Ask MetaFilter

I have a few ideas for posting (and sorting) my photos online. I'm not looking to set up a brand or get a ton of likes/ upvotes, but at the same time, I want my "collections" to be cohesive, partially for personal reasons of browsing my own older photos. What's the best: Instagram, Tumblr, Blogger, or Flicker? POSSE (Post [on your] Own Site, Syndicate Elsewhere) or IFTTT? [more inside]
posted by filthy light thief at 10:00 PM PST - 11 comments

My mother is unhappy where she is and wants to move back to the same city as me. Her partner of 20 years doesn't want to move here. I want her to be happy, and want to help in ways that I can while still keeping my independance and sanity. How on earth can I do this? [more inside]
posted by Ranting Prophet of DOOM! at 9:16 PM PST - 25 comments

Where in central California can friends and I go for a two-day (one-night) backpacking hike this week? The two days would include driving from and back to Santa Cruz CA. We planned to go to the Ventana Wilderness but that's closed. Big Basin's Skyline-to-Sea is closed too. Ideally we'd take our dog, so prefer NOT to go to a state or national park as they're not dog-friendly.
posted by anadem at 9:11 PM PST - 14 comments

My therapist recently suggested I try getting an ADD coach to help with my chronic procrastination issues. Looking for general tips on navigating the process and/or specific recommendations for coaches (either in the Seattle area or available to coach remotely via phone/Skype/whatever.) [more inside]
posted by cortisol at 8:52 PM PST - 5 comments

With the understanding that YANML or Accountant, can a Canadian freelancer specify payment in USD in a contract where the terms are covered by Canadian law? [more inside]
posted by pised at 8:16 PM PST - 6 comments

I need to come up a solution to both protect my data in various locations and make it easily available without using the cloud. [more inside]
posted by b33j at 7:01 PM PST - 12 comments

I've been told that replacing my car's wheels/rims will resolve a frequent low-pressure problem. What does the green think? [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 6:32 PM PST - 13 comments

We recently got a wagon for our 2-year-old. It has removable sides, which I gather are a common feature on these wagons. The thing is, being a curious toddler, this means he is very interested in removing them, which he can do pretty easily. We don't want him disassembling the wagon while we are carting him around. Has anyone had this problem? Any easy solutions? The wagon we have is a Millside Express.
posted by ManInSuit at 5:31 PM PST - 16 comments

My friend and I will have a week in the US in July, starting from Minneapolis/St Paul. Where should we go? Give me your recommendations. [more inside]
posted by tworedshoes at 4:52 PM PST - 13 comments

This was a book I heard reviewed a few years ago. The protagonist is initiated into some kind of psychological game, maybe as part of hazing at college. It is initially innocent, but every time it seems that the game has ended it turns out there is another layer. Years go by, people go crazy and die, driven mad by the game. Ring any bells?
posted by molla at 3:53 PM PST - 9 comments

I need a new office chair for my home office, that has a mesh breathable seat and is suitable for a short person! (5'2" with especially short legs.) [more inside]
posted by juniperesque at 2:26 PM PST - 16 comments

So, I've got a restaurant bill problem that is confusing me, and I'm worried about bill inflation fraud and not understanding the complexities of debit card transactions. But I think the restaurant is scamming. Halp? [more inside]
posted by Jacen at 2:25 PM PST - 7 comments

On a small beach near our place in the NW, we regularly get styrofoam pebbles deeply mixed in to the sand, dirt, and beach detritus. Does anyone know of a way to get the styrofoam out without hauling buckets full of sand, dirt, and twigs to the dump? [more inside]
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 2:10 PM PST - 7 comments

Does anyone have a recommendation for a packer/organizer in Washington, DC who could help pack up for a move on very short notice? [more inside]
posted by HonoriaGlossop at 1:58 PM PST - 6 comments

After years of searching, I am very close to pulling the trigger on a sectional sofa. What I would like to understand before I buy it is a) what right arm facing and left arm facing refers to with regard to this particular model and b) why it matters. [more inside]
posted by stellaluna at 1:40 PM PST - 6 comments

Recently moved back to London. Everything is turning out rosy. But I miss having a favourite place to drag people to and eat / drink into the small hours. [more inside]
posted by lethologues at 1:35 PM PST - 9 comments

Got a haircut yesterday that I really hate. The shape is entirely wrong and I ended up with curly bangs I never wanted. I (of course) have an important interview tomorrow. Help. [more inside]
posted by Space Kitty at 1:20 PM PST - 7 comments

It's rare that my pants wear out in any way other than this - a failure along the seam of my, uh, inseam. I'm wondering if there's a practical way to patch it rather than toss the pants. [more inside]
posted by phearlez at 1:12 PM PST - 8 comments

What to say to twitter to best get verified - what are they looking for? [more inside]
posted by jitterbug perfume at 12:49 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm DMing a game tonight, and I forgot my dice at home. I'm carless and pretty busy in Portland's Slabtown district (deepish NW). Does anybody know the closest place I could buy a set of polyhedral dice? I know I could go to Powell's, but that'd take about an hour. Ideas?
posted by pheide at 12:45 PM PST - 5 comments

Over the past few years a large, volunteer rose bush has grown on the side of our house, a descendant of a monster (trellised to ~15' high and 6' wide by our old landlord) rose bush that was killed by some kind of blight back in 2014. I've been ignoring it, but it has now begun climbing the old trellis and I guess I should try and take care of it. What should I be doing? [more inside]
posted by ryanshepard at 12:22 PM PST - 8 comments

My mom is getting an anterior hip replacement surgery and she asked me to come stay with her for a while to take care of her while she recovers. What am I in for and what does she need me to do? [more inside]
posted by AppleTurnover at 11:27 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking to start up a monthly education & activism series at my church. Each month I'd like to look at a particular social justice issue. We'd begin by viewing something--a documentary, PBS special, or the like. More importantly, we'd bring in speakers/activists who work on the local level, to speak to happening on the city/county/state level, and how we can show up and make a difference. Help me think of good documentaries for this! [more inside]
posted by duffell at 9:57 AM PST - 22 comments

My little cousin is turning one this weekend and I'd like to buy her a cute flannel shirt. Where can I pick one up in NYC? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 9:25 AM PST - 5 comments

I'll soon be giving someone an electric guitar as a gift. We'd like to also get them a small, inexpensive amplifier to go with it. Which one? [more inside]
posted by bondcliff at 9:24 AM PST - 27 comments

Is there an adapter/splitter for 1/4 RCA cables? [more inside]
posted by droplet at 9:10 AM PST - 4 comments

Just like it says, I need a good pair of clip on sunglasses for my everyday glasses, the ability to "flip up" is also required. I would like to purchase these in a brick and mortar store if at all possible, bonus points if the place can custom fit them to my existing glasses. Thank you!
posted by carnivoregiraffe at 9:07 AM PST - 8 comments

What is a great vacation destination where I could learn mountain biking? [more inside]
posted by Mallenroh at 8:43 AM PST - 11 comments

For medical reasons, I've been told to do a slow gradual but long term weight loss plan. One of my key changes is my lunches, instead of indulging in our cafeteria's pizza of the day, I'm now packing a salad from home. Help me come up with five component parts to top my romaine, and keep me interested long term. [more inside]
posted by librarianamy at 8:35 AM PST - 45 comments

My front yard looks like crap. We bought the house a year ago and the front yard had been covered in some kind of landscaping fabric/paper substance, then mulched with a thin layer of wood chips. Now the weeds are growing through the landscaping barrier and through the mulch. It looks like this. Now what? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 8:23 AM PST - 8 comments

yanmd...What is first aid for pill aspiration? [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 7:50 AM PST - 21 comments

I've just read Sharon Green's Blending series, and I'd like to read more stories like this. Please recommend them to me! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:00 AM PST - 13 comments

Is there an age by which one would be too old to lose their virginity? I'm a guy if that matters, but this question would likely also be relevant to all the women out there as well. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:59 AM PST - 43 comments

YANMD. I have to pee all the time lately, and a medical dr visit found nothing. This has coincided with a hypomanic episode, full of anxiety. My pdoc doesn't know of a connection. Googling "mania" and "urination" yielded things I cannot un-see. Has anybody experienced an overlap in some form of mania and having to pee all the time?
posted by anonymous at 4:59 AM PST - 14 comments

I’ve been living with my SO for seven years in a 154 ft square flat. I love him dearly but I sometimes need to be alone when he wants us to be together and don’t know how to express this without hurting him. And what scares me is my visceral reaction to this loneliness need. [more inside]
posted by Ifite at 2:56 AM PST - 50 comments

I've just got a new job for a small company who have brought me in to reorganise their data and reports, which are currently a tangled mess of Excel spreadsheets. My last experience of this was at a pan-European enterprise level so what cheaper or open-source options are available to a smaller company. [more inside]
posted by jontyjago at 12:26 AM PST - 6 comments

I am using LastPass now, but have read that KeePass is a better choice. But then I find there are two variants. I use Windows 7 PC andan Android smart phone. Is there a security difference between KeePass and KeePassX or should I use whichever has a prettier (to me) interface?
posted by twsf at 10:44 PM PST - 7 comments

Help us shift away from meat-centric meals and toward high-protein vegetable-based options. Vegetarian ok but not required. [more inside]
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 9:56 PM PST - 22 comments

I'm after suggestions for a thank you present to someone who helped draft a response to a performance review I didn't agree with. I want it to be of value proportional to the advice one would receive from a law graduate who is not yet registered as a lawyer (because that's what she is). [more inside]
posted by glache at 9:05 PM PST - 6 comments

Our house has cove lighting in most areas. The previous owner ran really warm incandescent rope lights through the coves, but they're starting to burn out in spots. I've been searching everywhere but I can't find a good replacement that matches what we have now. Help! [more inside]
posted by gchucky at 7:15 PM PST - 6 comments

Please indundate me with classic, feel-good, hands-in-the-air, early-mid-90s, underground deep house music, with pianos and organs and (optional) gospel hollering and shit! (Newer tunes are fine too, but I'm definitely after the classic sound. And I don't think much of it gets made these days.) [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 6:19 PM PST - 14 comments

Do you have a convection oven? Which foods do you find cook better in convection? Which foods are a bad match for convection cooking?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 5:46 PM PST - 17 comments

Fellow Project Managers out there, how are you creating, managing and sharing timelines internally and with customers/clients? I've joined an organization recently that uses basic excel spreadsheets with tasks tied to dates, which is okay but I feel like we can do more. I have previously used Microsoft Project to make large complicated gantt charts with tons of detail, but what are you guys doing these days? [more inside]
posted by pwally at 5:01 PM PST - 12 comments

How do I make the transition to remote work? How do I explain it to potential employers? [more inside]
posted by theraflu at 4:53 PM PST - 13 comments

I've had a rug in my living room for about a year and, despite never spilling any of the usual suspects on it (red wine, chocolate, etc.) the white sections look dirty and dull, even after I scrub them. I'm getting a new rug this week -- how can I make sure that it looks nice a year from now? [more inside]
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 4:10 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm starting a new job with a funded startup as the sole designer of a new iOS app. What approach should I take now (tools, strategies) to make this product a success later? [more inside]
posted by critzer at 4:09 PM PST - 4 comments

I have a 15" Macbook running OSX Sierra v10.12.1. After updating to Sierra, I've been having intermittent (but frequent) issues with the dock temporarily freezing and command+tab not switching applications. Details within. [more inside]
posted by mudpuppie at 3:22 PM PST - 5 comments

In the market for a used hatchback car, any year from ~2003 up until now. Where are the sweet spots of reliability & low price? [more inside]
posted by amicamentis at 3:13 PM PST - 31 comments

A few hours after applying makeup, my lower eyelid started itching and swelled up slightly, taking approximately two days to go back to normal. I'm suspecting a stye and wondering how to sanitize my make up effectively- will 95% non denatured ethyl alcohol/ethanol work? It is difficult to come by pure isopropyl alcohol where I am now. [more inside]
posted by opalshards at 2:58 PM PST - 17 comments

Or something close to it. Specifically, the version pictured here, used in the title of the book: clickbait. Bonus if it's a font available on Google Docs. Thank you in advance.
posted by Team of Scientists at 1:58 PM PST - 6 comments

Used to a laptop, i'm on my first smartphone, a Windows-running antique. Is the internet always this bad on smart phones, or is it worth buying a better one? Or is Kindle as good? [more inside]
posted by maiamaia at 1:45 PM PST - 20 comments

I recently bought some table legs and now need a table top. This will be a kitchen/dining table. The size requirements are flexible. Ideally it would be pretty close to 1 1/2" thick, and 36x48ish. Basically, I want a 3' by 4' by 1.5" piece of wood, ideally finished, that I can clamp the legs onto. And it is proving very difficult to find anything like this that doesn't fail some criterion. Where should I look, and what can I reasonably expect to pay? Happy to buy online or locally (Chicago). I'd love something with a kind of light, gold look--like the color of maple/pine/etc.
posted by pdq at 1:16 PM PST - 12 comments

Do you know of any UPOE splitter devices that are thin and doesn't get too hot? What kind of tradespeople / engineers would know about this niche topic? [more inside]
posted by gttommy at 12:52 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm looking around for tattoo ideas and ran across this bison. I love the style of the design but have no idea what it's called. [more inside]
posted by crankyrogalsky at 12:50 PM PST - 14 comments

Outfitting our new kitchen - should we get a steam oven instead of a countertop microwave? [more inside]
posted by gottabefunky at 12:21 PM PST - 8 comments

I have a small child in my life (between 4 and 5 years old) who is struggling to keep up with his peers. [more inside]
posted by Number Used Once at 12:06 PM PST - 33 comments

I feel like I could help people with my writing and editing skills, but I don't know how to find an organization that needs this kind of help. I've helped a number of friends edit their cover letters for jobs, helped students write college essays, and helped artists revise grant applications. I want to volunteer to help people in this way. What organizations facilitate this kind of work? I would prefer tutoring ESL kids or assisting immigrants filling out paperwork rather than writing free ad or grant copy for a start-up theatre or museum. I guess a social justice or education component of this volunteership is key for me. Any ideas where to start? I am in Chicago but also interested in working remotely.
posted by Jason and Laszlo at 11:34 AM PST - 14 comments

I enjoy lurking on various subreddits because there is often current, active, and decent discussion on things I'm interested, and they're all in one place. However, I haven't commented or contributed in years because of the general toxicity of the site. The admin's reluctance to do anything substantive to remove racism, sexism, white supremacy, alt-right BS makes me want to abandon the site all together. I don't want to support an institution that, at least by inaction, endorses these viewpoints. At the same time, I still want good content and discussions about a number of topics. Could you help me find a replacement/replacements for the content that I currently go there for? Or is there a tool for aggregating a number of forums? (Topics below the fold) [more inside]
posted by holmesian at 11:14 AM PST - 10 comments

I am an extrovert who works all day alone in a cubicle (and who lives alone on top of that). The lack of talking/interaction with other people is really getting to me. What are some coping mechanisms and other things I can do about this? Quitting the job is not an option. [more inside]
posted by cadge at 10:21 AM PST - 22 comments

Have you figured out the best place(s) to give your $ now to try to shift the balance of power in WDC? [more inside]
posted by flourpot at 10:18 AM PST - 9 comments

I experienced a sharp twinge in my hamstring muscle while cycling about 6 months ago. It has become recurring. My (sports medicine) doctor is treating it as a muscle strain and I am performing physical therapy exercises following that diagnosis. Progress has been slow. I am getting a second opinion this week. What alternative issues should I be trying to rule out? [more inside]
posted by cobro at 9:28 AM PST - 10 comments

Hey MeFites! I have a great idea for a short film and I'm sure I'm riffing off some old fable or fairy tale but I can't for the life of me remember or google-fu it. You're my only hope! Story: A sad guy walks into a bar. bartender pours him a beer to cheer him up. Guy drinks the beer, turns away for a moment and the glass is full again! After a few more times, the guy realizes he's got a magic refilling beer glass but no one believes him as the glass only fills up when no one is looking. Nice thing to have huh? But I'm stuck on the moral and the ending. If it is based on a fable, then I could work from that, but right now I'm at a loss. What are your thoughts?
posted by drinkmaildave at 9:12 AM PST - 21 comments

I (F 26) have turned down sexual advances from this person (M 42) 5+ times over 7 months. He continues to use our shared cultural activity as an opportunity to proposition me, all the while maintaining a façade of friendliness that would make a direct confrontation in front of everyone, very awkward. I have never encountered this before; can I make him stop without allowing him to make me look like the bad guy or drive me out of the group? Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by TinyChicken at 8:14 AM PST - 87 comments

Hi Hivemind, which songs are similar to E.T. by Katy Perry?
posted by ellieBOA at 7:58 AM PST - 6 comments

I responded to an email using my gmail account on my Kindle Fire. The recipient responded that she wasn't sure the email was for her because it was in a foreign language. When I looked at her response email, the text of my email was now replaced with a language I don't recognize and can't figure it out using Google Translate. I've pasted part of the message inside: [more inside]
posted by victoriab at 7:52 AM PST - 4 comments

I need to find a better paying job but everyone tends to know everyone in my area. How can I navigate this without hurting my current employment situation? [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 7:31 AM PST - 6 comments

I live less than a mile from where I run most of my errands and I would like to start walking to these places instead of driving. I always bring my pup with me for the ride. I'd love to bring my little guy with me to the bank, grocery store etc and leash him outside at these places but I never see it done, so I have some questions. [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 7:06 AM PST - 47 comments

I am a woman in her early thirties. I live in a country that is far away from mine due to personal and professional circumstances. A few years ago I suffered a series of violent events in my country of origin. I was also holding a badly paid position that I didn’t enjoy a lot. I didn’t have anything exciting going on in my love life. And I had reached a moment in my relationship with my family where I often felt neglected and oppressed. Facing that panorama in my life I decided to move overseas after finding a position to work here. I arrived here with great expectations but right now, I am feeling lost. [more inside]
posted by Fromthesouth at 5:22 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm working with a student who's been diagnosed with "Slowness on mental recall; executive function issues." We're focusing now on her "formal" (i.e., short essay) writing and I'm looking for resources that would offer exercises in things like paraphrasing, outlining an argument, developing strong thesis statements and the like. Thx.
posted by Jon44 at 3:34 AM PST - 4 comments

Any recommendations for a resume doctor with experience dealing with older attorneys? I'm a 50-something intellectual property attorney looking to make my resume more appealing. I'd like to stay in the tech business (not work at a firm) but suspect there's some age bias out there.
posted by anonymous at 2:51 AM PST - 2 comments

My mother lives on the peninsula (SF Bay Area) and I'm in the East Bay. I work a lot and it's getting harder for her to travel across the bay to be with family. Circumstances are such that she needs to stay where she is, and I can't move either. It's difficult with our schedules to get together. [more inside]
posted by al_fresco at 12:06 AM PST - 6 comments

North Georgia shuttle service? Any option I'm missing? Hoping to travel 124 miles without a car, from Atlanta airport to a town far from public transit, at a specific time, at a cost lower than $220+ cab fare. (List inside of every option I could find.) [more inside]
posted by kalapierson at 10:34 PM PST - 15 comments

If I start talking with someone online, make plans, and realize while we continue chatting it won't be a good fit, should I cancel the date? [more inside]
posted by ramenopres at 8:20 PM PST - 21 comments

I've never studied poli.sci and I'm sorry if ask.mefi is the wrong place for this question, but I actually have a legitimate query here. [more inside]
posted by zadcat at 6:54 PM PST - 8 comments

I was trying to type a password into a password field in Firefox [51.0.1, Windows 7], and for some reason FF wouldn't let me type in the field. Suddenly, all my tabs shrunk from what they were, where I could see the first part of the web page title, to only being able to see the icons. How do I fix it back? Link to image in Extended. [more inside]
posted by gloraelin at 5:59 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm going on a crafting retreat with friends, and am looking for suggestions for what to bring along. I like the thought of learning something new before I go. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 5:40 PM PST - 30 comments

I would like to get some advice (i.e. reading material) on the best way to manage the distribution of used clothing at a local food bank! [more inside]
posted by bitteroldman at 3:22 PM PST - 10 comments

I am looking for a two way microphone/earpiece set for bicycle riding. Frequently when riding with a friend we can't hear each other for long distances because it isn't always possible or safe to ride side-by-side. I know motorcycle helmets can be equipped with headsets. I was wondering if something similar is possible for bikes. And if so what are some experiences, good or bad, with them.
posted by jtexman1 at 3:12 PM PST - 2 comments

An immigrant friend who would be perceived as foreign found this letter at his home (left there while he was out). Can anyone provide any context or advice? [more inside]
posted by 445supermag at 2:41 PM PST - 17 comments

My niece is turning 17 this year and I'm not sure what a good gift would be. My mother, her mother and I are going to give her cash and take her to the swishest mall nearby, but I'd like to actually get her something a little more thought out. Complication: when I flat out asked her what she wanted, she said "I don't know. I thought we could go get dinner and maybe if it's nice out go for a walk?" [more inside]
posted by Bistyfrass at 2:38 PM PST - 13 comments

Hi all, I'm a musician with a live project, and I'm having trouble finding a simple technical solution. Does anyone know of a hardware box I could get with one MIDI output and multiple MIDI inputs, with a simple knob to switch the connections? The "5S" here is a perfect example, but it's not currently being made anymore. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by dmalashock at 2:14 PM PST - 2 comments

I am interested in using Legal Zoom to fill out my Will, Living Will, and Power of Attorney. Legal Zoom offers a bundle that has you fill out forms to draw up all three documents. I'm asking people who have used this service, how much extra leg work is involved besides filling out forms on line? Details below. [more inside]
posted by WalkerWestridge at 1:05 PM PST - 5 comments

I've be travelling to (/moving to) northern Uganda shortly, and want to bring some treats for my team and myself. Some things (pre-cooked bacon! maple syrup! taco seasoning!) I'll be packing in my bag already in Montreal. But I was advised that picking some stuff up at the airport in Amsterdam might be better. [more inside]
posted by hasna at 12:18 PM PST - 9 comments

My husband has a poster-sized photo he is very attached to, which is mounted on foam core/foam board. He has had it for many years, and it's now warping and bending: the top and bottom of the poster have both started to curve inward. It's irreplaceable because it was signed by the artist. Is there a way that a frame shop could fix this problem--by remounting or reframing it somehow? Or is it impossible to fix? [more inside]
posted by lotf629 at 12:00 PM PST - 8 comments

I have a 2004 350 4-W drive pickup with 220000 miles on an . It smokes, but intermittently. I don't want to be a 'coal roller'!! I know there's some maintenance to do, but male friends have suggested it could be two separate issues: Could it be rings, could it be injectors, or could it be both? More below the fold. [more inside]
posted by BlueHorse at 11:49 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm building a Shopify website. I need to install nesting menus; apparently this is possible but I am not exactly a coding genius. [more inside]
posted by crazylegs at 9:16 AM PST - 1 comment

Is there a non-technical book that explains neural networks in sort of an introductory way for general readers? [more inside]
posted by Dr. Send at 8:36 AM PST - 12 comments

My neighbor's congenitally ill 10-year-old son passed away yesterday. While not unexpected it is obviously terrible and sad. The family consists of two parents and four surviving kids, ranging in age from 5 to 12. Basically, how can I help? Right now I'm making a few kid-friendly casseroles, fruit salad and yogurt parfaits. I was thinking of getting all the kids new sketchbooks and pencils/markers. [more inside]
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 8:17 AM PST - 14 comments

Asking for a friend who's having trouble finding a date: I am a 26 year old transwoman from Los Angeles with an attraction to other women and I've been on hormones for a couple years, slowly transitioning. I'm at the end of my rope and am close to giving up trying to date – every attempt has been a disaster, and my life falls apart a bit after nearly every serious attempt at it I take. What are my options? More details below. [more inside]
posted by Senza Volto at 7:58 AM PST - 27 comments

Asking for a friend: do you know of any good family law/l / adoption lawyers in the Tri Cities in Washington State? A brief synopsis inside. [more inside]
posted by skookumsaurus rex at 7:22 AM PST - 5 comments

Situation- high school junior of middling to good grades with college ambitions and an eye on costs. One option is a year or two of community college and then transfer to a name brand college (think BU or NYU or such like). In real life, what are the chances, what are the possibilities, what are the best strategies to make this happen? And equally if not more important, what are the pitfalls and gotchas? (How good an idea is this?) [more inside]
posted by BWA at 6:51 AM PST - 26 comments

I'm looking to buy some very specific bracelets (in bulk - say 100 bracelets). Cotton string, comes in various colours, with a rainbow thread wound around it. I'm in the UK. [more inside]
posted by sailoreagle at 6:46 AM PST - 2 comments

I need to write Microsoft Word documents with tab characters in the text. Text files are so much easier to handle, and I've been grown accustomed to writing in markdown. Pandoc converts markdown to .docx very well--but converts all tabs to spaces! Is there anything I can do to write in a text file, then be able to convert to Word and back, while preserving the tab characters? [more inside]
posted by surenoproblem at 4:39 AM PST - 11 comments

My mom has a few months left and I'm going to visit her soon. She is a very difficult person and I cut my ties with her 4 years ago. My sister still cares deeply for my mom and I felt a lot of pressure from my sister to be nice and visit her. I stop talking to my sister now because she didn't want to talk to me when I'm upset. Some new insights into my situation or suggestion to improve my relationship with my sister is highly appreciated. [more inside]
posted by liltiger at 4:23 AM PST - 16 comments

My tenant can suddenly no longer pay rent on the apartment I rent to him. This is not a temporary cash shortfall, and he is finding other housing. How can I navigate the end of this relationship in a humane way, while still making sure that I protect my family's interests? There are some complicating factors below. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:18 AM PST - 12 comments

So I'm finally at the point where all my usual coping and handling strategies for depression and anxiety don't work. I'm surprised I got all the way to 45 before that happened but there you go. Anyway I need to talk to someone. Maybe get medicated. And there's a crapload of life experience I'm gonna have to throw that shrink's way including childhood trauma. But having NO experience in mental health, I'm not exactly sure what I'm supposed to be looking for here. A psychiatrist? A psychologist? Specific talents or skills? I don't know what I don't know here. Is there some kind of decision tree someone's made up for this sort of thing?
posted by anonymous at 12:18 AM PST - 9 comments

Joe is into Greg, who's secretly dating Nick. I am stuck in the middle of this triangle. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:18 AM PST - 18 comments

A good friend is having a birthday soon. I know that it would please him greatly to have his solid and long-standing interest in astrology recognised in the gift I give him. He's a property lawyer by day and his oft-derided interest plays an important role in his personal spiritual practice. [more inside]
posted by Thella at 11:10 PM PST - 8 comments

Help me and my toddler prank my husband for April Fools Day. [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 9:53 PM PST - 14 comments

My timing belt/chain system needed replacing, but the mechanic is charging me for parts he installed while figuring this out. Am I liable for these or is it reasonable to ask him to uninstall them without a large increase in labor cost? [more inside]
posted by isopropyl at 8:53 PM PST - 7 comments

I've been a serious classic rock fan since before it was classic rock, and have always sought out lesser-known or more esoteric bands in the hopes of finding a hidden gem. Having been at it since I was teenager in the late 1980's, I thought by now I had heard of pretty much every band of the 1960s and 70s that was even the least bit successful or famous. Sparks had a #1 single in 1974, yet had never heard of them before a couple weeks ago. I've been listening to them a lot since then, and really like what I've heard so far. In fact, they kind of impress the hell out of me, which makes me wonder why they aren't better known. Please inform. gracias
posted by BadgerDoctor at 6:18 PM PST - 33 comments

Are there any media representations of superhuman individuals where there is no built-in suspension of disbelief? [more inside]
posted by Lucinda at 4:52 PM PST - 19 comments

I just got this Presto Multi-Cooker, intending to use it for frying small quantities of things, but I see it also claims to do SO MUCH MORE! So--- what are some awesome things I can make, now that I have this new toy? [more inside]
posted by The otter lady at 4:25 PM PST - 2 comments

This question is about the equitable division of quesadillas. Please adjudicate our dispute. [more inside]
posted by reshet at 3:50 PM PST - 51 comments

I have been on dissability from work so been a bit bored around the house. Had about 7 shots of Jack Daniels today and decided to take a walk and maybe get a cigarrete this afternoon. Anyway it was so cold I might as well have been sober. I took a shortcut across some train tracks and a cop pulled me over. I answered all his questions and even allowed him to search me if he wanted too (I had nothing to hide except a receipt from yesterday for jack daniels and a box of matches). Anyway cop let me go obviously. But, for the future what is the legality of a situation like this? I didn't do anything wrong but, cross a set of rail road tracks by a school. It's saturday so school is out anyway.
posted by mamamia88 at 3:29 PM PST - 18 comments

What's the best resource (or advice) for gambling in Atlantic City and PA? [more inside]
posted by daninnj at 3:20 PM PST - 2 comments

Most of the USB jump/keychain drives that I've seen use a male USB connector to plug into a parent device. I'm interested in finding one that has the female side of the connector (so you would plug a cable into the device). Specifically, I'm looking for one that has a USB-micro port.
posted by mikurski at 1:47 PM PST - 13 comments

Last week, I finally cut off my mother for trying to drive a wedge between me and my spouse again, repeatedly implying I was only angry because I must be mentally ill, and rewriting the last ten years of our relationship to make the problems between us purely the fault of my spouse's influence rather than the result years of increasing tension, mostly about my queerness. I want to know, as a sanity check, what good parent-child relationships look like even in the face of complications. Am I expecting too much? What is normal, and what is healthy? [more inside]
posted by sciatrix at 12:41 PM PST - 41 comments

I want to put up posters around my institution to raise awareness of the upcoming March for Science. No posters seem to be available from the official shop page. I've mailed the organizers but haven't received a reply. I'm willing to print my own posters, and now am looking for suitable graphics. [more inside]
posted by StrawberryPie at 12:27 PM PST - 5 comments

Please explain this ant (and other small insect) behavior I'm witnessing. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:45 AM PST - 8 comments

Help me understand some of the clues in a 75-year-old crossword puzzle. [more inside]
posted by theodolite at 11:38 AM PST - 12 comments

Where would be a good area of New York for an 18 year old from Australia to stay to maximize safety for a lone traveler wanting to see all the tourist type sites. [more inside]
posted by wwax at 11:05 AM PST - 14 comments

No, seriously, is there someone who will buy the house I'm living in and let me live there for a year? [more inside]
posted by turtlefu at 9:53 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm not certain if water got into my Macbook Pro. It's working fine so far, but should I bring it to the Apple Store to find out for sure? [more inside]
posted by Beardman at 9:39 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a good friend who is a master wood worker and made me a pipe as a gift. It sucks, and he admits it. Beautifully crafted, just doesn't work as a pipe. Very harsh. There must be some sort of science to this, but I'm at a loss. This has to be a solved problem, what do I google for this? [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 8:59 AM PST - 12 comments

Looking for an affordable place to live in the Boston or Metro West area for a childless couple on a single income who don't mind living someplace dull or unhip. Our main constraint is a commute to Natick. [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone at 8:57 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm looking for blogs, pin boards, Instagram feeds, web sites, collaborative projects, video, online artwork, web comics, and graphic novels and other online stuff that is very popular with teenagers. [more inside]
posted by alms at 6:28 AM PST - 7 comments

Looking to hear from people who lost a parent at a very young age. What helped you live a normal, happy life? What didn't? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 6:04 AM PST - 19 comments

My adult brother has learning disabilities and a spending problem. He has now his first real job at thirty+ and I think this is a good time to make a new attempt at budgeting. he thinks that knowing how much things have cost is the same as having a budget, and now I just found out that he has spent about 400 euro on Overwatch skins (in game micropurchases). [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 4:53 AM PST - 9 comments

Odd situation came up in which I thought I asked something reasonable, and now the landlord wants me to consider to dissolve the lease. I want to stay, but also how do I protect myself in the future and how do I best deal with this? [more inside]
posted by buttonedup at 4:15 AM PST - 47 comments

I met a really cool-seeming guy at the pet store today. I'm married, not interested in anything romantic AT ALL, but I don't have a lot of friends in this town and I'd like to make more. Can I contact him? Also: I don't even have his contact info -- I just found him online. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:10 PM PST - 32 comments

Applied for a job at a large slow-moving company while I was employed, became unemployed before interviews, was referred to another job within the company and didn't mention I was unemployed during application/interview process. Now it's been 2 months since I've been unemployed, but nobody at this company knows and I'm likely to get a job and have a background check. I do, however, have a chance to fill out a correct application, but it will be inconsistent with my previous application/what I said in the interview for the 2nd job I applied to. Is this a huge deal? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:09 PM PST - 5 comments

My boss asked our receptionist to contact me via my personal email / cellphone. The problem? The receptionist happens to be my wife. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:09 PM PST - 18 comments

YNMD, I know-- just want some help with how I describe things to a doctor. I've been feeling a number of small discomforts continuously for the last two months. In combination, they are debilitating at times. Doctor said there is nothing wrong, and I wonder if I need to refine my descriptions. [more inside]
posted by atetrachordofthree at 8:32 PM PST - 14 comments

I've been experiencing hearing loss in my right ear since December 20, 2016. It has been 2 months and some change since my hearing has been normal. Both ear drums are perforated, it feels like it needs to "pop," but that is not an option because of the holes. Has this happened to anyone else? Any suggestions from this community on what to do? Only looking for anecdotal advice or experiences, no medical advice necessary. [more inside]
posted by Jewel98 at 8:05 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm looking for the most bang-for-buck way to help people in Canada. I'm looking for ways to channel my feelings of fear and rage into positive action. [more inside]
posted by lizifer at 6:50 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm trying to brainstorm something by comparing a set of words together. [more inside]
posted by lkc at 6:22 PM PST - 9 comments

For time management issues I need to buy frozen soups and stews in the US. Got any leads for me? [more inside]
posted by cda at 6:04 PM PST - 10 comments

US citizen flying into the US. Do I have to give the Border Patrol access to all my computer files, social media, etc.? Can they ask for my social media passwords if I don't bring a computer? What rights, if any, do I have at the border? I have nothing to hide, I just don't like gummint poking its nose in my bidness.
posted by Native in Exile at 5:05 PM PST - 26 comments

I recently started reading "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle" by Haruki Murakami in English and I'm quite enjoying it. However, I learned that the English version — although well-translated — omits several whole chapters from the original! I also happen to speak Russian, and I discovered that there's a Russian version by Sergei and Ivan Logachev which is apparently translated from the original Japanese. (The page count seems to confirm this: 600 for English vs. 770 for Russian.) However, I could find no information about the quality of this translation. Would anyone happen to know whether the Russian version is a high quality translation, and if so, if it's worth reading over the English version on account of the additional content?
posted by archagon at 4:35 PM PST - 9 comments

Noticed today that Kate Bush's recent live triple CD Before the Dawn is available for download from archive.org, plus there's the 2016 LP from Leonard Cohen, You Want It Darker. Are these legal downloads? Did I miss an announcement from the archive.org people?
posted by porn in the woods at 4:26 PM PST - 4 comments

After seeing the trailer for the latest King Kong movie, it got me thinking about why animals only get as big as they do. Is it because they evolve in an ecosystem and natural selection doesn't want you getting bigger than the food supply can managably feed? Is there a scientific principle that governs this that people have named? Is it a DNA thing? I guess I'm wondering what prevents gorillas from growing 100 feet tall. Could there ever be a mutation that allows this to happen? Thanks!
posted by Sully at 3:03 PM PST - 13 comments

Who are good (scholarly) reads on bathrooms? I've found a few books, but most seem oriented as pop-history of the weird. Interested in the Institution that is the Modern Public Bathroom. I want to better understand the "why?" of this space. What laws, economics, religions, aesthetics, etc. created this thing? Keen on literature that discusses non-US countries, too, either as a focus or comparatively.
posted by cichlid ceilidh at 2:55 PM PST - 17 comments

When you take your car through a typical gas station car wash, and select the undercarriage wash option, does the undercarriage spray last for a set time, or does it go on for as long as your car is over the spray jets? Whenever I get this done, I'm never sure if I should drive over the spray more slowly or more quickly, in order to get the most thorough wash.
posted by Enemy of Joy at 2:38 PM PST - 3 comments

I have an email account that is accessible only via IMAP. It does not support automated forwarding. I would like to scrape all of the emails from this account and forward them to my Gmail account. [more inside]
posted by mr_roboto at 2:25 PM PST - 5 comments

He stopped on a very sharp turn under an overpass and I couldn't stop in time. Minor damage to both cars, no injuries. We took pics of each other's drivers' licenses, license plates, and insurance cards, and the damage to each others' car, then drove away. No police or bystanders involved--it's an intersection that has lots of fender benders so people don't pay attention. Do I just call my insurer? Is there something I *should not* do or say? I'm insured but am I likely to be totally screwed if I don't have the right kind of coverage? I find this stuff pretty confusing. I don't live in a no-fault insurance state. Is this good or bad?
posted by anonymous at 2:24 PM PST - 6 comments

In When Breath Becomes Air, the author mentions that the field of neurosurgery is unique in that it requires students to become proficient at something other than neurosurgery. He said people often choose writing or research since they complement the field. But is this really a thing? Are students actually required to do this to become a neurosurgeon? I am having a hard time Googling this.
posted by LKWorking at 1:56 PM PST - 9 comments

Woman in her 30s can't leave the house (for the very long term) and is bored and isolated. Also has no wifi. What can I send? [more inside]
posted by OrangeVelour at 1:15 PM PST - 35 comments

I'm looking for suggestions for (good) games for the Wii U that can be played 100% on the gamepad, without turning on the TV. [more inside]
posted by anastasiav at 11:21 AM PST - 6 comments

I am a GarageBand newbie/occasional user looking to create super-simple, sort of lo-fi beats I can then track some acoustic guitar and vocals over. Right now my only option seems to be to select one of the built-in loops, which are all super produced-sounding and complex, and then dragging that beat along the timeline until I get it out to where i want it. What I would like to do is something like I believe you can do in Ableton, where you have 16 little squares and you can assign each a different sound -- kick, snare, etc. -- and once I have that sequence dialed in, drag it into a new track and just select the amount of time I want it to loop for. Is anything like that possible in Garageband, or is the only option to drag the prerecorded loops along the timeline? I am not looking to play my own drum track on the keyboard.
posted by Clustercuss at 10:51 AM PST - 6 comments

I have several questions about how iMessage works overseas when you're using a foreign SIM card in your cell phone. Specifics below the fold... [more inside]
posted by bluecore at 10:21 AM PST - 6 comments

I want to send money to a place where it can be of direct impact for migrant farmworkers. Is there a great non-profit that is in the fields helping? I don't need it to be union organizing or Congressional lobbying; in fact I'd prefer that it not be. I am thinking day-to-day survival stuff like provision of medical care, food, education for children, housing, direct immigration help, etc. [more inside]
posted by AgentRocket at 9:37 AM PST - 6 comments

I was seeing a woman for six months last year, and then broke up with her in December. (Things were getting too serious too quickly, and I felt we were incompatible in several important ways.) I sent a long email explaining my reasons. I said I thought we shouldn't see each other anymore, for both our sakes. Eight days later, she took a pregnancy test (after a couple of days of feeling fluey) and found out she was pregnant. She let me know the same day. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:35 AM PST - 21 comments

Is there a general rule about variegated and/or self-striping yarns I can follow (or not) to stripe the colors evenly? (I'm guessing it's something with the working gauge?) Or is the color variegation mainly designed by manufacturers and not standardized with any particular method? [more inside]
posted by blnkfrnk at 9:25 AM PST - 10 comments

We have one pet: a 12 year old black lab. We have one child: a 15 month old girl. To our great sadness, the dog doesn't have much time left with us. This is going to be hard enough on my wife and me, but our daughter adores the dog like a sibling and I have no idea how to help her understand when he's gone and doesn't come back. Anyone gone through this before? [more inside]
posted by jermsplan at 9:25 AM PST - 16 comments

I am considering looking for a modest 1-bedroom condominium in one of the less-gilded areas of the Peninsula, starting in Redwood City and extending north up to Daly City and targeting a sale price of $575K or below. Please help me understand the feasibility and logistics of such a purchase. [more inside]
posted by 4rtemis at 9:12 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm looking for a game I can play on my phone while feeding my baby because otherwise it is very, very boring. Please give me your suggestions! [more inside]
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 8:47 AM PST - 27 comments

I'm fixing to teach a course on extremely basic digital organizing for self-described very non-tech-savvy people. The one thing I'm a bit shaky on is how to briefly and effectively summarize internet privacy issues and internet security best practices for people who may only have a tenuous hold on what the internet even is. [more inside]
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:40 AM PST - 9 comments

My kitchen sink has a Moen soap dispenser. Inside, it uses a plastic pumping mechanism with a spring inside. After a couple months of use, the mechanism gets gunked up and no longer pumps. I've replaced it 4 times at ~$20 a shot. Is there anything I can do to fix it or replace it with something better? [more inside]
posted by krunk at 8:20 AM PST - 7 comments

Ugh, this is on the tip of my brain. I read a blog post reviewing a book that talks about how cities are standardized, or normalized or otherwise legitimized using either policy or language or possibly the land grid system promoted by Jefferson. It may have been an anarchist-anthropologist who was posting about this. I do recall that that the setup for the blog post may have said something like [word x] means literally to "make legitimate" or something like that. It may have had something to do with James C. Scott's Seeing Like a State. I ask because I'm teaching a class on the Introduction to Rhetoric and came across this line: "Important to Pico's philosophy was the conviction that humans employ language to order teh chaotic world of nature." So I guess I'm trying to dig up the original concept of making cities readable through imposing law or language on them. Thanks, smart Mefistianeros.
posted by mecran01 at 8:18 AM PST - 9 comments

Following the discovery of a partner's recent one-time unfaithful behavior, a great deal of soul-searching has led to no clear answers on how to react. Is still-present love from both parties enough to warrant relegating this event to the past, or is it wiser to adhere to a strongly held principle that such behavior is unacceptable, recognizing that there were growing doubts about compatibility anyway? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:33 AM PST - 36 comments

I need to mail a reasonably large (eagle creek 28 inch) suitcase for warranty repair. The warranty doesn't cover shipping to the designated repair location (it turns out), though it supposedly covers everything else. So I would like to do this cheaply -- but I just can't quite figure out what a good way might be. Has anyone shipped a large suitcase for repair and can tell me a good solution? [more inside]
posted by advil at 7:20 AM PST - 8 comments

6' lanky dude seeks black jacket. Dress me, Ask me. [more inside]
posted by PMdixon at 6:59 AM PST - 5 comments

My (36F) friend (46ishM) of 20+ years really wants a girlfriend, and he "talks" to me about it (email). I typically mind my own business and I don't give advice, but now I wonder if I should, and if so, how? [more inside]
posted by little_dog_laughing at 6:31 AM PST - 19 comments

When I'm under certain kinds of stress, I regress to a more childlike state. It feels like my brain is melting and all I can do is cry uncontrollably (when I get alone). What are some other ways out? [more inside]
posted by 3491again at 6:22 AM PST - 6 comments

I am an engineer looking to switch into a Health Physics career. I have a few questions for any Health Physicists out there. [more inside]
posted by Evernix at 4:10 AM PST - 6 comments

Is it scientifically possible to create artificial sentience? [more inside]
posted by Crookshanks_Meow at 1:01 AM PST - 9 comments

My potential new therapist says she works with an herbalist. What is an herbalist, and is this a red flag? [more inside]
posted by colorblock sock at 10:47 PM PST - 26 comments

I've read such glowing reviews that I'm considering getting a Litter Robot, but I thought I'd ask the experts here whether they think my particular problem with my cat's litter box methodology will be solved by it before shelling out nearly AUD$900. [more inside]
posted by eloeth-starr at 10:40 PM PST - 30 comments

I had a new friend over to my apartment tonight for the first time, and he noticed I didn't have a microwave and commented on it. He seemed really surprised. Other people have commented on it over the years, as well. Is this really that strange? [more inside]
posted by Automocar at 9:35 PM PST - 86 comments

Our small side-product/project went viral, and our previous international warehousing / mailhouse / fulfilment house isn't cutting it and nobody else is returning our calls or emails. Can anyone recommend any specific businesses that might be able to help - Preferably in Europe or Asia. [more inside]
posted by LongDrive at 8:34 PM PST - 3 comments

Family of four staying at a hotel in Singapore is hoping to visit Legoland in Malaysia around March 21 or 22. We would like a reliable method of getting there, and to be able to spend as much time as possible there. We need to return to Singapore the same evening, and are hoping for a hassle free method. What’s the smoothest way to do this? We don’t have a smartphone, if that matters.
posted by Prof Iterole at 7:49 PM PST - 3 comments

Sprayed a metal handrail on my steps with glossy spray paint. Looks good, but a fine mist of black paint is covering my light tan carpet. Can anybody recommend a cleaner? I have a steam cleaner. The area is about 10 x 10 plus steps. Ugh
posted by Coffee Bean at 7:46 PM PST - 9 comments

College professor here, at a majority-minority state school. Recently one of my students came to class with a Make America Great Again red baseball cap. It was during an exam so I only saw it and him briefly and had no practical way to react or comment (even if I had wanted to). [more inside]
posted by soylent00FF00 at 7:30 PM PST - 47 comments

I have been volunteered to be the auctioneer at a charity event. The auction part of the event is low-key enough that I think it will be ok that I am not a professional. But I also think it might be a good idea to scope out some other charity fundraisers and auctions to get some tips. [more inside]
posted by yet.another.boston.question at 5:53 PM PST - 0 comments

Where to eat in the Avondale neighborhood in Birmingham, AL on a Sunday afternoon in March before a show? [more inside]
posted by ralan at 5:51 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm working towards a PhD in a foreign country and recently returned to the U.S. as part of my recovery from depression (which was/is largely work related). What are things that I can add to my routine during this downtime to help me on the road to recovery, and how can I best prepare for returning to academia? Special snowflake details inside. [more inside]
posted by pianohands at 5:28 PM PST - 11 comments

I think my life is finally in a situation where I need to find someone to help with tax planning, but maybe also a financial advisor, or maybe someone else entirely. Please help! [more inside]
posted by noneuclidean at 5:25 PM PST - 3 comments

When I try to attach files from my hard drive to a message in gmail, my browser locks up. How can I fix it? [more inside]
posted by thewestinggame at 4:54 PM PST - 2 comments

How do you train a dog to fully empty their bladder on command? [more inside]
posted by mortaddams at 2:59 PM PST - 13 comments

I know that this sounds like a silly question. But, can you provide tips on staying abreast of current events and politics? I feel like I need a basic refresher on government and politics, where is a good place to start with the basics?- I believe that Jon Stewart wrote a book a while -thoughts. [more inside]
posted by Boyd at 2:58 PM PST - 3 comments

I am not very familiar with Vietnamese cuisine but have noticed local restaurants with names such as below. Is this a deliberate play on words, or oblivious? Is this common in other markets? I do understand that "pho" is pronounced "fuh" Canada, GTA if that helps. Healthy Asian local population obviously.. Pho Mi Pho King Pho Quinn
posted by raider at 2:47 PM PST - 29 comments

I play a few online games. Before Trump I was happy to just mute gamergate edgelords and go on my way with headshots, last hits, or lynchings. Now I wonder if that's too much tolerance. [more inside]
posted by xyzzy at 1:36 PM PST - 12 comments

How appropriate is it to just email trade publication editors to introduce myself? Or how should I go about building a network? [more inside]
posted by xicana63 at 1:24 PM PST - 5 comments

I currently drive a 2007 VW Rabbit S-model and love it to bits. But it's got almost 150K miles on it and I am faced with either $4K of expensive repairs, or getting a new car. I am up for a new job which will require the occasional long commute, and if I take the job (and get the associated raise), I am going to go the new (or new-to-me) car route. Given my needs and preferences, what should I get? [more inside]
posted by Threeve at 1:01 PM PST - 16 comments

I run a lunch counter. I need a secured WiFi network for my point-of-sale system. [more inside]
posted by BitterOldPunk at 12:54 PM PST - 2 comments

I could use some help please in figuring out whether my workout routine is good enough. I mostly work out on the weekends and don't do much during the week. Am I in danger from being a "weekend warrior"? I want to lose fat and gain muscle and flexibility. [more inside]
posted by hazyjane at 11:30 AM PST - 10 comments

What wouldn't exist now, if not for grad students? I would like to compile a massive list of high-profile or notable creations -- from inventions, to ideas, to works of art -- that were conceptualized or created by Masters/JD/MD/Ph.D seekers during their graduate education. [more inside]
posted by nicodine at 10:09 AM PST - 27 comments

Help me find Paczki in the Bay Area; Fat Tuesday is coming up and I'd love to find a place to buy a dozen of these jelly-filled fried balls of dough. (Alternatively let me know your best recipe so I can recreate my own if I have to) [more inside]
posted by Carillon at 9:54 AM PST - 7 comments

I've been introduced to the miracle that is an RSS reader and I could do with some suggestions on what are great sources of information/articles. More inside. [more inside]
posted by TheGarden at 9:43 AM PST - 12 comments

For sentimental / familial reasons, I'm looking for small kitchen witch. However, I am mostly finding cutesy puppets & Halloween knickknacks, and I'm looking for a more stylish alternative. Ideas? [more inside]
posted by miles per flower at 9:12 AM PST - 23 comments

We have about two to three months before we bring home a puppy. When you got a puppy what were the most helpful links, books, or resources you found? What is your best new puppy advice? [more inside]
posted by Marinara at 9:08 AM PST - 19 comments

My Twitter timeline is out of control. I follow friends, etc., but there are like 7 Twitterers I want to keep 100% up with, and it would be super handy if I had a feed merging them, and....doh...I realize I'm using Twitter all wrong. So....should I create a second (lurker) account following only those 7? Or is there a Twitter client (for ipad) that let's me optionally filter all others? Or...?
posted by Quisp Lover at 9:00 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm an upper intermediate mandarin speaker, focusing mainly on speaking/listening. Something that I think is really important in any language, but especially mandarin, is getting exposed to a wide range of how people ACTUALLY speak... not just the "neutral" language that a language teacher will strive for. I have a number of teachers from different parts of China, but they are just that: teachers. While their mandarin accents do vary, they all speak fairly neutral mandarin. What I'm looking for is a way to find Skype partners with heavier accents. I think this will really help develop my ear. Any suggestions? I've been using italki with great success, but everyone on the platform does everything they can to convince you their mandarin is standard, and there's no good way to search for people from Xinjiang or other places where an accent is more likely.
posted by wooh at 8:59 AM PST - 8 comments

Recommendations for good practical books and resources on spirituality from indigenous cultures such as Native Americans or Australian Aborigines? Something not academic, but also not light and fluffy - something "useful". Most likely something focusing on one specific culture rather than an overview. I am open to poetry and things if its well done.
posted by Mr. Papagiorgio at 8:55 AM PST - 3 comments

I need a vacation! I’m looking for some ideas for this summer as a single traveler. [more inside]
posted by swheatie at 8:15 AM PST - 11 comments

Can anyone tell me what is happening with Hwy 427 (in Mississauga, Ontario) as it goes northbound past Pearson airport? It seems to have been under construction for a very long time. But nothing seems to have happened for a very long time and it looks like there are three or four completed, unused lanes just sitting there to the west of the over-congested lanes. What is the problem??? What are they waiting for?
posted by feelinggood at 8:03 AM PST - 2 comments

I want to do cool, space-themed activities. Observatories, planetariums, date-specific events like the upcoming solar eclipse, incredible nighttime viewing, etc. What are the best ones in the Northeast US area, and what are the amazing, perhaps once-in-a-lifetime ones nationwide and worldwide? [more inside]
posted by rachaelfaith at 7:57 AM PST - 17 comments

I want to put some play equipment in our back yard for our young toddlers to enjoy this spring (2.5 and 1 year old). Please tell me how you planned a play area, purchased equipment and share any tips and tricks. [more inside]
posted by SanSebastien at 7:09 AM PST - 12 comments

When Wikileaks releases emails, how do we know they're authentic? Apart from Wikileaks saying they are, or the purported authors of the emails confirming they are?
posted by Mechitar at 6:58 AM PST - 7 comments

Have you been a teen living in a hospital for an extended period of time with no specific known end point due to a very serious medical issue? What would you have liked in a care package? Also would you have appreciated a semi-awkward visit from a relative you don't know all that well, or would rather just have seen the people you love and care about most? [more inside]
posted by wannabecounselor at 6:16 AM PST - 29 comments

My new manager (let’s call him Kafka) is someone who is outright disrespectful and shows disdain to everybody - except his boss, with whom he is very kind and friendly. Help! [more inside]
posted by OrangeCat at 6:15 AM PST - 8 comments

I just got back from a trip to India (it was great!) and to my horror I got the rupees conversion mixed up and accidentally way under-reimbursed my host. How can I make it up? [more inside]
posted by caoimhe at 5:51 AM PST - 8 comments

The hose to our magic fridge water dispenser sprang a leak sometime yesterday and then water sprayed out of it all day long while we were at work. The water did not stay long in the kitchen but was quickly drawn into the wall behind and kept following that wall all the way to the floor of the basement and garage. Drywall in the ceiling of the basement/garages and the walls are clearly soaked and discolored, and will need replacement. We are the homeowners, not renters. What do we do first? [more inside]
posted by Tandem Affinity at 5:04 AM PST - 17 comments

I think I over-react when I feel that people are trying to get too close to me or need too much from me; I may be overly vigilant about my boundaries. This means I can get panicky or resentful if I feel that people are demanding too much of me emotionally. Any ideas for self-talk I can use to combat this? [more inside]
posted by Ziggy500 at 3:00 AM PST - 11 comments

I have an old and problematic OSX iMac that Apple no longer support so there is no way to fix it unless spending big money somewhere. Besides I can get into safemode and do and see stuff fine there, nothing is working right (frozen startup and weird display). Back to my question, since the hardware seems working so I am thinking about turning it into a Ubuntu computer. Is it possible? [more inside]
posted by lanhan at 9:58 PM PST - 13 comments

Dopamine floating around in your synapses will make you feel g<ood. But how? [more inside]
posted by marvelousmellitus at 8:32 PM PST - 17 comments

Our community centre is doing extensive renovations. We are going to hire a General Contractor via a bid process. We asked companies to submit material for a Pre-Qualifying round. Twenty companies submitted their materials and we are now winnowing the list from 20 down to six. We will then ask the six finalists to bid. We have not decided on the six yet. The problem is one of the prospective companies is being sued by a reputable client for fraud. [more inside]
posted by storybored at 7:49 PM PST - 15 comments

We have an cheap- uh, affordable, airbnb in LA. We'd like to have a cheap Los Angeles/California preserved food to welcome guests with. Given that fish tacos don't keep well, we're struggling for good options that aren't $$$. Any advice? [more inside]
posted by stewiethegreat at 7:47 PM PST - 34 comments

My person and I are flying into Naples a week from Sunday and flying out of Catania (Sicily) the following Sunday. The plan is to rent a car and take a meandering route, but we don't have any fixed plans on where to go. [more inside]
posted by rossmeissl at 7:04 PM PST - 6 comments

Please tell me everything there is to know about franchise ownership. [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 6:51 PM PST - 11 comments

Link inside of a man standing statue [more inside]
posted by SuzySmith at 6:51 PM PST - 26 comments

What would you do if you saw or heard someone at work making racists comments to himself? He wasn't directing those comments at anyone specific, he was sitting by himself talking to himself.
posted by pieceofcake at 6:25 PM PST - 11 comments

Specifically, has anyone done or tried to do an analysis of the latest election results data to determine if there's any correlation between polling places Trump narrowly won in swing states (especially those with Republican governors) and electronic voting systems that don't produce a verifiable paper trail? Or anything similar, looking at discrepancies between exit polls and reported results? [more inside]
posted by saulgoodman at 6:10 PM PST - 1 comment

This week my ophthalmologist told me that I have a cataract in my left eye, and she asked me point-blank whether I wanted to be scheduled for surgery ASAP. I've deferred on the surgery for a year. I'm fifty years old. What am I in for, short-term and long-term? [more inside]
posted by Subaru drwxrwxrwx at 5:35 PM PST - 26 comments

I want to know if the landlord is paying for the hot water or if I'm paying for it, however I can't find any obvious indication of how the hot water heater is powered. Is there an easy rule of thumb or specific types of connections I should be looking for around the unit? [more inside]
posted by peterpete at 4:46 PM PST - 12 comments

Last time I taped a play it was using an old-fashioned tape-based camcorder with settings controls that were easily accessed for on-the-fly adjustment. I downloaded a user manual for the T3i, but I haven't done much shooting with DSLRs so I could use some tips. [more inside]
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 4:29 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm looking to compile texts, stories, etc. that are on the interwebs written by queer people of color. [more inside]
posted by allymusiqua at 4:27 PM PST - 1 comment

My kids' school has outdoor recess guidelines that I would like to challenge. The kids are kept indoors in weather that I think is perfectly appropriate for outdoor play. A twist is that I think they and other schools may be basing their guidelines on a nonexistent medical association? [more inside]
posted by palliser at 4:04 PM PST - 19 comments

I'll be living in the Medford, OR area for ~six months (roughly late June - mid December) for an internship (regular day job hours), and then moving back to Portland. Looking for specific research sources on a couple of alternative ideas to traditional rentals. [more inside]
posted by curious nu at 3:54 PM PST - 2 comments

Hi All, Comcast has claimed for the past few months that we are using well over a terabyte of data at an alarming clip. We "exceed," the cap before the month is half over, and are now responsible for overage fees of $150+. I have tried all the recommended steps, changing my wi-fi password, virus scans, etc. No luck, and COmcast is stonewalling and insisting they've done all they can. Any help in dealing with them, or suggestions of whom I can contact with this complaint, would be appreciated. [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 3:53 PM PST - 17 comments

i want to put an inflatable pool in my small backyard. Then I want to fill it with water and lie on its surface on an inflatable chaise/raft thing. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 2:33 PM PST - 11 comments

Is there such a thing as a crimping kit to build USB cables? I am interested in wiring USB lights to USB plugs and would prefer to skip the soldering iron. [more inside]
posted by mwhybark at 1:40 PM PST - 8 comments

A colleague of mine was telling me that he spends $40/month with AT&T Adworks and says that it brings in a steady client stream for his resume-writing business. I'm curious if other solopreneurs/small businesses have had a similar experience with AT&T Adworks, Comcast Spotlight, DirectTV, etc.
posted by zooropa at 12:29 PM PST - 0 comments

I'm looking for something like Soylent 2.0, only made with whole veggies/fruits/grains/etc. [more inside]
posted by rbw at 12:23 PM PST - 10 comments

I did a radio show for a long time and I have been asked to turn it into a podcast. I have no idea how I should do this. I have a Mac book pro, maybe a smidge of online space, and a lot of time. The radio show is mostly music with me talking a small amount. [more inside]
posted by Foam Pants at 12:12 PM PST - 7 comments

I sent a text message to my Dad. He got a different message than I sent. What's up here? [more inside]
posted by fritillary at 12:07 PM PST - 8 comments

Based on this amazing comment, I've been hungry for more detailed stories of how (really any) tech stuff was designed, implemented, tested - written in an entertaining fashion. Webdev stuff, hardware stuff, software stuff, anything really, as long as it's well-written and pretty detailed (meaning probably not much from The Daily WTF but links to specific pieces there are ok, like the wonderful MUMPS story.) I especially want stories of a million things going wrong. Thanks!!
posted by capnsue at 11:44 AM PST - 15 comments

I use a Kindle Paperwhite for reading. Thanks to sites like Bookbub I own many books, all of which currently reside on the Kindle, and I want to read them in the order purchased. Sounds simple, right? But I can't figure out how to organize them that way on the Kindle. [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 11:27 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm absolutely, positively, completely new at using spreadsheets. I need to keep track of freelance jobs, how much time I'm spending on them, how much each one pays, how much I've been paid in total, and average hourly wage per gig, per freelance site, and overall. Please explain to me how to do these things in Google Sheets in the simplest possible language. [more inside]
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 11:00 AM PST - 4 comments

Last night our 5 year old female Basset Hound took off. Breed owners or experts, where do they go? Do they wander off forever? Do they find their way back home? Straight line or circles? More below the fold. [more inside]
posted by Rad_Boy at 9:23 AM PST - 17 comments

I have this marvelous vest (sadly no longer made) and saw this marvelous ancient Egyptian dress. The vest is knotted ribbon in a wide fishing net pattern and the dresses appear to be the same (with beads). It has come into my mind that I could make a whole tank dress out of the 3M ribbon like my vest. Anyone know a good source (book, online, or other) for knotting nets like this? because I totally have time to do this, too [more inside]
posted by crush-onastick at 8:36 AM PST - 13 comments

Greetings, How do I go about finding a therapist in Chevy Chase or Bethesda, MD? I am looking for someone for uses CBT? Thank you!
posted by TRUELOTUS at 8:22 AM PST - 3 comments

Reviewing a series of mugshots of French Anarchists from the 1890's, I noticed that a very large percentage of them are wearing what appears to be the same style of knitted double-breasted waistcoat. I have questions: [more inside]
posted by Chrischris at 7:57 AM PST - 10 comments

Help me find pop music with a brass section [more inside]
posted by Mayor West at 7:56 AM PST - 34 comments

A car needs to be replaced. The target budget is ~$6000. This seems like it should be do-able, but it's been hard to find good candidates. The shopper does not have a lot of experience with car shopping. [more inside]
posted by telepanda at 7:26 AM PST - 11 comments

Could I use the names of real institutions (i.e local museums and libraries) and local shops in a student illustration project I'm designing for my class? [more inside]
posted by Geameade at 7:21 AM PST - 7 comments

Fair and Reasonable VS Established Rates for Shop Labor Refunds [more inside]
posted by aetg at 7:17 AM PST - 2 comments

Im a volunteer with a dog rescue group (501c3) and I'm trying to figure out the best online donation portal. [more inside]
posted by zara at 7:10 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm looking for traditional pinball machines that use nonstandard scoring systems. [more inside]
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 6:36 AM PST - 11 comments

I want to replace a shabby patio door that is old, cold-air leaky, and has a margin around it that blocks light (like a six inch frame around the glass). It only opens on one side, via a hinge, so the door swings into the room. I want to replace it with a nicer door that slides rather than swings, has a smaller 'frame' around it so it lets in more light, is well-insulated, and comes with (?) a screen door. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 6:16 AM PST - 8 comments

Old sink=stained and ugly. Want a nice, low maintenance new sink. Oh, and not too spendy! [more inside]
posted by LaBellaStella at 5:58 AM PST - 4 comments

One of my former students in Malaysia, from Yemen, has asked for my help. I do not know what to do. [more inside]
posted by Meatbomb at 5:13 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm looking for a brick-and-mortar shop (ideally in Manhattan, but am fine with Brooklyn or Queens) that sells a good selection of #8 cotton crochet thread, like this. Doesn't need to be DMC brand, just need that size and (hopefully) enough colors that I can find what I need. I have tried Michael's and my local yarn shops on the Upper West Side, and apparently they're too much of a niche item to carry anymore. Have you seen these balls? I am not looking for embroidery floss.
posted by Mchelly at 5:11 AM PST - 14 comments

I need a script/strategy for dealing with this sex situation that keeps popping up with men around age 30. [more inside]
posted by unannihilated at 4:20 AM PST - 26 comments

I'm looking for a formal dress for a wedding and don't seem to be inspired by my usual shops. [more inside]
posted by threetwentytwo at 3:56 AM PST - 12 comments

How do I deal with racist attitudes expressed by 12 year olds that I teach? [more inside]
posted by freethefeet at 2:12 AM PST - 15 comments

I was a pretty active evangelical Christian at university (UK). How do I navigate my reunion with grace and charm? I don't have major regrets or animosity towards Christians, but equally I don't want to buy into the 'backslider' narrative. More details below. [more inside]
posted by Heloise9 at 1:56 AM PST - 10 comments

My boyfriend reacts badly to very common everyday frustrations. I'm a sensitive person and his negativity really weighs on me. His hot temper also makes me very uncomfortable. How do I talk to him about this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:44 PM PST - 36 comments

I am looking for some advice on dealing with tenants as a new landlord. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:44 PM PST - 17 comments

I am a single, 40-year-old man and have about $1.1 million in assets. (About 35% is in pre-tax retirement accounts.) I also have a mortgage of $350k on an apartment in NYC and about $150k in equity in the apartment (not counted among my assets). But I would like to move to the Bay Area and buy a house. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:44 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm an author on an academic paper. My involvement with the paper was as a paid data analysis consultant to the first author (who's based at a university). Half of this (part-time) consulting was while I was unemployed, the other half was as a side gig while I had an unrelated full-time job. How should I list my institutional affiliation on our submission? [more inside]
posted by c'mon sea legs at 10:07 PM PST - 4 comments

My question is from "The Third Man", written by Green. "He's never grown up.Marlowe's devils wore squibs attached to their tails;" I'd like to check the original text. I know that it's from "The Doctor Faustus", but I can't find exact act(and scene) number. Can I read them on the internet?
posted by mizukko at 7:30 PM PST - 2 comments

Yesterday, I bought a used Ikea bed frame that turns out to be permeated with very strong smells of spices from cooking. Do you have any tips for odor removal, or is this just going to be unsalvageable? [more inside]
posted by chrisamiller at 6:40 PM PST - 10 comments

This semester I have a lot of students with disabilities in my classes (university, third year undergraduate, primarily discussion-based humanities subject). Two of them in particular have challenges that mean I can't do a lot of the usual stuff in my teaching "bag of tricks". One is severely visually impaired, and the other is non-verbal (uses an electric wheelchair, limited use of hands, uses nose to tap out sentences on an iPad that are spoken electronically). Can anyone suggest some engaging interactive teaching and learning practices that will still work for these students? [more inside]
posted by lollusc at 6:01 PM PST - 7 comments

Costco brand Manchego cheese with sell by date of 10/25/2016. Still vacuum sealed, no visible spoilage. Sadly forgotten in the back of the fridge. [more inside]
posted by insoluble uncertainty at 5:42 PM PST - 18 comments

We're outdoorsy introverts who live in the Mission. We want to move. Should we move to Berkeley for the space and quiet? Or is a short commute worth less space, even if it restricts our ability to use our free time? We're made of special details, but we're interested in opinions from anyone who works in SF and lives in the East Bay; we're also interested in other people's guidelines and heuristics for balancing cost, commute, and space. [more inside]
posted by you could feel the sky at 3:06 PM PST - 18 comments

I feel like I am a decent enough programmer, but I want to really rekindle my passion for the craft and work towards becoming great - a sort of Renaissance (wo)man developer. Book, blog, and online resource recommendations would be appreciated. [more inside]
posted by one of these days at 2:25 PM PST - 7 comments

The plan: Buy an older home in the pricey liberal College Town in our area. Rent it out for a couple of years while we live for free with extended family out in the country (40 minutes away). Pocket savings from living for free while the rent pays our mortgage, then remodel and live in the new house a few years down the road once kids are school-age and we want into the better school district. The numbers are as follows... [more inside]
posted by wilky at 2:08 PM PST - 13 comments

Help me decide which crappy internet option to go for... [more inside]
posted by shesbenevolent at 1:09 PM PST - 18 comments

I need to start cooking more and I want your best recipes! [more inside]
posted by sprezzy at 12:00 PM PST - 38 comments

My husband and I are traveling to Japan in a few months. He has celiac disease. Due to the prevalence of gluten in Japanese food, we anticipate not being able to eat out much, if at all. What are some food items that are easy to bring along and eat, assuming we have access to very basic cooking facilities? [more inside]
posted by galaxypeachtea at 11:57 AM PST - 23 comments

Looking for good books, both fiction and narrative nonfiction, set in or ostensibly about civil wars in the modern era. Google keeps turning up American Civil War results, but I'd like a window into what happens and what it looks like in the modern era when a society tears itself apart. Double bonus points if the book deals with ethnic cleansing or genocide. Here is a picture of a one-eyed, three-legged rescue dog as a palate cleanser. Thank you in advance!
posted by schadenfrau at 11:52 AM PST - 11 comments

Who influenced ABBA? [more inside]
posted by wabbittwax at 11:46 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm not sure if there is a term for the category of movie I'm looking for, but I've lately been on a kick of thinking-person's science fiction movies, and I'm looking for more that fit the bill. Movies like the Martian, Contact, 2001, Interstellar, Solaris and I was especially moved by Arrival. Thoughtful, sort of technical, lyric, and slow. Limited violence and no sexual violence. Any suggestions?
posted by Think_Long at 11:40 AM PST - 44 comments

Simply put... My 13 year old daughter is gay. I really want to support her in anyway I can. She goes to a religion-based, private school where she is very happy with lots of friends. I feel a conflict between the anti-gay official position of the school and the actual reality of the students. So... should I keep my daughter in a "Christian" school vs. ?
posted by anonymous at 11:35 AM PST - 19 comments

I recently got some California Baby Calming Shampoo, and I love the smell. Sadly, the shampoo itself isn't my favorite. So do you know of any other awesome lavender-scented shampoos and conditioners? [more inside]
posted by that girl at 11:28 AM PST - 12 comments

A friend is requesting to pay for art I've created. Not sure how much to ask for or if I should? [more inside]
posted by morning_television at 11:20 AM PST - 9 comments

When I ride in my husband's car I hear a continuous noise like a camera flash charging. It's that really high frequency, rising pitch noise that lasts maybe 10 seconds per cycle, and cycles the entire time the car is running. My husband doesn't hear it. The car is a 2016 Honda Accord. What might this be?
posted by Kriesa at 11:10 AM PST - 14 comments

I am having a hell of a time finding a decent women's suit or matching separates that fit my criteria: pantsuit, less than $300, one button on the jacket, straight legged or tapered but not (freaking) cropped, buyable in person in NYC. Black or grey. Help me out here. [more inside]
posted by showbiz_liz at 11:03 AM PST - 21 comments

My five senses are intact, but I simply don't USE them effectively. It's almost as if I don't trust physical sensation as a reliable source of information. Sensory information feels like an overload or useless noise that I'm now increasingly recognizing as not quite useless: to either ignore or fixate on all the wonderful sights, tastes, sounds, smells... would not only negatively impact my wellbeing, but also lead me to miss out on a good portion of what makes it so great to be a young human being! [more inside]
posted by gemutlichkeit at 10:33 AM PST - 6 comments

Our 7-year old over-the-range Frigidaire microwave died last night. We need a new one. [more inside]
posted by fimbulvetr at 10:21 AM PST - 7 comments

My credit card lender will give me a lower APR for a year but I won't be able to use the card. Does this sound legit or is there a catch I'm missing? [more inside]
posted by luckyveronica at 9:59 AM PST - 12 comments

I am taking my partner on a surprise trip to New Orleans for his birthday March 5-7. Neither of us have been, and he doesn't yet know our final destination, and I am super bad at finding places and deciding where to go. Need hive mind's input into what we should do! [more inside]
posted by mooselini at 9:56 AM PST - 9 comments

My little girl tried Trader Joe's Formula No. 3 "All For One, One For All" shampoo/conditioner/body wash last night. Almost immediately, her skin started itching. Can you help me narrow down the suspect ingredients? [more inside]
posted by moira at 9:14 AM PST - 16 comments

Crazy cat lady here. I am taking care of a 5 year old chihuahua/terrier dog while his owner is in the hospital for an extended period (weeks? months?). Poor boy has mostly done his bathroom business on pee pads in the bathroom. I would like to learn how I can train him out of this behavior, at least while he's with us. Help a clueless and grieving dog novice! [more inside]
posted by joan_holloway at 9:14 AM PST - 15 comments

I would like to know more about this toy and bonus points where I could possibly get one? Two Headed Action Figure. I have limited background, but basically a toy collector friend spotted (and took this photo) at a toy convention. He wants one. The owner had no details on the figure. Thanks.
posted by cjorgensen at 8:37 AM PST - 5 comments

So I've been out of work for a few years trying to do my own thing. I've decided that I miss the work I used to do (just not the company I used to do it for) and getting back on a job search. And I have a big gap on my resume. And I'm not sure how to proceed. [more inside]
posted by Sid and Marty Krofft's HR Sockpuppet at 8:35 AM PST - 8 comments

The Music app on my iPhone plays songs that aren't on the playlist I selected. Can I fix this? [more inside]
posted by Boxenmacher at 8:33 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm getting laid off at the end of the month. My company is pushing me to transfer internally but I don't want any of the jobs listed on the intranet. They have said they'd discuss some kind of severance package if I can't transfer. Will it hurt to say "no, I don't want to"? If I had some outside job lined up (I don't), could that affect my severance package or do they legally have to give it to me regardless of whether I'm working or laying on the beach? [more inside]
posted by AFABulous at 8:29 AM PST - 15 comments

How do I find the sales ranking, say, for the past 3 or 6 months, of specific books on Amazon. I'd prefer not to spend a bunch of money on an app if possible, but I am willing to spend a bit of money, if necessary.
posted by Sophie1 at 8:26 AM PST - 2 comments

I live in a condo building in a newly created 'historic district' which apparently means the city wants us to put back the original wood windows. Nobody in our building can afford that. Around 20 years ago all the windows were replaced with white vinyl windows. Meanwhile the building is now falling into disrepair because we can't get a permit to fix the crappy windows we do have. [more inside]
posted by mike_bling at 8:21 AM PST - 8 comments

Is there a reason to not put household bills on my credit card to get points? [more inside]
posted by griphus at 8:14 AM PST - 9 comments

Where can I go pond skating near Stratton, VT? [more inside]
posted by soy_renfield at 8:13 AM PST - 1 comment

We'll be flying in for a conference on Memorial Day, and we need to find 2 dinner venues, one for 17 & one for 10 people. I was thinking Antoines (I'm a tourist so I love the back rooms and the idea of our project name on a Baked Alaska), but their cheapest prix fixe is well over the limit for our university ($59). Our conference is next to the Superdome, so I’m looking in the French Quarter/CBD within walking distance. Thanks for any suggestions!
posted by armacy at 7:48 AM PST - 7 comments

I need some new summer sheets. I know it's February but it's already 75 degrees every day where I live so I guess it's time to take the flannels off. My only criteria is that they be striped or patterned in such a way that I know how they go on the bed without doing it wrong first and then having to turn them around every single time. [more inside]
posted by something something at 7:18 AM PST - 15 comments

The place it was purchased has closed. The chair looks like this. Please help me. Thank you.
posted by ND¢ at 6:47 AM PST - 8 comments

Is there any service that takes passengers from anywhere in Thailand to anywhere in India by sea?
posted by pompomtom at 4:24 AM PST - 9 comments

What do we do? [more inside]
posted by bookgirl18 at 3:42 AM PST - 32 comments

Remember the Bible story of the Golden Calf? Moses left the Israelites unattended, and in his absence, they pooled their gold jewelry, melted it down, and made an idol, specifically in the shape of a calf. Moses returned to find them worshiping this Golden Calf. [more inside]
posted by bunky at 3:22 AM PST - 13 comments

Every year when I try to set up a google email list for a class I teach I have to figure it out all over again because they've changed it. Please help me figure out this year's iteration. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:09 AM PST - 4 comments

Granted, you are not my dog's veterinarian but I'm still looking for thoughts from thoughtful people. Do we keep doing what we can to keep our dog alive or is it time to have end of life discussions with our dog's vet? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:09 AM PST - 14 comments

I've started a new job as a teacher in a primary school in China. I only work 20 hours a week, but every day has large gaps where I don't have a class (1.5 hour lunches, 1 hour exercise, etc). What are some tasks I can accomplish during these breaks? Any great habits I should develop? I have access to a breakroom and a computer and will be working in a built-up area.
posted by Trifling at 1:58 AM PST - 6 comments

Looking for examples of nonprofit organisations or other types of social enterprise who are doing innovative work or focusing on innovation as a way to meet social needs, particularly examples that break away from or subvert the charity model. [more inside]
posted by amusebuche at 12:32 AM PST - 9 comments

We are getting a hot tub! But what kind? Should we buy a new Softub or should we get a used hard shell tub (which one?) We have never done this before and we want your advice on the kind of hot tub to get to suit our lives. Many more details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by andreapandrea at 9:33 PM PST - 9 comments

Help me help my friend become a better SFF writer. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by Tamanna at 9:16 PM PST - 12 comments

Is there an audio version of Václav Havel's The Power of the Powerless available in English?
posted by latkes at 9:07 PM PST - 1 comment

Right now I'm using Dropbox to work from home 3 days a week but when I'm done editing the files someone at the office has to save them back into our network folder. I had been emailing my boss at the end of my work week but I want some way to sync it back to the network automatically. I need a better solution but I know almost nothing about networks. [more inside]
posted by photoexplorer at 8:28 PM PST - 12 comments

Our baby was born six weeks ago, and we're saving some of our parental leave time for later this year. We're planning a four week road trip in late June-early July, starting and ending in San Francisco. We'll definitely make stops in Southern BC (Victoria, Salt Spring Island, and Bamfield); Banff, and the Grand Tetons. Other stops are negotiable. We'll probably book Airbnbs (or similar) for most nights, with some occasional car camping. We're looking for recommendations along the west coast, through the interior of BC, and northwest US: hidden gems and sweet spots to stop, to sleep, to eat, campsites that would be ideal with baby, etc. [more inside]
posted by purplefiber at 7:50 PM PST - 7 comments

Can we find small ways to improve our laptop so that it is no longer under the minimum specs to run the game we love playing together every weekend? [more inside]
posted by Groundhog Week at 5:34 PM PST - 12 comments

I am looking for research/articles/books on play in school-aged children. Ideally, about cooperative, imaginative play. I have found lots about play development from infancy to preschool age, but what I'm looking for is ages 5-13. Who has studied this period?
posted by xo at 5:33 PM PST - 8 comments

I’m producing an off-off-Broadway show and I’m wondering what the best ticket option is. It’s a small show and I may want to do an e-blast. I hear pros and cons on ovationtix vs smarttix. What’s your experience? And perhaps theres a better solution altogether. Thanks.
posted by captainscared at 4:43 PM PST - 2 comments

Need ideas for supportive treatment for a chest cold/congestion. I am seemingly physically unable to just "cough it up," and this is limiting my job abilities! Sorry for grossness below the fold. [more inside]
posted by raspberrE at 4:14 PM PST - 23 comments

On January 28, at Schoolhouse Beach in Bodega Bay, California, I found scores and scores of these odd little things washed up on the beach. Do you know what they are? [more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu at 4:04 PM PST - 8 comments

My tracfone year card is about to die and I'm thinking about upgrading. [more inside]
posted by stray thoughts at 3:43 PM PST - 3 comments

We have a long layover in Madrid on a Saturday night (March 11th) and need recommendations for an amazing authentic Spanish restaurant. Price doesn't really matter, as long as we can get a reservation, if needed. We're staying in the Hotel Villa Real, very close to the Museo Nacional Del Prado. If we could go somewhere walking distance from there, that'd be ideal! Thank you!
posted by ancient star at 3:01 PM PST - 10 comments

Apparently I have an issue with frequently clogging toilets (more than other people, maybe?). Is it my toilet paper habits? Is it my bowel movements? Help me figure this out. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:00 PM PST - 26 comments

I got a vaginal ultrasound today and I was told my left ovary has a fluid filled cyst that is 6 cm. He said not to worry because they are very common and that it might spontaneously go away on its own. We just have to repeat the vaginal ultrasound in 4-6 weeks to see what it did. Did you have these chats before and did they go away? Mine is a simple type with fluid. Was told it could be from a follicle
posted by barexamfreak at 2:40 PM PST - 13 comments

Due to surgery, I need to sleep on my back (and elevated at first) for 2 months. I almost never sleep on my back, and I want to make sure I don't end up on my side without knowing. [more inside]
posted by trillian at 2:20 PM PST - 9 comments

Paris is, of course, an amazing city, but even such a magnificent destination is home to some overrated attractions. We're already planning to take a pass on the Mona Lisa, but what else do you suggest we skip on our week-long trip in mid-March? Late 30s couple, no kids. Thanks!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 1:18 PM PST - 38 comments

As the most tech-inclined person in the group, I've been left holding the bag on setting up a website for a new club / organization / what-have-you. It should be a relatively simple static website, with a calendar of events, the ability to subscribe to a mailing list, and possibly a slideshow of photos from past events. And I would really like it if non-experts could take over the care and feeding of the calendar and mailing list. [more inside]
posted by RedOrGreen at 1:09 PM PST - 14 comments

I create digital projects for museums, and I am often shocked by how bad they are at giving their articles ("longreads") juicy titles, or writing their art-historical content into texts that people might actually want to read instead of give up on after two sentences. [more inside]
posted by Thisandthat at 12:40 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm getting some tote bags printed up that are meant to tie in with Chicago's recent 7¢ checkout bag tax. I need a funny, not-too-serious slogan to print on it: my current front runner is "Chicago's Trashy Enough / reuse this bag." [more inside]
posted by Juliet Banana at 12:20 PM PST - 28 comments

My grandma has been reading a lot of unreliable and misleading Russian-language news and blogs. It makes me sad to hear her repeat racist propaganda that she saw on some random website that's translating Breitbart with a splash of weird post-communist flavor. Can you guys suggest any good Russian-language news sources that are reliable and provide legitimate, fact-based coverage? I'd like to offer her some alternative sources of information, because she's sophisticated enough to be online, but not really sophisticated enough to see the propaganda she's reading for what it is. Thanks in advance! She'll be voting in 2018 so...
posted by prefpara at 12:00 PM PST - 7 comments

I used to love participating in swaps on Livejournal and Laundromatic. Where can I do so now that these sites are pretty much dead? [more inside]
posted by Malleable at 11:32 AM PST - 5 comments

I love cats; have never had any of my own, but have done a fair bit of caring for roommates' cats in the past. I'd dearly love to get one now, but don't know if my apartment is compatible with a pet. My concerns are under the fold. [more inside]
posted by redlines at 11:21 AM PST - 38 comments

We found this thing while cleaning out the storeroom at work. It appears to be a keychain version of some functional thing, but no one knows what it's supposed to do. [more inside]
posted by Shohn at 10:51 AM PST - 2 comments

I would like to be able to do a search for a word across all of the cookbooks that are on my iPad at once. Say I want to quickly see whether any of my cookbooks contain a recipe to make a specific food, or that uses a certain ingredient. I could use the Unix command grep to do the search on my Mac. What can I use on the iPad? [more inside]
posted by artistic verisimilitude at 10:42 AM PST - 5 comments

Our lender recently denied our refinancing application for our investment property because the condo building is more than 50% renter occupied. We'd like to reapply to another lender, but I'd really like to avoid calling each lender individually to ask if the renter occupancy ratio will be a problem for them. Is there a way to pre-screen for lenders who will not deny the application because of the rental occupancy rate? Is this a job for a mortgage broker? If so, me-mail referrals to Chicago-area mortgage brokers are welcome.
posted by slmorri at 10:21 AM PST - 2 comments

My twitter bot, running on Google App Engine with python has stopped worked and is producing an error. Is there an easy way to fix this? [more inside]
posted by andoatnp at 10:08 AM PST - 10 comments

I am looking for concrete and not-so-concrete ideas about how to wait for something that is really important to you. [more inside]
posted by lilies.lilies at 9:52 AM PST - 11 comments

Parents and Friends of children of metafilter: Toddler pillow recommendations! [more inside]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:33 AM PST - 12 comments

I have a sudden desire to bag some ducks and cook them. I have no experience hunting. I have never even handled a firearm before. How do I make this happen? [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot at 9:23 AM PST - 9 comments

Hey all, this is another "give me your quality TV post" spurred on the the recent Metatalktail Hour. I have started getting back into anime after some time away and I am interested in some recommendations. With some caveats and guidelines of course... [more inside]
posted by daikaisho at 8:54 AM PST - 15 comments

What resources are out there for help with some charting in Excel for Mac? ideally I'd hop on a zoom/WebEx meeting with someone who can walk me through putting this chart together. Multiple data points comprising different types of data on the same chart (time, $$, etc). [more inside]
posted by eggman at 8:08 AM PST - 4 comments

We want interns to write posts for the company's Twitter account, but we want anything they propose to tweet to first be reviewed by a manager. If this were for our web site, our content management system would allow that type of editorial review. Is there an equivalent thing for Twitter? Something that allows a group of writers to propose tweets, and a group of editors to approve them, with no tweet being posted until it's approved by an editor?
posted by mejicat at 7:38 AM PST - 7 comments

I feel like I am dating the same guy, different packaging. Last two short-term relationships (met their friends, parents, etc) lasted under 5 months for one reason: the guys never ever asked about my life--neither my past or current. No curiosity about where I was born, what religion I was raised, who my parents were (both are dead), how long I was married, etc. Both basic biographical and more personal questions were avoided. Why are some people like this? I felt very alone in those relationships.
posted by Jaspersen145 at 6:47 AM PST - 41 comments

Can any suggest a good book or reference material for an adult looking to learn more about Dinosaurs? I have searched Amazon.com and most materials are designed for children. [more inside]
posted by dbirchum at 6:41 AM PST - 11 comments

I have an upcoming 8 hour layover in Dubai. Is it worth leaving the airport and if so how can I maximize my time? [more inside]
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 6:25 AM PST - 7 comments

In certain situations where I'd like to relax (with the option to take a nap even), the most comfortable position might be partially reclined with my fingers interlaced on my chest in front of me. Often I'll end up having to settle with a less comfy position after starting to doze and having my interlaced fingers come apart, startling myself awake. Is there any sort of mechanical solution or other trick that might alleviate this first world napping problem? [more inside]
posted by RolandOfEld at 6:15 AM PST - 12 comments

My website has been inundated lately with new user registrations with IP addresses from Russia and nearby countries. They don't seem to be doing anything once they register but they make me nervous so I've been blocking their IP addresses in my .htaccess file. Now I'm getting new users with a registration IP of 0.0.0.0. How can that be and how can I block them? [more inside]
posted by someonesomewhere at 5:06 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm coming up on 30 and my life is... not what I'd like it to be. I need real life motivation to keep going through shitty times with no obvious reasons to believe things will get better, please share examples of how things can turn around after 30. [more inside]
posted by bizarrenacle at 3:59 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm an American living in Germany for the next few years. I have an Amazon Fire TV Stick and love it. I would love it more if I could make it think I was in the US! I'm not wedded to the Fire TV stick, either—really what I'm looking for is a solution for watching Amazon Video as if I were in the US. Difficulty level: I want a lean-back experience (no mouse/keyboard), and DNS services aren't working. Budget: 150€ (say US$185). [more inside]
posted by dondiego87 at 12:47 AM PST - 7 comments

I am asking about my cat. The vet and I think he has IBS. He is eating very little the last few days. I am very scared. [more inside]
posted by Blitz at 11:46 PM PST - 18 comments

I would like recommendations for (a) a high-quality set of wireless headphones to listen to jazz and classical music with (mostly in CD format), and (b) an adapter that will connect them to the headphone jacks on my devices. Under $500 total. [more inside]
posted by hoist with his own pet aardvark at 9:24 PM PST - 8 comments

My twelve year-old cat has been diagnosed with small cell lymphoma of the small intestine. I am looking for advice on how best to care for her, what treatments options to consider, and what questions I should be asking the vet. [more inside]
posted by fozzie_bear at 9:08 PM PST - 7 comments

What are some cheap ways to prevent a TV from being smashed? [more inside]
posted by acoutu at 8:51 PM PST - 10 comments

I've never used a travel agent before. How do I find a good one and do you have any recommendations? I'm in St. Louis, MO but am willing to work with someone remotely, too. [more inside]
posted by inatizzy at 7:54 PM PST - 4 comments

These are some pictures of the skull. The skull is from western Montana, which includes prairies. It was given to a friend of mine. It is about six to seven inches across and about 8-9 inches long. [more inside]
posted by ITravelMontana at 7:35 PM PST - 13 comments

Is it even possible to make very large great-looking prints of photos taken with a Sony A55 camera? [more inside]
posted by Joseph Gurl at 6:58 PM PST - 11 comments

What are options that are low-calorie and delicious that can be used as substitutes for salad dressing? [more inside]
posted by SpacemanStix at 6:37 PM PST - 42 comments

How can I make my homemade soy and almond milk taste like the big brand stuff? [more inside]
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 6:25 PM PST - 6 comments

so was listening to this tune and at 1:51 the guitar riff made me think of an old keygen or cracktro tune, but i cant recall which it is :/ [more inside]
posted by xcasex at 6:21 PM PST - 1 comment

My intermittent internet has been working fine since I called yesterday and made the appointment for tomorrow morning. Should I cancel or keep the appointment? [more inside]
posted by NoraCharles at 5:38 PM PST - 4 comments

The powertrain warranty on my Ford vehicle expires in just over a month. I can take it in to a local dealership or to a local independent mechanic for a full inspection to see if there's anything falling under warranty that can be fixed now. Which is the best option? [more inside]
posted by mireille at 5:16 PM PST - 6 comments

My NAS failed. Now, when I try and copy certain files it either fails or crashes the drive. I have corrupt files--how to fix!? [more inside]
posted by NailsTheCat at 3:52 PM PST - 4 comments

I'd like to build a playlist of songs for getting through clinical depression, anxiety and OCD. I have some good starting points. [more inside]
posted by Countess Elena at 3:13 PM PST - 24 comments

I feel like one of my oldest friends is not empathetic and I am annoyed at her lack of compassion towards me. I don't know how to proceed. [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 2:41 PM PST - 23 comments

I am desperately seeking to rewatch this series from my childhood. It was the "Ivanhoe" TV series done by the BBC in 1970 with Eric Flynn. I am not interested in any other version of "Ivanhoe" - only this one. Please do not confuse other versions with this one as it will just confuse the thread. Directed by David Maloney. This is the IMDB listing. Does anyone know where I can get a VHS or DVD or find it online? Or even in a library in the USA? Where do people go to find really, really rare movies? Is there some kind of service online that will track down really rare films for a person?
posted by cmp4Meta at 1:51 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm planning a trip to Mexico and I'm looking for suggestions of things to see and do while there. [more inside]
posted by bunderful at 11:40 AM PST - 6 comments

I would swear that most condensed soups (particularly tomato and Campbell's Black Bean, which they sadly discontinued sometime in the mid 2000's) used to come out of the can in a single semi-solid mass. Now, even Campbell's Tomato Soup runs out of the can like thick catsup. Am I mis-remembering my earlier soup experiences, confusing opening soup cans with opening cranberry sauce cans, or have soup manufacturers changed the condensing process or ratio? [more inside]
posted by yhbc at 11:40 AM PST - 12 comments

My son has a locked-down account on my wife's computer. My wife plugged in her iPhone when her son was logged in. This brought up iPhoto, but the import screen hung on "Loading..." We closed iPhoto, logged out of the limited account, logged into my wife's account, and restarted iPhoto. Same result. Rebooted -- same result. Any ideas how to fix? [more inside]
posted by rouftop at 11:30 AM PST - 4 comments

As a child my friend read a pair of books. The distinguishing feature of these books was that the first book told a story of a kid who was being bullied (although that may not have been the main plotline), and the bully was written as a very flat, stock bully character. The second covered the same time period, from the perspective of the bully. [more inside]
posted by lmindful at 10:33 AM PST - 3 comments

There's a building near us in Brooklyn that a bunch of people were forcibly evicted from some months ago. As of today, the developers have no plans for it and it's deteriorating quickly. The roof houses a generator and a bunch of cellular / electronic equipment, all suspended just above a huge pool of standing water. We're worried about electrical fires and other problems, but contacting 311 and the company selling the building haven't helped. What should we do? [more inside]
posted by argentum at 10:10 AM PST - 12 comments

I have accumulated a lot of random currency from my travels. The greatest amount I have is about 400 Chinese yuan. That's about $50. The least I have is about 110 Mexican pesos. That's about $6. I don’t expect to go to any of these countries soon. [more inside]
posted by Borborygmus at 9:32 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm a manager of things, and that works for me. My next step up the corporate ladder is to manage people, and I don't want to do that. I have ambition, just not in that direction. Have I hit my ceiling? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:53 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm looking for work but due to Reasons, I don't actually have solid references. What are your suggestions for handling this? I'm looking for advice both from people who've been in my position and those who are hiring managers. How did you handle this? What can I do/say in my interview to reassure you it really was them, not me? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:53 AM PST - 6 comments

I spilled coffee over the Magic Keyboard from my 2015 iMac. I immediately rinsed it out with tap water and left it to dry and to my surprise it seemed to work. I then had to go away for a couple of days and I've come back to find that although all the keys work the keyboard itself stops working every few minutes. Is it fixable? [more inside]
posted by Major Clanger at 8:34 AM PST - 6 comments

I need to do some research on linguistic topics, but don't have access to university databases (yet.) Where else can I find articles etc.? [more inside]
posted by LoonyLovegood at 7:19 AM PST - 10 comments

I am a petite, early-30s, hourglass-figured woman who has finally decided to get a bunch of (mostly) business casual items tailored, but need advice about the best plan of attack - because they are numerous, and varied. I would like to get the 20 items in the "to get tailored" area of my closet comprising tops, wrap dresses, and pants hemmed, have tab-button sleeves or necklines tacked closed, and/or waists taken in (pants). Will a tailor want to do these in multiple batches? I have questions about etiquette, expectations, ballpark timelines, and tailoring interactions in general... [more inside]
posted by shortskirtlongjacket at 7:04 AM PST - 8 comments

My employer will be paying for my phone plan but not for my phone. I'm currently out of contract with Verizon and an iPhone 5S. I'll be joining my employer's Verizon plan and also want to get an iPhone 7 plus. I am trying to figure out how to do this in a way that minimizes cost since Verizon seems to be doing things differently than they used to. My existing account also includes my husband's phone, so it will continue to exist. It is also time for him to get a new phone.
posted by sciencegeek at 4:42 AM PST - 4 comments

I bought an ASUS Chrome box and am moving my old win10 stuff over to it. I need a safe Password Manager that is compatible with the Chrome OS operating system.
posted by BillyAnne at 2:48 AM PST - 9 comments

I need to re-make myself, grow up, and take responsibility for my life. The fact that I zone out reading Reddit or tech blogs a lot is not helping. I want to replace this habit with better influences, communities, role models, ideally feminist-aligned. [more inside]
posted by PercussivePaul at 2:23 AM PST - 17 comments

Trying to figure out if there is a reason there is a glob of pipe compound in the gas line to my dryer. [more inside]
posted by Mid at 9:02 PM PST - 10 comments

Looking for a two member experimental band from the UK. Going slightly mad. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by beshtya at 3:03 PM PST - 31 comments

I don't think I'm depressed because I've felt depressed before but this feels different. I never want to get out of bed. I don't really want to eat and I don't have an appetite. I literally could zone out in bed for hours thinking about nothing. I feel bad about not wanting to do anything. I've always been like this but lately it's been worse. [more inside]
posted by sheepishchiffon at 2:48 PM PST - 16 comments

Through my public library system, I have free(!) unlimited access to Lynda.com. Seeking course recommendations to improve my creative, technical and/or business skills. [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 2:40 PM PST - 5 comments

In an interview with a writer, he mentioned old writing machines, that mechanically constructed sentences, maybe longer texts. [more inside]
posted by bwonder2 at 2:38 PM PST - 5 comments

I like this camera a lot, but the screen broke. Should I repair it somewhere or replace it? [more inside]
posted by pbh at 2:36 PM PST - 2 comments

Any strategies to work with a husband (aspbergers) that can't deal with taking care of the house? [more inside]
posted by rainygrl716 at 2:12 PM PST - 23 comments

What's this flowering plant called? It's short, has thin grass-like leaves, and seems to pop up every spring in the middle of Alabama (Zone 8a).
posted by gregr at 1:51 PM PST - 13 comments

I need to start exercising more. My go-to is to walk my dog on the hills in my neighborhood, which gets my heart rate up (and my dog loves it too!). Unfortunately, it's been mega-rainy recently, so I need some alternatives that won't aggravate my chronic neck injury. [more inside]
posted by radioamy at 1:06 PM PST - 2 comments

I saw a nutritionist (registered dietician) yesterday. I have prediabetes (5.7) and she told me to add cereal to my morning yogurt and eat carbs at dinner. This is along with a balanced diet with fruit, veggies and proteins. Should I trust her advice? It seems that I should be limiting my carbs not adding them if I'm trying to keep my blood sugar steady and lose weight.
posted by starlybri at 12:03 PM PST - 23 comments

On the return leg of our American incursion, we'll be flying in from Florida and connect to our international flight with Delta. Currently JetBlue arriving 3 1/2 hours before our international flight departs is looking like the best option. Is that enough time to get our luggage in Jetblue (Terminal C) and then get through to Delta (Terminal A) check in and clear security?
posted by PenDevil at 11:45 AM PST - 13 comments

My primary/ deal-breaker requirement for a To Do list is that I am able to create sub/ child tasks on the primary/ parent task, and view them in a tree view. In Windows I currently use My Life Organized for this and it is awesome, but to sync with an Android phone costs horrible $$$'s, and I don't care much for the app either. What are other To Do lists with subtasks/ tree views which either sync across Windows & Android (preferably), or are web based? Thanks!
posted by 7 Minutes of Madness at 11:26 AM PST - 11 comments

My girlfriend wants to introduce our cats. Please help me plan how to do this. [more inside]
posted by Alterscape at 10:45 AM PST - 8 comments

My husband will be in the hospital for a long time. I have a small baby. I'm having trouble coping with how to build a life around this. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:00 AM PST - 18 comments

I'm going to be in College Station, Texas for a few days. I'll have a car on Sunday and be free to drive around. I'd like to see some nice small towns, maybe hit some junk shops (open Sundays?), have some delicious BBQ, see some unusual local landmark. Within an hour or two of town would be ideal [more inside]
posted by Rumple at 8:23 AM PST - 8 comments

So, around 2pm today (Friday) the HR manager for the division of the company I work for sent me a meeting invite for Thursday of next week. She included a staff lawyer and HR manager that comes from another division. Neither my manager, nor anyone from the business unit I work for was invited to the meeting. The meeting will be conducted over the phone (all parties work in different locations). I should note that I manage a small team and have 5 direct reports. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:53 AM PST - 36 comments

My spouse was recently diagnosed with a terminal illness. I need help figuring out what needs to be done. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:53 AM PST - 10 comments

I was a long-time chronic pot smoker. I have a rather slow metabolism and have worked hard to lose weight. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:53 AM PST - 2 comments

Is there a way to get high quality prints of a shot in a film? [more inside]
posted by lethologues at 3:20 AM PST - 4 comments

My son is turning five and wishes to have a whirlpool-themed birthday party. [more inside]
posted by kitschfrau at 9:11 PM PST - 16 comments

We just moved into a new house, and in addition to a dishwasher (which we hadn't had for 9 years), it has a lovely undermount stainless steel sink. It's beautiful! Deep! Great for filling pots! ...and at the exact right angle to hurt our backs while washing dishes. Help! [more inside]
posted by linettasky at 8:59 PM PST - 12 comments

Can you recommend songs with lyrics expressing "quality assurance" and "research & development?" Like, I vaguely remember a dub reggae song (but not the title or artist) that went, "Top quality dub! This is the best quality music!" that would be perfect, if I could only find it, and then there's Research which is kinda on point-ish. More? Help?
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 8:53 PM PST - 14 comments

I was granted Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK in 2010, but left almost immediately afterwards. I assume it's automatically revoked and useless in cases like that - or is it? [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 6:37 PM PST - 4 comments

My house has a wall out the front that I'd love to paint (or have painted) with a mural. There are no council regulations preventing this, but I can't think of a good picture. [more inside]
posted by superfish at 6:16 PM PST - 17 comments

My mom had breast cancer. I have big knockers. I'm worried about getting a mammogram. Please help! [more inside]
posted by Pearl928 at 6:09 PM PST - 29 comments

I was just very, very generously gifted with some Lebanese pantry items. Help me find recipes to use them up! [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:35 PM PST - 24 comments

Looking for your input on where to stay in London in the later summer. [more inside]
posted by RoadScholar at 4:51 PM PST - 9 comments

I've moved into a dark basement suite and I've been shopping around for plants that will survive. However, I'm having trouble finding consistent information about low-light plants and it's driving me totally bonkers. [more inside]
posted by thebots at 4:38 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm sensitive flower when it comes to sensitivity to chemicals and odors. I've had trouble finding anything to have cleaners clean my house with that doesn't end up making my eyes water and making it hard to breathe. Someone tried white vinegar and I found that just as bad a smell and irritant as chemical cleaners. Any suggestions for something all-natural (but low-irritant) and that cleans well enough that I wouldn't be imposing on anyone I hire to use it?
posted by Jon44 at 4:24 PM PST - 18 comments

While taking the bus, someone stood right next to me when (I believe) there was no need for them to do so. I didn't notice there was so much free space further down and would have said something if I had. I am not happy about this: am I overreacting? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:13 PM PST - 21 comments

What to do with a custom-made gift for the ex that arrives in the mail 1 month after a breakup? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:12 PM PST - 23 comments

My question is about how to fight small scale corruption in a small town (in the US). I believe there are some MetaFilter readers here who are involved with local government. I have a friend (John) who is involved in local politics in a very small town. John is part of an organization comprised of several elected individuals who have oversight over a small budget (think a town council, county commissioners or school board). However, due to the way the local and state government is set up in his state and jurisdiction, there is little oversight of the group. The issue is continual shady dealings that go largely unnoticed by the public. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:11 PM PST - 8 comments

There are guides for dummies on US tax reporting. I need THAT but for EXPATS. Know of any? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:10 PM PST - 1 comment

This week, during my appointment with my therapist, I relieved a difficult task for homework! She ordered me to do something for myself to, basically, celebrate my accomplishments and... more broadly... survival to this point in my life before my next appointment. But I can't think of anything to do to celebrate myself! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:09 PM PST - 19 comments

I have a Microsoft Surface 4 Pro that I just don't like as much as I would like the cash it might be worth. I have recently sold used iOS devices simply through a company that will appraise them and give a decent return. Is there such a venue for computers, or is there another "best" option?
posted by zachxman at 11:54 AM PST - 8 comments

It's been a stressful week (thanks, Trump!), and I would like some escapism. Movie and TV suggestions, please. [more inside]
posted by triggerfinger at 11:09 AM PST - 51 comments

I'm lost during this prayer in shul. I know I'm supposed to do certain things, but not always sure when I'm supposed to do them. [more inside]
posted by bearam at 11:06 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm going on a cruise and am interested in looking extra good. Where in Los Angeles should I get some extra hair removed? [more inside]
posted by Uncle at 11:02 AM PST - 1 comment

Census.gov is overwhelming me. What is the fastest way to figure out how many school-aged children live in each state broken down by whether they live in the city, suburb, or rural location?
posted by turtlefu at 10:32 AM PST - 5 comments

What options should I put into the drop down for the question of gender in my software application? [more inside]
posted by herda05 at 10:23 AM PST - 26 comments

I need a new job, but I'm wasting time cycling through several different options, never really getting anywhere with any of them. Help? [more inside]
posted by silly me at 10:07 AM PST - 4 comments

Was thinking if I listen to my Ipod louder will it drain the battery quicker than if I listen to it at a quiter volume? However, I'm just using an Ipod as an example. I guess the same could be asked of any electrical item; say a TV set will it use more power if watched at a louder volume.
posted by maxmix at 9:55 AM PST - 11 comments

I would like more t-shirts with all kinds of excellent liberal progressive feminist stuff on them. But, I would like my t-shirt purchases to support the great causes, too. I don't mind if the (real) artist makes money but I would like some of the money to go to supporting the resistance! [more inside]
posted by Glinn at 9:50 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for recipes, resources, or suggestions relating to a certain style of Indian cooking that was described as: modified for a European and/or German palate. [more inside]
posted by cranberrymonger at 9:40 AM PST - 7 comments

I was prescribed labetalol (100mg 2x/day) starting at 9 days postpartum due postpartum hypertension (~145/90). It is now 5.5 weeks postpartum. I've missed the last two doses on accident but my blood pressure looks fine (115/75). I'm coming onto when I should take it again... but I'm considering just not. Can I stop labetalol cold turkey? If so, how?
posted by ethidda at 9:12 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm searching for an artist that David Bowie might have ripped off in the early 70s. [more inside]
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:56 AM PST - 17 comments

Are genetic testing and neurotransmitter level testing legitimately useful for medication management or just medical novelty? [more inside]
posted by furnace.heart at 8:23 AM PST - 8 comments

Legend says that the east facing windows of a 1967 University of Missouri campus building create a pattern that would spell out "M-I-Z beat k-U" if entered on a computer punch card. Is it possible to prove or disprove this? [more inside]
posted by aabbbiee at 8:20 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm going to Denver in early May (May 3-9). What should I do (and eat) while there? [more inside]
posted by gypsyhymns at 8:08 AM PST - 13 comments

What makes police station buildings good? What would you like to see as a community member or police officer? [more inside]
posted by sepviva at 7:17 AM PST - 18 comments

I'm really taken by the idea of creating a privacy screen on my small outdoor porch with a laser cut screen (like this). I'm ordering a large 1/4" steel or aluminum screen which will measure 140x80. How can I support it? The screen will be bordered on two sides by stucco walls but the concrete porch doesn't have a roof. Bonus question: will you be able to see into my house through the privacy screen at night if the lights are on? [more inside]
posted by arnicae at 7:05 AM PST - 4 comments

Iam turning an senile old age of 30 and decided Vancouver should my getaway. Will be there from the 13th night to 18th morning. How should I celebrate and what should I see/do? Hiking places, fav restaurants, breweries are welcome suggestions. Also noticed the Sakura cherry blossom festival will be in town
posted by radsqd at 6:48 AM PST - 10 comments

I've always wanted to visit Santa Monica. I imagine good music and kids skateboarding into a palm-tree-specked sunset. I imagine drinking beers and listening to live music on open patios near the ocean. That's how it is right? What should I do to experience Santa Monica for a day without shattering my romantic notions of it?
posted by jander03 at 4:23 AM PST - 15 comments

I've been reading a lot of the recent megathreads on Firefox for Android, and accidental finger-clicking on links while scrolling/favoriting makes for a very frustrating experience. Looking for a browser/add-on/javascript hack to improve the situation. [more inside]
posted by Dr Dracator at 4:17 AM PST - 5 comments

What are some good resources for Powerpoint that will help me convey complex information? [more inside]
posted by theobserver at 2:33 AM PST - 6 comments

I'd like my cursor to not blink -- I would rather it remained a solid line that did not flash on and off. Particularly when I'm using Word. I am running Mac OS X 10.9.5 and using Word for Mac 2011. What would be the best way to do this?
posted by delight at 11:19 PM PST - 2 comments

I want to play the harmonica. I want to teach myself. I can read music enough to sing and slowly play piano. (In other words, guitar chord stuff still confuses me.) Looking for online or book or other resources that you may have found useful.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:04 PM PST - 2 comments

Sometimes, books that are acclaimed as masterpieces, and widely loved, can fade into obscurity. An example is Richard Hughes's remarkable contributions to children's lit (A High Wind in Jamaica and his wartime stories), which are now forgotten or out of print. What are some other examples of this happening in contemporary genre fiction? [more inside]
posted by dontjumplarry at 7:11 PM PST - 27 comments

Asking on behalf of Mr. Azuresunday, who's just graduated from the UNC Charlotte school of architecture and is looking for his first job at a firm. He's got a solid portfolio and has three informational interviews with well-known local firms under his belt. All three have said positive things, but none had specific job openings & the hunt is going slowly. He would love any advice from architecture and design Mefites on how to get his foot in the door and land his first job. [more inside]
posted by azuresunday at 7:08 PM PST - 13 comments

Looking for a natural Hair Mist / Spray that only makes hair shiny, but doesn't make it thinner or heavier [more inside]
posted by cotesdurhone at 6:55 PM PST - 20 comments

I'm a relatively new dog owner considering adding a second dog to my household. I've been doing research about how best to go about introducing them to each other, but I have a couple outstanding questions. [more inside]
posted by pixiecrinkle at 6:47 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm running a Girls Who Code club, and was asked for a few college recommendations. [more inside]
posted by pyro979 at 6:33 PM PST - 9 comments

Here's an example of makeup. Here are even more from the same page: makeup and makeup. What is this product, what is it for. This has been mystifying me for several years and it is very difficult for me to Google because I get back responses having to do with what I think of as makeup: lipstick, eyeshadow, concealer, foundation, etc. Makeup is all of those things. But makeup is also apparently a specific type of cosmetic...what does it do? Hopefully this will be the easiest question in the world to answer for someone who knows even a little bit more about cosmetics than I do.
posted by Danila at 5:54 PM PST - 7 comments

Can you recommend a good brand of affordable body wipes that don't smell like powder or baby wipes? [more inside]
posted by mannermode at 5:31 PM PST - 20 comments

Like most people here, I'm aghast at what's been happening. Unlike many, I'm not in the US. I am still flailing about for how best to focus my energy. [more inside]
posted by forza at 5:15 PM PST - 22 comments

Does anybody remember a Taylor Negron sketch in which he reminisces about an oratorical contest he entered as a child. It was a produced piece that I'm pretty sure aired on Michael Nesmith's TV series, "Television Parts," that aired on NBC in the summer of 1985. . [more inside]
posted by DougieGee at 5:11 PM PST - 0 comments

So for the last week or so I've been getting one or two calls a day to my cell phone that are not for me. They are all service providers calling to check in or confirm something - health care appointments, a Y membership etc. Each one has been asking for a different person. They all seem to be legit calls not phishing but none of them are calling for me and most are not local but within about 100 miles. What's going on and how do I stop it? [more inside]
posted by leslies at 5:04 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm having some problems focusing and concentrating at work, and I know all they want is the job done. [more inside]
posted by Prairie at 4:48 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm thinking about going to a conference for two days at the Marriot in Panama City and could use some tips about things to do and places to stay. [more inside]
posted by diode at 4:42 PM PST - 2 comments

My wife and I are thinking of doing a grand Northeast road trip starting in western PA this summer in mid-July. We are car campers and are looking for suggestions! We love to day hike, so suggestions around great places for that are much appreciated. On the list so far (we may decide not to make our way all the way east, depends on how much we want to do in each location) includes: Adirondacks, White Mountains , Green Mountains, Acadia NP, New Brunswick/Nova Scotia. [more inside]
posted by plo_veggie at 3:31 PM PST - 5 comments

Thanks to a lucrative year for my company stock, I am now possessed of a lump sum of money that I'd like to use to pay off debts/ important expenses. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:04 PM PST - 11 comments

Job offer is imminent and through the grape vine I've heard that the General Manager is interested in a Co-Manager type situation. What are the pros and cons of two people managing a small retail store? Do you have any experience with such a situation and if so how did it turn out? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:04 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm going to be in DC next week. I do not like Donald Trump. Are there any protests planned from Feb 19 - 24? My 10- and14-year old children also do not like Donald Trump, and would like to join me. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:04 PM PST - 4 comments

I have tons and tons of emails that I want to export into PDFs. Each group of emails is stored into a .pst file. When you open the .pst in Outlook (in Windows), there are various subfolders -- inbox, sent, junk, etc. I would love it if there were a service or application that I could set loose on each .pst and end up with PDFs of each email with any attachments. Does such a thing exist? Bonus round: same question, but on a Mac and with regard to an .mbox file.
posted by starkraven at 3:03 PM PST - 6 comments

A few teaspoons of hope would be very much appreciated. [more inside]
posted by Lucy_32 at 2:57 PM PST - 11 comments

Recently my manager has told me that he will allow me to work from home every other Friday, and a coworker is not getting the same perk. I know my coworker will notice, but don't know what to say to her if she asks. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by koolaidnovel at 2:39 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm looking for some annotation / document management software. [more inside]
posted by jacobean at 2:07 PM PST - 2 comments

My boyfriend and I are planning a trip for the summer and one possibility that I'm weirdly into is going to west Texas, which I am given to understand is not everyone's dream vacation spot! I've only been through on the train but I love the landscape and I love Texas. What I'm trying to figure out now is whether there's enough to do around there to make it a worthwhile trip. [more inside]
posted by Smearcase at 1:34 PM PST - 13 comments

My daughter is six years old. She's in grade 1. Over the past month or so, I've started to wonder if I should consider having her screened for ADHD. [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 12:19 PM PST - 22 comments

My new job seems pretty good, but the terms have me a bit worried. The invoice cycles are uncomfortably long, not including processing time. Also, although it is regular work with a dedicated team, I have only a verbal agreement of my pay rate. [more inside]
posted by ldjflut at 12:09 PM PST - 5 comments

I want to make cookies that will be safe for a kid with celiac to eat. The recipe ingredients are simple: flour, eggs, butter, brown sugar, vanilla, chocolate chips; and optional baking powder. Can I use what I have or does every ingredient need GF certification to be safe? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 11:45 AM PST - 10 comments

Going for few days in early March and would love any and all suggestions on foods, drinks, and things to do.
posted by john m at 11:07 AM PST - 23 comments

I've never towed anything before, but we're thinking of getting a very small travel trailer. According to the owner's manual, the towing capacity of my car is 3500lbs but the maximum tongue weight is only 150 lbs. Almost every reference I've seen from the US says it's unsafe for tongue weight to be less than 10% of the total trailer weight. The car is German, is this just a difference between US standards and Euro standards? Would it still be safe but just at a reduced max speed?
posted by hwyengr at 10:18 AM PST - 10 comments

Kids seem to love stories about when their parents themselves were children. What stories do you tell when you don't actually remember much of your childhood? [more inside]
posted by thenewbrunette at 10:06 AM PST - 23 comments

This article convinced me to leave my iPhone at home the next time I travel internationally. But what are the best options for staying connected while abroad? [more inside]
posted by AceRock at 9:30 AM PST - 20 comments

Initial prescreen salary question was probably too low. How do I renegotiate back to what I was making before? [more inside]
posted by stormpooper at 9:28 AM PST - 8 comments

The neighboring lab has put up a barrier between my lab bench and theirs. My coworkers and I have started decorating this barrier with wall-related text and images. ("Build bridges not walls" went up immediately.) Give me some more ideas to keep us going and hopefully bring a smile or a knowing nod to passersby, including the large number of Muslim and Hispanic staff who help keep our building operating. Searching "wall memes" right now was kind of depressing.
posted by deludingmyself at 9:24 AM PST - 34 comments

I love crunchy, dried vegetable snacks, like the dried green beans I buy from the grocery store and the baked peas that Trader Joe's sells. So I thought it would help me eat more green vegetables to buy a dehydrator. It's not going so well. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by quiet coyote at 8:48 AM PST - 10 comments

How do you pluralize Culver's if you're not saying "Culver's restaurants?" [more inside]
posted by michaelh at 8:13 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm about to leave a job, and with it a Windows 10 PC. What's the best way to make sure all those myriad little bits of information it's gathered about me are removed, given that I don't have admin access and wiping/resetting isn't an option?
posted by monkey closet at 7:32 AM PST - 5 comments

In Atlanta, the trees vomit pollen all spring. How do I avoid severe allergic reactions? [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 7:16 AM PST - 17 comments

My favorite chocolates claim that they have 250 calories per serving. But it doesn't add up... [more inside]
posted by eas98 at 7:06 AM PST - 7 comments

I am looking for physical labor careers which adhere to specific criteria that are detailed in my post. [more inside]
posted by Evernix at 3:31 AM PST - 19 comments

When I read a good book I like to take notes, and cut-and-paste excerpts for future reference. I've been using Word to do this, but is there a book website that provides this function built-in?GoodReads allows the posting of "reviews" using a tiny text window but I want to have a place to store and view private notes (while at the same time having access to all the nifty GoodRead-type features!)
posted by storybored at 7:40 PM PST - 17 comments

I'm trying to set up internet service, through Comcast and they require that they obtain my social security number in order to run a report on my credit history for paying bills. I told the service representative I was reluctant to do this. Apparently the alternative is a 100 dollar deposit. Upon googling on this topic on the internet, many people throughout the years have had this same issue - but I can't find an actual up to date as of 2016 or 2017 solution to this. People have also written complaining Comcast haven't returned their deposit either. Should I give Comcast my social security number? Any alternatives?
posted by proficiency101 at 7:15 PM PST - 9 comments

O Hive Mind, please recommend me some diversity in my history podcasts. Likes and requirements inside. [more inside]
posted by chainsofreedom at 6:59 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm writing a piece referencing 90s era dotcom culture and I didn't mix in those circles back in the day, so I'm struggling with authentic-sounding dialogue. Any kind of buzzwords at all that evoke dotcom culture, especially first wave, would be most appreciated. I don't even need to be saying something in particular, just classic buzzwords I can throw in there. I tried clicking on Askmes/posts that were about this general subject but most of the links were long-dead and/or were post-mortems. [more inside]
posted by GospelofWesleyWillis at 4:58 PM PST - 118 comments

I have had a lifelong fear of snakes. For example: just earlier today I googled something about snakes and when a site with a picture of snakes popped up I got so scared I reflexively threw my ipad across the room (no damage). I've just moved to a quiet area with lots of nature (yay!), lots of wildlife (yay, mostly) and, apparently, snakes (!!). Even worse . . . [more inside]
posted by agent99 at 4:08 PM PST - 25 comments

We're on our third brand-new, professionally-installed LP gas stove that will not boil water. After 20 minutes on high, it gets to a gentle almost-boil, but never more than that. Technicians from the gas company, BestBuy (where we bought it) and Samsung (the manufacturer) have all been here, some multiple times, and once all at the same time...and everyone is stumped. [more inside]
posted by SampleSize at 3:35 PM PST - 39 comments

When you type the first letter or three of a name and Gmail gives you a selection of names to choose from that all start with those letters, it is important to me that I not miss-click and send stuff to the wrong name. So, I need some suggestions and best practices for emailing specific people while minimizing the risk that I will accidentally click on some other name that shouldn't be getting the info. [more inside]
posted by Michele in California at 2:35 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm 25, been with bf for 6 months, have had plans to move abroad for longer. How do I make the best decision possible? [more inside]
posted by Kat_Dubs at 2:12 PM PST - 50 comments

Seattle residents: in Belltown (and to a lesser extent downtown), the streets head from SW to NE and the avenues from NW to SE. Do people think of the streets as running east/west and the avenues as running north/south, as they do elsewhere? So for instance if I said, "the Northeast corner of 3rd and Vine", would most people understand which corner I was talking about? Thanks in advance!
posted by goingonit at 1:40 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm interested in following established and respected journalists who have very deep ties to and sources in specific parts of the U.S. political establishment. In other words, rather than covering U.S. politics generally, these journalists are widely known for their expertise with a specific thing (examples below the fold). Basically, who do other reporters look to as the definitive source on X agency/party/Congressperson/state/whatever? [more inside]
posted by sallybrown at 1:24 PM PST - 7 comments

I finally have the space and sunlight for a container garden! Yay! Now I need the know-how... I have a notoriously brown thumb. I'm looking on resources/advice for container gardening (mid-Atlantic), including the set-up of containers and the stand. [more inside]
posted by DoubleLune at 1:13 PM PST - 6 comments

I'll be in NYC next week with the family. While most of my time will be occupied by escorting a 6 year old to museums, dinosaurs, and battleships, I will have a free afternoon to browse bookshops. I am looking for used bookshops with a good selection of fringe (cryptids, UFOs, psychic mysteries, etc) books. Specifically, I want mass market UFO paperbacks from the 60s-90s, but will take all comers in that vein. [more inside]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 1:01 PM PST - 8 comments

Since last year I have allergies, probably to some sort of tree or pollen because they play up in spring and autumn. I've had a number of blood tests that have ruled out several allergens but haven't yet zeroed in on the one(s) causing the problem. [more inside]
posted by roolya_boolya at 12:39 PM PST - 14 comments

Is there a dependable way for me to assess my kids’ academic competencies in basic subjects (math, reading, writing, science, history, geography, etc.) and against generally accepted standards or benchmarks? [more inside]
posted by cocoagirl at 12:38 PM PST - 8 comments

What can I use to power my existing unpowered speakers and give them bluetooth capability to play my amazon prime music from Alexa? [more inside]
posted by mismatchedsock at 12:37 PM PST - 8 comments

My apartment got sold to a new management company. The new lease prohibits storing bicycles inside the apartment. This is a deal breaker for me, but can I negotiate? Have you had luck negotiating this kind of clause? [more inside]
posted by Jeanne at 12:15 PM PST - 18 comments

My dog has caused some considerable damages in my apartment, and I'm moving soon. How do I address this with my landlord? [more inside]
posted by anotheraccount at 12:08 PM PST - 24 comments

Any suggestions on places to stay/eat or things to do in Wilmington, NC? [more inside]
posted by needlegrrl at 11:59 AM PST - 13 comments

My mascara is forever leaving unpleasant black smears below my eyes. Do you have this problem? Is there a drugstore-tier mascara that won't do this? [more inside]
posted by noxperpetua at 11:51 AM PST - 34 comments

Do you have a child with a unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney? Or do you have one working kidney? How has it affected your life? [more inside]
posted by blue_beetle at 10:26 AM PST - 16 comments

Can anyone who has been to Gramercy Park (or knows someone who has been there) advise me if it's worth the $380+ cost of a hotel room at the Gramercy Park Hotel just to get access to the park (and if it's even worth seeing Gramercy Park in mid-February)? [more inside]
posted by KingEdRa at 10:12 AM PST - 20 comments

Even setting aside all of the current-events stuff that happened, 2016 was a damned weird year for my wife and me. I left a job in June, taking a buyout package equal to half a year's salary. I did several contracting gigs over the summer. I worked as a subcontractor through a recruitment firm. My wife left a job in October and subsequently did some similar subcontracting work. [more inside]
posted by the phlegmatic king at 9:15 AM PST - 7 comments

Recommendations sought for medium attention span reading, please. [more inside]
posted by joycehealy at 9:13 AM PST - 14 comments

I have a bad habit of grabbing any random notepad/notebook/piece of paper/sticky pad at work to take notes at meetings, jot myself a note, create a to-do list, etc., and would like tips, ideas, or suggestions for better organization & workflow. [more inside]
posted by ArgyleMarionette at 8:34 AM PST - 25 comments

My wife and I are going to Milan, Zurich, and Munich at the end of March. Help us decide what to do and see, and also help answer a few specific questions we have about travel in Europe. [more inside]
posted by bove at 8:27 AM PST - 16 comments

I am seeking vacation options which are infant, hippie, elder and dog-friendly. I live a reasonable drive from Orlando/Tampa, Atlanta, or New Orleans. More specs inside. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 7:54 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm (slowly and without a great deal of investment) learning Dutch. Could you explain to me as you would to a child how to get Inflections right? Also, whilst you're here and talking about dutch grammar, what is most likely to confuse me going forward? [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 5:35 AM PST - 12 comments

I have read all of the Inspector Rebus novels by Ian Rankin. What should I read next in the detective fiction genre? [more inside]
posted by vivekspace at 3:18 AM PST - 19 comments

I have been in the application process for a job I'm really excited about. I was extended a contingent offer last week pending a reference check. On Thursday, three of my four references were contacted. I haven't had any contact with the potential employer since. Probably because I'm so excited about this position, not hearing anything is making me antsy. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:52 AM PST - 8 comments

I have had a completely crap year/two years/five years. Everyone in my family of origin has died (separately, 1-2 years apart, unexpectedly each time). I developed a chronic illness. And now, of course, there's the election and the current administration wreaking havoc with my emotions/sanity. How do I recognize whether my emotional problems have become acute, and if so, what the heck do I do about it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:52 AM PST - 10 comments

I recently lost some money (think something like a large health bill, ticket, or emergency airfare) and now am having intrusive thoughts about eating only cabbage and oatmeal for a year to "make up" for that lost money. Can you help me get rid of these thoughts? [more inside]
posted by fernweh at 10:48 PM PST - 26 comments

I wish to watch David Tennant. [more inside]
posted by Evilspork at 10:46 PM PST - 28 comments

After noticing a camera in the neighbors' window, I've been feeling unsettled, and unsure if I should do anything about it. Please help me decide if it's a big deal or if I'm overreacting. [more inside]
posted by sucre at 9:15 PM PST - 20 comments

Help name this sweet many-toed kitten! [more inside]
posted by esoterrica at 8:42 PM PST - 37 comments

I'm looking for recommendations for plus size lightweight turtleneck or mock neck shirts. I found one at Target on clearance, and it's not even on their website. I'd prefer black, cotton and spandex or jersey. Size 2xl (20-22.) This shirt makes me feel like a spy. Bonus for other spy clothes that can be worn to work.
posted by fairlynearlyready at 6:29 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm creating some oak spheres as part of a larger project. Last week I got done cutting them and sanded them down to a nice 220 in anticipation of staining them when I have the whole project ready. This morning I went out and touched them and they're basically rough wood again. I'm assuming this is moisture related, but I'd like to hear about people's experience here. Presumably I just need to sand them down again?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 6:24 PM PST - 5 comments

So I've asked about my inexperience before, particularly whether or not I should reveal this info to any future girlfriend and the highest rated answers always seem to be that you don't have to tell. Keeping that in mind what exactly makes a man a good lover? What are some rookie mistakes he can avoid to prevent her from thinking "Has he never done this before or something?"?
posted by Dynamo05 at 5:12 PM PST - 37 comments

I've broken my second Fitbit Charge HR, and I've had it. What I need to track: steps and exercise time for non-step activities (swimming, yoga). It's okay if I need to enter non-step activities manually on the phone. Other features I'd like: pair with phone for call alerts; provide a vibrate alarm to wake me in the morning. Compatibility with iPhone 5s required, Windows 10 PC nice-to-have. Around $100, more or less. I prefer something that goes on my wrist to a clip-on. [more inside]
posted by tuesdayschild at 5:11 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm about to buy mini-splits for my house (Mitsubishi HyperHeat). The output and efficiency of mini-splits is highly dependent on outdoor temperature. I'm working with an engineer and HVAC installer person, but for my own peace of mind I'd like to see as much data as possible about weather (ideally including humidity) in my city. Is there any website that can tell me how many days historically per year Philadelphia dipped below n number - freezing, 25F, 17F, etc.? And the same with high temperatures in the summer (how many days above 85F, 90F, 100F, etc.)?
posted by ClaireBear at 5:11 PM PST - 4 comments

My stepson has discovered Dungeons & Dragons, and he and his friends have a fun campaign going. One of his favorite things to do with me is roll up new stuff: new characters, new creatures, new environments and cities. He seems to really enjoy figuring out how to logically connect a bunch of different random outcomes into a story about that thing. Are there collections of fun fantasy-themed tables for generating new RPG stuff, official or otherwise, that we could use? Thanks!
posted by Stevia Agave at 4:23 PM PST - 8 comments

My cousin "Jane" is in a relationship that sets off a lot of red flags for emotional abuse. I want Jane to know that I am there for her, but I am sure that she would distance herself from me if I expressed concern about the relationship. What, if anything, can I do or say? [more inside]
posted by insectosaurus at 4:20 PM PST - 7 comments

I really like the NextDraft news roundup, but it tends to be focused on America. Is there something similar that touches on the big news stories occurring around the Globe? As well written and concise (with links) as NextDraft? Hook a brotha up!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:24 PM PST - 4 comments

Snorkeling is my least favorite activity, and on that basis I'm refusing to even consider going scuba diving. But is my logic sound? [more inside]
posted by lepus at 2:44 PM PST - 28 comments

I'm getting into data collection for a research project that has events and observations schedules pretty much every day for a month. I'm looking for a physical planner I can record these into. I'm going with something paper/physical, because having a physical object helps me to commit better than digital reminders. Details below the jump. [more inside]
posted by codacorolla at 1:10 PM PST - 18 comments

We are thinking of buying a leasehold flat in the UK (London). I find leaseholds odd. Any advice? [more inside]
posted by EtTuHealy at 12:48 PM PST - 5 comments

My four story apartment building is about 15 feet from a nearly identical four story apartment building to the south. I live on the third floor, and my apartment windows face south into the space between the buildings. Today at midday I can see the sun shining fully on the windows of the fourth floor apartment above mine, with the shadow from the other building starting just below their windows. How many days until it starts shining into my apartment and onto my cat? [more inside]
posted by carsonb at 12:18 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm trying to create as complete a list as possible of a specific type of company in the US: one that designs and builds sets and props for film and television, as well as large installations for events and festivals. Fabrication in-house is preferred but not required. [more inside]
posted by ananci at 11:56 AM PST - 8 comments

sim card that will work in both the UK and paris? [more inside]
posted by koroshiya at 11:38 AM PST - 9 comments

What cuts of meat do I buy for slow cooking and pressure cooking? [more inside]
posted by INFJ at 10:53 AM PST - 24 comments

I’m a former runner who has been in and out of PT for over a year, and it turns out the issue is with my hips, especially the piriformis. My issues aren't resolving (or at least it seems that way). Given the time I've been dealing with this, I'm a little at a loss as to how best to prepare for my upcoming appointment. [more inside]
posted by onecircleaday at 10:11 AM PST - 5 comments

Miami residents, would you use this plumbing supplier (repute, not price)? [more inside]
posted by bad grammar at 10:11 AM PST - 2 comments

I live in a semi detached house in Toronto. Our attached neighbours (tenants) recently moved out to escape what she called "slum" conditions (termites up to the second floor, mold in the basement). We have been treated for termites and appear to be mold-free, but I'm wondering what our legal rights are. Is there a governing body that can tell me if we can compel the attached owner to treat for termites?
posted by lizifer at 9:58 AM PST - 2 comments

Traveling to China for work. Unsure how to fill out the major family portion of the form. I am a woman married to a woman, China does not recognize same sex marriage. Do I list my wife in major family on the visa application?
posted by edbles at 9:38 AM PST - 3 comments

Are these scholarship program requests shady? [more inside]
posted by jadepearl at 9:11 AM PST - 5 comments

I am a 38 year old man. A year ago my 8 year relationship ended. I spent the last year working on myself and I'm now ready to date. I've never tried online dating. I have been "creeping" on dating sites for the last year - just keeping an eye on what is out there. The answer is not much. Where do I go from here? [more inside]
posted by kbbbo at 9:04 AM PST - 30 comments

Let's say you are trying to change cultural practices in a workplace. You get some share of your community to begin modeling these new, desired behaviors. But of course you have turnover in your community. Are you aware of any research that shows a percentage of participation that would make it "sustainable", broadly speaking? [more inside]
posted by rachelpapers at 9:01 AM PST - 6 comments

My therapist of a year plus is taking over a new program with the organization and will no longer be doing individual therapy. At some point this spring, I will change over to another therapist. [more inside]
posted by Archipelago at 8:11 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm looking for a very talented shoe refinished or cobbler to bring my beloved but yellowing patent leather heels back to life. [more inside]
posted by catspajammies at 7:36 AM PST - 3 comments

(A friend asks): I teach an evening class for adults who signed up and pay their own money to attend (a price that’s a non-insignificant expenditure for many of them). It is a series of six weekly classes. At the last minute, I had to cancel the sixth session. I want to figure out best practices for how to make this up to them. [more inside]
posted by Mayma Hosey at 7:27 AM PST - 13 comments

Our plumber thinks our home electrical system (which is grounded to the water pipes) is causing pinhole leaks in our pipes. Our electrician is not so sure. Looking for a high-school chemistry textbook explanation of what might be happening! [more inside]
posted by selfmedicating at 7:27 AM PST - 12 comments

I can't seems to swallow my prenatal vitamins, despite being able to normally take pills like a normal person. Any tips? [more inside]
posted by inevitability at 7:13 AM PST - 29 comments

I have stopped using my Google voice number as my main number, but lots of folks still text me on it, despite having been told my new number. Is there a way to set up an automatic reply to tell them to text the new number instead?
posted by ocherdraco at 6:43 AM PST - 3 comments

Where can my friend get a good custom-tailored men’s suit in Mumbai? [more inside]
posted by 168 at 5:50 AM PST - 2 comments

Do your have a favorite portrait of someone (painting, photograph, sculpture, whatever)? What makes it so great?? I am trying to figure out what makes a great portrait, and looking for examples.
posted by mortaddams at 5:31 AM PST - 34 comments

Do you use You Need A Budget? I have a question about how to deal with credit cards. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:41 AM PST - 9 comments

We're excited about an amazing elementary school for our daughter...but it's right near a freeway. Is there any clever way to measure the level of air pollution on the playground? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:41 AM PST - 9 comments

How can I best support a friend in an abusive (same-sex) marriage? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:41 AM PST - 8 comments

I am attempting to book a series of flights, essentially a return trip from London to the Galapagos islands with stops in NYC and Quito on the way out. I have really only travelled in Europe before and never had to deal with connecting flights. I'm also a bit nervous about the changing situation in US airports. Questions about US entry, South American connecting flights and general anxious beanplating below the fold. [more inside]
posted by *becca* at 4:37 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm located in South Australia. I'd like to have some flowers (and a brief, personalised greeting card message) delivered to a relative's home in suburban Manchester, UK, in early March. Any recommendations for professional flower delivery in that area? I need to be able to select, personalise, book and pay safely online.
posted by paleyellowwithorange at 12:07 AM PST - 6 comments

Can fish see through air? If you take a fish out of the water, can it resolve images and see as clearly as it presumably does in water? Or does its sight go all blurry the way mine does underwater?
posted by tavegyl at 11:56 PM PST - 3 comments

I write pop songs with strange voicings: lots of suspended and extended chords, added intervals, etc, as well as open tunings, heavy capo usage, and the like. How do I sensibly transcribe them for other players without driving people crazy? [more inside]
posted by mykescipark at 8:20 PM PST - 6 comments

How do I look decent while still being comfortable and appropriate in wedding boutiques? [more inside]
posted by raccoon409 at 7:15 PM PST - 17 comments

Looking for the recent history of our detention program. Esp. the government's legal justifications, the challenges, and the resulting changed policies.
posted by ebesan at 6:36 PM PST - 4 comments

I need to know what an arguing "technique" is called so I can do some research and finally cure a loved one of this toxic habit. [more inside]
posted by New Old User at 6:27 PM PST - 24 comments

A few years ago (or maybe a decade and a few years ago?), there was a poem published in The New Yorker riffing off Robert Burns' "To A Mouse", on the occasion of some particular advance in genetic engineering. Does anyone have the try of this poem? My Google-fu has not been equal to the task.
posted by cnidaria at 6:25 PM PST - 3 comments

This strange little antique casita knife intrigues me. [more inside]
posted by letahl at 6:10 PM PST - 13 comments

I recently spent a week at the National Archives photographing thousands of pages of documents. They had these nice plexiglass sheets with rounded corners that you could place over the documents to flatten them. Is this a known thing, and can I buy one of these for myself? [more inside]
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 3:51 PM PST - 22 comments

This is a "I like this, what do you recommend?" post. [more inside]
posted by wwartorff at 3:25 PM PST - 25 comments

Vermont vacation for picky mother-and-daughter? [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 3:23 PM PST - 10 comments

My boyfriend and I are moving in four months, but his temp job ends in two. What can he do to be gainfully employed over the short term? [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 2:40 PM PST - 10 comments

This person went to a state school with a liberal arts degree. spent her 20's traveling the world working random job after job... [more inside]
posted by lazywanderer at 2:23 PM PST - 19 comments

I'm about to join a startup and have been given some choices, re: salary vs. stock options - please help? [more inside]
posted by critzer at 2:02 PM PST - 24 comments

I'm looking for the origin of this graphic of Odin riding Sleipnir design. It is all over the internet which makes me think it's after something older but try as I might, I can't find what. And, of course, like all things Nordic, the neo-Nazis have peed all over it.
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 1:54 PM PST - 6 comments

I have dabbled in OpenWRT, but it was more effort than I want to expend and so now I want to go home. How do I remove openWRT Chaos Calmer from my HooToo Nano HT-TM02 and go back to factory firmware? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 1:25 PM PST - 2 comments

My grandmother passed away last summer and we had her buried next to her husband in St Louis. We need to find someone to engrave additional information onto the shared headstone. Special Snowflake: It needs to be done in Chinese characters and some of the existing engravings may need to be repainted to a different color. [more inside]
posted by QueenHawkeye at 1:22 PM PST - 3 comments

I am a newly graduated teacher. Had an interview for my dream job yesterday. Got a migraine moments before it started. Interviewer offered to reschedule but I declined. Things went downhill from there... [more inside]
posted by Thella at 12:34 PM PST - 19 comments

I've been chasing an issue with my car (1998 Infiniti Q45) for a few months. The basic symptoms are rough idling (in drive, stopped at a light for example, the rpms will dip erratically), loss of power (the engine seems to "skip" when I put the gas down too far or accelerate up a hill). What could be wrong? [more inside]
posted by nzero at 12:17 PM PST - 8 comments

Thanks to a whole lot of United miles (yay credit cards & business travel!), Mrs. Photo Guy and myself will be headed to Japan at the end of March for two weeks to visit her brother and his wife (expats living in Tokyo) and to do some sightseeing. We've done some planning but still had a few questions, so I thought I'd ask for some pointers. [more inside]
posted by photo guy at 11:55 AM PST - 11 comments

Tempted by a flight deal, I spontaneously bought round-trip tickets to Switzerland for early April. I'm going to have around five days vacation, starting in Zurich. I'm probably going to rent a car, so getting around wont be an issue. What places should be on my must-see list? [more inside]
posted by MFZ at 11:33 AM PST - 15 comments

Back in May I started doing Couch to 5K, and did it consistently over 3 and a half months, getting to week 8 (of 9.) Then for various reasons I didn't run for 6 months. I was going to start up again by jogging slowly for 20 minutes--but now I think maybe I should start Couch to 5K over again, since it's been so long. Thoughts/opinions? I'm very new to all this, still. Thank you!
posted by Automocar at 10:00 AM PST - 16 comments

We are wondering how the roads in northern Arizona and southern Utah will to be in early April. What about some of the shorter trails in the national parks? [more inside]
posted by soelo at 9:19 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm currently with Verizon, but my contract is up this May, and this Wirecutter article has me convinced that a prepaid plan would be most cost-efficient given my usage. (I rarely talk, mostly use Signal for text messages, and consistently stay under 2GB of data usage.) The problem I'm running into is finding a prepaid carrier who accepts my device, a 64GB iPhone 6. [more inside]
posted by zebra at 9:11 AM PST - 12 comments

At 2:13 in this Timeline video posted to Facebook, there's some stock footage of a black woman playing trumpet in a jazz band. Does anyone know who she is? The credit says "Prelinger Archives" but I don't get anything back from reverse images searches. I don't have a sound ID app handy, but maybe that would turn up the recording. I'm curious, because I've never heard of any female jazz trumpeters from that era. Possibly Valaida Snow?
posted by serathen at 9:06 AM PST - 2 comments

Both my adult daughters and I will have a few days in April (20, 21, 22, 23) where we are all together!! There's also a birthday in the mix, and I am looking for something special to do. [more inside]
posted by LaBellaStella at 8:41 AM PST - 8 comments

I am a self-employed person, I am sick (Wuth what i think is some sort of cold or flu). I have some work in the next couple days I'd rather not cancel. But am I being crazy to do this? [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 8:00 AM PST - 23 comments

I have a question about how to structure a few businesses that I'm running. I have three business that each perform different tasks. [more inside]
posted by Jackie_Treehorn at 7:36 AM PST - 5 comments

We're in the market for a mini-van, or possibly a station wagon, and could use some advice. [more inside]
posted by saladin at 7:26 AM PST - 17 comments

Shepherd and I's theme for our radio show this Saturday is songs that feature talking. The best example I have for this is "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" by Elvis Presley. What other songs have this? [more inside]
posted by Kitteh at 7:24 AM PST - 95 comments

As a favor to a lovely colleague, I'm translating her resume from French to English. She has worked and studied mainly in Morocco and Quebec, and her former employers and universities obviously have French names. Is there a recommended way to put these on an English-language resume? [more inside]
posted by lauranesson at 7:16 AM PST - 9 comments

Some friends and I will be in NYC in late March to see some Broadway shows--can any locals recommend vegetarian-friendly restaurants near the Theater district? [more inside]
posted by leesh at 7:00 AM PST - 9 comments

I have no idea where to put this money as an American abroad. [more inside]
posted by caoimhe at 6:46 AM PST - 11 comments

I mean, actually I'm going to be militant through the Trump administration, but I still need a new mattress. Firm mattress recs needed and further questions inside. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 6:38 AM PST - 11 comments

Does anyone make a >>>US<<< 220V wifi switch/receptacle? [more inside]
posted by sandra_s at 5:44 AM PST - 9 comments

I want to get a tattoo with a Circular Gallifreyan translation of a word that holds special meaning for me. There are examples all over Pinterest, but I want mine to be drawn by someone who is both an expert in this made-up language and also has a talent for graphic design. How do I go about finding such a gem? [more inside]
posted by houseofleaves at 5:41 AM PST - 8 comments

Why must the save dialog obscure the document? [more inside]
posted by pompomtom at 4:27 AM PST - 7 comments

I've lived a lot of places. Nowhere is "home," nor do I have a specific career path to tie or lead me anywhere. How can I find a place to make my home base for the long term? [more inside]
posted by bizarrenacle at 2:59 AM PST - 14 comments

What are the ethical boundaries for a therapist/psychologist pitching me on a "money management educational system" business that she and her husband are members of, based on things I told her during one of our sessions? Kosher? Or weird? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:44 AM PST - 33 comments

An awkward sort of question about finding a private (ie. family / one person) restroom in Keystone, Colorado vicinity. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:44 AM PST - 9 comments

This is a bit of a tricky question to ask friends, hence asking Metafilter. How normal is it for a six year old boy to be wanting to do "penis play" with his friends? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:43 AM PST - 10 comments

We're in the middle of fitting out a new office space (three levels, around 250sqm / 2500sq ft) and getting lots of conflicting opinions about which Mid-size/Enterprise-grade WiFi stations to install. Can anyone help separate the signal from the noise? [more inside]
posted by sxtrumpeto at 12:03 AM PST - 5 comments

I recently graduated college with a degree humanities degree, but I am considering going into dentistry. I’ve read online people’s experience in dental school and as a dentist, but I would like to hear what dentist on this forum have to say about what the job entails and what the classes are like. Basically, I am relatively good at making things with my hands, such as building 3D puzzles (from kits), doing arts and crafts, assembling furniture, etc. In addition, I’m very detail-oriented and care about doing a good job, especially if it affects others. I enjoy listening to people to help solve their problems. I would greatly enjoy a job that involves working with my hands and helping others. However, I’m not so great at science and math classes, but I am willing to work hard in those classes if it means becoming a dentist. Also, I don’t have really have a passion in maintaining or fixing people’s teeth, but I know that being a dentist allows one to have a stable job and flexible work hours. These factors are very important to me. Should I even go into dentistry? How difficult are the classes? Is it worth it to go through those classes and exams in order to get a job that involves working with your hands and helping others? [more inside]
posted by jeenmal112 at 11:28 PM PST - 13 comments

We just arrived home after the drive from Tahoe City to the Bay Area, and realized that we forgot something critical in a rented condo there. We're faced with the prospect of making the 8 hour round-trip tomorrow to get it. I'm trying to figure out if there's any better way - and thought I'd try some AskMeFi brainstorming. [more inside]
posted by purplevelvet at 11:19 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm planning a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii and I'm trying to figure out how many nights to spend on each side. Most people say you shouldn't spend more than 3 nights in Hilo but it seems like we might want more -- is this enough time? [more inside]
posted by phoenixy at 9:46 PM PST - 14 comments

I’m a freelance music journalist, and I need to compose an email to one editor following up on a conversation about problems with another editor. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 6:47 PM PST - 12 comments

Hi all! So because of Reasons, I'm trying to run a crowdfund right now to raise some desperately-needed money in addition to going with traditional sources such as rent assistance. Do you know of places I can post a YouCaring specifically meant to post crowdfunds for support? [more inside]
posted by gloraelin at 6:41 PM PST - 5 comments

Because the earth has an elliptical orbit, it travels at different speeds depending how far it is from the sun. Does this make some seasons longer than others? If not, why not? [more inside]
posted by Literaryhero at 6:27 PM PST - 9 comments

Looking for a picture of the 'brentus firmus' straight-snouted weevil, taxonomy here. [more inside]
posted by Brentusfirmus at 5:27 PM PST - 3 comments

College student here who also freelances in deliveries and commercial driving. I'm getting together my tax documents for FY2016 but there's one that I'm missing and don't expect to see. [more inside]
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 4:58 PM PST - 9 comments

I am looking to invest a few thousand dollars, and I like the idea that micro lending offers the chance for relatively safe, diversified investing in individuals rather than companies. I could just put my money into an ira, but would rather do something positive in people's lives. What's been your experience?
posted by letstrythis at 4:51 PM PST - 9 comments

My question about gaming site Steam is apparently so basic that even their "About" page, and their New Members and Help community forums don't answer it (at least not in a way I can access without making a purchase). Plus, getting a straight easy answer via their customer support, such as it is, is the usual maybe impossible, labyrinthine nightmare. Anyway, the question is: What happens at Steam? [more inside]
posted by Mechitar at 4:41 PM PST - 21 comments

I am not an educator but want to make sure my school district is the best it can be. What should I read/watch/listen to about education, education theory, and more so I can make a difference? [more inside]
posted by Stynxno at 3:19 PM PST - 9 comments

I was recommended a trilogy of murder mysteries in a passing conversation on the bus. I didn't think to write down the titles, but now I'm trying track them down with from the details I remember. [more inside]
posted by figurant at 2:59 PM PST - 10 comments

Given my family's predilection for older houses, the 40'x20' attic space in our new house may be my best shot ever at having a semi-proper home theater. Its theatre aspect will be at most a weekly use, however, and the room will function as our den the rest of the time. Cross beams in the attic will let me hang both the projector and a screen so they will be out of the way except when needed. [more inside]
posted by blueshammer at 1:24 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm curious as to whether anyone can give me some pointers for digging into the problem of voter suppression (past and present) in the USA. I'm looking for stuff that deals not just with Presidential and federal elections but how it plays out at the state and local level as well. [more inside]
posted by AdamCSnider at 1:19 PM PST - 5 comments

I have a very small consulting business targeting a specific industry. I have some money to spend (say mid 5 figures). I'd like to assemble a comprehensive inbound marketing funnel strategy to help develop content and nurture leads in this industry. I think i need some outside expertise. How do I go about finding the right one for me?
posted by leotrotsky at 1:10 PM PST - 4 comments

I have an iPhone SE that I got in November. It won't turn when I put the phone in a horizontal position. This is happening with photos, YouTube and text messages. I went through the setting in case there was some setting that keeps the phone in landscape. The phone is running the latest public software. It really is a pain in the butt.
posted by kathrynm at 11:58 AM PST - 7 comments

My husband and I (I'm female) will be touring around Germany, Switzerland, and Austria for a few weeks in late April (Mainz, Heidelberg, Lucerne, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Munich) and we have no idea what to pack, clothing-wise. Please dress these late-30s American tourists so we don't look like idiots. [more inside]
posted by erst at 10:33 AM PST - 17 comments

So I'm currently in Ojai, California helping my partner's parents pack up a lot of their belongings and move them into storage. We're uncovering quite a few gems, including this poster which appears to be the product of the London Evening Standard. We're very curious to uncover the original artist and date. Has anyone ever come across something like this before?
posted by andymcmillan at 10:10 AM PST - 2 comments

Yesterday I got news of a relative's death via email (gmail). A few hours later I saw a "sponsored post" in fb for a church in a nearby town, and that posting mentioned grief counseling. Coincidence or not? [more inside]
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 10:07 AM PST - 15 comments

I've apparently become infected with some kind of treatment-resistant jock itch. Anti-fungal creams work great temporarily, but the infection comes roaring back as soon as I stop applying the ointment. [more inside]
posted by alex1965 at 9:47 AM PST - 25 comments

My partner and I recently watched 'Glasgow 1980' on Vimeo, a film made in 1971 about what Glasgow would be like in the future, and we loved being able to see which plans and predictions worked and which didn't. Now we want to watch more documentaries made in the past about a future that has already gone - what should we watch, and where can we find more films in this genre? [more inside]
posted by matthew.alexander at 8:11 AM PST - 8 comments

After having replaced my coffeemaker(s) (various styles & brands) too many times in too few years, I finally settled on a stainless steel, old-school stovetop percolator and I love it because it just works, there is little waste and the coffee is wonderful and hot. [more inside]
posted by Klaxon Aoooogah at 8:05 AM PST - 13 comments

I want to use a two-sentence quote from the Wizard of Oz in a personal writing project. Since every word is probably copyrighted, how do I go about getting permission to use it?
posted by CollectiveMind at 8:04 AM PST - 7 comments

I ended up with two tickets to Hamilton for the March 5 matinee showing that I am not longer able to attend. I paid quite a bit in fees to get them and it looks like selling them on Stubhub will cost quite a lot more. Is there a safer way to sell them (safe for both me and the buyer) that won't cost so much? These are premium seats that are currently about $2,000 each on Stubhub. I live in the DC area.
posted by carpographer at 7:47 AM PST - 7 comments

Hubby and I found some strange round black "drips" around the tub this morning, that were not there last night. Neither of them are directly underneath any fixtures, so I'm thinking its animal or bug feces and not something like a rust/mold drip from plumbing. However if its feces, I can't figure out what it's from. [more inside]
posted by kira at 7:07 AM PST - 15 comments

Mrs. Molerats and I spent Saturday looking for a used car, and ended up with two we're considering: a 2-door 2012 Toyota Yaris with 27,000 miles for $10,700 out the door, or a 4-door 2010 Honda Fit with 60,000 miles for $9600 out the door. We don't have a "car person" in our circle so we're turning to Metafilter: would you get one of these over the other (or keep looking)? [more inside]
posted by nakedmolerats at 6:16 AM PST - 24 comments

Planning on going to Italy this summer, and would like to purchase travel insurance. Please talk to me about it like I'm 5. [more inside]
posted by raztaj at 5:27 AM PST - 7 comments

I am in a wonderful relationship & I have chronic depression & anxiety. What are your tips for preventing mental health issues from sabotaging relationships? Snowflakes to follow. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:17 AM PST - 9 comments

I was in a car accident this afternoon. A man was turning left across my lane and I hit the side of his car. No injuries to either party. What should my next move be? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:16 AM PST - 5 comments

Need some tips on how to have some good days, or at least okay days, while dealing with some ongoing harassment, a physical illness and general unpleasant life changes. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:16 AM PST - 3 comments

Short explaination, with more to follow. Had elbow surgery in November, Surgeon W. who has completely ignored my concerns about pain and the fact I'm much worse than before surgery (7/10 pain now, 3/10 before). I'm tried going to a Dr S. who I had previously seen for said elbow pain, and but from the surgically notes and post ops he has no idea what the surgeon did. Because of this quite complicated surgery he does not feel comfortable or seem willing to take it from here. Basic question, how do I at least get my arm to be manageable and get some Dr help me recover? [more inside]
posted by bigbadbehr at 12:21 AM PST - 4 comments

OUT OF NOWHERE, the mouse software on my WIN 8.1 machine has gone nuts. Happened yesterday. Sometimes the pointer won't move across the screen when I move the mouse on the mouse-pad, sometimes it moves too fast, sometimes the scroll wheel works but mostly it doesn't, all in all the mouse does pretty much what it wants, when it wants. Really annoying. Help? [more inside]
posted by dancestoblue at 12:21 AM PST - 10 comments

Is there a generic astronomy term for the least or greatest possible distance between two bodies orbiting the same mass? [more inside]
posted by peeedro at 11:46 PM PST - 5 comments

I am trying to find an online article which discussed why it is not useful to refer to a nonprofit workplace or team as a family. e.g. "We're just one big happy family here at Charity X". [more inside]
posted by MT at 10:42 PM PST - 4 comments

I am dealing with a confusing breakup and feel like I am going through an unexpected existential crisis. [more inside]
posted by treetop89 at 9:37 PM PST - 15 comments

Please help us choose paint colors for a couple rooms in our house! [more inside]
posted by rglass at 8:12 PM PST - 13 comments

What are some other names that represent soldiers? Any country, any era.
posted by LonnieK at 6:32 PM PST - 36 comments

My kid is very young (almost 3) but in the next couple of years he's going to start playing video games and I want to be a part of that. However, the last video game I played was Sonic the Hedgehog in the mid-90s. [more inside]
posted by not_the_water at 5:10 PM PST - 19 comments

I am being paid by employees of a global firm in a way that makes it unlikely I will receive 1099s from the firm or the employees. I would prefer this not be the case. [more inside]
posted by mwhybark at 2:44 PM PST - 10 comments

I've made it to the second round of a quiz show audition process on Australian TV. As a procrastinator, I have now 15 hours to make a 1-2 minute video on my phone to upload by midnight tonight. Tips? [more inside]
posted by b33j at 2:42 PM PST - 5 comments

I would like to know is there a way to surf websites (not Netflix or Hulu) on my tv without a my bulky desktop/laptop computer? I got a bigger screen HDTV in living room and I would like to be able to browse news website, weather, and watch videos on my tv screen, just like on a computer. Is there a "box" that can do it?
posted by lanhan at 2:33 PM PST - 10 comments

My friend, let's call her Sarah, moved to my city this year to do her Phd. We`ve become quite a bit closer recently and I consider her as one of the few people in the world who I can talk to about absolutely anything. She's a good person and great to be around and I know deep down she`'s good. But recently I`m finding her behaviour in dating is a bit too much to handle and I don't know what to do. [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 2:22 PM PST - 36 comments

I'm contemplating doing an MSc in a vocational based subject this year, chiefly because i know it will help me forge a solid occupation/career which i know i will enjoy given time, but deep down it's not what i really want to do. It will be a case of eventually end up 'loving what i do', as opposed to 'doing what i love'. Am I right to make a career plan and pursue it because logically it's the sensible thing to do? [more inside]
posted by emma33UK at 2:03 PM PST - 3 comments

Person A is going to buy a home in cash for his relative, Person B. Person B plans on paying Person A back over the next few years through monthly payments as well as an initial payment that would cover 20% of the total. These would be made via money transfer from B's to A's bank account. Both are US citizens and live in the US, and have the same bank. [more inside]
posted by cokelessrome at 2:02 PM PST - 11 comments

Looking for some new, free games for my iPod Touch... [more inside]
posted by bookmammal at 1:35 PM PST - 6 comments

I've never felt like this. After college I decided to go travel instead of facing the real world, and it's been 3.5 years now. What started as a lifestyle that I chose to happily live has resulted in so much heartbreak and emotional detachment. I literally do not know how to move on from here. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:12 PM PST - 20 comments

My parents are adventurous types. They are off for a year to teach English in Myanmar. This is not their first Rodeo, they have done stints in China and India before. Thy have very generously offered to pay for flights from Canada to visit them at some point during the year. Visiting group being myself, husband, sister and my nine-year-old daughter. [more inside]
posted by csmithrim at 12:41 PM PST - 3 comments

I am curious if anyone knows if there is a Chinese character for sky "tian" that includes a third line going strait down at the bottom. In addition any information on a vinca symbol that looks like the letter V with a dot in the middle. [more inside]
posted by xarnop at 11:55 AM PST - 5 comments

How do you chew a kola nut? I'm a bit of a food adventurer and I was in an African grocery this morning and at the counter the had a jar full of these. I asked the guy what they were and he told me they're kola nuts and you chew them. So I bought a bag full and headed out to the car and looked up how to chew them and found this, but it doesn't make any sense. [more inside]
posted by Stanczyk at 11:35 AM PST - 3 comments

I remember from business school the concept of "pleasers", "exciters", "disappointers" etc. the idea that some products/services features are expected and disappoint when missing, whereas some features are "nice-to-have" (pleasers) and some are so amazing they drive people to become evangelists for your product and generally trend the industry towards the way your product works (exciters). help me find some documentation on this concept [more inside]
posted by chasles at 11:24 AM PST - 2 comments

Famously, Asimov's Foundation stores was inspired by Gibbon'sDecline and Fall. Less famously, Turtledove's Darkness series had as plot point and background the destruction of an ancient empire. What other works of SF have in their history a fallen or greatly diminished imperial power?
posted by the man of twists and turns at 11:19 AM PST - 10 comments

What resources, books, or counseling services in DC/NoVA area, can be helpful in navigating nuances in interracial relationships? [more inside]
posted by bengalibelle at 11:18 AM PST - 5 comments

I was never a fan of science fiction, especially that of the "Star Wars" variety, but lately I have been really liking the show Black Mirror on Netflix and I'm looking for books / stories / novellas in a similar sci fi vein. [more inside]
posted by WeekendJen at 11:04 AM PST - 21 comments

Yesterday the tire pressure light came on, but the high was 18 degrees F. Today the high is 30F. Do I have to put air in the tires, or is it safe to drive?
posted by spacefire at 8:40 AM PST - 36 comments

A friend has started giving me large anonymous cash gifts. I don't know who it is or why they're doing it. I appreciate the gesture but I don't know how to deal. Help? [more inside]
posted by fight or flight at 7:43 AM PST - 39 comments

Ever since I can remember, I have needed to have physical tension in my body/limbs in order to be comfortable/without pain. Does anyone else get this? What is it? Some Freudian craving for swaddling? Dr Google suggests potential Fibromyalgia, but hopefully not! It doesn't seem like restless leg syndrome, does it? Happy to answer questions! More details below. [more inside]
posted by NathanAlder at 2:31 AM PST - 30 comments

I have been fighting off a cold since December. After some rest, I thought it had finally gotten better, but this morning I woke up and it's back in full force. What can I do finally kick this motherf..... to the curb? [more inside]
posted by LoonyLovegood at 1:19 AM PST - 43 comments

Does anyone have insight into the Poppy video mania sweeping the middle schools? [more inside]
posted by thebrokedown at 10:28 PM PST - 10 comments

Family of 4 traveling to Hong Kong this year, late spring/early summer. We'll have 5 days and are looking for suggestions of where to stay and what to do. [more inside]
posted by the christopher hundreds at 5:46 PM PST - 6 comments

Please talk me down from rumination over a perceived slight in a work setting. [more inside]
posted by metaseeker at 4:10 PM PST - 15 comments

I'll be travelling to Newton, MA later this year along with Ms PD, 'Lil PD and Granny PD. We're ideally looking for two bedroomed accommodation in Newton to be close to family. [more inside]
posted by PenDevil at 3:40 PM PST - 7 comments

After half a year of successful medication treatment for my ADD, my wonderful psychiatrist left, and the newly-joined nurse practitioner is insisting on formal neuropsychological testing, because people are "savvy" these days at gaming the system to get drugs, even though I didn't seem to be doing that in her view. Now I'm worried that all of the amazing progress and changes to my life will go away because I won't pass the testing. [more inside]
posted by naju at 3:00 PM PST - 46 comments

A few years ago, I learned that a former co-worker who I very much liked had passed away from a serious illness. Now, I am facing this same illness under very similar circumstances within my own family and I'd like to reach out to his wife. Is this a bad idea? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 2:22 PM PST - 14 comments

I think I want one. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by cman at 1:58 PM PST - 8 comments

So high school wasn't great. Wasn't awful, I realize in retrospect, but seemed kind of awful at the time. No one was horrible to me, but I was only close to a very few people and only one of those was in my year. That one has invited me to our 30 year reunion and in a mid-life burst of social confidence I said I would go. I have been out of touch with these people since graduation day. [more inside]
posted by Jenny'sCricket at 1:55 PM PST - 12 comments

I just realized a Southwest voucher I have needs to be used before April 20th. Travel must be completed by the expiration date. The voucher is worth about $300. I want to do this trip relatively cheaply, so I'd like to keep the total ticket price under about $500. [more inside]
posted by treachery, faith, and the great river at 1:55 PM PST - 17 comments

We have a sweet little pup who doesn't do well in the cold, and we've moved from a warm climate to a wintry one. How can I keep him happy and fulfilled during a long winter? [more inside]
posted by stillmoving at 1:53 PM PST - 17 comments

I am looking for a survey level overview on the history of American political parties. I'd prefer a book that begins with the Federalists and reaches to modern political parties. [more inside]
posted by Hop123 at 12:49 PM PST - 3 comments

A few years back, I've read a story about a black female entrepreneur who created a successful business by hiring a white man to act as the company's face. Her story is as inspiring as it is un-google-able. Please help me find it again! [more inside]
posted by rada at 12:39 PM PST - 1 comment

How can I assist someone I don't know and rarely see who may be in a domestic violence situation? Secondarily, how can I deal with the effects of this situation on my own household? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:38 PM PST - 8 comments

What are the benefits and disadvantages around the different ways to register a lefty activist group in New York/New York City? We are looking at a 501c3, 501c4, fiscal sponsor, an LLC (???) or something else. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:36 PM PST - 8 comments

I need to translate 20 words to Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish, and it needs to be right (so I don't want to farm it out to untested freelancers on Mefi jobs). It seems crazy to try to find, deal with, and pay three separate translators. Is there a single service I could go to that's reliable? Or anyone have any better ideas? This shouldn't be hard to get done, but I'm starting to get stressed!
posted by Quisp Lover at 12:19 PM PST - 11 comments

Where can I buy viscous (liquid) lidocaine, either online or in person? Store must either be in Toronto or ship there.
posted by orange swan at 12:13 PM PST - 5 comments

What books would you recommend on financial planning or money in general when you have kids? Middle-class orientated. Kids are currently preschool or younger. I'm specifically thinking of mostly long-term planning along the parenting continum: life insurance, daycare/summer camps, eventual older kids costs (I've heard teenagers are expensive too), college, retirement. Also general questions like deciding when/if you have money for a big purchase (remodel/addition/etc), how much emergency fund, allowances for kids even. [more inside]
posted by typecloud at 11:28 AM PST - 5 comments

Traveling to Palo Alto with 2.5 year olds twins this Spring and will be on my own with them for several days. I will have a car. Where should we go? [more inside]
posted by anya32 at 11:16 AM PST - 13 comments

I have a new work address for a startup I cofounded (yay!) I am the admin on the startup's gsuite as far as I can tell, but I can't seem to make this happen. What I want is to be signed into my gmail and be able to send emails as my @startup.com email (also a gmail). It won't let me, details below. [more inside]
posted by namesarehard at 10:58 AM PST - 8 comments

I hurt my vocal cords on New Year's Eve and I was recently diagnosed with a vocal cord hemorrhage by laryngoscopy on 1/31. I was told by the ENT that it looks like it should heal okay within about a month, prescribed Priolosec to suppress any acid reflux that might delay healing, and directed to lay off shouting, whispering, singing, booze and caffeine during that time. I was also told that I should be okay to talk normally at work. Is this sound? [more inside]
posted by millions at 10:22 AM PST - 2 comments

So, I finally saw Hamilton this week, and on top of it being worth all of the hype, it opened my eyes to how very interesting and jaw-dropping some of the American Revolutionary history is. Help me find similar things that will entertain, inform, and most importantly, whet my appetite to find out more about the subject / bit players involved. I am not looking for books (unless they are absolutely exceptional), but more things like movies, podcasts, blogs, etc. [more inside]
posted by Fig at 9:17 AM PST - 31 comments

I'm looking for best advice on securing a home router/home network to connect to a commercial ISP's equipment in early 2017. [more inside]
posted by bonehead at 9:04 AM PST - 4 comments

Spring break is coming up in March and I'm craving a vacation where I can sit by a pool and relax. Sadly, I'm going to be 6 months pregnant at that point and most places I'd like to visit are off-limits due to Zika. A friend of mine suggested that I look at Palm Springs and it looks like it could be an option - but I'm a bit overwhelmed and need recommendations and advice for where to stay and what to do. [more inside]
posted by iminurmefi at 8:48 AM PST - 9 comments

Tuesday 21st Feb is my 10th wedding anniversary, and my wife and I have lucked in to having a babysitter for the night. However, we have been having a mixed year in terms of money, and can't quite bring ourselves to do something indulgent... [more inside]
posted by fizban at 8:48 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm going to a conference, staying at the convention center. I'll be in Houston Sunday-Wednesday, looking for food recommendations (vegetarian/pescatarian, ethnic) and also a pie-in-the-sky spa desire, within. [more inside]
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:20 AM PST - 10 comments

The candidate is now our department's new leader. We all gave written feedback to HR that this was the least qualified candidate for a wide variety of reasons. The person was hired anyway. How to move forward? [more inside]
posted by wannabecounselor at 6:11 AM PST - 21 comments

My computer is in the basement. I am not always. I would like to be able to use my iPad to check if a file I am downloading on my computer is done downloading, or if not done, what speed it is downloading at. Is there an app for that? I do not need the ability to monitor the usage of my network BY my iPad. (The whole house is Apple networked.) [more inside]
posted by OmieWise at 6:00 AM PST - 7 comments

My 14-year-old has gotten into urbexing. I don't want to discourage him from pursuing his passions, but I'm completely freaked out by it. More inside. [more inside]
posted by brooklynlady at 5:54 AM PST - 52 comments

Boss has an idea that VR headsets / GoPro cameras / other relatively modern technology could be used to improve our currently low-tech presentation courses. Unfortunately, I know little about these things. I guess participants could watch their own presentations in 3D (or something) and that doing so VR might be interesting. [more inside]
posted by Prof Iterole at 11:04 PM PST - 13 comments

My Android phone crashed and I had to factory reset it. I need my Google account to reactivate it, but the phone was my 2-factor device; I haven't been able to use my backup codes as I can't pass one of the security questions. Thus: no email, no phone, no 2-factor for my other services. Seeking advice for present resolutions and better preparedness in the future. [more inside]
posted by .holmes at 9:47 PM PST - 16 comments

When I say "giant robot", I'm thinking of robots roughly the size of the jaegers in Pacific Rim, around 100 - 200 ft. tall. Unicron (of the Transformers) is way too big. Partial credit for movies that have an aircraft fighting some other giant creature, such as King Kong or Godzilla. Go.
posted by cleverevans at 8:39 PM PST - 13 comments

I've taken up oil painting in the last few months, and I'm trying to work out how to best carve out space in my home office for things like workspace and storing wet, work-in-progress canvases. [more inside]
posted by cortex at 7:56 PM PST - 12 comments

I went under general anesthesia today to have my two remaining wisdom teeth removed - both of the bottom ones. I got all the info from the nurses about no straws or spitting, soft foods only for a couple days, etc. What tips and tricks can you give me, based on your experience, that will help healing go easier?
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 7:24 PM PST - 35 comments

I have three cars in a driveway that haven’t been driven for at least 18 months. All three won't start. I’ve inherited them from deceased relatives. Once I get the title for the third, I want to unload them. I’d like to sell them without being totally ripped off. A little ripped off is fine, I’m not looking to make money, just not be a rube. How do you tell the value of a car that’s been sitting for that long? They've been parked outside in Wisconsin.
posted by quarterinmyshoe at 7:21 PM PST - 14 comments

Can you recommend a battery-powered alarm clock that will survive my cat? It should either be heavy enough that he can't slide it around with his paw, or small and tough enough to keep time when stuffed under a pillow. [more inside]
posted by yarntheory at 6:42 PM PST - 5 comments

A book I found on Russia talks about what the Red Square was like in the late 1700s and I'd love to share this on Facebook--I think my friends/family might get drawn in, is the publisher likely to okay this? [more inside]
posted by alice_curiouse at 6:23 PM PST - 4 comments

I am interested in learning more about the very end of the Ottoman Empire. Broadly speaking, this would cover the twentieth century period of the empire (1900-1922) with strong coverage of the Greco-Turkish war and the other conflicts with Allied powers trying to carve up the Empire after World War One. [more inside]
posted by the hot hot side of randy at 5:19 PM PST - 5 comments

Mrs. Sockinger and I are having problems with our marriage. When composing this post, I was tempted to write a big-ol’ wall of text, but I ultimately decided to limit myself to one topic: How do I deal with my wife's anger? [more inside]
posted by JD Sockinger at 4:34 PM PST - 38 comments

I want to occasionally post about an event on my WordPress blog, and in that post, add a nice little “Add to calendar” button that gives the reader an .ics file or whatever to pop it into their own calendar of choice. Ideally this would be a simple shortcode generator or something, where I can just quickly fill out a form with the name, times, and location, and out pops the button/link. [more inside]
posted by mboszko at 3:19 PM PST - 4 comments

My sisters and I have recently become aware that our stepmother is abusing our father. How can we best talk to him and support him? [more inside]
posted by counterfeitfake at 3:14 PM PST - 9 comments

What are your go-to sources for your most fashion-forward threads? I live in Milwaukee, so specific examples relevant to that criteria are welcome, but websites, types of stores, or any other resource that you might know about that I don't are welcome as well. [more inside]
posted by Fister Roboto at 1:33 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm going to Thailand for a few days to garner some creative inspiration for a cyberpunk project set in the future in Bangkok. As this is more a research trip than a tourist trip, any recommendations for places should I seek out? [more inside]
posted by egeanin at 12:46 PM PST - 9 comments

I read a book in my childhood (80's) that has haunted me, and the only identifying detail I remember clearly is there was a room in a house that had wallpaper revealing gory killings by ancient soldiers (roman?), of people and babies. Why this would be in a children's book is beyond me, but have been curious as to the book, and to see if my horrific memory matches the reality of the story.
posted by waustin at 12:44 PM PST - 3 comments

Every old magazine article and brochure of early float fishing in the Ozarks says that the difference from Galena to Branson, which was often a four or five day trip was 125 miles. Even today, the Missouri Department of Conservation, a generally reliable source of information on Ozark rivers persists with that 125 mile figure. Of course, the float is no longer possible because Table Rock Dam backs up the White and James River almost to Galena. [more inside]
posted by clockworkjoe at 12:15 PM PST - 3 comments

Asking for a friend: a very young first time mother you barely know (and her husband and newborn) are down the road during a huge snowstorm with no other family (immediate or distant) within hundreds of miles except for YOU. (New mom and dad are also snowed in at the hospital about 30 minutes from their home but had advance notice.) [more inside]
posted by these are my travel socks at 10:38 AM PST - 32 comments

I have a credit card from a long way back (about 15 years now) that doesn't really do anything for me - no airline miles, no points, etc. Is there any point in switching over to a card that gets me air miles or is it a fool's errand? [more inside]
posted by PussKillian at 10:31 AM PST - 17 comments

Have you or someone you know used TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) or MeRT (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) for autism/spectrum disorders? [more inside]
posted by CrazyLemonade at 10:24 AM PST - 5 comments

I have a couple of major stressors right now and probably for a while. Zen koans (specifically The Gateless Gate) have provided me a lot of happiness over the years in little doses for reasons I can't explain. Have other bite-sized pieces of orthogonal thinking or non-thinking given you comfort? [more inside]
posted by radicalawyer at 9:51 AM PST - 15 comments

There is a stereotypical French expression which seems universal in the USA: "Oh ho ho ho!" It's always said with a semi-nasal vocalization, almost "ohn" and "haw". Is this a real thing? [more inside]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 9:51 AM PST - 17 comments

Part 1: I am looking for recommendations for a licensed counselor who offers pre-marital counseling for couples and employs emotionally based therapy. Someone likely who would have us doing homework exercises out of "Hold Me Tight" or similar. Alexandria/Springfield area preferred but we are willing to work with anyone in the greater NoVA area. Female preferred. Part 2: in addition, I am also looking for recommendations for a CBT practitioner in NoVA for individual therapy. Also female preferred. Specifically looking for recs based on personal experience with the counselor and their effectiveness. thanks!
posted by TestamentToGrace at 8:36 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm very likely to get laid off within the next month. I've been working for the same company for six years and it was time to leave anyway. I have very little idea how to start a cold job search - I got this job through a friend that worked here, and previous jobs were temp-to-perm. I'm a project manager (sort of, details inside) but I'm more interested in data analysis & presentation. [more inside]
posted by AFABulous at 8:33 AM PST - 9 comments

New job and life circumstances mean that I have to start the day much earlier in the morning than I'm used to. This is affecting my after-work life quite a bit. How can I start the day earlier, yet still keep some of my after-work activities in place? [more inside]
posted by Ziggy500 at 7:15 AM PST - 12 comments

I am tutoring a refugee who has some racist sentiments. [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 6:42 AM PST - 24 comments

Consulting problems: 7 months ago I was offered a job, but a better offer came up the same day and I went for the second offer. Now the same situation has happened again with the exact same companies. Is there a way to turn down the first company again without burning a bridge? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 6:35 AM PST - 7 comments

I went in to interview with 3 people, 2 of whom will be my bosses. The next day one of them emailed me to invite me to an interview with 2 different people that are higher up. I was so focused on preparing for that interview I didn't send the first 3 people a formal thank you email. [more inside]
posted by Eyelash at 5:33 AM PST - 10 comments

I can't believe I'm wasting a question on this, but what is the depth of the seat back to a 2012 Nissan Murano. Specifically, I need to know the distance from the midpoint of the headrest posts to the back edge of the seat. I believe the measurements would be similar for years 2009-2014. Does anyone have a vehicle they can measure? Thanks!
posted by jenny76 at 5:28 AM PST - 2 comments

We are going to Sri Lanka for two weeks in April. Where should we go, what should we see? [more inside]
posted by wilful at 3:52 AM PST - 4 comments

I am in a new relationship, and it is going well. I am a talker, and if we want to go there, my "love languages" are words of affection and quality time. He is more reserved, and speaks more through action than words. I am enjoying learning new ways to show and receive affection, but I also need words to feel secure...How do I learn to navigate this new communication landscape without sacrificing my needs? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:53 AM PST - 15 comments

I was dumped a month ago by my long term partner. We were together for five years and spent the last year apart, long distance but committed. He dumped me out of nowhere and I am having trouble moving on. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:53 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm the poor sap who was in this situation last summer. The good news: I quit the awful job! The bad news: I'm sinking anyway, and don't know how to right the ship. (also: more snowflakes) [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:53 AM PST - 8 comments

I have some large and wind-exposed windows, and am terrified of glass flying everywhere if they blow in in a storm. [more inside]
posted by superfish at 11:45 PM PST - 3 comments

I used to have a cheap battery charger which would supply a selectable 2, 4, or 6 Amps into a 12 V lead-acid battery and then automatically shut off once it decided the battery was charged. Somehow, I misplaced this charger and am looking for a more feature-ful replacement. [more inside]
posted by Juffo-Wup at 6:49 PM PST - 6 comments

My partner and I (US citizens) are traveling on Delta from New York (JFK Terminal 4) to Amsterdam with our French Bulldog next week for a 5 day trip. I am wondering if anyone has any specific advice for traveling with a dog to and from USA/European Union (or even specifically into the Netherlands)? [more inside]
posted by brbmaroon at 6:18 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm having a Mandela Effect moment, and I'm hoping that Ask Mefi can help me out! There's a classical tune that I could swear is called "Cordantic Ennui", but searching for that name turns up nothing. This is my best attempt at whistling the main tune, which is played on some sort of woodwinds (oboe?) in the original piece. [more inside]
posted by luvcraft at 5:57 PM PST - 9 comments

My kids have become curious about bodies. Is there a book or a web site that presents the wide variety of the human body across shapes, sizes, ages, genders and colours, in all its bare glory and mundanity?
posted by hifimofo at 5:52 PM PST - 8 comments

I've always liked reading journalism, and specifically human interest stories. I really liked reading Gig when I was a kid, and back when Paul Campos had his law school scam blog running I loved reading the stories people would submit. I've also enjoyed reading Andrew Sullivan’s and Rod Dreher's correspondence with their readers as well as Humans of New York. I might've studied journalism or history in college but I wasn't confident enough in my ability to support myself afterwards. However, this passion in me has never died and I'd like to put it to productive use. [more inside]
posted by bookman117 at 5:40 PM PST - 4 comments

Is 1 week too late to send a post-interview thank you email to the hiring team? Is it necessary if working with an internal recruiter? [more inside]
posted by ad4pt at 4:32 PM PST - 7 comments

I have unwittingly become involved in a Facebook discussion about the recent Betsy Devos confirmation and the current Republican bill to abolish the Department of Education. I personally think the two moves are terrible ideas. Please give me internet resources that explain the responsibilities and power of Dept of Education and what we stand to lose with its abolishment. [more inside]
posted by Pantalaimon at 4:29 PM PST - 10 comments

Hi, Last week, I asked above a couple of songs from ~1967 that I couldn't identify. You folks got them so quickly, I thought I'd try again! [more inside]
posted by tcv at 3:45 PM PST - 7 comments

So I'm looking for some photos to use as my Chromecast background and thought some old time New York photos might be neat-- anything before the 70's, the more the better! The trouble is, I'd like to be able to download them all in bulk-- or at least fairly quickly-- and I don't know the first place to look for that sort of thing! Archive.org might be an option, thoughts??
posted by dr handsome at 3:35 PM PST - 7 comments

I am looking to get an arm cycle for use at home. Help me find a good one. [more inside]
posted by Orlop at 2:41 PM PST - 2 comments

My colleague has a BA in art. She seeks a Masters, but for numerous reasons has to do it online. She is seeking an accredited institution that offers a masters in photography, or failing that, a masters in fine arts or art education. Or, alternately, a photo program that has a "low residency" feature, requiring only a short (perhaps summer) face to face component but is largely online
posted by cccorlew at 2:37 PM PST - 4 comments

I am compiling a list of non-US news outlets, to encourage my international business students to expand their consumption of media from outside the US. Currently I have a number of mostly Western-oriented outlets. I would like to enhance this list with some non-Western-oriented news sources. Do you have suggestions? [more inside]
posted by Liesl at 1:32 PM PST - 26 comments

Let's go to Christchurch and take the Coastal Pacific Train! Oh, closed due to earthquake damage...Ok, let's fly to Christchurch from Picton and take the TranzAlpine to Greymouth! Oh, closed due to brush fires now...What should we do instead? [more inside]
posted by undercoverhuwaaah at 1:32 PM PST - 5 comments

It's a pretty simple request... I'd like to commission some art for a magic the gathering playmat, but I'm not sure who is ideal. I read a lot of webcomics and might reach out to those creators, but I don' know any that would be a good fit for this request... basically, I want the cast of steven universe adapted as various planeswalkers from magic the gathering. I don't think the artist being a magic the gathering fan (or even steven universe fan) is strictly necessary, but I think it would help give the art some life if they could sort of happily run with it...
posted by wooh at 1:25 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm a photographer. I've done plenty of work at a local level — not enough to make a living from it, but enough that I've got some local respect. I promised myself that in 2017 I'd put myself out in the world to the people who might actually want to hire me for money instead of gratitude (preferably both, but I'd rather get the money right now). I've got my portfolio(s) together and … I can't do it. I feel frozen. Help me break away from this tar baby! [more inside]
posted by gmb at 12:58 PM PST - 8 comments

I am currently on a job search and wonder if there is any way to search for a job that the main facet is travel. I'm not looking for something that necessarily brings me to places that I could use as a vacation starting point, but really anywhere. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:44 PM PST - 16 comments

I have a friend of ~8 years who is also a coworker and a recent work change has raised tensions between us and I'm afraid she thinks I was given an unearned promotion. As her friend, I am worried that she is succumbing to stressful situations that are piling up and I don't want to be part of the problem. I want her to experience happiness. More inside .. [more inside]
posted by modernman at 12:37 PM PST - 26 comments

What are some of the long-term consequences to dropping out of a professional masters program? When is it a good idea? A few techy snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:26 PM PST - 4 comments

I would like to support leftist candidates for all sorts of offices in the US government, not just in general campaigns where we can win an open seat or unseat a Republican incumbent, but also in primaries where a Democratic incumbent is doing an inadequate job (like Dianne Feinstein, for example, I so badly want to her go away.) Is there a national organization working on this? [more inside]
posted by contraption at 12:12 PM PST - 8 comments

I am looking for recommendations of short stories, novellas or novels in which losing a job or being unemployed is central to the premise. I would prefer literary or art fiction. I’d give some examples but can’t think of any!
posted by OrderOctopoda at 12:10 PM PST - 30 comments

Quarterly perio maintenance is coming. I moved to the College Park, MD area so I need someone new. Would love recommendations. I have DeltaCare USA. I have a car and am willing to drive. More inside. [more inside]
posted by aperturescientist at 11:45 AM PST - 3 comments

You: an independent proprietor of a small business or shop, perhaps located in some charming Main Street-style commercial district. Me: Deadly curious about all aspects of your life and job, how you got started, what a normal day looks like for you, how you keep your business afloat in these trying economic times, etc. [more inside]
posted by helloimjennsco at 11:34 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm trying to find a replacement for the old Sticky Notes widget -- something that I can just type stuff in (mainly a to-do list), and it sits on my desktop all the time. Of course, snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by themissy at 11:06 AM PST - 3 comments

I’ve found a lovely watermark on an old sheet of paper and want to print it out. How can I do this? [more inside]
posted by ohcanireally at 9:57 AM PST - 7 comments

Kaiser is notoriously lousy for mental health. They basically tell you that your only option is topic-specific classes. I'm sure these are fine, but I want weekly, one-on-one therapy. I'm pretty sure this is possible, right? [more inside]
posted by Smearcase at 9:56 AM PST - 18 comments

You know that aromatic funk that cooperative living spaces have-- a combo of food, spices, body odor, used furniture, and nag champa? MY HOUSE NOW SMELLS LIKE THAT. [more inside]
posted by Mystical Listicle at 9:41 AM PST - 64 comments

Requirements: visible, but not "laser their retinas out of their skulls" bright; options for steady or slow-pulse (no strobe); long battery life (doesn't matter if it's AA/AAA or USB-recharge, or even dynamo). What should I be looking at?
posted by curious nu at 9:21 AM PST - 23 comments

I am trying to replace a stained glass panel, seen partially obscured in this photo. I do not have a lot of information about it, as it was violently sucked out of the window following a windstorm and I never saw it again. [more inside]
posted by turtlebackriding at 8:51 AM PST - 6 comments

Sadly, it's past time for me to upgrade from my beloved 1997 Civic hatchback. I think I have the used car buying process down thanks to previous posters' questions, but what's the best way to get rid of the car you have, when that car has issues? [more inside]
posted by DingoMutt at 8:37 AM PST - 16 comments

Odd situation - And as a forward, I have been in contact with multiple physicians over this matter. In years past I have noticed that half my body (limbs, abdomen, head) gets a very slight pain and heaviness after consuming caffeinated beverages. This could last for a few hours or close to days. I am trying to find out the mechanism to why this happens. [more inside]
posted by Lugos at 8:33 AM PST - 9 comments

U.S. citizen (but identifiable "activist") deciding whether to visit North Africa – help me guess the unguessable re. possible future effects [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:23 AM PST - 8 comments

I came across a website several weeks ago that showed me the nearest swing districts to my zip code. It also showed who won and who lost each election and by how many votes. Any ideas? It was a link from another blog, but I can't seem to come up with the blog or search terms to find it. Relatedly, I'm interested in other websites that are organizing Democratic efforts for the midterm elections. Thank you!
posted by defreckled at 8:22 AM PST - 4 comments

Yesterday someone asked a question here on mefi about building up a side freelance gig, and someone commented that teaching ESL online/through video chat was a sound and viable option. Does anyone know the best way to get started through this? [more inside]
posted by Rocket26 at 8:16 AM PST - 2 comments

My beloved elderly Electrolux canister vacuum is in it's final death spiral and I need a replacement. If I could create the perfect vacuum it would look . . . like my Electrolux. Vacuum aficionados of MeFi, what would you suggest? [more inside]
posted by citygirl at 7:33 AM PST - 18 comments

I've been stepping with Jenny Ford YouTube videos for a couple years now. Know any other good step vids for variety? [more inside]
posted by sacchan at 4:14 AM PST - 2 comments

I have a friend who has joined up to sell a product via social media. It smells a little scammy to me but it doesn't seem to be an out-and-out con. The problem is she's really bad at it. I'm not sure whether I should try and help her get better, or rely on the fact that she's terrible to allow the whole thing to fizzle out. which would be the kinder and more ethical thing to do? [more inside]
posted by socksually active at 3:11 AM PST - 36 comments

I'm a female-to-male transgender individual. I've been considering total hysterectomy with oophorectomy for the past several years or so. After the recent election and out of fear of possible changes to our healthcare system/LBGT rights, I decided that I should pursue the surgery sooner rather than later. But now I'm having second thoughts based on how it may or may not affect my long-term health. Specifically bone health. Should I pursue surgery for gender affirmation and a decrease in some possible risks with a increase in others or postpone it? [more inside]
posted by Thirty7Degrees at 2:11 AM PST - 9 comments

If I walk around my house carrying my laptop and running speedtest.net over and over, my download speed is between 180 and 225 Mbps. I get the lower speeds when standing in the limestone shower, and the higher speeds almost everywhere else. But when I walk into my bedroom, the speed drops to 1.3, 1.1, if I'm lucky, 2.0 Mbps (yes, two). And inside the bedroom it's the same low speed. The speed drops almost the instant when I step into the doorway, meaning the door is open. WTF? [more inside]
posted by Capri at 12:43 AM PST - 18 comments

My 4 week old is a very loud sleeper.She is so loud when she sleeps that I can't get any rest. I am looking for tips, advice, encouragement, anything you can offer! [more inside]
posted by ohio at 12:21 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm going through a breakup that has been devastating to me and has shattered me. I loved her like no one, and I have loved in the past numerous times. I thought she was the one. Then she left. Any poems or short stories that capture what I'm feeling? How she can throw me away so easily?
posted by heliosanthus at 12:02 AM PST - 12 comments

Hello, travelers of Metafilter! I was in an airport last month and saw a businessman wheeling a very intriguing-looking suitcase. I couldn't see any labels but it had a distinctive feature that I've never seen before. Can you tell me what suitcase it was? Description inside! [more inside]
posted by therewolf at 12:00 AM PST - 6 comments

When did the coating for glasses that reflects green become available? I believe it's an anti-reflective coating. TO BE CLEAR: I'm not asking when anti-reflective coatings were invented. I'm specifically asking about the coating that causes a green reflection when light hits it. What is it, and when did it become available for prescription glasses? I'm asking because I often spot that green reflection on glasses while watching a period piece TV series, and it immediately seems out of place. [more inside]
posted by 2oh1 at 10:08 PM PST - 21 comments

I am currently using an iPhone 5S through Verizon. It's about 2 years old now and is paid off, and the battery life has been getting shorter and shorter. I am really used to it, and I don't want to get something that's substantially different. I have played around with a Samsung Galaxy S7 and did not like it at all. [more inside]
posted by Slinga at 9:44 PM PST - 17 comments

My dad owns three properties: his actual home and two rental properties. As he's gotten closer to retirement, he has discussed selling the rentals as the tenants move out in order to cash out and pay off his mortgage. And today, one of the tenants did give their 30 day notice. What are some ways I can buy the house from him without coming up with a 20% down payment and buying it like any one else would? [more inside]
posted by sideshow at 9:02 PM PST - 10 comments

I want personal business cards to use at local political and volunteer events, such as meetings to organize protests, support political candidates, food drives, recycling days, etc. or at events where there's a speaker and I meet people seated around me. I want cards so that when someone asks me for my email address, I don't have to stop and write it down, I can just give them the card. But other than my email address, what should I put on them? [more inside]
posted by OrangeDisk at 8:44 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm looking for a place to travel that meets a bunch of special snowflake criteria. [more inside]
posted by 4midori at 8:21 PM PST - 6 comments

MeFites, I'm sad about the American political situation. One thing that would make me happy is really soft, comfortable leggings. Like, kitten-soft. Thick. Stretchy. Leggings that will make me feel warm and safe as a baby deer while I am taking political action and strengthening my community. [more inside]
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 8:04 PM PST - 20 comments

We have a carrier mini-split air conditioner (controlled with a remote control). We'd love to use a dedicated nest thermostat to control it. Is there any way to make this happen? [more inside]
posted by arnicae at 7:57 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm writing a... zine. Set in America, 2022. Trump has been re-elected. [more inside]
posted by polly_dactyl at 5:53 PM PST - 33 comments

Typing this in fits and bursts, as I am literally writhing in pain. In short, I have severe sciatic pain in my right leg. Worst pain is in my right foot, which feels as if it's in a vice that has been heated with a blowtorch. YANMD, but need suggestions on how to get through the night. Complications = no RX pain meds available. [more inside]
posted by jrchaplin at 5:43 PM PST - 10 comments

Am I a sixth-generation Californian, a first-generation Californian, or something else? Since my great-great-great grandparents came to San Francisco from Ireland in the 1850s, all of my ancestors and myself have been born in California, except for my parents. Is there a term for how my California lineage should be characterized? [more inside]
posted by fenwaydirtdog at 5:30 PM PST - 14 comments

For as long as I can remember, I've had occasional nausea and a generally sensitive stomach. My annual exam is coming up soon, and I'd like to put together a list of questions to ask my doctor and labwork/other diagnostics to inquire about. [more inside]
posted by schroedingersgirl at 5:05 PM PST - 17 comments

Trying to recall a game I played with my kid between 1998 and 2006. I *think* it was online rather than on computer. It required you to answer questions (Science? Math?), I think the answers were multiple choice, and when you chose an answer, the animation reverted to a scene with a large rocking brain, and possibly a "mad scientist" sort of character, and after a bit of animation, it was revealed that your answer was CORRECT! (or not).
posted by fish tick at 5:03 PM PST - 5 comments

I work as an environmental consultant. The work that I do is either funded by the EPA through grants and contracts, or is in response to regulations that companies need to comply with. For obvious reasons, I am worried about my long-term job stability. I have a more stable prospect, but I can't tell if I'm being irrational or smart. [more inside]
posted by chevyvan at 5:00 PM PST - 10 comments

I think developing some sort of freelance side gig would be a substantial help to me in keeping up my special snowflake nomadic non-committal lifestyle. I'm looking for ideas of things I may not have thought of, and guidance on which types of work would be semi-approachable or have a semi-reasonable amount of money in them. [more inside]
posted by Wanderwhale at 4:09 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm not completely wild about my current IT job of 6+ years, and I generally enjoy the small bit of freelancing I've been doing on the side. I'm limited in the time I can offer paying clients due to my day job, and I'm stuck on figuring out how to resolve that. [more inside]
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 3:45 PM PST - 3 comments

Has anyone produced a guide to your rights when crossing the US border, particularly at airports? I'd especially like a version that includes a rundown of any differences between citizen/permanent resident/nonimmigrant visa holders/refugee visa holders. [more inside]
posted by nat at 3:39 PM PST - 10 comments

An opportunity has come up for me to earn some extra income that is not desperately needed, but would be really nice to have. The opportunity comes in the form of a living breathing human roommate, so I need to tread carefully. Please help! [more inside]
posted by keep it under cover at 3:28 PM PST - 12 comments

There is a style of photography that was super common on record covers in the late 70s / early 80s (examples below). To me, it looks like longer than needed exposure times and harsh flash, but I'm pretty untrained. Is it a specific technique or use of certain equipment? There's a certain common quality to the images that I don't really see done anymore. I want to try and ape it as accurately as possible but I don't know how to go about it. [more inside]
posted by tremspeed at 3:21 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm in a waiting place and I suck at it. I need tips for becoming okay with the uncertainty, how to get out of my own head, and how to stop mooning after employers. Details below. [more inside]
posted by tafetta, darling! at 2:41 PM PST - 5 comments

Any guidance for a former web developer who wants to get back into the field after many years away? Deets after the jump. [more inside]
posted by Enemy of Joy at 2:15 PM PST - 5 comments

I’m collaborating on a comic series that makes reference to copyrighted comic book characters in a couple of specific ways. I want to make sure this doesn’t expose us to copyright infringement or other legal snafus. [more inside]
posted by churl at 1:35 PM PST - 7 comments

Yay, we got our press passes, so I want to ask you what questions would you like to ask the dog handlers/ owners/ groomers or dogs at the Westminster Dog Show? Smart/ funny/ serious/ what would you want to learn or ask? This will air on In Real Life next Wednesday on WFMU. Here is a link to the show page. [more inside]
posted by brinkzilla at 1:29 PM PST - 23 comments

Do you know any hospitals in california (US) which still take in international medical graduates (IMG) for elective rotations? [more inside]
posted by Pippo.z at 12:38 PM PST - 3 comments

Due to various circumstances, we think it's time to ditch our landline and change our Internet provider. We live in the Seattle area (Federal Way/south King County), and currently use Centurylink for both home phone and Internet. We would really, really like to keep our home phone number (which we've had for over thirty years) without porting it to a single cell phone. We will probably be moving (locally) in six months or less. [more inside]
posted by lhauser at 11:55 AM PST - 8 comments

My 3.5-year-old seems to make a lot of wrong-word mistakes-- way more than their siblings at that age. What could cause this? [more inside]
posted by Bardolph at 10:17 AM PST - 13 comments

I hear advice all the time that the best way to get ahead in your career is to "hop" between similar companies. It allows for greater salaries and roles and a more diverse experience and expertise. Sounds great, right? Given my unfortunately situation at work, I figure now is a great time to do this "hop". But - how does someone ACTUALLY "hop" to a new company? [more inside]
posted by bbqturtle at 10:10 AM PST - 10 comments

My daughters were born in the US to one American parent and one Irish parent who was born in Ireland. We all currently live in the US, and the Irish parent is a permanent resident of the US. I want the children to be registered as Irish citizens so that they will have dual citizenship, but I keep getting stuck on the application process. [more inside]
posted by insoluble uncertainty at 9:57 AM PST - 7 comments

I am looking for a simple security alarm, but not sure it exists. Searching Amazon has proved challenging. I want a battery operated motion detecting alarm that can I mount low on a wall near an outside door. I want to be able to turn it on at night, turn it off in the morning. I want it to beep or make a noise when our dog passes by it. I do not want a siren that sounds continuously until shut off. Maybe something similar to what shops use, where a beep goes off when a customer walks by the sensor in a store entrance? I need it to ship to Canada. [more inside]
posted by walkinginsunshine at 9:18 AM PST - 3 comments

Los Angeles mefites: I am flying into LAX from SEA and need to semi-expeditiously get to Duarte, CA. How would you do so? [more inside]
posted by maxwelton at 9:14 AM PST - 22 comments

I have a gold ring that was given to my mother in the 1970s by my grandmother living in Hong Kong. The ring was originally set with a pearl and has two hallmark stamps on the inside. Can anyone help decipher them for me? I'm interested in the gold purity, not so much the maker. [more inside]
posted by exquisite_deluxe at 9:12 AM PST - 3 comments

Trying to find the best Internet radio hosting for a show with over a thousand listeners, but there are so many choices out there. We're going to use Icecast but the prices out there seem to vary wildly. [more inside]
posted by johngoren at 8:51 AM PST - 4 comments

Seems to me the best luggage would be an empty rectangle, without all the pockets, straps, dividers and other space-taking doodads that pretty much all luggage has. I.e., more room for my stuff. I'm in the market for such a thing. Preferably two-wheeled and U.S. carryon size. More often than not, though, it will be checked or gate checked. Bonus points if it has a little buddy box that slides down over the handle. That's what I'll really carry on.
posted by justcorbly at 7:47 AM PST - 12 comments

Due mostly to climate change, my hometown of Washington, DC no longer really seems to have four, distinct seasons. Today's forecast high in the upper-60s to mid-70s Fahrenheit (about 18-23 Celsius) seems no longer all that atypical for an early February day, and it's now common for summery weather to last all the way through US Thanksgiving. Is there anywhere where people still experience the weather I was promised in the media of my youth? [more inside]
posted by capricorn at 6:54 AM PST - 62 comments

I wish to compile a list of visuals of Nazis being punched. I would greatly appreciate your assistance in locating movies, tv shows, music videos, etc. where this is a thing that happens. [more inside]
posted by athenasbanquet at 6:23 AM PST - 17 comments

The song "Nature Boy" was plagiarized from a Yiddish song called "Shvayg Mayn Harts" (Be Still My Heart) by Herman Yablokoff. I want to find a recording of the original song. [more inside]
posted by overeducated_alligator at 5:54 AM PST - 7 comments

I work about fifteen minutes from the White House (between Dupont and Farragut North) and I'm thinking about using my lunch break to go and protest for like twenty minutes a day for the rest of this week and most/all of next week. Is this really stupid and pointless? If not, should I try to get other people to join me? How would I best do that? I don't have Facebook so I can't organize that way (and I would really, REALLY prefer not to sign up if I can avoid it). [more inside]
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 5:52 AM PST - 19 comments

I don't think I should have to pay full price for the crown I'm possibly getting today. Not sure if I'm right. [more inside]
posted by HeroZero at 5:50 AM PST - 10 comments

I don't know how healthy or unhealthy my indecision is. I feel like I'm in a sort of weird situation that not everyone experiences, so it's hard to get perspective. [more inside]
posted by uncannyslacks at 5:08 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm trying to hunt down some good informational resources for political groups / activist groups who are concerned about infiltration by agents provocateurs: what to watch for, how to be smart and prepare, general best practices, etc. I'm less concerned about infiltration by law enforcement/intelligence groups, and more concerned about James O'Keefe types. Looking for links to existing informational or training resources--please don't post general advice unless you yourself have personal expertise in the area.
posted by anonymous at 4:43 AM PST - 1 comment

My present girlfriend was in an abusive relationship that is very much in the past. But now that I've learned the details, I'm having some trouble dealing. Very general but possibly triggering details inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:43 AM PST - 24 comments

Is there a website where I can see each upcoming congressional action, with an up-to-date indication of which legislators have come out in support or in opposition, and which are so far uncommitted? Or another quick, frequently updated way to tell which legislators might be persuadable on each issue? If not, is there any org that might be interested in creating something like that? [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 4:42 AM PST - 5 comments

I have a family member (by marriage) who appears to have fallen for many of the weirder (and in my opinion potentially harmful) conspiracy theories, including: flat earth, MMR and autism, evolution is religion in disguise, feminism was created by the CIA, and so on. [more inside]
posted by Myeral at 4:02 AM PST - 27 comments

If all goes well, and my poster abstract is accepted -- I'll be going to a scientific conference as a presenter for the first time! I found a lot of great resources online about making my poster, and about presenting it. But I would also like your best hard-won tips on those things, and your input on my own unusual situation. [more inside]
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 11:59 PM PST - 15 comments

I cannot for the life of me, French braid my own hair. I was never taught. I swear I'm not 3 years old. Hope me? [more inside]
posted by Crystalinne at 11:32 PM PST - 16 comments

Am I going to be questioning breaking up with my boyfriend forever? Will I eventually just get over it or is there something concrete that I need to do? Is this normal? [more inside]
posted by Chrysalis at 10:26 PM PST - 16 comments

What it says above -- I was recently given a free, older iPhone 5 and the previous owner was a smoker. I'm not crazy about the phone, but it was a thoughtful gift; however, the phone reeks of cigarette smoke. And I'm allergic. I've only had it a day and just holding the phone for a few minutes sets off sneezing fits, my bag now smells of smoke, my hands. [more inside]
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 9:56 PM PST - 17 comments

This is a quest for the world's best foot massage. Practitioners and massager machine suggestions both welcome! [more inside]
posted by Miss T.Horn at 8:57 PM PST - 2 comments

I would like to be the person that looks for viable apps/small startups and pitches them to seed financiers. Is there a market for such a person, or do inventors/investors not care for third parties? [more inside]
posted by thesockpuppet at 7:12 PM PST - 10 comments

I listen to podcasts [sped up] on my commute and at the gym. After going through two sets of headphones in eight months, am I doing it wrong? [more inside]
posted by basalganglia at 6:56 PM PST - 22 comments

How do I buy/set up a thing that will flash LEDs at me at 40 hz frequency? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 6:10 PM PST - 23 comments

I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and I'm on SSDI. The doctor I've had for 15 years, who helped me successfully file my claim for SSDI, is retiring. So I need a new doctor. A friend referred me to her naturopathic doctor. I think this ND would be a good choice, and it's not easy for me to find a suitable doctor. But I'm worried that having an ND instead of an MD might hurt me when my disability claim is reviewed. [more inside]
posted by Cinnamon Bear at 5:34 PM PST - 11 comments

I own my own house but I am renting it out to roommates. I have been telling everyone so far to not leave their toothbrush, dental floss, and toothpaste in the bathroom, but I instead tell them to take it back to their rooms. It keeps the bathroom clean and less clutter. Is this a strange request? My friend told me that it's kind of pushy to make someone do something like this and enforce rules on roommates. But I explain it's like college where people take their toothbrush to the bathroom and take it back to their dorm room.
posted by pieceofcake at 5:09 PM PST - 88 comments

Suggestions for songs that are about risk-taking - particularly ones where the narrator is still anxious or scared about said risk, or where the song is more ambivalent/ambiguous than "You Can Do It!"? [more inside]
posted by divabat at 3:56 PM PST - 25 comments

I have some downtime at my new job and have offered to help build out our voice style guide. Yay! I'm feeling a little unfocused though. We're a real-estate startup that sells low-to-mid range houses in several cities, mostly in the suburbs, mostly built in 1960 or after. I'd love to bone up on reading about suburban homes but I can't seem to find any good reading about middle-of-the road, standard-issue American dwellings. I'm looking for recommendations for compelling writing about non-luxury real estate (books, magazines, websites, and advertising) and links to your favorite voice style guides as a jumping off point. What makes for interesting, original real estate copy? What do you wish real estate listings were better at doing?
posted by macrowave at 1:45 PM PST - 5 comments

I just spent the night at a hotel and did not sleep a wink! I am flying to California for a week-long vacation in two weeks. What can I do now to prepare, that will help me rest well? [more inside]
posted by rebent at 1:36 PM PST - 28 comments

Help me identify these locations (and a plane) from these old cine films: 1964. A plane comes in to land. What plane is it? Which airport? and 1970. Nairobi. The view from a balcony over a main road and (I assume) the rear balcony of the same building over a swimming pool. Where in Nairobi is this? and 1971. A car journey through Johannesburg to the airport. Which streets are these
posted by ed\26h at 1:26 PM PST - 11 comments

Hi everyone! I'm going to be traveling to Jackson, Mississippi a few times in the next month. I am a special snowflake traveler and could use some advice about food and other things. [more inside]
posted by bile and syntax at 1:17 PM PST - 14 comments

I am a property manager. One of my tenants is an elderly woman who lives alone. Over the weekend she fell and was taken to the hospital. This is the third time she fell in a four day period. I am concerned about her and about her dog who is alone in the apartment. [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 1:03 PM PST - 19 comments

Can you help me Macgyver a mobile lever/arm to attach to a swing to hold a communication board for nonverbal students on the playground? [more inside]
posted by shortyJBot at 1:01 PM PST - 11 comments

Simple question: my boyfriend and I want to go somewhere scenic and relaxing this spring break (late March), but we're not seasoned travelers and would benefit from some suggestions/wisdom! [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 12:50 PM PST - 9 comments

Very simple, I'm trying to find spas in NYC that have swimming pools, as well as steam rooms and massage etc. A spa environment (robes, nice water, whatever) but it must have a pool in particular. Is this possible? Is this possible for under $200 per massage?
posted by gaspode at 12:06 PM PST - 2 comments