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Friends are going to Cuba and I'd like to meet them there. I'm American, they are not. I have passports from the US and Italy. I would like to know what's my best option, and for each option, what's the risk of getting in trouble with the US government. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:58 PM PST - 8 comments

So I haven't wept since I was 9 or 10. I've teared up. I've shed a single tear or two. I've gotten misty. But sobbing? The kind that makes you feel better after? Haven't done that since Reagan was president. And I know I need to. But...well I can't seem to start it. I've watched sad you tube videos. Remembered sad parts of my life. Nothing. Physically has it just turned off? And if so how do you turn on the waterworks again?
posted by rileyray3000 at 10:47 PM PST - 18 comments

We have a refund coming back for our taxes this year. However, I made an error in claiming a particular deduction that I thought we were eligible for. What is the best way to fix this? [more inside]
posted by SpacemanStix at 9:13 PM PST - 4 comments

I've been prescribed Celexa for depression, but I'm hesitant to take it due to the possible side effects. I know everyone reacts differently to antidepressants, but if you've taken it, I'd still like to hear about your experience and whether it's been worth it. Also more general thoughts on my reasoning pro and con (within) would be great. [more inside]
posted by zeri at 6:01 PM PST - 36 comments

After reading recommendations from many MeFites I bought the Black & Decker Flex Lithium vac. It has outsmarted me so far and I'm looking for some advice. [more inside]
posted by bendy at 5:34 PM PST - 4 comments

Can anyone recommend tv shows or movies where interpersonal conflict gets totally out of control, escalation, hatred, self-justifying cognitive dissonance, and doubling-down, but somehow ultimately gets resolved nonviolently? (earned happy-ish ending, not tragedy, maybe some bittersweet irony) So, I'm looking for psychological realism, not overly dramatic or melodramatic. But the premise could be very contrived and/or in outer space (or very realistic).
posted by zeek321 at 5:03 PM PST - 21 comments

My SSDI is being garnished 15% a month because of student loans. I have the form to request a review because of hardship, and I have the requested documentation of my expenses. However, I have some questions about health-related expenses, and I'd love to hear from someone who has personal or professional experience with something similar. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 4:20 PM PST - 8 comments

My employer offers a tuition reimbursement program which would cover a couple of college courses per year fully. I'm not sure whether to use this as a way to finish my degree, or to enroll in a few targeted, career-focused courses or certificate programs. Further complications inside. [more inside]
posted by MiraK at 2:35 PM PST - 14 comments

I am part of a 501 c4 non-profit that is interested in a mass text alert system to notify our supporters about occasional critical news. Below are the criteria that we care about. What should we use? [more inside]
posted by andoatnp at 1:57 PM PST - 7 comments

I have a relative who is struggling with C. Diff but is reluctant to do a fecal transplant because she doesn’t know what the procedure entails. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by delight at 1:53 PM PST - 4 comments

This is in New Jersey. I don't want to go into details except to say there was no sexual abuse, just physical. My child is fine. [more inside]
posted by 80 Cats in a Dog Suit at 1:39 PM PST - 15 comments

Vegans of Metafilter, help! I need to make some muffins for a group of people with allll the dietary restrictions by tomorrow morning. I had a plan until someone said they’re allergic to bananas. Please give me your favorite vegan muffin recipes that don’t have bananas in them? Thank you!
posted by centrifugal at 1:09 PM PST - 10 comments

To make a v long story short, i cut ties with my brothers ex-wife. Since their (still fresh, fraught) divorce, we've moved closer to my brother's town, and now see him and his kids quite often (awesome!). Thing is, i'm a little apprehensive about what to tell the kids if/when they ask why my family doesn't see their mom anymore. Since i don't want to tell them their mom is a deadbeat swamp thing, and my poker face is useless, what's a good middle ground here? [more inside]
posted by speakeasy at 12:25 PM PST - 37 comments

I want to book a relatively well known artist to play a venue in NYC. I have no connection to the venue or artist. Would a venue booker be willing to work with someone in this situation? I am willing to pay some of or potentially all of the artist’s booking fee. [more inside]
posted by ataxia at 12:18 PM PST - 5 comments

I’m a stay at home mom in search of comfortable pants that fit the following criteria: [more inside]
posted by bananacabana at 12:07 PM PST - 14 comments

On a whim, I bought fifteen pounds of bacon trimmings (the mostly-fatty ends that get cut off so your package of bacon strips has neat square ends) yesterday, for $20. What would you do with a bowling ball's worth of bacon? [more inside]
posted by ardgedee at 11:56 AM PST - 30 comments

I own a 2014 Kia that I have maintained well. I received an engine recall notice for replacement and lifetime warranty and before bringing it in, my car died due to malfunctioning crankshaft sensors. It's a fairly new recall, and my car is still under power train warranty with 50k miles. This is my mistake, but I've taken my car to several different stations for oil changes (always on time), due to poor customer service or wasn't satisfied. I wasn't able to get into the dealership because of location. Anyway, I failed to keep all of my oil change receipts and they are now telling me that they will not service the recall and that my warranty is void because they can't ensure I've properly maintained my vehicle. [more inside]
posted by MamaBee223 at 11:38 AM PST - 7 comments

Currently, I spend all summer wearing Saltwater Sandals to work, to go out, anything where Chuck Taylors seems inappropriate. It has been mentioned to me that they are the standard shoe for toddlers at the beach, and that they look like it. Except they're everything I want in a sandal! Can you point me at something that has all the same virtues but maybe looks slightly less preschool? Snowflakes about what I see as the virtues below. [more inside]
posted by LizardBreath at 11:29 AM PST - 31 comments

I am trying to get a gif from Futurama of Amy Wong shouting "Never!" defiantly and I'm not turning it up at the Morbotron. (simply searching the word "Never!" has yielded no good result) It is not the "Over my dead body!" gif from Tip of the Zoidberg. but I'm pretty sure it is related to Scruffy. Anyone got a recollection of more context dialogue to search?
posted by crush at 10:50 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm going to a graduation party tonight and need a gift but... I'm going straight from work to the party. So it has to be something I can print out, like a gift card. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 10:09 AM PST - 6 comments

Is there a twitter account, or other source, that captures Trump's tweets as images? [more inside]
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 8:52 AM PST - 3 comments

Hello. The charger that came with the MacBook Pro I purchased in 2009 (13-inch, 10.6.8) is no longer usable, and I need to get a replacement, since I don't plan on getting a new computer for another two years or so. Would buying a used one be relatively risk-free, or is that ill-advised? Also, is there any particular model or website you'd recommend? Any pertinent information would be appreciated. Thank you.
posted by DavidfromBA at 8:23 AM PST - 14 comments

What was this band my dad and I listened to in the late 80s and early 90s? Here's what I know: we lived in Southern California, and the albums were on cassette tape. I think my dad had at least two albums. I have the impression that this band was fairly popular, not really obscure at all. It was a group, not a single person. The band's name had multiple words that might have included one or more Bs and Zs or Xs. It might have rhymed. [more inside]
posted by CheeseLouise at 7:48 AM PST - 22 comments

I just woke up from a dream in which I was claiming that I had been to the same party as Charles Darwin, by which I meant that I had been to a periodic institutional celebration that Darwin also would have been to. What gala events that Darwin may have attended are still held today? [more inside]
posted by moonmilk at 5:52 AM PST - 8 comments

A young friend got her first pap smear recently. Today she got a letter that says the doctor wants to see her in a couple of weeks but not why. She is freaking out. Hive mind, I would like to reassure her. As an Old with a vagina, I have been called back several times for wonky-looking cells that turned out to be benign. Can you help me come up with non-scary reasons that they might want to see her again?
posted by Bella Donna at 4:31 AM PST - 21 comments

I have a household employee (nanny) and we pay her on the books. Her regular schedule is ten hours a day, five days a week, so, forty regular hours and ten overtime time and a half hours. She also has a number of vacation and sick days. When she chooses to use one of those, do we pay her for that day as though it is a typical ten hour day with overtime? [more inside]
posted by millipede at 4:20 AM PST - 32 comments

Asking for a friend but also for future me: How to strategically navigate returning to work after maternity leave? This is not a question about practicalities like rights, pay, childcare, pumping, which is well covered by google. What is harder to find is how to get back to being the relevant, ass kicking employee you were before? [more inside]
posted by like_neon at 2:29 AM PST - 7 comments

I volunteer with a support group for people dealing with prostate cancer (PCa). One person in the group has been adamant about going down the alternative therapy route. Recently he has become interested in what is called a “RIFE Machine”. Pictures (and some pricing information) here. [more inside]
posted by doctor tough love at 2:20 AM PST - 18 comments

I play harp for fun, and it turns out playing sea chanteys is really fun. Can you help me find more sheet music (especially books!) so I can learn a wider variety of them? I can play from a written melody with chord markings, or any arrangement for piano or similar. I'm especially looking for any written versions of "Santianna" that match this variation. [more inside]
posted by dreamyshade at 8:52 PM PST - 7 comments

I have done helpdesk tech support desktop support and so on for my entire career. I am burned out. I need something else. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:34 PM PST - 14 comments

I have something I'm worried about that I need to talk to someone about but I don't know who. If I was a practicing Catholic or on a tv show I'd go talk to a priest. If I had an established relationship with a therapist I could talk to them. Because of the nature of this thing I don't really want to mention it to my family. I don't really want to tell anyone without knowing in advance that they are the right person. The thing is a specific fear that I have about something that could happen in the near future (not a self harm thing if it matters) and it's time sensitive. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:28 PM PST - 22 comments

Rock stage gear needed. [more inside]
posted by Riverine at 6:36 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm hosting a dinner party Monday night for two avid meat eaters, two vegetarians, and two people who eat most anything. My plan of the moment is to make this vegan coconut curry, which I tried last week and it was quick and fabulous, and it tastes even better warmed up the next day. What else can I serve with the curry on the table, and for appetizers? [more inside]
posted by mmw at 5:01 PM PST - 26 comments

I am looking for a software (or platform) that can ingest a large number of information blurbs and output a personalized newsletter/newsfeed. [more inside]
posted by yonglin at 5:00 PM PST - 3 comments

My new commute involves a 15-20 minute walk twice a day, with some challenging hills. I need walking shoes/sneakers to wear, and then I’ll change into work shoes at the office. [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 3:57 PM PST - 19 comments

I'm pretty busy at work and tend to like to stay focused when I'm in a groove - this means that I end up eating the Cliff bars that I have stashed in my desk for lunch on many days. Putting aside whether I should really go outside and stretch my legs and take a break (I know I should, I also know I won't on many days) what are your best recommendations for food that I can keep stashed in a drawer for a fast lunch that is relatively decent for me nutritionally? [more inside]
posted by wuzandfuzz at 3:43 PM PST - 41 comments

I'm trying to remember the title and author of a book that I read a few years ago. Details within. [more inside]
posted by SemiSalt at 3:22 PM PST - 4 comments

I need a new Pandora station for background/ambient music. I like melancholy instrumental stuff, like Joey Fehrenbach. I have listened to his station and the Boards of Canada station to death. No singing preferred. I like Aphex Twin but some is too jarring for the sad, ambient station I'm looking for. Any ideas?
posted by dianeF at 3:10 PM PST - 6 comments

My fiance & I are considering San Juan, PR for a honeymoon in August. We're wondering if the first week of August is a good time to go weather-wise. Also, what about hurricane damage? I understand it's not completely recovered, but is it safe or advisable to go? More below... [more inside]
posted by TurquoiseZebra at 3:06 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm an extrovert who loves chatting with people. Are there hotlines I could volunteer with that focus on providing conversation and a friendly ear to people who need it? (More low-key than crisis/triage hotlines) [more inside]
posted by cadge at 2:54 PM PST - 3 comments

Ok, so there's a huge international non-profit call the "Global Peace Foundation" - it's founder is the oldest son of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon. It claims to be seeking to promote world peace, oh and Korean Unification. Its provenance just raises the hairs on the back of my neck. [more inside]
posted by mmf at 2:45 PM PST - 2 comments

My wife (mid-40s) has a tender, swollen area on her back. It's been there for twenty years, and doctors haven't had any luck identifying it. I can't believe this is some unique ailment, so I'm hoping someone here has heard of something similar to guide us. [more inside]
posted by GhostintheMachine at 2:42 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm being pressured to leave the union by high-level mangers. Freaking out a bit and I'm not sure what to do. [more inside]
posted by cartoonella at 1:53 PM PST - 37 comments

I have several crowns in my mouth, virtually all of them many years old. Today I thought I had something between two upper teeth and tried to floss it out. Then I realized that the dark lines were under the two upper crowns and all four lower crowns. What gives? [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna at 1:17 PM PST - 7 comments

I hope for ideas for sustainable strategies to move past always trying to fix / change myself, because I’m exhausted. If I were in a relationship with myself, I’d want to move from being my own nagging (and negging) spouse to being a loving and supportive spouse to myself. [more inside]
posted by flannel at 1:10 PM PST - 19 comments

I have a good "professional," or "phone," voice, so my boss has asked me to do a voice-over for a presentation. I don't have the fancy mics or programs or apps that people who do professional voice-over work (or YouTube videos) do. What can I do with minimal funds to make the sounds around my voice disappear, so that the recording sounds professional? [more inside]
posted by tzikeh at 11:55 AM PST - 14 comments

The owner is also the one moving my stuff [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 11:47 AM PST - 9 comments

I currently have Campagnolo on the bike I use for touring, but I'd like to switch to a more forgiving crank (either something smaller or a triple), plus Campy parts are hard to find here so I'm thinking of swapping out the whole group. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by bighappyhairydog at 10:38 AM PST - 9 comments

Trying to find fantasy novels addressing contemporary issues. Help? [more inside]
posted by xenization at 10:07 AM PST - 28 comments

I will eat anything that walks, crawls, swims, flies or comes out of the ground with very few exceptions. One of those exceptions is beetroot. There's something about the texture and the smell that I really dislike. Now I've been given a seed tray full of beetroot plants that I'm about to plant out and I'm thinking that it's a good time to overcome my aversion. [more inside]
posted by night_train at 10:00 AM PST - 48 comments

I'm struggling (while living) with a parent who has abusive tendencies. Basically all of them - verbal criticism, being emotionally distant, name calling, triangulating in the form of getting other people involved and making them see that it's my fault. It's been a really dramatic and painful few years. My mom recently just broke down and admitted that she does not want to fight with me anymore, and it's not in my interest to fight at all - I'm in a vulnerable spot and really need someone in my corner. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:44 AM PST - 25 comments

I'm looking for examples of major visual artists that are also trans -- what major art museums have done exhibitions of visual artists (painters, filmmakers, etc.) that are nonbinary or openly trans? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:44 AM PST - 7 comments

I moved with my partner for his academic job. He loves it. But it never worked for me, and I have struggled to get work and find community here. He has tried to find other academic jobs in the places I'd like to live, but no dice. Now he's talking about leaving academia. Thoughts? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:44 AM PST - 8 comments

What's your favourite substitution for Smores whilst camping? I'm looking for a great camping dessert/ sweet treat that includes some roasting of something over a real fire and is easy and delicious... [more inside]
posted by JenThePro at 9:24 AM PST - 26 comments

Would Comcast fine me for having a security sign in my yard, even though we don't use their security service? [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad at 9:17 AM PST - 8 comments

A friend of mine is DJing at a goth event where the theme is “Cabaret Macabre.” Friends, tell me your finest off-the-beaten-track songs that would fit this theme? (He already knows and loves the Tiger Lillies). [more inside]
posted by Pallas Athena at 8:30 AM PST - 19 comments

I'm not moving, but I like to dream about doing so! Help me see if my dream location has any roots in reality by helping me find a place to move! Both inside or outside the US considered. No answer is too crazy! I will seriously consider all responses. [more inside]
posted by adelaide at 7:49 AM PST - 26 comments

I have an older trans woman friend in the Chicago area who would like to be able to meet people and make friends, but is having trouble. She's looking both for trans friends and for trans-friendly groups/spaces/people. While she can commute into the city, she's in the western suburbs. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 7:10 AM PST - 7 comments

A beloved aging parent can no longer safely step over the edge of the tub for a shower. I've found conversion options here and here that cut out a section of the tub to create a walk-in shower. Is this really reliable in a mid-century cast-iron (not claw-foot) tub? Is it better to have it taken out and replaced with a walk-in shower?
posted by conscious matter at 7:09 AM PST - 9 comments

My roommate wants to leave windows open during the day when we’re gone for airflow. I’m concerned about security. Are there any solutions that are secure?
posted by azalea_chant at 7:07 AM PST - 15 comments

I have too many lemons, very little time, a small freezer, and there's only so much lemon curd we can consume before it spoils (including friends and family). Although I read everywhere that lemon curd freezes nicely, could I just juice the lemons, freeze jars full of lemon juice and then make smaller batches of fresh lemon curd when needed?
posted by _dario at 6:34 AM PST - 7 comments

Yoga teachers of MeFi, I would really love to hear about your work and daily routines. [more inside]
posted by daisyk at 4:19 AM PST - 1 comment

I want to be a more 'fun' aunt to my many nieces and nephews, but I'm scared of physical play and accidentally hurting them! How can I get over this fear and play with them safely? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 2:43 AM PST - 23 comments

... and condom use! After a long period of having my IUD in, we are back to using condoms and find ourselves in need of lube. My area down there is notoriously moody and I've unfortunately had my share of BV, yeast infections, etc. Is there a lube out there that is gentle and plays well with condoms?
posted by madonna of the unloved at 1:25 AM PST - 18 comments

I am currently studying a foreign language (Spanish), and I have a pretty good noun vocabulary and I don't have too much trouble getting nouns and adjectives to stick in my brain. But I cannot seem to make verbs stay in there, I cannot come up with them when speaking, like verbs I know I know, I stumble on. WHY IS THIS HARD? And how can I make it easier? [more inside]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:57 PM PST - 21 comments

Hello, we have a 15 year mortgage for our home, and we also have a largeish investment account that we could empty to pay off about a third of the mortgage, allowing us to pay it off within 5 years. HOWEVER, I also have a home office for which I can write off a portion of our mortgage interest, so there is an amount of time in which this writeoff is better than the interest we save (i think). We live in California. Is there a website or equation that will tell us what the best thing to do is, money-wise? [more inside]
posted by andreapandrea at 9:54 PM PST - 13 comments

I want to purchase a good air filter machine for my Grandma. She has COPD (hard to breathe in best cases) and lives in Seattle (pesky wildfire smoke in August seems to be the new normal.) What is good, not tricky to operate, with parts/filter that needs minimal cleaning/replacement? Bonus if light enough to be carried to bedroom at night, or reasonable cost so I can buy two. [more inside]
posted by PistachioRoux at 9:45 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm editing a book of memoirs. It includes a lot of mentions of school years, and I'm uncertain whether the usage should be Grade Five, grade five, or fifth grade. This is in Canada. [more inside]
posted by zadcat at 7:18 PM PST - 17 comments

Next week I’m planning on putting in my 4 weeks notice. I’m leaving because my US visa is expiring. When my boss and co-workers ask why I’m leaving, how do I minimize having to discuss the Canadian/US immigration system? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:40 PM PST - 14 comments

Having a very hard time coming up with names for my new dog. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by mulcahy at 6:08 PM PST - 76 comments

I am putting together a physical library of books by autistic authors for [thing]. There will probably be enough space for 20-30 books. What do you recommend I include? [more inside]
posted by brook horse at 5:52 PM PST - 11 comments

I scored a sweet deal on raspberries. Got any dessert recommendations? [more inside]
posted by Champagne Supernova at 4:48 PM PST - 13 comments

I need to go to about thirty places, which are all in the same county but scattered all over the place. Is there an app or something where I can put in all these addresses and be told the most efficient driving route for visiting all of them in one trip? Apparently Google maps won’t unless I enter them in order. Thanks!
posted by centrifugal at 3:41 PM PST - 9 comments

Our Canadian cat loves to run in and out of the house. We have been propping the back door open for him, but we're starting to question the cost of heating in the winter, and air conditioning in the summer. We're in Southern Ontario where winters are cold and summers (well, not this one as yet) are hot and humid. Does anyone know of a good cat door that won't freeze and crack in the winter, and is suitable for a not more than 10lb furry face? Thanks for all suggestions.
posted by Enid Lareg at 2:59 PM PST - 6 comments

I am entering an art contest for an event in my community, and the call for entries asks for "a brief resume and letter of interest that includes information about your connection to [town name]." I am not a professional or established artist (this is my first time entering a contest since I was in elementary school), so I don't know what I should submit as a "resume." Any idea what they might be looking for? More info below... [more inside]
posted by GoldenEel at 1:15 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm in town for the next two weeks and am looking for fun things to do after work. [more inside]
posted by functionequalsform at 12:52 PM PST - 2 comments

Headed to Germany for a 9-day trip this summer. We fly into Frankfurt, and then the 2nd half of the trip will be in Berlin (where we'll depart from). Question is: how should we spend a few days getting from Frankfurt to Berlin? [more inside]
posted by mark7570 at 12:07 PM PST - 9 comments

The vet pressured us into applying Cheristin (spinetoram @ 11.2%) for our cat's fleas. But we have a newborn! Is she going to get exposed to this? So far, we have the cat in the garage, but how long should we keep him sequestered? [more inside]
posted by slidell at 12:06 PM PST - 12 comments

Librarians of MeFi - I need to see the table(s) of contents for Vol. 29 parts 1-3 (1982) of the journal "Japan Quarterly" to track down an article title for an ILL request. Do any of you have access to it?
posted by ryanshepard at 11:59 AM PST - 2 comments

I discovered that Oregon Public Broadcasting does not seem to be a member of the Oregon Association of Broadcasters even though it is one of the largest broadcasters in the state. It makes me wonder how many other public broadcasting stations or groups are also not members of their state broadcasting organizations. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 11:22 AM PST - 1 comment

I want to set up a macro or conditional formatting or something to be able to have a column in List A check List B and then change colors based on info from List B. More below... [more inside]
posted by LKWorking at 11:17 AM PST - 8 comments

Toxic Masculinity starts young. Toddler Kitty is potty training and really loves cats. We have to pick out the cat design diapers especially just for him. When we run out, we put a cat stamp on a different designed diaper to make them a cat design. A huge motivator for him in potty training would be special cat underwear for him. But there are almost NO boys underwear that have cats on them. Help me find underwear for my son. [more inside]
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 10:33 AM PST - 15 comments

Knot-filter: I know nothing about knots, but a new lighting fixture I got seems like a good place to put a neat one. Cord comes out of wall, goes around a T-shaped swag hook, then hangs down to a pendant lamp. I need a knot at the swag hook. What is this knot setup called (so I can google it)? What knot would be good? Photos here, and additional requirements to follow: [more inside]
posted by supercres at 9:56 AM PST - 9 comments

I wouldn't really even know where to begin with identifying the mushrooms in the pictures in this folder. Casual clicking around the internet isn't popping up anything; I want to know what these are whether or not they're edible or whatever. They don't seem to be anything from here or here but I'm not sure. [more inside]
posted by Caduceus at 9:56 AM PST - 8 comments

I am trying to recall the film/TV show that features a scene where a killer speaks matter-of-factly to a boy whose father he just killed that he knows the boy will likely come looking for him later and that he understands. I believe it includes a line something like, "You're probably gonna feel some kinda way about this."
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:36 AM PST - 73 comments

I'm feeling some low-grade blues, and am interested in trying sam-e but would like to hear from anyone who's tried it. Also curious about what happens when you stop taking it. [more inside]
posted by gigondas at 8:28 AM PST - 5 comments

Pretty much the title .. I was driving a rental and got in a very minor accident. I always turn down the rental company's coverage, I have a car and my own policy that covers me. In this case the damages are likely less than my deductable, and I'd like to avoid filing a claim - if possible - and pay out of pocket. [more inside]
posted by elgee at 8:13 AM PST - 6 comments

Are there any online courses (whether with or without credit) that teach latin that are worth paying for? (Or free?) [more inside]
posted by xarnop at 7:07 AM PST - 9 comments

I started Prozac (10, then 20 mg) about 2 months ago. I think it's starting to work -- generally I am feeling more optimistic and peaceful. However, it has not helped to motivate me at all! The biggest issue is that in the mornings, I can't seem to get out of bed. At the height of my depressive episode, I had the same problem getting out of bed, except it was dread about facing the day. Now, it's not dread --it's just that the bed is so darn comfortable and it takes SO MUCH EFFORT to finally get up. It probably takes me 2 hours every morning to get going. I don't want to switch medications since it seems to be working on my mood-- any advice on how to get going a little faster each day?
posted by Anonymouse1618 at 6:53 AM PST - 14 comments

Looking for non-US cultural references/words (English or otherwise) that can fit into my first crossword. Especially if it has to do with Asia, Oceania, Eurovision, or local names for countries. [more inside]
posted by divabat at 6:46 AM PST - 18 comments

What are your favorite brands of boldly-designed, borderline tacky dress shoes for girls? Boden is simply too classy, and Hot Chocolate Designs are too wide for her feet, but she likes bright colors, big, fun prints, unnecessary design elements (tassels, lights, etc), and so forth.
posted by palindromic at 6:13 AM PST - 8 comments

Can I use my car during a hurricane to power a small window A/C unit? [more inside]
posted by uncannyslacks at 6:05 AM PST - 21 comments

i'm starting a new job (yay!) where i will be wearing scrubs, but my employer prefers that tattoos be covered. [more inside]
posted by megan_magnolia at 6:04 AM PST - 11 comments

Bounty hunting of animals is politically and ecologically important, but casual searching doesn't up anything on the subject in general. Anyone know of a source?
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 2:40 AM PST - 12 comments

I need to find a good psychiatrist in the CA bay area (northbay, city, or eastbay) as soon as I possibly can. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:18 PM PST - 1 comment

You are not my lawyer and I'm getting one, but is it even possible in the UK to protect a large inheritance I received last year (and the house I'm about to buy with it) from my husband having any rights to the funds if we divorce? If so, what is this called in the UK so I know what to ask my lawyer about. My husband agrees to this money and property belonging to me. The inheritance came from dead relatives outside the UK, if that is pertinent. Thank you!
posted by anonymous at 11:18 PM PST - 9 comments

I read this article with Tom Morello and he says “Don’t wait around for Rage Against The Machine. Form your own band and get it done". I'm struggling to think of any bands that are doing their kind of protest rock today. Any suggestions?
posted by adept256 at 9:55 PM PST - 24 comments

Is waxing considered an oppressive practice? [more inside]
posted by miles1972 at 8:59 PM PST - 55 comments

Identify this half-remembered poem/short story/something or other. Possibly Milton? [more inside]
posted by queen anne's remorse at 8:05 PM PST - 4 comments

I have a vague recollection of a quote to the effect of "I would rather be sick unto death than be involved in a lawsuit" attributed to some famous judge or other. Can you help me find it, assuming it exists? [more inside]
posted by jedicus at 7:54 PM PST - 2 comments

Last year I went to a restaurant that had glass tumblers (tall and short) that had about a centimeter deep indentation all around their circumference. They were a marvel to hold, so comfortable in the hand. I want to buy some just like them. But I'm not having any luck finding them on the web. I've found tumblers with an asymmetrical indentation for a finger grip, but none with the grip all around the glass. Can anyone else find them?
posted by ShooBoo at 7:51 PM PST - 26 comments

Going to catch our first game ever Cubs game in early August. We are not huge fans, but want to experience Wrigley Field. We are targeting an afternoon game, and trying to figure out which 400 level seats to get. [more inside]
posted by walkinginsunshine at 4:54 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm trying to help our safety manager get a remotely administered system going. It is proving MUCH more difficult than I would have thought. [more inside]
posted by lattiboy at 4:02 PM PST - 12 comments

Taylor Swift's "ME!" and Carly Rae Jepson's "Boy Problems" are my JAM and are really giving me a lot of energy whenever I listen to them. "Something That I Want" by Grace Potter, Little Mix's "Black Magic", and "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls are in the same genre of upbeat pop that makes me super happy. What else should I add to my Sugary Positive Girl Pop playlist so I can bounce around my room while I work please?
posted by Hermione Granger at 3:41 PM PST - 53 comments

I am befuddled by the array of options for internet & phone services and fees, and could use some help picking the best, most affordable plan. Altogether too many details inside. [more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu at 3:10 PM PST - 7 comments

We just bought a new chair, which is a smooth polyester fabric with a print on top, and while I've read some things on the internet, I'm not sure which is the best course of action. [more inside]
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 2:52 PM PST - 12 comments

A few weeks ago, I asked for help getting a piece of music written. I wanted to brand it to a book I'm about to release. A composer and I worked together to create a public radio-ish sounding instrumental which we both like very much. In fact, she teaches music, and as she was practicing it, a parent dropping off his kid, heard it and said, "that sounds like something I heard on NPR". [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 2:29 PM PST - 4 comments

I often hear that the first year of parenting is the hardest on a marriage. Has this been true in your experience, and if so, how, and what did you do to work through? I imagine it has something to do with becoming responsible for an entirely dependent creature on very little sleep, but are there more specific things you found challenging, and what did you do to overcome them? [more inside]
posted by stillmoving at 2:14 PM PST - 20 comments

What should I do with with 26 new 2.5 inch x 24 inch snap seal mailing tubes? [more inside]
posted by not_the_water at 1:30 PM PST - 8 comments

Looking for resources that have helped people deal with multiple personal losses in a short time period. Additional: you (me) were excited for a new phase in a parental relationship, and you blame yourself for your cats death. [more inside]
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 12:56 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm leaving academia after more than 10 years in one stable, tenure-track, full-time job. I found some things to apply for but I'm dreading interviewing, specifically/especially "tell me about a time you had a conflict." I feel like this hasn't really been a thing in my career and I'm really at a loss to come up with a conflict example I can use. Please help me by A) Giving examples of interview-suitable conflict in academia and B) Telling me what the characteristics of a good conflict story are. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:36 PM PST - 26 comments

Like many municipalities, my town and state are both in the process of trying to pass a ban on single-use plastic bags. Opposers of the ban keep putting forward a handful of life cycle analysis studies of paper vs. plastic vs. cloth reusable bags that find that plastic bags had the least impact on the environment. While I understand the complexities of LCA study and recognize these are mostly government studies and not likely plastic-lobby bias, my strong feeling is that when all forms of impact are considered, plastic is still a net negative. I want to be able to point out the limitations of these studies. What do they miss or exclude? [more inside]
posted by Miko at 11:35 AM PST - 32 comments

Ideally I'm looking for a chemistry-informed answer here: What happens if I steep two kinds of tea in the same cup at the same time? Do both infuse at their normal strength, or can the faster-working one saturate the water and inhibit the other from dissolving? Does it depend on the kind of tea? (Let "tea" include herbal teas and other infusions; my question is meant to include examples like brewing Swiss Miss with a peppermint teabag.)
posted by aws17576 at 10:36 AM PST - 12 comments

Hello! I've got an early-20th-century wood floor in my apartment that's in mediocre shape. Moving out soon. I am treating a pet stain with peroxide and now have an area that's a little lighter than the rest of the floor. Not sure what kind of sealant is on this floor, but it peels off with the peroxide and has the consistency of Scotch tape. Is there any product I can slap on to make the lighter area blend in? It doesn't have to be perfect, just respectable-looking. Thank you!
posted by 8603 at 10:06 AM PST - 5 comments

I am a graduate student who will be done with studenthood in June. I just realized that there's probably a ton of great resources that I can load up on before my studenthood expires this summer. I've Googled and come across some generic lists (Amazon Prime, Spotify, discounts on clothing) but I'm really interested in loading up some more professionally oriented goodies like professional memberships and academic/research software. [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter at 9:54 AM PST - 7 comments

I have a stain on my index finger which looks like a nicotine stain, but isn't. Should I be worried? [more inside]
posted by iamsuper at 9:26 AM PST - 3 comments

I've had a earworm stuck in my head over the weekend, and I think it's from some reggae-adjacent genre that I don't normally listen to. Can you help me identify it? [more inside]
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 9:20 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm a very late bloomer. I finally figured out I was queer in my mid-30s (yay!). But I pass for straight and I'm still trying to figure out whether/how to be publicly queer as a bisexual cis(ish) woman. Are there resources for people like me? [more inside]
posted by MetaFilter World Peace at 9:05 AM PST - 9 comments

My previous ask concerned my dating someone and being unsure about it. I wrote it being very emotional and confused. The reason that I was emotional was because he'd been trying very hard to get me to date him. He's confided in me so much that I felt overwhelmed a lot and I tried to tell him that. And at the time of writing the ask he was distancing himself, which was a day-and-night difference of the very intense contact we'd had since March. I have been in therapy before, not looking to start again, overall I'm doing well in life. Any ideas on what I can do to change the trajectory of this in the future is helpful. I'm trying to not go the way of blaming myself completely but I feel like I am back at square one as if I have no life-experience at all.. [more inside]
posted by Litehouse at 8:55 AM PST - 11 comments

My city got hit by multiple serious tornadoes last night and I realized just how unprepared I was. I'd like to be more prepared in the future, especially as a non-driving, apartment dweller (with a dog). [more inside]
posted by Aranquis at 8:34 AM PST - 27 comments

My boyfriend moved in with me. He owns a couple of guns. I don't want to have guns in my house, mostly on principle. Where can we store these? [more inside]
posted by katieinshoes at 8:30 AM PST - 13 comments

What kind of carbonated beverages do you make, Metafilter? I bought a countertop carbonator and I want your recipes, procedures, and tips for both storebought soda clones and also unusual, unsweet sour and/or bitter bubbly drinks. [more inside]
posted by deludingmyself at 8:18 AM PST - 13 comments

I just found out butterfly bushes are invasive in the Mid Atlantic area! Do I just dig it out and...toss it? Give it away, far away? [more inside]
posted by inevitability at 6:49 AM PST - 9 comments

I’m a visual artist. When I make art with friends, they’ll sometimes say things like “Ugh, my drawing sucks and you’re so good?” I’ll usually reply with something like “you don’t need to put yourself down to lift me up.” How else can I effectively respond to this? I’m looking for both short, friendly comebacks and longer term ideas to foster a healthy artistic community. [more inside]
posted by yaymukund at 4:40 AM PST - 19 comments

I have a Wordpress site for my company. I want to add a link to the front page that leads to a password protected area for my clients. How do I do that? It does't have to be intense level security (no personal information will be stored on the password protected page), but I do want to hide the product and pricing information on the page from my competitors and do not want it scraped by a search engine. It will only need one password, not a variety of logins and passwords.
posted by Feminazgul at 4:03 AM PST - 2 comments

For the life of me I can’t find it again. I think it was two black musicians who find themselves suddenly transformed into cartoon characters, and I think it was relatively new? [more inside]
posted by sacchan at 2:43 AM PST - 2 comments

TMI filter about discharge. It's driving me bonkers and I need a second opinion before trekking to a doctor. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:59 AM PST - 12 comments

I have hundreds of hard-copy photographs covering family history from the 1940s through the early 2000s. They are mostly disorganized aside from some very basic groupings and the majority are unlabeled. What is a good workflow for organizing and annotating the photos? How can I turn this collection into something meaningful for me and my family? My question is less about physical process (I figure step 1 is "get a good photo scanner" and I can go from there) and more about how to organize and present the collection in a way that makes it valuable to others. [more inside]
posted by 4rtemis at 11:06 PM PST - 8 comments

My credit card was charged more than two weeks ago. It has yet to appear on my statement. Will it? [more inside]
posted by exutima at 10:16 PM PST - 4 comments

Is it unethical to decorate a party with helium balloons? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 9:56 PM PST - 19 comments

Following up on this question, I think I'd like to go ahead and take beagle's advice and buy some hardware and straps. I'm still trying to find a solution to actually attach to the swing seat, though. Help, please! [more inside]
posted by synecdoche at 5:37 PM PST - 3 comments

Does anyone know how to find the date that an Overdrive book was added to that specific library? I like to see all of the added books to my library Overdrive pages. I'll show it by date added, and go through. I will mark the most recent book once I've been through it by adding it to my wish list. That acts as my bookmark. Then when new books are added, I'll go back through the pages until I see the one I bookmarked. [more inside]
posted by ReadNTravel at 4:27 PM PST - 3 comments

So it looks like I should be able to use my great-grandmother's Sicilian birth certficate to get Italian citizenship. If I'm willing to do a pile of paperwork. Which would be really neat! Except! Her US-born second husband's (my great-grandfather's) birth certificate was lost in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Am I REALLY going to need that? [more inside]
posted by aniola at 1:49 PM PST - 4 comments

This might be against the rules for me to post a follow-up question related to something I asked recently, so please delete if I'm in the wrong here. A few weeks ago I posted a question about ways to get rid of a new scar on my left hand I got from dragon boating: https://ask.metafilter.com/334168/Whats-a-quick-way-to-fade-scars-on-back-of-hand-And-scars-on-lips. Thanks for all the suggestions and I've been implementing ideas from that thread (creams, oil, and am looking into dermablend, etc). I'm also trying some natural remedies. But even though I'm working with these tips, I'm having a really hard time emotionally with this. [more inside]
posted by starpoint at 12:04 PM PST - 48 comments

I'm a HSP. If I don't cancel my upcoming psychiatrist appointment and do go for a medication consultation (I'm about 98% no on meds right now and keep wanting to just cancel this appointment I didn't want to make), how should I approach things? My dealbreakers and important bunch of details to consider inside. Have any other HSPs dealt with medication for mental illness? How was your experience (knowing YMMV/YANAD/)? Did you feel less yourself? [more inside]
posted by Fire at 11:29 AM PST - 10 comments

I have never had a financial planner (absurd I know) and have recently made some rather bold financial moves, I wonder if the good folks here might share any tips on where and how to find a good financial planner? [more inside]
posted by specialk420 at 10:53 AM PST - 7 comments

I’ve been sick for the past week with some kind of viral infection. I have body aches, fatigue, fever, and lately no appetite. I’m also throwing up bile from time to time. I'm taking Tylenol for the fever and Zofran for throwing up. i haven’t been able to eat much of anything the past couple days - everything grosses me out. Friday, my boyfriend made chicken soup stock and I had a bit of that. The thought of eating that again makes me want to hurl. (The doctor recommended a fatty broth.) I don't want hot tea. [more inside]
posted by shoesietart at 9:03 AM PST - 24 comments

The building I live in requires a $500 cash deposit to book the elevator for a move [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 8:57 AM PST - 13 comments

A friend of mine studied photography in college, but hasn't kept up with it for a while. They are now interested in getting back into it, and are trying to find a full time, 6-8 week program to get back into the swing of things. One snag: they're most excited about color film photography. More snowflake details within! [more inside]
posted by wooh at 8:39 AM PST - 7 comments

If someone grows up with a suicidal parent, how does this affect the child and how can those effects manifest in adulthood? What kind of treatments and therapy can be helpful? Personal stories are ok, but I am mostly looking for research/clinical/professional based answers.
posted by congen at 7:19 AM PST - 9 comments

I’m looking for a source that provides all (!!!) of the 2020 presidential candidates’ positions on key issues in one place. If it’s somehow in a chart format that would be great, but straight text is fine. Any ideas?
posted by bookmammal at 7:14 AM PST - 3 comments

We were on vacation, our cat turned on a faucet and ran our well dry, and there's been no water since then. We're back, but we have only lived here a few weeks, never had a well before, and the local pump guy hasn't returned our calls (holiday weekend). We want to know what we can try today without making matters worse, and what to do to prevent even more $$$$ damage. [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 6:35 AM PST - 8 comments

Pretty sure, judging from her poop, that my one-year-old ate about a teaspoon or two of cat litter. Now what? My only real worry is toxoplasmosis. But we are in a rural area with extremely poor medical help, what the hell am I supposed to do now?
posted by kitcat at 5:05 AM PST - 12 comments

My 14yo daughter is saving hard for a gaming PC. She looked around at all the pre-built options she could find, and had trouble finding one that ticked all her boxes - so she's looking at going down the self-build route. Which I think will make a nice project anyway, and increase her sense of ownership & satisfaction with the end product - assuming it all hangs together ok... [more inside]
posted by rd45 at 2:27 AM PST - 12 comments

There was a yard sale day in my neighborhood and my son took a figurine of a Buddhist monk from a free pile (pictures: 1, 2). Is this someone in particular or just a generic merry monk?
posted by Kattullus at 2:07 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm trying to remember the title of this "classic literature" (maybe) book about a lawyer who ended up (hiding?) with a traveling theater. I'm pretty sure they had to travel by horses; it had a serious social justice angle (he ended up needing his law education, I think). I think it was set in England or France, maybe in the time of Shakespeare or before. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 10:17 PM PST - 4 comments

I currently have an external hard drive for music and photography. That drive is about 8 years old, and it's starting to show troubling signs of its age. I'm thinking about replacing it with an SSD, but before I do, I want to make sure I'm not making a mistake. Is there a reason why I shouldn't use an SSD for my media drive? [more inside]
posted by 2oh1 at 9:00 PM PST - 9 comments

I want to use a free weather radar that will give me image smoothing, watches, warnings, and storm direction. I used to use Weather Underground's radar, but it's borked (for me, anyway). ZoomRadar isn't bad, but the controls don't work half the time. So what radar do you enjoy using? I'd be willing to learn about pay versions if they're $50 USD or less.
posted by bryon at 8:10 PM PST - 9 comments

Shedding pets, hardwood, carpet, laminate, tile, and a preference for cleanliness: what gadgets are best for a multi-floor, multi-surface house? [more inside]
posted by blerghamot at 8:02 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm headed to Switzerland and Northern Italy this summer and would love recommendations for books (fiction or non-fiction) set in those areas. Mostly interested in books that really make use of the setting, be it historical or modern-day. Bonus points if it involves art, history, or religion. Thanks!
posted by egeanin at 7:19 PM PST - 15 comments

What are some good places in Paris to shop for inexpensive small items that are also interesting and/or pretty? Looking for the class of objects roughly matching the "impulse purchase" section of American craft stores, or the kids' prize box in elementary school-- stationery, jewelry, little toys, little tools, knickknacks, etc., etc. [more inside]
posted by Bardolph at 6:34 PM PST - 14 comments

I am producing a Buckminster Fuller event this coming July in Los Angeles. My plan is to have a popup section that shows and promotes local entrepreneurs who are "doing" examples of "doing more with less" I am looking for suggestions of possible businesses and individuals to invite to the event. I've listed some examples below. It would be fun to find a group that is oriented toward tech recycling similar to Free Geek in Portland. I am also looking for artists who are doing work that aligns nicely with Fuller's ideas and vision [more inside]
posted by goalyeehah at 4:46 PM PST - 1 comment

How do I get my Instagram to post to my Facebook page again? [more inside]
posted by jitterbug perfume at 3:34 PM PST - 1 comment

I am purchasing my wedding dress in Paris and carrying it home across the border to the USA. It costs more than the $800 duty-free exemption; so how much duty will I actually owe? [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 2:40 PM PST - 14 comments

I need to go home and see my dad, who is sick. I haven't been home in 2 years. I will inevitably have to be around my mom and her disordered approaches to food and bodies (her own and her daughters'), which is very triggering for me. Please share ideas and coping strategies with me! [more inside]
posted by redwaterman at 2:25 PM PST - 9 comments

I want to be able to use an program to view and edit the captions of my photos, so I know what they are of (e.g. photo of monument X in country Y, after a week back from holiday I won't remember what it was!). Is there a simple Windows 10 app that will help me do this? [more inside]
posted by inbetweener at 1:38 PM PST - 5 comments

I live in a medium-sized city. Bike theft is an increasing problem, and I finally have a decent road bike and snow bike, either of which I would be very sad to have stolen. Talk to me about the best locks or locking strategy available in 2019. [more inside]
posted by charmedimsure at 1:14 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm trying to pick a technical/engineering conference or certification to attend for this year and am especially interested in tech project management. What conferences or certifications have you liked and found useful career wise? [more inside]
posted by Chicoreus at 12:43 PM PST - 3 comments

While things are more equal in relationships than ever before, there's still a pretty well documented imbalance in housework and emotional labor among cishet couples. Looking for concrete examples from ALL types of couples about how you divide housework to feel fair. Bonus points for tricks that especially helped after having kids. [more inside]
posted by amoeba at 12:13 PM PST - 35 comments

Gimme a hand to identify the places in these vintage photos please. I'm especially curious about the last two.
posted by Iteki at 12:06 PM PST - 11 comments

Just adopted these two sibling kittens (grey tabbies) and am looking for name suggestions along the lines of radical activist / thinkers, either two connected people, or one person whose first name and last name make good names separately. [more inside]
posted by spamandkimchi at 12:06 PM PST - 36 comments

TLDR: how do I finish grieving for information that I didn’t have about myself or pop culture when I needed it most, and move on to more productive emotions? How do I re-contextualize queer pop culture that was hidden in plain sight, but that I experienced assuming that both myself and the artists were straight, now that I’m out? [more inside]
posted by flannel at 11:56 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm wallpapering a nook for a friend and while one side ends on an internal corner, the other side ends on an external corner with a highly trafficked hallway. What are some ways I can protect this corner and still have it look really nice?
posted by lauranesson at 11:06 AM PST - 4 comments

I've been doing small component electronics as a hobby. Frequently at 2 or 3am when the kids are asleep. I run into situations where a BOM (bill of materials) will specify a 100n capactitor. So I'll google '100nF to uF' and get a result like this. But the problem with that featured snippet is that pF does not equal nF. [more inside]
posted by Catblack at 9:10 AM PST - 5 comments

Was supposed to make ice cream today with a friend. I’m in charge of bringing the machine and she has already made the custard. I didn’t freeze the ice cream maker bowl. Manufacturer says it should take 16-24 hours to freeze. [more inside]
posted by bilabial at 9:05 AM PST - 12 comments

We have a ~10 year old LCD TV that was pretty decent when we bought it (one of the nicer Samsung models). Now I see all of these dirt cheap TVs for sale (like <$500)...ignoring the advances in technology (HDR, Smart TV, etc.), will the actual image quality on these cheapo TVs be better than on my old, expensive TV? In other words, has flat panel technology improved to the point where the cheap TVs of today look better than the decent TVs of 10 years ago?
posted by griseus at 8:38 AM PST - 5 comments

It's time to wean my healthy 1 year old baby, who's been breastfed on demand, was night-weaned around 9 months, and eats food well. Complication: I'm not sure what substance to bottle feed, and I feel sad/weird about weaning. Help? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:00 AM PST - 15 comments

I (F) am usually US size 16 and have thighs that rub and cause my jeans to wear out between my legs after just a few months. They always wear out there first, and the rest of the jeans would be good for another.... er, long time. This is annoying and seems wasteful. What better alternatives are out there for me? [more inside]
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 6:56 AM PST - 17 comments

We've spent our weekend moving, and this was in the freezer of the new place. Google Images is not helpful. It's plastic.
posted by COD at 6:29 AM PST - 2 comments

I am considering taking curcumin supplements(one of those with black pepper extract for better absorption) to improve my health but I would like to know if they are really worth it given the expense. [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 3:26 AM PST - 24 comments

Looking for a big[gish] e-reader for just my PDFs. The Kindle app on my phone works great for my ebook needs but I'm still printing out my PDFs to read as I hate reading PDFs on my laptop. I need to read a lot of PDFs for the project I'm starting and I'm looking for something...flat to read on I guess? [more inside]
posted by M. at 2:48 AM PST - 34 comments

When referring to an adult, unmarried woman by her title in a business context, would an American say Miss Smith, Mrs Smith or Ms Smith? [more inside]
posted by daisyk at 2:26 AM PST - 69 comments

I'd love to buy an older adorable truck to drive daily. I found a '73 GMC camper hauler but my mechanically savvy uncle said buying it would be a "disaster". What other options might I have for w 20+ year old pickup that is very reliable/easy to keep fixed?
posted by arnicae at 11:28 PM PST - 12 comments

Mr. Wasp and I are flying into Orlando next month. We're planning to immediately get out of the city and enjoy several days relaxing near/on the beach; we also like the idea of staying in a low-key, unique location. Google/travel site searches feel overwhelming and inconclusive. We're planning to visit Kennedy Space Center one day, but other than that, have a wide open schedule. Thank you!
posted by WaspEnterprises at 11:24 PM PST - 5 comments

I need a recording/viewing camera for my mothers room in a nursing home. I need to be concealed and can be viewed live and record by motion.
posted by JayRwv at 7:42 PM PST - 10 comments

[Bookfilter] I would like to read fantasy books set in a world where women have never been oppressed. Do they exist?
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 7:33 PM PST - 29 comments

My neighbor deposited a kitten that her daughter found into my hands (literally) this afternoon. I am looking for a rescue organization that will be prepared to foster this kitten, but the local organizations mostly give information for adoptions. Who can I contact to care for this cat? [more inside]
posted by biogeo at 7:04 PM PST - 9 comments

We have a 12’ x 12’ cedar pergola in our yard in Denver. It is beautiful but with the warmer weather and glorious sun at a mile high, we need shade. Do you have a shade solution you’ve found for a similar situation - a pergola or other outside area? I’ve considered mounting shade sails, reed fencing as a roof, shade curtains, and umbrellas.
posted by fieldtrip at 6:56 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm leaving the US, most likely for Canada. I've lived here for a few years but am not a US citizen and don't intend to come back permanently, though I'll want to visit occasionally. I have credit card debt in the low five figures, divided between 3-4 cards (Discover and Visa), which probably I can't pay in the foreseeable future. How much should I be worried about the repercussions if I leave it unpaid? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:04 PM PST - 11 comments

My in-laws are late 60s and moving forward with a reverse mortgage. Am I wrong to be concerned about this move, and how do I talk to them about this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:03 PM PST - 9 comments

Tell me which data gets used up by which kind of activity [more inside]
posted by noelpratt2nd at 3:54 PM PST - 4 comments

I downloaded two episodes of a podcast and forgot its name. [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 3:52 PM PST - 2 comments

Which languages have the largest overall markets in the US for translation into English? [more inside]
posted by dusty potato at 3:52 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm interested in doing some cave-exploring. I have never done this, other than a few tours over the years. I live in Portland, Oregon, and ideally would like to get started with some stuff that's a 2-3 hours drive from here -- I know about Oregon Caves National Monument, but I'd prefer to do stuff in central/eastern Oregon, or southwestern Washington. I also know about Ape Caves, so that's already on the list. What are the newbie-friendly caves & cave-resources I should be looking at?
posted by curious nu at 3:38 PM PST - 4 comments

I have a bunch of URLs. I'm looking for a tool that will take those as input and generate printable output (a PDF I guess?) where the pages are typeset for printing on a home printer and look like a newspaper or text-heavy magazine. [more inside]
posted by caek at 2:50 PM PST - 9 comments

We have a "three season" room that's screened-in but effectively outdoors, with a ceramic tile floor. It is constantly filthy with pollen, blown-in dust, etc. Wet-mopping the floor with a bucket is a PITA and takes multiple buckets of water (and washing multiple mop heads) to get it really clean, so it never happens. There has to be some sort of power tool to make this easier. What is it? [more inside]
posted by Kadin2048 at 2:35 PM PST - 17 comments

My in-laws had 2 large (aprox. 1kg each) frozen salmon steaks they'd flown up from Chiloé. Their refrigerator broke down this morning, and the steaks mostly thawed out. They gave them to me. What should I do with the salmon? [more inside]
posted by signal at 12:54 PM PST - 9 comments

My older boy (nearly 4) SAYS he wants to see a movie in the cinema. (He doesn’t know what the cinema is though, it’s just a big building and he doesn’t know more than that- his friends haven’t been yet I don’t think) He has sensory issues and so does his little brother (almost 3)... tomorrow at 12 there is a sensory friendly showing of the paw patrol film. A big part of me thinks it’s better to leave the cinema until it’s no longer avoidable. Another part of me knows that paw patrol is playing tomorrow and they would like it. Should I take them? [more inside]
posted by catspajammies at 12:20 PM PST - 21 comments

Hello! As a follow-up to my recent shipping question here, and related to this one here, I have a question about media mail. I want to get my 50-lb. book boxes down to 25 lbs. so they will be easier to carry to the post office. If I fill up the empty space with styrofoam peanuts or similar, will the box still count as media mail? Thank you.
posted by 8603 at 12:01 PM PST - 3 comments

I just made a put of vegetable stew to use up a bunch of old groceries. It tasted like I’d over seasoned it with pepper or chili, only I didn’t put either of those in. I realized, after eating a whopping two bowls, that it was the zucchini that tasted so spicy and peppery. This lead me to google, which says old cucurbits with a “bitter” taste can cause a stomachache/diarrhea, plus the death of a poor German pensioner! What fate awaits me? [more inside]
posted by robertthebruce at 11:31 AM PST - 4 comments

What is the best way to get my proceeds from the sale of my ex-partner's house, when I no longer have a legal claim to that property? (Oregon) [more inside]
posted by lilnublet at 10:19 AM PST - 14 comments

We just got two adorable baby rats and need help naming them! [more inside]
posted by thelastpolarbear at 10:18 AM PST - 14 comments

I need to make a very realistic, hollow, weather-proof fake log to shelter a feral cat in an area where it otherwise might be vandalized. How to? Need 13" - 14" inner diameter and ≃40" long (the length prevents a coyote from getting its teeth anywhere near the center.) Thank you for any help. [more inside]
posted by Shane at 9:28 AM PST - 6 comments

I live in a small apartment and would like to make better use of my balcony, but I don't have a clear sense of what would make it a nicer place where I'd be more likely to spend time. [more inside]
posted by ITheCosmos at 9:19 AM PST - 14 comments

As another way to learn about bees, I'd like to follow reputable beekeepers, native bee researchers, and...I'm not ever sure what? I am out of my depth and looking for suggestions. Beekeepers of MeFi, where's the Twitter buzz worth following? [more inside]
posted by MonkeyToes at 9:05 AM PST - 4 comments

Hello! I have a Latitude 7390 13'' business laptop (without a Thunderbolt port) and a Dell U2718Q 27" Class 4K Monitor. The laptop doesn't have a USB 3.0 port, and the monitor comes with a USB 3.0 cable and a DP-mDP cable. I'm looking for the best way to join these two together - do I need adapters? A dock? A hub? All three? I'm very confused by what I'm reading online about Hz and dual monitors. Please help! [more inside]
posted by melodykramer at 8:32 AM PST - 6 comments

Is it a good idea to buy my childhood home from my parents? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:56 AM PST - 9 comments

My 15-year-old loved the movie "Us." What other movies offer a similarly complex layering of ideas and images? [more inside]
posted by Orlop at 7:45 AM PST - 32 comments

We had great success last weekend with "Born Free", a great hit with our eight year old boy. I thought he'd find it lacklustre but he lapped it up. It made me realise he's more than happy with the simple pleasures of 1966 (doesn't have to be from 1966 obviously!!). The previous week on movie night I'd tried him on the 2016 Spielberg BFG film and he'd ask to abandon it a third of the way through as he found the mean giants too scary. So if that gives you an idea of where we're at! [more inside]
posted by dance at 6:44 AM PST - 37 comments

What do I get for a person who loves nature, but seldom leaves his house? He already has a ton of books, and he has no significant hobbies. [more inside]
posted by all the light we cannot see at 10:58 PM PST - 22 comments

My bf and I have been together 4 years. The last 3 months we've had a big fight about once a month. The latest was pretty bad and I'm sitting here in the aftermath thinking about the way we both acted and whether we can work on this together. My bf is opposed to therapy and doesn't like people telling him what to do. What are our communication issues and can they be fixed if my bf isn't interested in therapy? [more inside]
posted by fantasticbotanical at 9:33 PM PST - 60 comments

I need to move 10-15 boxes to several states away. What's the best way? [more inside]
posted by mccxxiii at 8:03 PM PST - 11 comments

My wife and I are closing next month on our first house! We're super excited and totally love the place. One thing we really like about it is the exterior and how beautifully landscaped it is. The couple selling it to us were big landscape hobbyists and did all the work themselves. Now how do I not kill it all? [more inside]
posted by masters2010 at 7:44 PM PST - 14 comments

I want to know how teaching evolved, as much as we (anthropologists/historians) know. What I've found on the internet seems to imply that schools didn't exist before 17th (?) Century and teachers in those had no training, just excellent exam results (like 14 year old Laura in Little House on the Prairie, c 1880s). [more inside]
posted by b33j at 6:19 PM PST - 13 comments

Inspired by this FPP, which modern base-building or Dwarf-Fort-like simulators are as radically pro-labor as ancient Judaism,* that is, games with days of rest or weekends? [more inside]
posted by bagel at 5:40 PM PST - 2 comments

A friend has just opened up to me about years of abuse. Her abuser controlled and isolated her and he just moved out of state, leaving her in the apartment he was paying for. She cannot pay the rent, and there is no lease. She just got served a 5 day eviction notice. How do I help her find secure housing? [more inside]
posted by bleary at 5:33 PM PST - 21 comments

A friend was given an iPhone 6 by a relative. The iPhone started its life in the US, but is now in NZ. Putting in a local SIM leads to a long-winded error message implying that it's locked. Most online advice seems to start with 'ask your carrier', but how do you proceed if you don't have that information? [more inside]
posted by inexorably_forward at 5:33 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm writing a poem for my beloved youngest niece's wedding. [more inside]
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 4:46 PM PST - 9 comments

Speaking of etiquette and graciousness, how would a person with a certain refinement approach social media and public boasting? [more inside]
posted by loveandhappiness at 4:20 PM PST - 27 comments

I have spilled juice on my Surface tablet keyboard. I detached the tablet, blotted the keyboard and turned the keyboard over to dry on a bunch of paper towels. Is there anything else I should be doing? It is an older model. If need be, can I replace the detachable keyboard?
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:08 PM PST - 4 comments

I'd like to check on my credit score, since I'm looking at rentals and would love to be able to impress potential landlords. I found CreditKarma, CreditSesame, and others. I'm not delighted to pay for this info, but I also care about good/sustainable/non-skeevy business and privacy practices. Any advice on which service to use to get my score(s)? Wouldn't mind getting credit report(s) also.
posted by amtho at 3:04 PM PST - 12 comments

Help me ID some plants? [more inside]
posted by cozenedindigo at 2:57 PM PST - 12 comments

I have an email account that I need to forward temporarily to a different address while I am on a boat using a sat phone. My host sucks and will only allow me to do a forward if I delete the inbox. I have imagined a service that would pull down mail using POP or IMAP and forward it to my temporary email address, but I’m unable to find it myself. [more inside]
posted by Lame_username at 2:04 PM PST - 4 comments

I am making a comic that has a panel that needs to be a fake 3D videogame first person view. Is there an easy method (free program, online application, another workaround) to make this sort of image that doesn't require tons of work learning a 3D modeling program? [more inside]
posted by bittermensch at 1:15 PM PST - 5 comments

Every experience I've had with cannabis edibles has been ineffective at best and frightening at worst. Can I reasonably expect using cannabis products in any other way to produce a different result? [more inside]
posted by cheapskatebay at 1:11 PM PST - 20 comments

I've enjoyed using my iPhone with Waze as a navigator when I'm driving. I used to have a Garmin GPS which also worked really well until it finally kicked the bucket last year. Should I buy a new GPS, or stick with the iPhone? [more inside]
posted by fuzzy.little.sock at 12:43 PM PST - 10 comments

We are a 501c4 nonprofit, and we have an official Facebook Page, and an official Facebook Group. A group admin recently changed the group's privacy setting from Public to Secret. We now want to change it back to Public. How can we do that? [more inside]
posted by andoatnp at 12:42 PM PST - 3 comments

I am looking to create a nice serene environment at home. Aside from fairy lights, what are my options for mood lighting.... [more inside]
posted by kbbbo at 12:26 PM PST - 16 comments

My first post-divorce relationship has been amazing. This man is almost everything I ever wanted, the sex is great, he’s funny and loving and generous and kind, etc. etc., all the good things. So why the fuck am I so changeable in my feelings for him? From one day to the next (literally!) I’m glazed with lust and then utterly disinterested and planning how to break it off. [more inside]
posted by Bluesocking at 10:25 AM PST - 23 comments

How do I make the forced transition to Windows 10 from Windows 7 as painless as possible? Or is there a better way? Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by koucha at 10:07 AM PST - 8 comments

Do you dry your toothbrush with a towel, or air dry? [more inside]
posted by the primroses were over at 9:43 AM PST - 63 comments

How do I deal with this situation with a toxic coworker and a manager that, well, doesn't manage? I’ll start from the beginning in case any of this is relevant. [more inside]
posted by apricot at 8:51 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm an introvert (yeah, I know, join the club). I often feel guilty about being an introvert, so I act in ways contrary to my nature, thus making me, not to mention people around me, unhappy (but, frankly, mostly me). How can I honor my own nature in the way most likely to take everyone's needs into account? (Apologies in advance for the length.) [more inside]
posted by O Sock My Sock at 8:37 AM PST - 16 comments

After 5 year, the blissful idyl of my Bed-Stuy life has been shattered by pernicious bass frequencies emanating from a car stereo and invading my sleep-bubble at 7am. I feel shattered, gutted, I feel like universal forces of injustice have conspired to wrest control of my life away from me. Askme, can you help me calm down and strategize how to move forward? [more inside]
posted by fingers_of_fire at 8:26 AM PST - 43 comments

I'm thinking about moving back to New England. Difficulty level: I am a single person on a librarian's income with specific criteria for where I'd like to live. [more inside]
posted by toastedcheese at 8:02 AM PST - 7 comments

I have an urgent and immediate need to pack up my son's (cluttered, overfull and messy) room at his mom's, and put it into storage somewhere. There is absolutely not room for it all in my two-bedroom apartment, where his room is already close to full. I have never put anything in storage before. [more inside]
posted by ubiquity at 7:46 AM PST - 4 comments

I have a very small back yard. Twice last year I found a decapitated garden snake back there. This seemed disturbing, unusual, and improbable. I just found another one this morning. What is going on? How do I protect the snakes?
posted by papergirl at 6:45 AM PST - 8 comments

In Canada, are there cases besides marital breakdowns where a pension valuation report would be used? [more inside]
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 6:21 AM PST - 2 comments

In 2003, Hafen and Stocker contributed to the PLOS Biology "Unsolved Mystery" series with an article about how we don't know how organs, cells and bodies know how to grow to their correct sizes, writing hopefully that, "Given the significant interest that has been generated in growth control, it should not be long before some of these old mysteries in biology are explained." In 2008, Tsukaya added another article to the series, writing that leaf size is "under the control of an unknown, organ-wide integration system." In 2010, Wolpert wrote, "While we have a reasonably good understanding of how our limbs grow, we know relatively little about how their growth is so reliably controlled." In the 16 years since the first article and the 9 years since the third article, what else have we learned about how growth of organs and limbs is controlled, in either plants or animals?
posted by clawsoon at 5:33 AM PST - 1 comment

My husband is in the interview process for a major career move that would mean moving to another city about 3 hours away. My question is about our kid, who is just finishing 3rd grade. We have an opportunity to visit the new city as a family in early June, almost definitely before he has an answer, let alone a negotiated offer, and likely no opportunity to do this with our daughter any other time before moving. Should we go for this visit with her? Should we tell her about the possible move even if is not certain? [more inside]
posted by MissSquare at 3:51 AM PST - 21 comments

I (F29) been together with my boyfriend (29) for nearly 2 years (living together 1). He has many wonderful traits, but he is insecure and anxious inside, and thus is rather suffocating, and he has also other traits I do not like. I tried to break up once, but we ended up still sticking together. He has improved somewhat, but I am pretty sure I do not want to continue the relationship. But I feel incredibly sorry for him and awfully guilty. How do I deal with these feelings? [more inside]
posted by Engelk at 3:35 AM PST - 40 comments

I work for a small local business that makes food. Sometimes people want what we make delivered, but this business has not seen fit to either provide delivery or sign up with any of the myriad food delivery apps like DoorDash, GrubHub, UberEats, etc. This is not even my problem, but since I'm the one on the phone with customers I want to be helpful! [more inside]
posted by Jenny'sCricket at 2:15 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm an American citizen essentially living in China, though I'm on a tourist visa. I want to ride the trans-siberian railroad. Help! Snowflake details within. I should note I'm vey much willing to work with a travel agency or whatnot if you have a good one to recommend, but googling around I couldn't find anything conclusive. There are lots of shady websites in the visa space. [more inside]
posted by wooh at 1:12 AM PST - 3 comments

What are some good resources (besides of course just searching Youtube and Pinterest) for some vintage styles on short hair? Preferably easy on the arms/energy levels. [more inside]
posted by Crystalinne at 10:04 PM PST - 1 comment

4 or 5 years ago we bought a Samsung UN50J6300 TV and LG Electronics LAS551H Sound Bar. Originally they worked together okay but over time it's been harder and harder to get them to work together. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by unus sum at 9:07 PM PST - 4 comments

Several people on the team i manage are about to get promotions. I'd like to celebrate by throwing them a mini "party" in a meeting room during the workday. I'd bring snacks and a cake, and we could play music maybe if it's not too loud. But are there any fun activities we could do? [more inside]
posted by hazyjane at 8:36 PM PST - 15 comments

I would like a good digital copy of the album The Naked Carmen: an Electric Rock Opera (1970) by John Corigliano and David Hess. I have a vinyl copy but I no longer own a turntable and I just wanna buy some nice mp3s. [more inside]
posted by moonmilk at 8:09 PM PST - 5 comments

Siri is constantly asking me if I want "Oye Lucky Lucky Oye." I do not. WTF? [more inside]
posted by Mid at 8:01 PM PST - 13 comments

So at work I have to learn this new technology, I don't particularly care for it and I don't really see what the big deal with it is. To perfectly honest this technology looks like crap and to me it seems to be like the sort of thing someone with very little intelligence would use. I will get it done regardless because they trusted me to do it and I'll do it well too. [more inside]
posted by Braxis at 6:15 PM PST - 51 comments

I am 36, female and haven’t had a boyfriend for 13 years due to reasons (see inside). I’m wondering if I am too late to meet someone, get married and have children, and what I can do to improve my chances of that happening. I’m in a small city and outside the US but still within the English speaking world. [more inside]
posted by EatMyHat at 5:52 PM PST - 29 comments

I'm in desperate need of finding ways to add excitement and adrenaline to my life, ideally in an integrated and ongoing way like as part of my career. Difficulty level: early forties, tenured academic, family to support. I'm seeking suggestions for how to do this -- any and all accepted, I just want to brainstorm options because I'm kind of desperate. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:25 PM PST - 44 comments

I'd like to cast movies to my older projector, which has a VGA port. I bought a Chromecast, and a HDMI-to-VGA adapter, and am able to cast moving pictures without a hitch, but can't figure out how to get the sound to work without plugging my wired speakers directly into the adapter's 3.5mm audio jack. There must be another way, yes? [more inside]
posted by tapir-whorf at 4:42 PM PST - 8 comments

As I age into my retirement years (I'll turn 65 by the end of the year), I'm finding that there's a lot of adjustments involved. I could really use some help knowing what to expect and what challenges I'll confront as this happens. I don't really have people in my social circle I could ask about that. But I think of you folks as solons who have so much wisdom to share if I can only ask the question precisely enough. [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 4:19 PM PST - 15 comments

If Trump has lost way more money than he has ever been given (by his dad or loaned by banks) or than he has earned, why does he have expensive stuff? Why isn't he poor? I don't get it! [more inside]
posted by crapples at 3:14 PM PST - 24 comments

We're having a "Screw you stroke, I'm still kicking" party for a dear friend who suffered a massive stroke last year. We want to put something funny on her cake - I am all tapped out. Give me your best stroke humor! [more inside]
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 3:12 PM PST - 17 comments

Hey! So I've got this lousy backyard area and I want to install some kind of flat platform so the table and chairs aren't at a janky angle. What's the best and cheapest way to do this? [more inside]
posted by insteadofapricots at 2:31 PM PST - 9 comments

I recently chose to fall out to the medical tent; and was given two 0.5L bags of saline; how badly dehydrated was I (185lbs, male, over 45, regular exercise and fitness)? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:17 PM PST - 6 comments

My son is dying to play Skyrim - he loves RPGs and this seems right up his alley but when I look at reviews I've seen mentions of rape potentially in the game. Looking at other RPGs, like Octopath Traveller, there is some major objectifying of women. Is there an RPG that is appropriate for an 11 year old on Switch? [more inside]
posted by a22lamia at 1:41 PM PST - 18 comments

I've got a 2011 MacBook Pro I'm stubbornly attached to, but I'm sick of splurging on new adapters (60W Magsafe). Are there any sites that sell refurbished or gently used adapters from people who have upgraded? They're all lasting me about a year before shorting out. [more inside]
posted by waninggibbon at 12:45 PM PST - 4 comments

When you roast seeds while baking a squash do you eat the shells? [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 11:48 AM PST - 13 comments

I work with a creative group that's highly functional but our process is, let's say, chaotic. In talking to the team one of the things that recurs is that people talk over each other frequently which creates an anxiety around both being heard and trying to jump in and get your share of voice. What're the best techniques for managing group conversations and helping the flow of conversation that don't feel condescending?
posted by GilloD at 11:01 AM PST - 11 comments

We are a family of four (2 adults, 2 young kiddos under 5) considering the following floor plan: We want suggestions/ideas about best using these rooms. [more inside]
posted by kdern at 10:54 AM PST - 7 comments

I have to kill 8 hours in the Rome airport, and I will desperately need a nap. Where can I go? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 10:52 AM PST - 9 comments

I was looking at the property transactions in my neighborhood on my local GIS website and noticed that in February my neighbor sold his house to himself. He is listed as the Grantor and the Grantee. Why would you do that? The house was purchased in 2007 for $97,000 and would probably sell now for close to $190,000. Is the appreciation the reason to do this?
posted by zzazazz at 10:47 AM PST - 11 comments

My (female) dog has a slew of heath issues: cancer of the mammary glands, pulmonary fibrosis, congestive heart failure, liver values that are off the charts and hormonal chaos. Amazingly, she is very sprightly & lively 6 months after the vet estimated she has at most two months left to live and most of her issues seem under control. But apparently, me loving her too much wreaks havoc with her hormonal system and makes her spontaneously go into false pregnancy & triggers her mammary tumours, which are popping in and out of existence depending on whether she is lactating or not. So ... how can I love her less? [more inside]
posted by doggod at 10:07 AM PST - 22 comments

How can I find out what artists were on display in the National Museum in Nicaragua during a particular time? (Alternatively, what 20th century Latin American artists should I know more about?) [more inside]
posted by catesbie at 9:14 AM PST - 3 comments

How does the relationship between a hiring manager and the company recruiter work? I completed a very positive phone interview with the hiring manager for "a very big sportswear company", but when the company’s senior recruiter then contacted me, she said she wanted to arrange flying me out for an in person interview, but needed to finalize salary details first - and then proceeded to *very* low-ball me (my salary expectation is at the top end of the salary range, which my resume justifies), to the degree that I’m now having second-thoughts. Is this standard practice? [more inside]
posted by 7 Minutes of Madness at 8:42 AM PST - 8 comments

I am looking for a guides, apps, blogs and other resources that will allow metouse my new Google Pixel 3A XL camera at its full potential. There are a lot of things hidden in the settings that I will never be able to find on my own. In particular, I am looking for a guide to the camera features that I can access easily.
posted by Xurando at 8:29 AM PST - 3 comments

I always used to travel with my laptop, docking it at home with a big monitor and good keyboard. But I've never undocked this one, due to 1. increasing iPad power, and 2. new work patterns. I should switch to Mac Mini (or, once external monitor dies, iMac). But I'm scared! [more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover at 8:12 AM PST - 6 comments

My city offers an amazing two way bilingual K-8 program. My daughter got a slot. We are delighted but also nervous. She is a super verbal, not very physically adept (comes by that honestly...sorry kid!), English speaker. Most of the other students are native Spanish speakers or bilingual. Neither myself, nor my husband speak any Spanish. I have some ideas for how to help her prepare/feel confident over the summer, but would love other tips. [more inside]
posted by jeszac at 6:57 AM PST - 25 comments

I'm looking for a visual calendar, that is photos in chronological order, of what blooms each month in my zone (zone 5/6). Like an Instagram feed or calendar populated with images at the general bloom time of all the plants I might reasonably grow in my area. [more inside]
posted by cocoagirl at 6:55 AM PST - 5 comments

I buy cooking oil 32 lbs at a time. I buy soap a gallon at a time. Why do I have to buy toothpaste 6oz at a time? Where can I get toothpaste in larger containers? Is there a reason toothpaste doesn't come in larger containers? Searching for "bulk toothpaste" gets me many-packs of tiny toothpaste; searching for "giant toothpaste" gets me a foaming chemistry demonstration.
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 6:49 AM PST - 16 comments

I’ve had Amazon Prime for years and really only use it for the shipping. I am completely confused by the non-shipping benefits of my Prime membership. Can you help me sort it all out? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:13 AM PST - 20 comments

Are there any games (primarily video/digital games but I'm open to all kinds of suggestions) that involve crosswords as part of a larger game and/or as a game mechanic?
posted by divabat at 6:05 AM PST - 6 comments

I've been struggling with sleep-maintenance insomnia for two weeks. Previously I've had bouts of insomnia when under stress, but usually one night of poor sleep was followed by one of good sleep. Now it's a long run of bad nights, and I'm feeling the effects (poor concentration and impulse control, vertigo, rumination, despair). I can recognize these feelings as essentially biological, and that takes some of their sting away, but I've still gotta get through the day. What tricks do you have for managing difficult emotions and staying productive when sleep is elusive?
posted by eirias at 12:45 AM PST - 26 comments

I love the kitchn's weekly meal plans for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but I live alone. Are there other meal plans like their "How I Prep a Week of Easy, Satisfying Meals for One"? I'll list the features I like inside. [more inside]
posted by sockermom at 8:30 PM PST - 11 comments

I was told that the next job I want to get will be looking for someone polished. I am not polished. Can I polish cheaply, quickly and regularly? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 8:24 PM PST - 52 comments

I need to leave with only 1 week notice because of my new job's start date. [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 6:22 PM PST - 14 comments

5 years ago I founded an online group, then watched it grow and moderated things. Mostly it was a source of useful information and cameraderie, but somehow in the last few months it reached a tipping point where the bad now outweighs the good. I'm considering shutting it down. Help me think through that decision. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:06 PM PST - 32 comments

I'm working on changing my attachment style from anxious to secure. In the meantime, what are some strategy or techniques I could use to manage my anxious attachment? Those who are anxiously attached, please share your stories, advice, or tips! Special snowflake details inside. [more inside]
posted by postmortemsalmon at 6:03 PM PST - 10 comments

I have an idea for an art project that I’d like to do. In short, I want to write some stuff on paper, put the paper in a mason jar, and then have the pigment of what I write dissolve into the water. It doesn’t have to be all the way, it’s fine if some words here and there are legible, but I’d really like the water to take on color. What is the best paper and paint or ink to do this? I asked at the store today and they recommended watercolor pencils, which aren’t having the effect I was going for, though maybe it just needs to soak longer? Thanks!
posted by emkelley at 5:16 PM PST - 12 comments

Starting a new job, and I need a new bluetooth headset for work. My current one (which they are making me hand back) is the Plantronics Voyager UC, which is great. But I'm not sure if I can get something equivalent for cheaper as it's an expensive headset - any idea Mefi? Must be stereo (ie a speaker for each ear) and wireless, as I spend a lot of time in teleconferences,would prefer something over-ear, rather than in-ear.
posted by smoke at 5:00 PM PST - 4 comments

I have a small business with 3 employees and currently use Paychex for payroll. They are totally fine - which is, to say, the people get their money on-time and so forth - except for one thing: I receive a constant barrage of marketing emails and phone calls from Paychex offering me upgrades and upsells to other services. These annoy me because I have trouble ignoring emails from the company that literally puts the money in my employees' bank accounts. But... is that how they all work? [more inside]
posted by Ignatius J. Reilly at 4:06 PM PST - 10 comments

Back in the late 50s and 60s, we used to do a lot of jigsaw puzzles. Generally they were strip cut (rows of pieces horizontally and vertically), but unlike modern puzzles the pieces weren't fully interlocking. Lots of them had one, two, more rarely three, and rarely all four sides "wavy", that fit up against other such wavy pieces. It not only provided more variety than today's fully interlocking pieces (with all four sides locking), but it made it a little easier to make the puzzle because you could identify differences more easily. I've looked at a lot of modern puzzles and anything that's strip cut has fully interlocking pieces, all four sides being either tab or slot. [more inside]
posted by Tom Blees at 3:03 PM PST - 6 comments

The Dell D6000 dock is marketed as having "3 x SuperSpeed USB 3.0" and "1 x SuperSpeed USB 3.0 with PowerShare". As far as I can tell, all four of these USB Type A ports are exactly the same. Dell Technical Support was no help. Does anyone have any idea how they might differ? [more inside]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 2:41 PM PST - 10 comments

Linux partitioning, distro selection, etc. Please help me beanplate my desktop computer. [more inside]
posted by number9dream at 1:04 PM PST - 17 comments

If you are also a teeny bit paranoid about this stuff and have researched current medications, please save me hours of searching about this online (once again): I need to treat the cat and the dog (separately of course). I'd like to use spot-on type treatments, and I've spent a long long long time each time I've done this in the past to search out what was effective but had the fewest reports of negative reactions. The current flea status is ... [more inside]
posted by taz at 12:56 PM PST - 15 comments

In 1960 a semester at Harvard cost $11,000 in consistent dollars. Today a semester at Harvard costs $50,000. An increase of 4.5 times. Where is that extra money going? [more inside]
posted by sotonohito at 12:07 PM PST - 70 comments

I'm looking for a service that can algorithmically create and download playlists and automatically update when connected to WiFi. [more inside]
posted by mikek at 9:26 AM PST - 9 comments

Becoming a bit bored with all the sci-fi - can someone recommend a fantasy novel? (Specific interests inside) [more inside]
posted by UMDirector at 9:25 AM PST - 52 comments

Rebecca Moore self-published her novel Lunch in Brooklyn in 2013, but it has apparently gone out of print. None of the links to online retailers (Amazon and the iTunes bookstore) still list it for sale, and Moore seems to have fallen off the face of the earth. (Her blog, Twitter, and Facebook were last updated in 2018.) Are there other ways I can access an ebook that’s fallen out of print?
posted by pxe2000 at 9:13 AM PST - 4 comments

My kitchen unfortunately doesn't have a way to vent smoke/cooking odors [no range hood], so I've been avoiding the range and just using the oven. However, I have a backyard where I could cook and extend my options. A lot of outdoor cooking equipment seems optimized for camping (no access to electricity, lightweight), which are not constraints I have. I'm just looking for an easy, cheap range substitute. Should I get a portable burner or something else? [more inside]
posted by estlin at 8:52 AM PST - 13 comments

We live on the East Coast and have to be in Indianapolis in early October for a wedding. I'm thinking we should keep on going west after the wedding and spend a week somewhere. But where? [more inside]
posted by COD at 8:51 AM PST - 18 comments

Does anyone have a recommendation for a restaurant in Harvard Square that would have dinner options for an omnivore, an omnivore on a low FODMAP diet, and a vegetarian who's allergic to peppers? [more inside]
posted by quatsch at 8:35 AM PST - 10 comments

I am always the social initiator in my friend groups and among 1-to-1 friendships. 80% of the time I don't mind this but the other 20% I wonder if people would bother organising to meet up if I didn't, and what that says for the quality of my relationships. Do I need to scale back on initiating / "be more chill"? When do I know that it's time to take a step back? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 8:23 AM PST - 17 comments

I would like to sport a queer-positive tee for upcoming Pride, and also just generally to wear. I like this shirt and I like supporting HRC. But as a cis nonqueer person, I am teeny bit worried that me wearing this message might make the tone read as condescending or -- I don't know. You know? What do you think?
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 8:13 AM PST - 30 comments

I would like to buy a stick vacuum to vacuum the kitchen floor and a tiny vacuum to vacuum up cat litter. I am at a loss as to which ones. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 8:00 AM PST - 14 comments

I am looking for the term used to describe an image that uses the details of a scene to create a second image. For example, a painting of a forest where the details of the trees, shadow, landscape, etc, create the image of someone's face. I would provide examples, but I am at a loss as to what to search for.
posted by cirgue at 6:37 AM PST - 25 comments

I am looking for laments, in any format. Musical laments, of course, like those in the Celtic music tradition are the obvious answer. But I'd like them in any and every genre - poetry, quotation, art. Short, long, anything that breaks your heart. A good lament is stirring and gives you hope while also delineating the long-term futility of anything but acceptance. Have you got anything for me? [more inside]
posted by Jane the Brown at 5:41 AM PST - 61 comments

I've started getting a few invites to Slack channels, based around professional interests, but not necessarily company specific. I can definitely see the upsides here. But, the etiquette is unknown to me, and particularly, I was wondering: Is it okay to join channels and just be quiet a lot, or should I be upping my communication game a bit here, and taking advantage of what Slack-based interaction could offer? [more inside]
posted by carter at 4:39 AM PST - 9 comments

Can you help me locate an honest and very aggressive nyc-based contingency estate lawyer who will take on (hire through his/her own links) a case in the Granite State?* [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:49 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm looking for psychiatrist recommendations in the SF Bay Area (East Bay/SF preferred) who has an a understanding of/experience with hormonal mood changes. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:49 AM PST - 1 comment

Is there any hope in helping someone get help for mental health issues when they don't see it themselves? (bonus: he is also deep into conspiracy theories) [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:49 AM PST - 15 comments

We are fortunate enough to be able to take 4 months (me) + 3 months (dad) of a combo of paid and unpaid parental leave for our first child, and are trying to figure out how to split it up. A key consideration is that the most important 5 months of my year at work will come right after the due date. I’m considering splitting up my maternity leave to take 6 weeks at the birth, then dad take 10 weeks, and then I take my remaining leave - will it work? [more inside]
posted by purplevelvet at 10:51 PM PST - 18 comments

I like cola but I don't like buying it ready-made, for many reasons. I am having a hard time making a syrup that tastes right. Can you recommend a ready-made syrup or, ideally, a recipe, for a very spicy, rich, old-fashioned-tasting cola? The goal here is not to make Coke, but to make something better.
posted by blnkfrnk at 7:04 PM PST - 11 comments

I am looking for pants like these. Pretty much exactly like these, in black or dark grey (colorful inserts optional) only not sold out in sizes small or medium. I loathe "stretch" materials and am very much seeking to avoid them, which makes this search that much harder. However, MeFites always know great websites for unusual items, so I thought I'd ask here. Thanks in advance.
posted by Crystal Fox at 5:52 PM PST - 6 comments

What is the best itinerary for a week touring Alaska's inside Passage by bike and ferry with a Skagway departure? I'm flexible on where to go, other than I've already been to Haines and Juneau so would like to explore some new places. [more inside]
posted by bighappyhairydog at 3:19 PM PST - 6 comments

This book was probably more in the YA range. I definitely read it before 2002 but it could be much older, maybe from the 80s. It involved a quest by an elf-like person to fix the dimming sun. [more inside]
posted by DSime at 2:44 PM PST - 4 comments

Some questions about getting honked at while driving in the USA, specifically in the DMV area inside. [more inside]
posted by gadha at 2:38 PM PST - 37 comments

I just found out I have $2750 in a Health Reimbursement Account that will disappear at the end of the month. (My job ended 5/3, my benefits are through May 30.) I'm (thankfully) healthy, but want to take advantage of these funds, which go towards anything not covered by my $6500 deductible. I do have bad knees that I've been ignoring, and maybe something cosmetic? Anything I could pre-pay? Thanks for any suggestions!
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 1:50 PM PST - 26 comments

it's getting uglier by the day. my wife an I had a spat today and she told me she's dropping me from her health insurance policy. can she do this before we are divorced? [more inside]
posted by terrier319 at 1:24 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm looking for metal that is really thin... maybe no more than 2-3 pieces of paper in thickness that is magnetic. [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 1:16 PM PST - 13 comments

Simple question. If you have a fairly good idea you're a decent singer, but you need to make sure, where can you get some objective opinions? [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 12:37 PM PST - 15 comments

There is a deer with baby fawns in our back garden. Sometimes the fawns get shutout of the garden near a road / separated from their mum. Should we just leave gates open to prevent this, or take active measures to discourage them entirely? [more inside]
posted by inflatablekiwi at 11:19 AM PST - 16 comments

First thing in the morning I have achilles tendon stiffness and pain at the back of my ankles, just above my heels (like where an ankle bracelet would rest) ; it quickly abates as I walk around a bit, but I don't want it to get worse. Dr. Google says it's probably (encroaching? mild?) Achilles Tendonitis, and I need better slippers / home shoes to provide support. Looking for suggestions if you have experienced similar (and particularly wondering if Birkenstock Amsterdam Clogs would provide the necessary). [more inside]
posted by taz at 11:00 AM PST - 18 comments

I work for a multinational corporation. Today I received a piece of mail from our Tokyo office containing a small Japanese fan and a mint-condition American ten dollar bill. No note, no name on the return address. It was addressed to me personally. [more inside]
posted by something something at 11:00 AM PST - 4 comments

I loved the Costco brand jeans and had a number of pairs through out the years. They were in my larger size, comfortable, and durable, plus I liked the cut and fit. Unfortunately they seem to have been discontinued and I'm looking to replace some of my older pairs that have worn out. [more inside]
posted by Carillon at 10:46 AM PST - 9 comments

Short version: Mother-in-law needs money to pay property tax. We want to know why the daughter who has lived with her for 20 years is not paying the property tax. The challenge is how to keep emotions/reason in check and not destroy family relations. More below the fold. [more inside]
posted by turtlefu at 10:39 AM PST - 18 comments

I installed Wordfence on my Wordpress website (free, not paid yet). Am I supposed to just delete the files they say are bad? [more inside]
posted by Vaike at 10:23 AM PST - 2 comments

I think my mental health problems are making it hard to get a job. I am running out of money. Where can I go to start getting mental health treatment on Medicaid? Is there any other kind of assistance I can apply for while I'm sorting everything out? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:18 AM PST - 6 comments

I am wondering if there is a recipe for city machines losing to non-insiders. Like a city needs X conditions to be happening (perhaps scandal or incompetence) combined with Y candidate (charisma, name recognition, media favorability, money?). Examples, case studies, websites, books, all would be great. [more inside]
posted by imabanana at 10:15 AM PST - 8 comments

Hope me research how to improve the usability of a library discovery service! While we can create tutorials and provide library instruction, we have found that ‘just in time’ help is better than ‘just in case.’ No one wants to read a manual to do find sources for their paper. My ideal is to provide context-aware suggestions and tips analogous to how video games teach new users how to play. But, I also need to make these instructions easy to bypass for those that don’t need it and/or are annoyed by it. [more inside]
posted by BeBoth at 9:36 AM PST - 9 comments

I work in a small organization whose director recently died suddenly and completely unexpectedly at a relatively young age. He didn't have an administrative assistant, so we'll be facing the task of figuring out how he organized his files and digital resources, and how he handled all of the things he handled. It's underlining our lack of a good organizational system whereby all employees document everything that would be necessary for someone to step into their role and handle their tasks, and stores the documentation where people can find it. [more inside]
posted by Creosote at 9:29 AM PST - 6 comments

I having trouble getting a font I want to show up in applications on my PC. [more inside]
posted by Biblio at 8:01 AM PST - 3 comments

In November I will be spending 2-3 weeks in Bogota, Colombia. I'm looking for suggestions for neighborhoods and specific places to stay. [more inside]
posted by Pineapplicious at 6:46 AM PST - 5 comments

Thinking with me would be much appreciated! People who’ve been in a relationship after separation, or have had an alcoholic parent, or have tried to choose a better partner after making not great/bad choices in the past, who've made changes for the healthier in relationships and anyone who has a sharp eye for good choices! I’ve made bad relationship choices before, where I put way more energy in and didn't keep my eyes open. Partners had under-the-surface untreated psychiatric problems that they didn’t know of or were in denial about, or simply did want a relationship at all. I’ve grown up in an abusive household, where one parent for a time had a problem with alcohol. I've lived and learned, trying to be careful. [more inside]
posted by Litehouse at 5:52 AM PST - 36 comments

I got flagged for a "needs further action" on an I9. I'm an American, no dual citizenship. The employer was vague, or probably didn't know, as to what flagged it. I've never had this happen before. Is there something besides a typo that could have flagged it that I need to be aware of? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:39 AM PST - 9 comments

My father is a fairly observant Conservative Jew. I am culturally Jewish, but an atheist and not observant. When he passes away, I do not intend to sit shiva (or, by extension, host it). What are my options for remaining respectful of his beliefs without doing something with which I’m uncomfortable? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:39 AM PST - 14 comments

Everything I've seen on stage play formats is contradictory, and sometimes drastically so. Can you point me in the direction of the "true" format? I downloaded a trial of Scrivener software but don't see a function that sets dialogue, action etc. so that I can highlight it and know I'm doing it right. [more inside]
posted by GospelofWesleyWillis at 11:41 PM PST - 6 comments

ASCAP and BMI both have searchable online databases where you can see who is credited for writing a song, but they don’t include the date that song was registered. Is there any way of finding this out other than asking the artist directly? [more inside]
posted by ataxia at 9:22 PM PST - 3 comments

We’ve been working with an experienced real estate agent as we look for a new house. We haven’t been thrilled with her so far and we’re trying to figure out if our expectations are off or if she’s just not a great agent. Is it her or us? [more inside]
posted by rglass at 8:44 PM PST - 19 comments

I've been trying to find a short story that I would have read in a library book during the 80s. The premise was that rock concerts in the future would involve a neural link between the performer on the stage, and every single member of the audience. The audience would get to feel what it would be like on stage performing for a concert hall of adoring fans, but the link is two-way, and the performer ends up feeling the rush of emotion and excitement of everyone in the audience, all at once. [more inside]
posted by radwolf76 at 7:52 PM PST - 12 comments

About 15 years ago I bought & read a used paperback about Russian history that I seem to have misplaced, and I'd like to find it again. I think the green is my best chance! Here's what I remember about it, although this could be wrong: first published in the 1950s, in Britain, for a general (i.e. non-academic) audience, broadly surveying Russian history from about the early days of the Rus through the Russian Revolution. I'd like to give a copy as a gift. [more inside]
posted by paul_smatatoes at 7:46 PM PST - 4 comments

I am in the editing stage of a fiction writing project in which there is mention throughout of various mythological demon-type creatures, specifically the "wekufe" from Mapuche mythology. Should I be concerned that I'm treading into cultural appropriation? [more inside]
posted by southvie at 7:39 PM PST - 12 comments

Hi all, I posted about this earlier, but my mom is laid up in an extended care facility after having surgery. Her facility is now billing her copays, even though she has been approved for Medicaid. [more inside]
posted by FireballForever at 6:50 PM PST - 7 comments

Brandon Stark seems to fit the Mad Oracle trope, letting slip little tidbits of info and confusion once in a while. It's infuriating as a viewer, but how have authors depicted knowledgeable characters without turning into an exposition bore? [more inside]
posted by ASCII Costanza head at 6:28 PM PST - 4 comments

My 2 1/2 year old still really likes chewing on stuff. Is there such a thing as a toddler teething toy that he will still find entertaining at this age, can grow with a little, and will be safe for him to put in his mouth? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 6:13 PM PST - 8 comments

My sweet and wildly energetic new rescue dog loves this stupid toy. It's a plastic ball that screams and shakes, with a padded cover. But she can crack the ball inside in a couple play sessions--we are already on ball #2 and it's only been a week! What are some other toys that are plush outside, but rigid (not just squeaky) inside? They don't NEED to make sounds; she loves the sounds but I think she'd be almost as happy with any other toy where she could chomp on its "bones."
posted by assenav at 5:38 PM PST - 9 comments

A half-marathon race tracker marked a split called "MC". What does it mean? [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 4:03 PM PST - 11 comments

How much lateral head support does a toddler need in a car seat? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 3:39 PM PST - 5 comments

This is the sort of thing I assume exists in the droves on this Internets of ours, but an initial search has been lacking. I'm looking for an archive of scanned (preferably high-res) images of old hand-writing exercises. You know, the type you had to do in grade school when learning how to write, like this. Either handwriting or cursive is fine.

• I'm specifically looking for older historical versions from the US. The older the better, but lets say 1920-1970 would be ideal.

Any help appreciated!
posted by jeremias at 3:07 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm setting up an automated temperature control system for brewing beer. My computer is only going to be communicating with heating and cooling elements using on/off control (no ability to set the elements to operate at 50% power, say). I'm hoping there's a better way to control this system than just having a hysteresis range. [more inside]
posted by jackbishop at 2:58 PM PST - 12 comments

I know what I need and even where to buy it, but I'm running into difficulty using the Daea ferry website. Largely because it's all in Korean, and I don't speak Korean. Some other complications around website verification inside... [Oh, and I won't be allowed to fly to Busan from Tokyo unless I can demonstrate I have a return ticket to leave Korea.] [more inside]
posted by yellowcandy at 2:06 PM PST - 11 comments

I am teaching a graduate course (social sciences) on music and social justice in the coming Fall. It's a cool course, one not offered in a long time, and I am trying to drag it back to relevance from the depths of my department's catalog. What songs do you think should go into the 'course playlists'? [more inside]
posted by still bill at 1:20 PM PST - 95 comments

I am Tel Aviv this week and would like to buy a cool women's leather / leather- effect jacket. Where should I even start to look? [more inside]
posted by Albondiga at 12:51 PM PST - 0 comments

I am producing a TED-like event this July in Hollywood The venue fee is $4,000 dollars. The venue seats a minimum of 300. Ticket price will be $50.00 In lieu of leaving a security deposit or advance payment, they are graciously open to negotiating a % of ticket sales until the $4,000 fee is met. I am new to this scale and negotiation. Looking for suggestions as to what would be a balanced split that we can agree to
posted by goalyeehah at 11:45 AM PST - 9 comments

My mother was diagnosed with Creuzfeldt-Jakob disease. It's progressing rapidly. We're flying to Australia from the UK next week so she can meet our 8 week old daughter while there's still time. I have no idea what to expect or how to interact with her. [more inside]
posted by nerdfish at 11:34 AM PST - 13 comments

As my due date (for my first pregnancy) nears, I'm starting to wonder if I'd be calmer if I didn't have my spouse or another non-medical professional in the room with me, for a few reasons. [more inside]
posted by redlines at 10:03 AM PST - 44 comments

Google is failing me, or maybe I'm failing Google - I've only got a couple of lyrics from this song, which seems to be about an itinerant bible salesman. It's an older song, maybe alt or alt-rock? Kind of an easy, contemplative beat... [more inside]
posted by invincible summer at 10:01 AM PST - 3 comments

My kid wants to buy a hoverboard with birthday money. Budget: $140 tops. No bluetooth needed (kid does not own bluetooth device). What should we watch out for? What have you owned and can vouch for? What should we not buy?
posted by MiraK at 9:46 AM PST - 3 comments

This is a general question about how to manage multiple health providers and medical continuity. If you have a health condition (e.g. diabetes, asthma, pregnancy, etc) for which you see both a primary care doctor and a specialist (e.g. endocrinologist, pulmonologist, ob-gyn), when do you see your primary care dr and when do you see the specialist? [more inside]
posted by epanalepsis at 9:43 AM PST - 9 comments

I work in an office that's very fluid as far as what people are doing and who's in charge. One person shifts their expectations minute-by-minute and can't articulate what they want. How do I deal with this? [more inside]
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 9:21 AM PST - 15 comments

Looking for specialized forums where people buy and sell USED gear. For example, BackpackingLight.com has a gear swap section where people routinely sell high-quality ultralight hiking and camping equipment at reduced prices. [more inside]
posted by danceswithlight at 8:51 AM PST - 5 comments

Pittsburgh folks to the rescue! My parents are celebrating a milestone anniversary this year. My brother and I offered to throw a party, but they said they just wanted something with the immediate family. Can you suggest something special we can do together so our memory is of more than just a nice dinner? [more inside]
posted by snowymorninblues at 8:09 AM PST - 4 comments

I've been able to find sources on approximate weight of a pigeon and how much blood a pigeon has, but what I would like to find is the mean volume of a typical, uncompressed, dry, London pigeon. (as in area that a pigeon takes up, not how loud it is). [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 7:48 AM PST - 7 comments

Today is my day to post original content on our office's social media (Twitter and FB). In an attempt to be zeitgeisty, I want to do some sort of tie-in to Game of Thrones, but I can't think of anything! We are an international center for a public urban university, offering study and intern abroad programs, internship placement and international business support. Help! [more inside]
posted by Liesl at 7:43 AM PST - 3 comments

We're going to be in Colorado Springs and Denver from June 1 - 8. What's going on? [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 7:41 AM PST - 6 comments

I was a practicing Soto Zen Buddhist for over a decade, since lapsed but only because I got busy and lazy. Husband also practiced for a long time. We now have a 6-year-old who knows that Mommy is Buddhist and is curious about what that means. I am bad at explaining. Need books. Help. [more inside]
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:25 AM PST - 11 comments

What Facebook groups do you love and find interesting/useful? [more inside]
posted by huskerdont at 7:22 AM PST - 20 comments

I have a hard, polycarbonate plastic badge holder I use for work which has broken cleanly (no broken off pieces, just two thin peices of plastic that have fractured) where a lanyard attaches. I'd like to repair it if I can. Will super glue work? [more inside]
posted by Aranquis at 7:11 AM PST - 10 comments

Due to a combination of factors (chronic disease, powerful medications, major dental phobia) my teeth are discolored, broken and missing. I’m a naturally smiley person and am incredibly self-conscious and ashamed of this. A few years ago, when my teeth were much less damaged than they are now, I worked up my nerve to get a dental estimate and it was going to be $10K. I’m on disability, my monthly meds are incredibly expensive, I have no savings, and my credit score sucks. I mention all that to explain why I really feel as though I have no good options to improve my smile. Anyone have any ideas or experience with something that would be within the realm of possibility for me financially: I have talked with a dental office that does the “snap on smile” but even that would likely be around $2000. I’m fine with something that just covers the problem and I’m even OK with them being obviously fake, as long it covers my ugly snaggle teeth. Any ideas?
posted by anonymous at 6:59 AM PST - 8 comments

I've spent the last 10 years or so buying each year's iteration of these cheap sandals from Payless because they're the only ones I can find that work for my feet. Can you suggest alternatives, now that Payless is gone? [more inside]
posted by metasarah at 6:57 AM PST - 14 comments

I am thinking about eventually moving to the Salt Lake City area to be closer to family. I'm traveling there next week and plan to look around to think about places to live. Neighborhood snowflakes below. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 6:28 AM PST - 6 comments

Literally 20+ years ago, I got into a good routine of running five or more miles almost daily. I stopped running totally about 10 years ago. Other than walking 3-8 miles daily, I really haven’t exercised aerobically in maybe 7 years. I want to start running again (at age 44), and did my first run yesterday. It was ok—though with some knee pain. Can you help me get on the right foot and hopefully make this program stick? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 5:51 AM PST - 23 comments

I know that those are three topics, but they're also related, and I'm especially interested in books at the intersection. Potential topics beneath the cut! [more inside]
posted by wooh at 5:16 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm trying to remember the title of a murder mystery novel set in Jaywick, a small town on the Essex coastline. Key plot points: beach huts, young main characters (18-21), and a girl who had been terribly ugly but had had plastic surgery that made her merely plain. Spoiler/nsfw detail inside. [more inside]
posted by daisyk at 3:54 AM PST - 4 comments

For the past decade I've been afflicted with this pattern in my dating life: I'll date someone (usually a guy) for at most a couple months, then they'll either dump or ghost me, and then years later they'll text or email or message me, and it will usually be right after they've broken up with someone else. But they won't actually want to meet or get back together. They just contact me to say hi and tell me they broke up with someone and that they're feeling sad. Why do they do this? And why can't I seem to make my relationships last? [more inside]
posted by picklenickle at 9:33 PM PST - 31 comments

Mini McGee is turning 10 (!!!!!) this week, and for his birthday dinner wants only food from Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. I have a menu! But I need some touches in the decor department etc. I usually set a nice table that has something to do with the theme, and then I make a little menu and so on (here is a Pern feast I did for my husband a couple years ago and here is a French bistro feast, to give you an idea). What is some decor I could use? Jokes? References for the menu? Printables? That kind of thing. But it has to be doable by Wednesday! I have played like an hour or two of BotW so I'm not very knowledgeable. (I just want to stick a pixellated triforce on everything, honestly.) [more inside]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:14 PM PST - 12 comments

Weird things happen to my body on afternoons/evenings when I know I have to work the next day (usually Sundays, but if I work weekends and have a day or days off during the week, it'll happen the afternoon/evening before I return to work). [more inside]
posted by 8LeggedFriend at 5:46 PM PST - 15 comments

There are a ton of personal finance/saving questions on AskMe but I couldn't find one in this particular flavor: what are ways to motivate yourself to save tiny amounts of money when the goal you're trying to get to is nebulous, and not achievable for many, many years? Not looking for specific budgeting tips like "cut out Netflix," rather looking for successful perspectives/thought patterns that could make saving $5 here and $10 there seem more significant if the goal is mid-six figures or more. [more inside]
posted by rogerroger at 5:13 PM PST - 47 comments

I am a bit fucked. I am considering applying Russell Brand's Recovery. [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 4:31 PM PST - 8 comments

We will be in Rome, near Piazza de Popolo, on the Republic Day holiday (June 2). Will most things be closed? Is there anything special we should take advantage of? One of us is quite pregnant, so watching a parade in the sun is probably off the table.
posted by molla at 3:54 PM PST - 3 comments

How does Warby-Parker deal with lenses that are a bit off? [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad at 3:34 PM PST - 7 comments

Looking for suggestions from personal experience. [more inside]
posted by nirblegee at 2:16 PM PST - 2 comments

I posted about a midwest Lobster Fest to Twitter, because it had a warning that said, "Festival is not responsible for any illness, death, or allergy related issues regarding consumption of shellfish or any other food and beverage served at The Great American Lobster Fest,” and I followed it with a lobster emoji and a skull and crossbones. I can no longer type a lobster emoji from my phone. [more inside]
posted by quarterinmyshoe at 2:15 PM PST - 7 comments

Or rather a lack of twist. I can't do any of the usual positional cures for BPPV. How do I fix this? [more inside]
posted by poffin boffin at 2:05 PM PST - 10 comments

Are there any good articles/blog posts/etc about the rise and fall of the hairstyle Kate Gosselin popularized? [more inside]
posted by srrh at 2:05 PM PST - 8 comments

Do I explore creative writing in the US or seek a career change? How? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:17 PM PST - 5 comments

Many years ago my (now) wife put together a list of questions from Metafilter (perhaps this question) and other sources, printed them out, and cut them up into individual questions. I'd like to update our collection. [more inside]
posted by unus sum at 12:40 PM PST - 12 comments

I am getting a Nintendo Switch through an employee recognition program at work. I'm not a big gamer and never owned a console system before. I'm looking for some game suggestions to get me started. [more inside]
posted by jazon at 10:49 AM PST - 31 comments

I recently changed insurance (due to a job going away), and I'm having trouble getting my CPAP equipment in a timely way. [more inside]
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 10:13 AM PST - 11 comments

I know this is so random, but the other day my son and I were laughing over seeing this on Twitter, and now we can't find it: a Venn diagram with three circles, for a bop, a banger and a jam. The overlap for bop + banger (but not jam) was Toxic. Can anyone find this for me?
posted by BlahLaLa at 10:05 AM PST - 2 comments

My wife really wants the robe Lake Bell wears on a lot of the episodes of Bless This Mess. There is a picture of it on wornontv website but they don't mention where it is from.
posted by meta87 at 7:30 AM PST - 6 comments

Is this a thing now? [more inside]
posted by i_mean_come_on_now at 7:03 AM PST - 30 comments

Looking for fantasy/sci-fi stories (whether online or off, short stories or long, whatever) where the main character is a parent [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 6:52 AM PST - 34 comments

My 3 yo was diagnosed with cancer last year (we were lucky to be able to ring the bell this year). Make A Wish just granted their wish. Part of which is a mermaid themed party at our home. What should we ask for? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:42 AM PST - 24 comments

I was diagnosed with fairly severe osteoarthritis in my hip, which has progressed to the point where walking is excruciatingly difficult except during the weeks following a cortisone shot (which can only be done a few times a year). In the periods when the shot has worn off, the doctors have no effective recommendation for medication to help with the pain: because I am on blood thinners for an unrelated condition, NSAIDs are out, and they won't prescribe opioids. Help? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:42 AM PST - 9 comments

My ankles are not dirty, but they look like they are. The "dirt" won't wash off. What's happening to my feet, and what can I do about it? [more inside]
posted by all the light we cannot see at 8:05 PM PST - 24 comments

We bought a package of Gimme Lean Veggie Sausage but ended up using a different faux meat for the dish we were planning (which was red beans and rice and came out well). What are some ideas and tips about the best thing to do with this loaf of soy protein? [more inside]
posted by vunder at 6:51 PM PST - 12 comments

I was at a friend's place and she had art hung on her walls in thick clear plastic. She thought she might have gotten them from an art gallery and called them 'plastic sleeves.' She said she liked them because she could change out of the art from the sleeve and not invest in expensive frames for each piece. They hung art of varying sizes. I didn't manage to get a picture but any help tracking something like this down would be great. My googling has failed me.
posted by allthingsconsidered at 6:47 PM PST - 5 comments

I have been out of the new comics game for a long time now, but need a shot of cynical absurdist escapism. Heavy Metal the magazine and 2000 AD Showcase were a comfort to me long ago as the age of Regan was imploding under Spymaster Bush I.They are both still in publication. Are these still worthy anthologies I should ask for as a father's day subscription? Alternates worth the cash, online or paper?
posted by Slap*Happy at 5:24 PM PST - 7 comments

My hotel in Chicago claimed that my no-longer-functioning room key was "Demagnetized" by being placed next to a credit card. I did not believe it. Do any of you believe it?
posted by Raybun at 5:23 PM PST - 34 comments

My family is interested in getting a puppy and I have some slight reservations. We would be getting something small and non shedding. So think of a Bichon or toy/mini poodle. [more inside]
posted by burlsube at 4:35 PM PST - 17 comments

In 2010, Editor and Publishers produced a .pdf guide to Journalism competitions and awards. I haven't found an updated version since. Considering the angst around the "Enemy of the People" meme, I would think these kind of directories would be flourishing. Can anyone else find an updated version of this?
posted by CollectiveMind at 2:55 PM PST - 0 comments

My fiance and I are dipping our toes into wedding-planning right now and neither of us is particularly excited about the idea of spending $10,000 on a wedding when we haven't yet purchased our own home. We bounced around the idea of working toward buying a home over the next year rather than planning a wedding and then maybe throwing a small "wedding" party after we've purchased a house. What thoughts do you have about this idea? [more inside]
posted by orangesky4 at 2:29 PM PST - 38 comments

GMail has just disabled my daughter's account because she is 13 and not 14 as required in Spain. It is requesting proof of ID which she cannot give because she is underage. I would be happy to let her continue the use of her GMail account under my supervision, but the problem is that her account has now been disabled and I need to access it to allow this to happen. My question: How can I set up a supervised GMail account for my daughter using an already existing account that has been disabled? Thanks in advance!
posted by Holly at 2:15 PM PST - 2 comments

I have the chance to visit Providence and would like to check out some neighborhoods as potential places to live. I like the East Side, though I'm interested in recommendations of areas where it's still possible to buy a single-family home for $250k or so. [more inside]
posted by pinochiette at 12:50 PM PST - 5 comments

I recall reading in the early aughts an anthology of humor writing, that included an excerpt told from the perspective of a young man (?) agonizing over a crush he had. My recall is so vague that possibly it could have been a female narrator. In any event, I can’t seem to find the anthology or the work, and am hoping someone else recalls reading this so that I can find and read it again. [more inside]
posted by whistle pig at 12:38 PM PST - 2 comments

At the root of my question is a disagreement I'm having with my wife over the word chockos, which in my neighborhood as an adolescent in 1970s suburban Chicago, was more commonly used than nunchucks. We knew they were more commonly known as nunchucks, but most dorky teens smacking themselves in the forehead trying to learn to use them called them chockos. I can't find anywhere on the web where chockos shows up as a synonym or slang. Was this really only true in my sprawling suburban neighborhood?
posted by Stanczyk at 12:17 PM PST - 11 comments

What can I do with a tablet? [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 11:48 AM PST - 18 comments

I have a recollection of a character giving a monologue about Twinkies - and about how they will last a very long period of time, and I can't remember the movie. Help! [more inside]
posted by artlung at 11:15 AM PST - 5 comments

I want to put some gravel on the exposed soil around my basement windows to prevent mud splatter. But what happens to the gravel over time? Does it settle into the soil? Should I remove some of the soil first before putting down the gravel? (That was my first thought but then wouldn't that mean that water would flow towards the foundation?)
posted by storybored at 10:27 AM PST - 9 comments

Each month, the department where I work holds an informal celebration of anything worth celebrating that month (e.g., team accomplishments, birthdays, etc). The managers are responsible for organizing it and getting food everyone in the department. It's my turn and I'm looking for some better ideas. [more inside]
posted by noneuclidean at 5:21 AM PST - 26 comments

So I am a dumb-dumb and brought the wrong plug adapters on my trip to France. (I need US-to-France with two round pins, but accidentally brought US-to-Britain three straight pins.) I'm now in Paris and need to buy some; does anyone know firsthand where these are sold? I just need the adapters that change the plug shape, all my devices are 100-240V and 50/60 Hz. [more inside]
posted by andrewesque at 4:48 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm paralyzed by anxiety and it's hurting myself and my family. I want to run away from everything. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:38 AM PST - 24 comments

What kind of sleeve could I get to make my Satisfyer 1 toy look and feel more phallic? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:35 AM PST - 8 comments

I am looking for suggestions on how to quickly fade/remove a new scar from the back of my hand as well as older acne scars and scars on my lips. I *was* planning to finally enter the dating pool in June, and was working hard to make myself presentable to meet guys (working out every day, trying to eat healthy, doing lots of self-improvement, etc). I was trying to make my body the best it can be. I was feeling good about myself, and ready to make this change in my life -- take action to meet a partner. I've been single for so long was ready to put myself out there. Then last week I had to be an idiot and scrape my hand against the wooden seat of the dragon boat when I was exiting it. I've been paddling for 7 years and never done such a thing before. The timing of this screw up could not have been any worse. It's healing but the scars are very ugly, and it's very visible since it's on the back of my hand. I can't go on a first date like that!!!! [more inside]
posted by starpoint at 1:24 AM PST - 31 comments

I want to find an archive of all the old national US Democratic Party platforms going back to at least 1972 but my Google-fu is failing me. Something like this, but for the Democrats. More specifically, I want to track how the Democrats' abortion plank has changed over time, so if someone has already compiled all the abortion-related text in one place in chronological order then that would work for my purposes too. Please advise, thanks!
posted by Jacqueline at 9:55 PM PST - 2 comments

So for Reasons, I am dismantling my Dell Inspiron One Desktop Computer. But I probably need some folders/files. I have emailed myself some of the files but … not certain that is sufficient. The computer, circa 2006 or 2010, is going on a shelf. I am moving to an MS Surface Pro 4 circa 2016. Is it possible to use a flashdrive/thumbdrive that is compatible with the Dell and the Surface Pro 4 to gather a few folders/files just in case I need them? Can you recommend one that I can purchase quickly on Amazon or Staples? [more inside]
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 9:51 PM PST - 13 comments

I recently watched, and was blown away by, the short documentary Rodeo (1969), but specifically the music. As far as I can find, the score was done by Dick Rosmini. The mixture of ambient and folk is astounding. Can anyone help me find the full soundtrack to this movie as either a CD or audio file?
posted by holmesian at 7:34 PM PST - 3 comments

Last minute plans for vacation went south. How best to salvage a mini Chicago vacation by myself? [more inside]
posted by Champagne Supernova at 7:24 PM PST - 15 comments

14.24% - 18.24% APR for Purchases. Is this normal? Pre-screened Credit Card Offer Edition [more inside]
posted by glonous keming at 6:20 PM PST - 12 comments

People (especially women/AFAB folk) who were diagnosed as autistic as adults: what changed for you post diagnosis? [more inside]
posted by divabat at 6:07 PM PST - 4 comments

This is maybe a silly thing to spend a question on, but it has been plaguing me for months. Nearly all the women at my gym wear leggings to work out in. Why? What happened to shorts? [more inside]
posted by coppermoss at 4:57 PM PST - 62 comments

When my friends invite me to spend time together )or vice versa), it's always to do something - watch a movie, go to a show, and so forth. Mostly, I appreciate this norm, but I feel like this is the expectation when asking people to spend time with you and it feels like I need a pretense to say "hey, let's spend some time together." There's evenings when I just want social time with people and I don't know how to ask them for that without it coming across as too wanting. [more inside]
posted by LSK at 4:36 PM PST - 13 comments

Pretty simple question: where do you go for support when you are feeling low or in need of some?
posted by EatMyHat at 4:01 PM PST - 12 comments

I lost my incredible, sweet, beloved cat, Shadow, to cancer this past January. Since then, I've been trying to figure out a way to help save the lives of other cats in honor of him. One thing that occurred to me was starting up some sort of cancer-treatment fund that would assist people who couldn't afford things like radiation or major surgery for their sick kitties. What would be the most feasible way to accomplish this, assuming it's doable at all? [more inside]
posted by aecorwin at 2:19 PM PST - 11 comments

I need to watch/analyze a rock musical tonight, and I'm trying to pick one. The range of shows under this category includes Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Little Shop of Horrors, Bright Star, and Rocky Horror Picture Show -- I think it's mainly musicals primarily featuring contemporary music. Help me choose? [more inside]
posted by amtho at 2:19 PM PST - 27 comments

I've always had frequent, vivid and absorbing dreams that I usually remember. I'm curious about my sleep patterns and behaviour. How can I learn more about my own sleep? [more inside]
posted by AllShoesNoSocks at 1:53 PM PST - 4 comments

I need to buy a 9mm GT2 Open ended Timing belt near Ottawa Ontario as the question says. [more inside]
posted by mrgroweler at 12:55 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking to create a shared playlist which multiple people can add to and which works across different streaming services (Spotify and Google Play for sure - maybe others if possible) [more inside]
posted by Dext at 12:50 PM PST - 2 comments

How can I best add cheese to a bread recipe that does not originally contain it? [more inside]
posted by darchildre at 12:10 PM PST - 6 comments

My soon-to-be-five-year-old has declared that what she really wants for her birthday is a microscope. "Not a toy microscope that's just for pretending to be a scientist, but a real microscope that will make things look bigger. But not so hard to use that I can't do it by myself." Among other things, she wants to use it to look at rocks and shells, but insists that she wants a microscope and not a magnifying glass. [more inside]
posted by Kriesa at 12:06 PM PST - 19 comments

I’m trying to find one particular printing of And Then There Were None I read decades ago (mine was called Ten Little Indians). I’ve browsed various copies of it at AbeBooks but I can’t find the exact one I read. I don’t know what websites or resources would help me find it. Can you point out where to look?
posted by Monochrome at 11:57 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm directing a new weekly music improv cast at my local improv theatre. Our show needs a name! We'd love something that's music-related and/or music-theatre-related without being either too on the nose or too random. [more inside]
posted by jeffjon at 11:29 AM PST - 14 comments

What reduced-plastic cleaning / soap / laundry products have you used and been happy with? I saw an ad for this company yesterday (cleaning products with cartridge refills) - it's a neat idea, but does it work? It made me wonder what reduced-plastic options you folks in the hive have used and been happy with for laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, soap, etc. [more inside]
posted by telepanda at 11:00 AM PST - 11 comments

How long post-support should I use my Chromebook? [more inside]
posted by pdb at 10:49 AM PST - 2 comments

In about a month, I'll be starting a new job that will require both subject matter expertise and management/leadership skills that I will need to grow into, in some respects. I'm very excited about the job and the fresh start. I'd be grateful for resources you've found helpful in making similar transitions, particularly in law/finance/business. [more inside]
posted by 5845(f)(1)(D) at 10:34 AM PST - 5 comments

Deciding between job opportunities - and not any are perfect. [more inside]
posted by pando11 at 10:26 AM PST - 3 comments

I'd like to do a gut renovation of my two-bedroom Manhattan apartment, so I'm seeking recommendations for architects. Thanks!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 9:17 AM PST - 6 comments

A headless body in a coffin. Can you name the film from this gif? [more inside]
posted by popcassady at 9:01 AM PST - 2 comments

What is this 70s/80s movie I remember watching as a kid with a giant planet in a glass box in a world in the clouds? [more inside]
posted by msbrauer at 8:28 AM PST - 4 comments

I have a quantity of good quality, nearly-new furniture which an acquaintance would like to buy. Said acquaintance has told me ‘name your price’ for the lot of it. As I know the purchase price of these items, is there some sort of accepted calculation in existence for the valuation of such things? [more inside]
posted by myotahapea at 7:16 AM PST - 11 comments

I am a professor and I work on a 9 month contract, but the pay is stretched over 12 months and paid out every 2 weeks. I am moving to a different university so I resigned from my current one, which then decided to pay out in a lump sum the rest of my pay from this year's contract - 6 pay periods. Will their decision to pay it in a lump sum instead of twice a month through the end of July change the sum total of taxes I will need to pay? [more inside]
posted by vegartanipla at 6:55 AM PST - 10 comments

A foreign national can't donate to a US political party (rightly enough). As a citizen of another country I think I can donate to a US-based charity happily enough, but are there any situations this might not apply and how do I spot them? [more inside]
posted by edd at 6:24 AM PST - 4 comments

Help me find a great matching t-shirt design for my daughter and niece this summer. They are best friends and love a matching shirt. [more inside]
posted by amanda at 6:03 AM PST - 6 comments

What kind of financial professional does a group of condo owners need to minimize taxes and structure the disbursement of funds from a lawsuit settlement? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:38 AM PST - 2 comments

I was just offered a job in Cambridge, MA. I used to live there and loved it. Now I'm not so sure, especially, as I am now a parent. Not just a question for people in Cambridge, actually, but for anyone who worries about the strains of competitive parenting. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:38 AM PST - 19 comments

Do any languages other than English use "uh-huh" and "uhn-uh" to mean "yes" and "no"? Do all English dialects use them?
posted by clawsoon at 4:13 AM PST - 26 comments

My dear friend is getting married in 3 weeks and I am a bridesmaid. She's only just sent me the dress she wants me to wear - and it doesn't fit! Plus it's too small rather than too big, so no easy way to just take up some of the extra fabric. Is there any way to salvage this in time for the wedding? [more inside]
posted by Catseye at 2:23 AM PST - 15 comments

Me and my teen want to take a trip together. So far our only criteria is a Spanish speaking country. [more inside]
posted by latkes at 8:41 PM PST - 23 comments

I'm looking for recommendations for engaging reads, both books and longform articles, about how people can change their physical and mental habits. [more inside]
posted by capricorn at 8:11 PM PST - 10 comments

What are some examples of activities that kids might ask to do over and over again but that are significantly less fun for any adult involved? [more inside]
posted by Miss Viola Swamp at 7:54 PM PST - 46 comments

I've gotten into a sticky situation with a notice to vacate in PDX and could use a recommendation for a lawyer specializing in tenancy issues.
posted by DeepSeaHaggis at 7:52 PM PST - 2 comments

I am having trouble finding a Eurovision artist I saw once. I think it was last year, but it may have been as far back as 2012. The artist was a woman and might have been from Iceland. During her act she sang while she did acrobatics on ladders and I think a pull-up bar held by very strong women. Any idea who this was? She may have been a runner-up pick in her country and didn't actually make it to Eurovision to compete - sometimes I watch the countries' contests to choose their Eurovision contestants.
posted by Feminazgul at 7:38 PM PST - 1 comment

I have a layman's understanding of how a buffer overflow attack works and it seems pretty straightforward to me. So help me understand why this type of attack, which continues to be a common vector for malicious code or malware (nobody was surprised this was the source of the recent WhatsApp vulnerability) seems so difficult to account for when writing code. Or is it not difficult to anticipate and there are other reasons why it keeps happening to supposedly well-written code and to operating systems that have been around for years?
posted by theory at 7:27 PM PST - 17 comments

I have an idea for generating an infinite city for a game using machine learning, and would like some technical guidance. [more inside]
posted by signal at 7:00 PM PST - 10 comments

My long-term therapist has told me repeatedly that they do not do sliding scale. I found out that they gave a considerably more affluent friend a sliding scale rate. [more inside]
posted by ziggly at 6:52 PM PST - 39 comments

I'm giving up on the increasingly useless Google news app. It insists I love football. I do not. Is there a customisable news app for Android that doesn't actively hate me?
posted by thatwhichfalls at 6:27 PM PST - 3 comments

Our son (turning six in a few months) is terrified of bees and (to a lesser extent) other flying insects. How can we help him deal with this? [more inside]
posted by synecdoche at 5:06 PM PST - 20 comments

Where would I find statistics about which fandoms/pairings are currently popular, on the rise, on decline, etc? [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 5:04 PM PST - 4 comments

I recently moved to Ashland, OR and need to find a stylist who knows how to cut curly hair, and who can do styles that are just a bit edgy. My hair is fine and thin with soft curls. I'd like someone who knows how to give a dry cut - and I do NOT mean straightened and dried (which just happened, so brutal)! Someone who knows how to cut on the bias of the curls to enhance them. Preferably at a salon where they use natural hair products. Thank you!
posted by sumiami at 4:50 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm mtf transitioning, and in the market for women's Business professional. My dress size is usually 18. Where do I actually shop? In Houston, Texas [more inside]
posted by Jacen at 4:29 PM PST - 18 comments

I’m looking for design inspiration for one pagers. If you’ve come across a beautifully designed one pager that describes an org, process or team - particularly if it’s for a specific audience - I’d love to see it. [more inside]
posted by melodykramer at 4:04 PM PST - 4 comments

I want to raise some money among my personal network for a family that I am friends with. I want something easy, without a lot of fees, and that will allow the money to get to them quickly. [more inside]
posted by mai at 2:48 PM PST - 3 comments

I recently saw a recipe for a 'mix ahead' summer cocktail that was bourbon, some juice, cayenne pepper (and a bitter?) that you mixed into a kolsch when you were ready to drink it. Where did I see that recipe at? [more inside]
posted by kookywon at 2:29 PM PST - 4 comments

Holy cats, we are leaving for Mykonos and Santorini, Greece *checks watch* TOMORROW. I'm crowdsourcing your best fun international travel tips! [more inside]
posted by Space Kitty at 2:18 PM PST - 12 comments

I have pictures I'm compositing together and also sometimes compositing backgrounds (e.g. a hardwood floor, a wall a window). Sometimes the perspective is a little off. I'm looking for simple explanations of how to fix this -- i.e. not just "use the perspective tool" but "if it looks like the font is too low, make pull the bottom handles apart/together/left right or pull the middle bottom handle up/down etc. etc." [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 12:17 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm demo'ing a mountain bike and have found a lightly used version for much cheaper than a new one from my LBS (local bike shop). I'd like to buy this used bike. Would this be considered rude? [more inside]
posted by matt_od at 12:02 PM PST - 26 comments

Our household is holding off on GoT and preparing to binge-watch the entire season 8 when the last episode finally airs. We'd like to watch a video recap of previous season(s) before doing this, because we've definitely forgotten most of the subplots, character's names, locations, etc. Normally I'd do a search and click on the first few Youtube results, but googling this stuff is a spoiler minefield and we'd like to stay spoiler-free. Help please? [more inside]
posted by gakiko at 11:40 AM PST - 5 comments

I am looking for BSL or ASL signs for the spells used in the Harry Potter books. [more inside]
posted by apex_ at 11:29 AM PST - 0 comments

I’m a subscription box junkie and there’s a particular subscription I want... nay, need. Unfortunately, it’s not available in the US, just the UK/Europe. I’m willing to pay a premium to get it forwarded to me as the contents are often original and hard to source individually in the US. Are there any services I can use? [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 11:19 AM PST - 6 comments

Inspired by this Bon Iver video, I'm looking for videos of live a cappella performances, with an emphasis on beautiful melodies and harmonies in contemporary songs. [more inside]
posted by too bad you're not me at 11:17 AM PST - 18 comments

My husband and I going to be doing a romantic roadtrip between Geneva and Venice this summer, taking a few days to stop at quirky sites or smaller towns as we go. (We'd take the train but don't want to be a slave to train schedules since we're short on time.) We normally just fly into big cities so this is our one chance to see Swiss/Northern Italian spots most easily-reachable by car! [more inside]
posted by egeanin at 9:44 AM PST - 2 comments

My 2012 MacBook Air 11.6" is coming up its dreaded seven year obsolescence. Which Mac laptop is a good replacement? [more inside]
posted by bergnotburg at 9:40 AM PST - 12 comments

I have a Pixel 3a and would like to find a firewall app. [more inside]
posted by Number Used Once at 9:27 AM PST - 2 comments

If you were doing a storytime in a garden, what books would you choose? [more inside]
posted by sciencegeek at 8:43 AM PST - 18 comments

I'm looking for a quick way to find out how much sun a backyard gets. I've seen google's project sunroof, but I want to grow vegetables, and not on the roof! I don't have access to the backyards of interest. [more inside]
posted by SandiBeech at 8:20 AM PST - 7 comments

I need to find a service that will take an existing garment (in this case a simple light suede jacket) and recreate it. I don't have a pattern for the garment so I assume I would need to send the garment in to the service and let them cut it apart to use it as a pattern? Can anyone recommend a service or etsy merchant or mail order seamstress who could do this? Pics of the garment inside with a kitty tax pic thrown in as bonus of our cat, Mandu. :) [more inside]
posted by TestamentToGrace at 7:44 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking for books (or maybe articles) to boost my marriage. Specifically, about how to treat my husband and things I can do to set my marriage up for lifetime success. [more inside]
posted by DoubleLune at 7:25 AM PST - 15 comments

In my work as an educator, I’ve come to know a person who has worked on a series of related projects over the past 10-12 years. They’ve had a huge positive impact on the lives of hundreds, maybe thousands of youth in the area. I’m truly in awe of their vision and their accomplishments, and would like nothing more than to nominate them for some sort of national recognition. Are there honors for people working in community organizing?
posted by carterk at 6:42 AM PST - 7 comments

How's law school in 2019? I don't know any lawyers so I figured I'd ask here since Askmefi helped me out a lot in the past. [more inside]
posted by chrono_rabbit at 5:51 AM PST - 10 comments

Please help us figure out how to get the PVC fence frames we built to sit nicely on top of the raised garden beds we built. [more inside]
posted by Syllepsis at 11:06 PM PST - 16 comments

I just got a very light prescription for reading glasses, now I have to find a frame. [more inside]
posted by whatdoyouthink? at 10:15 PM PST - 15 comments

I just want to see the time I set for an appointment, no matter where I am. [more inside]
posted by Joleta at 9:35 PM PST - 9 comments

I've got a small vacant guest house that has primarily been used as a long-term rental. I am trying to figure out if I should just look for another--possibly sub-optimal--long-term tenant or give a stab at the AirBnB route for a while? [more inside]
posted by drlith at 8:20 PM PST - 20 comments

This is kind of a funny question for me to be asking since I lived in Austin for years but honestly the closest I came to a hiking trip was a day at Schlitterbahn. I'm wondering how Austin is for people who like things like spending a few hours on a trail or doing a couple of days of backpacking, for reasons within. [more inside]
posted by Smearcase at 7:17 PM PST - 17 comments

I have a business etiquette question re: networking introductions, and it's outside of my usual wheelhouse. Please help me understand how to deal with this. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:53 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for a high quality vegan/faux leather couch (ideally a sectional.) My objection is not the price of leather but rather the animal skin part. I want clean, modern lines; super comfy; durable; easy to clean up dog dirt and saliva. I do NOT like removable covers.
posted by ohsnapdragon at 4:10 PM PST - 6 comments

I got an ad for "The Public" in my inbox a while back, and I was like, yeah, that sounds good! But I don't normally watch movies, and I can't figure out how to connect my eyeballs with the film. I figure someone here is a habitual movie-watcher who can tell me how it's done. [more inside]
posted by aniola at 3:06 PM PST - 6 comments

Are there any major sartorial problems with this description? One friend tells me, for instance, that pencil skirts don't have pleats or loops for belts, while another friend insists they can, though it's not common. "She’d set out everything she’d wear for the interview the night before: her beige, pleated pencil skirt with the braided belt, her gray tights and matching blouse, the long beige cardigan she’d bought just for the interview[...]"
posted by jwhite1979 at 2:17 PM PST - 120 comments

How do you engage with someone who says sorry ALL THE TIME?? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 1:54 PM PST - 33 comments

Please give me a link to a good calendar that shows all Christian, Jewish and Muslim important holidays. [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 1:46 PM PST - 3 comments

Going to Europe. Would like to plan some meals near the places I will be staying. [more inside]
posted by Obscure Reference at 1:38 PM PST - 15 comments

There’s research showing that pregnancy can alter women’s brains (most often reported to be a grey matter shrinkage for up to two years after birth) and stories that women can, say, lift a car off of their baby because of their magical mom powers. Do you have any personal experience of such marked change, and did it stick aroun for you? [more inside]
posted by stillmoving at 1:34 PM PST - 18 comments

I can’t tell if I just continuously run into jerks, or if I’m being unnecessarily picky and sensitive. On one hand, I’m very lonely and crave connection and intimacy with almost everyone I meet. On the other hand, I’m finding myself cutting people out of my life on an almost constant basis because they almost always “turn out” to be jerks. I constantly feel devalued by people in my life, which makes me angry and end up cutting contact with them over hurts or injustices towards me. It almost feels like every single person I meet almost immediately gives me a reason to stop talking to them. Is it my fault, or is this just a run of bad luck? [more inside]
posted by koolaidnovel at 1:31 PM PST - 23 comments

With the recent news about the WhatsApp hack, I began wondering how I would check/identify if anything was installed on my iPhone without my knowledge/permission. What are the tools/processes to check everything that's installed on your iPhone?
posted by herda05 at 1:12 PM PST - 8 comments

Friend moving to Topeka for some time, I'm looking for recommendations. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by HaveYouTriedRebooting at 12:40 PM PST - 3 comments

I have a gravel walkway that will be replaced with concrete. However, the walkway is next to a slightly raised bed (~5") held back by a jumble of moss-covered stacked bricks and concrete blocks (see photos) How would you suggest handling the raised bed with the new concrete walkway? Replace bricks with new ones? Mortar them? Or ...? All suggestions welcome.
posted by ShooBoo at 11:50 AM PST - 4 comments

Bridges like the Manhattan Bridge in NYC have distinct spaces underneath structural elements of the bridge as the roadway rises up to cross the East River. These 'underneath the bridge' spaces are used for parks, shopping, city storage, roads etc. You can find a fair amount of information online about the bridges themselves, but nothing about how these underneath spaces were planned for, or evolved naturally. Any suggestions on where I can find more information?
posted by extrabox at 11:46 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a small budget to provide flowers for a retirement party at work. I have $100 to work with and I’m hoping to provide small bud vases on each of about 17-18 cocktail tables as well as one larger arrangement. [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow at 11:19 AM PST - 19 comments

How early should I plan to be in line for tickets? [more inside]
posted by Riverine at 10:54 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm going to be taking radioactive iodine in the not distant future to deal with thyroid problems. Are there any sciencey experiments or demonstrations that I can do with my radioactivity, preferably using household items or items that I can acquire for under, say, $50?
posted by donpardo at 10:33 AM PST - 11 comments

What are good apps for learning Spanish that are suitable for kids and go to a more advanced level than Duolingo Kids? [more inside]
posted by louigi at 10:26 AM PST - 3 comments

In the past I've donated to Planned Parenthood. But I'm wondering, in light of the appalling decision in Alabama, if maybe NOW or NARAL , or some other charity would be better.
posted by BadgerDoctor at 10:22 AM PST - 17 comments

If there is a piece of music with two flats then I know that a whole note on the C space will be RI if it has a sharp. But what about a natural? [more inside]
posted by lynnie-the-pooh at 9:13 AM PST - 10 comments

I am looking for examples of short stories where the central character triggers a chain reaction of events unbeknownst to them, which ends up eventually coming back to haunt/alter the protagonist.
posted by storybored at 8:21 AM PST - 13 comments

Trying to figure out the minimum markup on a small book. [more inside]
posted by slkinsey at 7:02 AM PST - 5 comments

A recruiter recruited me, but now tells me there's a hiccup where the hiring company won't engage with the recruiter on my candidacy because I'm in their system already, from a position I applied for some years back. What's my next step? [more inside]
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 6:56 AM PST - 13 comments

I will cook for several guests, one of whom has a milk allergy. I'd like to offer him some precautions that I can take in order to keep him alive, but I don't really know my options. Possibilities inside? [more inside]
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 10:47 PM PST - 23 comments

I hate wearing gloves when I bike unless it's for warmth. If I don't wear gloves when I bike long distances, the palms of my hands get destroyed. What are the thinnest fingerless bike gloves I can get? Absolutely no padding, please--I basically want hand condoms. Willing to spend up to $80 for quality, but I don't mind frequently replacing cheap ones if they meet the criteria. Dark colors & cute are bonuses. Women's XS/S if it matters.
posted by rhiannonstone at 8:41 PM PST - 16 comments

Going to be in Seattle for a few days in late June. We're considering extending the trip and maybe going to close by rural area? Or should we just stay in Seattle? [more inside]
posted by jasper411 at 7:35 PM PST - 14 comments

I read once on my own Ask about a type of not-very-sweet chocolate cake that people ate for breakfast on their study abroad in France. I’m looking for recipes in a similar spirit that will scratch my itch to bake without leaving me with 24 cookies I can’t eat on my diet. [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 5:58 PM PST - 18 comments

I have started job hunting for the first time in nearly a decade and have just been called in for an interview to an office that I know will have a very different culture from what I've been working in. Tips for dressing appropriately desperately needed as it's been a long time since I've paid attention to fashion. Details under the fold. [more inside]
posted by purplesludge at 4:05 PM PST - 23 comments

A local church is selling off a piece of their property. They say that a contract has been signed, yet when asked they claim to not know details (!) (NYC) [more inside]
posted by ebesan at 3:09 PM PST - 14 comments

I picked up these two club chairs at a "friend of friends" house sale for a Chicago investment banker moving to the West Coast. The house was full of really lovely furniture (Saarinen Oval Dining Table, some Baker cafe chairs, some vintage Knoll, etc.) These chairs were fun and incredibly comfortable and relatively cheap because they have no label. [more inside]
posted by jeanmari at 2:49 PM PST - 6 comments

I can't figure out whether to take a friendship at face value or be cautious about what this person wants from me. [more inside]
posted by radiantsquirrel at 2:12 PM PST - 17 comments

I ran over to pick up an order from the liqueur store on my lunch break and just realized that maybe two hours sitting in my 78* degree car could be really bad. I've got an assortment of beer, wine, and champagne in boxes in the back of my car. Will it be fine or should I leave early and go home to get them out of the sun?
posted by Marinara at 1:31 PM PST - 10 comments

I have an audio file. I want to upload it somewhere, then make a QR code that people can scan on their mobile devices to get to it and play it. [more inside]
posted by sailoreagle at 1:11 PM PST - 7 comments

Met a business coach I really clicked with. She's in my industry and is my gender (most of my mentors have been/are male, and they were/are wonderful, but working with a woman who understands the gender-related challenges of building a business sounds like a breath of fresh air). But I'll take a bit of a hit, financially. Should I go for it? [more inside]
posted by gold bridges at 1:01 PM PST - 15 comments

How do you explain, in ethical and commonsense terms, what it actually means to have a 'Do Not Resuscitate' order? [more inside]
posted by amusebuche at 12:48 PM PST - 18 comments

I paid to win an auction for charity and got some wonderful perks as a result. What can I write in the "Thank You" card I'm sending? (More details under the fold) [more inside]
posted by arniec at 12:11 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm going to do a curated newsletter...Trying to make it as smooth and easy. Idea is a low effort curation with zero marketing. Meanwhile: Revue, Curated.co, Goodbits, substack. Yeah, I'm doing the research - haven't subscribed and tested... But if someone else has done this already, I'd love to know what you know.
posted by filmgeek at 11:28 AM PST - 4 comments

I went to Costco hungry and accidentally came home with 500g of cooked octopus. Um: what now? [more inside]
posted by catesbie at 11:21 AM PST - 19 comments

Is clover a good replacement for a grass lawn? Seeking advice, resources, and subjective opinions. [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 10:46 AM PST - 9 comments

I am looking for a largish bag that can be carried as a shoulder bag (at my waist/hips, not next to my chest) or as a cross-body. I've found one I like but it has a snap closure, visible for example in the 4th and 5th pictures here. [more inside]
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 10:42 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm looking for fictional books/book series which are thematically and narratively interested in the reintroduction of magic/religion/"enchantment" into a disenchanted/secular world. [more inside]
posted by Dorinda at 10:42 AM PST - 23 comments

I'm a lawyer in New York City and have recently taken on a pro bono immigration client who speaks only Mam - a Mayan language primarily spoken in parts of Guatemala. While I've tracked down phone translators, I've found it impossible to find even one in-person English to Mam translator. If anyone happens to have any recommendations for finding a hard to find translator in NYC - or a Mam translator in particular - I'd greatly appreciate it.
posted by slide at 10:42 AM PST - 14 comments

This summer I am taking my two children, aged 13 and 8, on a road trip that will involve some car camping in NY and Pennsylvania state campgrounds. I have backcountry camped before but not in over a decade. I would appreciate recommendations for gear that won’t break the bank, namely tents, sleeping bags, and anything else you find essential. [more inside]
posted by warriorqueen at 10:31 AM PST - 24 comments

We have a ceiling fan but still have mold on our ceiling. Photo here. [more inside]
posted by anya32 at 10:30 AM PST - 8 comments

I’ll soon be starting a new role as a UX designer at a small company and would like to level-up my skillset to contribute more to the UI engineers I’ll be working with. What tools and workflows are you using, and where should I be upping my development skills to improve communication and minimize design/dev gaps? [more inside]
posted by homesickness at 9:54 AM PST - 5 comments

How do you get from Iowa to Washington in 1899? [more inside]
posted by bajema at 9:30 AM PST - 10 comments

I THOUGHT I ordered this jacket in a size 12. I failed to finish up the transaction and just realized it now. I have a wedding that I was planning to wear it for in just a few weeks. And I am failing at finding it. I feel like if it's out there, you guys will be able to tell me where to look. HELP! Link
posted by mmf at 9:13 AM PST - 5 comments

Hello, i love hearing people sharing their poetry feelings. What are your favorite blogs or websites which contain casual responses to poetry? A good example of what I'm looking for is the wondering minstrels. [more inside]
posted by yaymukund at 9:11 AM PST - 6 comments

I've downloaded some KML polygons of municipal boundaries but the thin red lines are impossible to see in Google Earth, how do I change their color, line weight and fill color? [more inside]
posted by Tom-B at 7:40 AM PST - 2 comments

I've only found canada 411 which doesn't have the info I'm looking for. [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 7:31 AM PST - 4 comments

Two questions: - What is that beached-whale groaning noise that my cold water pipes make when the cold water is turned on? (Video with audio inside) What can I do to solve it, or is this a call a plumber now situation? - I'm getting mailers from service companies I've previously used to install things chiding me to do A/C maintenance. My system is going on it's second year now - are these maintenance service calls needed? [more inside]
posted by Karaage at 6:52 AM PST - 4 comments

I don't mean in general, but rather, for whatever language communities you're familiar with, what genres are particularly strong and/or worth exploring in said language community? For example, in Chinese there is a genre called wuxia, of which crouching tiger hidden dragon is a famous example in the west but...the genre is really big (much, much bigger than CTHD!), and a lot of things are untranslated (though one of the uber classics, the condor heroes, is currently being translated...it's gonna be a while until it's all done though!). [more inside]
posted by wooh at 6:31 AM PST - 10 comments

I’m an “advanced beginner” in quilting (I’ve made a handful of completed quilts, know the lingo, follow a fair amount of social media), and I’m having trouble finding enough quilt patterns. Quilters of MeFi, what are your sources? [more inside]
posted by itsamermaid at 5:25 AM PST - 12 comments

My dilution abilities are not great, and I need someone to help me with what is basic math but I can't seem to figure it out right now. [more inside]
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 4:47 AM PST - 8 comments

My iPhone briefly displayed a notification this morning which read "Your message to Joe failed to send". The weird part: I hadn't sent any messages and I don't have anyone called Joe in my contacts. I would think I'd imagined it if I hadn't been looking at the phone when it happened. [more inside]
posted by meronym at 11:56 PM PST - 4 comments

I decided to invest in a quality pair of boots, but the ones I got seem a little narrow. When I wear wider boots, they feel too wide. Is it better to be too narrow or too wide? [more inside]
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 11:01 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm looking to add a gentle yoga program to my existing mindfulness training and general mental hygiene habits (i.e, getting out of my head and into my body). Without the time or resources to do any classes IRL, where should I start? [more inside]
posted by LongDrive at 10:29 PM PST - 9 comments

Watching the recent HBO mini-series has got me curious. Any recommendations?
posted by jtothes at 10:04 PM PST - 14 comments

I have a small budget and 4-5 months to build a couple of websites. One for a small business and the other for personal interest that could become a small business. Both are probably going to be pretty simple, but I'm a complete novice. In fact, I purchased a Wordpress site (because every time I liked the look of a website it seemed to be Wordpress) with "support" thinking I could figure out the rest; but, I need more foundational knowledge to orient myself to even know what to ask in the chat window. What steps would you recommend to this novice? More in the extended. [more inside]
posted by bestillme at 8:54 PM PST - 14 comments

I've been thinking about what I think could be a cool new hand-held musical intrument that's entirely electronic in function. I think the hardware and software pieces exist in the world today. I do not have the skills to make it happen. How do I go about bringing it into the world without getting ripped off? [more inside]
posted by qurlyjoe at 8:30 PM PST - 8 comments

I was recently promoted to a full time member at a bank. I just got back from my job and I am mentally and physically exhausted. I am not sure how I will be able to handle any more of this. Does it get easier or should I look for a new job? [more inside]
posted by sheepishchiffon at 7:38 PM PST - 16 comments

Catastrophic oven failure means that my rhubarb custard pie is a no-go. Does anyone have any stovetop rhubarb recipes that you are fond of? [more inside]
posted by geegollygosh at 5:38 PM PST - 14 comments

I live in a place where air plants are easily found and grown. I'm thinking of creating an airplant garden wall of sorts for the exposed (but still very much dappled sun) side of our carport. My idea is to create a grid of taut line stringers, much like graph paper, to support the plants. What's the best material I should use for the stringer considering factors like environmental impact, longevity, and strength. [more inside]
posted by RolandOfEld at 4:15 PM PST - 13 comments

Southern California educators: After 10 years in tech, I have decided to start a new chapter of my life and (finally) become an elementary school teacher. I have my credentials. I have a little teaching experience. I also have some cool kidTech stuff under my belt. But mostly I have questions. Can you help me with my teaching portfolio? [more inside]
posted by Hermione Granger at 4:14 PM PST - 6 comments

Hi all, I'm looking for a copy of a book I used to own and lost. It was a book about The Macintosh and Apple as a company. I remember it had a section about sneaking into MacWorld. It was printed in a kind of two-tone orange and purple style and had a soft cover. [more inside]
posted by signsofrain at 4:00 PM PST - 10 comments

I need to use an iPad to show movies during a poster presentation, and would like to mount the iPad on the poster. How do I do this? [more inside]
posted by nicodine at 3:52 PM PST - 12 comments

My man-friend and I share a love of learning new things, and a love of astronomy & physics. We are looking for recommendations on Youtube channels, documentaries, interviews, or television series that are relatively up-to-date and delve into the latest theories and concepts. Neil DGT's Cosmos is great, but not quite what we are looking for -- we want things that twist the brain a bit. Help us nerd up our date night!
posted by tealcoffeecup at 1:21 PM PST - 16 comments

I am naming a semi-serious award and I need help brainstorming names that exemplify systematic testing procedures. [more inside]
posted by range at 12:46 PM PST - 14 comments

Does anyone have experience getting a gum graft in NYC? Anyone have recommendations for NYC periodontists I could get a second opinion from? How common/necessary even are gum grafts? Anyone have experience getting them? If the graft is from a donor, do they ever get rejected by the host, and what happens then? [more inside]
posted by Oda_a_los_calcetines at 12:31 PM PST - 9 comments

I am trying to make some carrying straps and I am looking to explore a range of material options in person in NYC. I'm looking for like... seat belt kind of stuff but thinner, shoestring-like material, and like... fabric in thin strips? Also maybe stuff like buckles and clips and whatnot... I am not so much looking for ribbon. Any stores come to mind?
posted by wowenthusiast at 12:22 PM PST - 6 comments

I am the product owner for a fairly large government website. I would like to have a new subdomain to try out new features and services as well as to sort out hosting questions (e.g. how do we really do public facing cloud stuff). It seems that the typical pattern is to use "labs" as a subdomain (such as labs.metafilter.com). Powers that be have decreed that for reasons "lab.website.gov" or "labs.website.gov" is not OK. What would be alternatives that imply the same kind of subsite? [more inside]
posted by rockindata at 11:27 AM PST - 30 comments

I just found out that my apartment will not have water M-F from 9am-4pm for the next 8 weeks - starting May 20. I am a stay at home parent with a toddler. How? Also how can I get a break on rent cause this is not what i signed up for (ie lease)? [more inside]
posted by PistachioRoux at 11:20 AM PST - 45 comments

I will be staying in Hamburg and am looking to do a day-trip outside of Germany. Based on some brief interests and constraints described inside, where should I take a train or flight to? [more inside]
posted by andoatnp at 9:28 AM PST - 12 comments

Are there any small electronics that are dangerous to dismantle or try to repair? What should I avoid entirely, what should I be careful around, how can I mitigate the danger. [more inside]
posted by J.R. Hartley at 8:58 AM PST - 17 comments

I recently lost my collection of music and cannot recall the name of a particular rock / indie rock artist and album that I very much enjoyed. [more inside]
posted by Number Used Once at 8:51 AM PST - 19 comments

Can someone help me find a very basic summary of how social class has evolved over the last, say, 150 years in America? Really no summary is too basic for me. [more inside]
posted by catesbie at 8:36 AM PST - 25 comments

What items and office supplies would be at a reception desk in the early 80s?
posted by pxe2000 at 8:13 AM PST - 40 comments

I'm trying to make an electronic payment of my rent. My landlord's company isn't listed in the bill payment system. He insists this is "not a problem for other tenants." How do I pay my rent? [more inside]
posted by sockermom at 7:57 AM PST - 24 comments

Last month I paid Primus $88.53(CDN) for my landline/unlimited internet connection. Is there a company out there that will charge less per month? I'm in Ontario, Canada.
posted by orange swan at 7:51 AM PST - 6 comments

I follow this nail artist on instagram: oioioio [more inside]
posted by Julnyes at 7:49 AM PST - 4 comments

Please help me decipher the handwriting inside this violin. The instrument was built in 1813, in Vienna by Antonius Thier. The writing may be more recent. [more inside]
posted by Baby_Balrog at 7:35 AM PST - 5 comments

In the video for Crumb - Locket , behind the stoned guy at 4:26 the letters are rearranging themselves on the poster. I feel like it's an anagram or some riddle. Any ideas?
posted by adept256 at 6:22 AM PST - 7 comments

I am temporarily living in a tiny, not very wealthy to say the least - community with a fairly new, very, very high end golf course along the ocean. I believe it's only growing in popularity by the year. Famous, wealthy people from the US and beyond come here to golf. I need money quite badly and have the smarts to make most things - not carpentry - to sell, can possibly even get them into the gift shops. Ideas please? [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 4:57 AM PST - 23 comments

1. Is a private parking company in the UK likely to take me to court in this very infuriating) scenario? 2. Is it worth appealing? I live in an apartment with private parking that is policed by a private parking company. I pay an annual fee to them and receive an annual pass that the signs around the car park say must display a valid expiry date. I paid my annual fee and received a new pass. My pass expired on 30th April. I put my new pass in my car at 7am on 1st May. I have just received a fine notice for £60 with photographic evidence of my expired pass taken at 05.00am on the morning of 1st May. Now technically I was not displaying an up to date pass for 5 hours as per the conditions, but I had already paid my annual fee, which their records would know. They have obviously caught me out (deliberately so) on a technicality. Appealing to them will take time, during which time the fine can increase. They will not take calls to discuss.
posted by mairuzu at 4:29 AM PST - 18 comments

I am starting an online community for people who work from home in my community. The intention is to have something that people can hop into and out of easily throughout the day as they want some social interaction. I am undecided as to whether chat or a forum is the best option, as are the potential users I've talked to. I'm also looking for software recommendations. More inside. [more inside]
posted by sincarne at 3:23 AM PST - 13 comments

I could use some advice/input on some mental health providers I’m figuring out…. one is weirdly religious but more helpful, the other is annoying and bureaucratic but might be a good fit, and I’m having a hard time deciding what to do. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:03 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm planning a bike tour from Portland to San Francisco via the coast and would ideally like to sleep in a hammock the whole way, but I've noticed online that some California state parks explicitly forbid it. How prevalent is this kind of policy? [more inside]
posted by Gymnopedist at 9:51 PM PST - 3 comments

I have a Watts washing machine shut-off valve that is suddenly leaking a lot (steady drip) from the handle when in the "off" position. When it's in the "on" positition, it's leaking much more slowly... but then there is also some water slowly leaking from the hose connection at the back of the washing machine. Until I can get this repaired, do I go with the slower or faster leak? [more inside]
posted by TwoStride at 9:08 PM PST - 7 comments

I read a book (maybe a short series of books?) about a young girl living in NYC whose parents sign her up for ballet lessons even though she doesn't want to go. Her older sister is a star at the ballet school. Her older sister has a nemesis whose name, I think, is Meg. Meg chews gum, which the older sister does not, because she wants to maintain her "haughty jaw." [more inside]
posted by lazuli at 8:07 PM PST - 6 comments

My computer has picked up an odd habit of temporarily pixelating text (see screenshot). What's going on? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:34 PM PST - 9 comments

I was planting something in my yard and unearthed this jawbone. Whose is it? Details within. [more inside]
posted by centrifugal at 7:33 PM PST - 6 comments

We are planning a six day trip, driving down Highway 1 from Monterey to Los Angeles next week. Challenge: where to spend the nights. Looking for towns to stop in, hotels to stay at. Other trip ideas are also welcome. Theme is relaxation and recovery. [more inside]
posted by metahawk at 5:27 PM PST - 14 comments

I bought my car in Oregon, then moved to California while it still had a few payments on it and registered it here. After I paid it off, I received the Oregon title in the mail. Now I want to sell it, but I never got a California title. Did I screw up? [more inside]
posted by thesmallmachine at 3:38 PM PST - 9 comments

I bought this sun hat in Chinatown in Los Angeles a few years ago. It's a little worn and I want to get another one but can't find it online. It has a tag that says "100% paper"-nothing else- and was around $10. The longest part of the brim is about 6.5 inches. I got this one but the brim is too short at 5.5 in. Thank you!
posted by dianeF at 2:23 PM PST - 6 comments

What area of NYC should we stay in? What's the best way to get from the airport to the hotel? Is there anything I should consider about where to rent a car from? (That last one seems like an odd question but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Our plan is to get a car and leave the evening of the last day, drive south for 3 or so hours and get a hotel and then do the rest of the trip.) [more inside]
posted by Spumante at 1:42 PM PST - 27 comments

I’m tasked with buying a new PA system for a band. I’ve been a working musician for most of my life and have worked with all kinds of sound systems. But I haven’t worked with the new hotness of linear array-style portable PA systems. They seem to have proliferated and I am encountering quite different views of how they work for a *bar-playing rock/country band* situation. If you’ve got experience with this or have been hearing bands work with these systems I’d love some opinions. Details .... [more inside]
posted by spitbull at 1:02 PM PST - 7 comments

It seems like (understandably) there are many podcasts about, say, World War II or about the British Monarchy, but is there anywhere I can turn in the podcast world if I want to learn more about Hungarian civil wars or Angolan consitutional crises? [more inside]
posted by mreleganza at 12:31 PM PST - 17 comments

Recently, I had a contractor over to my mother's house to determine an estimate to repair a few small cracks in her stucco and replace some parging that had fallen off her house. The contractor recommended contacting a structural engineer after we noticed some of the concrete is separating from the house along an exterior wall. I have literally no idea where or how to find a structural engineer. Google isn't helping and I feel overwhelmed. How do I find a structural engineer?! [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 11:47 AM PST - 14 comments

I’m interested in potential side gigs that, as the subject says, does not take a lot of time. I know this may sound silly, but the things I have in mind are white-label reseller ideas, drop shipping business, things like that. Unlike a lot of people looking for side gigs, I don’t have a lot of spare time but I am not adverse to spending money instead. [more inside]
posted by jay2dadub at 11:35 AM PST - 13 comments

I have a lot of plants in my apartment. Some of my big boys have spider mites - most notably, two types of larger banana plants. For the past year I've been trying to control it - mostly with wiping down the leaves / spraying water on them daily-ish. But the mites are still there! Help! [more inside]
posted by weed donkey at 11:03 AM PST - 8 comments

I wake up in the morning with what appear to be itchy bites of some kind. Husband has not gotten any bites. No visible signs of bed bugs. Help! [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 10:19 AM PST - 15 comments

A friend of mine will be on the ground in Uganda near Fort Portal. He'll be there as a business representative for a small company. He has reason to trust the company he'll be meeting with and the U.S. State Department advisory for Uganda is remarkably mild, so perhaps there's nothing to worry about. I certainly wouldn't blink at being a tourist there, but a businessman seems more like a target somehow. Is it worth hiring a bodyguard?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:53 AM PST - 3 comments

I have an ikea poang chair. I want to use it outside. Is it possible? What should I do, if anything, to make it durable for outside use? [more inside]
posted by cyml at 8:35 AM PST - 13 comments

I haven't played video games since I was a teenager. The games and controls were simple. Super Nintendo, left to right screen layout and a handful of buttons. The games weren't as primitive as Space Invaders, but not as sophisticated as modern games. I want to start gaming again. Where do I start? [more inside]
posted by kbbbo at 8:28 AM PST - 24 comments

One of our cats likes to lick the tub a lot, and we need some recommendations for tub/shower-cleaning products that won't pose a danger of the little guy getting sick. [more inside]
posted by cats are weird at 8:08 AM PST - 9 comments

See this triangle? See how one of the corners is removed? Imagine the other two are removed as well. You're left with a hexagon with three sides of length x, and three sides of length 2x. What's the easiest way to make this in Inkscape so I can rotate / resize / tessellate?
posted by some little punk in a rocket at 5:25 AM PST - 6 comments

Wonder if someone could recommend a racing event in August for a visitor to Britain who's never been to one, but is obsessed with racing video games like Monaco GP, Hang On and Grand Prix games. [more inside]
posted by johngoren at 5:15 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm not really a reader of mystery novels, but I've been curious to try and find a mystery move (or two?) that balance this masterfully. Ideally it'd work through the plot intelligently, and in such a way where the pieces are there, but perhaps have to be put together in an interesting way (vs some sort of twist or whatnot there would be no way to see coming). [more inside]
posted by wooh at 4:30 AM PST - 15 comments

Our 4.5 month old is a decent sleeper if he’s tightly swaddled. He started rolling over onto his stomach during play with no warning last week, so according to all sources and his doctor we need to stop swaddling yesterday. Lots of advice is like, “It’s easy!! Just start swaddling with one arm out!! Voila!!” That’s . . . not working. Now what? [more inside]
posted by Yoko Ono's Advice Column at 12:03 AM PST - 25 comments

I am visiting France and I feel like I shouldn't need a visa, but now it seems like maybe I do. And I have an extremely limited about of time to sort this out, so I am freaking out. Details below. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:20 PM PST - 17 comments

I need to sign up for insurance for the new job, and I'm trying to figure out my options. It may be cheaper for the family to do married-filing-separately, have spouse and adult kids get their own ACA/Medi-Cal insurance, and pay higher tax rates myself, rather than cover them on my work insurance. Help me figure this out? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:20 PM PST - 4 comments

I want to start playing around with using GPUs, but I've heard scary warnings about being absolutely sure to properly shut off your session when you're done if you don't want to get a huge surprise bill. Are some GPU providers safer than others when it comes to preset budget or time limits or other safeguards? Is there any other advice for budget-safe GPU use for a nervous novice?
posted by Umami Dearest at 10:57 PM PST - 7 comments

What free courses (on cousera or elsewhere) are project based such that at the end of the course I have a finished/working Whatever-thing? [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 9:46 PM PST - 4 comments

My partner of many years had changed her last name years before we met. She was never married, she simply did not like her name and changed it. My boundary stomping, new age woo-woo, conspiracy believing, feng-shuiing, on the narcissistic spectrum mother has "done her research" on my partner. She has concluded that the name change was because of a prior marriage. Perhaps there is a slight chance this will come up on my mother's day call. [more inside]
posted by Sophont at 9:37 PM PST - 42 comments

Target was selling some really sweet bralettes awhile back but don't have them anymore (it was pink with black polkadots), so I was wondering where else I can find them. What I liked was that the band was soft, stretchy fabric (not lace, scratchy) and not an elastic band or like an elastic band covered in fabric. The straps/cups were the same fabric and also not elastic bands. Feeling like I have rubber bands all around my torso is something I don't want to do anymore. [more inside]
posted by bleep at 7:38 PM PST - 11 comments

Why won't Haiti adopt the Basel Convention? [more inside]
posted by zeusianfog at 6:24 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm looking for a video I thought I bookmarked. It was one of those cooking videos like Tasty or SoYummy puts out. It showed simple-but-genius fancy fruit and veggie carvings. There were apple slices cleverly made into butterflies, and a cucumber sliced and spun into sort of a spiral shape, then skewered with a cherry tomato. [more inside]
posted by shadygrove at 3:59 PM PST - 5 comments

I found this broken-down beauty in the street t'other week. I think it's some type of model Chinese junk, but can anyone tell me anything for sure? [more inside]
posted by doornoise at 2:32 PM PST - 4 comments

My partner and I are currently planning a two week trip to Mexico at the end of October and are looking for recommendations. [more inside]
posted by Faff at 1:45 PM PST - 5 comments

We're not huge on museums, but wouldn't necessarily pass up the British Museum. But what else should we do? mid-June. Using the "tube." Where should we walk? Where should we EAT? We live in NYC and eat in plenty of "good" restaurants so aren't looking for e.g some famous French chef's outpost in London. More "authentic" (what is that, anyway? no idea). Any place you particularly love? Is it silly to take a train to Oxford or Brighton one day?
posted by DMelanogaster at 12:10 PM PST - 27 comments

Help me choose a master's degree program which, upon completion, would come with good prospects of getting a job with visa or green card sponsorship in the US. I'm in the US on a J visa and have a PhD in linguistics and classics but have so far not been successful in finding long-term employment in academia, so am looking to spend a year or two getting a degree in a more practical field. Specifically considering either speech language pathology or comp sci / data science, but also would like to hear of other possibly in-demand careers that might be suitable. [more inside]
posted by hoist with his own pet aardvark at 11:53 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm 61 and work with a 63-year-old colleague whom I'll call J. We had a recent argument about culture and I wonder how I can prove to him I am right, since this is not a simple matter of looking up facts. (This really is not just chatfilter, as I'm seeking movies, video or even still photos that might back up my position.) [more inside]
posted by zadcat at 11:28 AM PST - 37 comments

I LOVE the Jackie cardigan in wool from J. Crew and have several colors, but they're getting a little old and J. Crew doesn't seem to make it any longer. Where do you find your good, basic wool cardigans?
posted by Wet Hen at 11:15 AM PST - 10 comments

Im teaching a college class on an unrelated subject but will also include some basic mindfulness meditation instruction. I’m looking for 2 good youtube videos, approximately 10 minutes each. For the first, I’m looking for a good explanation of why one should meditate - with a focus on being present and not becoming attached to negative thoughts. For the second video, I’m looking for a good Headspace style guided meditation that focuses on breath counting. Thank you.
posted by captainscared at 11:08 AM PST - 9 comments

Looking for a 12-inch-sized, high-quality, non-stick frying pan with a glass lid. The bottom must be completely flat. [more inside]
posted by JD Sockinger at 9:54 AM PST - 17 comments

Yesterday I got around to making an eye doctor appointment. They can't get me in until June 24th. My current supply of disposable contacts is going to run out next week. Contacts aren't optional for me, so I need to figure out how to get a month-and-a-half supply of contacts with an expired prescription. [more inside]
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 8:37 AM PST - 11 comments

Please recommend me books about the history/founding of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (or other museums!). [more inside]
posted by hapticactionnetwork at 8:25 AM PST - 5 comments

We have two cats with two litter boxes and non-carpeted floors. Our cats constantly track litter everywhere. Would some kind of mat in front of the boxes help? Carpet? Some fancy silicone thing? How to keep the mat from becoming super-grody?
posted by Zarkonnen at 8:22 AM PST - 15 comments

Tell me about how (or, if) marzipan would work as a substitute for nerikiri dough. [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:52 AM PST - 5 comments

Can I upload directly there from OneDrive, or do the files need to be local to my PC? Files are music.
posted by noelpratt2nd at 5:48 AM PST - 2 comments

My kid (9 1/2) loves watching youtube videos about math problems, but the ones that arrive by algorithmic suggestion have subpar content with a robo voice that never goes over the answers. He is more confused than engaged, but loves math enough to keep clicking on the suggestions. Do parents with more youtube experience have any suggestions? We're not looking for super advanced or complicated problems. Challenging or tricky arithmetic stuff that exploits the order of operations (or whatever it's called) is what he seems to like.
posted by Morpeth at 4:49 AM PST - 9 comments

Where & when would you look for a legit re-sale ticket for Green Man 2019?
posted by rd45 at 4:18 AM PST - 1 comment

As part of a not-fun situation, someone who claims to be "ex-Army Intelligence" is making implied threats about undefined consequences to me. I'm not sure that it's actually useful, but I would like to know if the claimed ties to the Army or "Army Intelligence" are factual. I believe I understand how to make that formal request via the FOIA, but I'm hesitant to do so because it's not clear if he will a) be notified or b) somehow be able to find out that I have made the request. My question: Would my request be be accessible to him with my name attached? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:08 PM PST - 17 comments

I live and work in the Milwaukee, WI area and have reason to believe I may have been discriminated against, as a member of a protected class, in a workplace dismissal decision. Does anyone have recommendations for good lawyers in this area, or helpful information on what I should expect to bring to a consultation with a lawyer once I contact one? If it helps, the protected class is related to sexual orientation. Throwaway email at askme.throwaway772@gmail.com if it would be helpful to contact me. Thanks!
posted by anonymous at 11:07 PM PST - 1 comment

I would like to track my depression with a quantitative metric, to measure the effects of medicine, situational changes, etc. The PHQ-9 is what I would ordinarily use. However, my depression severity is often higher than it is able to differentiate. What are metrics that work for tracking gradations within extremely severe depression?
posted by anonymous at 11:07 PM PST - 5 comments

My nephew is graduating next weekend with a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering. What would be a good gift? I'm thinking (but not stuck on) a book, something he'll be able to use in his future or one that will simply be interesting to someone in that line. I have no idea what he's been made to read during his studies, though, which complicates matters more than somewhat. Any ideas?
posted by bryon at 9:41 PM PST - 22 comments

I am purchasing a new couch, and can't figure out whether I should purchase a chaise longue or whether a sofa with a detached ottoman is better. What are the pros and cons of these options? Do you have one and wish you had the other? Why? [more inside]
posted by sockermom at 8:02 PM PST - 13 comments

looking for a daily/weekly/monthly chore list and assignment tracker. Windows and android clients would be great. One of the parties is out of town for long periods so a regular whiteboard/cork board is proving problematic.
posted by Mitheral at 7:43 PM PST - 1 comment

40-something male, had eye exam at optometrist. This was prompted by eyestrain and tearing when working at screens. She wrote a very mild prescription for close work (reading, computer work), and I ordered glasses online from Zenni, giving them the prescription info. Glasses arrived, but using them makes vision worse, not better. What gives? I'm pretty confident the lenses were made correctly.
posted by falcon42 at 7:14 PM PST - 23 comments

Things are tough for me at the moment and I would like to read some wonderful contemporary novels that feature thoughtful people, joy, discovery, kindness, and happy-ish endings. I don't need pablum, and I'm not really into YA. I just need stories about adults that don't center sexism, violence, injustice, dysfunction, or cruelty. [more inside]
posted by minervous at 7:12 PM PST - 24 comments

I don't want my personal and work Gmail/G-Suite inboxes combined by default but every Android app I can find seems to think I do. Any alternatives? [more inside]
posted by infinitejones at 6:56 PM PST - 6 comments

Did your toddler refuse to poop in the toilet? What did you try that convinced your little no-frontal-lobe humanoids that it is a good idea? Pediatrician told us to just wait it out. I have been waiting a long time and it is time to try something. But what? [more inside]
posted by Vatnesine at 6:29 PM PST - 14 comments

A neighbor lady's long-time boyfriend died. He told her the place was in both their names, there were insurance policies for her, etc. He seems to have lied. How soon can his heirs demand she leave? [more inside]
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 5:53 PM PST - 7 comments

So, a number of years ago we adopted two dogs. The family that adopted them from the breeder surrendered them to the breed rescue about seven years after they had been adopted. We, of course, adopted them as a unit with the expectation that they would live together forever. They have effectively grown up together and otherwise lived together their entire lives. One of them now has an inoperable tumor that, when it grows large enough, will necessitate euthanizing that animal. [more inside]
posted by BrooksCooper at 5:48 PM PST - 11 comments

When I was a kid I had an amazing "How to Draw" type book and I think there was a whole series. It's long gone but I want to buy one or more for my own kid. Help? [more inside]
posted by juniperesque at 5:33 PM PST - 3 comments

This is a dream trip for me!!! [more inside]
posted by vividvoltage at 5:16 PM PST - 5 comments

My boss and I (amicably) disagree about the best structure of internal announcement emails. Can you either tell me why I'm wrong, or help me justify my position to him? [more inside]
posted by alice_curiouse at 4:42 PM PST - 14 comments

I have a foster cat with failing health. I'm attached enough that I might spend money out of pocket for a more expensive evaluation than the shelter can give but need to ballpark what it will cost. If any vets or cat owners can give me an idea what I'd be in for, click on through. [more inside]
posted by Candleman at 3:40 PM PST - 2 comments

I love the Ikea Filodendron duvet set, but it feels freakin scratchy as hell. What duvet cover has a similar color palette and pattern? [more inside]
posted by there will be glitter at 3:28 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm trying to make a UX/UI portfolio, and I'm using Wix. I have images that I need to show in a gallery view, but when I put them in to the gallery, Wix shrinks them down to an unworkable size. The only way to view the image full size is to right click on it, open it up in a new tab, and hit the magnifying glass. [more inside]
posted by ggp88 at 3:14 PM PST - 1 comment

My wife is going to MC a drag show for high school performers (her students). We need a beach bro drag king name for her. But, because of the high school setting, the wide world of drag king name puns has narrowed to what's an appropriate joke a teacher can make. [more inside]
posted by wellifyouinsist at 3:09 PM PST - 33 comments

I bought a bench, the type you keep in the hallway to sit on while you change your shoes, with siderails and the storage cabinet under the seat. I ordered a cushion for it but it is too short at 27 inches. It looks like I need between 31 and 32 inches, depending on the product. The thing is all the cushions I can find (using " 32 inch piano bench cushion" as a search term, and variations thereof) cost over $100 or more and are ugly too! Where can I go, preferably online only, to order a cushion that will not seem ridiculously priced for what I getting? [more inside]
posted by Crystal Fox at 2:51 PM PST - 3 comments

It's unfair and that's life. I try not to indulge in a long wallow and in this case my anger will be actively harmful to a person who is partly responsible but innocent. Feed me cute or funny things maybe? I don't know. I'm trying to flip back to a healthier perspective, so anything that helps with that will be most appreciated. [more inside]
posted by Eolienne at 2:33 PM PST - 11 comments

My computer was in French at one time. Now it's in English, but Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel) object to this, and keep setting my text as being in French. It's annoying, and I can't figure out how to get it to stop. [more inside]
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 2:02 PM PST - 10 comments

I bought some sculpey and fimo to make a mothers' day present for grandmas. The problem is that they didn't have any black sculpey. The guy at the art store said it was fine to mix them. But now I see that the baking instructions are quite different. How to I bake sculpey mixed with Fimo?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 1:44 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm helping to manage an event with a few hundred attendees and around 20 staff members who will be supporting the event in different capacities (greeting attendees at event check-in, managing audio/video equipment, setting up/tearing down equipment, etc.). Is there an elegant, easy way to display and share all of these staffing assignments? [more inside]
posted by ElKevbo at 1:23 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm making a week long trip with work to Beijing and Shanghai next week. Metafilter has been so awesome in fleshing out the background of history, politics and contemporary culture on previous trips to non-european destinations, it's been immensely informative and useful. [more inside]
posted by stevedawg at 12:42 PM PST - 5 comments

This past year, without fail, on the precious days I have "time off" from responsibilities I have gotten sick. Is this a known thing? Is there research into why it happens and what I can do to prevent it? [more inside]
posted by CMcG at 12:13 PM PST - 8 comments

Why is a .wav file playing normally on my computer, but slow and distorted on my Android phone? [more inside]
posted by Gordafarin at 12:10 PM PST - 3 comments

Hi! I'm trying to spruce up our yard quickly. I've planted some slow-growing perennials, but I'm trying to get some color in there for the rest of this summer and fall. This is Zone 9, Sacramento. I have a variety of settings -- most are full sun, but a few are partial or full shade, so don't hold any ideas back. [more inside]
posted by slidell at 11:36 AM PST - 9 comments

I am trying to upload a .pdf file to a publisher. They require the file to be in a specific .pdf format. I have been on the phone with both the publisher and Adobe for days. Neither has been able to help me convert the file to the format the publisher needs. Has anybody else had this problem and what did you do to fix if? Is it fixable? [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 11:31 AM PST - 3 comments

In various mom groups I see lots of complaints about how long husbands take in the bathroom. Is this a manifestation of sexism or a biological difference or what? [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 11:04 AM PST - 53 comments

Please help me destink the foam padding on my stupidly expensive headphones. [more inside]
posted by poffin boffin at 11:03 AM PST - 9 comments

After spending 30 years as an introvert who spent all his time on the internet, I have bloomed into someone with an incredibly busy personal life. I have a ton of projects I want to do, hobbies I want to follow, groups I want to join, events I want to attend, and relationships I want to build. I can't remember the last time I said "I'm Bored" - usually, my sentiment is "I'm too tired." I'm curious how other people think about their activities [more inside]
posted by rebent at 10:20 AM PST - 12 comments

Looking for recommendations for a house cleaner or house cleaning company available in Toronto [more inside]
posted by devonia at 9:53 AM PST - 2 comments

When I rent a car (always from Avis) I take my own EZ Pass. Inevitably I get a bill from Avis for tolls that EZ Pass charged to the car instead of to my EZ Pass transponder. I would like this to stop happening. [more inside]
posted by pipti at 9:44 AM PST - 12 comments

I want to learn more about databases. While at an extremely boring temp job, I completed the first three courses of this (free for me) PHP/SQL course. I want to keep beefing up my database skills. Here are my choices:

1. Lynda.com, to which I have free access granted by my newer, better job. A bewildering array of options.
2. A community college database track, which starts with an online Java for Beginners course.

Is this community college class worth doing? I have this image in my head of Java being a relic from the early days of the web, but I'm a beginner and could be very wrong. Should I take the Java class? If not, what should I explore on Lynda? [more inside]
posted by HeroZero at 9:43 AM PST - 11 comments

Monday morning I backed out of my parking space at about 2 mph...even slower than usual... [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:17 AM PST - 13 comments

My kid is taking a course this summer that will involve programming in Construct 3 and Sketchpad. The course is BYO computer, and he does already have a robust desktop, but I would like to get him a laptop to use for just this course. Will something like a Chromebook be able to support these cloud-based services adequately for a week, or should I look at something more robust? [more inside]
posted by anastasiav at 8:50 AM PST - 6 comments

A member of my family has a large comic book collection. This collection includes extremely high quality versions of #1 comics, one of the comic books seems like it's worth about $45K! (but most are from $500-1000). Maybe 500 comics in total. How do I get the most money out of the comic books? [more inside]
posted by bbqturtle at 8:10 AM PST - 7 comments

How do I navigate the rental market in Boston without losing my shit? [more inside]
posted by strelitzia at 7:57 AM PST - 13 comments

I alternately wish to be a writer or a visual artist. Constantly shifting my artistic focus means I seldom finish anything. If you have modest aspirations in more than one art form, but limited time in which to realize it, how do you pick which one to do? [more inside]
posted by whistle pig at 7:20 AM PST - 18 comments

Might be on the lookout for a new apartment in NYC in the future, and I've learned from past experience that I need to be on the top floor because people stomping above me drive me crazy. Great! But how do I search for one? [more inside]
posted by knownassociate at 6:56 AM PST - 7 comments

How difficult would it be to set up an iPad for an Eldelery relative? [more inside]
posted by dbirchum at 4:57 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm thinking about getting an abstracted half-sun tattoo. Something roughly like half of this sun, in black ink. But being so graphic, I'm worried there are associations with that imagery that I wouldn't want on my body. Does anyone know of a problematic connection that I should watch out for with an abstract half-sun or half-starburst design?
posted by you're a kitty! at 4:48 AM PST - 4 comments

My daugher is in preschool. She seems to play a lot but there is not a lot of "free play" and the free play is divided into stations. She loves it there and wants to play school every day when she gets home. However, I wonder if a more play-based school would be better. Is there any evidence that a play-based, non-academic preschool will make her a more well-rounded kid in the future? Thank you!
posted by chaiminda at 2:29 AM PST - 7 comments

I recently took an oath to choose union shops when available. Is there a website or other resource for checking whether a given company is unionized, or for finding union shops of a given type (clothes, tools, etc)?
posted by dbx at 9:02 PM PST - 4 comments

Briefly: single male vocalist, syllabic, lyrics maybe in Spanish? accompanied by a deep percussion instrument, in New York, at absolutely deafening volume from a passing car. What genre of music could this have been? [more inside]
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 8:59 PM PST - 3 comments

I live in a small apartment building, and my neighbor across the hall is constantly knocking on my door, talking to me through my door, leaving things at my door, and trying to help me in uninvited ways when I see her in the hall. My landlord and I have talked to her a few times and a former tenant yelled at her. Is there anything else I can do? [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 7:36 PM PST - 38 comments

Where can I find someone who isn't a scam artist to help me with converting leads on my website? [more inside]
posted by shockpoppet at 6:19 PM PST - 9 comments

I found a dress I LOVED in a thrift store a while back, but alas, it was the wrong size. The label shows a tri-color rainbow (pale green, light blue, bright pink) and doesn't have any words on it and I haven't had luck with any search terms. Do you know who made this dress? Pic link below the cut. [more inside]
posted by adastra at 5:10 PM PST - 9 comments

My friend's partner sadly just died after a long illness. I would like to send him a small gift that's sweet and maybe a little non-traditonal / irreverent in tone, but thoughtful and affectionate. A few requirements and details inside: [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 5:02 PM PST - 12 comments

The 16th annual soup bowl fundraiser for my .org, an advocacy center for survivors of domestic & sexual violence, is coming up in mid June. We need a theme. [more inside]
posted by mygothlaundry at 3:06 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm employed, but casually looking for new opportunities and hope to ramp up into a more serious search in the latter part of this year. And I have some questions on how to handle things. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:59 PM PST - 6 comments

Recently my boss had a talk with me to tell me that I completely lack of self confidence. I think he is being completely unreasonable and I am very hurt. [more inside]
posted by Tiffy119 at 2:28 PM PST - 40 comments

I’ve been trying to revise the questions I use at work to get a general idea of how clear a client is on what’s going on. [more inside]
posted by Smearcase at 2:25 PM PST - 9 comments

My son (age 21) makes a lot of short trips for his pizza delivery job. He feels like the driver's seat in his Subaru is exacerbating his back pain. [more inside]
posted by tuesdayschild at 2:05 PM PST - 10 comments

Got a call from a guy with AbleTo on behalf of Aetna, my health insurance provider. He asked me to confirm my DOB after he gave me my birth year. Then gave me their schpeel... [more inside]
posted by allkindsoftime at 12:24 PM PST - 4 comments

I am flying into Halifax next month on Saturday, June 15th at 2pm. I am returning home on Sunday, June 23rd at 6pm. I am busy with work events from 12pm on Tuesday, 18th to 5pm on Friday, 21st. That means I have a lot of time free for fun activities! Can you help me build my trip itinerary? [more inside]
posted by lucy.jakobs at 12:09 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm looking for a dinner place that allows for quiet and reasonably extended conversation. Details follow. [more inside]
posted by holborne at 11:59 AM PST - 13 comments

I have to do a video interview (HireVue) in the next few days and I'm curious about the process once I've completed the interview & submitted my answers - e.g. if there's 15 questions with 3 minutes max per question, that would mean a max 45min video would be sent, and if there's say 10 candidates, is someone going to watch 7.5hrs of candidate content? And who is watching this content - hiring managers, assistants, HR? Company size = approx 12000 employees.
posted by 7 Minutes of Madness at 11:42 AM PST - 3 comments

Friend of mine has a plot of land in Brooklyn, NY (zone 6b) they are looking to turn into a native plant, pollinator attracting and pollution scrubbing garden. He’s already reaching out to groups like GrowNYC and Greentumb, but what are some of the best practices, plants, and designs he should look into to maximize the effect in a smallish urban space? They’re not looking into growing food for eating.
posted by The Whelk at 11:39 AM PST - 8 comments

Is there a technical term for those banana string thingies that are revealed once you peel a banana? And if not a technical term, maybe a made-up one?
posted by John Borrowman at 11:27 AM PST - 17 comments

I planted a young dwarf apricot tree in my back garden in Spring 2012. It has grown up into a mature, healthy, productive tree. But, to date, I have never gotten a single apricot from the tree because the squirrels eat every last one before they are even close to ripe, the pilfering little shits. Is there some way I can safeguard my tree from this highway robbery?
posted by orange swan at 11:16 AM PST - 20 comments

Dry cat food bags start to get a collection of "dusty" scrapings from the kibble on the bottom of the package (just from kibble bits rubbing against each other during normal handling). My cats are really bothered by it and won't eat the last 1/10 of the bag. Is there an easy way to separate the junk out (like wheat from chaff?)
posted by Jon44 at 11:12 AM PST - 18 comments

I have these critters occasionally flying solo around my home: pale brown, papery/lacy wings, about 6mm long. North-east USA ... Images of a slightly dead specimen, scale is in mm. Thank you!
posted by carter at 11:03 AM PST - 4 comments

I've got a few days in DC next week-- give me your recommendations! [more inside]
posted by geegollygosh at 10:52 AM PST - 16 comments

I work in consulting. If the firm I work with doesn't land a client, then I don't have a job. Consequently they don't "hire ahead," and wait until they land a contract until hire. This means star t dates get pushed around. I have two offers with same salary and benefits. One is remote and one is remote with some travel, all things being equal I want the remote job. Some more minor details within. [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 9:40 AM PST - 5 comments

I am very introverted, and have come to accept this (I have read books like Susan Cain's The Power of Introverts). But I feel guilty and like I'm letting my family, friends and even new acquaintances down. How do I deal with this? [more inside]
posted by iamsuper at 8:40 AM PST - 33 comments

I was just thinking the other day that I like the taste of fermented foods but generally don't eat them because I don't know how to use them in dishes and there's a limit to how much sauerkraut you can fork into your gob. What fermented foods do you like and how do you incorporate them in dishes/with other foods?
posted by Frowner at 6:23 AM PST - 50 comments

My parents (retired age) are in Europe on vacation and requested we (adult) kids install WhatsApp so they can send us updates, pics, etc. Having quit FB years ago and maintained a locked-down online life (except here), I'm resisting installing WhatsApp. The rest of the family is like "What's the harm?" Am I being unreasonable?
posted by notsnot at 6:22 AM PST - 28 comments

There is a school bus that idles (a person sits in it with the engine running) on my street for about a half hour a day. This pollutes my neighborhood, is bad for the environment, and probably wastes money for the school district. What’s the most effective way to get them to stop doing this? [more inside]
posted by amy.g.dala at 5:42 AM PST - 18 comments

I'm making some photoshop pictures that are composites of lots of other pictures. I know the resolution of the overall image is high enough to print at the size I want, but is there a way to make sure I haven't pasted something in "too big" and that one part of the picture will look crappy? Each pasted thing is its own component. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 5:12 AM PST - 6 comments

Being entirely unprepared for San Francisco traffic, when should we hit the road for the airport if our flight leaves at 11:30 PDT? [more inside]
posted by emelenjr at 3:46 AM PST - 19 comments

In the process of buying a home in Vermont using a buyer's broker and a lawyer, and I'm not sure if I'm asking for more handholding than usually provided. In the negotiation process, the broker and lawyer don't respond to emails promptly and it's usually with some vague, "people are working on this and we will let you know." What's reasonable? [more inside]
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 3:08 AM PST - 12 comments

Do, I recently switched healthcare "groups" from one to another. I filled out a form to get all my medical records transferred. I was a walk-in patient a few weeks ago and the PA who is my assigned medical care professional noted he had a file that "had a lot of pages". I'm going in for a follow-up appointment next week. Is it out of line for me to call a couple of days beforehand and suggest all those medical records be reviewed before my appointment? [more inside]
posted by hippybear at 11:13 PM PST - 8 comments

The bride's grandparents live far away and can't travel to our wedding for health reasons. They currently have no internet service at their house, no computer or tablet, and don't really know how to use any of the above. Assuming decent WiFi at the venue, what is the cheapest and, more importantly, simplest combination of hardware and services we can use to set things up so they can be part of the fun? [more inside]
posted by canisbonusest at 11:05 PM PST - 11 comments

Another baby barfed on my stroller and it smells like really bad (or really fancy!) cheese. Help? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 9:46 PM PST - 6 comments

I am getting conflicting information from the internet / my vet / my friends, so: if you've had a cat who got spayed while under your care, for how long after the procedure is observation needed to make sure nothing is wrong? I work pretty long hours and I am trying to decide if it is safe to get my cat the procedure Saturday then go to work on Monday and leave her at home alone, or I'd better plan to take some days off. Thanks!
posted by dragonfruit at 6:05 PM PST - 9 comments

I need a dessert recipe that would work with a strawberry rhubarb compote. Help. [more inside]
posted by Champagne Supernova at 6:02 PM PST - 15 comments

I know this is a goofy question, but my housemates have been hassling me to ask, after I told them there's a place on the internet that Knows Things. [more inside]
posted by elsmith at 5:56 PM PST - 24 comments

I own the 700c GeoOrbital wheel. I'd like to downsize the power cable of my charger. The cord that plugs into the converter brick is 6ft. I'd prefer one that's 1 or 2 feet long. How can I safely buy a shorter replacement? [more inside]
posted by andythebean at 5:41 PM PST - 5 comments

Ok! So I have progress on my walkabout plans, (sorry I don’t know how to link to my previous related question). I am going on a meditation retreat in Assisi, Italy for a week, then another week in Italy and then two weeks in Portugal. I’m leaving in two weeks, egads! If you have any suggestions for a mellow middle aged lady of places to stroll, or things to visit or lovely places to eat near Assisi, or Florence or anywhere in Portugal, I’m all ears :)
posted by eggkeeper at 4:59 PM PST - 16 comments

I work in a public garden and we are expanding our public programming. We were thinking about adding a Sunday morning storytime. Librarians and other experienced story hour people, help me think this through so we can make it work. [more inside]
posted by sciencegeek at 4:50 PM PST - 12 comments

The chess site I play on offers a "ping opponent" option while playing live games. I don't now what that means, which means I have no idea when/why I'd want want to do that. Can someone please explain? Gracias.
posted by BadgerDoctor at 4:38 PM PST - 13 comments

My mother (early 70s) has had problems in her feet her whole life (small-sized shoes, standing for long hours for years on end, ... etc.). She also has very high arches, and I am trying to buy her some decent sandals (slippers, sliders) that would offer her supination some comfort. [more inside]
posted by omar.a at 3:53 PM PST - 7 comments

I got a rubber tree secondhand a few months ago, and it's losing leaves and generally looking sad. Help me help it! [more inside]
posted by quiet coyote at 2:38 PM PST - 9 comments

I've noticed that collections of naughty pictures (such as on the late, lamented Tumblr) curated by (self-described) women tend to feature mostly photos in black and white — sometimes black and white copies of pictures I've seen in color. These are not art photos, so what's up?
posted by Native in Exile at 1:46 PM PST - 7 comments

Where can I find these puppets (or their pattern) before their etsy mark-up? [more inside]
posted by luckyveronica at 1:41 PM PST - 4 comments

I've been looking at refrigerated prepared food lately, and some of the "use or freeze by" dates are a lot further out than I expected. These are either cooked meat (like turkey breasts) or entrees that contain cooked meat. [more inside]
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 1:40 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm recovering well from surgery for a disc rupture, and it is finally time to start physical therapy. But rather than go to a generic PT, I need someone who understands the mechanics (specifically the core rotation and movements) of tennis, since getting back to USTA competition is my near-term goal. I'm in Maine, but am willing to travel to Southern NH or even NE-MA/Boston for the right person. [more inside]
posted by yellowcandy at 1:30 PM PST - 0 comments

I am "running" a 10k soon dressed as a bee, raising money for cancer research, and would appreciate some ideas on how best to collect coins en route. [more inside]
posted by runincircles at 1:24 PM PST - 9 comments

Salesforce finally retired Jigsaw/Data.com last month. Does anyone have a simple replacement? [more inside]
posted by zooropa at 12:36 PM PST - 0 comments

Does this single-volume omnibus edition of every Charles Dickens novel I swear I once saw really exist? [more inside]
posted by Iridic at 12:21 PM PST - 7 comments

Please recommend some non-fiction podcasts about historical sailing and the Age of Sail. [more inside]
posted by griphus at 11:32 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm finally getting to take a train trip that I've wanted to do for most of my life, so rail buffs - What should I bring with me for a trip on the California Zephyr for the full run from Chicago to Emeryville? [more inside]
posted by aloiv2 at 11:15 AM PST - 19 comments

I have a spreadsheet that purposely has look up errors in it. This leaves the empty cells blank as a visual cue. The other cells with values have conditional color formatting. Is there a way to remove the little red triangle error flags from each cell with an error?
posted by gryphonlover at 11:07 AM PST - 4 comments

I've always wanted to visit Thailand, and I finally have the time and money to do it. Only problem? I'm a single dude in his early 40s, and I'm worried that people (e.g. dates) will assume I went there for sleazy/sketchy reasons. Is this really something I need to worry about? And if so, is there a way to mitigate this? [more inside]
posted by apostate street preacher at 10:58 AM PST - 46 comments

What is my best option to save 155 Wordpress-published columns in the fastest way possible, preserving the formatting of the original page? [more inside]
posted by ilana at 10:01 AM PST - 8 comments

We're trying to fix a leak and unscrewed the faucet handle, but don't see another screw to remove the handle? Do we need a puller tool? (picture inside) [more inside]
posted by ldthomps at 9:49 AM PST - 7 comments

My adult child with a history of trauma, BPD, DID may need to seek psychiatric hospitalization in the Pittsburgh area in the next few days. We would appreciate advice/recommendations about facilities in the area. [more inside]
posted by Orlop at 9:47 AM PST - 3 comments

I would like the ability when browsing online web pages and documents to highlight any amount of text, then quickly and simply copy it to some sort of text document, return the focus back to the web page and repeat, each time pasting to the same document. I use Windows and Chrome. [more inside]
posted by Rad_Boy at 9:28 AM PST - 10 comments

I haven't been to Philly since a 6th grade field trip and need some guidance. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by maxg94 at 7:25 AM PST - 16 comments

I have always struggled in the workplace. Would applying a label help me get accommodations, or simply stop me from getting work? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:32 AM PST - 10 comments

Trying to find a recipe book that had recipes sorted by shortest to longest time to prepare. [more inside]
posted by treblekicker at 6:18 AM PST - 5 comments

Let's say that we have a loyalty points number in our database/spread sheet/data extension/whatever. Now, let's say that my team wants me to take that six digit number and break it into six different variables so each one can be used in a different table cell. OK, easy enough, I was able to do that. However, the six digit number in the source doesn't have leading zeroes if the loyalty points is only something like 453. How can I program this so that it gives me 000453? My code is below: [more inside]
posted by NoMich at 5:49 AM PST - 10 comments

Jumping off from the "My 13-year-old Joined The Alt-Right" FPP, looking for research or publications that focuses on how schools or school systems become their own little "kingdoms," with little regard for due process, etc. [more inside]
posted by kuanes at 4:12 AM PST - 4 comments

I read this blog months, possibly years ago, and now I want to see what it's take on this year's Met Gala was. Generic and more specific details I remember inside. [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 4:00 AM PST - 10 comments

I graduated with an MSc in AI in the 2000s. Looking for an online course or book to get me up to speed on current algorithms and tools. [more inside]
posted by snownoid at 2:17 AM PST - 3 comments

I'll be heading to Park City, Utah later this month, but I'd like to go carless, as I'm going to be there for work, and won't have a ton of time to sight-see. Questions on what to see in the evenings, and how best to get to SLC and back. [more inside]
posted by filthy light thief at 10:09 PM PST - 7 comments

I need to practice driving, and I'd like to go across the Golden Gate Bridge. Where should I go in the North Bay on Saturday? [more inside]
posted by wym at 9:56 PM PST - 9 comments

My chosen career is giving me a crisis of conscience. I would really, really like to start planning my exit from software for a couple years from now. Tell me how you decided on a second career in medicine and transitioned - or how you realized it was a bad idea for you after all! [more inside]
posted by Snacks at 9:54 PM PST - 24 comments

What is a person's "medical records"? If a person attends say, a GP's office and a hospital, and has a separate Patient Portal for each, in my experience these are separate systems. You can see the history with each provider, but not access general results throughout one's life. [more inside]
posted by karmachameleon at 9:41 PM PST - 16 comments

I have the week off and want to get some Nature this Thursday before I start a new job and get super busy. What's the best place to go at the last minute? My ideal scenario is below the fold. [more inside]
posted by boghead at 9:17 PM PST - 5 comments

I’m looking for some new desktop wallpaper / background art for my laptop! Where do you go for new, good looking images in nice high resolutions for decorating your monitors? (Are there single-stop shops for such content anymore?) I personally prefer art images (drawn / digital / whatever) to photographs, so bonus points for non-photograph things. Thanks!
posted by Going To Maine at 8:34 PM PST - 14 comments

I am happily throwing my money at the new Criterion Channel, but with this embarrassment of cinematic riches at my remote-tip, what do I watch? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 8:07 PM PST - 21 comments

Truly cannot believe how stupid the app is not to make this easy. [more inside]
posted by noelpratt2nd at 7:44 PM PST - 11 comments

There are screenwriting guides that literally tell you what to do at each line/minute/page of the script. Does anything similar exist for novel writing (or short story writing), pegged to word count? [more inside]
posted by zeek321 at 7:34 PM PST - 13 comments

My doctor: “We actually know a lot about anxiety now. You should do some reading.” Great! So, hit me up with some recommendations? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 7:24 PM PST - 11 comments

Until recently, I was on low dose Zoloft and had been for years. I’m afraid to be on it and afraid to stay off. Help? [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 7:03 PM PST - 8 comments

I am the designated scapegoat in a psuedo-recovered (by this I mean dry, but still dysfunctional habit and thought patterns) alcoholic family. Please give me replies sorted by want to keep the relationship and don't care if I keep the relationship. Assume professional treatment (although I am not sure about them, save an occasional meeting).
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 6:35 PM PST - 32 comments

Our town community garden currently closes and locks with a combo lock and chain. We need a better lock. Help me find one. [more inside]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:09 PM PST - 4 comments

I decided to make a solitary bee house that would allow intermittent bee viewing. One day later, I had my first bee tenant! Yay! But now I’m concerned that it may be a carpenter bee that will spawn a legion of house-eating children. Here’s a link to a photo. Any opinions?
posted by Salvor Hardin at 3:11 PM PST - 7 comments

The weirder the better. I’m looking for unique plants. Reliable Etsy and online sellers or in- person in NYC.
posted by Sylvia Plath's terrible fish at 3:03 PM PST - 13 comments

Do you have good resources for parents to use to guide their children's, tween's and teen's internet access? Do you have good resources for those children, tweens and teens to understand How The Internet Is Today? [more inside]
posted by the man of twists and turns at 2:55 PM PST - 3 comments

On Friday, for like, the 8000th time in the last 5 years I went in for a haircut and described what I wanted and walked out with something I didn’t want. This time, I showed her a few pictures of some short cuts I liked (all veering towards pixie) and I walked out with a bob. Like the girl in “Amelie”... on Friday I am going back again. How do i get what I want? [more inside]
posted by catspajammies at 2:35 PM PST - 30 comments

The end is nigh for my current phone - but I have time to budget and plan for its replacement. I haven't been paying attention to cell phone development for the last couple generations. Help? [more inside]
posted by ApathyGirl at 2:12 PM PST - 4 comments

What would be shade-at-least-tolerant evergreens that might fill up a wooden fence (which is 8-ft. tall) in New York City? Now that it's spring it looks nice with ivy and some tall house plants, but this winter it was very depressing to look at it from my window. Zone 5 definitely bug might be 6 (the Village. Manhattan). It's under two maple trees, hence, really shady, though some filtered son gets through the trees for a few hours a day. A climber would be ideal.
posted by DMelanogaster at 1:13 PM PST - 6 comments

I’m just wondering if midlife people are interested in having platonic friends, and value them, or if society sees them only as a stopgap to be dropped as soon as a partner is found? Assuming there are people out there interested in platonic friends, how would I find them in Scotland, outside of the always-recommended Meetup.com ? [more inside]
posted by AuroraSky at 12:35 PM PST - 25 comments

So I'm looking to protect some posters, books, dvd cases from some pretty harsh sunlight and it seems UV window film the affordable way to go-- of course, the internet being the internet is full of wild 1 star reviews that don't instill any sort of faith that this is the right thing to help keep my stuff safe. So I look to anyone with hands on experience... [more inside]
posted by dr handsome at 11:59 AM PST - 5 comments

I am considering a 'pharmaceutical tourism' trip and am trying to find a list of US prescription medications which are available cheaper and possibly over-the-counter in Mexico. Ideally, I'd also be able to do some cost-comparison to prices here in the US. I've done some pretty extensive googling but so far haven't turned up anything. Any idea where I can find this information? [more inside]
posted by tryniti at 11:16 AM PST - 8 comments

My search skills are failing me. Does anyone remember this story or book about a princess? Plot description within. [more inside]
posted by helloimjennsco at 8:39 AM PST - 4 comments

Some of the docs on my Kindle app (on iPad) are displaying twice. Help! [more inside]
posted by Tamanna at 8:22 AM PST - 1 comment

Here's a nutty little question for you spawned by my post-partum return-to-work emotions: do babies really know which adult caring for them is their mom, and if so, how? [more inside]
posted by millipede at 7:50 AM PST - 14 comments

I have an IKEA Billy bookshelf that is no longer useful inside my house (it is broken in a few ways). It has enough structural integrity to lie on its back and be the housing for a garden bed, however. I'm thinking of filling it with soil (maybe lining it with burlap first?) and planting a little garden in it. What are the odds of the fibreboard leaching some kind of toxic bad news into the soil? I'd rather reuse than send to the dump, but I'd rather send to the dump than poison my plants/myself.
posted by lizifer at 7:42 AM PST - 11 comments

What are your favorite country and folk songs for long distance driving? [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 6:55 AM PST - 58 comments

Does media about the following scenario exist? [Character's] rapist/long-time abuser is found not guilty in court or the prosecutor declines to prosecute. Here is what happens in [Character's] life after. [more inside]
posted by platitudipus at 6:51 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm trying to improve my writing in a foreign language. Things like word's track changes are great for one document, but I want a way to search such that it will search the before and after in a group of documents. Does this exist? [more inside]
posted by wooh at 6:25 AM PST - 2 comments

I was recently prescribed a set of drugs to treat what is probably a combination of bipolar II and an anxiety disorder. In the past few weeks, I've felt foggy and recall has been difficult. I'm seeing my psychiatrist later this week, but I'd appreciate input from your experience: are these drugs ruining my ability to think? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:57 AM PST - 9 comments

When we got married, she said she hadn't decided about kids. I said I'd love her either way and I meant it. 6 years later, the clock is running out, and we're moving to opposite sides of the question. How do we put together a process to come to terms with the choice to have or not have kids without ruining a good thing in the process? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:57 AM PST - 41 comments

There may be a new job offer on the horizon for me. I wouldn't mind staying at my current job and would like to give them the opportunity to make a counteroffer. How do I actually go about having that conversation with my boss? [more inside]
posted by Tevin at 5:34 AM PST - 10 comments

Is there a known tool chain or work process where I can enter details once and then it outputs a Facebook post, a blog post and more importantly a physical and email newsletter? [more inside]
posted by J.R. Hartley at 3:00 AM PST - 2 comments

Sometime in the 80s I remember leafing through a book in a bookshop about a lone malevolent alien visiting present day earth .... [more inside]
posted by memebake at 2:25 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking to find some formative books to promote empathy and understanding of others in my kids. I remember a few books which taught a lesson about not being a cruel person, how to be considerate, and how not to cultivate feelings of vindictiveness or revenge. What books do you think kept you from becoming a worse version of yourself? What books vaccinated you against racism or selfishness? Age range for this is 5-12 years old so no Vonnegut quite yet. No holy books, but religious-themed books such as C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce or Screwtape Letters would be fine.
posted by benzenedream at 12:17 AM PST - 25 comments

And also, do those very rare people who "remember everything" remember what happened if they were under anesthesia? [more inside]
posted by ragtimepiano at 11:33 PM PST - 14 comments

As part of a long running joke amongst friends, I am trying to create a playlist of songs that celebrate full bushes. I've googled songs about hair, but I feel like there are probably a lot more songs out there that could fit the bill without literally being about hair. [more inside]
posted by August Fury at 8:37 PM PST - 13 comments

It looks like Fred Flintstone, to me - but of course it is not. The artist isn't volunteering any information. Look familiar?
posted by 41swans at 8:08 PM PST - 5 comments

I just started a part-time job as an accessibility consultant. I'm super excited, but don't know how I should commute to work regularly given my special snowflakes. Advice appreciated :) [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 8:01 PM PST - 4 comments

We're going to Puerto Rico in October, and I want our spending while we're there to have the best impact possible. Is it better for the local economy if we stay in a hotel or an AirBnB situation?
posted by tizzie at 7:41 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm interested in people's personal experiences selling a domain name. What pitfalls would you avoid if you had to to do again? What services do you recommend/recommend against? How would you recommend pricing? [more inside]
posted by nirblegee at 7:26 PM PST - 7 comments

My garbage disposal won't turn on, and the sink won't drain properly because of it. How do I figure out what's wrong and whether a replacement is needed? [more inside]
posted by rue72 at 6:31 PM PST - 15 comments

How does one choose wedding jewelry? Assume there is no sentimental option in play (e.g. grandmother's earrings). The bride will wear a formal ballgown that some might consider somewhat high cut and plainly adorned (lace on the dress but no sparkle/beading). The wedding will take place in a church and the vibe is classic and traditional. [more inside]
posted by ClaireBear at 6:11 PM PST - 14 comments

Please tell me if there is anything more I can do to integrate a new cat into my household. Please. [more inside]
posted by missmary6 at 5:46 PM PST - 17 comments

We're getting a new fridge! This seems like a good time to improve our refrigerator upkeep habits. How do we keep this new one nice and clean and organized? Give me your tips! [more inside]
posted by kendrak at 5:04 PM PST - 11 comments

BThe sofa was purchased some time ago. The delivery guys brought it in the house, then left. They didn’t do anything to the sofa. Fast forward to now. I want to sleep on this sofa bed. [more inside]
posted by LaBellaStella at 4:25 PM PST - 14 comments

For several years I've been collecting strange, odd, weird, trippy videos and short films. But I have this feeling that I'm missing some good ones recently. Here's the difficult part: they have to be outstanding. I know that "outstanding" is highly subjective (and so are "strange" and "trippy" et al). But I trust your good taste. Also, I have lots of time to watch videos, so if you're sitting on something amazing, feel free to ignore my overly-pedantic criteria and post it. [more inside]
posted by doctor tough love at 4:04 PM PST - 45 comments

I'm looking for good action-adventure movies, released in the last decade or so, that aren't grimdark or hyperviolent. More fun and adventure; less brutality – the real world is brutal enough these days. [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 4:02 PM PST - 36 comments

After decades of having family & friends slowly leave Manhattan, I find myself planning a trip to NYC and, for the first time ever, needing to find a hotel. Recommendations needed, please. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 3:59 PM PST - 24 comments

I've been prescribed mirtazapine (also known as 'remeron') for anxiety and insomnia. It makes me feel terrible, but the doctor has told me to keep taking it even so. I would like to hear from people who've had a similar experience with the drug. [more inside]
posted by HoraceH at 3:38 PM PST - 17 comments

I'm trying to find a quote that went something like: At the age of 30 I could draw a line, At the age of 40 I could draw a circle, ... Upon reaching 70 I was able to draw a landscape Something about the intensity of study required for mastery of seemingly simple things. I believe it's from a zen calligrapher. Similar to this: http://www.zenpaintings.com/deiryu-article.htm
posted by jkaplanenator at 3:12 PM PST - 2 comments

I read an article recently that touched on the difference between a community and a scene, and the ways people conflate them. One of the differences noted was that a community includes people of all ages, including elders and kids, and a scene doesn't. I can't remember where I read this, does it ring any bells?
posted by ITheCosmos at 3:05 PM PST - 2 comments

I am unexpectedly going on a business trip in two weeks to Mexico. I speak absolutely no Spanish. What are the best online options for gaining some basic conversational abilities if I had time to put in, say, 30 minutes a day? Duolingo looks like it is focused on long term learning and would not be a good fit. [more inside]
posted by O Time, Thy Pyramids at 12:30 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm looking for murder mystery/crime-of-the-week TV shows that aren't focused on traditional police and detectives. [more inside]
posted by Garm at 11:42 AM PST - 46 comments

Hi folks. I noticed this set of remains (content warning: dead animal) in my backyard this morning, and I know it wasn't there yesterday. I am curious about three things: What is it, what killed it, and what should I do with it? [more inside]
posted by Slinga at 10:58 AM PST - 8 comments

Can you think of a term, concept, and/or framework for creating things where the output is incidental, but the process itself is what is important? I can think of lots of related things - the concept of a wicked problem, Simone Giertz's Sh*tty Robots, DIY ethos, "fail better" - but they all are missing elements of what's in my head... [more inside]
posted by elephantsvanish at 10:47 AM PST - 16 comments

You Are Not My Doctor. Your body is not my body. Tell me about your experiences with ADHD/ADD meds anyway. [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna at 10:39 AM PST - 14 comments

Can anyone ballpark a year or name for this older Timbuk2 messenger bag? https://imgur.com/a/cNZOLs3 [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 10:36 AM PST - 14 comments

My company is looking for a great organization to support through our annual volunteer day initiative. Do you have a NY based organization that could use 20-25 volunteers on a particular day in June? [more inside]
posted by something_witty at 9:52 AM PST - 8 comments

We moved and now our furniture is too large for our office/guest room. We want to replace the bed with a convertible sofa. But we can't find one that works for 2 adults. [more inside]
posted by k8t at 9:42 AM PST - 10 comments

What kind of questions can I ask, and what types of details can I find online to figure out if it's a good place to work? [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 8:32 AM PST - 15 comments

Out pheasant hunting in Central Michigan last Fall I came across a very tall, what looked to be Black Eyed Susan plant, growing in a field and I grabbed a handful of the blossoms and stuffed them in my coat pocket. This Spring I crushed up the blossoms between my hands and sprinkled them in a seed starting tray. These pics are the plants that sprouted. [more inside]
posted by bricksNmortar at 7:08 AM PST - 8 comments

I used to employ the RSS-to-email option to give people an easy way to tag tumblr/wordpress posts and convert them into mailings without entering the Mailchimp interface. This doesn't work for people who are facebook or instagram-centric. I have yet to check out Email Beamer and Tinyletter, but I'm wondering if there's any way to more seamlessly integrate a mailing list with facebook somehow, such that post content can be ingested and distributed via email.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 6:55 AM PST - 2 comments

I (a US Citizen) am planning to visit Montréal for a weekend in June. I've also been unemployed for the last six months; there's a (hopefully small) chance I might still be unemployed at the time of the trip, and I'm concerned that this might make problems for me at the border crossing. Are my concerns valid? [more inside]
posted by Ampersand692 at 6:41 AM PST - 22 comments

Which of the translations inside is the best? Please help me pick a Spanish translator for my children's book based on their translations of the same passage. [more inside]
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 6:39 AM PST - 6 comments

As a combo birthday/mother's day gift, I'd like to gift my parents a visit from a personal chef. Looking for recommendations in the area northeast of Phoenix. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by olinerd at 6:12 AM PST - 1 comment

My favorite shave cream, Kiss My Face Moisture Shave, has been discontinued and I need to find a similar replacement! [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 6:05 AM PST - 14 comments

I have an extremely painful but minor health issue right now. Along with antibiotics I was prescribed morphine. I took the recommended dose and then took the next dose. The morphine worked great in that the pain was gone but I spent the next twelve hours unable to move or eat/drink (even sips of water) without throwing up. [more inside]
posted by biggreenplant at 4:39 AM PST - 14 comments

One of my more surreal memories of childhood is of excising something from my side, and then almost immediately losing it. What might it have been? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 4:33 AM PST - 13 comments

The crispy-gone-soggy FPP made me realize that I often eat carby snacks because I love that dense chewy texture. What lower-carb foods might satisfy my chewy texture cravings? [more inside]
posted by 168 at 3:04 AM PST - 26 comments

I have a folder of 800 images that I'd like to get down to a range of about 500K - 1 MB (so that they will show up nicely in an app.) The trouble is, their sizes vary wildly. Is there a good way to aim for a desired file size range, rather than just setting a quality level? [more inside]
posted by johngoren at 1:28 AM PST - 3 comments

We would like to visit a family member who lives in L.A. We're flying from the U.K. but can only stay with the family member a couple of nights. After that we need something else to do but don't want to spend a lot. Any ideas? We'll be staying around a week in total and the budget is flexible but pretty low if possible. [more inside]
posted by hazyjane at 10:30 PM PST - 14 comments