May 2013 Archives
May 31
The Algonquin Round Table East
Would you happen to know of any sharp-witted, non-epithet-averse authors from an Asian country whom may also have happened to have had a book banned?
posted by slowlikemolasses at 9:09 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by slowlikemolasses at 9:09 PM PST - 4 comments
What luxury goods are worth the extra cost?
In my 30s and no kids. Help me spend my money on honey. [more inside]
Forget it, doc, I think it's really cool that you're concerned...
I've recently experienced a significant family loss. I also need to leave my long-term partner. How does this go exactly? [more inside]
What scam am I a victim of?
I applied for an administrative assistant job posted on Craigslist and a man offered me a position for a start-up business in the small mid-western city we live in. We exchanged some e-mails and agreed to the terms that I would run some errands for him (for pay) while he was overseas for 3 weeks. He sent me a check for $2500, $300 of which is my pay and the rest is to complete some tasks. The check is a cashier's check from a third party who owes him money.
This all feels fishy and I feel stupid. What's really going on?
Barely-remembered commercial from the 70s/80s
What was this commercial that I vaguely remember from my childhood? [more inside]
posted by jbickers at 6:18 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by jbickers at 6:18 PM PST - 8 comments
Need some help with managing the clutter of life AND works-in-progress.
I already struggle mightily with housekeeping, but adding supplies for artistic projects to the mix only makes the mess overwhelming. [more inside]
posted by oogenesis at 6:14 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by oogenesis at 6:14 PM PST - 10 comments
virgin mobile defective phone problems
nov. 2012 I bought a kyocera rise smart phone from Virgin Mobile and upgraded my plan to go along with it. I'd been a VM customer for 12 years. It took me a while to realize that the phone was not working properly, when trying to make a call, or other task the screen would go black and the phone turn off. I called several times, could never get a CSR to understand the problem and/or come up with a fix. I lived with the problem until about a month ago when, following a failed emergency (life threatening) phone call I started calling regularly to get a fix. It never happened and finally I got the offer of a replacement phone. [more inside]
Urinators Anonymous?
Was there a SNL sketch about a "urinators anonymous" group that would get together and discuss how they were attempting to resist their powerful urge to urinate? Or did I just imagine this?
posted by Mr. Justice at 6:04 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Mr. Justice at 6:04 PM PST - 5 comments
Details on the death of Charles Adams
Any Adams family experts in the house? Did Charles Adams (son of John Adams) die of alcohol poisoning, delirium tremens, liver disease, pancreatitis, or other illness merely attributed to his drinking? Basic googling did not pull up any details on his death. My understanding is that in 1800 DTs was not a well described syndrome (in the US or possibly anywhere), but there was some familiarity with other alcohol-related illness.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 5:05 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by a robot made out of meat at 5:05 PM PST - 4 comments
budget lodging close to KOA airport
Do you have any suggestions for budget lodging on the big island in Hawaii (we'll be coming into KOA airport)? We've never been and are at a loss for how to find a good place to stay. What I really want is suggestions for places that you have personally stayed in and can highly recommend, preferably less than $100, and definitely less than $150 (upper end only if it is really truly breathtaking). Individually owned condos and whatnot are perfect suggestions if it means getting something stunning at an affordable price. [more inside]
How does Forecast.io get its own system icon?
Just poking around the forecast.io web app on my iPhone, and I noticed that it gets its own icon in the app tray that shows recent apps. As far as I can tell, normally sites installed as apps just point to Safari down there. How does forecast.io finagle its own icon?
posted by dubadubowbow at 4:56 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by dubadubowbow at 4:56 PM PST - 3 comments
I don't want breasts on my hairy chest
Should men be concerned about consuming a Venti cupful of soy on a daily basis? [more inside]
Pun-tastic
"What do you call a pissed off baby vampire with the potential for centuries of memory?"
"A 'Tara bite'."
I'm looking for some good pop culture puns related to the past few years. [more inside]
Best practices or tools for defining specifications for a new website?
My small team is hiring a developer and a designer to build a website. What is the best way for us to communicate the features that the website needs to have? It is a medium-complexity website - more than a blog, less than Facebook. [more inside]
Simple animated graphics via OSX + text file
Sometimes I play around with pixel art, usually in Pixen. It's great! It also has some built-in animation tools, but as soon as I want to do something with more than, say, a dozen frames, it becomes very unwieldy. [more inside]
Raise the...waist.
I have this dress. The waist of the dress hits me below my actual waist (it hits where my hips start), because I'm short. Could a tailor fix the dress by raising the waist seam to where my actual waist is, or should I send the dress back? [more inside]
posted by topoisomerase at 4:26 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by topoisomerase at 4:26 PM PST - 12 comments
The limits to bedbugs
What are the limits to bedbugs? Why isn't every hotel room infested given how tough they are claimed to be? Is there any evidence on the chances of taking bed bugs home from a hotel with you? Will the bedbug infestation rates go ever upwards? Why or why not? Interested in aggregated, rather than anecdotal evidence here. [more inside]
posted by mister_kaupungister at 4:03 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by mister_kaupungister at 4:03 PM PST - 5 comments
Wrist pain and popping
A while back, I did something totally normal like reaching into the back seat of my car, and my wrist popped and started hurting. I've tried a bunch of stuff and it's not getting better. The doctor says I'm supposed to immobilize it and come back in a month, at which point we can talk about surgery (!!!).
I'm frustrated by this and tired of being in pain. Should I pursue other treatment, and if so, what kind? [more inside]
Moving Cross Country on Budget: Book Rate/Media Mail and Other Questions
I'm an academic, and am moving across the country (SF to Boston) for a one year gig. The new university is unfortunately not paying my moving expenses (nor a very high salary), and I'm trying to figure out the best way to get my stuff there. I'll be driving with a station wagon full of stuff, which should be fine for most of my stuff. But I'm not sure *all* of the boxes will fit, and I have a piano and couple of pieces of furniture that I would like to, but don't have to, bring. More below. [more inside]
What are your favorite water-friendly hiking sandals?
What are your favorite water-friendly hiking sandals? [more inside]
Question on semiotics and the theory of mind
I am interested in trying to understand how our ability and inability to understand symbols in relation to their meanings binds people together as well as forming in- and out-groups. I have had a difficult time in finding works that go along with this premise and would be interested if anyone would know of good sources. What follows is a short explanation of what I think currently. Comments and criticisms are highly appreciated. [more inside]
posted by ishrinkmajeans at 3:01 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by ishrinkmajeans at 3:01 PM PST - 17 comments
How to acknowledge two relationships in an "about me" blurb.
I am going to publish an article in a magazine. I've been asked to send an "about me" blurb. I want to acnowledge my girlfriend as well as my long-term partner. Can't figure out the wording. [more inside]
Frontline for humans? Prevention of human flea infestation.
Please help me prevent myself becoming regularly infested with human fleas. [more inside]
posted by cantthinkofagoodname at 2:13 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by cantthinkofagoodname at 2:13 PM PST - 15 comments
What birds are these?
Today I heard some birds I don't ever recall hearing before. Can you tell me what they are? I'm specifically puzzled by the fainter "bloop-bloop" calls you can hear at like 12 and 18 seconds.
These birds were the size of eagles and looked kind of like giant ravens, from what I could see. I live in central Massachusetts. (Please excuse the breathing--I was halfway up a steep hill on my bike when I stopped to record this!)
posted by Camofrog at 1:51 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by Camofrog at 1:51 PM PST - 14 comments
Do I need a financial planner and if so, how do I find one?
I want to understand retirement savings and long-term investment products. Who do I want to speak with and how I find them? (Some relevant details inside.) [more inside]
posted by Kurichina at 1:31 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Kurichina at 1:31 PM PST - 4 comments
Soaking up mud in short order
How can you get rid of sloppy muddiness in a relatively large area quickly? [more inside]
Fighting family
I lent my cousin a very special item. Now they won't give it back. Do I fight or retreat? [more inside]
posted by mumimor at 1:22 PM PST - 43 comments
posted by mumimor at 1:22 PM PST - 43 comments
How to handle comments from hostile ex-friends
How do I become more assertive and handle their remarks? [more inside]
Sourcing Lab Grown Gems
Where is the best place to source lab-grown gems? [more inside]
Where can I find a transcript of a radio interview from April 2010?
Hi,
Please could someone tell me the name of an academic who was interviewed on radio in April 2010? [more inside]
How worried should I be about my (fake, root canaled) chipped tooth?
I was chewing on a hemp powder smoothie (the hemp powder has a gritty texture) when it happened. I've changed dentists a 3 times now as well as moved (still haven't looked up a local one) so I can't go back to the person who did the root canal. It doesn't hurt, just feels weird. Do I need to go see a dentist immediately?
How can I let my parents drive/insure a car I own in North Carolina?
I'm trying to figure out a way to have a car that I own insured and driven primarily by my parents. I can't transfer the title, as there's still a lien and I will be making payments. However, my parents need a car urgently, so I need to get them to a good, insured state with a reliable automobile. Does anyone have experience with this?
Weird or unusual in Malaysia or Singapore?
So the wife and I are heading to KL, Malaysia, and possibly Singapore. What's weird, unusual, or just plain bizarre there? [more inside]
Cheap duffel bag in Budapest?
Where can I buy a cheap duffel bag in Budapest? [more inside]
posted by Captain Sunshine at 10:36 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Captain Sunshine at 10:36 AM PST - 3 comments
Tampa Bay Area Food Truck Suggestions Please!
I'll be visiting family in the area and my brother has expressed an interest in trying out food trucks, especially taco trucks, after hearing me talk about the great ones where I live.
He's in Palm Harbor, so North Pinellas and West Tampa, especially around Hillsborough Ave. are easy to reach.
Any recommendations, locations found, etc. is appreciated. I asked on another forum and was advised to "drive around"... our timeline and family obligations don't allow for that level of flexibility.
I also had read a report about a Korean Taco Truck on Hillsborough from a year ago. That would be fun too if they are still around. Has anyone seen them?
Thanks!
Virginia is for Mothers
Mom and I are going to Virginia beach in early August. Please help me narrow down the huge selection of beachfront hotels & things to do! [more inside]
Google Apps group calendar: how does it work?
I am admin for a google apps domain. There is a calendar called mydomain.com_string-of-characters@group.calendar.google.com that shows up for some users under "Other Calendars". There is no owner of the calendar listed like a calendar shared from one user to another would have.
Is this a calendar managed within the google apps dashboard and if so how do I get to the screen to mange who can access it and the level of sharing (read only, add evenets, etc)? Is it possibly created by a gmail.com account outside of my domain and shared to users in the domain?
posted by ridogi at 9:50 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by ridogi at 9:50 AM PST - 4 comments
Ok, how about women's shirts?
I am indeed starting a new thread. What are GOOD QUALITY online retailers for women's shirt? And pants, too, for bonus. (I've seen several custom-made jeans sites, but have no idea if they're any good.) [more inside]
Where has my domain name disappeared to?
My domain name expired and I want to get it back, but GoDaddy says I have to pay an additional $80 to get the domain back from the "domain registry." The customer service person says that the domain registry is a separate entity from GoDaddy. Is there any way I can get it directly from this domain registry without going through GoDaddy?
posted by Cybria at 9:10 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Cybria at 9:10 AM PST - 8 comments
Third Culture Kid Syndrome
Mid-20s male in the US but with origins elsewhere. I feel at home in both countries, but also in neither, and recently I've really started to feel a kind of melancholy, sentimentalism, or restlessness about my situation as a 'third culture kid', and whether I've made the wrong life choices. [more inside]
Building/Buying a Digital Timer
I teach Physics and I would love to have a large, easy-to-see digital timer that would allow me to time various demos (i.e. pendulum swinging, ball falling, etc). I've found basically exactly what I want, but it costs $460!! Can it be bought/built for cheaper? Requirements below the fold. [more inside]
posted by Betelgeuse at 8:34 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by Betelgeuse at 8:34 AM PST - 16 comments
Help me find a reliable clothes iron
I want a clothes iron that will work for more than six months. I don't have big demands. I just want it to produce steam when I need it, and to not vomit water all over my clothes. I've been through at least four irons in the past few years -- Sunbeam, Shark, Rowenta and others -- and they have all failed way too soon. I keep buying more expensive models, and they keep failing. Which is the clothes iron that is built to last?
posted by Balonious Assault at 8:33 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by Balonious Assault at 8:33 AM PST - 19 comments
No cell phone in doctor's exam room? Why?
Just called a friend with a severed tendon to see how his visit to the doctor went and he was still in the exam room. He said he had to get off the phone because there was a sign saying "no cell phones in exam room." I'm wondering why the sign is there. He was alone at the time, waiting for the doctor to return. Is the rule due to an equipment issue, or is it because of doctors being annoyed by rude patients talking on cell phones while the doctor is examining them, or something else?
posted by mediareport at 8:32 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by mediareport at 8:32 AM PST - 27 comments
My dad would like to meet you but I told him you were away
BF of 3-4 months has dad visiting from way out of town, told me that he had lied to his dad about me not being around so we wouldn't meet each other. [more inside]
Is there such a thing as hunting TOO HARD for a job?
I was unfortunately laid off early this week, but have a couple months' severance and thus have a couple months' time in which to do a job search (it's okay, I was already thinking of starting my own search in a couple months anyway). However, I haven't had much experience IN searching - and think in the past I've been exhausting myself looking TOO hard. Is there such a thing? What does an effective job search actually LOOK like? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:39 AM PST - 45 comments
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:39 AM PST - 45 comments
What online custom makers of men's dress shirts can you recommend?
There are now several internet retailers selling custom men's dress shirts at prices below $100/shirt (depending, of course, on the fabric). Supposedly, you put in your measurements, pick the fabric you would like, make some choices about collars and buttons, and then they make and send you shirts that fit. I have orangutan-like arms and need to dress well for work, so I'd like to try ordering a couple shirts. I've looked at several of the websites, and they seem promising. However, I'd hate to spend the money and then find the shirts weren't actually well-made. So, can anyone recommend one of these online shirtmakers?
How to keep house safe and maintained while gone a lot
Two months ago I accepted a new assignment at work that will require me to be away from home a lot over the next year. For example, right now it looks like during June I will only be home twice for a stretch of 3 days each time, and it will probably continue like that for most of this assignment. When I took this job I had a long term, live-in boyfriend, so I wasn’t concerned about my house at all. We have since broken up (the house is 100% mine). So, now I’m trying to figure out all the things I need to do to make sure my house is ok while I’m gone. [more inside]
posted by Sabby at 7:12 AM PST - 28 comments
posted by Sabby at 7:12 AM PST - 28 comments
I'm an outdoor instructor, not an IT specialist.
I work for a small non-profit with high seasonal turnover often times our staff will work on compiling data, or communications projects. What solutions do businesses use to ensure that their data remains current, backed-up, and accessible? How do they use those services to keep data organized? [more inside]
Fear of Twitter Replies
The powers that be where I work are reluctant to use Twitter because they think anything they tweet will get spammed. Help me convince them they're off the rails on this! [more inside]
posted by dukes909 at 6:27 AM PST - 31 comments
posted by dukes909 at 6:27 AM PST - 31 comments
Is Kickstarter meant to fund creation or only production?
I've been considering using Kickstarter to fund a book project, but I'm confused by the model, which seems to fund production of the end product but not investment in its creation. [more inside]
Pernicious Anemia - Resources Needed
Hi,
Need to diagnose pernicious anemia. From what I am learning even though common contemporary blood tests run in most clinics may in fact show *normal* B12 levels - in fact this test is NOT accurate in diagnosing PA. [more inside]
posted by watercarrier at 4:17 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by watercarrier at 4:17 AM PST - 17 comments
Uses for old birthday cards?
What do you do with birthday cards when the party is over? [more inside]
posted by Mnky197 at 4:10 AM PST - 29 comments
posted by Mnky197 at 4:10 AM PST - 29 comments
May 30
Making a WiFi network with my iMac?
I am trying to connect my iMac to my Blu-Ray player and laptop via Wifi, but I’m lost in the wilderness. [more inside]
posted by zardoz at 11:38 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by zardoz at 11:38 PM PST - 11 comments
Recommended professional counsellors/therapists around Vancouver, BC?
I'm asking for a friend. Any recommendations or resources available? Located in Vancouver area and working on a sliding scale (or relatively affordable) would be much appreciated.
So, I handled a needle I found at a park and forgot to wash my hands...
So I was in a park in SF and spotted a busted needle in the path. I dunno if it had been used but the plastic part was broken as if it had been stepped on a few times and ground into the dirt.
I didn't want anyone or any puppy to step on this exposed needle so, with minimal skin contact, I took the thing over to the waste bin. I wiped my hand on my pants and continued on my walk for about an hour. I then headed home and ate something and may have licked my fingers, right before remembering about the needle.
Cutting to the chase: Do I have Hep?
posted by cman at 11:25 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by cman at 11:25 PM PST - 20 comments
How do you stay happy when you're broke?
I'm a student nearing graduation. I'm in debt, I work full time during the summer but I barely make any money. I'm totally broke and I don't see that changing in the near future because the job market for my degree sucks. I'm trying to save but I keep reaching barriers. And then everyone around me has it so much easier, and I'm just so tired and unhappy. [more inside]
October adventures in ME, NH and VT
My brother-in-law will be getting married at the outdoor chapel in Camden, ME in mid-October. Yes, the idea of an outdoor wedding along the seacost of Maine in autumn strikes me as a less-than-ideal plan, but that's a different subject altogether. I will have two weeks for visiting northern New England, so an itinerary of sorts needs developing. And here's where YOU come in! [more inside]
posted by stannate at 9:53 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by stannate at 9:53 PM PST - 16 comments
Is Terro Safe for Plants?
I live in the SW desert area, and have been battling ants for 7 years. Some years I win, some years they win. We've had some epic battles over years, and now I'm trying to finally gather a front that will end in at least an armistice. [more inside]
Seattleites! Would this be a stupidly long commute?
I'm moving to Seattle and working in multiple locations. Looking at renting a room in Licton Springs (near Greenlake) and commuting. Bad idea? Details after the jump. [more inside]
Heart advice for difficult times?
Looking for ways to soothe oneself during especially trying times in life. One day at a time is fine and dandy but its the hours and minutes that get excruciating, especially when everything seems void of joy and meaningless. If you have gone through some truly rough times, how did you soothe yourself in the moment? While many have family and friends close by, I have neither so I am looking for ways to manage my pain myself. Any tips and tricks will be much appreciated. Thanks!
posted by xm at 8:46 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by xm at 8:46 PM PST - 20 comments
Publishing adult/erotic pulp fiction on Amazon KDP?
I'm looking for warnings or limitations for publishing adult/mature erotic fiction through Kindle Direct Publishing, and I'm worried about pitfalls and I haven't yet found any direct language about content or rated content or the like. [more inside]
How do I read Dykes To Watch Out For?
I want to read Dykes To Watch Out For. The only strip I've read so far is the one that defines the Bechdel Test. What's the best way to go about this? [more inside]
posted by brett at 7:32 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by brett at 7:32 PM PST - 12 comments
IT Technical Recruiter DFW
Looking for a new job in the DFW area. Anyone know of headhunters or good technical recruiters in Dallas?
when is it reasonable to take down the online dating profile?
when to expect the person you met online to stop looking and remove their profiles? [more inside]
Think I caught two ticks hitching a ride on me.
Last week my car broke down while driving down a road through farm land. [more inside]
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 6:24 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 6:24 PM PST - 22 comments
Kidnapping definition in Canada
What makes something kidnapping? [more inside]
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 6:12 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 6:12 PM PST - 9 comments
Can I hear Sirius XM radio yesterday?
Is it possible to retrieve recently aired shows on Sirius XM radio? I want to hear Howard Stern's interview of Katie Curic that originally aired earlier this week. Is it possible to download mp3's of shows that have already aired? Once I've signed up and paid, of course.
posted by susandennis at 5:45 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by susandennis at 5:45 PM PST - 3 comments
I don't get Groucho's joke.
Groucho Marx made a joke in his Memoirs of a Mangy Lover that I just don't get. PLZ HOPE ME. [more inside]
posted by Capt. Renault at 5:41 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Capt. Renault at 5:41 PM PST - 10 comments
non-car car audio
Thanks to traffic and double traffic due to construction, my 30 minute commute takes 1.5 hours. I want to listen to music of my choosing, pod casts, and language lessons, but my car is an old beater that only has a radio tuner... [more inside]
This is what happens when chemists have to do electrical engineering
What's the name of this circuit that I need to build or buy? [more inside]
posted by kagredon at 4:40 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by kagredon at 4:40 PM PST - 18 comments
SWMDJ ISO ooontzie ooontzie, bass face, & teh wubz
I'm looking for the closest EDM club scenes to my rural location in the USA along the VA-NC border. [more inside]
posted by laconic skeuomorph at 4:08 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by laconic skeuomorph at 4:08 PM PST - 4 comments
Other than Naomi and Ruth...
What are some stories (real/historical or fictional) about good mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationships that I can read? [more inside]
Pain in my left arm?
You're not my doctor of course, but what could this be? I've been having a weird pain in my left arm all day. Details within.... [more inside]
posted by zarq at 3:56 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by zarq at 3:56 PM PST - 18 comments
Level 2 travel tips for a San Franciscan in Portland and Austin?
I've been to both these cities before, so this time I want to explore some local fave places and grok the resident hipster vibe. Please point me in the direction of the Dolores Park of Portland/Austin. [more inside]
Spotify (or other) app to sequence existing playlist?
I've got a collaborative Spotify playlist for a party house weekend. We have a DANCE playlist and a NOT DANCE playlist. Is there a Spotify app or other service that will sequence these tracks? [more inside]
Does another recording of Steve Earle playing "Elijah's Church" exist?
Aside from the edited version that appears in Heartworn Highways and the much-better extended version that appears in the DVD extras and on the album, does any other recording of Steve Earle performing this phenomenal song exist? It seems hard to believe that a song this good would never have surfaced in another form at this point. I'll take anything, bootlegs, b-side, anything. I want this song, I need this song.
Can I eat this cooked chicken I left on our counter?
Dish of fully cooked kosher chicken parts in barbecue sauce left on kitchen counter uncovered overnight (approx 12-14 hours). The apartment isn't air conditioned, but it stays reasonably cool, so I don't think internal apartment temp got up to the 80-some degrees the outside sdid last night. Chicken bits were in a single layer in a pyrex dish. Can I eat it? My spouse threw them back in the fridge this morning.
I know the FDA would recommend against, but I'm looking for the hive mind.
posted by mccn at 3:03 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by mccn at 3:03 PM PST - 29 comments
A Gel of a Problem: running miRNA without acrylamide
Dear MetaFilter, I am new to this forum and this is my first post, hi!
I am in a bit of a pickle about a work project, and hope that I may be able to get some help by some fellow sciencey people. The science forums are rarely read and badly out of date, or I would have posted at one of those.
I have a deadline for a miRNA PCR experiment, and I have already run the cDNA and PCR for the miRNA. All I have to do is run the miRNA on a gel.
The problem: We don't have acrylamide! And neither does our neighboring lab. We only have Agarose with which to make gels, which is only for large fragments, not small miRNA fragments of 20-40 bp.
The question: As the percentage of agarose in the gel goes higher, the smaller the size of the base pairs are that can be measured. Could I increase this percentage enough to work for miRNA?
Out of respect for the community that doesn't like line returns, I have entered the specifics of this post in the Extended Explanation box, because to me, this post reads like a jumble of nonsense without some kind of organization. [more inside]
How does one explain charges on a criminal record for new employer?
I'm applying for a new job for the government as an engineer. I have several charges from my past, but no convictions. The charges were felonies, and became misdemeanors after a plea. I completed probation with no violations as part of a deferred sentence, so all charges have been dismissed. What level of detail should my explanation have? [more inside]
Lace + Card + ??? = Lace Card!
What glue do I need to attach crochet lace to a card / wedding invite? [more inside]
iPhones in London (his hair was perfect!)
Family of four traveling to London for two weeks. Four locked AT&T iphones, four sets of circumstances. I've checked all the options, called AT&T, and have thoroughly confused myself. Any help would be appreciated. [more inside]
posted by raisingsand at 1:11 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by raisingsand at 1:11 PM PST - 9 comments
I'd be Appy if I Could Find the Right Designer
After a lot of research, I am having trouble finding an affordable, trustworthy financial app (iPad) designer, Boston area a plus. Any suggestions?
Nervous blood pressure
YANMD. My husband gets very nervous at the doctor, and as a result, even for a routine check up, has very high blood pressure every time the doctor takes it. [more inside]
Another mint.com question
I know how to use Mint.com, but I wonder if I'm using it in the right way. [more inside]
Public Spaces for Reading in Queens?
What are the best transit accesible public spaces for sitting and reading in Queens? Even after the renovation of the Queens Central Library, it's still hard on the eyes. Are there attractive libraries? Privately owned public spaces, like the Olympic Tower Atrium in Manhattan? Hotel lobbies? [more inside]
How long should a first date be?
I know this question can have really varying answers, but I'm wondering if I should be doing something to curtail the length of first dates (and I guess second and third, just the early few) slightly. Right now I'm finding they run about three hours and I'm wondering if I should be keeping them shorter and lighter. [more inside]
Help with feelings about abuse wife suffered w/o making it "about me"?
Help with feelings about abuse wife suffered w/o making it "about me"? (trigger warning, about rape) [more inside]
Is there a website that will tell me what to eat and what to buy?
I love cooking, I do! But I really only love cooking for others. Come the weekend, I'll happily slave over brining meats that end in elaborate 120-step preparations. I have made food from the French Laundry cookbook that basically tripled my grocery bill. I love it.
But Monday through Friday, when its me and my tummy, I could kind of care less. I live a few miles from the nearest grocery and so I'm car-less, which means if I don't buy for the week, I don't buy at all. I'm also stupidly busy which means that a lot of the time I'm either paying way too much for lousy chain food or eating gummi worms for lunch. [more inside]
philosopher pun thread
I once saw a thread (perhaps reddit) where people just went on and on with philosopher puns. I can't find it again despite a desperate google and mefi search. Can someone help me? Thanks!
Getting you to open up is like squeezing blood from a turnip
In addition to wanting to make new connections who are the oversharing, vulnerability exposing type (see previous askme questions) I would also like to improve (increase) the amount of friendship intimacy with my current set of friends. It's failing miserably, even with those friends I've had for years and I can't help wonder if I'm doing something wrong, or if my views on what's appropriate and desirable are off. [more inside]
posted by TestamentToGrace at 11:19 AM PST - 99 comments
posted by TestamentToGrace at 11:19 AM PST - 99 comments
Movies Filmed Where I've Lived
I think it's fun to see familiar streets/interiors as backgrounds in movies and on TV. I've lived in a number of places that are probably moderately- to highly-covered by film crews, and some places that may be more of a stretch. Where can I see the places I've lived on film? [more inside]
posted by scarylarry at 11:19 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by scarylarry at 11:19 AM PST - 14 comments
Going from RCA to Bluetooth and back again.
Is there a bluetooth bridge that will work between a set of RCA jacks? [more inside]
posted by furnace.heart at 11:19 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by furnace.heart at 11:19 AM PST - 9 comments
Help us plan our roadtrip to San Francisco!
My girlfriend and I are planning on taking a roadtrip from home in San Diego to San Francisco at the end of June in time for Pride weekend and I feel like my numbers might be off. Calling all fellow AskMeFites with travel/roadtrippin/fun grown-up experience/better math skills. [more inside]
Crater Lake, Redwoods and Highway 101
Help me plan three days between Oregon and San Francisco: in particular, Crater Lake, the Redwood National/State Parks and a route down highway 101 to SF. [more inside]
Disabled dating
I'm a 23 year old recent college grad who has yet to go on his first date, let alone sleep with someone. All my life I was panned as some asexual anomaly and so the societal pressure to date that haunts so many other people well before their 16th birthday never really got to me. That is, until recently. I'm a reasonably good looking and witty guy, and yet, in 2013, it's way harder than it ought to be to find someone that's okay, on a fundamental level, with dating someone in a wheelchair. It doesn't help that a) I'm bisexual and b) have an issue with my speech where I will tend to block up/ get spastic. It's usually, though I can't say exclusively, an issue when I need to face the anxiety of meeting someone new. [more inside]
posted by marsbar77 at 11:06 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by marsbar77 at 11:06 AM PST - 18 comments
Avoiding and managing hair breakage
My hair does this. Is there a way to avoid so much breakage, and how do I effectively tame/straighten the existing broken hairs without causing more damage? [more inside]
posted by Josephine Macaulay at 10:45 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by Josephine Macaulay at 10:45 AM PST - 26 comments
Polyester-less nonexpensive bridesmaids dresses
The bride wants a not-too-expensive, traditional-looking bridesmaids dress. One of the bridesmaids is allergic to polyester. Where should I tell her to look? [more inside]
Let's share some photos. How do we do it?
What is the best service for a group of people to share photos of the same event? [more inside]
Consequences of coming off anti-depressants
I've been on 40mg of Citalopram for over a year, I'm also on medication to reduce my blood pressure. About a week or so ago I stopped taking them, initially I just forgot for a day or two, but I now feel like I want to stay off them. Am I making a really bad decision here? [more inside]
PDF metadata extraction for file management
I know there are a lot of earlier posts about PDF management software (and others on Chronicle of Higher Education and elsewhere) but they seem out of date, and don't work for my situation. Need: keep PDF library but must be able to import existing downloaded files and extract metadata. Zotero did this using Google Scholar and it worked well, but Google now severely limits how much much metadata looking can be done from the IP they detect. I don't have the skills to work around this. So the problem remains: is there any way to import a large number of already-downloaded PDFs to PDF management software, recovering metadata? (Neither Papers nor Mendeley handle metadata issue adequately, other virtues aside; EndNote is hopeless.). If there is no available solution, what would be the most efficient way to rebuild the library? Find all the papers on-line again and download the bibliographic information, which would be vastly tedious? I am on OSX but open-minded. Thanks.
Identify Medallion
Help me identify this modern looking medallion. [more inside]
posted by Wanderlust88 at 9:48 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Wanderlust88 at 9:48 AM PST - 4 comments
Stories of remorse &/or redemption in the Talmud, Midrash, or Apocrypha?
I'm looking for short and simple fables or parables found in the above (or even just in Jewish folklore) dealing with subjects of regret, mistakes, despair, etc. If there is a redemptive element to it (i.e making amends for a mistake, or at least attempting to) so much the better. Difficulty: nothing related to Yom Kippur. Thanks!
I miss the liberal, progressive South...
I moved from a liberal city in the South to New York City, and now it seems that every other person I talk to is openly racist. I was not prepared for this and have no idea how to handle it. [more inside]
Data overload
I'm designing and managing a very ambitious data visualization app for the arts and culture sector, and am trying to find the best way to organize the data types and attributes. Excel just ain't doin' it anymore. [more inside]
posted by nosila at 8:49 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by nosila at 8:49 AM PST - 6 comments
Wedding gift for older marrying couple?
What's a good generic wedding gift for two older people? Details inside. [more inside]
Um...I invented Post-Its
My first double-digit high school reunion is quickly approaching. I have no idea what to expect, although I'm guessing that, like prom, TV and movies have given me a skewed idea of what these events are like. Did you go (or plan to go) to any of your reunions? What have your experiences been?
Connector Advice
What general purpose signal wire connectors do you guys use? [more inside]
Rounding dates based on time in Excel
I am looking for a way to take a date and time entry in Excel 2010 and round it up to the next day if the time is after a certain value. [more inside]
posted by oblique red at 7:29 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by oblique red at 7:29 AM PST - 4 comments
Buying Japanese snacks online from the US
Where can I buy Japanese snacks online that is not AsianFoodGrocer.com or Jlist/Jbox, with reasonable US shipping costs? [more inside]
posted by IndigoRain at 7:00 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by IndigoRain at 7:00 AM PST - 22 comments
"I'm not going to change"
The other day I had already had a bad day when my husband made an insensitive and crappy remark about something. I replied with tears in my eyes and said that he really had no idea about [subject]. Husband ignored that and then 5 minutes later cheerfully asked if I wanted to watch tv. I said no. He was surprised that I was "still mad" and we tried to talk about it, but I shut down because I felt vulnerable and remembered past talkings where I always felt like "too sensitive" and nothing would change anyway. This time, my husband apparently also thought the same because he said "Well, if you're unhappy, maybe you don't want to continue this relationship, because I'm not going to change". [more inside]
What is this thing?
This recent question reminded me of my own "what the heck is this?" question that I've been wondering about... I was walking to grab lunch one day, and walked past this fenced-in box on Madison Ave between 47th and 48th St. What the heck is it? [more inside]
posted by Grither at 6:12 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by Grither at 6:12 AM PST - 1 comment
Jughead would know
Help me solve a friendly dispute. How are burgers normally prepared with respect to tomato products? Just a tomato slice, just ketchup, or both? [more inside]
posted by k8lin at 5:48 AM PST - 36 comments
posted by k8lin at 5:48 AM PST - 36 comments
Boyfriend's progressively disabling (terminal?) illness
My boyfriend has a progressively disabling illness -- a form of muscular dystrophy. He will lose the ability to walk and easily get out of bed, etc., in about 10-15 years. We've been together for five very happy years, but that said, we are young (early 20s) and don't have many responsibilities other than school. My friends really like him, and so does my family. We've been very open with one another and have great communication. However, my parents are adamant that I find somebody else due to his illness. They won't force me to break up with my boyfriend, because they know he's a fantastic person, but will continuously express discontent when I hang out with him. [more inside]
Preparing for an anxious dog
I am going to adopt a dog this summer. One of the dogs that I am considering is currently being treated medically for anxiety. If I adopt him, he will be the first dog I've had who has had this condition. With that in mind, observations and experience addressing any part of this three part question are welcomed: 1) What resources [online, print, or other] might help me better understand dog anxiety? 2) What questions do I need to ask at the shelter to better understand the range and scope of anxiety in this particular dog? 3) What questions do I need to be able to answer of myself before I commit to an anxious dog? [more inside]
posted by .kobayashi. at 5:28 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by .kobayashi. at 5:28 AM PST - 15 comments
Babywearing a big baby?
How can I carry my 7 week old who is too big for a sling but too small/young to be carried in a standard upright carrier? [more inside]
What is this thing?
We noticed this strange device on our roof at work. It's not connected to any power source and we're at a loss for what it is. Any ideas?
May 29
Bridge club/school in SF
Can anyone recommend a friendly bridge (the card game) club in San Francisco? I wouldn't mind taking an intro class to brush up, since my knowledge of both conventions and strategy are pretty slipshod and semi-self-taught. Ideally there would be a critical mass minority of younger folks (let's say <30) around.
posted by serelliya at 10:33 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by serelliya at 10:33 PM PST - 2 comments
Responding To Helpful Email When You Didn't Need It
How do you respond to a helpful "intro" email when you've already connected with that person and you want to make sure the "introducer" feels adequately thanked. [more inside]
posted by christiehawk at 9:42 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by christiehawk at 9:42 PM PST - 17 comments
Ratchet
What is the etymology of "ratchet," a slang term with a negative meaning? [more inside]
Gehstumpenflunked?
I am, quite frankly, gehstumpenflunked.
What does this word mean, you may ask? Perhaps you (and by "you", I mean "me) tried to Google it to no avail. And yet, to me it's a word that exists and I used somewhere probably starting ca. 1990. It means, essentially something along the lines of: stumped, confused, bewildered, or disoriented.
One friend asked if it was not in an episode of Golden Girls, and I'm not sure if he was joking or serious, so I wonder... Has anyone else heard this word? If so, where/when and do you know the origin. If not, well... I guess I'll have to assume it was just a made up word that somehow caught on with my local group of friends.
The "s" in "stumpen" is more like "sh" and "eh" might be more like "ger" (or at least a minor 'r' sound, if not 100% explicit) sounding so it might be something like Gershtumpenflunked. in sound.
Does my cat need to stay on a vet diet forever?
My cat was just diagnosed with crystals in her urine, and placed on a urinary diet to dissolve the crystals. The vet says even after the crystals are gone, she'll be on the diet for the rest of her life. How necessary is this? I'm not sure I can afford the expense, frankly, and I'm not sure how to handle it. [more inside]
posted by gilsonal at 7:45 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by gilsonal at 7:45 PM PST - 25 comments
Help me find the best love quotes from Broadway musicals
My partner is a huge, huge theater buff, particularly musicals, and he is going away to work for the next three months directing shows at a performing arts camp. Last summer, before he left, he hid little love notes for me to discover in the apartment, and it was just the sweetest gesture ever. I want to return the favor to him this year, and sneak my own notes into his luggage before he leaves and in his cabin when I visit. I decided that it would be perfect to use romantic quotes from show tunes - but I really don't know anything about theater other than what I've picked up from osmosis. I could google for Broadway quotes, but they wouldn't have any significance to me. So I'm hoping that if I give some ideas of what he likes and dislikes, the hivemind could make some thoughtful suggestions. [more inside]
posted by Neely O'Hara at 7:40 PM PST - 33 comments
posted by Neely O'Hara at 7:40 PM PST - 33 comments
Fuck tha USPS
My boyfriend's tax refund check was mailed over a month ago, according to Where's My Refund. We have surpassed the 28-day waiting period before one can file a claim for a missing or lost refund check. Does anyone know about how long it might take for the lost refund claim to be processed and the refund to actually be received? Also, he's wondering if he can change his mode of receipt from mail to direct deposit, to speed up the recovery. If you have experience in this arena we'd love to hear about it. [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 7:32 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by stoneandstar at 7:32 PM PST - 2 comments
Want to connect with extended family, but don't know the words
For a variety of reasons I have never been close with my extended family. Growing up there was tension between my parents and them. We maybe saw them once every few years and I knew virtually nothing about any of them. When I was older and began to appreciate what I was missing, I was too socially awkward and wrapped up in young adulthood angst to make the connection myself. I want to connect now and don't know how. [more inside]
One of those mystery plant questions
Asking for a friend. Her aunt has had this plant for 25 years at her house in La Jolla, CA. This is the first time the plant has bloomed. Any ideas what it is?
posted by ephemerista at 6:46 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by ephemerista at 6:46 PM PST - 4 comments
How awful are these comments from my new boyfriend?
How would you feel if your boyfriend told you he wouldn't have dated someone like you when he was younger? [more inside]
posted by waving at 6:32 PM PST - 80 comments
posted by waving at 6:32 PM PST - 80 comments
Defying physics in interpersonal relationships
There are anecdotes, usually of identical twins, who manage to "communicate" even when separated by distance and/or time. One twin just "knows" that something has happened to the other twin. I don't have a twin, but I once had this kind of connection with my then boyfriend. [more inside]
Help a dating n00b?
Jumping back into the dating pool and hoping for some hacks and advice specific to finding the kind of people that interest me... [more inside]
posted by justonegirl at 6:02 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by justonegirl at 6:02 PM PST - 26 comments
Marriage counselor / mediator in Seattle
We need someone to walk us through a separation in Seattle. There may be some legal and financial things to hash out as well. No idea how to do this.
writingcrush at gmail for private messages.
Help with lack of ability to talk to people
I am unsure of how to handle social interactions. For a few years now (I am 22) I have had trouble with social interactions of almost any kind. I can do a decent job of forcing myself to make conversation whether it is small talk or a more in depth discussion. I tend to do pretty well in social situations and am capable of maintaining a conversation. The problem is that I do not have a natural inclination to talk to others. [more inside]
You mean, like, to vote...?
Minnesota-vehicle-noob filter: What sorts of vehicle registration documents do I need to keep in or on my car? [more inside]
posted by FreelanceBureaucrat at 5:21 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by FreelanceBureaucrat at 5:21 PM PST - 10 comments
"Silver spires threaten the skies.” - any classicists among us?
Silver spires threaten the skies.” - I’m looking for a source and some context.
I jotted this sentence down years ago on a piece of paper which I subsequently lost. I believe it was a comment by a critic (or observer?) of the building boom begun by the Roman Emperor Augustus. I want to say the comment was made by Livy, but he might be too early for a source. Any classicists out there? Thanks in advance…
posted by janey47 at 5:15 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by janey47 at 5:15 PM PST - 3 comments
Did that outage just zap my internets?
We had a power outage for about 3 hours yesterday evening, and when I restarted my Mac mini, I could not connect to the internet. Our wireless modem/router is working fine, as our other Mac (an ancient PowerBook g4) and my phone can both go online using wifi. Please help! More things we've tried below: [more inside]
posted by asranixon at 5:13 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by asranixon at 5:13 PM PST - 7 comments
Why do some TV shows not mention real-life brands, yet others do?
Some TV shows (and movies, and novels) go out of their way to avoid mentioning real-life brands. This video shows countless mentions of faux social networks: Friendbranch, Facefinder, Friendnet, etc etc, rather than Facebook. But others freely portray real-life companies when they want to. How come? [more inside]
posted by so_necessary at 5:01 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by so_necessary at 5:01 PM PST - 29 comments
What is the reach of non-compete agreements in software
I signed an agreement before taking my current job that simply says I will not compete for a year. I work for a company selling software and occasionally using the same software for consulting.
I want to quit and consult for a company that would be an end user, and I would develop for them to use in-house a software with some common components with what I worked on at my current company. Basically they are both wrappers for a third party software which is open source.
I would not be selling what I develop, it would be for in-house use by this prospective client.
I'm live in one state, the company I currently work for is in another state, and the prospective client is in yet another state. None of these states is California.
Can my current employer file suit against me?
Best practice photo tagging
I've sent off my family's entire photo collection for scanning and now have 13,000 photos that I would like to tag with names, themes (sports, birthdays, travel), and maybe locations. What is best practice in photo tagging these days? What software (mac) should I use? What's the best way to tag photos in bulk so that I save time? [more inside]
Finding Tenants Who Aren't Serial Killers
You're an employed person in Philadelphia. You don't have a proclivity towards ripping copper pipes out of the wall. You dislike college dorm room replacements apartment complexes like this and you are looking for an apartment. Where did you look? [more inside]
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 3:57 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 3:57 PM PST - 17 comments
Is it possible to get small-fry specialty insurance?
It's possible to get insurance for strange things: for example, Lloyd's of London once insured Troy Polamalu's hair for $1 millon. How can I get some esoteric insurance of my own? For details... [more inside]
posted by tss at 3:56 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by tss at 3:56 PM PST - 7 comments
Thesis: Gaius Baltar is the worst. I need some primary sources
Battlestar Galactica: There is no fictional character I hate more than Gauis Baltar. Two part question about media/fan reaction to him. [more inside]
posted by Ideal Impulse at 3:51 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by Ideal Impulse at 3:51 PM PST - 18 comments
Classic tones for less
I've been wanting a Strat for years. More recently, I have been enjoying Les Paul sounds as well. I'm trying to decide if I should take the plunge and buy a Fender Strat made in America. What seems more appealing is to buy two cheaper guitars. Many people like the Yamaha Pacifica and the Squire classic vibe 60's as alternatives to the Strat. I don't see many alternatives to the LP, other than Gibson's cheaper lines. In any case, I'm looking for recommendations for both. I know people will say just play a bunch of guitars to see what you like, but it takes me 6-12 months to know if I like an instrument.
How honest is the author of "The Truth about Dishonesty," Dan Ariely?
My wife and I have been reading and enjoying Ariely's books, but we're a little skeptical. Many of his study results seem a bit too spectacular. Some studies produce dramatic surprises. All of which, of course, makes for great entertainment. Can you tell me whether, in general, others have duplicated his study results? What kind of reputation does he have among behavioral researchers?
posted by markcmyers at 3:04 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by markcmyers at 3:04 PM PST - 4 comments
Health Insurance Stupid?
(Supposedly) I pay $546.30 a month for Health Insurance. What should that get me as an (almost) 32 y/o male? Should I feel like I'm paying an absurd amount? [more inside]
posted by one4themoment at 2:31 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by one4themoment at 2:31 PM PST - 27 comments
What can I do about someone who is using my information?
Over the weekend, someone with the IP address 50.129.xxx.xxx has been using my real name, main phone number and email to fill out a slurry of online forms about job searches, insurance, etc., causing my phone and inbox to blow up for the last three days. Is there anything I can do to stop/prosecute this person? [more inside]
Turbotaxable (but not yet Turbotaxed) oGovernment Paperwork
Websites and software like Turbotax make it fast and easy(-ish) to file taxes. But what about everything else? I'm curious what kinds of paperwork could be "turbotaxed," but doesn't yet have a streamlined website or program to help people get through the red tape. [more inside]
posted by Green Winnebago at 1:43 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Green Winnebago at 1:43 PM PST - 8 comments
sharepoint help
Oppan Kansas City Style
Good shops for big men's clothing and wide shoes in Kansas City, Missouri? [more inside]
Need some great Summer 2013 songs for a playlist
I'm making a Summer Jamz 2k13 playlist for a few BBQs I'll be hosting this month, and I'm looking for more songs to add to the rotation. Despite my best efforts I'm a little out of both the indie/hipster loop and the R&B/rap/pop sensation loop, so I'm turning to you for help. [more inside]
Please side with me!
I have been painting my house over the last few months and time to time need to replace some of the siding. There was enough in the garage when I moved in to cover my needs until NOW! [more inside]
Best shareware -- 2.0
It has been about 4 years since I asked this question. Now that we are in 2013, I am curious what people think now.
In brief, what is your favorite shareware (over freeware alternatives)? That is to say, what direct download applications between the price of $5 and $50 do you swear by?
Four years ago, my few examples included Reqall Pro (no longer use), Ultramon (still use), and WifiHopper (no longer use). I was also back then considering Evernote Premium (which I now use heavily).
Added bonus points for comments concerning the customer support of your favorite shareware titles. Freeware, Android and apple apps need not apply, unless they're supplementing a desktop/laptop based application.
Help me remember this "awesome homes" segment from a TV show.
Please help me find this television show, or better yet this exact segment that I can remember watching. The show was about weird or cool homes and as I recall each episode was about 2-4 homes. I can't recall if the show was just about cool homes in the US or if it was about homes all over the world. I can't recall what channel it was on but I'd guess it was HGTV. The exact segment I'm looking for was (as best as I can recall...) about a home: [more inside]
My mom can't stop buying anti-virus software.
Is there such a thing as a credit card that can only be used in person? My mom needs that, because she'll give it to any website that tells her to. [more inside]
Where can I buy Cafe Du Monde coffee in Los Angeles?
Please advise. The closer to Hollywood the better. Thanks!
posted by MiaWallace at 12:38 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by MiaWallace at 12:38 PM PST - 15 comments
In search of a quality trinket.
Searching for the perfect dinner recipe for a large group campers.
I am responsible for feeding about 15 adults dinner on a car camping adventure next month. I always default to "foil dinners" in situations like this, but thought perhaps this time I should try something different and am looking for new ideas. [more inside]
posted by KMoney at 12:06 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by KMoney at 12:06 PM PST - 14 comments
Advice for going to the hairdresser
If you've got curly hair, can you explain to me your process for going to the hairdresser and coming out with a haircut you like? [more inside]
posted by colfax at 11:23 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by colfax at 11:23 AM PST - 27 comments
Non-athletic style cute but comfy hoodie/outerlayer?
What is a ladies alternative to my partners zip-up hoodie that I can put over everything, including dresses and skirts and cute outfits, and be presentable enough to run errands yet comfy and warm? [more inside]
Finding good resources for explaining movie dramatic structures
Recently I was reading a book by Joseph Campbell called "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" which goes into how the "mono-myth" pattern serves as the underlying structure for most Western movies (think Star Wars, The Matrix, ...). I would love to learn more about alternative story arcs and dramatic structures (like the famous three-act structure), with examples from famous films.
Any comprehensive resources, blogs, articles, anything?
How to sleep while waiting?
I got my sleep study results today. Yippee! My doctor can't see me for over two weeks, how am I supposed to get anything done until then? [more inside]
posted by colin_l at 11:15 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by colin_l at 11:15 AM PST - 10 comments
Seeking an affordable "fancy" hotel or B&B in the Northeast US.
4 stars, 2 bills: The hotel is the destination.
A friend of mine has a hotel fetish. Given that the cost of a room also depends on the city and taxes, is there a "fancy" hotel or B&B in the Northeast with a remarkable amount of bang for buck?
Goal is <200/night. [more inside]
posted by Jack Karaoke at 11:07 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by Jack Karaoke at 11:07 AM PST - 17 comments
Sentiment analysis for online communities
My team is responsible for producing weekly sentiment analysis reports based on our online community's activity. How can we be better at it? [more inside]
How to build a community website that does almost everything?
Can anyone recommend a feature-rich web app for online communities. Must be able to manage documents, permissions, events etc. Hosted or self-hosted will do. Full details inside. [more inside]
posted by Magnakai at 10:51 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by Magnakai at 10:51 AM PST - 12 comments
Reading recommendations - community and friendship version
I'm starting a reading/discussion group on the topic of communities and friendships. What are some good articles/essays/books/websites for us to read? [more inside]
posted by danceswithanonymity at 10:38 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by danceswithanonymity at 10:38 AM PST - 11 comments
Kill the spam, keep the fuzzies.
Help me handle a growing intra-office "spam" problem without killing the camaraderie or antagonizing the team. [more inside]
posted by rada at 10:37 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by rada at 10:37 AM PST - 19 comments
Give me some life-long exercise habits to squish into my very busy life.
My life is crazy busy (whose isn't?) with school, small children and work, so often exercise is the thing that gets cut. I want to make my daily life more active, so that when I can't "exercise" I have still not been totally sedentary.
I loved this question; I now stand like a flamingo every time I brush my teeth. But the question asks for general life tricks, and I am looking for exercise-specific habits. I am having a hard time googling for tricks because I am not looking for tricks or habits to implement while "exercising" or to get me to exercise. [more inside]
posted by heybearica at 10:33 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by heybearica at 10:33 AM PST - 21 comments
Would drinking small amounts of heavy water protect you from radiation?
Would drinking small amounts of heavy water protect you from radiation? [more inside]
Sex with a bag
My sex life is in the toilet ever since my husband had his ileostomy. Please help. [more inside]
Help me write fiction, Obi-Wan Kenobi
Looking for videos or books that explain the craft of writing fiction stories/scifi stories, although the genre is not as important. [more inside]
posted by Wolfster at 9:37 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Wolfster at 9:37 AM PST - 13 comments
how can increase my chances of having a healthy baby at 35?
I don't plan on having a baby for many years, (I'm 24 now). I have heard that it is bad for the baby's health if the mother gets pregnant at 30 or older. What risks are there? How can I mitigate these risks? What are the odds of having a baby with mental or physical disabilities? What steps can I take to increase my chances of having a healthy baby at say age 35? What other relevant things should I Know? thanks
Oh! My Aching Head!
I've been having a pretty much continuous headache since this past Saturday, with varying degrees of severity, but almost never completely gone (except for short periods of time after taking advil). Shocking waves of pain upon standing after being bent over, unless I move excrutiatingly slowly. YANMD, however, is this something I need to go to see my doctor over, or something simple? [more inside]
Sending financial information via (unsecure) email: why not to do it
How can I misuse this bank account information? No, wait, that came out wrong. I’m looking for help justifying data security measures (at my office) for banking info. [more inside]
Do you know a therapist on Long Island who specializes in teens? Help!
I'm looking for personal recommendations for a therapist located in Nassau county (preferably south shore, and preferably one who accepts blue cross insurance, though this is a secondary concern) who can help a teen I know and love with self harm and an eating disorder.
She is the adolescent child of an alcoholic, and is in what seems to me to be a major depressive state right now, and has agreed to attend therapy. [more inside]
Is there a good site or app to monitor Canadian grocery flyers?
I'm hoping to start our food and sundries budget off on the right foot by shopping the sales as much as possible, but going through flyers and/or finding coupons on store at a time can be really tedious. There has to be a site or app for this, but I seem to be striking out.
Any recommendations from the hive mind? Bonus made-up points for anything that lets me set even basic alerts.
(The Canada factor is key--the initial few apps I've looked at have been US-only.)
posted by Decimask at 8:39 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Decimask at 8:39 AM PST - 6 comments
Rocky Mountain High
After a recent drive from DC down to Tennessee In Which I Realized I'm a Little Bored with the Appalachians, I would like to plan a family vacation this summer (probably July) somewhere in the Rockies. I need some help figuring out where best to stage this grand adventure. [more inside]
posted by drlith at 8:35 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by drlith at 8:35 AM PST - 10 comments
MBA and MBA-like programs: Looking for your experiences
My company will pay for my graduate management degree, so it seems wise to take them up on the offer. Can you give me advice from your MBA or MBA-like program experience? [more inside]
What are your best academic writing exercises for undergraduates?
What exercises do you use in class to help undergraduates become better writers? [more inside]
posted by caoimhe at 8:34 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by caoimhe at 8:34 AM PST - 12 comments
Help me pick a job
I have been offered positions at two different companies. My stomach is in knots trying to decide between the two. [more inside]
posted by theuninvitedguest at 8:27 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by theuninvitedguest at 8:27 AM PST - 21 comments
How do coyotes get feral cats when cats can climb trees?
At about nine this morning my reading was punctuated by the loud flapping of huge wings in our back yard. When I arrived at the slider I saw a coyote in the middle of our yard staring at the bird on our roof. The feral cat we've been feeding was on our deck staring at the coyote. The coyote noticed me and did that thing dogs do with their front legs when they want to be chased in play then bounded off to the woods or field. Comically, the cat instinctively moved to chase the coyote before she realized herself and came over to drink the water we maintain for birds. I fed her then went online to learn what time of the day coyotes typically hunt. I found the quote below in Wikipedia and wonder how coyotes take cats when the cats can climb trees. There are fewer trees in California while here we have trees everywhere, apart from yards and fields. Is that it?
"At one location in Southern California, coyotes began relying on a colony of feral cats as a food source. Over time, the coyotes killed most of the cats, and then continued to eat the cat food placed daily at the colony site by people who were maintaining the cat colony."
Outdated IT equipment - anything better to do with it than recycling?
I have a temp job tidying IT store rooms. We're gonna throw away (I mean recycle) loads of stuf, like hundreds of kettle (power) leads, couple dozen first gen Cisco VoIP phones. Any better ideas? [more inside]
posted by yoHighness at 7:36 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by yoHighness at 7:36 AM PST - 8 comments
I don't want this Sunset (by The XX) to end.
mefites, I am not a club-goer, but something tells me that the sound of Sunset will propel me through the summer. What artists, genres, DJ mixes or internet stations feature this kind of sound?
posted by unmake at 7:33 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by unmake at 7:33 AM PST - 10 comments
My best friend can't come to my wedding. Help me be a grown-up.
I am getting married really soon, and I have known for a while that my best friend will not be at the wedding (for a really good reason - not that she needs one of course - but that's not the issue). I thought I was totally okay with it - it's just a party! I know she loves me! - but all of a sudden it hit me really, really hard that she won't be there. I don't know how to make this feel better. This is a terrible snowflakey question, but I am really, really sad, and I need better ways to think about this. [more inside]
Seeking Upper, Upper Management at a Fortune 500 Oil & Gas Company
The facts: I'm a reservoir engineer at a Fortune 500 oil and gas company. I have six years of experience. I have a BS in Petroleum Engineering from a top school. I've been told I'm on the fast track to management. I've also been told that unless I get an MBA, I'll reach a point in my career one day (maybe 10-15 years in the future) where I can't rise any higher.
The question: I realize that there is no black-and-white answer here, but I'm looking for general advice on if I should get my MBA, so as not to plateau in my career advancement possibilities at a major oil and gas firm. Is an MBA generally considered to be a requirement for reaching the upper echelons of management at a Fortune 500? Are enough of my peers getting an MBA that it will be hard to complete with them if I don't also have one?
Any advice you can offer, especially with respect to the oil and gas world, would be helpful (that said, advice on Fortune 500's in general is welcome as well). Obviously, getting an MBA is a major personal, professional, and financial commitment, so I want to consider all of the angles. What gives me pause is that when I look at some of the executives in positions I'd like to one day be in (general managers, VPs, or higher), some do not have MBAs.
posted by Shaitan at 7:12 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by Shaitan at 7:12 AM PST - 17 comments
Give me that some of that old time fancy pants bar soap.
I like this particular kind of bar soap (South of France) and would like to know where best to purchase said bar soap. I'm also interested in what it is about this bar soap that I like better than regular bar soap and whether there might be some place I can get that soap, or equivalent, a little less expensively and a little more conveniently. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 7:06 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by A Terrible Llama at 7:06 AM PST - 25 comments
how to list medium crappy temp jobs on a resume?
For about a year now I've been bouncing between secretary type jobs through temp agencies, and need to figure out how to list this on my resume. Two of the temp jobs are relevant to the type of work I hope to get, but can't be listed by name due to confidentiality issues. How do I present this industry specific and consumer facing work especially since my long term job before this was in a different field? I'd just leave it as a gap, except the work is relevant and there are other aspects of the gap (major surgery and more!) that make it longer than I'm comfortable with. [more inside]
Help two Atlantic Canadians enjoy the hell out of Vegas in September
The honeymoon is booked! We'll be in Las Vegas in mid September for a week (Arrive sunday night, fly out saturday morning) and aside from "look at the pretty lights" we have no flipping clue what to expect or what to do while we're there. Suggestions!? [more inside]
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 6:51 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 6:51 AM PST - 20 comments
My gyn blew off my concerns. She was wrong. What now?
My former gynecologist laughed off my suggestion in 2011 that I might have endometriosis because of the severe pain I was starting to develop during my periods. I had a colon resection in 2013 and the surgeon had to remove an extra 6 inches out due to endometriosis adhesions. What do I do now? [more inside]
Best Bible for Kindle?
I am going to give my old Kindle 4 to a friend, who thinks it will be useful in her Baptist bible study meetings. What bible should I recommend to her?
Pug with a luxating patella? Any option other than surgery?
We have a pug who we adopted a couple of years ago. Upon our first visit to the vet, we were informed she had luxating patella, and that it might one day require surgery, but only if it got worse. Well, it seems to be worse lately - has anyone experienced this, and is there any alternative treatment? [more inside]
How can I stop binge eating, especially in the evenings?
I am in my 30s and have recently developed binge eating habits, and would like your advice/suggestions on how to approach this, when already feeling overwhelmed with life. Medication info and other elaboration inside... [more inside]
My ADD interferes in my job sometimes, should I tell my boss?
Basically a quick one. I have been diagnosed ADD only recently, so the ethics of stuff is a bit muddy for me.
I work in a library where exhibitions are frequently held (books exhibited in vitrines). The vitrines frequently hold valuable books, but are located outside the library itself. At the end of the day, I'm supposed to roll them inside, so they are safely locked.
However, it already happened twice that I forgot to put them inside, both when something busy happened in the library right before closing (like yesterday I was helping out some students). This is extremely stupid I know, and I don't think there is any excuse, and I understand my boss being angry at such a simple task. But by 20 o'clock (when I close) I'm tired, and even looking directly at vitrines didn't trigger me moving them inside (usually I really do this though)
So, would it be fine to let my boss know of my ADD? I don't want it to be an excuse, but I imagine it might be more understandable, and putting a huge note next time on the reception with "DONT FORGET" wont seem as odd. Nor do I want the fact that I have ADD colour his perception of me, but I imagine "careless" (which I'm not!) is probably a worse tag than "hyper".
Please help, I have an otherwise good and friendly relationship with him.
What was the name of that (now defunct) (English?) link blog?
Recently a friend of mine and I were talking about a link blog that we used to frequent in what must have been the early 2000s. We can't for the life of us remember (or find) the name of it and it's driving us a bit mad. From what we can remember
- it might have been produced by a British person (and definitely was in English);
- there might have been a bit of a "new media" skew;
- it was definitely a link blog, not at all unlike mefi
- we're pretty sure the colour orange (and grey?) was used in the design
- it closed down quite a while ago (around ten years)
- it was pretty popular
Any ideas, people who's memories may be better than mine?
many thanks!
posted by Hartham's Hugging Robots at 4:52 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Hartham's Hugging Robots at 4:52 AM PST - 13 comments
Can anyone identify this track from a early 90s UK rave video?
It's that track that comes in at about 4:47 in this video (the track before Ride on Time). Shazam has no answer — it's obviously something not on Beatport. Someone somewhere *has* to know it!
Thanks, hive mind!
Inexpensive & save place to stay near Convention Center in Minneapolis?
I am going to be in Minneapolis for a conference this August and am looking for a place to stay. I usually enjoy staying in smaller, affordable hotels, BnB's or hostels. It would be great if the Convention Center was easy to reach, either on food or by public transport. I will be traveling alone and won't know anyone at the conference. So it's important to me to find a nice place to stay where I feel safe and can relax after a long day. Do you have suggestions?
Library Science Filter: Video game citations?
Librarians and academics: How would you go about citing a specific moment or piece of content from a video game? [more inside]
Explain it to him like he's a 5 year old. A 5 year old father-to-be.
So I'm about 6.5 weeks pregnant right now, and immersed in crazy brain juice, nausea, and fatigue. My husband, while very well-meaning, doesn't really seem to get what this pregnancy gig is all about, and I'd like him to bone up so that I can spend more time sleeping and less time explaining why I'm tired. Help us. (snowflakes inside) [more inside]
Should I go no contact or continue to hang out?
I met this girl last year at a party, she was slightly interested in me back then (I found out from her recently) but never pursued me and we did not keep in touch. I met her once again 2 months ago, this time I was mesmerised at first sight. I hung out with her 2 times with my friends and finally mustered the courage to ask her out on a date. She said yes, but I could sense from the get go that she was not as into me as I was into her, stating that she wants to take things slow. We went out on 3 dates, made out on the first and slept together on the third. Two days later, she said I was sending out cues that I'm very serious about it and am possessive of her, and how that freaks her out. She said that she is in no shape for a relationship in that she needs to heal and is going through too many things at this point in time. [more inside]
posted by polyhistor at 1:36 AM PST - 32 comments
posted by polyhistor at 1:36 AM PST - 32 comments
Commercial Renovation - GoPro Time-lapse?
A friend is renovating a historic commercial building, and I would like to capture it via a few GoPros using time-lapse. There are issues. [more inside]
posted by atomicmedia at 12:10 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by atomicmedia at 12:10 AM PST - 5 comments
You Do Remind Me A Little of Castle.
Do I continue writing a book I've enjoyed writing and researching when it seems I've unintentionally given it the same premise as Castle? [more inside]
May 28
Lead Sheet for "Friends" by Chick Corea
Where can I find a lead sheet for the song "Friends" by Chick Corea? Even better, where can I find transcriptions of the flute and piano solos in that song?
What's this piece of pro-liberal / anti-libertarian writing?
I remember reading a long time ago either a blog post or a wiki-looking page linked on the Blue. It was written either to defend American liberalism, show why libertarianism was flawed, or both. The piece was about a person outlining the ways in which society and the US government's "invisible infrastructure" (my term, not theirs), supported his or her everyday life in subtle but essential ways. They included government-built roads, fire departments, and public schools, among other things. What piece is this? Bonus points for finding wherever it was linked from on MeFi. I'd also appreciate links to other seminal short works of pro-liberal and/or anti-libertarian writing. ("Invisible Knapsack" and "If Men Had Periods" come to mind.)
posted by glass origami robot at 10:16 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by glass origami robot at 10:16 PM PST - 9 comments
Not all who wander are lost
Where to go in Paris alone? [more inside]
What reason for buying a car at less than market value?
YANAL/YANML and you are not a clerk working at my DMV. What reason should I put on a bill of sale for buying a car for less than market value? [more inside]
posted by OrangeDisk at 7:42 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by OrangeDisk at 7:42 PM PST - 12 comments
What's under the manhole covers in the street?
Could the ninja turtles live in Atlanta? What's under all those manhole covers in the street? Is there a giant tunnel under there? Could a homeless person live down there? And why are they constantly digging new holes in the street--what's under the road that a city worker can't access through a manhole, since there are so many? [more inside]
posted by wondercow at 7:26 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by wondercow at 7:26 PM PST - 14 comments
Essential Men's Gear from Patagonia
I have access to a pro deal from Patagonia for a few more months. What are some men's essentials that it would be worth it to purchase / stock up on? I ski, hike and am getting more into mountaineering.
There are a fair amount of things from Patagonia that I consider ridiculous for the price, so I'm just curious which one's are actually worth it.
My friend with anxiety won't help himself and I don't know what to do
A friend of mine refuses to address his anxiety issues. I don't want to lose him as a friend, but also don't know how much more I can take. Please help. [more inside]
Gay erotica/romances written by actual gay men? (NSFW)
Most of the slash fanfic I read is probably written by 14-year-old girls. Please direct me to the real stuff written by real gay men, so that I may develop snobbish taste in yet another one of my pastimes. [more inside]
Curling already-curly hair
I would really like to be able to style my thin, long, wavy/curly/frizzy hair (close to this) into natural-looking loose curls or waves, like this, but most of the instructions that I've found online have started with straight hair (like this recent NYT article). Can you help? [more inside]
I want to print letterhead!
Here's the issue—every single print shop I ask can only do runs of like 500 sheets for personal letterhead. I want only 50 sheets with envelopes, and I don't want to pay a freaking arm and leg for nice letterhead. How can I do this? I don't want something that's merely laser printed onto cheap paper. I'd like something that's nice, professional, and exudes quality.
I've seen these at Crane, but they're still quite expensive. Any ideas mefites?
How do I learn to read peer-reviewed studies comfortably?
I come from an engineering background rather than a research background, and I find myself lacking in vocabulary when it comes to understanding research papers, particularly when they start talking about ANOVA analyses, F(x) effect sizes and p values. I can skim through the results of a study and see that certain numbers are bigger than other numbers, but I don't really know how to tell whether what I'm seeing is significant. I'm guessing that I'm missing basic education in statistics. Can I fix this in a simple way?
Progressive is being regressive
We live in Mass and my wife got into a car accident the other day while I was out of town. How can I convince the insurance company it was not her fault? [more inside]
posted by IzzeYum at 5:43 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by IzzeYum at 5:43 PM PST - 27 comments
Cutting out refined sugar
I cut out refined sugar for a week, and the results to my body have been rapid and dramatic. What could be metabolically going on here? [more inside]
Shrugs. Heck if I know.
I have a lot of sleeveless summer dresses, mostly casual. It gets chilly in the evenings, and some things are too bare for offices. I'd like some shrugs, wraps, cardigans, whatever. I've scoured the stores and a: they are absurdly difficult to find (at least when you're looking for them) and b: what I have found tends to look cheap and matronly when actually worn on a body.
Where can I find flattering cover-ups? And what are the secrets (when shopping online) of figuring out what might actually work in the real world? There are all different sorts of cuts (just covering the boobs, tie at the waist, shrunken cardigan, different sleeve lengths). I'm short-waisted and busty, for what it's worth.
I looked through links in previous threads but didn't see anything ... my current go-to is a lightweight cropped denim jacket, and I'm getting kind of sick of it. Thanks!
We could always visit Buffalo
What's the likelihood of my boyfriend being denied entry into Canada for a reckless operation conviction? [more inside]
Need Help with Short-term apartment in Manhattan.
My friend is in a major jam. His landlord has told him this past Friday that he must vacate his apartment by May 31st. Three of the five roommates are moving and there is no option to stay because if any one person stays even one day, everyone will lose their deposit.
He has found an apartment to move to, but it won't be ready until June 15. Can anyone recommend an inexpensive option for him to rent for the two weeks, or any good resources for identifying possible places to stay?
posted by Yellow at 3:36 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Yellow at 3:36 PM PST - 12 comments
SOFTWARE / RESOURCE SUGGESTIONS FOR BOTANY BEGINNER...
Any recommendations for a software program for managing photos, notes, etc., of plants I am learning about. Just recently developed an interest in Botany and don't really know where to begin. I have tons of photos, journal notes and websites bookmarked and am looking for a way to keep things together and organized so i can access all the info easier. Also looking for a reliable resource for identifying and learning more about the plants I find. Any other advice for a beginner would be appreciated as well...
Taking a class for fun, but actually learning something in the end.
You've taken some classes, academic or not, for fun or out of simple interest. Some of those classes were paid opportunities to socialize. You walked out of them not feeling very different from how you felt coming in. Then you forgot everything you were supposed to have learned, and you never did anything like that again. Other classes taught you (or put you on the road to learning) a fulfilling skill or a body of knowledge. What kinds of classes were they? How did you find out about them? What lasting effects have those classes had on your life? (e.g., took a foreign language class → went abroad without a guide, took a welding class → set up a workshop in the garage, etc.)
Wordress plugin that includes comments at the end of each RSS post
I'm looking for a Wordpress plugin that includes a post's comments at the end of that post's RSS entry. [more inside]
posted by arielmeadow at 3:02 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by arielmeadow at 3:02 PM PST - 2 comments
How can my family bar my bipolar father from access to credit?
My bipolar father will go on crazy consumer debt fueled sprees of spending / gambling. What can we do on a severely limited budget to ensure he doesn't end up homeless or otherwise in major trouble? [more inside]
Date nights with myself?
My husband has a demanding job, I'm a stay-at-home mom. I need to get away from the house and kids, but he's not interested in going out on a "date night." What should I do? [more inside]
Etsy vs. creating your own e-commerce website
I am creating an online marketplace and want to keep costs and infrastructure to a minimum, at least in the initial stages of the project. I am yet to make up my mind about whether I should use Etsy as the ecommerce platform or not. [more inside]
What other languages have easy to learn written forms?
What are some languages that are easy to learn to read/write without actually knowing the language?
Obviously to an English speaker French and Spanish would be easy to read and write because we mostly use the same alphabet, so I'd like to stay away from languages that use that system. [more inside]
posted by simplethings at 1:39 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by simplethings at 1:39 PM PST - 29 comments
Don't have a HS Diploma and never been to college... now want a degree.
I want to work full-time, get a 4-year degree, and when I am done still make enough money to support 4 kids. [more inside]
posted by brownrd at 1:34 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by brownrd at 1:34 PM PST - 31 comments
Using a relocation service to move to Qatar from the U.S.
I've obtained an extended leave of absence from my tenured position and will move my family of six to Qatar this August. We have been given an allowance of $2,500 for shipping our stuff. How do I locate a good shipper? [more inside]
How to edit text and select underlined text in Acrobat?
I have to edit several PDFs. Not big edits, just some text changes. I'm using Acrobat X on a Mac, while the PDFs seem to have been created on a PC using Ghost Script, though I don't know what exact piece of software was used. [more inside]
What is the meaning of this video "What is psychoanalysis"?
The blurb for the video "What is Psychoanalysis?" on this website claims that it "tries to show visually some essential components of the psychoanalytic process including the analytic function, transference, dreams, repetitions and the Oedipal conflict". Can someone point out at which points in the video these things are shown and by which images they are represented?
Where to buy a jawbone?
Does anyone know a source where I can buy a jawbone for use as a percussion instrument? This is also called a quijada in Afro-Peruvian music.
Online solution for "Who brings what"
I need an online solution for coordinating "who is bringing what." We have a meditation gathering where 14 to 16 people come. We need 4 or 5 to volunteer to pick up different breakfast items. Frequently it turns into too many emails or duplication of efforts. (Last week was 3 people bringing fruit and no milk.) [more inside]
Wedding music options - Buffalo, NY
My partner and I are planning our wedding up in Buffalo, NY, for this October - yay! We've got most things covered at this point, but one thing we're both feeling clueless about is arranging to have music for the ceremony and reception. Can you help? General advice and Buffalo-specific recommendations would be gratefully welcomed! [more inside]
posted by DingoMutt at 12:56 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by DingoMutt at 12:56 PM PST - 8 comments
keeping an erection...
I need the hive wisdom on this. My GF and I have stupendous, earth-shattering sex. I'm 58, she's 59. Really. We're both very open, intuitive, and energetic. I take @ 10mg of Levitra (generic) an hour before hand, and it works well.
When we start out, we often partake in a modest amount of cannabis, and then I focus on her. I usually have a solid erection before we start, but once I start my ministrations, it lessens, and by the time she is ready for "it", it's usually deflated. [more inside]
posted by ecollie at 12:45 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by ecollie at 12:45 PM PST - 10 comments
Achievement Unlocked - Massive Debt
I'm becoming a first-time homeowner on Monday. What surprising things (or unexpected challenges) did you learn in your first year as a homeowner that you think it would be good for me to know? The house is in Wisconsin, in a Milwaukee suburb. Thanks so much!
Cool Interesting and Unique Job Postings Blog?
Are there any blogs that scour online job boards and just post the cool interesting or unique jobs? [more inside]
Past performance is no guarantee of future results
I've noticed that most of what I read about science and technology is universally optimistic about the pace of knowledge (if not necessary its use). From tech journalists to science fiction writers everyone seems to believe that the possibilities of technology are boundless and the pace of scientific discovery is, if anything, accelerating and always will be.
My question is: Is anyone credibly arguing the opposite? [more inside]
posted by 2bucksplus at 12:11 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by 2bucksplus at 12:11 PM PST - 12 comments
[quote] Er, um, like, you know, eh? [end quote] said Kuppajava.
How do I explain to a student journalist that when quoting someone with whom they have recorded an interview they should refrain from keeping in the verbal filler words and tics we all use in casual conversation unless absolutely necessary? [more inside]
posted by kuppajava at 12:10 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by kuppajava at 12:10 PM PST - 13 comments
What speedy tricks do you use to make your updos look more polished?
I usually spend about five minutes on my long, wavy hair in the morning. What minor things (two minutes or less) do you add to your hairstyle to make it look more polished and done? Examples would be things like, "curl the ends of your ponytail" or "hide your crappy elastic hairtie with a strand of hair and a bobbypin". [more inside]
posted by stellaluna at 11:53 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by stellaluna at 11:53 AM PST - 21 comments
AirBNB and [not] breaking the law
If I want to charge visitors a fee to stay in the apartment I rent form a landlord, what might I want in my lease? Would I absolutely need a clause about subletting? What are the exceptions? [more inside]
posted by jander03 at 11:36 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by jander03 at 11:36 AM PST - 11 comments
Link me some inspirational words over images
I suffer from anxiety and as cheesy as it sounds, pictures with inspirational quotes/wording really help! [more inside]
How do I get back the Netflix instant queue?
I just logged into Netflix and noticed that although I can see my DVD queue, I can't see my Instant queue. How do I get it back? [more inside]
Is this a genuine text or a modern pastiche?
I recently ran across this text on a Virgil-centered site:
The Secret History of Virgil
by Alexander Neckam
said to be based on a
History by Gaius Asinius Pollio
From a Manuscript in Old Royal Library in the British Museum
Edited and Translated
By Joannes Opsopoeus Brettanus
(c) 1996.
Is this an actual 12th-13th c. text based on an actual 1st c. BCE source, or a modern-day confection of the "found manuscript" variety? The copyright, of course, is odd, but I thought it might've been claimed by the site hosting the text.
There was a brief discussion of it here, but no conclusions were drawn.
Thanks.
posted by the sobsister at 11:08 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by the sobsister at 11:08 AM PST - 4 comments
It's money laundering, but how is in untraceable ?
I saw that Liberty Reserve was busted today (domain seized, CEOs arrested) for money laundering. I know the internet underworld uses LR, bitcoins and various other exchanges to pay for things.
How are they untraceable ? (or are they traceable ? Does that defeat the purpose ?) [more inside]
What are these alchemical symbols on this pyramid?
The pyramid in question is really an ice house, built in the New Gardens in Potsdam in 1791-92. It was built at the direction of Friedrich Wilhelm II, who was a Freemason and a Rosicrucian, among other things.
So what are those alchemical symbols over the door? Extra credit if you can figure out the symbolism of the weird insects and such carved into the stone.
Free or Low Cost OCR Solutions?
Does anyone have any recommendations for a free or low cost solution that will let me scan to searchable PDF using OCR? [more inside]
posted by soy_renfield at 10:11 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by soy_renfield at 10:11 AM PST - 10 comments
New baby + diss defense, can this math work?
Wrapping up a pregnancy and a dissertation at the same time. Given the inherent badness of this idea, when is the least ill-advised time to schedule my defense? [more inside]
I saw my Grad school letter of reccomendation and the school knows.
Is this going to be counted against me? Should I take any action? [more inside]
Non-techie needs help with startup interviews!
I need resources for dealing with the vague job descriptions, short interview lead time, and sometimes nonexistent web presences that are apparently typical of startups. [more inside]
posted by ziggly at 10:04 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by ziggly at 10:04 AM PST - 13 comments
It's my party and I'll cry if I want to
Relationship frustration, party-planning edition: Help me have a great party even though the circumstances are annoying. Details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by kat518 at 9:39 AM PST - 78 comments
posted by kat518 at 9:39 AM PST - 78 comments
Mug shot needed
Help me find a lightweight mug to drink my coffee out of. [more inside]
posted by afx237vi at 8:59 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by afx237vi at 8:59 AM PST - 11 comments
This Is Why I Should Do Things In Writing
Dear Mefi Internet Jury: Am I right to withhold a roommate's security deposit? [more inside]
Detailed descriptions or just the specs, ma'am?
When you're shopping online, do you like to see detailed descriptions or just the bare bones specs? Or have you seen research that says one or the other? I'm responsible for adding new products to our online shops, and I'm trying to justify the time spent writing detailed descriptions. [more inside]
Känn ingen sorg för oss Stockholm
My wife and I will be in Stockholm for a few days in June, staying with some friends in Kungsholmen before traveling the countryside with them by car. Nights we'll be with them, but we'll have some time in the days to explore Stockholm on our own. We have guidebooks to find all the major attractions, etc.--but hoped you could give some advice on fun places to go, or things to see, street kiosks to buy lunch, etc. that don't make it into guidebooks. Quirky is a plus! [more inside]
Where's the rest of this new york times editorial?
This quote has been going around various friend's facebook pages, supposedly from a NYT editorial opposing the 16th Amendment. I can't find the rest of the article, and would like to see the context for the quote. Any leads online or offline where I could check it out? [more inside]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:04 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:04 AM PST - 7 comments
tech recruiter for a phd?
I'm lacking direction in my job hunt. Can you recommend a specific tech recruiter? [more inside]
Metallic rattling noise coming from exhaust pipe
Recently my car (2008 Vauxhall Zafira) has started making a metallic rattling sound when (a) the engine is turning over at very low revs (i.e. when starting the engine) and (b) when going over bumps. When the engine is idling, or when driving along on a smooth road, the noise disappears. I can recreate the noise by grabbing hold of the exhaust pipe at the back of the car and wiggling it from side to side, so I assume that the noise is due to some bit of metal coming loose and banging around.
I'm quite keen to fix this myself; can anybody suggest a more specific first troubleshooting step than "crawl underneath the car when it's cool and try to find the loose part"? I have no way of raising the car up, but I reckon if I park it with one side on the curb I can get underneath and take a look.
If successful, I will update this thread with my findings :-)
posted by primer_dimer at 7:33 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by primer_dimer at 7:33 AM PST - 14 comments
success at using UVB lightbox for Vitiligo
I have a mild case of vitiligo. While my insurance will cover dermatologist visits and Protopic (very expensive!), they won't cover a UVB lightbox machine like this one that my dermatgoligst recommended getting.. Before I pay out of pocket i'd like to hear how successful you found a UVB treatment to be - it's something like 1300-1600 dollars, and it's not something I want to buy if it hasn't been that successful.
Would you like some Apples, Tacos, & Tinctures?
I'm starting a new job for a telecom giant at a call center and to make the most money I need to make sales. I have worked for a call center before, and I guess you could say I sold things, but I didn't really sell things. Where can I learn to sell? [more inside]
What art galleries exist for emerging artists in major cities?
I'm searching for art galleries in major cities (such as London, New York, Seattle, Dubai, etc) that are friendly to emerging artists, and are likely to take take 1 - 2 pieces in a group show. My goal here (similar to my last ask mefi question) is to get some exhibition credits in major cities, as crass as that sounds.
Are there any suggestions you have, or specific search keywords I should be looking for?
Best route from Brooklyn to I-80W in a big-ass truck?
Moving out of Brooklyn (finally). As I see it, there are two basic options. Can you tell me which one is a better bet, and/or suggest an alternate route? [more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu at 6:05 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Dr. Wu at 6:05 AM PST - 10 comments
Apologize or leave it alone?
Long story short... been seeing a guy (30) for about three months (I'm 27). Early last week I attempted to make plans with him for the weekend, but he couldn't lock anything down. He then asked me both Sat and Sun nights to get together later that night after he was done doing other things. Upset because I had tried to make actual plans with him much earlier in the week, I responded that I'm not a booty call. He said sorry and we could do something another night and I said I would like that, but haven't heard from him since.
My question is.. do I attempt to explain why I interpreted it the way I did or just give him some space? And was I even justified to be upset? I sense that he was losing interest before this happened and it probably seemed to come out of nowhere, so I'm afraid I may have blown it.
posted by starsatnight at 4:06 AM PST - 63 comments
posted by starsatnight at 4:06 AM PST - 63 comments
Looking for good contemporary Chinese music
My partner is in Shanghai for a week and I'd like to ask her to bring me back some music that can't be easily found in the UK. Fussiness inside. [more inside]
posted by epo at 4:03 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by epo at 4:03 AM PST - 4 comments
Dealing with percentages: noob question
I've recently decided to transition to a new career path, accounting. Most firms round here do an online numeracy test as part of the application process.
There is a type of % change question that often comes up and I can't find a proper answer about how to calculate it.
There are two formulae suggested by different websites, but they give different answers. Which is right? (details inside) [more inside]
posted by NoiselessPenguin at 4:02 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by NoiselessPenguin at 4:02 AM PST - 10 comments
Happy Hours in Oslo, Norway????
We are a group that wants to meet regularly after work, or early in the evening- for a chat, a drink, maybe a snack... before heading home for dinner and to see our families etc. Can you please help me come up with a list of happy hours in Oslo, Norway? The more details you can give the better!
posted by misspony at 1:40 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by misspony at 1:40 AM PST - 1 comment
Is this a prank, like crop circles?
Anybody know what this planting pattern is about? The link is to Google maps. [more inside]
posted by Bruce H. at 1:16 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by Bruce H. at 1:16 AM PST - 12 comments
Dealing with distance when I want constant contact and he doesn't
I've been in a relationship with a guy for 6 months. When one of us is traveling, I prefer to send lots of text messages and emails throughout the day, and I want to get messages back. He dislikes written communication and would prefer to have rare, brief phone calls and just wait until we see each other in-person again. What can I do, which won't result in frustration for one of us? [more inside]
What are some edible pest species?
I'm a (nominal) vegetarian for environmental reasons. But I do like the taste of meat. Somewhat of a practical compromise is that I allow myself to eat pest species, or animals that are culled then sold for good reasons.
So I wouldn't mind eating some Kangaroo because they are being culled anyway, and they have a small environmental footprint. But in general, I'm not sure what is pest/culled for environmental reasons. My Google-fu has failed me here.
What are some sources of meat/poultry/seafood that are suitable for a environmentally conscious diet? I'm not averse to eating things shipped from different parts of the world.
posted by butwheresthesushi at 12:32 AM PST - 37 comments
posted by butwheresthesushi at 12:32 AM PST - 37 comments
May 27
Are these two words translated into Hebrew correctly?
my brother is getting a couple tattoos and asked me to make sure these translations check out and yes he knows that each word is given in two different fonts. thanks!
Here they are
Are there job opps for programmers in cleantech/fusion research?
I am a software developer with good experience, principally in big data, though I am not married to that field. I think that climate change is a serious threat to human existence, and am probing how I might be able to work successfully in a field that could help us develop a more sustainable future. [more inside]
Prep for Jure Sanguinis -> Help me find a great Italian textbook
Preparing for Jure Sanguinis and trying to brush up on my non-existent Italian. I haven't had much luck with various websites and apps (FSI is an exception), can't afford Rosetta Stone, and can't leave work long enough for an immersion course.
I've found that I do well with language textbooks in that I get a better sense of the grammar and they allow for rote memorization of words and phrases.
With that in mind, can anyone recommend a good textbook (or system, or correspondence course) for learning Italian at home?
Thank you.
Stories of famous or well-known men who get nervous with women
I'm looking for stories of famous men (contemporary preferred, but historical ok) who discuss being nervous when approaching or dealing with women.
Please cite sources and I will look them up.
posted by 4midori at 10:34 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by 4midori at 10:34 PM PST - 3 comments
Can Google Harvest Data from the Google Map API?
The question came up about our use of the Google Map API. We have Google maps which we populate with XML data. Can Google harvest that data when a user views it? For example: a map is showing employees, their locations and their salaries (fictitious example).
posted by rmmcclay at 10:33 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by rmmcclay at 10:33 PM PST - 2 comments
Do I need to file estimated taxes if I know I'm getting a refund?
Me and my wife work, and always get a tax refund. I'm making more with my side business, so do I need to pay estimated taxes even if we'll still be getting a refund if I don't? [more inside]
posted by markblasco at 9:28 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by markblasco at 9:28 PM PST - 13 comments
Madonna Inn alternatives on the East Coast?
A friend and I will be taking a road trip between New York City and Ann Arbor via the Great Lakes this summer. We're mostly planning to camp, and do things on the cheap. But he's offered to splurge for a hotel for a night on one condition: the hotel be a garish Liberace-styled rococo nightmare. [more inside]
posted by gusandrews at 9:14 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by gusandrews at 9:14 PM PST - 8 comments
What is the comic/cartoon connection?
My neighbors' outdoor cats, whom I catsit occasionally and interact with regularly, have names that I cannot quite parse, even though my neighbor has repeated them for me on several occasions. Both cats are male. One cat is "Dillon" or "Dylan." The other cat's name sounds like "Sits" or "Zits" or "Sitz." When I looked confused at some point, my neighbor said the names were "from a comic" or "from a cartoon." [more inside]
How to say thanks
I had a job interview on Friday for a position I'm very excited about. I got the interview after speaking to a woman from this company at a job fair, who passed along my resume and promised to put in a good word for me since my advisor (who knows her professionally) spoke to her and vouched for me after I mentioned meeting her at the fair. I want to send her a thank you email but I could use some assistance on the details. [more inside]
How do I cope with the loss of my first love after 8 months of marriage?
I dated my first love for 2-1/2 years and then we got married. She was my first girlfriend and I was her first boyfriend. She asked for a divorce about a month ago. How do I cope? Please see the extended explanation for specific questions. [more inside]
Huge misunderstanding with casual friend now an incredible mess.
Huge misunderstanding with casual friend now an incredible mess. I don't know how to handle this so am turning to you for advice. I am honestly trying to keep it brief and still include relevant details. [more inside]
posted by young sister beacon at 7:25 PM PST - 54 comments
posted by young sister beacon at 7:25 PM PST - 54 comments
Does this mean we are getting old?
Pro's and Con's of getting a Vanagon (or similar vehicle) for camping? [more inside]
Social Anxiety & Roommate Living
How do I live with roommates (mega-extroverts at that) when I'm introverted and kinda crazy? [more inside]
Was this an abnormal thing to do?
I asked my piano teacher to get coffee. Slightly after the fact I'm second guessing myself a bit. [more inside]
posted by mermily at 7:16 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by mermily at 7:16 PM PST - 20 comments
It was a demon, right?
Long shot filter: So this weekend I went camping in the Rocky Mountains and one night I heard the most unearthly shrieking caterwaul. [more inside]
posted by scratch at 7:14 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by scratch at 7:14 PM PST - 15 comments
Help me identify this symbol?
I found this rock by some train tracks today. The rock could be from anywhere since the rock beds for the tracks are often laid with rocks shipped in from everywhere. A Google search hasn't been much help yet. Anyone?
Fellow Mefi architects, am I nuts?
I'm considering going into Architecture. Bad idea? [more inside]
posted by pakoothefakoo at 6:21 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by pakoothefakoo at 6:21 PM PST - 12 comments
Trains that passed in the night ... how'd they do that?
During the Civil War era, what kind of signals guided intercity trains traveling at night? [more inside]
Google Pixel questions: GMail as main email client; benefits of Ubuntu?
I just nabbed a 32gb WiFi Chromebook Pixel off Craigslist and it's a fun machine. I'd like to get the most out of it and have a two questions, one about ubuntu and one about GMail (as my main email client). [more inside]
Emergency 101
My very awesome and super feisty elderly neighbor apparently fell down our building's stairs today just as I was getting home and when I got to her she was 100% conscious but bleeding profusely from a wound on her head. Another neighbor had already called for the paramedics and as I was walking up they arrived. The wound was assessed and it was decided that she needed to go directly to the ER. What could/should I have done to make sure she had what she needed and that her rights were being respected? [more inside]
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 4:32 PM PST - 33 comments
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 4:32 PM PST - 33 comments
Looking for pants that are similar to the Savane Comfort Plus pants
What kind of pants are marketed today that have a similar feel to the Savane Comfort Plus pants? [more inside]
posted by candasartan at 4:30 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by candasartan at 4:30 PM PST - 3 comments
Why won't my lemon juice ice cubes freeze?
We were given far more lemons than we can reasonably use before they spoil. We'd like to freeze the juice from some of them to use in our later lemon-less life. However, the last time we tried freezing lemon juice, the juice never quite froze; the outside of the cube was slightly slimy and the cubes slowly oozed over a period of a few weeks into gelatinous lemon-flavored messes of glop. Since the other items in our freezer are so solid as to cause injury if dropped on one's bare foot (NOT THAT I'VE DONE THIS), it would seem to me that the temperature of our freezer is cold enough. But maybe I'm wrong! Any tips, O Hivemind?
posted by rednikki at 3:54 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by rednikki at 3:54 PM PST - 16 comments
Help me make a fantastic fashion faux pas!
Back in the heady days of my youth I used to wear a rather splendid afghan coat - you know, the typical hippy embroidered brown suede and fur affair, complete with disturbing aromas of patchouli and vague decay (although to be fair that may have been me rather than the coat). And now I'd love to find another one - preferable a full-length white version I can paint the cover of ELP's 'Tarkus' album on, but another brown one at a pinch. Any idea where I could get one, Mefites? Ebay and online searches only seem show women's coats and I'm a 6' chap (from Nottingham, in the UK)! Many thanks in advance!
Is it worth it to open a high yield savings account in 2013?
Are they good for using as a nest egg of sorts (e.g. money to live on when I'm in between freelance gigs) or for saving up for something specific (a vacation, Invisalign braces, etc.)? [more inside]
posted by Anima Mundi at 3:33 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Anima Mundi at 3:33 PM PST - 11 comments
Is it safe to use other adapters with this subwoofer?
I just bought a subwoofer from a thrift shop, but unfortunately the power adapter (13.5 AC in) is missing. My neighbourhood shops seem to be fresh out of adapters with that voltage, so I'm wondering if it would be possible/safe/advisable to use a different adapter? I have several lying around the house with output voltages ranging from 5 to 16V.
Well, this still sucks
So my best friend has ovarian cancer. And we're in our "out of the frying pan, into the fire" moment because she's stage 4 and shit's already going poorly. How do I tell my kid? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 3:21 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by BlahLaLa at 3:21 PM PST - 22 comments
Starting to run with minimalist shoes?
I want to get started running, and learn to run with minimalist shoes. Am I going to just hurt myself? How should I start? [more inside]
posted by ADoubtfulTrout at 3:14 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by ADoubtfulTrout at 3:14 PM PST - 22 comments
What's out there for someone with a new MA in history?
I just graduated with a MA in history. Yay! But what do I now? I'm desperate to find a new job, but I'm not sure what I'm looking for. Details within. [more inside]
How to make a permanent DIY Rainbow in a public space.
I'm part of a large group of local families that are trying to get our local council to make a permanently outlined rainbow crossing in our local square for people to chalk and draw their messages of love, hope etc. (It's in a slightly historic place because it was a first, so we can't move it to a different surface.)
We can't have it done in paint because they high-pressure hose the area daily to clean it. We're looking for not terribly expensive (ha!) safe options for a public space that gets a LOT of foot traffic.
A photo of the space with the proposed outlines in chalk.
There are currently large acid dipped pavers...not concreted in...that are about a foot square. [more inside]
Publishing options for a collection of literary short fiction
I'm nearing completion of a book of very short stories that riff in various ways on the 'joke' form. The pieces are 1-2 pages. I want to publish this book. I'm not sure the best way. [more inside]
What's the best way to learn a language quickly?
It's difficult to get a job in my field without knowing Spanish, and the grad programs I'll be applying to next year strongly prefer bilingual English/Spanish applicants. I'm searching for a job and I'd like to become conversationally proficient as quickly as possible. What methods have worked for you? A community college class? A private class? A private tutor? A particularly awesome website? I was once fluent in both French (which I spent years studying in highschool and then got practice working for a French company, who also provided a private tutor) and Portuguese (learned via an intensive university class, but lost once the class ended and I didn't keep using it). I pick up languages fairly easily, but I need a lot of practice time and a little bit of structure. I'm confident in my ability to learn the specialized jargon of my field once I'm comfortable speaking the language on an everyday basis. I'm looking at an intensive Summer class at the local community college, but I'd like other options as well.
posted by rhiannonstone at 1:16 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by rhiannonstone at 1:16 PM PST - 22 comments
Preppy dude gets the cold shoulder in mid-2000s pop song?
I've been searching for a pop song by a young female vocalist, US, ca 2005? Most of the music video was of her on the school bus, with the story being that her boyfriend fucked up, how she doesn't want to see him anymore, etc.? I think she had an Italian-sounding name. Halp?
posted by slater at 12:52 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by slater at 12:52 PM PST - 8 comments
Deliberately-wrinkled sports coats: acceptable or passe?
Men's fashion filter: wearing a wrinkled sport coat--yea nor nay? [more inside]
For the love of God, please help me make up my mind
I need to change careers. But I can't make up my mind about which one to go into, and it's driving me nuts. Please help me understand why I can't make up my mind, or what I should do about it. [more inside]
Looking for advice on moving on up (moving on up!). No east side.
Tips on becoming a good manager? [more inside]
Alone in a quarter-life crisis
How to deal with being (emotionally) alone during this transitional phase of my life? [more inside]
Seeking recommendations for records management database stuff
I'm about to start a new job (!) as a records manager with a mid-sized company specializing in law and engineering. My background in is academic libraries, not IT, and I would like to run my half-baked ideas past you all before plunging into the abyss. [more inside]
posted by wowbobwow at 11:25 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by wowbobwow at 11:25 AM PST - 10 comments
Where to have my car windows tinted in Houston?
I have a 2013 Honda Accord and I'd like to get my windows tinted. How do I go about finding a good shop? Has anyone had a good experience with a particular shop in the Houston area? Nothing looks uglier than a bad tint job in a year, so I want to do this right.
posted by nickhb at 11:04 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by nickhb at 11:04 AM PST - 2 comments
What is this weak form of pun called?
You know the kind: "DemoCRAPS" and "RepubliCONS" I find these constructions incredibly tiresome and would like to address them with a technical term. What are these forms of speech called?
posted by salishsea at 11:00 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by salishsea at 11:00 AM PST - 19 comments
Where can I find t-shirts and shorts that have cool full-bleed photos?
Looking for men's/unisex summer clothes that have cool full-bleed photos printed on, so it would be printed all the way to the edge, even wrapping around continuously. [more inside]
posted by artificialard at 10:44 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by artificialard at 10:44 AM PST - 4 comments
Buddhism for Beginners.
I'm in the midst of a terrible months-long depression and a friend of mine recommended I look into Buddhism. I'm willing to try anything, but I have no idea where to start and the Buddhist literature is pretty overwhelming. Buddhist MeFites, extend to me your enlightened hands and tell me what books to read, websites to check out, etc.
Looking for music that sounds like what I used to like in church music
One of the things I miss about church is small-group music. I'd like to find music in this style without the baggage of church behind it. Specific criteria and examples of what I'm looking for inside. [more inside]
Do you think college is worth it?
I'm having second thoughts about going back to school, not only because i've seen a lot of people graduate and not be able to find a job so they can pay off their $30,000 loans but also because they might be over qualified for it or underqualified.
If not that, then i'm kind of worried with the field i want to go into it would be really hard to find a job here(united states), and i'm starting to wonder if i would be better off buying text books/books and just teaching myself what i want to learn.
What's your opinion on college? Do you feel like it's worth it anymore?
Can I span 30' with a hammock?
I am getting my first hammock, and ENO DoubleNest. Hurray! There are three trees in our yard, with 28' to 30' between each pair. I also ordered a set of Slap Straps Pro, which should juuuust make that distance.
Will I have any problems? If it won't reach, can I just make a "jumper" of rope from each Slap Straps to the carabiner on the hammock? [more inside]
Excel Tables for a Wordpress Blog
I would like to reproduce my Excel tables as html for a Wordpress blog, but the "save for web" code does not work. [more inside]
Does topical medication (e.g. Rogaine) work when it's dry on the skin?
I've used Rogaine/finasteride and another topical hair-loss treatment. Both say that the product should be applied twice daily, and that more than that won't yield any better results. I'm inclined to trust them - especially since they have an incentive to encourage more frequent use - but intuitively this doesn't seem right. It seems like a topical treatment would really only "work" when it's wet, and that once it's dry it would have much less effect. Am I wrong? Does anyone know the mechanics of how this kind of stuff works?
name that song
What is this music? It was a piece by a woman composer; I think she had won some sort of important contemporary classical music award or was otherwise highly acclaimed, but the piece had a very postmodern/rockish sensibility. The beginning is a repetitive, kind of Olympo-fascist horn line and I think it resolves into something messier partway through the song. It's very catchy despite being kind of cacophonous. There was a music video for it that somehow involved, I think, horses or pegasi, an MS Paint aesthetic, and things with bright red eyes. [more inside]
posted by threeants at 8:53 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by threeants at 8:53 AM PST - 9 comments
What is your ultimate 'never let you down' object?
What is the item you own that is completely 'fit and forget'? What is the thing in your life which needs the least minuscule amount of attention, upgrades, tweaking, watering, oiling, sharpening, and so on? It performs 100% and you can utterly rely on its metronomic efficiency. Consulting the hive mind for recommended products you use which do their job and do it well all the time.
Your go to thing that, y'know, just works... Every Single Time. [more inside]
What bra does Joan Holloway wear?
For my entire boob-having life I've been on the lookout for a suitable bra. It exists! But what is it?! [more inside]
I have the face of a 14-year-old...and not in a good way
What are the best products/techniques to get rid of pimples and dark spots on my face? [more inside]
posted by yawper at 7:20 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by yawper at 7:20 AM PST - 21 comments
Looking for photos/videos, or car crashes with distorting metal
Looking for videos, commercials, scenes from a movie you can recall, of high definition car crashes or scenes of metal rippling and distorting. Slow motion, hi def, very vivid is the best.
Here is a video with something similar: http://vimeo.com/9078364
Its for an art project. Thank you so much for any thoughts or ideas.
How can we best archive my great uncle's WWII story?
My mother got a long letter describing his experiences as a pilot in World War II. He's interested in contributing that story to a public archive of some sort. Is there anything we could contribute it to? [more inside]
What to do when the sickener hits?
How does one handle sudden epiphanies about relationships, the kind of ones that happen when waking one morning and completely reverse your feelings from the night before? [more inside]
Do cymbalta induced sexual side effects improve?
I was wondering if anyone who has taken Cymbalta and got side sexual side effects ever had their sexual side effects wear off. I am a male in my 20s, and besides the side effects the drug is working well. I am taking the drug for a hernia in my neck, and only later found out that the drug is also an antidepressant with potential sexual side effects . I would like to hear some personal anecdotes/problems/success stories dealing with the sex aspect of the drug. [more inside]
FinnishTranslationFilter: need help with an English-Finnish translation.
I'm looking for a translation of the phrase "I'm sorry, but do you mind if I use English?" into Finnish, for use on a visit to Finland. [more inside]
Best way to sell my bicycles in the UK?
I have three really nice bikes to sell and I'm concerned that if I go via ebay I'll get ripped off, plus I'd rather avoid their high fees if possible. Have you had any success selling a good quality bicycle another way in the UK? [more inside]
Need help with career in disability (Australia)
I have a scattered work history and have been job hopping too much, not sure where I can go within the industry. Please read more. [more inside]
May 26
Who has second thoughts about their dream job?
I really can't figure out what I want to do in my life. And it's scaring the crap out of me. At many times I really thought I knew what I wanted and then when I started working... I didn't, at all! I tried really hard to figure out what to do. I majored in political science, been involved in campaigns, and I thought I would just go to law school. But felt uneasy about the whole thing like it was just something I was supposed to do cause I would be good at it. So I decided to work a bit in a medical field, which was followed by living aboard for a few years. Now I'm dabbling in film and thinking about architecture.
All amazing experiences but no closer to a conclusion. I feel super strongly about some careers and then realize I only feel strongly about those things because I admire the people in those fields and not necessarily the field itself.
Does anyone have a similar story? Any conclusions? Can anyone help?
How can I benefit most from watching course webcasts beforehand?
I like to watch video webcasts of courses I'm going to be taking in the future. What are your best suggestions to get the most out of this experience so that I can boost my performance when I'm actually in the course? [more inside]
posted by ptsampras14 at 9:39 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by ptsampras14 at 9:39 PM PST - 4 comments
How do I become a medical coder?
Ideally, I'd like to be prepared for the ICD-10 conversion in 2014. Problem is, I have no experience whatsoever, save medical terminology gleaned from Psych classes. My current position is completely unrelated, I've never held a position in a medical office or hospital, and i do not have a degree in health information management. In light of this, is my goal realistic? If it is - even remotely - where do I start, and is there a way to obtain necessary credentials while still employed full time in an unrelated field? Additionally, I have heard that once certified, it's still relatively difficult to find a first position. How do I ameliorate the stigma of inexperience?
posted by Selena777 at 9:34 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Selena777 at 9:34 PM PST - 5 comments
What kind of face mask is good for a woodworker with COPD?
Dad Swan was diagnosed with COPD this past week. He's a woodworker. No, COPD and woodworking are not exactly a match made in heaven, but we're hoping that the purchase of a good face mask will make it possible for him to continue working in his workshop for a few hours a day. For those of you who have any medical/woodworking experience, what brand or kind of face mask would you recommend, and do you have any other tips for my father on how to reconcile his hobby with his medical condition? [more inside]
How can I talk with my friend about his dating life given our history?
I have a very good friend who I spend time with on a regular basis. In recent history (and maybe probably for the foreseeable future) he has been depressed about his dating life, so naturally, it is a subject that comes up and I discuss it with him. However, given our past history together, it's been a really hard subject for me to discuss with him and I would like some help navigating this from the hivemind. [more inside]
Permanent lawn games?
We are looking to install a permanent lawn game in our front yard (well hidden from street). We have basically enough room to put in a badminton court, and will likely do that. Unless we get a more awesome idea from you guys! Please share any suggestions. We are not willing to install grass for this. It will be either on hard clay soil, sand, gravel or pavers. I want to make sure I have collected any potentially awesome ideas before I put I all the work. Thanks!
Keeping post-J.D. hopelessness at bay?
I graduated from law school this month. I got great grades, and have a good job lined up that will keep me busy for three years after the bar exam and before entering law firm life. The problem is that I'm the new cliche: I have accumulated close to $250,000 in educational debt through undergrad and grad school and I don't want to be a lawyer. At all. Blizzard to follow. [more inside]
posted by sevensnowflakes at 6:10 PM PST - 33 comments
posted by sevensnowflakes at 6:10 PM PST - 33 comments
Are you a neuroscientist? Happy in academia? Want to do science...
So I have been working in an entirely different field for the last years and was never entirely sure about what I wanted to do with my life. I am certain at this point that I want to work in a field which involves, you know, nervous systems. Unsurprisingly, I am thinking of academia. [more inside]
How does one become Tony Stark? (the Engineer, not the Iron Man)
If you were starting with no applicable background, no engineering degree, nothing except for a lot of free time and a moderate amount of money to spend, how would you become Tony Stark? No limits on time, whether it's 6 months or 60 years, how would you go from Joe the VCR clock programmer to Tony the Engineer? [more inside]
posted by walka at 5:30 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by walka at 5:30 PM PST - 21 comments
Where Can I Find Instructions for Religious Dances in English?
I'm studying various religious dances, but especially the Chinese "Dance of a Thousand Hands" and the rituals of whirling dervishes. I don't know how if these dances are taught orally or how they're handed down, but I would like to read English-language instructions of these or other special religious dances. I don't need to perform any; I just want to be able to follow what's going on.
Itch-Free Austin, Itch-Free New Orleans
My best pal and I will be road tripping to Austin and New Orleans this July. We've had a bit of trouble finding budget accommodations that don't have 20+ negative reports on the Bedbug Registry -- especially in NOLA. Any hotel/motel/dorm wizards have suggestions? PLUS where should we go in Austin and NOLA to satisfy our many cultural/gastronomic itches? Snowflakes inside! [more inside]
posted by Miss T.Horn at 5:11 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Miss T.Horn at 5:11 PM PST - 12 comments
Why did my carrot juice turn into eggwhite?
Gross but I must ask -- FOR SCIENCE. What creature IS this in my homemade juice? [more inside]
posted by bitter-girl.com at 5:04 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by bitter-girl.com at 5:04 PM PST - 4 comments
Seeking Message Board/Forum Software or hosting site
I'm looking for forum/message board software with certain features related to subscribing via email/RSS and guest-posting capabilities. These are for separate projects so the software does not need to contain all of these features, necessarily. [more inside]
What are my options for home internet service in Savannah, GA?
Home DSL service has been declining in quality and stability in recent months, and I'm at the point where it's time to consider canceling and switching to a different provider. Search engine pages seem to be spammed with fake "index" sites." What are my options? If you use ATT or Comcast, how has your service worked?
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 4:35 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by CBrachyrhynchos at 4:35 PM PST - 8 comments
Thin sliced don't waste your time t-bone
We bought thin sliced t-bone steaks by accident instead of regular. How do we need to cook these puppies? No grill available- just a cast iron skillet and an electric oven. These are seriously obscene with how thin they are.
posted by MayNicholas at 4:15 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by MayNicholas at 4:15 PM PST - 18 comments
50% hip, 50% banker briefcase for my sweetie?
I'd like to buy the man in my life a briefcase or messenger bag, so he can stop hauling his work papers around in old redwells and plastic bags (!). Looking for something that's polished, yet somewhat stylish, and should also be comfortable for commuting by foot and public transport. Budget is up to $200, but could go a bit over for something really great. Ideas?
Unsure of whether or not I should move on from my relationship
My boyfriend and I want to get married but I'm not sure. Is my intuition is telling me something important or is it just fear? [more inside]
How caustic are alkaline batteries?
I had some AA energizer max alkaline batteries in my keyboard and one leaked. When I went to remove it some one the powder got between the keys on my keyboard. How caustic is the potassium hydroxide solution in this stuff? Is it concentrated or pretty diluted? Is it safe when its dry? I cant easily clean between my keys.
Outdoor lights got wet -- now what?
I have these strings of tiki lights in my backyard and they got wet! [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 3:13 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by DMelanogaster at 3:13 PM PST - 3 comments
Cheapest international flight destinations besides Mexico?
We are trying to find the (usually) cheapest flights to international destinations from Western United States to anywhere except Mexico or Canada. [more inside]
I want to learn to use an oscilloscope. What book should I buy?
I recently started working part-time as a tester at a small start up and quite enjoy it. I am about to go full-time over the summer and will, for at least a short time, be the only tester at the company. I am trying to learn as much as I can to do the job well. [more inside]
Make the sad lilac bushes happy
I'm visiting my folks this weekend, and their lilac bushes are looking a little sad. Why are they sad? How can we make them happy? [more inside]
Day trip from London with kids
We're thinking of making a day trip away from London this week. We'd like some place accessible by train or other public transportation. We have two children under five so it needs to be kid friendly... but the trip is in honour of an adult's birthday, so we'd like it to be some place the adults will enjoy at least as much as the kids (which rules out, for example, Legoland.) What would you recommend?
Cat stuck on 7th story molding
My 9 month old cat cut through my screen window and crawled out onto the molding of my 7th story apartment. I don't know what to do. [more inside]
Paying for Public Documents by the Government
Is there any research on people who pay for publicly available documents that are bound and sold by the government, not third parties? I was fascinated that when the 911 Commission issued it's report, it flew off the shelves when it was bound and sold by the GPO even though the same report was also fully available online. I'm also not referring to services provided by USSearch or KnowX. I mean, I guess, anything produced by the Government Printing Office that is for sale as a bound document (since they are also public documents), but is also available for free online. I would think if people could repackage and sell publicly available documents, that would open a whole world of new publishing opportunities.
When to untie the social knots
My sister has died in another country. Curious about social norms and expectations. [more inside]
I want to analyse a lot of satellite imagery at once.
I want to analyse a whole bunch of satellite imagery at the same time, and I'm not sure my usual tools (GDAL, R, Python) are adequate for the job. [more inside]
Accidental penpals
I've just started talking to this (really neat!) guy on OKCupid; I like him a lot & we seem to have a ton in common. However, we won't be in the same place until August. How do I gently steer him away from a penpal-esque situation while still keeping him interested? [more inside]
What material is the third eye of the Cytherian made from?
In the Star Trek TNG ep, The Nth degree, the Cytherian has an interesting material as his 'third eye'. I've had two tiles of it as a kid. It doesn't appear to be a hologram, but looking at it at different angles one sees a lattice of circles/spheres. What is this material and where can I purchase it in larger areas?
posted by oonh at 10:10 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by oonh at 10:10 AM PST - 2 comments
Help me buy a sports jacket for a 16 yr. old boy
A friend (single mom) relays that her 16 yr. old son has asked for a sports jacket. He also just joined a gym. This is great news, as he never before seemed interested in hair, clothes, looks in general. [more inside]
posted by ebesan at 9:52 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by ebesan at 9:52 AM PST - 15 comments
Peace Corps to Senegal: needs, reads, tips, advice, cautions and so on
Someone has joined the Peace Corps and is going to Senegal, working in agro-forestry. Here is what is requested: needs, reads, before and during, what not to miss seeing, what to know, all necessary tips on the Peace Corps, Senegal and the Peace Corps in Senegal, and so on. In a word: advice. In another: experience. Hive mind, please hope me. [more inside]
Gross incident: apologize or ignore?
I made a dinner faux pas that I would like to get input on how to handle afterwards. [more inside]
Should I switch doctors because his assistant makes me uncomfortable?
I like my specialist doctor. However, he has an assistant/nurse who makes me feel uncomfortable, although nothing she has done is explicitly unprofessional - I just find her creepy and unnerving. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by ladybird at 9:39 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by ladybird at 9:39 AM PST - 13 comments
Sci-fi/mecha shareware RPG game, but I cannot remember the name or URL
There is a shareware sci-fi/mecha RPG game that a previous room-mate introduced me to. I don't remember the name of the game, but it was shareware, PC/Windows, and very extensive. I have no idea how to get ahold of the person whom introduced me to the game, hence I'm at a loss of how to find it again. [more inside]
posted by jibberish at 8:49 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by jibberish at 8:49 AM PST - 2 comments
Romantic Seoul: Help me find a date spot in the Special City
I'm somewhat new to Korea and don't know much about the landscape of Seoul, but I'm taking a native Seoulite out to dinner on Tuesday night. What's a good date place in Seoul for a quiet dinner? The cuisine can be from any corner of the world, though I'd prefer if it were in the Hongdae or Sinchon corners of Seoul. That said, anything interesting would be appreciated. Thanks.
posted by charlemangy at 8:35 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by charlemangy at 8:35 AM PST - 6 comments
Rdio Maven Recommendations
I just started using rdio.com to find and listen to music, but I don't know how to find people to follow for recommendations. Who do you suggest? [more inside]
Applying for rental house - need advice
Husband and I are seeking a rental home. We found a nice house and the landlord has invited us to apply. Last time we applied for rental the property manager had us do a credit/background check via an online service.
This new landlord gave us a paper form asking for SSN, DOB, our checking and savings account numbers, employment history, and other info. The landlord is an older person with a couple investment properties. I'm sure this is not a scam, but I am reluctant to hand all my ID and bank numbers to a stranger.
Advice? Anyone know a simple, reputable online background checking service that I can suggest to this landlord? We would pay the fee.
My goal is to make the landlord comfortable so we can lease the house. The Seattle rental market is very tight. This landlord has his pick of many worthy applicants. We have excellent credit, references, etc.
posted by valannc at 8:10 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by valannc at 8:10 AM PST - 9 comments
Why don't I like Arrested Development? Should I try harder?
I've tried. A few times. I just can't get into it. Am I doing something wrong? [more inside]
posted by eric1halfb at 7:55 AM PST - 61 comments
posted by eric1halfb at 7:55 AM PST - 61 comments
Recommendation for dual tray, same document mixed PDF capable printer
Looking to help my sister purchase a new printer for her small business. The unit must be able to switch format sizes (legal/letter) on the fly in a single PDF document. I know someone out there is doing this, please help! [more inside]
posted by queue_strategy at 7:46 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by queue_strategy at 7:46 AM PST - 3 comments
Did Yul Brynner walk into a river in Westworld?
I know there's a Simpsons parody with the same scene, but I seriously remember Yul Brynner emerging from a river in the original, too. Why is it no longer in the film? [more inside]
posted by sarling at 7:44 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by sarling at 7:44 AM PST - 11 comments
Modest Mountain Bike for Student@CU Boulder
Our son is leaving for college at CU-Boulder this fall and we want to buy him a bike. We are looking for a bike that will allow him to get to and from classes and to bike into the nearby mountains. Here's our dilemma: As a teenager, there's no guarantee that he's going to take up mountain biking in a serious way so I don't want to break the bank (to me spending $1000 on a bike is breaking the bank) and have him only ride it to and from class. OTOH, we want to get him something he could do some mountain riding and if he got interested enough, he could replace it with something better without much trouble.
Suggestions?
posted by BillW at 7:13 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by BillW at 7:13 AM PST - 6 comments
What is growing on my window sill?
Can you help me identify this herb with the tiny leaves and big taste? The largest leaves are around .25" / .5 cm, and it tastes lemony, peppery, zesty, kind of sharp. [more inside]
Did Handel really say this?
After Georg Friedrich Händel became George Frideric Handel in 1727, I have it stuck in my mind that he once said, to a Brit who called him a German, "No, Sir, I am more English than you, because I chose to become English, whereas you were assigned your nationality willy-nilly," or words to that effect. But no amount of googling has found a reliable quote or reference to this. Has anyone else heard this story, or did my mind make it up? Anyone have a reliable source? [more inside]
posted by aqsakal at 4:08 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by aqsakal at 4:08 AM PST - 7 comments
Should I take a new pair of hiking boots back?
Living in the Alps and going to Iceland in a few weeks, I decided to invest in a decent pair of hiking boots for walking in the mountains, amongst rocks, rough terrain and even volcanoes and glaciers in the case of Iceland. I have not had such shoes for a long time, so am new to such a purchase. After trying the boots at home for a few hours, I am experiencing discomfort in my ankles. Is his normal or should I take the boots back? [more inside]
posted by eurandom at 3:30 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by eurandom at 3:30 AM PST - 7 comments
one-word-term for flexibility of metal
Looking for a one-word-term that describes the flexibility specifically of metal that will 'bend rather than break'; its flexibility is its strength.
I guess I'm looking for a fancy word for 'pliable' , but 'pliable' is too generic a term. There's probably something nifty-sounding in Japanese for it, one imagines. Thanks all.
posted by aesop at 12:24 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by aesop at 12:24 AM PST - 23 comments
One broken Wordpress image fixit script to rule them all?
Long story short, my Wordpress install became corrupt, and while all content and original images were saved, all of the resized custom images are gone. Is there any way I can run a plug in or some other script that will resolved all of the broken image links? [more inside]
May 25
What speakers to buy?
I have $500. I am in the market for speakers. I don't know anything about speakers. What do I buy? [more inside]
Recommend me some glassses that are barely glasses.
I want recommendations for glasses frames that are hardly glasses. I want to hardly feel them. I want when people to look at me to see my face first and my glasses after. I want the eyewear equivalent of a see-thru mesh bra that weighs nothing. Is this possible? I have had my glasses for 13 years now and am ready for a change. I live in Montreal so am close to major eyewear providers. Thanks in advance!
Help: Piano teacher. Lesson schedule packed. What next?
Asking this for the wife: She is an experienced piano and voice teacher in a mid-size city. Masters' Degree in Music/Education. 10+ years teaching K-5 music in public schools. Regular piano students (half-hour lessons) now, teaching from our home. Trouble is, her lesson slots are almost entirely filled, i.e. she's topped out. So... How might one take this kind of skill and experience and parlay it into a better income? Not looking for a job. Looking to build a business to dovetail with her current lessons, maybe even eventually surpass them. Really interested in something online, for example, that would expand her base beyond local. We've barely scratched the surface of things like video lessons, etc. But we want to hear ideas outside the box, especially if others are making it work. Eventual passive income would be a big bonus. But I've never heard of an MLM for piano lessons...
How to find an accessible apartment in Oakland?
Where can I find listings for wheelchair-accessible apartments in North Oakland? Sites, organizations, amenable landlords, types of buildings that are easy to make accessible...? [more inside]
posted by petery at 9:58 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by petery at 9:58 PM PST - 5 comments
Can I install an XBox 360 Arcade Demo from a disc to my hard drive?
The Xbox 360 Arcade game Alan Wake's American Nightmare just went on sale, so I purchased it. I have very limited bandwidth on my Internet plan, though. I do have a demo of the game that came with an Official XBox 360 Magazine coverdisc. Usually, when I have a demo of a game all I need to do to unlock the full game is pay for it, without any additional download. There doesn't seem to be any way to install the demo from the disc to my Xbox's hard drive, though. I do have enough space.
Is there any way I can install the game demo from the disc to the harddrive? I haven't modded my Xbox in any way.
Control a web browser using a USB controller (Korg NanoKONTROL)?
I want to be able to use my Korg NanoKONTROL to DJ using Grooveshark and other things. Does anyone know if/how this is possible? Thanks yall.
posted by defmute at 9:09 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by defmute at 9:09 PM PST - 10 comments
Trying to find a depression era recipe- hot ice cream
My grandfather grew up an orphan around the turn of the century and remained very poor as long as I knew him. He made us something called "hot ice cream". I think it had milk, and vanilla, food coloring and corn starch.
I have googled but am not getting very far. Can anyone help with this recipe?
Is that a tenor guitar in the Pistol Annies' 'Family Feud'?
In the Pistol Annies' track 'Family Feud', there's an instrument I can't identify. I think it might be a tenor guitar with a lot of reverb? [more inside]
posted by signal at 8:25 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by signal at 8:25 PM PST - 2 comments
Celebrity Pants Pooping
Looking for some information on the history of pants pooping incidents in popular culture. Not interested in pooped pants as part of a play or sketch. I'm looking for legitimate poops on the red carpet.
The goal of this question is to determine the most famous person to have pooped their pants in public.
Are you OK? Are you OK now? What about now? How are you feeling now?
How often is normal for otherwise healthy pets to have medical emergencies? [more inside]
posted by Sara C. at 6:48 PM PST - 52 comments
posted by Sara C. at 6:48 PM PST - 52 comments
Left, Left, Left, Right, Left
Can I learn how to walk differently? When I walk, I drag my heels. I always wear Birkenstock sandals, and this way of walking causes my heels to wear away much faster than the rest of the shoe, leading to more frequent (expensive-ish) repairs. Can I train myself to walk another way? I know people do it in necessary times (e.g. loss of limb, spinal cord/brain damage, etc.) but I just WANT to change. Possible?
posted by dithmer at 6:09 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by dithmer at 6:09 PM PST - 10 comments
Looking for a good literary magazine...
I want to submit my short story to the kind of literary magazine that I'd actually enjoy reading. Do you have any suggestions? [more inside]
I am so stuck...
I have a bad case of relationship ambivalence. She (35, never married) deserves better. I (42, never married) deserve better. But I'm so massively stuck I don't know what to do. Hope me? [more inside]
Laptop in a milk crate?
In terms of potential risk to your laptop, would you be comfortable commuting by bicycle about 5 miles a day with your laptop in a milk crate which is zip-tied to a rear-wheel bike rack? [more inside]
Computers and kids
I have one laptop in the house and one smartphone in the house. Both of these have my personal photos, texts, emails, etc on them. I also have one smart 10 year old in the house who uses these devices to google things, play games, type assignments, etc. How do I keep my personal stuff out of the site of my kiddo? [more inside]
Tell me what you know about the livestock feed called Chop
I live in a central Pennsylvania village that's almost 200 years old called Linden Hall. It was in the cellar of a home in our village that one of my neighbors found a bunch of old feed bags from the mill that used to be powered by the creek that runs through here. One of those feed bags looked like this. It uses this term "Chop." So we began to wonder why, if Chop was a type of feed, why did it had a protein and fat content label? And why are there horses on the bag? Was this actually livestock feed, or something else? [more inside]
posted by Toekneesan at 3:44 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Toekneesan at 3:44 PM PST - 8 comments
Business cards in a hurry in Paris?
My wife is in Paris attending a conference, and just realized that she didn't bring her business cards along! I know that freestanding machines exist to make these while-you-wait in other cities, but where can one go to get same-day business cards in Paris? Difficulty: some, but limited, French language ability.
posted by 1adam12 at 3:22 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by 1adam12 at 3:22 PM PST - 5 comments
Do I have foot fungus?
Warning, question not for the faint of heart: My big toenails are yellowing with some gross gunk under my nails. Is it fungus? [more inside]
posted by ancient star at 3:07 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by ancient star at 3:07 PM PST - 12 comments
Getting Over A Craptastic Relationship
So, I was together with someone for 16 months and things were 'okay' for most of that time. We moved in together and things rapidly unraveled as I came to some sharp realizations about the way things were going and asserted my needs--she immediately got squirrelly, the relationship ended soon after.
I feel like a heartbroken idiot and don't know how to move beyond my pain.
The entire saga is inside. [more inside]
posted by yonega at 2:31 PM PST - 32 comments
posted by yonega at 2:31 PM PST - 32 comments
What's a good giveaway for a business meeting?
What's a good giveaway for attendees of a mid-sized business meeting (50 people) to mark the "beginning of a new era"? May be symbolic or something useful, as long as it's not tacky. Maximum value ~25 USD.
posted by lord_yo at 1:13 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by lord_yo at 1:13 PM PST - 17 comments
Bracelet wire types.
What type and gauge wire should I use to create a Alex and Ani type bracelet?
posted by boby at 12:54 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by boby at 12:54 PM PST - 4 comments
Down with Big Security: consumer home security products?
I am moving into a medium-sized house soon and I need a decent security system. I'd love to avoid paying the big security corporations that force you to sign contracts and all that. Aside from a normal alarm system (I'm thinking Simplisafe), I also want to explore the option of security cameras (on the outside). Does anyone have experience with good consumer products in this space?
Ink pen recommendations?
I'd like to replace the cupfulls of random stolen ballpoint pens in my house and at work with a smaller selection of nice pens, of the blue and red ink variety. I have an art store and the usual big box retail suspects nearby. What should I purchase? [more inside]
What is this chair?
What is this chair?
My wife, a huge fan of design magazines, doesn't recognize it. She thinks it might be handmade, but it looks too industrial for that. No marks on the chair, either. What is it?
posted by musofire at 11:18 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by musofire at 11:18 AM PST - 14 comments
Musical evolution in a song
"Giorgio by Moroder" is a track on the new Daft Punk album that progresses through different eras of dance/electronic/club music, with the life and work of both Giorgio Moroder and Daft Punk themselves as musical and narrative framing devices. Are there any other songs, in any genre, that progress musically through various eras?
posted by capricorn at 11:15 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by capricorn at 11:15 AM PST - 11 comments
Cleaning and seasoning a paella pan?
My wife got a paella pan at a yard sale! Sweet. She is totally looking forward to using it to make seafood-less paella because she's allergic. How can we prep the pan for this? [more inside]
posted by infinitewindow at 10:54 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by infinitewindow at 10:54 AM PST - 9 comments
Best Books On Museum Life?
Looking for recommendations for the best non-fiction books on the subject of running a large museum/art archive. From any POV, from the fund-raising presidents to the ticket takers, guards, and art history interns in the basements. I'm looking for more large, prestige institutions ("What is it like to work at the Met" for example) but smaller collections or niche museums are also good.
Looking for a searchable image-hosting solution
I have a large number of medium-sized image files (let's say 2000) that I want to host online in a publicly browsable gallery with tags. Is there any kind of service or software that will make this easy for me? [more inside]
How can I deal with unrequited love with this friend?
I have had over a year of ups and downs with a friend who I have feelings for. We've always become CLOSE to being together but never quite. I still have feelings for him and I don't know what to do to finally resolve this issue. Please help me. [more inside]
posted by impactsmoothie at 10:21 AM PST - 57 comments
posted by impactsmoothie at 10:21 AM PST - 57 comments
Help me find a particular gluten free pizza recipe?
I have made a gluten free pizza dough from a blog recipe that tasted amazing, and now I can't find it! Hope me. [more inside]
posted by vortex genie 2 at 10:05 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by vortex genie 2 at 10:05 AM PST - 9 comments
I want the system to work -- just not this time.
My husband got a ticket, but the ticket writer got his information wrong, can we get away with not paying? [more inside]
Are the residents of Molokai reasonably friendly to Mainlanders /Anglos?
We are thinking about renting a vacation house on Molokai for a week or two. The house is fairly remote, looks great. My brother had read on one of the travel sites that residents of Molokai are frequently (or at least relatively) unfriendly to mainlanders. By way of reference, we are respectful travellers, have been to various Hawaiin islands many times, and really never had any kind of issue like that at all. Anyone have travel or residential experience on Molokai? I would value your thoughts...
Finding Notary NYC...level: Difficult
Hi, I am looking for a notary in NYC. Yes I have seen this question. [more inside]
posted by bquarters at 8:35 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by bquarters at 8:35 AM PST - 15 comments
zerg-free hiking, june 2013 edition
I'm going to be in DC in mid-June, and me and a pal who'll be staying in Falls Church would like to go hiking somewhere nearby for around half a day. Does anyone have any scenic cicada-unscathed trails to recommend? Neither of us have a car but we can rent if necessary. [more inside]
From employed to unemployed to retired - Without any savings
My 61-year-old mother was just laid off and may never work again. She has no savings. What should she do? [more inside]
Why does my baby niece start crying when she sees me?
My 1.5 year old niece starts crying whenever she sees me and it breaks my heart. This has been happening since she was 7 months old and I can't understand what I've done to cause it. It's upsetting me enough to make me ask about it here. [more inside]
Can this suede jacket be saved?
I have a tan suede blazer which has been hanging in a closet for some time. I took it out the other day and it now has large areas of orange discolouration all over it. It's both front and back so I'm guessing it isn't from contact with coloured clothing or it wouldn't be on both sides. Is there anything I can do to fix this? [more inside]
Help me build a "quiet desperation"-themed playlist...
I'm looking to build a playlist of songs with the theme of "quiet desperation." What songs would you suggest for such a playlist? [more inside]
Approaching mid 30s single; telling people to mind their own business?
I am a female and have never been married and live with my cat. After a disastrous relationship where I "attempted" to settle 2 years ago, I have been single. Every time I talk to relatives and "well meaning" friends they keep teasing me that I am a "cat lady" and reminding me of my biological clock. [more inside]
Get me up to speed on HTML5, Responsive Design & Phone Gap
For the first time a long while, one of my clients is having a complete site redesign and I want to get up-to-speed on the latest technologies. I also just got a adobe creative cloud subscription so I'm kinda excited to play with the new toys - particularly interested in phone gap but that's more "personal use" than relevant to the site rebuild [more inside]
posted by missmagenta at 3:05 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by missmagenta at 3:05 AM PST - 7 comments
May 24
Fixing an unreasonably slow MySQL query
Query and Explain output here. Query must be executed 4022 times, each with a different Strip_ID, while the script processes, adding 4+ minutes to what would otherwise be a ~90-second task. I have (separate) indices defined @ Parent_Table and Parent_ID, in addition to the table's primary key on an auto-incrementing ID. Adding combined indices for those two fields (in each order, just to be safe) did not change MySQL's analysis of the query or improve execution speed. [more inside]
posted by The Confessor at 10:36 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by The Confessor at 10:36 PM PST - 9 comments
What tools should I use to build this website?
I need to build a website to organize a lot of files (1000+), each of which should have its own page. Further details inside. What CMS should I use to do this, and what theme? Little current web design knowledge, but have time and desire to learn whatever technologies are necessary. [more inside]
Focus Interruptus
I'm in a new relationship, long distance. We skype almost daily. Often, mid-convo, I can tell his attention is on something else. Turns out he's flipping through Reddit. This makes me feel hurt, b/c he's not listening to me. When I suggest we end the convo and talk the next day, he says, "No, no! I'm done! I'm done!" Then I feel like a nagging mom, policing his behavior. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by enzymatic at 9:57 PM PST - 48 comments
posted by enzymatic at 9:57 PM PST - 48 comments
Go in the 20th Century
What were some of the most important events that took place during the 20th century that changed the way players think of the game of Go? [more inside]
posted by slowlikemolasses at 8:32 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by slowlikemolasses at 8:32 PM PST - 4 comments
Help me name this new fashion web app!
Looking for name suggestions for a website that lets you mix and match individual fashion pieces from different retailers into a unified look, then share that look on social media.
posted by Meagan at 8:08 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by Meagan at 8:08 PM PST - 17 comments
Washing machine - vibration vs. levelness
New LG washing machine vibrates more than desirable. It is level in both directions to within a degree of horizontal. How sensitive is vibration to levelness? Specifically, is it worth leveling it more precisely, say to within +/- .2 degrees? This is a project I would prefer to avoid if it will make no difference. One of the "feet" with the leveling screws is hard to get at. Thanks.
Are there comfortable earbuds?
I have always used over-the-head headphones, but they're a bit cumbersome and not very practical for riding the bus, taking a walk, keeping in my purse, etc. I really want a pair of earbuds (canalphones?) but I need comfortable ones. Advice? [more inside]
posted by radioamy at 8:00 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by radioamy at 8:00 PM PST - 27 comments
How was William James Sidis educated?
What were Boris Sidis' child-rearing methods? Or how can one find anything on that topic?
I understand some hypnotism was allegedly involved, but I can't find any solid journals studying the method.
More broadly, how does one systematically nurture a love of learning?
New York hotel comparison: Hotel Beacon vs. The Lucerne?
The Hotel Beacon and the Lucerne are in the same general Upper West Side neighborhood, they basically have identical ratings on TripAdvisor, their costs are similar, and so far they have both been bed bug-free according to the Bed Bug Registry. So which one should our family choose for a summer visit to NYC?
How do I avoid driving into my garage with my bike in the roof rack?
I just bought a roof rack for my bike. Without some kind of alarm in place, I will drive into the garage with bike on the roof. I will destroy the bike and damage my house and I want to avoid this. I need some kind of directed sensor such that when the bike breaks the line of the sensor a light flashes to remind me not to drive into the garage with the bike on my roof. Any ideas along these lines or better?
posted by alcahofa at 4:08 PM PST - 54 comments
posted by alcahofa at 4:08 PM PST - 54 comments
Web Links / book recommendations for sample emails to boss & colleagues
Looking for sample business emails to improve my writing skills.
The resources I found are typically for writing to clients or customers. I am looking for sample emails that one writes mostly internally within their own company.
For example an email one would write to make a suggestion, disagree with something, ask for status, share an idea, remind someone politely, coach someone etc (Common business scenarios). Not looking for emails to win business or sell anything.
Would appreciate if you could share web links or books (preferably the ones available at amazon.com). Also, I would like examples and not a resource that just gives guidance.
Can you help identify this image?
This video contains just a single still image -- can anyone identify where it's from?
posted by jpziller at 3:45 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by jpziller at 3:45 PM PST - 3 comments
Oh no! Turf toe!
I'm a serious distance runner and was just diagnosed with turf toe. Its been a nuisance for 2 weeks. Now what? [more inside]
How common is hard drug use, really?
I was recently sitting down to tea with a friend of mine's (we're both in our early 20's), and the topic wandered over to hard drug use (e.g. stuff like cocaine and crystal meth, not marijuana or alcohol.) When comparing our perceptions of how common hard drug use was, we were completely surprised when our answers were polar opposites: I saw it as an extremely rare thing, but she said it was something virtually everyone did but no one talked about. What's the truth here? How prevalent is hard drug use anyway? And why do our experiences differ so much? [more inside]
Please suggest a simple wiki platform for many users
There are a lot of wiki platforms/software available, but I'd like input on which would be easier for a broad usergroup, with a good management element. More thoughts inside. [more inside]
posted by filthy light thief at 3:13 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by filthy light thief at 3:13 PM PST - 6 comments
Is there a strategy for buying major appliances?
Looking for some advice for buying a refrigerator, washer, and dryer for the first time. [more inside]
Can anyone tell me about UHC in chicago? (United Healthcare Consortium)
Hi,
UHC looks pretty interesting as a company. But I am having trouble grasping what the company does in reality (aside for all the marketing material on the website) and what is the REAL mission of this company.
UHC is apparently an alliance of university medical center and affiliated hospitals
website is www.uhc.edu
Anyone in the know? or able to decode what is it they do? what is their role in the industry, .where they stand..etc.
Please recommend me your winter gear - lightest and warmest and cheapest
I currently live in the Southern US, but next month I'm making a trip to Southern Argentina and next year I'm moving to New York. I guess it's time to buy warm clothes! Can you give me some recommendations on warm, light, layerable winter clothes, particularly a coat? [more inside]
Sprial, Season 1, Episode 8?
What the heck is going on in Spiral, Season 1, Episode 8?
*SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT* [more inside]
Enforcing firewall in OS X
How can I enforce a firewall -- built-in or 3rd-party -- in OS X, such that even someone with an admin account can't disable it? [more inside]
posted by mendel at 12:24 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by mendel at 12:24 PM PST - 16 comments
Why did my tile shower fail?
I have a large tile shower that was built in 2006. The shower is 5'x5' and the tiles are 1'x1'. The grout and the thinset underneath are cracking. There are no leaks but the tiles have started to come loose. I have removed 4 of the tiles and they came up clean revealing the rubber membrane underneath. Why is my shower failing in this fashion? If I pull up the rest of the tiles and there are no leaks is it safe to re-pour the thinset and then lay new smaller tile?
You're cute, but no need to brag about it
My boyfriend is cute and fun, but once in awhile, he comes across as a braggart. How can I gently communicate to him that this annoys me? [more inside]
posted by annie_oakley at 12:01 PM PST - 34 comments
posted by annie_oakley at 12:01 PM PST - 34 comments
"Emergency" eavestrough repair
Can I quickly repair eavestroughs in the rain? [more inside]
posted by Pruitt-Igoe at 11:56 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Pruitt-Igoe at 11:56 AM PST - 11 comments
A Canadian alternative to Penzey's for spices?
I was really pumped about placing a Penzey's order after reading through this question. I chose my spices with love and care. But I live in Western Canada and received an email saying that the shipping would cost $56 dollars - twice the cost of my order! I'm looking for an alternative, Canadian spice seller. [more inside]
How to soundproof a caravan?
Hi,
Could someone please tell me what options are available for soundproofing a mobile home? Is it possible to get double-glazing and possibly soundproof the walls somehow? [more inside]
Moving in with my girlfriend, what should I know?
I am moving in with my girlfriend this weekend and would like to know what to expect. What are some things I should keep in mind to help everything go as smoothly as it can? [more inside]
What are the best sites for hiring front-end developers in the US?
Stackoverflow has been great for back-end developers, but not so much for the front-end people -
I mean javascript frameworks + html5 + css.
What are the best job sites for hiring front-end developers in the US?
posted by grubby at 11:00 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by grubby at 11:00 AM PST - 5 comments
How can I prep for a solo canoe trip
I am thinking about taking a canoe trip down a local river, the Willamette, in Oregon. The river is a national water trail, and has some excellent documentation on camp sites and conditions between the starting and ending points we want to travel.
How can I best prepare for this trip given I've mostly done water trips in supervised groups. [more inside]
Pug Portability Problem
Any advice for making a 32-pound pug (He's big-boned) portable? Backpack or wheely cart? He has a really big frame for a pug, which is most of why he's so heavy.. Even so, he's on a diet, which should take off five pounds or so, and I think he'd enjoy hiking, at least a little bit, if we could get him on and off public transportation to get us from the city to the woods, but BART wants him in some kind of carrier and he's kind of enormous. [more inside]
Is this company expense policy whacked out, or is it just me?
Corporate has just handed down a large change to our T&E policy that involves us submitting original unredacted copies of credit card bills and/or applying for a company credit card that we need to pay ourselves. This seems really out of line but I don't know how to respond. Slight snowfall to follow... [more inside]
Child therapist in Boston area?
My husband of sixteen years and I are going through an amicable divorce. Our six-year old son seemed to be dealing with it very well for the past year but now we're about to sell the family home he seems to have broken down, resorting to mild self-harm and not eating, saying he hates himself because he is stupid. The school psychologist has suggested he might benefit from seeing a therapist. Can you recommend someone great, ideally in Somerville or Cambridge? Throwaway email: childtherapistrecs@gmail.com
I'm upset with my doctor. Am I overreacting?
I have a couple of questions about my doctor's decision to change a medication dosage. [more inside]
posted by feste at 10:25 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by feste at 10:25 AM PST - 26 comments
Recommendations for cheap, lightweight rain jacket-y thing for biking
I bike commute every day year round and as a result often end up biking in the rain. I need recommendations for a lightweight, compact rain jacket-y thing that I can carry with me every day in my bag. It needs to be comfortable for summer. If it's a women's jacket, it needs to fit an XL-XXL with broad shoulders; men's jackets are also okay provided that the fit is fairly tailored. Compactness is key - I carry a medium-sized messenger bag and my current rain jacket takes up most of the room when I bring it. Warmth isn't really a concern as this is for times when I can't wear a wool jacket and hat. Should not be designed to fit super tight, as it will need to go over a shirt and possibly a light cardigan. Cheap is better than expensive, but I would pay for a spendy one if it were perfect.
I have no social skills, and no self confidence. I need to do something.
I'm 30 years old, and am basically incapable of functioning in social settings. Can't make conversation. It's long since gone past awkward. It's embarrassing. I need to change. I don't know how. [more inside]
How do I keep Shockwave Flash from crashing in my Chrome browser?
Suddenly Flash has been crashing.
I went to a googol of Google forums and asked why. The same and only answer was to type in chrome:plugins and delete any second or third copies. The problem is, there are no second or third copies.
Anyone have a similar experience and/or any solutions?
Thank you.
posted by holdenjordahl at 10:00 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by holdenjordahl at 10:00 AM PST - 5 comments
Living in a Rail Car?
Does anyone here currently live in a rail car? If so, we'd love to hear about it and maybe pick your brain. [more inside]
private loan (<$100K) for an international business in the US
Are there any lenders in the US that fund small businesses in Asia? [more inside]
Scaling issue calculating similarity between paired numbers
I have a list of paired numbers that span multiple orders of magnitude, and I need to find a method to a) compare within each pair in a way that does not disproportionately bias the comparison at the high or low end of the list, and b) define which pairs are dissimilar enough to be excluded from further analysis. The dataset itself follows a rough sigmoid curve, with a few pairs in the 1000s, more in the 100s, a lot in the upper 10's, some in the low 10's, and a few in the single digits. I have tried a few different comparison methods so far, including percent difference and relative percent difference of both the raw and log-transformed data. [more inside]
What was academia like before different IT revolutions?
I've been working on putting together an annotated bibliography for my adviser over the past few days. I'm struck by how much work it is in terms of finding all of the articles, saving them, and then tracking backwards and forwards through citations to find related material. However as I've been doing this (and, in fact, each time I do any sort of review of the literature) I wonder what life was like before you had giant relational databases of material, not even counting things like writing up the report on a type writer. So, my question: if you've been in academia for a while, then what was life like before word processors / large relational databases of literature / instant collaboration and communication through email? And what sort of changes have you seen with the job as technology has advanced?
posted by codacorolla at 9:28 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by codacorolla at 9:28 AM PST - 20 comments
Can I eat this?: Sauerkraut edition
Time for another round of Can I Eat This! The contender: a pouch Farmhouse Culture Smoked Jalepeno Sauerkraut, left out overnight on its side. Package says "keep bag upright" and "perishable, please keep refrigerated," but it's still cool to the touch.Would you eat this? Should I eat this? I love it AND it is expensive, but I also don't want to get sick.
Car Stolen.....Insurance Pay Out.....Car found.....
We had our car stolen a couple of weeks ago. The insurance company actually worked pretty quickly and we agreed a settlement amount with them and they have paid out. Now been informed by the Police that the car has been found. It looks like it's in pretty good nick apart from a couple of broken windows.
Would we be able to buy the car back from the insurance company? How much if any discount should I expect? Problems in the future?
Anyone got any experience of buying their car back from their insurance company?
Refreezing seafood; why is it bad?
I'm trying to find technical information on why refreezing seafood is bad. I've found a pretty good one explaining the problem behind refreezing food in general at The Straight Dope, but I'm looking to dive deeper into it, specifically what effect it has on things like lipids, what the chemical changes are, what nutrients are lost or start to break down, etc . . . along with the spoilage risk which sounds like its much worse with shellfish even if kept at refrigerated temperatures. (At least that's what the internet tells me) [more inside]
House vs apartment rental advice when you're living somewhat rurally?
I plan to move to Leavenworth, KS, and have been browsing rental listings online. I have only lived in apartments before now, but there appear to be 1-2BR houses available in a not-too-much-higher price range; I'm envisioning the ability to have a small garden and a dog. It seems to me that as long as I don't get substantially more house than I can handle, a house would be nicer than an apartment. Am I wrong? (And any Leavenworth-specific advice?) [more inside]
Adapting to Life w/ PD
My father was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease 8 years ago, when he was 60. He is now scaring the crap out of me-- I keep thinking he's going to fall or otherwise hurt himself-- and I don't know what to do. [more inside]
If I Told You, Would They Have to Kill Me, You, or Both of Us?
If a civilian in the US (who does not work for the gov't) learns top secret national security information through no active choice of her own (not snooping, stuff just happens in front of her or she is clearly dragged into the matter against her will), can the government legally compel her to keep said secret? [more inside]
Showing a time crunch in a spreadsheet?
How do I represent the fact that my team and I experience time-crunches caused by late submissions of documents to us on a spreadsheet showing the amount of work required of myself and my team for the coming year? [more inside]
You're perfect, I love you, now change.
I've been using this case for my iPhone 4 for about a year now. Here's what I like about it: it doesn't cover the screen; it doesn't compromise the camera lens or flash; it is a smooth material that doesn't snag on my pocket (unlike, say, rubber); and most importantly, it has slots for credit cards that are very easily accessible. Here's what I don't like about it: all of the available colors are boring or ugly. Is there an iPhone 4 case out there that satisfies everything I love about this one but is more aesthetically interesting? At this point I would even consider different solid colors more interesting. (The one thing I am not willing to compromise on is card slots, so please don't recommend that. I know I'm being a brat.)
How do I keep one (little) footbridge unburned in a breakup?
I am trying to write a short breakup email to someone I need to go "no contact" with for a while... while still leaving a relatively positive line of communication open between us, longer-term. How do I do this? [more inside]
Starting an iOS development company
I work at an airfare company as a junior mobile developer. My best friend and I are thinking of starting a new company and we are considering making it an iOS development company. I already have some good app ideas that I could implement within a short period of time. She already has a corporation on file that she paid a good sum of money for.
My biggest pitfall is hiring a designer. I can do the development and I feel that marketing would not be a weak point of this endeavor, however the design is where the problem lies.
How feasible is it to start an iOS development company? How much money would we need? Does it make sense to do so? Are there any good resources available for us, including monetary?
What statistical model should I choose?
I'm about to begin a new project that looks at the outcomes of specific events, and would like to query the hivemind to see what kinds of approaches I can take to it. I'm always impressed with the wide variety of approaches to statistical problems I see on here. [more inside]
posted by Tooty McTootsalot at 7:41 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Tooty McTootsalot at 7:41 AM PST - 9 comments
What to do about a muscle strain 1 wk before my 1st 1/2 marathon?
YANMD, but you may be a runner. I am trying to figure out what to do about a muscle strain/tear in my upper calf, other than the usual icing/NSAID/rest regimen. Race day is 9 days away, and I have taken the past week off any exercise, but am still experiencing pain when walking. Should I run at all the next week, or continue resting and wing it on race day? Are there any specific stretches/massages that might help me recover faster? [more inside]
No, you don't need to sponsor my visa
I'm a US citizen applying for a job in the US. Sounds like no one should think I have visa issues, right? [more inside]
posted by fermezporte at 6:48 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by fermezporte at 6:48 AM PST - 21 comments
VW - Y/N?
Is buying a used VW (or Audi) really that bad of an idea? [more inside]
Help with pain and suffering on uninsured motorist claim (motorcycle)
So I was in a motorcycle accident a month and a half ago when an inattentive driver caused me to get into a single-vehicle accident. Because that driver did not stop, my insurance company covered me under uninsured motorist coverage. The company, Progressive, has been great about everything so far, but now they want to cover the "pain and suffering" portion of the claim. I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to proceed and would appreciate guidance from people who have been through this sort of thing. [more inside]
Primer on multi-screen presentations
Hi Mefi
I'm dreaming up a small theatre work that involves projections. I've done single screen presentations but I want to look into working with multiple screens. I've never done this. Where on earth do I start? [more inside]
Looking for stargazing spots near Washington DC
I'm going to have access to a car for 24 hours starting this Sunday afternoon, and I'd like to get away from city and suburban lights that night to (hopefully, clouds permitting) see some undiluted night sky. Any recommendations for safe places to do that near the NoVA/Washington DC area? [more inside]
Suggestions for stuff I can get in the mail for my six year old son?
I'd like the mailbox to have something fun for my six-year-old son from time to time without breaking the bank, or putting him into a toy-acquisition frenzy. Any suggestions?
posted by popechunk at 5:28 AM PST - 42 comments
posted by popechunk at 5:28 AM PST - 42 comments
I'm looking for flowering or edible, shade-tolerant container plants.
I'm looking for flowering or edible, shade-tolerant container plants. [more inside]
posted by ohsnapdragon at 5:23 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by ohsnapdragon at 5:23 AM PST - 9 comments
Where should we have breakfast and lunch in Syracuse / Brewerton, NY?
Hi, I'm flying in to Syracuse for a wedding in Brewerton this weekend. We'll be eating some breakfasts and lunches at restaurants. Where should we go? We like all sorts of cuisines and would like to have some tasty food at fun places.
I'd like to be able to sleep normally
What can cause a fast pulse sensation in the ear that isn't a pulse? [more inside]
Not THAT kind of long distance relationship
I'm going to be an aunt, and I'm super excited. But I have some logistical questions about being part of the kid's life when I actually don't even live in the same country. How can I see the baby regularly (1) without spending a whole lot of money and (2) without imposing overly on its family? [more inside]
Where have I heard this Snog song sampled?
Snog's "The Human Germ" has been sampled in another song that I know is in my library. Unfortunately, I can't figure out which one it is, and it's killing me. I believe a Morcheeba song might sample "The Human Germ," but, again, I've not been able to narrow down which song it is, if any. Please. Help.
Logging Internet Traffic on Home Network
My mom, dad and I use the Internet at home on separate PC's. We always manage to go over our download limit. Is there anything out there that can use to log downloads on a monthly basis from 3 different PC's so I have an idea who the culprit is as far as exceeding bandwidth goes?
Thanks peoples...
How do I make a very large image with clickable areas in an elegant way?
I have a large graphic (say, 20 screens' worth, vertically scrolling) that is full of text that needs the image to be viewed at full size to read. When putting this on a website, I'd like much of this text on the image to be clickable, i.e. linked. I'd prefer not to use the HTML map tag or Flash, and I'm no coder. Is there a web service that could make this easier? [more inside]
Visual dictionary for children on the iPad?
I'm looking for an iPad app (Kindle or other ebooks are fine too if they can do this as I can get my hands on one for this) which is lots of big busy pictures with little words in them where you can press the picture and hear the word said - basically a speaking version of the Usbourne's First 1,000 words. All I can find after several hours searching are flashcards or spelling-type games or dictionaries where the words are arranged A-Z. I keep thinking this must exist as the iPad would be perfect for this, but I'm just not turning up anything!
May 23
Lat pulldowns inconsistency...what's the deal?
My gym has two lat pulldown machines that I use. The bar-attached-to-a-cable version is much harder than the two-handles-that-meet-in-the-middle version-- the difference in what I can lift is about 30 pounds, with the cable version being much more difficult. My trainer tells me they are equivalent, and has checked my form and says it's correct. What's the deal?
posted by blnkfrnk at 11:03 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by blnkfrnk at 11:03 PM PST - 8 comments
Trying to remember a specific college that emphasizes career placement
Once I read about a small college that had excellent career placement rates, and almost solely focused on computer science, software design, and IT. I vaguely remember it being located in Colorado, but I'm not confident about that. Can someone help me remember the name of the school?
What are some TV shows that feature hidden or subtle arcs?
I've asked before about shows with good or obvious story arcs, now I'm wondering about shows that have hidden or subtle story arcs. [more inside]
How can we move from awkward phone conversations to real dates?
I met a guy online and I'm interested in him. The feeling seems to be mutual, but I feel like we're stuck in an awkwardly unclear moment that leaves at least one of us (me) in limbo. How can we crawl out of this limbo and progress to something meaningful? [more inside]
What to name this podcast?
My friend and I are recording the first episode of our podcast tomorrow. What we need now is a name. [more inside]
posted by rabbitbookworm at 8:48 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by rabbitbookworm at 8:48 PM PST - 17 comments
Nice (girls) finish last
Help me be assertive/direct without being hostile/aggressive. Also, help me muddle through some other communication issues. Finally: can a person be nice to others without being taken advantage of? [more inside]
posted by DayTripper at 8:25 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by DayTripper at 8:25 PM PST - 23 comments
Just A Small Tattoo Question
I want to get a tattoo of my cat's front paws up on the shoulder-ish area because that's where she put them when she sat on me. Just a few questions because this will be my first tattoo. [more inside]
What can or should managers/supervisors do during a strike?
I work in a managerial/supervisory role in a public agency. My colleagues who are union members will quite likely be going on strike Tuesday. I have never been in this situation before and am not sure what I can/should do. [more inside]
Thai Basil in NYC
Where can I buy Thai Basil in NYC?
posted by willie11 at 7:31 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by willie11 at 7:31 PM PST - 7 comments
SATA to USB adapter for drives over 2TB
I have a SATA to USB adapter that can handle 2.5 and 3.5 drives and is great for quick transfers and migrations without having to lug around an external drive. There don't seem to be any that can handle drives above 2TB which are becoming more common now that 3TB drives are so cheap. Does such a device exist that can handle larger drives? [more inside]
Where can I buy Japanese Rice?
Someone who lived in Japan told me that rice grown in Japan is amazing. I would love to buy real Japanese grown rice, but all I can find is California grown Japanese style rice. [more inside]
New York hotel recommendation, activities for a few days.
So, spouse and I snagged an invitation to the "Man of Steel" premier (at Lincoln Center) and after-party in New York. But, I've never been to New York and don't have a clue about the place. I have a couple of questions.
I've tentatively booked a room at the Empire Hotel (price and location, along with reviews seemed reasonable), my question for you folks is: Is there a compelling reason why I SHOULDN'T stay there? And, if the answer to that is "Do Not Stay There!!!", what other options are there (close to Lincoln Center, room cost $300 per night or less)?
The second half of the question is: I'll have from Saturday evening (June 8th) until later afternoon on Monday to experience New York... What should we do?
posted by HuronBob at 6:35 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by HuronBob at 6:35 PM PST - 11 comments
Some weird SQL code appeared unexpectedly in my browser's address bar
I know it's some sort of SQL injection, but I didn't type it in, it just appeared briefly. I just want to know more about it and how it works. [more inside]
A Couch to 5K plan, but for singing?
Lessons are expensive and I never want to sing for an audience, I only want to improve my voice for singing in the car and shower. Is it possible to teach yourself to be a better singer? [more inside]
posted by keep it under cover at 5:54 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by keep it under cover at 5:54 PM PST - 12 comments
Grocery Budget for a Whole-Foods loving family
We're a family of four with two girls, ages 5 and almost 2. Need to keep grocery budget around 100/week. We like to buy organic fruits, veggies, and milk. How do you do it? Examples, lists, all helpful. [more inside]
Audio / tone generator for classroom demonstrations
I'm teaching a college section on audio perception, and I'm looking for (preferably free) tone generation software for classroom demonstrations -- in particular, something that will let me control the level of the individual harmonics independently. It would be great there was also the capacity to control the ADSR envelope, but that's less important. I'd also be interested to hear about anything else that people have found useful for a class like this. Thanks!
New Career Direction for a Geologist/Nerd in the Bay Area
Can you help me evaluate new career directions in the Bay Area? [more inside]
Damn. This question again. But still confused.
My partner, who is good for me in so many ways, and has made my life incredibly better, is really self-centered in some ways. He is non-neurotypical. It's confusing. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by 3491again at 3:12 PM PST - 77 comments
posted by 3491again at 3:12 PM PST - 77 comments
AirBnB.com, San Jose, CA. What's a good neighborhood?
My girlfriend and I will be visiting San Jose, CA this weekend to go to a convention at the main convention center downtown. I'm looking for places on AirBnB.com. I don't know San Jose at all. I'm wondering what would be good neighborhoods to stay in. (Sorry for the abbreviated question title -- the length limit forced me to be terse.) [more inside]
Attractive Wordpress Calendars
Any recommendations for stylish but functional Wordpress calendars? [more inside]
posted by vecchio at 2:14 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by vecchio at 2:14 PM PST - 6 comments
My dad needs a list of films with great cinematography.
He says cinematography makes or breaks a film for him; plot and acting are secondary. He likes Netflix, but find it frustrating that it keeps suggesting films he doesn't like. I tried to get him to give me examples of films he's enjoyed, but he just said "Oh, you know, old black and white things, when cinematography was good."
Can you please help me come up with some suggestions of things for him, perhaps something newer than Citizen Kane?
Missing teeth at ten - what do?
YANMson's dentist.
His bones are all fine, but his on-the-small-side mouth is equipped with two less than the regulation 32 teeth: one pre-molar missing upper right, and one pre-molar lower left. (His last two milk teeth are still there, in their stead.) My question is: what are the typical options - or else what's a good resource for reading up on them? [more inside]
How to Prepare for Grad School, out of state, and Hit the Ground Running
I will be moving to Boston for Grad school. I would love a checklist of what I need to do to prepare, A. I guess just the move in general, but most importantly B. Making the most of the MPH program and hitting the ground running- 2 years is gonna go by fast.
I have to secure housing. I need to make sure that I have enough professional clothes- so I am gonna raid the Loft clearance rack. Other than that, I am looking to find a free online Biostats and Epi course, and looking into/reading up on How to Network- everyone keeps talking about it, and I am a total introvert- so I know I gotta figure that out so I can get a job when I graduate. If such a doc already exist, or something like making the most of grad school (I already have the book Getting What you Came for) please let me know, or otherwise give me your advice on what you think I should do now to prepare and be successful, what you wish you had know or done. thanks!
The giant pangolins of Madagascar are snoozing
My precocious but angry 2.75-year-old and I just got fired from our home daycare situation. I feel like I need Super Nanny. What now? How do I get him to stop being so rude? [more inside]
posted by woodvine at 1:53 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by woodvine at 1:53 PM PST - 28 comments
How to make my own clothes: Advanced Beginner Edition?
Spurred by the events in Bangladesh, a growing dissatisfaction with clothing quality, as well as an oddly shaped body that doesn't conform well to rack sizing, I've decided to commit to making more of my own clothing. I know how to operate my sewing machine. I know how to read a pattern. I frankenstein and repurpose clothes on the regular. I need some advanced basics to take it to the next level. [more inside]
posted by lilnublet at 1:50 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by lilnublet at 1:50 PM PST - 17 comments
"Not because you're a woman, but because I'm a gentleman."
Is there a classification of (HR-speak) discrimination when a male employee defers to female coworkers chivalrously (e.g. holding doors open)? Because the activity is solely based on gender, it seems like this would be the case, but it is not addressed as an example in our policies. (Title is Dad-quote from the 70's.)
Need some help planning a move with PODs
The fam and I are moving in two weeks, and will have two weeks of living in a small rental between closings. Because of this delay, we are going to use PODs for the move, but aren't sure what size we need, and hoping someone can help. [more inside]
Anything fun to do in Charlotte, NC from 6 tonight til about midnight?
My connecting flight from Charlotte to NYC has been canceled until 6 am tomorrow. I have a sweet airport hotel room, but want to get out and explore a little.
Suggestions? [more inside]
Bicycle trailer parking etiquette
I just got a used bike trailer (a Burly, thanks for the advice mefi) and now I am wondering how I am going to lock it up and what the best practices are for parking it. I imagine as much as possible, I'll try to get it out of the way, but I will be locking it in all kind of situations.
Best locks? Thx
posted by Duffington at 1:10 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Duffington at 1:10 PM PST - 4 comments
Paging the opposite of Jim Cramer.
I own stock in two companies. One set I inherited, the other I bought because I follow the industry and gambled on my insight. Now they're both at 52-week highs, with a 30% return on the former (as of the day I inherited it, at least) and a 100% return on the latter. The portfolio worth is about to hit $10K. The problem is that I have no idea what I'm doing and I have no idea when or if I should cash out. Everyone I know who has investments has them in index funds managed by someone else. I don't know any professional traders or hobby investors. I do not have the time to learn finance, and I can't imagine a decent financial adviser would be a worthwhile investment considering the portfolio worth. What to do? [more inside]
Can I support myself working as a barista in NYC?
Can I support myself working as a barista in NYC? [more inside]
posted by timsneezed at 1:00 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by timsneezed at 1:00 PM PST - 27 comments
Cape Ann, MA area. Will we regret not renting a car?
Thanks to AskMefi, we have figured out we can get from Boston to the Cape Ann area by commuter rail. What I can't determine for certain is if we will want a car when we get there. [more inside]
Help me get the eBay item I did not win due to a technical malfunction!
What could I write to the winning bidder of an eBay fashion accessory item on which I had intended to bid very high, but finally could not do by a glitch that prevented the "Bid now" window from opening in my browser. I am willing to pay them much more than they paid for the item, but is there anything I could say that would make them more willing to part with the item? What could a stranger say to you in writing that would make you even consider parting with a beautiful new purchase (when maybe a tidy profit over the price you paid was in itself not necessarily such a powerful inducement?) [more inside]
Export iCalendar as Event List
I would like to take a calendar in iCal and turn it into a list of events with times / locations. Basically turn a schedule that I've built in iCal into format suitable for text distribution to a bunch of different people. Seems simple! But I can't figure it out. Copying and pasting events from iCal into a text document randomizes the order, which is a huge hassle. Help me, hive mind!
What kind of lawyer do I need to look for?
We have a construction company in the middle of a year-long process of building two new houses next to ours. For the last couple months they have been dropping garbage (nails, insulation, chunks of 2x4) on our house's walkways and roof — some of it dangerous (boards with nails through them, for instance, along the walkway on the side of the house). I'd like to try to get this to stop. [more inside]
Use Exchange. Not too much. Mostly unobtrusively.
I, sadly, have to keep an eye on an Exchange e-mail account. There is no IMAP. Is there a small Mac app that will live in the menu bar and notify me of new e-mail that actually works? Bonus if I can quickly reply to the e-mail when it appears. [more inside]
Young adult novel with nuclear pool?
I'm trying to remember the name of a young adult novel I read (in the 80's or 90's) where a character is forced to do some work with radioactive materials at the bottom of a pool.
posted by Jahaza at 12:25 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Jahaza at 12:25 PM PST - 7 comments
Your favorite art, animation and illustration blogs
One of my absolute favorite blogs, Drawn, shut down this week. How do I replace it? What are other good blogs or websites that focus on illustration, cartooning, and animated shorts?
scratching noise (as in DJ generated) mp3/4's
Can you point me towards a site with different "scratching" noises suitable for ringtones (length and formatwise). Would also appreciate a step by step tutorial of how to convert said mp3/mp4 to an iPhone 4S ringtone. Cheers
He's got the blues -- Where can I buy a harmonica in the SF bay area?
What are your recommendations for a music store in the SF Bay Area that carries a decent selection of harmonicas? [more inside]
Bad case of the Don't Wannas.
Why do I suddenly not care about anything? Could it be post-depression anhedonia? [I hope not] [more inside]
Hoping to run Win 7 on Win 8 partition (or am I in denial)
A week ago a well intentioned doofus dropped my Asus N53S, Win7x64 Pro. She was a champ. Snapped the motherboard, but I safely extracted the harddrive. The venue of its demise bought me a Asus N76VX which has the dreadful Win 8, but 2 TB harddrive with lots of partition space. Is there any way I can "run" my old machine from its harddrive in an emulated Win 7 environment on this new beast? [more inside]
Twin Cities For Adults (No, not that kind of Adult.)
I'm meeting a friend in Minneapolis to help celebrate his birthday. Neither of us are familiar with the area. Help me find some places that he would he like. [more inside]
Locking down a Windows 8 tablet?
We've got an HP ElitePad running Windows 8, and would like to use it to help new employees at our deli make sammiches the right way. We've setup a sharepoint site for the deli and created pages for all the menu items, but now we'd like to try to keep the device focused on it's task. Is there a way to lock down the tablet to just the browser, and limit the pages employees can access?
posted by klinefelter at 11:25 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by klinefelter at 11:25 AM PST - 4 comments
DC Hotel Filter
Looking for a hotel in the Washington DC area. There are, of course, a lot of special snowflake requirements. [more inside]
posted by Andrhia at 11:19 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by Andrhia at 11:19 AM PST - 18 comments
What is the best piece of advice you got that worked nearly right away?
I've been an avid collector of tips, tricks, and approaches to solving problems. There are heuristics that I look for that ofthat can have real positive advantages and accelerated productivity for people.
In the early, I read a book called How to Win Friends and influence People, a classic of interpersonal management, and found that the advice to "become genuinely interested in other people" worked nearly instantly to improve my relationships with others. Still, other approaches have worekd as well. I used to play little league baseball and couldn't hit for the life of me until someimagine that there was a speck on the ball being pitched to me and to try and hit that speck and not the whole ball itself. The effect was instantatneous as well. [more inside]
Help my knee
I hurt my knee about a year ago. It still isn't fully better. Can you help? [more inside]
10,000 sheets to the wind?
I have approximately 10,000 sheets of 8.5" x 11" paper in a box under my desk. They have printing on one side already, are standard computer paper weights, and are various colors. What are some creative ways I can use them or places to which I could donate them in the Twin Cities (Minnesota)? [more inside]
Resources/discussions for 2012 incident at Diamond Mtn Retreat Center
Last summer, chaos erupted during a three-year long silent meditation retreat at the Diamond Mountain Buddhist University and Retreat Center, see this FPP for the background. The retreat was scheduled to end right around now, and presumably the silence around the incident would be then broken, but I can't find any further discussion about the event itself or the aftermath. Can anyone point me to online discussions or resources where I might find more information? I have seen this update on the Diamond Mountain website. Thank you.
posted by lakersfan1222 at 9:33 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by lakersfan1222 at 9:33 AM PST - 10 comments
Help me get to know the American Southwest.
I've lived all my life in the shadow of the Appalachians. Now, I'm moving to Arizona. What are some books that I should read, or music that I should hear, to help me get the feel of the Southwest? [more inside]
posted by WidgetAlley at 9:29 AM PST - 30 comments
posted by WidgetAlley at 9:29 AM PST - 30 comments
A million media impressions! Uh... is that a lot?
Help me calibrate my "media impressions" scale. I'm frequently the recipient of internal company memos that describe the success of various marketing campaigns in terms of their number of media impressions. The numbers are typically in the millions or tens of millions. My problem is have no idea what is considered to be large campaign, either in absolute terms or relative to the size of the market being targeted. [more inside]
posted by FishBike at 9:28 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by FishBike at 9:28 AM PST - 5 comments
Food...for a kid...on a plane.
Seeking suggestions for non-perishable foodstuffs to feed a toddler while flying cross country. [more inside]
How in the heck can I wash my neck... if my shoulder keeps popping?
I've always used my non-dominant hand to wash the middle of my back (or apply baby powder or sun lotion there, etc.), by sort of reaching up high from below and then rolling my hand around my thumb (pressed on my back) until the palm faces the skin. This seems to have been working fine for several decades (and I've been secretly pleased to be able to reach my "blind spot" that way). However, in the last few months I find that my shoulder pops as I'm doing this maneuver, and now I wonder if it's doing something bad. Since this is something I guess I do once or twice per day, I want to be sure I'm not setting myself up for a shoulder problem after a couple more decades of popping. Thoughts?
tl;dr Is popping a joint bad in itself, and/or should I stop an action that causes a (nonpainful) shoulder pop a couple times per day?
Just saw "Total Eclipse of the Heart" for the first time. More, please.
While settling a disagreement over whether Total Eclipse of the Heart was a duet, I just saw the music video and it blew my mind. I grew up without cable, and am pretty much ignorant of everything but the "classic" music videos from the 80's; please let me know what I'm missing. [more inside]
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 8:34 AM PST - 267 comments
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 8:34 AM PST - 267 comments
150 to around 120, which bpm is best for pitch?
I have a song at 150 bpm, perfectly in tune. I want to repitch it down to around 120 by slowing it down. At which bpms will the notes be at pitch?
posted by semaphore at 8:23 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by semaphore at 8:23 AM PST - 6 comments
What's your favorite old song to sing?
I like to sing traditional-styled songs to myself during my day. It helps me feel happy. I'd like to learn some new ones. The catch is I'm attracted to a specific subset of songs that I can't quite classify, so I'm having trouble finding new ones that really hook me. I like the songs that are very... bittersweet? Like, they demonstrate profound hope or love, but at the same time seem to understand how awful the world can be sometimes. Songs like Long Time Traveler (or more properly "White"), The Parting Glass, Peggy Gordon, Down In The River To Pray, etc. Do you know any songs that strike this chord? (They don't have to be Irish or American; as long as I can learn the words I'm excited about everything.)
International Freelance Taxes -Canadian in Berlin /w US clients?
Calling all internationally mobile, 'creative-class' freelancers- how do you determine who taxes you, if your design clients are in one country (for me, USA) you live in another country (Germany) but are a citizen of yet somewhere else (Canadian)? Does everyone get a piece of my income? [more inside]
How common are fictional characters in real life?
Last night I realized that two of the places I have worked have had, as part of the lore of the place, a fictional character who everyone willingly pretended was real (in a tongue-in-cheek way). These were both in semi-educational institutions, but it was the adults who propagated the myth of the character, for each others' entertainment. These characters both sent postcards from around the world, and gathered to them improbable stories about their adventures. I'm wondering, how common is this phenomenon, and can you describe any fictional characters that have been part of the lore and legend where you have lived or worked? [more inside]
Help me plan a fair morning pre-school schedule for my 10 year old kid.
My kid is late to school more often than I would like, because somehow the morning is never scheduled adequately. I'm not sure how much time is fair to budget her for things - obviously how much time it would take me to do them is too little, but how much time she would like to take to do them is too much. If I have a fair and reasonable morning schedule/wake up time, it might be easier to get her to stick to it and get her out the door. Other morning suggestions welcome. [more inside]
Planely Lost
How do I go about finding a plane crash that took place involving a small engine plane, in which 3-5 people died, in a specific US city at the intersection of a major road and interstate highway, that took place in a span of time I can narrow down to within six months or a year (about 25 years ago)? [more inside]
posted by tilde at 5:26 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by tilde at 5:26 AM PST - 6 comments
Neighbor's Car Alarm Nightmare
My neighbor is out of town, and her car alarm has gone off for two separate and random nights-- all night.
I have no way of contacting her, I only know she is out of town b/c the police contacted her work and found out that she is not here.
Is there anything I can do to turn it off from under the car?
I don't want to damage the car, just disconnect the alarm or something.
Help???
posted by muchalucha at 5:18 AM PST - 29 comments
posted by muchalucha at 5:18 AM PST - 29 comments
Recommend me unexpectedly compelling interviews
Serious and fascinating interviews with people (celebrities, musicians, whomever) who are not usually considered serious or fascinating? By the metric I'm using, Lady Gaga or George Clooney are probably a tad too highbrow; Tom Clancy or Katy Perry are fair game. It doesn't matter who the people are, what they do, or what they're known for, only that they are generally not taken especially seriously or considered to be all that interesting.
posted by Rory Marinich at 3:58 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by Rory Marinich at 3:58 AM PST - 25 comments
PC gaming from the sofa
So, I have a laptop with an HDMI port, a big ass HDTV, a Steam account and a comfy sofa and would like to bring all these things together. What peripherals do people use to do PC gaming on their TV? Some type of console-esque controller? A wireless keyboard and mouse? What do you balance your keyboard on? Trackball mouse?
Please enlighten me with describing your setup. Bonus points for avoiding RSI.
posted by fatfrank at 2:46 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by fatfrank at 2:46 AM PST - 13 comments
Camping + Dog = ?
Although a relatively straight forward question, I feel the need to preface it with a quick bit of background information. I have previously camped with a a well-trained chocolate lab/german shepard, family dog for well over a decade. Now, camping with my own, gentle giant / mini horse. [more inside]
posted by Wynkoop at 1:05 AM PST - 35 comments
posted by Wynkoop at 1:05 AM PST - 35 comments
May 22
Where is this paper on economists being wrong I'm remembering?
Some time ago, I came across a paper analyzing the predictions or theories of a number of economists relating to the recent economic troubles. The paper was very detailed (I didn't finish it) but the gist was that every single theory or prediction analyzed was wrong. Anyone know what I'm talking about and where I might find it? [more inside]
New News Feed Release Date?
I saw that Facebook has created an updated version of the News Feed (see it at Facebook.com/newsfeed) that has larger pictures and less text. I really liked it, so I signed up for the waiting list. A month has passed and still no sign of the new design. Anyone know when the public release will be?
Is my writing style overly complicated?
I learned English as a second language (native is Finnish). The emphasis in school was on vocabulary and very basic grammar; we did not to my recollection deal with stuff like passive voice etc. So in terms of writing in English, much of my "voice" has developed simply from what sounds right inside my head. However, I've been told that the way I write is overly complicated. Is this so? [more inside]
LaLa to Swaptree to Swap to...What?
Once upon a time, there was a site called LaLa.com which offered peer-to-peer CD trading services. You listed the CDs you had, the ones you wanted, and it paired up people who had what you wanted and wanted what you have. And all was right with the world. (can you see there this is heading?) [more inside]
posted by softlord at 8:31 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by softlord at 8:31 PM PST - 3 comments
Why Castor Beans?
Someone in a neighborhood near mine is growing Castor Bean plants in their front yard. I had always thought of Castor Beans as a waste plant that grew up, unwanted, in disturbed areas. Owing to its toxic nature I thought it a strange choice for a carefully planted yard. Are castor beans more common in landscaping than I thought? [more inside]
Breathing new life into an old website, input on new name and content
I created an online, open source academic journal website several years ago and it may be near the end of its first life. I'd love to get feedback on what folks here think might work best. I want to reinvent it and breathe new life into old content. Help me, MetaFilter, rebuild something that doesn't have to die into something new and beautiful! [more inside]
posted by christopherious at 7:10 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by christopherious at 7:10 PM PST - 13 comments
Needing recommendation for premarital counseling
In October, I am officiating at wedding for a man and woman in Virginia. However, they are living in the financial district of New York (the zip is 10004), and I've (sadly) never been to New York. Could you suggest someone in that area who could provide premarital counseling for them? [more inside]
posted by 4ster at 6:55 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by 4ster at 6:55 PM PST - 3 comments
Offline ipad games
What are some good games that I can play while offline?
I've seen this question but I am looking specifically for games. I know I can download books and stuff. I want to PLAY! On an airplane. Without paying for Internet. Help me out.
posted by bq at 5:37 PM PST - 36 comments
posted by bq at 5:37 PM PST - 36 comments
Engagement didn't work out - but she's still on the mortgage
So I got engaged and bought a house with my fiancee. We lived together for a couple of years but it did not go well and she moved out. So I'd like to keep the house but do that I'll need to get her off the mortgage and off the deed. [more inside]
I don't understand the question, and I won't respond to it.
What are the Netflix engineers currently doing to make sure that this weekend's release of Arrested Development Season 4 will go off without a hitch? [more inside]
posted by burnfirewalls at 4:17 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by burnfirewalls at 4:17 PM PST - 18 comments
Home Sales Party- How do I end this sales pitch?
My friend will not stop pestering me to invite my friends to her home sales party. How do I navigate this situation without damaging our friendship or leaving one of us feeling bitter? [more inside]
posted by karyotypical at 4:11 PM PST - 54 comments
posted by karyotypical at 4:11 PM PST - 54 comments
Help me create the perfect Appalachian playlist
I'm looking for songs that are in love with Appalachia, mention places, rivers, Dogwood flowers, etc and are full of that Blue Ridge heartache. Blue grass, country, folk and that ilk. I'm driving along the blue ridge parkway, and want a killer soundtrack.
I already have the Sweetback Sister's Virginia is for Lovers, Paradise by John Prine, Tom Wait's Oh Shenandoah and of course, Wagon Wheel, on repeat on my playlist. What am I missing?
posted by Grandysaur at 4:06 PM PST - 36 comments
posted by Grandysaur at 4:06 PM PST - 36 comments
What's the best easy, web based wiki/collective note software out there?
Here's what I need to do: Keep a lot of disparate bits of info in one place. There will be never more than 15 users. I'd like to use it software as service, I don't want to have to worry about hosting it. Bonus points for being mobile friendly and/or having an app.
We'd like to be able to jam images and videos in there, too. It doesn't have to be a Wiki, a helpful Evernote plugin or something would be a-okay, also. Just looking for a recommendation!
Does the dot suffix of a website's name matter?
How important is having a .com suffix to the perceived legitimacy of a website? How does it affect traffic/success, etc? Does holding onto .com as the ideal make sense in this world of domain squatters? Can we make a list of good and bad choices?
posted by letstrythis at 4:01 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by letstrythis at 4:01 PM PST - 25 comments
Need advice for a corporate LAN/port/network security issue.
I have a corporate LAN/port/network security issue that I'm looking for some advice on. [more inside]
posted by JPowers at 3:52 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by JPowers at 3:52 PM PST - 13 comments
Is it okay to plant pepper seeds from China?
A friend of mine recently brought back a bag of crushed red pepper from her home city in China. I had the idea of trying to plant some of the seeds in my plot at a local community garden and seeing if they'd grow. My concern is whether this would be safe and legal to do. [more inside]
Resume: How to say - "Can work with you on getting work visa" (in Fiji)
How do I express to potential employers in Fiji , "YES, I am American, YES I only have a Visitor Visa right now... but I have the resources to do whatever hoops and get the Work Visa, just tell me what is best for you"? [more inside]
Japan aficionados: help me plan my trip!
I would like to see Tokyo, Kyoto, Miyajima, Hiroshima and Naoshima in the space of 10 days. What should I see? Is this possible? and if not, all advice welcome! Details after the jump. [more inside]
posted by idlethink at 3:03 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by idlethink at 3:03 PM PST - 18 comments
Travelfilter: How to get the cheapest flight from Vancouver - Tokyo?
I've wanted to go to Tokyo all my life, and have a few weeks off soon. I've been looking for flights and the cheapest I can find are $1450 all in... but I suspect if I the trip was broken up a bit by not flying there directly, it'd be a lot cheaper. Are there any resources you know of to help with this/have you done this before/do you know a good route that would shave off the $$$? Time isn't overly important as I have three weeks between jobs for exploring. But I don't want to be paying this off till next year. Help!
posted by abbagoochie at 3:02 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by abbagoochie at 3:02 PM PST - 5 comments
Desperately seeking heavyweight black v-neck t-shirts
My favourite t-shirts are on their last legs, and the place where I bought them (Principles for Men) no longer exists. They're black, v-neck, with side seams and vents, and very much designed as outerwear. The fabric is heavy, perhaps even a little heavier than Hanes Beefy or Fruit of the Loom Heavyweight (6.1oz) and most store/fancy-brand shirts use much thinner cloth. Any suggestions? US sources as a first option, but ones in the UK are useful as well.
Aged, Poor and Stubborn
How can an adult child help an elderly parent (age 80) who lives below the poverty level but is against/afraid of applying for assistance? (prepare for tl;dr details inside) [more inside]
posted by Oriole Adams at 2:00 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by Oriole Adams at 2:00 PM PST - 19 comments
5-day gap between apartment leases
My current lease ends on June 30, but my new lease does not begin until July 5. We've talked with both current and new landlords, but neither are able to help us out by allowing us to stay late/move in early. What are some creative solutions to this problem? [more inside]
posted by RUPure at 1:38 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by RUPure at 1:38 PM PST - 26 comments
Passing out on a plane.
What would make someone pass out on a plane? [more inside]
How Can I Be Notified of Aurora Sightings in NY Tristate Area?
Since we're in a period of increasing solar activity, I'm hoping for some hot aurora action in the NY Tristate area. But while there are countless aurora forecast/advisory services, I can't find one for this area. [more inside]
Have Users Change a Running Python Script's Variables over the Web?
I'm writing a simple simulator with python and I would like to be able to have my users log in to the simulator over the internet and change their own set of variables. [more inside]
What to do with this body?
Let's say you drop-in to visit an older loved one, and find them dead... [more inside]
Who are today's innovative, socially involved, networking Freemasons?
Is there an international group of innovative, charitably-minded people that get together and share ideas (physically) in the way that the Freemasons, Rotary and Lions Clubs all do? But without the ceremony, pomp and irrelevance (of some of these associations). [more inside]
posted by HopStopDon'tShop at 12:40 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by HopStopDon'tShop at 12:40 PM PST - 14 comments
Does a map exist of USG Locality Pay Areas?
Either Google is playing dumb or I don't know what to search for, but I'm coming up with nothing. Where can I find (or easily populate) a map of the locality pay areas as defined by the U.S. Government? Bonus if they're somehow shaded on a scale reflecting the locality payment (% increase from "base salaries").
posted by psoas at 12:25 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by psoas at 12:25 PM PST - 3 comments
Please help me help my friend deal with his anger
My best friend in the world has serious anger issues. He throws tantrums, bellows and sometimes just insults me as a way to blow off steam. He's been seriously depressed for some years now, and therapy hasn't helped dramatically so far. I've tried to set some boundaries in terms of how he acts towards me, and his girlfriend is doing the same, but he says he doesn't know of any other ways to deal with how he's feeling. What resources can I refer him to? [more inside]
teenage vigilantes
I'm revising a young adult novel that includes legal & police (sub)plotlines and have some questions. [more inside]
Is going back to school really worth it?
I am 28 years old and just completed my first semester of college, which I was unable to do when I was younger for a variety of reasons. Is this is a good idea?
Much, much more detail inside. [more inside]
Have I been going about quitting all wrong?
I'm about to quit my job. I'm becoming increasingly aware that this is going to come as a huge surprise to my boss and coworkers. Should I have been dropping hints? [more inside]
I can't stop cracking my knuckles, and I'm cracking up
Excessive knuckle-cracking is causing lasting pain in my hand, but I can't stop doing it. [more inside]
I'm turning 40. In Paris. Help me plan the perfect night.
I'm spending my 40th birthday in Paris (early August). I want to have a memorable evening with my husband. Help me pick a fabulous restaurant, a great place for a dessert (either at the same restaurant or elsewhere) and an activity. [more inside]
posted by bodgy at 10:50 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by bodgy at 10:50 AM PST - 13 comments
Engrossing, non-disturbing book recommendations
Anxiety along with a tendency to depression is kicking up lately, and I'm having a hard time finding non-disturbing yet entertaining things to distract myself with. I need recommendations of books that will be engrossing enough to keep me interested without dark/scary/disgusting/horrifying elements. [more inside]
ISProblems
What is it with CenturyLink, and some ISP in Hong Kong whose name I forget, that every so often it will decide that it can't "find" a web page... usually one that I was just at, and often including metafilter! Instead of going to the page I want, it redirects me to a CenturyLink search page, like this, which has the link I want at the very top (www.metafilter.com in this example), yet when I click on that link from their completely extraneous search page, it just goes back to the same search page?! [more inside]
posted by eviemath at 10:31 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by eviemath at 10:31 AM PST - 11 comments
How do I not get screwed on freelance editing work?
My question is in regards to making sure I get paid for my work. I'll be billing private individuals as opposed to companies and thus am concerned there will be less incentive for them to pay for services rendered. [more inside]
posted by Dr. Lurker at 9:40 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by Dr. Lurker at 9:40 AM PST - 17 comments
Cheap, reliable used car or truck with a little character?
I haven't owned a car since 2010, but now it seems like going back to a two-car household might be a good idea. My wife drives a 2004 Volvo S40 daily to work. She often gets home very late on weekdays, and usually takes it to meet her cycling group for the better part of a day on Saturday or Sunday, and I have started to feel like I'm too reliant on her schedule or my friends to get to weekend activities, or to duck out to get another few bags of mulch or can of paint, etc. [more inside]
posted by Kwine at 9:36 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by Kwine at 9:36 AM PST - 21 comments
Quirky indie songs about love and happiness
My dear friend who is known for making awesome mix tapes/CDs/playlists is getting married, and I'd love to give him an awesome mix CD as part of my wedding present. So, musical & in-the-know folks of AskMe, please give me your best suggestions for what songs should be on it! Artist suggestions welcome too, but ideally you will suggest specific songs. [more inside]
Physical Project Management System
I direct a research center at a policy institute and I'm also an analyst. I need a project management system and I want a physical system, not software or an application. Other than whiteboards, what are my options? Among whiteboards, which are really useful? Right now I have an electronic calendar and various notes/lists to remind me to do things and frankly, it's not working. In the past, I've tried various to-do list applications, as well as Basecamp, and they did not work for me either. [more inside]
posted by crush-onastick at 9:26 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by crush-onastick at 9:26 AM PST - 6 comments
Birthday gifts for a new office drone?
Ack, I need birthday gift ideas for my sister. She's turning 27, working in her first office job, is across the country from me. She loves...uh, organizing and cleaning things? And working out, I think? And...she has a dog and a new house? help [more inside]
Singapore Eid read out
The Aseno family is planning to go to Singapore few days after this year's Eid (end of Ramadan). We know in other muslim countries, Eid celebration can last up for up to a week afterwards. Businesses (read: attractions and great food joints) usually take long vacations before they open again on regular hours. We're not planning to go touristy, but instead want to absorb local life style, eat and go where locals go. So, citizens of Metafilter, is it wise to travel to Singapore close to Eid, given our objectives, or should we wait another week or two until it's normal again? Or, if I may switch my perspective, are there anything that is worth traveling to Singapore during/near Eid?
posted by aseno at 9:16 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by aseno at 9:16 AM PST - 4 comments
How to handle a prospective employer calling my current employer?
I applied for a job 4 hours away. I've since decided that I do not want it. However, I'm worried that they will contact my current supervisor as a reference and she has no idea I'm considering leaving. [more inside]
Recommendations for Surf Camps/Schools in Costa Rica/Nicaragua?
We're looking for a 5-7 day surf school to give my sister as a graduation (from grad school) gift. She's fluent in Spanish, and doesn't need anything super luxury, just good instruction, good break, good vibes. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by copacetic at 9:14 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by copacetic at 9:14 AM PST - 2 comments
Help find the Italian script of this clip
Can anyone find or type down the script of this clip from the game StarCraft II? It's in Italian.
Software to monitor network activity AND which program is active?
I am looking for some software (cheap, free) that will tell me which program is currently accessing the net AND how much traffic is being transferred. [more inside]
posted by gnossos at 8:59 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by gnossos at 8:59 AM PST - 5 comments
New car, yay! Hip pain, uh-oh.
A couple of weeks ago, I bought a new Subaru Impreza, which I drive for 45 minutes twice a day. Now I'm developing pain in my right hip, and I suspect there's a connection, or something I'm doing wrong, posture-wise. [more inside]
Tech filter-Do you know which coax type is used to extend this antenna?
I am currently installing a HP Indoor-Outdoor Point-to-Point Dual Band 10/13dBi MIMO 3 Element Antenna (J9170A). It comes with three pigtails with N type connectors. I need to extend the pigtails 100ft but am unsure of which coax type to use.
Thanks!
posted by cheechman85 at 8:35 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by cheechman85 at 8:35 AM PST - 7 comments
Definitely not crunch time
Annoyingly, crunches irritate a bulging disc in my back.
Since I'm not keen on having surgery just so I can do this one thing (the disc doesn't otherwise bother me, as long as I keep my core strong), what alternatives to crunches can I try?
If it matters: I do already do push-ups, planks and side planks.
posted by elizeh at 7:48 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by elizeh at 7:48 AM PST - 13 comments
Summer Reading You Want to Finish
Summer’s here. In need of amazing novel recommendations. Particulars within. [more inside]
How to escape low-wage service jobs in your 20s?
Those of you post-grads figuring it out in your 20s (or 30s) doing odd jobs, waiting tables, jobs not nec. related to your major, where are you now? What advice would you have if you could go back and do it again? [more inside]
Weight regimen?
I'm not looking to become a muscle guy, but I'd like a weight/exercise regimen that will help me tone my upper body. Can anyone give me a suggestion? [more inside]
Is this legit or a bunch of hooey?
Can anyone tell me if Audio Visual Entrainment (AVE) actually does anything? Does it actually help with depression/anxiety, or is it all just a bunch of hooey? Is it worth the money?
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 4:27 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 4:27 AM PST - 12 comments
Best UK mobile provider for my situation?
I am in the UK. I live in Plymouth. My one year Vodafone contract is finally up and I hate them with a passion. I'd like to switch, but as a still relatively new ex-pat I don't know who to switch to. Can you recommend a provider to me based on my requirements inside? [more inside]
Recommendations for non-English language hip-hop
International MeFites can you recommend great hip-hop either entirely in non-English language, or featuring mainly non-US English dialects?
previously
So. Itchy.
YANAMD. I have many mosquito-bite like pimples on my arms, legs and parts of my back, which typically become itchy in the evenings. As I'm currently abroad and travelling I'm paranoid that it's the symptom of some rare tropical disease and I'm harbouring a parasite or something. Please put the mind of this hypochondriac at rest! [more inside]
posted by pikeandshield at 3:00 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by pikeandshield at 3:00 AM PST - 18 comments
Hunt for a rental while still here or when I get there?
Hi everyone I'm relocating for the first time ever out of the family home. Should I start should start house hunting now *for a rental) while I'm away, or wait till I get there (I'm very happy to hostel it for a bit, as I don't know of anyone in the area and I'm a bit funny about couchsurfing).
Thanks!
May 21
Mission Impossible?
Can I make my connecting flight, DC edition. [more inside]
posted by Gringos Without Borders at 10:08 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Gringos Without Borders at 10:08 PM PST - 12 comments
Should I buy a 1989 Volvo Station Wagon for $1800 CAD?
[Used Car Filter] My neighbour is selling his 1989 Volvo 240 DL Wagon for $1800 CAD. I currently own a 2009 Chevy Cobalt. We only want one car. Should I shed the Coby for the Volvy? [more inside]
posted by Catchfire at 8:48 PM PST - 36 comments
posted by Catchfire at 8:48 PM PST - 36 comments
Daft Punk - Contact sample source
Contact by Daft Punk supposedly "contains audio from the Apollo 17 mission used by courtesy of NASA and Capt. Eugene Cernan". The sample says: "Hey Bob, I'm looking at what Jack was talking about and it's definitely not a particle that's nearby. It is a bright object and it's obviously rotating because it's flashing, it's way out in the distance, certainly rotating in a very rhythmic fashion because the flashes come around almost on time. As we look back at the Earth it's up at about 11 o'clock, about maybe ten or twelve diame...Earth diameters. I don't know whether that does you any good, but there's something out there."
When I Google this I find only Daft Punk references. Is it a genuine soundbite from the Apollo 17 mission or did those wacky French robots make it up?
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:33 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:33 PM PST - 7 comments
How to evaluate an offer to buy foreign rights?
I self-published a non-fiction technical book recently. A Chinese publisher has just approached me and wants to buy the 5-year Chinese foreign distribution rights. How do I evaluate their offer? [more inside]
How do I get cooking oil off of my wall?
For the last three years, cooking oil splatters have generally built up on the wall behind our oven. I've tried getting the oil off with a number of different methods, but no dice. Any advice? [more inside]
Where can I get a pattern for a zoot-suit?
I'd like to make a zoot-suit, something like this. Where can I find a pattern?
I want more detailed maps on my iPad
I love the iPad maps app, but it's light on detail. Is there a way to toggle things on like town boundaries and other political/cultural data? Or is there another app that does that?
What is the sample used in the original "99 Problems" by Ice T?
What is the sample used in the original "99 Problems" by Ice T? I always thought it was great because I could swear it was the sound of an alien being killed in "Aliens". My friend who just listened to it, however, says "duh, it's a seagull."
Anyone?
Thanks mefiters! : )
In Need of an Affordable Dental Plan
I am looking for a dental plan I can enroll in. My employer does not provide dental insurance. I live in Massachusetts. [more inside]
Wanna be bonafide.
Help me figure out what sort of project management certification I should get. [more inside]
posted by mammary16 at 7:11 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by mammary16 at 7:11 PM PST - 6 comments
What do DINKs eat?
My husband and I may soon have two incomes. Hoorah! But how do we balance that with making food for our meals? [more inside]
posted by donut_princess at 6:23 PM PST - 51 comments
posted by donut_princess at 6:23 PM PST - 51 comments
The five sense of sex
Looking to spice things up in the bedroom through a five senses game. A card with each sense for him/her on it is mixed and then we have an enticing way to deal with that sense. Any suggestions? [more inside]
Kisses the girls and makes them cry
What strategies can I use to successfully do a job I don't like?
I need help constructing mental snowshoes that will prevent me from falling into deep drifts of work BS and frustration at a job I can't leave. [more inside]
Example of famous organizational decision based on faulty data?
I'm looking for examples of high impact organizational decisions based on faulty data that had long term negative impacts. (My use of the word "organizational" is meant to imply a "group of persons organized towards some end." Could be a corporation, or a not-for-profit, or a govt entity, etc.) [more inside]
posted by jeanmari at 5:46 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by jeanmari at 5:46 PM PST - 31 comments
Design within reach
I'd love to fill my apartment with Eames chairs and Braun speakers, but the great icons of industrial design are almost all hilariously expensive. So, on to plan B: What are the greatest knockoffs of great design? Here, for example, are some pretty good fake Eames chairs. Here is a serviceable copy of the Mondaine railway clock. Do you own a great knockoff of an iconic object, or something beautiful and functional that's heavily inspired by one?
How to not get upset if my partner sees my friends' news before me?
A few times, my partner has seen news (on Facebook mostly) from friends such as my siblings and their partners, before I have. I get very upset when this happens. Is this irrational? Is there any good way to cope with it? [more inside]
posted by skippy_gal at 5:29 PM PST - 31 comments
posted by skippy_gal at 5:29 PM PST - 31 comments
How do I go from one kind of nerd to another?
What steps should I take to switch to the aerospace industry from the academic world? [more inside]
posted by vernondalhart at 5:08 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by vernondalhart at 5:08 PM PST - 9 comments
How to talk to kids about relatives who smoke?
My children's adored grandmother is a smoker. She doesn't smoke in front of the kids but does take several smoke breaks a day, and while our two year old is oblivious, our four year old is probably close to figuring out what's up. Growing up, I had no relatives who smoked, and my parents pushed the "boy, smokers sure think they look cool, don't they look stupid though?" angle which worked fine on me. Obviously that isn't going to work in this case. How do you talk with young children about smoking as a Bad Thing when relatives smoke?
posted by rouftop at 4:51 PM PST - 34 comments
posted by rouftop at 4:51 PM PST - 34 comments
Need recommendations for both hair & makeup artists around Milwaukee, WI
I am getting married this fall and still haven't found someone to do my hair or makeup for the big day. Looking for a stylist and artist that are affordable (we are on a tight budget). The wedding is in Wauwatosa, WI.
Please help!!
Thank you!
Ecclesiastes 3:1 - A time for solitude?
Is there a time to be alone/ How to feel like life is meaningful when I am mostly alone? [more inside]
posted by ichomp at 4:42 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by ichomp at 4:42 PM PST - 13 comments
What would be good party favors for a great-grandmother's 90th birthday?
A relative of mine's great-grandmother is having her 90th birthday party this Sunday, in New Orleans. She's expressed a wish to have each of the 25-30 guests receive a small present, up to $15 each. Any suggestions? It has to be something I can obtain and wrap before Sunday afternoon.
posted by Joe in Australia at 4:38 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Joe in Australia at 4:38 PM PST - 12 comments
How do I say "Psst...I'm still available for that 9-to-5..."?
I interviewed for this position over a month ago, and it went really well. According to a family friend who also works there (and informed me of the available position to begin with), I was a top contender for the job, but they ultimately went with another person with experience, whereas I had none (even though it was entry level - but I get it, experience is better than lack thereof. No hard feelings here). PLOT TWIST: Two days ago, I find out via friend that they just discovered this new person lied about having a degree, so she's as good as gone. Friend suggested I send a nonchalant email to remind them of my existence, hinting at the fact that I'm still available. How do I do this subtly without it sounding awkward as hell after over a month? I don't think I'm supposed to know about this turn of events because friend was pretty hush hush about it, and I certainly don't want to throw friend under the bus or get him in trouble. How do I go about this? [more inside]
posted by slightlyamused at 4:20 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by slightlyamused at 4:20 PM PST - 11 comments
Milan Kundera's description of conversation -- what book is it in?
In one of Kundera's books, he describes conversation so aptly that I've been using his description (with attribution) for years. But I really feel like I should quote it exactly and for as long as I've been paraphrasing him, I've been trying to remember which damn book it's in so that I can stop paraphrasing and start quoting. Help me, hive mind! [more inside]
posted by janey47 at 4:01 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by janey47 at 4:01 PM PST - 3 comments
Disney Land Apps for Iphone
I know there are some good apps for line checking at Disneyland, but what I need are specific recommendations for some good ones. I'm not real particular but just want one that works well. Give me your best ones, and thank you!
I want to be a different ocean size!
I love Jane's Addiction. They are the sound of the Devil telling me about sin and what you can get away with in the darker corners of a spiritual life. So the question is: who else is out there who can bring it like they do?
I'm looking for the next Three Days jam in this Askme - thick, coiling, roiling, powermad music that is as much about drugged-up incense-laden crunch as it is about tuneful, stuck in your head like an icepick melody?
Release the hounds.
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 3:50 PM PST - 49 comments
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 3:50 PM PST - 49 comments
Getting married after getting married: the insurance-panic edition
Help me, etiquette mavens of AskMe!
Fiance and I are in the midst of planning a wedding for this fall, but we just found out that he's losing his health insurance soon. How ok is it to have a courthouse ceremony now, but still hold a "real" wedding in the fall? [more inside]
posted by badgermushroomSNAKE at 3:25 PM PST - 108 comments
posted by badgermushroomSNAKE at 3:25 PM PST - 108 comments
Oh no...I'm boring!
Why don't normal hobbies and activities interest me, or why can't I stick with them? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by averageamateur at 3:01 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by averageamateur at 3:01 PM PST - 28 comments
Reporting taxable income from secret govt work
I have often wondered how a person deals with taxes if he has a full-time position--say as an academic--but also does work for the govt in work, say CIA or NSA, that is not to be known or discussed with anyone. [more inside]
Small car, lots of gear - are there heavy-duty foldable carts?
I'll be attending an outdoor music festival this summer, in which we'll be parking our cars a good distance from where we will set up our tents for camping. I'll need some kind of wheeled cart for transporting our bags, tents, etc., but which could fold up (or easily disassemble) and fit into my car, and I'm not sure what would work well. Looking for your ideas, or things that have worked well for you in the past. [more inside]
Which 32GB flash drive?
I need a recommendation for a 32GB USB 3.0 flash drive, please. [more inside]
Help me find a specific what-to-buy-for-baby website?
I'm looking for a specific website that details what to buy for a newborn. Here's what I remember: It was one person's site, not on Parents.com or about.com or anything like that. The author, a mother, lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. There were multiple sections, like one for strollers, one for bouncy chairs, etc. It was very comprehensive and kind of funny. I think I actually found it here on AskMe, but I can't for the life of me find it again.
I know, that's not much. But maybe you remember this?
posted by miriam at 1:55 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by miriam at 1:55 PM PST - 4 comments
Amalgam vs Composite, Long-term
I know amalgam fillings are more durable. However, they also require drilling away more of the tooth. Given this, which is a better choice for filling a molar in the long run for a young person? [more inside]
Shiren the English-speaking Wanderer
I'm trying to play the SNES version of Shiren the Wanderer, with the English translation patch, on a Mac. The ROM without the patch works fine. When I put the patch in the same directory with the same base filename (the procedure for using a patch), the ROM loads and hangs. I'm using SNES9X as my emulator. Has anyone gotten this working? I'm willing to try any emulator.
posted by ignignokt at 1:44 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by ignignokt at 1:44 PM PST - 2 comments
Cutting manly curls in manhattan
Asking for a gentleman without a metafilter account: Can you recommend a stylist in Manhattan who specializes in, or at least does an excellent job with, male curly hair? [more inside]
Feedback on Draft Campus Policy About Free Speech
My school is currently working on a new "Respect for Freedom of Expression Policy". A PDF of the latest draft is available here. I would appreciate any feedback about ways to improve it, especially from the perspective of allowing maximum free speech, protest, and dissent, and limiting the ability of the school to crack down on campus activism. [more inside]
Too hot to work
So, for the nth year in a row the air conditioning system in our office is busted. It's not even summer yet and it's already way too hot in here. I need some way of keeping cool and sane. [more inside]
Refresh my commute reading, if you please.
I'm looking for new mystery series with a strong, atmospheric setting. [more inside]
Help me stay awake.
I don't think I'm narcoleptic, but I fall asleep all the time. [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 12:57 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by quadrilaterals at 12:57 PM PST - 24 comments
Boston area Sunset/moonrise on June 23rd.
Where would be a good location in Eastern Massachusetts to see and photograph both the sunset and (full) moonrise on Sunday, June 23rd? [more inside]
Stories about disliked activities becoming loved activities?
Can you point me to specific stories, either your own or else freely available on the web, of times when someone has really disliked an activity at the beginning and found it very difficult or unnatural, but after working at it for a significant amount of time, finally comes to love and excel at it?
SKIN CARE REGIMEN IDEAS
Looking for tips and tricks to come up with a skin care regimen for myself (31, F, with a beautiful baby). My goal is to get a glowing healthy skin in 3 months. The idea is to inculcate good habits, and hopefully some of them will stick for life. Any suggestions, beautiful men and women? Diet suggestions welcome, work out suggestions welcome, beauty tips welcome... basically all suggestions welcome :)
You could also just share your inspiring story and that will keep me motivated enough ;-)
Thank you!!
Are you good at doing stuff? Tell me how you get stuff done.
I constantly have a huge list of things to do in my head and I'd like to get better at organizing/prioritizing them. [more inside]
Is there a blog that will tell me what sci-fi movies to see in theater?
Can you please suggest a blog or resource that will tell me what under-the-radar science fiction movies I should go see? [more inside]
posted by rebent at 12:11 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by rebent at 12:11 PM PST - 6 comments
In it to win it. 4 REALZ.
You're a competitive athlete. How did you level up? [more inside]
How can I minimize the cost of moving my family across the country?
My wife and two kids (and our two cats) and I may soon need to move from Maryland to Seattle. What's the cheapest way that we can move ourselves and our stuff across the country? [more inside]
posted by mboszko at 12:07 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by mboszko at 12:07 PM PST - 21 comments
Sharing the laughter and love
I'm looking for sitcoms with three or more children where a middle child was the breakout star. [more inside]
posted by Chrysostom at 12:06 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by Chrysostom at 12:06 PM PST - 26 comments
Green Mountain Energy in NYC
New York City dwellers: Do you use Green Mountain Energy for your household power? Why or why not? [more inside]
How do I report freelance income while collecting unemployment?
I just got laid off from my job, and I've booked a few freelance gigs here and there and have some ongoing freelance writing stuff as well. Do I need to report this income when I earn it, or when I get paid? (This is in California). [more inside]
Are any Mefites Madrix lighting software users (and or experts)?
We are building a mutant vehicle for burning man. It's a 20 foot diameter UFO that will be 10 feet off the ground. Does anyone have Madrix software experience with pixel mapping? [more inside]
Applying for home equity loan while changing jobs
We are about to apply for a home equity line of credit. The guy at the bank already ran our credit and verified rates and eligibility. I'm also about to change jobs. What should I do about the loan? [more inside]
Tell me about video conferencing equipment and best practices?
Our organization is growing, and we need to improve our video conferencing capabilities. The usual setup is a 'home base' room with 5-10 people in it. That room is about 20' x 20' or so, and it has speakers built into it. The other folks calling into the meeting are usually solo workers, on their own computers, wearing headsets.
The people in the 'home base' room can hear the people calling in, with fairly good audio quality. However, the other users have a very hard time hearing the people gathered in the main room. That microphone situation needs to be improved.
Right now there is one Jabra USB Speakerphone - this model, I think.
We use GoToMeeting and Skype. What are the options for improving the audio quality coming *from* the main room? Can we daisy chain those speakerphones together? Is there a better speakerphone model which can be daisy chained to have multiple bases around the room? Do the connected mics figure out which one to use or does it cause distortion or delay? Is there another model that is significantly better that doesn't have to be hardwired? Any other suggestions? [more inside]
Dinner in Williamsburg for 10
Looking for a restaurant in Williamsburg that can accommodate about 10 people on a Saturday night in June, for a bachelor party. Will not be a stereotypical raucous, wasted BP crowd, but would like someplace laid back. More details inside. [more inside]
Denali, AK In Two Days?
I was invited to a cool work conference in Anchorage Alaska in late June, and after the conference I would really really really like to try and see Denali if at all possible. I will only have 2 - 2 1/2 days.
Aside from the short time-frame, I will be all by myself. Also, I have two legs and can walk, but 'wilderness survival,' is not exactly something I have any mastery off.
Any general advice, specific advice, or help would be appreciated. [more inside]
posted by rosswald at 10:45 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by rosswald at 10:45 AM PST - 11 comments
Where can I find a scenic outlook en route to Durango?
Help from Colorado Mefites!
I'm driving right now from Silverthorne, CO to Durango, CO and want to find a nice scenic backdrop of the Rockies for some photos. Between not knowing the area very well and finding out about closed roads, I'm having a hard time figuring out where to go. Ideally, it would be a place we can take pictures of our car with nearly nothing in the background but beautiful mountains. Ideas? Thank you in advance!
posted by TessaGal at 9:57 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by TessaGal at 9:57 AM PST - 6 comments
Do I need Lightroom if I'm a seasoned Photoshop user?
Are there big advantages to buying Lightroom if I already have advanced Photoshop skills? [more inside]
How do I find all of my photos that are NOT on Flickr?
I have a few thousand photos on my hard drive and a few hundred of them have been uploaded to my Flickr account. With the new space available on Flickr, what is the easiest way for me to identify all of the photos that I have not yet uploaded? [more inside]
Help me hang out a shingle.
Following on from this question, I have decided to start offering private, custom arts & crafts workshops. I'm hoping to find people who need someone to help them plan an art activity, bring the materials, and run the workshop-- so, birthday parties, homeschool co-ops, scout groups and the like. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to find them. [more inside]
posted by nonasuch at 9:35 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by nonasuch at 9:35 AM PST - 14 comments
Where to go for early summer break in California?
Desperately in need of a week off to lounge by a pool in the sun and we are looking at the week of 10 June. I would prefer the beach - but everywhere coastal in California seems like it would be too chilly to spend afternoons lying in the sun, and Vegas will be way TOO warm. What are your best suggestions for a warm relaxy place up to 8 hours drive from the Bay Area? [more inside]
Fuse Amp Ratings
Is there a method or device that will determine the amp rating of a fuse? I know that most fuses are marked with their specific amp rating, but I really need a way to verify. These are standard 5mm and 6.3mm fuses used in consumer level audio equipment. TIA
Batch job screen capture from database help?
Let's say there is a database that I can only access from a front end tool, and that database cannot provide any extract of any sort. I also have no access to run reports off that database.
And let's say that the only way to preserve that data is to print to pdf or do screen shots.
btw- all legit and you are not helping me do something malicious. [more inside]
posted by BrodieShadeTree at 9:16 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by BrodieShadeTree at 9:16 AM PST - 14 comments
Wedding ceremonies for the non-religious?
What did you, a non-religious person, do for your wedding ceremony? What was the basic structure? What resources did you use to help you plan? [more inside]
posted by charmedimsure at 9:15 AM PST - 40 comments
posted by charmedimsure at 9:15 AM PST - 40 comments
Help Me be a Charming & Effective Portrait Photographer
Any tips for photographer patter while taking slightly candid portraits?
For marketing/social media purposes, I’ll be taking individual candid portraits of a large number of people at my company. I’ve already taken a good handful, and although I have a good eye for angles and setting up the shot, I have a difficult time directing the subjects and am hoping to learn some new phrases and strategies. [more inside]
tool to reblog and share a collection of web pages?
Is there a tool that will let me store/archive web pages or parts of web pages, and then create a little mini library of reblogged content along with navigation links? [more inside]
posted by incandescentman at 8:54 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by incandescentman at 8:54 AM PST - 6 comments
UKfilter: Too jaded for Socialism? Help me rediscover the ideals...
I'm an ex-Leftie who now works as a money man in the UK.
I'd like to rediscover Socialist philosophy and ideals. Problem: 10+ years of economic analysis of public spending and government fiscal policy has left me thinking that Socialism is unrealistic, ill thought out, and well, a bit...silly. Help me turn myself around before it's too late! ...much more inside.... [more inside]
What is wrong with my iPhone?
I got my iPhone 4 in October 2011. The past few months, it has had a couple of really annoying issues: [more inside]
to clemp? to climp?
I'm looking for a set of five verbs in the English language that each A.) have only one vowel and B.) share all the remaining letters in the same order. The closest example I can think of off the top of my head is [bag / beg / bog / bug] but big isn't a verb. [more inside]
posted by komara at 8:07 AM PST - 35 comments
posted by komara at 8:07 AM PST - 35 comments
How to tastefully indicate authorship on a corporate document.
I have this problem, and I know it isn't rare. I on occasion produce excellent training materials where a knowledge vacuum exists, and as managers and power structures change within my department the memory of my past work gets forgotten almost constantly. Because I'm not really very good at the schmoozing with the new bosses’ game, I never get into the loop for new projects or initiatives where I would shine based on prior work.
That’s a preface to a lot of different questions, but mostly, I'm asking an aesthetic question here, and I’m not talking about ownership of materials or anything like that. These are informal documents, but legitimately useful, and not my main job function. Basically, when they get circulated here and there... I would greatly benefit from managers and other colleagues knowing just who put this awesome thing all together.
How do I do this correctly, and in a tasteful manner... i.e., basically, not put "By Me" on a coversheet in big letters, or not in a manner that would make most roll their eyes. Just some subtle recognition of authorship within the document.
If you have another moment to think, some book recommendations on climbing the corporate latter in an ethical way, (based on competency, the best way to climb), in the face of the usual BS that many of us need to deal with. I enjoy my field... thats why I'm asking this, and not just finding something else to do.
posted by shimmer at 8:06 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by shimmer at 8:06 AM PST - 20 comments
What statistical test or model do I use?
So I'm trying to find how two variables are related, and I have a mountain of data. [more inside]
Abdominal discomfort, alcohol use and trouble sleeping
I'm having some abdominal discomfort that might be related to my alcohol use. But I don't know what to do about it, for reasons related to sleep issues. Long story within. [more inside]
Iconic buildings/symbols of Astoria or Queens
I'm wanting to do a project similar to this, but for Astoria (specifically, if possible) or Queens (generally, if that works out better). So basically, I'm looking for suggestions of iconic people/places/things that represent the neighborhood and/or borough, and would evoke fond memories for folks who have lived there. I'm not going to be taking photos, so I'm not limited to things that currently exist or that are concrete (as a terrible example of this, I mean that an apple could represent "the Big Apple"). I've already thought of Shea Stadium and the World's Fair stuff in Flushing Meadows (QMA, Unisphere, NYState buildings, etc.) What am I missing, Queens-folk?
Spotlight a moving subject using an online video editor
I'd like to use an online video editor to highlight (make brighter or draw a circle around) a specific dog in a playgroup. I have a Chromebook and work almost completely in the cloud. I feel like this shouldn't be difficult, but I'm having a heck of a time finding this feature. YouTube's "Spotlight" feature seems to be for interaction and doesn't work this way as far as I can tell. Am I missing something obvious? Recommendations for online video editors are welcome as well. I've used Pixorial and YouTube, not much luck with WeVideo. Thanks in advance!
Trading a desktop for a laptop
About a year ago I bought a refurbished iMac. I now totally regret buying a desktop computer and really wish I had a laptop instead. Is there any way for me to trade in my still perfectly-functional iMac for a Mac laptop? (In NYC if it matters) [more inside]
Why did the Russian cut a hole in his shirt for his necklace?
A couple months back I was loading a truck and the Russian/Slavic-looking/sounding driver (and the name of the truck line/owner printed on the truck was definitely Slavic) had a hole cut in his shirt and his necklace/pendant was pulled thru the hole so that it was visible. My somewhat foggy memory thinks it was something religious icon-y. My question: Is this something other than an individual quirk and if so can you tell me about it?
Going to the mental health clinic, what can I expect in the time ahead?
I made an appointment at a local clinic. Assuming things start well (right Dr.+ right drugs). What can I expect 2-3 years down the road? [more inside]
Am I being realistic?
I'm getting ready to have a possible "final conversation" about financial responsibility with my boyfriend. I just want to check in to see that I'm being realistic with today's economy. [more inside]
Is my home going to be taken away? (UK homeowner, 2nd mortgage)
More details after the jump, but in short: Mortgage lender holds the deeds to the house after missing payments for years.
I am trying to figure out what the imminent risks to the house are and if I could find a debt negotiator.
Many thanks to you all. [more inside]
posted by seatofmypants at 6:35 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by seatofmypants at 6:35 AM PST - 6 comments
What single word describes these things that my employer sells?
I need one word, in singular form, that is synonymous with product, service, and experience (experience as in, taking a tour, sitting for a lecture, watching a live band..)
The company I am working for provides many products, services and experiences for their customers, and I need a single, general noun that describes all of these. Help!
posted by Glendale at 5:48 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by Glendale at 5:48 AM PST - 21 comments
Hermione Granger Problems...
How can I inspire people and act strong and firm and smart without letting go of wanting to also be protected and vulnerable? [more inside]
posted by dinosaurprincess at 5:45 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by dinosaurprincess at 5:45 AM PST - 18 comments
How to proceed in this situation without compromising standards?
I tried to establish no-contact boundaries with an inappropriate supervisor, but now I'm doubting myself and wondering if I've overreacted. [more inside]
Help me properly file for disability [SSI]
This is me three years ago. A lot has happened since I wrote that post. My brother got on disability, I had access to medical and psychiatric care for the first time in my life, and while I was still mostly homebound I had hope that our lives would eventually get better. Then my brother died quickly after a cancer diagnosis, I had a horrible, god-awful experience in a psychiatric hospital, stopped seeing my psychiatrist, rationalized not taking my medication because I would soon be without insurance anyway, and I pushed the only people willing and able to help me away. I've been trying and failing and giving up for almost a year.
This is me three years later trying again. [more inside]
posted by Cdr Sara Bellum at 5:19 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by Cdr Sara Bellum at 5:19 AM PST - 20 comments
Non-Constant Contact Email Listserver
I would like to set up an email group for occasional communications, and would prefer something other than Constant Contact. Any suggestions are much appreciated.
Specifications desired detailed inside. [more inside]
posted by miss tea at 5:15 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by miss tea at 5:15 AM PST - 4 comments
Going to South Florida (Miami) for a fun weekend. Any ideas?
I'm going to Miami area for to celebrate a special occasion with my wife. I need some help planning where to stay/what to do. Thanks all! [more inside]
Kicking off a Webinar - looking for the right thing to say
Not a natural public speaker..but will be speaking publicly later today on a webinar to public safety officials....please help me acknowledge current events in a thoughtful, authentic way, before kicking off the conference call. [more inside]
What films would you recommend to educate me in cinema?
I feel very uneducated in 'important' cinema and I'd really like to know and understand more. If I knew how to properly define 'important' I probably wouldn't need to ask the question, but names like Kurosawa, Tartakovsky, Fellini that I know I don't know anything about. What I'm hoping the lovely hivemind can do is give me a good starting point - something equivalent to the five-foot shelf of books that contains an entire liberal education (http://archive.org/details/harvardclassics), but for cinema. DVD collections (or YouTube links) that form part of this would be welcome too. Basically, help me educate myself in cinema!
posted by Kirn at 2:28 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by Kirn at 2:28 AM PST - 20 comments
Order of names in a letter signature matter when sent from a couple?
My wife and I were writing a brief thank-you note to some friends, and she was helping to edit. I then signed it off as 'Arandia & Wife' -- only my wife says that it should be 'Wife & Arandia', since *I* wrote the letter and it is coming from my email address. [more inside]
posted by Arandia at 12:08 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by Arandia at 12:08 AM PST - 17 comments
May 20
Delinquent expat tax situation, will I need an enrolled agent?
I've had a difficult time figuring out my tax situation since I moved from the US and now I'm trying to get everything settled. I'm behind a few years and need someone to talk directly with the IRS on my behalf. Will I need an enrolled agent? A tax attorney? Both? Neither? Arg it's so confusing! [more inside]
Help me identify this back pain
I had a baby a few months ago, and all of the sudden I can't sleep through the night without having excruciating back pain. YANMD, but I have never had serious back pain before and don't know really know where to start. New mattress? Chiropractor? Physical therapy? Stop getting older? Some more details inside. [more inside]
posted by annekate at 10:44 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by annekate at 10:44 PM PST - 12 comments
Who originally thought of this dating-related experiment?
Write the numbers 1 to 20 on a set of cards, one per card but two cards of each number, put them on the foreheads of a group of twenty men and twenty women, and give them a couple minutes to try to pair up with the person of the opposite sex with the highest-ranked card: they will always end up with someone close to their own rank. Who originally thought of this? [more inside]
My girlfriend cheated on me. Help me find books to distract me.
Long story short. Girlfriend of 2+ years cheated on me. We broke up, but this is right before I'm going to be spending a few months moving back home and doing a whole lot of nothing.
I'm looking for recommendations for books to help keep me from dwelling on this, specific tastes below. [more inside]
How to safely mod minecraft?
My kid wants me to install a bunch of mods to minecraft, I'm confused about the process. Installing mods seems much different then say on Steam games where its integrated into the application. I'm uncomfortable just following sketchy links on message boards to download and install jars/executables, but thats the process as I've seen it described. Is there a more obvious way to do this? [more inside]
posted by H. Roark at 9:35 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by H. Roark at 9:35 PM PST - 7 comments
It's from Vivre sa vie.
Can someone who speaks French tell me exactly how this quote should be formatted? [more inside]
posted by MiaWallace at 9:09 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by MiaWallace at 9:09 PM PST - 7 comments
Where can I buy a good, pre-made earthquake kit in Vancouver?
What with recent disasters, and recently moving to BC I'd like to get an earthquake kit. Now, I don't have a car, so I'd like to not having to travel all over the city picking things up in my backpack if possible. So I'd like to buy a pre-made kit. Back in 2007 acoutu was able to get a deal on a "Ready Kit", but those appear to have been discontinued shortly after they were created. [more inside]
posted by Canageek at 8:51 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Canageek at 8:51 PM PST - 7 comments
Is it possible to convert my Hi8's this way?
So, I have a bunch of old Hi8 tapes that I want to get on my MacBook pro. I have a camcorder that plays Hi8's (but is only analog) and a DVD recorder. Can you help me? [more inside]
Nonfiction about rituals and magic and so on
I want to read nonfiction about ritualistic/magical/occult/religious practices or events in a historical/cultural context that will learn me real good without sacrificing the fun factor. More interested in things like druid sacrifice or the Salem witch trials than modern-day ghostbusters or psychics, but all cultures are welcome.
How to say "au revoir mon professeure" in a slightly more creative way?
This week, my daughter (a sophomore in high school) will be bidding adieu to her French teacher, who is is retiring. Daughter is artistic and has decided to make a card for Madame but is looking for inspiration. [more inside]
posted by kbar1 at 7:44 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by kbar1 at 7:44 PM PST - 4 comments
Advice on promoting a folk-fusion band online for local gigs?
I am a member of a largish (7 folk-fusion ensemble. We've been gigging on and off using traditional forms of promotion and we'd like to look into online promotion. [more inside]
posted by faethverity at 7:39 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by faethverity at 7:39 PM PST - 2 comments
Desert garden plant I.D. help, please
This very pretty flowering plant lives in a cultivated desert garden in south-western Arizona; I don't think it is a native plant (although I could be wrong!) but it was purchased in a garden center for planting in the area. Unfortunately, the tag on the plant was lost - can anyone tell me what plant it is? Thanks for any help!
posted by faineant at 7:24 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by faineant at 7:24 PM PST - 13 comments
Great hair stylist in/near Harrisonburg, VA (or Charleston or Columbus)?
Looking for someone who does great short cuts for women. I'm driving to my 20-year college reunion this weekend, and have just received a truly terrible haircut. Seriously, it's basically a mullet. The only cure is going short. If you can recommend someone in or around Harrisonburg, VA who's great with short hair, please do! (Alternatively, I'll be passing through Charleston, WV and Columbus on my way, so they're options too - but ideally I'd like to find someone near me.) Thank you!
Fashion protocol for wedding music gig
What should the musician wear at a wedding? [more inside]
How does the amount of ice in a shaker affect a martini?
Does more ice in the shaker make the drink colder faster? Is there more or less dilution per second of shaking? in short, is there any reason I would want to have a particular level of ice in a shaker when making martinis?
Great adult learning apps for iPhone
I think we've had a couple of questions specific to language apps in the past. But I got to wondering what particularly good learning apps for grown-up users are out there, regardless of subject.
Specifically, apps that are well designed, easy to use but challenging to the appropriate degree, and fun. Pretty graphics are nice too.
posted by bunderful at 6:00 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by bunderful at 6:00 PM PST - 5 comments
What is wrong with my long menstrual cycles?
Screenshot of the past two years.
This is not an aberration, I have been this way since I was 13. There was even one year that I only had 2 periods the whole year. I have never taken the pill, or any contraception. I do not take any medications. I became sexually active in my early 20's. my first time meeting with a gyno was at 32, my current age.
I have always worried about my fertility, but I comfort myself saying I am holding onto my eggs for an important time instead of letting them go.
Do you know what is wrong with me?
posted by squirbel at 5:46 PM PST - 33 comments
posted by squirbel at 5:46 PM PST - 33 comments
Recommend a rheumatologist in Boston
Can anyone recommend an excellent rheumatologist in the Boston area? Cambridge or Somerville would be ideal, but travel isn't a huge problem.
IS there an app for that?
Help me find an app like this for Android! [more inside]
Help me find a decent, cheap Android tablet for my kids.
I can never use my tablet because the kids are always on it. Where can I buy a budget Android tablet that my kids can use for games and videos. [more inside]
My demands are reasonable, my diet is ridiculous.
Over the last ten years, I've put on 10-15 pounds of pure, unadulterated fat. Giving up desert for the next ten years doesn't seem feasible, but my general food intake is fine. I was looking for a healthy but reasonably quick way to loose 10 pounds, and 4 Hour Body was recommended. After six weeks, I am at my exact starting weight. What am I missing, and where should I go from here? [more inside]
posted by aint broke at 3:33 PM PST - 43 comments
posted by aint broke at 3:33 PM PST - 43 comments
Asking for a Raise?
From some minor checking on a new employee, I have seen a large discrepancy in pay - which is not surprising. Can I ask for a raise? How do I ask for a raise? Will I get fired? Should I just look for new work like I'm already doing? [more inside]
Starting Channel Island Bush Poppy from seed?
I have long lusted after a Channel Island Bush Poppy (dendromecon harfordii) but can never find the plant at any of our local native plant nurseries here in Los Angeles. I ordered seeds and have found conflicting information about how to start it from seed.
I received a packet of seeds and a pink slip of paper that contained the same chemicals released in brush fire conditions. The instructions said to soak the paper with the seeds for 24 hours and then sow. No more information than that. [more inside]
Did 26F do the right thing to 30M?
26F have been seeing 30M about 1x a week for almost three months with no conversations about what it is. His actions suggest that his interest level is moderate but not high, my interest level is high but that has not been expressed, though the last few times I have been the one to initiate plans. Most recently, he suggested an alternate plan to my invitation, but feeling frusterated, I never responded.
Not sure what action I should take from here... am I wrong to think he will contact me again if his interest level is higher than I percieve? Or wrong to go radio silent when he has never done the same to me?
ID this tree
Picture here. The flowers give off a mild, sweet smell and are kinda sticky at the white, hollow ends. The shells on the left open into halves, and those halves are divided in half, so I doubt they are nutshells (unless those nuts come pre-cut into quarters). This all came from a tree with wide green leaves, here in the southeast USA. That's all I remember about it. Any ideas what tree this might be? Any help would be appreciated!
Winning Powerball, a little bit at a time, over and over and over...
Huge jackpot lotteries in the USA, like Powerball and Mega Millions, offer the jackpot as either an annuity for the total amount of the prize, or a lump sum for a reduced amount. It seems that the vast majority of the winners pick the lump sum over the annuity. Which to me just makes no sense at all. [more inside]
posted by spinifex23 at 2:20 PM PST - 43 comments
posted by spinifex23 at 2:20 PM PST - 43 comments
Laptop overheated, now connectivity problems
My laptop overheated, I took it to get cleaned, now it's having Internet connectivity issues. I think the repair place may be at fault. What do I do now? [more inside]
Why do I keep dreaming about my ex?
Why do I keep dreaming about my ex? YANM Psych etc. [more inside]
How to download text of Facebook posts and comments from a fan page
Mefites, can you help me come up with a quick and dirty way to download the text of all the comments and posts from a given Facebook Fan page? I'm trying to do a word cloud visualization of our Facebook presence. Thanks.
How do insurance companies test for tobacco use?
Someone asked me this this morning, and I have no idea so I thought I would throw it out to the green. [more inside]
posted by deliciae at 1:14 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by deliciae at 1:14 PM PST - 9 comments
Big data meets big city
Can you recommend nerdy things (papers, sites, podcasts, books, articles, whatever) about spatial and urban data, and things people are doing with them? [more inside]
What method should I use to recreate a small wooden horse tail?
I have these antique wooden horses, some of which are completely missing their tails due to breaking off and subsequent loss. I would like to recreate 4 extra tails using some method but am getting overwhelmed by the possibilities. I am not afraid to try creating a mold then casting them somehow, but I would like this to be easy and cost effective (<$30 total) since I only need to do 4. I am doing this purely for aesthetic reasons and the material does not have to be terribly durable and Obviously I do not expect this to be wooden. The tails are approximately 2" x 1" and are originally wood, painted black.
Thinking of Joining the Navy Reserves: What Do I Need to Know
I'm 39. I'm thinking of joining the U.S. Navy Reserves. I'd like to go in as an officer if possible. The cut-off age is also 39, so I only have so much time to make this happen.
What do I need to know before I sign on the line which is dotted? Are there any websites you'd recommend so I can go in forewarned with as much knowledge as possible? Any anecdotes anyone can share? Any information at all?
Name that pre-teen book!
I read this sometime in the 80s. It was a chapter book, just shy of YA. And it's title was something like "The 45th Thing I Love About Amelia" or "The 45th Best Thing I Love About Anastasia" (wrong number, wrong name). Oh, and at the end, the mom opens a closet door and there's a dead dog inside or something. [more inside]
posted by hmo at 12:38 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by hmo at 12:38 PM PST - 2 comments
iPhone4 + GmailContacs = Wrong Contact Photo. HALP!
I have an iPhone4, running iOS 5.1.1. From day one it has always pulled the Contacts from my gmail account via the "Exchange" option and has worked flawlessly...untill now... [more inside]
Can I get a prescription from my doctor for a urine drug test?
Can I get a prescription from my doctor for a urine drug test? I quit smoking marijuana ~25 days ago. Before quitting I smoked once or twice everyday. I ordered some dipstick drug test off the internet and started testing my urine after 5 days of not smoking. About 7 days ago the tests started coming up negative. I'd like to get this confirmed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Can I ask my primary care physician for a prescription for one? If I do, will he get the results and report them to my insurance company? [more inside]
North Austin/Pflugerville doctor recommendations
Primary care physician and an eye doctor are both needed. I live just north of Howard street in south Pflugerville so a good doctor by there would be great. If you know they take United Healthcare Insurance that's even better!
Becoming Mr & Mrs Fish when we're split between two continents
Mr Fish popped the question last Friday and we're getting married and ZOMG and oh shit weddings. Only problem is we've put down roots in another country. How did you negotiate getting married when there are 16 hour flights involved? [more inside]
posted by nerdfish at 11:48 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by nerdfish at 11:48 AM PST - 21 comments
Is there a better type of spreadsheet?
I'd like to make a spreadsheet, which would include not just text but images and sets of tags, and maybe other interesting fields of information. Is there a better spreadsheet out there which is more flexible and more like a database? [more inside]
posted by htid at 11:40 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by htid at 11:40 AM PST - 17 comments
What kind of brandy should I get to make brandied cherries?
It's cherry season, and this year I'd like to make brandied cherries to enjoy all year. All of the recipes I've found say "use a brandy you'd drink" except I don't drink brandy and I felt terribly lost in the liquor store looking at the selections. What kind of brandy is best for this application? Brand/type recommendations would be very much appreciated.
Travel UK on the cheap
A friend and I are planning a trip this summer for early August to London, Edinburgh, and Dublin. We're looking at flights, hostel stays, and food/entertainment for a 1.5-2 week trip, and hoping to do it somewhat cheaply.
All the flights we've found are in the $1700-$1900 range, so that would be most of our budget for the trip, leaving not much left for anything else. (We were originally hoping to spend less than $2500 each)
Is there some secret we just don't know? A site for finding the deals? We've looked at travelzoo.com and expedia, but what's the best way to find cheap flights? (is it a travel agent?) [more inside]
Scared of heartache
Scared of heartache. A brief background... I was together with someone for 5 years, married for less than a year before I initiated a divorce which was finalized this month. [more inside]
posted by love2much at 11:35 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by love2much at 11:35 AM PST - 7 comments
Eating well in Europe -- England, France, and Italy edition
It's happening!! Mr. Concolora and I are flying out to London tomorrow to start our three week tenth wedding anniversary European extravanganza and I'm about to pop with excitement.
We're going to be in London, Paris, Dijon, Verona, Vicenza, Venice, and Rome and we'd love some recommendations on where to eat. Snowflakes inside! [more inside]
help with a forgotten quotation (ish)
I read something in the past 5-30 years that had a story about the value of a sacrificial, superficial distraction that was something along the lines of leaving an apple on the dashboard of your car when crossing the border between the US and Canada if you have something bigger to hide. I use the phrase 'apple on the dashboard' from time to time and not only does no one else get the reference, I've forgotten it, too. Anyone? [more inside]
posted by you must supply a verb at 11:15 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by you must supply a verb at 11:15 AM PST - 8 comments
End-of-budget-year dilemma: too MUCH money
I have a pretty hefty surplus in my nonprofit project budget this year, and I have been told to spend it all, because otherwise it would go back to the funder. We're talking about $20K. We did our work, we met our goals, we provided what we said we'd provide. It just took less money than anticipated. I feel dirty and guilty about blowing this much money on "stuff" that isn't what we said we'd spend it on. I have never had a budget at all before, much less a surplus, so I may be a little naive about how the (nonprofit?) world works. Can you please give me some thoughts about how to view this in a way that doesn't feel icky? Am I just being silly and this is normal practice? Bonus points if you have suggestions on what to spend it on. [more inside]
Adventures in Med School; Cadaver Edition
I have read this thread.
I have two questions:
1. Are there any cultures or traditions that forbid donating one's body to a medical school after death?
2. Where, besides the lovely tribute posted in the link, can I find first-hand accounts of med school students' experiences with donated bodies and cadavers?
You can't go home again
For the first time in my adult life, I'm contemplating moving back to my hometown. Have you moved back to your hometown? What was it like? [more inside]
The right bra?
What to do on the Gulf Coast of Alabama?
I'll be spending a few days on the Gulf Coast in lower Alabama in mid-October for a family reunion. Looks like we'll be staying in one of the delightfully cheesy resort condos in either Gulf Shores or Orange Beach. While I plan to spend a lot of time enjoying the gulf and the pool, I know I'll need to get away from that occasionally. So what cool stuff is there to do? The Shrimp Festival is already on the itinerary. [more inside]
posted by rhiannonstone at 10:44 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by rhiannonstone at 10:44 AM PST - 10 comments
Help a longtime Mac user switch to Windows.
I haven't used Windows since the year 2000, but a new job means this longtime Mac user needs to learn how to. A couple specifics related to image editing and task management software plus general words of wisdom/ encouragement requested within. [more inside]
Sushi in NH
Who serves good sushi in the Manchester/Nashua/ Salem NH area? My regular places are serving more and more mystery fish (chefs choice?) I need places where I know what I am being served.
I'd like to shimmy if you'd show me how...
The shims that let our our table slide open for leaves are broken, so the table is split in half. If I could just get these little wooden pieces replaced, our table would be like new! So how do I get them replaced? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 9:43 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Tehhund at 9:43 AM PST - 10 comments
What's good at the Asian grocery?
There's a giant Korean supermarket not terribly far from where I live (the mega Hmart in Burlington). It's enormous--big enough to have small aisles dedicated to different Asian groceries--a Thai aisle, an Indian aisle, a Japanese aisle, etc. It's far more than I'd ever be able to explore on my own. What items available in a truly excellent Asian supermarket should I seek out? This is pretty much a pan-Asian free-for-all, so if you have a favorite Indonesian mustard, or an unforgettable Cambodian pickle, please share here. Bonus points for sous-vide-able items! [more inside]
I keep crying over Ian M Banks dying of cancer.
Never in my life has this happened before, but I keep finding myself in tears of grief over the looming death of Scottish writer Iain M Banks, who is far and away my favourite writer and has terminal cancer. I'm looking for ways of helping to resolve this emotion, by using it as energy to fuel a meaningful response. [more inside]
posted by Mistress at 8:50 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by Mistress at 8:50 AM PST - 21 comments
Mac/iPhone filter: picture to GPS coordinates, as few steps as possible
I'm a travel blogger - the sort that tries to give *good* directions to places I've traveled. Here in Thailand, there's no easy way of figuring out the address system (the locals barely seem to use them - and the Thai script is admittedly still a mystery)... The solution has been to snap a picture with my iPhone's built-in camera app, with the GPS turned on. The idea is to provide the GPS coordinates and a URL to those coordinates on Google Maps.
This captures the place, but then involves loading it onto the computer, matching up features on Picasa's map to Google Maps, then right-clicking the 'What's Here?' to get the coordinates.
What I'd love is a website or an app on the iPhone or for the Mac that can look at a picture and display the GPS coordinates - bonus points if it shows the point on Google Maps... Is there anything like that out there? :)
posted by chrisinseoul at 8:41 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by chrisinseoul at 8:41 AM PST - 6 comments
Hurricane/cyclones : history, effects
Historically, in tropical areas, did cyclones/hurricanes wipe villages/huts/people off the face of the earth ? [more inside]
Mac: Mount ejected flash drive without reinserting
I have a nifty little USB thumbdrive that I want to use to make backups of various documents; it will live on the powered hub in my office, as I'll only need to use it in the office. It's something of a pain to unplug and re-insert every day, or every time I need to leave the desk with my laptop.
After ejecting, the drive is no loger visible using diskutil on the command line, tho I can see it in the system profiler. Is there a way to have the system recognize the device and mount it whenever the Macbook wakes from sleep? I've got sleepwatcher installed, but I'm not certain how to get the system to recognize the USB device without unplugging it and plugging it back in. Shutting down and restarting the mac every time I want to leave my desk with it is not a viable option, either.
I'm running 10.7.5 on a Core i7 15" MBP.
posted by Slap*Happy at 7:55 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Slap*Happy at 7:55 AM PST - 10 comments
How can I handle unnecessary guilt from coworkers?
My job involves many roles, one of which is IT support, at a medium-sized business. Even though this part of my work only takes up about 33% of my working hours, the negativity surrounding it is making my job a living hell. [more inside]
posted by daisies at 7:54 AM PST - 48 comments
posted by daisies at 7:54 AM PST - 48 comments
Poor Little Old Laptop...
Is my PowerBook G4 officially dead? [more inside]
Why don't my 100% cotton shirts all feel the same?
I've a variety of 100% cotton shirts in my closet with a variety of different feelings and textures! How can this be? Some of them are rough and stiff feeling while others are light and soft. I've seen terms such as "thread count", "knit", and "weight" but I don't know how they relate to what I'm wearing. Also those variables don't appear to be listed on the shirt tag anywhere! I often shop online and it'd be nice if I could have some idea of what any given shirt is going to feel like before I order it.
posted by TheGuyWhoSucks at 7:42 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by TheGuyWhoSucks at 7:42 AM PST - 10 comments
Web to Print Online Software
Currently we are using an efi.com solution for out back office print management but are looking to move into offering a web interface so clients can print and build there own products (a web to print solution similar to moo.com)
EFI offer a solution however its build on .asp and the layout is very restrictive which suggests it hasnt had much love.
Does anyone know of a good web to print solution that can be heavily customised?
How can my mom transfer me a house from her name to my name?
My mom and I want to transfer her house to me, her son as cheaply and quickly as possible. We live in Columbus Ohio Franklin county if that helps. I'd prefer not to have to pay a lawyer or whatever but I will if it's necessary to get it done quickly. Having it completed within 10 days would be great, is this possible? and how do we do it? websites, phone numbers, etc. would be helpful!
posted by crawltopslow at 7:30 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by crawltopslow at 7:30 AM PST - 10 comments
RENT
What kind of rights does the owner of a home have when they agree to rent out their home through a rental management company? [more inside]
posted by emelenjr at 7:24 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by emelenjr at 7:24 AM PST - 10 comments
iPhone 4S case that's easily removable?
after breaking my iPhone 4S screen twice in a short amount of time, it's obvious I need a new case. But it's never that easy.... [more inside]
Car roof rack uses
I have never owned a car roof rack. I would like to own one to haul extra stuff. What are the best uses for a car roof rack? What configurations and additional roof rack accessories will I need to best utilize it? [more inside]
posted by jillithd at 6:43 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by jillithd at 6:43 AM PST - 23 comments
Books for 30-something researcher suddenly in a management job
Can you recommend a book for a newly-promoted researcher who isn't used to managing a team? [more inside]
What are your family-style, urban living life hacks?
Mrs. Quizicalcoatl and I are finally moving to the Boston area with our 9- and 7-year old. What do we need to know? [more inside]
posted by Quizicalcoatl at 6:11 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by Quizicalcoatl at 6:11 AM PST - 22 comments
Recommendations for binoculars for wildlife viewing?
I would like recommendations for a good pair of binoculars, primarily for wildlife viewing. I did look through previous questions , but they focused mostly on use for concerts and birdwatching - the primary users of these live in Kenya, so think game parks and reserves.
Price is around the $500 mark, as we only want to buy these once and then use forever, but certainly, if you have strong feelings about any you've used above that range, I want to hear it!
posted by darsh at 5:38 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by darsh at 5:38 AM PST - 7 comments
Is anyone familiar with 90 Second Web Builder?
Has anyone used it or does anyone know anything about its functionality? [more inside]
posted by fruitopia at 5:30 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by fruitopia at 5:30 AM PST - 4 comments
Simple word games -- no accessories required
Occasionally my partner and I will find ourselves with an hour to kill and nothing to do (e.g., we show up too early for a movie). I'm looking for word games that we can play that don't require access to the Internet, paper/pen, more than two people, a game board, or anything other than ourselves. [more inside]
Shoulder pain + yoga = ?
I am supposed to be doing a yoga class with my friend on Wednesday, this will be my first one in over a year, and I have some pain in my neck and shoulder at the moment, will this make it worse? [more inside]
posted by ellieBOA at 4:19 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by ellieBOA at 4:19 AM PST - 7 comments
Preparing for a major all-changing life event
What should I remember to do when preparing for a life event that will take all my time and energy? [more inside]
posted by altolinguistic at 3:28 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by altolinguistic at 3:28 AM PST - 24 comments
How to calm down a hysterical dog?
I'm babysitting a friend's dog (female dog), and she's hysteric. She keeps crying by the door, trying to run away.
What are the best ways to calm her down and make her feel more relaxed alone, away from her owner?
Thanks MeFi.
What is this sign, located in Venice Beach (I think?)
In Michael Palin's "Around the World in 80 Days", there's a shot of a building with an interesting sign. It says "EARTH SPACE SCIENCE ART FACT FICTION FANTASY". [more inside]
posted by dubold at 2:48 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by dubold at 2:48 AM PST - 12 comments
Best street musicians in London?
I'm in London for a visit and now it's my last week. Yesterday I was down by the BFI Film Centre and there were a couple of amazing street musicians (an accapella trio and a dude named Flaming Moth). On Holborn Friday evening there was a kickass drummer. So where else in London can I find great street musicians?
Will Cure Dengue Fever for Food!
So I've spent the past year and a half burning through my severance package as slowly as I could, accomplishing some things, learning some stuff and generally getting my soul back. Now I'm feeling the urge to find a job and do science again, but I'm serious about the do science part. Help me rebuild my resume to get something I can live with. [more inside]
May 19
Buying Doctor Zhivago in Polish
My father is trying to get his hands on the Polish version of the book "Doctor Zhivago", by Boris Pasternak.
Apparently it's been out of print for a while.
I can't read any Polish. I'm looking for a link at an online store where it can be ordered.
posted by ovesh at 11:32 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by ovesh at 11:32 PM PST - 2 comments
What would you really like to know about language and language learning?
I run a blog about language learning and have ~9 months until a book of mine gets published. During that time, I'd like to grow my audience as much as possible, which basically means writing as many interesting articles as possible.
While I have a list of blog-post ideas, I'm currently living in book-related tunnel vision, and could use some outside input. If you knew someone who knew a lot about foreign languages and language learning, and was willing to do some research and write an article about anything you wanted, what would you want him/her to write about? What burning, unanswered questions do you have about languages, language learning, memory or any other related topics?
How do i get my podcasts to sync?
I just got a new ipod(classic) today, all the music synced fine and most of my podcasts too. However, i have 18 that won't sync and it keeps saying it can't find them even though they're all right there on itunes as i just downloaded them. I made sure everything was up to date, and even restarted itunes but still nothing.
If it matters i'm using a mac(2007/08?), with itunes 11.0.3, snow leopard.
Is there anyway i can get them to sync?
Leaving it all behind
Have you left your career and your home country to do something completely different? If so, I want your advice. [more inside]
One app to keep track of my calendar, todo list and scrap notes.
I need ONE app to keep track of my calendar stuff, todo list, and scrap notes. [more inside]
How can I cheaply forward a package from France?
I want to buy a book from a publisher in France, but the shipping rates they charge are astronomical. What options do I have? [more inside]
posted by Merzbau at 6:44 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Merzbau at 6:44 PM PST - 5 comments
How old were you when you first genuinely fell in love with someone...
How old were you when you first genuinely fell in love with someone that resulted in a relatively lasting, satisfying relationship? [more inside]
Help me (20s male) be fashionable for summer!
I am an early 20s male, straight if it's relevant, and I need some help getting good clothes for summer. [more inside]
posted by vogon_poet at 6:17 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by vogon_poet at 6:17 PM PST - 25 comments
You and me could write a Stage Romance... (Except that's a BAD IDEA!)
I have a crush on my stage partner. I know how bad an idea this is, but how do I keep it under control when I'm draped lovingly over him for half the show? Help me do my job without the temptation to, ahem, take work home with me? [more inside]
There is a liquor store across the street if you wanted to maybe....
How do I deal with moocher friends? [more inside]
De-rusting language: what should I use to brush up on classical Greek?
Once upon a time, I was a moderately fluent student of classical (Attic) Greek. That was 15+ years ago, and I'd like to get back to that point again. (With some specific goals in mind.) What tools can help me do that? I have been a fan of the awesome Perseus Project almost since they launched, and I've still got my trusty print edition of Liddell and Scott (and two sets of grammar books) but I'm not sure which other books or geeky tools might help me do what I want. (Details within) [more inside]
posted by modernhypatia at 5:45 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by modernhypatia at 5:45 PM PST - 8 comments
Could you pick these fish out of a lineup?
Set the bar...at what height exactly?
Recently I became friends with a group of people that lie and act in deceitful and unfair ways towards others - so I say, they apparently find it perfectly okay.
Is it right to hold your friends to your own personal standards?
posted by travelwithcats at 4:51 PM PST - 38 comments
posted by travelwithcats at 4:51 PM PST - 38 comments
Dating and OKCupid as a childfree loner
I'm childfree, meaning I don't have kids and don't want them. I'm also on the far end of the loner scale. I have some questions about finding a partner and using OKCupid to do it. [more inside]
posted by moonlit walk on the sun at 4:37 PM PST - 49 comments
posted by moonlit walk on the sun at 4:37 PM PST - 49 comments
bulk cooking for a Chinese family?
For various reasons, I need to cook 15 servings at a time and leave them frozen in individual containers to be eaten over the next week. This sounds like a perfect fit for a bulk cooking plan, except all of the bulk cooking recipes I can find are written for a more American palate. Can anyone suggest Chinese recipes that scale easily, freeze well, and use only ingredients that can be easily sourced in New York?
Graphic file formats, master files, Inkscape and me
How do I get Inkscape files ready to be worked on in Illustrator? [more inside]
Where can I buy architectural engineering models?
Are there any online stores that sell teaching aids for demonstrating principles of architectural engineering? I am wanting to buy model columns, arches, domes, trusses, cantilevers, and so forth, to use in architectural history classes that I am teaching. The goal is to demonstrate the physical forces that act on buildings, so I don't need models of finished buildings and bridges, but rather models that show how the structures work--preferably in an interactive way. Any leads would be most appreciated.
Where should I travel?
My roommates and I are going abroad for the month of July. We're American college students; we'd like to go somewhere warm and cheap for a month. The thing is, we're not necessarily looking to go backpacking the whole time. I'm searching for a place that's super cheap, warm, and close to the ocean where we can write/relax/make music for a month. Shoestring budget here, and we don't mind dumpster diving. In the past I've sublet an apartment in Paris for two months for really cheap and just lived there to explore the city. Does anything spring to mind that's coastal and doable? [more inside]
posted by Shasta at 3:37 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by Shasta at 3:37 PM PST - 13 comments
Does this even do anything at all other than turn the water brown?
Why do I put Worcestershire sauce in the water when boiling pasta? That is, when the water comes to a boil, just before I put the pasta in? [more inside]
posted by SMPA at 3:22 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by SMPA at 3:22 PM PST - 22 comments
Writers of Metafilter, please help me stay on track and keep going.
Writers, and novelists or fiction writers in particular, can you share your goals, processes and timelines for each of your drafts? [more inside]
posted by thinkpiece at 3:07 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by thinkpiece at 3:07 PM PST - 8 comments
I think I'd be awesome at it, regardless...
I applied for a position and I don't fit the qualifications. Was that bad? [more inside]
posted by christinetheslp at 2:38 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by christinetheslp at 2:38 PM PST - 14 comments
Mr. Darcy in modern-day New York?
Among other things, I enjoy books by Jane Austen (and films of such books). I also enjoy "fish out of water" stories where someone finds themselves in a totally foreign/alien place or time and has to figure it out. I discovered the miniseries Lost in Austen, which combines these interests perfectly. What else might I enjoy? [more inside]
posted by ohio at 2:10 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by ohio at 2:10 PM PST - 18 comments
Separate or wait to see if things get better?
My husband and I have been together for 9 years, married for the last 3. We met when I was 19, and him 21. Recently I have been feeling like I might want out. I still love him, but I am not sure that he is going to change in ways which I would prefer him to.
Should I tell him I want to separate or wait to see if things get better? [more inside]
Watch adjustment
I have this type of watch. The manual suggests that I should get Timex to repair the battery. I'm hoping to be able to do it myself and save a few bucks. However, I don't really see any way to get the back off. I also want to adjust the band as it's too large for my wrist. But, again, I really have no idea how to do this. Hoping someone here can tell me if this is something I'd be able to do from home (and tell me how to do it) or whether I should take it to a jeweler.
Transporting a Recumbent Road Bike!
I have a specific question about transporting my Rans Tailwind Recumbent Road Bike in my trailer using fork traps that I attached to the trailer myself. My question is whether or not I need to take the seat off the bike before I transport it at highway speeds. See inside for more details and pictures. [more inside]
posted by crapples at 1:42 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by crapples at 1:42 PM PST - 3 comments
Awesome gift for awesome landlord
We have a very awesome landlord whose house we're moving out of. We'd like to get her something to show our appreciation. [more inside]
DTMFA!
How to deal with people who constantly complain about their relationship, but take no action? [more inside]
Are laptop screen parts autodetected by the system?
Can I simply physically replace the 1366*768 LCD in my HP EliteBook 8440p with the 1600*900 part and have the laptop autodetect the new screen and show the proper resolution? Or is there extra logic or connectors or dongles or whatever in the main body that must also be modified in order for the display to work, (or maybe it Just Won't Work)? Put simply, is HP 594090-001 plug-and-play? [more inside]
posted by laconic skeuomorph at 12:33 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by laconic skeuomorph at 12:33 PM PST - 5 comments
Looking for one-off volunteering suggestions and resources.
I'm going to have two weeks' holiday time in September and I'd like to spend some of it volunteering on some kind of useful project. What should I do? [more inside]
How to Move to Spain for six months
I'm a 31 yo male in the US, have a work from home job with a stable legitimate US company and can basically work from any where I can find an internet connection. I would love to learn spanish. [more inside]
The DVI Port on my Gigabyte Motherboard no longer seems to work.
The DVI Port on my Gigabyte Motherboard no longer seems to work. I need the DVI port as I am running a Hackintosh and Apples are not compatible with VGA. What are some of my options and what is your diagnosis? [more inside]
What do I need to know about buying a new car out-of-state?
I live in northern Virginia, and due to some weird circumstances, I am going to purchase (100% financed) a new car from a dealership in Missouri and drive it back home. What do I need to know? [more inside]
Please help me find this monkey.
Please help me find this monkey. This is my dog Frankie with her favorite toy (and a quarter for scale). This specific monkey toy is her favorite -- other monkey toys aren't as pleasing. [more inside]
posted by macadamiaranch at 10:45 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by macadamiaranch at 10:45 AM PST - 9 comments
Outdoor furniture cushion slipcovers?
We have a very full set of PVC outdoor furniture we bought 13 years ago and has held up pretty well.Most of the 20x36 inch cushions that go in the 6 chairs surrounding the large dining table are pretty shot (seams ripped, stuffing peeking out). the cushions are a tight weave vinyl which has held up well being outdoors all summer in chicago (stored indoors all winter). Before I replace the cushions (expensive! and not all of them need replacement yet) I would love to try to find a slipcover that would serve this purpose and work outdoors. The only outdoor cushion slipcover I have found so far is at Pottery Barn and expensive enough (about $38 each) that I might as well replace the cushions . Does anyone know of anything like this that is available and cost effective?
Alcoholism groups in NYC that are Not AA?
I'm looking for non-AA alcoholism treatment groups (non-residential) in New York City (preferably Manhattan or Brooklyn ) for someone who is AA-averse. [more inside]
How do I deal with someone I dated for six weeks two years ago...
... who was not my friend beforehand and dumped me dishonestly and, it seems, also rather callously?
This happened 2 years ago (!) and it should be SO over by now, but in the past year our circle of common acquaintances in this small college town has multiplied in such a way that he is even - literally - in my food sometimes. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:37 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by anonymous at 9:37 AM PST - 27 comments
Help me find yet another obscure volume from childhood...
I'm looking for a collection of children's poetry that contains "Lord Bateman." Complicating factor: I am not convinced the one I'm looking for is "One Thousand Poems for Children." [more inside]
posted by handful of rain at 9:34 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by handful of rain at 9:34 AM PST - 5 comments
Fixing scratches in polyurethane-coated leather
How do I deal with scratches in "polyurethane-coated leather"? [more inside]
posted by Sublimity at 9:32 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by Sublimity at 9:32 AM PST - 2 comments
Shaking off surprise news about an old flame
Seven years ago, when I was in college, I fell in love for the first time, and fell hard. We both made lots of mistakes because of youth and inexperience, but at the time I really wished that we could have tried again. He broke off the relationship suddenly, partially because he said he didn't think he'd ever get married or have a family. For a few years I thought of him as "the one that got away." Years later, I am in a good, happy long term relationship, that is healthy and that I enjoy. Via my alumni magazine, I recently found out that he got married about a year after we were last together, and that he's got children. I should be happy for him, but instead I feel like I've been punched in the gut. This doesn't make sense. What can I do to move my thoughts onward, and to stop thinking about what could have been when what I have is good?
Your doubt about my lack of doubts is giving me doubts
I'm currently in the process of moving in with my girlfriend of ~2 years. Everything was going smoothly, but now that I'm half moved in she's scared every day that I'm going to think I've made a mistake. How can I best move forward here? [more inside]
Bringing ginseng and beef/pork jerky to Europe
My parents are leaving from the US on a trip to Europe, entirely within EU Schengen Area countries. They've been requested to bring ginseng and beef/pork jerky by family. I don't think the jerky is admissible, but what about the ginseng? Port of entry will be Amsterdam Schiphol. [more inside]
Where to get a dress shirt for a tall guy in Paris?
I'm a tall (6'2", or 188cm) and skinny (155 lbs, or 68 kg) guy who can't find dress shirts that fit in the States. This week I'm in Paris, where I assume I'll have better luck finding something with a much closer fit; where do I go? [more inside]
Great NYC self-serve copy shops?
I want to organize a small event where people would make/assemble their own b&w zines and minicomics. Is there a copy shop that meets my needs? [more inside]
How does Soundcloud work?
I stumbled across a producer who has had 720,659 listeners to one of her tracks. It has also been favorited 12740 times. Yet she has 12 tracks, is following 404 people and is followed by 114 people. Why doesn't she have a lot of followers? I thought I understood it and the thinking of how and why people use it, but I must not.
posted by CollectiveMind at 8:33 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by CollectiveMind at 8:33 AM PST - 11 comments
Please don't let middle school go on forever in my head.
People don’t like me. Somehow, I’m one of those individuals who rub most of the population the wrong way. All right, then. With that knowledge, how do I move ahead and have a decent life? [more inside]
What is a good programming tool for developing RPG games?
I want to develop an RPG game based on a non-popular, out of print tabletop RPG - the game I'm developing will be for PC/Mac/(possibly mobile). So far, I'm looking into RPG Maker, which seems to be able to fit the bill most appropriately. I've also looked at Titanium for developing mobile games, but this seems like it's not necessarily a good fit for just hitting the ground running. Any ideas are welcome - priorities are that the system is flexible for development and is easy to begin with (I'm cool with advanced features, but don't want to have to hack the system in order to merely start bringing my ideas to fruition).
posted by jibberish at 8:27 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by jibberish at 8:27 AM PST - 6 comments
What are your favorite toys for your ten month old?
Our son will be ten months old soon and I'd like to get him some new toys. [more inside]
Do you think you have a super deal on your Smart Phone and plan?
I think I may be ready to delve into the world of smart phones; I am having trouble understanding what is a good price for the plan, for the phone, etc, even after some price-quoting with various companies (is there a less clumsy way to do this than pretending to buy???). Please share the deal that you are happy with to give me an idea of what is realistic. [more inside]
posted by Tandem Affinity at 7:59 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by Tandem Affinity at 7:59 AM PST - 18 comments
How to go no contact with an abuser?
I left my abuser 8 months ago. He contacts me semi-frequently, and I have replied to his more innocuous emails. Now I want to go No Contact. How? [more inside]
posted by sockermom at 6:40 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by sockermom at 6:40 AM PST - 26 comments
Pun-filter: Book group name
I adore to read. And I adore puns. Help me choose an amazing pun-based name for my book group! All suggestions considered. Googling "book puns" and "reading puns" was surprisingly unhelpful.
posted by drunkonthemoon at 6:03 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by drunkonthemoon at 6:03 AM PST - 13 comments
Is there a list of TeenTalk Barbie's phrases?
I read that the TeenTalk barbie (famous for the controversial math statement) is programmed to speak 269 phrases (down from 270 after removing the math one). I can't find a list of her phrases anywhere and think it would be really funny. Anybody know of such a list?
Where to buy prepared "home-cooked" meals near Croton, NY?
Is there a great place near Croton, NY that sells a week of prepared "home-cooked" meals? I'd like to give a few weeks of no-cooking as a happy new baby gift to my brother and his wife. [more inside]
Suggestions for gentle exfoliation
I'm noticing some dead skin just hanging around on my face. It's especially obvious when applying foundation. I'd like to scrub this off, but my skin is quite sensitive and prior exfoliation attempts (St. Ives, Clean & Clear) have been irritating. Can you suggest any products or methods that would make for a really gentle exfoliation? Thanks!
posted by mossicle at 1:59 AM PST - 41 comments
posted by mossicle at 1:59 AM PST - 41 comments
Counterfeit grey-market medication. Now what?
Mail-order pills from a reputable overseas vendor (have seen them recommended in Ask) turned out to not contain any active ingredient according to a blood test. I switched meds when I found out, but am at a loss as to what to do beyond that. [more inside]
posted by tigrrrlily at 1:03 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by tigrrrlily at 1:03 AM PST - 13 comments
May 18
Spiral staircase in Chicago?
I would like to take some photographs of spiral staircases. I’m looking to capture the basic construction of the object from its components, rather than any particular aesthetic beauty. Simpler would be better, and emphasizing the engineering over the architecture. If possible, I would prefer to take my photographs at a quiet time in a public building walkable from the loop in Chicago. Do you have any suggestions?
Is Noah Shannon's story in the NYT true?
Noah Gallagher Shannon has a piece in Sunday's NYT about an emergency landing at Philadelphia. Something about the story makes me think that it might be fictional. Can anybody prove that the story took place as he describes it? [more inside]
posted by crazy with stars at 11:08 PM PST - 53 comments
posted by crazy with stars at 11:08 PM PST - 53 comments
what anime is this image from?
Respect the Badge
Where can I get metal sheriff-type toy badges custom made? [more inside]
posted by Mike Mongo at 9:27 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Mike Mongo at 9:27 PM PST - 4 comments
Impersonate my sister on the phone with the bank (with her permission)?
My sister left on an international trip (from the US), without getting a chance to inform her bank of her trip (apparently they're closed on weekends). Since she won't be able to easily make phonecalls while abroad, she's asked me to do that for her when the bank reopens on Monday. I have her card number, PIN, security question, etc. Which of these options is best: 1) call the bank, and identify myself as her, even though I don't sound like a woman and my sister has an unambiguously female name 2) call the bank, and tell them the truth - that I am calling on behalf of my sister, or 3) enlist a trusted female friend to make the call, identifying herself as my sister using information I provide. [more inside]
Google Pixel in Canada?
What's involved in running a Google Pixel or other 3G Chromebook in Toronto, Canada? Do they just take a normal carrier's sim card and run as if they're phones without phone numbers? Will they run on Wind/Mobilicity/Public or only one Bell/Rogers/Telus, etc? Over all, what issues does one need to be aware of? Thanks.
Getting to Italy via Frankfurt?
I'm trying to get to Umbria, Italy during the first couple of weeks of October, but I hate layovers. [more inside]
I might have eaten a caterpillar; will I die?
So I found a translucent green worm thing in some salad I was eating: image. The salad leaves are from a friend's garden, so it's entirely possible that I didn't manage to get the worm off when washing the leaves. I'm kind of worried that I might have eaten one or more of its family members without noticing. So:
1) Can I get an ID of the thing? I think the immature form one of those ubiquitous green caterpillars, based on this ask.
2) Do I need to drink ipecac/see a doctor? If so, how urgently?
Parenting/child development books for a punk-ass kid who means well?
I know a kid who has a kid. Family friend. I'm terribly fond of him. He's 21. Baby is 3 months. He's a punk. He's cocky. He's a dude, not quite a bro. He doesn't know what the fuck he is doing. But oh my gosh does he adore his baby girl. [more inside]
What's That Novel
NovelFilter: please help me identify a novel which begins with a suicide - there is a wealthy (they have a cook & a maid) family dinner, someone leaves to go to the restroom, finds the daughter in a pool of blood. I also remember that the father continues to chew on his food as he stares in shock at the body, an uneaten ice-cream cake, and possibly that the suicide results in the narrator marrying the daughter's fiance.
That's all I got - any ideas?
posted by forallmankind at 4:30 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by forallmankind at 4:30 PM PST - 5 comments
What are legal ramifications of returning garbage to litterers?
What are the legal ramifications of returning garbage to litterers? Like throwing a paper cup back into someone's car after they throw it on the street? Question pertains to Seattle, WA but interested to know for other jurisdictions as well. [more inside]
Having a tedious time with the current generation of mobile devices.
I've been a late adopter of mobile computing stuff, but since February I've been giving a tablet (Nexus 10, Android 4.2.2) and a smartphone (a Nexus 4) a chance. I can't stand them. Why isn't the experience "clicking" for me? [more inside]
Need great songs about listening!
A friend is organising an event about protecting children from child abuse.
Most cases where a child dies from abuse or is significantly harmed show a lack of professionals actually listening to the child - this event is to encourage agencies working with these children to listen more and listen better.
She needs music (for background, as people are arriving and in between speakers) with a message of listening and hearing. There's lots of promising song titles out there but most are obviously about lost loves.
Can anybody recommend some great songs which may fit the bill? Bonus points for songs likely to be familiar in the UK!
Returning to the gym after staph?
I'm recovering from a staph infection. When will it be safe for me to return to the gym/pool? [more inside]
Which is the apexiest of these predators? And what are they eating?
Help me understand the ecosystem of my house. [more inside]
sudden onset sunburn? what just happened to me?
All of a sudden, within a couple of minutes, my skin on my arms/chest/face turned beet red and was hot to the touch, like I had a bad sunburn. In addition was a headache(similar headache that I get when I've been in the sun for too long) and I could feel my heart beating faster and was a little lightheaded. I wasn't itchy at all. This lasted for about 30 minutes and my skin is still sort of splotchy and warm but is going back to normal. [more inside]
posted by fromageball at 2:56 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by fromageball at 2:56 PM PST - 10 comments
Does anyone even buy desktops?
Is there a market for custom built computers sold through an independent person, versus Dell or HP? [more inside]
Help me optimize my Chemex production
My lust for a Chemex has finally been sated with my birthday this week. Please help me optimise my coffee production from this wonderful piece of apparatus. [more inside]
posted by arcticseal at 1:40 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by arcticseal at 1:40 PM PST - 17 comments
How to navigate a VA "aid and attendance" pension application?
My father-in-law is a WWII veteran. My wife is trying to get him his Veterans Administration "aid and attendance" pension. But it's such a Kafka-esque process... what are the best resources available to help someone do this? (More after the jump.) [more inside]
A durable blood glucose meter to carry in my pocket?
What blood glucose meter can be reliably carried in a pocket, handle the wear of being jostled around, and avoid being activated when not actually in use? [more inside]
posted by scottreynen at 1:09 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by scottreynen at 1:09 PM PST - 12 comments
cell phone networks
Does any cell phone network engineer perhaps know why you can't hear your own voice when speaking on a cell? [more inside]
What is the best non-fiction book for kids in your field of study/work?
My kids (currently 6 and 9) have become voracious readers. We have a large and varied collection of excellent fiction for them, but the non-fiction collection is more haphazard. They love learning new facts as they read (the type of thing that makes them look up from the book and say, "Did you know...?"). I want to make sure that the collection of books gives them a good introduction to fields where I myself may not have enough knowledge to judge the quality/accuracy of the book. So what's the kid's book in your field that makes you say, "If only every kid got to read this book, people would understand [topic] better."? [more inside]
Health and weight effects of medicine metabolites in water?
I'm aware that there are metabolites of the many various medicines that people take in the water supply in many US cities and towns. What are the health effects of this (known or theoretical)?
Has drug residue/metabolites ever been linked to weight gain in humans? How can it be removed from the water (is reverse osmosis the only way)?
Which inversion table will help my back pain?
I'm convinced from friends' reports and reviews that I would benefit from an inversion table. Which should I get? [more inside]
Help a layperson better understand the current science of climate change
I would like to become much better educated on the subject of climate change, with the ultimate goal of making work that explains specific aspects of climate science for a lay audience. To that end, can you recommend to me:
- books/articles/podcasts/websites covering:
----current predictions of climate change
----explanations of how climate processes interact
----discussions of specific changes that would need to take place to prevent the worst-case scenarios
----histories of the study of climate change
-authors or organizations that you'd consider leading experts
[more inside]
posted by AndNeverWell at 11:52 AM PST - 11 comments
- books/articles/podcasts/websites covering:
----current predictions of climate change
----explanations of how climate processes interact
----discussions of specific changes that would need to take place to prevent the worst-case scenarios
----histories of the study of climate change
-authors or organizations that you'd consider leading experts
[more inside]
posted by AndNeverWell at 11:52 AM PST - 11 comments
My pants are falling down!
You know that loop of string on the front of bathing suits and exercise pants? What am I supposed to do with that?
How should I organize endnotes while merging Word documents?
I have a half dozen word documents, each with a heap of endnotes. I need to reconcile them into one big document with all endnotes at the end of the document. What I would like to do is preserve the numbering by chapter: notes on chapter 1 (what was the first document) numbered 1-50, notes on chapter 2 (what was the second document) numbered 1-40, etc. What's the most efficient way to do this? [more inside]
Moving from London to NYC
I'm 40, likely to be moving to NYC from London with my partner and 11 year old daughter, and am fortunate enough to have an apartment to rent out in London which gives me a budget of 5,000 dollars a month. Where would MeFi people recommend to live in Manhattan when looking for a 2 bedroom place with that budget? I have no clue, have never been there but it seems like the greatest place on Earth!
posted by colie at 11:38 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by colie at 11:38 AM PST - 23 comments
PT Not Cruising
I'm having overheating trouble with a 2001 PT Cruiser recently given to me by my father-in-law. [more inside]
Ettiquette filter: Do I warn them I am diseased?
We have dinner plans with a couple (A & B) they're calling in just under 2 hours. I woke up today with a stinking cold. It's got worse all day. I feel crap and I'm not looking forward to a night in a loud restaurant, shouting cos my ears are blocked, and blowing my nose every minute. But my SO hates cancelling plans, and doesn't want to go out with the other couple without me as he'll feel "like a gooseberry" (even though he's known A for 20 years, and they're very sweet, nice people). I'm begrudgingly going to make myself go. Then it dawned on me - is it actually ruder to turn up with the cold and probably pass it on to them (as we're sharing a taxi there and I'm at the constant sneezing/sniffling stage), or just to cancel? [more inside]
posted by billiebee at 10:04 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by billiebee at 10:04 AM PST - 27 comments
Jumping ship to Android (Google's S4) and need a Mailbox equivalent
I think the time has come for me to jump the iPhone ship. The announcement of the Google version of the Galaxy S4 at I/O was the clincher. But I am not 100% sold on the idea, mainly because the S4 is an ugly brute, but also because I fear for the apps and innovation I will miss. Help me out, specifically in finding a worthy replacement for my beloved Mailbox app. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious at 9:25 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by 0bvious at 9:25 AM PST - 14 comments
Depressed father, mother miserable too - what can we adult children do?
My dad, in his 60s, seems to be depressed. He is deeply unhappy and anxious, and he's also become angry and bitter to the point of a total personality change, mostly with my mum. She is miserable, and me and my siblings are so worried about both of them, especially because Dad refuses to get any help or even have a conversation about this. What, if anything, can we do here? [more inside]
Garmin-compatible bike training schedule for a 180-mile ride
I want to sign up for Bike Around the Bay. If you're familiar with the MS150, it's similar — 180 miles over two days, circumnavigating Galveston Bay. But I need a training plan. [more inside]
Painless Broken Bone Workup?
Think I may have broken a bone in my foot- how do I get checked out without spending the whole damn day in the ER? [more inside]
coffee
Is there any coffee similar to Starbucks' "ready brew" that is not Starbucks?
Basically, I am looking for the dead-simple coffee experience that Starbucks offers without using Starbucks coffee: open a packet of finely ground coffee, dump it in a mug, add water, stick it in a microwave for four minutes, add some milk. Done.
I don't want Keurig cups or any other kind of cup that needs a separate machine, etc. I don't care about fair trade, flavor (as long as its not burnt), or price. [more inside]
posted by dfriedman at 6:59 AM PST - 28 comments
posted by dfriedman at 6:59 AM PST - 28 comments
Help with project? Please list fictional cities !
For a project I'm currently working on as part of my graduation in Graphic Design, I wanted to compile something like an atlas of fictional cities. These may be from books, legends, stories, video games, advertisements, comics, really whatever... Even "real" cities but alternate versions, imagined or in some way deviate from their real counterpart are valid. [more inside]
Habits of highly obnoxious tumblrs
I'm using Tumblr for the first time (link in profile) and posting lots of quotes (as 'text') every day. I don't want to spam people or muck up their dashboard, so please enlighten me about bad or annoying things people do on Tumblr so I can learn from their mistakes.
posted by Foci for Analysis at 6:31 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by Foci for Analysis at 6:31 AM PST - 15 comments
How to bind handwritten notes with very thin margins into a book?
Is there any bookbinding technique that would be able to nicely bind sheets of paper into a book, with the constraint that some of the sheets have writing going right up to the edge of the paper? I'm concerned that the text would be lost in the spine. The sheets are A4, with holes already punched, but I'd like something a little more robust/"permanent" than a ring binder... if possible.
Longshot: I'm looking for a particular fairy tale illustration
It was published pre1980. It might have been Hansel & Gretel, or Oliver Twist. At least one of the characters (possibly two) had white blonde hair. The skin wasn't creamy, more rosy, pinkish - a real contrast. The clothing was not contemporary. It was a fairly realistic style. Oh, the hair was shaggy, shoulder length at the most.
I need medical care and I'm too ashamed to go to the doctor.
I need to go to the doctor, but intense shame is keeping me from seeking help. [more inside]
You are about to be rear-ended. Is it better to open the door?
You are about to be rear-ended. Is it better to open the door? [more inside]
posted by krautland at 5:17 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by krautland at 5:17 AM PST - 26 comments
Simplest mobile phone for use in Europe, USA, and Australia?
I currently have a Samsung Guru E1081T. It is a very simple phone, and I can use it in Australia and Europe. However, it does not work in the USA. What is the simplest phone that uses SIM cards that I can use in all three places? No smartphones please; battery life is the paramount consideration. I don't care about features, apart from phone and texting.
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike at 3:53 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike at 3:53 AM PST - 6 comments
How to safely evict squirrels from a palm tree about to be trimmed?
We share a 10' tall palm tree with a neighbor. The tree needs to be trimmed (dead fronts, some rotting areas, etc.). At least one, and probably a whole family, of squirrels has made its home somewhere in that tree. I don't want to see them get injured, but I don't know how to get them out before the tree-trimming service people come and start whacking at it. [more inside]
posted by StrawberryPie at 3:50 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by StrawberryPie at 3:50 AM PST - 6 comments
Help me make good decisions about my child's hearing aid...
I need to learn all I can about pediatric hearing aids. Help me please. [more inside]
Can you two just please introduce yourselves because I have no idea!
I've had this silly and embarrassing little problem for years and I'm noticing that it's getting worse. Sometimes, when I run into somebody I know or if I'm introducing somebody I know to somebody they don't know, I truly blank out on the name of the person I know. [more inside]
posted by iamkimiam at 1:21 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by iamkimiam at 1:21 AM PST - 25 comments
May 17
Bee House Suggestion
I am thinking of purchasing a bee house for orchard mason bees. What recommendations do you have? What do I need to know?
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 9:58 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 9:58 PM PST - 4 comments
How should I approach complaining about noise from a new bar?
My new neighbor is a piano bar that plays live music during the weekends. How should I go about complaining about the noise from their live shows? [more inside]
posted by Young Kullervo at 7:17 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by Young Kullervo at 7:17 PM PST - 21 comments
Receipts required if you are audited?
As an S-corp, am I legally obligated to present receipts or copies of receipts in the event of an audit? [more inside]
What do you give a cricket fan for his birthday?
My neighbor is a big cricket fan, which is a challenge in Brooklyn when it comes to watching games on television. ESPN's app for the XBox is not very good, but it offered coverage of the West Indian teams he was most interested in following, so I've hosted him a few times to give him a chance to watch. I've gained some appreciation for the sport myself, mostly because his enthusiasm is infectious. His birthday is coming up, and I'd like to give some cricket related gift. Searching the internet suggests that cricket doesn't spawn apparel and other merchandise like other sports do. Is that true? Are there test match team jerseys or anything like that? Other ideas for gifts that might please a cricket fan?
Macbook with old tv?
I want to be able to watch Netflix from my laptop on my very old tv. Is this possible? What cables would I need? [more inside]
Tastes, smells, and looks fine
What's the actual shelf life of dry spices? [more inside]
Aches And Pains - How Often How Normal - What is it to be human?
If asked how is your health, or how are you feeling, I'd answer almost always "fine", because that's how I regard the state of my health, unless I'm undergoing something like a cold or some illness.
But it is also true, that if I concentrate really hard, I can usually spot some ache somewhere, or some muscle spasm, or much more frequently, utterly transient episodes of a fairly strong sudden stab of pain somewhere, which passes within a second or a few seconds, sometimes slightly longer. [more inside]
Paid off car, have title. Now what?
I paid off my car in December, and haven't been around. I'm now back home with the car in California, and I have the car title from the bank/company. The title says I have to notify the DMV within 10 days or something like that, but I'm obviously wayyy past that time frame now. What do I do? Google searches equally tell me to (a) transfer to my name and my name only, asap, removing the bank/company as lienholder, and (b) don't bother until I sell the car. Argh!! Which one is it? Help me, so I don't have to wait at the DMV ... and be told that I don't need to be there after all!
posted by Xere at 3:57 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Xere at 3:57 PM PST - 12 comments
Where them like-minded people at?
I need a major friend refresh/revamp. What are actionable steps I can take to find like-minded people, and in particular people that will both give/take in the fun department? [more inside]
Tell me about Minneapolis' Parks
Do you live in Minneapolis? Have you lived there in the past? What can you tell me about the Parks system there? [more inside]
posted by Shohn at 3:54 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Shohn at 3:54 PM PST - 10 comments
Thinking inside the large heart-shaped candy box?
I have two large, satin-covered, heart-shaped candy boxes that I've saved for storage. The question is, what can I store in them? [more inside]
posted by tel3path at 3:19 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by tel3path at 3:19 PM PST - 21 comments
Help me plan our honeymoon in Morocco
My fiancee and I will be honeymooning in Morocco for 12 days in late September-early October of this year. We like food, walking around interesting, beautiful neighborhoods, markets, camping/hiking/climbing/trekking and so on. I think we are going to enjoy ourselves no matter what, but we can't decide if we should try and see Fez and Marrakech [more inside]
posted by SpicyMustard at 2:57 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by SpicyMustard at 2:57 PM PST - 5 comments
Why did my measured IQ drop 25 points?
I took an IQ test as part of a therapy intake, and the number is 25 points lower than the average of the (close and consistent) results I received as a kid. Why, in practical terms, did this happen? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:41 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by anonymous at 2:41 PM PST - 21 comments
Wedding pinata content suggestions.
What are some fun things to put in a wedding pinata that are not candy? Preferably some kind of inexpensive small trinket that people will want to keep as a memento. If it matters, the wedding will be in late November.
How do most married, dual-income couples deal with health insurance?
How do most married, dual-income couples deal with health insurance? Should I drop mine and go on his plan? I am recently married. My husband and I are both healthy and have private sector jobs that are reasonably secure. I work for a small (less than 20 employees) company that has so-so health insurance. Husband works for a larger (500 employee) company that has awesome health insurance. Adding me to his health plan would cost about the same as what I pay for my health plan now. I'm planning on joining his health plan, but open enrollment time is coming up at my job, and I'm wondering if I should keep my insurance or drop it. I can afford the premium, but I don't want to be wasting money where I don't need to. Is it good to be double-insured just in case he loses his job? We have no kids, but are planning on them in the next few years.
Where to eat with the in-laws, in Annapolis, MD?
Me and the missus are meeting her parents in Annapolis this weekend. Of the four of us, two are enthusiastic omnivores, one loosely follows Atkins' diet (low carb) and one is intolerant of dairy and even small amounts of capsaicin. None of us are at all familiar with Annapolis. We'll be there for about 2 days, and have one car. Where should we eat? [more inside]
How to keep a difficult phone call from imploding?
Need to update an out of the loop narcissistic sibling about our Mother's declining health. Wish do do this without fueling her issues and having it turn into a blame game. Snow storm details ahead! [more inside]
posted by cat_link at 2:19 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by cat_link at 2:19 PM PST - 25 comments
Windows 7 Explorer List View, Sorted by Type, Default Keyboard Behavior
I usually navigate my Windows 7 Explorer windows via keyboard. I type the name of a directory, then hit enter to open it. But when the new directory comes up, typing finds the first filename alphabetically, which would be fine if I had my directories sorted by file name, but I do not - they're sorted by file type instead. Once a file is selected after typing the first letter, Windows's selection continues looking in the display order (first by type then alphabetically) but does not wrap to the beginning of the directory, so if I was trying to select a folder and ended up with a file, then I either have to click in the window or wait a few seconds and hit Home to get to the start of the window. How do I change this so it will initially give preference to file type and not just file names? [more inside]
Differences in RSS feedreader update times?
Why are there such differences in the updates times or frequencies of various RSS clients? Looking for an alternative to the Google, I'm trying out various readers, specifically InoReader and The Old Reader. If I "mark all as read" in both readers at the same time, two hours later The Old Reader will show (actual example) 67 new items, while InoReader shows 44. This is after refreshing both in my browser. [more inside]
I'm reading other peoples' mail, and it creeps me out.
I have two gmail accounts. The one that's in a nickname never gets any mis-delivered mail, but the one that's in my actual name (firstnamelastname@gmail.com) gets lots of mail that's clearly not mine. Some of it is fairly innocuous - like a distribution list for the ladies who put flowers on the altar at their church, and some quite a bit less so - like updates on a mental patient at a hospital in the UK. Just now, I got a paperless ticket for someone's flight on Southwest Airlines. Should I just delete this stuff, or is there something I can/ought to do?
posted by tizzie at 12:41 PM PST - 49 comments
posted by tizzie at 12:41 PM PST - 49 comments
Tortilly awesome corn tortillas for 150 people? (sorry)
Does anyone know how to best serve warm corn tortillas to 150 people in a park? [more inside]
I consider myself married to my work
How to explain in a concise way why I'm not interested in dating anyone now and anytime soon? [more inside]
So I guess its over now?
How to deal with heartbreak and the logistics of 'what next?'. [more inside]
What kind of spoons are these?
As seen in this picture. They're English silver plate, retailed my Abercrombie & Fitch probably sometime between the 30s and 60s. But what are they for? Some kind of cocktail thing? Each is about 4 1/2" in length - on the small side.
Is there a less expensive way to remote-call-forward?
I work at home and, since I moved from NYC to the West Coast, I've simply had Verizon remote-call-forward my number to make the move as seamless as possible.
The problem is the cost, around $70.00 per month.
Does anyone know of a less expensive way to remote-call-forward? Thanks in advance!
Well, this sucks.
So my best friend has ovarian cancer. And she's a divorced mom with no family. All of the support is going to come from friends, and I'm the Friend Leader. I'm going to be asking a million questions about this, I bet, in the coming months, but here's where I'm starting: if I say anything sweet or sentimental to her, she's gonna give me a black eye. I need snarky, sarcastic humor & presents for one of the smartest cancer patients ever. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:13 AM PST - 29 comments
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:13 AM PST - 29 comments
How to find a Web designer to improve a current design?
I have mostly completed a website design for a small company - logo, colors, info architecture - but the visual effect of all the elements together isn't.. quite.. "there" yet. How would I go about finding a Web designer who could improve the design "the rest of the way"? [more inside]
posted by mark7570 at 11:00 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by mark7570 at 11:00 AM PST - 7 comments
Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont Make 50
My boyfriend and I have decided to take advantage of some sequester-related time off from work around Memorial Day to visit the last three states that he has never seen. We're planning to devote a full day to each state. We've talked with friends and consulted the interwebs to get ideas, but want to make sure we don't miss any hidden gems. So, if you could only do one thing in each of these states, what would it be? [more inside]
posted by C'est la D.C. at 10:48 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by C'est la D.C. at 10:48 AM PST - 19 comments
Farm equipment on public roads?
What are the laws about driving farm equipment on public roads? [more inside]
posted by Protocols of the Elders of Sockpuppetry at 10:48 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Protocols of the Elders of Sockpuppetry at 10:48 AM PST - 9 comments
I want to forget about her, but she's famous now
I wish I could forget about the girl who broke my heart when I was a teenager, but it seems the world doesn't want to let me, because she's famous now, while I'm struggling. How do I deal? [more inside]
How to log into Airbnb post-Facebook
I am an Airbnb user. I log in via Facebook. I recently deleted my Facebook account, and now can't log into Airbnb.
Is there a way for me to access my account? The email/password way in doesn't work, because I didn't originally set my account up that way.
posted by Conductor71 at 10:39 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Conductor71 at 10:39 AM PST - 4 comments
How do I stop my desk job from destroying my health?
In February, I got a full time job after six months of freelancing, and seven years of grad school before that. I like the stability, but I think I underestimated how profoundly a 9-hour desk job was going to affect my activity levels. I'm a little alarmed at how quickly I've fallen out of shape, and I'm looking for some suggestions as to how to go back to being a reasonably healthy person while still having this job. [more inside]
posted by Ragged Richard at 10:26 AM PST - 38 comments
posted by Ragged Richard at 10:26 AM PST - 38 comments
booting linux on a mac
How can I make a bootable USB on a mac to be used to boot linux on a mac? I could also use linux on my other computer to make the USB, but I don't have windows, and I want to be able to boot from the mac. [more inside]
Sources for long-form non-fiction, essay, cultural crit on web
I'm looking for websites that post longer pieces (3000 words+) on topics like science, culture, personal essay (not so much regular long-form journalism). These could be magazines like seed or nautil.us or online only. Recommendations?
How do I make a digital self-destructing Mission: Impossible tape?
I want to build a device that will play an audio file once and only once - basically the self-destructing tape from Mission: Impossible, but updated to the digital age. Bonus points for a setup that ends with an audible sizzle and a puff of smoke, yet isn't a federal offense to put through the USPS.
Is it possible to do this with a microcontroller like Arduino or Raspberry Pi? I'm a complete beginner to this kind of 'Maker' stuff, so I'm aware I may not even be asking the right questions.
Here's a link to instructions about an analog version:
http://ask.metafilter.com/180544/in-5-seconds
posted by boghead at 9:46 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by boghead at 9:46 AM PST - 7 comments
"Hosed" etymology - When did this phrase come into use?
At what point did the phrase "I'm/you're/we're hosed" come into play in the US vernacular? Earliest record? From pop culture somewhere? Are there regions of the US that did not ever use this turn of phrase?
Can loan security be conditional on bankruptcy or death?
Is it possible to write a loan contract which effectively secures the debt against the borrower's property only in the event of bankruptcy or death of the borrower? I.e., as long as the borrower is in control of his financial affairs the lender has no right to the secured assets even if the borrower defaults, but if the borrower dies or goes bankrupt the security kicks in, so that the debt has priority for any third-party trustees managing the estate? [more inside]
posted by Estragon at 9:21 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Estragon at 9:21 AM PST - 4 comments
What is the source of the quote, "All young men are platoons?"
What is the source of the quote, "All young men are platoons?" [more inside]
More like Macklemore, but instrumental？
So, after FPP after FPP, I decided to check out Macklemore, and I'm suitably impressed. At the same time, going along with the instrumental track on The Heist, I'm realizing that I'd love to listen to an album like Macklemore but, well, without the vocals. [more inside]
Legal and Tax Ramifications of Paying Subcontractors
I've been doing a fair bit of freelance work, and it's to the point now that I have to sub out certain tasks that are outside my area of expertise. I don't want to make my clients cut multiple checks if I can avoid it–want them to just deal with me to keep it simple and neat.
However, I do not want to be on the hook for income that is actually going to a sub. What to do? [more inside]
posted by Mister_A at 8:17 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by Mister_A at 8:17 AM PST - 20 comments
Where to look for unconverted industrial space in London?
I would like to buy unconverted industrial/office/non-residential space in London, like a warehouse or a school hall, to transform it into live-and-work artist studios over a few years. The state of dereliction does not matter too much, nor does the location, but how can I actually find some for sale? I doubt most of these things make it to mainstream websites, as Zoopla/Rightmove hardly have two handfuls of commercial properties for sale at a given time. Any clue?
How to transition from international development to the private sector?
Are there companies, online resources, or in-person services that can help me figure out how to enter into the private sector after years of being in international development? [more inside]
How is it I just learned about conjunctive adverbs
Looking to confirm that the following and variations are grammatically correct and the grammatical reasoning why: He put the spoon on the mat, then put the fork to the side. [more inside]
I keep bumping into a former friend at parties. What do I say?
I quite conclusively ended the friendship. Now I'm seeing her at social events all over town, and she doesn't seem willing to play my 'you don't exist and I can't see you' game. What do I do next? [more inside]
Help me come up with a sassy quip in response to people's sexism.
I work in a small shop in a male dominated trade. I am 26 but read younger (by up to 10 years if you have a weird idea of how teenagers look) small, blonde, and need to dress casually (jeans and a tshirt and sneakers) due to the nature of my work. Customer's ask me on a near-daily basis if I'm my boss's daughter. I hate this, I feel it undermines my value as an employee who has worked hard to be in the position I'm in. I'd like to think of a response that makes them feel like a ninny for one second, without offending customers. [more inside]
posted by euphoria066 at 7:32 AM PST - 48 comments
posted by euphoria066 at 7:32 AM PST - 48 comments
The cat's daily barf
Almost every morning our 15-year-old Annabelle throws up about a half-ounce of clear liquid, without hairball. This has been going on for several years. Otherwise, she is the picture of health. Any ideas?
Moving to college town, sight unseen
Can you suggest where to live--or where to avoid living--in Blacksburg, Virginia, and its environs? [more inside]
You're better than Yelp.
I need a good breakfast spot in Vancouver for Saturday morning. [more inside]
Mentally disabled young adult has run off with dude from the internet
A (legally) mentally disabled 21 year old girl in Vermont ran away with a guy from New Hampshire who she met on the internet. Her parents unfortunately did not establish guardianship, and the police say there is essentially nothing they can do. Can anyone recommend a lawyer in Vermont/New Hampshire who can help the parents establish temporary guardianship, and also, what else should the parents be doing? [more inside]
What AA meetings would you recommend in Austin, TX?
Yesterday I made a commitment to sobriety, and I want to start attending AA meetings in Austin, TX. Where should I go? [more inside]
Things to do in Cleveland before you die
Heading to Cleveland in Early June to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and then on to Niagara Falls. Help me plan my vacation. [more inside]
How did you handle lonely nights after your divorce?
My days are full, though sometimes full of heart-ache. At night, once the pets and child are asleep, I am alone. Going out is not an option, and sometimes books, music and movies just aren't going to cut it.
Did anyone find something surprising or helpful to them after a breakup that might help me get more comfortable with my alone time?
posted by SarahBellum at 6:11 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by SarahBellum at 6:11 AM PST - 18 comments
Mystical Rock Concept Albums
I'm looking for rock concept albums from the 70s and beyond that veer towards the mystical, magic(k)al, and otherwise weird. Specimens so far include Poe's (no, not her) Up Through the Spiral, Black Widow's Sacrifice, and a whole lot of Hawkwind. I get the sense there was a lot more of this in the 70s, but who knows. [more inside]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:27 AM PST - 38 comments
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:27 AM PST - 38 comments
JFK and 9/11 conspiracy theories
Were JFK conspiracy theories held in the same regard as as 9/11 truthers are now?
John F Kennedy conspiracy theories are a part of popular culture, feeding books, documentaries, movies etc. Which made me think
1. Were the people who held these views thought of as kooks in the 1960's?
2. 30 years from now could there be the same thread take hold in popular culture in relation to 9/11?
Fictional duos with compelling, platonic relationships
Recommend me some media featuring a duo with compelling yet platonic chemistry -- like Danes/Patinkin on Homeland or Cranston/Paul on Breaking Bad. [more inside]
posted by Solon and Thanks at 12:53 AM PST - 37 comments
posted by Solon and Thanks at 12:53 AM PST - 37 comments
May 16
Good mystery movies to watch?
I'd like to get some good mystery movie recommendations from the 80s on.
It's OK if they veer toward the thriller, like Michael Clayton, ridiculous like Ford Fairlaine, noirish like Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, or are a more standard outing with a strong, interesting, well developed detective lead like Zero Effect. Drawing room mysteries totally A-OK too. Super bonus points if I can stream them now on Hulu plus or Netflix.
Who is this mathematician?
Can someone tell me the name of the mathematician referenced in the following? I read a story some time ago about the Ph.D. dissertation defense of a famous mathematician. In the story, the mathematician was such a strong candidate that when the defense ended, one of the committee members said to another member: "Thank God that's over. He was starting to ask us questions!" Who was the committee member talking about?
posted by Bokmakierie at 8:27 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Bokmakierie at 8:27 PM PST - 7 comments
The kid is alright, but what about the parent?
Can you help me make peace with giving my baby formula when he's at daycare? [more inside]
My eyes are up HERE
Help me cover up this big dark bump on my shoulder with makeup or other tricks! [more inside]
posted by Ms. Toad at 8:18 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by Ms. Toad at 8:18 PM PST - 13 comments
Getting empty homes sold.
How can neighbors encourage the sale of unoccupied homes? [more inside]
Okay, SHOW me how you move from talking to kissing.
I honestly don't understand how "chemistry" works or what it means for "sparks to fly". When I go on a date it looks like this: I ask a question, she replies; she asks a question, I reply; I make an observation, she concurs or demurs; she makes an observation, I concur or demur; repeat for an hour or two, after which we both say "it was nice meeting you" and each go home. Sometimes I ask for a second date, and if she agrees, the second date looks exactly like the first. At what point are you supposed to go "Oh yeah, I went backpacking in South America once too, and don't you think Natalie Portman was pretty good in that movie, and now if you don't mind I am going to lean in and kiss you." I know you're supposed to flirt and try to make the girl laugh, but I'm not much good at doing this and when I try it comes across as wooden at best, creepy at worst. What I want is to see this process modeled. I would like to see actual footage of real people dating and crossing the boundary between "platonic small talk" and "romance". I know this sounds weird -- who'd videotape a date? -- but stranger things have been found on the internet. Any leads?
Help me go shopping for a big 'ol monitor
Help me find a 27" monitor with some specific requirements in mind. [more inside]
posted by deathpanels at 6:49 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by deathpanels at 6:49 PM PST - 10 comments
Should I interfere when my cats are fighting?
I have two eight month old kittens. Mostly they get along great - they snuggle and sleep together, and they play-fight sometimes, though not as frequently as they used to. Sometimes this lil guy, Res, harasses this lil girl, Essie, and I don't know if, or when, I should step in. [more inside]
Skateboard physics
I'm watching the X Games on ESPN, and it's the skateboard competition in a swimming pool-like skateboard park. After the initial drop-in to start a run, the competitors do not put a foot down and kick off, yet they seem to sometimes gain speed during the run, depending on their actions. What's going on here, from a physics perspective? How are they adding energy to speed up? [more inside]
Free (or cheap), clean, minimal, mostly text Wordpress theme
I'd like a place to put up a CV and occasionally some writing. I'm looking for a minimal, clean, and if possible free Wordpress theme. In terms of references, I really like the look of Grantland articles (for example, the first thing I clicked on their frontpage). I love the running header, the minimal navigation, the centered space for an article, the white space, the blocking, and the running foot-notes on the side.
I want in the industry, but how should I take the first step?
I'm trying to get a specific job title, but it is a difficult one to find. What is the best course of action to take here? [more inside]
Name This Disease: What Congenital Heart Defect?
My father was born with a heart defect, and had surgery as a baby. It was always described to me as his heart being "half veins". Can anyone make a good guess as to what it might have been? [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 5:47 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by [insert clever name here] at 5:47 PM PST - 5 comments
Beating Inflation
I don't have a lot of debt or expenses, so my income keeps piling up in my checking account. Unfortunately, I don't know much about finance or investment. I want to make sure that I don't lose money year over year because of inflation, but pretty much all the CDs and savings accounts I've seen have an APY lower than the inflation rate (which is >= 1.5% according to various websites). I don't care about playing the stock market; all I want is to avoid losing my money through inaction. How do people in this situation keep up with inflation while at the same time minimizing their financial risk?
Help me price my art.
I've always wanted to be able to paint so over the last year I've taken a couple of oil painting courses. It seems now that I can paint well enough that people are asking about buying my work and one person wants to try to get me into galleries he knows. Wow!
That's where I get stuck. How on earth do I come up with a price? Do I ask them to make me an offer? Are there resources for this kind of thing? Has anyone on here done this? What did you charge?
posted by merocet at 5:11 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by merocet at 5:11 PM PST - 8 comments
What is the best way to invest $10,000?
My best friend has $10,000 to invest and she wants to open up a business selling shoes for people with wide feet that are greater than the sizes that are usually available in stores (one of her friends has this as a great need) or an online store that sells adult toys.
Are any of these worthy endeavors for me and her to pursue? If not, what is the best way to make money with a $10,000 investment?
Travel advice for Navajo Country
My girlfriend and I have our great AZ/NM road trip this month, and we'll be looping around and through the Navajo nation on our way to the Chaco Canyon UNESCO site. What should we know, what should we make side-trips for, and where can we get a good bowl of lamb stew? [more inside]
posted by ormondsacker at 4:11 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by ormondsacker at 4:11 PM PST - 23 comments
I read it for the economics and the unicorns
What are some good scifi / fantasy / horror novels about economics? [more inside]
Just started anxiety medication, having severe anxiety attacks
I just started taking 5mg of cipralex three days ago and am currently having the worst anxiety attack of my life. It's almost physically painful. Is this normal? I haven't felt like this since I had a seriously bad trip on mushrooms!! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:03 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by anonymous at 4:03 PM PST - 29 comments
Give me your Mantis Tiller starting hacks
I ( a small 50ish woman, with modest mechanical skills) bought myself a Mantis mini tiller, with the 2 stroke engine. I assembled it last night, using the instructional dvd included, and it all went just fine. I put the proper gas/oil mixture in, and following the instructions, started it up and tilled a bit just to say I could! Tonight, I attempted the same amazing feat, and flooded the engine. This wasn't terribly surprising, in my experience with lawn care equipment, but I was disappointed. Anyone have any cool tricks or suggestions for me to be able to start this beast consistently and easily. I did spring for the fast start model, which makes this even more ironic. I will note that I have NOT gotten it to start YET this evening. I plan to just leave it be until maybe tomorrow, to let the gas evaporate and try it again. (It was too hot to till anyway, damn it.)
posted by LaBellaStella at 3:38 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by LaBellaStella at 3:38 PM PST - 10 comments
The first 10 days with prozac.
I have just been given a script for Prozac/Fluoxetine 20mg. My doctor gave me a good overview of the process of adjusting to having this in my system. But I am now a little bit apprehensive about starting on them as I have a business trip in 10 days time. On the business trip I will be conducting a training program solo, so I can't really afford to be feeling nauseous, headachy, more anxious etc. These seem to be common initial side-effects.
So my question is, should I wait until after the trip to start taking the pills, due to the initial side effects? Or are they over-stated in your experience? [more inside]
posted by MT at 3:22 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by MT at 3:22 PM PST - 21 comments
List of simple word roots
I am looking for a text file of a list of words (roughly the 5000-10000 most common English words) and their root word and root word language. My Google Fu only turns up single words or pages that I can type in a word to get to another page to get the etymology.
Wikipedia has some stuff, but it is sorted by language root, which is not what I am looking for.
I would like to have a long list of words in a text file so that I can manipulate it programatically. Comma separated or whatever, any format would be great.
Here is one use case:
Yoke - [list of words that have yoke in the etymological history] (Many, many many English words come from the root work for Yoke.)
All answers appreciated!
posted by Monkey0nCrack at 2:44 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Monkey0nCrack at 2:44 PM PST - 6 comments
Graphic ID please
Solution for slow file transfers?
I'm looking for a way to transfer files more quickly from my laptop to an external drive. Currently, I'm using USB 2.0 ports & a USB 2.0 hub. However, my HP HDX18 laptop does have an eSATA port & an ExpressCard 54 slot (Gen 1.0). Using Windows 7 64bit operating system. [more inside]
posted by briar0rose at 2:20 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by briar0rose at 2:20 PM PST - 7 comments
How can I switch from music to my audio book quickly on my iphone
I listen to a lot of audio books on my iphone while driving and working. I also like listening to music in between for short periods, but still need to keep my place in the book. Right now I am using the bookmark app to keep track of the audio book, which seems to be the best app that I have tried so far. But the problem is that whenever I want to switch back to my playlist of music, the iphone music app defaults to the audio book that was last played. Is there any better way of switching back and forth so that the music app can remember that it is supposed to play a playlist and the audio book app remembers to start where I left off in the book? [more inside]
PL/SQL resourse for folks mostly familiar with C-based OOP languages
I feel like the best way for me to improve my very basic understanding of PL/SQL would be a book or website designed for an audience of programmers who know Java or C# or VB.NET. Is there such a thing? [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 1:10 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by kitcat at 1:10 PM PST - 6 comments
Should I accept my nightmare commute in order to take my dream job?
I've been offered my dream job! But between it and me is my worst nightmare--a terrible 1hr+ commute in LA traffic. A commute like this is a deal breaker for me, but at the same time, this position is a career-maker and I really want to figure out how to make it work. Does anyone have suggestions, tricks, or creative ideas to make my commute better? Specifics and details below. [more inside]
posted by brenton at 12:50 PM PST - 76 comments
posted by brenton at 12:50 PM PST - 76 comments
Can you determine my worth?
I work as a graphic designer/layout/print production person, and this particular job classification has always been a problem at my company— they are deliberately comparing those of us with this position to other job titles with a lower pay scale. Can you help me determine an appropriate wage comparison? [more inside]
posted by Eicats at 12:36 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Eicats at 12:36 PM PST - 7 comments
Can you save our pork chops?
We grilled boneless pork chops on the propane grill w/a bit of bbq sauce last night.
Is there a way to cook it further to make it more tender? [more inside]
posted by Librarygeek at 12:21 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Librarygeek at 12:21 PM PST - 12 comments
When a health insurance company is awful, what recourse does one have?
What is in place to stop health insurance companies from simply NOT doing things they are contracted to do (i.e.: process and pay for prescriptions. Pay doctors etc.). [more inside]
10 dollar art mystery
Does anyone know what happened with the 10 dollar art mystery? It’s been a while and I can’t find a resolution. There’s the Wiki, but if it has any more information I didn’t see it.
posted by bongo_x at 11:40 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by bongo_x at 11:40 AM PST - 3 comments
What Should I ask for My 360 Slim?
I'm selling my 250gb 360 slim with 2 controllers, halo 4, darksiders 2, hdmi, component, and turtle beach x12 headset. How much do you think I should ask for it?
How do I learn to garden in Southern Louisiana?
Resources on gardening in Southern Louisiana? It's currently me vs. bad soil, scary bugs and hot hot heat. [more inside]
Workplace mistake: What to do when my coworker throws me under the bus?
My office was submitting a grant and the wrong application was uploaded to the grant agency website. My coworker submitted the final documents - and it is clear to me already that he will find a way to throw me under the bus if he has to, to protect his interests. How do I approach this? [more inside]
What is up with the metallic taste of German beers?
I am a big fan of beer in general, but not much of a fan of German beers, in spite of their much-vaunted reputation. This is mostly due to what I perceive as a metallic taste in some of the classics, such as alt bier and dunkelweizen. To me these beers taste like someone took a “regular” beer, dropped a bunch of pennies in it, and stirred it up. This is most noticeable when I’m drinking the beer by itself, but fortunately the metallic taste subsides when I have the beer with food. A few questions about this. 1. Is it just me? Is there some quirk in my palate that makes me taste this metallic flavor and most other people don’t? 2. If other people do taste the metallic notes, why/how do they put up with it or even like it? 3. What is it in the ingredients or the brewing process that produces this flavor?
Love costumes, love the other stuff, still a self-doubting noob
What does a first time comic con cosplay participant need to know? I live in a small town well away from most comic cons, but now it looks like my town has one. This weekend. I have questions... [more inside]
posted by Kronur at 11:10 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Kronur at 11:10 AM PST - 11 comments
How can I pressure my mortgage servicer to give me my money back?
On Monday morning, my mortgage servicer withdrew my mortgage payment from my checking account, along with an additional withdrawal of close to $2000. [more inside]
posted by rocketman at 10:42 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by rocketman at 10:42 AM PST - 20 comments
Did My Education Creditor Forget I Owe Money?
I went back to school to get some certificates. During the two years since I finished, I have never received even one invoice for my education debt. I have not been contacted in any way. I can't even figure out who I owe money to. Am I going to be in trouble? [more inside]
Which laptop to buy for a college freshman?
My brother is starting college in a few weeks and needs a new laptop. His only requirement is that it run Windows 8. My requirements are that it is under $800 and can withstand manhandling by an 18-year-old. I'm leaning towards a Dell because of their perceived good reputation - is this accurate? Any recommendations for Dell models or other brands? Bonus: he will click every suspicious link, download any fool thing, and therefore infects computers with viruses instantly. What can I do to prevent this? His favorite line is "Norton anti-virus IS a virus!"
posted by tatiana wishbone at 10:08 AM PST - 34 comments
posted by tatiana wishbone at 10:08 AM PST - 34 comments
Third party Plesk/Parallels Server Administration
Our VPS webhost was acquired by a larger firm, and slowly moved from managed hosting to unmanaged hosting. Our Plesk/Parallels server was compromised last night. In order to get it back online, I had to backup the old server, then have it wiped/reset.
I'm looking for a third party server administrator to help move email files from the backup to the accounts on the reinstalled server. [more inside]
posted by bullitt 5 at 9:37 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by bullitt 5 at 9:37 AM PST - 2 comments
You serve coffee now, just deal with it already.
An adult woman who used to bully me in elementary school flaunted an ugly childhood memory in my face while serving my coffee today. How to tactfully deal? [more inside]
What to do when girlfriend and brother don't get along?
I'm having trouble getting everyone to get along. [more inside]
Help me understand the new Google Hangouts service.
For a unified messaging service, I am a little confused. [more inside]
What's going on with my car?
My 1998 Volvo S70 has been making an audible whirring/grinding noise when driving and braking. It's intermittent (though lately, it's been happening daily), unable to replicate reliably, occurs when driving at slower speeds (less than 35 mph), and occurs multiple times within the first 15 minutes or so of turning the car on and driving. No dashboard lights have shown up and the mechanic can't replicate the problem or figure out what's happening. What's going on? (additional details inside) [more inside]
What kind of health insurance should I get?
I'm a single woman in her early 40's, unemployed (mostly), looking to purchase health insurance, and requesting advice from the hivemind on how much I should have, of what type. [more inside]
Help me get a navy blazer
I had my heart set on this blazer, but it turned out to look different when I saw it in person. Any recommendations for places to get a similar-style blazer in the same price range? I'm a man in London.
posted by ersatz at 8:47 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by ersatz at 8:47 AM PST - 7 comments
Should I report another correspondence course student for cheating?
While researching for a course assignment, I discovered posts made on two seperate forums by another student on the same course as me, who attempted to cheat on the assignment by flat-out asking people for the answer. Should I report the other student to the course provider? [more inside]
What was this (cable?) US/Canadian comedy sketch from the late 80s?
Sometime in the late 80s I saw a comedy sketch on TV which combined all the major world religions into one quasi-rap song (or madrigal-chant). The only parts I remember are "Sister Mary Elizabeth, hit me with a stick!" "Oh by the way, have you been born again?" and "Hare Krishna Hare Rama, here's your cookbook, where's my dollar?" Anyone know what this was? I promise I didn't make it up.
posted by pammeke at 8:14 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by pammeke at 8:14 AM PST - 2 comments
Books about the history of New York City
I'd like to read about New York City. I'm looking for more general "New York 101" overviews, or books about longer eras/themes. I'm not looking for books about cultural "scenes" or specific events/short periods. I have my eye on "Gotham" by Burrows and Wallace, which seems like the standard one volume history, and also "The Power Broker" by Caro (which, to give you an idea, is about as focussed and specific a book about New York as I'm looking for right now). What else can you recommend?
posted by caek at 8:14 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by caek at 8:14 AM PST - 18 comments
Is it a bad idea to keep a MacBook Pro plugged in while charged?
I recently acquired a new MacBook Pro, with a retina display. It's a sealed unit, with no user-replaceable battery, so I'm obviously interested in maintaining the battery life. I noticed that the new T-shape mag safe connector is not very grippy, and falls out all the time. So I called Apple to see whether the constant unplugging/plugging was a bad idea, and the rep actually said at one point that it was a bad idea to keep the laptop plugged in when it was charged (with the green LED showing in the adapter). I confirmed that this was what he was saying. So does anyone know if this is true? Because I've always kept my laptops plugged in, all the time. [more inside]
posted by carter at 8:06 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by carter at 8:06 AM PST - 14 comments
Assignments from Columbia College's Value Investment Group
I've become very interested in the philosophy of Value INvesting, first espoused by Benjamin Graham and later on by his followers Irvin Kahn and Warren E. Buffet. I have come across a program at Columbia Business College entitled The Value Investment Program wherein forty students are allowed to take classes on Value Investing at the tutelage of Bruce Greenwald among numerous others.
As I am not a Columbia Business student, I have no access to these materials but would be very much obliged if anyone could give me some of the work in these classes or in classes very similar to this type of course seeking to inculcate in students a solid understanding of how to pick value investment stocks.
Also any other user-friendly books and or website resources on value investing would also be helpful.
THANKS
Could pupil dilation be the cause of my inaccurate eyeglass prescription
The last two times I got a new prescription the first try was way off. Could this be due to the eye drops? Or is it just communications? [more inside]
posted by lodurr at 7:04 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by lodurr at 7:04 AM PST - 17 comments
Unreleased blockbuster video game memory gap
I'm trying to recall a video game from around 10-15 years ago, that I never played, where my only real reference is a letter in a video game magazine. The best I can recall is inside. [more inside]
posted by handybitesize at 6:59 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by handybitesize at 6:59 AM PST - 5 comments
Did you read that email? Oh wait, I don't actually need to know.
Help me get read receipts to go to Deleted Items in Outlook 2007. Read receipts received internally get trashed automatically but external ones do not. [more inside]
How do I speed myself up without a nervous breakdown?
Just started a new job that moves way faster than me. I'm scared that I can't keep up. What can I do to make it work? [more inside]
Happy Happy Joy Joy (Where did you go?)
A year after a run-in with some crazymeds, my emotions still feel numbed out. The meds are out of my system; what gives? [more inside]
NYC travel challenge: LaGuardia to Weekhawken this Saturday afternoon
My wife is traveling to New York City for work this weekend, so we're making a family trip out of it (including a 5 and 1 year-old). Their first time - yay! Unfortunately, we're flying into LaGuardia and the person organizing her travel just changed the hotel reservation to the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken. We've only visited NYC a handful of times, but enough to know that's a difficult jaunt with no direct route. Getting a car service is an option, but it's almost $200 and we'd like to find more frugal option using public transportation if at all possible. Is our best bet an airport bus to the Port Authority, then transfer to something going into Weehawken (bus or bus/ferry combo)?
Fung shui in my office
Fung shui in my office [more inside]
Can a Person Practice Dianetics and Not be a Scientologist?
Here's what I'm wondering. I recently discovered that an old respected friend is studying to become a Dianetics Auditor. My friend had a rough patch a few years ago and ended up feeling happier after undergoing Dianetcs Auditing. Good for her, I say. All I know of the church makes it seem like a nonsensical cult-like place that takes your money, but she's happy. [more inside]
posted by kinetic at 3:54 AM PST - 42 comments
posted by kinetic at 3:54 AM PST - 42 comments
How do you block gmail through etc/hosts?
Most "distracting" sites I can block by an entry in my etc/hosts file (Mac OSX 10.8.2). e.g.:
127.0.0.1 plus.google.com
But this method doesn't seem to be able to block gmail. [more inside]
Too good to leave, too bad to stay - therapist edition
Should I find a new therapist when I'm only in town for 6 more months? [more inside]
Get me to the Bali on time
Has anyone ever successfully booked travel on Indonesia's Lion Air? They seem to require an Indonesian credit card, which I decidedly do not have. Suggestions on how to get around this? Bonus question! Why would an airline restrict its clientele to one country?
How to disable payWave but keep chip+PIN
My bank just sent me my new Visa debit/EFTPOS/ATM card, and as well as magstripe (want) and contact chip+PIN (want) it has payWave (do not want!). [more inside]
Swing set loading.
Actual question: what is the formula for the deflection of an intermediately loaded simply supported beam from multiple point loads? Reason for the question so you can question my assumptions (and know that I'm not doing homework):
I am building a swing-set, from pretty much standard swing set parts, but want to deviate from the standard dimensions a bit - in particular, I want to make the top beam in a single bay setup 1.75' longer than the usual 10'. I am doing this so I can hang a longer bench swing that would hold a couple of people, so this is more length supporting more load, and I want to calculate some things. More inside! [more inside]
posted by flaterik at 12:00 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by flaterik at 12:00 AM PST - 18 comments
May 15
How can I get the older version of Skype?
I'm looking for an older version with the search function of Skype users.
I'm not sure what was the latest version with this function,but it seems no longer available to download it at this site.
http://www.oldapps.com/skype.php?old_skype=93
Please help me with getting it. I really need the older one!
posted by mizukko at 10:40 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by mizukko at 10:40 PM PST - 1 comment
Are there any therapists who actually help you?
I went to a couple ones and they just say “uhh huh” and “ya” and “how does that make you feel?” all the time and dont give me any advice. Are there any that actually help you and give you advice? I also want to mention that going just made me focus on my problems and feel sorry for myself instead of changing things and going just seemed to make my problems worse.
After the Quake
Does Murakami's collection *After the Quake* mention the Great Kantō earthquake or include anything about tensions between ethnic Koreans and the Japanese?
"Hey could you be sober for a night or two? I'd really appreciate it!"
Is there a polite way to ask my alcoholic parent to please stay sober for my college graduation, or is this an inappropriate subject to broach this late in the situation? Any tips for handling a visibly intoxicated relative without being rude or putting them on the defensive? Help! [more inside]
Traveling the Sherlock Way
I have the first week of June to travel, now in need of suggestions as to a place that might fit my strange requirements. [more inside]
posted by tooloudinhere at 8:37 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by tooloudinhere at 8:37 PM PST - 10 comments
How can I relearn Spanish?
I studied Spanish in high school and college, and I even spent a semester abroad in Spain. At that point, I was very proficient at reading, writing, and speaking it. Sadly, in the 8 years since graduation, I feel as though I have forgotten everything.
I am looking to get into a field where knowing Spanish would be very helpful, and I am trying to figure out the best way to both relearn what I knew (and possible go beyond that).
Obviously for speaking, I will need to get out there and practice, but before that, should I just pick up my old textbooks and get going? Or, is there a better way?
How should I measure dried epazote?
I have a bag of dried epazote for beans. Two problems. First, it's a mix of coarser, stalky material and leaf matter of varying fineness. Should I run it through a food processor to make it uniform (like, say, dried oregano) before measuring? Second, how much (processed or not) should I use to a pound of beans? I've seen everything from 1 tsp to 2 tbsp. One tsp of coarse would be nothing like 2 tbsp of fine, for example.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 7:39 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by obiwanwasabi at 7:39 PM PST - 6 comments
Nevermind, this grass isn't greener.
My manager carved a special niche for me... and now I’m not liking it. How can I have a productive conversation about my expectations while acknowledging that he went out on a limb for me? [more inside]
Apply again or give up?
Didn't do well in a previous interview, but the company has a new position that I'd like to apply for. Try again or give up? [more inside]
Up, Down, Up, Down
Twin Peaks - Worth watching for the first time? [more inside]
How to stop a friend's slide into pseudoscientific belief?
I'm afraid one of my best friends is going to start getting into full-on pseudoscience. Many of my friends are already interested in things like organic medicine, 9/11 truth movements, etc but they're easy to ignore since I don't see them much. I just avoid the topics and block them on Facebook. But now one of my closest, oldest friends has started linking to NaturalNews, a well-known medical crank site. I know he's already heavily into Robert Anton Wilson and Bill Hicks, and I'm worried he's going to start getting into full-on crankdom. How do I stop this before it happens, or deal with it when it does?
Is this an accent or am I hearing things?
These two YouTube videos, Video 1 and Video 2, contain men speaking English with a similar accent. Is this an accent? Can anyone identify it? [more inside]
What are good movies about or made in post-apartheid South Africa?
What are good movies about or made in post-apartheid South Africa? Assume I've seen the ones that have had moderate success in the US, like District 9, Tsotsi, and Invictus.
posted by benbenson at 5:47 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by benbenson at 5:47 PM PST - 11 comments
Butch & Sundance. Holmes & Watson. Who else?
I'm looking for films which focus on a deep relationship between two grown men, whose burgeoning friendship is what ends up "saving" them both, in a way. Think the 21 Jump Street reboot, but more drama or emotion.
Only interested in films where the two characters are both central characters of the story.
Difficulty: no shallow Batman & Robin sidekick dynamics please-- more interested in peers. [more inside]
Good way to keep racoons off rooftop deck in rental unit?
We rent the top floor of an old boarding house in Toronto and have access to a rooftop patio. Because we rent, drilling and installing motion activated lights or anything that would permanently alter the unit is a no-go. Any chemical or non-permanent solutions would be greatly appreciated.
A USB key doesn't really lay right in an envelope, you know?
How do I gift a physical representation of an MP3 download? [more inside]
posted by sparklemotion at 5:28 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by sparklemotion at 5:28 PM PST - 17 comments
tip the driver?
I'm in a car service on the way to the airport right now. I just realized I only have a twenty. The car service is paid for by an outside company. How do I tip the driver and do I even need to, or is that usually covered by the paying company?
Name. That. PUPPY!
So, new-to-me pound hound, red heeler mix with golden eyes. She needs a name. [more inside]
posted by BlueHorse at 4:30 PM PST - 88 comments
posted by BlueHorse at 4:30 PM PST - 88 comments
Finding a Missing Traveller
My brother left for Rome, Italy on Monday to do a summer job for a lab there and we (his friends and family) still haven't had any contact from him.
I'm worried that something might have happened to him and his wife and kids are worried sick. Is there any good routes to trying to find him in case he's been in an accident?
I don't have the name of the lab he's working for or I'd just call them :(
Prince, I would die 4 u, Final Fantasy video
There was a video I loved on YouTube that featured Prince's I would die 4 u song, but was made up of clips from Final Fantasy. I loved it, was telling a coworker about it, and now I can't find it. Looking for leads... HOPE ME!
What might be causing these cats' allergies?
Three cats all have allergies and overgrooming issues. What might be causing this? [more inside]
What would you use to "build your own" wire service for a company?
I'm developing a proposal to overhaul the way my company thinks about communication. One of the major components that would allow this to work is the creation of what is essentially a "wire service". What software already exists to do this? (lots of details inside) [more inside]
When should I present this recording to my niece?
A while back my sister left a message on my mom's answering machine, saying "Hi mom, we had a baby girl..." and then she goes on to describe the birth of her daughter and how cute she was, basically leaving an audio record of this wonderful occasion. For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to save this recording. [more inside]
Trees don't carry ID
Does anyone know what kind of tree this is? It came up in one of my raised beds last year, just a single stick with dark red leaves. I left it alone to see what it would turn into. This picture is what it looks like now, and the leaves have turned much more green, although they did come out red again at first. I've never noticed any flowers or fruit on it so far. The very tips of the branches are covered with little green aphids and the occasional ant. I'm trying to decide if I want to cut it down or try to move it, but I've not been able to get a definite ID to help me.
posted by dilettante at 2:40 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by dilettante at 2:40 PM PST - 8 comments
65,000 US visas gone in 4 days?!
Husband and I are applying for jobs at the moment (our contracts expire around end of July). Interviews have gone well, but the guy I was talking to yesterday said he couldn't offer me a position as all the HB1 visas were gone for this year. Apparently they were all allocated within four days of being available! And there were 800,000 applicants for 65,000 places. When would I need to apply/what do I need to do do maximise my chances? Husband can also work on an O1B visa - is that the same process? Have any of you applied for these visas, and if so how did it go/what was your experience like? Does anyone have any tips? Would it be good to hire a lawyer for this or can we do it on our own? TIA for any info/advice.
Confused by guy's behavior
I just had an unsettling dating experience. What exactly happened here? [more inside]
posted by timsneezed at 1:50 PM PST - 80 comments
posted by timsneezed at 1:50 PM PST - 80 comments
Financial Advisers - What's in it for them?
I hired a month-by-month financial adviser last year after my divorce to help me get things in order. The guy I worked with left the company last year on May 13. He called me yesterday, 366 days after he left from his new gig wanting me to be his client again. (non-compete plus 1)
That's when things got weird. [more inside]
posted by bricksNmortar at 1:27 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by bricksNmortar at 1:27 PM PST - 9 comments
Where can I learn about CIA safe houses?
I'm interested in writing something about CIA safe houses and need to do some research. Are there any good books/docs/etc that detail how these safe houses worked and specifically about what it meant to be a CIA agent overseas? Thanks!
Hacks for Graphic Designers
I need some hacks to help me try to decrease the amount of time it takes to complete a graphic design project. [more inside]
posted by oceanview at 12:06 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by oceanview at 12:06 PM PST - 20 comments
Moving to Denver, know nothing west of the Mississippi. Help!
I'm moving to Denver... soon! Aside from one awesome week in San Francisco, I've never even been west of the Mississippi. Help this Georgia girl find a place to love. [more inside]
posted by stormygrey at 11:44 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by stormygrey at 11:44 AM PST - 11 comments
San Francisco bike questions
I'll be travelling to San Francisco for a conference the last week of May and I'd like to rent a bicycle and bike around a bit. Any bike-related stuff going on then? This and other bike questions inside. [more inside]
Desperately looking for options so I can go swimming
Alternative options for finding an indoor pool to go swimming in the early afternoon. [more inside]
What Nikon DSLR Body is most Appropriate for Old Lenses?
I had a Nikon FE, back in the day. This camera died, perhaps of a broken heart, around the time that film started to fade in popularity. Along the way I acquired a Nikkor 50mm, a Nikkor 28mm, and an off brand zoom. [more inside]
posted by Danf at 11:22 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Danf at 11:22 AM PST - 6 comments
Best way to go about radically downsizing a 3 bedroom house?
We're moving into a 38' RV in the next month and getting rid of our three bedroom apartment. We're trying not to put too much in storage so the vast majority of stuff has to go. I'm getting overwhelmed and I'm not sure of the best way to go about this. [more inside]
Cheapest device to play Yahoo Card Games (uses java).
My girlfriends computer has eaten it. We need to find a new device for her to play Yahoo Card Games on. This is really the only thing the device needs to be able to do, though streaming netflix on it might be a nice perk. I know one requirement of Yahoo is having Java installed in the browser. Thanks!
Eurovision me, Montreal!
I really want to watch Eurovision on Saturday! Ideally, I'd like to do it in a divey bar, possibly a divey gay bar. Is it possible to live my dream in Montreal? [more inside]
Simple data analysis in Excel
How can I easily analyse test score data in a spreadsheet with multiple independent and dependent variables in each row? [more inside]
posted by mxc at 10:00 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by mxc at 10:00 AM PST - 8 comments
Is there a flip flop for me?
I am on the never-ending quest for comfortable flip flops that fit my narrow feet. I'd like them to be nice enough to wear with a summer dress or shorts for a casual look. I wear a women's size 9 on one foot, size 10 on the other. With open-toed shoes, I can often get away with a 9 1/2 or even a 9. [more inside]
Look only in my good eye...
So I have retinal vein occlusion in my right eye and I have seen the previous question here. My problem is that I have been to an optometrist, an ophthalmologist and my primary dr. Everything seems good. [more inside]
The power of creative procrastination.
Years ago, quite possibly while I was still in high school, I read a humorous essay in which the writer was able to complete a day's worth of household chores by creatively procrastinating. I have NO recollection of the author or the title. [more inside]
posted by tantrumthecat at 9:07 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by tantrumthecat at 9:07 AM PST - 11 comments
Animals lovers: what would you do?
Strange but true: I need help rescuing a pet turtle that was boarded up alive in a house by an evil property company. [more inside]
posted by Jess the Mess at 9:05 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by Jess the Mess at 9:05 AM PST - 19 comments
What can I make with these limited ingredients?
My wife is temporarily on a very specific diet with extremely limited food options. So, we need to figure out a way to get creative here. [more inside]
Perfect weekend bag, do you exist? At a reasonble price?
I am looking for the perfect weekend bag that is not crazily expensive. [more inside]
posted by leedly at 8:40 AM PST - 31 comments
posted by leedly at 8:40 AM PST - 31 comments
God save Donald Duck, Vaudeville and Variety
The Kinks' The Village Green Preservation Society is a song full of references to British culture and tradition. How exactly did Donald Duck end up being referenced?
posted by steinwald at 8:15 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by steinwald at 8:15 AM PST - 11 comments
Ideas to market a guided tour?
I'm helping a friend start up a small guided tour company and am looking for ideas to market it. [more inside]
I graduated in 2008. How do I keep it from ruining the rest of my life?
I’m uncertain about what I should do for a living and thoroughly demoralized about the monetary value of my abilities after a three year post-grad waithood. I want to build a career, but I don't know where to start. I am a rut with legs. Come in, sit down, have some snowflakes, and please help me become a productive member of society. [more inside]
Looking for an App or program to record time/task details.
I am starting a new job in the fall and I'm looking for something to record how much time I spend on different tasks. [more inside]
Why doesn't he just break up with me?
My partner of four years has suddenly shut down. What gives? [more inside]
Help me find some new webcomics to follow
With the welcome return of Hyperbole and a Half, I'm realizing that the comics folder in my RSS reader has dwindled over the past couple of years as several favorites have been retired (e.g. Mr. Wiggles) or near-retired (Achewood). Can you suggest some replacements? [more inside]
posted by pete_22 at 6:37 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by pete_22 at 6:37 AM PST - 21 comments
Help me keep a kid engaged.
Help me design a Star Wars themed activity for a preteen kid. [more inside]
posted by whalebreath at 6:18 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by whalebreath at 6:18 AM PST - 8 comments
What tree is this?
Please help identify this tree. The photo was taken in Vancouver yesterday.
posted by vanar sena at 6:13 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by vanar sena at 6:13 AM PST - 2 comments
Help me find this AC: SPT WA-1211S for Baltimore pickup today.
I have settled on the brand and model. OK, grab the keys, let's go get it. But where?! [more inside]
What is this nipple doing in this bowl?
A friend in Montreal is organizing a rummage sale at her church, and this bowl was donated. I have no other information from her other than this picture. I've done my best to research and ask around, but I'm stumped and so are a few of my antique and vintage tchotchke dealer friends. It's not the value of it that we're wondering about - everyone was curious as to what is the intended purpose for a nipple-shaped protrusion in the centre of the bowl -- do you know?
Calling the transmitter
I briefly worked an early-morning shift at a college radio station in the late 90s. One of the first things I had to do was call a number, listen to an automated voice read out a series of numbers (which I vaguely remember as being related in some way to the transmitter), and write them down into a logbook. Three-part question: what was I doing, is this still done today, and where, if anywhere, can I hear that voice again?
posted by Mothra Pisces at 4:49 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Mothra Pisces at 4:49 AM PST - 9 comments
Exercising with my pre-teen?
I'm a dad and my oldest - now a pre-teen, who this year started at high school - is always tired and hates exercise. She was very active when she was younger but pressures of long school hours and homework have squeezed all that out of the calendar. Plus of course she's the age when children's bodies dramatically change size and shape and that's perfectly normal.
Given all that, what's the best way I can help her to stay as fit and healthy as possible? What has helped for your kids? [more inside]
posted by monster max at 4:37 AM PST - 64 comments
posted by monster max at 4:37 AM PST - 64 comments
Is there any way to de-worm a feral cat before catching?
A feral cat we're trying to catch, neuter and release is absolutely ravenous each time she comes to feed, 2-3 times per day. She's very small, yet she can easily eat more than two large cans of Science Diet (what we feed our indoor cat) along with a large portion of crunchies at each feeding. We've tried hiding a little crushed garlic in her food and she does get it down eating with such urgency, yet it hasn't seemed to help much. Besides being so hungry and small she has a sunken appearance around her hips. Last night she shrew herself at the screen door to reach food on its way to her, just inches away. She frequently comes when the raccoons are prowling around for leftovers as well as twice during daylight hours. [more inside]
posted by R2WeTwo at 3:19 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by R2WeTwo at 3:19 AM PST - 13 comments
Bleeding/Thickness? Japanese paper qualities
Could you translate this graph from Japanese to English for me? It's an overview of different paper types used for calligraphy - but I can't read...
This is what google translate got me for the middle part.
posted by lenehan at 2:01 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by lenehan at 2:01 AM PST - 9 comments
Is this a real game? Or is it just fantasy?
While shopping for a case for my new Android tablet I came across this photo. I like the cutesy look of the game on screen - can anyone identify it (if it's not just a mockup for marketing purposes)? Thanks!
posted by Skybly at 1:01 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by Skybly at 1:01 AM PST - 5 comments
May 14
What books will help me understand and deal with my codependency issues?
I've got codependency issues, and I'd like recommendations for books to help me understand what's going on and how to get over it. [more inside]
They tell me it's non toxic...
I had a small natural gas leak in my home for 9 days. No one seem alarmed except me. Put my anxiety to rest? [more inside]
posted by sunshinesky at 7:28 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by sunshinesky at 7:28 PM PST - 14 comments
Deciphering eye glass prescription
I need new frames. I'll be getting them online. I'm pretty sure I have the pupillary distance on my prescription, but I'm not sure which number it is. On the add section, there are two numbers: 61.5 under distance and 58.5 under near. From my googgling, I assume there are two numbers because I have a monocular PD. Is that correct? Also that i should use the distance number as my PD. Am I correct in that assumption? One more thing, all the examples of PD I've seen are whole numbers, so do I round up? Or just leave the number as is? Hope this wasn't to confusing.I can post a picture of the prescription if necessary. Thanks in advance!
posted by Epsilon-minus semi moron at 7:03 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Epsilon-minus semi moron at 7:03 PM PST - 4 comments
Acid/Vitamin C and ADD Meds
For someone who takes Adderall for ADD, will drinking acidic drinks (including say juice, soda, or homemade drink with apple cider vinegar) and/or taking vitamin C supplements mute or dull or interfere with the medication? Talking to pharmacist and googling has yielded some very mixed and confusing answers, and I'd love it if somebody knew enough to give a definitive answer.
I can check my pulse by being quiet and listening
Friends, I honestly thought I would never EVER have to ask a question with YANMD in it, but I was wrong. I can can hear my heart beating. In my right ear. [more inside]
Rent cars frequently? Have an opinion? Please share.
We're going to be driving from Seattle, Washington to Ashland, Oregon in July, doing it in one long day's drive each way. We'll be driving a rental. What model of car is the most comfortable? What model has the best gas mileage? What model has the optimum balance between the two? [more inside]
posted by kestralwing at 6:43 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by kestralwing at 6:43 PM PST - 26 comments
Bank closed old account for overdraft. How much will this affect me?
An old (free) checking account in another state started becoming inconvenient (no local locations and bad phone service), so I moved my direct deposit elsewhere. I left a little money in the account, thinking having an older account would help with credit. I recently found out, however, that several months ago, they closed down the free checking service and switched to a fee checking service. While this was happening, it eventually drained the money out of the checking account and went negative. They apparently also closed the account for overdrafting, How badly is this going to affect my credit? Can I take any steps to mitigate it? [more inside]
Examples of bad vision statements?
I'm looking for a list of bland, lifeless, corporate mission statements and slogans. I remember seeing a list once where you were supposed to match the statement with some major companies, but they were all so generic that it was impossible. Things like "innovation for a new economy..." [more inside]
posted by roaring beast at 5:59 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by roaring beast at 5:59 PM PST - 8 comments
I want Readability stylesheet on each web page 1st load. Possible?
I'm finding as I age, I use Readability on a lot of pages. Can I make a local style sheet that overrides the native one upon first load of a page that does what Readability does?
Silver Tsunami: Baby boomer cliches?
I'm looking for other expressions and/or cliches for the baby boomer generation getting older and the impending economic and healthcare disaster that its going to cause for all of us?
The only example I can think of is the "silver tsunami"
posted by cacofonie at 5:23 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by cacofonie at 5:23 PM PST - 4 comments
Who named Ghost Ditch? And when?
This past weekend I drove from Los Angeles to Tucson via Interstate-10, and took to noticing the names of the various ditches and washes that are spanned by the highway out in the middle of the high lonesome desert. There are a lot of them. Ghost Ditch, Taro Ditch, Larry Ditch, Stubby Wash, Fornat Wash, Itta Wash, Edom, Mccoy, Rollie, Bula, Sutro, Calotus, Esso, Arco, Teed, Turala, maybe a hundred between the ditches and the washes. The names don't seem to refer to nearby municipalities (there aren't any) or other geographical features, and are clearly part of the National Bridge Inventory. How were these 'waterways' named? Who named them? Were they named before the freeway required infrastructure to pass over them, or during the construction process, or when the NBI was implemented, or after the fact altogether? [more inside]
DIY Durable Lightweight Box?
I need to build a durable lightweight rectangular box. Interior dimensions of about 36"x12"x6".
What materials should I consider? [more inside]
posted by TheKM at 5:10 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by TheKM at 5:10 PM PST - 11 comments
Help me track down this data-scanning monster.
This drawing or graphic appeared in the print section of either the Washington Post or the New York Times on Saturday or Sunday, May 11-12 (my house gets both papers on Sundays and inevitably mixes them up). All sections were put out for the recycle bin Monday before I could clip the article. [more inside]
if it's going to be broken, it may as well be funny.
What creative poster/thing could I put inside the empty phone box in my elevator? [more inside]
Questions to ask during a post-project interview with an artist?
What are some interesting and provocative questions I could ask an entertainer upon his completion of an ambitious year-long project? [more inside]
CBT headshrinkers in Pittsburgh
Can you offer any recommendations for CBT-centered therapists in and around the Pittsburgh area, ideally east end? I'm looking for a CBT psychologist to provide therapy in conjunction with meds. [more inside]
White Lotus Home--reviews?
I'm considering buying a flame-retardant–free mattress from White Lotus Home, but lots of the reviews I find online are making my astroturfing antennae wiggle--not that that's incompatible with also having a decent product, but I just can't tell. Have you dealt with them? Tell all!
Psych meds: taking my doctor at face value
My pdoc wants to decrease the dosage of a medication that has proven to work well for me, while increasing the dosage of an expensive designer drug that the jury is still out on. I'm skeptical. [more inside]
What to do and eat in Quebec City and Maritimes
Despite my feelings about cruises, I am taking my mom on a cruise for her 80th birthday (Quebec City, Nova Scotia, PEI). I am looking for help - with what to eat and what to see. [more inside]
Need practical advice on lettering a graphic novel book project.
The illustrations have already been drawn on card stock and inked, for an actual, physical project inspired by this kind of handmade "star book" design... but now it's time to tackle the lettering.
Are there any good, professional ways of doing it without hand lettering everything? If so, can you link to examples / tutorials? Or is hand lettering the only good option available? (Scanning the illustrations, adding lettering, and reprinting is not an option.)
posted by markkraft at 2:48 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by markkraft at 2:48 PM PST - 8 comments
Puzzled by jigsaw
When my son was 2.5 years old he could solve jigsaw puzzle really really fast using some kind of mental math but when he was 3.5 years old he took longer. My friends with children also report similar trend.
Does the brain develop in a way to explain this?
a change is gonna came
Hit me with some joyful, hopey songs that are less "everything is going to be all right" than "the bad shit is over -- everything is all right!" [more inside]
DIY/tactical/guerrilla/pop-up urbanism projects for the win
What are the DIY and temporary urban interventions happening in your neighborhood or town? Think parklets a la PARK(ing) Day, guerrilla gardening, the Chicago Compost Shelter, ciclovia, etc etc. Extra points if it's in NYC or LA as I'll be in both cities in June and can check them out in person.
Copyright status of Toile de Jouy patterns?
I'm interested in using a Toile de Jouy pattern like this or this as a background for a piece of stationery – this is a commercial usage, not a personal one.
Does anyone know what the copyright status of this kind of pattern is? It seems some are very old and traditional and some are not, but I'm finding no info about their status as public domain material.
Do I have some sort of recourse against Ford?
I purchased a 2012 Ford Focus and it has been having performance issues that the dealer doesn't want try and fix. Should I risk aggravating the dealer and try to activate Ohio's lemon law or seek some other form of recourse? [more inside]
posted by charred husk at 2:09 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by charred husk at 2:09 PM PST - 13 comments
Collaborative Project Management for Small-Scale Freelancers
I'm having trouble finding up-to-date resources for managing tasks. I freelance and handle about 3 clients that want to push through dozens of small tasks and projects each week. Is there anything with the functionality of basecamp but on a much smaller scale? A well-designed template for a collaborative task list via google documents would work too. [more inside]
posted by c at 2:05 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by c at 2:05 PM PST - 8 comments
Where can I get/find Podcasts? And, Podcast suggestions
I love listening to podcasts. I like to think of my ipod as a pocket radio. I just recently discovered a Food Activist/ author Bryant Terry, and his interviews are amazing. But, when i did a search on Itunes, I found barely anything thing there, so I spent a lot of time combing google. I know that there has got to be some site where I can go to find podcasts. Also, there are great things on youtube, I wonder if I could get/rip? those videos to play on my nano somehow when I do not have wifi access. Also can you suggest podcasts for me? [more inside]
Help me understand PSI (pounds per square inch)
When this c-clamp is rated at 6900 psi, does it really provide more pressure on a part than a 3-ton car? [more inside]
Ubiquitous Romani folk lyrics: "Keren Chave"?
There's a set of lyrics which appears in several different Roma folk settings, sometimes reversed, and usually with similar but not identical tunes; AFAICT, the urtext is called "Keren Chave" or perhaps "Keren šavořale". I'm curious about its history and how it derived multiple variations, and whether there's a canonical order for the verses. [more inside]
Looking for GPS-workout tracking app with many features
I currently use Endomondo to track my skating workouts. I like it a lot, but miss two things:
1) I would love to be able to analyze part of the workout as if it was an entire workout. Say, if I skated from point A to Z, I want to see the average speed over part L to R.
2) I would love more personal bests. For skating, Endomondo starts the personal bests at 3 miles or 5 km. I want to see my personal best 1 km or mile too. With time, they track most kms in one hour, but I rarely skate one hour, I want to track half hours. I know that I could switch my activity type to a different one for which they do track other distances/times, but I don't want to do that.
I am looking for either a web application that accepts .gpx files that I can export from Endomondo, or a new app (should work on both iOS and Android) that can also export to .gpx.
posted by blub at 1:35 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by blub at 1:35 PM PST - 3 comments
Can I get an occupation, please?
I'm making several lists of suggestions/call fors - the things that an audience would call out at an improv show. Help me, hive mind! [more inside]
How do you find the press images of a reality show?
I'd like to find high resolution versions of publicity photos from certain reality shows: Buck Wild, Duck Dynasty, Call of the Wildman, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and Moonshiners. Obviously, the press is given access to these images so I wonder if any of those high resolution images are available to the public. [more inside]
posted by clockworkjoe at 12:59 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by clockworkjoe at 12:59 PM PST - 5 comments
Help diagnose or correct my weird sleep behavior
I frequently half-wake from dreams and start doing or saying weird things while I’m in bed. They often relate to my dreams and it's a big disruption to my wife’s sleep as well as my own. What is going on with me and how can I stop it? Plenty of details inside. [more inside]
posted by wolfnote at 12:59 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by wolfnote at 12:59 PM PST - 14 comments
Can you identify this tree/shrub?
Can you identify this tree/shrub? Here are 3 pictures.
posted by cranberrymonger at 12:47 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by cranberrymonger at 12:47 PM PST - 15 comments
Can you identify this spider from Massachusetts?
I found this huge spider in my Massachusetts kitchen today. What kind of spider is it? [more inside]
posted by lizzicide at 12:40 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by lizzicide at 12:40 PM PST - 10 comments
How does Masterchef work?
Last week my husband and I were watching the final episode of UK Masterchef and we got into a discussion about the logistics of the show. Basically, they edit the show like everyone finishes cooking at the same time, but they are judged one at a time. But how does one contestant's food not get cold while someone else's is being judged? [more inside]
posted by like_neon at 12:34 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by like_neon at 12:34 PM PST - 7 comments
Help me save/extract text messages from an iPhone
What is the "best" consumer-accessible solution to extract a text message (SMS/MMS) (or series of text messages) from an iPhone? [more inside]
Erik Satie for me.
I need some guidance on how to pick a classical music recording to buy. Specifically I'm looking for the work of Erik Satie. [more inside]
How do I find a nursing job in a tight job market?
I’m relocating to Baltimore, MD and looking for a nursing job. I’m fresh out of nursing school, which does not work in my favor, but beyond that consider myself to be a strong applicant... [more inside]
Mac twitter+facebook client (replacement for Tweetdeck)
Twitter is breaking shit because they hate their users/want to monetize. I used to use Tweetdeck to send out coordinated facebook and twitter posts for work; I'd like to avoid using two different programs (doubling my work). HootSuite seems close, but for semi-irrelevant reasons, not currently an option. I run a Mac.
What are the best options out there?
Cost of living in Leicester, UK?
I'm a US Federal Employee considering a position I've been offered at a University in Leicester. The salary I've been offered seems reasonable to me (~£42k per annum, I now make about $80k but it's more than we need to live on), but I'd like to hear from people who live in the UK what this really means. [more inside]
Advice on a cross-country route from Minneapolis to Richmond
We're driving from Minneapolis to Richmond this weekend, and want to change up our usual route. Will you locals in the major cities along our route provide wisdom/advice on the traffic and construction situation? [more inside]
posted by Zosia Blue at 11:24 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Zosia Blue at 11:24 AM PST - 7 comments
I want to take a family history. There may be a cultural barrier. Tips?
I've always wanted to learn about my family's history. I have an aunt who is nearing 75 and according to my father, she knows the most about my family. I was thinking of interviewing her this summer. [more inside]
Help me fix a broken cabinet door/hinge
An unnamed member of my family leaned on an Ikea-type kitchen cabinet door and the screws in the top hinge ripped out a bit of the particle board. [more inside]
Won't you help me solve a thirty-year-old puzzle?
Hello darlings. I'd like your help, specifically in the form of looking at a painting and telling me if you recognize any parts of it from the city you live in, especially if that city is Boston. There's a fair amount of background in terms of what to look for, so please do bear with me. It's all relevant, I promise. [more inside]
Are There Research/Data-Driven Parenting Books (that are readable)?
We are expecting (twins) and we are devouring parenting books. We're not overly beholden to these books - we trust our own instincts. But it seems like a lot of these books are anecdotal, or old-fashioned. We'd love to find a book that is modern, research/data-driven, and at least a little enjoyable to read. The kind of book that someone who enjoys Lifehacker, RadioLab, BoingBoing, etc. would respond to. Any suggestions?
posted by Anonymousness at 10:27 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Anonymousness at 10:27 AM PST - 13 comments
Top secret: my potential future salary
Is it common to keep the salary of a position under wraps until the job is offered to a candidate? [more inside]
posted by harujion at 10:15 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by harujion at 10:15 AM PST - 27 comments
Help me find a veggie party platter for Saturday in London?
Help! My foolproof plans for Eurovision party food have come to nothing. [more inside]
posted by Wylla at 9:35 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by Wylla at 9:35 AM PST - 5 comments
Docking stations and KVM switches and Synergy, oh my
For years I've been doing all my work and a good percentage of my play on a single as-overpowered-as-possible desktop box. For a variety of reasons -- not least that I'm starting to give up hope that the Mac Pro line will ever be updated again -- I'm considering making the switch to several smaller, task-dedicated machines. I am going in circles trying to figure out how best to make them all work together on a hardware level -- I can't decide if I need a docking station or a KVM switch or both or neither, and if I do need them which ones should I get? Help me, hardware geeks! [more inside]
posted by ook at 8:37 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by ook at 8:37 AM PST - 6 comments
JAVA now OK?
I watch a lot of embedded videos that require JAVA. [more inside]
How do I fix this overgrown plant that won't sit upright?
In my office, there's this crazy plant that become quite overgrown. There's a stem that I think should be sitting upright, but the leaves are so overgrown that it has become top-heavy and everything simply spills over the side. I tried staking the plant upright, but it fell over after a few days. Here's a photo of the plant. [more inside]
mint.com : I wish I could avoid automatic categories
Do you use mint.com? Do you manually categorize your new transactions? How do find the new transactions that need to be categorized? [more inside]
Loans for NYC Moving Expenses
I'm planning to move from one NYC neighborhood to another at the end of the summer. Though I'm 99% sure I'll be able to cover all potential expenses (movers, security deposit, first/last month's rent, broker's fee), I was wondering if there's a reputable company that advances small loans to help cover these costs. [more inside]
posted by incomple at 7:29 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by incomple at 7:29 AM PST - 11 comments
Modular Optical Sensors
In my previous question about photo/optical detectors I received a LOT of great advice and I'm back for more. [more inside]
commercial where woman steals bite of friend's cookie?
What is that commercial that's currently running where a woman steals a bite of her friend's cookie? They are standing at a fence and she steals a bite. Her friend says, "You just bit my cookie!" And she replies with her mouth full: "No way!"
posted by cmp4Meta at 7:13 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by cmp4Meta at 7:13 AM PST - 5 comments
Tell me more about/point me to sources about book cover materials.
It seems (could just be confirmation bias) that book cover/dust jacket materials have changed over the years. I find a lot of trade paperbacks and hardcover dust jackets now have a "soapy" feel to them rather than the previous plastic feel. What is this material? Is it new? What drives choices of materials?
posted by Jahaza at 7:05 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by Jahaza at 7:05 AM PST - 5 comments
Advice on traveling to Guinea
Our daughter is going to a dance intensive program in Guinea, Africa. While my wife and I have traveled quite a bit in Europe and Asia, Africa is new to us.
She will be getting all necessary shots, travel insurance, etc., but we're more interested in the less than obvious. While she will be in and out of Conakry, from our understanding she will also be helping to build a school and traveling around other parts of Guinea. Does anyone have any advice for our daughter about Guinea, travel to Africa, cultural dos and don'ts or logistical information about communications, phones, or anything else?
Thanks!
posted by BillW at 6:53 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by BillW at 6:53 AM PST - 8 comments
How do you do keyword research for EBAY?
There must be a keyword analysis tool by now that specifically works for ebay listings ? [more inside]
Arduino processing two wire alarm signal - how to?
I bought this cheap wireless driveway alarm system (a battery-powered motion sensor with base that beeps when someone pulls into my driveway) and one of its features is that you can connect it to "to any security system that has a two wire alarm input". I was wondering if anyone could point me to a guide for processing that output using the Arduino? I'd love to - for example - turn on a light automatically when I pull into my driveway, or send an e-mail, or other cool stuff.
posted by exhilaration at 6:34 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by exhilaration at 6:34 AM PST - 8 comments
XX chromosome filter: How do I lengthen my period cycle?
How do I lengthen my very short period cycle? [more inside]
posted by dinosaurprincess at 4:36 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by dinosaurprincess at 4:36 AM PST - 19 comments
i lost the landlord's copy of the keys
I lost my keys, and then I lost my landlord's keys. I'm baffled, embarassed, and trapped inside my apartment. [more inside]
posted by windykites at 4:29 AM PST - 65 comments
posted by windykites at 4:29 AM PST - 65 comments
Do I have strep throat or tonsillitis?
Do I have strep throat or tonsillitis? [more inside]
posted by DeltaForce at 3:41 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by DeltaForce at 3:41 AM PST - 13 comments
Seeking enlightenment on the Piccadilly Line
I have a stretch of half an hour or so each way in my daily commute where I am just sitting on the tube during nothing. I would like to use this time to meditate and am seeking things to put on my iPod to help me. [more inside]
posted by Acarpous at 2:50 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Acarpous at 2:50 AM PST - 7 comments
We yell at children at this school?
A mother at my son's school yelled at him today. I am furious. I am also very confused about what to do about it. [more inside]
Is this where I communicate with him, or give him space?
The guy I've been dating is pulling away, and I need some help wading through the conflicting 'wisdom'. [more inside]
posted by Salamander at 12:40 AM PST - 29 comments
posted by Salamander at 12:40 AM PST - 29 comments
Dealing with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome/stress in another country.
I was recently diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and I am having a very difficult time dealing with it. I am only 27. Basically tingling in my hands and a tension in my shoulders that does not go away. My blood gets rather restricted and my shoulders tire easily when they are raised above my head, which clued in the doctor to the TOS.
At first the doctor thought it might just be a pinched nerve or a hernia but it is occurring on both sides of my body particularly on the palm and in the shoulders. I am living in Japan right now and one of my best friends here just went home to Ireland so I have no one really close to talk to, and thus am dealing with a bunch of stress as well. I am also taking days off of work since the fact that the condition has been steadily getting worse since February is really bringing down my spirits. [more inside]
May 13
Notice to Move
My landlord did not give any sort of notice -- lease is to end in August, but according to note, there's a move-out inspection on May 31st? What?! [more inside]
How to refuse reference without negative consequences for me or them?
What do you do if someone names you as a referee in a job application, but didn't ask you in advance, and if you really don't feel you could give them a good reference, but you have to keep working with them in the future? [more inside]
posted by lollusc at 9:14 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by lollusc at 9:14 PM PST - 25 comments
How much power is enough power? (In a range hood)
We are finally getting a range hood for our oven! This is great! There are new building codes (2009 IRC M1503.4) that strictly govern how many CFMs a range hood can have without a make-up air unit. This is bad, frustrating, bad, confusing, bad and maddening. Everything I read gives me conflicting information. How much power does your average cook who likes to experiment but rarely uses all their burners at once really need in a range hood? (Lots of details inside). [more inside]
Golden Compass close read
Due to persistant recommendations on AskMe, I am finally reading (well, listening to) The Golden Compass. It's amazing. Now I want to read about The Golden Compass. [more inside]
Why does Gotham City have so many abandoned carnivals and toy factories?
I remember reading a DC comic book in which was explained why Gotham City has so many abandoned amusement parks, carnivals, and toy factories. I don't remember all the details, but the upshot was that in the 1920's, there had been a big entertainment boom with two entrepreneurs trying to outdo each other by building more theme parks, arcades, and novelty factories than the other. Then the Great Depression hit and they all went out of business. But now I can't remember what comic this was from. I want to say it was a Paul Dini comic, maybe Gotham City Sirens or Batman: Streets of Gotham.
Anyone remember which comic this was?
posted by ErWenn at 6:57 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by ErWenn at 6:57 PM PST - 5 comments
Literary novel with trailers joined in a circle
Identify this book. Literary novel, probably a first novel, published between 1994 and 1997, written by a guy who had taught writing at Harvard. The only thing I remember in it is an obsessive character in the desert who has welded multiple trailers or mobile homes in a circle so he can obsessively walk in circles inside them. [more inside]
posted by Unified Theory at 6:54 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Unified Theory at 6:54 PM PST - 7 comments
Apply first and then approach, or approach and then apply?
Help me time and properly approach a senior member of our staff to become their full time assistant. [more inside]
No More Cable ... TiVo? Roku? Boxee? AppleTV? Something Else?
We're ditching our cable and researching alternatives.
We have two HD TiVo Series 3 boxes that we're not using (because the cable cards provided by Comcast would not work).
We're thinking of a set-up involving OTA television (we live in Atlanta, so reception should not be a problem) + something streaming, but we're not sure if we want to keep the TiVos or invest in something else -- Roku? Boxee? AppleTV?
And here's one major issue for me -- live sports (mainly the NFL and college football)?
How do I Clean Oleophobic Lenses?
I purchased eyeglasses with an oleophobic coating, and they're great. I can't find complete information on cleaning, though. I understand I can use plain water or a soft cloth. Can I use ordinary hand soap? Bar soap? What's best? Thanks in advance.
posted by whitebird at 5:32 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by whitebird at 5:32 PM PST - 5 comments
Looking for a social skills book for my adult-book-reading 7-year-old.
I'd like to find a book for my little girl that goes into some of the unwritten social rules and give specific tips on how to interact with other kids in various situations (including difficult ones), and doesn't focus on pathologizing or fixing anything. [more inside]
How do I manage a seating plan for a 2,500 seat theatre?
My work is holding an event in a 2,500 seat theatre. The actual invitations and ticketing are not a problem, but we need a way to plan where the various VIPs, media, public etc will be sitting. [more inside]
How can I be as supportive as possible of an abuse victim?
I've been seeing a wonderful guy for several months now, and I'm very happy. But he's a victim of abuse from a past relationship, and I'm looking for advice/resources on how to better support him. [more inside]
posted by Gee, June! at 4:50 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by Gee, June! at 4:50 PM PST - 13 comments
How best to capture childhood
Singlefatherfilter: I am soon to be a divorced father to a 3 year old son and a 5 year old daughter. After the initial shock of separation a routine is thankfully starting to be enacted. As you can imagine the time I spend with them is incredibly precious to me and I would appreciate some ideas on how I can record this best. I enjoy photography but there are two issues i) My daughter specifically is at that age where she knows when a photo is been taken and will pull a face, of course her brother follows suit. ii) Whilst I can take photos of them, it is nigh on impossible to take one of all of us together. As I get older rather than rely on my memory I would love to have some beautiful shots detailing this all too short period of childhood. I have had an idea about asking a photographer to take some photos but I do not want a set of posed photos. I cannot imagine I am the first to find themselves in this situation but I would appreciate any hive-mind suggestions.
I just interviewed for a job and I have no idea if I want it or not.
Assuming I got an offer for this job, how should I make my decision? What would you do? [more inside]
Is this the creepiest credit card hack ever?
Is this the creepiest credit card hack ever? [more inside]
Do you have advice for an MPP student ISO research position job?
I'm starting graduate school in the fall: yay! I need to learn an entirely new set of norms around interviews, resumes, etc: oh no! I have a meeting set up with the head of a research institute where I'd LOVE to work there while I'm studying. What do I say? What's OK to ask for? [more inside]
posted by blandcamp at 3:51 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by blandcamp at 3:51 PM PST - 3 comments
Where can I take a shower and leave a bag for the day in New York City?
In a few weeks I'll be flying into NYC around 9:00 AM and flying out around 9:00 PM, and I'd like to take a shower somewhere and maybe even leave my bag for the day so I can wander the city. So far the only options I've found are to pay about $50 for access to an airline lounge, which seems too pricey for what I want, or to book a hotel room. Surely there are cheaper options? I'm not too picky about location, but somewhere in Lower Manhattan would probably be best. Please help me out, New Yorkers!
Will my appliances work in Europe?
I'm moving to Germany in a couple of months and have a few questions about using various 110V US-purchased appliances on the local 220V power. Specifically the 50Hz/60Hz issue - how big of a deal is it? My understanding is that anything with a motor may have a shorter lifespan and run somewhat less efficiently (and of course anything that uses AC for timing will run slow), but any other issues? [more inside]
How can I keep my phone & laptop charged all day at a convention?
I'm going to be selling stuff at a table at a convention where I won't have access to a wall outlet. I'd like to keep my phone and laptop charged throughout the day. I need some kind of battery. I searched Amazon and mostly what I found was devices for starting cars. Some of them did have AC and even USB outputs. So they might work, but I'm not sure. Most of them had very mixed reviews. Does anyone know of a good product for this pupose?
Thorny, sharp-leaved plant with yellow flowers?
I (foolishly) let a plant with thorns and sharp leaves get rather large next to my house. Now I'm finding it tough to tear it all out because it's so well established. Can anybody help me identify the plant so I can try to figure out if I'm killing enough of it so that it won't come back? I live in Colorado. A picture of the plant is here and a close up of the yellow flowers/leaves is here. [more inside]
posted by warble at 3:08 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by warble at 3:08 PM PST - 6 comments
Help with my insurance and SR-22s
I am having trouble getting my insurance company to issue an SR-22 to the Oregon DMV so my license isn't suspended. [more inside]
posted by mokin at 2:58 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by mokin at 2:58 PM PST - 14 comments
My feelings were hurt. Should I say anything at all?
I told my friend about an experience that caused me anxiety in the past. I felt that her responses were tone-deaf and hurtful. Was it? And should I say anything, even though the moment has passed? If so, what should I say? [more inside]
posted by orangutan at 2:49 PM PST - 37 comments
posted by orangutan at 2:49 PM PST - 37 comments
Song identification: Rolling Stones circa 1972
See inside for a link that goes to a NSFW Youtube video. [more inside]
Book recommendations for 9 year old girl, bonus points for funny
My daughter likes books with funny, mischievous characters Calvin and Hobbes, Eloise, Judy Moody. What other books might she like? [more inside]
Health insurance: covering an excluded condition?
Can I convince my health insurance company to cover treatment for a condition my policy specifically excludes? [more inside]
Two plant growth oddities to ID (mold, fungus?) - Eastern Massachusetts
I'm trying to identify two separate growths I'm unfamiliar with, just for curiosity's sake. The first is a tight, cauliflower-like dome found on the base of a cut tree trunk. The second formed tiny red "spears" on a weed leaf. Pics within. [more inside]
posted by cocoagirl at 2:15 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by cocoagirl at 2:15 PM PST - 6 comments
How can I get my advisor to set my date?
Not sure what to say to my M.S. thesis adviser (formerly my Ph.D advisor) or prospective interviewers on when I can leave academia and start a real job. [more inside]
posted by permiechickie at 2:10 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by permiechickie at 2:10 PM PST - 10 comments
Best way to get from Northern Virginia to NYC?
I need to get to NYC on a Friday evening. I work in Tyson's Corner, I live in Arlington, and I will have my car with me. I would rather not drive, and I don't live near the metro. What are my options if the earliest I can leave work is 4PM? [more inside]
posted by alligatorman at 2:05 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by alligatorman at 2:05 PM PST - 7 comments
I want the Camry of sofas, not a Yugo or a Porsche
Where do you go when you've graduated from IKEA and are ready for decent, but not necessarily heirloom quality furniture? We're just hoping to find some stuff to carry us through the next 8-10 years, or is that unrealistic? How much should we honestly expect to spend? [more inside]
Outlook and VBA
How to make Outlook automatically change the "From:" field when replying to certain emails? [more inside]
posted by Steely-eyed Missile Man at 1:47 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Steely-eyed Missile Man at 1:47 PM PST - 5 comments
How much does Medicare pay for a room - just the room, overnight?
[USA filter] Even with the new disclosures I can't figure out how much Medicare pays for just a hospital or nursing home room - 24 hours. Just the room charge. [more inside]
Audition scenes from movies
My daughter is auditioning for a play next weekend and I'd like to show her some audition scenes from films and TV. I don't mean screen tests or actors auditioning for their roles in famous films. Rather, I'm looking for scenes of fictional auditions that are part of a narrative. So, not something like this but something like this scene from Flashdance. [more inside]
posted by looli at 1:06 PM PST - 33 comments
posted by looli at 1:06 PM PST - 33 comments
No, really, kid, I don't know you!
Is there any way to block the incessant iMessages and Facetime requests from a particular person? For the past few months, I've been getting near-daily iMessages and Facetime requests from someone I don't know. It's pretty clearly a kid, and I can't get them to believe that they are sending the messages to the wrong person -- if I reply and tell them that, they either won't believe me, or they respond by asking me over and over what my name is and what school I go to, and do I know so-and-so's cousin, etc., etc.. It's maddening. [more inside]
Guitar Chords - help!
Hi.
I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the true (ie as per in the album) chords are to KC & MW's 'The Angels Came Down'? [more inside]
Backup plans for a vacation to the Front Range
My fella and I will be in Estes Park and Golden, Colorado for the week of May 26th-June 1st. We planned on doing a lot of hiking. We've had our fingers crossed for good weather, but it's starting to look like we may have to have some backup plans. Help! [more inside]
Looking for some unbiased cost-benefit analysis for cycling upgrades
After a year of strenuous work, I am finally at the point where I think it's worth upgrading my bike to try to eke out some more speed. But I want to know what kinds of improvements are really worth it. [more inside]
Sac-SLC-Denver road trip with a five-year-old
We're road-tripping from Sacramento to Salt Lake City to Denver with our five-year-old, and are looking for tips on routes and places to stop. [more inside]
posted by DakotaPaul at 11:34 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by DakotaPaul at 11:34 AM PST - 8 comments
Not thinking straight.
Just found out my boyfriend slept with someone else on Saturday night. [more inside]
Transportation between Brooklyn and Southold, New York
Next Monday I have to get from Brooklyn to Southold, New York. I can't take the train because it doesn't get in until about noon, which is too late for me to make my meeting.
Are there any alternatives, such as buses? Or is there another station I should consider taking a train to, and then taking a cab to Southold? I might also be able to have someone pick me up from someplace that is not too far from Southold, if that is an option.
Thanks in advance for the help!
Friend hit by a car; NY law doesn't seem helpful, what can she do?
A friend of mine was hit by a car as a pedestrian in New York state. Full question below. [more inside]
California road trip details
Please help us arrange some details for our California road trip! Questions about places to camp near Santa Barbara, Monterey, Sonoma, the Redwoods, and more. [more inside]
Advice on buying an UPS for my desktop
Hi MeFi,
I want to buy an uninterruptible power supply for my personal desktop. I don't need a lot of performance, just something to ride out brief blips in the power. I was thinking about getting this one{APC Back-UPS ES BE550G 550 VA 330 Watts (4) NEMA 5-15R (Battery Backup) (4) NEMA 5-15R (Surge Protection) Outlets UPS}
This is a good idea? Do you need more information about my setup?
Thanks,
zscore
posted by zscore at 10:23 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by zscore at 10:23 AM PST - 15 comments
Should I contact a company for a third time post-interview?
I went to a job interview (hurray!) and it seemed to go well. Sent a thank you note. Sent a follow up some time later, but no descion had been made. Should I contact them again? [more inside]
How to help my son break free from his bully?
My son, Alex, age 5, started primary school (in the UK) in January. His 'best friend', Tom (also 5), is bullying him. How can we help Alex break free from Tom, and make new friends? [more inside]
posted by beniamino at 9:52 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by beniamino at 9:52 AM PST - 18 comments
Looking for blogs and news sources about Romania in English
In the not too distant future I will be relocating to Romania (through work), probably for a few years. Before I go, and while I'm there, I'd like to keep abreast of local current affairs and culture. What well-written and well-informed blogs or news sources *in English* should I keep an eye on? (obviously I am hoping to use this posting as a chance to brush up on my very limited Romanian, but that's going to take a while...) [more inside]
posted by oclipa at 9:12 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by oclipa at 9:12 AM PST - 4 comments
How much is too much when trying to ask a girl out on a date?
I met a girl at a party and things were going well until I started acting desperate. What can I do to get the situation under control? [more inside]
Help me learn more about contemporary Indonesia!
I'm trying to learn more about contemporary Indonesia, and I'd love book & essay recommendations, especially of narrative non-fiction with a strong first person narrative voice! (But I'd also love suggestions of fiction, good travelogues, podcasts, blogs, zines, films, academic articles--really anything that doesn't demand prior in depth knowledge.) [more inside]
posted by tapir-whorf at 9:04 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by tapir-whorf at 9:04 AM PST - 4 comments
Any resources for meal ideas instead of just recipes?
So we clearly have the recipes question taken care of, but I need help with constructing meals. [more inside]
Hut tub filter.
If you own/ed a hot tub (or close with someone who has), what do you wish that you'd known or done differently before hand? [more inside]
posted by nobeagle at 9:01 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by nobeagle at 9:01 AM PST - 15 comments
Best tablet and workflow for blogging
I would like to purchase a tablet so I can do more blogging without lugging a laptop around. What are the best tools/apps/workflow tips to be able to do this without tearing my hair out? Special snowflake stuff inside. [more inside]
Old Model Moulinex Chopper - Bowl Needed
In an attempt to recycle and be thrifty, I find myself searching high and low for a part for an older model Moulinex food chopper - namely the A320 model. Good luck with that, eh? Well it's 700 watts and virtually unbreakable - worth looking around for this part, for sure. [more inside]
Washington DC: Where do I display my motorcycle parking permit?
Cannot find instructions for where to display my parking permit. Trivial, but vexing. [more inside]
Working with a broker to find an apartment in NY: A guide.
A few years ago there was a phenomenal write-up on this site about buying a car and working with skeezy car dealers. I wanted to know if similar advice existed for working with skeezy brokers in NY, specifically Brooklyn. [more inside]
posted by windbox at 8:05 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by windbox at 8:05 AM PST - 4 comments
Selling Comics on eBay
I'm tired of my four long boxes of comic books from my youth taking up closet space. I'm going to be selling them on eBay, as you do. I need your tips, tricks, and advice. [more inside]
Best barf practices for food poisoning.
I'm going to put most of this behind the cut because, ew, but basically my question is: what should you do when you feel the first symptoms of food poisoning? [more inside]
NOT the Maid of Honor disappointment--swallow or confess
This seems petty, but I am sincerely and exorbitantly bummed out (with some jealousy and hurt feelings to boot) that MY best friend didn't choose me to be her maid of honor. I'm clearly the next-in-line bridesmaid, but I haven't as of yet achieved many positive feelings about the honor I've received, but would like to, and as quickly as possible. [more inside]
What should I do on my Mondays off in NYC?
I have a new work schedule (Tuesday-Saturday) which, after taking care of chores on Sunday, leaves me with Monday off. I also have discounted access to most of the cultural institutions of NYC. I'd like to use my Mondays well. Please suggest things to do on Mondays in NYC. [more inside]
posted by sciencegeek at 7:29 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by sciencegeek at 7:29 AM PST - 12 comments
Give me your most depressing links about US prisons!
I'm writing an essay/blog post about the portrayal of prison and prisoners in games. Part of this involves explaining to the reader that the US prison system is pretty nightmarish. Can you suggest links that support/underline this? [more inside]
posted by Zarkonnen at 7:13 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by Zarkonnen at 7:13 AM PST - 16 comments
If no one tells you that you're fired, are you really fired?
My teenage daughter has her first job, but has apparently been fired yet no one told her or warned her. What can be done? [more inside]
posted by maxg94 at 6:56 AM PST - 35 comments
posted by maxg94 at 6:56 AM PST - 35 comments
Car overheated and died. Is it worth $900 just to test the engine?
Its a 2005 vw jetta TDI. That's a diesel. My radiator light was on. The fluid kept getting low. But the temperature never registered high. Still, I should have known better. The car stalled after a 6 hour trip and won't start. It stalled after coming to a stop while trying to accelerate away from the stop. There was no smoke or flames, but when I checked the coolant reservoir it was dry, and when I added water it boiled. The mechanic said the starter burnt up, and that the starter and the broken coolant pipe must be replaced just to test the engine. That will run me $900. He gave me a 50/50 that the engine is screwed, which means he just doesn't know.
Is it worth it? Is my car dead, and I need to accept it and move on?
posted by earley.rose at 6:41 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by earley.rose at 6:41 AM PST - 27 comments
Have we ever used litter boxes for human babies?
Google and an academic journal search are failing my sudden curiosity on litter boxes and human babies. I have both at home, and have read a lot for work about the history of sanitation and options (plumbing and diapers are awesome) but in all the sheer variety, I can't remember ever coming across an example of a litter box system for small children. I know with pits you would throw soil on top to cover the waste but these were notoriously bad places for little children because they could fall in. Yet, watching my cats and trying to stop the toddler from playing there, it seems like an eminently sensible option to have a box of clean sand around for a small infant to use. Does anyone know if this existed or exists now? Not as a single quirky practice, but as a cultural norm?
posted by viggorlijah at 4:58 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by viggorlijah at 4:58 AM PST - 14 comments
Doctor & vet recommendations for Northampton, MA
I am moving to Northampton, MA. Can you recommend good doctors for me and my cat? I am looking for an OB/GYN, a veterinarian for cats, a dentist, and a primary care doctor. [more inside]
posted by john_snow at 4:56 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by john_snow at 4:56 AM PST - 12 comments
KitchenFilter
What are the implications of a Notice of Pendency of Derivative Action?
I received a document today giving me notice of some kind of court action, because I am a News Corporation stockholder. I have no idea what any of it means, or whether there are any implications I need to take into account. Can anyone shed any light? [more inside]
posted by infinitejones at 4:22 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by infinitejones at 4:22 AM PST - 6 comments
How to give him the gift of sailing (in San Francisco)?
Husband is a devoted new father... almost TOO devoted. For Father's Day I want to give him a chance to get out the house for a while and maybe rekindle his interest in an old hobby. In college he was a member of the yachting club and he talks a lot about wanting to get back into sailing but not having the time. Without knowing anyone with a boat, is it possible to give him a sailing experience for a day? [more inside]
posted by annekate at 4:05 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by annekate at 4:05 AM PST - 8 comments
Underrepresented online businesses
Which sectors or industries are surprisingly underrepresented online? We all know books, games, music, etc are all extremely well represented online but are there any industries that aren't.
They may be business to business or business to consumer.
What gaps if any or left. Or is it only niche areas?
posted by trashcan at 2:56 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by trashcan at 2:56 AM PST - 8 comments
May 12
What to do in Montreal?
I'll be in Montreal and Longueuil, Quebec, Canada for two weeks. What budget-friendly things should I do there? [more inside]
Space Junk
What's the word for the useless filler reticulations on spaceships?
I think it was coined by the model builders of Millennium Falcon or Star Destroyer. --(I'm certain this question has been asked and answered here before. No luck in the FU Google machine. )--Thanks!
posted by at the crossroads at 9:56 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by at the crossroads at 9:56 PM PST - 4 comments
Should I feel hurt that my boyfriend may be going on a trip without me?
I want to ask him if he's going but don't want to seem pushy about it. [more inside]
posted by femmefatale123 at 9:47 PM PST - 58 comments
posted by femmefatale123 at 9:47 PM PST - 58 comments
Career suggestions please!
What kind of jobs could I be suitable for given: writing skills, understanding individuals well, working well in a fast-paced environment, Excel, and knowing trendy things? [more inside]
posted by ichomp at 9:34 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by ichomp at 9:34 PM PST - 7 comments
Digital audio thinger - renderer?
Is there a device that just controls and buffers fetched NAS files and online radio, allowing the user to select among sources, meant to provide exclusively digital output? [more inside]
posted by jet_silver at 9:25 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by jet_silver at 9:25 PM PST - 4 comments
Name that piano piece
Can you help me identify this piano piece?
I came across in this Al Jazeera documentary about gang violence in San Salvador. If possible, I'd like to find the sheet music...but I have no idea whether it was written for the doc or if it's a well-known piece. Any help is appreciated!
MARTA advice: Is this route out of downtown Atlanta practical?
Tuesday morning I need to get from a hotel near the Peachtree Center MARTA stop to the ChocoLate coffee shop in the Shallowford Plaza shopping center. Can I do this on public transit without getting sweaty or stressed out? [more inside]
Seeking long lines...
Do you know some long-wait presents? I am planning an anniversary gift, and I would like to show that I want to be with this person for a long time. I am interested in signing up for some long wait tours, experiences or gifts. I am thinking of things like the Canadian flag at parliament hill - a 25 year wait list, but anything >1 year is good. [more inside]
Need mens hair stylist recommendation in the NYC / NJ area
I am looking to re style my hair. I would like to go to someone who can recommend styles that suit me. I have some idea of what I want but could use some advice. Currently I go to supercuts. As you probably know they are not the best for advise. I am willing to pay significantly over supercut prices to get this advice. Just dont know who to go to.
Any recommendations?
Identify this car logo, thanks
Can anybody identify the car marker's logo in the bottom right hand of this picture, between Ariel and Isuzu? Supposedly a European car maker. Sadly no bigger version available.
posted by Jehan at 6:27 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Jehan at 6:27 PM PST - 3 comments
Why is my dog shaking?
Why might my dog be shaking and what can I do to help him? [more inside]
Creamy deliciousness FAIL
I refrigerated a bottle of Carolan's Irish Cream and it solidified. [more inside]
Input != Output in box fan land.
I have a box fan running in my window. It pushes out a lot of air when I hold my hand in the front but when I hold my hand on the back of the fan it barely feels like any air is being pulled in. Where is the extra air coming from? [more inside]
Premiership winners' medals
Why are Colleen and Kai Rooney wearing (Premiership champion) medals in this photo? Do the players get more than one or does the club make replicas for family members? [more inside]
posted by jamesonandwater at 4:34 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by jamesonandwater at 4:34 PM PST - 6 comments
Scumbag brain.
My son's father suffered a ruptured aneurysm last week. He's not getting better and I want to be as supportive as possible to him and his family. How do I do that like a normal person? [more inside]
Seeking documentaries about digital art
I am looking for some good documentaries about digital art. What do you recommend? Biographical movies about artists that make art with PhotoShop would be great. Movies about the history of CGI would be fascinating. Documentaries about art made for the internet could also be fun to see. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
Prepare-ahead vegan recipes for an electric skillet?
What are some tasty vegan recipes that can be prepared mostly ahead of time and heated (or reheated in an electric skillet? [more inside]
Are more expensive epilators worth it or could they work worse?
I have read posts about different epilators and have heard good reviews about Braun, but it seemed like lower to mid price epilators were recommended. I am new to epilating and I want to use it for legs, under-arms and chin. I am looking for the best epilator that is easy, efficient and has high techiness that makes general use of it easy such as wet/dry. What are some of the good epilators to use and does higher cost equate to it being better? [more inside]
posted by Jaelma24 at 2:39 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Jaelma24 at 2:39 PM PST - 11 comments
How to get over ADD without being ADD?
I am sincerely a disorganized person. I never know where my keys are and my wallet is often empty, due to the fact that I forget to get cash. I have four purses, and they usually never had what I want in them, including a pen. If I had a plant, it would probably be dead. [more inside]
I need your vegetarian Swedish recipes!
It's Eurovision time again which means that as per tradition I need to serve foods from the host country with flags stuck in them. This years it's Sweden, which has not produced, I am sad to say, a bounty of foods that I would like to or can eat; hence I'm looking for recipes. Catch: I'm vegetarian and the food should be able to have a flag stuck in it and not require a huge number of specialist ingredients. Recommendations for Swedish style cocktails also appreciated.
posted by lesbiassparrow at 1:18 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by lesbiassparrow at 1:18 PM PST - 22 comments
21 year old University student in a rut, bad habits creeping up to me
I am currently in a transition stage in my life--ending my Study Abroad semester in France, potentially moving out of a dysfunctional home after moving back in temporarily, spending a lot of time on my own traveling/at home.
I'm writing because for some unbearable time, I've been feeling like my life is in a rut. I don't play my guitar or sing my own music anymore. I eat badly and without thought--often eat pasta dishes or friend eggs for a meal twice or thrice a day. I am messy as ever--My tiny room is in a disarray and I have a hard time keeping it even regularly clean.
I've gained about 6 lbs since I've been here. I don't work out--I guess I lack the motivation to do so here. I listen to music all day, eat whatever I want, go out and enjoy a party whenever I feel like it, get dinner at awesome restaurants often. I just have no structure and it seriously is having an impact on my discipline and motivation levels. [more inside]
posted by rhythm_queen at 12:56 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by rhythm_queen at 12:56 PM PST - 16 comments
Primer on Georgetown, TX.
We currently live in north central Austin (78758, in that giant middle class 70s tract development to the east of the Domain). We are looking to move, and aquantances of ours have a house for sale in old town Georgetown. The house is a perfect fit for us (older, bigger, better shape, oodles of charm, hardwood floors) as is the neighborhood (extremely walkable, kid-safe, families, parks, schools very close), but all we know about Georgetown is a few visits to Monument Cafe over the years, and the occasional visit to downtown. How is life in Georgetown? [more inside]
How to sell a big ass lathe?
I have found myself in possession of a 10ft Southbend Lathe. How do I send it on to somebody that actually wants it? [more inside]
Google Reader replacement?
Google Reader is going away soon. What should I replace it with? Specific requirements inside. [more inside]
posted by grouse at 12:38 PM PST - 38 comments
posted by grouse at 12:38 PM PST - 38 comments
Resources on careers in psychology or choosing a career in general?
I've had a lot of jobs, but no career path. Any ideas for resources that will help me a.: decide if therapy is a career path I want to pursue & b.: learn about other careers that might interest me? [more inside]
Children's book about sinister chicken?
I'm asking this for an acquaintance trying to find a children's book from the '90s (or possibly earlier) which centers around a cafeteria meal that is not what it seems. [more inside]
Who wrote this poem?
Friend who makes other uncomfortable: to mention it or no?
I have a friend who often says embarrassing things she's not aware are embarrassing. I've said nothing. Should I? [more inside]
posted by FlyByDay at 11:28 AM PST - 45 comments
posted by FlyByDay at 11:28 AM PST - 45 comments
Getting back into Star Wars
I read the first six Young Jedi Academy books, but only a few of the adult expanded universe novels... and the ones I read I don't remember. What should I read before the new movie comes out in 2015? [more inside]
Easiest Way to Travel and Tour Mount Ranier while Visiting Seattle?
Can anyone recommend a group tour that takes you from Seattle to Mount Ranier and back all in one day? [more inside]
Machine vs man quote
Help-me-find-that-quote-filter - along the lines of "over the next thousand years the struggle between machines and humankind will be a close run race but ultimately humankind will emerge triumphant"? [more inside]
Fair price for a personal trainer/nutritionist?
Best friend will be my personal trainer for a few weeks; said best friend will totally undervalue her services; I want some numbers from people in the know to argue her price up. [more inside]
International Smart Phone?
I am an AT&T Customer with an iPhone 5. I am traveling to London, Paris, and Dusseldorf this summer and don't want to get killed with international data and cell charges. Plus I want good apps for translation, maps, etc. What's the best way to do this, and would I be better or worse off with an Android phone (Galaxy S4 or HTC One)? Any first-hand experience would be awesome. [more inside]
another PhD drop out thread
Considering dropping out of 1st year humanities PhD program. Terrified of starving on the streets. Help? [more inside]
Walking on egg shells is exhausting.
My friend has done a lot for me. That doesn't change the fact that she is a miserable person. How do I breakup with a friend when I feel beholden to her? [more inside]
How do I make sure not to get scammed on a Craigslist sublet?
I'm traveling over the summer (for a month) and found a short-term sublet on Craigslist that seems perfect. The current tenant (who is renting her 1br in a 2br apt) has agreed to let me stay and has asked me to transfer a deposit to her bank account. It is an actual bank (rather than Western Union or something of that sort), but I don't know enough - nor have I been able to find enough by searching online - to find out if this is "safe." [more inside]
how to detect 18/10 stainless steel...or another simple additive
i am looking for a way to electronically detect 18/10 stainless steel - only. or preferably, (metallurgists please step forward) to include an easily electronically detected additive to the creation of 18/10 stainless. [more inside]
What time is it? Time to get a new watch!
I need a ladies watch with an alarm that is waterproof and I could also wear to work. [more inside]
Thunderbird Login Failed
Since yesterday I can't send emails from thunderbird. Every time it says "Login to server mail.mydomain.co.uk failed". [more inside]
Skinning The Old Reader?
So, I'm really trying to appreciate The Old Reader, but there are certain things I can't ignore. Primarily, the non-resizeable sidebar and the color scheme... [more inside]
Is the stock market's real long-term return just 2 percent?
I was looking around for information on long-term investment planning and I ran across this page, which says that after adjusting for inflation, long-term stock market returns are only 1.9% before taxes. The whole site seems to advocate this sort of really creepy gold fetishism that's been popping up lately, so my natural reaction is to dismiss it. But I still have doubts, and this plays into my anxieties about whether retirement savings is worthwhile at all. Help me debunk this? (Existential crisis inside.) [more inside]
posted by aw_yiss at 5:42 AM PST - 28 comments
posted by aw_yiss at 5:42 AM PST - 28 comments
TV shows for women?
I'm looking for TV shows featuring women... [more inside]
posted by DisreputableDog at 1:57 AM PST - 83 comments
posted by DisreputableDog at 1:57 AM PST - 83 comments
May 11
Need a small over-the-range microwave that fits a 60's kitchen.
I have a kitchen with cabinets colored and shaped like these and a layout like this. - I'm looking for a over-the-stove microwave that will work with the decor. [more inside]
posted by Orb2069 at 11:00 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Orb2069 at 11:00 PM PST - 8 comments
The opposite of air freshener
Whenever I cook sauerkraut and pork in the crockpot, you can smell it all through the hallway of our apartment building. What are some other cooked foods with strong odors like this? [more inside]
I'm a lesbian crushing on a man. What now?
I'm a lesbian who's recently found herself crushing on a man. Does this mean anything? [more inside]
posted by Autumn at 8:44 PM PST - 58 comments
posted by Autumn at 8:44 PM PST - 58 comments
How do I create space with my new girlfriend?
I've been dating a girl for a couple of months and she wants to do everything together. What's a good way to establish boundaries and let her know that I care about her friends, things she does, while not pushing her away? [more inside]
Male sex toys
I'm curious about varying up my solo sex life as a male, probably with toys. [more inside]
posted by MuppetNavy at 8:04 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by MuppetNavy at 8:04 PM PST - 18 comments
Does your laptop resemble the laptop I'm trying to buy?
I'm looking to buy a laptop that meets a few simple requirements. Does this describe your machine?
- Customizable before purchase -- it's essential to me that the factory install e.g. the SSD and the CPU that I specify
- 17" screen
- Trackpad is responsive, ergonomic, satisfying to use
- "Home", "End", "PgDn", "PgUp" and "Delete" keys are all clustered together, not strung out in a row
- High-end
- Not made by HP
Looking for a blog post about culture and cultural/moral relativism
I read a blog post about 5 or 6 years ago, which had some interesting and insightful things to say about how western culture often judged other cultures for not being culturally/morally relativistic. [more inside]
posted by Jon Mitchell at 6:25 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Jon Mitchell at 6:25 PM PST - 5 comments
Fixing image quality on blogger?
While updating my blog today, I noticed that images uploading using Blogger's iOS app are of AWFUL quality. How can I fix this? I updated the app recently, and noticed that it now inserts a picture into the text directly (before it would put a thumbnail of the pic below the post). I tried changing the image resolution in the app, but that just made the blurry pictures bigger. I'm using app version 2.1.7.1 on iOS 6.1.3.
posted by wearyaswater at 5:49 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by wearyaswater at 5:49 PM PST - 2 comments
What do you mean you don't sell film in the camera store?
I'm giving up the ghost and making the switch from film to digital. Help me buy my first DSLR! [more inside]
What's this corset a knock-off of?
So a while ago I bought this corset for the lady and we both enjoy it. I'm fairly certain it's a knock-off of a more expensive design considering the price and style. I'm looking for any similar designs since I like the buckles. Similar price range would be nice, but I know that quality corsets get expensive.
posted by gzimmer at 5:04 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by gzimmer at 5:04 PM PST - 7 comments
The Case of the Invisible Lice
What in the world could be causing itchy scalp and neck for three members of the same family... but isn't lice? [more inside]
posted by Andrhia at 5:03 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by Andrhia at 5:03 PM PST - 29 comments
Come on baby, let's stop the twist
I can't walk ten paces without most of my skirts rotating at least a quarter turn. (Clockwise, if it matters.) My waist is pretty small compared to my hips, and I'm buying sizes that are (otherwise) appropriate. Annoyingly, they never seem to rotate in the store so I can't weed out the duds.
The suggestions I've seen (gripper waistband, tucking my shirts in, using safety pins), don't work because I generally don't wear tucked-in shirts or nylons. Snugtex wouldn't have much to, ah, snug to, besides bare skin.
Suggestions, please?
Graphic designer desperately needs a better job!
Somebody I am very close to is a senior designer at a graphic design firm in Southern CA. She has been there many years. She is ridiculously overworked and underappreciated, and while she has achieved some authority in the company she has also hit the glass ceiling pretty hard and she is dealing with some covert but undeniable workplace sexism. She desperately wants to quit and work someplace else, but for a million special snowflakey reasons, it is very difficult to make that happen. Help? [more inside]
Decent introductions to Laotian history?
Can anyone recommend a good book on the history of Laos? I've tried searching on Amazon but most of the titles I see there seem to focus on America's unfortunate colonial misadventure in Southeast Asia and the CIA's secret war in Laos. While I understand the market imperatives that might lead to such a focus, I'd like to get a broader history than that.
The book I am looking will : [more inside]
posted by jason's_planet at 3:55 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by jason's_planet at 3:55 PM PST - 5 comments
What's a good gift for a lawyer?
My lawyer did an awesome job for me on a case. He's late 30s/early 40s, male. Need ideas for a "thank you" gift. Catch: we live in Springfield, IL so lots of more "urban" upscale options are nil. [more inside]
Helping a daughter who is far from home
My daugter, age 22, is in trouble a long, long way from home (Burlington, VT; her mom and I are in middle GA) with the family car. She had an accident, her fault. Nobody was hurt, thank heavens, but she was arrested (for the record, not DUI) and the car was towed off and impounded. It is pretty badly damaged and not driveable. There's no other car to use. The disabled one is running up a $50 per day impound fee which I need to stop as soon as I can. Probably I should just give it to a junkyard and let them haul it off, but I've got no notion how to arrange that. More important, what can I do from here to help my girl? Can I find her an attorney by remote control somehow? What else should I be thinking about? Ideas and advice? I would be very grateful!
posted by jfuller at 3:29 PM PST - 32 comments
posted by jfuller at 3:29 PM PST - 32 comments
Writing credits for small theater productions.
Are there some established practices for writing credits (cast and crew) on theater productions? In my case, I make weekly audioplays and have five to ten people helping me each week, with some people working in multiple roles. So I don't need to do too much here. But I'd like to present the project and the people that work on it professionally. And I'd like to be fair and consistent in how people are credited, avoiding angst and hurt feelings. [more inside]
posted by ErikH2000 at 2:54 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by ErikH2000 at 2:54 PM PST - 5 comments
Help me find a half-remembered Asimov quote!
I can faintly remember once reading something by Isaac Asimov about the moon landing. He was making a point about the predictive power or lack thereof of science fiction. He wrote that of the dozens of hundreds of stories written pre-1969 about the first moon landing, not a single one featured the event being televised live back to earth.
So where did he write this? Or was it someone else who made the point?
posted by LarryC at 2:35 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by LarryC at 2:35 PM PST - 8 comments
Lobotomized 1980s/1990s children's/young adult book
This one has been driving me nuts for years, and I'm going to turn to the hive mind. When I was a kid, around 10 or 11 (making it around 1992-1993), I got a book that was something akin to the Babysitters' Club books: targeted at young girls, about a group of young girls all doing something together. The first of a potential series, although I don't know if I read any more. I remember very few details of this book other than the fact that it was mentioned that the main character/narrator's mother had had A LOBOTOMY. She had been depressed or had some other mental problem before, so she had a voluntary lobotomy and was now fun and freewheeling and wore cowboy hats in the kitchen. This wasn't an important plot point, just a throwaway character detail. If anyone has any memory or clue to what this book or book series could have been, I'd be thrilled. I'd just like to know that I'm not just making it up, for one thing.
posted by whitneyarner at 2:23 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by whitneyarner at 2:23 PM PST - 9 comments
What is this thing in my air conditioner?
I found this wet sponge-like thing in my air conditioning unit. What is it? [more inside]
posted by jcatus at 2:23 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by jcatus at 2:23 PM PST - 6 comments
Recover password on a D-link DGS-3450
We lost our network analyst recently, and he left us with almost no documentation. The network is having some issues, and we are troubleshooting, but we cannot get access to one of our switches - it's a Dlink DGS-3450. No problem, right? Well every manual with instructions I can find via Google online is coming up with a 404. We found reference to an addendum with instructions - no luck.
Has anyone done this successfully? Any ideas how to do it without losing configs? The configs are crucial - we can't lose them. Tech support for D-link is closed.
Thanks in advance!
Is a referral better than a cold call? How do they work?
My insurance doesn't require referrals to specialists. I've never seen a specialist for a specific problem that wasn't initiated and referred by my doctor. If I want/need to see a specialist for something, does it make sense to see my doctor first and ask for a referral, or find a (random) specialist myself? On the other side, when does a doctor not give referrals? [more inside]
Save my coffee cake!
I followed THIS RECIPE exactly. Couldn't seem easier or simpler. Problem is, it is a streusel-filled and struesel-topped coffee cake. The recipe said to use a 9x13 pan OR a bundt pan. I used the bundt pan, but never thought about reversing the given order ( in bundt pan, should be layer of streusel FIRST, then layer of batter, then layer of streusel, finally layer of batter) given that in a bundt pan you turn it upside down to serve! As soon as I put in the first layer of batter followed by the streusel filling, per the directions, I realized my mistake. But, alas, it was too late. Cake is now in the oven. I am sure it will taste fine, however, I plan to serve it for mothers day brunch and would love to figure out how to add a layer of streusel or equivalent AFTER it has baked and cooled. Any ideas?
posted by Lylo at 1:10 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Lylo at 1:10 PM PST - 9 comments
Why am I overanalyzing my feelings for this guy?!
I have been dating someone for two weeks, a guy I had a crush on in my writing class. For some reason as I get to know him he's a bit different than I expected. I feel something for him, but it's not a mind-boggling attraction. Now I wonder if it's enough and if it will develop? [more inside]
I don't want to be alarmist, but I also don't want to be stupid.
Suppose you've noticed a growing red skin blemish on your arm that's irregular, raised, and a little flaky towards the center. At what point do you start to worry it's skin cancer and go see a doctor? [more inside]
posted by meese at 12:33 PM PST - 34 comments
posted by meese at 12:33 PM PST - 34 comments
Suggestions for a graduate in Classics Civilizations?
A relative is graduating from Trinity College, majoring in Classics. Getting her through school was long and difficult. I want to give her something. Her parents could afford any book she wanted, so rare editions are out. Any ideas on a nice gift?
Adding a strap to a bag
Wondering if this is possible and where would I go to get this done-adding a strap to a bag that I bought [more inside]
Best off licence near Oval tube station
Which off licences near* Oval tube station in London should I go to tomorrow (Sunday) to buy from a good range of bottled beer? Preferably including London breweries like Meantime or London Fields. [more inside]
Do drug dealers stamp their money?
I saw a post on tumblr, about why some larger bills have little stamps on them. The reason they gave is that drug dealers will stamp the bills to keep track of them. This makes absolutely no sense to me.
So question one is, does this sound accurate? Does anyone have any way of saying if this is or isn't true?
Question two, why the heck are these stamps on bills?
Here's a picture of a purported drug dealer stamped bill.
posted by trogdole at 11:13 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by trogdole at 11:13 AM PST - 10 comments
Help me learn old school web design
I have recently taken charge of an old webpage that is a bit out of date on a university server. I am primarily familiar with Google Sites and Wordpress, where there's a CMS editor, but here it's just an ftp site with raw index files that require Spry to run. What do I need to edit it? Would it be relatively easy to create a redirect to a site that I control running a CMS I understand? How do I keep that from ruining all the old backlinks?
It's not you, it's Atlanta.
A few native Atlantans have expressed this sentiment to me. What's your take? [more inside]
help me manage a hybrid library?
After years of academia & the endemic rootlessness that comes with it, I have finally gotten myself a Permanent Job (yay!!) which means, among many things, that I can finally consolidate my book diaspora into one place. I've a huge number of books which are both physical and digital. Here's the problem: I want my library space to reflect both. Any suggestions? Details below. [more inside]
posted by idlethink at 9:35 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by idlethink at 9:35 AM PST - 10 comments
My lawn! My perfect lawn! It's... under attack.
So, about a year and a half ago, we bought a house! Awesome. For the first time, I have a back yard and a front yard and a lawn and... stuff, and I don't know, maybe because I'm old and boring now, I've started to give a crap about making my lawn look nice. Something is really starting to piss me off... [more inside]
posted by kbanas at 8:26 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by kbanas at 8:26 AM PST - 27 comments
Why are clothing donation boxes proliferating in my neighborhood?
I live in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and have noticed that, over the past several months, a sizable number of clothing donation boxes have appeared on sidewalks and in little disused nooks of urban space. There are three on my block alone that have sprung up, seemingly overnight, within the last couple months. What's going on? [more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu at 8:26 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Dr. Wu at 8:26 AM PST - 7 comments
My beloved dog has cancer
My sweet 8 1/2 year old golden retriever has been diagnosed with an aggressive peripheral nerve sheath cancer this week. She can hardly walk on one leg and is on a lot of pain medication and she still is quite uncomfortable. We have been offered palliative radiation as a method of reducing some of her pain, not extending her life. Have you ever chosen palliative radiation for your dog? Was is a good decision for your pet or in hindsight would you have chosen euthanasia instead? [more inside]
posted by cecic at 8:20 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by cecic at 8:20 AM PST - 21 comments
Best options for using an unlocked iPhone 4 in France & Italy?
I'm going to France & Italy for about 3 weeks with my freshly-unlocked iPhone 4. I'm looking to pick up a SIM while I'm there and use it on a pre-paid plan, but the French carrier websites aren't being super helpful; none of them indicate whether their pre-paid SIMs will work on iPhone. Any advice, including best carrier/plan?
I want to mount items for display and also rearrange the elements later.
This a framing/curation/decoration AskMe.
I have an adorable set of (very lightweight) wooden french curves that I would like to mount in a display, but not permanently. [more inside]
posted by Glomar response at 6:57 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by Glomar response at 6:57 AM PST - 14 comments
Brainstorming book-themed cupcakes
A group I belong to plans to have a book-themed Cupcake Wars party. Everyone's supposed to make a batch of cupcakes with a name based on a book title. Example: The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cupcakes. [more inside]
posted by BibiRose at 5:31 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by BibiRose at 5:31 AM PST - 27 comments
roommate and the balance of housework
My roommate is currently a lot busier than me. I'm unsure if it's fair to ask her to do more of the housework than she's currently doing. [more inside]
Tips on starting up a science-themed blog
I was convinced to start a blog under my real name, for the purposes of being visible on the internet in a positive light while applying for jobs. Unfortunately, now it's up, I hate it and never want to write anything there. Since my partner is sick of me wailing about it, I thought I'd ask you guys for tips on low-effort ways to post on a blog with a general theme of 'interesting science news'. [more inside]
posted by daisyk at 3:16 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by daisyk at 3:16 AM PST - 7 comments
May 10
Live performance of Van Morrison singing "Someone Like You"?
Is there a video of a live performance of Van Morrison singing "Someone Like You"? I've found videos, but they are NOT showing a live performance; rather, just showing pictures or clips of Van Morrison or whatever, while the music plays. I'm looking for a recorded live performance. Thanks!
I'm looking for a quote from a founding father about leaving government
I remember reading something, somewhere from one of the founding fathers about the original intent of legislators to NOT be a political class. To serve a term or two and go home so that people from outside could contribute and people inside didn't get too jaded. Though maybe I'm adding a lot of subtext. Is there anything from any of the FF's on this that rings a bell? Do you have a quote or two?
Bring me a shrubbery....or two
Can you help me create a natural looking barrier from my neighbors? [more inside]
posted by NoraCharles at 9:43 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by NoraCharles at 9:43 PM PST - 17 comments
Looking for a specific Tarantino quote
Quentin Tarantino, in an interview, said something along the lines of, "The medium that I work in is the audience's emotions." I think that the interview was relatively recent, either about Inglourious Basterds or Django, and it may even have been referenced on Metafilter, but now that I'm looking for it, I can't find it.
So, did he actually say something to this effect? If yes, where did he say it and what was the actual statement?
posted by frimble at 9:38 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by frimble at 9:38 PM PST - 3 comments
Icky karma germs in the ocean?
Yesterday the body of a surfer was found naked and nibbled by sharks at my daily surf spot. While surfing today in the exact vicinity I couldn't shake the feeling parts of his body, both physically and meta-physically were still 'there'. Have one science and one karma question about this: [more inside]
Is upgrading from a Kindle Keyboard to a Paperwhite worth it?
I've had a Kindle Keyboard with lighted case that I've been pretty happy with for a couple of years. However, I'm thinking of upgrading to the Paperwhite for the improved display. Is it worth the price, and is there any trade-off in battery life? [more inside]
When will the Prius Plug In be available nationwide?
The Prius Plug In looks great, and I have been waiting for it to come to Illinois since it was released last year. Toyota's website said for a year that it would be released nationally "in 2013." Recently that has been changed to say "availability in additional states is currently under study." Do any gearheads know what has caused the delay and when (if?) it might become more broadly available? (Bonus question: what is so difficult about releasing it nationwide? Low production? Regulatory issues? It seems like it shouldn't be that hard.)
Oh what a tangled web we weave...
Luckily I’m not deceiving, but I have managed to get myself into a very unfortunate romantic relationship with an old friend. Help me untangle myself? A blizzard of snowflake details inside… [more inside]
Don't have an internship for summer, feeling really down
I'm a computer science major with a 3.16 GPA finishing my Junior year at UT Dallas. I feel really unsure as to how to go about getting internships, and I failed to get an internship for this summer, though I did manage to get one interview from dropping off my resume at a booth at an on campus career fair. It seems like a lot of people from my class haven't gotten internships either, though obviously I can't take a scientific poll. [more inside]
posted by bookman117 at 7:36 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by bookman117 at 7:36 PM PST - 21 comments
Mutual Fund Newbie. Can I live off of my dividends?
Struggling to find work, young, recent grad. I have a mutual fund and need help breaking it down. Can I live off of it? Should I? What do I do with a mutual fund?? [more inside]
Cadence Training + Podcast Listening?
I developed a knee injury while training for a 10K. I ran the 10K (much to my knee's displeasure), but saw a doctor and physical therapist shortly thereafter. My physical therapist has recommended that I work on cadence training to improve my form. I primarily listen to podcasts (via Downcast, but I can change apps if necessary), and am looking for a cadence training metronome that will run in the background while I play my podcasts. Any suggestions? The metronome in the app "Running Cadence" is what I'm looking for (input your bpm, and it spits out a clicking sound), but it gets all funky when I try to run Downcast at the same time.
Any suggestions for cadence training apps (for iPhone) that will run while playing podcasts would be much appreciated!
posted by hefeweizen at 7:12 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by hefeweizen at 7:12 PM PST - 1 comment
Are most guys' minds creepy (or sex sex sex? :/)
Incident report of a young woman and much older upper-middle class man. [more inside]
How hard is a DIY water heater installation going to be?
Have any of you replaced your water heater yourself? Have any of you attempted to do so and failed, only to hire someone else to do it? Are any of you plumbers with opinions about a non-plumber's likelihood of success? Any thoughts on cost of professional installation vs. costs to purchase the necessary equipment? [more inside]
posted by nohaybanda at 6:53 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by nohaybanda at 6:53 PM PST - 13 comments
when is the blackberry q10, with physical keyboard, being released?
When is the company formally known as RIM releasing the Q10 model (that's the one with the physical keyboard as opposed to the Z10 which is their touchscreen phone and is currently available) ? I don't understand why the company-formally-known-as-RIM is being so coy about it. It was originally called the X10, then when they announced the existence of it they changed the name to the Q10 and all I can find is vague speculation that it may be May or June.
posted by jdaura at 5:25 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by jdaura at 5:25 PM PST - 1 comment
Coping with infertility
Any advice for coping with infertility? [more inside]
How can I benefit from a therapist who doesn't seem very smart?
I've been struggling with mild depression for a long time. I think therapy is probably a good idea for someone like me, but I've been unable to find a therapist I really respect. I've tried seven different therapists (one I stuck with for a couple years), but none have seemed very insightful or helpful. I'm feeling like I should try again (my wife definitely wants me to). Do I just have to be willing to try a dozen therapists until I find the "right" one? (That seems really daunting.) Or is there maybe some way I can better benefit from a therapist who doesn't seem very insightful? [more inside]
Help with Latin!
Hey! Any of you Latin aficionados care to help me translate?
I'm looking for a phrase that means something like "(Administrative/Bureaucratic/Decision-Making) Power IS (the greatest form of) Power.
It's for a faux-sigil for someone who just got a big promotion to an administrative leadership role.
I'm moving to Crown Heights! Tell me thing about it!
Brooklyn Questions. Late this month, I'm moving into a place at St. John's Place and Bedford Avenue in Crown Heights. I like what I've seen of the neighborhood, but tell me more about it! [more inside]
Stomach Problem and Antibiotics
I used tetracycline for a year and a half for acne. I had no negative side effects.
On April 14th I started to have abdomen pain, loose stools, diahrea, gas, and stomach gurgling.
On April 18th I went to a walk in clinic and they told me that I should stop taking the tetracycline because I've been on it for too long and it can negatively effect my gut flora.
I had a stool sample, blood test and ultrasound done and they all came back negative.
I went to my family doctor April 29th and he said that I am suffering from IBS and said to take a PPI and a anti-depressant. He also said it was unlikely that the tetracycline could cause my stomach problems. I took the PPI and it didn't help. I do not want to take the anti-depressant.
I visited my dermatologist this week and he said I should continue taking the tetracycline and that stomach problems can be related to stress.
My stomach is still bothering me and I have diahrea in the early morning and I'm taking imodium to stop that.
I am visiting my girlfriend in Europe in 2 weeks and I hope my stomach problems don't negatively effect my trip.
Does anyone know if using Antibiotics could cause stomach issues like this.
I am upset at myself for taking the Tetracycline for so long. But my dermatologist told me it was safe.
I hope this will pass and not be a lifelong syndrome.
NC Triad Brunch Recommendations
Anyone out there got recommendations for Sunday brunch in the NC Triad, [more inside]
How do I kick this person to the curb?
I was friends with this woman for a couple of years. I don't want to be her friend anymore. I tried to accomplish this in a nonconfrontational (read: passive aggressive, maybe?) way, but she's still contacting me. Do I need to tell her an actual reason for why I don't really wanna talk to her anymore? [more inside]
I love you so much, and I want to never have your baby.
My boyfriend and I haven't been together for a very long time, but it has already started to feel very serious and I see the potential for a longterm future together. We are both extremely close with our families and I know that family life and children are a huge priority for both of us. We're on the same page there. However... By extraordinary coincidence we both suffer from the same rare, semi-inheritable disease. [more inside]
Grandpa must be crazy pt. II
"Do you use 'product'?", "What the hell is that?"
I'm looking for suggestions for men's hair care products meant to hold the hair in place. [more inside]
What are some of the fanciest charity galas out there?
I'm interested in learning more about high-end charity galas that are out there in the world, the kinds that cost more than $1000 USD a plate. What are the most well-known ones out there? And some of the not so well known ones?
posted by perpetualstroll at 1:53 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by perpetualstroll at 1:53 PM PST - 11 comments
Was the lettering on 'Raiders' original, or was it a homage?
Indiana Jones look was borrowed from Secret of the Incas. Was the lettering on 'Raiders' original, or was it also a homage? [more inside]
Is a California LLC the right way to go for a film production company?
I'm going to be producing a low-budget feature film, and hopefully more in the future. I'm considering setting up a company via LegalZoom or similar and just want to know if there are any "gotcha"s before I start. [more inside]
I am literally going to clean all the things.
I would like to do a massive clean/organization of my apartment over the next few weeks. Help me figure out a game plan. [more inside]
International postage stamps from a domestic source
I have a bunch of postcards I'm mailing out from within the US to people in the US, UK and Switzerland. I can put domestic stamps on the cards sent from within the US to our US address, so that the recipients can just drop it in a mailbox. Does the USPS or another entity within the US sell stamps that I can put on the postcards sent from the UK and Switzerland, such that the recipients don't need to buy their own stamps?
Reference Source on Air/Spring Powered Guns?
I'm looking for a good contemporary reference source on airguns. BB guns, paintball guns air-soft guns, pellet guns, all of the above. Google, Amazon and my local library have failed me so far. So, are the any war-gamers out there who know of an organization or publication that may help me? [more inside]
posted by midmarch snowman at 12:34 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by midmarch snowman at 12:34 PM PST - 3 comments
Last Night I Dreamt I Had a Marketable Skill
I hate my job and originally only took it as a stop-gap until I found what I really loved. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what else I'm suited to do. I've been a copy editor, a social worker, and a paralegal. What on earth do I do with these skills? [more inside]
Finger and party foods easy to prep far in advance
We'll be having a reception of about 60 people at the church hall after Peanut's baptism in June. I'm looking for recipes for finger and party food that will withstand the June heat and that I can prepare over the next few weeks in advance. [more inside]
posted by romakimmy at 11:54 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by romakimmy at 11:54 AM PST - 15 comments
Re-Learning to Fly
I'm going to be flying cross-country at the end of June. I haven't been on an airplane in about 11 years. What should I do to make my trip as comfortable and stress-free as possible, both on the ground and in the air? [more inside]
Insight versus entanglement
How do you strike a balance beween talking things out constructively, versus wallowing in negative emotions? [more inside]
Ethically Produced Duds Similar to Everlane, U.S. Office Edition
I read this New York Times article about clothing that is ethically produced and looked up the company they feature, Everlane, and really loved the look of their stuff. It's conservative enough for an office, but still fashionable and hip, and not horribly expensive ($15 for women's t-shirts). The trouble is, they don't offer very much variety. Basically, I'm looking for more things along the lines of these previous MeFi questions but for women's clothes available for purchase in the U.S. [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter at 11:05 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by forkisbetter at 11:05 AM PST - 8 comments
Assigning a keyboard shortcut to a macro in Access 2007
Is there a simple way to assign a keyboard shortcut to a macro in Access 2007? I understand that macros behave differently in Access than they do in Excel (which I'm more familiar with). I have written a sub called "ImportAll" in Module1. I'd like it to run when I push Ctrl+I. How would I go about achieving this?
posted by Proginoskes at 10:15 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Proginoskes at 10:15 AM PST - 4 comments
Replacement for Lockinfo?
I recently lost the jailbreak on my iPhone and with that I lost LockInfo. Is there a replacement/workaround? [more inside]
How can I send an invitation from iCal to a Google Calendar user?
When Mr. Corpse and I were both using iCal I could send him an invitation to an event; if he accepted it it blocked off the time in his calendar. Now that he's switched to Google Calendar this system doesn't work. [more inside]
Need to find a necklace in nyc for mother's day.
I'm looking for a necklace similar to these:
But maybe nicer. Can anyone recommend a place in or near manhattan where I can find necklaces like this?
How can I get my phone to cache web pages?
So I just got this phone fairly recently, it's an android HTC 1x+ and while I love it a lot, I've been running into 2 issues which really bring the whole experience down for me. How can I stop my phone from reloading each page every time I switch tabs and how can I keep my place when it switches from portrait mode to landscape and back? [more inside]
I officially have a bum ankle.
I have sprained my ankle for the second time in three months. [more inside]
Interdisciplinary career options?
What careers or jobs might actively look for and value candidates with degrees in quite disparate fields? One example is patent law, where lawyers with science or technical backgrounds are valued. What other instances are there?
Where should we go this summer?
Girlfriend and I are looking to get away this August, and we're looking for destinations. We want to spend ~10 days relaxing, experiencing some natural beauty, being warm, eating delicious food (both of the restaurant variety and the pick-up-bread-and-cheese-from-the-local-vendor variety) and generally unplugging from day-to-day life. Not big partiers, but we'd frequent the local cafe/pub. Something like a little cottage in the south of France would be our dream, but we're working with a budget of ~$4000 all-inclusive, so France may have to wait. We're 30ish and live in Boston. Idea us please!
How do I outfit a spare room? How do I rent it short-term? Should I?
I live in a university town, and there is a healthy market for spare rooms over the summer for students doing research and alumni on football weekends. Somewhat shabby two-bedroom apartment, common areas are simply but attractively/neutrally furnished. What do I need to consider? [more inside]
Hardwood floor woes
We may have made our already-ruined wood floor worse. How can we fix this, at least temporarily? [more inside]
posted by arcticwoman at 8:16 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by arcticwoman at 8:16 AM PST - 10 comments
Explain the French legal system to me!
So SO and I are watching the first season of Spiral (Engrenages) and there's something about the procedural process that confuses me - suspects are brought in, and then soon after meet with a 'Judge' who decides a sentence - but unlike UK or US shows, this is done in a private office, not a courtroom. Can someone explain this to us? (No spoilers, if you know about French justice but not the programme!) [more inside]
Defaulting on a loan
I am paying back student loan debt that I no longer can because I'm back in full-time education and am not making nearly enough ££. [more inside]
Fonts with the X-factor
Typographers, designers, and font geeks: I'm looking for fonts with a distinctive and stylish letter "X". Other criteria: sans serif, not too ornate, and preferably free to download. The X is going to form part of a word, so as well as being distinctive it should also fit nicely with the other characters. Thanks in advance (:
Do record cleaners work?
Do record cleaners actually work? And if so, which model(s) are the best? [more inside]
posted by The Card Cheat at 7:45 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by The Card Cheat at 7:45 AM PST - 15 comments
Self-soothing or opting out?
When is it a good idea to cancel trips/plans when you're feeling badly? [more inside]
Apropos of Nothing - The History of Nothing - part three
Four and eight years ago, I asked where I could obtain a copy of Eduardo Paolizzi's remarkable short film The History of Nothing on DVD. Added difficulty: I'm in America. Twist: I would gladly consider purchasing a 16mm print. Any leads?
Help me feed my friends.
Summer recipes for a hungry crew and a cook who kind of sucks at following recipes? [more inside]
posted by functionequalsform at 7:39 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by functionequalsform at 7:39 AM PST - 12 comments
What, me forty?
Hopping off the good advice spread here, I'd like a guide to navigating my next decade in general as me and my kids enter their tweens and middle school to high school.
How to clone Symeon's seasoning?
How can I clone the seasonings from Symeon's restaurant in New York? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 7:11 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by wenestvedt at 7:11 AM PST - 10 comments
Looking for a whisky treat
As I've mentioned before, I do so love the whisky. Can you recommend some true special occasion bottles? As a framework, let's say bottles $100 and up that are worth every penny. [more inside]
Will search engine users ever pay a user fee to use a search engine?
I've been presented with a business idea for a search engine or Web application that would require the user of the search engine to a pay a fee for the search results. Intuitively, I don't think this could work, but I'm having a hard time actually saying why. Historically, I think most search engines have been funded through advertisements or marketers who purchase profile data on searchers. Is there anything I could point to, such as a case study or an article in a journal or magazine, that would explain why a business model based on getting somebody to pay for the results for a search engine will or won't work?
Academia and anonymous blog posts
Do any academic institutions allow uncredited blog posts? [more inside]
Baby got (a bad) back. What next?
I've been diagnosed with a moderate to large disc extrusion of the L4-L5 disc. It's been causing me pain for nearly a year so I'm glad to finally get a reason. Next step treatment but I'm nervous. [more inside]
posted by billiebee at 4:31 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by billiebee at 4:31 AM PST - 20 comments
A grad program that deals with creative writing AND photography?
I'm heading for a career change, and want to get better at my two passions: creative writing (creative non-fiction) and photography. I'm looking for a grad program that helps me integrate both so I can tell both my own stories and other people's (NGOs, Foundations, etc) more persuasively. [more inside]
What to do with a guy I've been seeing for 3 months- now pulling away.
How do I approach a guy I'm really starting to fall for, but who's pulling away at the three month mark? [more inside]
Whats the best option for dealing with painful varicose veins?
My wife is pregnant with our first child, she is 22 weeks along. She is slim but has quite large legs, which have always had some prominent veins on her calf. At our first meeting with the midwife she told us to get support tights, and keep an eye on it. [more inside]
posted by Cannon Fodder at 3:57 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Cannon Fodder at 3:57 AM PST - 11 comments
I don't have humps
But I feel like I'm a camel. Everyone says to drink more, but I don't feel thirsty. Is it OK that I don't drink unless I'm thirsty? [more inside]
Please help me get to Chaudes-Aigues in July. Thanks!
I'm going to Chaudes-Aigues (France) in early July and I currently live in England (York). What are my (best) options for getting there? Would like to fly out of Manchester if at all possible, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what airlines and airports I should be looking into at the France end and how feasible train/bus travel is to/from places there. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by iamkimiam at 3:14 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by iamkimiam at 3:14 AM PST - 9 comments
Looking for examples of beautiful programming cheat sheets
I have an urge to make a series of cheat sheets for a project that currently lacks them (the Grails web framework, if anyone's interested) and am looking for design inspiration. It's easy to find cheat sheets online, but most of them are (perfectly functional!) variations on zebra-striped tables. Googling for "well-designed cheat sheets" and similar gives results that contain cheat sheets for designers - I am looking for examples of well-designed cheat sheets that use color, typefaces etc. in a way that's information-dense but also pleasing to the eye.
If anybody has links to examples of cheat sheets (for programming languages or otherwise), please leave a comment.
How to couchsurf effectively
I am leaving my place shortly and moving into a new one, however there will be a period during which I will be camping out with various family and friends while the paperwork on the new place gets sorted and I get some work done to it. What is the minimum of stuff I should take with me in order to live comfortably on someone else's floor / sofa bed / guest room, while still not taking up too much of their space? Also, how do I deal with the lack of feeling settled / not having my own space? I haven't done this for a long time, so want to go in fully prepared. [more inside]
posted by Ziggy500 at 2:40 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by Ziggy500 at 2:40 AM PST - 15 comments
What are these bugs?
Please help me identify this guy. I live in the Phoenix, Arizona area. For the past several months, these guys have been around my house. I typically see about one per day, never swarming or anything like that, never more than one. [more inside]
posted by disillusioned at 12:37 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by disillusioned at 12:37 AM PST - 5 comments
May 9
How many ways are there of getting off the ground?
I've been taking an interest in model helicopter design, but I don't want to build a quadrotor. I want to make something a bit more unique. Looking around, I've found some really bizarre options, things like Flettner aircraft ("the flying paint roller"). I'd like to know just how many options for heavier than air flight there are. [more inside]
Long vs. short distance running - in need of guidance on what's next
I've been running since 2007, and since then I've run three half marathons and several 10 milers/10k/5ks and what have you. Over the years my speed and abilities have increased, but boredom has set in and my motivation is lacking, especially when it comes to long distance running. I think I want to transition to doing short distances and speedwork, but I'm not sure what I should focus on. [more inside]
posted by cristinacristinacristina at 11:22 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by cristinacristinacristina at 11:22 PM PST - 8 comments
Caterpillar ID
What kind of caterpillar is this and does it stand a reasonable chance of metamorphosis if I keep it in a jar in my kitchen? [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow at 9:50 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by otherwordlyglow at 9:50 PM PST - 11 comments
Need an Employment Lawyer in LA
A friend needs an HR/Employment specialty lawyer in LA, preferably in the SGV, but no further west than downtown. Difficulty: Friend works at a law firm. [more inside]
posted by ApathyGirl at 9:45 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by ApathyGirl at 9:45 PM PST - 1 comment
ISO Educational Statistics: # of history students/faculty
Looking for statistical information on how many students study history at the B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. level in various non-US countries. [more inside]
This shouldn't be so hard
How can I (lady) have enjoyable sex? [more inside]
My company is posting my writing without crediting me, is this ok?
I was hired as an Instructional Designer for a firm that provides professional ID and technical writing services to companies throughout the U.S. I was asked to write some marketing articles about instructional design topics since I was considered an "expert". Now those articles are appearing on our company's blog, but without crediting me in any way as the writer. [more inside]
Looking for retailers with lifetime guarantee / warranty
I'm a huge fan of retailers who have lifetime guarantees or warranties. I'm trying to make an effort to buy more from these places. The retailers that I've enjoyed with these features include REI, Eddie Bauer, The North Face, Eastpak, Jansport and Koss headphones.
Are there any more I should be aware of? I've heard about Briggs & Riley suitcases and Craftsman tools. Please let me know of any others and of your favorites.
posted by Borborygmus at 7:19 PM PST - 32 comments
posted by Borborygmus at 7:19 PM PST - 32 comments
How do I Awesomly "wrap" a birthday trip to NYC?
I need some help coming up with a super cool, creative way to tell my new 13 yr old daughter about her upcoming birthday present, a weekend in NYC... [more inside]
posted by pearlybob at 6:49 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by pearlybob at 6:49 PM PST - 15 comments
Sunflowers bunches for sale in central Connecticut?
Hi CT mefites. I'm looking for help locating sunflowers in grocery/box stores between Windsor Locks and Storrs before I travel there next week. [more inside]
Fab 40th?
Help me decide what to do for my 40th birthday! I am turning 40 in mid-August and would like (love!) to do something a bit special and experiential rather than receive something material. I’m also in a massive rut and would love to do something new and different that I haven’t thought of. I crave new experiences and ideas and these have been in short supply due to various personal and medical pressures over the last 12 months. I’ve had a few thoughts, but none of them have really made me think YES that’s EXACTLY what I want to do. AskMe, can you offer some inspiration, either around my existing ideas, or something completely fresh I haven’t considered? [more inside]
posted by t0astie at 5:47 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by t0astie at 5:47 PM PST - 17 comments
I'm looking for a fancypants Bag of Holding
I recently received an unexpected amount of money, and after doing grown-up things with it, I want to treat myself with a new purse. [more inside]
I don't want to exclude this friend, but I don't want him to come either
I am celebrating my grad-school graduation, and I have a friend who has been very good to me. But he also lacks boundaries, can be pushy, gets very drunk quickly, and causes me and others a lot of stress sometimes. He clearly expects to celebrate my graduation with me. What do I do? [more inside]
Breaking a joint tenancy
Yes, I know everyone will tell me to get a lawyer. Anyway, has anyone ever broken a joint tenancy on a piece of property? [more inside]
posted by fifilaru at 5:40 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by fifilaru at 5:40 PM PST - 7 comments
Washington Nationals for the Destitute
How early does one need to be at Nationals Park to grab one of the $5 grandstand tickets for a Saturday afternoon game? They start selling them 2 1/2 hours in advance, how early do I really need to be there?
First time back in DC in a couple years...they're playoff contenders now. I have been watching SeatGeek for amazing deals for other seats...but I've got graduate student money.
posted by Hollywood Upstairs Medical College at 5:25 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Hollywood Upstairs Medical College at 5:25 PM PST - 4 comments
Can I hack an antenna into our baby monitor?
Tired of the random 'Searching' beep throughout the night waking me up. Help me get some sleep? [more inside]
I may have jumped the gun a bit
I may have jumped the gun a bit in promising a friend that they could attend a writing workshop group we are starting. How should I navigate the resulting trickiness without marring any relationships? [more inside]
posted by deathpanels at 4:57 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by deathpanels at 4:57 PM PST - 10 comments
Help me hack my cats
The Angrycat household is getting a rescue kitten, which brings the total cat population in said household to three, and, I'm aware, pushes me into cat lady land. Whatever. There are more important cat issues at stake. [more inside]
Los Angeles... Hotel recommendations for E3
So, I'm running a bit late in making my hotel reservation for E3 and the nicer down-town Los Angeles hotels are booked.
Any recommendations on where to look if I expand my search radius? I will need to be on-site at the convention center, so I suppose that car-free would be best... but open to suggestions. (I'd prefer not to be by the airport).
Cost isn't a major factor, but probably wouldn't go as high as the Four Seasons for example.
thoughts? I'll have a day or so available for touristy stuff, so those suggestions are welcome as well.
thank you!
posted by jimmereeno at 4:16 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by jimmereeno at 4:16 PM PST - 15 comments
Do I have to share a hotel room with my coworker?
Is it common in your academic workplace for people to share hotel rooms at conferences with colleagues? [more inside]
Best distribution method for a guide
I'm writing a guide to sell to what I think is a pretty small target audience, probably consisting of maybe 25,000 people total with the percentage of potential buyers being very tiny. (Let us not ask why I'm writing for such a niche audience. Let us say that it is primarily because I want to share the information, but I also want to earn something for my work.) I am writing it so that each major section is self-contained and should be able to be sold separately, with the possibility of buying the full guide at a discount compared to buying each section individually. How can I best distribute this electronically? [more inside]
Jewelry Shops in NYC, budget of $250.
I'm looking for recomendations of jewelry shops in NYC (Manhattan or Brooklyn) that sells jewelry between $100-$250.
posted by OsoMeaty at 2:55 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by OsoMeaty at 2:55 PM PST - 10 comments
How much would this market research / focus group cost?
Would like to spend an afternoon in NYC talking to 5-10 small business owners to get their opinion on some product ideas. I'd expect to do this in a facility which does this professionally who'd also (I assume) wrangle the subjects . I'm trying to get an idea of how much this would cost me.
"Activity" places for a bachelor party in NYC
Recommendations for good bachelor party "activity"-type places in NYC. Not looking for debauchery—right now, we're considering something like Brooklyn Bowl and/or Barcade. Thinking along those lines or pool/darts, that sort of thing, but also interested in other ideas. Manhattan or Brooklyn. [more inside]
A twist on the neighbor-conflict theme
The problems are pretty standard: our next-door neighbors are a mom with four teen-age daughters who seem to thrive on conflict. Their screaming fights and door-slammings keep us awake; their response to polite requests that they not do this have been retaliation (full details inside!). The twist is that we live in a conservative suburb and we are both trans gender, so their social credibility is way higher than ours (in part because of rumors they spread), so it's hard to figure out what action we might take. [more inside]
How to fairly split revenue (if any) on sales of a self-published ebook?
I'm a freelance reporter who just finished a multi-part series for a nonprofit news organization. Now I'd like to turn it into an ebook. I am not savvy about rights, commissions, etc., and neither is my editor/publisher. What do we need to know to negotiate a fair revenue split? [more inside]
Rebuilding shattered self-confidence after grad school?
So, now I've got a PhD. But I'm crippled by zero self-confidence as I start applying to industry jobs. Did you rebuild your self-confidence after a PhD? [more inside]
Where can I get my computer repaired?
Please recommend a reliable computer repair shop or person in New York City. [more inside]
Bus journey from Ankara airport to city center?
I am travelling for four days to Turkey's capital. My hotel is in downtown Ankara and I have been told I should take bus 442 and get off at Kizilay city center, which is a 5-minute-walk away (hotel at Kültür Mh.Ataç-2 Sokak No:46). Does anyone know the area? Any major landmark(s) I should pay attention to so as not to miss my stop? How viable are EGO buses to get around? (I'll also need to travel daily to the university Cebeci Campus)
Save me, Amazon Prime
What can I order from Amazon Prime RIGHT NOW to be delivered for Mother's Day? [more inside]
When should I buy LED light bulbs?
Dimmable LED light bulbs seem more economical than halogens. But they're really expensive. Will they quickly come down in price, so I should wait? Or will they come down slowly, so I might as well start saving?
Also, how good is the dimming? I tried dimmable CFL's, but they don't seem to dim past 50%.
Open jazz jam sessions in East Bay?
Are there any venues in East SF Bay, preferably Berkeley/Oakland, that host jazz jam sessions that are open to all comers (e.g. an amateur saxophone player such as myself)? Such places must exist, but Google and Craigslist have both failed me so far.
posted by zeri at 12:12 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by zeri at 12:12 PM PST - 2 comments
How to work with my boss's idiot son?
My boss has hired her unqualified problem child son to work in my workplace. I have no idea how to deal with him. [more inside]
I don't know what to do about this friendship anymore.
My friend is getting increasingly rude and mean with me, and yet I always find myself apologizing to make things right. What should I do? [more inside]
I need an annual SF parking permit, but my car is registered in LA.
I have somehow managed to live in SF for several years without a parking permit, but I am going to need one shortly. Can I get an annual parking permit without changing my car's registration information? [more inside]
posted by ziggly at 11:56 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by ziggly at 11:56 AM PST - 8 comments
How do I tell my next door neighbor to take care of her own cat?
She has an ancient, diabetic cat that she's been trying to get rid of, offering people $150 to take him off her hands. She keeps asking me to feed him and give him insulin twice a day on weekends. She's moving out June 1. [more inside]
How to hang heavy items from walls & concrete ceiling w/o holes?
I recently moved into a loft in a really nice building. One issue I'm up against is that I am not permitted to drill any holes in the walls or concrete ceiling.
I have been using the 3M Command strips and hooks and they work well for small things.
However, even the hooks rated for 3 lbs failed to hold my very light-weight surround speakers.
I also have a display case for my shot glass collection that weighs 21 lbs before even adding the glasses to it. I am thinking that may just have to live as a resting, rather than hanging, display.
But I would also like to hang a lightweight pendant style lamp over the area I've set up as my living room. The ceiling does have some concrete protrusions that extend down from it. Would some hardware like a C clamp be solid enough to hang something like that from? Other suggestions? And recommendations for hanging artwork besides the Command products?
Process diagrams in Adobe Illustrator
I need to draw some process diagrams in Adobe Illustrator, and my Google-fu is failing me! I need to have a circular flow to the main part of the diagram, with a couple of additional arrows (think something like these diagrams: one, two, three). There must be a simple way to do this! [more inside]
Also, it's going to be 90+ degrees the entire time.
Manager fishing for extra hours?
Summary: Is it legal in New Mexico to require an employee to come into work early for training, and then deny that worker the overtime pay? [more inside]
posted by endotoxin at 11:18 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by endotoxin at 11:18 AM PST - 10 comments
Getting multiple Outlook task and contacts folders on Blackberry
I use Outlook pretty heavily at home - not for email, but for everything else (calendar, tasks, contacts lists). This includes keeping various tasks folders (e.g. To Do This Week, To Do Soon, Errands, Music to Download) and a few contacts folders (e.g. Personal, Business, Online Accounts (where I keep my login info and other details for my many online accounts)).
I decided to go with a Blackberry for my first smart phone because it sounded like it would be the one that would most smoothly mesh with the Outlook info on my PC so that I could have my calendar/task/contact info in both places at all times. I was prepared to do daily (or more) syncs between my PC and phone to make this happen. Per the question title, I got a Blackberry Curve.
Alas, it turns out that I was sorely mistaken. The Curve (and who knows how many other versions of BB before and since) allows only one folder each for tasks and for contacts on the device. I'm an individual user (not a corporate user) and don't use (or want to use) Exchange Server - although I don't think that would help this particular problem anyway.
So is there anything I can do to get my Curve to handle anything more than one folder for tasks and contacts? [more inside]
Dealing with logistics of a one-way ticket
The problem: Boyfriend has been living in Central America for several years--he's not a permanent resident or citizen, but gets his passport stamped every 3 months (just takes a quick trip across the border). This seems typical of lots of expats in the area, and there are no problems with the host country so far. Boyfriend has an Italian passport. He's currently visiting me in the States. He also visited last October, and when we were at the airport for his return flight, the nice lady at United told us he couldn't fly back to Central American country without a ticket showing that he would leave this country within 3 months [more inside]
Adventures in giant-CSV land
Hi, I have a .csv that exceeds the maximum number of rows that Excel can handle, and before I can import it into a geodatabase in ArcGIS, I need to make one small edit – I need to delete the first row. Is there any way to do this and resave the file (preferably in a format other than .csv) in a way that retains the rows unable to be loaded in Excel?
posted by avocet at 10:28 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by avocet at 10:28 AM PST - 20 comments
Home remedies for kidney stones
In addition to medical treatment, what else can be done to help kidney stones go away? [more inside]
Who decides that everyone will be wearing the same color for 3 months?
Everyone is wearing mint green as of spring. EVERYONE. How does this happen? [more inside]
Help me understand the traditional IRA
Currently I max out my Roth IRA, and I have a 401(k) with a small employer match. I contribute enough to be able to take advantage of the maximum match they offer. However, I still have money leftover I would like to invest. [more inside]
Word doesn't get the (insertion) point - style shortcuts at end of word
In Mac Word 2011 - When editing a block of existing text, with the insertion point at the end of newly typed word, using command-B or command-I seems to style the word preceding the insertion point, and that I just applied styles to, rather than turning the styles off for the word I am about to type. Can this behavior be altered? [more inside]
My roommate is driving me nuts and I'm wondering what my options are
Basically I paid $400 (really cheap rent) for a small room sublet in Bensonhurst and one of my friends with benefits (who I knew for about a month), heard about my situation incidentally and kept on asking me to split rent with him in the Bronx. It's not a particularly bad area and it was financially feasible (he lives alone and his dad pays half his rent just as a nice gesture, so we'd split the remaining amount - $250 a month on me and the rest on him - about the same).
So primarily for financial reasons, as I could save money on rent, I started moving my things and called my landlord to tell him I'm leaving this month within a couple weeks. [more inside]
Gable vent exhaust fan or no?
Whether to install a gable exhaust fan in my attic and which of 3 gable vents to install it on? [more inside]
Nook Simple Touch Glolight: embedded fonts and drm-free files.
I have a Sony prs 600 touch Ereader that is about to expire.
To replace it I am considering a Nook Simple Touch Glolight I just have three specific questions about the Nook that I need answered. Details inside [more inside]
posted by Faintdreams at 9:10 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Faintdreams at 9:10 AM PST - 6 comments
Gretsch Catalina drum kit, good for a beginner?
I've finally got a house with a basement, and I'm about to realize a long-held ambition to learn the drums. How should I get started? Should I learn some basics on a practice pad before I shop for a kit, or should I buy the kit I (think I) want? [more inside]
posted by ndg at 9:05 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by ndg at 9:05 AM PST - 8 comments
Got the Italian Girlfriend Blues...
Any tips from Metafiltrati with latin/italian lady experience to make things calmer or more manageable? [more inside]
posted by letsgomendel at 8:47 AM PST - 45 comments
posted by letsgomendel at 8:47 AM PST - 45 comments
Deployment Care Package Ideas
My brother in law is deployed in Afghanistan for the next 7 months or so. He's in a relatively safe post on base. He has access to a commissary, internet, and PS3. While he doesn't really need things, he needs cheering up. What should my husband and I send him? [more inside]
It's like winning the lottery... almost.
My partner and I have just been offered a large amount of money to leave our NYC apartment. Our plan is to pull up stakes and move to my home state. We have to make a decision by tomorrow. However, I've also just had a hinky breast mammogram/sonogram and am scheduled for a biopsy next week. Am I making a major mistake in quitting my job, going on COBRA, and moving cross country when I've got a potential health issue on the line? [more inside]
posted by fuzzywuzzysock at 7:57 AM PST - 47 comments
posted by fuzzywuzzysock at 7:57 AM PST - 47 comments
A new name the band question, Iceland edition!
I need help identifying a band that played Iceland Airwaves in 2012. Bonus question within. [more inside]
posted by msali at 7:34 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by msali at 7:34 AM PST - 8 comments
BOS to Deleware. Need meeting point on 1-95 NYC, public transit...
I'm road trippin' with friends. They are driving from Boston to Deleware. I'm in NYC.
I need to meet them somewhere along the 1-95 route in the NYC area, So they don't have to go out of their way to pick me up. [more inside]
posted by thatgirld at 7:30 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by thatgirld at 7:30 AM PST - 10 comments
Accurate running pace?
I've recently taken up jogging again, this time with an iPhone and the Nike+ app to track my runs. It seems to be pretty sloppy at tracking pace, compared to my old Nike shoe sensor. It's very smoothed out, so doing intervals, for instance, looks like a sine wave instead of a square wave. Are there any solutions that are better at this?
Is it legal for a job to not allow employees to take breaks?
I work in a house that has been designated as a group home for 5 disabled adults. The program/company is funded for by the state. I am an hourly employee who works a full 40 hours (plus up to 10-15 hours of overtime @ time and a half many weeks). My checks include deductions in all the proper taxes and stuff that any job would withdraw from. It's a full on legit job. [more inside]
Poem about an older man sailing away for one final adventure?
My father used to quote a few lines from a poem that was about an older man (a king maybe?) sailing away for one final adventure. I thought I remembered a line about 'once more across the sundering seas', but when I search on that phrase all I find is stuff related to Tolkien. The poem would be the kind of thing a classically educated person would know, and I think it's pretty famous. Any of this ringing any bells for anyone?
posted by StephenF at 4:59 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by StephenF at 4:59 AM PST - 13 comments
What's better than a steering wheel?
Steering wheels are an odd invention: a round object that you rotate clockwise or anti-clockwise based on whether you want to move a car left or right. The rotating of a wheel doesn't really match up with what you are trying to accomplish (unless you're used to it). [more inside]
posted by devnull at 4:17 AM PST - 42 comments
posted by devnull at 4:17 AM PST - 42 comments
Damage to central nervous system during childbirth?
How does Bupivacain effect the body and can the effects be reversed? [more inside]
Searching for title of a 90's FPS game for PC
I used to play a FPS on my PC back in the 90's. I can't remember the title of it, however I remember one of the weapons. [more inside]
posted by madcow20 at 2:55 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by madcow20 at 2:55 AM PST - 11 comments
What are your favorite anti-bullying and empowering YouTube videos?
I was bullied extensively growing up, by family members, peers, and, later, boyfriends. I really find it empowering to watch anti-bullying, It Gets Better, and self-harm/borderline personality videos. What are your favorites? [more inside]
Extended travel with gadgets: IPhone, IPad Mini, SIM cards, mifi?
My wife and I, and our 1 year old have a 4.5 month circle pacific trip planned, and are trying to figure out the gadget fandango. On solo trips in the past, I'd bring a (rarely used) point and shoot camera, and depend on internet cafes for connectivity. I'm thinking we want a bit more on this trip, so am trying to figure out what collection of devices would be ideal. The countries are: Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Seoul. We'll be in Japan for three weeks, Australia and New Zealand about a month each, and 4-7 days in each of the rest. It would be nice to make phone calls in Australia and NZ (we are English speakers), not so much in the others, It would be nice to have Internet access in all these places, etc.. I've been toying with bringing an IPhone 4 and an IPad mini, and renting mifi devices in Japan, AUS & NZ, and adding a SIM card to the phone for AUS & NZ. Is there an elegant solution? Should we just disconnect for a while and depend upon the kindness of strangers' internet cafes?
Who owns the copyright to the 1927 Cecil B DeMille film 'King of kings'?
An organisation I do some work for is hoping to show Cecil B DeMille’s 1927 (it may be the 1928 version, but I'm not sure, and for the purposes of this question it almost certainly doesn’t matter) film ‘King of Kings’ at an event later this year. All attempts to identify and contact the copyright owner (and we’ve made several) have failed.
Does anyone know who owns the copyright, or have a good source for this information that we may have overlooked?
posted by monkey closet at 2:07 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by monkey closet at 2:07 AM PST - 17 comments
Post surgery low blood pressure - how long should it last?
You are not my doctor, I'm just looking for personal experiences here (and yes, I understand anything medical will vary a lot between individuals). I had surgery a week ago and stayed in hospital overnight. I've been recovering well but still feel quite dizzy, usually when I bend over/stand up but also when walking slowly on a level surface. [more inside]
posted by Athanassiel at 2:00 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Athanassiel at 2:00 AM PST - 8 comments
Tipping Housekeeping, London Version
I'm in London, staying in a nice little self-catering flat. Do I tip the guy who's been doing the cleaning? [more inside]
Unusual housing options in Leiden, the Netherlands?
I am moving from Germany to Leiden for one year. As this is a short amount of time, I want to investigate if there are any possibilities for unique housing situations (houseboats, co-ops, windmills (I'm joking about the windmills. No, I am only half-joking about the windmills.)). What are the options beyond renting a typical apartment? I am a professional in my 30's with no dependents and 3 suitcases of earthy possessions, so now seems like the perfect time for an adventure. My only requirements are electricity, running water, a kitchen (shared or otherwise), and less than a 30 minute commute (via bicycle and mass transit) to the university. Sadly, I do not speak Dutch. Where should I begin looking?
Purchasing an old home: lead water and air duct questions inside.
The home my wife and I are possibly about to purchase was built in 1900 and we have a few questions about aged systems and family safety. Lead water pipes and asbestos tape, oh my! [more inside]
posted by Wrongshanks at 1:23 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by Wrongshanks at 1:23 AM PST - 14 comments
May 8
Osteology for Fun and Profit
Help me distinguish reptile and mammal bone! [more inside]
posted by barnacles at 10:37 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by barnacles at 10:37 PM PST - 4 comments
American toys for German kids
What are some great gifts I could bring from the US (northeast) to kids in Germany who range in age from 3 to 8 years old? What cool kid stuff is available in the US that might be novel for kids in Germany these days?
posted by plantbot at 9:47 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by plantbot at 9:47 PM PST - 6 comments
Light My Fire
I want to be cremated by bonfire. Public bonfire. I assume it's not permitted. Are there any exceptions? [more inside]
Best Online Printable Big Maps of Central London
Where can i find the best free printable maps of Central London? Something big I can print out multi-page. (I can find plenty of tiny print maps which aren't for me). I'm thinking it would fit on 25 sheets of 8 x 11. I'd fold it and carry it with me. A good map that shows the relative widths of streets. Labels the main sights, shows tube stations. Google Maps doesn't fill the bill.
posted by storybored at 9:04 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by storybored at 9:04 PM PST - 10 comments
What are some fun things to do in Melbourne, Australia?
What are the most fun things to do in Melbourne on holiday? I've got 4 days as a solo female traveller in my 30s. I'm not into footy but open to shopping, good places to eat (cheaply), cultural things and tourist attractions. Inspire me!
Soooooooore cervix.
Sex-filter: What the hell did we do to my vagina/uterus/entire abdominal cavity? [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 8:33 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by stoneandstar at 8:33 PM PST - 16 comments
I am your graduation's guest speaker... now what?
I agreed to be the guest speaker at the graduation for a graduate-school program. Students, families, and teachers will be present, about 60 people total. All the grads are getting the same degree. I have a similar degree and now I work in the field which they will be (trying to) work in. (It's a competitive, low-paying field, and the students are well aware of that fact.)
I do guest lectures all the time at university classes, sort of like career-day presentations, but I get the feeling I should be talking about big-picture stuff, be optimistic and empowering and inspiring or whatever. Thing is, I don't know how to do that, but I want to make sure the audience gets something useful from my speech. How do I best approach (and format) a 30 minute graduation speech? It's in 1 week.
Engagement ring substitute ideas?
I got engaged - yay! He didn't get me an engagement ring, which is fine with me because it was a mutual "how about it?" discussion... [more inside]
posted by scuza at 6:55 PM PST - 36 comments
posted by scuza at 6:55 PM PST - 36 comments
Kidney stone and no insurance...What can I do?
I don't have insurance and I seem to have collected a kidney stone. Already seen a doctor, but what more should I do? [more inside]
Big screen glasses
Does anyone remember a product that using optics made an iPhone screen look like a big screen? I remember it being some sort of head mounted contraption with some sort of glasses/optics that made the screen seem large.
I'm not thinking of the "video glasses" that are being sold now.
My google skills are failing me, I can only seem to find video glasses.
Am I making this up or did this sort of product actually exist at some point?
posted by aloiv2 at 6:14 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by aloiv2 at 6:14 PM PST - 6 comments
What to bring home if not the bacon?
Help me cope with my live-in girlfriend's increasingly arbitrary diet [more inside]
My pain in the ass, I mean lower back
Three days ago I was negotiating my XXL body around one of the smaller spaces in my XXS apartment when I got a sudden sharp pain in my lower back, left side, just above the hip, causing my left leg to buckle. I caught myself before hitting the floor and the pain went away (except for a barely detectable ache), but since then, it recurs if I move my back in 'the wrong way' - a category that is expanding daily. Standing up straight, sitting up straight, walking very straight and laying down is painless (except I'm starting to notice amild ache in my usual sleeping position, laying on my left side). The only pain medication I have access to, Ibuprofen, is minimally helpful. YAallNMD, but with three days of worsening, is it time to get my ass to a doctor while I can still move my ass, or should I give it just get comfortable and relaxed, and not move for X hours first?
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:57 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:57 PM PST - 16 comments
Why can I no longer receive iMessages on my iPhone?
As of yesterday I no longer receive iMessages on my iPhone. I get them on my ipad and Mac, however. [more inside]
posted by krunk at 5:57 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by krunk at 5:57 PM PST - 9 comments
Looking for (non booze) gift ideas to bring to a dinner party.
A fairly wealthy client has invited me and my boss over for dinner. I'd like to take a gift to say thank you. The catch is, he doesn't drink booze and can't eat sugary foods.
Any ideas what I could bring? Food and non-food ideas welcomed. Looking to spend not more than $30.
Help me find this book featuring a female police detective!
It's actually a series. The protagonist is a female detective, who seems to be in love with her ex-husband, and at some point has to live with him and his new wife because she is injured. I think she has lived with her elderly mother, too. Sorry, not much to go on!
posted by cherrybounce at 5:44 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by cherrybounce at 5:44 PM PST - 4 comments
Offset the cost of kitchen update...by selling the cabinets!
As mentioned before, we live in an old house. One of the many interesting (ahem) design choices of the previous owners was to craft kitchen cabinets out of wood taken from the attic - thick hard pine at least 250 years old. The wood is gorgeous, the cabinets, not so much. [more inside]
Renting a projector
What types of establishments rent or loan projectors that can display computer output? And how much should it cost? [more inside]
That's no 401k, that's my mother-in-law!
How can I determine the hidden fees associated with my employee 401k through Prudential? [more inside]
posted by taltalim at 4:29 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by taltalim at 4:29 PM PST - 6 comments
Looking for a good Leather goods repairers/restorers in the UK
I am looking for someone in the UK to restore/repair a leather writing case. Any recommendations? It needs relining (and therefore reconstructing essentially). It used to belong to my Grandmother and I would love to get it restored to it's former glory.
Title Me!
Myself and my team are currently titled "Customer Service Representatives". We've been given the opportunity to change that to something else. But we need help. [more inside]
Can you please help me find an example website with "floating" text?
I'm trying to find an example website to send to my web developer of "floating" text. I'm sure there's a better name for what I'm trying to describe. Basically, I literally mean that different lines of a short paragraph are "floating" in different directions and different fonts over an image.
Does this make sense? Can someone think of better words to describe? Best yet, can someone link to a site that has similar text?
Thank you in advance!
Is it possible to fix this camera?
Can I find a replacement part for this Canon A2000 or repair it some other way? [more inside]
Nice way to decline sister's baby shower?
My sister with whom I have a strained relationship is having her baby shower on Sunday (yes, Mother's Day) for her baby due in July. I was not super-excited about going, and then my other sister called to say she's not going, and did I want to get together & do something. I do, but I don't know how to decline the invite from the other sister. [more inside]
posted by epersonae at 1:30 PM PST - 56 comments
posted by epersonae at 1:30 PM PST - 56 comments
My house keeps trying to light my car on fire.
The previous owners of our house converted the original one-car attached garage into a semi-finished room, including removing the garage door and replacing it with a standard wall. In the replacement wall, they installed a row of horizontal windows, about five feet wide and a foot high, about six feet off the ground. These windows overlook the driveway in which I park my car, a first-generation Scion xB. The house faces west, so the windows receive a lot of strong afternoon sun.
We love the additional interior square footage. We don't love the fact that the strong afternoon sun reflecting off the windows is melting my car. [more inside]
posted by jesourie at 1:21 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by jesourie at 1:21 PM PST - 26 comments
Please help me with my sports addiction
I am in physical rehab right now after having surgery from a chronic sports injury. I am a little antsy to say the least, I can't do sports, and I want to understand my addiction better. I googled and couldn't find any good resources, books, movies, forums, anything will help.
At this point I'm trying to AT LEAST make it to the end of my rehab (4 more months) without relapsing and going to play basketball and re-injuring myself.
To call it a sports addiction is interesting in a few ways. I'm not addicted to exercise. It's sports, like basketball, soccer, football etc.
And it may or may not be an "addiction" but I am strongly desiring to play sports with my friends, it's my favorite thing to do in the world, it's really fun.
I'm a former professional athlete, and I know some people will say take up new hobbies.. uh huh,..
Please help me decide if we should switch financial planners
Canadian financial question: My wife accidentally overcontributed to her RRSP by quite a bit. Is this something our financial advisor who set up the transaction should have caught? If so, is it worth the hassle of switching? [more inside]
What's the best proxy service for viewing BBC iplayer in the U.S.?
I'm looking for a reliable, easy to setup service to use iplayer and 4oD in the U.S. [more inside]
posted by madajb at 12:49 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by madajb at 12:49 PM PST - 8 comments
Ask not what your book club can do for you...
You are in a book club. You have an independent bookstore in your town. What can the bookstore do for your club? [more inside]
posted by wintersonata9 at 12:31 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by wintersonata9 at 12:31 PM PST - 17 comments
Toddler, sleep, blah
I'm having trouble lately getting my two year old to sleep at night. Do we need to change the schedule? [more inside]
performing arts group in SF for the untalented?
I would like to be involved in a theater or singing group in San Francisco, but I am by no means talented. Where can I find a group where people are dedicated, but will accept practically everyone? [more inside]
Is tipping at hotels sex-biased?
I've never worked in any hospitality industry, so I'm just wondering as a casual consumer/observer. How come people are supposed to tip their valets and bellhops at hotels, and they are always only men while there's no rule that you tip the housekeeping, and they are always female? [more inside]
I need help finding motivation to study when I can barely get out of bed
How do I get the motivation to ace my college finals while dealing with depression? [more inside]
How do I get a selected attribute term description to show on the page?
I am working in Wordpress with the Whitelight theme. I'm pretty new but know enough to be dangerous :)
I have set up my attribute terms and added it to the variable product's page. Since they are scents, I would like to have the description (that I wrote when creating the term) appear on the product page. How this possible? Thanks! Happy Day!
chronic tooth inflammation turned acute-- what to do?
I have 1 tooth that was recently diagnosed as having low-grade, chronic infection around its root. I usually don't feel pain, but feel a lightly different feel tapping. When I am tired or not feeling well, I have very minor biting pain on that tooth.
I am making plans to get a root canal and everything. This past week has been incredibly stressful and I barely slept, ate poorly, and was having a cold to begin with. Yesterday, throughout the day the biting pain on my bad tooth was getting worse, and today i could feel the gum around it is really swollen (but there's no pus and it's not squishy) and red, and the severe biting pain persists. My whole mouth just feels like it's inflamed though-- my throat is sore, have burning sensation, and my eyes are also dry and red and burning.
I don't know if my tooth caused all the others, or if my overall poor health at the moment lead to my tooth acting up. But I am taking a long flight to Asia in a few hours. What can I do to minimize discomfort until I can get to a dentist?
Temp expectations - management-types, can you give me some insight?
I'm looking for insight about what is reasonable or "normal" expectations for a temp worker in an office situation. [more inside]
posted by Ouisch at 11:29 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by Ouisch at 11:29 AM PST - 23 comments
How do the U.S. political parties work these days?
I'd like to learn more about how the Democratic and Republican parties function, concretely, at present.
Specifically: how establishment forces (influential donors, party officials, incumbents) influence the rise of candidates (at any level), and how these candidates integrated into the parties activities. I'm particularly interested in the role of political consultants (in media, fundraising, messaging) - what dynamics are at play as they are hired by candidates, how do these consultants' careers develop, what pressures do they face from the establishment, and what role do they play in shaping the policy positions? [more inside]
posted by phrontist at 11:29 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by phrontist at 11:29 AM PST - 3 comments
Does periodontitis require scaling treatment?
Does periodontitis require scaling treatment? I just saw a dentist who said I have bone loss in my teeth but didn't clean them or refer me to a hygienist or periodontist--does that seem normal? [more inside]
posted by Polychrome at 11:02 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Polychrome at 11:02 AM PST - 8 comments
OKCupid reality check for a new dater
I’m a late-30’s woman trying OKCupid for the first time. Can you give me general advice, some tips on keeping my expectations realistic, and suggestions to avoid getting too much of my self-esteem tied up in whether or not Random Dude responds to me? [more inside]
Which retirement plan should I choose?
I find this comparison really confusing. I'm starting the job in August.
I'm an early 30s married woman who would like to become pregnant in the next year. The contract only lasts through the end of 2014. I do want to continue on working there, but I have no idea if additional grant money will become available at that time. Which plan would you choose? Or, failing that, which are the important factors to consider?
How to quell baseless anger and anxiety?
I've been randomly angry and anxious lately and I don't want to be. What can I do? [more inside]
How do you practice portion control in the real world, after dieting?
I've been doing Paleo for five weeks and have been losing weight at an okay rate - about five or six pounds down now. I'm doing about 90/10 which comes out to around two "cheat" meals in my estimation, though the cheats have been mostly pretty tame, some red wine, a few slices of pizza, half a tiny panna cotta.
In either five weeks or when I hit my first goal weight, whichever comes first, I'm planning to ease out of Paleo somewhat, and eat more things, but also practice portion control. How do I do this? [more inside]
posted by sweetkid at 9:38 AM PST - 31 comments
posted by sweetkid at 9:38 AM PST - 31 comments
Should i trust this amazon seller?
I ordered a box set from an amazon user at the end of april listed as "like new" which it wasn't. Asked for a refund, and he asked for more details and pictures which i gave, then i heard nothing for well over a week. So i decided to file an a to z claim on Monday, then today (Thursday) he says how he had been locked out of his bank account due to some banking issue. Now he's all gung ho to give me a refund after i send the stuff back and drop the a to z.
I feel a little weary trusting him. He has good feed back, but it's only 6 feedbacks. Should i do as he suggests or continue letting amazon look into it?
Strawberry recipes sought for Mother's Day brunch
It's strawberry season again, and I expect to be receiving a large haul of local berries this Friday. I'm also planning to have my mother-in-law over for brunch on Mother's Day, and would like to incorporate strawberries into the meal. I've got some good recipes for traditional desserts like cakes/pies/ice creams, but those aren't things I want to serve in the morning. I'm stumped for recipes that seem appropriately brunch-y.
What I'm hoping for are recipe suggestions for things that can be integrated into a larger meal featuring eggs, grits, etc. For example, if anyone has a tried and true recipe for strawberry scones or strawberry muffins, that could be good. Fruit salads featuring strawberries as a main ingredient with an interesting dressing? Some kind of strawberry butter to top French toast? Internet.com runneth over with recipes, but I am interested in your proven winners. Thanks!
posted by little mouth at 8:56 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by little mouth at 8:56 AM PST - 23 comments
How do you decide when something should be thrown away vs. donated?
I have some old, seemingly useless clothing. How do I decide what is worth donating and what should just be thrown away? [more inside]
posted by insectosaurus at 8:56 AM PST - 32 comments
posted by insectosaurus at 8:56 AM PST - 32 comments
Melatonin AND fasting for jetlag?
Melatonin supposedly works for jetlag. Fasting supposedly works for jetlag. Can I use both of these together, and if so, how? [more inside]
Mom and Pop, They Will Eff You Up
Looking for examples in film or fiction of adolescents successfully committing parricide. We've seen plenty of plot lines involving bad seeds who do bad things to mum or dad (We Need to Talk about Kevin most recently), but where are the instances of "good" or damaged children (not sociopaths) doing bad things and conspiring to get away with them? The only film I can come up with is Heavenly Creatures. (And yes, I'm dismissing that made-for-TV-biopic about the Menendez boys.)
Sock it to me
How can I teach myself to knit socks? [more inside]
Put a lot of people together + ? = Art!
I am looking for video examples of large groups of people making art out of their bodies or held / worn objects. Stuff along the lines of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremonies, or this British Airways commercial, even art made from holding up placards at football games. What is this even called if I wanted to google it? Mass spectacles didn't give me anything. Thanks!
Chilean coffee does not exist. Or does it?
Is there a chilean coffee industry? My western European work colleague says she's heard of chilean coffee and that it's supposed to be very good, but as a chilean I've never heard of it, ever. [more inside]
Mass text alerts - what are my options?
I'm looking for way to send SMS alerts to a large group - anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 subscribers. This is for a small town that needs to alert citizens of public works issues like water outages or boil water notices. Can we do this ourselves? What do we need? If not, what is the most cost effective method (provider)? These would not be frequent, regular alerts.
Name that site
Please help me name a new website for discussing business ideas. [more inside]
posted by pete_22 at 6:08 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by pete_22 at 6:08 AM PST - 14 comments
What's so bad about french toast & mimosas?
Are you someone who has worked in a restaurant? Can you tell me why Sunday brunch is apparently the meal people hate to make and/or serve? I have no experience in the food service industry, but as a big fan of brunch, I'm curious for first hand opinions. (Or feel free to tell me that the two examples inside are totally bunk.) [more inside]
Morocco as a single female traveller?
I'm a confident solo traveller in Europe (Eastern and Western) and am pondering a trip to Morocco in the near future. I've seen this thread and the numerous ones suggesting that Marrakech and Fez are better choices than Casablanca, but I'm wondering if anyone has specific advice for a solo female traveller in Morocco? [more inside]
Rising through the ranks - becoming an outstanding teacher (in the UK)
How and how quickly can I progress from being a trainee teacher this September to helping to run a school as part of its leadership team? [more inside]
May 7
What happened to Kenya from 1998 or so to make its poverty rate rise?
So I'm going to Kenya in 5 weeks time for some work, and I'm meant to be briefing some colleagues (emphasis on brief) about some aspects of our work tomorrow. Something has leapt out at me, and I don't have the time to research it myself before presenting. [more inside]
How do I actually get all of the character tokens in Lego Harry Potter?
My wife and myself have been playing Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7 for Mac. We both finished the game without any of the cheats turned on, then went back with all cheats on to find crest pieces, gold bricks and remaining character tokens. First Problem? We're still missing some character tokens. Second Problem: It's the Mac version, so the FAQs for others don't seem to apply. [more inside]
posted by smallerdemon at 10:15 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by smallerdemon at 10:15 PM PST - 3 comments
How can I make space suits for a low-budget film?
I have signed on to provide costumes for a microbudget film. I've done this before, but all I did was thrifting and light modification; this time, we need space suits. [more inside]
posted by thesmallmachine at 10:05 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by thesmallmachine at 10:05 PM PST - 10 comments
did I just make up this story?
I heard this short story on audio on a family car trip ~15 years ago, give or take a few years. I'm pretty sure it was a horror story. I don't know if it was targeted towards kids, but I was elementary aged when I heard it. Two kids, a carnival, and a evil being in the clouds. [more inside]
Help my baby suck ... On something other than me
My 6.5 week old baby wants to suck and suck. Attempts at introducing a pacifier have been met with gags. She tries to get her fingers in there but just can't quite coordinate it. That leaves me. I'm often but not always willing to play this game, and soon have to go back to work. Suggestions? [more inside]
What was that science fiction short story?
I remember reading a short story about a futuristic treatment which causes long-life (1000 years?). In the story, a young couple gets the treatment, and we follow their lives up through old age. The only particular I remember has the couple bored with nothing else to learn or experience, and they sit, playing million piece all-white jigsaw puzzles to pass the time. [more inside]
What non-sketchy sites can I buy unscented bath beads from?
My Mom used to love using bath beads, but we haven't been able to find them for ages (We used to get them at a little red shop instead of a bigger store; I think it was a body shop inside of a Sears or Bay or something like that?) Anyway, I figured I would get her some for mother's day. This is turning out to be a lot more challenging than I anticipated. [more inside]
posted by Canageek at 8:09 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by Canageek at 8:09 PM PST - 14 comments
Help solve a friendship dispute.
2 friends attempt to get together once or twice a week and when they do its a really great, fun time. Both are quirky and odd and feel personal connections and common interests are a rare thing.
But.... A is always late, often gets distracted with other plans when executing the original plan, abruptly changes plans or altogether forgets them. B likes to stick to plans and follow through reliably.
B is often frustrated at A for what appears/presents as inconsideration, flakiness or straight up lying.
A is often frustrated at B's inability to be flexible or understanding or appreciating of the 'thought' behind the plans whether or not they actually materialize.
Friend A has untreated adhd (and doesn't want to discuss it) and and Friend B thinks this may be a contributing factor.
Friend A and Friend B both secretly think the other is in the wrong while they try to compromise in order to continue the friendship of 4 years, but the many disagreements are wearing on them. Should A and B just not hang out anymore?
posted by tenaciousmoon at 7:20 PM PST - 32 comments
posted by tenaciousmoon at 7:20 PM PST - 32 comments
Have you had to divorce your best friend?
My husband of 8 years and I have come to an impasse: he wants a free-love, open relationship because he stifled his sexuality as a religious person before we were married, and I want...well, not that.
How do I move forward when it means breaking the most important bond I have? [more inside]
posted by SarahBellum at 6:48 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by SarahBellum at 6:48 PM PST - 29 comments
What is this orchestral piece
What is the piece at the very beginning of Oz & James Drink to Britain, episode 4 (youtube link)?
posted by GDWJRG at 6:15 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by GDWJRG at 6:15 PM PST - 3 comments
what is the median disposable income in Melbourne after housing?
the australian bureau of statistics produces stats on HOUSEHOLD INCOME, EXPENDITURE AND WEALTH.
I can find information on household and equivalised disposable income, but am specifically interested in disposable income (household and equivalised ) which remains after housing has been paid for. [more inside]
Operating System Question
I have 20 computer that don't have hard drives. After installing new hard drives, I plan on installing windows 7 on all 20 computers. My question is will I need to purchase 20 copies of Window 7? Does Mircrosoft have an option when outfitting multiple computers.
When the "very best" isn't good enough
I'm graduating college, but it hasn't gone 100% how it should have. I struggled both academically and mentally (have been getting help for both, but it's a process without any "magic bullet"). I have had a lot of pressure from all sides of the family to go into medicine, but I have to see how it is first (through an internship). How do I confidently defuse their nagging questions and bring them back to reality? [more inside]
How can I become an excellent Business Analyst?
So I'm a Business Analyst, what now? [more inside]
Roommate have right to renew lease and, if so, how to ask her to leave?
I live in a two-bedroom apt in Cambridge, MA. I have lived here since Sept '10 and current roommate ("CR") has lived here since Sept '12. The dynamic between CR and I is not so hot. I'm also just very much wanting to live alone and finally able to afford it. [more inside]
Why is my car dinging?
I have a 1993 Ford Explorer with very few bells and whistles. All of a sudden, after I turn off the motor, pop out of my seat belt and open the door to get out, it's making a ringing sound. [more inside]
PSO woes: Feasible explanation for using minutes on an incoming 800#?
I've recently started working as a phone sex operator, and I love it. I'm wildly successful, pick my own hours, and don't have to worry about money for the first time ever. It's fun, enlightening, and I'm damn good at it. Unfortunately I'm a total moron and forgot that incoming calls show up on my phone bill and consume minutes on my parents' family plan. I plan on playing for the minutes and I have a new skype number to use in the future, but I'm not ready to come out of the sex worker closet to my parents. What's a feasible explanation for spending 900 some odd minutes on an incoming 800#? [more inside]
Please tell me about the home residence requirements for J-1 visas.
I will move to the US for a post-doc in the fall, and my host university told me they will issue a J-1 visa for me. By default, this kind of visa comes with a "home residence" requirement, which says I have to spend two years in my home country after the visa has expired, before I can apply for another stay in the US. I'm excited to go, but as a scientist in a niche field I'm a bit concerned about locking myself out of the US in the future. Many of the best places for me to seek further employment are in the US and very few are in my home country. Are exceptions ever made and, if so, what does it take? [more inside]
posted by springload at 5:19 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by springload at 5:19 PM PST - 8 comments
Show me the quick and dirty road to jquery/javascript proficiency
I am hoping to become a fairly nimble noob with jQuery (and understand the javascript logic that goes with it) in about 3 weeks. What is the smartest way forward? [more inside]
posted by OlivesAndTurkishCoffee at 5:06 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by OlivesAndTurkishCoffee at 5:06 PM PST - 5 comments
Count no man happy until he is dead
When I was a beginning Greek student, I translated something, I believe in Plato, about the man who led the happiest life. What was this parable? [more inside]
Psssst! What's the word on the street?
Does anyone know when the Apple iPhone 5GS will be available?
Thanks.
Need hip hop/rap/pop songs or gangster references about $ or new shoes!
It may sound silly, but I regularly pay a personal trainer via paypal and I like to have witty subject lines instead of the typical 'you've got money!' [more inside]
Dating (and friendship): Screening for reliability
How do you screen for reliability and filter out self-centered/selfish nature in dating in real life and online dating? And, how do you find out whether a person (for dating or friendship) is a 'giver' or a 'taker'?
By reliability and being a giver, I don't mean something as trivial as calling when they say they will. I mean more like being there for you when you are going through one or more major challenging life events, putting the relationship and "us" before individual interests especially when the going gets rough for you and not for them individually.
Does this kind of reliability even exist among partners and can one really, truly, deeply trust another human being or do you feel you always have to watch your back even with a partner of months or years or decades?
posted by xm at 4:12 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by xm at 4:12 PM PST - 20 comments
Disbelief with Amazon Fees.
I have so many used books to sell that I decided to start posting them on Amazon, and much to my amazement, they are selling like hotcakes. In the meantime, I'm having a hard time parsing the unbelievable "fees" Amazon is charging me. Is this for real? Am I doing something wrong? What are my options? [more inside]
posted by phaedon at 3:36 PM PST - 23 comments
posted by phaedon at 3:36 PM PST - 23 comments
Is it worth it to buy a PS3 in 2013?
After reading this and this, I ended up watching walkthroughs for Bioshock: Infinite. Now I really want to play the game. I have never played an FPS. Is this a stupid idea? Also, should I buy a PS3? [more inside]
How to capture, transport and test a gas?
I want to test what the composition of a gas is, and I don't even know where to begin. I don't have access to a lab, but I know enough people that might have access to equipment to help, if I knew what to ask for. And I also need some ideas of how to capture and transport the gas. [more inside]
Please help me increase my knowledge of genomics from 0% to maybe 60%!
I just got offered a job that starts later in the year where I will need to have a working knowledge of genomics, but not necessarily a specialist level. I will need to be able to discuss it with people that ARE the specialists, but not actually do the work itself.
I have absolutely no grounding in genomics at all. Can you suggest a progressively more scientific path to enlightenment? Like from 1) a Romance Novel introducing genomics to 2)"Genomics for Dummies" to 3) maybe "Practical Uses of Genomics"? Anything will help at the moment!!!
posted by lil' ears at 3:10 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by lil' ears at 3:10 PM PST - 9 comments
Buying art for good
I'm moving into a new apartment and want to decorate my walls with some art. I really don't have anything in mind, and I thought a good way to help me decide might be to find art coming from sources where the purchase benefits a good cause. Maybe something like art made from students where the purchase goes towards the school, or something else where the money I spend ends up doing more than just going to the art store or website I buy it from. Really open to any ideas here. I'm in NYC if that helps.
What is this tree that is lining my new street?
Tree-ID Filter: Portland Edition (Photo inside) [more inside]
posted by karminai at 2:54 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by karminai at 2:54 PM PST - 5 comments
How to ease into Private Practice therapy (psychological)
Asking for a friend who is an MFT. He is considering moving into private practice, however, he isn't ready to make the leap from a steady and reliable job to a job where income is very dependent on the size of your professional network--and he doesn't really have a professional network at all right now.
Any tips on how to ease into private practice with a low initial commitment and pressure--just a part time thing with only one or a few clients?
posted by brenton at 2:51 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by brenton at 2:51 PM PST - 9 comments
Iconic films featuring San Francisco
I'm looking for a list of iconic films that feature San Francisco. Incredibly, this question doesn't seem to have been asked here before, at least not that I can find. I've recently enjoyed include Dirty Harry and The Conversation. I'm particularly interested in similar movies, especially those that show SF as it used to be a few decades ago. But I'm also a fan of cheezy action movies like The Rock. Bonus points if they're currently available on Netflix Watch Instantly or Amazon Instant Video.
Urgent care walk in clinic in Los Angeles
Looking for a non-sketchy, reputable urgent care walk-in clinic near downtown LA. Need a cortisone shot and painkiller. Thanks!
Essay on fantasy fiction, economics and trade
Many years ago I read an essay that was pretty critical of the way so much fantasy fiction could not build believable societies with plausible economic underpinnings. The author was fairly concise and snarky, arguing that (I'm paraphrasing here) she could suspend disbelief about dragons and magic, but that she couldn't slog her way through a book where not the least bit of thought had been given to how all these characters and their associates could make a living, grow or acquire food, and otherwise acquire money and engage in trade. I think it was an essay by Joanna Russ in Fantasy & Science Fiction in the 70s, when she had a regular book review column there, but I could be conflating like mad.
posted by maudlin at 2:26 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by maudlin at 2:26 PM PST - 6 comments
Obsessed With a Friend
I've been married for 9 years and have been faithful in every way. I recently became close with a member of the opposite sex who I truly value as a friend. But I find myself thinking about this person way too much, and I am not sure how to deal with it. [more inside]
International Pension Problem
International pension is trying to get compensation of a 2-year old over payment to my late mom. What are the consequences of ignoring them? [more inside]
80's Stand-up Routine About Huey Lewis
I have a vague recollection of a stand-up routine that had the comedian making fun of the Huey Lewis hit "Back in Time" in a nasal tone. Does anyone remember it? [more inside]
What to expect when meeting with a realtor?
Apparently we're going to buy a house, and that necessitates finding a buyers agent. I'm in the process of setting up meetings with a few realtors (referrals from friends, ones we've met at open houses, etc.) but I have no idea what to expect from these meetings. What should I ask them? What will they want to know from me? What should I be looking for? [more inside]
posted by juliapangolin at 1:47 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by juliapangolin at 1:47 PM PST - 15 comments
Looking for pronunciations of US city names
I'm looking for a source - either paid or free - that can provide pronunciations of US city names. [more inside]
Teach me how to sleep comfortably!
I slept wrong on my arm and it hurts. The problem is, I do this every night. [more inside]
I didn't get the job, but I have been sort of offered a better job?
I didn't get the job, but I have been sort of offered a better job at the same company in the future? Is there anything I can do besides wait? [more inside]
Is there an equivalent to Amazon's now-deceased "Eyes?"
For a while, Amazon had a service called "Eyes." You could type in an author's name and they would email you when a new book by that author was published. It was great if you were following, say, a couple dozen detective series at once and wanted to stay on top of new additions. Then they discontinued it.
Does anyone know of an equivalent service? Google Alerts doesn't work because you get a ton of stuff not related to just-published books. And i can't find anything that was as simple - and effective - as Eyes.
Thanks.
posted by holdenjordahl at 12:58 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by holdenjordahl at 12:58 PM PST - 11 comments
The best book on college grammar?
I have just finished a college course in business English. I did well, but I want to be able to look at parts of speech in a sentence and understand enough to know for sure why I am using who or whom or when to choose subjective or objective pronouns. (Example: Do you think it was THEY who left the door unlocked overnight?) My textbook spent more time telling you to substitute he or him for who or whom, but I wanted to be able to understand what part of speech was responsible for the choice. What is the best college level or above textbook to teach me this? Thank you in advance.
Help with coming up with a titular character for my book
I need help coming up with a titular character of my book, someone who is sympathetic and sounds like a reasonable person to ask for advice. [more inside]
Learning how to feel others' feelings
How do I become more empathetic? [more inside]
I need to educate my daycare about toddler sunstroke.
I am looking for a) a threshhold or medical recommendation of how long a toddler can remain in direct sunlight at temperatures of 77 degrees (25 Celcius) and above - before heat or sunstroke occur b) recommendations on how to prevent sunstroke. [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 12:22 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by kitcat at 12:22 PM PST - 24 comments
Birthday Snacky Restaurant
Hey! I'm in Toronto, it's my b-day tomorrow, and I want to go out for a night of wine and tapas in the west end of Toronto. I'm a real-food eating, grains-avoiding type, and there will be a vegetarian with us. I love Black Hoof, Catch, and The Ace. What else can you recommend?
Reading the other side
As a Progressive, aside from some stuff I hate read, the only conservative periodicals i read on any regular basis are First Things and the Economist (which, you know Cliche). Part of the problem is homophobia, but that's not enough of an excuse. So which blogs, websites, pod-casts, magazines, journals, tv shows, subreddits, zines, or mailers about neocons, fiscal cons, paelocons, libertarians, paleo-libertarians, social conservatives, or anything I have missed. I have read a lot of books, and I am more interested in a set of ongoing discussions, rather than something as solid as a monograph.
posted by PinkMoose at 12:08 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by PinkMoose at 12:08 PM PST - 18 comments
Letter to praise good customer service?
I'm looking for a form letter that I can use to send to managers of shops when I've been provided with good customer service. Ideally, I'm looking for something that I can just edit the small details of, like the individual's name, what they did that warranted the letter, etc. Also, if you were a shop worker's manager, what would you really like to know/read in this kind of letter?
posted by Solomon at 11:38 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Solomon at 11:38 AM PST - 10 comments
Is my neighbour being unreasonable or am I just being rude?
Last night, my next door neighbour flipped out and threatened to call the cops for opening and closing our patio door every night.
My roommate and I live in a small apartment complex comprised of three buildings, and our suites (ours and the neighbours) are on the ground level, facing the courtyard. Roommate and I are smokers, and while smoking IS allowed on premises, it is NOT allowed indoors. As such, the patio is utilized.
We both work later shifts, and get home between 11pm and 12am on days that we work, and go about our own business quietly until we've wound down enough to go to sleep. Winding down time includes smoking. This is unlikely to change anytime soon.
What I need help with is either a script for talking to Neighbour (who we've always gotten along with prior to this) before things turn sour, or some perspetive as to why the noise I'm making is unreasonable. Snowflakes ahoy! [more inside]
posted by rideunicorns at 11:27 AM PST - 61 comments
posted by rideunicorns at 11:27 AM PST - 61 comments
Help for balloon [wo]man
What can I do in the short term to feel better while losing weight when everything seems to make me gassy, swollen and uncomfortable? My doctor's answer to everything seems to be "Lose weight!". That's not going to help these problems in the moment. TMI descriptions follow... [more inside]
posted by jezemars at 11:01 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by jezemars at 11:01 AM PST - 24 comments
Rules for Russian visa: going someplace else
I have applied for a Russian visa, naming hotels in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Now I might want to visit Nizhny Novgorod, but since it's quite a bit away from Moscow, I'd take a hotel there for a night.
Am I allowed to do that? Or would I have had to put it on the visa application, and without it I risk serious trouble?
Getting Your Creative Motivation Back After A Long Dry Spell?
I went on a long, long break form my creative career cause I was feeling burnt out due to some failures and now I can't seem to get back into it, possibly because I no longer have a financial incentive to do so. How can I fix this? Warning: Long, super privileged person problems. [more inside]
From GALILEOS to ImageJ
Recently I had some dental work done which included a CT scan of my teeths. I want to create little rotating 3D images from the output but I've come across some problems. [more inside]
Spanish in a foreign land
Where in Central or South America should I go to study Spanish? [more inside]
Wisconsin-Typewriter-Repair-Filter
Can anyone recommend a typewriter repairman for a Selectric III in Wisconsin? Preferably in the Madison area, but I can head to Milwaukee, or even Chicago, or really anyplace to find a sage of the whippletree.
posted by Hoenikker at 9:53 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Hoenikker at 9:53 AM PST - 4 comments
French SF/Fantasy Novels (in the original)
I recently discovered an awesome local bookstore in France, hence I'd like to pick up a French-language SF/F novel that isn't a translation and would be difficult to find in the US. Suggestions? (Subgenre preferences below the jump) [more inside]
The Trashing Of The Canon
Find-That-Bookfilter: one of the Great Gatsby FPP's has indeed prompted me to look for a book about overrated classics. Anyone wanna help? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:50 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:50 AM PST - 5 comments
I'm not so great at the unknown.
How do I do this "taking a breather" thing? [more inside]
Diamonds in the haystack
I'm looking for the unexpected, overlooked masterpieces hiding within conventionally marginal artistic genres: novelty Christmas music albums, mass market cowboy novels, direct-to-video action movie sequels, etc. [more inside]
posted by Iridic at 9:30 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by Iridic at 9:30 AM PST - 17 comments
I read way too many books by white dudes.
I'm looking for recommendations for contemporary(ish) literary fiction written by folks who are not white men. [more inside]
posted by shakespeherian at 9:23 AM PST - 55 comments
posted by shakespeherian at 9:23 AM PST - 55 comments
Help, My Bike Has Gears!
After many years of riding single-speed cruisers with coaster brakes, I'm upgrading to a hybrid road bike. What do I need to know? [more inside]
posted by therumsgone at 9:10 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by therumsgone at 9:10 AM PST - 17 comments
Resume advice?
I'm applying for my first management level position. I have the requisite number of years experience in the relevant field. In addition to that though, I have recent experience co-managing a very large and complex family estate (that of my grandparents'). Help me reflect this in my job application. Smattering of snowflakes inside. [more inside]
Landline alternative to AT&T in San Francisco?
I have a land line in San Francisco. I'd like to switch to something other than AT&T - I really, really don't like giving AT&T my money. [more inside]
Takes on wordlessness
Hi all-- I'm writing an essay that began as one about keening and the times I've been reduced to wordless cries of grief. Now it's sprawling all over the place and I'm also talking about wordlessness in general (including references to people like Meredith Monk who often sing and emote without words), and also the speech act (when it doesn't matter what is said but that it is said). I don't know how much I'll pare it down, but in the meantime I wanted to crowdsource some ideas. Does anything come to mind when you think of wordlessness, especially in the context of grief? Are there any words (from any cultures) that mean "that which cannot be expressed in words?" (Aside from more general terms like "unable to be articulated" and such.)
Dino Debates?
What do Paleontologists fight about these days? What are the current controversies in the field? I'm interested in the Mesozoic but maybe the grant money and groupies these days is focused on a different time period? [more inside]
posted by Wretch729 at 8:26 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by Wretch729 at 8:26 AM PST - 5 comments
Use AT&T GoPhone to replace broken on cotract phone?
Can i buy a AT&T GoPhone to replace my mothers broken cell ? [more inside]
Weeknight Grilling Recipes
What are your "weeknight" go-to grillers? The patio is open for the season! However, I am stuck in a rut grilling burgers, chicken thighs and the occasional brat or steak. Setting up a morning marinade is fine, but I'm not looking for tend-the-fire-all-afternoon sorts of things.
posted by sarajane at 8:21 AM PST - 35 comments
posted by sarajane at 8:21 AM PST - 35 comments
"Old Reliable" by Sherwin Williams
Can someone recommend a specific pleasant white-ish or neutral shade of paint that I can use on my walls repeatedly for like, forever? [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 8:10 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by A Terrible Llama at 8:10 AM PST - 19 comments
Is my stock in this company worth a thing? Company law advice please!
Hi all,
I own one third (i.e. approx. 33.3%) of a UK company for which I am also a director. The remainder of the company belongs to a single shareholder. I'm worried that the financial structure of this company means that the company could effectively be 'sold' to a third party without me getting a cent. [more inside]
posted by Zen_is_Lev at 7:51 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Zen_is_Lev at 7:51 AM PST - 7 comments
Amazon's "Look Inside!" Feature For My Website?
If I were to set up my own online book store, is there a provider that I can subscribe that will provide me with images of sample pages of books? [more inside]
posted by applesurf at 1:52 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by applesurf at 1:52 AM PST - 5 comments
May 6
Does blue light actually work for low-moderate acne?
I am an adult with low-moderate acne in the form of 1-2x weekly zits on my face. I have been intrigued by reading about blue light and in particular BlueMD. Anyone with experience using blue light for non-cystic acne (or any sage words about whether it is hokum)?
Upbeat songs for a kick-ass end of the semester cook-out?!
Looking for the happy-go-lucky-est pop/rock “oldies” you know of. The semester is finally ending and we need some good tunes to chill out to! [more inside]
posted by switcheroo at 10:26 PM PST - 47 comments
posted by switcheroo at 10:26 PM PST - 47 comments
Buying a TV: high quality, low cost.
I guess specifically I'm wondering what budget televisions (in the $300-400 range-- that and below) are good at the moment. Emphasis on picture quality (over, say, smart TV features and all that nonsense) and a slight, slight preference for more HDMI ports if possible. Though picture quality is key. [more inside]
Stay? Go? To a new city, or to grad school?
My friends who are moving to Pittsburgh are asking me if I want to join them, and this is making me question my potential career path and what I should do over the next year or so. [more inside]
posted by dean_deen at 10:14 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by dean_deen at 10:14 PM PST - 20 comments
How can I pay for my summer class?
I need to take a summer course as a pre-requisite for professional school. Course will not count towards a degree, deeming me ineligible for stafford loans. What are my student/personal loan options? [more inside]
posted by DayTripper at 10:03 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by DayTripper at 10:03 PM PST - 7 comments
Free, low-cost, or sliding scale cataract surgery in LA county ?
My mom needs cataract surgery. Medi-Cal and Healthy Way LA are not an option. Can you help her find it? [more inside]
Best video game playthroughs on YouTube?
A recent post about Deadly Premonition (the videogame) pointed me to this excellent playthrough (100% completion) on YouTube. I enjoyed it in part because it wasn't filled with a lot of stupid nattering and trying-too-hard-to-be-funny. The guy shut up when stuff was happening and just talked when appropriate, and his commentary was usually pretty listenable. What other playthroughs would you recommend? Any era, any platform, as long as I can watch on YouTube.
Apple tree rehab
We recently bought a house with neglected apple trees and I would like to learn how to care for them. [more inside]
Do I tell him why I am not being my normal, friendly self?
I am married and recently realized I had developed romantic feelings for a friend/coworker (also married). I have stopped speaking to him for the sake of my marriage. He really wants to know why I am avoiding him. What's the best way to handle this without making him feel bad? [more inside]
Zitfilter: What to do after a cystic pimple pops?
On its own, so no berating me! [more inside]
Cheapest place to print digital to canvas in Denver area?
Technically I live in Parker, CO. Friends and others have started buying my digital art doodles that I print locally on glossy cardstock. I've seen some artists have digital canvas prints but not sure where to go for a reasonable rate as I want quality but don't have a lot of money. I'm not even sure how it is done but have the CMYK files at a good resolution and am ready to go. I would like to try a few and see if I can sell them. Thanks for your time. It is nice for people to like what I draw but I want to give the best quality as it is not yet a living but a hobby.
posted by snap_dragon at 7:30 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by snap_dragon at 7:30 PM PST - 4 comments
Setting up a home together– financials
Two people -- both in 40ish-- are talking about the possibility of moving in together. We are in a loving and serious long-term relationship. There has been an initial talk about how we might handle finances and we came to conclusion that there are many ways we could handle them. I read a few posts about how couples handle finances, but am looking for some more viewpoints/options for us to consider and discuss. Details inside. [more inside]
Landlords!
Crap. My landlord just told me she's considering selling my house. Now what? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 6:56 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by latkes at 6:56 PM PST - 25 comments
Lambswool vs. Swiffer Dusters
I can't decide between a lambswool and a swiffer duster (or another type, if your I would love to hear from people who have (dusted with (ideally!) both or either to hear about what you like/don't like. If they work just as well as one another, I'd much rather go with the lambswool since it is more eco friendly. But I need something that really grabs all the dust and locks it in, and isn't too hard to maintain. Questions under the cut: [more inside]
Looking for synth tutorials
I'd like to learn how to make better use of my synthesizer (a MicroKORG from a couple years back) and software synthesizers, specifically when it comes to getting away from the presets. I enjoy learning by example - I'd like to have a tutorial where a familiar song's synthesizer sounds are replicated from scratch. Do any tutorials like this exist?
Jobless, rudderless and miserable post-graduation.
I am utterly, terrifyingly directionless after I left grad school early for financial reasons--I'm jobless and clueless. How can I redirect myself and get back on track? [more inside]
posted by flibbertigibbet at 6:04 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by flibbertigibbet at 6:04 PM PST - 14 comments
What can I do about a non-refundable airline ticket I can't use?
Two days ago I bought a $1500 airline ticket through Swiss Air as a gift for my mother. This was roundtrip, from US to Switzerland and back. Things just didn't work out, and now she can't go. I called today and talked to a customer service rep and a supervisor, who informed me that I can get a whopping $12 refund. Is my only option to just keep a $1500 piece of paper? Ideally I would like a refund. I realize that the "non-refundable" part presents a problem. Side note: they should probably put that somewhere on the confirmation email or website. If not, can I sell the ticket? Give it away? Do anything besides use this as a $1500 life lesson? I'm not really interested in giving them another $250 to book with them in the next year.
How much am i really worth?
After a few years at the same gig, my first serious tech job out of college, i'm finally being considered for a serious raise. The problem is they want me to figure out what it should be, with a few caveats. which is to say... pile of snowflake details inside. [more inside]
posted by emptythought at 4:54 PM PST - 42 comments
posted by emptythought at 4:54 PM PST - 42 comments
Composting for Dummies
I'd like to start composting... I think. I am lazy and I am worried about vermin. What style of composter do I need? Any special tips for buying/getting started with a system? [more inside]
Please help me plan a beach week for the kids
I would like to take the kids to the beach for a week, but really don't know where or how to start planning. Location, type of housing, best weeks, is it too late for 2013? Please help! [more inside]
posted by Measured Out my Life in Coffeespoons at 3:56 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by Measured Out my Life in Coffeespoons at 3:56 PM PST - 17 comments
Guidance for a male with HPV
I am a male with HPV. What are my responsibilities on disclosure to potential partners - when and how should I do it? What boundaries does this draw for me as far as what I should and should not do in the bedroom to keep my partners safe? [more inside]
Bicycle Advice - how long should chains/cogs last for ?
I have a five year old bike - an Avanti Blade.
In those five years it's averaged 2 hours / week of riding.
I'm being told I need to replace not only the chain but the front and back cogs but I have questions .... ! [more inside]
Recommendations for a Denver Dentist?
Can anyone recommend a good dentist in the Denver area that has hours outside of 9-5? (As in, available for appointments on nights or weekends) Thanks!
My ears are dizzy
I have an appointment to see an ENT doctor next week because of vertigo and ear pressure/pain. I have a strange symptom that I wanted to ask about before I went. Basically, can optical illusions make my ears hurt? [more inside]
I received some strange mail -- what's going on? Scam? Nut?
A strange piece of mail showed up at my house today. Someone wrote to himself, using my house as his return address. He got his own address wrong, and the mail was 'returned' to my house. I do not know this person. Any ideas as to what is going on? [more inside]
posted by Capt. Renault at 3:37 PM PST - 34 comments
posted by Capt. Renault at 3:37 PM PST - 34 comments
Saying no?
After seeing this comment, I would like to ask: How do you say "no" to someone you do kinda want to have sex with?
posted by anonymoosemoosemoose at 3:31 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by anonymoosemoosemoose at 3:31 PM PST - 20 comments
My child will be in Depends at his 2032 freshman orientation.
Potty trainers of MetaFilter - parents, non-parents, if you have any modicum of experience potty training, please help! [more inside]
posted by Leezie at 2:56 PM PST - 35 comments
posted by Leezie at 2:56 PM PST - 35 comments
Where to honeymoon near central coast of Maine?
We are getting married towards the end of September near Bath, Maine. We want to go on a fairly short, cheap honeymoon in or around that area. We've thought about PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, even Quebec City--where have you been in this area that's romantic? Am missing a cute New England town that would be closer/cheaper/still an adventure? [more inside]
At least I have my cat?
I'm generally happy with where I am, but lately I've been feeling more and more envy when I see couples and it's getting distracting... [more inside]
Is the first trimester supposed to suck this much?
I'm 7-and-something weeks pregnant with my first (very much wanted) pregnancy, and the morning sickness is just brutal. Are there any tricks you know for dealing with it when none of the usual ones seem to work? And how bad counts as 'bad' for the purposes of getting medical help? [more inside]
Big life changes and feeling unsettled
Do I need professional help or just time? I've been feeling anxious and stressed for the past three months, and I'm having a hard time parsing if this is due to this being an exceptionally...erm...challenging point in my life or if some sort of anxiety or depression has settled on me. [more inside]
posted by brambory at 2:49 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by brambory at 2:49 PM PST - 8 comments
How much should I persist in getting feedback for this interview?
I've already attempted contact twice, should I persist in getting feedback or move on? [more inside]
Alternative living arrangements?
I may be on the lookout for a new residence soon, and I'm open to alternatives to the usual apartment/house rental. In particular, living in an RV or camper trailer parked on the street outside of a friend's house (or in their driveway if long-term parking on the street is illegal) seems doable. And fun. And possible (I asked). What's it like? [more inside]
What style of artwork is this?
Can someone tell me a term for this painting style? Pig Painting Specifically the small appendages and rotund body shape. I'm looking for more paintings of pigs in this style if you know of any good ones. Thanks!
posted by meta87 at 2:22 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by meta87 at 2:22 PM PST - 8 comments
Can you transcribe a very simple keyboard part for me?
Could a musical person possibly tell me the notes of the keyboard part in Camera Obscura's "Happy New Year"? I don't really need it in actual musical notation on a staff or anything--just the names of the notes is fine. Thank you in advance!
posted by feathermeat at 2:14 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by feathermeat at 2:14 PM PST - 3 comments
Could a medication be passed via sex?
If I have a sulfa allergy and my bf is taking a sulfa antibiotic, could having sex with him have caused these super weird rashes I've gotten? [more inside]
posted by sockypuppeteer at 1:44 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by sockypuppeteer at 1:44 PM PST - 12 comments
What are your favorite Anime and Manga magazines?
What are your favorite Anime and Manga magazines? [more inside]
posted by luckynerd at 1:32 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by luckynerd at 1:32 PM PST - 2 comments
What branded/logoed swag do you still have around and use?
What free promotional items have you received that you still have around and use many months later? Good examples: I have on my desk a ballpoint pen from my orthodontist about ten years after I last saw her - a small notepad with a calendar on the back of it from 2011 that I was sent with a charity solicitation - an insulated coffee mug from my local shop that I use often. Bad: squeeze balls, anything flimsy or disposable. [more inside]
What are the best restaurants in Berlin?
I'll be in Berlin for 4 days in June and the people I'm with (3-4 of us total, 1 is unsure) want to eat in some great places in Berlin.
Ideally, they want places with delicious food, but also possible also places with memorable or remarkable interiors or clientele. Assume money is no object.
Gardening tool kit?
Say you had a team of three to five people working once per week over a year doing a gardening project on one acre of land and poly tunnels in a cold-to-moderate climate with clay and loamy soil (England). What tools would they need a weekly basis and what tools would they need on a once-per-year or quarterly basis?
posted by parmanparman at 1:11 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by parmanparman at 1:11 PM PST - 4 comments
Will squirrels enter a house through a partly-open skylight?
We live in Seattle in a house with lots of windows and no air conditioning. There are three skylights that crank open about 2-3 inches each to allow for ventilation. As I was opening them today (first time since we moved in), I thought, "Hmmm. If I were a squirrel, would I crawl in to the house?" [more inside]
posted by scblackman at 12:55 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by scblackman at 12:55 PM PST - 17 comments
Oh, Benjamin.
"And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson..."Can you help me become a more effective sexual mentor? [more inside]
What does Child Protective Services do with their data?
Wife and I are now in the Child Protective Services database in Colorado after someone observed bruises and blisters on our three year old and spoke to a 'mandatory reporter' about it. I want to know what is retained in the record/database, how long is it retained, and who can access it. My own attorney was not helpful in answering these questions. [more inside]
You are invited to a pool party...at some point in the future
Last Fall, we bought an awesome house. Now we want a pool, hot tub and new landscaping. Who is the correct professional to help us design a multi-year project that involves some construction, a lot of landscaping (both hard and soft) and a pool? [more inside]
posted by 26.2 at 12:23 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by 26.2 at 12:23 PM PST - 9 comments
Tips and advice for a trip to London and Paris
I finally saved up enough flyer miles for a flight to Europe and I am super excited since I've never been. I'm planning on a week in London and then a week in Paris, advice for things to do while I'm there would be much appreciated. [more inside]
posted by xtine at 12:16 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by xtine at 12:16 PM PST - 22 comments
What is this called
I'm seeing a trend emerge, but I can't quite put my finger on how to identify it. Does it already have a name? If not, help me come up with one (for an article I'm writing). The article's jumping off point is RapGenius's foray into annotating everything not just lyrics, the NYTimes' Quips tool, Medium.com's paragraph-level commenting/annotation system, and Findings.com. [more inside]
Brittle fridge
Why did all the plastic parts in my fridge turn brittle and start cracking after only 3 years? [more inside]
Help me put a name/price to this designer wind sculpture.
I want to identify a kinetic wind sculpture / garden decoration that I have seen in both public spaces and private homes, most recently on a Venice Beach rooftop.
The piece is comprised of a couple dozen white squares with square holes in the center of each. They are all mounted on bars that spin when the wind blows. Each square can spin independently as well as in tandem with another square, and then the entire sculpture rotates as well.
I think that this is a piece that would sometimes be sold by very high end modern/designer furniture stores, such as Diva Furniture in Los Angeles.
Do you know what this piece is called? Do you know who sells it?
Is this plant the Brazilian Pepper tree, or something else entirely?
Is the Post-Marathon-Bombing One Fund a Worthwhile Charity?
I'm a Bostonian and many of us helped after the marathon bombings, but I'm wondering what are the best resources to find out exactly how helpful The One Fund really is? [more inside]
durable upholstery
What is a durable fabric for a sofa? [more inside]
Law Filter: Please help me find a case on pacer.gov
I am aware of two civil cases that I'd like to find more information on. [more inside]
posted by ezekieldas at 11:13 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by ezekieldas at 11:13 AM PST - 12 comments
Commercial realty - rental - Toronto
I want to rent a retail spot in Toronto to move an already established business into. I know absolutely nothing about commercial realty. Help me get the best deal I can without looking like a moron... [more inside]
Does a potentially 9 year old bottle of Pine-Sol still work?
I wanna take a bath but the tub hasn't been cleaned in years.
I've got a bottle of Pine-Sol but the label says © 2004 and there are now Pine-Sol "crystals" sitting at the bottom of the bottle (they're like Pop Rocks).
Will this bottle of Pine-Sol still do it's job / could it be harmful to use at this point?
I've also got a bottle of 409 (© 2004) and a bottle of Clorox (© 2002). Both of these bottles don't have crystals in em and look/smell fine.
posted by defmute at 11:04 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by defmute at 11:04 AM PST - 15 comments
Prize suggestions for college engineers
Several teams of engineering students are giving presentations. The class will vote for the winning teams. What kind of prizes can I give? [more inside]
New Kitty Won't Clean Himself. Help?
My gf and I picked up a second cat last Friday from a no-kill rescue shelter. He looked perfectly healthy, had a clean record and tests from the shelter and acted very friendly and energetic. This new kitty has been diaretic for three days, and he doesn't clean up after himself. That factor has us a little freaked. [more inside]
Please identify this soul/funk song. Difficult.
Please help me to identify this song that was played during the Kentucky Derby this weekend. [more inside]
posted by gummo at 9:38 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by gummo at 9:38 AM PST - 3 comments
When do you become "the neighbor with the barking dog"?
When we first got our dog, Brandy, we didn't even know she *could* bark because she never barked. Now that she's come to realize this is her forever home, she's bound and determined to let everyone and anyone know it, so she barks at everything. [more inside]
posted by patheral at 9:21 AM PST - 69 comments
posted by patheral at 9:21 AM PST - 69 comments
If you're bored then you're boring
An earlier poster mentioned this attitude in a thread on boredom and it prompted me finally to post a question that's been simmering a while. I'm super-boring, but not bored -- it doesn't bother me when I'm on my own, but I'm starting to get a complex about it, vis a vis other people. Help me to have any interest, any interest at all! (Or to feel better about not having any.) Novel inside. [more inside]
posted by like_a_friend at 9:14 AM PST - 34 comments
posted by like_a_friend at 9:14 AM PST - 34 comments
Archival Digital Texts
I have inherited my grandmother's writings. I'm scanning them, doing OCR and in some cases retyping them so that I can have them digitized. I'd like to know, is there a format for text that is best for archival purposes? I was thinking of .rtf, since so many applications can open it. Is it considered "archival quality"?
posted by dylan_k at 9:12 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by dylan_k at 9:12 AM PST - 15 comments
What should I look for in a Public Relations/Communications program?
I'm thinking of enrolling for Fall 2013, and I'm interested in a practical, skills based (as opposed to academic) program. What courses are absolutely essential nowadays? [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 9:12 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by winterportage at 9:12 AM PST - 7 comments
Hotel recommendations in Buenos Aires
I will be visiting Buenos Aires on holiday this November, and would like your recommendations on hotels. [more inside]
posted by Jakey at 9:05 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Jakey at 9:05 AM PST - 9 comments
How do I style ankle boots? (Level of difficulty: chicken ankles)
I need a new pair of women's winter boots. (Upcoming Australian winter: i.e., quite temperate. Fur lining is definitely not required.) I like brown or tan leather uppers (not black, no synthetics), a low heel (I'm nearly 6'), and reasonable quality construction. I'm prepared to pay up to $250. However, my ankles are giving me pause. [more inside]
posted by Salamander at 8:42 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Salamander at 8:42 AM PST - 7 comments
Audiobooks for the technologically illiterate
I want to provide a way for a relative to listen to audiobooks while working out. He is almost completely technologically illiterate, and his wife will have to put the books on the device for him. His wife is ok technologically, but has to have new things spelled out very clearly. I'm thinking iPod Shuffle + Audible. Am I'm missing a simpler solution? [more inside]
I can FizzBuzz! Where do I go from here?
I am teaching myself how to program. But there seems to be a big gap between intro courses/resources (CodeCademy, O'Reilly books, Learn X the Hard Way) and Actually Doing Things. Help me figure out a road plan? [more inside]
3 Left Hands. Weird.
I see three left hands. Why?
Can one wetsuit do all of this? (Sailing/Swimming)
Looking for a wetsuit that I could use for late fall/winter swimming + Spring/Fall/Winter Sailing. Can I get all that in one suit? [more inside]
Career wanted: Apply within
After the standard three-month probationary period, I realized that the first job in my new state wasn't right for me, so I resigned. Help me plot my next career move? [more inside]
posted by TrishaLynn at 7:36 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by TrishaLynn at 7:36 AM PST - 12 comments
New backup software for my computer
I'm looking for a backup program that is as fuss-free as possible. It should keep (only) one full backup plus the current backup (every week or two), do incremental backups automatically in between, and automatically run for incremental backups when the drive is attached instead of at preset times. It should be very easy to pause, and easily allow me to choose what to include or exclude. I'd like it to work on multiple computers (2 or 3). Free isn't necessary, but a reasonable-length free trial is. [more inside]
Our Old House
What are your recommendations for resources (online or in print) that specialize in repair and maintenance of older homes? [more inside]
Best way of storing green tea
I've noticed that my favorite jasmine green tea tastes a lot better when I first buy it than it does a few weeks later. I'm currently storing it in a double-lid tea container, much like this one. Can anybody suggest a better storage method? What works for you?
How to automatically backup iPad data without a pc or mac?
I want to replace my mother's aging laptop with an iPad. My only concern is making sure her photos and documents are backed up, online, without her having to think about it, ever.
Is there an effortless way to make sure all of her data gets backed up and can be restored in case of emergency?
Dropbox seems like an option, but that's not really backup as much as sync - files only last 30 days if they get removed from your device. I'd prefer to have true backup than can be restored at any time.
Thanks
posted by subpixel at 6:43 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by subpixel at 6:43 AM PST - 11 comments
Have a hated tattoo? I want to remove it for you !
What should I know to research good training in tattoo removal? I'm interested in solid, respected programs that will qualify me to work in a professional setting doing quality work. Googling yields expensive proprietary schools charging many thousands of dollars. Is this really state-of-the-art laser training? I want to be a well-prepared candidate when I graduate, able to work in a medically-based office or spa. [more inside]
posted by citygirl at 6:41 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by citygirl at 6:41 AM PST - 8 comments
How to focus/have more presence/be more lively/live in the moment?
Basically I am a SERIOUS daydreamer and while I love this about myself and it makes me-time fun etc I have been told that I seem floaty and spaced out even in social interactions and I have noticed that people don't connect with me as much/take me as seriously!! This has not affected my daily functioning, but it is becoming a problem in my personal life and also in my work life because how am I supposed to achieve my goals if people don't connect with me or dismiss me because I seem 'distracted'... I would like to be more lively and focused and I would be grateful for any advice on that (I am anticipating lots of 'meditation' but would like other suggestions if possible as meditation is torturous and I have tried it and hated it.)
posted by dinosaurprincess at 6:18 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by dinosaurprincess at 6:18 AM PST - 15 comments
Camping spots in VT, NH, or MA
Does anyone have a recommendation for camping places in southern Vermont, New Hampshire, or western Mass? We're two fit adults looking to find a good tenting spot between Brattleboro and Boston that has hiking trails and water, and is somewhat secluded without being totally backcountry.
posted by transient at 6:13 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by transient at 6:13 AM PST - 10 comments
He was, however, unsure of his own judgement...
Is placing certain adverbs like "however" and "nonetheless" after the first clause in a sentence an actual stylistic best practice, or just a personal preference I made up? [more inside]
Current technology trends for teens?
Parents, teachers, and those who work with youth: can you give me a heads up about what websites you have noticed your teens using? [more inside]
Let me tell you a story about a horse while I diffuse this missile...
I'm trying to find TV shows (or films) that contain a particular trope that I noticed while watching some old 1980's shows lately. Namely shows where the main character provides a sort of running narration throughout. [more inside]
How do we deal with adults acting like teenagers?
How to deal with a snowball of special snowflake drama from supposed friends and set clear boundaries when they are being clearly unreasonable. [more inside]
This is a MUCH bigger deal than it normally would be...
I managed to majorly blister the back of both of my heels this weekend. Both heels have quarter/loonie sized blisters. I need them to heal AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE because in four days I am going on a trip that cannot be rescheduled, and one of the main purposes of the trip is to try on and buy shoes for my wedding. [more inside]
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 5:18 AM PST - 30 comments
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 5:18 AM PST - 30 comments
Where to eat in Baltimore's Inner Harbor with a 10-month-old?
I am going to a conference at an Inner Harbor hotel this week, and the whole family will be going. We are looking for places to get takeout, as well as places where a baby in a stroller would be welcome. [more inside]
posted by orange (sherbet) rabbit at 5:13 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by orange (sherbet) rabbit at 5:13 AM PST - 8 comments
i'm bored of everything. what next?
So basically everything is boring. I'm not talking about depression here- I am familiar with my own depressive symptoms and I'm not experiencing them. I'm content, pleasureable things give me pleasure, I'm just bored. I mean, pleasure is nice and all, but it's not exactly stimulating. [more inside]
Do short people get drunk more quickly?
All other things being equal, does a short person's blood alcohol level reach 0.05 faster than a tall person (because they have less blood and/or a smaller liver)?
Can we raise a dog as full time workers?
My husband and I work full time. What does it take to be responsible dog owners? [more inside]
posted by like_neon at 2:21 AM PST - 24 comments
posted by like_neon at 2:21 AM PST - 24 comments
May 5
I can no longer start or finish even the most basic tasks.
And I mean anything. People, school, projects, hobbies... I always, always give up on the things I start. And it isn't even about losing interest. Yeah, there are things that I'll eventually lose interest in and quit and that's not really a problem. What bothers me is that I quit things I'm actually interested in, too. For example, I was so completely into a book I was reading last week. Really, really into it. You'd think I'd finish it, then, but I didn't. I have an entire library full of half-read books, most of which I'd love to start reading again but just can't. Won't. Cant. Ugh. [more inside]
Can I get a Stuttah!??!?!
I need a certain soundbyte (a cheetah stutter-barking) to add to a powerpoint presentation but need hive help. [more inside]
posted by fogonlittlecatfeet at 9:09 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by fogonlittlecatfeet at 9:09 PM PST - 3 comments
Is it possible to attach a sliding part for my keyboard to my table?
I have a table that I bought from IKEA which is a bit like this:
http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/S29806818/ and the problem I have is that while the screen on the table is fine, the keyboard which is right in front of it seems to me to be too high for my arms. So I was wondering if it is possible to install that sliding part you find in computer tables like this one:
http://img.weiku.com/waterpicture/2011/10/25/0/office_furniture_computer_table_634592490678635461_1.jpg
and what that part is called anyway?
Thanks! [more inside]
posted by iliketothinknu at 9:06 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by iliketothinknu at 9:06 PM PST - 9 comments
Where can I buy the tracks from Stephen Fry's Voco alarm clock?
Where can I buy the mp3s from Stephen Fry's wonderful Voco alarm clock? There are about a dozen hosted here, but back in 2010, Apartment Therapy claimed Voco sold a collection of 70 downloadable ones for $14.95. The Voco site isn't up any more, anyone have an idea where to buy a them?
Short-term housing in Singapore for a Corporate For'ner (and family) ?
I'm moving to Singapore for a couple months this summer for Work, along with my spouse and our young child (3-year old). Please help me find the right spot for our small family to survive & thrive for 6-8 weeks. Also looking for tips for occasional childcare. [more inside]
Help me buy a new dishwasher!
Seeking Specialized Software
What's the best way to have a document turned into a fill-in-the-blanks quiz? In other words, I'm looking for a program that will remove key words from a document for the purpose of memorization. Ideally, it would avoid filler words like "and," "of," or "for," etc.
Day rooms in Honolulu
I'm heading to Hawaii and on our first day our flight lands in Honolulu at 8am but our flight to Kauai isn't until 5pm. Are there any hotel rooms that offer day rooms you can book in advance? So far we've tried the Pacific Marina Inn, but they said they cannot advise availability until the day.
We really just want somewhere we can shower and store our bags, so any other suggestions are welcome.
posted by Kris10_b at 6:29 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Kris10_b at 6:29 PM PST - 6 comments
2 or more notes played at the same time that doesn't sound awful?
I've been toying with a goofy little data-mashing project. Here's the rub: I take some text, break it down into characters, give each character a musical note and then spawn an object in a 3D world with that note/letter attached. You then wander the landscape, playing sounds and 'reading' the world. Goofy. It sounds like a hot mess. More inside. [more inside]
Low-maintenance lazy girl w/ thick curly hair seeks straight down hairdo
I have super thick, wavy/curly long hair and I am not willing to spend a bunch of time everyday trying to wrangle my hair into submission. How can I get nice, straight hair that I can wear down in public and it not look like I stuck my finger in an electrical socket or I am growing dog ears? Details below! [more inside]
Any Tips for Booking a Cruise over New Year's Eve?
I'm interested in booking a cruise with some friends for a New Year's Eve vacation. What cruise lines and ships do you recommend, and given the holiday, what recommendations do you have to make the trip affordable, since it seems that most lines have marked up sailing dates around the holidays? [more inside]
My second poop AskMe
When one strains during defecation and thereby has a little bit of bleeding, why doesn't this cause an infection? [more inside]
posted by fozzie_bear at 4:51 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by fozzie_bear at 4:51 PM PST - 8 comments
What are some good ensemble-type movies set in motels/hotels?
Seeking recommendations for good films that are set in hotels or motels, and feature an ensemble cast. The Platonic ideal of the kind of movie I'm thinking about is Bagdad Café. A good recent example might be The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Basically, stories that use the hotel/motel setting as a way to tell a variety of stories about people's lives. Thank you for any tips.
Are nutritional label calorie counts all inclusive?
Do the nutritional label KCAL metrics include all calories inclusive of fat, carbs and protein? [more inside]
The Travelling Programmer
I'd like to travel the world for a few years and work on some iOS app ideas at the same time, with the hope that if one of 'em makes enough money I can keep doing it forever! However, I reckon hostels probably aren't the most productive places in the world. Have any of you ever done something like this? What's the best approach for getting in the zone and being productive when you're on the go and surrounded by people? Are coffeehouse programmers as common in Europe as they are in the Silicon Valley? What about work-life balance -- is it possible to maintain a healthy hostel social life while also getting stuff done? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you!
My wife doesn't want kids but I do -- is change of her mind possible?
After 2 years of marriage my wife (age 33) still doesn't want to have children while I (age 35) desperately want ones. Before marriage we have discussed it and she said that she would like to wait "for about a year" before trying for a baby. I agreed. Now she is saying that she isn't ready yet, and won't be ready for another 2 years. I thought that we have an agreement, but I was mistaken. Is it at all possible that she will change her mind, or postponing children for more years is just a stalling tactic on her behalf? [more inside]
Debit cards compromised twice - what's the deal here?
Today, my bank's fraud detection department gave me a call - apparently, somebody had attempted to use my debit card for a purchase in Colombia. I live in London, UK. This is an annoyance, but it's particularly worrying because something similar happened less than two months ago - they called me up and said that although my card hadn't been used, they had information that it may be compromised. The card that was used in Colombia today was the replacement, which I've had for only a few weeks.
My money is safe and my card has been cancelled (again). But my main concern is HOW this has happened - keylogger? Dubious, but legit-seeming site? Compromised wifi? And how do I keep myself safe in future? [more inside]
Help me help my yard
I've recently moved from renting an apartment in a complex to renting a privately-owned duplex. It has a little (8 ft by about 15 ft) yard-ish thing right now that I would like to transform into a real yard. The owners won't pay for it, but would be fine with whatever I do to it. The problem is, right now the yard is completely overrun with weeds; everything else gets choked out by them. I don't know what kind of weeds, there's a variety of them. The other problem is that I live in Phoenix and the ground is very hard and dry so pulling the weeds by hand is going to be... difficult if not impossible. I've seen previous yard questions, but I am a special desert-dwelling snowflake and a little bit of a hippy, so I'm looking for more ideas than the "poison the whole thing" that I see in some of the other questions and also Phoenix-specific advice. [more inside]
What is a good DJ software that uses tags?
Is there any free (or swedish free) DJ software for Windows or Linux that lets you add tags to tracks in your library and then search using those tags? [more inside]
posted by Fermin at 2:41 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Fermin at 2:41 PM PST - 4 comments
Now! With more prominent wrinkles!
I'm getting married next month and would like to figure out some make up for it. How do a I find someone to help me? [more inside]
posted by small_ruminant at 2:24 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by small_ruminant at 2:24 PM PST - 24 comments
How to get rid of a savior/saved complex?
How do I stop thinking in terms of savior/ saved in relation to others? [more inside]
posted by ichomp at 2:24 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by ichomp at 2:24 PM PST - 8 comments
Selling tech without becoming the tech-support guy?
I sell and buy stuff like clothing or household goods on eBay without any problems, but whenever I try to sell computer-related gear I end up having a miserable time of it. Numerous apparently tech-illiterate shoppers and browsers message me repeatedly with basic tech-support questions that could be answered with a quick web search, and sometimes they then buy an item only to kick up a huge fuss and demand to return it, with me paying shipping both ways, when it doesn't work as they expect or isn't "compatible" with their setup (often seemingly due to buyer incompetence). Are there seller strategies for ameliorating this problem? [more inside]
posted by RogerB at 2:18 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by RogerB at 2:18 PM PST - 5 comments
Watch YouTube videos in own window
I hate just watch a video - I want to be able to surf or write at the same time. [more inside]
posted by chairish at 2:03 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by chairish at 2:03 PM PST - 7 comments
Kentucky Derby winner's huge nostrils
Anyone else think that Kentucky Derby winner Orb has larger-than-normal nostrils? [more inside]
posted by Smalltown Girl at 2:03 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Smalltown Girl at 2:03 PM PST - 4 comments
Fancy Tea
Any recommendations for a tea with strong licorice flavor that isn't fruity or sweet? [more inside]
posted by kittensofthenight at 1:49 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by kittensofthenight at 1:49 PM PST - 12 comments
What's the best way to freeze green juice?
I make a big batch of green juice each weekend and freeze it to enjoy throughout the week. The taste is fine, but I miss the velvety texture of fresh juice. Mine freezes into layers and, when defrosted, is more "water with a lot of pulp" than juice. [more inside]
posted by acidic at 1:33 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by acidic at 1:33 PM PST - 9 comments
Potluck emergency!
I have a Cinco de Mayo potluck to go to in 3 hours. What festive dish can I make to bring with the following ingredients I already have on hand? [more inside]
posted by E3 at 1:12 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by E3 at 1:12 PM PST - 13 comments
I drunkenly agreed to sing Katy Perry at a lesbian wedding. What now?
Hoo boy. While very, very, very drunk at a wedding reception, my aunt came up to me and said "We're going to sing "I Kissed a Girl" at (cousin's) wedding! You should help!" . I was sitting there trying to figure out when my face had stopped communicating with my brain, so I just said okay. I took a taxi back to the hotel, watched public access TV for a minute until I figured out it wasn't SNL (as I said: drunk), and went to bed. The next morning, however, I remembered that I hate "I Kissed a Girl" because it's about sexually exploiting lesbians as a "game". And also it would be really embarrassing to sing! But mostly the first reason. There's also the issue that afaik, everyone in the singing group is straight (except for me, but I'm not out to my family so it's a moot point). [more inside]
Please suggest suitable presents for mothers to be
Two sisters, one expecting her first, the other expecting her second. What can I buy them to celebrate the occasions? [more inside]
When is the best time to hire a certain kind of contractor?
Is there a financially advantageous way to hire a contractor based on the season? [more inside]
What are your favorite audiobooks?
I am going to be doing a lot of driving this summer, and I would like to find some great audiobooks to listen to in the car. What do you recommend? I am especially keen to hear entertaining audiobooks that are not just someone reading aloud in a monotone voice. What I want are books that realize the full potential of the audiobook format. For example, books with music or sound effects, or books with multiple readers performing the dialogue, would be wonderful. I look forward to your suggestions
Who is this painting by?
Hi yall! I got this painting about 12 years ago in Baltimore as a gift. Who painted it? [more inside]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 10:44 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by Potomac Avenue at 10:44 AM PST - 6 comments
I loved him, he loved me, but it was complicated and now he's dead.
I just ended a year-long relationship two months ago with the love of my life. He was a brilliant, creative, talented and generous man with Asperger's and a long, complicated history of severe mental illness. He was an Army vet and had lived an incredible life, full of adventures but also extreme trauma and heartbreak. He killed himself on Friday. How do I go on? [more inside]
posted by cardinality at 10:31 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by cardinality at 10:31 AM PST - 20 comments
Tell me about IUDs and Essure
I did speak about this with my doctor, but I would like to hear more from people who have had copper IUDs or Essure. [more inside]
Help, I sound like an intern.
How do I sound older (35+) on conference calls? [more inside]
Is it a farm if you mainly grow kids and locust trees?
Help me name my little farm business! [more inside]
My girlfriend was raped - how to help from another country?
My girlfriend was raped by a former coworker and friend. How would you recommend I offer support? [more inside]
Explaining difficult topics to a toddler.
I have a 2 and half year old toddler (and another munchkin on the way.) He's getting to the point where he's starting to ask questions about my parents and my wife's parents and we're not quite sure how to tackle the topic. [more inside]
How many simple rules for dating my teenage daughter?
My 15-yo daughter has been dating a guy for about a year, has recently become sexually active with him, and we're moving toward getting her on hormonal birth control. The fact that she even came to me to talk about this is a minor miracle. How can I encourage a sex-positive attitude? What boundaries and limits, if any, should I establish? [more inside]
posted by SomeTrickPony at 6:14 AM PST - 49 comments
posted by SomeTrickPony at 6:14 AM PST - 49 comments
Eat and run in Saint Louis tips
This is two-things-ism, sort of. Will be in St Louis, MO, USA, along with Ms J0 next week Monday-Thursday, staying at the Drury Inn down by the Arch. Will be in work/meetings until 5pm but would like recommendations on where after that time we could go run (Forest Park?) and also where we should go eat. We have some ideas on good restaurants (limits: Ms J0 is pescetarian) but will gladly accept your tips on the best food and drink establishments. We have a vehicle. Thank you.
posted by J0 at 6:12 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by J0 at 6:12 AM PST - 20 comments
Budgeting for Berlin trip - how much for food?
I'm planning on taking a solo trip to Berlin for a week. As a general guideline, if I stick to cafes (and the occasional doner kebab) how much should I expect to spend on food?
Cross-platform (Win,Mac,iPhone) LAN (& ideally WAN) Messenger
I'm looking for a great LAN messenger for my business with 3 computers. I've tried Squiggle but I've got niggles. Things like how and when messages do or don't pop up and whether or not they steal focus. It seems the messages don't attract attention when they should and do when they shouldn't. It's like it's nearly there but not quite. [more inside]
May 4
Best Jeweler in DC
I've just inherited a really gorgeous, old, very high-quality set of pearls from a family member. In addition to making sure they don't need to be restrung so that I don't accidentally break them, I'd actually like to see about breaking the set apart. Because they have strong sentimental value to many of the women in my family, if I could find a large enough quantity of identical pearls, I'd like to have my one set split into two or three sets to give to other family members, each containing some of the original pearls from my necklace. So my question is, who is the best jeweler in the DC metro area to find out whether such a project is feasible? Cost is not really a factor, at least not at this stage of the process. Thanks!
posted by decathecting at 11:11 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by decathecting at 11:11 PM PST - 19 comments
Who is the most powerful enemy that Batman has defeated?
Who is the most powerful enemy that Batman has defeated? How did he do it? I am mostly interested in single enemies, but if Batman's most powerful defeated enemy is something like a corporation or government, I would love to know that too. Comics, movies and TV series welcome.
Get thee to the ER, stat!
Is this a normal amount of time to expect to wait when YOU'RE BLEEDING IN THE DAMN BRAIN?! [more inside]
She wants to save money—and not f*ck up the environment
Mom wants a fuel-efficient car . . . what should she get? [more inside]
Live musicians who use everyday items to make music
Are there any bands or musicians out there who perform live featuring the use of everyday or unconventional items as instruments? (ala Stomp?) [more inside]
posted by Unsomnambulist at 6:56 PM PST - 45 comments
posted by Unsomnambulist at 6:56 PM PST - 45 comments
A body like Taskpaper with a brain like Omnifocus.
Is there a good-looking task manager that lets me sort by date added, but also has recurring tasks and iOS sync? [more inside]
Name my Etsy store
You guys did a great job naming my vintage self-help blog. Now help me name an Etsy store that will focus mainly on items I picked up at school district auctions. [more inside]
Collected vitriol, like this collection of hate for comedian Stewart Lee
I find this collection of online critiques of Stewart Lee extremely funny (On Lee's own website). They range from 2 word comments like 'Sneering Tosser' to far longer considered treatises on why he is unfunny. Many of the longer comments are very reasoned but punctuated with hateful sentences like 'The c***.' Youtube of him reading some of the comments himself.
The expressions of hate he inspires are hilarious to me. The range of techniques and expressions people use to convey their disgust and the sheer level of contempt and disdain is really funny.
I am looking for similar large collections of insults ideally directed at specific individuals, famous or otherwise. I am not interested in generic insults.
For the record I don't find Lee objectionable or particularly funny for that matter.
How long can an opened jar of octopus safely sit in the fridge?
The jar was opened 7 days ago and has been in the fridge since. The ingredients are octopus, canola oil, vinegar, spices and salt. It says "No preservatives. Keep refridgerated" and the expiry date is in July 2013.
Does the vinegar mean it's pickled and good for an extended period? Would I just know by tasting one?
I feel a bit paranoid because I had a terrible experience with some leftover mussels last year. I would just toss it but hate to see a dozen little octopi die for nothing.
posted by bonobothegreat at 4:40 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by bonobothegreat at 4:40 PM PST - 12 comments
PowerPoint 2010, VBA to copy or create command buttons
I need a macro to check each slide for the existence of several command buttons, and then copy/create them (along with the code behind them) on slides where they're not found. I've tried using the object browser to find the objects/methods to use but, not being very familiar with programming/coding, I haven't been able to figure out how to do it.
I tried using a master slide but ran into problems (discussed here: http://www.utteraccess.com/forum/VBA-Import-Slides-Pl-t2002862.html&pid=2355756#entry2355756), but I really need this soon and I'd be happy to run this macro manually whenever I add/import slides.
Thanks for your help.
Art framing question - drawing a blank.
What are those plastic clips called that are used to hold together a very simply framed photo or drawing? [more inside]
What background screening services show someone's salary history?
I found a background check service at one point that showed a summary of each paycheck my employer issued to me, including bonuses and other payments, and I believe my Social Security number was required in order to retrieve the report. I can't locate the service again. Are there any out there that still offer such a service?
posted by scottso17 at 4:06 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by scottso17 at 4:06 PM PST - 7 comments
Something better than cash under the mattress?
Let's say hypothetically someone had $100,000 in cash and they wanted to convert it to some other item of equal value and store in a safe deposit box. What would the best item be? In the movies it tends to be some kind of certificate like bearer bonds, or precious metals, artwork, or jewelry. What choice is the most secure and likely to retain its value over time?
posted by averageamateur at 3:29 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by averageamateur at 3:29 PM PST - 24 comments
that talk
I've got herpes. There's a 99% chance he gave it to me. How best to tell him? [more inside]
Retiring Early and Yes I am Lazy!
I am 28, have a $60,000 a year job in Accounting and expect to be making close to $100,000 in seven years (after that, raises more uncertain). I want to retire some time in my early to mid 40s. I have a wife who is 34 and works as a retail manager (making about $40,000 a year). I am planning on living off of 20% of our after tax income (excluding mortgage payments). We currently do not have a mortgage but are planning on a house soon.
We would like to travel at will and have the (option) of not working ever again. We also do not mind retiring in a cheaper location (Costa Rica, etc) to save on costs.
What investment vehicles should I be considering given that I am retiring early? What kind of jobs that are part time could a retiree easily perform? How much money should be going in employee 401k type programs vs. individual investment options and IRA contributions. [more inside]
Why can't you kick back to the backers?
I just heard a radio interview with Zach Braff about his Kickstarter film project. It was mentioned that it is illegal for him to share the film's profits with his Kickstarter backers. Why is that?
posted by donajo at 2:11 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by donajo at 2:11 PM PST - 3 comments
Wisconsin Dells for adult beginners
My mom and I both really like water parks, and are from the East Coast. Therefore we've never been to Wisconsin Dells, we'd like to go, and know nothing about it except that there's water parks. We'd like to go there for a few days this June - driving up from Chicago on a Wednesday and driving back home on Friday. Any advice you can give is welcomed. [more inside]
posted by bleep at 2:06 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by bleep at 2:06 PM PST - 10 comments
What's up with my skin?
I've had a mysterious rash for the past 8 months, starting 2 weeks after my first child was born. Two different dermatologists say probably eczema, and I probably just have to live with it. Should I give up and live with it, or try to do something else? [more inside]
posted by Vampire Cat at 1:37 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by Vampire Cat at 1:37 PM PST - 15 comments
Preparing to launch! Hosting advice & projects.mefi advice sought
My new website is nearly ready to launch and I need (1) advice about improving performance via webhost features/alternatives and (2) advice about how to build a good post on projects.metafilter.com where I'll be seeking feedback. [more inside]
Running races in Northern Italy and Slovenia in late August?
My SO and I will be travelling to Northern Italy (the lakes region) and Slovenia in late August. Huzzah! As we're cementing our plans, it occurs to us that it would be fun to run in some sort of organized running race during that time, even if it's just some running club's 5K. However, it's been hard for us English-speaking Americans to find a reliable source of information as to when any such races will be going on. Can anyone help us? Barring actual races, what running tours, or other such similar things, do people recommend in the Italian lakes region, or in Slovenia? [more inside]
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:52 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:52 PM PST - 2 comments
Cleaning a smelly dishwasher
We have a countertop dishwasher, and absentmindedly left dirty dishes in it for a few days while we were out of town. We ran the dishwasher when we returned, but it still smells funky. How do we clean it, and make sure our dishes are getting clean, too?
My Cooker Wants To Kill Me
Why is my oven crackling and sparking at the on/off switch and will it start a fire in my wall? [more inside]
posted by fruitopia at 12:00 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by fruitopia at 12:00 PM PST - 11 comments
Frequent Disconnects DCOM Errors - Please Help Me
Hi guys,
I've been going through this for a few months. It got better after I switched ADSL modems but the DCOM errors are just mounting in frequency - 2 an hour - seemingly at random. [more inside]
Seeking realistic anime that isn't about teenagers or youth romance.
This 2009 thread had some good suggestions for realistic, human-oriented anime titles, but I'm looking for something along those lines that doesn't involve teenagers or high school/college romance. Super-picky requirements follow! [more inside]
posted by speedythepolkaboy at 11:13 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by speedythepolkaboy at 11:13 AM PST - 11 comments
Help me conquer my fear of joining a UK dual carriageway or motorway.
I'm scared of driving. But I'm determined to get over it and making great progress. There are some great questions and answers on the green about conquering fear of driving and they've helped me a lot. But I have a specific fear that towers over all the others, and I think that if I can just get over this, I will be a shedload more confident in driving in other situations. Here's the problem: joining a dual carriageway from a slip road on UK roads makes me cry. [more inside]
posted by pootler at 10:31 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by pootler at 10:31 AM PST - 27 comments
Loft beds for children under 10
My daughters want loft beds for their room. However I'm a bit concerned about their ability to get down in the middle of the night, particularly the 5 year old, who is a bit short. I've looked into a DIY solution but I really don't have the time. Custom furniture is a bit out of the budget under $600. The Ikea models seem a bit wobbly and too tall.. Does anyone have any suggestions for ones that are lower height or preferably adjustable as the kids get taller?
posted by humanfont at 10:14 AM PST - 21 comments
posted by humanfont at 10:14 AM PST - 21 comments
talking about gender in short term dating relationship
Any advice on how to discuss emotionally loaded social issues without pushing buttons? [more inside]
posted by The Noble Goofy Elk at 9:23 AM PST - 44 comments
posted by The Noble Goofy Elk at 9:23 AM PST - 44 comments
Floripa Calling!
Two of my life dreams are to speak Portuguese fluently and to learn to surf. VOILA~~ I was invited for a professional exchange in Florianopolis, Brazil, and am over the moon! Can you help me 1) decide which months to arrive 2) make an initial plan for housing and transport, and 3) suggest volunteer conservation efforts for my partner? [more inside]
posted by iiniisfree at 9:20 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by iiniisfree at 9:20 AM PST - 2 comments
Hello darling!
I’m looking for songs that contain the word “darling.” The word doesn’t have to be included in the title. Bonus points if “darling” is part of the chorus. Thanks!
someone make this for me
have you ever used an app development service? any info on cost/percentage they keep/experience in general? [more inside]
Should I buy an air fryer?
Has any one used an air fryer? If so, would you recommend them? If (further) so, what brand should I buy? (I'm in the UK).
posted by Optamystic at 6:47 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Optamystic at 6:47 AM PST - 4 comments
Gift ideas for friends traveling to Africa and Thailand this summer
I have several good friends who will be traveling abroad this summer to work with elephants in Thailand and wildlife in Zimbabwe. I wanted to get them each something that would be thoughtful, useful or fun, especially in a foreign land. I have never traveled abroad, so I am having a hard time deciding what is needed or wanted when one is in Thailand or Africa.
So, I am looking for something small and not terribly expensive. What would you have wanted on your trip to Thailand and/or Africa?
posted by Seppaku at 6:28 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Seppaku at 6:28 AM PST - 11 comments
Book panic
What book(s) can you safely recommend to someone who thought the Doors of Stone (Patrick Rothfuss Kingkiller Chronicles), the sequel to Seraphina (Rachel Hartman) and the final book in the Discovery of Witches trilogy (Deborah Harkness) were all coming out very shortly, only to learn how terribly terribly wrong (and now horribly disappointed) they were? [more inside]
posted by xaire at 6:13 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by xaire at 6:13 AM PST - 17 comments
Help me access my files!
I reinstalled Windows 7 and now I can't get at many of my old files. [more inside]
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 5:42 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 5:42 AM PST - 7 comments
Someone else is already bringing the Bug Juice . . .
We're throwing a camping-themed birthday party for a co-worker next week. I need to bring some treats! [more inside]
Who should I send early copies of my book to?
I'm writing a book about language learning and the science of memory for a major publisher. We're a couple months away from sending galley copies around to various people for blurbs and reviews, and they've asked me for input as to who might be interested. So! Who should read this thing? Name some people who, if you saw their name on the back of a science-y book on language learning and memory, you'd buy it.
May 3
Hoofin' it in Buffalo
How pedestrian-friendly is Buffalo Harbor? That and lots of other Buffalo and border-related questions.. [more inside]
Adult birthday ideas in the Seattle area
My husband is turning 30 in about 2 months and I need to plan a party for him in the Seattle area. I have no idea what I'm doing. [more inside]
posted by Safiya at 8:09 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by Safiya at 8:09 PM PST - 16 comments
Am I crazy to consider an old 'marriage pact'?
I've been in a relationship for 3 years, waiting on a proposal. I don't know if it will materialize. Lately I've been fantasizing about an ex-boyfriend who I made a marriage pact with. [more inside]
8:51am MetroNorth Train : Packed?
I'm trying to decide whether to take MetroNorth to Grand Central Monday morning. Will a train arriving @8:51am be unpleasantly packed, or is that considered late in the rush hour? [more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover at 7:21 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by Quisp Lover at 7:21 PM PST - 22 comments
How can I break into audio book narration?
I've been listening to audiobooks for many years and would like to become an audio book narrator. I am not a professional actor and have never done any work like this.
However my current job is creating elearning and whenever I record the narration, I get compliments from my customers for my reading voice.
Any suggestions about how I might pursue this career?
posted by SallyHitMeOntheHead at 6:51 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by SallyHitMeOntheHead at 6:51 PM PST - 14 comments
Need to find a infectious/parasitic disease specialist in NYC
My good friend has been searching for an outstanding infectious/parasitic disease specialist in NYC. She has looked online, but it seems every doc has good and bad reference. [more inside]
No, no, NO!
Can I remove "Add to Dictionary" from the Firefox context menu? [more inside]
posted by Mitheral at 6:24 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Mitheral at 6:24 PM PST - 5 comments
Summer Grilling Time
I am going to buy one of those small table top propane grills, that take the small 1 pound canisters. Since I like to be frugal where possible, is it possible to hook a standard size tank to the grill? If so what parts if any would I need?
(yes it does seem like this would defeat the purpose of making said grill portable, but my plan is to leave the large tank at my parents, and then port around the grill and a small tank every where else but there.)
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 6:07 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 6:07 PM PST - 7 comments
I know it's always greener over there...
So, tell me about grass. [more inside]
How awful is it to give a cat fluid injections?
My aged (but still quite lively!) kitty has had kidney disease as long as we've known him. We've switched him to K/D prescription cat food and we've done everything we can think of to convince the stubborn little dope to drink more water, but on our last vet visit the vet told us that unless he shows signs of improvement soon, we may need to start giving him regular fluid injections. I'm hoping for a little more info about the process, and our options... [more inside]
Honey Bees Have Moved Into My Back Yard! BZZZZZ!
There is a not so huge cluster of bees clinging to a trellis in my back yard. The cluster is about a foot tall, 9 inches deep and wide. They have a regular flow of bees coming and going. [more inside]
posted by snsranch at 5:00 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by snsranch at 5:00 PM PST - 11 comments
I want to go to grad school and get the most bang for my buck. Thoughts?
Five years out of college, I've realized I need to go to grad school to further my career. I'd like to participate in a master's program that gives me more earning potential if possible. [more inside]
Business-class comfort to Ireland on a budget
Help my wife and I travel to Ireland in comfort this fall without spending entirely too much money! [more inside]
posted by kindall at 3:43 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by kindall at 3:43 PM PST - 11 comments
Finding haricot bean leaves in Cambridge/Boston, MA
I'm trying to find haricot/navy bean leaves, in Cambridge/Boston, MA. Can anyone suggest a source? [more inside]
posted by metaBugs at 3:29 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by metaBugs at 3:29 PM PST - 6 comments
twitter etiquette: @ or direct message?
I have a Twitter account that I don't use very much. But now I'd like to use it... [more inside]
posted by shino-boy at 3:13 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by shino-boy at 3:13 PM PST - 8 comments
Bronx Housing Help
A friend is in an abusive situation with her current roommates and I would like to be able to provide some resources to help find alternate housing and tips on how to deal with the bad situation until she can find something else. [more inside]
Is this house rental contract fair?
Reading someone's question earlier today about the costs of owning vs. renting, it struck me that our rental contract seems to put a whole lot of the maintenance costs on us as the renters. While the items are noted in the contract we are only now aware of the dollar value associated with each, having lived here six months. I'd like to run this by you for a sanity check. [more inside]
How to pronounce Spanish rr in combination with other consonants?
Looking for help prouncing the RR sound in words such as sonrisa, alrededor, las rosas [more inside]
posted by iamsuper at 3:06 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by iamsuper at 3:06 PM PST - 18 comments
A Reflection on Youth
Would you please help me remember the specifics of this short piece about youth? [more inside]
Do artists often get scammed into projects?
When I get an email from someone asking if I'm interested in doing a big long-term project, how do I know if they're legit or if it's something worth my time and effort? [more inside]
Simple Database for Video Production
I'm looking for a simple, cloud based database to keep track of production contacts (Cast and Crew) and location information for a medium sized production company. The database should be able to be used simultaneously from computers worldwide and feature tagging and photo uploading. Also, we should be able to change the basic fields when needed. Do you know of a good service/tool for this use? [more inside]
Care and keeping of curly hair... on a toddler
My two-and-a-half-year-old daughter has inherited my crazy-thick, curly, totally uncooperative hair. She is a spitfire personality who despises having her head washed/combed/messed with, and I want to somehow minimize the trauma of keeping her looking civilized (which, at the moment, she rarely does). Help! [more inside]
Izakaya in New York
I will be traveling to Manhattan this weekend. I would appreciate recommendation for izakaya or other Japanese eating/drinking establishments of note. [more inside]
posted by Tanizaki at 2:12 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Tanizaki at 2:12 PM PST - 9 comments
How do I prioritize my credit card and private/public student loan debt?
I need some help prioritizing the repayment of my debt, which consists of 0% APR credit card debt and a mix of private and government student loans. [more inside]
Moving Wordpress content from multiple domains into a single one
I've got multiple domains, all running Wordpress, and am down-sizing to just one. Looking for the easiest way to get the content from the other domains moved/imported to the keeper domain, each in their own category. [more inside]
A bathroom question: What looks good on the counter?
It's a weird question, I know, but my bathroom has a weird counter. The sink sits on the far left. On the far right, there's a hand-towel hung from a loop on the wall. But there's an awkward empty counter space between the two. I'm not looking to fill the space. I just feel like something should be sitting there against the rear of the counter to make the space look not so empty. But what? I'm a single bachelor, so yeah, this is as much a question about style as it is about functionality. Even strange suggestions are welcome!
I have a nice dispenser of hand soap by the sink. Other than that, there's nothing on the counter and it looks like there should be. Like I said, it's a weird question, but it's bugged me for a while so I figured I'd ask the hive mind. What looks good on a bathroom counter?
Losing relationship chances due to others' interference - help?
I was recently in the situation where I met a possible new love interest but, due to interference by a mutual social group, the relationship never had a chance to begin.
How common is this and how can I protect myself? Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
I have High Risk hpv. What now?
I just found out I have High Risk hpv. My doctor didn't seem too concerned, but I feel like my world is falling apart. How do I cope? [more inside]
Need Paypal Alternatives
I have a "Donate" button on my web site, but people are using it against me. Are there any seller/money recipient friendly money sites like Paypal? [more inside]
Best Fitness Apps
Recommend the apps, websites, technological gadgets for exercise that you can't live without. [more inside]
What to do with these mothers?
Our kombucha keeps growing! What do we do with the SCOBY? I hear it tastes like squid. [more inside]
How do forensic reconstructors know what noses (and lips) looked like?
Noses come in many shapes and sizes. Skulls have no nose bones. Are forensic reconstructions of noses (and lips and ears for that matter) based on something we non-specialists are missing, or are the modelers just guessing? If not guessing, how do they do it?
Did people really sit at opposite ends of those enormous tables?
We've all seen plenty of depictions, in fiction, of enormously long dining room tables, with a husband and wife sitting at opposite ends. Usually we see those images in period pieces set in Victorian times, or more modern eras but evoking the hyper-formal rigidity that we (correctly or not) associate with the Victorians. Now, with tons of inexpensive servants for every middle-and-upper-class family, that seems doable, but did it really happen? [more inside]
posted by Tomorrowful at 12:35 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Tomorrowful at 12:35 PM PST - 11 comments
Civilization V in easy mode?
I really enjoy the idea of games like Civilization V. The perspective, the aesthetic, and the basic premise of what is happening appeal to me a lot. However, even playing through the tutorial, the level of complexity gets to a point where my eyes glaze over a bit, and I don't enjoy playing. I like the feel of a world simulation and the fundamental competition over resources, but it gets too much too quickly. To give you an idea, I really like old-school Risk (the level of complexity is just right), but I dislike games with the complexity of Axis and Allies. Is there a way (like through a mod) that simplifies the rules of Civilization V? Or is there a way to play it such that the micromanaging aspect of it disappears a bit? I would like a very streamlined rule set with a bit of variation in possible play style.
Diet after diverticulitis
A couple of days ago, I got a CT scan looking for for diverticulitis, and later that day got a phone call telling me I had a positive diagnosis. It's being treated with drugs (I was actually already feeling improved by the time I got the diagnosis). Today I saw the PA who ordered the CT scan, basically so that she could tell me not to eat corn or seeds…ever. Now I'm wondering. [more inside]
Should I buy a house or pay off my student loans?
Am I crazy for thinking about buying a house on a teacher's salary with 30k of student loan debt? [more inside]
Short, dog-friendly hike/walk near Seattle?
I'd like to go for a short hike/long walk in the woods or other wild place within a 90-minute drive of Seattle this weekend. [more inside]
Salsa dancing in NYC on Saturday night?
Where can 2 couples go for some salsa and merengue dancing in the city on Saturday night? [more inside]
Ideas for dog tags and other safety measures for preschooler
My 4.5 year old and I are spending the summer in a country where most people don't speak English and although he knows a bit of the local language, he doesn't know enough to handle an emergency situation. I'm looking for ideas to work through this. [more inside]
posted by k8t at 10:38 AM PST - 31 comments
posted by k8t at 10:38 AM PST - 31 comments
What's the best simple lavalier microphone setup to use with DSLRs?
I've been tasked with filming a series of seated "talking head" interviews using my DSLRs. What's the best way to create a minimal audio setup that will have acceptable quality, be reasonably easy to set up on location and to edit the final results, and also be reasonably cost-effective? [more inside]
posted by DaShiv at 10:33 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by DaShiv at 10:33 AM PST - 9 comments
best starting kit for a dual-lan linux gateway machine
I use a second computer set up with Ubuntu server as a gateway/firewall (NAT box) and email server. It has finally died. I'd like to replace it with a new machine. I checked on newegg a bit, but I'm not a hardware geek so I'd like to query the hivemind for their ideas. [more inside]
Questions on adopting a dog, with consideration for desert and a baby
My wife and I have talked of adopting a dog for a while. Following the untimely passing of one of our cats, this is more feasible, and could help console us. But we have questions for adopting a dog in our desert climate, and on dogs coming into a family with a baby, and a cat. And we're concerned about being good owners, as our time at home is limited during the week. Also, we're discussing what a good age range for an adoptable dog would be. Details inside. [more inside]
Body by LG.
I'm a Former Fat Kid who's had to exercise religiously to stay in some kind of (refrigerator-like) shape as an adult. My distribution of fat and muscle means that I have huuuuge glutes and quads. Pants are therefore my enemy. Help me find a fit! [36yo/M] [more inside]
Where to get tape of Nixon aides plotting murder?
According to the Washington Post, the famous White House tape recordings that Nixon kept include recordings of aides G. Gordon Liddy and E. Howard Hunt seriously plotting to assassinate muckraking journalist Jack Anderson in 1972. They were only stopped because the Watergate fiasco got in the way. Where can I get that recording? [more inside]
posted by Sleeper at 9:46 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Sleeper at 9:46 AM PST - 3 comments
Commissioned original art, art may not be original. Help?
I work for a non-profit organization. We applied for, and received, a grant to commission original artwork for our building. We chose an artist who proposed a mural. The contract is signed with the agency that is providing the grant, and work is set to start on the building soon. Problem is? One of the members of the Board found a very similar mural online, painted by a different person. Help. [more inside]
Hiking in Westchester/Rockland County NY w/ stumpy little legs
Looking for hour to day long hike recommendations in the Westchester/Rockland County NY area. Adorable complication: Corgi. [more inside]
posted by zara at 9:23 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by zara at 9:23 AM PST - 7 comments
Why is my heart so bent out of shape?
I went on two dates with a guy and we clicked so hard. I ended it because he's recently separated from his wife and I'm moving out of state. WHY do I feel so torn up? It's only been two dates! [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 9:22 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by pintapicasso at 9:22 AM PST - 15 comments
how do I remind myself of this moment all the time
I just found out two days ago that I won a nationally competitive award/grant. I have a big ambitions for my career and certainly hope this is not the last, but it is the first recognition at this level. I am so pumped to do what I do.
I want to always remember this moment. I usually buy a nicer-than-i-otherwise-would version of an everyday object to remind myself of very important moments in life. A 10-dollar silver ring that i wear everyday; a pen, etc. But this time I am out of ideas. What can I do/get to commemorate this moment?
posted by atetrachordofthree at 9:07 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by atetrachordofthree at 9:07 AM PST - 15 comments
Name that shoe
What kind of shoes are these colorful wrappy-type things? [more inside]
posted by hellbient at 9:06 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by hellbient at 9:06 AM PST - 4 comments
EU citizen travelling with outdated passport?
My 18-year old stepson is supposed to be travelling from France to the Netherlands tonight and he has just realized that his passport is one month past its expiry. He is a French citizen, but he can't find his ID card (eighteen) ... is there any way around this. Or is it one of those life lessons?
posted by bwonder2 at 8:57 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by bwonder2 at 8:57 AM PST - 9 comments
Letter of recommendation help
Help me choose who to ask for a letter of recommendation: professor who knows me but hasn't really graded me on anything yet v. professor who most likely does not remember me (at least not very clearly) but gave me a couple good grades. [more inside]
Fresh catch vs sushi
simple question: what is the difference between catching a fish directly out of the water and eating it verses eating sushi grade fish.I would think because they are both fresh it should be perfectly safe to eat. Thoughts?
Ow! My tooth!
I had multiple fillings done about a month ago due to my major dental negligence over the past few years. Everything was awesome and wonderful until last week.... [more inside]
Help me find a Baptismal Gown for my son.
Back in 2009 my wife and I found this store located in the shopping arcades surrounding the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostella. My wife loved loved loved the baby clothes, especially the baptismal gowns. I'd love to find a place with items like this in the US, preferably NYC. [more inside]
What book was this?
Help me ID a book I read a few years back ... [more inside]
Ship a laptop from US to Poland
I have an old laptop I'd like to send to my relatives in Poland. How would I go about this? Does this even make economic sense? [more inside]
posted by echo target at 6:54 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by echo target at 6:54 AM PST - 8 comments
Unix Search and Replace Question, of Course!
Some of my data is having some extra carriage returns that is seriously harping my style, I'd like to use UNIX commands to fix the data so it can be loaded into tables. Have used sed, not working. Details inside: [more inside]
Dentist pulled four wrong teeth from my 10-year-old — what is justice?
My son's dentist pulled four teeth that were not supposed to come out. Help me restore order to the universe. [more inside]
posted by Glomar response at 6:30 AM PST - 81 comments
posted by Glomar response at 6:30 AM PST - 81 comments
It hurts when I do this... so stop doing it?
I have, over the last year, developed an unusual reaction to alcohol. My GP basically brushed it off and said “oh well, guess you don’t get to drink any more” – but… [more inside]
Where can I get a high-res file of this public domain image?
This photo is in the public domain, as it was taken in 1914 by Eugene de Salignac (an American, so no chance of restoration). But the only places I can find it want to charge over $100 (or a thousand!) for a relatively small print. Where I can obtain a high-res version of it for free or for a small fee?
posted by benbenson at 6:28 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by benbenson at 6:28 AM PST - 3 comments
What are some good books for quicker, disjointed reading sessions?
I commute to and from work, which involves busses and trains transfers and other general distractions, and while I really enjoy reading on this commute, I can't sink my teeth into heavier books that require a ton of concentration to comprehend and follow (I save those for the weekends). I have found that lighter books with shorter chapters and engaging storylines are easiest to read in this atmosphere. What are your recommendations? [more inside]
Immoral to secure tickets to concert by bringing one's disabled friend?
I missed out on buying tickets to the only London gig my favourite artist is playing this year (and on top of this he hasn't toured in three years) so I ended up asking my disabled friend if she'd come with me if I paid her ticket. This meant I was able to get tickets to the already sold-out gig after the standard tickets had long gone. While booking, I also realised that the disabled seats area is a prime spot in the venue and very near the stage. Was it immoral that I would "use" my friend's disability to enable me to go see this gig (in a better spot than I could've ever hoped), albeit with her consent/blessing? [more inside]
Dental fillings popping out all over place
My dentist recently gave me fillings to replace the lost enamel of nine teeth, and four of these fillings keep falling out. Repeatedly. One of the molar fillings has fallen out three times. One of my canine fillings has fallen out twice. Is this common? Could he be using poor quality materials? Is it indicative of something else being wrong? Should I find a new dentist? [more inside]
I need to make a cake that looks like an airplane.
My friend just got his pilot's license and I have been commissioned among our group of friends to construct an airplane-shaped cake in celebration of this event. I already have the plane-shaped cake tin, but I need some help with the cake decor. [more inside]
posted by half life at 5:03 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by half life at 5:03 AM PST - 10 comments
Can you identify this plant that's taking over my yard?
If my yard is France, this rhizome is Germany. It's between one and two feet tall when fully grown, and produces a single, smallish dark pink flower. Photo here. [more inside]
posted by Mayor Curley at 4:56 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Mayor Curley at 4:56 AM PST - 3 comments
How to most affordably re-charge our Corolla's air conditioner?
DH says the dealer charges too much but we haven't a clue where else to try. It's an older car and we've gone to the dealer for most things.
posted by R2WeTwo at 4:22 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by R2WeTwo at 4:22 AM PST - 9 comments
Getting the family home valued - should we be there?
Our Dad passed away last year, leaving his house to my siblings and me. Dad's defacto partner is interested in buying the house (she has no financial stake in it currently), so we need to get it valued. The house is in a town approximately 7 hours drive from where the nearest siblings (myself and my sister) live. There are are a couple of registered valuers in the area, so that's not a problem, but my question is: is there any particular need for us to be there when they come through? [more inside]
MacBook Pro Battery Life Question
Greetings - I "inherited" a MacBook Pro last year. It was a Apple MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz from Spring 2008. So it was 4 years old when I got it and I was told that the battery was dead and as long as I kept it plugged in, it worked fine, however, I would need a new one. So last year, I purchased a new battery and installed it.
However, I am still noticing that the battery life is horrible. It seems like when I am using it to type a document or check emails and surf the web, etc, I literally can watch the battery drain. I would assume that it might hold a charge of about an hour and a half maybe?
Is there any way I can "test" it to see what my actual battery life if? To ensure there isn't something else going on? Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks,
Is Australia just the West Island?
Quick question for folks who've lived in both Australia and NZ: what cultural and language differences did you notice?
Should I give my cat a bath?
My cat, Gem, got into her first fight today. Heard some screeching, saw her getting chased, but managed to get back home. She doesn't appear to be hurt, just a bit roughed up and shaky. Thing is though, she smells of poo now. Do I give her a bath, and if so, how? [more inside]
British Hacker movie?
I'm trying to find the title of an early 80s British hacker movie, and Google is no help at all. You'd think this would be simple. Everything I remember is inside. [more inside]
posted by Leon at 2:06 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by Leon at 2:06 AM PST - 12 comments
May 2
Showing divx length in Windows Explorer
(How) Can I get the length (running time) of .divx videos to show in Windows Explorer? I am using Windows 7 (64-bit). [more inside]
How do I become a Wizard?
How do I become a Wizard? (for party planning purposes, as opposed to real magical ones). [more inside]
Buying electronics on Craigslist
Should I buy a TV off of Craigslist? [more inside]
posted by triggerfinger at 8:40 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by triggerfinger at 8:40 PM PST - 12 comments
Help me remember this quotation...
I'm trying to remember a quotation. It might be from an ancient philosopher or a saint. Someone says to him something like, "How do you know how to do the right thing?" And his response is, "I observe the people around me doing the wrong things, and I do the opposite." That's a very rough recollection, and not enough for Google to help. Does this ring a bell for anyone?
I have no idea how to get past the honeymoon period. It's killing me.
I have a history of romantic involvements that usually never get past three or four months (with a single exception that went on for 3.5 years). This didn't used to bother me so much, but it's now starting to make me ridiculously sad. I'm 30. How can I learn to hold someone's interest in me and/or choose better? Sorry for the book below, and thanks for any suggestions. [more inside]
posted by oogenesis at 7:55 PM PST - 34 comments
posted by oogenesis at 7:55 PM PST - 34 comments
I have been looking for years for a screensaver, help me find it!
I believe I have found one of the rare circumstances where something is nearly unGoogle-able. I remember a screensaver that was a tie-in with the Michael Douglas movie The Game. The screensaver appeared normal, but the trick was that the program(unexpectedly) started to mess with your computer over time, creating fake emails to the FBI confessing to crimes that you only saw because they bounced, changing the background of your desktop, and other clever and nasty things. I have been trying to locate a copy of it, or any information about it, for years, but "game" and "screensaver" are not helpful search terms. Any suggestions appreciated!
posted by blahblahblah at 7:54 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by blahblahblah at 7:54 PM PST - 13 comments
I Was Just, Uh, Resting?
How do I explain the mental-health-related 2-yr gap on my resume? [more inside]
Finding a book by its cover?
Looking for a book whose title I can't remember, but whose cover I can picture perfectly. [more inside]
posted by ella_minnow at 6:59 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by ella_minnow at 6:59 PM PST - 3 comments
a life of bread and water? Surely there have to be options
Is there any legitimacy behind testing for food allergies and sensitivity or is it best to do an elimination diet? [more inside]
Vintage wedding dress back alteration
Sewists/sewers/seamstresses of askme, I need your help. I bought a beautiful 1930s lace wedding dress yesterday, but need to have the back altered because though the dress fits at the waist, the zipper won't close in the bust. Other non-sewer advice welcome in the style department. [more inside]
How do I overcome a personal wall of delegating tasks?
How do I overcome a personal wall of delegating a certain task or getting someone to do what I want? Which to me is personally reasonable. [more inside]
SushiFilter: What IS this stuff & how can I be sure to not get it again?
We eat a lot of sushi, but I am no expert. We just order whatever sounds good from the description on the menu. Usually I like what I get, occasionally I get something that's just meh, but every once in a while I wind up with a roll that has this big blob of ground fish on top of it. Fish hamburger, if you will. [more inside]
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 4:24 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 4:24 PM PST - 18 comments
Writers, how do you cope with being jealous of other writers?
Folks I know get published! Yay them! Go them! But shamefully, it.. the ...the flames, flames...on the side of my face...breathing...heaving breaths. How do I tame my inner envy monster? [more inside]
posted by angrycat at 4:08 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by angrycat at 4:08 PM PST - 24 comments
Help me protect my ink!
Yes, another "Help me find this thing to buy." I need sunscreen. I recently found another ask (linked below the fold) but the results are exactly what I DON'T like. More details inside. [more inside]
how to ask acquaintance out...again
I'm interested in dating an acquaintance, but don't know if he's interested in me, or if he already gave me the brush-off. [more inside]
Looking for smallish canvas and leather tote/briefcase
I'm looking for an everyday, tote/briefcase-type bag; smallish, around 12x9" and maybe 5 or 6" wide, made of canvas and leather, hoping to keep the price below $125. Any suggestions? I saw something on the train today that looked perfect, but I can't find it online. The brand was "Yosemite", which is tough to google. The logo on the label was a stylized sun with a face. Can anyone help me find that company or a different bag that fits the bill? [more inside]
Mission: Dinner
Where should I eat dinner tonight in the San Francisco Mission district?
It will probably be just me. I like pretty much anything, but prefer the interesting hole-in-the wall to fine dining.
posted by exceptinsects at 3:15 PM PST - 25 comments
posted by exceptinsects at 3:15 PM PST - 25 comments
Non-fiction about the Great Outdoors
I've recently discovered that I love reading non-fiction about the Great Outdoors and the things that happen there. I'm talking about books like 'Touching the Void' by Joe Simpson, and Jon Krakauer's books 'Into Thin Air' and 'Into the Wild'. It doesn't necessarily have to be about disasters and tragedies: I really loved this recent FPP about the Alaskan Iditarod. I want to read (but haven't yet) 'Into the Silence: the Great War, Mallory and the Conquest of Everest'. Please recommend me other books in this vein?
snapbacks & tattoos
I want to buy a cap for summer. Five panel, fitted, snapback, whatever. Something like this, this, this, or this. I'm in Los Angeles this week and Portland next week. What streetwear shops should I visit? [more inside]
What would you call this sort of drum-heavy music in this track?
Came across this track and I'm unsure how to categorize it, or even search for more like it other than with vague descriptions like "drum-heavy instrumental." Could someone a little more experienced in drum-based music like this tell me whether this is part of a genre or just a certain sound? (link inside) [more inside]
Attractive Cat Poop Setup?
Where do I store the scoop? The poop? The poop bag? [more inside]
posted by ethidda at 1:54 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by ethidda at 1:54 PM PST - 14 comments
Your Favorite Interview-Format Podcasts?
What are your favorite interview-format podcasts? [more inside]
posted by oceanview at 1:51 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by oceanview at 1:51 PM PST - 22 comments
I'm no supertaster
I'm looking for very, very unsubtle: 1) malt vinegar; 2) sake; and 3) beer that tastes yeasty (like bread, and not like estery Belgian beer). I'm not sure there are mass-market products that meet my needs, so if you have similar cravings and an alternative, I'd be grateful, too. [more inside]
Summer Wardrobe Shopping - Male Edition
So the days are getting longer and warmer, and I find myself in the need of some decent clothing, varying from casual to business casual.
I'm on the heavier side and thus prefer darker, more muted tones, but am open to other options. I'm also not a fan of logos but will pay a premium for good quality and easy to care for clothing.
An important consideration is that I REALLY prefer long-sleeve shirts and longer pants (i.e. I don't need more shorts), as I feel they make me feel more put together. They still need to be "breathable" though! [more inside]
I can hear again!
This morning when I put on my headphones to listen to music, I suddenly became aware of something incredible: I could hear sound through my left ear almost as well as I could hear with my right ear. [more inside]
posted by Transl3y at 1:15 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Transl3y at 1:15 PM PST - 11 comments
Name. Those. Billionaires!
For marketing materials, I need a term to describe investors in what is effectively a private club. The club owns fancy stuff that the investors get to use. The client currently refers to them as Owner Members. My first thought is that Member/Owners flows a tiny bit better, but maybe you have an awesome suggestion?
Many thanks.
Helping heal the psychological trauma... of trauma
I'm a career Firefighter/Paramedic. Recently, I've been thinking more about the long-term psychological trauma that results from a serious injury/illness, and how my actions during emergencies may help or hinder patients' healing. Help me help my patients. [more inside]
Where can I find Bruno New York shirts?
So a while back I picked up a shirt I liked a lot made by Bruno New York and have been trying to find some more along the same lines but my searching has turned up nothing. It's a short sleeved plaid shirt, with one snap button at the very bottom and the pocket flaps are asymetrical also having snap buttons.
Hope you can point me to where I can find some more (the one I got was from good old TJ Maxx...)
Camping in the White Mountains of New Hampshire
Places to camp in the White Mountains of New Hampshire? [more inside]
Buy a basic graduation cap for cheap on a short time frame?
Okay, so I am a community college faculty member who is supposed to wear my academic regalia to our graduation ceremony next Saturday. I've got my gown and hood, but I can't find my stupid mortarboard anywhere. My wife has hers, but as her noggin is significantly smaller than my enormous melon, when I put it on it looks like I'm being sucked into a wormhole head first. So what I need is: a) a basic shiny black academic cap and tassel, b) that fits giant heads, c) at low cost, d) delivered in the next eight days. I've found places on line where I can do this for $45. Is there a way to do it for $20?
posted by Pater Aletheias at 12:12 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by Pater Aletheias at 12:12 PM PST - 16 comments
RapGenius clone?
I am trying to build a blended learning web-app for a professor to replace his Blackboard-based discussion forum. I think a great model is RapGenius's annotation system. Do open-source clones exist for this? Any out-of-the-box tools I can quickly hack together to mimic RapGenius's annotation system? [more inside]
Android Document Scanner
What are your opinions on Portable Document Scanners for my Samsung Galaxy III phone?
I am new to the Smartphone crowd and find the descriptions of the scanners available in Google Play lacking. I need to be able to scan old newspapers and other print media of similar quality. I am hoping for sufficient resolution to convert PDF scans to Word in ReadIris Pro 12.
Help me help them to help themselves.
A barrage of bad news has come down the parental pike. I'm dealing fine but I think my parents--my mom, in particular--are in denial about their situation. Help me figure out the politest course of action to do something about it? [more inside]
Do scholarly publications have to state who funded their research?
Is there somewhere in the article where they're required to state who backed the scientific study financially?
Why is my young dog sometimes weird about entering the house?
Our two year old Husky has some sort of odd and inconsistent anxiety about crossing thresholds. Please help. [more inside]
Should I mention salary discussions in an interview thank you note?
Yesterday, I had a third interview with the same company and I want to send a followup note today. The interview went well until we got to salary discussions. I was caught off guard and did not respond as well as I should have. I already know I should have had her give me numbers first, but like I said, I was caught off guard when she asked me how much I was expecting. I told her what I made in my last position, which was in a very expensive city and now I’m in a small Midwestern city. I knew as the number was coming out of my mouth that I was saying the wrong thing. [more inside]
posted by shoesietart at 11:07 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by shoesietart at 11:07 AM PST - 12 comments
Help me plan a surreal vacation
I'm visiting Denver later this month and am curious about what the city has to offer that is unique and offbeat in a specific way.
I like the kitschy/cheesy, I love the weird/slightly spooky. My best trips to strange cities have involved: antique fairs and curio shops, museums centered around one niche concept, rambly old graveyards, outsider art in all forms, graffitied ruins and abandoned spaces, anything historical that focuses on the everyday experiences of common people. [more inside]
Pawnshop/second-hand store ID help needed, PDX edition
Roughly five years ago, a friend and I were browsing second-hand stores on the East side of Portland, and stumbled upon one that was weirdly memorable, mostly because we now have absolutely no idea where it was located, but have the lingering feeling that it's something that we pass by all the time and somehow aren't noticing. All available clues below the fold... [more inside]
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 10:24 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 10:24 AM PST - 5 comments
Persistent conjunctivitis - meds aren't helping; can you?
I have conjunctivitis and I have been taking drops plus putting ointment (antibiotics) on the skin outside the eye for 2 weeks now. This was supposed to take a few days to clear up according to the doctor but it hasn't. My eyes aren't red but the skin around the eyes keep scaling and peeling off and just not seeming to actually HEAL once and for all and clear up. What else can I do / what could I be doing wrong?
I need to clean a messy, dirty house in 24 hours. Most efficient way?
I need to clean a messy, dirty house in 24 hours. My landlord is showing our property tomorrow. We have not been keeping up with it due to illnesses and such. The landlord is very picky and would be shocked if she walked through here right now. I am freaking out. How can I get this done efficiently and quickly? [more inside]
posted by desjardins at 9:35 AM PST - 51 comments
posted by desjardins at 9:35 AM PST - 51 comments
Comparing Proton Beam Therapy in New Jersey and Boston
A friend of mine has a 15 month old son who was diagnosed with anaplastic ependymoma (brain cancer). He had a complete surgical resection of the tumor, and the next step is proton beam therapy. She has her choice between pursuing therapy at MGH in Boston, or in New Jersey at either Procare in Somerset or Robert Wood in New Brunswick. The New Jersey facilities would be more convenient for her and her family, but if the Boston facility is better, she'll make it work. Can you give me any information about how these three facilities compare in terms of both effectiveness of the therapy and patient experience, particularly with very young pediatric patients?
posted by KathrynT at 9:24 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by KathrynT at 9:24 AM PST - 14 comments
dude in shorts
It's warm weather season. I want to wear shorts, but I also want to up my style. [more inside]
posted by garlic at 9:22 AM PST - 33 comments
posted by garlic at 9:22 AM PST - 33 comments
PMS makes her transgress
Is my wife's PMS a fair reason to be as cruel to me as she pleases? [more inside]
Fellowship?
In a non-secular/religious meeting agenda the word fellowship can indicate that it is time for informal friendly discussion that may not be related to the meeting. Would it be appropriate to use the word fellowship in a secular business meeting agenda in the same context. If not what language could be used on an agenda that encourages informal discussion between colleagues?
Best system for an online, ongoing office "discussion"
Scenario: Office employees need to be able to log into a system and post opinions/comments on a daily basis for a period of 10 days. These need to be threaded and in response to a prompting question or two each time. Employees should be able to read thru other comments and look back thru older threads.
I know there's a gazillion forum systems, and blog alternatives. Do you have a recommendation on which particular system would be best? I do not need a lot of features beyond what's described above. Most blog features would not be used. Not a public (ie. Facebook) type system.
Bonus points for:
~ Clean, easy, pleasing, spare interface.
~ Back end tracking by user.
~ Easy install.
Thanks!
New baby having an impact on job performance?
My super-star employee returned from maternity leave a completely different worker. Her performance has gone from first rate to marginal / unsatisfactory. These are the exact same tasks she excelled at only half a year ago. Could it be a baby thing? And if so, what do I do? [more inside]
Bling on a Budget! (...And World Peace)
Is anybody familiar with any (ideally bargain-priced) pageant and/or drag resources in NE FL, particularly the greater Jacksonville area? [more inside]
posted by spunweb at 8:33 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by spunweb at 8:33 AM PST - 1 comment
How to politely decline people on internet dating sites?
What are the best ways to politely decline people on internet dating sites? [more inside]
Where can I find this skirt?
I'm looking for a basic black skirt to wear with black leggings. [more inside]
Aloe, aloe, aloe
Put aloe plants outside, they turned brownish and don't look happy. Can I save them? [more inside]
posted by zadcat at 7:00 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by zadcat at 7:00 AM PST - 6 comments
How do you display your collections?
I'm looking for inspiration for displaying collections of various things in our new home. Oh, and I also want to live vicariously through your collections. Especially interested in "display as decor". Pic links very much encouraged. [more inside]
Toddler lunch ideas.
What do you feed your toddler for lunch? [more inside]
Should I Re-Mail US IRS and Treasury Dept Tax Info?
I live in (and am a citizen of) Canada, and have recently mailed important tax information to the US IRS and Treasury Department via the regular Canada post. Should I re-mail that information to ensure that it made it to the proper destinations? [more inside]
Let go of job after 12 yrs
I was let go of my job of 12 yrs recently, due to a personal situation. This situation coincided with our annual appraisals and hence the boss decided that it was time to part ways, and I was given the option to submit my resignation with three months notice period. [more inside]
Please help me figure out this snowflake-looking career pickle.
I'm a manager in my field who, in moving to a new city, got into. Things were looking great, but unexpectedly the company shut down two weeks in. Now I'm looking for a managerial job again, and I need to know how to explain this. [more inside]
May 1
All the todo's that's fit to email
I use Piratapad (An Etherpad clone) as a todo list for our printshop with 100+ members, and would like to once a month copy all active issues from the list and email it out to our members. What would be the simplest way to go about this? [more inside]
How do I focus on my work?
I have been trying to focus on my work...Usually I'll work for 15 minutes, and would have the urge to surf the Net, check forums, read up on TvTropes... [more inside]
posted by crowbar_of_irony at 10:54 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by crowbar_of_irony at 10:54 PM PST - 17 comments
Samsung Transfrom Ultra Battery Problems
Transform Ultra with an overheating, fast-discharging, spontaneously-turning-off battery. [more inside]
Hotel recommendation near the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC?
A colleague and I are traveling to New York at the end of the month (Tues-Thurs, if it matters) for business that will take place near the Metropolitan Museum of Art. [more inside]
posted by obliquicity at 9:29 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by obliquicity at 9:29 PM PST - 10 comments
What interesting use can I make of two old handheld radios?
I have two old Radio Shack handheld radios. They were purchased in the US, originally for communication on the ski slopes. On the back, there is a number "09A06" and it also says CAT NO 21-1936.
I was about to throw them away, but would rather repurpose them for something. I live in a large metropolitan area, in an apartment. I am good at programming and am comfortable using something like an Arduino, Rasberry Pi, BeagleBone, etc.
What interesting hack can I use these for?
Is it worth getting into political arguments on Facebook?
I have this friend, we've known each other since we were five and I see her every time I go home. She helped me deal with my abusive ex and recently attended my grandad's funeral which was a difficult time. It's all good until she writes offensive, provocative stuff on FB and I feel like I don't know this person. Do I brush it to one side or engage with it? How would you deal with this? [more inside]
posted by everydayanewday at 8:53 PM PST - 36 comments
posted by everydayanewday at 8:53 PM PST - 36 comments
E-books to get me through a long spell in the woods.
I am leaving for Africa in less than 12 hours. I will be spending the next three months doing fieldwork. I am bringing a Kindle. What reading material should I bring for entertainment? What's gotten you through some long spells away from civilization? Looking for recommendations for books that really make you think. [more inside]
How do I get over my oral sex hang-ups? (NSFW)
I am a female who would love to love giving head. However, a couple of key things keep this from happening. [more inside]
Can you help me figure out what book I'm remembering?
I could have sworn it was something by Neal Stephenson, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. Here is what I remember -- bits and pieces -- and I didn't finish it at the time, so presumably these events happened near the beginning of the book... [more inside]
posted by whiskeyspider at 7:59 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by whiskeyspider at 7:59 PM PST - 8 comments
Easy way to generate new passwords for each website?
Does anyone have a simple method of coming up with a excellent new passwords for every website that you can nevertheless easily remember? I'm thinking some combination of a master password combined with the website url or something like that, but the underlying rule should not be easily guessable by others even if they have a few examples in front of them. Any ideas?
I need to buy a phone in the US for somebody else to use in Mexico.
My mom moved to Mexico recently, and I have had a hard time contacting her via phone. She's staying with relatives of her boyfriend, but it seems like she's not able to use their phone to make international calls. I'd like to get her a mobile phone that she can use to call me and her other kids (or anybody else), but I'm a bit overwhelmed by what I'm finding with google - a lot of which seems targeted to making international calls from the US to other countries or just seems spammy.
What is a good way to buy a phone here and send it to Mexico? [more inside]
Where to get an abortion in the San Francisco Bay Area?
Where should my friend get a (surgical or medical) abortion in the San Francisco Bay Area? (for a friend) [more inside]
Tips for not losing my mind/keys when stressed?
In general, I'm an individual who's got a good handle on adult stuff: paying bills on time, obeying parking regulations, etc. Once in a while though, when I get stressed out about something, my brain stops taking care of these basic maintenance tasks. Case in point: this week I had a big project due for work, and I lost my car keys -- twice. Anybody have tips for helping me hold onto my sanity in high stress situations and avoiding silly, expensive mistakes?
Documentary about a man representing himself in a lawsuit?
A friend of mine is trying to remember the name of a documentary they once saw and Google has failed them. I'm forever touting the skill and speed with which the AskMe community solves dilemmas like these, so don't fail me now! Here's what she asked me:
posted by ErWenn at 6:47 PM PST - 3 comments
I saw a documentary about a man who was representing himself in a lawsuit or series of lawsuits -- I think the government had filed them against him for sending threatening letters. Something about defending his land and eminent domain... He had a wife that he met in a foreign country. She was a lot younger than him and she moved to the US and married him. They were both chain smokers and used a plastic fork as a cigarette holder. They lived in a trailer that was a mess and full of document boxes of his "research" for his case. And they had a few big dogs.
posted by ErWenn at 6:47 PM PST - 3 comments
Voices to hook to
Another question about recommended podcasts, hooray! [more inside]
Where should I live in New York?
I'm moving to New York and don't know a lot about neighborhoods. Where should I live? [more inside]
posted by naoko at 6:41 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by naoko at 6:41 PM PST - 16 comments
Recessed ceiling lights, no attic: Ridiculous energy loss
It took two years before my nagging got my parents to finally get an energy audit done on their house. Winters in Minnesota are brutal, especially since their house with the stupid big cathedral vaulted ceiling in the "great room," so popular in the '90s, is so cold. I told them: If you're wearing coats indoors, there's something very wrong. If you're paying $400/mo in heating, that has to be wrong...
After the audit, it turns out my parents have three big holes punched in their family room ceiling. [more inside]
Need more Zappa-esque guitar.
After 40 years of ignoring Frank Zappa, I recently bought his "Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar" and I'm in love with his playing and tone on that album - especially the tracks featuring his SG copy, which sounds fantastic. What other instrumental guitar albums/players have a similar rich warm tone?
posted by davebush at 6:24 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by davebush at 6:24 PM PST - 8 comments
Build-it-yourself wood hot tub - crazy?
Build-it-yourself wood hot tub - good weekend project for an amateur, or more difficult than that? [more inside]
posted by Protocols of the Elders of Sockpuppetry at 6:20 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Protocols of the Elders of Sockpuppetry at 6:20 PM PST - 11 comments
Goodbye songs for a flash mob of dancing elementary-school teachers
Help me find a goodbye song for a flash mob of dancing elementary-school teachers on the last day of school. [more inside]
trying to keep it kosher - meal ideas needed
i've been contracted by a jewish organization to provide kosher meal services for 3 weeks this summer. i've had lengthy discussions with them about what i can and cannot serve. imagine that all the little details are taken care of (because they are). my main issue is WHAT to serve on shabbos...for 300 guests. [more inside]
posted by ps_im_awesome at 6:17 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by ps_im_awesome at 6:17 PM PST - 14 comments
Need Advice on Purchasing Equipment to DJ House Music
Should I buy an "all in one" DJ controller or should I buy component-by-component (i.e., two turntables, a mixer and a serato box)? Details follow... [more inside]
What should I use to dial phone numbers on my computer?
I've got a Mac and an iPhone. I have a huge list of phone numbers to call in a spreadsheet. I'd like to copy/paste from the spreadsheet into a dialer which then dials my phone. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by amanda at 5:50 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by amanda at 5:50 PM PST - 3 comments
Should I settle with a bill collector?
A bill collector is willing to settle a disputed outstanding bill I have. They are offering a reduced settlement. Is there a way to insure that they will call this bill settled and not try to charge me more than the agreed upon amount and keep the experience off my credit history? Does anyone in the hive have any similar experiences with this sort of settlement?
Interest in writers and the writing process
What films and/or podcasts would you recommend for someone interested in writing (mainly fiction and/or screenwriting)? So far, I've really enjoyed watching "Bad Writing" and "Tales from the Script."
How should I deal with a micro-managing boss?
Hello everybody,
I recently got a promotion, and although my subordinates abide by the rules, I often find my boss getting into the details of what I do. Whenever I try to confront him, he sidesteps the issue or he tells me not to make a big deal out of petty things. I really love my boss and admire him because he is very kind, refined, and respectful. He also built the company from the ground up all by himself (which might explain why he feels he needs to be so detail-oriented), but his micro-managing is beginning to affect how I work. The main reason I feel depressed is because I feel I could do a great job (being the perfectionist that I am) if I had the chance to do my work without him intervening so much. So, how should I deal with my micro-managing boss without antagonizing/upsetting him?
posted by omar.a at 4:24 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by omar.a at 4:24 PM PST - 8 comments
Online course on Monitoring & Evaluation with certificate?
I'm looking for an online course on monitoring and evaluation, with a focus on international development projects.
The MIT JPAL course on Evaluating Social Programs would be ideal, but MIT's OCW doesn't provide any kind of documentation that I can use to show I've completed the course. I'm not looking for a diploma mill, but it would be very helpful to have a some kind of document to present to an employer that demonstrates I've completed the work. More broadly, if you have taken online courses - particularly those that do not offer any certification - what language have you used in describing that on your CV and to your employer?
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 3:58 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy at 3:58 PM PST - 1 comment
Not Coming to Be Barked At
I am trying to track down this poem by Ted Kooser. It's the title poem of a book published in 1976 and now out-of-print (and purchasing it on-line is at least $100+). I thought it might be in the collection Sure Signs (1980), and requested it from the library, Wasn't in that collection however. Can anyone tell me where I could find a copy of this poem? I've also checked on YouTube.
Help me make a birthday weekend in NYC amazing!!
I'm taking my daughter to NYC for her 13th bday gift around the end of June. She is going to be so excited!! I'm trying to plan some great things for a Mom and a 13 yr old to do but I'm getting overwhelmed.... We will do a broadway show for sure...but any other suggestions? Help me decide what is really cool and worth doing and what would be just "meh". She loves the arts and creating and cooking and falls on the nerdy, quirky, funny side of life. She's perfect!! We will be there 3 nights and 4 days. Staying in SoHo but can Uber Car pretty much anywhere. I also have a very dear friend who lives there and will be with us to help navigate. He loves my daughter and will be up for anything but has no clue what 13 yr old girls of her ilk are into so he hasn't been much help....Thanks all!
Still miss my ex and struggling to move on.
I’m a 31 year-old female. About 9 months ago, a 2-year relationship ended. I’m still struggling a lot with it. How abnormal is this, and what else can I do? [more inside]
I'm trying to decide whether to stay in my current apt or go to another
I'm trying to decide whether to stay in my current apt or go to another one. Details including snowflakery below. [more inside]
Isn't there an App for That?
I can print fine using a app from my Ipad 2 -- I just installed the printer app on my work PC, which is linked to my printer, and on my Ipad 2. Voila! But I can't figure out how to print to my work printer from my beautiful Macbook Pro. [more inside]
posted by bearwife at 2:53 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by bearwife at 2:53 PM PST - 7 comments
Recommendations for a good Wok
So we are all into stir fry cooking now and looking for a good quality WOK [more inside]
Owning a house vs financing a house.
Where can I find stats on actual home ownership, not home borrowship? [more inside]
Why do my lips get all gross when I'm biking?
I get a gross sticky buildup on my lips whenever I ride my bike, similar to the buildup I get on my lips when I'm sick. I used to think it had something to do with not being hydrated enough, but I've since gotten a handle on what I need to stay hydrated and it still happens. Then I thought maybe keeping my mouth closed would help, but it doesn't. It happens year-round, on rides both long and short, and whether or not I'm wearing anything (like balms or glosses) on my lips. Why does it happen? Can I make it stop, or am I forever doomed to constantly wiping my mouth on my gloves or the inside of my collar?
Philadelphia Cheesesteaks, the Zoo, a CSA, and...?
Please help me settle into Philadelphia. [more inside]
Where can I buy leatherworking supplies and leather in Long Island?
Where can I find leatherworking supplies and leather at a storefront on Long Island, preferably Suffolk County? All I've found are hat shops or defunct addresses. [more inside]
How can I help my finger continue to regain feeling after severed nerve?
I 7 months ago cut deeply into my finger and severed the nerve on the outside of my right ring finger. If you separate the finger into sections, it is injured at 20% up the finger from the hand. I had surgery to reconnect the nerve, and it slowly regained feeling but according to the doctor should be finished by now, i have feeling 70% of the way up the finger, and it has plateaued there for the past 3 months. Any ideas or tips on how to get the rest back? The doctor says if when I poke at the site of the wound if I feel tingles running down the finger, that is a good sign, and I do feel that! But haven't had any improvements in months.. any ideas?
car audio in Durham/Chapel Hill - where to buy?
_Other_ than Best Buy, how/where would one obtain a replacement car audio system near Durham, NC? I have no idea where to shop. I'm OK with installing it myself if it's not too involved, but installed is good too. [more inside]
Bike camping gear in northern Ontario
Help me prep for a 7-day, 700k bike trip through low-populated terrain! [more inside]
posted by Lemurrhea at 12:17 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by Lemurrhea at 12:17 PM PST - 10 comments
How best to help people, "officially", with no college.
So after spending a few years unemployed, and starting my own business, I'm exploring my options for creating my next chapter. Help me figure out a path. ObDifficulty: I have no undergrad degree. [more inside]
posted by softlord at 12:03 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by softlord at 12:03 PM PST - 18 comments
Who is Bowling for Soup parodying?
In Bowling For Soup's video for "1985", who are they supposed to be the second time the garage door opens? The others are pretty obvious to me, but I'm feeling more and more frustrated at not being able to place the reference that happens between the Robert Palmer and George Michael sections!!
posted by pupperduck at 11:24 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by pupperduck at 11:24 AM PST - 5 comments
The thing that I hate about you is everything.
How do you dial it back when you've gotten to the point where you seem to be permanently, irrationally annoyed with someone? Imagine that this is a person who you can't avoid completely - a coworker, roommate, in-law, something like that. [more inside]
posted by mskyle at 11:06 AM PST - 31 comments
posted by mskyle at 11:06 AM PST - 31 comments
how to set prices at a bake sale fundraiser? [difficulty level: vegan]
I've been organizing and running a vegan bake sale in my city twice a year for the past three years. It's a pretty manageable affair; over the course of five bake sales, I've raised just over $5,000, met some wonderful people, and had a lot of fun. While I am lucky enough to have an incredible standing venue and an amazing group of regular volunteer bakers, I keep getting stuck on one thing: PRICING. I've run into problems with every approach I've tried to use so far!
Can you help me figure out a solid, reasonable pricing method for homemade vegan baked goods that will be 'sold' at a fundraising event? [more inside]
Now that Ebert is gone, who should be my main movie critic?
I really liked Roger Ebert. He seemed to understand and enjoy film and his reviews were interesting to read. However, he also gave me a good sense of whether I might like a particular movie. Unlke snootier critics, he wasn't above letting his readers know whether a comedy was actually funny or an action movie exciting. Now that he's gone, who should be by go-to critic? I liked having one main critic as I got a good sense over time of how our tastes did and did not match up.
Resume tracking for the job hunter
My oldest cousin is job-seeking and solicited my help to find an app or website that will help her track and manage the versions of resumes and cover letters she sends out to employers. The best advice seems to be that you do a customized resume (and obliviously a custom cover letter) for each job applied for - so how to track those?
She tells me that it's important to be able to match the resume version to the job ad when the recruiter does make contact (I guess so you can get the various little white lies straight!). And also to know what version you sent to the same company previously when they have new or a multitude of vacancies.
I can't find anything out there.
Any advice please? Any apps or websites that do this?
What do other job seekers do to manage this problem? (spreadsheet? or something better?)
Thanks
Is this a scam? What's the angle here?
Something fishy is going on in my store, but I can't wrap my head around it. Why would a customer buy/return around $25,000 worth of merchandise over the course of a few months? [more inside]
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 10:38 AM PST - 113 comments
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 10:38 AM PST - 113 comments
Help me find permutations of abc with \. and _ characters
[Regex-and-stack-overflowfilter]: Can you help me identify abc a.b.c. a.b.c a_b_c ab_c a_b.c. and any permutation of those characters? More below the fold. [more inside]
posted by Nanukthedog at 10:25 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Nanukthedog at 10:25 AM PST - 11 comments
Eggy coffee, egad!
Putting an egg in your coffee: is this a thing?
In Havana the other day I acquired the Us Two Cook Book, by Jennie B. Williams, published in Toronto in 1924. The recipe for "COFFEE" begins "For each cup of water allow one heaping dessert-spoonful of finely ground coffee; put coffee in mixing bowl; add one egg (or half egg)..." [more inside]
posted by londongeezer at 10:18 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by londongeezer at 10:18 AM PST - 16 comments
Apartment Living: What am I not thinking of?
Background:
I own a house in an area that is gentrifying - but not gentrified. I was awarded the house in my divorce, but it's far more room than I and my 9-year old son need. I hate maintaining it - dealing with plumbing, broken ovens, lawn care. Additionally, it was burgled about a month ago, and that was kind of a 'final straw' moment for me. [more inside]
Where to exchange dollars for pounds in London?(debit-credit card N/A)
Best place to exchange dollars for pounds in London?(debit/credit card not available)
I am flying to London and need to exchange my US dollars into pounds there. I cannot use my credit or debit card to withdraw money from ATMs due to severe government restrictions in my country of origin regarding foreign currency operations. Debit and credit cards issued by all banks at home are at present mostly useless abroad.
If you know where I can get good rates to buy pounds in London, that would be a great help.
My kickstarter successfully funded in 15 days! Now what?
The kickstarter I launched for the documentary I've been shooting over the last 18 months got funded in 15 days. We've got 20 days left to go on the campaign. It's a big project but kickstarter is only part of our fundraising plan so the goal was rather modest. I would certainly like to secure more pledges. What techniques can I use to make the most of this time? The project got funded quickly because of the efforts of the tight-knit community in which I live and the subject matter I'd like to think. How can I bring in more funds having already met the goal? Metafilter is curating the project. Almost all of our marketing has been through Facebook. Any ideas? Google searches lead to plenty of blog articles on launching but not much information specific to this situation. We're funding post-production and film festival entries.
Question title? I can't even think of my own title!
Hope me Hivemind, I need a title for my business card! [more inside]
posted by moons in june at 8:28 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by moons in june at 8:28 AM PST - 10 comments
American consumer culpability in the Bangladesh Rana Plaza collapse
What can the average American consumer do right now to prevent future Rana Plaza-like tragedies? [more inside]
Planning a Ruby Wedding anniversary
Looking for recommendations for an upmarket hotel and a restaurant in Paris. [more inside]
Recommend me an app to organise my PDFs.
I'm a PhD student and a typical day involves downloading and reading through lots of journal articles and eBooks. I store these locally on a MacBook. I am looking for something akin to the native Finder app, but which offers separate columns for "Author", "Title", "Year" and so on, as well as tags (very important). I have dabbled with Papers2 and Endnote, and a couple of "Finder"alternatives, but these either (A) duplicate the PDF files and save them elsewhere, or (B) don't offer the author/title/year etc. columns. Is there anything that will do what I'm looking for?
Turning a PDF photobook into 2-page spread PDF photobook, how?
I have a number of (self-published) photobooks which are currently PDFs, with each side on a separate PDF page, as one would normally expect. However, the book is laid out as diptychs, meant to be consumed 2-page spread by 2-page spread. I want to produce a PDF which is the same book, but each page is the 2-page spread. [more inside]
posted by unSane at 6:39 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by unSane at 6:39 AM PST - 9 comments
Mirrors on Hotel Ceilings
Great beach hotel near Charleston, SC?
I'm looking for a nice, but moderately priced beach hotel near Charleston SC. Has anybody had a really good experience at a Charleston-area beach resort or hotel?
posted by 0110 at 5:16 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by 0110 at 5:16 AM PST - 7 comments
How should I dress when seeing a musical
I'm seeing The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London this week. I've never been to a musical before. How should I dress? I did find this question in the archives, do the same rules apply here in the UK? The current plan is to go with what I typically wear: checked shirt/jeans/chucks.
posted by A Kingdom for a Donkey at 4:37 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by A Kingdom for a Donkey at 4:37 AM PST - 19 comments
Help me make a concerted effort
I got a concertina for my birthday. Hooray! But I need a bit of help working out what type it is. Once we've cleared that up, could you recommend good books or other resources for learning to play it? Pictures here. [more inside]
posted by daisyk at 4:31 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by daisyk at 4:31 AM PST - 6 comments
Need Examples to Fight Ban on NYC Parks Performers
On May 8th NYC will start enforcing rules that will effectively ban performers from Washington Square park and most areas of the other parks. If I get a minute or three to speak at a hearing about this (first is 5/1/2013) I'd like to enumerate the films and TV shows that have NYC Park performers, and also performers who got their start busking in NYC. What should be on the list?
posted by Sophont at 1:58 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by Sophont at 1:58 AM PST - 20 comments
Suggest some pretty places near Barcelona for a short pre-Barca trip!
I'm going to Barcelona for a week at the end of May. I fly in at about 7pm on Saturday, and want to spend three days seeing the countryside around the city before spending the rest of the time in the city itself. [more inside]