on December 2. They were supposed to ship in 1-3 days and arrive by the 17th. Much drama as seller as trouble printing. Shipping label created December 9. As of today STILL not with USPS despite supposedly shipping several days ago. Tracking shows it on a slow-motion tour of New Jersey. I'm wondering if this is all delay so the time to file a complaint runs out and I never get to file a complaint or poor review. Is that possible/likely? What should I do? Full timeline inside. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:43 AM PST - 12 comments

Something is quite wrong with the way I digest food. Very gross details inside. [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 8:18 AM PST - 15 comments

Found out last night we are hosting Christmas Eve. 9 adults 6 kids. No diet restrictions. My husband is going to make a giant pot of chili with cornbread. Any ideas for appetizers besides chips and guac? Simple is the name of the game here.
posted by pintapicasso at 7:49 AM PST - 19 comments

As our family gathered for xmas this year we went through a chest of linens handmade by my grandmother and great aunts. This is absolutely beautiful work that took hundreds of hours, however we really have no use for the items. Has anyone successfully found homes for these type of things? [more inside]
posted by genmonster at 7:40 AM PST - 15 comments

I guess it's going to snow in Gorman today. Do I need to plan to take an alternate route around the Grapevine? [more inside]
posted by baptismal at 7:29 AM PST - 4 comments

I am learning to make my own clothes. One thing I am struggling with is where to source fabrics. Please share with me your top places for ordering fabric from!
posted by Nilehorse at 7:04 AM PST - 8 comments

I've developed a rough test for picking out the sweetest big red Fuji apples from the USA: They have dirt, typically grey-ish, hard-caked down around the stem. Does anybody know what part of their growing, storage, or distribution might have led to this coincidence?
posted by clawsoon at 6:34 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking for a word to use for a social unit for this fantasy species that I'm creating. I would rather use an existing English word, phrase, or concept rather than invent a new word. [more inside]
posted by overglow at 9:48 PM PST - 49 comments

Looking for a book that will explain how to communicate well in relationships and some basic Gottman stuff (4 horsemen, etc.). For a couple that can’t, for sundry reasons, go to therapy, and have mutually committed to self directed learning instead. I am interested in why you like particular titles. I’m already familiar with most of the titles and authors themselves, but I’m specifically interested in what is valuable about each title. Don’t lecture me about going vs. not going to therapy, please.
posted by unstrungharp at 8:23 PM PST - 11 comments

I heard a terrific version of O Come O Come Emanuel by what I want to say was a womens (trio?) from the Seattle area - I think there name might have been Wednesdays Child or Saturdays Child, something along those lines. Heard it maybe 5-7 years ago. Anyone have a thought?
posted by jcworth at 6:18 PM PST - 2 comments

I am engaged, and have feelings (though dwindling) for a friend who recently moved to another state. My fiance and I have had extensive conversations about these feelings, but my friend is (possibly) unaware of my feelings, and knows that I am engaged. Since my friend has relocated, I have texted them a few times, with responses either delayed or nonexistent. Was I being forward in my messages? [more inside]
posted by Jangatroo at 4:14 PM PST - 22 comments

Can anyone tell me anything about this menorah? It’s obviously a depiction of Judah Maccabee. The shamash is on the right. My grandfather gave it to me years ago. There’s no markings indicating where it was made. I’m pretty sure it’s brass. Is there a name for this particular style of art? I remember my grandparents having other, similar artwork in their home. I clearly remember the angular figures and pupil-less eyes.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 3:52 PM PST - 7 comments

YANMD. We've just discovered we're pregnant and my wife is going through her cosmetics to figure out what she can and can't keep using. Internet has been most helpful thus far, but some we have not been able to ascertain. Products listed below. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by LingeringMoon at 2:52 PM PST - 5 comments

Besides keeping old computers around (which we do), what's the best way to run old Windows games on Windows 10? Virtualbox seems like a half-decent option (VB forum), but is there something more reliable than this? This is for games that we own that are too new for Dosbox but too old to run well (if at all) in Windows 10 compatibility mode. [more inside]
posted by filthy light thief at 2:28 PM PST - 8 comments

Please suggest activities/movement sequences that I can do to get out of my head during hourly breaks in my office (door closed :)) [more inside]
posted by atetrachordofthree at 12:53 PM PST - 9 comments

Looking for high protein lunches that are quick and easy to make [more inside]
posted by kathrynm at 12:33 PM PST - 22 comments

I've just started making soy milk & tofu at home - I'm wondering about using a soy milk maker to speed up the process. Do you use a soy milk maker - and do you make tofu with the milk? [more inside]
posted by hilaryjade at 12:23 PM PST - 2 comments

I meant to file a tax-related form, and didn't notice I was on a .com, not IRS.gov. I typed in my private info. I didn't hit 'Submit.' How bad is this, and what do I need to do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:54 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm trying to find the source of a half-remembered quotation from (or about) an early nuclear physics researcher, talking about how they didn't initially realize that their work would lead to the development of nuclear weapons. It's along the lines of: "We were innocent, like children playing in a sandbox, with no idea of what would come after." [more inside]
posted by leslietron at 11:46 AM PST - 4 comments

I’m looking for some tarot terminology that’s short, punchy, and can be interpreted in a few different ways. [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 11:41 AM PST - 7 comments

My partner and I would like to budget together, with the specific goal of sharing the work equally. Privacy is important to her, and transaction syncing is important to me. [more inside]
posted by flannel at 9:42 AM PST - 5 comments

In 2017, I hit a car in an airport parking lot. I was unable to locate this person then. Would I be able to now? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:26 AM PST - 7 comments

I am looking for a book/books to read on planes and over the holidays. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Alvin80 at 9:16 AM PST - 24 comments

So unfortunately there's a friend of mine which just needs to go. He's helped with some things, but I can't afford to be friends with him anymore. I will explain why in the extended explanation. I was hoping to get some advice on how slowly and quietly disappear from this person's life. I don't want to be around them any longer and I don't feel safe being near them anymore. [more inside]
posted by Tarsonis10 at 8:20 AM PST - 10 comments

My local station 92.9 kuzu played a song on thursday night and I can't find out what it is! I've looked on their website, and I've googled the lyrics and still can't figure it out. You amazing people find songs like no one else so I'm turning to you. [more inside]
posted by shmurley at 6:34 AM PST - 6 comments

Hi! My office is an 8-person room with a large flatscreen monitor mounted on the wall for presentations. We've been having fun playing different Youtube videos to create ambience--you know, winter scenes, "Harry Potter" atmosphere, fireplaces, Christmas trees. I am looking for some cool Chanukah videos to play silently for a few minutes to go with my electric menorah. So far I've got this. ;-D Any thoughts? Thank you!
posted by 8603 at 5:55 AM PST - 5 comments

When my son was living in Denmark, he developed a taste for Swedish meatballs. I wanted to make some for him. [more inside]
posted by Transl3y at 5:23 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a work thing in Tempe, so Mr. TA and I are extending it to become a vacation! We have questions, mostly about scale and where to stay. Tempe locals, please weigh in! [more inside]
posted by Tandem Affinity at 5:15 AM PST - 4 comments

For my niece, age 3.5, my brother has suggested an illustrated Aesop's Fables. I'm wanting to augment it with another book in this vein -- a nice, classic, well-illustrated book that is worth owning in paper format and that she can grow into. [more inside]
posted by Spokane at 4:30 AM PST - 11 comments

A relative has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The symptoms are very atypical and I am having a hard time finding more information that might useful. [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 3:02 AM PST - 9 comments

Something doesn't feel right about my 4 year relationship with my girlfriend but I'm too much of a coward to end the relationship. How do I get over this? [more inside]
posted by sofastyle at 12:33 AM PST - 33 comments

So yesterday morning I dumped some avocado oil into a pan, turned it pretty high, grabbed a steak out of its nice plastic wrap. Sadly for me, I didn't notice that chunk of meat was really, really wet. I found out when it hit that hot grease -- Surprise! -- one huge burn on right palm, maybe twenty splatter burns chest/arms/stomach, varying from 1/4 inch to an inch. [more inside]
posted by dancestoblue at 9:32 PM PST - 17 comments

I like movies where none of the characters are villains and everything works out okay, for the simple reason that they make me feel good. Can you recommend me some good movies (or collections of movies) in this idiom? “No one is a villain” is a subjective bar, but some examples might be The Martian (they just want to get him home), My Neighbor Totoro and Mirai (families being families), Kiki’s Delivery Service (a witch grows up), and Inside Out (emotions being emotions). Thanks!
posted by Going To Maine at 9:32 PM PST - 55 comments

I bought a dress in Paris this year. I like it. I didn't bother to check the washing instructions (my bad!) before I bought it and the only washing instructions are the mysterious "To Washing By Specialist Only". Any advice? [more inside]
posted by frumiousb at 7:45 PM PST - 10 comments

I am fascinated, both personally and professionally, by stories about complex systems that, in a crisis, fail primarily or partially because of poor interface design. Examples include this NY Times article about the Notre Dame fire detection system and this ProPublica story about the deadly touch screen steering system on U.S. Navy destroyers . Are there any other super-detailed stories in this vein?
posted by rockindata at 5:29 PM PST - 30 comments

I have a mid-2015 Macbook Pro. My external drives get crap transfer speeds when connected to a quality powered USB 3.0 hub. If I need to move TBs of data between drives, is there an alternative to removing external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and Time Machine drive in order to free up both my Mac's two USB ports so I can directly plug the external drives?
posted by Quisp Lover at 5:22 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm baking cookies for a Chanukah party. I have a dreidel cookie cutter, a 6-pointed snowflake cookie cutter that looks enough like a star that I'm going for it, and this octopus cookie cutter. My original idea was that it would be hysterical to just use it and say, hey, it's got 8 legs! But then I started thinking: is there a way to turn it upside down and decorate it in a way that looks like a menorah? Kind of like how Fudgie The Whale is also Santa? [more inside]
posted by Mchelly at 4:51 PM PST - 15 comments

Two women traveling. We love great restaurants (especially really unique ones), moseying through terrific shops, and amazing museums. I'd appreciate any suggestions for must dos and sees. Also any suggestion for the best neighborhood to stay would be welcomed.
posted by beccaj at 4:11 PM PST - 11 comments

Tried to make ganache today for a truffle filling, based on a Food Wishes Youtube video. It was a disaster, and I'm trying to diagnosis/figure out what went wrong! [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 4:03 PM PST - 9 comments

What’s the easiest way to buy a Coleman Mini Bike, if I live in Seattle? Apparently they won’t ship to Washington. [more inside]
posted by quiet coyote at 3:27 PM PST - 2 comments

I use IFTTT and have never been able to get actual help from them. I understand I am not a paying customer, but there is no way to be a paying customer that I can see. Dropbox applets stopped working on December 11th and they have not posted it on their status page. If there any solution to get their attention or some kind of response? [more inside]
posted by soelo at 3:21 PM PST - 3 comments

My partner and I are divorcing. We are amicable, kind, and doing the best we can. We have two young children (5 and 8), and I am wracked with guilt and anxiety about doing this to them. I badly need reassurance. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by hought20 at 2:46 PM PST - 19 comments

I decided I wanted a dumb phone b/c based on the news reports, the apps on my smartphone may be collecting and reselling info about me and I want that to stop (I settled on a Motorola F3, hundreds of dollars cheaper than the Light Phone 2). But my phone store employee showed me how to deactivate permissions to reduce sharing. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 2:26 PM PST - 1 comment

Low-tech, impatient person wants technological solution re aspiring burglars and porch pirates, please tell me about the current state of the art. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 1:54 PM PST - 2 comments

Are there any other shows that are 100% gay and 99% female? [more inside]
posted by Sterros at 1:28 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm making this Sweet Potato Casserole for Christmas dinner next week. The recipe doesn't specify whether to use salted or unsalted butter. (I'm able to buy either). What do you think?
posted by cozenedindigo at 12:57 PM PST - 11 comments

Some folks in my meditation group are buzzed about Sam Harris. They are in leadership roles and are presenting his meditation guidance within our public-facing groups. I have the sense that they are unaware of how problematic he is, and would be horrified (as I am) at his views beyond meditation. Can you provide me with a concise take-down of him that I can share with them?
posted by nanook at 12:53 PM PST - 5 comments

What is the best way for me to obtain Daniel Tiger episodes in French? I am in the US. Streaming, DVD, etc are fine, and a reasonable cost is fine.
posted by amy.g.dala at 12:37 PM PST - 4 comments

My 70-year-old mother is not tech-savvy and she often reports things happening with her phone or tablet that she claims happened automatically but that I assume she caused inadvertently. This one has me stumped, though. Any possible explanations? [more inside]
posted by pierogi24 at 12:10 PM PST - 5 comments

I have downloaded (through Google Takeout) my photos from Google Photos but the folder structure they come in is a nightmare: hundreds of folders named with dates ("2019-02-02") with some containing pics, others empty, others that only contain some metadata (JSON). Is there any hope of just taking the pics and dumping them in a folder, Mefites? Has anyone managed to tame this beast? Ideally automatig the process as manually I figure this would take weeks. Thanks!
posted by MessageInABottle at 11:40 AM PST - 6 comments

(Not the fun kind.) I normally send baked goods to my family's gathering in Tacoma but due to an insane work schedule, I did not get a chance to even look at ordering from an Etsy baker, which is what I usually do, before today. All of them seem to have a delivery date of the 27th. Hope me. [more inside]
posted by DarlingBri at 11:29 AM PST - 2 comments

I would like to eat more ethical animal products and am looking for sources of free range/grass-fed "happy" meat and dairy in the DC/MD area, ideally local. I know Whole Foods and Yes! Organic have options but I'm wondering if there are more. Are there good weekend farmer's markets? Butchers? All forms of meat are OK. I have access to a car. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:00 AM PST - 7 comments

I really like the idea of household intelligence that can tune into a radio station, control lights, interact with IoT, etc via voice commands. And there are several options, but they all seem to rely on off-device processing. Surely there has to be a purely on-device speech driven IoT solution, right? [more inside]
posted by sodium lights the horizon at 11:00 AM PST - 4 comments

I used to have it set up with Chrome that if I opened a new blank tab (ctrl-t) it would get focus but if I ctrl-clicked a link it would not. This is my ideal. Suddenly ctrl-t does not get focus, and the plugins I have tried to give new blank tabs focus ALSO give new tabs from links focus. How can I get this back?
posted by jeather at 10:44 AM PST - 2 comments

I am trying to make this recipe (on stovetop). But I have purple rice, which I've never used before, vs. the wild rice they recommend. Will this work? Anything to modify or watch out for? Thanks!
posted by agregoli at 10:37 AM PST - 7 comments

What 'sub-category? dialect?' of British-English accent does the character Alyssa (Jessie Barden) speak in? [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 9:40 AM PST - 6 comments

In the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, many years ago, I saw a painting with VVG's typical yellow vibrant tones. Do you know the name of this painting? [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 9:39 AM PST - 4 comments

At work I unsnarl complex processes, then package them into simpler, easy-to-understand patterns. (I’m a software engineer.) What are non-screen activities I could do to boost my logic puzzle solving skills, that involve narrative or human stories? [more inside]
posted by rogerroger at 9:25 AM PST - 12 comments

What tiny tricks and workarounds have you, as a perennially forgetful person, come up with to deal with your tendency to lose, misplace, forget, and otherwise not keep track of objects? Are there things you do to help yourself remember? Or concessions to your own tendency to lose things? What do you do when you are traveling or in unfamiliar settings? [more inside]
posted by spamandkimchi at 9:10 AM PST - 14 comments

I stay with my sister for a few days to a week every month or two when visiting home. I really struggle with what to make to eat. We go out to eat, or have family get togethers but I also do lots of individual meals and I like to save money by doing some cooking. I like to have one or two simple recipes to plan for but I'm feeling bored. [more inside]
posted by Aranquis at 8:53 AM PST - 4 comments

It has become harder for me to read my iPhone, iPad, and printed books requiring me to hold them closer to my face, especially late at night. I wear glasses for distance. It seems like I need reading glasses, but I tried on a bunch of various strengths (+1, +3, etc) at a pharmacy and they all made my vision worse. Does going to the eye Dr for a prescription get me a different type of lens than what the pharmacy has? (I have increased text size on iPhone and iPad already.)
posted by ridogi at 8:48 AM PST - 16 comments

I need to buy high-strength epoxy glue in central Cologne, Germany. Where should I go? [more inside]
posted by GuyZero at 8:36 AM PST - 3 comments

Is Dominick the Donkey based on any actual Italian or Italian-American tradition, or was the whole Christmas donkey thing made up out of whole cloth for the song?
posted by Tehhund at 7:55 AM PST - 3 comments

Are the die-cut patterns used to produce jigsaw puzzles graded by difficulty or challenge? How have these designs evolved over time, or by geography/market? [more inside]
posted by Sublimity at 7:33 AM PST - 1 comment

The financial questions are already sorted so right now I'm strictly looking for some suggestions about what to keep an eye out for when we're looking for a home. What should we be aware of? What should we ask for? I put together a list of things I specifically want to ask for (in the Extended), are these things I can reasonably ask for as part of a deal? [more inside]
posted by Socinus at 5:43 AM PST - 40 comments

Persian Cooking Filter: I need a vegetable side dish to go with fesenjoon and tachin. (Not Shirazi salad.) [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 5:21 AM PST - 5 comments

Howdy. I am a roasting a turkey this weekend not for holiday purposes but because I am bad at cooking and as a result bad at eating. Need make ahead recipes that use turkey, can be frozen, and work for a single person. [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna at 4:52 AM PST - 3 comments

What's the deal with advertising a game that doesn't exist (as far as I can tell) under the name of another game? Who is doing it and why? [more inside]
posted by missmagenta at 4:46 AM PST - 8 comments

I started working 2 years ago at a nonprofit. My supervisor and I have never gotten along. He would yell and belittle me. He was a brand new supervisor and deeply insecure (he admitted it) and thought I did not listen to him enough when I first started. When I found out after a month, it was too late to change his opinion of me. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:03 AM PST - 14 comments

About three years ago, I went for a psychological assessment for autism. I am realizing that the experience was traumatic, because the assessor dismissed my experiences. I'm looking for an English-language therapist that does remote work who has a modern perspective on autism and ideally experience with iatrogenic trauma. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:02 AM PST - 3 comments

Do you have ways to remember the things you overlook in specific situations, that would enhance life or make it more efficient? For example, to take a jacket when you head out when it's sunny because you know it will be cold when you return; to take something to plug your ears when you go to the beach; to take a bag when you go for a walk in one direction because it's quite likely you'll pop into the grocery store on your way back; and so on. I'd love to hear your strategies.
posted by miaow at 11:38 PM PST - 17 comments

I’m about to enter the iOS universe for the first time and would like to know if the personal email address that I’ll add to my Apple account can be the only address that people will see, and if I can prevent them from seeing my actual Apple ID (which is a different address) when using iMessage & FaceTime or sharing iCloud folders with them. Brief explanation follows: [more inside]
posted by theory at 7:07 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm a cis male pop/rock vocalist, age 43. How can I strengthen and preserve my voice into middle age and beyond? [more inside]
posted by mykescipark at 2:40 PM PST - 13 comments

My coworker seems to have hyperactivity/OCD or similar issues, monitors and makes comments on whatever is on my screen, ignores my verbal and nonverbal cues to leave me alone, talks to himself loudly, and insults/undermines my work on projects we have collaborated on. I need advice for addressing it before I start job hunting again. [more inside]
posted by Young Kullervo at 1:50 PM PST - 13 comments

Hi, I'm in a pickle because I bought something using my phone's Wallet app. It generates a temporary credit card number every time. I'm having trouble getting my credit card company to reimburse me because the temp number doesn't match my actual credit card, and they don't seem to understand the e-wallet wrinkle. [more inside]
posted by estlin at 12:58 PM PST - 7 comments

For the last few months, I've been thinking about getting a furry feline friend, but I'm hesitating and can't decide... [more inside]
posted by ElasticParrot at 10:18 AM PST - 33 comments

I'm short and I can't get a shorter desk at work, but might be able to get a chair with an attached footrest. However, when I try to search for this, the internet gives me chairs with footrests designed for reclining. I want one to put my feet on flat while sitting up. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by metasarah at 9:24 AM PST - 6 comments

I accidentally put a kind of large hole in my shower, that runs along the wall and is both tub and shower walls as one solid piece. It's like plywood with plastic coating on top of it looks like. Can I repair/patch this or will the whole thing have to be replaced? [more inside]
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 9:13 AM PST - 10 comments

I've been self-employed for fifteen years, but now have the opportunity to move into employment in a related field. How should I decide whether or not to do this? Have you made such a shift, and how did you decide whether or not to do it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:55 AM PST - 8 comments

My 14-15 year old male cat has always had several (mostly) easily treatable chronic conditions: crystals in urine, IBD, and tooth issues. This last week he took a turn for the worse but we just moved and the new vet wasn't super helpful. [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter at 8:55 AM PST - 10 comments

Looking for your recommendations for hotels that offer rooms with seriously big bathtubs in either New York City, Washington DC, or the Bay Area. Thank you!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 7:08 AM PST - 13 comments

I’m planning to roast a lamb leg for Christmas dinner but I need to decide what to make as sides and appetizers. I was thinking roasted potatoes. There will be eight people and I have a very small kitchen. No known dietary allergies except one person hates salmon and one celery. Things that can be made in advance or are easy are preferred. Thanks!! [more inside]
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 6:31 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm coming home every day to a layer of brick dust on everything in my house from the construction next door. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by kinsey at 3:10 AM PST - 16 comments

For a month or two I've been keeping an intermittent eye on a used book being sold on Amazon by 3-4 sellers for ~$30-40. The price hadn't changed much when I looked a week or two ago, but today all four sellers are listing it for over $900(!) What gives? [more inside]
posted by mpark at 12:33 AM PST - 16 comments

Are there any other songs similar concept/lyricwise to "When You Say Nothing At All"? [more inside]
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:36 PM PST - 12 comments

I am hoping to take some extra economics courses as electives for undergrad, and I have enough electives to build up to econometrics, if I wish. What sort of maths is needed in econometrics? [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 7:55 PM PST - 8 comments

My daughter is a sophomore in college and would like to spend Spring Break doing something meaningful. The alternative spring break options through her college are not appealing to her, and she'd really like to do something to help with migrants at our southern border. Any pointers to organizations that might facilitate this would be welcome.
posted by nixxon at 7:51 PM PST - 7 comments

WTF is my pseudo father-in-law writing in a very sweet christmas card to me? [more inside]
posted by Cold Lurkey at 7:37 PM PST - 8 comments

Till Microsoft denatured Groove in the past year, it used to play my local AND OneDrive cloud collection of music files. At home, on the Windows 10 desktop. The only thing that comes close to replacing this service (so far, in my limited knowledge) is something called MusicPlayer for OneDrive, but that's not gapless. [more inside]
posted by noelpratt2nd at 7:33 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm looking for a proper office chair that won't kill my hips or back when I spend 10+ hours a day sitting in it. I'm 5'2", use a corner desk, on a fairly matted down shag carpet. The chair will also be used often to transport me from my bedroom where I work to other locations in the house for the occasional outing. 99% of my time is in my room, 75% of my awake time will be in this chair. Max budget $300.
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 5:39 PM PST - 15 comments

My Jewish grandmother uses a Yiddish phrase that sounds like, “Maizel zan fadeah” to mean, “I wish it were me instead of you”, or possibly something to do with taking one’s pain away. Basically it’s what you murmur to kids when they’re sick/in pain and it means, “I wish I were sick instead of you.” I’d like to know what the actual phrase is and what it translates to in English. My grandma doesn’t understand this question and refuses to answer it.
posted by tatiana wishbone at 4:54 PM PST - 7 comments

Over the years, my career has started to move into more organizational development work and industrial/organizational psychology topics. I'm willing to devote lots of time to self studying in order to learn the "official" approaches and theories of the field, but I need some help in building my reading list. [more inside]
posted by philosophygeek at 1:06 PM PST - 4 comments

I am looking for happy, cozy books/movies/tv set in worlds that are Fundamentally O.K. Romance, Sci-fi, holiday themes, small towns, puppies, humor, altruism, goodwill towards man, stuff like that. It’s okay if some bad things happen in the book/movie as long as they are in a greater context of an essentially loving and safe world. More details inside. [more inside]
posted by hungrytiger at 11:55 AM PST - 67 comments

We're going to York for a couple of days with our son, who is four and a half. He is very excited to see the Statue of Liberty when he is there. I'm totally confused by the plethora of choices and ways to see it. [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 11:33 AM PST - 21 comments

I'm trying to find an episode of Penn & Teller: Fool Us that I watched on YouTube. I watched it on a smart TV YouTube app, but its “history” is blank. I keep googling but I can't find it. Some spoilers follow. [more inside]
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 11:30 AM PST - 3 comments

What's a common item that is made MUCH more useful when you also have another common item? [more inside]
posted by woodvine at 11:29 AM PST - 23 comments

Asking for a coworker.. Her sixteen-year-old son wants to buy his thirteen-year-old sister a book on how to be a good sister and/or manners. Any suggestions?
posted by kbuxton at 11:25 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm roasting my first goose this weekend, I'm looking at two recipes and one recommends cutting off the breasts during roasting (which makes sense), but I do like the idea of presenting a whole bird before carving. How much more delicious will the breast-cutting-off recipe be? [more inside]
posted by hapticactionnetwork at 9:54 AM PST - 7 comments

I love soup. I love curries and stews and potages and bisques. Sometimes I like to put cheese, or nuts, or roasted chickpeas on top of my soup. There must be a WHOLE WORLD of soup toppings out there that I've never considered, so I turn to you...AskMe...the greatest resource of ideas about edible things that go on top of other edible things. No dietary restrictions, and I'm particularly interested in ideas for what to put on top of creamier soups/curries that might provide some textural contrast.
posted by little mouth at 8:58 AM PST - 31 comments

In romantic relationships, is the right person someone who will accept you, warts and all, even if you might have some bad relationship habits? (details inside) [more inside]
posted by hazeleatscarrots at 8:25 AM PST - 20 comments

I am not happy with my appearance. Is there somewhere I can go in Houston, pay $50, and have them not just ask me what I want done but tell me what’s working, what is isn’t + fix it?
posted by gensubuser at 7:59 AM PST - 3 comments

A gift recipient close to both my heart and Portland has asked for a good Japanese whiskey. Since I'm going to be visiting them soon, I thought I'd buy this whiskey in Portland. Can anyone recommend a store which would have good/interesting Japanese whiskeys?
posted by paul_smatatoes at 7:33 AM PST - 7 comments

Jerry Seinfeld said that clean comics are more successful in the long run. Who are the clean comics now?
posted by parmanparman at 6:45 AM PST - 29 comments

I'm looking for a way to manage the review and approvals of Word documents among a small team. We have Google Drive (and Team Drive) and Slack, but I'm not sure of the best approach to use these tools (or something else). Any advice? [more inside]
posted by arco at 6:35 AM PST - 6 comments

At some point on the 70's or 80's I read a book in which one of the characters learned the order of the Gospels by memorizing the following phrase: "Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, you saddle the rat and I'll jump on." Where is it from? [more inside]
posted by Lokheed at 6:09 AM PST - 15 comments

I am helping out some with teaching/tutoring English at an afterschool space for the deaf, mostly 7th through 10th graders, in Japan. If you are deaf/HoH or have family/friends who are, what effective ways have you found to study a foreign language? [more inside]
posted by huimangm at 5:10 AM PST - 4 comments

My niece is moving to DC to attend uni at GWU and needs a good mobile service. [more inside]
posted by michswiss at 3:38 AM PST - 11 comments

I have to recycle the following devices: 2x Android phones, a win10 tablet, a MacBook, an ipad, an old laptop. All of them are broken and not switching on. All of them have my sensittive info on them. For the laptop I can take the hard drive out. The MacBook can be taken back to Apple for secure disposal. I guess they can be trusted.... But the other devices have the memory soldered on. How can I blank that memory without damaging the device further? Is the only way to rip out the mainboard and leave the rest for spares?
posted by jago25_98 at 3:14 AM PST - 5 comments

I just started in a new role and there is a big opportunity for someone to attend a conference in February. My supervisor put himself down but I think it should be me. I don’t trust him to help me advance my career, it seems he is too keen to advance his own career instead. How to handle? [more inside]
posted by EatMyHat at 12:29 AM PST - 26 comments

Hi, AskMe. :) This is kind of related to my previous ask, in that I'm hoping to use it to help with Eve online, but it also applies more broadly. What solutions exist for OCRing and interacting with a computer screen in real-time? [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 9:14 PM PST - 0 comments

I have a Russian relative looking for a nice hair salon with Russian-speaking stylists. She lives in northeastern NJ. Any suggestions?
posted by Lurch at 8:18 PM PST - 1 comment

My old iphone 6 is on its last legs. I just bought a new iphone 11, only to learn that all the music I have on my old phone -- ripped from my CDs ten years or so ago -- does not make it through the update process. Is there a third-party program I can put on my MacBook (MORE INSIDE) [more inside]
posted by PaulVario at 7:58 PM PST - 6 comments

I love the frames shown in this image. Any ideas on where I might find them?
posted by hilaryjade at 7:26 PM PST - 2 comments

Long story short, after I was laid off in October, I was able to land a seasonal job at a major, well-known retailer. I also applied for a local Starbucks as a bartsia, in a great spot where I know a lot of people. I was able to land an interview with the Starbucks manager earlier this week, and was asked about my availability. No formal job offer yet, though. This is where some complications come in. [more inside]
posted by thoughtful_analyst at 6:30 PM PST - 10 comments

I am of course a member of my local library. I want to be a member of more libraries because More Books. [more inside]
posted by tafetta, darling! at 6:23 PM PST - 10 comments

In the last 6 months I've occasionally heard a quirky, not-quite grammatical use of the phrase "the [blank]of it all." [more inside]
posted by ejs at 5:10 PM PST - 17 comments

I'm trying to understand recirculating water and programming my tankless hot water heater. I finally realized that we get hot water in the taps when the heater is programmed to recirculate hot water (basically, keep hot water available) through the pipes. However, the water doesn't get hot at other times. My understanding is that it's better not to have hot water recirculating all the time. I don't know if I need to make a service call or if it's supposed to be like this. [more inside]
posted by bluedaisy at 3:07 PM PST - 9 comments

To gift a cat-and-kitten owning friend: what is the best cat toy now that is: *under $15 *and that I can get in 2 days from Amazon prime? [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 2:51 PM PST - 21 comments

My spouse and I will be in Denver in January for vacation. We'd like to grab a class or two while we're there. [more inside]
posted by komara at 2:42 PM PST - 5 comments

I recently asked this question, and I definitely loved the suggestions and subscribed to them. But what I realized I'm actually hungry for is for some fun Asian American (or diaspora? I'm not sure about the term) newsletters to read. [more inside]
posted by toastyk at 2:33 PM PST - 3 comments

I've accidentally committed a faux pas of under paying for a Christmas exchange and I feel awful. How do I make it up to this person? [more inside]
posted by sheepishchiffon at 1:51 PM PST - 24 comments

It's time to buy new jeans, and I would like to eschew the infuriating gender bullshit of women's jeans with no useful pockets and try men's once again. I want front pockets I can put my damn phone or a bunch of Kleenex or money in and it won't fall out. Trying to figure out a size, though, is bewildering. Lots of denim snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by kitten kaboodle at 1:28 PM PST - 19 comments

I'm looking for an exfoliating scrub that is rough and effective. [more inside]
posted by kdern at 11:54 AM PST - 17 comments

For allergy reasons, I need to eat food with egg baked in twice (or more) a week. So foods like cakes, cookies, breads are okay, but baked eggs, quiche, etc are not. (Egg pasta is also okay). However, I don’t have a sweet tooth and would prefer things that are more savory. I also avoid dairy but can substitute vegetable oil shortening and non-dairy milk if needed. What can I make? [more inside]
posted by robertthebruce at 11:51 AM PST - 24 comments

Did you ever feel like you had a hard time expressing emotion in relationships or dating despite your internal feelings of excitement? Do you feel like this can get in the way of development of chemistry? [more inside]
posted by knownfossils at 11:34 AM PST - 7 comments

I applied for a short-term contract job a few weeks back. Interactions with the woman (Ms X) who posted the job have been lovely, but when I went in to meet the rest of the team I got some seriously bad vibes. With a little sleuthing, I've discovered that the main people at this company are not my kind of people. How can I politely extricate myself without burning bridges with the cool and brilliant woman I spoke to first? [more inside]
posted by doornoise at 11:24 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm getting married in 2020 and we've been talking about kids. I was raised Jewish; my future spouse was raised nominally Catholic. We're planning on raising any kids we have together Jewish, but I'm stumbling on what that looks like. If you were raised Jewish in an interfaith family, can you tell me more about how your parents helped instill a Jewish identity? Bonus points if you grew up in a non-Jewish area. [more inside]
posted by marfa, texas at 11:09 AM PST - 15 comments

Hi All! I bought a new house (well new to me) and it has some really unique light fixtures. Today I discovered one of them is dead. :( Can you help me identify it? There are no markings outside of wattage for light bulb sticker. Here is an Image or Two.. [more inside]
posted by bleucube at 10:56 AM PST - 11 comments

About a year ago, I found some mechanism to block particular websites on OS X. I did this in a single user account on one machine. I'd like to add some additional sites to be blocked. Help me figure out how I did it - I am baffled. [more inside]
posted by procrastination at 9:18 AM PST - 14 comments

I am doing a series of drawings and scanning them to put into a blog, as seen here. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 8:48 AM PST - 16 comments

What is this little green plant on the ledge? I know it's fairly common, but if I ever knew what it's called, I've forgotten!
posted by taz at 8:12 AM PST - 11 comments

Can you recommend a female therapist for my 13-year-old daughter? No one issue in particular; a general feeling that life is tougher and sadder than it should be. We have insurance, but their referral site is overwhelming. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:04 AM PST - 3 comments

My civic engagement network talks often about affordable housing in my town and state. However, I feel like I notice an additional aspect no one mentions - that many people have their retirement plans based on the housing prices being very high. Can you please help explain the aspects of this tension to me? [more inside]
posted by rebent at 6:29 AM PST - 15 comments

When I was a boy, probably about five years old, my grandmother gave me this ceramic cup with a picture of a fox on it. I believe she bought it in Norway, but I could be misremembering. Does anyone recognize this cup and know who made it?
posted by Kattullus at 6:19 AM PST - 6 comments

I received a serger from my local Buy Nothing group, and am in the process of cleaning it up/fixing it. The foam padding that goes under the spools is torn and I'm not familiar enough with sergers to know whether I should buy a replacement pad online or if I can just make something with fleece. This is for a Bernette by Bernina 334D. I've found roughly similar foam pads but nothing that's exactly the same shape. If you use a serger, please let me know what you think!
posted by brilliantine at 6:15 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking for a game that: fits in my pocket (or my partner's purse); can be played by 2, 3, or 4 players; and is suitable for a 9-year-old. Bonus points if it doesn't require a table so we can play it while sitting on a bus. (And just to be clear, I'm looking for physical games, not apps or handheld electronics.) What pocket-sized family games do you love?
posted by yankeefog at 5:25 AM PST - 26 comments

What dish or food item are you most looking forward to eating at your Christmas meal? [more inside]
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 4:16 AM PST - 35 comments

Need a great sex toy for a (cis) woman who finds regular hits too big [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:20 AM PST - 11 comments

My parents recently told me that I had scored unsually high on IQ tests they gave to all children in my elementary school. I had the option to go to a school for gifted children, but they declined, because they "didn't want to raise a socially awkward person." I did some research, and feel as though giftedness may explain many of my struggles as a child. Now I am trying to make sense of it as an adult. Please share perspectives or resources! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:19 AM PST - 41 comments

Trying to identify an Argentinian film I studied in film class. Maybe about some young women that take a road trip from the city to a small town... [more inside]
posted by iamsuper at 12:00 AM PST - 2 comments

I love the Jibun Techo planner in spite of its microtypography: each day is full-sized, each half hour available on a grid, lots of non-timed to-do sections, nice paper, cool booklet form, color makes it easy to see different sections. Unfortunately, the hour numbers are too small for me to read, and I think I need to write larger anyway. I'm about to try making my own version in an 8-1/2" by 11" size, but before I do: does that exist already. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 11:53 PM PST - 4 comments

I've been informally hired to do independent contracting. I want to make sure I'm covering all my bases before I start. Difficulty level: American in United States doing work for Israeli company. [more inside]
posted by HtotheH at 9:41 PM PST - 6 comments

When you thought you heard a faint noise, and you strain to hear it again, are you straining some physical part of your ear, or are you straining your brain to filter the noise and pick out that sound from the background? [more inside]
posted by Pastor of Muppets at 8:41 PM PST - 14 comments

My mom would like a bible in Spanish. She says she wants to remember all the stories from the old testament that she's forgotten and maybe also use it for prayer and reflection. Something with some notes/comments. But in simple language. I would like the notes/comments to not be too over-the-top in their obsequiousness to the Catholic Church. Large print wouldn't hurt. I can find suggested editions for various purposes, but then none are available to buy. Suggest editions or suggested web sites or Toronto stores for browsing/purchasing welcome.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:05 PM PST - 5 comments

If I make these cookies, will it come across as a Christmas thing? I'm making cookies for work and want to contribute to the festivities for those celebrating holidays this month while also respecting that people of many religions work at our office. Is the five-pointed star a Christian / Christmas thing, or is it adequately non-religious? [more inside]
posted by Spokane at 7:59 PM PST - 26 comments

My elderly mother is in a fully assisted care home in a different state from me. She gets as much nutritious food as she wants, but complains that it's dry and bland, and would like some sauces to add to it. Does anyone have recommendations for a single serving, shippable gravy/sauce/soup that doesn't need to be prepared? [more inside]
posted by cowcowgrasstree at 7:23 PM PST - 15 comments

I have an iPhone 5. I can easily transmit photos I have taken to others. However I have some old B&W family photos circa 1945/1955 that I have photographed onto my phone. I am unable to share them with others via text. On the receiving end, the icon swirls around and the receiving phones say the photos are "downloading" but... nothing happens and nothing is received. What could the problem be? Is there an incompatibility? Something I need to do? Thanks for suggestions.
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 7:18 PM PST - 13 comments

What kinds of food/condiments (that one typically buys at a store) are significantly better homemade? For example, I've been making my own mayo recently, and it's sooo much better. What else can I make that will be awesome? [more inside]
posted by catcafe at 6:01 PM PST - 55 comments

Has anyone read a book where a woman awakens to find a man hovering in the air, a few inches above her body (in bed), and mouthing or whispering the words, "I'm so, (so) sorry"? Book most likely published in the last decade, and is possibly a (non-fiction) collection of anecdotes involving ghosts, aliens, and the like. Thanks!
posted by tenderly at 5:26 PM PST - 2 comments

Hi there! Any mefites in Traverse City, MI, who could confirm how widely available Lyft or Uber are for a friend with late stage cancer and would primarily need them for early morning rides to chemo? I'm also considering gifting some dog walking services and wonder if anyone has a personal recommendation or knows anyone on Wag or Rover in the area. Lastly, any grocery or meal delivery services? Or how about full service laundry? Open to other ideas too! (She has cleaning covered.) [more inside]
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 5:20 PM PST - 4 comments

I am in the US on a J1 visa. There's been some issues and I was planning on getting a new visa, only to realize I didn't need to if I have a Canadian passport, which I do. The only thing: my DS-2019's "citizenship country" box does NOT say Canada. [more inside]
posted by redwaterman at 5:06 PM PST - 3 comments

My driver side low beam lightbulb was replaced a couple weeks ago. I SWEAR it is pointing downward and to the left. Is that even possible? I had it replaced at Uncle Eds (oil change place) and it took them a long time, but like, doesnt it just screw in? Is it possible to be so out of whack? [more inside]
posted by misanthropicsarah at 4:59 PM PST - 4 comments

I am in Canada. My health data may have been stolen in a cyberattack on lab test provider Life Labs in late October. The company paid ransom to get data back and is offering potentially affected clients one year of free identity theft insurance and dark web monitoring through American consumer credit reporting agency TransUnion. This probably seems like a silly question, but I’m tired and stressed, and feeling suspicious of everything at the moment: Are there any downsides to accessing this service? Reassurance about the Canada/US cross-border info privacy angle particularly welcome.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:00 PM PST - 6 comments

We are trying to identify a film from around 20 years ago. Can you help us to identify it? The plot revolves around two gay couples, with Nigel Hawthorne playing one of the men. The four meet at an academic conference of some sort, and the partner of the character played by Nigel Hawthorne gets together with one half of the other couple. The film takes place in the United States, possibly in New England.
posted by sueinnyc at 3:19 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for a pair of speakers for my NAD 3020. What speakers should I look for? [more inside]
posted by popcassady at 3:18 PM PST - 9 comments

What books include descriptions of people growing their own food as a normal part of life, in a time and/or place where growing much or all of your own food is normal for most people and has been for a long time.
posted by aniola at 2:57 PM PST - 15 comments

I enjoy reading out loud for other people or an audience (or as a recording). Can I do this as a hobby/volunteer thing? I live in Toronto, Canada. [more inside]
posted by robot-hugs at 2:10 PM PST - 12 comments

I have a couple of days to spend in Copenhagen. I've never been, but I can tell I'm going at the quietest point in the tourist season, so some of the places that are "must do" are closed. So what should I do, besides the Louisiana? [more inside]
posted by PussKillian at 1:32 PM PST - 15 comments

I think I'm not dressing in a way that looks good on a not that skinny short guy in his mid 40s. I'm looking for some ideas/pointers. [more inside]
posted by less of course at 1:24 PM PST - 16 comments

I am on the board of a small nonprofit in my city. We raised a surprising amount of money during a fundraiser and would like to give some of it back in the form of scholarships for graduating high school seniors. For some reason I can't find a nice, easy, step-by-step guide for what we want to do. [more inside]
posted by Gray Duck at 11:52 AM PST - 8 comments

My little brother won't be able to make it home to New Hampshire for Christmas and Chanukah this year - he's stuck in El Paso. I'm looking for ideas of fun local things that I can get him, especially related to fresh baked goods and breakfast? [more inside]
posted by ChuraChura at 11:51 AM PST - 4 comments

There are lots of tools available for this (10K feet, etc), but I am looking for a free excel-based template that I can use to track my team's (<10 people) billable/non-billable hours, by client, on a bi-weekly basis. Does it exist? Can you share? Hope me!
posted by mooselini at 11:38 AM PST - 1 comment

I would like to purchase an electric tea kettle for an open area within my office. Because people work in this space, I'd like the electric tea kettle to be as quiet as possible. I've checked Wirecutter, but they didn't mention noise in their write ups -- and the "quietest tea kettle" search on Google yields a bunch of SEO sites that don't look like they've actually tried the kettles in question. Hence this question: Do you personally have a very quiet tea kettle or have used one in the past? What is it?
posted by melodykramer at 11:37 AM PST - 14 comments

Ok so I'm a CS major that has recently developed an interest in finance. I wanted to learn more about mathematical finance. I started with this course: I also started reading Brealey, Myers and Allen's Principles of Corporate Finance. [more inside]
posted by Tarsonis10 at 11:13 AM PST - 11 comments

I run a small annual film festival in my city. The first one took place in 2001. When we have our 2020 event, can we say we're celebrating our 20th anniversary? It will definitely be our 20th festival, but I'm struggling with how to use the word "anniversary". Maybe we can say we're entering our "20th anniversary year?" Why can't I figure this out?? LOL HALP
posted by stokast at 10:47 AM PST - 30 comments

Let's play a music game. I'll list some musicians I've been enjoying lately, and you respond with some Spanish-language artists I'm likely to enjoy. [more inside]
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 10:40 AM PST - 11 comments

Niece aged 15 takes her GCSEs next summer and is currently a fairly dedicated reviser. I want to make a revision kit for her as a Christmas present. What should I include? So far - revision planner; book on revision; highlighters; index cards; maybe a lavender bag for calming smells.
posted by paduasoy at 10:21 AM PST - 10 comments

I got my flu shot the other day at a major US chain drug store. The pharmacist who administered it did something kind of odd and I am wondering if it was standard procedure or if my nagging discomfort is at all justified. [more inside]
posted by lovableiago at 10:20 AM PST - 15 comments

Is it possible for me, person who does not have a Presto card or account (I drive to work) to load money onto the card of a teen/student in my family using the Presto website? Or can I only do this in person, at a subway station? Student in question takes TTC, not the Go, and is under 18.
posted by walkinginsunshine at 9:36 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm a woman, I've been searching for years for someone who can give me a good, rock and roll-style shag cut. I'm looking for this. (its the first pic tittled "medium shaggy burnett hairstyle). Who is going to be able to cut hair like this? [more inside]
posted by WalkerWestridge at 9:10 AM PST - 11 comments

After almost exactly a year since his first bout of transient global amnesia, my husband finally saw a neurologist today. She is sending him for an MRI and an EEG on top of the two CTs he had previously. My question is - why? [more inside]
posted by Martha My Dear Prudence at 8:38 AM PST - 3 comments

My partner and I have a traditional-style Japanese futon (a shikibuton with cotton filling). We're in the market for a futon dryer, but all the ones we're finding online require an expensive voltage adapter to use in North America. Is there a more affordable solution we're overlooking? What do Japanese emigrants do? (Aside from sleeping on western-style beds.) [more inside]
posted by Banknote of the year at 8:15 AM PST - 21 comments

I unfortunately ran out of fucks before the office Christmas party. I need to take a potluck dish. I need it to impress. I need to put no effort and very little money into it. I cannot overstate how disinterested I am in this thing. It would gall me to put more than a half hour into this mandatory ticky-tacky bullcorn party. Help me come up with something delicious to dump into the office trough
posted by FakeFreyja at 8:11 AM PST - 40 comments

My friend is an American citizen who just completed her Masters in London and wants to stay by any means necessary but we are trying to assess what the most viable option is for getting a visa. So far it seems as if the two options are getting a Tier 2 visa through one of the listed companies, or a startup visa through our university. [more inside]
posted by Roger Schredderer at 7:46 AM PST - 6 comments

I have two pairs of Blundstones. They look identical from outside. Walking in one of them is a true joy, while the other gives me terrible back/hip/knee/feet pain. Why!? Ideas logical and wild equally welcome. [more inside]
posted by atetrachordofthree at 7:37 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm fulfilling a childhood dream to go gaze at the stars in Death Valley on the night after Christmas, when there's a new moon. I'd love to dive back into my old favorite genre of books to prepare myself for the experience. What can you recommend? Non-book recommendations for how to make my trip awesome are also very welcome! [more inside]
posted by MiraK at 7:04 AM PST - 10 comments

My son got accepted to an environmentally-focused college, which is great, and he also received two merit-based scholarships from the school itself, also great. However, this still leaves us with a hefty price tag, so we're on the hunt for other scholarships to help defer the cost, any idea where to look? [more inside]
posted by jeremias at 6:36 AM PST - 9 comments

I was just gifted a lovely monogrammed Shinola Runwell Planner. I am, however, a member of the cult of Bullet Journal and do not want to switch back to using a traditional planner. Other than regifting, what other creative uses can I find for a week-at-a-glance hardback planner? [more inside]
posted by HeroZero at 6:27 AM PST - 9 comments

I finally have the desire to buy a house and I have no idea how people do this! [more inside]
posted by kmr at 6:15 AM PST - 35 comments

I have about 10 computers here using public wifi, so not on their own network. There's a couple of things I would like to do (not save passwords etc) and I would love to know a) what I am forgetting to do and b) how to do it simply or better. [more inside]
posted by J.R. Hartley at 1:19 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm trying to track down a friend in Portland, OR, who I lost touch with & very much want to talk to again. Is there a better way to do this than the free info that comes up with a Google search? If I have to pay for a search, can you recommend a specific service that worked for you? I am to the point of writing letters to his old addresses. Thank you for any ideas/help.
posted by fairlynearlyready at 8:37 PM PST - 17 comments

I want to buy a cute seal pillow I found. It's for sale various places around the internet, and appears to be based on a seal named Suki at the Osaka Aquarium. However, it is made in China and the places selling it have no real info available about it or themselves. Should I assume that it was made in a factory with abusive conditions, child labor, etc., and try to find a different seal pillow entirely? Is there any way to find out for sure?
posted by cnidaria at 7:54 PM PST - 10 comments

I will be traveling to Boston soon, and am looking for some more out of the way things to see. In previous trips, I've mostly been to Camberville things, so I'm looking for things in Boston or other areas to look at. No day trips though, I'll only have a day or two to explore wherever and then will be in Cambridge area for the rest of the time. [more inside]
posted by azalea_chant at 6:43 PM PST - 20 comments

I went to a LabCorp last week and I realized the phlebotomist was on the the phone (bluetooth thingie hidden under a headscarf, personal call, clearly non-urgent) while she was taking my blood. How should I proceed? [more inside]
posted by needs more cowbell at 6:20 PM PST - 52 comments

Adam Beckman was a cameraman for the TV version of This American Life. He came up with an idea for a program called "Second Hand Stories." They (PBS) put up half of the money and told him he had to come up with the other half. After two years, he couldn't raise it and the idea died. He said PBS is a place where good story ideas go to die, and what do to about that. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 5:53 PM PST - 3 comments

How does one go about "reducing" honey to a much thicker substance? [more inside]
posted by lizifer at 4:53 PM PST - 5 comments

Apart from early Penguin paperbacks, what are some publishers known for their graphic design?
posted by pxe2000 at 3:23 PM PST - 21 comments

It's 2019 and we have the internet and planes, but searching high and low for an "impossible to find" herb that grows wild in northern Iran and is an essential ingredient in Gilaki cuisine. In English it's chochaq or chochagh or chouchagh, Latin is erynginium caucasicum, (a type of sea holly), image is here. Far Reaches Farm in Port Townsend, WA appears to have bedding plants for $15 each, but I need seeds. There are occasional mentions of people growing their own in Canada and the U.K., but I haven't been able to track down anyone... and I've asked famous Persian chefs and cookbook authors. So I turn to MetaFilter ... thank you!
posted by cyndigo at 3:22 PM PST - 5 comments

I’m starting my own painting and roofing business. I’m putting together a website, and I want to have a testimonial section. The only problem is that I don’t yet have any testimonials for my business. Before I go on, I want to share a little bit of background. [more inside]
posted by ggp88 at 2:18 PM PST - 5 comments

I will have a couple of driving trips this winter over passes high enough that circumstances might require chains. [more inside]
posted by Lyn Never at 1:42 PM PST - 9 comments

My husband and I just adopted a dog and none of the names we've come up with so far seem quite right. She is an 8 year old dachshund mix - maybe mixed with a Pomeranian? A picture here, and a bonus video showing how smart and sassy she is! [more inside]
posted by GoldenEel at 1:29 PM PST - 41 comments

We just adopted a pair of sister kittens yesterday who are 15 weeks old. We have them set up in the bathroom with litter, food, beds, and some toys. I know it will take them awhile to feel comfortable and it can't be rushed. I was just wondering if I screwed up by putting them in a room that has a natural hiding place - they have been camped out behind an interior door. [more inside]
posted by bleep at 1:29 PM PST - 27 comments

A friend has a short text (~500 words) that they would like to share with like-minded people without it getting tied back to them. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:47 PM PST - 6 comments

We have hard water, and we're thinking about getting a water softener. We already have GE SmartWater whole house filters (photo). How might these compare to what we could get from a water softener, and what are the best softeners (or filters) for the money these days? [In the U.S., specifically New Mexico, on municipal water] [more inside]
posted by filthy light thief at 12:03 PM PST - 6 comments

Adventurous diners looking for non-adventurous restaurant recommendation in Atlanta, GA. [more inside]
posted by Space Kitty at 11:49 AM PST - 19 comments

Or do you at all? I've recently come into a rich vein of freelancer fortune with a couple of digital agencies in my town. Having been on a retainer or fixed fee with previous clients, I'm not sure how this whole day rate thing works. Questions inside... [more inside]
posted by doornoise at 11:49 AM PST - 4 comments

I know, I know; "absolutely zero politics on LinkedIn!" But what if someone works a day job and is also trying to make it as a political analyst/writer? [more inside]
posted by 8LeggedFriend at 11:47 AM PST - 6 comments

My 9 year-old daughter was assessed by a psychologist to have ADHD and dysgraphia. She also tested gifted and talented. I am wondering - is it common for ADHD and dysgraphia to be confused with dyslexia? Is dyslexia often a missed diagnoses? [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 10:22 AM PST - 17 comments

Where can I find useful resources to know the political leanings of merchants I might buy products from? [more inside]
posted by Dansaman at 9:58 AM PST - 5 comments

My partner is looking for recommendations for places to get her hair cut and colored in Washington, DC. Thank you!
posted by DavidNYC at 7:07 AM PST - 8 comments

My 12yo wants a tennis-ball launcher for his dog. Help me figure out the right price point and quality. [more inside]
posted by Orlop at 6:45 AM PST - 3 comments

There is a single site that I cannot access from my home network (timeout), but can access from any other internet connection (e.g. it's not down). My ISP is baffled. Any help? [more inside]
posted by flibbertigibbet at 6:38 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm interested in learning more about human social interaction: how to build real connections, how to make people comfortable, what people are telling you with their actions and body language if not necessarily with their words, how to read people better. Does anyone have any blog/article/other free resource recommendations for me? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 5:15 AM PST - 1 comment

A question for the academics out there - is there a simple way to login to academic / journal sites using shibboleth and just stay logged in so you only have to login once per browser session? [more inside]
posted by inbetweener at 3:04 AM PST - 5 comments

We adopted a gorgeous 2-year-old rescue cat at the end of November and he's settling in really well. Our families are visiting us at Christmas - does he need a temporary second litter tray for that day? [more inside]
posted by carbide at 2:54 AM PST - 9 comments

In spite of my best efforts to avoid it, I hit a parked vehicle. My insurer has ruled that I "did not exercise reasonable care while driving and struck an object that could have been avoided." I want to appeal this ruling and need info on how to present the appeal, and what outcomes I can reasonably hope for. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:19 AM PST - 10 comments

Support for Windows 7 ends in January 2020. Do I really need to upgrade to Windows 10 - or could I get by with a good firewall/updated antivirus software? Also - do you know if the Adobe CS5 programmes work with Windows 10?
posted by Termite at 10:04 PM PST - 18 comments

What did you use it for? What was your experience like? Was it worth it? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 8:22 PM PST - 11 comments

We're looking for coaching in Los Angeles for the USMLE exam, ideally near to UCLA Hospital. The coachee has self-studied hard for a year but dyslexia is making it harder to get top marks in tests exams. Any recommendations or suggestions will be very much appreciated.
posted by anadem at 8:09 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for music albums with killer final tracks. [more inside]
posted by One Thousand and One at 8:00 PM PST - 53 comments

Have you ever just covered up old vinyl flooring and wood panelling? [more inside]
posted by miles1972 at 7:14 PM PST - 14 comments

Which of the many Public Radio apps will allow me to listen to Live From Here on a Google Nest Mini? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 6:52 PM PST - 4 comments

Why do my shots hurt so much? Any Trulicity (dulaglutide) users out there? [more inside]
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 6:33 PM PST - 11 comments

What does your non-traditional Christmas dinner look like? Bonus points if you're of South Asian heritage! [more inside]
posted by orange and yellow at 6:29 PM PST - 20 comments

What kind of tests can I do which can help figure the cause of semi-regular intestinal gas that has gotten increasingly annoying in the past year? [more inside]
posted by LongDrive at 6:03 PM PST - 12 comments

[Apologies for the vagueness -- there are ongoing legal battles and I'm also being stalked so it's hard to be specific.] Over the last few months, my life was turned upside down. Strange, horrific, and traumatic events were inflicted on me at my home and there are ongoing legal and criminal court battles to bring justice to the perpetrators. [more inside]
posted by Pademelon at 5:30 PM PST - 8 comments

Whenever you touch the top inch of this Android phone, the navigation panel slides down, making it impossible to choose any options on the screen that are near the top. How do I make it so that you have to swipe from off the screen to on the screen? [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 5:29 PM PST - 4 comments

Where in NYC can I buy jeans for under $100 and most importantly, try them on first? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 5:27 PM PST - 18 comments

I love glitter, but you don't often see it in fine art because, well, it's glitter. Can you think of any fine art (paintings, sculpture, etc?) that uses glitter well enough to elevate it? More picky-picky within. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 4:49 PM PST - 8 comments

I'd like to know what helps you have fun at chill parties in people's homes. I often feel like I'm doing party hosting wrong, and I'm looking for ideas on what it is I'm missing. When you're a guest at a party, what helps you have fun? [more inside]
posted by yomimono at 2:29 PM PST - 20 comments

I like to light candles when I’m relaxing at home. They have a nice ambience. But I feel like the ambience could be even better! What kinds of candles are good for a casual meal at the table? For sitting around reading or studying or watching tv? Hit me with your best atmosphere-makers, please! [more inside]
posted by rue72 at 1:14 PM PST - 6 comments

I feel the irresistible impulse to write about my life, but because I don't seem to have learned very much from life, nor have I any profound ideas to share, my writing is boring. [more inside]
posted by all the light we cannot see at 1:00 PM PST - 22 comments

Cartagena, Bucaramanga and maybe Medellin [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 12:30 PM PST - 5 comments

My partner and I are staying in a hotel near Port Angeles, WA over Xmas. We don’t have a kitchen in the hotel, so we’re wondering if anyone’s had experience with eating out nearby on Xmas eve/day. We’d also be open to driving up to an hour, so Port Townsend would also be an option.
posted by Cogito at 12:16 PM PST - 3 comments

Looking for a store in the NYC area where I can buy chocolate/cocoa pasta (important: needs to be dry and able to survive a flight across the country). [more inside]
posted by limnerent at 12:09 PM PST - 4 comments

For Christmas, I'd like to buy my partner a board game or card game that he and I can play together without needing additional people present (although it's fine if the game also allows for additional players). [more inside]
posted by southern_sky at 11:26 AM PST - 36 comments

My wife is pregnant. I want to make the most of these nine months to get things ready for Little Whatstheirname. Where can I find a checklist of what needs to be done so I can organize a "programme of work"? [more inside]
posted by LingeringMoon at 10:58 AM PST - 20 comments

I don't understand this information about a wall-mounted shelf from Ikea. It gives the maximum weight per shelf, then says this: "Max. load refers to the max. weight before the shelf is risking to slant. Distribute the weight evenly on the shelf to avoid the risk of slanting." [more inside]
posted by SandiBeech at 10:51 AM PST - 8 comments

My Time Capsule seems to be dying - what is the simplest wireless replacement? [more inside]
posted by Mid at 9:10 AM PST - 8 comments

I have been using Crashplan to backup my computer, but it's getting too expensive and I'm wondering if there's a better solution. If I use cloud services like Google Drive, do I even need a backup service? [more inside]
posted by Ensign at 8:58 AM PST - 13 comments

How to keep management of separate and marital retirement funds simple and equitable? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:53 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm constantly confused. I go to university. I study Anthropology and History. I'm not the best student, but I try and do my readings. I'm constantly told in some nominally progressive places online that I'm living in some sort of leftist alternate reality, that doesn't reflect the consensus on a range of issues. Well, Marx is in the syllabus, and Hayek isn't. Is that unusual? [more inside]
posted by Acid Communist at 6:48 AM PST - 20 comments

Me and my mom are old farts, and like reading the paper every morning. How much should I tip the delivery person? They do a good job, the papers always there, double bagged if its rainy, always in the middle of the driveway.
posted by Marky at 11:38 PM PST - 12 comments

In our family Christmas grab bag, I have drawn the name of a cousin's fiancee, whom I have only met briefly once. Help me figure out something even a little clever or thoughtful to give this nearly perfect stranger! [more inside]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 8:48 PM PST - 12 comments

I have some free time in Houston coming up and I’d like to spend it making day trips to the great outdoors. Closer to Houston is better but anywhere out to a 100 mile radius would be fine. Any suggestions?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 8:00 PM PST - 8 comments

I have a lot of calls in a day - so many that I wish I had an old fashioned personal assistant who would call into my meetings and buzz me to say, "Joanne is on line two." Is there an app that would do that for me instead? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 7:53 PM PST - 5 comments

I survived my first week of my new job in a new city and drove back this weekend to collect my mother from the hospital after she was discharged. They have set up home care for her, have her on new medications, but overall... I just feel pessimistic about the future and this situation. How do I just accept the situation for what it is and try to worry less? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 6:56 PM PST - 9 comments

Do you like yourself but maybe you didn't always? Do you have any advice for me? I strive to be like Marcel but it's hard sometimes. (I have started seeing a therapist.)
posted by ferret branca at 5:38 PM PST - 16 comments

I've been pretty sad at work recently. To what extent do I owe my co-workers a good mood? [more inside]
posted by christinetheslp at 3:47 PM PST - 7 comments

I work in a cube in a large corporate office building. Whenever anyone gets sick, it seems like half the team is taken down with them, even though we're encouraged to take sick leave and work from home. I know it's probably wishful thinking, but are there any desktop air purifiers that would reduce my chances of getting sick? [more inside]
posted by ziggly at 2:59 PM PST - 7 comments

I had the perfect pair of women's pants for 6 months, but now they're saggy in the butt and the knees. Help me replace them! And more generally, what brands or materials or pants-care habits will help me avoid that? [more inside]
posted by a huckleberry at 2:55 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm trying to get into Eve online, because it's the kind of game I've always wanted to play, but the default game client is not great for accessibility. One approach I thought of was using bots to help even the playing field a bit, and I'd appreciate some help thinking through this ethically. Input from people familiar with the game would be appreciated. [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 2:21 PM PST - 2 comments

My young teen has always played around with gender presentation, and now feels solid that they are genderfluid. They have never shown any desire to hide this, and lately are indicating that they want to be quite open about it (e.g. with this hoodie). They also struggle with social cues/skills and feelings of isolation and being judged, recently to the point of suicidal ideation and hospitalization. How do I support them and foster good mental health and happiness? How do I talk to them about how people, particularly other kids, might respond, so that they can go into this with fully informed choice? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:11 PM PST - 15 comments

I took a contract job as a software engineer and found it was incredibly underestimated. I did good work, but it is obvious my initial assessment was correct. They want everything done now and I kinda shut down for the last two days. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:22 PM PST - 8 comments

I have 3 packs of Annie Chun's Restaurant-Style White Rice (Sticky). I love them. But they have a "Best Before" date of August 31, 2019. I know "Best Before" and "Best By" dates aren't the same as expiration dates. Does anyone know about the stability of this product or type of product? They have no preservatives besides gluconic acid as an acidity regulator. See more info on how this type of rice packaging works. Any thoughts from someone who knows about these or has eaten one of these past its best-before date and survived?
posted by limeonaire at 1:01 PM PST - 9 comments

I live in Orange County, and I'm looking for someone to not only do my taxes every year, but someone who can also give tax advice and perhaps also do financial planning. So, I guess I need a tax CPA that's also a CFP, or perhaps a firm that employs both. My taxes are complicated (my 2018 return was 30+ pages) for a lay person trying to read the IRS instructions and figure out what to do, but surely not insurmountable for an actual CPA. [more inside]
posted by sideshow at 12:26 PM PST - 4 comments

My 75 year old mother wants some cosmetics for Christmas. She has very reactive skin, poor eyesight, and has lost some of her fine motor control. What are some options for her? [more inside]
posted by Feminazgul at 12:00 PM PST - 16 comments

I have porch-covered planters and don't want to water. What plants are appropriate? [more inside]
posted by ASCII Costanza head at 12:00 PM PST - 5 comments

This holiday I'd like to buy gifts from companies that support charities - specifically those targeted at anti-Gerrymandering, combating voter suppression and/or supporting undocumented individuals impacted by the current US-ian administration. Not the typical charities on the "gifts that give back" lists, so I am turning to Metafilter for advice. I know Penzys was donating a large amount of its profits on their tasty spices to impeachment education efforts, but am not sure what other businesses/crafters are doing the same.
posted by arnicae at 11:39 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking to get a burner phone or app but want to make sure its secure and not traceable. I would like to know if the IOS apps are secure or if a whole other phone would be better. Have you any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by citybuddha at 10:18 AM PST - 11 comments

My dad passed away in September and we found a bag of old Sony Video 8 cassettes and 10 DVDs that are supposed to contain the converted video files. I have looked at all the DVDs, and while each disc contains some converted video, several have files that are nothing but a blue screen. 10 - 30 minutes of blue screen. The video that I can watch is priceless! I am heartsick that so much of the original video didn't transfer. Help me figure out what went wrong! [more inside]
posted by pjsky at 9:54 AM PST - 9 comments

Encountering the Alter Hebrew Bible was very exciting to me. I'm wondering what similar developments have taken place for translations of the New Testament. I know of a few, but all I'm going off of is Amazon reviews, which is obviously a deficient approach. Do any of you have thoughts on which translation(s) I should read? [more inside]
posted by baptismal at 9:41 AM PST - 6 comments

I live in the metro-NYC area and have been looking at multiple library event calendars (in both Rockland and Westchester Counties) for story time and other activities to do with my three year old. There is a wealth of Tuesday at 10AM options but almost nothing on Saturday or Sunday. Or even outside of 9-5 on weekdays. Given that the majority of kids have working parents and that most libraries are open on weekends and many evenings, why aren’t there activities in these hours? Is there less demand than I think there is? Is it hard to schedule staff on the weekends? [more inside]
posted by sciencegeek at 9:39 AM PST - 12 comments

My 7 year old space-obsessed nephew has been listening with rapt attention as I read him The Martian. He’s an excellent reader, and if it weren’t for all the swearing that I’m editing to “poop!” and “darn it!”, he’d totally be capable of reading it on his own. What book could he read by himself after this that has SCIENCE, and LOGISTICS, and PROBLEM-SOLVING, and SURVIVAL?
posted by ocherdraco at 9:36 AM PST - 27 comments

So, I live in a condo and anytime my upstairs neighbors turn on their microwave vent/exhaust, it pushes the smells into my unit. I can hear it running in my microwave and there’s a powerful “breeze of hot, stinky air coming out the top and into my house. Ugh! How do I fix it so I don’t smell their yuck anymore? [more inside]
posted by RunRunRunRun at 9:00 AM PST - 7 comments

What sleds should I get for my kids? [more inside]
posted by medusa at 8:44 AM PST - 7 comments

Looking for semi-educational gift ideas for a friendly, open, assertive 10 year old who sometimes overreaches in interpersonal stuff with his family and young friends. His mom has suggested this to me as an area for Christmas gifts along with the usual kid things. I'm thinking he'll figure himself out naturally as he matures and increases his social experience, but also I suspect he does need a little help. Stories, movies, shows? Something less conventional?
posted by mf_ss at 8:27 AM PST - 3 comments

What holiday/celebration is this? I believe it’s Latino/Christian. It happened within the last week. It might be “Feast of...”. There is a custom of street races. It’s celebrated in NYC. (Some of this might be wrong.)
posted by andoatnp at 8:26 AM PST - 5 comments

I am looking for example, both from the US and elsewhere, of successful (meaning 'actually implemented and not just talked about') restorative justice approaches to instances of direct interpersonal violence (as opposed to explicitly political violence), specifically with a view toward taking these approaches out of the twittersphere/opinion pages of lefty publications and putting them into practice in the real world. See below the fold for details. [more inside]
posted by cirgue at 8:09 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm in the final stretch of my working life and planning retirement. A good number of my similarly-situated friends have gone the route of turning over their assets to an investment manager, and generally seem happy with that decision. However, being a lifelong DIY-er, I'm undecided whether to go the investment manager route or invest on my own by selecting a few low-cost index funds or ETFs. Pros, cons, and other random musings within. [more inside]
posted by mama penguin at 6:27 AM PST - 14 comments

Looking for Backpack recommendations [more inside]
posted by yoyo_nyc at 6:25 AM PST - 17 comments

Many years ago, a friend showed me a paperback art book. The art style was very much 1970s psychedelia (all black-and-white linework, IIRC), and the book was almost certainly from the 70s. I'm pretty sure it was explicitly marijuana-themed. I think the images were accompanied with short passages of text. What might this have been? [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 5:16 AM PST - 7 comments

I’ll be spending Christmas in Paris. Yay! I arrive at CDG mid-afternoon on Christmas Day. My friend who lives there tells me the strike will still be going strong through the holidays. [more inside]
posted by ljshapiro at 2:33 AM PST - 4 comments

Any chance to reduce the odor, fumes and to make our house more tolerable or know it's safe? Never heard of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) until we choose to sand and polish the hardwood. It was 350 VOC for what that indicates. [more inside]
posted by skepticallypleased at 9:56 PM PST - 11 comments

Until recently I could use the mouse scroll wheel to zoom out from Google Street View to aerial view, and continue to zoom out as much as I wanted. Now zoom only works in a very limited range within Street View. Chrome vs Firefox makes no difference.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:48 PM PST - 6 comments

Up until recently, I never worried about getting enough sleep. I grew up in a typical suburban house, and the noise insulation was really great. Every single night I wanted to go to sleep, there was no background from either inside or outside because my bedroom was in a distant part of the house facing the backyard. [more inside]
posted by 47WaysToLeaveYourLover at 8:35 PM PST - 35 comments

I want to put shelves for my art supplies over my art table. The most I can pay is $50 and I'm not at all handy. I live in an apartment but landlord won't care if walls get damaged a little. I don't want anything that rests on the table. Can anyone recommend some very specific ideas for things to purchase or super foolproof things to rig up?
posted by mermaidcafe at 3:57 PM PST - 17 comments

I have a My Passport from WD that has suddenly gotten some bad sectors and corrupted directory. Will formatting it fix all that?
posted by noelpratt2nd at 3:28 PM PST - 22 comments

Do prepackaged bags of already-popped popcorn "on the cob" exist? Or did my mum dream this up? [more inside]
posted by paisley sheep at 2:58 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm trying to figure out this weird thing on my company's website. I'm not strong with WordPress (other than basic html and css) and I need assistance. Our account is free so we don't really have access to the phone/chat assistance. Where do I look for help? [more inside]
posted by tzikeh at 2:30 PM PST - 7 comments

Does a poor person need a will? I'm only covered in life insurance for the amount of my yearly salary which isnt much now. I know I have a tendency to flip flop between wanting cremation or burial or donated to science but I just figure the plans of the living determine how to care for the dead. I dont want (continued) [more inside]
posted by The_imp_inimpossible at 1:51 PM PST - 20 comments

I have been working as an administrative assistant for the past ~6 years, in 3 different jobs. At each one, I have had at least one incident where I have lost my cool and either raised my voice at a co-worker or said something I shouldn't have. I am starting a new job next month in IT and I want to make sure to not repeat this pattern now that I'm in a better position so that I don't risk my job. [more inside]
posted by prism4tic at 1:26 PM PST - 11 comments

Does an airplane's landing gear hold the weight of the air inside the plane? Does that weight cause it to touch down harder when landing? Or does it float in the atmosphere? Does it matter if the door is open or not?
posted by sindark at 12:57 PM PST - 13 comments

Switching from Android. I can live w/out all the bells and Whistles of the new iPhone. How do I buy a refurbished model that will be compatible for awhile?
posted by ebesan at 12:23 PM PST - 7 comments

I would like yall to recommend some comics to buy for my human. Recent favorites include: Paper Girls, Saga, Monstress & Rat Queens. Loves Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. More mainstream stuff: likes Garth Ennis and Deadpool. Requirements include: first volume is available and affordable. I don't wanna spend $80 and three days tracking down an issue, nor do I want to buy the HARDCOVER COMPENDIUM of something new they don't care for. Other requirements/info below. [more inside]
posted by Grandysaur at 11:38 AM PST - 25 comments

Hi- I'm trying to create a wordpress website and would like to add a facility that would allow people to retrieve information if they correctly answered some security questions. Is there an easy way to go about this e.g. a plugin? An example of what I am looking for is here. Thanks!
posted by kylethekonqueror at 11:30 AM PST - 1 comment

I am hoping you can help teach me how to put a series of dance instruction videos from YouTube onto a DVD. The YouTube link is this. I have a laptop with a DVD burner. That is the extent of my knowledge on this stuff...but I really want to do it - it’s my mom and she helps me a lot and doesn’t ask for much. Thanks, everyone!!
posted by leslievictoria at 10:57 AM PST - 10 comments

In this week's Mr. Robot, [spoiler moved inside] [more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover at 9:50 AM PST - 14 comments

It has come to my attention recently (through multiple friends telling me) that I'm very "flat" in the way I express my emotions. Apparently I speak in a monotone even when discussing things I'm excited about, and my facial expressions also don't reflect how I'm feeling. How can I start working to fix this? [more inside]
posted by mekily at 9:33 AM PST - 12 comments

I have 100g of ground almonds left over from a recipe I tried. Looking for sweet or savoury recipes to use it up. I did think of brownies or some sort of cake but I don't think 100g is enough and I don't want to buy more. Looking forward to your tasty suggestions!
posted by iamsuper at 9:04 AM PST - 18 comments

y'all, I need metafilter at work. all of the sudden it is blocked! i know squat about computer stuff and am hoping theres a simple solution. [more inside]
posted by emirenic at 8:59 AM PST - 12 comments

Last September, I wrote a couple of comments on MeFi about the life of a mysterious black woman who had been painted by Toulouse-Lautrec in 1881. I kept on digging and the result will be a novella-sized amount of text. What should I do with it? [more inside]
posted by elgilito at 8:51 AM PST - 11 comments

I’d like to read a nonfiction book about the Know-Nothings - can you recommend one that is scholarly sound, not boring, and for grown-ups?
posted by bq at 7:59 AM PST - 2 comments

I think that treatment for ADD/ADHD might help with some of the symptoms I've discussed in my previous questions. In particular, I want to know if medication is the right solution for me. Can someone walk me through the process of getting the appropriate diagnosis or diagnoses to try medication? Specific questions below the fold. [more inside]
posted by robot cat at 7:40 AM PST - 7 comments

I'd like help expanding a Spotify playlist composed entirely of Boss (or Boss-like) video game music. Some considerations inside. [more inside]
posted by andycyca at 7:30 AM PST - 10 comments

Among other purchased software, I have Adobe Acrobat professional 9, Scrivener, and Office 2016. Would I have to reregister or reinstall any of these if I upgrade from Windows 7 professional to Windows 10 or would the upgrade be transparent to previously installed software? If upgrading to 10 will be problematic, how dangerous will it be for me to continue running windows 7 in the future? Thanks!
posted by DB Cooper at 7:03 AM PST - 9 comments

I have a significant source of stress in my life right now, and it's a situation that isn't likely to resolve itself for several months. It doesn't require much of my attention in any given day to actually deal with, but the mental load of thinking about it all the time is just killing me and it is preventing me from focusing on any of the other things I also need to be doing right now. What can I do to allow myself to focus? [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne at 6:56 AM PST - 6 comments

Next May I'm going to be in Illinois/Iowa for a week with not much to do (long story). Are there any cool places that run week long retreats, intensive courses, or just ways to be immersed in something new alongside interesting people for a few days that you'd recommend? [more inside]
posted by Junebug79 at 6:33 AM PST - 7 comments

If I eat the cells of another creature, in what specific way would they become (or would they?), even in the tiniest way, a permanent or long-term part of my body? (I swear I'm not high.)
posted by HotToddy at 6:18 AM PST - 12 comments

I have to buy a new car. I've been test driving 2017 vehicles and they all have varying degrees of technology which is not present in my existing (very old) car, and not something I have kept up with in any way. I'm aware of the issues of smart phones/televisions - and the internet in general - in regards to the invasion of privacy, being recorded and "listened" to. But what is the tech in new cars doing? I presumed I could find something that definitively lists this information, but I have not.
posted by racersix6 at 5:58 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm looking for spooky (ghosts, creepy things, monsters, witches, supernatural - not serial killers or 'real' horror) short stories or novellas that have been translated into English. Failing that: will take reccs for any authors from outside the UK and USA. Bonus points if they're easily available through any UK retailer that is not Amazon.... [more inside]
posted by AFII at 5:13 AM PST - 9 comments

What (possibly Disney or other child-friendly) property is this NSFW text-only greeting card referencing? [more inside]
posted by Tamanna at 5:04 AM PST - 5 comments

Looking for very accurate medical documentaries or films. Help me uncover the gems of medical lore, legend and depiction of the beginning, underpinning, conspiracy or legacy - wherever they may be.
posted by watercarrier at 2:12 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking for some inspiration in the realm of personal finance. I used to love Mr Money Mustache, but at this point he obviously has more disposable income than I ever will for experimenting. Are there any good finance/budgeting blogs (or forums with case studies!) that you read? [more inside]
posted by teststrip at 11:23 PM PST - 13 comments

I was looking for an RSS feed for Everlasting Blort but coming up empty - what tools do you use to discover/create a feed when it is not obvious or doesn't exist?
posted by mrbenn at 10:46 PM PST - 5 comments

I've been revisiting my early student love of horror and doing a bit of catch up in the genre. I've realised there are clear things I like and am looking for and I'm looking for some to download/rent before the holidays. (I know! But it's feeling like a horror marathon kind of Christmas here.) [more inside]
posted by frumiousb at 9:47 PM PST - 24 comments

Should I be worried that this company is not legit? [more inside]
posted by Gertrude McFuzz at 8:17 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm thinking about returning to local political activism after several years away. I want to be smarter about it than I was then, so I'd like to compile a not-too-long reading list for background on several key issues in urban development. [more inside]
posted by bertran at 8:08 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking for an android sleep app that would encourage me to go to bed and to wake-up at set times, preferably with some kind of virtual reward. [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 7:35 PM PST - 0 comments

I'm trying to recall a particular podcast episode that I heard lately but I don't recall which podcast it was or even much else about the episode, just that the speaker mentioned that she had a sister who had lead poisoning and had some cognitive and maturity issues as a result. [more inside]
posted by mezzanayne at 7:01 PM PST - 9 comments

I'd like to buy a secondhand upright piano, from Craigslist or similar. Advice, please? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 5:52 PM PST - 25 comments

Walking down the road in State College tonight, there was no sidewalk, but there were short and totally useless stretches of sidewalk in front of both Hilton properties I passed. Leading nowhere, not connecting anything in particular. I’ve sometimes seen this in front of other businesses too. What is the point of these little stretches?
posted by ftm at 5:21 PM PST - 8 comments

So I'm a software engineer. Recently, I made a schedule of the things I want to learn. Since I've got a lot of time on my hands now, I wanted to look into learning more about another programming language. [more inside]
posted by Tarsonis10 at 3:41 PM PST - 27 comments

[CA/USA therapy/insurance filter] “See a therapist” is go-to advice here on the green, so I’m trying to grasp the practical aspects of following that advice. Namely, how much has cost you to get the help you need? More details inside. [more inside]
posted by Goblin Barbarian at 2:40 PM PST - 33 comments

I'm looking for Thrillers, suspense, mystery novels with relatable gay characters. I'm looking for novels with characters who don't fulfill the gay stereotypes of clubbing, drugs, overly flertatious, promiscuous sex, etc. This is all fine for many gay people, but there are also many gay people like myself that are pretty much straight in every other way except their partner and romantic and sexual attractions. [more inside]
posted by MrFahrenheit at 2:04 PM PST - 17 comments

I would like to know if the following question resonates with anyone who has made silly mistakes at work and later found out there was a specific reason they were making them. If so, what steps did you take to improve? [more inside]
posted by Armed Only With Hubris at 1:43 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm trying to think of all the events related to the earth's orbit that might be celebrated on a regular basis. Solstices and equinoxes, obviously. There's also distance to the sun which gives us perihelion and aphelion. I have additional questions about those inside. And what about the inclination of the earth's orbit relative to reference planes of the solar system? Is there a word for the extremes of this and when are they? Which reference plane to use? Are there any other interesting annual events that I'm missing? [more inside]
posted by vibratory manner of working at 1:38 PM PST - 6 comments

I went on a spectacular date. I mean butterflies and happy songs and wowza!! I had an asthma attack that morning and had to take a breathing treatment. I have found that to bring my heart rate down after an attack and the subsequent Albuterol treatments, a light beer, or a slice of bread brings it right back and I stop shaking and having other miserable side effects. He called me the next day and said, "I can't date you... [more inside]
posted by lextex at 1:15 PM PST - 33 comments

I would love to wrap my presents in fabric this year (and then re-use the fabric next year). I do not have scraps but found some fabric in a local store that looks lovely. Thought I'd cut a length of fabric into squares and then use each square to wrap a few items. Is this doable? How do I know how much fabric to buy? Is there a simpler way to do this? [more inside]
posted by M. at 1:10 PM PST - 19 comments

After consulting with my PCP and therapist, I was recently screened by a LICSW who specialized in adult ADHD. I found the screening interview confusing in a few ways and find myself wondering what to do now. Can you folks who have been through this process help me understand some of the things I was told during the screening? [more inside]
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 12:15 PM PST - 21 comments

My parents are moving into Assisted Living. The place they're going to provides wifi for the residents. I am wondering if I need to protect their information and their money, and, if so, how best to do that. [more inside]
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 12:08 PM PST - 14 comments

Looking to revise my rusty German language skills as I will need them for work. Can you recommend me resources like books, podcasts, movies etc that I could immerse myself in? I studied German for many years before letting it slide so assume I know the grammar and can understand material intended for native speakers with a bit of effort. Bonus: anything using international/European relations vocabulary.
posted by EatMyHat at 11:19 AM PST - 9 comments

In about two weeks, I may have to go to The Nutcracker for work, but I very strongly dislike professional ballet and don't care for the symphonic music of the 1890s. Help me find ways to make this experience less excruciating for myself! [more inside]
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 10:15 AM PST - 48 comments

I had a very rocky few months of health last April-September, culminating in a week-long migraine that sent me to the ER. At that time I made an appointment with a neurologist at the headache clinic... for February, their first available opening for a new patient. Since October I've been doing much better. Do I keep this appointment? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:54 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm looking to buy a pair of true wireless earbuds that aren't too expensive, and after some research am thinking about either the Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro or the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2. I was wondering if anyone could share their experiences or thoughts on these models. [more inside]
posted by Sangermaine at 9:25 AM PST - 6 comments

Met a guy, thought we hit it off, texted him, no response. Complications: mutual friends. Text again? (Filter: gay men, answers from a straight perspective not really useful or welcomed) [more inside]
posted by Automocar at 8:56 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm still with the potentially gaslighting journal to prove BPD person. The relationship shifted fairly significantly from that time period in a few ways, and in some ways has barely changed at all. I'm trying to see how much of the current issues are me, how much can be changed, before we proceed with a separation. Please be neutral eyes for me. [more inside]
posted by What a Joke at 8:31 AM PST - 17 comments

They are impossible to shop for! We are doing Christmas stockings only this year so I need a number of smallish things for each of them. [more inside]
posted by jschu at 8:11 AM PST - 23 comments

I'm finding "Fairytale of New York" and "No Children" really cathartic right now. There have to be other songs like that out there: probably major key but in any case upbeat--something you can sort of sway along merrily to in the parking lot as you put off going in to your deadening job in a town you hate (oh, hypothetically!!); bleak as hell in content. Bonus points for angry. Got anything for me?
posted by less of course at 8:11 AM PST - 45 comments

I have a bunch of tea light candles, which I like well enough. Would oil-based refillable glass candles be better - for the environment, for my wallet, in general? If so, what should I buy? [more inside]
posted by kristi at 8:03 AM PST - 5 comments

I’m writing a song where the narrator breaks up with her boyfriend on a train, and I need a title. What are some good, short rail travel-related phrases that could serve as metaphors for a breakup? [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 7:40 AM PST - 27 comments

I have a very simple setup for my turntable. I got this model. As soon as I connect it to any speaker or headphone there is a really loud 50hz or 60hz humm. I connect the turntable to the output with a symmetrical Jack to 2x RCA Audio Cable like this one. I made the following observations/ tests: [more inside]
posted by SweetLiesOfBokonon at 7:13 AM PST - 18 comments

Would getting an ebike make financial sense for me? I have a 2017 Subaru Outback that I won't be able to replace for at least 13 more years. My commute is 3 miles each way and that's the main use. Say I spend $3,000 on an ebike and use it for 8 months of the year. Obviously I would save some on gas and I can figure that part out myself, but how much would it extend the life of the car? It seems like a good move but I'm afraid I'm just looking for excuses to buy an expensive toy I can't otherwise justify.
posted by HotToddy at 6:19 AM PST - 35 comments

I get bad back pain within five minutes of sitting in the driver's seat of my car. How can I fix this? [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 5:17 AM PST - 14 comments

(This is a very bougie question. I apologize.) I stopped using a bank account, and didn't notice that Chase has charged me a couple dozen dollars of low balance fees over the last few months. I have multiple orders of magnitude more than enough money to meet the balance requirements in another account at the same bank. Is there any way to ask Chase to forgive my low balance fees, just to be nice to me? How would I phrase that request? [more inside]
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 10:35 PM PST - 17 comments

I'm wondering what kind of health and beauty goals I can accomplish in the week between Christmas and New Year's. I heard it's a good time to get a chemical peel if you're not going to the office. Anyone have any ideas? Colonics? Detoxes? Botox type treatments?
posted by perdhapley at 10:34 PM PST - 9 comments

I recently noticed that when I hover my mouse over the network icon in my taskbar of my desktop computer (running Windows), I get two networks that show up. The first is my regular network, connected via Ethernet, which says "internet access," while the second just says "Unidentified network" with "no internet access." [more inside]
posted by Umami Dearest at 10:16 PM PST - 8 comments

I need a toy, or idea to convert some smart home stuff into, a push button get Jingle Bells situation for a non-verbal 13yr old developmentally disabled girl. [more inside]
posted by ixipkcams at 9:30 PM PST - 6 comments

Lately, I've been thinking about how I don't feel a strong connection to my culture (American-Chinese) but at a loss how to change it. [more inside]
posted by chrono_rabbit at 8:25 PM PST - 22 comments

I have a little over a pound of Alaskan halibut that has been gifted to me defrosting in my fridge. I need help selecting a recipe/meal, please! [more inside]
posted by sara is disenchanted at 8:14 PM PST - 6 comments

I have $200 to spend for wellness related items or experiences by Dec. 31. What’s the best bang for my buck? [more inside]
posted by girlmightlive at 7:30 PM PST - 15 comments

Hello Mefi, I'm looking for a book that I remember being quite fond of as a small child. I'm hoping you can help where my Google-Fu failed. [more inside]
posted by Zudz at 6:55 PM PST - 3 comments

I just started a new job which requires international and domestic travel, improving my language skills and long hours. I am single and live alone, and have to run a household and want to do all the normal person things like socialise and date outside of work. What are some hacks for getting everything done, especially the necessary washing shopping cooking and cleaning whilst still leaving time to sleep? Note I am on a modest budget but can consider some expensive suggestions anyway.
posted by EatMyHat at 6:25 PM PST - 11 comments

Today I learned that Jupiter could have become a star if it were bigger and this fact both terrifies and intrigues me. I would like to learn more about how planets and stars, y'know, work. However, high school algebra and physics were as far as I got in those subjects, they were never my thing, and those classes were a long time ago. Can you recommend some books (or podcasts, but books would be preferable) that explain space stuff for people with only a rudimentary science backgroud? Thank you!
posted by darchildre at 5:49 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm looking for podcasts about Oregon history, and particularly the little strange bits of history. For example: I like the podcasts from the Montana and Virginia Historical Societys that are recordings of conference speakers talking about very specific things. I like the "Lost Highways" podcast from Colorado. I am NOT looking for two dudes sitting around and talking to each other about beer or what they think about Oregon history, which is most of what I found. Podcasts I would totally listen to would be: history of Japanese-Americans in WW2, particularly those who were inland from the coast // LGBT in the 1970's // how interior Oregon agriculture has changed // Native American history // Shipping // early white settlement failures // wildlife Give me just the podcasts with history facts, well reported.
posted by ITravelMontana at 5:36 PM PST - 4 comments

I work for my local government. My work is about a hot topic that people have strong feelings (including strong anti-government feelings) about. My personal phone number is probably going to be in some documents that we’re turning over in response to a public records request. Should I change my number? [more inside]
posted by centrifugal at 5:04 PM PST - 12 comments

One of my team members has flown back to India for the holidays and surprise! He's getting engaged in 4 days. He's worked for me for a little over a year, and I've done a lot to mentor his success. As such, he's sent me an engagement invitation. While clearly, my wife and I are not going to be able to attend, what can we do, and or send that would be culturally appropriate at 7500 miles away? - or should I just wait til he gets back despite his fiance still being in India?
posted by Nanukthedog at 4:14 PM PST - 5 comments

What are some unexpected pitfalls if my primary care doc doesn't participate in my insurance plan? [more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover at 2:40 PM PST - 9 comments

Algorithms that supposedly can tell you it'll rain in 20 minutes are not what I’m looking for. I’d rather glance at high-res radar imagery and make that judgement for myself. Yes, I’d like a good main screen with detailed current conditions and the typical 2-5 day forecast, but I’m especially interested in having access to lots of realtime data packaged in a clean, ad-free design with worldwide functionality. Assuming I’m willing to pay for a quality app on iOS, what would you recommend for someone like me? Wishlist below the fold: [more inside]
posted by theory at 2:27 PM PST - 9 comments

I have problems: too much unblended powder, dough-like, on blender blades, sides, and cover; wrong ratio of milk to water (to ice) for rich and creamy yet light rather than thick and sludgy. These specifically, plus anything else people can think of. I'm using a 1500-watt NINJA blender, and original Met-Rx powder in single-serve packs. (I've read all the past questions on AskMeta about smoothies, so pls don't link.) thanks
posted by BadgerDoctor at 1:14 PM PST - 7 comments

I have an old pair of Sony MDR-ZX770BT wireless headphones. They are- god bless them- falling apart. I'd probably use them til they disintegrate, but my dad has generously offered to replace them with a better model for Hanukkah. Problem is, I have no idea what a better model would be... Hope me metafilter! [more inside]
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 12:24 PM PST - 9 comments

My 7-year-old niece is OBSESSED with strength/agility obstacle courses like those on American Ninja Warrior. She is constantly building physical challenges for herself at the playground, and running them repeatedly in order to improve her time. She is super strong and LOVES feeling strong. For Christmas, I’d like to gift her with something that lets her do more of that! [more inside]
posted by Dorinda at 11:46 AM PST - 30 comments

Looking to improve my quality of life by adding more positive rituals/practices/comforts, rather than changing or getting rid of things. What good things are a value add in your life? [more inside]
posted by lakemarie at 10:59 AM PST - 25 comments

Looking for Christmas gift ideas for future in laws. Challenge, must be able to fit in suitcase and last from US to Philippines. [more inside]
posted by jraz at 9:54 AM PST - 1 comment

My birthday is December 28, and that's the day my drivers' license expires. I'm flying domestically on the 23rd and returning the 31st. I can get through the license renewal process before I leave, but I'm not at all sure I will have the new license. Is this a problem? Previous Asks on this are either different or very old. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 8:28 AM PST - 19 comments

A friend has requested a KonMari method starter kit as a gift. Help me choose some organizational accessories to include! [more inside]
posted by 2019 at 7:54 AM PST - 27 comments

What should a rabidly left leaning person know about possibly moving to Arkansas. [more inside]
posted by Shutter at 7:42 AM PST - 13 comments

I've had trouble sleeping for a long time (mostly waking up too early), but recently, I've barely been sleeping at all. I can't fall asleep until the last couple of hours before the morning, and I'm unable to take naps. I'm so exhausted right now that it seems like my body can't relax enough to fall asleep. I think I may need some short-term medication to get back on track (melatonin didn't help when I tried it the other night, nor did diphenhydramine the next night, nor did lorazepam last night.) [more inside]
posted by pinochiette at 7:38 AM PST - 28 comments

I want to set-up my home office to maximize productivity when working from home. What set-ups and products (especially monitors and docking stations) do you recommend? [more inside]
posted by Anonymouse1618 at 7:11 AM PST - 7 comments

My kiddo has some mild special needs. He is improving, but I find myself finding it really hard to cope, and would love some suggestions. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:45 AM PST - 21 comments

How would you pronounce the name ‘Acer’? With a soft c like ‘ace-er’ or a hard c like ‘acre’, and with a long or short ‘a’ (or another way)? I would assume a soft c, but it’s from the Latin for maple tree, so I’m not sure if that would make it a hard c? No idea if Latin would be long or short a. Also related, do you know if it has any negative meanings in languages other than English? Considering it for a middle name.
posted by atlantica at 3:37 AM PST - 29 comments

What would it take to prevent email/phone spoofing, joejobbing etc? [more inside]
posted by TheRaven at 2:06 AM PST - 6 comments

About two months ago I bought some Honeycrisp apples from a local big store that were packaged in a plastic clamshell box with spots for each apple. When I opened the package I was hit by a smell of what seemed to me to be like vinyl (like when you buy a new cheap plastic shower curtain). More within... [more inside]
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 12:48 AM PST - 6 comments

We are currently fostering a friend's cat, and we really like the cat. It has a personality very well suited to what we want in a cat. The catch is that sometime next year we will likely move from China to America, and I'm currently swimming in bureaucracy and don't want to add to that. I want to find a company to help manage the process that doesn't cost an arm and a leg...and will make it as un-traumatic as possible as the cat. [more inside]
posted by wooh at 12:26 AM PST - 4 comments

I have a spare laptop I could use, I don't want to be able to view the videos online, I can aim a camera out my front window. I'd just like to see what's happening during the day when I'm not around. Apparently I have a pet vandal and I'd like to know who it is, but it would really irk me to have to spend a lot of money because of this creep. Got any simple suggestions on how to make this happen? [more inside]
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 12:06 AM PST - 13 comments

I work in education, and it's a big part of the culture to discuss norms before every meeting. One team member always says the guiding norm should be to assume best intention, but that really rubs me the wrong way and I need help rephrasing the sentiment. [more inside]
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 8:13 PM PST - 29 comments

When I have x-rated fun, I often have to fake my orgasm. I'm feeling ashamed and think I might be asexual. This isn't the first time. Would highly love some advice about this. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 8:06 PM PST - 15 comments

So I have no idea where I heard this (I'm assuming via podcast or audiobook), but it was a couple years back and I'd like to listen again. Basically, it was a bit by a black woman about dating a man and how he could mistreat her when he didn't even know how to read. I believe the punch line was "that motherf*cker can't read!" Going blank on everything else. Help?
posted by theskywaspurple at 8:04 PM PST - 1 comment

There are two white chairs with unusual wood armrests in this clip from Grey's Anatomy. I'm interested in seeing their cost and if they come in other colors, but my Google-fu is failing me.
posted by vegartanipla at 7:35 PM PST - 4 comments

So this weekend I went for a Japanese road trip and used Google Maps as my GPS as I usually do. Except on the way there my provider cut my data due to a mixup. "No problem," I thought, "I have the map saved offline." Except it was. GoogleMaps didn't provide update my location while we were moving. Only whenever I stopped and put in the route again. So in the future, how DO I use GM in this way? Or CAN you?
posted by rileyray3000 at 5:32 PM PST - 8 comments

I've been asked to select an espresso machine for my office. Help! [more inside]
posted by lecorbeau at 5:12 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm trying to decide if it's time to euthanize my pet, and there are complicated circumstances because she's not old, and her treatments have gone beyond what I can easily afford. I'll put it all under the fold. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:03 PM PST - 22 comments

Earlier in 2019 Vice published an essay from someone who tried an extreme diet & lost close relationships as part of it, but there was also a section about being beholden to continue because he needs the money. What was the article? [more inside]
posted by divabat at 3:37 PM PST - 5 comments

I feel like it's time to get a tattoo, but I'm struggle to find the symbols that will express what I want to express. [more inside]
posted by bunderful at 3:36 PM PST - 26 comments

A friend is insisting that their iPhone has been hacked and would like my help in fixing the issue. I'm not sure this occurred or that his phone has actually been hacked, but listen to the story and tell me what ya think please. .. [more inside]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:15 PM PST - 9 comments

I've made it to my late 30s without ever having had to go through a normal job application process, and so have almost no practical experience with writing a resume or cover letter. I am absolutely desperate for non-bullshit advice as to how to go about this. [more inside]
posted by Narrative Priorities at 3:13 PM PST - 11 comments

I've been asked to submit a quote for something that's an order of magnitude longer (literally 10x) than what I usually do. Should I just 10x my usual quote, ie enough to buy a brand new car? Or is that insane? I know there are lots of blog posts out there about how to price graphic design projects, but either they are too vague or they focus on things I don't do (logos, illustration, etc). I just need a sanity check here, and if you want to share some of your pricing strategies that would be appreciated. [more inside]
posted by 100kb at 2:51 PM PST - 6 comments

I worked for a federal agency with the FERS retirement plan. The plan differed from the old PERS in that instead of a lifetime annuity, it relied on providing retiring employees the three legged stool of: 1) Social security benefits, 2) 401K savings, and 3) an employer match. I have reached the eligible age for extracting the employer match. Is it automatically added to 401K earnings or kept separately. And if it is kept separately, how do I apply to the former federal agency to get it?
posted by CollectiveMind at 1:13 PM PST - 2 comments

My wife and I are flying out there this weekend so she can do her final interviews for a job and we can check the area out to see if we would possibly want to live there. Looking for recommendations for good restaurants/shopping/cultural stuff that will make for a fun weekend -- and help us decide if Englewood would be a good home for us. Of course open to nearby cities (Hackensack?) as well. Thanks!
posted by Clustercuss at 12:39 PM PST - 12 comments

My very cool sister-in-law is pregnant and due early next year. This will be their 2nd kid (my nephew is 3). My husband and I will definitely get them some fun baby stuff, but I would also like to get something for my sister-in-law that is just for HER. Like, for her as a person, separate from her as a mom. Ideally this would be something that'll make her life a little easier/cozier/brighter, but... I'm kinda stumped! [more inside]
posted by catoclock at 11:32 AM PST - 26 comments

I'm looking to do something like the nice animation on THIS SITE. Can anyone tell me what might have been used to make that? It's been a while since I made animations. Thanks!
posted by ecorrocio at 11:22 AM PST - 10 comments

Our team has a giant whiteboard in a high traffic area. I'd like to write fun things on it for others in the company to see and interact with or collaborate on. Besides dad jokes, what other things can I write on the whiteboard to have some fun and learning with my coworkers? Whatever we do, I'd hope it starts to catch on and more and more people come and visit the whiteboard daily. If it helps I work at a pretty chill and energetic software startup in Austin.
posted by jasondigitized at 11:15 AM PST - 16 comments

Taurobolium is a purported sacrifice of a bull in the Roman Empire, in which an initiate would stand under the bull and receive its blood as it falls into the pit. Contemporary scholars think that the specifics of this ritual is probably exaggerated or invented by Christians in order to smear rival religions. However, I think there was a prominent Hollywood movie that depicted a ritual like this (or perhaps I've invented that). What movie depicted a ritual like this?
posted by lewedswiver at 10:53 AM PST - 7 comments

I'll be traveling, it's winter in Maine, I want to make sure the furnace is running, house is basically warm. Wifi is available, land line is not. I can leave a laptop with no cellular service powered on, but not sure about bluetooth-only sensors. I didn't install a Nest thermostat because it would require running a small wire from the furnace to the living room, so I don't think a Nest sensor alone will work. Price is an issue. Getting an electrician to do any installation would take till June, so simple.
posted by theora55 at 10:34 AM PST - 13 comments

I've been having this strange shortness of breath for the past month or so, which gives me the constant urge to take a very deep breath and/or yawn. [more inside]
posted by gottabefunky at 10:22 AM PST - 31 comments

We've been offered a rental home that seems too good to be true; I'm terrified of being scammed. This could be a godsend for my family, or a devastating mistake. Help me figure out if I'm being paranoid, if there's some kind of proof that is reasonable and I should ask for, or reassure me? [more inside]
posted by stormyteal at 10:21 AM PST - 15 comments

At the age of 40, I would like to learn the basics of what I should be doing with my money. Because I trust Metafilter more than Google: what is the best book out there for learning an overview of personal finances/investments/strategies? [more inside]
posted by sugarbomb at 9:46 AM PST - 19 comments

A friend is taking me to see the Nutcracker this weekend, and I'm getting dinner. I'm being indecisive about picking a place and also about how early to make a reservation for a 7:30 show (we will walk/transit to the Keller). I'm looking for something cozy, convivial and in the American/English/traditional range, ideally with good beer or cocktails. No dietary restrictions. Price range is $100ish for the both of us, but flexible. Post-show drinks recommendations also welcome.
posted by momus_window at 9:28 AM PST - 7 comments

My husband and I are interested in starting a secular Sabbath tradition for 2020. We want to learn from others who have a Sabbath tradition to hear what it looks like, how you enforce it without a religious underpinning, what your related rituals are, etc. [more inside]
posted by neematoad at 9:21 AM PST - 13 comments

Is there somewhere between Philly and NYC where we could live and each have reasonable commutes (under 1.5 hours, maybe)? My husband may be taking a job in Philadelphia. My job is in New York. He will only need to go into his place of employment 2-3 days a week. It's possible I could negotiate a similar arrangement. Personal experiences with this type of set-up would be appreciated! More details/requirements below. [more inside]
posted by CiaoMela at 9:15 AM PST - 13 comments

Where can I find Mongolian BBQ in NYC, or nearby to NYC? (By Mongolian BBQ, I mean pick your ingredients, cooked on a big flat grill, all you can eat.)
posted by andoatnp at 9:15 AM PST - 3 comments

Imagine you are making a game. The game board is made up of 56 square tiles randomly drawn and placed in an 7x8 grid by each player in turn. Each tile represents a room and the grid is a house, and each tile has at least one door up to a maximum of four doors, one on each side. Tiles can be placed anywhere on the grid - they don't have to be played adjacent to a tile already on the grid. The goal is to place tiles so they lead to a specific spot of the grid's outside edge Is there some accessible way to use math to figure out what combination of doored cards is best for minimizing dead ends, or is this ridiculous and if I knew even the barest shred of math I would know not to ask such foolishness? [more inside]
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:04 AM PST - 16 comments

I have a couple of stamp kits from Yellow Owl Workshop, and love them for card making and crafts. I would love to get more stamps like them (aesthetically) but it's been hard to find rubber stamps that fit the bill. Help me, MeFi! [more inside]
posted by kendrak at 7:54 AM PST - 9 comments

What are some good Birding tools for kids? Apps, instruments, books... [more inside]
posted by cmm at 7:30 AM PST - 13 comments

My demanding but usually(?) OK boss tends to accuse people of incompetence when she's feeling stressed. Specifically, she says things which are either highly personal and completely subjective or objectively untrue (e.g., accusing us of not doing things we have already done). Attempts to ask for details, or remind her that we are indeed doing X thing, are met with accusations of defensiveness and inability to take direction. Is there a way to handle this that makes me look both appropriately deferential and yet not a push-over? And preferably heads off the shouting? [more inside]
posted by TinyChicken at 6:32 AM PST - 29 comments

What media have you consumed that has made you feel better about body image in the context of unintentional weight loss, other people's reaction, and your own feelings about it? [more inside]
posted by lookoutbelow at 5:21 AM PST - 5 comments

I got a good deal on a nice receiver and am trying to convert my home theater setup. I used to use a soundbar and kinda liked it. Now, however, I accidentally have an apartment with 4 ceiling surround-sound speakers, and want to still incorporate my soundbar. Should I buy an attenuator? [more inside]
posted by tintexas at 4:17 AM PST - 5 comments

What are effective structures / arrangements to set up a joint venture between a one-person design/development firm and a large company with the goal of developing and releasing a SaaS product? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:36 AM PST - 2 comments

How can my daughter become a Radio City Rockette? [more inside]
posted by Dansaman at 12:45 AM PST - 12 comments

Every morning I go for a walk at a nearby estuary nature reserve. I pick up the rubbish that blows in or is washed up. This stuff is too dirty to recycle and at the moment the only place I can dispose of it is the municipal garbage. Is there a way I can bind this rubbish into bricks, or lump it together somehow so that even if it DOES end up as landfill, it at least won't spread around into the surrounding ecosystem again? [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 10:37 PM PST - 8 comments

I am already doing some various light exercises, but I would also like to add one, and only one, thing focused on balance. I am an uncoordinated and overweight woman in my upper 50s, in case that matters.
posted by NotLost at 8:32 PM PST - 22 comments

My female colleague recently confronted my male colleague to see if he makes more than her and to chastise him for it. [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 7:32 PM PST - 37 comments

Hi all, is there an app or similar thing that would allow me to run a small library of sorts? [more inside]
posted by fairlynearlyready at 7:12 PM PST - 7 comments

I just moved into a new home and realized one of the trees has been sprinkled with a white powder. My initial thought was fungus but it looks deliberately sprinkled on the trunk base, plants, and even the fence nearby. It does not appear anywhere else in the yard. Could it be crematorium ashes of the previous owner? Any way to test if it's human cremains? [Detail pic]
posted by Jason and Laszlo at 7:04 PM PST - 9 comments

This is a question my teenage daughter asked, and it is driving me crazy because I can't find enough synonyms for what she means. Quite simply, if you use the words cold, warm and hot as the formula, what word represents the middle between light and heavy? Middleweight just seems so basic. The English language has words for so many things, but the concept of an in-between weight is something that escapes me... Any walking Thesauruses out there?
posted by Chuffy at 4:57 PM PST - 51 comments

A friend and I were looking at the group photo of NATO leaders at the recent London summit. My friend remarked that Queen Elizabeth II was being impinged upon by Boris Johnson's boorish manspreading, and she pointed to a guy on the far right of the front row as an example of how not to manspread. Since then, we've been trying to figure out who that guy is. I've searched for every NATO member country's leader and have come up empty. Who is that man on the far right of the front row?
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:12 PM PST - 4 comments

What OCR program to use on a PDF, to make it searchable, while retaining the format? [more inside]
posted by StickyCarpet at 3:01 PM PST - 14 comments

My sister is in her 20's and has been depressed her entire life. She's gone through pscyhologists, psychiatrists, inpatient treatment, shock therapy, etc without real benefit. Her emotions are extremely volatile and while she has some good days, they are few and far between. She'll ask me for help quite frequently, sometimes in anger and sometimes in tears, and I really don't know what to say anymore. Saying "it'll get better" for the thousandth time doesn't really mean much anymore. [more inside]
posted by resistentialist at 2:47 PM PST - 14 comments

Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman hits a particular wholehearted, heartfelt, invincible sort of emotive self-confidence right out of the park. And, I don't know, George Clooney does a particular smooth, charming self-confidence, in real life and on the screen. What are other fictional characters or real people who very clearly exemplify particular characteristics or traits? (And what is the trait?) [more inside]
posted by zeek321 at 2:46 PM PST - 18 comments

My partner really wants to take baths. We live in a place with only a shower. It's kind of little, too --- 58" x 26", and it has a sort of spa-like rock floor that's very nice on the feet but annoying in this situation. So, what do I do here? Get a livestock tank and put inflatable cushions in it? Get a big steel tub and drill a hole in the bottom for a plug? Haven't found an inflatable tub option that's great.
posted by insteadofapricots at 2:37 PM PST - 8 comments

The hubby and I have a 2 day visit to my mom coming up. I need your help building a list of things to do that fulfill a few specific criteria in and around Monmouth County, New Jersey. [more inside]
posted by CookieNose at 2:32 PM PST - 9 comments

How do most native Chinese speakers type Chinese characters on their smartphones? Do they use a system based on romanization, some variation of the stroke count method, handwriting, or something else? [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 2:10 PM PST - 11 comments

One year out from ACL reconstruction surgery, I have a meniscus tear which is only getting worse. I've scheduled meniscal surgery soon with the ACL surgeon, but I have misgivings about them, and medical care is notoriously bad in my area. Should I seek surgery elsewhere, at the risk of waiting longer and the tear getting worse? Or should I take my chance with the ACL surgeon? [more inside]
posted by Dendrites at 1:54 PM PST - 5 comments

The music was "You Can Do Magic" by the band America. It was aired on television, probably on Disney Channel or Nickelodeon in the US in the late 90s/early 00s as an interstitial between programming. [more inside]
posted by JauntyFedora at 1:02 PM PST - 4 comments

So there are plenty of apps that let you track your Christmas shopping list. I don't like any of them - I prefer to use a web-based system. Which should I use? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:40 PM PST - 4 comments

Has anyone been infected with measles by a person who was recently vaccinated for it? I am very strongly in favor of vaccination for childhood diseases, and in favor of most newer, and sometimes for-profit vaccines (Gardasil for HPV, Shingrix). The measles vaccine is a live virus, and someone is claiming that people have contracted measles from a vaccinated person. This *has* happened with live polio vaccine, but I can't find evidence of this happening with measles. Yes, I am engaged in a stupid discussion with an anti-vaxxer. But I would like to have facts, despite knowing they won't work.
posted by theora55 at 12:39 PM PST - 5 comments

Everybody always talks about how difficult the restaurant industry is. I've seen a lot of my favorite restaurants close. But a lot of not-so-great restaurants persist, and I don't understand how. [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 12:25 PM PST - 39 comments

My husband lives in his LL Bean Boat shoes in chocolate. He keeps a new pair for weddings and fancy stuff, a moderately used pair for daily use and a grungy pair for work. He gets a new pair every Christmas and the cycle continues. BUT I've contacted LL Bean and they have stopped stocking this color and have no information on if they will restock. Can you help me find a replacement? [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 12:07 PM PST - 20 comments

I'll be solo in East Vancouver for a couple of weeks in the end of April. I'll be up for training, so I'll be at a site a few blocks west of Commercial Drive from ~9:30-4:30 each day. Where should I stay? Grocery shop for lunch-making? Eat & drink? Spend my one-at-a-time days off? [more inside]
posted by janell at 12:01 PM PST - 2 comments

Instead of solid lines around all of the cells, I now have dotted lines and it won't let me cut, paste or move images within cells or from one to another. I already saved and quit and reopened - same issue. No other spreadsheet I tried opening has this problem -- I clearly did something wrong -- but what? Help?! [more inside]
posted by Mchelly at 11:53 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm trying to find an essay from the past couple of weeks (in something like Vox, or Buzzfeed, I forget where) in which the author talks about how, looking through her Instagram feed over the past year or so, she can't tell what the ups or downs of her life were, because all her posts had the same flat-positive tone. Anyone remember this?
posted by mark7570 at 11:53 AM PST - 4 comments

At the point where I think my partner could use some help and guidance from a career coach. They have had 8-10 years of finance and budget experience in a non-profit or city government setting, but needs some help to figure out the right direction for their next move. [more inside]
posted by something_witty at 11:52 AM PST - 2 comments

Kid Marfa is in fifth grade and refuses to do ungraded worksheets or participate in class discussions in school. She is only willing to work on things that get graded. She does well on tests and projects, so it's clear she understands the material. Standardized testing also said she was at a sixth grade level. However, the teacher keeps escalating and doesn't have any useful strategies. What can we do? [more inside]
posted by marfa, texas at 11:50 AM PST - 35 comments

This is a ridiculous situation and I need wiser minds. [more inside]
posted by hapaxes.legomenon at 11:33 AM PST - 17 comments

We recently replaced the carpet on our stairwell, and the new carpet has a much lower profile, resulting in a large unpainted gap. The smart thing to do would have been to rip the old carpet out and paint before the carpet was replaced, but I did not do the smart thing, so I'd like some guidance on how to make things look better. [more inside]
posted by tonycpsu at 11:10 AM PST - 7 comments

Ten years ago I asked what your 30s are like. I suppose it’s only time to ask to what your 40s are like. [more inside]
posted by cuban link flooded jesus at 10:22 AM PST - 29 comments

Paul Volcker has died. In much of my reading, he's a kind of villain, willing to solve double-digit inflation with double-digit unemployment. Can you explain to me the ins and outs of Volcker's recessions and why they were deemed necessary? [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 9:58 AM PST - 7 comments

Heading back to the states Tuesday evening from a wonderful trip to London. Are there any special items you might suggest buying here to bring home that I can’t find in the US? Often on trips abroad I’ve brought back liquor that’s not exported to the US, so any thoughts in that realm would be great, but open to any ideas. Thanks!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 9:49 AM PST - 35 comments

I’m trying to come up with a list of movies and/or shows that feature characters who drive more low-end cars, where it isn’t used as commentary on or reveal of some aspect of their personality or failings (e. g. Ted Beneke from Breaking Bad and his fluctuation between luxury cars and a Geo). [more inside]
posted by pepper bird at 9:45 AM PST - 26 comments

I get the New Yorker weekly and while I really enjoy and look forward to it, the articles seem to appeal to wealthy, older, white audiences. What weekly / monthly magazines do you love that a) have in-depth reporting on a wide range of subjects b) appeal to radical/visionary thinking c) ideally are queer and/or POC owned or managed? [more inside]
posted by allymusiqua at 9:43 AM PST - 7 comments

I've been tasked with coming up with the BoM and budget for a makers space at work, focused on IoT. I need help coming up with a list of essentials and nice-to-haves. Please help! [more inside]
posted by Dr. Curare at 9:18 AM PST - 13 comments

I would like to know more about the realities of starting a small retail business; specifically, new and used books. If you've been through it, please tell me what your steps were like. I'm especially interested in hearing about how you negotiated the financial side- did you have money said aside? Did you get loans? If so, what was that like? [more inside]
posted by COBRA! at 8:32 AM PST - 8 comments

I bought this shirt at a concert this weekend! I would like to find a cute A-line skirt to wear with it. Details beneath the fold. [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 8:23 AM PST - 7 comments

I have this exact question from 2010 with a wrinkle: I’m traveling for work and would very much like to clean my slacks prior to an important meeting tomorrow. [more inside]
posted by cheapskatebay at 6:41 AM PST - 9 comments

I went shopping yesterday at the mall. I parked in the parking garage. My car was locked. We shopped about an hour. When we opened the car doors, it smelled like someone had been hot boxing in my car. It reeked of weed. We didn’t smoke any weed in the car, we didn’t have any weed in our possession. How I can fix this?? [more inside]
posted by bodgy at 6:11 AM PST - 18 comments

I have a problem with zippers either coming completely unhinged from one side or loosening in the mouth so the pulley just slides up and down the middle while the teeth pull apart in between. [more inside]
posted by The_imp_inimpossible at 5:52 AM PST - 4 comments

Overheard this, want to run it down, so as to get it right. Mozart, when asked did he write piano first, or violin, according to this snatch of conversation overheard, Mr. Mo' said something to the effect that it all came to him at once, all of a piece. The guy is fascinating, I love to read his quotes, I don't recall hearing this before. Help? [more inside]
posted by dancestoblue at 3:37 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm considering these commercial containers for food storage in my pantry. All of Rubbermaid's products are BPA-free except for the commercial products, which last decades if well-cared for. I know BPA is dangerous when the plastic is heated, but is it dangerous to store dry food in? [more inside]
posted by onecircleaday at 9:18 PM PST - 9 comments

I know precious little about Key West and the Keys in general. My friends are no help as they haven't been there, either. My spouse and I are attending a sort-of last-minute planned wedding in Key West mid-February 2020 and I know NOTHING about Key West. More specifics inside... [more inside]
posted by bz at 8:13 PM PST - 18 comments

How do you keep your car tidy and organized? Please tell me your habits and products for keeping the car neatly stocked with necessities, and free of trash and child mess. [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 5:42 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm trying to find online synchronous courses - adult learner or college-level. I'm having the hardest time. [more inside]
posted by jdl at 4:59 PM PST - 6 comments

This afternoon, I was reminded of a years-long fascination with the old BBS game Trade Wars 2002. I played it mostly via Telnet, but imagine the community is largely dead by now. Does anyone still play this, and if not, is there anything available which might scratch a similar itch? Holiday snowflakes inside :) [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 4:58 PM PST - 5 comments

Help me find some mail order baked goods we can send as a holiday gift for some relatives (we are both in the USA). If you know of any great pastries, cakes, or any other baked stuff, sweet or savory, please recommend some! [more inside]
posted by gudrun at 4:50 PM PST - 11 comments

Help me figure out what gift to give my sister. [more inside]
posted by still bill at 3:50 PM PST - 17 comments

I recently prepared a recipe posted by a blogger (I found the recipe through a Google search). The recipe looked promising, but the resulting dish was quite vile. I'm tempted to post a negative review. [more inside]
posted by akk2014 at 3:47 PM PST - 36 comments

I’m looking for sci-fi books (stand-alone or series books are fine) that have some good social justice/racial equity/feminist/queer-friendly/trans-friendly etc messages or themes. Bonus points for books by authors of color and/or people who aren’t men! [more inside]
posted by Kpele at 3:11 PM PST - 30 comments

About an hour after I came from a soup supper, I noticed a sharp intermittent pain under my right breast, but really closer to my underarm. [more inside]
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 2:56 PM PST - 5 comments

Soon-to-be first-time dog mom here, living in NYC with a time-consuming job. My question is pretty simple: How do busy people in NYC raise a puppy? In particular, what do they do for the first weeks before it has had all it's vaccinations and can go to doggy daycare? Realistically I can likely work from home one day a week, but what should I do for the other days? Also, while I'm here, if there's anything else you think I should know about raising a puppy, especially in NYC, I'm eager to hear!
posted by unhappyprofessor at 9:59 AM PST - 21 comments

I am looking for good games to play on my phone or computer while doing other things like watching tv or listening to podcasts or music. [more inside]
posted by Alvin80 at 9:49 AM PST - 24 comments

I've been tasked with coming up with a way to manage and store documents for a non-profit I volunteer with and I've got quite a list of pros and cons of various options but would love to hear if you've come up with a great solution to this issue as it relates to any group that needs document storage for now and into the future with changeover of hands, etc.. [more inside]
posted by amanda at 8:51 AM PST - 6 comments

I’m interested in finding out the typical price for a third class ticket on a ship from Genoa to Rio de Janiero in 1939. I’ve tried searching for historical price listings but haven’t had any success. Any ideas for where I might be able to find such informations?
posted by ciocarlia at 6:58 AM PST - 9 comments

Horse experts, please weigh in: Do some horses have a different bone or muscle structure that changes the angle of their heads relative to the body as they stand or walk or run? [more inside]
posted by Quillcards at 4:32 AM PST - 14 comments

My new job starts on Tuesday, but there's been a ton of stuff that's happened in the past 2 weeks that's distracted me from even thinking about my new job. How do I go in and do a good job until everything else in my life gets slightly more settled? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 11:42 PM PST - 5 comments

I want to move somewhere by finding the perfect home, but without knowing where that somewhere is I don't know how to go about even looking for the perfect home. [more inside]
posted by mezzanayne at 10:57 PM PST - 6 comments

We're driving from the SF Bay Area to visit LA next week. To get us ready while on route, what are some podcast episodes or audio books to listen to on the way, that are specifically about or heavily feature Los Angeles? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 9:40 PM PST - 12 comments

I just downloaded Powerpoint and I'm trying to animate the text on my presentation so it rolls out letter by letter like a typewriter. Why can't I figure it out? [more inside]
posted by neroli at 7:18 PM PST - 6 comments

My dad has requested "a happy book" for Christmas. Do you know of any recent releases that might fit the bill? I looked in my local bookstore catalogue but nothing jumped out at me. Details below. [more inside]
posted by Naanwhal at 6:47 PM PST - 23 comments

After I quit nicotine several months ago (and in conjunction with menopause) I found myself starting to cry at everything. I nearly quit my job. I left a relationship. I felt that I was having years of suppressed anger and sadness come welling up within me. There was no suppressing it. [more inside]
posted by Jandoe at 5:40 PM PST - 23 comments

My colleague ordered a pair of $250 shoes from the SX in the U.S. shipped to Vancouver Canada. Imagine his shock when he received a text from DHL informing him that there were $121.88 in duty and brokerage fees. I've been dinged with high fees and bogus fees in the past. Does anyone have any insight into this practice, and why it seems to be a hit and miss thing?
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 5:16 PM PST - 5 comments

my spouse and I are not handy people and do not know what to look for. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 4:36 PM PST - 8 comments

I was recently gifted a single LSR305 Mk.I studio monitor, courtesy of a friend who didn't read the fine print when ordering (they don't come in pairs, y'all), and then procrastinated returning it until it was too late. Now I'm trying to decide if I should buy a matching speaker, or sell/donate this one on. [more inside]
posted by Alterscape at 2:42 PM PST - 3 comments

My mother is a type 2 diabetic. She insists that because her blood sugar is controlled with medication and insulin there is no need to watch what she eats. Really? [more inside]
posted by ohio at 2:02 PM PST - 20 comments

As part of applying to rent an apartment, they are running a background check on me. What is the best program to use to check myself? I realize I will have to pay for a decent one and I know there are several options. [more inside]
posted by CancerSucks at 1:45 PM PST - 3 comments

How do I fix the problem of mistakenly taking my IRA RMD twice in 2019? [more inside]
posted by Elsie at 1:33 PM PST - 7 comments

"9 to 5" is shorthand for regular working hours. However, I (an American salaried office worker) have never experienced a workday that didn't run from 8 to 5, or time-shifted from 7 to 4, or maybe with a half-hour lunch, 7 to maybe 3:30. Was it always this way, or was there a shift from 9 to 8 at some point? [more inside]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 8:09 AM PST - 54 comments

Some time in the last 3 years, probably in 2018, I listened to a podcast that talked about what I can best remember/describe as different frames of reference, though that's not exactly it. I want to find this podcast again. [more inside]
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 7:59 AM PST - 5 comments

my job requires me to carry around a notebook, so that i can keep track of all the information i might need to reference on a daily basis (vet receptionist/tech). i've been using a flexible 3x5 moleskine, but it's just not holding up. any other suggestions? i usually carry it in the little cargo pocket on my scrub pants.
posted by megan_magnolia at 7:12 AM PST - 9 comments

I need help buying a turntable set up for a family member in the UK. (I am in the US, and some brands seem not available there.) Must be available online. Help! :) [more inside]
posted by caoimhe at 6:32 AM PST - 12 comments

I may have just made a huge mistake at work, I need to figure out what to do ASAP. [more inside]
posted by Champagne Supernova at 4:25 AM PST - 11 comments

When two unions are disputing which one's members should have the exclusive right to perform a given task at a shared worksite, they are in a __________ dispute. [more inside]
posted by flabdablet at 9:43 PM PST - 11 comments

I just published a book and am working on an audiobook version. I expect it to be ready to be uploaded to the distributor shortly before Christmas. But I'd like to make pre-orders available so buyers have plenty of time to learn about it and get on a list to order it. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 9:08 PM PST - 1 comment

Any tips or suggestions on how to use a european appliance 220v (in this case an expresso/coffee drink machine) in a standard 110v usa kitchen? [more inside]
posted by HonestAsian at 8:12 PM PST - 20 comments

My kid painted ceramic mugs with acrylic paint for her grandparents, but it doesn't seem to be sticking as I expected. Is there any way to salvage this? Details of materials and procedures to this point inside. [more inside]
posted by juliapangolin at 8:06 PM PST - 8 comments

What men's clothing brands have more generous sizing around the stomach area? (The size guides never say!) How do I find the larger "Large"s? [more inside]
posted by slidell at 7:52 PM PST - 8 comments

What small gestures have made you feel loved? [more inside]
posted by Miss Viola Swamp at 6:10 PM PST - 52 comments

I want glasses like the ones Ms. Dennings is wearing in this video, but probably with a thin black/brown wire frame instead of shiny (I'm open to shiny if necessary). I have a wide face and most glasses look kind of puny on me, so these are exciting! Where can I find them? [more inside]
posted by amtho at 5:48 PM PST - 8 comments

I don't like most Christmas music. In fact, I'm an atheist. But I do love Christmas / Christian music which has a sense of the numinous and the sublime – such as Noël Nouvelet, the Coventry Carol, this, or anything by Hildegard von Bingen. What else should I be listening to this December? [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 5:19 PM PST - 21 comments

I just turned 65 and realized I've been wearing make-up almost every day for over fifty years! Inspired by this question about letting one's hair revert to its natural gray color, I'm looking for advice about when women generally quit wearing make-up and best practices for stopping. [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 3:32 PM PST - 19 comments

I like throwing the occasional anachronistic slang into my speech to throw a bit of outdated folksiness into the modern world. What's your favorite under-used slang from the 60s or before? [more inside]
posted by gregoryg at 3:11 PM PST - 95 comments

Hello! Just as the title says, I’m looking for the quickest, easiest, simplest meal ideas using canned beans of any kind, with little-to-no washing/chopping/prep, mostly opening packages and dumping stuff in is preferred. We do make more involved bean meals fairy regularly but I would like more insta-bean ideas in the rotation. Weird stuff I may have never heard of is most welcome! [more inside]
posted by sweetpotato at 1:11 PM PST - 45 comments

My company of a dozen or so remote people wants to have an online session of some sort of game every couple of weeks. What are your favorite party games to play with friends online? [more inside]
posted by taltalim at 12:14 PM PST - 3 comments

How can I improve my algebra 1 and 2 (and linear algebra) so I can feel comfortable with tackling calculus 1 + 2? [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 12:08 PM PST - 19 comments

I have a chronically ill pet, and because of their symptoms I need a constant stream of towels that I lay down for their use then wash. The pet bodily fluids + constant washing + occasional need to say "this is too gross" and toss it in the trash have left my towel supply depleted. I need reasonably sturdy towels that I can use and wash, over and over, and sometimes toss. Where are the towels of my dreams? Specifics inside. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:43 AM PST - 21 comments

Is there a way I can find out what prices foreclosure homes (bank lien, tax lien, REO) have been selling at for the past 3,6, or 12 months in Central Houston Texas zip code 77004?
posted by maxexam at 11:34 AM PST - 2 comments

I bought a 7.5 lb flat brisket cut and would like to cook it in the instant pot, but I can't find any recipe that calls for something larger than 4-5lbs. Can I double a 3-4lb recipe and expect quality results? [more inside]
posted by andruwjones26 at 11:26 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm finally biting the bullet and getting protection for my new phone. I'm not sure what I need though and was hoping for some recommendations. Every other phone I've had had shattered the screen and I realize this is avoidable with proper precautions. [more inside]
posted by Carillon at 10:44 AM PST - 20 comments

I used to use the Enlight app for my lightweight-photoshop, making funny-pictures-for-my-friends type photo editing. I remember that I paid some amount of money for it at the time, but it was in the ~$10 range. The developers are ending app support and asking you to switch to a new app, which is vastly more expensive- too much for the casual way I use it. What iOS apps can I use instead?
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 10:27 AM PST - 7 comments

Got any good podcasts on Marx, socialism, or Marxist critiques of capitalism? Aimed at non experts. [more inside]
posted by skewed at 9:58 AM PST - 5 comments

This XML is of an online form, in which a user can enter data for up to 5 different markets, and add any number of SKUs associated with each market (in this example the user has chosen 2 markets, 3 SKUs for the 1st market and 2 SKUs for the 2nd). I need to read all the data from this XML by market - how do I read the SKU data per market? [more inside]
posted by my log does not judge at 9:53 AM PST - 9 comments

This is long, so just jump to the extended explanation if you've got a warm cup of tea in hand and some time. TLDR: new relationship after disastrous end to old relationship, pouring anxiety into age gap, that's a red herring, tell me what my brain is doing (and why?)? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:46 AM PST - 21 comments

I've been studying up on AI/ML, and believe I understand a fundamental part. Tell me if I'm on-target: Correlation does not imply causation, but with a truly enormous data set, causation can be beside the point.
posted by Quisp Lover at 7:06 AM PST - 19 comments

What nonfiction should I read about environmental issues, policy, and activism? It's been several years since I've read much in this area, so I need a refresher. Also, where should I get my environmental news? [more inside]
posted by toastedcheese at 6:50 AM PST - 10 comments

I am looking for some books for a bright seven year old who is a good reader. She likes books with animal protagonists, especially cats, and is enjoying the Moomin comics on her own. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 6:48 AM PST - 20 comments

I'm trying to clean up my bookmarks in Chrome, but when I restart my computer it always reverts to the previous version. How can I stop this? Windows 10, Chrome Version 78.0.3904.108.
posted by something something at 6:31 AM PST - 2 comments

What it says on the tin - what are your best, happiest, funnest tiny activities? [more inside]
posted by Nieshka at 5:49 AM PST - 29 comments

From casual mentions in memoirs and in Orwell, I know that there were left-wing publications, meetings and protests against Hitler and concentration camps outside of Germany, but I'm not having a lot of luck searching for more information about this. Do you have any recommendations or search terms? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 5:34 AM PST - 10 comments

YANMD. A month ago, I took a nasty fall and hurt my left arm. It’s getting better, but what do you think I did to it? [more inside]
posted by raztaj at 5:14 AM PST - 4 comments

Romance novels are my thing. I am seeking some good recommendations for new, recently published authors/books. Specifically: good writing, contemporary setting, diverse casts with protagonists of colour being a strong preference, and non-hetero-normative storylines and pairings. I've given examples of the kind of authors I like below the jump. [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 2:44 AM PST - 17 comments

A while back (probably less than five years? My memory for time is very poor.) there was a French-language comic linked in which the male characters were, without comment, all drawn as crocodiles, I believe as a sort of 'Schroedinger's Rapist' commentary. I've tried Googling and trying to scan back through the "comics" tag but alas. Anyone remember this? Was it perhaps on another site and I'm misremembering?
posted by Scattercat at 10:38 PM PST - 1 comment

My mother has been hospitalized for two weeks, it's not looking like she's going to return home anytime soon. It's become really frustrating and my anxiety has been through the roof. I guess this is a two part question. How to make dealing with hospital staff at all levels (nurses, doctors, social workers) more bearable and HOW can I be a better advocate for my mom, and myself? I want to get better at fighting for answers and not letting them get away with bullshit. [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 9:45 PM PST - 13 comments

In E.T.A. Hoffmann’s “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”, why is the baker’s cat referred to as a “legation secretary”? [more inside]
posted by mr_roboto at 9:20 PM PST - 2 comments

I've been in my job for a few months now, but am wondering if it's a toxic workplace or if it's just me... Snowflakes inside! [more inside]
posted by Kobayashi Maru at 8:22 PM PST - 10 comments

Due to travel weirdness I will have a layover day in Cleveland next week. Besides staying at the hotel, where should I do a mostly regular computer-y workday? [more inside]
posted by hijinx at 6:35 PM PST - 7 comments

Where can I find the best silly, colorful, creative socks? The ones with, like, bananas or dogs or funny sayings on them. But artfully done. And they should be nice to wear, too! Socks I like: Yellow Owl Workshop, Blue Q, Bombas Sesame Street Collection. Help me find more like these!
posted by the_blizz at 6:34 PM PST - 14 comments

Apparently I can't recall the password to my Firstname​Middleinitial​Lastname​@gmail.com account, which I've had for a decade or more. I have forgotten it before, and they've allowed me to recover it. But this time - same laptop, same internet service, same router - they don't. It's not crucial to have, but, what are my options? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:09 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking for really good ghost stories that take place on Christmas besides "The Turn of the Screw" and "A Christmas Carol." What are some other great ghost stories (more spooky, less bloody) that take place around the holiday? Novels or short stories only, please!
posted by egeanin at 5:56 PM PST - 12 comments

I want a ring. I never got a high school or college class ring, not married, so have no rings at all. What should I get? Simple band is fine but I would like some kind of stone I think.
posted by one4themoment at 4:30 PM PST - 14 comments

Let's say I'm a teapot-maker. I've just been hired to do something that has nothing to do with teapots and I'm terrible at it. Can I pay someone else to do it? [more inside]
posted by my left sock at 4:16 PM PST - 21 comments

Just that. Nice footie pj's. I am buying for 3 boys (cousins) who love trucks, farm equipment, diggers, maybe farm animals. I am willing and eager to introduce them to other stuff, but those are their current interests. And I am going to pair the PJ's with books. I have already checked Amazon and was not impressed with the availability of stock. I need to be able to order online and ship from the provider. And Santa has to deliver on time! Suggestions appreciated!!
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 4:01 PM PST - 9 comments

I work strange hours, and I’ve found that the best way to keep me fed is to cook a big batch of something on my days off and then have leftovers throughout the week. I’m looking for complete meal recipes that make good leftovers. I have a bunch of standbys, but I’m getting a little bored with them. [more inside]
posted by Weeping_angel at 4:01 PM PST - 20 comments

I'll be heading off on a vacation and renting a home with my mom (70+yrs old), myself,my wife, and our 18 year old son. There is going to be a lot of down-time, for reasons, so I'm looking for a board game or card game recommendation that will have mass appeal. [more inside]
posted by jeremias at 3:35 PM PST - 33 comments

How can I hire TWO people to assemble an IKEA wardrobe? The instructions call for 2 people and after trying it myself I understand why. But Thumbtack and Taskrabbit are only set up to let you hire 1 person at a time. You can hire 2 people if you want but is that the only/best way? Is there some other service I can look into? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 2:38 PM PST - 7 comments

Long ago, I shelved books for a living. Then I became a librarian. The stress of public service has been amping up some longtime mental health struggles and I would love to return to the straightforward task of shelving books for a living. How can I convince a library to hire me when I am way overqualified? [more inside]
posted by cat friend at 2:14 PM PST - 9 comments

My daughter's fiance is dealing with the sudden ill health of both of his parents and I have no idea how to help - so I am copying and pasting his question here. I've never dealt with this personally so I'm grateful for any advice I can send to him. He is located in Northern California, but his parents are in Southern California, and money is an issue. Thank you! [more inside]
posted by Space Kitty at 2:00 PM PST - 5 comments

I recently stumbled across the video for the Pet Shop Boys song "Heart," in which Ian McKellen plays a vampire. (Yes, this is relevant!) And once I picked my jaw up from the floor, I went on kind of a Pet Shop Boys jag. While reading Neil Tennant's Wikipedia article, I came across something that confused me. [more inside]
posted by Naberius at 2:00 PM PST - 6 comments

I’m looking for a tall women’s pant (not skirt) suit before next week. My Googling has turned up very few options. Can MetaFilter help? [more inside]
posted by coppermoss at 1:49 PM PST - 13 comments

I know how to code them, but I'd like to try a few real-world examples to get a better understanding of their utility.
posted by markcmyers at 1:41 PM PST - 10 comments

I thought I wanted to try acting and be onstage if I got cast, but now I’m freaking out before I even know if I’m cast. Special snowflake details below. [more inside]
posted by intheigloo at 1:00 PM PST - 10 comments

As an adult student and bicycle commuter, I frequently need to carry lots of stuff: rain gear, extra layers, and change of shoes (in addition to my textbooks and lunch). My dream would be to find a large commuter backpack with a dedicated bottom-zip compartment for the clothes/shoes... that also doesn't make me look like a high-schooler. [more inside]
posted by danceswithlight at 12:38 PM PST - 15 comments

I just finished Erin Morgenstern's The Starless Sea and it gave me such a cozy, warm feeling at times and a lot of magical wonder at the complexity. There have been other books that made me feel this way: Kate Atkinson's Life After Life, Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife. Can you suggest some more books to read that will take me to another world this winter? [more inside]
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 12:14 PM PST - 24 comments

I'd like to seriously up the indoor lighting game in my living room (maybe the bedroom too). What lamps do I need, and where should I put them? Bonus points if you tell me how I could incorporate smart bulbs into the mix for some extra fun. [more inside]
posted by telepanda at 10:31 AM PST - 12 comments

Our house dictionary is the American Heritage Dictionary. Our main applications use Hunspell as their spell checker, whose built-in word list is not the AHD, and inevitably disagrees with it in some places. The natural solution would be to buy/rent/license the AHD word list, so that we can use it instead. How would I pursue this? I see nothing on the AHD/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt website. Or if it's impossible — maybe because of piracy concerns? — then how do other companies with a house dictionary handle this? [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone at 9:32 AM PST - 7 comments

I just bought a Pixel 4 XL and I'm trading in my Pixel 3 XL for a $250 credit from Google. Combined with the Black Friday sale ($200 off) this is probably wiping out any profit they might make from the phone. It looks like Samsung and Apple offer trade-in credits too, possibly more generous than Google's. Why would they offer these credits? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 9:13 AM PST - 10 comments

I stream music to a soundbar via Roku on my Samsung UN32EH5300. I don't want the dancing song titles etc on the screen while I'm listening ... I'd like the TV to be completely dark or with some sort of festive fireplace or aquarium screensaver when I'm listening to music. Samsung customer support is of zero help and I can't find anything in the manual. Suggestions, please? Thank you!
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 9:11 AM PST - 7 comments

We are adopting these two this coming weekend. We would like to consider new names for them. [more inside]
posted by sciencegeek at 8:34 AM PST - 34 comments

I'm noodling around with Ableton Live and currently have a group of five notes in an octave that make sense to me from a melodic standpoint. I'd like to know what scales these notes would be part of so I can decide on a scale to stick with for the track and explore it outside of my five notes. My knowledge of scales is essentially limited to a five minute youtube "scales 101" sort of video which was dry and number-y, and it made me realize that i'm going to need to put a decent amount of work into it in order to make any real strides. Which is going to be a project for another day... Today, I'm just hoping there's a website where I can feed it my five notes, and it spits out the scales that these notes are part of. Does this exist? Any links would be appreciated.
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 8:30 AM PST - 8 comments

My 13 year old loved Knives Out. She is interested in more mysteries that are intricately plotted and resolve in a satisfying way, but are definitely PG to PG-13 (nothing too gory, no graphic sex). Other than Agatha Christie, what’s out there?
posted by Pater Aletheias at 8:18 AM PST - 41 comments

I have a proper fancy colour laser printer in the office but I would like something right there in the craft room for when I need to just print a sheet of buttons or a card or something to continue my project. Twist: strange materials? [more inside]
posted by J.R. Hartley at 7:54 AM PST - 4 comments

Partner and I are staying at the Chumash Resort for a little alone time while visiting CA for Christmas. We are inundated with Wine Tours! and are looking for some suggestions to cut through it all. [more inside]
posted by undercoverhuwaaah at 7:53 AM PST - 3 comments

My spouse and I have decided to choose and take a new surname--but we're struggling to find the right one. What should we name ourselves? [more inside]
posted by Bambiraptor at 7:47 AM PST - 60 comments

Hi all! I am hoping Santa brings a few new containers for my own and my kids' packed lunches. But I have been frustrated to no end finding durable, reasonably responsible containers, especially sized for slightly oversized sandwiches but which still seal. The durable is key; we have years of school and work lunches ahead. What are your solutions? Lots of snowflakes below. [more inside]
posted by warriorqueen at 6:41 AM PST - 20 comments

My 4 year-old is obsessed with superheroes. It's largely my fault. However, one positive benefit is that, after years of toothpaste-swallowing, he was finally convinced to spit his toothpaste out when I compared it to Superman's super-cold breath. What other life skills could I teach my child by analogizing them to superhero abilities? [more inside]
posted by HeroZero at 6:25 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm thinking of asking for a colour printer for my birthday. But I feel like colour printers have always been a PITA. Has that changed? Mainly I would want it for craft projects (e.g. printing templates to cover toy streetcars, printing test runs of picture books for my son, Santa's branding items). But if I had one, maybe I would also use for photos. There was an epson printer where you could get an ink subscription and any ink used towards photos was free. Now I can't find it. Should I get that one (if I can find it and the offer is available in Canada) Or which should I get? Or should I not get any? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:02 AM PST - 12 comments

What poems would work well to write out and carry around to read/memorize during idle moments throughout the day? [more inside]
posted by fourpotatoes at 5:49 AM PST - 28 comments

In 1990 I spent a few weeks in San Francisco (at the end of 3 months in Alaska). One day I met an artist on Telegraph Hill and ended up staying with him a few days somewhere in the Castro or Mission (street name was something like Birmingham or Portsmouth, but I've not been able to refind it). [more inside]
posted by unearthed at 11:47 PM PST - 17 comments

Which is the best social media platform for comic strips? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 11:01 PM PST - 9 comments

When I put my laundry into my shared apartment dryer, I found a AAA battery in the drum. How can I tell if it has leaked? If it has leaked, how can I ensure the washer/dryer and my items are safe for my cat to be around? Difficulty level: anxious pet parent not prepared to go “eh, it’s probably fine”. [more inside]
posted by ceramicspaniel at 10:29 PM PST - 13 comments

I want to make caramel corn for gifts this Christmas. There are a million recipes on the Internet. What's worked for you? [more inside]
posted by invokeuse at 9:59 PM PST - 7 comments

Can you give examples of documentary films that effected real change in the world? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 9:51 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm wondering if one can use beard dye without going from "my beard is 80% grey with the rest brown" to "MY BEARD IS SUDDENLY UNIFORMLY DARK BROWN AND IT LOOKS LIKE I DREW IT ON WITH CRAYON." [more inside]
posted by less of course at 8:33 PM PST - 2 comments

A Canadian friend of mine has a birthday coming up and has requested I make Nanaimo Bars for her. Being a lifelong resident of the US I have not had or made these and I have a few questions. [more inside]
posted by likeplus at 7:13 PM PST - 22 comments

I’m tired of covering my gray/white hair. I’m in my late thirties. I dye it at home (just the top out of pure laziness) and it lasts about a week. How do other women deal with this? [more inside]
posted by dianeF at 4:11 PM PST - 42 comments

I've lived in NYC for 27 years. Because of my health and disability plus the cost, this is no longer viable. I have to move next March. Where should I go? [more inside]
posted by miss-lapin at 3:59 PM PST - 40 comments

I'd like to be able to create short "highlights" from a larger video and put them into a timeline. That part is straightforward, but I'd like to be able to cut using a cursor that stays in its position even when the video is being watched. In other words, if I set the cursor to 1:00 in the video and hit play, I would like the cursor to stay there (and be adjusted left/right from there). I've used OpenShot for some editing, but it seems to be missing this feature - which is genuinely the only feature I need. Help!
posted by LSK at 3:25 PM PST - 6 comments

I've run a small business through a S-corporation for several years. I moved from one state to another and my new tax/paperwork obligations are difficult. I want to start a new corporation in my new state to make things easier. How do I pull this off? [more inside]
posted by allthethings at 1:40 PM PST - 3 comments

Earlier this year, my (32M) eight-year relationship collapsed when I fell in love with someone else (31F) who subsequently did not want to pursue things further. I feel guilty, rudderless, and bereft and want to try and figure out a way forward. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:22 PM PST - 21 comments

I'm choosing a washer and dryer for the first time. I need to order by tomorrow to take advantage of Black Friday sales. I've decided on LG, but am debating between the basic model (on sale for $600 here, no steam), vs one steam for $700 on sale (here). The matching dryers also differ in price by $100, with the steam one being pricier. Is the steam useful for anything? I do have allergies, and my husband has dress shirts for which any actual reduction in necessary ironing would justify a $200 price difference. Thanks!
posted by ClaireBear at 10:26 AM PST - 22 comments

What cities around the world have developed great public transit solutions for people with limited mobility—especially those in wheelchairs or with strollers? What did the city do to make public transit more navigable and accessible? I’m particularly curious about apps/websites that have made public transit easier to navigate for people with mobility limitations. [more inside]
posted by saltypup at 10:25 AM PST - 22 comments

I'll have a spare day in Quito, Ecuador to explore, with no real plans. I've read the basic tourist articles, but always appreciate guidance from people who know the city better. In particular, a good but casual and ideally not super touristy recommendation for lunch or dinner would be great, but I'd love all the tips. [more inside]
posted by zachlipton at 10:01 AM PST - 2 comments

It's been about a year since my Nexus 5 simply stopped cold. Buried inside are some files of enormous sentimental value. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by MiraK at 9:47 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm listening to the audio version of The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made, and the narrator pronounces "Stalin" like "stah-lean" without emphasis on either syllable, and both syllables rather drawn out. Is this indicative of any common historical and/or regional pronunciation, or is it just wrong?
posted by bangitliketmac at 9:21 AM PST - 8 comments

I would like to know the best place (online or in New York City) to have a calendar made for a gift, using my own photos. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 9:15 AM PST - 10 comments

I am looking for puzzle games that fit specific criteria: Good for two people to play with a single controller where the person holding the controller won't have any more fun than the person not holding the controller. [more inside]
posted by SpiffyRob at 8:31 AM PST - 24 comments

Are you a person that used to react to what is right in front of you without taking a step back to see things in context? Are you a person that felt a sense of immediacy to address grievances, and couldn't prioritize them but then learned how to do so? Please tell me how you changed this. [more inside]
posted by What a Joke at 7:25 AM PST - 22 comments

I've gotten to the "Know Your Enemy" phase of my New Hampshire residence, and I'm looking for some books to read so that I can better understand my unpleasant neighbors. [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 7:14 AM PST - 43 comments

I'm looking for scholarly articles & other info on a specific phenomenon which might be described as approach-avoidance behaviour (or maybe not - this is where Google took me!) Can you help? [more inside]
posted by doggod at 6:26 AM PST - 3 comments

Is it possible to let sound in without letting heat out? Or does insulating for one necessarily mean insulating for the other? We miss hearing our brook now that windows are closed for the winter! [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 5:17 AM PST - 16 comments

Trying to find a decent lower-price conversion kit for a fixed 28" bicycle online. Looking for a simple front wheel replacement kit like the swytch, that would be perfect except for the $1.5k pricetag. Alternatively, are the no-brand China-kits safe possibilities?
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 5:03 AM PST - 1 comment

Is there anywhere that has a definitive list of all the Christmas (or winter holiday) themed Netflix romantic comedies? I, I mean my friend, wants to find a systematic way of finding them. [more inside]
posted by Literaryhero at 4:15 AM PST - 12 comments

I only have access to my payslips for a very short time. I have downloaded most of them but there's a discrepancy of about 11 that I've missed. Unfortunately, when I downloaded them (as .pdf files) I named them 'payslip payadvice dd mm yy' so of course they've not been sorted into date order. What I need to know is how to put the payslips that I have into date order so I can compare them to the ones that are on the server that I downloaded them from and pick up the ones I missed. [more inside]
posted by h00py at 3:57 AM PST - 14 comments

Gift #1: Recipient is a thirty-year-old man who is building a computer. I know nothing about this though he's very excited and busy buying the fundamental parts. Are there any like ... accessories or something that would be a nice gift/addition to this process? Gift #2: Recipients are four boys, all brothers, ages five to nine. I want to get them one collaborative/shared gift vs 4 different gifts. Thank you!
posted by namemeansgazelle at 7:35 PM PST - 10 comments

I live in a California suburban area which has some knee-jerk stepford tendencies. Our house has a cactus hedge (no sharp pokey things but it is a euphorbia, so has sap which can cause mild skin irritation and definitely is not fun if dabbed in ones eye or ingested). Everyone else on our street has cookie cutter green leafy hedges. A passerby stopped by today to tell us that our cactus hedge is a "legal liability" and we should just tear it out and replace it with a leafy hedge. Do we actually have anything to worry about from a "legal liability" standpoint? [more inside]
posted by arnicae at 7:35 PM PST - 22 comments

I am involved with a small group that is buying holiday gifts for a small family: a woman and 6-year-old girl. That is all the information we are given about the recipients – no sizes, interests or wish list. We will do most or all of our shopping at Target. What do 6-year-old girls like these days? Anything special? What books or types of books are good? Crafts?
posted by NotLost at 6:35 PM PST - 21 comments

My liberal friends are about to move to Cincinnati and want to avoid their kids ending up in a totally conservative community there - where should they send their kids to school? [more inside]
posted by 168 at 6:07 PM PST - 5 comments

I am re-watching One Day at a Time, this time dubbed into Spanish to practice my language comprehension. Episodes one and two were great and dubbed in Latin American Spanish. I hit episode 3 and it's in Spanish from Spain. [more inside]
posted by latkes at 5:53 PM PST - 6 comments

What's a great graphic novel to give a smart fifth grade girl for Christmas? She looooves El Deafo and isn't that into sci fi or fantasy. I saw this askme from 2 years ago, newer recommendations are appreciated!
posted by JamesD at 5:45 PM PST - 11 comments

Are there creatures from folklore or mythology that are multiple human beings, or parts thereof, joined into a monstrous whole? Not in the Frankenstein sense of one human being made from spare parts, or the Blob sense of human beings trapped in something else, but more like Pilobolus, with too many legs and arms and heads? (E.g. https://www.mymcmedia.org... Pilobolus_2018c Duggan_008-1024x683.jpg)
posted by musofire at 2:35 PM PST - 18 comments

I want a onesie with pictures of my cats on it (for me, so very much adult-sized). Please help me find a company that will do this. Further details on what I'd like to do beyond the cut. [more inside]
posted by kalimac at 2:24 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm hosting a gingerbread cookie decorating party this week and I want to step up my game. I've always used the same gingerbread recipe but the flavor has always seemed too mild to me. What do I need to do to really amp up the gingerbread flavor level? New recipe? Special spices? [more inside]
posted by quiet coyote at 2:05 PM PST - 11 comments

Looking for recommendations for graphic novels or comics appropriate for 7-9 year olds. Kid has already finished the Bad Kitty, Bad Guys series and Captain Underpants and Catsronauts as well. My current approach is to check out anything tagged elementary and graphic novel from the library but would appreciate authors or series. Note: Books with frequent pictures (eg like Bad Guys that aren't full graphic novels are okay.) More complex vocab okay, adult themes not okay.
posted by typecloud at 11:51 AM PST - 32 comments

How would you decompress when it feels like what you need to properly decompress is time and the ability to talk about the stressful aspects of your life, and you have neither the time, nor people to really share it with? Details below the jump. [more inside]
posted by Nieshka at 11:22 AM PST - 22 comments

I'm 40 years old, and I'm concerned about climate change, but it strikes me that I know f***-all about how much energy is consumed by all of the various things I buy and do. How does a short drive in the car compare to turning the thermostat down for the afternoon, or drying a load of laundry on the line instead of the dryer, or buying a new shirt? Know what I mean? What resources exist for me to start figuring these things out?
posted by toomuchkatherine at 11:13 AM PST - 10 comments

During my Thanksgiving visit to the clan, my nephew excitedly told me alllllll his family's visit to Ireland, and he was especially excited to tell me about their visit to Giant's Causeway and a story he heard there about the Irish hero Finn MacCool. Help me nurture this interest with a book for Christmas! [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:41 AM PST - 12 comments

My mom has asked for "experiences" for Christmas this year. She's always been mildly interested in astrology so I thought I'd get her a comprehensive chart reading. Can you recommend someone in the Boulder/Denver area? [more inside]
posted by Fuego at 10:39 AM PST - 8 comments

Who are some artists who have released singles or albums in 1969, 1994, and 2019, including solo and with bands? Neil Young is one, and I thought that both Paul Simon and Iggy Pop could be two more, but they are not. Interested in rock and non-rock musicians.
posted by kensington314 at 10:04 AM PST - 34 comments

I'm an experienced professional programmer who knows very little about how to make video games. I have a long term goal of making music games, preferable one day in VR. Help me get there! [more inside]
posted by wooh at 9:53 AM PST - 6 comments

I'd like to get a family member a gift card to a plant nursery/garden center/greenhouse that specializes in or is knowledgeable of native plants. FamilyMember recently relocated to the Chicago area, has a green thumb, and is excited to dig in to their garden in the spring. Where I should I get them a gift certificate to?
posted by carrioncomfort at 9:09 AM PST - 9 comments

What should I do with leftover pie goo? (that's not more pie) [more inside]
posted by Gneisskate at 8:51 AM PST - 13 comments

My HP 6978 was working just fine. I suspect a recent Windows update killed some functionality. [more inside]
posted by jtexman1 at 8:32 AM PST - 3 comments

How can I improve my grammar, writing, vocabulary, and communication skills without reading textbooks or taking classes? [more inside]
posted by loveandhappiness at 8:28 AM PST - 29 comments

I bought a used bra on ebay. It was listed as in "9/10 condition" but when I got it the metal underwire was poking through, which makes it nigh unwearable (and not "9/10"). It wasn't expensive, and this was probably an honest mistake, but not *my* mistake at all. The seller only offered a 50% refund. Should I push for a complete refund? I've never dealt with this kind of situation so I don't know what I can expect.
posted by needs more cowbell at 6:52 AM PST - 13 comments

I need a pdoc in North Seattle. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:06 AM PST - 5 comments

I am looking for a simple, straightforward toolkit for turning a blog into an income-generation centre. UK based. Not interested in signing on with an expert, can you help navigate me? [more inside]
posted by parmanparman at 4:12 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm having trouble sorting fact from fiction with regard to boiling water before mixing powdered baby formula. Do I need to boil water before mixing the formula for a healthy 7-month-old? If so, why? [more inside]
posted by Prunesquallor at 3:55 AM PST - 25 comments

Hi all! I am buying my parent a tablet (ideally Android as I will be setting it up and that's what I'm used to, but I can be flexible). There are certain provisos however! [more inside]
posted by low_horrible_immoral at 2:06 AM PST - 5 comments

My son loves Arduino, he loves electronics, but most of all he loves Python 3. He's not a beginner; he writes Python for a living -- and he loves it passionately. You should have seen his face light up when he discovered a shortfall in the 3.8 documentation last night. You kitted him out a few years ago -- what's good now? Tell me about MicroPython kits, "advanced" programming books, what? Thanks for any suggestions!
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 9:04 PM PST - 15 comments

This was written by a person now incommunicado. Any idea what was said, if anything? It may be written in some form of shorthand. [more inside]
posted by lathrop at 8:28 PM PST - 10 comments

Every year, I give my team at work a pop culture-themed gift to thank them for being awesome. My plan for this year won't work for political reasons, and I'm struggling to think of another idea. Please hope me, Metafilter! [more inside]
posted by commander biscuit at 6:12 PM PST - 7 comments

I need a store that can print custom hoodies for me, in adult and toddler sizes and have them to me in Toronto by Christmas. After spending all this time designing my hoodies online at a .ca. site, I go to checkout and discover they ship from the U.S. and won't come til January. Where should I order? Web site or etsy seller.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 5:58 PM PST - 5 comments

Is this a flash drive or a spinning disk drive?
posted by andoatnp at 5:52 PM PST - 4 comments

Do you work in public health, statistics or a related field? If so fill me in on biostatistics as a field of study and work! [more inside]
posted by knownfossils at 5:10 PM PST - 3 comments

A (group?) of primitive (cave men?)(or possibly some kind of animals?) beat up a (robot? computer? alien?) because it is baffling them. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:52 PM PST - 20 comments

We'll be having a short Hawaiian vacation between Christmas and New Years (yay!) We'll be there for five nights; unfortunately, our VRBO rental is for only four. And now, everything seems to be booked up (doh!) Any experience with 'sleeping rough' on Maui? Or how and where to arrange a night's lodging (ideally, near the airport) during the holiday crush, that's not ridiculously overpriced?
posted by Rash at 1:42 PM PST - 9 comments

Sony announced last month that they were shutting down their Playstation Vue TV service come January 2020. I don't watch a LOT of live TV, but I do like that PSVue allowed SSO to supported channel apps through my AppleTV (like the Science Channel app, CW, HGTV, and more) for time-shifting watching what I like. I'm hoping to hear some experiences from cord-cutting MeFites about other options, like Sling, Hulu, or anything I might not have heard about. [more inside]
posted by hanov3r at 1:25 PM PST - 6 comments

Messages has stopped working the way that I want it to in iOS 13. How can I make it work the way I want it to? [more inside]
posted by mwhybark at 1:18 PM PST - 3 comments

Here are pics: resistor, power board. I'm trying to resurrect my iMac G4 (iMac G4/800 17-Inch Flat Panel - M8812LL/A - PowerMac4,5 - M6498 - 1936), with help. We've gone through all the easy and obvious fixes on iFixit et al. We've got down to the power board and found a burned-out resistor. Can anyone help identify this? Size is about 20 x 6mm. Colour bands indicate is either 12ohms or 1k, no certainty. Advice from various forums has not been definitive.
posted by glasseyes at 1:16 PM PST - 21 comments

so. i've spent like the last 20 years or so getting unnervingly good at exactly one roguelike — that'd be nethack. but i think i'm finally bored of it. what's my next roguelike? [more inside]
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 12:57 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for songs that explicitly reference changing one's life. [more inside]
posted by protondonor at 11:50 AM PST - 72 comments

I am currently pretending that if I don’t make eye contact with Christmas, it can’t see me either. Please help me facilitate this by burying my head in a book. [more inside]
posted by darchildre at 11:16 AM PST - 28 comments

I work with a church group that's sending packages to men in a prison in our state. The packages include basic toiletries along with Christmas cards with stamps for them to send to loved ones. We want to include a message to the inmates, and I'm not sure what to say. The previous post Book recommendations for an inmate is helpful but doesn't really cover the question for me. Oh compassionate hive mind folk, please help me draft a greeting for these guys.
posted by conscious matter at 11:05 AM PST - 9 comments

The wife and I would like to spend some time on Vancouver Island come summertime. We're experienced day-hikers and have done our share of camping-lite in Ontario (i.e. cabins/yurts with a grill and composting toilets) but would also like to get a little more experience with seeing more remote areas. [more inside]
posted by greatgefilte at 9:03 AM PST - 3 comments

People who have done therapy/12-step/philosophical reading/somatic stuff/anything: What methods or exercises or slogans would you use for addressing profound distress when not receiving prompt text responses? [more inside]
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 8:56 AM PST - 15 comments

At my place of work we'd REALLY benefit from a means of transporting small objects (wristwatches) pretty directly from A to B then from B to A again, the human route the wristwatches take is long and circuitous, but the route for an object could be pretty direct... [more inside]
posted by dance at 8:30 AM PST - 13 comments

We are ready to bring a new canine companion into our household. We are all ready to go...except we're stuck on one point: Doggo or Pupper? [more inside]
posted by Gray Duck at 8:14 AM PST - 16 comments

Looking for recommendations on project management books. [more inside]
posted by bfranklin at 6:59 AM PST - 6 comments

My partner recently inherited her grandmother's good condition Delmonico phonograph that was probably purchased sometime in the 1950s. I don't think it's a high-end model or anything special, but it's cool as hell. How do we get it in working order? [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter at 6:53 AM PST - 15 comments

I need to upgrade my well's water filter. My plumber is recommending either a three stage filter system or an Aquasana (or similar system). [more inside]
posted by Candleman at 6:46 AM PST - 3 comments

Gf and I seem to disagree about what constitutes good communication. I honestly didn't even know that this was even up for debate. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:40 AM PST - 39 comments

An important person in my life is struggling with persuading mental health services that they have CPTSD (and a form of DID) instead of BPD. While I don't feel that specific diagnoses are always useful, it's important in this case because extensive previous treatment for BPD has not helped, in contrast with some (very limited) treatment they had for CPTSD and DID, which really did help. We want them to get more of the treatment that helps. [more inside]
posted by rrose selavy at 4:44 AM PST - 6 comments

Trying a new therapist for the umpteenth time. I don't want to just have (expensive) cathartic chats every week, but apart from committing to doing any homework the therapist may give me, what does actually "working hard" or "doing the work" in therapy look like? [more inside]
posted by diffuse at 4:10 AM PST - 18 comments