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Have others had issues over the past two months or so, where Outlook (2021, but I believe this applies to other versions) will no longer download Internet Calendars that you have subscribed to? I've search and found several different items but almost all say 'delete the calendar and add it again' which doesn't work. There's one item on Microsoft's site which says there's some sort of authentication protocol issue but provides no way to solve it. This happened with one of the more recent Outlook or Windows updates I think. If you know how to solve it let me know.
posted by TimHare at 9:20 PM PST - 2 comments

I am curious to know what causes a person to become fixated or obsessed with someone or perhaps lust and become infatuated too quickly without truly knowing them? [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 8:52 PM PST - 18 comments

Neighbor across the street seems to have gotten a new car stereo with a great subwoofer and they are enjoying it. Which is fine. Except they are playing it at 7am, after 9:30pm, and there's small children in our corner of the street. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 7:35 PM PST - 10 comments

I'll be introducing a speaker at a protest soon (I am not speaking myself), and I'm a bit nervous about it because I haven't done it before, so I'd appreciate any advice! Details: I'll be using a mic, they're not the first or last speaker, they're a religious leader, and I have access to their online bio.
posted by trillian at 5:25 PM PST - 7 comments

My everyday bag is the Transport Tote from Madewell, but that gets heavy and I tend to carry it in my hands more than wearing it on my shoulder. For the conference, I won't need a laptop and I'd like to keep my hands free as much as possible. I would love your recommendations! [more inside]
posted by shesbookish at 3:40 PM PST - 14 comments

We're headed to Japan. I'd like to use a backpack instead of a purse since we'll have long days. I would like to be able to carry more with me while avoiding the sore shoulder I get from carrying a purse full of stuff day. I'd like it to be acceptable as a "personal item" on a flight (not a carry-on), at least moderately water resistant, and $100 or less. Do you have any recommendations?
posted by Comrade Doll at 3:27 PM PST - 15 comments

I live in a dorm "apartment" (an unholy amalgam that takes the worst of both). There is a crazy amount of black dust, I've never seen black dust anywhere I've lived before. On the vents in the hallways there is a build up of this black crap. I thought it was mold, reported it to the university and am getting mixed answers, other than "Its not a problem." I feel a tiny bit gaslit by the university, but maybe this kind of black *stuff* is totally normal and I'm way off. [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 3:19 PM PST - 12 comments

Can you help me find a new phone game? [more inside]
posted by pdb at 3:05 PM PST - 17 comments

I have a queen size mattress and box spring. Does anyone know of a bed frame that is deep enough for both a box spring and a mattress, so much so that the mattress will be surrounded by material on all 4 sides? [more inside]
posted by dhens at 2:51 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm in need of some interesting facts/trivia/tidbits about colors. Please, don't leave me feeling blue, or seeing red; even if your prose is purple, I can take it.
posted by Charity Garfein at 2:28 PM PST - 52 comments

I currently have a "good" high-deductible Blue Cross plan through work--"good" being a relative term in the US of A. By "good" I mean that there is no difference in cost between in-network and out-of-network providers and anyone I want to see takes my insurance. I'm considering switching to part-time at an income low enough that I would qualify for a subsidized ACA "second-lowest cost silver" plan. The main thing hanging me up is that I've heard that a lot of providers don't take ACA plans. Is this true? Have you experienced the difference for yourself? I'm kind of a power user of medical services so it matters to me a lot.
posted by HotToddy at 2:18 PM PST - 8 comments

Just wondering whether others out there have had the experience of switching to a new inhaled asthma medication that seemed to aggravate symptoms rather than relieving them. [more inside]
posted by Creosote at 2:07 PM PST - 5 comments

I need suggestions for novels, films, songs, podcasts, and art related to Morocco. Resources in Arabic, French, and English are welcome! I love art history, history, and languages. Thank you!
posted by bigyellowtaxi at 1:38 PM PST - 10 comments

Do you know what to do during a solo section when playing with a band? How did you learn? What are the component skills? [more inside]
posted by danceswithlight at 1:20 PM PST - 13 comments

Some years ago, Mr. DrGail and I went to North Dakota around Labor Day. In the northeastern part of the state, near Devil's Lake, we had a very unfortunate encounter at dusk with some large flying insects. We asked people what they were called, and heard various answers including "sandflies" and were assured that they were only a problem for a few days each year. Even after all this time, I'd still like to know what they are. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 12:58 PM PST - 6 comments

Hi folks, TLDR: who is the competent authority to certify part D of this form and is it possible to make that happen by April 5th? [more inside]
posted by eleanna at 12:39 PM PST - 9 comments

My father was hospitalized and then put into a rehab facility in Southwest Florida (he lives in Lee County, but I'm not sure what county the facility is in). I live on the other side of the country, and there's no one local to help. He has procrastinated (but not ever outright refused) to give me power of attorney or any legal/medical authority for his affairs. He's unlikely to be able to leave the facility, as he will likely need skilled nursing for the rest of his life. I am fairly sure he has the finances to be in a much nicer facility with better care, but I have no access to his bank accounts to even set up payment for the current facility. He is unable to move and has no access to things like computers, and he's mixing up all his passwords anyway. I need help. Does anyone know of case-management-type resources in Southwest Florida? I think I need help coordinating legal, medical, and residential care.
posted by lapis at 12:29 PM PST - 4 comments

When playing Skip Bo, is the Skip Bo card wild all the time or does it substitute for a specific number upon play? [more inside]
posted by vunder at 12:00 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm looking for a felt tip pen/marker that has a tip somewhere between the size of a Paper Mate Flair pen and a standard Sharpie Fine Point, ideally permanent ink. [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 11:52 AM PST - 4 comments

What are some recipes that I can cook to use up opened bottles of red wine? Difficulty level: No red meat. [more inside]
posted by expialidocious at 11:44 AM PST - 16 comments

I have my son's school pictures as full-resolution digital files. I want to order some prints of the standard school-picture style -- a couple of big-ish, a few medium, a bunch of wallets. Just print them on a sheet and I'll cut them. When I order from the photographer, they're super-high quality. Like the paper is really really nice. The colour is great. I want that. I don't want your typical snapfish/staples/shutterfly. Where can I do that?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 11:02 AM PST - 4 comments

I apologize for the vagueness of this post. I had this blogger in my RSS feed and they seem to have disappeared. Here are some clues.

• His name seems perhaps Southeast Asian, something like Venkatesh Rao but Googling that brings up nothing.
• He blogs about design thinking and systems thinking, among other topics
• The blog is fairly popular, but not insanely so
• He has a number of smaller books (100-150 pages?) with somewhat provocative titles but not at the level of clickbait-provocative. They are sort of about productivity and perhaps design thinking, but not overtly so
• He graduated from, I think, MIT with a degree in something like "systems thinking" or some other, similar, interdisciplinary degree
• He seems like someone who would guest blog at Crooked Timber once in a while

posted by mecran01 at 10:00 AM PST - 6 comments

Does anyone know a good gastroenterologist in NYC? Friend looking has longstanding severe and now mysterious gastro situation and really needs someone good. [more inside]
posted by Geameade at 8:54 AM PST - 7 comments

A couple of days ago our cat spotted a neighbour cat through the glass door and made the ek-ek-ek chattering sound before rushing over to look through the glass. This is the second time that I've seen a cat do this in response to seeing another cat. I thought the ek-ek-ek was supposed to be for birds or small mammals; what's going on here? [more inside]
posted by heatherlogan at 8:53 AM PST - 7 comments

I recall a shift, sometime in the late 80s or early 90s, when people moved from saying someone had AIDS to someone being HIV positive. I'm wondering if my memory is correct and if so when, more precisely, that shift happened. [more inside]
posted by brookeb at 8:08 AM PST - 10 comments

My son (18yo) and I are taking an unexpected cruise to Alaska in 3 weeks to celebrate his upcoming exit from high school. We are VERY price sensitive so need some advice on excursions, cool/fun things to do on this specific ship, and any cruise secrets or advice that will make this a memorable trip for us both without increasing our out of pocket costs significantly. We'll be on the Norwegian Bliss. [more inside]
posted by victoriab at 6:55 AM PST - 9 comments

I believe that I may have contracted (asymptomatic) COVID sometime between 2020 and 2021. My hair began falling out in chunks, and I also have diffuse thinning. My hair before was super thick and beautiful. What's worse, though, is that for almost 2 years, I have intermittent scalp pain accompanied by hair loss. What's going on here? [more inside]
posted by erattacorrige at 9:38 PM PST - 14 comments

Help me find an insulated coffee/tea tumbler or thermos with a small integrated cup. [more inside]
posted by knucklebones at 7:11 PM PST - 7 comments

I'd like to spent a week in Houston soon, possibly in May. What's worth checking out, given my interests? [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 6:17 PM PST - 14 comments

In his book, Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman describes a training exercise used by the Israeli Army. It is something like, "A group of soldiers have to get from one side of a ten foot wooden wall to the other. Their only tool is a 12 foot log, and neither the log nor any of the soldiers are allowed to touch the wall at any time. (The hardest part is getting the last soldier across.)" I'm hoping someone can provide the actual anecdote. [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 5:06 PM PST - 6 comments

A long time ago somebody gave me a copy of Bowling for Soup's A Hangover You Don't Deserve and I find it nice background music while I'm doing something else. What are some other albums that might scratch the same itch for me? [more inside]
posted by unus sum at 2:50 PM PST - 10 comments

I've been a devoted Ting Mobile user for some years now, and just bought a new iPhone14. It uses an eSim, not a physical Sim card, and Ting doesn't support it. Now what? [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 1:45 PM PST - 17 comments

I have scheduled a visit with a specialist, but that won't be for almost two weeks. Looking for any advice from people who have experienced something similar on what to do (or what not to do) between now and seeing the doctor. More details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by coffeecat at 12:12 PM PST - 11 comments

This was me a week ago. Despite all the precautions and crashing with a very good friend and therefore not getting covid, my surgery was cancelled anyway for reasons completely out of my control. Now what? [more inside]
posted by cgg at 10:44 AM PST - 12 comments

Our kiddo has asked for a set of paint markers. The ones they mentioned as an example were the Uni Posca brand, though they specified it didn't have to be those. Do you use paint markers? How many colors will they need for them to be useful for general drawing? Fine, medium, or chisel tip? Are Uni Poscas the way to go or is there another brand that is better or more economical?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:31 AM PST - 13 comments

Help. I am in a very bad work situation and I probably need to quit. Can you please look at my qualifications/experience and let me know if you think I'm well-positioned for a new Business Analyst job? [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 10:12 AM PST - 9 comments

Environmental collapse, war in Ukraine and intimidation by other big global actors, extreme wealth inequality, the incoming supplanting of human creative activities by AI & subsequent reforming of the workforce leaving loads of people up a creek, right wingery everywhere, violence in cities, etc. “Coping” in re 1) regarding anxiety around these and 2) actual planning for your life over the next 5, 10, 20 years. [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 9:51 AM PST - 31 comments

"Auntie" here, asking on behalf of extended family in the NE area with a 13-year-old trans child - I will be sharing this thread with the parents so they can track the responses. The child has been subjected to derogatory and bullying behavior at their school (which is being addressed with the school administration by the parents). The parents would love to have their child participate in a safe and nurturing environment this summer. Trans-specific would be great, or even anything rigorously safe, supportive, and trans-inclusive. The child has multiple interests, so all options are welcomed. New England area is fine, although Rhode Island, Massachusetts and up-state New York would be easiest for them to coordinate. Warmest thanks in advance.
posted by Silvery Fish at 7:53 AM PST - 15 comments

Yesterday my phone was dying so on my boyfriend's phone, I signed into an app using my Google Account. I felt uncomfortable doing it but it was the Too Good to Go app and we were going to pick up food imminently. He kind of pressured me to do it so I just did, he definitely didn't have any nefarious plans, he just wanted us to be able to collect the food. [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 7:41 AM PST - 16 comments

One of my coworkers is FASCINATED with the fact that I still wear a mask. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:16 AM PST - 71 comments

We have been invited to a wedding in the Basque Country of Northern Spain. The bride to be was an exchange student living with us. There was no formal invitation, but apparently I have to wear a suit. I don't have one, and don't want one. Do I have any other options? Can I rent a suit somewhere? Are suits mandatory at Spanish weddings? How out of place would I be by not wearing one?
posted by Xurando at 4:16 AM PST - 21 comments

I'm scheduled to be driving in southwestern France during the first two weeks of May. Some parts of the country are being affected by strikes at refineries and depots. Looking for on the ground, local feedback on the situation. [more inside]
posted by gimonca at 3:55 AM PST - 2 comments

I am not a lawyer, you are not a lawyer, but perhaps you have some clearer perspective on a publishing situation that I am too anxious and neurotic at the moment to have. [more inside]
posted by starcrust at 3:31 AM PST - 5 comments

I have a server at work I monitor. Sometimes a particular service fails to start. A few weeks ago I managed to implement a feature where the service emails me if it fails. This is a big improvement on silence. However the emails come thick and fast until I fix the underlying problem. I wanted to instead of receiving a dozen emails, send an MQTT message maybe to my broker when there's an issue. [more inside]
posted by dance at 2:21 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm after links to the best Kerr Avon/Roj Blake (Blake's 7) fanfiction.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 12:54 AM PST - 3 comments

i owe restitution to someone from 2013. help me figure out how much. [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 10:29 PM PST - 11 comments

Is there any service that will print an arbitrary image on a reasonable quality tshirt or hoodie, at a unit of 1 (one) that ships reasonably rapidly to Canada? [more inside]
posted by porpoise at 10:04 PM PST - 9 comments

Can you recommend an offline, non-subscription standalone program or plugin that reliably converts Word documents to good quality PDFs, retaining formatting and hyperlinks? [more inside]
posted by tavegyl at 8:39 PM PST - 9 comments

In my office, my computer is right next to a window with fluorescent lights above, and the lighting is terrible - I always look ghostly and blown out. What else can I try to fix it? [more inside]
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 6:49 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for recommendations for place to carcamp that are no more than 3hrs away from the SF Peninsula. I'd like to avoid crowds and noise. Trip is planned for next week but last-minute externality means I need to find a new locale. [more inside]
posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only at 5:32 PM PST - 8 comments

I am planning to begin a PhD in the fall, but I am hesitating to accept my top choice program because of my sense of uncertainty about my prospective advisor. I don’t see any red flags in her demeanor, stated expectations, or what I can glean about her reputation in the department. However, I also don’t feel like I have a strong sense of her nature. I’m wondering how to assess our mutual fit. [more inside]
posted by reren at 5:26 PM PST - 16 comments

What would you do if you were handed a pile of letters at your work place, that were supposed to have been mailed months ago, but were never mailed. Any solution welcome--aside from hand them back. [more inside]
posted by biscuits at 4:51 PM PST - 22 comments

So I read an article that stated Disney made a contract blocking takeover by the Florida government. The article states: That declaration is valid until “21 years after the death of the last survivor of the descendants of King Charles III, king of England,” according to the document. Why? Is it a joke? Is there some legal reason? [more inside]
posted by Literaryhero at 4:10 PM PST - 14 comments

I am exhausted and, for the first time, I have space in my life to take naps! But I’m a terrible napper. [more inside]
posted by namemeansgazelle at 3:15 PM PST - 23 comments

I live on a hill. After an ice storm in December, a neighbor drove her car up this hill, slid back on the ice and collided with my car and a few others parked on the street, doing considerable body damage. This is now finally fixed after three months; body shop repairs were paid for by her insurance. My question is: If I sell my car, do I lose measurable value from repair work (damage records tied to and recoverable via the car's VIN when selling) and how do I recover this loss from her insurance company, if so? [more inside]
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 1:39 PM PST - 7 comments

I have an antique print that I'd like to get framed, but I'm not sure how to find a framer that can do what the internet tells me is 'conservation framing' in the Los Angeles area. [more inside]
posted by lemonade at 1:37 PM PST - 11 comments

I am looking to ship a car from Massachusetts to Tampa, FL in the next few months. Google searches are frustrating due to the sheer amount of spam. A lot of these companies also seem to be brokers. Does anyone have any suggestions (general or specific)?
posted by Seeking Direction at 1:27 PM PST - 5 comments

What it says on the tin -- I need your recommendations for the best wedding readings/references for a cartoonist/illustrator friend getting married! [more inside]
posted by knownassociate at 1:22 PM PST - 5 comments

I can't be the only Gen Xer trying to figure out the best way to have my mother transfer her condo to me, either before or after her death. Deets inside. [more inside]
posted by sockerpup at 1:09 PM PST - 14 comments

An office-mate will be wfh and mobility-challenged for a time, with a young family. The boss thought it would be nice to arrange for some meals, so we took up a modest collection. How can we handle the meal part, without just handing over cash (awkward) or adding a lot of trouble around getting co-worker's order, figuring their availability, etc., for each meal (also awkward)? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:03 PM PST - 11 comments

Netflix seems to be full of Korean shows and it feels like a waste to not watch them but I have no idea where to start. Any recommendations for k-dramas that have already finished and their endings are not depressing?
posted by simmering octagon at 12:48 PM PST - 39 comments

I'm going to be doing an in-person livestream from a conference in a few months and I'd like to have four cameras and switch among them using ecamm live. I have a question about USB bandwidth. [more inside]
posted by griseus at 12:23 PM PST - 5 comments

Help me find this rug! Yes, I want the dice with a repeated four on two of the sides. I've searched but cannot find any like it. Thanks!
posted by tiny frying pan at 12:13 PM PST - 2 comments

After 15 years of hard work and at least 6 months of pining for the fjords, our oven finally died. We just replaced it (literally today). The new one - a GE Cafe double wall oven - is already asking for our wifi password. We’re a no smart stuff household and I do not want a smart oven - can we get around this? [more inside]
posted by Mchelly at 12:03 PM PST - 9 comments

I think I may have just screwed up...I've been waiting for Verizon Fios here at my house in Brooklyn for years. Today they rang the bell and said they were going to start installing service on the street in the next few weeks. He then asked for access to the backyard to see how to run the lines. [more inside]
posted by newpotato at 11:35 AM PST - 8 comments

My mother died a few months ago and in the last month I've received text messages and letters from realtors offering to act as sales agents. The texts and letters are going to my personal phone and address (not my mother's home address). A brief obituary was published in the paper and legacy.com, so I could see how they might get her address, but how are they then getting my contact info? [more inside]
posted by CiaoMela at 10:13 AM PST - 9 comments

I need to create a simple website that'll consist of just a few static pages and a blog. I have experience with WordPress, but I really dislike it, mainly because of its editor. What's out there that's better than WordPress? [more inside]
posted by akk2014 at 9:47 AM PST - 7 comments

I don't have a strong quantitative background (have taken a couple of basic stats classes many years ago) but recently was asked at work to take a look at a Qualtrics data set from around 150 surveys (pre- and post-test surveys). I'm not really sure how to start off looking at the data in an organized, best practices sort of way. [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter at 9:30 AM PST - 11 comments

I have had a quote rolling around in my head for weeks, unable to figure out where it came from or what follows it. I think I read it, although it may also have been a film adaptation of a book? [more inside]
posted by House of Leaves of Grass at 9:16 AM PST - 2 comments

For a low-orbit satellite network like Starlink - if a Kessler Syndrome-style chain reaction started in low orbit, how long would it take until that low debris field burned away and another network could be instantiated? And within that time frame, would there be a period of time where a network continue functioning (even in a partial state/with outages)? [more inside]
posted by elephantsvanish at 8:56 AM PST - 17 comments

Do you receive a marketing email from Person A at Company X, followed an hour later by one from Person B at Company X who purports to be Person A's supervisor and who is "following up"? This is one of the more stupid and irritating schemes I have seen. Are there actually so-called "marketing consultants" who are recommending this approach? (Not seeking advice on responding. I have that handled.)
posted by John Borrowman at 7:18 AM PST - 10 comments

I have a car that I would like to sell. It is evident that if I sell it directly to a buyer I will get 20% more, which is substantial. (The car has exceptionally low mileage and is rarely available used.) But I've never sold a car. Have you sold a car (not traded in) in the past couple of years? What did you do? How did it go? What would you do differently? I would love to hear both dream stories and horror stories, and am especially interested in Massachusetts stories.
posted by rednikki at 6:49 AM PST - 13 comments

There's a website that guides you through a very simple workflow, asking you questions like "have you eaten something today?" and giving you some self-care advice. What is it? [more inside]
posted by osmond_nash at 2:45 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm on the verge of quitting my job without another one lined up. I'm in about as good as a place I could be to do this, though there's always risk, and I'm very risk averse, so please let me know various ways this could work out mostly alright. Or if not - scare the hell out of me. [more inside]
posted by Gin and Broadband at 2:10 AM PST - 15 comments

Anyone know how to disable the awful new auto playing home screen on Spotify for Android?
posted by Faff at 1:16 AM PST - 5 comments

I need to drink more water. I like it room temperature. I don’t like going downstairs to get it. I don’t like drinking out of anything plastic or anything with hard-to-clean crannies. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 7:40 PM PST - 39 comments

The last game console I owned before this was a PS2, and things are...different, now. Games seem more complex and more expensive, familiar titles don't work the same way as they once did, and I no longer know where to go for reliable reviews. Please help me navigate this new world and find a game or two that I will enjoy! [more inside]
posted by LadyOscar at 7:26 PM PST - 14 comments

Today we found out that someone had some checks printed with my Mom's account information and has been cashing or depositing them over the past few weeks to a small bank across the country. How do we move forward trying to bust this person? [more inside]
posted by rhizome at 6:56 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm transitioning and instead of changing my first name, I want to add a middle name and go by it. Will this cause problems? Anything I need to worry about that I haven't already? [more inside]
posted by sibilatorix at 6:28 PM PST - 11 comments

1)"There is no toilet in this house"? But that could be misunderstood as there is the shower and the bathtub but toilet bowl and water tank combo is missing. 2)What are the words for the 2 things, (i.e the room, and the toilet water tank combo)?
posted by amfgf at 5:59 PM PST - 28 comments

After several weeks of progressively worsening wheezing and coughing, my sweet 12-year-old black lab was just diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis. He is going to have the surgery to open his airway, but I know he'll still have the underlying disease and this is just a stark reminder he won't be here forever. How do I cope? [more inside]
posted by Amy93 at 5:48 PM PST - 9 comments

Beloved family members recently visited - Adults are about 10 years younger than me, with 3 kids. Their travel sucked (the visit itself was great) but in talking to the trip-planner about it, he eventually said "Yeah, in hindsight, we saved some money by getting the cheapest flights and rental car, but really came out way behind". Any tips on how to do this better? [more inside]
posted by soylent00FF00 at 5:37 PM PST - 27 comments

I'm thinking of purchasing a property that has an easement from a long time ago. Some of the language in the easement is concerning. I'd like to do some research to verify who has inherited the easement and controls it today. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:09 PM PST - 9 comments

We’re fortunate to have health insurance (GHI) through my spouse’s job, insurance that so far has been pretty good. I have finally gotten a “real” job myself, after years of freelancing. [more inside]
posted by Ollie at 2:34 PM PST - 10 comments

I bought, from Amazon, an "iPhone Charger 3Pack 6FT Lightning to USB A Charging Cable Cord", which they advertised as being compatible with, among other things, iPhone 8 (which is what I have). Unfortunately, the Lightning end is slightly too small, and will not stay connected unless I physically hold it in. [more inside]
posted by ubiquity at 2:29 PM PST - 16 comments

I have a long (over 10 hour) plane trip coming up. I will have a Mac laptop, iPad, and iPhone available. What are good games for OSX (i.e., on the laptop) or iOS (on the iPad/iPhone) that would be good to pass the time? [more inside]
posted by mark7570 at 11:55 AM PST - 19 comments

A friend is putting together a cat-themed playlist and wants more songs, especially songs that aren’t from the Cats musical. [more inside]
posted by kitten kaboodle at 11:43 AM PST - 89 comments

Is there anything like "best practice" for when an enormous animal leaps onto an Interstate in your immediate vicinity while driving? [more inside]
posted by Lyn Never at 10:51 AM PST - 25 comments

Is there a straightforward way to find out how much federal money went to a particular industry over a period of time? [more inside]
posted by fatedblue at 8:01 AM PST - 1 comment

I am looking for some advice on this late May itinerary to Costa Rica for an 11-12 day trip. We are thinking Pacuare River--San Gerardo de Dota-- Drake Bay. We are looking for a less touristy experience with beautiful scenery and wildlife. Does this plan sound reasonable? [more inside]
posted by TrarNoir at 7:55 AM PST - 3 comments

At this point in the pandemic the best measure we have of prevalence is wastewater concentrations. How do I convert that to asymptomatic positivity rate? [more inside]
posted by Dashy at 7:52 AM PST - 9 comments

I want a tool or an App to record the times I do a few specific things, to make sure that I actually do the things. I don't want to plan in specific times, I just want to be able to see (in possibly relatively abstract terms) how successful I have been in actually doing these things. [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 7:38 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm thinking of writing a (technical) book. [more inside]
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 7:20 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm looking for recommendations for vegan or vegetarian (or primarily vegan/vegetarian) restaurants near midtown Manhattan that serve lunch. [more inside]
posted by cursed at 6:11 AM PST - 10 comments

Wednesday is a Q&A with Ryan North, webcomic writer. Friday is a Q&A with Drew Curtis, founder and maintainer of Fark. Learn more here.
posted by NotLost at 6:08 AM PST - 7 comments

A little while ago, facebook suddenly started showing me a huge number of "suggested posts" with videos of dogs and occasionally other animals being "rescued" from abuse, starving, dying, and similar horrible situations that I'm guessing are done intentionally. They seem like a very low budget, much more terrible version of the dodo dog rescue videos that used to show up a lot before these replaced them, like the video-equivalent of cheap Amazon knockoffs. Is there any way at all to block these from showing up? [more inside]
posted by randomnity at 5:29 AM PST - 10 comments

I was wondering if anyone had any meaningful advice on how to practice self compassion including recommendations for resources and/or practices that have worked for you? [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 4:07 AM PST - 9 comments

I heard it third-hand, as a throwaway comment, that there is a historical thesis that the arrangement of the cricket fields at Eton somehow affected the British Raj in a notable way. Not being a history scholar, I have not been able to track this down but can't stop thinking about it. [more inside]
posted by gauche at 3:13 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm considering selling my house without a realtor, and I'd like to speak with a competent, friendly real estate attorney so I can have an idea of what the pros and cons would be. Anybody know somebody they can recommend?
posted by anonymous at 11:43 PM PST - 2 comments

My parents are racist and dealing with this, among other things, for decades has me at breaking point but they don't think they are racist so how do I stop or further minimize contact with them? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:43 PM PST - 25 comments

I went on a higher than average date with someone last week, which never happens to me. But as of Saturday I have developed a gross zit/cold sore/bug bite/red thing on my lip now, and I have a second date in 4 days. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:42 PM PST - 18 comments

I’m looking for my next pair of tennis shoes. I have narrow little heels but I like/need a big toe box. [more inside]
posted by Tandem Affinity at 10:44 PM PST - 8 comments

I've been through 3 years of constant pain with my digestive tract and in spite of blood/stool/imaging and colonoscopy, the only definitive answers I've gotten were that there were infections (Blasto), food poisoning (last September which resolved), diverticulitis (last January which resolved) and fluctuating amylase levels (idiopathic). One small stone in gallbladder was found on ultrasound. SIBO still hasn't been ruled out. [more inside]
posted by watercarrier at 10:29 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm having trouble finding the scriptwriting module in StudioBinder. There is supposedly a Documents page where you can create scripts, but all I've gotten so far is a Project created. I can't find a way to add or create scripts. Help!
posted by storybored at 10:03 PM PST - 0 comments

I was planning to grill some chicken thighs tonight, but alas the grill is out of propane. Meat has been marinating for 24 hours (started it on Sunday night). What to do? [more inside]
posted by hydra77 at 7:43 PM PST - 6 comments

Thinking of attending an Al-Anon meeting but my social anxiety has me nervous about what it will be like and what will be expected of me. If I go to a “friends and family only” meeting will I have to speak and share my story, or share my phone number with other people, or can I just pass and listen? Is it uncomfortable to go as an atheist? [more inside]
posted by sibylvane at 6:44 PM PST - 15 comments

Hi. I have a chance to pursue a master's at The University of Edinburgh this fall at a distance, all paid for and covered through my family, thankfully. Yet, at the same time, I keep wondering if a direct entry to a PhD would be a better idea as it would be quicker--but direct entry is almost rare in Canada in comparison to the United States and the UK, I think as well. [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 6:22 PM PST - 23 comments

I thought it was Hole or maybe Nirvana but can’t find any of either band’s songs with this lyric, but it’s in that style. Toward the end of the song, the singer sings “I don’t owe you anything” repeatedly. Or maybe it’s “You don’t owe me anything”?? I can’t even remember if the singer is male or female. The style is kind of screamy and angry and dark. That’s all I got.
posted by southern_sky at 5:32 PM PST - 10 comments

I went to grad school a few years back to change careers & 3 years later I haven’t found work & it’s time to reconsider returning to my old field. I want to make a final round of talking to my network & maybe to ask for “informational interviews” to ask for final suggestions/advice & if what I wanted is realistic. W/out coming across as a bummer or too negative, people don’t generally want to help people out that way, how can I approach people for professional advice about this w/ sincerity? [more inside]
posted by Che boludo! at 2:49 PM PST - 15 comments

What’s a decent laptop to get for the above? Also - I haven’t worked as a copy editor for several years. Which programs are most common these days? I used to work in MS Word and Adobe InDesign. [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 1:55 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm seeking book recommendations on Operation Condor. I keep hearing about it tangentially in various podcasts (such as Behind the Bastards last week), but want to read something more comprehensive on the topic. [more inside]
posted by slogger at 12:26 PM PST - 3 comments

I've done a lot of searching on this but haven't quite gotten a satisfying answer - specifics on what materials to use to mend hiking socks. [more inside]
posted by brilliantine at 11:50 AM PST - 4 comments

Two weeks ago I dislocated my finger. I have a finger specialist and OT, so you don't need to be either of those things. Instead, I'd really like to know if you dislocated a finger how long until you got flexibility back. What you did that helped (or didn't)? [more inside]
posted by Pineapplicious at 11:35 AM PST - 7 comments

I've been working on a program like WordleBot to try out different words and see which ones seem to work better for an opening play. As part of this, I've been using the 2309-word list that has been around on various websites, and today's Wordle answer is not on this list. I was under the impression that the list was hard-coded in the program, so I wonder if the program's been changed. I don't see any mention of this out on the internet. Any idea what's up?
posted by MtDewd at 11:17 AM PST - 9 comments

Installing a wire mesh fence and gate, it's up -- but the lock isn't figured out yet. Strong preference for mechanical, not electronic. Pushbutton, no keys. What you got? [more inside]
posted by xaryts at 11:06 AM PST - 3 comments

I made carnitas and ended up with a pint mason jar of gelatinous carnitas-flavored stock. I am having some severe decision paralysis. What should I use it for? [more inside]
posted by ArgentCorvid at 11:01 AM PST - 10 comments

My car (a black Outback) has a lot of water spots from going through the automatic car wash. I just dropped it off for some body repair and asked how much it would cost to have them buff it out and polish it--not a complete exterior detailing, just this one thing--and they said $175-$200. That's crazy, right? The internet says so but I don't know if what I'm reading was written before recent inflation.
posted by HotToddy at 11:01 AM PST - 6 comments

My computer died, forcing me to finally stop buying used or refurbished PCs. But I also didn't want to buy one of the new boxes where nothing can be changed out and if it breaks you just throw it away and get another one. So I decided to have a PC built. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 10:48 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm looking for running shorts in a style that I can't find anywhere. Is vintage/deadstock my only hope? [more inside]
posted by moonbeam at 10:44 AM PST - 7 comments

I searched the web for “best biography of Emma Goldman.” The returns: much online verbiage of her life. Not what I’m looking for. I seek what might, in writerly circles, be considered the BEST, most comprehensive biography of EG. (I have already read her autobiography,.)
posted by BostonTerrier at 9:57 AM PST - 7 comments

I have bad teeth due to a combination of genetics, a weird (unfluoridated) hippie childhood, and a lackluster approach to oral care in my 20s. I haven't been to a dentist in a decade. I finally have great dental insurance. Could you recommend a really great dentist in Chicago who could help me get my teeth back into shape? Or any recommendations for how to find a good dentist? [more inside]
posted by cimton at 9:26 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm going to Lewes, UK for a thing. I've been there before. I now have 2 extra days unplanned, due to airline scheduling machinations. What should I do with my time? [more inside]
posted by so fucking future at 9:21 AM PST - 7 comments

I'd never thought I'd ask, but are these carrots safe to eat? [more inside]
posted by Marky at 9:07 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm making a fake car badge in mockery of the "Police Interceptor" or "Pursuit Vehicle" sort you sometimes see in the U.S. Only, mine will say "Fursuit Vehicle". Assume for the purposes of this question that this is a joke, and is funny. Looking for a free TTF or OTF font that's a close match to the original. (Example pics inside.) [more inside]
posted by sourcequench at 9:04 AM PST - 8 comments

Skill level: 4 years violin, switched to Viola last year, can read music but not sight read. Looking for two contrasting pieces or excerpts, 2 minutes or so each, that can be learned in about six weeks. [more inside]
posted by sol at 8:51 AM PST - 3 comments

How do I handle my job when I *know* I will not meet my performance target? [more inside]
posted by joeyjoejoejr at 7:57 AM PST - 7 comments

I have a bike now. I am afraid to ride on the streets or roads here so I will only be riding on the local rail trail, no cars anywhere. Would you still advise a helmet?
posted by JanetLand at 6:52 AM PST - 49 comments

I recently spent some time playing Trivial Pursuit with my teenage granddaughters, and I would like to find a way to make that work better - whether by buying new cards or coming up with ways to revise the rules a bit. If you've figured out a way to solve the problem of multiple ages and abilities, please share. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 6:51 AM PST - 13 comments

There are many areas in life where we immediately default to professionals. But not all problems are equally hard. Especially with the availability of an enormous amount of instruction videos it became quite easy to do some repairs. I wouldn't attempt to fix a mechanical watch, but I was able to change quartz watch batteries after watching one video! What are your examples of easy-to-do tasks, and what were the tutorials / videos that helped you do it? My examples are below the fold. [more inside]
posted by kmt at 3:07 AM PST - 33 comments

TW: Insurance bureaucracy hell. I got a job at Columbia Med School. I have a physical/mobility disability that requires a lot of physical therapy, but their health insurance (United Healthcare) only covers 60 sessions/year, cumulative. Not enough for me -- I need at least twice that. I can't pay an extra $10k+ for out of pocket costs. I have to choose between an awesome job I want and getting my health needs met. Any specific or general recommendations to try to come up with funds and/or better insurance? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:43 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm looking for suggestions (books, articles, podcasts, personal experience) for dealing with my parent whom I've long suspected of being on the spectrum. We have a challenging relationship and I'd like to find some strategies that might help both of us get along / understand one another better. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:42 PM PST - 12 comments

I decided my new arbitrary life goal is to get good at making a range of delicious curries. I have visions of serving up a multi-dish supper for friends. And maybe having a stash of frozen portions in the freezer ready for quick suppers too. However I have no idea where to start. [more inside]
posted by Erinaceus europaeus at 11:33 PM PST - 16 comments

I plan to exercise more. I would also like to be more methodical about which types of exercise when. That’s where you come in. [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 9:53 PM PST - 13 comments

Little turtle wasn’t sure she wanted to go to college but now with high school graduation in six weeks, she has changed her mind. We know our state schools are an option but seeking the hive mind for alternatives. More below the fold. [more inside]
posted by turtlefu at 6:51 PM PST - 19 comments

What to consider when trying to sell an inherited property quickly and as painlessly as possible (while grieving)? Options include ibuyers or the traditional realtor route but hard to know what to do in a rapidly changing market and amidst impending recession fears. [more inside]
posted by KarmicKintsugi at 6:44 PM PST - 15 comments

I've already asked the travel insurance company, but they just said to submit a claim and they will either approve it or deny it, 14 days later (which is long after my scheduled trip). Should I just go? [more inside]
posted by TrixieRamble at 5:50 PM PST - 7 comments

ISO of English language podcasts about history, culture and politics of Mexico, preferably by Mexicans.
posted by jointhedance at 5:34 PM PST - 1 comment

Job had me sign a W4 and an I-9. They asked me if I was willing to basically help them commit fraud by signing a W9 as if I was an independent contractor. I said I'd be willing to for the first 2 weeks. They forgot to have me sign the W9, but they never withheld taxes from my checks even past the 2 weeks I agreed to. Now they've fired me and have asked me to sign the W9 so that they can send me my last check. Should I just tell them to keep it and not sign it? Confused. [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 4:25 PM PST - 13 comments

I have a friend couple, let's call them Amy and Kirk. They had a bad falling out with another mutual friend couple (Couple #2), who I am still close with. I was kinda in the middle but all went well, until Kirk accused me of sharing sensitive personal information with Couple #2. However, Amy and Kirk then acted like nothing happened and invited me to a birthday dinner for me (their treat). I plan to tell them how much their behavior hurt me, but am not sure how. More details inside. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 2:40 PM PST - 25 comments

We just rescued a gorgeous, vintage '70s front door from a trash heap - but we can't figure out what style of knob was attached. Please help us identify it so we can have the door of my dreams! [more inside]
posted by WidgetAlley at 12:39 PM PST - 4 comments

I have acquired two boxes of yellow cake mix (helping a friend clean out a pantry). What are some non-obvious ways to use them? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:41 AM PST - 19 comments

I have only had Motorolas and the music always sounds tinny. I just got a new one and it has a speaker now but the sound is no better, just louder. Other than that it's a great phone. I have Spotify on high resolution or whatever they call it, doesn't help much. I guess earphones exist that improve the sound, but I don't like bothering with earphones and how they feel and even if I did, I would still want my phone to sound good without earphones.
posted by serena15221 at 11:38 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm attempting to train for a long-distance bicycle tour. I have a recommended training plan, but it began in February and the weather here is garbage for cycling, so I've been hitting the gym to use a stationary machine. That experience...does not resemble riding my actual bike. How do I adjust for the difference? [more inside]
posted by Ipsifendus at 11:11 AM PST - 9 comments

There's a...genre of store in the UK that seems to exist somewhere at the intersection of hardware stores, small local manufacturers, zero waste, luddite fetishists, and MoMA Design Store-curated shopping. Examples include Labour and Wait and Objects of Use. Are there similar businesses in the US? [more inside]
posted by pullayup at 11:01 AM PST - 19 comments

I would like to learn to sew and make my own clothes as I think this would be a rewarding alternative to my clothes shopping addiction. I've been watching people "thrift flip" on YouTube and it looks really fun and rewarding. Please do let me know of any resources that you think would be best for a complete novice, including books, Youtube videos etc. Also, what budget sewing machine would be good for a learner? What would you say is the most difficult part about learning this skill and how did you overcome it?
posted by Sunflower88 at 9:21 AM PST - 35 comments

Please me all your travel trips for spending a week in Bogota in early August. I just booked a $991 flight for free thanks to a $1000 voucher, and I'm so excited! [more inside]
posted by smorgasbord at 9:20 AM PST - 1 comment

I recently watched the show Station Eleven. It's very ethereal and wandering while also being on point and extremely in focus at times. It's one of those shows I can't even properly describe. Like, I can't really summarize it. It's so vast and open and also so on target I don't even know what to say. Or how to even talk about it. Are there any other good shows like this out there?
posted by sanka at 9:16 AM PST - 13 comments

There's been articles going around about the possibility of black holes destroying information, so I've been poking around to find out what the term "information" means, which I tentatively think is quantum states, and what the conservation of information means. Here's what I (a layperson that took a total of one college physics course decades ago) gathered. Can you tell me if I am understanding this correctly? Because I am very uncertain. [more inside]
posted by ignignokt at 7:22 AM PST - 4 comments

Is there a great and easy-to-use service for sharing a visually-appealing curated list of links to news articles these days, by making a public link and sharing the URL? Many services seem to be geared toward sharing with friends on social media, but I want to be able to share with people that I am not linked to on social media. Bonus points if the presentation is visually appealing--like Pocket or Pinterest--rather than just a bland textual list.
posted by mortaddams at 6:05 AM PST - 6 comments

Y'know when you go to Spirit Halloween and see the animatronic figures that growl or jump at you when you pass by... [more inside]
posted by goodsearch at 10:51 PM PST - 3 comments

I’m looking for a recipe for creamy, garlicky, smoky baba ganouj, ideally one you’ve made and can vouch for. [more inside]
posted by leahwrenn at 7:57 PM PST - 12 comments

We're doing some renovations to our bathroom, and are toying with the idea of using a linear shower drain (like this) in our shower. Does anybody have experience with them? In particular, are they efficient enough at draining water that we could do a curbless shower?
posted by destrius at 7:24 PM PST - 12 comments

I have this memory of watching a TV commercial when I was a kid in the 80s. I remember it as being for instant coffee, like Folgers but probably not Folgers, and the detail I remember was that it was soundtracked by bossa nova-style music. (That’s why I’m pretty sure it’s not for Folgers, since their jingle is such a thing.) I’ve watched a few ads on YouTube, but nothing seems familiar. Was this a thing, or am I making something up?
posted by kevinbelt at 6:54 PM PST - 2 comments

I remember a cartoon from the 90s. I remember the cats living in Big Ben-like clock tower and coming out in a jet/spaceship/mech to . . . fight crime and eat pizza? I thought it was Samurai Pizza Cats. But looking it up just now, that isn't it at all. The animation style is all wrong. The one I'm thinking of had an animation style much more like Street Sharks or Mummies Alive. It's also not SWAT Kats. [more inside]
posted by Garm at 5:32 PM PST - 8 comments

I want to get a "consumer" dash cam... [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 4:04 PM PST - 14 comments

I live at 8500ft in planting zone 6A, with a wild, half-frozen yard that is just starting to emerge from the snow. We don't get a ton of rain here, except in July when it's a monsoon. I'd like to sew these native wildflower seeds I have, but don't know exactly when I should do that, or whether my plan of attack is smart/right given the location and time of year. [more inside]
posted by egeanin at 3:03 PM PST - 8 comments

I want to send someone ice cream in the mail, but it should probably be a gift card so they can choose the delivery time and it doesn't melt sitting on the stoop. What's a good place that delivers moderately shmancy ice cream anywhere in the lower 48?
posted by blnkfrnk at 12:47 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm reading (listening to) John Galsworthy's Forsyte Saga. There are constant references to the price of "consoles". I can't Google right. [more inside]
posted by hilaryjade at 11:16 AM PST - 8 comments

I hurt my rotator cuff and have pain from back of shoulder to my wrist. I must have mistaken it for fibro pain for a while but it got really bad. In a few days I’m going to a music festival that’s my ultimate happy place. My Dr gave a cortisone shot and I have oral meds and topical meds. What I want to know is what positions are best for sleeping and sitting (it’s my right arm) and what, if any, braces have helps. YANMD. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 10:47 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm starting to wonder whether how I have showed up in my current relationship with my boyfriend is due to a strong element of limerence, caused by sex and how normal/abnormal this experience is. I had sex with him after our second date, and after that I was absolutely infatuated with him. With my ex (and first) boyfriend, in my late twenties, I never really enjoyed sex; at the time I thought it was just me, but I now realise in retrospect that we just didn't have that chemistry and I know this is cruel, but he was not well endowed by any means. Unfortunately I have learnt that size does matter. [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 10:33 AM PST - 18 comments

I'm sitting my former foster puppy - now as a 1 year old 80 pound dog, who still struggles with separation anxiety, soiling indoors, leash pulling, [more inside]
posted by ScorpionFlower at 10:20 AM PST - 6 comments

We're replacing a French/sliding door and a window. It appears that there are various companies that sell windows, in different lines at different price points. I'm wondering what your experiences are with any line from any of the major companies. I'm especially interested in the midrange and lower options (Pella Architect series and Andersen A-series/400 series versus the lower-end models). Is the midrange legitimately better? Is aluminum-clad wood much better than vinyl-clad wood or fiberglass? Sliding doors vs French doors? Any horror stories? Thanks!
posted by ClaireBear at 6:12 AM PST - 10 comments

In the group shower at my pool, something shiny on another bather caught my eye. At a discreet moment, I looked over and it was a ring in the man's penis that was larger than a US quarter and the thickness of a pencil. In case it's relevant, he was a late middle-aged Japanese man who had the overall air of a former punk rocker. Just out of general curiosity, what might be his motivations?
posted by Jon44 at 5:54 AM PST - 18 comments

I am absolutely lost with the speaker jargon in reviews. All I need is a speaker to plug into a wall socket in my very small bedroom so I can play music via airplay (this is important) from my mac or iphone. I mostly listen to classical, edm and folk music. I do not need to control my speakers or stream to them - I just want to play my ripped CDs essentially for less than US$150 as an upgrade from my $30 headphones and laptop speakers. (The mac homepod is not available in my region btw)
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 5:00 AM PST - 8 comments

I recently upgraded to Ventura and have had enough of the Podcasts app. iTunes was tolerable but Podcasts has somehow duplicated my feeds, does not refresh them, and does not make it easy to clear played episodes in one go. I need an alternative, ideally one which will work with old-school iPods. [more inside]
posted by Grinder at 1:19 AM PST - 3 comments

This was me. I made the brilliant decision to stay off the meds. I’m now separated from my partner, living in a dump I can barely afford, and have no real support system. How do I cope with the mess I’ve made of my life while I get psychiatric help? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:56 PM PST - 17 comments

My partner and I, recently cohabitating, both *want* have more sex, but for various reasons we *cannot* have sex right before we go to sleep. Both of us have a lot of habits from previous cohabitating relationships in which this was the primary or only time for sex, and we're sort of struggling with "how do you initiate" otherwise. Looking for very concrete examples of how *you* do this. Bonus points if it includes indicating what *kind of* sex you want to have. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:56 PM PST - 16 comments

My friend loves her cats, and I have some of her favorite photos of her cats. For her birthday, I want to get her something fun and maybe even useful and certainly whimsical, whimsy courtesy of the cat photos I'm going to get plastered on this thing. But what should this thing(s) be? What are some good quality, clever, personalized-photo stuff available in these modern times? [more inside]
posted by bluedaisy at 10:24 PM PST - 20 comments

Is it people with medical conditions dying from an eyedrop? It's been in the news in the last few days.
posted by amfgf at 5:54 PM PST - 11 comments

I signed up for a year of YNAB after reading the book from my library. It makes sense to me! I can follow it! I can even reconcile it against my bank accounts! ... Except for my freaking credit card debt. Goal: Pay back anything that I spend on the cards as well as my minimum payment and/or interest. But the math will not math for me like the rest of the program does. Every time I think I have it I realize that I don't and I've broken something. [more inside]
posted by Saucy Possum at 5:29 PM PST - 14 comments

Back in 2010, there was this Vice / Cracked-style article site that always had the text directly on top of the empty space of a (16:9?) photo. All of the photos used the Rule of Thirds with either blur or simple color backgrounds so that the text was always either white or black and very readable. [more inside]
posted by weewooweewoo at 4:35 PM PST - 0 comments

I recently received a pair of Saxx boxer briefs as a gift. The underwear was shipped from Saxx directly. As a new pair, it came in the normal product packaging... and smelling strongly of some kind of cologne. A nice scent, but is it supposed to be there? I have two other pairs of Saxx boxer briefs, and they didn't come scented (though I got those years ago).
posted by Mechitar at 4:18 PM PST - 4 comments

I just found out my brother, who lives with his family in the upstairs suite of the house we share, tested positive for covid. I am scheduled for major surgery in 6 days and I cannot get covid. Simply cannot. Cancelling the surgery now because I got covid is unthinkable. I know my chances are low, and I know all the things I should do, but I'm coming here to askmefi in case I'm forgetting something! [more inside]
posted by cgg at 3:53 PM PST - 21 comments

I went out to my car this afternoon and found this scary pile of goo in my driveway. It clearly contains hair. There's a lot of it. Could this have been coughed up by a bird of prey? I live near Boston. [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 3:26 PM PST - 8 comments

What beer that is widely available in Missouri the entire year most closely resembles an Oktoberfest/Märzen?
posted by Tehhund at 2:59 PM PST - 4 comments

I have an extra-deep stainless steel saucepan, branded "Wolfgang Puck", like this one. It's started developing spots of rust on the outside bottom, and they've quickly covered most of the bottom surface. I'm not sure if I should blame Mr. Puck, but aside from that, is there anything I can do? [more inside]
posted by amtho at 2:47 PM PST - 10 comments

My recreational dance group uses a Windows computer to play music.  Help us find a small, simple remote control for volume, pause, play, and a headset with a mic so a person can teach a dance, be heard, and start/stop, control volume for music. [more inside]
posted by Mom at 2:07 PM PST - 5 comments

I recently bought WW1 postcards (Twitter thread) from a market stall here in London. As you'll see from the link, I have reason to believe they're from a British boarding school pupil writing to an older member of his family back home in Yorkshire. It's the first image in the second tweet there that intrigues me. Is this a family code of some kind? A form of mathematical notation I'm not familiar with? Let's solve this, Metafilter!
posted by Paul Slade at 1:57 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for dapper oxford-like dress shoes to wear to conferences that won't wear out my feet wandering the city the conference is if I end up walking a mile. So cushy soles and/or lining but also snazzy on the outside please! [more inside]
posted by azalea_chant at 12:33 PM PST - 15 comments

An elderly relative of mine discovered online shopping during the pandemic, and it has developed into a bit of an addiction/compulsion. Critically: they are recovering from another much more directly harmful addiction, so I know that we need to tread lightly. What are some ways we (their kids, and the rest of us) can help them address this? [more inside]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 11:16 AM PST - 24 comments

Enabling Retina display scaling settings on, say, 5K monitors (5120 x 2880) reduces that display's resolution to 2560 x 1440 pixels. Is the resolution change applied to everything the operating system renders on screen, or can it be set to conditionally render, say, very high-resolution images (like dense heatmaps or medical images) within a web browser or image viewer, using non-Retina 1:1 scaling? (More inside...) [more inside]
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 10:14 AM PST - 7 comments

Every once in a while on The Good Wife, the characters would have to watch some sort of HR training film, and these films had a particular musical theme that became a running joke in our house, something we'd hum whenever someone did something "inappropriate." Anyway, we've just realized that no one remembers the tune any more... [more inside]
posted by mpark at 10:06 AM PST - 8 comments

My laptop's internal webcam was working fine for a couple years, then would flicker sometimes during zoom calls, and for 3 months now it doesn't work at all. I imagine this is a hardware issue. Can I fix this myself? Is there some way to repair this? I just hate throwing away a laptop every few years. Dell XPS 9560 running windows.
posted by maxexam at 8:56 AM PST - 9 comments

As the title says: I'm open to fiction and non-fiction. I am particularly interested in the perspective of daughters in the relationship dealing with not terrible but also not great mothers who were not always there for their daughters. Assume that the mother in question is not a narcissist nor does she have significant mental illness.
posted by tafetta, darling! at 8:09 AM PST - 22 comments

My spouse recently gave a short interview to a media outlet, and the resulting article about our family is inaccurate, biased, and demeaning. It contains photos and identifying information. We feel embarrassed, misled, and betrayed. What can we do now? [more inside]
posted by hovey at 7:32 AM PST - 22 comments

I'm in the process of incorporating a (small, lol) company in japan. I know what I need to notarize (passport, signature (?), marriage license, birth certificate(??)), but it hasn't been made quite clear what exactly I need to notarize for this process. more details within. if you have experience with japan and their requirements all the better! [more inside]
posted by wooh at 6:10 AM PST - 5 comments

I have a lot of decaying concrete steps that form the only access to my house. I need to get them replaced/remediated and made more accessible, but it's a simultaneously a big expensive project for me, and a small annoying project for the kind of contractors who do this sort of work. Help me figure out how to get this done? [more inside]
posted by quacks like a duck at 5:22 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm working on an acrylic painting and I want to add text over the top in gold. Can anyone recommend me a pen that will suit my purpose? It needs to be available to ship to the UK.
posted by an opinicus at 4:21 AM PST - 5 comments

How do I stop being a bean counter in terms of keeping score in a relationship? Also a better and more supportive, less resentful partner? In the challenging context of parents to a young kid? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:13 AM PST - 20 comments

I have a very obvious foreign-sounding and looking last name, and I live in the states. My name has been kind of a pain-in-the-ass for my entire life (especially growing up in racist fly-over country). I'm thinking about changing it, but also have lots of feelings about this. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:11 AM PST - 16 comments

Is it crazy to buy a house *in this market* and *in this economy*? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:10 AM PST - 23 comments

I've decided that in order to give myself more time in the day and be more productive, I would like to wake up at 6.30am. Currently I wake up at 7.30, roll out of bed, brush my teeth, cup of coffee and am out of the door by 8 - barely having even looked in the mirror. I should be leaving home at 7.45 to get to work bang on time. Everything is lastminute.com. Either way, I want to wake up at 6.30 even on weekends. [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 2:47 AM PST - 16 comments

My apartment has a 35yo terrazzo floor in the bathroom (it's a wet room). While it's structurally in excellent condition (no crumbling, cracking etc) it has not been looked after, and has rust stains, white discolouration (soap scum or detergent? In European style it's a laundry room as well as a bathroom, and houses the washing machine as well) and even some concrete smears here and there which have clearly been allowed to dry on it over the years. The owner of the house is not prepared to do anything about it. How can I clean it myself? [more inside]
posted by rubbish bin night at 2:23 AM PST - 1 comment

Colleague wants to improve memory, open to playing card games where counting cards to calculate odds is a thing. If there are games where one, the AI has no "memory" of what cards have been revealed vs. a game where the AI has memory dependent on how many decks there are in play. Or ideally, a game where the AI can be adjusted. [more inside]
posted by porpoise at 12:03 AM PST - 8 comments

After eeking out the life of my Android phone, it's time again to get a new one. I'm keen to find out if there are any Android phones that offer worthwhile privacy protection. [more inside]
posted by BrStekker at 10:41 PM PST - 5 comments

For an informal dinner party: What dessert goes with chicken pot pie? [more inside]
posted by ojocaliente at 8:11 PM PST - 31 comments

My Dad's Gmail app on android doesn't have an option to mark as spam, doesn't have a spam folder, and doesn't have a link to the sub-inboxes like social and updates even though they are enabled and mail is going to them. [more inside]
posted by catquas at 6:59 PM PST - 4 comments

You know that unnamed part of your ears where the glasses arms rest? That part really starts to ache when I wear sunglasses with a bike helmet. The helmet straps press down too hard on the glasses arms which dig into my ears. I would like to find a helmet with integrated sunglasses (or face shield) so there isn't anything resting on my ears. [more inside]
posted by oxisos at 6:49 PM PST - 10 comments

When I move my arm/hand in certain ways, I experience a shooting pain across the back of my hand. This depends largely on the position of my arm, and only happens during palmar flexion or ulnar deviation/adduction (both together is worst). Is this familiar to you? [more inside]
posted by Acari at 6:43 PM PST - 7 comments

When does "Your group has been updated" or "Response from [by?] the group" appear in the subject bar when attemptimg to enter the first letter of the subject in the subject bar after composing in email? This is a general question, it's not about gmail or outlook or other ones, or about anyone person in particular.
posted by amfgf at 5:57 PM PST - 5 comments

Has there been another way of attaching the piece of clothing with the instruction on how to clean it, what it's made of etc., to the clothing (t shirt, or whatever else) or is it always sewn to the clothing? Is there a bad method of attaching it? By the way, it could be anywhere in the world and any kind of manufacturing.
posted by amfgf at 5:34 PM PST - 9 comments

I remember a film based in North Africa about British travellers who accidentally ran over a Berber child in a trek across North Africa that put me very much in mind of The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles and which I distinctly, but apparently incorrectly, remember being by Mike Figgis since I can't corroborate that at all. Please help me shake the cobwebs off my film-brain.
posted by sjswitzer at 4:40 PM PST - 6 comments

I saw an ad and now I'm curious. Looks like I can spend between $10-$200 on a dermaplaning tool.... what is dermaplaning like? Other than removing peach fuzz, what does it do for the skin? Is it irritating? Is it basically like shaving with a razor? Is it worth spending more money on a fancier apparatus?
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:41 PM PST - 11 comments

CPAP users, is it possible to hack a CPAP machine? I have a machine that I last used about 4-5 years ago. It's been sitting on my closet shelf, but due to increasing AFIB and sleeping problems, it looks like I will have to return to using a face-sucker. Can I use it without having it transmit my information? [more inside]
posted by BlueHorse at 3:30 PM PST - 14 comments

I wear sunglasses and the earbuds that wrap around my ear are a problem with my sunglasses. Add to that a cord to keep the sunglasses from slipping and it’s really not working. I am looking for earbuds that are comfortable, will stay in place, and filter out noise. Decent. Thank you to all who respond.
posted by Tziv at 2:33 PM PST - 3 comments

I just started a new job that is going to be more responsibility, more job duties, and more fast-paced than any job I've ever had before. I would love to hear any advice/tips on adjusting to this! [more inside]
posted by carlypennylane at 1:30 PM PST - 7 comments

I have a Roku Express that works with a normal TV. When I plug it into a computer monitor through an HDMI-to-DVI adapter, nothing comes up. What sequence of button presses will cause the Roku to re-find the display? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 1:30 PM PST - 4 comments

I’m a music journalist. I got a press release about the French pianist Riopy, whose backstory involves being raised in a cult, being homeless in LA, having a store customer pay for his formal music training, and being gifted a piano by Chris Martin. He was then “discovered” with music in a lot of ads and popular meditative piano albums. I’m having trouble corroborating any of this or putting together a timeline. Can anyone help corroborate or disprove his story? [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 12:48 PM PST - 14 comments

What easy-to-prep, delicious grain and veggie bowl recipes resemble my Trader Jo- based vegetable soup and would stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days? [more inside]
posted by Elsie at 12:16 PM PST - 8 comments

YANML but maybe you know things about this. My parents own a house in the UK and want to gift it to me. How do they go about it? Additional details inside. [more inside]
posted by sailoreagle at 11:30 AM PST - 2 comments

I have been in a new job for 3 months where I have a 1 hour (1.5 mile) commute to work and back, which I can do either on foot or by bus, each way. There is a considerable uphill incline on the way there, and I carry my laptop in a rucksack there and back. I am not super fit. What would be the ideal way to tackle this? [more inside]
posted by MarianHalcombe at 10:32 AM PST - 18 comments

I thought I bookmarked two nonfiction books about the mall, but I can't find them in my Goodreads or my browser tabs. Help? [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 10:13 AM PST - 3 comments

I will be in Anchorage for about a day and a half in early April for work, with no car. [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 9:27 AM PST - 4 comments

I am planning plantings for my patio. I live in Sweden. Based on the USDA Hardiness Zone Map, my area is in Zone 6b. Honestly, I have no idea what that means. Just throwing it out there in case that is useful. I want advice on how to have flowers blooming for as long as possible during our shortish growing season. Details below. [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna at 9:13 AM PST - 8 comments

This is a bit of a long shot, but I'd like to find a particular instagram reel of jordan peterson dancing. help. [more inside]
posted by i like crows very much at 8:51 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm all caught up on the channels I watch. Lately Youtube's recommendations have been kind of blah. Do you know others I might like? [more inside]
posted by bluesky78987 at 8:36 AM PST - 14 comments

At my company we always get asked "what's your personal brand?" I understand the usefulness as I go to new opportunities (jobs and projects within company) but this sounds so skeevy (and just saw this South Park episode lampooning it) and icky. If you think this is BS but you've been able to define your 'brand' successfully (i.e used it to define your resume, get jobs etc), what ways have you thought about it, what ways have you gotten past the smarmy LinkedIn factor?
posted by sandmanwv at 7:58 AM PST - 13 comments

Is there a reliable Chat GPT detector you can recommend? I pasted an essay into here but have no idea if this kind of thing is legit. Free is better, I’m not doing this for my employer. Today I am reviewing essays for a small college scholarship application given by a nonprofit I volunteer for, which is run solely by volunteers (friends the library ).
posted by waving at 7:56 AM PST - 18 comments

I need to get travel insurance for an American teenager traveling to Japan. It needs to cover "full medical and accident insurance as well as third party liability." Any recommendations for a company to use, or for a company to avoid?
posted by The corpse in the library at 7:30 AM PST - 4 comments

I need to overcome my Twitter addiction. For me, it's not really outrage porn so much as an opportunity to have fun with language and humor and get the dopamine from my narcissistic and childish desire for recognition of being clever or witty. Especially when I'm lonely working at home, it can feel impossible not to get sucked in. Would appreciate any sources of inspiration that making the effort to resist will pay off in the end...
posted by Jon44 at 7:11 AM PST - 19 comments

I never have trouble falling asleep, but staying asleep can be difficult for me. Especially after I exercise, I’m very likely to wake up between 2 and 4am and not be able to get back to sleep. How can exercise make sleep worse instead of better? How do you exercise if it ruins your sleep? [more inside]
posted by congen at 5:52 AM PST - 13 comments

Should I stay in a relationship when my attraction to my partner has decreased, but everything else is good? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:08 AM PST - 21 comments

I'm about to start a four-week weight loss experiment that involves eating half your daily calories from potatoes. The experiment is being crowdsourced by the bloggers over at "Slime Mold Time Mold" (yes, it's a weird name for a blog). I'm seeking recipes where potatoes are the primary ingredient. [more inside]
posted by alex1965 at 4:57 AM PST - 30 comments

I recently bought this gaming headset, and for the most part really like it. I nhave an unfortunate tendency to put it on shortly after showerring and am not always as careful as I should be about drying my hair and so on. [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 3:38 AM PST - 1 comment

Classical musicians often record (especially solo) with a lot of reverb. I like the sound of a really "dry" recording better - microphones really close to the instrument, and no reverb applied afterward. It's like I have my ear right up against said instrument. Can you recommend classical recordings - especially solo pieces, and pieces for woodwind - that are recorded in a really dry way?
posted by solarion at 3:08 AM PST - 2 comments

When I moved in with a roommate at the university I'm attending, I learned that she was working under an advisor who was abusive and doing things like holding her status as an international student over her head in order to get the work he wanted out of her. She is a PhD student, came to the US for this program. At my encouraging, she went to the university and got out from under that advisor and under a different advisor doing different work. But the university never did more than that. I am bothered by this. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 9:40 PM PST - 29 comments

We have a Tesla that plugs into a wall socket. The charger trips our GFIs after being plugged in for a few seconds. An electrician came, said it was probably the GFIs, and replaced them, to no effect. What could be going on here? The charging voltage is set as low as it could possibly go.
posted by insteadofapricots at 7:09 PM PST - 10 comments

Now that we have some cats, the amount of dust and crime in the house is skyrocketing. To address the dust, I'm going to make some small air cleaners with computer fans and air filters. Where do I find some bulk computer fans and power supplies? [more inside]
posted by Acari at 6:11 PM PST - 10 comments

How did you (someone who struggled to exercise consistently start exercising consistently? [more inside]
posted by 12%juicepulp at 5:22 PM PST - 32 comments

Last year, perhaps, I read an article highlighting the potential, latent risks of TikTok by asking, essentially, what is stopping the Chinese government from using the platform to quietly spread misinformation or influence opinion en masse? It described using AI (this was pre-ChatGPT) to pinpoint susceptible pressure points in the population (forming arguments that people would be more likely to buy, and quickly), and cited and compared fast-fashion company Shein as part of the discussion. Anyone know the piece?
posted by VeniceGlass at 4:19 PM PST - 0 comments

There's a webcomic I ran across a long time ago. I don't recall the name, the creator's name, or the URL, but with luck maybe someone will recognize it from the details I do recall. [more inside]
posted by bunderful at 4:06 PM PST - 4 comments

I have questions on (a) device needed for charging the deep-cycle battery, and (b) cable/adapter needed for the CPAP's DC-DC converter to connect to the battery. [more inside]
posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only at 3:55 PM PST - 15 comments

A friend wants to sell digital products (course-packs and consulting hours) on their website, and to be able to integrate plug-ins selling these products in email newsletters AND auto-responders. They want to be able to install the code doing this on their OWN server and run it. Is this a thing? They’re running Wordpress and divi.
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 2:55 PM PST - 1 comment

401k loans allow for longer payback timelines when the funds are used to purchase a home. Instead of 60 months (5 years), it can be as long as 30 years. When the cost to close is less than the maximum amount you can borrow, are you restricted to the loan deposit amount, the total cost to close amount, or the normal limit of half your funds up to $50,000 total? [more inside]
posted by Number Used Once at 2:19 PM PST - 7 comments

Where in Manhattan or along the N/R/W can I go in person to buy a power adapter that ALSO does voltage conversion for US (which all my electronics are) to Israel/Palestine (where I will be…very soon)? [more inside]
posted by bilabial at 1:44 PM PST - 6 comments

My friend asked me to help her find sources of style inspiration for women who have bodies similar to hers - average size (about size 8/10) who carry weight on their bellies. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 1:40 PM PST - 7 comments

PSA: This week is the last call for user nominations to the second Steering Committee to help set policy and oversee the site budget for the year ahead. Do you want to help chart a course for this community (or know someone who would make a great pick)? Send in your nominations today! More details from the full MetaTalk post inside. [more inside]
posted by Rhaomi at 1:05 PM PST - 0 comments

About to do some spring cleaning and I've decided to finally get a storage unit so my house can stop being cluttered and maybe I can actually think straight. [more inside]
posted by Forty-eight at 1:00 PM PST - 7 comments

It's finally warm enough for me to trade my elliptical for running shoes (big cold weather wuss here). But I'm reminded how much I hate the headphones I currently use to listen to music while running. They are JLab earbuds. They are connected by a wire, and the wire has a volume button positioned near the right bud. This button is heavy enough that it drags the bud out of my ear. I've tried wrapping the wire around my ponytail, but this drags the left bud out. Looking for alternatives. I'm willing to spend up to 50 dollars. Must pair with iWatch. I don't need fancy features; just want to listen to music while running and not have to put the buds back in my ear every 30 seconds! Thanks in advance :-)
posted by les34 at 12:01 PM PST - 13 comments

Because of a sudden illness, a person I know needs to sell her e-commerce business, and is not able to do so on her own. I’m pretty sure she needs a broker or seller’s agent of some sort to get any value for her business. Where should she look? [more inside]
posted by skewed at 11:24 AM PST - 3 comments

I just noticed that my Le Creuset enamel cast iron dutch oven has multiple pinprick holes in the enamel. They bubble when I heat up oil in it. Is this normal or a defect? [more inside]
posted by rustybullrake at 11:21 AM PST - 13 comments

I have an iPhone second generation SE, and I'm hoping to find a program that will offer a deeply discounted iPhone 14 Pro. I currently use Xfinity mobile but I could switch. I'm hoping to have this handled in the next week so I can take my new phone on an upcoming trip. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 10:33 AM PST - 8 comments

I just started a new job and am at in box zero. In my previous job, I never deleted or filed any emails because I couldn’t keep up with a filing system, and it seemed easier to search for what I needed. Is this a bad habit? Should I take the opportunity to reform?
posted by haptic_avenger at 9:19 AM PST - 27 comments

My email address (custom domain hosted by gmail) is not receiving emails. What steps do I need to take to diagnose and fix? [more inside]
posted by popcassady at 7:53 AM PST - 7 comments

I forgot to put the watermelon in the fridge before going to bed last night. It was out in a heated home for about 14 hours after having been cut in half and a couple of slices removed. Is it safe to eat? Safe to feed to a 6 year old?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:32 AM PST - 17 comments

How to handle a close friend who complains a lot of being miserable in a specific situation, and also talks of making changes, but then never does? [more inside]
posted by bearette at 6:06 AM PST - 28 comments

One of my best friends just got engaged. I have complex feelings about it. [more inside]
posted by treetop89 at 4:29 AM PST - 11 comments

I found this article which listed thirty places where conservatives seem to gather and am assuming by the way the list is ordered that gab.com is where most of the right congregates but wanted to see if anyone knew otherwise (Truth Social? Parler still? Twitter?).
posted by defmute at 2:55 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm trying to find the tartan for the Scottish clan that contains the Meldrum family. [more inside]
posted by happy_cat at 8:11 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking for a white manicure pencil that can be used to draw a line under one's fingernails in order to simulate a French manicure effect. Those I see listed on Amazon are rather more expensive than I hoped to pay and/or poorly reviewed. Can anyone recommend a good and reasonably priced brand of white manicure pencil?
posted by orange swan at 5:41 PM PST - 2 comments

I've recently received a job offer from a company and am not sure if it's legit as the hiring process was unusual. I'd appreciate it if any of you who know anything about this company (based in Belgium) could weigh in. Alternately, if you could tell me how to research it beyond looking at their website, that would be great too. [more inside]
posted by purplesludge at 3:08 PM PST - 12 comments

I read an evocative essay a few years ago which was a first-person description by a trans woman artist who was in a nude figure drawing collective. She described being very apprehensive to take her turn and apprehensive about how the other artists would draw her body and if it would evoke her gender dysphoria. In the end, she was very moved by the drawings everyone produced. Does this ring a bell for anyone?
posted by shadygrove at 2:28 PM PST - 3 comments

My mother found a book in Granada, Spain and it looks like this. I have some suspicions about it but don't want to add red herrings to an investigation when my ideas are truly just ignorant suppositions. There is *no* copyright page. The book itself is quite delicate and I am hesitant to open and play with it more because of how it is arranged (see images). Any ideas/concrete information would be appreciated.
posted by jpziller at 1:20 PM PST - 4 comments

We have a cat with a stubborn ear infection and I'm looking for opinions/advice. [more inside]
posted by jquinby at 12:16 PM PST - 14 comments

My health insurance company forces me to participate in a "copay-assistance program" that does not benefit me in any way. I don't need anything resolved, but I'd like to understand why this is legal. Looking for people who understand how insurance works and not "it's probably in your contract" answers. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 12:13 PM PST - 12 comments

Lawyers of Mefi: What does a case being dismissed "in the interests of justice" suggest, in a US domestic (California) context? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 11:47 AM PST - 1 comment

YANMD, but with these symptoms, what should I be asking about for my upcoming doctor's appointment? [more inside]
posted by Kitteh at 10:56 AM PST - 19 comments

What are the new features on an iPhone that I can make use of? I recently upgraded from an iPhone X to an iPhone 14. I'm currently using my new phone the way I used my iPhone X, but I'm sure there are a bunch of new features and capabilities. What's new/cool/interesting I could know about?
posted by andoatnp at 10:46 AM PST - 7 comments

I need to get a new Mac desktop (Mini), for unrelated reasons. It will be on Ventura, so no more iTunes. I'm worried about how this will impact my music, and what my options are. Questions inside. [more inside]
posted by bluesky78987 at 10:44 AM PST - 12 comments

We've got General Electric, General Dynamics, General Mills, General Motors, and General Atomics. Do you know any other companies whose names start with the word 'General'? If so, please enlighten me!
posted by Juffo-Wup at 10:35 AM PST - 30 comments

I had a bad psychedelic mushroom experience a few weeks ago, and it seems to have triggered a serious and worsening depressive episode. I have a bipolar 2 diagnosis, but before this trip my symptoms were pretty well managed on Lamictal/Seroquel/lithium, and now they're almost as bad as they were pre-meds. What should I do? Could I have done permanent damage? What are the odds my meds will go back to working? Would prefer evidence-based info, but anecdotes are better than nothing. [more inside]
posted by flexible-footwear figurine at 9:54 AM PST - 9 comments

I will be in Chicago at the end of June, where I will be meeting up with a group of about 10 to 20 people (still in flux). We'd like to purchase tickets for one of the river architecture boat tours. There seem to be several different companies selling tickets. Is there one you'd recommend? Also, we'd like to do a group dinner after. Are there any restaurants you'd recommend near the end of the boat tour that are under $40 per person? Thank you in advance!
posted by cursed at 9:54 AM PST - 16 comments

Do metal bedframes without center support legs exist? [more inside]
posted by donut_princess at 9:19 AM PST - 7 comments

We are looking at an apartment in a building on Riverside Dr in the Upper West Side of NYC and need help understanding electrical upgrade options. [more inside]
posted by silsurf at 7:26 AM PST - 9 comments

In light of two recent posts on the blue, I am curious about current or potential structural solutions for protections for renters, such as from cost increases and evictions (mainly those without cause). [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 6:36 AM PST - 8 comments

I recorded a Zoom session using Movavi. It really echoes. Is there anything to do to fix it now? It's an .mp4. (This isn't the first time this has happened.)
posted by DMelanogaster at 6:35 AM PST - 7 comments

It’s not just me, everyone I know looks luminous in an unnatural way in their Instagram photos. I know it could be filters but also I’ve noticed I look very pale in photos taken on an iPhone (no filters). I have an iPhone 12. What am I doing wrong? [more inside]
posted by bigyellowtaxi at 5:58 AM PST - 4 comments

I have Office 2019 on my Macbook Pro M1. I use Word, Excel and sometimes Powerpoint. I'm fed up of all the 'enhancements' that come with updates, like the Modern commenting function, and want to stop updating at least as long as I have this laptop. Are there any potential issues that I need to be aware of, other than the annoying update reminder? Word is really the one that matters.
posted by tavegyl at 12:40 AM PST - 4 comments

I've got COVID and have begun taking Paxlovid. Unfortunately I got Paxlovid Mouth immediately and am desperately seeking countermeasures. Cold water helps but is messing with my fever/chills situation. What helped you? I've got 5 more days of this. :(
posted by The Adventure Begins at 7:43 PM PST - 19 comments

I have a tv for watching movies and 3rd and 4th rewatches of Succession on but sometimes it's fun to project things and watch them in a larger way. I have hit a snag. [more inside]
posted by less-of-course at 7:33 PM PST - 11 comments

TL;DR: I share a house in NYC with two women. One of the two women is a deeply unpleasant person who's been hostile from the start, and now periodically threatens to call the cops on me. Landlord lives next door, but isn't being particularly helpful here. How do I get this woman out of our house? [more inside]
posted by arkhangel at 6:00 PM PST - 26 comments

I decided to make a LinkedIn account today to try and find an old friend from high school that I've been trying to get back in touch with for over a decade. When I signed up, a window popped up saying "we've sent a confirmation email to XXXX@rambler.ru". Was pretty instantly locked out of the new account. How do I figure out what all I need to do to fix this? [more inside]
posted by oneirodynia at 5:18 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm curious about your experiences with noise-reduction earplugs (for sound sensitivity) and fidget rings (for what I guess is now called "excoriation disorder"—metal!). [more inside]
posted by babelfish at 3:26 PM PST - 18 comments

Can you recommend a toning shampoo for silver hair that reduces yellowness and dullness, but also doesn't make me feel like I just showered at a Super 8 Motel? Also, it should cost less per pound than filet mignon. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 3:26 PM PST - 16 comments

I’ve been using a TheraGun lately (SO GOOD). When I direct pressure to the fleshy middle part of my tuchus, I can feel a slightly painful sensation running through the front of my hip, as well as a deep part of my abdomen, at a level with my uterus but closer to the surface. You are not my anatomist/physical therapist, but do you have any idea what muscle-relationship might lead to this particular feeling? [more inside]
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 3:05 PM PST - 6 comments

My former spouse and I bought a house before we got divorced in 2010. With some frequency I get texts, always addressed to her, asking if "I" want to sell the property she owns. Where are realtors getting my number, and how do I remove that info?
posted by O9scar at 2:46 PM PST - 8 comments

I live in a building that uses a standard keycard entry to open the doors (as well as being openable by hitting a button on a cellphone when someone buzzes your unit). I hate it as I always lose the card or it just becomes inactive after a while. Is there something that can replace the current system that works with a phone that would be suitable for a building with 50+ tenants that the landlord could easily add/remove people from to account for new/leaving renters? [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 2:44 PM PST - 6 comments

Seeking suggestions for tv shows and/or movies to watch. Here's a list of favorites:
Parks and Rec
That ‘70s Show
Big Bang Theory
West Wing
Goliath
What other media should I watch, based on the above list?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:34 PM PST - 23 comments

The company I work for is looking into credit check software [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 1:16 PM PST - 1 comment

Does anyone have any recommendations for the Very Short Introduction Series published by Oxford University Press? They seem like such a good idea for laypeople to get a quick grasp of interesting subjects. Which ones have you read? And also are they well written? (Not into dry facts and dull prose)
posted by storybored at 1:15 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm having a serious problem with teeth grinding at night right now. I'm in so much pain. I even have a nightguard, I'm surprised it hasn't been destroyed yet. A lot of this is due to job stress which I can't do much about right now. I'm so desperate I'm willing to explore CBD stuff (which I mentally associate with spam emails). YANMD, but would gummies help in a situation like this? How do I safely get started?
posted by Mushroom12345 at 11:33 AM PST - 14 comments

I have to lead a 15 minute session on MS Word. What are some of your favorite advanced tips and tricks? Or, maybe unknown beginner ones? [more inside]
posted by misanthropicsarah at 10:01 AM PST - 47 comments

Previously unopened, not expired, shelf-stable salad dressing was fermented when I opened it. How? [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 9:39 AM PST - 4 comments

After years of using only a Mac, work have given me a Windows 10 laptop, and it all feels very unfamiliar. I have one specific problem that I can't work out. I have a desktop, with a photo of my choice as background, apps pinned on the taskbar, and some files on the desktop. But, this keeps randomly changing of its own will to a useless blank desktop... [more inside]
posted by reynir at 9:06 AM PST - 12 comments

This last weekend, many colleges and universities sent their responses to new student applications. Among her responses, my daughter received a few waitlist offers. In your experience, are waitlists worth making an effort for? [more inside]
posted by RajahKing at 7:38 AM PST - 29 comments

After some destructive septic construction, the lawn is tore up. Can I just put down new topsoil and start again with some grass seed, and can two people do this themselves? More detailed questions inside. [more inside]
posted by archimago at 7:38 AM PST - 13 comments

I have a small holiday home that is situated off a quiet lane that is frequented by walkers . I made a wooden bench and placed it outside my gate. It is a nice place to sit on a summer evening. I'd like to attached a small plaque to the back of the seat with a couple of lines of poetry written on it. I want lines that will welcome passersby or encourage them to sit for a while to rest and reflect. I have scoured the few poetry books I have as well as poetryfoundation.org but I'm not finding anything that comes close to what I want. Thanks.
posted by night_train at 7:32 AM PST - 15 comments

I am not interested, mostly, in sharing images of my life, apart from texting family and using a private Instagram. However, in a recent free thread I had the urge to share images of my recent pottery, and am thinking of signing up for Imgur specifically to share the occasional image here on Metafilter Dot Com. What is Imgur's reputation? If I post things there can other people use them? Do people regret using it? What are best practices when using it? [more inside]
posted by Lawn Beaver at 7:01 AM PST - 11 comments

I'll be in NYC for a quick trip this weekend, and would like to do a little clothing/accessories shopping while I'm there. Pertinent facts: [more inside]
posted by nosila at 6:03 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a small rash, and I've been cycling through ointments but not seeing any improvement. What should I try next? [more inside]
posted by walkinginsunshine at 4:58 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm looking for a chat/instant message program that can accommodate a bunch of people in my extended family. There are several technological and social constraints from the various people involved (see inside), and none of the candidates I'm know about work for everyone. What other options are out there? [more inside]
posted by Johnny Assay at 4:51 AM PST - 16 comments

Yes, that's really the best description I have. It was a long time ago, and it was two (three?) Castlevania characters in a car, viewed through the windshield (think Wayne's World / Bohemian Rhapsody, except a loop maybe ten frames long). They were endlessly grooving to what I think was the Castlevania theme. I have no idea why it just jumped into my head and I am certain it will not leave until I see it again.
posted by some little punk in a rocket at 4:50 AM PST - 2 comments

Is it known whether Alex Murdaugh's ancestors got their money from slavery?
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 2:44 AM PST - 2 comments

I haven't been dating because I hate everything about creating an online dating profile. Where can I go to get help? Are dating coaches legit? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:07 PM PST - 13 comments

I would appreciate advice or lessons from experiences sorting out and cleaning up a family home, particularly around any of the following: sentimental feelings with the house being in the family multiple generations, logistics of sorting a lot of personal items, timeline of doing so with respect to still grieving the loss of the loved one who was living there. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:07 PM PST - 18 comments

If a person has something like an embittered ex or family member in their life who will take any unexpected moment to send a new emotionally abusive message from a throwaway address, or via a one cent email money transfer... is there such a thing as a service provider which will screen for all such messages and remove them invisibly from the user, ideally all while credibly not interfering with the rest of your email? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:07 PM PST - 8 comments

When actively songwriting at my keyboard, or just walking down the street, I use voice memos to sketch ideas. The built-in iOS voice recorder is serviceable, but I need something much more versatile. Special snowflake requirements inside. [more inside]
posted by 4midori at 10:35 PM PST - 1 comment

Some time ago-probably in the 1980s- I watched a movie about a woman who goes to prison. This feels like it could have been either a tv movie or a film. No idea if it is totally fiction or based on someone real. [more inside]
posted by oflinkey at 9:34 PM PST - 2 comments

Some questions about NDAs signed in advance of interviews [more inside]
posted by Tandem Affinity at 9:12 PM PST - 5 comments

Someone in my family needs to add thiamine (B1) to their diet very quickly or they will be in serious medical danger. They also are a medical skeptic and are unlikely to take vitamins or medicine. What foods can I start cooking or ask for them to cook that contain thiamine? What snacks or fancy gift foods can I casually bring to their house that are high in thiamine?
posted by corb at 7:32 PM PST - 14 comments

I love real-life adventure novels that have some bad stuff, such as catastropic expeditions, failed mountain climbs, jungle safaris gone wrong, ships lost during storms, etc. [more inside]
posted by soylent00FF00 at 7:22 PM PST - 16 comments

I love my fitbit and it's been great helping me track exercise, sleep, diet, heartrate, and steps. I want to upgrade to something that I don't have to wear on my wrist, because it's causing soreness. [more inside]
posted by Space Kitty at 7:04 PM PST - 14 comments

Do you remember a fairy or folktale in which a girl's skin is stolen by a witch? [more inside]
posted by Rora at 6:54 PM PST - 3 comments

Help me up my gardening game by keeping track of bloom times, light, soil conditions, etc. [more inside]
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 3:55 PM PST - 7 comments

What sort of hobbies and personal development changes were trending in different countries during the height of COVID and lockdown (2020-2022ish)? Was it much the same across the world, or are there peculiarities in different places? [more inside]
posted by creatrixtiara at 3:37 PM PST - 10 comments

I would love to read things, especially recently published, about gender and sexuality in visual art. Any recommendations would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance!
posted by mortaddams at 3:08 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm planning to shoot a feature that requires damaging a house extensively throughout the course of the film. We could shoot anywhere there are good tax incentives (NM, GA, even Canada, etc) but this location is important enough that finding the right property would dictate where we shot. More inside. [more inside]
posted by egeanin at 2:06 PM PST - 15 comments

1Password - should me secret key be showing inside the app? [more inside]
posted by Mid at 1:44 PM PST - 9 comments

I need a new personal computer - laptop, desktop, mini, I don't care. I never take it out of my house as have a work-provided laptop. I am hoping for very specific recommendations - what model, what generation, etc. [more inside]
posted by mireille at 1:03 PM PST - 12 comments

How can I help my sister in law find Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah students online (and locally if you have any bright ideas in that area)? [more inside]
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 12:10 PM PST - 5 comments

I want to break a one-year lease in a place I’ve been renting for only a couple months. I live in BC, Canada. I know what the options are legally, but how do I communicate this to my landlord in the smartest way possible? [more inside]
posted by sibylvane at 11:06 AM PST - 10 comments

We will be visiting friends who have had kids since the last time we saw them. There will be approximately 10 kids we will meet for the first time. We are coming from Austin and thought a gift from here would be nice. Of course I have no idea what would meet this criteria: easy to pack, a thing we could buy 10+ of, and something that would be appealing for ages 1 to 5 years old (with some kids being siblings). Austin or Texas-related gift ideas preferred but anything that meets that above limitations would work!
posted by allthingsconsidered at 10:04 AM PST - 17 comments

I’ve had a domain name that I used to host a blog on sitting idle for the past four or five years. Having left Twitter, and trying to not be on Facebook too much, I’m thinking about reactivating it as a writing outlet. Should I try to set up my own space again, which is kind of a pain, or should I just do the $4/mo. Personal plan at WordPress? [more inside]
posted by thecaddy at 9:58 AM PST - 8 comments

I have a nearly 50 year old Guild D-35 that was passed down to me from my father about 10 years ago. For those 10 years I've kept it in its case and barely played it, but I've been feeling the itch to get back into playing. I took it out, tuned and noodled around and it's still in great shape. It's never had a humidifier placed in the case, although it was kept in Florida for most of its life, so would have been generally in a high humidity environment. Does it make any sense to add one now? [more inside]
posted by dis_integration at 9:36 AM PST - 5 comments

I got a 3 month free trial of AppleTV+ so my kid can watch Prehistoric Planet (Which is excellent, btw). What should I, an adult, watch on there when he's not around? Canada. Leaving it open so you can just tell me what's great, and then I'll match up to my tastes.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:22 AM PST - 34 comments

Are there existing house designs for a house that grows with the needs of the home owner? [more inside]
posted by shockpoppet at 9:07 AM PST - 6 comments

Can you make stir fry sauce with a miso soup base (as opposed to miso paste)? Specifically, I have Miso & Easy Vegetarian Reduced Sodium. Seems like you could add a tablespoon or two to some water, add cornstarch, ginger, garlic, etc. and go with it. Will this work or will it cause a sticky mess? [more inside]
posted by Countess Elena at 8:57 AM PST - 2 comments

I've got nearly 400 photographs in my iMac's screensaver folder (and have ticked the "shuffle slide order" box), but it's always the same handful that turn up when the screensaver's actually running. What's going on?
posted by Paul Slade at 6:50 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm thinking of turning a part of my yard into a "wildflower meadow" and need advice on the timing. [more inside]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:57 AM PST - 13 comments

I have a new nephew! He is tiny and adorable and I need to have a gift for him soon. For his older brother I crocheted a pair of tiny Converse All Stars, which were a huge hit… now this is baby boy #2 and I want to do something equally fun / cute / ironic. I’m already leaning toward this Viking hat or maybe these adidas. But I’d love more ideas. [more inside]
posted by Mchelly at 5:40 AM PST - 7 comments

I started grieving the death of my father 22 years ago with the help of a therapist. He was the black sheep of my family. He never worked, did not look after his health, and never bothered to establish a real relationship with me. He just seemed utterly defeated. I never really knew him, but I think of him and his death a lot. I am looking for stories from others with similar experience and recommendations of resources. [more inside]
posted by thecampushippo at 1:30 AM PST - 10 comments

In my young adult life I was able to go to the same family dentist I had gone to as a child, and in the pre-pandemic world I was seeing a dentist in a different city, chosen from a much more limited list, because that's where my job was at the time. Now I'm ready to have my first post-pandemic checkup. [more inside]
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 8:45 PM PST - 10 comments

I have a 24 [oz. jar of Morello cherries. It says packed in syrup, but I think it's cherry juice. Which is fine. I just need to thicken it up with some starch if I want to use it in a pie or tart. I understand that you can also use tapioca, which I have never used. One question is does tapioca show up in the finished filling as white specks? Also does it pop when you bite into it...like those bubble tea things. If so, I don't think that would be appealing to me. The last part of my questions involved weather or not to make a tart instead of a pie. I have never made a tart, but I bought a new tart pan and am anxious to use it. It has a removable bottom and the bottom has hundreds of tiny holes in it. I [more inside]
posted by Czjewel at 7:28 PM PST - 10 comments

My American character badly sprains her ankle when she's in Italy. She needs to get her foot in a walking boot pronto. What are her options? She's in Bolzano, and she's with a local who will know the ins and outs better than she does. Would she be able to get some ibuprofen and a walking boot at a farmacia? It's a Saturday.
posted by swheatie at 5:16 PM PST - 10 comments

Yesterday I saw a video somewhere which I now cannot find, where a young woman was standing in front of a Kitchenaid mixer holding a Microplane. Attached to the mixer on a spike jutting out from the top was a lemon, so when the mixer was turned on the lemon rotated. She held the Microplane against the lemon and the zest came off in about ten seconds. [more inside]
posted by cali at 2:57 PM PST - 7 comments

My kiddo was given this rock-collecting kit that includes a brick of some kind of chalky material to dig in with a wooden chisel. He loves it, but it creates a ton of fine dust. What can I make that recreates the digging, but with less dust? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 2:06 PM PST - 12 comments

Where are people still wearing facemasks in public? How do various parts of Europe and Latin America in particular compare with California? [more inside]
posted by sibilatorix at 1:48 PM PST - 29 comments

I am a female project manager at a small niche consulting company, where the junior staff at the moment is all-male. For the 1.25 years after my arrival, they were mostly chill. Lately however, they have not been chill, and it's starting to unnerve and irritate me. I need help sorting out how much of their behavior can reasonably be attributed to my shortcomings as a project leader, and how much is entitled bollocks (no pun intended). Also, how do I respond without just pulling rank or coming off as a whiny schoolmarm? [more inside]
posted by peakes at 1:34 PM PST - 14 comments

YANMD. My doc has me on a very high fiber diet (because reasons), and has suggested fiber supplements as a way to help me get my daily total higher. She okays the fact that I go beyond the manufacturer's recommended dosage, but I have a question about all the *other* things that are in my fiber supplements beyond just the fiber. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 12:11 PM PST - 14 comments

Kroger Simple Truth Chicken Stock: although I have one that is fat free, and one that low sodium. [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 9:31 AM PST - 9 comments

What strategies do you recommend for getting your work-from-home day on track faster? My brain can't seem to work immediately in the morning no matter how hard I try, but using the internet to warm it up has sent me down rabbit holes that can derail the entire day. [more inside]
posted by bluecore at 9:21 AM PST - 28 comments

I've got a hand-cranked machine that I will crank about 5-10 times, then crank in reverse one time, which is slower than going forward; and then repeat. Sometimes I'll sing a song in time with the machine, and put a dramatic pause in for each reverse. Can you think of any songs (or instrumental pieces) that already have a structure like this?
posted by moonmilk at 8:20 AM PST - 9 comments

Especially for women of a certain age: if you take calcium supplements with added Vitamin D, and a multi-vitamin, do you worry about getting too much vitamin D from the combination? [more inside]
posted by ojocaliente at 7:34 AM PST - 13 comments

I am looking for resources (videos/short readings) that are suitable for a tween to watch/read by themselves (not in a classroom) to give them some basic understanding of the need to think critically and sceptically about what they encounter online. Ideally ones that are appropriate for a child who already has all the answers and thinks that parents have no idea what they are talking about.
posted by Grinder at 7:07 AM PST - 4 comments

When my partner and I decided to marry several years ago, I ordered silver wire and solder and made us a pair of rings. They're not high art, or traditional, but she loves that I made them for us. Last week, hers' broke, I think due to incorrect sizing and fiddling leading to work-hardening. We'd like to take this opportunity to find a jeweler who can integrate the theme/original material into new rings with better craft. [more inside]
posted by Alterscape at 6:56 AM PST - 5 comments

One of my favorite Spotify playlists is this one that I made based on answers to a question from 2018. I would like to update it with songs that have come out since then. To quote from that Ask, "Please recommend some quiet, slow, happy songs. I'm looking for happy songs that aren't boisterous, loud, or fast... Bonus points if the song isn't a love song."
posted by OrangeDisk at 6:20 AM PST - 7 comments

I have a 7 year old Sony Hi-res Walkman with a 3.7v 960mAh battery. Recently it ceased to function in its usual manner, and instead of a battery-filling-up symbol appearing on its screen when I connect it via USB to an external battery pack or computer, on its screen when I now only see a flashing low battery symbol. What could this be telling me about the state of the battery? [more inside]
posted by tenderly at 3:31 AM PST - 1 comment

My spouse and I had an argument in the presence of my parents. It was very ugly, and we will be starting couples counseling ASAP. My parents are deeply concerned about my well-being and their view of my spouse is severely diminished. How do we go on from here? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:25 AM PST - 23 comments

In this country, it is possible to legally change your sex. IMO, this is a good thing. I support it. I'm also appalled by those people who vilify trans people. But what if someone clearly and transparently has changed their legal status to mock trans people? [more inside]
posted by mumimor at 2:06 AM PST - 18 comments

Family of 4: 2 adults, 2 3.5 yr olds. Haven't been on a plane together since right before covid, and they flew as lap-kids then. Going from US east coast to US west coast on Southwest soon( a 2 week trip to make it worth it, and then back), with one intentional stop half way-ish for running around/burning off energy, and could use all the advice/social stories for the grown-ups! [more inside]
posted by atomicstone at 1:49 AM PST - 11 comments

I read a lot of biographies about great people because I find such books fascinating and inspiring. Almost all of the ones I've read have been about men. Help me change that! [more inside]
posted by underclocked at 1:28 AM PST - 22 comments

Hello Hivemind: My 22-year old stepdaughter, who, like her parents, lives in the PNW, is planning to hold her belated Bat Mitzvah this October in Tel Aviv at the synagogue her beloved grandmother attends (said grandmother can no longer manage international travel). My wife and I are planning to fly to Israel to celebrate with them. Other family members are alarmed by the prospect, and are urging us to not go due to travel warnings and the possibility of random violence. Any additional information or thoughts, especially from Mefites who live there, would be welcome. [more inside]
posted by jokeefe at 9:06 PM PST - 12 comments

I am demonstrating the magic of metafilter for a friend (solo guy, around 40) departing on a roadtrip next week between NYC, Asheville NC, Richmond VA, back up to central PA, before looping back to NYC. 2.5 weeks, so plenty of time, and happy to go a bit farther in any direction [more inside]
posted by wowenthusiast at 6:17 PM PST - 14 comments

If a person had a slice of cake (size of whole cake not known),   and an irregular amount of a can or bottle of soft drink,   and other things like donut, anything high in potassium, etc., how do you calculate it to figure out if the limit of the day, has been reached or passed?  I mentioned potassium as an example since too much could cause Hyperkalemia . Is there is a website that helps with that? I'm not suggesting everyone likes donuts , soda, etc., but for people who like those things, how is it calculated?
posted by amfgf at 5:46 PM PST - 16 comments

For mental and physical health reasons, I will likely be starting an antidepressant in the next week or so. I'm nervous about side effects, withdrawal symptoms, and the whole thing generally backfiring while I'm already in a precarious state. [more inside]
posted by space snail at 5:15 PM PST - 16 comments

Once again, in playing Real Estate Scavenger Hunt, we've come across something we can't identify. Does anyone know what these things are cut into the basement wall?
posted by DrGail at 3:59 PM PST - 4 comments

An acquaintance (let's call them Ace) has been applying for Advanced Practice Provider (nurse practictioner/physician assistant) positions. They have been getting a high response rate from potential employers but the employers abruptly lose interest after Ace discloses their criminal record in the form of decades-old misdemeanors. I would like help/advice/anecdotes/resources on the legal issues of dealing with a criminal record and advice on job hunting with one. Specific details and questions are below. [more inside]
posted by tarantella at 3:50 PM PST - 3 comments

I have an iPhone SE 2020 using 15.3.1. My phone has been giving me the "storage full" message for days. I've probably removed 20GB, but the number on my phone hasn't dropped. Restarting doesn't help. I was going to sync with my Macbook AIr, but since there's "no room" on the phone, I can't. The files I removed weren't one like "photos" that have their own trash. How can I fix this>
posted by mermaidcafe at 2:51 PM PST - 13 comments

I'd like to reproduce this verse and make a gift to my sister, I've associated it with her since childhood but I cannot recall the verse in its entirety. [more inside]
posted by elkevelvet at 2:35 PM PST - 2 comments

Looking for a nightlight for my daughter. She likes crabs, manta rays, roses, French romantic type stuff, and generalized weirdness. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 2:24 PM PST - 18 comments

I was given a project. Go find investors for syndication. [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 1:41 PM PST - 13 comments

Is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU compatible with the 1050 required by the Kinect Azure? (See: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/kinect-dk/system-requirements#body-tracking-host-pc-hardware-requirements) [more inside]
posted by chasing at 12:33 PM PST - 2 comments

My Quebec Fizz plan (coverage: Canada) is going to be suspended because I'm spending too much time in Ontario. I thought paying for a Canada-wide plan meant I could always use it anywhere in Canada, but apparently not. [more inside]
posted by plant or animal at 11:43 AM PST - 5 comments

I was recently asked to participate in a local government survey. One of the questions was "Do you believe that race relations in the United States are getting worse, getting better or staying about the same?" There's no specified timeframe, which confuses the heck out of me. Better since the civil war? Better since Trump is out of office? Better this year? I see this sort of question and I wonder if I've missed something obvious- "everybody knows they mean....X" [more inside]
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 11:37 AM PST - 12 comments

Hi AskMe, A surprising number of years ago I wrote this question about an old war game, and got some great help from MeFi at the time about ways to make it work. I come back to you with another question, about a different game from the same company. [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 11:26 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm a total sucker for a professional athlete or musician encountering talented amateurs and joining them for a game/song, especially when it showcases the amateur's skills/composure. (Think Lenny Kravitz with a high school choir, Ed Sheeran at the mall, Rafa hitting with a kid at Indian Wells, etc.) I can search YouTube like a champ, but what are your favorites in this genre?
posted by AgentRocket at 11:02 AM PST - 18 comments

I've noticed that a fair number of people on my social medias are clamoring for--or reporting that they have already received--Novavax as a booster. Novavax is not approved for use as a booster in the US, so some sort of deception was involved. Is this A Thing, and are there any compelling arguments in favor of doing it? [more inside]
posted by pullayup at 10:59 AM PST - 18 comments

A friend of mine is stuck at home after knee surgery. He lives in the Parkside neighborhood of Portland, Maine. Can you recommend any restaurants or stores that I can have deliver some food to him? Thanks!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 10:36 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm having a conversation with a friend about art, and we disagreed on a point that seemed so obvious to me that I wanted to get some other opinions. Is an art director at a magazine, who works with a team of illustrators and photographers and typesetters to design magazine, an artist? [more inside]
posted by tybstar at 9:41 AM PST - 15 comments

Does anyone else remember those finger puppets where you put your first two fingers into the "legs" (made of cloth) and then you could walk your fingers and walk the puppet? I mentioned these at the office today and nobody knew what I was talking about. Maybe it was a 70's thing? No luck with finger legs, finger puppet legs sort of searches on Amazon. Anyone? [more inside]
posted by Glinn at 7:20 AM PST - 3 comments

What are your favorite alternative for Todoist that will run on Fedora and sync with Android? [more inside]
posted by MuChao at 6:11 AM PST - 10 comments

When I was a small child, a trusted adult coached me in lying and providing alibis to enable their extra marital affairs. I then played this role for them until early adulthood. It was not good for me! Now I’m middle aged, I’ve never knowingly met another go-between and I think this is a bit of a stumbling block in me understanding what happened. [more inside]
posted by Tremble, Burglars! at 5:54 AM PST - 17 comments

There is currently construction happening on both sides of my house. On one side, a new house is being built; which is making my wooden bedroom floor vibrate; which is making my bed vibrate; which is exacerbating my chronic pain. On the other side, a new train line is being built. I am struggling to cope. [more inside]
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 9:56 PM PST - 27 comments

Heading to Vancouver for four nights March 25-29. I haven’t been in years and the kids have never been. Staying at the Westin Bayshore. Suggest an itinerary for us! [more inside]
posted by purenitrous at 9:53 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm a long-time cyclist and am in pretty good shape. During my last two rides, I have just flown on the bike. It has been so easy. I have a ton of energy and am not a bit spent when I get done with my ride. What in the world might be the source of all this energy? My eating and sleeping habits have not changed. (I googled, and the only results I could find were ways to conquer low energy.)
posted by SageTrail at 7:49 PM PST - 23 comments

I use Thunderbird as my PC mail client. It doesn't allow images to load by default, and I have to allow image loading to let images into my browser. Recently, a lot of spam images have started appearing in my email, with no option to block the remote source. How do I stop this? [more inside]
posted by Shepherd at 6:53 PM PST - 10 comments

In the past month, my three year and I have eaten baked goods made by different friends twice, and both times, came down with symptoms of bad food poisoning: diarrhea, extreme nausea, loss of appetite. I believe my friends are hygienic enough, and my husband had no reaction. Is there an ingredient they might be using that is causing a reaction? [more inside]
posted by redlines at 5:50 PM PST - 17 comments

Pretty much what it says on the tin! I love dining out in Philly but, as a long-time vegan and ex-Philadelphian, I have no idea what's good in the non-vegan restaurant scene anymore and now am tasked with making a dinner reservation for myself and some not-so-adventurous meat eaters. [more inside]
posted by snaw at 5:46 PM PST - 9 comments

I've had about ten sessions with a therapist. He mostly just listens and occasionally offers comforting words and some suggestions. We also work together to come up with homework assignments that I'm supposed to do before the next session. So therapy has been going OK, but I now feel like I'm running out of things to talk about. [more inside]
posted by akk2014 at 4:22 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm trying to identify a song that was used in the first episode of Picard Season 3 . [more inside]
posted by KwaiChangCaine at 4:08 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm looking for books or websites to read for tips and strategies on managing a small technical team. [more inside]
posted by no regrets, coyote at 3:33 PM PST - 8 comments

I am wondering when do you know it is time to end a stale friendship? [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 3:26 PM PST - 8 comments

I love what I call Hello Kitty pens, which are Sanrio, and maybe from Korea. Typically they are .38mm. I used to buy these pens in person at a store in Chinatown in Chicago. When I moved I would get them online from Morning Glory pens. That site is closed so I am not sure where to go. Any pen people here? I was looking for the Morning-Glory-Mach-3-Rollerball-Pen-0.38-mm in purple with no luck.
posted by Boyd at 1:57 PM PST - 13 comments

Not-my-doctors of Mefi, can you give me some ideas of what might be causing my extreme but brief shin pain? [more inside]
posted by rodneyaug at 1:32 PM PST - 2 comments

I slow-cooked and froze some black beans about six weeks ago. On defrosting and heating a batch in the microwave, there's a weird dry, crumbly, white, powdery texture breaking out in the middle, almost like biscuit/cookie crumb. Is that normal? [more inside]
posted by penguin pie at 1:26 PM PST - 14 comments

My wife and I will be in Nashville for a couple of days at the end of March. We like historical sites and historical museums. Besides the Country Music Hall of Fame, what should we check out? Bonus question: our dinners are taken care of, so suggestions as to breakfast and lunch places would be appreciated.
posted by ogooglebar at 1:16 PM PST - 10 comments

I have to go to a medium-large (20 people?) business dinner at a well-known upscale steakhouse chain tonight. I’m accustomed to fine dining, but I’m not a steak person (I tend more toward farm-to-table vibes) and have never eaten at a place like this. What/how should I order so as to 1.) reasonably enjoy my meal, and 2.) not be a weirdo. This will be hosted so money is no object (outside of #2.)
posted by juliapangolin at 12:19 PM PST - 35 comments

Adam Ragusea just put out a video about steak Diane. Coincidentally, I just made one of my favorite meals the other night, a sauteed chicken with a cream sauce. The 1-2 punch has got me thinking about old school cooking, and I want more. [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 11:49 AM PST - 32 comments

We just bought a new house, hurrah! Unfortunately the other day I went to the backyard and couldn't open the security door to get back inside. The key would turn and the inside lock could be moved and you could hear the mechanism working, but we couldn't get the door open. [more inside]
posted by lizjohn at 11:21 AM PST - 6 comments

My significant other doesn't ask me about my life beyond the immediate (e.g. how your day was)? My SO cares for me, listens to me, makes time for me, and is there for me when I need emotional support, but she expresses no interest in my family, my friends, my work, my background, my views on issues, etc. etc. [more inside]
posted by MyBeautifulThrowaway at 11:15 AM PST - 28 comments

So I've got a tattoo design which I'm considering. Does it remind you of anything, especially anything offensive? [more inside]
posted by The otter lady at 11:05 AM PST - 17 comments

I've got an issue with my home internet where the service will cut off for a minute and then come back multiple times a day. I don't know if it's my router or actual internet connection. I'd like something I can run on both networks so I can see if the downtime is on both networks or only on my router so that I can go about fixing the situation. [more inside]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 10:55 AM PST - 15 comments

CN: mentions punching and purchase of a gun. Am I the Asshole for breaking contact with my father because he punched some teenagers a decade ago? This involves a pattern of violence AND me noping out of future elder care. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:09 AM PST - 28 comments

I have a lot of recurring charges going to my credit card. Some are monthly but some are quarterly or even annual and I don't have the time or desire to comb through and find them to cancel the accounts. If I cancel this card and get a new one issued, those charges will fail, right? Is this a horrible idea? [more inside]
posted by dawkins_7 at 10:06 AM PST - 21 comments

Okay I have a challenge for you: find me true yellow ballpoint pens! [more inside]
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:11 AM PST - 7 comments

I've got a hobby that needs some dedicated space that we just don't have in our home. I've been idly thinking about finding space to rent. How would this work? [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot at 8:16 AM PST - 10 comments

Are there other idiomatic phrases related to ice cream that we use in the English language, besides "cherry on top"? [more inside]
posted by knownassociate at 8:01 AM PST - 23 comments

I have a little stress fracture in one of my feet. I need to get some exercise for physical and mental health reasons. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:37 AM PST - 12 comments

Looking for an English language book for a 4 year old Asian boy. [more inside]
posted by CoffeeHikeNapWine at 7:21 AM PST - 10 comments

I (F, mid-thirties) recently got engaged to a wonderful guy I've known for some time. This comes on the back of many, many sad and ugly heartbreaks, a very difficult year full of challenges on both personal and professional fronts. We're excited to be making plans for our life together. Now for the problem. [more inside]
posted by Nieshka at 6:31 AM PST - 9 comments

For reasons I completely support, my husband will be leaving his job in the coming months and taking a long-term (potentially permanent) break from the workforce. Right now, we both work fairly aggressive, full-time office jobs -- so this will be a significant shift for our household (which includes us, a toddler, and a dog). Please help me work through my embarrassingly non-feminist anxiety/concerns. [more inside]
posted by cranberry_nut at 6:24 AM PST - 14 comments

In recent years certain phrases in fields like computers and electronics etc have gone through some name changes. Hard-drives being referred to primary and secondary, gears being sun and moon (that might be older) are examples. Do we have a commonly used alternative to male and female connectors and headers? [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 5:55 AM PST - 14 comments

Can you find for me some papers to read about the ethics of dental tourism? [more inside]
posted by aniola at 10:16 PM PST - 2 comments

An update to this question, sort of. A former co-worker of my father's arranged a memorial get together for him and it was wonderful. HOW do I thank her? I'm at a loss!!! [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 8:24 PM PST - 8 comments

For many years now, people have said things that they perceive as kind or helpful regarding my appearance, and it's built up to a point when people say stuff such as "it doesn't matter how you look, you have a great personality", it twists. Deeply. How do I cope and move beyond this? [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 5:34 PM PST - 39 comments

I live in a city with a well-funded and very functional tool library--they have employees, regular and convenient hours, and a very nice online catalog and reservation system. I'm a fairly long term member and a donor, and I think tool libraries are great in theory, but there's about a 30% chance that I actually use my membership in any year I pay dues. Can you offer tips in getting more value for my membership? [more inside]
posted by pullayup at 4:50 PM PST - 9 comments

You know how you can google the name of a dinosaur and then make it look like there's a dinosaur in your house? Is there an app that does that but gives you a little more control? In particular I would like to control the size and placement of dinosaurs, what they are doing, and have two dinosaurs in the shot at once. Android. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 4:32 PM PST - 2 comments

I have curb outside my home that is used for street parking, which usually fits three normal-sized cars without them blocking my driveway. I'd like to permanently paint the curb so that drivers know that three cars can fit (there is not enough parking on our street for two cars to go where three would), and know where to move their car so that the driveway doesn't get blocked. What is the best paint for this job, which can be readily obtained? [more inside]
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 4:08 PM PST - 11 comments

I went to a ketamine infusion clinic recently for depression, it was owned and operated by a nurse practitioner. There is no physician present, and no physician signing off on orders. The NP told me that in Ohio NPs can give ketamine without a doctor signing off. Is this true? Also, I had an awful experience and was treated negligently, is there a place I can report this NP to, like an NP governing body or something?
posted by maxexam at 4:07 PM PST - 13 comments

I convinced my partner to move to Boston with me and promised him I would show him all of New England. Then life got in the way. Now our life situation has changed and we have the opportunity to travel on day and overnight and even weekend trips (yay!) But I haven't lived here in a long time, and I don't know what's worth seeing anymore. Any tips? Weird/unusual/unique things are great, also tasty things. Snowflake details inside! [more inside]
posted by rednikki at 3:48 PM PST - 42 comments

Very arcane tech question. I run a (Linux, Apache2.4) webserver with multiple virtual hosts on www.example.com. When I'm on a workstation in my example.com domain, i would like to go to 'https://www/', 'https://wiki/' etc. but browsers all complain that https://www/ does not match the name on the Let's Encrypt cert and the usual warning warning danger will robinson. https: with FQDN works ok, for example https://www.example.com of course. All workarounds I know fail. How do I fix this? [more inside]
posted by Quesaak at 3:19 PM PST - 9 comments

Our 9 year old is staying later, and rather than have to watch pokemon, I'd like to find shows I could share with him [more inside]
posted by Cannon Fodder at 12:22 PM PST - 34 comments

My Primary Care Physician goes through a rote list of questions at each visit, and I'm afraid of being labeled "difficult" if I refuse her recommendations. (She is also my husband's PCP and once told him that if I continued to "argue" with her that she could no longer see me). I am 63 years old, my husband and I were both virgins when we married and we've never cheated on one another (I can pretty much state this as fact, as we've worked from home together, shoulder-to-shoulder for most of our marriage, going on 30 years.) Yet she keeps pressing me to get a pelvic exam. (more inside) [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:03 PM PST - 41 comments

One of the hints for the trivia game I am attending tonight is Comic Book characters. I suspect it will be the picture round, so we will have to identify 16 photos of comic book characters. Where can I find a good visual reference for learning some of the less common characters? [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne at 11:54 AM PST - 2 comments

Used to be, when Canadians using bagged dairy milk came up online, there was one guy’s website that always got used as a reference, explaining the practice for an American audience. Just a little bloggy page. I think it was even the first Google result when you searched for it. Now there’s an explosion of bagged milk explainers from a variety of outlets and it can’t compete with their SEO skillz. Does anyone know if that page is still around? I remember a white background, and photos from the writer’s fridge.
posted by Gymnopedist at 11:30 AM PST - 8 comments

My family has been watching movies over the March Break and I thought it might be a good time to introduce them to Star Wars. Which movies should we watch and in which order? Original trilogy only? All movies in order of release? All movies in order of episode? Some other order?
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 10:18 AM PST - 33 comments

After much time and $$, it doesn’t look like this tooth implant is going to work, despite my dentist’s best efforts. Can I ask for a refund? [more inside]
posted by gottabefunky at 10:10 AM PST - 8 comments

My 15 year old daughter's biological father will be applying for social security benefits upon his 65th birthday in a few months. He has told me that she can receive "Retirement, survivors disability insurance" upon his death. I am currently married to someone whose SS benefits will be much, much greater due to higher lifetime income. My own benefit will also be much greater. I have full custody of her. Will daughter getting survivor benefits from her biological father preclude getting benefits from me or my spouse upon our deaths? Should I apply? Her biological father is listed on her birth certificate. We were never married, if that matters. We are in Ohio. Also, if my current spouse and I pass, do survivor benefits get paid to our daughter automatically? Thanks.
posted by waving at 10:02 AM PST - 6 comments

Husband and I are spending the summer traveling through Europe. We will have about 10 days unaccounted for, and need some recommendations on where to spend that time. More below... [more inside]
posted by something_witty at 9:00 AM PST - 19 comments

I often have trouble understanding English when it's spoken with an accent I'm not used to hearing. This is very frustrating, especially because my job involves working with staff members in offices overseas. Are there classes for getting better at this? Any online trainings from the US Foreign Service, CIA, big call center companies, anything? [more inside]
posted by cadge at 8:43 AM PST - 13 comments

How do I support my team, when the other departments we work with are not doing their jobs properly? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:34 AM PST - 4 comments

This Sunday, Mrs. Ardo and I are heading to NYC for the week. There are plenty of things to do in Manhattan and we plan on doing some of them (plays, Cloisters, LES strolling, etc). I'm also looking for a neighborhood outside Manhattan where we can get very good pizza or other non-fancy food for lunch and maybe dinner, see some interesting new art and do a little shopping. Any suggestions?
posted by donpardo at 7:47 AM PST - 15 comments

This might be a silly question, but it has been bugging me and my spouse — so here goes! Last night we watched a show called Inside Balmoral and one of the historians (or it could have been a journalist) said that some of the guests did not like the lifestyle and food when visiting and said “they did not like eating a bit of bat wrapped around a fish.” [more inside]
posted by Lescha at 7:34 AM PST - 11 comments

I’m just back from an amazing trip to Italy. I’d like to read a vivid, informative, popular history of Rome. [more inside]
posted by cheapskatebay at 6:16 AM PST - 7 comments

I want it to default to recording 'check' rather than 'cheque' when I say that word. [more inside]
posted by Cantdosleepy at 5:21 AM PST - 8 comments

Before deciding whether to seek formal diagnosis, I’ve been listing my outlier traits, reading up, taking self-assessments online, and looking at diagnosis Venn diagrams like these. That process has led me to skepticism about the diagnoses themselves. How scientifically well-founded are they? [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 4:58 AM PST - 20 comments

I was in a relationship around 7 years ago that didn't end well. I find that the relationship/person is constantly on my mind and I can't seem to shake it. Are there any practical techniques I can use to help shift this? [more inside]
posted by blokefromipanema at 4:17 AM PST - 10 comments

Did George Guidall ever narrate Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, or am I misremembering? [more inside]
posted by rustybullrake at 1:07 AM PST - 8 comments

I've noticed that listening to certain types of audiobooks with a focus on mindfulness and values (à la Brené Brown, Tara Brach) on my commute helps me stay calmer throughout the day, and also girds me against societal pressures around career and family that I don't fully agree with. What's your favorite book for staying grounded and focused on your values? Bonus points if it has a good audiobook narrator. [more inside]
posted by Gravel at 12:38 AM PST - 7 comments

I remember reading some kind of fanfic or creepypasta about these transdimensional tubes that start appearing, containing fleshy material of some kind. People were trying to figure out what they were and where they came from. They had an aura of evil about them. I seem to remember the fleshy things being discovered in different parts of the world..... They say the internet is a series of tubes. Can someone help me find the evil, fleshy, transdimensional ones? [more inside]
posted by Bigbootay. Tay! Tay! Blam! Aargh... at 12:36 AM PST - 6 comments

I am in need of a deep housecleaning (Seattle) and turned to Yelp as usual... [more inside]
posted by tristeza at 11:31 PM PST - 3 comments

Remember Zite and how it would display articles and items from your pocket queue in a pleasant magazine layout? I’d like an app that does the same thing but with my own materials: pdfs, .docs, .jpgs, etc. Does such an app exist?
posted by jefficator at 9:31 PM PST - 1 comment

Looking for ribbon/tape by the roll that is not only orange but reflects orange rather than a sliver stripe bracketed by orange. A self-adhesive tape of some sort would probably work as well; reflective, orange, and a cuttable roll are the requirements, but some sort of ribbon that you could tie in knots would be best case scenario.
posted by nenequesadilla at 9:26 PM PST - 4 comments

I recently upgraded from a sound bar to a basic 2.1 component system, mostly for music but some for movies. It sounds great, but I notice that dialogue in movies is feels a little weird, presumably because I don't have a center channel. [more inside]
posted by roaring beast at 8:45 PM PST - 5 comments

We just ordered a small outdoor fridge and it arrived damaged but still works. The company is sending us a replacement and not taking back the damaged fridge. What would you do with the additional fridge? [more inside]
posted by 10ch at 8:35 PM PST - 26 comments

My esteemed older sister is turning 49.5 very shortly, and while I, her younger brother, don't have to get her anything (we don't normally exchange half-birthday gifts), I'm not going to pass up this opportunity to needle her about her approaching half-century for the first of two times this year. I'd like to find a fun but genuinely appreciable gift to give her for her 49.5th. My brainstorms so far, after the jump. [more inside]
posted by Sunburnt at 7:53 PM PST - 9 comments

Hi. I have gained quite a bit of weight this winter from eating too many chicken shawarmas and pizza, and I need to lose some weight (plus exercise more!). I know the Mediterranean diet is very healthy and tasty, and I am wondering what your favourite healthy dishes from this cultural cuisine are. [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 6:54 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm planning to get a much shorter haircut than I'm used to and the texture of my hair is different since the last time I wore it this short. It's fine and pretty wavy and I'd like it to be about shoulder length. What kind of haircut should I get? [more inside]
posted by potrzebie at 4:56 PM PST - 7 comments

I am Mac and iOS based, completely. There are photos that I'd like to share with a select group of people, so of whom are are not Mac or iOS based. How can this be done? [more inside]
posted by clocksock at 4:30 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm looking for books, articles, etc. that *don't* merely enumerate the specific qualities, attributes or leanings a person needs to have to professionally play the role of Project Manager. I'm looking instead for examples and observations of of those kinds of tendencies and qualities at play. [more inside]
posted by armoir from antproof case at 4:25 PM PST - 5 comments

This question is probably easy for everyone except me. I have a couple of these. The little solar light in one stopped working and I want to replace it, but I am apparently not using the right words to look up this part. (It’s not a normal mini solar panel but has a wire going down to the light.) Please help!
posted by centrifugal at 4:18 PM PST - 3 comments

I have anxiety with some OCD tendencies. I had a bad time with SSRIs and a terrible time quitting them so I am curious about other options for medication. I do not have depression. Looking for experiences with Buspar, beta blockers or any other “unusual” medication specifically for anxiety or OCD. Thanks!
posted by vanitas at 4:00 PM PST - 17 comments

An un-requested replacement credit card was sent to a very out-of-date address; does anyone have an explanation or know of any scams to be looking out for? [more inside]
posted by songs about trains at 3:42 PM PST - 5 comments

Hi, I'm in a new diet program where one of the principles is that there are no restrictions on WHAT you choose to eat, but there are restrictions on HOW MUCH. The coach likes to say "You can eat anything you want!" but for me that is just not true. Can you help me craft a sentence that gets to the details? [more inside]
posted by CathyG at 3:07 PM PST - 26 comments

Are there tools for generating high quality still images from videos? I am not looking for a simple frame capture utility. There are plenty of those and I have some. I'm looking for something that goes beyond frame capture and instead uses multiple frames to generate an image that is significantly clearer and less fuzzy than the individual frames are, possibly even higher resolution. [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 1:39 PM PST - 4 comments

A few times between 1:29 and 1:59 in the studio version, there is a riff at the end of her vocal phrases with two notes (E-A) with a unique, buzzy/ringing sound. It isn't clear where it's coming from (in live versions, it's a guitar, but it sounds completely different to my ears). Is it a guitar or some other instrument? If it's a guitar effect, what's it called, and what other songs use it?
posted by Seeking Direction at 12:40 PM PST - 7 comments

I'd like a leather purse that's very plain but also kind of badass and heavy-duty looking... [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 12:14 PM PST - 14 comments

So I have long covid. My lungs have recently been x-rayed and listened to, and doctors have no concerns, so that's good. But breathing *feels* really scary and coughing feels *really* scary. (I'm also starting therapy.) And I wake up with burning lungs. I've never had breathing trouble, and I don't have asthma, so all this is new to me. What are some go-to tips for being kind to my lungs? Buy a humidifier?
posted by zeek321 at 11:19 AM PST - 17 comments

I just moved into a new rental that had a one of those tension rods to hold up the shower curtain. I took the rod down to hook up my shower curtain and I can not get it to stay up again. I tried buying a brand-new rod...and this one will stay up for maybe 1 minute. Is there a secret to getting these things to work? WTF am I doing wrong? [more inside]
posted by vanitas at 11:05 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm clumsy and poorly-sized for my environment and as a result, I hit my head kind of a lot. Never hard enough to knock myself out but sometimes hard enough to hurt a long time, or leave a knot. Purely out of medical curiosity, and because I'm currently sitting under an ice pack after whacking my head on the desk YET AGAIN while plugging in a charger -- how bad is this for me, short or long-term?
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:45 AM PST - 5 comments

I’m a vegetarian who enjoys noodle bowls, quinoa bowls, rice bowls, and salads (basically put a bunch of stuff together on top of a base), but find myself quite confused by how to construct them. Please help! [more inside]
posted by cruel summer at 10:25 AM PST - 23 comments

I have a strong aversion to being in trouble or disliked at work and recent health issues have repeatedly put me in situations that lead to the former and give me concerns about the latter. Today is one of those days, and I am struggling to do what I need to do (rest) now that I know (per boss) I am going to be chastised for it tomorrow. [more inside]
posted by The Adventure Begins at 9:12 AM PST - 13 comments

I was given a marketing assignment- and I'm clueless [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 9:04 AM PST - 5 comments

Is there an app or existing map function that will allow me to plug in multiple locations around a large metro area and come up with a map that will show me how to drive to them in the most efficient order? [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 8:51 AM PST - 13 comments

I have a bizarre memory that I thought was an invention of my 3 year old mind but recounting it recently jogged the same memory in a relative. I’m keeping it below the fold with a content warning for animal cruelty. [more inside]
posted by brachiopod at 8:51 AM PST - 7 comments

I could have sworn I got invited to an event at a place with the Bay Area laid out in miniature but now I can’t find it. Was it a one time thing or is this an exhibit somewhere in the bay?
posted by rileyray3000 at 7:50 AM PST - 5 comments

Looking for an SF story: the humans/intelligent species on a planet left, leaving one robot behind. It is alone for many years; then humans land on the planet. The robot finds them hard to understand, especially their need for sleep. What story is this? [more inside]
posted by signal at 7:23 AM PST - 2 comments

I am trying to figure out how to replace several umbrellas. They are a distinct shape and work incredibly well and are good for city use. My wife and I have had these umbrellas for 10+ years and they are now on their last legs. They are typically branded as "Bloomberg" umbrellas and usually have pretty neat designs or colorations. I am having no luck reverse image searching getting me to a place where I can buy some. See here for the odd shape w/ 4 smaller panels on the underneath view http://chessare.net/B_rain.html [more inside]
posted by zackola at 6:59 AM PST - 6 comments

I purchased a new ipad - almost have it all set up - outside of one thing I am not sure on... [more inside]
posted by dbirchum at 6:44 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm trying to up my activity to hit the minimum-required 150 minutes per week. I already walk 15 miles (and five hours) per week as my standard workday commute - but it's at a standard pace. Can I still count any of that? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:18 AM PST - 27 comments

My two computers, next to each other, have different internet speeds. One is too slow. How can I fix this?
posted by EasternDistrict at 5:12 AM PST - 23 comments

I’m considering whether I should terminate the hosting of my business website with integrated shopping cart for financial reasons. [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 1:39 AM PST - 11 comments

What are my options in terms of reporting and recourse? I am not interested in a) trying to recoup money or b) getting anyone's license revoked. I am interested in accountability from the practice/company. [more inside]
posted by CancerSucks at 12:50 AM PST - 7 comments

How do I find emotional nourishment in my longterm marriage to my spouse with autism spectrum disorder? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:33 AM PST - 26 comments

There was a band in the late 2000s/early 2010s that I just can’t find. They had a sound that was very girls-jumping-rope-on-the-playground mixed with a 70s vibe. One song was entitled X.X.X.X.X.X.X that spelled a word, which was also the refrain. “It’s a V-A-R-B-N-A-S” …but I just can’t remember the word they were spelling or the name of the band. I wish I had more to offer…but does that ring anyone’s bell?
posted by Fritzle at 7:01 PM PST - 13 comments

I need a few passwords for a very specific purpose. Each password needs to be 40 to 50 characters long, using words that serve as the answer to a question - answers only I would know. So, I'm looking for examples of things a person would never forget. Surely, there is some sort of website with tons of examples. I only need a few of these passwords, so I'm trying to find examples of questions that would be great for me, or would help me come up with better ideas.
posted by 2oh1 at 5:48 PM PST - 34 comments

I'm looking for foods that are good and "fun" to make in an assembly line-type process. Classic examples: dumplings like gyoza or pierogies, freezer burritos, and tamales. Any other ideas? Recipes not needed (but appreciated!).
posted by miltthetank at 4:52 PM PST - 20 comments

I have a steel bike frame (track racing bike) that I would like to have drilled so it can take a rear brake. Any recommendations for a frame builder / bike shop that can do this? (Frame can definitely accomodate it.) West end is preferred. Thanks!
posted by dobbs at 4:45 PM PST - 0 comments

I have built "around" an old PC using a mix of new and salvaged parts, and thought I'd install Windows 10 "clean". I built on a workbench and didn't connect to the Internet while doing the initial Windows install, and now it's asking for a product key. [more inside]
posted by Shepherd at 3:09 PM PST - 1 comment

We're repointing the brick foundation of our 100+ year old home. We have two options from different contractors: [more inside]
posted by spindrifter at 3:00 PM PST - 8 comments

I want to learn how to use SketchUp so I can prototype stuff I want to make virtually before committing in real life. Is SketchUp the best? How do I go about learning it?
posted by aeighty at 2:23 PM PST - 8 comments

Is it just me? Yahoo mail search became virtually unusable a few months ago, returning pages and pages of useless search results. Google is now doing the same. Does anyone know why search suddenly doesn't work? Are there search engines that provide the kind of useful result you got when you went to Google a decade ago?
posted by shadygrove at 12:30 PM PST - 20 comments

I've had chronic migraines (nearly daily) for the past few months. I have to fly to Las Vegas to present at a conference next week, and I'd love to hear your tips for managing both the flight and my stay so that I can minimize my pain as much as possible. [more inside]
posted by radioamy at 12:08 PM PST - 16 comments

I replaced a double cylinder deadbolt with a new one of the same make and model. I got it installed, but the outside lock won't engage or disengage the bolt at all, and the inside engages the bolt but I cannot remove the key when the bolt is engaged, I have to unlock the door. What did I do wrong???
posted by rhymedirective at 11:35 AM PST - 7 comments

If I say, "Show me a reason, I'll give you a rhyme. For reason, you see, there's no little time," what am I doing (besides a poem I just made up)? Is it a figure of speech? [more inside]
posted by noelpratt2nd at 10:36 AM PST - 7 comments

Are there any non-problematic tiki, or tiki-adjacent bars in Honolulu, or elsewhere on O'ahu? [more inside]
posted by furnace.heart at 10:28 AM PST - 5 comments

What neighborhoods in Tokyo would a teen girl who is into contemporary art, jewelry, vintage clothing, and gift shops enjoy? [more inside]
posted by Dansaman at 9:57 AM PST - 13 comments

I know the key to a tidy home is clearing as you go, but I find this really challenging. Instead I let things get to a critical state and then blitz the place, but this is also stressful and not-ideal. I feel like not everyone struggles with housekeeping as much as I do. How can I stop this from being such an ever-present stressor and just... like... be more tidy?! [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 9:45 AM PST - 40 comments

Looking for a large front door mat that's both functional (good at trapping dirt etc) and also colorful. Under $100. What brands and sites do you got?
posted by sandmanwv at 8:17 AM PST - 7 comments

my (admittedly not very new) iPad sometimes gets a bit choppy, and I was curious if anyone else has had this issue (google says yes, even with newer ones) and what the resolution is (said googling was inconclusive) [more inside]
posted by wooh at 6:52 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm looking to overhaul my (at best sporadic and at worst non-existent) fitness routine to focus on these three things - stamina/endurance, strength and flexibility. I have a non-continuous hour to give this (maybe two 30 min chunks?). I walk about 8-10k steps a day so I'm not completely sedentary, but I've had real trouble building a routine I'll maintain. A few additional details/queries below the jump. [more inside]
posted by Nieshka at 6:22 AM PST - 10 comments

How do the Bleach Gods know to single out ONLY the new, trendy, spendy clothing items for their Evil Marking? How can they be appeased??? [more inside]
posted by nkknkk at 5:55 AM PST - 17 comments

I have found myself caring for a miniature Australian Shepherd. I've got most of the basics covered, but am looking for some experienced advice on the best brushes for keeping the shedding under control + her coat looking decent. [more inside]
posted by ryanshepard at 4:39 AM PST - 6 comments

Is there a way to automagically track usage of a space indoors? I have some spaces at work that I know are under-utilised but I could do with proof. I can't rely on booking systems or self reporting and we have an electronic keying system that I can't request output from. [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 3:44 AM PST - 4 comments

Married/long-term-coupled Mefites, how have you managed your relationship in the wake of a major financial mistake? Especially interested in cases where the mistake was totally or mostly the fault of one partner. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:48 AM PST - 26 comments

I'm a trans man, and I feel like there are things not being well articulated in the US discourse on trans issues that I would like to articulate and make available to the world. I don't expect many people to read them, but I feel like I want them out there. However, I would rather not fear for my physical safety. I'm thinking some kind of reasonably anonymous blog might be the way to go. I'm not a tech person, can you help? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:48 AM PST - 13 comments

I’m trying to create a DIY vending machine. I have secure compartments with combination locks. I have cool merch. I’d really like not be personally involved in every transaction, so like the idea of setting up some sort of if/then where “if you venmo me $4.39 you automatically receive the combination for whoozle 42”. Any idea how I can make this happen?
posted by arnicae at 9:18 PM PST - 9 comments

I am currently a technical writer with a CS degree. How do I get back into the programming side of things? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:36 PM PST - 9 comments

My partner needs to take a few weeks off work for a partial hospitalization (PHP) program for mental health, after having been inpatient for a few days. One of her jobs is part-time retail (less than 20 hours a week) at large chain store, but she has only worked there for five months or so. *In Massachusetts,* are there protections to make sure she can keep her job when she is ready to return? What does she need to do to arrange that? [more inside]
posted by needs more cowbell at 5:22 PM PST - 5 comments

I need to set my mom up with some updated computer systems, including a password manager. If you've been doing tech support for elderly family members, what are your go-tos? What's worked well and been accepted and used? I don't mind throwing money at this problem if required. [more inside]
posted by gingerbeer at 2:02 PM PST - 9 comments

I started using some leftover Neo Poly Dex eye drops for recurrent blepharitis last week (Thursday) and almost immediately got a weird taste in the back of my mouth. A few hours later, anything I ate or drank started tasting very weird and metallic. The severity has waned somewhat and I can taste some normal things but food and drinks still have a metallic after taste taste. How long will this last? Also, I did test for COVID and it was negative.
posted by tafetta, darling! at 1:59 PM PST - 3 comments

Hoping the hive mind can help me out. I've Googled for answers and I have only found a couple of articles. Most results are when the boss wants you to retire! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:01 PM PST - 7 comments

It's my understanding/experience that the gummies available from the (newly legal) recreational dispensaries near me are not very effective. In contrast, I've heard that the quality of the "raw plant" that's available is extremely high. Smoking/vaping makes my lungs ache, so I would like to experiment with making my own edibles/extracts. Doesn't have to be gummies – baked goods, infused honey/oils, etc., would be great, too! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:59 PM PST - 5 comments

It's both simple and complicated. About 2 and a half years ago, my younger boyfriend told me he wasn't ready to have a baby.  The only way I finally managed to get pregnant at age 41 was through embryos with donor sperm that I created when I was 39. My boyfriend and I haven't split up, though, and I need advice on how to navigate our relationship once I've given birth. [more inside]
posted by Ella_Bella at 11:54 AM PST - 44 comments

When I was a kid, a friend who was in band told me that in jazz, two pieces meant to be played played back-to-back that were in the same key were called a "run-on". (We were discussing Megadeth's Holy Wars…The Punishment Due at the time.) I just tried to search for this, but search engines have been ruined. I can't find verification for this. Is this really a term that is used (or was used) in jazz?
posted by ignignokt at 11:47 AM PST - 8 comments

Please share your restaurant recommendations for wedding anniversary dinner in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON. High-end, white tablecloth, price not an issue. Bonus for high-floor and/or rooftop views of the lake.
posted by John Borrowman at 11:27 AM PST - 6 comments

We just switched from satellite to streaming tv service. I love YoutubeTV's unlimited dvr, record everything you ever want to watch system. However my wife often prefers to browse through the channel guide and select a live broadcast. The YoutubeTV channel guide is poorly suited to browsing. As far as I can tell there is no way to jump to a channel or even a page down function in the guide. Are the better methods for navigating YoutubeTV's guide? Is there a basic streaming service which has a channel guide more like traditional cable tv?
posted by grahahw at 9:11 AM PST - 7 comments

Neighbors and I consistently smell a propane-type smell near my house, but I don't have propane or anything like it. I do not smell it in my house. Other people also smell it outside. It could be propane, but from where? How far can propane travel and remain detectable? It could be some other sulfur-y smell, but what's most likely? This is a rural area, but near a busy road. My mind often thinks it is a dead animal smell, but it has been going on for at least a year.
posted by Glomar response at 8:43 AM PST - 15 comments

I've got a story brewing that includes interdimensional travel and I'm trying to identify groups of universes whose physical constants are close enough that people from one will survive in the others. The obvious approach would be to give a selection of constants to a certain precision for each universe but that's sort of ungainly. Ideas?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 8:35 AM PST - 12 comments

I want to be a better fiction writer. I understand that in order to improve as a writer, I probably need to write poorly first but consistently; as I get the reps in, I should improve. I also accept that a big part of writing is actually editing and polishing messy first drafts. And I know I should not compare my early drafts with other writers' later drafts, and certainly not published work. And yet... [more inside]
posted by synecdoche at 8:34 AM PST - 15 comments

I just moved into a rental house (free-standing) in a lake community on top of a mountain (700ft above sea level, if that matters). I previously lived in apartments in town and rarely had to deal with winter storm issues other than digging out my car. There is a pretty significant winter storm coming tomorrow night into Tuesday and I am looking at ways to prep my house (and myself) for this. [more inside]
posted by sundrop at 8:04 AM PST - 21 comments

I need to replace my Moto G5 that has worked perfectly for six years, but doesn't have the space to run all my apps anymore. [more inside]
posted by starfishprime at 12:47 AM PST - 9 comments

I have had a handful of episodes over the past year in which my emotions feel brittle. I don't know how else to say it. Strained, but I think brittle is closer. This is new. This is different. Without trying to resolve any of the stressors listed below, what new skills, habits or practices can I add to my situation to strengthen my resilience? I am autistic. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:25 PM PST - 17 comments

I want to complete a paint-by-number kit using art markers and need help finding how to map the colours to the markers I have available. [more inside]
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 10:09 PM PST - 7 comments

My 2019 MacBook Pro stopped recognizing that I have an internal webcam and microphone soon after I connected an external keyboard through the USB-C port. How do I fix this? [more inside]
posted by Schmucko at 9:19 PM PST - 6 comments

I pulled my fountain pen out of the drawer after letting it sit for too many years. It doesn't seem to be functioning properly after such a long period of not being used. [more inside]
posted by sardonyx at 8:58 PM PST - 21 comments

My partner has been having a long and bad day that culminated in a half gallon of laundry detergent spilling in the back seat floor well of their new car. Is this a project we can solve with a wet vac and some time or should we go to a professional? [more inside]
posted by crossswords at 4:01 PM PST - 18 comments

I've been reading recently about a nasal spray called Enovid. It seems to be manufactured in Israel. "They" say it prevents infection to a large degree (as shown in clinical trials so far). [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 3:39 PM PST - 16 comments

I have a Wordpress blog and I pay about $20 a year to use my own url for it. I thought that would mean it wouldn't have ads on it, but it still does. What do I have to do to not have ads on it? Thanks!
posted by nouvelle-personne at 1:40 PM PST - 3 comments

So there's a commercial social app out there that claims to help you manage your personal relationships using AI. The marketing is compelling. What I am looking for is even simpler, and potentially free: I want a methodology or app or something that will gently nudge me to reach out to friends I haven't talked to for, say, six months or so. In a sense, it would be the social equivalent of the spaced repetition algorithm employed by flashcard apps. [more inside]
posted by mecran01 at 12:43 PM PST - 10 comments

Somehow having trouble jogging my memory for this earworm. I made a little sign at our polling place on Tuesday that said "Hooray you did it" at the end of the voting process (we had a LOT of ballots). And while I can hear this phrase in my head, "Hooray, we did it!" I am having trouble figuring out where I am remembering it from. A game show? One of those little spots at the end of a TV show telling you who the production company was? The Simpsons? Something from when I was a kid? Something more recent? Could use help. [more inside]
posted by jessamyn at 11:00 AM PST - 16 comments

We're looking for interesting places to stay in Mecklenburg Vorpommern for a week in early July. [more inside]
posted by biffa at 10:40 AM PST - 2 comments

Do you have any little rules or personal policies that you use to improve your social media experience/be a better or more responsible social media user? What are they? [more inside]
posted by orange swan at 10:37 AM PST - 21 comments

I'm looking for a rechargeable power pack of some kind that I can use for a lamp, phone charger, and alarm clock next to my bed. [more inside]
posted by blnkfrnk at 10:11 AM PST - 16 comments

I would appreciate windows laptop recommendations for a senior relative to use for internet browsing and writing. She only wants a laptop, not a chromebook/tablet. The budget is $1000 for a new machine. [more inside]
posted by fies at 8:58 AM PST - 4 comments

Spouse and I live in Big Blue City (where we met) but both happen to hail from Medium-sized City In Red State about 300 miles from Big Blue City. Since having a kid last year, we have felt twinges of longing to live near family in medium sized city in red state. But I don't like that geographic area, the politics, etc. We would consider trying to be there part of the year (summer, I guess, given academic calendars), but aren't sure how to make that work. Have you raised a kid/been raised in two places e.g. seasonally living different places? Did you own two places, rent one, or just stay with family for the season near family? Is this way too disruptive for a child? [more inside]
posted by Sophiaverde at 8:39 AM PST - 27 comments

I have an old melodica I want to take apart to disinfect, but I need to get it open. Please see snowflakes. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 8:26 AM PST - 7 comments

Spurred by the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, I was interested in learning more about my bank. It's a credit union, which I understand has different policies than typical banks. I also looked at who was on the board - and few people on the board actually appear to work in finance or have that background. I have questions. [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 8:22 AM PST - 5 comments

So, sadly, Apple says that instead of a battery problem I have a logic board problem. I could buy and pay off a new macbook air with a few months of serious frugality but I'm curious to know whether there are other good cheaper options - and if you passionately believe that I should repair the logic board, please let me know. Questions within. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 7:11 AM PST - 13 comments

To put it bluntly: how do I stop obsessing about a television show? There is a show that has been around for over a decade that I am now just finding and I have fallen down the rabbit hole. This is not the first time I've done this but I'm really hoping it will be the last because it is driving me crazy. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:15 AM PST - 18 comments

I’m trying to pass on a tip to an investigative reporter about a major corruption case. I have learned how to successfully send the tip email, and I have learned how to successfully write a proper summary, but I haven’t yet learned what reporters need when (1) they want to talk first (and want a longer summary) or (2) when they want evidence first, and they don’t seem to have the wherewithal to explain. I have been able to get the attention of the national press. But I have not figured out how to close the deal, partly because some want to talk to me first (and I don’t tell the story well), and some want to see evidence first (and I haven’t figured out how to organize it well). Any tips for storytelling and, most especially, evidence-giving? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:15 AM PST - 7 comments

With limited prior knowledge in this area, I would like to learn more about the various approaches different places have taken towards housing policy, and in particular how these decisions affected lower and middle class people in those places. [more inside]
posted by unid41 at 1:53 AM PST - 9 comments

I was just forced to update Word for Mac after holding out, and now the dreaded Modern Comments and associated (trash) editing tools have been imposed upon me. I am a heavy, heavy Word user -- I'm a book editor -- and this is destroying my productivity and messing up my clients' docs. Anybody know or have a link to best practices and/or ways to disable these tools for those of us whose Track Changes skills are an essential part of our work? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:31 PM PST - 15 comments

Is there a method or (free!) add on that will allow me to take a PDF and make a Google Form from it, add in fields for multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank answers, and save the answers generated? [more inside]
posted by zardoz at 5:30 PM PST - 2 comments

I (44 yo F) and SO (47 yo M) are contemplating co-habitation. There are a LOT of logistics to work out (this is me), but his lease is up in August and I'd like to start thinking about steps we can take now to sort through this. One of the things I'd really like is for him to spend way more time over here, but of course its complicated. [more inside]
posted by tryniti at 3:36 PM PST - 23 comments

Wanted to see if anyone knows if Uber/Lyft are widely available in Anchorage, Alaska! [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 1:50 PM PST - 4 comments

I would like to know what to expect on my first few days / weeks at my new work? [more inside]
posted by miles1972 at 1:42 PM PST - 10 comments

I want to write loving, beautiful letters to my loved ones. I know exactly what I will write to them content-wise -- the major issue is that I'm not sure what to actually buy, and could use stationary recommendations. I want to make the best letter opening experience for them, for a sensory, tactile letter reading experience. Specific likes under the fold: [more inside]
posted by yueliang at 12:13 PM PST - 17 comments

In the prelude section of Bach's prelude, fugue and allegro in E Flat Major (BWV 998), there is a chord near the end that surprises me. It's a really fascinating sound, so what's going on structurally with this chord? [more inside]
posted by cubeb at 11:47 AM PST - 8 comments

I find myself in need of more leggings, both solids and prints! Tell me all about your favorites. Details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by cnidaria at 11:34 AM PST - 16 comments

I am staff at a university, so don't technically qualify for most student/teacher discounts. However! One of my employee benefits is taking classes for $5 a credit. Before I go to all this hassle, will registering for a single credit qualify me as a "student" for purposes of discounts with online retailers? Do I need to do it every semester? Do I need to take a class in summer too? How does this work?
posted by HotToddy at 11:14 AM PST - 6 comments

Help a rank newbie through rudimentary-for-now smart home stuff [more inside]
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 10:37 AM PST - 26 comments

Who else (other than Manulife) offers drug / dental / medical plans in Ontario? Could there be groups we're already affiliated with who have some arrangement hidden away that isn't widely known about? [more inside]
posted by scruss at 10:34 AM PST - 8 comments

Last year I changed from Company A to Company B. After changing jobs, I discovered that Company B is withholding considerably less Federal income tax than Company A, about 80% less. All of my other tax categories (social security, medicare, state income) are being withheld at the same rate as Company A. My W-4 at Company B was filled out via an ADP webform and I double checked the form and, to my knowledge it is all correct (married, filiing jointly; no dependents, no additional withholding). I am asking ignorance, incompetence, or shenanigans because I have reasons to believe that Company B is not exactly above board with respect to, well a lot of things including accounting. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:32 AM PST - 7 comments

I lost my Shokz OpenComm headphones in a recent move and can't afford to replace them with the same model. Do the less-expensive models that are not aimed at "communications" (no noise-cancelling boom mic) work well for zoom calls? [more inside]
posted by vitabellosi at 10:10 AM PST - 4 comments

I would love to find a collection of graphs that explain the fundamentals of major philosophical ideas, particularly modern ones. Does such a thing exist? I'm thinking about things like this (ideal, for its comparative nature, focus on modern ideas, and distillation to the most basic elements) or this (less ideal, but serviceable). I know a lot will be elided in this format, and that's ideal so that I don't get overwhelmed. In a perfect world, there is one book that exists that is mostly graphs.
posted by sugarbomb at 9:31 AM PST - 3 comments

I covet a wool/cashmere sweater. It is about 3x more than what I would usually pay for a sweater. However we have (had?) a moth problem. Should I not buy this sweater? If I do, what can I do to protect this one sweater from moths? [more inside]
posted by Ollie at 9:24 AM PST - 11 comments

My partner who is now 67, will probably quit working this year and intends to live off investments until they take maximum social security at age 70. They have a complex financial situation.We are looking for a consultant to help us deal with this. A lot of the search results under social security consultant look somewhat scammy. Help us find a reliable consultant we can work with remotely anywhere in the US. Not looking for a financial planner or suggestions about the problem nor to work with internal social security agents.
posted by Xurando at 9:13 AM PST - 6 comments

My employer gave me this task and I have a feeling I could be doing better [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 8:59 AM PST - 2 comments

What is the appropriate knot to use in this situation? [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot at 8:09 AM PST - 12 comments

I would like to modify or replace the extended cab window on my truck so that my dog can stick his head out the window. What can you suggest? [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 7:55 AM PST - 6 comments

My stomach hates me and I don’t know why. I’m looking for reassurance, possible theories, stories about how you had similar issues and got through it, all of the good AskMe soup for the soul of a miserable person in pain. TMI details under the cut. [more inside]
posted by fight or flight at 7:42 AM PST - 25 comments

I procrastinate by throwing myself into immediate tasks without thinking about the longer-term or more strategic ways to use my time. I see there are some apps for "structuring your day" and similar. Has anyone had luck with an app or system? [more inside]
posted by Mid at 7:30 AM PST - 7 comments

I am trying to understand how some people seem to display total apathy to other people. [more inside]
posted by jacobean at 6:13 AM PST - 61 comments

I'm going to a fancy dress party as a hacker. Is the outfit I'm thinking of a good one? I want to lean into the stereotype to make it recognisable. But I don't want to go down the 'Anonymous' route with mask, suit and tie. [more inside]
posted by Panthalassa at 5:45 AM PST - 21 comments

I have always felt deeply connected to stories where characters find the place they fit, and forge meaningful connections with others, particularly when one or more of the characters is not "normal." Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by Number Used Once at 9:20 PM PST - 23 comments

I recently came across the story of Guillaume Le Gentil who was part of the global effort in the 1700s to measure the distance from the earth to the sun. The way to do that was to take astronomical observations of the transit of Venus. Despite his passionate dedication, he failed. But his failure was epic, uber-Murphy's law stuff What other scientists/inventors have had colossal heroic failures?
posted by storybored at 7:02 PM PST - 20 comments

I’d think I’d like to experiment with stand-up comedy as a creative outlet. I am a complete amateur with no recent experience in theater, comedy, etc. How does one go from zero experience to writing an initial routine to not embarrassing yourself at a small open mic? What resources should I be using to develop skills? [more inside]
posted by ActionPopulated at 7:01 PM PST - 17 comments

The elderly HVAC system in my rented house shut down on Sunday and my landlord is dragging his feet on getting it fixed. Our municipality specifies that such repairs must be done in a "reasonable" timeframe, but what does that mean in concrete terms in this context? [more inside]
posted by rpfields at 6:59 PM PST - 16 comments

Does the female host of this podcast have a discernible accent to you? More specifically, how would you describe her pronunciation of the long "i" sound? Is that particular pronunciation attached to a specific North American accent? [more inside]
posted by Rora at 6:17 PM PST - 8 comments

I've been cleaning up my basement and have worked into the tool zone. I have an old (25 years) pancake style air compressor that I haven't used in ages. [more inside]
posted by Marky at 6:00 PM PST - 4 comments

We moved into a home with a hot tub five years ago. Five years later, I still don't have the hang of being a hot tub owner. I think it might be blowing up our electric bill. Help! [more inside]
posted by instead of three wishes at 5:40 PM PST - 7 comments

[California Filter] I have a new landlord. They want to enter my apartment for unwarranted reasons. I’m struggling with how to assert my rights in a way I won’t regret. Advice welcome. [more inside]
posted by Goblin Barbarian at 4:53 PM PST - 38 comments

I'm trying to find a durable plastic case to fit my Korg Wavestate, a three octave synthesizer, without paying $$$ for it. [more inside]
posted by 4midori at 3:26 PM PST - 4 comments

I have set a new, blank page to be my posts page on a wordpress site. When I hit publish and go to the page, the posts are there. But the main header says "Mindblown: A Blog about Philosophy" as well as some other content instead of what I've told it to put there. I tried to google the problem but what pops up is not any advice on how to fix it-- just hundreds of similarly misconfigured pages called the same thing. What gives?
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 3:24 PM PST - 4 comments

Any unbiased sources about the real danger of inhabiting or working in a space that has formerly been exposed to meth and/or fentanyl use? [more inside]
posted by kittensofthenight at 2:43 PM PST - 9 comments

I just went with my partner to watch The Whale, and twice during the movie an employee came in, stood at the front of the theater and held something up that made a quiet clicking noise. What were they doing? [more inside]
posted by spielzebub at 2:36 PM PST - 9 comments

My partner and I have both worried we might have codependent tendencies. Are there any resources about cultivating interdependence/steering away from codependence that are aimed at couples rather than individual people? I'm imagining a workbook for couples to work through together within a relationship or something. Much of what's written about (avoiding) codependence seems to assume that people are working with partners who are sort of hostile to changing relationship patterns rather than with partners they can discuss things with/who also want to work on having a healthy/healthier relationship.
posted by needs more cowbell at 2:33 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm solo parenting for the first time for this year's summer trip with my kids (10 and 14). Spouse will be working. Trying to decide between Nova Scotia's north coast or Prince Edward Island. And then figure out a good strategic base to plant ourselves so we can do a few reasonably short daytrips. Current mood: feeling overwhelmed by the travel guides. [more inside]
posted by Text TK at 1:57 PM PST - 7 comments

I don't remember specifics, but learned about this through tech-minded friends at university in California, around 1996. This was an era when lots of corps/institutions allowed anonymous FTP access for legitimate purposes, like technical documentation, public downloads, etc. and those with access would create special directories, viewable only to those who knew the process to show them. [more inside]
posted by homesickness at 1:48 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm socially anxious and introverted and I find socialising with people I'm not comfortable with (which is almost everyone) very difficult. It's come to my attention that I always feel dominated by other people in conversations and it leaves me feeling quite unhappy and small. I think there are echoes of being completely dominated by my father growing up. How do I deal with this? [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 1:00 PM PST - 8 comments

A citation by Algerian president Boumediene where he threatens Europe with immigration has been making the rounds in far-right circles since the late 1970s. It comes allegedly from a Washington Post article posted in March/April 1974 (or 1976), but I don't have a subscription. Could someone look this up in the WaPo archives and tell me if that interview (or quote) can actually be found there? [more inside]
posted by elgilito at 12:38 PM PST - 3 comments

My partner loves fans. The more powerful the better. He would work, live, and sleep right next to a shop fan if I would let him. I can live with the fans, but I'm worried about the impact on his hearing - what is the quietest powerful fan that money can buy? Bonus questions about fan mechanics inside. [more inside]
posted by mosst at 10:33 AM PST - 9 comments

What dispassionate experts, prognosticators and others should I be following to better understand AI and its implications? [more inside]
posted by headnsouth at 9:58 AM PST - 9 comments

Every March at my job they tell us we are getting "employment agreements" to sign for the coming year, and more than ever before they're pressuring us to commit to the duration of the year even though we're an at-will state/employer. [more inside]
posted by wannabecounselor at 9:58 AM PST - 21 comments

First, I'm not asking you good people to do any detailed research on this -- I'm just looking for a general approach regarding whom to phone or where to Google for the answers. Here's my previous post. I still have a pile of Eufy E1202 2.4 GHz smart plugs and I can't figure out how to set things up so that they'll work off my Eero 20J010001 dual band mesh router. [more inside]
posted by JimN2TAW at 9:27 AM PST - 4 comments

I’m looking for a new, low stress craft that I can do without buying a million supplies to start and these two things came to mind. I’m drawn to these book nooks and my friend is living paint by numbers-can you recommend specific sources for either that are good quality but not crazy expensive? [more inside]
posted by purenitrous at 9:20 AM PST - 9 comments

Was discussing this article with friends this morning (WV defeats child marriage ban bill) and we were wondering what the age gap was in US-based marriages where at least one partner was younger than 18, and if that gap changed at the both-partners-at-least-18-years-old mark. Is there a database of US marriage statistics, with ages of partners, searchable by year and state? If not a nationwide option, do those databases exist specifically for the states that do allow marriage before the age of 18?
posted by Silvery Fish at 8:44 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm trying to find this book from my childhood about becoming an older sister. Black jellybeans below the fold... [more inside]
posted by OhHaieThere at 8:33 AM PST - 0 comments

I have a receiver that I mostly like for its mid century aesthetic, a Huldra Tandberg. I'd like to listen to records through it but there's nowhere to attach a ground wire to what I'm told is called the chassis. Not on bottom, not in back, not even if I take off the wooden panel on the back. Is there something I can do? Can post photos if it helps. For the moment I'm not listening to any of my records because of the buzz. (Which I don't think was there before the move but I didn't pay good attention to what was hooked up to what.)
posted by less-of-course at 8:01 AM PST - 8 comments

I’m a 40yr old guy who has never had much dating or relationship experience. Lately I’ve been getting more matches on online dating with women over 45. When meeting up I rarely feel physically attracted to them. How can I change this? Will it change? How can I get my attraction to synchronise with my aging body and dating peers? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:42 AM PST - 61 comments

I applied for a job with a foundation who I did not know had given $ to a former employer (FE). FE went from giving okay references to giving a confidential and very bad reference. I got nice gig without their ref at another employer. Today, a former employee of FE came to me with substantial evidence that FE fudged numbers on a study outcome and asked employees to keep up charade. Should I go to the hiring organisation with this information?
posted by anonymous at 7:42 AM PST - 6 comments

You ever see a world-class soccer player dribble into the box and score, seemingly without ever looking up from the ball? Well ... how do they do that? [more inside]
posted by troywestfield at 7:30 AM PST - 12 comments

I really love this gorgeous Seiko watch face, but 39mm diameter is just too large for my tiny spindly wrists. Do you know of any watches with similar-looking faces, sized closer to 20-30mm? The top of my price range is about $250 (although wouldn't mind window-shopping some really beautiful ones above that range just for fun). [more inside]
posted by mekily at 7:12 AM PST - 14 comments

My younger sibling has asked me vs our mom to be part of his assessment for autism. I don’t know the answers to questions about developmental milestones so I’d like to surreptitiously pump our mom for info, but I don’t know what to ask. Is there a questionnaire or assessment tool I can find as a guideline? Or, what kinds of questions are parents of adults seeking an assessment for autism asked? [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 6:43 AM PST - 4 comments

I read this book as a youngster, can't figure out the title. Google's no help. It was a fiction story about Edgar Allan Poe as a kid/early teen. I don't think it ever explicitly said it was about Poe, but the character's name was Edgar, and it was set in Baltimore. It would have been a children's/YA book. That's all I remember. Any ideas?
posted by BekahVee at 6:13 AM PST - 8 comments

I am interested in learning more about famous artists that self-identify as intersex. Any thoughts about who would best to think about would be most welcome. Thanks in advance!
posted by mortaddams at 6:02 AM PST - 4 comments

My 9-year-old has been taking horseback riding lessons for three years at a small local barn we like very much. She loves it, seems to be good at it, and benefits greatly from the confidence that riding a horse and being in the barn community provide. We've been told that her skills are outgrowing the very sweet (old) school ponies and that we should consider leasing one of the animals at the barn (presumably another pony). What should we know, and what should we watch out for? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 4:03 AM PST - 12 comments

How can I teach/model friendliness to a five year old kid? I want to do this while also helping kid maintain their boundaries and healthy self-esteem. [more inside]
posted by CMcG at 3:00 AM PST - 11 comments

I have Windows 11 Laptop A, filled with the usual ballooning cruft of apps and data, including connections to several cloud services. Is there any way of precisely replicating Laptop A on another device, Laptop B? In an ideal world, Laptop B would simply mirror every aspect of A, right down to desktop shortcuts, stored passwords and browser history.
posted by srednivashtar at 2:54 AM PST - 10 comments

I am really curious whether it's possible to heal bunions with exercises. [more inside]
posted by kinddieserzeit at 10:10 PM PST - 6 comments

I've been given a brainteaser by a colleague which I can't solve.. even by a lowkey google. Hoping someone here can help. I'll describe the diagram. The objective of the riddle is to guess the nationalities or regional origin of 4 patrons of a "house of ill repute"". I know the details of 3 but cannot get the last one. The answer is around some wordplay with the nationalities. More details over the fold. [more inside]
posted by chmmr at 10:03 PM PST - 22 comments

Why am I getting mail for someone who may or may not exist? [more inside]
posted by donut_princess at 7:36 PM PST - 8 comments

I’m in Portland, Oregon and will need more Adderall soon. I met with my prescriber today and she said it’s hard to find. I’m on Medicaid but can pay out of pocket.
posted by bendy at 7:26 PM PST - 6 comments

After seeing "Little Miss Sunshine," my kid wants to know: is there a name for the piece of music that plays under Dwayne's breakdown (approx. :52 to 1:52 here)?
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:17 PM PST - 4 comments

Colleague and I will need to travel short distances around central Paris with bulky video equipment. Walking or public transport is normally fine, but not really with the gear we’ll be schlepping this time. There are bound to be situations when waiting at a taxi rank or taking a chance at hailing won't be ideal. I’ve used Uber previously but am curious about other app-based services in Paris. For example, is G7 reliable? I realize calling for a cab is also a possibility, but sometimes it’s just easier and quicker to use an app. [more inside]
posted by theory at 4:36 PM PST - 5 comments

I know not to swim in a chlorinated pool with a fresh tattoo. But once a tattoo is fully healed, does swimming cause it to fade at all? If so, how do I keep my tattoos looking pretty while also pursuing my new love of Aqua Fit?
posted by The corpse in the library at 4:00 PM PST - 8 comments

I am infinitely and endlessly fascinated by the fact of being fully bilingual. As someone who has only ever spoken one language, I simply don't understand it, and thus it continually impresses and amazes me. [more inside]
posted by swheatie at 2:58 PM PST - 24 comments

I suspect I have sleep apnea (I fit several characteristics - weight, sudden bouts of sleepiness, data from my Apple watch which I wear most nights) and have come to the realization it's time to do something about it. I'm looking to do a sleep study, but have no primary care physician to make a referral, and for comfort and family reasons, I'd prefer to do it at home anyways. Does anyone have experience with the at-home self-ordered sleep studies to the point that they have a recommendation?
posted by neilbert at 2:23 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm doing my accounting exams and I'm finally making progress; I have 3 remaining. However, these are the professional level i.e they are a lot tougher than previous exams and I'm struggling somewhat with motivation. I'm trying to keep my eyes on the prize of a qualification that no one can take away from me, guarantees a decent salary and means I will always have a job and never have to move back in with my parents, ever. [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 12:28 PM PST - 18 comments

In May of last year, I posted three questions regarding a landlord in Contra Costa County in California. I ended up winning the Small Claims court case in January of this year, which he did not attend. The judge awarded me a certain amount not only for my security deposit that he did not return, but also for all of the hotels that I was forced to stay at due to threats to my physical safety. How can I legally collect the money from him? [more inside]
posted by Jangatroo at 11:49 AM PST - 11 comments

My wife receives monthly infusions for MS. She is now on long-term (non-SSDI) disability and as a result is on my health insurance. This has resulted in an undesirable change in her infusion provider and we're trying to get back to our original provider. [more inside]
posted by jackbishop at 11:05 AM PST - 12 comments

I really love texts where someone looks at something very closely and describes it, often in some surprising, poetic, or counter-intuitive way, with the text usually including an image of the described object. This is not exactly art history or criticism, in that it's less conceptual, closer to the perception of the representation. A few examples might include David Hockney's book about the Camera Obscura, Hyatt Mayor's books on prints, and John Berger's Way of Seeing (the documentary more than the book). What are other books that do this?
posted by johnasdf at 10:54 AM PST - 23 comments

Can you recommend good CPAP headgear? [more inside]
posted by pdb at 10:28 AM PST - 11 comments

I recently inherited my mother's car. She lived in Washington DC; I live in California. The car is titled in DC. DC refuses to transfer the title to my name because I am not a DC resident. California will not issue a CA title to me unless I first transfer it to my name in DC. I have been to the California DMV in person and have called and mailed documentation to the DC DMV numerous times, and the story I get told is slightly different every time. What can I do in this situation?
posted by googly at 10:20 AM PST - 10 comments

I'd love to make sourdough bread in my older model bread maker? [more inside]
posted by ragtimepiano at 10:14 AM PST - 5 comments

My sister has POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) due to Long COVID. Her doctors have suggested tilting her entire bed at an angle. How do I find or make this kind of bed? [more inside]
posted by leftover_scrabble_rack at 9:52 AM PST - 15 comments

I need to sublet my apartment for a few months until the lease runs out. What's the best way to make sure that this goes smoothly with my sublettor? Is there a good form to use to make sure that we have a binding agreement? [more inside]
posted by kingdead at 9:34 AM PST - 11 comments

What are the options for remote controlling my mom's computer? (with her consent, of course) [more inside]
posted by fishhouses at 9:25 AM PST - 11 comments

When I was very young, in the late '70s, my family visited Salt Lake City and stayed at (or went to) a hotel that I remember as having a hotel lobby made out of, or mostly plated in, copper. I vaguely remember it being somehow linked with a nearby massive copper mine (which I assume was the Bingham Canyon Mine). My Mom said that she vaguely remembered the hotel as well, but couldn't provide more information. Google has gotten me absolutely nowhere. Was this an actual place?
posted by eschatfische at 8:53 AM PST - 3 comments

So I've got these very light shorts I enjoy. They're technically semi-cargo shorts looking but they're perfect for hiking and travel. Or they were until tick season became all year. So no I need the same thing but pants. Light and comfortable but durable.
posted by rileyray3000 at 8:01 AM PST - 15 comments

I bought a container of "Califia Farms Oat Barista Blend" to use in my coffee. I'm new to plant-based milks; do I really need to use it within 7-10 days of opening? I'm a single person that lives alone and there's no way I'm going to use a liter of this stuff in a week.
posted by rhymedirective at 6:54 AM PST - 19 comments

I'm in the UK and I've booked a cheap hotel for a couple of nights in another UK city. I've paid the booking but the hotel wants a deposit and when I try to pay it my card gets declined. I've tried to email the hotel to ask about paying the deposit by cash on arrival but no response. I should be able to cancel the booking and try elsewhere but that might be more expensive by now. What should I do?
posted by an opinicus at 2:10 AM PST - 17 comments

Hey, I just got out of a Guy Ritchie movie where the plot involves using an action star as a honey pot for a weapons dealer who's a big fan and I thought I had seen this plot used almost entirely wholesale recently before but now I'm not sure what it is. Can someone help? It's a movie made in the last ten years. I think part of the gag in this other movie was that the action star is kind of a clumsy guy, but has a good heart, and he ends up being able to "act the role of his life" which is himself, which is actually the same line that Ritchie uses in this movie.
posted by ABlanca at 11:12 PM PST - 9 comments

My psychiatrist put me on Lorien (fluoxetine/ prozak) to combat the withdrawal symptoms of coming off Venlafaxine (effexor) which I'd been taking for anxiety. It doesn't seem to be working (withdrawal symptoms are not lessened) and my psychiatrist is very surprised ("never seen this before"). Anyone else have experience with taking Lorien for Venlafaxine withdrawal? [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 10:38 PM PST - 1 comment

Where can I find comfortable clasps for clip-on earrings? [more inside]
posted by happyfrog at 10:22 PM PST - 2 comments

I like sitting on the floor, but can't comfortably do so for as long as I'd like. I'd ideally like to be able to sit tailor fashion/criss-cross-applesauce style without support but it hurts my back after a while. Other than just more practice, are there stretches or exercises that would help me be able to sit comfortably for longer?
posted by darchildre at 5:29 PM PST - 6 comments

This is about Erythritol" and it's in this website here. [more inside]
posted by amfgf at 4:45 PM PST - 19 comments

My son tried his cousin's ripstik and is hooked. His 10th birthday is coming up so we want to get him one, but there seem to be different types (mostly Razor brand) and I'm not sure which one to get. [more inside]
posted by piyushnz at 3:51 PM PST - 1 comment

My 1950 bungalow is in need of major, major repairs. Like, everything. I am in the middle of taking out a mortgage to pay for it all and I'm stressed as can be. Help me figure out my options here? [more inside]
posted by mygothlaundry at 2:32 PM PST - 36 comments

All my life I’ve been getting shit for very minor subversions of feminine expectations. I’m getting to the point where I am so angry and bitter. Help? [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 1:55 PM PST - 52 comments

Looking for songs that have phone numbers in the title or lyrics. I can only think of two obvious examples - the jazz standard Pennsylvania 6 5000 & Jenny Jenny (867-5309) but I know there must be more. [more inside]
posted by Devils Rancher at 1:54 PM PST - 46 comments

I use Safari saved passwords and iCloud Keychain as my password manager. For the most part it works very well, and it greatly simplifies my life. Unfortunately, it doesn't understand that subdomains may need different login credentials, and this makes it useless for that subset of websites. [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 11:26 AM PST - 2 comments

Almost without exception, every transaction I've made recently is followed by a request for feedback. Would it be okay to decline all of them, forever? [more inside]
posted by knotty knots at 11:10 AM PST - 27 comments

If you've built (or contracted to build) a house, I want to hear how it went. [more inside]
posted by Kurichina at 10:40 AM PST - 16 comments

Dear Click and Clack: As long as we've lived in our house, every night in the winter when my wife goes to bed, she kisses me good night and we get a static shock. We've taken to discharging with our fingers before we kiss. This has been going on for years. This winter, it hasn't been an issue. Why? [more inside]
posted by bondcliff at 10:05 AM PST - 22 comments

Looking for an old logo that I'm 99% certain was on The Consumerist back in its heyday. The logo said "My Call Is Important To You!" with a phone (or maybe a stick figure?) shouting at a tall building. Any idea where it could be? Did I imagine it?
posted by rouftop at 9:57 AM PST - 0 comments

As our 60th birthday present to each other, my wife and I are going on a two-week trip to Italy in late October. Looking for input here on any and all aspects of this trip. [more inside]
posted by briank at 9:18 AM PST - 17 comments

I keep having asthma attacks in my building's parking garage, which is an internet dead zone. [more inside]
posted by Jacqueline at 8:58 AM PST - 24 comments

I am AFAB and I'm pretty assertive compared to general female socialization but salary stuff is an area that is very uncomfortable for me. I am being put in a position where there could be a kind of bidding war to get me or keep me and I need help thinking about this the right way. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 7:45 AM PST - 18 comments

I ordered furnace air filters and unfortunately, they arrived damaged. It appears they got crushed during shipping. Seller told me I could toss and is sending me a new batch but I feel guilty. Photos inside - would you use them? [more inside]
posted by Twicketface at 7:11 AM PST - 13 comments

I just got a new internet connection at 300Mbps. It came with a Linksys Velop mesh router but no additional points. I already have a Google WiFi mesh system, is it sufficient or do I need to buy new points. [more inside]
posted by knapah at 5:12 AM PST - 5 comments

What are some fun, less-touristy things to do in the Chicago area with a tween? [more inside]
posted by statsgirl at 5:09 AM PST - 7 comments

I am looking for songs that rely heavily on ostinato—motif/theme/riff repeated throughout the song—preferably without even a separe chorus, and really ONlY looking for UK music from, say punk onwards. [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 4:36 AM PST - 24 comments

My dog doesn’t have long to live. I have 27,000+ photos on an iPhone XR, most of which are of her. I *think* they’re backed up to the cloud, but what’s a foolproof way be sure I don’t lose them? [more inside]
posted by Salamander at 3:01 AM PST - 3 comments

What is the easiest way to send money from the US to brazil to relatively unsophisticated folks on the brazil side (as in crypto would probably not be an option at this point)? [more inside]
posted by specialk420 at 11:00 PM PST - 7 comments

A question for people who did not have a steadfast conviction and desire to have children but later made the decision to become a parent. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:19 PM PST - 29 comments

Sorting out insurance info after a layoff and am having to sort out coverage. Former employer has offered to pay 1 month COBRA which we want to do for March. We'll probably need to switch after that as the plan has a very high deductible. [more inside]
posted by somanysocks at 8:34 PM PST - 10 comments

Last year I had custom orthotics made and for the shoes they fit into properly they've been great. However, I have several pairs of dressier shoes, some boots, chukkas, etc. without intentionally removable insoles and they make the fit too snug. A bunch of questions inside. [more inside]
posted by rbf1138 at 7:40 PM PST - 4 comments

Suddenly, my Brother printer won't scan correctly! How do I change it back to how it was before? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 7:13 PM PST - 5 comments

I have a hiphop dance-fitness class that I love but there are some problematic aspects to it. I want to do something to address it but having trouble with figuring out exactly what/how. [more inside]
posted by EarnestDeer at 5:02 PM PST - 17 comments

We are starting to plan our first vacation in almost a decade. I want to be able to book things and enjoy the planning without the looming worry about getting Covid before we travel and ending up with no vacation and no money. I'm in Canada, and have good travel health insurance already. I just need the interruption/cancellation insurance. Any suggestions or recommendations for Canadians? [more inside]
posted by platypus of the universe at 4:57 PM PST - 3 comments

In the last few years, I read a novel that had a couple scenes featuring some interesting fortune-telling/divination cards but I can no longer remember what book they were in. They were similar to tarot cards in that each one was illustrated, but they the edges of the cards matched up to form a continuous image regardless of how they were arranged. What was that book? [more inside]
posted by duien at 4:24 PM PST - 7 comments

My husband and I love to travel. Well, I love to travel and he loves it when we get there. But a few experiences with moderate to severe turbulence have caused some issues. We now have to weigh the pros and cons of every trip to determine if it’s “worth it” in terms of him enduring a flight. He is not afraid of injury or death. He knows the data. He just doesn’t like the sensation of bumping around like some people don’t like carnival rides. Take-off is the worst and he has had a couple of panic attacks on the runway. (More inside) [more inside]
posted by Fritzle at 3:57 PM PST - 31 comments

I'm interested in hiring a developer to build a mobile ios app for me. This would be my first time doing something like this. I'm not sure where exactly to start - What can I do to make the process as easy as possible once I've found someone to hire? [more inside]
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 3:52 PM PST - 2 comments

I was offered a position today, yay! BUT I am interviewing for another position within the same organization tomorrow... what's the best way to proceed with this, etiquette-wise? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 3:35 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm having trouble googling this because I am not talking about the "blue screen of death," but sometimes my MacBook Air's screen will suddenly take on a blueish tint. There's no other disturbance -- I can keep working on whatever I'm doing, but right before my eyes everything kind of tints blue. Why, and what do I need to do about it? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 3:21 PM PST - 10 comments

At the last Druidic ritual one person said "Actually, I'm not that keen on mead" and some other people agreed with him. So we are looking at alternatives to woozy-honey. Googling shows that people have made some kind of mead-like substance from maple syrup but: is it good stuff, tastewise? Ideally (a) not too sweet and (b) not too alcoholic (booze and unclothed pagan rituals aren't always the best combination, especially in wintry weather). If it is, are there any recommended recipes and approaches for making quality maple mead?
posted by Wordshore at 2:54 PM PST - 15 comments

I've been to a few local bike shops and it seems around me they mostly tend to specialize in 1 or 2 brands, so to try several brands to pick the one that fits me best, I would need to go to a lot of local bike shops. Is that correct? Is there a better way to narrow it down? [more inside]
posted by willnot at 2:31 PM PST - 12 comments

I made this amazing vegan Thai Peanut Tofu Wrap recipe, and would like more. But faux substitutions for meat and dairy are a little… eh, to me. [more inside]
posted by functionequalsform at 1:25 PM PST - 25 comments

This is about a statment in a Mailer Daemon. What are some examples of the non- suspicious kinds, and what are the suspicious kinds? In othere words what is a definitive thing that proves there is no shenanigans going on?
posted by amfgf at 1:23 PM PST - 14 comments

No matter how close to the bowl I go, tiny droplets of pee fall on the floor here and there. I'd like a clean spray solution so I can quickly spray the area the droplets fell without having to wipe it up manually. Bonus points for a good-smelling solution that doesn't have strong chemicals in it. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 1:18 PM PST - 15 comments

I am a fan stylistically of various mandarin collared things, but specifically, want a *durable* short sleeve brand. They sorta look like polos but with mandarin collar. My last two purchases looked great for maybe 2 wears, then stared disassembling their stitching despite delicate wash and hang dry. Rec for hardy brands? [more inside]
posted by bitterkitten at 1:04 PM PST - 4 comments

A close friend of mine confided and said a Professor was lusting after her in class and would not break eye contact and did the elevator eyes and copulation gaze. It made her uncomfortable. Is this considered sexual harassment? The Professor is also a female as well. Should she report it?
posted by RearWindow at 12:29 PM PST - 31 comments

It's not the sensing part of the ps5 controller that is the problem (although I tried turning off any of the functionality that say, increases how hard it is to depress triggers in games); the problem is the controller is just too large for my puny, nerve damaged hands. [more inside]
posted by bitterkitten at 12:11 PM PST - 2 comments

About 17 years ago I was having severe toothaches, and just wanted the pain to go away. Aspirin did nothing. I searched the internet and found a source for aspirin with codeine. I ordered 36 tablets. Two weeks later I received a letter from the border people (govt) saying they have confiscated my pills and if I do it again I will be subject to a fine and or jail time. [more inside]
posted by Czjewel at 10:43 AM PST - 13 comments

There is a travelling entertainment called "Girls Night Out: The Show" in which hunky men dance while wearing very little. In this promotional photo, the man just to the left of center is wearing a black fedora?, tie, and blazer? suit jacket? and carrying a cane or umbrella. Are we meant to get a specific reference here? [more inside]
posted by brainwane at 10:40 AM PST - 10 comments

The Soviet Union was our ally in WW II. Then, after peace was declared, seemingly 20 minutes went by before the USSR was declared our enemy. What exactly happened in that time? [more inside]
posted by BostonTerrier at 9:07 AM PST - 19 comments

When my mother passed away a few years ago, one of the things I inherited from her was a small, dark chunk of resinous material with an intensely sweet and penetrating odor. I suspect that it's natural ambergris. If so, I don't think I can lawfully possess it or sell it in the U.S. [more inside]
posted by timeo danaos at 9:07 AM PST - 5 comments

I'd like to have a large-ish battery that I can use to provide power to my heater in the event of a power outage, but I'm not sure what kind is appropriate. [more inside]
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:03 AM PST - 22 comments

I order office supplies and that includes disposable cutlery. Washing and reusing cutlery is not an option. The default has been to buy plastic cutlery, but I'd like to use something more sustainable. Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by joannemerriam at 7:37 AM PST - 15 comments

A few months ago I found a mallsoft/vaporwave producer and I'm having a hard time finding them again. Help? [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 7:04 AM PST - 0 comments

I want to buy flour corn to grind at home in quantities between 5 and 25 pounds. [more inside]
posted by clew at 6:59 AM PST - 13 comments

An item I purchased on eBay was scanned as delivered, but didn't show up. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 6:32 AM PST - 17 comments

So, a business friend of mine has gotten a grant to do an electronic magazine (mostly essays and news briefs). He knows sweet FA about how to do this. I say he should hire an experienced managing editor, but nope! Oh Lordy, startup culture 🤦 anyway, is there a good introductory document for him to read to get at least a sketchy sense about how to manage writers and assignments and time and pace everything? Thanks!
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 5:41 AM PST - 2 comments

"How we spend our time and attention is how we show what we value" [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 3:14 AM PST - 26 comments

Mrs Clanger and I are travelling to Florida (Jacksonville area) in a couple of weeks to attend a gay wedding. News coverage in the UK has been highlighting the rise anti-trans and anti-LBGQT+ sentiment and legislation in parts of the US and I'd like to know how careful we should be about discussing the purpose of our trip. [more inside]
posted by Major Clanger at 2:36 AM PST - 22 comments

Was reading S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders when I came across this phrase for emphazing how much something hurt: "If you don't think that hurts, you're crazy!" A search only turned up a match for Catcher in the Rye. Was this ever widespread American slang and if so, was there a region it was typical of?
posted by johngoren at 1:18 AM PST - 9 comments

Trying to apply for retail jobs during my slump recently and realized a possible reason that I don't get called back is my background in other fields. I used to work as a graphic artist for advertising agencies and for many reasons I am not able to perform what I knew best. I am exploring other job skills that I might be able to handle but here comes my financial situation. After high school, I worked at a local retail store in a seasonal position and liked it and shop there all the time, I thought why not get a part-time job there and then realized the possible issue of why I am not considered. [more inside]
posted by lanhan at 11:25 PM PST - 6 comments

I have an 11 month old baby. After a rough start (NICU + surgery) he has been doing well and is healthy. I have a supportive partner. Baby goes to daycare three days per week and partner watches him two days while I am working full time (high stress job caring for others). I find myself lonely and stressed and missing pre-baby life. Hope me? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:35 PM PST - 18 comments

I am looking for a short story that I thought I found linked here on Metafilter, perhaps years ago. The plot is: a space ship and the crew is stuck in a time loop at a dead-end system. One of the members of the crew is, seemingly, a merely "average" navigator, and they are blamed for this situation. By treating with a powerful fairy prince, they learn to stop relying on an object called a "navigator's coin" and break the deadlock and time-loop, navigating away from the dead-end station. Can anyone help me find it? [more inside]
posted by kitten_hat at 7:16 PM PST - 4 comments

I love cotton jersey sheets--they're warm, soft, and comfortable, and don't give me the ick like flannel does. I'm also as picky about color as I am about material, and it's getting harder and harder to find what I want: full jersey sheet sets in solid, non-heathered, jewel-tone colors. Do you know for certain where I can find some, besides The Company Store? Please share the specific product link! [more inside]
posted by rhiannonstone at 6:27 PM PST - 12 comments

Title pretty much says it all, I haven't been impressed so far with what I found on Google. [more inside]
posted by ZakDaddy at 5:15 PM PST - 5 comments

There's an episode of TAL about a woman who gets a phone call from an old (camp?) friend, and it brings up painful memories tied to music lessons. [Mild TW] [more inside]
posted by Charity Garfein at 5:13 PM PST - 2 comments

I have an iMac and an Apple SuperDrive as an external data drive. I've had this setup for quite a while, but this is new: ripping a CD starts to break down about halfway through the disk. I can reinsert the disk and try again and get the rips to progress, but by the time I'm at the final track or three (those closest to the outside of the CD), the drive stops working. It will eject the CD and show the disk still in the computer in iTunes and Finder, and will rip 10-30 seconds off the outermost failure track. This is not useful. I've found a similar problem in this Apple question, but it's from years ago, with no good resolution. Does anyone have suggestions, or at least have experienced the same problem? [more inside]
posted by hippybear at 2:42 PM PST - 7 comments

A friend has given me a brand new high performance electric bicycle. It is very, very heavy -- I've always brought my bikes up and into my condo, safe from theft. I've done that twice with this thing, it's like wrestling a bear. A large bear. A large, unhappy bear. (no problems falling into deep, trance-like sleep these past 3-4 days) So I'm forced to store it on lightweight, piece of garbage communal bike rack downstairs. [more inside]
posted by dancestoblue at 2:04 PM PST - 33 comments

If you have a successful long-term relationship, does mine sound like it has potential? Are there any red flags that I'm blinded to? [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 11:17 AM PST - 16 comments

Recommend me a new food processor, please! [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad at 10:21 AM PST - 8 comments

It feels like I'm always avoiding some communication and behind on something that I need to reply to. I'm stressed and guilty about this, and the guilt tends to increase the avoidance. How can I understand this behavior and change it? [more inside]
posted by w-w-w at 9:51 AM PST - 6 comments

Can Indian food sit for a few hours at room temp? [more inside]
posted by elf27 at 9:18 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm looking for a to-do list and habit tracker that does some specific things. I've tried a few, such as Todoist and Habitica, but they don't quite do everything, and I'd rather use one app than two. More inside. [more inside]
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 8:36 AM PST - 3 comments

While working on setting up a legacy contact for my Apple ID, I wanted to suggest to other people to do the same, but stopped myself when it occurred to me that some people might not have good instincts about who they choose as the legacy contact. Does anyone good guidelines for making these choices? [more inside]
posted by StrawberryPie at 8:21 AM PST - 2 comments

At some point within the last few days, when I change volume using my keyboard media controls, the Windows OSD is no longer showing. How do I get it back? [more inside]
posted by Rhomboid at 8:16 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm looking to understand population trends in my county that will affect education. I'd like to be able to plot estimated counts of entering kindergarteners by race over a reasonable enough time period to get a sense of trends, say 15-20 years. [more inside]
posted by eirias at 7:30 AM PST - 3 comments

I did what feels like SUCH a bad job at work that I am having trouble functioning. I keep remembering the moments throughout the week that I just spiral and dread going back to work. This is not very good for my mental health. How do I move through? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:28 AM PST - 18 comments

Seeking recommendations (or anti-recommendations) of intensive outpatient and/or partial hospitalization programs (or similar) in Massachusetts that take MassHealth. This is for my partner, an adult trans woman who has a history of depression with suicidal ideation and PTSD and does not have substance use issues. Virtual options statewide or options in Western Massachusetts are preferred but any thoughts are welcome.
posted by needs more cowbell at 7:16 AM PST - 5 comments

I live in Spain. My sketch-brand, year-old fridge is not cooling as it should. Europe-dwellers: which brands do you recommend? [more inside]
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 10:02 PM PST - 14 comments

Are there any open source rules that could be used for creating a short run, collectible card game style custom deck? [more inside]
posted by Unsomnambulist at 9:22 PM PST - 6 comments

A friend of mine is dealing with long-term depression but is having some small success with micro-dosing psilocybin. He would like to try a retreat but isn't sure which ones are legit and is too overwhelmed to do the research. Any recommendations --either for retreats, or for resources listing good intensives/retreats/programs specifically around psilocybin and depression? [more inside]
posted by egeanin at 8:29 PM PST - 2 comments

I prepared a pork roast (very fresh, from the fridge), seasoned it, and put it in the oven to cook. By mistake I turned on the oven light only, not the heat. It was in the oven for about 6 hours before I noticed and turned on the heat. Thanks!
posted by melamakarona at 7:47 PM PST - 30 comments

A friend is interested in learning German. What are some apps or programs that encourage learning nouns together with their gender? For example, it's my understanding that Duolingo does not do this very well.
posted by jedicus at 7:03 PM PST - 7 comments

A modem (modulator/demodulator) is a device that converts analog to digital signals and vice versa. Is the coax cable bringing internet into my house really carrying an analog signal? I find that surprising in 2023. [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 5:37 PM PST - 15 comments

I want to teach a small group of teenagers (age 16-ish) about how to create a budget. Any suggestions on how to do this in an entertaining way? [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 5:13 PM PST - 8 comments

My kid has been invited by a family friend to fly (from SF, CA) into Florida for a week at a theme park. He is trans and smart and proud. I’m becoming concerned due to the amount of anti-trans legislation and general trans hate that ’s apparently become the adopted pastime of the Sunshine State (or at least it’s right-leaning political class) . I’m looking for thoughts, suggestions, advice on how he and the folks he’ll be traveling with can safely navigate any gauntlets they may find themselves asked to run. [more inside]
posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only at 4:21 PM PST - 51 comments

My three-year-old goldfish is large, healthy, and bored. They need a larger tank, but that can't happen for another few months. I'd like to interact with them more to lift their spirits, but I'll need to make my own hoop and/or install my obstacle course for them. Their body is about the size of my average size adult lady's hand. What can I get at Lowe's to use as a hoop to train them to jump through and set up some obstacles for them to swim through? No rough edges and must be easy to clean. As an aside, we've eliminated water conditions and health conditions (parasites, bacterial infections) as reasons for their minor malaise. I'm positive they are bored. Adding a tank mate is not an option, they are an unusually aggressive goldfish and have killed before :(
posted by OsoMeaty at 2:29 PM PST - 10 comments

I have a bunch (140,000) of flying blue (Air France/KLM and partners) airmiles that will expire at the end of October. It’s not convenient for me to use these, and I’ve already extended them once by flying somewhere I didn’t really need to go. From googling I’ve found there are companies that buy these online but I can’t tell whether they’re shady. Has anyone had any experience with any of them please? [more inside]
posted by hazyjane at 2:24 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm in need of a 9-10 liter messenger bag and I can't find one that's quite what I want. AskMe seems to love this sort of question, though, so here goes! [more inside]
posted by fedward at 2:09 PM PST - 10 comments

For two days in a row, I've experienced what I can only describe as the sensation of a bug in my hair. Not on my scalp. Not a sensation under the skin. Always in the same place. Do I need delousing? Should somebody check my head, or really check my head? [more inside]
posted by emelenjr at 1:08 PM PST - 7 comments

I am trying to help my friend "M", but I may need this information as well. From M: I live in the United States. I've been out of work, leave of absence (LOA), nearly a year due to a medical condition. The LOA is almost up, there are no other options for remaining out of work; I've been asked by management if I intend to return to work. I cannot return, due to my condition, which is what I planned to tell my employer. However, a co-worker advised me not to say that. She said to contact an employment lawyer, because if I "say the wrong thing" it will prevent me from getting severance if one might be offered. Is this accurate? If so, what "should" I say? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
posted by racersix6 at 12:51 PM PST - 10 comments

In Péter Esterházy's novella The Transporters (Fuharosok in the original Hungarian), there are a couple references to the "blue rind of bacon" being used to cause death: the titular Transporters feed it to the household's dogs to kill them, and their tragically pathetic companion eats some to commit suicide. Was there some curing chemical used for bacon that was toxic and blue? From Google Books, the second and third references in this search are the relevant events.
posted by jackbishop at 12:10 PM PST - 11 comments

Does anyone have favorite online communities for discussing tabletop RPGs? I'm specifically looking for relatively active communities where GMs can discuss their experiences running games. I have a weak preference for "chat-based" communities (e.g. Slack or Discord), but old-school web forums are also fine.
posted by learning from frequent failure at 10:55 AM PST - 6 comments

My dad (early 80s) and I (F, early 60s) are considering a trip to Pittsburgh, and I seek your suggestions. [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 10:39 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm interested in qigong, and hoping to learn more about what qigong is, what the different types are, and where I could find an online class. Please explain qigong to me, and recommend your favorite synchronous or asynchronous online classes! [more inside]
posted by cnidaria at 10:16 AM PST - 3 comments

What was the song that played at the end of a CBC segment on Sunflower Sea Stars? FYI, it's not "Sunflower" by the Springfields, or Paul Weller, or the Beach Boys, or Mall Grab or Quazar.... [more inside]
posted by Bigbootay. Tay! Tay! Blam! Aargh... at 10:00 AM PST - 4 comments

A couple months ago I read a movie review totally slamming the Damien Chazelle movie Babylon. The reviewer calls out Chazelle for being the worst director in Hollywood and is pretty emphatic in their hatred about the movie. [more inside]
posted by fatedblue at 9:44 AM PST - 6 comments

Looking for recommendations for good restaurants and bars in Portland, Oregon, in the SE, with outdoor seating! [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 9:10 AM PST - 13 comments

Okay! This is confusing. I stopped working in 2013 in the UK and went off work in 2007 in the USA on FMLA in 2007 and have a psych consult in the UK in 2009 and was off work there for 2 years 2009-2010. Now I am in Germany and a housewife and haven’t worked since 2013 but am registered since last year severely disabled with chronic migraine and am about to be hospitalized for PTSD. [more inside]
posted by pairofshades at 8:38 AM PST - 15 comments

What’s the name for the type of pattern that only appears when selecting the right width of a grid? And what are similar puzzles/concepts/explorations of seemingly chaotic patterns that leap to life and order when a certain parameter is tuned correctly? [more inside]
posted by elephantsvanish at 7:52 AM PST - 10 comments

We had a big snowstorm in Ann Arbor last night, and I'd like to know how much snow fell, but I'm not finding that information anywhere. I'm really looking for a weather website so I can look this up for myself in the future. Assume I have googled and looked at every site I could find, so please don't just type in "Weather Underground." It is OK to not answer this question! [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 7:44 AM PST - 10 comments

Alexander Technique practitioners: I need a way to do active rest with as FEW props or physical objects as possible. [more inside]
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 7:15 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm hoping to make a delicious North African sunday dinner tomorrow for some friends, and I'm hoping to recreate a dish I've enjoyed in North African restaurants of leg of lamb served with a thick, delicious gravy/sauce. However - I'm really struggling to find a recipe for the same online - all the recipes I've found feature a glaze and/or marinade, but they don't seem to come with a nice thick sauce. [more inside]
posted by dance at 5:15 AM PST - 11 comments

I work for a French multinational and speak really terrible French, which isn't a problem, but I am a bit obsessed with at least attempting to pronounce names correctly. Maybe Google translate does this and I'm dumb? [more inside]
posted by atomicstone at 2:29 AM PST - 12 comments

After being held back last year due to unexcused absences, Ess is on track to be held back again (simply refuses to go to school). Are there online schooling resources for middle schoolers akin to high school equivalency diploma programs? [more inside]
posted by pmaxwell at 1:58 AM PST - 16 comments

I had these delicious savory pies on a trip to San Francisco (Ap's Cafe in Noe Valley) and I would like a recipe that could be a starting point for recreating it at home with different fillings. Photos here. The crust was whole wheat bread, not a pie crust. It was not greasy at all, and the filling was perfectly contained, like a portable pot pie. [more inside]
posted by oxisos at 10:06 PM PST - 10 comments

I volunteered to do some "light document cleanup and formatting" for this understaffed volunteer advocacy group and it turns out they have NINETY SIX separate memos of support from various organizations. Ayiyiyi. How can i make this go faster? [more inside]
posted by wowenthusiast at 9:37 PM PST - 11 comments

I saw a high-quality art book with paintings of cats (w/ w/out accompanying humans) on the New Books table in a hip urban bookshop around 1998-2002. Full of full-color reproductions of 19th & 20th c. oil paintings and more, with excellent colors and paper. [more inside]
posted by tenderly at 9:15 PM PST - 1 comment

We're looking for a bank which offers a checking account that will send us email notifications when there's a withdrawal from the account over a specified limit. Bank of America offers this feature (it was our old bank.) We switched from BOA to BMO Harris, only to discover that despite BMO hyping their app and digital banking, they don't seem to offer this service. (this feature is important to us- it helped me detect and act upon a bogus >10K withdrawal from our BOA account.) [more inside]
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 7:13 PM PST - 10 comments

Can you recommend some left-leaning equivalents to people like Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan and their ilk? [more inside]
posted by Reverend John at 4:21 PM PST - 26 comments

Why do I struggle so much now with intellectually demanding, complex fiction and TV/movies now and how can I get back into that kind of art consumption? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 3:48 PM PST - 28 comments

I'm thinking about a writing project that details my time in the federal government. It will be non-fiction because it will be based on personal notes taken at the time. There are a lot of characters and situations that I'll recall from those notes, which is more reportage than interpretation ... and then give a kind of recap or interpretation that is less reportage. I have been gone from this organization for 11 years. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 3:43 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for something that will block a site or list of sites completely without needing me to give the extension/add-on permission to read the contents of the sites I use. I need it to be free and available for both Chrome and Firefox and it cannot use administrative privileges (i.e., I can't edit the /hosts file). I am on Windows. The ideal would be a setting within Chrome and/or Firefox itself to implement this behavior. Does this exist, or is it a hopeless cause?
posted by peppercorn at 2:39 PM PST - 8 comments

Once or twice a year my escape room business's internet is down for a chunk of the day*. We can technically run games without internet in a pinch, but a lot of our normal processes for waivers and communications and stuff are built on network stuff, and our ability to take payment offline is more limited too. Basically it's disruptive and stressful to operate without internet, and feels bad to make our staff deal with that. Help me find cheap backup internet! [more inside]
posted by aubilenon at 2:00 PM PST - 6 comments

Please ID this song: ? Little Pony. Female singer with quiet vocals, crunchy guitar, possibly an Australian indie band from the 90s? [more inside]
posted by scruss at 1:43 PM PST - 3 comments

I have some small houseplants that I think need more light that my apartment orientation can't provide. How to growlight? [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 1:27 PM PST - 5 comments

I have GA tickets for a sold-out show at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles next week. When I bought them, I was not injured. Now I'm injured + in a boot and have a hard time standing for long periods of time. I've called the numbers on their website + left voicemails and emailed the email addresses on their website -- no response. Does anyone have any experience with getting non-accessible tickets turned into accessible tickets at the Kia Forum? If so, how did you get through? (I live in Illinois, going in-person isn't an option.)
posted by sc114 at 1:04 PM PST - 7 comments

How do we figure out how to structure a company, delegate responsibility to different roles, and grow? We're industry experts, not entrepreneurs, but we think we can sell our services if we can only get more organized. I'm bright enough to identify the tension and the lack of productivity. But I don't have the wisdom to know what issues are most important to decide, what happens when it happens, and what is #Entrepreneur BS. [more inside]
posted by rebent at 12:40 PM PST - 9 comments

Do people actually still buy things on Poshmark? I thought so, but a few days ago I favorited a bunch of items (different sizes, known brands, most randomly chosen from the front page) as a test, and none of it has sold. Maybe I'm not doing it right? [more inside]
posted by amtho at 12:30 PM PST - 24 comments

I am looking for a sideboard/buffet cabinet for a long narrow room. Because of the space, the cabinet must be 14 or 15 inches deep. It also must have opaque doors and fit with a midcentury decor. Does this exist? It’s been torture to shop for.
posted by bq at 11:55 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm looking for some software that will help my ADHD brain keep track of notes from meetings. I'm sure the software must exist, but I can't find it or even the search terms to find it. [more inside]
posted by sodium lights the horizon at 11:37 AM PST - 8 comments

Mary Oliver, who is wonderful, wrote “The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time.” I have mixed feelings about this. Is my life a failure if I'm not a published writer? It seems kind of toxic. How do you find outlets for creative work that you find fulfilling and that may never turn into a career or public recognition? I would love to hear your experiences. [more inside]
posted by mecran01 at 11:06 AM PST - 22 comments

99% of my coworkers work out a single central location and have returned to in-person office work. During the lockdown I moved to from the main office to work remotely out of a satellite office and have been having some trouble adjusting. I am looking for tips on how to work effectively as the "odd one out" remote worker, both in terms of getting things done and building solid working relationships. [more inside]
posted by btfreek at 10:11 AM PST - 7 comments

I recently went to the Tea-Biotics taproom in Olathe, Kansas, and really enjoyed it. Help me find more like it. [more inside]
posted by Ms Vegetable at 9:28 AM PST - 4 comments

What should I say when someone compliments something that I have very mixed feelings about? [more inside]
posted by danceswithlight at 8:40 AM PST - 28 comments

I'm planning to buy a Steam Deck. I was originally intending to get the midrange option (256GB) and spend the extra money on a 1TB SSD card if needed, but I'm intrigued by the anti-glare glass on the 512GB option. Does "anti-glare" in this case mean the screen itself doesn't give off too much glare, or that the screen doesn't reflect external light sources as badly, or both? [more inside]
posted by terretu at 7:54 AM PST - 9 comments

We have booked a walking tour for the north section of the Cotswold Way in June (21-27) of this year. The tour company handles the inn bookings, and will transfer any luggage we won't be carrying while walking between inns for us. We are looking for suggestions for things to see and do along the set route, especially in and around a few of the small villages where we will be staying. We will NOT have a car. More inside... [more inside]
posted by terrapin at 7:47 AM PST - 5 comments

In late 2019, I bought a new 13" Macbook Air - the cheapest new version available. I have used it a tremendous amount and now it won't charge. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 7:43 AM PST - 17 comments

Need help sorting an elderly Aunt with the iOS ecosystem, esp with texting and keeping iMessages separate. [more inside]
posted by konaStFr at 4:33 AM PST - 9 comments

I know that most shirt businesses allow you to place a square or rectangle of your artwork, but are there any that allow for a full cover? Here's an image to illustrate what I'm trying to say: https://imgur.com/a/PBRKHzu
posted by ggp88 at 2:28 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm trying to remember the name of an old browser game that I'm sure I found out about because of Metafilter. It was a turn-based strategy game where one played as a cultist who was trying to expand their particular cult by taking over people and other opposing cults. It is not Cultist Simulator. [more inside]
posted by ninazer0 at 10:35 PM PST - 2 comments

I just got my ExoSym hybrid prosthetic-orthotic, and now I am in the fabulous, exciting, and novel position of being capable of weightbearing activity without ankle pain for the first time in years! Hooray! Help me build a new workout routine with my awesome new exo-leg. [more inside]
posted by cnidaria at 10:34 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for sleep meditations that are less about good vibes and sitting in a gentle peaceful forest in the healing light or whatever and more about just getting to pretend you are something else entirely? [more inside]
posted by foxfirefey at 10:01 PM PST - 8 comments

I have been a very ignorant passive Roth IRA contributor and now I have a problem and some corresponding very low level questions. Mostly on whether I will be taxed on things or pay fees on things. Please please please be nice. [more inside]
posted by crime online at 9:10 PM PST - 14 comments

What are the laws around riding an electric scooter in the Berkeley/Albany/El Cerrito/Richmond are of the California Bay Area? I'm particularly interested in the laws around riding on the Ohlone Greenway paved path. [more inside]
posted by unus sum at 8:20 PM PST - 3 comments

I have two lists of email addresses and need a quick explanation how to interrelate them – [more inside]
posted by zadcat at 6:00 PM PST - 8 comments

Without sacrificing anything, that is. One website I went to thought I was asking only asking how to save hot water. I don't know which category to put it in.
posted by amfgf at 5:59 PM PST - 34 comments

I've heard that Turbo Tax and the like make it next to impossible to file for free, even for those people who are entitled to free filing. What is the proper way to force them to do the free filing? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 4:47 PM PST - 22 comments

My dad gets low blood sugar sometimes and needs to eat something right away. I think it would be good if he had an energy bar he could keep in the car for this purpose. It can’t be anything that would spoil in the Florida heat, and it can’t have crunchy things like whole nuts that would hurt his teeth. [more inside]
posted by Tanya at 3:13 PM PST - 26 comments

What should I play next? I finally just played this and loved it. Almost quit early on because it's hard and I really, really suck. I broke down and allowed myself to play on easy. Also completed Left Behind. Haven't purchased part 2 because it just seems so sad and I can't handle that right now. [more inside]
posted by mokeydraws at 3:08 PM PST - 14 comments

How do I push for more pay and more future certainty from my current employer, given a job offer I'm probably not going to take? [more inside]
posted by past unusual at 3:06 PM PST - 12 comments

Are there any cat toys that will simulate the extreme satisfaction my cat gets from unrolling toilet paper? I've switched the paper to go 'under', but I feel bad depriving her of what's apparently a really great time.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 2:07 PM PST - 18 comments

I bought this green, raw vanilla bean from a food market in Oaxaca. The seller told me that if I "let it dry" for six months, it would be perfect to make extract. Previously I would buy dry vanilla beans to soak in a bottle of vodka for six months. But these have become wildly expensive as well as of poor quality. Now that I am home and looking up how to dry a raw vanilla bean, I see that I am well out of my depth, as well as in entirely the wrong climate (I live in Toronto.) Can anyone tell me a more feasible way to cure this one lonely vanilla bean? Or is this now just a souvenir?
posted by uans at 11:16 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm shopping around mortgage lenders and one we like offered a 15-year Adjustable Rate Mortgage (rate stays the same for 15 years; total term is 30 years). What's the catch? [more inside]
posted by msbrauer at 10:37 AM PST - 12 comments

I am looking for an essay/blog post I read during covid, at least a year ago, maybe more. I thought maybe it was Maria Popova but I am not seeing it on her website [more inside]
posted by Brittanie at 10:27 AM PST - 2 comments

Visiting Philly in early April for 3 nights as a family of 4 (4 yo and 2yo). We know Philly well from an era before kids. Do you have recommendations for hotels in Center City that would work well for a family? I looked at Roost Midtown & Rittenhouse. Kitchen is not so important but we would be willing to pay for space and kid-friendly vibes. AirBnB suggestions welcome if you have a specific link. Thanks!
posted by allthingsconsidered at 10:23 AM PST - 3 comments

Explicit question inside about momentarily painful sex. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:03 AM PST - 11 comments

I am looking for a place that can do a private in-person psycho-educational assessment on a pre-adolescent in the Greater Toronto Area. I do not want to go anywhere that does ABA or associated therapies.
posted by anonymous at 10:03 AM PST - 0 comments

Some of my favorite places in the world are preserved artists’, writers’, and collectors’ homes, including Barbara Hepworth’s garden in St. Ives, Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge, UK, and the Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico City. I love seeing work in the environment it was created, and how real creative people lived. Do you have any recommendations for these kinds of museums or historic houses in Australia, New Zealand, or Japan? Specific cities inside. [more inside]
posted by Isingthebodyelectric at 9:39 AM PST - 10 comments

He wants me to use a 1099 "at first" and I want to say yes [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 9:06 AM PST - 23 comments

Will land in Bozeman, and original plan was Yellowstone. With the Big Weather making that highly unlikely, wondering where to go when we have a week and a car with unlimited miles. [more inside]
posted by Arch1 at 8:50 AM PST - 8 comments

Sadly, my very good friend's brother passed away. There is a graveside service, and then after that a celebration of life at his church. I am still rather covid-cautious, and so I plan to only attend the outdoor, graveside service. What would be a tactful, loving phrase to let my friend know that I will only be attending the graveside service? TYIA.
posted by SageTrail at 8:23 AM PST - 9 comments

It's been a while since anyone's asked about Atlantic City. Never been, never really had any interest in going, now have tickets for a show and am trying to plan a weekend there, or somewhere other than there. [more inside]
posted by Sweetie Darling at 7:17 AM PST - 8 comments

5000 PDFs need to go from laptop to cloud. Roughly how much time should this process require? [more inside]
posted by 5Q7 at 7:17 AM PST - 11 comments

Suggest a baking-related science fair project for a 5th grader [more inside]
posted by saladin at 5:37 AM PST - 34 comments

Like it says on the tin. I have a dearly beloved and close family member who has reunited for the 5th time with a partner who does not treat them kindly. [more inside]
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 4:04 AM PST - 22 comments

My kids, 6 & 8, are experiencing some big emotions at the moment and I'm really trying to level up my parenting game. My first stop is usually to read a book, but I am particularly overwhelmed by the sheer number of options out there and already have so little time. I'm really curious to know if there was ONE specific parenting book that you can point to which you found actually changed your approach or gave you some workable tools that you could recommend! [more inside]
posted by sxtrumpeto at 11:02 PM PST - 15 comments

For the last six months or so, my wife has been watching a lot of YouTube videos on recycling and Earth cleaning efforts. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 8:04 PM PST - 9 comments

I saw a tweet (relatively recently, but the tweet itself is probably a few years old) that sort of satirized how difficult-to-follow many of the allegations surrounding Donald Trump and Russia that emerged in the Robert Mueller investigation were. It's impossible to Google, but perhaps you know the one I mean. [more inside]
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 6:28 PM PST - 5 comments

What's the best resort in Cuba for an adult and a 5 year old. I don't want "kids club" (i.e. babysitting) I do want kid-suitable amenities including water-park like pools, calm accessible beach, good food. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 2:32 PM PST - 2 comments

I have an Excel file that is a subset of a larger one -- it is a merged file of two mailing lists; this file contains just records that exist in duplicate. Trouble is there are 3 kinds of duplicates, and I need to isolate and remove just one subset of the duplicates. This is about 2900 records, so I'm looking for suggestions on how to automate this or do it in a bulk way. [more inside]
posted by leticia at 12:44 PM PST - 12 comments

So I found a textbook worth $$$ at a thrift store...yay!!! The question is, should I sell it to one of the online book companies or try selling it on ebay... [more inside]
posted by ditto75 at 11:56 AM PST - 3 comments

I need to have a semi-private telephone conversation on Friday at 10AM within 15 or 20 minutes of 333 E 38th St. Manhattan, 10016. Any ideas of a library, working space, almost empty restaurant/cafe, or some other option where I can have private/secluded space?
posted by andoatnp at 11:47 AM PST - 8 comments

Insurance options The "Alamo Protection Package" seems to include the options above it (third party liability and collision damage waiver). But it also says that "APP is not insurance". Does this mean that it's different from picking the third party liability option separately? [more inside]
posted by xxx9038709992203 at 11:36 AM PST - 1 comment

My desk is, literally, in a closet. This is, needless to say, not ideal for video calls. I have a $100–200 budget. Recommend me specific things (not just general rules of thumb) to buy and use to improve the situation. [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone at 11:32 AM PST - 19 comments

I, a (female) software dev manager in tech, had a colleague Joe, another manager, tell me that their report, Max, was mad at me. I spoke to Max, who was indeed very annoyed, and then spent a week and emotional energy fixing Max's issues even though they weren't my fault. Max has expressed appreciation, but Joe has never mentioned it though we talk a lot. Am I right to feel a lot of distrust of Joe? Soap operatic details inside. [more inside]
posted by redlines at 11:27 AM PST - 20 comments

OK, so I am not really all that adept when it comes to phones and chargers. If I had my own way, I'd bypass the whole phenomenon, but so I have come to own a Galaxy S9plus and old charger for even later model does not fit. Other than a wireless charger, what has changed, why does the old charger no longer fit the slot? [more inside]
posted by watercarrier at 11:19 AM PST - 7 comments

This is a niche question and just kind of a gut check: I've been asked to deploy an application on Azure using Terraform. The organization doesn't currently have either setup and is using on-premise equipment. There is a belief this is simple, this is fairly a major effort ignoring the development of the application itself right? [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 8:41 AM PST - 10 comments

What's a good book to read about aeroplanes while on an aeroplane? I'm thinking of a "pop science" book explaining a passenger plane's underlying physics, engineering and design to an interested adult. [more inside]
posted by metaBugs at 8:33 AM PST - 14 comments

I saw a man yesterday with a tattoo on his face. It was a word, didn't get a close enough look to see what is said. It looked really good. Getting your face tattooed is a big commitment, and I'm very interested in hearing about people's choice to do so as it is very uncommon where I live. [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 8:24 AM PST - 19 comments

Can you share your favorite uses for canned vegetables? From mundane peas to marinated artichoke hearts, please spill the beans! [more inside]
posted by carrioncomfort at 7:44 AM PST - 36 comments

How can I tell if N95 masks available to me in SA are safe and not fake? [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 7:39 AM PST - 6 comments

Can the king appoint dukes and other noble titles for places in Canada? Like why not make Harry the Duke of Vancouver?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:26 AM PST - 17 comments

TD Bank has zelle I have TD bank account [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 4:34 AM PST - 10 comments