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Where can I learn more about social housing? Especially tried-and-tested implementations and practical considerations. [more inside]
posted by splitpeasoup at 9:43 PM PST - 5 comments

Beloved family Syrian hamster was found unresponsive. We are assuming the worst, but I have read that hamsters can sometimes hibernate (torpor) and since our house has been pretty cool, especially where the hamster lives (< 65 F) I'm wondering if this is a possibility. [more inside]
posted by roaring beast at 8:36 PM PST - 6 comments

How do I print decent quality old-school water-slide decals on an ink-jet printer? Preferably something involving as many hyphens as possible. I’ve got a Canon iP8720 and want to try my hand at making decals. Reviews of results online seem split between abject failure and hubristic triumph, which is never a good sign. Doesn’t need to be super durable or last 10 years. I’m just ignorant about what kind/brand of paper/medium is right. I’m also seeing suggestions of spray coatings, so what there? Krylon has worked for me on traditional media, so that maybe? This is for one-off stuff so sending out to a print shop is off the table.
posted by skyscraper at 6:56 PM PST - 5 comments

I have a friend in Berlin who is going through a tough time right now. I would like to support her by sending her something like a gift card for a meal delivery service - something she can use as she sees fit. I can use Google but I would like some tips from people who have used them before, if possible. Does anyone here have experience with this and have a recommendation?
posted by rednikki at 6:05 PM PST - 6 comments

Seeking your actual personal experience. The answers I see for this on Google are inconsistent. If you have a 3 quart instant pot, are you able to cook a full pound of dry beans at a time in it? One pound of beans makes about 6 cups of cooked, and 3 quarts is 12 cups, so i can't see why this wouldn't work. but please tell me your experience with this, thanks.
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 5:29 PM PST - 5 comments

I recently bought my first house and one of the tools I think would be useful would be a laser level. Help me find the right one! [more inside]
posted by unus sum at 5:27 PM PST - 13 comments

Is there any reason to not be friends with someone on good reads? [more inside]
posted by rhonzo at 3:15 PM PST - 10 comments

We're in Boston and really need a vacation. Lots of folks I know have flown off to warm places recently and I am so envious. Maybe we can find a place to go in April? Special snowflake things inside. [more inside]
posted by jdl at 3:04 PM PST - 12 comments

How common are gift registries for birthdays? I just got sent a link from a friend having a 50th, and it's the first time I've encountered something like this for a birthday.
posted by OmieWise at 2:56 PM PST - 16 comments

One of the big online advice columns -- Dear Prudence? Ask A Manager? Another one? -- answered a question that was something like "Should I, a left-wing person, take a job with a right-leaning politician/think tank/etc.? I have good reasons for wanting to do so but will it harm me later?" I have a friend who would benefit from seeing the answer to this, and I know I've read it somewhere online, but of course I can't find it. Can you? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:04 PM PST - 9 comments

My son is 20 months old and shows many red flags for autism. He has been in Early Intervention (virtually) for 2 months but has not made much progress. We are on the waitlist to see a developmental pediatrician but it will still be several months. I am so worried about him and I would love stories about how things turned out for other autistic children. More details below. [more inside]
posted by Forty-eight at 2:02 PM PST - 22 comments

My spouse is, by their own admission, very anxious and cynical, and is unable to stop themself from doomscrolling about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Over the last couple of days our conversations on the topic have become harder and harder for me to navigate, and to stay calm and patient in. Any advice on how to deal with this in a more patient and caring manner would be much appreciated. [more inside]
posted by six sided sock at 1:38 PM PST - 46 comments

My wife and I are going to Washington DC in mid-April and we love to include a food tour as part of a trip anywhere. We've done a little homework on TripAdvisor and the like but want to know any recommnedations.
posted by briank at 11:28 AM PST - 16 comments

I love music! I love Bandcamp! But I find their search functions to be iffy at best. Can you recommend Ukranian musicians and artists I can investigate and support on Bandcamp? [more inside]
posted by Shepherd at 10:55 AM PST - 11 comments

I work at an organization that connects marginalized and economically excluded individuals to reasonably good jobs. We have a real need to incorporate some financial education into classroom training and ongoing individual coaching, but I have a deep skepticism of actors in this space and the kinds of training that may be available, and all my snowflakes are below the fold. [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 10:41 AM PST - 19 comments

I have some bulgur to use up. Googling is bringing up tabouli, other salads, and chili. My cookbooks aren't helping either. Please share any recipes for vegan main dishes that aren't these things. (Please actual recipes with measurements only. I can't do the "pinch of this and bit of that.")
posted by FencingGal at 10:22 AM PST - 18 comments

I went through a sort-of relationship with a friend, which predictably didn't work out-- but now I find that it's cost me a lot. I feel like that's on me, but I don't know how to move on. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:04 AM PST - 18 comments

I just discovered that I have a fearful-avoidant attachment style. I'd love book recommendations or any advice or personal experiences with dealing with this attachment style. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:04 AM PST - 2 comments

I need a new therapist! I find the process of finding a good therapist really stressful and draining. Does anyone have any tips to get through this period, and also to help me find the right person? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 9:02 AM PST - 6 comments

I overcommitted (again), I have way too many things to do, and several of them are intimidating and outside my area of expertise and therefore triggering my perfectionism freeze. I have to write A LOT in the next four days, on several different projects, and I'm totally stuck and just flitting around between a few time-sucking websites (hi!). Please give me fast, easy, actionable ways to break out of this frozen state. Thank you!
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:08 AM PST - 19 comments

Planning on taking a long road trip through Canada this summer. I'm thinking about 7-10 days total. What are some tools that I can use to plan the trip? [more inside]
posted by aeighty at 7:39 AM PST - 9 comments

I don't even know where to begin. I'm imagining at least 20K. I have a 300-year-old tree right next to the septic, which is in my small front yard and somewhere down there is an electric line that feeds a lamp post in the front yard on the side of where I believe the septic ends. What else should I steel myself for? [more inside]
posted by archimago at 7:06 AM PST - 13 comments

Is there a safe way that we (or an electrician or HVAC pro) could set up our propane heater to 1. Work on a timer and/or 2. Work in a blackout? [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 7:04 AM PST - 4 comments

What resources would you recommend to improve communication and teamwork for a small team? [more inside]
posted by abirdinthehand at 8:55 PM PST - 7 comments

In the past week I've spotted some extremely obnoxious pandemic disinformation stickers in my neighborhood. What can I carry with me, besides a big old Sharpie, that would allow me to deface these when I spot them as quickly and effectively as possible, without harming the underlying surface (which is usually city property--I'm not looking to get picked up for vandalism)?
posted by praemunire at 8:34 PM PST - 16 comments

My understanding is that SMS 2FA is fairly easily intercepted and not completely secure. I am also concerned with losing control of my phone number which would keep me from getting into my various important accounts that are using 2FA in a situation such as losing a cell phone. Also if someone was able to access the phone, this would leave my online accounts vulnerable through 2FA. What is the best way to secure an account nowadays, assuming I am using strong passwords and secure password practices (such as varied passwords and managers)?
posted by roaring beast at 8:03 PM PST - 19 comments

For reasons *waves hands at the state of the world* I would like some distracting fantasy/sci-fi (also open to other genres) books to read that would make me feel good during/after reading. [more inside]
posted by unus sum at 7:30 PM PST - 33 comments

I keep googling about this but every resource I find is the same level of vague (almost the same words) and this is way too tiny and stupid of a question to bother a lawyer about, so I'm hoping someone here knows. When an estate goes to probate in Ontario, the executor must notify the named beneficiaries. What types of 'notifications' are considered acceptable? Mail? Phone call? Something with a signature? [more inside]
posted by 100kb at 7:28 PM PST - 3 comments

A friend of mine suffered a kind of gruesome injury at work yesterday. He went to the ER and will be making an appointment with an orthopedist. In the meantime, he is too queasy and freaked out to change the dressing. [more inside]
posted by Mavri at 3:21 PM PST - 11 comments

My little family doesn’t eat (1) cooked tomatoes (toddler), (2) rich creamy white sauces (spouse) or (3) meat (me). Can I make a lasagna that all of us will eat? [more inside]
posted by redlines at 2:47 PM PST - 24 comments

It looks like screws are sold by size, but the size indicates the diameter of the screw’s shaft, not of its head. I don’t care about the shaft diameter. How can I buy screws by head diameter? [more inside]
posted by Susan PG at 12:57 PM PST - 14 comments

New spots appeared on my orchid's leaves today. Curious if anyone here can help me diagnose the issue, and whether the plant's worth saving at this point. [more inside]
posted by monologish at 12:48 PM PST - 6 comments

I want to find a good text-heavy book about Marvel's Silver Age (or starting before that and thru 1970 or so). Some parameters: I've already read Sean Howe's book; don't think Roy Thomas's 75 Years-- would be enough narrative. Preferably something that really gets into the creators' unique struggles, office politics, controversies, but is still fun b/c it's Marvel! Stan, Jack, Steve, Romita, all of 'em. Have also read All That Jazz. Photos would be a real plus -- the people, offices, etc.
posted by noelpratt2nd at 12:37 PM PST - 8 comments

Is it practical to wear an action camera like a GoPro while riding a horse along a Caribbean beach (and into the water), and get enjoyable footage? I am a novice rider, and will be on a tourist horse. :7) [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 12:18 PM PST - 10 comments

Hello! I am researching a (permanent) move to Germany from the US, and finding lots of great info on the Make it in Germany site but it's also sparking more questions. While I'm saving $$$ and working on my language skills, I'm also seeing sites like expath and expatica who claim to help with relocation services, but... [more inside]
posted by PaulaSchultz at 12:09 PM PST - 6 comments

My husband and I are both intelligent people but we have very different approaches to the world. I am generally a very anxious, careful person and he is blessed with the incredible ability to not worry about anything that doesn't involve someone actually bleeding and dying in front of him. How can we respect each other and benefit from this opposite-ness instead of fighting about it? [more inside]
posted by Jess the Mess at 10:49 AM PST - 27 comments

Due to aspects of my question, simply searching the web for answers is returning lots of results for something similar but not quite what I'm doing. Posting here because I'm not in the mood to deal with stackoverflow/reddit snark today I want my script to log in as the user, but search results are all about protecting my Python app which isn't the goal... [more inside]
posted by McNulty at 10:34 AM PST - 9 comments

Apple claims 18 hours of use from a full charge. Is this a fair claim, or is it over-optimistic? And if it's true, Apple Watch users, what's your routine for charging it, particular if you want to track your sleep?
posted by Beverley Westwood at 10:27 AM PST - 21 comments

I recently read Barton Gellman's pretty amazing book, Dark Mirror about the prevalence of no-warrant surveillance in the U.S. I would now like to read about how surveillance impacts people's health. What I am looking for is a comprehensive understanding of the repercussions of subtle and not-so-subtle surveillance on human beings. Can you all help me with that? [more inside]
posted by ponibrown at 9:36 AM PST - 3 comments

I play D&D casually with friends online, and after having my character die (and be brought back) several times in subsequent sessions, am interested in a shake-up, on the premise that being brutally murdered and brought back over and over can kinda mess with you. I am not somebody who knows the game in and out. Looking for some recommendations... [more inside]
posted by Shepherd at 4:31 AM PST - 7 comments

My father is in his eighties. Sometimes he is alone for days at a time. Suggested solution is a wearable wrist panic device that detects falls and contacts a call centre in case of emergency. [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 10:44 PM PST - 10 comments

I have several videos that have subtitles encoded in .vtt format. I'd like to convert these to .srt format. Is there a (preferably free) tool that will batch convert the files for me? I've only managed to find tools that can process a single file at a time. In case it matters, each video/subtitle pair is in a separate folder and I'd prefer the output to go into the same folder as the source file.
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 9:44 PM PST - 12 comments

A friend and I live about 400 miles apart, but we would like to play guitar (electric or acoustic) together, live and online. I know that there are web sites available for online jam sessions, but which one to use? While it need not be 'free', we would like to stay budget conscious. Neither of us are virtuoso players; This is casual music. I wanted to ask for recommendations. As always, thank you for your wisdom!
posted by dfm500 at 7:25 PM PST - 9 comments

It's orange season. For reasons, I have bags of oranges from the neighbors' trees. Blood oranges and navels. Both brightly flavored and tart, not real sweet. Now what? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 6:46 PM PST - 19 comments

Trying to assess whether my behavior with a romantic partner (ish) was red flag-y [more inside]
posted by bearette at 5:59 PM PST - 22 comments

My hands and nails are in awful shape, and I have two weeks to get them in good shape - what can I do? [more inside]
posted by needlegrrl at 2:29 PM PST - 16 comments

Looking for examples of viruses that people live with, without symptoms, until something develops years after initial infection. If you had chicken pox, in the future you may get shingles. If you have HPV you may get cancer. Hepatitis can lead to liver failure. What else?
posted by Sophont at 2:24 PM PST - 22 comments

I'm hugely embarrassed to say that because reasons, I have paid very little attention to world news recently, and I do not know anything about the underlying causes of the situation in Ukraine. Where is a sane and unbiased explainer for people who are starting from scratch?
posted by BlahLaLa at 12:04 PM PST - 12 comments

For the last few years I am tired all the time. [more inside]
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 11:25 AM PST - 15 comments

The Chandler Ostrich Festival is coming up and this has sparked some new pondering in our household. We would like to query anyone familiar with ostrich riding. [more inside]
posted by Tandem Affinity at 10:55 AM PST - 8 comments

I know it's common to be diagnosed with adult ADHD, but has anyone actually ever benefited from getting the diagnosis? Considering springing for an assessment but wondering if it's worth the cost. [more inside]
posted by kingdead at 10:48 AM PST - 26 comments

A older friends of mine has been bitten twice while sleeping. We think that it is a bug of some sort. Second one happened last night. I am going to change sheets, wash duvet cover, etc. Is there some sort of bug spray we can use on the bed that is human safe?
posted by goalyeehah at 9:06 AM PST - 16 comments

Mom has been bedridden for about eight months but wants to attend her husband's funeral over an hour away. I've hired a transport van and though mom said she doesn't want it, we think we should hire a nurse to travel with her. What questions should I ask/problems should I foresee? [more inside]
posted by Glinn at 6:11 AM PST - 13 comments

A couple friends and I chose a list of 50 movies and are going through it over the course of the year, maintaining a list of how we each rank the movies ourselves. I am looking for a good way to quantify the similarity or difference of our rankings in a way that you don't need to be terribly statistically sophisticated to understand -- does such a measure exist? Additionally, any good way to visualize all of our rankings? [more inside]
posted by wooh at 11:31 PM PST - 10 comments

I've heard the some a million times. I vaguely assumed it was about mortality and faith or something. Mostly I just liked the hook. Driving home tonight, out of nowhere I actually noticed the lyrics. Later I replayed it to make sure I heard it right. [more inside]
posted by trevor_case at 11:18 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm trying to remember a book, or maybe it's even a series of books, that I saw on here a long time ago and even read some of. I wanna say the book(s) is from the 60s-70s? It follows a boy as he grows up in British society and I remember he had this acquaintance that was kind of odious but kept succeeding despite it. I can't remember much more, and it's killing me. Thoughts?
posted by Fister Roboto at 9:41 PM PST - 11 comments

Why did the United Nations and all of Europe not flood troops into Ukraine before Russia invaded? Is it a matter of not being invited? Are they all just chickenshit? Is it just politics?
posted by Hobgoblin at 4:52 PM PST - 15 comments

As per my previous Ask, the weed smell has been getting worse, but then it's also been coming and going. I toured a really nice apartment a short subway ride down, in a more convenient location, and applied today. However, I'm starting to get cold feet. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 3:58 PM PST - 21 comments

What are some good specific base product options available wholesale that any t-shirt printing company should be able to purchase and print our designs on that will fit and be comfortable for people with plus-size bodies with breasts/curves? [more inside]
posted by hansbrough at 3:36 PM PST - 4 comments

From the perspective of a psychotherapy client or a therapist, what's your nutshell version (a sentence or two) of what makes a good therapist? (It is something of a practical/timely question for me right now as I step toward the edge of the diving board beyond which is full time private practice.) Thank you!
posted by less-of-course at 2:53 PM PST - 18 comments

My wife and I are looking into the possibility of purchasing a cottage to rent out as a source of income and are trying to figure out the best way to research to find out if it's a good idea or not. [more inside]
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 2:22 PM PST - 3 comments

I've been having a social conflict with an acquaintance who's in the same FB group I'm in, but that's not the problem. My own brain's method of processing is the problem. [more inside]
posted by TrishaLynn at 12:46 PM PST - 28 comments

You have an English (or liberal arts or humanities) degree. Maybe several. What is your job and what was the career path you took getting there? [more inside]
posted by Definitely Not A Robot at 11:34 AM PST - 64 comments

The last time I went to Colorado for a vacation, I had horrible headaches from the altitude. This summer we're going again and I’d like to avoid those if there’s a way to do that. I would also like to have more athletic stamina for hiking at a high elevation. So I have a two-part question: what can I do now to prepare myself so that I minimize headaches from the altitude and that I’ll be ready to hike? We live at 500’, and we are staying in an area of Colorado around 9000’. [more inside]
posted by allison00 at 9:55 AM PST - 18 comments

We received a package from Cambodia that we were expecting with some legal documents. It contained an apparent food gift - I’d like to identify what it is. [more inside]
posted by inflatablekiwi at 9:54 AM PST - 16 comments

Especially in the 40s through the 60s, newspaper and magazine comic strips and animated cartoons would have parodies of Modern or Avant-Garde art. A lot of these parodies are pretty awesome art in themselves! Please point me to your favorite examples, and if there's already a tumblr or instagram (etc.) collecting these, I want to see it. [more inside]
posted by moonmilk at 6:48 AM PST - 13 comments

In Peter Tork's screen test for The Monkees [video] [text (CW: slur)], when asked about reactions to his long hair, he relates having "Joe Beatle!" yelled at him on the street. It seems evident that "Joe" being a generic name, this is an insult expressing that the speaker has contempt for the target, an average person, imitating the Beatles' style, and expressing disapproval of the target's long hairstyle. But as this was an insult of a certain time and place, I can find little documentation of it, and I wonder if my fellow MeFites remember it being used. [more inside]
posted by jocelmeow at 6:40 AM PST - 14 comments

I've studied philosophy, psychology, economics, race theory, feminism, communism, economics, and civics, and I know many theories that seek to explain how the world works. That's all well and good. But now I'm curious about how to classify the causal belief systems of (a) random folks around the world and (b) people I interact with. [more inside]
posted by rebent at 6:19 AM PST - 8 comments

What are your favorite (non-cucumber) pickle recipes to make at home? [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 3:25 AM PST - 20 comments

I would like to monitor the temperature (humidity would be a nice bonus) in multiple places in my house over time, partly out of curiosity and partly to gather data I can use to help decide on the schedule for my thermostat. I want access to the raw data but a built-in way to see a graph of it would be great too. What are some ways I could do this? [more inside]
posted by unus sum at 12:15 AM PST - 18 comments

In the book "Life Code" Dr Phil recommends keeping your feelings, plans & thoughts close to your chest. For example, don't telegraph your career plans, or what you really think about something or someone. I am generally an open and honest person who shares information readily. When pressed for my thoughts or information I would like to get better at fending people off rather than giving them all my information. Could someone please make some suggestions about how to become better at fending off requests for information that I don't want to share.
posted by hithere at 9:26 PM PST - 28 comments

I filled it out and signed it and it tells me its no longer available. [more inside]
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 9:00 PM PST - 7 comments

Just curious as to how thieves manage to steal large things. What they stole and how they did it.
posted by storybored at 7:21 PM PST - 25 comments

Looking for the three extant books of the Roads to Freedom tetrology in English on audiobook, my searching hasn't turned up any, do these exist? Thanks.
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 6:39 PM PST - 1 comment

Our family is taking the plunge and flying from Australia to NY in late April to visit family who we haven't seen in years. How can me and my partner keep two kids, 8 and 5, entertained for the flights while not losing our minds in the process? [more inside]
posted by LongDrive at 5:46 PM PST - 24 comments

Has a country ever fought a war with an invader at the same time as it was experiencing an insurrection or civil war?
posted by CollectiveMind at 3:28 PM PST - 8 comments

We’d like to order some nice, custom ceramic coffee mugs with a color logo on the front and possibly some text on the back. I know of the most common sites (Zazzle, Cafe Press, etc.), but I’m not sure what to look for, exactly. Can you recommend any sites for high quality, custom coffee mugs?
posted by griseus at 3:11 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm back after a long hiatus with basically the same question but the context is pretty different. Can you please tell me if my concerns are reasonable and if there is anything I can do to stop my partner's invalidating behavior? Am I correct that I have done all I can and I need to give up? This is very long but I don't want to threadsit later and hope I am giving enough detail that you can offer your point of view with some measure of confidence. [more inside]
posted by What a Joke at 2:32 PM PST - 47 comments

I’m looking for personal stories, or stories about public figures, that involve how things work out for a narcissist. (It doesn’t need to be someone clinically diagnosed.) [more inside]
posted by bighappyhairydog at 2:11 PM PST - 22 comments

For various reasons i’ve strained my back, mostly lower. Nothing drastic but it’s clearly strained, where it feels like a knot, and hurts to bend over from the waist for more than 15 seconds or so. Unfortunately, I can’t stop using my back to lift and move some things. So what exercises and treatments do you suggest to help relieve some of that knottiness, keeping in mind that I’m still going to be lifting somethings, though obviously as little as possible. Speak like I’m ignorant, because I am on this subject. [more inside]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:50 PM PST - 17 comments

I'll be vegan before six for lent this year. But it'd almost be easier to be vegan after nine, because while I've got a lot of vegan lunch and dinner recipes, pretty much everything I eat for breakfast has eggs or dairy. What are your favorite options? [more inside]
posted by thecaddy at 1:07 PM PST - 61 comments

Hi. Can anyone think of the best ways to support current sanctions and block funding to Russia? [more inside]
posted by firstdaffodils at 12:12 PM PST - 1 comment

Car has worn down studded tires that won't make it another winter. Could all-weather tires be for me? [more inside]
posted by blnkfrnk at 11:46 AM PST - 14 comments

Does anyone know the name of a talking dog movie in which a county dogs's owner married a city woman with a cute fluffy dog. The country dog doesn't think the other one is really a dog and calls it kitty cat through out their adventure. I watched it on hoopla once but can't get back on and can't remember the name of it.
posted by mcbeitz at 11:21 AM PST - 2 comments

My coworkers are starting a workshop club where we take low-cost, one-off craft or skill workshops together. Help me build up our list of resources! [more inside]
posted by babelfish at 9:08 AM PST - 10 comments

I am trying to find patterns/instructions for an 18th century wedge tent. The search terms the person gave me are 1750 tent smithing and 18th century wedge tent. I can find online companies that MAKE authentic tents, but no one that is offering plans, patterns to DIY one. I would like to find a free pdf for my person but if someone can point me to a forum or website that I could copy and paste, that would be great!
posted by LaBellaStella at 8:27 AM PST - 2 comments

Fiancé wants a wedding DJ who specializes in concerts, but has no experience or equipment for weddings. [more inside]
posted by halfnhalfling at 8:17 AM PST - 25 comments

Broadway-style window cards are an odd size, 14x22 inches, and it's turning out to be harder than I thought to find someplace that can print them for a reasonable price. [more inside]
posted by griffey at 7:38 AM PST - 3 comments

I am about to make a life-changing decision. I do not think that my parents are going to take it well. Historically speaking, I have backed down from many major things when my parents, especially my mother, view that possible changes as distressing (to her) or ill-advised, no matter how much I've researched it. I believe that my parents will withhold support if I go through with this and encounter problems of any kind. I do not have many friends to lean on in their place. How do I move forward minus my parents?
posted by The Adventure Begins at 5:58 AM PST - 26 comments

I'm an experienced developer, but in a domain very far from what I'd like to build here. More details within, but I want to make an app that let's you draw a visible region of space on your desktop that will be on top of any active windows, and then configure it such that any time your mouse enters that space, something happens (emits a keypress, a script runs, etc). Does anything like this exist? If not, I want to make it myself but I know absolutely nothing about this layer of things...so looking for advice about where I should start looking. [more inside]
posted by wooh at 4:08 AM PST - 8 comments

Got a bonus day in Seattle next week and would love to spend a chunk of Thursday on ferries and maybe a meal(not hugely important as I get that not eating seafood limits my options--omnivore otherwise) at some destination. [more inside]
posted by nenequesadilla at 1:42 AM PST - 11 comments

… with minimal hassle. Details within. [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 12:19 AM PST - 11 comments

Every time the Hogan's Heroes episode "Hogan's Hofbrau" airs, I hear a lovely little waltz or landler in the background. I haven't been able to identify it. It seems quite similar to the landler from The Sound of Music. Shazam doesn't know it (or doesn't like my humming). It's at 8:48 in this video (apologies that I can't link directly to the right moment).
posted by bryon at 11:02 PM PST - 2 comments

One of my favorite musicians is reaching out for help:

This is the picture of the man I knew as grandpapa. I would like to know who this guy really is. I don’t regret this image of a powerful dignified mighty glorious black king it helped deter me from a life of bad choices crime and drugs please help me identify this person.

[more inside]
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 9:35 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm interested in information about any trustworthy charities helping the people of Ukraine that a U.S. citizen can donate to. Thank you.
posted by DavidNYC at 9:22 PM PST - 13 comments

I found a new job and started on 21 February. It sounds really petty but I hate the job and I think it is impacting my mental illness. Do you think I should quit before I find a new job? [more inside]
posted by Didnt_do_enough at 8:18 PM PST - 20 comments

Recently I was texting with a friend who had my number but not my email address. I sent her my email address by text, but the message did not reach her. I sent it again, same problem. All our other messages went through, but the two times I tried to send an email address, the message disappeared. My assumption is that something in my phone or hers is recognizing that this is an email address, and then doing something that is messing up the message delivery. Any idea what this might be? [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 7:54 PM PST - 5 comments

Lately, there has been a pretty strong weed smell permeating my apartment, and I can kind of smell it "fresh". Strangely enough, the hallways smell fine. I've had maintenance come over to my apartment to check, and they suspect it's coming from another unit. The AC/heat both are off, nothing in the hallway, but the smell still persists. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 5:33 PM PST - 22 comments

I was watching some Youtube film reactions recently and started to wonder--What's the closest you can get to watching video, hearing audio, or reading text reactions of moviegoers from around the release date of classic films, let's say pre-1990? Example films for reactions: North by Northwest, Jaws, and let's throw in NZ film The Quiet Earth for fun. Critics OK, normal moviegoers preferred though. Links & tips appreciated!
posted by circular at 3:13 PM PST - 6 comments

I will be traveling from the airport to my final destination in the UK using a car service (based in my destination city). The drive will be about 1.5 hours and will cost about 125 GBP. How much should I tip?
posted by unhappyprofessor at 11:24 AM PST - 10 comments

I have an HP monitor (hp22cwa ) and a 2020 M1 Macbook Air (OS Catalina 12.2). They don't recognize each other AT ALL. I'm using an off-brand HDMI cable to an Apple-official Lightning adapter. Any advice? [more inside]
posted by nkknkk at 11:05 AM PST - 17 comments

I shave (my face) in the shower. In the past, I've used a fog-free mirror that has a little hook that holds my razor and attaches to the tile wall with 3M command strips. But the new tile is textured and the command strips won't stick to them very well. Any recommendations for something I can get to replace my old mirror and razor holder? [more inside]
posted by synecdoche at 10:59 AM PST - 8 comments

How can I "relax" Lycra? I have some great wool+nylon+lycra (i.e. elastic polyurethane fiber) socks that are tight and restrict blood flow thus making my feet cold, so I want to "de-elasticize" the Lycra. Is this possible? [more inside]
posted by anadem at 10:58 AM PST - 15 comments

I am setting up a Twitter account to follow some writers I enjoy. But I wonder about the "follow" process. [more inside]
posted by jtexman1 at 9:54 AM PST - 12 comments

looking for such books about japan (ideally japanese, english ok), china (ideally mandarin, english ok), or really any country if you happen to know of a particularly well done analysis. more on what I'm interested in within! [more inside]
posted by wooh at 7:58 AM PST - 11 comments

One of my COVID decisions (after some good wine in early 2020, week 4 of not leaving the house) I decided that I would name next two pets after my favoritas Byzantine historic figures, the General Belisarius And the emperor Heraclitus. Well I do have my first dog… rescue Spitz I picked up in Albania from a friend! But I have a female. I call her “Belle” for short, but for my own historical persnickety I’d like how to feminize it… Belisariaux? I am not sure for a non-Latin Language Thanks!
posted by aggienfo at 7:49 AM PST - 7 comments

I have joint issues which limit my movement (e.g., need to remember to reach toward things with one hand and not the other). I also have to follow a fairly restrictive diet (but, if I do, leaves me feeling healthy and well.) Both factors hinder spontaneity and I have a mess of emotions connected to this (resentment, frustration, etc.). I've tried just focusing on what I can do (e.g., enjoying limited sort of swimming) and feasting occasionally with no limits (not so healthy), but I wonder if there's any other outlets people could suggest?
posted by Jon44 at 7:23 AM PST - 6 comments

How well would Reaper run on a Dell Wyse 5060 thin client, with Debian, compared to an old Apple laptop? I already put in a cheap SSD and bumped the RAM to 8GB. The CPU is an AMD G-Series Quad-core 2.4GHz. The basis for comparison is a 2011 MacBook Pro (I know, I know). (And if there is a better Linux DAW, I would love to hear about it!) [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 7:23 AM PST - 7 comments

I am in a rental condo through March. The TV has only ROKU, through which I’ve been watching some Amazon Prime shows. I’ve also watched some Amazon Prime shows on my laptop. Before I leave the condo, do I have to do anything to disable my Amazon Prime on the TV? If it makes any difference, I never activated Prime Video before I was in this condo.
posted by Dolley at 7:22 AM PST - 6 comments

Writing research! My character, a trained assassin, modern day, needs to assemble a self defence weapon out of household objects. She would prefer to disable, not to kill, but she's pretty ruthless. The weapon must be something she can carry in public without attracting too much attention. She has access to a small flat filled with normal household objects, possibly a small toolbox with hammers and screwdrivers etc, but no power tools. So far she's found the following: A wire clothes hanger, a screwdriver, hammer, pipe wrench, hockey ball, beer bottle, small kitchen knives. [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 11:07 PM PST - 54 comments

There are several traumatic events in my past that keep popping up in my mind, especially at night. None of them are recent, the most recent one happened more than a decade ago, but the memories still seem very vivid and disturbingly detailed. How can I stop these flashbacks, or at least make them less frequent or intense? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:58 PM PST - 27 comments

My mom (late 70s, Boston-ish) is remarrying and needs to re-do her will. She brings considerable assets; her new partner has nothing and no children. She wants to ensure he is comfortable for the rest of his life, but have the bulk of her estate go to her family. However, she has had bad experiences with lawyers, who (she says) want to create complicated arrangements that she cannot understand and that primarily benefit themselves in terms of fees. She needs someone who can help create a simple, fair and clear path forward - and not come off as creating expensive and complex legalese arrangements. Any recommendations for an estate planner that you or an elderly parent have loved?
posted by sonofsnark at 9:04 PM PST - 13 comments

I would like your perspective on how a person with asthma and COPD should handle in-person work meetings. [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 8:00 PM PST - 11 comments

I have a house in Manitou Springs, Colorado. It needs a new roof. [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 6:10 PM PST - 13 comments

Options for someone/something that can format long Word docs using my company's style guide. [more inside]
posted by pear at 6:02 PM PST - 11 comments

My partner and I like to read to each other — sometimes on road trips, sometimes before bed. What are your favorite works of fiction to read to another grownup? [more inside]
posted by svolix at 5:56 PM PST - 15 comments

I am hearing a loud noise in my attic from time to time, maybe once a day. It sounds like someone dropping a 5 pound weight. What could it be? [more inside]
posted by roaring beast at 5:08 PM PST - 21 comments

Have you (or someone you know) been evaluated for Asperger's as an adult? Regardless of whether the diagnosis was positive or negative – was getting the answer worthwhile? [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 4:11 PM PST - 13 comments

My elderly medium sized (42 lb) dog has neurological issues and arthritis, and sometimes her back legs kind of splay out when she's walking, making her drag her back paws. The tops of her paws get scratched up from this. And the booties I bought don't stay on for even a minute of walking. [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 3:22 PM PST - 17 comments

I am sad that new laptop has removed ability to pick "right-click tap a corner of your choice" , that I liked on old laptop. (I had it set to tap on upper & lower right). The new baked-in-by-microsoft driver, which uses Win 10 touchpad settings, appears to have "right-click with two fingers", and "right click by clicking 'button' area under lower right of touchpad surface." I'd be ok with the latter except the physical click button is pretty tough to press for a laptop. Arg. Suggestions? (besides, get a different laptop) [more inside]
posted by bitterkitten at 2:12 PM PST - 3 comments

Hi, I know you are not my dentist, but I am curious to hear from folks who have had this kind of dental work done. [more inside]
posted by randomquestion at 12:43 PM PST - 8 comments

I have a yearning to purchase a Nintendo Switch OLED console upon which to play Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its forthcoming sequel. However... [more inside]
posted by Balthamos at 12:25 PM PST - 34 comments

What is going on with these offers to buy products on Amazon and get reimbursed? Is it legal? A violation of Amazon ToS? Some other issues? [more inside]
posted by davidstandaford at 11:24 AM PST - 5 comments

Is there a simple iPhone app where I can track how many hours I work? I don't need to track employees, or their locations -- just myself. I have a very flexible job and manually keeping track of my hours is tedious. [more inside]
posted by cnidaria at 10:41 AM PST - 9 comments

I purchased some Jabra 75Ts recently, and they suck for my purposes. What is a wireless earbud that will work for me? (Or, if I need to return to wired earbuds, what should I consider?) Details inside. [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 10:08 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm based in New York state and am wondering if you have positive experiences with any online merchants that supply nuts. [more inside]
posted by charcoals at 9:48 AM PST - 16 comments

I’m taking too much melatonin. In the past, instead of taking so much, I’ve tried taking CBD and Valerian Root, but neither has had a noticeable effect. Is it because I’m not taking enough? Does smoking a moderate amount of weed on the weekends have an effect on why CBD isn’t working? Lastly, are there any other healthy alternatives you’d recommend other than / in addition to CBD and Valerian Root?
posted by ggp88 at 9:46 AM PST - 20 comments

I have ~$50k to spend on outfitting a lab for studying decision making in AR/VR. What do I need? [more inside]
posted by logicpunk at 8:56 AM PST - 4 comments

My wife and I (50s, from upstate NY) have a week to hike and see beautiful sights between Las Vegas and southern Wyoming, en route to picking up our son in early August. What spots are not to be missed? [more inside]
posted by chr1sb0y at 7:24 AM PST - 12 comments

I am trying to save the texts from my loved one who recently passed away. I have a couple year long thread of texts with them on my fading Samsung android phone. I am looking for some simple way to preserve them and get them off of this phone as it will not likely last much longer. I am not technologically savvy. I would be grateful for any assistance. Thank you. [more inside]
posted by fies at 7:03 AM PST - 10 comments

I was holding an RF meter up to the oldest iPhone SE, and the new iPhone SE, and I noticed that even "at rest" they're emitting an order of magnitude higher RF energy (W/m^2), on average, than other iPhones (for which I measured with the same RF meter). More expensive iPhones seemed to roughly emit less RF energy at rest. I don't know much about electronics--does this have to do with a "radio" component? Is there a chart somewhere of differences between iPhone model "innards" that would likely correspond to these measurements? [more inside]
posted by zeek321 at 6:14 AM PST - 4 comments

My employer has an odd policy of giving adoptive fathers four weeks of paternity leave, but natural fathers only receive two weeks of paternity leave. [more inside]
posted by uncannyslacks at 5:25 AM PST - 7 comments

My wife and I have recently bought a condo in Toronto. Although the building itself is pretty old, the seller had made substantial improvements, putting in new laminate flooring throughout the condo and renovating the bathroom and kitchen with new fittings and appliances. The condo is heated by electric baseboards, and while the building does not have central air-conditioning, the use of window ACs is permitted. As first-time homeowners who have never lived in a condo before, we would appreciate any tips and suggestions for both maintaining the condo and ensuring that our time in it is comfortable.
posted by sk381 at 5:01 AM PST - 11 comments

I am in search of new-to-me science fiction, but due to the current state of the world, I just can't face another novel which involves mass deaths due to pandemics and/or climate change. I have in the past read (and enjoyed!) books involving these themes, but there seem to be so many of them around at the minute, and I've hit my limit for now. [more inside]
posted by damsel with a dulcimer at 12:23 AM PST - 28 comments

This question feels idiotic but it's a minor thing that bugs me since I switched to a macbook air and I'd like to solve it. [more inside]
posted by less-of-course at 11:45 PM PST - 6 comments

I have a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud that my employer pays for and which I use on my work laptop. I also put it on my own laptop and use it for my own (personal) projects. I felt comfortable with this because it doesn't cost my work anything extra and I'm using it on my own time. However, I've picked up some paid work on the side that I use the software for (again, on my personal computer and outside of my regular employer hours) and I'm feeling a little conflicted about the ethics of this. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:34 PM PST - 28 comments

Hi there, in a slight change in career, I am now working for the first time in Human Resources. Im looking for recommendations for active, online communities of HR professionals. For trends, professional development and such. Bonus points if you have other online resources you recommend, podcasts, blogs, accounts to follow. TIA
posted by xicana63 at 8:38 PM PST - 5 comments

I need to buy a generator for my house. What kind should I get and how do I make it work? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 7:22 PM PST - 17 comments

In my third week at a new job, was asked last week to train a new colleague. Also been assigned tasks that are more involved than what was discussed in the interview, and they are growing in complexity on a daily basis. Do not mind the work and do not struggle with it, but desire adequate compensation. Am I already receiving adequate compensation, or is asking for a raise warranted? If so, how do I do this when it is only Week #3? [more inside]
posted by Jangatroo at 6:57 PM PST - 15 comments

How do I get back into IT from regional Australia? I'm working on building a portfolio of tools and tutorials and thinking about a mentor. Any other ideas? [more inside]
posted by dinoworx at 6:35 PM PST - 4 comments

I enjoy producing electronic music (check that mefi music for very humble examples). I'd like to start making songs incorporating vocals... my own vocals! YIKES! What microphone should a hobbyist working with a laptop get? Is there a USB solution or is it time I throw down the $$$ for a usb audio interface? I truly don't know where to start. Also any other tips for getting descent recordings of a female vocalist who struggles to NOT sing very loudly, has rarely sung into a mic, are eagerly welcome! I'm a total infant in this regard. [more inside]
posted by wellifyouinsist at 2:46 PM PST - 9 comments

I am relocating from Phoenix to Columbus, OH (ironically, I initially made the decision to leave because Phoenix's housing market is so out of control that even with a great gig, no debt and more than a 20% down payment, I was being constantly outbid). Now, Columbus is the hot market due to the announcement that Intel is coming to town and I find myself in the exact same position all over again. [more inside]
posted by simonelikenina at 2:44 PM PST - 8 comments

Psych enthusiasts or psyches/sociologists: What's the technique called when a person assumes another person's identity or disposition in an effort to communicate/relate/prompt them? [more inside]
posted by firstdaffodils at 2:18 PM PST - 12 comments

Somewhere in the mid-2000s, I remember a book (by someone who I thought was a NY Times writer) that was full of humorous, hand drawn Venn diagrams. I think it became a best seller. I am having no luck finding it online. Help!
posted by CollectiveMind at 1:57 PM PST - 5 comments

Asking for a friend: I am about to graduate as a mental health counselor (M.Ed) and want to move back to California to work. I have spent a lot of time on the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) website and feel as-okay-I-can about the process itself. Hope that someone who knows the process can answer a few questions... [more inside]
posted by gregr at 1:53 PM PST - 1 comment

Suiko Koto synthesizers have two rows of buttons for playing traditional Japanese music but they are not arranged like a western keyboard. In addition they can switch from equal-temperament to a traditional one (just intonation?) I want to make a simple Koto Synth using arcade buttons and a micro-controller but I need to know what tones come from each button on the bottom two rows. [more inside]
posted by Captain Shenanigan at 1:26 PM PST - 5 comments

Looking to buy Hi Maize corn starch but can’t find it anywhere [more inside]
posted by RichardHenryYarbo at 12:34 PM PST - 3 comments

A friend is applying for a job as a door to door salesperson for Lumio Inc, selling solar panels in the state of Washington. [more inside]
posted by 101cats at 12:03 PM PST - 16 comments

Super easy to change the background color in text boxes in other programs. Can't figure it out in acrobat [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 12:03 PM PST - 4 comments

My husband gifted me with a professional bra fitting, which is great since my size and shape changed since I became a mother. I want to be able to buy affordable bras in my newly discovered correct size (32E) online, but I have some questions. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 11:27 AM PST - 26 comments

TLDR: A friend of mine gave me a poster that’s a portrait of a colleague. [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 10:31 AM PST - 11 comments

What is the original source of the background music used from about 8:59–9:17 in this video? [more inside]
posted by Johnny Assay at 10:13 AM PST - 5 comments

How can I return to the tech industry? [more inside]
posted by shockpoppet at 9:06 AM PST - 8 comments

I bought my teenage son this watch for Christmas. Stretch band, but one of the middle non-stretchy links has come apart. Here's a photo. Could I fix this with tiny tools and some bending? I don't want to pay $20 to ship it back for repair. Bands are not warrantied. Thanks!
posted by freecellwizard at 8:17 AM PST - 2 comments

Looking to find short stories that introduces a strong character, which is then a basis of followup stories. E.g. Study in Scarlet for Sherlock Holmes.
posted by storybored at 8:11 AM PST - 9 comments

I was just promoted and now one of my new tasks at work is to QUICKLY alter pdfs... what's the fastest way to do this? [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 7:58 AM PST - 26 comments

We had a burst pipe in the house, which caused some drywall to come off the walls and ceiling. What's the best way to remove drywall from wood furniture and glass?
posted by La Gata at 7:48 AM PST - 5 comments

Is a PCR test required for a pavloxid prescription, or is a + antigen test sufficient evidence of covid infection?
posted by Dashy at 7:06 AM PST - 3 comments

After 22 hours of travel, we'll be landing in SFO at midnight in late April. What's our best option for getting our tired bums into beds safely? [more inside]
posted by iamkimiam at 4:23 AM PST - 30 comments

When I as a kid, one of my favorite books was Hey Listen to This! Stories to Read Aloud. It was purely for reading/ listening (no pictures). I am looking for something similar that is available digitally (ebook, kindle, pdf...anything). [more inside]
posted by WeekendJen at 1:11 AM PST - 3 comments

We are getting married this fall and are looking for a pyebaek/paebaek vendor (for a Korean wedding ceremony) in the Albany, NY/Saratoga Springs, NY area. Do you know of any potential vendors in the area? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:56 PM PST - 2 comments

I am going to Mexico tomorrow by car from the US, and I can't find an authoritative answer on whether I can bring in a hookah and its supplies (shisha tobacco, coals). I know I should have no problem bringing the hookah back to the US. Kindly share your wisdom if you know, or can effectively search the Spanish-language internet, which I cannot, as I don't speak Spanish. [more inside]
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 4:00 PM PST - 3 comments

Very random question here: I spilled some beer in my fridge, and thought "oh no, how will I clean that up, and the fridge gunk that I spilled it on". [more inside]
posted by soylent00FF00 at 3:26 PM PST - 38 comments

I have to decide what to do with my foster kittens, and there are a lot of conflicting views. In December a friend asked me to take over her emergency placement of a cat with four kittens. The feral mother cat ran away (hid near the front door and shot out when it was opened) once the kittens were eating food - I've tried re-catching her several times but she refuses to come near or in a trap, and is hanging out as neighbourhood cat now, looking relatively healthy. This is long - but I appreciate sensible advice! [more inside]
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 3:13 PM PST - 30 comments

I have Avast paid subscriptions for Avast Premium Security (multi-device) and Clean Up as well as Malwarebytes. I feel like this is overkill but I am a complete luddite when it comes to computer security. What do I need? [more inside]
posted by tafetta, darling! at 2:55 PM PST - 13 comments

So I've read to my 10 about to turn 11 year old boy now since he was born. We've loved the 'Little House' series, The Hobbit, The Silver Sword, Swallows & Amazons, Little Women, The Indian in the Cupboard, Treasure Island, The Carey Novels (Ronald Welch). My husband has read our son all of the Harry Potter books which he loved. We've read Narnia etc etc [more inside]
posted by dance at 2:45 PM PST - 59 comments

I have an art/design project in which I combine sediments and liquids in jars, in order to explore and visualize natural phenomena. There's a recurring phenomenon that I find captivating, and it surely happens out in the world. But where, and how? [more inside]
posted by marlys at 2:02 PM PST - 17 comments

My friend's dog died 8 days ago. She still has not dealt with his body. I have questions about how to help her. More inside to avoid distressing anyone who doesn't wish to read about this. [more inside]
posted by hazyjane at 11:09 AM PST - 31 comments

I’m feeling a lot of self-hate after acting unprofessionally in a work situation. I don’t know how to get past it. [more inside]
posted by furtheryet at 9:52 AM PST - 12 comments

I am mentoring a 13-year old who loves to draw, but he gets frustrated by his drawing skills. I have been impressed by the creativity in what he draws, but his technique could definitely be improved significantly. How can I help him improve? [more inside]
posted by eurandom at 9:27 AM PST - 22 comments

I have never used a green screen before. I'm reading stuff online but would love to hear what works for others. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 9:26 AM PST - 5 comments

I enjoy General Tso's Chicken. However it's not cheap and I'm trying to eat less non-home grown chicken for a variety of reasons. So I figured I could use vegetarian chicken bites and trying out store bought sauces to make my own. [more inside]
posted by macfly at 8:49 AM PST - 10 comments

I believe I might be an employee but being classified as a 1099. What should I expect? Can I continue working if I need a job? [more inside]
posted by buttonedup at 7:47 AM PST - 12 comments

We're prospective first-time home buyers in a major North American metro. The housing market here isn't the Bay Area, but it's not good for buyers -- anything in decent shape and priced right sells in under 48 hours, often with two or three offers. Inventory is super low. If you've bought a home in a similarly overheated market, what did your decision-making process look like, and how do you feel about those decisions now? [more inside]
posted by robot inside a grid at 7:21 AM PST - 24 comments

I've been in therapy and on meds for many years, and while I'm better at handling intrusive thoughts, it is still a process every time, and it's an every single day sort of thing. I know it's unlikely they'll completely disappear, but has anyone actually managed to significantly reduce them, or had countering them become less of a chore? If so, what finally worked? Or is this what success just looks like re: intrusive thoughts? [more inside]
posted by unsettledink at 6:25 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm looking for some perspective on adopting a dog. I have so many questions. [more inside]
posted by MaryVictoria at 8:01 PM PST - 11 comments

How can I get my Shiba inu dog to stop barking and crying at night when he wants us to come to bed? [more inside]
posted by ljs30 at 6:20 PM PST - 8 comments

Dinner emergency! Early in the pandemic, the WaPo Voraciously section emailed out a baking cookbook with I think 12 recipes. One of them was a super fast skillet berry pancake/cobber thing that had only milk and no eggs. You made the batter and then dumped your defrosted berries in the middle. Do you have this recipe? I need to make it right this minute and somehow the whole cookbook disappeared from my emails and is not in my trash either. Gah.
posted by HotToddy at 4:29 PM PST - 14 comments

Ms. Pie and I are planning a short vacation in March – the first one in years – driving up the California coast from Santa Barbara to Monterey. We're staying a few nights in Monterey then driving back down. We'd especially like to walk/lightly hike in wooded areas with redwood trees, but we know recent fires have affected some of the parks in the area. What are our best options at this time? [more inside]
posted by StrawberryPie at 4:06 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm going to be getting a folding bike as a gift in the coming summer. At least one of the people going in on the gift is willing to cover "whatever everyone else doesn't pick up", but I'm not out to spend their money just because I can. I've never had a folding bike before and the idea of diving into the deep and super-expensive end doesn't sit extremely well with me, but I want to get something nice enough that it won't be a subpar experience becuase it's a bad bike. [more inside]
posted by jackbishop at 3:09 PM PST - 15 comments

I have an iPhone. I very much need to block all messages containing a certain word. Is there some utility or spell or something I can do? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 1:36 PM PST - 3 comments

Neither target nor walmart have any of these in stock in my area. can yall think of any other big box stores that deliver that sell the oil filled electric radiator type of heaters ? I havent had much luck figuring out other options. task rabbits are very sparse where i am and difficult to plan with, i have a recent orthopedic injury and cant get it myself. thanks in advance!
posted by elgee at 10:30 AM PST - 7 comments

For 6 months I've done 10 hr/wk contract job for a local consultant / freelancer. He's starting his own business and wants to bring me in as his first (probably only) full time employee. What's the best way for us to do this - w2, 1099, retainer, etc? [more inside]
posted by rebent at 9:50 AM PST - 22 comments

I've been dealing with extreme fatigue, can't eat/think, etc. for coming up on 3-4 weeks now. What should I have listed/ask about when I see my doctor Tuesday? Also, if you have this, how did you deal with it and/or talk to your doctor? Thanks. [more inside]
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 8:38 AM PST - 17 comments

I’m returning the surname/last-name I took when I got married. I don’t want to revert to the surname I was born with. What should my new surname be? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:00 AM PST - 34 comments

I want to get rid of some cryptocurrency, preferably via gift or donation, with the absolute minimum of paperwork and effort. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:00 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm always about to breakup, but then can't bring myself to do the conversation. [more inside]
posted by pando11 at 7:41 AM PST - 24 comments

I want to replace my partner's very old Amazon Fire for his birthday and am in search of a the best tablet for reading comics. I'm not even sure where to start. Ideally it would be under £100 and wouldn't be an Amazon product (I avoid them). If you read comic books on a tablet device, which would you recommend, and what should I know about this that I probably haven't thought of? Thanks! [more inside]
posted by iamkimiam at 5:27 AM PST - 11 comments

My daughter enjoys Just Dance on my original Nintendo Wii (not Wii U). She's interested in games that also involve singing. I'd like to know what microphone to buy that is definitely compatible, and recommendations for fun games, please! [more inside]
posted by snarfois at 3:15 AM PST - 3 comments

I still haven't filed my taxes for 2020. I filed an extension and then didn't file by the extension deadline, but I didn't owe any taxes and instead will get a refund, so I'm not worried about late payment penalties. [more inside]
posted by overglow at 11:47 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm trying to compile a list of defunct hosted blogging platforms. Which ones am I missing? [more inside]
posted by wesleyac at 11:33 PM PST - 26 comments

Please give me examples of fascist movements that might have made it but did not succeed, preferably with pointers or further reading as to why. [more inside]
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 10:07 PM PST - 11 comments

I don't understand credit cards. I try to avoid using mine but do sometimes use it for a larger purchase, then pay off within a month or two. But it has associated fees and lacks some of the 'perks' that I think may be possible. I have good credit. What credit card should I apply for? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 8:23 PM PST - 22 comments

Our household gets a LOT of packages on a daily basis. We need a solution for processing said shipments that doesn’t result in our home being strewn with cardboard and other packaging materials. I’m looking for furniture, systems, workflows, tips and tricks, anything you do to solve this issue. [more inside]
posted by tatiana wishbone at 6:22 PM PST - 12 comments

I have .66lb of country style pork ribs. (The ones that aren't really ribs- they're from the shoulder region, there is no bone.) I want to make pulled pork with them. I have access to an oven and an instant pot. I have no idea how long to cook them for. [more inside]
posted by Hactar at 2:54 PM PST - 7 comments

My Windows installation is running out of room. I want to move it from what is now the C drive (capacity 117 GB) to what is now the D drive (capacity 915 GB). Both drives are partitions of a 1T SATA internal drive. [more inside]
posted by feelinggood at 1:29 PM PST - 10 comments

Please recommend me some light and escapist sci-fi novels, ideally available on audible. [more inside]
posted by knapah at 12:51 PM PST - 34 comments

Now that I've been mostly working form home for 2 years and am a mom to 2 young and demanding sons, my shoe needs have changed completely. I want to invest some time and thought into figuring out what shoes will match my current life since heels and ballet flats have moved out. Things I have and like: 1. Black waterproof Birks for putzing around the house or in the backyard 2. Sorel Slip Ons for daycare pickups, to pair with jeans, go to the park. 3. Sorel Sneakers for walks around the neighborhood or errands. 4. Black Chelsea boots for 'nicer' outings. I feel like I need to add another casual sneaker into the rotation or some other shoe(s). I used to have a pair of Vejas but didn't find them comfortable. Is there anything else that could be added into the rotation that are: slip-ons (or easy to get into), high quality, similar to the aesthetic described above, and comfortable. For sake of argument, let's pretend price is not a barrier as long as the other elements are met.
posted by allthingsconsidered at 12:15 PM PST - 22 comments

Our dog eats anything paper or paper-like that she can get her paws on when we leave the house. She's not food motivated and she's injured herself on a crate in the past. Absolutely no idea what to do about her behavior, thankful it so far has not resulted in a vet visit. Thoughts and ideas? [more inside]
posted by Medieval Maven at 11:01 AM PST - 8 comments

Is there anyone who can tell me whether it will be possible to run the iTunes version 12.3.2.35 (from 2015ish, run on a Windows 10 computer currently) - on the new Windows 11 operating system?
posted by tiny frying pan at 10:24 AM PST - 12 comments

How do you cope when you are waiting for bad news? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 9:23 AM PST - 21 comments

I'd like to have a bit of a pulled together "capsule wardobe" for summer and I'm trying to get more natural fibers in the mix. I've been looking on etsy for linen pants and tops and I'm looking for your favorite linen clothing companies but I also have questions about linen! [more inside]
posted by amanda at 8:32 AM PST - 12 comments

I've been sick for a long time but lately I have new symptoms-- racing heart, faintness, tingling fingers, shortness of breath, etc. That *feel* like a panic attack even though they are not. (Likely a POTS diagnosis in the offing.) I also have C Diff and feel wretched. I am scared. Like...little-kid-scared-of-the-dark scared. And my 'Don't be a baby. Suck it up.' internal narrative isn't helping. If you have experienced medical fear, what has helped you in the short term and in the long term? [more inside]
posted by jeszac at 8:24 AM PST - 15 comments

I have a thinky job. My brain is currently fried. How I can rest my brain this weekend? [more inside]
posted by Saucywench at 8:14 AM PST - 24 comments

My 27 year old furnace is likely not going to make it into another winter (possibly not another summer) so it will need to be replaced. I'd like some advice. [more inside]
posted by Ashwagandha at 8:04 AM PST - 12 comments

The clock on my 2014 Ford Transit Connect is wrong. It's also cannot be set. It also keeps moving forward, but not in relation to anything I can determine, and very very very slowly. [more inside]
posted by dirtdirt at 6:52 AM PST - 6 comments

Is there a word that means not empty, but not full, that doesn't rely on those concepts such as half-full? [more inside]
posted by freethefeet at 3:38 AM PST - 28 comments

I just found out that if you search for my name or the name of my consulting firm in a certain way, the top result is from this very sketchy site that says MY COMPANY LLC is delinquent. It's the first thing you see. My company was administratively delinquent on purpose. I fixed it but now I have to wait for Google to reindex this website. I don't think it's possible, I thought I'd ask, but can I speed this reindexing process up with Google? [more inside]
posted by Che boludo! at 9:52 PM PST - 6 comments

I am curious about JVN hair products, especially for curly/dry hair. Do you have an experience with them? Or have a link to reliable reviews?
posted by bearette at 7:37 PM PST - 6 comments

Hi everyone. I am a woman in her mid-twenties who has a maladied reproductive system. I don't love myself at the moment, but I would like to. [more inside]
posted by antihistameme at 7:02 PM PST - 9 comments

Can someone with inside information tell me what will happen? Four year old Hauwei phone with all the bells and whistles. I selected it because it would function with the upcoming switch to voLTE systems. [more inside]
posted by woman at 7:00 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm trying to put together hard numbers for a high-visibility project that will involve commissioning a variety of local poets to write original pieces for performance rather than publication. As such, I have no sense of a competitive rate to pay each writer for their work. [more inside]
posted by mykescipark at 5:05 PM PST - 6 comments

What would the gravity be like if one were to visit Ceres? What would it be like to drop something? To throw a ball? To walk? How hard would it be to escape from Ceres' gravity? Could you have a drink in a cup? Would clothing and hair hang down? Would it be difficult to place items on a table without them sliding away? Thanks in advance!
posted by starfishprime at 4:54 PM PST - 14 comments

I am engaged to a wonderful woman. Her family is Roman Catholic. First, I would like to accommodate her family's desire that our marriage be recognized by the Roman Catholic church, but I need help setting certain boundaries based on my own beliefs. Second, I want to know what sorts of promises the priest will require me to make as a condition of going through with this ceremony. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:14 PM PST - 23 comments

My family had an overseas trip booked in just under four weeks (we are in the US-American citizens). Several months ago, we realized my adult daughter no longer had her passport. It was destroyed in the 2020 oregon wildfires. We then learn that victims of that disaster can take new pics, fill out a form, and have it replaced for free. Sweet-but now it’s been rejected twice… [more inside]
posted by purenitrous at 2:59 PM PST - 9 comments

Nostalgia question: At my school in the 80s in the US, the teachers occasionally used colored paper. There were only like 6 colors and they had standard specific names, like canary, goldenrod, and cobalt (nigh unreadable). There was a mint one, not sure if that was its name. They were not construction paper; they were not all pastel; if you've seen goldenrod or cobalt ykwim. Assuming this was a national distribution... Anyone happen to know the other colors and their names? And bonus: RGB values. Note, I'm NOT asking about pastel paper suppliers today.
posted by fleacircus at 2:34 PM PST - 12 comments

I am cold. I would like to have warm things applied to me. Specifically, I'm chasing the "fireplace on a cold night" or "hot drink in cold hands" feeling, instead of just piling on blankets and sweaters. I have cozy things that can keep me warm with my own body heat, but sometimes I want more active heating. Do you have a heated gadget that you love? [more inside]
posted by specialagentwebb at 2:16 PM PST - 31 comments

The dry cleaner shrank my beloved wool slacks. They offered to stretch them out, but I'd like to know more before proceeding. [more inside]
posted by aquamvidam at 1:14 PM PST - 2 comments

Fat lazy kitty owners, what has worked for your lil lump to get moving again? [more inside]
posted by moons in june at 11:43 AM PST - 18 comments

I need ideas for how to frame a home care business that doesn't include nursing duties. Please see below for what I see offering as services. Potential pitfalls would also be good to know. [more inside]
posted by itsflyable at 11:38 AM PST - 16 comments

The recent FPPs on liminal spaces reminded me of being detained at the Heathrow airport ten years ago. My question is: why? [more inside]
posted by Ideal Impulse at 9:13 AM PST - 31 comments

Please recommend a fast-growing, drought- and heat-tolerant shade tree for Zone 5. I can water it while it's young. Summer temps lately have been going over 110 on occasion and of course will only get hotter; also we are in a mega-drought. This is to shade a single-story house so it doesn't have to be super tall but it does need to start casting some appreciable shade ASAP.
posted by HotToddy at 7:55 AM PST - 17 comments

I want to make a music video shooting video of people going about their business in a park. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 6:58 AM PST - 64 comments

I’m looking for a calendar app for the apple ecosystem (MacBook laptop, ipad, iphone) that integrates tasks *and subtasks* and can be shared with one other person [more inside]
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 6:56 AM PST - 4 comments

I'd like to make a playlist for a group while maintaining the anonymity of the listeners to each other. Preventing or limiting any displayed comments, likes and/or follows would be ideal for that purpose. What should I use to do this?
posted by monkeys with typewriters at 6:51 AM PST - 4 comments

My local produce delivery folks left me double the amount of black oyster mushrooms than I requested today. How should I use them? I’m an omnivore and a good cook. What would take best advantage of the unique qualities of this variety of mushroom? [more inside]
posted by Mizu at 6:10 AM PST - 14 comments

Do schools in your area do a "February break" for a week, usually around Presidents' Day? If so, where are you? [more inside]
posted by twigatwig at 6:06 AM PST - 56 comments

I am a grad student. My job has a list of meetings (4-5 per week) that I am supposed to attend every week in addition to my lab work. I've missed two of these meetings over the last week because it DISTRESSES ME when I am focused on one task and then my focus is interrupted. It is difficult and stressful, so much so that I will angrily turn off my phone alarm instead of even looking at what it's reminding me to do in 10 minutes. Folks, what is up with my brain? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:44 AM PST - 29 comments

I have a cash app card I use for bars only. Yesterday I noticed it went down to $5. Most charges were small some mmm but all were for bars. Curious I found a $3000 (!) charge from Ticketmaster. I went to go to see on the card how to dispute it but the app says o need to resolve this with Ticketmaster. I can’t find a fraud person to talk to, any idea how to resolve this?
posted by geoff. at 3:33 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm tasked with giving a toast (not speech) at my parent's upcoming golden wedding anniversary (50 years). I've got a few bits but I would love to hear your thoughts on what to include in the toast and would like to end it with a poem. What do you suggest?
posted by atlantica at 2:53 AM PST - 4 comments

Whenever my first reaction to something is focused on its downside, I try to consider or imagine the upside. Yes, the songs that AI creates today are barely listenable, but it will inevitably create great music. What amazing things might be created? What experiments would you want to see? [more inside]
posted by shrimpetouffee at 12:03 AM PST - 9 comments

My almost-nine-year-old is getting increasingly picky about her clothing. How have you navigated clothing choice, fashion exploration, choosing quality, responsible spending, body image et cetera et cetera as a parent? [more inside]
posted by arrmatie at 7:51 PM PST - 19 comments

I once saw an odd scenario involving robotics, and I'm having trouble finding it again. I think people would pilot rovers in other people's houses through the internet? [more inside]
posted by queen anne's remorse at 7:33 PM PST - 6 comments

I learned today that the German translation of "oxygen" is "sauerstoff". I was surprised, because I think the "sauer" part of this is a reference to acid (like, "sauerkraut" = sour cabbage). Then I started hitting Google translate... [more inside]
posted by Vatnesine at 6:17 PM PST - 10 comments

I have an iPhone, with Google Photos installed. I have been added to a few shared photo folders within Google Photos. Whenever someone adds a photo to the shared folder, or comments on a photo, or likes a photo within the folder, I get a notification on my iPhone. I’d like to only receive a notification for a new photo, and not for a like or comment. I don’t see an option for this — is it possible?
posted by lewedswiver at 5:05 PM PST - 0 comments

My friend who has now passed gifted me this tapestry which I lost in moving homes. Does anyone know where I can find this exact tapestry so I can put it up on my wall? Amazon link to the tapestry
posted by maxexam at 5:04 PM PST - 6 comments

I've just started a new job where I will be working with marketing and sales teams. I am not from a marketing or sales background. Are there any good sites/courses/books that you would recommend to help me get up to speed? [more inside]
posted by daikaisho at 4:26 PM PST - 3 comments

Asking for a friend: he is wondering about the meaning behind these two (unrelated to each other) stylized Arabic symbols: 1, 2 [more inside]
posted by btfreek at 2:40 PM PST - 2 comments

Is there a site where you can purchase sheet music for different songs from different artists and have it compiled into a book? [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 2:05 PM PST - 2 comments

I like to listen to playlists of popular opera arias--the kind of stuff you might hear on a CD titled "The 100 Best Arias Ever, Sung by the Best Artists at the Height of Their Careers". I don't have a very sophisticated understanding of what I'm listening to or any context for the music. [more inside]
posted by QuakerMel at 1:34 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm not sure what I watched which set them off, but lately YouTube has started recommending Jordan Peterson videos to me. How do I get them to stop? [more inside]
posted by johnofjack at 1:15 PM PST - 20 comments

I like the widget on my phone that shows me old photos of mine that I might enjoy, but I dislike the musical slideshow it sometimes does instead. Is there a way to have one without the other? [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:03 PM PST - 1 comment

Back before the death of vine, one of my favorite videos was a woman wearing a dog mask and playing an accordion while chanting "dogs, dogs, dogs, dogs," as her dog sat next to her. I would like to see that video again, and haven't been able to find it.
posted by moonmilk at 1:02 PM PST - 2 comments

My partner, my dog, and I will be staying in Saugerties, NY, for a long weekend. What would you suggest for things to do? [more inside]
posted by cursed at 12:43 PM PST - 9 comments

How can I purchase season 6 of The Expanse for download in NZ? If the answer is "there is no legit source" then I'm open to other avenues. [more inside]
posted by inexorably_forward at 12:30 PM PST - 3 comments

The hubby and I are getting a security door for our main entry. He wants one single key for both the existing door and the new security door (mostly for convenience). I think two keys, one for each door, would add to our security. Which is best: two keys or one? [more inside]
posted by chatelaine at 11:44 AM PST - 24 comments

Previously, I've asked questions about moving into a new apartment. While cleaning out some cupboards, I've discovered that one of the previous tenants had left a complete set of a Sun Beam 18 Piece Kitchen Assistant. What the heck do I do with it? [more inside]
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 11:36 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm interested in enjoying some good cocktails on an upcoming trip to the Miami area. Grateful for any recommendations of bars or restaurants with great cocktail programs. Thanks!
posted by DavidNYC at 10:55 AM PST - 5 comments

Can wild birds eat human cocktail peanuts? Can they eat these peanuts if the salt is removed? We have a large bag of these peanuts that mice had gotten into.
posted by Raybun at 10:32 AM PST - 10 comments

I won the lottery to spend a night at Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I have to take the burros down and back, can't walk it. Tell me about what I will see as I descend and ascend. History, geology, time will unfold for me. Give me your thoughts, observations.
posted by ebesan at 10:09 AM PST - 6 comments

There is a fancy tennis/swim club near where I live that is VERY NICE and pretty pricey. I realize these clubs have a lot of issues around them - I've got the list, don't worry. I'm curious if anyone has actually joined one of these clubs, why you joined, what it was like, what you thought of it, if you stuck with it, if you'd do it again and so on. [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 9:35 AM PST - 10 comments

What are the most interesting and thought provoking stories (biblical or otherwise) about Satan? [more inside]
posted by fake at 9:12 AM PST - 50 comments

Please help me become a soup wizard! I'm looking for books/youtube videos/online courses how to make soups from scratch without a recipe - BUT - without using stock/broth or bouillon cubes. [more inside]
posted by mirileh at 8:17 AM PST - 26 comments

I have a few aunts/uncles/cousins in different parts of the country who occasionally drop hints that they'd love for me to visit where they live. And I kind of do want to, but...I don't want to actually stay with them. How do I break that to them? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:52 AM PST - 18 comments

I'm planning to move this year and starting to pack. I have questions, but would also appreciate any tips. I'm roughly planning to move in the fall, so I have a reasonable amount of time. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 7:38 AM PST - 18 comments

Do you have any recommendations for rural vacation spots? I’m normally a city person, and love traveling to and exploring new cities. But I’ve been dreaming about hanging out in the country for a while. [more inside]
posted by catcafe at 7:37 AM PST - 7 comments

Quick, my neighbor downstairs is renovating, and it's noisy as hell. Thankfully, all the drill work seems to be in F. Recommendations for music that's heavy on F drones? Thank you!
posted by thisclickableme at 7:31 AM PST - 6 comments

Seeking: funny, breezy, lighthearted, and positive TV/movie depictions of girls getting the first period. I'm hoping for recs with girls on the younger side, 13 or under. And it would be great if there's a good mom-daughter relationship as part of the story. [more inside]
posted by MiraK at 7:16 AM PST - 10 comments

If my fictional PhD candidate is writing his dissertation on some aspect of the Russian Revolution, or just before, would he have necessarily gone there to conduct research? Or would it depend entirely on what he's studying? [more inside]
posted by swheatie at 7:04 AM PST - 9 comments

I remember an anecdote about a Japanese car company (I think Toyota) where, if they saw an oil spot on the ground, they'd stop the lines to diagnose where it came from -- rather than do the American car company thing and just clean it up. Does this sound familiar? [more inside]
posted by knownassociate at 6:03 AM PST - 7 comments

A few days ago a guy on the subway walked by selling "spares and louds." (loads? lots? lodge? louts? lofts?) I know what a spare is, but what is the second thing? It definitely had an L at the start, an TS/DS/TZ/DG/similar at the end, and an o/ou/au sound in the middle. This was in the industrial US midwest. [more inside]
posted by eotvos at 4:43 AM PST - 10 comments

I've been fantasizing about visiting Paris lately, I think I'd like go to there for my first post-Covid vacation (I'm imagining in a year or two). I'm a horrible language learner, though. I'm just bad. How much French do I really need to learn before I visit Paris? What are the specific things I should focus on when learning French? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:38 AM PST - 36 comments

I’ve accepted a job offer A that I am excited about and am due to start. I’ve been engaged on another, better job B , but the recruiting process won’t finalize into a offer until after I start my job A. If I take job B after job A starts is there any way to do this without destroying my reputation at company A? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:38 AM PST - 9 comments

I need new bed sheets. I want a luxurious feel that gets softer with time, made to last, wrinkle resistant (I will never have enough time in my life to iron sheets). I have never tried bamboo sheets. If you have, do you recommend them? I would prefer a (king) set with extra pillowcases also available. I am willing to buy online or locally in Chicago. [more inside]
posted by Lylo at 12:20 AM PST - 10 comments

I quit my job over a month ago and I haven't bothered to update my resume, apply for other jobs, brush up on my resume skills, etc. I feel a bit traumatized (this sound extreme) by the job I quit. It was a terrible fit. I have no idea how to "come back" from this and come to terms with the experience. I'm mortified that this even happened. Any advice? How do I go forward? If you quit a toxic job, how did you get over it? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 10:40 PM PST - 11 comments

I am going in for extraction of two teeth on Thursday. Please give me an idea of what to expect and what I am missing as far as recovery preparation. [more inside]
posted by SquidLips at 9:49 PM PST - 15 comments

Angelenos this question is for you. Say a person is setting out from the car rental desk at BUR c 8 or 8:30 pm. This person likes Canter's style big deli sandwiches and wants to get one that night. Should this person just drive down to Canter's in Hollywood, or is there somewhere in Studio City that will be open around 9pm where she can get a sandwich like that? (Hotel is in Studio City, will be traveling with potentially cranky child.)
posted by fingersandtoes at 6:05 PM PST - 7 comments

I have a memory of a quote that I think was attributed to Dirac that goes something like this: "To solve a problem, divide it into two parts: a simple part and a small part. If you're clever, you'll be able to solve the simple part. And if you're lucky, the small part will turn out to be really small." Help me track it down? [more inside]
posted by cider at 5:50 PM PST - 5 comments

I have an older Toshiba Portege (a R935-P330) that I'm trying to resurrect - when I start up, I get a black screen asking me for a password, but cannot bypass this to access BIOS (which is what I'd like to do here). What gives? [more inside]
posted by ryanshepard at 4:44 PM PST - 4 comments

So yeah, and this will probably be unusual, because the place I'm interested in isn't where people normally go to. The place is Calgary and by extension Alberta. I'm not generally very conservative, at least not socially. I sort of agree with some better economic ideas that conservatives have in general, but it is really dependent on which. I feel like they also have a bunch of wacky stuff when it comes to economics. [more inside]
posted by Tarsonis10 at 4:09 PM PST - 16 comments

I need a way to use my phone - Android - for podcasts and music only. What app will reliably block the internet? Games not an issue. Needs to block rather than just growing a tree for time away from phone. I've heard about Freedom. Is there a free alternative, or is it worth it? [more inside]
posted by toucan at 3:37 PM PST - 6 comments

I am administrative coordinator in the office of the president of an ivy league university on the east coast. I have worked there for 5 years, and have been promoted once in my time there. I like the work, but am starting to feel like I'm stagnating and want to look around and see what's out there. Help me narrow down the types of jobs (preferably remote) that I would be qualified for. Further information about what I've been doing for the past 5 years below the fold. [more inside]
posted by bridgebury at 3:35 PM PST - 5 comments

I have always had Keratosis pilaris but it seems to have gotten worse recently. Feeling very self-conscious about my upper arms! I have an event to go to in just over a month, please recommend things which are proven to reduce the appearance? (My understanding is that I won't be able to eliminate the issue, but I am hoping to make it slightly less obvious at least). Thank you
posted by kinddieserzeit at 3:15 PM PST - 29 comments

We might need to rent our condo. How do I even start doing that? [more inside]
posted by pdb at 2:18 PM PST - 7 comments

I want to go to an amazingly well done escape room. It needs to be with 3 hours of Central Mass.
posted by beccaj at 12:54 PM PST - 4 comments

There is a recent FPP and associated MetaTalk that together have a long list of promising recipe sites. Is there a way to put together a collection of these (or any other) sites and then search (google or otherwise) and get results only from these sites? I'm guessing not, but a girl can hope...
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 11:45 AM PST - 14 comments

I've been seeing a lot of phone game apps (on android) where you match tiles to make them go away. And while they're exactly the kind of brainless time wasters I'd like right now, they all look so ugly and cheap. I really like pretty looking games. (Needn't necessarily be tile matching, but scratch the same itch. )
posted by Omnomnom at 11:45 AM PST - 15 comments

Obscure question I know, and I'm prepared to get professional help with it. Thought I'd try here first. [more inside]
posted by Right On Red at 11:11 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm defining 'super online tradcaths' here as extremely online seeming, usually hard-right right wing people who post A LOT about religious stuff, but to an outside observer it looks like they're basically 4chan people posting Catholic flavored 4chan stuff. Are these people related to existing Catholic right-wing cranks? Do online tradcaths show up at churches? What do churches or church organizations think about these people? Are tradcaths even on normie Catholics' radar? [more inside]
posted by nixon's meatloaf at 10:53 AM PST - 16 comments

I've been searching for an hour and can't seem to find what I want exactly. Trying to do some portion control, and I need an ADULT sized plate that (more inside) [more inside]
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 10:44 AM PST - 20 comments

I have worn and loved Brooks Addiction Walkers for many years. Reviews say they're now terrible. What's a good replacement? [more inside]
posted by kristi at 10:25 AM PST - 9 comments

After postponing several times, my family has 6 months to a year of doing pretty much anything. Complication: school age kids. Ideas? [more inside]
posted by heavenknows at 9:45 AM PST - 16 comments

Can you recommend entertaining books for light reading before bed? I'm looking for calm and interesting reads without heavy drama, suspense, conflict or too much dense information/ideas. In the past I've enjoyed James Herriott books (All Creatures Great and Small series), Bill Bryson (Walk in the Woods), and Sherlock Holmes since it is in short self contained chapters. Fiction or non-fiction are both good.
posted by roaring beast at 9:32 AM PST - 29 comments

I recently read "Almost Romance" by Nancy Balbirer and am looking for stories/plots (any medium, fiction or non, I'm not picky) with the same kind of dynamic. [more inside]
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:08 AM PST - 1 comment

I've recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I'd be interested in learning what sort of information I should be pursuing, both with my rheumatologist and otherwise. My ignorance on the topic is profound and I really need to learn more about this illness. [more inside]
posted by cheapskatebay at 8:10 AM PST - 5 comments

I have a 5 day work trip to Baltimore coming up in March. I'll be staying and working in the Inner Harbor area and will have plenty of free time. I won't have a car but will use taxis/ride share and love to walk. Looking for vegan food recommendations and tips on things to do. [more inside]
posted by Pineapplicious at 6:24 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm looking to pick up a browser-based RPG. Preferably free-to-play and single-player. I don't need impressive graphics, just a fun game that I can pick up and grind at for a while.
posted by One Hand Slowclapping at 5:53 AM PST - 3 comments

One of my favourite recent books was 'Paperbacks from Hell' by Grady Hendrix: really fun and insightful commentary into the popular horror novel genre: kind of a potted history. I'm interested in reading similar guides to other popular genres. [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 5:47 AM PST - 9 comments

In line with the recent Metafilter threads about someone getting lost in a hotel and discovering abandoned rooms with confusing architecture, I'm looking for short stories and videos with the same vibe! Ideally they would be under 10k words / less than 20 minutes and science fiction, but I'm open to other recommendations.
posted by Trifling at 4:15 AM PST - 20 comments

Looking for some easy, catchy songs I can play for my little one. I do pretty well on piano (although not so well with singing and playing at the same time!) and am very amateur with guitar (can play the basic chords and only one strum pattern). Would prefer any free material that's already out there but willing to pay as well, as I don't want to be ripping anyone off or anything like that. Thanks!
posted by Forty-eight at 3:06 AM PST - 7 comments

I got a phishing email purporting to be from my wife's aunt. Is there anything that I should do besides delete the email? [more inside]
posted by polecat at 9:17 PM PST - 12 comments

I have 15 planting jobs on the go (at any one time) where where I order plants ahead for planting this year and out to about three years ahead. Covid's disrupted plant supply and I often have shortfalls and need to juggle plant numbers, including substituting plants from other jobs. Would there be a spreadsheet solution for this? it's beyond my ability to think about it but it seems it would be little different from a lot of inventory control solutions. [more inside]
posted by unearthed at 7:24 PM PST - 4 comments

Planning to be in Paris the week of March 14. What should I see, do, eat? I’ve been very COVID conservative at home, so I feel a little wary of restaurants/bars. Outdoor suggestions appreciated. How is masking there now? [more inside]
posted by shadygrove at 7:03 PM PST - 21 comments

We recently moved and or local grocery store has a large selection of cremas of different types. I can sorta suss out the differences between oaxaqueña and Salvadoran (though if anyone has a decent guide I'd appreciate that too), but my googling in English hasn't turned up Crema Amarilla. Does anyone know what might be different about it or how it's made?
posted by Carillon at 6:28 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm going to be in Puerto Morelos (Riviera Maya, Mexico) next week and would love some advice on what to do and how to get around (without a car). Plus: are Isla Mujeres or Cozumel worth the day trip if I can't rent a golf cart or scooter? [more inside]
posted by lunasol at 5:28 PM PST - 6 comments

Within the past couple weeks, a new "My Calendar" has appeared in my Google Calendar app on my phone. When I enter appointments on my phone, it uses this calendar and won't let me change to my events, which is what it always defaulted to before. The appointments on my phone only exist there - they don't sync to the website or anyone who's got complete access to my calendars. Help?
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 4:36 PM PST - 4 comments

About ten or fifteen years ago, I found a broccoli and cheese soup recipe that quickly became one of my go-to winter meals. Somehow, though, I have misplaced the original recipe (that I tore out of a magazine or off the back of something), and I have not been able to find it online. My incessant Googling has failed me. Will you help me? [more inside]
posted by ASlackerPestersMums at 4:31 PM PST - 9 comments

Looking for a recommendation for a condo painter in the Toronto area. [more inside]
posted by devonia at 3:07 PM PST - 2 comments

[TLDR: I need a pretty picture and am flexible] The new cutting edge of aquarium background art: [spoken floridly:] Understated yet grandiose. Clean yet complex. Colorful yet hinting toward monochromatic? Startlingly beautiful and soothing, but definitely not an underwater scene. All these adjectives are purely optional. Please help me discover it so I can print it out and stick it to the back of my 10 gallon planted tank (or buy it, if someone is already doing good art like this). Can you help me find some unexpected but perfect art for my tank? [more inside]
posted by amtho at 2:48 PM PST - 20 comments

What is the one product I should put on my freshly popped pimple to make it shrink and go away, quickly? [more inside]
posted by yawper at 2:24 PM PST - 27 comments

We have about 70 entries and between 3 and 5 judges. We want to have a 1st through 5th place winners. What form of ranked choice voting would be best? I'm looking for an algorithm to implement. [more inside]
posted by Sophont at 2:23 PM PST - 7 comments

What do you think about this New Yorker cartoon? [more inside]
posted by ragtimepiano at 1:25 PM PST - 37 comments

So, I had a bunch of blood tests after going to my doctor for neuropathy in my feet and they all came back completely terrible. Help me put it into perspective - how terrible ARE they? The leading suspect is the thyroid, because of its score, but is the score really as bad as my paranoid brain thinks? [more inside]
posted by instead of three wishes at 12:12 PM PST - 11 comments

There once was an Ask about walking the streets that had a lot of flaneur and Solnit’s Wanderlust in it, but I’ve seen criticism that even Solnit primarily wrote of western history. Are there any similar such books that take a more global perspective?
posted by bixfrankonis at 12:03 PM PST - 4 comments

I obviously know about The Bangles, and I know about Yo La Tengo, but what are your favorite Big Star cover songs?
posted by 1970s Antihero at 11:29 AM PST - 13 comments

I've always done taxes with TurboTax, and actually kind of enjoy the process, but I'm wondering if I should switch to a paid preparer. Specific situation outlined below the fold. [more inside]
posted by redlines at 11:20 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm going to make this cod and winter ratatouille for my husband's birthday, but I don't really eat fish, so I have no conception of what would taste good with it. What other dishes would you serve to fill out the birthday meal?
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 11:14 AM PST - 12 comments

Person moving from State Medicaid to Marketplace health insurance. Tips for best dental or easiest transition instructions? State is Oregon. Thanks!
posted by firstdaffodils at 10:42 AM PST - 2 comments

Whenever I need to get a birthday card I find myself scrambling at the last minute through racks of uninspiring cards at the Whole Foods checkout, and I would like to get out of this rut and be more proactive by having a stash on hand for easy mailing. Can you recommend some online sources for boxed assorted birthday cards? I guess the style I like would be universal for most adults, and created by artists or designers -- so graphically beautiful, and very minimal text. (And actually they don't need to be boxed).
posted by nanook at 10:29 AM PST - 16 comments

I would like ideas on how to increase members monthly donations to a neighbourhood/community so that it can better sustain itself. [more inside]
posted by edmz at 10:18 AM PST - 13 comments

Hi all, I have a meeting with my accountant tomorrow to go over my tax info, and I am mildly freaking out as I calculate my "ending inventory". This is the one element of doing my small business taxes that has really evaded me. [more inside]
posted by sucre at 10:09 AM PST - 2 comments

Can someone who knows something about this give me a lead or two? I'm totally ignorant. + Someone fills out a Typeform. Two separate fields are for emails (one for the person filling it out, one for a friend) + Once they fill it out, I want to email both of those people a template email that has a Calendly scheduling link. Caveat: - This email should only be sent out if the two emails are different from one another. Sometimes people accidentally put their own email twice.
posted by vocativecase at 10:09 AM PST - 1 comment

My Gmail account which I've been using since closed beta was disabled last week due to suspect phishing. I filled out their appeal form immediately but it's been nearly a week with no response. Any support #s I've found online are no longer active. I opened a Twitter account to scream into the void but I've only heard from scammers. Is there anything else I can do? [more inside]
posted by Evstar at 7:38 AM PST - 1 comment

My climate change film club is looking for recommendations on more general political action documentaries. Which docs can help to inform/inspire us?
posted by Frenchy67 at 7:25 AM PST - 8 comments

Asking for a friend- My friend (Tom) is currently renting out a room in a house that he owns in Brooklyn to a woman (Betsy). Betsy has lived there since early last spring and initially was pleasant and chatty, maybe a bit excessively chatty, but still easy for Tom to get along with. They would share tasks like walking each others dogs, driving to the market or airport, do an occasional favor, etc. It was a pleasant house sharing situation. Until... [more inside]
posted by newpotato at 6:51 AM PST - 21 comments

I'm reviewing a direct deposit form for a new job and the form says I give the company authorization "to initiate credit entries and, if necessary, to debit entries and adjustments for any error." Authorizing them to deduct money, even with that caveat, is unsettling. It's been a while since I've signed such a form but I don't remember past forms including that--is this typical? How concerned should I be? It's a staffing firm that's been around for several years.
posted by needs more cowbell at 6:45 AM PST - 16 comments

For those who have or helped people with chronic fatigue, how do y'all or the person suffering cope? [more inside]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:41 AM PST - 15 comments

I’m looking for an iPhone app to easily order photo prints from my phone to be mailed to my house in Canada (Quebec). I’m thinking of something like the user experience of Chatbooks, but for loose prints instead of books. Mainly small prints, 3x5 or 4x6 or such — the exact size isn’t that important to me as long as they’re nice for hanging on the fridge. [more inside]
posted by mekily at 5:37 AM PST - 3 comments

I've got a bit time to be an employed nomad on this fair island. I'd like to spend some time getting to know some smaller towns. [more inside]
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 2:57 AM PST - 16 comments

Newly expecting parents here, eager for advice. My wife and I are state workers in California, with (if all goes well) a baby due in October. We are both eligible, we think, for FMLA/CFRA leave. I have 5ish months of vacation +sick leave saved up; her job is newer so she has less paid leave time available. Substantial savings, so we can afford to not work for a while, though rent+ child care costs mean a while does not equal forever. What tips can mefite California (Bay Area, ideally) parents offer on good ways to structure our leaves? How long can we stretch them out for? Should we stagger our time? Any leave tips? What about the transition to childcare? Thanks!
posted by SandCounty at 7:13 PM PST - 10 comments

I’ve got a 4-ish year old roomba, but I hardly ever use it because it 1. Gets stuck around chair/table legs and 2. Decides it’s done and returns to its charger before it’s done the whole house. I have 900 square foot house , all hardwood floors one one level, which should be a piece of cake for it. Has anyone solved similar roomba issues?
posted by genmonster at 6:35 PM PST - 11 comments

I just dredged up a vivid memory about an album that I used to love. It was ambient(?) electronic, big spooky brooding business, and each track was named after a famous brutalist building, possibly specifically ones in the UK. [more inside]
posted by rhooke at 6:08 PM PST - 10 comments

Do DIY drain cameras work well enough that their picture is useful when deciding what do do about drain issues? There are lots of small camera on long semi-rigid wires available and Google results on how to do this but it's a bit hard to tell how effective they actually are. [more inside]
posted by unus sum at 6:05 PM PST - 2 comments

I would really like to buy an used car in the metropolitan DC area. I'd like tips and suggestions. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 3:13 PM PST - 22 comments

I've occasionally gotten Meyer lemons from Lemon Ladies orchard in California, but it seems the owner has passed away. Any recommendations for boxes of (ideally organic) lemons? [more inside]
posted by sevenless at 12:38 PM PST - 8 comments

I have an external SSD that I use for backup - this includes non-confidential family pics, videos, etc and also confidential docs like tax returns etc. I use this external drive with multiple machines (Windows, Mac, and Linux). Ideally I don't want to encrypt the whole SSD, but I want to just have one portion or folder on it that is encrypted and password-protected. Easy, cross-platform way to do this? [more inside]
posted by splitpeasoup at 11:03 AM PST - 8 comments

I've been playing more video games over the last couple of years and also listening to more podcasts! I'd like to expand what I listen to, but I've got some requirements. [more inside]
posted by curious nu at 10:59 AM PST - 9 comments

MY 9 year old Mac is getting very slow at times and occasionally restarts itself on its own. I'm running OS 10.15.6 and things are just generally sluggish. Photoshop struggles badly often despite having plenty of free space allotted to it. [more inside]
posted by Liquidwolf at 10:51 AM PST - 7 comments

In general, I'm not a sports fan. But I always watch the Olympics, and I particularly enjoy the profiles of athletes (profiles of the type where they show the athlete training in their hometown and interview coaches, relatives, etc.). Over the years, I've encountered a number of people who say that they hate these profiles. Why is that? [more inside]
posted by alex1965 at 10:03 AM PST - 44 comments

Is this variety of precancerous polyp something I need to get a second opinion about? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:48 AM PST - 7 comments

I live in the province of Ontario, Canada, and my chequing account is with a credit union that was founded 70 years ago, has around a billion Canadian dollars in assets, and has 12 branches. I have a PayPal account and want to link it to my chequing account, but PP seems to deem it an unacceptable risk. [more inside]
posted by Epixonti at 7:02 AM PST - 9 comments

I have a search bar on the top of my Mac Finder window. If I enter a phrase and search say my Dropbox, the results will show up first in a window that has "This Mac" tab highlighted and the Dropbox folder section adjacent to it. I have to click on the word "Dropbox" to see the results. Is there any way to change this behavior so the default results are the folder I originally selected and not "this Mac"? This is driving me crazy.
posted by captainscared at 6:51 AM PST - 3 comments

I run a verified blog on Facebook with tens of thousands of followers which now appears to have been deleted. It started when I received a message from Facebook saying I had lost the ability to control the page because I was impersonating someone else (not sure how they made this error as the page is in my name, has a picture of me on it and is verified, so they've seen a copy of my ID). [more inside]
posted by matthew.alexander at 6:09 AM PST - 2 comments

I am wrapping up my MA in history at a UK university and my dissertation is due on the 1st of April. I should have used the last couple of months to finish my 10,000 word dissertation but a bunch of random health issues plus my wonderful ability to procrastinate have left me in a terrible position. I have cleared up my scheduled, adjusted my workload so I can focus entirely on my dissertation until the end of March. Is it possible to write a decent dissertation in 40 days (I will be travelling for work last week of March onwards)? More details under the fold. [more inside]
posted by bigyellowtaxi at 5:03 AM PST - 24 comments

In a few months I'll be visiting Oaxaca for the first time (if Omicron levels decrease to save levels and the warnings are no longer in place.) I generally like to read books (fiction or nonfiction) about a place in advance of traveling there -- are there any engaging pieces of literature which will help give me some context for this interesting place, beyond a standard guidebook?
posted by egeanin at 11:33 PM PST - 7 comments

What do I need in order to safely, easily DIY electroplate a small bit of utility chain? An anode? Some kind of acid? Some kind of pre-made solution? I'm looking for a $25 system at most, not including battery (9v?) if indeed a battery is part of this. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 7:51 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm searching the usual sites, but also asking here because the probability of getting a good answer is so high, and because one criteria is hard to determine online. We are looking for an all-in-one printer where the cover over the scanner glass can lift high enough to scan the occasional book - in other words, the hinges are extendable. I thought maybe some here had experience doing that, and might have recommendations. [more inside]
posted by TimHare at 7:18 PM PST - 12 comments

A crime was committed, and investigators at both the state and local levels covered it up. I want them held accountable. Could you help me figure out my next move? Highly generalized specifics within. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:46 PM PST - 10 comments

I adore John Coltrane's song Naima. Fragile, melancholy, and just a little bit ... off, harmonically speaking in that mid-century kind of way. I want to hear more songs like it. I ask this both as a listener and as a player. I used to play jazz a fair bit, and I loved getting lost improvising on songs like Naima and Bill Evans' Blue in Green (which has a similar vibe for me), and would like to do that again. Any suggestions?
posted by threecheesetrees at 5:18 PM PST - 11 comments

I was thinking about the 90s arcade ecosystem, which was dominated by ticket-dispensing games, and realized that I don't know a lot about the history of ticket-dispensing arcade games. I'm having a hard time finding the answer to this with Google. What was the first (or what were the first) games that dispensed tickets to be exchanged for prizes?
posted by LSK at 4:22 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking for books in the "How X Shaped the World" genre, that describe how a technology, commodity, idea, institution, etc helped determine the world we live in today. Bonus points if you can sum up the main claims of the book (i.e. describe how the thing shaped the world) in a sentence or two. [more inside]
posted by ropeladder at 3:36 PM PST - 24 comments

I don’t really follow sports at all and only just realized that tomorrow is super bowl Sunday and it is being held in LA. I’m supposed to land at 12pm pacific time and then need to be on the 2pm Catalina Island Ferry from Long Beach. What’s the best way to make this happen? [more inside]
posted by raccoon409 at 11:56 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm looking for books, articles, websites, and/or individual examples of technologies (broadly defined) that could have become widespread but didn't, for any reason (random chance, bad timing, outcompeted, originating civilization fell, inventor was a marginalized person or even just terrible at marketing, whatever). The technology can be superior to, inferior to, or roughly on par with whichever alternative "won." Technologies that were only proposed are also OK, as are lost technologies. [more inside]
posted by wintersweet at 11:34 AM PST - 34 comments

I've had a lipoma (as diagnosed by a dermatologist) on my back for some years. It's been slowly growing. I feel maybe it's time to get it removed. Problem: I'm ridiculously squeamish, pain-averse, and generally wimpy about any medical procedure. What should I expect about the removal process, associated pain, pain management, and general discomfort? And what are good ways of dealing with it all? [more inside]
posted by StrawberryPie at 11:08 AM PST - 13 comments

My husband ordered something via Amazon last night and got confirmation of it on his Outlook e-mail account. Today, we've gotten 5 calls in 90 minutes, from various spoofed numbers claiming to be Amazon, who say they want us to press 1 to authorize the order. I know this is a scam. We didn't pick up or talk to them. What I don't know is, how did the scammers get the information that an order was placed? [more inside]
posted by Spathe Cadet at 10:45 AM PST - 7 comments

A number of governmental social service programs determine eligibility in part on household income. If a parent financially supports an adult child who does not have a job or any other source of income, and the adult child lives alone (not with their parents, but in a separate apartment or house, for which the parent pays the rent), does the amount that the parent contributes to the adult child's living and other expenses count toward the adult child's household income, for purposes of determining eligibility for benefits? [more inside]
posted by merejane at 9:54 AM PST - 16 comments

I gave up on removing my bush a decade ago due to horrible problems with ingrowns. I would really like to wear a little bikini this year though and want to look for a new solution. What’s new in hair removal in the 20s? If the usual methods gives you nasty ingrowns, has anything worked for you? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:25 AM PST - 31 comments

If you had the opportunity to get your <5yo vaccinated now, would you? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:11 PM PST - 18 comments

My office has a virtual "Game hour" every week where we play a group game while logged into Zoom. The games are very word-heavy - Codenames, Skribbl.io, and the like, requiring correct spelling and/or knowledge of American slang. This leaves some non-native English speakers of the team out. Are there online group games accessible to people of varying English levels? Wrinkle: It shouldn't need an account/sign-up, so Boardgamearena is out. [more inside]
posted by rogerroger at 8:00 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm picking up a new foster dog from JFK airport and need to drive to DC. What's a safe, nice, dog-friendly hotel we could stay at? [more inside]
posted by inevitability at 7:20 PM PST - 7 comments

Can anyone provide a link to a video where a piano is thrown by a trebuchet, which ends with a funny, musical crash (instead of just a muffled crunch)? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 6:00 PM PST - 8 comments

I’ve learned that personal support workers at the non-profit that helps my dad have had their (tiny) bonuses cut and are no longer benefitting from pandemic pay. If there’s a way I can help without compromising their jobs or my dad’s care, that would be great. [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 5:35 PM PST - 8 comments

YAMD but I would like some thoughts on this issue. I have been wondering for some time if it's time for my folks to get a second booster (They were boosted w/Fizer in Aug-Sept), and I just read in the NYT that initial studies from UK and Israel show that "Covid booster shots lose much of their potency after about four months, raising the possibility that some Americans — specifically those at high risk of complications or death — may need a fourth dose." (src) [more inside]
posted by microscopiclifeform at 4:10 PM PST - 15 comments

Right now, I often buy lunch at work because I wasn't interested in leftovers. I've noticed that I usually gravitate to some kind of "bowl", with some sort of grains, veggies, some protein and sauce. I love poke bowls, but also a tofu-rice-and-salad bowl that they sell at the cafe near my work. How can I create this type of mean at home, easily? Like, is there a bunch of recipes or "pick one from the following list" type sites? If I precook things, can I store them together? How long to cooked components last? What tastes good together. My snowflake dietary restrictions inside: [more inside]
posted by Valancy Rachel at 3:59 PM PST - 21 comments

I live in Canada, I have an iphone 4s with no plan, I prepay with 7-11 speakout. It doesn't work in the USA. I'm taking a trip there next month and want a cell phone. What's the easiest way to make this happen? Can I buy a USA sim card and switch it for the Canadian one while in the US? Is it easier or cheaper to just buy another phone? Details appreciated. Thank you!
posted by Joan Rivers of Babylon at 2:19 PM PST - 10 comments

Can you please share with me some of the greatest videos of people getting bonked in the bits? NOT in a kink way (god bless), and not in a disturbing way — in an “America’s Funniest Home Videos” or “Jackass” way. The more obscure the video, the better! (This is part of a gift for a friend. Yes, I saw the skiing guy.)
posted by Charity Garfein at 12:48 PM PST - 15 comments

Recommend me your favorite residential electrician in Seattle. Bonus points if they have experience with old houses with some old wiring.
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 11:52 AM PST - 5 comments

Have you switched from Apple Keychain to 3rd party password management app? Will 3rd party apps integrate with apps (including browsers) better than Keychain, on MacOS and iOS? [more inside]
posted by svenni at 10:02 AM PST - 10 comments

I need an audiobook player for android for DRM free files on my phone that has specific options. [more inside]
posted by jeather at 8:54 AM PST - 4 comments

I bought an orin sip/puff device which is a headset which lets you sip to click (for example, it's configurable). It's great, but lately I've had a little soreness in my jaw, and I want to be proactive in dealing with that. Should I be worried? Is there a better way to use this device? [more inside]
posted by wooh at 7:43 AM PST - 4 comments

Our 5-year-old found our Calvin and Hobbes books and asked us to read them to him. He has really enjoyed them but is starting to mimic a lot of Calvin's misbehaviors. And a lot of the humor is directed at adults anyway. Are there other comics that are more appropriate for his age that we could add to the mix?
posted by Tehhund at 7:03 AM PST - 25 comments

My kid has asked for an RC car for his birthday, and I'd like to get him something nice. I owned a few as a kid, but only cheaper toys, and it's hard to sort through what's out there. [more inside]
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:46 AM PST - 5 comments

A common type of explainer document presents some object of analysis, either text or an image, in a central pane; then there are explanatory callout notes with pointers all around the outside margin, a little like the classic frog anatomy pic. This can be done by hand with individual callout graphics, but it's ugly. Are there canned document templates (Word? Canva? Piktochart?) that come preformatted with this particular design? [more inside]
posted by Bardolph at 6:35 AM PST - 3 comments

What are folks using for online group gatherings with video? [more inside]
posted by Kitteh at 6:34 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking for music, artists, or albums that capture the feel of a family that plays together. Maybe they get together for a monthly dinner, or at family reunions. Maybe some folk with banjos and fiddle, or maybe djembe and piano, or maybe horn and accordion, or any genre / culture, really. I imagine harmonious singing - 2, 3, 4 part harmonies etc. Instruments that don't overpower the singing. Audio quality as if recorded live in someone's bedroom. [more inside]
posted by rebent at 6:23 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm looking for a somewhat sleek but still lug soled comfy pair of Chelsea Boots. Something that looks fancy but still sturdy. Not sure that Doc Martens work for my feet. I'm willing to consider something less sleek (Blundstones) if they are the best for some other reason. I want a nice rubbery/griptiony sole and I think that is what "lug sole" means. I like the style look of thickish soles as well. [more inside]
posted by azalea_chant at 9:13 PM PST - 13 comments

I would like to find an organized collection of all the recorded college courses out there. It would be nice to browse by topic, by university, by year, etc. Apple had a good thing going with iTunes U but seems to have abandoned any browsable structure along with the app.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 8:42 PM PST - 2 comments

I definitely remember watching this video, and it might have been a series, of a German family cooking dinner. I don't think there were subtitles, but they were funny without being overdone slapstick. Now I'm taking a German class and would like to watch and see if I can pick up more. [more inside]
posted by morspin at 8:22 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm trying to remember a band that was in the indie realm, possibly British, definitely young, and very clearly played a vacuum cleaner in a song. I think they maybe DIYed all their instruments. It had a vibe in the realm of Dirty Projectors, very much nerd pop. [more inside]
posted by chuntered inelegantly from a sedentary position at 7:43 PM PST - 7 comments

Other questions on Ask mostly dealt with ingrown hairs as a result of shaving, waxing, etc. I’m a mid-30s man who doesn’t remove my body hair but my legs have been getting ingrown hairs lately. They didn’t used to do this. I use the same body wash in the shower that I always have. What do you suggest?
posted by Monochrome at 5:59 PM PST - 14 comments

My mom needs to move into assisted living, which means she needs to sell the house she's lived in for the past 50 years. What kind of service am I looking for to clean out her house? [more inside]
posted by ralan at 5:13 PM PST - 20 comments

I just got a bill from my health insurance, of a doctor's bill for a telehealth session that wasn't covered. It's from my primary care physician, who for some reason they now say is not my PCP, meaning I now need a referral to see her which I didn't have, so I owe the bill. That's a whole other issue. My issue is, I never saw her in the first place. [more inside]
posted by Mchelly at 3:50 PM PST - 9 comments

I have mostly been terrified to start or have a long conversation most of my life...especially with women I find attractive and POC. I am a 59 YO male, handsome, intelligent, charming and a great listener with a very strong personality. [more inside]
posted by goalyeehah at 2:50 PM PST - 17 comments

So I'm working on a story and surprise surprise in this day and age, the bad guy is one of those people with billions and billions of dollars and yet gives his employees crap wages and horrific working conditions, spending his money on his vanity projects while people are starving and suffering around him. But what's his motivation? [more inside]
posted by The otter lady at 2:02 PM PST - 33 comments

My stepdaughter, age 14, makes wonderful meals and desserts, and she aspires to a culinary career of some kind. She'd like to read memoirs by cooks and pastry chefs. Looking for recs. [more inside]
posted by Caxton1476 at 1:57 PM PST - 35 comments

I set up a virtual therapy appointment with the telehealth service my insurance covers. I'd hoped to make this an ongoing thing, because it's something I can manage. A couple of hours before, the therapist cancelled, with a generic system note about "schedule conflict." 1. Is it typical for a therapist to cancel on a first time client, with short notice? 2. Why am I so crabbed and sensitive about this? I mean, yes, it's inconvenient, particularly since I had to shuffle and scramble to carve out a block of time for myself. But I also feel personally brushed off.
posted by champers at 1:43 PM PST - 23 comments

When I was a child in the 1950's my parents took me to Harper's Ferry and I thought I remember seeing a cannonball from the CW lodged in a tree on a main street. I don't see any sighn of it on Google. Does anyone else remember this?
posted by mcbeitz at 12:08 PM PST - 5 comments

please explain it to me like I'm 5? [more inside]
posted by CancerSucks at 11:53 AM PST - 9 comments

I have a San Francisco trip in the works where I drive and stay for about a week. What are some economical options for places to park my car while I’m there? [more inside]
posted by Goblin Barbarian at 11:48 AM PST - 10 comments

Last year y'all helped me adopt my roommate's cat, and now I have a much lower-stakes question about life with him. I installed a chip-reading pet door so Mugen can let himself in and out of my room, but he won't use it by himself yet. Do you have any tips on training a cat to do a "scary" thing? [more inside]
posted by itesser at 11:24 AM PST - 21 comments

It's been a while since the last Seattle plumber Q, so thought I'd re-up it... [more inside]
posted by sapere aude at 10:57 AM PST - 8 comments

Pretty much at the last minute (we'd be leaving in two weeks) we've decided to leave cold/snowy Chicago for someplace warmer. Northwest Arkansas looks like it fits the bill for being about one longish day's drive and potentially offering us the sorts of things we're looking for. Can you help us narrow down the destination, based on our interests/preferences? [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 10:04 AM PST - 6 comments

I have this fantasy of hooking up an e-ink monitor to my MacBook Pro, so that I can work outside without eyestrain. Is this just a fantasy? [more inside]
posted by whistle pig at 9:43 AM PST - 11 comments

For the last two years I have had a constant low-grade fever. It ranges from 99.5 to 100.9. It is never higher and never lower and likely associated with a rare immune disease I was diagnosed with. Prior to getting sick I had a normal body temperature. But when I go the doctor's office my temperature often doesn't register. Why might this be happening? [Also, I am not super interested in legislating if this qualifies as a fever, I'm wondering why there is a discrepancy in temperature readings.] [more inside]
posted by jeszac at 8:44 AM PST - 10 comments

My 92 year old mother, bless her, is still able to live alone. Her hearing is starting to worsen which means her TV and music is on full blast in her small 1 bedroom condo which is about 950 square feet. This also means when the door bell rings, she can't hear it in the bedroom or living room. [more inside]
posted by IndigoOnTheGo at 8:28 AM PST - 11 comments

Is there a word or phrase that describes the phenomenon of a person singing the lyrics to the song, and also adding the musical phrase after the lyrics ended? See the italics: "Sweet Caroline.... bum bum bum" or "here comes the sun, do-do do-do"
posted by snerson at 8:10 AM PST - 16 comments

I have a website (link in my profile). I received notice that I need to renew Ultimate Managed WordPress Websites. Do I need this to keep the website up and running? [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 6:37 AM PST - 1 comment

I wrote a book. I published it on ingram spark. My friend wants to carry it in his Shopify. Is there a way to connect the two? or am I going to have to hand-fulfil orders?
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 6:13 AM PST - 1 comment

I know I've seen really small - like 6mm - no-sew snap fasteners like this on clothing items, but no amount of searching online turns up anything smaller than 8mm. [more inside]
posted by Zaire at 3:47 AM PST - 7 comments

Looking for input from people somewhat familiar with the tax rules of the UK and/or the EU, specifically around value added tax and the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) system. The full story behind the click: [more inside]
posted by jklaiho at 3:39 AM PST - 4 comments

Hello! I'm looking for a indoor only recording security camera for a single bedroom. Motion activated preferred, and somehow it lasts for three months while I'm out of town? [more inside]
posted by Jacen at 1:39 AM PST - 8 comments

Hi. When you are absolutely inundated or overwhelmed by information, what tools do you use for guidance or clarity? [more inside]
posted by firstdaffodils at 9:55 PM PST - 22 comments

Done multiple alarms, sunrise and music. She will sleep through a screaming baby next to her. She ignores shaking, gets very upset when woken with a cold wet cloth on her face (she agreed the night before to try). My only successful method is to pick her up and carry her to outside to eat, and after 20m, wakes up, but she is too big to carry now. She's fine when waking naturally, but length of sleep is 7-12 hours from same bedtime, so not reliable. Please, parents and heavy sleepers of Mefi, help me fix this!
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 8:53 PM PST - 45 comments

I met with a genetic counselor a few years ago about my mom's colon cancer, but it turns out my dad's side has the real nasty treasures, in the form of a few specific kinds of cancer that have killed relatives and are often related to Lynch syndrome. I have a few financial questions for y'all, my smarter friends. (I am in the U.S.) [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:18 PM PST - 3 comments

Why did the Canada vs. Denmark men's curling game end after only eight ends? I thought that there were supposed to be ten ends in a game. [more inside]
posted by Johnny Assay at 7:21 PM PST - 8 comments

I evicted some little animals from under the hood of my car. I'd like to make it up to them with a mouse house. [more inside]
posted by mibo at 6:37 PM PST - 7 comments

I need some kind of hands-free magnifying glass setup for detailed hobby work on a desk, assembling detailed parts with tweezers basically. I thought a head-mounted rig might be most convenient, but sounds like perhaps you have to be extremely close to focus. I am struggling to find legitimate reviews, so please tell me what works for you!
posted by lemonade at 5:46 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm 98 percent sure my dog ate a small plastic baggie, and ugh, I am preparing myself for an expensive trip to the vet, or give it more time? [more inside]
posted by biscuits at 3:57 PM PST - 10 comments

You are not my doctor. I am not seeking medical advice. I am seeing a real doctor on Monday. I just want some information to temper my expectations. Is there an anxiety medication out there that won't make me sleepy? [more inside]
posted by christinetheslp at 3:54 PM PST - 21 comments

My partner has a shirt with a banana doing crunches, and one with a rhinoceros on a treadmill. He is a bit of a gym bro and I would like to find similar cute/funny shirts so they can wear a different one while working out (almost) every day. Suggest me some shirts? (Particulars inside, because I'm picky) [more inside]
posted by btfreek at 3:45 PM PST - 11 comments

What is the optimal way to process photos of text pages to OCR? The last set of questions on this process is from more than five years ago, and it seems to be a pretty niche area for my youtube and google searches. [more inside]
posted by jadepearl at 3:35 PM PST - 11 comments

I would love to hear recommendations for self help books (of any kind) that you genuinely feel helped you to improve something in your life. Appreciate that it's about the effort you put in, but is there any book that inspired you, gave you useful advice or guidelines that you successfully made use of to make real tangible and long lasting improvements in your life?
posted by Sunflower88 at 2:31 PM PST - 38 comments

Started watching a show on my Netflix account with a friend in the room. Now her Netflix is displaying the show under her account with the correct next episode and I cannot figure out how. [more inside]
posted by Diskeater at 2:28 PM PST - 6 comments

This month, I would like to take a solo scenic drive from LA to Portland. Previous Asks are full of great sightseeing and hotel info, so I am here to ask about February/March weather, driving conditions, and personal safety. [more inside]
posted by Fish, fish, are you doing your duty? at 1:25 PM PST - 13 comments

I've used Duck Duck Go and Firefox for months ... years, with no problem. But two days ago, I updated Firefox. Since then, it won't take me anywhere. It just gives me a blank screen whenever I click any of my bookmarks or type them directly. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 11:03 AM PST - 3 comments

Every time, literally every time, that I sign into paypal.com, I get a message that they have "noticed some unusual activity on my account" and I need to reset my password. The "unusual activity" has never panned out as actual fraud, but the constant password resets are a hassle. I am always using the same computer on the same home wifi network, and the usual tricks like restarting and clearing cookies are no help. Are there other things that are worth trying before giving up?
posted by nebulawindphone at 10:41 AM PST - 17 comments

I have flies. Like bad. How do I find their point of origin? [more inside]
posted by OrangeVelour at 10:19 AM PST - 7 comments

I’m looking for a durable, comfortable wrist step tracker. More requirements under the fold. [more inside]
posted by redlines at 6:32 AM PST - 15 comments

It seems I have absolutely, completely, fundamentally forgotten my laptop PIN (PC). How utterly fucking fucked am I? [more inside]
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:20 AM PST - 22 comments

So I just realized my library has a stunning selection of e-magazines and e-papers for just 10€/ year, which is awesome. Unfortunately my Fire HD10 tablet is not awesome, some of the apps to get this content don't work, there is no native playstore, it's slow, etc. I think about getting a new tablet with a big screen, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, which has a 12.4'' screen. However, I heard some Apps can't use all this screen real estate? Do you know if I will be able to read my magazines in full screen? [more inside]
posted by SweetLiesOfBokonon at 1:46 AM PST - 11 comments

Can anyone recommend a meal prep book or plan that has worked for your family? I want to use a tried and true system that will minimise the amount of time I spend preparing food each week, so I can do all of my cooking for the evening meals at once. [more inside]
posted by Jubey at 1:22 AM PST - 14 comments

I unexpectedly have 24 free hours in Miami on Monday. I'm boosted and have N95s but am still relatively risk averse when it comes to spending time in enclosed space with people who aren't wearing masks. What might be a good set of activities to consider? I will be by myself and not have a car. [more inside]
posted by Candleman at 1:12 AM PST - 9 comments

I need to do some research through LexisNexis Public Records or an equivalent public records database. I am but a modest individual unaffiliated with any organization or deep pockets. Is there a way for me to access this free or through a discounted rate? [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 11:07 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm a violinist and fiddle player who's now in my mid-thirties and has been playing violin almost continuously since I was 3 years old. I've mostly played folk, country, and bluegrass for the last decade or so but have recently committed to practicing a wider variety at home including classical. What are some good pieces that might be new to me and would be reasonable to learn on my own as a fairly advanced player? I'm very open to a challenge, but don't necessarily want something with such a steep learning curve that it's demoralizing. [more inside]
posted by OverlappingElvis at 10:00 PM PST - 11 comments

Not doing well at my new job. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by morning_television at 9:32 PM PST - 16 comments

My wife uses a Phillips BIPAP machine for sleep apnea that is aggravated by heart failure. She got it through her health insurance/hospital group. Last year, her sleep doctor told her to stop using it b/c all Phillips machines had been recalled b/c they supposedly causes harm to users. Also, since her cardiac surgery last March, the settings somehow became unbearable for her; too strong. So, since then, she's been w/o her machine, which her doctors say is only making her ability to breathe worse during the day and at night. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 9:22 PM PST - 11 comments

I use Apple Pay on my iPhone in pretty much any shop that accepts it. I understand Apple Pay transmits a device account number to merchants instead of my actual credit card number, but what other information about me can they receive when I pay with my phone? Apple's support pages are kind of vague on this matter.
posted by theory at 8:29 PM PST - 10 comments

I was outside today and heard a bird call I haven't heard before. [more inside]
posted by cozenedindigo at 7:08 PM PST - 5 comments

I have a bunch of work that will need to get done on and around my house's roof and electrical systems in the next fiveish years. What should I do first? [more inside]
posted by agentofselection at 6:24 PM PST - 10 comments

I had to put my dog down today. She was a black lab mix, and lived to age 16. Her passing was very peaceful, which I am grateful for. I had a vet come out to the house and I fed her lots of nice treats and loved on her as she received the sedative and then the injection. I'm feeling a lot of sadness over losing her, but I'm especially feeling guilt over the way I treated her towards the end of her life. [more inside]
posted by koolaidnovel at 4:43 PM PST - 20 comments

A psychiatric hospital in my area is possibly becoming a dual diagnosis center that works with those who have both substance abuse issues and underlying mental health issues. I'm looking for any data on how it affects psych patients to be in a dual diagnosis facility or a purely psychiatric one. My searches haven't turned up much info--anyone have more?
posted by mermaidcafe at 3:22 PM PST - 5 comments

Remember that one (or more than one) commercial that creeped you right out? I would love to see it. [more inside]
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 2:33 PM PST - 66 comments

I aim to replicate the spin class experience by myself with an ipad and headphones at the local Y (where most group classes are indefinitely cancelled). Can you recommend videos/channels for me? I am not against paying a reasonable fee, but not Peloton. (Lower rent version OK if I don't have to watch ads on top of paying for the service).
posted by latkes at 1:52 PM PST - 9 comments

My snow-plowing guy charges me per trip. Every time he plows, he texts me a QR code and encourages me to pay him by Venmo. A local restaurant periodically creates Facebook posts with a QR code to their Grubhub page. Does this make sense? [more inside]
posted by akk2014 at 1:36 PM PST - 15 comments

This is a bit of a follow up to my previous question, about learning skills. I'm not at 400 hours, but I've now spent a decent amount of time learning R and SQL, and have some small projects to show for it. I have a lot of other skills too! But nothing at the level of "2-5 years" that companies want to hire someone at. More deets below the fold. [more inside]
posted by LSK at 1:09 PM PST - 5 comments

Reading about the current situation in Ukraine, I’ve noticed that media now refers to the Ukrainian capital as “Kyiv,” though I recall it was previously “Kiev.” Who decides to change the spelling of proper place names, and why?
posted by stillmoving at 12:37 PM PST - 13 comments

I am trying to decide where to shift my career as a software developer to. One possibility is into web/cyber security. Help me rule it out? [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 12:12 PM PST - 9 comments

I have been watching a LOT of YouTube videos (Premium subscription) on both my computer and iPad. Recently on my computer only, I can no longer do a search because the page remains blank. Also, my Library, History and Subscriptions are also blank pages. The only page that still shows video thumbnails is the Home page. My iPad is not having this problem. [more inside]
posted by Glinn at 11:05 AM PST - 7 comments

What things can I learn or (free) brief online courses/tutorials can I complete to encourage employers to consider me for entry-level bookkeeping/accounting-related jobs? I have a BA in the sciences and I'm good with numbers, but all my office work experience (which included a year or two using Quickbooks) was ten years ago. Not looking for serious career change investment, just something I can do in a few weeks and then clearly articulate to interviewers to help me stand out when applying for relatively low-level jobs.
posted by needs more cowbell at 10:55 AM PST - 3 comments

Like the title says, I'm interested in finance, and supply chains as well which sort of falls into that. I already have a background in CS and have worked as a software engineer, probably will continue to do that if I pursue these things anyway. [more inside]
posted by Tarsonis10 at 10:34 AM PST - 9 comments

Please help me find the Perfect Unicorn Sofa™: flat-packed, sleeper, leather, sectional, and able to fit through a slim doorway. [more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu at 10:07 AM PST - 4 comments

I recall an interview on NPR with an author. The author was describing how the ancient Romans in the second and third centuries began to despair of the boring and pointless nature of life. Many would retreat to the desert. This may have been parallel to (or an early phase in) the development of early monastic centers. Does anyone recall the author and book?
posted by jefficator at 9:37 AM PST - 3 comments

The three closest guessers in my apartment building's contest will win gift cards to our neighborhood co-op grocery. How can I figure out how many candy hearts are in the container? [more inside]
posted by QuakerMel at 9:17 AM PST - 18 comments

UTI: finished antibiotics, still hurts to pee [more inside]
posted by Ideal Impulse at 9:06 AM PST - 15 comments

I'd like to keep a particular window on top of my desktop. I'm running macOS Monterey. I'd prefer a universal solution but if there's one specific to Chrome, that's the app in which I'm trying to keep a window on top. (I don't want it to keep every window on top, only one I designate).
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 8:42 AM PST - 8 comments

This person is claustrophobic. Help? [more inside]
posted by heavenknows at 6:41 AM PST - 40 comments

Is there any danger in my taking a full 100 mcg dose of Moderna as a booster even though the boosters are typically 50 mcg? I was double vaccinated with Pfizer in the US (last dose in June 2021). I'm now in a country with limited vaccine availability, and the booster size dose doesn't seem to be available.
posted by matkline at 1:18 AM PST - 16 comments

Was on YT - now gone. He was a guest on a cable TV show on natural health with a very progressive and smart female interviewer. The interview was really cutting edge. Now it's gone. I can't find it. Please help me find it - was vintage 80's or maybe early 90's - grainy VHS. The entire show's archives were on the host's channel.
posted by watercarrier at 11:11 PM PST - 2 comments

What do I need to consider as I break up with my long term domestic partner? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:30 PM PST - 31 comments

I left cold prepared food inside a car inside a tiny unplugged freezer, overnight, in below-freezing temperatures: can I eat it? [more inside]
posted by Susan PG at 6:39 PM PST - 14 comments

I am looking for centers around the US that do mental health counseling for refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, etc. An example is Refugees Northwest in the Seattle area. Bonus points for if they provide sessions in Arabic. This is for a research project. Thank you!
posted by Corduroy at 3:21 PM PST - 8 comments

Suppose I am writing about a place called "Placename State Park." If I go on to refer to the park later (as in this very sentence), is 'park' capitalized? [more inside]
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 3:10 PM PST - 11 comments

I used to use reusable cloth pads, but stopped once I started exclusively wearing men's boxer briefs. I would like to, ideally, start using cloth pads again without buying different underwear. How can I make this work? [more inside]
posted by darchildre at 2:34 PM PST - 17 comments

I know there are some therapists that read and comment here and this question is for you! [more inside]
posted by less-of-course at 2:26 PM PST - 5 comments

I am repainting the ceiling in my bathroom. Its flaky, I scrape. Flakes are in random areas I now have pitting where the flakes were. Do I; 1) Fill in the pits, sand then paint, with moisture resistant paint? 2) Scrape/sand the entire ceiling, paint? [more inside]
posted by rudy26 at 1:42 PM PST - 7 comments

Has anybody had experience with using a permanent dog potty that is made of real or artificial turf (or cardboard, as I saw once)? Did it go well? How did the transition from real ground and/or puppy pads go? [more inside]
posted by Countess Elena at 1:37 PM PST - 6 comments

How do we make sure in-home health care/assistance is going ok for elderly parents? [more inside]
posted by Gorgik at 1:10 PM PST - 7 comments

Getting a car this week (A VW Golf Wagon) Looking for exact links (i.e this seems like there will be so much Amazon junk out there) to things (under $100) that are must have for someone owning a car. High Quality items that work, durable and are recommended. Car driving habits inside: [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 12:38 PM PST - 47 comments

I have three cats. Two of them, Masha and Bubka, are littermates and both have been diagnosed with IBD. We've been treating Masha for years, and started treating Bubka a few months ago. They're both 13 years old. We're pretty sure the problem is not with our third cat, Bruno (feline elimination discussion follows). [more inside]
posted by adamrice at 12:33 PM PST - 9 comments

I happen to have pretty bad eyesight, and have since I was a pre-teen. Then I flew past 40 and presto, I need reading glasses. I am thinking about my long term eye health, but also day to day dealing with all these corrective lenses - do you have any suggestions to address either concern? [more inside]
posted by RajahKing at 12:13 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm looking for non-fiction books that offer a historical or sociological perspective on how family, parenting, and childhood have changed over time. I'm particularly curious about the Western world but would be equally happy with a book that takes a more complete global perspective [more inside]
posted by jeszac at 11:35 AM PST - 10 comments

I'd like to hear experiences from those of you who have rented a car from Fox Rent A Car. Their prices are about half of the other companies for an upcoming trip I'm booking. Reviews are bad, but reviews are also bad of virtually all car rental companies. Has anyone had an OK experience?
posted by something something at 11:18 AM PST - 10 comments

I live in Utah and would like to move to Idaho for a year, for hiking/ outdoors-ness (and skiing if possible, but not a dealbreaker). If I search Rentler in my price range (~$1500 for 1 bed apt) there’s almost nothing outside of Boise - even if I crank the search max up to $2000. Am I doing this wrong, or is Rentler not a good source for Idaho, or perhaps there are just not that many apartments for rent in Idaho?
posted by my log does not judge at 10:37 AM PST - 8 comments

Our son has autism and has been doing better but recently (after something has escalated, for example I didn't answer him quickly enough today in the car) he has been expressing that he wants to be dead, would like to get hit by a car, and makes attempts to run into parking lots when he is upset. Obviously we will call his psychiatrist but I wonder if anyone here has experienced this and can give ideas of how to help him. [more inside]
posted by catspajammies at 8:38 AM PST - 28 comments

Let's pretend I'm actually going on my belated honeymoon in May even though it seems deeply implausible. How do I get from one thing to another, and what are the things? [more inside]
posted by babelfish at 7:33 AM PST - 16 comments

I’m thinking of questions like Jeremy Paxman asking Tony Blair if he and George W Bush prayed together, or Oprah Winfrey asking if Michael Jackson’s abuse victims if they could have made ‘Leaving Neverland’ if Jackson was still alive, a great question in a run of great questions that elicited a gasp of approval from the audience. What are the interview questions that made you stop and go, “WHOA! THAT’S A GREAT QUESTION!” I’d love to watch videos of such questions but written interviews are good too.
posted by matthew.alexander at 7:16 AM PST - 15 comments

I love the sunny, positive vibe of indie videogames like A Short Hike. I love the visual polish of AAA videogames like Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. What games have the best of both worlds? What are the AAA video games that won't immerse me in grimdark pessimism and/or macho posturing? [more inside]
posted by yankeefog at 7:06 AM PST - 20 comments

Vinyl production has been delayed for months. Is there a similar delay for cassettes? If I wanted to release a cassette, when should I put in orders and how long would I have to wait?
posted by pxe2000 at 5:56 AM PST - 3 comments

I am looking for a gravity based feeder and waterer for my 8 y/o cat Bun, who is shown here in loaf pose on her most favorite piece of bubble wrap. I'd like a reliable water fountain, but she finds them unsuitable, and I am afraid of electronic feeders because I worry they'll fail during a power outage. What gravity based brands have you found success with? [more inside]
posted by The Adventure Begins at 12:31 AM PST - 9 comments

How much per transaction is charged by companies providing software for face matching and liveness detection on your phone? The kind of checks where they match your live selfie photo to a drivers license pic. [more inside]
posted by Dag Maggot at 9:48 PM PST - 7 comments

My neighbor has left a standing tree trunk, completely denuded of limbs around 3.5’ x 40’ high, on the edge of my property. What can you do with a tree trunk like this that would be cool? [more inside]
posted by diode at 8:52 PM PST - 27 comments

I have a bike race on a Saturday. I had planned to fly to the event on the previous Thursday. The bike will be checked luggage on the flight. Should I reconsider and instead fly on Wed. or Tues. previous to ensure the bike arrives on time for the event? [more inside]
posted by mr_bovis at 8:15 PM PST - 8 comments

I have been increasingly getting into purchasing and listening to audiobooks. I am one of those people who insists on buying my ebooks from whatever store I feel like and then ripping off the DRM and storing them locally, and I am frustrated by two things: the Kobo app (where I buy most things) sucks for me when playing my audiobooks, and as I now own audiobooks on at least three services I would love to have them all in one place. Does anything exist that would let me do this? I prefer to avoid Audible if possible. [more inside]
posted by sciatrix at 7:57 PM PST - 7 comments

I am a highly sensitive person, having checked all the boxes of the Dr Aron's book. But it's the empath part that's been getting me lately. I have a dear friend I spend lots of time with, but he's slightly depressed and can get crotchety. There are protests going on in my city and in Ottawa, and everyone (my in-person and online friends) seems afraid and angry. I watched the world news for 20min today and spent the next half hour in tears. [more inside]
posted by unlapsing at 6:08 PM PST - 18 comments

I am 59. Most of the people I associate with outside of work are all older than I am. I would like to mix that up, and associate with, and possibly make friends with, people my age or younger. Do you have any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 6:02 PM PST - 12 comments

Do you know of any memoirs, essays, podcasts, done by people who formerly believed they were victims of Satanic Ritual Abuse? I'm interested specifically in people who who came to believe it through "recovered memories" when adults, and what their experiences have been in the decades since the peak of the crisis. [more inside]
posted by Well I never at 6:00 PM PST - 5 comments

I need a new quilt. Have a recommendation for me? [more inside]
posted by Champagne Supernova at 5:57 PM PST - 10 comments

I have to take several very long (12-13 hours) plane flights in the next few months. Besides watching the boring movies on the flight and organizing my photos on my phone and sleeping, what are some projects I can do? I won't have access to internet (but could download whatever i needed before). I am trying to get creative but coming up a bit short.
posted by andreapandrea at 5:45 PM PST - 24 comments

I’m looking for television episodes featuring complex sibling relationships - particularly dynamics where one sibling takes the fall for another. Thank you!
posted by WaspEnterprises at 4:28 PM PST - 28 comments

What am I doing wrong that my iPad library constantly shifts around and goes back to books I was reading months ago? [more inside]
posted by zadcat at 3:31 PM PST - 2 comments

I adore Keaton, and you probably do too. Since most of his films are available on various free streaming platforms, am I crazy to try to acquire well-restored versions on DVD or BluRay? [more inside]
posted by schrodycat at 2:59 PM PST - 7 comments

When people want to vacation in a place, but crime and poverty are very bad there, they are more likely to choose an all-inclusive resort for their safety (among other considerations), as opposed to a hotel in the community. An all-inclusive resort certainly employs local people, buys local things, and pays taxes to the local government, all good things for the people who live there -- but it is in the interest of the resort that conditions outside it should be as unappetizing to tourists as possible. When a mega-corp has an interest in something, it tends to happen. Is there any data on the overall effects of all-inclusive resorts on the communities surrounding them?
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 1:12 PM PST - 8 comments

When it's time for a hot veggie side dish, I always serve the same things: roasted or steamed or grilled asparagus/green beans/cauliflower/broccoli/zucchini. I'm tired of them. What do you fall back on when you need something easy and tasty as a hot veggie side?
posted by rouftop at 1:10 PM PST - 46 comments

Every few days, we look out our front window to find that raccoons have pulled up a bunch of plants from our garden. How do we stop this from happening? [more inside]
posted by burntflowers at 1:04 PM PST - 5 comments

My new partner loves reptiles, insects, amphibians (birds too…no hard limits) and this discovery has sent me on a journey of exploration. Similar to the Narcisse Snake Dens or the Montreal Insectarium, where in the world is a guaranteed cool critter experience? [more inside]
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 1:03 PM PST - 7 comments

Can anyone tell me more about this tea set? Pictures here are the company logo on the box, printing on the box, and the set shown when the box is opened. The top of the tea pot is a little animal. [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 12:59 PM PST - 7 comments

It's easy enough to find sites online that tell you, for a given latitude and longitude on Earth, the azimuth and elevation of the sun at any particular date and time, or the times and compass bearings of sunrise and sunset throughout the year. But is there any tool that will let you enter a latitude and longitude, plus a min/max azimuth and min/max elevation, and will return a list of date and time ranges within a given time window (if there are any) when the sun falls inside that sector of sky at that location? [more inside]
posted by letourneau at 12:40 PM PST - 5 comments

I saw The Bridges of Madison County for the first time, and this has been bothering me ever since. At the start of the story, the daughter leaves her Iowa farm, with father and brother, to exhibit her cow at the Illinois State Fair. Towards the end, she returns with a blue ribbon for the cow. (In between, the mother has some adventures.) I keep ruminating on this: how can she exhibit an out-of-state cow at the state fair? [more inside]
posted by Ishbadiddle at 12:10 PM PST - 12 comments

We live in the East Bay Area in CA and are looking for local furniture shops with well-made solid wood furniture. [more inside]
posted by unus sum at 11:07 AM PST - 9 comments

Mefi musicians who play regularly, I would love to hear about your routine. Specifically, how many tunes do you work on at once? And how specifically do you put the finishing touches on learning a tune? Also, how many times to you repeat at tune in a given practice session before you end up having diminishing returns? [more inside]
posted by umbú at 10:47 AM PST - 4 comments

Ideally, I would like both the French and Quebec versions of this expression. Merci d’avance!
posted by BostonTerrier at 9:02 AM PST - 16 comments

My family has been trying to keep connected to our octogenarian parents, by they are not able to remember how to work Zoom. Are there good, secure, reasonably-priced options for remote access PC laptop software or iPad apps that would allow us to remote into their devices? We don’t need an enterprise-level solution, but price, security, and ease of use are critical - the last because not everyone in the family has expert tech skills.
posted by Silvery Fish at 8:40 AM PST - 12 comments

I have a small space I'd like to furnish as a reading nook, with two comfy curl-up chairs and possibly a small table or hard-topped ottoman for board games. The catch: 1-2 times a year, for up to a few weeks at a time, the space needs to be cleared and occupied by unrelated seasonal stuff, with very limited space to stow the regular furniture during that time. Is there furniture like a grown-up version of dorm room dish chairs, low-profile and portable but also genuinely comfortable, durable, and OK-looking? [more inside]
posted by Bardolph at 7:46 AM PST - 10 comments

Over the years, I’ve had my hair styled by high-end salons, the nearest no-frills chain (think Great Clips), and everything in between. I’m not sure I can tell the difference. Please educate me. [more inside]
posted by mama penguin at 7:36 AM PST - 21 comments

Last week (7 days ago) I closed one checking account (Chime bank) and transferred my remaining balance to my new checking account (TD Bank). Chime did not complete the transfer and says that I must re-open my checking account in order to receive the funds, which they will mail to me by check in 30 days. I spent hours on the phone with them last week. [more inside]
posted by ponibrown at 5:52 AM PST - 6 comments

I had a high efficiency tank-less waster heater installed when I had the heating boiler replaced. It didn't seem smart to run the big boiler year round just for hot water. After it was installed, I noticed slow dripping from the unit, I checked the manual, it's condensate and is supposed to come out. [more inside]
posted by Marky at 12:26 AM PST - 16 comments

Just discovered that someone set up a new PayPal credit card using my identity last week, but they made a new last name for me. How did this happen? [more inside]
posted by oxisos at 11:12 PM PST - 3 comments

I bought domains and am gathering content for three new websites, two of which will have e-commerce. I've built sites before on platforms like WordPress but never from scratch. Squarespace and Wix both require separate plans for each site. I don't have the money (or credit) to make a big investment early on. I don't need a lot of bells and whistles, but I do want to make attractive, functional sites. What's the best approach in terms of hosting fees and such?
posted by mermaidcafe at 8:43 PM PST - 10 comments

We moved from a ground floor highrise rental to an 11th floor highrise condo in November. Five-year-old claims to love his new home, but lately has made numerous comments about how high up we are. More inside... [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 8:23 PM PST - 12 comments

What is the best method of assessing a property owners interest in subdividing part of their property? [more inside]
posted by Xurando at 5:16 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm working a full-time job and also writing a doctoral thesis. I must finish it by the end of March. How? [more inside]
posted by avis at 3:57 PM PST - 26 comments

After studying a little French with a charity last year, I've begun a refresher course in Spanish with the same charity (Language4Water). Since my level in Spanish is better, (A2/ false beginner) I'd love to immerse myself in YouTube video, podcasts or Audible audiobooks about taking personal action in the interesection between climate action and social justice. I don't know the keywords to search for nor the Latinx people who are thought leaders (to use a clumsy phrase) in this area. I'm turning to the green for wisdom and recommendations. Thanks in advance! [more inside]
posted by AuroraSky at 3:22 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm organizing a murder mystery party for some 15- and 16-year olds. We've played them before, and the games sometimes can get a bit too into gender roles. Many of these teens are trans and/or nonbinary, and I don't want to have any plot points that rely on "men are attracted only to women" or "a woman could never have the strength to wield that sledgehammer" or what have you. Anyone got a game they recommend?
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:05 PM PST - 4 comments

I want to buy a drink or condiment that happens to come inside a glass bottle and then re-use the glass bottle for foaming soap--rather than buy an empty glass container for the foaming soap pump. The difficulty lies within the diameter of the pump. [more inside]
posted by jyorraku at 1:48 AM PST - 15 comments

My husband and I will be heading to Florida from the UK sometime around November to visit my father. We want to break the visit up by flying off somewhere on holiday just the two of us for about a week in the middle of the trip We'd like it to be somewhere with good scuba diving and a direct flight from Ft Lauderdale if possible - around a 4-5 hour flight max. Where should we go - please could we have some ideas?
posted by hazyjane at 1:36 AM PST - 7 comments

While it's not clear yet if I will be offered this job, I will have a short window to decide should I be the finalist. This would be a big undertaking, and so I'm trying to figure out now what this move would mean. Finding non-sensationalist reporting or practical information on Karachi is proving difficult. (I've tried r/Pakistan, r/Karachi, and various YouTube vlogs) More below the fold. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:17 PM PST - 3 comments

My new job isn't working out and it's making me miserable. I have enough money saved that I could stop working for around 10 months and still make rent and my normal expenses. If I were to quit and take a break from working for just 6 months so that I can refresh and recharge, what should I keep in mind? I am in my mid 30s, have a cat, and live on my own.
posted by The Adventure Begins at 8:03 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm probably trying to do this a really dumb way, but: I have two web servers in my house. Currently, port 80 and port 443 are forwarded on my router to one of them. It uses nginx reverse proxy to pass stuff intended for the other one through to it on the LAN by looking at the hostname. I would like this second one to receive SSL traffic as well (not just have the SSL stripped by the first machine). [more inside]
posted by Dysk at 7:09 PM PST - 10 comments

I’m going through some acutely stressful situations right now and my partner isn’t being supportive. He is short tempered and snappy whenever I’m in a bad mood which leads to arguments that make everything worse. [more inside]
posted by Riverside at 6:30 PM PST - 32 comments

My roommates boyfriend struggles with drug addiction. I’m concerned about the legal risk if something was ever found in the house. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by ygmiaa at 6:12 PM PST - 26 comments

The Bailey–Borwein–Plouffe formula can calculate any digit of pi without working out the previous digits... but it only works in Base 2 and Base 16. Why? [more inside]
posted by Paragon at 5:50 PM PST - 10 comments

I don't know the exact phrasing, but it's something like: "I support women's rights, but more importantly I support women's wrongs" [more inside]
posted by CancerSucks at 4:50 PM PST - 2 comments

I find TikTok fun and silly, and want to do more as the fun side of my nascent coaching business. Best TikTok tutorials? [more inside]
posted by Kitteh at 3:17 PM PST - 7 comments

Two middle-aged orchestra nerds in the Portland metro area need help finding weird/unconventional location for their late Summer wedding. Halp? [more inside]
posted by hollisimo at 2:38 PM PST - 15 comments

Everyone says you can buy LED lightbulbs that last for decades. Then how come I keep having to buy new ones? Is there a brand that is that much more reliable than buying whatever is at Target? Ideally on the warm toned side.
posted by advicepig at 2:19 PM PST - 15 comments

I want to have two iPads in separate rooms that share content that's been displayed. I thought about mirroring from a Macbook, but I don't know if you can mirror to multiple iPads? It's for a kiosk display for customers. [more inside]
posted by vocativecase at 11:38 AM PST - 6 comments

Should I quit my job with nothing else lined up? [more inside]
posted by Sockrates at 10:51 AM PST - 28 comments

First up - if you're someone who's struggling financially or is anxious about money, perhaps this question would seem tone-deaf. I truly do not want to add to your distress, or seem humble-braggy or generally unaware of my own privilege. That said, I had no idea how discombobulating moving up economic classes can be, and I would appreciate some help in navigating both the emotional and practical aspects of this. More below the fold. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:50 AM PST - 18 comments

When I was growing up I was always cautioned not to set a can of biscuits on its end, lest it explode. But I see this stuff set on its end in grocery stores all the time now. Is this A Thing? Is biscuit tubing technology making them more robust these days? Or were my parents just being paranoid? [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 9:39 AM PST - 27 comments

My 6 month old granddaughter just had her very first taste of egg - and immediately broke out in hives. Infant benadryl fixed it; allergist appointment has been made but meanwhile please tell me everything you know about egg allergies from anecdata to science. [more inside]
posted by mygothlaundry at 8:54 AM PST - 21 comments

My state DOT site says there are 481 full time plow drivers. What do these drivers do when there's no snow (and none on the horizon, like now)?
posted by my log does not judge at 8:20 AM PST - 19 comments

So you're fully vaccinated. You're exposed to someone with the coronavirus. You do not contract the virus. How does it feel when your vaccinated immune system successfully fights off the virus? Is this something you wouldn't even notice? Or could you feel off-kilter for a short term basis as your vaccine-trained immune system does its work? [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:26 AM PST - 28 comments

Help me find online ways to watch coverage of elite international sports (curling, biathlon, moguls, figure skating, bobsled, etc). But NOT the Olympics. [more inside]
posted by nat at 6:39 AM PST - 10 comments

Is there any way to watch just a specific sport or two of the Winter Olympics? [more inside]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:50 AM PST - 10 comments

I know many people who like to randomly give gifts - I don't mean for birthdays, I mean off the cuff, for no reason, 'saw this and thought of you'. I think this is a very nice and thoughtful way to show friendship, but I am bad at it, and looking for ways to become better. [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 2:42 AM PST - 16 comments

Ok, this has been tickling my brain for a week. Usually I let things come to me or I find it eventually, but this one is eluding me. [more inside]
posted by Armed Only With Hubris at 11:19 PM PST - 2 comments

I hate headphones but I want them so bad for podcasts, audiobooks and calls. If I could do a brain implant, I would. My ear canals are small and sensitive so I hate in-ear shapes - the ipod earbuds hurt. Big comfy overheads get hot and sweaty when I'm walking, bluetooth runs out of charge or won't connect (iphone/mac/windows) and I get tangled up in cables - although I would take wired if it meant none of the other problems. Please, there must be other people with tiny angry ears out there who have found a solution.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 10:41 PM PST - 39 comments

So, I got into grad school, arrived here in Canada almost 6 months ago to start my master's in CS. The first semester went well, I got A+ on all my courses and I'm nearly done with the first part of my research for my lab. [more inside]
posted by Tarsonis10 at 9:23 PM PST - 9 comments

I've written a sci-fi short story with a horror ending. I was going to send it out to some sci-fi mags but then also thought I should consider the horror mags as well. The thing is, it doesn't have much horror in it until the very end, and only the last paragraph or so. I don't know the horror market well, are there mags which are "light" horror?
posted by storybored at 7:47 PM PST - 2 comments

Kelso our 3 year old neutered cat is a disaster. We adopted him from the shelter when he was about 5 months old. He’s always been a bit aloof, but we thought he’d warm up eventually. He hasn’t. He’s a cat, we get it. Cats are weird. But he’s also really mean and I’m a bit at my wit’s end with him. [more inside]
posted by Sassyfras at 5:56 PM PST - 37 comments

You had therapy which helped with an issue you were struggling with. What was the issue, and what style of therapy helped you with it? Bonus questions: How long did it take? How did you work through the difficulty? What about this mode of therapy did you most appreciate? What would your Before and After situations look like? What was really good about your actual therapist? Which other styles of therapy didn’t work for this problem in the past?
posted by d288478 at 3:37 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm trying to some lyrics from Genius.com into plain text. In a misguided effort to preserve copyright in some way, the website wraps each line in a ton of junk HTML. When I copy/paste into Notepad, the text looks correct, but when I then move it to another program, line breaks are not preserved. I've tried various online tools, but I either get no line breaks, or empty lines between each line of text. [more inside]
posted by 4midori at 3:13 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm in my mid-40s and have missed two periods in a row while on the pill. My general health hasn't changed and neither has my weight nor diet. I'm stressed out lately, but, you know, I've been stressed out for the last two years, so. I'm not pregnant. My ob/gyn office said to call back if I miss three in a row. Could this be perimenopause?
posted by trillian at 2:18 PM PST - 21 comments

I need to "unpublish" some Facebook pages and I cannot figure out how to do it. Please provide guidance if you have unpublished a page under the new page management system. [more inside]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:29 PM PST - 7 comments

My 9 year old wants to learn to code, and I think the structure of having a person teaching him will be best for him. Can anyone recommend an online course? [more inside]
posted by Xalf at 1:22 PM PST - 1 comment

My mother is in her mid 70s and has always enjoyed drinking. Growing up as a child, she started drinking as soon as she got home from work at 4pm, and drank until dinner time. I don’t have very many memories of her being out right drunk, but for my entire life she had a minimum of three glasses of wine every day. I am in my 30s now and living independently but I recently had to spend about a month living with my parents and I’m concerned about my mom’s drinking. I don’t know if I’m blowing it out of proportion, and if I’m not I don’t know what to do about it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:31 PM PST - 27 comments

I want to have just one name. Can I legally change my name to just one name? Would it be a first name or last name? Are there other creative options I can explore? I'm in USA Texas
posted by maxexam at 12:00 PM PST - 15 comments

I want to see better. Will it take glasses? Will it take contacts? Will it take surgery? I do not know. And I don't know where to go to find out. I'm soon 73 years old. I had cataracts removed a decade ago. [more inside]
posted by susandennis at 11:33 AM PST - 9 comments

Samples inside. How do the big, fancy Youtube media criticism channels get the media they need to build their videos around? Are they ripping entire blu-rays just for a few seconds of clip? That seems so long and arduous. [more inside]
posted by penduluum at 10:46 AM PST - 5 comments

I have this Pro-Ject turntable that I am basically quite happy with. Unfortunately, the dust cover hinge came out and I cannot reattach it--more details inside. [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 10:04 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm really enjoying the Chet and Bernie book series, where Chet, who failed K9 Academy on his last day, narrates the adventures he has with his Private Investigator human: "Chasing down perps is what we do, me and Bernie. We’re partners in the Little Detective Agency, Little being Bernie’s last name. I’m Chet, pure and simple." [more inside]
posted by QuakerMel at 9:30 AM PST - 25 comments

Amazon delivery driver crashed his truck into the corner of my house. What can I expect from Amazon? [more inside]
posted by lpsguy at 9:26 AM PST - 16 comments

My job has a large responsibility for executing internal projects, and work is offering to pay for some project management training. What should I take? I'm not looking to get a full PMP certification but definitely am beyond the basics. More details inside. [more inside]
posted by philosophygeek at 7:28 AM PST - 7 comments

Not too long ago, Firefox started hiding everything except the main window when in full screen - no bookmarks, no tabs, no address bar, no title, no menu. When I go to use the back button in Firefox on my Mac, I bring the cursor up to the top of the screen and everything pops back into view. But when I bring my cursor over the back button, the title and menu bars hide again, thus sliding the back button out from underneath my cursor. This drives me crazy. [more inside]
posted by HeroZero at 7:06 AM PST - 6 comments

I recently got a new analog watch. It keeps stopping, as in it will be running fine then cease ticking. When I reset the time, it will resume ticking. This is maddening. I can't tell if this watch is defective, or if there is some nuance in how I am using the knob that adjusts the time, that isn't correct. The watch is 'self winding', described as powered by a Seiko NH35. Due I need to wind this and reset the time every morning? [more inside]
posted by walkinginsunshine at 5:14 AM PST - 14 comments

My twin sister and I have birthdays coming up in April and i know this wonderful artist who i want to draw an image i can have screen printed onto something like a coffee cup or jean jacket or some other such Knickknack. But in my mind i see the whole photograph on a gift idea as a bit cheesy, but i'm sure if done right she will love it. Do you have any gifts given or received (besides the actual art work) with an image in it that doesn't look over done? Could you give some suggestions?
posted by The_imp_inimpossible at 12:13 AM PST - 23 comments

I am traveling to the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France for a 5-day wine trip with friends. I don't want to fly to Europe from the US for only 5 days, so I'm adding travel on the front and back end of the group trip. Where should I go? [more inside]
posted by tryniti at 6:05 PM PST - 15 comments

I’m looking for help identifying the book this anecdote / chapter comes from: (to the best of my memory), after a family member does, the adult kids who are all scientists / mathematicians divide their property by making an enormous X/Y graph? [more inside]
posted by Mchelly at 5:17 PM PST - 7 comments

I'd like to get my girlfriend a necklace with a pendant in the style of the NYT Spelling Bee that spells out her name. (Luckily, her first and middle names have exactly seven unique letters!) Not looking for anything with precious metals, gemstones, etc. Any idea where I might find someone who could make such a thing? Thanks!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 4:19 PM PST - 5 comments

I know the song exists, and I have a vivid memory of it from a mix tape a friend made in high school (long out of touch). It's the story of Peter and the Wolf, narrated by a John-Hurt-sounding type, but the music is 100% Pet-Shop-Boys-esque pop. When the narrator says "the hunters came out of the woods," there's a Frankie-style tribal drum riff. The song cuts off abruptly with a younger (still adult) voice saying "...and you know the rest." [more inside]
posted by Shepherd at 3:41 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm looking for great chicken rice soups to make. [more inside]
posted by lunasol at 2:19 PM PST - 14 comments

I used to work in an office with floor-to-ceiling windows. Now I work from home and my home workspace has very little natural light, which makes me sad. It doesn't seem to matter how many lights and lamps I add, I still feel like I'm working in a cave (just a more well-lit cave, now). How can I fix this, or at least reframe my mindset to be something more positive, maybe even find it cozy? [more inside]
posted by btfreek at 2:07 PM PST - 36 comments

My partner, our 16-year-old kid, and I want to play a tabletop role-playing game that's intended to start & finish in a single session (including character creation, tho pre-made characters are probably even better) of 2-4 hours. One of us can act as GM if required. Any recommendations?
posted by slappy_pinchbottom at 2:01 PM PST - 21 comments

How might I organize an autobiography/memoir that has chronological facts, events, and personal history alongside essays on non-time-specific topics? [more inside]
posted by laze at 1:40 PM PST - 8 comments

My estranged father died in a horrible way after many years of real struggle and suffering. I am having a hard time processing it and am looking from perspectives from the hive mind. More inside. [more inside]
posted by longjump at 1:04 PM PST - 28 comments

I am looking for writings, essays, blogs, etc, nonfiction, from people who know there is a good chance their child will be born blind, or deaf, or in other ways different, but choose to have the child in spite of this.
posted by anonymous at 12:48 PM PST - 9 comments

I have a new, used, dresser. Yay, new (to me) dresser! Boo, the dresser was apparently used as a menthol cough drop storage facility. Any clothing stored in it now comes out smelling like menthol. Thorough cleaning/polishing with orange oil has not resolved this issue. It's a beautiful antique cherry wood piece that I could never afford to purchase new. However, I don't want to spend my life smelling like a cough drop. What can I do here?
posted by Gyre,Gimble,Wabe, Esq. at 12:37 PM PST - 15 comments

Hello. What with masks, canvas shopping bags, sunglasses, and gloves, I need a landing place in the entry of my apartment. There's a decorative hook for keys and one bag, but more than that is an unsightly clutter. I've got a nice framed print on the wall (the other part of the entry is a closet with sliding doors), and would like a little cabinet/dresser to fit underneath. Please help me find one that will fit. [more inside]
posted by cyndigo at 12:28 PM PST - 13 comments

I am selling a large bulky item on FB marketplace, which is common where I live (non-US) .A oman has asked to buy it. But she lives 100 miles away from me. She has proposed to send me money via UPS Delivery in an envelope, and she will also get the UPS delivery person to pick it up. Is this a scam? [more inside]
posted by moiraine at 10:48 AM PST - 15 comments

My favorite game of all time is Crusader Kings II/III. Specifically the play-though of generations. Are there similar games you can recommend? I know someone asked about games like CK3 a few days ago, but the answers weren't geared towards this part much. [more inside]
posted by Saucywench at 10:46 AM PST - 8 comments

Flat pack (decent) cabinet orders look like they take a long time, and I really only want 1-2 small bathroom sink cabinets at the moment. Building myself? Maybe? I'm concerned that any stain/poly/finish coating I apply will be incredibly toxic in the application and/or not be nearly as tough as I would like. How should I achieve my goal of (~30" wide) solid wood bathroom vanities that are waaaay less expensive than hiring someone else? [more inside]
posted by amtho at 10:14 AM PST - 7 comments

A friend of mine is getting married this weekend. I was going to limit my involvement due to Covid in any case, but omicron is in full bloom where I’m at and there ain’t no way I’m going near a social event. She’s very chill, there won’t be an issue, but I’d like to do something nice for her since I can’t attend. Suggestions would be welcome.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:36 AM PST - 14 comments

I've got a legacy free G Suite account hosting my e-mail with my own domain name. Google is going to start charging for this. While I'm not opposed to paying for the service, it's a good occasion to consider other options. [more inside]
posted by adamrice at 9:12 AM PST - 12 comments

I (30s) grew up with a parent who has an undiagnosed mental illness and no insight into their condition. I don't have many close connections and I'm afraid that I might develop a similar MI or dementia and not realize I need help because there is no one there to tell me. [more inside]
posted by MorseCold at 9:11 AM PST - 8 comments

For reasons of style, we need to replace our bathroom sink. For reasons of space my choices of sink are VERY limited, and it looks like a console-style sink is the best option for something that is reasonably wide but doesn't stick out into the room too much. Vanity style sinks are difficult because there is a radiator halfway across the spot where the sink hardware goes. My question: can I install a white console sink with black metal legs if all the other metal in this very small bathroom are chrome? Faucet, toilet handle, shower/tub hardware, all shiny chrome, sink legs are matte black. Will this look mismatched and weird? There will probably also be a dark blue cabinet installed above the toilet. FWIW the walls, tub, and toilet are white, with light grey tile on the floor. Replacing the faucet, toilet handle, and toilet paper dispenser are possible, but the tub/shower hardware is not changing anytime soon.
posted by The Librarian at 8:39 AM PST - 18 comments

I am sick (but not major sick), most likely with Covid-19. I’m congested, I have headaches sporadically, I have an itchy throat and periodic coughing fits and I don’t want to do anything and I am bored shitless. I can’t sleep, or I would. I am not too sick to do things that are productive, such as cleaning, I just have zero desire. I can’t seem to find anything appealing to read or watch. Naturally I am not leaving my apartment. When you find yourself in this sort of situation, how do you cope? Any ideas about how to use up the time until it’s night and actually time to sleep would be most welcome.
posted by Bella Donna at 8:28 AM PST - 29 comments

We have a fourth grader in public school (US). They are starting to get exposed to topics they find particularly upsetting (like wars, death, etc.). Looking for guidance on helping them. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:07 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm a software developer who works remotely full-time. My employer will buy me a new monitor, and I'm trying to figure out what to get and how to use it most effectively. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by number9dream at 7:25 AM PST - 14 comments

What would you think if someone tells you about a racy show? [more inside]
posted by mintchip at 5:15 AM PST - 31 comments

Really clunky title there but: I'm looking for a book that details traditional processes for hedgelaying, coppicing, hurdles, etc. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:03 AM PST - 7 comments

I have had horizontal, inward prisms in my glasses in the past few years and the prisms have helped with reading. Recently have had some eyestrain but that might be because pandemic-purchased Zenni glasses (after old ones broke) apparently had a prism that was made pretty incorrectly. My new optometrist is pushing Neurolens, an expensive new kind of lens that has contoured prisms. If you've moved from regular prisms to Neurolens, was Neurolens substantially better for reading than the regular prisms were? [more inside]
posted by needs more cowbell at 4:42 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm staying in Matlock for a few days in mid-February. I don't know the area at all. We want to do some walking and are otherwise interested in museums, history and art stuff. Any recommendations for things to do and see would be great, plus interesting shops (we have bookshops covered) or cafes and restaurants. I've seen the website for Cromford Mills and we are very likely to do that. Thanks.
posted by paduasoy at 1:46 AM PST - 16 comments

I just got this thing off ebay, and it doesn’t have a remote. There is no physical rewind button, so I can’t rewind VHS tapes. I need to find some kind of remote that will work on this thing for as little money as possible. I’m having a hard time assessing what would be compatible. Pls help?
posted by Gymnopedist at 7:49 PM PST - 4 comments

My character is getting his PhD in history at Berkeley in the 1980s/90s. At this point he’s well into writing his dissertation and he just found out that xyz happened, so he’s very happy. I’m wondering what xyz might be. [more inside]
posted by swheatie at 5:27 PM PST - 25 comments

I need a super basic checkbook app that will allow me to keep a running total of amounts spent, and share that with my spouse. I do not want or need anything fancy. [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 4:57 PM PST - 8 comments

I imagine the people making the tech that predicts weather probably want this stuff, to determine the accuracy of their algorithms. So for instance - in Austin, we got smacked last year with the icepocalypsing. I want to look up what the predictions for that event were like, in the week to few days leading up to it - but *not* the actual weather that occurred on those days that followed. Thanks MeFiters!
posted by bitterkitten at 4:57 PM PST - 9 comments

Looking for some basic information on chartering a private jet. [more inside]
posted by Kangaroo at 3:18 PM PST - 13 comments

What can I substitute for onions that will provide the sweetness, bulk, depth, and general infusion of flavor that you get from sauteing onions with various spices? I can't use anything in the onion/allium family: no leeks, shallots, garlic, etc. Also, no mushrooms and not too much celery. [more inside]
posted by expialidocious at 3:00 PM PST - 24 comments

Bootsy seems to enjoy Purrli and I'd like for him to have a place he could go to listen to purring on demand. I'm imagining a pressure-sensitive mat that turns on when he sits on it like a pet heating pad. [more inside]
posted by jocelmeow at 2:44 PM PST - 5 comments

Python users: imagine one of your compatriots have been stuck in a cryogenic state since, oh, 2018. What are the key trends, techniques, changes, and tools you'd update them on the Python ecosystem? What's new, meaningful, and exciting in the last few years? [more inside]
posted by elephantsvanish at 2:32 PM PST - 10 comments

I have a list of addresses (they are transit stops). It is a very long list. There is a specific order to this list. I need to figure out how far away each stop is from the next one on the list. [more inside]
posted by millipede at 2:17 PM PST - 13 comments

My partner was given a cheap steam-driven espresso machine a number of years ago. Is there a budget-friendly upgrade that makes sense? [more inside]
posted by matcha action at 11:53 AM PST - 17 comments

When I was a wee lass, I performed in an Indian classical dance showcase where our dance troupe used a specific piece of sitar music by Pandit Ravi Shankar. I'm trying to find that piece. [more inside]
posted by MiraK at 11:20 AM PST - 1 comment

Recently myself and my wife started doing "marital checkins", once a week for about 20 minutes, kind of like 1-on-1s. This is based on Gottman's institute work. It's been great because this time is set aside strictly for each other. We've been doing it for a little while and I'm looking for other activities we can include. [more inside]
posted by aeighty at 11:19 AM PST - 5 comments

For a variety of reasons, I find myself living out of a backpack or suitcase at least once a week, for a couple of days. At this point I feel like I'm decently good at it--I seldom forget something crucial. But it still takes quite a lot of cognitive space and a fair chunk of time every week. I'd rather it were closer to autopilot. If you're a frequent packer, what are your super-clutch tips and tricks? [more inside]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:57 AM PST - 38 comments

Feeling pretty lonely and I’d like to meet someone for friends/dating, and I don’t know where the best place is online these days, or if there is an app that doesn’t suck or something. I’m an Old (49), and don’t have $50 to find out who liked my profile (wtf, okcupid?!?!). [more inside]
posted by cats are weird at 10:15 AM PST - 6 comments

So I recently bought an old house. I assumed there was almost certainly lead paint somewhere encapsulated below the recent paint, and indeed, that appears to be true. Please talk me through - in practical terms - how one handles maintenance in an old house with regards to such hazards. [more inside]
posted by mosst at 10:08 AM PST - 13 comments

I have no idea what to get my niece for her birthday. Halp please. [more inside]
posted by holborne at 9:07 AM PST - 19 comments

I realise it's still very early doors, but is there any data yet on reinfection rates for omicron? I tested positive for COVID, presumably omicron, a week and half ago and tested negative five, four, and three days ago. My partner tested positive a couple of days after me and is still testing positive. Do we still need to isolate from each other? [more inside]
posted by Faff at 8:12 AM PST - 8 comments

Taking a cue from this question, please tell me your favorite product review/database site that focuses on one particular item or subject. [more inside]
posted by zamboni at 7:27 AM PST - 21 comments

Tchozz the Younger has diagnosed sensitivity issues - think neurological rather than, say, dermatological. They would like to go on more hikes and maybe run with me, but they usually refuse to wear socks and then have trouble feeling comfortable in anything other than loose slip-on shoes which fall off. Can anyone recommend brands or materials for socks to look for that work well for middle school aged kids with diagnosed sensitivity issues around clothing?
posted by Tchozz at 6:42 AM PST - 11 comments

Need some help coming up with some easy treats while we watch Groundhog Day tomorrow! [more inside]
posted by widdershins at 6:18 AM PST - 18 comments

My wife got a call from a purported "detective" around a cold case. Gave his badge number (though haven't looked it up. It was about her father-- he had the name and year of death correct. However, as far as we know, there was nothing criminal about his death (an accident) and it was in an entirely different side of the country. Seems fishy-- what could be the angle here?
posted by sandmanwv at 6:04 AM PST - 18 comments

Help me understand the options for grad school-- most crucially, what different options might cost me as a Master's of Public Admin student (or similar) around ten years into my career. [more inside]
posted by geegollygosh at 5:52 AM PST - 8 comments

My hands don't hurt when I type, but I figure I should go ahead and switch to something more ergonomic to keep it that way. I'd like something with a small footprint that won't require a huge adjustment in how I type/hold my hands. (My ideal at this point would be a squished together version of a Logitech Wave and a Logitech MK470.) More details after the jump. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 5:32 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for an app to replace Spotify for listening to podcasts. It has to have an Android and Windows app (or a web interface), and it absolutely has to sync podcast progress properly between the apps (ie carry on from where I left off). [more inside]
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:30 AM PST - 7 comments