February 2012 Archives
February 29
job search and networking etiquette
What is the etiquette for contacting a former (short-term) supervisor about new job leads? [more inside]
Convert from Instapaper to Readability?
I love(d) Instapaper. I really did. But I like Readability even more. Unfortunately I have seventeen thousand articles saved in Instapaper. How can I export / import?
How do I remove an Evite comment?
How can I change/remove a comment I made on an Evite invitation? [more inside]
Send my pal to rehab
A friend of mine is looking for a Buddhist-friendly out-patient alcohol rehab place in NYC. AA is out--he quit drinking for health reasons six months ago, but now the hospital requires a formal treatment program at a place that isn't anonymous. Any suggestions? Anyone with an opinion on The Realization Center?
Need quick, easy website-building tool for a static site with inline/embedded audio.
Need to build quick & dirty static website from scratch, with some audio, preferably wsiwyg. Is there a service that does what I need? [more inside]
Help me find this demo video
My Google-Fu has failed me. Help me remember the name of an iPhone restaurant app that produced a clever single take demo video in front of a large pool. [more inside]
Make me Deaf
How can I effectively deafen myself [more inside]
Graphic design stuff
I think I'm going to try to make a living out of graphic design. But I'm experiencing a lot of anxiety over this decision and doubting my abilities to succeed in the field. And other stuff. Please talk to me. [more inside]
Can I scuba dive with extreme fish allergies?
Can I go scuba diving with extreme fish allergies? So, I'm taking a scuba diving class in a pool, mostly to get over my deep water fears. Now I'm thinking about getting my open water certification but I had some concerns. I have extreme fish allergies. Meaning if a fish bites me, touches me, or stings me it could cause me to have an anaphylaxis reaction (trouble breathing). That all given, can I go diving without troubles? Will I need special gear?
Am I liable if someone slips on my snow clearing job?
If I clear snow badly, can I be liable for someone else's injury? [more inside]
Can I bounce back as an eBay seller after a buyer from hell has destroyed my reputation?
eBay transaction from hell has now screwed me as a seller after 12 successful years selling. It's not my primary source of income but something I really enjoy doing. I started selling when I quit drinking 12 years ago and it gave me a focus and helped me stay sober. Now what? [more inside]
How to cash a large check without a bank account?
Is it possible to cash a life insurance check (for a large amount), without having a bank account? What if the person has outstanding student loan debt? [more inside]
Cloning is beginning to seem a reasonable option
Help me survive my first trimester. [more inside]
Ersatz sunshine, my only sunshine
Help me bring sunshine into my new windowless office! I and my plants will be moving into a windowless office soon, and those SAD lights look so, so awful (also, I don't need that level of intensity). I thought I might just find some nice lamps and find special magical daylight bulbs for them. If I get very ambitious, I might make a rice-paper "window" fixture to put on the wall. What bulbs should I get? Do I need fluorescents or incandescents? What specs should I be looking for? [more inside]
High Quality at a Low Price?
Good quality clothes, but without the good quality price? [more inside]
Is it time for divorce, or can we work this out?
The spark is gone. I don't think it's coming back. I need advice. [more inside]
Free simple website options for small businesses?
I need a dead-simple static website to promote my real estate services and serve as a landing page for Google AdWords ads. Since I'm just getting started with my business, free is best. What are some good options? [more inside]
I may not be flat as a pancake, but the terrain around me sure is
How do I train for running up a long hill when the area around me is mostly flat? [more inside]
Any idea how I can get the broken off tip of a stereo headphone out of my phone's audio out jack?
Any idea how I can get the broken off tip of a stereo headphone out of my phone's audio out jack? [more inside]
Awwwkwaaarrddd
How to deal with that awkward stage when growing hair long? [more inside]
What device is used to regulate power over several circuits?
A friend of mine has 20+ old arcade games in his basement. He has essentially set up a small arcade museum at his house. It's pretty sweet! The games are split between several circuits in the house but power is becoming a concern. These old electronics are sensitive to spikes and low voltages and we want to keep them running as long as possible - most of the circuit boards are not made and difficult to replace or repair. What should we consider for 110v line conditioning? [more inside]
O Romeo, Romeo, do I explain you?
Taking children, ages 16, 15, and 10, to see Romeo & Juliet. Should I explain it to them first? [more inside]
Helping a struggling parent.
My poor, overworked, lonely, non-English-speaking immigrant mother is approaching 50. Her daily existence is a living hell. Short of winning the lottery, what can I do to improve her quality of life? [more inside]
Why are you the best?
I have a final interview for a Project Manager position. This job is awesome. One of the questions they would like me to answer is "Why are you the best candidate for this position?". How do I blow them away with my answer? The role requires someone who is passionate about work and life, can juggle multiple projects, and can managed a range of different stakeholders. I can do all of this like nobody's business. But I am sure a lot of the other candidates can as well. How do I approach answering this question and winning this position?
A Place for Ties
What's the best device (case, perhaps?) or method (common household item?) keep my ties and pocket squares in order in my suitcase when I travel? [more inside]
ID Story about cybersex and overseas lag?
Looking for a story identification about cybersex, strokes and intercontinental lag. [more inside]
Best peanut butter cookie recipe
I love peanut butter cookies. I love them when they are very peanutty, and slightly moist. I love them when they don't have peanut bits in them, or chocolate chips in them. (I love them when they do have peanut butter chips in them, but I have trouble finding peanut butter chips.) [more inside]
Will they throw me in prison?
I am way short on my estimated quarterly federal taxes this year, am freaking out, and need some honest insight into how much trouble I am in. [more inside]
I'll be smart, experienced, and missing ALL the buzzwords
I'm trying to choose between two programming jobs. One company is very, very unusual for its field, and the features which attract me to that company are rare or even unique within its field. I'm worried about how taking my first job there will limit me in terms of experience, stereotypes, and networking if/when I have to change jobs and/or fields. Are my fears valid? [more inside]
I'd like to be nicer
I'm casually critical much of the time. I'd like to change that. I'd especially like to stop casually criticizing and reflexively disagreeing with loved ones. [more inside]
Should I make the move to NY? Unique situation - advice appreciated.
25-year-old SoCal native looking to make the move to NYC. Writing background with freelance web/graphic design experience, would like to work in graphic/web design or creative direction. Kind of a unique situation (read on) - any advice is much appreciated. Should I do it? [more inside]
Do I do anything?
My dad's wife, a clinical psychologist, says he is paranoid and mistreating her. Um. Now what do I do? [more inside]
What makes a closet a closet that can make a room a bedroom?
What makes a closet legal enough to turn a room into a bedroom? [more inside]
Buddhism: Details on what a man does following enlightenment
Once a man has reached enlightenment, and finds the ultimate peace and bliss merely sitting in meditation, regardless of his surroundings, does he have motivation for leaving this position and doing anything at all in the world? See extended explanation... [more inside]
Buying an engagement ring in Bangkok
Buying an engagement ring in Bangkok: Advisable? [more inside]
Old charm or a parking spot!
Home buying: modern, super convenient, and soulless or old school charm without the conveniences and all the potential pitfalls? [more inside]
It's time to play Name That Guy!
A guy just walked in and asked for a key to the men's room. I'm absolutely certain he's an actor of moderate fame (this is in a Hollywood office building where actors are in and out all the time, so it's nothing out of the ordinary), but I'm really bad with actors' names. Help me figure out who he was! Details inside. [more inside]
Help me make a yummy bake
Any tips for oven cooking Costco chicken bakes? [more inside]
What are good SF stories for teaching science?
What books and short stories would you use for a class trying to teach about science by reading science fiction? [more inside]
Is this wool coat worth tailoring?
Is this wool coat worth tailoring? [more inside]
I want recipes for Chicken Casseroles, please.
Your favorite Chicken Casseroles with real vegetables and no hash browns? What is in them? How much? Double points for links to recipes that you love. Please limit my need to think or experiement. [more inside]
$200 tickets are going to be wasted
Help me figure out how to handle this problem with TicketMaster. [more inside]
Off-season New England Travel Deals
Are there any great off-season travel deals or tips for a weekend in New England in March? [more inside]
Can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding
Please help me explain why a racist joke is still racist. I have a (now ex-) friend who is still friends with some of my friends. He thinks it's okay to tell "jew jokes" because "jews are white like us so it's not racist". Never mind that I'm of mixed heritage (not "white like us"); though I don't believe I have any Jewish ancestry, I know quite a few of my friends do. [more inside]
What adhesive should I use for a leather insole and a Sorbothane heel pad?
What adhesive should I use for a leather insole and a Sorbothane heel pad? [more inside]
What does the process look like?
What does the process of getting close to someone really feel like? [more inside]
What can I make with terra cotta?
What can I make with terra cotta? [more inside]
Coke vs Pepsi
How has the market share of Coke vs. Pepsi changed over the last hundred years? [more inside]
Lesbian bars in Chicago?
Looking for a lesbian/bisexual lady bar in Chicago. I'm in my mid-20s and looking to meet other women. [more inside]
Can you translate this?
Translation-Filter: My father is looking for a translation of this Chinese (?) scroll. [more inside]
Does being in a good relationship take the edge off creatively and aspirationally?
Does being in a good relationship take the edge off creatively and aspirationally? [more inside]
do i have narcolepsy?
I think i might have narcolepsy... Are there any drawbacks to getting checked and diagnosed? [more inside]
Mailchimp madness
Our web developer has left our department, and our email templates are suddenly breaking! [more inside]
Will they fit me?
Wondering if any one with a F-H breast size has every ordered from Modcloth? [more inside]
How to build an information dashboard?
What tools should I use to create an information dashboard? [more inside]
How to move away from sponsorships?
Our company receives numerous requests for sponsorships mainly from non profits. Since funds are tight and other projects are taking priority, we're looking to move away from further sponsorships, but need justification. Is there a way to measure efficacy of past sponsorships? Any reading on how to measure retroactively? Please keep in mind, past sponsorships have rarely been tracked. Does anyone have experience in this particular type of situation?
What's wrong with my caulk?
Why is the caulking coming off around my bathtub? Am I somehow showering wrong, as my property manager suggests? [more inside]
Help a happy man, become a happy dad!
In the last year, I've made unbelievable progress in my career and life. I'm unbelievably optimistic and excited about my future. My wife (who is super supportive) and I are about to have our first child, I make a great salary in a field I truly enjoy. And now that I'm not worried about the everything, it has finally become clear what I want...what I really want. [more inside]
How to handle an inevitable run in with the Ex?
He ended it a couple of weeks ago and I have to see him tonight. Any suggestions/tactics on how to handle myself/this situation? [more inside]
Holistic, beautiful, affordable retreat in nature for the Breast Cancer threatened
After scary "you may have breast cancer" tests over the last year and a winter of too much flu and allergy-induced misery, I need a long-weekend getaway to a beautiful, allergen-free or almost free retreat in our majestic country. For a very affordable price. I feel like I need physical and emotional healing and restoration on this trip. I like restorative (or Iyengar) yoga, organic food, massage, hikes/walks outside, swimming in warm water, etc. I want to be around DOWN TO EARTH, interesting (not spooky spiritual) healing people. In a lovely place. I can do a house swap or retreat swap and a barter thing - I have good massage therapy skills and license....and a charming place in a hip village in a cool-to-visit city with a lovely guest room to rent. Ideas? [more inside]
Where can I find a very thorough, comprehensive, expansive list of personality traits?
Where can I find a very thorough, comprehensive, expansive list of personality traits? [more inside]
Road trip! Advice?
I’m leaving Tucson, AZ tonight for a last minute solo road trip to San Francisco. I have 7-8 days to drive, so obviously I’ll be taking the scenic route. Where should I stop? What route should I take? What should I do? What should I eat? [more inside]
a bit more complex than study abroad
Can I collect a salary from abroad before my work permit is issued? [more inside]
Hammershøi's interiors
Please help me identify this Vilhelm Hammershøi work. [more inside]
What does acceleration in deep space feel like?
Humans can supposedly sense acceleration. So what would piloting a spaceship in deep space feel like? General confusion about relativity inside. [more inside]
What's going on right now that future people will wish they could have been part of?
What is going on right now, that in fifty or a hundred years, people will be saying "damn, I wish I was part of that"? [more inside]
Looking for a short story on copyright micropayments
Looking for a dystopian short story that made the rounds around half a year ago about intellectual property. It was (I believe) a father and daughter who go through emails and have to make micropayments for copyright infringement, trademark infringement, etc. Any thoughts? I may have seen it on MeFi or Boing Boing, and my google-fu is failing me.
Should I want the Ipad3 too?
Very happy owner of Ipad2. But, inspired by this AskMeFi, wondering if I should be eager to acquire the new Ipad3. What say you, well informed hive mind?
I want the iPad3!
I've been waiting for the new iPad 3 but I've never bought an Apple product when it first comes out. What is the usual procedure? Can I pre-order online March 7 after the announcement so I get it the day it is released or will I be forced to stand in line the day it comes out? Standing in line may not be possible depending on work...
Sell call options before a dividend announcement?
Newbie options investor question related to dividends. [more inside]
date night in the valley
LA/SFV Filter: Where should I go for a second date? [more inside]
Best way to take care of a bridge
What's the best way to take care of my new bridge? Should I get a water flosser? [more inside]
Looking for a beginner's tutorial on jailbreaking ipad2 iOS 5
I see there's a jailbreak for iOS 5 that will work on my iPad2. However, I'm having no luck finding a good tutorial on how this process works. I have a lot of questions, and so far all the tutorials I have found are either "click the button and you are done" (I don't trust that!) or are geared for people who have jailbroken 100s of devices and assume a lot of prior knowledge that I don't have. [more inside]
My liver vs. Amazon.
Is there a way that I can get Amazon to periodically send me items from my wishlist without me telling it to? [more inside]
Still hurting, part II
Chronic pain and depression - like peanut butter and jelly? [more inside]
How do you celebrate living an extra day that doesn't exist?
What should I do today to celebrate Leap Day? [more inside]
?
I have major depression. My therapist is pushing for meds like crazy and I am kind of scared. Several general questions about antidepressants inside. [more inside]
Not quite a blind date, but close enough
High School-esque Drama Filter! My friend recently told me that a friend of hers is interested in me. With my consent, she's arranged a group dinner on Friday and invited both of us along. There's no reason that this thing should faze me, but the amount of freaking out I'm doing right now is ridiculous. Help me calm down before I cancel out of sheer panic! [more inside]
"Happy little trees..."
Help me design the best video setup for recording myself drawing/painting. [more inside]
So saying "Ratzi" is out, right?
As an avowed atheist, should I not apply to a graduate program at a Catholic university? [more inside]
Fall five times. Stand up six?
All attempts at establishing a relationship with a therapist have failed. Now what? [more inside]
What now?
I was recently married to the father of my child (almost 3) and I had serious trepidation before, assuming it was cold feet. Now I know I'm incredibly unhappy. I had cheated on him and had come clean. He wants to stay and work at it. Most of me wants to leave and have a co-parenting relationship with him, but I feel like it's unfair and selfish. Confused. [more inside]
What laptop do I need for photo and video editing (and playing Minecraft at a higher framerate)?
What laptop do I need for photo and video editing (and playing Minecraft at a higher framerate)? [more inside]
Class B vs. Class P...where's class J?
[Asking for a colleague] Question about share classes in terms of equity held in a start-up they used to work for. Differences between Class P and Class B, and implications of conversion. [more inside]
Foreign Tax Blues
Help me with my complicated foreign tax situation please! [more inside]
Financial responsibility for dummies
Hey Mefites! Please help me become more financially responsible. I don't think I live particularly extravagantly but I don't even know how to start budgeting. I live pretty much paycheck to paycheck. I feel really bad about this, and could do with some ideas about how to build up a money-tracking and budgeting plan from scratch. [more inside]
Popular social bookmarks by topic in the post-delicious age?
Is it still possible to discover popular social bookmarks by topic in the post-delicious age? [more inside]
Sprouting 101
Basics of DIY spouts? I accidentally sprouted yellow peas while over soaking them for a craft with my son (pea and toothpicks to build structures) and popped a few in my mouth. Yum. So I have questions about the basics of sprouting. [more inside]
Can't Stop Gagging
I cannot stop gagging.. Help! [more inside]
Why should my landlord be involved with me insuring my own stuff?
Can my landlord require that I add them to my renter's insurance when I renew my apartment lease? And is this normal? (Michigan, USA) [more inside]
Is there any risk in switching my bank accounts to a freight forwarding address?
I don't technically live in the US anymore; I've sold my house, dropped my auto insurance, etc, and I need to figure out how to deal with my US bank accounts. [more inside]
Help me find myself?
Dramatic change in life has rock my foundation of self. I need to figure out who I am now that I lost my main identity. I’m in therapy to help with the change, but was wondering if there were any online (preferably) or offline workbooks, tests, or X activity that I can work through that will help me find myself? I’m at a lost. [more inside]
Yo Dawg I Put a Mario Bros Inside Your Super Mario Bros
SuperMarioBrosFilter! Which version of Super Mario Bros. (I believe on Super Nintendo, could be wrong, though) had the feature where you could also play a quick two-player game of Mario Bros.? [more inside]
Soothe my whooping cough!
Tips/tricks to soothe my whooping cough? 24/f, never had it before. [more inside]
Buying iPhone apps in another country?
How do I buy an iPhone app for a friend in another country? also Travel & Veggie growing apps you can recommend would be very welcome. [more inside]
Credible texts on psych behind UFO religions/cults?
Credible academic books that look at psychology behind "UFO religions" or people that believe in ancient astronauts? [more inside]
Greek to me
Greek scholars: If an epithalamium is a poem "upon a bedchamber" what would a poem "upon wine" be? An epoinon (ἐποἶνον)? An epoinion (ἐποἶνιον)? An epoinios (ἐποἶνιος)? And how would you Latinize in a manner historically and stylistically concurrent to that of "epithalamium"?
Has no Greek poet ever written a poem "upon wine" before?
February 28
What are the best blogs ABOUT WordPress?
What are the best blogs ABOUT WordPress? I'm especially interested in bloggers who specialize in sharing tips and tricks, etc. Plugins, widgets, tutorials, development... That sort of thing. [more inside]
Is there a way to record streaming Flash video from a website?
I'm giving a talk next month at a professional meeting. While researching/preparing online, I've come across some Flash videos that I'd like to use in my presentation. Anybody know how I might go about recording them? Thanks
help me avoid fast food
help me avoid fast food... [more inside]
Apt Hunting in NYC - What to Expect This Time Around...
Apartment hunting in the NYC area, post-recession: What do I need to know? [more inside]
Help for first long distance flight & trip with baby
We are traveling in less than a week with our five-month old son to Austin, TX by plane from Philly. We are hoping to get general tips on traveling with a young baby, as well as some Austin-specific tips. [more inside]
Where in Los Angeles should I live?
Where in Los Angeles should I live? I work in Beverly Hills. [more inside]
I want to laugh while I get smarter
I've watched almost all of Terry Jones's history documentaries--what next? What I like about them and what I'm looking for is mainly the humor (enthusiastic but lighthearted, not taking itself too seriously) and the element of looking at things from a different angle. Many of Jones's docs look at the lives of "regular people" in periods of history where most people are familiar with the rich and famous, and others look at civilizations that are overlooked. Sort of the way Mythbusters approaches science, and I'm also a large fan of QI. Recommendations? (I'm looking especially but not exclusively for history.)
Alarm clock computer help please, pleeeeeeeeeeease?
Phone died. Phone is also my alarm clock. Left my charger at work. How do I make my computer into a reliable alarm clock? [more inside]
What makes a person photogenic?
What physical traits make a person photogenic? [more inside]
Beware the ides of Peak Oil.
Is the world going to go to hell when we run out of oil? [more inside]
Please help identify this key
"Title is not found or not available"
What's up with Instawatcher? Nothing seems to be available ... [more inside]
El Pasotiempo
Visiting El Paso for a (work)week, seeking interesting and worthwhile activities for the off-hours. [more inside]
I've lost interest in sex with my boyfriend, and find things increasingly uncomfortable in that department. What should I do?!
I've lost interest in sex with my boyfriend, and find things increasingly uncomfortable in that department. What should I do?! I'm a 28 year old female, and have been in a long term committed relationship with my current boyfriend for about 3 years now. I'd been a virgin up until about 2 and ½ years ago. My upbringing was uneventful, and I've never had any traumatic experiences that I can recall involving sexuality, however I have always felt embarrassed about sex related things, which is why before my current boyfriend I always just made out with whoever I felt like. [more inside]
How to deal with an unsettling email?
How would I deal with this upsetting email from a professor? It accuses me of something I didn't deliberately do. [more inside]
How do I get rid of a weeks old compacted half-and-half stain?
How do I remove this crusty, smelly half and half stain from my carpet? [more inside]
Where can I buy high Vietnamese sub-titled books and movies (with delivery to Australia)?
Where can I buy high Vietnamese sub-titled books and movies (with delivery to Australia)? [more inside]
What short film is this?
Short film featuring stationary, miniature figurines in realistic landscapes? [more inside]
Rewarding your dog...trainer
Should we tip our dog-training instructor? How do we do it non-awkwardly? [more inside]
Denver Redux
I asked a question awhile back about relocating to Denver. Mr. Anonnymoose and I just booked our reconnaissance trip for this weekend! Looking for current suggestions for a two-day itinerary. [more inside]
I'm looking for a downloadable walking tour for Atlanta?
I'm looking for walking tours of Atlanta available as CDs or (ideally) as MP3s that I can stick on my iPod. So far, I have only been able to find these two driving tours, but I'd really like to find a walking tour. Anyone know of anything available, either for free or for purchase?
What do I need to do to prepare for my own death?
What do I need to do to make sure all my affairs are in order in case I die? I have no kids and don't own property. [more inside]
Wideband elastic
Where can I find wide (3/4"-1") rubber bands? [more inside]
It's elementary my dear Watson!
What small details on a person or surroundings would indicate a person's personality / job / background? [more inside]
Use of commas after dates
When a sentence includes a date (month, day, and year), is it always proper to set off the year with commas? [more inside]
Help Us Entertain Our Kids in Vegas!
What awesome fun things can we do with our small children in Vegas? [more inside]
Bat meet Cat; Cat don't play with Bat!
My cats "played" with a bat in our house that was either sick or hurt. They're up to date on all shots including rabies. Is this a cause for concern? [more inside]
Timelapse ideas for planetarium?
Timelapse ideas for planetarium? [more inside]
Need to put my dog on a diet
Took my dog to the vet today, she is part lab/retriever, 5 years old. She has always been stocky and wide, her height is 20" at her back, she weighs 66 pounds. Vet recommended I put her on a diet, she suggested to cut back on her food daily. [more inside]
Where to buy pink baby shirt with pink polka dots?
I'm dressing a baby up as Nyan Cat - where can I buy a pink shirt with darker pink dots in an infant size? [more inside]
Meeting new people: I feel like some (women) see me as a child
Meeting a new person; why do I get so frustrated [more inside]
Dealing with arguments that are repeated back to you
Is there a name for the type of argument style where the other person simply repeats back the accusation to you, for example: "I think you are being aggressive", reply: "No, You're being aggressive", or "You're being silly" reply: "No, you're being silly" and so on and so forth? How does one overcome this type of reply whilst exerting your strongly held opinion?
Grad school or trades? (Snowflake details inside).
What do you think: should I pursue grad school or a trade? [more inside]
Help my family get protection from an unwell, potentially violent woman.
How can I arrange action to be taken against a mentally ill woman who is harassing my family? [more inside]
Advice for an about to be graduate in CS (iOS experience)
What is the best place to go for a new computer science graduate in mobile development? General advice? [more inside]
How do I stop thinking about my ex?
How do I stop thinking about my ex? [more inside]
Great bridal seamstress in NYC?
Can anyone suggest a great bridal seamstress in the NYC area that can do a wedding dress from scratch using a picture as reference? Adding difficulty, this would need to be done for less than ~$1000, and the wedding is May 6, so it would have to be done (with fittings, etc.) before that. [more inside]
What corporate entertainment can I find in Austin, TX?
Please help me find corporate entertainment for a banquet being held in Austin. [more inside]
Starting a new job and not everyone is thrilled about my hiring. Help.
I've been hired for a development position in an institution of higher ed. I've been told by my supervisor that a lot of staff and faculty are not very happy with my hiring. I start Monday. I need advice. [more inside]
Any actual unscented lotions?
Does anyone know of a truly unscented hand lotion? Not "fragrance free" or what's typically sold as unscented (no scent added, but the ingredients still smell), but a lotion with literally no scent?
name help please!
question about immigration related name changes, also immigration k1 visa related- details inside [more inside]
Name that Tune!
What is the name of the classical piece played in the background of the Act one segment here? I know I've heard it before.
Help me deal with a bully in an otherwise positive competitive sports environment.
I train in a martial art at a place with an active competitive team, which I am trying to join. The other person there who is my size/skill level and on the competitive team goes very hard with me in sparring and always leaves me injured/bruised to a greater degree than any other student. How can I work around this situation or have a mature and productive confrontation about it, given that I still want to compete so I cannot avoid working with this person 100%? [more inside]
Looking for a site similar to Todoist.
Looking for a site similar to Todoist. [more inside]
Can you help me be 0.03% more efficient?
I would like a thing (greasemonkey script, add-on, bookmarklet, etc) which will let me easily add events to my Google calendar from within Firefox. [more inside]
Help Feed a Picky Eater
Please share with me your favorite simple and healthy recipes for my picky sister with self-imposed dietary restrictions. [more inside]
What should I know about buying a Kindle DX?
I'm considering purchasing a Kindle DX, but the current version is two years old and two hardware generations behind the regular Kindle. Is there functionality in the newer versions of the regular Kindle that I would miss when using the Kindle DX? Is it likely to be replaced or discontinued in the near future? Is there anything else that I should know about before buying a Kindle DX?
What is the Real SES Timeline?
What is the actual timeline for interviews, notifications, etc. for the SES selection process in US government employment? [more inside]
Meatless. . . mostly?
What are some good compendia of recipes that contain meat, but are mostly beans or legumes? [more inside]
Why can't my droid see my files?
I've got an Android-powered Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0 and a 32GB microSD card. The contents of the card don't appear to be accessible to the device, though it's a bit more complicated than that... [more inside]
Mudswabber.
What's your quick-and-dirty technique for removing joint compound and latex paint from concrete? [more inside]
Why are certain Netflix shows jittery on certain devices and not others?
Why are certain Netflix shows jittery on certain devices, while other combinations of devices/shows are not? [more inside]
What should I do in Seattle with kids aged 1 and 4 next week?
What should I do in Seattle with kids aged 1 and 4 next week? Staying downtown near the Convention Center. I will have a car. [more inside]
Fake Guru with Genuine Inquisition
Are there any satirical documentaries relating to religion like Kumare? I know there was a popular series on Atheism on BBC and several others like Religulous, The Root of All Evil, etc., and I am curious if there are others which, instead of taking a serious note on educating us what atheism/religion means, evoke laughter throughout dealing on these subjects?
Charlie?
What would make a good visual substitute for cocaine? [more inside]
What do non-academic economists do?
What is economics? What do non-academic economists do? [more inside]
I'm too young for this shit
Lifelong asthmatic, and at age 36 I now have osteoarthritis in the knee due to sports injuries (meniscus is frakked). Realizing now that NSAIDs aggravate my asthma...what other options do I have for relieving the pain & inflammation with minimal side-effects? [more inside]
How should I pursue a career in software development?
I’m interested in a career in software development. How should I pursue this? [more inside]
Give me your "rectum, damn near killed 'em" jokes!
In the spirit of "rectum, damn near killed 'em!", what are other words that can be followed with a joke/punchline? [more inside]
How much does an hour of Facebooking cost?
How much does an hour of Facebooking cost? [more inside]
Unplugged.
Wi-Fi/power outlets on specific route. NY Penn Station --> Detroit? [more inside]
Does our dog's dissapearing cherry eye warrent a vet appointment before we go in next month for shots?
Our puggle seems to be getting cherry eye- but it dissapears in the morning? [more inside]
My kitten wont use her litter box
First-time cat owner. Adopted a 7-month-old kitten from the local Humane Society. The only problem we’ve had is that she’s not real sure about her litter box. [more inside]
Long notice period: Should I quit before finding a new job and hope for the best?
I'm concerned my rather long notice period at work (3 months, UK) will harm my chances for finding new work. Should I quit before finding a new job and hope for the best? [more inside]
Recommend a NYC neurosurgeon
Help me find a good neurosurgeon in New York City? [more inside]
What books discuss taste like a pro chef would?
Please recommend good books that discuss the theory of food taste and design—analyzing flavors and textures, figuring out pairings, that sort of thing. Either savory or dessert-centered would be fine. [more inside]
4/3 * pi * r^3 = ?
Is Mathematica Home Edition worth $295? [more inside]
MDMA a bad idea for someone with a history of depression?
Is it a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad idea to try ecstasy if I have a history of depression? [more inside]
Surely there are less expensive kitchen drawers!
I'm trying to add drawers to my inconveniently deep kitchen cabinets. After hours of searching online, I finally found some that matched my desired dimensions, and look sturdy. [more inside]
Bosotn home inspector
Please recommend a good home inspector in the Boston area.
Pep me up please!
Looking for success stories of older PhD students (mid to late 40s) who succeeded. Particularly interested in personal experience of was the pain worth it. Similar to this, but I already decided to jump in with both feet. More details inside. [more inside]
How much torque would a crowfoot torque if a crowfoot could wrench torque?
If I have a click-type torque wrench (the sort that has a clutch so it clicks over when I get to the requisite torque) connected up to a straight socket, I can set the wrench for the desired level of torque and that's what gets delivered to the bolt when the clutch clicks over. What if I've got my torque wrench connected up to an offset crowfoot socket that's on my bolt? The offset presumably creates some leverage, so I'm delivering a slightly different torque force to the actual bolt than with a straight socket. How can I calculate this difference and figure out what the actual torque is on the bolt? [more inside]
Help middle name my baby!
"______" is my middle name!" Help us pick a cool middle name for our second son! [more inside]
A fated fundraiser?
I have lost my faith in full-time fundraising and would like to transition out of it. Here are some ways I have figured out doing this. Help me pick one? [more inside]
Affordable mattress type for upper back and neck pain
I'm looking for an affordable mattress type for upper back and neck pain. I'm a bit clueless regarding types of mattresses. [more inside]
Once upon a really crappy mattress...
We just got a new mattress to replace our king-sized memory foam mattress. I bought the old mattress a little too cheaply, and its not suited for further use on a bed. What are some creative ways to reuse the foam? [more inside]
I want to want you, not need you
After a one and a half year period of celibacy and a general holiday from romance I am starting to see someone I really like. Can you help me deal with a whole lot of anxiety and needyness surrounding this? [more inside]
Like the Krypton Factor but with fewer tracksuits.
I'm looking for ideas for activities to do during a pub quiz/activities evening for ESL/EFL adult students. In addition to having "what's that film?" or "name that tune" rounds, what else can we *do* that would challenge them to use more English, be competitive, and have a great time? This is in Poland, by the way. [more inside]
Mystery limousine...
What is this (vintage luxury limousine) car? We're guessing Rolls or Bentley; would be ideal to find out exact model and year.
Google, you creep show
Gmail just asked me if I wanted to import all my mail from another email account of mine. How can I figure out if I've ever told Gmail I own this account? Or is this just google being creepy as hell again? [more inside]
Tips for redying faded red hair?
I dyed my hair red. Now I'm wondering if the instructions for redying/touch-ups are really correct, even for dye that has faded very quickly. [more inside]
Are polyunsaturated fat cooking oils dangerous?
Do cooking oils containing polyunsaturated fats peroxidize or go rancid before the smoke point? Common advice says that the smoke point is when cooking oils go bad, but sites like and other websites for saturated fat and against polyunsaturated fat imply that free radicals are formed from sitting on the shelf in a clear bottle, heating it to less than the smoke point, and the refining process(which heats the oil). What exactly is the truth here?
After a Harry Potter exhibition, I'm going to need something interesting.
An appeal to the tiny minority of Mefites who are Aussies: I'm taking my kids to Sydney this weekend. We're going to the Harry Potter exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum on Saturday afternoon. What else can we see/do while we're in Sydney? [more inside]
Potential domestic violence/abuse roommate situation?
I think I'm in a potential domestic violence/abuse roommate situation. Help! [more inside]
Will a flight scheduled to arrive at LaGuardia at 4:30pm leave me enough time to get to The Met by 7:30pm?
If I'd like to attend an event that starts at 7:30pm at The Met in New York on Wednesday, is a flight that's scheduled to arrive in LaGuardia at 4:35 likely to make me late? [more inside]
February 27
Name that Latin/Italian/Greek/English poem! About death!
Name that Latin, Greek, or Italian poem... Can you identify this poem from my senile grandfather's sparse details? [more inside]
It's been a while...
Romantic date ideas in SF for next Friday (3/9)? Is this even a good idea or am I jumping the gun? [more inside]
What are the most successful Kickstarter projects, but success defined by the project goals?
What are the most successful Kickstarter projects, but success defined by the project goals, and not fundraising? [more inside]
Are there craft blog events?
I have a blog that used to have some readership. I think I got people interested mostly by participating in food blog events (where someone hosts on their blog, names a theme, and then everyone makes something, blogs about it, and gets a link in the event post. There are so many of these that there are even blogs that aggregate all the food blog events). Then I had to move my blog and lost most of my visitors. Also I now post a lot more art/craft content than food. I assumed there would be similar things for my new topics, but I just can't find them. Do you know of any recurring art/craft blog events with open participation, or any websites that catalog such things?
Might be easier to find a new apartment than to make peace between cats
My cat is old and is used to being the queen of the house. But my roommate is about to introduce her old cat to the house, and I'm concerned. What steps do I need to take to minimize problems and stress? [more inside]
ebay ninja training
How can I learn how to efficiently manage eBay sales of large amounts of stuff? [more inside]
Ill-advised, yes, but is mixing my MAOI with a cough suppressant too risky?
PharmacologyFilter: Realistically, can I take a small dose of dextromethorphan (cough suppressant) with my MAOI and not risk serotonin syndrome? [more inside]
A Tale of Two Poops
poop + cats = problems. How do I keep my sanity, save my nose, and help my kitties? [more inside]
Math is Fun
What are some ways to accurately measure the volume of very small amounts of liquid without complex equipment? [more inside]
What's going on with our new dog's health?
What is this injury in our new dog's ear? [more inside]
How to be an accidental mentee
Being the receiver in one-sided relationships and how best to handle that. Are there things I can do to balance it out? Make it less selfish and more friendly? [more inside]
Ditching the friend isn't the answer to this question.
There is no way to ask this question that doesn't make the person whose behavior I'm trying to figure out sound like a horrifying human being, which is problematic because that's not really what I think. I'm going to try to keep this simple, but bear with me, because I bet it will get complicated really fast, mostly because I'm going to be compelled to use examples. [more inside]
East Side
Which ski resorts in Eastern Austria would one recommend? It seems the majority of recommended Austrian ski resorts are on the Western side of the country. However, we're traveling by car from Budapest, and in our wish to keep the drive under four hours, wish to stick with Eastern Austria. Flying is not an option. Also, with English-instruction on learning how to snowboard would be a plus. One of us is very well versed with skiing resources in France, but when it comes to Austria we are clueless! [more inside]
Affordable ideas for covering a very large window?
What is the cheapest way to attractively curtain a very large window? [more inside]
Debts and Death
My father died recently. We're mostly past the grieving stage and into the dealing-with-his-lack-of-money stage. My mother has apparently been driving herself insane trying to figure this out. I just found out about it, and would like as much info, pointers, or anecdotes as possible so I can keep her stressfree. Details inside. [more inside]
Removing art from the art space
I'm looking for good examples of experiments that have been set up where "art" has been put somewhere unexpected, and then had people's responses tested. I tried googling phrases like "can people appreciate art out of context?" but came up blank. Famous artworks in diners? Famous authors failing to get books published under pseudonyms? And what about the other way around — when have the art community been duped into accepting duds? [more inside]
Weniger, aber besser
I'd walk through the quad, and think "Oh my God...These kids are so much younger than me."
Tell me your stories about/examples of people that either started college later in life (after 21) or returned to college after dropping out, and went on to become famous or wildly successful (or both!) in academia or their chosen careers. [more inside]
Is it weird? Is it math?
Recommend to me please your favorite "oddball" math topics and resources. [more inside]
Headlong into adulthood. What to read?
Remember that book you read at exactly the right time in your life? Looking for recommendations for books for a young man 17/18 years old. [more inside]
Design Nostalgia
Documenting tithed amount/donation; need to keep records under a certain percentage?
What amount of my income can I claim as tithed/donated without having to have receipts or a paper trail? [more inside]
The Saga Continues…
Unfortunately this situation got far, far worse. I'm exploring ideas about how to respond. Extremely long but worthwhile, likely the most shocking thing you've heard a "doctor" do. [more inside]
How to build ecommerce website from scratch?
Ecommerce starting out -
1. Can anyone suggest the best way to do a highly custom ecommerce web site?
2. I know there is Drupal, but haven't really seen any example Drupal sites that impress me. Is it possible to build a "from scratch" custom web site and still integrate ecommerce?
Thanks so much for your help and opinions! [more inside]
Don't let me give myself food poisoning!
Jar of chili leaking and pressurized. Is it still edible? [more inside]
Can gastric cancer be present without GI bleeding?
Does gastric cancer always bleed? [more inside]
What does this T-shirt say?
What on earth does my girlfriend's t-shirt say? Japanese edition... [more inside]
it doesn't look like it'll kill us. i think.
When househunting, what are signs of quality renovation? What are signs of a shoddy renovation? [more inside]
What would happen if large-scale lunar mining operations became commonplace?
Could mining the moon destroy the oceans? [more inside]
Was Matthew Sweet's Girlfriend Album Nearly Thrown Out By the Record Company?
Is it true that Matthew Sweet's Girlfriend album was rescued from the trash and/or "discovered" by a record label administrative assistant? [more inside]
Don't Be Evil, but do be annoying
Where did Google's advanced search feature disappear to this time, and why do they keep moving it around? Is there any way I can edit my settings so that it's always in a nice visible place? [more inside]
How to recover from Picasa hostile takeover
If I could punch myself, I would. Clicked too fast and our beautifully organized Windows Live Photo Gallery has been emptied into Picasa. DO NOT WANT!!! Is there a site out there that will walk me through zeroing out and disabling Picasa and getting my old setup restored? [more inside]
Women in Islamic Cultures Book Suggestions
Recommendations for nonfiction books on women in Islamic cultures. Bonus points for books that touch on queer, feminist, or disability studies themes. [more inside]
Is it possible for a currently-credit-troubled person to get my LLC off the ground?
Will I have to undergo a credit check in order to form an LLC and open a business checking account for that company? [more inside]
Looking for projector in Minneapolis / St. Paul metro area.
Looking for projector in Minneapolis / St. Paul metro area. [more inside]
viability of becoming an ESL teacher in Spain at midlife?
After some recent immersion in learning Spanish, watching Spanish films and going to Spanish conversation Meetups, I have realised I might want to have a go at teaching English as a Second Language in either Barcelona or Madrid. I have a few questions about the feasability of this at my age (42) given that the Spanish economy is not in great shape and my resume has a massive hole in it. [more inside]
Please help me reduce the saturated fat intake from my diet
(I know this will end up being quite lengthy), but the main question is to ask for some advice on how to reduce the amount of saturated fat in my diet. [more inside]
Hi Sarah. I'm Hillary. I'll be working for you.
How do I deal with working in an industry/for people whose values don't match mine? [more inside]
Where's Jack Vance?
Where can I send a letter to brilliantly underrated science fiction and fantasy author Jack Vance? [more inside]
Talk me into becoming a speech pathologist.
Talk me into becoming a speech pathologist (Work-to-Live version) [more inside]
What's the difference between a ski lesson and a puppy class?
To what extent is it useful to apply dog training techniques to teaching people? [more inside]
Should I be wearing glasses couch surfing?
Myopia: Is focusing on web browser text on a LCD screen about 8 feet away from me making things better or worse? [more inside]
My ex-wife is not rational.
Is it illegal to post photos of children on the Internet without both their parent's permission? [more inside]
Selling Books
I'm thinking of selling most of my books. Have you done something similar? Do you regret it? [more inside]
Help me get my money?
How do I go about collecting money owed to me by a friend? [more inside]
Harshad telephone numbers?
What do harshad numbers have to do with telephone numbers? [more inside]
What do market research/strategic consulting firms look for in an applicant?
What do market research/strategic consulting firms look for in an applicant? [more inside]
Help me re-trace my grandfather's WWII steps
What are the best resources and online communities focused around WWII veteran research? [more inside]
Keep me up at night!
Scare me please!
I am looking for the scariest book out there. I have read most of Stephen King, The Exorcist, etc. But i want to find something new that will frighten me even more than the evening news...
Can downloads be traced to a computer using an open wireless network?
Let's say, hypothetically, I downloaded an old TV episode via a filesharing site or bittorrent. Could it be traced to me if I download it from a public access point? [more inside]
Destroy all the things.
Hey, please help me delete these files in OSX. They just won't go away. [more inside]
Rome and Britain and 6th grade boys, oh my
Ancient Rome filter! Any good ideas for a short activity based on: the fall of Rome, Roman Britain, and/or Rome's impacts in the modern world? [more inside]
What goes best with irish breakfast tea?
What's the best breakfast in Dublin? [more inside]
Where to find an EU charger plug with USB in Bremen?
Where can I buy an EU charger plug with USB connector in Germany? [more inside]
If you had a chance to talk to your long lost father after 30 years what would you ask/ or say?
If you had a chance to talk to your long lost father after 30 years what would you ask/ or say? [more inside]
My scanner scans forever but doesn't save the scans.
Help! I need to scan these watercolors ASAP and this damn thing's not working. I'm using an HP Photosmart 4400 and a Mac. [more inside]
Resources about Native America
Help me find resources for elementary age children regarding the modern Native American experience. [more inside]
Looking for an idiotproof printer-scanner.
Looking for a printer-scanner that is as simple to use as possible, to use with a Windows 7 laptop. [more inside]
Can stage curtains of unknown origin be tested to get certification of fire code compliance?
Our school is being asked to remove the stage curtains to comply with fire codes, since we do not have documentation proving they are fire safe. Rather than buy new curtains (gulp), is there a way to send a piece of the fabric out for testing and to get back the necessary fire code certification? I'm in MA, if that matters. Thanks! [more inside]
Books to help understand and move forward
Are there recommended books for adult children of alcoholics? [more inside]
This sucks because it no longer sucks.
Where can I get little parts for Miele vacuums? [more inside]
Recommended software to download website?
I want to download an entire website to my computer for off-line viewing. I'm using OS X 10.6.8 with Firefox, but I'm fine with Chrome or Safari. I've studied the offerings on Google and CNet like SiteSucker, WebDevil, WebCopier, Getleft, etc. I'd prefer a free download since I plan to use it only once. A browser feature or add on would be great. Before I decide I'd like to know of other's experience with this task in hopes of avoiding pitfalls. Thanks.
late life career changing
Ageism in the workplace: I'm in my late fifties and need to hear some inspiring stories of people who have successfully changed careers in late mid life (or should that be just before getting a seniors card)
Career anxiety and finding a decent job
How do I get a new job? What kind of jobs do I even qualify for? How do I get over the fact that I didn't graduate from college and present a more confident self to potential employers? [more inside]
when the going gets weird....
Looking for a Hunter S Thompson story/column/allegory(?) about shooting a wolf. Little help? [more inside]
Is the name Jesus popular in languages beside Spanish?
Is the name Jesus popular in other languages besides Spanish?
Best Use of Short, Funny Writing Samples
What's the best venue for short humor pieces to further my writing career? [more inside]
Where do I find very short, interesting stories: no strings attatched?
Where could I find very short (2-3 paragraph) interesting stories or anecdotes in the public domain that could be recorded for an informational video? [more inside]
Unusual wedding rings in NYC?
Any suggestions for jewelery stores in the NYC area that have unusual wedding bands? The Clay Pot in Brooklyn is a perfect example of what we're looking for. Also maybe interested in vintage. Where should we go? Thanks!
In Tokyo and back in the dating game: help me be the most amazing first date ever!
FirstDateFilter, Tokyo Edition: I've been out of the dating game for some time and am looking for some creative afternoon date ideas in Tokyo. (I could also use any general first-date wisdom to help me regain a little bit of my dating confidence.) [more inside]
Awkward job referral situation.
A friend of mine was looking for a job. I knew that the company I work for was looking for someone in his field, so I offered to forward on his resumé to a recruiter and some of my contacts. What do I do if he doesn't get hired? [more inside]
Help me keep a receiver for a decade.
What features do I need for 10 years of future-proofing out of an AV receiver? [more inside]
Set up LLC now or later
Asking business question about setting up LLC and tax savings [more inside]
Smile—now! And look natural!
How do I learn to smile naturally, on command? I've started a performance art and need to be able to smile on command without it looking forced. Exercises, tricks, and explanations of how to "smile with your eyes" are all welcome! (Previous questions about smiling revolve around smiling in everyday life, which isn't exactly what I need.)
How do we use our apartments coded-entry system?
a question about secure/code-entry apartment buildings. [more inside]
Where to scatter ashes
What do we do with our daughter's ashes? [more inside]
Cats and Carpet
What other types of scratchy things can I give to my cat? How can I train her (an infrequent scratcher) to use it? [more inside]
Pie chops?
We were at the local watering hole this weekend and one of the servers brought us a comment card that a customer had filled out. In the comment area, the customer put "This place is pie chops!!!"
No one could figure out what this could possibly mean. Any ideas? We tried googling the full phrase and just pie chops, but came up empty. The customer seemed happy so we assumed it was a compliment.
Brazil or bust
As an American, I possibly just got a job in Brazil. Now what? [more inside]
A red fish in a tank of blue fish
How can I stick to eating healthy and exercising in a household full of sedentary people who practically live off junk food? [more inside]
Dumb mistakes.
I stupidly got involved with my (married) supervisor. Now what? [more inside]
Sex+How much time?=Abnormal Pap Smear
What is the incubation period of HPV? [more inside]
Help me take pretty pictures.
Relatively new Canon dSLR owner planning a trip to some Really Beautiful Places. Looking to invest in a lens that will help me take some amazing shots while I'm there as well as on future adventures. [more inside]
JD + warmth and empathy equals?
Which areas of law practice might be attractive to a JD who wants to use her smarts plus a strong sense of empathy and a warm personality in her future work?
What's it like renting apartments?
What is it like being a real estate agent for rental apartments in Boston? Or other cities. [more inside]
Analytical relationship advice books without esotericism?
How to be an adult in relationships, but without fifties gender roles and esotericism? [more inside]
Need feedback on Alaska Air v. Hawaiian Air from PDX to HNL
Trying to decide on possible merits of choosing Alaska v. Hawaiian Air for flight from Portland to Honolulu... [more inside]
Help me deal with my proliferation of webcomics.
Help me deal with my proliferation of webcomics. [more inside]
Butter or more butter?
Attention cheese, butter and cider-lovers: Where to go in Brittany or Normandy? [more inside]
MS Word: chapters and subheadings
Microsoft Word with chapters and numbered subsections: I was a good boy and wrote my dissertation draft with well-organized hierarchical headings. Now that I am going back to fine-tune the format, the numbering has gone completely haywire, the spacing is off, and I am literally pulling out my hair trying to fix it. I don't even know where to look for help. [more inside]
How to get business search results to change contact info in one or two fell swoops?
How do I change business contact information in search results/ directories? [more inside]
Alternative Nightlife in Seattle (March 4 - 8)
Seattle evenings: March 4 - 8? [more inside]
Not only can the sun give me cancer, but it can also make me itchy.
Do you have Polymorphic Light Eruption (PMLE), where your skin breaks into an itchy rash at least once a year when you're out in the sun? How do you deal with it? [more inside]
I'm a stranger in a strange land of collective action.
I'm an American in Bangalore. Tomorrow, major unions have called for a nationwide bandh (strike). I'm having a major personal crisis about what to do. Listen, I know this isn't my country. And it's not my strike. But I'm very, very, very uneasy about what role I should be playing. [more inside]
When you hear dueling banjos, run!
I need help finding uptempo contemporary/progressive bluegrass tracks for my running playlist. [more inside]
What was on this driving songs compilation?
An issue of Q Magazine in 1994 or 1995 came with a cassette tape called The Greatest Driving Songs or something like that. I played the tape constantly while driving my first car, but the tape has been gone for over a decade now. I can't recall all the tracks which were on it. [more inside]
Straight to readable text?
Is there an online RSS feed reader, with a Readability-like feature, that takes me straight to formatted text when I click on a news item? No extra clicks on readability or instapaper buttons please. [more inside]
Help me remember an upsetting YA novel
Help me remember a young adult novel I read as a kid. The main character was a teenage girl and there was an upsetting incident involving a kitten and a doormat. [more inside]
February 26
Noise therapy?
When a person with schizophrenia plays several different radios tuned to different stations at once, as Roky Erickson did in the documentary about him, how does it affect them? Is it soothing?
Independent of how a person with schizophrenia may feel about this practice, is it considered helpful or therapeutic by medical professionals?
Finally, how common is this practice among people with schizophrenia?
MacBook possessed by mystery entity
So...I'm thinking my Mac has a virus. I have a Mac OS X 10.5.8. I keep running out of hard drive space and deleting files constantly, so I got Disk Inventory X to see where my space is. Turns out there is 20 GB of 130,000 text files on my computer in a hidden file marked "private". I can't see this "private" folder from the file manager...only from Disk Inventory X. What do I do? [more inside]
Lease vs. own to save money short term?
Should I lease a car in order to lower my monthly car payment and have an extra $100 a month or suck it up and pay off my car in three years?
A local lease special I qualify for would have my paying approx $200/month to lease a sedan which I neither love nor hate. I know leasing is not a great long-term financial plan, but would trading in my current car for a lease to have a little breathing room be worth it in the short term? My current car I've had for two years and it's "right side up" by about $1500. My payment is $330 with a 3.5% rate (In November I refinanced down from 7%). I like this car a lot. Aside from some dings, it's in good shape. Runs well; loan is up in 3 years.
*Snowflake stuff inside* [more inside]
Help me mange my mother's care.
I need to find an assistant in Maine who can help me manage my mother's health care. [more inside]
Ahoy, Captain Otter!
Name that children's book: An intrepid otter captains a beautifully illustrated riverboat. [more inside]
Hide the ugliness. Please.
What sort of diet program is Weight Not?
Can someone tell me what the Weight Not diet program consists of? It's mostly to satisfy curiosity. [more inside]
Complementary research meaning
What does a candidate having a research program "that complements the department's existing strengths" really mean in a job announcement? [more inside]
How to get pants that fit me?
My girlfriend and I recently spent several hours in our typical U.S. city looking for some new pants for myself, an adult male. Almost none of them fit. I wear a 34" waist (36" was always way too big) and a 34" inseam, but in most of the pants my abdomen showed upward-pointing "smile lines." From looking at some sewing blogs, it looks like this means the crotch is cut too high. My girlfriend says I have a "perky" rear end, so some of the pants were giving me wedgies too, especially the ones made from thinner fabrics. After trying on lots of pants at Nordstrom Rack, Gap, J. Crew, and Banana Republic, we were only able to find a few pairs that actually fit (a pair of khakis at J. Crew, dressier slacks at Banana Republic, and a pair of Levi's 505 straight fit corduroys). I couldn't find any jeans that would fit me at all, but maybe I can find somewhere with 505 jeans. [more inside]
Women does pickup work on you?
Does picking up women outside of bars and clubs work? A woman's opinion is appreciated. [more inside]
wife wants to recover hard drive
Should I agree with my wife to spend $1000 or more to recover an external hard drive? [more inside]
Why is stock price related to company earnings? No really.
So I completely understand that prices of stocks, like anything in a market, arise from supply and demand. But at the end of the day, why does demand for a stock increase when a company's earnings increase? How does holding the stock of a company whose earnings have increased since purchase benefit a stockholder? It can't purely be that I care about earnings because I know everyone else cares about earnings because they know everyone else cares about earnings... can it? What is the ultimate source of this caring about earnings? If dividends were more common, I could understand all this as a jockeying for a good deal on a dividend. But as it is, it sounds no different than betting on a never-ending horse race with earnings arbitrarily picked as the indicator of which horse is in the lead.
I WANT MY (four hundred and) TWO DOLLARS!
How can I use this no-pin, no-name, non-reloadable prepaid visa debit card? [more inside]
Ashes to...?
What is best to do about a large pile of wood ashes in the corner of my yard? [more inside]
Lifehacker for Older Parents
My parents are getting older and I'm thinking of ways to help them out. Can you share some gadgets/lifehacks/changes in way of life that might have helped out your older parents? [more inside]
How do I create a yearbook memorial page for a young student who passed?
I need to create memorial page in an elementary yearbook for a student who passed away. What are some ideas to make it as meaningful and tactful as possible? [more inside]
What should the voice in my head say?
Help me be ok with not giving 100% to running every day. [more inside]
How do I love better?
I really don't want to end up alone. What can I start doing to break this generational cycle? [more inside]
Calling all artists: which paint should I use for vintage-style lettering on leather and treated canvas?
Calling all artists: which paint should I use for vintage-style lettering on leather and treated canvas? [more inside]
Because I'm hoping it still exists somewhere in the wide world
I'm looking for (on behalf of my friend) for this butterfly pendant. He got this 2 years ago, but when he went back recently to the departmental store where he got it, he was told they didn't carry it anymore. Would anyone happen to know where he can find another one exactly like it? I (and my friend) thank you in advance!
how much of the house have the termites eaten?
What do I need to know to evaluate a termite problem, and how do I find it out? What else should I look for when inspecting a early 1800s wood frame house? [more inside]
My feelings are hurt, but I feel like the jerk in this situation
What are my sisters looking for when they want to compare physical attributes and how should I respond? [more inside]
Should I invest in NLY on margin?
Should I purchase NLY on margin? [more inside]
title
How to teach yourself long tern planning and organization? [more inside]
NAME THIS CAT
What should I name this cat? [more inside]
Shared media and backup for 3 macbooks
In my house, we have three macbooks and one external hard drive full of media. Please help me figure out a system for sharing the hard drive, setting up a media server, and wireless backup. [more inside]
My options are limited
My long term relationship has ended. It was so long overdue. Even still it didn't happen the way I would have hoped. My partner raged at me for hours over who knows what. It wasn't the first time. Things turned physical and it was the ugliest scariest situation I can remember experiencing. [more inside]
Web Site, Blogger, and Email Answers?
Gmail, Blogger and My Web Site question. It's not pretty. [more inside]
Where to look for jobs online?
Living abroad and job searching in the USA (CA Bay Area, to be specific): what job-listing websites should I be browsing regularly, or where else should I look online to find job postings? [more inside]
Sing to me!
Help me conquer the world (or at least my world) via music. [more inside]
I need to be reminded that my current apartment situation is finite.
Renter's Remorse Filter. I moved into a new place and I cannot stand it (upstairs neighbor sounds like an elephant, asinine condo regulations, horrible parking, etc.) Is there a countdown timer utility (Mac OS 10.6) or email service that I can use to count down the weeks I have left to live here? Ideally, I would like to receive an email at the end of every week, saying I have X number of weeks left.
Find my Facebook Group.
Why doesn't a group I created on Facebook show up when others search for it? [more inside]
A clever name for a kids geology website?
Please help me come up with a clever name for my 9 year old's geology-related web site which will feature his gem and mineral collection. THANKS!
The Big Green: Data Mining Noise or Risk?
What effect do my Ask MetaFilter searches on behalf of others have on data miners' sense of who I am? [more inside]
Estate lawyer in GTA?
Estate lawyer recommendation in GTA (esp. Etobicoke or Mississauga)? Details inside. [more inside]
Why does my toilet hate poop?
I have a rather...sticky situation happening in the bathroom regarding poop and my new toilet. Please help before I die of embarassment! [more inside]
Post defense celebration/commiseration
I would like a restaurant recommendation in Vancouver, BC to celebrate a PhD defense. [more inside]
Please help me recover from a frustrating groin injury.
Please help me recover from a frustrating groin injury. [more inside]
someone has to save our skins
I'm looking for suggestions for science fiction/fantasy/fairy-tales/etc. for young(ish) girls. I'm especially interested in epic stories that are similar to the ones I devoured when I was that age (Star Trek, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, superhero comics, Dragonlance, etc.), but which are centered on female protagonists and which don't reinforce sexist social messaging about female passivity or objectification. [more inside]
I wrote this while sitting on my thumbs
dating filter: as a girl, how little initiation in dating is too little initiation? [more inside]
What is a good plot size for a house
1. What is the plot size of a typical bungalow and a 2-storey house in Toronto? I am trying to be knowledgeable about this so I can compare different houses on the MLS site. [more inside]
neck popping.
neck pain/popping advice needed [more inside]
Best iOS RPGs?
Great non-action RPGs for iOS? [more inside]
Help me help my teenage sister get help.
What rights does a 16 year old in Texas have regarding pursuing her own health-care, specifically mental health? [more inside]
"Stand clear of the closing doors please: _______"
Asking for a friend: where can I get a clean recording of the NYC subway "door closing" chime? Ideally it would be something better than just a field recording with background noise etc. The cleaner the better!
How can I get strong without getting big?
WorkoutFilter: More Bruce Lee, less Schwarzenegger. More Pacquiao, less Tyson. How can I get strong without getting big? [more inside]
"Page Not Found" - Linking Wordpress to Facebook is not as easy as it seems.
Wordpress + Facebook = Fail. Help. [more inside]
graphics card outputs
I own two monitors with twine inputs - HDMI and VGA. Why can't I find a graphics card with twin HDMI outputs? Are HDMI connections inferior? Or expensive? Or uncommon? Or splittable like USB? Or...?
I own over 20% of my house. Is the extra PMI I paid refundable?
I own over 20% of my house. Is the extra PMI I paid refundable? [more inside]
I'm better at my job than everyone else around me.
What's the "correct" way to compare yourself to other people on the questions commonly found on job applications? [more inside]
Help me find videos of professional athletes competing in a sport other than their professional one.
Help me find videos of professional athletes competing in a sport other than their professional one. [more inside]
Quiero apprendar!
What is the best comprehensive Spanish grammar text in a single volume? What other books are indispensable for self-teaching Spanish? [more inside]
Making Room for Baby Weight
Please hope me prepare for pregnancy this year. 36 years old, 40lbs overweight. I know I need to lose weight, but I'd also like to start trying sooner rather than later because of my age. I know there are no quick fixes, but I still want one. [more inside]
How to resolve gas inspection dispute?
UK tenant adivce-filter: Stuck with a "dangerous" boiler that perhaps isn't, between estate agents, mistrusting landlord and two different gas/heating companies. How do we keep ourselves safe (and warm)? [more inside]
Who can two art/design types move from the UK to the USA and find work?
Why is it so hard for UK citizens to move and work in the USA? [more inside]
Why is my full name still attached to a Blogger post when all obvious traces of my name have been deleted?
My last name got attached to a blog post. I asked my friend to delete it. She did, but the blog post still shows up in Google with my full name attached. What is going on? [more inside]
I would like an asian girlfriend
I am a caucasian male, who has always been very attracted to asian girls. Specifically Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese. I am a member of the regular dating sites okcupid, eharmony and chemistry, but I am not having a lot of luck finding my true love. Any tips? [more inside]
What Spanish speaking country should this CELTA grad work in?
Follow up to this question… I'm going to have my CELTA in two weeks and want to teach English in a Spanish speaking country…where should I go? [more inside]
February 25
How much time should I give my relationship?
How much longer should I give my 3.5 month relationship? [more inside]
Work becoming toxic, assertiveness not encouraged. Halp.
Previously happy work environment has started to show signs of toxicity. I loved my job until recent weeks. Is it time to look to getting out now or can this be salvaged? [more inside]
Short-term and long-term solutions for noisy neighbors?
Every Saturday, my downstairs neighbors have been having a noisy, extended get-together that disturbs my evening rituals and bedtime. [more inside]
How do you prepare for a United World College interview?
Did you go to a UWC? What sort of questions were asked on the interview? [more inside]
Anxiety On The Phones
What are some techniques that will help me stop feeling anxious while talking on the phones at work? [more inside]
How do you know if a used car dealership is trustworthy?
Should I even bother looking for a car at a dealership? If so, how can I tell which dealerships will try to rip me off? [more inside]
How to create an online troubleshooting tool?
I would like to create an online troubleshooting "tree" in which users needing tech support get directed to different pages with further suggestions and questions depending on their answers to earlier questions, similar to (but hopefully more useful than) the Microsoft Windows troubleshooter. If they are unable to resolve the problem themselves, I would like to be sent an email or for a ticket or spreadsheet row to be created with the answers they provided. [more inside]
I'm a significant adult in the life of a 12-year-old girl who has become a bully.
I'm a significant adult in the life of a 12-year-old girl who has become a bully. How can I help her develop some empathy? [more inside]
What's a good way to give a class full of people the opportunity to share email addresses?
What's a good way to give a class full of people the opportunity to share email addresses? [more inside]
Kids Movies with Great Ensemble Dancing
My almost six-year-old son has fallen in love with the Step In Time (youtube) ensemble dance scene from Mary Poppins. What other movies should we get for him? Remember, he's not quite six years old. [more inside]
Child befriends talking butterfly (person)?
Child befriends talking butterfly (person)? Help us identify this movie! [more inside]
Remind me what it's like to be 15!
Help me find some quality books that would be easy reads for my 15-year old female cousin. [more inside]
trees rotating backwards
When riding in the passenger seat in a car on the freeway, do the trees sometime look like they're rotating backwards? [more inside]
Don't Shine Unless I Need You To!
I need a bedside clock which emits zero light in that dark, but can be read at a touch, or push of a button. [more inside]
Dinner in Philly
Philadelphia group dinner restaurant recommendation? [more inside]
I made the wrong career choice so now what do I do?
I enrolled in a veterinary technician program this past fall, and I've realized that I don't want a career in this particular field. The main reason I actually returned to school was not to pursue a career I want, but just to get away from my previous job, which I hated. If I choose to quit the program, how do I tell those supporting me, specifically financially, that I don't want to take this path anymore even though I appeared so sure of it before? Also, where do I go from here? [more inside]
What are some radio shows/podcasts/TV shows by funny tough guys?
What are some radio shows/podcasts/TV shows by funny tough guys? (Repeat of this question, 5 years later.) [more inside]
Kind of Blue... Actually It's Black & White
Can you tell me about this iconic photograph of Miles Davis? [more inside]
External HDD fried
External HDD no longer recognized. [more inside]
Guns, Turtles, and Berets.
Does Plavix actually CAUSE bleeding?
Calling all knowledgeable medical persons! I need help with this medical hypothetical. [more inside]
Sex toy disposal
What do you do with sex toys that you no longer want? [more inside]
Ask me no more questions/tell me know more lies
What are your tips for conducting freelance journalistic-type interviews for articles/non-fiction essays/books? [more inside]
Did I do this wrong?
Am I overreacting to anti-Semitism in my own home? [more inside]
Room sharing at a science conference
grad students and former grad students/postdocs/academics (or pretty much anyone who has experience going to conferences): trying to figure out if I'm making an unreasonable request about room sharing at a conference, or if colleagues are. [more inside]
Consistent Volume on mac?
How do I keep the volume on my mac consistent in apps other than itunes? [more inside]
Looking for examples of a keyboard style.
There's a keyboard solo technique used in funky, upbeat tunes that is based on simple, high-pitch synthesizer chords, played really fast. I don't remember any specific tunes with this technique, but I'm thinking of 80s bands like the Commodores, for some reason. Can anybody help me find examples and maybe some theory so I can emulate it? Probably involves some pitch bend, too.
Where do you keep your emergency fund?
Where do you keep your emergency fund? All in a savings account, or do you put some of it in CDs or other investments? [more inside]
How do I associate OS X Lion with my Apple ID with no computer capable of purchasing Lion online?
Long story short, I have a Macbook Air that is completely formatted. I'm trying to install Lion from a USB drive and I'm getting an error that my Apple ID is not associated with a copy of Lion. I'd like to buy Lion with my Apple ID, but apparently I need to get to the AppStore to do this. I do not have access to another Mac, but I have the following: Windows with iTunes, an iPhone, an iPad. Is there anyway I can buy OS X Lion on these devices so I can continue my installation?
Switching to NC residency
How do I become a "resident" of North Carolina for tuition purposes? [more inside]
How should I treat the inside of my whiskey-barrel planters?
I have two half-whiskey-barrels that I want to use as planters. How can I prevent them from rotting out in a few years? [more inside]
Monitor, please don't die on me.
The screen of my LCD computer monitor has started emitting a high-pitched sound and then going to black seconds after I turn it on. The power button light is not affected. What is happening and is it fixable? Thanks.
Funk/Soul Guitar Resources
Where can I find resources for learning soul/funk guitar? [more inside]
New Ways to Share Photos
How else can I share photos with my family? [more inside]
I think I'm losing my mind
I still have my eyesight (for now), but the diagnosis has triggered serious anger and midlife crisis issues. [more inside]
Minting custom coins on the cheap!
What is the cheapest way to have custom coins printed? [more inside]
aaaahhhhhhh ...
What is this very pleasant sensation I feel when hearing certain specific songs, and what are some more songs/artists that might produce it? [more inside]
American criminal biographies?
What are some well-written biographies of American criminals? [more inside]
Mickey Mantle Tattoos
Did Mickey Mantle have tattoos? [more inside]
Restaurant for vegan and non-vegan in NYC
What restaurants would be good for a vegan and a non vegan in Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens? [more inside]
If you're going to drink the morning, you should probably have a snack too
We are having a brunch reception following a church wedding - the groom and I will likely be delayed by 30-45 minutes by photos and greetings so we want to have some sort of cocktail hour. We have the drinks sorted out, bloody marys and a mimosa bar, along with tea, coffee, etc, but we are stuck on what to serve as a light, savory snack during that time. [more inside]
What's this craft paper called?
Google-fu failure - please help me find this kind of craft paper! [more inside]
How to prevent tax fraud occurring the third time?
It's tax time and we're having a problem again. Last year when we went to file our taxes electronically, they were rejected due to someone borrowing our daughter's social security number and using it to file taxes. We filed police reports, IRS reports and submitted our taxes by paper.
The same problem is occurring this year. What can we do to fix this and prevent from occurring next year. Is there a specific number, agency or method to request help from? The IRS is closed over the weekend, so we'll be calling them this week, how should we go about doing it?
North Seattle bar with games
Which north Seattle bar has the best game collection? [more inside]
Music to celebrate a lifetime of love?
Classical / opera music help: My partner has set up an beautiful slideshow of pictures and film of his parents' wedding in their village in Italy as a present for their 50th wedding anniversary. Help us with the music! [more inside]
Scroogle is dead; long live Startpage.
How do I change my default search engine for Firefox ON A MAC? [more inside]
How do I get my boyfriend to get Viagra or something
How do I convince my boyfriend to get help for ED? [more inside]
Little marching people game
Looking for an old Windows game where marching figures (like Smurfs but not blue) appeared at the top relentlessly ever onward. [more inside]
Ice, ice baby?
What is this odd ICE knob on the faucet? [more inside]
I'm rich! I'm rich! I - well, I'm slightly less poor.
MoneyFilter: A small windfall arrives in the pocket of a poor UK student. What should he do with it? [more inside]
Food-based nicknames for ethnic or cultural groups
What are examples of ethnic groups being labelled or identified as an item of food (e.g. 'cracker')? [more inside]
Car Death and Taxes
How do I stop paying vehicle excise tax in RI when I haven't lived there in years and I don't even own the car anymore? [more inside]
Please help me make peace with my inadequacy.
Please help me make peace with my inadequacy, because it's killing me. [more inside]
Is this a Short Sale dream, or nightmare?
Is this a Short Sale dream, or nightmare?
I put an offer on a house back in September, a short sale. It was approved by the owner in September and selling bank in December. 10 days before closing, the loan officer I had been working with discovered that his bank doesn't write mortgages for anyone that has had a loan modification in the past 4 years. I modified under making home affordable in 2009. [more inside]
What the Wifi is going on here?
Help me diagnose problems with my Macs/Apple TV now that I have an XFinity wireless router please! [more inside]
Branch campus annoyances
I work as an administrator for a university and am based on a branch campus. My department would prefer it if I would spend the summers on the main campus, which involves a more arduous commute for me. My commute would bump up from 40 minutes to 1h20minutes. I would prefer to remain on my branch campus. My "higher-ups" like to frame things in terms of "let's negotiate something that works for everyone," but the power differentials tend to mean that I usually just go along with their preference. Are there tried and true methods for underlings to resist persuasion/coersion?
Sneezy kitty won't take his meds
Need clever ideas to get kitty to take his meds [more inside]
Merge photos into a banner
I want to merge 5 or 6 photos into a single 1300x160 px image (banner) for a web site. I've already edited my photos and resized them to a height of 160. Now I need a way to "glue" them together. How can I do that without spending money on new software?
Why Orange Stick Why?!
How and when did manicure rituals begin? I understand anyone might want to trim their nails, but I mean the rest of it.
I want good online stores for my kitten cat
CAT-FILTER: Where are the cutest and coolest online stores selling cat toys, cat costumes, cat furniture, etc.? Googling brings me boring stuff. Etsy and eBay stores are good too. [more inside]
Neuro drinks - what's your take?
Useful to you, programming for me?
I want to contribute with my programming ability (software developer) to free software. I could be developing another tower defense game but prefer a small project which might be mildly useful to somebody and possibly teaches me something outside of programming.
What would be a useful to you and a good project for me? [more inside]
I don't remember much of High School, but I don't believe my transcripts that I was on the Ladies' Tennis Team.
My high school transcripts have major errors in them and no one in the school system wants to help me fix them! I'm pretty sure I had more than a 0.0 GPA and I know wasn't on the girls' tennis team! (I'm a guy, I think I would remember the skirts!) Will this effect my chances at returning to college? [more inside]
I have a need for Swede.
I love Kikki K diaries but convenience has led me to use Google Calendar instead. Is there some sort of magical combination of the two - an online browser-based diary with nice fonts and graphic elements that are designed to look cute / quirky / artsy, rather than computery and minimalistic? [more inside]
Recommend a matte, cream eyeshadow available from UK?
My crazy dream: A good but relatively inexpensive cream/creme eyeshadow, preferably from the UK (or maybe Asia), without glitter, gleam, glimmer, glint, glitz, scintillation, shimmer, twinkle, or other sparklysparklespark. Can you help? [more inside]
February 24
Does anyone else miss Brunching Shuttlecocks?
What sites do you visit when you want a laugh? [more inside]
What can you ask for in court that they're least likely to have...
For a foreclosure to be legal and proper, what documents must be present and authentic from each and any parties? [more inside]
What's it like being a UN Volunteer?
Have you or anyone you know ever been a United Nations Volunteer? What is it like? [more inside]
PCR help
Molecular Biology / PCR Gel Electrophoresis Help? Help in elucidation of source of spurious banding? [more inside]
I need pretty hands.
How can I stop messing with my cuticles and nails? I don't want sad-looking hands forever! [more inside]
Mat Leave Job Serach
Is maternity leave the wrong time to start looking for a new job? [more inside]
Literature to mediate on the scum of the earth
I have been trying to deal with the shadows, or dark reality, of life: sex-trafficking, war crimes, war rape, rape, hatred, familial abuse, child pornography; even the "lighter" shadows of infidelity, corruption (of the 3rd World and 1st World), hard drug use and dealing of financial elites, etc.; and perhaps maybe even more importantly: the lack of public-moral outrage that would seek to eradicate such an infestation (strong words, sure - I don't mean to imply I want a 21st century witch hunt). [more inside]
The Hernia Hokey Pokey
Tell me about the time you pushed your hernia back in... [more inside]
Raw soy of doom
I shouldn't have eaten it filter: I ate a couple of handfuls of raw soybeans. Afterwards, I googled for things to do with raw soybeans. That's when I learned that you really should not eat raw soybeans. Am I in any danger? [more inside]
Passion vs. Security in Career - Which should I pursue?
Hello. I'm facing a big career dilemma and I would love some feedback. The short question is whether I should call a job I already declined to ask for it back (it's been 5 weeks), but in order to best explain what is causing this dilemma and (hopefully) get some advice, I think I should give some historical context. My apologies in advance for the long question and thank you for any perspective and/or advice. [more inside]
Do you recognize this monocled, non-Wain cat?
Do you recognize this cat illustration? It's a Victorian/Edwardian looking picture of a cat wearing a monocle, labeled "Masher". I don't think it's Louis Wain, though I think it may be Wain-inspired as he did some very similar images (right down to the "masher" title). Mug came from a now defunct Cafepress shop. There's a small, mostly illegible copyright mark on it that says "J. Meyer [something with 4 letters]" that may or may not be contemporaneous with the image.
Could cervical adjustments by a chiropractor be dangerous?
I recently went to the Chiropractor for the first time, who told me I have no curve in my neck where there should be. He adjusted me, which did hurt a little, but my question is: is there any danger to adjusting the cervical vertebrae. A coworker was telling me she had heard that you can be seriously injured, is this true? [more inside]
Frequent Flyer tracking services
Best online service for tracking frequent flyer miles/programs? [more inside]
Awesome words set to awesome music
I have a fondness for songs that incorporate crackly snippets of old movies/audio recordings, or things that sound like old movies/audio recordings. What are the best tracks in this genre? [more inside]
iDont know why my Podcast feed doesn't work in iOS
HELP! My podcast feed works fine on PC but won't work on iOS. Why? [more inside]
I might have to ask my grandmother.
A professor I worked with last year just informed me that he cannot write me a letter of recommendation for graduate school because I didn't take a class with him. This is reasonable, but how do I respond? Also, what other professors could I ask to write a recommendation? [more inside]
How to stay calm & cool on a date?
Tactics for staying calm & cool on a date, other than "dating around?" [more inside]
Getting AACs in bulk to become MP3s to better be played with SDs.
What's the best - and ideally free - way to get a LOT of AAC's onto a memory card that will play in my car? [more inside]
Should I get multiple domains for my website?
A Few Questions About Registering Multiple Domains. Is it worth it? [more inside]
Infants and CT Scans - what can I expect afterwards?
Infants and CT Scans - what can I expect afterwards? [more inside]
This could be so win-win if you only knew!
tl;dr: I’m an easy restaurant patron who tips well. How can I benefit from that fact at the beginning of my meal? [more inside]
I'm looking for high quality mace/pepper spray that also has some sort of high-pitched alarm on it. Any suggestions?
I'm looking for high quality mace/pepper spray that also has some sort of high-pitched alarm on it. Any suggestions?
Help me ground my fantasy in reality with regards to off the grid living...
How do I live off-the-grid... [more inside]
Know of any webcam chat sites for gay teens that are NOT chatroulette / cam4 style?
Know of any webcam chat sites for gay teens that are NOT chatroulette / cam4 style? [more inside]
Is butter a carb?
I have just been diagnosed with Impaired Glucose Tolerance. I am really freaking out. [more inside]
Gross sticky nasty gunk everywhere
I live in a pre-war (1920's?) Brooklyn apartment building. Recently, the ceiling in the kitchen collapsed due to a leak in the pipes above, spreading plaster, dust, and wet and dry gunk everywhere. Now the landlord has completed a shoddy-looking repair, again leaving everything in the kitchen covered in dust and powder and sticky gunk. Every. Single. Thing. Two questions: how do I find out if we are in danger of asbestos exposure? How do I proceed if we are?
CA Mortgage: recourse/non-recourse
California Mortgage question: is it recourse or non-recourse? [more inside]
What (ideally XKCDesque) dangers would threaten a person stuck in a human-hamster-ball?
What (ideally XKCDesque) dangers would threaten a person stuck in a human-hamster-ball? [more inside]
What's the return on investment
A motor vehicle accident occurs in which one driver makes a left turn while another car is in the intersection, not giving the other car enough time to stop. The left-turn maker is cited at the scene and apologizes. His insurance company offers a certain amount as a settlement, minus 25% (~$1,000) for "comparable negligence", meaning the not-left-turn-maker was 25% responsible. Is it worth it to get a lawyer to argue/negotiate on the basis that 25% is a unfairly high determination of responsibility? [more inside]
Any early morning options in Salvador, Brazil?
Hi well traveled mefites! My husband and I are taking the overnight bus from Lencois to Salvadore tonight and it arrives at something like 5am. We have ~6 hrs to kill in Salvadore before we catch our flight to Rio. Are there any places we can go to hang out early morning? I'm guessing the Market isn't open that early but maybe there's a restaurant that's open 24 hrs or a section of town that's nice in the early morning maybe.
Best PSAs in the last year?
Last year, I asked this question about innovative and original public service announcements, and I got some very helpful answers. I was wondering if any new ones have come out that I should know about. [more inside]
how to get over an ex completely?
how to get over a breakup when you don't want the person back, but feel no closure? (note:very long) [more inside]
Why does higher blood sugar feel more healthy?It's been 2 years since it got stabilized.
Why would my dad feel worse after getting his Type II diabetes elevated blood sugar under control? It doesn't seem to be an adjustment-period thing - he's been in the proper range for almost two years and still feels far worse than he did with high sugar. [more inside]
Gravity of the situation
Would artificial gravity be enough to contain an atmosphere? [more inside]
A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse. Hm. Anything smaller, maybe?
Have horses grown in size since the Middle Ages/Renaissance? [more inside]
How do single income families afford health insurance?
How do single income families afford health insurance? [more inside]
how can i transfer my money from a french bank?
How can I transfer funds from my French bank account (which I can not access online) to my American bank one? [more inside]
Asians, Catholics, New Yorkers, Construction Workers....
Do you know of any websites, book or documentary about various stereotypes and how they originated? [more inside]
Mom died, no will, left us $500k mortgage, what next?
Mom died, left us a 500k mortgage,, no will, no bad blood between us two audit siblings. Some standard questions. What next? [more inside]
What type of lawyer do we need?
My husband and I would like to be able to travel, but he has a felony conviction that makes things a bit complicated, and we're having trouble sorting out what options we have, what needs to be done, and in what order of operations. I would like to buy an hour or two of a lawyer's time, but I first need to know what kind of lawyer we need. [more inside]
What veggie meals do meat eaters like to eat?
Question for vegetarians: what are your favorite recipes/meals to cook for meat eaters? [more inside]
I need songs!
You're 3 years old. You love holding up your plastic microphone and looking at yourself in the mirror as you sing along dramatically to diva women with big voices. Who are you singing to? Give me names and songs for this compilation, and make a little girl super happy! [more inside]
Android Newbie Guide
What do I need to know about Androids (and smartphones in general)? [more inside]
Rocky Mount, NC
Please tell me about Rocky Mount, NC. [more inside]
To gift or not to gift
Impromptu birthday invite...but not really a party, should I take a gift? [more inside]
Music in like Brian Tyler's Killing Room.
N900 Repair Advice
Any thoughts on repairing my Nokia N900? [more inside]
Block browser access to files on server
How can I block browser access to MP3 files, yet allow streaming? [more inside]
Take me beyond Wikipedia!
So in a week I'm starting a gig writing questions for a tv quiz show! Where are your favourite online (or offline!) repositories or trivia and amazing facts? [more inside]
Need help with Sister Act (the musical)
Have you seen the musical (not the movie) "Sister Act"? If so, you may be able to help me. [more inside]
How to get timestamps from APS photos?
I recently got my old negatives and prints digitized, including many that were on APS film. APS film has time stamps embedded in it that are typically printed on the back, but they weren't saved in the digital version (checked the EXIF tags too). Is there any way to get the time stamps from the negatives without having to get reprints of every photo?
Help me help my marriage.
Hitting a brick wall in my marriage and I would appreciate some different perspectives to help me figure out how to move forward. [more inside]
Portlandia bound!
We're coming out to Portland, OR in early may for the HP Lovecraft film festival. We have been before, but I'm wondering (a) where to stay and (b) what's new in the past 3 years. [more inside]
Why do I feel so drawn to escapism when my life's actually pretty sweet?
I'm meeting all my responsibilities but I don't feel invested in my own life. All I care about are fictional characters. [more inside]
Write the number dow-uhn
Why the two-syllable pronunciation of "nine" for the telephone? [more inside]
Weird fiction writers other than Clark Ashton Smith, Robert E. Howard and H.P. Lovecraft whose works are worth reading?
Weird fiction writers other than Clark Ashton Smith, Robert E. Howard and H.P. Lovecraft whose works are worth reading? [more inside]
Stock Option Advice
What type of professional is best to discuss stock options? [more inside]
"Well ain't that sweeet!" Movie quote earworm help needed
Help me purge this movie quote earworm: "Well ain't that sweeet!" [more inside]
Algorithmic Movies
Can you tell me about some algorithmically developed/edited movies? Or movies that are different every time they're shown? [more inside]
Have we poisoned our baby?
We cluelessly fed our 4-month old baby three or four 4-oz bottles of formula made with lukewarm water from the tap over the last 7 days. Should we have her tested for lead? [more inside]
Geez, buy a girl dinner first...
Looking for an extremely sensitive and kind gynecologist in the Portland, OR area. [more inside]
What's the name of the "Life is Good" cat?
What's the name of the cat in the "Life is Good" merchandise? I know the guy is Jake and the dog is Rocket but I can't find the name of the cat.
Help a n00b buy a harddrive
Recommend me a decent, cheap hard drive for my HP netbook (or at least a reliable site to shop from) [more inside]
Top Secret Desk Jockey
What exactly does one do in a "desk job" for a covert organization? [more inside]
Internet Browsing on PS3
Since the Xbox 360 doesn't have a browser I am unable to connect to Xbox Live on a public internet connection because the 360 cannot give me access to the user agreement (if anyone knows a way around that, I'd like to know). Does anyone know if the PS3 has a browser capable of going on a public wifi and agreeing to the user agreement? I ask this because I am considering purchasing one for the library I work at. This will allow me to download updates for our games.
Am I right to feel slighted?
My ex-boyfriend informed me recently that he got engaged. He and I were together for almost four years (the last of which was spent long-distance), and broke up early in the fall. We both agreed that we would do our best to maintain a friendship, as we had been good friends before we entered into a relationship. Aside from the fact that this announcement of engagement comes less than six months after our relationship ended, I am most upset that he emailed this information to me. My question is this: do I have any right to be upset by his choice of communication in this matter? [more inside]
How can I get my iMac to wake up remotely?
How do I get my iMac to wake on demand when it's asleep and asked to do so? These instructions from Apple are pretty straightforward on how to set it up for Bonjour, but I can't get it to work when it receives a request from Apple TV to wake up. It's an iMac running Lion with a Time Capsule set up as the Base Station. The iMac supports Wake on Demand over Wi-Fi and ethernet (it's connected over Wi-Fi). Time Capsule and Lion have the latest updates. I've found recommendations on Google but nothing has worked. Any troubleshooting pointers? (Bonus question: how can I get it to wake up from outside my network?) Thanks.
Cool music 1992-1995?
During the years 1992 to 1995, what *popular* music did smart East Coast college students listen to? [more inside]
How to distinguish relationship doubts from a complicated history?
I've been with a wonderful man for 4 years and I'm panicking about ending the relationship for no good reason. I still get smiley when he texts me and he makes me laugh, he's gorgeous, but I have these sudden adrenalin rushes and an overwhelming panicky feeling that I have to end the relationship immediately. I asked for three weeks apart to clear my head, and we made it to two before I wanted him here again... but the panicking is back! [more inside]
Mac to iphone calendar push notification app?
Is there an app, combo of apps or app/email combo where I can send a calendar event from my mac to my wife's iPhone - and then the event is added to a calendar app on her iPhone? [more inside]
The hamsters go in this end and the cans of stew come out the other
Owmyback
Do I need a a doctor, chiropractor, or morphine dealer? [more inside]
Macbook doesn't like HDMI anymore.
My Macbook's Mini-DVI port stopped working with an HDMI adapter, but it still works with a VGA adapter. Baffled. [more inside]
Awesome Kick-Off
As part of my interview process, I have been asked to kick-off a project to a pretend client. This is for an interactive agency in LA. There will be 5 people acting as stakeholders. I really want this job and want to leave an awesome impression. What things can I do to set myself apart? What are your tips for awesome kick-off meetings? I need to demonstrate my skills as a meeting facilitator and project manager. I am looking for anything that will set me apart including handing out candy / fruit, using an awesome slide deck, or simply facilitating a awesome kick-off. Have you seen anyone do something awesome in a meeting that wasn't borderline cheesy? I need to demonstrate imagination but also an ability to drive and get things done. Links or videos appreciated as well. Help me get this job!
Sunday Trading in Helsinki
I'm going to be in Helsinki next month - hooray for me! However, I'll be there on a Sunday. Is the city pretty much closed, or will things be open? [more inside]
An iPad feed reader that doesn't require Google Reader to use
Please recommend me a well-designed iPad feed reader that doesn't require Google Reader to use. [more inside]
Internet changing what I type.
Why does my browser change the last two letters of some of the strings I type to "Pr"? [more inside]
Growl notifications from the web
Growl notifications from a PHP script (or Twitter) [more inside]
I'm paranoid about my gas range.
How safe to use is a gas range that got a little bit waterlogged previously? [more inside]
Help me find these old whaling journals
The naturalist Frederick Debell Bennett wrote a journal of his experiences on a whaler, which were published as Narrative of a whaling voyage round the globe. Are his original journals still around, and if so, where are they?
Forgotten remembrances
Help me locate an article on divorce and memory loss. [more inside]
February 23
Where to start with teaching a bright 13 year-old programming?
Where to start with teaching a bright 13 year-old programming? His interest comes from wanting to code Minecraft mods. [more inside]
What kind of fish would you tell a fish newbie to eat?
Fish newbie here. Tell me what to eat. [more inside]
multi-alarm woman's watch
My googling is inadequate. I need a woman's watch, a small one, with TWO OR MORE daily alarms, for a friend who needs reminders to take her medications. I'm hoping to find a watch that costs less than $30 (the only one I can find is $70) [more inside]
Let's hang out ... but only at my place
Looking for advice about how to deal with spending a disproportionate amount of time at one person's house when in a relationship ... while my situation may be unique, I'm hoping others have done the dating-while-living-with-folks thing, or the dating-with-a-horrible-roommate thing, or dating-someone-who-doesn't-drive thing. I can feel myself getting resentful, and that's not fair - it's no one's fault. [more inside]
Less Expensive GPS Tracker for Dementia Parent?
Less Expensive GPS Tracker for Dementia Parent? [more inside]
Strange mark on my girlfriends back has her freaked out...
Help me identify a blotchy red spot I noticed on my girlfriend's back which now has her freaked out. [more inside]
Give me the pictures, I'll give you the Woah!
For lent, this year, I'm giving up looking at sardonic pictures on the internet. Help me find those amuse yeux that lack the mocking overtone and yet aren't just kitties and other insipid cuteness. [more inside]
It's something worth thinking about.
I'm moving sometime soon to pursue a screenwriting career. By default, I'd be relocating to Los Angeles, but would it be a bad decision to relocate elsewhere? [more inside]
Day trip in or around Bangkok
I'm going on a business trip to Bangkok. What do I do with my two extra nights? [more inside]
First time interview with local business owner, what to ask and how to do it.
I was told last minute that I was doing an interview with a small local business owner (a new bar in a college town). I am not from a journalism background, and need some advice. See below the cut. [more inside]
Traffic Lights
Why are traffic lights in New Jersey horizontal in many cities and vertical in the suburbs? [more inside]
Why red knuckles?
My friend's knuckles get red and hot after she eats. She has no other symptoms. What could be causing this? Has anyone else ever experienced it?
There Ain't No Party Like a Liz Lemon Party
Can't believe I'm using a question for this, but -- 30 Rock filter: Why doesn't Grizz ever have any lines anymore? [more inside]
You know Robot Unicorn Attack? Like that!
Is there a name for the kind of aesthetic you find in Sailor Moon, the Sixth Doctor's TV intro, and Robot Unicorn Attack? What's the history of the whole magical-sparkles-in-space thing, and where can I find more of it? [more inside]
Say hello to the new bossa nova, same as the old bossa nova.
I would like to get up to date with the most cutting edge modern orchestral music being composed today. [more inside]
Took a risk and went to another company...not happy so far
I was at a fast growing, exciting company for over a year and half. I had started there right after college and after a year or so, had a yearning to go out, explore, and try something else. Don't get me wrong, I loved working at this company and they loved me. But I still left since I felt like I was young and able to take the risk. My new job is slightly higher paying and in the same industry but does not challenge me whatsoever. Although I have less responsibilities and less work, I feel like there is more I am capable of. Long story short, it is boring and unrewarding. I also don't fit very well into the culture. I am only two months in. What do I do? Stop wasting time and find a new job? Give it more time? Try to go back to my old position? What are the downsides to going back to an old employer?
Toiling over Wedding Venue!
I have a dilemma regarding wedding venue. Months ago, I decided on a wedding venue, mom put down the deposit, the end. I am in the south and both the church and the reception were downtown historic buildings, very ritzy and high-class looking--what I envisioned a wedding should be.
The rub is about a month ago, my aunt volunteered to help with the decorations, we bring her buy the place, and she starts finding fault, telling us about this other place that's so much better supposedly. [more inside]
Teaching Students to Teach Each Other?
Are there any experimental teaching methods that focus on students teaching each other? [more inside]
Why does a tape recorder plugged into my computer's Mic input record so quietly?
Why does a tape recorder plugged into my computer's Mic input record so quietly? [more inside]
Want to create a formal legal roommate agreement, not a landlord/tenant lease document
I'm moving in a roommate. What can/should I do to protect myself legally? [more inside]
Can anyone give me a breakdown of the Seattle public transportation system?
Can anyone give me a breakdown of the Seattle public transportation system? [more inside]
Shirt and Shoes, But No Service.
Has anyone else completely lost Sprint reception on BART these past couple of days? [more inside]
Money money money...or benefits?
I'm expecting a formal job offer soon, but the salary is well below market. What "soft" benefits should I ask for instead? [more inside]
Help me make this gift as cool as possible!
Creative-gifty-diablo3 filter: What else could you put in a DVD/game case where the CD/game usually goes? [more inside]
Which literary critic had "Today" inscribed on a plaque on his desk?
Which literary critic had "Today" inscribed on a plaque on his desk?
Why is my kefir bitter?
Why is my milk kefir bitter? [more inside]
Accenture is interviewing me ... but not for a job.
What should I expect from an Accenture review/interview of my branch office? [more inside]
Who will clean my Seattle-area house?
I'm looking for house cleaners in the North Seattle area for a one-time very thorough cleaning of a house that hasn't been cleaned in years, before new people move in. The job is too big for just one person. Any recommendations? [more inside]
How long is too long?
Academic Jobs Filter: What is a reasonable amount of time to ask for to make a decision about a job offer? [more inside]
Are certain implications of religious freedom at odds with the principle of equality before the law for everyone?
Recently I entered a discussion about the following scenario: If a college student at a state university says they can't take a test on Friday, because of their religious beliefs, should their professor be required to honor that and reschedule the test for that student? I am talking about some sort of a formal requirement, as opposed to the professor being an accommodating sport. Read below for details. [more inside]
I hear you, but I also hear the cat licking its paws a mile away...
Attention Filter: I can't filter things out when it comes to hearing. [more inside]
Beautiful Baby Book
Recommendations for a beautiful fill-in baby book for new parents? [more inside]
Diagnodent and tiny cavities - get them filled?
I recently moved and went to a new dentist. My old dentist used a probe to find cavities - I haven't had a cavity in a decade. This new dentist used a Diagnodent and told me I had 5-6 areas of decay that he wanted to drill into and fill. He said he didn't know if they went into the dentin or just the enamel, and wouldn't know until he got in there. What's up with this Diagnodent business? Is it legit? YANMD, but is a Diagnodent really better than a probe, and does it sound wise to get them filled? Thanks.
Will my mental health really improve if I start eating meat?
Vegetarian. Depressed and lethargic. Psychiatrist suggested eating meat again. Is this something I should seriously consider? [more inside]
Online Book Publishing Workflow?
Online Book publishing: ebook, kindle, epub, ibook - can this be done without a million different programs and converters? [more inside]
Lunges make me lose my lunch
Why do I find lunges so unbearable, when I don't mind squats at all? [more inside]
Employment law advice in a hurry
My wife finds herself quite unexpectedly facing termination from her job and needs legal/employment advice quickly. Some details after the link. [more inside]
I'm Not a Bad Person, Amazon-san, Honest!
I live overseas. I like music. I want to purchase and download MP3s from Amazon.com, which are literally half the price of the same album sold by iTunes Japan. Amazon doesn't want to let me do this. [more inside]
Help me find the best travel arrangement between Missouri and Tennessee
Help me choose from among a few transportation/lodging options for a St. Louis-Columbia-Knoxville trip. [more inside]
The Webby for best bank website goes to....
What bank has the best/easiest/most useful website for a small business. [more inside]
I'm a student and want to do it!
I was approached by a teacher of mine, who says a friend of a friend is looking for a graphic artist, and he thinks I'm more than capable and wants to give me the opportunity to try and get some professional work into my portfolio. I'm a freshman, and have no idea how to navigate this situation, or what to expect. Help? [more inside]
Delete my Google's Search History?
What are the benefits of Google's Search History?
As I understand it, Google is changing it's privacy policy so that my personal search history (which was previously kept separate), will now be tied to my Google profile for other Google products (Google+, Gmail, Google Voice, etc.). In other words - my search history will now be associated with my actual name and personal phone number.
So - I'm thinking about removing my search history, but I don't know what I'd be giving up. According to Google - it uses my history to "personalize" my search results. But - does this really make a difference? [more inside]
Winged Rodent Man, you're my hero!
I'm thinking of making custom costumes to sell. I have an opportunity to advertise through a local comic shop and I suspect many clients will be looking for replicas of existing heros/heroines. What legalities do I need to be aware of in terms of copyright infringement? [more inside]
To spot-tone or not to spot-tone
Can you ever really change your body shape with specific exercises? [more inside]
Dysfunctional family funeral
Non-deist, non- spiritual funeral for dysfunctional family [more inside]
Keeping my browsing habits secure
I have a handful of questions about Google, VPNs and privacy. [more inside]
Spending Effort on the Least-Favorite Option
Do I go for an interview when I'm not sure I'm interested anymore? [more inside]
Tasty tex-mex for under 650 calories
The 650 calorie Tex-Mex meal - how to do it? Is it possible? [more inside]
Rescue Me (Ma)
Can anyone offer me recommendations, guidance or personal experiences in choosing a "Rescue Alert"-like service? TL;DR inside. (I will never, ever use the term "snowflake" that way.) [more inside]
Help with struggling exotic house plants!?
An older couple asked me to care for their condo & exotic house plants for three months while they're traveling. Two of the plants are struggling, and I don't know what to do! More info inside. [more inside]
Home AC
Dfwhvacfilter: looking for a recommendation for a good honest reputable air conditioning service business. My ac at my house is running but no cold air. I live in the North Dallas area.
Thanks in advance.
How can I get poetry translations published?
How can I get my translations of a deceased poet's work published? [more inside]
Does anyone have a crafty way to manage your earbuds and cord for an iPhone/iPad?
Does anyone have a crafty way to manage your earbuds and cord for an iPhone/iPad? [more inside]
What to do with inherited stuff/antiques?
I have just inherited about one hundred boxes full of 40-100 year old stuff from 2 or 3 generations. I can't really use any of it and some of it may be very valuable. How can I best assess the values of the thousands of items so that I can sell/donate/throw out everything? [more inside]
Looking for an optimal-schedule creator
I need to create a schedule for many, many one-on-one meetings that are all happening in the same day, between two groups of people. What's the best way? [more inside]
iPhone Photography for an SLR User
What are your favorite apps, tips, and techniques for getting the most out of photography with your iPhone? Difficulty: I'm a proficient SLR user looking for something new creatively. [more inside]
Is medical treatment always necessary for an ovarian cyst?
I have an ovarian cyst, do I *need* to see a doctor? Slightly unpleasant details inside. [more inside]
Any reason I shouldn't let people use my house as a canvas?
What is the legality of commissioning graffiti art for a residence? [more inside]
Website's links suddenly broken in IE8
My company's website is having a bizarre experience: our links have stopped working, suddenly, in IE8 only. They focus but don't trigger the target URL to open. Naturally, most of our clients use IE8. No changes have been made recently. The site is DNN-based, and we've opened a support ticket with DotNetNuke, but I'm stumped. What should I be looking at?
Memail me if seeing the site would be helpful and I can give you the URL.
Invite to Facebook Page?
How do I invite my Facebook friends to like my Facebook page? For some reason the Invite Friends option is not there. What am I missing? Is it something in my settings?
Am I turning into an emotional abuser?
Am I repeating my abusive relationship? I had an extremely triggering fight with my boyfriend tonight, but he was the one describing me as "violent." [more inside]
Is a colonoscopy really surgery?
I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy in December. I was put under twilight sedation during the procedure, and when it was over, I went home. Now my insurance company is claiming that this outpatient procedure counts as surgery, which has a copay of $150. Are they right? [more inside]
You've got mail.
How does Poste Restante work? Need to send gift to Geneva, Switzerland next month but no fixed address for recipient yet... [more inside]
Heater outlets?
Alternative to this ugly heater outlet and online fabric stores [more inside]
Convince me to move to San Antonio
Convince me to move to San Antonio [more inside]
Bye-bye bulimia?
Raging ED-filter: My eating disorder is back with a vengeance. I need to find a way to finally deal with it (or at least make a tangible start on recovery) before my entire life gets turned upside down when I leave the country for graduate school in September. Advice? Encouragement? Kick in the pants? All are welcome (and needed) here...loooong story inside. [more inside]
Should I seek a second opinion about possible physiological sources of my fatigue, depression, and anxiety before contacting a psychiatrist?
Should I seek a second opinion about possible physiological sources of my fatigue, depression, and anxiety before contacting a psychiatrist? [more inside]
Is there a word for this? Independent discovery of a previously known thing?
Is there a word for this? Independently coming up with a "breakthrough idea" that turns out to have been previously discovered and explored. [more inside]
How do I make wired connection to a wireless network?
How can I make a wired connection to a wireless network? I'd like to use my external hard drive wirelessly with my laptop and DLNA-enabled BluRay player - the hard drive is made to be plugged into a router and used in this way. Problem: I share internet services with another apartment in my building and I do not have access to the router, which is in the other apartment. [more inside]
Notes with pics, please?
What's a good Android App that will allow for inline picture additions into a text document and does not require an internet connection to work? [more inside]
What are some fun things to do in the next couple of days in San Francisco?
What are some fun things to do in the next couple of days in San Francisco? [more inside]
We need to be laying a whole lot o' pipe up in here.
What should we be thinking about and considering when re-plumbing an entire house? Plumbers and experienced homeowners we welcome your advice. [more inside]
Hey! That's my guitar!
I'm pretty sure I've found a guitar that was stolen from me at a music store franchise near me. They open in two hours. Any tips on how to handle this? [more inside]
How can I tell how much of the weight I've gained is muscle?
How can I tell how much of the weight I've gained is muscle? [more inside]
I don't want to be a flake!
Is my skin flaking because I am overexfoliating or because it is still adjusting to the chemical exfoliants? [more inside]
Would an alien radio pick up a cacophony or a damp fizzle?
If an alien located on a planet 100 light years from here was to switch on a big, multi-frequency radio receiver, and record all the noises coming from outer space for the next hundred years, on all frequencies, how many soap operas, advertisements and new broadcasts would they pick up from Earth? Would a mass-market radio, similar to our Earthly equivalents, pick up anything? Over time, as the number of Earth transmissions increases exponentially, would the alien pick up a cacophony or a damp fizzle? [more inside]
I've screwed my squats.
Started Starting Strength, but I think I've done some damage with my squats. Halp! [more inside]
network throughput and latency monitoring on cloud server
I would like some advice. I would like to send test data at intervals from a client to a cloud server and measure the time taken for it to arrive at the server. At the same time, pinging the cloud server at intervals and measuring the roundtrip latency. [more inside]
Suggestions for a document database that runs on Windows, offers categories, tags and full-text search for a collection of PDFs, PowerPoint and Word Documents and images?
Any suggestions for a document database that runs on Windows, offers categories, tags and full-text search for a collection of PDFs, PowerPoint and Word Documents and images? [more inside]
Can a virus alter a file without altering the timestamp?
Can a virus alter a file without altering the timestamp? [more inside]
Is there such a thing as project aggregation software?
I'm not looking for project management, nor time tracking, nor (necessarily) to do lists, but more of a way of assembling all the different project components and work in progress in one interface. Is there such a thing? [more inside]
How can I rid my apartment of negative energy and replace it with positive?
Recently moved apartment, and found that two of the rooms are filled with negative energy. Guests concur: when you're in these rooms, you'd rather be elsewhere. Therefore I'm looking for tried-and-tested home improvement tips to clear rooms of negative energy and fill it with positive. (I've looked into feng shui, but interested to know what specifically has worked for the community.) Thanks!
Moving to London, working at Southwark Bridge
We may be moving to London. If so, I'd be working at an office near Southwark Bridge. Where should we live? [more inside]
February 22
Windows7filter: Are there any options under Windows 7 to sort files and folders in explorer without segregation?
I'm looking to sort an entire folder alphabetically by name, but Windows 7 insists on always keeping files and folders separate.
There was a solution for XP earlier, but under 7 that option is nowhere to be seen. I'm open to 3rd party file manager solutions, just as long as they don't look like a programmer with ADHD designed it ala.
Recommendations for free or cheap graphing software
Can you recommend free (or cheap) graphing software for Windows? [more inside]
Why, oh why, can't this just fit together like Legos?!
Plumbing/Science Equipmentfilter: I have a process air heater that I bought from Omega but I have no idea how to connect the 4in non-threaded duct and the 1in threaded pipe outlet from my blower. Help please! [more inside]
Help with Microsoft Word doc "properties"
What kinds of document-editing scenarios produce the time and date information stored in "Properties" for a Word document? Regarding a college student's fishy paper submission. [more inside]
What resolution do I use for large prints with the Canon 5D MkII?
I need to get some prints done at a fairly large size. The final output will be maximum 3 feet by 2 feet. I've never done prints this size but everything I've read has said that the 5D MkII can produce that size just fine. What I'm unsure of is how to set my file up in Photoshop. The largest prints I've done in the past is 18x12 which is more or less the camera's largest output at 300dpi (which is plenty sharp). For larger prints (like the ones I want to do) what resolution should I be using? 72? 150?
Skype hacks?
How can I have the best video chat experience? [more inside]
How to write your own letter of recommendation?
Do you have any tips for drafting your own letter of recommendation? [more inside]
Being pressured by my company to sign legal documents
Being pressured by my company to sign legal documents. This seems very not okay. [more inside]
Locating a Hanshin Tigers New Era Cap
How could I get a Hanshin Tigers New Era 59FIFTY hat in North America (Canada or US)? [more inside]
Into the labyrinth, never to return
Where did my movie go? [more inside]
So how many appliances can I plug in there before starting an electrical fire?
I have a two-plug outlet with a three-plug adapter, meaning that I have four things plugged into the outlet. Am I going to set my sublet apartment on fire? Or rather, how can I keep from doing so? [more inside]
What is the difference between the effects of witchhazel, salicylic acid, and acetasalicylic acid on the face?
What is the difference between the effects of witchhazel, salicylic acid, and acetasalicylic acid on the face? [more inside]
When there's snow on the ground, I think they call your 'spring allergies' by it's latin term: "the Flu"
I'm a supervisor, and one of my staff was out sick all last week with the flu. This week she is back, but coughing, hacking and sneezing loudly. When asked about it, she stated that she had allergies. I don't want her to infect the office, but am not sure how to pursue the conversation with her. Help? [more inside]
Coping with waiting for bad news
How to cope with anxiety while waiting for bad news, especially when you don't know when the bad news is coming. [more inside]
Foodie gift from Chicago
I am returning from Chicago to NY on a foodie's birthday. What, if anything, can I bring back for him? Limitations/details inside. [more inside]
Are Allergy Flares Like Little Flags Saying, "Stop or I'll Shoot?"
Flares but no wheals. What does this mean? Also, casein-milk allergy, but no allergies to cheese, cheddar-type, and cheese, mold-type. I've been unable to locate even a single discussion or explanation of these phenomena online. Any ideas? [more inside]
Care package for someone with a life-threatening illness
A wonderful friend was just diagnosed with life-threatening cancer recurrence. What can I send as a care package to support her and her family? [more inside]
What's a dog to do in Santa Fe?
Is Santa Fe a dog-friendly destination? [more inside]
Alert the next of kin. And Netflix.
How do I make my passwords available to loved ones if I die suddenly, but keep them secure while I'm alive? [more inside]
Need to get just a little higher in my tower...
[Singing Filter] I was just cast in a musical. I generally sing alto but the role I'm playing (Rapunzel in Into the Woods) is soprano. I'm having some difficulty getting her highest note - it is one or two notes out of my range, depending on the day. Looking for tips, tricks, advice - anything! [more inside]
Recommendations for an email guide dog.
Someone close to me is going blind. What kind of screen reader and other software should I set them up on so they can continue to read and send email? [more inside]
Cream-whipper recipes
What are some cool things to do with an "iSi Mini Whip"? [more inside]
Interviewing Firms...
I am a recent graduate. I want to visit to design firms and do short, factual profiles of them on a website for students. What questions should I ask, what will firms not answer, and is this a good idea? [more inside]
Peanut butter or ham
Peanut butter or lunch meat? [more inside]
I want my facebook wall gone.
I want my facebook profile to serve as a second email account, and nothing more. Help? [more inside]
Can I see multiple doctors? CAN I?!
Is it acceptable -- in a legal sense, I suppose -- to see multiple doctors and have them prescribe different medications? [more inside]
Need opinion/experience from meetup.com or match.com users
Just broke up with my BF 2 weeks ago; need advice about how to busy myself and move on and how to meet new people (friends or potential dates). Thinking about meetup.com and match.com, need advice from anyone who has used these sites. [more inside]
Showing Facebook
My cousin puts all her business on Facebook. She's around 18 years old and puts all sorts of drama on her wall, mainly centered around her boyfriend. I'm concerned not only for her well-being with this guy but also finding a decent job once she decides to grow up. She's very cool and comfortable with me. Is there any way, I can approach her with this, without making her feel like a 2-year-old?
Help us downsize! Moving from 2400 sq ft to 1200 sq ft and .25 acres to .00000000025 acres.
Help us downsize! Moving from 2400 sq ft to 1200 sq ft and .25 acres to .00000000025 acres. [more inside]
Help Me Ask My Engineer If This Is Built Right
Can you keep this old house from falling down -- or help me stop pointlessly worrying about nothing -- by helping me ask my licensed structural engineer this question the right way? (Long.) [more inside]
Give it to me skinny
Is my tailor giving me the true skinny? Can the arms of an expensive sports jacket really be removed in order to cut the shoulder length? [more inside]
How to avoid playing golf with people you don't like
I'm looking for a free program/app/webpage, etc that will allow me to create 6 or 7 rounds worth of golf foursomes with as little repetition as possible. [more inside]
My brain is making up a new version of English.
My brain regularly replaces words. Cute or scary? [more inside]
What's that portrait?
Name that incredibly photorealistic painting of a (bishop?) at a European museum (the Prado?). [more inside]
Where can I get a bar feed unit for a Pultra 1550 capstan lathe or information about it?
Where can I get a bar feed unit for a Pultra 1550 capstan lathe or information about it? [more inside]
Should we find our dog a new home?
Help me think through whether we ought to find a new home for our dog. Long, special-snowflake details inside. [more inside]
Where can I find these glasses?
Where might I find glasses like these? [more inside]
I require bad movie puns.
I am looking for creative, pun filled categories for a home version of The Leonard Maltin Game. [more inside]
Quarter-cheese-plate-scattered-smothered-covered
I need help finding a 2D game about running a restaurant- and it involved a lot of mini-games and menial tasks. Very simple graphics, too. [more inside]
Barbed wire just isn't enough.
What is the cheapest way to build a lot of wall or fence to keep predators at bay? [more inside]
I can't go home again, but can you help me get to Portland?
Please help me devise a feasible plan for relocating to Portland from Los Angeles. Level of difficulty: pretty desperate. [more inside]
Looking for name of book about sleep
BookFilter: Book which I'm pretty sure was about sleep and wakefulness at different times of the day; what's the name? [more inside]
Where can I talk about movies?
I just saw a thought provoking movie the other day, and I'm dying to talk about it. Where is a good forum for discussing movies without either a lot of silly chatter about the cute boy actors, or a lot of art school theory stuff.
Accessories for a shorter foot?
I have one foot that is 1/2 inch longer than the other. Are there any good ways to make the shorter foot fit my shoes better? [more inside]
Tips for visiting Zion National Park with a baby?
On a whim my husband and I booked a trip to Zion National Park for mid-March. We love hiking and photography, and we're excited to visit Zion for the first time. Our 8 month old daughter will be with us, and we're looking for advice on getting the most out of the park with a baby in tow. [more inside]
Are iPad 2s going to drop in price soon?
I am going to buy an iPad 32 gig, but am thinking of waiting until the 3 comes out ('early March', apparently) to see if the price drops. However my brother is coming over from Australia next week and it would be nice to have the 'pad so we can make music on it. Is my hope of a price drop reasonable? Or is it more likely to be confined to the bottom end, based on past Apple pricing behaviour?
It is hard to forget a river of babies
This is a long shot, but I'm trying to identify a painting that I saw at the Philadelphia Museum of Art about 4 years ago. All I remember is that it was a large painting that looked like a forest scene - at first glance it looked simply like a river within the forest, but upon looking at it again, you can see that the river is made up of hundreds upon hundreds of babies. I've tried googling, and exploring the Philadelphia Museum of Art's webpage, but to no avail. I am hoping someone knows this crazy painting!
Five-year-old on third day of vomiting and belly pain -- stomach virus?
Five-year-old on his third day of vomiting with stomach flu? [more inside]
Coding sample as part of a job application?
If I'm applying for a junior developer job in a web company, and they ask for a code sample along with the resume, what sorts of things would make a good sample? How much code is just enough/too little/too much? What would make a sample supergood, or the opposite? [more inside]
Please tell me this can be done with a few clicks instead of a few days!
Illustrator filter. Is it possible to mirror several objects at once, but have the mirroring axis be the center of each individual object? Picture explanation below. Please hope me! [more inside]
Non-Popup Notifications
What are some well-designed web apps that dynamically add/remove content (notifications) to pages without using lightboxes/overlays?
Is it a wet dream if it's all just sweat?
Why am I sweating so much when I'm asleep and dreaming? [more inside]
Which Mac for me?
Should I get the 21.5 inch iMac or the 13 inch Macbook Pro? (Or something else?) [more inside]
Volunteering in Seattle
Know any good LGBT organizations in the Seattle area to volunteer at?
Looking for Monochrome V for Vendetta Copy
I love V for Vendetta (the graphic novel), but I hate the coloring job. Years ago, I borrowed a monochrome line-art-only version from a library. I would really like to own such a copy, but my Google-fu fails me.
A whole new world with iphone keyboard?
How can I best use my new bluetooth keyboard with my iphone? [more inside]
San francisco photography
I used to take pictures a ton, but I'm working all the time now. I want to try and go out and shoot photos during my lunch break & after work (near Montgomery St. Station).
I'm looking for suggestions of good photogenic or interesting places in San Francisco to go that would help me jumpstart my old hobby. [more inside]
Documentaries, books, I want it all!
Please give me some suggestions for documentaries and books I might like. [more inside]
In a haze, and I don't know what to do about it. Depression, school, work, &c.
In a sleepy haze, and I don't know what to do about it. [more inside]
What is your opinion on aftermarket cruise control?
What are your experience with aftermarket cruise control? Specifically I'm asking about the 2012 Subaru Impreza hatchback base model, which doesn't include cruise control. [more inside]
Carpenter/Handyman in Arlington, VA
Trying to find a reliable and reasonably priced carpenter/handyman in Arlington, Virginia [more inside]
I mean COME ON, a soda bottle? You could've hit someone in the head!
What's going on in someone's head when they blatantly, casually litter? What justifications do adults use for dropping their trash onto the street? [more inside]
Thief high centered my Jeep on a boulder. What now?
Stolen car, undercarriage damage, and an auto insurance claim. What do I need to know? [more inside]
Win7 home-built HTPC shuts down without an error message, why?
My home-made HTPC running Windows 7 shuts down without warning, first after prolonged use playing HD (720) videos with VLC. Then it stopped twenty minutes into an episode, and switching to Media Player Classic seemed to be the answer. Then the computer shut down after about 20 minutes of simply being idle. And there's never a "sudden shutdown" error message when I reboot. How do I diagnose this, or what could be wrong? [more inside]
What is this campy horror flick???
Mid/late 80s-90's comedy/horror flick. Seems very B movie esque. It actually reminds me of something that Troma would churn out. It had to do with a high school reunion. Everyone had quirky tendencies and maybe they were all murders? I remember a murder happening in a school cafeteria kitchen and think someone was decapitated with something silly.
Shhhhhhhhh......
Please recommend your favorite white noise machine! [more inside]
Needing some hope
There's always someone else, right? [more inside]
Weaving webs to wind me
Can you find an example from before 1979 of the "crazy string wall" used in movies and television? [more inside]
Help me take pictures with Dad's 1967 rangefinder camera
I've inherited my father's 1967 rangefinder camera. The metering doesn't work anymore. Help me take pictures with it again. [more inside]
Is the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal now protected from closure?
The Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal has just been named to the National Register of Historic Places. Will this complicate efforts to keep Asian carp out of Lake Michigan? [more inside]
Catalog this!
Librarianfilter: I think I'd like to be a cataloger. Librarians, tell me about it! (Also, tell me how cataloging is changing as Library Science becomes more Information Science-y, and about jobs in other fields that use similar skills.) [more inside]
401K Contribution
What percentage should I contribute to my 401K? [more inside]
Where can I get floral images?
Where would I find flower images similar to these? [more inside]
How to stop obsessing over incompetent new hire?
Help me stop raging about a difficult work situation.
I got promoted. My boss's stepson is being hired to take my place. He is incapable of taking over my responsibilities. Looks like this is actually going to happen and I can't stop obsessing. How do I stop thinking about this and just focus on myself?? [more inside]
To Complain or Not?
I gave birth via emergency c-section over the weekend. The baby and I are both fine, but I wouldn't be querying the hivemind if I didn't have a too-long and too-detailed question about what happened. [more inside]
Help Finding A Summer Place Near WNY
I'm looking for a place to take the extended family this summer. About 20 people, ages 3 to 83 want to spend a week at some beach. Level of difficulty is we need 3 cabins/cottages/trailers/whatevers, and the location should be about 200 miles or so from Buffalo NY. So that would put us someplace between maybe Syracuse and Cleveland, and anywhere south of Toronto in Ontario. Closer to Buffalo is better. We're hoping to stay on a beach or as close to a beach as possible. [more inside]
Word spacing screwed up by saving on faulty flash drive?
When I save MS Word docs, a lot of my spacings between words are being eliminated. In just about every sentence, it happens at least once! To be clear, instead of something like "and the", it will say "andthe". Could it be a faulty flash drive? [more inside]
Best books that act as writing coach for fiction?
What are the best books, articles, or websites that act as a kind of "writing coach" for fiction, which walk you through, like an encouraging but demanding mentor, the psychological, technical, and purely logistical issues of writing and then publishing short stories or novels?
I ate my dinner in a diner...
What words become different words when you double a letter? [more inside]
What was this Gauntlet clone?
What was this early 90's Gauntlet clone I remember playing as a kid? [more inside]
Hate work but don't want to take holidays
Quotation/Proverb: returning to the drudge of work after holidays is so painful that it's better not to take holidays, just plough on. Has someone said this in a more well-known/profound/general way? Maybe something about caged birds being happy because they've never known freedom?
Who can I trust with Grandma's gold?
Any good jewelry store recommendations for the New York area? [more inside]
Need some pointers on creating a simple inventory database
Need help setting up a simple Access database. I'm trying to reconcile a bunch of inventory, which is all recorded in multiple Excel spreadsheets. I want to import all the Excel files into an Access database so I can match them up all at the same time. [more inside]
big fat geeky book list
Book Recs -- Presidential Biography edition! [more inside]
violent video games developer -> bible software developer?
My partner and I are currently living on separate sides of the Vancouver/Washington state border - I would very much like to move to be with her, but the job prospects for my specialties are low. One option is to work for a local company which produces bible software. From a technical standpoint, their products are excellent, the jobs pay well , have excellent medical and retirement benefits and they regularly hire from outside the faith. The catch? I am a staunch atheist, and bordering on actively anti-religious. [more inside]
Where, around Tokyo, can I have my blood tested for specific genetic mutations?
Where, around Tokyo, can I have my blood tested for specific genetic mutations? Specifically, protrombin 20210 and factor V (5) Leiden. [more inside]
iTunes, uTunes, we all Tunes for iReviews
I've read that a podcast becomes more popular on iTunes the more people review it. Is that true? Why is that the case? Is it worth it to ask listeners of my podcast to review it to improve the podcast rank?
Best Wordpress ecommerce plugin for digital goods?
What is the best Wordpress ecommerce plugin for digital downloads only? I am setting up a small store for digital goods (e-books, etc.) on a Wordpress site. [more inside]
What are common pronunciation mistakes English speakers make in other languages?
I just found a list of common pronunciation mistakes English learners make depending on their first language background. What are typical pronunciation mistakes English speakers make when learning other languages? [more inside]
How can I get my Android browser to cut me off?
How can I find, rig or code a self-control/freedom/leechblock-type solution for my android phone's browser? [more inside]
Need a Chicago Brick and Mortar Store with Obama Merchandise
Obama SWAG in Chicago---where can I get some fast and in person? Leaving for Ethiopia in a matter of days and I've received a request from someone there for anything "Obama"...t-shirt, pins, posters, etc. But I don't have much time and anything ordered from the campaign store online will not arrive in time (they don't have an option for faster shipping.) Are there any brick and mortar stores in Chicago where I can pick something up?
It's like epoxy clay, but easier.
Please help me remember a crafty-type material I saw in a web article a month or two ago. It's some kind of plastic that comes in pouches, in various fairly deep colors, and apparently permanently hardens some time after being exposed to air. [more inside]
February 21
The death and life of languages
Help me sort out the best way to approach language preservation, as an academic interest and as a guideline for volunteer work. [more inside]
Keep my boss from taking credit for my work.
How do I keep my somewhat petty, probably vindictive boss from taking credit for writing all of the online content that I write for the company website? [more inside]
Must I Holler? Must I Shake 'Em On Down?
Calling Bluesologists and/or Language Historians: Want interpretations of the meaning of a song, or more specifically, a specific phrase used in that song. [more inside]
I need an awesome camera
I need a DSLR camera that takes high quality pictures and video for $800 or less. I'll be using it for interviewing, artsy pictures, party pictures, "stand RIGHT THERE and smile, dammit!" pictures, short films, and everything else an amateur might get up to with a shiny new camera. [more inside]
Help me decide on the right iphone video strategy for my event
I want to use my iPhone 4s to film a 15-30 minute event, indoors, just three people talking, dark-ish lighting. It doesn’t have to be perfect – this is for personal use, not commercial. What’s the best way to go about it? [more inside]
What about...? What about...? (2) What about...? (3)
Mac OS... I want a file I rename, that has the same name as another file, to automatically label it as 2nd, 3rd, etc. Windows does this automatically, but in the Finder it says I need to give the file another name. [more inside]
Can't Get iTunes Match to work
iTunes Match disaster--how do I get this service I paid $25 for to work on my iPad2? [more inside]
Suggestions for a winter road trip from MN to OR with little prep!
Driving from Minneapolis, MN to Portland, OR at the end of the week. Looking for suggestions on what to do along the way. Bonus: Yellowstone for a day? [more inside]
Fun London Nightlife
My wife and I will be in London in two weeks and would love your suggestions on great pubs, gastropubs, bars and other nightlife activities. We are interested in fun places with local flavour, not touristy places. Inexpensive is preferred but not mandatory.
Please help us save our conjugal oak tree!!!
Our conjugal oak tree is dying, and I'm devastated. Please help us save it!!! [more inside]
it seems like only baptised penguins deserve tiny sweaters
Crocheting for secular charity? [more inside]
Help me help myself get down to work
Strategies for getting things done, especially when those things are deeply important, pretty scary, and you have no idea how to start. [more inside]
Ginja / Ginjinha recipes?
Ginja drink / recipe recommendations? [more inside]
How can I stop losing my keys and phone?
How can I stop losing my keys and phone? [more inside]
So, what gives? I thought nursing was a growth field
I'd always thought I'd be a nurse, and I finished all but the final pre-req before I veered off to work in insurance for a while. My question is, is there really a nursing bubble going on right now, and how is it affecting new grads and more experienced nurses? If there's no bubble, what are some of the reasons my more experienced RN friends are having problems finding work? Thank you
NYC Startups: A Quest
I want to work for companies like Tumblr, Kickstarter, Meetup, OKCupid, Yelp, and the rest of the hip NYC startup crowd. How can I become involved in the startup scene? What do I need to do to make myself a competitive applicant, especially when I have no idea what job title suits me? [more inside]
What do with all the $#%!$ pecans?!
There are pecans everywhere. Formerly they carpeted the backyard, now they're in huge container in the living room. Mostly. There are still more to pick up. A LOT more, the pecan tree has been surprisingly fruitful this year.
What the hell does one do with a ton of freshly picked pecans, besides eat them and/or give them out to friends and family? [more inside]
Negotiating parenting time in a divorce before court
Very shortly, I will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to sit down with my soon-to-be ex-wife and discuss between ourselves the terms (and therefore set the tone) of our final divorce (married about 15 years). If this conversation fails to get us on the same fundamental page, it’s off to a mediator or even a trial. And I’d love to avoid that, but I don’t know the best approach for having the conversation I want to have. [more inside]
What can I do with a sudden supply of amaryllis bulbs?
I have come into a supply of very large, robust Amaryllis bulbs- more than I can deal with. A little help? [more inside]
What to ask job recruiters
Going to a job fair hosted by the local community college next week. My interest is I.T. (Network/Sysadmin, preferably) I'm going to it to gather information on how to get a job, rather than the actual job. What questions should I ask the company reps? [more inside]
When is it time for inpatient treatment?
I think I'm having a nervous breakdown. Should I pursue inpatient treatment? Any recommendations in Austin, TX? [more inside]
What to do with this suit?
Two years ago I bought a $500 business suit for use in my mom's wedding, job interviews, etc. It's a pretty nice suit and all, but I've lost almost a hundred pounds since then. What should I do with this suit? [more inside]
Russian dictionary support on the Nook Simple Touch?
Is there any way I can replace the standard dictionary on my Nook Simple Touch with a Russian/English dictionary? [more inside]
Help me find this guy!
Help me identify a participant in a long-form debate on religion, who rebuffed a strict atheist. [more inside]
Alternate map routings on my iPhone
How do I turn off alternate map routings on my iPhone? [more inside]
Looking for Young Adult Science Fiction Trilogy
Trying to find a Young Adult Fantasy Trilogy--Can't Remember the Name [more inside]
Social Hacks for NYC Needed
My partner recently moved to NYC from the Northwest. Help me help him (geeky, science-loving, and politically active) find friends that aren't already mine! [more inside]
I just really wanted some nummy vegetables, you see.
Rookie Mistakes with New Cookware Filter: I was so excited to use my shiny new enamel Le Creuset oven pan that I forgot to wash it before using it to roast some vegetables. Aside from probably getting some warehouse dust in my food, is this in any way dangerous / unsafe?
Will my iPhone be watching me?
Will my iPhone be watching me? [more inside]
Should we keep this puppy?
New puppy-filter. More specifically: is this new puppy for us-filter. [more inside]
Cheap Seattle Motel in the middle of it all
I'll be in Seattle in a couple of weeks. Looked at the Kings Inn because its cheap and walking distance to the touristy stuff. Any other suggestions for cheap motels in the middle of it all? [more inside]
I can't pay attention if paying attention makes me sleep!
Does this happen to anyone else: Long periods of concentration result in a creeping headache that eventually prevents me from functioning until I can take a nap. If so, what can I do about it? [more inside]
Basic circuit element symbols in DWG format
I'm using DraftSight to make some circuit diagrams and I am looking for basic circuit symbols in DWG format. I've found a nice collections of circuit element symbols in WMF format, but am having a hard time finding a converter on a decent web site. Decent web site as in one that doesn't look like a malware factory. [more inside]
Should a cover letter ever be more than one page?
Should a cover letter ever be more than one page? [more inside]
How do I block these websites and how can I figure out my compulsion to visit them?
I love tumblr, but there are a few specific tumblrblogs I need to stop reading to keep my own sanity. I compulsively read a certain set of blogs dozens of times per day. I have unfollowed them, but keep compulsively going directly to their blogs to read them. (This question is one part about software and one part human relations) [more inside]
Beading help
Beading/jewellery/craft people, can you help me work out how to make this necklace? [more inside]
I should have just gone to med school
Calling all nurses and non-nurses: I hate clinical, what do I do? [more inside]
vimeo/youtube
What makes someone use Vimeo instead of Youtube ? [more inside]
How to proceed once you have your home inspection?
How to decide what to request repairs vs. credit vs. ignoring after a home inspection? [more inside]
No, I do not want to purchase a widget from you. Shut up.
At work, I get calls from salespeople. It's part of my job, but I really loathe dealing with salespeople...especially over the phone. Please help me to not be so psychotic about it. [more inside]
What to do with my free time?
I have a pretty stable non profit job and plenty of free time. I'm considering getting a project management certification, is this a good idea? Any other recommendations? [more inside]
Need marriage communication book recommendations
Need book recommendations for improving communication in marriage as a substitute for therapy [more inside]
You don't have to go home but you can't stay here
How to tell current roommate he can't move with me? [more inside]
Tell me how a web startup like Pinterest or Kickstarter happens.
Tell me how a web startup like Pinterest or Kickstarter happens. I'm most emphatically not starting a web company of my own, but I'm in the industry and am curious just what exactly goes into making a recognizable and successful site like that. [more inside]
What should I do when my landlord will not respond to me?
I'm trying to get out of my lease 13 days early. I have sent my landlord's company 2 letters, made 16 phone calls, left 11 messages, and no one has responded. What do I do? What can I assume? [more inside]
Why is he marrying someone he just met?
Why is he marrying her and never proposed to me? [more inside]
It's what I wanted, right???
I think my ex-partner just walked out on our mortgage. Please help me navigate this new world! [more inside]
Great Escapes: Examples Thereof
I'm looking for examples (biographies, documentaries, blogs...any format, really) about people who made the decision to completely change the direction of their lives, particularly folks who went from a typical "day job/corporate career" into something less mainstream. [more inside]
Troubled times
Birth control/emergency contraceptive question. To panic or not? [more inside]
Attending a Brazilian Wedding: The Essential Information
I am going to a Brazilian wedding (in Anapolis, near Brasilia) this summer. As a non-Brazilian guest, what do I need to know? One more specific question regarding dress inside. [more inside]
Can I smell this?
I accidentally melted a plastic ladle on my cooktop this morning. It smoked profusely and the fumes smelled horrible. How concerned should I be about toxicity? All windows are currently open, but there's still a lingering odor. I did call the poison control center, and the operator told me that 1) yes, the fumes could be toxic, and 2) in the absence of symptoms, just air out the house. Does the hive mind have anything to add?
Help with Excel formula and table
I need to a formula that will calculate accumulated points based on the number of sales an employee had during a quarter, when there are certain milestones he or she has met. [more inside]
Places with cheap rents and don't need a car?
If I wanted to live in a city where a room goes for under $300/$400, and I don't need a car, where should I look? Assume USD, don't care about weather, and safe-ish. Youngish people who like to do things other than watch TV is also preferred. [more inside]
Signs of many places.
Where can I learn about the history of US national forest signs? I've seen this style all over the country, so I'm wondering when and where the decision was made.
What's the easiest, best forum platform these days?
Our roller derby team needs to stop talking derby on Facebook and into its own forum. We'd like it to be a "members only" area of our Wordpress self-hosted website. What's the best, easiest forum platform these days that integrates with Wordpress and doesn't require yet another complicated login (preferably people can sign in with Facebook, Google or YahooID). [more inside]
Help me engage a jeweler!
What should I know about working with a custom jeweler? Dos and Don'ts. [more inside]
Small time event insurance
What can you tell me about event insurance requirements for a small-scale one-off theatre production in Ontario? [more inside]
Throw me a bone here
Help me identify this possibly antique carved bone object I just bought. [more inside]
Is there time for a coffee break during my layover
Traveling AMS-IAH-MSY on Friday: can I exit the terminal in Houston and get back in during my 3-hour layover? [more inside]
The number 6 in Chinese culture
Is the number 6 lucky in Chinese culture?
I am confused.
I read Numbers in Chinese culture and it is not conclusive. It can be both.
So when is the number lucky and when is it unlucky?
Do I need to pay the movers who cost me money?
Moved from US to Hong Kong. Mover shipped some boxes we explicitly told them not to ship--items we needed in our first 10 weeks here while waiting for the boat to arrive. Final payment now due, we want more compensation. What's our recourse? [more inside]
IRS = High Interest Savings Account?
True or False: If you're supposed to receive a refund from the IRS, but you file an extension and submit it at the very last, the IRS has to pay you the interest that has accrued on your refund, just like you'd have to pay any interest to the IRS if you owed taxes. [more inside]
All-aboard The Crazy Train
Two adults and a 7-year-old on an 9-hour Amtrak ride from Philly to Fayetteville, NC. Tell us how how to survive and not kill each other. [more inside]
LGBT/Migration-related Photo Project Funding?
Helping a friend try to find funding for a photo project involving LGBT refugees. She's located in the New York area. Does anyone know of any funders we should be applying for grants from?
What can I do to help my wife transition back into the working world?
My wife's going back to work after a year worth of maternity leave (we're in Canada). I expect a large amount of separation anxiety from both the baby and the mom. We've talked about this a bunch already. Basically we both acknowledge that's it's going to be hard for her. What can I do to be more supportive? What has/hasn't worked for you? Is there anything I can do to ease the transition?
mouse a Venezia per i capretti
Find-that-book filter: Help me track down a 35-year-old kids' picture book about mice in Venice. [more inside]
Thunderbolt, MiniDisplayPort, Target Display Mode = ????
I have a late 2010 Macbook Pro (MacbookPro6,3) running Lion (10.7.3) and an iMac of indeterminate vintage (iMac11,3) running Snow Leopard (10.6.8). I have a Thunderbolt cable. Neither mac supports Thunderbolt; both have MiniDisplayPort connectors. I want to run the iMac in Target Display Mode as a second display for the MacBook Pro. Can I make this happen? [more inside]
Another tofu question...
What is the procedure for freezing tofu? [more inside]
Winch my door please?
I backed the open door of my old beat-up pick-up truck into a tree (yeah I know) and now it won't close. Everything looks reasonably intact and the hinges move except that the whole door has been displaced forward about a 1/4 inch. Any suggestions on getting in back into position? [more inside]
I have 3 months off coming up. Think I can get decent at guitar?
I have 3 months off coming up. Think I can get decent at guitar? [more inside]
Cultural Appropriation for Birthday Celebration
In Chinese culture 88 is considered to be an auspicious number. Are there any special presents, food, or activities that are considered particularly appropriate for an 88th birthday? [more inside]
Don't want to look like an American Idiot
What do my wife and I wear to see American Idiot? [more inside]
Open Source / Free pdf redacting tools?
I need to redact some information in several pdf files. It doesn't need to be secure just obscure. Is there a way to do this without buying software ? Open source option? [more inside]
Seeking to see up close
Can you guys recommend an app that will let me use my iphone as a set of binoculars? [more inside]
My lentils have a tomato flavor with no tomatos. Sorcery.
Why do lentils cooked with beet greens have a tomato flavor? [more inside]
Help me buy a car!
Car buying out of state:
I have a NJ license, am staying with my parents for a while in NH, but my job will be in MA and I intend to also live there eventually.
I need to buy a car to commute to work ASAP. I haven't had a car in 4 years. What is the best way to proceed in this situation, i.e., should I get a NH license right now, buy the car in MA with my NJ license, no idea. Will the dealer provide temporary tags and insurance, if so, for how long?
I changed my address with the post office but I still own an apartment in NJ and I don't want to start paying rent ( and moving to MA) until that sells, which might take over a month.
How to Get What I Want
How do I, an early-30's woman, get what I want when it comes to dating and sex? [more inside]
How do I ask potential dates for head shots on dating sites?
What's the best way to ask for photographs from someone on an online dating site? [more inside]
Super-automatic coffee terrific happy hour
I'm looking for a super-automatic coffee/espresso machine (no pods) that is around $1,000 (or cheaper), and meets a few specific needs. I'm eyeing a Jura or DeLonghi, but are there others I should be considering? [more inside]
Disney World sans kids.
What tips, hints, recommendations, and tricks can the hive mind offer for two adults going to Disney World (FL) in March? [more inside]
Money from Zuckerberg?
Can our non-profit accept Facebook credits as donation according to the TOS? [more inside]
Help me fix my iPhone4
I'm looking to replace the back glass panel of my iPhone 4. The options seem to be cheap ($2-$10) options from Amazon, or $80 from iFixIt. I'm mostly interested in the quality of the glass covering the lens. Mine is tremendously scratched, rendering my camera useless. I'd prefer to not pay $80, but I also don't trust the $2 knock-offs from Amazon. I've heard that the cheap ones have very crappy lens coverings - essentially just plastic wrap, not clear glass at all. Any advice on getting a quality rear backing at a decent price?
I have nothing
Where can I get the recording of the live performance of Cui Jian/ADO at Tianamen Square in 1989? [more inside]
Epic history book suggestions
MagnumOpusFilter: What are some epic history books? [more inside]
Take care of my face (Nivea?)
Do products like Nivea coenzyme Q10 face protector (or the DNAge) do anything or are they just a mix of fancy soap/lotion + marketing hype? [more inside]
Why? Because fuck you, that's why!
Where did the expression "Why? Because fuck you, that's why!" come from? [more inside]
Seeking: Photo of a bored, violent cop, Chicago, 1968.
I'm looking for a famous photo from the 1968 Chicago Democratic National Convention: a policeman, carrying a club, has his arm back ready to strike the photographer. The cop has a helmet, a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, and a bored expression, looking right at the camera. [more inside]
February 20
Bored in Ann Arbor: *How* does one find new things to do?
Bored in Ann Arbor: *How* does one find new things to do? [more inside]
The best 27 hours in Miami?
On a whim, we added a 27 hour layover in Miami to our impending mid-March vacation. What should we do with our day, and where should we eat dinner? [more inside]
Tofu recipes for meat eaters?
Tofu recipes for meat eaters? [more inside]
On-Line Silent Auctions??????
Doability of having a silent auction on-line...... [more inside]
All I got for my Linsanity was this stinkin purse
Left my leather handbag on the ground during a sporting event and now it's soaked through with beer. Now what? [more inside]
Help me find the bed of my dreams!
Despite my minimalist style in general I have wanted a bed like the one in this article for as long as I can remember. Can you help me find one that doesn't cost $1000? [more inside]
Should I buy this camera?
How much should I pay for this camera? [more inside]
Private death
An acquaintance from high school recently died at the age of 22. His family decided to keep the cause of death private. Help me out here -- why would they choose to do that? [more inside]
You didn't eat that, did you?
Dog + fiberglass insulation = Bad. Right? [more inside]
Can DMV suspend/revoke license for J Walking in another state?
My friend has a drivers license from the state of Pennsylvania and is currently living in Los Angeles California. They got a ticket for J Walking and the officer took down their name, License # and home address in Los Angeles. Then my friend recently receive a letter from the CA DMV saying that if they don't pay the fine then they will suspend/revoke the license.
Can CA suspend/revoke their Pennsylvania license for J Walking in Los Angeles, CA? Yes/No and how did you resolve it or get out of it?
Thanks!
Block Parent logo?
I am looking for a high-res logo or a high-res scan of the Block Parent graphic of the adult holding the child's hand. If the "Block Parent" text is included then all the better.
Should I be worried about repeat vandalism after one incident?
Should I be worried about repeat vandalism after one incident? [more inside]
How to prevent self sabotage?
Asking for a friend: How can a person get over a crippling anxiety of getting dumped? [more inside]
What should I do with my new toy?
What should I make with my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer? [more inside]
Kittens, kittens, kittens, kittens...
Kitten is pregnant! Help please! [more inside]
What is the opposite of a snowball?
This is a slightly strange one, so bear with me if you will!
I have been building a rubber-band ball ever since I read the Warren Buffett biography "Snowball". I wanted something in my office that symbolized the snowball idea -- little achievements that gradually grow into something big -- and that I had made myself. It is growing pretty big right now.
It occurred to me the other day that a successful strategy requires a dual approach. So now I am thinking that slow and steady is only half the picture. The other half is impulse, intuition, go-with-your-gut and, as my handle indicates, seat-of-my-pants!
My question: What can I put in my office that symbolizes this spontaneous trait. The ying to the yang of snowball. The quantum-leap approach, if you will!
I want to have something that is either interactive or made by myself so that it is not just an inanimate glump sitting on a shelf.
Thank you for indulging me and I look forward to your insights.
Home daycare questions
Questions when considering starting a home daycare. [more inside]
I'm a little old kitty/ I live in Philly/ My teeth are filthy/ My breath is icky.
Any recommendations for a vet in the Philadelphia/DelCo area? Little old kitty needs a teeth cleaning. [more inside]
Help me help my parents buy a new minivan the easiest way possible.
My parents (who are in Savannah, GA) are looking to buy a new car, but recently moved away from where they knew who to go to and who to trust. Now they are looking at those websites that offer to contact dealers around and get you the best deal before you go looking on the car you want, with no haggling. [more inside]
Strength Training/Stretch Routine for Runner ?
Strength Training/Stretch Routine for Runner? [more inside]
Link to TOMIPASTA lesson plan format, anyone?
Please help me find a TOMIPASTA lesson plan format explanation/link. [more inside]
I have some serious conference room envy.
Data on office layout & team collaboration? My workgroup needs more conference rooms, and I'd love to have studies to back up my suggestion. [more inside]
Cats: Begone!
How can I keep my neighbor's cats out of my hair (and yard) ?! [more inside]
How to find abundance in love
What do you do to feel that love is abundant in the world? [more inside]
I know this sounds hilariously effete
How do you prepare yourself for failure before it comes? What do you read or watch to allow yourself to let go when a labor of love has failed? [more inside]
Institutional ownership of a stock How often is this reported?
I can log onto my Ameritrade account and find the percentage of a company's stock that is "Held by Institutions". How often is this information reported and what constitutes an "Institution"? [more inside]
Sometimes we hear banjos and pigs squealing out there in the woods and it's scary...
We live in the sticks. I'd like to take my 7-year-old out to where the people are! Can you help me conceive an awesome, week-long-ish trip for $1000 or less? [more inside]
Is joint parameter estimation always strictly better than individual parameter estimation?
Is it true that it is always better to estimate parameters jointly, even when they are completely unrelated? [more inside]
Art art art art from the public.
Tell me about your favorite art blogs. [more inside]
What do I do with a moderately fast spare computer?
Ideas for what to do with a (moderately fast) spare PC in 2012? (Intel C2D 3ghz E8400, 8GB RAM, etc) HTPC comes to mind, but open to more creative suggestions. [more inside]
Downton Abbey iTV versus PBS runtimes
Was there a difference in the iTV versus PBS airing of the Christmas Special (last episode) of season 2 of Downton Abbey? [more inside]
Scardy Cat II
Are there any good, humane ways to trap a semi-domesticated cat? [more inside]
Just all around confused about my relationship
Really, totally confused about my relationship. Suddenly, I've lost all desire to see her, and I don't know why. I honestly don't. I would really appreciate any insight. I'm just lost. [more inside]
Oh, The Possibilities?
What kinds of jobs can I get based on my degree and current work experience? [more inside]
Gas grill using natural gas?
I'm beginning to look into propane barbeques. Now, I have a natural gas outlet/line already installed on my deck, and I'd much rather use that than deal with propane tanks. I see plenty of gas BBQ conversion kits available online, but A. How safe/easy is this conversion to do yourself? B. Does it need to be done professionally / follow some city code? [more inside]
Will I have to pay a parking ticket for a stolen car?
My car was stolen. Will I have to pay the ticket for illegal parking where it was dumped? [more inside]
Please help me understand this court case (if it is one)
Please help me understand this court case (if it is one). I have made some attempts to try and find help with the California court noted here but I've been told "that's not us" and am a little embarrassed with my attempts to chase this down. I've also emailed the attorneys and other people involved but they are not responding perhaps due to the controversial nature of the case. [more inside]
But it's not that kind of white powder!
Can I bring diatomaceous earth on an airplane? Quick responses appreciated. [more inside]
I LOVE YOU LET ME TASTE YOU
I love my new kitty, Agent Cooper, beyond all reason. He's 1 year old and was a stray, and he's been living with me for a month now. The problem is, he's a biter. I'm pretty sure it's an OH MY GOD I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, CHOMP! kind of bite, but I want to be sure I am reading, and handling, his behavior correctly. [more inside]
No one's rushing the field.
When and why did pitch invasions/court-storming/rushing the field end in professional, american sports? I see highlights in the 70s from Hank Aaron's 715, Yankees winning their division, even the Celtics winning an NBA championship in the early 80s where the fans celebrate with the players (or try to take hats off of their heads).
In my sports lifetime,(post 1992), I cannot recall a single moment of this happening in pro sports (in America).
Seriously Wrong Number.
Got a call from someone who said he got my number from someone else I don't remember meeting. Should I pursue more info or let it drop? [more inside]
Witty title
Know a good plumber in seattle? Faucet's pivot-stopper is broke where it connects to drain stopper inside pipe, where i can't reach it. Should be easy for a pro. Know anyone, or have other recommendations? Sorry for the question but I don't want to go in blind here.
Circadian sexuality circus
What might cause a 'scheduled' sexuality change/shift, regularly, in a man? [more inside]
What do you 'like' on Facebook?
What are your favourite interesting, informative or unusual FB Groups or Pages? [more inside]
Diapers and Strollers and Wipes, Oh my!
I need to buy a double stroller and some diapers for my out-of-state niece and her two kids, aged 1 yr and 2 weeks old. I know nothing of such things and I feel a little overwhelmed. Help please! [more inside]
Are there any good novels that use Greek trade in or around the 6th c. BC as a way of exploring ancient cultures?
Are there any good novels that use Greek trade in or around the 6th c. BC as a way of exploring ancient cultures? Also, how far did Greeks travel during that time? Did they make into India? To the British Isles?
none more flakey
Help me become more reliable at work. [more inside]
Work visa in the USA
Can I apply for a visa to work with a company that I create in the USA? [more inside]
Who made this table?
Handbook for the Concussed
I'm looking for some things to do for a friend who's supposed to avoid thinking for a few days. [more inside]
MS Access Query Query
Complicated (or probably not complicated) MS Access question that I'm not sure how to google for. [more inside]
Help me land my dream job!
HRfilter: How do I apply for a supervisor position in my field without any supervisory experience? I fulfill and exceed all other requirements, and I just need to convince HR that I'm very ready to lead. Please help! [more inside]
Best over-ear headphones for iPhone?
I'm looking for recommendations on great over-ear headphones I can use with my iPhone. I've been using Klipsch earbuds, but they don't stay in my ear that well, and I'm concerned about hearing loss, so I'd like to keep a small distance from my sound source.
I've seen in previous questions that the Sennheiser HD-280 and Sony MDR-V6 have been recommended for general use. I'm not sure about the viability of a hugely long cord for using these while walking around, however, nor do I know if the iPhone could drive these cans. I'm looking for accurate sound reproduction (no pumped-up bass, please) and comfortable wear. I'll be using them both outside and indoors, but they don't need to be sound-canceling.
In search of info on a 50's/60's illustrator-author of children's books
I grew up always loving a children's book titled Throw a Kiss, Harry. The author is Mary Chalmers. She wrote a number of children's book and illustrated for several other authors. I have been able to find several of them through Alibris, but I have been unable to find much info on this great author. I believe she is still living and would be in her eighties, but other than that, I am at a loss. I would love to find out more about her and her work. After and an extensive web search I have no leads. Any ideas?
Biomedical Equipment Technician AS degree - Can I do this faster and/or better?
I am planning on returning to school for a 2-year associates degree in biomedical equipment technology (AKA medical equipment repair). Does it have to take 2 years? [more inside]
My memory fails me
I'm trying to remember a web-video series that was mentioned on the blue a couple of times in the last year or two. All I can remember is that they were hosted by a woman (maybe light brown/blond hair...?) who was giving a funny/feminist take on various things in pop culture. Does that ring a bell with anyone? I think maybe one of the topics she talked about was yogurt commercials aimed at women. I know, not much to go on!
Where did 30 years go suddenly?
Seeking Dear Abby, handholding and guidance for Dummies. Yes, this is about a man and yes I'm feeling totally clueless. Help. [more inside]
Web host that allows SSH tunneling on shared plan
I’m looking for a shared hosting plan from a major/well-established/reputable web host that allows SSH tunneling (SOCKS5), which is cheaper than the $9.95 per month shared DreamHost plan. Note; I am asking about SSH tunneling, not just SSH shell access. [more inside]
When MS Paint won't cut it...
I can't justify the cost of photoshop. What freeware/shareware/open-source image editor for Windows comes closest in terms of capabilities and/or interface? [more inside]
I miss my old friends
Should I try to get back in touch with the high school friends I pushed away? [more inside]
JavaScript precedence for dummies
I have a hard time remembering operator precedence rules in JavaScript. Is there anything wrong with using parentheses to force the precedence I want so I don't have to remember the rules?
Sci-fi written by women in the 2000s?
I'm looking for the best sci-fi and speculative fiction written by women in the past 10-or-so years. I don't care if it's hard or soft sci-fi, merely that it creates a realistic world and is well-written. If it helps, my favourite authors include Umberto Eco, Susanna Clarke, and George R. R. Martin. I'm still chewing through Perido Street Station, so I don't quite know if I like Mieville or not. Any recommendations?
Tips for going to first basketball game?
Tips for going to first basketball game? [more inside]
How do you figure out feelings?
I'm having a lot of trouble identifying the emotions I'm feeling and why. What techniques can I use to work through this? [more inside]
omgwtfbbq mefi, i can haz gay boyfriend, plz?
PhillyGayPhilter: Online dating through OkCupid hasn't been working out well for me, but I'm not quite sure how else to do it now that I'm out of college. How do I meet other young-ish gay men in Philadelphia, in either meat-space or alternative digital pastures? Anxieties, personal details, and candy within! [more inside]
It's choose-your-own-adventure management!
If things go my way, I may be a Team Lead for a group of remote analysts soon. But this position was basically invented to keep me around. There’s no job description and I don’t really know what I would be doing as the Team Lead. Help me figure out specific actions I can take to make myself useful in this job. [more inside]
SelfRewardFilter: What treats do you give/buy yourself for rewards or incentives?
SelfRewardFilter: What treats do you give/buy yourself for rewards or incentives? [more inside]
I don't want to be a lap swimming jerk
I'm keen to add lap swimming to my fitness routine, but I haven't done it before and don't know the etiquette. Help me not commit any lap swimming faux pas. [more inside]
Simple usability testing?
How to set up a simple usability test station? I'm thinking a laptop with the webcam recording the user's face + a screen recorder. Anything like this already out there? [more inside]
Embedded Video Hosting - What's a good option for a school ?
Hosting for videos so that they may be embedded in a school web-site ?
YouTube ? Vimeo ? Picasa ? [more inside]
FTP moves in mysterious ways?
Since about a week my work as a web developer has become incredibly frustrating due to intermittent but very frequent FTP problems. Making small changes in a remote stylesheet has become agony (7 out of 10 times the uploading fails, have to restart software and try again). I cannot find the root cause. It's not the software (tried several different applications), it's not the server (problems occur on all the websites I manage) and it happens on both uploading and downloading. I have turned off firewalls, antivirus software and things like DropBox but all to no avail. I don't have any other connection issues (I'm not on WiFi and web browsing and bittorrent work fine for example).
I'm on a 64-bit Windows 7 Professional (Service Pack 1 with all the latest updates installed) laptop. That is the only variable I cannot change, I don't have another computer at hand.
Does anyone have an idea what could be causing these problems? Is there something else I could try to fix it?
a poorly timed rebellious phase
I am going to be interviewing for jobs soon. My hair is currently a rather vibrant shade of purple. How much of a problem is this going to be? [more inside]
Last minute ski trip - where to?
Where's the good snow right now? [more inside]
Which diaper will fit?
Diaper Filter! Please Hack my diaper issue. I don't understand the sizing at all. My current knowledge is that choosing a size has more to do with your baby's "output" than the recommendations for weight on the label. My son is slim, but large. His current size leaks. HELP! [more inside]
Buy my book, baby, and I'll drop down for ya.
I would like to add a paypal 'Buy Now' button for a single item to a self-hosted wordpress website, with a drop-down selection list. I've created the button in Paypal but the code becomes messed once the html is inserted in the wordpress page - the options are all visible as if in a table, not in a drop-down. I've googled but can't find the solution. [more inside]
February 19
What's your Bollywood Power Song?
I need some Bollywood music for my 10k run (runtime: 60 minutes). [more inside]
Hacking (or just hacking up) my couch, vs. just replacing it already
Can I hack my (Ikea Varnamo) couch? SHOULD I? [more inside]
How do I get this door open?
My bedroom door won't open. I'm not inside and can't get in another way. What do I do? [more inside]
it's a credit union party, y'all
Credit Union Filter: Have you attended your credit union's annual meeting? What was done there, and did you find it worthwhile? [more inside]
Looking for a modern-day moveable feast.
What are your favorite books (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, etc) and films about contemporary life in Paris, Munich, and/or Zurich (or their environs)? (Translated into English, of course). [more inside]
The longest cat and mouse game
He's not over his ex. I suppose I just have to go away and wait to see if he ever pursues me... [more inside]
What can I do about plagiarism by international students?
What can I do to decrease plagiarism? Snowflakey details inside. [more inside]
I went to Philadelphia and it was...
Quickie trip to Philly Museum of Art: how safe is public transit? [more inside]
Looking for great places doing great things in New Jersey
Move to New Jersey in the future (Princeton), I am looking for jobs but I have some specific interests. I know almost nothing about the area and what is based there. I am aware of its proximity to major cities but I would like to start with recommendations near Princeton and then outward. I really want to work in technology/creative groups. [more inside]
Will I have any problems getting in-state tuition in California?
My boyfriend and I are moving to San Francisco for his work. I'm in the middle of a second bachelor's degree in biochemistry/fulfilling premedical requirements. I'd like to enroll at the City College (community college) for a year and then transfer to a university after I've established residency. This will be fine, right? Have I missed anything that might enable a California university to deny me in-state tuition? [more inside]
OddFilter: Tracheotomy microphones for sale?
Where can I buy one of those old microphone things that tracheotomy patients put up to their throats, and when they talk they sound kind of robotic? [more inside]
I really can't study in libraries.
I need more coffee shops/restaurants in the Durham/Chapel Hill area to study in. Requirements: decent seating and wifi. Plugs a bonus but not a requirement. [more inside]
What's in a name? Should I allow my son's surname to be changed?
Should I allow my son’s mother to change his surname? [more inside]
How can I get it through to my partner that she can't afford an unpaid internship?
My partner refuses to consider giving up her unpaid internship in order to find a job and is furious with me for suggesting that she should. How do I approach this? [more inside]
Copying old DVD of home movies onto my Mac hard drive?
I want to copy a DVD of home movies to my hard drive (mac) and be able to watch them (and possibly upload them onto the internet). Copied the DVD files, but none of them will open with any of my current applications. Please help. [more inside]
physical barriers to pickpocketing
What can I do to my existing pairs of jeans to prevent pick-pocketing? [more inside]
How to create warmth and hominess without a lot of stuff?
How can a minimalist and a less-minimalist set up a homey and comfortable apartment together? [more inside]
How do I coordinate my disparate digital music collection?
How do I coordinate my disparate digital music collection? [more inside]
Creativity Zapped
How do I get my artistic inspiration/mojo back? I have 3 primary artistic outlets: pottery, photography/videography and writing (primarily about my travels and linked to the photography. I seem to be crap at all of them and can't get back in the zone. [more inside]
Can a veteran who enlisted in the early 80's prove that he's a high school graduate?
Can a veteran who enlisted in the early 80's prove that he's a high school graduate? [more inside]
how to pick up a barista?
On Friday I grabbed a coffee with my sister, and the barista was the most lovely woman I'd ever seen. Love at first sight if I've ever known it. I stammered my order, paid with cash, and simply remarked to my sister on the way out the door that "wow, she was cute!" The next day I receive my match.com daily email with 14 "mutual matches" and BOOM, there is the amazing barista among the other women. Destiny! How do I go about asking her out - in person and not via match - without seeming like a creepy stalker?
Tell me about these music festivals you speak of
In NYC, never been to a music festival, but want to go to one this spring/summer. What's my best bet? [more inside]
Heading off the worst of a flu?
My young son probably has the flu, which could strike any day now. Dumb question, but is there anything I can do? [more inside]
Reputable dog rescue or shelter in Belguim?
A Belgian friend of mine's dog just passed away. Recently, when we lost one of our animals, a different friend made a donation to a shelter she had knowledge of & respected in our pet's name. I found that deeply touching, and now, I would like to do the same for this friend. [more inside]
Post-gallbladder-surgery problems
Post-gallbladder surgery complications question - have you had your gallbladder out? (TMI inside, be warned) [more inside]
Seroquel and the Miracle of Losing Weight?
I'm taking 150 mg of Seroquel which has seemed to be helping. But i need to lose preexisting weight..about 40-50 lbs. All i read on the web are horror stories about people gaining 50-100 lbs even when they are doing cardio and weights. My question...anybody here either themselves or know people who have actually been able to lose weight while on seroquel if they followed the usual healthy eating and exercise 3-5 times a week?
he doesn't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything ... or sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought or processed...
What kinds of careers/fields of study should my music- and animal-loving STEM-student son consider? [more inside]
Completely Acoustic "Orchestra"
I'm looking for some completely acoustic "orchestra" recordings. I went to see Steven Schick's NINE RIVERS Part II: Iosis performance at Columbia's Miller Theater back in September here in NYC, but I haven't been able to find an entirely acoustic orchestra performance since then.
why can't i pull both my knees to my chest?
I started a new yoga class and have found that I am unable to pull my knees to my chest. No one else in the class has this problem and I'm generally fairly limber. What do you think this could be and how can I work on it? [more inside]
How can I map the keyboard shortcuts from Apple Mail onto Outlook 2011 for Mac?
How can I map the keyboard shortcuts from Apple Mail onto Outlook 2011 for Mac? [more inside]
Recommend activities for me
I love to climb. What other activities might I like? (Caveat: that are doable within NYC). [more inside]
I want to learn to make motion graphics. Is After Effects a good way in? Whats a good way yo begin learning it?
I want to learn to make motion graphics. Is After Effects a good way in? Whats a good way yo begin learning it? [more inside]
Cannot delete Photoshop created file from iMac desktop.
When using a custom Photoshop action to resize and save JPEGs to my desktop, something keeps happening occasionally that leaves a locked TMP file on my desktop that can only be deleted by restarting iMac. [more inside]
Analysis of the various post-CitizensUnited campaign finance reform proposals?
Where can I find an independent analysis comparing likely effects and shortcomings of the various campaign finance reform proposals that have been made in the wake of the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling? [more inside]
Using gnucash to track a couples' joint account?
How should we set up gnucash to track a couple's cash flow and joint account? [more inside]
Beyond Mousercizing
What resources are there on the internet to help a senior grow more comfortable using her laptop? [more inside]
Looking for real "American Horror Story" murder houses
Trying to find houses, hotels, or other locations where multiple, unrelated homicides, unusual deaths, or disappearances have occurred over the years. [more inside]
Concerning the crispness and decisiveness of characters' lives in movies
Question about the crispness and decisiveness of characters' lives in movies. [more inside]
Please can someone just take my stuff already
Help me find a place to donate my stuff! [more inside]
Yeah, but skin-deep matters too.
Image-conscious MeFites: Please recommend a retinol cream for my sensitive, sun-damaged, shiny, combination skin. [more inside]
Cost to exhume & rebury body?
Can anyone offer a ballpark figure on the cost to exhume remains and rebury them in a different state? (in US). "Expensive" is not very helpful, I would like to know if it is closer to $10k, $50k or a $100K. [more inside]
I'm not keeping a betta in this.
I have been given a tiny "fish tank". This one. What can I humanely keep in there? How much work would it be to keep it livable? I love the idea of having a creature or two at my desk, but realize there are some limits. [more inside]
Building pergola on a hill
How do I build a pergola on a hill. I have graded a small area, but can't seem to get it level. Couldn't I just build a platform that is level, then raise the pergola above that?
Babybrain: temporary insanity or actual change of mind?
Happy DINK having doubts: How do you discern between real change in baby-making opinion and just temporary hormonal brooding? [more inside]
Online mathematics
Which are the best online courses for studying algebra and progressing up to trig, calculus, and differentials? [more inside]
It's all about the money, honey!
Help me figure out the best way to convert dollars to pounds in Europe. [more inside]
Am I lactose intolerant?
I think I'm lactose intolerant. Advise me? [more inside]
How to change the wing mirror on a Peugot 107?
How to change the wing mirror on a Peugot 107? [more inside]
Can I get by with an iPad?
I need a secondary computer. Can that computer be an ipad? [more inside]
In the desert of memories
A film/TV show that concludes with a missile base? [more inside]
What to do after domestic violence?
My fiance hit me today. I called the police and he's in jail. What am I supposed to do now? [more inside]
Cat very upset after outside time
Our indoor cat got outside, maybe tangled with a feral cat. He came back inside and is now growling and screeching in the bathroom. Bad situation. This is a long story. [more inside]
The next booming market, music for NICU wards...
What are some nice relaxing songs I can play on the guitar for my son in the NICU ward? [more inside]
What do I do with expired yeast?
What can you do with expired yeast? [more inside]
this belly fat is stubborn!
What is the best way to get rid of belly fat, for a woman? Diet or exercise? What kind of exercise? [more inside]
Squats and upper-body strength
Do squats really help with building your upper-body? [more inside]
Lesson Differentiation: PE Filter.
How can I differentiate PE activities for young students when they're sick? [more inside]
Thinking of starting a nicotine habit
Can the benefits of starting a nicotine habit outweigh the costs? [more inside]
Problems I never thought I'd have: finding lodging in NYC for my fiance for several months / a year
I can't believe I'm trying to find an apartment in NYC, especially on such short notice, but I guess I am. Is there some kind of apartment-finding service anyone recommends? Am already looking at Airbnb - good? Probably need something cheap, tiny, convenient for a few months (one person working in Times Square), then something for two people and possibly a cat for the remainder of the year. [more inside]
Is it me?
Was I wrong? [more inside]
Raindrops keep fallin' [in] my head
Sometimes when I sit at a strange angle or practice bad posture I hear a faint dripping sound, like a leaky faucet, coming from inside my throat, slightly to the right of my windpipe. It dissipates after a while on its own. Now what's going on? [more inside]
February 18
Will there be long term issues with dating/marrying someone 13 years older than me?
What long-term issues arise with marrying an older man? [more inside]
my schnoz can't take it anymore.
How do I cancel out really pungent odors left behind by someone's cooking? [more inside]
13 years? Challenge accepted
Which University/College should I go to if I plan to become a forensic pathologist? Specifics inside; looking for advice. [more inside]
Help me get my curtains off my desk and onto the windows
I am confused about curtains. Please unconfuse me. [more inside]
Should I excercise my damaged knee or should I baby it more?
I have an ACL injury from a motorcycle accident two years ago. I have noticed in the past 6 months it has gotten much worse. Should I excercise more or less? I don't have health insurance and have no way to get physical therapy at all and have already exhausted all free health-care options. [more inside]
Identify my dog's breed
What breed/mix of breeds is my dog? [more inside]
What can I do if my public defender isn't fairly representing me?
I'm the defendant in a legal case and am being represented by a public defender. I feel I am not being represented fairly. My hearing is next week. What should I do? [more inside]
What's missing from my diet?
I'm 20, and have since at least Middle School been living off of graham crackers, peanut butter, and milk. Tell me what's wrong with my diet and how to fix it. [more inside]
Dear Diary, How do I keep you?
What are your tips on maintaining a journal that is private, useful, detailed and organized? [more inside]
Panicing for planes
I am having panic attacks and I need to get on a plane tomorrow. [more inside]
Cartoon fashion IRL: Help me dress like Noodle from the Gorillaz.
Cartoon fashion IRL: Help me dress like Noodle from the Gorillaz. Stripey shirt - check. Still on the prowl for rad boots, funky hats and jackets/shorts/pants with cool asymmetry, weird pocket placements and military inspiration. In general, I just dig the style and am trying to figure out where I can shop for clothes like this - online or otherwise. I live in Portland, OR.
How do I pretend to be excited about an engagement I'm not excited about?
Sister in law just got engaged. I'm not super excited. How do I fake it 'till I make it? [more inside]
music for good girl gone bad?
What album or band would a good girl who wants to be "bad" listen to in 1991? [more inside]
The Plantation-ville Horror?
What, if any, horror films feature the retaliation of ghosts of enslaved Africans, similar in concept to movies that are built around Native American spirits taking revenge against (white) Americans? [more inside]
How to Talk to a Surgeon, Episode 759
I had reconstructive surgery to close a carcinoma wound this week and the surgeon rushed and botched the stitching. I did everything I could think of to have it seen. Now I don't want to see him for my scheduled appointment next week. I also have to keep things open with insurance and other area surgeons for a possible scar correction after a year. More inside. [more inside]
Oh the Horror!
What are good sources for finding out about new and forthcoming horror books? I'm not talking about anything with vampires and/or werewolves, I mean books that really inspire a sense of dread or fear.
Beginner fingerpicking songs?
I'm looking for songs that will help me incorporate fingerpicking into my guitar practice. What are some good songs to start out on? [more inside]
Songs like Dana Fuchs' Beatles covers?
I adore Dana Fuchs' covers in Across the Universe. Help me find more songs like this? [more inside]
Antiques close to NYC
Where can I go get antiques on a day trip out of NYC? [more inside]
Gym Shoe Recommendations Please
My familiarity with exercise footwear is limited to my running shoes. What should I be looking for in a gym shoe? [more inside]
Info for the new beader
Getting started with making beaded jewelry. Looking for tips and inspiration. [more inside]
Writing App that Syncs
Recommendations for a clean, simple, functional writing app that will sync documents between a desktop Mac, ipad, and iphone/ipod touch. [more inside]
Incessant credit card offers are one thing, but this is a whole other ballgame.
Normally, an unexpected $10,000 check in the mail would be super. Not f it comes from a secret surprise student loan. Help me fix this please! [more inside]
...to wound the autumnal city
Have you read Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delaney? Was it worth it? [more inside]
Are there really java viruses?
Are there really Java viruses? [more inside]
We've only been dating for a few months. He doesn't want to get married, ever. I do. What now?
We've only been dating for a few months. He doesn't want to get married, ever. I do. What now? [more inside]
How do I get better emotionally and still have a job?
How to deal with severe depression and delusions? Where do I go from here? Special snowflakes inside. [more inside]
Please help my miserable stomach!
I've had pretty much constant heartburn for a few months and I've completely miserable. What can I do and do I need a new doctor? [more inside]
How screwed am I?
How do I buy a car as cheaply as possible? [more inside]
Where should I go to grad school?
A year-and-a-half ago, I asked for your advice about grad school in philosophy. I have since ignored it, applied, and am now trying to decide where to go. Help me out! [more inside]
How decrease my levels of frustration when learning a skill?
How do I get over the sudden fear, anxiety, frustration and embarrassment I feel when learning a new skill? [more inside]
help me boot my macbook with a dead screen to an external monitor.
Staff member's MacBook (four years old or so, probably running osx 10.4 to 10.6, I'm not sure on this) has a dead screen. I have a back-up machine for them, and want to migrate them to the new machine... The old computer boots, I can JUST barely see the screen enough to log in, but after that, can't see enough to do anything. I can attach an external monitor (I've tried two different monitors, the result is the same), it boots to the initial starry background, and although I can log onto the computer as noted above, the external monitor never changes from that background. No windows, no menu bar, no dock, just that background and the cursor arrow. [more inside]
Cat tac act
Are there any words in English whose letters, when rearranged in every possible order, form a word in every case?
Example: son-- sno, nos, nso, osn, etc. Obviously this is not a correct answer.
If so, is there a word for it?
USA AMT income tax question
USA federal income tax question relating to AMT and state income tax refunds. Very much a #firstworldproblems sort of thing. [more inside]
Trying not to run myself into a knee replacement
New runner...with 41-year-old knees. I am doing a decent amount of running for the first time ever, and have been pleased with how much my endurance has improved pretty quickly. BUT, I have a couple of questions: 1) does running surface matter a whole bunch; and 2) how to best prevent knee injury. (More below) [more inside]
Buy Elements 10... or not?
Stick with Photoshop 6.0, or buy Elements 10? [more inside]
OMG There's So Much Meat!
How do you divide frozen foods, especially meat, between two freezers? We have a regular refrigerator-freezer in the kitchen for items used daily. Then there's a back-up refrigerator-freezer in the garage for beer and meats that we buy in bulk and freeze until we need them. I can't figure out a good system for deciding which meats get stored in the kitchen freezer and which get stored in the garage. Every method I try gets all confused within a month or two. So how do you do it?
Sneaking into First Class
Has anyone ever tried to sit in an empty First Class seat on a flight when their actual seat is in economy? [more inside]
Help Marcel, the 1.5-winged pigeon
Pigeon prognosis? [more inside]
What are these shoes?
I wish I was a athletic/jogging/tennis shoe enthusiast: I need help in identifying the type/brand/shoe of this particular pair seen in a particular photo. [more inside]
Buying an engagement ring, best time? Online safe?
I want to propose to my girlfriend. My budget is $750 or less, ideally $500 or less. She loves diamond solitaries or the 3 stone rings. She wants something less then 1/2 carat. My questions are: [more inside]
How soon should I get paid?
How soon should I be paid for work I have done? [more inside]
Trying to Stay in Contact
I manage my contacts in Outlook on Computer 1. I manage my iPhone on Computer 2. I don't want to put Outlook on Computer 2, and I don't want to connect my iPhone to Computer 1. How can I best keep my contacts up-to-date on my iPhone? [more inside]
Investing for the Fearful
Investing for the Fearful: I have a fair amount of savings, but haven't been investing most of it for fear of another 2008-style stock market crisis. Is there a low risk way to start investing without feeling like I'm gambling on my life savings? [more inside]
How to look better in group photos?
i don't want to be tagged in ugly pictures of myself [more inside]
What is this Asian food?
Getting sober and getting on with it
Getting sober and/or working towards your dreams: before, after or simultaneously? [more inside]
Like water, money slips through my fingers...
Mid-40's father having nervous breakdown over money woes and long standing relationship to money. [more inside]
Help me undermine assumptions about women in STEM jobs
I need a tactful but clear way to correct stereotype-based assumptions about my abilities. [more inside]
Paging Dr. Bronner (Refill)!
Odyssey of Pain? Does this photo exist?
At univerisity in the 90s there was a book in the library which featured (as far as I recall) a man in a darkened room with electricity being passed through him sentried on either side by men in white coats (not an electric chair). The caption was "Odyssey of Pain". I have a feeling it was from a LIFE Magazine collection -- it suited their style -- but I was hoping someone might be able to confirm I've not been imagining it all these years.
Help me help my sick cat.
Our cat isn't eating or drinking. He's been to vet, but doesn't seem to be getting better. Please help. [more inside]
Recommend us a hotel convenient to Penn Station please?
Any personal recommendations for Manhattan hotel that is clean and won't totally break the bank? I'm thinking ideally ~$200. It would be for Feb 25th (Saturday, a week from today). Private bath a must. [more inside]
How to deal with fiancé's explosive child?
My fiancé and boyfriend of several months has a troubled 10-year old who has been living with him in his studio apartment for two years, ever since her mother, with whom my boyfriend has no relationship, was hospitalized for mental health issues. The little girl has very low frustration tolerance and throws tantrums or starts crying at the slightest sign of not getting what she wants. On these occasions I try to keep out of the way and let her father handle her. [more inside]
VOIP Upgrade
I'm thinking about getting an Obi110 VOIP appliance to replace our T-Mobile @Home service that's set to expire soon and keeping us tethered to an expensive plan.
Is Google Voice the best service to go with, or should I go for another SIP voip provider? 911, either built in or third party, is a must. [more inside]
Where does this commercial guitar riff come from?
What is the name of this distorted guitar riff that's been playing the past couple months on a television commercial? [more inside]
When google fails - time to call the metafilter hivemind to find that website!
Metafilter, can you help me remember the name of this website/startup that is in the back of my mind that I saw about 6 months ago and now cannot find?
The site was a wiki style site that took a TV series or book and/or movie and extracted all the other books and music and films that were referenced in it. The site gave you summaries of these references and itunes and youtube links so that you could immerse yourself in the "universe" of a particular show/book. So kind of a similar idea to the madmen unbuttoned blog but more like a wiki.
I have it in mind that this was a startup of some kind that was just starting out and thought that it was called little monsters or little devils or green monsters or something along those lines. (but trying everything I could think of along those lines turned up nothing so that may be a red herring!) I've been continually amazed by the power of the metafilter hive mind to solve this kind of query in the past, so thought I would give it a shot. Thanks.
Treasure + history + adventure + action = awesome
Indiana Jones, Romancing the Stone, National Treasure, The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec and even Tomb Raider and Sahara. I love all these movies. Recommend me more of the same, please!
Does she have to go to jail?
Lying under oath: what would a likely penalty be for a plaintiff who commits perjury? [more inside]
iPad stuck in reboot cycle
My iPad 1 is stuck in a shutdown-reboot loop. I put it onto maximum brightness to use it outside, while attached to power. The app I was using, a graphically intensive game, drained it dry anyway. Now it is stuck in a situation where it charges up enough to start up, starts up, and being on max brightness, drains itself dry and shuts down again before I can get to the menu. The rocker switch is set to volume not brightness. I have tried various combinations of buttons. Any ideas?
February 17
How to deal with a non-working subordinate?
How can I get my new subordinate to stop whining about having to do their job, and actually do their job? (Also - is it me?) Also - in an interview to replace this person, what kind of questions can I ask to ensure I don't get another person like this? Long, rambling details about long rambling e-mails inside.... [more inside]
If I'm just cooking for myself, should I buy a smaller oven?
If I'm just cooking for myself, should I buy a smaller oven? [more inside]
The best of the worst
I am looking for as many examples of funny/absurd/head scratching political advertisement from the current US cycle. Video preferred but print/web certainly accepted.
A few (hopefully clarifying details below the fold) [more inside]
Best Tanto Pocket Knife?
I need help finding a folding tanto blade knife with some specifications: [more inside]
How do I not look pregnant?
How do I improve my posture? [more inside]
Herbs/supplements for academic writing?
I am in the last two weeks of writing my master's thesis and I was wondering what herbs or supplements others have found useful for writing. Focus is part of it, but I also need to produce and get in the flow, so to speak. It comes sometimes, but I can never force those really productive moments. I have a cupboard full of various herbs, but no time to experiment. Wondering what has worked for other, including combinations. [more inside]
Help me bake cookies in a pot
For baking cookies in a pot on the stove-top, apparently some kind of spacer like this is needed. What is it called, and where can I get one? [more inside]
Beeeeep. Beeeeep. Beeeep.
There is a smoke detector in my building doing the low-battery chirp, and it's been going off for DAYS. How do I make it stop? Please, please help. [more inside]
When you started rock climbing for fitness, did you start alone?
Looking to try rock climbing for fitness and mental health, but I don’t have many friends who do it currently and honestly not interested in a social experience if or until I get any good. It seems like it’d be a great sport for me but I’m daunted by the need for belaying partners and all that business. Is this a sport that you even can do solo, or are there other sports that involve a combination of strength and puzzle solving I should be looking at?
Intergenerational bonding
Many years ago it was not unusual to give a newborn a U.S. savings bond as a gift. Does this still make sense to do, or has the economy and the political situation made this obsolete? In which case, what would be the current equivalent?
What can I do to get myself to feel attracted to a different type of man?
What can I do to get myself to feel attracted to a different type of man? [more inside]
Cell Phone Help!
I need to cut my cell phone bill, but still want a capable smartphone. Help! [more inside]
market value
Are there any interesting foreign/international food markets in in-town Atlanta? [more inside]
I need to find a brief history of adult ESL education in CA
I need to find a book/article/website on the history of teaching Adult ESL in California. [more inside]
Level 10 übervegan
Can a man survive eating only black beans and apples? [more inside]
Wanted: a good study Bible with superb footnotes
3.5 years ago I posted a question about looking for the kickass bible story book of my youth. I finally found it today! Now, I'd like to find a good study Bible for me. [more inside]
What's this Sci-Fi short story?
What's this Sci-Fi short story? A scientist working on gender selection technology is contacted by future potential outcomes of his work (a male-dominated world and a woman-dominated world) that end up corresponding to the woman he marries.
Do I need a patent lawyer?
I have an idea for a fun project I'd like to fund via Kickstarter, but I need to do some due diligence first. My idea involves a variation on an existing product. How do I learn if there are patents involved and who I need to talk to to license them if needed? Is this a job for a patent lawyer? [more inside]
Are quality ballet flats worth it? Do you resole them?
Are quality ballet flats worth it? Do you resole them? [more inside]
How do they get the little people into the box?
What books, blogs, online journals, etc. would be good reads in order to get a behind the scenes, nuts and bolts look at the television industry? [more inside]
How do you "check in" on a relationship?
BF and I (straight mid-twenties lady) have a happy, loving relationship (2 years+). But, this is my first long-term relationship and I have an anxiety disorder. I want to "check in" with him and make sure we're still on the same page about us and the future, but this is my pattern and it has been unhealthy for me. To the healthy couples - do you "check in" with your partner? Should I? Snowflake details inside. [more inside]
Mother-in-law triggering PTSD
How do I keep sane when my mother-in-law does crazy things? [more inside]
A Video Camera in Every Pot
What kind of video camera is best for mounting above a cooking demonstration island and cooktop? [more inside]
Vancouver or Bust!
Trying to plan a last minute trip to Vancouver and need some hotel recommendations. Also, it's looking like it's significantly cheaper to fly into to Seattle. Would that make sense to fly into Seattle and then make my way to Vancouver via rental car, bus or train, OR would it be smarter to just pay the extra cost and just fly straight into Vancouver. [more inside]
No income, no job prospects, and no possibility of unemployment benefits. Help me.
I left a good job to go back to school. Now I can't find a job, but I don't qualify for unemployment. What next? [more inside]
Best way to tell whether an online news article was published in print
At work I am often asked whether a news story on a website appeared in print, and we need to know within a quick timeframe. We do not have Lexis Nexis or any other such database for me to check against and there's no chance that we'll have money in our budget to buy a subscription. Usually I resort to using Press Display, but they don't have every paper. Is there an online resource for me to use to determine what was published in print? [more inside]
European Car Rentals
Need some advice on renting a car in Europe this summer [more inside]
Printable record labels for that custom touch.
Where can I find white record label (stickers) in LA by tonight? [more inside]
Automagic help to organising a filesystem?
What things can help me organise a file system? [more inside]
What benefit does a Negative Operating Cycle get you?
What benefit does a Negative Operating Cycle get you? Other than just cash on hand. Amazon has a lot of cash because they practice Just In Time inventory management & sell out of their products before the bill for that product comes due. Other companies pay the bill first & then wait for the stock to sell out to recoup their money. Aside from the benefit of having cash on hand, what benefit do you get from this? [more inside]
Suit and tie
What color suits, shirts, and ties compose a basic professional wardrobe? (On Tuesday I'm starting a new job in which I will wear a suit and tie every day. I need to buy some clothes -- help me out.) [more inside]
How would you describe Cutty Ranks to a deaf person?
Is there a technical terminology that could describe different styles of popular singing, in the same way that linguists might describe accents? Try your hand at a couple of examples inside. [more inside]
What are some non-academic jobs in the social sciences?
Non-academic careers/jobs in the social sciences? [more inside]
Can a sortable spreadsheet exist in a PDF?
I have a PDF document and a spreadsheet in XLS format. We want to be able to put the spreadsheet into the PDF and allow users to click on the sheet's column headings to sort the data alphabetically depending on need. Is this possible? If so, what is the best way to do it? [more inside]
Please use small words not written in VBA
Conditional Images in Word. It must be possible, but how hard is it, and am I just looking in all the wrong places for an answer? [more inside]
I should have eaten my crusts.
I have fine, long, wispy, ultra-ultra-straight hair and according to the hairdresser, lots of it. I would like to occasionally have some loose, simple curls or waves, for going out, weddings and other dressy events. [more inside]
Do I get the leftover gold when my ring is resized?
When you get a ring resized smaller, where does the "extra" metal go? [more inside]
How do I use fewer parentheses?
How do I use fewer parentheses? [more inside]
How does an ad-buyer make their money?
How does an ad-buyer get paid in an agency? And how does that information get relayed to the client? [more inside]
How are your technology and communications teams structured?
I'm wondering about communications & technology staffing at organizations like the one I work for. [more inside]
Japan for the Solo Traveler
Traveling to Japan on my own for 2.5 weeks. Help me avoid the part where I start talking to myself. [more inside]
It's not minor surgery when it's happening to ME!
Ladyparts-filter. Looking for advice/experiences from women who were diagnosed with cervical dysplasia/cancer and had the LEEP biopsy and/or laser ablation. [more inside]
I can't bring sunshine - what else?
I'm visiting an old friend in Seattle this weekend, and I would like to bring her a little something. What would be a good gift to bring from Los Angeles? [more inside]
how much for an Ivory Tower address
What are current rental rates (or rate ranges) for NYU and Columbia faculty housing? [more inside]
Boston Bar Bites
Boston food people: what bar specials still exist? [more inside]
OSX Screencast App with tons of specific features?
Cheap screencast app with simultaneous webcam and audio recording for OSX? A few more catches, too... [more inside]
Looking for motivational podcasts, hold the extra cheese
I really need some pep talks right now. I've been on the hunt for inspiring, upbeat podcasts, but so many of them are phony or cheesy. What podcasts are real, helpful, and motivating? [more inside]
Looking for a word or phrase..
I'm looking for a word or phrase that implies offering a solution to a problem created by the same entity offering the solution. Or even just a created problem in general (e.g. created by society). [more inside]
Make loft bed taller?
Loft bed alteration question (am NOT handy). [more inside]
Now, here's Cat Pie Hurts with the weather
I am the IT Manager for a small public access tv station and I've been roped into doing a segment on our weekly news show and I have absolutely no idea what to do. [more inside]
Taking care of my Macbook Pro's battery.
what are the best practices for taking care of a macbook pro (specifically the battery) for someone who uses it intensively for 8-10 hours a day? [more inside]
History Of 'Gay Hotels' in Provincetown?
Recently, I found out that a now deceased family member worked at a 'gay hotel' in Provincetown MA in the 1940's. I'm trying to find out more about what 'gay hotels' were like in Provincetown, and just generally more about gay life in Cape Cod during that time. Can someone point me toward some good resources? I'm particularly interested in the sexual identities of the men who lived and stayed in Provincetown. [more inside]
Multi-purpose audio equipment?
Buying advice for audio equipment that can be used for both home video and for field recording? [more inside]
Introduce me to some funny narrators!
I am looking for some new books to read, and it occurs to me that some of my very favorite books have excellent, well-developed, funny narrators. I'm looking for the kind of book where you might forget the plot, but you'll never forget the person who told you the story. [more inside]
The perfect console table / shelf
Can you help me find a two shelf version of this lovely piece of furniture? [more inside]
Can I use Fedex and UPS boxes for mulching?
Can I use any cardboard, such as Fedex and UPS boxes, for mulching? [more inside]
I'd be Lion if I said it was going well
What is "brtool" and why is it (or a lack of it) killing my Lion upgrade? [more inside]
Help me not burn my house down
The heat guard around my oven door has come away slightly as seen here. How can I fix this permanently?
How to deal with potential theft by caregiver for elderly? Details inside.
How to deal with potential theft by caregiver for elderly? Details inside. [more inside]
Where can I get a pediatric MRI in the northern Chicago suburbs?
Where is a good place to get a pediatric MRI in the northern Chicago suburbs? [more inside]
How can I go abut learning metalsmithing for jewelry making?
How can I go abut learning jewelry making? Real metalsmithing, not just stringing beads on wires... [more inside]
Why is my left eye better at drawing than my right?
Why is my left eye better at drawing than my right? [more inside]
Holes in Old Wood
I have a musket stock from a C. 1760ish Brown Bess.
The stock is heartwood walnut. The original wood, both on the outside and interior, is covered with small holes beween 1.25 and 1.5mm. in diameter. These look like insect holes. Is this seen in British muskets and other arms or furniture of this era? If so, what might cause them? Can a forum be recomended that might be able to suggest what had caused these holes?
It's just an old painting, but it's MY old painting. Please help me save it.
I know it's not worth anything, but the sentimental value is through the roof. Is there any way I can restore a black velvet painting I have that's in pretty bad shape? [more inside]
Should he have said something?
Is there a code of ethics for financial advisors? [more inside]
Climbed a peak, now back in the valley
Doubting if I am cut-out for freelance/independent work. There seem to be quite a few independent professionals here; it'd be wonderful to hear your thoughts/experiences. [more inside]
How do you keep track of DJs and dance music
How do you keep track of and find new DJs and electronic music - the kind you would dance to at clubs and festivals? The rules seem to be different compared to album-based rock/pop music I'm more familiar with. [more inside]
Counseling for grief and addiction
My coworker lost her son to addiction earlier this month, and she has a younger son who also struggles with addiction. She needs counseling for both grief and for dealing with children with addictions. She's not able to find a therapist right now so I told her I would help. [more inside]
How can I maximize the conversion rate for a foreign check?
I have a GBP-denominated check that I need to deposit into my USD-denominated bank account in the US. My bank has quoted me a ridiculous conversion rate for the deposit. What are my options? [more inside]
Help my wife name her new latin Latin dance classes!
Help my wife name her new latin Latin dance classes! [more inside]
Teacher-Filter: Looping?
Teacher-Filter: Looping? [more inside]
Furniture Repair in NYC?
Our Noguchi coffee table is in need of some serious TLC. Does anyone know a good furniture repair place in NYC that could fix the broken leg and hinge, without overcharging us? We've already tried wood glue and failed, miserably.
Help us stop the (legal) bleeding.
Best way to get a law office to stop nickel-and-diming us to death, long after our case has been settled? [more inside]
Uses for an old Day Runner/Filofax?
Uses for an old Day Runner/Filofax? Looking for up to date ways to integrate a paper planner with online services. [more inside]
Help me with me new (used) MacBook Pro
Inherited a MacBook Pro! Looking for some help/guidance for a PC user. [more inside]
History of Psychoanalysis?
I'm looking for a good book on the history of psychoanalysis. Some more details inside! [more inside]
Best path to becoming a web app guru
What's the best way to learning web-app development after working through Learn Python the Hard Way (or any other introductory Python book for noobs)? [more inside]
Does she stay or does she go?
18 year old daughter doesn't want to go on annual family vacation because of anxiety. How does a caring single parent work through this? [more inside]
Who makes good Print on Demand printers?
Can anyone please recommend equipment or manufacturers of machines capable of full colour Print-On-Demand perfect bound books? I know they will be very expensive, but it is hard to find information and comparative reviews of the printers so I thought I would ask here.
My Spring Pan Leaked
I was baking a cheesecake and the spring pan leaked. I get that water will ruin the crust, but since mine has no crust, is my cheesecake still ruined?
What is this bronze object my friend found in a field in France?
My friend found this bronze piece in a field in the outskirts of Montady, a small town in the south of France. It's quite heavy, and seems to be solid. I've included a Euro coin for scale. Any ideas what it is?
Travel Planning to New Zealand Advice
Need an information dump on backpacking through New Zealand! [more inside]
February 16
Being a Type B personality sucks.
Alright, so I'm not super talented, educated or driven... I should be happy with my less than fulfilling and menial day job, right? Please read further for possibly annoying details. [more inside]
I do not think it means what you think it means.
What is some bizarre and amusing industry-specific jargon? [more inside]
How do I pursue my career and not leave my husband in a depressive mess?
After 2 years in a crappy job, I finally have an opportunity for more work with another company! So excited! Problem 1: the work is 1000 miles away. Problem 2: I’m afraid if I leave for periods at a time my husband might fall into depression. [more inside]
How to make TXT files into kindle with chapters?
How do I turn a TXT file to a Kindle file (with chapters), using OpenOffice in between? [more inside]
Where to get cheap bento boxes in Los Angeles
Where to buy cheap bento boxes in Los Angeles area? [more inside]
Jeans are hard :-(
I am a man trying to find some new jeans and I'm having difficulty. My go to brands have recently changed their cuts and I don't like their fit anymore. I've been researching online for additional brands to try, but haven't had a lot of luck. I have no interest in Raw and my preference is for designer jeans. [more inside]
Metafilter Rule Number 30: When there is a plate of beans, over-think it
I'm looking for lists of TV shows and movies that have characters referencing numbered lists of rules.
As examples in Wedding Crashers they reference a random assortment of rules e.g. Rule #110: Never walk away from a crasher in a funny jacket. Fight Club has "First Rule of fight club is..."
What else has a set of rules like this?
What kind of magic does QString().setNum() do?
What kind of magic does QString().setNum() do to convert -1413011644 to 2881955652? [more inside]
Help me deskercise!
I sit at my desk all day and forget to move, focus elsewhere, stand up, drink water, stretch. You get the idea. I want a regular reminder to take a moment to do these things. I've searched apps and freeware and have come up empty. Help? [more inside]
Building a text-heavy site, what resources should I look at for prototyping?
I'm hoping to put together a relatively simple website on which to put various stories and essays my friends and I are writing. I'm aiming at imitating old journals and newspapers (like this), fairly simple, mostly text. Do you guys know any great examples of this type of layout online that I could scope out, and if I wanted to start prototyping it myself relying as much as possible on CSS and javascript, what would be some resources I should consider? [more inside]
Hide empty tables with jQuery in Voxco
Somewhat obscure jQuery question. [more inside]
Fantasy newbie wanting more pls!
Looking for some recommendations for serious fantasy books, especially those inspired by fairy tales. A couple guidelines inside. [more inside]
How do I stop being catty?
What are some strategies to stop being catty when surrounded by people who like to be catty and gossip? [more inside]
our little baby is a little baby
Please tell me your experience with a small-for-gestational-age / intrauterine growth restriction pregnancy. [more inside]
I have some random NBA questions
I watched my first NBA basketball game ever and I have some random questions. [more inside]
Can I board a plane 24 hours after I get my wisdom tooth removed?
Have any of you flown on an airplane the day after you got a wisdom tooth removed? My oral surgeon says it'll be fine, but I'm nervous. [more inside]
from LA to Chicago with an empty suitcase
What do you get the guy who has nothing? I'm looking for practical going-away gifts for a friend who's about to pack up his few belongings in his car and move cross-country, broke. [more inside]
Accept a job or treat depression?
May be about to be offered a temp-to-perm job, but also may need to start 6 to 8 week voluntary medical process that will preclude working. What do I do? [more inside]
Markdown, Google Code and notices
How would I create a "note", "tip" or "caution" notice box (rough examples) with the syntax provided by Markdown and Google Code? Is there a trick to make this possible?
Pre-paid SIM in Japan
How can I best get cell data while in Japan? I've got a GSM Galaxy Nexus that I'd like to use while I'm in Japan. Is it possible to purchase a pre-paid SIM? If so, where would these be sold? I'll be in Nagoya, if that helps.
Recommendations for a Korean stock broker.
Asking for a friend: I'm in the U.S. and require the services of a stock broker licensed in Korea who speaks English and has experience handling U.S. clients. I'm looking for any referrals to firms or individuals who work with well known firms. Feel free to MeFi Mail me if you'd rather not post publicly. Bonus question: For circumstances beyond my control I need to take direct ownership of an interest I have in what will become a publicly traded Korean company. I plan to speak to my tax adviser, but are there any particular considerations I need to be aware of in obtaining and holding this investment? My understanding is that I need a licensed broker to take custody for me. I also understand that South Korea is a relatively friendly place for U.S. foreign investment. Thanks!
New Coins. Why?
OK, I understand why the government keeps on making new bills, because they wear out. But why do they need to make new coins? No one would throw away a dirty old quarter, they don't disintegrate, they work fine in machines, etc. So why do we keep making new ones?
Not referring to pennies, which I guess sort of disappear because people don't think they have much value. I don't know why we don't just get rid of them, but that's a different question.
Trying to rediscover a podcast.
Looking for a particular podcast I used to listen to, lost track of, then forgot the name of it or the people involved. It was by a man and woman, probably in their early to mid 30s. Friends, but not romantic (he was married). Funny, conversational, no set topic, but not necessarily a "comedy" podcast. Popular enough to have t-shirts for their show. [more inside]
Help me take advantage of a last-minute invitation to Sydney
I just got invited to spend a week or so with some friends in Sydney, Australia (yay!). But the flight is going to be long and painful enough that I'd like to go for longer, and probably get a little ways out of Sydney. But I do not want to drive. Is the following feasible, doable without driving, and reasonable for an older (60ish) woman on her own? [more inside]
Author, Author!
You all did such a great job of helping with my Black History Month question, that I am returning with another similar question about African American authors of fiction--specifically SF Bay Area-based, "classic", not controversial... [more inside]
After-market faucet condom?
Our new and overly-swanky kitchen tap does not have an aerator. This creates a mess of tidal-wave proportions. Is there an after-market fix? [more inside]
Thinking of going to LA late next week, NOT for the Oscars.
I may be going to Los Angeles next week on a brief vacation with my Disney-Channel-oriented 13-year-old daughter. I have signed up for free tickets to a taping of 'Jessie' on Friday the 24th. Will this all work out? [more inside]
We want to design a cool tradeshow booth. Help us!
I work for a small, educational game non-profit. We have out first trade show coming up! We're looking for cool, clever booth designs. [more inside]
How do I contro nervous yawning?
How can I control my yawning tic, or at least make it less offensive? It seems to really put people off, and I feel terrible. [more inside]
Deadly Dames and Dieselpunk Dreams
What does 'dieselpunk' mean to you in a story? With our without 'AU historical elements'. I'm just looking for wild ideas and scenarios that may fit into this oeuvre, especially a set-up that sounds blindingly awesome rather than simply appropriate for the fantasy subgenre. [more inside]
No Free Fries With My Medal, Right?
Can soldiers in US accept awards/rewards beyond those within the military structure, such as cash rewards and such, for actions pursuant to their military duties? (I'd be interested in other Anglophile or closely-allied nations, too.) [more inside]
Hungry Hungry HIPPA
What do I do if I suspect a hospital patient may have been involved in a criminal act? [more inside]
Is it really possible to 'steal' the nomination?
I keep reading rumors of Ron Paul supporters sneaking their delegates into state conventions.
How plausible is it that Ron Paul can get the nomination with this strategy? And if it can't get the nomination, what can he do with all the extra delegates?
Breakup diplomacy, help me find peace
Breakup customs-filter. I did my boyfriend wrong, by becoming an exhausted-complaining mess, on a recent depressive lapse I had, partially due to a physical condition. He left me, scared and confused, though we were madly in love, after 3 months of this. I wish to part in peace. [more inside]
seeking stability in an unstable life. also, I'm apparently unlovable.
Want a long-term relationship, but I'm in a geographically unstable stage of my life and everyone prefers to be friends. This sucks. [more inside]
Suit colour for a freckled redhead
What colour of suit looks best on a ginger? [more inside]
Service firm workflow software
Project, workflow, and customer management tools for web design and service firm? I want to manage (many) small web projects through design, approval and launch steps, then have billing attached. [more inside]
Please help my non-profit art shool navigate tax exemption, funding, and get off on the right foot.
I'm an artist, and I help run a non-profit studio-school. Our studio is about to file for 501(c)(3) exemption and seek funding, and we've reached the limit of our collective knowledge. Please point me in the right direction(s). Length and details inside. [more inside]
Examples of the soul switch
I'm looking for examples from art, popular culture, mythology, and religion of what might be called the "soul switch": where one person's soul or mind leaves his body and inhabits a new body. [more inside]
Salaried game artist in CA - what's the law for overtime?
I need to figure out if my coworkers and I are owed overtime pay. I'm getting conflicting information everywhere I go, and if I need to refer to a lawyer in the end so be it. Maybe you guys can help though... We're salaried video game artists in California. [more inside]
How can my teenage son improve his dating/friend making skills?
How can my teenage son improve his dating/friend making skills? [more inside]
Audit me!
Deloitte, E&Y, KPMG and PwC filter. I have an interview up soon for an auditing firm and would like to fresh up my admittedly rusty accounting skills. I'm not asking for a way to pass my interview with the least amount of effort, but rather which topics they will expect me to know for a successful internship. [more inside]
Going from 2.4ghz dual to 2.2ghz quad: a step up, down, or sideways?
Graphic designer, currently using a 2.4GHz Core2 dual-processor MacBook Pro (2gb RAM). Considering a new i7 quad-core MacBook Pro; I could get either the 2.2Ghz or 2.4Ghz. Would rather save $400 and get the 2.2Ghz. Is this a step down because of clock speed, a step up because double the processors, or apples-to-oranges? Which would you recommend? [more inside]
Star Search Archives
Are there archives of Star Search available? [more inside]
New bridge? Or implant?
Can you help me choose between a dental implant and replacing my bridge? [more inside]
Finding contemporary classical fans online and in the real world
I love contemporary classical music, but I don't know enough other people that do too. Aside from Sequenza21, what are some good resources for meeting people online that share this interest? Also, aside from attending local events (I live in Madison, WI), can anybody suggest ways to meet people in person who are also fans? BTW, if this is an interest of yours too, feel free to send a message.
How can I decline a raise request, yet still maintain employee morale?
Small business owners: Is it possible to turn down a request for a raise from employees, yet maintain workplace morale? On the flip side, have you been turned down for a raise, but stayed in your position? [more inside]
Roux en-Y vs. Lap Band
I have been approved for an essentially free gastric bypass surgery (Roux en-Y), but the extensive surgery/recovery scares me and I would much rather have Lap Band surgery. That won't be covered by my insurance so I'd be paying about $15,000. Can you help me evaluate my options? And personal experience with either surgery would be great. [more inside]
It's Not Like Anyone's Gonna Quit...
How much would facebook need to charge per user per month to eliminate ads? [more inside]
The most passive income?
I recently bought a camera from a third party retailer on Amazon (in the US). The retailer used Amazon's fulfillment service to ship the items and to give Amazon Prime members their free shipping. They also priced their wares at a couple bucks less than Amazon itself, so theirs was the default way to purchase the camera. My questions are: What is expected from the third party retailer in this case? Just buying the stock and cashing the checks? Is there anything to prevent, say, me from doing the same thing?
Drive / Fast & Furious 5 Movie Night
Double-feature movie night running order quandary - Fast 5 and Drive [more inside]
Punctuation for a list of people including their credentials
[PunctuationFilter] When you are writing a list of people with their credentials, do you separate the person with their credentials from the next person with their credentials with commas? [more inside]
Best tech for sharing baby pictures with grandparents?
What is the best way for us to share pictures with moderately tech-unsaavy grandparents? [more inside]
Help me find this children's Bible
Help me find the illustrated children's Bible/book of Bible stories I had as a kid. [more inside]
Boundaries or ultimatums?
What is the difference between an ultimatum and a hard limit? [more inside]
Dunkin' Dunts Munchkins are too easy
Help me think of miniaturized versions of Irish food! [more inside]
"Someone Like You" sounds familiar.
What older song does Adele's "Someone Like You" remind me of? [more inside]
GUI-Customizable flash soundboard that assigns sounds to keypresses?
I need a simple program (an SWF preferably) that will let me assign locally-stored sound clips to my PC's keyboard. Something like the Jingle Keyboard freeware, or a flash soundboard, but will let me assign specific sounds to specific keys -- such as sound1.mp3 to C, sound2.mp3 to V, etc.. [more inside]
How to get my UMAX Powerlook 2100xl to work with Lion?
How to get my UMAX Powerlook 2100xl to work with Lion?. [more inside]
Getting content from a drippy Macbook
How can I access a perfectly functioning Macbook hard-drive in an otherwise not perfectly functioning computer? [more inside]
Your ipod is grounded!
Cracked ipod touch repair - have you done it? [more inside]
Strategy for retiring young
Strange and fortuitous circumstance: Where should I retire to at age 30 with a $2.5 million nest egg, an adventurous girlfriend, no job and no obligations? How much should I spend/mortgage on a house vs. invest? [more inside]
Can a US employer ask what medications I'm on?
An employer decides to update their employee database and distributes a form with the usual name, address, emergency contact stuff on it. There is also a line for "Any medications you are currently taking." [more inside]
if only I had the warranty...
My Sonicare toothbrush is not working correctly. What might be wrong? [more inside]
How do I allow myself to trust someone else?
How do I allow myself to trust a guy I'm "seeing" given a previous relationship where I deluded myself into giving too much trust? [more inside]
Slim Slacks of the shelf, anyone?
Where do the more fashionable young men in NYC get their slacks? I need some nice pants and I don't want to look like my father. Where can I get some fashionable, slimmer, non-break, pants in NYC? [more inside]
Is the laundromat a big deal?
How big of a deal is not having a laundry room in my apartment unit? [more inside]
TB or not TB, that is the unoriginal title joke...
Getting Wrinkles Out of Rayon
How to get wrinkles out of dry clean only clothes (rayon)? [more inside]
Left Brain Advice for the Right Brain Guy
Business practicality filter: As a freelance designer, one man shop, what would I have to consider regarding taking on an assistant? Help my underdeveloped left brain... [more inside]
Can I see clearly now?
My annual eye exam is coming up. I've had a years-long string of not-quite-right corrective lenses. What can I do to get an accurate prescription this time? [more inside]
Why is my vision blurry after using my laptop? (and I see light beams coming off of bright lights)
Why is my vision blurry after using my laptop? (and I see light beams coming off of bright lights) [more inside]
Beyond Borders
Has anyone ever been in a relationship with someone from another culture? How do you get over some of the fundamental differences in world views? [more inside]
How can I get myself to have safer sex?
I'm really bad about using condoms consistently, and I don't know what to do to make myself be more responsible and safe. [more inside]
How to be a good parent to a kid going through puberty
My daughter is starting puberty and I'm freaking out. [more inside]
You're never truly dressed without a pair of Persol sunglasses
Tell me about high-quality, (i.e. more than just a designer name) classic, luxury accessories. [more inside]
Looking for the name of most languages in every language
ShotInTheDarkfilter: I need the names of the top 60 or so most common languages in each of those languages. [more inside]
Help me identify this quote/passage that I love!
I'm trying to remember the origin and full quote of a part of a book I read - it mentions 4AM being "the witching hour". [more inside]
February 15
Email epistolary book needs design help
This is one for the design-heads. I want to create a bound-book containing an email exchange - something along the lines of an epistolary novel. I've got a good bookbinders lined up. And have a passble knowledge of how to physically construct a book. However I need some help with the presentation of the content. [more inside]
Help me find the question mark on my keyboard!
I~m having an issue with my Mac keyboard not working properly with a PC running Windows XP. My punctuation is all screwy and I can~t figure out how to fix it. Hope me please! [more inside]
Please recommend software for building an offline, personal Wiki-clone.
Please recommend software for building an offline, personal Wiki-clone. [more inside]
CAD GAH
I am not in Canadabut I have a credit card loaded with 75 Canadian dollars. What is the smartest way to buy something in canadian dollars off of Amazon (amazon.ca)? I will need any purchase shipped to the U.S.. Will there be crazy unforeseen delivery charges buying through amazon.ca? Is there a way to get this money onto my amazon.com account as credit? Is there some other smart way to spend Canadian dollars while living in the u.s.? Is there some way to get it transferred through the credit card company to an account of mine? The card says it is only for electronic use. [more inside]
Thanks for the memories
Guy Gift Filter - An old friend said he'd love to see pictures of us I still have. His birthday is coming up, so I thought it might be cute to make copies of pictures and cards he sent me way back when. I have one idea for putting them together, but it might not go over well. Ideas? [more inside]
This is a great team, but I don't want to give them more sugar.
what's the right take on food/sweets as a motivator in the office? My team has had a hard week and food is a common reward but I feel uneasy about it. [more inside]
How do I rationalise opening up an office in a particular neighbourhood of San Francisco? You can bet there's
Are there any maps/resources to illustrate the neighbourhoods that Silicon Valley VC/PEs and tech companies are located in? [more inside]
Therapy for a sixteen-year-old in DC?
Looking for a CBT or similar therapist for a sixteen-year-old in the DC area, and help for dealing with parents. Snowflake details inside. [more inside]
My Twitter account is displaying everything in bold. How can I change this?
My Twitter account is displaying everything in bold. It's only on my home computer; my work one is fine. I have emptied my cache and deleted cookies but nothing is working. How am I able to fix this? It's driving me crazy.
MIDI controller
M-Audio Keystation 88ES Midi Controller -- a good choice at a reasonable price?
I got GREAT advice here a little while ago re: KWK speakers and this is the next piece to be purchased for my son at college (includes a Macbook & a DUET interface). Is this a good choice at the price? I like the fact that it has 88 keys.
"Sooo... can we have sex now?"
Second hookup/date tips for a girl who likes to pick up guys? (How to encourage said guys to make a move the second time around). [more inside]
Online Source for Business Cards
What's the best online source of quality business cards (besides Moo.com)? [more inside]
I want you to want me. And you. And you...and you too.
How do I get over not feeling wanted? For a long time (since childhood for sure) I have never felt "wanted" by anyone. I am absolutely tired of feeling this way, especially when rejected for relationships, but I cannot honestly wrap my head around how to move forward. HALP! [more inside]
The Perils of Googling
Should I be concerned about the PeekYou results for our daughter's preschool teacher? [more inside]
I'm too clingly, she's too independent, or just incompatible?
Three months into a relationship, we're having communication problems. I want to talk all the time, she's ok without it, and this bothers me. I'm working to become less clingy, but should I look for a girl who's clingy too? [more inside]
Pretty me up, on the cheap!
Any hidden gems in the world of drugstore makeup? [more inside]
What? I can't hear you!
Keep and fix or junk? [more inside]
Grammar police
How can I request that someone stop correcting my grammar and/or pronunciation of words? [more inside]
How do I grow out acrylic nails?
Sister Mefites, how do I gracefully grow out acrylic nails? [more inside]
How to make a loan to a family member?
Where can I find a good contract template for a loan between two family members? What about the tax implications? [more inside]
Anthologies about Abortion and Homosexuality?
Does anyone know of any good anthologies featuring true stories, told in first or third-person, about (a) abortion in the United States before Roe vs. Wade, or (b) homosexuality in the United States in the 1960s and before, when it was very heavily stigmatized? I have some social conservatives in my family, along with some newly minted moderates and liberals, and I'd like to give the former some things to ponder, and the latter some talking points and fuel for their progressive opinions. [more inside]
Give me your wisdom, let me see through time!
Calling all 40 year olds... what do you wish you had done when you were 30? [more inside]
TV and film background calling services
Recommendations for calling services for background (extra) work is Los Angeles? What services have worked best for you?
[AcademicFilter] How can I ask better questions in seminars?
[AcademicFilter] How can I ask better questions at seminars? [more inside]
What is this city name on this headstone?
From Russia with [illicit] love
LateImperialRussianHistoryFilter: What penalties under the law might a Russian man or woman in 1890 face for adultery? [more inside]
Do Numbers Have Souls?
Do Numbers Have Souls? [more inside]
Just say No to Oriental Trading
Help me come up with a party favor for a four year old's birthday party. [more inside]
Pagoda-head??
18-c. German filter. Pagodenkopf anyone? [more inside]
How do I get a "grown up" or "real" job?
How do I get a "grown up" or "real" job? [more inside]
Help me find where I can spend some downtime between touristy activities while in Paris for a week!
Help me enjoy Paris as a local! [more inside]
I need a broader view than what slashdot is giving me now
I realized recently, that I've lost somewhat of my network that kept me up to date on technology trends, software development methodologies and up and coming frameworks. I'm specifically in the enterprise JEE world. What are some software related blogs that you use as a Senior/Lead/Architect? [more inside]
I want to write right!
I want beautiful handwriting. [more inside]
Seeking DJ wisdom
What criteria do you use to determine mix tape/CD/playlist order? [more inside]
Which Kate Bush song is this?
I've had part of a Kate Bush (?) song in my head for days & can't get it to "finish" and identify itself. At the end (or beginning?), a man (her dad or brother?) sings the first lines of "You Always Hurt the One You Love"... "the one you wouldn't hurt at all..." Googling has failed me. What's the song?
How did this change for you?
Are you a woman who used to be invisible to physically attractive men, and now gets a lot of attention and approaches from them? What changed? [more inside]
My sister can't afford the additional $600 a year
Can an employer in British Columbia require employees to opt in to extended health coverage? [more inside]
Where should we live in San Diego?
Tell me where to live with a toddler in San Diego that's not too far from UCSD and isn't crazy expensive. Moving from North Carolina and everything seems so pricey. [more inside]
iOS podcast apps and automatic/background downloads
Are there any iOS podcast apps that will automatically check for and download new podcasts in the background without me having to open up the app and refresh it? [more inside]
How to create a "Chat With The Site Owner" widget?
What is the best way for a web developer to create a custom "chat with the site owner" widget? [more inside]
To the Hoover Dam and beyond?
Roadtrip from the Bay Area to Hoover Dam and beyond at the end of winter... help us connect the dots! [more inside]
Best in-the-field science blogs?
Looking for great in-the-field science blogs. [more inside]
headline: Moron Makes Mail Mishap
I sent a small package via priority mail and it never arrived. Probably due to me writing the wrong zip code. Is it lost forever? [more inside]
In case of emergency, dial CMXI.
Is there any sequence of letters that spells out a number on a telephone keypad as well as indicating that same number in Roman numerals? [more inside]
How can we get our Cat Mate pet fountain working?
Last summer we bought a Cat Mate Pet Fountain for our cats. One of them ignores it and drinks from the old ceramic bowl, but the other is crazy about it. It's stopped working a couple of times (you can hear the motor running, but water does not move), but cleaning the parts has fixed it before; now it doesn't. Does anybody have experience with this? (In general, the product gets excellent reviews, so we'd prefer to avoid having to try another brand unless we have to.)
Should I temporarily relocate 70 miles from home to find a good job?
I have a house and a husband I'd like to keep. However, it seems like the only way to do this is to temporarily relocate myself 70 miles away where the job market is better. Is this a good idea? [more inside]
Gluten Intolerant in a gluten filled work environment
I am Gluten Free, work in a small office, we all bring our lunch, but others' lunches make me sick! What do I do??? [more inside]
I'm going to be rich...assemble my staff.
I want to be prepared (tongue-in-cheek) for when I win 300+ million dollars in the Powerball lottery. The moment my winning numbers are selected, what kind of staff should I assemble to handle the $$$, protect my family's safety, and maintain the greatest anonymity possible and any other creative suggestions...all before I publicly turn in the winning ticket?
How dangerous are the nitrites in cured meats?
Are the nitrites in cured meats dangerous when ascorbic or erythorbic acid is used to inhibit the formation of nitrosamines? [more inside]
How do I refrain from embarrassing myself at my prospective grad school?
How can I overcome (or at least convincingly mask) my near-paralytic shyness and social awkwardness before my upcoming GradSchool visits? Help! I'm a very special snowflake... [more inside]
Where is this online post about a software architecture model?
For the sake of my dwindling sanity, can anyone point me towards the blog post I read about a "concentric" model for data-driven software architecture? I've googled like mad but haven't come anywhere close to it because the only search terms I can come up with are either vague or have additional meanings that pollute the results. [more inside]
Card games for Android tablet
Please help me get card games for an Android tablet [more inside]
The song playing in the bar/strip club in Outland (Sean Connery, 1981)?
Biggest longshot, but what the hell... The music playing in the bar/strip club in Outland (Sean Connery, 1981)? [more inside]
Want to jazz up my cube with fabric panels, but clueless about fabric
I want to spice up a couple of the panels of my work cubicle, tastefully. I have something like this in mind but I'm looking at different fabrics online and realizing I have no idea what type of fabric to go with (there's printed cotton, faux silk, linen, wovens) or even what category (sold for quilting, apparel, interior decorating purposes etc.). Does anyone know what I should go with? I'm happy to go to a physical store but I want to make sure I know what I'm even looking for in terms of look and feel. I don't necessarily need/want advice about pattern, just type of fabric. Thanks!
Can high sodium intake be offset by drinking a lot of water?
Can high sodium intake be offset by drinking a lot of water? [more inside]
Finally at 32, I have a chance to come up for air and I need to focus.
Big changes are coming and I'm not sure how to make the best of them. I am not enthralled in the least in my current career and would like to take a chance on something new, but should I go for something that is very risky that I love, something practical, or something that uses my mind, or is there some kind of career that embraces all of this that I am not aware of?
Man this gets long! [more inside]
Do Capsacin sports creams actually work?
Do sports creams with capsacin actually do anything to help healing and repair of inflamed tendons / ligaments or are they merely palliative? [more inside]
Bizarre nonfiction recommendations?
Nonfiction books that are off-the-wall, of mixed-to-dubious accuracy, but which are also entertaining and insightful as works of literature, irrespective of the factual claims presented therein. Clarification and examples lurk within. [more inside]
The LTR analogy: familiar small town versus exciting Istanbul
I read this article/essay that once compared long term relationships and the excitement of entering new ones with the difference between a small town and the exotic Istanbul / Marrakech (I no longer remember which).
Perhaps you can point me towards the right direction? Many thanks.
How do I get back into the law? Yes. Really.
How do I get back into the law? Yes. Really. [more inside]
How do I ask him to try again?
My ex broke up with me at the beginning of January. I want to give our relationship a second chance. Should I? How? Wall of text within. [more inside]
What's the best way to reach out to advertising agencies about work?
So how exactly does a junior advertising copywriter introduce herself to agencies? [more inside]
We are not friends anymore. STOP CALLING! also don't murder me in my sleep.
A former acquaintance (non-close friend) from college continues to contact me regularly despite me ignoring his calls for almost a year. He calls me about once a week and occasionally he will call in bunches. He has probably called 40-50 times in about 9 months. The fact that he has persisted this long is freaking me out a bit. Should I just tell him to stop contacting me or has it gone beyond that?
More below. I’m a man btw. [more inside]
Econobox of Doom
Help me persuade a concerned relative that a minicar is not a death trap. [more inside]
Is this wedding dress for real?
Is the wedding dress in these photos actually like it appears in the photos, or a "trick of the light"? [more inside]
Docs that are Different
Docofi: Human Planet, One Giant Leap, Crossing the Bridge, Baraka, Playing for Change and the Qatsi trilogy are all great examples of documentaries that don't follow a traditional narrative. I'm looking for more documentaries that are neither investigative (Thin Blue Line, Capturing the Friedmans) nor quest/mission based (Catfish, 10 MPH), but rather paint a picture. If that's not clear enough, picture a nature documentary, but instead of animals the subject is "art" or "culture" or some kind of theme. Bombay Beach, The Gleaners and I and Dark Days are sort-of good examples.
How can I protect my javascript code from being stolen?
I've written some customizable interactive activity templates in javascript that work on tablets and I want to sell to publishers. How do I prevent anyone from stealing and re-using the code? [more inside]
Moving: When the baby is inside or outside?
My husband and I own a small house, and were originally planning on moving early next year. We got some good news over the holidays and I am now nearing the end of the first trimester of my first pregnancy. We'd still like to move, but is it easier to do this while I'm pregnant or should we wait until the baby is 6 months old? [more inside]
Roommate issues - how to level?
Personal issues with new roommate; two males. How do we resolve this and move forward? [more inside]
Kosher Muffaletta
I'm looking for kosher sausage that I can buy in Albuquerque or get sent here. [more inside]
February 14
Next: same question but with Zombies.
Could an average person, sufficiently motivated, break through a wall built to current U.S. building code standards without the use of tools? [more inside]
The mysterious uncredited song
What is the song playing in the gameplay trailer for Cradle?
Please help me decide if I need to seek emergency medical care for my cat.
Please help me decide if I need to seek emergency medical care for my cat. [more inside]
New ways to say Happy Birthday
Can you help me come up with alternative ways to say happy birthday? I'm tired of writing the same old things when I send friends birthday cards/texts/etc. Looking for creative, thoughtful, and/or poetic ways to send someone birthday wishes. Bonus points for literary references or foreign language translations that have a slightly different connotation than "Happy Birthday"
Chewing gum and gastro distress
Could 3 to 4 pieces of sugar-free Dentyne Fire gum per day be giving me occasional episodes of gas, bloating, and diarrhea? If so, what kind of sugar-free gum should I chew instead? [more inside]
Warning: NSFW. Deepthroat issues (No, not the guy. The activity.)
Fellatio filter. Interesting topic for my first post ever... My wonderful boyfriend and I have a great sex life but he can only come from intercourse (and usually only when he sees me getting off from it) or from rough, consistent, deepthroating, the latter of which I struggle with severely and just cant seem to pull off even though I love performing "normal" oral sex. How can I give him what he needs in this area (which would make me SO happy) without feeling like I'm going to suffocate and die (dramatic, I know, but seriously what I feel). Modest details inside... [more inside]
Cover letters for bulk applying online? Yes or no?
When applying for jobs online and you're asked to cut and paste a resume and answer a few questions, should you add a cover letter to the beginning? [more inside]
Resumé skills for a social science/liberal arts major?
Resumé skills for a social science/liberal arts major? [more inside]
Where is a panoramic east bay SF view?
Looking for a scenic San Francisco East Bay location that i can shoot a picture of my car, preferably something that catches a bay view. [more inside]
need tons of input on Bahamas for travelers
Traveling to the Bahamas. Help me plan things that arent not just snorkleing and beach. I know it is a great island and I am so excited to go but I want to get some suggestions on what to do by people here. We are going to stay in Nassau but we could be coerced to another island with suggestion. It is just myself and my bf and we are 35. [more inside]
Not a doormat
How can I, a quiet, late-20's woman, be more assertive at work? [more inside]
Which phD program is better?
How do I know which Ethnomusicology graduate program is considered better in the field? And how do I decide where to go? [more inside]
Help me brainstorm career ideas
I like putting things together in optimal ways. What job can I do? Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
How to get a Claes Oldenburg film appraisal
My parents use to hang out with Claes Oldenburg back in the 50s and 60s. My father took a B and W silent film of one of his happenings, "Gayety", at U of Chicago in 1963. What to do with it? [more inside]
Help me deal with a difficult situation at work.
I need the job, but am feeling unappreciated. How can I explain my situation to management without jeopardizing my career? [more inside]
Should I move to Baker City, Oregon?
Should I move to Baker City, Oregon? [more inside]
How do I wear this blazer and not look like an idiot?
How do I wear this blazer and not look like an idiot? I have absolutely no idea how I am going to wear this. I'd like to dress it up, with maybe a white shirt and tie, but what colors? And what color pants? I am totally confused as to why my mom would buy this for me as a gift.
Help me be a dogwalker and a speech therapist
How does one get "licensed and bonded" for liability insurance with dogwalking/housesitting, and a bonus question about umbrella policies for a personal business [more inside]
Does anybody have any experiences using Ebooks for graduate level study? In particular Kindle books or books from Coursemart? Making citations?
I'm going to be taking a few graduate courses online while traveling abroad. I need three textbooks. All three are available for the Kindle through Amazon. Only two are available through Coursemart. I bought a tablet with the hopes I could use it for the texts and avoid carrying three more books with me when traveling. I see two potential problems, that being said my question ultimately has two parts: [more inside]
Obsolete analog video woes
I have a media box plugged into a 480p widescreen TV. How can I get Windows to use the correct aspect ratio? [more inside]
house affordable for us?
Can we afford the house? [more inside]
Printing and trimming odd-sized images? Turning images into print on demand postcards?
Two image printing questions:
1) Will Costco trim images (and if not, is there a similarly priced & equally high quality competitor who will), and
2) What are my options for turning images into print-on-demand postcards? [more inside]
What is best approach for measuring cloud network latency?
I would like to know what is the best approach for measuring a cloud provider's network latency and jitter e.g. Amazon EC2. While a single ping on the command line can achieve a round trip latency snapshot for that one moment, I was looking for something more comprehensive and thorough.
Are there any software tools out there that are particularly recommended and hopefully easy to use for measuring at intervals, network latency & jitter, preferably in Windows?
Is round trip latency or end to end latency the best metric to consider? Ping provides roundtrip although if the packet came back the same route it came, then end to end could be found by dividing by 2.
Latency and jitter increases in proportion to server load. How could I ramp up server load to let's say a specified percentage?
Many thanks!
20 hours = $150.00
If I can find a way to come up with $150/week, I can quit my degrading retail job and hugely improve my quality of life. [more inside]
Please help me find the results of a pair of 2004 UK court cases...
I need to find out the results, if any, of a pair of cases filed in the UK High Court of Justice, Queens Division, in 2004. I have the names of the claimants and the case numbers, but don't have access to (or can't find) the legal databases that might give me the info. Anyone in the UK legal world have any hints? I can provide details if you message me. Thanks.
Get it out of here
How do I ship my ex-fiancee's stuff across the country? [more inside]
Basic (as in, no bells and whistles) sewing machine recommendations for a beginner...
Can anyone recommend (from personal experience) a good, basic, durable sewing machine? [more inside]
Citizen Science in the Middle School Classroom
I am looking for great citizen science projects for my students to get involved in! [more inside]
See it wiggle...
Looking for kick-ass jello / jelly recipes. [more inside]
Framerates!
Why are old, black&white films (seemingly) always presented sped up to a modern framerate, making them jerky and fast? The explanation I have of that is that they were recorded with a slower frame rate, so if you want to play it on a modern TV, you have to speed it up. But can't we do better than that now? [more inside]
Scared of Suburbia...
We might have the opportunity to move to DC - but can we even afford to live there, in a nice, walkable neighborhood? [more inside]
Doula recommendations for a Sunnybrook delivery in Toronto?
I'm currently pregnant with my first child (whee!) and as a single-mom-to-be am kind of freaking out. It's been recommended to me that I investigate hiring a doula to help with labour and delivery as well as post-partum. I need recommendations if you have them on the who as well as what to look for in a good doula. [more inside]
Cardcaptor this ain't.
Is it in poor taste or offensive to pass around this photo in a class presentation? [more inside]
Options to replace Google Documents
Options to replace Google Documents? [more inside]
Lots of hugging, lots of dancing, etc etc
Many mainstream US sitcoms often seem to have a very sentimental moment five/ten minutes before the end. This is rarely the case in UK sitcoms and as a UK viewer seems very much an American thing. When did this become a convention and why? [more inside]
How to interact with twins?
There is a pair of twins I interact with socially. I cannot tell them apart. It's awkward and I think probably very rude of me. Help? [more inside]
Some stories just take 10,000 words to tell
Help me find some riveting long-form journalism to read! I love thoughtful, explanatory, intelligent, slightly investigative single-topic pieces of writing. Can you help me find more? What are your all-time favorite pieces of long-form journalism? [more inside]
Do I stay (for a little bit) or do I go?
I really dislike my current job. I have a job offer from a company that would love to have me and is willing to accommodate all timing logistics. However, I still feel guilty about quitting my current job, for a myriad of reasons. Give me permission to quit. [more inside]
Envisioning a syllabus on the Display of Quantitative Information
I am planning on teaching a course on data visualization to some Ph.D. students in the social sciences, and could use some ideas about designing the syllabus. If you have taken or taught such a course, I would especially value your input, but I would also love to hear from any among you who have experience doing data visualization. [more inside]
Seed Swap help!
The community garden where I volunteer is planning their first ever seed swap and I’m the one organizing it. Help! [more inside]
Matchmaker, matchmaker ...
Do you know a great therapist in Brooklyn or Manhattan who helped you or a friend cope with depression? I'm trying to find a good fit. [more inside]
I really want this internship. Can you help?
I just found out I have an interview for a Systems Analyst (Developer) Co-op internship on Friday. I am terrified. Some questions on what I should wear and on whether they might have me write a test are within. [more inside]
Is this a wedding or a fundraiser?
When I asked my brother if there was something in particular he would like for his upcoming wedding, he told me not to give him anything unless it was cash. I have a few issues with this request. [more inside]
Another question about what am I supposed to do with twins?
So how do you get twins to fall asleep in bed, i.e. without carrying them around for hours? [more inside]
Facebook marketing for social media newbie organization
How can a small nonprofit best publicize its upcoming national conference on Facebook? [more inside]
Apple TV in Canada: Yay or Nay?
Tell me everything about AppleTV in Toronto. [more inside]
What is this weird sensation I'm experiencing during certain movements of my eyes?
I have a weird medical issue that has caused a couple internists to shrug their shoulders. It involves dizziness and an ability to hear my pulse when moving my eyes in a certain way. [more inside]
How will these shirts fit me?
Anyone have any experience with Woolrich shirts? [more inside]
I want to communicate with everyone!
Best (and preferably cheapest!) way to learn a foreign language? [more inside]
MeFi Academics: Describe the perfect conference web app
MeFi academics: imagine you're attending a conference. Describe the your dream conference web app/website. [more inside]
Which seaweed should I add to which foods?
Please suggest specific ways to add seaweed to my meals. [more inside]
Beyond the Salt Lake
3-4 days free in Utah; what fun adventures can I have? [more inside]
How to pick the right color
Where can I find good websites, books, magazines, etc. that explain the principles of picking good paint colors to use when painting rooms in my house? I tend to pick a color and paint the room, only to find that I don't really like the color. Are there design standards/rules (e.g. the rule of 3s for photography)?
Non Profit Struggling with Recordkeeping
Small US non-profit (501(c)3) at its Whit's end. Are there opensource or online solutions to help me consolidate all my bookkeeping! [more inside]
Go get 'em, Tiger! -- more like this plz
What are some "pet" names that empower or show confidence in the named party? [more inside]
Driving through BC
I'm planning a drive from Calgary, AB to Victoria, BC this Friday, and I would like your advice. [more inside]
Facebook Woes
I hate the new timeline on Facebook! Is there a way to change back to the old version? [more inside]
Idea for a "Stop and Think" tattoo
My friend would like ideas for a tattoo that would remind him to stop and think before acting and to remain calm. I've found this image which comes close. Any other ideas?
Help a Wishy-washy technophile
The city of Vancouver illegitimately towed my car, but should I fight city hall?
My car was illegitimately towed by the city in Vancouver, BC. Now that I'm disputing the ticket, is there any chance of fair arbitration or do these things also go in the city's favour? Way more details inside. [more inside]
I'm in charge of software development practices and need some help.
My role at work is growing from being a plain programmer to being in charge of our development process. Sounds great, but we don't have a process so I need to come up with one. I need techniques and tools to improve our end product. [more inside]
Things learned by reading biographies
How did reading a biography learn you a valuable lesson, help you gain a crucial insight, change your worldview or impact you in some other, non-trivial way? [more inside]
Star stud earrings from "Starryeyed" music video
Where can I find the star stud earrings featured in this Ellie Goulding video? They appear to be shaped like 5-pointed stars, have gems at the base of each triangle, and one in the center. My wife loves starry earrings, stud earrings, and Ellie Goulding, and I would love to get them (or a reasonable clone) for her. [more inside]
Le souris est sur le table... la chat est sur la chaise... le sange est sur la branche. Et je suis le président du Burundi.
DILF? DELF? DALF? Which French foreign language exam is right for me - and how should I prepare for it? [more inside]
How to make a Stop Motion with a Canon G10
I have a Canon G10 and want to create a stop motion piece where I won't be near the camera, how do I do it without breaking the bank? [more inside]
Wattleseed Recipes
Just got a gift from a Metafilter-ian in Australia of ground wattle seed, which I'm super exited about! Now I need some delicious recipes to cook with it. I have a Valentines party to go to later today, so I'm especially looking something dessert-y to share (but other recs are also welcome!)
Drink with alcoholic and NA versions for a ladies-night-in?
In need of a party drink recipe. [more inside]
I'd like to spend this year working my way up to getting a refereed beat down. How do I get started?
Working my way up to getting a refereed beat down. How do I get started? [more inside]
Tell me - what will surgery be like?
Help me quell my fears about upcoming surgery and understand what recovery will be like. [more inside]
Comparing Spreadsheets
Subtracting 2 sheets in LibreOffice Calc [more inside]
How much notice is required when leaving a month-to-month apartment?
I've been living in a NYC apartment for six years without a signed lease. Now I want to leave. What are my obligations about giving notice to my current landlord? [more inside]
Losing my insurance the month I'll be giving birth
Please help me deal with insurance coverage, while pregnant and a student [more inside]
Does Jax really walk that way?
I got hooked on "Sons of Anarchy" reruns. Some great acting, and fine straight-ahead storytelling. How 'bout that Gemma! But tell me, is Charlie Hunnam (who I know is a Brit, by the way) swaggering as part of the role he plays (Jax) , or is he limping because of a real-life disability, or does he just walk that way? Once I noticed, it started driving me nuts. Have unearthed zippo on the web.
red restricted blog
Reading a blog that reqires permission, but the author is anonymous [more inside]
What can I do about this constant sinus discomfort?
You are not my doctor, but I won't be able to see him for a few weeks and you might have some helpful sinus-related advice and tips that could really help me out. Long and slightly gross details inside. [more inside]
Noise cancelling headphones
Noise cancelling headphones? [more inside]
WTF AVP?
Why would a flight to the destination city be less expensive than the same flight to the connecting city? [more inside]
What to look out for renting a camper (motorhome) for the first time?
Camper (motorhome) filter: we (me, my wife and kids (5-year old daughter and 4 year old son) and our small dog) are going to tour Europe in a camper van (this one). I've never driven such a vehicle before and I've never lived in a camper before. I need your advice. [more inside]
MacBook Pro w SSD?
Any Mac gurus out there ready to predict when we can expect a MacBook Pro with a solid state drive, like the Air, as a standard feature? [more inside]
Help me exchange my iPhone
Help me find a reason to exchange my iPhone 4s at the Apple Store.
I've got an iPhone 4s for Verizon and I love it. Last month it started making a vibration or rattle in the receiver earpiece. It is noticed when on a phone call and the other person is speaking. It's a pretty annoying vibration. [more inside]
Offbeat Paris for Offbeat Families
Our family (with early teens) is travelling to Paris for a week in mid-March this year, and after perusing the many threads about Paris and France, we have settled on getting a Museum Pass and found suitable accommodations. We are now looking for some more offbeat Paris activities to round out our trip. [more inside]
But I'm still on the 2.5 lb barbell weights...
I am a small yet active female. How many calories should I eat in a day? [more inside]
Best Practice in the World of Transcription?
I have 5 hours of an audio (MP4) interview. I need to transcribe it as quickly as possible into a Word document. I don't have a foot pedal and can't get one quickly. Got any suggestions on how to speed this up? [more inside]
Cultural values affecting foreign policy?
To what extent do cultural values affect foreign policy making between U.S. and China? [more inside]
Name that song ?!
Need help with song identification ! Can anyone identify what this song is from this midi version please? Joke valentines gift song has captured my curiosity. video link here
Writing, etc., about gulfs between cultures?
Looking for good depictions of people or characters with truly foreign, alien, or mutually irreconcilable views of the world. [more inside]
Help me enjoy running again
I'm a beginner trying to get serious about running, but evil side stitches are thwarting my progress. What is causing them and how can I prevent them or relieve them once they start? [more inside]
February 13
What social network lifestream sharing and web marketing philosophy do you recommend for a freelancer?
What social network lifestream sharing and web marketing philosophy do you recommend for a freelancer? [more inside]
Help me find the closest match to this nail file in NYC by tonight!
Where can I find a crystal nail file that looks as close to this one as possible in NYC for Valentine's Day? [more inside]
Is there a receiver that will let me switch HDMI audio and video independently?
I need to buy a new receiver. [more inside]
How to get a job with AppleCare
I am interested in working for Apple as an AppleCare At-Home Advisor. Although the position works from home, the job description states that you must live within 100 miles of certain US cities (e.g. SLC, Columbus)
Do they ever hire anyone outside those cities?
Any other ideas for jobs supporting Apple products from home? If it matters, I'm in Pittsburgh, and I'm not a student.
Do we have to use an attorney specified in a will?
Do my sister and I have to use the lawyer specified in my dad's will to handle his estate? More inside... [more inside]
Should I try to get pregnant?
1 - Is it a good idea to get pregnant when a close loved one is dying?
2 - If I decide to do it, how can I get my husband off the fence? [more inside]
Mentoring Disabled Young Woman
Ideas for once-a-week meeting with mentally disabled young woman? [more inside]
Gonna make me sweat
I am doing a musical theatre revue in a formal gown. I am fat and there will be dancing. How can I minimize the look and feel of sweat and still stay fancy? [more inside]
APA help, please!
APA citation filter: can I indicate the page number only once in a sentence that contains multiple quotes by the same author? [more inside]
Kiss My Grits
I would like help in finding a book mentioned in passing during one of my lesbian literature in English classes in undergrad. This was ages ago in the early 90s. The woman fell in love with a diner.
Veg Friendly in Mountain View?
Mountain View (CA) has tons of restaurants, that to my untrained eye, are confusingly similar. I want to explore some of the rarer cuisines here, but most seem pretty veg un-friendly. Where here actually has good veg-friendly food?
As an anti-example: the Shabu Shabu place offers veggies & veggie broth, but it's not terribly compelling. I want places that actually seem to like vegetarian cooking.
I could totally handle being in charge of a veggie curry....
We are cooking a Valentine's Day dinner of salmon together tomorrow. What are some good (vegetarian) sides to go with? Wine? Simple dessert? What else am I forgetting? [more inside]
How can I set up a mildew-free workout space in my unfinished basement?
I want to use my unfinished basement as a workout space and have laid down some interlocking foam tiles on the bare concrete floor. However, the floor under the tiles has started showing mildew after a few weeks in place. How can I set up a comfortable workout space in a typically humid but not wet basement without having to lift the tiles every couple of months to scrub out the mildew? [more inside]
Neigbors gave us a chair, do we give them the craigslist proceeds?
Help my wife and I solve this minor ethical dilemma: What to do about a chair loaned by a neighbor and no longer wanted by either household? [more inside]
How do you pick a perfume for someone else to wear *for* you?
I don't know how to pick a perfume out for someone if they're not with me to test it on. How do I pick what I like from just smelling it in the store? [more inside]
What could be causing these sudden stomach cramp when I eat pasta?
What could be causing these sudden stomach cramp when I eat pasta? [more inside]
Digital Typography -- twenty years later
Way way back in the day I unlocked the Adobe AVENIR font family from my Adobe TYPE ON CALL CD-ROM, on a Macintosh that probably had a Motorola 68030 microprocessor inside. Do I still "own" those fonts, and does Adobe keep records of such things? [more inside]
A beautiful day in the neighborhood, hopefully.
Recommendations for what else to see and do around the Mission/Dolores Park on a supposed beautiful day tomorrow in San Francisco? [more inside]
Where should I go?
Where can I travel for a month in latin america without any knowledge of Spanish? [more inside]
How to restore a silk dress & a wool sweater that have been machine washed and dried?
My lovely boyfriend did me the wonderful favour of doing my laundry for me while i was at work! Unfortunately, that favour included machine washing and drying a 100% silk dress, and a 100% wool sweater. Help! (he also saw the not-so-nice underwear and the spanx, but that's a whole other story.) [more inside]
If I were clever there would be a punny nickname here.
Within specific geographic areas, do lawyers and judges really have secret nicknames given to them by cops and journalists (and each other) that are plays on their real names? Or do people do this in the industry in which you work? [more inside]
What is this weird movie with regenerating body parts!
I remember a science fiction movie (or maybe a TV show?) that took place... in a space ship or very futuristic setting. There were aliens (I think, or man-created approximations of human beings?) that, when parts of their bodies were cut off, they would not only regenerate the limb but the spare limbs would regenerate BODIES. The atmosphere of the movie was very... orange? Dark? The details are all very fuzzy. I believe I saw it on cable TV, and I was definitely older than five but younger than twelve. So, 1989 to 1996. It scared the crap out of me when I was a kid and gave me nightmares for years. Help! [more inside]
Wake or funeral?
Do you go to the wake or the funeral? [more inside]
do you know a good leather worker?
I'm looking for a dark, well made, quality leather wrist cuff/bracelet that's about an inch thick with a snap closure. The internet seems flooded with crappy cuffs with lots of junk stuck on them. Can you recommend a shop/person? I lean more towards something that looks vintage/distressed rather than new, stiff, and polished. This is for a man, but think more unisex.
Second dog or not?
Should I get a second dog? [more inside]
I need a receptionist in a virtual way
I am in need of a live (real person) virtual receptionist for my growing small business. I [more inside]
Cellphone case to reduce EMF radiation exposure
Blocking cellphone radiation with a special case? [more inside]
How to record a Google video chat session?
I want to "capture"/"record" a Google video chat between me and my folks - how do I do this? I'm on a Mac, OS 10.6.8. [more inside]
Banking in Los Angeles, with low balances and many cash deposits.
People of Pasadena ... and the rest of Los Angeles. How do you carry a low balance in a bank or credit union, and not get charged for having less than $100? Also, unlimited access to the CO-OP ATM network, for cash deposits. [more inside]
Desk or near-desk exercise options
Deskercise recommendations? Essentially, I'm pulling very long hours at my desk at the moment, or near it, and am looking for some space-efficient options for topping up my cardio until I can get out more (I like to run, but see long hours). Generic snowflake details inside. [more inside]
Two to watch the Tango
What is the best Tango Show in Buenos Aires? Or are they all fabulous? [more inside]
How do I become better at spewing BS in art college?
How do I become better at spewing BS in art college? [more inside]
Funny books by funny people
Loved Bossypants by Tina Fey! Looking for more comedic autobiographies (bonus points if the audio version is read by the author).
Do I have a chance in hell of keeping my white laminate furniture presentable?
How can I try to keep my white laminate furniture nice? [more inside]
How to accept or help a SO with adult ADD?
The guy I am dating has unusual tendencies, is this a part of his ADD? Or his quirkiness? How should I approach the subject? [more inside]
I love you, so I must bury you alive?
My wife thought Last of the Mohicans had a scene where the heroine was buried alive to protect her from an Indian raid, with only a reed to breathe through. I just watched the movie, and didn't see anything like that. Is she thinking of another movie, or a (very) different cut of the film?
What do you like about your dog walker?
After working for other businesses for awhile, I'm ready to start out on my own as an independent dog walker. I'd like to know: What do you NOT like in your dog walker? What do you LOVE about your dog walker? [more inside]
A slithering scaled road.
How to keep my cool when others challenge/question/judge me based on my [hobby]? [more inside]
Is anybody getting paid?
Do all guest stars on television late night shows get paid for their appearance? [more inside]
Documentary about surveillance
What was this documentary? [more inside]
How to deal with original creditor if they already sold it to a collection's agency?
I've read from several askme questions that when dealing with a debt, it's better to deal with the original creditors as it can avoid having a collection agency on your credit report. I called the original creditor today, and they said that they no long have access to my fle and gave me the number to the Law group that has my debt. Is there any further pressing I can do so that this law group doesn't get the money and I can deal with the creditor directly? [more inside]
Surviving the cat-cat-baby nexus
Introducing a very stupid and quirky cat to another cat, a baby, or possibly both. Bad idea, or worst idea ever? [more inside]
Should I get a cat?
OK, so I'm pretty much settled into my studio apartment and am still thinking about moving eventually (so that I'm closer to public transit), but I'm going to take my time and wait until I find another apartment that meets all of my criteria. One such criteria is that they allow cats. I would turn down an apt in a nice location if they didn't allow cats. Now my current apartment allows cats, and I'm really seriously thinking about getting a sweet kitty companion. I'm a big time cat person, and I had planned to get a cat this year. [more inside]
Grandma's right- something's wrong with her screen
Why are black bars moving from the top to bottom of my grandmother's computer screen and is it as dire as it looks? [more inside]
What are these red bumps in the back of my throat?
Red bumps in the back of my throat. And yet I'm not sick. What is it? [more inside]
SYNC ALL THE THINGS
How do I sync Outlook between two computers, as well as my iphone? Alternatively, how can I make a color coded to-do list/calendar that's accessible from several computers, as well as my iphone? [more inside]
Why won't you remember me, firefox?!
Why doesn't my browser remember me on one partciular site when accessed from my desktop when it does on my laptop? [more inside]
AppleCare expires soon. What next?
I bought my beloved 13" MacBook Pro in mid-2009 and the AppleCare is set to expire in a few months. Thankfully, it still runs great. What would you recommend I do with it? [more inside]
compress voice memos itunes
I've got some long voice memos recorded on iPhone, transferred to iTunes. I'm wanting to send them, but the files need to be smaller. What's the easiest way to do this, either in iTunes or some other method?
Quick Wordpress tab question
Wordpress quickie: I've just been handed the job of looking after a wordpress blog. One of the pages is set up with a single tab. I want to add another tab, how do I do it? [more inside]
My ass, it's sore.
How can I treat a minor pressure sore on the right side of my butt, right where the bone is? I sit all day and all night...I do exercise every other day and I do try to relieve direct pressure by laying on the floor and playing with the dog at night. However, at least 12 hours a day of sitting/working in front of a computer trumps all that. I have good office chairs but the one at work (which would take an act of congress to replace) has bottomed out.
Guess I'm looking for a several things to do...gel cushion options if any discreet ones are out there, topical treatments, whatever anyone may have found that works.
Put a sock in it?
As a follow up on this post I have come to the hivemind for assistance b/c I talk too much and too loudly and want to change. [more inside]
What movie did I watch?
What movie did I watch? [more inside]
Fix my plastic lamp.
How do I repair (or replace) scratched plastic lamp panels? [more inside]
book recommendation for armchair vacation
i am hoping you guys can help me find a great book to read. i loved bill bryson's "a walk in the woods." do you know of one that would be in that vein (travel/ humor) but dealing with car camping, or national parks, or maybe even driving with your family cross country? alternately, how about something similar to Annie dillard's "pilgrim at tinker creek" but more specific to the canyonlands area? thank you!
I need a map, a really big map
I need a map. A really big map. [more inside]
What song did I hear?
What song did I hear during the Memorial portion of last night's Grammys? [more inside]
Borderline Personality Boundary Setting Resources?
I have a sister w/Borderline Personality. My father has completely cut her off to protect himself. My mother tries to keep the door open as she can, but has learned to set limits. I haven't talked to her on the phone in like a year, though I try to be supportive and let her know I love her via facebook now and then, just so she doesn't feel too alone/sad. She's been mostly decent about respecting my boundaries.
However, my nephew (her son), just posted "Some people in the family need to step up -- getting calls and emails about suicide from my mom every 6 hours is draining. Grandparents cut off contact with her (which is only partly true, it's that mom doesn't give as much attention as my sister who demands demands demands attention wants), and I can't keep doing this.
Tips for me to talk to him? (i.e. resources for him to learn to set boundaries, ways to think about the manipulations, etc...) [more inside]
Beauty at home...
Does laser hair removal at home work? There's this Groupon that miiiight be worth it, but I also don't want to waste 200 bucks. [more inside]
Sorry, you aren't profitable enough to live.
I'm looking for what are (probably) Science Fiction or Dystopian stories/novels based on the premise that a person's value in society is based on how profitable he/she is to a bank. I.e., a person who didn't live his/her life in such a manner as to be profitable for a bank would suffer negative consequences as a result. It sounds uncomfortably close to reality, nowadays, so I figure someone wrote the stories I'm thinking of years ago. Any ideas?
404 is blank when unknown file types are requested.
404 page only fires for a few specific file types, or for 'directories', but not for unknown file types (or perceived perceived file types). PHP, Joomla, IIS. [more inside]
Using shared/team calendars in Outlook 2010.
Have you used Outlook 2010 to create/manage shared group calendars at your job? How did you do it? Is it working out? [more inside]
It'd be easier to have a conversation if I could get a word in edgeways
What's the best way to deal with people who talk over you? [more inside]
my virtual desktop
I'm a low- to medium-grade computer techie. I've recently fallen in love with the remote desktop concept (I've been using TeamViewer). I have my main PC with all my data and the software I use, setup how I like it, and then remote into that from mobile devices, friend's computers, work computers, etc., even my laptop I now prefer to use as a portal into my main PC. [more inside]
I hope it's not johnny gill.
what was the name and artist behind a 1990s r&b jam? [more inside]
What is the cost of developing a Microsoft Surface application?
What is the cost of developing a Microsoft Surface application? How many development hours might it take for a simple app? A more complex one?
Jolly music for one violin?
What are some jubilant songs for solo violin for a wedding (pre-ceremony and parents' processional?) I had originally planned for a quartet, but it was out of my budget, and now I'm at a loss for songs that translate well or were written for just one violinist. Mostly thinking about classical, but pop would be great, too!
What is the best mod/rom for the droid bionic?
Mod/ROMs for the Droid Bionic - What are the best ROMs for this device? [more inside]
Ow.
Why is my nipple hurting? [more inside]
Help me get my binders and books off the floor!
Where can I find relatively inexpensive shelving solutions that work for my home office? At least 4 feet tall, preferably 5 feet or more, and no wider than 28 inches. Folding shelves is what I've been looking for, with lackluster results, so I'm open to ideas. The closest Ikea is 4 hours one way.
A casual pre-ski exercise routine...
Casual Pre-Ski Daily Exercise Routine: I'm going Skiing for 3 days in March, (Italy, Dolomites yea!) and thought perhaps I should at least do some kind of exercises over the next 3-4 weeks to try and increase my stamina on the slopes. [more inside]
Introducing Our Quirky Kindergartener
What (and how much) should we include in a booklet for a "mainstream" kindergarten teacher about a kid with autism? [more inside]
I watched Downton Abbey instead of the Super Bowl
(Asking for a friend) What is the wooden measuring stick called that is used to adjust the table settings during the opening credits of Downton Abbey? [more inside]
Damage Control
I think I accidentally lead on my non-English-speaking coworker. iAyudame, por favor! [more inside]
How to not be scared of Old White Men!
How to deal with my unconscious anxiety response to older, male supervisors? [more inside]
MidLife Student Crisis
I'm in my 40's and doing okay without a Master's degree -- should I get one anyway? [more inside]
Where can I find detailed resources on how to build a raft?
Where can I find detailed resources on how to build a raft? [more inside]
Help me find Some Nice Polo/Golf Shirts
Help me find some stylish, but geeky, Polo/Golf Shirts that I can wear to work [more inside]
What to ask an applicant's landlord
What should I ask my potential sublessee's current landlord? I've never been a sublessor (or landlord or even gotten random craigslist roommates) before and could use a little guidance. [more inside]
What to do for a rad girl on her bday from far away?
It's my close friend's 30th birthday on Friday. She's in Asheville, NC. I'm in Brooklyn, NY. What should I get/do/order as a gift? [more inside]
In the case of a person dying for whatever reason, why does it take so long for toxicology analysis to be conducted and reports delivered?
Post mortem toxicology tests - why does it take so long for results to be delivered? [more inside]
From knapping to nano
How many tool 'generations' has there been since hominids began toolmaking? [more inside]
Do I need to have my furnace and AC inspected once a year?
Do I really need to have my furnace and AC inspected once a year? [more inside]
How to deter an unspoken crush without cruelty?
Awkward situation with male friend and obvious crush on me, though he will deny it up and down. What to do? [more inside]
Calling all Bambara speakers?
Calling all Bambara speakers? I'd really love to know what the beautiful song Fanta Bourama (which could be Bambara, one of the main languages in Mali) by Djélimady Tounkara is about. Bonus points if you can provide a full translation in English (of French).
Where can a US Citizen living abroad get short-term health insurance for trips to the US?
Short-term Health Insurance in the US for US citizen living abroad? [more inside]
You'll actually see this one in your local bookstore
In the post-printed-book era, how has distribution to bookstores changed? Indie author seeks distribution across the world! [more inside]
What's this song in the song "Girls Like You"?
In the first verse of Miguel's "Girls Like You", the melody in the lines "Someone, anyone to listen...I feel like I'm missing the real thing" comes from another song. Can anyone identify this song for me? [more inside]
How to explain the new family
How to explain my non-existent relationships to genetic relatives to new friends and acquired relatives? [more inside]
Stapler Rentals - back in the saddle
Is there a place I can rent, borrow or otherwise find a way to use a saddle stapler in the Seattle area? They're expensive to purchase, and it seems as if a lot of the copy centers no longer keep them around. I've checked Kinko's, Office Depot and Staples, and they don't have them for rent or use (and it's either the web site or ship-to-store to buy, even if you wanted one. [more inside]
co-co-co-COBRA!
Please help me understand COBRA and my family's options after it runs out. [more inside]
February 12
Is it a good idea to invest using a Roth IRA on the exemption borderline?
I have a lot of questions about Roth IRAs and being on the exemption borderline. [more inside]
What the heck is this strange pain behind my bellybutton?
Please help me figure out this strange new pain behind my bellybutton. [more inside]
Help me find this song (Alex Dezen of The Damnwells)
MusicHiveMind: Can you help me find a high quality version of this song for our wedding? (The Damnwells/Alex Dezen - Golden Days (acoustic version only) [more inside]
Help Us Help Our Dog
Our greyhound Hoover lacks confidence, is unhappy, and seems to have other emotional problems. We're at a loss. Help us help our dog, please. [more inside]
Not Too Odd, But Still The Odd One Out
How do I handle feeling like the odd one out in the family? How did you handle feeling like the odd one out in the family? If you weren't the odd one out then how did you handle dealing with the family member that was the odd one out? [more inside]
Need a vacation from vacation planning.
Does my Costa Rica trip itinerary make sense? [more inside]
Should I cave to my neighbor who wants to use an unlicensed contractor to replace our fence?
What would you do if your neighbor wanted to use an unlicensed contractor to replace a shared fence? She claims this is a guy who they have used for decades and she really likes his work. [more inside]
How do I go from MAMP to champ?
How do I transfer my locally-created Wordpress site (using MAMP) to my live Dreamhost site? [more inside]
How to break off a friendship?
How to get some people to stop contacting me? Long explanation inside. Any help much appreciated. [more inside]
Should I break up with my boyfriend?
Should I break up with my boyfriend? [more inside]
HOLLYWOOD sign vandalism
I remember being a kid (would have been sometime in the 80s) seeing a news report of the HOLLYWOOD sign being vandalized. Trying to remember details and, hopefully, find a photo. [more inside]
Nice cans.
Where do customs reporting sites like importgenius.com get the info that's in their database? [more inside]
How do we legally use music from a DJ at our event?
How do we legally use music from a DJ at our event? [more inside]
Are there distance literature graduate programs?
Are there such things as reputable distance Ph.D. programs in literature? [more inside]
Mom pushing me to file homeowners ins. claim 4 months after slipping
My mother stumbled in my home while getting out of the shower, and twisted her knee. She is uninsured and doesn't have the money to get an MRI or receive physical therapy. She wants to make an an injury claim against my homeowner's insurance to pay for her medical treatment. [more inside]
Just me, my FJ, and the highway.
Help me make it through 2 days of driving alone! [more inside]
help me help them work it out
Asking for a friend. Marriage counseling in the Arlington/DC area? Recommendations needed... [more inside]
Kids book about a little octopus?
Old children's book about a little octopus... anyone? [more inside]
Should I take a 40% pay cut to change jobs?
Should I take a 40% pay cut to change jobs?
The new job is in a different industry where I'll be starting from scratch. It will probably mean longer hours and the pay is terrible compared to what I'm getting now, but I really want to leave my current job. [more inside]
How to feel comfortable with myself?
Uncomfortable in my own skin. Anxious. Hate my voice. Inarticulate.
How do I fix myself? [more inside]
What do I wear???
What should I wear to a business meeting on a military base? [more inside]
Name that cocktail!
There is only one cocktail that I really, really like. I discovered it by chance at my favorite restaurant, since sadly closed down. I can get people to make it for me but it seems like I always have to explain the recipe three times and I feel there must be a name for it. Unfortunately, I have drawn a blank when visiting cocktail websites. Please help me ID this drink! [more inside]
Keeping connection alive with pinging
My Windows Live Mail loses connection with Verizon Broadband Card, how can I create a constant ping to keep connection alive? [more inside]
Set My Price
How much should I charge for this mobile app? [more inside]
Need task manager recommendations
I need recommendations for a task manager application that will help me to pay certain bills and perform other recurring events on time. It must integrate with my iPhone. A free service is desirable. More after the break... [more inside]
Who is Scotty Bowers?
I finished Scotty Bowers tell-all, "Full Service." It is an over the top tell-all about sex in Hollywood, mainly during the 40s and 50s heyday. Gore Vidal claims, "Scotty doesn't lie-the stars sometimes do—and he knows everybody." Maybe I'm really jaded, but he comes across as the Forrest Gump of sexual escapades that neatly manages to leave no paper trail. Throughout the book and the blurbs it is hinted that he's really well known in Hollywood (Tennessee Williams wrote a book about him, then tore it up!), is this true and are there any sources about Scotty Bowers outside his book? [more inside]
Shelf for propping up an open cookbook?
Help me find a grooved wooden shelf to hold an open cookbook! [more inside]
Trying to make the most of our Italian vacation
Planning a trip to Italy and Barcelona in May... tentative itinerary inside. Are we trying to see too much? [more inside]
Celebrity culture and tragedy.
In the wake of Whitney Houston's death, I find myself thinking about the grotesque confluence of celebrity, addiction, mental illness and (frequently but not necessarily) death. I'd like to understand it better. Who has explored this thoughtfully, whether in essay, book, film, television, whatever?
AAANGRM = ?
I'm searching for an iPhone app or website that will quiz me on 7- and 8-letter bingos in Scrabble. E.g., AAANGRM is can be re-arranged to spell ANAGRAM. [more inside]
Newark Airport to Philadelphia on a Friday night?
How do I get from Newark Liberty International Airport to Philadelphia
on a Friday night? [more inside]
How do I file my special snowflake taxes?
Can my husband and I file our Federal taxes jointly, and our State taxes separately? [more inside]
Do not like colors.
Can I switch the colors on my Android phone to grayscale? [more inside]
Teaching our Jack Russell terrier street sense?
Teaching our Jack Russell terrier street sense---not to chase UPS trucks and skateboarders? [more inside]
Screenshot from The Vow
I'm looking for a screenshot from the movie "The Vow" (2012) [more inside]
Intricate Gmail Exporting Question
I need a .txt file that contains the text of all the messages in my gmail account with a particular label, from a particular email address. What is the best way to make this happen? [more inside]
Turn me on to some new music?
I'm hoping to find specific song & band suggestions, given that I'm interested in things akin to the following: [more inside]
Valentine's day surprise for military boyfriend, no deliveries involved?
Please help me plan a valentine's day surprise for my military fiance :) [more inside]
Direct me to a disciplinarian, please
What is the best online venue to advertise for other writers who want to engage in mutual criticism / editing /support? [more inside]
is a refurb Asus Transformer tablet worth buying?
Android tablet question. Is a refurbished Asus Transformer worth buying? [more inside]
Does Wonderbread hurt my stomach?
Help us settle a dispute. Is cheap, supermarket white bread made with finer flour than artisanal sourdough bread? And if so, does the fine white flour lead to more gastrointestinal upset because "it becomes glue in your stomach"?
How to clean up after mice? Dirty buggers.
How should I clean up after finding mouse droppings in my kitchen drawers? And is this mouse fighting strategy sound? [more inside]
NBA teams to watch to complement my acute case of Linsanity?
In addition to the Knicks, which four teams should I add to my NBA League Pass subscription? [more inside]
Gift ideas for great (but different) friends
Help me pick out cool (and inexpensive) groomsman gifts! [more inside]
What do I need to know about buying vs renting?
Teach-Me-About-Renting-Vs-Buying Filter: I'm in my mid-20s and have been in my "grown up job" for about a year now, and it's about time to get my own place. What do I need to know, beyond just comparing rent and mortgage payments? [more inside]
Show me what I've been missing
What other web-comics will I like? [more inside]
Leaving the Ivory Tower
I'm halfway through a PhD program in the humanities, but I'm almost positive I want to quit academia after I get my degree. What are my best options? [more inside]
CAD career profile
Does anyone have a technical degree in computer aided drafting & design? Can you tell me a bit about job prospects, salary range, career options, and maybe just generally what the day in a life of a draftsman looks like?
I'm considering taking a drafting course to see if an associates degree is something I'd want to pursue. Thanks in advance!
How can I find a place to donate things to that won't resell them?
Where can I donate used clothing, books, etc, where they will actually be used and NOT resold? It is really morally important to me that it be actually used, not sold, where the money is then used in ways I can't control. I work in the nonprofit industry, and know only too well how general donations of money get used. But most people asking for clothing donations for poor or abused people, are only asking for them so they can resell them, not so that actual poor, homeless, or abused people will wear them or read them. Where can I find a place that will take all my donations and ensure that they are used or given to real people?
Melt the ice queen
I despise my best friend's girlfriend. How do I let go and just be happy for him? [more inside]
The First Church of Sports?
Is there an organized non-religious, non-magical, science-based system of "spiritualism" or philosophy that reveres physical activity and athletics? [more inside]
Carfree Travel Across the U.S.
Tips for Frugal Carfree Multi-Month Travel across the U.S. (from east to west)? (particularly on how to tackle the South without a car...) [more inside]
Need tips on cooking wild game (opossum, raccoon, beaver)?
How to cook wild game (opossum, raccoon, beaver) [more inside]
Out-of-the-way Coffee Shops in the Upper River Valley (VT/NH)?
Can you recommend a good coffee shop/hiding spot in the NH/VT Upper River Valley (but not in Hanover/Lebanon/WRJ)? [more inside]
Kids' books filter
These are two books I remember from grade school, but not the authors/titles [more inside]
Write like the wind, a few words at a time.
What are your suggestions for writing anywhere, as opposed to using a dedicated writing space? [more inside]
We are currently experiencing technical writing difficulties.
I seem to have completely forgotten how to write and edit scientific papers. Please hope me! [more inside]
Help me be in college permanently.
I am looking for a job as university staff. The kind of job I have in mind would be something back-office, fairly routine and mundane, able to be done by someone with a bachelor of arts degree. I am also hoping to avoid a job focused primarily on face-to-face contact with others (in other words, trying to steer clear of advising or department secretary). Do such jobs exist? And if so, what might be their job titles? [more inside]
sew bicycle cape
How to sew a bicycle cape [more inside]
No more Google Instant please
Aggggh!!!! Goggle Instant has come back with a vengeance. Please help me turn it off. Nothing I try seems to work. I have cleared the cache, all cookies, flash cookies and it still ignores my search preferences and it is affecting me on multiple computers. Ten results makes me feel like I am back on dial-up. [more inside]
Facebook n00b here, & I needs guidance... (Remember the guy who shot up the laptop?...)
The guy who shot up his daughter's laptop - how did he figure out what she had posted? (Facebook n00b questions/potential stalkerish questions within)... [more inside]
A Bit Of My Landlord's Ear?
TV culture vultures - please help me ID an early '90s MTV sketch that featured a punk version of the 'one of these things is not like the others' game & theme song. [more inside]
Hey, Booboo.
Why do my feet hurt when I do yoga? [more inside]
Recording video from a set-top box to disc?
Does anyone yet sell a device that would allow me to plug a tv set-top box into it and directly record an mp4 video file? (For the purposes of copying old VHS tapes and recording some sports matches for posterity from TV). [more inside]
DC cabs
Washington-DC-filter: What is protocol for getting cabs back to Virginia (Arlington) from within the District late at night? What are my rights as a passenger? Am I being ethical? [more inside]
Transitioning from the high school job to the professional career while studying a degree?
What's the best way for a university student studying online to transition from general work to a more professional setting while pursuing an accounting degree? [more inside]
But what if I'm the person everyone hates?
How do you know if people don't want you around? [more inside]
February 11
Any tips to find a massage package for a friend in a foreign land?
Osaka-filter Massage/Spa Package-filter. I like to buy a lady friend a good women oriented massage package she could use to relax massively while in Osaka. Any tips on how to find massage/spa resorts that offer this sort of deal? One difficulty I prefer to arrange/reserve/buy it while overseas. [more inside]
Getting VirtualDub to see x264vfw.
Any tips for getting VirtualDub to "see" encoders? Win7 64-bit. [more inside]
What's long and hard and full of swearing? Subtitling!
Tell me about making and editing subtitles for home use: What software do I want? What's the workflow? Er, that is, how do I do it? [more inside]
Quality over quantity - what's your favorite website to visit every day?
What is the one website that you visit every day; that you can't live without? [more inside]
Dye another day?
Can I (or someone) successfully dye this BCBG dress black? [more inside]
If it's really a one click install....why have I been clicking all day?
I cannot get my 'one click' Wordpress install, hosted by iinet to work, with one or many clicks.... Can you help me troubleshoot, as I have a deadline to meet. [more inside]
Last minute ideas for a roadtrip romance
#lastminuteValentineshelp what can I do for Valentine's Day between Tucson, AZ and Los Angeles, CA (inclusive)? [more inside]
Philosophy quote filter
"When she sat across from the philosopher the hour glass flipped in her mind and the sand started to fall." Where is this quote from? [more inside]
Why can't multiple homes share one satellite dish?
Why can't one building, consisting of multiple housing units, share one modern satellite dish? [more inside]
Where can I do a week's laundry in NYC?
I'm looking for a laundromat or a place that will do my laundry in Midtown West. [more inside]
Be my saxophone Shazam
Help me find an album my mom loved in high school! [more inside]
Am I currently an at-will tenant?
Massachusetts rental filter: I signed a lease for a term of one year back in 2010. As stipulated in the lease, I informed my landlord in writing of my intention to stay for another year. That year would end in June 2012. Am I currently an "at will" tenant? I found another place that is more affordable and want to give 45 days notice to vacate, but I am unsure of where I stand. [more inside]
Unpin me from Pinterest!
Knew it, shouldn't have indulged in the whim of this "pinterest" nonsense. I click "unlink" for Facebook, save, nothing happens. I get redirected to the main page, facebook photo and friendlinks intact. I get so frustrated I choose "delete account"....again, nothing happens. Redirected back to my main page, self's facebook photo serenely mocking me. [more inside]
Failed out of second year of pharmacy school and was suspended, how can I improve?
Suspended from pharmacy school; how can I improve my studying skills and find out what problems I need to fix for the future? [more inside]
What can you convince a non-reader to read?
My little brother probably has asperger's. He most definitely has next to no interests. Can you help me me find something my brother might like? Snowflakes inside, of course. [more inside]
Hey asians, how do you deal with your earwax?
Hey asians, how do you deal with your earwax? [more inside]
HRAF --> pdf
I have a document in microfiche, and it's also found in HRAF (Human Relations Area Files). How can I best get the document in .pdf and printed format? [more inside]
Poem of stereotypes medieval students had of different nationalities?
Poem of stereotypes medieval students had of different nationalities? [more inside]
Share your brioche recipe!
I need a delicious, reliable brioche recipe. [more inside]
Monitors that look like apple monitors?
What 30" plus monitor has a beautiful exterior like apple monitors (white or silver)? [more inside]
Help me find grants for my education
Nontraditional student Needs help finding college grants for finishing up my degree. [more inside]
Help me start the next Japadog
Help me understand the business of food trucks. [more inside]
Music and file server with archlinux
Music and file server with archlinux [more inside]
The Internet is not just about cats.
How would you teach a two hour Advanced Internet class for a public library? [more inside]
Men's fitted shirts similar to Macy's INC?
Looking for fitted shirts similar to INC from Macy's, which is the only brand I've found shirts from that I've really liked. I work in a semi-casual workplace (no jeans/shorts, but untucked button-up shirts are fine), and I like shirts that I'll also wear on my days off. I'm pretty thin, so I need shirts that don't balloon out at the waist, and I tend to like relatively simple designs (plain colors/stripes, with a preference for monochrome). Preferably, the shirts would hold up well without ironing, since I only have a hand-steamer. What brands other than INC should I check out? (I'm in Southern California, so please stick to brands that would be available for trying on around here.)
Cheese, Glorious Cheese
There is four pounds of Maytag blue cheese. There is one of me. [more inside]
E&M in higher dimensions
Are Maxwell's laws dimension independent? [more inside]
Death metal
What the world needs is another tumblr.
So I want to make a bookdeal-bait tumblr. [more inside]
Too late to get in shape?
Get into shape is as little as two weeks! Or no? [more inside]
Casino Statistics
Help me figure out how much the average casino gambler (anywhere) spends/loses per hour. [more inside]
Business Logo Design 101
What's the cheapest way to design a logo for a website/blog/small business? [more inside]
(possible) smoker roommate
One of my roommates thinks the other has started smoking in our non-smoking apartment. How do I handle this in the least dramatic way possible? [more inside]
All these dense distraction/so beautifully complex
What micro-subject should I tackle next? [more inside]
Making a rap beat in Reaper
Walk me through making a simple rap instrumental in Reaper using free VSTis. [more inside]
Basic GIMP question
Using GiMP. How do I select something out of an image to create a standalone .png file of that something? [more inside]
Friendship and Politics
Did I lose this friendship unnecessarily? [more inside]
Really, my photography is not that good.
Who or what would want to visit every photo in my Flickr photostream? [more inside]
Buying and not selling
Curious as to how this eBay feedback accumulates...over 80k positive feedbacks in the last 12 months as a buyer, with nothing listed as a seller?
How does that happen, or am I overlooking something?
What's the best way to repair leather fabric?
I have a red leather futon that I want to keep.. but it has a big tear in the most visible place (see inside for image). What's the best way to repair it? [more inside]
Books on Cognitive Science Please
What are some recent books on Cognitive Science related to the Learning Sciences? [more inside]
I want more books about powerful wizards
BookRecommendation Filter: More books that follow a character from youth through adulthood, to become someone powerful, famous and influential. ie- I'm looking for more books like Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy and Patrick Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicle. [more inside]
Teen Edutainment?
We are sending a nifty notebook computer to a 13 year-old girl in the Philippines, and wish to load it with interesting software to entertain and educate her. What programs do you recommend? You may also suggest bookmarks to awesome websites.
It's so weird that there are so few fashion icons with totally awkward body shapes
Style icons for the in-between sized woman? [more inside]
Best podcasts and other stuff.
Best episodes of On Being (nee Speaking of Faith), best light, entertaining and/or inspirational podcasts, plus other cheap but good things to include in a get well care package. [more inside]
Dodge Stratus PCV Valve
Wheres is the PCV valve on a 2004 Dodge Stratus sedan? [more inside]
Shaker money maker
Have you ever ordered and installed RTA (ready to assemble) cabinets? [more inside]
What can I do to help my alcoholic father?
My father may be about to become homeless, what can I do to keep some sort of roof over his head? [more inside]
Qualifying exams: I laughed, I cried, I cried, I cried...
Grad school filter: I need a reality check on my qualifying exams. [more inside]
Pretty pictures of home extensions
Architectural digest: looking for great examples of home extensions for city houses. [more inside]
What type of contractor do I look for?
Paging Holmes on Homes... [more inside]
How can I help a morbidly obese person with an MR diagnosis set and achieve weight loss goals?
I am a Direct Support Provider working with an adult who is morbidly obese. She weighs over 500 lbs and is barely mobile. She says she would like to lose weight, but she seems unable to visualize herself doing so. What can I do to help her become more healthy? [more inside]
what's the term for philip dick's game?
Is there a mainstream psychological or psychiatric label for the relationship dynamic exhibited by the protagonists in Philip Dick's novels? [more inside]
Recipes for kitchen scales
I have a brand new kitchen scale. Where do I find recipes that are by weight instead of volume? [more inside]
Looking for a customisabe onine project management app, with database like functionality
Project Managament online app with custom fields, with database-type customisability, custom data fields. [more inside]
A yrots sdrawkcab
Is it passible to write a story/novel/book backwards starting with the ending and ending with the beginning yet keeping the whole thing in in forward chronological order? The readers would never know it was written this way. What would be the writing logistics of doing this? [more inside]
Google, DeleteTMFA!
How can I make sure that Google deletes my phone number? [more inside]
Hardcore nap music.
Looking for some sleepy 1920's-1950's music. [more inside]
What kind of household is a good match for a miniature pinscher and how much energy do they REALLY have
What kind of household is a good match for a miniature pinscher? When does their high energy become a problem? [more inside]
Please recommend me a light reading scientific philosophy book
Please recommend me a light reading scientific philosophy book. [more inside]
Guidance regarding a tween's internet usage
I am seeking ideas on guidelines for internet usage and privacy for a 12-year-old girl. She is pretty internet-savvy but not publicly sharing info yet (just email), and I'd like to guide her well as she begins to do so. [more inside]
A game about (your) death
Help me find the name of that brief interactive “game” where the narrator (speaking aloud, British I think) describes the actions of the player, marching us toward our inevitable demise… until we decide to disobey his narrative. [more inside]
February 10
Clogging toilet help!
Help me find a toilet plunger that works! [more inside]
Sad and Confused
During the night, I am sad. All other times, I am perfectly fine.
?!?! [more inside]
Savory Cupcake?
Simple SAVORY cupcake recipe aside from meatloaf and the usual? [more inside]
311, How May I Help You?
Have you ever applied for, or been hired as, a 311 operator? If so I have questions below. There are search results for 911 selection processes, selection software and training but almost nothing that describes how 311 operators are selected or trained. [more inside]
What's next after Encounters at the End of the World?
Encounters at the End of the World was the best thing I've seen in ages. What should I watch next? [more inside]
Love at first sight.
Can you identify this façade-embossed red leather purse (seen in Aspen around NYE)?
Non-Valentines Valentines Gift
What is a good first date gift (and V-day is on Tuesday) that is not too romantic, but hits the right tone of "I think I like you, but I'm not crazy'? [more inside]
Help me dive in to Herzog.
I would like to explore the films of Werner Herzog, whose work I have never seen but whose person I find immensely entertaining, in interviews and such. What are the first few films I should watch, and why?
Budget gift for a budget couple in Chicago from her budget cousin
[Chicago gift filter] What $50 gift can I buy online for a sorta-broke, semi-newlywed-ish, crazy-busy couple in Chicago? [more inside]
Online radio station recommendations please?
A two part question about online radio: I'm looking for station recommendations (music info inside) and perhaps Mac App recommendations too. [more inside]
Birthday gift for a Buddhist
I need to get a gift for my female friend who has started studying and practicing Buddhism. Can anyone give me suggestions on a good gift?
Ulnar nerve and numbness
Ulnar nerve issues: I'm constantly waking up in the middle of the night with my pinky and ring finger, along with that part of my right hand going numb or asleep. I've had enough. YANMD, but what can I do? [more inside]
Taxes, College, and Lies
I lied about going to college whilst living with my mom. She still doesn't know. It's getting time for her to file taxes, and things could go very wrong. [more inside]
What should I try next?
Help me diagnose/repair my Toshiba Satellite A355D-S6889.
When I try to boot, I get BOOTMGR MISSING.
When I try to reinstall XP from a CD it seems to start out fine, copying drivers and such, until it gets to the message Starting Windows, at which point I get a blue screen o' death with the code 0x7B which google informs me is a hard disk error. [more inside]
OUT, DAMNED POX
Is it possible to mask dark spots and scars from the chicken pox without looking like I'm wearing makeup? [more inside]
mmm cheese
Why does cheese taste better when it is melted?
It's not only hurting you, it's hurting me too
Help me cope with the fact that two of my friends, victims of domestic violence, don't want help. [more inside]
Sex with a girl who's a virgin - what do I need to know
There's a ton of questions of AskMeFi along the lines of "I'm a virgin, about to have sex for the first time. Help!"
Well, I'm (a guy) about to have sex with a virgin (a girl) for a first time - help! [more inside]
help find a song
Looking for a song for our Wedding!
I have tried the hum to identify sites, and googled like crazy with no luck.
The song is new (2011) and "car commercial popular". It has no lyrics and sounds kind of like something Sigur Ros would do. I know this offers nothing, but it is like, "Ahhhh, ummmmm, aaaaaaa uuuuu". It heard it on the radio, an "alternative" station.
Its starts slow and builds (all songs I guess), and is quite emotional. Men are doing the vocals, and my last little evidence is that on the movie, If a Tree Falls, toward the middle they play a short segment of a song that sounds identical to the band in question but not the song. I check every song on the credits but it is definitely not there.
Thanks all!
What TV show?
What TV show am I thinking of, and what is the context? Towards the end of the season, a person who just committed a serious crime (I think either a shooting or a murder) is released from custody after a mysterious old woman (a mother? aunt?) comes to town and posts bail. My Google-fu is failing me. I think it's Justified, but I can't find any confirmation and I can't place the character who was released or the context.
The spark has gone please help me find it.
The spark has gone, and I want it back before I break his heart. Please help. [more inside]
I just got tenure at a small college. I'd like to thank the people who helped make this happen for me. What's appropriate?
I just got tenure at a small college. I'd like to thank the people who helped make this happen for me. What's appropriate? [more inside]
Strange Upper Back Tingling
Strange Upper Back Tingling [more inside]
Issue of payment for professional services when the professional is doing it as a favor to my family member. Advice?
Issue of payment for professional services when the professional is doing it as a favor to my family member. Advice? [more inside]
Has the internet warped my brain?
I have an interesting and challenging topic thought out for an essay, and I'm trying to find sources, but I'm stumped on how to word my search for reading material and sources on the topic. Help me find sources on how the internet changes the way we read! [more inside]
Pretzels and Pirhanas
Help us identify an illustrated children's book involving people on a ship, the invention of pretzels, and piranhas - probably from the late 70s or early 80s. [more inside]
Perfect traffic alert app
iPhone traffic app, with push traffic alerts? [more inside]
Help me mail these drugs!
I need to mail prescription medications from the United States to my son, who is doing student exchange in Brazil. How can I best accomplish this? [more inside]
Help me bring out my inner Bart
Please help me find this book. When I was in college, back in '96-'97 someone gave me this book of really terrible puns based on names that you would asked to be paged for comedic effect. [more inside]
Are there places online where I can fill this need for social interaction?
I'm an out-of-place extrovert living in an isolated location with no friends and not a lot of hope of finding any real connections in the near future, and desperately need some sort of human contact, even if just online. Please help me find some. [more inside]
I am looking for suggestions to help break some unhealthy patterns in my relationship.
I am looking for suggestions to help break some unhealthy patterns in my relationship. [more inside]
What do I say that I want to be when I grow up?
I have an interview next Tuesday with a investment firm. The position is Executive Assistant to the CEO. When they ask me where I see myself in 5 years, what do I say? [more inside]
What was this strange phenomenon?
Weird thing that happened last night as I was going to sleep. [more inside]
dreaming away
is it possible to stay locked in or stuck in a dream & never wake up? [more inside]
Electronic cardiovascular doohickey -- yea or nay?
Has anyone used one of those combination ECG/pulse oximeter/electronic stethoscopes that seem to be flooding eBay from various Chinese distributors? [more inside]
Oh Charity, where are thou?
Charities that support the arts? [more inside]
What should I be thinking of when moving in with my boyfriend and his daughter?
I am moving in with my boyfriend next month, who has partial custody of his ten-year-old daughter. She and I get along wonderfully, but I still want to make this the easiest transition possible for her (and all of us). What possible issues or problems should I be prepared for? [more inside]
You are not my lawyer -- and maybe he shouldn't be either.
Legal ethics filter: I work in the computer lab at a public library in the midwest. A patron comes in semi-regularly and shows me his Florida State Bar ID as proof of identity. He is almost always doing work with legal documents, and often has clients with him. The Florida State Bar says that he has been a member for about six months, but he's ineligible to practice law in the state of Florida. Am I under any obligation to contact the Florida State Bar (or some other regulatory association), since I'm not in Florida?
How to have speakers ring when a headset is plugged in.
How do I set up Google Voice to ring my computer speakers when I have a headset attached? [more inside]
Stop it before it starts...
[Potential Abuse Trigger] YANML, yes I know. But can you hope me stave off a bad situation with a man that's abused my sister and other members of my family BEFORE it happens again? [more inside]
Sending books to Thailand
What's the cheapest way to send my friend in Thailand some books? I can either mail him my own books from the UK or order the books online and have them shipped to him. [more inside]
Home is where the heart is en route to
How does one rent an apartment out-of-state, sight unseen, so it's ready to move in upon arrival? [more inside]
Bonus points if you can help me avoid looking like a Geocities site.
I am an amateur photographer with 1) a subscription-based online portfolio, 2) a desire to take more control over my site, 3) a sense of reckless abandon, and 4) virtually no experience with, or understanding of, the inner workings of the modern internet. I'd like a really simple site on my domain to hold galleries of my images and a blog. Can I get there from here? How? [more inside]
I need nightmare fuel
I'm writing a short story that involves a man who has panic attacks/hallucinations while driving. So, Metafilter, what bridges/roads/waterways are you scared of and why?
Tilt and turn or double hung
Any experience replacing double-hung windows with something like the "european-style" tilt-and-turn windows or a casement window? [more inside]
Weaseling out of a sale is uncoool
What should I do about a jewelry company trying to back out of a sale which I already paid for? I ordered online a small piece of custom gold jewelry this week, paying the price coded into the seller's own website. Now the seller's "customer service" staff has emailed me to say the price of gold went up and they can't sell me the piece at the price I paid. [more inside]
Why am I getting multiple blank pages with my browser?
I am currently traveling.When trying to visit my bank online, multiple blank windows begin to open faster than I can close them. This is happening both with safari and firefox. All this is happening before I sign in to my account and because of this I am not logging on. I find this somewhat alarming. This has started occuring only recently. Does someone reading this know what could be happening?
I guess Mark Knopfler doesn't swing a hammer very often.
How can I, a male who used his hands a lot, keep longish fingernails for guitar? [more inside]
Parking During Mardi Gras
I need parking suggestions in New Orleans (Maurigny/French Quarter) during Mardi Gras this year. [more inside]
Taxes taxes taxes
How much does it cost to file state and federal taxes? (Plus one more bonus tax question.) [more inside]
Quietest, calmest, most self-sufficient breeds of large dog for a person who doesn't like dogs?
I do not want a dog but I'm considering getting one. What kinds would be most quiet, self-sufficient, and non-active? [more inside]
Help me maintain a positive attitude in medical school.
Help graduate (medical) school not grind me down. Recommend me stress / harm reduction techniques for maintaining positivity and a general sense of optimism? [more inside]
Advice on painting a concrete patio.
I want to re-paint my friend's concrete patio... [more inside]
Help me identify a dream world Sci-fi story
Please help me identify a Science Fiction short story about a dream world taking over from the waking world. It was very Philip.K.Dick ish. [more inside]
I'm killing my daughter's love of math. Stop me before I kill again!
HELP. My daughter hates math, and I'm not helping -- in fact, I think I'm making it worse!! How do I help my girl with her math homework in a way that makes math fun and interesting!? I feel like I'm at a moment pivotal to her future, and I'm BLOWING it!! [more inside]
Fly Me To... Any Place Within One Contiguous Landmass, Unfotunately
Travel mavens: need tips/pointers/insider info on how to get the most out of two free (but somewhat restricted) airline tickets. [more inside]
tell me about billboards!
Part of my commute goes along Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood. There are a ton of billboards. Now I'm curious about billboards. Could you answer some questions about billboards for me? [more inside]
I like stiff drinks, but not stiff towels
Yet another laundry question. We have these towels and love their weight, size, color, and absorbancy. Our only complaint, and it's a big one, is that they are pretty hard and stiff now. I'm at my wits' end trying to soften them up. Please hope me. [more inside]
Pimp My Roof
My new apartment has an accessible roof with an awesome view, and this summer I would like it to be an Awesome Party Spot. At the moment it is completely bare. What makes YOUR roof great? [more inside]
Can I just write a check and be done with it?
What's the best way to improve my credit score now that I'm employed? [more inside]
Left foot, right foot, left foot, OW!
Woke up this morning with a lot of pain in my right foot. What should I do? [more inside]
Mini-burgers!
Where can a novice chef find the ingredients to, and best prepare Kobe Beef sliders at home? [more inside]
Don't people do this every day?
I want to do something ridiculously simple in Excel that doesn't seem to be possible. Please tell me that's not true. [more inside]
proselytize at funeral?
At funerals or wakes pastors some times proselytize. Is there a name for this? Is there a pastor shop talk term for the activity?
I'm all out of spoons
Why is modern flatware so huge? Can anyone recommend some nice, not overly expensive, and small flatware sets? [more inside]
Death to the &^$%# Spam Links on IF!
Is there a way to keep repeat link spammers from a free and open art community project without requiring membership/passwords or the like? [more inside]
Seeking a Physician in Melbourne, Australia who Specializes in Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Me
I am seeking a physician in Melbourne, Australia who specializes in, or at least has substantial experience with, Testosterone Replacement Therapy for men.
I've tried a hundred Google searches but I can't find anyone close -- only general listings for endocrinologists or urologists.
Any specific info, or personal recommendations, would be greatly appreciated. (Email addresses would be especially helpful.) Thanks!
Designing a gradebook database
MS Access / relational database question. I'm trying to set up a database for a gradebook for multiple classes, that I can maintain indefinitely. I've got the basics in terms of tables for students, classes, etc. But in my ideal world, I'll be able to do item analysis, too -- like seeing what proportion of students got Question 17 correct on a certain exam, or pulling up the specific items that a student missed on Exam 3. The only way I can think of to get this level of detail is with a junction table that has a separate record matching up each test item with each student for each exam. Of course this will eventually swell into hundreds of thousands of records (students * test items * exams * classes * years). Am I thinking about this correctly? Is there a better way of designing this? Are there any examples you can point me to of databases that accomplish similar things? Thanks!
Firefox update confusion
Firefox update change doesn't take me straight to where i want to go anymore. [more inside]
Can my undocumented friend drive my car? Can I drive his? How do we stay safe?
Can my undocumented friend drive my car? Can I drive his car? Will my insurance cover it and am I putting myself or him (or other drivers) at any risk? [more inside]
Shitting where you eat.
I made the very classic mistake of sleeping with a coworker and now trying to pretend nothing happened. What is the protocol for this, because I have suspicions she is breaking it. Medium-long post. [more inside]
Help me be more crafty!
What office supplies can I re-purpose to use for crafts? [more inside]
Les Liaisons Dangereuses?: What is flirting, and am I doing it?
What is flirting? And am I doing it? [more inside]
Trans friendly 21st in Denver
So I'll be turning 21 in a few weeks. And I've decided to actually celebrate, so I'm going to Denver with my brother. But now I'm stressing out about what to do and where to go. That's where you come in. [more inside]
Untwisting a workbench top
A friend gave me an old woodworker's workbench (looks a lot like this), and I'd like to put it to use. It has been stored improperly, and has a pretty severe twist in the third near the side vise. The whole top is something on the order of 10 cm (4") thick, and glued up from birch boards. Ideally I'd like to untwist it and flatten it and use it for woodworking. I'm unsure if it's feasible, though. I'm willing to spend a little money, as a new one of the same size is really expensive (USD 1000+).
Animated birds over video? Help me amuse my tweet-heart
Valentine's Day video: I'm a really babe in the woods with video, but I'd like to make a loving video for my real babe in the woods, if you know what I'm saying. I'd like to add animated, circling, twittering birds, as an overlay to my video. You know, the kind cartoon characters see when the get hit on the head with a mallet or stove. [more inside]
How to become a morning lark and maintaining your social appointments
Have any of you with night owl tendencies successfully made the transition into becoming morning larks? How do you deal with the social aspect of that transition? Do you get up at 6 on the weekdays but stay up till 3 on the weekends? Or do you sort of have to give that up?
Help me remember this word?
What's the word I am trying to think of? [more inside]
If I want to be a cypherpunk, or at least effectively use their software, how important is it that I learn to program?
If I want to be a cypherpunk, or at least effectively use their software, how important is it that I learn to program?
February 9
bean+plate+car+rain=me
How to remove water from my car, specifically the carpets - they squish! [more inside]
Can I negotiate my (non-delinquent) student loan down?
So, I've been working for a few months now and got a nice sum saved up - enough to pay back all my student loans in one lump sum payment. Is there somebody I can negotiate with to lower the outstanding debt in exchange for making a lump sum payment? In other words, I'll pay them less than the outstanding balance and they'll take over the loan. I've tried searching for other people in the same situation, but it seems like this idea isn't very popular for some reason. Surely there are banks that would jump at the chance for some cold hard cash right now...
Firefox mp3 plugin
What is a good Firefox plugin that will let me pause and change the playing point of online mp3s? [more inside]
Need help differentiating between image and text links in CSS/HTML
I'm trying to make my image links in a div start at 0.8 opacity, and on hover, bump up to 1 opacity. This works fine - until I also introduce text links to the same div. Then, the 0.8 starting opacity applies to the text as well, making it look weird. Any way to make it apply to the image links only?
Thanks.
Teaching English! Overseas!
TEFL outside of korea/japan/china (most interested in Latin America/Africa/non-gulf parts of the middle east)-- seeking info on job prospects, requirements, personal experiences... [more inside]
My dog killed a cat; what to do?
My dog killed a cat in my yard. I have no idea where it came from, but suspect it is not wild. We are traumatized, what do we do? [more inside]
Aero Snap on a monitor that's too large
How do I divide a large monitor & still use Windows 7 Aero Snap? [more inside]
Quiero aprender español. Es LingQ.com un buen sitio web para eso?
Have you used LingQ.com to help you learn a language? What did you think of it? Do you have any other recommendations for paid language learning sites that cost no more than $15 per month? (I am learning Spanish.) [more inside]
Zen Shorts
Can you help me find Zen short stories that would be easy for teens to digest? My children have really enjoyed tales like "Stone Soup", "Three Questions and Zen Shorts by Jon J Muth but these have been read over and over and over to them since they were very young. They are getting older and craving more. [more inside]
We don't need no thought control...
I'm going to college! (fo' realz this time, yo). So, what should I study?
(or,
How do I learn to stop worrying I won't get to do everything and love just one subject?) [more inside]
how to use this idiom?
I'm learning English. I wonder what's the difference between.."keep in good shape "and "stay in good shape". And when someone said,"I'd have given anything to keep in good shape.", do you get which he meant, "to keep his good physical condition" or " to keep his good figure"? My question is odd?
Challenged by coworker's personality
How to keep perspective about a coworker that I dislike, and maintain focus on work? [more inside]
The next stage of hair care?
Can you recommend me some -AWESOME- hair products? [more inside]
Big Bend Accommodations in March
My family is heading to Big Bend and Marfa in March. Anyone with recommendations on where to stay while at the park? We aren't going to have camping gear with us.
How do I get more control over prezi?
What do I need to learn in order to hack my own prezi files? CSS? Flash? None of the above? [more inside]
Lose-lose becomes win-win.
What makes a great internship program? [more inside]
Lien on car
Can the towing company put a lien on my car? [more inside]
Trying to find a short story about love and loss, titled "Red."
[StoryFilter] I'm looking for a printed or electronic copy of the full text of a story titled simply "Red." [more inside]
Should I reinstate my interest after turning down a job interview?
Turned down a job interview. Now I would like to interview. Email them or call it a day? Special snowflake details. [more inside]
In which everyone finds out I watch abcfamily dramas...
Help me identify these little bits of goodness.
What is this candy from a Vietnamese restaurant? [more inside]
Recovering expense funds from former employer
Legal advice on recovering expenses from my former company that doesn't want to pay? [more inside]
Identify: Younger Male Artist Killed by Mob and Woman Who Drew Decision Trees On Canvas With Pencil
Please help me identify these two visual artists: a younger male artist killed by the mob in the 1990's and a woman who drew decision trees in pencil on canvas. [more inside]
No 3G roaming? For shame, Verizon!
Cell phone question: Droid 3 user, on Verizon in coastal Maine. My phone only gets one bar of 1X data while roaming on US Cellular, while my girlfriend's CDMA Kindle and my brother's US Cellular phone get 3-4 bars of 3G data. The Verizon rep told me I should be able to get 3G from the US Cellular tower, but it's not happening. Does anyone know if there's any way to force my phone to roam on US Cellular's 3G? I know some people use custom PRLs, but this sort of thing is new to me and I'd like to do it properly. [more inside]
Stumblr
I'm new to Tumblr. Which are the best Tumblrblogs to follow, particularly in the realms of literature/arts/film/tv/comics/culture, science fiction, stand-up comedy and comedy podcasting, lefty politics, and MetaFilter-style "potpourri"? Thanks in advance.
Should my husband take a job with a very low salary?
Should you take a job that doesn't pay enough to live on, or continue on unemployment -- which is even less? [more inside]
What are the most selective art shools in the U.S. and UK that offer a BA, MA, or MFA in Illustration?
What are the most selective art shools in the U.S. and UK that offer a BA, MA, or MFA in Illustration? [more inside]
What is this button on the back of the collar for?
I recently bought a new wool coat and upon examining at home, I found a small (~1/4"-diameter) button on the outside, under the collar, dead-center at the nape of the neck. What is this for? [more inside]
Help! My kindergartener is a racist!
How do I explain to my six-year-old that different is good? (And do damage control until the lesson sinks in?) [more inside]
finding a job after a long employment gap
Help me integrate back into the workforce after a very long absence and current difficulties with social anxiety + panic attacks. [more inside]
I don't want to be buried in my own backyard
Underwater mortgage + growing family in small house = terror. How can we plan to get out of this situation in three years? [more inside]
What is this photo?
Computer! Make me a better person!
What apps do you use to help you stay focused on work? I'm looking for Mac and web apps. I don't have clinically diagnosable ADHD, but I'm curious about what's out there and can certainly use the help sometimes.
What are some fun things to do with a digicam I don't care about?
What should I do with a digital camera that is willing to sacrifice its life for me? [more inside]
Non-compete enforceable for 1099 contractors?
Where can I find the best information on how enforceable a non-compete agreement may be in a 1099 situation? The trick: I don't have a copy of the agreement that was signed. [more inside]
Make my iMac and display equal height
I need to make my 27" Apple Cinema Display the same height as my 27" iMac. Where can I get a stand to make this happen? [more inside]
Goal #1: Track some goals.
I'm looking for a PC desktop widget that will track my progress towards various goals. [more inside]
This makes me want to live in a boat, in international waters.
How do we deal with our new neighbor, who seems to be having deteriorating mental issues. [more inside]
The hazards of HPV
Dating and STD question. Snowflake details inside. [more inside]
I best not catch this flick on YouTube.
So, my brilliant dad left a threatening voice mail for one of the many estranged women in his life. She posted it on YouTube with his full legal and professional name. [more inside]
The First Question of Ask Metafilter (because I say so)
Why do churches and banks -- and only churches and banks -- name themselves "The First X" or "The First X of Y"? Especially when it's obvious they're not actually the first X ever built in Y? [more inside]
Inconsiderate Landlord
Landlord telling me to leave apartment for 8 hours on Sunday....anything I can do? [more inside]
Modding my jam safely?
I want to mix slices of lemon into some jam from the store. How long will it keep in the fridge after I do this? [more inside]
She never went to school in the States..
Can someone who didn't study in the US get their GED here? [more inside]
I've been vegetarian for a week and I feel awful. Should I give up now or stick it out?
I've been vegetarian for a week and I feel awful. Should I give up now or stick it out? [more inside]
Do I have to give the money back?
Can my employer force me to pay back tuition reimbursement if I leave before the required time is up? [more inside]
Help me organize my Gmail account
In gmail, is there a way to search for emails that don't have a specific label or don't have any label? [more inside]
Is a BoConcept sectional worth the money?
How do you feel about your 2+ year old BoConcept sofa, couch or sectional? Was it properly upholstered? Is the leather wearing well? Do the legs stay on? Are you happy with your purchase? [more inside]
Help me make ice-albedo feedback fun!
Help me develop a board game to teach kids (and grown-ups) about positive feedback loops. [more inside]
Any Microsoft Word wizards interested in helping out with a little find/replace question?
Any Microsoft Word wizards interested in helping out with a little find/replace question?
I have a document with hundreds of lines of text that begin like this:
"101 0 Music player.....
102 0 The interim...
103 0 Beneath the..."
I need to keep the first group of digits but remove that 0, so that the result looks like this:
"101 Music player.....
102 The interim...
103 Beneath the..."
One added dimension: that second digit is not always a 0; sometimes it's another digit.
Any thoughts? Thanks!
Need help planning a retro board game party. Details within.
MeFites, I want to plan an era-appropriate party centred around a recently-acquired c. 1970 copy of the Password board game. [more inside]
Diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency and want to hear about your experience
Were you diagnosed as an adult with Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency? Tell me about it! [more inside]
High demand specialty jobs that might help pay for the schooling?
Where would I find high demand specialty jobs that might help pay for the schooling? I'm looking into a career change and looking for jobs that might be in high enough demand where some entity would paid to get the training/schooling and take that job.
I'm not so much looking for low skilled high wage jobs as I am niche jobs that requires education, as I would also like to get a degree. An example is like the way the military requires a 4 year enlistment but you get training and alike out of them. (although I'm to old to try this now) This could also include government sponsored job training programs for specific industries. Maybe like an X-ray tech? I just don't know where to hunt for such things.
English translation of French lyrics sung by Czech band?
What's the English translation of these French songs sung by the Czech band Miou Miou? [more inside]
Who was the first singer or band to use the "_____ verse, same as the first" gimmick?
Who was the first singer or band to use the "_____ verse, same as the first" gimmick? [more inside]
When copyright goes copywrong ... ah, I got nothin
Copyright infringement-filter: What's the worst that could happen? [more inside]
GTFO appendix
Pre-emptive appendectomy? Difficulty filter: living and working in remote corners of Africa. [more inside]
Please help me find a Portland, Oregon-like town on the other side of the country
Please help me find a Portland, Oregon-like town on the other side of the country. [more inside]
Are custom guitars any good?
Some random guy on Craigslist makes guitars. Should I buy one? [more inside]
What's the frequency, Kenneth?
Need advice on recording my lectures. I use presentation software and I move around the lecture hall/room interacting with students. I want to record audio directly to my computer while moving around a classroom.
What equipment and software do I need to do this? I am open to all suggestions.
Can I really get better? Do people really change?
A probable breakup has made a lot of my issues come to the surface. How do I fix them? [more inside]
HELP!
Please help me figure out how to deal with my parents' financial situation and my mental health. [more inside]
How to make water like gas?
Weird science-y question! Is there any kind of (nontoxic, readily available) liquid that behaves in some ways like smoke? [more inside]
How to add a CSS stylesheet outside of the header?
How do you add several additional CSS styles to a web page, when you don't have access to the header or the linked styles sheets? Yes, you can repeatedly declare an inline style for each piece of text, but that defeats the purpose of style sheets. A fuller picture of what is desire, along with backstory is below the fold. [more inside]
I like my toast on wheat with freshly churned organic butter.
What should I expect at my first Toastmasters meeting? [more inside]
Do I have snow madness or is this a good idea?
We are exploring moving in with my mother for six months over next winter. She has a very large home where the daylight basement functions as its own living space -- second washer/dryer, kitchenette, bathroom, bedrooms etc. What questions should we be asking? Have you ever done this? How did it go? [more inside]
North Carolina Exploration for Dummies
Places to stay and things to do with two small children near Raleigh, NC. [more inside]
Need new contact program for Mac
I need recommendations for a new database contact program for my Macbook Pro. [more inside]
Business Travel Increases for 2013
Where can I find a source giving anticipated increases for business travel for 2013 for budgeting purposes? [more inside]
Gah! Acrobat!
Why is Acrobat artifacting my images? I am at my wits end. [more inside]
What happens in Vegas should happen near the airport and not cost too much.
Can you suggest a decent-but-not-terribly-expensive hotel in Las Vegas where I can stay at the beginning and end of a road trip? Proximity to the airport is a must. [more inside]
Does BPD "rub off" on others?
Dated a girl with borderline personality disorder, and now I'm feeling like her behaviors and symptoms of the disorder are present in me. Is this a common thing for those involved with people with BPD to experience? [more inside]
How can I create a sheet for each row in Excel?
ExcelFilter: Is there a way to create a sheet for every row in Excel? [more inside]
Sleep mask won't stay put. Argh!
Office Space Talk
Tell me about the offices of CEOs. [more inside]
iPad 2 wifi glitches?
iPad 2 has weak wifi? [more inside]
How do I cope with the difference between me and my girlfriend
My girlfriend often talks about "stupid" topics - am I an idiot for thinking so? [more inside]
Shootout at the Not-So-OK Corral.
Is an employer allowed to have pest control people in a grocery store, after hours, carrying bb guns and trying to shoot a trapped bird, while night shift employees are working? [more inside]
How do I get rid of an unwanted tag-along?
There's a girl who keeps inviting herself to group gatherings, and now she's invited herself along on a trip I planned. I really don't want her there, but how do I get rid of her without creating a big scene? [more inside]
TED talk on absorption refrigeration - where are they now?
Absorption refrigeration: what ever happened to that TED guy with the fridge that heated on a campfire? [more inside]
i want to be one of those infomercial people who say zumba made them lose 50 lbs
why is my scale being a little bitch? i've been going to zumba classes for over a month and haven't dropped a single pound yet. [more inside]
February 8
The automatic transmission on my 2001 VR2 Volkswagen Jetta has failed twice.
The automatic transmission on my 2001 VR2 Volkswagen Jetta has failed twice. The first time was at 40,000 miles, it was covered under the 10 year/100k powertrain warranty (but barely) and now I am 6 months out of the time period but the car only has 64,000 miles on it and has been impeccably maintained and gently used. How can I get the dealer to cover this under warranty? [more inside]
Song question for the Green....
Simple question. Does anyone know who sings the new Vicks Dayquil commercial song with the line, "I love you everyday but mostly on Sunday."? It sounds very sexy and Google was no help. Thanks Green!
What paint to pour over my head?
Is there a specific type of paint under, say, twenty dollars a gallon that is safe enough to pour over my head for a photo shoot? ...and that will easily come out of my hair?
I'm sick and my boyfriend is sick of me.
Multiple Issues Filter: I've been dealing with depression, anxiety and trouble sleeping for the past few years. I was on meds (effexor and klonopin) for 8 and 4 months respectively before tapering off of them rather quickly so I could have a sleep study done. Last night was my sleep study. The tech woke me up at 2am to adjust a wire, and when she entered the room I started screaming at the top of my lungs. [more inside]
Well obviously it's equal to itself, but still.
One of the odder bits of MS-DOS trivia I picked up in my formative years (presumably from More DOS for Dummies) was that if you precede a command with an equals sign, it'll still work just fine (e.g. "dir" but typed as "=dir"). Why is this?
What's an inexpensive tropical getaway for an extended visit?
I am looking for an reasonably inexpensive tropical place to spend 6-8 weeks or so this coming spring. This would be more working sabbatical than full-on vacation. In a perfect world, I'd be able to rent an apartment or villa and be able to do my own shopping, cooking, etc. [more inside]
I want to stream Pandora
Just upgraded to my first smartphone last week. On Verizon and have been a Verizon customer for about ten years. Of course I find out that starting Friday, Verizon will be offering its double data promotion again. But that puts this offer squarely within my two week return/cancellation window. My question is: is there any chance that Verizon would let me take advantage of this offer now? Has anyone had experience finagling this sort of thing with them? What are some good negotiating tactics in case they are reluctant?
Do I have to replace my entire oven because I cannot find a replacement part that is no longer manufactured?
Do I have to replace my entire oven because I cannot find a replacement part that is no longer manufactured? [more inside]
Is there a way to level a wood floor?
Leveling a wooden plank floor to install tile, for dummies. [more inside]
How to help a kid chill out quick
Quick calming techniques for a jittery, anxious kid? [more inside]
Awesome ESL Projects
I'm looking for a fun medium to long term project for an advanced ESL student. [more inside]
What Not To Wear: The Interview Edition. Help!
Okay. Mr. Anonnymoose is interviewing for an IT position at a large company that is well-known for its offbeat aesthetic. We are very excited! But we have no clue what he should wear. [more inside]
Go with my gut? Hell, I don't even know what my gut is telling me right now...
I realize this post is a little long.....but has anyone ever experienced the following Made-For-TV-Hallmark-Channel episode, or something like it, or know anyone who did? If so, how did you handle it? [more inside]
Walrustitty for Leicester
Why do Commonwealth countries and provinces name their parliamentary constituencies, and why do American state legislatures and Congress tend to number them?
Help me name fairies please!
Creative Mefites, please help me name some fairies with light-themed names. [more inside]
The Margaret and Helen blog - anyone have definite proof that they're real?
Is the blog "Margaret and Helen" real or fake? [more inside]
PPP dialup, dynamic DNS and Teamviewer
Dynamic DNS services, PPP dialup and remote support for a technologically un-savvy relative. [more inside]
Restaurant Recommendations in Vienna VA (near Jammin' Java)?
Restaurant Recommendations in Vienna VA (near Jammin' Java)? My wife and myself have tickets for Willie Nile at Jammin' Java on Saturday night. We've decided to call this Saturday evening our Valentine's Day and make a night of it by getting a decent dinner before the show.
I know there are a gazillion restaurants in the general area - what's a good non-chain choice for dinner for 2 in the $40-50 neighborhood? My wife doesn't like sushi, so that is out. I'm familiar with the chili at Jammin' Java, but hunched over a folding chair trying to eat chili without spilling it isn't the dinner scene we are looking for Sat night; no matter how damn good the chili might be.
Which protein powder is right for me?
Protein powders, help me navigate the vast selection. [more inside]
Healthy delivery food in Boston.
I'm trying to figure out the healthiest carryout/delivery meals I can get for under $25. The catch is that I don't like salads very much, and prefer my vegetables to be chopped finely/covered in sauce/combined with other things. (See my username)
I'm in Boston, but I'm also open to general suggestions of what sort of restaurants/items are more likely to be healthy options. [more inside]
Pompadours and long toed shoes
Help me remember the name of this eastern European band [more inside]
So what might cause tongue lumps?
What besides HPV could cause these bumps on my tongue? [more inside]
How to find human support at Google, for a blog issue?
How to speak to a human being at Google, to resolve an issue with a Blogspot blog? I really do need a person & not a public forum; paid support would be fine.
PUNY BANNER! HULK MUCH WUBBIER!
Between the hours of 8pm and 9pm every night, I strap on my weightlifting gloves and unleash the beast. What's some good EDM that makes you feel like a cat at a mouse party? [more inside]
Learning how to create graphics
Learning to create realistic UI graphics/icons [more inside]
Best cities for single men looking for a fresh start?
Where is the best city for a single male software developer to start over? (Excluding DC, which is where I am now) [more inside]
Calling out to all premature baby/NICU experts
Help my wife and I navigate NICU and all that having a premature baby involves. [more inside]
Medium rare, please
If you were to buy frozen ground beef from a local, grass-fed source, would you feel safe cooking & eating a medium rare hamburger? If not, under what circumstances (if any) would you eat a hamburger cooked medium rare?
Taming a wild child
Help me tame our 7 year old daughter before she makes all of the boys in her second grade class cry. [more inside]
Cheap eBay goods
What are the best $1-2 deals on eBay? [more inside]
My iphone 4 doesn't appear to be backing up to the backup folder
Dumb iphone backup question. Got an iphone 4 (not 4s) in December. Have sync'd and backed up via itunes several times since then, but when I browse to the folder where the backups are stored, only the initial one from December shows up. Buh? [more inside]
How does a polyamorous couple non-awkwardly "friendzone" someone?
Polyamory-filter! How does a couple non-awkwardly "friendzone" someone? [more inside]
Am I dying or what?
How do you know when to seek medical attention for persistent headaches? [more inside]
Sewing machine service vs. upgrading?
Sewing machine issues: should I go for a service, or upgrade to a better model? [more inside]
where do you go when all the other resources aren't available?
I need to talk to someone right now, and the hotlines I've called have not been helpful, and my friends/family are all indisposed. [more inside]
It's purely textual...
Text? Or, texted? [more inside]
Help me analyze data about networks.
How can I analyze some data about linkages between data elements in a way that will give me meaningful information about the similarity of the relationships? This has got to be a solved problem! [more inside]
Google's motto, "Don't provide actual links"
Google's new links are timing out on me. I block cookies from Google as as part of my feeble attempt to maintain some internet privacy and, just today, the links on Google's search results are timing out. [more inside]
The Loungewear Shopping Challenge of the Lounge Era
Guys, I've finally found the robe of my dreams. Well, sort of. Please help me locate a reasonable fascimile of this gorgeous, long, short-sleeved, fitted, white quilted cotton-looking robe, as seen on Mad Men (season 2, episode 8, I believe). Screenshots of The Robe of My Dreams on Betty Draper here and here.
Payment methods for sketchy retailers
Paying for porn while preserving anonymity redux. [more inside]
Should I eat more?
Am I doing damage to my body by eating below my estimated BMR? Is starvation mode a real thing? [more inside]
Where did my grandma buy stockings?
Give me my grandma's stockings! [more inside]
"I think that we may safely trust a good deal more than we do." --Thoreau
I want to buy a widget in Fayette, AL in the next few days. I am not there, don't know anyone there, and can't get there. Am I out of luck? [more inside]
Why is there a seeming paucity of Asian management gurus?
Why is there a seeming paucity of Asian management gurus? [more inside]
what to do in Las Vegas and when to book it
What's the best way to book tours and activities for a long weekend in Las Vegas - online ahead of time, or when we get there? Also looking for other fun things to do. [more inside]
What was this weird-ass cowboy show?
What was this trippy, cowboy-themed weekend morning TV show I used to watch in Brooklyn in the early 1990s? [more inside]
"Unlike" really doesn't communicate my level of disdain
What is hijacking my facebook profile with unwanted "likes?" [more inside]
Auckland with a 3 year old
Things to do in Auckland with a 3 year old. [more inside]
Not A Lot Of Car Chases In Books, Are There?
Excellent Action Scenes In Books? I'm looking for examples of tense, fast paced action sequences in novels and short stories. The written equivalent to the cinematic on-the-edge-of-your-seat-oh-crap-the-person-may-die-how-will-they-escape thing. Bonus if the situation is complex yet reads like a clear, clockwork machine. [more inside]
Why does hitting 'enter' when searching redirect my browser?
Weird re-direct issue when searching Google... [more inside]
help processing bad dr. office experience
Please help me process this traumatic doctor's office experience. Will saying anything to the doctor help? [more inside]
We're homeschooling and the Biology teacher sucks.
Can you help me show my children some bacteria in our ancient microscope, and maybe go on to perform Science upon them? (The bacteria, not the children!) [more inside]
TCP WTF
How do I fix this fast-then-slow download issue on a Linux machine? It doesn't happen on a Windows machine. TCP tuning nerdery probably required. [more inside]
words to grow on for a starting university teacher?
My first visiting lecturer job starts next week. I know the department and the class will be small. what should I expect and what should I try not to do?
What to do in Guatemala City for 8 hours?
I have an 8 hour layover in Guatemala! What can I do, see and eat in that time? [more inside]
I never thought I'd be writing a "should I eat this." But here we are.
Should I eat this? #1,298: boneless/skinless chicken thighs, marinating 24 hours in the fridge. [more inside]
Is Win XP Blackmailing Win 7?
Does the Google Chrome browser act that much differently between Windows XP Pro (32-bit) and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit? Less vagueness inside... [more inside]
Virtue Formation and Narrative in Ancient Contexts
Virtue ethics filter: I'm looking for some good research that shows a connection in ancient thought between narrative and emulating virtuous models for moral development. That is, what was the understood or pragmatic relationship between story telling and becoming like those who the stories portrayed? Any suggestions?
Mrs. asnider will actually be Mrs. herownname, what problems might this cause?
Possible issues of not changing your last name when you get married, what might they be? [more inside]
Good group snacks for work?
Snacks for my co-workers? [more inside]
Can I fix the webbing on my couch?
Can I fix the webbing on my couch? [more inside]
At what point do you start worrying about your children's credit reports?
The other day my 13 year old received an application for a Discover Card in the mail. At the time, I dismissed it as junk mail. Trans Union mentions that receiving applications may be a sign of a problem, and even has a site related to the issue here. While diving into a fraud investigation request for one application seems overkill, how common is this, and at what point does one start monitoring all this? [more inside]
I feel like a boy crazy middle schooler all over again
I recently reconnected with a guy that I hadn't seen in ten years. (We were fourteen then, and we're twenty-four now). After getting some friendly drinks, I'm interested in pursuing things further. [more inside]
Unleash the snake!
How do I put my stupid simple Python scripts... on the Internet? [more inside]
Recommendations for an accountant in downtown Boston?
Can anyone recommend an accountant in downtown Boston? Primarily for personal income tax preparation, but I'm also interested in financial planning.
Location is important -- ideally located in the Financial District, West End, or North End. [more inside]
I'm gonna need it to bring ALL the boys to the yard.
Who makes the best milkshakes in Southeast Michigan? I live in Detroit but am not at all opposed to driving a fair bit for something spectacular. My dream shake is extra thick and filled with chunks of actual berries that stop up the straw. Malts need not apply.
Resorts in the Poconos
I'm looking at resorts in the Poconos for a weekend getaway, and would be interested to hear some suggestions. [more inside]
Should I untie my tongue?
Tell me about your experience with surgery to correct a tongue tie. Is it no big deal or am I better off leaving well enough alone? [more inside]
How do you deal with opposing communication styles?
Texter vs. non-texter relations: How do you deal? [more inside]
Help me find a laptop for programming
I generally work from home and have an excellent desktop machine that never lets me down. Occasionally I have to travel, and when I do I take an ancient Dell Inspiron 8500 to work on and use for remote support. Long story short, the Dell has died and I'm out of touch with laptop options. Anyone know the best portable machines for programmers? [more inside]
How to scan from foamcore.
I have a poster of great sentimental value mounted on foamcore that I'd like to scan and make a couple of copies of for some family members. How do I get this to happen? [more inside]
How to mount art to a mat
What are the pros and cons of various ways of mounting art to a mounting mat for framing? [more inside]
Last-Minute Gift for my NYC Girlfriend?
Ideas for a gift to buck up my girlfriend who's feeling down that isn't flowers - must be able to deliver in NYC. [more inside]
Streaming from RSS Podcasts via Twitter
I want to promote a podcast by auto-posting to social media using the RSS feed. However, the links that post go to my website and not to the individual podcasts. What can I do to make this work? [more inside]
Is it creepy to Google people? [non-dating-filter]
Do you think it's creepy when you find out someone has Googled you? Semi-related to previous questions about Googling dates, but my date isn't the Googler. [more inside]
Help me translate a first name in a foreign language
Looking to have a name written in various languages. [more inside]
What causes strings to go false?
What causes strings to go false? [more inside]
How much is my space heater costing me per hour?
Can a math / electrician whiz help me figure out how much my little space heater is costing me to run? The heater is listed as 120V 60Hz 1500W, and I run it on its highest setting for about 8 hours a day. According to my last utility bill, my electric was $118.64 for 1536 kWh, or $0.077239583 per kWh. So how much is this little heater costing me to run per hour?
Adjusting the sensitivity of an electronic cat flap...
Adjusting the sensitivity of an electronic cat flap -- bright ideas needed! [more inside]
Please help me translate these Chinese characters.
Can anyone translate these Chinese characters located on a VZ 24 Mauser for me? [more inside]
Good home music system?
What's the best set-up to listen to music at home? [more inside]
Help me make sense of my email!
Email filter filter: So I get an email that requires a response. I write an email back that requires a response. I don't get a response in turn and the loop remains open, gets further down my inbox and then I forget about it, without resolving it. I'm in open loop hell! [more inside]
ONE two three TWO two three THREE two three...
What are some good soul songs in 6/8 or 12/8 meter? Ideally, I'm looking for stuff from the 60s and 70s, but stuff from later that's in that style is fine too. [more inside]
Do I own this stuff left in my basement?
I own a house and needed a new furnace. I found a guy to do it, and he totally screwed me over. He left all his tools in my basement and not had any contact with me for a couple months. Do I own these tools now, and what if anything should I do now? [more inside]
Where can I find out about Bloomberg?
Does anyone have links to less savoury stories on Bloomberg? [more inside]
help me think through visa and immigration for my partner and child
I am uk citizen, my partner is Japanese and here in the uk on a working holiday visa which expires mid March.
She is pregnant and will give birth in September, ideally in japan, and at the end of 2012 or the start of 2013 we’d like to return to the uk. [more inside]
Are there any legitimate reasons why a person in India might be asked to provide a copy of their British aunt's id?
Are there any legitimate reasons why a person in India might be asked to provide a copy of their British aunt's id? [more inside]
How to launch a Facebook campaign to help youths at school?
I need ideas for a social media campaign to target young people who lack motivation and aren't doing well in school. Are there any Facebook campaigns that I draw inspiration from? [more inside]
Interior design blogs for us plebians?
What are some on interesting interior design blogs that feature regular homes and apartments, done on a budget, as opposed to opulent, fancy, expensive places? [more inside]
I'd like to aquire a working knowledge of sports teams/sports players, but I don't know where to start.
I'd like to acquire a working knowledge of sports teams/sports players, but I don't know where to start. [more inside]
Need to find good screencast production company or individual to demo software application
Any recommendations for good but not expensive screencast production companies or individuals to make a demo of a new Windows desktop software application? [more inside]
How can labor unions grow in the United States?
What (and where) is the best current thinking on the future of the labor movement in the United States? [more inside]
Help me think of a word that describes a fawning biography.
Help me think of a word that describes a fawning biography. [more inside]
Help us, Calvin & Hobbes fans, you're our only hope...
Where could I find old Calvin&Hobbes comic strips from actual newspapers? Specifically, it'd be awesome to find stacks of Appleton Post-Crescent newspapers from the 1990s.... [more inside]
Music for pop princesesses
I'm looking for catchy pop songs w/ female vocalists suitable for young kids. It turns out I'm raising two pop princesses (aged 3 and 5) who love listening to music that I don't know much about. Help me find music to make a new mix tape that won't drive me and mom crazy! [more inside]
February 7
Plants in the bathroom? Mold is not a plant.
What kind of plants will grow well in a bathroom with no windows?
E-Text Research
Grad school (or possibly career)-related question: Do you know about research involving e-textbooks and how students and educators might best use them? [more inside]
What Do I Need to Consider in Selling Rights to Photos to a Magazine?
An large-distribution American magazine has asked to purchase rights to photos from my website. What do I need to consider legally and how do I come to a fair price?
Song Search
Help me identify the song used as Lex Luger's theme in WCW - also, is there a version with lyrics? [more inside]
Around the US Northeast in Seven Days
We need a sanity check on this trip, please! My partner and I are planning on getting out of South Carolina by this summer. We know we'd like to live further north, but there are five places we're considering and we're trying to plan the most economical yet useful trip to help us decide. So: what is the cheapest way to visit Pittsburgh, PA, Syracuse, NY, Burlington, VT, Portland, ME, and Providence, RI in a week? [more inside]
What software should I use to make a sleek, professional report (with lots of different kinds of content)?
I want to make a 70-100 page report look as sleek and professional as possible. It includes text, references, figures, and photos, as well as "call-out boxes" of various sizes (100-500 words, plus 1-2 figures/photos) that need to be set apart from the text in a non-ugly way. Almost like a high school science textbook. I know there are a ton of Word "report templates" online, but I haven't found any that handle this many types of content, and I don't know if Word is really the way to go here. What *is* the way to go? Is there an easily learned, cheap software you would recommend for this?
What high-performance jobs have a surprisingly boring aspect to them?
I've heard people say, "If you love doing paperwork, you'd make a great cop." What other high-performance jobs have a hidden or not commonly known aspect to them people might find surprisingly boring?
Lesser known amazing foreign phrases?
I'm looking for obscure but beautiful or amazing sayings or phrases or words in languages or dialects other than American English. [more inside]
Has anyone else found tiny dollhouse keys that were obviously meant to really unlock something?
A pair of tiny dollhouse-sized keys with teeth that are obviously made to fit a specific lock. Has anyone else ever seen these? [more inside]
J-POP in the USA
Looking for US based labels that distribute Japanese recording artists. [more inside]
Learn From Home, an Age Old Craft
Can I teach myself to be a silversmith? More specifically, I want to make nice rings, with drusy and cut stones, and maybe some raw brass pendants. But how do I start? [more inside]
Is this even answerable?
So.. the little melody that people hum when they are being inconspicuous about something.. does it have a verifiable origin? [more inside]
Short poem about bread and stones for your child?
Poetry filter: Google can't help me as the poem plays on the Luke 11:11 "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone?". Driving me mad not being able to find it, a a short 5-6 line poem, from an old UK anthology, Voices, which says broadly that in the future, we will all be equal and share, but still I will give stones to other children and keep bread for my own child. Not a translation and a modern non-rhyming poem.
Is there a word for this technological phenomena?
Is there a dictionary word that defines when new technology mimics old technology unnecessarily? An example would be a cellphone ringtone that mimics an old fashioned phone with a bell on it. The culture is used to the bell sound although it is unnecessary in a digital culture. Also, what are other examples?
My dream house, illustrated
What is the name of illustrations of rooms? What is this Japanese art style? [more inside]
DI-NO-SAU-CERSSSS
Science fiction filter: if we disappeared tomorrow, what traces of our civilization would likely still be around 65 million years from now? (I've read The World Without Us but it doesn't go to this timescale) [more inside]
Opportunities for unemployed to get new life experience
A friend of my son's is living in our attic. He's 21, can't find a job and I am encouraging him to look for other options. The only ones I can think of are Peace Corps or the military. What other kinds of things are there out there for a person with no ties and no education past high school? Thanks.
Is Authorize.net in any way obligated to transfer user data on request?
Is Authorize.net in any way obligated to transfer user data on request? [more inside]
Love is one big grey area.
Is it terrible to tell someone who's unhappy in a relationship that I have feelings for him, especially if it seems like he has feelings for me too? [more inside]
Free education?
How to go back to school full-time for only a year and a half--for free or close to free? [more inside]
Getting second dates from online dating?
I'm having trouble getting second dates from online dating sites. My personality has always been to develop a comfort zone with people slowly, and I worry that I'm getting brushed aside since there's not an "OMG CHEMISTRY" connection on the first date. [more inside]
Maldives, or bust?
Should I cancel my March 16th dive trip to the Maldives? [more inside]
Help me plan a weekend in NYC?
We have one weekend in New York, help us make it count! [more inside]
When did the US begin making laws about marriage?
When did the US Government (State/Federal) begin making laws, and or giving benefits to married couples? [more inside]
But what do you mean, "it's just a plate of beans"??
When overthinking is overrated: please show me your anti-beanplating hacks! [more inside]
How to handle role reversals?
Relationship Role Reversals [more inside]
Facebook over the years
Where can I find screenshots of Facebook's news feed for every major change they've gone through? Or at least year-by-year?
My references have been checked, will get a job offer?
My references have been checked after attending a second round job interview. Do you think there is an offer on the way if my references check out? Would they bother otherwise? [more inside]
Permanent crown fitted on a temp basis - how long to wait for my tooth to cool it?
My dentist inserted my permanent crown in a temporary fashion due to my tooth's uncertainty about whether it likes all of this intrusive behaviour - how long to wait to see if it will settle down? Potentially triggering dental details inside. [more inside]
Old Filing System Help!
Is anyone aware of an old paper filing system in which the individual records were punched with holes representing categories and/or keywords? To filter the records, you pushed a wooden rod through the holes and lifted out the records. I can't find this, no matter how advanced my Google-fu.
deep docs
Please recommend a documentary that goes deep into the detail of some item. For example clocks, trains , corn, skyscrapers, etc. Not about people, culture, places, history, etc.. (unless it's tied in with the item in question)
Towards a more perfect union.
Tell me about companies that encouraged or directed employees to form a guild or union from the beginning. What did they do, why did they do it, how was it received and how did it work out? [more inside]
Help me find this K-POP / J-POP video I vaguely remember seeing!
I really want to share this video I saw a while ago with a friend, for injoke purposes. But I dunno how to find it! Help! I believe it to be either Korean or Japanese pop music. I have little to no memory of the actual song, just the video.
3, maybe 4 East-Asian ladies. Strolling along a sidewalk, holding shopping bags, walking past upscale store windows. The sidewalk moves underneath them, kind of like an omnidirectional conveyor belt. I can remember no other details, really. Other than it was filmed in a studio (obviously), yet gives the impression of being filmed outside via lighting, and there were a lot of pastel shades going on. Oh, and the women are wearing heels. [more inside]
Who owns photos, videos and audio of a musical performance?
I pay the band to play, I shoot the video and photos and record the audio. But who actually owns the media? [more inside]
Drum sampling options?
I'm a drummer in an indie-rock band with a 5-piece kit who is looking to expand my setup to include a drum sampling pad. I want something that has unique percussion sounds (not just cheesy electronic beats), built-in effects, plenty of storage space to upload my own samples, and the ability to record and loop live drumbeats. Any advice? [more inside]
I need to put something on my feet.
Ethical everyman shoes? [more inside]
I just want to go home. But not THAT home.
Boyfriend is jobless. I moved in with him anyway. Job hunt isn’t going as planned. He’s depressed. I want to move to a better apartment. What to do? [more inside]
LDR Coping Strategies
My SO would like advice on how he can overcome some of the frustration and sadness he feels about the LDR he and I are in when he misses me. [more inside]
When does CJ say 'last thing before I quit'?
On which episode of the West Wing does CJ Cregg say something like: "Ok, but this is the last thing before I quit?" [more inside]
I'm at a crossroads with my 3-year live-in SO.
I'm at a crossroads in my 3-year relationship with a live-in SO. [more inside]
Should I try to fix a jerk?
How can I, or should I, once again point out that my boyfriend is kind of a jerk? [more inside]
index.html: the internet's best directory browsing resources and how to find them.
Open Directories: Occasionally I'll come across an index.html treasure-trove. What are the best and most interesting directory indexes of public-facing (by design or by oversight) public-domain archival materials? How does one find more of them? [more inside]
Getting rid of 1980s trading cards
I have trading cards from the early to mid 80s that I would like to get rid of. [more inside]
My boyfriend's son has major tantrums and it is stressing us all out. Help!
My boyfriend's son's behavior is stressing everyone out. Help! [more inside]
Need RO filter
Do you own a good countertop reverse osmosis water filter? Help me get one that's not made of pvc. [more inside]
Wash this outta my hair!
Why have I developed a sudden greasy patch on my scalp? [more inside]
When did Target stop selling bathrobes?
Help me find a bathrobe for my boyfriend! He wants one that's "cozy," terrycloth, decently long, and with an attached belt. [more inside]
I speak with 2 accents at the same time!
What is it called when you have two accents in a second language? Your native accent and the local accent of the region you learned language #2. [more inside]
An only demented ditty
Looking for the title/artist of a song played frequently on the Dr. Demento show many years ago. [more inside]
Help me deal with my past.
How do I deal with an out of the blue tweet from my most significant ex (girlfriend/fiancee) without upsetting my wife, her and to some extent me. [more inside]
Ironing out London logistics
Help me confirm logistics for my London (& side trip to Paris and Belgium) trip: money, phones, maps, tickets. Bonus question on finding fountain pens. [more inside]
What's the next step after writing a book?
I wrote a good book. Now what? [more inside]
Cars for/fighting/in grim opposition to Cancer
I have a car. I want to donate it towards fighting cancer. Whom do I use? (closest previously) [more inside]
Why doesn't this spray deodorant work?
On my doctor's orders, I switched deodorants, and now my armpits stink. Please help. [more inside]
Where to find cheap Long Island Iced Tea in NYC?
Where can I find Long Island Iced Teas for cheap prices in NYC? Especially during happy hours? [more inside]
Making a set of leather armor from absolute scratch
I want to make a set of armor out of leather. Where on earth do I start? [more inside]
Working on my own start-up and looking for tips on solo entrepreneurship.
Working on my own start-up and looking for tips on solo entrepreneurship. [more inside]
A drum a drum! Macbeth doth come!
Macbeth: Looking for a good annotated version of the Scottish play, geared toward a lay reader without a lot of Shakespeare knowledge, rather than an academic or expert. Open to one with a modern "translation" on each facing page. Interested in hardcopy, not electronic format. Thanks!
I'm going to take this printer out into a field pretty soon.
Office network print problems. Help me get these laptops to print again! [more inside]
Time is hard
How long is a day around the world? [more inside]
Happy Little Goosebumps...Thanks, Bob Ross!
Why do I have this weird physiological response to listening to Bob Ross paint his happy little clouds? [more inside]
Dealing with a passive aggressive landlord.
Asking for a friend. She currently lives with 3 other people in a single family household in the Boston area. Recently her landlord/roommate sent the entire household a very passive agressive email and she'd like some opinions on how to deal with it. [more inside]
That's not the kind of ring I had in mind
What kind of necklace chain won't turn my neck green? [more inside]
Help me find this little boy charm.
Please help me find this gold necklace charm. [more inside]
What Amazon singles should I get?
What Amazon singles should I get? Help me find great individual tracks. [more inside]
How prevalent was atheism in ancient civilizations?
How prevalent was atheism in ancient civilizations? [more inside]
Gave partial security deposit, didn't sign lease, check has been cashed. Can I get it back?
Gave partial security deposit, didn't sign lease, check has been cashed. Can I get it back? [more inside]
Help me make red appetizers
Help me make red appetizers [more inside]
Clothes to confer professionalism
Clipboards, tight leather gloves, smart briefcases - what other accessories or clothes confer an air of authority and professionalism? [more inside]
Do what you like well enough
Do you like your job? Do you like your job despite it not being related to your "passion"? (Maybe you don't have a "passion".) How did you find your way into that job? [more inside]
Literal notation vs. constructor in JavaScript
Literal notation vs. constructor: Which one should I use to create an object in JavaScript?
Caution section in factsheet
We are creating factsheets for animal feed products. What is the best title for the section dealing with the potential health-related problems buyers/users should be aware of? These problems can range from "mostly innocuous" (May cause soft droppings in poultry) to "lethal" (Should be detoxified).
Right now the section is called "Caution" but we've been told that it's not very good (we're not native English speakers). The title should catch people's attention without being alarmist since serious problems are uncommon.
How many times did Baltar save Roslin?
How many times did Gaius Baltar actually save Laura Roslin's life in Battlestar Galactica? [warning: here be spoilers] [more inside]
How do people quit grad school?
How do tell my advisor that I am dropping out of grad school and finding a job? [more inside]
We don't just talk any more.
I need a question that prompts extended conversation. There should be no actual answer to the question. It should probably be about music. [more inside]
Girls Have Chinas, Boys Have Peanuts
Does THIS book with THIS cover art exist? [more inside]
But there's nothing to doooooooo!
I'm stumped for active games I can play with my 3 year-old that require no props, or only simple props, like a single ball. Parameters inside. [more inside]
I need another pair of my favorite workout pants
I have no idea who made my favorite workout pants or where I bought them. Can you help me find another pair like them? They have an elastic waist AND ankles like most men's sweatpants. BUT, they're made from a much lighter cotton material that's not fleecy. They're also loose fitting but not too much.
Looking for metaphorical images to divert attention during childbirth
Please suggest, preferably with specific links, images that are metaphors for birth to be used for focusing on and creating visualizations during labor. [more inside]
Puzzles and printables to send a sick kid.
Cool puzzles, illusions and whatever else you think would entertain a very bright 9 year old boy who is going to be spending the next number of weeks in hospital. Printable would be a bonus. [more inside]
record producers' reviews
Where can I read music producers' opinions of the production value of specific albums/tracks? [more inside]
Database of pop chord changes?
Source for machine-readable lists of chord progressions of popular songs? [more inside]
My assistant forged checks to himself. What is the best way to get my money back?
My assistant wrote checks to himself from my account - what is the best way to get my money back? [more inside]
adult proof outlets
How do I insert a power plug into a tamper resistant outlet? [more inside]
Search a text file for keywords but exclude lines if they contain another keyword?
Do you know of a good technique or inexpensive software that will allow someone to search through a text file so the cursor moves incrementally from line to line if it contains the words "Item sold" but skip over that line to the next if it contains the words "Item sold" and ALSO "figurine"?
Trying to search through a very long text file for the few instances that aren't figurine. Any hints GREATLY appreciated!
Oceans never listen to us anyways.
My SO and I are going to be on different sides of the Atlantic from March to September. Should we break up? [more inside]
February 6
How do I set up automated online scheduled emails?
What is a free way to set up an automated and scheduled email reminder system. [more inside]
360 game visual tearing on new TV- is it the game, the TV or something else?
I got a new LCD TV, and it's 1080p and 120 Hz (previous was 1080i and 60 Hz). It generally looks great, but playing some Xbox 360 games, there's a noticeable amount of tearing I never saw on my old TV. Is this the game, the console, some setting, the TV itself or something else entirely? [more inside]
Gypsies, vagabonds, fools, the ferry and something about a shoe or whatever I have no idea, what is this even....
Please work your magic and help me think of this song, even though you'll pretty much have nothing to go on. [more inside]
Contemporary art and performing arts in Japan
Contemporary art and performing arts in Japan? I will be living in Tokyo for about 4 months soon. I plan on checking out the arts and performing arts (theater, dance) contemporary/emerging/experimental/however-you-want-to-call-it scene. Any recommendations? [more inside]
Tumblr and non-Flash based Audio
I'm with a buddy working on his Tumblr page. We've noticed more and more visits from iOS devices and this shuts them out of his audio posts because Tumblr uses Flash. Is there any way around this with html5 plugins that support Tumblr and actually do? I am googled out with this. So much conflicting information. With so many visits from iPads (especially), it seems there has to be a way. Any help would be appreciated.
As always, thanks in advance!
Brought home the bacon but don't know how to cook it.
I need to hire someone to help my mom handle her finances. Would this be an accountant? A lawyer? Something else? [more inside]
Family member resolving debts - are there any pitfalls?
What are the implications of a family member receiving help to manage their debts from a charity? [more inside]
Dentist filter: dull ache when biting on one tooth!
dentist filter: I have a tooth (upper right molar, second to the last one) that occasionally have a dull pain when I bite on it. It usually happens when I am tired, i.e. when I am sleep deprived. I had a dental cleaning/checkup on Jan. 13, and the dentist didn't say anything. I am out of the country now and have no access to any dentist, and I am really worried. [more inside]
Cooking with a friend while showing the apartment?
Would it be weird to be cooking dinner with a friend while showing an apartment? [more inside]
Please help me learn some dietary self-discipline.
I need inspiration: after consuming about a million calories tonight, I am starting to come to terms with the fact that I have no self-discipline when it comes to what I eat. However, I find that I can find courage and inspiration when I read other people's accounts of losing weight. Please share some with me. [more inside]
Who was this nurse who slept very little?
Help me find an account of a retired nurse who required very little sleep. The first night in a sleep lab, she couldn't fall asleep at all. The next night, she slept some absurdly short time (I seem to recall seventeen minutes). She appeared alert and performed well on both days and claimed that she habitually slept very little her entire life. I think I read her story in a pop-science publication five to fifteen years ago.
Nice, non-psychotic, anal-retentive, seeks similar.
I am 27 and male. I've lived in shared housing my entire adult life: dorms, rented rooms, group houses, shared apartments. I want to finally live like an adult.™ How? [more inside]
I Inquire ...
I had a high credit score, no inquiries and no late debt. I bought a car and refinanced my house with the low interest rates. But I am considering starting a small business and may want to borrow for that. [more inside]
Stressful afterimage?
Who has experience with palinopsia and how can it be treated/managed? [more inside]
about to quit
I'm about to quit my job. What do I need to do to before, during, and after I give my notice? [more inside]
Got recipes for informal dinner gatherings?
Seeking yummy vegetarian entrees that don't need to be eaten immediately after cooking. [more inside]
Guidance for buying a used sewing machine?
Shopping for a used sewing machine - what should I check for, and what questions should I ask before buying? [more inside]
Breakup a <1 yr relationship that's been rocky?
My girlfriend and I had a rocky start to our relationship. Broke up, got back together. Our day to day is fine but we've had huge, rude fights in the past. I'm at a crossroads now. [more inside]
Loopholes for tricking the taxman
My aunt seems to be laundering her income through a 501(c)(3) charity which she is the secretary and treasurer of. Is this legal? [more inside]
Children's Book Baby Shower Game
Baby shower game help: The theme is children's books. The game is matching characters to their book titles. Starting off easy and getting diabolical. Legion of Children's Book Nerds of Metafilter, I know you want to jump all over this. [more inside]
Can white chocolate liquer curdle?
Just opened a new bottle of Godiva white chocolate liquer and it came out of the bottle in lumps.
Anyone know if it can curdle? I've opened many a bottle but never had this happen before.
Now I have a glass of it sitting in front of me with ice and its all separated and oily looking. Drat.
Any ideas on what might be the problem?
This just in "Zombie attacks mayor and eats town mascot"
Cat Pee OS
A cat peed on my netbook, now it smells like cat pee. What to do about the awful smell? [more inside]
Big Deal
I'm looking for a sound file from a Kenny Everett record: Big architect in the sky. [more inside]
Hung up on a hook-up
Help, I'm still depressed about a woman that stopped calling me ages ago [more inside]
Ignorance of the law blah blah blah
Living in California six weeks, received a citation for driving without a California driver's license. The citation duly arrived in the mail and I paid the ticket. Now I have a misdemeanor on my record permanently, because I paid the ticket instead of contesting it. What is the effect of this and is there anything I can to to change it?
Help two seniors enjoy the pleasures of Paris
Seniors in Paris! My super thrifty seventy-something parents are going to Paris for a week. Help them figure out what and where to see, do, eat, and stroll during their visit. [more inside]
Why do my dress shirts keep ripping?
Why do my dress shirts keep ripping, and how can I stop it? [more inside]
SMURFY SMURFISH SMURFINGS, BY SMURF
Is there a single word in any language that can successfully be substituted for all instances of the word "smurf" within the Smurf universe? [more inside]
Can you help me find movies about or around the history of the book?
MeFiMind: Can you help me find movies about or around the history of the book (or: movies about or around books in other times and places)? I'm teaching a course on the subject and can't seem to find more related movies. [more inside]
Can I add a javascript slideshow to my website articles even if Im using a proprietary CMS?
Can I add a javascript slideshow to my website articles even if Im using a proprietary CMS? [more inside]
Non profit rates
I was looking into setting up a merchant account for a non profit and our church to take credit/debit cards I heard that they just lowered the rates they charge for non profits. Does anyone know the going rate/percentage for non profits?
Thanks!
Help an eldest sister look cool!
Classy dancing in Boston? [more inside]
Dinner's in the hands of an angry goose
I've been offered a goose. To eat. The only catch is...I'll be processing it. If you've ever taken a goose from field to table, please advise me on best practices. [more inside]
Hulk Smash International Viewer
Google Fu Fail Hulk. When was Hulk SECOND TV movie in theaters? And in what countries? [more inside]
Need to find the timestamp of an audio clip inside the audio file from which it originated
Does software exist that can search for an audio clip inside the larger audio file and return the timestamp? [more inside]
Why can't I be Sherlock, Indiana and Marie Curie all at once?
Dear Mefites: help me decide what to do with my life. I know I want adventure, travel, intellectual stimulation and to be of service to others... but what does that mean for my career? [more inside]
Spoil me a little
I'm watching season 2 of Downton Abbey. I am looking for a specific spoiler. Can you help? [more inside]
Birth Control
Some questions about hormonal birth control. [more inside]
Scientist seeks room of her own whilst on the road...
I've been awarded a fellowship that allows me to go on an international study tour of Sweden and the USA. Metafilter locals, tell me where I should stay in New York, San Francisco and Honolulu. Bonus question: what cafes/ shops/ other places should I check out on my weekends off? Details after the jump... [more inside]
Desperately seeking therapist in Charlotte.
Sliding scale therapist in Charlotte, NC? [more inside]
is this thing on
Is there a good app for recording lectures on my iphone 4s? [more inside]
March vacation destinations starting from Germany!
Help us get away from Brrrlin! Where should we go on our honeymoon? [more inside]
Pro-looking video interviews. £500. Ideas for camera and mic?
Pro-looking video interviews. £500. Ideas for camera and mic? I'm looking for a video camera + external (lapel?) mic combination that will allow me to record 5 - 10 minute, high quality head and shoulders interviews in a studio. I've only got around £500 in total (I'm in the UK). [more inside]
What should I do with my life?
What should I do with my life, MetaFilter? [more inside]
Love Me Tender, Love Me True (Love Me Back???)
I'm ridiculously attracted to my wife but her sex drive is an issue. And when we do have sex, the effort I put into the act isn't reciprocated, which to me is almost the biggest issue. We've talked about it but nothing's really changed. What next? [more inside]
How do I get over my sensitivity to people's tics?
Help me understand and get over my extreme repulsion to certain human sounds. [more inside]
Enterprise software upgrade fees
What are typical upgrade fees for enterprise software as % of original cost? [more inside]
BOOOOOOOOOBS
Women of Metafilter: have you ever experienced random boob pain? [more inside]
Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities: What do you need and how do you want to connect, if at all?
I want to start a social support network for young adult (18-35) siblings of individuals with disabilities in my area. How do I best serve this population and create meaningful connections? If you are affected in one way or another, please share your needs/insights! [more inside]
What's best to read to prepare for buying a small business in the UK?
What are the best resources for someone looking to buy a small business in the UK? [more inside]
mac and me
So I just baked mac and cheese for a dinner party tonight. Anyone have tips on how to reheat this thing so it doesn't turn into cement? [more inside]
Networked Media Player?
Wireless drive? Media Player? What's the best solution for watching dl and ripped media on my home theatre? [more inside]
What legislature was passed which reduced unemployment benefits in 2010 or 2011?
In 2010 or 2011 US congress passed some legislation which resulted in a reduction of unemployment benefits. For example, My 2 week unemployment check went from $520 to $476. What was the legislation?
Books that deal with The Stasi
Can Anyone recommend any Book/s that deal with The Stasi/Secret Police in the DDR or East Europe [more inside]
Where is the Ubuntu "Invest" Data stored?
Can anyone tell me where the Ubuntu "Invest" applet stores its quote data?
Making a stink 101
How do I get my grievance about poor customer service out to the public? [more inside]
Help me deal with this pervert landlord.
How do I keep living in a great guest house in a great location when I have to deal with a landlord who I saw masturbating (apparently while watching me) through his bedroom window. [more inside]
Stuff to do in San Francisco With a Kid
Help me plan a week in San Francisco with my six-year old. [more inside]
Computer sleep issues?
Why is my Windows 7 laptop crashing when I close the lid? [more inside]
Mothra? Pod People? Alien? Senior Citizens? What was this?
Break it to me gently: What hatched from this casing I found on my kitchen curtain? And please let it be one big thing that's probably already dead, and not a million little things I have yet to encounter. [more inside]
Who picks a city's longitude, latitude, & sea level?
City latitude, longitude, and elevation. Is there an 'official' method and governmental entity for choosing the point in a city that determines its latitude/longitude and its elevation above sea level? How is/was sea level established?
Just get on with it?
How do you go on with the normal (and especially the more trivial) activities of your life when you know large numbers of people, including young children, are being murdered on a large scale right now in Syria? Do you just make a conscious choice to process and then compartmentalize it for the rest of the day? How do you cope? [more inside]
How long should a dirndl really be?
How do I wear a dirndl at Oktoberfest? [more inside]
A 20 line signature seems a bit excessive
Lets talk about best practices for business email signatures. [more inside]
Credit Filter: Why does TransUnion hate me?
Credit Filter: Why does TransUnion hate me? [more inside]
Why can't I use the terminal any more with Lion?
At work, there is a MacPro that I routinely use remotely via SSH, but have only sporadic physical access to. Someone else upgraded it to Lion (from Snow Leopard), and since then, I am unable to use the terminal locally or to log into it via SSH - in either case, the process immediately terminates / disconnects. Other user accounts on the same machine are not affected. What could be going on?
Imagine if Alton Brown or Mark Bittman wrote an Indian cookbook
MisterBen needs recommendations for a very specific kind of Indian cookbook – one that’s organized by technique, not by course or ingredient. Imagine if Alton Brown or Mark Bittman wrote an Indian cookbook. The idea is to learn reusable techniques and general concepts of what flavors are used together.
What he already has: Madhur Jaffrey’s classics, Raghavan Iyer’s “660 Curries”, and Vikas Khanna’s “Flavor First”, which are used as bibles. Almost all Indian ingredients can be found in our area, and he is comfortable at making his own masalas, so feel free to recommend books you might think of as advanced.
I want to know what's going on. Period.
Lady Parts Filter: period has been behaving strangely. I have an appointment later this month, but I'd really love to figure out what's going on before then. Details inside. [more inside]
Is my phone's accelerometer broken?
I think the accelerometer on my phone (HSPA+ Samsung Galaxy Nexus) is broken (evidence). Am I right? [more inside]
Leaving a Dead Pet Behind
Pet Filter/Child Psychology Filter!: Close friend is considering moving after spending 20+ years in her home. Her children, when the moving topic was mentioned, immediately flipped out over the idea of leaving their home because of the handful of dead pets who are buried in the garden area. What can she tell them to help though the decision? Snowflake stuff inside! [more inside]
Anon is a big sillyhead. OH HI ANON, I'M SORRY, LET'S MEET NEXT WEEK TO REHASH YOUR HUMILIATION IN PERSON.
Work colleague accidentally cc'd me an email containing personal insults directed at me and now wants to meet to discuss the issue. How do I diplomatically and professionally say that I don't want to meet and would rather just ignore the email and keep working? [more inside]
Anonymous legal contact help
How can I contact a judge or court anonymously in regards to someone's appeal or release? I was not involved in the tried case, but I feel my experience is relevant and I want to influence this decision. [more inside]
The revolution will be tweeted...
I'd like to keep up with the ongoing crisis in Syria on a more real-time basis. What are some good English-language Twitter feeds - preferably from inside Syria or at least in the region - I can follow?
Reduce my rates like a professional?
I've been a freelance PowerPoint designer for 6 years. Given the state of the economy and my stagnant business, I've been quoting lower rates to prospective clients, but what about old clients who are still paying my old, higher rates? There are a few in particular that I think might give me more work if I charged less. How can I find out if that's true and how much less I would have to charge to get more work? I don't want to offer a lower rate if it won't increase the amount of work they give me, and I don't want to come off as desperate. Can this be done gracefully?
Mission: biggest free Dropbox...
This weekend I increased my wife's and my dropbox capacities to 18.25 GB each using referrals culled from Google Adwords placements as outlined in this Lifehacker article. Didn't spend anything as I had a $100 coupon for Adwords laying around. Apparently they are also testing photo/video upload with a promise of earning additional free space. What other referral based opportunities might I be unaware of that this strategy might prove effective with?
iMess: Siri insists that it cannot find Madonna, Dylan, Springsteen. Neither can I
How do I recover CDs uploaded to iTunes that no longer appear in my music library but do exist in an old iTouch? [more inside]
Entertain Me!
I know everybody asks this (and I've read through the previous questions looking for recommendations), but what should I watch next? Preferably on Netflix or Hulu Plus (not web only). In general, I tend to like: mysteries/crime procedurals/law dramas, especially with a quirky twist, and also shows involving a quirky band of misfits (or individual) working outside the law to bring justice to the little people while finding out who done them wrong (e.g. the A-Team, Burn Notice, The Pretender, etc.) I also like heist shows and sci-fi. And occasionally anime. [more inside]
Apparently my internet thinks I've been reading too much Metafilter
My laptop won't connect to my favorite websites (including ask.mefi, sadface), but the rest of the internet works fine. I need help. [more inside]
Help me set up a media server for my home.
Help me set up a media server for my computer network on one of two old Windows boxes. [more inside]
Logistics around Edinburgh, London and Paris
Some special snowflake-traveler logistics questions about 12 days in London, Edinburgh and maybe a minute in Paris. [more inside]
Kill my bugs.
What are these bugs living around my plant, how do I get rid of them, and will they hurt my cats? Photos inside. [more inside]
How to pay for mold clean up for low income family?
Have a serious mold problem. Do mold removal companies do payment plans? What guidelines does the government follow to declare a home too hazardous to live in? [more inside]
Anti-Virus softare and Firewall
Firewall and Anti-Virus Software [more inside]
Growing food at home. Or trying to.
Any indoor gardeners or hydroponic fans out there today who could help me out? [more inside]
reasonable, calm poltical forums?
Are there any political forums where reasonable conservatives discuss politics with reasonable liberals?
Sexual relationship with someone with a bad history
I'm dating a girl who has had a difficult past and who seems to be strangely absent during sex. Help me figure out how best to deal with this. [more inside]
don't call me (for a while), I'll call you (eventually)
What are some socially acceptable ways to "drop out" socially for 6 months or so? [more inside]
Does a skin reaction to milk warrant a further investigation into an allergy to ingested dairy products?
Had a weird milk-skin contact reaction: does a skin reaction to milk warrant a further investigation into an allergy to ingested dairy products? [more inside]
Help! I have a five-minute teaching demonstration I must present for Teach for America and the New Teacher Project and I am not sure what to do? Advice and suggestions welcome.
Help! I have a five minute-teaching demonstration I must present for Teach for America and the New Teacher Project and I am not sure what to do? Advice and suggestions welcome. [more inside]
strawberry fields for... a year
I want to grow strawberries on my Brooklyn balcony this year. Lots of strawberries, all different sizes and shapes and colors, with as long a productive period as possible (in aggregate). What varieties should I get, and where should I buy them? Should I do anything special besides giving them dirt and water? Are there any other plants that make nice companions to strawberries (esthetically or organically)?
The balcony faces west and is partially shaded by trees, but does get a lot of heat and direct sunlight in the summer.
Tattoo artist in NOVA or DC
I'm looking for recommendations for a tattoo artist in Northern Virginia or DC. [more inside]
Here be there no dragons.
Evolutionary biologists: I'm trying to recall the concise explanation a professor gave in an evolution and ecology course about why dragons just plain did not exist. [more inside]
Where should I go in SE Asia?
Southeast Asia filter: where should I go later this month? [more inside]
Where can I buy a thing to signal whether I am busy or not
I'm looking for a present for our boss with which he can signal to us whether we can talk to him right now or not. [more inside]
What other fun things can I do for the kids with a week of -11 ºC (12.2 ºF) temperatures?
What other fun things can I do for the kids with a week of -11 ºC (12.2 ºF) temperatures? [more inside]
Begone Peach Tiles
Recommend a bathroom renovation company or builder in Melbourne, Australia? [more inside]
Will rock band help my rhythm?
I have bad rythym. Will playing Rock Band help? [more inside]
February 5
It's not much, but it's home.
How do we save our favourite gay bar?! [more inside]
How do I come out about my roller-coaster gender?
I was a man. Then a woman. Now a man again. So, um, how do I tell potential romantic or sexual partners this without scaring them away? [more inside]
Colles Fracture Rehab.
Rehab therapy suggestions for Colles fracture in a 50 year old woman. [more inside]
Possibly moving to the bay area?
Help an older couple move to the bay area-My parents are interested in moving to the bay area and are visiting this week to check out some possibilities. Do you have recommendations for areas/communities that might be a good fit for them?
They are in their 60's and like quiet, peaceful places, natural beauty, the ocean, slower pace, and they don't have a lot of money. They are spiritual and into alternative medicine, holistic health and gardening. Thank you!
I interact a lot with Indians and Indian Companies (for outsourcing). What are some of the cultural differences between working with a US company VS an Indian Company?
I interact a lot with Indians and Indian Companies (for outsourcing).
What are some of the cultural differences between working with a US company VS an Indian Company? [more inside]
Saying "mahalo."
I've finished listening to Loveline. Now what? [more inside]
fuzz on jade trees
My Jade plants have some white fuzz on them and some small fuzzy bug-looking things.
picture
The bug looking things don't move though. Anyone know what is happening?
I just want to wash my hands with warm water!
[plumbingfilter] My bathroom and kitchen faucets don't give cold water until they've been running for at least one minute. The shower runs hot much quicker (10-20 seconds). Is this something that can be fixed? My landlord says no. [more inside]
What's a good guide to Star Trek: Next Generation?
What's the ST:NG equivalent of Star Trek 365? [more inside]
She says I don't listen to her
My wife says I'm terrible at listening to her. What does this really mean? [more inside]
give it back please
Please help me get through the day. [more inside]
Drumstick Boogie!
I am looking for good songs about food [more inside]
This seems hard. Is this hard?
What's good in MP3 players in Australia in 2012? [more inside]
When uploading my files to the cloud, are they automatically encrypted before they leave my computer?
When uploading my files to major cloud services (Microsoft SkyDrive, Google Docs and Google Picasaweb), are they automatically encrypted before they leave my computer? [more inside]
How do I disable a pitch cancellation feature?
When I record myself singing a single note in Audacity, it records fine for a while. Then after about two seconds it cancels out that pitch as if it were background noise. (It will then record other notes, although the quality is severely affected.) It does this with both the built-in mic and my headset mic. How do I disable this feature? [more inside]
Need advice from alcoholics
I made my alcoholic husband of 10 years leave a couple weeks ago. How to I be supportive, civil, and not lose my newly found sanity? [more inside]
Help me help my SO relax her neck and back
My SO's back and neck seem to be permanently tied in knots. She doesn't seem like a tense person, but her muscles indicate otherwise. I can massage her for a while, but it only does so much for her. Can anyone give me suggestions to help her relax her back and neck? [more inside]
Wait. I-I'm only a pie ma'am.
I'm looking for a great pumpkin pie in central Orange County (CA) that can be delivered. Do you know of one? [more inside]
What is this fabric called?
Came across this fabric stored above my wardrobe recently and have no idea of what it is called or what use it would have been put to.
As the photo illustrates it has a bright green tonic background with raised woven black lines across it making a heavily textured surface.
Unusually the back is identical to the front.
It is a little too heavy to be a dress fabric and why would it be double sided if it was a furnishing or curtaining fabric?
"Pumped Up Kicks" sample?
Does the intro to Foster the People's "Pumped Up Kicks" feature any samples or heavily borrow from any other songs? [more inside]
Is this Google tracking?
Once in a while, when trying to load a page, I can see that my browser (Chrome) is telling me that its accessing csi.gstatic.com. What is this? Searching for this seems to imply its Google-related but I couldn't find a clear explanation for this.
Oh my weight!
How do I accept my weight and my body? (Snowflake-y details inside) [more inside]
I need a new MP3 player
I'm seeking recommendations for a new MP3 player. [more inside]
Best National Parks for mountains and snow in April?
Best US/Canadian National Parks in April to see mountains, a bit of spring slush snow, and do a little light hiking/ snowshoeing? [more inside]
not a DIY enthusiast
DIY nuts and bolts question. [more inside]
Cool Landscape CGI videos
I need good examples of landscape-related animated videos (CGI). [more inside]
Sales tax in Tx
TaxFilter: Should i be charging sales tax when i do computer work for someone? Not selling any parts, just service such as removing viruses, installing software, reinstalling OS, etc... Im in the State of Texas.
Thanks in advance.
One thing you wish you'd thought of before a cross-country move
Moving across the country - what do you wish you'd know? Tl;dr version inside [more inside]
Songs like Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)
Please recommend songs like Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) the 2010 FIFA World Cup song [more inside]
Why won't my computer (Asrock ION 330) play HD netflix smoothly?
Why won't my computer (Asrock ION 330) play HD netflix smoothly? [more inside]
Sun Valley hiking trip with Fido
We're planning a road trip to Hailey and Ketchum, Idaho this spring. We're avid hikers and we'll have a dog with us. What advice or tips can you give us? [more inside]
How pick up and move to a new city (and have a job)
How do I look for (and land) a job on the other side of the country? [more inside]
How do I get out of this?
Escaping a bad life? [more inside]
How to network with higher ups while on the inside of a company?
I'm starting a contract position at a Fortune 500 company. How can I network my way into a job? [more inside]
Do car alarms really deter theft?
Do car alarms really stop car thefts? [more inside]
How can I make my report look professional?
I'm trying to figure out how to make a report look fancy. I don't have extremely high expectations - I just want to create photo footers at the bottom of each page like this (and I have two photos, so I want to alternate). I have photoshop, I have the report (in MS Word), I have the photos...I just can't, for the life of me figure out how to do it. Help? [more inside]
PopUrls as a single RSS feed?
PopUrls as a single RSS feed? [more inside]
How to realistically do a "trial run" when considering moving to a new city?
I've been playing around with the idea of moving to a new city across the country. I've been there once before and loved it, but would like to visit it again, perhaps for a month or two over the summer, to get a more in-depth feel for the area. This plan sounds wonderful in my head, but there seem to be a lot of small details that I can't figure out how to make work. How can I realistically do this without spending a ton of money? Also a bit torn on the idea of moving in general; how can I decide if it's something I should give a try or if it's just a meaningless thought floating around in my mind? [more inside]
Getting kid to clean room
Can you please help me get my 5.5yo daughter to tidy her room without me loosing my temper and getting mad every time? [more inside]
Let's talk about linen sheets.
Do I want linen sheets, and where should I get them? [more inside]
[Insert Prostate Joke]
[Ejaculation Pain Filter] My prostate is slowing down my sex life... [more inside]
Administrator please hope me move a sofa!
NYC Mefites: What are the best options for moving a sofa from Brooklyn to the West Village? If you've used a good "man with a van," please recommend, but any suggestions are appreciated.
Where's the water coming from?
How to identify, fix, and clean up after a water leak without destroying my walls and ceilings (any more than I have to)? [more inside]
ringtones that don't annoy, 2012 edition
I'm searching for a lowkey unobtrusive but interesting ringtone that won't draw looks of ire from those around me. I know this has been covered on ask.mefi before (in 2006), and, indeed, I ended up with one of those ringtones on a long ago now dead phone. But six years later, most of those links are dead, and we've moved from RAZRs to iPhones and Androids.
So what's the latest and greatest in non-annoying ringy-dingys for our phones? [more inside]
Help me not stick out in my rain jacket.
Men's outdoor clothing: respectable-looking rain shell? Help me find something that doesn't look so "technical," in a subdued color, and still works as a layer. [more inside]
estimated taxes
You are not my tax lawyer. My first year freelancing, plus, I got married. Tax help? [more inside]
why is my internet so slow
Why does my wireless internet work perfectly until I open my MacBook, and then grind to a near-total halt? [more inside]
Free me from the shackles of cheese!
Looking for the tastiest, richest vegan spreads or dips you've ever had. [more inside]
What do these Chinese characters mean?
What do these Chinese characters in American Born Chinese mean? [more inside]
application/json
Firefox popup "Application/JSON from Google.com" [more inside]
A customizable logbook for motel clerks.
I've been doing some research for my boss for a fully customizable logging system to be used by a set of front desk clerks at several motels. Thus far Sharepoint and CMSes like Django are what I am coming up with but I thought I would ask the hivemind for ideas. Lots of details are inside. [more inside]
How to combine and loop to files to play on DVD?
I have a .mov file and an .flv file that I need to burn on DVD so that they both play one after the other in a continuous loop. I have an XP computer and an iPad 1. Is there any freeware out there that can do this for me? [more inside]
How to avoid crating dogs while I work
I need help either alleviating my guilt or discovering a solution for how to give my dogs the best life I can while I also maintain a full-time job. [more inside]
February 4
Cheap Weekend Parking In Manhattan?
Cheap parking for a weekend in NYC? Staying near Times Square. [more inside]
Please show me where to get a simple, inexpensive DAC (USB) kit
Yay I can solder! Please show me where to get a simple, inexpensive DAC (USB) kit, preferably < $50. Inspired by krilli's earlier question. [more inside]
Items ideas for a Care package for a depressed friend
Ideas for a birthday care package to send to a very good friend who lives several states away who is suffering from severe depression? [more inside]
What is Real Life, non-Hollywood romance?
Please explain romance to an asexual aromantic who's wobbling on the romantic identification. What's the difference between romance and friendship? [more inside]
How can I get my dating life started again
I need help with my dating life, I'm a single straight male, 25y/o, working 60 hour weeks, with limited options. [more inside]
LA birthday spots--what should we do?
[LA Filter] I need last minute restaurant or other fun experience for husband's birthday in LA [more inside]
help me pick out a laptop, 2012 February edition
help me pick out a laptop with as many of the following qualities as possible: [more inside]
Help my sister find something awesome to do with her time
Junior in high school wants to do something "meaningful and impressive." She likes the intersection of science + culture/society + writing/journalism. Ideas? [more inside]
Kale chip refrigeration?
Do these homemade kale chips need to be refrigerated? [more inside]
Help save a life.
Building a standing desk two-parter: 1) Should I get a mini stair climber, manual treadmill, or mini elliptical? 2) What's the best way to attach legs to this "desk"? [more inside]
What should I read next?
What should I read next? [more inside]
Finding an Oxford Shirt that Doesn't Shine
Where can I find a non-pinpoint, non-royal, but awesome men's oxford shirt? [more inside]
How to use Amazon's Text Stats
How do I use Amazon's Text Stats feature to find a book's word count? [more inside]
Can I transfer 360 data to an external hard drive?
Is there a way I can transfer over 4 gigs of data to a new 4 gig Xbox 360 console by using an external hard drive? [more inside]
Hard-to-Find Replacement Plus Size Shirt
I have this shirt and it has a hole in the front. It is made of tee shirt material so sewing it is not necessarily an option. I am looking for a replacement as I love this shirt, and I would wear it every day if I could. [more inside]
What is this weird piece of Tupperware?
Help my friend figure out what this weird Tupperware piece is. Picture and details inside. [more inside]
Constant busy signal at the Jersey Shore?
Why doesn't the Jersey Shore cast hang up the phone? [more inside]
Please help me stop the barking!
It's currently 1am where I am and my neighbour's dog has been howling and barking incessantly for the past 2 hours. It's driving me insane and I'm furious because this behaviour has been going on for two years since I moved in. I've just written a letter to give to my neighbour, but I don't want to make things tense between us. Can I have some opinions? [more inside]
Help me turn off Windows 7 security
On our kitchen computer, running Windows 7 Home Premium, I would like for me, my loved ones, and our descendants to never, ever, encounter an Access Denied message again when attempting to open a file or folder. Is there something global I can change to make this happen? [more inside]
If answer %NOTFOUND soon, please kill me, else...
I have to code some fairly complicated logic involving nested loops, etc. I am a mere (mortal) student. Please tell me how YOU plan out the coding of complex logic in your programming. [more inside]
How often do you finish a bottle of lotion?
This is really my question: How often do you finish a bottle of lotion? [more inside]
Peace in my apartment please!
Any way I can get my cat to stop his howling meows when I get home? Yes, I have a second cat. [more inside]
Something's up with my car's brake system but I don't know what.
Can someone help me figure out why my car is acting up? It's starting to drive me insane. It's some issue with the brake fluid system, I think, but I'm not sure. [more inside]
Good use of epigraphs in fiction
Please give examples of good use of epigraphs in fiction. [more inside]
How to wash denim?
What's the best way to wash a pair of vintage men's jeans? I bought a pair of deadstock dungarees on Etsy, and they are stiff enough to stand up on their own. The color is great, and the fit is okay, but I'd like to soften them up a bit without causing them to shrink. Help!
Beach Blanket Birthday in the SF Bay?
Where can I have a weekend afternoon picnic on the beach with 8-12 people within the immediate SF Bay Area? [more inside]
Persistent 403 errors on a Wordpress site running Thesis theme
Google's bots are returning 403 errors on all my pages on a Wordpress-based site running the Thesis theme. I'm out of troubleshooting ideas. Halp? [more inside]
How do we get the smell of mothballs out of baby clothes?
How do I get the smell of mothballs out of baby clothes? Will the clothes be in any way dangerous for a newborn once I've treated them? [more inside]
I'm looking for 'business casual' role models.
I'm looking for 'business casual' role models. For example, I think I like how Maria Bartiromo dresses... any other women I could look to for style inspiration? [more inside]
[This variation] is Oll Korrect.
OK, O.K., Ok, ok, Okay, or okay? Which is it, AskMe? [more inside]
Trying to convince myself that it's not really my problem
How do I stop worrying about my significant other's problems and get on with my own life? [more inside]
Cash Flow: Susan G. Komen, financial implications, patent law.
Let's assume Susan G. Komen has found an all-encompassing cure for [breast] cancer. Who owns the rights to the patent? [more inside]
Tech startups, how many?
How many new companies start each year in the tech biz? My google-fu/techcrunch-fu/linkedin-fu is failing me. Anything is appreciated: in Silicon Valley, in the US, globally, in 2011, over the last five years, since Adam met Eve.
Help Edmund pee!
My cat had a blocked urethra Wendesay. Three trips to the vet later, it is now Saturday. How do I tell if the situation is dire again? [more inside]
Oat Me
Do you have tried and true recipes using steel cut oats? [more inside]
Helpful things for new parents?
What sort of things did parents find useful to have in the first few weeks of having a new baby? Any recommendations for (easily freezable) meals? Or things we should stock up on for us? [more inside]
Switching laptop's hard drive
Idiot's guide to replacing my Windows Vista (don't judge me!) laptop hardrive?. Preferably by "cloning" the old drive onto the new one (I suspect via another external hard drive / backup).
"That's a very pleasurable sensation!"
Hi all. Definite TMI/physical intimacy question pertaining to matters of the backside and heterosexual male turn-ons. Details after the jump! [more inside]
Help me develop my own app
[DIY app] I have an Excel database of products being showcased at a wine show and I'd like to transfer this to an app so that guests can use it as an event programme. There isn't any budget to hire a developer so please help me find an app template (iPhone & Android) online that I can use to upload the information I have. [more inside]
Help us plan our honeymoon to Japan!
JapanFilter: Where should we go in in Japan on our honeymoon? [more inside]
How to keep from sounding nervous at the beginning of a faculty job talk?
How to keep from sounding nervous at the beginning of a faculty job talk? [more inside]
How do I take advantage of a university near me without enrolling?
I'm in my mid 30s, have a lot of spare time and happen to live next door to a university and I want some more structured education in my life, how do I do it? (details inside) [more inside]
Robust twitter solution needed.
Best twitter setup for a very active user? [more inside]
To toast, or not to toast?
I'm trying to figure out if it will be cost-effective to buy this electric toaster oven, versus using a large gas oven. [more inside]
Should I get occlusal equalibrium treatment?
Dentistry question: I am a savage night-grinder. Should I have my bite reshaped to help with my bruxism? [more inside]
it looks like ketchup, it tastes like ketchup, but brother, it aint ketchup.
What are your favorite Lit'l Smokies recipes? [more inside]
My girlfriend has been having cyber sex as part of her role playing, which she keeps secret from me. What should I do?
My girlfriend role-plays on a popular RP client. It's one of her big hobbies, but whenever I am around, she refuses to do it. I recently found out why this may be the case and need some advice dealing with it. [more inside]
How can I get some kitchen tools made?
I'd like to make some kitchen tools, but I have no idea how to get started. [more inside]
How do I get dish soap out of leather?
how to get dish soap out of a leather backpack. also, :( [more inside]
Nutrition information databases?
Nutrition databases for processed food products? [more inside]
VPN VNC RDP KVM...OMG
I have two monitors, two computers, and one wireless keyboard & mouse. How do I get the computers to share both monitors and the keyboard & mouse? [more inside]
What to us to patch a hole in a wood cabinet that can withstand redrilling?
I drilled a hole in a wood cabinet for a door knob but it's lower than it should be. I must plug it, then redrill a new hole over the top half of the old hole. What should I use to fill the hole that can withstand redrilling over this top half without opening up the bottom half?
Vaccines are not pure evil..right?
BabyVaccinationFilter: Help me deal with antivax paranoia. [more inside]
Another NYC therapist question
Recommendations for a female CBT therapist in NYC? [more inside]
Porn Addiction, Return to Normalcy
How long with it take to return to "normal" after years of sexual dysfunction? [more inside]
help me help myself get muscle-y in Portland!
Where can I learn to lift weights in Portland? [more inside]
Subtitles in Handbrake
How do I get subtitles to work with handbrake? [more inside]
Where can I drink wine at a Starbucks in Seattle?
Which Starbucks locations in Seattle, WA serve beer and wine? [more inside]
SQL: How do I increment an alphanumeric field by + 1?
I'm a bit of a SQL novice but learning at a decent clip. I'm using SQL (Aqua Data Studio, if that matters to you) to update a couple of fields in an Oracle database table. I'd like to do this across a range of one of the fields. One field is a numeric field (trans_id - a transaction id) that I need to increase by 1 -- I think have that part licked. The next field is alphanumeric (calendar_name - represents the name of a week) and also needs to be incremented by one. The doozy (for me) is the alphanumeric field. Who's the guru? [more inside]
Wise up, o wizened one!
What more do I need to say to a friend who I'm sure is headed for a fall? [more inside]
Help me find out the name of a 90s cartoon?
Trying to find out name of a 90s cartoon about a kid who in his daydreams would timetravel to south american civilizations [more inside]
February 3
Non-fiction books about decolonization from the resident colonizer perspective?
Non-fiction books about decolonization from the resident colonizer perspective? [more inside]
I want to engage my students, but I'm not sure how, or even if it's possible.
How do I do a better job of teaching Art History in a way that will engage my students and feel meaningful to me (are the two antithetical)? [more inside]
Why do I have frequent urination?
Why do I have frequent urination? [more inside]
Let's make this more efficient
There are 4-5 hobbyist forums I frequent. How do I search all of them at once? [more inside]
Please lend me your cover letter expertise!
I would like to apply for this internship, but I am uncertain of how to address some of the qualifications listed in the ad in my cover letter. [more inside]
My DSL connection drops constantly.
My DSL connection drops constantly. Please help me diagnose the problem before I throw the works out the window. [more inside]
Books about American Christian history
Reading about the Great Awakening (first or second) and history of American religion? [more inside]
How do you transform into an athlete?
How do people take fitness to the next level? How do you become an athlete? I need tips on reducing body fat % and becoming really, really strong, and I need perspective on the kind of effort I should be putting in. [more inside]
Surely someone in this city takes headshots.
Headshot photographer recommendations? [more inside]
What to gift my very practical boyfriend?
What to get very practical Boyfriend for (a very late!) Christmas or (early) Valentine's day? [more inside]
Help me best record family history.
I'm embarking on a new stage in a family history project, in which I'll be interviewing my grandmother and great aunt for their knowledge and stories about our relatives. What is the best technology by which to do so - that is, how should I best record and preserve these conversations? [more inside]
The (gl)ass ceiling
How can I take advantage of my office ceiling? I have a fairly small office, but recessed bookcases run around two of the four walls to about 10 feet high, and the ceiling is about 12-13 feet high. I like the high ceiling as is, but can't help thinking that I should be hanging something kick-ass like a pterodactyl. Or a dirigible. Specific links would be wonderful. Thanks! [more inside]
I don't like rattling noises.
Robotic Accountant Options?
I'm tired of doing my own taxes, and afraid of hiring another accountant. What is the best/cheapest tax software for a Canadian living in Quebec?
I just can't deal with another accountant. I'm tired of being told something will cost 150$ and then get charged 500$ as if they didn't know what they needed to do.
I want a tax software that is going to do the weird stuff for me. I don't depend or trust what the box says either!
I have some rental income, some contract income, and some salary income. I also have a second (gf) who has simple income.
Need kitchen renovation ideas!
I'm looking for help with kitchen renovation ideas! [more inside]
What is causing Parental Violation warnings on my entertainment?
Tried to play Avatar (PG 13) for the child via the DVD player and a sign came up saying Parental Violation. Three times. Tried a PG movie. No problem Tried an R movie. No problem. Never programmed for parental controls at any time. It's an old GE model, FWIW. Saves me from seeing Avatar, but I'm real curious what's going on here and fear for the future.
It would be a crime to not watch the Superbowl in Boston this year
Where should I watch the Superbowl in Boston? [more inside]
Should I get a bone marrow biopsy?
My platelet count is low, but not crazy-low, and has been for a couple of years. I just volunteered to get a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Am I insane? [more inside]
Fastest upload online backup
I am looking for a fastest upload online backup.
Which is the fastest uploading speed?
I want to start a very simple blog that will have ads on it. Where should I start?
I want to start a very simple blog that will have ads on it. Where should I start? [more inside]
My stolen Kindle has been returned - should I file a police report?
Should I file a police report about a stolen Kindle that has since been returned to me? The thief used the device to make purchases on Amazon as well. [more inside]
how to support a candidate
What are some good ways I can support a candidate? [more inside]
Online dating question-what could have happened? I'm confused and bummed
Match.com-what is going on with his profile?
I can send him an email BUT can not click to view his profile
;(
This guy and I have been emailing bac and fourth -(would have been 3rd email from him) When I went to check my emails. Saw his default photo was taken off. I tried clicking on his profile... but I can't
*when I do try* the information reads: this profile information is "Addtional profile information is not avaliable''
BUT it shows he was actie with in 24 hrs.
Also, I can send him an email, as I drafted something and the email setting had no issue letting me do so.
What is going on with his profile? [more inside]
Find this book!: child, parents, mid-1900s
I'm looking for the name of this book. This is from my stepson (he's in his late teens) who read it in middle school. He remembers the plot but not the particulars. [more inside]
A Facebook backup that includes everyone I'm linked to?
I'm deleting my Facebook account. There are quite a few people I want to stay in contact with via other methods (email or other social networks) that aren't in my "real" address book. Is there a way to spider my account and save all of my "friends" contact information without spending a whole evening of clicking, copying and pasting? [more inside]
Stuffed Animal Tech Support
Is there a term for the use of an inanimate object (eg. a stuffed animal) as the first line of tech support? [more inside]
My Google skills have failed me.
I recall reading an auto-biographical story a few years ago about a guy in California who was arrested after being accused of beating his girlfriend. He wrote about how he always made sure to use his credit card and to look into surveillance cameras to establish his whereabouts if he were falsely accused in the future. If I recall, the police investigator also went out on a limb to help the guy when the girlfriend's story didn't really check out. Anybody recall this story? If I remember it correctly, he somehow cleared his name in a civil proceeding. I'd like to figure out how he forced the issue to clear his name.
What's the difference between a Camry and a Lexus?
A Camry and a Lexus are basically the same car. What's the REAL price difference? [more inside]
Is it possible to securely anonymize identifers while having the capacity to reverse the anonymization?
Anonymizing identifiers question. We have datasets with unique client identifiers. We get many requests from researchers for anonymized datasets for analyses. I'd like to find an operation that could securely create anonymous identifiers but that would also allow us to de-anonymize the records if needed. [more inside]
I been in the right place, but it must've been the wrong time
My face on the wall
I recently received an award from my supervisor and the management team (along with four other people). I'm very happy about this, but not so much the aspect of them asking me to put my photo up on the wall in our office. How do I politely tell them that I am awkward and not photogenic when it comes to pictures that are not candid? How do I also tell them that I would prefer not to have my photo up on the wall? [more inside]
How to restore podcast files that go missing from Wordpress?
Question about disappearing podcast files on Wordpress. [more inside]
Sleeping child
Child gagged and seemed to stop breathing while sleeping. Has this happened to your child? [more inside]
Health insurance 101
I have health insurance for the first time... what do I need to know? [more inside]
Playlists for ebooks?
Can I make playlists for ebooks on my iPad? And if not on the device itself, is there software for my computer that wil at least let me manage my books in groups? [more inside]
Yet another 'What do I do in Italy?' question...
I need to figure out what to do at night/early morning in Italy. Special snowflake details inside. [more inside]
Temping in LA
Good temp agencies in LA? [more inside]
E F P T O Z
Please help me hack severe eye strain due to back-lit devices. [more inside]
Social Security retirement benefits question
Need help navigating the tedious Social Security retirement benefits maze for my mother. [more inside]
Building a higher-pressure pressure cooker
I need to make a small, high-pressure chamber. Pressure cookers only go up to 15 PSI, I'm looking for more like 50+. Can I just swap the valve out? [more inside]
Trademark+ProductType.com - Is this a legal domain type?
I want to sell a major sports product on a website. I got the best website I could find... not this but like this: NFLJerseys.com and I want to sell authentic product on the website. Is it illegal to have someones trademark in a store name/domain name? Once I make a successful site can they seize it?
Using a speaker to create a vibration table?
How do I create a vibration table using a speaker? [more inside]
I don't wanna leave my heart in San Francisco
People who either travel with "gear" (broadly defined) or have to pack "gear" for work--how do you preflight what you're taking, make sure you have it when you go out, and make sure you bring it back when you return? Bonus: how do you label things so that it makes its way back to you if your protocol fails? [more inside]
Suggestions for California wine country in March?
I've booked tickets to San Francisco for a 4-day trip in mid-March. I am looking for advice on: (1) what Northern California area would be best to visit for a good mix of interesting activities and romantic/luxurious atmosphere (wine country? coast? city?); (2) good places to stay in $200-500 per night range; and (3) interesting things to do or places to visit. [more inside]
Can I ask my girl to stop talking to her cheater exes?
Is it unreasonably controlling of me to ask my girlfriend to not initiate online contact with a specific set of ex-boyfriends, namely those that she has cheated on her (ex-) husband or other boyfriends with? [more inside]
I need a manual override for my brain.
ADHD sufferers and busy types in general: how do you handle the mental transitioning between different projects, or areas of your life? [more inside]
Tribal Society + Democracy = ?
How (if at all) will tribal cultures and societies come to incorporate democratic ideals? [more inside]
401k and child support
Asking for a friend: If I liquidate my 401k, will the IRS take the money for back child support? How about for student loans?
An odd unsettled feeling
What are appropriate boundaries with an ex-girlfriend? [more inside]
How to sound like a horse?
My friend is buying me a horse mask as a present but I can't make a horse sound (neigh? whinney?) at all. Where (online) can I go to learn how to sound like a horse?
Please don't break, old beat-up car
My car gave a big "kick" while accelerating. Is my transmission about to die? [more inside]
Can I call functions in a modeless dialog from the parent
Is there anyway to call functions of a modeless dialog (in IE) from the parent window that spawned the dialog? [more inside]
Is there an online platform that will let me post status updates (like on Facebook or Twitter) that AREN'T public--as in, it's for me and me only?
Is there an online platform that will let me post status updates (like on Facebook or Twitter) that AREN'T public--as in, it's for me and me only? [more inside]
Two Google Voice number, one phone
I have a Google Voice number. My job has a Google voice number. How to get both to forward to my phone, or how to devise an alternative to my current set-up? [more inside]
Hope me dig out of this hole!
Settling with credit card company and dealing with debt collectors. Hey, my husband has not been able to work for a few years and we stopped paying on our credit card bills over a year ago. One of the companies is getting really aggressive (calling me at work, talking to the receptionist, etc.) so I feel that I need to take action. [more inside]
How can I make money off my empty house?
I have an empty house just sitting there. How can I make some money off of it? [more inside]
Chicago Sky color average
I need the color of the sky in Chicago every day for the last year. Does this exist anywhere? [more inside]
I am literally dying to find out what that music was.
What was this music from Parks & Rec last night? [more inside]
I want to become a massage goddess. What to read, where to learn?
I want to become a massage goddess. Help, advice, suggestions? [more inside]
Cloudy Day Sunny Day
What is the sunniest day of the year? and how is that determined? [more inside]
Socially awkward woman that can't lift a bowling ball seeks advice
Help me get out of having to go to my boyfriend's friend's wife's birthday bowling party that I wasn't even invited to. [more inside]
Where should I destash yarn?
Destashing high quality yarn. Where's the best place to sell it online? [more inside]
What books would you recommend that teach non-Jews about a Passover seder?
What books/websites can I have my non-Jewish boyfriend read to teach him about what to expect at his first Passover seder? [more inside]
Educational cooking shows
Are there any newish TV shows actually about cooking out there? All the recent food-related shows I've seen are about people being angry with each other, rather than teaching about food and cooking.
DIY Fromage En Paris?
Is there a specialist cheese making shop anywhere in Paris? [more inside]
When does helping become cheating
How much help is too much help when it comes to a friend's application to an accountancy training programme? [more inside]
Long term purchase.
What would be the best color for a leather couch (not knowing the future color of walls)? Is there a couch color you have regretted?
I'm going to buy this sofa.
My plan is to keep it for a long time and through all the different places I will live. This is a couch that I eventually expect will be in my home office (and I think this classic design would be versatile). [more inside]
February 2
These Streets Will Make You Feel Brand New
New York City Living Filter: Help a still wet-behind-the-ears young man from Utah successfully move to New York. Lots of snowflake details inside. [more inside]
When did the New York Times become known as "The Gray Lady"?
When did people start to refer to the New York Times as "The Gray Lady?" Was that name used in the 1920s, or is it a more recent nickname?
How do I handle an interview for a job that I may be underqualified to do?
How do I handle an interview for a job that I may be underqualified to do? [more inside]
The music theory of ragtime -- intermediate lesson
Please tell me something more about the music theory underlying ragtime than III-VI-II-V-I, duple meter, and syncopation. Assume that you have just described blue notes. Recommendations for books that you have personally read/studied are also welcome.
I need something from the Department of Snappy Retorts.
What can I say to people who make racist comments about my baby? [more inside]
Downloading the Radio
I want to automate a VLC stream/encode of an internet radio station. Help? [more inside]
What Else is Like the Peter Gunn Theme?
The "Pink Panther" theme and the "Peter Gunn" theme are both jazz pieces created by Henry Mancini in the 1960's. But musically, how are they similar? If I add Lalo Schifrin's "Mission Impossible" theme ... is this a particular flavor or genre of jazz? If I like these as music, what other pieces (that are not necessarily theme songs) would I like?
My needs are not their needs, i'm beginning to see.
Google+, the Android App. Can you associate multiple accounts with it without your OS suddenly thinking you're trying to synch them? [more inside]
1 minute desserts for lazy cooks
Give me your best easy, quick desserts for one person made with stuff I already have in my kitchen. [more inside]
What's the (share)point?
How do I evaluate the cost/benefits of migrating my org's front-end website from M$Sharepoint to an open-source platform? [more inside]
math quest
Ask MathaFilter:
If I square 100 mm I get 10,000 mm.
But, convert to .1 m, and square, we have .01, a smaller amount!
Why can using a conversion like this give a nonsensical answer? If I want a length times itself why does it matter the metric?
Best websites for browsing Canada / BC real estate?
Best websites for browsing Canada / BC real estate? [more inside]
Can I accurately figure out how attractive I am?
Can I accurately figure out how attractive I am? [more inside]
Help me get demoted!
I am meeting with my District Manager soon to ask for a demotion. Hivemind, what are your experiences doing so? Probably too many details inside. [more inside]
Help me work out.
I'm a 24 year old guy who's very skinny and has never really worked out. However, by virtue of sitting behind a desk every day for the last couple years, I've developed some stomach flab. Besides that, though, still skinny as can be.
I want to join a gym to accomplish a few things:
- lose the stomach flab
- get slightly bigger / more muscular elsewhere (tough since I'm so skinny…main area I'd like to improve are my arms)
- get some stamina
From what I know, the stamina part will come through cardio, but that'll burn a lot of calories and go against the whole 'getting bigger' idea. Would love for those with knowledge or experience to give me some ideas of what to do…machines to use, exercises to try, etc.
Thanks.
Mine eyes can't see mine words
Word on a Mac: make it open at 175%? [more inside]
Confused about relationship/sexuality
Confused about relationship/sexuality [more inside]
Historical-Science wall art for school computer lab?
Looking for affordable posters or other decorative artifacts, with a history-of-technology or retro-futuristic theme, for the stairwell and walls of our small elementary/middle school computer lab. [more inside]
What should we do in Brussels (and the rest of Belgium) for five days in March?
What should we do in Brussels (and the rest of Belgium) for five days in March? [more inside]
Avoiding Lemons in Columbus
[OhioMechanicFilter] I'm driving to Columbus (and maybe Akron) tomorrow to try to buy a car, since I can't find my dream car in Pittsburgh. Before I buy used, I want to have a mechanic go over it, since I don't know enough to spot problems on my own. Any recommendations of who I should go to?
I want to be a Caretaker, too
Can you point me to music that is like The Caretaker's An Empty Bliss Beyond This World? [more inside]
Working full-time for two companies at once.
Working full-time for two companies at once. [more inside]
Cat appetite question
My lovely cat is eating less. Why? Do we need to go to the vet? [more inside]
Camera / Photography Advice
I’m looking for a sub-$200 camera to take close up shots of stationary objects that are 6-18” away. Could you help me figure out what camera to buy? [more inside]
Throat Specialist needed in Metro Detroit with a specialization in vocal loss
I am looking for a Throat and vocal specialist in the Metro Detroit area. [more inside]
It puts the lotion in the basket
Is there a substitute for Melaleuca's Renew Lotion that you can buy at an ordinary pharmacy? [more inside]
Early-20s crowd after-work hangouts in NYC?
Where do early-20s people go for after-work drinks in Manhattan? [more inside]
Desk dilemma.
To my dismay I'm aging. Need a desk and chair recommendation. A combo to accommodate my creaking body and long hours I spend at computer designing/writing. [more inside]
Should I get an IT job or travel overseas?
I graduated from college a few months ago with an IT degree, but my heart is not in it. I also just got a certification to teach English overseas. Should I work in IT or travel overseas? [more inside]
How to circulate a petition in the least annoying way possible?
Need advice about best method of circulating a petition for a ballot initiative in California. There is a ballot initiative in California to replace the death penalty with life in prison. I'm going with a friend to a shopping mall this Sunday to try and get signatures (they still need about 100,000). I've never done anything like this before. I need advice about the best way to go about it. [more inside]
Is there a way to visually organize database tables (and saved queries and views)?
I have a wonderful (Oracle) SQL database and I use Navicat Lite to crunch around in it. My problem is that I'm staring at lists of 50+ tables, 60+ saved queries, 10+ views, etc. Is there anything I can do to somehow organise things in a visually pleasing and/or functional way? [more inside]
The Better to Bite/Chew With?
My 21-year-old niece has a new compulsion to bite and chew things that might be due to her new epilepsy medication (Keppra). Anyone have experience with this? [more inside]
Crossfuzzled
Crossword filter: "All tall men mind the mad arithmetic". Six letters. Solve. [more inside]
How to deal with a slight first name change?
How to deal with a slight first name change? [more inside]
Help an American understand cricket
Twenty20 cricket question. Is the match over when the second team batting is mathematically eliminated? Can you even be mathematically eliminated? [more inside]
This too shall pass, breakup edition...
Give me your best advice for comforting and supporting someone who just got dumped, hard. [more inside]
how to kindly reject the piano teacher
How to talk to my daughter's piano teach about stopping our lesson with her. Truth is, we need a better teacher. But we have used her for about four years. I worry about hurting her feelings by being honest with her. Need help approaching the piano teacher. [more inside]
A victim of circumstance
Asking for a friend: Need a character from mythology, literature, the Bible, etc. who, unbeknownst to him/her, is inflicted with some sort of curse/poison but doesn't find out until much later. For details on why Oedipus doesn't quite work, you should see... [more inside]
How can I exert some influence over my ex-wife, who is not making the financial and other decisions I wish she would?
How can I exert some influence over my ex-wife, who is not making the financial and other decisions I wish she would? [more inside]
Random pics from an 80's movie. Which one? Because I have no idea.
RANDOM80'SMovieFilter: What movie are these screenshots from? [more inside]
What is this succulent plant?
Can someone help me identify this plant--seems to be a succulent of some type. I've taken a couple photos of it here:
photo 1
photo 2.
The spoon is there for scale. [more inside]
It's like metafilter but REALLY EXPENSIVE. And its only for cars.
Pay to post in WordPress? Is this doable? [more inside]
DTMF, eh?
What can I do to make things go smoothly when I quit Sprint for another mobile provider in a few months? [more inside]
Sending email to the wrong recipient
Is there a way, in say, thunderbird to specify and e-mail address as a privileged email address? I would like it so that if a flagged address is chosen the program asks you one last time before you send the e-mail if you are sure you want to send it to the address listed. Sometimes I'm a little quick on the draw with e-mail addresses.
Basically if I send something to a friend that is inappropriate for say my mom I want my program to let me know that I chose my mom's address instead before it goes out.
Translate something that could be any language spoken in India!
What do the (Hindi? Kannada? Tamil? Sanskrit?) words on these shirts mean? They look to me like different scripts, and they were probably bought in Bangalore. [more inside]
Lease Termination/Medical Question
If I sign an agreement of early lease termination, am I barred from being able to seek further legal action against the landlord for medical issues my 20-month old daughter might encounter as a result of our living there? [more inside]
May in Nova Scotia. Cold? Buggy?
May in Nova Scotia. Cold? Buggy? Wet? [more inside]
Strike up the music the band has begun - Groundhog Day Celebration
Has anyone here traveled to Punxsutawney, PA to celebrate Groundhog Day? Does anyone live there? What kind of stuff is there to do? What are the sites to see? Places to eat? [more inside]
How to hand over a job with the least pain for all
I am going on maternity leave in three weeks and may not have overlap with my replacement, so I won't get to train them. How do I prepare my team for this change? How do I prepare my replacement from afar? What are best practices in job handover? What do you wish your predecessor had left you? [more inside]
Easing career change from high school after high school to Worlds Greatest U
I'm applying for jobs at institutions that are more prestigious than the institution I currently work for. Should I suck up/gush over the awesomeness of these institutions? How much? [more inside]
Help me find the best router with some specific requirements
I currently have all my non-portable Netflix devices hardwired to my router, but I'm moving to a house where that won't be possible. I hate to say goodbye, but the trusty WRT54G will have to go. Help me find the best replacement router. [more inside]
Tattoo Artists in NC
I am looking for recommendations for truly excellent tattoo artists ideally in NC, but am willing to travel to neighboring states. I live in Chapel Hill. More inside. [more inside]
99 cent remote control a scam?
Why am I seeing electronics such as an XBOX 360 remote control on eBay for only 99 cents with no shipping charges? Is this a scam?
Mortgage soon, wipe out credit cards?
Applying for a mortgage soon (less than two months). Have close to $10k in credit card balance for reimbursable work expenses on cards. Always pay off at due date. Does it make sense to a) pay off balance to zero immediately? b) use other methods (debit card, corporate charge card) to pay for everything for next two months or c) both? Or is this too late to matter? [more inside]
Camping While Fat
I need tips for hiking and camping from fat-identified and otherwise overweight folks only! FYI I am 5'6. Thanks!
Outliers lite: what can I accomplish in 3,000 hours?
I'm freeing up two hours a day in my schedule, and thinking about my mortality. In the next five years I'd like to spend that 3,600 hours to get really good at something in the area of music, art or programming, or some combination thereof. Which areas are most likely to show dramatic improvement with 3,000 hours of practice? [more inside]
What should I use to carry my stuff?
What type of bag/case should I get for my law clerk job? [more inside]
Torture by the CIA: research projects vs. real-world knowledge
Torture by the CIA, specifically experimental/psychological torture, between about 1955 and 1985: how much more would CIA-funded lab psychologist Donald Hebb have known about specific real-world practices/pervasiveness than the general public could know? Articles or books where I can research this (especially anything he wrote himself)?
Momma needs a brand new bag
I adore my Kate Spade black messenger bag, but it's wearing out. What should I get to replace it? [more inside]
A cure for passing on a virus
How to detect virus on my blog, put up by my Mac, and appearing on PC of my readers. [more inside]
Linux (Ubuntu) filter: Why aren't my login supplementary groups correct?
I just upgraded to Ubuntu 10.04. My system is set up to use NIS and autofs. I am able to login and get to nfs-mounted filesystems w/o problem. However my login is just reporting one group membership (as per the 'id' command) whereas it should be reporting 15. I've found that if I su to myself ('su - luge') then all the groups appear. I've also found that if I ssh to another system and ssh back to my system then I only get one group, but if I ssh to another system and *telnet* back to my system then all the groups appear. I've also found that the getgroups(0, NULL) syscall behaves accordingly, returning 1 or 15 depending on the above. Is this some kind of process inheritance issue?
Rabbi in Binghamton
Rabbi willing to do interfaith weddings in Binghamton, NY? [more inside]
Résumé anxiety
What strategies have you employed to get over the dread of updating your résumé? Has anyone had success with professional résumé services? Are they worth the price?
When Momm's Not Happy, Ain't Nobody Happy
Help us help my mom make friends, find a social outlet and generally find some joy around Dallas, TX. [more inside]
Contest gifts for teenagers?
What would be a good participant gift for a high school or college-aged student? [more inside]
ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Pre-eminent Narcolepsy specialist or clinic on the East Coast or Tri-State Area- who/what/where and have you had any direct experience. [more inside]
Single-Serving Wasabi Peas
Where can I find wasabi peas that are packaged in single-serving containers? [more inside]
Tinner? Tanner?
Please help me read this census entry: On line 61: what is this gentleman's occupation?
too much of a good thing?
Too much circulation in my feet: agony when the blood flow backs up with ski boots on. [more inside]
Shotengai of the World
Japan has shotengai (covered shopping arcades). We don't have any in Toronto (probably because of the climate). Where else do they have shopping arcades? Are there any in places with climates similar to Toronto? Links and pictures would be appreciated. [more inside]
What songs can i use for this themed mix-cd?
Greetings Hive Mind.
So, this year, i got a job that involves being away from a lot. This means that i don't get to spend nearly as much time with my wife as i used to. To this end, I want to make a mixtape for my wife for Valenties day of songs with a theme like "I'm on the road a lot," only I haven't really been able to come up with much. [more inside]
Please help me be less of a clingy and unsatisfied girlfriend.
I'm becoming a clingy girlfriend, and I think it's partially because of my low self-esteem -- and partially because I'm unable to orgasm. [more inside]
Turn a picture into a painting... with some flare?
I'm looking for a company that will take a plain photo of my dog, and create a painting from it, but add a little flare. I'd like my dog to be in a suit, maybe wearing glasses, in front of a book case. Here's an example: http://i.imgur.com/o8BSE.jpg [more inside]
I tweet, therefore I am
How can I create a blog like page with links I tweet? More details inside [more inside]
Mail carrier is committing mail fraud
my postal carrier has been stealing, losing and holding back my packages for several months. he's under investigation by USPS and has been reprimanded. but he's still on my route and has started screwing with my packages again. it's all documented, but the USPS investigation is going at a snail's pace. this is mail fraud - but i have no idea where to turn next. attorney general? private lawyer? what kind of private lawyer? [more inside]
New York, New York!
Which neighborhood in New York City is right for us? [more inside]
is it common to get invited for a job interview when the organization has already hired someone for the position?
is it common to get invited for a job interview when the organization has already hired someone for the position? [more inside]
The Great American Road Trip
Two Canadians road-trippin' in the USA in May. A few questions. Itinerary suggestions welcome. [more inside]
How did Linkedin make this connection?
I was browsing through the "People You May Know" box on Linkedin, and my husband's ex-wife showed up. There is no connection between us - my husband has zero connections on Linkedin (not even to me), and we share no common background. How could this happen? [more inside]
Dr. Wembley's Patented Tin-Ear, Athlete's Foot, and Gingivitis Cure
My weekly musicfilter: Help me train my ear. [more inside]
How to repair Panasonic KX-TC1743B phone
repairing or replacing panasonic KX-TC1743B with faulty voice mail feature
the movie songs
Where can I get the chords of a song taken from Night of the Hunter ? [more inside]
Am I active? Am I clear?
Hey, so, turns out I was granted a U.S. secret security clearance! ...that I'm not using. I understand that the approval/eligibility is good for two years, but beyond that I have a few questions. (For one: can I apply for jobs truthfully claiming I have an "active clearance"?) [more inside]
ALT plus...F this!
Please hope me, a PC user now working on a Mac: I find I cannot live without ALT+n, where n="f" key for file menu, "e" key for edit menu, etc. [more inside]
What's this brass tool?
At a website I write for, a reader sent in a photo of a brass tool, wondering what it was. I'm sure somebody here knows! [more inside]
Who are these people?
When the media uses the phrase "GOP elite," to whom exactly are they referring? [more inside]
Go Pack
Moving with a newborn, part 2 - now we know we're going to Milwaukee! Please tell me everything. [more inside]
Please help me educate myself on the issues that the LGBT face.
How do LGBT rights impact corporate, state, and federal policies? What are some trustworthy resources on the issues that the LGBT community and populace at large face? [more inside]
how to get a giraffe in a fridge
I'm after similar logic/riddle questions to the following four part one, anyone able to post some? Mainly just find these fun, not taking the 'science' parts seriously. (answers to these questions in the post)
1. How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator?
2. How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator?
3. The King of the Forest is hosting an animal conference. All the animals attend except one. Which animal does not attend?
4. There is a river you must cross but it is inhabited by crocodiles. How do you manage it? [more inside]
How do you adwords?
CALLING ALL SEM SPECIALISTS: How do you scope out a large SEM (google adwords) campaign? How do you anticipate how much it will cost per month and how many hours will be put toward it? This is from an agency perspective. [more inside]
wooden frame shopping
Where can I buy a dark stained wooden frame? [more inside]
San Antonio with Kids
Taking a day trip to San Antonio with 3 adults, 2 teenagers, 1 tween, and 2 toddlers. Driving from Austin. What are some things we can do as a group? We are looking for things that everyone can enjoy with minimal hassle. We will have strollers for the toddlers.
Let's learn how to eat processed food again!
What's the best way to ease into unhealthy eating? My SO is joining the Navy. He is vegan and not just vegan, but a "I only eat whole foods" type and knows this just isn't going to happen once he goes in. [more inside]
Wedding wet science and high art?
What's some great new bioscience themed art? The more hands-on and interactive the better. Mapping genetic sequences to procedurally generated pictured is all good and well, but does seem a bit trite and decorative these days. What's out there these days saying something in the intersection between wet labs and the gallery?
My iPhone needs some SIM card double penetration.
Two SIM cards in one phone? In one iPhone? Can I really do this now and if it can be done, what hardware do you recommend?
Acquiring new skills - how can I add more value?
What skills can I acquire that will make me more valuable and more hire-able in the years to come? The world is getting tougher and I want to make sure I always have a job - hopefully, an interesting one. [more inside]
"Common name" spyware won't get gone
How to get rid of "common name" spyware on my laptop? Do I need to? [more inside]
Weekend/Day Trip Suggestions from Cambridge, UK?
Weekend/Day trips from Cambridge, UK? [more inside]
Is there more classic Who to come on the BBC iPlayer?
So I've been watching 1970's Doctor Who on the BBC iPlayer. The Tom Baker section lists stories available on the iPlayer as 1,2,3,4,5,9,10,12,13,14 (this is nothing to do with any other story numbering). Is there a trick to getting the missing numbers (6,7,8,11), or did they just err? And does anyone know if there is more classic Who likely to be added in the future?
Hey Aunt Myrtle — check this out!
I'm putting together a compilation of fun/cool/interesting/astonishing vids off youtube vimeo etc and etc to show to people, trying to give a little bit of a sense why I like the internet so much, why I get such a kick out of it, show to people who aren't as familiar with what is "out there" on the inter-tubes and/or aren't familiar with the net at all. So. Here's my question: What are your must-show videos, what do you share with friends and family, what video do you say to a good friend "Oh jesus, you've just got to see this!" [more inside]
February 1
Best Android audio recorder/sampler?
I'd been using Voice Recorder to make the occasional field recording. I finally listened to them - and they sound awful. Is something better available? [more inside]
Is there any difference between Franciscans and Gray/Grey Friars?
Is there any difference between Franciscans and Gray/Grey Friars? I'm working on a translation for them and want to make sure I don't make a blunder due to sheer ignorance of their ways on my part. Thanks! [more inside]
Help me explain to my dad why it is not a double standard that white people can't say the "N-word".
Help me explain to my dad why it is not a double standard that white people can't say the "N-word". [more inside]
relationships + college + work + ADD = bad news
How can I better manage and balance and save my relationship, college, and work along with my ADD? [more inside]
Do you sign your name on email even though your signature is the very next line?
How do you sign your name in e-mails when you already have a signature? Do you repeat your name? [more inside]
Web design - show/hide content - know any good examples? Looking for design, not code
I'd like a web designer to style (in CSS) shown/hidden content on our new website. But I'm having trouble finding good examples. [more inside]
Help me give an epic gift to my boyfriend!
My boyfriend has a bedding set that he LOVES. It's fading, plus we want a bigger comforter, and I can't find the set for sale anywhere (he got it a while ago). I'd like to recreate it as a present for him. [more inside]
Has anyone heard of a margarine allergy?
Has anyone heard of a margarine allergy? I normally cook with butter. Occasionally I'll be out of butter and will have to use margarine (I don't buy - my friends do). The problem is that every time I use it, it ends-up badly. I used a teaspoon of it this past weekend to fry breakfast in a skillet. Shortly thereafter I had...well, let's call it an explosive reaction. One that caused such abdominal pain that I was pretty much incapacitated for the rest of that day (and half the next) and almost broke-down to go to the ER. [more inside]
My mental health is failing
Mental Health: I don't feel very good, mentally. And after taking some online mental health "tests" I wonder if I should do anything about it. Am I really as bad as the tests say that I am? [more inside]
Help me prepare myself for working in a bakery for the first time!
How can I make the most out of a opportunity I've been given to work in a bakery? [more inside]
On the road again ....
Help me plan my trip to Europe this summer! Helpful details abound within! [more inside]
Home is where...?
My husband and I will be leaving our current town in about a year and a half, and we’re starting to think about where we might like to go next. We have several requirements (explained inside), and I’ll probably be posting questions about this more than once! We are thinking about taking a couple of weeks to explore some cities in California this spring or summer, and I’m hoping some of you can suggest some California towns that might be a good fit for us so we can start planning the exploratory trip. [more inside]
Really Good People
Mr. Rogers, Dolly Parton, Keanu: Who else out there is considered to be genuinely good human being, in addition to being well known?
How can I get more RAM for our school's slow computers?
How can I come up with 250 sticks of 1GB DDR2 PC2-4200 RAM? (Our local high school has 150 PCs running Window 7 with just 1GB of RAM.) [more inside]
Installing hydronic radiant floor heating when building a new house?
Installing hydronic radiant floor heating when building a new house? [more inside]
help me solve a small mystery
unknown texter who knows my name? [more inside]
I want to withdrawal from wellbutrin
Can you tell me your Wellbutrin Withdrawal Stories [more inside]
How can I take better pictures of my black cat?
What are your tips for photographing a black cat? [more inside]
What should I buy when I am in Denmark?
Jog my memory: what do I miss from Denmark? [more inside]
Anthropologie imitators?
How can we recreate/mimic the Anthropologie fashion look, but on a budget? [more inside]
Police Report Filed. Do I Inform Insurance? Driving Me Crazy
Should I call or not.. This is driving me crazy... I really don't want to mess up my perfect driving/insurance record and don't want higher rates. I've also heard horror stories about Progressive, and am hesitant to call. This is in Nj, and I have liability only. [more inside]
ADD/ADHD/Dental recommendations near Chapel Hill or Carrboro?
ADD/ADHD/Dental recommendations near Chapel Hill or Carrboro? (more inside) [more inside]
Looking for stories on leaving vegetarianism
I'm considering eating meat again after more than a decade of being a vegetarian. I'm looking for blogs or long articles about going back to meat after a significant period without it. I'm looking for people talking about why the change happened and how they re-acclimated themselves to meat. I would also welcome articles about people who struggled with it but stayed vegetarians anyway. [more inside]
Is this cold feet or serious doubts? At a crossroads.
Ever been engaged to someone and had a lot of fear and doubts about this decision? How did you find resolution/come to a decision about those fears? [more inside]
Not trying for a home-made space rocket, I promise.
Insane DIY project: build an exercise ski machine a la NordicTrack, only better. Venture ahead, or head straight for an insane asylum? [more inside]
What should an economics major do in agricultural development?
Help! What should an economics major do in agricultural development? [more inside]
Mild cutaneous lymphoma: any experience with this?
A dermatologist confirmed today, based on the results of two biopsies, that I probably have mycosis fungoides (a mild cutaneous lymphoma). It's patch-stage, and he says it's the mildest case he's ever seen, and he's referred me to a specialist. I understand (based on a weekend of nail-biting research and his confirmation of the research) that it's usually not a big deal to have this, but I'd like to hear from people who have experience with it. [more inside]
So, you've been to Jordan? Tell me all about it!
So I've just booked a flight to Jordan for a week in early March. The Lonely Planet guide to Jordan is in the post, but I'd like to start planning, and would welcome your advice on what to see / not see, how to get around, tour company recommendations etc. [more inside]
I want to develop a custom home DVR set up with some of the hardware I already have laying around.
I want to develop a custom home DVR setup with some hardware I already have. [more inside]
Currant wine
I've made some delicious red currant syrup (currants+sugar), but I left it too long in the fridge and it fermented. What can I do with it? Vinegar? Wine?
Share Your Donation Boxes!
I need ideas and links for an eye-catching wall-mounted donation box. [more inside]
Sœur/sûr/sieur/cire/sueur
Are there online equivalents of FSI's "Introduction to French Phonology" for other languages? [more inside]
Should I quit my job?
Should I quit my job? I really hate it. [more inside]
My brain isn't very nice to me.
Why do I still care about how my ex treated me when I don't have any feelings for him? How do I stop caring that he's getting married to his pregnant girlfriend? [more inside]
How can I find a history of precipitation data for a specific location?
How can I find a history of precipitation data for a particular location?
I have been tasked with finding the top 5-10 rainfall days of the last 20-30 years for a particular location (in Suffolk County New York, zip code 11743). I know I won't be able to pinpoint it exactly to the location, but the closest weather station or data from a point nearby would suffice.
I started to poke around on the NOAA website and it seems like the data is there, I just can't tell what I need.
The goal is to finish the sentence: "Over the last 20-30 years, the following days had the most rainfall at station or lcation x:"
Thanks!
Moving from LA to NYC for work, no COL raise in salary.
Is moving to NY a feasible option? [more inside]
Please teach me how to become organized.
I feel hopelessly disorganized as I become more aware of what “organized” looks like, and I have no vision for how to change. I'm studying to be a teacher, and I have so many different interrelated resources for my own learning as well as for teaching, and they are piling up in random places. My computer desktop is abysmal. I'd like a meaningful and structured method of organization. How do I get from where I am now (chaos) to a system for storing papers, and proper naming conventions for files? And most importantly, as teachers are in the constant process of being inspired, collecting things and creating output of various forms, I need a semblance of a workflow to keep me afloat! My apologies in advance for over thinking this and making it perhaps more complicated than in has to be. [more inside]
Author wants to use photos of my work; what do I need to know before giving permission?
I'm an artist who was recently contacted for permission to use images of my art in a book; I'm inclined to give it but am unsure what pitfalls to be aware of. [more inside]
Help me deal with this unfair situation.
On the whole, I like my job. It pays well and has good benefits. It really rankles me, though, that there are employees in my department who are much better paid than me, who don’t deserve to be. How can I get past this so I’m not ticked off every day at work? [more inside]
Looking for bulletproof women's sandals
Looking for bulletproof women's sandals, preferably made in Europe. I want something that will last me years and be comfortable for daily wear and occasional long walks. The ones that were my go-to are no longer made in Europe, and lasted about 1/4 the time as the last (identical) pair. [more inside]
What happened when you quit your job with nothing new lined up?
Did you quit your job with nothing new lined up? How did it work out for you? And what do you wish you'd done differently, in retrospect? [more inside]
Name that book in two words or less.
Help me identify a favorite book from childhood. [more inside]
How well would a "Digital Signage Display" work as a home HDTV?
I'm shopping for an HDTV, and might have lucked into an excellent deal on a Panasonic TH-50PF30U "digital signage display". Help me understand the difference between a consumer plasma HDTV and a digital signage plasma HDTV, because this is the first time I've heard of the latter. [more inside]
Top travel tips for Uganda?
Hurrah! I have both a visa and a return flight organised for Uganda at the end of March. Share with me your top tips! Caveat: I'm on a really tight budget.
iPhone Overshare
Ack! I just realized my iPhone is syncing my personal G-Calendar to my Outlook work calendar, meaning my coworkers now know when I have doctor appointments, book club meetings, etc.! How do I set up a one-way sync solution so that I can see my work calendar on my iPhone, but my coworkers can't see my personal calendar? [more inside]
Youtube transcription?
How do I get a transcription of a copyrighted (not by me) fifteen minute youtube video, for my own personal use? [more inside]
How do we make our PBX grow with our company?
Where should I look and what should I look at for replacing our old Norstar/Meridian PBX? Should we replace the hardware or switch to a hosted solution? [more inside]
Wheels on the box go round and round
What do I need to know to buy all-new wheels for my 2006 Scion xB? [more inside]
How do I start a new career and where should I go to do that?
About 18 months ago I dropped out of law school due to depression and amid a divorce. Since then I've been living with my parents in my tiny hometown and working for my dad. But this situation can't last forever for a lot reasons. So where should I go? What should I do to start a new career? And how do I get there? [more inside]
You what me?
Is "I appreciate you!" (as said to a waitress, for instance) heard outside Tennessee? [more inside]
The forces of chaos meet my place of employment.
Can you recommend some browser-based, turn-based tactical games? Basically, I want to play tabeltop Warhammer while I'm at work. [more inside]
I feel like the prettiest girl at the prom!
What's the nicest possible rejection text I can send to the people I don't pick to be my new housemate? [more inside]
Kid's books with photos & illustrations
I'm looking for great children's books that combine photography with illustration... [more inside]
I have student loans ... in someone else's name.
I have student loans in my ex's name. Can I buy them back into my name, and how? [more inside]
Help me quantify my physical life.
Please hope me find the right tool(s) to monitor/log calorie expenditure, calorie consumption, heart rate, and sleep quality. [more inside]
Comparing Excel Sheets for Sanity and Such Things
ExcelFilter: Compare rows for data changes? I want to find out whether row values are different between two sheets on records that match. [more inside]
lost iphone, how to buy unlocked?
Wife lost here Verizon Iphone 4, can we buy a cheaper refurb, unlocked 3gs and get it going w/Verizon, and how? [more inside]
Suggestions for reading about large scale projects?
What large scale, generally peaceful and non-space related projects would be as fun to read about as the Apollo space program? Specific details are below the fold. [more inside]
Brother can you spare a job?
What's the real way to get through to hiring managers? I know that its a tough economy right now but I feel as though I've tried everything that the "experts" say to do but to no avail. How can this recent college grad break into the field of her dreams? [more inside]
Meeting people in Hong Kong outside of LKF!
Attention previous and current Hong Kong expats: How did you go about meeting new friends in Hong Kong? [more inside]
The scarlet A.
Received a letter declaring that I'm about to be audited by the state tax office. It's my first tax audit. What should I expect? [more inside]
How do I find a job?
I'm finally actively looking for a new job, but I don't have any idea how people do that these days. Help? [more inside]
Fair car share.
How much should I charge my housemate for using my car? [more inside]
How can I integrate a time sequence of correlations?
Statistics filter: If I asses the same paired variables for the same population at multiple points in time, can I integrate the relation into an overall correlation? [more inside]
Can Microsoft Dynamics CRM play nicely with OS X 10.7?
I'm running OS X 10.7.2 and I need to access a Microsoft Dynamics CRM system. It won't work in FF, Safari or Chrome; it only wants IE. Of course, no versions of IE will work post-Lion (no more Rosetta). Is there any OS X native solution to this? [more inside]
What's the story, optional Cory?
So after reading the recent posts in the Blue and MeTa about Cory Doctorow, I've come to wonder if there are any really worthwhile alternatives to BoingBoing out there. [more inside]
Books to whittle away 25 hours on a plane?
I need some well-written and very suspenseful books to take my mind off of a 25-hour flight. Donna Tartt's "The Secret History" is the ideal book, but alas, I've already read it. I also need two-person travel sized games. [more inside]
I love my house, but all this legal stuff blows my mind...
Buying a home from my father? Snowflake details inside [more inside]
Autocannibalism in Pill Form
So. Placenta encapsulation. Is there actually any scientific basis for the practice? [more inside]
Etiquette regarding followups after an interview? Found an awesome job, but don't want to seem pushy.
I found a job that I would really like to get, but the company is being slow in making a decision. [more inside]
What the heck is this mark on my nose?
What the heck is this red (almost certainly inconsequential) mark on my nose? [more inside]
Wheat!
What can I do with 46 pounds each of hard spring white wheat and hard winter red wheat?
advice for evaluating offers?
I am currently looking for a job and may (I hope) soon need to evaluate offers of employment. I know very little about healthcare, retirement, non-compete clauses, equity, intellectual property, and all the other fun topics that offer letters tend to mention. I can google "401(k) matching" as well as the next guy, but Google isn't going to tell me that this topic exists to be researched, or what the norms are for my industry/seniority/region. Where in Chicago can I find the potentially very specific advice (dare I call it hand-holding) I need to get through this without losing my pants? Appointment with university career services? Read a book/website? Retain a lawyer? Specific recommendations would be appreciated. [more inside]
i swear iʻm not slacking!
so...how do i tell my trainer iʻm not going to workout on a day when iʻm on my cycle? [more inside]
Go Together Like a Horse and a Glue Factory
Date filter: When do I tell my date that I'm in the middle of a divorce? Also, how should I go about telling? [more inside]
Looking for EDC suggestions...
Looking for suggestions for Everyday Carry (EDC) items. [more inside]
Paradox: objective meaninglessness of concept of similarity?
Has anyone heard of the mathematical "proof" that the concept of similarity is objectively meaningless? [more inside]
200 GB in 1986?! Inconceivable!
How common were 200GB hard drives in the mid-1980s? Would institutions like the USGS have had access to them? Would general readers even have understood the term? [more inside]