Ask MetaFilter

In 2000-2001 I used a line of bath & shower products that had sort of whimsical packaging & scents, and a brand name I cannot for the life of me remember. It was discontinued not long after that. The only specific product I recall is a berry(?)-scented body wash foam dispensed from a mousse can. They were sold in drugstores in San Jose, CA but the brand might have been Canadian? I'm 100% certain it's not Lush, Bath & Body Works, Body Shop, Bliss, or got2b. But what was it?? [more inside]
posted by rhiannonstone at 11:55 PM PST - 7 comments

I need videos (and articles) about people successfully returning arrowhead collections and how that has been meaningful emotionally and/or financially.
posted by anonymous at 11:22 PM PST - 2 comments

First off, we aren’t wheelchair users. But my wife was recently diagnosed with discoid lupus and the ADA seats are the safest ones for her. What are the ethics of using seats designated for wheelchair users and their companions when you don’t need a wheelchair? (More inside) [more inside]
posted by Pretty Good Talker at 10:25 PM PST - 22 comments

I’m having some trouble sorting out my feelings about a complex friendship involving negative feelings towards my friend and would like some insight. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:09 PM PST - 10 comments

I've had chronic soreness in the trapezius/neck area on my right side (which is my dominant hand) for years that I have just tried to ignore but it seems to be getting worse lately. What should I do about it? [more inside]
posted by sibylvane at 10:05 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm in a position where I can work more consulting hours and make more, or work less consulting hours and get paid less. I've been thinking about whether my ideal lifestyle includes getting a housekeeper and therefore having more time to work, or continuing to do a lot ourselves. Now that I understand that I'd like to avoid getting a housekeeper for specific reasons, I'm looking for hacks to get more time anyway. [more inside]
posted by cacao at 7:08 PM PST - 29 comments

I used to have a whole catalog of where I'd ask questions for different topics [more inside]
posted by Sterros at 6:28 PM PST - 9 comments

I've been looking at a ~6L ultrasonic cleaner for general use around the house, such as this or this. I know that all the non-professional ones on Amazon are likely clones of each other with minor variations, but is there anything I should be aware of when choosing between them? One difference is that the somewhat more expensive ones have a degas function, but I'm not sure if that's actually useful or not. [more inside]
posted by unus sum at 3:38 PM PST - 1 comment

I’ve never dealt with TSA, or anything in this new era of flying. What tips can you give me to make this flight less stressful than it already is? [more inside]
posted by furtheryet at 1:18 PM PST - 32 comments

I just installed a ceiling fan and it works very well, but it makes a continuous humming sound that I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to be making. [more inside]
posted by holborne at 12:27 PM PST - 7 comments

We will be visiting Angkor Wat in mid-May and would welcome any suggestions on how to make the most of our time there. [more inside]
posted by fairmettle at 12:27 PM PST - 12 comments

Someone driving my car has found a tracker on it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:05 PM PST - 37 comments

After a long long slot of COVID planning and longer slog of Executive Function issues, I find myself cleaning out a very full freezer. Everything has been in the freezer since 2020 at lesat. I'd like to know the consensus on the following meat items: [more inside]
posted by politikitty at 9:32 AM PST - 9 comments

Planning a solo trip to London in July. I’m going to say in a private room in an airbnb, and I’ve got it narrowed down to a few places (after looking at about a zillion). [more inside]
posted by gigondas at 9:32 AM PST - 18 comments

TLDR: I think my stepmom is jealous of me or doesn’t like me. She tells me it’s all in my head and that my mom put it all in my head. I just introduced my boyfriend to my dad and my stepmom made me feel like we were unwelcome. Why? [more inside]
posted by anon1129 at 9:23 AM PST - 22 comments

Okay so in the top photo of Prince Harry here (sorry, that's a link to NYPost/Page Six), it looks as if there's a bee embroidered on the abdominal area of his dress shirt. Am I correct about that? Is that a thing? Is it something so extremely posh that I, a USian plebe, haven't ever heard of it? Someone please explain this to me.
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:41 AM PST - 10 comments

How do you deal with pretty intense cherophobia - the sense that feeling happy about something is dangerous because it means bad things will come? Especially when that has been proven true constantly? [more inside]
posted by creatrixtiara at 8:00 AM PST - 23 comments

This is a hypothetical question--I am not going to do this. But it came up for reasons I will explain, and it did make me curious! Particularly curious in the context of an american whose (first) marriage license is not from america [more inside]
posted by wooh at 7:15 AM PST - 19 comments

I just got back from a vacation to a place served by a great grocery store (Publix). I live in a place with really crappy grocery stores. After lugging back a suitcase filled with stuff from Publix, it occurred to me that I could hire someone to put an Instacart order in a UPS box and shop at Publix whenever I want with a couple days delay. Name brands are available everywhere, even my crappy local stores, but one of the things I like about Publix (or Kroger, or Wegman’s) is the store brand stuff. So what are your favorite store brand items? [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 7:13 AM PST - 12 comments

I bought my first condo that is in good shape (the building is only a few years old) but I would love to restore it to its original condition before I move in. I'm willing to spend a lot to do this, but it seems like there's no reliable way to find a cleaning service that will truly sweat the small stuff (e.g. polishing the metal faucets, etc.). How do I find a trustworthy deep-cleaning service in my area? What about other things like minor repainting on areas where there are marks / filling in holes in the wall, etc.
posted by jtothes at 6:15 AM PST - 9 comments

Due to ADHD, dyscalculia, and years of bad experiences, I have problems with any task that involves a calendar, which is most tasks. Help me? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 6:12 AM PST - 22 comments

I'm having a problem with a friend-turned-enemy. My friend "Dot" made a poor decision and tried to enlist my help in hiding it. I refused, and now she has gone scorched-earth. I'd like help in understanding this behavior pattern so I can avoid befriending people like this in the future. [more inside]
posted by cheesecake at 6:02 AM PST - 22 comments

I've posted about my boyfriend before here, I'm still with him and it's getting to the stage where we are thinking about making a commitment i.e moving back in with him and taking steps to getting married. Things are a lot better now. I've blocked his ex and realised all that stuff was largely about me and my own issues. I'm progressing in my career with his support and I feel quite a bit happier, we seem to have moved past a lot of concerns. [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 3:21 AM PST - 37 comments

I am stress organising my house and labelling everything. I don’t need barcodes or RFID but I want to catalogue and lookup about 1-2K of items (I have so much yarn and books) with tags and categories. The App Store is full of wildly varying priced apps and I can’t find decent reviews - should I just diy with Notion or Excel? Is there an app people reliably use?
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 10:47 PM PST - 8 comments

Going to go to a small family gathering, celebrating an elderly parent. Trouble is two of the attendees don't do English well, and some of the others don't do the mother language well at all. We all plan to sit at one table, the eight of us. How best to encourage communication, connectedness and warmth in this setup? [more inside]
posted by storybored at 8:35 PM PST - 7 comments

Since last fall, I've been struggling to find a pillow that works for my new normal, where I'm in treatment for multiple myeloma that first manifested as a hole in my c6 vertebra. I did have experience with one that was perfect--at my physical therapist's, but as far as I can tell, you cannot buy this nice, flat, non-squishy pillow insert without the vinyl cover. Maybe you know of something similar? [more inside]
posted by kitten kaboodle at 7:44 PM PST - 13 comments

I would love to know how much that people really spend on a vacation at Disney World, and whether there are ways to maximize the enjoyment per dollar. Obviously this will be directly related to the number of people on the vacation, but how do you calculate what is realistic?
posted by mortaddams at 6:39 PM PST - 19 comments

I just subscribed to a VPN to watch a specific documentary via BBC iPlayer. Are there any others I should watch before I cancel the VPN (during the 30 day trial period)? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 4:36 PM PST - 17 comments

I can't have chocolate (even a miniscule amount of caffeine or tyramine is a migraine trigger for me), but have discovered carob is - if not remotely a substitute - at least something I can enjoy a little. But possibly due to the association between 'vegan/health-food-craze" and carob in the US, I can't seem to find any carob bars that contain milk to make them creamy rather than dry and crumbly. There seems to be no lack of carob milk bars in Australia and New Zealand, but I can't find anything like that sold in the US. Am I using the wrong search term?
posted by dmd at 3:34 PM PST - 3 comments

I saw a charming little film last night called Polite Society (by Nida Manzoor of We Are Lady Parts). Here is the trailer; you should see it. One of the film's most visually enjoyable sequences is an extended fight scene between various women at an Indian wedding in London where the attendees are mostly in traditional dress. [more inside]
posted by praemunire at 3:27 PM PST - 2 comments

My wife has a family photograph taken sometime between 1942 to mid 1944. This picture is printed on KODAK photographic paper with the Ben Day process used for newspaper photographs done with tiny equal sized dots of different shadings. This is normally used for large print runs of newspaper images. I have never heard of it used for single images. Do any of you know anything about single printings with the Ben Day process? Could this have been from WW2 rationing of photo chemicals? Where can I read up on this?
posted by Raybun at 2:17 PM PST - 6 comments

I'd like to plan a fun trip from Berlin to London by train, this July. I already did this all the way back in 2005, spending 30+ hours on board a train non-stop, and though the London part was fun, the train part was not, although I normally love trains (just not 30+ hours non-stop). I have 20 days to spend and would be happy to take my time this time. Please help me actually have fun on the way. [more inside]
posted by M. at 2:13 PM PST - 13 comments

I type hard. Really hard. I have always liked Lenovo Thinkpads (I currently have an X1 Carbon), I've gone through several in the past five years because I inevitably wreck the keyboard. Knowing myself, and given past experience, my keystrikes are not likely to remain gentle even if I try to change my typing style. Are there any non-Apple laptops that can handle that? [more inside]
posted by amyshmamy at 1:55 PM PST - 14 comments

Can anyone provide a straight answer to this? [more inside]
posted by ragtimepiano at 12:32 PM PST - 5 comments

How should my ex and I determine the value of our house during our divorce when we have two very different assessments? [more inside]
posted by Leontine at 12:18 PM PST - 23 comments

I have wanted to go to MONA since reading about it 10 (!) years ago, and am planning to add Tasmania on to a Melbourne work trip in late August. Scheduling-wise, I'm planning on arriving in Hobart from New Jersey on a Saturday. Do I fight jet lag with a full day at MONA+Faro dinner on Sunday, or can I take a day to more casually sightsee? I think this is my one shot at Tasmania this lifetime... [more inside]
posted by armacy at 11:36 AM PST - 5 comments

I am kinda curious about getting one of them fancy pens for my tablets. I don't mean just a plain stylus I think what I want is called an active stylus? But beyond that I know nothing. What features are worth paying for, what are must haves vs nice to have etc. [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 11:16 AM PST - 8 comments

Now, why — or why not — should I put spaces around em dashes? I'm seeing contradictory stances among even authoritative sources. I don't really care who says what. I care about what's "logical" which is connected to the pattern which can convey my intent quickly and accurately across a variety of situations and sentence and idea structures. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 9:20 AM PST - 42 comments

I have somehow ended up on the list of an obnoxious political candidate in a state and district I have not resided in for 25 years and whose political positions are anathema to me in every way. Every election cycle, her people text and call me asking for my support, and I dutifully tell them to get me the hell off her list. But...they don't. What now? [more inside]
posted by catesbie at 8:29 AM PST - 16 comments

Twice this week my wife texted herself from her iPhone (once some info and once a pic) and each time she received a “reply” from herself saying “who’s this?” Second time there was no question mark. What the heck is going on? (iPhone SE 2nd gen, T-mobile, NY state)
posted by chr1sb0y at 4:46 AM PST - 10 comments

For health reasons, I can’t be physically involved with my marital sex life right now. Interested in learning how to give JOI, male toys, and other ideas for keeping things happy. (More inside includes lightly nsfw information, and I assume replies will as well!) [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:59 AM PST - 7 comments

I was wronged. When a lawyer acquaintance saw my evidence, he became excited and asked to represent me on a contingency basis. He thinks it's a strong case. I'm very nervous. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:59 AM PST - 14 comments

They told me that I was up for a promotion and then yanked that away and pushed it to next year while giving me more responsibilities AND being more micromanagey. What am I supposed to do to change things? Or would you recommend that I GTFO? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:42 PM PST - 18 comments

I use the Microsoft suite at work and want to leverage it more to do assistant type work for me. I tried today, and it was, not great. Help? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 8:45 PM PST - 4 comments

My relative has a mental illness and has recently moved into an adult family (aka group) home. The adult family home provides all meals. After relative moved in, relative kept telling us they were hungry. So we had relative's doctor look into it. [more inside]
posted by SageTrail at 8:19 PM PST - 23 comments

My partner and I will be visiting a food desert, staying in a hotel room with no kitchen/kitchenette. What should we make for dinner? [more inside]
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 5:39 PM PST - 40 comments

Do not want a full-featured 'budgeting' app ; looking for something less dogmatic and setup-heavy than YNAB or GoodBudget. Prefer not to use Mint or any such service that’s basically a sink of personal data to be mined and sold between large financial services corporations. I describe what I’m looking for below the fold. [more inside]
posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only at 5:39 PM PST - 4 comments

My boss said my son was guarded, and said I was as well. How can I not hate her? [more inside]
posted by loveandhappiness at 5:30 PM PST - 48 comments

My child would like to get an all black stuffed animal dachshund as a gift for a friend who has an all black real life dachshund. Unfortunately, we've been unable to find one. Searching for an all black stuffed animal dachshund yields endless results that have black bodies and tan paws and chest. Does anyone know where we can find one that is actually all black? [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 4:56 PM PST - 6 comments

Have you ever been on a low-residue or low-fibre diet for colitis, IBS or other illness? What was your process for successfully transitioning to a diet that contained a normal amount of fibre? (For this question, assume that asking one's doctor has not resulted in any guidance at all.)
posted by rednikki at 3:13 PM PST - 2 comments

Last time I did a major move, I used Amtrak Express shipping to move a huge amount of stuff for next to nothing. Amtrak Express and Greyhound freight were killed off during the pandemic -- are there any similar services left?
posted by Hollywood Upstairs Medical College at 2:24 PM PST - 4 comments

A friend's child was murdered last week, and before the Medical Examiner released the name (yesterday), there were a number of "obits" on sites like memorial-note, death-honor, and obituary-chapel dot com. Other than name and age, literally nothing in the writeups (they all look AI-generated and are then copypasted) is correct. WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK and how can these sites be taken down? (Not just for my friend's child, but for everyone.) Thanks.
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 1:51 PM PST - 5 comments

If I drive down the river from Memphis to Baton Rouge, what interesting places should I see in between? Would it be fun? [more inside]
posted by critzer at 1:01 PM PST - 7 comments

I have created chaos in my life and relationship by breaking up and getting back together with my partner twice over the past year due to my obsessive rumination about the relationship not being right and compulsive urges to break up. I have also struggled with severe bouts of body dysmorphia and obsessive thinking about other themes as well as some minor disordered eating/obsessive dieting. I’m on a new anti-anxiety medication right now but it’s too soon to tell if it’s working. I’ve been in therapy for a decade but think I need to find a new therapist because it’s not helping. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:49 PM PST - 8 comments

Scrapbooking and acid-free.... Please help! [more inside]
posted by magnoliasouth at 11:46 AM PST - 3 comments

Are there multiple reasons why someone can be so defensive and angry? I think being angry is a secondary emotion, I have been told. But what are some of the multiple roots underlying reasonings for anger and being defensive? Is being defensive the root of fear and insecurity or hiding something?
posted by RearWindow at 11:32 AM PST - 19 comments

I'm going on a 2 week budget ceramics tour of Japan this summer and our tour organizer told us to pack 15-20 (!) small gifts to hand out in Japan to various hosts and guides, etc. I'm only taking one backpacking backpack as luggage, as I'll also be responsible for carrying my elderly mother's rollerboard. What can I bring 20 Japanese strangers that is A: non-perishable in the heat B: won't take up much room in my bag C: will actually be something cool they'd enjoy? [more inside]
posted by egeanin at 11:03 AM PST - 38 comments

Family dog struggling with teeth, hips and cyst; I offered giving him home and vet treatment, especially as I work from home, my parents are extremely upset and offended. [more inside]
posted by Salicornia at 10:02 AM PST - 16 comments

Trying to recall the name of a movie based on one scene. [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 9:27 AM PST - 2 comments

I've had two Micca Specs (digital media player) already. They've both stopped working. Is there any other device that does the same thing that might be more reliable? NOTE: the device must have a way of playing subtitle files.
posted by DMelanogaster at 9:16 AM PST - 5 comments

I am looking for a specific article that I believe I originally saw posted on Metafilter, talking about treatment for anxiety & depression in children. The high level was that research had showed that parental coaching for the parent was actually more effective than therapy for the child. [more inside]
posted by pineapplerunner at 9:03 AM PST - 2 comments

Everyone I know is SO HYPED FOR THIS and I'm just not getting why it's soooooo awesome. Please convince me of why it is and why I should actually finish watching it and/or consider auditioning for it? [more inside]
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:23 AM PST - 33 comments

I have a milestone birthday coming up and I want to take a solo mini-vacation in the US. Where should I go? [more inside]
posted by bookmammal at 7:45 AM PST - 21 comments

We have very active young kids (8-10) who need help getting wiggles out indoors - especially in the morning before we get up, but also to help regulate during the day / evening. [more inside]
posted by inflatablekiwi at 6:55 AM PST - 20 comments

I want to make a short presentation with a few recurring storybook-esque human characters. I'm looking for a vector package of humans in the "corporate memphis" or some other faceless style. Ideally it would contain male and female presenting people in different poses (standing up, sitting down, side and front profile, different arm positions representing different activities and emotional states, etc.) and maybe some different hairstyles that could be dropped on paper-doll style to differentiate the characters. I'm willing to pay but it would be great if I could try it out free or cheap, since this is a non-commercial passion project that I may well abandon.
posted by nanny's striped stocking at 5:29 AM PST - 6 comments

How can I wire a bathroom fan to be “always on” when the light is on? [more inside]
posted by Mid at 5:26 AM PST - 25 comments

I work for a large company with lots of widely-advertised promotions. I have a privileged position in the company and have reviewed many calls in which customers were offered a promotion for which they were not eligible, and so the promised deal was never honored. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:16 AM PST - 16 comments

Flying from a non-Schengen EU country to France with a week’s worth of antidepressants and a prescription for same: Can I take the blue channel at Customs? Or do I need to declare at the red channel? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:16 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm eighty years old and still concerned about Covid, so I shop for food at Albertson's at 6 a.m., to avoid crowds. Is there a day in the week when shelves are more likely to be stocked that early?
posted by markcmyers at 4:40 AM PST - 11 comments

Can someone make a living reading unsolicited manuscripts for publishers? How would someone acquire that job? If not, what other jobs can be had with 'reads fast and likes books' as the sole criteria?
posted by Jacen at 1:36 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm looking for ideas for a side trip from Paris in late May. What are your favorite villages, small towns, and character-filled places to walk around, look at pretty. architecture, read, paint, or have a relaxed wander around? [more inside]
posted by Bunglegirl at 9:37 PM PST - 15 comments

I want to send a gift to a loved one who (A) sprained both her ankles, (B) cracked a fibula, (C) lives in the boondocks, (D) has an incontinent geriatric cat, and (E) already has (or does not want) most of the things I’d normally think of. I want the gift to arrive before Mother’s Day. You want more snowflakes? You got ‘em! [more inside]
posted by armeowda at 9:02 PM PST - 20 comments

I have an Intex pool with a pump/salt filter unit. The unit has started running for only about 90 seconds. Then it stops and the red light on the control panel comes on. If I turn it off and turn it back on, it runs perfectly for another 90 seconds, then it shuts off. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 8:46 PM PST - 2 comments

I previously asked this question about how to get my child to use soap. He has sensory issues and was very anti-soap and washing his hands. Now I need help with sunblock. [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 8:18 PM PST - 9 comments

I’ll be headed to Chicago next week for the Moonrunners music festival and for various wanderings, shenanigans, and cultural enrichment. I have never been to Chicago, and - as a Planner - I am asking for help to make sure I am maximizing my vacation days. My itinerary, with questions, is below the fold. [more inside]
posted by sacrifix at 7:16 PM PST - 26 comments

My one-lady LLC provides services for both corporate and non-profit organizations, but, out of the goodness of my heart, I have been giving non-profit orgs a 25% discount on services provided, as many of them have limited budgets. Does this 25% discount technically count as an in-kind donation to the non-profit org and when I file taxes in the future, can I deduct the 25% that I would have charged them from my business income?
posted by chara at 5:57 PM PST - 9 comments

My girlfriend gave me an NES Classic for my birthday. Hooray! Unfortunately, we can't get the third-party wireless controllers she also bought to pair successfully. Your help would be greatly appreciated. [more inside]
posted by DavidNYC at 5:54 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm letting my gray hair grow in. I've got about 4 inches of gray now. The rest is dyed brown with some gray streaks because I always dyed it myself -- poorly. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 5:15 PM PST - 19 comments

I have some health issues that have kept me from working on and off. As of right now, they are well managed so I want to go back to work. However, some of that management requires regular medical and medication. That care gets me to the point where I can work, and I'm trying to figure out the threshold salary I'd need to make to actually work again. I'm stuck on figuring out the healthcare costs because its been so long and I've had so many changes since I last had either employer or marketplace insurance. [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 4:22 PM PST - 8 comments

Looking especially for author who also captures early decisions during Truman Administration, involving Dean Acheson and the CIA.
posted by John Borrowman at 3:29 PM PST - 3 comments

So I thought I really liked using Google Tasks to manage my ToDo's. However, I've created about eight different categories and found that I can't re-order those categories. I can delete a category, but that also nukes the items in that category. So I'm looking for a non-subscription task manager that lets me delete or manage categories, export in plain text, that will also sync between Android, OSX and the iPad, and can put dates and alarms on tasks. And world peace. [more inside]
posted by craniac at 3:23 PM PST - 7 comments

I may have to be in the Milan area in August. I suffer badly in the heat. Is there a way to make this work? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 2:53 PM PST - 3 comments

I saw online images that were created from TOS video - Can't find em! [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 2:51 PM PST - 4 comments

How to stop audio on whatsapp on mac from hijacking my play/pause media key? [more inside]
posted by signal at 2:06 PM PST - 1 comment

Is there any writing, especially books, on pre-WW2 Right-Wing (or other divisive movements) creating a gay/trans (or abortion) panic to drive political shift (or revolt)? This is now happening globally and looks coordinated and I need to read about the last time. [more inside]
posted by unearthed at 1:34 PM PST - 7 comments

I am very excited about the upcoming show American Born Chinese, which appears to feature Sun Wu Kong/the Monkey King of Journey to the West fame. I'd love to introduce my kids to the stories, which I think are a lot of fun. Are there any decent translations with good art in English of Journey to the West?
posted by toastyk at 12:35 PM PST - 9 comments

My dog loves to chew and shred cardboard. He raids the recycling bin while I'm out. That's relatively harmless as far as bad habits go, but I'd like to give him something even better to distract him from the cardboard. Any suggestions? It's ok if it's something destructive that makes a bit of a mess, as long as it's sufficiently different from regular cardboard and paper that I'm not accidentally telling him it's ok to hit the recycling! Ideally something long lasting that's safe for him to chew on unattended.
posted by moonmilk at 12:29 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm looking for over-the-ear noise-cancelling headphones that don't hurt my head after a few hours on a long-haul flight. More info within. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by mosst at 11:59 AM PST - 4 comments

I was fired in December 2020 for being late to logging in at work one too many times but on my paperwork they said “Employee has been terminated as a result of the elimination of her job role”. I am confused on what to say to people and future employers. [more inside]
posted by anon1129 at 11:56 AM PST - 25 comments

Any suggestions for books or trainings that might help? [more inside]
posted by elmonobonobo at 11:45 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm in the mood to read some Middle Grade or YA novels in which the protagonist must follow a series of riddles or puzzles in the hope of finding treasure or otherwise getting a reward. Some examples: Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's LIbrary; Book Scavenger; and The Westing Game. Can you suggest others? [more inside]
posted by yankeefog at 10:44 AM PST - 21 comments

We bought a whole box of fresh garlic for 6 dollars. YEAH. Garlic is good. [more inside]
posted by mumimor at 9:56 AM PST - 32 comments

I want media that will make me cry. Music (artists or specific songs), books, movies, TV shows... anything that really evokes an emotional response, hit me with it. [more inside]
posted by rabbitrabbit at 9:53 AM PST - 117 comments

Please recommend some books for a possible summer family book club. The readers are two parents in their mid-40s, a college age son, a high school age son, and a 10 year old daughter. We are open to books from most genres. [more inside]
posted by bove at 9:22 AM PST - 33 comments

I like to wear my Bose over-ear noise-canceling headphones while flying, even when not listening to any music or other entertainment. They do a great job of blocking out the noise of the aircraft and that makes for a less stressful experience. How would you rate the noise-canceling feature of the headphones provided for Delta Premium Select and Air France Business? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:42 AM PST - 4 comments

new mlb rules for the 2023 season have resulted in shorter game times. some baseball stadiums are responding to this change by extending beer sales (which traditionally ended in the seventh inning) into the eighth inning. i always thought ending beer sales in the seventh inning had something to do with allowing fans some time to sober up before the end of the game, but the recent changes contradict that. so, where did the old seventh inning "rule" come from? or more specifically, what was the reasoning behind the old rule?
posted by mumblelard at 7:14 AM PST - 10 comments

I somehow managed to not see the tomato sauce when I was buying the ingredients for this cassoulet. I've never had cassoulet, so I don't really know what it's supposed to be like. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 6:37 AM PST - 10 comments

Have been medicated for depression for several years. Big flare-up at the end of last year, which caused a switch from an SSRI to venlafaxine. Increasing the dose seems to be making me twitchy and RLSy - is this plausible, and what's the best strategy to cope? [more inside]
posted by osmond_nash at 6:29 AM PST - 5 comments

Recently, to my great delight, I found that there exists a category of present-day businesses where guests enjoy basically a Roman style bathhouse (mineral water natatio, caldarium, tepidarium, frigidarium) plus modern touches like jets. How can I find more of these places, while not being deluged with massage joints? I don't care about massage. I want to soooooaaaak. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 6:02 AM PST - 32 comments

The following actually happened, but not in the USA. I'm having a disagreement about how much liability each party would likely have in the USA. [more inside]
posted by Flock of Cynthiabirds at 5:59 AM PST - 7 comments

Let's say I have a large amount of money, but not quite large enough to buy the kind of home that I want in cash, as it would wipe out my savings. With a mortgage, that home would easily be in my price range; but I'm looking to leave my job in the very near future to start a sole proprietorship, and I don't expect to be making any income in the next few years. (And nobody will give me a mortgage without a job, right?) Can I somehow leverage my money to make monthly payments on a home without it being a mortgage? I realize one obvious option is "keep your job until you find a home," but assume that's not a possibility in this scenario.
posted by anonymous at 5:06 AM PST - 9 comments

Exactly what it says in the title. YANMD. I also know about sleep apnea and such. Details below. [more inside]
posted by virve at 9:41 PM PST - 5 comments

I am considering a scenario where I quit my current job for a 6-month contract-to-hire situation. The health plans offered by the contract firm are atrocious but would only be a bridge the the expected onboarding with the client. I could avoid a tremendous amount of headache and risk if I can keep my existing plan through COBRA until I onboard with the customer organization in six months. Can I? [more inside]
posted by Banky_Edwards at 8:49 PM PST - 3 comments

I've got a tiny PC and wonder if and how it can meet our home server desires. I'd like to use it both to output video for occasional light gaming, and 24/7 to serve files and media as a basic NAS. Being able to run Windows (in a VM?) would be a plus. What software setup would you recommend? Can one little PC do it all? [more inside]
posted by anthill at 8:14 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm interested in having cards made with this quote: “The rock's easy, but the roll is another thing...” ― Keith Richards If you are feeling creative, could you suggest a font? How about a vendor for this sort of thing? Thank you [more inside]
posted by egk at 5:45 PM PST - 3 comments

How do I get the bolts attaching the legs to my dining chairs to stay put?? [more inside]
posted by Mrs. Rattery at 5:05 PM PST - 11 comments

My dog is anxious and doesn't like strangers touching him. While in the exam room he didn't growl or anything at the vet or the tech until the vet went to touch his wounded spot where he did growl and snarl . He was being held down and muzzled in a hanibal lecture type muzzle when this happened. When I said my dog was sensitive he told me my dog was not sensitive, he was a "bad dog". [more inside]
posted by Saucywench at 3:27 PM PST - 62 comments

Anybody know / know how to find a dry cleaner that uses the liquid CO2 process in the Raleigh/Durham NC USA (zip: 27517) area? Apparently that's best for removing perfume. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 1:30 PM PST - 5 comments

My institution is looking at adjusting our approach to admissions, and rethinking the personal statement component. If you are somebody who is or has recently applied to college, or a close friend or relative of same, I'd love to hear about the best and worst "beyond grades" admissions tools you've seen. [more inside]
posted by Shepherd at 1:16 PM PST - 12 comments

My old Subaru has a slight moisture issue, nothing serious but (in Seattle weather) enough that I hang one of these DampRid bags in the back, and they fill up after a couple months. But I'm wondering, if the water it catches is sequestered in the bag below, shouldn't I be able to just... empty it out and let it keep going? [more inside]
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 12:56 PM PST - 7 comments

Oof. In the old days, this would have been so much easier. I need export emails from Outlook from a particular folder and export to excel so can graph when sender has sent email based on time date stamp/header. [more inside]
posted by Funmonkey1 at 11:51 AM PST - 7 comments

How does one choose a rug? How does one know what size to get? Colors to get? So confusing... [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 11:40 AM PST - 15 comments

My son and his partner will be getting married soon (fall) and are looking for a restaurant with a private room where they could have a quick and simple ceremony, and then a nice dinner afterwards. 12-15 people. Should be medium-to-higher end. They live in Tucson, AZ but love the Sedona area, open to Flagstaff, maybe. It's apparently called a micro-wedding but they're looking for anyplace low key but nice, good food, doesn't have to be officially a wedding venue.
posted by j810c at 11:29 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm interested in getting a small symbolic tattoo on my upper arm in a relatively concentrated area. I need ideas for how to add other symbolic tattoos in the future so that they fit/work together, without building a full sleeve! [more inside]
posted by knownassociate at 8:40 AM PST - 4 comments

In this 1992 video the person on the right is wearing a fun t-shirt with a geometric leopard cat thing. Do you recognize the design? At 0:14 there's a closeup but it's still too blurry to read the text at the upper left. Because of the square background, it kind of looks like it might be from a record album cover
posted by moonmilk at 8:15 AM PST - 10 comments

I have a young friend (18) who will be spending a year as an exchange student in Taiwan, and I would like to give her a gift that might enhance her experience. Price $50-$100. I don't really have anything else to go on. Can you help?
posted by HotToddy at 7:27 AM PST - 5 comments

I had lens replacements surgery this year which left me nearsighted, so I'm going to get PRK surgery to make my vision closer to what I wanted. I'd like to hear your anecdotes about PRK. [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:56 AM PST - 16 comments

Looking for recommendations and experiences with the various print-on-demand options for a small self-publishing project. [more inside]
posted by each day we work at 6:47 AM PST - 4 comments

On my work computer, Outlook started justifying text in the reading pane. Perhaps specifically to drive me up a wall? [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 5:59 AM PST - 1 comment

I have been a people-pleaser my entire life. Therapy has helped me get better at drawing boundaries. However, I still struggle with saying 'no' to the people I love the most, even though I'm often unable to meet their needs because of chronic illness. My loved ones are understanding and supportive--how can I show that same kindness to myself? [more inside]
posted by guessthis at 3:54 AM PST - 10 comments

Lately, I seem to notice myself waking up very briefly many times throughout the night. There's no clear reason for these wake-ups and I immediately fall back asleep. [more inside]
posted by unid41 at 12:23 AM PST - 21 comments

I am looking for a way to block my access to browsing the internet while on Zoom calls and classes. I obviously can't turn off WIFI and am not interested in tools that block individual sites, but rather block browsing in general. Any thoughts?
posted by maca at 11:56 PM PST - 9 comments

I don’t currently have or need a car. In June, I’m moving to a new city for 1 year, after which I move back home. It’s a town that you need a car in, though with the intensity of my job and a nonexistent commute, I’m probably only going to use said car 2-3x per week. What’s the smart move here? I’d be tempted to buy a crappy used car for the year but I won’t have the time or mental bandwidth to deal with car troubles. Buying something expensive, though, seems silly given how little I’m going to end up using it before reselling whatever I get. What do?
posted by sirion at 11:09 PM PST - 14 comments

A Wikipedia article I created way back when about Once Upon a Time…, a long-running French animated series, has been proposed for deletion for lack of notability, but the linked notability guideline for television doesn’t seem to apply to it at all. I would like to do what’s required to save it from deletion, but I’m confused why it’s been proposed for deletion for lack of notability. How do I go about saving this Wikipedia article from deletion?
posted by Kattullus at 11:08 PM PST - 18 comments

My dishwasher broke and I need to decide whether to pay to repair it, or invest in a new one. Please help me decide. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by virve at 10:29 PM PST - 18 comments

My husband and I are traveling to Australia from the west coast of the US for a week-long planned event in Hervey Bay, north of Brisbane. We need a hotel for one night in Sydney, and then two nights again before we head home. [more inside]
posted by pazazygeek at 9:31 PM PST - 9 comments

I need to learn how to grieve. It's been particularly tricky to find grief resources as someone whose loss *isn't* a death -- a lot of grief resources seem to assume you're bereaved. Can you recommend an interactive workbook, YouTube (or whatever platform) video series, computer game, tabletop game, or something else interactive that will help me engage actively and creatively with my grief, instead of ignoring, stagnating, or squashing?
posted by cnidaria at 8:48 PM PST - 14 comments

A day after my last question, I developed pressure in the ears. Telehealth nurse said I should go to the ER again, they told me to just rest. Today spoke to my GP who said the same. Pain in the inner ears is now getting kind of bad. Can’t handle much sound at all. Not sure what to do next, thoughts? [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:18 PM PST - 9 comments

Looking for your favorite popsicle recipes! [more inside]
posted by cozenedindigo at 6:48 PM PST - 11 comments

I host a monthly lecture show here in Toronto (link in bio) where people give talks, and then afterward we take questions from the audience and I have an onstage conversation with then. I really enjoy doing this, and I think I'm pretty good at a combination of being attentive/funny and making the conversation interesting. I'd like more opportunities to talk onstage and interact with audiences, probably in a more low-key way. I'm looking for ideas/suggestions.... [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 6:44 PM PST - 4 comments

I am an assistant manager of a local farmer's market. We are having a kids booth for Jewish Heritage Day and I am looking for simple craft projects for children. One idea I had was to make copies of the Hamsa. Trim the hands out of the paper. Color both front and back, glue the edges together and have the kids slip the hand on their own hand. I am open to any other simple low cost suggestions
posted by goalyeehah at 3:51 PM PST - 4 comments

My main stressor is work and it's impacting my ability to take care of myself. Location: CA, USA [more inside]
posted by typify at 3:49 PM PST - 19 comments

A dear friend of mine passed away and his family had the service quickly without notifying friends..we have planned a celebration of life. [more inside]
posted by irish01 at 2:33 PM PST - 14 comments

My kid has been doing piano lessons via Zoom, and lately his teacher hasn't been able to hear his playing. What is going on? [more inside]
posted by pised at 2:26 PM PST - 5 comments

I have realized that most of my veggie intake is leafy greens. (Spinach, kale and boxed spring mix are my usual staples, but I will also cook with chard or bok choy pretty frequently.) I probably eat about 3-5 standard servings of greens on a normal day plus 2-3 servings of fruit and other veggies. I’ve read that you can eat too much spinach or kale, does this sound like too many greens or too many compared to other vegetables? [more inside]
posted by vanitas at 2:16 PM PST - 11 comments

Was nudity common among males at swimming pools in the USA in the 60s / 70s or thereabouts? [more inside]
posted by iamsuper at 1:30 PM PST - 24 comments

I live and work in Michigan as a consultant. I plan to create an LLC to maximize my income and differentiate my personal spending from my business expenses. Sometime this summer, I will be moving to Oregon. I am curious, should I register the LLC in Michigan, or in Oregon? [more inside]
posted by rebent at 12:10 PM PST - 6 comments

My partner's Good Brief brand boxers are falling apart. He desperately needs new ones but it looks like the brand (which I think was Amazon specific) doesn't make these anymore. Help me find this guy some underpants! [more inside]
posted by Paper rabies at 11:41 AM PST - 12 comments

My previous Ask, unfortunately, came true—I was diagnosed with colon cancer, confirmed to be at/around Stage 3. I've lined up appointments with an oncologist and consultation with the surgery department. When I made the announcement to family and friends, reactions, predictably, has been mixed. I need some help managing my feelings about reactions and how they affect me. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 10:35 AM PST - 34 comments

Before the opening chapter of the book I'm writing, I want to run a quote in Latin from Ovid. [more inside]
posted by zenpop at 10:05 AM PST - 5 comments

I work at a sit/stand workbench and am looking for a new chair that can go between desk- and counter-height. Since it needs to sit basically right in the middle of the living room in my teeny tiny apartment, I would also like it to look not obviously officey and maybe even a little stylish. Ideally it would also be at least somewhat comfortable, available in Canada, and not a gazillion dollars, but the first two criteria are most important for now. Thanks!
posted by btfreek at 9:48 AM PST - 4 comments

Did it work? Work for a while? Not at all? Please hope me.... [more inside]
posted by tristeza at 9:44 AM PST - 8 comments

How do I turn off those "sign in with your google account!" popups? I never, ever want to sign in with my account! Yes, I already turned "off" that preference in all my Google accounts. And yet these popups persist. [more inside]
posted by Charity Garfein at 9:07 AM PST - 4 comments

Help me find the right CRM for our firm. [more inside]
posted by chasles at 9:05 AM PST - 11 comments

Hello folks; We are a couple, and really thinking of living in a RV(Class B or C) full time, boondoking Has anyone here done that-recently, or doing that now? Would very much like to hear your exp. doing this, the good and bad, & ugly ,don't hold back, lol. We are in Canada, so we will be in this thing for the cold winters up here. Looking forward to your replies. Many thanks :-)
posted by LOOKING at 8:54 AM PST - 20 comments

When the current big Vermeer exhibit opened at the Rijksmuseum, I read a bad review of it online--or if not bad, then at least cranky about it (not impressed by Vermeer, critical of the museum's handling of logistics, rolling eyes at people ignoring the other paintings, etc.). I thought I saw it linked here or on kottke.org, but I haven't had luck finding it there, or in my browser history. I thought it was on a pretty high-profile site or publication... Does anyone else remember this?
posted by theatro at 8:28 AM PST - 7 comments

I never wear tampons, ever but yesterday I went to the spa and was on my period so I used a tampon. It was in for about 6 hours. I started feeling unwell after I had taken it out and still feel unwell today, is this related? [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 6:29 AM PST - 16 comments

My one older friend has been struggling with depression and other health issues for a few years now and it has only gotten worse from here. I am not sure if I should complete end the friendship or simply distance myself and set boundaries. [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 6:20 AM PST - 14 comments

I work for a software company with fairly large enterprise products. We've gradually moved from a chaotic process to a very bureaucratic process. E.g. getting a PR merged can take weeks as it gets past various gatekeepers. Are there resources for best practices in this area? E.g. Websites, books, consultancy firms.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 3:38 AM PST - 8 comments

I may be laid off soon -- if so, should I file for unemployment (in New York State) if I already know that I would receive severance that would be higher than the maximum weekly benefit? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:38 AM PST - 3 comments

Several years ago, I saw a student project that designed a new logo/brand identity for a particular city. The design played on that city's distinctive shape, and also incorporated randomness, so that the same concept could be rendered in several slightly different ways. I was trying to describe it to someone recently, and I'd like to find it again. [more inside]
posted by Lirp at 11:14 PM PST - 3 comments

I had another job interview today with a great company and it's for a middle level position. The job itself is a bit different than what I'm currently doing, but I think it's a great experience for me to have as a career. I also think that my skill sets can be transferred into this role. Towards the end of the interview, one of the interviewers said that he's been on the interviewing panel for multiple roles in that company so he just wanted to let me know that if I have any interest in other positions, feel free to browse. He was like "it's not to say that you aren't a good fit and I'm not trying to sway you. But if I was applying for jobs myself, I would appreciate having that information". I thought it was just a weird thing to say. I took it as they probably don't think I'm a good fit for this particular role I'm interviewing for so I should consider something else. Do you agree with this? I haven't sent out a thank you email yet. Wonder if there's anything I can say that would make them believe I'm interested and would be a good fit?
posted by missybitsy at 8:59 PM PST - 22 comments

Please help me find which episode of Bob's Burgers involved Linda trying to make a sort of Youtubey video of the family. From what I remember, she was basing it off a video she watched that had been done by a flawless-seeming, Youtube-vlogger, internet celebrity family, but in trying to reproduce it she ended up flubbing it badly. It wasn't in seasons 1 through 6 and I would guess it was in season 10 or later.
posted by Dr. Send at 8:20 PM PST - 6 comments

I saw it within the last year (probably on MeFi). The only context I remember is that it was a duo who normally make much different music and did this for fun. The main recurring shot is of a man and woman slowly walking (or hovering) toward the camera on a sunny day. He's repeating "I'm a black [something]" in a low monotone. [more inside]
posted by Malaclypse_Fnord at 8:07 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm renting a car tomorrow and driving from Chicago to New Jersey. The Google Maps app says the fastest route has tolls totaling $33.33. I haven't dealt with tolls in ages. I'm assuming we no longer chuck coins into a basket? [more inside]
posted by tzikeh at 7:33 PM PST - 21 comments

I’ll be in NYC with my 5 year old and would love to take them to see a musical or play. But they were terrified of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. Is there anything they would enjoy that’s open this summer? [more inside]
posted by inevitability at 7:07 PM PST - 10 comments

Does anyone know if cottonseed oil differs from a cotton allergy in general? I am allergic to cotton, as in the fabric and things made of cotton, so does that mean I am also allergic to cottonseed oil? My allergist said I should not be allergic to cottonseed oil but said to try and test it at home if I wanted too on my skin lightly. But Cottonseed oil derives from the cotton plant and so does cotton jeans I imagine (which I cannot wear because I will itch).
posted by RearWindow at 5:39 PM PST - 4 comments

I live in a 100-year-old house with an archtop (i.e. round top) front door. I'd like to get the door replaced mainly for security reasons. How do I do this economically? [more inside]
posted by splitpeasoup at 3:56 PM PST - 13 comments

I am trying to pick between two coffee makers, the Technivorm KBT or KBGT, and the OXO Brew 9 cup. If you have or have had one or both of these please give me your opinions. [more inside]
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 3:35 PM PST - 16 comments

Can you recommend places on the net that I can advertise the sale of my app (that is the complete ownership of) for free? [more inside]
posted by popcassady at 3:35 PM PST - 2 comments

Please point me to a link of recently recalled eye drop brands.. [more inside]
posted by ojocaliente at 2:31 PM PST - 3 comments

Blood-pressure-med-taking Mefites! Are you able to take your meds and consume the occasional bit of weed? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad at 1:22 PM PST - 4 comments

Please help me find tiny nightstands that fit my space with drawers. [more inside]
posted by donut_princess at 11:52 AM PST - 15 comments

What it says on the (caviar) tin. I got some fresh whole wild Alaskan smelt yesterday and they were full of roe. I removed, saved, and refrigerated the roe. What do I do with it today to make it especially delicious? Can I cure it with salt or ume vinegar or something? How long do I cure it for? I love masago and tobiko sushi -- has that been prepared or marinated in any way? There's an Asian market near me if some specialty items would help.
posted by cnidaria at 11:18 AM PST - 9 comments

Super quick question for those in the restaurant biz (bonus points for NYC-based): is it common, or was it in previous eras perhaps, to have a TV running in the restaurant kitchen? [more inside]
posted by war wrath of wraith at 10:41 AM PST - 12 comments

New to the world of medical marijuana and trying to help my partner get a prescription for her anxiety. Mostly finding scams when we search online and our PCP doesn't prescribe med cards. How does one find a legit doctor for this? We are located in Arkansas. [more inside]
posted by switcheroo at 9:56 AM PST - 13 comments

What are some children's grossout songs that are not in English? [more inside]
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 8:52 AM PST - 1 comment

CW: The novel in question contains themes of child abuse and murder. What was this novel I read in the last decade? I am 99% sure it is far from obscure and by a famous author and that I'll slap my forehead. This is what I remember though these themes are so common in novels on Google that I can't find it by searching: [more inside]
posted by lesser whistling duck at 6:36 AM PST - 3 comments

I will be in London in May, arriving Sunday morning by red eye. I expect to arrive at Heathrow around 7am and will need to clear customs, etc. I'd love to attend a choral Anglican service when I get into town (time permitting), with some parameters inside. I'll be staying at a hotel on the north side of Hyde Park, and somewhat would prefer to be nearby, but I could go further afield. [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:27 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm reasonably deaf or hard of hearing, which I've come to accept affects the speed and ability I have to learn my second language. I would like to do some 'dedicated practice' of understanding spoken Spanish with background noise or poor quality audio. I'm also interested in anyone else's experiences of learning languages with this restriction. [more inside]
posted by Braeburn at 5:43 AM PST - 2 comments

In a conversation about how much of a revelation it was getting cable and access to Bravo in the mid 90s, when they were still showing deep cut art films, I remembered one of the first movies I saw on the channel. I can't place it and am really curious if it's as good as it was when I was 15! No one knows what I'm talking about. In short, it's a foreign language (German?) film set in the last couple of centuries. It's about a young man from the countryside who is discovered to have an intense innate skill at playing keyboard instruments, specifically pipe organ (possible spoiler inside). [more inside]
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 4:23 AM PST - 2 comments

My new job has provided me an iPhone SE. I've never had a dedicated work mobile before! It won't be getting heavy use - how do I configure it so that I have to think about it as little as possible? [more inside]
posted by Glier's Goetta at 3:33 AM PST - 7 comments

The dive bar that was the default hangout for both English grad students and university IT staff in my college town deliberately had Sister Ray as an option in the jukebox. What's the weirdest or most unusual songs you've seen in a jukebox? (Qualifier - curated selections, not the ones that are the equivalent of Spotify that have millions of tracks available.) [more inside]
posted by Candleman at 1:17 AM PST - 27 comments

I work as a substitute teacher via a few teaching agencies. There is one consultant/agency which gets me the most work. However, her texts (not emails as they are monitored) are more often than not rude and bullying. Other than leave the agency and refuse to work for her, what on earth can I do. How do I deal with her? [more inside]
posted by charlen at 11:50 PM PST - 22 comments

I am about to be a full-time parent to a wonderful, but troubled teenager and I'm overwhelmed. Please give me all the wisdom you have around raising troubled teenagers. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 10:04 PM PST - 21 comments

What's the trick to painting a high stairwell, besides "pay a professional"? Will one of those segmented ladders on a small platform allow me to reach the high parts? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 6:42 PM PST - 14 comments

I watched this once at 3 am, and my Google-fu is failing me, details below the fold [more inside]
posted by yueliang at 6:12 PM PST - 17 comments

On my list of potential shows to binge are several that lasted 3 or fewer seasons, and I’d love to hear firsthand opinions from anyone who’s watched them: Despite their early cancellation, do they feel like they have enough of a resolution to make for a satisfying viewing experience? Or... well, let’s just say I’ve never really gotten over Carnivàle? [more inside]
posted by staggernation at 5:53 PM PST - 20 comments

I saw the parade gathering at 5th and McKean around noon, then saw them go up 9th around 1. It was NOT the Mummers, but there were a lot of somewhat similar costumes, was organized into groups marching together, and a festive mobile street party atmosphere. Seemed either Mexican and/or central American. [more inside]
posted by sepviva at 5:05 PM PST - 11 comments

My college philosophy textbook* contained a quote from Mission: Impossible (the TV series, not the movies): "The world's a failure, you know. Someone, somewhere, made a terrible mistake." Anyone know what episode it's from? Or do I have to watch it from beginning to end? [more inside]
posted by goatdog at 4:02 PM PST - 5 comments

A friend and I will be visiting Marseille for several days in the Fall. While our French is rudimentary, we'd both like to experience a show of some kind. So I'm hoping for recommendations for a show or cabaret or other venue that might be fun for non-speakers. [more inside]
posted by Short Attention Sp at 3:25 PM PST - 0 comments

Inspired by Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Dune, I re-read all six of the original novels, which I loved as a teenager, and loved even more this time around. I started reading Hunters of Dune, written by Brian Herbert (son of Frank) and Kevin J. Anderson. And... it's awful. Should I continue? [more inside]
posted by number9dream at 2:13 PM PST - 19 comments

My son is finishing up three years of graphic and web design education in Ontario, Canada. He has met the love of his life here who, unfortunately, must return to the UK (long story). He wants to emigrate to join her. He can fulfill all the other requirements -- notably, he has a grandparent born in England. And he has done all the paperwork, except for actually applying for residency and a work permit. He must also have a job offer. [more inside]
posted by feelinggood at 2:12 PM PST - 9 comments

The chords are G, with the bottom G on the E-string, going up to G# on that same string, and forming a diminisned chord. I can do it but not quickly enough for the song. I'm looking for the best fingering for this progression.
posted by DMelanogaster at 11:39 AM PST - 3 comments

Later this year I'm going to be working on a research ship for two months doing 12 hour+ shifts without weekends. I will be making lots of decisions and responsible for a lot of people, although I also find the work interesting and exciting. I've worked offshore before, but not for so long, and I'd like recommendations from others who have done similar work on coping strategies and building up some inner peace to retreat to for when I am away (probably around Sept/Oct). [more inside]
posted by sedimentary_deer at 11:38 AM PST - 13 comments

I keep seeing chatbots that are based on ChatGPT but trained on a specific corpus to converse as if they are a specific fictional character etc. How? [more inside]
posted by Jacqueline at 11:29 AM PST - 6 comments

My Apple II finally showed up after 40 years(!) of wanting one, but it's missing something I'd assumed nearly all of them had. Is there seriously no real contemporary replacement for the Super Serial Card for the Apple II? There's a retrocomputing revival going on, here, people. I want to get this thing hooked up so I can write some disk images. [more inside]
posted by majick at 10:28 AM PST - 9 comments

I think this is from a SF short story. The conceit is that a bunch of aliens or robots sit around talking about how horrifying humans are. Like they reproduce exponentially, if you don't watch out and let them settle your entire planet will be infested soon, how they can heal in record time, hold a grudge forever etc. Maybe in the end humans bust the meeting and murder all the aliens/robots? Could be that it was from Stanislaw Lems "Fables for robots"
posted by SweetLiesOfBokonon at 10:04 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm on a Lord of the Rings kick again, as happens to me on about a five-year cycle. I've been reading a lot of brief articles with fun anecdotes from the making of the movies (David Bowie read for Elrond? Viggo Mortensen faxed Peter Jackson 10 pages of handwritten notes every night?) but it will never be enough!! What else can I put into my human body to sate my desire for more Lord of the Rings? [more inside]
posted by goodbyewaffles at 9:50 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm playing in a one-shot roleplaying game this weekend, and every character is a musician in a band. I'm having a hard time building my character. Please help me find a recognizable, comical musician persona, including speech mannerisms, that I can adopt for the game. [more inside]
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:30 AM PST - 17 comments

Travelling to Nice for work mid-June and spending three days/nights in the area solo before coming home. Please let me know what you think about my itinerary below, or tell me to forget it and try something totally different instead! Other than starting from Nice and getting back to the airport there in time to catch my flight home, it's all to play for. [more inside]
posted by cilantro at 6:48 AM PST - 5 comments

Please recommend me some games for android. I enjoy games with simple interfaces, mid-level strategy or planning, and some randomness and dynamysm. I am looking for some new games to add to my collection of go-to games. [more inside]
posted by rebent at 6:20 AM PST - 12 comments

My daughter will be 7 soon. She loves to draw and paint. For her birthday, we're thinking of gifting her one of those Ikea Raskog carts stocked with nice drawing/painting supplies. What should a 7-year old who is serious about drawing and painting have? [more inside]
posted by piranna at 6:12 AM PST - 23 comments

I am working in Barcelona in the second week of May. I'm doing field work in the mornings, and then have the afternoons and evenings to myself, which of course I am really looking forward to. I'm looking for good take away food options. [more inside]
posted by sarahdal at 3:29 AM PST - 4 comments

I am a remote worker currently living in Japan. On Tuesday night I wound up in the ER in extreme pain with what turned out to be a 5mm kidney stone. My understanding is that I should pass the stone in ~8-12 days, and doing so could be incapacitating. 12 days from last Tues is Sun 30th - the day I have to check out of my airbnb: how do I plan around the possibility of not being able to travel when I have to travel? [more inside]
posted by my log does not judge at 1:13 AM PST - 9 comments

Is there a way to realistically achieve a full fridge as a single person who tends to have limited time & energy to do a lot of cooking? Bonus: am in Australia. [more inside]
posted by creatrixtiara at 11:47 PM PST - 15 comments

I would like to buy a Specific Widget business that is for sale. I have the skills to run the Widget Business, but don’t know about buying Widget Businesses, or any businesses. Please explain the steps to buying a business, including getting a loan, how to figure out how if I can even afford to buy the widget business, and so on. I welcome reputable links (I’ve found lots of ads and “enter all your info and then we’ll try to sell you things” sorts of websites in my googling) and simple explanations; I am good at widgets, less good at banking and bureaucracy. Please give me step by step process from step one to closing. Thank you!
posted by anonymous at 10:54 PM PST - 4 comments

2005-2008-ish 3D game (bright somewhat cartoony and stylized) on Xbox/Xbox360 (maybe PC?) about building bases being overrun by zombie-like things? Something to do with a day/night cycle, perhaps? When Sunset Overdrive came out I thought that was it, and took a long time, but that was not even close to the game. 2017, Fortnite rolls out with a Survival mode in addition to the more famous Battle Royale, that doesn't look right. [more inside]
posted by symbioid at 9:29 PM PST - 6 comments

I am helping to run a non-profit theatre school. I am a volunteer Board member but for now also volunteering as the general manager. We hire about a half a dozen part-time facilitators to teach our courses. They are lovely people and we pay them above average rates (hourly basis) but... [more inside]
posted by storybored at 9:14 PM PST - 7 comments

Some of my favorite podcasts share a similar format, for at least some episodes: The host, whose podcast is all about a particular broad topic in the humanities, interviews academics about their writing or research in sub-specialties and niches of the main topic. I'd love recommendations for podcasts with that format, or that scratch the same kind of itch. [more inside]
posted by Tomorrowful at 8:46 PM PST - 16 comments

Please tell me all about the time you got holes in your bedsheets. [more inside]
posted by Crystal Fox at 6:25 PM PST - 21 comments

Please recommend a laptop, that can be purchased in Canada, ideally online [more inside]
posted by walkinginsunshine at 4:38 PM PST - 8 comments

Was thinking of Maps today and wondering what are some other songs that have only, or mostly-only, a very iconic drum opening? [more inside]
posted by curious nu at 4:02 PM PST - 79 comments

I have an interview with an insurance company next week in the U.K for an FP&A and Treasury Management Assistant role. I was wondering if anyone who works in those areas might be able to expand on what you do, whether you enjoy it and where you think it could potentially take me? [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 3:29 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm spearheading a three-day bachelor party for a dear old friend, with a guest list of 15-20 folks total, and it's not something I've done before. My biggest blind spot here is logistics: I'm local to Portland and have plenty of go-to spots, but it's enough people that my usual small-group planning experiences don't feel sufficient. How can I best make this work seamlessly for a dozen and a half people who don't know my home town? [more inside]
posted by cortex at 3:07 PM PST - 4 comments

I extended a work trip to Austin next week by two days, but I waited too long to book a hostel, and now everything looks like it's going to be several hundred dollars a night. Is there anywhere I can stay more cheaply? [more inside]
posted by wym at 2:00 PM PST - 4 comments

I started a new job three months ago and it's not what I was hoping for, so I'm planning my exit. They've recently changed the terms of my employment (bonus eligibility) and I'm wondering if that means I can avoid paying back my signing bonus when I leave. More inside. [more inside]
posted by matt_od at 11:40 AM PST - 19 comments

My techie brother-in-law passed away and left a house full of mostly junk, but I found a PC I didn't recognize and it turned out to be an SGI Octane workstation. I found one going for $600 on eBay, so I'd like to get a little money out of it. [more inside]
posted by caviar2d2 at 10:09 AM PST - 9 comments

How fast did fashion spread in, say, medieval times, or Tudor times? Would people living in remote areas perhaps wearing be clothes that were 100 years or more out of fashion? Or would fashions evolve at similar speeds to today?
posted by iamsuper at 9:53 AM PST - 12 comments

Before dvd.com closes at the end of September, I would like to gather a complete list of their available dvds. Does anyone know if such a thing already exists? If not, do you have any suggestions about how to go about compiling it? Thanks!
posted by metadave at 9:34 AM PST - 4 comments

Which is the better transfer point from the RER B to the Métro Line 4: Châtelet-Les Halles to Les Halles, or Saint-Michel Notre-Dame to Saint-Michel? [more inside]
posted by macdara at 9:00 AM PST - 13 comments

I’m using the Libby app to listen to audiobooks and having problems getting the books to play. When I click play on one in particular, it says there’s a problem with my internet and it can’t play. But the other book plays fine. [more inside]
posted by dianeF at 8:47 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm working on an article about Willie Nelson's film work. He did some of his most notable film work with Bill Wittliff, who later wrote Lonesome Dove, but I can't find a reliable explanation of how they met. How did Willie Nelson meet Bill Wittliff?
posted by pxe2000 at 8:41 AM PST - 2 comments

Moms, what is one of your favorite craft type gifts you've gotten from your preschoolers/younger school agers? [more inside]
posted by kathrynm at 8:31 AM PST - 18 comments

I recently got a new pixel and did all the data transfer from my old pixel. But realized the contacts and text messages were not transferred. Is it possible to transfer these after the setup? Thanks.
posted by SunPower at 4:29 AM PST - 3 comments

I am looking for some small-medium (2-3' x 2-5') floor mats or rugs that combine cool well-printed images (e.g. galaxy/nebulae, forest, rainbow prints that aren't badly stretched/pixelated), with always staying in place and never bunching up/getting kicked out of place (e.g. rubber, low pile, maybe heavy weight and/or beveled edge). Many promising options, on checking user reviews/photos, actually are soft fabric with ineffective barely gripping thin backing (or no reviews but too similar to those with bad reviews). [more inside]
posted by rollcredits at 3:58 AM PST - 4 comments

As above. Re 24-48 hours, 72 hours, etc. For a mild concussion.
posted by cotton dress sock at 12:06 AM PST - 18 comments

Is there a better way to let a boss know you're quitting than "Hey, can we have a quick meeting?" I'm guessing no, but if I'm wrong, I'd like to know. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:00 PM PST - 16 comments

Hearing aids are already a pain in the ass and ear, why do they have to be so hard to pair with my phone? [more inside]
posted by woman at 10:55 PM PST - 3 comments

Teen wants invite friends to watch a very scary movie and then go for a walk in the woods in the dark. Ages 16-ish. I don't want something super gory or torture-y or rapey. Nonetheless, 'as scary as possible ' has been requested. Ideally scary in such a way as to make the woods walk extra creepy, I presume. Blair Witch Project has been rejected as having already been seen. What should they watch?
posted by Ausamor at 7:18 PM PST - 23 comments

New bass! I have played guitar some and am not an abject beginner but I don't have the very most skills. The things I've been playing along with bass-forward youtube videos of are "Psycho Killer" and "Sunday Girl." The theme need not all be CBGB but sort of arty/indie is good and maybe not much after 2000 because I'm old. Suggestions?
posted by less-of-course at 5:04 PM PST - 34 comments

It's been 17 years since the book "Omnivore's Dilemma" has been published. What is the more recently published modern version of the book? Non-fiction, up-to-date with the latest on the food industry + agricultural science + organic/permaculture/small-farm/urban farming + cultural consumption trends/ethics. [more inside]
posted by ellerhodes at 4:48 PM PST - 5 comments

I am dating someone who can’t eat gluten, lactose, or many other foods including dietary migraine triggers. I am also useless in the kitchen, very easily overwhelmed by cooking and meal planning, and can only cook from clear written recipes (I can’t improvise or imagine what would work well together). How can I find things to cook for my new person without completely stressing out about it? [more inside]
posted by d288478 at 3:49 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm trying to remember a scene in a show or movie (or maaaaaybe a book), but my memories are so vague that I will be genuinely impressed if someone can pinpoint it for me. Are you up for the challenge, AskMe??? [more inside]
posted by praemunire at 3:46 PM PST - 3 comments

Lately, I've been thinking about how genius is recognized and celebrated. We often elevate a small group of artists every generation as geniuses and then ignore or downplay the art made by every other artist, but it seems that great art is made by all kinds of people, not just the canon of 'great artists'. I'd like to read more on this topic - can anyone recommend any particular thinkers, especially recent ones - like from critical theorists or later?
posted by clockworkjoe at 3:38 PM PST - 11 comments

Twice now, someone has opened a bank account using my SSN and email address at a bank I'll call "Financial Institution of the United States." There are several highly suspicious aspects of this that I'll list below the fold, but in short, could this be someone within the institution? [more inside]
posted by Preserver at 2:14 PM PST - 8 comments

I am in my fifties and live in a desert. My feet resemble the hooves of a rhinoceros. I'm talking calluses that sprout overnight, popcorn keratosis, and toenails that turn black at the quietest, whispered suggestion. What are your top secret home pedicure tips? [more inside]
posted by mecran01 at 1:40 PM PST - 20 comments

Right now, we don't have anything "smart" in our home but I am looking into getting one of these newfangled thingys and man there are a lot more options than I thought! [more inside]
posted by massofintuition at 1:20 PM PST - 4 comments

I offered to help a friend build their resume. Now I realize I actually need help. [more inside]
posted by pdb at 11:18 AM PST - 8 comments

Trying to track down a song that is probably from the last 10 years. Indie-sounding band, low-fi, chorus goes: "It hurts/ to touch / what you love/ so much" and repeats that line a few times. I thought the band might have "Men" in the name but it is not: Mannequin Men, Walkmen, or Dead Milkmen as far as I can tell. TIA! I have had this tiny snippet of it in my head for two days and I don't know if it'll go away until I get to listen all the way through!
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:49 AM PST - 5 comments

hi! I'm looking for tips on plants that will go in 4 hanging baskets outside, on a wall, in a shady area. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 10:45 AM PST - 7 comments

Going to Barcelona (yay!). Help me pre-game with novels, poetry, TV, movies, pop music, whatever in Catalan (in translation/subtitled). [more inside]
posted by latkes at 9:59 AM PST - 6 comments

Help me help a teen with sensory processing issues who needs to share a room. They can't fall asleep with noise and can't tolerate earplugs. [more inside]
posted by BlueBlueElectricBlue at 9:23 AM PST - 11 comments

How can I stop grass from growing in DG/Decomposed Granite? [more inside]
posted by ljs30 at 9:23 AM PST - 7 comments

If a strange internet technician had to fix wiring in your foster cat's only safe space in the house, and if as a result you noticed your bed sheets smelled like cat pee the next morning, and if you were out of vinegar and had no enzyme cleaner on hand, is there a chance, hypothetically, that laundering them with regular detergent would remove the problem? [more inside]
posted by amtho at 9:18 AM PST - 9 comments

I have some fifteen to twenty year-old hard anodized pans. They are showing wear inside. Can I give them away or should I toss them? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 7:30 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm looking for resources in Indiana to support a family who are in an escalating situation with Child Protective Services not because they're bad parents, but simply because they're poor. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:06 AM PST - 11 comments

I would like to receive an email (or similar) notification when various authors I like release a new book. I do not want to join each author’s mailing list because I don’t want notifications of book tours, multiple emails about the same book, or other marketing stuff from them. As an example, I have a StoryGraph account and I would love it if there was a way to follow an author there and get notifications when a new book was released.
posted by unus sum at 9:49 PM PST - 7 comments

does the "package protection" or "shipping insurance" commonly being added to orders by e-commerce websites have value or is it something akin to a scam? [more inside]
posted by glonous keming at 8:03 PM PST - 12 comments

Looking for grilled chicken recipes that are approprate for a skin on half chicken that do NOT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING to make them perfect amazing and good: slow cooking, smoking, regular saucing or basting throughout the cook process, or a certain kind of grill/woodchip flavor etc. Recipe links or "I kinda do this it's its AMAZING" are all fine! Brining and marinading ahead of time are totally okay! Time & temp instructions will be ignored, I already know how I need to cook these birds, I just want THE BEST FLAVORS!
posted by Grandysaur at 7:25 PM PST - 21 comments

I have several PDFs that have hundreds of pages. I need to split the PDF based on some text near the top of each page. Let's say it's a store number. Maybe Store #1 spans 3 pages, but Store #2 spans 8 pages. When the store number changes, I need to start a new PDF. [more inside]
posted by allison00 at 6:33 PM PST - 5 comments

Are there any novels that deal with both Muslim and Jewish issues? Particularly genre fiction a la The Golem and the Jinni.
posted by lewedswiver at 4:06 PM PST - 8 comments

What are your recommendations for resources, books, graphs, charts, etc for teaching math concepts to neurodivergent learners? Assume we're looking for three age ranges: 4-6, 7-9, 10+. Thanks!
posted by Meagan at 3:46 PM PST - 3 comments

I know I know, American culture is OBVIOUSLY more confrontational, in a public culture wars, mass shooting, armed insurrection kind of way. But in an interpersonal, therapy, advice column kind of way....have things changed since the 70s and 80s? [more inside]
posted by Jenny'sCricket at 3:33 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm learning how to format the print edition of a book manuscript by helping a friend with their own. Page numbers aren't working the way they should, but online sources have not been helpful enough to resolve the problem. Can anyone point to or provide a surefire "adding page numbers in Microsoft Word" troubleshooting checklist I can go through, one by one, to help me uncover the cause of this issue? (Details under the fold.) [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 2:54 PM PST - 6 comments

People who know DC, please help. Per my earlier question, Kid BlahLaLa has a summer internship on Capitol Hill in the office of a congressperson. He will be acquiring two suits, likely dark blue and charcoal. Please recommend a pair of shoes, and also a work bag. You've told me he needs a small umbrella. Anything else? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:30 PM PST - 25 comments

In mid-May, we'll be driving from essentially Minneapolis to Denver, with four or maybe five days to get there. By my calculations, that leaves time for visiting/exploring along the way even if we don't drive more than about eight hours a day. So where should we go, what should we do? [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 1:38 PM PST - 5 comments

Help me find a backpack, with some particular needs. [more inside]
posted by saladin at 12:54 PM PST - 14 comments

Prefacing with - looking for NON-Christian movies. What are some excellent and spiritual movies that take the viewer on a journey with the main character, through their trials, sufferings, hopelessness, only to find faith in a higher power and from that gains insight, hope and forgiveness? Thank you!
posted by watercarrier at 12:53 PM PST - 23 comments

I've been getting increasingly bad heartburn and I need some help with recipes and meals that won't seek revenge on me at night. [more inside]
posted by Dynex at 11:51 AM PST - 15 comments

Windows 11 on a Lenovo laptop - What settings should I be changing that will allow me to run a program, downloaded from Turbotax? I'm sure it is not a harmful program - purchased directly from the Turbotax website, and I desperately need to open it for tax reasons! [more inside]
posted by typewriter at 11:00 AM PST - 3 comments

Apparently my extreme shoulder / arm pain is from two herniated disks in my neck, C4-C5 and C5-C6. Don’t know how I injured it. YANMD. I have to be especially careful how I treat it bc I also have severe fibromyalgia and could easily trigger a bad flare if I stretched wrong; am on the fence about PT but will definitely do acupuncture. If anyone here has been doomed enough for this combo, I’d love to hear what fibro-safe treatments helped.
posted by mermaidcafe at 10:38 AM PST - 12 comments

Should my older relative update a 7 year old Dell Inspirion laptop that is running slowly or just purchase a new one? [more inside]
posted by fies at 9:14 AM PST - 12 comments

I've written a short story which I would like to adapt into an audio drama script. But I've never written an audio drama script, so I'm interested in listening to examples of good audio/podcast drama so I can start learning what works. What are your audio drama recommendations? As a bonus question, I'd also like to hear about any 'how to write an audio drama script' resources you may know about, whether that's a book or a website or a podcast. [more inside]
posted by damsel with a dulcimer at 8:37 AM PST - 7 comments

Can someone please help me identify the composer, year, and any other details for a piece of Italian music, entitled "La Dolce Vita 1" on "Italian Classical Favorites" by 5 Alarm Music? You can hear a preview of the piece I'm asking about here. [more inside]
posted by fenwaydirtdog at 6:32 AM PST - 5 comments

After a visit from a lactose-intolerant guest, I'm left with a liter of oat milk in my fridge. Personally I'm very much a dairy fan, so using it instead of milk in my coffee or something feels like a chore, and most recipes I find are of the "I can't believe it's not cow milk" variety. What can I do with oat milk that'll make it add value rather than be a middling dairy substitute?
posted by I claim sanctuary at 6:18 AM PST - 19 comments

A recent feline death has my wife and I sad, reeling, and looking to replace the loss with a new kitty. We’re strictly adoption-from-the-local-shelter people, and have the good fortune of having a nearby shelter with both adult cats and kittens on offer. As territorial as our two remaining cats are, we’re thinking maybe a kitten would be better received than a full-grown adult, but wanted to check in here to see if anyone can (dis)confirm this assumption. Thanks.
posted by BadgerDoctor at 12:56 AM PST - 14 comments

I need a bullet blender that is well and truly dishwasher safe. As in, the blade attachment and cups need to be able to withstand a high temp sanitize cycle in my dishwasher. Please only recommend a blender you have experience with, I don’t really trust what manufacturers have to say about this matter. If I could buy a starbucks blender that goes through the sanitizer every day, I would. Alas, I am struggling to find a consumer product that will hold up. (I am willing to compromise on the bullet style if you can vouch 100% for a full size that is completely dishwasher on sanitize heat setting safe.)
posted by Bottlecap at 9:37 PM PST - 7 comments

I've noticed this logo occasionally. Using Miata's as a starting point, imagine that Miata seagull-swoosh rotated 90° and overlying an ellipse, like the Hyundai logo, or Toyota's. So now it resembles a capital "R", maybe? What kind of car?
posted by Rash at 9:05 PM PST - 7 comments

I've been blocked from using my Oculus VR system and my Meta account for over three weeks because the related Facebook account is locked. I've submitted my id but Facebook won't accept it as it doesn't match. Now what? Their forced arbitration? [more inside]
posted by zenon at 7:45 PM PST - 4 comments

I bought this "universal" gear shift knob to use in my 2007 Mazda3. It's not universal. My calipers say the Mazda's outer screw thread diameter =~ 9.58 mm. I can't measure the new knob. Will this part or this part work with the new knob? (I do not want to buy a set of six adapters in hopes one fits.)
posted by amtho at 7:02 PM PST - 3 comments

My husband and I recently put together overnight oat jars and vegetarian chili and it was a really nice way to spend time together without screens and encouraged healthier scavenging for food than we've been managing lately. Looking for more ideas and recipes, details within. [more inside]
posted by Eyelash at 5:46 PM PST - 16 comments

Is this job offer legit? I have been looking for a PT side gig and applied to an ad on Indeed. Today I got an email from someone on Upwork offering me what seems to be the same job and “please set up your account.” Is this how it works now? Or am I being scammed?
posted by HotToddy at 4:13 PM PST - 8 comments

Why won't my projector play a very particular file from a streaming site? [more inside]
posted by miles1972 at 3:23 PM PST - 2 comments

Suppose I was a salaried employee of a company, now on unemployment. Now I'm doing 1099 work as a freelancer and don't intend to return to salaried work. However, I'm still only earning a small fraction of what did before. Two questions inside! [more inside]
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 2:16 PM PST - 2 comments

I’m looking to get into some sort of freelancing or side hustle to bring in a little more money. I’ve been a successful software developer for several years, but I don’t have any personal projects to advertise myself with. I’ve also done editing/proofreading in the past. I don’t really have any other marketable skills, and I don’t have a driver’s license. What should I look into? [more inside]
posted by vanitas at 2:07 PM PST - 5 comments

I was going to stay with a freind overnight on my way to a conference, breeak up the driving. Then I think I remember her saying her brother, who lives with her, is not vaccinated. [more inside]
posted by Rumi'sLeftSock at 1:09 PM PST - 20 comments

The second picture in the below site shows the problem and assures me that I am not alone. Unfortunately, neither of his workarounds work. https://www.homebrewaudio.com/154/is-your-audacity-recording-too-quiet/ [more inside]
posted by BWA at 12:51 PM PST - 18 comments

We have about ten days in Greece in early June. The first half or so of that will be in Athens but I keep seeing people say that Athens isn't exactly a place that it's fun to just exist in for a little while and that the beaches aren't great. So where can we go that's close/cheap to get to that's more idyllic? [more inside]
posted by cmoj at 10:02 AM PST - 16 comments

Help me eat noodles in Manhattan today. [more inside]
posted by saladin at 9:09 AM PST - 19 comments

YANMD. TINMA. My son missed a week of school with a viral infection. We ruled out COVID and did a virtual visit. The doctor didn't seem to think symptoms warranted further testing. Son's fever got pretty high and he was very tired. Now I'm sick, and as an immunocompromised person I'm also scared this could be adenovirus and don't know what to do. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 8:38 AM PST - 13 comments

A team of 3 (possibly expanding); locked into Microsoft Oulook needs to be able to share their contact info on their mobile devices (android). Shared Microsoft contacts on PC seems clumsy but no problem. How do you share all contacts on mobile phones /tablets for a Team in field to have contact info readily available as and when needed.
posted by adamvasco at 6:50 AM PST - 6 comments

On a recent scouting trip, my Ray Ban RB3183s met their demise at the feet of a stampede of cubs. I'm in the market for a replacement pair, and I'm curious if anyone can recommend similar frames with polarized lenses that aren't almost $200.
posted by bfranklin at 5:59 AM PST - 9 comments

I want to know about events that happen locally to you that are a) reasonably "big" and also b) don't attract a lot of out of town tourists. [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot at 5:48 AM PST - 40 comments

I am a senior level designer up for a role at a big company I am very qualified to work for. My portfolio presentation is at 3:30pm, and due to a series of stupid events said presentation is not done, I am slightly ill, and my current coworkers are hounding me for deliverables. Is it too late to ask the recruiter to reschedule? [more inside]
posted by The Adventure Begins at 5:09 AM PST - 12 comments

I am traveling to a conference in EU Country #1 this summer and then meeting up with family in EU Country #2 for a week's vacation. Family generously bought my ticket between Country 1 and 2 ... but it's on Ryanair and my carryon dimension doesn't meet their limits (55cm x 40 cm x 20 cm). Where can I get a Ryanair-friendly carryon in the US or online? [more inside]
posted by basalganglia at 4:09 AM PST - 13 comments

I have a friend of many years who is wonderful in many ways but lately has been extremely challenging. [more inside]
posted by treetop89 at 9:34 PM PST - 16 comments

We are currently having what you might call a "family discussion" about washing dishes, whose turn it is to load/empty the dishwasher, and I started wondering what my fellow MeFites make for themselves when they are hungry but wish to add as little as possible to the pile of dirty dishes in the sink. [more inside]
posted by Vatnesine at 8:31 PM PST - 21 comments

My father and I are big fans of Janwillem van de Wetering's Amsterdam Detective series, particularly of the relationships between the three leads and the zen-like way that the stories unfold. Wondering if anyone knows of a similar book or set of books out there.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 7:48 PM PST - 2 comments

I've been working at my company for the last 2 years. Even though it's a challenging work environment, I have acclimated very well. I even got a promotion last year and I love my coworkers. However, the company seems to be not doing well financially and there's a good possibility that I'm on a sinking ship with more downs than ups. Recently they had two rounds of layoff so I'm getting worried for myself due to the potential layoff and the lack of growth opportunity in the future. Due to the nature of my role, I know I'm safe at least for the next couple of years, maybe longer if the company turns things around and gets more business. Recently my boss could sense that I might start looking so she assured me that I'm safe and if I stay, there's a chance of a future promotion if we get a new client. [more inside]
posted by missybitsy at 7:05 PM PST - 12 comments

My doctor ordered an endoscopy and colonoscopy due to my anemia, and I did the procedures today. After awakening from sedation, I was told by the doctor that they found a mass in my colon and that it was very highly likely colon cancer. I was given a CT scan right away. After I left and arrived home, I got a very vague email from the doctor who performed today saying I did NOT have ischemia, whatever that is, and I didn't need to be hospitalized. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 6:42 PM PST - 24 comments

Can you identify this flying bug? Small, about 2-3 mm. Bigger than a fruit fly/gnat, but smaller than a house fly. Usually seen sitting on walls around the house, not actively flying. Seems to appear in the spring and summer. Also, how can I get rid of them from my house?
posted by roaring beast at 6:40 PM PST - 3 comments

I saved two hard drives from my old computer (which died suddenly - probably graphics card) thinking I might get a hard drive reader so I could look through them. It will be fine if not because most of the stuff I wanted was on a thumb drive. But I wouldn't mind checking to see if there is anything I want there if it's not too much trouble. [more inside]
posted by Glinn at 4:13 PM PST - 4 comments

I’ve got around 100-200 CDs stored in my basement and I’m trying to figure out what to do wi try them. How much would I get for them, on average, at a record shop these days? Is there a better, faster way to get them out of my house and make even a bit of cash? [more inside]
posted by rbf1138 at 3:52 PM PST - 18 comments

At some point in my life, I saw a movie or TV show in which a bumbling duo (I think) are talking to a cop (I think) and they inadvertently admit to doing some crimes. The cop responds something like "[blank] and [blank] are both serious crimes, and you've just admitted to both of them." To which one of the bumblers replies "I didn't mean to!" It was probably something that showed on repeat on a movie channel in the 1980s or 1990s, but who knows. Any ideas?
posted by goatdog at 3:16 PM PST - 4 comments

I was asked what made her say "I had my car stolen", since she never paid anyone to steal her car., and that she never asked anyone as a favor to steal her car. She said "What made me say what I didn't mean to say just when t comes to my car?" I said, "I don't know, but is a car the only thing you say what you don't mean about? [more inside]
posted by amfgf at 2:55 PM PST - 19 comments

I'm trying to come up with a short, catchy name for an ecommerce site/brand and need some creative inspiration. Intentionally Vague Business Concept: The site will sell sensory items for adults in a wide variety of product categories. Not just fidget toys and weighted blankets, but things that appeal to all senses, for neurodivergent and neurotypical adults alike. Wishlist for naming parameters under the fold. [more inside]
posted by a.steele at 2:35 PM PST - 20 comments

I'm a sucker for songs that feature descending runs at some point in the accompaniment, usually the guitar parts. Some examples inside, but what are some other examples that feature these types of runs? [more inside]
posted by TwoWordReview at 2:23 PM PST - 10 comments

For reasons of cost, convenience, and access, I have been using Netflix's DVD service to get the vast majority of films for my movie blog. But I've just learned that come the end of September, Netflix is ending the DVD program. Please help me replace it! (And please, PLEASE read my conditions inside....) [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:08 PM PST - 19 comments

Over the next few months I am shepherding an extremely anxious and avoidant person through a lot of hard, shitty processes. Throughout this I will need to be telling them hard, sad truths, and despite that I'm going to need them to keep engaging in the process. (Not their strongest suit.) What's my best game here? [more inside]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 12:45 PM PST - 20 comments

My 4-year-old nibling will be having major surgery followed by chemo. What are some good gifts and activities as they heal up? [more inside]
posted by Bambiraptor at 12:15 PM PST - 11 comments

How did you become more flexible, say especially in the hamstrings and lower back, but without a specific yoga practice? [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 11:52 AM PST - 15 comments

My 17 year old cat has been peeing outside the litter box on and off for a few months now. Multiple vet visits have mostly ruled out any obvious health issues. Nothing in her life has changed and she doesn't seem any more anxious than usual. I'm at a loss. Obviously YANMVeterinarian, but do you have any ideas or advice? [more inside]
posted by Shal at 11:27 AM PST - 10 comments

I'd like to begin doing yoga every day. I have a yoga mat, and a book entitled The Yoga Bible, which contains a bewildering number of illustrated yoga poses, and now what I need is a set of seven daily routines that would take 20-30 minutes each, involve a variety of poses, are suitable for a beginner, and that I can cycle through every week, ideally in a format I can print out. Can anyone point me to something like that?
posted by orange swan at 11:22 AM PST - 8 comments

Hi, I seem to have backed myself into a corner when editing with Adobe Premiere Pro. Can you help me undo my mistake? [more inside]
posted by Rhomboid at 10:53 AM PST - 3 comments

I know mefi has a great community of experienced musical theater folks. I'm a jazz singer dipping my toe into musical theater in a community class - please help me stage my song for our showcase! [more inside]
posted by snowymorninblues at 10:30 AM PST - 7 comments

I want to set up an IRA account (for the first time ever) and contribute for 2022. I realize today is the last day to do so. I tried with Aspiration and with my credit union and it seems like both are too late. Is it still possible to do so online today? If so, where could I apply through? Bonus points for socially and ecologically responsible investing and for simplicity and ease but I realize this is last minute and so I'll take what I can get.
posted by overglow at 10:21 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking for a Chicago newspaper story on Lincoln's Gettysburg address in either 1946 or 1947. [more inside]
posted by clavdivs at 9:58 AM PST - 5 comments

I've read lots of stuff that's like "If you have forward head posture, and your spine and pelvis do such-and-such, you'll be in lots of pain. To feel better, you need to do these exercises and permanently change your posture." But I never talk to anyone who's like "Oh, yeah, I did that stuff and now I sit and stand totally differently and I feel great." How many people actually succeed in making those life changes, and how much work do they put in? [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone at 9:40 AM PST - 16 comments

Probably a very U.S specific question: I regularly see this phrase when people say things like, "I wanted a doctor who looked like me". This phrase "x who looks like me" seems to be used by ordinary people and reporters and others talking about Black communities mostly. Is this a new phrase? Has this always been used and I just haven't noticed it before? [more inside]
posted by spockaway at 8:52 AM PST - 14 comments

Can you suggest some simple cocktail recipes with chartreuse liqueur?
posted by SunPower at 8:11 AM PST - 14 comments

I haven't used Facebook for many years, but I wanted something on Marketplace that a friend sent me a link to. I signed up for a new account using my long-time phone number. It texted me a code to use. I used it. And found myself logged into some Chinese person's account with friends and a feed and everything. I logged out, created a new account with the same number, and now I seem to have a fresh new account and still have access to the Chinese account. What's going on here? [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 7:24 AM PST - 6 comments

I have an elderly relative with mobility and vision limitations, but their cognition is fine. I'm looking for ideas to help improve their QoL, more details under the fold. [more inside]
posted by kanuck at 5:14 AM PST - 14 comments

I've never been particularly drawn to travel, but lately I have been. Unfortunately international travel is outside my skill set. I have been all over the US and am used to highways and airports and hotels and finding restaurants and being a stranger and all that, but navigating a destination where even the alphabet is different intimidates me. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:02 AM PST - 37 comments

I'm trying to rig up a solar powered pond pump for a small pond we have in our backyard. The pump I'm planning to use runs on 24V DC. Currently, I have an 18V solar panel. What else do I need to make this work? [more inside]
posted by destrius at 3:32 AM PST - 8 comments

Where should I go for my 40th birthday trip in September? I have 2 weeks in late September to do something celebratory. Where should I go? (stipulations and first-world problems inside) [more inside]
posted by genmonster at 1:15 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for books, articles, journals, or other sources that have relatively short (500-2000 word) articles/chapters focused on notable people who are women and/or Black, Hispanic, indigenous or from areas of the world that don't get much coverage in mainstream Western news outlets (think Africa, South America, etc.). The target audience is first-year college students. [more inside]
posted by matkline at 8:05 PM PST - 9 comments

In November I gathered a huge amount of fallen, frozen rowan (AKA mountain ash) berries thinking I might make jelly from a yet-untried fruit. As many Alaskans do, I put them in my large freezer - the front porch. Fast forward to April. After some freeze-thaw cycles, I still haven't made jelly. The berries - stored in plastic - are mushy, but don't smell "off." Meanwhile the Bohemian waxwings are acting hungry. [more inside]
posted by wjm at 8:05 PM PST - 4 comments

Due to my previous question, I have recently watched Flyaway Home. And then I watched October Sky. And then I thought about watching The Horse Whisperer but couldn’t find it streaming. Please recommend similar movies that include at least most of the following traits: 90s feel good dramas with a young protagonist featuring animals or science. [more inside]
posted by Grandysaur at 7:28 PM PST - 17 comments

After more than a decade in skinny jeans that I never liked, following a few years of low waisted hell, I’m all for the loose high-waisted look the kids are wearing nowadays. I haven’t been shopping in years, and don’t know my style. [more inside]
posted by redlines at 6:58 PM PST - 4 comments

Quite simply: My marriage ended, and my children (mainly my daughter) dislike me. I have no money (see previous question), no family and not a lot of prospects. I am seeing a therapist and taking medicine for a condition that I live with. I suffer from horrible social anxiety. What on earth should do to get over this heavy, stifling grief? I'll take any pearls of wisdom or advice.
posted by Mr. Hazlenut at 5:25 PM PST - 29 comments

On your W2 form, does the dollar amount listed in "wages, tips and other compensation" mean before or after your taxes were deducted by your employer? And does the tax amount listed on your W2 mean what has already been deducted or what you owe?
posted by lesser whistling duck at 4:58 PM PST - 7 comments

Someone wants to give someone else $100 worth of bitcoin as a gift. I believe that both persons have a Coinbase wallet. Can this be done? Can it be explained to me simply?
posted by xo at 4:50 PM PST - 3 comments

I am planning a writing/art project, The Book of 1000 Joys (purely personally, not shilling - I am planning to leave it to someone). This will consist of around 1050 pages, mostly with one thing from my life that has brought joy. I'm planning to record them beautifully, ie illustrations, pressed flowers etc. I am thinking of binding the book myself as part of that. Do I need to bear anything special in mind physically for a book that might take 20 years to fill, and, on a physical level, am I better to break it into volumes?
posted by jaduncan at 4:46 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm hoping there's a food-tracking app which will meet my needs: Mediterranean diet tracking with dinner suggestions for a low-level possible diabetic with some disordered eating. [more inside]
posted by joannemerriam at 3:23 PM PST - 1 comment

I've read through previous NYC vacation posts/replies, which was really helpful with thinking through what we'd be interested in seeing. I'd love some specific help with organizing our itinerary, and what it means for how we'd arrange things and travel between the different stuff we'd like to do. We're planning on flying into LaGuardia most likely on a Tuesday early afternoon and leaving on Saturday early afternoon. [more inside]
posted by bizzyb at 2:49 PM PST - 11 comments

On Friday, I applied for a mortgage. Today, I have gotten 48 spam calls in 8 hours and my husband has gotten roughly the same number. How long is this going to last and how can I make it stop? Bonus: who should I be mad at? My bank? Experian? Someone else? [more inside]
posted by juliapangolin at 2:22 PM PST - 9 comments

I'd like to get one good math book that I can work through with my kindergartner/soon to be first grader. I just finished doing this reading book with him: Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. I really liked it - the direct instruction and bite-sized daily aspects of it worked well for me and my son and he reads reasonably well at this point. I'd love to find something similar but math focused. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by slide at 2:05 PM PST - 3 comments

I've been looking for a work from home job with no luck for the past several months. I've got a ton of experience in troubleshooting and in call centers, I stayed at my last job for seven years while getting promoted twice, but it's all overshadowed by the fact that I haven't held a job since 2014. [more inside]
posted by MrVisible at 1:31 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm planning to get a nursing degree, at least an ADN, and become an RN. In order to get started as a nurse, must I immediately continue on to getting a BSN? Or would an ADN be enough? [more inside]
posted by miltthetank at 1:20 PM PST - 8 comments

I always find it off-putting when I'm talking to someone and one of their acquaintances or friends joins in and starts talking to them, making no effort to include me (and, sometimes, someone they may be with) in the conversation. Simply put, am I being too sensitive or this pretty universally considered rude?
posted by Jon44 at 12:29 PM PST - 14 comments

The costs of living messed me up financially and boyfriend insists on living together as a most convenient solution, but I am sceptical. [more inside]
posted by Salicornia at 11:49 AM PST - 36 comments

We use squarespace for a business website and we're happy with it--very easy to set-up and looks nice. Our problem is with the inability to create a form that generates responsive output, and it's gotten to the point that we're going to have to just start over with a different website. We are very confused about our best option. Details on what we need inside. [more inside]
posted by limagringo at 11:22 AM PST - 3 comments

Initially I thought it was by Patricia Highsmith. All I remember is he had a toothache and it was driving him mad. I read it in the 90's or early 2000's. More than likely written before the 1980's. [more inside]
posted by mokeydraws at 9:21 AM PST - 7 comments

In the course of investigating my various orthopedic problems, it was discovered that I have a small degree of pincer impingement in my right hip (socket over covers ball by about 5 degrees). I have always had a "clunk" noise/sensation in that hip when doing movements like dead bug. Should I avoid movements that cause it? Am I harming my labrum when that happens? Everyone has always told me that if it doesn't hurt then it's not a problem but I'm a little dubious.
posted by HotToddy at 9:06 AM PST - 5 comments

The advice for planting asparagus is "put it at the north side of the garden so the tall stalks don't shade out other plants." Same goes for corn. But what if we're growing both? Which goes north of which? (Or do they go side-by-side? Our garden is only 16' east-to-west, which makes that kind of arrangement seem cramped...)
posted by nebulawindphone at 7:30 AM PST - 12 comments

Has someone made a timeline of when / how various ethnic groups (Germans, Poles, Irish, etc) became white people here in the USA?
posted by Uncle at 6:03 AM PST - 15 comments

I have a modest accounting job which is mostly approving transactions, clearing up policy questions, doing complex purchasing and paying bills that need oversight. I'm in my late forties and it's going to be tough to really start over due to ageism. What can I do to stay employed despite a move to replacing jobs like mine with AI? What kinds of side hustles could I start now that might provide a route to employment later? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 6:00 AM PST - 16 comments

This is driving me nuts - there was a scene I watched (or maybe read) where one character is telling a second character about the third person in the scene who used to follow their hampster/cat around eating its droppings as lollies/treats. It was played for laughs but darkly I think and the third character couldn't refute because they couldn't talk or something. I can't remember where I saw it and it's driving me crazy.
posted by Lesium at 3:09 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm trying to find the most affordable flight going from ROA to NYC at the end of June. I'm hoping to get in the 26 or 27 and leave the 30 or July 1. Haven't flown in a while and things are more expensive now, of course, and I don't know how people are finding best deals these days. The travel sites I checked were steep.
posted by mermaidcafe at 11:30 PM PST - 10 comments

After listening to Bill Callahan & Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy cover Silver Jews’ “The Wild Kindness” I was wondering about other Silver Jews/David Berman/Purple Mountains covers and/or tributes out there. Please help me find more.
posted by slogger at 8:49 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for an instant polling app that can be used with PowerPoint for Mac on a MacBook using Catalina (10.15.7). It needs to be fully integrated with PowerPoint, so that I can embed the poll into PowerPoint and don't have to leave PP to run the poll. [more inside]
posted by mydonkeybenjamin at 8:15 PM PST - 5 comments

My dog, scourge of the seven seas and most lakes and ponds, stole a canadian goose egg. it is intact and unharmed. I am unable to return it to the nest and would like to try to incubate it. I am willing to throw money at this problem. How do I best incubate a kidnapped canadian goose egg? [more inside]
posted by Grandysaur at 7:19 PM PST - 16 comments

As a parent, how do you navigate the abundance of content on Netflix? This is more of a philosophy question as opposed to a technical one. [more inside]
posted by Rora at 6:33 PM PST - 9 comments

What's the best way to get from Seattle to Portland and back in one day, on a weekday, if I want to avoid renting a car? [more inside]
posted by cnidaria at 6:23 PM PST - 12 comments

I have e-vouchers from canceled COVID travel that expire at the end of the year. We've decided to go somewhere for Thanksgiving week, but are kind of going in circles deciding where to go. I know y'all will have opinions. [more inside]
posted by COD at 5:44 PM PST - 14 comments

No electric outlet nearby, and it’s not near the sink. Would prefer that it comes with a seat (elongated) since we need a new seat anyway. No bells and whistles needed, but we are willing to spend up to $200 for ease of installation and durability.
posted by redlines at 5:15 PM PST - 7 comments

I have poor eyesight and need larger font sizes, including the OS titlebar and menu fonts, etc. My Macbook allows for making everything bigger on the laptop screen using the "scaling" option. But with my external monitor, I can't do this (unless I pick a blurry non-native resolution). Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by splitpeasoup at 3:32 PM PST - 3 comments

I have some photos residing on my pc (windows 10) that I want to add some simple text to. It doesn't have to be fancy. It could be a caption beneath the photo like in the newspapers. I wanted to add text to some photos before I emailed them. [more inside]
posted by jtexman1 at 2:51 PM PST - 8 comments

Hi folks. I have some older folding chairs that I want to fix up. The foam padding is damaged and needs replacing, and the covering needs replacing as well. The old covering is tan vinyl and I am hoping to find something similar to replace it. I would like some nice comfortable foam padding for the seats. I have re-covered regular dining room chairs before so I have a little experience with this sort of thing. [more inside]
posted by Slinga at 1:21 PM PST - 3 comments

Can anyone remember a book where a girl ends up on an island, gets indoctrinated into a Christian cult, warned about the rapture, and then left after they all die/are raptured? [more inside]
posted by fizban at 12:45 PM PST - 3 comments

Looking for examples of psychological mysteries/thrillers about groups of friends, in which a shared traumatic experience comes back to haunt them long after they think it's over. I'm particularly interested in books published in the last ten years, but would also appreciate hearing about earlier examples and/or movies, short stories, etc..
posted by rpfields at 11:05 AM PST - 27 comments

Can you recommend an avobenzone-free facial sunscreen that's not greasy, thick/white and powdery, or super expensive? I have no scientific objections to avobenzone but it makes me break out. Primarily/solely mineral sunscreens are chalky and hard to get to absorb (especially at above 15 spf), moisturizers with SPF like my current best choice, Olay Complete are a bit greasier than I'd like. Is there anything else left that's not super pricey? I'm guessing this will be a chemical sunscreen or at least not solely mineral.
posted by needs more cowbell at 10:48 AM PST - 25 comments

I need a basic education in contract law while working full-time - is a part-time, online paralegal certificate what I'm looking for? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 10:41 AM PST - 8 comments

I use the Gmail app on android. I want to set it up so basically an alarm goes off if I get an email from a specific sender (possibly with trigger words in subject). I don't just want a pop-up notification, I want like the amber alert/tprnado alarm to go off and I want that to happen even if the volume was down. Can I make this happen? How?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 10:38 AM PST - 6 comments

We made the unfortunate mistake of using our primary burr grinder (Cuisinart DBM-8) for flavored coffee beans the past few weeks. Now the plastic basins have hardened gunk and I think I just made it worse. Help! [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 10:33 AM PST - 11 comments

I have this problem on my Firefox for iOS and all my browsers (including Firefox and Edge) on Windows. When I go to the site www.nicestuffformom.com it immediately redirects to superboosty.com (specifically www.superboosty.com/PageNotFound) and the page has a large graphic reading "404 Page Not Found". I'm a fairly experienced computer and internet user and I've never seen anything like this. I don't want to make these sites live links in case someone unwittingly clicks and "gets" whatever this might be. [more inside]
posted by feelinggood at 10:29 AM PST - 3 comments

I'd love some recommendations for poetry. I'm very open to style and type! I'd just like to explore the world of poetry a bit more. I'd be interested in books by a single author, collections, and even "introduction to poetry"-type books that might enhance my appreciation. [more inside]
posted by Paper rabies at 9:57 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm interested in learning more about David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and the FBI siege at Waco. [more inside]
posted by box at 9:57 AM PST - 16 comments

We bought a house in the winter. Yay! Now that the snow has melted, the front lawn has been revealed, and it does not match the neighbors’ lawns. It’s dry and sad and yellow. [more inside]
posted by sucre at 9:53 AM PST - 13 comments

A month ago, I asked this question about hiring a contractor to repoint our brick foundation and got good advice, but I find myself in an unfortunate situation with the contractor I decided to work with. I could use some perspective and advice: [more inside]
posted by spindrifter at 9:03 AM PST - 6 comments

While this is partly about me, I'm also just interested in the experiences of mefites who spend a lot of time on something "passive," but have been able to find community in it, or been able to use it as a springboard for creativity/creation. Also open to advice, but happy just to hear about your own experiences! [more inside]
posted by wooh at 7:19 AM PST - 9 comments

Excited by the beginning of the release of Season 5 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, I went looking again for tie-in merchandise and found little. There is a themed edition of the board game Life, plus various stickers, mugs, etc. on the usual sites that sell unlicensed goods with images or text on them. Do you know of other sources, or any other Maisel-themed goods, including games, out there? [more inside]
posted by cupcakeninja at 5:38 AM PST - 3 comments

I have some recent Potential Virus Issues flagged on my desktop PC that I am looking to have sorted. Any suggestions or help? [more inside]
posted by dbirchum at 5:02 AM PST - 7 comments

Is there a good source for information about what major candies are moving in and out the various markets in the United States? [more inside]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:01 AM PST - 3 comments

I want to contact my US senators and representatives about a federal civil penalty that I consider grossly disproportionate to the offense. To put the issue into context, I'm looking for examples of civil offenses that carry a fine of $10,000 or less, particularly at the federal level. [more inside]
posted by nanny's striped stocking at 3:07 AM PST - 2 comments

I got married 12 years ago. According to wikipedia this year is Silk (or Silk and Fine Linen) which is odd because that was also year 4. Anyway, what should I do with the day? [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 2:53 AM PST - 12 comments

I came across this image while idly browsing Pinterest. I love it and want to know more about it -- is it a painting or a stylized photograph? Of what/where? By whom? Could I find a print of it somewhere? Google and Tineye searches have turned up a whole lot of nothing.
posted by virve at 10:34 PM PST - 5 comments

I'll be spending a week in Dublin in June and would like to read some books to get a sense of the place and its history in preparation. < [more inside]
posted by sohalt at 10:27 PM PST - 16 comments

I've been out of work a while, with a spotty work history. So I am far outside the loop on what kind of things web designers/developers need to know. Ignoring the difficulties of going back to work with a spotty history, what are the technical things I should try and at least familiarize myself with? Is there much space for a web designer/developer these days? [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 10:18 PM PST - 6 comments

I have found that international flights often come with a good range of independent and foreign films on the in-flight entertainment menu. Are these lists of films available somewhere? I tried to search Delta as an example but I could mostly find US domestic films on their list, even though I know this is not representative of what they play on international flights. Open to any airline. Thank you!
posted by gemutlichkeit at 7:21 PM PST - 5 comments

We have a Cessna and some time off coming up. We're centrally-located and can fly ourselves pretty much anywhere in the US on a tank or two of gas, and would love to take advantage of our ability to get to special, far-flung locations (as long as there's an airfield nearby.) More inside. [more inside]
posted by egeanin at 6:17 PM PST - 15 comments

I rolled my ankle outside this afternoon. Felt a small "pop" when the ankle "fell". Initially, it hurt pretty badly, so I sat down for a bit, then was able to walk okay on it. Arrived home, iced it, raised it, relaxed. It feels really stiff now, and some acute pain is there. Next steps? No, YANMD. [more inside]
posted by thoughtful_analyst at 6:10 PM PST - 19 comments

I'm curious about all the little nuances that a craftsman does, sometimes without even thinking about it. Does anyone know of a video resource showing woodworkers doing projects from start to finish, with only minimal editing?
posted by SunSnork at 3:32 PM PST - 8 comments

My kiddo is asking for a sewing machine for her upcoming 9th birthday. Neither of us know anything about sewing machines. I'm looking for recommendations on features to look for or for specific models, or for websites that will give me enough fundamentals to make a good choice. [more inside]
posted by Kriesa at 2:09 PM PST - 16 comments

I had a psychotic episode three and a half years ago. I was in and out of hospital for three months. I've been faithfully taking my medication since then but the side effects are getting to me. I have no motivation, no sex drive and have lost my creative side. Will these things come back? [more inside]
posted by eyeofthetiger at 1:40 PM PST - 9 comments

Why aren't people told their blood types anymore? What happens when people donate blood? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 1:27 PM PST - 20 comments

I am doing a community psych project about homeless LGBT + youth that requires us to use general demographic information gathered during the 2020 Census. How would I go about accessing that information? The specific area would be Hollywood, CA.
posted by goalyeehah at 1:22 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm leading a troop meeting for my Girl Scouts about car safety and what to do in an emergency. Can you help me brainstorm stuff to include? Hands-on always is better than sitting and listening to me talk. Watching videos is boring. Some of them drive, some of them are learning, some haven't learned yet. So far everyone who has learned how to drive has done it through an auto school. The two things I'd really like to cover are distracted driving, and what they should have in their car in case of disaster. [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:14 PM PST - 35 comments

How do I do an online "drain" for someone who is into findom (financial domination)? [more inside]
posted by crocodiletsunami at 1:05 PM PST - 2 comments

I have some individual plant lights, which work fine except that I also have a kitten who loves to play with the cords. Help me replace the lights with something better. Criteria below. [more inside]
posted by centrifugal at 12:59 PM PST - 4 comments

I want to buy and download this album (ambient piano by Ludovico Einaudi in case you're interested), but not through iTunes. Spotify doesn't seem to "sell" and allow downloads. Open to other performers if they're awesome, but I'd love to get this specific album from the composer.
posted by amtho at 12:52 PM PST - 11 comments

Heading to Big Sur for a wedding from May 12-14 thinking that I will take the Amtrak Empire Builder from portland or seatle to chicago on -~May 21. Travelling with one other adult. What ahould I do in the interim? [more inside]
posted by wowenthusiast at 12:45 PM PST - 7 comments

After reading and considering the great answers to this question, we bought the BMW 3-series PHEV. Now we're getting ready to take our first-ever road trip with the car next month, and I have questions. Lots of questions. [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 11:34 AM PST - 8 comments

What do I do with this gold? Several decades ago I began buying the occasional gold bullion (Eagles, Krugerrand, etc.) I thought they would be a good investment and inflation protection. I did this for a few years until the price rose past what I felt like paying. Now I could use the money and would like to start cashing some of the coins in but I am unsure how to do it. [more inside]
posted by charlesminus at 11:33 AM PST - 10 comments

Have you bought a house? What is the thing you wish you knew during the home buying process? The question you wish you'd known to ask? The area you wish you'd known to inspect? The things you wish you'd known you needed to see (or wish you didn't have) in your condo agreement? The thing that would have let you find your perfect house sooner? The trade off you wish you had made? [more inside]
posted by rednikki at 7:31 AM PST - 53 comments

Okay, smart people, poke holes in this Friday-night-cocktail-mediated crazy scheme: A lot of women didn't have kids and don't have anyone to whom they feel super compelled to leave their estate when they die. A lot of these same women really worry about old age care and see money as the only realistic solution. Why wouldn't it work for a group of these women to enter into a contract to leave their estates to the group, and whenever someone dies, the estate is divided equally among the members? Read on for additional scheming! [more inside]
posted by HotToddy at 7:07 PM PST - 44 comments

What is the best method for getting to the Bilbao train station at 4:00 AM. [more inside]
posted by JennyJupiter at 4:05 PM PST - 6 comments

A friend asked me what my favorite painting is, and I realized I don't have one. I'm on a mission to find a few, and would love to be inspired by some of yours.
posted by shrimpetouffee at 3:17 PM PST - 65 comments

Let's say you're shopping on Amazon and there's a product you're thinking about buying, so you check the reviews. The average is acceptably high, say 4.2 stars, but when you look at the distribution, there are a lot of fives, some fours, not much in the middle, and then a little one-star bump at the end. How do you integrate this information when making decisions? [more inside]
posted by eirias at 1:17 PM PST - 35 comments

I recently got back in touch with an old friend after many years of being out of touch. They somewhat aggressively asked me to read their recently-published book. I don't want to... but I'm also quite put off by the way they asked, and I'm sure it'll come up again. [more inside]
posted by Questolicious at 12:55 PM PST - 33 comments

My employer recently sent out memos about various penalties that will be applied to employees if they do or don't do certain things. I have worked at this job for eleven years and none of these actions or inactions have ever been penalized in any way before. How can I find out if this is in violation of labor laws? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:04 PM PST - 10 comments

I was watching the excellent Schmigadoon last night and an actress in the ensemble looked familiar. I cannot figure out which other actress she reminds me of and it’s driving me nuts. Please help! [more inside]
posted by rodneyaug at 11:34 AM PST - 12 comments

I know someone with a busted knee who would really like to be carried up a flight of stairs today (and down again for a med appt in about a week). Any Seattle recommendations?
posted by clew at 10:53 AM PST - 1 comment

It's a really short question. I have to pack for a 20 day trip in Europe - through France/Switzerland/Netherlands. I hate packing. I want to minimize laundry or needing to buy things. What do I pack? My baggage allowance is 35 kgs aka 67 lbs. (Please mention even obvious things!) Thank you!
posted by Nieshka at 10:26 AM PST - 30 comments

I think it is from "Hitchcock presents" series, but I looked up the episodes and did not find it. A man meets someone with whom he was in a boarding school. This someone was an older pupil in the same school and relentlessly bullied him. As far as I remember, the stranger continues to bully him when they meet as adults. Any idea what is the name of this episode / short movie? Thank you.
posted by slimeline at 10:14 AM PST - 4 comments

I found a pre-planned native pollinator garden that would perfectly fit my space and should do well under the conditions (clay soil, sun). The problem is that I've procrastinated, and the earliest I could get the plants is May 15th. Our last frost date is May 10th, and we're already having a warmer than average spring. Is that too late, or would they do fine? [more inside]
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 10:07 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a mostly-full, about-to-expire jar of Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Butter that I bought as a dairy-free Nutella substitute. It's not sweet enough to be a 1:1 Nutella substitute, though (I recommend Rigoni di Asiago Nocciolata instead), and eating it on toast has proven to be a great idea in theory but never reached for in practice. What can I make or bake with Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Butter to turn it into a properly unhealthy dessert?
posted by serelliya at 9:42 AM PST - 7 comments

I had an idea, which I'm pretty sure is not a good idea, but I want to get an idea of whether it's eh-kinda-not-good or whoooaaaa-reeeeeeally-not-good. Complications: marriage, home ownership, mental health. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:05 AM PST - 38 comments

I've noticed there seem to be two types of people--those who accept there are some things the human mind just won't be able to comprehend and those who think that if we can't imagine it, it can't exist. I feel like the latter camp is just wrong on the facts since there are things in modern physics we can observe but have no way to explain (e.g., wave-particle duality and other aspects quantum mechanics, how ions going across a membrane results in a thought in her psyches). Is there a formal area of philosophy (or book) that considers the topic from that perspective--i.e., that since our minds evolved in a certain environment we'll never be able to understand aspects of the physical world outside of that environment. [more inside]
posted by Jon44 at 7:08 AM PST - 19 comments

I am looking for a simple app that will let me print photos at specified sizes. For my current project, I have about 50 photos that I want to print at 4 x 6 inches, two per page. I will then cut them out and put them in frames. [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 6:45 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm in love with a very niche genre. Books by therapists (and other non-artists) about art and/or literature. Academic scholarship about art doesn't much interest me, but "putting fictional characters on the couch" does--as does relating art to real-life clinical studies. (More inside about what I've already read and what I'm looking for.) [more inside]
posted by grumblebee at 5:54 AM PST - 15 comments

I’m working on a story involving a ghost, and she needs to have been alone in an abandoned house for a long time before someone moves in. What’s the longest amount of time, realistically, that the house can have been vacant for? It’s ok if the house needs significant rehab. [more inside]
posted by showbiz_liz at 3:29 AM PST - 36 comments

I don't have a lot of space but I need a lot of bedside storage. I've been searching far and wide for a nightstand that's narrow enough (17.5" max) but still deep and tall enough to store things. Ikea Malm was a perfect depth (17 inches deep, and 15 inches wide) but too short at 21 inches and only two drawers. I'm open to having something custom made; I'm in California. I've been searching for at least a year! I'm desperate!
posted by Threeve at 10:21 PM PST - 13 comments

My current internet service provider (CenturyLink) just upped their monthly fee and I'd like to check out my alternatives. What ISP would you recommend? [more inside]
posted by HE Amb. T. S. L. DuVal at 10:05 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm mostly thinking in terms of lyrics: no words containing a particular set of letters, restrictions on the lengths of words, exclusively palindromic lyrics, etc. [more inside]
posted by ErWenn at 7:27 PM PST - 10 comments

I'd like to buy a wire stripper for hobbyist electronics use. Is there a model you use frequently and would recommend?
posted by mr_bovis at 6:56 PM PST - 15 comments

I've searched through so many illustrated lists online. Can't find it. Game play was simple: Top down 2D with a humanoid player character surrounded by a number of alien-robot things*, also some debris scattered around the field. The player can move one space in one direction each turn, but the bots will move towards them along the shortest distance. You win by getting to a goal or by getting the bots to crash into each other or the debris. *I seem to think they looked like the Red Guards from Star Wars, you know: for a black and white <1>
posted by es_de_bah at 6:24 PM PST - 8 comments

I've been wondering this for a very long time. On the old 1970s-era tv show "The Midnight Special", the artist name is presented in giant neon letters behind them. Were those real neon letters that likely had to be assembled by the crew before each artist went on? [more inside]
posted by sundrop at 5:31 PM PST - 3 comments

I was browsing the Cornell Punk Fliers collection online and came across this poster, and I need to know more about it. Description of poster and specific questions inside. [more inside]
posted by Literaryhero at 5:03 PM PST - 4 comments

We are flying on Ryan Air from Wales to Ireland next week and Mr Darling is concerned that they may not take our American sized luggage. For reference, we both have the 21 inch Travelpro bag. Please tell me Ryan Air isn't going to refuse to take them!
posted by tafetta, darling! at 4:43 PM PST - 10 comments

Got a hot vegitarian red lentil soup to go around 11:30PM, forgot to put it in the fridge, left it out on the table overnight and put it in the fridge around 6:30AM. Can i eat it if i cook it to a boil?
posted by wowenthusiast at 4:30 PM PST - 16 comments

I don't understand. The manual is not clear at all how the self cleaning nozzle works and right now, it's turned all the way to the right. Is water running without me knowing it? I'm Deaf, so can't hear, and don't want to get a high bill. Tried their support but they were unhelpful. I feel so dumb. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 4:04 PM PST - 11 comments

Where do people safely park and lock their bikes for Seattle Mariners games at T-Mobile Park? I'm planning to ride to a game next week on my own bike (not a shared ebike) and would like to have some idea where to put it so I don't have to worry about it disappearing before my ride home.
posted by rouftop at 2:46 PM PST - 3 comments

Hi AxMe, I'm a mid-40s guy who, in the past few years, has become more assiduous about wearing sun protection routinely when out doing active stuff, and am looking to augment that with something I can use on my face / neck every morning. Can you recommend a non-greasy, non-bothersome, ideally barely-noticeable SPF product for everyday use?
posted by killdevil at 1:37 PM PST - 39 comments

I have a small group (5 people) that is starting to throw events. We need a simple and cheap way to keep track of who we've invited and what their responses are, in a way that lets us all add/change data remotely, from our phones. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by wemayfreeze at 10:00 AM PST - 18 comments

My 80 year old father in law will soon be travelling in Europe for 6 weeks. To avoid paying $16/day in data roaming fees from his Canadian cellphone provider, I would like to get him set up with a European eSIM for a flat rate. Is there one that is recommended? Can he set it up from Canada (where I can help)? [more inside]
posted by krunk at 9:40 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm currently dealing with pretty extreme ME/CFS-flavored symptoms. A pretty decent doctor is working with me, going through their test/diagnose/decision tree, and I'm in a safe and supportive environment. I'm having trouble finding decent guides and tips to learn my "envelope" and to not make things worse; that's as far as I've gotten. Can anyone point me to good information; things I wouldn't think of myself? Spreadsheet templates or gotchas or tips: "you wouldn't think this is draining but people often find it is when they check."
posted by zeek321 at 7:21 AM PST - 23 comments

I've bought new running shoes and they hurt the bottom of my feet (around the arch) when I run. Has anyone persisted with shoes like these and eventually gotten used to them so it doesn't hurt anymore? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by pianissimo at 5:48 AM PST - 17 comments

I have some postcards from the WW1 era with short handwritten messages on them in a language I can't read. Google Translate suggests it may be Uzbek, with a caveat that Croation or Serbian is also possible. Because they're handwritten in cursive and I have no context in any of these languages to make intelligent guesses, I can't enter more than a word or two into a computer translator, so I'm hoping to find some human help instead. If that's you, please add a note below or Metamail me. Thank you. [more inside]
posted by Paul Slade at 2:17 AM PST - 17 comments

My partner is starting a new job next week (hooray). Until June, I live on the West Coast and she lives on the East Coast (boo). How can I be supportive during her first couple months at the new job? Neither of us have good ideas. [more inside]
posted by kitten_hat at 10:50 PM PST - 8 comments

I have trouble sleeping sometimes. I find that a certain kind of YouTube playlist helps. Ideally kind of boring, but not so boring it's annoying. And long. Really long. Dozens of hours of vids. [more inside]
posted by trevor_case at 10:30 PM PST - 16 comments

I bought some pictures at a junk store, nice photos of architecturally interesting buildings that I think were being cleared out from a university architecture library. They're mounted on cardboard. I tried hanging them with double sided sticky things and it was a disaster. [more inside]
posted by less-of-course at 7:23 PM PST - 12 comments

Where can I learn Bangladeshi Bengali (online or in Melbourne, Australia)? [more inside]
posted by creatrixtiara at 7:07 PM PST - 4 comments

Like to find fun walks in Tokyo. Not always easy to do. Anyone know of some good walking routes esp those on google maps or similar?
posted by dougiedd at 4:21 PM PST - 4 comments

I have a poor sense of smell, but it becomes much stronger when I'm short of sleep. There have been many times when I've suddenly been able to smell things I couldn't normally smell and I wondered why I could do that, and then I'd remember I barely slept a wink the night before. It almost seems like the more tired I am, the stronger my sense of smell gets. What could be happening here?
posted by Ursula Hitler at 4:12 PM PST - 14 comments

Probably not... but still looking for helpful tips on how to deal with very persistent avoidant behaviors. [more inside]
posted by Desertshore at 3:53 PM PST - 26 comments

I'm having a dinner party at my house and a friend asked to bring her 90lb dog. I loooooove her dog and would love to have them both over, but I'm also concerned about our new wide plank oak floors. Am I worrying about nothing? [more inside]
posted by keep it under cover at 2:29 PM PST - 30 comments

apologies if my search skills are poor, but i haven't been able to find what i'm looking for... i've recently started a daily walk for exercise, and i thought it would be fun to plot the distance walked against a "fake" route (e.g., across the country) to see my incremental progress. do you know of an app or site that fits the bill? thanks!
posted by jackrational at 12:38 PM PST - 5 comments

I recently rented a car. I always choose to fuel it myself and return it full instead of paying the rental agency. But this time, I think I ripped myself off and filled it up past where I received it. How can I not make this mistake again? [more inside]
posted by Roy Batty at 12:22 PM PST - 17 comments

I'm not ordinarily a big potato salad eater, but last year I had a layover in Orlando, so I ate lunch at Cask & Larder, and the potato salad came with my meal as a side. It was so good that I'm now interested in eating potato salad. But everything I've bought or made so far has been missing something. What does Cask & Larder put into theirs to make it so good? [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 11:11 AM PST - 31 comments

I have a book layout that was done in Apple Pages and my client wants it turned into an epub. He also wants all the web links to become live links in the epub. Is there any way to do this all at once? [more inside]
posted by zadcat at 11:00 AM PST - 2 comments

If a patient has peritoneal carcinomatosis, would the ascites fluid have malignant cells? [more inside]
posted by La Gata at 9:53 AM PST - 1 comment

A friend has a gigantic iTunes library (lots of albums, lots of podcasts). It didn't properly migrate to Music - Date Added was lost, which is a big deal. What would be a great replacement player? [more inside]
posted by kristi at 8:28 AM PST - 6 comments

Are vegan condoms latex-free? [more inside]
posted by zooropa at 7:33 AM PST - 4 comments

I need to hire someone to move some heavy stuff. Everything I find about Taskrabbit online is from the viewpoint of working for them. Please tell me everything you know about using it to hire people. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 7:07 AM PST - 11 comments

It captures the feeling of how insomnia makes one obsess over tiny things. [more inside]
posted by annabellee at 3:07 AM PST - 3 comments

I feel so lost in my work life. I feel my degree isn’t worth very much, not sure what I even want to do now. I really disliked customer service, but I do feel office work is a good fit for me realistically, as I am introverted, shy, and INFP and 4w5 but more organized and detail oriented than those types usually are. [more inside]
posted by anon1129 at 8:37 PM PST - 18 comments

If you grew up in Wisconsin in the '90s-'00s, can you confirm for me that there was a jingle (probably on TV? or the radio?) about the Washington Island ferry? Specifically: "Take a magical ride to a magical place -- the Washington Island Ferry!" Some of my friends remember it, some don't, and wildly we can't find any evidence of it on the Google. Help us out? [more inside]
posted by goodbyewaffles at 8:21 PM PST - 2 comments

Any recommendations for short-term luggage storage near Sentier in Paris? Is City-Locker legit? [more inside]
posted by janell at 8:07 PM PST - 5 comments

Where in Los Angeles can I go to scream into the void without a) freaking other people by going somewhere populated out and/or b) putting myself in danger by going somewhere too isolated? Normally I'd do this in therapy (minus the screaming), but both my therapists are out this week and I really, really need a nondestructive outlet. yes, this is about work.
posted by The Adventure Begins at 5:36 PM PST - 20 comments

Help me come up with a way to use a can of pumpkin pie filling...that's not pie. [more inside]
posted by cozenedindigo at 5:32 PM PST - 40 comments

I am a motivated customer -- it is very important to get the plumbing in my (apartment) bathroom wall repaired ASAP. I've received an estimate which seems high, but may be normal for NYC. In this city, sadly, I'm grateful just to have received the estimate. So is the estimate OK, or do I have some basis for pushing back? [more inside]
posted by JimN2TAW at 5:05 PM PST - 14 comments

Okay so per my earlier question, my college-age kid got a summer internship on Capitol Hill. He needs to dress "business formal" 5 days a week for the whole summer. He comes from a household where nobody has ever dressed this way professionally. Help! [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 4:00 PM PST - 38 comments

I bought a big hanging basket fuchsia way too early. How do I keep it alive until it warms up? Coastal PNW. [more inside]
posted by mygothlaundry at 3:18 PM PST - 4 comments

I am using a Linux laptop with a DuckDuckGo browser. I have files in Audacity that I'm trying to send to someone, and when I type in the URL for WeTransfer, the address box shows the site is there, but the screen is totally blank. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 2:49 PM PST - 5 comments

My apartment gets fabulous sunshine onto my small south-facing balcony. It also gets very windy out there, as I'm several floors up and on top of a hill! I'd like to build a system so I can grow cherry tomatoes, flowers, and other plants without my garden being destroyed by the wind. [more inside]
posted by cnidaria at 2:34 PM PST - 8 comments

I've been traveling a lot for work lately, and it got me thinking about rideshare apps and cabs, and how to use my dollars in a way that is most beneficial to the driver / contributes the least amount of harm to the world generally. [more inside]
posted by Sweetie Darling at 2:27 PM PST - 8 comments

I have a flavored pasta that needs a sauce. I also have a dumb complication that is making it hard to find a good sauce for it. [more inside]
posted by pdb at 1:37 PM PST - 19 comments

It can be fiction or non, written, video, art, audio... I’m looking for the tales of those who have been personally hunted/stalked/harassed, whether physically or virtually—particularly if they couldn’t stop it and they were permanently stuck with it. Thanks!
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 12:35 PM PST - 25 comments

Is there a review site that specifically analyzes whether a given website, particularly fashion retailers, are legit? [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne at 12:21 PM PST - 14 comments

My college-age kid just got a summer internship in DC/Capitol Hill and needs a place to live. I see that there are a bunch of schools + private companies that do summer housing, and I'm sure there are a million more if you factor in Airbnb, sublets, etc. Did your kid do this and do you have a specific recommendation for me? Also, what do you wish you/your kid knew before doing an internship like this?
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:38 AM PST - 15 comments

I'd like to get some high-end good quality commercial videos (e.g. car commercials) for a personal project. It doesn't have to be 4k but at least 720p/1080p would be nice. There used to be a subscription site - I thought it was something related to Adweek or AdAge but I'm not seeing anything searching now. Are my only options a screen recording, or maybe a wonky YouTube downloader? I've never had luck with one of those..
posted by basehead at 10:33 AM PST - 5 comments

It's become clear that Tik Tok knows what I'm doing online, even when I use an incognito tab. Should I really care? [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 9:00 AM PST - 15 comments

I'll be in staying Manhattan this June, in the West Village, and need to rent a car to get me, two kids and luggage to the Poconos on a Friday and then to Newark Airport on Sunday. I've been happy with Turo in the past, for price and ease of use, and I guess we could do that at the airport. But I'm wondering if there's a better option that doesn't require going to the airport to pick up the car.
posted by gottabefunky at 8:42 AM PST - 5 comments

Looking for some games to play with my six-year-old. I have some criteria. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 7:26 AM PST - 31 comments

A cabinet door and the hinge broke off from the manufactured wood bultin cabinet (picture here). How would you repair it? [more inside]
posted by inflatablekiwi at 6:57 AM PST - 11 comments

Wondering if this is possible and if so, the best way to do this? [more inside]
posted by konaStFr at 5:36 AM PST - 8 comments

The PUP.Optional.Bundle Installer was flagged on a recent scan for MalwareBytes. Anything else I should do or test? [more inside]
posted by dbirchum at 5:34 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm a middle-aged man, oldest of six kids. My dad has been emotionally and sometimes physically abusive to my mom for as long as I know. Emotionally abusive to the kids, although different with each. Recently, he emailed all the kids as a group asking for help "repenting of his unkindness." Nothing more specific than that. Should I respond at all? If so, how do I maintain the boundaries I've worked so hard to establish? Are there resources I could send him that would be helpful if he's serious about changing? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:54 AM PST - 29 comments

Some of my friends are creative. Sometimes they make stuff I like and sometimes they make stuff I don't like. I don't have an adolescent insistence on honesty but am also not convincing when I express fake enthusiasm. What's a good way to think about this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:54 AM PST - 28 comments

I am currently picking up my masters in psychology and am doing a group project for our community psychology class We've decided to do our project on the lack of mental health services/suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ Youth in Central LA. The boundaries of central Central LA would include Beverly Hills to the west, Hollywood to the north, Silverlake to the east and DTLA to the south. [more inside]
posted by goalyeehah at 9:05 PM PST - 3 comments

Is there some kind of online tool that will allow me to enter some number of links and it will generate a single url that will redirect to a random link from among the ones I entered? If not, is there some way that I can achieve this at a domain that I own? Ideally, I would prefer a solution that isn't self-hosted, but if this is the only way, then any help would be appreciated.
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 8:30 PM PST - 6 comments

My son's 6th birthday is coming up. He's really into dinosaurs right now and he has some dinosaur books and I'll be getting a few more. Then it occurred to me we're doing a fair bit of camping this summer, it would be nice if he had some kind of big-book-of-camping-???-something? We'll be camping in north-ish and nothern ontario in the Canadian shield if that matters. He's more interested in Encyclopedia/fact type books than either narrative or activity type books. The dino books are good examples of A) his reading level and B) his preferred sort of book style. Please recommend books.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:27 PM PST - 8 comments

Is it a good idea to get them as an adult? [more inside]
posted by Riverside at 7:41 PM PST - 5 comments

Hey all -- I'm wondering if folks would be up for a round of "help me remember the name of a writer I used to read on the internet in the 1990s and early 2000s" -- slightly NSFW so more inside. [more inside]
posted by alana at 3:58 PM PST - 24 comments

Every morning for about 45 minutes, my cat starts yowling like he's having his heart ripped out -- a mix of anguish, despair, and anger. He hardly vocalizes at all during the day -- it's just at pre-dawn hours. He has plenty of food leftover when we rise each morning, has no problems with his litter, and the door to our bedroom is always wide open. So what's this about?? More inside. [more inside]
posted by egeanin at 3:38 PM PST - 29 comments

Can someone advise me on an Android fitness app that fits my needs? [more inside]
posted by magnoliasouth at 3:09 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm trying to find a cheap printer for a very specific use case. All it needs to do is receive files REMOTELY and print them, while not requiring constant babying and care. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by exutima at 2:57 PM PST - 12 comments

Do there exist any small cities that are not part of a major metro area or the suburbs of a big city, yet with some semblance of racial and/or ethnic diversity? [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 2:13 PM PST - 24 comments

What kind of doorbell should I get for my house? It has to be simple and inexpensive. REALLY dont want a monthly bill or subscription. [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 1:35 PM PST - 7 comments

My elderly parent is talking to a lawyer about setting up a new will and trust. The lawyer suggests using an irrevocable trust with myself as both the trustee and the beneficiary, to start when my parent dies. My spouse thinks this would be too complicated to keep track of. Do you have any experience, positive or negative, with this? [more inside]
posted by HodieMacBodhi at 1:09 PM PST - 17 comments

Looking to try a THC or CBD product for insomnia, but I'm someone who gets very anxious and depressed with most of the THC products I've tried. I've tried an edible CBD tincture/oil (not sure which) but it didn't seem to do much. What would you recommend? [more inside]
posted by switcheroo at 12:51 PM PST - 7 comments

Please help me create a list of theatrical shows that are suitable and appropriate for my kid's elementary school theater program. Criteria within. [more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu at 12:11 PM PST - 6 comments

I've been with my current therapist for about a year, using my employer assistance program. I realized the current form of therapy I'm getting isn't really changing anything, so I want help in how to make it more effective and useful for me, because my insurance approved the referral finally (yay!), and I want to make this worthwhile. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 10:17 AM PST - 11 comments

I would like to learn more about design principles for haptic feedback systems. I have a reasonable technical foundation (control theory, signal processing, sensors and actuators etc) but know very little about how that all actually translates into human perception. Do you know of any material (books, articles, etc) that can help bridge the gap? [more inside]
posted by btfreek at 10:01 AM PST - 2 comments

Apparently gabapentin tastes really, really bad. Jonathan the cat is supposed to consume 50 mg/day, which is half of the powder inside a capsule. Jonathan the cat insists on chewing pill pockets which means they really don't hide anything. I've already tried double layering the pill pockets (it would be six per day anyway). I've contacted a compounding pharmacy - they won't make tablets, and I know the "flavorings" won't work. Help! [more inside]
posted by amtho at 9:43 AM PST - 39 comments

My mouth is super-sensitive to a lot of things lately, and I can only handle a very small strength of minty-ness. I have bad oral care which probably contributes to this sensitivity. I feel a lot of pain with commercial brands that feel like 10/10 mint strength, so I am looking for recommendations of very mildly minty toothpaste, with a target of 2/10 mint strength. Children's brands are fine. [more inside]
posted by cats are weird at 9:08 AM PST - 29 comments

I will be in Basel, Switzerland for a conference in a few weeks, and have a day free for a quick day trip somewhere. Where should that be? [more inside]
posted by griffey at 7:04 AM PST - 8 comments

I'll be going to Paris later this week for a few nights. This trip was planned long in advance, and while I personally am impressed by the French proclivity to protest/strike, and wish the workers the best in their struggle, I'm curious if there's any service or neighborhood I should particularly avoid if widespread protests arise? How can I best keep from butting in somewhere I'm not wanted, or maybe not safe? [more inside]
posted by DynamiteToast at 6:53 AM PST - 9 comments

I have several thousand negatives and several hundred slides which I would like to digitise. Have you used a mail order service in the UK which you would recommend? [more inside]
posted by underclocked at 4:52 AM PST - 1 comment

Is there an android app that will easily let me send people an SMS confirming their booking time the night before? Ideally it would send directly from my phone, I don't want to buy bulk-SMS service. My ideal workflow is I enter a certain type of appointment in outlook or google calendar on my desktop, and my phone keeps track and sends them an SMS confirmation at a certain time the day before their appointment with the details.
posted by Iteki at 3:03 AM PST - 4 comments

I was watching this video about P = NP problems and it described the clique problem. I had a thought about one way to solve the clique problem - though of course with very little math knowledge I'm very aware that I have not Solved Math and likely am overlooking something major (the Wiki article went past my head). What's the matter with my possible algorithm? [more inside]
posted by creatrixtiara at 2:38 AM PST - 6 comments

Can anyone recommend a kind, affordable and good dentist for a partial denture in NYC (replacing just one missing tooth)? [more inside]
posted by cardamom at 6:20 PM PST - 0 comments

I would love to find more historical fiction set in Ancient Greece, about ordinary people. I'm a huge fan of Gillian Bradshaw, so anything like that would be a plus. I'm not picky about the genre either. [more inside]
posted by suburbanbeatnik at 6:15 PM PST - 9 comments

I’m having a pretty rough time. My relationship and housing situation are uncertain, I don’t have much of a support network and I’m struggling to cope. Where do I start to move forward? [more inside]
posted by sibylvane at 6:14 PM PST - 14 comments

I recall reading an anecdote about a rock musician who, in the middle of a show somewhere in Europe (perhaps Germany), stopped and asked the crowd to clap on the 2 and 4, i.e. the backbeat, if they were going to clap, instead of the 1 and 3. Did this happen? Who was it?
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 4:57 PM PST - 12 comments

I have read a bunch of financial advice that says that in the USA, even if you have enough cash to buy a house outright, it is better to have a mortgage and keep money in the bank/in investments. Apparently this is a thing that many wealthy people do. What is the financial advantage here? Is it merely the tax deduction you get for the mortgage or something more? And can you explain it to me like I'm five?
posted by rednikki at 2:53 PM PST - 27 comments

Give me your brain dump on a baby's first steps ... [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 2:48 PM PST - 15 comments

I was cleaning a piece of furniture and learned there was some writing on the undersides of the drawers. I was wondering if anyone could help me understand what it says. Photos are here.
posted by jeb at 2:35 PM PST - 5 comments

I've been asked to officiate at the unveiling of the headstone of a dear departed cousin of mine. I've attended such ceremonies before but usually they've been presided over by a rabbi. I'm doing my own research, but have you ever officiated one, or seen a layperson do so? If so, I'd be grateful for anything you can tell me about it. Thank you.
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 2:35 PM PST - 2 comments

Dear Crocheters of Metafilter!! I'm part of a collective that sends books to incarcerated readers; many of our correspondents are part of a crochet group at their facility, and so we get a lot of requests for crochet pattern books. No one in our group is a crafter, so we're not very good at assessing quality/accessibility. We've sent a lot of copies of this book and know it's a hit, but also want to send our crafters something new! We're looking for other books that we can send to our incarcerated crocheters. [more inside]
posted by kickingthecrap at 1:47 PM PST - 5 comments

By word of mouth, the outer layer is nylon and the inner layer and lining is polyester. Is it debatable that it can go in hot water, in machine and can be tumble dried (high or medium)? If so, what makes it wash only in cold water and only hang to dry? As well how do you test it, (instruction and brand name is missing)
posted by amfgf at 12:20 PM PST - 11 comments

I am trying to fix a broken pair of childs glasses. Can you help me find a replacement part? [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 12:10 PM PST - 3 comments

I Googled it with the 3 keywords. I can find trees sites about strong trees against insect infectation, and sites about trees against icestorms but not shady trees against icestorms insect infectation, and other bad things? I need a house that with those kinds of trees?
posted by amfgf at 11:33 AM PST - 10 comments

I would like more shirts like this one. I got it from L.L. Bean some years ago, but they no longer sell it. The general idea is something like a long-sleeved polo shirt, but somewhat more dressy. [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 9:50 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm so angry with myself. I share a place with flatmates and I realised it was my turn to do the bins. I was out so I rushed back to do them, as it's Sunday. [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 8:18 AM PST - 31 comments

I'm looking for large outdoor (i.e. not greenhouse, I already did those this season) gardens that have nice (ideally *extensive*) spring bulb displays (daffodils, tulips, irises, etc) and flowering trees (magnolia, cherry) in Western Mass. I'm near Amherst/Northampton but willing to drive a bit for someplace nice. In PA I really liked Chanticleer, something similar would be great.
posted by needs more cowbell at 7:52 AM PST - 9 comments

I need to sell large items (e.g., Stairmaster) that would require someone coming to the house to pick it up. I've read the standard advice for being careful and it mostly isn't applicable (e.g., I don't have someone who could be here with me). Would it be unreasonable to ask for a buyer to email me a copy of their Driver's License before I give my address? Any other measures people could suggest? [more inside]
posted by Jon44 at 7:06 AM PST - 24 comments

I was idly wondering if there would be any implications of there being another galaxy that was close enough to see- say, a spiral galaxy the same size as the Milky Way that took the same amount of space in the sky as the moon. Clearly it’s still very far away, but that’s a lot of mass! Would anything be different for the denizens of the Milky Way, from a physical or cosmological standpoint?
posted by rockindata at 6:46 AM PST - 6 comments

For fictional purposes, I want a someone to have "fuck you" success in life after escaping poor treatment by their parents. They're going to come back one day and drop the bombshell that they're now a [JOB GOES HERE]. What would be prestigious enough that they'd expect it to make an impact, without being morally dubious, or or implausible to obtain without a support network in the UK? [more inside]
posted by Lorc at 5:57 AM PST - 43 comments

We will be in Singapore for 7 days and are interested in strategies to make the best use of the public transit system for sightseeing and day trips. [more inside]
posted by fairmettle at 5:23 AM PST - 4 comments

Hi! I'm looking for new books to read based on a list of favorites. As you can see from list (inside) I'm mostly interested in romance and fantasy/sci fi. [more inside]
posted by karasu at 4:16 AM PST - 25 comments

This is just a kind of thing I am bad at! I'd like to mount a shelf on the wall of a small room in my house to project movies on the opposite wall. I'm not sure about things like "throw." [more inside]
posted by less-of-course at 8:56 PM PST - 2 comments

I have a unique predicament. Our vendor provides a GraphQL endpoint (only production, no test is available). We're working on a NextJS app and our developers can work against mocked data. Assume our code can't cause the issue of deleted users still showing up, etc., because we can test this outside of code. On our CI server I want to test scenarios we know have been issues that are edge cases and kill a build before it goes out, this will help finger pointing. The process to test is pretty complex, so a shell script would probably be a pain. Has anyone dealt with this? [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 8:05 PM PST - 10 comments

YANMTaxProfessional: My partner started the year in CA, but moved to MA in late summer. They stayed at the same job--which is fully remote--through the move. However, their company continued to report all income to CA and to withhold taxes to CA; no taxes were withheld to MA. Fine enough--except their W-2 includes entries for CA and MA, but they don't match the actual distribution of work! What's a tax payer to do? [more inside]
posted by miguelcervantes at 6:46 PM PST - 2 comments

5-10 years ago I had some kind of cryptocurrency wallet with a relatively small amount of currency. All I remember about it is that I think it was a software that I actually had to download and set up on my computer (a computer which I no longer have), though even that I'm not 100% sure about. I also lost the paper with the code, and I thought that was that... [more inside]
posted by lgyre at 5:41 PM PST - 1 comment

I’ve never liked baths… but suddenly recently I’ve been drawn (get it?) to them. How to make a bath awesome? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 5:22 PM PST - 13 comments

I have this antique necklace and I'm wondered where it was originally made and how old it might be. It's silver, and when I was searching for some similar rose beads I saw a few things listed as Navajo. I got it when I was a child at the antique fair in Alameda, California. Have you seen anything like it?
posted by pinochiette at 4:50 PM PST - 10 comments

Need instructions for how to operate this thing, whatever it is. I think it has some temperature or time reading function. Digital readout on bottom, light bulbs inside the glass portion, water goes in the glass portion I believe. No product name or numbers on the unit.
posted by Jackson at 4:26 PM PST - 7 comments

What can help prevent all the disaster caused by icestorms? I don't own a house yet, but how do I prevent problems that arise from icestorms?
posted by amfgf at 1:53 PM PST - 7 comments

An older member of our community suffered a painful and embarrassing incident last year and has since turned to the bottle. Is there anything we can do to help? [more inside]
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 1:36 PM PST - 7 comments

I impulse-bought a dozen gallon-size potted raspberries that are fully leafed out. The internet has lots of advice about planting bare-root raspberries but what I want to know is whether I should plant these now when there’s still a good chance of not just frost but actual hard freeze, snow, etc. Zone 5.
posted by HotToddy at 12:35 PM PST - 6 comments

The last joint closest to the figernail on my right index finger has been a bit sore for months. I noticed some bumps/swelling. [more inside]
posted by melamakarona at 11:19 AM PST - 9 comments

I had my iron levels tested 2 weeks ago and the level of iron in my blood and absorbency were very low. They tested again this week and both were higher than normal. I haven't changed anything in the last 2 weeks, what could cause this? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by entropyiswinning at 11:04 AM PST - 6 comments

We're moving a 3 bedroom house from the midwest to the west coast. Wife and I disagree on how best to do it and we're looking for input. [more inside]
posted by soonertbone at 10:20 AM PST - 26 comments

I am a burnt out office manager for a small (less than 20 employees) company. I make just enough money to live alone and feed myself. No savings. I'm wearing too many hats, and there is no chance of sharing or removing any of them in my current position. Please help me chart a path forward, or at least think a bit more clearly. [more inside]
posted by MuChao at 8:42 AM PST - 18 comments

How to deal with elderly parent showing signs of dementia but refusing to acknowledge it or to seek any care for it? [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 7:30 AM PST - 22 comments

I recently was given a traffic ticket for using/holding my cell phone and texting on the road in CA, and am wondering about how best to proceed as well as the impact of this on insurance premiums. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:20 AM PST - 15 comments

A white American woman in her 30s wants to learn about social justice for professional reasons. She is pretty well educated; she has a Master's degree in International Relations. However, her understanding of racism, sexism, ableism, transphobia, etc. is....lacking. She wants to learn as much as she can over the next few weeks so she can have a comfortable conversation with progressives. What would you recommend she read or listen to? [more inside]
posted by equipoise at 9:10 PM PST - 15 comments

Help me figure out how to remove the shade from this presumably-LED ceiling fan light so I can (somehow) find, buy, and install a replacement LED bank. [more inside]
posted by janell at 6:34 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm hosting a birthday picnic at a lake tomorrow. The weather was very pleasant earlier this week, going as high as the late 70s/low 80s, but has since then plummeted to the high 40s/low 50s. I felt uncertain about the picnic, because I really love that lake and want to hold my birthday there, but it's cold. Most of my friends are okay with it, and say it's my decision, but I feel guilty (people pleaser problems). [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 6:13 PM PST - 38 comments

What are some of your favourite and best 1930s films? I have seen My Man Godfrey and City Lights, Showboat, which are probably some of the best and the Thin Man Series as well. I am open to comedy, drama, mystery, and all kinds as long as it is well done. I hear Greta Garbo is great too but I have only seen one of her films.
posted by RearWindow at 5:15 PM PST - 41 comments

I guess I have super high metabolism at night as I sleep with a sheet on me, even winter and fan in summer and still always hot. (in my 60s and slim, even). Over the years, I have tried foam mattresses and innerspring and hybrid and nothing helps keep me cool at night. I prefer foam for the motion control as I am a super light sleeper and any motion from the wife wakes me up. [more inside]
posted by luvmywife at 1:42 PM PST - 12 comments

It went something like "if you want to know what the internet will do to your profession look at what it's doing to musicians already." Anyone remember this? Thanks!
posted by PikeMatchbox at 12:24 PM PST - 3 comments

This question pops up every few years but given how poorly some comedy ages I think it's worth asking again. I want to introduce my kids (14/12) to stand up comedy. They're old enough that some swearing isn't the end of the world but sex/drug comedy is too much to explain. Classics are great, but more recent/topical comedy would be awesome as well. Suggestions?
posted by rouftop at 12:07 PM PST - 32 comments

I just had a therapist get into a verbal argument with me and tell me to go find another therapist. I was in the middle of asking a question when she hung up on me. I would like to do what I can to ensure other people are aware that this is a possible outcome of therapy with this person. [more inside]
posted by DingoMutt at 12:03 PM PST - 20 comments

What are your favorite blogs or social media accounts based on documenting the process of doing everything on a list? For example, cooking every recipe in a cookbook, Julie and Julia-style, or traveling to the highest point in every US state, or reading every Shakespeare play, or... For extra credit, I'm especially interested in examples where the creator did successfully complete their project! [more inside]
posted by capricorn at 11:34 AM PST - 24 comments

What it says on the tin but many complicated details within. [more inside]
posted by Don Pepino at 11:01 AM PST - 14 comments

Every year in spring, we have a recurring problem with a bird flying into/attacking a specific window in our house. A) Why is it doing this? B) How do we make it stop? [more inside]
posted by darchildre at 9:40 AM PST - 10 comments

iMac system preferences confirm that the device is connected to wifi and ethernet but still getting error message: "Not connected to internet" [more inside]
posted by elkevelvet at 9:35 AM PST - 5 comments

Does this colorful abstract t-shirt design have any meaning or come from somewhere? [more inside]
posted by glonous keming at 8:36 AM PST - 5 comments

My daughter (9) is trying to find an audiobook she listened to, but can't remember the title or all that much of the content. [more inside]
posted by that's candlepin at 8:07 AM PST - 9 comments

I am interested in a lot of things, and have always struggled to figure out how to balance my time between them. I'm looking for practical advice on this, how you think about it, etc. especially interested in how to think about balancing pure, "pointless" leisure time with "self-improvement" (which can be fulfilling in its own way but isn't necessarily straight leisure). lots of snowflake details within... [more inside]
posted by wooh at 7:31 AM PST - 18 comments

I'm trying to locate a blog I read years ago written by Mark O'Brien. He wrote a famous essay on seeing a sex surrogate as a disabled man who used an iron lung. His essay later got turned into a movie, which dominates the search results so I'm struggling to find his original site. [more inside]
posted by EllaEm at 7:21 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm embarrassed to say I looked through the timelines of some random people who followed me or liked a comment of mine on Twitter who might be described as influencers. They're all highly attractive women in their 20's with long flowing hair with many pictures of themselves wearing stylish, expensive clothing in exotic locales along with anodyne self-help mantras ("Choose to be happy!"). What is behind this? Are they just wealthy people showing off? [more inside]
posted by Jon44 at 7:14 AM PST - 19 comments

What are the most significant / influential / persuasive peer-reviewed studies / metastudies on anthropogenic climate change? [more inside]
posted by ZenMasterThis at 6:12 AM PST - 4 comments

We are committed to our first trip to CDMX from October 27-November 3 this year. We have a hotel in the Centro but can cancel / change it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:04 AM PST - 9 comments

I adopted an old man dog seven weeks ago. He was diagnosed with lymphoma this week. I am crushed. [more inside]
posted by antihistameme at 1:09 AM PST - 26 comments

I am looking for examples of fake accents. [more inside]
posted by lesser whistling duck at 10:04 PM PST - 53 comments

I would like to get involved in community theater, but no one seems to want my help. Could volunteering with a dance group help me get into theater? [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 8:12 PM PST - 10 comments

We broke up, I took the dog, but ex has been taking her on weekends sometimes. Is this fair to the dog? How did you manage this situation after your breakup? [more inside]
posted by vanitas at 7:33 PM PST - 16 comments

The snowflakes is freezer safe, and the one with a square with plates on top and North E and North W from the bottom looks like dishwasher safe. But what about the with wine glass and fork mean? Also, the 4 lines of the waves ( or 4 horizontal zigzag lines) inside a square mean? It can't be microwave since only ceramic or glass goes in the microwave. [more inside]
posted by amfgf at 5:44 PM PST - 10 comments

Have you had your US house reroofed in the last three years or so? Would you mind sharing a general ballpark figure of what it cost? [more inside]
posted by mygothlaundry at 2:46 PM PST - 24 comments

Planning a New England road trip Brooklyn > VT > NH > Maine > CT, please help me with scenic drives that don't take us too far out of the way. [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 2:27 PM PST - 17 comments

Have you flown Turkish Air in the last year or so? The most recent ask about this was 2015. We have mid-May economy tickets from US east coast to Rome with Istanbul layovers each way. Tripadvisor et al sites are filled with some high praise and more recent posts about cancellation horror stories. What can we expect? Several flakes of snow inside. [more inside]
posted by conscious matter at 1:10 PM PST - 6 comments

The bottom of page 33—and only page 33 – in my 1966 Penguin edition of Saul Bellow’s “Seize the Day” has “T—S.T.D.—B” written on the bottom left, opposite the page number. What does it stand for?
posted by whitewall at 1:03 PM PST - 46 comments

This is a question (of mine) I reworded by the way. I want to know if people routinely hover over hyperlinks in articles etc., (let's say the word "here") and look at url at the bottom left of the screen, to verify that it's not some upto not good person trying to get people to click on an upto no good place. I always check. [more inside]
posted by amfgf at 12:17 PM PST - 32 comments

My job is making me miserable. Should I quit? And if so, how? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:17 PM PST - 29 comments

I am very fond of these veggie burgers, but they are Expensive. I would like to try to make my own. [more inside]
posted by JanetLand at 12:13 PM PST - 4 comments

I need a new toaster. Toaster reviews on the internet seem to suggest that they are all trash, at least at an under-$200 price point. What is a good @#$(*$% toaster to buy, goddamnit? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 11:04 AM PST - 13 comments

When I start work in the morning, my wireless network requires multiple resets over the course of the first hour. What's going on here? [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 9:45 AM PST - 17 comments

I moved to Edinburgh Scotland about six months ago. I rely on an anti-depressant that is available off label only in the UK (bupropion). My GP wants me to switch medications. I do not want to go through a couple of depressive spells while we try to see what other medications may or may not work for me, as I already have one that does work. How do I get an acknowledgement that keeping me on the antidepressant that I've been on for 20 years is a good thing and should continue? [more inside]
posted by Hactar at 9:25 AM PST - 14 comments

My son’s ferritin level is not increasing in spite of taking iron supplements. This has been going on for few months. Here is the history of all kinds of diagnosis and interventions we have been going through for the last 6- 8 months. Details below... [more inside]
posted by SunPower at 7:04 AM PST - 24 comments

I have a Fujifilm x100F camera collecting dust. It looks like due to tik tok these cameras cost even more used than new! Help me decide on ways to sell? [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 6:55 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm trying to delete FortiNet VPN software from my work Mac, and am having no luck. [more inside]
posted by jonathanhughes at 6:40 AM PST - 4 comments

My friend Teresa once described a novel I'd like to track down, set in nineteenth-century Britain: "published by Warner as a sort of quasi-Regency bodice-ripper, back when bodice-rippers were getting big but there weren’t enough of them yet to feed the pipeline. But it wasn’t anything of the sort!" Help with identifying this book? [more inside]
posted by brainwane at 6:00 AM PST - 4 comments

At some point in the last couple of years, a comment on Metafilter linked to a fantastic essay posted on Facebook. The essay painstakingly explained why the ongoing moral panic over transgender athletes is ludicrous bullshit. It was very detailed, but now I remember almost none of those details! Can anyone point me back to that essay?
posted by cubeb at 5:25 AM PST - 3 comments

Where should my brother and I eat lunch and hang out? We live a little farther apart than ideal for a day trip. Hartford, CT is about halfway, so it could be a good area to meet, though we’re open to somewhere else too. We’d like somewhere to eat lunch outside, and something else to do. [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 5:11 AM PST - 5 comments

Our Cambridge, Mass landlord of 2 years is retiring and selling the apartment. If this happens we will be out on our ear in a trice and it will be super destructive to our family for a bunch of reasons. He feels very bad that the entirety of our stay has been plagued with contractors barging in and out, and giant holes in the drywall, and the water being turned off for like a week at a time, a bunch of times. He is offering my small family the opportunity to buy the place, at a little discount, even. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:07 AM PST - 17 comments

I only remember the first scene, but it's intense. A man takes his friend out shooting. Once they're alone, he reveals he knows the friend is having an affair with his wife. Rather than shooting the friend, he shoots himself, framing the friend for murder. What is this movie? Black comedy/thriller from 15-20 years ago, I think.
posted by zanni at 4:30 AM PST - 2 comments

I made some change in Google Chrome to limit the number of open tabs in a window, but I can't remember how I did it nor can I find it. [more inside]
posted by lometogo at 12:07 AM PST - 7 comments

I’m looking for recommendations for fiction books that span only a small amount of time and focus mainly on one character. I’ve read many books lately that span decades/generations, and/or go back and forth between different characters or plot lines. I’ve enjoyed many of these books (some do it better than others) but I’m getting a little worn out on the style and need a break for something different. [more inside]
posted by sillysally at 9:50 PM PST - 27 comments

Radiation treatment is making it very hard for me to swallow and I have a very sore throat, so I think I'm going to need to make some smoothies and milkshakes and stuff like that in order to get calories in. If you like your CORDED immersion blender, tell me why! [more inside]
posted by kitten kaboodle at 8:25 PM PST - 19 comments

Amir Ahmadi Arian, probably paraphrasing, said: "Vladimir Lenin once said when a revolutionary movement is defeated, politics is replaced with reactionary thinking, mysticism, and pornography." When/where did Lenin say something like that?
posted by clawsoon at 7:59 PM PST - 2 comments

I have respiratory issues I am seeing a doctor for which make me short of breath. I wear a mask when in public and usually this is not a problem, but periodically I need to present to a large group and it becomes really difficult for me to breathe. I end up gasping for air and out of breath, which is very awkward. Is there a way to manage this? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 7:55 PM PST - 15 comments

My friend is currently housed, but the water is shut off because of non-payment, and the power is about to be shut off. The house owes several years of back property taxes, and he already got a notice that they will be sending a past due bill soon. He is not doing basic things to take care of himself. I'm not sure there's much I can do remotely. [more inside]
posted by daytondailyfail at 6:45 PM PST - 14 comments

I’m teaching a library lesson to 4th and 5th graders tomorrow and want to start by sharing one or two short news articles about the accelerating efforts to remove ‘controversial’ books from school libraries. Ideally I would like to provoke strong reactions from the kids (this is in liberal Seattle so I’m not worried about pushback.) I’ll be throwing anything I find up on a screen so something with images would be a plus. Have access to NYT and Apple News…
posted by carterk at 5:56 PM PST - 4 comments

I want to bake lamb wrapped in puff pastry for four. Why can't I find a simple recipe? [more inside]
posted by ojocaliente at 4:28 PM PST - 6 comments

Most cats I've known like to sleep at the foot of the bed at night or in the crook of my knee. But I'm temporarily taking care of one who likes to spoon- he puts his back against my chest in the position that someone would hold a teddy bear. I love it, but when he falls asleep he snores very loudly (it's extremely loud even if I'm wearing earplugs). [more inside]
posted by pinochiette at 4:09 PM PST - 11 comments

I recently paid off a high interest (30%) credit card and now each time I use it, I immediately pay off the entire balance. I pay back the card the same day online, and keep the balance at 0. I was surprised to find a $100 interest charge emerge from a zero balance. [more inside]
posted by little striped mule at 3:51 PM PST - 17 comments

Asking for a friend. I haven't been in a bar since March 2020, and the relevant questions on here are a bit stale. Any thoughts?
posted by janey47 at 3:42 PM PST - 4 comments

I need an alarm clock that will alarm at a time, but go off automatically after 1 minute. Do you know of one that is not a phone (or at least a cheap phone I can buy used that will only be used as an alarm)? [more inside]
posted by Saucywench at 3:40 PM PST - 1 comment

In the past few years I've acquired a poke bowl habit and primarily patronized a chain (Poke Crew) in New Jersey near my workplace. Unfortunately, other poke restaurants I've tried in the city and Westchester have been lackluster, despite purported great Yelp/Google reviews. Meager toppings, lack of flavorful sauces, not a multi-dimensional eating experience as I've come to associate with the dish. [more inside]
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 3:03 PM PST - 2 comments

In 2002/2003 I lived in Pittsburgh. In the 900 block of Wymore St to be specific, right off Steuben street. Somewhere west of where I lived, not far.... Was a restaurant in a bend of the road that was like an old house. [more inside]
posted by chasles at 2:48 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm in the US. I've had two long term jobs that have spanned the years between my college graduation and now as well as several, low paying 'placeholder' jobs that I had every intention of leaving within days. [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 2:07 PM PST - 3 comments

I have a pair of sister cats just over two years old... and they have become food obsessed. Do you have any suggestions or techniques to help me mitigate this increasingly annoying behavior? [more inside]
posted by RajahKing at 2:05 PM PST - 13 comments

I've got a small family wedding planned in August at the Peristyle in Prospect Park. Is there any way I can rent 30 chairs for a Friday morning and have them delivered? If not, how can we make good choices about minimizing time and stress? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:52 PM PST - 6 comments

I have bought a jumpsuit. It’s not my color. It’s not really my style. But I like it anyway. I cannot find a link to the jumpsuit I bought, which I got on sale, and apparently no longer exists online. I did find something else which has the same basic cut, and leg length. I am not a sandal nor heels person. Note: this jumpsuit is made in a brown plaid fabric (kind of like this). Can I just wear sneakers?
posted by Bella Donna at 12:55 PM PST - 14 comments

Is there a way to hide or delete all of the highlighting on a PDFat once? I have access to Windows and Mac. My PDF has a lot of highlights (e.g.), but I only seem to have the option to delete one at a time. How do I remove or hide all of them?
posted by andoatnp at 12:53 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm learning French and I need to expand my vocabulary. I love watching process videos in English (think a trip to the pencil factory style vibe). Do you have any recommendations of what I could watch en français ? [more inside]
posted by socky_puppy at 12:34 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm having trouble finding an article I read a few months ago about a taxonomy for digital note-taking and/or file structures. It's probably from some uber-nerdy blog. The taxonomy used two-digit numbers, such as 01 - Animals, 02 - Solar System, 03 - Comic Books. There may have been sub categories (01.23 - Rabbits) but maybe not. I had no reason to think I'd ever need to use this system...but apparently I do. Can you help me find this half-remembered article? [more inside]
posted by jdroth at 11:46 AM PST - 2 comments

A while ago I posted a question about whether shyness was genetic or not and whether the only solution was meds. Quite a few of you cottoned on that my real question was, is there any hope for the socially anxious? So, I hope it's ok for me to come back and try again with the real question. [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 11:40 AM PST - 13 comments

What can I wear to a traditional Sikh wedding ceremony that is sufficiently conservative, dressy, and (ideally) not Indian-style? [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 11:21 AM PST - 6 comments

I just learned that my neighbor's septic field goes right up to the property line, right next to where I've planned a bed for herbs and veggies. Unfortunately it's one of the only sunny spots on the property, so I really want to be able to use it. How risky is this, infectious disease-wise? [more inside]
posted by knotty knots at 9:57 AM PST - 14 comments

Whenever I eat a particular kind of edible seaweed (sheets of sea stone laver - like this), I get sores on both sides of my mouth where my lips join for a few days later. I'm trying to figure out if it's a physical issue (seaweed paper cut?) or a reaction to the actual seaweed. [more inside]
posted by terretu at 9:33 AM PST - 9 comments

Heya! Tomorrow lil catrae turns 9 and she is throwing a surrealist birthday party for her friends. We have magic tricks! We have weird food! We have poster board for exquisite corpse drawings! But…at the end of the party we want to have a movie or show and I’d love some suggestions for anything streaming or available online (amazon renting is fine, Netflix, YouTube etc) that would be fun along the the theme of our party!
posted by catrae at 8:39 AM PST - 30 comments

I have a few things I want to try selling on NextDoor - nothing over $100. In the past, I've just written "cash only," but I'm wondering if Paypal or Venmo would be better and how that would work. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 7:12 AM PST - 23 comments

Medical resources that I can find only tend to have "Go to an emergency room if A occurs", rather than things like "If A occurs, it is a sign of B, and means death may occur within C hours/days and is likely to occur within D hours/days". How can I find material that is more like the latter for various injuries? I need it to convince a stubborn patient to seek medical care. [more inside]
posted by corb at 6:58 AM PST - 8 comments

Nvidia has some pretty cool SDKs for doing stuff like background removal/virtual green screen. I can use it in OBS in real-time without issue, but how can I integrate this into a more traditional Premiere Pro offline sort of workflow? [more inside]
posted by Rhomboid at 6:39 AM PST - 2 comments

My iPhone SE is hanging up exactly 21 seconds into every call, incoming or outgoing, on wi-fi or cellular. I can't figure out how to fix it. Things I've tried in the "more inside." [more inside]
posted by Well I never at 6:00 AM PST - 7 comments

I’ve gone through several mattresses over the last 10 years. different types, densities, still don’t feel like I know what to do to find what will keep me from waking up stiff. I wonder is there a branch of medicine where they can guide you through the process? [more inside]
posted by disnchntd at 5:48 AM PST - 13 comments

A few years ago, I came across a sizable archive of a British (maybe English) magazine or "little newspaper" for girls in their mid to late teens. It was probably published in the late 1880s to the mid to late 1890s (it may have been published outside of this window, too, but this is what I remember). Snowflakes within! [more inside]
posted by verbminx at 8:21 PM PST - 5 comments

I don’t want to default to Harry Potter character analogies these days, because fuck J.K. Rowling, but I’m having trouble thinking of other literary or media characters that fill a niche similar to Dolores Umbridge. Hit me with your best villains hiding their intentions under a thin veneer of saccharine kitsch. [more inside]
posted by I am a Sock, I am an Island at 7:10 PM PST - 34 comments

Sewists of MetaFilter, lend me your wisdom! I've commissioned a custom pattern for a dress, and am now looking for someone to help me make it. I can cross-stitch and no further, and so am utterly ignorant. Looking for advice both on a) finding someone to work with (Bay area... but also maybe beyond?), and b) setting respectful expectations about price, timeline, etc. Details below. [more inside]
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 7:03 PM PST - 9 comments

I have a plain old personal blog and I'm looking for a WordPress theme designer or shop who reliably updates their themes and offers some kind of support even if it's a knowledge bank. I'm fine with paying because I've been burned before by free themes that are riddled with malware/virus vulnerabilities. [more inside]
posted by kimberussell at 6:39 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm a teacher who would like to pick up a gig economy job during the summer, but I don't have any experience with that kind of work. I'd really appreciate some advice on what sort of gig job would work well for me given my somewhat unique situation. Details below. [more inside]
posted by Chuck Barris at 6:25 PM PST - 20 comments

Which is less annoying: two last names or a hyphenated last name? I'm female, my kids have my last name. My male spouse is changing his last name to include mine. Is hyphenated or unhyphenated easier under the circumstances? [more inside]
posted by Knicke at 4:52 PM PST - 51 comments

Is curling the body acutely to one side a normal/passing thing with a molting/springtime anole? I normally wouldn't pick up a wild anole, but this one seemed to be in real distress; I've been taking care of it for two days, it doesn't seem overly stressed by being in the container (I think it ate some isopods), but I occasionally see it curled up pretty acutely. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 2:01 PM PST - 21 comments

Hi. I am wondering if a PhD from UCL in Social Science (literally what it is called) is a good idea to pursue if one likes political science? I am in Canada and the UCL PhD is offered online at a distance. Though I wonder if it is better to pursue a PhD in Political Science instead? [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 1:42 PM PST - 30 comments

How should I go about choosing a new mattress? I'm overwhelmed and intimidated by all the choices, and just overall struggling to make headway with this decision. Please share your strategies for how do you make decisions that seem important and are expensive. Is depression making this harder? [more inside]
posted by Hoenikker at 1:15 PM PST - 31 comments

I attended the Ari Shapiro book event at Portland's Revolution Hall a few nights ago. The guest interviewer, Thomas Lauderdale, read an anecdote from an apparently out of print book that was about a young, overly enthusiastic Ari Shapiro as he happily worked at Portland's Rimsky-Korsakoffee House. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 11:52 AM PST - 2 comments

My cousin is going to Ireland and is very interested in bagpipes and Pagan sites/culture. Does anyone have any pointers? Assume that I have already Googled this and am looking for more.
posted by rednikki at 11:18 AM PST - 6 comments

Would anybody have any idea what kind of statistical analysis skills and methods huge North American retailers would expect from their consumer brand account managers/sales reps? I’m applying for large account manager roles in my old field of retail account management. In seeing news job openings online I see that as much as sales & retail account management experience they are specifically looking for some kind of data analytics skills. I left this field to get a master’s degree in heavy stats-oriented applied psychology which was recently classified by the gov’t as a STEM field. [more inside]
posted by Che boludo! at 11:05 AM PST - 7 comments

The strip of black rubber that ran underneath my front door and helped to seal it when shut has come partially off (photo). Is there a way I can fix this, or should I just cut it off short and forget about it?
posted by orange swan at 10:55 AM PST - 11 comments

I will be in London for a week and am looking for a non-chain cafe to have breakfast around the Belgravia area. [more inside]
posted by Julnyes at 9:01 AM PST - 2 comments

Looking for a song/music video I remember watching as a teenager and really loving. Song was possibly from the 80s/90s/00s. I always think it was Kraftwerk but I don't think it was. [more inside]
posted by monologish at 8:02 AM PST - 7 comments

How to defrost single vacuum packed Barramundi fish? [more inside]
posted by mirileh at 7:36 AM PST - 6 comments

how this item can help, best support, your mission [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 6:26 AM PST - 26 comments

After a long time (over a decade) being in a steady, committed and happy relationship I find myself single. Since the end of that relationship a couple of years ago I have been with one other person for a while, which sadly didn't work out. Looking at my situation I think there are some things I haven't learned in my life, and that a lot has changed in the world since I was last in this place, and I'd like to do something about that. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:57 AM PST - 9 comments

I live in Canada and have been on a quest to find an ideal anti-fog glasses lens cleaner but haven't yet found anything that completely satisfies me. [more inside]
posted by GlassHeart at 9:43 PM PST - 3 comments

My spouse is a Star Trek fan. I know comparatively little about Star Trek. I would like to translate some specific phrases into Klingon so that I can talk dirty to him. I need help knowing where I can find people to help with this. [more inside]
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 8:22 PM PST - 8 comments

Is there a way to change the Microsoft voice Zira so she stops saying "Mississippi" when the word miss is used as a title or with a period at the end of it? [more inside]
posted by soelo at 8:16 PM PST - 0 comments

So, if I give Spotify ten bucks a month, will I be able to use the queue? [more inside]
posted by the hot hot side of randy at 7:48 PM PST - 8 comments

Can you help us out with 90s themed dinner menu suggestions? [more inside]
posted by joycehealy at 7:14 PM PST - 68 comments

I'm interested in putting together some kind of timeline about my life, just for myself. I'm looking for a way to keep track of what I've done and experienced, to have some help making sense of myself as a person, and capture memories before I forget more of it. Is there a tool for this before I DIY something? [more inside]
posted by rivenwanderer at 3:04 PM PST - 6 comments

I have a Bank of America credit card, with no hinky fraud protection enabled, but it will not resolve any payments to Deutsche Bahn, SBB (Swiss railways), or the hotel we're trying to book in Lyon, France. WHY??? [more inside]
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 2:30 PM PST - 13 comments

Apparently people in California who live in one of a list of affected counties (most of them) don't have to file a federal income tax return until October because of the stormy winter. Forgive me for asking such a ridiculous, easily googleable question (I have!), but that seems too good to be true. Is there something I'm not understanding, or as a resident of one of the affected counties, my deadline has actually been pushed back six months?
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 2:20 PM PST - 4 comments

I have a scar on my forehead that has been there forever, and I'm sick of it. I always wear hats/caps to cover it up, but I'd like to get it fixed. However, because it's cosmetic, my insurance is saying it would not be covered and I'd have to pay full out-of-pocket costs to fix it. How would you recommend I move forward? [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 12:44 PM PST - 11 comments

Just curious to know, how many more months or years do you think the pandemic trauma will last for most people? Will the trauma and mental health last for years or decades? Or is it already going away you reckon?
posted by RearWindow at 12:30 PM PST - 55 comments

I just read The Verifiers by Jane Pek. The back of the book said it was "part literary mystery" and I want more like this. [more inside]
posted by azalea_chant at 12:28 PM PST - 9 comments

My three favorite webcomics ever are Achewood, Kill Six Billion Demons, and The Abominable Charles Christopher. What are some more like these? [more inside]
posted by slappy_pinchbottom at 12:07 PM PST - 9 comments

Sixteen-year-old niece has long-standing problems with stomach cramps (not period pain), feeling bloated and with bad breath (excellent teeth and hygienist care). As a child they were treated with strong antibiotics and we were warned at the time that this might have an effect on their gut functioning. We are wondering whether a gut issue could explain both the bloating and breath issues. Wondering about supplements or probiotics - advice appreciated. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:53 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm taking my daughter (14) to Seattle for a few days next week and we've already done the standard sights (Pike Place, glass museum, space needle, Pop Culture museum, etc) a few times. We're looking for some other fun things to see/do. We're up for sights, tours, neighborhoods, food, even art classes or things like that. [more inside]
posted by gottabefunky at 11:45 AM PST - 20 comments

I have just started cooking (and eating) chicken after my entire adult life as a vegetarian and... I don't understand how to use a meat thermometer! [more inside]
posted by Tim Bucktooth at 11:22 AM PST - 19 comments

I like listening to guided meditations while falling asleep and am looking for recommendations for more. Can you recommend online or app-based guided meditations? [more inside]
posted by mcduff at 11:16 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm shopping for a new Android phone, criteria below. [more inside]
posted by medusa at 11:11 AM PST - 15 comments

I accidentally put a shredded memory foam pillow (like this one) in my dryer. It exploded and now my dryer and lint trap are full of foam scraps. How much of a fire risk is there? [more inside]
posted by meowzilla at 10:31 AM PST - 9 comments

A friend and I have pretty much played ourselves out on Scrabble/Upwords word-based games and are looking for a new game to take their place. Numbers based games would be welcome, but in general something with massive replay-value where each game takes a few days would be ideal. Suggestions?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:30 AM PST - 0 comments

I am in extremely intensive therapy (we are talking 3-4 appointments a day) details below… [more inside]
posted by pairofshades at 9:54 AM PST - 15 comments

Back in 2021, Toyota showed a couple of EV concept cars under the monikers of "Micro Box" and "Mid Box". News has been pretty quiet since then - is there a way of finding out whether these are just spitball designs or something that's actually being developed? [more inside]
posted by FatherDagon at 9:46 AM PST - 10 comments

Months ago I got good support here on something I was trying to do (and did do): getting a mortgage on a condo in a town I didn't live in at the time and wasn't employed in. I now live in that town and am (self-)employed there. A question about mortgages and taxes! [more inside]
posted by less-of-course at 9:32 AM PST - 1 comment

My gas furnace is acting peculiar and I need someone to look at it. Sticker on the side from install is 20 years old and that company seems gone. Anyone had a good experience?
posted by moonmoth at 9:22 AM PST - 6 comments

Road trip from Baltimore to Niagara Falls, then Niagara to NYC. Any quick stops of interesting things to see along the way? Just looking for things to break up the long stretches of drive, not necessarily day long attractions.
posted by roaring beast at 9:13 AM PST - 10 comments

In around a month, we will have to make 5x lunches a week for our 2 year old son to bring to daycare. No food restrictions, there's a microwave but we're thinking cold food easier. Trip is about 20 minutes on public transit, 30 walking. It can get hot. What are your tips and containers to make this as painless, effective and not wasteful as possible?
posted by sandmanwv at 8:42 AM PST - 10 comments

This is driving me crazy, I can't find it. It was a longform article about Trump and all of his dealings in NYC, a very complete and detailed history, so that I got an excellent idea of why he is hated there. (More deets inside) [more inside]
posted by Melismata at 8:35 AM PST - 5 comments

Which earbuds do I want? Probably not Apple. [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 7:19 AM PST - 13 comments

Help me to make visual representations of music so that I can remember details of the tunes more readily as I play. [more inside]
posted by umbú at 7:17 AM PST - 2 comments

"Grant Wood's best known painting American Gothic is one of the few images to reach the status of universally recognized cultural icon." Is this sentence punctuated correctly, even if using commas around American Gothic would probably be more ideal? I've been debating some other SAT tutors about this, and it's driving me a bit batty. [more inside]
posted by matkline at 6:20 AM PST - 33 comments

Thanks to fings's post about Ren I have found out about an extremely unique and talented artist who makes stellar music videos without the backing of any label. How do these folks make enough money to do this when they have no "day job" and no wealthy backers?
posted by mightshould at 6:05 AM PST - 8 comments

[This post was written by a human...] One thing that drives my time on the internet is wanting to know the strongest arguments for and against controversial issues. Rather than looking for a sane person on Twitter to offer up what I'm looking for, could ChatGPT do the same more efficiently? [Answers generated by ChatGPT will be scorned...] [more inside]
posted by Jon44 at 6:00 AM PST - 26 comments

I am a mid-40s woman looking to start a revamp of my wardrobe. I am a very visual person, so I tend to shop outfits from the sites of brands I like based off the pics of assembled pieces on a person. I'd like to expand my horizons and branch out into new brands and styles, but I need inspiration! [more inside]
posted by tryniti at 5:58 AM PST - 7 comments

My eight-year-old enjoys moving large objects into various configurations outside. What are some things we could get that would feed this interest? [more inside]
posted by ignignokt at 5:19 AM PST - 13 comments

What are the great infographics, or sources for infographics like books and blogs, that focus on gender and sexuality? Any leads would be most appreciated ...
posted by mortaddams at 4:27 AM PST - 4 comments

I have two Macbooks, one from 2008, one from about 2011. Both have broken screens, but at least turn on. Some Google suggests it's nearly impossible to repair old Macbooks because Apple doesn't make parts available. I really just care about getting all the data off of them. What are my fastest, cheapest, and best options?
posted by corb at 3:17 AM PST - 17 comments

My dad was telling me about this short story that he loved but didn't know the name or the author, I think it was part of a sci-fi anthology or pulp. The premise is this: The protagonist rides the elevated train from/to Manhattan (I think it was Manhattan or based in NY) every day and at a certain point in their journey, they experience a weird blip - a weird sensation that something is off, but then it goes away and they resume the trip. This happens both ways. Later (spoiler) they discover that aliens have cloned the entire island of Manhattan to study people and when they get on the train they're actually being transported to this cloned island, hence the blip.
posted by bertrandom at 9:58 PM PST - 4 comments

Hi folks, I am looking for an tech article that I ran into recently (say, within the last month) whose basic thesis is that Docker / Dockerfiles can be considered an interface between application developers and devops / platform teams. The beginning had a great explanation about what an "abstraction" is, and how certain tools right now are at the wrong level of abstraction for those that need to use it.
posted by stevenpl at 9:34 PM PST - 1 comment

I am the (legal) owner of an iPhone 13. It was wiped before I obtained it. When I go to set it up, I get to a screen that asks for the Remote Management login from the company that owned it originally. I do not have access to the password although I do know the user name. I want to remove (not bypass) this MDM software. What is the best, (free?) way to do so without contacting the company whose MDM it is? (While contacting the company would be possible, trust me when I say that is the last resort.) [more inside]
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:03 PM PST - 8 comments

I saw a pop punk show in Chicago circa 1997 where they covered Another Saturday Night (and I ain't got nobody...). I was seeing the Bouncing Souls, so it was either them or someone who opened for them. I've been trying to find a recording for awhile -- anyone have any ideas?
posted by slidell at 7:00 PM PST - 4 comments

My ex husband died unexpectedly but lives in Nevada; we are in NJ. Specific questions, as he was a veteran, below. [more inside]
posted by annieb at 4:30 PM PST - 9 comments

Sooooo, I got whacked in the back of the head by a falling 2x4 yesterday while working on a project. Raised an impressive cartoon-quality goose egg. I did not pass out. I did not bleed. I did cry. I was in a lot of pain. I took ibuprofen and then took it easy. I’ve been intentionally laying really low today, and I assume my dull headache is to be expected for the bruise that is surely there. I’m fatigued, and I’m pretty sure the head congestion is spring allergies (because I had it before the blow yesterday). Apart from that, I have bent over a couple of times and felt a bit dizzy. If I decide to visit a healthcare provider, is there a way to do that strategically for optimal coverage? [more inside]
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 4:30 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm in no way proud of how my life has turned out. I feel defeated on every level. Some people can shift their values to reflect their current reality- but thanks to religious trauma , I am not one of those people. I'm not suicidal, I have a therapist and a good psych... but seriously, how does one start feeling proud of themselves without a huge amount of external validation (income, health, beauty, or instagram likes )? I really cannot stand to be alone with these thoughts, so I work every minute that I am asked and I sleep as much as possible-
posted by Mr. Metaphor at 3:35 PM PST - 10 comments

I have limited finances but decided to invest in my mental and physical health, both of which are under a lot of strain, by having someone come in to clean every month. She isn't doing a deep clean and this is causing me a lot of anxiety. [more inside]
posted by little striped mule at 3:23 PM PST - 21 comments

I'm not a lawyer, but editing an article that mentions a lawsuit in passing. I need to edit a sentence that currently says some people "won a lawsuit" without changing the character count significantly. I learned that this case didn't go to court, so "won a lawsuit" seems like the wrong phrasing. If it's possible to avoid the lengthier phrase "negotiated a settlement" that would be good, but I'm not sure if "won a settlement" makes sense. [more inside]
posted by pinochiette at 1:31 PM PST - 17 comments

We're about to head into the great Outside Times. I have a deck and a pool and a hot tub out back and I want to spend time in and around them. But... [more inside]
posted by invincible summer at 1:02 PM PST - 15 comments

What should I do for Easter if I am living alone for the first time in 10 years, have no cooking supplies, money, or friends? [more inside]
posted by Mr. Hazlenut at 12:14 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm looking to commission a few instrumental ukulele tabs. Before I reach out to transcriptionists for commissions, I'd like to know what a fair price for this kind of thing is. Details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 10:38 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm having trouble figuring out how to navigate a workplace situation involving an internal job interview, surgery and short term disability leave. [more inside]
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 10:36 AM PST - 6 comments

How did you prepare your relationship for a baby? [more inside]
posted by artisthatithaca at 10:31 AM PST - 17 comments

This doubles as my submission for the most boring AskMe of 2023! I got a new iPad 10 a few months ago and the microphone sounds like shit when I use Zoom and Voice Memo. Why? [more inside]
posted by cakelite at 10:17 AM PST - 9 comments

I've been using a CPAP machine for 25 years with no issue, but last week I had a really nasty (unrelated) bout of insomnia and I'm now feeling claustrophobic when wearing my mask. To get past the insomnia required 1mg of Ativan and I'd just as soon be done with it if the insomnia hadn't been so bad. To complicate matters it's not clear that I'm getting good sleep with the Ativan. It feels like I'm not wearing the mask anyway. Any ideas would be quite welcome.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:09 AM PST - 4 comments

I was given a lot of CBD gummies to try, but they’ve never really helped me. They are unlabeled so I can’t give them away because I don’t know/remember the THC/CBD percentages. We do have composting though our recycling company. Is that the way to go? I’m in California.
posted by Gusaroo at 9:50 AM PST - 9 comments

I had a cold this past week including terrible earaches on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. I can barely hear in one ear and I'm having some...sound? in my hears. A sort of high tone on one side and a constant humm? in the other (this one keeps making me look at the window thinking its drizzling). I assume this will resolve itself. How long is it reasonable to wait? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:32 AM PST - 11 comments

I manually entered a credit card number at a site that uses Stripe for payment processing, but the payment went through on a different card of mine. How/why? [more inside]
posted by Sweetie Darling at 8:46 AM PST - 5 comments

I am planning a family vacation to Vancouver and I'm hoping to get some advice and recommendations. We are a family of 2 adults and 2 young adults from Pittsburgh and we are open to other options in case Vancouver doesn't fit the bill. We want to go somewhere new, but not too far away, and we like a mix of city and nature. We will be flying from Pittsburgh in August and we are looking for recommendations on alternate cities that might have less expensive airfare. [more inside]
posted by RoadScholar at 6:53 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm going to make an apple tart using puff pastry. The store bought kind. It's a simple tart with a puff pastry base and sliced apples in a single (overlapping) layer. No top pastry. And an apricot jelly glaze. My concern is the pastry will be baked before the apples are cooked through. I don't want al dente slices. Would it help to saute the sliced apples in a bit of butter and then layer them in the pastry? Or am I needlessly concerned?
posted by Czjewel at 4:22 AM PST - 11 comments

I bought a used WaterRower some years ago but rarely use it, because it's just not built for someone with less than large/long feet. [more inside]
posted by goofyfoot at 11:51 PM PST - 4 comments

Will the YES app work on my parents' television? That's... pretty much the whole question! [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 7:30 PM PST - 7 comments

My favorite pair of jeans has done the thing they all do eventually, and has given way at the upper thighs. In the past I have tried to do sashiko-style visible mends, but they have not held and have been lumpy and uncomfortable to wear. Who will let me send them this latest pair, repair them in an aesthetically pleasing and sturdy fashion, and send them back to me for a fee? [more inside]
posted by Lawn Beaver at 6:40 PM PST - 7 comments

All things being equal — sea level etc — does boiling food produce a qualitative change in it? [more inside]
posted by LonnieK at 5:44 PM PST - 26 comments

What newsletter service can I use with an R-rated Twitter that will allow nudity and sexual content? [more inside]
posted by crocodiletsunami at 4:11 PM PST - 1 comment

I’ve got a bunch of unfinished wood projects I need to finish, but I’m a hypochondriac and chemicals that smell stress me out. Are there any materials out there that would help me understand risks involved or that would put my mind at rest so I can get on with the job?! [more inside]
posted by jonrob at 1:30 PM PST - 14 comments

Got any recommendations for especially exciting Olympic events/years, documentaries, etc, portraying particularly exciting/interesting gymnastics or ice-skating content (non-fictionalized)? Especially if there is an interesting human relations aspect to the events/portrayal. [more inside]
posted by bearette at 12:32 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking for new software for my home banking needs. Needs to work with macOS, I'd like to be able to sync info from banks and credit cards correctly and accurately, and I'd like the capacity to label transactions and collect reports on them for tax purposes. [more inside]
posted by leahwrenn at 12:30 PM PST - 5 comments

Going to Hangzhou for two months for work. Some folks suggest not bringing my regular cell phone. Some folks warn not to access any of my accounts while I'm there. That seems like a colossal pain, but better than identity theft and/or spyware I'll never be able to get rid of. How paranoid should I be? ( (I'm bringing my company laptop. I work for a huge Chinese company.)
posted by musofire at 12:05 PM PST - 4 comments

This image shows the output of my google form, with some "clever" formulas I added. But I just realised they don't tell me what I need to know. Help me make use of this data please! [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 11:27 AM PST - 7 comments

My doctor ordered me to take 9 days of sick leave due to lingering COVID issues on 3/30. HR decided that this is disability leave and that I need to file for CA State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Short Term Disability (STD) through my company. I need help figuring out if I'm not going to be paid during this time. [more inside]
posted by The Adventure Begins at 11:25 AM PST - 5 comments

Just told my father that my partner of many years is trans. My father is a video person. I am a text person. I said I could help with resources. Whatcha got? [more inside]
posted by aniola at 10:41 AM PST - 9 comments

My first wedding anniversary is fast approaching and I really want to give my husband a number of small gifts along the theme of paper. What unexpected and delight-provoking gifts might you recommend? [more inside]
posted by In Your Shell Like at 10:28 AM PST - 21 comments

I'm looking for inexpensive 3x5 size white envelopes and stationary for sending short, quick notes in the mail. No frills, just the most basic of items at the cheapest cost. I've looked at Amazon, MIchaels and Staples. Where can I buy this online?
posted by GernBlandston at 9:34 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for live streaming channels to play in the background. What can you show me? [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 9:30 AM PST - 3 comments