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Moving into an apartment with gas baseboard heaters. I have questions about furniture arrangement. Difficulty level: big bookcases and hundreds of books. [more inside]
posted by Miss T.Horn at 10:30 PM PST - 7 comments

I volunteer as membership director for a local non-profit in Canada. We have addresses for each of our ~600 members. 98% of our members live within our city. Is there some way (maybe using an online service or something) that I can take this data and get it combined with a map of the city to see the distribution of where our members live. I'm thinking something like a heat map to see where our members are located?
posted by Proginoskes at 9:01 PM PST - 11 comments

Friend and I are exploring starting a First Lego League team! We know a few parents whose kids are in FLL but we are interested in learning more from the coaching perspective (we would be the two coaches). [more inside]
posted by rada at 8:35 PM PST - 3 comments

Are these laser "pointers" safe? Particularly the blue one that I can feel on my skin? [more inside]
posted by glonous keming at 8:19 PM PST - 11 comments

I got this tchotchke that kind of looks like this, just different colors. The picture is from Quora, where someone asked the same question but there were no answers. [more inside]
posted by Roy Batty at 7:08 PM PST - 4 comments

I am a panellist for a non-profit, peer-review performing arts awards organisation. We currently use Basecamp Classic to maintain our schedule and calendar, notate meetings, and review work we've seen that is eligible for award. It works - kinda - for what we have to do, but isn't really a great fit. I've been tasked to find a replacement, and I'm looking for some recommendations. Specific requirements inside. [more inside]
posted by prismatic7 at 6:20 PM PST - 3 comments

I saw some small automatons that were advertising diamonds and jewelry that seemed like I saw at House on the Rock. Were they really a thing? Was it really just jewelry? Where can I find more information? [more inside]
posted by dinty_moore at 5:56 PM PST - 2 comments

ModCloth used to carry some really quirky interesting bedding. Now they don't. Where can I find stuff like that now? [more inside]
posted by Caravantea at 5:09 PM PST - 12 comments

I last released an album in 2001, when there was still some semblance of a (dys)functional music industry. I'm back in the game and trying to wrap my mind around ethical and effective music promotion in the digital space in 2017. [more inside]
posted by mykescipark at 4:02 PM PST - 6 comments

For fun, I make budgets, pay bills, coupon etc. Yes, I'm weird. I thought maybe I could find a video game - online, for an iPhone, or downloadable etc. - that would scratch that same itch. It does not have to be an elaborate game - it could involve farming in some fashion. Extra bonus points if it teaches me about some form of budgeting, economics or money management.
posted by Toddles at 3:03 PM PST - 24 comments

I've been offered to join a board of directors position for a non-profit environmental-justice organization. It is strictly voluntary work. I'm wondering if it is worth it in terms of polishing one's resumè; if there are benefits to joining a board? I know there's a lot of leadership, fundraising, organizing, and budgeting involved like a real job on some plane of thought. I think it also counts as work experience, but I'm not sure. In a nutshell: What benefit is there as a board member? Thanks kindly, RW
posted by RearWindow at 2:27 PM PST - 17 comments

My 9 year old was playing at McDonald's today. He fell off a climbing structure from a pretty good distance. I didn't see it happen but he got the wind knocked out of him and his chest hurts. What do I look for and when should I be concerned? (Since I tend to worry, I have to resist the urge to drive him straight to the hospital every time I feel like it!)
posted by beccaj at 1:58 PM PST - 15 comments

What is a good, large shelf for a large music collection (CDs and tapes)? I am interested in something solid that stands against a wall, not mounted or wire racks or rotating. I am also interested in something bookshelf-style over something with individual slots.
posted by cokelessrome at 1:47 PM PST - 6 comments

My wife has been diagnosed with degeneration in the lumbar region of her spine. We’re seeking advice on treatment options to explore before resorting to surgery. [more inside]
posted by alex1965 at 1:46 PM PST - 9 comments

As it says up top, what do you talk about with your SO? My spouse and I are in very different professions and I'm always surprised when his colleagues explain their work to me, as I hear all about it from my spouse. This leads me to wonder whether it's common for couples not to share their work life with their SO, especially if they're in a different field. I also am curious if this is more common in academic-non-academic partnerships. [more inside]
posted by stillmoving at 12:47 PM PST - 35 comments

I'm a college student that's been living on a very low budget, and is used to buying everything the absolutely cheapest I can. I about to go to graduate school, with a considerably larger living stipend than I had before. My clothes are all old, cheap, and collegiate--lots of t-shirts and jeans. I want to upgrade my wardrobe into something more professional, but am unsure how much to spend or what to buy. [more inside]
posted by brook horse at 12:01 PM PST - 24 comments

How to recognize Mother's Day for a woman whose child died? [more inside]
posted by raider at 11:26 AM PST - 16 comments

My wife has a project in her MFA coursework where she needs to reference chairs in literature and art. What are some famous chairs in literature and art? [more inside]
posted by crapples at 10:23 AM PST - 43 comments

Why is The United States Congress exempt from the health care law that they are trying to pass?
posted by malhaley at 9:46 AM PST - 8 comments

I drink a lot of water, at least 1 gallon a day. The biggest problem with the thirst is that it interrupts my sleep ... [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:37 AM PST - 15 comments

I have a friend who I'd like to distance myself from. He's a nice guy and there's nothing "wrong" with him, but we just don't have much of anything in common, partly because he's 20 years younger than me. He's very depressed, lonely, and dependent on others which saps my energy. I've also got some resentment that his lifestyle is completely bankrolled by his family. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:37 AM PST - 15 comments

I am in the San Francisco Bay Area for about two months (East Bay, to be exact). I'm looking for ideas for things to absolutely do before I leave, particularly weekend day trips. I am interested in music, technology, tabletop gaming, art, and the outdoors. Snowflake detail: I am limited to public transport.
posted by Grinder at 9:16 AM PST - 17 comments

I don't get the point of auto-focus points, how they work, and how the capability to handle more of them makes a camera better than other cameras. Please enlighten me. [more inside]
posted by Mechitar at 8:48 AM PST - 6 comments

I suffered an embarrassing setback at work on Friday and am dreading going back tomorrow. Practical advice and Jedi mind tricks for overcoming shame and resentment are equally appreciated! [more inside]
posted by justonegirl at 8:10 AM PST - 38 comments

He likes RPG and I have mixed feelings about it. I want to know how to approach this so it doesn't become an issue in the long run. Help! [more inside]
posted by divina_y_humilde at 5:11 AM PST - 44 comments

I've been depressed in the past. Over the last two years, I've been managing my moods with CBT-style exercises at home, meditation and lifestyle changes. I've learned to catch moments of negative self-talk and reply to them, and I've had a long stretch of months where I felt calm and happy. But recently I've been experiencing this new kind of negativity - like sudden waves of self-hatred, so intense that I have to stop in the middle of the street on my way somewhere to deal with them - that I am freaked out by. Is this something I should take to a doctor or something I can reasonably manage at home by intensifying my use of CBT and other techniques? (What techniques might work on this kind of problem?) [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:59 AM PST - 6 comments

I will soon have to attend my partner's parent's funeral. This is in the UK. I am from another culture/ country and don't know what to expect. What are UK funerals like? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:59 AM PST - 10 comments

My family is urging me to have contact with my brother, whom I cut contact with 2 years ago, after disclosing to my family that he had sexually abused me when he was 14/15 and I was 11/12. My parents believe that enough time has passed that I should be able to reconnect with my brother, this makes me feel sick to my stomach. Advice on how to respectfully discuss this with my family and reassurance that I'm not a terrible person would be greatly appreciated. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:49 AM PST - 36 comments

Is blowing out my hair with shea butter bad for it somehow? [more inside]
posted by Soliloquy at 12:42 AM PST - 3 comments

I read this article and was so inspired by her journey and thought I could do the same. My wife and I are DINKs and have talked about saving more to put toward our mortgage and investment accounts. This no-spending-for-a-year plan could give us some actual structure to that. But we need a plan before we dive in! Your advice needed and welcome. [more inside]
posted by timpanogos at 9:51 PM PST - 22 comments

I need to host an ad-hoc, summer-long typing skill competition for school-age children. We have Windows PCs, the browser is IE, and the Internet is fast enough to seamlessly run games like deeep.io and the fighting game version of Minecraft. Changing the browser, paying money, downloading something, or installing anything are not options because Reasons. It has to be in-browser, free, and able to print a tangible result. What's your favorite?
posted by blnkfrnk at 8:28 PM PST - 1 comment

I'm want to be able to stream the radio shows on thehound.net on my iPhone. They're apparently some sort of old file format that works fine on desktop browsers, but they're a bit wonky on the iPhone. Is there an app that'd make them easier to stream? Is there a way to trick Safari into streaming them?
posted by thursdaystoo at 6:16 PM PST - 5 comments

In an effort to step up my bag lunch and picnic game, and in response to a recent Francophile phase, I am seeking recipes for things like rillettes, potted meat, pates, and terrines. Hit me (a couple of specific preferences inside). [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:02 PM PST - 10 comments

What are some good current YA books? I prefer them to NOT be dystopias because dystopias tend to feel rather bleak to me but if there is less of a bleak feeling go ahead. I have enjoyed Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, and Enthusiasm (by Polly Shulman). Bonus points for nerdy characters, strong friendships, or some mystery, but please recommend anything new and exciting.
posted by azalea_chant at 4:24 PM PST - 21 comments

I recently got a job I'm super excited about. The nature of my work is freelance and tenuous at best, and this job, while big and exciting, could disappear at any moment. Help me chill out. [more inside]
posted by lizifer at 3:51 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm realizing that I tend to buy games and never play them, especially RPG's, because I'm looking for something in particular that I'm not finding often. More inside. [more inside]
posted by imabanana at 2:17 PM PST - 29 comments

In January of 2017, I bought a refurbished 11-inch Macbook Air from Apple. Lately, I have noticed intermittent flashing white lines on the screen, even when I am connected to an external monitor. I was able to capture it in this video this afternoon. Any idea what is going on? [more inside]
posted by 4ster at 1:26 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive résumé writing and design service in New York for someone who has recently transitioned into media from an unrelated field. [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 1:16 PM PST - 1 comment

I did everything I could a year ago to procure my home. I got it! Now I'm drowning in the debts and deals I made to get it. Good news: my home is valued at 215K and I only owe the bank 112K. Bad news; my credit is in the toilet. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:02 PM PST - 15 comments

Hi, I need fast cloud storage temporarily to house 10TB of data from a Drobo 5N while I reformat it and download the data back to it afterwards. The computers are Macintosh. While I only need this temporarily, I will probably keep the service for backups of everything if I find a good one. I looked at Backblaze and liked it however they do not support NAS devices. Anyone know of a great service for that supports NAS and is priced well for large data sets?
posted by Studiogeek at 12:48 PM PST - 4 comments

My stepson is half-Finnish and very close to his relatives in Finland, but we live in the US. He wants to keep learning the language. Along with finding tutors, conversation, opportunities to visit the country, etc, I'd like to find him some digital tools. I can get him an old Android phone or iPod Touch to run apps on. The great Duolingo doesn't have a Finnish unit, unfortunately -- can anyone recommend apps or other learning tools for the language? [more inside]
posted by Stevia Agave at 11:33 AM PST - 8 comments

For several years now I've found myself in a state of constant ennui. Art has helped- but some artworks have helped more than others. First, there are artworks which have made me feel less alone in the feeling- works that deal with themes of existentialism, boredom, alienation, the futility and disappointment of living. Second, there are artworks that have helped me find value in the mundane everyday. I want to find more, of both. I'll try to be more precise about what I mean below, with examples. [more inside]
posted by perplexion at 11:30 AM PST - 14 comments

I recently got a Shure 55 mic on the cheap. I'd like to use it for busking, but it doesn't seem to be battery-powered, and I'm not sure how phantom power works in a remote location. What should I use to operate this mic when I'm not near a power source?
posted by pxe2000 at 9:05 AM PST - 12 comments

We have about 15 people, and bars around there are usually packed. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!
posted by michaeldunaway at 7:22 AM PST - 7 comments

Bae and I are planning a murder mystery party from scratch, and I am soliciting ideas for cool features. [more inside]
posted by likeatoaster at 6:55 AM PST - 6 comments

So I got into a humanities graduate program (including tuition waiver and stipend) at Stony Brook University and am looking for any useful pointers for someone moving to the US from Europe (housing, living expenses, things I should be mindful of, etc.). Details below the fold. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by 3zra at 6:00 AM PST - 11 comments

Hi - my nine year old daughter has autism and her motor skills are not great. However she has been producing some beautiful art recently, particularly on her teacher's iPad. So I would like to look into digital art for her. Can anyone recommend some hardware/software that would be appropriate? Ideally something very easy with lots of flexibility. Thanks!
posted by low_horrible_immoral at 4:59 AM PST - 9 comments

I don't keep peanuts in the fridge, so why I am supposed to keep peanut butter in the fridge? [more inside]
posted by justcorbly at 4:55 AM PST - 20 comments

Recently came into some money, trying to figure out how to invest it. I have tried talking to the usual people (financial advisor, accountant) but the answers have been pretty noncommittal and inconsistent. Could use some help, snowflake details inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:50 AM PST - 12 comments

After reading this question about "Porn style sex" being a dealbreaker, I'm interested in finding depictions of what "normal" sex looks like. I'm a virgin dude and I have questions. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:50 AM PST - 25 comments

Sex with new guy isn't that great. Is it fixable? nsfw [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:50 AM PST - 16 comments

Palmetto bugs have taken up residence in my apartment. What's the roach version of a cease and desist letter? [more inside]
posted by Champagne Supernova at 4:42 AM PST - 11 comments

I met a guy 3 months ago. We started dating since but I'm not sure what to think. We don't see each other very frequently and sometimes I have the feeling that we don't know a lot about each other. He travels a lot for work and when he is away, communication feels a bit distant. I like this guy a lot though and I feel that I may miss out on something good if I don't give the relationship a chance to grow. [more inside]
posted by Fromthesouth at 3:18 AM PST - 15 comments

Are there any studies of how much self-doubt people have about their beliefs, and how it varies among different groups? I'm particularly interested in how likely academics think it is their research (eg their theoretical model, approach, findings, beliefs, ethics) will be cast aside in 100 years because it's wrong or out-of-date or morally appalling. And whether STEM or humanities people are equally confident/doubtful. [more inside]
posted by dontjumplarry at 9:01 PM PST - 18 comments

Last year I went to Burning Man, and couldn't really figure out what to wear on my feet until I stumbled on a combination of gaiters (like these) and a pair of Merrell minimal ("barefoot") running shoes (kinda like these). I'm now wondering if there's a prefab boot out there with some of the same properties. [more inside]
posted by brennen at 8:41 PM PST - 6 comments

Recommendations for software to run pawn store? [more inside]
posted by Mike Mongo at 7:59 PM PST - 3 comments

What is the most efficient way of replenishing bubbles in a bubble bath? [more inside]
posted by joshwa at 7:34 PM PST - 11 comments

I had a concrete slab polished which included a section which (when poured) was an outdoor breezeway, but is now inside the house. Much of the slab turned out great, but the outdoor breezeway area was of poorer quality and ended up polished, but pitted and not smooth. What is my next step, if I'd like a smooth, hard finish? Appearance doesn't matter (I'm going for modern/industrial)
posted by arnicae at 7:31 PM PST - 7 comments

Need recommendations for a multichannel amp that's not expensive to purchase or requires an elaborate install. [more inside]
posted by lattiboy at 6:43 PM PST - 2 comments

Pretty straightforward question. New housemate is bringing this plant with her. We don't know what it is, so we don't know if it's poisonous to cats. Can anyone identify it?
posted by tzikeh at 6:30 PM PST - 8 comments

I started running (Couch to 5k) 8 years ago. I've never had any formal training/coaching, so I certainly don't expect to be a great runner, but the amount of difficulty that I have with running seems unusual. Running 5k in 31 minutes is still a big challenge for me, no matter how much I practice. I really, really want to be able to run 10 miles some day, but that seems impossibly difficult and I don't know how to get there. Are there any other runners out there who find running really, really hard but have somehow managed to increase their distance? How did you do it? [more inside]
posted by Cygnet at 3:59 PM PST - 28 comments

My girls birthday is May 8th. She wants and I quote: "A dog that walks and is on a leash, but not real" We saw one in a park a few months back and she keeps wanting it so I thought I would get it for her. Turns out it is not that easy. [more inside]
posted by silsurf at 3:27 PM PST - 11 comments

Google Chrome crashed, while I had Google Sheets open. Now, when I type into a Google Sheets spreadsheet, the cursor moves to the front of what I'm typing after the first character I type. For example, if I type "12345" it will be rendered as 23451. If I type "Metafilter" it will be rendered as etafilterM. It's like I'm stuck in Pig Latin world. This happens only in Chrome--it's fine in Firefox. I tried clearing my cache, clearing my cookies, re-adjusting my zoom, and uninstalling/reinstalling Chrome. Nothing made a difference. Please help.
posted by Slinga at 3:05 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm seeing a lot of ads for SmileDirectClub, and it's so much cheaper than going the braces route. Have any of you tried it? [more inside]
posted by hardlikealgebra at 2:02 PM PST - 3 comments

My girlfriend searches for someone she used to have sex with, and wanted a relationship with, on Facebook. Should I be concerned? [more inside]
posted by Coolcatjc at 1:49 PM PST - 43 comments

In the late nineties I visited Denmark and encountered a Danish aerobics video on VHS. The instructor was a blond middle-aged woman with a normal body and her back-up dancers also looked like real people, not athletes. I would really like to find out who this was and see it again. Any ideas? If not, any suggestions for similar material?
posted by bq at 1:32 PM PST - 3 comments

So for the past several years I’ve been happily using Citibike, but this year I’ve twice encountered the most frustrating phenomenon, and I fear it’s just going to get worse as the weather gets better. [more inside]
posted by Borborygmus at 1:27 PM PST - 18 comments

Sometimes in a movie, during the transition to a new scene, the visual image will remain on the end of one scene for just a moment, but they go ahead and start the audio of the new scene. This is just for a second or two, and the audio that you hear usually seems to be music or ambient sound, not dialogue. Is there a name for this effect?
posted by mccxxiii at 1:15 PM PST - 4 comments

I bought a new Instant Pot. It has a grounded plug, but I'm in an old house, and the nearest plug is not grounded. Much anxiety and paralysis has ensued. See more below.... [more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover at 1:11 PM PST - 20 comments

I tried to arrange a get together with old friends but offended one friend's SO in the process. As a result neither my friend or their SO will attend. Should I be honest or tell a white lie about the reason? [more inside]
posted by Kat_Dubs at 12:57 PM PST - 28 comments

I'm looking for speakers to play music in the house from a phone/mp3 player for under $50. Is there any better alternative than regular computer speakers? [more inside]
posted by roaring beast at 12:38 PM PST - 9 comments

This morning I dropped my Pixel XL into a couple of inches of water, with a chunky but not advertised as water resistant case on it. I did the rice thing, now it turns on and seems fine, but I'm concerned there's less obvious damage and I should claim a replacement. [more inside]
posted by PMdixon at 12:09 PM PST - 8 comments

My husband and toddler (2) and I would like to spend August in Portugal or Spain on a part working/part vacation holiday. We would like to rent a house in a walkable town, potentially close to a beach, without being drowned in tourists. Can you offer advice on towns to explore, rental services to consider, and other logistical questions that coming with parenting and working in either country for a month? [more inside]
posted by xaire at 11:27 AM PST - 10 comments

Summer is coming, and I want to have a campfire on a beach with my friends! However, we live in NYC. What's the closest beach where we can have a campfire? Bonus points if we can camp out there. [more inside]
posted by panama joe at 11:09 AM PST - 10 comments

Short crust, hot water crust, puff pastry, something else entirely? [more inside]
posted by Foam Pants at 10:37 AM PST - 9 comments

I've been a fan of Noël Coward as a songwriter and entertainer for a long while. (His many-shaded song about Spring is a favorite of mine.) Yet I realized today I have no idea what kind of esteem he is held in in queer culture today. [more inside]
posted by bertran at 10:27 AM PST - 5 comments

This song is now an earworm. I have to know the name. [more inside]
posted by Splunge at 10:15 AM PST - 4 comments

Are you part of a brother/sister duo who is super tight with your sibling as an adult? Please come in and tell me all about your experience. [more inside]
posted by anderjen at 10:08 AM PST - 40 comments

My husband has expressed the desire to incorporate some rituals into our (mostly secular) lives to mark the turning of the seasons, and the progression of the year. We're looking for small meaningful acts that we can incorporate in our lives, and repeat each year. Any and all ideas welcome! [more inside]
posted by thetarium at 10:02 AM PST - 28 comments

I need to insert pictures of clock faces with different times on them (7AM, 7:15, 7:45, etc.), along with a picture of that time's activity (eat breakfast, brush teeth, get on school bus). I am finding this difficult to do in Word, and I'm pretty sure I need to submit this in Word. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by pipti at 9:52 AM PST - 16 comments

Where can I find a grassy field that is completely fenced in that I can rent for an afternoon in Massachusetts? I have two dogs, but one dog I can't bring to a dog park (he's reactive) but I'd like to run them outside. [more inside]
posted by Farce_First at 9:42 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm in NYC today and can pick one of these immersive experiences to go to tonight. SNM sounds amazing but some reviews say it's crowded and not very well organized. Accomplice sounds like a lot of fun, although I prefer the 'dark' aesthetic of SNM. Ultimately, I just want a fun, unforgettable, immersive, experience where I'm not just being herded around following a bunch of actors. Which one have you preferred and why? Thank you!
posted by Everydayville at 9:37 AM PST - 10 comments

I've been unexpectedly made redundant, in a contract non-renewal sense. The current contract runs out in a few months. I'm a permanent resident (green card holder). I intend to stay here and look for work ASAP. I am not familiar with the US unemployment process - what should I be doing to get my ducks in row over the next few months, before the contract finally ends? Many thanks. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:36 AM PST - 3 comments

Stuck thinking about a brief encounter with someone who knocked my socks off. Problematic, of course. What now? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:35 AM PST - 40 comments

Girlfriend and I found our dream property for a reasonable price. Trying to figure out how to pay for it. We're not sure how best to proceed. [more inside]
posted by Patapsco Mike at 8:29 AM PST - 6 comments

A friend and neighbor has a question about pest control on her property in the mountains west of Boulder, CO. I pointed her towards this forum, but she is rather computer-averse, so I will ask in her stead. She is having trouble with a variety of pests coming into her house, such as mice, bugs (like crickets and darkling beetles), and even small reptiles! I've been there, and it is not evident where the ingress point is, although it would appear that they are getting in under the house, but above the foundation. Hopefully you can help her find the help she needs. [more inside]
posted by Don_K at 8:20 AM PST - 5 comments

How does one select a Verizon phone (iPhone) for use in the U.S., which can also be used in Japan and Ireland? It's to make & receive calls & texts, with data, too. (Not a lot, but some.) Currently they have an iPhone and changing platforms would be difficult. [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 8:03 AM PST - 8 comments

I have plywood covering a window that was removed from my house. I think it makes my house look like crap from the outside, but I can't think of anything to do about it. Help? [more inside]
posted by shesdeadimalive at 7:28 AM PST - 23 comments

I'm a grant writer/grant manager. What else am I qualified to do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:18 AM PST - 10 comments

My wife and I are planning a trip to New York this summer, and I'd like to find a hotel/hostel or some other accommodation near the West Village that has some character. [more inside]
posted by crLLC at 7:09 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm on a new antidepressant and having terrible stomach side effects. How do I deal with these and power through to keep taking the medication while still going about daily life? [more inside]
posted by Malleable at 6:55 AM PST - 9 comments

Looking for a small, rolling computer desk that I could stand to live with and look at every day. Hive mind, can you help me find it? Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by Sublimity at 6:29 AM PST - 4 comments

What's the least embarrassing, awkward-making way of telling people that you haven't seen in a while that you've had a loss in the family? [more inside]
posted by Ziggy500 at 4:47 AM PST - 16 comments

My Spanish sucks! How do I improve? [more inside]
posted by bobertdude at 12:34 AM PST - 3 comments

At the end of May, brother and sister duo in their early thirties will have four days to drive from Phoenix to Miles City, Montana before proceeding onward to our respective home towns in Canada. Origin and destinations are fixed, as is the tight time frame. Please help me make this fun and memorable! [more inside]
posted by Juniper Toast at 11:33 PM PST - 5 comments

My girlfriend is looking for a youtube video she watched several years ago. It was in the style of a 2d side scroller game, but it was a movie that became "progressively more and more epic." There were zombies. [more inside]
posted by zeek321 at 10:48 PM PST - 6 comments

This is our noisy Micro ATX power supply in our home made HTPC setup, which is quite the close fit. I think it's this (out of stock) CoolMax 300W power supply on NewEgg. The power supply works, but when the fan spins up, it's really noisy. What's a good replacement power supply for this limited space, assuming we can't make the fan less noisy some way?
posted by filthy light thief at 9:27 PM PST - 5 comments

Agency is in USA, Client is in Canada. Agency has a signed contract for digital services with client, and a dispute has arisen. Contract states "It is a binding legal document under State of Wisconsin (USA) law." If Agency has to enforce provisions of the contract against Client, for example, payment schedule, how would one proceed? Would Agency have to hire a Canadian attorney? In other words, what are the cross-border considerations Agency has to keep in mind if in order to hold Client accountable for terms of the contract? [more inside]
posted by falcon42 at 9:14 PM PST - 7 comments

Based on answers to a previous question, I went and got my thyroid tested. Something's not right, but my primary care doctor isn't being very collaborative/problem-solvey and just blankly referred to me an endo, whose next appointment isn't for more than eight weeks. If you have results like mine, what did it mean for you? I'd like to get prepared and walk into the endo appointment knowing what I'm talking about. [more inside]
posted by juniperesque at 8:20 PM PST - 13 comments

My 1st Gen iPad is just not doing it for me. It cannot be upgraded; and, just as important, the unit itself at just one pound with a basic Apple cover, is frequently too heavy for my hands to hold. Can you suggest a replacement? Details after the jump. [more inside]
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 8:12 PM PST - 16 comments

It's a short, absurdist sci-fi story I read in English (assuming an American author, but it could have been translated) that was likely from around 1960 because of the US/USSR Space Race influence. The plot involves Soviet children and/or young adults being recruited into government service. Some are trained to operate a false moon rover to make it seem impressively automated, but it turns out to be all staged on Earth! Others have their feet amputated and replaced so they can later learn a traditional dance, despite their handicap. [more inside]
posted by bangitliketmac at 8:00 PM PST - 3 comments

At 0:41 in the famous Risky Business Porsche sinking scene there is a shot of the lamp on the dock swinging ominously as the dock is about the collapse. I know I have seen this "harbinger of doom" in other TV shows or movies, but I can't remember which ones. Not to be confused with Chandelier Swing (which involves a character actually swinging from the lamp) or Falling Chandelier of Doom, but rather more like the Dramatic Wind. I know it's a trivial detail, but it seems so familiar!
posted by Seeking Direction at 7:57 PM PST - 9 comments

Interested in recommendations for beauty blogs - share your favorites? I like Into The Gloss and the beauty section of XOJane - I liked the short-lived beauty spinoff on Jezebel. I also follow Temptalia and Musings of a Muse. I like to read reviews and tips about cosmetics, fragrance, skincare, and hair care. What else might I like? Thanks!
posted by ersatzkat at 7:24 PM PST - 10 comments

Assume I have been living in a cave or something. Try to clue me. Thx. [more inside]
posted by Michele in California at 7:05 PM PST - 26 comments

Someone's trip to Cuba netted me a bottle of three-year aged Havana Club rum. I'm not a big rum drinker, but I'm hardly opposed to it. So what yummy things should I make with it? A few snowflakes and [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 6:56 PM PST - 12 comments

I just joined a fancy gym. Think luxury. They have 100ish classes a week. Towels and toiletries available for free in the locker room. Free lockers. Tons of all kinds of machines. How do I make the most of it? I've signed up for 5 personal training sessions. What else should I do? I'm looking for tips about what to do, how to make choices, and anything that would make gym-going more habit forming for me.
posted by OrangeDisk at 6:24 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm losing weight through calorie restriction, walking 2 miles a day, and indoor cycling for 20 minutes at a time. I'm also doing beginner bodyweight/light dumbbell training for overall muscle tone. I'm consistently at a sub-15 pace walking, and I want to start C25K next week, but I want to do squats too. Can people in general do a C25K program and a 0-100 squats program at the same time? If you've done this, do you have any advice?
posted by infinitewindow at 6:08 PM PST - 10 comments

Over the past month or so I've been getting these seemingly random stabbing pains in a few different areas of my body. It happens the same every time. What could be causing them? [more inside]
posted by blackzinfandel at 6:01 PM PST - 7 comments

So my daughter and I have been gifted a place to stay in Medford, MA, this weekend and we have a super tight schedule. We will be on Frederick Ave in Medford and need to know the fastest way to get to the Museum of Science. There is apparently no Hopstop for Boston, so I'm hoping that one of you amazing nerds can help out some other nerds to get there.
posted by bright and shiny at 4:27 PM PST - 8 comments

Looking for a cute, smallish hotel in Portsmouth, NH for a wedding anniversary getaway. Somewhat last minute. [more inside]
posted by DulcineaX at 3:54 PM PST - 6 comments

I am spending one week in Oaxaca City next month in mixed company. Looking for suggestions on what I should do on my own. [more inside]
posted by monologish at 3:48 PM PST - 2 comments

Hey I was wondering if you know of some bluetooth earbuds that have the qualities I'm looking for. [more inside]
posted by bleep at 3:35 PM PST - 10 comments

I need help identifying what method of custom t-shirt printing I want to use. [more inside]
posted by benbenson at 3:06 PM PST - 3 comments

Due to some weird changes with the post office a few years ago, my home has some ZIP code issues. The deed on my home says I'm in 80453, but I'm also within 80401. That's a problem because I pay more than twice for my insurance when I quote as 80453. [more inside]
posted by speedgraphic at 2:39 PM PST - 19 comments

I got this bungee cord chair from Target a few years ago. Recently one of the casters has decided to fall apart every time I sit in it for more than a few minutes. The casters have two wheels, one on each side. I've included pictures, but it also just looks like the casters on any random chair on Target's website. Do you know how to fix it? Or where I can just buy a replacement for it? [more inside]
posted by DynamiteToast at 2:18 PM PST - 9 comments

What are signs a man is too into born? A guy I had been seeing asked me to get a brazillian and after 7 dates wherein he was affectionate, kind, and attentive, we made it to the bedroom....and it was HORRIBLE--right out of a porn film, no tenderness (except after during sleep), lack of eye contact, he wanted to orgasm in weird places (my face, my stomach). Prob worst sexual experience of my life! Am in shock because I haven't dealt with this before--even with guys who didn't see me as a GF (and this guy wanted me to be his GF), there was tenderness. Can this be salvaged or should I pull the plug now after two months of dating?
posted by Jaspersen145 at 1:49 PM PST - 73 comments

So I noticed on my dog's paperwork (after the fact) that the rabies vaccine my dog not at his last apt was expired 3 months before the date of injection! The vet tried to deny this when I confronted her with it saying it was just entered incorrectly by the tech however I said I will follow up with the manufacturer since I have the vial serial number on the paperwork and get answer directly from them. She then called to admit the expiration date written was correct and that it was expired so efficacy not guaranteed and asked for me to bring my dog back in so he can get another shot. My question is, is there any safety concerns or risk to my dog if he gets vaccinated with another rabies shot (which is supposed to last 3 years) only a month apart? Has this happened to anyone else? I'm very upset by this. Also the paperwork did not list exp date or serial number for the other vaccinations he got so I have no idea if they were also expired but just have to let that go I guess since I'm sure they would only lie to me if I asked about those without proof or serial number.
posted by CheeseAndRice at 12:25 PM PST - 11 comments

I am looking for recommendations for books you've found helpful for parents of an addicted "child" -- a child in her 30's who is addicted to opioids. How to understand and how to help. What not to do and say. Etc. Not religious! The less moralistic, the better.
posted by DMelanogaster at 11:25 AM PST - 7 comments

Tottenham Hostspur are building a new stadium in London and USB ports will be available in premium seats. How safe are these to use?
posted by wensink at 10:37 AM PST - 15 comments

So, I've been planning on moving out of the country for several months now, and have been making plans to sublet my apartment for 2 months now. (I move out in a bit over a month.) My prospective subletter has rabbits for emotional support, with a letter from her psychiatrist supporting this. I just learned that my landlord won't allow the subletter I had lined up because her rabbits are "exotic pets". What do I say? Should I get my hopes up?
posted by LSK at 9:59 AM PST - 19 comments

I see a lot of funky, fun pins around. Is there anywhere to get similar badges? Or is there any way to make it harder to lose pins? Clarification inside. [more inside]
posted by sailoreagle at 9:41 AM PST - 12 comments

Hello, MeFites! I've been playing World of Warcraft (solo) and a couple of Elder Scrolls (Morrowind is one of my all time favorites) and Dragon Age series for years on a low end computer. Now I have a newer, zoomier one and am looking for a game with an engaging story and not super difficult gameplay. [more inside]
posted by merelyglib at 9:40 AM PST - 12 comments

We are spending a week in The Netherlands in June -- three and a half days in Amsterdam with a day trip each to Rotterdam and The Hague. Help me figure out the best way to deal with using public transportation. [more inside]
posted by briank at 8:48 AM PST - 9 comments

What can I do to cultivate a feeling of physical safety and security (not practical safety tips so much as strategies for emotional self-reassurance?) [more inside]
posted by elephantsvanish at 8:38 AM PST - 14 comments

Tell me ways to clean giardia-infected dog poop from our grass. (Dog pics inside.) [more inside]
posted by kimberussell at 8:08 AM PST - 8 comments

I've been given the option to potentially transfer to a new job role at the same university, same top department, but different sub-department. This job role has different responsibilities and is at the same level as my current job. How should I successfully negotiate a pay raise? [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 8:02 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm in a workplace which leans heavily liberal and activist. I don't want to think about political issues at work, since they have nothing to do with my job directly. Is it all right if I keep my head low and disengage? How best to do so? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:43 AM PST - 25 comments

Okay, a friend of mine went off to teach English in China like 5 or 6 years ago. She was seriously suicidally depressed and decided she needed to change everything about her life. Everyone was shocked but supportive. She's remained alive because of this. But the way she left is causing her to think she can't come back and none of us know how to help. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:37 AM PST - 19 comments

Special snowflake question inside - all to do with visa and work pressures on a relationship/marriage in the UK. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:35 AM PST - 9 comments

How does the US federal hiring freeze affect jobs at government contractors? Does it matter at all? I'm sort-of job hunting was considering some permanent, full-time positions on site at federal agencies that are staffed by contractors, but I wasn't sure what job security was like in 2017. [more inside]
posted by bluefly at 6:34 AM PST - 10 comments

Facebook decided that a comment "wag wag wag wag wag wag wag wag wag" should be translated as "do not do not do not do not do". Is there actually a language where this is a semi-valid translation? Or is this just an interesting software glitch? [more inside]
posted by Johnny Assay at 5:38 AM PST - 6 comments

I once heard a story about the US IRD which sounds a bit like an urban myth and I was wondering if anyone could tie it back to trust worthy source or demonstrate that it's untrue ? [more inside]
posted by southof40 at 4:44 AM PST - 5 comments

I heard this wonderful music while on a minibus from Petra to Aqaba. Male singer singing a capella. I think it was on the radio, but I'm not sure. The music was very relaxing and almost hypnotic. Didn't sound religious to me, but I don't speak Arabic so not sure about that either. Any ideas?
posted by snownoid at 3:28 AM PST - 1 comment

Cramberry was my go-to flashcard app, but it doesn't seem to be supported or available anymore, and I have stuff to learn! [more inside]
posted by FavourableChicken at 2:38 AM PST - 5 comments

Emily Post devotes her entire second chapter to the etiquette of introductions. The Victorian-era Lady Constance Eleanora Caroline Howard likewise spends 20 pages on the subject. But what were the larger purposes and goals of introductions? [more inside]
posted by wnissen at 9:24 PM PST - 13 comments

My apartment is lovely inside, but all of its windows face a back alley. There is a conspicuous lack of green when I look outside. What can I do/plant to remedy this? [more inside]
posted by shotgunbooty at 9:02 PM PST - 10 comments

Tomorrow morning I'm conducting an important interview with someone who lives in China and prefers WeChat voice call over skype or traditional call. I'd like to record the interview -- with the interviewee's consent and everything. What's the best way to do that? [more inside]
posted by atetrachordofthree at 8:45 PM PST - 1 comment

I have vague memories of learning Spanish with a Windows program aimed towards children. It was drawn, had mini narrated stories/conversations with clickable objects, and a dog with a sombrero. I remember locations being a bus stop, a bar (?) and the inside of a house (cross-section, with each room and its objects labeled). I'm guessing it's from the Windows 95/98 era, and definitely not a JumpStart title. Does this ring any bells? I've Googled keywords to try and identify it by the CD-ROM cover, but no luck.
posted by lesser weasel at 7:21 PM PST - 3 comments

Every so often I'll get unwanted calls, but they tend to be thankfully few and far between (aside from when I got put on a political call list for a while). The past few days, however, I've received a much higher number of weird calls that are not for me, most of which seem to have a real person on the end but some of which are robocalls. Any ideas on what gives? [more inside]
posted by vegartanipla at 6:34 PM PST - 29 comments

I'm going through a really tough time at work. I stood up to my boss about something and got threatened with disciplinary action for being "disrespectful". All that to say, I need some music to make me feel better about standing up for myself and taking care of myself. What songs inspire you to feel that?
posted by aclevername at 6:23 PM PST - 60 comments

I'm considering buying an empty lot in California to build my dream home. Whose professional advice do I need and when? [more inside]
posted by ilikemefi at 3:50 PM PST - 13 comments

I've been studying cycles of violence and abuse. Though I've found many resources for survivors, I see few geared towards abusers. [more inside]
posted by fritillary at 3:18 PM PST - 14 comments

Hey everyone, I'm looking for some reflections, magazine or blog style, about a friend or loved one's suicide. [more inside]
posted by spacerail at 12:27 PM PST - 15 comments

Can I play a Nintendo Classic without a TV, using a laptop or desktop computer (a 2015 MacBook or a 2012 iMac)? [more inside]
posted by John Cohen at 11:26 AM PST - 18 comments

The mister and I are celebrating 15 years of wedded bliss by returning back to our honeymoon spot of New Orleans. We'd like to have a nicer dinner for our anniversary. No special snowflake requirements other than he doesn't want to bring a suit. [more inside]
posted by bodgy at 11:07 AM PST - 14 comments

Is there a service out there that will send paper checks to my billers automatically each month? Difficulty: my bank absolutely does not offer this service. [more inside]
posted by FakeFreyja at 9:55 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm looking for a reputable on-line seller (i.e. something I've heard of, like Amazon) or a brick-and-mortar place in the Greater Seattle Area. [more inside]
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:34 AM PST - 2 comments

I’ve had fall allergies for years, and I usually take allergy medicine until first frost. Spring allergies are a new thing for me the past few years. Claritin (or generic equivalent) works well for me… but how do I know when to stop taking it? I don’t really want to just try stopping and see what happens, because if it turns out that allergy season is not over for me, it takes about 4 days for Claritin to fully kick in.
posted by Kriesa at 8:44 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm really looking for a solution to this problem: when I have an important idea, I write it down on whatever is nearby- sometimes a notebook, sometimes a receipt, sometimes an index card. I'm working on multiple projects, and the notes get disorganized quickly. The LiveScribe seems like a solution- makes your notes digital and searchable. But is it? [more inside]
posted by Mystical Listicle at 8:35 AM PST - 14 comments

There's a new baby in our family, and I'm building a library so he'll have interesting things to read when he's 5, 10, 15... What children's books pack a powerful intellectual punch for their size? I'm looking for ones that make the reader question everything (e.g. social norms, traditions, their identity, even consensual reality). Kind of like a Philip K Dick book but for children. Also good: anything which encourages precociousness (like Matilda). A few that came to mind: 1) Eat Now, Pay Later. Short story I asked about here years ago: 2) The Sneeches, by Dr. Seuss 3) Matilda, Roald Dahl
posted by daniel.poynter at 8:13 AM PST - 47 comments

I'm putting together a list of employee recognition ideas, where the recognition is more than a pat on the back or a gift, but geared towards life long learners and other growth-based individuals. Details within. [more inside]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 8:01 AM PST - 24 comments

Should I get a broker for my NYC apartment hunt? Bonus question: what exactly can a broker do for me? [more inside]
posted by impeachnixon at 7:22 AM PST - 11 comments

Businessy People communicate in bullet points and actionables. Their focus is always on the bottom line. They're calm and reassuring (because they GTD, and talk clearly and simply about how they're going to do that). I am a million embedded clauses, diversions - complications. I tend to notice nuance instead of the bottom line. Or problems to solve that people may or may not agree exist, Big Picture issues that I may be the only one seeing or caring about. How can I discipline my mind and communication for work? [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 6:49 AM PST - 25 comments

What states have Readers Theater as a speech/debate event? Did you do this as a student? [more inside]
posted by Ms Vegetable at 6:28 AM PST - 1 comment

I'm applying for a policy job in a tech company. Most of my experience with CVs involves dull templates and I am looking for some inspiration for this one. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:21 PM PST - 14 comments

The fantastic news: after several years floating around on 10 month contracts, picking up freelance editing work for peanuts, and generally wringing our hands about the future, my husband and I got assistant professor jobs! The catch: In India! The bad news: the (new) private university is run like a business (eyes on the bottom line). They want you there 9-5 M-F and every other Saturday measured "biometrically". [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:21 PM PST - 10 comments

I am looking for a shampoo that doesn't coat my hair. A new stylist told me Dove just coats my hair and weighs it down, so that my hair is super straight and lays flat to my head. Is there a reasonably priced alternative? [more inside]
posted by Kalmya at 7:36 PM PST - 27 comments

When I do yoga or run or meditate after a long time away, I’m so good! I’m diligent with my form and stay focused. But when I try to make them regular parts of my routine, I get so sloppy. I let my mind wander and cheat the clock. I suspect this is partially because I can sense the diminishing marginal return, but I intellectually value long-lived habits and want to make this work. Have you successfully fought this? How do you make sessions 2, 5, or 20 almost as good as session 1?
posted by estlin at 7:18 PM PST - 13 comments

I'd like to start exercising on my lunch break. Right now, I usually eat my lunch and then go for about a 20-to-30-minute walk around a nearby park. That's all well and good, but I'd like to do a bit more with my time. How can I make it as frictionless an experience as possible so I actually go? [more inside]
posted by synecdoche at 7:11 PM PST - 7 comments

I have a Braille tattoo on my arm. When I get a mosquito bite anywhere within about 6 inches of it it causes the tattoo to raise sympathetically so the braille is palpable, like it would be on an elevator button label or whatever. Today the clerk at 7-11 saw my tattoo and asked if blind people could feel the Braille and I told him about this phenomenon. He acted like I was lying and said, smugly, "well, mosquito bites swell because of histamine and if that was the issue with your tattoo it would be raised all the time." Then he adopted this crossed arms, satisfied, checkmate sort of demeanor. I didn't feel like going and finding a mosquito to try to coax into biting my arm, but what could I have said? It was several hours ago and I am still annoyed.
posted by dirtdirt at 6:58 PM PST - 26 comments

What are some tips and advice you can share on how to manage anxiety? Lately it has become so immobilising that I am unable to function properly throughout the day. I am (obviously) having a hard time talking about it with family and friends, though I feel MeFi is a safe space for me to ask. [more inside]
posted by pleasebekind at 6:41 PM PST - 24 comments

My feminist science fiction book club is having a watch-party for the first episode of The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu tomorrow (and yes, there will be much discussion as to its inclusion in our feminist science fiction cannon). But naturally one MUST eat while hiding one's face behind a pillow at the realness of it all and I need help with my dessert game. [more inside]
posted by theweasel at 6:25 PM PST - 10 comments

Any suggestions for D&D podcast with lady players and non-white players? Possibly, preferably even non-white lady players? I'd love for it to be funny. [more inside]
posted by joyceanmachine at 6:23 PM PST - 16 comments

Can you recommend a Spanish language (possibly an immersion course) for attorneys in the city of Chicago? Cost is only a minor consideration. It's unlikely I will travel out of the city for it. Googling turns up the usual suspects, but I am looking for personal recommendations if possible.
posted by crush at 6:01 PM PST - 1 comment

We are working on the landscaping of our Northern Wisconsin (zone 3) home. I am trying to pick plants that are deer (and bear) resistant. I just found out that I can grow blueberries! My head says, no - it will attract deer and bear, but my heart wants blueberry bushes. Go with my head or my heart? [more inside]
posted by sarajane at 4:46 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm seeking resources for overcoming the guilt, shame, and other complicated issues I'm dealing with after receiving abstinence-only sexual education in my early teens. This took place in an evangelical Christian context. I'd love to read books, blogs, or participate in groups that help people form a healthy and sex-positive approach after internalizing notions of purity. [more inside]
posted by delight at 4:45 PM PST - 9 comments

I bought this pretty handmade ring on Etsy last week. The images posted by the seller showed that the yellow topaz stone reflects multiple colors, especially pink. In person it is just as beautiful. I don't really know what to call this kind of topaz. My Google-fu has not helped me very much. [more inside]
posted by sister nunchaku of love and mercy at 4:19 PM PST - 4 comments

I own a pair of 7 year old sibling cats, Jack and Bellamy. They've spent their whole little lives together, never been apart, (normally) get along swimmingly. Two peas in a pod. Until yesterday. [more inside]
posted by Gyre,Gimble,Wabe, Esq. at 3:49 PM PST - 13 comments

Looking for more podcasts like Pod Save America, Two Dope Queens, Pop Culture Happy Hour, and Call Your Girlfriend. ie, topical but sort of general-interest, with smart, funny people riffing on general topics. [more inside]
posted by lunasol at 3:06 PM PST - 31 comments

Come September my husband and I will be transitioning from our little two-person family to three (fingers crossed, of course)! We've spent some time thinking about things we want to do before the kid arrives, and will be going on a last holiday for just the two of us. But we also want to think about the reverse - what are experiences or things that are better with a kid, or that can only be had if you have a kid? [more inside]
posted by peacheater at 3:01 PM PST - 41 comments

I recently purchased four unrelated souvenir spoons, including one with this idol-type image. It appears to be a tattooed figure holding two smaller figures. The smaller figures are sitting in each other's laps and holding onto each other. The seller had no idea what the image represents. There are no markings on the spoon itself. Is this an image specific to a particular religion or mythology? Or is it some generic exoticized trinket?
posted by audi alteram partem at 2:45 PM PST - 2 comments

My Dell laptop seems to have a bad video cable - any suggestions for a reputable repair shop? Prefer the Alexandria/Springfield, VA area if possible [more inside]
posted by photo guy at 1:46 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm doing research on fish taken out of the Sea of Galilee during biblical times. I was wondering: if Jesus' Feeding of the Multitude miracle happened as described in the Bible, what species were the "two fish" Jesus used? [more inside]
posted by joechip at 1:29 PM PST - 5 comments

The neighborhood rats agree that my brassica plants are tasty. I want them go eat something else. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by centrifugal at 1:22 PM PST - 8 comments

I've been taking sertraline (zoloft) for about a week for generalized anxiety disorder. I am less anxious and sleeping better. However, I am really having trouble focusing at my desk job. I am feeling a little restless, not jittery. I am still on a half dose (25) of my target dose (50). Does increasing the dose or simply more time on the medication improve concentration at all? The irony is that I am concentrating better, in the sense that I'm not ruminating or dwelling. The downside is that I'm not as motivated to accomplish work tasks.
posted by ElisaOS at 11:51 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm looking for *recent* data and statistics, preferably UK based but not necessarily, showing how libraries prevent destitution and homelessness, in any way - but in particular through aiding jobseeking and service-finding for folks without Internet at home. Narratives and anecdotes (published) also welcome.
posted by Mistress at 11:45 AM PST - 5 comments

I'll be working remotely from home. This is the first job I've taken in which negotiation is a factor - I'm worried I'll either sell myself short, or end up pulling an Icarus. Rate of pay is per word when translating documents, and per hour if I end up interpreting through phone. Catch: They want to hire me through a contracting agency, and negotiations will be through them. I'm doing internet research, but could use some friendly MeFite advice for negotiating rate of pay, what to ask for/bring up, what to watch out for, etc. [more inside]
posted by CottonCandyCapers at 11:45 AM PST - 8 comments

No newspapers and no television - how do you expose your kids to current events? [more inside]
posted by threesquare at 11:34 AM PST - 13 comments

I met a great new guy, but he thinks he might be allergic to my dog. [more inside]
posted by ATX Peanut at 11:05 AM PST - 33 comments

I haven't been sleeping so well recently and am having a hard time being productive during the day, what helps? [more inside]
posted by twill at 10:54 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm trying to find a hotel suite in NYC with a bedroom and a sofa bed outside the bedroom. Not a suite with a bed and a sofa in the same area. This is proving very hard to do in websites like Expedia or Hotels.com. Can this type of search be done? (or alternatively, if you have a specific hotel to suggest, I can just look at that)
posted by CrazyLemonade at 10:34 AM PST - 17 comments

The problem: keeping family and friends aware that I exist and am okay. The difficulty: I don’t like using Facebook or email. (Contra, say, Twitter/Mastodon or MetaFilter, which I seem to use compulsively.) What is a good, opt-in way for pushing small text, video, and photo notes to people that doesn’t force me to cede ownership of my content?
posted by Going To Maine at 10:12 AM PST - 18 comments

Now is a good time for me to consider furthering my education, but I haven't the foggiest idea how to go about it. [more inside]
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 9:51 AM PST - 4 comments

I have been seeing a therapist/counselor on my own for a few times due to major issues I have with my husband and his family. My husband knows that I have been going. Would you recommend that I bring him with me to my appointments, or keep on working on myself, alone? [more inside]
posted by tangomija at 9:43 AM PST - 11 comments

Most grapefruits are good and solid, but sometimes they're stringy and the sections fall apart. What causes this, and how do I avoid it? [more inside]
posted by kristi at 9:25 AM PST - 5 comments

Often for lunch I rinse a can of beans and throw them in a container with some other ingredients to make a salad, like chickpeas + lemon juice + Parmesan. It is quick and easy. What other simple can of bean "recipes" should I try? No dietary restrictions.
posted by chaiminda at 9:08 AM PST - 24 comments

My boss told me about an article from the 1980's that he would like me to try to find a copy of. The publication was Manhattan,inc.. The article was titled "The Erector Set" and was a profile about some NYC real estate developers, including: Daniel Brodsky, Bruce Eichner, Jeffrey Katz, Steven Ross and David Solomon. I have done what online searching I can, but I think I need some direction here. Any guidance would be appreciated!
posted by brbmaroon at 8:58 AM PST - 4 comments

I received a ticket in Westchester county, New York, a couple of weeks ago. The cop told me instead of a speeding ticket, he was writing it up as 'Disobeyed traffic control device'. I'm not sure whether to try to fight this or not. [more inside]
posted by widdershins at 8:39 AM PST - 11 comments

So, I get a new PC and Windows Movie Maker is no longer supported. It was the one thing made by MS that I actually used, other than Windows, of course. Is there a comparable replacement that is free or doesn't cost $200? Will it eventually come back as an app for Windows 10?
posted by zzazazz at 8:26 AM PST - 8 comments

I try to latch exercise into my day so that it seamlessly fits in. I'm looking for more ways to do this. Examples include: working close enough to home so walking is easier. [more inside]
posted by Coffeetyme at 8:21 AM PST - 18 comments

My left earlobe has had a state of troubles lately. It's been wrecked by an allergic reaction, then a fungal infection, and now my earring back has embedded itself into the lower piercing on my lobe. What can I do until the doctor can see me? [more inside]
posted by PearlRose at 7:06 AM PST - 15 comments

About 3.5 years ago, I fell down a flight of stairs and knocked out two of my teeth. (0/10 do not recommend.) The dentist reimplanted the avulsed teeth, but they were out of my mouth for over an hour and we knew this would not be a permanent solution. Sure enough, it looks like the time is coming for me to consider other options... [more inside]
posted by schroedingersgirl at 6:57 AM PST - 16 comments

I've been fascinated by the idea of having my face and/or hands cast in plaster lately, but my own attempts have not been very successful. Where in the Toronto area could I have this done? And how much should I expect to pay? Is plaster the best material or should I consider something less breakable? The fine detail is important to me, but so is durability.
posted by The Hyacinth Girl at 6:50 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm in charge of wrangling sponsorships for my school's upcoming "Humanities Hall of Fame" induction ceremony. We've been around for 65 years, so we have some VERY accomplished alumni, and the whole thing promises to be a pretty big deal. Trouble is, I was never really a fine arts person in high school, so I'm afraid my thinking is somewhat limited in terms of which businesses might be interested in contributing to this kind of thing. [more inside]
posted by richmondparker at 5:53 AM PST - 8 comments

What medications are safe to deal with motion sickness over the long term (10 days or so), that do not interact with alcohol? [more inside]
posted by raztaj at 5:51 AM PST - 12 comments

Someone has been leaving harassing and creepy notes on random doors in the condo complex where my girlfriend and I live. These notes either claim to be from us or from management due to our repeated complaints about the recipient. Fortunately, our complex's management does not believe that we are behind the notes and the people who have received them seem to accept the fact that this is someone's idea of a sick joke. We have a good idea of who is behind this, but no proof. What should we do next? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:22 AM PST - 14 comments

Is it possible for my husband to go on Medicare in order to have weight loss surgery covered? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:22 AM PST - 5 comments

Can you suggest some handbag designers I might like along the lines of Patricia Nash and Anuschka?
posted by A Terrible Llama at 12:53 AM PST - 4 comments

Is something causing tinnitus like ringing in two of my 4 family members? [more inside]
posted by elmonobonobo at 9:41 PM PST - 17 comments

I'm trying to remember the name of a British TV show from approximately 15 years ago, give or take, involving a group of young men and women, one or more of whom began receiving a series of creepy emails or videotapes (I'm pretty sure it was email). [more inside]
posted by Palindromedary at 9:37 PM PST - 2 comments

Recently as a sort of hobby I have picked up several certificates in areas of interest. I really enjoy learning a new thing and then getting a certificate I can hang on my wall. The cost of these certificates has ranged from $100 to $700, they took from 1-3 months each, and I completed them online with minimal bureaucracy. With that done, I'm wondering if there's anything like this for mathematics. [more inside]
posted by circular at 9:32 PM PST - 2 comments

It took 20 years, but my wife and I are going to be in Europe (starting in London) in early June for a couple of weeks (yay!). We'd love to hear suggestions for a moderately challenging bike tour (~50 miles a day, 2 to 6 days) anywhere in Europe that is reachable by train. [more inside]
posted by cowcowgrasstree at 9:25 PM PST - 12 comments

Moving to Long Beach for my partner's work in about a month—and would love some advice about the city. [more inside]
posted by themadthinker at 9:08 PM PST - 6 comments

I participated in a social justice initiative at work. The initiative unexpectedly became very public, very quickly, over the course of this past week. I'm in a vulnerable stage of my career. I'm terrified of the potential backlash. How can I become one of those people who so fearlessly stand up for their beliefs? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:08 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm in Liverpool from May 7th-13th for work. I then have the 14th-21st free to do whatever I please, before flying out of Manchester on May 21st. Help me make an itinerary! [more inside]
posted by lucy.jakobs at 8:45 PM PST - 11 comments

On April 15 I bought a cut of pork shoulder at Whole Foods at the deli counter. Then I got crazy busy during the week and didn't have time to cook it. Since I bought it at the deli counter it just has a sticker that says "Sell By 4/20". Well - it's 4/24 now, and like a dope I never put it in the freezer. Would you eat this meat? [more inside]
posted by pazazygeek at 7:45 PM PST - 19 comments

I’m currently living in Chicago but plan on moving away in a year or two. Do you have somewhere you consider an ESSENTIAL road trip destinations from Chicago that I MUST do while I’m here? [more inside]
posted by carlypennylane at 6:37 PM PST - 34 comments

I need help understand the account types, charges and payment plans. [more inside]
posted by sardonyx at 6:28 PM PST - 21 comments

I'm looking for snack ideas for casual gatherings I host in my home 1-3 times a month. I'd like to keep it under $30/event and simple is best! [more inside]
posted by deadcrow at 6:20 PM PST - 20 comments

I am trying to rebuild my self-confidence and am seeking inspiration and stories from others who made a comeback after a long period of low self-confidence/self-esteem. [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 6:01 PM PST - 16 comments

I started watching Chef's Table on the recommendation of one of the other questions here. Things for me lately have been very stressful, so I wanted something that would be engaging yet contemplative. I need further recommendations, now. [more inside]
posted by oflinkey at 5:56 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm looking for fiction or non-fiction books about Wall Street during the 1930's. [more inside]
posted by Alterity at 5:08 PM PST - 5 comments

Wife is pregnant and has multiple gall stones. Should we still travel to Ponta Delgado? [more inside]
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 4:54 PM PST - 8 comments

I will be traveling for 8 days. I'm worried about leaving my cat alone as she is very attached to me... [more inside]
posted by irish01 at 4:17 PM PST - 41 comments

Buying our first house. Should our downpayment be large or small? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:49 PM PST - 11 comments

How to use only a custom dictionary in Word (or other word processor)? [more inside]
posted by pracowity at 2:57 PM PST - 2 comments

I purchased a new MacBook Pro last month--mid-level 13" model with the TouchBar FWIW--and it's had 3 or 4 kernel panics in the four weeks that I've had it. I've got the logs for one of those times at least. Is this machine a lemon? And if so, what's the best way to go about getting it replaced?
posted by hwickline at 2:34 PM PST - 10 comments

I am currently feeling quite upset with an in-law and biting my tongue to preserve my child's future relationship with that person. Where do you decide to draw the line in these things? [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 2:26 PM PST - 54 comments

Neighbor and I share a common driveway. It is shaped like a Y, the common driveway, and then each leg of Y leads to each house. We need to redo all of it. I simply don't have the money right now. Neighbor is flush with cash and says that if I could cover *my* portion in front of my house, he'll pay for the rest of the driveway. [more inside]
posted by teg4rvn at 2:24 PM PST - 14 comments

Tell me about a time when you decided to ask someone for help/input/advice instead of flying solo and how much easier/better your life was as a result. (Please.) [more inside]
posted by helloimjennsco at 2:13 PM PST - 16 comments

By popular demand from my drinks thread, I'm seeking your suggestions for Arrested Development-themed dishes. They can either be foods directly referenced on the show (got a recipe for Hot Ham Water?), or ideas inspired by the show (maybe you've dreamed up a Never Nude Salad). Please share with me your tastiest Mayoneggs and all other twisted creations lurking in your brains. ;) [more inside]
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 1:58 PM PST - 30 comments

My son (5 years old) and I had a great time reading through The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Computer. Most of it went way over his head (and, to be fair, mine as well) but he enjoyed the heck out of it nonetheless. I'm looking for more graphic novels in this vein that I can read with my son. [more inside]
posted by Deathalicious at 1:52 PM PST - 10 comments

Can you point me to resources on how to create a California LLC partnership? [more inside]
posted by Number Used Once at 12:41 PM PST - 4 comments

I had a wisdom tooth removed today. They mentioned the risk of dry socket, and said to not: smoke (not worries), drink from a straw (easy enough), not eat seeded food that might get caught in teeth (also pretty easy), or spit - not spitting seems very, very hard, especially with my regular brushing and mouthwash routine. Does anyone have any advice for making sure my mouth heals optimally in the next week?
posted by codacorolla at 11:29 AM PST - 25 comments

I believe it's by Robert Creeley, maybe George Oppen. [more inside]
posted by Cwell at 11:18 AM PST - 6 comments

While doing some yard work, I found that my tree (oak) had some shallow roots that were coming out of the ground. While pruning and digging around for a bit, I found there were some strange hollow things in the root system that I'm having a hard time identifying. [more inside]
posted by bessel functions seem unnecessarily complicated at 11:13 AM PST - 6 comments

What are the best (NY style) pizza places and great vegetarian spots in Portland? Grocery stores too! Alberta Arts district mainly, but city-wide too. [more inside]
posted by rachaelfaith at 11:12 AM PST - 9 comments

Two nights on the road between St. Louis, MO to Decatur, GA (early June). Looking for ideas... [more inside]
posted by starman at 10:49 AM PST - 3 comments

What fun souvenir can we make with old carpet? [more inside]
posted by LKWorking at 10:46 AM PST - 31 comments

I have a few questions about water and electricity in Cuba. [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 10:35 AM PST - 10 comments

We just had a new Bosch dishwasher installed. The plumber ran a test cycle and it took nearly 2 hours and the manual says all the non-express cycles take at least 115 minutes. Why is that? Is it more efficient? Or will the dishes not get clean otherwise? Please tell me why our dishwasher works the way it does.
posted by platitudipus at 9:46 AM PST - 13 comments

Visiting London -- where should I eat? Particularly, though not exclusively, interested in places good for parties of 1 or 2, and in regional Indian and traditional British food. [more inside]
posted by andrewesque at 9:44 AM PST - 9 comments

Can you shed some light on this P.D. Lunescchloss saber with a straight blade, bronze guard, and steel scabbard? Photos here (dropbox). [more inside]
posted by maxwelton at 9:28 AM PST - 2 comments

I came across this disused wall jack the other day and I am very curious as to what it's purpose was. [more inside]
posted by jmsta at 8:15 AM PST - 10 comments

We plan to retire to a single-family house in either Cape Cod MA or Fernandina Beach FL. How to decide? Especially looking for input from people who live or have lived in either place. [more inside]
posted by mmw at 7:52 AM PST - 26 comments

I have an idea for a business that involves mobile vacation adventure camps for kids 5-10, in addition to babysitting services and party rentals. [more inside]
posted by Whatifyoufly at 6:47 AM PST - 9 comments

If youwere to design a full on, time-and-money-are-no-objects spa and pampering experience that goes from the tips of your hair to the soles of your feet and everywhere else within and without, what would be in it? [more inside]
posted by divabat at 5:29 AM PST - 24 comments

Moving to a new place - yay! It has three flag flying posts! We have one set - help us fill the other two with progressive social or earth justice flags? [more inside]
posted by anya32 at 4:08 AM PST - 6 comments

We applied for a mortgage refinance back in September (on a jumbo loan in NYC, so it wasn't easy to do). By December, we were approved for a loan, we submitted all our paperwork, the coop submitted their paperwork, and we were in line for closing - all we needed was the mortgage servicing company to produce the original coop stock certificate to hand over. It didn't happen. [more inside]
posted by my left sock at 3:58 AM PST - 10 comments

Help! I'm in a rut. I've got several big decisions ahead of me, but I'm procrastinating deciding despite time ticking away. If you've learned any coping skills for this, I'd love to hear them. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:54 PM PST - 13 comments

My parents want to be able to video chat without the distraction of seeing their own faces on screen. Is there a way to do this on Skype, Facetime or Hangouts--and not by turning off the camera but by somehow having their own images hidden? [more inside]
posted by johngoren at 11:00 PM PST - 9 comments

Off and on I hear people talking about "concierge" medical service. Can anyone who has this tell me the pluses and minuses? Rough cost? Or even a specific recommendation in the Seattle (or Eastside) area?
posted by madmethods at 8:37 PM PST - 19 comments

I read a book when I was between probably between 9-12 years old (1988-1991) from the school library. It was about a young nurse, possibly a student, who took a job as a home nurse for a little girl who had burns on her legs. [more inside]
posted by Aquifer at 8:01 PM PST - 2 comments

Once a narcissist rises up in a position of power, how are they usually dethroned? Does history show that they all prosper until death and disease overtake them, or is there some typical way in which they tend to get removed from power? For example through a palace coup or through losing a war with a foreign power? Historical examples and evolutionary biology theories would be very welcome. Thanks for your thoughts.
posted by Gosha_Dog at 7:34 PM PST - 11 comments

In typing this out, it feels like a human relations question, but this is actually a question seeking help in finding a screen + TV content. [more inside]
posted by k8t at 7:28 PM PST - 23 comments

Is this $3800 Volvo V70 a good idea? [more inside]
posted by rossination at 6:43 PM PST - 7 comments

How big are these flags? [more inside]
posted by kirkaracha at 6:41 PM PST - 2 comments

I get triggered in my kid's parent sessions that support my kid's therapy. The therapist is annoyed. Am I doing it wrong? [more inside]
posted by shockpoppet at 6:05 PM PST - 32 comments

I was just interviewed and references were requested for a position that would basically be my dream job, but not my dream location. I'd be leaving a non-dream job in a dysfunctional environment but with great financial and logistical benefits. [more inside]
posted by wannabecounselor at 6:04 PM PST - 18 comments

I would like to kayak to work, in Brooklyn, this summer. I live near the Gowanus Canal, and work in DUMBO, so my proposed route would cling to the Brooklyn side of the East River, but I wouldn't have to cross it. I'm interested in hearing from folks who have spent some time exploring the waterways of New York City in human-powered watercrafts. [more inside]
posted by thejoshu at 5:00 PM PST - 9 comments

I believe I played Skyrim for two years straight. I'm looking for a new game for xBox 360 that will satisfy. [more inside]
posted by Vaike at 4:25 PM PST - 10 comments

My aunt showed me a knife she got from a street vendor in Thailand. Evidently, the merchant made quite a show of the various ways it can be used, for peeling veggies, slicing, filleting fish, etc. I was able to find a somewhat similar knife made by JinLi, but it was lacking the peeling feature in the center. Any idea where I could read more about this knife or figure out how to use it? Link.
posted by Happydaz at 4:22 PM PST - 9 comments

Did I kill these flower bulbs? [more inside]
posted by baseballpajamas at 1:47 PM PST - 7 comments

I've managed to boil my issues with dating (and relating) down to what seems to be issues with social perception, anxiety, and poor socialization as a kid. I need some concrete suggestions to help me iron out these issues so these don't continue to cause me pain. [more inside]
posted by actionpotential at 1:39 PM PST - 22 comments

(this question inevitably deals with swastikas, as the symbol in question is in place of a swastika. I would rather not wind up debating the merits of the substitution in question - I'm just curious as to whether it's a standard device of some kind. Hopefully we all agree that swastikas and what they represent are bad.) TL:DR: A restored Messerschmidt BF 109 displays a device on its tail that is NOT a swastika, but appears designed to represent where the swastika was on the original. Is this some kind of a standard in non-swastika presentation? [more inside]
posted by randomkeystrike at 1:32 PM PST - 7 comments

Our 8 year old dog will be transitioning from living her whole life in a moderate sized house-with-yard to an apartment (70% of the size) with cement patio. Suggestions on making this as stress-free as possible for her? [more inside]
posted by komlord at 12:20 PM PST - 7 comments

Where to visit in late June (when 19 wks pregnant) that is relatively cool and on a lake or river? I need to escape Houston heat but I don't want to be on a plane for more than 8 hrs. [more inside]
posted by anthropomorphic at 11:56 AM PST - 14 comments

We are moving to our forever home very soon and it has a newish tree planted out front that we have been unable to identify. Online guides have been less than helpful. Help!
posted by grumpybear69 at 11:50 AM PST - 4 comments

Whenever I buy walnuts for something, I end up with some amount that sort of sits around for a while until I just use them up snacking. What are some good non-dessert recipes you love that include walnut in some form? Veg, meat, fish, pasta, rice, etc. all fine; no dietary restrictions – but exotic specialty ingredients will probably pose a problem. [more inside]
posted by taz at 11:02 AM PST - 57 comments

After going to a park to see a great horned owl and some babies yesterday, I'd like to explore getting into bird watching. My local Audubon Society meets on a night when I have a conflict. They do have some bird watching events on weekends that I can go to. But as a complete novice, what can I do on my own? [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 10:42 AM PST - 15 comments

We have a wooden patio cover structure in our back yard that will need to be replaced soon (details within). We were hoping to do it as part of an overall yard renovation, but it looks like the timelines might not align very well. I'm trying to think through my options, and I'd love some advice. [more inside]
posted by primethyme at 10:41 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm trying to compile a list (or better yet, gallery) of tattoos worn by members of fictional organizations as inspiration for temporary body art. Help me remember/discover more! [more inside]
posted by 168 at 10:39 AM PST - 27 comments

Company X makes tea bags for regular tea and for iced tea in the same flavor. How are they different? If I don't add ice to the iced tea bag will it be the same as the regular tea bag? If I add ice to the regular tea bag will it taste the same as the iced tea bag?
posted by Aranquis at 10:31 AM PST - 7 comments

I have a job that's engaging and challenging. Unfortunately, being engaged and challenged eight hours a day means that sometimes it occupies brain space outside of those eight hours. Given that I'm short on time, what are good ways to limit thinking about the job to just when I'm at the job? [more inside]
posted by ignignokt at 8:59 AM PST - 25 comments

Have you been to an ortho for a shoulder injury in the Bay Area? Who was it and what was your experience like with them? [more inside]
posted by jshort at 8:39 AM PST - 2 comments

I’m a healthy (no medications or conditions) not yet 40 year old person who has recently begun to experience memory lapses, mostly around forgetting where I’m supposed to be, or tasks I should have completed. Prior to the past few months, my memory was very good. [more inside]
posted by walkinginsunshine at 8:05 AM PST - 18 comments

Found some images from a Transformers doujinshi for the Starscream x Skyfire/Jetfire pairing, but need help identifying the title and author. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:55 AM PST - 2 comments

We just bought a rental property with an existing tenant who is in the middle of a year long lease. We plan to honor the remainder of the current lease without changing any terms. However, when the lease is up for renewal we would like to enforce a no-smoking policy. Unfortunately, the very nice current tenant does obviously smoke. YANML, but how can we go about making that change in a lease renewal without it seeming like we are trying to evict him by adding restrictions? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:54 AM PST - 22 comments

A few weeks ago I evolved a Seel (#86), without knowing what it would become. It ended up evolving into a new Pokemom (#87) but had the exact same name. Today I hatched a new Pokemom called a Dewgong, which looks just like the evolved Seel and is also #87. I can't find any evidence of this Seel->Seel hybrid. What's the deal with the second Seel? [more inside]
posted by Room 641-A at 1:03 AM PST - 4 comments

So, My Fit Foods suddenly went out of business not too long ago. I had tried them out a couple years ago and my favorite thing about them were the supplements they had in that gray box. It included an appetite suppressant as well as a few other things. For those of you who know what I'm talking about, I'd like to know what exactly was in it so I can go buy the supplements at my local GNC or find them online. Thanks!
posted by bookman117 at 10:41 PM PST - 2 comments

Did you go to Iceland without renting a car? If so...did you feel your trip was limited by not having a car? Or dId you find other ways to get to awesome places? [more inside]
posted by flourpot at 10:37 PM PST - 12 comments

This is a scene of apparently ongoing insect warfare in a house I am considering purchasing. It has been vacant about a year and is located in Los Angeles. Who is eating whom and should it cause me any worry as a potential homeowner? Who made the poop splats? What is the "dirt"? I don't see any termites. So I am inclined not to worry. But I am curious for sure. Pics below the fold. [more inside]
posted by bluesky78987 at 8:54 PM PST - 10 comments

I really enjoy Ada Palmer's blog Ex Urbe. Previously. what else in the same vein can you recommend? [more inside]
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:26 PM PST - 4 comments

We're looking for a dentist in the Belmont/Arlington/Watertown/Cambridge area for my 19 year-old son who is ready to transition from his pediatric dentist. He likes her and her hygienist, but he's become embarrassed to go into their very kid-oriented office. He has lots of anxiety about medical settings, and really hates having people up close with their fingers and instruments in his mouth. He doesn't have any particular dental issues, just twice-yearly cleanings and exams. [more inside]
posted by primate moon at 7:54 PM PST - 6 comments

I'd like to install a clothes hanging rod underneath my standing desk, but I'm having trouble finding the right hardware online. [more inside]
posted by Cogito at 3:33 PM PST - 13 comments

What should be the limit on egg consumption by my two highly energetic and active sons, aged 8 and 11? It's just that our chooks prodce more than we can possibly eat, so from a dietary/nutrition basis, should there be any limit on their consumption, daily or weekly?
posted by wilful at 2:14 PM PST - 14 comments

My mother found yellow fiestaware plates at a thrift shop, and we're pretty sure they're vingtage. I joked about them being radioactive, and now she's worried about eating from them. From what I can find, it's the older red-orange that's the health risk. In looking up information based on the stamp, I'm guessing they were made between the 1940s ad 1972... which does't help much. Any advice?
posted by korej at 1:13 PM PST - 8 comments

There are a wide range of items one could potentially have issue with while dining out. Which complaints warrant mentioning to the wait staff or manager and which do not? [more inside]
posted by waving at 1:09 PM PST - 50 comments

Give me your diamond-in-the-rough podcasts that you've never been able to recommend to anyone because the subject is too specific. [more inside]
posted by book 'em dano at 12:47 PM PST - 36 comments

Filmmaker seeking meta-help. I need a song with public domain lyrics that could have conceivably been a U.S. prom theme in 1989. Possibly an early standard that was re-recorded as a Billboard Hit in the 50s-80s? [more inside]
posted by skammer at 11:52 AM PST - 15 comments

I love music from the 30s and 40s. I'm not musical and I absolutely cannot sing (such talent would be among my wishes of the leprechaun), but I'm slowly learning how to play ukulele and, as it becomes possible, want to develop a small repertoire of sweet and simple songs that a) aren't too hard to memorize, and b) won't hurt the ears of the people around me or cause dogs to howl. [more inside]
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 11:43 AM PST - 13 comments

My prison penpal has sheepishly requested some books with sex scenes, and while I've never been in prison I was a bookish teenager before internet porn existed and I get it. Help me find kinky novels or short story collections that are 1) available in paperback through Amazon and 2) don't scream THIS IS GAY PORN on the cover (though homosexual or bisexual content is a plus!!!) [more inside]
posted by Juliet Banana at 10:17 AM PST - 17 comments

I have been having some technical difficulties. [more inside]
posted by EddieF at 9:43 AM PST - 13 comments

Hello hivemind. I need your help in finding a black-and-white film short that I saw once as a child. [more inside]
posted by Aya Hirano on the Astral Plane at 9:40 AM PST - 8 comments

My vet has recently added a tip line to the credit card slip that I sign when checking out. Then, the office put a sign on the counter that read, tips are for boarding, grooming, (and a few other cosmetic services I can't remember). I want to do the right thing, and apparently here, it's tip the vet. I really mostly want to know if this is common or expected everywhere. [more inside]
posted by banjonaut at 9:35 AM PST - 12 comments

I graduated from Couch to 5K yesterday. This is awesome! Now... how do I get to where I can actually run a 5K? [more inside]
posted by joycehealy at 8:51 AM PST - 18 comments

Question for social media pros and Insta-influencers! I manage Instagram accounts for major brands that are often tagged in other users' pictures, and I need a way to track those mentions. Seems simple enough, right? Complications inside. [more inside]
posted by Freyja at 8:07 AM PST - 3 comments

What are the best websites for watching Spanish language video, preferably for free? I am trying to improve my Spanish. Sites that include subtitles (Spanish, English, or both) with video would be particularly great.
posted by mortaddams at 7:15 AM PST - 3 comments

A while back I spotted someone carrying a reusable grocery bag that gave me a good laugh - the store's name on the bag was something that was unintentionally dirty. I think the store's name was someone's last name, which was unfortunate, because their name was also the name of a sex act or something having to do with something sexual. I've been wracking my brain to figure out what this store was but I can't remember! Any ideas? It would have been in or near Lancaster, PA and would have probably been a market or grocery store of some sort.
posted by emily37 at 11:43 PM PST - 36 comments

We’re moving! For 10 weeks! And we’re leaving our house vacant! What should we do to prepare it? And what do we bring to our “furnished” apartment? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:39 PM PST - 14 comments

The short of it is I gave a close friend a bunch of money to help him separate from his wife (he was the stay-at-home parent for years and had no funds of his own). Now they're in a very bitter custody battle. He's worried they may try to drag me in by petitioning (or whatever it's called) to see my bank statements - they may want to see if I gave him more than he disclosed. I didn't, but they're digging for anything they can find to use against him as he's asking for spousal support. I'm Canadian and all of my money and bank accounts are in Canada. Is this something they can do, or is this not possible because the funds and myself aren't in the US?
posted by anonymous at 11:39 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm 6'2", 180 lbs. After one beer I'm feeling pretty good. A few months ago, a half of a beer on an empty stomach made me very intoxicated. I avoid craft beers over 8% abv. I rarely have two beers and almost never more than that. I drink usually 2x the water as I drink beer. t usually takes me about an hour to drink a pint. I wait an hour after drinking to drive. And I'm still nervous. How long do I have to wait until I'm safe? [more inside]
posted by rebent at 8:22 PM PST - 24 comments

Have a new job as a copywriter in NYC and need a workhorse ultrabook to commute with. Right now I'm using my wife's MacBook Pro, but I'm freaking out about it and need my own gear. I am getting confused about the new hard drives and what-all and need good rec's on what I should be looking at for a powerful, but not top of the line system. [more inside]
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 6:35 PM PST - 12 comments

YANMD, but that doesn't matter because I'm looking for patients, not doctors. Please share your success story if Nardil (or another MAOI inhibitor) defeated your depression after you tried all of the SSRIs on the market for years without any joy. How did you deal with the dietary restrictions, weight gain, and side effects? Was it worth all the risks and changes? [more inside]
posted by tzikeh at 5:28 PM PST - 13 comments

Spouse and I just got assigned a previously-neglected plot in an established community garden. We could identify almost everything growing in it except this thing at the front. I think it's some kind of allium gone to seed, maybe, or a weird lily, but I really have no idea. So...what is this, should I keep it, and can I eat it?
posted by lemonadeheretic at 5:06 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm using primary and secondary sources to research a historical event and the people involved. Some of these sources are available online, others are documents that I've photographed myself. I have hundreds of pages of documents to transcribe and extract information from. How can I best organize it all? Shoot, even if you can recommend a book on historical research methods, that would be useful too. [more inside]
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 4:15 PM PST - 7 comments

I’m stuck on hair color. I’m curious about switching it up from pinks/purples to green! Though it will also end up on unbleached hair. [more inside]
posted by Crystalinne at 3:34 PM PST - 14 comments

I got rejected for a fellowship that I was really excited about. Can I get them to reconsider? [more inside]
posted by troytroy at 3:09 PM PST - 7 comments

Is there any major US city I could feel rooted in as a single, childless 30 something? [more inside]
posted by slow graffiti at 3:08 PM PST - 23 comments

Over the course of the summer I have a couple fairly long lay overs in Boston. My intention is to use this time to explore the Freedom Trail and the MFA (over the course of several trips). I would also like to try out a couple of lobster rolls during these adventures. [more inside]
posted by AnneShirley at 2:30 PM PST - 23 comments

When I watch PBS Newshour, I often see people in New York being interviewed from a particular studio location. I would like to know where the studio is and what the building visible beyond the speaker's left shoulder is. [more inside]
posted by Right On Red at 1:56 PM PST - 6 comments

Earlier this week, I received an out-of-the-blue text from one of my oldest friends. She shared that she’d been in an accident and got a concussion… but that it’s okay!! Actually great! Amazing! Her life-long depression has lifted!! Isn’t it wonderful?!? But, uh, I’m not so sure? [more inside]
posted by Empire Today at 1:55 PM PST - 8 comments

I browse the web using Chrome on my desktop and I have an I-phone. I often see articles while on my desktop that I want to discuss with someone when I see them next, which might be several weeks away. Is there an easy way to send the article to my phone and at the same time set an alarm to remind me about it at a particular time and date in the future, ideally without having to touch my phone to do it? Many thanks in advance!
posted by miaou at 1:42 PM PST - 7 comments

I have ADHD and my task managing is a mess right now. While I don't lack motivation or ability to prioritize, I have a terrible memory and poor sense of time. Help me figure out a process that lets me tackle my to-dos the most efficiently, and helps me remember to do them. [more inside]
posted by brook horse at 1:19 PM PST - 9 comments

In other words, why am I good at abstract & theoretical math and so horrible at applied/computational math? [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 1:08 PM PST - 18 comments

I was given an antique buffet table that has been stripped (mostly) and let sit in the garage for a few years. How do I clean & refinish it?? [more inside]
posted by Caravantea at 12:37 PM PST - 2 comments

Despite due diligence, our first real hire-a-pro remodel project is going off the rails. Can you help us figure out how to salvage this bathroom tile issue and make it look decent? [more inside]
posted by St. Hubbins at 12:21 PM PST - 17 comments

I am looking for the most interesting living history events world wide - Living history or historic cultural events like Highland games, etc. Help me plan 2018 travel. [more inside]
posted by beccaj at 11:59 AM PST - 3 comments

I'd like to find a good place to work from remotely with my laptop in NYC (preferably Manhattan) for two days next week. In the Bay Area, we have coffeeshops where for a reasonable hourly fee you can essentially rent a table and wi-fi, and patronize the cafe as desired on top of that. Guarantees good internet and no side-eye from employees for taking up space for long periods. Is there anything like that in NY? Google is not turning it up on a quick search.
posted by eugenen at 11:17 AM PST - 16 comments

Fidget toys are a recent example of odd/fun products that have an relaxing effect. Can you name similar products?
posted by Foci for Analysis at 11:10 AM PST - 25 comments

I am having a dinner party this weekend. Apparently I was supposed to get a center-cut beef tenderloin weighing 3# or so; I have managed to acquire a WHOLE tenderloin weighing 7# and taller than my baby. WHAT DO I DO? [more inside]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:37 AM PST - 16 comments

How can I choose one romantic life partner and shut off all other options forever? Do I need horse blinders? [more inside]
posted by Guinevere at 10:23 AM PST - 15 comments

Looking for recommendations for a Bluetooth speaker along the lines of this one that I can pack in my projector bag for times when no others are available. Ideally loud enough for 3-4 kids watching a movie inside to hear without complaining, and with an option to connect via USB.
posted by ryanshepard at 9:34 AM PST - 16 comments

A friend and I are going to be in Scotland May 7-15. We are using Glasgow as a home base, but we want to go visit an island. I'm having trouble figuring out 1. which island; and 2. how to get to said island. Does anyone have any Scotland tips?! [more inside]
posted by aaanastasia at 9:16 AM PST - 17 comments

Have you ever pre-ordered(*) a book by an author whose books you didn't already own? If so, what made you do it? If not, are there things that might inspire you to do so? [more inside]
posted by yankeefog at 9:04 AM PST - 40 comments

Can you help identfy what original renaissance book or manuscript this image comes from? [more inside]
posted by anastasiav at 8:36 AM PST - 8 comments

I wish I had known this before we got married, but my wife and I may be from different species! The only remaining question is, who is the alien? Please read and tell us (based on your own experience of the earth) who the alien is. [more inside]
posted by bluejayway at 8:28 AM PST - 40 comments

Is there a product that will let me view who's ringing my doorbell from a screen inside the house (without opening the door), but that does not require an existing peephole nor drilling? And that just activates when a doorbell is pushed (no interest in a constant security camera, as that would be overkill)? [more inside]
posted by rollcredits at 8:26 AM PST - 4 comments

In the 80s, when I was in college, I owned a poster for Fellini's "And the Ship Sails On" ("E la Nave Va"), and I'd love to own it again. There are posters for sale, but not the version I want, which is this photo of a man in a rowboat with a rhinoceros. On the version I had, the film's title was printed under the photo. I want to hang it on my wall, poster size, so printing low-res web versions won't work.
posted by grumblebee at 8:13 AM PST - 4 comments

What is this genre of music? Where can I find sheet music of this kind of thing?
posted by dmd at 8:03 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm a huge fan of "The Leftovers". Should I power through Lindelof's previous series, "Lost"? [more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover at 7:28 AM PST - 32 comments

My cat who nearly died of a brain infection has been seizure-free long enough to step down on his 16.2-mg dose of phenobarbital. The vet wants me to give him 3/4 of a very small pill twice a day. The pill cutter the pharmacy gave me for this purpose is not working well. [more inside]
posted by *s at 7:27 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm a 39-year-old woman in a long-term (16 years) heterosexual relationship, and in the past year or so I've had a big unexplained drop in libido. I've had my hormone levels checked, which was the only test my doctor did in response to the problem, and they're normal. One big problem is that, suddenly, sex is often painful. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:07 AM PST - 11 comments

Hive, I am a 33 year old male who got married in December and on advice of our financial advisor started shopping for life insurance. I am healthy but have asthma and tried weed once. Now I received what I think is the worst rate at almost twice the price I was originally quoted. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:05 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm sick right now. My cleaning person arrives tomorrow. What items should I attack with bleach today to keep the germs away from her? [more inside]
posted by Owlcat at 6:50 AM PST - 6 comments

Our beloved neighbors were just hit with the double whammy of welcoming a new baby into the world and getting diagnosed with cancer. In addition to the new kiddo, they have two other kids, ages 3 and 6. I would like to get them some fun art supplies so they get a little attention and can have some fun (and maybe even stay occupied and out of mom and dad's hair for a minute). Problem is I'm a little clueless about what would be fun or appropriate for kids of that age. [more inside]
posted by marshmallow peep at 6:32 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm planning to build a couple of tables and a laptop desk/cart loosely based on the design of these nesting tables—specifically, bases made of 1.5"x1.5" wood. The bases will be painted. Please help me choose the wood. [more inside]
posted by she's not there at 6:21 AM PST - 10 comments

My pet project is and illustrated cook book for climbers. It's almost finished, but I can't figure out how much effort I should put into the *not fun* process of marketing it. And if it makes sense to start a kickstarter or not? How did you decide how much effort to put into your pet project? Internal debate inside. [more inside]
posted by Thisandthat at 5:05 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm a highschool teacher. One of my students will be celebrating a large quinceañera in a couple days. I don't know her family, but her parents sent me a formal invitation. The student is really excited to invite me and I'm fairly certain she would feel hurt or disapointed if I don't stop by. I'd like to at least stop by and meet her parents, but I'm uncertain if this is "weird" or overstepping professional boundaries. [more inside]
posted by WhitenoisE at 1:59 AM PST - 21 comments

I got bitten by a dog. Pretty good puncture wounds, definitely not a rabid dog. Doc friends are predicting augmentin. Already did alcohol and bacitracin. Would love not to go to my primary tomorrow. [more inside]
posted by Pax at 9:33 PM PST - 22 comments

My dog ate a discarded piece of very well-chewed spearmint "Ice Cubes" gum. Is he in danger? [more inside]
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 8:11 PM PST - 15 comments

Can anyone suggest a laptop for an incoming college Freshman this fall, under $1000, no gaming? Also, any advice on how to shop for this is much appreciated! [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 7:56 PM PST - 33 comments

Catching an early (0600) flight from PDX to OAK next week and would like to kill an extra hour or several en route to our hotel in Healdsburg. Suggestions on interesting sights or spots to see along the way would be appreciated.
posted by docpops at 7:41 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm taking a trip to Chicago and considering going to Spoon Thai for lunch on Monday. Their full menu looks fabulous, but at the bottom, there's a "Lunch Special" listed, with some appetizers + entrees that are much less appealing to me. I would like to know if that's just a particular deal that's offered for lunch, or if those are the only options available for lunch. [more inside]
posted by creepygirl at 7:33 PM PST - 8 comments

I am about to do a series of interviews where I need excellent audio quality in a highly portable format--preferably with stuff I already own. Will the following set up work? [more inside]
posted by Pater Aletheias at 7:20 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm dealing with some ugh side effects with Minocycline for some dermatitis on my face. Side effects include almost crippling dizziness and woozy tummy. But it's early days - help me sort the options. [more inside]
posted by Dressed to Kill at 7:11 PM PST - 4 comments

I use Android. I paid for a premium version of TuneIn, the podcast app. Now I'm trying to access the first season of Coffee Break French and can't access anything but the most recent episodes. Is there a way to access *all* episodes? BeyondPod, which is free, does this with no problem, so I know that these episodes do exist. Is there something I'm missing in TuneIn?
posted by onecircleaday at 6:50 PM PST - 0 comments

I'm leaving NYC b/c of lack of good mental health services for those on Medicaid. Is there a ranking of which states have the best mental health Medicaid services? Any personal experience you can share would be great too. I'm specifically looking for EMDR and DBT.
posted by Kombucha3452 at 6:47 PM PST - 8 comments

Jesus, I feel like I'm living in 1968. Suggestions please. [more inside]
posted by zenpop at 6:37 PM PST - 4 comments

Hi! I'm in need of a multipurpose travel bag and this Bric's folding duffel (in navy) seems like the perfect match. Except... the sides aren't flat. Instead, in a purse-like fashion, the ends of the zipper form triangles which then snap to the sides. Is this, in fact, a piece of women's luggage? Would it come off in the same way as a dude carrying a purse? I know how ridiculous the notion of gendered luggage is, but hey, fashion is weird. Please advise! (Nordstrom seems to categorize it under women's luggage, but if you search for the bag and click on the Men's section, it shows up there too.)
posted by archagon at 4:46 PM PST - 13 comments

This is an odd question I know, but are there any legal problems with releasing a stink bomb in your own garden or the entry behind your garden in the UK? [more inside]
posted by Ranting Prophet of DOOM! at 3:58 PM PST - 9 comments

I've been doing some research on North Korea's nuclear program just so I know more about the current situation. I am trying to find out if the Soviets actually helped the North Koreans get nukes, and what motivated the USSR to help North Korea with their nuclear program in the first place. [more inside]
posted by loganabbott at 3:43 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm part of a small group of people reading Dr. King's Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? One of the men in the group has low vision and he will need an audio file. There is none to be had. [more inside]
posted by nohattip at 3:25 PM PST - 5 comments

Can you identify the language in this cycling commentary? I think it's Scandinavian, maybe Norwegian?
posted by EtTuHealy at 3:02 PM PST - 4 comments

Our lawn has gotten pretty patchy overall and totally bare in some significant areas. I've been trying to reseed, but the birds keep coming and eating all of it. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot at 3:01 PM PST - 8 comments

What should I be reading now to educate myself in advance of a kitchen remodel? I'm open to book recommendations, magazines, blogs, etc... [more inside]
posted by figgy_finicky at 2:21 PM PST - 8 comments

This is essentially a "do you find this persuasive, and if not, why?" [more inside]
posted by aspersioncast at 1:59 PM PST - 32 comments

I have vague memories of a sci-fi short story that I would have read some time in the mid-to-late 70s, involving a kid, un-athletic and not capable of doing much physically, who discovers in the end that his physiology is perfectly suited for (if memory serves) Mars. Help me find this story? [more inside]
posted by hanov3r at 1:48 PM PST - 8 comments

i've been spending an inordinate amount of time in medical waiting/exams rooms lately because reasons. in many places cell phone use is disallowed. please recommend some lighthearted reading selections that will help the boredom and also take my mind off the situation. short story collections would be especially welcome.
posted by lescour at 1:00 PM PST - 23 comments

I am finding coin-sized bald spots on my scalp, possibly from alopecia areata. I have long, dark hair and at least one spot on the top of my crown is noticeable no matter where I part my hair. How do I hide this? Also, is it possible any of this is related to the birth of my first child but NOT simply postpartum hair loss? [more inside]
posted by Hwaet at 12:31 PM PST - 7 comments

We have this picture on the wall in our office: https://imgur.com/a/L3mta Can anyone identify the location? we're pretty sure it's somewhere in the San Francisco Bay Area.
posted by morninj at 12:05 PM PST - 3 comments

A company has proposed to hire me for a month as a contractor. It's a company that does work in the blockchain and they're offering 20,000 tokens for 30 days' work. Is this worth it or am I being taken advantage of? [more inside]
posted by zooropa at 11:30 AM PST - 43 comments

Old car, new phone, clueless operator. Looking for product recommendations that suit my preferences. [more inside]
posted by little_dog_laughing at 11:19 AM PST - 3 comments

I teach at a College and at a University, I also work at an office, am on a busy board of directors, and have two small children. Getting Things Done worked for me when I just had one full-time job, but with this chaos I can't seem to keep my head straight. Please help. [more inside]
posted by arcticwoman at 10:58 AM PST - 11 comments

So I'm the father of a very clever 9 year old who is obsessed with space. When she grows up she'd like to either be an astronaut or an astronomer (ideally both). I thought I'd be fun for us to put together an 'Astronaut Training Program' for her that would combine physical fitness (e.g. cross-country, SCUBA, etc.) and educational opportunities (learning about math, programming, engineering, physics, etc) to prepare her for her future application in 13+ years. [more inside]
posted by leotrotsky at 10:08 AM PST - 26 comments

I'm looking for graphic novels, comics, or anything similar to fill the void in my life left by The Expanse between seasons. [more inside]
posted by furnace.heart at 10:01 AM PST - 8 comments

My husband and I are thinking about purchasing a teardrop trailer to tow behind our Subaru Outback, primarily to allow more weekend outdoor adventuring with our baby. We've never done the trailer thing before. Good idea or bad idea? [more inside]
posted by Jaclyn at 9:53 AM PST - 14 comments

So this kid interned for me a year ago. There's no nice way to say it but he gave off a real Lenny based Mice and Men vibe. Hulking kid with a stutter who kept a permanent half smile on his face that did not read as a normal. He keeps hitting me up for work and I'm kinda torn on what to tell him. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:39 AM PST - 23 comments

I'm having a lot of trouble dealing with yelling at home. My wife's daily yelling matches with our young son are exhausting and stressing me (and I must reduce stress for medical reasons). [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:37 AM PST - 67 comments

What are the differences in couples therapy? Is there one method that's better for dealing with grief than another? Confused by "emotionally focused" vs. behavioral or gottman, etc. etc.
posted by Smedleyman at 9:25 AM PST - 6 comments

Another home project, stuck in the final planning stages. I need to adhere two thin steel sheets to the inside of a couple cabinet doors. [more inside]
posted by sharp pointy objects at 9:02 AM PST - 11 comments

I want more than anything for any or all of the more left-leaning parties edge out the Tories in the upcoming election, however unlikely it seems. Do you have a decent understanding of politics and campaigning in the UK? If so, can you advise me on what's the best thing to use my time on? [more inside]
posted by greenish at 8:57 AM PST - 7 comments

How does the paparazzi work, exactly? There are many, many celebrities who are photographed almost 24/7. Where do those photos go? [more inside]
posted by Melismata at 8:25 AM PST - 7 comments

For what reason did all the stores in my area decide to stop carrying Cashew Milk in the original variety? And is it just my area, or everywhere the product is carried? [more inside]
posted by Crystal Fox at 8:18 AM PST - 6 comments

By which I mean, in the Jim Henson Universe, are there any hints/explanations about how Muppets occur? [more inside]
posted by threetwentytwo at 7:30 AM PST - 74 comments

Due to some irrational but very mutual worry habits, my husband and I are currently using the Life360 app to see where each other is throughout the day. However Life360 is proving to have limitations with iPhones. the android phone's location updates near-instantly, but the iPhone can take 15-60 minutes to show a new location, which as you might imagine only exacerbates the worry problem. Have any of you iPhone users found a GPS pairing app that works and updates properly, AND has an available Android version as well? Thanks!
posted by isaacq at 6:51 AM PST - 4 comments

I want to sell a few silver age comic books at a store, and I'm wondering what a fair price would be? [more inside]
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:48 AM PST - 1 comment

Anyone here had a simple ovarian cyst of 5-6 cm? What happened to it? Did it shrink down? If not after how much monitoring did they remove it and how was the surgery? I have my 2 month follow up ultrasound on Tuesday for my 57 mm one Thanks
posted by barexamfreak at 5:31 AM PST - 13 comments

It's typically very difficult for me to find pants that fit me well - I have more than once gone into a dressing room with an arm load of pants, tried them all on, and walked out sad and frustrated, with no pants. I finally found one brand/cut that works and have just stuck with it for several years. However, I'm getting a little bored and would like to diversify. [more inside]
posted by bunderful at 5:26 AM PST - 12 comments

I am in the NYC area and am looking to get t-shirts printed for myself and the rest of my coworkers. We will be wearing these for fairly strenuous outside work so they need to breathe well and be fairly sturdy. I'd like them to look good as well. Where should I get them printed, what kind of shirt fabric and what are things to keep in mind to make things look good? [more inside]
posted by sciencegeek at 3:05 AM PST - 2 comments

Percy Fawcett was British, so did he say "Lost City of Zed" or, as the new movie trailers have it, "Lost City of Zee"? [more inside]
posted by CCBC at 3:05 AM PST - 7 comments

What instrument is being played over the drums/percussion in the "Jedha Suite" from the Rogue One soundtrack? The instrument in question comes in at 0:15.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 1:29 AM PST - 14 comments

I having some weird bladder and belly sensitivities that are making my jeans/pants feel uncomfortable. I've gone to the gyn for testing and plan on going to see a gastroenterologist in the near future. These issues are making my pants and underwear very uncomfortable. [more inside]
posted by mokeydraws at 10:15 PM PST - 19 comments

I am trying to spruce up my new place with a "home, sweet home" type sign that will be hanging indoors - something homey or uplifting but not overly saccharine and nothing too witty/sarcastic. I am interested in something warm over something sassy. Any suggestions?
posted by cokelessrome at 9:43 PM PST - 11 comments

Any recommendations (pictures please!) for fancy up-dos or just pretty hairstyles that'll still look good after a night's sleep? [more inside]
posted by bluelight at 8:49 PM PST - 19 comments

What should I do with my 3- and 6-year-old goddaughters this weekend in NYC? [more inside]
posted by this, of course, alludes to sex at 7:26 PM PST - 23 comments

I'm drawing a blank, and I'm taking my eldest this Saturday to my local march. This is his first march of any sort, ever, and I want it to be fun, and lighthearted while also deadly serious, and I want him to remember it. We need signs. [n.b. I did see this thread but am looking for more general ideas, and don't want to pollute that thread with less on-target responses. Thanks.] [more inside]
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 6:49 PM PST - 13 comments

(Asking for a friend.) On a recent episode of SNL, there was a skit with a funeral where two friends sing "deep club" music supposedly written by the deceased. These songs have been haunting my dreams. Where can I listen to more of this music? [more inside]
posted by cider at 6:11 PM PST - 6 comments

I caught a cold and have been fairly miserable for the past couple of weeks. To soothe my irritated throat from what is is likely post nasal drip, the doctor who visited me today suggested I inhale steam plus a combination of essential oils twice a day- problem is, my skin is quite sensitive and always comes out dehydrated from a hot shower, so I'm wondering whether this much steam may do more harm than good to my face. Is there any way to use steam on sensitive skin without damaging it? [more inside]
posted by opalshards at 5:56 PM PST - 13 comments

When I was a kid, I'd always get relish on my hot dogs. For some mysterious reason, though, relish has vanished from hot dog stands in NYC. (Sauerkraut remains universally available.) Does anyone know why this is? Cost? Health codes? [more inside]
posted by phooky at 5:48 PM PST - 4 comments

My third-grade nephew reads below his grade level and just hasn't caught on to reading. His Dad says he will read comic books as long as they're reading it together, but wants him to read things solo. (Tried Harry Potter, proved to be too challenging.) Nephew enjoys video games, Pokemon, and break-dancing. We were considering giving him a magazine subscription focusing one of those topics. Any recc's for books 1st/2nd graders love, or kid-oriented magazines that might prove irresistible to this kid?
posted by egeanin at 5:29 PM PST - 25 comments

We're getting married in a pinball arcade whose decor features wall-sized, airbrushed paintings of skeleton-wizards and is generally very '80s (and AD&D). What safe-for-all-ages, high-energy songs would you put on the wedding playlist that would work well with the venue's natural goofiness/oddness? (We have ABBA and Queen. Good lord do we have ABBA and Queen. And more inside!) [more inside]
posted by flibbertigibbet at 4:50 PM PST - 43 comments

Is there a searchable Google Maps Gallery? I was able to find this page for exploring public "My Maps," but it doesn't have a search function. I'm sure there must be more user-created public Google maps than are accessible from that page. [more inside]
posted by Joleta at 4:25 PM PST - 1 comment

The short of it is: friend wants to rent apartment. Friend was given keys to the apartment without signing a lease and paying a dime toward rent or a deposit. Current landlord was supposed to fix several major issues in the apartment and then meet with friend to sign the lease/turn over a payment this week. Neither of those happened on the agreed upon dates. Landlord isn't returning texts or calls....what's the next step? Details below. [more inside]
posted by Young Kullervo at 3:52 PM PST - 8 comments

I want to take a solo road trip from the SF Bay Area this weekend to go see amazing displays of wildflowers. I know next to nothing about wildflowers, the southern half of California, and the hiking/camping/nature found in Southern California. Help me re: flower destinations, itinerary feedback, and things I should check out. Is Carrizo Plain my best bet? [more inside]
posted by soleiluna at 3:44 PM PST - 6 comments

P.M. Dawn's 1991 hit Set Adrift On Memory Bliss was song 9 on their album Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience. This song is missing from the album on iTunes - it skips from song 8 to song 10. Anyone know why?
posted by Dragonness at 3:31 PM PST - 11 comments

My six year old LOVES video games. I have extremely limited experience with them. I need some kind of introductory understanding. We have a desktop computer running Linux Mint and no real interest in owning a gaming console (like XBOX or whatever kids today use). Please help me help him. [more inside]
posted by linettasky at 2:36 PM PST - 13 comments

I am one of a few chaperones on an upcoming trip to DC. Instead of handing students a paper map of the area in which they can roam about, is there a more iPhone friendly option? [more inside]
posted by mzwz at 1:58 PM PST - 6 comments

I want to purchase this t-shirt for a friend, but am not sure what the text says. Could someone please translate it for me?
posted by sandettie light vessel automatic at 1:39 PM PST - 12 comments

My routine at the gym has been stagnating. I went to an intro bootcamp class this morning and it was ridiculously fun, mainly because I didn't have to think about it or plan it; I don't, however, want to spend the $150/mo they charge to continue with that. I've been happy in the past to do internet searches to put together routines of my own, but I don't have the time now. Is there an app or email system that would give me a 20- to 30-minute routine with the following? [more inside]
posted by lazuli at 1:27 PM PST - 9 comments

I just got a call from someone who claimed to have just received a missed call from my phone. I did not call the number, there is no record of my phone having dialed the number, and no one has access to my phone (it's passcode protected; I'm at work and no one knows my passcode). What is this?! [more inside]
posted by millipede at 1:11 PM PST - 13 comments

Sometime between 2009 and 2014 there was a series of performances by emerging artists including Grimes, Lumineers, and Of Monsters and Men. It was shot in what looked like an abandoned factory and was shown on MTV and VH1. Occasionally it was titled "ahead of the curve" sessions and sometimes it had a different name. over time mistakes in the performances were edited to be more "correct." I'd love to be able to purchase a collection of all the performances, but all of my searches have come up nothing. Help?
posted by evilmonk at 1:09 PM PST - 0 comments

I learned today that at some point before their extinction, Great Auks were commonly known as penguins. Europeans traveling near the edges of the Southern hemisphere saw birds that reminded them of auks, so they called them penguins. Then Great Auks became extinct, and the only penguins left were the birds that had been given that name based on a misunderstanding. Is there a term for this linguistic phenomenon, where a link in an etymological chain has ceased to exist? Are there other common examples?
posted by layceepee at 12:52 PM PST - 5 comments

I want to do some car camping in May/June and currently I have no equipment except for a sleeping bag. How can I do this on a pretty strict budget? I've been camping many times before and I don't need a lot of creature comforts. I will most likely be traveling alone. Temperatures will likely range from 50-80 F, occasional rain/T-storms expected. [more inside]
posted by AFABulous at 12:22 PM PST - 22 comments

How can I help the general public better understand basic scientific concepts and encourage people to exercise critical thinking? [more inside]
posted by galaxypeachtea at 9:12 AM PST - 5 comments

Changing cell phone providers in the US is clunky and manual. I've just learned that most countries handle it better (no surprise!) I'd like to hear more about folks' experiences with this outside of the US. [more inside]
posted by SpiffyRob at 8:29 AM PST - 7 comments

I just got bought a book based on the "cake-wrecks" blog - it has brought me so much joy. If I like smbc/xkcd/cakewrecks - what other books would fulfill that niche (that I can just pop them open and laugh) - and that are possibly also based on an internet-project with some backstory (but that's not a necessary boundary condition).
posted by mathiu at 8:17 AM PST - 31 comments

Three years ago, while on vacation in Japan, an acquaintance took a snap of this "Wonder Woman" T-shirt in a random clothing shop. Despite my impassioned pleas, he didn't pick it up, and I've been desperate to find it ever since. Help?
posted by mykescipark at 7:39 AM PST - 8 comments

Online auto translators are failing to translate what I believe is Chinese text from this poster. Anyone want to give it a shot?
posted by gwint at 7:37 AM PST - 1 comment

I'm looking for a town for a weekend reunion of 10-11 people, in the northeast, that's relatively easily accessible. I'd like recommendations for a specific town, rather than a region. [more inside]
posted by john_snow at 7:33 AM PST - 18 comments

Like many of you, I have my entire CD collection ripped to my PC, along with other music I've acquired through iTunes or Amazon MP3. Of course, this is much more music than will fit on a single iPhone/iPod or other media player. But, it can fit on a MyPassport external hard drive! Now, how can I play that music from my stereo? What I'm looking for is either a device or stereo receiver that can read MP3 files off an external USB hard drive - and isn't limited to, say, a 16GB size of the USB device. Do such devices exist? I do not want to rely on a computer/laptop needed to serve music to the stereo,
posted by citybuddha at 7:19 AM PST - 8 comments

One of our 15 year old kitties died about three weeks ago. His brother is showing a lot of typical symptoms of cat-grief. But his behavior is making us bonkers. Help! [more inside]
posted by tippy at 6:37 AM PST - 21 comments

Can anyone please explain to me how the tax system will work in my situation. My personal income tax allowance is £10,100. [more inside]
posted by charlen at 6:34 AM PST - 4 comments

We're having a Twin Peaks party and need themed food and drinks. [more inside]
posted by postcommunism at 6:17 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm planning my will, and I would like my beneficiary to be my child. I need to set up some kind of trust. But for life reasons - distant relatives, ex-partner, trust fee structures - I'm stumped. I need good and creative ideas, especially if you have addressed a similar situation. Thank you! [more inside]
posted by life moves pretty fast at 5:59 AM PST - 13 comments

Last night my 18-year old senior in high school son called--he was out with friends, was super stoned and wanted permission for his friends to drive him home in his car. They got him home and he went to bed. I've got this question because this the second time in a year and a half that this has happened, AND there are other factors. [more inside]
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 3:42 AM PST - 32 comments

Many years ago, I read an essay or memoir that included this anecdote: the author, a writer, had gotten a job at a local quarry (I think in England), and described two groups of workers, young versus old. [more inside]
posted by Mogur at 2:28 AM PST - 5 comments

My 12 year old chihuahua mix Maxine had high ALT levels on her last 2 rounds of bloodwork. She is asymptomatic except for a decreased appetite. Does anybody have experience with canine liver supplements? There are a lot of options out there...
posted by TheCoug at 8:03 PM PST - 2 comments

My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant and it hasn't worked yet. What makes me feel especially guilty and depressed is an abortion I had two years ago. [more inside]
posted by nightdoctress at 7:41 PM PST - 18 comments

When I was a kid, I read a short story about the Jersey Devil helping an abused little girl. But I can't remember the title of the story! Help me out. [more inside]
posted by queen_mob at 7:38 PM PST - 2 comments

We recently purchased a house built in the PNW in 1908 and we'd like to outfit it in era-appropriate accessories - outlet plates, light switch covers, etc. [more inside]
posted by dotgirl at 7:24 PM PST - 16 comments

After hearing it described on a podcast and doing a lot of googling, I'm 99.9% sure that I have "pure obsessional" OCD. I'm currently seeing a therapist for anxiety, and I want to tell them about the OCD too – but they're a "mental health counselor" at a low-cost clinic. Is it possible they wouldn't have heard about this OCD variant? [more inside]
posted by cookiedough at 6:56 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking for travel guides for my iPhone. Something that's a combination guidebook, map, and restaurant database that is well designed for using on the go from my phone. [more inside]
posted by Nelson at 5:43 PM PST - 7 comments

I would like to purchase a Feldenkrais mat either online or in NYC in the near future. [more inside]
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 4:58 PM PST - 2 comments

I own a small consulting firm and right now would be a great time to bring an intern or junior admin staff on-board (to be clear this would be a paid internship, no exploitation, etc). I need someone to take notes on calls, keep my schedule, book my travel, be a proofreading and QA resource for the account staff, and do other defined data and admin tasks. The issue is: we have no office and our 5-person team is spread out all over the country. Any way to make this work? [more inside]
posted by Ignatius J. Reilly at 4:53 PM PST - 8 comments

I have an S-Corp and filed for a DBA name that I intend to use. The DBA name does not include any mention of a corporation ("Inc"), and I'd like to show that the business is indeed incorporated. YANML, but is there a standard way to do that, like a blurb at the bottom of web pages saying "DBAName is a trade name of CorpName, Inc."? Or would that be pointless? [more inside]
posted by powpow at 3:59 PM PST - 5 comments

I would like to make some vegetable dumplings with bok choy, shiitake mushrooms and maybe some carrot and garlic chives. I would definitely add other things for flavour (e.g. ginger, garlic etc.), but I'm not interest in other bulking-ingredients (e.g. other cabbages, tofu, etc.). I found many recipes of this basic format that I can adapt but none really make it possible (for me) to figure out the appropriate bokchoy:shiitake:carrot ratio. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 3:40 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm curious on how doable it is to learn a language (to basic listening/reading/speaking ability) primarily through music, and other media like film and TV. [more inside]
posted by naju at 2:13 PM PST - 19 comments

Just that - if you've had a particularly pleasurable solitary birthday, what made it so? [more inside]
posted by knownfossils at 11:50 AM PST - 58 comments

If you use You Need a Budget, a question: How do you account for buying things on the credit card that you have saved for in cash? [more inside]
posted by pipti at 11:32 AM PST - 18 comments

Is it fair/feasible to adopt my parent's cat, given my roommate's qualms and the two specific cats involved? I've read previous questions about re-homing, about the dangers of outdoor cats, etc, but am still torn and feeling terribly guilty about even considering saying no. Pictures of all involved cats inside. [more inside]
posted by buildmyworld at 11:14 AM PST - 16 comments

Yesterday I got an unexpected check in the mail. The problem is, it is a class action settlement check made out to my LLC which technically no longer exists. Can I still cash the check? [more inside]
posted by vibrotronica at 10:15 AM PST - 6 comments

I know of the Dhamma Dharā centers that offer 10 day silent meditation retreats, and I'm trying to find other options for similar retreats. This is surprisingly difficult to google. [more inside]
posted by spindrifter at 10:12 AM PST - 18 comments

I've been doing a 5:2 intermittent fasting diet and mostly it's pretty easy and is having results but on nights where I'm fasting I have a hard time sleeping. [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow at 9:45 AM PST - 17 comments

A small bird is repeatedly flying into our window with reckless abandon, similar to the one described in a previous thread, and we're wondering if anyone has any new ideas. The poor bird has been at it for several days now. Details of what we have tried so far inside. [more inside]
posted by wavelette at 9:27 AM PST - 7 comments

I am staying with friends near Lindlar until mid - June (about 30 miles east of Cologne) and am looking to have interesting experiences in the area. I plan on going to the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum, Ludwig Museum, and the Fragrance Museum in Cologne. More suggestions of cool things to do and places to go appreciated.
posted by goalyeehah at 8:55 AM PST - 10 comments

I have a self-hosted WordPress site. I have access to the server logs and can see the gzipped files going back to when the site was launched. What tool or procedure can I use to analyze these server logs? I am most interested in site visitor information. Ideally, the information would be easy to send to another party as well.
posted by jammy at 8:50 AM PST - 13 comments

Leftist anarchists of MetaFilter, your ideas are intriguing to me, and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter. I've been a fairly conventional liberal for a long time, but the recent U.S. election has me rethinking that a little bit. I'm curious about socialist anarchism as an alternative. I know there are some MeFites who identify this way politically, so my question for you is: how do you engage with politics as it currently exists? [more inside]
posted by Ragged Richard at 8:45 AM PST - 9 comments

I need help coding a learning algorithm in R for a research project I am working on. I know that this takes coding skill that I don't currently have. Where is the best place to go online to find someone I can pay to help me with this?
posted by bove at 8:42 AM PST - 6 comments

What are some lessons you learned the hard way about money, college and paying back your student loans? [more inside]
posted by missjenny at 7:50 AM PST - 53 comments

Hello smart people. I have searched and searched the internet for a solution to no avail, but have not yet posted this to Dell tech support. I have had good luck here before, so I'd rather try you first. I have had some intermittent trouble with my Dell E525W laser printer since I installed it that has now turned into not being able to print at all. I think the best way to describe the issue(s) is with a list of what the printer did and what I tried: [more inside]
posted by Don_K at 7:09 AM PST - 8 comments

The British PM has just called a general election, so it is now Decision Making Time for millions of British people. Please direct me to resources about: 1) How to ensure you are making a good decision / as rational a decision as possible 2) Information about cognitive biases and the kind of biases which might lead people to make Bad Decision in a vote like this Thank you! [more inside]
posted by matthew.alexander at 6:44 AM PST - 4 comments

I will soon be visiting the Louvre and would love suggestions of some engaging books - nonfiction or fiction - about artists whose work is at the Louvre, particular works of art, artistic movements, the Louvre itself - anything, really. My goal is to make my experience more memorable and engaging. I like all types of books so all recommendations are welcome!
posted by Shebear at 6:43 AM PST - 7 comments

For reasons, I need to send anonymous emails from a throwaway account. Assuming I use incognito mode in Chrome when using Gmail, what can the recipient find out about me? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:27 AM PST - 10 comments

Looking for some perspective on how to deal with my brother's partner. I will try to explain the situation as best I can but please forgive me if I am not coherent. The circumstances are this: We (me – Aunt and my mother - Grandmother) look after my three-year-old nephew every weekend and before and after school on three days per week. Myself, his grandmother (80 years old), his two uncles and his mum are the only family he has. This arrangement of childcare has been more or less forced (emotional blackmail/manipulation of my single parent sister) upon us but was just about proving to be workable, however, it leaves my mother with zero energy to do anything else in her life. I manage it by working part-time and having no other commitments. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:27 AM PST - 22 comments

I'm currently studying in Japan, and my husband has to go on a business trip for the whole Golden Week (series of national holidays in late April/early May.) I don't want to spend the whole week alone at home, but I don't have a lot of money to travel around. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by LoonyLovegood at 6:11 AM PST - 8 comments

My partner and I are thinking about asking our roommate to move out. How can we do this in the most considerate and mindful way? [more inside]
posted by chara at 5:43 AM PST - 22 comments

I like this modern air plant holder, but don't want to buy it. Is there an existing piece of hardware I could repurpose to mimic it? Tillandz air plant holder by The Sill [more inside]
posted by mannermode at 5:09 AM PST - 8 comments

I love iced tea, but I can't do the sugar for wonky blood sugar reasons and I'm not happy with artificial sweeteners. I would like to try adding a little spice to it, but I'm pretty dumb about spices. I make tea all the time, so the easier the recipe, the better! [more inside]
posted by backwards compatible at 5:08 AM PST - 19 comments

I have this basic Oster 2lbs Express Bread Maker. It makes terrible bread, the worst. My yeast and flour is awesome, my technique is obviously trash. Please hope me. [more inside]
posted by jbenben at 1:33 AM PST - 20 comments

my husband bikes to work and back every day, and wears thermal bike gloves to keep his hands warm. They reeeeeek like the scent of 40 hockey bags, even though he washes them quite often. How can he wear gloves without being "ole stench mitts" at home and in the office?
posted by andreapandrea at 9:45 PM PST - 25 comments

I'm not a dude, but I am an incredibly lazy and picky woman who will never spend more than the time it takes to quickly shower and air dry my short hair on a morning routine, so work with me here. If a stereotypical 30something cis white guy with otherwise ok skin asked you for just one lightweight makeup product that he could buy and then apply in 30 seconds (or less, 10 seconds would be ideal) to reduce the impact of dark undereye circles in photos and in person, what would you recommend? [more inside]
posted by deludingmyself at 9:09 PM PST - 34 comments

Please help me identify a short SF story about an agency that matched clients with an alternate universe that perfectly matched their abilities and talents. The man wanting to be matched was great at making spit bubbles. [more inside]
posted by Brody's chum at 9:00 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm trying to track down accounts by anyone that actually lived in cave systems with the Taliban (or ISIS, since apparently they've been using caves as well). I'm interested in how they managed their day-to-day lives/operations, not so much their tactics/ideology. [more inside]
posted by pelvicsorcery at 8:39 PM PST - 2 comments

I am traveling to Iceland this summer, and I need a reliable credit card that is compatible with my beliefs. [more inside]
posted by toastedcheese at 7:47 PM PST - 16 comments

Hi All, After deciding to leave teaching (the only career I have ever had; straight out of college up until last June), I applied for a position as a public library page. I made it through the general online application, civil service exam, cover letter/resume submission, and I just got the call today saying HR wants to interview me in one week (I don't know yet if this is the only interview, or if there will be another one later). I really, really want this job and would love to ace the interview. Can you kind folks help? [more inside]
posted by bookworm4125 at 7:33 PM PST - 13 comments

I've become the lightest sleeper ever. Please help me with a white noise solution that is portable for traveling. Sleepy snowflakes to follow. [more inside]
posted by floweredfish at 7:26 PM PST - 18 comments

I recently finished Elizabeth Buchan's Consider the Lily and it reminded me of Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden. I'm looking for books in which the protagonist takes an interest in gardening and in the process grows into herself or himself. It does not have to be fiction.
posted by Constance Mirabella at 6:59 PM PST - 15 comments

I've been programming in Ruby (and other scripting languages) for a few years now—and hey, I've even been paid to do it for two of them. But my dream is creating music and audio related products and toys—think synthesizers, samplers, etc. I play with my OP-1 from Teenage Engineering and think "I want to make things like this." [more inside]
posted by defenestration at 6:53 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm going to visit Barcelona next month (yay!). What are some favorite restaurants, food tours and so on that you would recommend? [more inside]
posted by storybored at 5:44 PM PST - 20 comments

I'm looking for a running app for Android that does not require a monthly/yearly subscription for advanced features. [more inside]
posted by backwards guitar at 5:32 PM PST - 3 comments

Another shoe recommendation question. Difficultly level: Canada. Looking for slip on shoes that look classy with dresses or skirts and can keep me walking all day on upcoming vacation. I have a fairly heavy heel strike and need some cushioning. Also looking for recs for men. Love to be able to try them on in person. [more inside]
posted by platypus of the universe at 3:59 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm struck by the cool charts made by the late Mark Lombardi. According to his biographer, he would use his skills as a reference librarian to collect boxes of index cards, then manually convert them to these conceptual charts that showed relationships. Although lots of chart/mindmap software exists, is there anything that allows you to input relationships into a database, and then spit the chart out when you're done? [more inside]
posted by mecran01 at 3:35 PM PST - 5 comments

I broke my foot in January and it's still swollen. I only own a bunch of boots, and the only boot that fits over my swollen foot is a western boot that's a size too big. The heel is pretty high and that angle is bad for my foot. I've tried on a few shoes and haven't found anything that fit, even going a size up, so I thought I'd ask for recommendations for a shoes that come in a wide size. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by kittensofthenight at 3:00 PM PST - 13 comments

Should I do anything beyond changing all my passwords and security questions, and turning on 2-factor authentication everywhere available? I have some confusions. This is actually the first time this has ever happened to me despite living full-time on the internet for a couple decades. [more inside]
posted by soren_lorensen at 2:02 PM PST - 5 comments

So I guess a virus in milk is linked to breast cancer? This has me wondering about other links between human diseases and milk or meat consumption. If you know about prions, about the link between Parkinson's Disease and milk, or about any similar topics, could you please enlighten me? I'd been trying to get myself to eat more yogurt (for the calcium and the probiotics), but now I'm thinking maybe that's the wrong direction to be taking my diet. Are there good sources that explain the latest thinking on this?
posted by slidell at 1:54 PM PST - 22 comments

For professional reasons, I need to upload a bunch of large pdf documents that had been generated by a client to a government website. On my first attempt to upload them, the site rejected them because it requires all pdfs to be at least 200 dpi, and some of the pages were lower resolution than that. [more inside]
posted by LizardBreath at 1:01 PM PST - 5 comments

Any landscapers out there that can tell me what I should be searching for when looking for posts like these that will hold a rope?: Photo1 Photo2 I've tried googling with poor results, so would appreciate finding "just the right word" for what these are called. (Bonus points for a good cheap supplier where I can buy a dozen or so.) Thank you.
posted by jimmereeno at 12:55 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm interested in knowing how other people use Outlook & OneNote to capture and manage information. [more inside]
posted by GernBlandston at 12:19 PM PST - 5 comments

How should I handle letting a company know their handyman made me feel uncomfortable/scared? [more inside]
posted by CMcG at 12:00 PM PST - 21 comments

I'm turning 40 in mid-July (the date is on a Saturday) and I'd like to go out of town with my husband to celebrate. Having a bit of trouble coming up with/sorting through my options, though. Would love suggestions from the hive mind about where to go and what to do! [more inside]
posted by merriment at 11:55 AM PST - 8 comments

I'll be in Bilbao in early June. Help me plan! [more inside]
posted by PussKillian at 11:41 AM PST - 4 comments

I've been asked to play "Come Thou Fount" on the piano in a wedding and I'm having trouble finding an arrangement that fits what the couple wants. Essentially, they want this but the author hasn't published any sheet music. I can play the melody and chords and mess around with the left hand, but I'm hoping I can find sheet music that spells out some intricate and flowing flourishes for me to practice. Has anyone played or seen a good arrangement lately? No key signature preference.
posted by michaelh at 11:25 AM PST - 5 comments

My wife bought me this concert poster for The Mountain Goats. I love them, and have a pretty good grip on their back catalog, but I also know that there's big chunks of it I've never heard. Does this poster reference any single song or album? [more inside]
posted by 1f2frfbf at 11:14 AM PST - 7 comments

I've just been gifted a first-generation iPad mini. A cursory Google shows its no longer supported and may have problems running modern versions of apps. Is there anything cool / useful I can do with this? [more inside]
posted by ominous_paws at 10:50 AM PST - 16 comments

The history department at my alma mater used to have a real softball of a class called "Papal Succession [Year]-[Year]". Those needing a GPA boost were often instructed to take this course. For this reason, it was colloquially known as "Popes for Dopes". Looking for similar examples!
posted by stinkfoot at 10:45 AM PST - 65 comments

I'm interested in getting up to speed on Blockchain technology and issues. I've got the gist of it from the multitudes of bitcoin-related pieces out there. But would love some recommendations on sources that start down the path of getting into the weeds of the technology and market issues. I'm most interested in developments and use cases apart from crypto-currencies. [more inside]
posted by GPF at 10:37 AM PST - 6 comments

My rotten cat, Toast, has decided to become finicky in his old age. My husband and I are pulling our hair out. Halp please. [more inside]
posted by holborne at 10:34 AM PST - 34 comments

Why are American calendars different in their layout from the ones that I can get in Japan? [more inside]
posted by Hanuman1960 at 10:31 AM PST - 10 comments

We are investigating homeschool programs for our 13 year old. We want some help as far as workbooks or textbooks and I definitely need help in quizzes and tests (with the answers). But at the same time, we don't want an online program where the online teacher is giving us deadlines and we also do not want them grading our child, even if it is for 30 percent of the grade. [more inside]
posted by lynnie-the-pooh at 10:25 AM PST - 15 comments

Need to repair / replace my wooden privacy picket fence in Saint Paul. Looking for recommendations or references from you fine folks. Thanks!
posted by jeribus at 9:59 AM PST - 4 comments

I have a very difficult time following through on cultural recommendations from others, even when I want to. I'm sure it is related to control issues, which I am working on in therapy. In the meantime, how do I get over the hump here? [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 9:32 AM PST - 16 comments

I hate shopping and fashion but I desperately need new work clothes. I'm a very not-feminine, Gen-x cis-woman looking for a business casual capsule wardrobe. I'd like to buy it all online. Help? [more inside]
posted by whistle pig at 8:50 AM PST - 20 comments

I'm doing some research about opioid detox and treatment for a family of my acquaintance and would like info and opinions regarding the following: [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 8:09 AM PST - 2 comments

I've got a complicated question about whether to grow store-bought potatoes in a bag or in the garden. Dig around a little, there's more inside. [more inside]
posted by lollymccatburglar at 7:11 AM PST - 3 comments

I want to make a gift for the music director of my church. She leads 3 choirs (brass, vocal, bells) and works with many solists. Probably 45-50 people total. I am a decent amateur artist, and I'd like to make something that incorporates the signatures of all the people she works with, in mixed media (paper, paint, collage, etc.). The only problem is -- I have no idea what to make. What would you suggest?
posted by OrangeDisk at 7:09 AM PST - 6 comments

Help me understand the confusing world of Pokemon trading cards. Is Pokemon Sun and Moon compatible with Pokemon EX? [more inside]
posted by popcassady at 6:09 AM PST - 2 comments

Having seen the EEG-esque Muse Headband mentioned on here I am really curious. How real a thing is it? Is it my best option? [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 5:05 AM PST - 5 comments

When did the gramophone horns used to capture sound in 1910s/1920s US recording studios give way to something we'd recognise as an early microphone? And when did microphones first start to be used on stage at live gigs? Finally, when did microphones become routine in both these settings? [more inside]
posted by Paul Slade at 2:58 AM PST - 7 comments

We're getting married! In exactly one month! My gal loves creative surprises and I want to screen a few-minute clip at our wedding that will have her smiling, laughing, and thinking I'm the best (kidding. sort of). Problem: I don't have a good enough idea. I'm hobbyist-handy with video editing programs and not too scared to take this on. [more inside]
posted by alon at 2:45 AM PST - 9 comments

Back in the 20th century I used Windows machines a lot. I even bought a few, with mixed results. I jumped ship to mac for my second ever laptop and have been happy with that. Now, for $REASONS I find I shall be returning to the windows-verse, and I need a new laptop within two weeks. [more inside]
posted by pompomtom at 2:37 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm being let go. I've looked up steps to take and have gotten started on planning. Can you help me see whether I'm missing anything and how I can best use the time I have before my last day? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:19 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm a UK Computer Scientist with strong engineering skills moving to the Washington DC area who wants to transition to industry. I seek advice on what to do in order to maximize my potential income and be able to climb the corporate ladder effectively in the region. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:19 AM PST - 9 comments

Specifically in logistics and volunteer management [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:19 AM PST - 1 comment

I'm transitioning as a trans woman. My fiancee is rather dependent on me, and I've never been a single woman. We've agreed to a trial separation this summer vacation (we go to the same college and share an apartment). We agreed I can date others during this period. How can I make the most of this, and hopefully know more confidently if she's the one, or if we should break up? [more inside]
posted by MuppetNavy at 10:38 PM PST - 35 comments

I was recently down on the beach at Half Moon Bay and saw a giant, ruined structure by the cliffs. I saw a comment suggesting it might be a WWII coastal battery, but I think there are several such structures in the area, and the comment wasn't accompanied by photos.
posted by mph at 10:17 PM PST - 1 comment

Already cancelled my credit card. What else should I do? [more inside]
posted by foxjacket at 10:08 PM PST - 5 comments

I adopted my cat as an adult and he's sweet, adoring, and clingy. He's very much a people cat and particularly loyal to me. I'd like to adopt a dog, and I've read about introducing a cat to a new dog and know the process, but my question is more along the lines of can I do it without causing my needy cat to be significantly less happy? [more inside]
posted by hotcoroner at 9:17 PM PST - 10 comments

I've been feeling a little down/crabby the past day or so. How do I nip this crabbiness in the bud? [more inside]
posted by sacchan at 7:51 PM PST - 20 comments

I live in Pasadena, California home to all sorts of wild parrots. There are a lot of yellow headed amazons, but also a variety of species. I know they are unlikely to feed at bird feeders, but if there was something I could put in a bird feeder that might attract them, what would it be, and what feeder would you use? [more inside]
posted by arnicae at 7:46 PM PST - 10 comments

I was a reporter on a weekly newspaper in the late 1990s, before e-mail was widespread. I have recently become a political activist. Building on both those roles, I will soon give a talk on “How to Work with the Media.” Can you help me bridge the gap of the last umpteen years? [more inside]
posted by maurreen at 7:09 PM PST - 2 comments

I got issued a $234 fine for going 26 in a 20 mph zone near a school in Seattle. I was caught by a speed camera, not pulled over by an officer. Should I contest the ticket, and if so, how? [more inside]
posted by thrungva at 6:58 PM PST - 13 comments

My wife has a job opportunity that expects an answer within 2 weeks. There are a lot of trade-offs involved - a professional step down but possible personal benefits - and she's struggling to make the decision. (I'm 50/50 on the change and am supporting whatever she does). She's wondering if there's a a way to get outside help - is there a way to get in touch with a life coach or career-oriented therapist and get some good advice on such a short timeline? How would we find such a person? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 6:35 PM PST - 10 comments

Our church's main speaker was working fine one Sunday and then didn't work at all the next one. We're thinking it could be a loose connection at the speaker but we aren't sure about the best way to get up there to look. It is unfortunately right below the podium stairs and so we'd need to build up a flat surface before setting up scaffolding. [more inside]
posted by hala mass at 4:05 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm working with someone who insists that conflicts be worked out directly between parties, without being escalated to the next level. Please help me understand this. [more inside]
posted by shockpoppet at 3:36 PM PST - 20 comments

I'm flying out of DCA on an upcoming Friday evening, returning on the following Monday evening, and looking for cheaper parking options. (It's a stretch to call the $17 you pay at the airport "economy" parking.) I'd rather not involve Metro if possible, and this is a non-holiday weekend. I've seen sites that sell discounted access to a nearby parking garages, like this one. Is this reliable, in your experience? Do you have another suggestion for me?
posted by zebra at 3:14 PM PST - 6 comments

Are there any outlets you know of that can be characterized as alternative media, but that don't support conspiracy theories? [more inside]
posted by reenum at 1:07 PM PST - 15 comments

I can't for the life of me find a laptop case (13.3" screen) like this (see links). I need something that I can zip all 3 sides open. Almost everything I've found unzips 1 side plus 1/3 of the 2 adjacent sides. And... the bag has to have handles. See pix: 1, 2, 3
posted by disnchntd at 12:25 PM PST - 8 comments

All of a sudden, the on-screen emotional human drama and violence and general human nastiness is really affecting me, I think real life is giving me my quota of horrid things at the moment - please can you recommend some certified non-pointy things that don't take me to the mental Bad Place? [more inside]
posted by eastboundanddown at 12:00 PM PST - 88 comments

A close friend of mine needs help navigating Washington Apple Care and neither of us really even know where to start. [more inside]
posted by zinful at 11:43 AM PST - 5 comments

What books have you read that changed how you think about your relationships? [more inside]
posted by graphtheory at 11:11 AM PST - 31 comments

Can you please give me the best method for cleaning the inside of our Weber gas barbecue which is full of ashes and food residue. We need to clean the firepan, the flavour bars and the grill. Separately, the paint seems to be shredding, that is in teeny pieces, from inside the hood. Is there any way to treat this, and prevent it from continuing.
posted by Tziv at 11:09 AM PST - 5 comments

Fellow freelancers...how do you step away, step back, enjoy a little bit of life? [more inside]
posted by Caskeum at 10:51 AM PST - 10 comments

I am subletting my apartment in Pittsburgh to a tenant for the summer. I'm asking for a security deposit, and it seems to be PA law that deposits must be put in escrow. What's the easiest way to set up an escrow account? [more inside]
posted by glass origami robot at 10:19 AM PST - 7 comments

My wife and I are trying to make some plans for the future, but I don't really understand what are the important variables to consider. Mortgage repayment timelines, building costs, and more are confusing me. [more inside]
posted by Acari at 10:08 AM PST - 5 comments

Had a first interview for a job that sounds great based on the description. During the interview I was asked "how diverse my personal life is" and "where is home?". I am really interested in the role but am not sure how concerned to be about the interview questions. The 'justification' I can think of for these questions coming up... TIA. [more inside]
posted by ShadePlant at 8:37 AM PST - 17 comments

Dear hivemind, I was wondering if anyone has stories to share of recovery from osteitis pubis - and bonus points for any stories of recovering from long-term injury and returning to previous activity that you may have had to give up as a result of said injury. [more inside]
posted by coffee_monster at 8:25 AM PST - 1 comment

A friend and colleague has gotten a job at the University of Missouri and is looking for a place to live. Any advice for a woman in her mid-20s as far as neighborhoods to look for or other advice regarding moving to Columbia would be appreciated. Thanks!
posted by Floydd at 6:57 AM PST - 1 comment

I'm a Canadian spending three months in France, nominally working a 9-to-5 job but with some flexibility and with my weekends (and long weekends) entirely free to explore this part of the world that I'm not very familiar with. Where should I go, what should I do, and how do I convince myself to get out there when all I want to do is hang out in my apartment eating cereal? [more inside]
posted by btfreek at 6:39 AM PST - 15 comments

I have a cheap Android 6 TV box that I wanted to use as basically a Spotify Server/Player connected directly to my HiFi on the other side of the room. There is no mouse, keyboard or monitor connected to the Android TV box. I was hoping there would be a way to run a terminal/remote desktop app over wifi from my Mac laptop in order to control the Android tv-box but can't find anything. Teamviewer and Airdroid presume you still have access to the Android box. [more inside]
posted by mary8nne at 5:32 AM PST - 5 comments

I have recently had a very silly accident with unfortunately serious consequences. I have lost the tip of my right thumb. I have lost from the base of the nail upwards-- I still have a working joint with full mobility and it seems like it will heal well with good feeling in the new tip. I am looking into prosthetics both for vanity and to lengthen the thumb for things like holding a pen, and I have some questions. [more inside]
posted by frumiousb at 1:47 AM PST - 5 comments

What's the best advice you ever received from someone who you thought was really being a "stick in the mud" or an "old fogy" when they gave the advice, but later you realized - they were totally right! [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 10:21 PM PST - 54 comments

Can you think of any examples of feudal systems being used as a metaphor, a motif or as a way of understanding other relationships? Especially examples from the medieval and early modern periods. A few examples I can think of are chess pieces; "an Englishman's home is his castle"; the Confucian idea of the man being the sovereign of his household. But I feel like there must be more, since the notion of king/noble/serf is deeply ingrained in our culture...?
posted by dontjumplarry at 9:34 PM PST - 10 comments

I have been heard what people talking about the Ransomware. Like 'you can get ransomware by just visiting a website', 'you can get infected by just watching flash movie(.swf)' or you can get infected by all kind of stupid reason. Today I finally deiced to move my heavy ass and search it for myself. and What I found was ransomware just has same infection routine as other virus. by plane executive. Is this true? if it is true, that mean loading flash object is completely irrelevant from virus.
posted by Smilehoho at 9:33 PM PST - 11 comments

My 10-pound dog is getting older (he's now between 10-12, best estimate) and I've noticed that he likes to stretch out to snooze on the couch during the day. He sleeps in a crate at night, so is this an indication that I should get him a bigger create so he can stretch out? [more inside]
posted by juniperesque at 7:31 PM PST - 10 comments

In episode four of season nine of RuPaul's Drag Race, judge Ross Mathews is wearing a very handsome black jacket with a gold pattern. Where can I find a jacket like this?
posted by Transmissions From Vrillon at 7:31 PM PST - 2 comments

My wife "shuts down" when she has strong feelings and then she says mean things. We are trapped in a bad cycle. [more inside]
posted by unstrungharp at 6:04 PM PST - 48 comments

Help me brainstorm a thoughtful memento to gift my inlaws when they leave for the 500-mile Camino trail they are hiking in Spain for the next 6 weeks [more inside]
posted by timpanogos at 6:03 PM PST - 8 comments

I planted a burning bush about three years ago, and except for one branch, I don't think it has grown at all. The one branch is about four feet long. The rest of it is maybe a foot tall. From a distance the branches look dead, but up close, it does have very tiny green leaves on it. Even the branch that has grown looks mostly dead and has just a few tiny leaves on the end. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 4:53 PM PST - 2 comments

It's time for me to re up my decor, and I'd like to put up some surreptitiously dirty art. [more inside]
posted by fluttering hellfire at 4:51 PM PST - 7 comments

Can anyone tell me what the in-state tuition would have been for University of Michigan in the mid-1990s? Or do you know how I might find out? I went to a public university in the late 80s (UC Berkeley) and it was dirt cheap. Wondering if U of M was similar. This is for a piece of fiction I'm writing.
posted by swheatie at 3:47 PM PST - 16 comments

My late father fought in the Korean war and, among his personal photos, I found this one. It's apparently some sort of non-weapon trailer but, other than that, I have no idea. I know his unit spent some time in Japan and I believe that is Mount Fuji in the background. Many thanks.
posted by LastOfHisKind at 2:36 PM PST - 4 comments

This is a fountain in a covered (but basically outdoors) area in my yard. The photos show the pump and the place where the water is supposed to come out of the tube in the friendly demon (?)'s mouth. It only works sometimes. Can I make it work all the time with minimal ongoing effort, or should I give up and just accept this thing as a decorative non-water feature? I know nothing about fountains. [more inside]
posted by hansbrough at 2:26 PM PST - 14 comments

I used to actively collect foreign currency (coins and banknotes), at least half of which are no longer in circulation. I now want to sell the collection - either in bulk or small lots/individually. While I realize my collection probably isn't worth much, I'd like to know what I can do to earn the most profit from its sale. [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 12:58 PM PST - 3 comments

Is this early-dating/flirting behavior a red flag? If not, how do I keep from getting anxious? [more inside]
posted by bearette at 12:25 PM PST - 34 comments

I'm looking to spend a week in Washington DC with my wife hitting up the museums,sights and food. We don't drive so we need advice on where to stay with suitable public transit options. We are not poor but we aren't loaded either so we are looking for midrange accomodations rather than budget busting DC core hotels. [more inside]
posted by srboisvert at 12:21 PM PST - 16 comments

I have come to the realization that I experienced a traumatic childhood, and the patterns of learned behaviors I used then are the ones that are wrecking havoc on my life now. I am young, educated, and bright (on the outside), but my life, health, relationships, work are spiraling to a low. I am afraid to lose my job and health insurance, but my anxiety and severe stress issues are getting in the way if not addressed! I need practical advice about what resources are available for treatment, what my rights are as an employee, what are my options if unemployed. Or maybe just a slap on the face. [more inside]
posted by lacedcoffee at 11:38 AM PST - 35 comments

I handwashed these slippers using Woolite. Now that they've dried, the suede outer surface is not as soft as it used to be -- it feels a bit rough the way dry/chapped skin does. Is this normal, did I make a mistake, and can I treat them with something or do anything to get them back to their original feel?
posted by duoshao at 11:33 AM PST - 7 comments

I’m back for more advice, after you helped me last time. So I did it, I moved out, I left my husband. But now I’m really struggling with living on my own and the aftermath of my affair. [more inside]
posted by Concertion at 8:56 AM PST - 18 comments

What kind of doc should I see for this issue? I have a lump on my back, on my shoulderblade. [more inside]
posted by WowLookStars at 8:55 AM PST - 12 comments

A dear friend and roommate of many years is about to have a milestone birthday. She's had a rough year, so I'd like to make this gift something truly awesome and delightful for her. Unfortunately, I'm feeling stuck. [more inside]
posted by prewar lemonade at 8:35 AM PST - 8 comments

I want to make the start of baseball season a 'holiday' for my son and celebrate it every year like a real holiday. I'd love some ideas for what 'traditions' this fake holiday should have. [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 8:32 AM PST - 11 comments

I love Zelda games. I LOVED Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and I’m now hunting around for my next game to play. But I'm so picky! Help me out — some more details inside. [more inside]
posted by crazy with stars at 8:30 AM PST - 11 comments

I am traveling to NYC for the first time in 20 years. We are driving from Washington, DC. I am not able to take any public transportation, Uber, or Lyft. We will be walking the city to see some sights. Central Park, Empire State Building, Times Square, and Ground Zero. Where is a good central area to park? What does parking for 12+ hours cost in NYC?
posted by Coffee Bean at 8:16 AM PST - 12 comments

Hit a snag when digging my french drain trench-- pair of roots 31 inches from a trunk 23 inches in diameter. Should I or cut them? [more inside]
posted by Mikey51 at 6:16 AM PST - 9 comments

Thanks to mefi, I know the horror that is baby foal feet. But according to giraffe cam, baby giraffes do not have the hoof capsules. Why not? Do any other ungulates have them?
posted by jeather at 5:36 AM PST - 10 comments

Got a job offer. It is perfect except for one detail and I need help figuring out if it's a deal breaker for my situation. [more inside]
posted by Aranquis at 5:30 AM PST - 17 comments

I am going on my first real vacation in years and am flying into Oslo for a week in June. What should I do there? I'm open to things in Oslo, in Norway, and in surrounding countries​. [more inside]
posted by sockermom at 4:44 AM PST - 17 comments

A friend of a friend of a friend inadvertently let me know that our friends-in-common are getting a divorce. It was completely by accident and she was mortified. I feel so bad for my friend who is going through this. Do I tell her that I know, and see if I can do anything for her? Halp. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:02 AM PST - 11 comments

Several months ago, I was in a three-car accident. Driver A hit Driver B, and then Driver B rear ended me as a result. No one was hurt, but my car was dinged up a bit. My claim was resolved and though my insurance company paid for the repairs minus my deductible, they were unable to get my deductible back from the other drivers' insurance companies via subrogation. Is there anything further I can do? [more inside]
posted by emily37 at 11:23 PM PST - 2 comments

A moderate number of years ago, I read a piece by a father who wanted the first viewing of Star Wars (I think the first six movies) to be as good as possible for his children. I think he had two sons. He put a lot of thought into choosing the order of the movies and protected his children from spoilers. And then, of course, he blogged about their reactions. Can anyone find this? Searching on [star wars father] doesn't exactly work.
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 11:00 PM PST - 4 comments

I’ve never made a blueberry pie from scratch. I’ve made other sweet and savoury pies and not had an issue, but I’ve been asked to make a blueberry pie for someone and after perusing some recipes, I’m considering pre-cooking the filling to avoid blueberry soup. Tell me why this is a bad idea. [more inside]
posted by BeeJiddy at 10:47 PM PST - 13 comments

As someone with (a) no driver's license, (b) on a budget, and (c) who wants to buy furniture off of Craigslist, I have very limited options in terms of moving the stuff back to my place. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by omar.a at 8:35 PM PST - 3 comments

I am familiar with the present, past, and future tenses, and various perfect versions of the same. What are some obscure, unusual, situational and possibly fictional verb tenses? [more inside]
posted by the man of twists and turns at 7:40 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm selling a specific kind of high-end furniture, in the range of $10,000-$20,000. Not from a showroom, direct-to-consumer. Where do I place ads to reach the right consumer, and what else should I consider in my messaging? Right now, we are taking a social media approach, so I'd also love to hear of any high-end social media profiles anyone here tends to follow. Lastly, please do mention any magazines I should consider. Thanks in advance!
posted by andrewsa at 7:11 PM PST - 20 comments

This evening the missus was watching a DVD of a mid-seventies episode of Columbo and the twenty-year-old of the house chortled to see Leslie Neilsen in a dramatic role. I told the youngster that Neilsen had been a stern dramatic actor for the first half of his career (which gave him gravitas that served him well in his circa-Airplane! shift to comedy) and began to compare him with.... well, who? I tried and, I think, failed to come up with any major performer today who has steered clear of comedy entirely. Is there anyone? [more inside]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:05 PM PST - 43 comments

Because of my allergies, the beau and I bought a leather sofa four years ago. Unfortunately, we didn't know any better, and we mistakenly bought a bonded leather sofa. Now, it's shredding, peeling, and generally looks hideous. We are not hard on our furniture, accidentally buying a crappy leather sofa has made us both sad. [more inside]
posted by PearlRose at 6:23 PM PST - 3 comments

Great meal at a Mom and Pop Italian restaurant tonight. When I say "Mom and Pop," I mean she cooks and he serves. That is it for staff. Typically we are tipping for excellent service which the server directly benefits. Mrs. Ashtray Elvis points out the person who sets the price and profit margin has more to gain. Is tipping necessary and if you said yes how do you calculate the amount?
posted by ashtray elvis at 6:03 PM PST - 24 comments

I am utterly failing to find popular culture that works for me in the time of Trump, and I would love recommendations. Dark is baseline. Darkly funny would help. Good themes might include grit, determination, resilience, overcoming bad odds, long slogs to better. Note though that I'm looking for escapism, not stuff that is too on the nose -- and so, I probably don't want documentaries, or anything that's literally about Trump or Nazis or the Stasi. [more inside]
posted by Susan PG at 4:55 PM PST - 29 comments

And if so, can I avoid it while still engaging with Jewish culture? [more inside]
posted by Perodicticus potto at 3:18 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm extremely standoffish and I have a hard time getting along with others. I often find that many people dislike me initially after meeting me. I miss a lot of social cues. I'm starting to feel frustrated and shut down completely on meeting new people. [more inside]
posted by sheepishchiffon at 2:23 PM PST - 32 comments

It's another book recommendation question! MeFi, I need a book that is completely engrossing; something to fall in love with, something I can't put down, something that makes my heart feel like it's expanding not un-painfully. Notable reads that scratched this itch for me in the past include The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, The Black Jewels Trilogy (Anne Bishop), Freedom (Franzen) and The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Help! [more inside]
posted by sevensnowflakes at 1:47 PM PST - 65 comments

I'm having problems finding some little plastic end-caps for some 30-year old Velux skylight mini-blinds I have. I want to find someone who can 3D print them for me. Details within. [more inside]
posted by Right On Red at 1:41 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm interested in planning a public read-out during Banned (and Challenged) Books Week, September 24-30, 2017 at my public university. Just recently, the library at the University of Virginia did a read-out of 1984, next to a traveling exhibit of panels from the Berlin Wall. I cannot hope to match that in terms of coolness, however, I would like to have a similar public reading at my library on campus. [more inside]
posted by crepeMyrtle at 1:21 PM PST - 6 comments

My family and I will be driving back to Richland, WA from Phoenix, AZ next week and we are thinking to drive through Nevada. While we don't want to add too much time to our trip, we'd be happy to take a few detours to see some sights along the way. Any thoughts on what the best/most scenic route to take is? Thanks!
posted by Aanidaani at 1:01 PM PST - 3 comments

Does anyone know of any lower-cost psychotherapy options in DC? Or any good therapists in the area who accept any form of insurance? [more inside]
posted by armadillo1224 at 12:43 PM PST - 3 comments

My sister recently started working for a franchise of a national US quick-service chain. They have a tip jar on the counter and credit card receipts have a tip line, but none of the employees get tips paid out - management says that instead they get one free meal per shift. I asked where the tips go and she said she thinks it's to the store owner. This seems immoral to me, if not illegal. What would you do? [more inside]
posted by galvanized unicorn at 12:31 PM PST - 15 comments

I'd like some ideas for festive drinks that I can bring to a potluck (ie will appeal to a diverse group) and won't exacerbate my acid reflux. I am supposed to avoid alcohol, citrus, mint, acidic fruits, carbonation, chocolate, anything high in fat, hot spice/chili, vinegar, rooibos, and caffeine. I've been told to avoid even decaf drinks as they still have some caffeine. There were a couple of ok things in this thread but most of the suggestions had citrus or mint or other things I am not supposed to have. I am tired of plain non-acidic juice and don't want anything overly sweet. Thank you for helping me get out of the mulled apple juice rut!! [more inside]
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:25 PM PST - 33 comments

The cat is fine now, after a few days in the cat ER, thankfully! But this was a very expensive hospital stay and we are wondering if the giver of flowers should try to help offset the cost of the vet bill. What is the etiquette here? [more inside]
posted by crunchy_cereals at 10:14 AM PST - 57 comments

I bought this t-shirt last year. Washing it on the same setting as all my other t-shirts completely destroyed it. Why? I bought another one. Will it survive the wool cycle? [more inside]
posted by snownoid at 10:12 AM PST - 12 comments

My partner and I will be in LA for a wedding the week before her birthday and I'd love to take her out to celebrate. Can you suggest a good spot? Preferences inside... [more inside]
posted by AutoPilot83 at 10:04 AM PST - 10 comments

I own two rings that are too big. I'd like to resize them at home, preferably by finding some substance that I can apply to the band that 1) won't come off when I wash my hands or take the rings off, 2) isn't really obvious, 3) doesn't cost too much (<$10, ideally), and 4) isn't uncomfortable. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by quiet coyote at 9:32 AM PST - 15 comments

I have an Android phone and my work uses google for all our stuff. I would like to *temporarily* and *completely reversibly* add my work email/calendar/hangouts to my phone. [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 9:19 AM PST - 11 comments

I would like to buy a log, maybe two, so I can cut it, split it, and season it over the coming summer and have reasonably dry wood come this winter. But I have no idea how to find someone who will sell me a log - or even if there is such a person. General advice would be appreciated, and specific advice for the Duluth-Superior area would be amazing.
posted by dbx at 8:18 AM PST - 18 comments

I have an elementary-aged child from a previous marriage. My new husband is eager for us to have more kids. I am on board, but I am nervous. Help me get into a better emotional state about this. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:16 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm happy with my psychiatrist, but I need to find a GP that has a better than average grasp on mental health issues, possible medication interactions, etc. How can I find a general or family practice doctor with adult mental health experience, particularly anxiety and depression? So far search results are cluttered with specialists. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:15 AM PST - 3 comments

New mom, new job and overwhelmed. Making lots of small mistakes and feel like a big one is coming. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:15 AM PST - 6 comments

Been working at a place for a minute, and now another place wants me. How do I do this gracefully? Details under the fold. [more inside]
posted by otenba at 7:56 AM PST - 14 comments

I’m new to yoga in general, and I’m a sweaty mofo in regular unheated exercise. Can you help me find the right equipment to get through a hot(ish) yoga(ish) class? [more inside]
posted by raztaj at 5:54 AM PST - 3 comments

My job involves talking on the phone to people once or twice and then after that mostly communicating with them through email or messages. I really hate talking on the phone and I'm finding it hard to to follow through with these first couple of phone calls. [more inside]
posted by katinka-katinka at 12:56 AM PST - 22 comments

I have an Etsy shop selling handmade jewelry/accessories (mostly OOAK) but I wish to have my own website as a backup. I like Shopify but the pricing is beyond my budget. Is there a better alternative? [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 12:36 AM PST - 10 comments

My 11 year old cat has been very sick for a month and we’ve got no conclusive answers after an MRI, spinal tap, urinalysis, bloodwork, and X-ray. His symptoms are ataxia and dizziness. He’s still eating, using his litterbox, alert, talkative, no vomiting. [more inside]
posted by knuspermanatee at 12:22 AM PST - 3 comments

I see a lot of people getting upset over pink, that pink is bad, that enlightened parents shouldn't dress their daughters in pink, etc. If pink weren't associated with feminity, it wouldn't be problematic, right? I guess pink isn't the problem, it's whatever is associated with feminity that is the problem. My feeling is that by wanting to forbid our girls to choose pink and princesse-y things we are playing by the patriarchal rules, once again, while thinking doing the good, feminist thing. [more inside]
posted by Ifite at 11:43 PM PST - 47 comments

The city council of our small city (7000) has recently assigned the deeply-distrusted-but-powerful city manager to come up with rules for public participation in city decisions. This request follows an annual meeting of the Virginia Municipal League (VML), at which newly elected officials go through an orientation process. [more inside]
posted by mmiddle at 5:34 PM PST - 7 comments

I've read various articles and news pieces about people who've started/bought a shell company and used it to do various things like own property without it being trackable back to them or buy things they couldn't otherwise buy. What could you do with your own shell company that you might not otherwise be able to do?
posted by Socinus at 4:03 PM PST - 14 comments

Hey folks, so I have a simple request--I'm looking for decent books/articles/resources for learning more about the labor movement in Baltimore, MD. I moved here last year from Minneapolis, and while there's a lot of good books about labor in Minnesota, I haven't really seen anything about the history of the labor movement in Baltimore or Maryland. I'm hoping some folks might be able to help me learn more.
posted by Subcommandante Cheese at 3:02 PM PST - 5 comments

I am looking for articles, services, commonly used search terms etc. [more inside]
posted by Michele in California at 2:55 PM PST - 19 comments

I can't believe I'm asking this, but, I need guidance on my OKC profile, and I'm not super keen on sharing it with people in "real" life. For some reason, I'd much rather ask strangers on the internet instead. Halp me mefites, you're my only hope! Link inside. [more inside]
posted by firei at 1:37 PM PST - 38 comments

My husband's having (not horrible) surgery a week from tomorrow. As of about midnight last night, my anxiety spiked through the roof. How do I relax and focus and get through the next week? [more inside]
posted by okayokayigive at 12:03 PM PST - 13 comments

Last last year I accepted my Dream JobTM. I've been here for about four months now and absolutely love it. This is my first time supervising people, and while I think I'm doing a good job, I'd love to do an amazing job at it. [more inside]
posted by schroedingersgirl at 11:57 AM PST - 18 comments

I'm in Texas. My current landlord, who is pretty cool otherwise (but also: new to being a landlord), bought the house from my old landlord. I had an agreement in my old lease for a cat, and I paid a deposit for that as well as my rent, etc. Now my old lease is up. New landlord wants me to sign new lease, same rent, etc. but he wants his own pet deposit..because old landlord didn't include that in the sale? Or something. No idea how that stuff works. Anyway he says he didn't get it from them. In my opinion, new landlord should go to old landlord for that money--I already paid it! My new landlord just wants me to cough up for a cat that's already been here 1.5 years and done no damage. And when I protested told me he's already cutting me a deal on the rent. In other words, suddenly he wants to be hardass. What is a good approach here? I can just cough up but I resent the hell out of it and would probably make this the last year of our lease because fuck this guy. On the other hand, maybe I'm missing something here. Is this a thing I should just expect to happen?
posted by emjaybee at 11:47 AM PST - 18 comments

Simple travel query: looking for recommendations for a nice coastal hotel somewhere on Monterey Bay. [more inside]
posted by spitbull at 11:21 AM PST - 9 comments

Mac help needed: A few times a day, my Mac Pro loses internet access - here's what Network Status looks like - and Web browsing is impossible. Strangely, any stream I have running on iTunes continues to play, with no interruption, until the connection is fully restored about 5 minutes later. But the plot thickens... [more inside]
posted by mark7570 at 10:24 AM PST - 8 comments

Where can I find well-written guided meditation scripts? [more inside]
posted by Crookshanks_Meow at 10:12 AM PST - 3 comments

YANML. But i need advice. I was hit by a drunk driver and I'm not sure how to proceed, legally. [more inside]
posted by archimago at 10:07 AM PST - 18 comments

Question is basically in the title. I know that Democrats around the country, especially in solid blue states, would love to make calls and donations for local candidates. I feel like with proper planning, that approach could have pushed the recent Kansas special election over the line for Jim Thompson. I'm on the DNC's mailing list and did not hear a peep about KS-04. Is the party just being stupid and obstinate in not promoting state-level elections or is there a legitimate, tax-based, legal reason they don't and can't do this? [more inside]
posted by capricorn at 9:36 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm a social worker with a client with ALS. (I'm posting without connection to my profile and am using gender neutral pronouns just to throw some extra layers of anonymity on this puppy just to err on the side of ethical-ness.) My client is able to talk right now but knows they soon won't be able to, and they're concerned about being able to communicate. At their request, I'm looking to help them out with solutions if possible but ALS is outside my previous work experience. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:25 AM PST - 8 comments

A woman from my father's past recently contacted my father to inform him that he is the father of her 39 year old son. She also informed my dad that her son has known for about 7 years, and just recently expressed interest in contacting my dad to meet him. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:24 AM PST - 16 comments

Am I allowed to publish a book with a trademarked term in the title? How about the non-trademarked title of another work? [more inside]
posted by Prunesquallor at 9:17 AM PST - 9 comments

I know that politifact has a "pants on fire" collection and that there are seemingly endless lists of Trump's lies, but is there a place where only his most black-and-white, can't-be-disputed self-contractions are chronicled? [more inside]
posted by AgentRocket at 9:16 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm attempting to repair a book, and I have everything I need except "Japanese paper." I've never done this before, so specific recommendations of a vendor and item would be greatly appreciated. [more inside]
posted by cosmic.osmo at 8:51 AM PST - 9 comments

Say, for instance, this was the original sentence in whatever source: John Doe went to the bookstore and bought some books. If the sentence I want to write is That’s when, as Blah Blah author wrote, “John Doe went to the bookstore”, would I finish my sentence with bookstore.” or bookstore…”, since in the original sentence the word “bookstore” isn’t followed by a period?
posted by 8LeggedFriend at 8:29 AM PST - 11 comments

I saw a link to a resource on the blue for those fleeing oppression in Chechnya, somewhere I could send money to help in a concrete way. If I see another petition my head is going to implode. [more inside]
posted by lizifer at 7:19 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm on social security disability and looking to get back into the working world after a few years without employment. I currently live in New York. I was wondering, does anyone have any personal experience with social security's Ticket to Work program? Was it helpful for you? Thanks in advance.
posted by Gosha_Dog at 6:58 AM PST - 1 comment

I just read "up in the old Hotel" by Joseph Mitchell and I found the two features in it about gypsies in the New York of the 30's very interesting. Do you know of any more works of fiction or non-fiction that feature this culture in a somewhat central way? I don't care if it's romanticized, realistic, fantasy, blog or whatever. Maybe not about Nazi persecution. Off the top of my head I can recall three instances I found interesting: [more inside]
posted by SweetLiesOfBokonon at 4:53 AM PST - 13 comments

I am considering living abroad, not sure where yet, for an extended period. [more inside]
posted by haikuku at 4:44 AM PST - 14 comments

I just moved into a new apartment and have struggled to sleep for about two weeks now. [more inside]
posted by summertimesadness1988 at 12:59 AM PST - 30 comments

Does an N-day notice to move out include the day that notice is given in US/California/LA? Specifically, if I was given 45 day notice on March 1st, is the last day I'm entitled to occupy the space (a) April 14th or (b) April 15th? [more inside]
posted by wildblueyonder at 12:51 AM PST - 4 comments

I need to design a fast and cost effective storage solution for an on location video project. The video camera uses 2TB 2.5" SSDs, which hold about two hours of footage per drive. At the end of a day of shooting we typically have two of these 2TB drives to offload onto external storage. For data safety purposes, the external storage should be a RAID. [more inside]
posted by BeaverTerror at 12:20 AM PST - 9 comments

Oftentimes casual sex metamorphoses into something more delicate, subtle and lasting. More of the time, it doesn't. What are the current etiquette standards surrounding everyone being sure what they are doing is aboveboard and fun? [more inside]
posted by benadryl at 11:41 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm trying to figure out if my mother should be classified as a narcissist, and if she can, what I can do about it. I live on the other side of the country from her, but I still want a relationship with her and with my father (who has always acted fairly normally and also suspects that something might be really wrong). Would therapy help her? How on earth do I bring this up in a way that she won't completely shrug off and get upset at? [more inside]
posted by leafmealone at 10:10 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm a new mom living in LA, and recent events have made me terrified of nuclear war with North Korea. What can I do to feel less worried and more prepared? [more inside]
posted by MsMartian at 9:31 PM PST - 25 comments

My most precious, beloved Lucy has been missing for a week. This is entirely, completely out of character for her. While I was out searching last night, I noticed the distinct smell of death coming from a neighbor's property a block away. Odds are, it's almost certainly just a squirrel or something. But I have to know. How do I go about...that? [more inside]
posted by storminator7 at 9:29 PM PST - 19 comments

We have cedar features on our duplex. Our neighbors and I have found a company to refinish it, but need to decide on the finish. It was previously treated--I presume with a stain. I'm thinking translucent or semi-transparent stain is best but I am not sure. [more inside]
posted by NailsTheCat at 8:12 PM PST - 7 comments

Were there well-known Asian American professionals - doctors, engineers, lawyers, particularly scientists - in the 19th century? I'm seeing a lot of historical sources about Asian American immigrants who were blue collar workers and the like, but how about scientists? Any specifically important/groundbreaking ones in particular?
posted by lewedswiver at 7:40 PM PST - 3 comments

I'll be finishing my Master's in math education this semester, which means a lot of lesson plans being written and evaluated by my professor. Some recent comments of his have made me want to find better examples of "student-led instruction". [more inside]
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 7:12 PM PST - 6 comments

I am in Ontario, Canada. My employer gives us Good Friday and Easter Monday off. My old contract ends on Good Friday and my new contract begins on Tuesday (the day after Easter Monday). Does this mean that technically I am not employed on Easter Monday and not entitled to be paid for that day?
posted by stchrysostom at 7:02 PM PST - 5 comments

When would be the best time to do a protest at Trump Tower about Trump's first 100 days as President? Any other ideas about making this protest effective? [more inside]
posted by andoatnp at 6:46 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm polishing up a short story that I started about a year ago for the purpose of submitting to the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future competition. Is that a good idea? Or should I do something else with it? [more inside]
posted by snsranch at 6:13 PM PST - 5 comments

When it came time for me to move from the US to Mexico, one task I couldn't quite get finished in time was getting my car fixed up & sold. I left it in a friend's driveway and attempted to manage handling it all from abroad - in the midst of learning a new language, culture, city, job, etc. Let's just say that I fared poorly. I had it towed to a shop, where they made some repairs and informed me that many more things needed to be done, including work needed at 2 other shops. I sat on the decision of how to proceed thru the complexity from abroad, and they began charging me storage fees while they waited for my reply. I'm not proud to say that I didn't get back to them for MONTHS. And when I did...it turned out that they had sold the car. What can I do now? [more inside]
posted by red_rabbit at 5:57 PM PST - 15 comments

So, I got into grad school (hooray!), but now I need to tell my boss that. I'd like to still work at my job part-time (which should be doable), but I just can't figure out the best way to present this. Any advice? [more inside]
posted by modesty.blaise at 4:57 PM PST - 4 comments

I ordered my kit, but now I'm getting cold feet about sending my DNA out into the ether forever. Is this a good idea? What are the risks? I feel that the likelihood of misuse is low, but I still feel kind of vulnerable. I appreciate your insights.
posted by delight at 4:40 PM PST - 15 comments

Sealed Kirkland smoked salmon (cold smoked, similar to lox?). Past it's best by date, looks and smells fine (yeah I know that's not proof for it being edible). It has a best before date that's hard to read, could be 2010 (doubtful) 2013 (possible, unlikely) or 2017. I don't see an eat by date. Again, it's not opened. Has been in the refrigerator cold consistently. More importantly I need this for dinner. :D What say you?
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 3:41 PM PST - 12 comments

I just started dating someone new and the sex has been a little awkward and "off," I know that this is normal for a new relationship, but I want to know how to improve the experience for both of us Details inside [more inside]
posted by kbbbo at 3:22 PM PST - 11 comments

My friend's (now deceased) mother would sometimes paint images inspired by well-known paintings. Sometimes she would tweak the underlying image or paint them in a different style - but always enough to be recognizable. My friend has been trying to find the underlying inspiration for this painting (photobucket link.) If you have seen a work of art (photograph, statue, painting) that is very similar (standing man with a guitar, etc) please let me know. Thanks.
posted by egeanin at 2:22 PM PST - 7 comments

I put on some old Halloween make up to get a laugh out of my 4 year old nephew. Within minutes I felt like my skin was burning. I've washed all the make up off as gently as possible. Now my entire face is bright red. What's the best thing to do now to give my skin some relief, and not look like I got locked in a tanning booth?
posted by blackzinfandel at 2:13 PM PST - 10 comments

What used to be considered common or low quality that's now considered a luxury? [more inside]
posted by sprezzy at 1:37 PM PST - 98 comments

So, I love bottled water. I also have concerns about the effects of drinking out of plastic bottles. (Yeah, I'm about 30 years too late worrying about constant exposure to the chemicals in plastic, but better late than never?) So my question is, can I just fill glass bottles and reuse them? Are there any special precautions I need to take? Is tap water as good as bottled water? Is there a good way to get affordable non-plastic bottled water? More details below! [more inside]
posted by AspirinPill at 12:35 PM PST - 31 comments

I'm looking for short-ish poems related to change, growth, rebirth, beginning again, new years, birthdays, the inevitable (but often delightful or joyful) passage of time, and/or the idea that we're all going to die, but also we're all in it together and sometimes it ends up working out. [more inside]
posted by vakker at 12:08 PM PST - 13 comments

I need a recommendation for a tax preparer in Portland, OR for a mildly complicated tax situation. I've had bad luck trying to find someone good in the past. Do you have someone you like? [more inside]
posted by duien at 11:57 AM PST - 6 comments

Help me find a professional proofreader to spot any remaining writing errors in an academic article. [more inside]
posted by washburn at 11:48 AM PST - 4 comments

So I'm down to probably about 50 lbs of soy beans, and having recently found and tried natto, really like it! So I'd like some natto-culturing advice. [more inside]
posted by Shepherd at 11:29 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm trying to setup a web page on my Wordpress site to fetch river flow data from the USGS and drop it into a table. It seems like our friends at the USGS want to make this process easy for me, but my webdev skills are lacking. [more inside]
posted by craven_morhead at 11:28 AM PST - 5 comments

In general, I can get into the heads of people with whom I strongly disagree. But I just don't get how people can claim they love democracy while actively working to deny voting rights to other citizens by limiting access to the polls (due to location, hours, limits on vote by mail, or making it hard to register). Can you help me understand this? [more inside]
posted by potrzebie at 10:55 AM PST - 31 comments

What's Finnish for 'Happy 100th Birthday Finland!', and is it appropriate? [more inside]
posted by pipeski at 10:48 AM PST - 5 comments

Have you purchased property that was sold FSBO? What do you wish you knew before you did so? What would you do differently next time? What advice would you offer someone who was going through the process? I'm in the Boston area, should your advice be location-dependent.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 10:26 AM PST - 6 comments

A colleague of mine referred an internship candidate to me and after looking at their resume I decided to interview them. The candidate did well and I told them that I would be in touch if we decided to move forward and offer them an internship. Applicant sent me and colleague separate thank you emails. Before I had a chance to even read said email, colleague responded to the one they received and extended a formal offer without telling me because they thought I'd said it was okay. I didn't. At all. Now what? [more inside]
posted by Hermione Granger at 10:05 AM PST - 29 comments

Why isn't tonic water sold in cans? [more inside]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 9:56 AM PST - 26 comments

I'll be in White Plains, NY the first weekend in May. What are some interesting things to do, see, or eat in that area? I'll have a car available. I don't especially want to go into NYC. [more inside]
posted by Janta at 8:50 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm having trouble with some excel formatting when &if statements are used. [more inside]
posted by FireStyle at 8:32 AM PST - 2 comments

In January I developed what I think is a boil; a gross pus-filled thing appeared on my chest and burst a few days later. However, it left a red sore behind, and it’s still there unchanged. How do I get rid of it? [more inside]
posted by metasarah at 7:30 AM PST - 13 comments

I will leave the details vague for obvious reasons, but I am in a professional program (think medical or dental), and had some trouble getting through the first semester "block" of my first year. Since it was too many credits to remediate, the school allowed me to take designated master's-level courses from an affiliated program second semester and let me return next fall as long as I received satisfactory grades in those courses. I did, and I addressed the issues holding me back that first semester, and "round 2" of my first year has been going much better (knock on wood). I am happy with my progress now; having to avoid questions and explain it to relatives, on the other hand... [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:12 AM PST - 23 comments

I need a new sword carrying solution. Unfortunately for you, I'm rather particular about style... [more inside]
posted by Skyanth at 3:07 AM PST - 20 comments

How does an international student show $50,000 in bank statements? [more inside]
posted by jander03 at 2:37 AM PST - 15 comments

I recently (within the past week or so) heard a program on the local NPR station that discussed the Anthropocene, mass extinctions, and other matters related to deep time. What was it? [more inside]
posted by compartment at 9:20 PM PST - 4 comments

I just started a new job at a great company and moved to a place with more friends, all sorts of good and great things, and I have felt really quite happy and thrilled by how good things are vs. the truly meh/sucky/over-worked-ness/long-commute of before. How do I keep this feeling of gratefulness and happiness alive? I can already feel like the "day to day" is making me adjust to this new normal, and little annoyances are starting to get me down. [more inside]
posted by ellerhodes at 9:04 PM PST - 17 comments

Are these fish traps, or fish farms, or oyster farms? Google Maps
posted by cyclicker at 8:46 PM PST - 4 comments

What were your favorite experiences in Japan in the central/north region? I'm going on a one or 1.5 week trip at the end of May. [more inside]
posted by bluelight at 8:14 PM PST - 23 comments

We got a cat (pic1, pic2, pic3) this weekend. She's white and orange, medium sized, about 3 years old, and enjoys chatting, sitting on laps, kneading, and purring. [more inside]
posted by redlines at 7:55 PM PST - 58 comments

Seeking design suggestions to finish off this in-progress wall screen/fence. [more inside]
posted by mefitem at 7:40 PM PST - 2 comments

I've had to curtail my social life because of an illness (see previous question). Right now my M.O. is to go to work, get through the day, and go home and rest. [more inside]
posted by bunderful at 7:06 PM PST - 19 comments

I am often comparing my life to my peers and I end up feeling pretty sad. I have a lot to be grateful for but also have been struggling with adult milestones (infertility, money management, home ownership, etc.) How do I keep my head above water? [more inside]
posted by robertthebruce at 6:55 PM PST - 19 comments

Over the past several months I've discovered that I apparently like jazz flute. I've found new music that happens to feature it, and a couple artists I already like have featured it in recent albums. Now I want to find more. [more inside]
posted by noneuclidean at 5:37 PM PST - 9 comments

So I want to package a combination of system config files and scripts along with package dependencies for distribution on Linux (specifically Raspbian) - what's the right tool to do this? Docker? Snaps? A .deb file? [more inside]
posted by GuyZero at 4:36 PM PST - 14 comments

My friend is real close to popping this baby out and already has most of the stuff she needs. She has an Amazon list thing I'm going to peruse (though I know she also gets a percentage off for larger orders, so I will do this strategically), but I was thinking that things that make their lives easier in the immediate aftermath of the baby would be useful? what is most life saving in the couple of months after a new baby comes home? This is a first baby, so they are also kind of out of their minds having no real idea how to prepare. I was thinking delivered meals could be helpful, but I don't know if my friend will still have dietary restrictions or where to order such food on a regular basis. I am bad at babies. Help?
posted by schadenfrau at 3:54 PM PST - 11 comments

We're in the early stages of planning for our wedding (18 months ahead), heard that we should negotiate, and don't want to get ripped off! Well, when and how do we do that? [more inside]
posted by fizzix at 2:39 PM PST - 16 comments

Can you point me towards online and/or print resources geared towards understanding and/or supporting kids or adolescents who share their home with a sibling who has been diagnosed with depression? [more inside]
posted by calcetinporfavor at 2:27 PM PST - 2 comments

So, MrJane agressively attacked a toilet clog with a toilet auger and now I am left with gray metallic scratches in the toilet bowl, in the guest powder room, of course. I've tried scrubbing them with a pumice stick, but they are still there. Any thoughts on how to remove them?
posted by sarajane at 2:13 PM PST - 7 comments

Cabin-baggage-gamble question. Long thin keyboard inside a fabric slipcase; including the case, it weighs 4 lbs [1.8 kg] and is 34 x 6 x 2 inches [86 x 15 x 5 cm]. [more inside]
posted by kalapierson at 1:46 PM PST - 5 comments

Five years ago I asked for haircut recommendations, and now the stylist I went to has moved on and I am asking again. [more inside]
posted by mai at 12:54 PM PST - 2 comments

Can you add/subtract/rearrange App Store screenshots after your app is approved without also uploading a new version? If not, is it possible to "cheat" by simply updating the version # of the prior build?
posted by Quisp Lover at 12:20 PM PST - 2 comments

I have it plugged into a Dell docking station and it believes that anything plugged into it are headphones. I suspect this is why vocals in music files all sound muffled regardless of what I use for playback. [more inside]
posted by tommasz at 10:25 AM PST - 4 comments

It sounds so easy, but I can't find what I'm looking for: a baby name book that meets my criteria. More below the fold. [more inside]
posted by onecircleaday at 9:37 AM PST - 7 comments

I need some outside thoughts about how to process and manage this. Potential breast cancer or annoying sensitive skin issue. [more inside]
posted by michswiss at 9:15 AM PST - 15 comments

I love the lo-fi, washed-out electronic background track in the Spring 2017 CK women's underwear tv spot. I want to purchase this song. Problem is, the commercial was apparently generated from thin air because no credits for this spot exist anywhere on the internet. Can you help me figure out this undie-ad mystery? Video link inside. [more inside]
posted by muirne81 at 9:01 AM PST - 6 comments

Ok, I'll start with the short summary, and then go into the details: mid-2000's Honda Civic. Battery fully charged. When I turn the key it cranks, but won't start the engine. It's fairly cold here right now but not extreme (above freezing). Has been sitting for several months with a nearly empty tank. [more inside]
posted by abrightersummerday at 8:43 AM PST - 17 comments

My nearly 11-year-old cat is having issues with her back end, but she refuses to use stepstools or cat stairs. What's the best way to teach her, before she aggravates whatever condition she has? [more inside]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 8:24 AM PST - 10 comments

A album I love which is out of print in CDs and not available anywhere streaming is something I'd like to create a pristine copy of by composing multiple copies of used CDs. [more inside]
posted by ephemerae at 8:05 AM PST - 11 comments

I think I want to buy a banjo. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by kbanas at 7:13 AM PST - 21 comments

I have heard informally that the Human Genome Project has changed how scientists are thinking about race. Are there any great articles or documentaries that explain the current thinking about race and genotype? Or, if you are a scientist or someone otherwise well-versed, could you explain it to us? I am interested in both understanding the science, as well as how it is changing how we think about society. [more inside]
posted by mortaddams at 6:54 AM PST - 11 comments

Please help me find a modern day wiki for a group project. We're already using Slack and Trello, and while those are nice, we need a place to write and collect formatted documents with group editing/commenting capabilities and cross-document links. Google Docs would sort of work, but I hope there is something better available. [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 6:43 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm visiting family in Santa Monica, CA this coming Wednesday through Sunday and would love to catch some really good, critically acclaimed and currently active realist painters, leaning towards but not necessarily attelier/academic. Vincent Desiderio or finalists in the BP portrait contest is the sort of thing I'm looking for.
posted by anonymous at 4:28 AM PST - 1 comment

I'm newly seeing this very awesome woman. Things are headed in the right direction. How, or do I even tell her it's been two years since I've had sex. More... [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:27 AM PST - 37 comments

A few weeks ago I had to choose between working for Division A or Division B within my large corporation. I signed the offer letter for A and called the director to express my enthusiasm, but now I'm having doubts this is the right career path. What's the best way to undo this and jump back to B? Is it even possible?
posted by boghead at 11:06 PM PST - 7 comments

How respectable and/or embarrassing is the IQ / 'g' literature in the halls of academia? [more inside]
posted by mark k at 10:36 PM PST - 12 comments

There's quite a bit online about how to request permission to license a copyrighted work in the UK, but much less about how to grant permission. Could this be as simple as sending an e-mail giving written confirmation that it's okay to use your work or must there be more to it? A specific scenario inside. [more inside]
posted by vathek at 9:59 PM PST - 3 comments

How do I find the pillow(s) of my dreams? [more inside]
posted by Champagne Supernova at 7:55 PM PST - 22 comments

People say (& the internet confirms) that mint is easy to grow, but I have never ever been able to have even minimal success with growing it from seed. I have tried to start mint in small pots, in large ones, by sowing it directly in the earth, and by scattering it wily nily around and nothing has worked. What am I doing wrong? Gardeners of mefi: please hope me. [more inside]
posted by likeatoaster at 6:16 PM PST - 30 comments

I need a new bathmat for my tub but... it has the slightest texture ever and somehow that's enough to keep normal bathmats from sticking. Help me find a new mat before I slip in the shower and break my face! [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 5:05 PM PST - 8 comments

I've recently realized just how much I enjoy the songs Nature Boy and Autumn Leaves. I'd like some recommendations for an entire album of that kind of ballad. [more inside]
posted by komara at 3:02 PM PST - 22 comments

Two friends of mine were among the most severely injured of the #JaxFive, who were arrested in this horrific incident of police brutality. In the immediate aftermath, there were a lot of people who wanted to donate, especially to support my friend Connell, a Deaf, progressive activist who was beaten by about five cops and dragged away unconscious. Hours after the incident, I volunteered to set up a crowdfunding page to channel people’s desire to help. People on the ground seemed most familiar with GoFundMe, so that’s what I set up. [more inside]
posted by Devika at 2:05 PM PST - 4 comments

Mourning doves have nested in a raised planter on our Brooklyn fire escape and laid a pair of eggs. We do not want to displace the doves but fear our activity near the window (inches from their nest, in our kitchen) will lead to abandoning their eggs. We are considering a privacy window film, but now worry that the doves will see themselves in the reflection and abandon their eggs. Does anyone know if this is likely to happen or what better options we might have?
posted by mizrachi at 2:01 PM PST - 9 comments

We bought a monster range hood exhaust fan that we need to mount on the wall. For reasons we won't have a hood cover on it, so we're instead going to go industrial look and have the exhaust ducts exposed. But the ducts are galvanized steel and the range hood is stainless steel. How do we match it? [more inside]
posted by Karaage at 1:38 PM PST - 13 comments

So cartoon characters have been wearing literally the same thing every day since time immemorial. Lately, it seems to have become a trend among a particular set of wealthy techies. If, hypothetically, one were to decide to do this, what would be the absolute minimum set of clothing required, if you didn't want to be gross but also didn't want to do laundry every day? And non-hypothetically, how weird would it be do this if you aren't a wealthy trendsetter? [more inside]
posted by perplexion at 1:27 PM PST - 42 comments

I have watercolor paintings that I've scanned in with a typical scanner. I would like to resize, crop, color-correct. I really want to be able to work with multiple layers to combine multiple images. Back in the day, I used Macromedia Fireworks which was easy and amazing. Photoshop makes my head spin and I can't afford it anyway. What PC software should I use?
posted by rebent at 1:22 PM PST - 19 comments

Our son (just turned three) loves superheros and always wants his character to help people and animals. My husband and I are usually assigned to be co-heros (Robin, Superman, Wonder Woman, etc.), but usually also assigned to be the ones in need of help. Help me with ideas of what our "problems" might be! I feel so uncreative... [more inside]
posted by Pax at 12:17 PM PST - 26 comments

My husband and I went to a curry restaurant while we were on vacation last weekend and had some of the best curry we have ever had. Despite ordering "familiar" things, my husband ended up getting something we have never had before and with a flavor we desperately want to reproduce. It was simply called "Madras Chicken" but it was very far removed from the madras curry we're familiar with that I don't even know where to start to recreate it. Help? [more inside]
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 12:10 PM PST - 16 comments

Seeking a New Orleans area inpatient treatment facility or program for bi-polar/depression that is in NO WAY God or 'higher power' focused. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:51 AM PST - 2 comments

We booked a last minute 10th anniversary trip to Bar Harbor, ME last night, hoping to fulfill my "dream" to go whale watching. The cursory internet search said whale watching begins in mid-April, but nothing seems to open before mid-May. It doesn't specifically have to be in Bar Harbor, but within reasonable driving distance. Of course any other off the beaten path suggestions are welcome. It seems a lot is still closed in mid-April so year round ideas would be very much appreciated. [more inside]
posted by khyaiin at 11:27 AM PST - 7 comments

Where can I buy women's machine-washable pants/trousers/slacks to wear in a business-casual office environment? Not jeans. [more inside]
posted by cadge at 10:47 AM PST - 38 comments

On Friday night my SO (N) and I got a red zone parking ticket at LAX. It sounds like a doozy, and I'm debating whether to contest or just pay up. This is our first citation in LA, and I have questions. (YANAL, YANML) Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by Fish, fish, are you doing your duty? at 10:33 AM PST - 12 comments

For most of my life, my lower back has gotten very tight very quickly when I walk or stand. It usually tightens up when I walk after about 5 minutes or after 10 minutes when I stand in one place (like at a concert, say). I've always ascribed this to my anatomy causing me to have a swayback, but now that I'm older I'd like to (1) identify the causes properly and (2) find out how to mitigate the pain. [more inside]
posted by megancita at 10:24 AM PST - 22 comments

By which I mean there is, I believe, a live version of Crazy in Love Beyoncé did which had a really really great stonking brass section. I would like to watch/listen to it again. [more inside]
posted by threetwentytwo at 10:16 AM PST - 2 comments

I work for a medium sized company where I am moving from an internal contractor position to independent contractor (good for both of us, actually). One consequence is that I am losing my internal accounts, including email. [more inside]
posted by MillMan at 9:51 AM PST - 8 comments

Is there an obligation to like certain movies/shows, read certain books, listen to certain music, or otherwise consume/experience/appreciate certain pieces of cultural media in order to be considered smart? [more inside]
posted by arateaa at 9:26 AM PST - 85 comments

Because of crossing over during meiosis, our genetic ancestry is a mix of a bunch of our ancestors. But how many ancestors, on average? (Or, better, what does the number-of-genetic-ancestors curve look like?) I know that it's probably not all of our ancestors, because there are a limited number of crossovers during a given recombination event. But how does all that math work out? What are the chances that we have lineal copies of at least a chunk of a chromosome from all of our great-grandparents? What about 5 generations back? 10?
posted by clawsoon at 8:46 AM PST - 11 comments

A friend of mine will be moving to Philidelphia on July 30th to start a year of service with City Year. She aims to spend less than $600 per month and knows that this will require roommates, but doesn't know how to find them! She's considering trying to live with some of her co-workers, but is concerned about maintaining personal boundaries if she works and lives with the same group of people. Can any locals in the area provide insight? Is there a secret Facebook group (or something similar) where roommates can find each other in Phili? [more inside]
posted by snufflepup at 7:42 AM PST - 10 comments

I recently got a Neo N2 smartpen. It seems like a great and useful thing. For decades I've thought of pens as things I can lose, and so, would lose them all the time. For obvious reasons, I'd rather not lose this one. Any tips for not losing your smartpen?
posted by ManInSuit at 6:59 AM PST - 7 comments

I tried to set up a new instagram account a few weeks ago, got an error message, and now the account exists in some Schroedinger state that can't be fixed. Nothing on help.instagram.com works, and their reporting tool through the app is broken. How do I contact a person? [more inside]
posted by jozxyqk at 6:39 AM PST - 14 comments

My sister-in-law is living in a house owned by a former coworker and making mortgage payments on behalf of the owner. She is not renting from the owner but is actually making the owner's mortgage payments in his name. There is no official or legal arrangement or contract. She believes she is "taking over the mortgage" by paying it and that one day, the house will be hers. What could go wrong here? [more inside]
posted by AMom15 at 4:23 AM PST - 18 comments

I am selling my burning man tickets and have a buyer. I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this safely and protect us both. Issue is, physical tickets aren't here yet, I can only transfer the order itself. [more inside]
posted by robotdevil at 3:24 AM PST - 9 comments

I feel like my partner and I are not connecting that much these days. Between young kids (toddler + early elementary), full time corporate jobs etc we are just not spending much time together, and what we do spend is very "admin" focused. How did you keep a feeling of intimacy in your relationship at this stage? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:03 AM PST - 20 comments

I currently live with my brother. We share a mortgage on the flat we live in. I have decided to leave the flat and move in with my girlfriend. I intend to keep my share of the flat with my brother, which he is fine with - what should I be paying for? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:03 AM PST - 6 comments

I've been doing stand up as a hobby for the past year. First 8-9 months have been absolutely fine. But lately I've developed debilitating, alarmingly physical stage fright. It's like I'm physically allergic to the stage. How do I get over this? [more inside]
posted by nerdfish at 11:06 PM PST - 9 comments

My eyes are burning and tearing and spasming, which I am pretty sure is due to seasonal allergies. I do not want to take Claritin/Loratadine, as during the two weeks I was just taking it, I noticed I was uncharacteristically impatient and irritated at everyone and everything. Other ideas, especially from people who had a bad reaction to Loratadine? [more inside]
posted by lazuli at 9:48 PM PST - 35 comments

My body physically hurts and is in pain whenever I think or attempt to do work or move towards my goals, and I am so ashamed by how little I've accomplished and by how much pain I am in. I really need all of your advice and support to get through this, so I can fulfill my potential and dreams in my life. Please help! [more inside]
posted by yueliang at 9:33 PM PST - 25 comments

For example: the business processes need to change to so that you can take advantage of new technologies, but the technologies need to be tweaked to support the business process. Thus one might offer "a service that specializes in *co-adapting* the business process and the new technologies." What's a better word than "co-adapting" or a better way to phrase this without lengthening the sentence?
posted by blue_wardrobe at 8:12 PM PST - 11 comments

Last Tuesday facebook asked me to confirm my phone number by texting a security code, then they asked me for a photo to verify my identity (which I sent), all though the website, not email. Since then, whenever I try to log in I see: Thanks for sending your photo. We'll email you within 72 hours if it meets our requirements. Right now, your account has been disabled as a security precaution. It's been well over 72 hours and I haven't heard a peep out of them. How do I restore access to my account? [more inside]
posted by roue at 7:19 PM PST - 8 comments

When I make miso soup, it doesn't taste of miso. I have both red and white Miso Master brand miso - if I use the white, it doesn't taste much of anything, if I use the red, it tastes of something, but it's not particularly good and definitly not miso-y/ salty. I'm not boiling the soup, and I'm using the same dashi I use to make tsuyu (which is delicious) so I don't think that's the problem. What gives?
posted by 7 Minutes of Madness at 7:14 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm thinking about taking a weekend trip to Philadelphia (I live within driving distance, but have never been). What's cool and off the beaten tourist path? (The Mütter Museum is already on my list.) Snowflakes inside, of course! [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 6:52 PM PST - 21 comments

Hi all, Looking for specific tips for our visit to Puerto Rico next month regarding bio bay tours, visiting El Yunque, and restaurants. [more inside]
posted by too bad you're not me at 6:09 PM PST - 12 comments

I have some US domestic air travel coming up-- worst case scenario is 4 trips in three days (work travel scheduling shenanigans). I have a broken metatarsal and so am in a walking boot. A few questions: 1- the most discomfort is coming from the disparate heel height between the boot and the shoe on my other foot. Dansko clogs and a random pair of sandals are coming close but not perfect. Any footwear suggestions? Hopefully something not too casual? 2- should I rent one of those knee scooters? It would reduce the literal pain of walking more than a block on the bum foot, but would it add to the unbalanced jankyness in general? Can I gate check it? Can I wheel a small suitcase while knee scooting? 3- should I give up and just check bags and ask for a wheelchair? How much time does "I need a wheelchair" add to the airport experience? Thanks MeFi!
posted by travertina at 3:34 PM PST - 12 comments

Super simple question. Let's say a relative bought you (made-up numbers!) $30k in savings bonds when you were a child. You cashed out the bonds as an adult for (again made-up numbers!) $45k in 2016. Do you owe taxes on the full $45k or just on the $15k interest? I know there a lots of nuances here. But before I ask my accountant more specific questions, I want to make sure I'm heading down the right path. And I can't seem to find a simple answer to this question online!
posted by whitewall at 3:02 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm looking for the man who spoke today on the radio about healthy lifestyle changes including gardening tips, metal toxicity, re-hydration. I was driving from Mark Twain Lake in Monroe City, I happened to scan to a station playing contemporary Christian songs then a man came on to give tips to live more healthy including avoiding GMO seeds and other great advice. He had great studies and facts to back up his advice. I lost the station when I got into Hannibal, Mo. My radio is old and doesn't show the station. I would love to find out who was speaking or start with the radio stations there.
posted by kgreerRN at 2:44 PM PST - 5 comments

You have a balcony which you'd like like a bit more privacy on. You want something that grows 1.5 to 2 metres tall. The catch: you don't have a lot of space for planters, maybe 30 cm floor space out from the balcony edge. Oh and it shouldn't die in winter (-10 Celcius) or Summer (+30).
posted by bergnotburg at 2:16 PM PST - 4 comments

Long story short, my SO has chosen Duke for his 1.5 year graduate program. Great, except for that I visited Durham and hated it. Help? Longer explanation inside. [more inside]
posted by bonifate at 1:49 PM PST - 29 comments

I have a tradition where I take my nieces and nephews on a trip for just the two of us when they are old enough to do so. The next nephew up selected the San Diego ComicCon as his destination and after a failure to get tickets last year, we're in with 4 day badges this year. Help me figure out how to make the best of it! [more inside]
posted by Lame_username at 10:38 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm interested in experiences of people who went on a few dates with someone or dated casually for a month or two, went their separate ways, and then got back together. [more inside]
posted by HeatherMoor at 10:24 AM PST - 25 comments

A guy I had been on/off seeing eventually chose his girlfriend over me, but is now initiating contact with me again. What's going on? [more inside]
posted by twelvefifty at 10:13 AM PST - 30 comments

I found the farmer's market near the Charlotte airport, which is amazing. Does anyone know of anything similar on the Kannapolis side? I found the Piedmont listed online, but looking for recommendations in other areas. [more inside]
posted by racersix6 at 8:36 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm going to a local offshoot of the upcoming March for Science, and I'm looking for sign ideas. Specifications inside. [more inside]
posted by Shmuel510 at 8:08 AM PST - 15 comments

Anybody have information on accelerated pre-med courses? Eg 'a year of chem & bio plus wetlab in 1 quarter or semester, full-time?' Just curious if these exist anywhere.
posted by semaphore at 7:31 AM PST - 9 comments

I have two hand-me-down leather chairs (demi-loveseats?) which my parents bought twenty-odd years ago and I inherited about a decade ago. They have lived two wonderful lives, but time has made them saggy and I'm ready to move on. I need help finding comfy, reasonably-priced alternatives. [more inside]
posted by thejoshu at 6:54 AM PST - 11 comments

I would like to read a detailed plot synopsis with spoilers of the film "Most Beautiful Island", which played at SXSW this year. Anyone have any leads? Most published reviews so far are sparse with the details. Thanks. [more inside]
posted by themanwho at 1:06 AM PST - 1 comment

Help me spend my last two Audible credits on something not by white dudes. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by Tamanna at 12:58 AM PST - 19 comments

My partner saw a TV show in the late seventies that he describes as "grizzly Adams like". It had a guy fishing, woodworking, living in the forest. He lived in Canada or the US; the show was on Canadian TV. Does this ring any bells for anyone?
posted by meringue at 10:26 PM PST - 4 comments

I have noticed a lot of children's clothing has glitter on it, typically embedded in the paint or logos of shirts. Mainly, I am talking about Koala Kids and Carter's clothing. Almost every article of clothing sold has either glitter or a choking hazard--buttons. Is the glitter safe? [more inside]
posted by candasartan at 8:42 PM PST - 7 comments

Staying in Boston's North End, have to check out of an Airbnb at 11am, don't have to be at Logan until 3:30ish. Four people with big suitcases. What to do with the suitcases so we can enjoy our last day in town? Airbnb host can't accomodate me with a late check-out or luggage storage. No local friends/family. Help?
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:27 PM PST - 8 comments

I've been using the awesome Note app know my iPhone for a few years. One of the features I've made great use of is the clickable links for addresses which opens up Maps when clicking on an entered address in a note once it is designated read-only. The link has disappeared for all the notes leaving plain text. I have a few hundred notes, so I'd rather not re-enter all the data. Has anyone else had this problem; does anyone know of a solution?
posted by coldhotel at 5:54 PM PST - 1 comment

I have one Audible credit to spend before my lowered rate trial membership ends. What, in your opinion, is the absolute best purchase on Audible right now?
posted by orange swan at 5:43 PM PST - 21 comments

Milk jug was bought last night, but my fridge door was left ajar. The milk jug was slightly cool, but definitely not cold. Is the milk safe to drink?
posted by Beholder at 4:32 PM PST - 21 comments

Where can i find audio or video of the book Madeleine by Ludwig Bemelmans in french? [more inside]
posted by river99 at 3:53 PM PST - 2 comments

My boyfriend is moving away for a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity. My own career situation requires that I stay here, so we're breaking up. What are the rules of engagement for making this as endurable as possible? [more inside]
posted by telegraph at 3:14 PM PST - 6 comments

Hi everybody, non-native English speaker here trying to find out if there is a word for the opposite of the term 'equalizer'. Thanks for thinking with me! [more inside]
posted by Litehouse at 2:37 PM PST - 31 comments

I'm going to Shanghai for work for 11 days as a contractor, not an employee. I need advice on preparing and transporting my heavy, bulky laptop computer appropriately. I leave the US Tuesday morning. [more inside]
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 2:36 PM PST - 6 comments

I have a large video file (mp4) that I'd like to make into two smaller video files. This seems like it should be simple to do. I've got Adobe Premiere Pro CC, but I don't really know how to use it. I think I'm getting it to do what I want but it's going to take a couple hours to just process and render half of the file, and even then, I'm not 100% positive that the results will be the same quality as the original. Is there a way to do this that doesn't require rerendering the entire video? I've seen lots of freeware out there, but I don't really trust the results of a Google search for this sort of thing. Okay, I'm almost embarrassed at the stupidity of this question. [more inside]
posted by ErWenn at 12:29 PM PST - 11 comments

We just moved and are wondering what this plant/shrub/bush/thing is. [more inside]
posted by the webmistress at 11:50 AM PST - 6 comments

Any ideas for making it through the next few months? Especially this month when we have to keep him at home? [more inside]
posted by oceanlady at 11:08 AM PST - 14 comments

I know next to nothing about surround sound, but have purchased a couple of 5.1 remixes of my favorite albums over the years. Walk me through what I need to buy in order to hear these things. [more inside]
posted by ericthegardener at 11:08 AM PST - 6 comments

My partner and I have found one of our favorite ways to spend time together is playing local co-op games. However, we don't really enjoy games that are mostly focused on gameplay, and prefer at least some story. Most of the local co-op games I've been finding don't look like they'd be to our taste. Details on what we're looking for inside. [more inside]
posted by brook horse at 9:15 AM PST - 10 comments

My dilemma is this: trust my boyfriend to improve his financial habits and move forward with him and without any “moral or financial” (parents’ words) help from them, since they will disown me if I go back to him, or turn my back on him and accept my parents’ help in moving forward in a direction they want to see, which has the upside of leading to the solid security they built for themselves and for my brother. Thank you. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:57 AM PST - 62 comments

I am looking for an app that takes in a set of street addresses and spits out a recommended route to visit all of them. [more inside]
posted by Mr. Justice at 8:10 AM PST - 3 comments

I recently gave up alcohol, and WOW do I feel better. I was not even a heavy drinker, but I just have more energy and feel more positive during the day. I'm looking for other small things that I could do that could make things even better. What one thing have you done to make a change in your life that has made the largest impact on your quality of life?
posted by Toddles at 7:37 AM PST - 57 comments

I enjoy trivia, but not drinking. Is there anywhere in the Twin Cities (preferably in south Minneapolis) that has a trivia competition and isn't a place of booze? [more inside]
posted by tellumo at 6:28 AM PST - 2 comments

Can you visit amaro producers in Italy? Do they have tours, museums or special tastings similar to what you'd expect when you visit breweries, wineries, whiskey distillers etc.? Is it different for large vs small producers? [more inside]
posted by mosessis at 6:09 AM PST - 2 comments

I need four game of thrones style lists of titles for our wedding party. For the wedding happening today. Two men and two women if it helps. Danaerys' string of titles is already out.
posted by motioncityshakespeare at 6:08 AM PST - 3 comments

I have experienced a loss and people want to reach out and 'help' me. I'm having very conflicted feelings about this. I'm not sure how to more graciously handle these offers? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 5:27 AM PST - 21 comments

Would moving my money out of Bank of America decrease their ability to fund enterprises that I find unethical or detrimental? If I move my money to a credit union, is there any guarantee my money will be used for more ethical or positive purposes? If not, is there a better alternative? [more inside]
posted by Salvor Hardin at 4:40 AM PST - 9 comments

I am teaching English and I have been asked to recommend some TV and films specifically with British accents. I'm a bit stuck and would love some recommendations! [more inside]
posted by Nilehorse at 2:31 AM PST - 9 comments

I love to draw people from reference photos. Most reference photos are of thin, "conventionally attractive," usually white people taken with studio lighting. For the last year, I've mostly drawn animals to avoid this problem altogether, but it's time to break my curse. Please tell me where I can find reference photos of people that aren't white models!
posted by yaymukund at 2:20 AM PST - 13 comments

There's a 10 to 15 percent chance my family will leave the U.S. within the next five years, but where would we go? [more inside]
posted by donut_princess at 4:58 PM PST - 22 comments

I'm looking for a Jamaican recording of Take Five. I think it must be from around the seventies. It is not the Lester Sterling or King Tubby version. I recall it had more of the traditional rhythm than reggae. I think the primary musician's name began with an "O," like Ozzie or Oscar maybe. I think it is pretty rare. I don't think it was ever that popular even at the time. Thanks.
posted by Golden Eternity at 4:57 PM PST - 14 comments

Arriving on an overnight flight at JFK at 5:10AM on a Thursday, flying out on an international flight at 3:15PM on the same day. What do we do from 5:10AM until whenever we need to be back at the airport, and what time would that be, realistically? [more inside]
posted by erst at 3:02 PM PST - 28 comments

What are some hip hop songs with references to specific (non-metaphorical) preparations of food? [more inside]
posted by isnotchicago at 3:02 PM PST - 36 comments

A Minecraft world on a Kindle (6th gen Fire HD) has glitched - this particular world has reverted to an uninhabited world, and all buildings etc. have disappeared. Sometimes when I quit and restart parts of them reappear, but they then disappear again ... Is there any way to recover this world? And how might I avoid this in the future? Thank you! [more inside]
posted by carter at 2:53 PM PST - 0 comments

Yes, it's another gardening question from me! We're working hard in our new house to get the garden up and running and I'm having a think on the next stage of the project: the rainwater situation and my side yard. Difficulty level: small yard surrounded by lots of asphalt. Pics inside. [more inside]
posted by soren_lorensen at 12:48 PM PST - 8 comments

My mom has always been a daily drinker, and in the last few years I've noticed that her daily consumption has increased. I've been a little concerned about her increased drinking over the last year, but this week my boyfriend found her secretly drinking in the basement and now I'm really concerned. I'm not sure what my next step should be as my gut instinct is telling me not to confront her directly. Please help. [more inside]
posted by OsoMeaty at 12:45 PM PST - 26 comments

Where can I learn everything there is to know about growing edible plants indoors, but with the slight hindrance of Scotland's lack of sun? [more inside]
posted by Vrai at 12:32 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm quite upset regarding the way Medical Mutual (Insurance) has handled my Mom's leukemia treatment. She had a stem cell transplant and has been in remission for months now, but Doc says she's still not making new RBC's. He's proposed some sort of "boost" therapy to stimulate production, but our insurance denied the claim (among others). I've spent too much time arguing with them over the phone, and we've already appealed. What other avenues can we pursue to help change their minds? Is shaming through social media an option (We're in Cleveland)? [more inside]
posted by CottonCandyCapers at 11:59 AM PST - 13 comments

Help me best store my potatoes (regular and sweet) and other root vegetables. Difficulty: California, no basement/root cellar, no similar spot that stays cool year round. [more inside]
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 11:44 AM PST - 8 comments

I've read a lot of the dog/cat introduction threads, and there's a ton of good advice. A lot of the advice seems to be written with the idea that the dog will be larger in mind. Folks with tiny dogs: does this play out in the same way? [more inside]
posted by superlibby at 11:40 AM PST - 8 comments

The fact that Gorsuch would get on the court was a forgone conclusion, but that makes it no less heinous in my view. What can I do specifically to help fight the current dominant political party's efforts to place another judge on the court? [more inside]
posted by StrawberryPie at 10:52 AM PST - 15 comments

Should I purchase a GoPro for an Iceland trip? [more inside]
posted by proficiency101 at 10:25 AM PST - 12 comments

I have a Parrot MKi 9200 car kit so I can use my mobile phone hands free. The remote control isn't working and my first guess is that it needs a new battery. The RC is stuck to my dash with double-sided tape, and I can't figure out how to remove the top half so I can replace the battery. The user guide and Google haven't helped. Any hints?
posted by angiep at 10:21 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm looking for short Star Wars related non-fiction pieces to use for an English composition course I'm teaching. [more inside]
posted by matkline at 9:42 AM PST - 13 comments

I have a iPhone SE with Verizon as my carrier. I'm assuming this is a iPhone problem, but who knows anymore? [more inside]
posted by kathrynm at 9:20 AM PST - 8 comments

So I'm picking up a new, nice, set of headphones that I plan to use daily so they'll be subjected to some abuse. From personal experience, after about 2nd year something goes wrong no matter how careful I am. It seems like extended protection might be a good idea. Is it? [more inside]
posted by aeighty at 8:54 AM PST - 8 comments

I am married and recently applied for a U.S. Passport in my maiden name because that's the name under which my SSN remains and they ask for the SSN on the application. Last week, I received a letter stating that my app is in "Routine Suspense" pending receipt of "A clear photocopy of at least one valid document issued in your maiden name." I sent my expired passport and birth certificate, both in my maiden name, with my application. Both of those items are listed as the "Primary ID" examples on their webpage. What else should I send them? [more inside]
posted by Kwisock Haderach at 8:47 AM PST - 12 comments

I am woefully behind planning my lovely sister's bachelorette party - which is tomorrow! 10 women, 20s and 30s, gathering in a hotel room for one evening, a mix of drinkers and non-drinkers: how do I make this special and fun? [more inside]
posted by teragram at 8:16 AM PST - 13 comments

After a year of avoidance/denial, I'm reluctantly going today to be set up to try CPAP for my sleep apnea. I have a lot of anxiety about this and get overwhelmed every time I try to look for pro tips. I'm looking for advice about both the setup appointment and my first couple weeks trying the machine. [more inside]
posted by atruesock at 8:05 AM PST - 30 comments

Having relatively made the switch to a much busier and more demanding job with a wider remit than before, I am having trouble keeping track of what I need to do. This seems deceptively simple and yet I could do with some pointers on how to effectively keep track of priorities. [more inside]
posted by Ziggy500 at 8:03 AM PST - 11 comments

My boyfriend's family is deeply conservative. He loves them. I love him. How do people possibly navigate this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:36 AM PST - 14 comments

I've always thought I had anxiety, but now I think it's actually OCD. What's the best way to go about treating this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:35 AM PST - 17 comments

I work in a start-up and hold an intermediate level, technical position. Complications: start-up is almost busted, and I am trying for babies. Halp? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:35 AM PST - 10 comments

I’m sick of my dating problems, particularly after they’ve come to a head with this most recent guy. The main problem: My dating history has never included a man I am actually attracted to. [more inside]
posted by actionpotential at 7:13 AM PST - 50 comments

I remember reading a very detailed blow-by-blow description of a special meeting methodology. It was for a large and busy group that might have a large set of issues to deal with, and was highly anarchic / democratic / collaborative. [more inside]
posted by Meatbomb at 6:24 AM PST - 8 comments

I have a long-standing weird health thing which has been getting, slowly, worse. I have a doctor's appointment coming up but have not had much luck with resolution in the past. Do you have suggestions for further research, questions for the doctor, possibilities? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 6:19 AM PST - 7 comments

Should I stay in my field, taking a job that's a plane trip away from my fiance, which is probably the best career move, or should I take a lower-paying local job with fewer career-trajectory benefits? I'm losing my job and basically I have to choose between a far away company that pays great and looks great, and a close company that looks low-stress, but is in a different industry and would possibly set back my career. [more inside]
posted by bbqturtle at 6:00 AM PST - 18 comments

I want to recreate this: Close Up Image of Poster Holder [more inside]
posted by Faintdreams at 2:46 AM PST - 6 comments

I am interested in doing some courses related to the Google Cloud. These courses are typically offered either as virtual classes or as traditional in-classroom courses. How do these compare? Does anybody have direct experience of either of these? [more inside]
posted by oclipa at 9:46 PM PST - 0 comments

Which Apple App Store apps come recommended by you MeFites? [more inside]
posted by GlassHeart at 8:19 PM PST - 21 comments

I've been made an offer that is unexpectedly generous and out of the blue to act as a debt collector for a Japanese manufacturing company. I have no idea how to proceed. [more inside]
posted by diode at 6:58 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm a 30 year old woman who has been on lots of dates but never had an official boyfriend. I'm also a virgin although I didn't plan on this, Just wanted to be with someone I care about. This used to really get me down but I've worked on myself so much now I realize that I'm a great person and I've got so much to offer the right guy. How do I deal with past relationships and sex questions that can come up on dates? I don't want my lack of experience to be seen as a red flag and knock me out of the running because I can't change my past but I don't want it to negativity effect my future either. Read below and tell me what you think. [more inside]
posted by Countrycutie1986 at 6:04 PM PST - 21 comments

I really like this ring, and would like to find it or something similar. What I like about it: modern, clean lines, silver and it fits over the bottom part of the finger (not sure how to describe that).
posted by nanook at 5:53 PM PST - 6 comments

Last Tuesday, I experienced my first ever issue with urinary urgency. Since then, it's only gotten worse. Both visits to urgent care have yielded negative urine samples and a "have a nice day!".. but this problem is getting worse, and causing some significant life problems. [more inside]
posted by oxfordcomma at 5:38 PM PST - 25 comments