April 2016 Archives
April 30
Central Asia and Whiteness
How do people in or from Central Asia and ex-Soviet countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan) experience race, especially Whiteness? [more inside]
I love to make stuff. Why should I bother making stuff?
Help me make sense of why I continue to make stuff. [more inside]
posted by ecorrocio at 11:32 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by ecorrocio at 11:32 PM PST - 28 comments
What happened?
Me, a freewheeling abstractist who loves creating narratives; she, a ultra-present, literalist with eidetic memory who see things as they are. I pissed her off tonight, where did I go wrong? [more inside]
posted by pakoothefakoo at 10:39 PM PST - 41 comments
posted by pakoothefakoo at 10:39 PM PST - 41 comments
Help me identify this jazz tune. Difficulty level: instrumental
I have a tune stuck in my head that my high school's jazz band played fifteen years ago. I would really like to hear it, but I can't remember the title. Since it's an instrumental, this feels like a long shot, but I've seen AskMe work greater miracles before. [more inside]
posted by biogeo at 10:01 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by biogeo at 10:01 PM PST - 4 comments
door number one? door number two??
I was all set to attend a coding bootcamp, but my employer is pulling out all the stops to keep me from leaving. I have to give them an answer by Monday and I don’t know what I’m going to do. Help me? [more inside]
Current closet organization apps for Android?
This question "Daily look" & closet organizer app for Android? is exactly what I'm wanting to set up, but these apps don't appear to be current. [more inside]
Best way to play slither.io game to reduce lag?
Is there any way to reduce the lag while playing slither.io? I have the same problem while using the iphone 6s app (wifi), playing on the iphone browser (wifi), and playing on my computer. [more inside]
posted by LaunchBox at 6:59 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by LaunchBox at 6:59 PM PST - 4 comments
Massage therapists in Encino or Santa Monica?
Can anyone recommend a good massage therapist in the Encino or Santa Monica area?
My dad is recovering from surgery and is having a lot of muscle tightness as he is becoming more active.
Getting her back from the dead presidents
Looking for songs where the girl (or boy) is telling the boy or girl who left them - even though the two had found true love - for an opportunity to be financially or societally secure - to come back to their relationship and to real love.
SewingFilter: FBA on a triangle top and sports bras
Full Bust Adjustment on a triangle top. How does one do this? I'm sure I'm over thinking this, but I'm confused due to the lack of armscye. Will I still have to use darts? [more inside]
posted by Attackpanda at 5:38 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Attackpanda at 5:38 PM PST - 2 comments
Ghoulies And Ghosties And Long-Legged Beasties
It's another round of Name That Kitten! This lil fuzzbucket is coming to us next week with the placeholder name "MewMew". Which, no. We already have a cat named Goblin and are thinking we'd like a name that somewhat matches. Another entry from the Dungeons & Dragon's bestiary? Germanic mythology? Supernatural creatures? Please help us give poor MewMew a better nom de pet.
Why hasn't this been monetized yet?!
My kid wants a Nexo Knight birthday party. I want to buy themed tableware and decor because I Am Not A Pinterest Mom. Please help make this happen. In three weeks. [more inside]
posted by PorcineWithMe at 4:32 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by PorcineWithMe at 4:32 PM PST - 9 comments
Best new horror/suspense/evil movies out
My husband and I have recently enjoyed watching It Follows, The Babadook, and most recently and especially, The Invitation. What are some other new films we should check out? I really enjoyed the "dinner party that turns creepy/evil" setup the Invitation had, so triple points for anything else like that that is well made.
Brown Turkey Fig Tree Freeze Damage
How can I rehabilitate a brown turkey fig tree with freeze damage? [more inside]
Options for massive medical bills for retired mom?
My 61-year-old mom is worried she's going to have to declare bankruptcy due to hospital bills. Is there any way to avoid this? [more inside]
Need ideas on giving away door prizes at company picnic
We have been gathering some items to give away at our company picnic to about 150 employees, we will be able to make sure every employee gets a prize. [more inside]
posted by just asking at 1:12 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by just asking at 1:12 PM PST - 5 comments
WESTERN SAFETY/HARBOR FREIGHT SWIVEL LENS HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT BULB.
I need to get a LEB bulb for this headlamp. It comes with a regular incandescent cheapo light bulb. bulb dia. is .281 inches and length is .486 inches. It is powered by 2 AA batteries. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Paging Tolkien Nerds to the Green
I am trying to find a specific passage from The Return of the King in which Gandalf reassures Pippin about an impending battle by describing death as a passage to peaceful land to include in a memorial service program. [more inside]
posted by jeoc at 12:49 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by jeoc at 12:49 PM PST - 4 comments
Is enlisting in the Air Force at age 38 a terrible idea?
I'm 38 with a poor resume: not getting callbacks when I apply for jobs. I'm getting to feel quite downtrodden and that I'm slipping through the cracks of society. I thought I was too old for military enlistment but I just found out that technically I'm not... [more inside]
Summarizing daily reports in Excel
I get a daily report of activity from a set of items and I want to make a automatically-updating summary sheet (I'm fine doing this in Excel, Google Sheets, or Apple Numbers). [more inside]
How To Ask Mechanic/Friend About Body Damage
What is the most non-accusatory or neutral way to bring up body damage/scratches that likely occurred during a repair, when you are friends with the mechanic and he was already giving you a discount? [more inside]
posted by christiehawk at 11:14 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by christiehawk at 11:14 AM PST - 14 comments
Books to get students excited about college?
Over the summer, I meet with students who are about to start college. This year, I would like to email them a list of novels about college that they can read while they're waiting to start. I'm looking for fun books, not study guides or non-fiction tomes about the perils of binge-drinking. Ideally, I would like books that give them some sense of what college in the US is like, but in a format that won't feel like homework. [more inside]
How do I recapture the relaxation of my cruise at home?
A friend and I recently went on a cruise and it was the most relaxing and restful experience of my life. I've been trying to figure out how to recapture that experience at home. [more inside]
posted by shesbookish at 9:52 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by shesbookish at 9:52 AM PST - 3 comments
Asking Ex About Why He is Using a Picture of Us on a Dating App
I happened upon my ex's profile on a dating app and of course, I looked at it. I was completely shaken to see that he is using a picture of US as the last of his 6 pictures. I was upset and in a pretty passive way tried to ask him about it through text, which he has not responded to. We have plans to meet up next week and I'm wondering how to address this now. [more inside]
Remedial Maths for Grownups
What are good (and preferably free) resources for self-teaching high school level mathematics? Snowflakes etc. below the fold. [more inside]
posted by threecheesetrees at 8:55 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by threecheesetrees at 8:55 AM PST - 15 comments
Do I need to do anything about this sunspot?
For the past 6 weeks or so, I've been getting the same prominent "sun spot" in my central visual field whenever I'm exposed to any degree of light. It hasn't changed in size or shape in that time and I'm not having any other vision issues like floaters. I called my opthamologist's office a couple of weeks ago and they didn't seem concerned. You are not my opthamologist, but do I need to be worried? [more inside]
My Starbucks barista is totally rad. How can I thank her?
On weekend mornings, I head over to my local Starbucks for a grande green tea latte (sweetened) and a blueberry scone (warmed). The head barista there always remembers me and my order. (In fact, today my order was already ready when I arrived!) These little acts of kindness really put a smile on my face and I'd like to show my appreciation. What do you suggest? [more inside]
posted by schroedingersgirl at 4:09 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by schroedingersgirl at 4:09 AM PST - 23 comments
My job is killing my soul but I can't leave
I'm at the point where my job is actively causing me despair. Since I can't quit without getting a new job first, how do I cope every day while I try to find something new? [more inside]
Should I Apply For Training Jobs If I Have Panic Attacks When I Train?
One of the primary roles in my last job was training. At some point I started having panic attacks when I began my training sessions, which was a cause of real distress in the moment, but also longer term as I was now worried about my ability to do my job. Now that my company has closed down, I'm looking for a new job, and I've become aware that I'm subtly discounting opportunities which involve training out of fears related to panic attacks. I really don't think I can afford to overlook these positions in the current job market, but my brain keeps imagining turning up at a new job and having a panic attack in front of a whole new group of people, and naturally things grind to a halt from there. Any thoughts, advice or previous experience would be most welcome; comprehensive history inside. [more inside]
Any experience with progesterone cream?
Suffering from long-time depression and now more frequently, anxiety. I am a 48 year old female possibly going through perimenopause. OB recommended Zoloft in addition to a topical versabase progesterone cream. Some concerns because the majority of what I'm reading online (yeah, I know : / is really kind of frightening! [more inside]
Tattoo tips
On Sunday I get my first ever tattoo and likely my last. It is in Hebrew meaning it reads right to left. So, your advice would be appreciated. [more inside]
posted by bearwife at 12:24 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by bearwife at 12:24 AM PST - 17 comments
April 29
What is the sexiest Prince album?
I need to know by tomorrow night. Thanks.
Short-haired in Boston - your best salons recs please!
Looking for recommendations for hair salons/stylists in the Boston are that are good with short women's styles, without veering too much in the direction of "old practical lady" on one hand and "edgy butch punk rocker" on the other. [more inside]
posted by Ender's Friend at 8:52 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Ender's Friend at 8:52 PM PST - 6 comments
Super simple progress-tracking app
I am in search of an android app that will let me lay out X number of squares or other shapes in a grid or other basic configuration, and then click a shape to change its color when I've done the task I'm trying to track. Ideally I would be able to set up several grids to track several tasks. [more inside]
What to do in an up-or-out organization when I want out?
I have a foot out the door, mentally, but don't want to leave until I have something better lined up. I work at an up-or-out organization, and the next "up" step is on the horizon. How do I handle this? [more inside]
posted by J. Wilson at 7:10 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by J. Wilson at 7:10 PM PST - 13 comments
What are the best job search sites in 2016?
It's been a long time since I looked for a job and a recruiter got me my current gig. Have you looked for a job in the past year? If so, how did you go about it? [more inside]
How many people are born each day in the US?
I'm seeking a table that shows how many people were born in the US on a given exact date (ie, 5603 births on January 1, 2003). I've found a number of birthday frequency rankings, but the raw data has been surprisingly elusive! [more inside]
I just sold someone a used car "as is" that broke down within 5km
What is my moral responsibility when I sell someone a perfectly functional car that is explicitly "as-is" that then breaks down almost immediately after the sale is completed, when I legitimately had no inkling that there was any underlying problem. [more inside]
What to do about puppy UTI
My three month old puppy is peeing every five minutes and clearly has a UTI. Will this self resolve? How long should I wait before taking her to the vet?
Help me find an old SNL skit.
The sketch was at a party, and focused on one character who kept trying to make small talk with people but each time he tried he inadvertently offended someone. Tried talking about the weather, if I recall, and another character started crying, prompting others to berate him for not being more sensitive to the fact that the crying character's family member had been killed by a weatherman. Or something like that....
Smart, prickly hermit relative is delusional/psychotic and we're scared
A family member (with a history of being psychiatrically unusual, at the very least) has an extreme, scary and violent delusion which is making her miserable and may cause harm to others. She is a smart, fiesty, aging hermit who lives alone, sees few people and resists medical care. Looking for resources about how to handle a situation like this. [more inside]
posted by Cygnet at 2:25 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by Cygnet at 2:25 PM PST - 17 comments
How do I get through the next 4 months in a dysfunctional workplace
I'm looking at exiting my job (in a HIGHLY dysfunctional, but famous, organization) after a big event in 4 months that its important for me to see through. Help me figure out how to get through it, with many snowflakes inside. [more inside]
What song did I hear?
I heard a song the other day in a store that caught my attention. It seemed to be about having a mental illness and one line was something like, "I can't tell when I'm sick." I think it was a female voice, kind of a sad tone to the song, probably fairly recent. What song did I hear?
I mostly listen to country and I think this was more of an indi or pop song.
Is "Chinatown" an offensive term?
Is using the term "Chinatown" offensive in the urban geography context? [more inside]
What is this object from the early 20th century?
This object has been in my repository for a very long time, and no one knows what it is. It supposedly came in with the papers of an interesting politician/lawyer who served as governor of Tennessee in the early 20th century. [more inside]
Outdoor furniture that would hold up well on Dagobah?
I'm buying a new house, and it will have a deck, and I want to buy ALL THE FURNITURE! Mr. Rachael and I are in disagreement about what kind of outdoor furniture would hold up best in our climate (Eastern Shore of Maryland, perpetual 200% humidity). [more inside]
posted by missrachael at 11:12 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by missrachael at 11:12 AM PST - 12 comments
C is for aircraft, that's good enough for me
Naming multiple puppies, difficulty factor: Aircraft that start with C [more inside]
Work calendar etiquette: Do you share your calendar? How?
Do you share the details of your work calendar? Or just free / busy status? Does it depend on the person or event? I'd love to get some idea of the norms in this area. [more inside]
Novels about children abandoned by their parents
What novels do you recommend about children abandoned by one or both parents? By abandonment, I mean everything from leaving a baby on the stoop or going out for cigarettes and never returning to the parent who becomes emotionally distant and/or physically distant following a separation or divorce. I'm interested in books in which the abandonment or the child's attempts to deal with it, perhaps when grown up, is a major theme.
What's the most fun / innovative trivia round you've played lately?
TriviaFilter: I host an annual trivia night for my company and am looking for some fresh ideas for rounds/topics this year. What's the most fun / innovative / clever trivia round you've played lately? [more inside]
Best radio show/podcast to hear analysis of the NFL draft?
Working from home today and would like to listen to some commentary and analysis of the first round of the NFL draft (interested in the whole draft, actually). Recommendations for the best sports radio show I can stream and maybe an upcoming sports podcast focusing on the draft greatly appreciated.
posted by mlis at 8:59 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by mlis at 8:59 AM PST - 2 comments
Coming to Terms with Chronic Illness
Although I've been diagnosed with a chronic illness for 20 years and have been totally disabled by it for 3 years, I'm just now coming to the realization that every facet of my life has changed. [more inside]
Wasa cracker spread ideas
For breakfast I usually have two multigrain wasa crackers with peanut butter. On some days I have hummus. On others I have sliced avocado. I am getting bored of these. [more inside]
Late-twenties guy with no friends?
I'm a late-twenties guy with no friends. I feel like I need to get out of this situation somehow. What to do? [more inside]
Graphical relationship visualisation
What tools would you recommend for creating a dynamic relationship visualisation? Thinking along the lines of They Rule. [more inside]
Bra sized long-line bikini top for a 40H
Summer approaches, and having embraced the idea that all you need to do to get a bikini body is to put a bikini on your body, for the first time in my ENTIRE LIFE I am bikini shopping. I would like one with bra sizing, and the sort of long line coverage seen in this top at Torrid. Alas, Torrid doesn't have bra sizing, and the bra-sized tops I've seen (e.g. Elomi) don't have that long-line coverage below the cups. Does anyone know where I can find what I'm looking for?
Dog breaks a thing at dogsitter's. Now what?
I agreed to look after a dog for 24h. Got paid but the whole deal was informal. The dog broke my laptop (cheapo, thank heavens) while goofing around and being playful and loveable. Local (Dutch) laws about this are messy and eg insurance companies in previous cases seem to disagree on who's liable. What to do? [more inside]
April 28
Carpal tunnel surgery with infant at home
Two pronged question:
Has anyone had carpal tunnel surgery with an infant to look after? Also, please read my litany of things I've tried and tell me if there's an obvious treatment I'm missing. [more inside]
Did I get bit by a spider while I slept?
Did my face get attacked by a spider? Please help me figure out what I should do about two wounds on my face. [more inside]
posted by GoingToShopping at 10:14 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by GoingToShopping at 10:14 PM PST - 16 comments
I Forgot My Medication And I'm Traveling
I have to do a presentation tomorrow night and I forgot to take my 10 mg dose of Prozac this morning and won't have any with me tomorrow morning either. Two questions: How serious is this for my brain working tomorrow night, and how can I get a prescription filled? I'm a Canadian travelling in the United States. [more inside]
posted by Clotilde at 9:31 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Clotilde at 9:31 PM PST - 9 comments
"Do you have a cigarette I can buy?"
Is this a pickup line or prostitution code? [more inside]
Where have all the ticks gone in Arizona?
My dogs in the 70s' never left the yard, in Phoenix, yet ticks were an issue. Tons…I can remember my Dad burning them off with a cigarette (probably not the best way.)
FF to 2016, I've had a dog since 2013, no ticks nor fleas. He goes to the dog park 4 times a week (not the cleanest place.) I've had three cats for 20 years, no issues. The new area is in Tucson.
Is it an area thing, climate thing, or are ticks on the downward spiral? [more inside]
posted by atomicmedia at 6:26 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by atomicmedia at 6:26 PM PST - 15 comments
Gift for my son's (exceptional)teacher Aide who has everything!!
My son is 18 years old and has special needs . He has been with this teacher aide for 6 years.She has helped him with academics, social skills and even made him get ready for college. She has made a huge difference in our son's life. She hasn't been working for money.She has everything in life. She is an amazing lady who is very smart,highly educated, worked in wall street and took this job to make a difference in someone's life. My son was very fortunate to have her. She loves my son and has helped him to become a young man heading to college. I can't compensate for everything she has done. [more inside]
What to do, see, and eat in Berlin, Munich, and London in mid-May?
I'm taking a last-minute trip to Europe in a few weeks and will be flying into and out of Berlin. I'll only be there for 9 days, so it's a pretty quick trip, but I'll be hitting Munich and London while I'm there. Do you have any great suggestions for these cities? Some extra details inside. [more inside]
I don't want to burn the midnight oil.
How can I find a job that has a regular schedule and is limited to 40 hours per week max? [more inside]
posted by wonder twin powers activate form of a sock puppet at 4:30 PM PST - 32 comments
posted by wonder twin powers activate form of a sock puppet at 4:30 PM PST - 32 comments
Which POS software was this?
I bought some things at a privately-owned grocery store today and the point-of-sale (POS) software display that showed how much I owed was a stunningly beautiful work of MS-DOS-style ANSI design. At the top of the screen it said "ERD POS" or something like that. The digits for the cost total were even bigger and fancier than this, but that image captures the general era. What was it? And how old is it? Thanks!
posted by circular at 3:12 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by circular at 3:12 PM PST - 4 comments
How does obesity "wreak havoc on the vagina"?
While taking a break from work to peruse Buzzfeed, I came across this quote from a gynaecologist: “Childbirth, gravity, menopause, smoking, and obesity can all wreak havoc on the vagina and over time can weaken the muscles of the pelvic floor.”
I notice these kinds of statements all the time—talking about anything vaguely related to health? Make sure to mention the OBESITY CRISIS—and I can't figure out how being fat would wreak havoc on a vagina. [more inside]
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 3:11 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 3:11 PM PST - 4 comments
Too much Star Wars? I find your lack of faith disturbing...
I'm visiting my sister and her family for the weekend. My (almost) seven year old nephew is obsessed with Star Wars and I have been informed that my visit will be dominated by same.
I'm totally fine with this. In fact, I'd like to bring him even MORE Star Wars! [more inside]
posted by Mister_Sleight_of_Hand at 2:55 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Mister_Sleight_of_Hand at 2:55 PM PST - 10 comments
Peter Polliwog Syndrome?
Could a tadpole remain a tadpole, and never metamorphose, for a long time, years even? The internet implies that captivity, water temperature, or available nutrients could have an effect on prolonging a polliwog's larval state. But could this state, given the right conditions, persist for years? [more inside]
posted by RockyChrysler at 2:52 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by RockyChrysler at 2:52 PM PST - 6 comments
I'm so close to trying a community solar provider, but need facts.
Where should I start getting some better info on this? [more inside]
posted by JackT at 2:35 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by JackT at 2:35 PM PST - 12 comments
Blogs, Forwarding, Nameservers, Oh My
I (very) recently started a blog using Wordpress and a domain that I own. I was tweaking domain names and nameservers today and everything went haywire. Halp! [more inside]
posted by 4ster at 1:09 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by 4ster at 1:09 PM PST - 11 comments
Slotted spoons, serving spoons ... insufficient spoons to cook.
I'm looking for recommendations on recipes that can be batch-cooked when I have the mental energy and frozen for when I don't. They need to be REALLY easy/fast to reheat, and will need to feed one walking garbage disposal (me) and my fiance, who might actually starve in a supermarket (see snowflakes inside regarding difficulty level....) [more inside]
posted by Blue_thing at 12:49 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by Blue_thing at 12:49 PM PST - 21 comments
Milk chocolate that isn't horribly sweet?
I love milk chocolate, but all the milk chocolate I can find is too sweet. Does anyone know of a brand, available in the US, that's delicious and rich and fatty but not so sweet? [more inside]
onsite job interview and missing work
Amazon is apparently interested enough in me that they want to fly me to San Francisco to interview in person with members of the team I'd be working with. Great! The problem is, I'll have to take several unplanned days off from my current job. What is the best way to do this? [more inside]
What reliable VOIP software allows crosstalk?
I produce a podcast with guests chatting comedically in two locations. Skype and Google Hangouts mute one side's mic while the other side is talking, which really messes with people trying to interject jokes. Are there any (relatively simple) VOIP solutions that allow crosstalk and interruptions? (Audio consistency is much more important than audio quality, and we'd like to still have video.)
Slippers that wear like shoes.
Recommendations for men's slippers that have foot support like sneakers? [more inside]
posted by joyceanmachine at 10:57 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by joyceanmachine at 10:57 AM PST - 27 comments
Career coach: worth it?
I have been struggling and stressing over finding a job. I've found a recruitment agency I like (it helps women in tech!) and they recommended a particular coach. I'm worried about my finances, since I've had a rough year, and I'm wondering: will paying for a job coach be worth it? [more inside]
Conflicts abound with roommates, including a trigger situation.
Currently going through a conflict with roommates, and unsure of how to navigate the situation. (toilet paper, nobody taking ownership of getting more toilet paper, and a harsh text from a roommate) [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 10:26 AM PST - 71 comments
posted by dubious_dude at 10:26 AM PST - 71 comments
Is she too young for me?
I am a 36 year old guy who has gotten out of a divorce about a year ago. I have known this girl since approx 5 years, but not very closely for most of that period. She is 22 now. She told me some time back that she has a huge crush on me and wants, at the very least, some sort of a fling with me. I am not sure how to respond because of background and some practical challenges. [more inside]
The all-purpose flour of drywall joint compound
I need drywall compound. Can you simplify this shopping trip and/or can you point me to a reputable, simple DIY book that is not so comprehensive I have to lie down but that gives me the ordinary facts most people need to know about basic home improvement-ish stuff? [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 9:57 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by A Terrible Llama at 9:57 AM PST - 14 comments
Outlook 2010: stop accepting invitations?
How do I turn off invitation accepts for an Outlook calendar item? [more inside]
Random flank spasm: is it really my hamstrings?
You are neither my doctor nor my trainer. But for the past week and a half I've had random transitory (<1 second) spasming pains (3/10) in my right flank/kidney area. My trainer says it's just tight hamstrings and is working with me to stretch them. Should I adopt a wait and see attitude to see if it really is my hamstrings, or should I be calling the doctor? [more inside]
Talk to me about getting an MFA
I'm already a professional writer, and have been for a decade, but I've been slowly trying to shift stakes. I feel like going for an MFA would offer valuable guidance, validation, and permission to try new things. But I also feel like maybe I'd be better off lighting thousands of dollars on fire. MFAs of MeFi, please observe my snowflakes and tell me what to do! [more inside]
posted by babelfish at 8:53 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by babelfish at 8:53 AM PST - 21 comments
What could neurologically account for my difficulty with driving?
I was discussing my driving difficulties with an aunt, who told me that at least four other family members share these same traits. I am wondering what neurological or physiological issue might explain these traits. [more inside]
posted by JoannaC at 8:45 AM PST - 36 comments
posted by JoannaC at 8:45 AM PST - 36 comments
Yet another "What TV series should I binge-watch next?" question
We have Netflix and Amazon Prime. What should we watch? Shows we have liked: The Wire, Gilmore Girls, Deadwood, Battlestar Galactica, Community, Arrested Development, House of Cards, Orphan Black, Twin Peaks. Shows that we didn't like under the fold. [more inside]
Where can I ask more general technical questions?
Is there a site like Stack Overflow which allows for more open-ended questions? Kind of a technical version of AskMeFi? Bonus points if it's focused on web development. [more inside]
This is no game.
Should I let people know that one of my colleagues (in a male-dominated STEM field) is big into the pick-up artist scene? [more inside]
Help me find a therapist in NYC before I cry myself into oblivion.
I need to see a therapist but I have NO idea how to find one. I live in Brooklyn and would go anywhere in Queens/Brooklyn/Manhattan (but mid/down town and northeast Brooklyn would be best.) I would prefer to see a woman, maybe someone who specializes in emotionally abusive relationships. I have Oxford insurance but I dont know if that even covers therapy. I could pay up to $100 a session out of pocket, I guess.
I need to see someone as soon as possible. [more inside]
I failed at adulting. What should I do next in this situation?
So, I screwed up and didn't pay a medical bill basically forever. I ignored statements and phone calls and eventually I got a letter from a law firm saying they'd been authorized to start a lawsuit. I immediately went into the medical system's website and paid all outstanding balances. But it didn't stop there... [more inside]
Help name my pup too!
We have struggled for three weeks to name our rescue dog. He will be ours Saturday so we have to decide soon. [more inside]
Psilocybin Mushrooms clinically? where do i find such treatment?
I have heard that Psilocybin Mushrooms have shown to have clinical benefits for depression and addiction among other things. I have had recreational experience with it in the 70s-80s but have not used it since then. I am interested in exploring a clinical treatment with Psilocybin Mushrooms but have no idea where to start looking.
Does anyone have any experience with this clinically or have any suggestions of direction to take?
Thanks Hive...Be well
Excel Question
Is it possible in excel to create a formula that says "if a value in this column is in this range of numbers, put label x in a different column." [more inside]
posted by Lutoslawski at 6:34 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Lutoslawski at 6:34 AM PST - 4 comments
Self-Improvement Self-Assessment
I am interested in writing up some kind of self-assessment, to be completed annually or every six months or so (ish) to get a rough idea of whether my eternal quest for self-improvement has been going well over time. I'm not exactly looking to gather literal, usable data, but that would be interesting too. What should I ask, and how should I format it? [more inside]
The landlord of my vacation rental just flaked on me. What can I do?
Earlier this year, I arranged to rent a beach house for a week in Rehoboth Beach, DE this summer. Yesterday, the owner contacted me to inform me that he was cancelling my reservation because he found a tenant who wanted to rent the house for the whole summer. At this point, my vacation is pretty much ruined, as I'm unlikely to find a comparable rental at a similar price this late in the year. What recourse (if any) do I have with the owners? Did they break any laws by doing this? [more inside]
Baker of Dragons
What is the easiest way to decorate a very detailed cake made with this dragon cake pan? [more inside]
April 27
ID beetles eating my muscadine leaves
Beetles are eating my muscadine leaves. The large beetles are about the size of a thumbnail. The small beetles are the size of two grains of rice. I seem to only see them at night. Can you ID these beetles? How do I get rid of them?
How to cope with office life for the highly sensitive person?
I've begun working as an assistant in an office after years of telecommute work, and very familiar, frustrating feelings have come flooding back. I am a Highly Sensitive Person and this whole week, I spend a ton of mental energy being on all day at work, beginning with an anxious morning routine where I struggle to even get everything done. Then, when I leave work, I come home and basically sit on my couch all night and do nothing, then repeat the cycle. How can I learn to cope? [more inside]
What's up in Motown?
What should I do/see while I'm in Detroit? [more inside]
need shoe recommendation for greenhouse/horticulturist
Mr. BellaStella works in a greenhouse. He stands in water a good portion of the day. For years he's been getting cheap Walmart shoes, which last about a month, if he's lucky. About once a year, he'll get an incredibly inflamed big toe, sometimes necessitating a trip to urgent care. He wears cotton crew socks with his shoes, so his poor feet are just fermenting all day. [more inside]
posted by LaBellaStella at 8:06 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by LaBellaStella at 8:06 PM PST - 21 comments
CBEST in show
I would like to apply to earn my California Teaching Credentials, but a checkered history of past transgressions may disqualify me. Worth it to try anyway? [more inside]
Too exhausted/hung over/wrecked for a date?
Short version: Started seeing great gal, we're 3 dates in and have a 4th coming up. Banter is great, sexy talk awesome, pretty frequent texting (every 2-3 days, initiated by either). Thing is, she's now canceled/re-scheduled 2 dates on account of being... too tired. Really? Long version inside. [more inside]
What do I need to know for a road trip from California to Arizona?
I just quit my job and I need to get away from my life for a while. I want to take a road trip by myself to Arizona, but I've never been on one before. Actually, I've never left the Bay Area since I was a kid. Does anyone have some kind of advice, things that newbie travelers usually neglect that I should know about? [more inside]
How can I model the response of a car to a sharp steering input?
I'm doing some work for an engineering company that certifies modifications to cars.
One of the tests that they perform is a lane change manoeuvre test. This test simulates an emergency lane change and back to the original lane to prove the stability of the vehicle.
Given testing is relatively expensive (as it involves hiring a suitable facility), and involves some risk to the test driver, they have asked me to come up with a spreadsheet or similar that they can use to have a high level of confidence that the test will be safe before they leave the workshop. i don't know how to do that. [more inside]
G-mail is letting another person's email get through--how to stop this?
Someone out there has a Gmail address almost the same as mine, and I occasionally get his mails. What to do? [more inside]
posted by zardoz at 6:41 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by zardoz at 6:41 PM PST - 28 comments
where can I buy a pom pom ring like this?
I am looking for somewhere that sells this pom pom ring. It's a small black tinsel pom pom glued to an adjustable ring. I feel like i should be able to find them in bulk somewhere but haven't had luck looking online. I would try DIYing them but I haven't been able to find that size black pom poms in the right size 3/4-1 in diameter. These rings are my cat's favorite toys and we're down to the last one. They originally came with a nail polish order. I emailed the polish maker but didn't hear back I've bought her tinsel poms but she seems to only really love these rings.
Movies where the protagonist needs to learn to embrace imperfection
I'm looking for examples of films (not TV) where the primary character arc is that of a protagonist who is attempting to be perfectly good/strong/emotionally invincible, but needs to learn to forgive him/herself for having human failings/vulnerabilities. Put another way, movies about forgiving oneself for failing to live up to an impossible ideal of being "good" "strong" or "perfect." Any genre will do.
posted by egeanin at 6:06 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by egeanin at 6:06 PM PST - 26 comments
Best waterproof fitness tracker?
Which waterproof fitness tracker should I get for my mom? Most important things are walking and swimming. Price is open. Any recommendations are welcome. Thanks!
posted by ancient star at 6:04 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by ancient star at 6:04 PM PST - 8 comments
Financial resources for the complete newbie?
As an avid watcher of Shark Tank, I always hear phrases like "it is a so-and-so dollar industry" and "company x owns so-and-so percentage of the market" thrown around. Where can I find this type of information laid out in a layman-friendly way?
What are the actual advantages of fixed gear bikes?
I will soon need a new bike and recently found out about fix gear bikes, so I'm trying to see if they may be for me. [more inside]
What is like MetaFilter, but not brutally depressing?
MetaFilter is one of my main inputs. I get a lot of news and thinking about the world here. The problem is that it can make me feel terrible about everything, which is already kind of my baseline. Friends and family often express concern when I have been reading MeFi a lot. I am curious what sites you read that have similar properties, but are not as heavy and challenging, so that I can balance my consumption of MetaFilter and MetaFilter-like things. [more inside]
posted by brennen at 4:50 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by brennen at 4:50 PM PST - 26 comments
Can I create an online petition and moderate who signs?
Is it possible to create an online petition that isn't for the general public but is instead for a specific set of people to sign? [more inside]
How to find a list of pages I can't access on a certain domain
An odd question I can't quite figure out how to google: I'm trying to detective my way into finding out the names of unannounced products. I've figured out that if I plug the code names of these products in as the final part of a url, I get an Access Denied message. If I type in random letters or words I do not get this message. How do I find out what other pages exist that I can't access? [more inside]
Here and there and back again
What should I be thinking about when considering a professional opportunity that would see me splitting time between two cities? [more inside]
The Case of the Missing 401(k) Contribution
The lovely Ms. Quizicalcoatl recently changed jobs and rolled over her 401(k) into an IRA with a different firm. Awesome! Then, she got a final vacation payout check from her former employer...but her pre-tax contribution was withheld from that payout. The money never showed up in her 401(k). Where did that money go and how do we get it back? [more inside]
Help me find a spinner laptop bag/briefcase
I've been traveling a lot and my overstuffed backpack is wreaking havoc on my back. Help me find a better solution? [more inside]
posted by Karessa at 3:43 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Karessa at 3:43 PM PST - 4 comments
Resources for progressive thought and activism in America
I'm an older millennial who is finally getting more politically and socially engaged thanks to this election cycle, and I want to learn more about the resources (digital or otherwise) other MeFites use to be informed and stay engaged politically and socially in this country, from local to national. Nothing is too mundane or esoteric or partisan; I simply want to learn. [more inside]
Looking for an article on hybrid third-party politics.
Not sure if this was in the Blue or not, but maybe someone can help me find this article. Within the past year or two there was a news article about a 3rd party organization that was endorsing other establishment candidates from other parties in races where they weren't running a candidate. [more inside]
posted by daHIFI at 1:48 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by daHIFI at 1:48 PM PST - 3 comments
Spin workout app
a new study proposes that a 10 minute sprint interval training (SIT) routine provides benefits comparable to a 45 minute moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) routine when performed 3 times a week. I like to try it, but it would be way easier if I could find an app for my phone which would let me enter the time intervals and intensity levels for the routine, as there are 7 intervals in the routine, 3 of them lasting only 20 seconds.
Anyone know of an android app which runs user defined, timed routines? All the spin apps I've found want me to pay for a predetermined class.
Outskirts of switzerland: I can't drive!
Hi all!
I want to visit the small town of Le Noirmont in June, and the problem is, I can't drive. According to google maps, there is a train service that runs from Bern to Le Noirmont, so I think I will begin my adventure in Bern! [more inside]
posted by TrinsicWS at 12:52 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by TrinsicWS at 12:52 PM PST - 6 comments
iPad apps and learning games for a four-year-old?
Looking for iPad apps and learning games for a four-year-old. [more inside]
posted by gerryblog at 12:21 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by gerryblog at 12:21 PM PST - 9 comments
Help me find a replacement foot for a ladder.
I've got a fiberglass extension ladder with a missing bottom rail bracket and foot. All the markings on the ladder have worn off. I'd like to be able to find replacement brackets/feet, but my searching so far has yielded nothing. I have pictures of the remaining part. Can you help? [more inside]
How to watch the Mets while in Oakland
I, a New Yorker, will be spending the month of May in Oakland, CA. What are my (legal) options for watching the Mets on my computer? (The home where I'm staying has no TV.) I am a Time Warner cable customer. Also happy to hear suggestions for East Bay bars that are likely to carry Mets games, but watching at home is my top priority.
in perpetual search of parental figures
For nearly my entire life, I have had a fierce want for somebody who I perceive to be wise, intelligent, and insightful, to give me generally unconditional approval; to give me some sort of nebulous but vital reassurance that eventually, everything will turn out okay. Why? Is this pathological? [more inside]
How do I keep a realistic view of the past?
Given tendencies towards nostalgia and overly optimistic views of the past, how do you stay grounded in reality and move on from unhealthy situations without constant regret? Details inside. [more inside]
What Companies Have Remote Tech Support Opportunities?
This is probably the first of what is to be many questions about moving to a different state, hooray! Currently I work in a tech support-ish sort of job, answering customer emails. I love what I do, but I can't do it from a different state. Load me up with companies who have remote support opportunities, please? [more inside]
posted by masquesoporfavor at 11:18 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by masquesoporfavor at 11:18 AM PST - 9 comments
This plant is in our yard. It's probably a weed. What is it?
We live in southwestern Ohio, and have these plants (photos at the link) coming up all around the lawn. They vaguely resemble catnip or some other mint-variety, but the leaves have no scent. They come up quickly and bloom quickly as well. What are they?
posted by dryad at 11:15 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by dryad at 11:15 AM PST - 8 comments
"Cancelled due to legislative hate and stupidity"
As a conference organizer, what are ways to prepare for the possibility that the state where the event will be held may pass a "bathroom bill"? [more inside]
Transport options in LA without a car--cabs, Uber or what?
Later this year my daughter (by then 18 yo) and I will be visiting Los Angeles, probably staying somewhere round Santa Monica. We want to do some of the touristy things and will be going on at least the tour to the Hollywood sign. However, hiring a car is not an option. I gather the public transport options aren't great either. That leaves cabs, Uber and Lyft. Given my constraints (see below), convince me which I should use. [more inside]
posted by Logophiliac at 10:54 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by Logophiliac at 10:54 AM PST - 23 comments
Retinol Face Lotion In a Plastic Container
I am currently using this Neutrogena face lotion, and I like it a lot, except for the packaging- a small opaque glass bottle. I feel like I constantly have to buy a new bottle since it's so small, and hate that the jar makes it impossible to get the last bits of lotion out. Do you know of any similar facial moisturizers (day, SPF, retinol preferred) that come in a plastic bottle?
How to request that feedback be passed on to my boss?
The nature of my job is that I don't have a lot of contact with my immediate leader for long periods of time. I've been "on loan" to another area of the company since late last year. In that time, I've received a lot of positive feedback on my work. Sometimes this is given to me in person and other times it's through email. Is there a tactful way that I could suggest that people pass some of this feedback onto my boss, so that it can be considered when I'm being given my performance evaluation? I'm not really sure how to phrase this in a way that isn't awkward?
Should I just cut the damn bait already?
I really like this guy, but I'm not sure if I'm seeing red flags where there aren't any or if I'm totally the rebound. [more inside]
When do hydrangea leaves grow in?
My hydrangea is just brown sticks from last year. When should I expect leaves to appear? [more inside]
posted by fogster at 10:13 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by fogster at 10:13 AM PST - 8 comments
What jobs can I get with my disability and level of education?
How can I make money with a disability? [more inside]
What's non-alcoholic at a bar?
A local jazz bar has a one drink minimum policy. I enjoy jazz more than drinking. How can I respectfully ask if they have something else? [more inside]
posted by LiteS at 10:01 AM PST - 30 comments
posted by LiteS at 10:01 AM PST - 30 comments
How to be a good manager?
I am interviewing at various agencies and I just had an interview for an ACD level. I'm ready but I have only had informal management rolls, never an official title. So what is there to know? [more inside]
In a rut or time for change? Careerchange filter with art dream caveat
I started in Montessori Preschool education a little over 6 years ago right out of college and I LOVE it... except I don't.
Working in the confines of a school is getting really physically and emotionally taxing, especially since my life has done a 180
Snowflakes-> [more inside]
posted by Kestrelxo at 9:54 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by Kestrelxo at 9:54 AM PST - 1 comment
Inaccuracy/latency of wired mouse on my Mac driving me insane
I use a hardwire-connected (NOT wireless) mouse (Targus, probably older) with a MacBook Air running El Capitan 10.11.3, connected via USB through my (also) USB-connected keyboard. The response/latency of the mouse is driving me crazy! Help! [more inside]
What is the sandal equivalent of an ankle boot?
I pretty much live in these Madewell ankle boots all fall, winter, and as far into spring as sweaty feet allow. What is the sandal version of these? Excessive detail inside. [more inside]
posted by superquail at 9:37 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by superquail at 9:37 AM PST - 25 comments
Plan a Booth for a Craft/Art Marketplace
As seen previously, I've been working on expanding my artistic endeavors to actually selling stuff. My application to a local outdoor craft/art/vintage marketplace has been accepted so I now have under a month to get a booth together. I am at a loss. Help! [more inside]
The Sunset Park life
I am intrigued by the prospect of moving to Sunset Park in Brooklyn, but would love some real talk about whether it fits in my budget ($1500 for a studio/1BR) and if I should be looking somewhere else based on my priorities. [more inside]
Puppy Naming!
So in a couple of weeks this guy will be coming home, he's a wire-haired pointing griffon and we are having a hard time finding a good name. Contenders so far are Fred and Bruno. So in time honored mefi tradition help me find the perfect name!
posted by zeoslap at 9:20 AM PST - 36 comments
posted by zeoslap at 9:20 AM PST - 36 comments
We want to have our house painted and want to make sure it's done right!
Our house was built in the late 60s, and has wood siding. It appears to have been painted in the last 15 years, though we can’t be sure. We’re going from a dark red to a light gray color, It’s likely some of the wood will need to be replaced/fixed/caulked and the windows will need to be re-glazed or caulked. There’s a lot of trim that will need to be painted a second color. [more inside]
Game Show Party Ideas
I've signed up to host a grown up game show party this weekend, but life got in the way and now I'm a little under-prepared with content. I could use your ideas! [more inside]
Help me post music samples on our church website
I am pastor of a church that does many weddings each year. For years, we've provided couples a CD with 20 brief samples of classical/sacred music recorded by our church organist. This allows the couple to easily select music for every part of their ceremony, but I think it might be easier and cheaper to just post these online. Can you guide me in posting 20 or so samples of 1 minute or less on our website so we avoid the cost of copying CDs? [more inside]
posted by rdauphin at 8:53 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by rdauphin at 8:53 AM PST - 6 comments
Bra bra ;)
Asking for bra advice for a wonderful friend who has a magnificent rack: [more inside]
posted by moody cow at 8:36 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by moody cow at 8:36 AM PST - 15 comments
London, UK filter: help me come up with a wedding gift!
My friend is getting married this week, yay! I didn't get her a present originally because it's a destination wedding, but I've changed my mind and really want to get her and her hubby something nice that would be an "experience" (like a night out or something). What London-based thing (i.e. gift cert to a hip restaurant) can I get her? Needs to be something I can buy online, as I'm not in London. [more inside]
Should I ask to postpone this job interview?
I've started applying to school jobs that start next fall because I am on maternity leave until then. Not knowing how long the interview processes would take, I got started before the baby arrived. Now that she's here I'm getting requests for interviews and I'm not sure if I'm ready to take them! Some slightly TMI details inside. [more inside]
posted by chaiminda at 7:43 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by chaiminda at 7:43 AM PST - 13 comments
Indie bands that bring the bass
Reading Sasha Frere-Jones's 2007 article about the lack of audible bass frequencies and syncopated bass parts in indie rock again recently got me thinking. What contemporary indie rock bands bring the bass? [more inside]
posted by Sonny Jim at 7:39 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Sonny Jim at 7:39 AM PST - 13 comments
How do I host a weight-loss competition?
I live on a very small island and have been trying to develop a few ideas that I have, this being one of them. Our CMO constantly bemoans the state of the health of the populace based on the spike in chronic lifestyle diseases. [more inside]
Electricity / Electronics for Dummies
Please help me understand electricity and electronics. I have read the water analogy numerous times but I still can't quite grok it. Like "Ummm, Where does the water go and does it evaporate?" I have started tinkering with a Raspberry Pi and would love to build more complicated circuits with capacitors and transistors. [more inside]
Thanks for the lend of your dust magnet
Please help settle a wee debate about how to go about returning something that I borrowed from a friend, but didn't actually care enough about to watch. [more inside]
posted by billiebee at 3:53 AM PST - 39 comments
posted by billiebee at 3:53 AM PST - 39 comments
[Child-free Filter) Can cats have lasting power of attorney?
As I get a bit older and see the generation above me experience deteriorating health or even death -- and I hear my mother talk more openly about end-of-life issues -- I wonder how us child-free folks are supposed to manage old age. [more inside]
posted by Halo in reverse at 3:45 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by Halo in reverse at 3:45 AM PST - 24 comments
If you could move anywhere for 6 months to a year where would you go?
We currently live in the US Virgin Islands. We have a healthy little 15-month old boy and we are hoping for a +/-2 year difference in age for our 2nd, so family planning begins now. Zika is expected to rip around the Caribbean islands for the foreseeable future. That means we have to move. [more inside]
April 26
This'll be an easy one
What are the two circled album covers being covered on this book cover of Music: What Happened by Scott Miller? Already got covered the ones not circled.
posted by nom de poop at 8:07 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by nom de poop at 8:07 PM PST - 6 comments
Honda CRV vs. Accord: help me sort my thoughts so I can get a car!
I'm in the market for a new car and I _think_ I've narrowed the options to either a Honda Accord or a Honda CRV. Help me decide! [more inside]
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 8:03 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 8:03 PM PST - 25 comments
Bed bugs, Y/N? (Time warp edition)
For the past couple of days, I've been getting bitten by things at night. One bite on one night, two bites another night... and then last night, which was apparently some kind of crazy Ender's Game AU in which the bugs won. I thought I was getting bitten by mosquitoes, since I had the window open for a couple of nights (not last night). But a "kind" "friend" suggested these might be bed bug bites. Picture of bites included below. [more inside]
How do I fix my life?
I am about to graduate college with a business degree, a mediocre gpa, and very little experience. I have not made a single friend in college or been in a relationship. I lived with my parents for the whole entire time in college and they expect me to be married before leaving the house. I tend to succumb to extreme laziness and procrastination. I can spend 8 hours daily on the internet instead of doing homework. This procrastination has seeped into my job search. Am I ever going to be prepared for life? [more inside]
posted by sheepishchiffon at 7:28 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by sheepishchiffon at 7:28 PM PST - 15 comments
What are some good examples of Tinder-like user interfaces on Desktop?
What are some good examples of Tinder-like user interfaces on Desktop (not mobile)?
Looking for something with a similar (like/dislike) card interface, but formatted for a desktop screen. Having a hard time picturing the interface scaling well, but I'm guessing somebody has done it already, and I've got a client who's hoping to go that direction.
Would prefer not to copy cover-flow, as one of the key requirements of the interface is that only one card is visible at a time.
Trash-ure Hunt
I need your recs for best trash can dogproofing. [more inside]
My ISP thinks I downloaded GoT, but I didn't. What's going on?
I guess Canadian ISPs are starting to contact pirates to say that their downloading has been detected, and warning them that the copyright holder has been notified. I just got one of these popups, and it says they caught me downloading the season 6 opener of GoT last night.
Except I don't download torrents, haven't ever seen an episode past season 1, and nobody else has access to my network. What's the explanation? [more inside]
posted by GhostintheMachine at 5:54 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by GhostintheMachine at 5:54 PM PST - 17 comments
Contact between dates
I've been seeing a great guy. All of his behavior indicates that he's interested in me... except he's almost stopped initiating contact in the past week. I'm anxious as hell about this. I need help figuring out what this could be and how to approach it, if at all. [more inside]
How can I optimize my new wireless listening experience?
I just purchased some Jaybird X2 wireless headphones and I listen to them through my Galaxy S6 smartphone. Problem is....the sound just isn't either loud enough or clear enough for my liking. [more inside]
How do you track your potential activities so you actually do stuff?
How do you keep reminders of potential events you might want to go to, or activities you might want to participate in, so that you actually take advantage of these opportunities? [more inside]
posted by inbetweener at 3:54 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by inbetweener at 3:54 PM PST - 16 comments
Oh googley eyes, you make stuff come alive
I have purchased a package of 500 pairs of self-adhesive googley eyes in various sizes. Help me figure out what in my house to stick them on. [more inside]
Appropriate Gift for a Professor
Please recommend an appropriate gift for a professor from an auditing (ie, non-credit and ungraded) student. [more inside]
posted by Snarl Furillo at 3:06 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by Snarl Furillo at 3:06 PM PST - 19 comments
What was life like for teenagers on Long Island in the late 1970s?
I'm brainstorming a YA novel that would be set in a wealthy Long Island suburb in 1979. What was life like for teenagers then? Anecdotes, stories, and book or movie suggestions welcome. [more inside]
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 2:45 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 2:45 PM PST - 17 comments
What easy vegetarian meals can I cook for six, including kids?
RecipeFilter:
My husband and I are hosting a family of four (two grown-ups, two kids) for a few days. What easy, quick things can we cook? One of the guests doesn't love cheese (a little is okay, but no mac-n-cheese type meals) and two are vegetarians; the kids are rumored to be easy eaters. We'll be touristing all day so will likely want something we can make fairly quickly before getting the kids in bed. We have a fairly small kitchen and oven, but are decent cooks and bakers. Please share your best recipes!
posted by stillmoving at 1:51 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by stillmoving at 1:51 PM PST - 28 comments
I can bitch, I can bitch, I can better than you
What are some ranty blogs done right? [more inside]
posted by Michele in California at 1:24 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by Michele in California at 1:24 PM PST - 18 comments
Hello Muthah, Hello Faddah
Does it make sense to put my parents on our wireless plan, and if so what's the best way to do that? [more inside]
To helmet or not to helmet - plagiocephaly in 8 month old
So my dear sweet 8 month old has moderate positional plagiocephaly, and the specialist we saw yesterday suggested getting at least a consultation for helmet therapy. [more inside]
Don't want to be around kids; should I find a new job?
I am in therapy for abuse and find being around kids really upsetting for some reason. It's an essential part of my job, though; should I quit? Or are there strategies for this? [more inside]
posted by fair isle sock at 11:49 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by fair isle sock at 11:49 AM PST - 14 comments
What do you call a group of drunken sailors?
We are participating in a scavenger hunt type event and need help with a team name. Metafilter rocks when it comes to names for businesses/websites/roller derby, so give me your best nautical team names. [more inside]
posted by thejanna at 11:35 AM PST - 34 comments
posted by thejanna at 11:35 AM PST - 34 comments
how to get a good laptop??
i am student and need a better laptop for my thesis. my field is computer engineering and i work with laptop for programming. i want to bye a new laptop that has a good speed and the money that i want to pay for that is about 800$. please help me to choose the best one
posted by msmryh at 11:10 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by msmryh at 11:10 AM PST - 12 comments
Should I stay or should I go now?
My landlord is raising the rent above market. Not so much above market that it's an obvious win to move, but enough that we're talking real money. What should I do? [more inside]
Reaching out to internet strangers about a fear of reaching out
I’ve realized that over the course of the last several years, I’ve developed a fear of emotionally reaching out to people. I’m writing now because of a very recent breakup. All of the breakup AskMes have been read, and armed with those as well as past breakups, I think I know how to do breakup recovery right.
However, one thing I’m having a hard time with is asking for a sympathetic ear. Lots o' detail below. [more inside]
Need sleepable earplug suggestions.
After being awoken by my roommate and his SO last night at 2:30 AM, I'm looking for suggestions for earplugs that are comfortable to sleep in and effective at blocking out noise. Ask, what do you use to keep the sounds out at night? [more inside]
posted by isauteikisa at 10:43 AM PST - 31 comments
posted by isauteikisa at 10:43 AM PST - 31 comments
Best practice for charging my cell phone to maximize lifespan?
I recently upgraded my cell to a Galaxy S7 Edge. My previous cell phones had removable batteries, and I preferred keeping a fully-charged backup battery on me or swapping batteries out and charging the batteries separately. The new phone has no removable battery, and I would like to make sure I'm charging the battery in the best manner possible to prolong the life of the phone, but my google-fu is turning up some conflicting information. Please help me figure out an optimal charging method to avoid shortening the battery's lifespan. [more inside]
posted by hootenatty at 10:32 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by hootenatty at 10:32 AM PST - 9 comments
Help me think of ecological & botanical demos that are kinda magical.
I have been told to lead a nature walk & workshop for a Girl Scout event that has a "magic" theme. This will be in the Pacific Northwest in a coniferous-riparian setting, and these are 7-17 year old girls. Yeah, I know. that's a broad range of ages. That's why I need your help.
I'm a botanist. EVERYTHING sciency and outside is magical to me, so I'm hoping to make a list of very quick (<5 minute) demos with things found outside that have a big impact or are somehow surprising to a non-science audience. I'd like to avoid the pointing-and-telling kind of nature activity - I want these concepts to show themselves off somehow. Apparently I'll be doing this multiple times throughout the year so seasonality doesn't matter. [more inside]
Have I made a mistake?
I broke up with my first real long term boyfriend about a month ago, but it was dragged out for a few weeks so only unofficially ended with no contact a few days ago. [more inside]
posted by izz97 at 9:57 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by izz97 at 9:57 AM PST - 9 comments
Seeking information about TIAA-CREF "Intelligent Life Insurance"
We have been getting financial advice from TIAA, which, on the whole, seems to be a pretty good institution, but we have some anxiety about life insurance. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 9:32 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by DMelanogaster at 9:32 AM PST - 11 comments
Making a temporary museum look professional
A group I'm involved with wants to create and host a temporary local museum. We're struggling though with the logistics of displaying information in the venue while making it look professional. [more inside]
posted by Deflagro at 9:22 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Deflagro at 9:22 AM PST - 10 comments
I may have bitten off more than I can chew: Gen Con Edition
In a fit of "I can do ALL THE FUN THINGS!" I signed up to run three very different types of games that I love at Gen Con this August. Problem: I have only ever played these games, never run them. Additional problem: One of these games is heavy on improv, and I'm starting to get antsy about that. Looking for seasoned advice, specific resources, and hearty encouragement. [more inside]
posted by helloimjennsco at 8:35 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by helloimjennsco at 8:35 AM PST - 8 comments
What Animated Transition Effect Can We Use in iOs App?
I'm working on an iOs app (a wordy reference work). We've enabled a user to shortcut between sections via left/right swiping, and want to add an animated transition effect - something prefab we can simply plug in, as we don't have time to cook something up from scratch. [more inside]
Book recommendations for serious teen reader
My soon-to-be fifteen year old kid has officially graduated from YA novels, I think. She's tired of dystopian heroines and teen romance and fantasy/SF and looking for stuff that is accessible but also really, really good.
I'm looking for books for her that don't have to be classics, but that aren't pretty generic. Also not sexist in the vein of Updike, Roth, etc. [more inside]
What are some vintage (board)games to buy and play?
So, my boyfriend and his friends enjoy playing boardgames together, especially ones regarding strategy (Settlers of Catan, Risk, etc.).They own a lot of modern boardgames, so for a gift, I wanted to get him a few fun vintage ones that they probably won't have played before. What vintage boardgames or other games have you played that you enjoyed most, especially those that are uncommon or no longer available today (except on Ebay)? [more inside]
How to dye my hair silver and look natural-ish?
I have a coarse hairline due to hair transplants - would dying the front roots silver soften the effect? [more inside]
When are the robots going to take my job?
So it occurs to me that my entire household is supported by two jobs vulnerable to automation. How long do we have, in your opinion? What steps can we take to make sure we don't end up begging in the street? [more inside]
Cycling in Bordeaux
What is the cycling like inside the town of Bordeaux? I know the region is bike-friendly, but if I rent a flat in town, can I easily cycle around the city and reach the outlying areas? Is there a bike path along the Garonne? Any suggestions on bike rentals or biking destinations would be appreciated as well.
Leasing an apartment to a friend: good idea?
On a scale of 1 to "land war in Asia," how bad an idea would it be to rent out an apartment to a friend? [more inside]
Statistics and neural network mid-level books
I have a computer science background, but never got much formal training in statistics. I'm working more with data from psychological experiments and am interested in neural networks to model human behavior. I'm looking for two books (or maybe more): an intermediate book on statistics focused on applications in psychology and a basic book in modern neural networks. [more inside]
posted by demiurge at 6:43 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by demiurge at 6:43 AM PST - 2 comments
Leaving 1 year old for a week with grandparents, good or bad idea?
Our daughter will turn 1 in August, and we have been invited to a friend's wedding in Italy (we are in the US), so we would need about 7-9 days. We normally take her with us on travels, but it's too much of a long travel flight time for her as she hasn't been on a plane yet, so bringing her is out of the question. We did want to go on a vacation just us two after her 1 year so it kind of works out perfectly. But, I'm afraid now that the time is come that she is too young, and that it will be too hard on her (and me), and I feel a tiny bit guilty leaving her. We could really use a vacation to relax and reconnect. My mother (her grandmother) is her caretaker during the week because we both work full time, so they are very comfortable with one another and I trust her completely. Has anyone traveled that long without your baby, how did it turn out?
posted by MamaBee223 at 6:30 AM PST - 29 comments
posted by MamaBee223 at 6:30 AM PST - 29 comments
Name my 'Most Improved' Award
My company is handing out an award to 3 plants that have improved this year. It seems weird to hand out a 'Most Improved - Third Place' award. What's a good substitute for 'Most Improved?'
Exercise Crops for the Out of Shape Itch Inflicted
I searched AskMe for the the exercise/itch questions and got some interesting results. Tbh I still don't really know why. But the immediate problem facing me is, I don't know what kind of bottoms I can wear to pilates because the ones I've been wearing seem to make the problem worse. [more inside]
posted by maykasahara at 1:01 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by maykasahara at 1:01 AM PST - 11 comments
How to cope with a spouse's abusive parent's suicide?
My beloved spouse's extremely abusive [estranged] father killed himself about a month ago. They're having a hard time coping, and me too. I don't know how to support them and to cope with their limited functional ability in our relationship and in life in general. I'm looking for resources to help me with this. [more inside]
April 25
Need a hand tool to extract a threaded flashlight bulb base.
I'm looking for needle nose pliers that work in the opposite direction of regular needle nose pliers. [more inside]
Weather comparison and historical accuracy
Is there a place I can compare the historical accuracy of different weather forecast websites? I'm interested in which source is best for my location, and which source is best overall.
We had a previous question on this, and I've seen this website - but I am looking for multi-source comparison. Thanks!
My very thick hair has apparently thinned. What do I do?
A few months ago, my hair went through a massive shedding. But, because I have thick hair and because it would often shed, I didn't think too much of it at the time. However, my hairdresser says my hair feels thinner . . . and now I am concerned. Help! [more inside]
Anonymously publishing erotica on Amazon
I'm a writer, I've written some erotica that's been well-received in small forums, and I'd like to self-publish it on Amazon. However, it doesn't fit with my "brand" of my more mainstream writing, so I'd like to do so under a pseudonym with a reasonable firewall. Can you give me advice or tips or direction on where to find more information? [more inside]
Where would you go if you could go anywhere?
I have the opportunity to travel to anywhere in the world in the next year, with a significant chunk of my plane ticket & lodging paid for by my employer. It's an anniversary perk and intended for personal relaxation and self-reflection. I've never traveled outside of the US. I want to go EVERYWHERE. And I will, eventually! But I have to pick SOMEWHERE to go first. Where would you go if you were me? More about me under the fold. [more inside]
What do I do with my parents and their weird divorce/mortgage situation?
My mom cant pay her own bills after her divorce and me having to pay hers is slowly driving me crazy because I've lost my freedom and flexibility. We have a weird mortgage situation that essentially expires in 2 more years, but I want to resolve it sooner than that so I can move into a new apartment and just feel less stressed. What do I do? [more inside]
Need 2nd ed D&D modules for low levels
I'm running some 2nd edition modules for a group of Dungeons and Dragons players, levels 1-4, and could use some suggestions for more! World/realm unimportant, but we aren't doing anything too non-mainstream (like spelljammer) [more inside]
Performance review - good time to talk about leaving?
Hi, my friend is up for her performance review and has some specific issues and is wondering about the best approach:
Her contract is up in September and she has no plans on renewing it because she will be moving out of the state. If she gets a job before September she plans on leaving sooner as well. Her performance review is tomorrow and she is wondering if she should mention any of this at all.
Thanks!
posted by Dmenet at 7:18 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by Dmenet at 7:18 PM PST - 24 comments
Work lunches that are tasty hot or cold
I'm looking for work lunch ideas that taste good both cold or hot, so I can choose whether or not to reheat them, depending on what the weather's like at lunchtime. [more inside]
How to start caring again
He died and I'm feeling stuck. [more inside]
What does being loyal do for the loyal person?
Loyalty is considered a virtue. However, it doesn't seem to benefit the loyal person very much. If anything, they are much more likely to feel betrayed than their less-loyal counterparts. What does a loyal friend/partner/employee gain from being loyal? [more inside]
Health care proxy has been invoked. What power does this give me?
My elderly and mentally ill aunt appointed me as her health care proxy and it has been invoked.
I'm specifically interested in what rights I now have in regards to her living situation. [more inside]
posted by Sal and Richard at 5:21 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Sal and Richard at 5:21 PM PST - 4 comments
CAD/Drafting on Linux - What software for strange bicycles?
What software should I use to create a parametric model of a bicycle and have the software generate plan views I can send to a welder/framebuilder. [more inside]
Can I get a US green card if we are both in Canada?
Can I apply for an American green card if my spouse (American) and I (Canadian) are both residents of Canada? Or does my spouse need to move back to the USA before we can apply for me to get a green card? [more inside]
What to do in Bellevue??
I'm a college graduate (female) who is moving across the country to Bellevue, Washington in July for an engineering job. I ended up getting into a lease with some friends in Bellevue instead of Seattle like I originally planned. It will definitely be nice to be close to work (job is in Bellevue and 3 miles from our place), but I'm 22 years old and I don't have kids and I don't know if there will be anything for me to do for fun in Bellevue without having to drive to Seattle. Suggestions?? [more inside]
Possession of paraphernalia in Illinois
My friend was driving a borrowed truck last summer and was pulled over because the police suspected the contents of the pickup were stolen (they were not). Friend was carrying a couple of pills (controlled substance, for which she had a prescription, though not on her) - those were confiscated. The truck was impounded, later retrieved by the owner. So, it's 6 months later... [more inside]
posted by she's not there at 2:38 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by she's not there at 2:38 PM PST - 27 comments
Sweet home Chicago... suburbs?
I will be working in Chicago. I do not want to live in Chicago. Where can I live and have a commute that's not a total nightmare? [more inside]
48 hours in San Francisco
We've got 48 hours in San Francisco in mid May. It's not our first trip, but, it's been a while. What are your recommendations for fun/cultural things to do that aren't super touristy. How would you spend a weekend in S.F. with your wife and friends. [more inside]
Counting 101 (and beyond)
Our three year old LOVES to say his letters and numbers. When he gets to Z, he triumphantly (and accurately) announces "and that's all the letters!" When he gets to 100 he proudly informs us, "that's all the numbers!" I've tried to tell him about 101, 102, etc., but he does not believe me. He would believe it if a YouTube video or app told him so. Any suggestions? (Yep, I know this is not a big deal. I just like watching the light bulb go on when he realizes just how big the world is.)
posted by slmorri at 1:49 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by slmorri at 1:49 PM PST - 15 comments
I completely stop breathing while using my CPAP
I've been trying to get used to my CPAP for months but a specific -- and apparently unsolvable -- problem keeps cropping up. Please help me troubleshoot. [more inside]
RAM use for computer chess engine
A chess program I have allows users to build and customize their own engine, which is like the brain the computer uses when playing. Every time I open the engine to work on it, a box pops up that says "Hash Tables" on the top, then "1026 MB free memory" below it, then below that there's a box with a blank space for me to type in how many megabytes I want to use. Could someone please explain to me what "hash tables" are, and what effect(s), if any, allocating more or less free MB's to the engine will have?
posted by BadgerDoctor at 1:22 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by BadgerDoctor at 1:22 PM PST - 6 comments
How do I put somebody's eye out?
Asking for fiction: I would like to stage a FICTIONAL eye-related accident that involves a person falling into one of those fireworks that is a fountain of sparks. Let's say the person falling on the firework is 5'8" and the firework is at table height. The person trips and falls and gets the firework to the face. What sorts of physiological damage are we looking at? [more inside]
posted by angrycat at 1:13 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by angrycat at 1:13 PM PST - 9 comments
Help me gain weight in a healthy, sustainable way
I have a lot of problems trying to maintain or gain weight. I know, many people wish they had my problem, but it's been a longstanding issue. I've always felt like I was too skinny. I'm 6' and I've never been over 147 lb in my life. I'm currently 140. I know I should get more calories in, but I rarely have enough of an appetite to eat enough healthy food to gain in any real noticeable way. I'm not sure if I should be taking something extra like protein powder. I've also started running, so I've started to see a bit of weight loss there that I'd like to avoid. I think I should be closer to 150-155, but I don't know how to get there without eating crap or gaining it all in my gut. Suggestions? Oh and I'm in my 40s if that means anything.
Help with better audio in videos
My computer records videos with terrible sound even with a microphone hooked up, what are some options to fix it? [more inside]
posted by xarnop at 12:44 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by xarnop at 12:44 PM PST - 9 comments
Being drunk minus the dumb behavior
I've decided that I definitely want to get on anti-anxiety medication as I just can't go out into public without experiencing some degree of anxiety which brings on a slew of unpleasant symptoms (cottonmouth, dizziness, headaches, light-headedness, etc.). I'd like to have anti-anxiety drug recommendations that make one feel kind of like they've had three or so beers minus the whole lacking inhibition thing. [more inside]
Dentist in DC for a custom night guard
My DC dentist has informed me that, one of these days, my nighttime gnashing will rid my mouth of any hint of tooth. They suggested that I get a night guard. Where in the area should I get a custom one for less than the $700 they quoted me? [more inside]
posted by cichlid ceilidh at 12:14 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by cichlid ceilidh at 12:14 PM PST - 12 comments
When a "get well soon" card is not quite enough
About a year ago, my family moved into a house in a new neighborhood. Our next door neighbors have been welcoming from the beginning and we like them a lot. We found out recently that our neighbor had a heart attack, and is currently recuperating at home while taking a break from work. We'd like to get a gift to show our support. Flowers seem insufficient, Gift Basket maybe too impersonal. We're feeling stumped and would love some ideas. [more inside]
What's the best tiny computer?
What are your suggestions for the best tiny PC kit that I can run Windows on? I'm talking about ones that are under 8" square. [more inside]
The horror of vast/infinite things
I have discovered a specific taste for creepy stories where the creepy-factor comes not from things that are straightforwardly evil or horrible, but from things that are just... incomprehensibly vast or infinite. Help me find more of these! Examples below the cut. [more inside]
Another option instead of Hangouts?
Is there another text app (besides Hangouts) that will let you use your Google Voice number to text from and receive? I use my GV number as my main number, that way, I never have to change my number with people, should I get a new phone number. I just really don't like hangouts.
Lync on Windows 10
OK, fine Windows 10 is awful. But my partner needs to use it short term, because: work reasons. Lync isn't behaving. Can you help? [more inside]
New GPS app for iOS
MotionX, the company who made my favorite GPS app, GPS Drive, has gotten out of the business of driving apps, citing an inability to compete with Apple and Google. I'm looking for a new app for iOS with a few specific features. [more inside]
Should I buy a house near the highway?
Hi, I am moving to central CT in a couple of months and am trying to buy a house. Unfortunately our favorite house is about 1800 ft from the highway. There are a lot of trees in the area -- you can't see the highway, and the noise is distant and not an issue. HOWEVER, I have two kids, ages 4 and 6, and am very concerned about air pollution and the potential health risks. Is there a reliable way to test the air for vehicle emissions? Has anyone done this successfully? (more inside) [more inside]
YANMD: Always foggy, but my mornings rival London
I wake up every single morning feeling like absolute garbage, mentally. I have considerable brain fog, struggle to move, and everything I do feels like a Sisyphean quest. When I take an almost-exactly 2 hour nap, almost exactly 2-3 hours after waking, I don't exactly feel normal, but things definitely feel lighter. I feel more rested, anyway. What could this be, and what can I do? [more inside]
posted by marsbar77 at 9:39 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by marsbar77 at 9:39 AM PST - 21 comments
Bedtime Rituals
I've been having some sleep problems and recently saw a specialist. Among other things, he recommended creating a nightly bedtime ritual that takes about 30 minutes or so and helps me wind down. I would be appreciative if you would share your own most calming routines, best practices, good suggestions for getting into the right mental space for sleep? [more inside]
Games about trade?
I crave to play a game with trading as the main mechanic. Maybe I'm some merchant in Venice trying to work my way up to Doge. Is there anything out there like that? [more inside]
Cant use Mac to proof a PDF book created by Windows inDesign
Last year it worked fine w Mac Preview. I could highlight word or phrase with transparent color, type in correction. All corrections were magically linked to a column of comments, where highlighted phrase is repeated and then comments I type appear. Not working now: Rec a better tool, educate me re: known bug, or a better idea? [more inside]
posted by Jesse the K at 7:50 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Jesse the K at 7:50 AM PST - 3 comments
How do I create a signable PDF?
SIGNABLE PDF: I'm trying to create an easy-to-use release form using Acrobat Pro. Does the recipient need a copy of Acrobat Pro, too? [more inside]
Help me turn student grades into informative statistics with charts.
TA/Instructor looking for an easy way to plug in a list of grades and get statistical information back, preferably in chart form. I would like to see things like the mean, median, and standard deviation, and a visual representation of the the distribution. [more inside]
posted by jamaal at 7:12 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by jamaal at 7:12 AM PST - 10 comments
In total cognitive dissonance re: physical punishment. Please help.
I may be having a child soon, and it just hit me that in my mind physical discipline = success (I don't know any better). Could you please convince me that this is wrong and that there is a way to successfully raise children without terrifying them? Please help me deprogram myself. [more inside]
posted by ADent at 7:05 AM PST - 50 comments
posted by ADent at 7:05 AM PST - 50 comments
Blank wooden polyhedral dice?
Google has failed me. Looking for a place to buy blank wooden dice in a polyhedral set (d20, etc.). Should look like dice with rounded corners, not just blocks. Unfinished faces because I plan to draw on them. Reasonable balance/fairness, enough that you would be happy playing a casual game with them. Cheap and fast shipping to the US would be outstanding. I can find plastic easily but no wood.
posted by anaelith at 6:30 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by anaelith at 6:30 AM PST - 8 comments
Top Song lists
What organizations, real or imagined, put out song lists? [more inside]
Tell me about the name "Nina"
Is the name "Nina" only a nickname? [more inside]
Dog Socks? (And other dog questions.)
So I've been asking about dog ownership, and got advice here (among other places) which led me to sign up to foster a dog. This is Huggy, my 5 year old foster mutt (though she's clearly got quite a bit of Rottie in her). She has a host of problems and she will be with me for a while. As a result, I have a host of questions. Can you answer some of them? (You are not my vet-- I have a good vet. ) [more inside]
posted by frumiousb at 12:57 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by frumiousb at 12:57 AM PST - 19 comments
April 24
Help me be creative with my old dog's diet.
Our dear girl is 15+ years old, 50lbs, and becoming pickier every day. She just won't eat what we've been giving her anymore, she changes her mind every day, and we know we need to aim for low protein. Most of the time now she turns her nose up at just about everything except people food. We are OK with that, but please help us be creative. [more inside]
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 11:41 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 11:41 PM PST - 15 comments
How does a credit check work if you have 2 surnames?
Changed my last name, but credit card is still under my original surname. Does this complicate things when I get credit-checked? [more inside]
Book Filter
Sometime this millennium I read a book. I think it was written recently and was supposed to be the first of a series. It was about a future where people somehow could enter into parallel universes and would be filmed for exciting television shows back on real earth. [more inside]
posted by Literaryhero at 9:06 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Literaryhero at 9:06 PM PST - 2 comments
My cat ate a bunched up piece of elastic from some laundry
Hi my cat ate an elastic bunched up string [more inside]
In need of words of comfort in the face of godless loss.
I'm an atheist and need (short) words of comfort for my grief. Bulleted list, haiku, your own account in 100 words or less, real articles, books. I have Frankl. [more inside]
Lost stuffie quest
I'm looking for a replacement stuffie for a little sock monkey that was purchased 8+ years ago. Hopeless? [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow at 7:39 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by otherwordlyglow at 7:39 PM PST - 4 comments
breast cancer care package
A friend has been diagnosed with breast cancer. I'd like to send some care packages as she goes through treatment, but need some suggestions on what would actually be helpful / things she can use [more inside]
Catalytic converter concerns - could it be because car sat for 6 months?
I had a pre-purchase inspection performed on a used car I'd like to buy. The mechanic noticed a loud idle and some vibration at idle, and noticed a smell he said indicates a potential catalytic converter issue (I didn't notice any terrible sulfur smell, so I believe he picked up on a more subtle version of it).
He mentioned that if the car had been sitting for a long time, that could be the cause, and would be fixed by regular driving. I'd like more information, but I wasn't able to find any resources related to "car has been sitting, catalytic converter suffers" or similar. What are the odds this is a real problem developing vs. could be fixed with regular driving? [more inside]
Accio happiness! 2016 Divorce Recovery Edition
Recently divorced, I filed. Having so much trouble dealing with how I lost financial security, a decent place to live and general happiness. Looking for help/ideas on how to recover and want to go on through life. There are days when it's dragging me over gravel to get up and get going. Sidenote, treated for Bipolar I and medicated. Likely going to adjust. Seeing therapist. [more inside]
posted by Draccy at 5:09 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Draccy at 5:09 PM PST - 10 comments
google voice incoming calls
I am a sex worker (legal). I got a google voice number to mask my real number, so that I can still be reached on my regular cell but its number will not be known. I am on a family plan and am wondering, if I answer an incoming call that was patched through the google voice number, will my google voice cover number show up on the billing statement? I don't make outgoing calls with it. It is paramount for what I do to be discreet to the others on the family plan.
Where in the US should we go for our anniversary?--punk beach edition
My husband and I are looking for somewhere to go on a short vacation--4 or 5 days--for our five year anniversary in late May. We have a number of preferences, but the thing we want most is a place that has a beach and a pretty good punk scene. Beach does not necessarily have to be warm enough to be swimmable, it just needs to exist. [more inside]
Read Tumblr offline in chronological order?
I'd like to read a 7-year old Tumblr in chronological order. It's not mine so I don't have access to the dashboard to download an xml. Is there any way scrape the archives of a tumbler into a more readable format? Ideally I'd a single text or PDF file, but I'm open to other options. [more inside]
posted by paddingtonb at 3:31 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by paddingtonb at 3:31 PM PST - 7 comments
Dance "hacks"?
Ok, "hack" seems like a gross word for dancing. But someone said, make eye contact with your dance partner and track their head. And it really helped... [more inside]
Zika before pregnancy?
Is there any evidence on the effects of Zika infection before pregnancy? We might be traveling to Brazil, and we don't have plans for kids in the next year or so, but are still concerned. [more inside]
posted by molla at 1:05 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by molla at 1:05 PM PST - 3 comments
Flowers AFTER Breakup?
My GF's 17YO daughter is experiencing her first real breakup. She's devastated.
As her mom's BF for the last many years, would flowers be an appropriate way for me to express my sadness for her situation?
Color?
posted by bricksNmortar at 12:58 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by bricksNmortar at 12:58 PM PST - 31 comments
Too many flags?
Can I tell my tenant he can only have one flag in the yard? [more inside]
ADD/ADHD for the kid in the workshop
My 9-year-old son with an ADHD diagnosis has recently embraced his love of tools and tinkering. Yay! However every project he embarks upon brings such disorder in its wake, his workshop (our garage) is in a constant state of chaos and is frequently unsafe. How do I help him (and keep my own sanity)? [more inside]
posted by pantarei70 at 12:07 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by pantarei70 at 12:07 PM PST - 20 comments
Help me make foods taste more garlicky.
I made a white bean/collard green soup in my pressure cooker yesterday. The recipe called for six cloves of garlic, and I used eight. The soup was good, but I couldn't taste the garlic. I used to make a 40-garlic chicken that I loved, but now I'm eating a vegan diet for Reasons, and I haven't figured out how to make my life more garlicky. (More inside - and please, no anti-vegan comments.) [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 10:04 AM PST - 32 comments
posted by FencingGal at 10:04 AM PST - 32 comments
Becoming a slow(er) talker
I talk fast. Very fast. Sometimes, when stressed or on low sleep, VERY fast indeed. This must stop! My attempts at speaking more slowly, unfortunately, have often verged on self-parody in the opposite direction: far too slow, or like an English actor doing a bad American accent. What are some good ways to slow down my speech and avoid these pitfalls? Thanks!
Pay off your credit card with a loan - good idea/bad idea?
Is it really a good idea to get one of those "Pay off your credit card" loans? I am currently swimming in credit card debt & finance charges & I'm getting sick of it. I see ads for these things on Mint but I'm skeptical. I'm just kind of afraid of getting involved in something that will just make my situation worse & more expensive. I was wondering if any real people had positive experiences with this type of product. [more inside]
posted by bleep at 8:52 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by bleep at 8:52 AM PST - 27 comments
Advertising screen vs cheap TFT monitor - what's the difference?
I'm looking to buy a monitor for our business that I can use to display adverts/information on. Either fed from a server or loaded onto a SD card. Does anyone know the difference between a cheap used 22" TFT from eBay which I can use with an old Mac Mini and a proper "advertising screen" with a built in computer which can costs hundreds of pounds? Thanks a lot for your insights.
Metafilter, Please VOIP Me!
I'm considering some big cost-cutting changes to my home utilities (cutting my cable, changing up my telephony, etc.) but I'm a worrier. So - talk me into replacing my land line with VOIP service. [more inside]
How do I talk to attractive people?
I'm having success with online dating insofar as I've been lucky enough to go on dates with people I'm very physically attracted to! However, I turn into a terrible conversationalist with them when I'm on dates: I talk too fast, spiral off on tangents, try too hard to impress, fail to make decent eye contact and generally act like a schoolkid with a huge crush rather than the intelligent, mature adult I like to think I am. As a result, things tend to disintegrate after a couple of dates, because I'm not really being myself. How can I overcome this? [more inside]
posted by Panthalassa at 7:07 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by Panthalassa at 7:07 AM PST - 12 comments
Help me Viva Las Vegas!
I will be on a months-long work assignment in Las Vegas this fall. I've only ever lived in big, east coast cities. What do I need to know about living out there? [more inside]
Where to get about 40 helium balloons in Cambridge, MA?
I'm running an event on the MIT campus in Cambridge, MA, and I need about 40 inflated helium balloons in bunches. I'm looking to buy them as close to campus as possible, because balloons are not the easiest thing to transport. The nearest party stores I see are in Boston, but I'm hoping there's somewhere closer. Alternatively, I'd be willing to buy the balloons somewhere else and bring them somewhere near campus to be inflated and stringed, if there's anywhere that offers that service. Thank you for any pointers you can give me!
posted by mekily at 6:23 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by mekily at 6:23 AM PST - 11 comments
Weatherproof my exercise routine!
My thousandth exercise question: My exercise routine needs some tweaking. Please advise. I need options for exercise at home on days that it's too hot to go out, and given certain other restrictions. [more inside]
eReading + eResearch refresher
I have been doing most of my research digitally for a number of years, with varying degrees of success. As I finish up my phd (!) I want to refresh my research habits and streamline for efficiency. For pdfs, epubs, and online articles I currently use several services and software platforms, only some of which are compatible. Help me best this [more inside]
How to change source on a Viera TV with a YouView remote
I have a Panasonic Viera TX-32LXD80 and a YouView remote (no obvious model number, looks like this).
How can I switch source on the TV using the remote? [more inside]
posted by richb at 4:01 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by richb at 4:01 AM PST - 8 comments
April 23
Interracial relationship issues
If you are a person of colour in an interracial relationship, what do you expect of your partner in terms of understanding racial issues? In what ways do they show you they are an ally to POC? How much emotional labour do you do to help them with that? [more inside]
posted by yawper at 11:38 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by yawper at 11:38 PM PST - 15 comments
Communication is too hard. I almost want to stop speaking altogether.
Why is it that when I'm among people who presumably share my political perspective or experience, that my comments are always understood completely opposite to my intended meaning? Is this a thing? [more inside]
posted by RaRa-SpaceRobot at 11:31 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by RaRa-SpaceRobot at 11:31 PM PST - 31 comments
What's behind the Immigration counter?
What goes on on the other side of the Immigration counter when you enter or leave a country? [more inside]
90's middle eastern electronica album compilation, what's it called?
In the early/mid 90's I found a random CD at a record store that had a compilation of middle eastern electronica [more inside]
Bike computer recommendations?
My bike computer is flaking out (on 2 different bikes!!). Apparently the one I bought 10+ years ago is no longer made. Any recommendations for a replacement? [more inside]
posted by caution live frogs at 9:39 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by caution live frogs at 9:39 PM PST - 11 comments
its all right its ok
I'm looking for songs that are essentially anthems for maintaining the status quo: they are about just getting by in the world (Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees); question the efficacy of pushing for change (Revolution by the Beatles); or promote watching (For What it's Worth by Buffalo Springfield), waiting (Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer), and imagining (Imagine by Lennon) change instead of acting for it. [more inside]
posted by sockermom at 8:34 PM PST - 56 comments
posted by sockermom at 8:34 PM PST - 56 comments
How to adjust rollator brake lock position
I have a drive dual rollator and am able to adjust the hand brakes which work just fine when I'm walking but they don't brake at all in the lock position and I haven't been able to find how to fix this on line. I need to have the rollator locked to hold on to getting out of a chair. Any suggestions?
how do I add privacy/dog safety fencing to an existing chain link fence?
There's a 3 foot high chain link fence between our yard and the neighbors'. We'd like to put up a privacy fence there to keep out their dogs and block our view of their yard. How do we do that? [more inside]
Is it rude for friend to request I buy a new outfit for wedding?
I was not expecting this additional expense and was planning to wear something I already owned. Would it be rude for me to refuse? [more inside]
posted by CheeseAndRice at 4:36 PM PST - 54 comments
posted by CheeseAndRice at 4:36 PM PST - 54 comments
I'm going where? Mexico city? And Oaxaca?
I am. I leave in two weeks.
I have never been to either and I don't speak much Spanish. I would like to spend a little bit of time in the Capital—maybe a day or two at either end—but most of my time in Oaxaca. Maybe in Oaxaca city. Maybe on the coast. No sé. [more inside]
posted by Time To Sharpen Our Knives at 2:46 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Time To Sharpen Our Knives at 2:46 PM PST - 9 comments
Help me avoid being a deck dork
I am going to fix up my neglected deck. I can't afford new boards or fancy composite decking. So I thought I'd try the new thick deck coating paints. If you have experience with this I could use your advice... [more inside]
What are the most revealing signs you're not into someone?
Besides the very obvious that leave no space for doubt, I'm mainly talking about those ambivalent situations when you're not quite sure if it's you, them or the timing. [more inside]
posted by ariadne_88 at 2:10 PM PST - 36 comments
posted by ariadne_88 at 2:10 PM PST - 36 comments
How are large web applications like Facebook architected?
I'm recently getting into front-end code for large applications. I understand how complex backend processes fit in (more or less), but I am a bit confused about how things like Facebook chat works, at a high level. I'm assuming that a large, separate team works in a separate codebase then the rest of the Facebook teams. How does it get injected into the DOM them? How do they ensure no conflicts with other Facebook features? Is there a separate "master" server that pulls all this together before outputting everything? [more inside]
Isn't this supposed to be the other way around?
How do I come to accept that I don't have a mom? [more inside]
Best way to make purchases using Bitcoin?
What is the recommended wallet and exchange to make small bitcoin purchases? [more inside]
How do I find pictures of the earth from above in flyover America?
I have an art project that won’t go away which involves using pictures of the earth from above. I’m having some trouble figuring out how to find pictures that will work. (Google Earth isn't quite right) [more inside]
posted by mulkey at 12:09 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by mulkey at 12:09 PM PST - 8 comments
What Should I Do Next?
I'm currently an administrative assistant, but I've been at my current workplace for a while and want to move on. Problem is, I'm not sure what I want to do next. Can AskMe help me pick out some potential new jobs/career paths? My background/interests/various special snowflakes are beneath the fold. [more inside]
Procrastinated badly and screwed up - damage control?
I screwed up at work...despite all the time in the world, I dragged my feet on some important tasks and I let a lot of people down. What can I do to show that I take that mistake seriously and it won't happen again? Difficulty: remote team. [more inside]
Time tracking as you go
What techniques and/or software do you use for tracking the time you work on projects as you go? [more inside]
posted by primethyme at 10:13 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by primethyme at 10:13 AM PST - 19 comments
Resources to support the bullied
A child has shared several stories with me about her experiences at school that sound alarmingly like a pattern of persistent bullying. How can I support her through this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:08 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by anonymous at 10:08 AM PST - 12 comments
Design or Engineering?
Should I go for a degree in Industrial Design or Mechanical Engineering? [more inside]
What did Mickey Spillane mean by this word?
Okay, so I'm working on new subtitles for Robert Aldrich's noir classic "Kiss Me Deadly". Around 50 minutes in, Mike Hammer drops in on a character named Carl Evello, and encounters a sexy girl who introduces herself like this:
posted by Silky Slim at 8:46 AM PST - 5 comments
"I'm Friday. I'd have been named Tuesday if I'd been born on Tuesday. I'm Carl's sister. Half sister. Same mother, different father."The thing is, while her voice said "father", her lips were obviously pronouncing a different word, that was later overdubbed as "father". [more inside]
posted by Silky Slim at 8:46 AM PST - 5 comments
Should we stick with our financial/investment advisor or with the bank?
We've been using the investment service our local bank provides, but advisors keep leaving and we have to explain again what we want. The latest was the best; he understood our needs and managed our money well. Now we've gotten a call from him saying he's left the bank and hopes to keep us as clients; we've also gotten a letter from the bank saying "[new guy] is replacing [old guy] as the Investment Advisor on your account(s)." We don't really want to change advisors again, but we also don't know what's involved in the decision; your thoughts are welcome.
posted by languagehat at 8:46 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by languagehat at 8:46 AM PST - 14 comments
Help make our trip to Europe amazing, Carcassonne edition
Our family will be spending a few days in Carcassonne, France in June. We're traveling with kids, so our plan is for a mostly low-key trip filled with lazily exploring the city. But we're also looking for other unique or special experiences we could do as a family that would really make our trip special. [more inside]
Help a new college grad not squander an opportunity
I was accepted into an excellent, competitive graduate program, but I don't know if this is what I want anymore. Am I just getting cold feet? [more inside]
posted by metacognition at 7:54 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by metacognition at 7:54 AM PST - 8 comments
Good books about small scale history
Please suggest pop-history books about day to day life, objects, design and culture. [more inside]
posted by signal at 7:49 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by signal at 7:49 AM PST - 14 comments
Careerfilter: ISO boring, sane, 60K+ job
I work in a somewhat "sexy" industry which has traditionally been a bit lower-paid than other industries. I'm looking for advice on moving into a more "boring" industry that pays a bit better (if one exists!) [more inside]
driving (not racing) simulator?
I'm looking for a driving simulator that isn't racing, or at least in which racing is optional. Do these exist? [more inside]
posted by colin_l at 7:24 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by colin_l at 7:24 AM PST - 12 comments
Place this line: Don't let them into the house.
There's a comedy scene that's been sort of stuck in my head but I can't place what property it's from. It starts with a motley crew of gold hearted but disreputable protagonists trying to gain access to some location, and then... [more inside]
posted by moonlight on vermont at 6:36 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by moonlight on vermont at 6:36 AM PST - 5 comments
April 22
Replace the PSU in my Lenovo, or junk this POS?
Lately my Lenovo G510 has been restarting when I move it. A little research suggests it's a bad power supply unit. This machine is less than two years old, but it's never worked that well and I don't know if it's worth another repair or if I should just get a new laptop. [more inside]
Best scooped pickups for electric guitar
Strat players - JM Big Dippers or Seymour Duncan scooped pickups? [more inside]
Beef Wellington near North Oakland
Where should we go to have Beef Wellington? Accessibility to North Oakland (walking, BART, and driving are all viable options) and price are factors.
Help with Mexican Theft
All five passports, computers, Ipad, phones, etc were stolen from our Villa in Akumal.
We travel tomorrow.
I am borrowing a neighbors computer.
Despite all of our vacation photos being gone, I guess our main concern is getting home. [more inside]
Looking for a less expensive replacement DC motor for Gene Cafe roaster
I have a Gene Cafe coffee roaster that appears to have a dead motor (receives 12V, doesn't turn, shaft is frozen even with gear box removed). The company sells a replacement motor for $39, plus shipping that brings it to almost $50. I have a strong suspicion that this motor should cost around $10-$15. [more inside]
Who is the 90's kid's Bowie/Prince?
I'll delineate more under the fold, but in brief: Who were the world-opening figures in music (or arts generally) that got into the ears, hearts and minds of the kids born ~1985 and there after? [more inside]
posted by Cold Lurkey at 7:05 PM PST - 95 comments
posted by Cold Lurkey at 7:05 PM PST - 95 comments
Looking for an old definition.
What does 'trimming' refer to in terms of a "dry goods and trimming" store? [more inside]
posted by Tristram Shandy, Gentleman at 5:40 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Tristram Shandy, Gentleman at 5:40 PM PST - 5 comments
Will sedating my cats before taking my cats on a plane stress them out?
My indoor cats have never had to deal with a loud, crowded airport before. They're never flown. We have to pick them up when we go through security, and one of them hates being picked up. I'm really worried about them getting overly stressed. I'm getting conflicting info about the effectiveness and side-effects of sedatives. [more inside]
posted by grumblebee at 5:20 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by grumblebee at 5:20 PM PST - 27 comments
Frito Feet and Stanky Pet Pits: A Cornish Rex Conundrum
I need advice from short hair cat breeds. I have a lovely Cornish Rex, Louise, who is white (and pink where her skin shows through). She gets dirty quickly, and I don't want to bathe her too frequently, because a) she doesn't like it, b) even though I towel her off, her little short curls and damp fur make her miserable and cold, and she's afraid of the hairdryer, and c) I don't want to dry her skin out, because it's so exposed... see inside for more fun Cornish Rex Facts!!! [more inside]
posted by Dressed to Kill at 4:50 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by Dressed to Kill at 4:50 PM PST - 16 comments
Save a bad gin
We bought a bottle of gin. It is...not good. Can we turn it into something palatable? [more inside]
posted by Bunny Boneyology at 3:33 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by Bunny Boneyology at 3:33 PM PST - 21 comments
Bertolt Brecht : So where do I start?
Bertolt Brecht : So where do I start? and why do I start where you suggest?
Caveat: English language kindle or pdf only as books aren't going to make it through the postal system.
For a car newbie, are swap meets useful?
I'm a really new automotive DIYer. I'm interested in all the auto swap meets that will happen this spring/summer. Should I go, or will it all go over my head? [more inside]
putting classical music chops to good use in different types of music?
I find it hard to be creative with music [more inside]
I Want to Buy a Record Player
I would like to buy a record player as a gift and have a soft budget of $150. Where do I begin? [more inside]
What are my options for this family dilemma?
I am getting married in August. I'm very excited to be married, have not much enjoyed the planning process. I am at a loss for how to proceed with my parents after a wedding related disagreement and would like to get some feedback on possible responses. [more inside]
Advice for a New Law School Instructor
What advice and resources would you give someone teaching at law school (or the university level in general) for the first time? [more inside]
Weren't TV commercials supposed to get quieter?
Anyone out there still watching the TV? I thought there was some new rule that commercials were supposed to get quieter, but AFAICT they're just as loud if not louder -- I'm sure I've even heard the volume being ramped up as a commercial started. [more inside]
posted by mpark at 12:33 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by mpark at 12:33 PM PST - 6 comments
What painting is referenced in this Simpsons screen grab?
Can you tell me what painting the Simpsons are referencing in this screen grab? [more inside]
posted by furtive at 12:01 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by furtive at 12:01 PM PST - 4 comments
Did I hallucinate this award/charity show phenomenon or did it exist?
I somehow believe there was a THING going on in the 1990s/2000s that involved all kinds of pop stars and presenters and performances that were deliberately intended to be edited into one continuous stream that would fit together (going forward and backward, too). [more inside]
Did Snapchat hellban my garden injuries?
I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for this, but I am curious about it in any case. I took a few photos for my "story" in Snapchat when I was working on the yard yesterday including one later where I pointed to my cut up forearms from working with all the brush. When I spoke with my SO today, he'd seen the story, but not that specific photo. We compared notes sitting right next to each other: when I look at my story on Snapchat, I see the image. When he looks at my story, it skips right over it. When I look at who has seen my snaps, all the ones around it have a few views and that one has zero. What happened? [more inside]
Book and TV recommendations for me and my sweetie
My husband and I like reading books together and talking about them, but man--do we have different tastes! I like slow moving, detail oriented things and he likes big, interesting ideas. Any recommendations? [more inside]
d20 with all 20s
Where can I find a d20 (20-sided die) with 20s on every side? [more inside]
posted by ghostbikes at 11:06 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by ghostbikes at 11:06 AM PST - 13 comments
Fruit tree disease
I have 4 fruit trees: apricot, nectarine, peach, plum. 2 of them appear very unhealthy in their foliage: apricot & peach. The other 2 are fine. What's wrong with them?
Pictures [more inside]
posted by Akeem at 10:18 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Akeem at 10:18 AM PST - 7 comments
How to mimic what happens (chemically) to analog tape as it ages?
I'm a musician, working on someone's project where the sound needs to be very accurate to the recording techniques and sound of a specific time period in the early 80s. There are many steps in the recording process, but the sound of old tape is one of the more difficult ones to get right. Even if no one here has an answer, I would love to be in touch with someone who knows what happens chemically to analog tape as it ages (under normal storage conditions), and whether it's possible to mimic that process chemically with a new reel of tape. Thanks!
posted by dmalashock at 9:50 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by dmalashock at 9:50 AM PST - 5 comments
Best annotated literary recommendations?
What are some excellent annotated versions of already excellent books? [more inside]
Is Ting, Google Voice, and BYOD the best for me?
I’ve never had to buy my own phone or cell plan before -- it’s always been through an employer. I know the phone I want, and I want to get the best value on it and a suitable service plan. I have a strawman. Is it the right idea? [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 8:41 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by daisyace at 8:41 AM PST - 23 comments
What do one percenters say about the rest of us?
Those of us who are not in the one-percent class sometimes say snarky things about our socioeconomic betters. Apart from Mitt Romney's infamous 47-percent gaffe and capitalist generalizations about success and poverty, are there any other nonfiction sources that shed light on the American elite's attitudes and beliefs about those of us who inhabit other social strata? What are they saying?
posted by A. Davey at 8:28 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by A. Davey at 8:28 AM PST - 25 comments
Simple time-card programs for Mac
I'm looking for a barebones timecard app for Mac. I feel like the thing I'm looking for has to exist, but I haven't found it yet. [more inside]
Migrating apps/data to new PC: Zinstall a good option?
I'm about to transition to a new Windows PC and of course need to migrate numerous apps and data from old to new. Having done this many times, I have a process but it's time consuming and involves lots of re-installs and updating appdata and all that happy stuff. [more inside]
book recommendations
In Wade Davis' book Into The Silence, he mentions the Tibetan plateau as the meeting place of various religions of the world. Can you recommend books that cover or relate to this subject? [more inside]
Neck Spasm Treatment
YANMD, but what sort of doctor should I seek out for this neck spasm that seems to be a recurring issue? [more inside]
Ideas for recipes and resturants when on a restrictive diet
My niece has been having some GI issues and has just been put on a restrictive diet. She is at my house this weekend and I am looking for some recipes and possible restaurants that would have a lot of options for her this weekend and going forward? Cuisines that don't tend to utilize these elements? websites with recipes for people on restricted diets? [more inside]
Water-resistant sunscreen for running
What sunscreen/sunblock do you wear while running or doing something similarly sweaty outdoors? Is it great, and something you'd like to recommend? Ideally available in Ireland or the UK. [more inside]
posted by carbide at 6:16 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by carbide at 6:16 AM PST - 8 comments
Cycling in London: best route from Angel to Paddington?
I have to take a bike from Angel to Paddington train station this Sunday afternoon. I've never cycled in London before or taken a bike on the tube. Please help me figure how to do this with both the bike and me in one piece at the end of it. [more inside]
What online media do politicians read?
I don't know any politicians well enough to ask this, so I don't know if it is even a reasonable question, but what online stuff do politicians read? [more inside]
Risking damage - Running with an Injury
I've just received a group email from a relative telling us that she is pulling out of the London Marathon on Saturday due to injury. [more inside]
Modify PPT deck on iPad; get it onto a flash drive?
Is there yet a way to edit a PPT deck on iPad and then get it quickly onto a standard flash drive? [more inside]
Is it possible to change bad professional reputation?
I had a nightmarish experience during my PhD which is in most part due to my supervisor. I barely made it through and graduated with no publicaitons and shattered self-esteem. Thanks to a lot of luck, I landed a good postdoc position. It's a very narrow field of work though, everyone knows everyone and my PhD experience continues to haunt me... [more inside]
posted by sockiety at 12:03 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by sockiety at 12:03 AM PST - 20 comments
April 21
How is this question like those other four questions?
So my contribution to the seder tomorrow is a reading/poem/spoken word piece/joke/interpretive dance/whatever about The Four Questions. What should I contribute? [more inside]
How do I deal with these thoughts of quitting drinking?
I stopped drinking about 5 weeks ago. I'm still baseline low key depressed like I've been most of my life (with occasional swings in either direction), but in general I am calmer, less confrontational, less impulsive and less argumentative. There are zero downsides to not drinking alcohol. But as the time since my last drink increases, the more I worry how disappointing a relapse will be. How do I keep a realistic perspective? And how do I stop this internal belief that alcoholism is my "destiny?" [more inside]
posted by blackzinfandel at 9:15 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by blackzinfandel at 9:15 PM PST - 25 comments
Is this a real book?
There's a book used as a prop on the tv show Elementary and I'm wondering if it's real or not. [more inside]
posted by the webmistress at 7:17 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by the webmistress at 7:17 PM PST - 3 comments
How to best record a Skype call?
I'm looking to record a Skype call. Not the little picture-in-picture thing, but a split-screen thing where I'm on the right half of the screen and my co-host is on the left half. Is there any easy way to do this? I've already purchased the Call Recorder plugin, and I know that Quicktime does something similar to this. But what's the best way to get a high-quality, split screen interview recorded, without paying an arm and a leg?
It's a real pain in the...
Let us suppose that you have injured yourself. Perhaps you've (presumptively) torn your rotator cuff by falling out of bed. Let us further suppose that the area in which you live has a major prescription drug abuse problem, and it takes an act of God to get a prescription for opioid painkillers. Cortisone shot was two weeks ago. Tylenol and Advil point and laugh at your pain, but that's about it. How do you manage your pain? Medication, meditation, woo or not. YANAD. Gimme your best pain hacks.
Best SQL query classes in Portland, OR
My work is offering to send me for some SQL training, however, there are a number of options in the area and I am looking for some personal recommendations.
I have some basic query skills using MS SQL Server Management Studio but I have never been formally trained and I don't want to waste this opportunity. Have you taken any classes on SQL querying in Portland, OR? Was it worth it?
Thanks!
Quirky.com or InventionCity?
I have created a prototype of what may or not be the next big thing since selfie sticks. The thing works and I know how to make it better, and now I need to know the cheapest way how to make money out of it. [more inside]
How do I go about expert witnessing?
Assuming I've got the expertise and credentials nailed down, how should I hang out my shingle as an expert witness?
Basic google searches find a lot of directory services with mostly what look like low bars to entry, are these reasonably legitimate, are there some known to have good reputations? [more inside]
posted by Across the pale parabola of joy at 3:59 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Across the pale parabola of joy at 3:59 PM PST - 4 comments
Will Roku or Chromecast allow me to watch the Olympics this summer?
I have no cable. I do have a rooftop antenna that gets me about 5 PBS channels only.
I don't understand how Roku or Chromecast work--I'm really dumb in this area. I have a TV with an HDMI port.
I really want to watch the Olympics this summer. Will either device allow me to watch Prime Time Olympics for free or even at a cost?
What's the best place to buy general-purpose sneakers?
I've been coasting for a while on a pair of shoes bought about two years ago, but they're starting to show their wear. I have very little experience shopping for shoes and don't have the slightest idea what my options are. Durability is important, since I spend most of my time in one pair of shoes. Online is fine; Chicago-based is also good. I'm fine with national brands and local.
posted by LSK at 2:30 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by LSK at 2:30 PM PST - 15 comments
MYOPIC BRETHREN please help me swim
How do you, my fellow glasses/contacts wearers, handle swimming in pools? [more inside]
posted by poffin boffin at 2:11 PM PST - 51 comments
posted by poffin boffin at 2:11 PM PST - 51 comments
How to watch Game of Thrones on a Budget.
I'm a cable cutter with a ROKU and Amazon Prime, Netflix and Hulu subscriptions. I enjoy Game of Thrones and ROKU offers a one month free trial with a subscription to HBO Now. I'd like to watch the upcoming season for as little money as possible. [more inside]
posted by srboisvert at 1:53 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by srboisvert at 1:53 PM PST - 11 comments
Gregg Reference Manual: 2004 or 2010 edition?
I'd like to buy this for work but I didn't want to spend $50, as I'd never get reimbursed. A used copy circa 2004 is $6. Is there any significant difference between the 2004 and 2010 editions? It's probably a no-brainer to get the 2004 version but I don't want something that's completely obsolete.
It IS the largest country in the world
What should I buy and cook from the Russian supermarket? [more inside]
posted by ariadne's threadspinner at 1:39 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by ariadne's threadspinner at 1:39 PM PST - 17 comments
Container Gardening, Now With Less Deck Collapse!
When installing a container garden, does the distribution of weight matter for the safety of the deck it's sitting on? [more inside]
posted by shaka_lulu at 1:24 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by shaka_lulu at 1:24 PM PST - 9 comments
Catastrophizing about what could be a catastrophe
The next week is going to be a rough one for me. My father is going in for cancer tests this week. He'll be seeing a oncologist on Friday before getting a biopsy for what could possibly be lung cancer on Tuesday. He clearly hasn't been diagnosed with anything yet (so who knows, it could be nothing, I guess), but I have been a wreck since Monday. I cannot stop imagining the worst case scenario. I am so afraid of my father being seriously ill and dying and these thoughts are just consuming me. I am completely petrified. How can I cope with this uncertainty? And if the news is bad, can I even survive? [more inside]
Purchase a CD or Buy It on iTunes?
Should I buy a CD or just DL the album from iTunes?? [more inside]
Where to vacation in the American South?
Some friends and I are planning a trip to the South. No particular occasion. We’ll be starting in Charleston and plan to spend a few days there and in Savannah. We have another five or six days of time, but where should we spend it? [more inside]
Couch to Backpacker program?
Is there a hiking equivalent of the Couch to 5K? [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 11:37 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by The corpse in the library at 11:37 AM PST - 17 comments
Don't look at the keys!
Need help finding keyboards with blank keys for kids to learn touch typing. [more inside]
Any way to resolve a ticket (inspection sticker) before court date?
When I moved to New York from Massachusetts and registered my car here, I was told at the DMV that my MA inspection sticker would be valid until it expired. Today I was pulled over by a cop and issued a citation for not having a NYS inspection sticker. He told me that I could go to court and tell the judge that I was misinformed and they’d probably waive the fine. [more inside]
posted by Kriesa at 9:57 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Kriesa at 9:57 AM PST - 8 comments
Kosher for Passover Vitamins and Supplements - Help
So me and mine are in need of taking various supplements and vitamins to keep us in somewhat good shape, my beloved has a few medical conditions for which she needs a variety of homeopathic and allopathic items. I need to know where to find an updated list to make sure there's no chametz. [more inside]
posted by watercarrier at 9:51 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by watercarrier at 9:51 AM PST - 6 comments
Dissertation Editing Services
I'm curious about using an editing service for the final edits on my dissertation. Any suggestions for services/ethical complications? [more inside]
Kicking Him When He's Down
He's in jail, and it's his last strike...and, unfortunately, we have to kick the guy while he's down. [more inside]
Did Jello compromise my endoscopy today
I am having an upper GI endoscopy this afternoon at 3 pm (scope down the esophagus to the stomach/small intestine). To prepare for it I was told to have only clear liquids this morning including water, tea, clear juice, jello, etc. and to stop all liquids and ingest nothing by mouth at 11AM (4 hours prior to the procedure). At about 8:15/8:30 this morning I had 1 cup of cherry jello for breakfast. I'm reading now that anything red should be avoided during endoscopy prep.
Medical MeFi'ers: Since the jello was over *6 hours* prior to the procedure and was afterward washed down with copious amounts of plain water, clear juice, and clear tea will it be okay; or does the "red" linger in the stomach and cause problems with the imaging?
posted by cuddles.mcsnuggy at 9:10 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by cuddles.mcsnuggy at 9:10 AM PST - 8 comments
Most Professional Bang for the Buck?
I'm graduating with my Bachelors in Logistics and Supply Chain Management & Administration in a few weeks. What should my next steps be? [more inside]
Cast-iron skillet: Enamelled on the outside but not on the inside?
I am looking for a very specific kind of cast-iron skillet: one where the outside is colorfully enamelled but the inside is just plain old cast iron. Do such skillets exist? [more inside]
Help me be the best uncle to a newborn
I'm about to be an uncle for the first time and I AM BEYOND EXCITED!!! I want any books, instructional videos, lullabies, songs, stories, tips, tricks, and advice that will make me the most fun, capable, safe, entertaining superhero-uncle-to-a-baby-girl in the history of the world. [more inside]
posted by Triumphant Muzak at 8:44 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by Triumphant Muzak at 8:44 AM PST - 20 comments
Need to maintain my French during a year off using it
My French is good, but I am not a native speaker. I am looking for books, podcast, blogs, YouTube channels etc. which I can use to maintain it during my maternity leave. [more inside]
Should I Eat It?
A sandwich with white bread, sharp cheddar cheese and dry-smoked hard salami is left at room temperature in a ziplock bag for about 8 hours. Is it still safe to eat? Can it be put in the fridge after the 8 hours and be good the next day? I'm not concerned about taste, just safety.
What's the best speech to text software?
I have lectures (around and hour each) that I'd like to transfer from recorded audio to text. I figure that my students are more likely to read than to listen. What is the best way to accomplish this?
posted by Fister Roboto at 8:05 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Fister Roboto at 8:05 AM PST - 3 comments
Ok, so my entire music library just disappeared from iTunes.
I was noting to a friend the other day that iTunes sucked. Something must have heard me and decided to take revenge, because my entire music library just disappeared in a puff of smoke (not literally, but damn near). Halp! [more inside]
Help us use fewer zip-lock bags
We use a lot of zip-lock bags in our house, most of them one-time uses and it kind of makes me uncomfortable. I'd like to figure out how we can reduce our usage of them as much as reasonably possible.
Things that we use them for: [more inside]
HMRC Election to be treated as Connected
I am self employed and one of my clients has asked me to sign a letter to HMRC asking to be considered jointly connected so that they can claim R&D tax relief on what they pay me. I know you are not my tax advisor etc but can anyone tell me what the ramifications might me for me if I sign this. [more inside]
How would you identify the meaning of this symbol?
A colleague likes to put riddles and challenges on the chalk board. This particular question is about how to discover the meaning of an "ungoogleable" symbol. I jokingly suggested that Ask Metafilter is the right answer, and now I am challenged to see if that's right. [more inside]
posted by anotherpanacea at 5:45 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by anotherpanacea at 5:45 AM PST - 18 comments
Need to record 8 hours of continuous video, on the cheap
I need to record an upcoming training classroom session from start to finish. All the videocameras I see, as well as iDevice apps that I can find, record in high def and can't store nearly enough footage.
Low quality video, akin to a 1990s camcorder, is a tradeoff I'm willing to accept. I need the 8 hours to run continuously - no pauses to change storage cards or upload content in order to create space for more filming. Is there an app that will do this? If not, what's the least expensive solution?
Where do the files I download from Google Drive go?
I hit download, and it completes, but I have no idea where the folder is. Googling the problem hasn't helped. Windows 10.
posted by Sebmojo at 4:31 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Sebmojo at 4:31 AM PST - 11 comments
interesting family composition.
So my partner has an interesting family that we cannot, sort of, steer around or clear of since they live practically next door (small village)
and the father in law is ticking me off something extreme. [more inside]
posted by xcasex at 4:28 AM PST - 30 comments
posted by xcasex at 4:28 AM PST - 30 comments
Change of career at 51
I work in a job which, though currently secure, may not be in the next couple of years. I'm 51 and would like some advice on what to do if things go pear shaped. [more inside]
What is the funniest statistics-related joke that you know?
Please tell me the funniest statistics-related joke or jokes that you know.
I give talks and run workshops about statistical concepts - broadly defined - to mixed audiences. Jokes will be used as ice-breakers. The ideal joke will be funny to everybody, and doubly funny to statisticians. [more inside]
posted by Erinaceus europaeus at 1:42 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by Erinaceus europaeus at 1:42 AM PST - 26 comments
Please help me figure out if I should move back home to SF from NY
I impulsively moved from SF (I grew up in the Bay Area) to NY in October, but so far don't love it, and am wondering if moving back home will improve my life or if I need to give NY more time? [more inside]
April 20
Birthday gift ideas for hubby
I only ask here because the birthday is approaching and I'm getting desperate! He is a computer engineer. I believe his interests are varied: he likes to draw, fiddle with things, spiderman, culinary experiences. Any and all suggestions welcome! Things I've considered: something from thinkgeek or one of those food of the month subscriptions.
posted by Forty-eight at 11:38 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by Forty-eight at 11:38 PM PST - 16 comments
Groveland and Yosemite...let's dream! Toddler edition!
I've never been to Yosemite, which I'd like to remedy this summer. It's totally overwhelming to me, as I want to do EVERYTHING, but probably can do a little since we'll be bringing a toddler. Looking for recommendations! [more inside]
Canadian West Coast shopping
Heading to Victoria and Vancouver next week - what unique stores may we be interested in checking out? [more inside]
What is the weirdest book in the history of English literature?
It could be a novel, a non-fiction book, a diary, poem or play. Bonus question: how about the weirdest book from other global literary traditions?
posted by dontjumplarry at 7:49 PM PST - 50 comments
posted by dontjumplarry at 7:49 PM PST - 50 comments
What's it like to live in or near Hammond, Indiana? Should I?
Where to live in or near Hammond, Indiana? [more inside]
posted by skewed at 7:11 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by skewed at 7:11 PM PST - 8 comments
What is this weird insect we found in our California yard?
My wife found this weird insect in our LA/California backyard while gardening. It looks like a slim shiny wasp body got itself into stuck in large shiny copper colored head. Is it a destroyer of pests or a destroyer of crops? A harmless passer-by? Friend or foe?
We must know!!!! [more inside]
posted by Hairy Lobster at 6:26 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Hairy Lobster at 6:26 PM PST - 9 comments
Is it weird for someone to ask me to change the date of my party?
I have close friends who, when they can't make it to a social occasion I'm planning, invariably ask me to change the date so they can come. I think it's bizarre for them to suggest- either come or not, but I can't reorganize everything for all the other people who have already RSVP'ed yes, for one person. Is this a normal/appropriate/common thing to ask? [more inside]
Cooking once for the week
I have one day a week in which I can spend some time cooking. Right now, I always cook up a big batch of spaghetti, mixed vegetables, and pork chops. None of it is flavoured or seasoned. It's what I eat all week, every week. What recipes would you recommend to make my life more interesting? [more inside]
posted by clawsoon at 4:10 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by clawsoon at 4:10 PM PST - 23 comments
I need headphones where I can actually hear someone talk
I'm going out of my mind trying to make phone calls outdoors, where everything is noisy. Help me find not-hugely-expensive headphones that will let me do this. [more inside]
I'm sunk! Help me find a picture from a gender bias study.
There's a famous study of gender bias in which people were shown a picture of a person next to a sink....when the participants were told the person was female, they reported that she was washing dishes. When the participants were told the person was male, they reported that he was repairing the sink. But if it's such a famous study, why can't I find the picture? [more inside]
What do I do with this damn pension?!
Leaving my job long before retirement - do I roll over my pension contributions or wait to take the money? [more inside]
Feeling queasy after meeting up with ex-boyfriend.
An ex of mine was in town recently, and after seeing him again, I feel somewhat off kilter. [more inside]
Painted or anodized metal bicycle fenders
Looking for a company or bike shop that sells stainless steel or aluminium bicycle fenders (of this style) painted or anodized to match or closely mimic the factory color of a specific bicycle. Ideally in or around the Seattle metropolitan area, but not a requirement. Not looking for dyed plastic. Does a specific company or bike shop exist that offers this product or service?
What's the name of this magazine layout technique?
This sounds dumb but I don't know what to do in NYC
I'm taking a four day trip to NYC over Memorial Day weekend (solo). I have plans on Sunday evening but other than that, my time is completely unaccounted for. And aside from a few non-specific ideas, I'm overwhelmed by choices. [more inside]
posted by AFABulous at 1:12 PM PST - 32 comments
posted by AFABulous at 1:12 PM PST - 32 comments
How can I make a document I can tab through?
I have a lease with blank spots to be filled in with new tenant's information. Previously we have had this document as a PDF, and entered the new information by clicking on the blank spots and typing. This is tedious. How can I make a version of this document that has fields that we can tab through? [more inside]
Why Some Online Radio Streaming Doesn't Seem to Work Well
It seems that the streams of some online radio stations don't connect or don't stay connected. I have visited a lot of public radio stations and listened to their streams and often, they will drop out and reconnect unexpectedly. By contrast, Tune-in and some of the other pass thru services seem to always connect and manage to stay connected. Is Tune-in and other services better able to shake hands with my possibly out of date browser or is the problem not with me and instead, with the stations themselves, or somewhere in the middle?
posted by CollectiveMind at 12:54 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by CollectiveMind at 12:54 PM PST - 1 comment
Should I apologize for a Facebook comment?
My cousin's husband shared an anti-trans video from an extremely anti-LGBT organization on Facebook. I commented that it was "disgusting bigotry," and later that night he deleted his account. I don't regret calling him out, but I do feel a little bad that my comment (may have) led to him leaving Facebook altogether. Should I apologize? If so, how? [more inside]
posted by bradf at 12:50 PM PST - 40 comments
posted by bradf at 12:50 PM PST - 40 comments
They don't pick up alien signals.
When we purchased our house it had two Dish satellite dishes attached to the side of the house; the first on the roof and the second attached to the brick. Three years later they're still there and we still have no plans to use them. How do we get rid of them?
NY Presidential Primary results
Can anyone explain why several NY neighborhoods that went strongly for Zephyr Teachout in the NY gubernatorial race then went strongly for Clinton in the presidential primary? I'm looking at Greenwich Village, the Upper West Side and Park Slope in particular. I thought Teachout was running on a campaign finance reform platform.
Help keep the sun off of my giant head.
I'm having trouble finding hats to fit my size 7 1/2 head. Translated into general hat sizes, that is an XL. All "one size" hats perch on the top of my head like steampunk fascinators. i'm a woman, and would prefer not to exclusively wear men's hats which is what I've been doing. The main purpose of the hats are sun protection, so they would ideally have a brim that goes all the way around.
Extra points if you can recommend an actual store in the NYC area!
Iceland vacation plans a bit amiss - help!
When there seemed to be an endless supply of RV's/motor homes for rent my week in Iceland yesterday, I bought my air tix from the US. Today though things seem to have dried up and I'm being offered only trailers mounted on an F-150, which might work if I have to.
Plan was to drive around Ring Road etc. and since we're obviously late for this summer, figured that would save the trouble of endless hotel reservations and disappointments.
Any MeFites have any suggestions to save my trip?
What is the benefit of cordless tools?
Assuming that I only use the tools around the house and already have extension cords is there some advantage to cordless tools that I'm missing? [more inside]
(How) can I get a discount on a sofa from CB2?
I would like to buy this sofa from CB2. I would not like to pay full price. Do they ever have sales or promotions on furniture? [more inside]
Tree ID in Atlanta, GA
A friend has moved to a new townhome in Atlanta, GA and has asked for help identifying this tree. All of my searches have come up short. [more inside]
Maximum head cooling - Shaved or Buzzcut?
Going to Florida in a week, where it is hot and humid.
Right now, I have buzz (#1 all over, slightly grown out) but I'm wondering if I should go fully bare in order to maximize heat loss. [more inside]
The miracle of life...and cat pee.
I'm totes pregnant! With twins! Yay! Apparently, one of my cats is not as excited about this development as his human counterparts are. While snuggling with me this morning, he turned around, faced his pee parts towards me, and sprayed. It was not awesome. How do I discourage this (hellish, foul) behavior? [more inside]
AudioFilter: Help me listen to podcasts in the car
I play podcasts from my Android device through an external-audio input cable in my car. The volume range gives me migraines. Please help? [more inside]
How to deal with anxiety about actual health problems?
I've got a new health condition of some kind to add to my pile of years-long preexisting conditions. Bloodwork and unwanted weight loss seem to point to a particular condition, but we're not 100% sure yet. It's probably not something that will kill me anytime soon, and in a majority of cases doesn't even cause any painful symptoms. So why am I wigging out about it? [more inside]
I do not have any voicemails, Android. SERIOUSLY.
I have a Nexus 5 running Android 6.01. I have a notification that will not clear that says I have 5 voicemails. I have zero voicemails. The internet is positively lousy with advice on how to fix this. Not a drop of it works. HALP.
Best prenatal vitamin?
I'm planning on getting pregnant in the next few months, and I know the folic acid in prenatal vitamins is actually most useful for preventing birth defects if you take it in the weeks before getting knocked up. So, I find myself in the market for prenatal vitamins, but I'm finding it hard to do any research at all about what brands are better or worse. I turn to the hive mind. Obsessive over-thinkers and over-researchers of metafilter: what is the best brand or type of prenatals? [more inside]
getting sick before temp agency interview
Is this temp agency going to write me off as unreliable because I got sick? [more inside]
trichloroacetic acid?!
I visited a gynecologist who told me I have HPV and wants to remove small warts with trichloroacetic acid. Does anyone have experience with this? [more inside]
Bird experiments for six-year-olds?
Can you help me come up with some bird-related experiments or projects for six-year-olds that teach a simple version of the scientific method? [more inside]
Itinerary me, please? Eastern Europe travel.
I have the opportunity to spend 12 days in Europe including travel time, flying from Los Angeles, and am interested in exploring a (small, given my time constraints) swath of Eastern Europe. I would like to meet up with a friend for a night in Paris, but after that my itinerary is open. I don't have a point of departure back to the States yet, but will have to book my tickets in the next day or so. Where should I go? [more inside]
posted by Everydayville at 2:06 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Everydayville at 2:06 AM PST - 7 comments
April 19
Vendor "Take-Back" Software Licensing
My company bought thousands of dollars of client hardware and software from a vendor on behalf of a valued customer. They apparently gave us a server software license without charging us for it. Can they come back two years later looking for payment? (snowflake details inside) [more inside]
posted by cross_impact at 10:53 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by cross_impact at 10:53 PM PST - 6 comments
The State We're In
Anyone knows any way I can still get the audio files of the show's episodes? I'm desperate. [more inside]
New Windows, Allergy and Noise Edition
Have any of you noticed an improvement in your allergy symptoms after installing new windows? We have single-pain windows now, from the 70s, and I have an asthma attack every time my neighbor mows his lawn. Would new windows help that much? Do they also help with the noise? Would I maybe go an entire day without hearing my neighbors' yippy, untrained dogs? Is it worth it just for that? [more inside]
posted by myselfasme at 9:50 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by myselfasme at 9:50 PM PST - 11 comments
ISO of an iPhone app that can record sound decibel level
Is there an iPhone app that can record sound, date and time, and indicate how many decibels the sound being recorded is at? I have an iPhone 6S.
posted by invisible ink at 8:16 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by invisible ink at 8:16 PM PST - 3 comments
Help Me Choke Down Some Sour Grapes
I am having trouble being not happy for my friend's once in a lifetime opportunity. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 7:53 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by j_curiouser at 7:53 PM PST - 20 comments
I want to "upgrade" downwards
I have an iPhone 4 which is starting to show signs of age and is becoming unreliable. New iPhones are technically something I could pay for, however I can't really bring myself to shell out $400 for one. Apple isn't selling refurbished phones any more. [more inside]
Overhearing neighbor's verbal abuse to his kids - what to do?
I live in a nice suburb of Chicago, and our house is very close to neighbors on both sides. In the summer, when windows are open, we can occasionally hear one neighbor (male, lawyer, not that it matters really) yell and swear at his young kids, such as "Don't drop the f-ing ball again!" really mean. [more inside]
Bay Area beaches: out to murder me or what?
When and where in the SF Bay Area can I safely boogie board? Are there safer beaches? Safer tides? I see scary reports of several drownings a year, and it seems like all the beaches say, "Hazardous rip currents, if you go swimming you're an idiot." Baker Beach and Ocean beach don't seem especially hazardous to me, but the conventional wisdom is that they aren't safe for swimming. [more inside]
posted by wnissen at 6:37 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by wnissen at 6:37 PM PST - 7 comments
Movies with animated or illustrated prologues
What are some live action movies that feature opening sequence prologues, done in animation or graphics and voiceover? [more inside]
posted by scuza at 6:28 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by scuza at 6:28 PM PST - 23 comments
Creative ways to transform mud for a backyard party
I'm hosting a party at my house but my back yard is a muddy, weedy mess. What are some simple (cheap), temporary solutions to use my back yard for one evening? [more inside]
Out-of-state job quandry
Hi,
My husband has applied for a dream job in another state. His application could take several weeks/months before we hear either way (a Federal position). I have found a position that I am well qualified for, but the end date for accepting applications is in five days. Is it tacky to apply for a job when you might not move to the state, or if your availability could be several weeks/months out? Or if I did apply and get an offer, and had to withdraw my application if my husband doesn't get an offer?
Makeup maps for my giant eye orbs
I have large, round, protruding eyes. I love eye makeup! Can you point me to some eye makeup how-tos or styles that match the shape of my eyes? [more inside]
posted by Crystalinne at 5:07 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Crystalinne at 5:07 PM PST - 7 comments
I need to get 3rd flatmate on the lease, owner will only put dwn 2 ppl
Hi there!
I know you are not my lawyer- but.
Myself and another person are going to be renting a two bedroom two bath flat. I met some other tenants in the building and they are renting the den as a bedroom, and a real estate agent even mentioned this option to me. The owner only wants two people on the lease, he doesn't want to feel like he is renting a "group" apartment. A friend said her Dad (an atty) helped her draw up a side contract on the side when she was in a similar situation. However, since I am not the owner of the property what rights would I have? I can't sublease the den to the third roommate because I do not own it. Any thoughts? The third roommate is willing to provide us with her ss#.
thanks!
posted by TRUELOTUS at 4:38 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by TRUELOTUS at 4:38 PM PST - 20 comments
Copywriters/humorists of AskMe, help me with some pithy phrases?
I need help with some very short phrases for some promotional buttons I need to make. Help me? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 4:26 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by BlahLaLa at 4:26 PM PST - 20 comments
Help me find a CSA pickup in Charlotte, NC
After this metafilter post, I'd like to sign up for a CSA in Charlotte, NC. [more inside]
posted by raccoon409 at 3:57 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by raccoon409 at 3:57 PM PST - 4 comments
Is there any way to get my hacked Instagram back?
My Instagram was hacked into earlier today, and both the password and associated email were changed. [more inside]
posted by bookish at 3:56 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by bookish at 3:56 PM PST - 3 comments
How to send email to a group in Gmail on iPad?
I administer the email for a community group and will need to send email to the group while I'm on vacation. I will only have an iPad. [more inside]
posted by Joleta at 3:40 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Joleta at 3:40 PM PST - 6 comments
Legal Requirement for Website Footer
Is there a legal (not seo- or usability-related) reason you have to have copyright or legal information in a site footer? [more inside]
Weekend getaways from Melbourne?
I'm an American who has been living in Melbourne for several years and my mom is coming to visit. We are hoping to get out of town for a couple of days to somewhere driving distance (ideally within 3 hours from Melbourne). We've already done the Great Ocean Road, Mornington Peninsula, and Philip Island so hoping for something new. [more inside]
Consequences of switching a website over to Wix or Squarespace?
After redesigning a successful Wordpress site with Wix or Squarespace, will there be a negative effect on online searches from perspective new clients? Also, if worried about malicious attacks from computer savvy people with an axe to grind, what would be the safest option? [more inside]
London on a six-hour layover
I've lived in New York and Boston and Sydney; I've spent time in France, Greece, Germany, and even a week in Manchester; I've been through Heathrow many times, but I've never set foot in London proper. And now I'm heading to Germany on Friday, and have another layover in Heathrow. But this time it's different: I have a six hour layover, a US passport, and a single carry-on bag, nothing checked. Help me do this. [more inside]
posted by RedOrGreen at 2:25 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by RedOrGreen at 2:25 PM PST - 29 comments
Name and network of a cable TV interview show?
Anyone know the name/station of a recent cable TV interview show shot in high contrast black and white? [more inside]
posted by jeff-o-matic at 2:04 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by jeff-o-matic at 2:04 PM PST - 2 comments
Vegetable gardening: Lining plastic pots to prevent leaching?
What would be the best way to line a pot made of non-food-safe plastic so that I can grow tomatoes in it? Got the pots without thinking about the material and they're not returnable... [more inside]
Beyond "The Bins"... Thrift Stores in PDX
What are the best thrift stores in portland these days? I'm looking for places with nice finds, but without the not so nice "vintage" price markups.
Experience with Delta Vacations?
We find ourselves in the enviable position of having significant travel vouchers to use up with Delta, and are also in need of the most decision-free vacation possible. Do you have experience with the pre-packaged Delta Vacations, which include hotel+airfare+taxes? Can you tell me about it, especially if you've been to Hawaii or Mexico? [more inside]
For any IRS workers or accounting lurkers here
I was lightly whining about the pain of sending in my first quarter taxes yesterday. A Facebook acquaintance stated (paraphrasing) that not only can he not afford his back taxes from last year due to not paying his pre-paid amounts, but he can't afford the new first, second, third or fourth quarter payments either. [more inside]
Looking for sturdier Kindle 7" case that can keep screen higher
...and then fold back close when I'm done. My 1st gen tablet had a more stiff cover so the bottom half would support the kindle. I could watch movies at a higher eye level while on a treadmill or elliptical. [more inside]
How is a container of cremated remains lowered into a grave?
I've been to funerals where a casket was lowered into a grave using some kind of machine – what's the equivalent to this when the remains are cremated and put into a small box or urn? I imagine there's some happy medium between a giant apparatus and just dropping the box into the hole. If it makes a difference I'm interested in particular in how this is done in graves without a vault.
How do I become a digital nomad?
I have been working as a junior developer/"data engineer" for about a year and a half, and while I enjoy writing code, I am unhappy with the 9-6 lifestyle and want to get to a place in my career where I have more freedom. Specifically, the freedom to work remotely and intermittently. What can do I to make that happen within the next few years? [more inside]
Should we eat this chicken?
Left chicken breasts in a crockpot for an hour without turning it on by accident - is it safe to eat after cooking? [more inside]
posted by jouir at 12:03 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by jouir at 12:03 PM PST - 15 comments
Help me navigate the world of ethical/sustainable food sourcing
I'm becoming increasingly frustrated with misleading labels at the grocery store - "cage free" eggs that cost three times as much but the chickens are treated no better than the cheap eggs, "grass fed*" beef with an asterisk. I am willing to pay more for genuinely ethical/sustainable meat, dairy, and poultry. I am not willing to pay more for bullshit labels. Help me navigate this landscape without being misled. [more inside]
posted by telepanda at 11:54 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by telepanda at 11:54 AM PST - 15 comments
Need to freshen up these skills
There is an online job I'd really like to apply for. It's customer support for a company that provides user experience information for a business's website. I think I'd be good at it except for one requirement. [more inside]
Communist baby gift
I have friends that are expecting their first child. He is an intellectual Marxist and runs a communist/socialist intellectual magazine. What would be a really witty baby gift? [more inside]
Fish aren't cute
My daughter is allergic to cats and dogs, even the supposedly hypoallergenic types. What kind of pets should I suggest to her that we consider getting instead? [more inside]
Was my great-grandfather a cross-dresser?
My brother recently showed me some old family photos that show my great-grandfather wearing a dress. My question is: was this a light-hearted thing to do in the times or was my great-grandfather a cross-dresser? [more inside]
How can I "just do what I want" when I don't know what I want?
How do I get married when every aspect of weddings is shrouded in complicated family and social pressure, to the point where I don't actually know what I really and truly want? [more inside]
posted by Sara C. at 10:37 AM PST - 87 comments
posted by Sara C. at 10:37 AM PST - 87 comments
Intellectual property of public lectures
Who owns the rights to a publicly delivered lecture? I came across this issue today at work and the case at hand was resolved to everyones satisfaction, but it is a question I have pondered for a while without a more general, good answer (so far I managed with individual arrangements but this may not be the best approach). [more inside]
What tool does my team need that's part project management, part DB etc?
I'm drowning in Google results because I'm not even sure what to call what we're looking for - I feel like I should know but I'm drawing a blank. We need a tool to capture information about customers and vendors and also manage things we need to do for those customers. Details of what features we're looking for and what specific things we'd be doing with it inside - can you recommend tools, or tell me what search terms I need to use to get to the right kind of tools to check out? [more inside]
Great storage options for pantry staples?
Please recommend your favorite pantry storage containers. [more inside]
posted by kristi at 9:51 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by kristi at 9:51 AM PST - 19 comments
You got me there, now help me decide what to do!
What should two awesome ladies do with a week in Buenos Aires? [more inside]
posted by chainsofreedom at 9:51 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by chainsofreedom at 9:51 AM PST - 3 comments
I'm wondering what to do with $100,000 in cash.
I'll be getting a nice chunk of change fromt the passing of a family member. I'm looking for a little financial advice on what I should do with it. [more inside]
Need homemade cookies in like 4 hours
I need to make some homemade cookies for some baby shower favors, like 15 small baggies. I have butter, maybe 2 cups of regular flour but a whole box of pancake flour, lots of Quaker oats, and enough eggs, sugar, vanilla and baking powder. Can I make something with this?? [more inside]
Prius Penske Canine Cat
Me, my husband, my dog, and my cat are all piling into two vehicles (our Prius and a moving truck) and driving 2000 miles. How do we keep from killing each other (especially the dog)? [more inside]
Short-term Apartment Rental in SLC?
I've been living in Salt Lake City in Airbnb's for the past couple of months, which has been great in terms of flexibility, but I'd now like to rent a place (furnished, with utilities) for a little longer - let's say 3 months. Online there's a myriad of apartment rental sites, but it's a minefield and none that I've found give me any confidence that they can provide what I'm looking for (requirements inside) - is there a particular recommended service or site for this purpose? [more inside]
Jewish (?) rhyme about matrilinearity
Trying to remember a little rhyme I heard a while ago about matrilinearity. [more inside]
posted by Promethea at 8:43 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Promethea at 8:43 AM PST - 3 comments
Breaking out after moving to California?
I moved to California a week ago & since I got here I've been breaking out. I never break out. ??? [more inside]
Looking for resource to print company overview and notepad combo
Maybe it doesn't exist, but I'd like to combine the following into a bound or spiral workbook. See inside... [more inside]
Ridiculously Insignificant prize for Rock Paper Scissors competition.
I get to lead a rousing game of team-building Rock Paper Scissors next week at work. Looking for clever ideas for a prize. [more inside]
posted by CathyG at 8:00 AM PST - 32 comments
posted by CathyG at 8:00 AM PST - 32 comments
Do I wait or do I go?
So a while ago, I asked how to give the relationship talk. I finally did it a little while ago when I felt ready but the answer was essentially that he isn't ready. He recently got out of a mega-long relationship and is worried about repeating that. My question is, do I wait for him? [more inside]
Where did this light fixture come from?
What retailers treat their employees well?
I would like to spend my shopping dollars at stores that treat their lower level employees well. Where should I shop, and where can I find information on how retailers treat their employees? [more inside]
Best books and online resources for new public school teachers?
I'm an ESL teacher with several years of experience teaching adult ed. I'm transitioning to the public school system. I have my license but in order to interview well and actually teach public school students, I feel like I need to read up! I haven't had any formal education in teaching and I want to get myself up to speed this summer. What books and blogs would you recommend for a newish teacher? What books are read as part of Masters in Ed programs that are actually useful? [more inside]
posted by chaiminda at 6:45 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by chaiminda at 6:45 AM PST - 12 comments
Tool/service to track when a website has undergone a major redesign
Let's say I have a list of 20-25 websites and I want to be notified if they undergo any major website changes. Without checking these websites myself every week, what other way could I be informed if they undergo major changes? I don't want to know about minor site updates, but like if they completely redo their website (so this would be a pretty infrequent event for any individual website), I want to be informed pro-actively rather than stumbling across the website by chance.
posted by like_neon at 6:17 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by like_neon at 6:17 AM PST - 7 comments
Is it fun for you to pretend you're me and buy dog vitamins?
It has recently come to my attention that someone is using my (very uncommon) name, previous address, current cell phone, and very old email address to shop online. But to what end? [more inside]
Quotation about Catholicism in Ireland
Can anyone give me a source for a quotation about knowing what the Roman Catholic Church was like by looking to Ireland? [more inside]
posted by Logophiliac at 3:29 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Logophiliac at 3:29 AM PST - 3 comments
Ah dinnae ken whit ah dinnae ken... aboot Scotland
Campervanning family holiday in Scotland in early May. Yay! I've googled like mad and bought a guide book, but what's really worth seeing? And what aren't they telling me? In other words: what less obvious things, places, foods, sweets, experiences, etc. would you recommend? This is free form, anything goes. [more inside]
posted by sively at 1:48 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by sively at 1:48 AM PST - 18 comments
April 18
Need help finding a place to live in Melbourne
Asking for a friend who is staying in Melbourne, Australia for the summer - he is a student arriving end of April and leaving end of August. Any help finding a place, or pointing me towards resources that would be useful for this, would be greatly appreciated! [more inside]
What should I make for dinner when I don't know exactly when it'll be?
I'm having 3 friends over for dinner on Wednesday. We're all med students, and two of them will be coming off shifts at the hospital, which will end some undetermined time between 5pm and 8pm. (Most likely between 5 and 6.) What is something good to make when you're not exactly sure when folks will arrive? Note: I don't have a slow cooker or intend to get one, and I don't have a microwave. I do have a stove and an oven. [more inside]
posted by ocherdraco at 9:20 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by ocherdraco at 9:20 PM PST - 25 comments
Accidentally shorted wages.
I've suspected that there have been errors on my paycheck for a while due to a new book keeper, and I confirmed this on my last paycheck where they shorted me nearly half of my hours.
I want to ask them to pull and audit the last 6 (if not 12) months of my paychecks, especially the ones since the new book keeper took over and started using their new internal Quickbooks system. [more inside]
Why do so few people live in Wyoming?
WY do so few people live in the state north of Colorado? It is the least populous state in the nation and almost all its neighbors have twice the population. What accounts for such a large difference?
posted by Monochrome at 6:47 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by Monochrome at 6:47 PM PST - 29 comments
An economic history of the French Revolution
I'd like to see an article or book on the economic history of the French Revolution. While the poor crops and unusually harsh winters seem relatively self-explanatory, I'm interested in the personalities and the constraints that seem to lurk along the edges. [more inside]
posted by ibmcginty at 5:56 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by ibmcginty at 5:56 PM PST - 10 comments
A character wearing all her clothes to run away?
My mom has this very distinct memory of the character of a young girl (book or movie) wearing all her clothes as she tries to run away. I can't find where it's from. [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 5:06 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by quadrilaterals at 5:06 PM PST - 10 comments
House bras!
I'm looking for house bras. House bras are non-underwire super-duper-crazy-comfy bras that offer a modicum of a 'having it together look' with a maximum amount of comfy--comfortable enough to sleep in. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 4:16 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by A Terrible Llama at 4:16 PM PST - 21 comments
Best Films To Watch On A Big, Beautiful Screen?
We are house-sitting this weekend at a place with a divinely large TV screen. We normally watch movies on a laptop. What movies would you recommend that are best consumed on a big home screen -- movies with lots of color, action, and style that will treat our eyeballs (as well as entertain our brains)?
Make tailgating great again
Seeking recipes (vegetarian friendly) to bring to futbol matches and eat before the game. [more inside]
Makeup with longest shelf life
My little bottle of foundation is four years old and barely used. I put on full makeup maybe five times a year. What specific type and brand of makeup will stay stable for multiple years, or barring that, is sold in tiny enough amounts that I will use it up and feel like the cost was justified? [more inside]
posted by Mizu at 3:30 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by Mizu at 3:30 PM PST - 15 comments
Advice for dealing with painful sex (penetration)
I'm in my mid-late thirties, a woman dating men, and penetrative sex has always been painful or uncomfortable to varying degrees. What are some ways I can deal with this? [more inside]
All my dreams are dead? Talk to me about changing careers.
For the past decade, I've been working at a career as a documentary filmmaker. I've been successful enough to keep going, but I'm starting to fantasize about moving on to do something else with my life. If you've left a creative job, how did you know it was time to quit? [more inside]
posted by ohisee at 2:23 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by ohisee at 2:23 PM PST - 7 comments
Nursing Schools Internationally
I'm looking into going to nursing school in a few years and I'm trying to understand what the options are internationally. [more inside]
No, not macaw. Maca.
How does one use maca powder? [more inside]
posted by Enchanting Grasshopper at 1:57 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Enchanting Grasshopper at 1:57 PM PST - 7 comments
I have been denied entry to the UK, what are my options?
After 3 years and 51 routine visits the UK where I have a client, I was rejected from entering last week. More inside... [more inside]
posted by postergeist at 1:36 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by postergeist at 1:36 PM PST - 9 comments
Earbud recommendations?
Straightforward question: I need new earbuds. Snowflake details inside. [more inside]
Road Food Montreal-Boston?
Where's some good eats on the drive from Montreal to Boston?
I looked at Chowhound, but the posts all seem to be 7+ years old. Where have all the chowhounds gone? [more inside]
posted by musofire at 1:12 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by musofire at 1:12 PM PST - 13 comments
TMS For Depression - Experiences
Does anyone have any experience personally with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as a treatment for depression/anxiety? [more inside]
Calling food science professionals
Do you have a degree in food science or are you a non-degree professional in that field? I'd like to hear about your experience in the industry. [more inside]
Hollywood accounting
I've been reading about Hollywood accounting. If the numbers are made up, what good are the accounts? Why doesn't the government mind?
Passover Dessert
I've been invited to my very first Passover seder! It is going to be a potluck, and I have been tasked with dessert. Help me find an awesome Kosher-for-Passover dessert that doesn't have chocolate in it. [more inside]
posted by PearlRose at 11:18 AM PST - 32 comments
posted by PearlRose at 11:18 AM PST - 32 comments
What non-Apple slideshow software should I acquire?
Windows 10. I need to acquire (buy if necessary) a good slideshow program. It must be able to output high-res .mov files as the stuff I'm creating is to be integrated into a movie project.
Hopefully, it will afford me the ability to program some fairly complex moves, zooms, transitions (ie: not just a few stanard Ken Burns style defaults). Hopefully, I won't be in for a BIG learning curve as I have deadlines looming. [more inside]
posted by philip-random at 10:42 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by philip-random at 10:42 AM PST - 6 comments
Name my storyboard business?
I know this is a bit of a long shot but in the next few hours I need to pick a name for my new storyboard business. I'm hoping not to have to go with BonobotheGreat Storyboards. [more inside]
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:33 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:33 AM PST - 12 comments
What can the lonely do passover?
The few friends I have are either Christian or Athiest. I'm not religious as I grew up in a completely secular home. I don't know a shred of hebrew and have barely gone to synogogue in my life. But I'd like to become a little more involved in Judiasm so I recently joined a congregation. The thing is I still... [more inside]
Help me find more "histories of the present"
So I just finished watching The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. I really liked it! I especially liked that it was not just an historical drama, but used the story of the Simpson murder trial as a way to comment on contemporary life. That is, the show was a vehicle for showing how the issues raised at the time -- of racism, sexism, police misconduct, domestic violence, celebrity culture, the 24-hour media cycle -- are still with us today, and lets us see how our understanding of all those issues is shaped by the impact the trial had on the public consciousness. Where can I find more stuff like this? [more inside]
posted by Cash4Lead at 9:50 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Cash4Lead at 9:50 AM PST - 9 comments
Have FM transmitters for ipods/phones improved in the past 10 years?
I've tried a few in that time, nothing seems to have improved. But I'm old, hardly tech savvy. Want something to use around an apartment/house. Willing to spend $100.
What do you say to your parents when their friends start dying?
This past week, an old family friend passed away. This lady was a contemporary of my mom (they were friends/peers) and her passing was very sudden. She's super freaked out about this, and I have literally no idea what to say. [more inside]
Finding an article about voting restrictions in New York
I'm trying to find a recent article/blog post that argued that the reason New York has relatively restrictive policies for voting is because the state votes reliably Democratic and there isn't a need to expand voting access. Did anyone see this? Within the last two weeks. [more inside]
posted by andoatnp at 9:36 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by andoatnp at 9:36 AM PST - 3 comments
What would a bag like this be used for?
I am attending a conference and the swag bag we received is not similar to anything I can remember seeing before. Images of bag. The only hint I have is that the theme is "going for the gold" with some Olympic overtones. [more inside]
posted by warthurton at 8:58 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by warthurton at 8:58 AM PST - 9 comments
So many choices!! How to handle
I'm moving to the city with potentially the most choices of anywhere in the world (NYC). I'm anxious planner who spends 15 minutes a day figuring out where to eat lunch. Help me whittle my choices down on a daily and long term basis so I don't get stressed out by the experience.
Types of choices include event, food, drink, attraction decisions.
posted by sandmanwv at 8:46 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by sandmanwv at 8:46 AM PST - 21 comments
How do I check the cartridge alignment on my turntable?
I have a Toshiba SR-F770 turntable, and I'd like to check the cartridge alignment for the first time, but I don't have a copy of the manual and the online sites offering it for download seem sketchy. I read this article but there are a few things I don't understand. [more inside]
Emotionally distancing myself from job while staying productive
Due to a myriad of reasons I’ve decided the job I’m currently in isn’t one I should stay in for the long term and I’ve begun applying for other jobs. However, the frustrations at the office still get to me. I’m trying to emotionally distance myself but still stay motivated and productive and do my best work (within reason given the circumstances). [more inside]
How much time between flights to pass customs from Paris to Toronto?
I am buying my plane tickets for a trip this summer. One ticket has as its return a change of plane/layover time of 1hr 35m between the flight from Paris to Toronto and the flight from Toronto to Kansas City. Alternatively, I can go with a different flight that on the return goes from Paris to Chicago with a 2h 45m layover. I'm assuming the latter is the option I should go with due to Customs delays but want other traveler's opinions for confirmation. [more inside]
posted by vegartanipla at 8:09 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by vegartanipla at 8:09 AM PST - 13 comments
Where can I rent a wheelchair in Corvallis, Oregon?
My wife, mother-in-law, and I will be flying to Corvallis in June to attend my daughter's graduation from Oregon State. We now have need to use a wheelchair for my MiL while there. We're willing to rent, borrow, whatever. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by jazon at 8:07 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by jazon at 8:07 AM PST - 6 comments
Side-by-side?
What should I know about purchasing a duplex home in a 2-unit building? [more inside]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:37 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:37 AM PST - 11 comments
How to get only certain events from a google calendar to sync
I would like to get only events with certain key words in the description to sync with another calendar-- the calendar on my iPhone would be ideal, but another google calendar is fine. [more inside]
Moving to England with kids - yay or nay?
An old friend has asked my advice on moving to the UK from Denmark. I really struggle with what to tell her. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by kariebookish at 5:10 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by kariebookish at 5:10 AM PST - 20 comments
fun gift card suggestions
Because we all have busy lives, I don't often get to see my family on their birthdays or at xmas. I love sending email gift cards, but I'm running out of good stores to send cards from, and it won't be as fun if I just send the same ones every year. Share your awesome gift card secrets with me! [more inside]
April 17
Homeless in Portland - help with resources?
I'm looking for resources and help to get myself out of the woods and into a home sooner - any ideas, Mefites? More details under the line [more inside]
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 11:02 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 11:02 PM PST - 7 comments
Books about losing any of the 5 senses?
I am looking for nonfiction books that deal with stories of people who have lost (or gained) their sight/hearing/sense of smell, etc. Also books about people who have dealt with memory loss or other neurological problems. [more inside]
Grieving family from a distance
How do you do it? [more inside]
How can a fundamentalist explore beyond her upbringing?
How can I respectfully explore the possibility that, as a woman, I'm attracted to women? [more inside]
Desperately need work to live & leave abuser. How to get regular notice?
Are there any good guides to approaching NYC employment agencies and consistently securing work? I need a job so I can leave my abusive partner, keep my tiny apartment, and see a therapist. I need stability. I’m a dedicated, bright, friendly, curious, and solid worker. I just don’t know how to make myself stand out or get a consistent response from either cold applications or agencies. Turning to MeFi again for guidance. [more inside]
Links within Acrobat, over and over again.
I have a 50+ page PDF, originally created in Word 10. Pages 2-45 need to have two icons (in the same spot on the page), and each of those icons plus their text below needs to link within the pdf, to destinations I've already defined. It's the same two destinations each time.
I have this all set up on page 2. How can I copy it to pages 3-45? [more inside]
posted by mgar at 5:35 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by mgar at 5:35 PM PST - 8 comments
Comic recommendations for 10 yr old girl please
I would like to broaden her mind a little and give her a selection of comics to see which she likes best and see if she takes to reading as a life habit. [more inside]
posted by lapsang at 5:28 PM PST - 38 comments
posted by lapsang at 5:28 PM PST - 38 comments
Making a successful PFLAG chapter
My small New England town has recently adopted transgender-inclusive policies in our school system (allowing students to be called by their preferred name by teachers and staff and to use the bathroom/shower areas of their appropriate gender). The community has been largely supportive, but there has been predictable opposition and fearmongering. I'm in the process of starting a PFLAG chapter, and while I'm excited about it, I need help. [more inside]
Which couch fabrics stay cool in summertime?
I have a scratchy-bum cotton and who-knows-what-other-material couch I purchased at Goodwill many years ago. It sure was a steal, but now when it is hot in the summer, it's absolutely painful to sit in. [more inside]
Calling in sick due to insomnia
Is it unethical to call in sick due to insomnia? I have occasional insomnia as the side effect of medications I have to take. I work at a desk job so it is not like I'm operating machinery or dealing with patients lives but I find it hard to stay awake and perform when I've had a rough night. I get paid sick leave with no medical certificate required- is it wrong if I use it after a night of insomnia?
3 pin Molex extension cable?
The 6-AA removable battery pack inside my bluetooth speaker is attached to the unit's power supply by a 3 pin molex connector. I'd like to get a molex extension cable so I can keep the pack outside the unit. Do these exist? [more inside]
posted by tenderly at 3:17 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by tenderly at 3:17 PM PST - 9 comments
Electric Car Owning Experience
My SO and I are planning to purchase a car before the end of the year. At this point, we're considering (but not sold on) an electric car so I'd like to hear people who own or owned an EV for over a year.
What did you like? Not like? Wish you'd known?
Snowflake flurry below the fold. [more inside]
wireless transmitter receiver set for home studio headphones?
I currently use a nice set of wired headphones attached to my audio interface in my home studio. The wire is a pain especially when playing guitar or drums. What's the best/cheapest way to get a transmitter attached to my audio interface and a receiver plugged into my existing headphones? I understand that the receiver will likely be battery operated but if the transmitter could be plugged into a power source that'd be a bonus. Specific product recommendations especially welcome. Thanks!
posted by merocet at 1:14 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by merocet at 1:14 PM PST - 1 comment
Car was stolen. No comprehensive. Now what?
My car was stolen (from a major suburb in the Boston area). Wondering about next steps. [more inside]
Wine and down duvets don't mix, I guess?
We just spilled a full bottle of red wine on a down duvet. How do we make it usable for tonight? [more inside]
Renaissance Optical Trick Paintings
Can anyone suggest a well-illustrated overview (optimally on the web, or via a YouTube video) of Renaissance paintings achieved via mirrors (e.g. curved/"trick" mirrors) and other optical tricks? Of particular interest: paintings which need to be viewed in a special mirror to be "decoded"?
posted by Quisp Lover at 10:42 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Quisp Lover at 10:42 AM PST - 7 comments
Which cheap Android phone/plan should I use, to work for Amazon Flex?
I got my onboarding notice for Amazon Flex. I need to be able to take this job, as I'm barely scraping by, and this pays about double what I'm currently making. Stumbling block: it requires an Android phone, I have an iPhone. I need to get an Android, but I'm going to have to borrow money to get one. So I need to know how I can get the cheapest phone that will work, along with a cheap data plan. [more inside]
Social anxiety has been ruining me for way too long
Most typical treatments for anxiety and depression don't work for me: therapy doesn't work, SSRIs don't work and atypical anti-depressants such as Wellbutrin don't work.
What other options do I have? [more inside]
Android App for Filming One-a-Day Stop Motion?
So I was thinking about doing one of those take-one-picture-a-day time lapse videos, but I wanted to also make it a stop motion video too. I'm kind of hoping that there's an Android app that would help me do this. So I'm going to describe what I think the perfect features would be for such a project, and hopefully someone will tell me if there's anything even remotely close to this. [more inside]
posted by ErWenn at 6:21 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by ErWenn at 6:21 AM PST - 1 comment
How do I get back to having pleasant dreams?
I've noticed recently that when I've had particularly stressful weeks at work my brain ends up reliving those stresses through dreams/nightmares, leading me to wake up in the middle of the night with my mind racing and having trouble going back to sleep, which is obviously not helping the stress situation. Does this happen to you? [more inside]
posted by Karaage at 4:29 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by Karaage at 4:29 AM PST - 14 comments
File nonresident taxes in PA for $0 profit across two rental properties?
Do I need to file taxes in as a nonresident in Pennsylvania? I have two small rental properties there, and they are exactly and weirdly balanced this year: +$XX and -$XX, net $0. File? [more inside]
Is "What's your sign?" a sign to move on?
On a second date that generally seemed to be going very well, she asked: "What's your sign?" I care a lot about skepticism and rationality, and I think astrology is a baseless pseudoscience. Should this one thing be such a dealbreaker as to make me walk away from a connection that would otherwise seem to have potential? [more inside]
posted by jejune at 1:00 AM PST - 114 comments
posted by jejune at 1:00 AM PST - 114 comments
April 16
Please recommend an alternative to grass for my back yard.
Low maintenance ground cover needed. [more inside]
Are there potential security risks to buying a used computer or laptop?
Say you buy a used computer or laptop and install a clean copy of the operating system on the hard drive that came with it. Is there any reason it might still be potentially unsafe to use, like hidden keylogging hardware? Spy programs that stay on the HD even with a clean install of the OS? Ant eggs inside the computer just waiting to hatch? Just kidding. But seriously, anything?
How did you get over a family member's or friend's suicide?
My cousin took her own life two years ago, and it has been a long, painful process trying to find a creative way to help me cope with her being gone. What I have found most effective for my coping style is hearing how other people moved on from their losses. Hearing stories about hobbies, projects, and adventures dedicated to their loved one, or even something like a great book recommendation would be helpful. [more inside]
Some Questions that Arise from my Ancestry Research and DNA Results
Like many people, I've spent some time tracing my family lineage via the crazily overpriced Ancestry.com and submitted by DNA for an ethnicity estimate. I've discovered some curiosities and need some help in understanding them. [more inside]
posted by Jamesonian at 8:05 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by Jamesonian at 8:05 PM PST - 14 comments
Average % raise with promotion?
I was promoted at work, but the raise accompanying it was only 5%, which seems low to me. I'm trying to figure out if my expectations are out of line, so I'm curious what % increases others have personally received (or given out) when getting promoted in your company, as well as what general field you work in for context. I'm also interested in strategies for going back to press for more in a pretty corporate environment, or if I should even bother trying?
CMEF French Language Summer Camp
Has anyone had any experience with the Céntre Méditerranéen d'Êtudes Françaises summer camp in Cap d'Ail? If so, how was it? We're thinking of sending our fifteen year-old daughter (with minimal French) for a couple weeks.
How to gain access to deceased spouse safety deposit box?
Hello, all.
My grandfather passed away a few months ago and he has some bank accounts and safety deposit boxes for which my grandmother has no access. [more inside]
posted by tellUwut at 7:05 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by tellUwut at 7:05 PM PST - 13 comments
What do you bring to the table?
What are men bringing to a modern marriage? I read lots of poorly referenced stories about how they increase a women's workload, don't perform emotional labor, and do much less of the child rearing. So what are men bringing to the table? [more inside]
posted by Kalmya at 6:56 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by Kalmya at 6:56 PM PST - 20 comments
How does our (potential new) Indiana neighborhood skew politically?
I've lived in the same neighborhood for more than 15 years and am currently negotiating a move to a new less-known-to-me neighborhood in Indianapolis. I'm curious about how the new neighborhood leans politically. I seem to remember seeing a color-coded map of how Indiana's voting districts/polling places voted in the last general election, but am now unable to find it. Any suggestions on how to find this data?
posted by meindee at 6:14 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by meindee at 6:14 PM PST - 5 comments
California daycare recommendations (Conejo Valley region)
Moving to California (Westlake Village / Agoura Hills / Oak Park area). Daycare urgently needed. Any insight or recommendations greatly appreciated. [more inside]
For TAX purposes, is this a lawsuit?
On my tax forms, do I report the $$ from this transaction (a refund, essentially, very little) as money from a "lawsuit" even if no court papers were filed? [more inside]
Banned Book Week event ideas for academic libraries - no flames, please!
I want to plan some kick-ass events at my academic library for this year's Banned Books Week (in September). I'd love your ideas. [more inside]
Pineapple + Tequila Cocktail Ideas
I have a fresh pineapple, a bottle of tequila, and a fairly well-stocked kitchen (and ability to run to the store). What cocktail should I make?
posted by rainbowbrite at 2:40 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by rainbowbrite at 2:40 PM PST - 10 comments
What Kind Of Japanese Art Do I Have?
While digging around in one of my trunks, I came across a piece of art that I'd forgotten I had. I had bought it years ago, at an estate sale and I'm wondering if it is of any particular value. Description below the fold. [more inside]
posted by alltomorrowsparties at 1:52 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by alltomorrowsparties at 1:52 PM PST - 14 comments
Best Method - finding a guesthouse Los Angeles?
I would like to find a *reasonably priced* guesthouse in the Los Angeles area, specifically in or near Glendale/Pasadena/La Crescenta/Montrose. [more inside]
Can we eat it -- hummus edition
What's the shelf-life of hummus? [more inside]
A little overweight, a lot overfat
I've got a pretty high body fat percentage (>45%) despite only being slightly overweight, which is probably impacting my ability to lose weight and look fitter. How do I change my body when I have a slow metabolism? [more inside]
posted by blerghamot at 11:34 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by blerghamot at 11:34 AM PST - 22 comments
Less Fallout 4, More Hobbies (Teen Edition)
I work with a 17 year old boy who's smart, inquisitive and really bored. The kid needs some hobby ideas; things that keep his brain busy and ideally where he creates something.
Ideally, this needs to be a hobby or craft that he can do indoors on his own consistently, the materials are at hand, it requires some focus, creativity and thinking skills, something he can start and stop at his leisure and he can do it alone. Think Legos but for a young man. So, not martial arts or scouting or geocaching or volunteering or getting a job or robotics. [more inside]
I had and encounter with a neighbor that's weirding me out
My neighbor got drunk on my couch the other day, and I endured six hours of strangeness. Now I don't know what to think or how to act. [more inside]
posted by patheral at 10:36 AM PST - 31 comments
posted by patheral at 10:36 AM PST - 31 comments
Jean Luc Ponty, Jazz Fusion Music Video set in Paris? Night Flight?
Asking for my father - Does anyone remember seeing a jazz fusion music video set in Paris during the night, featuring bridges? [more inside]
Appropriation or Tribute?
I'm a big baseball fan, and I have a big interest in cultural history. I own lots of ballcaps and t-shirts from minor league teams of the present and past and from different reigons and countries. But I've never worn any Negro League gear, since as somebody said once, i'd feel kind of like I'm wearing a Purple Heart without getting wounded. On the other hand maybe, I'm showing disrespect by not wearing my fandom like any other team. I dunno. Maybe I'm in plate of beans territory.
Fashion Detectives: Go.
Does anyone recognize this skirt Sharon Horgan wears in season 2, episode 5 of Catastrophe? I want it. A lot.
posted by something something at 8:08 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by something something at 8:08 AM PST - 4 comments
4 day summer getaway for 6 (my parents, brother and i, our spouses)
Looking for ideas for a four or five day trip for six adults in early July, no more than a three hour flight from Boston. Considerations inside [more inside]
Help make our trip to Europe amazing, Dordogne France edition
Our family will be spending a few days in Beynac France (Dordogne region) in June. We're traveling with kids, so our plan is for a mostly low-key trip filled with canoeing and lazily exploring the towns of Beynac, Castlenaud and Sarlat. But we're also looking for other unique or special experiences we could do as a family that would really make our trip special. [more inside]
posted by quantum at 7:32 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by quantum at 7:32 AM PST - 7 comments
The When Harry Met Sally of Books
Give me your best books featuring a male/female friendship that turns romantic or has romantic undertones. Can be funny or tragic, main plot or subplot, old or new book or characters. Doesn't have to end with them together. It just needs to be a GOOD read. [more inside]
Connect to wifi outside window shutters
Can I receive a wifi signal without sitting right next to open windows? [more inside]
posted by amxr at 6:57 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by amxr at 6:57 AM PST - 6 comments
How do I stop hating socializing?
How do I stop hating socializing? [more inside]
Help buying a nice laptop with Linux pre-installed
I'm looking to buy a nice new Linux laptop and having trouble finding many reviews online of the various options. [more inside]
posted by parkin at 5:46 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by parkin at 5:46 AM PST - 17 comments
Double El Capitan?
MacBook Pro has two users. Do we need to dl & update the OS for both? [more inside]
posted by artdrectr at 1:13 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by artdrectr at 1:13 AM PST - 10 comments
April 15
Investment options for a chunk of cash
If you had, let's say, $150,000 (US) that you need to draw about $1,000 per month from for as long as possible, what would you do with it? [more inside]
Need help naming a Secular Meditation / Mind Training Centre
Without getting into too much detail, I am part of a group of volunteers trying to establish a NFP centre which offers secular contemplative practices that are grounded in the meditative traditions and tested by science.
As the resident marketing/advertising person, I have been tasked with coming up with a name for our project/space, but after spending days in thesaurus.com, wordoid, and the free dictionary, I'm coming up short. Can anyone help me throw some ideas into the mix? [more inside]
posted by sxtrumpeto at 10:51 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by sxtrumpeto at 10:51 PM PST - 14 comments
What is this kitchen (?) implement/tool used for?
We found this metal scissoring-action type tool (YT video) in my Swedish grandmother's kitchen drawer after she passed away. No one in the family knows what it was for. Is it a kitchen tool or a handicraft thing? Do you know? [more inside]
posted by gemmy at 9:20 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by gemmy at 9:20 PM PST - 7 comments
Sex therapist in Bay Area - specialty in vaginal pain/arousal?
I'm looking for recommendations for a sex therapist in the Bay Area who specializes in female arousal and painful sex. Any recommendations?
Where do tiny nonprofits get reliable accountancy help?
Who minds the money of tiny nonprofits who can't afford bad actors? [more inside]
Can someone translate this bizarre, maybe Chinese-language voicemail?
The other day I was lying in bed and my cell phone started ringing. Caller ID showed an out-of-town area code. I picked up, heard a low voice murmuring in an unfamiliar language, and hung up.
A few seconds later, my phone rang again. Same number, same murmur, another hangup.
Then, a third ring. This time I let it go to voicemail. Then there was another ring, and another voicemail.
These voicemails are SO WEIRD. [more inside]
posted by AAAA at 7:31 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by AAAA at 7:31 PM PST - 10 comments
What is the name of this movie?
Asking for my boyfriend: What is the name of the movie in which a ragtag bunch of people search for a buried treasure? These people are competing to find this treasure, driving recklessly, and attempting to stop the others from finding it. I think the treasure winds up being buried by palm trees, having to do with a certain geometric pattern (an "I" beam shape, or perhaps an "H"? I don't remember). The whole debacle winds up being a misunderstanding if I remember correctly, and the treasure is something priceless or worthless. Thanks!
posted by lunch at 6:52 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by lunch at 6:52 PM PST - 11 comments
Science Toys / Gifts for a 9 Year Old
My nephew has a birthday coming up. This year he's really in to outer space (from the horse's mouth; really includes most space related things). Please help me find this year's birthday present. [more inside]
Please explain Justin Trudeau and Quantum Computing to me
I somewhat understand Trudeau and I somewhat understand quantum computing but I don't understand either well enough to parse this video. And so I turn to you Metafilter. Please make sense of this of this for me or explain why it is just not so? [more inside]
posted by roolya_boolya at 5:59 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by roolya_boolya at 5:59 PM PST - 13 comments
Doing a home inspection tomorrow, what are some tips?
We finally got a bid accepted on a house here in Seattle. We'll be going through the house with an inspector tomorrow. Any little-known or often missed pieces of advice? Anything you wish you had asked your inspector? [more inside]
posted by lattiboy at 5:55 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by lattiboy at 5:55 PM PST - 16 comments
Why do birds keep flying into my exterior blinds?
About two weeks ago one bird began repeatedly flying into the exterior blinds of one of my windows. Now this happens almost every day at the same time (just before sunset). Today there were three birds doing it. Why are they doing this and how can I make them stop? [more inside]
posted by peppermintchaya at 5:23 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by peppermintchaya at 5:23 PM PST - 10 comments
Help me find a 🐱/🏠-sitter in Boston
I just moved to Boston (Jamaica Plain, specifically) and I'm looking for a regular cat sitter since I often travel, sometimes for good chunks of time, so it would be ideal if pet watching could be in exchange for staying in my apartment. How can I find a trustworthy person amenable to such an exchange? [more inside]
posted by Cogito at 4:14 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Cogito at 4:14 PM PST - 12 comments
How can I create a lush, green balcony?
I have a small apartment balcony and I hope to be able to have all the walls covered in green this summer. I feel like there is a lot of potential for it to go well, maybe, but I just have no idea what to do! I've been researching, but I could really use some help in weighing my options. Gardeners, plant lovers, apartment dwellers, please help with your insights! [more inside]
Where to get tons of ID card with lanyards (in Reykjavik)
I need between 50 and 100 ID card lanyards, and ID cards, preferably all of them looking different. It's for one person looking like a scarecrow of IDs, he's helplessly overloaded by lanyards and cards. So they all have to be a bit different. [more inside]
posted by gmm at 3:01 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by gmm at 3:01 PM PST - 5 comments
is there an affordable way to get a membership at Corepower Yoga studios
I bought a Groupon for a month's membership and, as it comes to an end, I'm kind of shocked at the regular price options on Corepower's web site. Is there a less expensive option that anyone's aware of?
What's the double-coil equovalent of an SSL1?
I have a Fender American Standard HSS strat. If they were all single coil pickups I would install SSL1s. What should I install at the bridge humbucker? I am going for a John Fruiciante Calofornication/By the way sound.
posted by jitterbug perfume at 2:48 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by jitterbug perfume at 2:48 PM PST - 12 comments
What is an appropriate rent increase for Seattle apartments (Cap. Hill)?
What is an appropriate rent increase (by dollars or %s) for Cap. Hill/Seattle at the moment? I haven't rented in years. [more inside]
Afternoon cuppa accompaniment without sugar
My mum is diabetic, and one annoyance for her is the lack of availability and/or cost of diabetic biscuits. I would like to make her some, preferably with a cool shaped Cutter or stamp. What do I need to know? Am I limited to a sugar-cookie like dough? [more inside]
Is it normal to evolve your political ideology with age?
I'm a 24-year old grad student who was raised in a very GOP household. I think I'm moving away from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party ideologically speaking. Is there something wrong with me? Is this normal? [more inside]
posted by aristotlefangirl at 1:23 PM PST - 52 comments
posted by aristotlefangirl at 1:23 PM PST - 52 comments
What does an opened box of condoms mean?
My husband and I have been together for more than a decade. We have young children. After our youngest was born, we decided to use condoms but then my husband had a vasectomy. Since then we have had an unopened box of condoms, in sealed plastic, sitting in a small box with some other items for a few years now. For the last month and a half I've also just gone on the pill to regulate my periods. In other words, we have contraception covered and we never use condoms. [more inside]
Should I bother trying to find a submissive partner while I'm poor?
Should I bother trying to find a submissive partner while I'm poor? [more inside]
New(ish) Soul(ish) Music Recommendations
I'm in need of some new additions to my kitchen dancing playlists. Who should I be listening to? [more inside]
posted by bassooner at 12:32 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by bassooner at 12:32 PM PST - 16 comments
Explain California Unemployment Benefits.. (to me like I'm a 5yo)
So I'm about to be laid off, I think. And I've never dealt with unemployment (I'm lucky) before. So what are some important things to know? I have some basic questions: 1) How long do the benefits last? 2) If I get a job offer, do I have to take the first one -- even if I expect better offers later? 3) Should I end any/all freelance work while getting EDD benefits? [more inside]
posted by lostguy at 12:31 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by lostguy at 12:31 PM PST - 5 comments
Working in Business Development
The work sounds intriguing, but I have an odd resume and don't have much first-hand knowledge of the field. Do you think that business development right for me? If it is, how do I go about getting a job in it? [more inside]
posted by static sock at 12:22 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by static sock at 12:22 PM PST - 8 comments
What was it like when everyone smoked?
I'm reading mid-century noir again, and keep coming up against the ubiquity of smoking. I realize I may be an outlier, but to me the smell of smoke is overwhelming and cuts so far into things like perfume, food smells, clean smells, that I have a hard time parsing the descriptions that don't acknowledge this. Is this just an issue of the fish in the water, or was there sort of an underlying understanding that everything smelled of stale smoke that was so understood that it's never mentioned?
ISO San Francisco site for reception w/mini-performance, prefer downtown
My choir does an annual concert, a full Saturday / Sunday evening performance, every fall, for several hundred people. This year we want to add a Spring or Summer after-work weeknight reception at a downtown location. Concept is wine, beer, snacks, and a place for us to perform 5 or 6 songs. For everyone's work friends who aren't likely to attend two hours on the weekend. Site recommendations? [more inside]
Creating an engagement ring with diamond pave on the INSIDE.
The entire diamond industry is an immoral, ad-led con job believed by idiots. That said, I don't want to be the jerk who skimped on the ring. But I certainly don't want to show anyone that I've acquiesced to that nonsense other than her. Help this scrooge design a ring I don't hate. [more inside]
Best high chair for a disabled child? Details within.
My son has outgrown his high chair and needs a new one. Caveat: he's got a host of health issues and developmental delays that means some chairs don't work as well as others. Any experience or advice on choosing a suitable chair is welcome, as are specific chair recs. [more inside]
posted by pepper bird at 11:10 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by pepper bird at 11:10 AM PST - 7 comments
Exclusive Pumping and Returning to Work
I am exclusively pumping for my 8 week old little guy due to poor latch early on. I currently pump 9 times per day (on the even hours, from 2 am - 6 pm) for half an hour each session. I go back to work in three weeks and obviously won't be able to pump that much. Any exclusive pumpers out there who can advise me? [more inside]
How do we break out of a years long separation limbo?
Over five years ago I (male) decided to separate from my wife. We’ve been married for 16 years. The dam burst of emotion that fueled my decision to separate was spent before going all the way to divorce. She hasn’t divorced me either. Neither of us has dated anyone else. Things have simmered to an uneasy state of limbo, where we’re technically married, yet more like just friends and co-parents. How do you break out of an indecision so powerful that any choice feels like dying? Warning: tsunami of text inside! [more inside]
posted by star fruit at 10:42 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by star fruit at 10:42 AM PST - 22 comments
I want to send and receive SMS from the command line.
I have a Linux machine. I have a spare activated cheap-o SIM card. I have a spare old phone and an old hotspot. Can I connect these things together to build an SMS gateway that will allow me to send and receive text messages from the command line on the Linux box? [more inside]
posted by toxic at 9:50 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by toxic at 9:50 AM PST - 12 comments
Appropriate thank you presents for people who helped with our adoption
We'd like to get some thoughtful 'thank-you' presents for 3 people who helped us with our adoption last year. But we don't know them that well, don't want to give just a token, and don't want to give an impersonal gift card. [more inside]
Are these red flags or just quirks, or, Should I quit a new job?
I was recently hired for a part-time (two days/week) position as an assistant at a small employment services company. After two days of training/work, I feel very uncomfortable about the position and the work environment. I'm considering not going back (I would call/email, of course, I'm not planning to just not show up).
However, I've had a really rough year, and don't fully trust my perceptions and decisions. I'm trying to separate new-job-discomfort from this-situation-is-genuinely-weird discomfort, and would love some outside perspective. Additional backstory/context and plenty of details within! [more inside]
Seeking logistical advice for a NYC courthouse wedding
I live in central Jersey, but for #reasons am planning on getting married next month at the courthouse in NYC. I have a few questions about how to make this a special day. [more inside]
Looking for a resume writer
Hello, I am looking for a resource person/resume writer who can help
me create a stellar resume!
I am a Green Building professional, with a background in Architecture.
Specifically, I work in the area of LEED facilitation of US-based
green buildings. Can someone please point me to a resume writer who
can help me draft out an excellent resume and help me make the next
transition in my career.
Thanks a lot!
posted by synapse2512 at 8:25 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by synapse2512 at 8:25 AM PST - 2 comments
Does this app exist?
I want to drive around my city while an app tracks my route. As I pass certain buildings, I want to be able to touch a button that marks that location on the route, so that I can find those landmarks again later. Does something like this exist? [more inside]
Can I create a log or index of emails by sender, in Gmail?
As it says up top, I'm looking to create a simple list of emails by sender, that would include date and time, but exclude message contents and probably subject lines, for brevity and privacy. A couple more desiderata below the fold. [more inside]
Whose famous last "words" were a punctuation mark?
I recall reading, some years ago, about a semi-famous intellectual--I believe it was a philosopher, or theologian, or author--who, on his/her deathbed, wrote a single punctuation mark as his/her last "words." The mark was either a comma or a semicolon, if I recall correctly. No matter how hard I try, I can't find the answer via Google.
posted by duffell at 7:05 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by duffell at 7:05 AM PST - 9 comments
Twin Cites Roofing company recommendations?
I need the entire roof replaced on my 1920's house in Saint Paul. Looking for recommendations from you fine folks. Thank you.
April 14
Where are the thoughtful debates related to transgender rights happening
Can you point me to thoughtful discussions related to transgender rights and locker room/bathroom access? The stuff I see in my social media streams are crazy extremes that talk about child molestation on one end or bigotry on the other end. I'm interested in more thoughtful discussions of these issues. [more inside]
Legal precautions for running a website with user-submitted content
So, you create a small website, say a Wordpress/Wordpress-style community blog, and give some friends/aquaintances the right to post (images, text, links). User Joe Jackass decides to post something illegal. What are the legal ramifications for you? [more inside]
posted by hypercomplexsimplicity at 7:25 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by hypercomplexsimplicity at 7:25 PM PST - 5 comments
Video about mathematical models of why sexual reproduction happens
A while ago, I saw a video where a woman speaker discussed some of the puzzles in biology about why sexual reproduction evolved and continues to happen. It covers "the cost of males" and other major drawbacks, then discusses how only models that incorporate a finite population show sex evolving and persisting. [more inside]
Why are these bikes in a tree?
A friend sent me this photo of bikes locked up in a tree: http://imgur.com/JFvAVoN. Any guesses on what's going on here?
Fun, distracting websites for down-time
Does anyone know of enjoyable websites, blogs, subreddits, online magazines or other publications that are intellectually engaging but deal very minimally with current events/politics? [more inside]
posted by armadillo1224 at 5:27 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by armadillo1224 at 5:27 PM PST - 17 comments
Need a short term place to live with 3 cats
We sold our house and have to be out soon but we haven't found a house in our new city (US university town) yet. Since the time is short, we need a back-up plan for a place to stay until we can buy and move into our new house but it's complicated by the fact that we have 3 cats. Most places, including hotels don't want cats. I am hoping you give me some "out of the box" ideas so we aren't living in our car with our cats.
Working with Creative Staffing Agencies
I have an interview with a creative staffing agency based in Los Angeles next week and want to be as cagey as possible while talking with them so I don't end up getting myself into something I can't back out of. If you've worked with temp-to-hire/contract-to-hire agencies like this before, what do you wish you'd known in hindsight? [more inside]
posted by Hermione Granger at 4:51 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Hermione Granger at 4:51 PM PST - 3 comments
How can I make money from home this summer?
I am a PhD student in the social sciences. I want to make money from home this summer, ideally doing freelance data analysis work. [more inside]
Seattle area weekend breakfast sports bar?
On April 17, M's pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma faces Yankees starter and former NPB teammate Masahiro Tanaka at Yankee Stadium. I would like to watch this game, which is in New York and starts at 10:05a Seattle time on a Sunday, out of the house. Any suggestions? [more inside]
Videos on a budget
I'd like to record some short videos of myself talking. What equipment do I need to supplement what I have? [more inside]
Bite-sized Dessert Recommendations?
My friend is hosting a cocktail charity event for between 60 and 80 people on Saturday. Her caterer isn't providing desserts. She asked for my help and I have 18 hours to figure it out and 53 hours to deliver it. [more inside]
Some way to send automatic email notifications via Google?
I became cognizant recently that you can put reminders on your calendar in Google, and these reminders will notify you when it's time to get a task done. However, they remind you by flashing a notification on the browser, assuming that you have Google Calendar open in the browser. I'd like it if Google sent me an email reminder for tasks instead. Is there any way to set this up? [more inside]
Distracting talk during Scrabble. Good strategy? Just a thing?
How much talking goes on in your 3 (or more) person Scrabble games? I've been playing Scrabble with two friends recently; at some point, they decided to put a time limit (2 minutes) on each person's turn because I was taking a while to play. In our most recent game, I realized I was getting distracted during my turn because the two of them would chat a bunch. [more inside]
posted by mistersix at 1:07 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by mistersix at 1:07 PM PST - 23 comments
Painful calf/shin/knees and ankles - one leg at a time!
I have pain in my right leg in my lower calf and ankle. It feels both like a pain in my muscles as well as a joint pain in my ankle. [more inside]
Ditching Time Warner's Modem for Something Else
I've been lazy and just paying the monthly lease on the modem/router for Time Warner internet service in Brooklyn, NY. It's an Arris DG1670. I feel like I could both save money (eventually) and get better service by getting my own gear, but what? For use with a variety of mostly Mac devices, if that matters. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.
Photographic Art Gallery Needs Resources for Diversity Education
Looking for articles and resources about diversity to educate members of a photographic art gallery . [more inside]
Short, warm beach weekend
Looking for a location for a weekend beach vacation from the East coast, mid-May! [more inside]
Early Online Dating: How Upfront?
Online dating is horrible and feelings fleeting. How to deal? How aggressively upfront can I be? [more inside]
Help my five-year-old learn German
Please recommend tv shows, Youtube videos, cartoons, songs and simple books that are spoken/written in the German language that a five-year-old would enjoy. Difficulty: Five-year-old in question only speaks English. [more inside]
Help me pimp and promote my Etsy shop
I have a new etsy shop focused on abstract art and hand-painted glassware. The link is in my profile. I'm just getting started and don't know yet how to get more views. I was careful with photographs and tags, and I've been using social media. I know I need more merch and am working on listing what I have. How do I get more traffic, and how do I turn that traffic into customers? Please be specific (i.e. which teams to join, etc.)
posted by mermaidcafe at 8:48 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by mermaidcafe at 8:48 AM PST - 9 comments
How to get Neat scanner to stop asking me to sync!?
We bought a Neat scanner and installed the software. Now it is asking in a pop up window if we want to sync with the cloud. There is no way to turn this off and it asks 10,000 times a day. And I am not allowed to call customer service without a paid account. And the scanner does not seem to work without the software. [more inside]
"Parenting" without feeling like a checklist machine
How does one handle "parenting" a teenager without feeling like you are just asking questions/following up on things/doing not-fun things? I feel like my life is get up, do the things, go to work, come home, enforce a bunch of rules, watch tv, go to bed. I don't want that to be my relationship with my niece! [more inside]
What is 'bloatware', why should I care, and how do I fix it?
After some research I have decided to buy this laptop, which has great specs for the price - but multiple reviews (like this one) say that while it's a good computer, it's "full of bloatware, which takes time (or a fresh Windows installation) to clean up." I barely even know what that means, much less how to actually go about doing it. [more inside]
posted by showbiz_liz at 7:49 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by showbiz_liz at 7:49 AM PST - 21 comments
What's crawling up my leg?
During warm weather, when I'm wearing shorts inside, I get the constant sensation that there are very small insects flying into my legs. I rarely am able to see anything concrete. I don't do drugs. I do have hairy legs. I do also have indoor/outdoor cats and they show signs of having flees occasionally, but I thought flees only jump up onto things. What else might it be?
Can an "alpha" be happy with a "beta"?
Despite an otherwise inspiring and fulfilling relationship, I recently made the very difficult decision to split with my ex-boyfriend of 5 years because I felt like I was always leading the charge on Big Life Things and carrying him along. I figured I needed an alpha partner who was quick enough to take care of me and of things before I could get to them myself. Now I am observing this very type of alpha person "in the wild", and wondering if I have made a mistake. "Alpha" ladies, what is your experience with "beta" partners? [more inside]
How to figure out vertical climb on a treadmill?
Because I am clueless at geometry, at least I think it's geometry, could someone please show me how to figure out how many vertical feet I would have climbed if I hiked for a mile on a treadmill set at 15%?
Thank you.
Theological determinism and free-will... can they both exist?
Greetngs - I am not a philosopher (and that may be evident from my question) nor a mathematician (perhaps even more evident): Can theological determinism and free-will co-exist, and is there an example or analog in mathematics which could illustrate this?
posted by brownrd at 6:01 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by brownrd at 6:01 AM PST - 12 comments
MBA now from less-than-top-school, or later from a top school?
Hello good folks of MeFi,
I'll be a college senior later this year, and I'm having a lot of trouble deciding whether I should apply to MBA programs this fall. If you have a minute--or several, this is a long one--please give me your opinions, reality checks, and/or virtual smacks upside the head. [more inside]
posted by blissfulchar at 1:53 AM PST - 31 comments
posted by blissfulchar at 1:53 AM PST - 31 comments
April 13
Good Japanese Pre-Paid SIM Card?
Any Japan hands have any recommendations for a good prepaid SIM card? I'll be transiting through Narita and proceeding directly to Itami (Osaka Municipal Airport). If there is an affordable data plan that would be great although I will be purchasing mobile internet (LTE, Wimax or 4G) hotspot and it will be shared with members of my family. [more inside]
Dreamy folk psych rock recommendations?
Hi I'm looking for more examples of dreamy indie folk psychedelic music. Not shoegaze, but like Galaxie 500. [more inside]
Online board games for a virtual D&D group
I DM for a couple bicoastal D&D campaigns online (we use Fantasy Grounds and TeamSpeak.) Tabletop Day is coming on April 30th and I'm planning a special session where we set aside our swords and wands and play some good old fashion (or good modern!) board games. What are our options for online board games these days? [more inside]
Tips for turning a new apartment into a Home?
My fiancee and I are moving to a new city/apartment this summer. Our current place never really felt like a home; it was a temporary, pre-furnished living situation and we made it work for us for a couple of years. Now that we're moving and buying adult furniture and all that jazz, we want our next place to feel like our Home. So, AskMeFi....How do we do this well? What do you wish you knew when you first moved into your home?
posted by sdis at 8:38 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by sdis at 8:38 PM PST - 23 comments
While my guitar gently weeps
Recommend new(ish) guitar/rock music for someone who needs a break from pop. [more inside]
Mac Malware?
My dad just called me in a panic. His iMac (running El Capital or Yosemite) gave him a scammy looking error message. Need some help figuring out what's going on and how to fix it. [more inside]
Flower bouquet/arrangement delivery in San Diego — w/ online store?
Google brings up a lot of florists/shops based in San Diego, but who all appear to offer generic flower arrangements and share the exact same stock photos from FTD (??)... Can you point me to any shops with an online store that offers more unique, beautiful blooms? [more inside]
posted by dire at 7:04 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by dire at 7:04 PM PST - 7 comments
Cheap, easy, good
Like most everyone else, I'm trying to incorporate more vegetables into my diet. I'm specifically looking to expand my repertoire of low-effort vegetable side dishes based on inexpensive produce of the sort your mother/grandmother is familiar with (carrots, celery, cabbage, zucchini, onions, etc.). I've got no qualms about frozen or canned produce in theory and so would welcome ideas that make the most of those options. Salad/slaw ideas are also welcome. [more inside]
Bug Identification help needed, possible disease vector?
I'm looking for a positive ID on this bug before I get rid of it. I think it is some type of assassin bug. I live in south Georgia. [more inside]
posted by Talia Devane at 5:47 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Talia Devane at 5:47 PM PST - 6 comments
What is "ca rs st" on my paycheck?
Payroll deduction question: I'm in CA and get paid by several different companies, and I just got a paycheck with the big deduction for "ca rs st"? Does anyone know what that is?? Perhaps it has something to do with a new sick time benefit?
posted by PJSibling at 5:13 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by PJSibling at 5:13 PM PST - 8 comments
Third Party Web Apps to Unfollow/Follow Users on Instagram & Twitter?
My company's been using Crowdfire to follow people who follow similar organizations, then unfollow them if they don't follow back. I hate how sketchy and janky it is, plus the price. Any alternatives out there that allow you to unfollow/follow users on Instagram and Twitter? [more inside]
Easiest way to sell a car?
I'm looking to sell my car and I've never done this. What's the easiest option for me? [more inside]
How can I help my friend with his compulsive spending issues?
My close friend M is struggling with compulsive spending (and other compulsive habits). I've just found out from a mutual friend that he's run out of money again. How can I help him help himself? What are some ways that I can support him emotionally without enabling his behaviours? (Details inside.) [more inside]
posted by mr. manager at 2:42 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by mr. manager at 2:42 PM PST - 20 comments
Family member in serious legal trouble. Should I lawyer up?
An immediate family member has been arrested and charged with a felony. I want to protect myself and my spouse and avoid involving ourselves in the situation to the greatest extent possible. Unfortunately, there is a complicating factor. [more inside]
We like your funding, but you can't talk to our lawyers
YANML. Non-Profit Organization A is preparing to fund a research project at German Public Learning Institution B. In the course of drafting the contract that governs this funding, B will not allow the lawyers at A to talk directly with the lawyers at B. Rather, B maintains that their attorneys are only consulted on decisions that B otherwise makes through a management department. The process has been pleasant and this is not borne out of conflict. Is this barrier to direct legal discussion a common arrangement for German/European public learning institutions? [more inside]
New relationship good practices
Please give me your best practices for starting a relationship off on the right foot. [more inside]
Bike Etiquette at Stop Signs
Should bicyclists actually get off their bikes in the lane before turning or moving ahead at a stop sign? [more inside]
An embarrasment of possibilities...
Help me finesse interviewing for two different positions with the same organization, please. I have a preference, but I would be happy to be offered either. [more inside]
How to discuss an argument with someone who avoids discussions?
I am feeling such anxiety about an in law family incident about a month ago.
I am a conflict avoider. I don't think fast on my feet. But on the other hand, I am trying to stand up for myself more, because I have noticed how much it affects my health to hold my anger/resentment inside. It literally makes me sick to my stomach and tense all over.
I wrote about the incident and how I feel my sister and brother in law are very inconsiderate about other people's time and money. I understand this is not my problem except when it affects me.
My question is, what am I supposed to do now? I am not sorry for standing up for myself. But this family does not discuss problems, they give silent treatments for 10 years. It makes me so so so uncomfortable and I feel anxiety just anticipating the next family event. I don't want to feel like I am getting the silent treatment. However, I cannot avoid these people for the rest of my life.
posted by tangomija at 1:12 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by tangomija at 1:12 PM PST - 9 comments
Not quite "sharing economy" but what?
I just read about the Copia app, that connects markets and restaurants with "left over" food to shelters and organizations that feed people in need. This is the best example of my question. What is it called when you have X (service, tangible) and are using technology to share it with people in need of X? And vice versa (you need X and use technology to find it). Is there anyone writing about this and/or studying this particular use of technology? [more inside]
posted by Sophie1 at 12:13 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Sophie1 at 12:13 PM PST - 10 comments
Are all qualifying life events created equal?
My understanding was that a "qualifying life event" - new job for you or spouse, you or spouse divorce/die, you or spouse give birth to or adopt a child - opened a free open enrollment period for you, spouse, and child, wherein you could do things such as decline insurance from one spouse's plan and both enroll on the other plan, and generally make whatever health insurance changes you wanted to. My HR rep told me that this is not always the case for birth/adoption of a child specifically - more inside. [more inside]
posted by permiechickie at 12:06 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by permiechickie at 12:06 PM PST - 10 comments
Fast as a speeding bullet, it's Super Windows Process! How to catch?
WindowsFilter: All of a sudden, a super fast "MS-DOS"-like process has emerged that begins and quickly ends on my Windows 10 desktop. It seems to be encountering an error of some kind, near as my speed-reading can detect. I have no idea what this process is, and it happens every 30 minutes or so. If I am in a fullscreen program, it kicks me out to the desktop, sometimes disrupting or occasionally crashing the program. How do I best diagnose and solve this problem? [more inside]
Help me avoid the WASP trap.
My super-rich, super-WASPy, tangential in-laws, have invited us to stay with them for a few days. I do not understand their ways and am terrified of making some huge social faux pas and creating offense I don't understand that will last for forty years. What do I wear? What do I say? How do I avoid weird undercurrents? Please advise! [more inside]
posted by corb at 11:50 AM PST - 108 comments
posted by corb at 11:50 AM PST - 108 comments
Question about ICE contacts in iPhone
[iPhone filter]
I have designated a few contacts in my iPhone as ICE. The problem is, any text message or phone call from any of these numbers shows up as "ICE," not their primary name. [more inside]
posted by cyndigo at 11:49 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by cyndigo at 11:49 AM PST - 4 comments
Kitty Prison or just another room for kitty to sleep in?
I'm posting ANOTHER question about cats.
This time - is it cruel to put one of my cats away at night so that I can actually sleep once in a while? [more inside]
YANMD but I need help in describing to MD what I'm experiencing.
I have an intermittent problem that shows up usually at bedtime but sometimes during the day. It feels like an extreme surge of restlessness, an urge to jump, or run around, or whole-body twitch. It manifests primarily in my lower abdomen but when I try to relax around it, I find that it's largely everywhere in my body. [more inside]
Help Me Integrate with My Company's Payment Processor
Okay, here's the deal. We've got a process for getting our clients signed up and billed that's not working. We want to just throw them a link to a form, fill it out, add their credit card or ACH info, and then be signed up for recurring billing. Problem is... [more inside]
posted by SansPoint at 11:06 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by SansPoint at 11:06 AM PST - 5 comments
US tax question
I'm having some confusion with my (USA) taxes, involving estimated payments and refunds. [more inside]
posted by ghostbikes at 10:18 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by ghostbikes at 10:18 AM PST - 5 comments
What is the purpose of the sleeve that comes with a travel umbrella?
New umbrellas come with a nylon sleeve / carrying case. I have never used one nor ever seen it used--I carry dry umbrellas in a pocket and wet ones by the handle or strap, and that seems to be what everyone else does as well. So what is the intended purpose of this sleeve? Have you ever used one and why?
posted by epanalepsis at 10:08 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by epanalepsis at 10:08 AM PST - 20 comments
On The Gothic Tradition and Colonial Guilt
I'm looking for an essay I read in a collection of critical essays on the origins of literary genres - its thesis was that since the gothic tradition often reversed or undermined mainstream Victorian ideals, it could be seen as a sublimated response to colonial guilt that couldn't be expressed in public. The argument tied it into the practice of keeping looted Egyptian mummies in parlors and the first sprouts of Gothic arriving from the idea of something old and dead and foreign in your home that might be out for revenge. Ring any bells?
posted by The Whelk at 10:05 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by The Whelk at 10:05 AM PST - 3 comments
How can I be happy about our second pregnancy?
My long-term (15y) partner and I are having a second child nearly 8 years after our first. We had just decided (after years of discussion) that we were happy with only one kid and are in the middle of a move half-way around the planet. And we also just quit our jobs and launched a startup. [more inside]
Best use for a nice piece of flank steak
I have a beautiful piece of flank steak, and I'm looking for something delicious and interesting to do with it. [more inside]
MS Office Reporting Service
Before writing this from scratch I'd like to know if something already exists. The need is for a server that accepts data, document type and an optional template id, and returns an MS Office doc (powerpoint or excel) containing the data, in the selected template. [more inside]
Formerly abusive parents who are now elderly and wanting forgiveness
Growing up, my family was squarely middle class. But that didn’t make it easy.
My father was an alcoholic with a vicious temper. He was incredibly emotionally abusive, and on occasion, he was physically abusive. Think “The Great Santini”, minus the military elements. And minus the supportive mother.
My mother – whom my father abused just as much as he did us – put up with every inch of it. What’s more, she basically took it out on us children, keeping herself cold and distant while never once acknowledging his faults.
Now they’re dying, and man, are the guilt trips heavy. [more inside]
WordPress Plugin for Collecting Information and Payment?
WordPress peoples: Can you recommend a plugin that will allow users to fill out a form with contact information and item choices, and make a credit card payment online - all as part of one transaction? [more inside]
Best video camera (GoPro?) for the field
Hi, I am in charge of procuring a camera for a team who will be traveling to isolated/rural/developing parts of the world for development work. Think Peace Corps but short term (2 weeks at a time). The team will have sporadic access to electricity, and I'm assuming zero access to wifi. [more inside]
Surviving closing a company people depend on
Seeking advice from other people who led a program closure, especially one that affected clients badly. How do you live with the guilt, even when you logically know you worked as hard as possible and it wasn't you, the business just couldn't work? [more inside]
Anonymous threatening voice mails
A friend of mine is receiving anonymous threatening voicemails from a blocked number. The caller knows her name and address. She immediately called the police; they basically brushed it off and said she could give them her info if she came into the office. She doesn't know what to do. [more inside]
Newly elected nonprofit board member seeks help
Elected to the board of a nonprofit, inexperienced, want to get off to a good start. Help? [more inside]
Wood you like to help me plan my anniversary?
You're probably Sycamore question's about wedding anniversaries but Alder help Yew've given in the past has been treemendous.
The theme of the year is WOOD. Have you got any suggestions for wooden adventures? [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 7:32 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 7:32 AM PST - 15 comments
Can you spot the "nonstandard gerund"?
In Ben Yagoda's The Sound On the Page, p.62, the following is written:
"A nonstandard gerund at the end of sentences is an Elmore Leonard trademark. ('Today he watched from the wicker chair, the green shirt on the stick figure walking toward the road in the rain, still in the yard when Terry called to him.')
So, what is he referring to as a "nonstandard gerund"? I don't see anything working gerundively.
posted by jwhite1979 at 6:55 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by jwhite1979 at 6:55 AM PST - 14 comments
Is planet earth doomed? Please tell me it isn't so.
I'm feeling upset about the future of our planet and what we are doing to it. I'd like to know if there is hope for us as a species, for our children and grandchildren and creatures we share this planet with. [more inside]
Future or "techno" versions of "World" or otherwise indigenous music
Please share your recommendations for music rooted in an ethnic background, but brought post-modern in a techno/trance/dubstep/electro etc. version or rendition. [more inside]
Help me to create an uncomplicated fitness regime.
I'm a 51 year old male and posted recently about wanting to lose beer belly.
I got some great answers so thought I'd now look for a solid, uncomplicated fitness regime that will get me cardio fit and make me look good.
I want something simple and easy to follow....perhaps even a bit old school. [more inside]
posted by blokefromipanema at 4:02 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by blokefromipanema at 4:02 AM PST - 20 comments
Failing at intercultural office politics.
After working my butt off to build a life abroad, I'm worried that my inability to make friends at work is an un-fixable cultural issue. I have never been one of those super-incredibly popular people, but this is the first time in my life I've struggled to fit in/build a friend group, and I'm beginning to wonder if it's just an unavoidable moment in an expat's life, deliberate snubbing, or if something is actually psychologically wrong with me. [more inside]
posted by peakes at 2:04 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by peakes at 2:04 AM PST - 15 comments
April 12
"Some people have REAL problems"
Is it normal for misfortune in your own life to decrease your sense of empathy towards other people's problems? How can I learn to be kinder? [more inside]
posted by Ziggy500 at 10:02 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by Ziggy500 at 10:02 PM PST - 23 comments
Bring Mischief to the Goat.
I need your tales of goaty mischief. Have you owned or known a goat with too much of the devil in it? What sort of creative naughtiness do they get into? I need your experience. [more inside]
posted by Jilder at 9:55 PM PST - 30 comments
posted by Jilder at 9:55 PM PST - 30 comments
Vroom! noms.
What is your favourite make ahead road food/snack? [more inside]
Tactics to help self-harming behavior in an adult?
I have anxiety disorder with panic attacks, and I'm going through an extremely stressful and emotionally difficult period. For the first time in a long time, I am self-harming. I have a psychiatrist, am on medication, and am seeing her next week. I am not suicidal. I know this isn't good for me (and isn't helping the situation). What are some resources/tactics/ways of mentally reframing my feelings that could help? [more inside]
What Kinds of Manga Are the Kids Reading These Days?
Consulting the hivemind for manga recommendations for a 12-year-old boy. In other words, please help me give a kid a cool, exciting present. Snowflakey details within. [more inside]
posted by Miss T.Horn at 9:15 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by Miss T.Horn at 9:15 PM PST - 14 comments
Best science books for kids
I'd like to buy a few more informative science/technology books for the elementary school library I work at before the year ends, what are some good ones I should get? [more inside]
Working at a startup that's showing signs of trouble... how to prepare?
I jumped from a big stable company to a startup about a year ago, and now it's growing increasingly clear that things are not looking good for the company financially. If I'm being conservative, let's assume that in 3 to 6 months I know if we'll make it, or if part or all of the company will go under. How to prepare?
COMPLICATION: Having a baby soon! [more inside]
posted by yearly at 7:12 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by yearly at 7:12 PM PST - 9 comments
Who are you??
There's this strange feeling I get with certain people, most often romantic partners who have become very familiar to me. Suddenly I get a very strong sense that they are an entity who is distinct and separate from me, and I feel this very acutely for a few moments at most, until it fades and things feel normal again. Or similarly, I will feel very strongly that they are a different person when we're alone together than when we are in other environments. What's going on, and is there a name for these effects? [more inside]
posted by keep it under cover at 6:27 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by keep it under cover at 6:27 PM PST - 10 comments
Whatever dot local
I am getting some flaky activity with .local addresses on my LAN. I tell CUPS to print to ipp://computer-a.local:631 and it works some of the time, but takes about 15 minutes to print when it does. But as soon as I use a direct IP address, printing works great. What's the deal? Where should I look to start troubleshooting .local address issues? [more inside]
posted by circular at 6:06 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by circular at 6:06 PM PST - 6 comments
What makes one building harder to make than another?
A high rise condo has been erected near my work, seemingly overnight. Meanwhile, a local shopping mall has been undergoing renovations for seemingly ages. What could account for this? [more inside]
posted by JoannaC at 5:39 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by JoannaC at 5:39 PM PST - 13 comments
Safety of food imported from Asia?
I love my tamarind paste, fish sauce, sweet potato noodles and other Asian cooking ingredients. But considering their countries of origin, and our pathetic FDA (non-)enforcement of food safety, I am concerned. Should I be? Are there any third parties that test this stuff, and is there any way to insure quality, even if it's more expensive?
Dealing With Difficult People: The Micromanager
About to get a new boss at work. New boss is a [reputed] notorious micromanager. I need quick tips and best practices for 1) developing compassion and understanding for the micromanagement supervision style, and 2) establishing and maintaining boundaries to protect my mental health without letting my work quality (or work relationships) suffer. [more inside]
End of April in Durham, NC
I'll be in Durham, North Carolina from April 26 - May 1, staying downtown. I don't drive. What should I check out while I'm in the area? [more inside]
posted by Juniper Toast at 2:42 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Juniper Toast at 2:42 PM PST - 6 comments
Can an owner show a house while renting it out via airbnb?
I'm putting my parents up in an airbnb in a major canadian city. The owner put the house on the market prior to renting it out and has shown it twice since my parents have been staying there. After the first time she promised it wouldn't happen again. I can't find anything referencing this issue on the airbnb site. Are there rules about this?
What are the most flexible, classic beginner sewing patterns?
I have basic sewing skills and would like to improve and be able to make some clothing for myself and my (currently small) children. What I think I'd really like is to choose one (at a time) patterns/items of clothing and make it many many times, in different sizes, different fabrics, and gradually adding modifications as I become more comfortable with the basics. [more inside]
posted by pennypiper at 2:38 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by pennypiper at 2:38 PM PST - 17 comments
Science for 6-year-olds?
Can you recommend either a good homeschooling science curriculum for K-1st grade, and/or an experiments that work well for 6 year olds, and/or advice on devising an ongoing science course for kids that age? [more inside]
Can I prove my right to work/be in the UK right now?
I'm here on a Tier 2 visa, but I will be EU soon. Complications inside. [more inside]
Novels like scrapbooks
Looking for short novels composed of fragments, vignettes, etc. Examples: Michael Ondaatje's The Collected Works of Billy the Kid, Elizabeth Hardwick's Sleepless Nights, Danielle Dutton's Margaret the First. [more inside]
posted by the return of the thin white sock at 12:39 PM PST - 36 comments
posted by the return of the thin white sock at 12:39 PM PST - 36 comments
Bike tours in Washington, D.C.?
Has anyone done a bike tour in Washington, D.C., that they would recommend? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 12:37 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by wenestvedt at 12:37 PM PST - 6 comments
How to deal with this situation
I am currently living with flatmate and was planning on moving in to boyfriend's flat that he rents. Now some issues have arisen and turns out that I need to stay here, and boyfriend has to move in as well. How do I tell flat mate and estate agent? [more inside]
Dog suddenly hates dog walker
My wife and I have had Sally, a 7 year-old rescue for about two months now (Requisite picture). About a month ago we wanted her to be able to get a little more activity, so we hired a dog walker. He's been great - he clearly loves her, and she seemed to like him as well. There were no problems at all until last Thursday, when she suddenly wouldn't go outside with him anymore, and snapped at him when he tried to leash her up. [more inside]
posted by Ragged Richard at 12:29 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Ragged Richard at 12:29 PM PST - 12 comments
Horse racing terminology questions
I’m translating, into English, some slogans to do with gambling on the horses, and I find I need some new terminology. [more inside]
posted by zadcat at 11:54 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by zadcat at 11:54 AM PST - 14 comments
What media are like caffeine for your hustle?
Two years ago I started working really hard. I was an underemployed dishwasher and broke and depressed and I decided I was done with all of that. Now I'm doubling down and getting ready for the LSAT. Being a good husband and advocate is a huge motivation for me, but I want to keep the pep in my step so I can keep kicking ass. What should I watch to keep my drive going? [more inside]
posted by skookumsaurus rex at 11:50 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by skookumsaurus rex at 11:50 AM PST - 19 comments
Getting money from a startup that folded - possible or pipe dream?
I drove for Sidecar briefly last year but never cashed out my earnings into my bank account. I just heard they closed. What are my options for getting my money? [more inside]
Severe storm damage, what now?
Our house was hit with softball size hail, and possibly a localized tornado. Windows shattered, glass everywhere, huge holes in roof, more rain coming. Mitigation team is on the way, but what all should I be aware of, as we start trying to put things back together? [more inside]
And they lived happily child free ever after...
I'm looking for examples of stories (in books, movies, tv, etc) that show a happy ending in which a prominent female character goes off into the sunset happily childfree by choice. (Minor spoilers for some genre fiction within). [more inside]
Can you suggest a beer recipe using Breiss Golden Light DME?
I have 2kg of Breiss Golden Light DME and I need an extract recipe to start using it up. I am an inexperienced brewer who doesn't know how to create my own recipe or even recognize a decent recipe. I also don't know whether it's appropriate to substitute any light DME for my Breiss DME. Please help me find a recipe. [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 10:31 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by kitcat at 10:31 AM PST - 5 comments
Community Organization—Not 501c3—and the IRS
I am part of an organization run entirely by volunteers, with income from several sources. We've never filed taxes, but the question has come up of whether we need to. I'd appreciate advice from the experienced. [more inside]
Help Me Talk to My Son About the Police
ParentFilter: My five-year-old son has a lot of questions about the police. (Also the army, but mostly the police.) He wants to know who the police are, why do they come, who goes to jail, are the police the good guys, do they get the bad guys -- that sort of thing. [more inside]
Windows Mini?
Looking for the Windows version of a Mac Mini - compact, fully equipped, quiet, fairly powerful, not crazy expensive. [more inside]
posted by kristi at 9:49 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by kristi at 9:49 AM PST - 15 comments
Help me Remux videos to MP4
* I AM NOT LOOKING FOR HELP CONVERTING VIDEOS, HANDBRAKE IS NOT WHAT I NEED *
I have a chromebook which can play MKV files but almost never plays the audio. I've read that there are programs that can 'remux' video so that it switches the container type or some such instead of actually converting the video. The programs that have been suggested are baffling and I have no idea how to do the remux with them. So I need advice on what program to use as well as how to use it. Thank you very much! [more inside]
help me build parenting confidence
still not feeling the self-confidence I hoped I'd have by now; looking for anecdotes.
how do I not feel like a shit parent all the time? I'm NOT looking for parenting advice, because it's precisely that advice that sends me into a self-doubting tailspin. I want to know how to feel confident and natural as a parent instead of riddled with anxiety, self doubt and impatience. I want to feel like I know my kid and what I do is "good enough" mothering. Then I want to let. it. go. [more inside]
posted by serenity soonish at 9:03 AM PST - 47 comments
posted by serenity soonish at 9:03 AM PST - 47 comments
Connecting a "C" wire at the furnace for smart thermostat
I'm trying to hook up my smart thermostat, but it needs a wire that isn't currently connected at the furnace. Am I doing the right thing? [more inside]
posted by almostmanda at 9:02 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by almostmanda at 9:02 AM PST - 5 comments
What limitations does the BBC put on employee speech?
What limitations, if any, does the BBC put on employee speech? Are broadcasters, journalists and others limited in expressing their personal opinion outside BBC media? Also, do you know of examples of public broadcasters limiting their employees rights to voice opinions, in other media or on social media?
posted by svenni at 8:16 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by svenni at 8:16 AM PST - 4 comments
In search of consumerism-neutral time-wasters
So, like many people, when I need a break at my desk I tend to look for something mindless on the Internet. I'm trying to get out of the habit of defaulting to fashion and beauty forums, which I like because they're low-effort, have pretty things to look at, and tend not to get me worked up about politics or whatever, but hate because I get the impulse to buy things I don't need. It's not causing a financial problem but I just don't want my time-wasters to lead to a shopping spree. [more inside]
Do a Thing Night
Once a week I would like to have Do a Thing Night with my husband, where we do something at home after the kids are in bed, that is outside our daily repertoire. I would like ideas for things to do that are 30-45 minutes, don't require a ton of set-up and clean-up, and don't require excessive advanced planning or supply purchases. Snowflakes inside! [more inside]
I had a great job opportunity. But I think I just blew it.
I recently cold-approached a political hero of mine for a job at a cocktail reception. After hearing my prepared spiel, the person seemed thrilled and introduced me to their chief of staff to "connect." I sent a follow-up e-mail the following day, and almost a week later I have still not heard from them. They are leaving the state in about four days -- do I nudge them now lest I lose the opportunity to reconnect in person, or do I hold off and settle for a phone call at a later date -- or in the worst-case scenario, nothing at all? [more inside]
posted by lecorbeau at 6:22 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by lecorbeau at 6:22 AM PST - 16 comments
Thinking of doing a PhD for fun, have I lost my mind?
I have a perfectly good professional career which is interesting and pays a good salary. Occasionally I get to do a small research project which I enjoy. Lately I have caught myself thinking about doing a PhD part-time, and cutting back the hours of my regular job. [more inside]
Missing a wedding because of work
I'm double-booked -- I have a very important work commitment (a PhD viva) scheduled on the same weekend as my friend's wedding which is a six hour flight away. I can't reschedule the viva, but this is also one of my closest friends in the world and I know she will hate it if I don't come. What, if anything, can I do to make it up to her?
posted by Aravis76 at 2:04 AM PST - 29 comments
posted by Aravis76 at 2:04 AM PST - 29 comments
Does this email have romantic overtones?
My partner and I have minor trust issues to deal with. He had an email exchange with an old ex- that I asked to read and have mixed feelings about and I'd like to hear your outside unbiased perceptions of it. [more inside]
How do things like live broadcast TV deal with vacation/absences?
Most every other company I've seen can grind to a halt on certain days depending on who calls in sick and how many, who is on vacation, etc. How does broadcast and other "must go on" stuff like that deal with these kinds of personnel issues? Do they just have a 3-deep bench of understudy people for every role that usually aren't doing much and step in in case of emergencies? Do they borrow people from other studios with an understanding that it will be reciprocated? Do the unions help somehow?
posted by basehead at 12:11 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by basehead at 12:11 AM PST - 12 comments
April 11
Best way to parse this data
I have a massive data set, 45 to 60 years of 5 different sets with each one needs several different sorting. Good automation of this would be great. [more inside]
Help me ID this song
A couple weeks ago, I heard a song in an airport bathroom, and have been trying to figure out what it is ever since. I used Garageband to record the main vocal theme via midi piano -- here's my clip (warning: autoplaying audio) . [more inside]
Wet/Chemical Work VS Leather Watchstrap- any hope?
I wear a plastic watch. I'd like to wear a leather banded watch. I am elbow deep in water and chemicals all day. Am I crazy? [more inside]
Way too many OPT-ions
Please help me figure out if I can make post-degree Optional Practical Training work for me as a freelancer working for companies all over the world. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
Where are the History Nerds on Youtube?
I looove watching all the great educational content that's on Youtube. But most of it is Science & Philosophy based. What are some good History channels I should tap into? [more inside]
posted by Caravantea at 6:45 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Caravantea at 6:45 PM PST - 12 comments
Calling the Socially Shared Hive Mind!
Is socially shared cognition still in favor in psychology or was it a mid 1990's fad? [more inside]
What is wrong with my ear?!
My ear, just my right ear, has been feeling full/ stuffy/ like it needs to pop for approximately three months now, and only the most extraordinary effort of willpower has kept me from clawing off one side of my head. The current best-guess diagnosis is TMJ issues, but no one knows, and my TMJ issues have been historically stubbornly persistent. Tedious explanation follows: [more inside]
posted by Alex Haist at 5:01 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by Alex Haist at 5:01 PM PST - 16 comments
Do I Stay or Do I Go? New Hard Drive for Dell Opti. 745 or New Computer?
The hard drive on my Dell Optiplex 745, 11/2006 vintage, failed. Is there any reason why replacing the drive and keeping this thing running for a few more years might be a penny wise pound foolish decision? If replacing the drive seems reasonable, what should I keep in mind as I source a new one?
Details follow. [more inside]
How do you know when your marriage over?
Wife and I have been having been in couples counseling for past 5 months for issues that started 2-3 years prior. How do you know when you should stop putting effort into saving the marriage? [more inside]
How does an anti-war liberal deal with a partner in the military?
Partner on military deployment overseas. What do I do about my feelings on war? [more inside]
Games on Linux (Stanley Parable In Particular)
According to this article Stanley Parable was released on Linux (most of the article is about an alpha release, but there's a footnote on the full release). So why is there no penguin icon? [more inside]
posted by andrewcooke at 2:13 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by andrewcooke at 2:13 PM PST - 7 comments
Best mobile phone plan for Europe/UK holiday?
We're holidaying soon, and I'd like to get a local sim card to make life a little easier. We're spending most of our time in the UK, but will also be visiting Paris, Vienna, Prague and Berlin. Are there any good options that would cover the lot?
posted by Silentgoldfish at 2:01 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Silentgoldfish at 2:01 PM PST - 5 comments
MacBook Air 2008 - Upgrade Mac OS X 10.6.8 to 10.7.5?
I have an original MacBook Air 1,1 (2008) that we use as our old-but-still-serviceable travel computer. It currently has 10.6.8 on it, and my understanding is that the machine could support Mac OS X 10.7.5 (Lion). Any upside (or serious downside) to upgrading it to 10.7.5? [more inside]
posted by mosk at 2:00 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by mosk at 2:00 PM PST - 5 comments
My roommate is a hardcore recycler and I am not. What now?
My roommate has confronted me about putting improper items in our trash that can be recycled. I don't really care. Where do I go from here? [more inside]
Plant ID
What kind of plant is this, and how often should I water it?
posted by ellieBOA at 1:28 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by ellieBOA at 1:28 PM PST - 9 comments
Going for a Paralegal interview with no legal certification.
I have an interview coming up for the role of a Paralegal and would need your advice on how to prepare for it! I have zero paralegal background/qualifications. [more inside]
posted by eustaciavye87 at 1:24 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by eustaciavye87 at 1:24 PM PST - 13 comments
Offline Events Growing Social Networks
I am looking for a few good examples of offline events that grow social networks, helping them build trust, recruit new users, etc. Do you have a good example you can share?
Here's one I found.
And I know that other brands and social networks have tried this.
Thanks!
Tax question - I messed up, but how do I pay this?
I goofed on my taxes and want to make it right, expert help appreciated. [more inside]
posted by NoraCharles at 12:57 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by NoraCharles at 12:57 PM PST - 6 comments
What is an enjoyable novel, with depth, suitable for freshman comp?
As I teach it now, my first semester composition course is geared toward inquiry. My primary text is From Inquiry to Academic Writing, and Ernest Cline's Ready Player One. I'm on the hunt for a new novel. [more inside]
Should my husband bring our child to my work event?
I've been nominated for an award at work, and there's a reception where the nominees, their nominators and our general work community members are invited to attend, and they'll announce the winner. My husband wants to bring our child.... [more inside]
Any suggestions for a vacation rental that meets our criteria?
Due to dithering, our family has failed to secure the vacation rental of our dreams. I'm looking for a new place we can go in the 2nd or 3rd week in August that's less than a six hour drive from Western Mass. Looking for recommendations of areas to check as well as specific rental ideas if anyone has any. [more inside]
Where in the world are truly great castles...for kids?
My daughter, who is 5, would really like to visit a castle. She's very interested in Princesses and seems fascinated that I lived in England as a kid. "Right next door to the Queen?!?" she asks. Well, not exactly. [more inside]
Please recommend a guided tour of Scotland
I'm doing a solo UK trip in mid-May and plan to spend a week in Scotland. One of my Scot friends suggested I do a guided bus/coach tour with other tourists to catch the highlights. Please recommend some good companies providing such tours. [more inside]
Houseplant health
What are these white spots on the leaves of my braided money plant? The spots are not holes, and appear on some leaves only. Indoor plant facing a southern window (bright light all day), and has thrived there for 3 years. I water only when the topsoil is dry. It appears to drain itself well.
Tips for a first-timer to Legoland California (and southern California)?
Tips for a first-timer to Legoland California (and southern California)? [more inside]
posted by DakotaPaul at 9:36 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by DakotaPaul at 9:36 AM PST - 16 comments
Name! That! Plant!
Our front garden beds are covered in this vine-like green monster- what is it? Trying to determine if it's an actual weed or something that was planted on purpose. Either way, I want to get rid of it, so tips on that would also be helpful.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:54 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:54 AM PST - 9 comments
name this cat!
I went to Tahoe this weekend to ski, and it was raining so I adopted a cat instead... she needs a name! [more inside]
posted by blueberrypuffin at 8:28 AM PST - 73 comments
posted by blueberrypuffin at 8:28 AM PST - 73 comments
What to do with a UK Pension now that we’ve moved back to the States?
After living in the UK for a couple years my wife and I - US citizens - have moved back to America. What can we do with my wife’s pension scheme now that she’s no longer in the UK and has changed employers? Complication: since she didn’t accrue enough pensionable service at her job while in the UK, my wife isn’t able to retain any benefit in the scheme she was enrolled in. She’s been given two options: [more inside]
Which alphabet is this?
Two of my friends sent a card that they picked out at our local bodega for my birthday. We had a great laugh and now we're obsessed with figuring out the message. But we can't decipher the alphabet! Help? [more inside]
posted by jeanmari at 8:06 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by jeanmari at 8:06 AM PST - 8 comments
Inner critic is a bully.
My inner critic can be very superficial and mean to myself and others. How do I shut that guy up? [more inside]
When can you start? "Not until after my surgery"
While interviewing for a new job, you may been asked when you can start working at that company. If that date is a little farther out, would that impact your chances at being hired? [more inside]
Fuzzy hair removal – Difficulty: eerie
As I’m growing older, I find my ear lobes to be increasingly covered in fine hairs. My battery powered nose/ear trimmer fails me. Can this fluff be removed via waxing (pain tolerance is high)?
Makeup challenges
In an attempt to use more of my makeup stash and get out of my rut, I have set up a list of quick "makeup challenges". I've put them in an randomiser app so the idea is that in the morning I will pick a challenge at random and try to take it on. I've already put in a few things around specific products I need to use more frequently, but I'd like suggestions on other things to add to my list. [more inside]
Help me wrap my head around photo organization, storage for Apple
I have a LOT of photos of travels, adventures, loved ones and my 14-year-old Boston terrier. I am trying to figure out the best way to organize and store those photos. [more inside]
Am I right to ignore him due to no second date/how do I date?!
I am rejoining the dating world after 2 years & need help with navigation and a specific date! [more inside]
Adapting the Risk Boardgame for Kids
My eight year old is fascinated by my copy of the boardgame, Risk. The two of us have tried playing a couple of times using the standard rules but it isn't much fun. Has anyone come across some modified rules for kids, or have any suggestions for me?
posted by jjderooy at 2:01 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by jjderooy at 2:01 AM PST - 21 comments
April 10
A thousand people with chickenpox
I had chickenpox as a child, and so I'm immune. But what if I sat in a crowded room with a thousand people with chickenpox - could I get it again? Would the chance be higher?
What happens if you make an injured spouse claim to the IRS?
I was researching some tax questions on AskMe and learned about the "injured spouse" provision. Last tax year we had a situation where our refund was absorbed by an old outstanding tax bill my spouse incurred a decade before we were married and had forgotten about. I understand I can file as an injured spouse to recoup some of this loss that came from my withheld taxes, but my question is: what happens to the debt? Will my spouse just receive a new bill for that amount? If that's what happens we're probably best chalking it up as water under the bridge. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Will downgrading my internet speed affect streaming video quality?
Considering downgrading my internet from 100 mbps down to 50 mbps. Will that affect how well video streams? [more inside]
Quiet, cross-platform, local multiplayer phone games?
My GF and I are at a café with our respective, slightly outmoded Android and iOS phones. We want to play a game, but Spaceteam is TOO LOUD for public. What’s something fun, quiet and cross-platform? Thanks! [more inside]
Damn is it dusty in here
No, that's not a euphemism for crying. It really is very dusty in my house. Is running the HVAC fan 24 x 7 a smart way to reduce dust? [more inside]
Is it impossible to make a region 2 DVD work on my home DVD player?
I bought a couple of concert DVDs from Japan but they won't play on my TV's DVD player (I'm in the US). For the first one that arrived a month ago, I got a trial of AnyDVD and figured out a way to remove the region and make an ISO, then burn back to a DVD. But AnyDVD seems to have gone away and my trial has expired. [more inside]
posted by freecellwizard at 4:29 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by freecellwizard at 4:29 PM PST - 14 comments
Best High Definition Muffin Mix (For Dinosaurs)?
I am the proud owner of a cast iron dinosaur muffin tin. This awesome one. I love making muffins in it. Some muffin recipes are 'higher definition' than others, however. By which I mean, some muffins more clearly display the dino details. What are some delicious muffin recipes that will also do a good job of showing off these magnificent megafauna? [more inside]
posted by sp160n at 3:36 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by sp160n at 3:36 PM PST - 9 comments
XYZ, subject of more than #### peer-reviewed articles
What's the best way to estimate the number of peer-reviewed articles written about a topic? [more inside]
posted by Lutoslawski at 2:13 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Lutoslawski at 2:13 PM PST - 10 comments
Bonehead tax mistake. Must I pay tax due calculated incorrectly?
I made a stupid mistake filing my tax return: I accidentally underreported the amount of state tax withheld by failing to fill in that value from one of my W2s. Correspondingly, TaxAct calculated that I owed four figures to Illinois (including a $300 underpayment penalty) and about $100 to the US Government. I e-filed over the weekend and have the vouchers to mail in with my payments. Only after I filed did I realize my mistake. Updating the W2 in TaxAct shows that I'm actually due a refund from both federal and state governments. [more inside]
posted by ndg at 1:55 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by ndg at 1:55 PM PST - 10 comments
How to start doing literally anything.
The past two years have been pretty damn rough for me, but I feel like I'm ready to start being an adult again. Indecisiveness has turned me into a stagnant recluse and I simply can't live like this any longer. The problem is that I don't know where to start, so that's why I'm here. [more inside]
Where can I find BBC Shipping Forecast compilations?
Does anyone publicly maintain an archive with edited, perhaps back-to-back versions of *just* the broadcasters reading the forecast? [more inside]
Negotiating / determining compensation for Big Telco screwup?
I own a business which is heavily dependent on the telephone. 5+ months ago, I moved locations and paid Bell to move me and kept my phone number. Everything seemed cool but every once in a while someone would chew me out for not answering my phone. Of course, I always answer the phone... When it rings. After an inordinate number of people complained in a single week, I called the phone company. They looked into it and admitted they'd screwed up. I'm going to call them to discuss compensation. Where to start? [more inside]
Woodshed Engineering
I want to build a woodshed, AND I don't want to go to that much effort, only to have the floor collapse. I am not an engineer. [more inside]
posted by ctmf at 12:58 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by ctmf at 12:58 PM PST - 8 comments
ISO women's dress sandals. Difficulty: Bunion, wide feet, HIGH arches
I live in a climate with temperatures that can get up to 110* in the dead of summer. Without arch support, my arches/toes/calves get painful cramps, and the only brand so far that comes close is Vionic (formerly Orthaheel). Which other brands am I missing? [more inside]
posted by onecircleaday at 12:40 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by onecircleaday at 12:40 PM PST - 26 comments
just a cheap imitation
I've been slowly improving my wardrobe but somehow I'm feeling a kind of impostor syndrome--as though I'm just playing dress-up and look ridiculous. [more inside]
posted by a knot unknown at 12:35 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by a knot unknown at 12:35 PM PST - 31 comments
Looking for some light-reading blogs
I'm looking for some new blogs to read on home renovation/design, gardening, crafts (sewing, weaving, knitting), and personal but not professional blogs. [more inside]
posted by john_snow at 12:24 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by john_snow at 12:24 PM PST - 10 comments
What stone have I left unturned in this job search?
Searching for a new job in logistics/supply chain/transportation/management. I am currently employed with a transportation carrier and I manage a small team of 5. I have been searching in the industry for about a year but no major bites yet. I feel that there is a tipping point or path I have yet to find, any ideas? [more inside]
Need an ONION joke explaining
What is the joke in this THE ONION article? [more inside]
posted by alasdair at 12:09 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by alasdair at 12:09 PM PST - 15 comments
Bang & Olufsen sound-card is too quiet, what can I do to make it louder?
Hi MeFi,
I recently upgraded my PC and snagged an i7 4790k / 4.00Ghz with 30GB of RAM. Much to my disappointment, I noticed that my new sound-card from Bang & Olufsen is super quiet and nowhere as loud as my previous Beats card that came bundled with my older HP machine.
I record via Ableton Live/Reason and really miss the rich sound I used to get with Beats and no longer get with Bang & Olufsen. What are my options besides replacing the Sound-Card all together?
Are there any headphone amplifiers for PC's that will give me more volume? Is there a stand-alone hardware I can buy and run via USB that will allow for richer sound?
Thanks for your tips!
posted by bostonhill at 10:56 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by bostonhill at 10:56 AM PST - 4 comments
Is it possible to charge a Surface Pro 3 via a Powerbank?
Is it possible to charge a Surface Pro 3 via a power bank that only has usb output?
posted by ajayb at 10:55 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by ajayb at 10:55 AM PST - 5 comments
Family Bicycling Near London
We're staying in London late August/early September. We want to see the Cotswolds and West Sussex. We're thinking overnight trips where we take a train out of London and then get around by bike might be more fun than renting a car and driving around. Is this plausible? [more inside]
Can I skip the final rinse?
For *reasons* I'd rather not rinse conditioner off before getting out of the shower. In other words, I want to work a conditioner into my hair as soon as its clean and leave it there. I do the curlygirl thing of cowashing and being silicone-free. My current favorite conditioner is L'Oreal Evercurl which is an okay moisturizer but gives me great curls. So, is there a product or method out there that can free me from that final rinse?
What do you like to do for fun?
I started online dating recently and this is the question that I get asked often. Or "what do you do in your spare time?". I actually don't do much. I "think" rather than "do". How to even answer this? [more inside]
Toenail fungus help and athletes foot
Anyone tried vinegar soaks for foot fungus? Does it help?
I do t know what to do anymore for foot fungus.
What helped you?
I heard about vinegar, baking soda, listenine and Vicks.
Hair scarf style suggestions?
Looking for ways of wearing a head scarf/wrap/bandana/etc that look BOTH definitely feminine AND appropriate for a young secular white woman. I'm trying to avoid looks that are unisex or tomboyish (which tend to make me, a trans woman, look more masculine than I'm comfortable with). Does such a thing exist?
posted by nebulawindphone at 9:09 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by nebulawindphone at 9:09 AM PST - 15 comments
How can I tell if you'll be reliable and not destory my stuff?
I am interviewing subletters for my apartment this summer. While I have rented it out before fully unfurnished, this time I am looking to let it furnished, with just the most worrisome things stored in a locked closet. Have you done something like this? What are your best tricks / questions / etc. for discerning who would treat things the best? Thanks! [more inside]
posted by dame at 8:31 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by dame at 8:31 AM PST - 13 comments
National Sibling Day. But he's a buttmunch.
The "political is personal" and vice-versa with my younger brother during this election season. It has sort of hit a boiling point via social media recently and I need some strategies for how to manage this - both in terms of my feelings and as a practical matter. [more inside]
posted by pantarei70 at 8:26 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by pantarei70 at 8:26 AM PST - 25 comments
What's the best bird seed for my bird feeder?
I just got a large bird feeder and filled it up with a standard bird seed mix, and I'm finding that it's empty by the end of every day. But it seems like most of the seed just winds up on the ground, uneaten. There's a lot of millet and corn down there. Is there a bird seed mix where more of the seed will be eaten, and not just discarded? I live in Los Angeles, if that is helpful.
What color dog/cat hair is least obvious on black suits?
We have cats with white/brown/ALL the fur. Lint rollers are a staple in my life - and I still end up with copious fur on my (mostly black) suits at work. I recently commented to Mr. Arnicae that it is too bad our cats don't have black fur and he said "Oh no, black fur is even worse - it shows up AND it looks dirty." What color of pet fur is more obvious on a predominantly black suit wardrobe? [more inside]
Hamstrings That Need to Loosen Up
In the past couple of years I've noticed that my hamstrings are usually really tight. It's not painful, but I really notice the tightness even when I'm just walking around. More recently, my hips have started popping multiple times every day which seems maybe like not a good thing? [more inside]
Consumable Gifts for Kids
What are some good consumable gifts for children? [more inside]
posted by bimbam at 7:05 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by bimbam at 7:05 AM PST - 26 comments
Sorry, you're just not my type
My beloved keyboard is finally giving up the ghost and I need another one. Why is this so hard? Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
How many versions of my resume do you need anyway?!
Online job applications that ask for multiple versions of your work history (resume + manual entry form + LinkedIn +++): do employers actually read all the versions of your work history? Could you concentrate on just one? [more inside]
April 9
Recommend an audiobook/radio drama with an ensemble voice cast?
I'm looking for immersive audiobooks and drama CD's featuring multiple narrators/actors. Alternatively, fictional podcasts are ok, but really I'd prefer dramatizations of good books. [more inside]
Help needed with constantly filing toilet tank
So in an effort to figure out why our water bill has doubled over the last six months, my wife and I have identified the likely culprit: our toilet. [more inside]
posted by Cash4Lead at 10:17 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by Cash4Lead at 10:17 PM PST - 18 comments
New "relationship" moving too fast
I started seeing this guy 2.5 weeks ago. He's great. We click really well, he's incredibly nice and funny and sweet and all else. But in that time we've gone from just meeting to knowing a ton of intimate details about each other's lives (mental health problems, his father's alcoholism, his sister's self-harm) and cuddling and kissing at his place for eight hours straight. It's not like it's horribly unreasonable but I'm overwhelmed and scared and need help setting limits/managing my emotions. [more inside]
What are the most interesting Digital Humanities projects to date?
I am wondering what you think the most interesting Digital Humanities projects are to date, and what makes them so interesting. Any thoughts would be most appreciated.
Through a scanner...compactly?
Looking for recommendations for a relatively heavy-duty home scanner. Requirements within. [more inside]
posted by Argyle Road at 6:19 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Argyle Road at 6:19 PM PST - 8 comments
What caused the corrosion on all this piping?
Any thoughts on what could cause uniform surface corrosion on different types of metal inside a bathroom vanity? [more inside]
posted by hafehd at 4:28 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by hafehd at 4:28 PM PST - 10 comments
Need a chili recipe to impress my office
I am suppose to bring chili to office lunch for approximately 10 people one day next week, I want it to be awesome of course. We have a microwave but I also have a crock pot I could take and plug up. The request I have heard so far is to make it extra meaty and spicy. Any recipes that can be shared would be awesome and much appreciated.
Need help locating an NPR Story About Google
A few months ago (probably around 5-11 months ago) I recall listening to an NPR show on my way to work. I don't recall what the show was about exactly, but the gentleman who was being interviewed (or sharing his story) specifically mentioned something about Google. I don't recall if he was an employee, had worked there, or just knew about it. [more inside]
What do I do with a $100,000 check?
I just closed on a cash-out refinance to pay for a home renovation. I have a $100,000 check--what do I do with it? [more inside]
You're just ok. Don't like me anymore? NOW I love you
I've got a bad romantic ailment. I have a hard time bridging the gap between reality and fantasy, and I have a big romantic ego. I have a tendency to build infatuation mansions, when reality perhaps only calls for a modest log cabin. Excuse the length of the navel gazing essay below. [more inside]
Hard-boiled detective fiction from the last 30 years?
I've been reading a lot of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett lately and I am really into it. But now I want to taste some of this same flavour in a more recent vintage, especially if it is seasoned with some cross-genre pollination. [more inside]
posted by 256 at 2:08 PM PST - 72 comments
posted by 256 at 2:08 PM PST - 72 comments
professional shirts for a woman with a slim torso and strong arms
Where can I find shirts cut for someone my shape? I have a slim, long torso, and relatively muscular, and therefore large, arms. [more inside]
posted by dizziest at 1:32 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by dizziest at 1:32 PM PST - 4 comments
Eskimo or Inuit
I'm designing a book of Eskimo folk tales for a university project, and I'm wondering if I should use the term Eskimo or Inuit. My understanding is that Inuit is the correct term in Canada and Greenland because all Canadian and Greenlandic Eskimos are Inuit, but Eskimo is preferred elsewhere because it encompasses both Inuit and Yupik people. I'm in the UK, so I guess Eskimo is correct, but I'm pretty sure all of the stories I'm using are Inuit so would it make more sense to use that term? [more inside]
posted by Chenko at 1:30 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by Chenko at 1:30 PM PST - 16 comments
Couch to 5k...for cooking?
My experience in the kitchen is limited to pouring a bowl of cereal. But I'd like to become a decent cook. Are there any books or website guides that go from zero to chef? Something that would have me cooking basics one by one and build my way to actually making some dishes and knowing what I'm doing in the kitchen. Thanks!
older dog decisions
My 11 year old Westie has been drinking 2-3x more water than usual. My vet says the next step would either be an X-ray ($75) or an ultrasound ($500). I'm not sure what's the best next step? Cute pup photo here. [more inside]
Answers for 75 year-old mother w/ acute episode of mental decompensation
Seeking answers for my 75 year-old mother, who had an acute and frightening episode of mental decompensation on the 11th of this month. While it has gotten a bit better, it is still present and affecting daily living. [more inside]
What is Rule Out Autism Spectrum Disorder?
My son was diagnosed with "rule out autism spectrum disorder, mild." Help me understand this. [more inside]
El Capitan and noatime
My Mom has an old iMac that's always seemed a bit sluggish. I recently installed El Capitan and it's now painfully slow, so I tried the noatime trick and it makes a big difference. Problem is I can enable it using the terminal but I can't get it to persist across reboots. Does this have something to do with Apple's System Integrity Protection?
Beaming Service for Samsung / how to launch app?
I have the "Beaming Service for Samsung" (based on Beep’nGo by Mobeam) pre-installed on my Samsung Galaxy mobile phone, but I can't see how to actually launch the app. Does anyone here use the app and can you tell me how to launch it on my phone?
(BTW, this is not Android Beam for file transfer, it is a barcode beaming app)
posted by Exchequer at 12:53 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Exchequer at 12:53 PM PST - 3 comments
Water, water everywhere.
We have a leak somewhere above our garage, and nobody seems to be able to figure out where it is coming from. I've heard a few stories from different contractors, but I'm clueless when it comes to home improvement and I don't know how to tell what to actually believe. Help? [more inside]
RIP Primulas
Help me make my balcony feel like a welcoming outdoor space without any live plants. [more inside]
posted by burntflowers at 10:59 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by burntflowers at 10:59 AM PST - 13 comments
Respecting religious differences in emotionally charged conversations?
I'm an atheist. I don't wear this fact on my sleeve. Most of the time, I actively avoid religion as a conversational topic. There are some conversations, however, where you can't duck the topic, because you're providing support to someone who has experienced a personal tragedy, such as the death of a loved one, and in the course of that conversation, they will invoke their religious beliefs. The question I am posing is: how can I provide emotional support and maintain proper boundaries while respecting their beliefs and my own as well?
posted by the hot hot side of randy at 10:53 AM PST - 31 comments
posted by the hot hot side of randy at 10:53 AM PST - 31 comments
Poem / reading ideas for a 50th anniversary
What poems / readings would you recommend for a 50th Anniversary? My parents have been having health issues so I would prefer to avoid the usual "ha ha you're falling apart" joke poems about pills and getting infirm. They are somewhat stoic but have a good sense of humor.
How to fix this Automator script?
OS X Automator experts! I need help with an Automator script which will renames files to the name of the subfolder that contains them, move the renamed file to the main folder, and delete the empty subfolder. I've got it partially working but need help fixing it... [more inside]
posted by bluecore at 9:35 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by bluecore at 9:35 AM PST - 5 comments
Gardening in California: What to do with a DEEP container?
Short version: I have a crate that is 50 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 35 inches deep. What plants have roots that can take advantage of the depth, but don't need much space to spread laterally? Long version: [more inside]
posted by aws17576 at 9:25 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by aws17576 at 9:25 AM PST - 15 comments
How lucky we are to be alive right now!
I'm going to see Hamilton on Tuesday (OMG) and I have a few questions, both Hamilton-specific and Broadway-general. [more inside]
posted by lunasol at 8:38 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by lunasol at 8:38 AM PST - 12 comments
Flight to Buenos Aires - Airlines and layover times
Has anyone flown LAN Airlines? What was your experience? Also, is this enough of a layover for an international flight? [more inside]
posted by chainsofreedom at 6:41 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by chainsofreedom at 6:41 AM PST - 6 comments
True crime podcast?
I'm looking for dark, true crime podcasts. My ideal would be the content of Sword and Scale with the production of Criminal or Serial. [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 6:28 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by pintapicasso at 6:28 AM PST - 10 comments
Internet etiquette
Is it sociaIlly acceptable to google someone I knew, say 10 years ago, to find out what happened to them (e.g. where they live, what their career is?) I am not planning to contact them, I just get curious about where people ended up.
If I search for someone on Linkedin, will they find out information about me at all, seeing as I don't have a Linkedin profile?
Liquid coming out of tankless water heater's condensate drain line?
I recently had a Rinnai tankless gas water heater installed professionally. I am noticing that during use, some liquid drips out of the bottom, from the condensate drain line. Plumber said "just put a bucket underneath to catch it and then pour down the drain." Uh, really? Some minor googling tells me condensate from tankless gas water heaters tends to be VERY acidic. What's the correct way to handle this? [more inside]
posted by joan_holloway at 4:29 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by joan_holloway at 4:29 AM PST - 20 comments
Lager Man vs. Mr. IPA
Is it healthier over the long-term to drink fewer strong beers or a few more weaker beers per sitting? Specifications inside. [more inside]
Child-friendly version of goodreads?
Six-year-old daughter is a real bookworm and loves writing reviews. She's seen me on goodreads and really wants to do something similar. She likes the idea of sharing reviews and getting recommendations.
Is there anything we could use together which would be suitable? [more inside]
posted by monkey closet at 3:40 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by monkey closet at 3:40 AM PST - 7 comments
April 8
Recurring rib injury/pain?
Since mid-December -- and never before that -- I've had three instances of very sore ribs or sprained intercostal muscles. Twice on the left, once on the right. What's going on? [more inside]
Book for XP users transitioning to win7?
I'm not deploying Win7 on a large scale. I only have it on, I think, three of my newest computers. [more inside]
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:48 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:48 PM PST - 5 comments
My therapist is white. I'm not.
Have you had any experience with having a therapist (or client) who has a very different background and level of privilege from you? How did you address this? [more inside]
US Immigration: question about approved visa suddenly "in review."
My partner immigrated to the USA from Canada roughly one year ago, about two years after we got married and initiated the immigration process. She had an approved IR-1 visa at the time she entered the USA permanently, about one year ago. We recently got a text/email notification from USCIS telling us that our case had switched statuses from "approved" to "in review," and calling USCIS revealed nothing. How worried should we be? [more inside]
Why would or wouldn't a state legislature support public radio?
Some states provide zero funding to their public radio stations (either directly or via state education funds like, to colleges) while others give a lot (last year, Georgia gave public radio almost 15-million dollars). Who decides, the legislature or the voters, whether or not to support public radio in a state?
posted by CollectiveMind at 8:09 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by CollectiveMind at 8:09 PM PST - 4 comments
Photography for online dating profile in San Francisco
I'd like to pay to have a few pictures of myself taken for online dating. I'm in SF. Where can I find someone to do this for relatively cheap? [more inside]
Are you a politically progressive person?
What does 'Progressive' mean in Canadian Politics? [more inside]
Get the lead out
I live in one of those locations in the US where we have high levels of lead in the water, according to recent reputable news stories. Unsurprisingly, my tap water tastes like metal garbage. My Brita is not really filtering out the taste. What kind of filter do I need to buy, or do I need to stick to water I buy from the store (which seems insane)? [more inside]
posted by sockermom at 7:24 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by sockermom at 7:24 PM PST - 18 comments
Flirting? Via messaging? ...help?
Well this is new to me: I actually contacted a real-life crush online (!), but have no idea what to do next. Please advise. [more inside]
Twitching Eye Remedy?
A few weeks ago I received some news that really stressed me out. One of my eyes startched twitching that day or the next day, I'm sure related to the stress. I haven't had an eye twitch in years. I've since calmed down, but my eye hasn't stopped twitching. What can I do?
posted by atinna at 7:06 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by atinna at 7:06 PM PST - 15 comments
Balticon 50 Reading List
Rental Agent Recommendation for Madison, WI
My partner and I are getting ready to move to Madison in June. We are thinking that we might need some help locating a rental. Does anyone know a good real estate agent who works as a rental agent or apartment locator? We would love to find a flat, duplex, or small house, but failing that an apartment would be fine too. Snowflake details inside. [more inside]
Montreal, here I come! For two weeks, at least..
I'm going to be in Montreal from 4/10 to 4/24, and I'm looking for the weirdo hotspots! [more inside]
Flirty v desperate: Another stupid dating dilemma
This is such a trifling thing, but I keep going round and round about whether to reach out to this guy and have come to the tribunal of Ask to render a decision. Multiple choice answer key inside. [more inside]
Canberra: Long weekend edition
I have only ever been to Canberra for fly-in meetings and decided it was time to see the capital properly. I will visit for the ANZAC Day long weekend, arriving on the Friday night and flying out late afternoon Monday.
What are your favourites at the museums and galleries? Pleasant walks or other recommended outdoor activities? Eating options that suit the solo traveller? Best places to see autumn leaves? Things that will overturn the generally-held views of Canberra by Australians who live elsewhere? [more inside]
What was this SF short?
Trying to track down a short science fiction story involving compromised (in the infosec sense) wireless audio implants. [more inside]
Why is my new iPhone 6 using so much data?
Up until two weeks ago I had an iPhone4 and a 1GB data plan, which was just fine for what I do, namely browsing Metafilter and the New York Times. Suddenly upon acquiring a new iPhone 6, I somehow began using large amounts of data. I've already had to upgrade to a 4GB plan in order to avoid extra charges. What happened? [more inside]
Good/bad idea: going to our friends' wedding a week before our own?
Our dear friends are having their wedding on October 8th. Our wedding is October 15th. Gulp. We really want to go. But is that a bad idea? What even happens the week before your wedding? [more inside]
posted by functionequalsform at 12:24 PM PST - 41 comments
posted by functionequalsform at 12:24 PM PST - 41 comments
Intelligent streamable tv shows that aren't too heavy
I moved in by myself after ending a long-term relationship about a year ago, and am now in a long-distance relationship. I try to fill my spare time with friends, books, podcasts, and volunteering, but sometimes there's nothing that quite fills the head-and-heart space like a good tv show. Please recommend shows that are well written, character driven, and when covering difficult things, contain enough warmth and hope that I don't want to curl up into a ball of bleakness while watching alone. [more inside]
Deadlocked on a baby name.
Eleanor or Lousia? Tell me more. [more inside]
Self-Help Book Suggestions
I'm looking for a good self-help book that deals with one or more of the following: [more inside]
Facebook Pages in German and French, please?
I'm looking for interesting French and German Facebook pages to seed my FB feed and keep it from being so boring. [more inside]
See you...in two weeks!
I'm taking a solo trip for a few weeks without my partner. What are things I can do before I leave or during to let my partner know I care about them while I'm gone? [more inside]
What one skincare product should I add to my routine?
What ONE skincare product should I add to my current sunscreen-moisturizer-cleanser routine in my twenties? [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 10:56 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by serelliya at 10:56 AM PST - 20 comments
Mechanic Panic - Are They Ripping Me Off??
I've taken my car to the mechanic what seems like an unreasonable number of times to fix an issue. Mostly, the car keeps overheating. First, they replaced the entire radiator. The next time it broke down, it was the water pump, which also necessitated a new timing belt. It's been overheating again, and came close to breaking down. I talked with a guy who knows cars, but is not a mechanic. He says if it's still having problems, it's likely the thermostat. Am I overreacting to not want this same shop to fix it? [more inside]
posted by serenity_now at 10:55 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by serenity_now at 10:55 AM PST - 16 comments
My mother is not a telemarketer
I just received a phone call from my mom's number (on my cell phone, so it showed up with her photo and everything), but when I picked up it was some scam offering me free nights at a motel. What just happened? How or should I report it? Do I need to worry that that my identity has been compromised?
posted by thecaddy at 10:44 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by thecaddy at 10:44 AM PST - 10 comments
Widget to display Chrome bookmarks on desktop?
I wish I had more time to research this, but frankly I do not. [more inside]
Want To Buy An Old Property That Needs Everything. Tell Me I'm Not Crazy
We are very interested in purchasing a small commercial building from the 1920s to renovate into our home. It is brick with high 14' ceilings and it is really cool- like a mini loft. It has been used as residential before, but is currently basically a really nifty shell. It is empty of basically everything and needs a lot of work done. Does this make financial sense? Read on, please. [more inside]
Do shareholder proxy fights ever end well?
The company I work for is involved in a proxy fight with an activist investor. I love my job and my company is doing just fine thank you very much without this interloper's opinions. The investor's agenda is highly short-sighted and I'm concerned it will harm our long-term competitiveness.
If the investor manages to win this proxy fight... does that *ever* end well for the employees? Or should I start polishing my resume?
posted by klao at 10:00 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by klao at 10:00 AM PST - 11 comments
Voice Recognition Software that can format papers in APA, MLA, etc.?
I'm an academic librarian and one of my patrons is a very bright young woman who is a visually impaired junior (3rd year uni student). She has a rare progressive neurological disease. She uses various programs (Voice Dream and something else the name of which I cannot remember) that read textbooks and academic journal articles to her. She is able to type somewhat but may gradually lose some of that capacity. She relies on her mom and grandma for a lot but neither ever went to college and there are things they can't help her with. Is there any Voice Recognition Software that can actually format her papers? Where if she tells it "APA cover page" it can do it with the words she speaks? Or "Chicago footnote"? [more inside]
Hope me make my mac forget an unwanted network!
My macbook (air, Yosemite 10.10.3) keeps trying to connect to a BT wifi network, prioritizing it over my normal home network. How can I make it stop? [more inside]
Literature about ugliness
In search of novels, memoirs, and other literary works where physical ugliness (NOT beauty, primarily) is a major subject/theme. Thanks!
Are there any large dog breeds that are *not* bred for work?
Are there any large dog breeds that are *not* bred for work?🐶
posted by gregr at 9:14 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by gregr at 9:14 AM PST - 25 comments
Mortgage refinance - ethical dilemma
Is it ethical to go with the best deal on a mortgage that is NOT through a broker even when my broker did a bunch of "free" work that opened up this opportunity? [more inside]
What is the best mechanical keyboard for my purposes?
I'm in the market for a mechanical keyboard to attach to my work laptop so that I don't have to deal with its crappy keyboard when I'm at my desk. What should I get? Requirements within. [more inside]
Different definitions of "respect"
I'm looking for a particular quotation about respect that I saw very recently online somewhere. It was something like "When you tell me you want me to respect you, you mean that you want me to acknowledge that you have authority over me. When I tell you I want you to respect me, I mean that I want you to value me." [more inside]
Real Estate Heartbreak: Do we break up with our real estate agent?
My partner and I chose an agent we liked and trusted, but several months into the process, we're reevaluating whether we made the right choice. Key issues: neighborhood expertise, pavement-pounding, and more. We feel loyal, yet conflicted. [more inside]
Animating simple network concepts video
I have a very simple, one-off animation task, which is to illustrate some basic network concepts through a two-to-three minute Youtube video. I have some scripting experience for videos, but no particular graphical chops: what software should i use? [more inside]
Print out a special Outlook calendar
I have one calendar, in Outlook. I'd like to view and be able to print a calendar that ONLY lists certain types of appointments: ones that occur on weekends, and ones where I am out of the office (whether I'm out of office on weekends or not). As a bonus, I'd like to have the option to view this special calendar in Outlook, but I'd settle for being able to print it. Basically, I want to view my calendar WITHOUT my Monday to Friday work meetings on it. Is this possible?
Registering cats as emotional support animals?
My SO and I have two lovely cats, and are moving from Canada to Hawaii in a few months. We both have well-managed anxiety/depression. Is there a way we can register them as emotional support animals? [more inside]
posted by Paper rabies at 8:10 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Paper rabies at 8:10 AM PST - 9 comments
Like Warby Parker, but not
What brick-and-morter eyewear stores in New York are similar to Warby Parker in style and cost? [more inside]
Fraud from personal data?
Let's say someone has gotten access to your full name, date of birth, city of birth, and signature. Can someone commit fraud with these pieces of information, and if so, how? If not, I'm wondering what else they might try to get.
I'm concerned I might be at risk for fraud because someone has snooped around and gotten the above data about me and I just got a bad feeling about them.
What do colleges look at for dance major admission and scholarship?
If someone wants to major in dance and even try for a scholarship, what are they looking at most? [more inside]
Bluetooth Interference
A bluetooth dead zone has mysterious appeared in my basement, which happens to be exactly where I have my bike trainer set up to use Zwift, which requires the use of bluetooth sensors. Everything worked perfectly fine 10 days ago, when I last used it, and I have not changed a single thing about my setup. I'm not sure how to find out what is the source of this new interference, or what to do about it if I find it. [more inside]
I miss my old life, pre-baby & feel extremely guilty...is this normal?
Nobody can prepare you for motherhood, nobody can even come close to describing the joys, sadness and all other mixes of emotions that come with adding a new life to your family. And nobody really shared the struggles or "not so pretty" side to motherhood, so with my feelings of yearning for my old life I feel so guilty that I haven't embraced this new life with an open heart and arms...are these feelings normal? Do mothers and fathers roles cause resentment, because there is inevitibly more responsiblity on the mothers (by nature to nurture if that makes sense)? How do you maintain a relationship with your SO when life seems to be so seperate now that a baby has arrived? A lot of the fun we had together is now seperate. [more inside]
Sexual Assault Prevention
What can/should I do to draw attention to a creepy professor? [more inside]
Sleep: Experience with CBT-I for insomnia?
I’m looking to see if anybody has had success with CBT for insomnia, particularly one of those online programs that I can do from home. Particularly if it allows me to slowly taper off of my sleeping medication while doing the program. [more inside]
posted by Valancy Rachel at 7:19 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Valancy Rachel at 7:19 AM PST - 8 comments
Wedding vendors with non-disparagement clauses
In searching for a particular vendor for our wedding, I came across one company with a non-disparagement clause in their contract. I wasn't planning on complaining about anyone online or giving out 1-star reviews willy nilly, but is this a reason not to work with this company? [more inside]
posted by stripesandplaid at 6:44 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by stripesandplaid at 6:44 AM PST - 14 comments
Did Classic Mac have this error message thrown in the Steve Jobs movie
Was watching Aaron Sorkin's Steve Jobs movie, which opens with a 1984 Mac crashing with the message, "Unimplemented trap." I Googled and could only find references as far back as OS 7 (1991) so I was wondering if this was dramatic license?
posted by johngoren at 5:48 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by johngoren at 5:48 AM PST - 7 comments
"Great to see you again, Nancy! No, wait, Shona. No, Rob. Um..."
How to recognise people when you're not good at recognising people? [more inside]
How messed up am I, exactly?
I would like to know whether I am a hopeless mess or simply too strict with myself. [more inside]
I have 45 days, no restrictions, no limits. Where should I go?
I just quit my job. It was a disappointment, and I want to forget about it. I don't plan to start working again for another 2 months, and I have $8000 to spend.
I want to travel alone for the next 45 days. I believe that it is quite unlikely that I will have an equivalent, unadulterated period of travel time in my future, so I want to make the best use of this. I am ready to choose any point on the world map and get there. [more inside]
April 7
Vocational Rehabilitation... what should I expect?
I'm tired of staring at the walls and building dungeons for Skyrim... I heard about this Vocational Rehabilitation program and signed up for it. My appointment is in two weeks, and I'd like to know what I'm getting into. [more inside]
posted by patheral at 9:12 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by patheral at 9:12 PM PST - 5 comments
How would you organize a library of EPS and AI files?
I have a huge bank of vector images that I share with my design team. We want to be able to tag them and search them and scroll through them quickly. We also need everybody to be able to see the tags and add to them. The easy tagging is especially important. I've tried out Bridge but I am a little disappointed. Any suggestions? [more inside]
My beloved Sansa Clip+ has died. What's a good replacement?
My Sansa Clip+ MP3 player stopped working. First it started freezing up, and now my computer gives USB errors when plug it in. Sadly, when I went looking for a new one, I was disappointed to find that Sansa has apparently discontinued the Clip+, and all I see are other models with worse reviews, and refurbished clip plus's selling for nearly twice what I paid for mine new. So the question, should I suck it up and shell out $40+ for a refurbished one on ebay, or purchase something else? [more inside]
Thanking my vet for really exceptional service?
In the last four months, I lost both of my beloved cats to cancer. During the great cat die-off, my vet was not only a vet-- he was a friend, a shrink and a sanity check. He emailed me daily, even on his vacation. He did free house calls. He called me several times a week. I would like to thank him in some way which is both a big enough thank you and not too much. [more inside]
posted by frumiousb at 6:55 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by frumiousb at 6:55 PM PST - 11 comments
Where can I look at people's progress pictures?
I love to look through pictures of people's progress of improving their life in some way. I guess I find it calming and inspirational. Where on the internet can I find more of this? [more inside]
posted by moons in june at 6:34 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by moons in june at 6:34 PM PST - 8 comments
Am I in a dead end job or an amazing networking position?
Every day is a rollercoaster -- need to figure out where i stand -- Waterfall of Text below the fold [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 6:08 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by winterportage at 6:08 PM PST - 7 comments
Hair Cut??? Shivers
My hair is longish. It's always been long to longish. For the last few months I've been thinking of cutting off about 6 inches and having a long, angled bob. What's it like to go from long hair to shortish hair? [more inside]
posted by 26.2 at 4:52 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by 26.2 at 4:52 PM PST - 29 comments
Kondo Method for the rest of your life?
What are your best ideas for keeping the rest of your life organized? [more inside]
Sheet music in one long "scroll"
You know how a player piano uses a roll with the music inscribed on it? I'd like such a scroll, but for a regular piece of sheet music. One song and one treble clef. All of the notes in a continuous line. Does such an item exist? If not, how might I best go about having one made?
No sound after Windows10 upgrade. Help, please?
After its upgrade to Windows 10, my desktop no longer has sound. I had 8.1 until this afternoon, and had sound from the computer, NOT through additional speakers. Is it possible to restore this sound functionality under the new system? [more inside]
Objectivism writing prompt online course?
Someone described to me an online "finding yourself" sort of thing, where you get writing prompts every day for weeks. It's run, I think, by the wife in a couple of Ayn Randian Objectivists, though I don't think Objectivism is overtly a part of the online course. [more inside]
posted by zeek321 at 3:13 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by zeek321 at 3:13 PM PST - 3 comments
Why are woodworking measurements always in Imperial and not Metric?
My kid is taking Woodshop in high school and the class is taught in Imperial units in Canada. Why? Why are inches still the defacto measuring system for woodworking/home improvement? I'm old, so I have an excuse for buying 8' 2"x4"'s, kids don't. Plus wouldn't removing the fractions make it easier for everyone?
If someone tells me to "manage expectations" one more time...
Having been inspired by the CBS Sunday Morning piece on a husband and wife team who, with no science background, went on to do amazing things as PhD biomedical students at Harvard, I feel like there still might be a chance at (re)building the life and story I imagined for myself. Starting over, with the goal of becoming a doctor. Help and hope me? [more inside]
posted by marsbar77 at 2:57 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by marsbar77 at 2:57 PM PST - 29 comments
Colloquial Weather Terms
I'm looking for examples of colloquial weather terms like the "dog days" of summer, Indian summer, or blackberry winter.
These are just examples, the terms don't have to be about weather like those. I'm just interested in learning more local/regional expressions like these, especially non-English ones if people know them. Thanks!
Movie calendars from Ogden Theater in Denver in the 80s.
These were printed schedules, I think four color, listing the monthly movie schedule for the Ogden Theater in Denver in the 80s. They were everywhere at the time, and are apparently nowhere now. But there must be some floating around somewhere, scanned or no, and I need them. It's, um, an emergency. Yeah, emergency! [more inside]
posted by ernielundquist at 2:49 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by ernielundquist at 2:49 PM PST - 9 comments
How are overseas assets and debts evaluated for UK lending?
As it says up top, I'm wondering how foreign assets and debts are viewed for mortgages in the UK. Details after the jump. [more inside]
posted by robertthebruce at 1:56 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by robertthebruce at 1:56 PM PST - 5 comments
Should we refinance to drop PMI payments?
Should we refinance our (relatively) freshly bought home? [more inside]
You shall not pass! (without submitting contact info)
Looking for a solution for Wordpress for gated content and lead capture. I have a few different standard pages that I do not want to be accessible until a short form is filled out. It's free content, so no need to deal with payments. [more inside]
posted by Sophont at 1:41 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Sophont at 1:41 PM PST - 5 comments
Working with an overbearing, disorganized colleague
I have a senior colleague who is dedicated, bright, well-meaning, and hard-working, but extremely scatter-brained and not particularly respectful of other people's opinions. I started this job recently, and worked with this person in a team for the first few months. It made me miserable and affected my performance and health. I have to work with him again soon. How do I keep my sanity? [more inside]
What might be some Russian main dishes that can be frozen?
Asking for a character: I have a descendant of Russian immigrants who lives close to Brighton Beach and who makes food on the weekends and freezes the meals to be consumed during the week by her and her daughter.
What kinds of possible dishes might she be making on the weekends? [more inside]
posted by angrycat at 12:52 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by angrycat at 12:52 PM PST - 10 comments
Space Chases in Comics
Looking for specific examples of extremely creative, well-drawn chase sequences (through outer space, preferably involving spaceships) that you have seen depicted in a comic book or graphic novel. Please be as specific as possible so I can go buy the issue online. Bonus points for double-page spreads!
posted by egeanin at 12:18 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by egeanin at 12:18 PM PST - 5 comments
Help me rescue my treasured music from an ancient iPod
I lost hundreds of mp3s when Apple installed their Music app on my iPhone. I thought they were gone but then I realized they're still living on the the original iPod I have kicking around (we're talking the white click-wheel iPod). Help a non-techie seize his last chance to save his long lost musical loves! [more inside]
How to feel good while financially uncertain and living in poverty?
About a month ago I graduated my college program in software development. Despite having an impeccable resume and cover letter, I'm never asked for an interview, while financially I have thousands and thousands of dollars in student loan debt and debt accumulated from trying to survive for the last year and a half in school. [more inside]
Mail app on Macbook not downloading the oldest (2-3 years) of messages
I am trying to back up my Gmail account to my home computer, a MacBook Pro. I am able to sync the account and have downloaded most of my messages/attachments, but the native Mac mail program only downloads messages as far back as 2006. (My Gmail account goes back to 2004.) Disk space is not a problem. I have also made sure the setting for limiting the number of messages to download is not checked. Any other ideas? Thanks!
posted by brbmaroon at 11:41 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by brbmaroon at 11:41 AM PST - 3 comments
MBTA vs. rental car for short Boston visit
I'm planning a visit to Boston where I grew up but haven't been in a while. I don't like stressing about traffic and parking. Should I take the T or rent a car? [more inside]
Reliable source for ultra-fancy caftan
I need an ultra fancy and beautiful caftan for an event on May 1: white, possibly gold embroidered and bejeweled, available in 3x, and dripping with late Liz Taylor realness. [more inside]
Hop on over to the next stop
Which city should I travel to from Iceland? [more inside]
I want to stop drinking. Appointment with doc tomorrow. What to expect?
I'm a ciswoman, 50. I've been drinking a bottle and a half of wine every night for about 16 months. I have a really high tolerance now. I don't feel horrible in the mornings, but I can't say I feel very good. (When I did not drink I almost always had wonderful mornings.) In the afternoon before drink one I feel anxious and a little sweaty and crave it a bit. My sleep is terrible. I want to quit drinking, but I am scared of withdrawal.
I made an appointment with my GP for tomorrow to tell her and to ask for medical supervision. I'm scared but now I am more scared of ruining my health and my mind. What should I ask her? What do I expect? Should I ask for some medication to help me with anxiety or sleep issues? [more inside]
What's the point of a paper if nobody can read?
After the Japanese occupation of Korea in the 40s, my great grandfather was the culture editor of an English language newspaper that published in Korea. That's cool and all but many Koreans in those days were illiterate in Korean never mind English. So who would buy and read this newspaper and what's the point? [more inside]
posted by maykasahara at 9:55 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by maykasahara at 9:55 AM PST - 15 comments
Hyperthyroidism
I come to this question via my beloved cat who is 17 years old and who has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Due to her inability to take conventional medication for this, and surgical procedures are not conducted in our geographic location, I am seeking as much information right now on how to at least alleviate symptoms. [more inside]
What should I ask the lawyer for
My parents have had some recent health issues and I've asked them to meet with an estate planning attorney. What should I specifically ask them to discuss with this attorney? [more inside]
Comprehensive Blue Apron packaging recycling in NYC
Does anyone have a thorough (aka not vague and crappy like the one on Blue Apron's website) guide to recycling all of the bits of Blue Apron packaging? I live in New York City, where it seems like you can recycle pretty much anything with a little effort, but I am still a bit lost [more inside]
use of leitmotifs in Star Wars
Do you know of a good source explaining and analyzing the use of leitmotif in Star Wars? [more inside]
How to pick a PCP?
I recently was laid off and signed up for an insurance plan under the federal marketplace. I picked the cheapest one, and now I have an HMO. Now I need to pick a PCP. Should I choose my OB/GYN? Or should I randomly pick an internist? [more inside]
Help with London theatre NEXT WEEK!
I've procrastinated, and am just now getting to look into shows to take a theatre-mad friend to who is visiting London NEXT WEEK. Help? [more inside]
best news source?
Trying to find an unbiased online news source which considers the real importance of the news story in relation to its prominence. [more inside]
Magnetic card data recovery -- is it possible, and if so, how?
I received a box of Scotch Brand MC/ST 530 Magnetic Cards. There is probably data on them. How, if possible, do I retrieve it? [more inside]
posted by pepper bird at 8:04 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by pepper bird at 8:04 AM PST - 9 comments
Can we teach the dogs to read while they are in the library?
My town's no-kill animal shelter is inaccessible and has a low adoption rate. I would like to have a "display" of the real-life dogs and cats in the library I manage to improve adoption rates, bring awareness to low-cost neutering/spaying programmes, vaccinations, and annual registration as well. I was also hoping the animals could be used in a "puppy room" that provides stress relief while helping socialise the animals prior to adoption. Besides allergies, what other liabilities or challenges should be on my radar?
posted by saucysault at 7:58 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by saucysault at 7:58 AM PST - 19 comments
Given the Taubes/Lustig view on sugar, why not use dextrose everywhere?
If we assume the (increasingly accepted) view that sugar, in any decent quantity, is a highly unhealthy thing to eat, and that the main culprit is actually fructose, is there any good reason to not aggressively replace sugar or HFCS with dextrose? [more inside]
posted by tempythethird at 7:30 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by tempythethird at 7:30 AM PST - 10 comments
Help me not be a kissing bully, because I really want to kiss you.
I really want to kiss someone NOW. I don't want to make the same impulsive, intense (?) mistake that I made in the past, but I'm also too old (late 40s) to wait around passively and wonder. I worry that I'm developing feelings that may not actually be reciprocated despite obvious attraction and personal interest.
So I need to find out. [more inside]
Is it possible to determine the date of a world map?
If you had a world map or globe that was correct and up-to-date the moment it was created, could you use one or more features on the map to pinpoint the year it was created? [more inside]
posted by Deathalicious at 6:26 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by Deathalicious at 6:26 AM PST - 14 comments
Comic Book Cataloging
I am looking for an Android app that will allow me to scan my recently purchased comic books into a personal database. [more inside]
How do we digitize our media?
Husbunny and I have a lot of CDs, DVDs and VHS Cassettes. I've been lobbying to get rid of it all, how best to do it? [more inside]
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:51 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:51 AM PST - 16 comments
Anthropomorphic animal picture books about death for a toddler?
Grandma died. Grandma was a huge part of my daughter's life. My daughter is 9, but brain damage makes her like a 2-year-old. My daughter prefers to talk about sad/scary things via anthropomorphic animals in picture books. ("Scared like Piglet." "Sad like Franklin.") Any suggestions for a book with animals about death that covers everything simply - sickness, hospital, death, funeral, sadness, saying goodbye, comfort?
April 6
Plyometrics for fatties
Wanted: your advice on how to begin to incorporate plyometrics into a workout routine for a large lady. [more inside]
posted by inky_the_pinky at 10:30 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by inky_the_pinky at 10:30 PM PST - 14 comments
Insurance is billed for procedures I didn't receive
I think my doctor is billing my insurance company for procedures that I did not undergo. Should I do anything about this? [more inside]
posted by Jacen Solo at 7:20 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by Jacen Solo at 7:20 PM PST - 18 comments
How do I cook a side of salmon in the oven?
DialMforMara and Canageek were at the grocery store yesterday, and the fishmonger managed to talk us into getting a side of salmon and trying a soy sauce recipe he recommended. We kept it in the fridge overnight, and then went to start cooking it, and realized that Canageek has only ever pan-fried fish before, and Mara has never cooked fish at all. Advice for oven temperature, cooking time and procedure would be appreciated. [more inside]
A site for EMT-b practice scenarios
Can anyone recommend a place to find well outlined EMT-b test scenarios for practice purposes?
I have a number of people who are current EMT's who I am trying to help prepare for testing for NREMT, and looking for scenarios for Oral Stations as well as the Medical and Trauma assessment. Something without a lot of plot and character development is preferable to too much story. Pt condition, vitals, secondary vitals, the basics to fill out a run sheet and make a field diagnosis.
Thanks
Music theory iPad app for middle school kid?
I'm looking for the best app to help a middle-school age kid learn the very basics of music theory. Assuming virtual lessons + practice mode and a virtual keyboard of some kind?
posted by gwint at 6:31 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by gwint at 6:31 PM PST - 3 comments
Knitting/crochet books/magazines for preteen
I'm looking for a knitting or crocheting book or magazine for my 12-year-old granddaughter. She already does basic knitting and crocheting. I'm looking for something that will give her directions for projects and help her to expand her skills. I've seen Kids Knitting suggested in a previous AskMe, but I'm wondering if there are other books that would be good. Is there a magazine subscription that might be better? Her parents are very religious, so famous knitting book with the word "bitch" in the title is out.
posted by FencingGal at 5:53 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by FencingGal at 5:53 PM PST - 16 comments
Courtroom Drama With Yes/No Questions
Courtroom dramas on TV often depict an expert witness giving complex testimony about possibilities and likelihoods, only to be shot down by a lawyer insisting that they answer only yes or no, thereby giving a false impression of their testimony. Does this happen in real life? [more inside]
Sleep Positions
Are sleep positions entirely personal, or are there positions which have been shown to be effective? [more inside]
Should I get a sewing machine?
Am I a good candidate for a sewing machine? Please read my case and provide your judgement. [more inside]
Appropriate thank-you gift for a supervisor
My boss just did me a really big favor. I feel the need to give her a thank-you gift, but not sure what's appropriate (or if a gift is appropriate at all). [more inside]
Asking for a reasonable housing accommodation
My mental and physical illnesses severely interfere with my ability to keep up with housework. This has been a big problem with landlords in the past. In another thread, someone here suggested asking for a reasonable accommodation of hiring someone to clean on a regular basis. I’d like to do that, but I don’t know at what point I ask for that accommodation or how I ask. I’ve included some specific questions inside. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 2:47 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by mermaidcafe at 2:47 PM PST - 19 comments
Identify a song: like a cross between Shinedown and alt-J...
Bear with me: I haven't heard this song in a while so my memory might be off, but I think this song came out in the last year or so. Genre: alternative rock or electronic, probably indie. The instrumentation is mostly electronic, and the singer is male. What sticks out most is the chorus - the melody descends then ascends and reminds me of the chorus of Shinedown's "Second Chance". More details inside... [more inside]
posted by Seeking Direction at 2:45 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Seeking Direction at 2:45 PM PST - 4 comments
scheduling interval solution
I need to schedule people for appointments at various intervals, ideally using some form of...software?, and I'd like to do it all in one go at the start. I guess this is a computer problem, but maybe it's a math problem. Shoot. [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 2:25 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by quadrilaterals at 2:25 PM PST - 2 comments
If found, drop in mail box.
Where can I have (these) metal keychains custom-made in the US? [more inside]
Roommate's Girlfriend Over Constantly, But She Owns The House
My roommate's girlfriend is now over on a near constant basis. The problem is my roommate owns the house. Do I have any leverage? [more inside]
posted by argylesockpet at 1:40 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by argylesockpet at 1:40 PM PST - 15 comments
Why does the picture dance?
Can someone please explain this odd tv image effect that I've noticed for several years [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad at 1:28 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Thorzdad at 1:28 PM PST - 3 comments
Shipping blood samples to Israel
Any idea how I can get a couple of non-infectious blood samples drawn in the NJ/NY area and shipped to a lab in Israel?
Clarence Thomas Confirmation Hearings Cartoon
I am looking for a copy of cartoon which appeared during the Clarance Thomas supreme court confirmation hearings
It's 3 panels, with a man and a woman sitting at a bar
You don't know what it's like to be sexually harassed...
How would you like it if I pinched you, called you sweetie and slapped your ass? (or something pretty close)
How much for all three?
posted by grahahw at 12:46 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by grahahw at 12:46 PM PST - 2 comments
Songs about public housing or dilapidated housing
Can you think of any songs with lyrics about living in (or growing up in) poor-quality housing or subsidized housing? Any genre. I can think of Jay-Z ("I was raised in the projects, roaches and rats") and Notorious B.I.G. ("No more public housing/Thinking back on my one-room shack...We used to fuss when the landlord dissed us/No heat").
How do I get all these tunes in my rooms?
Help me decide which permanently-situated (more or less) Bluetooth speaker to buy. No batteries required. [more inside]
posted by komara at 12:18 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by komara at 12:18 PM PST - 16 comments
Like a singing doll?
I stumbled across a female musician a while back, forgot her name, and am trying to find her music again. Please help! [more inside]
posted by dearwassily at 12:13 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by dearwassily at 12:13 PM PST - 9 comments
Math problem alert: NCAA Magic or Unsurprising?
We had a NCAA March Madness contest at work, where about 40 of us all filled out brackets on ESPN's site. One of us - the winner of our group - did very well and ended up ranked 6000th out of all 13 million ESPN brackets - top .05%. My question is, was this really statistically unlikely or, given that there were 40 of us, is it unsurprising one of us did that well (e.g., the birthday problem)? What mathematical tools would one use evaluate this question? Thanks!
posted by slide at 12:04 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by slide at 12:04 PM PST - 9 comments
Dropped my cellphone in Budapest, help?
Anyone have any idea how to buy an off contract phone in Budapest? Dropped mine just now,it's dead, i'm here two more days.
You tell me yours; I'll tell you mine.
Are there places designed to be encouraging and motivating where I can post a daily journal and have people comment on it? [more inside]
posted by KinoAndHermes at 12:01 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by KinoAndHermes at 12:01 PM PST - 5 comments
"You must like dealing with people to be great at management"
From an article that got some views on reddit etc:
Imagine you spend a full day in back-to-back 1:1s talking to people. Does that sound awful or awesome?It sounds pretty awful to me. The post then goes on to say that if this is a problem, you're not cut out to be a manager. Since I'm moving into a position that involves managing people -- is this true or false? Are you a successful introvert manager? If so how did you do it?
Sing me to sleep, sing me to sleep, I'm tired and I want to go to bed
Baby Kitty is here and Baby Kitty is awesome. Baby Kitty is 7 weeks old and has his "witching hour" from 9pm-12am.
Baby Kitty will fall asleep during his fussy time if Mommy is holding him and singing low songs. Mommy knows about 5 songs by heart that she is willing to sing. Please make a better juke box Mommy! [more inside]
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 11:08 AM PST - 43 comments
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 11:08 AM PST - 43 comments
If a plant could nudge behavior...
I live on a corner. I need to plant something to border the corner that says, "please respect that this is my yard, not public property." I would like it to be reasonably attractive and low maintenance. [more inside]
convenience, ease, & simplicity via game-changing home goods
You have a reusable thing* that has hugely improved your quality of life at home: the kind of thing that regularly makes you feel like past-you did current-you an awesome favor by procuring it. It isn't necessarily fancy or expensive, but it can be -- a $5 silicone garlic peeler tube works, but a floor-cleaning robot does, too. What is the thing, and what does it help you do? Bonus points if it's related to cooking, cleaning, or other routine drudgery. [more inside]
Where to make the most out of 10 days in Singapore/Malaysia
Looking for travel advice on how to make the most out of 10 days in and around Singapore. Is there enough time to visit Sabah/Borneo? Or is our precious time best spent in Penang/Langkawi, or elsewhere? [more inside]
How the hell do people live in San Francisco?
I've been looking at cost of living in different areas around the country and I just cannot fathom how or why anyone lives within a hundred miles of San Francisco. How does this actually work? [more inside]
posted by deathpanels at 10:32 AM PST - 49 comments
posted by deathpanels at 10:32 AM PST - 49 comments
Hair color not what I wanted. Can I fix it myself?
My natural + previously faded out dye color was a dull medium brown yesterday. I asked the stylist for chocolate brown but it turned out reddish medium brown, only slightly darker than my previous color. At this point I'd like to be one or two shades darker and way less red. Can I fix this myself with box color? [more inside]
How is Joshua Tree camping (first come, first served) during Coachella?
We're a non-Coachella family group looking to camp that weekend someplace spectacular within ~2hrs of LA. What are the Joshua Tree camping spots around Jumbo Rocks like during the festival? I understand the reserved spots are sold out months in advance, but that's normal for JT any time of year, correct? During the festival, is it mostly a festival crowd? Or too far away to be much affected?
Bonus Q = will traffic out of LA on the 105 & 60/Pomona be crazy beyond normal around noon that Friday?
Colleague is not pulling her weight and nothing is being done about it.
Our main customer service person has basically stopped doing her job and it's reflecting badly on all of us. The managers don't manage. We haven't had performance reviews in years. Nothing is changing. Can anything be done? [more inside]
I love Converse Hi Tops, but what's up with the long laces on them?
I want to know how I can reduce the length of the laces on my Hi Tops. A few ideas have popped into my head, but most aren't ideal. [more inside]
posted by GlassHeart at 9:28 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by GlassHeart at 9:28 AM PST - 17 comments
PNW Trip 8 Day Itinerary
I'm taking my first trip to the Pacific Northwest! Most of the itineraries I've seen are for a 9-10 day trip, but we only have 8 days, counting departure day. Trying to make the most of our time without cramming in too much. What are your must-sees for 8 days? We are likely sticking to Oregon & Washington, and want to see a mix of cities and coastline. [more inside]
Need advice dealing with micromanaging coworker
I’m relatively new in a job (just shy of 1 year) and am trying to figure out the best way to deal with a micromanaging coworker. This coworker, while my peer and not my supervisor has many years experience at this job and in this industry. Still, her involvement often leaks into what should be my role, not hers. [more inside]
posted by TheGreatSloth at 8:57 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by TheGreatSloth at 8:57 AM PST - 9 comments
Training jasmine on a fence, and repotting it later
I just bought a jasmine vine and a large planter (22"). I want screening along a fence adjacent to my patio. I assume I'll have to repot the vine in a couple years. Is there a way to train the vines such that there will be enough slack to do this replanting without cutting off all the vines? [more inside]
Realistically, could Trump lose the nomination?
Few people doubt that Donald Trump will win a clear plurality of votes and pledged delegates. But many people are suggesting the possibility that, assuming Trump doesn't have a majority of pledged delegates on the first ballot, he could lose on a second ballot, due to his pledged delegates switching their vote to another candidate. But wouldn't they be scared to do so? [more inside]
Durable, metal-free belt?
For at least the immediate future I'll need pass through security in a federal courthouse without the benefit of employee ID, which means going through a metal detector. I need a durable, metal-free belt (leather or otherwise) that fits standard 35mm belt loops and looks reasonably presentable in a casual-end-of-business-casual environment. Thanks!
posted by Oktober at 8:22 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Oktober at 8:22 AM PST - 8 comments
My kid wants to play an online game with his friend and I need help.
My 7-year-old would like to play some sort of online game with his friend in the evenings. They own different platforms of game systems, so I don't think they can play a game through one of those. Is there a free or inexpensive app or game they can play together? Specific requirements within. [more inside]
posted by LKWorking at 8:22 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by LKWorking at 8:22 AM PST - 12 comments
MTF Transition in Prison: Hope Us Understand
Looking for reliable information (and anecdata) about how to read blood tests and understand hormone levels for MTF gender transition, particularly for someone currently in prison. [more inside]
Get Thee Behind Me, Roommate
How do my boyfriend and I navigate getting rid of the roommate from hell? [more inside]
I'd love to spend SOME time with you.... Introverts and dating?
I'd like to hear from other introverts about your experiences with dating and burn-out. Is having it at all (or even a few months in) a bad sign for long-term compatibility? Or just a sign that the relationship is moving too fast for you? Or do you set strong boundaries on your time and just trust that the right person will understand? [more inside]
posted by seraph9 at 8:00 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by seraph9 at 8:00 AM PST - 19 comments
Orlando + kid with sprained(?) ankle
How do we enjoy Orlando when a child has a sprained ankle? [more inside]
How do airlines predict TSA capacity on a certain day?
My fiancé and I have a flight out of JFK at 7am on April 8th. I got a weird email from our airline (JetBlue) last night, warning us to get to the airport even earlier because of longer wait times at security checkpoints. [more inside]
Programs for people with autism
I have a family member who is autistic and having a difficult time coping with school and with life in general. He has consented to attending a workshop or classes that might help him deal with things a little better. We are located in the San Jose area and wondering if anyone knows of any such programs. Thank you.
posted by madonna of the unloved at 7:33 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by madonna of the unloved at 7:33 AM PST - 4 comments
Person in fragile health needs recommendations!
Asking for a friend: What are some gentle activities and general advice for a substantially overweight fortyish man in weak health who needs to turn things around? He has not received good support from doctors and his job does not permit him to take time off during clinic hours in any case. See inside! [more inside]
How do I stop feeling overwhelmed?
Feeling completely overwhelmed with everything makes life hard to manage. [more inside]
How to clean scanner glass without leaving streaks?
I have an Epson V500 scanner and have trouble with faint streaks left behind on the glass after cleaning. I used some lens cleaner that I sprayed onto a microfiber cloth to wipe the glass. The lens cleaner contains water, isopropyl alcohol and detergent. Any ideas on how to clean scanner glass where I don't leave any little streaks behind? All I know is that I shouldn't use anything abrasive or anything containing ammonia.
Complete the sequence: WFMU, KFJC, W_ _ _ , K _ _ _, ...
Are there any other "free form" and eclectic radio stations that stream besides WFMU and KFJC? [more inside]
Tablet/Ipad resources for a Stroke/brain injury patient?
My mom had a stroke, she's doing ok but is having a lot of trouble talking clearly and has some fine motor control issues. Any suggestions for apps or resources for Android or Ipad apps or resources that could make it easier for her to use them? [more inside]
Getting rid of a middle aged beer belly
I'm a fit 51 year old bloke but I can't ever seem to shift my beer belly.
How do I do this? [more inside]
posted by blokefromipanema at 2:46 AM PST - 30 comments
posted by blokefromipanema at 2:46 AM PST - 30 comments
How to talk numbers and not-numbers
Over the years as a researcher in the humanities and social sciences I have often made vague comments expressing an intuition, or perhaps a bias, that quantitative analysis and statistical models often made by e.g. economics, quantitative political science and other math-fetishistic disciplines miss or misrepresent truths about human behaviour and society, which are messier and less easy to quantify than these disciplines assume. I would like to be more able to talk about this in detail and with greater specificity of examples than I currently am. More below... [more inside]
posted by starcrust at 12:01 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by starcrust at 12:01 AM PST - 16 comments
April 5
Are the chips doing their job?
Are instances of various types of credit card fraud in the US in fact really decreasing now that chip card usage is becoming much more widespread (albeit without the added benefit of pins), not to mention a small but growing percentage of people are starting to use smart phones to pay with credit cards?
Freud's Quote(s) About Psychology Only Being Able To Minimize Neurosis
Looking for a quote by Freud on how the common state of the modern person is neurotic, and that psychoanalysis at best can only minimize neurosis to a regular and tolerable level [more inside]
How do trigger an iPhone app based on location?
Is there any way for me to trigger or open a specific app when I get to a particular location and then shut it down when I leave? I've got IFTTT but the app in question isn't part of their channels, so all I can do at the moment is trigger a reminder when I enter or leave the location in question. Is there another way to get this done? Am I missing something obvious?? Google has not been helpful so far. [more inside]
Perplex on plexiglass and mounting pictures
I have a small assortment of things I'd like to hang (photo prints, posters, papers, etc) and a trip to the framing store came out with a bill of nearly $200 to do everything. I do have several sheets of plexiglass left over from another project and I'm trying to figure out if I could simply sandwich the things I want to hang between two sheets of plexiglass and bolt it together without any long-term ill effects.
posted by Socinus at 9:02 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Socinus at 9:02 PM PST - 6 comments
Orbital Mechanics for Dummies
Where can I learn about the physics of spaceflight if I don't know calculus? What books, movies, video games, websites, etc., would you recommend? [more inside]
Short Story Book Club
Do you have short story recommendations for a book club?
posted by *s at 8:00 PM PST - 35 comments
posted by *s at 8:00 PM PST - 35 comments
Beautiful, elegant Tarot decks as an art piece
I'm interested in maybe buying a tarot deck as an art object. I want suggestions for beautiful, unusual, or elegant Tarot decks, like Wild Unknown. Any recommendations? An unusual deck of regular playing cards would also work. [more inside]
posted by flibbertigibbet at 7:17 PM PST - 37 comments
posted by flibbertigibbet at 7:17 PM PST - 37 comments
Tell me exactly which vape kit to buy and where to get it?
I'm not new to vaping nicotine, but I am desperately in need of a new kit. My old battery finally died, I am out of juice, and shopping for a new kit is proving to be challenging. Advice needed. [more inside]
posted by xyzzy at 6:47 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by xyzzy at 6:47 PM PST - 4 comments
What bicycle training stand should I get?
I have a 1999-era Bianchi Volpe (a touring bike) moldering in my garage, despite having it recently tuned. I'd like to get a training stand to get some low-impact cardio in and also harden myself to actual rides again. Which stand should I get? [more inside]
I am trying to buy a very specific fife.
I was listening to the song Monkey by Harry Belafonte. For a variety of reasons I need to get a fife like the one being played at the start of that song. Mainly for playing while I prance around my house. It is major keyed and very high pitched. Please help me find this fife. I'm ready to purchase this instrument and spend the rest of my life mastering it. [more inside]
Storage conditions for alcoholic, homebrewed ginger beer
I recently made my first alcoholic ginger beer and need some advice about storing conditions prior to drinking. [more inside]
The in-law triangle, how do you deal with it?
My partner and I have been together a long time and I have posted about issues with his sister before. I can see that his inability to draw boundaries is the real issue here and so my question is combination of how does one deal when a SO can't and won't draw boundaries and has a needy sibling who has a hard time backing off. We are all in our late 30s but emotionally in our relationship, it feels like he needs to take care of her, and be there for her and I can't get over the feeling that her very existence is now sucking oxygen out of my relationship, and i need to stop feeling like that. Details inside. [more inside]
Considering renting out a room
I'm considering renting out a room in our apartment. The income would allow my ex-husband and me to finally separate after our "temporary" arrangement of the last 6 years which followed 9 years of separation. I'm desperate! But I'm not sure if we are likely to find someone to rent, given some drawbacks to the situation. [more inside]
Should I Even Date?
I don't know if I even want a relationship. How do I find out? [more inside]
posted by zchyrs at 4:40 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by zchyrs at 4:40 PM PST - 11 comments
Only girl in sharehouse full of boys?
So. My application for a place has been approved but the agent conveniently decided only to tell me now that I'd be the only girl with 3 other boys (I asked at inspection who the other housemates were and she said they were students so I assumed it was mixed). The house was actually very neat and clean when I inspected, and my room is locked. I asked if I could meet the others and the agent said that was impossible because 2 of the 3 are rarely home. 2 of the boys are students with part-time jobs, and the third is fulltime in IT. Take the risk and move in, or not? [more inside]
What is the best no-pull harness for dogs?
What is the best no-pull harness for dogs? Details inside... [more inside]
Lifelong Depression - considering another stab at medication
I've had lifelong depression. I tried meds and therapy for years. I got little to no relief and awful side effects. I had awful withdrawal and all of it cost a ton of money.
I've still having a hard time - snowflakes inside [more inside]
Resources to help a photography beginner become a photography wonk.
After asking this question previously on the Green, I am ready to dive headfirst into photography. Aside from snapping obsessively, what else can I do to keep myself interested, encouraged, and excited about this new hobby? [more inside]
Four week backpacking extravaganza--proving difficult to book!
My partner and I are planning a cross-country trip from Austin, TX to Seattle, WA, during which we want to have several days-long backpacking trips. We originally wanted to do Zion, Black Canyon of Gunnison, Grand Tetons and Glacier, but aside from Black Canyon booking the other places seems difficult to impossible. Looking for advice on the likelihood of getting to do it in those parks in May, as well as alternate backpacking possibilities should these fail. [more inside]
posted by TheRedArmy at 12:15 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by TheRedArmy at 12:15 PM PST - 9 comments
"Best" storage solution for 500+ DVD cases.
I have a large Playstation 2 collection and as a result I'm looking for a way to store / display 500+ DVD cases. [more inside]
posted by radiosilents at 11:25 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by radiosilents at 11:25 AM PST - 14 comments
Food-obsessed kitty + early mornings = cranky humans
So, I have basically been composing this question for about 2 months in my head...and this morning's events pretty much made me realize that I NEED to get this question out to you all! I hope you can give some advice about how to best handle some behaviors of our 2.5 year old rescue kitty! [more inside]
I want cool creepy stuff but not stomach hurt creepy stuff
Those articles that have been making the rounds lately, usually sourced from Reddit but not always, that ask people what the most eerie/scary/least
explainable/most scary things that... [more inside]
posted by jitterbug perfume at 10:31 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by jitterbug perfume at 10:31 AM PST - 24 comments
Off the beaten path Arizona with an Aussie
What are your Arizona road trip can't miss spots, eats, attractions?
Meeting up later this week with a friend from Oz for a weekish road trip - flying into PHX, then driving to: Holbrook (yes, we are sleeping in a wigwam), Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, back to PHX via Sedona, a couple days in Tucson and then back to PHX for departure. Not a lot of time in any one place sadly. Anything I shouldn't miss? Crazy difficult hikes are out, but gentle ones would be ok. Thanks for any amazing tips!
Too worried about procastinating colleagues on shared presentation?
I work in an insular and highly specialized field. One of the most significant international conferences for my field and sector begins in fewer than 10 working days. My team (including myself, a peer, my boss and his bosses) are slated to present at this conference. No one is scheduling time to work on this presentation, I have no idea what to expect at our presentation, and I do not have the power to induce the other participants to begin working on the presentation. [more inside]
What to do when your top two bracket winners haven't paid
I guess this is why they say don't gamble at work, but in the work pool the top two bracket positions are occupied by two people who haven't paid and ignored messages to pay, though not directed at them specifically. [more inside]
A-A USB serial adapter?
Does an A-A USB serial adapter cable exist? I know I could get two A-DB9 USB serial adapter cables and gang them together. But I want USB A-A. The objective is to run a serial terminal between two linux computers over USB.
posted by GuyZero at 9:50 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by GuyZero at 9:50 AM PST - 8 comments
Are lion cuts dangerous for my cat?
My lazy, long haired cat usually needs a grooming in the spring. My new groomer scolded me for getting kitty a lion cut last year, saying that her coat is now "compromised". Is this a legit thing to be concerned about? [more inside]
My iPad has stopped showing images in Safari. Why?
About four days ago, my iPad stopped showing images in web pages--there's either a grayed out box where they should be or they're just missing. All the text loads fine, it really just looks like image resources are deciding not to load. This happens in Safari, and in Safari view controller views like Tweetbot (so it's Webkit-wide?) Force quit Safari, restarted, still broken. Upgraded it from 9.2 to 9.3.1 this morning, and same thing. Did I toggle some setting inadvertently? Or is this a bug, and if so, how do I fix it?
posted by hwickline at 9:12 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by hwickline at 9:12 AM PST - 3 comments
Regarding United Kingdom accents
I've started the 2nd season of "Hinterland" on US Netflix (and thoroughly enjoyed the 1st season). My question has to do with how a Welshman (or woman) would perceive a Londoner's "Welsh accent." [more inside]
posted by kuanes at 9:12 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by kuanes at 9:12 AM PST - 24 comments
Integrating Discourse and Wordpress: easy peasey or hell no?
Would like to integrate Discourse forums into a Wordpress blog hosted by Dreamhost. [more inside]
Obscure or antiquated place Nicknames
While reading this article on buried German WWII saboteur treasure in the Catskills I came across the name "Borscht Belt" for the Catskill Mountains. What other interesting defunct (or still funct) colloquial nicknames do you know for geographical regions?
posted by srboisvert at 8:01 AM PST - 37 comments
posted by srboisvert at 8:01 AM PST - 37 comments
How To Convince Parents Not to Bring Their Sick Kids
I'm a music teacher and I also have severe upper respiratory allergies. I try everything I can to work on them however, I feel some parents are not holding their end of the bargain. They tend to bring their seemingly healthy child into a lesson when they're actually sick. I keep getting ill as a result and as a professional singer, I can't afford to get sick. I want to make a notice detailing what is sick before their child runs into a lesson. How should I address this issue? [more inside]
posted by InterestedInKnowing at 7:44 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by InterestedInKnowing at 7:44 AM PST - 26 comments
Lost Opportunity
Trying to get to a job interview an hour away. [more inside]
Looking for a well-designed *dumb* phone
I’m looking for a well-designed 'dumb phone’ to help manage my digital overload. Ideally: tiny, long battery life, and only makes calls - think a simpler version of Nokia’s 8210 from 1999. Crowdfunding attempts to crack this problem seem to be either stalling or scammy. Any ideas, guys?
The best spots for snorkeling in Crete?
We're going to for five days in late May. We'll be driving around to see the big standard stuff – Knossus and Chania and Samaria Gorge. What we'd really like to do is to hit two or three snorkelling spots along the way and spend a few afternoons staring at fish! [more inside]
posted by Cantdosleepy at 12:47 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by Cantdosleepy at 12:47 AM PST - 1 comment
Recommendations for a pre-purchase inspection of Seattle townhouse
We're looking at townhouses in Seattle. Can anyone recommend a home inspector specifically for a townhouse / 4-pack? Comments on what to look out for or the general wisdom of such a purchase are also welcome! [more inside]
April 4
Fast-track Catholic First communion and confirmation
I was baptized Catholic, but never got my first communion or was confirmed. Circumstances have me searching for a way to achieve both as soon as possible. Is there somewhere online to do this or a way to get this done in the next three weeks? [more inside]
Just exactly how stupid would I be to pursue my MLIS?
I'm currently working as a school library technician and, to be honest, I sort of enjoy it. However, it's a really limiting position. There's nowhere to really go from here. I have a library technician diploma (Canada) and I feel really limited by my opportunities as a paraprofessional. Lately, I'm trying to figure out what my next career move should be and I am HONESTLY, SERIOUSLY considering going back and getting my MLIS. How stupid would this choice be? Is there a chance that it wouldn't be a mistake? [more inside]
posted by modesty.blaise at 8:09 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by modesty.blaise at 8:09 PM PST - 20 comments
Should I Stick With My Current Company, or Leave for a New One?
I've come to realize the people I work for are fake and opportunistic to the point I've been looking quietly for a job. Then they offered me a substantial promotion. Do I take it and tolerate them until I can go elsewhere? Or do I quit now and move laterally on to something else? [more inside]
Principal-Only Payment!?
I intend to pay extra towards my car loan this month and I think it's to my advantage to make a principal-only payment. But I don't understand why that's a particular kind of payment, given that the interest accrues interest, right? [more inside]
Experiences acquiring pharmacist prescribed oral contraception in CA?
As of last Friday pharmacists can prescribe the pill in California. Yay no waiting for a doctor's appointment! But where who how? I know I could call up a bunch of places, but I am curious about personal experiences, especially if you have attempted this starting a new prescription.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 7:56 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 7:56 PM PST - 4 comments
Was my ex a narcissist?
I just emerged from a relationship of several months which I have since realized was emotionally abusive. In attempting to understand it I have come to think that maybe she had NPD, but I don't know whether this is an accurate characterization. [more inside]
posted by myitkyina at 7:27 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by myitkyina at 7:27 PM PST - 25 comments
Help me learn to edit longer stories.
I need help learning how to do structural edits on longer pieces of fiction (and maybe how to think about story structure more while I’m writing first drafts as well). I’m looking for book recommendations, articles, tips and techniques, and stories of what works for you. There’s more specifics below, but the tl;dr version is: what are editing strategies that might work well for someone a) highly attuned to sentences and the beautiful details of language and b) on the intuitive side in terms of process? [more inside]
posted by overglow at 7:00 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by overglow at 7:00 PM PST - 8 comments
Pampers Easy-ups: is there a difference between girls and boys versions?
There are Easy-ups training pants with Thomas the Tank Engine on it, but Pampers says they're for boys and the girls version is Disney Princesses. Is there any difference in the design of these besides colour? [more inside]
How do I receive tax credits I forgot to sign up for on healthcare.gov?
Forgot to sign up for tax credits, received no money back on tax return. Is sending in an 8962 the way to get this tax credit money back? [more inside]
Dental work- Medicare? Recommend a provider in NYC?
What levels of dental work are covered by Medicare? I need work and am stuck w/ the NYU Dental School. Does anyone have experience w/ an eligible Dentist in NYC?
Excel Wizards, Help Me Make My Dream Calendar
Hi! I an Excel novice surrounded by fellow novices and I need help with what looks like an unexpectedly difficult setup.
I make a comprehensive calendar of activities and events for a retirement home every month. This takes most of a month to plan and transcribe, and is tedious and error-prone. I want to make something better. Assume I am smart but have little programming knowledge or power user experience. [more inside]
posted by skookumsaurus rex at 5:17 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by skookumsaurus rex at 5:17 PM PST - 7 comments
How much am I worth as a translator?
I'm having a tough time working out what would be an appropriate and fair rate for a translation, given my qualifications. In the past, I've done occasional work for online translation agencies as well as some more large-scale translations (everything from memoirs to legal documents). In those cases, it was either the agency or client which suggested a rate under project specific circumstances (time-sensitive, for a non-profit with limited budget, etc.). Could any of you give me some guidelines or suggestions? [more inside]
Lights off remotely
We are looking for a reliable, fairly easy-to-install/use timer or remote control system for the light switch in our toddler's bedroom. [more inside]
Current outlook for the Seattle real estate market?
Mrs. Lattiboy & I are currently looking to purchase a house in the Seattle area. The market here is... horrifying. I would like the most current expert advice on bubble vs. brave new future. [more inside]
posted by lattiboy at 3:51 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by lattiboy at 3:51 PM PST - 4 comments
Selling tchotchkes and collectibles, smartphone edition.
Wallapop, LetGo, OfferUp, Etsy, CraigslistPro - choosing HOW to sell is almost as daunting as the collection itself. Help! [more inside]
Why is Spotlight completely re-indexing the hard drive on every startup?
I've got a late 2009 iMac that has been experiencing this same issue for a long time. Every time I start up Spotlight completely re-indexes the hard drive. As a result, the system is slow for minutes after system startup. What would make it do this so consistently? [more inside]
posted by tommasz at 2:13 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by tommasz at 2:13 PM PST - 6 comments
How should we manage all of these RSVPs for events at our non-profit?
Hello Mefites! I'm seeking some help finding a better method for a very inefficient RSVP process here at the nonprofit where I work. Please help me come up with a better solution! [more inside]
posted by smirkyfodder at 2:10 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by smirkyfodder at 2:10 PM PST - 9 comments
Blogs, Internet Mags, Websites Always Ahead of the Technology Curve
A recent interview question threw me a bit for a loop (I'm an Interactive Project Manager) and before the next interview I want to have a better answer. The question was "How do you stay on top of all of the rapid advances in technology". So my question is, "What are the best blogs, internet magazines, message boards or websites that are always focused on the cutting edge and are ahead of their peers in recognizing coming trends in interactive/digital/mobile technology?" [more inside]
posted by spicynuts at 2:08 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by spicynuts at 2:08 PM PST - 9 comments
The case of the hinky homestead. Is this fraud or what?
I'm helping, as a volunteer, with a missing persons/genealogy investigation. The missing person was never formally reported and they are definitely missing. The missing person, as well as several of their deceased relatives, are listed on public property assessment records for the family home with transactions. No persons who are alive with known whereabouts are listed on this property. Is someone committing fraud or is there a legal loophole that allows the following? [more inside]
What can you tell me about these propellers?
What—if any—plane were they originally attached to? Do they have any value? [more inside]
recommend workbooks for an older woman to fight depression and anxiety.
I need recommendations for approachable, effective books that a 70ish woman can use as resources to help fight depression and anxiety without a therapist. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 1:25 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by fingersandtoes at 1:25 PM PST - 13 comments
Can someone still be a thinker?
How can a person not affiliated with a higher learning institution publish ideas of a more abstract nature, but also rooted in reality and science ?
Are there any reputable journals that straddle the line between speculative fiction, futurism, philosophy and science that would publish an article from someone yet unpublished in the academic world?
I'm not sure what I should google for, that's why I'm asking here. I have some ideas and would like to write an essay.
posted by spacefire at 12:39 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by spacefire at 12:39 PM PST - 10 comments
Prepping a McBook Pro for sale.
I've got a 2011 MBP that I'd like to prep for sale. It's still running Snow Leopard (and I don't have the boot disks.) What's the easiest, most idiot-proof way to wipe it clean so I can sell it? Is it worth going to the Apple Store for this sort of thing?
posted by Tamanna at 12:30 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Tamanna at 12:30 PM PST - 12 comments
EMDR in therapy
Have you done EMDR in therapy before? What was your experience? I am looking for anecdotal and/or research-based information about the efficacy of EMDR. [more inside]
I just need an alarm clock! How hard can it be?
So our trusty Timex T715 clock radio is succumbing to dementia. It's powering up LED segments inappropriately, spontaneously resetting itself to 12:00, failing to go off when it's supposed to. Basically, it's time for it to go to a farm run by a nice elderly couple who have lots of other clocks for it to play with. No worries, I figured. Just go online and buy another one. Heh. Right. Can you help, hive mind? [more inside]
posted by Naberius at 11:26 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by Naberius at 11:26 AM PST - 22 comments
easy app for donations for project
I have a project with a modest ($1K) one-time fundraising goal and a long time (six months) to meet that goal. I'd like to find a website/service for people to contribute as easily as possible in a variety of methods and I'd love people's experiences of simple ways to do this. [more inside]
mix it up
I'll be working outdoors most of the summer (yaya!) so I've been looking to stock up on music mixes. A lot of the work will be remote so I won't be able to stream, thus it needs to be downloadable. A few more details underneath. [more inside]
posted by mannequito at 11:10 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by mannequito at 11:10 AM PST - 6 comments
How to Kill Vampire
Power, that is. Will surge protector with timer save significant amount of energy? [more inside]
posted by blairsyprofane at 10:52 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by blairsyprofane at 10:52 AM PST - 7 comments
What smells like almonds in the forest?
While hiking on the Point Reyes peninsula (Marin County, California, USA), we kept smelling an almond smell. We poked and prodded various trees and plants but could not find the source of the smell. What would commonly grow in a costal fir forest that would smell like almonds? It was a strong "so where's the cookies" almond extract-y almond smell, though slightly more herby and piercing than that cheap bakery cookie smell. [more inside]
posted by gyusan at 10:37 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by gyusan at 10:37 AM PST - 7 comments
What coding projects might be interesting to do?
I'm looking to create a few small projects to potentially include in a portfolio, but of course I'm out of ideas. What might be fun to do in Javascript, C#, Swift, Ruby or another language? [more inside]
Did you or anyone you know take ADHD meds during pregnancy?
And if so, did the baby turn out okay? (I'm considering kids, but am terrified by the prospect of going off my dexedrine. I'm pretty convinced I'd lose my job without it. Does this mean I just shouldn't get pregnant? Or can I keep taking my meds if I do?) [more inside]
Where can I watch V lutsah solntsa (Under the Sun)?
V lutsah solntsa is a Russian movie about life and propaganda in North Korea. It's played at several festivals and has been reviewed many times, but I can't find it anywhere, on DVD or streaming. Does anyone know where I can find this movie?
posted by king walnut at 9:02 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by king walnut at 9:02 AM PST - 4 comments
Acai bowl recipe for someone with a lot of allergies?
I'd really like to try making an acai bowl, since I'm curious to know what the big deal is about them. Also, they look pretty. I can't use the recipes that I'm finding online, since they all seem to include bananas, and some also include nuts. Any good ideas? [more inside]
History of smoking in Europe
Is there any evidence of herbs other than tobacco being smoked in Europe prior to tobacco, any evidence of the pipe existing prior to tobacco? [more inside]
posted by xarnop at 7:45 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by xarnop at 7:45 AM PST - 16 comments
Horizontal garden tool storage, and handle care
Our primary outdoor storage isn't tall enough to stand garden tools up in. They're currently on their side in an unsightly pile buried in dead leaves that blew under the porch. How to do it better? (Bonus Q: can you refurbish weathered wooden handles?) [more inside]
Gmail Account Disabled, How to Reinstate?
I have used gmail for my domain's email for over ten years now. Last Thursday morning my account (which was the administrator on the domain) was disabled. The exact message is "Google has detected unusual activity related to your account and temporarily disabled it." I submitted a support form, and got back a response saying to contact my domain administrator (which, as I said, is the account that was disabled.) A second submission yielded a response that basically said, "It's under review, don't bug us again." Online searches for ways to resolve this are not giving me much hope. Can anyone offer some solid advice? [more inside]
posted by Lokheed at 6:23 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by Lokheed at 6:23 AM PST - 15 comments
What (Artsy, Indie, Interesting) Computer Game Should I Play?
I occasionally see interesting games being discussed here and then forget about them. Maybe we can assemble a list of the classics? [more inside]
posted by andrewcooke at 5:17 AM PST - 34 comments
posted by andrewcooke at 5:17 AM PST - 34 comments
What should I include in my 'sex and relationships' lessons?
I'm looking for advice as to what I should include as 'extras' in my sex and relationships lessons for ten and eleven year old children. [more inside]
Should I mind my own business about this pyramid scheme?
A friend of mine has posted on facebook asking people to join a "book exchange" where you buy a book and get "approximately 36" back. This is clearly a pyramid scheme... should I say something? [more inside]
posted by Cannon Fodder at 1:35 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by Cannon Fodder at 1:35 AM PST - 24 comments
Good idea, bad idea: Boss's horrible attitude.
Should I have a meeting with my boss and her boss about her horrible attitude and work ethic before I go on leave for a month? Way more inside. [more inside]
April 3
Mainland Chinese culture vs. Overseas Chinese - main differences?
I have a fair bit of experience with Chinese culture as it exists in Canada (Vancouver) and Malaysia. I am about to be immersed in the culture of mainland China (Nanjing). What differences should I be aware of? [more inside]
Water supply for a washer
Can you help me with some DIY questions about installing a washing machine without a hookup? [more inside]
Is it okay to use a check torn in half?
I have one last check and tore it in half down the middle. The line for the signature is in tact and so are the account numbers. Can I tape it back together and still fill it out to pay my rent? The check is from Chase bank if that matters.
AirBnB Hosting?
I'm considering upgrading to a 2 Bed/2 Bath apartment in order to host on AirBnB. Anyone with AirBnB experience, is this is a financially sound decision? [more inside]
posted by Deflagro at 8:36 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Deflagro at 8:36 PM PST - 12 comments
And yet I am poor! Why?
Is being "a river to one's people", or to anything, an idiom that pre-exists its appearance in the famous monologue in Lawrence of Arabia?
No rainbows, please.
I'm looking for more of these stylish little online shops that sell well-designed queer merchandise. I'm thinking the Autostraddle store or Otherwild or the Gender Is Over campaign. No luck Googling for this — I just get a bunch of cheesy t-shirts with rainbow unicorns and bad puns.
It's a bug in the hardware
I have a great multi-function printer that we discovered was covered by ants. How do I get the ants out of it so I can bring the printer back into the house? [more inside]
Easy piano pieces by Russian composers?
So this is a bit of a weird one: I need to figure out a piece (or adaptation of one) by a Russian composer that I can learn in three weeks. How and why under the fold... [more inside]
What's this weed?
What's this weed? We have these growing in the yard (I am in Baltimore, MD) and the wife thinks they are beautiful. We just can't tell what it is.
posted by brownrd at 6:21 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by brownrd at 6:21 PM PST - 16 comments
Turn a laptop in to a Bluray DVD player?
I have an TV with a built in DVD player that I didn't realize is ancient and a couple of older Windows 7 laptops and an HDMI connection. There seems to be a few different downloadable software options that would allow Bluray DVDs to be recognized by a laptop, without spending hours using trial and error, is there one that is better?
posted by readery at 4:48 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by readery at 4:48 PM PST - 8 comments
Doc: What exactly is going on?
YNMD. I have been trying to get pregnant with my spouse for 6 months. My period, while irregular, is several days late from my longest cycle, multiple home pregnancy tests have been negative, and I don't really know what to do next. More medical history & some planned next steps below. With this ask, I am looking for advice about what to ask my doctor/next steps I should take. [more inside]
Gay man in a relationship which could be going better
I'm a gay man in a relationship with a closeted man. We've been dating for a few months, going out to dinner and to movies, texting each other for an hour or two every night, talking about all sorts of things ... but things could be going better. (NSFW) [more inside]
Pregnant, Husband with Depression...
My husband has been struggling with depression. Complication: I am three months pregnant and not quite feeling like myself either. I need some coping strategies. [more inside]
rails database setup without sudo access
Can I set up a postgres db without access to root? If not, why not?
posted by city_park at 3:32 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by city_park at 3:32 PM PST - 3 comments
What is this tool and where do i get one?
This tool is about 40 years old. It's 10 inches long, has a gimlet tip for starting screw holes, and a round rasp-like shaft. It might be a saw for cutting holes in dry wall. It's definitely been a great tool for carving Halloween pumpkins as well as many other miscellaneous tasks over the years. Whatever it is, can I still buy one somewhere?
posted by Jackson at 3:27 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Jackson at 3:27 PM PST - 11 comments
Ice Cubina?
Is there a character in TV or film who's like a female version of Ice Cube?
A Black woman who's high-status, sincere, brave, intense, witty, street-smart, Alpha, strong leader, comfortable with conflict, and powerful.
In particular I'm hoping to find someone with a Southern California accent (Compton, Long Beach, etc). [more inside]
posted by pseudostrabismus at 3:04 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by pseudostrabismus at 3:04 PM PST - 19 comments
what is a good windows utility for accessing an iso file as a disk
I would like to be able to use an image of a CD/DVD ( a .iso file on windows ) so that I can access that image as if it is an actual cd. In the past, maybe 3 years ago or so, I used "Virtual Clone Drive" which worked pretty well but I don't know if this is still a good choice. [more inside]
posted by metadave at 3:02 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by metadave at 3:02 PM PST - 9 comments
Is there any way to get into Canada with only a copy of a passport?
Is there any way to get from the US into Canada with only a copy of a passport? [more inside]
Has anyone used Letgo or similar apps or are they just a crazy bad idea?
I want to get rid of some random stuff in my apt and I've heard of apps like Letgo where you can sell stuff locally but... I'm nervous about actually using it. Has anyone used them and are they legit, or shady? [more inside]
Roadtrip help - Seattle to Houston in three weeks
I am planning a roadtrip with my husband, brother-in-law, BL's wife and 6 year old daughter. Basically, what I am trying to suss out is: are we being too ambitious with our itinerary? [more inside]
Are any women's groups calling for state boycotts?
Why aren't there threatened corporate boycotts of states that have placed legal restrictions on women's rights to legal contraception and abortion the way there were threatened boycotts against states that passed "religious freedom" laws discriminating against homosexuals. [more inside]
Alternative to Istanbul in Turkey?
My boyfriend are I were going to vacation in Istanbul in May. The recent terrorist attacks have given us second thoughts. We're looking for ideas of where to tour in alternate areas in Turkey. [more inside]
posted by ohsnapdragon at 1:15 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by ohsnapdragon at 1:15 PM PST - 10 comments
What is a "MUST BUY" in London?
I am taking my family to London for two weeks this summer.....what is a MUST BUY? [more inside]
posted by pearlybob at 11:39 AM PST - 36 comments
posted by pearlybob at 11:39 AM PST - 36 comments
Off the Beaten Path: Chicago with a 7 year old
My wife is travelling to Chicago with our 7 year old son tomorrow, and she'll be in town through Wednesday. She really only has 2 items on her must-do list right now: the Field Museum & the Museum of Science and Industry. Any other ideas for off-beat food / additional attractions that might be in the same general areas? We can find the traditional "touristy" stuff easily enough, but I'd love to hear suggestions with more of a local flair - - the kind of things you'd never know to try unless someone tipped you off...
How do I write this letter to a potential employer?
I'm on the job hunt, and I was recently offered a great job! I have till at least the end of this week to commit or not. However, there's ANOTHER job that I potentially want more. For this second one, I have gone through 2 rounds of phone interviews, submitted my portfolio and done an assignment (a series of technical and creative tasks for them). How do I politely write to them to say "hey, if you want to interview me in person, could we do that ASAP please?" My brainstormed letter below the fold. Also, if you think this a terrible idea, please tell me why. [more inside]
posted by andreapandrea at 10:40 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by andreapandrea at 10:40 AM PST - 17 comments
How do I integrate a record player into my digital setup?
I recently inherited a collection of interesting vinyl records, and I want to buy a record player so I can enjoy them. The rest of my audio setup is very digital, and I'm not interested in buying an analog speaker setup. I want to both listen to the records live and record them to digital audio. What kind of record player/turntable should I buy? [more inside]
Easily get pins and needles in legs / hands / arms when hungover?
The day after drinking (whether that be 2-3 beers, to heavy binge drinking), I very easily get pins and needles in my hands and legs. That's not to say they just occur in my natural state -- it's more like when my arms or legs are in a compromised / bent position. [more inside]
posted by 6spd at 10:00 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by 6spd at 10:00 AM PST - 7 comments
Ideas for tests + questions for job candidate interviews?
What are your favorite ways to verify specific skills/qualities of job candidates in the interview process? [more inside]
posted by grayber at 9:56 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by grayber at 9:56 AM PST - 8 comments
Name that Tool!!
This tool has been in the family for many decades. Even the prior generation did not know what it is or what it is for.
7 photos follow. Here's some descriptive text: [more inside]
I am not my hair... but I'd like to at least be friends.
Three or four times over the past four years, I have had the haircut of my dreams. But for reasons I genuinely don’t understand, no matter how many pictures I bring into the salon of what I’m after, it has been extremely difficult to keep getting the same haircut. So I turn to the hair professionals and other styling experts of Metafilter: please help me become fluent in stylist-speak so that I can explain exactly what I want! [more inside]
posted by fizzyliftingdrink at 9:41 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by fizzyliftingdrink at 9:41 AM PST - 14 comments
Which stone cutter is this?
Show me beautiful and radical art that I can buy!
Seeking recommendations for other artists whose work is similar to Justseeds' posters! [more inside]
Hospice care for a fuzzy pal
My ferret/only real pet has just been diagnosed with an incurable condition, and I want to make every moment I have left with him wonderful. How to cope and tips for creating a good quality of life? Snowflakes within. [more inside]
Confusing advice on mold removal
Help us defeat mold on cinder block. [more inside]
Help us donate to a charity working for peace in the middle east
My grandmother wants to donate some money to a charity working for peace in the middle east.
She doesn't want to support an organisation working for or motivated by religion.
She wants to donate in UK pounds.
Does anyone have any ideas? I have suggested Medecins Sans Frontieres, but she would prefer something focused more on peace. Thanks!
posted by einekleine at 3:51 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by einekleine at 3:51 AM PST - 11 comments
Too many veggies - no soup for me!
I have been partially successful at clean eating over the past few weeks. Recent organic veg deliveries have left me with an overload of broccoli, carrots and peppers. Sadly, I cannot stand soups of any variety and have had enough of tomato-based dishes. What can I cook that will not bore me to death after two portions of it? I can be convinced to add meat to if it will make it delicious.
Bonus points if it can be frozen or transported and reheated easily for work lunches.
Thanks in advance!
posted by joboe at 2:54 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by joboe at 2:54 AM PST - 22 comments
Acrobat Pro hides tmp files where?
I know that Acrobat Pro makes temp files. And I know they disappear once you open your file. I forgot before I opened my file. [more inside]
What to do with not getting paid for part time job?
I did some part time freelance work but did not get paid as agreed. What can I do? How to revenge? [more inside]
How do I stop lashing out?
I have a very destructive pattern in most of my relationships and friendships. The closer the relationship is, the worse it gets. I can usually always maintain composure at work but personal life is another story. After I lash out, I say so many nasty and hurtful things that the friendship/relationship is irrecoverably damaged or ends all together. How to change this? [more inside]
How important is it to be "work-equal" in relationships?
PMDD, PPD, or just D?
I've had some severe mood issues around my period since having my son ~5 months ago. Unsure what it is, who to talk to, or what to do. [more inside]
posted by toomanycurls at 12:36 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by toomanycurls at 12:36 AM PST - 6 comments
April 2
Making New Friends - How can I be so bad at this?
I moved to a new city (NYC) within the past 2 years and I am feeling a little lonely. [more inside]
Hyper Modern Etiquette Books or Blogs
I'm a bit of an etiquette buff. Not that I follow all the rules, but I'm intrigued by what "the rules" are. I was wondering though if there were etiquette books or blogs that address really modern issues. [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 9:39 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Toddles at 9:39 PM PST - 7 comments
Who will give me the medicine drug?
I have crazy complicated medical stuff going on; started in August, went straight downhill. My most recent observation on the subject is that I've devolved from a rebellion into full scale anarchy. I've remarked frequently that I need Dr. House and his team to figure all this crap out. Where's the real-life Dr. House et al? If money were no object, if the doctors and travel and all of it was taken care of, where do I go? Preference given closer to central Kentucky, but start with who's the best. [more inside]
Bali newbie seeks your best do and don't recommendations and hot tips
Travelling to Bali soon for the first time (2 adults, 2 kids under 10). We're staying in Sanur.
What are your top tips please? This could be for places to visit or things to see but could also be around important things to consider regarding health, safety, money exchange, general dos and don'ts etc.
I'm sure there are lots of seasoned Bali visitors on the site who've got lots of experience to share, some having learned the hard way. Please pass on your wisdom!
posted by ozem at 5:32 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by ozem at 5:32 PM PST - 8 comments
Could L5/S1 disc protrusion cause weakness in legs AND arms?
I've been having issues with weak and rubbery legs, numbness in my feet, hands and face, and my feet flushing very red when I stand. (Previous comment with more detail about my history. I've been taking Lexapro since then and the anxiety has improved.) My spinal MRI came back with the note, "Left L5-S1 disc protrusion possibly traversing left S1 nerve roots." My research suggests an L5-S1 problem could explain my rubbery legs and foot numbness, but could it explain the arm weakness and numbness in my face, hands and feet? [more inside]
Looking for a lamp which is basically a display for a small statue
Jonathan Adler sells a small lamp that is designed to serve as a display for a small free-standing object (shown here with an Anchor). It is perfect - and we have the perfect object to go on the base- but Dr. Stewie really doesn't like lucite (the base is made of lucite). We've gotten nowhere googling for other similar lamps. Any suggestions? [more inside]
Toronto Wedding Day of Coordinator Recommendation
Can you recommend a person or service in Toronto who will coordinate the event for us on our wedding day? [more inside]
New eye doctor. Bad experience.
I can't tell if this doctor is just a jerk, or if they committed a legitimate violation. [more inside]
It's pik-tchur!
Apparently there's complaints in Missouri that people mis-pronounce fiscal. I can't recollect ever hearing anybody say 'physical' instead. However, so many of you are omitting the 'k' sound in the middle of "picture" -- where's that coming from? [more inside]
Stationery Caddy to replace small desk
After many years with a small roll-top secretary desk as the nerve center of our house, we've decided to get rid of it and replace it with storage for toys. We actually haven't used it the last few years for its paperwork-sorting virtues anyway, since that's all computerized, and we just need to store some of the office supplies we keep there. Help me find a visually appealing and/or extremely efficient way to do so! [more inside]
Vertical Blinds Be Gone!
I want to install curtains but I have never done it and there are difficulties. Advice? Resources? [more inside]
How do I stop?
I get into these vicious cycles around this time of the year, in which I make a minor social faux pas and can't stop rehearsing it in my head and feeling weird about it. I then become hypersensitive, and try to apologize or compensate, through which I make more social mistakes. And it keeps going on. HELP ME STOP MYSELF! [more inside]
Solving a family heritage mystery -- Sweden vs. Denmark
I'm trying to figure out why my great-great-grandparents told the 1900 US census they were from Denmark, when really they were from Sweden. Would there have been some reason for the lie at that time? [more inside]
posted by Janta at 1:06 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by Janta at 1:06 PM PST - 13 comments
Why the discrepancy with my heart rate monitors?
I usually wear a Wahoo TICKR heart rate monitor when I cycle. Recently, our office purchased us FitBit Charge HR wristbands as part of a "get healthy" initiative... They don't really seem to agree. [more inside]
posted by kbanas at 12:22 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by kbanas at 12:22 PM PST - 16 comments
Sim card for international travel calls (Australia, Hong Kong, China)
Next month my parents are traveling to the countries mentioned in the title for three weeks. They want to me to purchase sim cards in the United States for their T-Mobile smartphones which can work within those three countries. [more inside]
Austrian farm weird stakes?
Austrian Tyrolean farm question: I saw something which I can't google on my Alps train ride. Can you help me? [more inside]
posted by mtstover at 11:57 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by mtstover at 11:57 AM PST - 3 comments
Fix my Hover-over Text in Chrome
Sometime yesterday, something changed with my hover-over text in Chrome, where while it used to bring up the attributes wherever my curser was, now if displays them instead at the top of my screen. I don't know WHY I hate this, I just know that I want to change it back and can't discern how. Macbook Air running Yosemite. Thanks!
posted by Navelgazer at 11:37 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by Navelgazer at 11:37 AM PST - 2 comments
Managing Off-Device iPad Apps
I'm upgrading from an older 64 GB iPad to a new 32 GB one, so I need to shrink my data; especially stop storing large, seldom-used apps on the device (I can re-download from App Store when needed). What's the best way to keep a handy list of certain specified off-device apps, each linked to its App Store page for convenient re-downloading? [more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover at 11:24 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Quisp Lover at 11:24 AM PST - 7 comments
Low and high-brow culture preparation for Key West/Florida Keys
We are heading to Key West in a few weeks for our honeymoon! What books, music, long-form journalism, and other pop culture tidbits should we add to our Kindles/iPhone playlists? [more inside]
Looking for a flat bottom storage bin to use as a litter box.
I’ve been using large 18 gallon storage bins as litter boxes. I cut a little entry way down the middle and they can step inside. They don’t seem to have any problems using them. The problem is that there are grooves inside which make it difficult and annoying to clean. [more inside]
posted by mokeydraws at 10:34 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by mokeydraws at 10:34 AM PST - 11 comments
Chrome is being unreasonably difficult
Why is Chrome randomly (but frequently) failing to load webpages? [more inside]
Tankless water heater + new dishwasher = ???
I have a tankless water heater (a Takagi T-K Jr.) and am in need of a new dishwasher. The dishwasher we're replacing is an old (at least 15 years old if not more) Maytag with a heating element and it's always done a sufficient job. I was planning to replace it with a Bosch, but just learned that new Bosch dishwashers don't have a heating element...so I'm wondering if the water will get hot enough to clean the dishes. [more inside]
posted by Empidonax at 10:20 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Empidonax at 10:20 AM PST - 6 comments
Help me have a Blast.
How to make sure that I can enable cable modem Internet in a condo? Current owner is using DSL and that has me concerned. [more inside]
Is a divorce reported to the IRS?
If you get a divorce, is that automatically reported to the IRS? [more inside]
posted by Fister Roboto at 10:07 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Fister Roboto at 10:07 AM PST - 7 comments
cell phone for infrequent user?
hello. I and my son are on a Verizon family plan. We use our smart phones heavily. My husband, however, has never had a cell phone and is a resistant user. I'd like to be able to contact him from time to time. For example, a couple of days ago it would have been really nice to have been able to find him in the crowd where Ben and Jerry were speaking in Union Square (I am in New York City). [more inside]
How to help sore hips?
For a few years I've been experiencing soreness in my hips, particularly in the muscles around the upper portion of the hip bone. My work involves long periods of sitting at a desk. I tend to cross my legs unconsciously; not sure if that is contributing. I first noticed this probably when I was about 38; I'm now 40. It seems to be getting gradually worse. [more inside]
What should I expect from an appointment re: high platelet count?
YANMD. One of those workplace blood screen things came back with a high platelet count, which apparently has many terrifying possible causes. I am going to my GP to ask about it on Monday, but given my many negative experiences with doctors ever believing anything, I'd like to know what I should expect from her. If you've had this, it would be super helpful to know what response you got. [more inside]
posted by goodbyewaffles at 8:13 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by goodbyewaffles at 8:13 AM PST - 6 comments
What are the best web exercise resources
Where should I go to find out what exercises I should do to tone and build muscle? I am getting conflicting information. [more inside]
posted by emmatrotsky at 7:31 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by emmatrotsky at 7:31 AM PST - 4 comments
Is there any to-do list software that supports complex recurring tasks?
For instance, setting a task to recur every 5 days, unless that day is a Sunday, in which case it recurs on the subsequent Monday. [more inside]
posted by CustooFintel at 7:27 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by CustooFintel at 7:27 AM PST - 10 comments
Some web sites displayed with text only, no graphics
I recently performed some updates on my computer, and now some web pages are displayed in "text only mode", without their normal graphics. [more inside]
Chemistry filter: Decaf edition
An idle curiousity question for the Green's resident chemistry boffins: is there a chemical that could break caffeine down into safe and inactive (from the body's perspective) components? [more inside]
Magento SEO URLs/.htaccess
I have a magento website with urls like example.com/name-of-product.html and those work fine. But example.com/index.php/name-of-product.html The site owner's seo guy wants it fixed so only example.com/name-of-product.html works. So I went into the .htaccess file to make the change and it didn't work. [more inside]
Cleaning cat pee from small apartment
Best Cat Ever lost a cancer fight recently. In his last couple of months, he was regularly urinating and sometimes defecating on various parts of my floor. (He had struggled with serious constipation at times, so when this happened, it was enough of an exciting development that I didn't really attempt to stop him.) I did my best with enzyme cleaners, but I wasn't able to keep up with it, and now the whole apartment stinks. What do I do? [more inside]
What is this play?
I'm looking for a play I read years ago, about a girl (a maid in a household?) experiencing religious visions. It's probably but not definitely Irish. [more inside]
posted by Adridne at 4:21 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by Adridne at 4:21 AM PST - 2 comments
Any good, scientifically-accurate media on retrograde amnesia?
Open to fiction and nonfiction; books, documentaries, podcast episodes, news articles, etc. Nothing that puts me to sleep, please. Would prefer newer works informed by the latest science and works that are more personal, emotional, and detailed, rather than removed, dry, and general. Also, while I realize anterograde amnesia is much more common, I'm really only interested in retrograde amnesia. What caused the RA does not matter.
What's the best way to hear classical music / opera online
I'm setting my 80-year-old dad up with a laptop. All he wants from this is to hear classical music and opera online. What can I bookmark on this laptop for him?
Videos explaining the origin of life and evolution for very young kids.
I am struggling with explaining the origin of life, evolution and natural selection in a tangible way to my kids 4 & 5. Informing myself better has helped in the explaining, but I hope you can direct me towards videos aimed at young children which do a better job. Those I have found online are great for adults and slightly older kids, but level of detail is off-putting for them e.g. From the big bang to me, great video, but slightly too advanced.
April 1
Where should we stay in Washington DC?
I'm looking for a hotel in DC that is within walking distance of some cool attractions for a visit in May. I'd like something reasonably nice, but I'd prefer to stay below $400 a night. The ones I've found so far that look good to me are Kimpton Hotel Monaco, Hotel Lombardy, or the Mandarin Oriental (a little out of my range, but I'm flexible if it's considered awesome for the price. Any Mefites know the DC hotel scene intimately?
posted by blurker at 10:08 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by blurker at 10:08 PM PST - 24 comments
Why do I have crap lungs?
Inspired by this post - I have breathing problems when exercising that I don't think are asthma. Has anyone else ever had an issue like this and if so, what is it called and how do I fix it? [more inside]
How to keep cats off my leg, post-surgery
I'll be having hip replacement surgery in about a month. For the weeks immediately following, I need to keep my large, cuddly cats off my leg while I sleep on my back at night. Is there something I can put over my legs (I'm thinking of something arching) to keep them off? [more inside]
posted by jeri at 8:09 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by jeri at 8:09 PM PST - 16 comments
Palm Beach Island and surrounding area activities for toddlers?
Taking a week long trip with other family to PBI (in the next few weeks) and we are looking for recommendations for activities during the day for toddlers. [more inside]
Ubuntu 14.04 - cannot connect to wifi. What gives?
I finally upgraded to 14.04 and now, while my laptop can see networks, it is unable to connect to any of them. Other machines on our network have no issues. Please help me troubleshoot this! [more inside]
What is the most unusual NFL branded item I can buy?
What is the straight up weirdest double-take inducing NFL branded product that you have seen? I'm way beyond t-shirts, coozies, and grilling equipment. I'm talking things like an adult onesie. But that's the bar I have to meet. Also of interest: weird items for sale that are branded with comic book stuff.
posted by bq at 7:09 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by bq at 7:09 PM PST - 10 comments
Chicago Vehicle Ticketing
does anyone have experience with parking a car in chicago that has an expired registration??? asking for a friend - details after the jump. [more inside]
What is the sludge draining out of my washing machine?
What is the sludge draining out of my front-loading washing machine? [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow at 6:19 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by otherwordlyglow at 6:19 PM PST - 17 comments
Mark a contact's FB comment private invisibly?
I don't celebrate my birthday. and don't publish it on FB. I don't wish others happy birthday on FB, in order not to draw attention to this. I have a very large number of FB contacts. [more inside]
Choosing between HVAC quotes
We're looking to have our home HVAC system replaced, and have received many quotes. However, we're having a hard time selecting the winner. Details below. [more inside]
posted by primethyme at 5:38 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by primethyme at 5:38 PM PST - 9 comments
One Person's Trash is Another's Yadda Yadda
I was taking a walk and found that somebody had left four bags of women's clothing on the curb labeled "FREE CLOTHES" alongside a futon also presumably free. The road is kind of off to the side, and doesn't get that much foot traffic by nyc standards. I want to report this find in a way, to make it more likely that it will go to somebody who could make use of it. Is this a good idea? If it is, what would be a good way to do so? Have considered craigslist, FB neighborhood post, freecycle forum(?). [more inside]
posted by coolname at 4:57 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by coolname at 4:57 PM PST - 5 comments
Why do I feel so squeezed when I swim?
I've always had this experience when swimming, where my lungs feel SUPER compressed and I get out of breath easily. What I'm wondering is, is this me being out of shape or is it common to feel this way? YANMD. I'm just curious about other people's experiences. [more inside]
posted by onecircleaday at 3:44 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by onecircleaday at 3:44 PM PST - 16 comments
Online. Collaborative. Sign-up Sheet. Free. Is that too much to ask for?
I coordinate an event that requires a handful of volunteers and different time slots and tasks. I need to find an idiot-proof online source that allows me to post a link to it and people can then sign up for different slots. [more inside]
posted by HeyAllie at 3:28 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by HeyAllie at 3:28 PM PST - 9 comments
What part of the world has the most junkyards?
I'm looking for some 500 square mile area of the world with giant piles of machine parts. Junkyards would be good. But any piles of former machinery would still work. And it doesn't have to be cars. Planes. Boats. Anything scrap worthy but still semi-useful would work. SO where should I be looking?
posted by rileyray3000 at 12:21 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by rileyray3000 at 12:21 PM PST - 15 comments
So a family of vegetarians walk into a birthday party...
Your loveliest suggestions for vegetarian appetizers and finger foods, s.v.p... for a kid's birthday party? [more inside]
posted by lizbunny at 12:21 PM PST - 54 comments
posted by lizbunny at 12:21 PM PST - 54 comments
To Puke, Perhaps To Clean
My cats' preferred barfatorium is the one carpeted room in the flat. Steam cleaning removes all the stains. I don't own a steam cleaner. Hope me please. [more inside]
Can this (new! expensive!) marital bed be saved?
I am the sleeping equivalent of the princess and the pea. My partner is a restless sleeper. For years, we've solved this problem by pushing two ikea twin beds together. As a gift to ourselves, we just bought a beautiful bed. Popped our two mattresses in....and discovered that the motion transfer problems have returned. Much sadness and gnashing of teeth has ensued. Please help! Details inside. [more inside]
posted by jeszac at 11:51 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by jeszac at 11:51 AM PST - 11 comments
Mass cards for United Methodists?
My wife's grandfather just passed. I asked for an address where to send a mass card, and she had no idea what I was talking about. I thought this was a common thing to send to the family of the deceased. Some further investigation revealed that mass cards are a strictly Catholic thing, and not all Christian religions use them.
My wife's parents attend a United Methodist church, so I figure it is safe to assume that is their religion. So what do United Methodists do for funerals?
posted by tckma at 11:25 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by tckma at 11:25 AM PST - 11 comments
Best strategy for dealing with airbag recall?
I just got a letter saying my car is now subject to the Takata airbag recall but no parts will be available to fix it for the next few months. I am going to call the dealer, but I would like to better understand my options and the associated risks and have a good idea of my preferences before doing so. [more inside]
posted by nequalsone at 9:55 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by nequalsone at 9:55 AM PST - 17 comments
Listing preferred pronouns in work email signature when cis?
I work with many trans clients, but I am cis. Is it inappropriate for me to list my preferred gender pronouns on my email signature, like many of my trans friends, colleagues and clients do? I think that it is a good way to indicate to new clients that I am trans friendly, but is it appropriative? Thanks!
posted by gnar_gnar at 9:42 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by gnar_gnar at 9:42 AM PST - 20 comments
Tell me everything you know about boat loans.
Partner is studying for charter boat captain's license. You gotta log 1,000 hours and you gotta have a good boat. Looking to spend 5k -15K on a USED dive/fishing power boat. I don't know the first thing about boat loans but would prefer to work with a place that specializes in this sort of customer. Willing to join whatever credit unions, organizations, associations to make this work.
Looking for advice, mistakes not to make and rules of the road (or sea). Thanks.
Do the rages associated with Tourette's get better?
Do children with Tourette's rages eventually improve? [more inside]
Help me pick a new bank!
I have (correction:had) a bank account in the US with Chase. They have closed my account for an undisclosed reason, so I am now seeking suggestions for a new bank in the US. [more inside]
Home Appraisals. Tell me how horrible they are or aren't.
I am buying a condo / loft in the Atlanta area. I am in the first 1/3 of my due diligence period, and I have questions about appraisals. [more inside]
posted by Medieval Maven at 7:43 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by Medieval Maven at 7:43 AM PST - 12 comments
Homeowners Insurance -- Newbie questions
Hi all. Mrs. Hall and Oates and I are home buying noobs and are a bit confused about how much we should insure the house for, and what our deductible should be. Hope us pleaes? [more inside]
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 7:41 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 7:41 AM PST - 13 comments
Pregnant with a planned baby! Now Dad is anxious and overwhelmed.
My wife and I have a good relationship. We planned a baby and now we're pregnant, but it's also gotten very real in the past two weeks since finding out and I feel bad that I'm not as excited as I thought I would be about it, second-guessing and sort of numb to the thing, and we've also had a number of minor (probably stress induced) bickering about the next few stages of the pregnancy. I also realized I have NO IDEA what I should be doing right now as a husband and planning for when baby arrives.
I want to be supportive and happy and excited, know what's appropriate and not appropriate for me to voice an opinion about, and would like to know what I should be doing right now to prepare. Advice and resources would be helpful. [more inside]
Diplomatically approaching a salary issue
I need to approach my organization leadership about a raise. Not only have I recently been approached about other opportunities by headhunters and some HR departments, but I also found out that a co-worker with a somewhat similar background is making about 40% more than I am. I want to calmly ask if better compensation is a possibility without going out and getting an offer to be matched. [more inside]
Toddler Command Centre
My child will be two in May. She is completely obsessed with switches and buttons so I thought I would build her a console full of interesting switches.
What might these switches do? [more inside]
Looking for a special kind of lady tattoo artist in NYC
At the seasoned age of 38, I'm seriously considering getting my first tattoo. I've been thinking about a particular design for the better part of a decade, but damn, I'm having a hard time tracking down the right person in New York City and need recommendations. [more inside]
Give me your best packing and moving trips, tricks and hacks!
I'm moving from Boston(actually Somerville/Cambridge) to Bombay (Mumbai). I need to know how to pack and ship a ton of stuff, and am looking for your tried, trusted methods, checklists, tips and tricks to pack boxes and household goods. [more inside]
How might I randomise some spreadsheet rows once I populate it?
I'm developing a training resource for a client and the brief requires me to provide some spreadsheets that summarise employment data for a small fictitious company.
The spreadsheets must have one row per employee. I want to populate the rows as if the spreadsheet has already been sorted, for example by grouping employees by age, and then randomise the rows so students are given spreadsheets where there is no row by row pattern to the data, for example as if employees had been entered in alphabetical order. [more inside]
posted by dowcrag at 5:22 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by dowcrag at 5:22 AM PST - 2 comments
Leaving secure job for freelance work - UK Social Work
Looking for reassurance / opinions on my decision - hoping some people out there have taken a similar step and would like to know how you feel about it on the other side... Have today handed my notice in on my full-time, secure local government job, with pension, paid holidays and sick leave, to work freelance as a social worker. Am I being ridiculous??? [more inside]
posted by Sevenisamagicnumber at 3:07 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by Sevenisamagicnumber at 3:07 AM PST - 2 comments
Blah? Meh.
Sometimes, like right now, I'm in a (mental) place where there's nothing I have to do, and nothing I particularly want to do. How do I decide what to do? Does this mood have a name? [more inside]
posted by b33j at 12:08 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by b33j at 12:08 AM PST - 16 comments