June 2018 Archives
June 30
Looking for a description of existence I saw awhile ago
A couple years ago, I saw an imgur gallery of images describing a perspective of overall existence that said we are all one entity experiencing itself through different guises. I'm looking for more information on this but I don't know the best search terms. [more inside]
posted by cats are weird at 10:17 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by cats are weird at 10:17 PM PST - 8 comments
Looking for this mug...
I am looking for a mug like the one Blue Bottle Coffee sells, but without any logo, and ideally less than their $25. The two things I like about the mug are the size - smaller than most mugs (holds about 12 ozs.), and the very slightly wider base. Can you please help me find a good substitute?
posted by Atrahasis at 8:08 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Atrahasis at 8:08 PM PST - 7 comments
Digitize cassette tapes v2
I never actually spent the time to use the suggestions in this question which I asked over seven years ago.
I still have the ca. 1994 Onkyo cassette deck and Onkyo tuner/amplifier with normal inputs and outputs and now a late-2014 Macbook Pro. [more inside]
posted by bendy at 7:05 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by bendy at 7:05 PM PST - 8 comments
Musicals like The Greatest Showman
My daughter is in love with the music in The Greatest Showman. What other musicals would she like? I think it is the percussion-heavy nature of the songs she likes, plus the Efron/Zendaya romance. [more inside]
posted by BeeDo at 6:55 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by BeeDo at 6:55 PM PST - 10 comments
Ketamine and Depression
After fifteen years fighting depression with progressively fewer battles won by the day, I'm getting ready to undergo ketamine infusion therapy here in NYC as a semi-last resort. Have you had it done? Do you know someone who has? I want to know everything. [more inside]
posted by marsbar77 at 6:46 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by marsbar77 at 6:46 PM PST - 6 comments
When do The Good Place episodes show up on Hulu?
Do The Good Place episodes usually show up on Hulu shortly after broadcast? [more inside]
posted by creepygirl at 6:32 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by creepygirl at 6:32 PM PST - 6 comments
Mosquito repellant on the down low
Mosquitos love to bite me. Despite being blood type A and normal weight, I get 10x more bites than anyone I know. When I'm spending time outside, I wear deet. However, I am averaging 6 bites a day from getting in and out of the car, the random bug that snuck into my building/office. Is their a body wash/natural repellant that can help? [more inside]
posted by Kalmya at 6:31 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by Kalmya at 6:31 PM PST - 15 comments
Not sure if I should accept an invitation or not
Recently, an estranged (oh, that word is so dramatic) family member I haven't seen/spoken to iin 10-ish years invited me to a family party. I have a lot of feelings and I really cannot decide if I should take up the invitation or not. I'm probably just over thinking everything, but I can't decide if I should go or not. More details inside, of course. [more inside]
How do current autonomous cars choose their speed?
There are a few companies testing autonomous cars right now - how do the cars know how fast to go? Do they accept input from the "driver"? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 3:58 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Tehhund at 3:58 PM PST - 9 comments
Money belt/vaccine recommendations for 12 yr old girl - BVI from US
Daughter taking her first big trip with no 'rentals along [more inside]
Best phone headset for the hearing impaired?
Need a phone headset (Bluetooth ideally) for an Android phone that is LOUD AF. Or maybe there's a captioning headset, or something? [more inside]
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 3:25 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 3:25 PM PST - 7 comments
Help Me Hawaii Please
Mr. Westridge and I have never been to Hawaii. We are planing a week and a half vacation there this winter (December most likely). What should we see and do? Where should we stay? Our snowflakes are inside. Thank you! [more inside]
posted by WalkerWestridge at 3:07 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by WalkerWestridge at 3:07 PM PST - 16 comments
Selling or trading in a 2012 MacBook Air with "service battery" message
What's the easiest way to get a decent payout for my mid-2012 MacBook Air, which has been gathering dust for quite a while? Challenge: it occasionally displays a "service battery" message, though the battery still holds about 5 hours. I reset the computer to its factory state, but I'd feel guilty selling it to a private buyer without disclosing this. [more inside]
posted by Seeking Direction at 3:06 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Seeking Direction at 3:06 PM PST - 4 comments
Married LDR?
Have you and your partner gone from married (or equivalently committed) and cohabiting to a long distance relationship for months or years? It's a somewhat realistic option for my partner and I to do this for ~2 years, but there's a lot of unknowns. [more inside]
Name that raptor
Bird of prey in my alley. Peregrine falcon? Hawk? Photo link inside. [more inside]
Can I drink it? Rosemary simple syrup edition
28 days ago I made a syrup with 1:1 sugar:water plus a bunch of rosemary. Used a little and forgot about it until today, and it had some sort of cloudy thing floating around the bottom. That's mold right? I can't tell if weird colony or just weird precipitate. [more inside]
posted by hishtafel at 1:56 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by hishtafel at 1:56 PM PST - 7 comments
Autobots! Roll...out?
Can you help my 6 year-old & I solve the mystery of this Transformer? It's from a vintage toy shop, and we can't figure out how to put in either state - or even what it's name is so we can look it up. Help us defeat Megatron by looking at the photos and details inside! [more inside]
posted by brozek at 1:45 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by brozek at 1:45 PM PST - 4 comments
quick french translation question
Please help me edit this French t-shirt from a Korean store! [more inside]
Japanese translation question
Can anyone tell me what "good fortune" is in Japanese? [more inside]
When Shoulds are no Good
MeFites who feel reasonably skillful at gentle/compassionate self-talk:
What words do you use in your head when you want to evaluate hypothetical future actions that could be healthy/beneficial/morally favorable, but are counter to your existing habits and preferences?
In other words, the stuff you feel like you "should" be doing, but for whatever reason, don't want to. [more inside]
posted by space snail at 12:11 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by space snail at 12:11 PM PST - 17 comments
rate my rating
I need examples of non-pain picture rating scales. [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 11:42 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by quadrilaterals at 11:42 AM PST - 10 comments
What is this grid of red dots on my chin?
I have a grid of evenly-spaced dots on my chin that appeared at some point yesterday. They aren't from any injury or anything I am aware of. What are they? Pic and more after the jump. [more inside]
Any women (or any gender) using a double-edge razor to shave their body?
I'm not a woman (and I don't shave my body), but my partner is, she's looking for advice/recommendations, and she doesn't have a MeFi account, so I'm asking on her behalf. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Dext at 10:32 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Dext at 10:32 AM PST - 10 comments
Post-hysterectomy pain management
If you've had a laparoscopic hysterectomy, for how long did you need narcotic pain relief afterwards? [more inside]
Good options to find if my data has been in a data breach?
Reading about the Exactis data breach made me want to find out if my or my family's data is in this or any other known data breach, but I just don't have the time to track down the data myself and check it. Are there any reliable or trustworthy services that will check data exposure for you? [more inside]
posted by StrawberryPie at 9:53 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by StrawberryPie at 9:53 AM PST - 2 comments
tomorrow afternoon within an hour of Dedham, MA
We are taking the L.L.Bean SUP course tomorrow afternoon in Dedham, MA, which will start around 12:30 and end by 3 pm. It's a little bit of a drive for us so it would be nice to tack something else nearby onto the trip. Any ideas? Qualifiers: We will be in sporty clothes, so nothing too fancy; it will be 90F so something that takes advantage of such weather would be awesome; we don't need to go to IKEA (again), and we don't want to go into Boston proper. Other than those limitations, we're open to all your ideas - thanks!!!!!
How do I get stuff off of my external hard drive?
I have an external hard drive that I seem to have broken by...unplugging without hitting eject? It was working perfectly but now just sort of makes a whirring noise but doesn't seem to connect. The light flashes so it seems to be powering up. I tried buying a new cable to connect it, but that didn't make a difference. It's a WD My Passport drive, and I'm using a Macbook Air. All of my pictures are on the drive, so hoping I can recover them!
Making snacks to stave off boredom
I'm looking for recipes or ideas for snacks to cook/bake with my nearly-five-year-old son. [more inside]
Who's stealing my bandwidth?
Someone is siphoning away between 10GB and 30GB of my residential bandwidth every day. What are my best steps for tracking this down? [more inside]
posted by zadcat at 7:01 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by zadcat at 7:01 AM PST - 27 comments
Need a good email client for Windows 10
Windows Live Email doesn't work reliably. Thunderbird won't stop syncing mails from a billion years ago. Mailspring has caused me to lose valuable work. I have a couple of email accounts to check that break whenever I try to redirect them to my Gmail. Help me with a Windows 10 mail client that ACTUALLY WORKS!
Computing Heat
Does a powerful computer performing a difficult calculation output twice the heat of a computer of half that power performing a calculation of half the difficulty? In other words, does heat output scale evenly with computational power and task difficulty?
posted by Quisp Lover at 3:29 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Quisp Lover at 3:29 AM PST - 11 comments
June 29
Sudden, tragic death of friend. How to make it through the days.
A dear friend died in an accident this week. If my friend had made a slightly different, seemingly innocuous choice, my friend would still be alive. It was 100% an accident and no one's fault. Slightly different choices would have made all the difference though. I'm in shock and despair. [more inside]
Fantastic offer, but am I good enough for this level of corporate work?
I’m a programmer with an odd work history. Early thirties, spent a few years working at startups fresh out of college in a junior role, then spent the subsequent years bumming around (wait, I think that's called being a digital nomad) and working on a variety of limited-scope freelance projects. I’ve certainly grown as a developer in this time, but probably not in proportion to where I’d be if I’d continued in a corporate role. Honestly, I’ve been taking it a bit easy. [more inside]
A Gastroenterologist and a Nutritionist Walk Into a Bar...
I need an answer to the riddle: should I go see a gastroenterologist or a nutritionist for my not painful, but really annoying increase in constipation? [more inside]
Thoughtful near future tech analysis?
I like sites like Stratechery, Asymco, and Monday Note that try to look at tech and figure out where companies seem to be headed. They're talking about strategy, but I feel like they do it in a way that's more thoughtful than a lot of the other analysis I see online. Any suggestions for good strategy reads in this general vein?
How to batch save emails as pdf
The daycare which my son attends sends daily photos along with a short blurb about what he's been doing that day. My wife and I have saved all of the emails in our gmail account. I want to know what is the simplest way to download all of these emails in a pdf format to save for the future.
Can someone translate this British recipe into American for me?
I miss chocolate digestive biscuits and I thought I’d make my own. I found this recipe but some of the terminology confuses me: [more inside]
posted by Automocar at 7:40 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Automocar at 7:40 PM PST - 9 comments
Is there a replacement for the most popiular apps on Librem 5?
I really like the new Linux phone/workstation Librem. Two little hiccups. I need streaming music with stations and skips integrated with my steering wheel controls (currently on Slacker on iPhone, but I'm not all that loyal) and more importantly, an app that will navigate to where I need to go. (Currently Google Maps on iPhone.)
If I can get streaming music and turn-by-turn GPS map navigation, I will absolutely flip to Librem, as my iPhone 6 Plus is decidedly pokey these days and can't get me to a shell prompt.
What Shall We Do with a Crooked President?
Take away his ice cream and his Fox News!
Take away his ice cream and his Fox News!
Take away his ice cream and his Fox News!
Er-lie in the morning.
Hooray, up we’re rising! Hooray, up we’re rising!
Hooray, up we’re rising! Er-lie in the morning! [more inside]
Distant TV as a shared photo display?
I'd like to be able to have a few people drop photos in some cloud folder, and have those photos appear on a distant TV, as a screensaver or as an app. [more inside]
Protest Alternatives?
Given the extreme heat expected this weekend and the combo of Not Doing Heat Well and having a long, Cannot Miss Flight the next morning (little to no recovery time), I don't believe I can attend a #FamiliesBelongTogether protest tomorrow. I'm making calls and have signed petitions. What are some [more] things I can do to support the cause? Where would donations be most effective? Thanks!
Help me get cat pee out of a sheepskin rug.
I have a 3 or 4 year old sheepskin rug (not the kind from Ikea, either). My cat (seen here hugging her lil tail to her lil face) peed on it because I mistakenly thought she didn't mind the door being attached to her litterbox hood. [more inside]
Am I creating an unhealthy environment?
I mean that literally, not figuratively. Is my recent electronics obsession making my apartment unhealthy for me, my girlfriend, and my cat? [more inside]
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 2:16 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 2:16 PM PST - 22 comments
I want to go to the Anne Frank Museul on July 2. It's sold out. Hope me!
I was in Amsterdam for a 6 hour layover years ago and didn't get to go to the Anne Frank museum because there was a long line. Going this time was top of my list of things to do. In fact, it was my only must-do. But I didn't know you had to buy tickets ahead of time until someone mentioned it to me today. I will have only one full day in Amsterdam and that was my plan to see. Is there anything i can do? Are there Anne Frank scalpers (yes, the thought grosses me out, too, but I'm desperate)? There are two adults who want to go. Is there any hope?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 1:42 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 1:42 PM PST - 9 comments
Where are all the queer pregnancy and parenting blogs?
My partner and I (both cis queer women) are starting down the baby-making path. My way of managing stress is to read ALL THE THINGS and blogs from people who have gone before me make me feel normal and less alone. I'm looking for all the queer pregnancy and parenting resources, especially lived-experiences of choosing sperm donors, navigating being a visibly pregnant and also queer person, answering all the invasive questions I'm guessing are coming, raising cool woke kids, and like, cute nursery ideas that go a little beyond just "gender neutral is grey or yellow." [more inside]
Parents just don't understand
I want to finally give my deprived and highly distractable teen a smartphone. How do I lock it down for most of the day? [more inside]
reading glasses for the way-too-young?
I am recently shocked to receive a prescription from my optometrist for glasses (+0.75 on both sides) during prolonged reading sessions. I'm 33. I'm very confused by conflicting information on the internet. [more inside]
posted by redwaterman at 1:37 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by redwaterman at 1:37 PM PST - 9 comments
Equity vs equality in inheritance
The executor of my father’s estate wants to know if I intend to challenge his will. Should I? [more inside]
Fullsize sedan for tall person?
Tall Mefites! Can anyone recommend a model of car that is comfortable to drive as a very tall person? Specifics within: [more inside]
Songs to pick yourself up
I am looking to build a playlist that will give me some encouragement when the times are tough. Know anything of the sort? [more inside]
California playlist
My partner and I are driving up the Pacific Coast Highway in a few days, and I'd love to assemble a playlist of appropriately themed songs, especially those that reference California itself in some way (beach, surfing, ocean, roadtripping, mountains, woods, etc. are all good, too). More upbeat music is preferred, but please hit me with any of your ideas. Thanks!
Gmail for Work Leave: Filter all incoming emails to folder
While on leave from work I want to send all incoming email to a folder that I can access when I get back, leaving my inbox empty until I turn this setting off. [more inside]
"Do you sell t-shirts with your art on them?"
How do I start screen printing my art on t-shirts, paper and tote bags at home? [more inside]
New music with a travel/adventure theme
I’m planning a trip and would like to discover new music to keep me company: songs with a travel/adventure theme, whether they are about being happy to be going on a new adventure or about coping with the heartbreak of separation. [more inside]
The pipes, the pipes are calling...
So as a follow up to my last question, the plumber came out and reviewed our situation and recommended that we re-do the hot and cold water system since it's all galvanized pipe through concrete slab. Is it normal to do EVERYTHING, including the water main in this situation? [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten at 11:14 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by fiercekitten at 11:14 AM PST - 9 comments
What evergreen plant can I grow in a weird way
I have a weird space that is only 3 inches wide that I want to fill with live greenery in a zone 6. [more inside]
hardtail mtb conversion
I have a hybrid I've been using as a commuter, and am looking to turn in to more of an offroad machine. It's a Diamondback Edgewood - shocks on the front fork and under the seat. Wheels are 700C x 28/38. What can I do to make this a better bike for the sand, gravel road, dirt road and rolling hills? [more inside]
Ukulele group activities
I'd like to invite area ukulele players to a gathering every few weeks. What are some fun activities we can do? [more inside]
posted by roue at 10:46 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by roue at 10:46 AM PST - 2 comments
Cheerful but not upbeat
Please recommend some quiet, slow, happy songs. [more inside]
posted by darchildre at 10:17 AM PST - 42 comments
posted by darchildre at 10:17 AM PST - 42 comments
Song heard in Dick's Sporting Goods...what was it?
Identify this song "Gather round gather round gather round..." in the new-funk style...omg halp. [more inside]
posted by TomMelee at 8:59 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by TomMelee at 8:59 AM PST - 7 comments
Is a bicycle a definite no-no for a partially sighted child?
Put like that it sounds obvious but I want to make sure I'm not being too pessimistic. [more inside]
Best Bean Bag Chair
Looking for recommendations on a comfortable bean bag chair or other low seating solution. [more inside]
posted by Prunesquallor at 7:25 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Prunesquallor at 7:25 AM PST - 10 comments
How to do a self-evaluation?
My workplace insists on making self-evaluation part of the performance review process. I hate hate hate this. Help me either (a) see the actual value in it so I can come around to the idea of doing it or (b) fake my way through it. [more inside]
Anti-Fascist Quote Search
Hey, I'm looking for a quote I remember reading earlier this year. I think I read it in Marxists In Face of Fascism: Writings by Marxists on Fascism From the Inter-war Period by David Beetham, but I'm not sure, and I've been unable to find it going back through the text. It was probably from a similar text, I tend to think Trotsky himself but that may be an error on my part. [more inside]
posted by AnhydrousLove at 6:47 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by AnhydrousLove at 6:47 AM PST - 2 comments
Siri, please start my playlist
Is there an iPhone app that will resume playing a playlist of mp3's with nearly a single action? Preferably hands-free, sort of like podcasts (where I can just ask Siri to "resume podcast"). Willing to pay $5 to get this convenience, if it needs to be paid. [more inside]
How can I delay my email reply using apple mail?
I have an exchange account I'm using with apple mail and I would like to write my email replies now but send them later (I'm on holiday and I have some time to kill but I don't want people to think I'm available when they get my automatic responder). I've found I can delay sending an email using automator, but I can't do the same thing in reply to an email someone else has sent me. Any help is much appreciated.
Italian chocolate loaf thing?
Can you tell me what this Italian chocolate loaf I ate as a child was? We were living in the US at the time but my mother visited Italy for work and came back with a solid loaf of chocolate. [more inside]
posted by peacheater at 5:24 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by peacheater at 5:24 AM PST - 18 comments
How best to organize large amounts of academic papers, books, etc.
I am entering a PhD program this year and expect to be reading many, many academic papers in .pdf form as well as physical books. I usually print out papers that I expect to be closely working with, so I'm also interested in hearing thoughts about organizing physical copies of papers and books. But mainly I'm interested in software solutions for managing my collection. I know of Endnote, Mendeley, and Zotero. What works best for you, and how do you utilize that software most effectively? [more inside]
posted by lilies.lilies at 4:55 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by lilies.lilies at 4:55 AM PST - 16 comments
Homegrown mixed drinks
We are looking for fairly simple concoctions to make with
1) raspberry vodka or
2) rhubarb vodka or
3) rhubarb simple syrup [more inside]
posted by charmedimsure at 1:15 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by charmedimsure at 1:15 AM PST - 13 comments
June 28
Looking for an individual health insurance broker in NYC
COBRA coverage is ending early as former employer is shutting down. Lots of advice (including previous questions here) about talking to a "broker" but how do I find one? Can you recommend a specific one? [more inside]
How do I get my work mojo/enthusiasm back through a stressful period?
UK academic suffering from maybe the equivalent of writers block, in a toxic work environment and finding it impossible to concentrate or do creative work; running out of ideas to reclaim motivation, and looking for suggestions. [more inside]
Gifted $20,000 for education/productive use, questions about taxes
I have been gifted $20,000 and have questions about the amount and what I can expect tax-wise. [more inside]
An afternoon in Manhattan
I'm meeting up with a college friend in Manhattan tomorrow, but we don't have definite plans yet. I'm looking for suggestions for things to do based on our mutual interests and preferences. She's coming in on the subway from Astoria, I'll be arriving at Penn Station. [more inside]
I feel smart when I recognise the allusion; what should I read?
I enjoy a certain kind of plagiaristic world-building where things in a story are closely modelled on real things and I get to figure out what the real things are. Examples inside. What would you recommend I read? [more inside]
Explain this plot point from The Night Manager, please.
I have a question about the recent filmed version of The Night Manager, starring Tom Hiddleston. I'll put it under the fold because **spoilers**. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:57 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:57 PM PST - 6 comments
How does the junk mail eventually stop?
My Father-in-Law passed away a dozen years ago, and my Mother a few year back. My wife and I are their respective executors. That meant changes-of-address so that we can watch paper mail for issues to deal with. And it's meant junk mail. [more inside]
posted by dws at 7:35 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by dws at 7:35 PM PST - 10 comments
Minimum System Requirements for Scanner problems
Computer dinosaur here, looking for a scanner to digitize photos, documents and three dimensional objects. Transparency feature a plus. Orphaned by operating system OS 10.9.5? [more inside]
posted by RaeVaughn1958 at 7:20 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by RaeVaughn1958 at 7:20 PM PST - 2 comments
How can I stop being afraid of medication?
I took 5mg of my prescribed Lexapro for the first time tonight, after 5 months of scaring myself away from it. Despite this, I have done a lot of reading online about SSRIs and other medications' effects on people and have freaked myself out enough to want to stop already. However, my anxiety has been so debilitating and I can't deny it anymore. How can I make the right decision? [more inside]
Simple Memo app that can synch between Android tablet and Chrome
Please help me find an app that can synch between an Android tablet and Chrome on Windows 10.
tIA
Better than SharePoint?
What does what SharePoint 2010 can do, particularly with InfoPath forms, but better? That has native Mac support? That would maybe allow a person to fill out and submit an InfoPath/PowerApps-like form from an iPhone? [more inside]
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 5:37 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 5:37 PM PST - 3 comments
My cat sh*t on my sheepskin rug
What it says on the tin. Please help me clean it up. [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 5:27 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by nightrecordings at 5:27 PM PST - 7 comments
Program or method for selecting random stratified sample?
I'm looking to take data sets (usually 400-1000 rows) with multiple variables (usually age group, gender, education level, political affiliation, ZIP code, etc.) and select from the full set a group (usually 18-42) that best matches pre-defined targets for those variables. [more inside]
posted by MetalFingerz at 3:52 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by MetalFingerz at 3:52 PM PST - 5 comments
Stockpiling Plan B?
Is it really a good idea to stockpile Plan B? If so, how? [more inside]
posted by slenderloris at 3:47 PM PST - 30 comments
posted by slenderloris at 3:47 PM PST - 30 comments
Identify this plant, please
Shipping missed meds overseas
My daughter flew to Israel yesterday. Yay! But she called this evening to say she forgot her meds. Boo. How can we best get them to her? [more inside]
posted by ubiquity at 2:48 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by ubiquity at 2:48 PM PST - 12 comments
Unstinking professionally cleaned carpet
I am trying to sell a house and got the carpets professionally cleaned this week. I guess it stirred up some old embedded pet smells because now the house stinks, very badly, for the first time ever, right before I want to put it on the market. It smells like a wet dog - and I do not have dogs. I do have cats, but I know what a cat house smells like (and I know what MY house smells like) and this is not it. How can I quickly and effectively fix this? [more inside]
posted by something something at 2:25 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by something something at 2:25 PM PST - 10 comments
How can I financially support direct action?
I want to increase and refocus my charitable giving toward organizations that are funding and supporting progressive and socialist direct action. For example, I give to a local organization that directly funds abortion services for those who cannot afford it, but I'm also interested in things like meals and legal assistance for people occupying ICE facilities. What are some groups that are doing work like that and other kinds of direct action?
Make a place smell good: what's effective, safe, cost efficient?
What's the best method for adding pleasant scents to an apartment? "Best" in terms of effectiveness (spreading scent) and cost efficiency, and "pleasant" meaning noticeable but understated and not chemically. I'm also concerned about safety for cats and young children. Has anyone compared candles, wax melts, incense, and diffusers, for instance? [more inside]
Print layout of content -from a list, to flash cards?
Is there an easy way in some kind of software to go from a list of items in a document or spreadsheet to some kind of card layout for printing, for example, for flash cards?
I have a game I'd like to make a mockup of, and the gameplay content needs to go on a set of cards, printed in landscape mode. Can I do this quickly in a word processor or InDesign or something like that? [more inside]
Looking for Internal Design or Typesetting software
It occurred to me that with everything that is available online, software that lets self-publishing authors get their books ready for self-publishing houses may exist as well. So, does anyone know of any? [more inside]
Is there a good app or website to help me visualize a new space?
I'm moving into a new rental house soon, and it is both much smaller and laid out very differently than where I live now. I'm considering taking the opportunity to purge some furniture and buy some new things, and would like to play around with some sort of tool that would let me plan. Ideally, the site/app would let me 'draw' in the living space with measurements (it's very very odd), and then allow me to put different sizes/styles/colors of things in the space to see how they would look. Does something like this exist? [more inside]
Help me solve the puzzle of tracking who is in/out of an office
I work in at a small museum and my colleagues (about 11 total) work in several different buildings and areas throughout the day. Due to issues of the alarm being set off by employees who get accidentally locked out after hours, our head of security has decided he wants to know who is physically in our out of the main building at any given time. Help me brainstorm a simple way to track this or tell me why our proposed solutions will or will not work. [more inside]
Is it wrong for me to apply for this job?
A new job came up at work but my colleague wants it more than me like it's his life passion. Is it backstabby to apply for it too? [more inside]
Help with narcissistic and domestically abusive father
Suggestions on how to handle my narcissistic and psychologically abusive father whom I still will have to live with for at least one year, after he threatened to kill me. Dysfunctional so called “family” details inside. [more inside]
Please just stop it with the beeping
Are there any brands that make appliances that don't make loud beeping noises? Or, have adjustable alerts? Or, if not brands, is there any way to distinguish (maybe certain review sites?) quieter appliances from louder ones? (I'm not talking about the performance of the machine, I'm talking about the alerts that signal the end of a cycle or run.) [more inside]
posted by CiaoMela at 7:30 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by CiaoMela at 7:30 AM PST - 19 comments
powder fresh 👶
Who decided babies are supposed to smell like that? [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 6:26 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by phunniemee at 6:26 AM PST - 15 comments
Songs inextricably tied to time and place
If you're doing a film about New York in the 1920s it will 100% have Gershwins Rhapsody in Blue over it. If you're doing a Vietnam War establishing shot it's Gimme Shelter or Fortunate Son. What other songs are so closely linked to a specific time and place?
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 3:52 AM PST - 35 comments
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 3:52 AM PST - 35 comments
Looking for an Essay
I would like to read the essay “The Making of a Maori Working Class: Trans-Tasman Migration and Colonial Development in New South Wales, 1806-40″ by Rohan Howitt but I'm having trouble finding it. Does any one know where I can find a copy online or in person in Sydney, Australia.
Alternative to Doc Martens, difficulty level: Australian
After having a poor run of luck with the quality of a couple of pairs of Doc Martens, I'm looking for something similar, but harder wearing than their current incarnation. I've seen Solovairs on the interwebs, and 'Made in England' Docs, however they're both hard to find in Australia. Any suggestions?
Help me get my stank... off?
I am a champion sweater with a stressful commute that leaves me drenched with stinky cortisol sweat. My current deodorant options aren't cutting it. I am willing to throw a great deal of money at this short of getting my pits botoxed. Help me find the very best, strongest deodorant. [more inside]
posted by nerdfish at 1:56 AM PST - 28 comments
posted by nerdfish at 1:56 AM PST - 28 comments
Friendship in middle-age: WTF?
I'm having more and more trouble navigating friendships and related expectations in middle-age. [more inside]
June 27
Help fix my slightly messed up turntable?
Calling all makers and fixers! I am new to this hobby. Found this on a stoop and am in love. But how to fix it?
Images are here
Anyone with experience, what do you think? Can it be done? Thanks in advance! [more inside]
How do encourage my company to decline unethical business?
I recently learned my company has a contract with an organization that many employees find morally reprehensible. I asked leadership in an open Q&A whether we would ever decline business on ethical grounds and got a disappointing answer, but many employees contacted me privately and want to do something about it. I need some help knowing what I can do and how. [more inside]
Access database - photos, how to proceed
I have someone building me an Access database for my plant info and plant library - they haven't handled a lot of image data before so I'm hoping to smooth the way for them. I'm sure my query is all over the place so please bear with me. [more inside]
California: What to pay mother's helper?
So California laws are strict and it's a bit of a "nanny state." Forgive the pun. I'm confused. CA minimum wage is $10.50 (and higher in certain counties), but mother's helpers are often willing to work for less, especially teenagers. [more inside]
posted by KatNips at 7:23 PM PST - 38 comments
posted by KatNips at 7:23 PM PST - 38 comments
How much of my household paperwork do I still need to keep?
Relating to past medical, auto, financial, housing, and work documents, how long do I keep this and which of these records do I need to keep?
I am comfortable with my filing system and it's organized but I'm just wondering whether I do need to keep all of it, because it's starting to be a lot for me. [more inside]
posted by fizzix at 5:24 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by fizzix at 5:24 PM PST - 9 comments
Improving video quality via higher frame rate and bit rate?
Video recorded at 30 fps and 6000 br. Video editing software can convert it to 60 fps and 30k. Will doing so improve video quality?
How do I correct this highlighted word that's tied to my gmail account?
How to pack for a summer trip to Ireland and Scotland with kids?
My family is taking our first overseas family vacation to Ireland and Scotland- yay! But I’m stressing out over packing. Could you recommend good packing lists or any other advice for traveling light with kids? [more inside]
posted by rebeccabeagle at 3:51 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by rebeccabeagle at 3:51 PM PST - 15 comments
Help Me Get My Ash On!
I'm in the market for an ash branch, at least 4'-5". I'll be working with this wood for a project, and have my heart set on using it. Unfortunately, given the state of the ash tree in Central Park (I am in New York City), I doubt the Parks folks are gonna let me mosey on in there and take down a branch. Or sell me one. Which leaves me looking for alternate roads to getting the branch that I need. I'll be checking with local lumber yards in the morning, but where else can I look? Etsy had a surprise dearth of options. Thanks, y'all!
posted by Ashen at 3:19 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Ashen at 3:19 PM PST - 8 comments
Books like Kate Fox's "Watching the English"?
I'm reading Kate Fox's "Watching the English." It is exactly what I wish the Culture Shock books were. Does anyone have recommendations for similar anthropological analyses of behaviors among a certain nationality or regionality? Bonus points if it's as funny as Fox, although I now understand from her book that humor is embedded in British culture...
posted by rednikki at 3:00 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by rednikki at 3:00 PM PST - 11 comments
How can I tell when buying if china will get hot in the microwave?
I want to buy new dishes. How can I tell before buying if the dishes will stay cool in the microwave? [more inside]
DIY Calendar Appliance
I've got an all-in-one touchscreen PC with meh-but-not-awful specs I'd like to turn into a calendar appliance to help keep my crew organized. Ideally, this would be based off of a Google calendar that we could either all share or at least all add to from separate devices. [more inside]
Blogs en francais?
I'm looking for fun blogs/online content that are in French, preferably for a French audience. I'm particularly interested in food and culture. Any suggestions?
Where can I get a decent breakfast in Belfast?
I'll be in Belfast for a couple of days soon, and will need somewhere to go for a good breakfast, ideally around or not far south of QUB. Early opening (8am or before) would be perfect. Can MeFi help? City centre suggestions also welcome.
Thanks!
posted by lapsangsouchong at 12:26 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by lapsangsouchong at 12:26 PM PST - 4 comments
How to find the comfiest chair for maximum laziness
I am looking for the most comfortable chair, chair-and-a-half, or loveseat in existence, sufficient for reading, gaming, and napping in multiple positions. I want to feel like I'm being hugged by angels, even if I'm slumped sideways with one leg hanging off the arm rest. How can I find one? [more inside]
Please distract me with YA books
My life is stressful right now and I like to unwind with children‘s or YA literature. I am looking for new-ish books about kids triumphing over trials and tribulations with a big happy payoff (and maybe character development) at the end. Can be wacky (like Mr. Lemoncello’s Library) or serious (like The War That Saved My Life, which contains domestic abuse) but definitely optimistic at the end. Does not actually need to be YA to hit the right note, but it helps!
Can you recommend books? Thank you! [more inside]
How to get cats who get along
If you adopt two unrelated cats, what is the best way to increase the odds that they will like each other? [more inside]
posted by chromium at 11:28 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by chromium at 11:28 AM PST - 18 comments
We need to break up. It's not you, it's us. But... it's actually you.
My condominium association needs to fire our property management company for being really, really bad at what they do. We could probably fire for-cause but it is unlikely we will do so. The meeting is tomorrow and I'm unprepared and feeling slightly panicked - I need to say things at the meeting and, probably, give 60 days notice per our contract. Can you help me/us be professional? [more inside]
Are there any public records confirming unsolved deaths/ homicides?
Some years ago, a tenant of my parents’ died on their property in Virginia in what the local media described as a suspicious death. After a seemingly large initial investigation, and a few weeks of news items complete with anonymous tip lines, there was suddenly silence. As far as I know, there was never any public notice made as to the nature of the death. I’m wondering, is there any way to find out anything, namely about whether this death was ruled due to natural causes or not? [more inside]
posted by teekat at 11:08 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by teekat at 11:08 AM PST - 4 comments
How can I be of assistance in this time of crisis for asylum seekers
I am a lawyer, who has not practiced law for many years. I'm an inactive member of the CA State Bar, and could easily become active if I want to. I didn't practice immigration law and have no expertise in this area. I'm wondering if I can be of some use--maybe the the lawyers just need active bar members to appear on behalf of immigrants in some basic hearing, and I could be trained easily? [more inside]
How to rehabilitate a tamped earth floor?
One of the rooms in my old adobe rental house has a tamped earth floor that has been neglected for many years. How do I best nurture it back to a happy, healthy, clean state? [more inside]
Waterproof headset & microphone combo -- does it exist?
I'd like to buy a pair of headset + mike combos for communicating between two people wirelessly, at a bit of a distance. It has to be completely waterproof. Does such a thing exist? [more inside]
Turning thirty, fabulously.
I'm turning thirty tomorrow. How do I make the next week/month/year/decade better? Details below. [more inside]
posted by Nieshka at 10:11 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Nieshka at 10:11 AM PST - 13 comments
Base for inflatable hot tub
I’m getting a portable, inflatable hot tub as a gift. The only place we have to put it is on our small concrete pad in the backyard. The pad has the aggregate finish so it’s not smooth. What is the best and/or cheapest thing I can put under the hot tub to protect it and make tubbing comfortable? Being able to adjust for leveling would be a plus but we don’t have much to spend.
posted by Kalatraz at 10:01 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Kalatraz at 10:01 AM PST - 7 comments
Is my mom being scammed, and if so what can I do about it?
My mom is in her mid 60s, and lost her husband about seven years ago. She has lately taken up with a man she just referred to as her boyfriend. I worry about the potential scumminess of this individual, but am not sure what I can do. [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 9:52 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by Alensin at 9:52 AM PST - 25 comments
How do I ask an artist how much they would charge for their art?
I have an artist, who works in mixed media including acrylics. I consider them a friend, if a someone distant one (that is, we live in different cities now), and I'd really like to own one of their pieces. I'm shy, though, about how to ask whether a particular piece is for sale, and for how much. They're a serious artist, with works collected in various serious places. Thoughts?
posted by willF at 9:09 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by willF at 9:09 AM PST - 15 comments
Me, a cabin, some nature, and .... ?
In about a week, I am going on a solo vacation to a small cabin on a small lake in central Wisconsin. The intent is to cleanse and refresh my headspace, to take some time to let go and relax. I have had a heckuva 2018 (haven't we all??), and this is a getaway from all that, if only just for a few days. If you were going to do this, what would you bring, and what would you plan to do? [more inside]
posted by Fig at 8:48 AM PST - 30 comments
posted by Fig at 8:48 AM PST - 30 comments
I was denied hospital financial aid due to opening a credit card, help!
I have for several years had 100% financial assistance at Ohio State Medical center due to being low income. I was recently denied for coverage due to my "non-wage income" exceeding their threshold ($8,000). OSU determined this by hiring a 3rd party vendor (Search America) who in turn did a "soft credit check" at experian, and Experian said I recently opened a line of credit (a credit card) and that credit limit counts as non-wage income, and thus I was denied financial assistance.
I called OSU today and had it explained to me that this is in fact their policy, and that it was not an error. Can I fight this some how? it seems silly to be denied financial assistance because I opened a credit card.
What if I close my account with the credit card company, then could I just reapply?
Is there any other way to rectify this?
Thanks in advance
What's going on with my red-edged peperomia?
Botanists and plant people of metafilter. I bought a little red-edged peperomia plant about a month and a half ago, repotted it, and water it regularly. I named it Herman and sing to it. It sits in an east-facing window in an apartment with a lot of light in general. It should be happy, but all of its new leaves are curly and misshapen and weird. Can anyone advise? [more inside]
Interested in hiring an interior designer
My husband and I have talked about hiring an interior designer and that feels weird to type but here we are. How does this work? [more inside]
Applying to College for (not) dummies, 2018 edition
My daughter has her Senior year in HS coming up and I am getting mentally prepared for the college application trek. Need up to date advice, tips and tricks from those who have traveled this path. [more inside]
Running with Unsealed Headphones vs. Sealed with "HearThrough" Tech
I'm thinking of buying a new pair of headphones for my runs, because I'm currently using a nice pair (sealed and wired but without 'hearthrough' option) that aren't sweat resistant, and I'm worried about destroying them as my runs get longer, as well as not being able to hear any noises around me. I'm generally running in the city or suburbs. I'm thinking of either getting a wireless (unsealed) or true wireless (sealed but with a microphone that lets in sound) pair of earbuds... [more inside]
posted by lilies.lilies at 6:46 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by lilies.lilies at 6:46 AM PST - 8 comments
How to make my technical strategy job transferable across companies?
About 6 months ago I wrote about wanting to get out of the nitty gritty of technology and doing something different. I seem to have moved into 'technical strategy'. What should I be doing to keep myself employable longer term? [more inside]
Help me make my little Subaru look like a toy car
I have just bought a 2001 Subaru Justy. He looks like this (this photo doesn't really convey how dinky he is). What can I do to make him look (even more) like a toy car? [more inside]
posted by ClarissaWAM at 5:47 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by ClarissaWAM at 5:47 AM PST - 16 comments
Unemployed, mentally ill and confused.
I recently got laid off for the second time in three years. I've been jobless for almost two months and I haven't even had an interview. When I was employed at my last job I was applying at other places and also couldn't land an interview.
I know what the problem is: I have a long history of mental illness and poverty, so I haven't been able to settle into a career that I like and have often ended up working menial admin jobs out of desperation. Therefore my resumes for jobs that aren't admin assisting are spotty. I'm also extremely shy and don't/can't network due to the aforementioned mental illness.
I may have a chance to get a grant to pursue a certificate in something, but I can't figure out what I should do. Consider this a crowdsourcing effort?
Snowflakes inside. Apologies for length. [more inside]
private bathrooms in downtown Brooklyn
More specifically, I am looking for a restaurant with a private bathroom in the downtown Brooklyn area, for someone stuck doing jury duty at the courthouse all day. The bathroom isn't needed for any illegal activity, it's just needed for someone doing their civic duty who requires a private bathroom in public places. Thanks!
Boston rentals - is this normal terrible or extra terrible?
I am looking to sign a new lease in Boston, and got accepted for a place in a great location at a good-for-Boston price. But the lease is giving me pause because it includes some seemingly draconian terms that I've never seen before. I'm tempted to walk if they don't change it, but if this is just part of the Boston rental market (like broker's fees and crazy high rents), I'd like to know. I've never rented in Boston, but I have in other cities and in Cambridge and Somerville. [more inside]
posted by alligatorpear at 5:12 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by alligatorpear at 5:12 AM PST - 12 comments
Mom, Is This Ice Cream...Not So Fresh?
CanIEatThisFilter: I just mixed up a base for making ice cream later tonight, before tasting the freshness of the milk. But it smelled fine, and I think I may have caught it in time - or it was in my head. Can you help me ascertain that? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:04 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:04 AM PST - 16 comments
Can't sleep in summer - how to use my mornings?
In the summer I seem to automatically and involuntarily wake up around 6am. [more inside]
Where Did Poseidon Live
I understand that all the gods hung out in Olympus, but I also have read that Poseidon / Neptune had a coral palace that he occupied when he wasn't up on the mountain.
Did this fortress / castle / seat of power have a name, in either the Roman or Greek traditions?
June 26
Should I give the Humane Society my money?
I'm interested in supporting animal welfare/rights charities. Is the HSUS a good or bad choice to give my money to? They seem to be legit, but I've heard that they aren't as good as they seem to be. [more inside]
posted by thedarksideofprocyon at 10:41 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by thedarksideofprocyon at 10:41 PM PST - 12 comments
Any cultural appropriation issues with this dress from Ghana?
A friend bought this dress at a local consignment store, and realized after buying it that - based on the tags and a conversation with the clerk - it seems to have been hand-made and bought in Ghana. She really likes it but is concerned about cultural appropriation issues. [more inside]
posted by curious nu at 9:41 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by curious nu at 9:41 PM PST - 10 comments
Sneakerheads?
Which is the most ethical: Taxi/Uber/Lyft/Juno/Curb/Etc.
I'm in the midst of a bit of traveling for work. What is the most ethical way to get driven from point A to point B (assume public transit is not an option). I assume it depends on location, I'm currently in Houston, but would like to know your thoughts more generally. For example, I know there are more regulations on taxis, but are the working conditions/take home pay/etc. for drivers actually any better? [more inside]
Three months to travel - where would you go, what would you do?
I have three months of paid travel almost anywhere in the world. I'm looking for recommendations of where to go and what to do. I've travelled quite extensively but this would be my first time traveling alone, something I'm a little anxious about as I'm not super outgoing. I would love to use this opportunity not just to travel but also to learn something new and/or volunteer. I think doing things like that would also help with my anxiety about doing this alone. [more inside]
Postpartum anxiety two years later?
I think I had postpartum anxiety after I had my son. It never went away. I need to start dealing with this. Where do I start? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 7:16 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by ficbot at 7:16 PM PST - 15 comments
Coping plan for moving back home
I've accepted a job offer in another city and will be moving in with my parents for at least a few weeks (to a city with a notoriously expensive housing market) as I get my bearings. My relationship with my parents and with my family is strained. I'd like advice to get a plan in place for making this move as pain-free as it can be. [more inside]
Question about Delta Basic Economy seating
I am flying Delta from Richmond, VA to Dallas, TX next month. I booked my flight at Expedia, and I was surprised to read this after I did: "Delta Basic Economy includes carry-on bag and personal item and comes with the following restrictions: No seat assignment until after check-in." I have never seen this before. What does it mean that my seat is not assigned until after check-in? Does this mean that there is a chance that, for example, the flight is overbooked and there may not be a seat for me? I'd appreciate any insight you can give. [more inside]
An activist/resistance book club looking for a book about immigration.
What is a good book to read for a group of activists who will be fighting Trump's immigration policies? Read and Resist would like to read something about immigration in July. It doesn't necessarily have to be extremely fresh or topical, since news is moving so fast. Non-fiction/fiction/memoir/graphic novels all welcome.
Depression, weird hormones, and altogether too much uprooting. What do?
I've been mildly depressed and dysthemic for several years and it’s exhausting. I’m female, in my late thirties, and I suspect my depression has a hormonal component. I’m not sure how to pursue a treatment (allopathic or otherwise) that approaches this as a potential hormonal imbalance, rather than starting with antidepressants as a first course of action. As an added complication, I travel a lot. Please offer me advice, anecdata, or anything else to help me figure out a way forward. [more inside]
posted by knucklebones at 2:29 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by knucklebones at 2:29 PM PST - 8 comments
Parabolic mirror for light redirecting?
I manage a hotel in San Francisco, and some of our rooms are on the inside of the housing block, and thus get a bit dark from about mid-afternoon on. I was thinking of wall-mounting a convex mirror at the top of the inside lightwell/shaft, to bounce more sunlight down to the lower floors (3-floor building). [more inside]
Best Floor Registers - HVAC
New air conditioning! New furnace! Same ugly, rattling floor registers. Help me find better ones? [more inside]
Queer feminist tarot deck in Seattle?
My friend mentioned a queer feminist tarot deck that she wanted that was available for purchase in Seattle. I don't know what it's called or where she saw it but I need to find it before Saturday! [more inside]
Safe to turn off our hot water heater when there's an unknown leak?
I heard the hot water heater running and not stopping this morning so I called a guy in to check it out. Turns out that there's probably a hot water leak somewhere in the house, hidden either by walls or the floor. [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten at 1:19 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by fiercekitten at 1:19 PM PST - 10 comments
Are these two LP gas regulators for a gas grill the same?
I've got a LP gas grill from North America but I'm in the Netherlands. The US grill comes with a type 689 gas regulator. The grills here in the Netherlands have type 714 gas regulators. Are these the same? (other than the size of the fitting for the gas bottle) If they are the same, then I can just buy an adapter (like this one: link ) [more inside]
Protest attire question
Should I wear my Black Lives Matter shirt to Saturday's Families Belong Together protest? [more inside]
Should I go to a protest alone?
There is a rally scheduled near my office in NYC tonight to protest the Supreme Court's decision on the Muslim ban. I have only ever attended protests/marches with other people, but if I go to this rally tonight, I would have to go alone. I've seen advice suggesting that people shouldn't go to protests alone for safety reasons, which makes me nervous - but I also don't want to not show solidarity just because of my anxiety. (I'm a middle-aged, middle-class white woman, in case that makes a difference.) I feel like I should be leveraging that privilege by showing up - I just want to be smart about it. Does anyone have a sense of how safe it would be to attend this specific event by myself?
posted by Neely O'Hara at 10:56 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by Neely O'Hara at 10:56 AM PST - 18 comments
In search of extra nasty drumming
I'm looking for music with extra backbeaty drums ("nasty" might be an appropriate adjective). The kind of drums that make your face wince. Most of the examples I have fall under "jazz" though I'm sure other genres have what I'm looking for as well. Examples within. [more inside]
posted by mustardayonnaise at 10:26 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by mustardayonnaise at 10:26 AM PST - 19 comments
How best to prepare a wedge of sabzi (Persian stew)
I bought a wedge of Sabzi, accidentally confusing it with koobideh. I was hoping to make a sandwich, but now I have a solid piece of stew instead. If I heat it will I then be able to pour it over rice? Can I actually make a sandwich with it? What's the best way to eat this delicious triangle? Photo
How to ship a chair from the US to Japan
I'm trying to ship a small chair (12kg) from California to Japan. Can you suggest the most economical trackable way to do this?
Bad Medicine is What I Don't Need
My specialist physician has the chance to modify my diagnosis so insurance will cover my treatment. Initially, he did not modify it. What are the realistic possible consequences of having a claim denied? How will it impact future treatment? [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 8:52 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by crunchy potato at 8:52 AM PST - 3 comments
SEO title to save metafilter
Where can I find a shirt like this in adult male sizes?
NYC vet/clinic that will spay a pregnant cat?
I inherited a pregnant stray that is less than a year old and one month pregnant. I think spaying her now would be the best option. [more inside]
Mystery space birds.
I was at the Very Large Array yesterday and found this nest of chicks in the shade next to a radiotelescope. What are they?
posted by mykescipark at 8:38 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by mykescipark at 8:38 AM PST - 2 comments
Canada-filter: What's the Pittsburgh of Canada?
I'm a dual citizen currently living in the US. I love my city but, well, [waves hands at everything else]. Hypothetically and out of curiosity, if I wanted to repatriate to Canada with my family, where should we be looking? [more inside]
Why do Americans use long-grain rice instead of short or medium-grain...
...even in dishes that were originally meant to be made with short- or medium-grain? Is long-grain rice cheaper? Easier to grow in the US? Easier to cook? Easier to "keep" after cooking? More shelf-stable beforehand? [more inside]
posted by inconstant at 8:12 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by inconstant at 8:12 AM PST - 13 comments
Can my cats eat this?
I bought a 24-can pallet of Fancy Feast grilled chicken flavor a week ago, and promptly left it in the trunk of the car. The weather hasn't been awful as far as Chicago summers go, (I think we had a high in the 80s in the past few days), but I know the trunk stays warmer. Is it safe for the cats to eat it, or do I need to suck it up and buy a new pallet? (Cat tax inside) [more inside]
Where in Canberra or Townsville could I buy rosella jam?
I have an expat Australian craving for rosella jam. I will be in Australia shortly and would like to buy some. Can anyone suggest where I can actually walk into a store and buy it over the counter? (Not at the moment interested in buying on line.) [more inside]
posted by Logophiliac at 8:01 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Logophiliac at 8:01 AM PST - 10 comments
Getting out of the temp/contract pool
I'm looking for a permanent job and keep ending up in questionable long-term/temp-to-perm positions that aren't right for me. How can I get out of temp work and into the right permanent full-time job? [more inside]
Can my landlord contradict the realtor about pets after we've signed?
The realtor said "pets are okay with a deposit" when we asked about getting a dog, and then after paying a big deposit and first month's rent and signing the lease the landlord said, "some pets are okay but no new dogs." [more inside]
Got a death threat in eMail. What are my next steps?
I woke up to a LOVELY e-mail this morning from someone saying my "wife will be bashed to death"
I don't really feel the threat is CREDIBLE (as that was the entire body of the text) but I'm wondering what to do.
More after the fold... [more inside]
How can my husband track my movements?
I'm in the beginning stages of a divorce. In the past, I know my husband has been able to locate me via the location of my iPad. Can he find me via my iPhone? My laptop? What about my car? I have a newer Subaru and I know he has an app on his phone that allows him to lock it remotely. Is there a way he can see where I am? Can you tell me what to do for each of these items?
How do I discover what I need from friendship?
I have many friendships, too many to keep maintained, but I still feel longing and lonely. I feel I'm ready for my friendships, my chosen family, and my actual family, to be more fulfilling. To do so, I want to understand my own needs and desires. Please give me advice for philosophies of friendship, personality theories, personal journeys, or even online quizzes that can help me find better fitness in my friendship ecosystem. History and theories inside. [more inside]
Arrested while trans
Are you trans, and have you been arrested at a protest in the United States? What was it like? What special considerations should I have, or am I insane for considering this? I am especially interested in trans men who pass as male and whose legal name and ID has been changed to male. Recent-ish arrests (i.e. post Jan 20, 2017) preferred.
How can I benefit from warning company of possible issue in tender?
I am unhappy where I work – overlooked and unappreciated. But I have found out information that could be extremely important to the company's future business. Is it possible to use this as leverage to improve my situation? [more inside]
Help me scrape web!
My organisation hosts a number of web pages and other documents on OurOrg.co.uk.
A small proportion of these pages have links pointing to content on OtherLocation.com.
I've been asked to identify every page on OurOrg.co.uk that has a link to OtherLocation.com.
How? [more inside]
posted by Ted Maul at 7:11 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by Ted Maul at 7:11 AM PST - 7 comments
Why Couldn't I Vote in the New York Primary This Morning?
My SO and I went down to our regular polling place, and when they looked us up by address to find our district, they said, "Oh, there's no elections for you today." Why? [more inside]
posted by knownassociate at 7:00 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by knownassociate at 7:00 AM PST - 9 comments
Why is my car runmbling when I drive?
In the past 2 or 3 weeks I've notice my 2015 Ford Fiesta rumbles, as if I'm driving on a bad road, whenever I drive anywhere. What's up with that? [more inside]
posted by DynamiteToast at 6:49 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by DynamiteToast at 6:49 AM PST - 8 comments
Business Travel Newbie - what to pack for SE Asia in July?
I will be travelling for conferences, presentations and workshops this July in Hong Kong, Singapore, Jakarta, Penang and Kuala Lumpur. [more inside]
posted by Hugobaron at 4:22 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Hugobaron at 4:22 AM PST - 4 comments
Repair vinyl jacket
I have a favourite vinyl jacket that I accidentally sprayed with perfume and now the top layer has bubbled away from the padding. How can I repair it? Or at least stop it from getting worse? [more inside]
posted by chairish at 12:34 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by chairish at 12:34 AM PST - 2 comments
June 25
Protest Preparation
To Tattoo or Not To Tatto a Cat Tattoo?
I'm considering getting a tattoo of Jenny Linsky, a little black cat who is the main character in an old series of children's stories I loved as a child. I'm hesitating because one of the stories is a bit culturally insensitive. Should I ditch the plan, or am I just using this as cover for cold feet? More below the fold. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:42 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by anonymous at 10:42 PM PST - 26 comments
Can I replace my fridge with my narrow staircase?
I live in a three-floor townhome with the kitchen on the second floor. The townhome is modern (circa 2010) and contains a 36" standard depth fridge. I bought the townhome after construction and I have no idea how the fridge got there. I want to replace the fridge, but have no idea how it can get to the second floor. The staircase from the first floor to the second floor is narrow and has two 90° turns in addition to a third 90° turn from a small entrance to the townhome to the staircase. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by saeculorum at 9:30 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by saeculorum at 9:30 PM PST - 13 comments
BALE-ay vs. bale-AY
In American English, it seems in my experience that non-professional dancers pronounce "ballet" with the accent on the second syllable (like bale-AY) and that professional ballet dancers pronounce it with the accent on the first syllable (BALE-ay). How come? [more inside]
posted by lazuli at 9:10 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by lazuli at 9:10 PM PST - 15 comments
Which glue for my shoe?
My hiking shoes are coming apart. Please suggest a proper adhesive to put them back together [more inside]
How do I get comfortable over the fact that I will be gossiped about?
I've had to deal with people making comments behind my back. Much of it would have to do with my anxiety and social awkwardness. I feel that gossip is normal and inevitable, especially if you do tend to stick out. I don't feel the gossip about me is especially harmful. However, I can't help but feel self conscious about my flaws that people are gossiping about. I feel like the butt of a joke. How do I stop focusing on what people are saying about me? Some of these gossips are my friends and generally have been kind and supportive to me so I feel like I'm being overly sensitive. I'd like to assume they're just joking around. How bad does the gossip have to be before I confront them?
What was this story? (100+ degrees edition)
I am trying to identify a story I heard as a child. It was on one of the "anthology," old-time radio programs, Suspense, X Minus 1, etc. It might have been adapted from something by Ray Bradbury or another author of the 40s and 50s. [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 6:46 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Alensin at 6:46 PM PST - 6 comments
Flea bites? Or....?
My legs are suddenly covered in small red bites. What the heck happened? [more inside]
posted by ohsnapdragon at 6:37 PM PST - 17 comments
posted by ohsnapdragon at 6:37 PM PST - 17 comments
The Name of (the Children's Book About) the Wind
My wife is trying to find an illustrated children's book from her childhood or teenage years. The central character is a young anthropomorphic animal who is deeply afraid of storms or the wind. [more inside]
Shipping an iphone across country
How do I do this safely and which service would you recommend? [more inside]
How do you figure out spending for kid with special needs after divorce?
How do you figure out how much to spend on kids with special needs when the parents are divorced? [more inside]
posted by shockpoppet at 6:07 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by shockpoppet at 6:07 PM PST - 8 comments
Original Research
I have created two pieces of new research in the form of (1) a survey and (2) a database. The survey was 30 questions on Google Survey which were answered by about 30 respondents in and around public radio. That was all that would respond. The database was created by coding terms, counting and categorizing their occurring instances and then running cross-tabulations to get simple percentages and ratios. In that case, the pledge drive language of 45 station was analyzed and yielded about 1980 datapoints. [more inside]
Best way to get from Laguardia to Brooklyn?
My GF and I are flying in for our very first NY trip and will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Brooklyn. We're just wondering what's the best mode of transportation to get from LaGuardia to Brooklyn and vice versa. [more inside]
tips for six and four year old at Disneyland?
We're taking our six and four year old kids to Disneyland in California early July. We'll be there Saturday July 7 and Sunday July 8; unfortunately those dates can't be moved, though we could conceivably go another night the next week too if for some reason the pricing structure made that make sense. I've been to both Disneyland and Disney World, but not for a decade or more. What do we need to know? [more inside]
Summer camp surprise ideas
Through our community center, I have the awesome opportunity of running a three-week day camp this summer. It's a literacy camp and we'll also be teaching the kids how to navigate the city using the public transit system. What are some small things that we can do to make this camp really special for the campers? [more inside]
Did Slate kill its RSS feeds?
I subscribe to Slate's "Dear Prudence" through an RSS feed, and I've noticed the last few weeks that I have not been getting new posts. I checked the website today and Dear Prudie has been moved to a new site (https://slate.com/human-interest/dear-prudence), with what looks like a site redesign. I can't find a new RSS feed to go with this new location though. Did Slate kill its RSS feeds in this redesign? Or can someone more skilled than I find them?
posted by crazy with stars at 2:34 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by crazy with stars at 2:34 PM PST - 5 comments
I hate Gmail.
Is there a way to make Gmail to display the entire email I send someone, even if it thinks it can hide half the email behind a "more" ... ? [more inside]
Apple Mac Mini Display--Help Me Fix This!
Working on a new-to-me Apple Mac Mini that has an Acer display, I must have hit the Airplay button and accidentally changed the display. Now there's a bluish abstract picture, no more Mac, and I cannot undo this for the life of me. I've tried disconnecting Thunderbolt and restarting everything. How can I switch back to see the Mac on the display?
Please suggest recent fiction for me
I read constantly, but am having trouble getting into anything right now. I'm in a reading funk. Please help me by suggesting recent (published since 2015) fiction for me. Preferences inside. [more inside]
Help me escape the mind f*ckery and move forward.
Casual relationship is making me crazy. Am I asking for too much? What is wrong with this guy? I’ve never met anyone quite like him and I am so conflicted. What do I do here?! Give me your opinion and your insight on how to deal with this. Way more below the fold. [more inside]
posted by Pineaway at 1:24 PM PST - 29 comments
posted by Pineaway at 1:24 PM PST - 29 comments
Is This Frigging Unconscionable, or, Am I An Impatient Hotheaded Crank?
I walked out of a cardiologists office an hour and a half after my scheduled appointment time. The physician still had not shown his face. At the time, this seemed like the obvious thing to do, but I have been getting differing opinions from friends and family. So I am curious... how much of this type of treatment will you accept from a physician? [more inside]
Rows of Dents in Fingernails
A few months ago, I started noticing rows of small dents growing out of my fingernails. It hasn't gone away, and more rows have grown out since then. Do I need to see a doctor about this? [more inside]
What to do when our health insurance lapses due to late payment?
The insurance company says they are filing an appeal-of-cancellation and will get back to us in 7-10 days with their final decision. In the meantime, what's Plan B? [more inside]
switching out range top for gas stove?
We are thinking of switching out a cabinet with range top for a gas stove - what do we need to think about that we are not? [more inside]
posted by needlegrrl at 11:30 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by needlegrrl at 11:30 AM PST - 13 comments
Can I rescue this suede purse?
I sent a suede bag for cleaning, and it came back a ruined - a darker color and a hard, stiff texture. Can I save it? [more inside]
Help me navigate an immigration checkpoint
Next week, I'll be driving from Boston to coastal Maine. I've heard of at least three border control checkpoints going up on my intended route (some combination of Routes 93, 95, and 1, traveling through MA, NH, and ME) in the past week, and I want to have a strategy to deal with one in the best way possible if I encounter one while en route. [more inside]
posted by Mayor West at 10:38 AM PST - 41 comments
posted by Mayor West at 10:38 AM PST - 41 comments
Bad car vibrations make it difficult to buy one
I bought a car this weekend but had to return it because it vibrates so hard into the back of my head it gave me a bad headache. This was even after test driving it, although it was a short drive and I was distracted by the salesman being there. Are there any other tips to prevent making this mistake again? Or particular models I should be looking for? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 10:37 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by bleep at 10:37 AM PST - 13 comments
Suggestions on how to create trivia questions
I'm looking for advice on how to craft movie-related trivia questions that can't easily be answered with a quick Google search. [more inside]
posted by JD Sockinger at 10:34 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by JD Sockinger at 10:34 AM PST - 10 comments
A whole bunch of home networking questions.
Two separate home networking questions. One involves how to properly setup a home for ethernet in several rooms, the other involves the best setup for gigabit ethernet. Details inside! [more inside]
Looking for anti-ICE bumper stickers.
I've been looking for an "Abolish ICE" or similar bumper sticker, and surprised to find there aren't a ton of these going online. My ideal sticker would have a two-or-three word slogan, would by somewhere between 1" x 4" and 3" x 10", and have more of a removable quality than a paper quality. Open to stickers that have just a couple of those characteristics. [more inside]
How can I give my kid some low-stress test prep for the Grade 3 CogAT?
My kid (grade 3 this Fall) has the opportunity in October to take the CogAT Grade 3 exam, for accelerated learning eligibility. I'm not inclined toward prepping, but for reasons (snowflake details below) I've decided to do some low-stress prep with her over the summer. Can you recommend a specific course of prep, or source of test questions? Either paid or free works. [more inside]
Double sided tape for plastic cord covers
Every year for an arts festival we use many feet of cord covers very much like this. They come with double-sided tape that sticks the covers to the carpet that can then be removed cleanly when the festival is over. Rather than buy hundreds of feet of new cable covers every year we'd like to find tape that we can use to re-use the plastic covers. This has proved more difficult to find than we'd have thought. [more inside]
posted by cmoj at 9:31 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by cmoj at 9:31 AM PST - 5 comments
Four Wisconsin Plant ID requests
Hi folks. Any idea what these plants are? All found in my backyard in Milwaukee, WI. [more inside]
What to do with a new-to-us upright piano?
We are the recipients of a piano from a friend's mother's estate. My wife's family is musical but not handy. I'm handy but not musical. What should we do, both physical (upkeep of finish, etc) and mental (lessons for wide range of skills/age from 4 year old daughter to 30ish year old me) as a best practice or thing-that-worked-for-you? [more inside]
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:15 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:15 AM PST - 12 comments
Positive empowering quotes to focus on during difficult divorce
I'm going through a pretty difficult divorce, and I'm looking for positive, self-empowering type quotes/statements to use in rotation as my wallpaper, but also just things to read and reflect upon during difficult times. [more inside]
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 7:17 AM PST - 26 comments
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 7:17 AM PST - 26 comments
Simple iOS Time Tracking app with reminders to log
I'm looking to record notes about my work day, and which projects I worked on. I don't need anything robust at all, just a looking for a simple time tracking app that will remind me to note what I did that day.
I don't want to mess with timers and that sort of thing because I'll invariably forget to turn it off, and I jump around between multiple projects all day long. Instead I just need a place to write down a rough summary of how I spent each day and what projects I worked on.
I've been using a google doc but I'm hoping an iPhone app exists that does a better job for me, and most importantly, will ping me towards the end of the day to remind me to take my notes. [more inside]
the TBR pile that ate the world
You know how a lot of people have 'Netflix syndrome' where they're drowning in recommendations and never get around to watching everything they intend to? That's me, but with books. Help me decide what to read / manage my recommendations and 'to be read' lists more effectively. [more inside]
posted by Ziggy500 at 6:55 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by Ziggy500 at 6:55 AM PST - 20 comments
New employer wants to do credit check, but I froze my credit!
I have a provisional job offer, dependent upon reference checks, credentialing, and CREDIT check. Because I am a Mefite, I knew to freeze my credit when the Equifax breach occurred in September 2017. Should I unfreeze those accounts until I am "cleared"? [more inside]
posted by honey badger at 6:24 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by honey badger at 6:24 AM PST - 7 comments
Why do my hands hurt every morning?
For the past 2-3 weeks, I've woken up every morning with hurting hands. The pain is pretty mild (~3/10), seems focused in the muscle and not the joints, and dissipates within an hour of waking. Any ideas what might be causing this? [more inside]
posted by schroedingersgirl at 5:56 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by schroedingersgirl at 5:56 AM PST - 8 comments
Family activities in Amsterdam
We're off to Amsterdam next week. What are some family-friendly (2 adults, a 6y/o, and a 2y/o) activities to do or places to visit? [more inside]
posted by EndsOfInvention at 3:32 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by EndsOfInvention at 3:32 AM PST - 17 comments
What is the cost of a cigarette?
I was reading this article about child labour in the tobacco industry and it mentioned that in Malawi farmers receive 23p per kilo of tobacco, which is enough to manufacture 1200 cigarettes. Meanwhile, in the UK I understand a single cigarette costs approximately 50p (I don't smoke so I might be wrong). I know taxes are a huge proportion of the cost to the consumer, but I was wondering if there are any breakdowns or estimates of the manufacturing and processing costs of a basic cigarette.
posted by tavegyl at 3:20 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by tavegyl at 3:20 AM PST - 5 comments
What is this journaling prompt I've forgotten?
I'm almost certain I came across a journaling prompt on the green a few years ago, with three (or more?) daily objectives. [more inside]
Question about daily commute RE: car insurance
Sooo, it's time for me to renew my car insurance and I have to fill out a policy request update. I'm actually confused about something simple. I don't *know* how many kms to put for my daily one-way commute! I feel like an idiot! I have different commutes depending on the time of year and my activities, so what should I put? [more inside]
June 24
ELI5: how to organize tens of boxes of stuff
For various reasons, I used to move every few months, and therefore thought I was a natural minimalist. Now that my living situation is more stable, I've discovered that (1) I'm actually quite the pack rat and (2) I have no idea how to organize more than a few boxes' worth of stuff. Help? [more inside]
Fix your toenails in 3 weeks with this one weird trick!
My toenails are a mess, I have to wear open-toed shoes in a wedding in 3 weeks, and I have no grooming skills. Give me a timeline for the very simplest method to get these things presentable on time. I'll buy whatever is necessary, but would strongly prefer to be able to get it at a standard drugstore and not spend more than I need to on this project.
I hate having my feet touched so much it makes my angry just to think about it, so a pedicure is 100% not happening. [more inside]
posted by juliapangolin at 7:18 PM PST - 35 comments
posted by juliapangolin at 7:18 PM PST - 35 comments
Flattening drywall texture
Have you or anyone you know ever flattened drywall texture? I'm trying to figure out if it's at all practical as a DIY project. [more inside]
posted by slidell at 6:40 PM PST - 30 comments
posted by slidell at 6:40 PM PST - 30 comments
What kind of vine can I grow in here?
I have a specific pot and wonder if I can grow a vine here [more inside]
Short story about woman convinced she is materializing stigmata?
I am trying to remember the author and title of a short story in which a female professor is convinced that she is periodically having stigmata appear on her palms (and possibly her feet, I'm not sure). Can anyone point me to the author, title, and the book in which the short story appears?
InDesign Will Not Open PDF or PNG files
I can't find an answer on Google or Adobe's site, and Adobe's customer support is closed. Hope me, Metafilter! If I try to open a PDF or PNG in InDesign, I get an "this is an unsupported file type" message. [more inside]
posted by Atrahasis at 5:19 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Atrahasis at 5:19 PM PST - 4 comments
A Tricky Question About Consent
Would consent still be considered valid if given before a person gets drunk specifically for something? [more inside]
the skinny on fasting
I would like to hear about your experiences with Intermittent Fasting and Fasting Mimicking Diets. I have some specific questions... [more inside]
Help me find a replacement for Movie Maintenance
I loved the podcast Movie Maintenance and am pretty sad that it's ending. I first learned of it through an AskMeFi thread and so I'm turning to y'all for potential replacements. What are some other podcasts that might scratch the same itch for me? [more inside]
How do we set up two-way, handsfree communication while biking?
My partner and I are looking for an inexpensive, handsfree way to communicate while we are biking (other than shouting), so the sytem will need an earpiece or be mounted in the helmet. [more inside]
How does Fortnite work?
I'd like to get a basic understanding of how a game like Fortnite / World of Warcraft was designed / developed and ultimately works at scale. Are there any books / videos / blogs that can get me up to speed on how modern multiplayer video games are made / work? I'd like to understand how some of the magic works, e.g. real time game play over the internet, how maps are made, how the physics works, how loot is created, how ultimately a game goes from a hair brained idea to making $300 million a month.
posted by jasondigitized at 11:33 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by jasondigitized at 11:33 AM PST - 5 comments
Can I eat this: Raw chicken
I bought some raw chicken from a different grocery store on Friday evening and stuck it in the fridge. Today I started to skin and de-bone it and gave it a sniff, as I often do. It smells like hard-boiled eggs. Not rotten, not bad, just not typical for my experience. [more inside]
What other company names or logos have hidden meanings?
There's an ad for Oreida potatoes making the rounds and it seems not everyone was aware that Ore-Ida comes from "Oregon-Idaho." A similar revelation about Arby's Roast Beef (RB = Roast Beef) made the rounds a few weeks ago. The arrow in the Fed-Ex logo is something not everyone knows about. What other logos and names have these hidden meanings? [more inside]
posted by bondcliff at 10:53 AM PST - 33 comments
posted by bondcliff at 10:53 AM PST - 33 comments
actually my second impulse beef question
I impulsively bought a pound of top round steak in the Fred Meyer sale meat section and want to turn it into some lunches for the week, preferably as a stir-fry. I'm still pretty new to cooking meat, and have also fallen into a stir-fry rut, so I want both advice on this particular piece of meat and also all of your stir-fry advice, tips, tricks, favorite sauces, etc! [more inside]
Summer shirts?
Help me fill out my summer wardrobe. I'm looking for inexpensive, casual, cotton, short-sleeved, button-down men's shirts with patterns. Where can I find some? I know this is easy-mode stuff but I am just awful at anything clothing related. [more inside]
Over-ripe strawberries and no time
I have six punnets of strawberries and lots of cream left over from a wedding yesterday. As the strawberries were left in a hot car for a few hours they are going to be too ripe to give to friends as originally planned. (The cream was refrigerated.) What to Do? More limitations inside... [more inside]
posted by Heloise9 at 9:20 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by Heloise9 at 9:20 AM PST - 18 comments
Help me figure out the mystery of the tripping electric circuits.
Starting a few weeks ago, when it rains, one of the circuits in my house trips off. I've tried everything I can think of, including hiring an electrician, without success. Please help me figure it out. [more inside]
What is this type of survey called?
I'm interested in performing a survey to get people to rank 10–15 items. I would like them to be presented these items in randomized pairs, choosing the one they think has a greater value of the variable I'm interested in. This would be repeated over and over until a stable ranking is achieved. What is this kind of survey called? [more inside]
posted by dondiego87 at 8:39 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by dondiego87 at 8:39 AM PST - 6 comments
Your best vegan loaf recipe
Looking for a great recipe for a vegan meat loaf. Not looking for your awesome Google skills. Please — only recipes you've personally tried and loved and only recipes that are vegan — unless you've made it vegan and it's still turned out great. Online and cookbook recipes are fine — I can get most vegan cookbooks at the library. Looking for something that is good hot or cold and holds together for sandwiches. No vegan fake foods (yogurt, cheese, Earth Balance). Low or no oil a plus, but great taste a necessity. Thanks!
posted by FencingGal at 6:05 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by FencingGal at 6:05 AM PST - 11 comments
Grab webpages for offline viewing from an instapaper export list?
Now that Instapaper has shut out EU customers stating GDPR compliance, I am worried about losing the thousands of links I have saved there. I can of course export their csv but I would like to be able to properly grab the pages so that I could read them offline and have a permanent copy on my own machines. I have looked at Wallabag but it is very flakey (refuses importing my Instapaper) .
I would like it to be available from my iPad so any ios apps that would be useful would be great too
What would you use to do this?
posted by mrbenn at 1:01 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by mrbenn at 1:01 AM PST - 9 comments
June 23
A Card Conundrum
I have sixteen first cousins once removed, ranging from 1-18 years old (I'm 28). I've seen most of them many times but I'm not close with any of them. The oldest just graduated high school! That got me wondering: what decisions should I make regarding cards or other recognition of life events? [more inside]
ICE is taken – what should I call it now?
Following common best practices, for a long time I've had an entry in my mobile phone called "ICE" for "in case of emergency". And now it occurred to me that a phone entry named "ICE" may be misinterpreted. Is it still considered best practice to call it ICE, or should I change it to something else? [more inside]
posted by StrawberryPie at 9:29 PM PST - 33 comments
posted by StrawberryPie at 9:29 PM PST - 33 comments
Mystery novels to distract me
Hit me with some well written, page turning mysteries. All sub genres welcome but queer, POC centered, women, or genre bending especially of interest. [more inside]
What's tiny, brown, lives underwater, and looks like a mushroom?
I went scuba diving at Clear Lake, Oregon today. I saw a ton of tiny, medium-brown unidentified biological-looking... *things* attached to some of the rocks. What were they? [more inside]
posted by cnidaria at 8:57 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by cnidaria at 8:57 PM PST - 9 comments
Name of queer-centric indie artist/talent agency circa 2009-2011?
Sometime between 2009 - 2011 there was a group in the US that did talent agent work for indie queer artists, with a very activist/community-oriented ethos. Their name was something like Philomena but Googling that gets me something different. Which group was this?
posted by divabat at 7:39 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by divabat at 7:39 PM PST - 1 comment
Tattoo planning
Hello! My birthday is coming up, and I'd really like to get myself a new tattoo, but I need a little help figuring out what/where. Details/preferences inside. [more inside]
how can i easily swap between three computers using three monitors ?
Is there a gadget that costs under $200 that allows me to easily connect three monitors to my Macbook when I'm working, switch them back over to my desktop when I'm looking to play Overwatch at night, and for bonus points connect to my Surface Pro when I feel like it? [more inside]
Sunday night in Cardiff?
We are two Americans planning to walk on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path in Wales this summer, but that part is pretty much figured out. We end up in St David and will need to travel to Cardiff on the first Sunday in August in order to get a 7am Monday flight out of Cardiff International Airport. I have a few questions. [more inside]
posted by maggiemaggie at 5:53 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by maggiemaggie at 5:53 PM PST - 6 comments
Did a boat land on Lard Lad's donut?
It is surprisingly challenging to find specific images from The Simpsons via Google.
If you know what episode featured a boat getting stuck on or inside Lard Lad's giant donut, I would appreciate it!
posted by 41swans at 5:44 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by 41swans at 5:44 PM PST - 7 comments
It’s NJ, of course they have Taylor Ham!
Early breakfast spot near Liberty Landing Marina Sunday morning? [more inside]
Calling All Art Detectives (pt 2)
I'm looking for an art print/poster that I got at Chicago MOCA sometime around April 2008. Lame attempt at a description inside. [more inside]
posted by buzzkillington at 4:12 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by buzzkillington at 4:12 PM PST - 7 comments
Chrome keeps crashing on my Mac
Since yesterday I have not been able to open Chrome on my Mac. It starts to open but then closes and I get a message that Google Chrome closed unexpectedly (duh). I don't know of anything that happened between Thursday and Friday that would have caused any issues. Any suggestions for fixing this? Things I have tried inside. [more inside]
Examples of incisive / sharp thinkers please!
I keep thinking about the distinction between a 'diffusive' thinker and an 'incisive' one so I would like more data [more inside]
Seeking a salt solution
Is it possible to dissolve more salt into water, by weight, than the weight of the water? [more inside]
posted by Naib at 2:15 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Naib at 2:15 PM PST - 4 comments
Driving cross-country - should I take the 10 or the 40?
I'll be traveling from Louisiana to CA and am trying to decide which route to take, particularly with regard to border patrol. [more inside]
posted by aquamvidam at 12:44 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by aquamvidam at 12:44 PM PST - 13 comments
Laying out a short story collection - might use LaTEX
I have to layout and prepare a short story collection for printing and binding. Any general suggestions for style guides, or top tips would be much appreciated.
I am also thinking this would be a good opportunity to learn to use LaTEX, so any specific suggestions on where to start with that would be really useful in terms of resources, templates, and which programmes/editors to look at. [more inside]
posted by coupedloups at 12:40 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by coupedloups at 12:40 PM PST - 16 comments
Really really really really really hard minerals
Ok, so this is the first Metafilter question coming from my daughter, who is six. According to DK's My Book of Rocks and Minerals, "Diamond can be scratched by two known rare minerals". The book does not elaborate. What are these two minerals? Google is confusing me today.
posted by selfnoise at 12:16 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by selfnoise at 12:16 PM PST - 9 comments
What car should I buy for my mother?
I know nothing about cars. I don't drive and have never owned a car. My mom's been wanting to replace her Nissan Altima and I want to buy her a new car. Budget is $30K. Help? [more inside]
Can I use my milk temperature as a proxy for my fridge temperature?
I think my refrigerator is not cold enough but I want to be sure. I don’t have a wireless thermometer, but I do have an instant-rest thermometer. If I sumberge the thermometer probe into the milk jug or a quart of yogurt or something similar, shouldn’t the temperature of the milk/yogurt be approximately the temperature of the refrigerator, assuming that the door has been closed for a number of hours, the milk/yogurt has been in there for several days, etc.? Cause the milk is 42 degrees, which strikes me as too warm. Thanks!
Help Me Make a Playlist of Songs with Sax Solos
So far I've only got Julia Holter's Sea Calls Me Home and of course Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side.
"Illegal" entry into the US by a US Citizen
Are there any statutes regarding re-entry by a US Citizen to the US without going through customs/border control ? Is there a penalty? What's the statute of limitations for punishment if it is a crime?
posted by vespabelle at 10:42 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by vespabelle at 10:42 AM PST - 6 comments
Albums that never were, yet are.
I've often been fascinated with albums that were completed or almost completed, only for the same songs to be re-recorded and re-sequenced into an album similar to but extremely different than the original. The transmutation of the Beach Boys' SMiLE into Smiley Smile is probably the best-known version of this. What other albums were scrapped and ended up having a completely or nearly completely re-recorded alternate version released first? [more inside]
posted by eschatfische at 10:36 AM PST - 29 comments
posted by eschatfische at 10:36 AM PST - 29 comments
Looking for life-affirming film and tv about making big positive changes
I recently happened across Queen Latifah's Last Holiday, about a woman who gets a terminal diagnosis and goes off on a life-changing adventure. It reminded me also of the movie Yes Man, about a man who changes his life by saying "yes" to new opportunities. Can you find me some more movies like this? [more inside]
Know any more Andy Goldsworthy public installations in North America?
Can you add to / edit this list of permanent installations in North America by the land art artist Andy Goldsworthy?
Flickr link
posted by Jackson at 9:12 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by Jackson at 9:12 AM PST - 13 comments
Crossing the US/Canada border with minors
We're happy that the US-based teenage niece and nephew are planning to visit Canada this summer. But their parents aren't coming, and we have to meet them in Buffalo. We've done some prep, but please help us not be a sad little border fail story [more inside]
posted by scruss at 8:15 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by scruss at 8:15 AM PST - 11 comments
Improve my bran muffins
I just made bran muffins for the first time and they came out okay but next time I'd like the mix to be denser, rougher and crumblier. What do I need to do to improve these muffins? [more inside]
posted by terretu at 7:46 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by terretu at 7:46 AM PST - 7 comments
Historical precedents for the events in The Handmaid's Tale?
Margaret Atwood famously said that she hadn't made up any of the horrific crimes in the Handmaid's Tale, that everything she described had been done SOMEWHERE at some point. Now that the TV show is in season 2 and going beyond the scope of the novel, I'm wondering whether the show's writers are keeping to that rule.
I"m especially wondering whether anyone has ever compiled a resource online for these references (from the book and/or the series). I'm in a dystopian mood and I want to read about, e.g., forced adoptions in Argentina. Thanks!
posted by catesbie at 7:31 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by catesbie at 7:31 AM PST - 4 comments
Why Do My Legs Cramp So Easily?
My legs seem to cramp very easily, particularly when I am sleeping/lying down. It is mostly my calves and mostly when I point my toes or bend my ankle in the other direction. It will often cause me to leap out of bed due to pain. Standing up will alleviate it.
This has been a problem most of my life, but particularly in recent years.
I don't know if it is related, but I also get lots of cracking in my ankles
Best Way to Approach Former Work Acquaintance Now at 'Menial' Job?
I used to work with this guy who was a 'professional' manager and just saw him working behind the counter at a retail shop where I like to buy specialty items. He didn't look like he was doing too well physically.
If in fact he's fallen on hard times personally and professionally, I'm wondering what the most considerate attitude to adopt is if/when I enter the shop? [more inside]
posted by Jon44 at 6:31 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by Jon44 at 6:31 AM PST - 19 comments
How to Format a Self-Hosted Graphic Novel
Seeking advice for formatting a long-form electronic comic / short graphic novella for distribution on the web. Best practices, known pitfalls, presentation tips?
(Details below.) [more inside]
posted by Construction Concern at 6:01 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by Construction Concern at 6:01 AM PST - 3 comments
Books, crafts, etc. for a kid obsessed with spinning toys?
My 7 year old has moved from being obsessed with Beyblades to a bigger interest in tops and spinning toys generally - making them, reading about them, and looking at pictures of them. Looking for suggestions of interesting / niche / small-manufacturer / historic reproductions / etc. of cool related toys and books that I might have missed.
posted by ryanshepard at 5:32 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by ryanshepard at 5:32 AM PST - 8 comments
I Already Ate It Don't Worry I'm Fine
I was cleaning some shrimp for dinner tonight and one of them had a whole bunch of clumpy white beige looking stuff all along the vein and down through the tail. Moreso than it seemed like should be inside the space it took up, like it had been under pressure somewhat. What was it?? [more inside]
June 22
Pushups - each set to trembling exhaustion or more sets of less reps?
About two months ago I thought to get back into some pushups. Everything has been bicycle and it's time to add in some upper body. I started slowly, now at three sets, sometimes four but usually three sets, taken to exhaustion. To build strength, is it best to do as I am IE take sets to exhaustion or would it serve me better to have more sets of less repetitions? [more inside]
posted by dancestoblue at 11:58 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by dancestoblue at 11:58 PM PST - 9 comments
Boots that don't fit in a variety of ways
I'm cleaning out my closet/wardrobe, and realize I own several pairs of boots that don't fit or are uncomfortable in different ways. I'd like to see what I can do to make them fit better before getting rid of them. Issues include: slightly too big, rubbing at the heels, worn down insoles. [more inside]
👍🏼 or 👎?
I am white. When interacting in public, should I use the emoji skin tone that most closely matches my own, or should I stick with yellow? [more inside]
Advice please on best approach to deal with this failing garden wall
These 3 images:
#1, #2 and #3
show the current state of my front garden wall which is about 7 years old. It's not looking good, and so I need some advice. [more inside]
posted by forthright at 7:13 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by forthright at 7:13 PM PST - 9 comments
Is there an service that can print and ship a booklet from Colombia?
I need to send two small booklets to Bogota, Colombia from the United States by next Wednesday. To reasonably expect it to arrive on time I would need to send them tomorrow. Is there a vistaprint like website or service that operates in Colombia that I could send a file to on Monday and have it printed and shipped locally? I assume this would be available in most counties, but I am told by my contact there that this type of thing does not yet exist in Colombia.
posted by Short End Of A Wishbone at 7:05 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Short End Of A Wishbone at 7:05 PM PST - 3 comments
It's going to be a long summer
My summer intern is a nice guy, but his work performance is sorely lacking. I'm seeking advice on how to handle this situation. [more inside]
posted by akk2014 at 6:46 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by akk2014 at 6:46 PM PST - 15 comments
Help me preempt a call to the cops.
Help asap please.
A coworker wants to call the cops on a family across the street from her house. I think that is a terrible idea that can only end horribly. [more inside]
posted by Caxton1476 at 6:29 PM PST - 30 comments
posted by Caxton1476 at 6:29 PM PST - 30 comments
NY24 Democratic Primary - How to vote?
I am asking for advice on how to place my vote in the Democratic primary for New York US Congressional District 24, between Dana Balter and Juanita Perez Williams. If you are familiar with this race and have an argument in favor of one or the other, please let me know.
Thanks, all NY24 experts. [more inside]
posted by JimInLoganSquare at 6:13 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by JimInLoganSquare at 6:13 PM PST - 5 comments
Is house buying in Maine really all that different?
We sold our home in California. We moved all our stuff into a moving van (with the help of you MeFi)
Now we are buying a home in Falmouth, Maine and have some questions? [more inside]
Is this control or compromise?
Asking for a friend. She’d been with her partner for six months before they moved in together. Prior to that, he’d been a weekend toker. Once they were settled, he wanted to smoke more often. They compromised, agreed on a certain # of days per week. The issue remains contentious and they are now veering towards a breakup. Should they let that happen or continue to try to compromise? [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 4:28 PM PST - 45 comments
posted by cotton dress sock at 4:28 PM PST - 45 comments
Turmeric Grinder Recommendations
We have some dried turmeric roots that we would like to grind to a powder. Can anyone suggest a good electric grinder for doing this. Ideally it would be compact and useful for other grinding tasks as well - perhaps crushing almonds to a coarse power or grinding flour from sorghum . This is an appliance that would probably be used a few times per month.
posted by metadave at 4:01 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by metadave at 4:01 PM PST - 6 comments
Old Kombucha
I have 5 bottles commercial kombucha which have been continuously refrigerated since purchase. They have an "Enjoy By 11/12/17" sticker on the cap. Should I drink these? [more inside]
Can You Help Me Weigh These Two Job Offers in Washington?
Advice/input desperately needed, please! I have two job offers in Washington state but the pro’s and con’s of each are tough for me to compare. Now, I’m overthinking and too close to the decision. Details of both offers inside! [more inside]
posted by carlypennylane at 3:34 PM PST - 27 comments
posted by carlypennylane at 3:34 PM PST - 27 comments
Will wood furniture placed under air conditioners be damaged?
I am interested in putting a dresser under an air conditioner (a mini-split ductless, what is essentially a window a/c). The a/c is run 8 hours most days and there will be 3-5' of clearance between the a/c and the dresser. Will a wood dresser develop damage over time due to mildew, condensation or something else?
Small Printing Press, 1980s
I was just remembering back to the printing shop my junior high school had back in the 1980s, and I can't find links or descriptions of the processes I remember, mostly because "printing," as a subject, has changed a lot in the past thirty years and it's difficult to filter through all the noise with the generic terms I remember -- details inside. [more inside]
posted by AzraelBrown at 2:48 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by AzraelBrown at 2:48 PM PST - 11 comments
How much money should I ask for at my job?
Three weeks ago I was hired to run a tool program at a large construction and engineering firm in Maine. The stated wage was $15-17/hr, so I asked for $16 and figured I'd try to get another dollar at the 90 day review if they liked me. The thing is, they really like me. Now as they plan to promote me, I wonder what a reasonable wage would be. [more inside]
Hack my therapy
I've had the same therapist, "Jane," for three years and I love her. Lately, though, something isn't clicking, and I don't know what it is (and therefore don't know how to broach the subject). I'm looking for tips on sorting out what's amiss and how to have a conversation with her if that need be. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 1:57 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by mermaidcafe at 1:57 PM PST - 7 comments
Irritated eye, should I see a doctor?
I don't actually care about treating this eye irritation unless it's a sign of something scary. You are not my doctor but can you help me decide if this is worth going to the doctor? [more inside]
posted by capricorn at 1:42 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by capricorn at 1:42 PM PST - 19 comments
How to quickly air out apartment due to hallway smell.
The building I live in sent out an email that they would be cleaning all of the hallways. Whatever they used is so strongly scented and is making me sick. I'm also worried for my pets. Is there anything I can do to at least get the scent out of my apartment quickly? [more inside]
posted by mokeydraws at 1:11 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by mokeydraws at 1:11 PM PST - 7 comments
How to be a Good Parent to a Trans Teen
Husband and I are feeling like we're not doing enough to support our kid during this time but we also worry that this is also happening too fast? [more inside]
Raise Taxes Now
What organizations are working on raising taxes in the state of California? [more inside]
Arrrr
I'm going to start teaching some beginner R workshops for students in the social sciences. My background is in teaching/using Python for data analysis/retrieval/etc. What are some things that would be useful to know, that I may not anticipate coming from Python-land? [more inside]
Initialisms or acronyms as different parts of speech
Can I use initials to refer both to a noun and to a verb? As in, I define a term -- "gandy dancer (GD)"-- and later, when referring to gandy dancing, I use "GD"? [more inside]
posted by Francolin at 12:19 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Francolin at 12:19 PM PST - 9 comments
Elderly Medical Alert Systems
I set my elderly mother up with Bay Alarm Medical Alert. There's a wristband with a button she can press to talk to someone in an emergency. But, to my surprise, you can't actually communicate via the wrist device, you need to be in the room with the base unit plugged into the phone line. And if she can get to that room in the event of a fall or other problem, she could just as easily call 911. Am I misunderstanding these services, or did I choose the wrong one?
Eating in Europe - celiac filter
I'm going to be traveling through a few Western European cities this summer, need to eat while doing so, and have celiac disease. I'm quite sensitive and a little cross-contamination will ensure that all I see of Amsterdam is a hotel toilet. I'd like to eat at restaurants and also eat pre-purchased food (cheese, crackers, fruit, salami, etc.) in parks and on trains between cities.
I'm looking for your celiac-safe restaurant and grocery recommendations. [more inside]
posted by congen at 8:56 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by congen at 8:56 AM PST - 12 comments
I need some individually-packaged camp plastic lanyard-making kits!
Hosting a camp wedding and would LOVE to give my guests a goodie bag of swag, including a lanyard-making kit. But I can't seem to find individually packaged ones, even though I thought it would be easy. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by knownassociate at 8:35 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by knownassociate at 8:35 AM PST - 2 comments
Isometric exercises!
Where can I find some isometric exercises that help me tone up? [more inside]
posted by atetrachordofthree at 8:07 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by atetrachordofthree at 8:07 AM PST - 5 comments
Become comfortable with myself
I am single for the first time in my adult life (6 months in) and living alone for the first time too. While it is okay, I am not entirely comfortable with my own company. I get the feeling I need to get to grips with being alone before I pursue the next thing. [more inside]
posted by teststrip at 7:34 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by teststrip at 7:34 AM PST - 18 comments
Storage Unit Tetris
Downsizing for a move, so a lot has to go into storage. Wondering what would be the best way to position free standing shelves. [more inside]
posted by Sophont at 7:06 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Sophont at 7:06 AM PST - 4 comments
How to cope with going on a trip you don't want to go on?
Looking for ways to cope with going on a trip I don't feel up for going on. [more inside]
wonky backup camera
I drive a 2015 Sonata. A few weeks ago I noticed a strange problem with the backup camera. When active it now shows part of the fender. The red box gird is now about half gone. It is as if the camera has tilted down. Approximately the bottom 1/5 of the screen shows the fender. The camera has not been bumped or damaged nor has it moved in any way. [more inside]
First triathlon, reassure me
Augh! It's coming up on Sunday! While I have learned how to spell "triathlon," I am still feeling a little uneasy about the other bits. Please lend me your triathlon wisdom, keeping in mind the keyword "reassure" in question title. [more inside]
posted by sacchan at 4:33 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by sacchan at 4:33 AM PST - 15 comments
Thinking about adopting a dog
I'm at a point in life where I'm considering adopting a dog. I've always wanted a dog and things may be coalescing to a point where it might be a good time to do so in the near-ish future. But I don't really know where to start with considerations of breed, age, where to find one, etc. [more inside]
June 21
Veg restaurants vicinity Penn, MOMA, Central Park? Lunch tomorrow
NYC centric: So my niece who is 20ish just texted (!) and she and 2 friends are arriving in town tomorrow (!!) and I would like to take them to lunch. Vegetarian (consume eggs/cheese). Arriving Penn Station AM, headed to MOMA, Central Park, maybe a Bway show? Search here yielded Penelope's at Lex and 30th. Any other suggestions nearer stated destinations? Bonus: where to meet inside Penn?? Bonus 2: where to stash luggage near Penn for day? Thx!
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 8:12 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 8:12 PM PST - 8 comments
my mole medical mystery
Please decipher a strange thing that happened to me several years ago. I was having dinner at a friend's house. She made a delicious mole sauce and served it with something vegetarian. If I recall, it wasn't particularly spicy (though quite flavorful), and in any case, I love spicy food. Some way into the meal, though, I felt suddenly exhausted. Maybe I had a little stomachache? Whatever it was, I absolutely had to lie down in a quiet, dark room—the commotion of the dinner party was too much to handle. It was different than normal tiredness, which doesn't make me need to suddenly retreat like that. I felt better about an hour later, but for the next year or so, I couldn't eat any spicy food at all without getting terrible indigestion. What happened??
posted by the_blizz at 6:53 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by the_blizz at 6:53 PM PST - 9 comments
Bone in versus boneless short ribs
Difference in cooking [more inside]
How do I give myself closure when I still like him?
I’m packing up and moving town for a new job. And in the process, ending things with this person that I’ve been seeing for all of a couple of weeks. And gosh darn it, am I sad about this. Can you help me get out of this mental loop and see some clarity here? [more inside]
posted by twill at 6:46 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by twill at 6:46 PM PST - 12 comments
Dating 101, 2018 Edition
Parents of Metafilter: when your kids just started dating, did they always go Dutch? (Is there a better term for "go Dutch" nowadays?) I'm talking earliest dating -- where your parents are driving you to the mall, say, to meet someone (who's been driven there by their parents), and you're gonna see a movie and have a froyo or taco or something. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:30 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:30 PM PST - 11 comments
Will it be Waking Ned Devine, or Children of the Corn?
My wife and I are planning on moving to rural Whidbey Island, WA in the next few years. We think we know what we're doing; what are we not thinking about moving to a (quite) small town? [more inside]
Is this installer of Movie Maker safe?
I really liked Microsoft Movie Maker. But the replacement for Windows 10 is... lacking. I did a little searching, and found something in Microsoft Answers. It links to the Wayback Machine, and clicking on it gave me the installer I think I need (wlsetup-all).
How do I know if this is safe to run?
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 6:09 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 6:09 PM PST - 3 comments
Apps for dyslexic adult with ADD
Can anyone recommend an app for a dyslexic adult who has ADD and is trying to stay organized and on top of a lot of moving parts in different areas of his life?
Language evaluation exams with a view to relocating to Québec or Ontario
Hi. I've been considering relocating to Québec for some time, and was wondering whether or not taking (and passing, obviously) the Test for Evaluating French for Access to Québec (TEFAQ) would likely render such a move a mere formality, or if to the contrary there's still a very real chance I would be denied? [more inside]
Tips for easing sciatica / back pain at home?
What things actually worked or helped ease sciatica or lower back pain from home? Stretches? Heat? Massages? YANMD [more inside]
A Remote Possibility
I sent a package through USPS to a friend. When she opened it, there were additional items I had not put in it and had never seen before. We are both baffled. Help us solve this mystery! [more inside]
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 2:56 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 2:56 PM PST - 11 comments
What are all the publicly traded companies in the U.S. led by women?
I've been trying to find a list of publicly-traded companies that are led by women, but I can only find women CEOs of the Fortune 500. I'm looking for a list of *all* the publicly traded companies in the U.S. run by women-- even small companies! [more inside]
Degree program for working with LGBT health
Help me choose one of two degree programs that will allow me to work in an explicitly LGBT-related field. (I know this is broad, many constrictions inside) [more inside]
posted by FirstMateKate at 2:30 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by FirstMateKate at 2:30 PM PST - 6 comments
Please help me find my Canadian narwhal.
A couple months ago, I saw a link, probably on Metafilter, to a really nifty, Canadian apparel company that made women's clothing. I kinda remember the brand being in the $50-$250 per piece range, and had a whole artsy, granola-y, "made ethically in Canada" kinda vibe. This season's sleeveless blouse had a narwhal print, and I loved it, but now I cannot find the link I saved. Please hope me.
posted by joyceanmachine at 1:33 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by joyceanmachine at 1:33 PM PST - 5 comments
You don't win friends with salad!
Every time I eat more than a few bites of salad (containing lettuce and other raw veggies) I have horrible diarrhea within an hour. The obvious short-term solution is to stop eating salad but I'd love to better understand why this is happening and whether I can ever retrain my body to tolerate salad again. I am 99% sure that I am not eating contaminated salad greens every single time and that this is instead something wrong in my body. More details inside. [more inside]
Can I drink this?
I bought a Bota Box of pinot grigio. I put it in my trunk with the other groceries. When I got home I couldn't carry it all in one trip and meant to go back and get the wine. I got distracted and forgot. It's been in the car overnight in the garage for two nights and parked in a parking lot in the sun for two full days, average temps outside the car 80 degrees. Does it make any kind of difference that it's vacuum-packed? Did I just throw away $18 worth of wine? Would you drink it?
Portable AC experiences?
I have never had a portable AC and I am curious if my experience with mine is the norm.
Turning off and on repeatedly over night. [more inside]
posted by Iax at 1:03 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by Iax at 1:03 PM PST - 11 comments
Favorite micro-orders on Amazon?
I just got an Amazon store card. I'd like to build my credit by buying something small and paying it off every month. For example, I just bought a ball-inflating needle for a tire pump for $1.99, shipping included. What sort of tiny stuff do you like to order? Thank you!
posted by 8603 at 11:24 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by 8603 at 11:24 AM PST - 13 comments
What I wish the developer before me had written up
Title is the question. If you were a software dev stepping into a new role, what would you want to see and read. Entity relationships diagrams?
Data dictionaries? Logic diagrams? Help me build a wishlist, please.
Help me get rid of this urinal cake smell!
I liberally doused the floor (wood and tile) with Nature's Miracle after my dog's accident. It was a mistake because the cleaner soon dissipated into a urinal cake smell and is still lingering 6 months later. I tried moping the floor with vinegar and hardwood floor cleaner multiple times, airing out the studio, and allowing time to pass. No luck! I'm going crazy, please help me get rid of this urinal cake smell!
Looking for a movie recommendation - lots of specifics inside
I would like to find a third studio quality movie to screen together as a set, in chronological order (of the story), set a decade-ish either before Velvet Goldmine or after 24 Hour Party People. [more inside]
Living is hard
My childhood included abuse, neglect, loneliness, and loss. As a result, I have issues with patience and warmth. I can be sarcastic, detached, and brusque. I actively work to be softer and more patient when dealing with people, and the cumulative effect is exhausting. I’m also an introvert. Basically, just being normal in the world every day feels like work. Does this sound like you? [more inside]
posted by puppet du sock at 10:01 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by puppet du sock at 10:01 AM PST - 13 comments
Shared Workspace DOES NOT Mean Sharing All The Printers
I work in a small room that's part of a shared workspace, and we have our own printer inside our room. How can I stop it from showing up as an available printer on OTHER people's computers? [more inside]
How can I stop having Nightmares?
They happen too often and this morning I literally got up shaking. They almost always involve my parents and or childhood home. I just want some decent sleep. [more inside]
A bad trip
What do I say to a friend who will guilt trip me for falling out of contact? [more inside]
posted by lollymccatburglar at 7:52 AM PST - 34 comments
posted by lollymccatburglar at 7:52 AM PST - 34 comments
What are the amazing new puppy things?
We lost our very-much-loved dog this past winter, and are finally getting a new puppy next week! (sorry no pictures yet). Our last dog went blind fairly young and stopped wanting to play with toys shortly after that, so we're completely out of touch with what amazing new toys / tech / inventions are now out there for maximum canine joy. Besides a fillable Kong or two, what are the latest must-haves? [more inside]
Research and Problem Solving Careers
Looking for career ideas that play to my strengths: very, very curious, likes to find information, and enjoys problem solving. [more inside]
This cat can't be collared
My cat Lev is a fiend when it comes to collars. It's not even that he seems to mind wearing them; he just goes out and then comes back without them. When he's out on Cat Business I think he spends a lot of time crawling between branches and skulking in thorn bushes; he can lose collars within days. I need to find a collar that strikes the right balance between being too easy to release (meaning I have to buy new collars and tags every couple of weeks) and too hard to release (meaning he could get trapped and not be able to extricate himself). I don't know how to make sure I've got such a collar. Note: I am in the UK, meaning that it's usual for cats to roam outdoors, and also that I prefer UK vendors. [more inside]
USB Oscilloscope?
I've seen a couple usb logic analyzers on ebay; is it possible to get a similar two channel oscilloscope without too much cost? [more inside]
posted by tedious at 3:01 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by tedious at 3:01 AM PST - 5 comments
Should I scuba dive with allergies? Spooked.
I am intending to do my PADI Open Water Diver certification next Monday but have been struck with allergies. With medication, is it still safe to do this? [more inside]
How to get out of a work rut when leaving isn't an option?
I've been at my current job for about 4 years. Pay is great, co-workers are good, boss is decent. The problem? I'm in a rut, disengaged and jaded about the actual work. Also? I'm 4 months pregnant. [more inside]
posted by like_neon at 2:53 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by like_neon at 2:53 AM PST - 15 comments
What are online activities that remote team members could do together?
What non worky, online activities might I promote or offer to people as a way to get to know each other a bit more deeply? Some sort of communal puzzle solving? Other games? Leagues? A pet show and tell over skype? [more inside]
June 20
Gmail, please fill in the ___ for me
Is there an App I can add to my gmail account to have common phrases inputted in with a simple click? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 10:53 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Toddles at 10:53 PM PST - 5 comments
I said I'd type up a menu, then things got complicated
I told my good friend that I'd type up some menus for the resort where she works. She wanted to add some items to her current menu, and change prices. I'm not a graphic designer by any stretch of the imagination but I typed them up centre justified in a clear, legible fashion. They look like standard menus but now she wants more.... [more inside]
posted by alltomorrowsparties at 9:29 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by alltomorrowsparties at 9:29 PM PST - 21 comments
What three words are being said in this video clip?
In a video about the life of Buddy Holly, Crickets drummer Jerry Allison tells a joke but I can't quite make out the last part. [more inside]
posted by davcoo at 8:30 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by davcoo at 8:30 PM PST - 4 comments
Mass learner's permit valid in Quebec?
My son will (hopefully) be getting his Massachusetts learner's permit next week. The following week he will be going to Quebec for several weeks. Is his Mass permit valid in Quebec? [more inside]
Tricks used by large apartment leasing agents?
We recently toured a brand new "luxury" apartment building in Northern California. The leasing agent told us we would received one free month on certain units. We put down a deposit on one unit. The next day I called their office and spoke to another leasing agent, who said actually the concession was 2 weeks free, not 4. Well that changed the math on which units we were interested in. [more inside]
Slogans are wisdom written in shorthand
What slogans or sayings have you found particularly helpful in some way in the course of your life? [more inside]
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 6:32 PM PST - 112 comments
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 6:32 PM PST - 112 comments
Lead poisoning from cheap jewerly?
I'm thinking about buying some cheap rings from Forever 21 to wear often. I'm concerned about exposing myself to lead poisoning from frequent use. I've seen articles about their jewerly having traces of lead so I was wondering if I'm being paranoid or realistic. I'm a healthy-ish 20 something year old. [more inside]
Best way to get to Cal Academy of Sciences... on Pride weekend?
What's the best way (driving vs. public transit from the South Bay) to get to Cal Academy of Sciences this coming weekend, on the Sunday of the SF Pride Parade? [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 4:58 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by serelliya at 4:58 PM PST - 10 comments
What is conservation of information? (physics)
I've been watching the PBS Space Time series on black holes and quantum mechanics. They're now talking about how black holes violate the principle of conservation of (quantum) information. I'm really having a difficult time wrapping my brain around what is meant by information, why it needs to be conserved, and what it means to not be conserved. [more inside]
Recipes for making chai concentrate?
I would love to know how cafes and coffee shops make their chai lattes. I have a great black chai tea, but how do I latte it? Any advice would be really great. I'm thinking iced chai, but would love to hear any tips. [more inside]
Mathematically favouring sports underdogs
A coworker told me that he doesn't enjoy watching basketball because the high scores give less opportunity for surprising victories, as the scores are a reasonably good statistical reflection of which team played better in a given game. The low scores of soccer lead to the opposite problem for someone who likes surprising victories, since ties are so common. He came to the fine Canadian conclusion that hockey is just right. I suspect that he is mathematically correct, but I'm not sure which mathematical or statistical tools would help me prove or disprove it. Are there laws of small numbers that would apply to this analysis? [more inside]
posted by clawsoon at 4:38 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by clawsoon at 4:38 PM PST - 7 comments
A library for all seasons
I am building a small self-service book exchange for a nonprofit in Montreal, Quebec. (For trademark reasons not a Little Free Library). It will be outside all year round through some very bad weather. Help me make sure it survives! [more inside]
Contractor problems, I've got them
I hired the contractor from my previous post to do some work on my first house. Even though his bid was twice as high as another bid, he seemed so much more professional and experienced. My problem is that he keeps trying to talk me out of having certain items on the permit. (I want everything on the permit). [more inside]
What was this satirical gastronomic essay?
Maybe you can help me! Some years ago I found online a satirical essay about how to make some obscure French food, possibly quenelles. (It may have been that the food was compared to quenelles.) The essay was written pretentiously and the technique for making the food went on and on in its complexity to the point of absurdity. [more inside]
posted by palominopearl at 2:44 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by palominopearl at 2:44 PM PST - 4 comments
Book on workforce planning/RBM
I have been assigned to the HR section of a public sector organization without any real prior experience in HR work. This organization is currently getting ready to try to rehaul its workforce planning and institute a results-based management system for the first time. I'm looking for a book that will give me a basic handle on workforce planning and RBM - ideally, focused on the private sector and/or on the process of designing these policies. Googling has not produces anything that fills me with confidence. Any suggestions?
Men who like women: help me shatter my traditional dating stereotypes!
I know it's 2018, but so much advice still focuses on the idea that men want to chase, and they will not really like it if a woman makes those first moves.
I need to hear from men specifically, because I won't believe women when it comes to the male experience. Deets below. [more inside]
posted by Dr_Janeway at 2:23 PM PST - 58 comments
posted by Dr_Janeway at 2:23 PM PST - 58 comments
How to find a real estate agent remotely?
We need to sell a house in a relatively rural area outside of a medium city that is a few hours from our house. Searching the internet, I can find lots of agents based in the nearby city but it is very hard to gauge how they good they are and whether they know the more rural area. I don't have much spare energy for this. I can travel out to meet maybe two or three prospective agents but I need help narrowing it down efficiently.
posted by metahawk at 1:20 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by metahawk at 1:20 PM PST - 11 comments
How do I get more ears on my radio show?
I have an arts and music radio show on a local community radio station. People (even the ones I don't know!) think it's good. How do I get it on other stations so I can get more listeners? [more inside]
posted by merocet at 12:55 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by merocet at 12:55 PM PST - 7 comments
Accessible LA
My friend is a 22yo film/media student on exchange at UCLA and on the lookout for awesome things to do while she's there. Difficulty level: physical disability and uses crutches to get around. What are the best accessible places and activities that LA has to offer, apart from the obvious theme parks?
Is it helpful for individuals to go down to the border?
Is there value in Americans going down to the border between the US and Mexico versus staying here and donating the money we'd use to travel? I've seen requests for volunteers who have legal experience. What about people who don't? [more inside]
Sure or sure not, there is no sure.
Does Yoda ever say the word sure in any existing instance of Star Wars? [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 11:30 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by phunniemee at 11:30 AM PST - 8 comments
Are resumes dumb?
Sending resumes. Is it pointless for professional/mid-career/salaried/higher income folks unless you know someone or have an inside track? If I send out resumes given my situation, is it a total waste of time?
If the answer is total waste of time, please be gentle with me. I am having a rough day. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:21 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by anonymous at 11:21 AM PST - 19 comments
Streaming media from US accounts in Germany
I'm moving to Germany from the US. I use several online services. Will I need to change them? [more inside]
Amazon Italy gift certificate
I have an Amazon-IT gift certificate for a small amount (less than 20 euros). I have an Amazon US account and an Amazon UK account. Is there anything I can reasonably do with this gift certificate? [more inside]
posted by tavegyl at 10:21 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by tavegyl at 10:21 AM PST - 3 comments
Effective ways of intervening with strangers?
Two years ago I saw a man screaming really horrible things at his presumably girlfriend, and when she tried to back away he grabbed her in an aggressive fashion. I'll give more details inside, but I'm still haunted by how ineffective I was, and I want to know ways to more effectively intervene in situations where I see one stranger harassing another stranger in public. [more inside]
Where can I donate for legal aid to immigrants to California?
I'd like to donate to a legal aid charity for immigrants that works specifically in California. A group like RAICES, but in California instead of Texas. [more inside]
posted by Nelson at 9:04 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Nelson at 9:04 AM PST - 8 comments
social justice merchandise
I want to buy an awesome lawn sign for my huge front yard to show my support for a good cause/against trump (oh and a tee shirt or hat to use for marches). Profits should support a good cause. We’re an immigrant family within a rather wealthy, white neighborhood. Where/what to buy?
posted by inevitability at 9:04 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by inevitability at 9:04 AM PST - 14 comments
Personal Finance Software (2018 Edition)
I'm looking for software to help me understand the family's finances. I'm interested in long term questions (Am I putting enough money into my pension scheme?) rather than day-to-day spending questions (Am I spending too much money on coffee?). [more inside]
posted by HoraceH at 8:54 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by HoraceH at 8:54 AM PST - 5 comments
Hardwood Floors in a Humid Climate: What's normal?
I had solid (not engineered) 4" plank hardwood floors installed in my house about a month ago. It is verrrry hot and humid where I live right now (97 degrees F, heat index well over 100). A couple of days ago I noticed that in one part of the house, mainly a 15 year old sun room addition, there is very slight cupping. The floor feels flat and looks flat for the most part, but in the right light you can see the edges of the boards are slightly raised. When you place a ruler along the floor it confirms this - like 1mm of cupping. The rest of the house is perfectly flat. [more inside]
posted by something something at 8:42 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by something something at 8:42 AM PST - 5 comments
What is the best IV pole to use at home?
My wife has been getting daily infusions at home for a few months. The IV pole that was provided to us does not roll on carpet well. It has just four wheels and is not that heavy, so it a bit tippy when trying to move it. [more inside]
Unstretch my neck!
Where can I find men's undershirts that have crewnecks that don't stretch out? Alternatively, is there a way to prevent the necks from getting stretched out in the first place? Or can they be un-stretched back into place? [more inside]
posted by hydra77 at 7:58 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by hydra77 at 7:58 AM PST - 8 comments
What is this (Korean-inspired?) chef's or workman's-style shirt/jacket?
TraditionalKoreanFashionFilter: the barista at a Seoul "traditional+modern" cafe (I didn't get the name) was wearing a shirt/jacket that was stunning. Our translator informed me that it was an updated, modern, more wearable version of a traditional Korean jacket. What is it, and how can I search for things like it? [more inside]
Where to buy beaded necklaces?
Hey y'all, where are some good websites to buy single strand beaded necklaces (solid colored or multicolored)? [more inside]
How many hours from UTC +14 to UTC -12?
If you had an event that started at midnight/00:00 at UTC +14 and ended at 11:59pm/23:59 of that same day in UTC -12 (from the Easternmost timezone to the Westernmost timezone), how many hours is that event total?
posted by divabat at 6:49 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by divabat at 6:49 AM PST - 4 comments
What intellectual property rights should I be asking for?
I am a freelancer working for an educational organisation that works mostly in schools. Usually we share our ideas for classes without considering IP. But now the organisation is developing corporate workshops, and wants to use my ideas. I've been invited to discuss IP with the company's lawyer. What should I be asking for? [more inside]
Should I get a $$$ colonoscopy tomorrow or wait?
I'm scheduled for a preventative colonoscopy tomorrow, but just found out that it's going to cost $800, so I'm looking for help making this decision. (I will also speak to a nurse about it, but I have no bowel symptoms at all, so it's not strictly a health/medical issue.) [more inside]
posted by missmarymackmackmack at 6:03 AM PST - 19 comments
posted by missmarymackmackmack at 6:03 AM PST - 19 comments
Tips for a business trip at 6 weeks pregnant?
I have a 5-day business trip coming up next week when I'll be 6 weeks pregnant. My symptoms so far have been mild but have involved a lot of napping, food aversions, and nausea. Trip will include full days running from breakfast to dinner most days, including food. < [more inside]
24 Hours in Beijing?
This August I will find myself with 24 hours in Beijing. I will go to the Great Wall on a hiking trip the days after that. Any must-see do-not-miss sights? What food would you not want to miss? I tend to like food and culture and neighborhoods where I can freely wander and take pictures.
Counselling for a "normal" kid?
My daughter is 12 and generally she's getting along really well, but anxiety runs in the family and I'm wondering if seeing a counsellor could help her develop some strategies for handling her anxiety, or if it's possible to do more harm than good. [more inside]
Explain it to me like I am 53... music streaming edition
I received new bluetooth headphones as a gift. Yay!
However, now it is glaringly obvious I now literally nothing how to listen to music in 2018. The last gadget I used was an I-pod preloaded by my husband. Before that records and albums (yes I am that old, never learned to call them vinyl) and later a cassette tape walkman followed by a CD walkman. WHen it became complicated I basically stopped listening to music except live concerts.
These days if I listen to any music at all, it is either on the radio (my old kitchen radio from 1990s) or on my mobile using you tube. [more inside]
Help me sleuth this song?
I’ve had fragments of a 90’s song knocking around my head forever but I can’t remember the band or the song title or anything useful at all! Can you help me ID this vague snippet? [more inside]
What vegan whole-foods would absorb sauce flavours the way Quorn does?
I'm enjoying using jarred curry sauces to make curry at home: curry sauce + Quorn pieces + leafy veg; stir till cooked through, and serve with rice or bulgur. I like that Quorn has a texture that allows it to absorb sauce flavours (as would meat). However, I'd like to decrease my use of Quorn and move towards more unprocessed foods. I'm just not sure what vegan whole-foods I could combine with curry sauces to give a result that feels coherent, with the veg absorbing the flavours.
June 19
My thighs... they burn!
This is embarrassing, but how do you deal with and prevent thigh chaffing, especially when it comes to wearing form-fitting jeans? [more inside]
Make Meets End
I have a long-running blog. It's not about cake but, for the sake of this question, let's pretend it is. Although I myself am not a "baker," I love cake and have racked up thousands of posts about all the gorgeous cakes around the world. Other bakers often contact me through my blog to send quick notes of appreciation and whatnot. My problem is, sometimes they want to meet up. [more inside]
NIMBY?
The last few days, there's been an apparently homeless young man sleeping in my Adirondack chair on the patio. [more inside]
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 10:22 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 10:22 PM PST - 20 comments
Clank clank grar
The neighbor is working on his car, again, in his garage about 40 feet from my bedroom. It's after midnight and I have to get up early for work. I am simultaneously too pissed off and too socially phobic to go talk to him. What to do? [more inside]
Help me re-unlock the "Bipedal" achievement in the game of Humaning.
The TL;DR of this AskMe might be: you're either (a) someone who's fought chronic recurrent foot/ankle/leg pain, or (b) an osteopathic Dr. House wannabe; and I am someone who would greatly appreciate any thoughts you might have about either the cause or treatment of this set of conditions that's significantly decreased my ability to fulfill obligations to my family, my employer, my self. Wall of Text follows. [more inside]
posted by armoir from antproof case at 6:21 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by armoir from antproof case at 6:21 PM PST - 15 comments
Mental Health Vaccinations for Kids
Ok, so there's no depression vaccine. But help me with some strategies to ward off mental health issues in my kids. [more inside]
mending gear bags
I currently have two bags for checking strollers or car seats on planes that I got for free because they're a bit beat up. I'm decent at sewing but don't have much experience with mending. [more inside]
posted by brilliantine at 3:26 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by brilliantine at 3:26 PM PST - 7 comments
Almond croissants vs almonds and croissants?
What's in almond croissants that's not in the base ingredients? It seems almond croissants are a trigger for my migraines (and a terrible one at that) but I don't have any problem with the component ingredients. Is there something I'm missing that might be triggering the migraines? [more inside]
posted by stillmoving at 1:15 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by stillmoving at 1:15 PM PST - 15 comments
Help me put together a relaxing summer weekend in Minneapolis
I'm going to visit a friend who recently moved to Minneapolis. I'll be there at the end of June for a weekend and we're trying to figure out what to do with ourselves. We love spas, tea, board games and relaxing in general. [more inside]
posted by shesbookish at 12:58 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by shesbookish at 12:58 PM PST - 10 comments
Just bad timing, that's all
I have a 2010 Kia Magentis (Optima, for my friends to the south). It's got 175,000 km/105,00 miles on it, and has been dealer maintained since I purchased it in 2011. It's been stalling at low speed occasionally and/or not starting/starting and then stalling. A trip to the dealer's that I hoped would reveal she needed a new fuel line filter instead showed a problem with the timing assembly. [more inside]
posted by kate4914 at 12:46 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by kate4914 at 12:46 PM PST - 16 comments
Gov't Filter: How to thank upper management
Spouse and I work in state government in two different departments. Recently, we dealt with an HR/maternity leave issue that had the potential to have a devastating financial and emotional impact on our growing family. A few folks in upper management strongly advocated on our behalf and went above and beyond our expectations. We want to thank those individuals in each department with a handwritten note and [something else] but don't want anything that can be misconstrued as a quid pro quo. What would be appropriate? [more inside]
posted by onecircleaday at 12:35 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by onecircleaday at 12:35 PM PST - 16 comments
Help sorting out Terminal weirdness on a Mac
I opened Terminal on my Mac today and I noticed some weirdness. When I connect to my work network by ethernet, my Terminal window says 4sters-MacBook-Pro3:~ 4ster$. However, when I connect to a different network (by wifi), it says communication-pc:~ 4ster$. Now, in my office, we have a communications director who has a computer called "communication-pc." Is this something I need to worry about? Have I accidentally connected to her computer? [more inside]
posted by 4ster at 12:07 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by 4ster at 12:07 PM PST - 10 comments
Special birthday in Paris, in September...but not too formal?
We’re going to be in Paris in September, and my husband’s birthday falls in that time. I’d like to take him to a special event or dinner on that day (it’s a Sunday, if that matters). The only caveat is that we’re traveling with backpacks, and he understandably doesn’t want to bring any formal clothes, like a jacket. So what’s special but not with the requirement of a jacket? Money isn’t really an object. Thanks!
Dog-friendly beaches on Martha’s Vineyard
We’re going to be staying in Oak Bluffs at a cottage and will have our dog with us. I’d like to take him to the beach a few times and I understand that on some beaches you can let your dog off leash at certain times, although I’m having trouble pinning down which beaches are good for this. [more inside]
Please kill the bug.
There's a bug in my ear. My doctor gave me eardrops and told me that they would kill the bug. They have not killed the bug. The bug is now moving constantly and has been for an hour. PLEASE HELP ME KILL IT. [more inside]
posted by a hat out of hell at 10:11 AM PST - 57 comments
posted by a hat out of hell at 10:11 AM PST - 57 comments
cookbook recommendation sought
I need recommendations for a cookbook that is simply written and easy to use. [more inside]
posted by Armed Only With Hubris at 9:57 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by Armed Only With Hubris at 9:57 AM PST - 18 comments
One-shoulder bag for an active young man
Does anyone have a one-shoulder bag/backpack that they like, which would be a good fit for an active young man? He rides a bike and hikes, and wants a bag that's easy to get into but will be durable. [more inside]
I Went To Las Vegas And All I Got Was...
...this amazing vintage shirt with a western yoke, pearl snaps and fancy-damn embroidery. [more inside]
posted by baseballpajamas at 9:39 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by baseballpajamas at 9:39 AM PST - 2 comments
Some German Chocolake Cake process questions
I have my recipe/recipes I'm mashing together. I have a frosting process question. I'm an experienced baker and have frosted and decorated plenty of cakes, but need some even MORE experienced advice since I will not have time to make a practice experience. [more inside]
posted by atomicstone at 9:36 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by atomicstone at 9:36 AM PST - 4 comments
Black and White
What is the earliest photograph of a sitting US President and an African American?
Bashed up a nail -- is it too gross to get a manicure?
I was moving furniture and bashed up a finger so badly that the nail bed got infected. Right now there's about a quarter-inch of dented regrowth at the cuticle. (I'm not posting a picture, but trust me, it's pretty gross.)
I'm wondering whether it's OK to go to get my usual gel manicure, or whether I'm risking infection on that fingernail. [more inside]
I need help breaking a bad habit.
The specific bad-habit-of-the-day for me is obsessively checking online news, political websites, twitter, etc. The content is getting me very depressed. I am retired, so there are few compelling time or other constraints on the amount of attention I pay to all this. I need to stop. [more inside]
Insect aside?
Someone in our new-to-us condo had put down tape in the kitchen to block some buggies. I pulled the tape out during renovations and saw they caught some victims in the glue. What are these guys? Looks like some some wormy guys and some kinda ants. Specifically what was infesting this place and how should we protect against future incursion? (Note there is no sign of living bugs right now.)
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:59 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:59 AM PST - 8 comments
How can I check whether I am 'wanted' in the USA?
I lived and worked in the USA on a visa for about 5 years until 2006. Everything was legit as far as I know. For example, I had the right visa (J-1), I filed taxes as required, and left with no debts that I'm aware of. Nevertheless, I am anxious that, if I return to the US, I will be refused entry or arrested due to some unknown bureaucratic error that I made a decade ago. What federal or state (California) agencies could have me arrested? How can I check whether I have fallen foul of those agencies?
posted by beniamino at 8:48 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by beniamino at 8:48 AM PST - 6 comments
Shrimp Order of Operations
I'm making shrimp empanadas with whole shrimp (head on). The shrimp will ultimately be chopped into pieces with a sofrito (onions, celery, tomato, garlic) for the filling. I'm blanking on the order of operations for peeling, deveining, cooking, chopping for max flavor. [more inside]
posted by perrouno at 8:15 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by perrouno at 8:15 AM PST - 8 comments
So, Mefites, what do you know about employment background checks?
Why would it take an so-called "employment background screening" company a month or more to complete a single background check, what exactly do they do, and is there anything I can do to expedite the process? [more inside]
posted by jdotglenn at 8:00 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by jdotglenn at 8:00 AM PST - 16 comments
Hospital staff appreciation gifts in/near London?
I’m in a London hospital with c diff. Nobody can tell me how long I’ll be here and the staff are overburdened with patients. What is an acceptable gift to send my traveling companion out to get or order for staff? [more inside]
How do you maintain your weak ties as your network grows?
As my career progresses, I've been investing more time in networking and building relationships in my field. However, I have a hard time remembering information about people, and as my network grows I'm struggling to keep my weak ties alive. I'm looking for practical advice on how to maintain my network—especially from others who are not naturally people-oriented. [more inside]
Who can recover the data from my busted mac in London?
Who do you trust to recover the data from the hard drive of my busted 2014 Macbook Pro in London? It won't boot up. I'm concerned about three things: 1. how quick/convenient is it? 2. will they snoop around my data? 3. cost.
Extended Weekend in the UK for Family with Baby, No car
We're looking for a town or village in the UK, which is near the train station, walkable, some shops for food, trails for family cycling (note that we will have a baby so easy routes only). Key is that we do not have a car so day-to-day activities have to be walkable. [more inside]
Can you identify this font?
Can you identify the font in this (cleaned up) image? The person I'm asking for swears the PE is a built-in ligature and this font has a lot of ligatures. [more inside]
posted by fleacircus at 12:00 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by fleacircus at 12:00 AM PST - 5 comments
June 18
Activism Supplies
I'm going to a protest in San Francisco tomorrow. What should I bring? What should I do for prep other than "bring stuff?" [more inside]
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 10:41 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 10:41 PM PST - 19 comments
Music playing apps that "watch" folders
I have all my music files sorted out in a folder system. I'd like to find apps for OSX and iOS (it could be different apps) that watch these folders and add/remove songs from the collection. They can be pretty basic—I just need to be able to sort and to make playlists. [more inside]
How to deal with flatmates' houseguests who are also common friends?
I [f/29] currently share a house with two friends (who also happen to be married to each other). The living arrangement is quite comfortable. I have my own room and private bathroom (as do the couple). We share a common living area and kitchen. I get along great with my house mates and we have reasonably well defined boundaries and house responsibilities. However, there's a recurring situation regarding houseguests that I'm uncomfortable with and do not know how to politely work around. Details follow. [more inside]
posted by satipatthana at 10:08 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by satipatthana at 10:08 PM PST - 19 comments
Wireless Printer?
I need a new wireless printer. I'd prefer to deal with it this week, but with a minimum of actual work to pick one. Tell me which one -- details inside. [more inside]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:15 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:15 PM PST - 14 comments
Help me how do I do this?
What is the best way to get a car that maximizes low monthly payments and reliability? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 9:10 PM PST - 20 comments
posted by bleep at 9:10 PM PST - 20 comments
Creating an Emoji
I want to use this clipart as part of a submission to Unicode to create a new emoji. It asks for a certificate or statement but there is nothing. What do I give Unicode or can I even use this clipart? [more inside]
What are the leftist proposals for borders and immigration?
I am in agreement with the majority of leftists who think the current situation with ICE and border control in the United States is horrific and inhumane. However, I'm not familiar with realistic alternative approaches to immigration. I want to be able to answer the question "if we don't stop people at the border, or deport them if we find them later, what do we do instead that won't lead to unchecked immigration?" I'm looking for articles and essays; I'll be honest and say I'm not going to read a book. [more inside]
Visit to Washington DC - how do I speak to an elected official?
I will be visiting Washington DC for leisure in July. When I told my friend about it, he recommended trying to visit my elected official as Congress would still be in session. I do have some things I'd like to advocate for... I could use all the advice on how to go about doing so. Details below. [more inside]
posted by hillabeans at 7:19 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by hillabeans at 7:19 PM PST - 10 comments
Help me choose a pet health/wellness insurance!
Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised, but healthcare in the pet world is as difficult to navigate as in the human world. Can someone point me to a brand/plan/course of action that would roughly fit my needs? Details and pictures of my cats inside. [more inside]
How long will cut peaches last unrefrigerated?
My mother cut some peaches up and placed them in water for me to put in my deep freeze when I got home. I forgot and left them in the car overnight. I put them in the freezer this morning. Are they still safe or should I just dump them? [more inside]
Is there a white vinyl picket fencing option with a wood texture?
We desperately need to replace our picket fence, but I don't like the flat shiny vinyl fences in my neighborhood. Does white vinyl picket fencing come with a wood texture? I haven't been able to find it searching online--it seems to be a thing, since I see some vinyl privacy fences with it, but I don't see any textured vinyl picket fences. [more inside]
Everything about the job sounds great...except the Glassdoor reviews
I’ve been really excited about a possible new job opportunity I interviewed for, but the company’s Glassdoor reviews are giving me serious pause. How to proceed from here? [more inside]
Police set up a tail-light bust and ...
What's it called when cops set up a traffic bust with a bigger agenda? [more inside]
posted by LonnieK at 4:25 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by LonnieK at 4:25 PM PST - 14 comments
Donating money to oppose Australia's border control policy
Seeing what's been happening on the US border has made me angry all over again about Australia's "border control" policies. Just for once, rather than feeling helpless and uselessly wringing my hands, I'd like to financially support organisations that are working to end our detention policies. Who do I send money to?? [more inside]
Looking for replacement for obsolete WordPress theme
I'm on the board of directors for a non-profit, and it turns out that our WordPress website is using a theme which is no longer supported, BusyBee. So we'll have to migrate to a new one. [more inside]
Dental hygienist recommendation in LA/Orange County area
I'm looking for a thorough dental hygienist for a person prone to periodontal disease [more inside]
Reducing contact with abuser when you're empath
What books, websites and other resources can help with reducing contact with an abuser when you're an empath? [more inside]
A big list o' environmental/law groups
Title kinda says it all. I'm trying to compile a large list of environmental organizations that do at least some legal outreach/work in environmental law. Obvious big names would be Sierra, Greenpeace etc but smaller, regional, and more niche groups are fine and even encouraged. [more inside]
Reducing Boob Sweat
I have large breasts. Both in my cleavage (impossible to fully separate due to size) and under my breasts. I've heard deodorant clogs your pores, but it's the only thing that at least kinda works. Would different material help? Any ideas to reduce the sweating would be great.
Help me prepare for this vet appointment
A tiny fridge or something else?
In my ongoing quest to transform my bedroom into a veritable pleasure palace, I'd like to keep some things cool. But how? Details after the jump. [more inside]
The only thing we have to fear is....
I have a history of anxiety issues, for which I take medication. That history has included previously not-too-frequent panic attacks, usually while I'm driving. For the past couple weeks, they've not only been not-infrequent, they've become a daily occurrence when I'm driving to/from work. I have a doctor's appointment scheduled for late next week, but I need some tips in the meantime. [more inside]
Word to describe "X Make Up Y" word relationships
Is there a word or phrase that refers to what I can only describe as “organization level” word groups (AKA things that make up other things)? i.e. cells->tissues->organs is an ideal example, but another one would be atoms->molecules->compounds(?). I’m having trouble coming up with others that follow this structure, or when flipped is "is made of" (organs are made of tissues). [more inside]
Redwood deck: what sort of sealant/stain should I use (if any)?
I recently had my front porch and steps cleaned up, sealed, and covered with low- to mid-grade redwood decking ("construction grade"). What's the best way to decide which sealant and possibly stain to use on the redwood boards? [more inside]
Roughly 24 hours in Miami (or South Beach?) - Help me decide?
We will be taking a cruise that departs from the port of Miami in the spring, to celebrate a big wedding anniversary. The cruise line recommends two hotels, a Marriott in South Beach or the Four Seasons downtown, for pre/post cruise stays. We'll be flying in the day before the cruise (early morning) and will have roughly 24 hours in town before we board the ship. I see us having two paths - which would you recommend? [more inside]
When was the Munich printing company Baurengarten Kunstanst in operation
I have an old olive oil label (printed in German), seemingly from the first half of the 1900s. The printer's name appears in small print at the bottom "Lit. Baurengarten Kunstanst, Munchen". I would like to know when this print shop was in operation to get a better estimate of the label's age. My Google searches have come up empty.
posted by kirsti at 10:08 AM PST - 13 comments
posted by kirsti at 10:08 AM PST - 13 comments
What's The Wii That We Can Use Now?
I am looking to replace a Wii that had been in use in my skilled nursing facility. We used a Wii on occasion for resident activity and exercise. We'd like to start the same kinds of programs, but Wiis are old and graphics are bad. I would love to get a similar system that is controlled by motion, is accessible to people who have never played video games, and can be used by people with dementia. Things that are challenging include finger or hand dexterity, complicated controllers, and hand-eye coordination. What would you use, savvy gamers and helpers of Metafilter?
Online resources on early American theatre? (Frances Ann Denny Drake)
I have a friend who is researching the life of Mrs. Frances Ann Denny Drake (1797-1875), a noted tragedian of the 19th century in America. It's tough finding primary resources about her life and her work; typically, my friend has come across information by scouring old newspapers, if she's lucky enough to find ones that have been preserved.
I guess my question is: what might be some online resources that we might be unaware of?
Thanks!
How can I replace feelings of anger for ex with compassion/acceptance?
I recently ended a toxic relationship and I have so much pent up anger and want to get rid of these feelings or replace them with other feelings, such as compassion and acceptance. Please give me tips to help reset my frame of mind so that I can feel more thoughts of compassion and acceptance and be able to function. For those of you that have been through a similar experience and made it to the “other side”, I would love to hear some positive stories about your experience, and some things that helped you to get through it. [more inside]
Podcasts about Victorians behaving badly
I recently started listening to podcasts, but I'm having trouble finding ones about historical crimes or mysteries. Suggestions for something British, set any time between Burke and Hare and the Krays, would be much appreciated.
posted by betweenthebars at 8:42 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by betweenthebars at 8:42 AM PST - 5 comments
Giving a post-wedding celebration party that special wedding feeling
My sister getting married in Colorado where she and her husband’s family live and then having another reception a month later for our friends and family in Illinois (their venue is too small to invite everybody, not everyone can travel, etc) What can we do to give this 2nd party that special wedding feeling? [more inside]
How to confirm a story
A good friend has asked me to verify the background story of his fiancee. I'm not sure how to start. [more inside]
Are there any discussion forums left?
I know a lot of forums have migrated onto Facebook or shut down altogether these days, but I still prefer the interface of forums. Can you recommend some forums or other discussion spaces online, such as blogs with lively comment sections, that have intelligent, high-quality conversations? [more inside]
Compelling audiobooks with spy or crime investigations?
I need to use up some Audible credits, so I want your recommendations for audiobooks about investigations, especially if they are spy/espionage/intelligence related. True-crime investigations also welcome. [more inside]
What are some articles I should download before I lose my library VPN?
I have my university library VPN for only a few more weeks, and I want to take advantage of it while I still can. What are some journal articles (and similarly restricted stuff) that you'd recommend in the social sciences or history? [more inside]
Options to expedite delivery of a US passport whilst abroad
I have US citizenship and urgent need to travel to the US ASAP. Apparently my passport renewal application has been approved, but the local Embassy staff I have been able to speak to have been unhelpful in providing information or options beyond waiting the 1-3 weeks it will take for delivery. [more inside]
posted by myotahapea at 7:40 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by myotahapea at 7:40 AM PST - 12 comments
What does the crosshatch arrow mean in macOS?
What keys on the keyboard do these symbols correspond to in macOS? (The menu in the image is from Preview, but I've seen it in other programs.) [more inside]
posted by bluefly at 7:09 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by bluefly at 7:09 AM PST - 8 comments
GDPR Workaround?
Since the European GDPR rules kicked in last month, I am discovering a lot of US news sites that won't let me access their content from Europe. Unfortunately, my client is American and I really need access to those sites for research. Do I need a VPN or can you think of any other workarounds that would make these sites think I am in the US? I am not trying to defraud anyone, btw, just trying to keep my gig going.
Archive of the Brunching Shuttlecocks?
Does anyone know of a reliable archive of Lore's "Brunching Shuttlecocks" website from back in the day - was always hilarious but seems to have been offline for some time. I would love to re-read some of the stories I remember
Appetite loss in the elderly: is there anything else we can do?
My mildly depressed, intensely private, hypochondriac and cynical but otherwise physically healthy 82-year-old dad got sick in early April, and has been in a steep nosedive ever since. The immediate threat to his recovery seems to be loss of appetite; he eats and drinks a fraction of normal, is dehydrated and has lost a bunch of weight. Is there some strategy or specialist we should be applying that we don't know about? [more inside]
Best camera for macro photography for a very stingy person?
I want to take some photographs of coins. However, every time I go to buy a camera I end up thinking wow, for that price I could have [insert coin here]. So, despite needing and wanting a camera to take macro photography of my coins, I'm really struggling to bring myself to spend money on it... so... what is the best camera for taking good close-up photos for the minimum cost? [more inside]
Short hair, don't care? Except I do.
Last year I gained 30 lbs and cut my waist length hair off. My slim waist and lovely hair were apparently the main things that made other people think I was pretty, and now that those things have changed, my self image has tanked. I want to feel beautiful again. Hell, I'd like to feel sexy, too. What should I try in order to see myself now as being just as "good" as I was before?
June 17
UK-based children's books aged 3-5, light peril, diverse leads?
Llight peril' = monsters, getting lost, scary pop ups, or adventure themes; ideally without overt moralising (because it's boring for the parents); if the lead could be a girl and/or non-white that would be fab; super bonus for images of gentle interaction with animals or other children; no religious themes. UK English crucial, ideally ones I can get outside Amazon....
posted by AFII at 11:50 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by AFII at 11:50 PM PST - 8 comments
bluetooth speakers with a power cable?
I'm looking for a somewhat odd thing: active speakers which take input over bluetooth and power from a cable. 1/4" or 1/8" would be a nice backup; XLR would be useless. Good bass is important: when I'm listening to a cello, I want to feel the cello resonate in my chest. However, it doesn't need to be very loud. Enough for a 15x15ftx10ft room with some conversation or a faucet running. [more inside]
Seattle Filter: Name of Divorce Attorney
A friend has reached the point of filing for divorce. Because of a lot of previous mess, we would really like to see her do this with an attorney, and are willing to pick up the tab, since she's basically broke. [more inside]
posted by kestralwing at 8:51 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by kestralwing at 8:51 PM PST - 5 comments
Name that song, limited info - next chapter
So yesterday I was in a Starbucks in an airport, and the song they were playing was kind of a medium tempo funky thing. I liked it. [more inside]
posted by ctmf at 7:57 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by ctmf at 7:57 PM PST - 7 comments
Sassy, sentient mecha suits?
What are some examples of sentient mecha suits in film and television (specifically ones with real personalities!) that have both agency and are able to operate separately from their pilot?
posted by egeanin at 7:52 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by egeanin at 7:52 PM PST - 16 comments
Calling Runner 5
What is the storyline of Zombies, Run! at the end of season 1, the race episodes, and the beginning of season 2? [more inside]
posted by the man of twists and turns at 6:09 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by the man of twists and turns at 6:09 PM PST - 6 comments
iPhone 5SE will not stay connected to home WiFi, pls help
Since Thursday, my iPhone 5SE, bought March 2018, drops my home WiFi, although other electronics are having no problem. Verizon has checked the line, good to go. Says it is my phone. Is this something I can fix from home? I am not entirely mobile so a trip to Apple/Verizon is a … difficulty. Did all the unplug/plug in stuff, checked the pwd, network shows up in queue for selection. Help? Ask me anything, speak slowly. ;) [more inside]
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 5:32 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 5:32 PM PST - 10 comments
How to make a rpg?
I have internet, and a not new laptop. I wish to make a pretty simple, 16 bit style RPG. No programming skills to speak of. What's the best tools to do it with? [more inside]
How much money can parents gift to adult children tax-free?
The gift in question would be about $100,000 from the proceeds of a house sale. If a parent gives a gift of cash to an adult child, does the adult child pay income tax on it? Is there a special tax rate on such gifts?
I don't think inheritance tax would be an issue since the parent's estate is not even close to the inheritance tax threshold.
posted by KatNips at 5:00 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by KatNips at 5:00 PM PST - 6 comments
Zero to astrophysics
A young woman who I know in Ontario wants to become an astrophysicist, but so far has only finished a mix of grade 11 and grade 12 level science and math courses. Obviously she will need to take a lot more of the standard curriculum, but I suspect it generally isn't designed with future astrophysicists in mind.
What other math or foundational skills are necessary or useful for this field? Can you think of any other ways of building toward it? Are there institutions to know about, either in the Toronto area or more broadly?
I just want shorts!! [sobs]
Where do I find some stretchy, super high waisted, denim shorts for pear shaped ladies? Help! It's hot here!! [more inside]
How to fend off early stage root rot?
I've got a lilac tree in my backyard that isn't growing like it should.Mushrooms grow in clusters in that area if left unchecked. The area around it smells like mushrooms even when there aren't any. Digging around the tree, I found its root are waterlogged, which makes sense since this area of the yard gets pretty saturated. There are rotten bits of a long gone tree underground nearby. What is the best plan for what to do next? [more inside]
Where can I watch Get Over It?
My life is a disaster and the only thing I can think of that I want to do is watch the stupid teen movie Get Over It with Kirsten Dunst, but I can't find it online anywhere (Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, YouTube). Admittedly I'm not functioning at a super high level, so there may be something obvious I'm missing. Is there anywhere I can see this dumb movie?
posted by johannsebastianbachpuppet at 3:30 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by johannsebastianbachpuppet at 3:30 PM PST - 3 comments
Where to stay in Berlin and Prague
We're heading to Berlin and Prague this year. Looking for advice on which areas we should stay in. [more inside]
posted by Jakey at 2:41 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by Jakey at 2:41 PM PST - 9 comments
Name that flower, European tourist edition
What is this big crinkly red-orange flower that has been made into a table centerpiece? Is it even a flower at all? Could it be aquatic life? Where is it from? [more inside]
posted by Strange Interlude at 1:05 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Strange Interlude at 1:05 PM PST - 3 comments
Where does a timid refashionista go for feedback?
I love the idea of refashioning beautiful-but-ill-fitting finds from the thrift store into cool "new" things I'll actually wear--but I'm paralyzed when it comes to cutting them up. Is there an active online forum of like-minded people who share pictures of the original item and give one another ideas for the refashion?
or weigh in on an idea here... [more inside]
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 12:42 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 12:42 PM PST - 5 comments
Flat coal sheets, not for beds but for a grill.
I need a flat piece of Coal I saw this video a couple years ago and always thought it was a cool idea. I have some time coming up and would like to take on making one of my own. I think I have most of it figured out but I cannot find a source for a large enough flat enough piece of coal. I understand that I will likely have to do some smoothing and finishing. Google keeps showing me bed-sheets and decorative tiles. Any help on a source or even suggestions for search terms would be appreciated.
no ragrets
I'm considering a text tattoo that includes a profanity... on the inside of my wrist. Do you have such a thing? Have you wished you'd done something differently? NSFW word & more details inside. [more inside]
posted by hilaryjade at 11:26 AM PST - 30 comments
posted by hilaryjade at 11:26 AM PST - 30 comments
Bag check at Brooklyn Museum?
Does the bag check at the Brooklyn Museum accept carry-on size bags? [more inside]
It's simple. I'll just get on the horn with Google, and they'll fix it.
I own an independent movie theater. Google (and other on-line movie sites) have been showing an incorrect movie schedule for the last three weeks. How do I fix this? [more inside]
posted by JD Sockinger at 10:25 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by JD Sockinger at 10:25 AM PST - 7 comments
Help my team communicate more efficiently
With the rise of Slack, frequent notifications resulted in a very distraction-heavy work experience for me and my team. What norms can we adopt to balance the needs of visibility and accountability with the desire to avoid distraction and do work that requires deep concentration? [more inside]
Best cooperative retro games
Tell me about great co-op games that my family can play on a Retropie! [more inside]
Swedish massage or physiotherapy in Krakow
I’m in Krakow about a mile west of ‘the cloth hall.’ I need a massage and I don’t speak any Polish. Please help me find a legit massage therapist who can get me infor an hour tomorrow. I need to be done by 2pm. [more inside]
posted by bilabial at 8:41 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by bilabial at 8:41 AM PST - 4 comments
"Librarian" in as many geek languages as possible?
For a project I'm working on, I'd like to gather as many translations of the word "Librarian" as possible in sci-fi/fantasy languages...think Quenya and Klingon, Dothraki and Dark Speech. [more inside]
posted by griffey at 6:39 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by griffey at 6:39 AM PST - 14 comments
hanging lamp kit that screws into lightbulb socket?
Does this exist? A cable that will let me screw in a light bulb a foot below the ceiling bulb socket, and put a paper lantern / other hanging light attachment on it? Not sure the right words to use to search for such a thing.
Back to the Eighties, picnic style
Help me plan the best, but also easiest and low key 80s related picnic/party. [more inside]
posted by Fence at 5:25 AM PST - 31 comments
posted by Fence at 5:25 AM PST - 31 comments
How do you balance reading for pleasure with work/grad school?
Help this part time grad student and freelance journalist to balance reading for pleasure with work. [more inside]
posted by dostoevskygirl at 5:12 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by dostoevskygirl at 5:12 AM PST - 16 comments
God Mode in Windows 10 not working
I'm intrigued by the so-called God Mode in Windows 10 and although I can set up the icon/folder, when it opens the explorer window it immediately closes and the icon moves to the top left of the desktop. [more inside]
posted by feelinglistless at 3:17 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by feelinglistless at 3:17 AM PST - 11 comments
"Winning" a scene?
Looking for writing resources:
I'm having a hard time finding anything substantive about "winning the scene" in writing that doesn't link to this Tony Zhou video about Silence of the Lambs. [more inside]
Has anyone ever proposed a Turing test for a non-human biological entity
I'm just curious if anyone or if any group has proposed a way to breed a non-human species for sentient behavior? Sure, some dogs and parrots come close to being as intelligent as a "five year old" -- but I assume no one has really pushed the boundaries. Or am I wrong? Is this a mad-scientist ethical nightmare? Or could it be done in an ethical way?
posted by mhh5 at 2:32 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by mhh5 at 2:32 AM PST - 18 comments
Can I give this tablet a second chance at life?
I have a Galaxy Tab 10.1 from many years ago. 2011-ish? I’d like to use it for very simple kitchen things like looking up recipes and keeping a pantry inventory. Even after a factory reset, it’s unusably slow. Is there any solution? [more inside]
posted by greermahoney at 12:47 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by greermahoney at 12:47 AM PST - 7 comments
June 16
Families Belong Together poster/sign ideas?
We are going to a Families Belong Together rally tomorrow. Seeking sign ideas!
Why is 'genius' so unevenly distributed in Western civilization?
People of extraordinary ability seem to clump together in space and time. Periclean Athens, Renaissance Florence, England's Elizabethan poets, 19th century novelists (mostly English women or Russians with giant beards), the Harlem Renaissance, NYC hip hop. Some of this is bias towards artists from famous eras, or because the city was a magnet for talent. But often it's not: many of the insanely gifted artists from these periods grew up in the same town or province. How is it that Florence in the 1300s, a town with the equivalent of one rural high school, produced world-shaking figures like Dante, Boccaccio, Giotto, Petrarch, Brunelleschi, Masaccio? It seems unthinkable today. [more inside]
Pride playlist I can blast from my bike please!
I'm riding my motorcycle for the first time in the Pride Parade this year! I'm super stoked and plan on strapping a camping speaker to my handlebars so I can have some jams going while I ride. Since this is for Pride I'd love to feature queer artists/songs, but am totally open to non-queer artists/songs if they have a special meaning to you. The more upbeat the better! Thanks all!
Bleach blunder
I would like to dye my underarm hair atomic blue. I have sucessfully ordered the dye- but due to being less than mobile right now and some communication issues I think I have the wrong bleach. Is there anyway I can use it, or is it back to the store for my mother. Also, if I need to buy different bleach, where in SF can I get it? [more inside]
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 7:07 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 7:07 PM PST - 8 comments
CatHairpocalypse. Going to die from Feline Lung soon. Send help.
Cat hair. Too much. In the air. Are any of you are actually using an air purifier or filter and does it help noticeably on household cat HAIR? Are you dumping out boatloads of hair when you clean its filter? I don't have central air so filtering there won't work. [more inside]
posted by bluesky78987 at 6:30 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by bluesky78987 at 6:30 PM PST - 8 comments
Name that bug
Can anyone identify this bug, and tell me how to stop their invasion? [more inside]
posted by neilbert at 5:28 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by neilbert at 5:28 PM PST - 5 comments
Good foods etc to give to AT hikers?
So I find myself near Blue Ridge Parkway, which crosses the Appalachian Trail. In "A Walk in the Woods", Bryson mentions that some people bring gifts of food to the thru-hikers; treats different than camping grub. I'd love to do this; what good things can I offer the hikers? What would be most appreciated? I don't have a place to cook, but I'd be happy to buy fresh pizza or fast food or groceries.
posted by The otter lady at 5:20 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by The otter lady at 5:20 PM PST - 22 comments
How easy is it to catch an Uber/Lyft in Buckeye, AZ?
I am going to Phoenix for the first time. I don't like driving. Can I easily get from PHX to Buckeye and back in a Lyft? Or will it be challenging to get a car to pick me up on the western edge of town? [more inside]
posted by hungrytiger at 5:13 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by hungrytiger at 5:13 PM PST - 10 comments
When a good time turns around, you must wack it
I need a weed wacker. It must be able to handle invasive purple loosestrife. I'd prefer an electric one, but the only electric one I've used wasn't powerful enough for overgrown weeds, just the edges of lawns. What should I get? [more inside]
Does this yard/garden work price make sense? Seattle
Howdy - I got 2 estimates today for a Big Cleanup of the very large and overgrown yard/garden at my rental house in Seattle [QA], and I need to clean it up major before the landlords visit... [more inside]
Job interview- not fully qualified
I applied for a job that I’m about 70% qualified for. [more inside]
best airline DC-Cairo?
What is your recommendation for a round-trip flight from DC to Cairo? I'm leaving for a week's trip in October, with daughter and son-in-law; have never been there before. Any advice, airlines or otherwise?
posted by mmiddle at 1:49 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by mmiddle at 1:49 PM PST - 6 comments
I got that summertime, summertime...sweatiness
Plus-size ladies of AskMe, what's your summer "uniform"? [more inside]
posted by timetoevolve at 1:10 PM PST - 24 comments
posted by timetoevolve at 1:10 PM PST - 24 comments
Home oven calibration?
My oven is definitely out of whack: An oven thermometer (the one recommended by America's Test Kitchen) consistently shows a temperature that's 100 degrees lower than what's displayed. Among other things, it means my oven has a maximum temperature of 450 instead of 550. Are there services that will recalibrate a home oven? I am in NYC. Thank you.
Your Favorite Campfire Songs?
What are your favorite campfire songs? because singing around a fire with friends is generally the best.
posted by theora55 at 11:11 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by theora55 at 11:11 AM PST - 17 comments
Rumination, rumination, rumination
Any tips on addressing rumination specifically during physical tasks? [more inside]
posted by Mouse Army at 10:36 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by Mouse Army at 10:36 AM PST - 22 comments
Greg! Let's go to the map!
I'm going to be in Strausbourg, France in late September for a conference. Want to tack on an extra week of personal travel, with my spouse joining me by flying in from Denver. I can take a bus or train or short flight to meet him wherever, but don't want to spend too long traveling. Where do we want to go? [more inside]
Best organizations to donate to for immigration-related issues
I currently make monthly recurring donations to SPLC, ACLU, and NAACP. I’d like to add an organization focused on immigration, border issues, and countering ICE. Who’s working in this area, either legally or politically? I don’t need an org who will send me regular updates or tell me stories (I never open any envelopes I receive from the above orgs). NILC has come up in other conversations. I have also seen RAICES and NMILC mentioned, though both seem to focus on single states.
posted by migurski at 9:41 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by migurski at 9:41 AM PST - 4 comments
How do I download my iPhone 5C call logs?
I have an iPhone that may need replacing or repair in the very near future. I'd like to preserve my call history (incoming and outgoing). What's the best way to do that? [more inside]
Interesting things to do in South Korea?
We will have a few days in Seoul and a few in Busan. We have spend a good amount of time there in the past, so we are familiar with most of the major attractions. We are looking for either less well-known things, or stuff that has opened up in past few years. Interesting food especially, but also whatever else you think is good.
Office shoes for a person who would rather wear Asics
What would you recommend as good office shoes for a person who would rather wear Asics runners (GT-2000) all the time? [more inside]
Hair dye failure - how long should i wait til i dye my hair again?
I have thin hair and all i do with them is dye them red at home. I have tried out another hair dye brand (same shade) this time and there was no effect, the roots of my natural color are still visible! How long should i wait until i reapply the dye?
Pikachu I choose...long descriptive text with accompanying pictures?
My nephew's 9th birthday is coming up and he is apparently into Pokemon this year. Last year I got him a Star Wars encyclopedia which he loves and carries around with him everywhere. I'd like to get him something similar this year but Pokemon related but I'm not having much luck. Does anybody know if there even is such a thing as a Pokemon encyclopedia? Other suggestions welcome as well.
posted by Mister_Sleight_of_Hand at 4:07 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Mister_Sleight_of_Hand at 4:07 AM PST - 10 comments
Who's saying smart/witty things about the World Cup on Twitter
I just read Ruud Gullit's How to Watch Soccer (it's the U.S. edition) and wondered who are the football experts making insightful comments (live-tweeting is good too) on Twitter?
posted by spamandkimchi at 3:10 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by spamandkimchi at 3:10 AM PST - 7 comments
How do I care for myself when my spouse is angry?
My husband has periods where he becomes angry and yells, this is typically every few months. He is triggered by his mother, who is manipulative and hurtful, and he can manage it until he can't. It's usually something benign that will set him off and he yells, swears, pouts, and basically has a temper tantrum. I have learned to stay out of the way or the anger will get directed at me, but there are times when I am a bonehead and put myself in the middle, trying to "help" and solve the benign issue. This is when I become the target and he can be condescending and hurtful during these episodes. I have not stayed calm in the past, but am learning to walk away and let him cool down. More inside: [more inside]
Dealing With Hopelessness, Emotions, Shame Over Being Unemployed
I have been looking for a job full-time for more than six months. Before that I was running my own business for several years, but it did not make enough money to live on so I am looking for jobs. I am feeling very hopeless, ashamed and fearful because I have not found a job. My partner has a job so we can pay our rent, etc. but I am feeling a lot of shame, fear and hopelessness. [more inside]
June 15
Used to Online Dating, but There's a Cute Guy at My Group Activity
99% of my dating experience is with online dating, so can you advise me about someone I find intriguing in my Meetup group? [more inside]
posted by Social Science Nerd at 10:59 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by Social Science Nerd at 10:59 PM PST - 18 comments
Help me shop for professional-looking secret pajamas
I need help finding clothes that I can wear to births, as a doula. They should not be scrubs. They should be as comfortable as scrubs, with similar qualities. Among other things, I am searching for really nice black leggings or yoga pants, not see-through or too sporty-looking, available to fit sizes 16-18. [more inside]
posted by linettasky at 10:26 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by linettasky at 10:26 PM PST - 11 comments
What’s that sideways-B-shaped thingy people hang over their garage door?
I feel it’s something to do with horses, but I can’t for the life of me figure it out! It looks like a “B” turned 90 degrees clockwise with a gap between the two “loops”, and it’s usually on older homes. I’ve seen it both in New England and in Pennsylvania. Also, what does it mean, if anything?
posted by Seeking Direction at 9:44 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by Seeking Direction at 9:44 PM PST - 8 comments
Recommendations for a real estate attorney in New York City?
I am a landlord of a small building in New York City and want to discuss eviction proceedings with a lawyer. It's a complicated situation, where only one of four tenants in the rental apartment is not paying his share. All four roommates are on the lease, so legally they're each responsible for the entire rent, but we only want to evict the one who's not paying anything. Thanks for any recommendations for good attorneys.
Queer Poster
There is a poster that I have seen in queer/artist spaces, which gives advice for friendship--it's one of those radical solidatary ones, often in helevtica on an A4 tacked up someplace--it says things like hug your friends, or tell your friends you love them...sort of inspirational, but sort of JEnny Holzerish.
Help me find it?
posted by PinkMoose at 8:55 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by PinkMoose at 8:55 PM PST - 3 comments
Safe Sushi for Seven-Year-Olds
Micro McGee has expressed an interest in sushi, which is apparently a big thing in first grade (who knew?), and which he wants to go get for his birthday. We've identified a couple of well-regarded local sushi places, but Mr. McGee and I are not sushi people (I don't like fish, and he just has never eaten sushi), so we're not sure what to look at as gateway sushi for beginners, or (since there's raw fish) what's okay to give to 7-year-old children. Do enlighten us!
Suggest me Cool Emacs modes
I've begun getting back into Emacs lately, since it features great support for HTML editing, among other things. I'm wondering what modes MeFi users might enjoy? Bonus points to anything obscure or not related to text editing, per se. [more inside]
Forgotten Bookfilter Yet Again
Another book long forgotten.
I've been trying to remember this one for years to no avail, and have been meaning to make this ask since I first saw it done.
Also, I have my suspicions that it might be a little skeevy or problematic, I was 14 when I read it so my memory isn't great though. [more inside]
posted by AnhydrousLove at 7:32 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by AnhydrousLove at 7:32 PM PST - 6 comments
Need some kind of fake glaze for my pottery
I took a pottery class, and all my pieces are fired (first firing, then glazed, then second firing). There is a problem though - I think the glaze I used for half my pieces wasn't mixed enough, so it basically did nothing. [more inside]
Best introduction (book) to Dorothy Day?
What's the best introduction to Dorothy Day's thoughts and work? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 6:29 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by wenestvedt at 6:29 PM PST - 7 comments
Making a Group Safe for Anonymous Walk-Ins
I'm planning on starting a quirky meetup group for a theme that traditionally attracts lots of poorly socialized dudes, and I would ideally want people to be able to just show up without being screened. Are there ways that I can signal it's a good/safe space for women and also make it actually safe? [more inside]
LAX to Aquarium of the Pacific right now-what's the best way to travel?
We've arrived in LAX a bit later than anticipated and it looks like the roads (particularly the 405 and 110) are already nightmarish. We thought we'd just take a cab but now I'm wondering if there are other alternatives we should consider. Public transit is great if it takes a little while longer, just not twice as long. And we're open to ideas like taking a cab for a couple miles at each end to catch public transit at the best spot. Suggestions?
posted by Tehhund at 3:02 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Tehhund at 3:02 PM PST - 4 comments
No more razors, please
I'm a man in his 20s who grows an unsightly crop of patchy stubble every 48 hours or so, including a very unattractive dirtbag 'stache. I'm sick of shaving, and would rather be clean-shaven all the time. What are my good options for making this happen without creating some kind of horrible downside, like an upper lip full of ingrown hairs?
Unseen universities, invisible colleges, vanishing departments even
I would like to read some books that are set in magical (or possibly science fictional) universities and colleges, or about magical or science fictional students and professors. (Note: Not The Magicians.) Further details and previous reads inside. [more inside]
W9 Forms from 2014 vs 2017... what's the frickin' difference?
Tax experts: Is there any reason for a company to not accept a completed 2014 version of a W9 instead of the 2017 updated form? (I would assume there must be, but one tax guy we know said it makes no difference.) [more inside]
posted by Unsomnambulist at 1:23 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by Unsomnambulist at 1:23 PM PST - 3 comments
Traveling around Schengen using EU and non-EU passport
My EU passport has expired. Can I travel to a Schengen country on my non-EU passport, renew my EU passport while I'm there, and then enter another Schengen country on my EU passport, thereby evading the 90-day limit? [more inside]
posted by ogorki at 12:31 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by ogorki at 12:31 PM PST - 6 comments
Where/how can I find a virtual body-double for productivity?
I have deadlines coming up. Mulling over the idea of looking for a virtual/online body double, but does this service exist yet? How can I find one? [more inside]
posted by aielen at 12:25 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by aielen at 12:25 PM PST - 10 comments
Simple meals for a cabin vacation
I’m looking for some dinner ideas for a week in a cabin with family (4 adults and 1 kid). There are some significant limitations: tiny kitchen and no electricity. [more inside]
posted by Empidonax at 11:02 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by Empidonax at 11:02 AM PST - 20 comments
Problem using "show in calendar" on an iPhone
I cannot use the "show in calendar" option when clicking on dates within emails on my iPhone. Can this be fixed? [more inside]
You're not the piano man
Please help me write an email to fire my daughter's piano teacher. I'm a more than a little angry with him and I can't figure out if I want to let that come through in the email, or whether it's best to let it go. [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 10:11 AM PST - 92 comments
posted by kitcat at 10:11 AM PST - 92 comments
Tax mix-up and refund/recalculation?
I had an income tax mix-up and am wondering how/if a refund will be calculated. [more inside]
posted by robertthebruce at 9:55 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by robertthebruce at 9:55 AM PST - 4 comments
Fending off working mother discrimination
I am starting a new gig, as a manager level engineer. I am well educated, have great related work experience, and feel very well qualified. I am also a single mom to a child with multiple disabilities. How to fend off discrimination? [more inside]
How to feel like I’m not just my job?
I have achieved my “dream job,” and I’m basically happy with it. But I feel like all I do is work, eat and sleep. Anhedonic details within. [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 9:40 AM PST - 34 comments
posted by stoneandstar at 9:40 AM PST - 34 comments
Strong feelings for someone after 2 dates
Dutch Translator Needed
Can anyone help me translate this document into English?
Nephew wants to enroll in a potentially scammy online program
My nephew is wanting to learn about producing content for Youtube, and is interested in an expensive online program called Jumpcut. Based on a cursory web search, this doesn't seem like a great idea. Thoughts?
What is this giant white tent(?) thing with towers sticking out?
Me and the SO were watching Money for Nothing on Netflix, a make-junk-into-cool-stuff-(maybe. sometimes.) show, when an image from a small city in England showed a raised highway and behind it, a possibly HUGE white tent(?) thing with some kind of electrical or other metal towers sticking out at angles around in a circle. [more inside]
posted by Glinn at 8:48 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by Glinn at 8:48 AM PST - 4 comments
Please help me find family tree software that doesn't suck!
I have a sprawling Sudanese family, and I'm hoping to build a family tree that covers my relatives going back at least four or five generations (which I'd guess encompasses several hundred people). It would serve as a memory aid for myself when interacting with relatives (I'm terrible with names) and as a digitized record that my relatives could access.
Sadly, I haven't had much luck with the software I've tried – everything out there seems to be really clunky and Western-oriented. Requirements enclosed. [more inside]
Help Us With Our Backyard!
My husband and I have a backyard for the first time and we want to make it a bit prettier without spending much money. We do not know a single thing about gardening or, like, land use? Questions and pictures inside! [more inside]
help - invisalign is not conducive to my grazing lifestyle
Grazers, active people, and graduates of invisalign/dental aligners, please help me cope with the changes. I'm on Day 10 and the struggle is real. [more inside]
What was this type of Spanish-language music? A subgenre of 'banda'?
What was this music I heard on the radio? The format was a singer backed by a wind band. Generally, tempos were energetic, but vocal delivery was melancholy. What seemed distinct was that a number of the pieces featured clarinet with a sad inflection, almost a bit Klezmer-style. 'Banda' seems to be the closest genre to what I heard, but recordings don't come close to what I remember. [more inside]
MP3 tag editor
For those who followed my last question about a music library shared between several devices, I chanced upon a strange solution that I think will work for us. Spotify's local file system (along with Resilio sync). Now I need to be able to change Song title and artist tags on the file metadata so Spotify names them right. What software do you recommend? (mac)
June 14
Reimagining recovery
I'm going to be starting a new recovery group, so far I'm just planning a pilot group in Portland, Oregon. The format will be different than most recovery groups, and the emphasis is that everyone is in recovery from something. Help me brainstorm! [more inside]
posted by mingo_clambake at 10:17 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by mingo_clambake at 10:17 PM PST - 16 comments
Keeping metaphorical foot on metaphorical pedal
How do you keep up the energy to sustain initiatives, particularly if you have to put in a lot of the energy? [more inside]
Comic about the first alien port on Earth?
Looking for a fairly recent comic book series about some rent-a-cops who guard an alien spaceport on Earth. [more inside]
posted by signal at 9:05 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by signal at 9:05 PM PST - 2 comments
Seeking activities pass or cultural map for teenager in Paris
My recent-high-school-grad 17-year-old niece will be in Paris for a month, starting next week. She's been there a few times, and as before will stay with a family outside the city. Her grandmother and I wish to gift her with something that might goose her to venture outside her comfort zone in the 'burbs and check out cultural riches in the city. [more inside]
Indecisiveness and a new job
I accepted a job offer today, and am now wondering if I made the wrong decision. [more inside]
posted by twill at 7:34 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by twill at 7:34 PM PST - 18 comments
Asian-American-focused short stories for middle schoolers?
As part of a culturally-responsive teaching program, I've been tasked with assembling a list of recent short stories (5-20 pages) to share with an Asian-American population of adolescents. I would very much like if the characters reflected, even in broad strokes, the readers' backgrounds. Any and all suggestions welcome. [more inside]
Can I get the pesto pasta Canadian border inspector?
Life will be much easier if I can take frozen pesto sauce in my checked bag when I fly to Vancouver in a few weeks. Will it be allowed? [more inside]
posted by carmicha at 7:09 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by carmicha at 7:09 PM PST - 12 comments
buy bitcoin via credit card
I want to make a $25 donation to a group that takes only bitcoin. What is the easiest way to buy bitcoin? [more inside]
posted by skewed at 6:49 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by skewed at 6:49 PM PST - 2 comments
Need health insurance for the summer.Will be working in different places
Because I did not re-sign a contract with my school, my health insurance will end at the end of this month. This summer, I will be living in two different states to work, and then eventually moving permanently to a third state in late August. Should I just chance it and go insurance-less until my contract starts with my new employer in August?
Tip of my brain: Old computer game I played on PC in 1989/90
Looking for the title of a strategy/action/combat combo game. Three different types of units, each with a different "mini-game". I remember a jeep that was a forward scrolling object dodging game and an anti-aircraft unit that was a Missile Command-style shooter. The third might be a tank of some kind. At the top level was a map where you moved these units around and attacked enemy units, triggering the mini-games. Help me get this out of my head by giving it a name.
Booklice- help me get rid of my uninvited bedroom guests
Psocids in the bedroom: how do I make sure I remove as many of them as possible from clothes and stuffed animals? [more inside]
Two poorly remembered fantasy series from childhood
Yeah. It’s another one of these. Two fantasy series I read as a child with titles and authors I can’t remember. Maybe you can? [more inside]
posted by mr_roboto at 5:12 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by mr_roboto at 5:12 PM PST - 6 comments
I feel so strongly about ending group therapy but they won't let me!
I've been in therapy since December. My therapist is great. We've mostly worked through the issues that I came into therapy with, and things were going good...until she recommended that I join a clinical group. And that is the very thing that is spiking me my suicidal ideation as of late. I'd like to get out but it's becoming very clear that I can't, and this is becoming a very big problem. [more inside]
posted by signondiego at 5:03 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by signondiego at 5:03 PM PST - 10 comments
Will emails from inaccessible Gmail account be deleted from Mac Mail?
I'm changing jobs, and my work Gmail account will be out of commission after my last day. I have some old emails I'd like to retain access to (for sentimental, not business, reasons) but will probably not have time to hunt them all down before the deadline. When the account is closed, will old emails still be visible in Mac Mail, or will it clear them out when it syncs? [more inside]
posted by SpiralT at 5:00 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by SpiralT at 5:00 PM PST - 6 comments
What is the term for the protagonist of an autobiographical novel?
Is there a specific literary term for the character in autobiographical fiction who represents the author? In other words, Sal Paradise is Jack Kerouac's what? "Alter ego" is the best I can come up with, but I feel like I've heard a more specific term. Related question: Is there a different term for characters in autobiographical fiction who represent real people other than the author? In other words, Old Bull Lee is William S. Burroughs' what?
posted by tom_r at 4:18 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by tom_r at 4:18 PM PST - 8 comments
Konmari: 3 years later
So around 2015, there was a lot of buzz around the konmari decluttering method (like this post). Anyone want to weigh in on the method, 3 years down the line? [more inside]
posted by Valancy Rachel at 3:55 PM PST - 28 comments
posted by Valancy Rachel at 3:55 PM PST - 28 comments
Need jewelry storage solution suggestions
All of my late wife's jewelry is in a jewelry armoire similar to the one pictured. I'm looking for a better storage solution. [more inside]
posted by ralan at 3:15 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by ralan at 3:15 PM PST - 12 comments
Why can't I remember this book title? See if you can help
Please help me remember the name of an old scifi novel about an alien that sucks knowledge out of other people's brains, killing them. [more inside]
Birthday Suit Bathing In Britain
Can you recommend a good nudist beach in the south of England, preferably within train/cheap hire car distance from London? There are loads of lists like these but I'm hoping for positive firsthand experiences to steer me in the right direction!
What are these coordinates?
I'm trying to georeference an old map of Palestine, but I have no idea what these coordinates are. They are three digits and appear to measure a 10km x 10km grid. Link inside. [more inside]
Who is helping the children at the border?
I am appalled by what I've read about children being separated from their parents at the border (and I'm aware that misinformation is going around). I want to donate money to someone helping with this. What organizations are working for these children and their parents, either providing for physical needs or fighting for justice? Is there anything else I can do?
posted by FencingGal at 1:52 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by FencingGal at 1:52 PM PST - 9 comments
Does anyone sell plain, globe-shaped landscape lighting?
My wife and I love the big, round, opaque globe lights you see outside of old buildings (and, upside down, inside of your local Waffle House). We'd love to get a smaller version of that aesthetic for path lighting in our backyard. But when I go to Home Depot and look at the low-voltage landscape stuff everything I see is much fussier—pagodas, weird light patterns, "crackle" diffusers, etc. Am I looking in the wrong place? [more inside]
Good morning Baltimore!
Hi MeFi! I'm traveling to a new city for most of a week, and I would like help enjoying it when I am not working. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by bile and syntax at 12:26 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by bile and syntax at 12:26 PM PST - 13 comments
Did these words evolve in pairs?
I was listening to a song recently that included rhyming pairs when / then and where / there, and I realized that, in English, both of those question words reflect their definitive counterpart. Did they, for lack of a better word, 'intentionally' evolve that way, or is this purely a coincidence? [more inside]
posted by hanov3r at 11:49 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by hanov3r at 11:49 AM PST - 15 comments
Please help me wrap my brain around perimenopause
I'd like some help figuring out which perimenopause symptoms or issues I can reasonably expect a doctor to help me with, and which ones I should just expect to put up with until they go away on their own. I am well aware that most of what I'm experiencing is within the realm of normal, but I'm having a hard time knowing whether I should put up with things that are affecting my quality of life. [more inside]
Raise My Stakes, Please
I want to build some portable poles for lights and better plant-staking for my container garden, like these or these, but I'd like some input from actual humans who are handy or maybe even have made something like this before. [more inside]
How do you hire a QuickBooks wizard?
Hi,
I'm looking to get training for specific project in QuickBooks Desktop version: using the budget setup tool to switch a company from budgeting by accounts to budgeting by class, and refactoring reports.
I'm not looking for ongoing training, certification, etc. What the client wants the software to do might not be possible - but it's hard to know. I'm thinking that a short training session with a QuickBooks Wizard would be far more valuable than many hours of searching references and generalized training.
The usual online offerings don't seem to supply this. Any suggestions?
posted by sol at 11:23 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by sol at 11:23 AM PST - 2 comments
Alternative to Etsy
Etsy is upping their seller fees and it really cuts deeply into my willingness to stay there. Is there any alternative to Etsy that is up and coming that you really like with reasonable fees? [more inside]
What happened to Google maps?
Google maps stopped saying, "In 600 feet, turn right on Main Street" and instead says "In 600 feet, turn right". Is there any way to get my street names back? Or is there any competitor to Google maps for Android that includes street names in it's audible directions?
posted by latkes at 10:46 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by latkes at 10:46 AM PST - 4 comments
Hey, you seem cool. How's your weekend going?
Have you ever replied to those generic, cut and pasted online dating messages and had it turn out well? [more inside]
Last minute Father's Day gifts for dad shippable by Amazon Prime
Yikes! Father's day is this weekend and I need to get my Dad a gift. I have an Amazon Prime subscription. He's in the US and I'd like to get something shipped to him ASAP. Help! [more inside]
posted by enfa at 10:20 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by enfa at 10:20 AM PST - 6 comments
Where did I hear this wise little chestnut?
"Not every day can be a hot fudge sundae". Have you ever heard this? I know I didn't make it up. [more inside]
posted by lovableiago at 10:09 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by lovableiago at 10:09 AM PST - 3 comments
Black-owned restaurants and bars in Orange County, CA?
Some friends and I got the idea to patronize a black-owned restaurant or bar on Juneteenth, but despite having looked at multiple black business directories, I've got nothing. OC is short on black people, but it can't be *this* short, can it?
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 9:57 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 9:57 AM PST - 6 comments
GPS app for iPhone that doesn’t need to sync to car?
I’m going on a longish trip soon, and I’d like to get a GPS app that talks to me, but my car is not equipped to sync with a phone and all that jazz. Is there an app that lets me plug in my start and end locations and then directs me where to go via speech that doesn’t need to be linked with the car?
posted by tzikeh at 9:04 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by tzikeh at 9:04 AM PST - 9 comments
Name my ceramics Etsy store?
I'd like to start an Etsy shop for my handmade ceramics, but I am stuck on a name.
I make plant pots, hanging planters, mugs, bowls, and vases (examples 1, 2 , 3). I was thinking of possibly something plant related for the name but not sure if that would be too limiting?
Other things that might help: I work in white and brown clay, mostly throwing on the wheel but some handbuilding.
Can you recommend a lawyer to help me with a small claims case in DC?
Can you recommend a lawyer to help me with a small claims case in DC? [more inside]
Tutor Dispute
The agency I joined reneged on an agreement and I am not sure what to do. [more inside]
Likelihood of cat allergens spreading from granny suite to main house
Would having a cat living in a granny suite in the basement of a large house be likely to create issues for a cat-allergic person living on the main floor of the house? [more inside]
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 7:28 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 7:28 AM PST - 10 comments
I need to break up with Quicken
What is the simplest personal finance software these days for a Mac? [more inside]
What IS this funky virtual reality cat music?
This video edit of a Leap Motion powered cat anatomy simulator was recently shared on Facebook and has a million comments of people asking "what IS this music!!??". So far no answer. Can you help?
Accelerated cat learning for fun and profit
I'm a cat sitter. What are some cool tricks I can (try to…) teach "my" cats that will make their regular humans go wow? [more inside]
Will quitting my professional job ruin my career?
I'm a mid-thirties professional woman (assistant type work). I would like to take a break from the professional world and just do housecleaning or something. I can afford this, for now. But would I be shutting myself out of the workforce? [more inside]
Stephen King on Dragonlance?
It claims on TV Tropes that Stephen King said the opening of Dragons of Autumn Twilight was one of the best ever. Is there a article somewhere where Stephen King does actually talk about my favorite fantasy book series from when I was in 6th grade?
How to structure a loan to a family member?
Hi AskMe, i have just become aware of an immediate need to loan money to a family member so that they do not have their house foreclosed on. Help? [more inside]
What are some good verbs to described walking with crutches?
I have a character who uses crutches temporarily while her broken leg is healing. She puts no weight (for medical reasons) on the leg while walking. 'Limping' might be the obvious one, but I worry that I'm entering some ableist territory. [more inside]
How to turn down interview without burning bridges
I've spent a month going being recruited by a company and do not know how to turn down the interview without burning bridges for future positions. [more inside]
B-a-b-y-s-t-e-p-s?
Can you spell out for me the actual, practical babysteps I need to do to get my head from where I am now to where I need to be? [more inside]
June 13
"Google can't verify account belongs to you"
TL;DR
A pin went missing from my hard disk. I have no way to recover the data inside. I deleted KeePass database. I still can't access my Gmail after using the Forgot password?. I've contacted Account Recovery team through the forums, but they couldn't verify the account belongs to me. Could someone help me? Thank you. [more inside]
posted by guan_sl91 at 9:47 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by guan_sl91 at 9:47 PM PST - 8 comments
(Travel Filter) Helsinki plus where?
I'm fulfilling a long-time dream of visiting Helsinki at the end of August. Flying from New York; the trip will be a week. Help me decide on a route without being overambitious. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by MCMLXXXIV at 6:37 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by MCMLXXXIV at 6:37 PM PST - 14 comments
Beauty and wellness treats for the 30-something set
If you were a mid-to-late 30s woman with some disposable income, what beauty and wellness procedures/appointments/treatments would you get to maximize your beauty/health/wellness/well-being? Examples inside. [more inside]
Help Me Find the Jack-O-Lanterns!
Hi! I am wondering how to find a hard copy or online back issue of either Ranger Rick or My Big Backyard (I think the latter) that had a huuuge spread of jack-o-lanterns on the front cover, back cover, or somewhere inside. It would have been when I was ages 4-7, so 1985-88. I remember it looking so magical!
posted by bookworm4125 at 5:23 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by bookworm4125 at 5:23 PM PST - 4 comments
Hope me with online dating
After a long, long spell, I finally feel ready to start dating again. I joined a dating site a few days ago, & although I get a fair amount of views, and I message people who seem interesting, I haven’t had much luck attracting someone & very few people respond. [more inside]
posted by Klaxon Aoooogah at 5:06 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Klaxon Aoooogah at 5:06 PM PST - 7 comments
Surviving kid's tonsillectomy?
Kid, age 8, having tonsils and adenoids out soon.... [more inside]
HomePod AirPlay from non-synced iPhone?
Quick question for anyone with a HomePod! I’m looking into buying one but can’t find an answer on the internet: if I set it up to be synced to my phone, can my wife (or other iPhone user) then use it as an AirPlay output device from her own phone, too?
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:51 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:51 PM PST - 2 comments
Recommendations for hidden object games on PC?
I've just barely dabbled in hidden object games, but they seem like a great way to relax in the evening. But the number out there is mind-boggling! Are there any greats to recommend? Some caveats within . . [more inside]
posted by backwards compatible at 3:37 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by backwards compatible at 3:37 PM PST - 10 comments
How best to close off the open bottom of a new shed?
We have a new shed -- yay! It's on uneven ground, though, so the builders put it up on cement blocks to level it. All well and good, but we're concerned that small animals will see this as a superb place to make a den. We'd prefer that they didn't. What's the best way to block off that space? [more inside]
Safety of Pedal Extenders for Shorties Like Me?
What's your experience been with them? Any specific brands you recommend? [more inside]
Recommend your favorite NYC takeout salads & salad bars!
I travel around Manhattan for work daily and would love to bring home a great big salad for dinner on the regular. Do you have a New York salad bar or salad joint you love? [more inside]
posted by 6thsense at 2:21 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by 6thsense at 2:21 PM PST - 9 comments
A (slide) scanner easily
I have a boatload of 35mm slides (and some black & white negatives) that I want to go through and scan the best shots. I don’t want to spend a boatload on a slide scanner. I’d appreciate any Mefi photog recommendations for a good, basic slide and negative scanner to help capture my Kodachromes.
posted by jabo at 1:19 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by jabo at 1:19 PM PST - 16 comments
Deciding whether or not to take my dog with me on vacation
Should I take my dog with me on vacation or leave him home with my wife? [more inside]
Is my babymoon plan bananas?
Mr. just_ducky and I are planning to go to France for 3 weeks in August; during that time I will be 22-25 weeks pregnant. Am I crazy for thinking this is doable? [more inside]
Vegetarian-friendly restaurant options in New Orleans
I'm looking for vegetarian-friendly restaurants in New Orleans, at all price ranges. I'll be staying in the Central Business District, so suggestions in that general area would be great, but ideas throughout the city are welcome. Also open to restaurants that have good options for fish that isn't shellfish or crustaceans. Thanks!
Dell one year warranty ended, after 50 weeks. How?
I bought a new Dell laptop from a third party Amazon store 50 weeks ago. The harddrive just died. After contacting Dell, they told me it was "sold" on Oct 2016 and consequently the one year warranty has run out. They said they could help, if only I provide the "owners" name. I told them the situation, that it must be "XYZ Store", but no dice. I called Amazon for advice, and after being put on hold for only a few minutes, they said they'd "make an exception this time, and give us a refund." Huh? What just happened? [more inside]
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 11:41 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 11:41 AM PST - 11 comments
Best site to gift online classes?
I want to gift an online class/learning experience for Father's Day. Dad is 65, very computer literate, and a lifelong learner. Where do I find a class he can pick for himself? [more inside]
posted by assenav at 11:09 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by assenav at 11:09 AM PST - 8 comments
Active learning about fertility.
I coordinate the labs for Anatomy and Physiology I & II at a community college. Our reproductive lab includes information about the uterine and ovarian cycles but it does not go into fertility at all and I would like to change that. Are there active learning activities that would help our students understand fertility that is appropriate for the college level? Most of what I see are for 6th-12th grade.
Books for preschoolers: trees are homes
Please help me find some preschool appropriate books to read with kids during a program about how a big tree is a home to many living creatures from eagles to raccoons to birds to salamanders to bugs. [more inside]
posted by RaeVaughn1958 at 10:00 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by RaeVaughn1958 at 10:00 AM PST - 12 comments
I need a cocoon of a mattress
At approximately 4:55am today, my husband slid off the bed and slammed his knee into the wall. I think it's time for a new mattress and boy, is researching this overwhelming. More inside on needs and budget. [more inside]
Direct Credit Scam?
Over the last 2 weeks, I have had 3 direct credits to my Australian bank account that I don't recognise. The first 2 were both from the same reference number, the third one occurred yesterday from a different reference number. The reference details for all of the deposits mention my bank, but the fact that when I contacted the bank they had no idea what the deposits were has me concerned.
Has anyone else experienced this? Is it a scam? [more inside]
Generate calendar based on approximate dates
I've got a table of events and dates, used for planning in an annual cycle. Some of these dates are explicit, like "May 15." Some are in the form of "third Saturday of October." And some are approximate, like "mid-month of April."--the exact date doesn't matter, it just needs to happen around a certain time. I'd like to be able to produce a calendar for a specific year based on these criteria, and I'm wondering if there's a tool that can do that. [more inside]
Converting a two-way residential street to a one-way?
Our town is proposing that several residential streets in my neighborhood be converted from two-way streets to one-way streets. My husband and I (and many of our neighbors) are against this, especially since our street is one of the streets they want to change to a one-way. There's a town meeting with the mayor tonight I'm looking for talking points against the conversion. [more inside]
recompense for failed auto repair
I am having to redo a repair that should have lasted 10 years minimum. What are the best methods to seek recompense for the sub-par work from the garage that did it. [more inside]
Word processing programs for people with dementia
My older relative (a retired history professor) is mildly affected by dementia, but is still in denial about it. He's been trying to write the family history and continue to work on his research, but has been getting confused and saving over important documents, losing/throwing away USB drives, etc. What he needs is a word processing program with a versioning system that backs up everything to the cloud automatically, so we can help him restore from older versions. How can we set this up for him? This will have to be absolutely transparent to him; there's no way he's learning Git. [more inside]
What's a weed?
I like my yard to be wild, which pisses off my neighbor. He likes well-kept lawns. Recently, he threatened to call the cops, because, apparently, I was in violation of a county ordinance. The ordinance (below) states that weeds and grass can't be over 12-inches high. What counts as a weed? [more inside]
posted by grumblebee at 8:41 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by grumblebee at 8:41 AM PST - 20 comments
Catfishing, how does it work?
On OKC recently, I have had two situations which I assume I was being catfished. My question: how does catfishing actually work or play out, once initial contact is made? What is the ultimate angle? [more inside]
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:32 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:32 AM PST - 15 comments
The Mysterious J-Cube
How did this ca. 1995 illegal cable hookup in Brooklyn work? [more inside]
posted by griphus at 8:02 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by griphus at 8:02 AM PST - 2 comments
Whaddya call the 30,000-feet-conscience-of-the-company consultant role?
My brother and I are racking our brains for the name of this thing. There's a role some companies have, for a sort of independent mediator who just seeks solutions to problems even when it's not necessarily best for the company short-term, etc.. Not quite a customer advocate, but related. It has an odd name that we can't remember now... the spelukum or something like that. The...belorgum. The nib locum.
What the heck is this thing called?
posted by red_rabbit at 7:50 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by red_rabbit at 7:50 AM PST - 8 comments
For Pride Month: Recommend great LGBTQI lit
Pride Month is making me want to address a gap in my reading: Great books by and about LGBTQI folks. Recommend away! [more inside]
posted by elizeh at 7:49 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by elizeh at 7:49 AM PST - 18 comments
How do I explain a large gap in employment?
I was laid off in March of 2017 and have not been employed since except for a very short-term consulting project. I have intermittently been applying and interviewing, but much of that time has been dealing with mental health issues which were exacerbated by the rejection from several jobs I was well qualified for. I have a phone interview coming up for a job I really want, and I don't know how to explain this gap. [more inside]
What are "jubee lips"?
From this article, "But I had already noticed those signature serious eyebrows, the jubee lips, the rounded jaw." Is this New Zealand slang?
posted by dilaudid at 7:37 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by dilaudid at 7:37 AM PST - 7 comments
A Marlys Chronology
What is the formal chronology of Lynda Barry's Mullen stories? Or does a summary of those stories exist? [more inside]
Colorado Gay/Birthday & Hobby Lobby cases - Religious Freedom?
Colorado Gay/Birthday case - Religious Freedom? or what? What was the "takeaway" from these decisions? What did they hinge on & what is the implication for future, similar cases?
Entertain me, entertain me, entertain me
I'm going on a couple of international flights this summer. Please suggest excellent books and audiobooks! Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
June 12
Landlord problems in Chicago suburbs
Our landlord is probably setting us up to keep our (incredibly hefty!) security deposit. [more inside]
Something for the late-in-life guitarist, or a goof present?
I'm looking for a second-to-last-minute father's day gift ideas for my dad, a late-in-life guitarist who likes Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and ZZ Top, to name three top picks for him. Alternatively, I'd take suggestions for a goofy present, like a life-size Shrek cardboard cut-out, but smaller and cheaper. [more inside]
posted by filthy light thief at 10:45 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by filthy light thief at 10:45 PM PST - 22 comments
Anger self help literature recommendations?
A friend has anger issues that are affecting his personal relationships. He tells me that he has tried therapy and it has not worked for him. He is not open to trying more therapy. He is open to reading self help literature and working on it, on his own. What are the best books for someone with this history? [more inside]
Airbnb "Room Service Menu" wish list
After a guest wistfully told us they wished they could have paid ahead for us to stock the fridge with a "hamper" we are looking at creating an airbnb wish list menu, to be fulfilled by my niece who is on summer break. What would be on your dream wish list menu? [more inside]
Would You Do This?
My Aunt who I barely know is dying of cancer. She has made no preparations for this and her affairs are not in order. My Dad is the only relative she has, and everything has fallen on him to straighten out. I want to help but... details inside. [more inside]
posted by WalkerWestridge at 9:13 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by WalkerWestridge at 9:13 PM PST - 16 comments
Worlds Run by Children
I'm looking for scenarios where the children have a lot of agency. I remember encountering this in some books I read as a kid: Pippi Langstrum, for example - except she had money and magic powers, and seemed to be an exception, rather, than the rule in her universe. I am blanking on more collective situations, and also probably there's something seminal I'm missing. Can you help me think of worlds in which kids actually govern, or enjoy a lot of agency? Liminal situations, like Lord of the Flies or such, ie situations unfolding under some sort of "plausible" circumstances like a group of kids abandoned or lost by the adult chaperones, are OK but I'm more interested in entire societies being run by kids, as a structural element, and, even better, ones containing submitting adults.
Should I get a refurbished MacBook and if so, which kind and where?
I'm in the market for a new laptop and am considering switching back to Mac, but I can't shell out $2K+ for a new 15" MacBook. Should I go refurbished? [more inside]
Are there definitive works of Amish theology/philosophy?
Basically, I want to do a deep dive on Amish philosophy and theology - is there a Thing I Must Read? Is there a(n) Augustine/Calvin/Lewis/Rob Bell of the Amish?
(I'm much more interested in things written _by_ them than _about_ them.)
Social media for fragile people
How can I keep a diverse range of people on my twitter feed without risk triggering my own sexual assault trauma? [more inside]
Where can I stow my car in Astoria?
NYC Filter: I'm looking for a place to park my car for several days as near as possible to the 30th Ave MTA station in Astoria. What are some good, secure, affordable options? [more inside]
What's the absolute easiest way from Vancouver to Vancouver?
How can we optimize my parents' + their dog's trips from Vancouver, BC to Vancouver, WA so that we can see them more? [more inside]
posted by masquesoporfavor at 6:09 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by masquesoporfavor at 6:09 PM PST - 15 comments
Was there a power outage in Rio today?
Hive mind...Anyone know whether (or how I'd find out whether) there were issues with power outages in Rio today? Are power outages common there?
I didn't see anything on news sites like Rio Times Online, but am in the US and reading only the English-language version of Rio websites, so am completely in the dark about whether I've got the full story.
posted by quinoa at 5:16 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by quinoa at 5:16 PM PST - 6 comments
Getting email at a domain that uses third party hosting for dns...
As a follow-up to this question, about a .TO domain (hosting a DNS) -- how do get email at this new domain? [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 2:55 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by dobbs at 2:55 PM PST - 16 comments
How to find-and-replace on a BIIIIIIG file?
I have an XML file that is large. I mean 250MB or so, large. It's actually nothing but text, but there's a lot of it. There is a certain short phrase (about 10 characters) that occurs about 120,000 times, and each instance of it needs to be swapped out with another phrase that's around the same size. I'm not used to working with documents this big, how do I do it? [more inside]
Best mail-order food for US delivery?
Looking for a Father's Day gift where I get something absurdly delicious delivered to him. Category of food can be anything, if it's crazy good. He's in Los Angeles (I'm out of state), so I'm also not entirely opposed to someone showing up on his doorstep with something amazing and local. Suggestions?
What is this skin condition?
I have had this ongoing skin condition that is probably not life-threatening, or even that bothersome, and I am reluctant to shell out the money to see a specialist on my current health plan, so I am hoping maybe someone might have some ideas of what I might be suffering from. [more inside]
posted by nanook at 2:00 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by nanook at 2:00 PM PST - 11 comments
Best dog for a distracted photographer...
Do you have any advice for a dog breed that could be used partially as a hiking companion, and partially as a security dog in the woods? [more inside]
Is it too soon to call?
I am trying to arrange a practicum for my next semester,but I waited a bit too late to begin contacting people and I am freaking out. I contacted a potential supervisor on Friday and haven't heard back (yes, I realize it's only Tuesday!). Would it annoying of me to contact this person tomorrow (Wednesday)? If it's not possible to arrange a practicum, I'd like to know so I can contact other locations! [more inside]
Mildly engaging tv drama?
I like to watch an hour/45 minutes of tv drama before I go to sleep. I’m looking for recommendations of shows that I can add to my list. [more inside]
Help me with my own personal climate change.
I recently moved from LA to DC. Help me cope with dressing for the climate. [more inside]
Father's Day menu/favorites for 8?
I'll be cooking dinner this weekend for about 8 people, including two little kids (one toddler), and my father, who is late 70s. Anyone have suggestions on a menu? [more inside]
Bluetooth to multiple speakers?
I'm working on setting up outdoor speakers for my backyard. I've got two different sets of speakers that I want to pair together using Bluetooth. Both sets of speakers receive Blueooth, but I can only connect my phone to one set at a time. Is there a "bluetooth router" hub device that would network the speakers together?
I would use SONOS but they don't seem to make an outdoor speaker option.
Smiles of a Summer Movie
I'm enjoying the long northern summer twilight and looking to find that feeling in film. What are your movie recommendations where characters escape for a summer weekend? [more inside]
15 month old with very limited repertoire of sounds/syllables
My 15 month old says no words, is very limited in the types of sounds she's able to make (both vowels and consonants), and doesn't really try to mimic or imitate new sounds. When googling, I see apraxia come up a lot and don't know whether this is a legitimate concern at this point. Can anyone help me understand what's normal and what isn't at this stage? [more inside]
posted by noboru_wataya at 12:13 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by noboru_wataya at 12:13 PM PST - 21 comments
How to get ideas for articles
I would like to become more involved in producing content for my company, specifically articles for our customer newsletter. I have the needed writing skills, but I am not very good at coming up with ideas. [more inside]
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 11:14 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 11:14 AM PST - 8 comments
help computer
Tech support: Windows 7 black screen of death, two corrupted dll files? [more inside]
Games that satisfy my itch to grow and build
I'm looking for video games like Cities: Skylines, but for iOS. I don't want resource management, or puzzles, or enemies to come attack my castle- I just want to be able to plant a garden and watch it grow, or build a city from scratch, or design a building, or coral reef, or whatever. Similar to Viridi, but something that I can play actively, instead of checking in on occasionally. What games will scratch that itch to make something and relieve some nervous energy? [more inside]
I don't know what I'd do if I got fired.
I have worked myself into a niche career field and make good money, but I am terrified of losing my job. Help me formulate a backup plan and not be so anxious. [more inside]
posted by uncannyslacks at 10:36 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by uncannyslacks at 10:36 AM PST - 8 comments
give me more awesome reaction videos
I love watching people react to awesome stuff. Help me find more videos and video series to push this button. [more inside]
Body itching in certain places - WHY!
I have been experiencing itching on certain areas of my body and I can't figure out "why". [more inside]
Therapist later asked for payment on strange first session
I recently went to a new therapist, and our first session was an hour of her asking me rapid-fire questions and tapping away on a laptop. I assumed this was free, we didn't discuss any payment at the end. But at our next session, she asked me to pay for both. Should I? [more inside]
Amending my 'travel time window'
The amount of time I give myself for making journeys is generally way out of tune with what I actually need- I'm chronically early to everything. Google Maps helps to some degree but I still overestimate the window I need. How can I get more comfortable with a smaller 'window'? Is there a ratio of Google estimate to spare time I can adopt? [more inside]
Weekend trips in India during rainy season?
I'm in Bangalore, India for the next 8 weeks for work. This is my first time in India and I'd like to use the opportunity to see some other parts of the country. Unfortunately, I have to work during the week, so I only have weekends free. Which places are worth traveling to if I will only have 1.5-2 days to spend? [more inside]
You can't do that on work time
Was I crazy to ask my boss whether I could go to DMV to renew my driver's license on work time? My job requires travel by vehicle (both personal and gov't agency fleet vehicle). It is written into my job description that I must maintain a valid driver's license in my state.
But when I said, "Hey Earl [my boss], I need to go to DMV to renew my license. Is it okay if I go on work time?" he basically laughed at me and said, "Nice try!" Was I completely out of line? [more inside]
posted by bennett being thrown at 9:14 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by bennett being thrown at 9:14 AM PST - 25 comments
Visas For Distinguished Pakistani Musicians to Tour the US
A really great Pakistani group that performs Sufi devotional music, led by this guy, wants to come play in the states, but they don't know how to navigate current visa channels. Any suggestions? Or even just leads to leads? [more inside]
If You Love Movie Blogs Enough, You Can Make A Good One
I'm in search of film-fan blogs to follow, as inspiration to rollout my own such blog. Any recommendations? [more inside]
How Best To Handle An Enthusiastic Counterpart
I've been rangled into teaching a summer program with an organization I volunteer with. It's a great program and I'm looking forward to it. I've been brought in to help guide/mentor an 18 year old girl that wants to take this on, but it's a lot for someone that young to handle. I'm trying to explain some places her expectations are off and trying to get her to focus her energy. [more inside]
posted by Bistyfrass at 9:05 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by Bistyfrass at 9:05 AM PST - 9 comments
Where can I laser cut a stencil in NYC?
Is there anywhere in NYC I could do some simple laser cutting for free or cheap? Maybe a makerspace or university or art collective? This would be for small simple designs on acrylic, and I have the vector files already. The design is the size of a brick, and it's text. I can go anywhere in the five boroughs. I’m trying to avoid a high commercial fee. I can pay, but I'm hoping to keep costs down. [more inside]
Tell me the story of finding your legacy
I want to leave a legacy. So first, I need to find out what my legacy will be, and then go about making it happen. Tell me the story of how you explored/decided/began making a legacy! [more inside]
posted by BeBoth at 8:47 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by BeBoth at 8:47 AM PST - 4 comments
How to reconcile a loving relationship with an abuser?
Sometimes the memories of childhood trauma and abuse perpetuated by my mother can return with great force — either inspired by current stresses or more recently, watching the Patrick Melrose series on Showtime. I’m so grateful that my mother is so much happier now that I’m an adult and that we have a loving, healthy relationship. Yet, when I feel the pain of my childhood so acutely it can be difficult to reconcile the mother of my childhood with how she is now. I’m not quite sure how to describe it — I feel like I’m living a lie in some way, or torn in two, or that celebrating what we have now is discounting or even perpetuating my childhood pain and isolation. [more inside]
Seeking diary blogs
I am on the lookout for blogs which republish historical diary entries on the appropriate day of the year, as though the diary were a regular blog. For example, I'm very fond of the Samuel Pepys diary. Are you aware of any websites which publish RSS feeds of historical diaries (famous or not, doesn't matter) as though they were contemporary blogs?
What is this song from the Ubisoft E3 show?
At the end of the Ubisoft E3 show they play a song as all the presenters walk out and thank the crowd or whatever. Here's a link to the part of the video. I can't figure out what it is and it's been bugging me since. [more inside]
posted by DynamiteToast at 7:19 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by DynamiteToast at 7:19 AM PST - 2 comments
Help us name a new kitty!
My partner and I are in the process of adopting this sweet girl . We've been talking about names as we don't love her existing name, but we're a bit stuck. Naming parameters inside! [more inside]
posted by Neely O'Hara at 7:04 AM PST - 37 comments
posted by Neely O'Hara at 7:04 AM PST - 37 comments
Hiking and possibly swimming in Banff
What are the best day hikes around Banff? [more inside]
Can you fit golf clubs in a coupe? (Help me ID my midlife crisis car)
Need to get a new car. Must haves are manual transmission and a trunk large enough for a golf bag and a foldable golf cart. [more inside]
How to create simple video/ animate slideshow effects
Can you recommend a software or app (preferably free...) that will let me do some simple animation effects to turn an image into a video. [more inside]
posted by jschu at 5:50 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by jschu at 5:50 AM PST - 4 comments
Collaborative photo metadata editing?
Is there a photo hosting site that allows collaborative editing of metadata? [more inside]
posted by malphigian at 5:27 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by malphigian at 5:27 AM PST - 1 comment
Shipping books from Canberra overseas
I want to ship a few boxes (not sure how many) and possibly some other small stuff from Canberra in Australia to Bicester in the UK. No requirement for speed. I've seen this question but it's not recent and I'd like some more up-to-date recommendations. In case it matters, I won't be at the other end to receive the delivery. [more inside]
posted by Logophiliac at 1:04 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by Logophiliac at 1:04 AM PST - 1 comment
Hysterectomy and child care activites
Spouse (45+) is due to get a hysterectomy soon; I will not be home to assist with the aftercare. Ideas to keep spouse comfy; and child occupied? [more inside]
posted by Afghan Stan at 12:41 AM PST - 27 comments
posted by Afghan Stan at 12:41 AM PST - 27 comments
June 11
Getting rid of that bad capacitor smell
I'm fixing an old stereo. Despite my best efforts to clean up leaked capacitor fluid with alcohol, it smells awful. I've scrubbed and scrubbed and it just seems to smell worse and worse. It's stinking up my apartment. How can I make the smell go away? [more inside]
Is it safe to eat eggs again?
After the massive May egg recall, is it safe to eat eggs again? [more inside]
"I'm from your future, and I'm here to save you"
I've become interested in the hypothetical idea of using time travel, or other ways of communicating with the past, in order to alter and improve your own life (for example, traveling to your childhood to alter an incident that would have had negative repercussions in later life). Are there any good examples of this in movies, tv or books? [more inside]
Volunteer Projects for Adults with Disabilities
I’m part of a student organization that’s trying to help create volunteer projects for adults at an adult day care. These adults have limited transportation - there is a superstore nearby that they could possibly set up a booth at for a donation drive. I’m also trying to connect with a hospice that might take donations of crafts and cards.
I want to create projects that encourage self efficacy and integrate them into the community. Any ideas for projects that could be done largely home based?
posted by Sotha Sil at 6:13 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Sotha Sil at 6:13 PM PST - 7 comments
Pregnancy and anxiety medication
I'm asking for my sister because I'm worried about her and think she could benefit from some type of anxiety medication, but she is also going to try for a baby soon so I don't know if she will be able to take anything. [more inside]
Aphmau Help
My ten-year-old passed all of the standardized tests for fourth grade and I promised her a phone. She has her dad's old Samsung (without service). We own A LOT of games. She is in love with this case that isn't available for any Android phones and wants me to buy an iPhone to go in it. I am saying no, I am not switching to an iPhone because there is a case you like... [more inside]
posted by orsonet at 5:26 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by orsonet at 5:26 PM PST - 8 comments
Help me find this 20thC travelogue about 2 women on a passenger ship!
Looking for a travelogue written sometime between 1920 - 1960. [more inside]
posted by apparently at 4:23 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by apparently at 4:23 PM PST - 4 comments
How to handle quitting a job after 3 months without burning bridges?
I recently got hired into a pretty high paying position right out of school. FYI, I’m a pharmacist working for an insurance company. Prior to this role, I did a year of residency with the same company so I’m not new to the company but I’m new to the current role. I’ve been in it for 3 months and so far I like it, not love it but I can see myself doing it for a few years. Last week, one of the managers from a different department approached me and asked if I would be interested in applying for a spot in Department B (let’s call it that). Department B is highly competitive with low turnover rate. This position is the same salary and benefit as my current one. However the nature of the job would allow better chances for advancement and the experience would look great on my resume. As far as the job goes, I enjoy it as well. Maybe not more or less than the current job. [more inside]
The Doctor is (Linked) In
My spouse just defended her (awesome) PhD thesis; she is now a doctor! This has raised a LinkedIn question. Her question is: does she list her name as "Dr Her Name" or "Her Name, PhD"? She asked my opinion about this, and I don't think my opinion is trustworthy on the subject, so, at her request, I'm asking y'all. [more inside]
Please identify this song before I drive myself nuts!
The only part of it I can remember is the instrumental intro, which makes it so very hard to google. [more inside]
posted by janerica at 2:53 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by janerica at 2:53 PM PST - 18 comments
SI joint dysfunction - just walking, really?
I had an acute bout of sacroiliac joint pain earlier this month including sciatica, foot numbness, and excruciating pain in my lower spine which was previously incorrectly diagnosed. I had a successful steroid injection in my SI joint in February which seems to be holding for the most part. Now the physical therapist says that all I can do for exercise is walking, and not on a treadmill - and no lifting weights. Is this really it? [more inside]
posted by mireille at 1:30 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by mireille at 1:30 PM PST - 11 comments
Plant ID - 5-leafed vine, probably invasive
Hi folks. Any idea what this vine is? It's fairly aggressive and I'm guessing it's non-native, but I can't find anything online. This is in Wisconsin in a backyard.
posted by Slinga at 1:30 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by Slinga at 1:30 PM PST - 7 comments
Durable pants for commuting
I'm looking for some durable pants for bicycle commuting that work well in a casual (tech) office.
My bicycle commute is 6 miles each way in San Francisco. I'm male, 6'2", and 220lbs, with pretty large thighs. The combination of cycle commuting and thighs that rub together means that I wear through the crotches in my pants fast, and I'm interested in finding some pants that are a little bit more durable. [more inside]
posted by kdar at 1:11 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by kdar at 1:11 PM PST - 12 comments
How to get rid of torn unwearable clothes?
Myself and my partner have multiple large bags of unwearable clothes (torn beyond repair, worn through etc) that don't seem any good to donate. We live in Astoria, Queens, New York and we'd like to dispose of them without them going to landfill. Despite attempts on Google we can't seem to find a place likely to accept them without carrying heavy bags a long distance (we don't drive). Any ideas on how to rid ourselves of them? [more inside]
posted by ElliotH at 12:51 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by ElliotH at 12:51 PM PST - 10 comments
Are there any book podcasts like Bat Segundo?
Are there any current book podcasts like the old Bat Segundo Show? [more inside]
posted by enn at 11:32 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by enn at 11:32 AM PST - 3 comments
Modern fiction for 11 year old girl?
My old favorites are failing. I'm looking for book recommendations that are very current and focus mostly on girls. Early middle school. [more inside]
streaming World Cup
Is there an up-to-date cord-cutter's guide to streaming the World Cup matches somewhere? [more inside]
Best used iPhone options for a kid?
Mrs. Frogs and I think it is time for our little tadpole to begin developing some independence. In anticipation of him being left alone at home for short periods, we need to ensure he has a working phone. [more inside]
posted by caution live frogs at 11:10 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by caution live frogs at 11:10 AM PST - 10 comments
Recommendations for parody podcasts?
I'm looking for more podcasts like A Very Fatal Murder (or in the vein the Netflix parody documentary, American Vandal). The more straight-faced and extended (i.e., not just a single episode), the better!
How do I sell custom illustrations?
I do freelance illustrations on commission (cats!dogs!portraits!) in watercolor to make extra money from time to time. I've been promoting my work via relevant facebook groups, tumblr, and the kindness of friends who have twitter followers. Where else can I share my work, and what else should I be doing if I'd like to turn this into a more regular job? [more inside]
posted by velebita at 10:25 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by velebita at 10:25 AM PST - 14 comments
Please help me choose a router/modem
Which modem/router will fit my family's special circumstances? [more inside]
Need help identifying a scew bit and where to purchase quickly
Can you please help identify the following screw type and tell me where I can purchase a bit that will unlock said screw? Here is the link to the image of the screw: https://imgur.com/a/yEwc85C.
More information inside... [more inside]
posted by bleucube at 10:01 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by bleucube at 10:01 AM PST - 7 comments
Received Pronounciation or General American accent for LA Spanish?
I want to integrate some accent work into my Spanish language education. Unfortunately I live in the Yucatán and I’d rather not end up with that as my default.
Is there a neutral(ish) accent that is recognized across Latin America? Something that newsreaders and sportscasters use for international programming? Or if not for all of Latin America, at least for Mexico?
What do you call songs that tell a story in this specific way?
There's a few songs out there that have a specific pattern: They tell a story with some kind of iambic pentameter or something, then break into a chorus that slightly changes meaning throughout the song.
What would you call this type of song? Can you think of other examples? [more inside]
I suck at job interviews. How do I get better?
In the past year I've struck out at a bunch of interviews for jobs I'm well-qualified for. What are my best resources for preparing beforehand? How do I present and sell myself more effectively during the interview itself? And finally, is an interview coach worth it? What worked for YOU?
What are some songs that capture these loving yearnings?
I find making mixtapes incredibly cathartic in intense emotional situations.
Sometimes a mixtape is the only thing that will do when I really want to express my feelings when regular old words don't feel like enough.
*snowflakes inside* [more inside]
Brake job priced different?
Why didn't the brake job at my mechanic use the standard parts + labor pricing? The service center person looked up the price in a book, rather than charge by the hour for brakes. [more inside]
Can you do math with Scoville units?
Suppose I want a 7,500 Scoville Unit hot sauce. And suppose I'm looking at two kinds of hot peppers — one rated at 5,000 SU, and one rated at 10,000 SU. If the Scoville scale was mathematically well-behaved (and ignoring other ingredients), middle school math would say I should mix them 50/50 and I'd get what I want... [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone at 8:45 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by nebulawindphone at 8:45 AM PST - 12 comments
How do I handle dog separation anxiety from a room away?
My dog absolutely must be put in a kennel inside an enclosing room when guests are over. He is good if I am in the same room, but as soon as I try to leave, he starts crying. I don't know how to fix this, because he is usually treats/praise motivated. [more inside]
Recent books about punk rock/musicians?
Every few years I manage to find a kick-ass book to give to my husband for his birthday. He's very into punk rock, specifically DC hardcore because of his DC upbringing but all punk rock is very acceptable. General rock music also good. I'm drawing a blank this year. Any recently released books that I'm missing? Biographies, oral histories of bands, nitty gritty of music stuff (husband plays guitar in a band, so nerdy guitar history stuff also good) all welcome.
Seeking poems about personal anger
Looking for poems about anger/hatred focused on individuals, not large, systemic issues. The only one I can think of is "Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister." I'm interested in high-quality literary poems, not doggerel, though humor is OK if it's well done. (Trying to write such a poem myself, and it's not going well.)
posted by FencingGal at 7:41 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by FencingGal at 7:41 AM PST - 17 comments
Biographies of not-famous relatives of famous people?
Have there been any notable biographies by children or relatives of famous people, who themselves were not famous at all? Particular biographies reflecting on celebrity and fame and life living in the shadow of a more famous relative? Perhaps for a twist, even people who were highly skilled/talented but unacclaimed?
Why does Skype randomly run through set-up?
I use Skype only twice a week. Some days I click the Skype icon and it opens and runs fine. I close it after every session. So far as I can tell, there is no difference from session to session in the way I close the application. At other, seemingly random, times I click the icon and Skype goes through re-install/setup. Once the re-install/setup is complete it runs fine again. What might be causing this? [more inside]
lettering question
What is the name of, or quick (1 or 2 word?) way to describe, the kind of handwritten lettering, often on signs made by kids etc., where the letters are drawn as outlines, that is, the center of the letter is empty space and the outline forms the letter?
posted by velveeta underground at 6:54 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by velveeta underground at 6:54 AM PST - 12 comments
Can/Should I invite my caucus comrades to a party?
Hey, I've got an event coming up in about a month. Nominally it's in celebration of my birthday, but it's just meant to be a good excuse to get a sizeable number of people (c.30) together for a convivial event. My concern is whether I'm able to invite my comrades from my uni caucus to this event. As I don't know them from a social gathering, I'm concerned it may not be appropriate. I know them because we're in the same party, and work together towards the same political goals. [more inside]
posted by AnhydrousLove at 6:00 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by AnhydrousLove at 6:00 AM PST - 10 comments
Terrified of motherhood: am I alone?
I'm pregnant with a very much wanted and already very loved baby. Husband and I have a loving and healthy relationship. The trouble is: I had a horrible family growing up, and I'm terrified of being a terrible mom, and that my baby will end up like one of my family members. I know therapy is the standard MeFi solution, but I wonder if anyone else has been through this, and how you managed? [more inside]
Working through daughter's existential crisis
How can I help my daughter work though her philosophical crisis? [more inside]
posted by low_horrible_immoral at 3:03 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by low_horrible_immoral at 3:03 AM PST - 25 comments
Better than basic (cheaper than deluxe?) towels, bed linens - UK edition
The time has come to replace basically all the linens in my household: towels, bed sheets, bathrobes. What do you recommend that can be bought online in the UK? [more inside]
posted by thetarium at 1:49 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by thetarium at 1:49 AM PST - 15 comments
June 10
How to adopt a cat as a first timer (SF/Bay Area edition)
My boyfriend and I would like to adopt a cat, but... we don’t know how. [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 9:13 PM PST - 21 comments
posted by stoneandstar at 9:13 PM PST - 21 comments
Help Me Be a Good Parent When it Comes to Violent Videogames
There are a lot of gamers here on Metafilter, and I need your help. My kiddo likes shooting things in videogames, but I kinda hate that he likes it. How do I be a Good Mom about this? [more inside]
The Bubbling Anchovy Maneuver?
Is serving salty pastries with sparkling water really a time-honored emergency catering trick, to keep party attendees sufficiently full until a delayed main course is served? [more inside]
Bookception Graham Greene
I recently read a book in which a major character (possibly the protagonist’s mother?) loves Graham Greene’s The Heart of the Matter. What book was it? Most likely lit fic.
Am I the jerk in my family or are they overreacting?
Every time I miss any family event, multiple family members make a big deal out of it, get pissed off with me and give me the cold shoulder for weeks afterwards. I think they are overreacting. Am I wrong or do they need to chill out? [more inside]
"Business" backpack for a feminine person
I am looking for a neutral color "business" backpack to carry a 13-inch Macbook Pro, a paper notebook, pens, purse stuff, etc. I am a feminine cis-woman, 45 years old, plus-sized. For health reasons, I have to switch from a shoulder-carried briefcase bag to a light-as-possible backpack, but I don't want to look silly or sloppy. My work dress code is on the casual side of business casual. I usually wear skirts with a high-quality t-shirt or casual blouse. I never wear jeans. Hope me. [more inside]
What's another good replacement for 'Jarvis Cocker's Sunday Service'?
What's another good replacement for 'Jarvis Cocker's Sunday Service' on BBC Radio 6? I've been listening to Amy Lamé, and she's pretty good, but I'm seeking out similar sorts of programmes like the old Sunday Service. [more inside]
Can I use an AppleTV with a receiver, without a TV?
Moving into a new apartment and planning on ditching my TV. My one hang-up: I stream music/podcasts/etc. from my iPhone to my AppleTV (3rd gen) to play on my receiver. Is there anyway to make this work without a TV?
Seeking vegetable puns for a bike team
A couple of friends and I are assembling a team for a cycling event that benefits a community supported agriculture program. We're looking for a punny team name that incorporates vegetable and/or bicycle words -- something along the lines of "lettuce turnip the beet." Can you help us out?
posted by esker at 5:09 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by esker at 5:09 PM PST - 18 comments
What's a good strategy to develop my social skills as an adult?
I had a major depressive episode after high school. A few years after that, I met a young woman, she fell for me, I fell for her, and we dated for six years. She was more or less my one friend most of those years. I dissociated away a lot of bad feelings, including loneliness. So I was a comfortable but numb shut-in without her. Last year, I broke up with her, and the year before that, I transitioned. I'm realizing as a 29 year old trans woman in a new city, I'm lacking the skills or confidence in my skills to make friends and feel like I belong. How best do I fix that? [more inside]
Evaluating Book Publishing Routes
The process of selecting a self-publisher is daunting. Lots of self-publishers evaluate themselves against their competition. And surprise, they always seem a so much better deal than their competitors. On the other side, finding a traditional publisher often requires first, finding an agent. And I've heard agents are focused on repeat performers, not untested first timers. [more inside]
Tips for new foster dog owners
Tomorrow we're adopting a 5 year old pug. My wife and I both grew up with dogs, but haven't owned any pets in the last 20 years, so don't really know the basics of dog ownership. I have many questions. [more inside]
posted by snarfois at 4:19 PM PST - 13 comments
posted by snarfois at 4:19 PM PST - 13 comments
What are amateurs using to make funeral or wedding slideshows these days
What are the common people (not professionals) using to make slideshows for presentations at funerals or weddings these days? [more inside]
Is there such a thing as socially acceptable drinking and driving?
As someone inexperienced in alcohol-related matters, I'm trying to figure out if I spoke too soon and proposed something that I shouldn't have. [more inside]
Plan My Vermont Vacation for Me
Mrs. W and I are going to Vermont for four days at the end of July. [more inside]
posted by wittgenstein at 2:35 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by wittgenstein at 2:35 PM PST - 9 comments
Puppy!
I'm getting a puppy. I've owned dogs before but only who were already adults. What are some good resources to make sure I've got this puppy thing down. Will be an only dog and has already been chosen (mixed breed). [more inside]
Character Assassination Against Dave Ramsey?
The big three automakers tried to assassinate Ralph Nader's character when he pushed for seat belts (see the documentary about him). The FBI spied on MLK to do the same thing.
Have there been any reports of banks / lenders trying to assassinate Dave Ramsey's character?
Hard water and faucets
We have two relatively new chrome faucets. Both 16 months old. Faucet 1 (which was a clearance super fancy faucet) cleans up beautifully, no spots. Faucet 2 was cheap $39 and spots from hard water and it is impossible at this point to shine. Is it just that I bought a cheap faucet? Would a $$$ replacement fix it?
Short story identification question: Harried wife/mother on a holiday
Looking for a specific short story concerning a family in a country house on holiday. [more inside]
posted by tractorfeed at 12:02 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by tractorfeed at 12:02 PM PST - 10 comments
Looking for dishware to match my new glassware
My husband and I are slowly making our house more adultish. A few months ago I got rid of all our mismatched glasses and bought these two sets of these glasses. Now looking for plates and bowls to go with them. [more inside]
Is this what dating is like in 2018?
I took a break of 5 years from dating after feeling discouraged. I decided to give it another try because I am at a very good point in my life right now. I'm a woman in my late-30s, own my own place, earn a good salary, have an advanced degree, have a wide circle of friends who care about me, and take care of and put effort into my physical appearance. [more inside]
posted by ItAllAdds at 10:51 AM PST - 56 comments
posted by ItAllAdds at 10:51 AM PST - 56 comments
Considering becoming an Arbonne Consultant
Mrs Ashtray Elvis is considering becoming an Arbonne consultant. We've done the research...she's considering this an opportunity for her to flex her entrepreneurial and sales muscles. She has a great career currently, but her occupation does not involve sales. She has asked all of the 'right' questions, and is aware enough to realize this wouldn't be (financially) a career, but is happy to keep her career (which she loves) and have a sideline. Looking for thought/experiences with Arbonne, if you could share. Thanks!
Help make our trip to Europe amazing, Porto, Portugal edition
Our family will be spending two nights in Porto, Portugal in July. We're traveling with kids (10 & 12), so our plan is for a mostly low-key trip filled with lazily exploring the city. But we're also looking for other unique or special experiences we could do as a family that would really make our trip special. [more inside]
Doing laundry in these modern times
The old adage I learned as a kid about 'wash whites together, hot' and 'wash darks together, cold' doesn't hold up anymore given what I see in my laundry basket. What is the best way to divide my laundry now? [more inside]
My turn: Unopened tofu in warm/hot car all day. Edible?
Yes, I’m using my ‘can I eat this’ coupon.
I purchased tofu from the produce section (plastic container, cool, not refrigerated), left it in my car during the pretty warm day (high 70’s) and a cool night (mid 40’s) . Put it in the fridge this morning. All in all, about 22 hours. Never opened.
Safe to eat or do I trash it?
Thank you.
posted by MountainDaisy at 8:40 AM PST - 20 comments
posted by MountainDaisy at 8:40 AM PST - 20 comments
Vegas without the hub bub?
We are driving across country and need to stop in vegas, but... [more inside]
How to approach startup re: IP assignment agreements?
I'm being recruited for a software-focused role at an early-stage hardware startup. I would like to take the gig, but I have an IP-related concern: Outside of my day job, I have a hobby building entirely unrelated things that includes an open-source software/hardware component. I would like to maximize my chances of being allowed to continue doing what I do for fun, insofar as it is orthogonal to what I would be doing for work. [more inside]
What are these weird rocks?
I was at an estate sale and to bring my total up to the necessary amount to use a debit card, I grabbed these rocks. I'm dying to know what they are. [more inside]
Can I fertilize my lawn in... June?
My lawn is looking quite yellow and patchy, a bit worse than it was last year. I'm just starting to get the hang of lawn maintenance and it *appears* that a fertilizer would help. But it's June. Can I apply liquid fertilizer now? [more inside]
posted by hijinx at 5:08 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by hijinx at 5:08 AM PST - 7 comments
Friend Says Not right Now, Possibly Later for Relationship
My friend says that he's going through issues that make him not want a relationship right now, but possibly in the future. These issues even seem to be getting in the way of us meeting as friends, though he says he really wants to. Should I stay friends with him? [more inside]
Bang bang
I increasingly wish for bangs, but I'm incredibly low maintenance and have curly hair. What do? [more inside]
posted by sockermom at 2:08 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by sockermom at 2:08 AM PST - 16 comments
Computer died in the night and wont be revived
June 9
ClothingFilter: lightweight but long tops, plus size edition
I would like more tops for summer that are light-weight and cool, but long-sleeved, and long length-wise. [more inside]
posted by nirblegee at 11:28 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by nirblegee at 11:28 PM PST - 18 comments
Has anyone ever dated their mentor? Can it end positively?
Recently, someone who has provided a great deal of professional support and advice expressed romantic interest. I was torn between saying no, and having to end our friendship and interactions, and saying yes, and having to deal with all the unknowns. However, I do have a crush which arose due to the support I’ve received during especially trying career moments. Never imagined anything would be reciprocated so I never planned on acting on it. [more inside]
Traditional Irish and Scottish music on instruments with a lower range?
I enjoy traditional jigs, reels, marches, strathspeys, etc., but find the traditional instruments kind of shrill. Are there bands that play this stuff on instruments with a lower range? E.g., cellos and baritone vocalists instead of violins and sopranos.
NSFW recommendations
I finally have enough money in my budget to pay for ethically made porn! Hooray! Who should I check out? [more inside]
No admittance except on party business
My uncle has repeatedly expressed the desire "to live like hobbits" when we come to visit. The family is gathering this Christmas, so it would be the perfect time to do so. Hobbit-ish lifestyle ideas, menus, parlor games, etc. would be welcome, especially if they require little in the way of labor or cash to implement. [more inside]
Translated novella-- mom died; older son very sad and drowned
I'm trying to locate one of my childhood favorite novellas. I read it in Chinese in Taiwan (in the early 1990s), but I'm certain that it was originally written in a romantic or anglo language. Plot deets below. Any possibilities that come to your mind will be appreciated!! [more inside]
posted by redwaterman at 7:23 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by redwaterman at 7:23 PM PST - 2 comments
outside with the cuties
Are you a historically living-in-your-head person who became very involved in physical activity (a sport, yoga/martial arts, etc.), to the point of very regular/daily practice? What was it like to transition your life to be more about embodied pursuits? [more inside]
posted by elephantsvanish at 7:19 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by elephantsvanish at 7:19 PM PST - 8 comments
What kind of embroidery is this?
I bought this shirt second hand and google is failing me. Is there a name for this type of embroidery or design?
🎶 You gotta get up and get off that (network) bridge 🎶
What can I do with 50 to 100 old Cisco switches and routers? [more inside]
When you're getting an IUI next month and you're married, queer, & ex-Mo
Mrs. Timp and I are hoping to be parents next year. I'm all set to start this journey by getting an IUI next month, after months of meticulous ovulation and BBT tracking. I know that stress affects fecundity. What do I need to remember, meditate on and overall be peaceful about irt to this journey? [more inside]
What kind of bed/sofa did my grandmother have in Hungary decades ago?
She lived in Budapest and I believe she had it from the 1950s or 1960s until she died in 2008. I live in a small apartment in NYC and I keep thinking it would be the perfect thing, but no sofa beds that I can find (online or off) resemble it, and I don't even properly know how to search. It was meant to be a permanent every night bed, but it folded into a somewhat awkward-sized (by US standards) large and serviceable sofa. [more inside]
Fill my (goodread's) bookshelf
I only want to read books by women that are about women. Inside are books similar to what I have in mind. [more inside]
Please share your all-day workshop spaces in DC
I run an annual event for academics where we hold a 1 day workshop. Next year it will be in Washington DC. Attendees will be from all over the world, but many will be staying in Dupont Circle.
We need a space to meet for a day. We have traditionally done this on a university campus or in a public library. The space needs wifi, room for 30 people in one room, and breakout rooms/areas for groups of 6. We also need to either bring in catering or use the catering service of the site.
Suggestions for safe venues in DC, fairly close to Dupont?
Best Place for a Non-Schlocky Honeymoon Single-Night Stay in Vegas?
Heading to Vegas in September as a jumping-off point to a southwest tour around Utah and Arizona, and we'd love to stay at a nice place and chill by a pool and bar for one night (the day after our wedding), so we can relax and regroup before hitting the road. [more inside]
posted by knownassociate at 2:40 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by knownassociate at 2:40 PM PST - 11 comments
How Do You Read/View Work with an Elaborately Interconnected Plot?
I always struggle with fiction or drama where there are elaborate parallels between different plot elements. The issue I have is it's hard to focus on things like atmosphere and character in an intuitive way while still feeling like I'm fully appreciating the connections the author has designed. [more inside]
Hype up moving to the Bay Area/SF
So following this question it looks like I will be moving to SF and taking a job in the South Bay in a couple months. While this is obviously exciting, I am feeling a little down about leaving my hometown, my family and friends, my cute apartment, etc. Add in all of the logistical chores involved in moving (especially since I'll be coming from Canada and I have never lived in the US before) and the lifestyle changes I will likely have to make (shitty commute, longer hours etc).. If I keep going like this I will arrive determined to hate everything and be miserable - please help me turn my attitude around! [more inside]
The finish on our couches is staining our clothes
I have a black couch set that looks like leather but may be vinyl. If we sit on them when hot and sweaty, our clothing sticks. When we peel ourselves away, there are black lines left on our clothes that don't come out in the wash. Can these couches be refinished or treated by us so this doesn't happen anymore? Is our clothing salvageable?
Guile-less
I don‘t understand the last 3 paragraphs of Ian Mc Donald‘s „The Guile„ ( below the fold). They seem to imply that I‘m missing something, but what? [more inside]
posted by Omnomnom at 12:34 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by Omnomnom at 12:34 PM PST - 12 comments
Help me revitalize my spring/summer wardrobe!
I just bought this dress from Thief and Bandit. Not explicitly springy/summery but I love the look of some of their other items: (dresses, skirts, leggings!)
Help me find more stores and more stuff like it! [more inside]
posted by caitcadieux at 11:35 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by caitcadieux at 11:35 AM PST - 8 comments
Abstract collages made from paintings
I’m looking for ideas for abstract collages to be made from my own abstract paintings. I usually use cut up pieces (or hole-punched pieces) of alcohol ink on Yupo, but I also work in watercolor and some acrylic. I’ve mostly been pretty straightforward (ink, cut assemble, ta-da!) and am looking for more ambitious design ideas. Here is an example of one I've done before--I'd like to get a little less straightforward than this one. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 10:24 AM PST - 2 comments
posted by mermaidcafe at 10:24 AM PST - 2 comments
Getting smart: nursing home + insurance edition
My grandfather is having some health issues (currently in the hospital). He's likely to be discharged soon and released to nursing home/rehab care for at least a bit, if not long-term.
We're trying to figure out the best way to go about all of this - he's got medicare, VA benefits, and also long-term care insurance. Which should we tap into first (understanding I don't have the full background on his long-term care insurance coverage yet)? How do these all work together? (In Indiana, if that makes a difference)
Would appreciate any good resources for helping us make smart decisions in all of this. We've already spoken to the social worker at the hospital. Thanks!
Why this intense celebrating of emotional labor in my workplace??
Working in mental health care, I'm now in a department where there is such an intense culture of demanding emotional labor of each other (99% women) that I'm trying to understand it better, through this experience. I've followed the emotional labor thread with a lot of interest. But I'm taken by surprise in my current worksituation. Any thoughts or new ideas, or things I've missed because I haven't followed publications since the EL thread here. Also, I'm very interested in comparing with other professional sectors or circles. [more inside]
Downsides to refinancing co-owned house but keeping name on the title?
For various [...reasons...] my SO and I have been living separately. We bought a house together about 5 years ago so both names are on the loan and the title. I am now trying to decide how to best remove myself from the mortgage loan. [more inside]
How to treat an exposed wooden door
Woodworkers of Metafilter! My new house has a ton of beautiful wood that appears to have been installed by an amateur who didn't like finish sanding or putting a second coat of polyurethane on anything. This is mildly irritating in most instances, but the south-facing solid wood exterior door is in rough shape, and I need to figure out the best way to handle it. [more inside]
Help me find a long-lost game
I remember playing a computer game, maybe 10 years ago, and the premise was essentially this: you are basically placed, at random, in another person's shoes. It was an educational game, and I think it was trying to get you to think about how people across the world lived. You got a feeling for the ways that you background could affect your life. Any idea what it was?
Cleaning Patent Leather
I have a designer patent leather wallet that is gently used but the leather has lost some of its luster. No amount of cleaning it with Windex (per instructions I've found online) seems to fix it - the leather remains kind of dull and splotchy looking. Is there anything else I can do to rehab the patent leather? Do I just need to put more elbow grease into it? Or is the wallet a goner? [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 7:16 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by nightrecordings at 7:16 AM PST - 6 comments
Yet another LinkedIn question
Once again, I'm having a weird experience with LinkedIn and am hoping someone can explain it.
I have three separate email addresses, two of which are registered with LinkedIn. An invitation (from someone I don't know, although that isn't necessarily unusual) recently arrived via the third email address, which immediately made me suspicious. Deepening the mystery, the invitation does not show up on my LinkedIn home page, where I am assured I have no outstanding invitations. So am I being phished, or is there some other explanation?
Best place to donate a tent?
My spouse and I have a two-person tent we are looking to offload because we are now a three-person family. Is there a type of charitable organization that might appreciate a donated tent? I think Mr. eirias is thinking along the lines of advocacy for the homeless (though one respondent to this previous question suggested that that might not be as useful as it sounds). Our fallback is the thrift store down the street. In case anyone might have really specific suggestions, we are in Madison, WI.
Addressing/limiting stalkery behavior in ex
Separated 5+ years, soon-to-be divorced, joint custody of a kid (backstory in previous questions). Both I and 'Other Parent' date. OP exhibits stalkery behavior with my (limited) dates. How might I address this? Looking for resources. Complications inside ... [more inside]
posted by life moves pretty fast at 6:19 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by life moves pretty fast at 6:19 AM PST - 14 comments
pros and cons of a small house vs condo
First time potential home buyer here, I'm having trouble deciding whether to get a small house (<1000 sq ft) or condo in the northeast US city where I live. My price range and the housing stock in the area where I'm looking limit me to a smaller rowhouse typically spread across 3-4 floors or a condo and I'm asking for some help in narrowing my search. No kids, 1 cat, hopefully retiring in ~20 yrs. [more inside]
Local retailer for clear plastic shoe straps?
I need these, or something just like it, and I don't have time for shipping. I have had no luck determining whether any local retailers carry such a thing (assume all standard shopping options; large Midwestern city). Is such a thing sold in any actual physical store?
simile suggestions for "as inextricale/inseparable as" or
My brain needs help. I know I've heard a good analogy for expressing that separating one thing for another would be like (i.e., as difficult as) separating [X] from [Y]. But I'm wracking my brain and I can't fill in the blanks for X and Y. I'm looking for something that would be instantly obvious how impossible it would be to extract one thing from another after they're mixed. Any ideas?
How can I replace links with images in Wordpress directory
I'm using a directory plugin in WordPress which lets you input URLs for specific fields. You can choose to have the link appear as custom texts (optional). My directory is for podcasting so one of these fields, for example, is iTunes. How can I replace the text link with an image, eg iTunes logo, on every entry? [more inside]
posted by teststrip at 3:58 AM PST - 1 comment
posted by teststrip at 3:58 AM PST - 1 comment
How do you pronouce ribald?
Ribbled or ryebald? Online tends toward the former, so why do I think ryebald is right? Is it because ribbled has so much less oomph?
posted by goofyfoot at 3:28 AM PST - 38 comments
posted by goofyfoot at 3:28 AM PST - 38 comments
Fungus or slime mold?
(Or other?) Friend saw this on their run today and wants to know what it is, location S. Korea. Another shot. I've tried Google but I don't have much previous knowledge to go on. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by lesser weasel at 3:04 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by lesser weasel at 3:04 AM PST - 6 comments
June 8
Help me get my mojo back
Could one week on birth control really cause permanent loss of libido and sexual function? [more inside]
SSI spend down: what does she need that we're forgetting
My 18 year old daughter qualifies for SSI due to disability, but she has too much money in savings. What can we spend roughly $2500 on that will improve her life? [more inside]
Second date: Indoor games
I would like to provide some structure to a second date. We both like games and playful stuff. [more inside]
Text Notifications on Repeat from Certain Person
I will be occasionally receiving text messages from one particular person that need to be responded to immediately and would like to know if there is a way to get my notification tone to repeat until I read the message. [more inside]
posted by Malleable at 7:20 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by Malleable at 7:20 PM PST - 4 comments
TV 'n' B
Helping a friend furnish an AirBnB rental unit in her home. What kind of TV should she get? Caveats: easy to use and inexpensive. The unit has wifi and DVDs, but no cable access. [more inside]
Every Saturday, 2:45 to 5:15pm, no football on TV in the UK. Why?
More generally, am I right in thinking that UK football fans face all sorts of restrictions and limitations when it comes to watching Premier League matches on TV?
Help Me with Radio Personality Name
I'm trying to remember the name of a man who used to be on the radio. He was a reporter for NPR or PRI or some other public radio entity. He did financial/economic updates, during the day, national correspondent, one of the regular dudes. [more inside]
Help make new telescope a great experience for youngster
Need advice as a non-astronomer parent who's about to unbox a telescope for kids birthday? [more inside]
posted by GPF at 4:26 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by GPF at 4:26 PM PST - 12 comments
Different City's Regional Hot Dogs in New York City?
Where can i find different city's regional hot dog styles in NYC? I'm looking for things like a chicago style hot dog, detroit coney, maine red snapper, kansas City, washington DC half smokes, rockie dogs, michigan coney, cleveland polish boy, cincinnati coney, sonoran dog. Any other favorite regional hot dogs missing? Can i find them in New York?
Seeking fun, non-grim genre fiction
I've been reading a lot of literary fiction recently and need a break. Could you recommend some entertaining, relatively recently published genre fiction for me to read this summer? Any "genre" genre is welcome - science fiction, fantasy, mystery, romance, horror, thriller, etc. and respective sub-genres are all great. Of course, I have snowflakes: [more inside]
Help this displaced homemaker figure out what to do for a living now
Graphical Display to Show Two-Variable Two-State Each Changes Over time
I have longitudinal data. I have a number of variables that are things may you did at time 1 and maybe you didn't, and maybe you did at time 2 and maybe you didn't. I would like a nice way to visualize how people moved between these two states that would be easy to read and extract information from. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 1:43 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 1:43 PM PST - 8 comments
Share upcoming divorce news on social media?
I'd like to share a status update about my upcoming divorce on Facebook, but my (soon-to-be) ex-husband doesn't want me to. He said I could do it anyway, but it was clear he was unhappy about it. Should I? If so, when? [more inside]
Dog and Cat Meet-n-Greet
I have a cat. He has a dog. We want to introduce the dog to the cat. I have no idea how to go about this. [more inside]
Project management and to do list software, android + gmail
I would like recommendations for project management and to-do list software for juggling multiple complex projects. It should have an android app, and integration as an app in the new gmail interface would also be good. What are you using and what do you like about it? [more inside]
Amazon seller wants me to cancel my return request. Should I?
Ordered a fan from a 3rd party seller. Bottom line, I have to hold the thing 6" from my face to feel any air moving. I requested a return on Amazon. Seller tried to screw around with what they were willing to do. They've finally agreed to follow Amazon policy, after about a dozen emails back and forth, and are asking me to cancel my return request now that they've issued a refund. Should I? [more inside]
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 10:58 AM PST - 16 comments
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 10:58 AM PST - 16 comments
How can I become a more "insightful" reader?
I just completed my first year of grad school and am now taking a summer course which is almost over (woohoo!!), but I just feel like I'm not as intelligent than the rest of my cohort. For example, they always say such insightful things about our readings and I feel like everything I say is so dumb. As a result I think my professors think I'm an idiot! I am scared to start an assignment because I'm afraid of being judged as stupid. How can I become more "insightful" about my readings? [more inside]
Is this the right laptop for my 9-year old?
It’s time to buy my nine-year old (nearly 10) her first laptop, and this one is right at the top of our budget. I’m relatively uneducated on hardware stuff, so is this a good option? [more inside]
posted by tr33hggr at 10:30 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by tr33hggr at 10:30 AM PST - 6 comments
Help me become the Amazon wish list fairy of my dreams!
So I occasionally like to send gifts to random people. For example, to celebrate our 15th anniversary, my husband and I found registries of couples with our same first names and send them wedding gifts. There are several authors I'd really like to support with book purchases, so I'd love to combine these impulses and find out who is wishing for these books and make sure they show up in their mailbox in a couple days. Is there any kind of internet trickery that would allow me to see on which public wish lists a certain item appears?
Dog Meet and Greet
I will be dog sitting a dog I had formerly puppy raised as a service dog. I currently have a dog that was going to be a service dog for the organization but has instead been deemed a fine specimen and will be a breeder dog instead. Tomorrow, service dog and my breeder dog will be meeting to see how they get along and to determine if dog sitting the service dog is in the cards. [more inside]
Please help me find an explorer for my documentary
I'm producing a documentary on explorers and we had one of our subjects drop out at the last minute and now I'm scrambling to find someone to fill the spot. Do you know someone who is doing research into Mayan culture? [more inside]
Best travel shows?
What are/were the greatest travel shows? [more inside]
Help us fix a pop-up camper cracked roof so we can camp!
How can I fix the top shell on my 1997 Coleman pop-up camper? Is there a tape or glue/epoxy that would do the trick? Also the rubber stripping is coming off around the seam edging. What glue would best hold that back in place? Quick fixes would be great we can use it ASAP.
Pictures
Old dogs, new house - adjustment and training
We are moving soon and I need tips for helping our 2 large adult dogs adjust. I'm also pondering some new opportunities for training that a new house gives us. [more inside]
Online games / apps for busy boardgaming dads?
What are some engaging, multiplayer horror / sci-fi / fantasy online games or apps that have a boardgame-like feel? [more inside]
organize my list
My current job is more fast-paced, and it's overwhelming my to-do list system! [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 8:24 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by quadrilaterals at 8:24 AM PST - 15 comments
Fastest way to learn software development best practises?
I've picked up software development best practises in a scattershot way through the years. I'll soon have an artist or two transitioning to software development roles, and I'd like to have a reference resource - book? blog? online course? - that will help them get quickly up to speed on software development best practises. Ideally, it would present a not-overwhelming list of good ideas and explain in plain language why they're good ideas. [more inside]
posted by clawsoon at 7:18 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by clawsoon at 7:18 AM PST - 5 comments
Any tips on removing dead rat remains from balcony tile?
Two questions. Returned home this afternoon after 6 weeks to find a dead rat on my balcony. Picked it up by the tail, (If you're not squeamish, continue after the jump) [more inside]
Couples counseling while going through separation and maybe divorce
If you have gone through a separation—maybe also a divorce—from your spouse, and you two stayed in your couples therapy together throughout, how did that work? Was it helpful, or did it hurt? [more inside]
posted by emelenjr at 5:09 AM PST - 18 comments
posted by emelenjr at 5:09 AM PST - 18 comments
Can they have their cake and eat it too? (expat edition)
A friend of mine currently working in Cameroon for Company A has been offered an expatriate job abroad (Cote d’Ivoire) and will be joining Company B in an executive role with full relocation and expat benefits. His wife works for Company C in Cameroon and has requested a transfer in a similar job at Company C’s Cote d’Ivoire office. Her chances are good. In addition, Company B is also willing to offer the wife a job in Cote d’Ivoire if Company C doesn't accommodate her request for transfer. So all is good, right? Not quite. [more inside]
June 7
ESPN Zone is closed. What's the next best option for that sort of thing?
Specifically, a sports bar with a 50' screen and recliners that you can find in metro areas (or at least, LA, NY, Boston, DC, SF, etc.). [more inside]
Help with building a twitch streaming PC (not for gaming)
I'm going to build a streaming PC, and it's been a while since I've built a PC, so I need some suggestions about hardware, specifically cpu/motherboard. [more inside]
[Badass filter] How to stop taking sh*t from other people
Practical examples and scripts please! [more inside]
How to stop a friend from spiralling out of control?
I have a friend of excellent quality. She moved somewhere else. All of a sudden, she is surrounded by people with problems and her life is turning inside out. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by wuzandfuzz at 8:21 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by wuzandfuzz at 8:21 PM PST - 16 comments
Stereo repair is kind of having the opposite effect
Fixing an old stereo has turned into a nightmare. Is there any place in the Bay Area where I could use or rent an oscilloscope? [more inside]
Best, quickest way to pass the intermediate language learner plateau?
My employer uses a French screening test which you must pass to attain certain jobs. I am currently in the intermediate level. I would very much like to be in the high level. I can re-test this summer. What is the best way to spend my study time? [more inside]
How to deal with jealousy when poly partner is with someone else
My partners and I have an open poly relationship. I struggle with jealousy when one of them is with another person outside our triad. Intellectually, I know that there's no reason to be jealous, but I still feel out of sorts when he's with someone else. What can I do to put myself at ease or minimize my jealousy? [more inside]
I was told there would be no additional math
I don't understand how to calculate a proportion as a ratio and nothing online is helping me. Can you explain it? [more inside]
Health Homes and HARP-like Program in Portland, OR
I'm looking for a good, reputable health home (with social workers/case managers) in Portland, Oregon, as well as a program's like NYC's HARP, which gives money to people like me (on medicaid and disability) for medications that insurance doesn't cover, they help with living expenses, money for reaching educational and health goals, etc. Thank you kindly.
Bags and bugs
I found three dead psocids in the outside pocket of a dearly loved leather handbag of mine. What do I do to make sure that there are no more bugs inside? [more inside]
Thank-you gift/gesture for someone who is downsizing
A person I know is moving to a smaller place and is giving me a huge amount of very valuable, very awesome art-making equipment. In addition to thanking her profusely, of course, I'd like to do something nice for her, but I don't want to give a material gift because she and her husband are downsizing and moving to a progressive care/senior living type place. I'm looking to the hive mind for some brilliant and creative ideas! More details about the gift and our relationship within. [more inside]
I lost My Unbelieving Wife To - Religion! Can this work?
I've been married for 22 years. We've both been unbelievers this entire time. We devoured Ingersoll back when atheism was still a major stepping out. Our unbelief was educated, reasoned, and arrived at through rational study. My wife has taught math at a Catholic school for 15 years, she never had reason to discuss her personal philosophy. The thought that her being around that all the time might bring about real spiritual feelings was something I considered, but mostly in a joking way, with her always saying that's "silly" "ridiculous" "Are you kidding? No way!" WELL... [more inside]
posted by Gerard Sorme at 3:04 PM PST - 118 comments
posted by Gerard Sorme at 3:04 PM PST - 118 comments
Too many gifts
My birthday is about six weeks away but I already have 3 gifts from one friend that total about $100. This is too much, since they often will give me one more thing on my actual birthday. What do I say to stop the escalating gifting? [more inside]
Does it REALLY matter if appliances match?
12-year-old GE dryer needs new parts totaling $500+, so time for a new dryer! Matching 12-year-old washer seems to be working fine for now, but given the age I assume it's on the downhill. I can get a 30+% off deal on a nice (discontinued) LG set but have to act very quickly. More inside ... [more inside]
posted by mccxxiii at 2:58 PM PST - 18 comments
posted by mccxxiii at 2:58 PM PST - 18 comments
Wasn't this supposed to fix everything?
Is this what we wanted? Is this enough? Is this too much? What next?
This is a follow-up to a previous question but I will try to word this to avoid mandatory reading of the previous questions. [more inside]
posted by Twinge at 2:50 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Twinge at 2:50 PM PST - 5 comments
How best to track weekly attendees to an event?
I am starting an informal pickup soccer game for 5 year olds in my neighbourhood in Toronto. What's the best electronic method to track the weekly attendees? All I need is info about 'yes, no, maybe // how many coming' every week. I'd prefer all the adults to not have to download a specific app to do this.
Recommend me some travel writing a la Holidays in Hell by PJ O’Rourke?
I was browsing the Travel section of my local bookstore recently and was amazed at the paucity of gonzo-style travel writing a la PJ O’Rourke's Holidays in Hell. [more inside]
posted by jacobean at 11:42 AM PST - 22 comments
posted by jacobean at 11:42 AM PST - 22 comments
cheap Mid-Atlantic beach retreat
a quiet AND cheap AND beach-walkable motel in NY / NJ / MD (ish) ? [more inside]
to cancel or not cancel a flight
Can I just no show for my flight and take a different one, instead of paying a $200 cancellation fee? [more inside]
posted by cakelite at 10:34 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by cakelite at 10:34 AM PST - 15 comments
It's cats all the way down
I'm seeking to create cat-themed names for membership levels, and I need help from people who are more creative than I am. [more inside]
posted by akk2014 at 9:38 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by akk2014 at 9:38 AM PST - 25 comments
What work-related books should I buy with a small educational budget?
I have a small education budget at work that I must spend by June 30th. I'd like to get some books related to design, content design, strategy, management, and leadership. I'm looking for the best books you've read in these areas, and also plan to share them with my staff! Thanks!
Drinking a pre-workout drink and not working out?
I have issues with energy and concentration at work. Recently, a friend informed me that she drink the Beyond Raw: LIT pre-workout in the mornings on her way to work. She stated this helped her get much more done through the day.
She brought me some to try, and I love it. I can absolutely tell a difference. I'd like to incorporate this into my daily routine instead of the sugary, carb fueled coffee I have in the mornings.
My question is: What is the benefit of this and what harm could I be doing by NOT working out after I drink this? I do work out, but only a few days a week and generally at night, not in the mornings. (This does not work for my schedule with my children, etc)
I can't seem to get clear answers on this. I also don't have any friends in the fitness community who can answer this question. [more inside]
What is being said in this song?
I'm trying to decipher a line in the song "Bloody Waters" by Ab-Soul, Anderson.Paak, and James Blake. [more inside]
Where can I buy a cheap plastic version of this crystal?
For a children's birthday party, I want a cheap approximation of this crystal, as seen on the UK TV show "The Crystal Maze." Ideally I'd pay less than £2 each. [more inside]
posted by yankeefog at 8:09 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by yankeefog at 8:09 AM PST - 12 comments
I’m tired of being a woman in a world dominated by men.
I’m looking for coping mechanisms! [more inside]
Wrong Number fanfics
I am in the mood for a good romance that starts with someone texting the wrong person. M/M preferred. [more inside]
Should I pay off my student debt in one chunk?
Should I get rid of all my debt and savings in one fell swoop? [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 7:26 AM PST - 29 comments
posted by winterportage at 7:26 AM PST - 29 comments
Shhhhhh. No, really.*
I work in a public library in a deeply segregated county in the U.S., and just transferred to the department which oversees collection development--what to buy, where to send it, if it merits replacing it if it's damaged, etc. Every three weeks or so, the department manager makes some snide comment about one or both of the branches which are in a predominantly black neighborhood and/or about works by black authors. I don't know how to get this behavior to stop. Bonus difficulty: she's defensive and vengeful, clearly considers herself to have enemies, and is an extremely bad listener. [more inside]
Edumacating My Child
I have an amazing 12-year-old son finishing grade 7 who loves to read YA dystopian literature like The Hunger Games and lots of sort of media tie-in books. He is capable of grappling with big ideas. Please help me come up with some really well-written, engaging books that use language beautifully, classic texts welcome if they are not sexist, that we can read together over the summer for our new Family Book Club. [more inside]
Mobile Hotspot for travel in the UK?
Is a mobile hotspot a reasonable way to get reliable smartphone data access on a trip to the UK? [more inside]
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 6:51 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 6:51 AM PST - 4 comments
For the Encyclopedia of Annoying sounds
What do you call that type of exhalation, kind of like a sigh, but with the breath sort of pushed out tight against the back of the throat? Often happens after someone has a drink? Just wondering if there is an official term for it.
USB Wireless adapter that will work on Ubuntu?
I have a Ubuntu desktop computer. It had a generic wireless USB adapter that I took from a Raspberry Pi, which worked well until it failed. Since then I have tried four different adapters; three have had driver or installation issues (even the one actually saying Linux-compatible), while the fourth's signal was just too weak to use.
Have you used an adapter that was just plug-and-play on Ubuntu? What was it? [more inside]
posted by solarion at 2:25 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by solarion at 2:25 AM PST - 9 comments
June 6
External Blu-Ray player for MacBook Air
Looking for a cheap-ish, external USB 3.0 BD drive that will allow me to watch BD movies on a MacBook Air. (More inside) [more inside]
Is a "Family Medicine" doctor appropriate as a PCP?
I need to find a new PCP. I have an HMO, so I'm restricted in my choices. It looks like I can choose someone in Internal Medicine (only 2 choices) or Family Medicine (30 choices). I'm a single woman who does not plan to have kids. What is "Family Medicine," and is that an appropriate specialty for a PCP for me? Additional advice about selecting a PCP appreciated, as I've done this multiple times on this insurance plan and none of them seem to stick. [more inside]
Is crispy bacon impossible in a restaurant?
How do we get restaurants to cook bacon the way we like it? [more inside]
posted by Joleta at 8:47 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by Joleta at 8:47 PM PST - 26 comments
Tweets-To-Speech on Android In Real Time?
Is there a straightforward mechanism or free/dirt-cheap app providing tweets-to-speech on Android which I can use to keep up with e.g. the BBC's main F1 Twitter account this race weekend? Something that will read aloud every new tweet when it arrives? [more inside]
posted by I'm always feeling, Blue at 8:43 PM PST - 1 comment
posted by I'm always feeling, Blue at 8:43 PM PST - 1 comment
Did I hallucinate this course?
I remember taking a course in California called, "Personal Social Living", which was a high school graduation requirement. The topics included financial literacy, child development, sex education, and a host of other topics related to being an adult.
Have you taken a similar course? Is this type of course offered still? [more inside]
My sister has essentially abandoned her children. What do we do now?
Roughly 10 days ago, after being evicted from her apartment, my sister left her three children in the care of their grandparents (my parents). My sister is a single mother of three kids (aged 11, 8, and 2). She technically has full-custody of all of the kids, although the older two spend two weekends a month with their father. The youngest's father is not in the picture. This is in Texas.
More details beyond the jump... [more inside]
Help make our trip to Europe amazing, Lisbon edition
Our family will be spending three nights in Lisbon in July. We're traveling with kids (10 & 12), so our plan is for a mostly low-key trip filled with lazily exploring the city. But we're also looking for other unique or special experiences we could do as a family that would really make our trip special. [more inside]
Pomp & Circumstance is covered
Someone misplaced last year's CD, so I need a sprightly, cheerful, not-too-fast piece of classical music for a university graduation ceremony. It will be used during the recessional (i.e., when the faculty and students line up and leave the auditorium). Needs to be available for download on Amazon (preferably) or iTunes (which I hate, but I'll use it if I'm forced to). What can you recommend? [more inside]
posted by mudpuppie at 3:55 PM PST - 30 comments
posted by mudpuppie at 3:55 PM PST - 30 comments
Should I get a regular drivers license or a Real ID?
I have to renew my NY driver's license. NY has the option of Real IDs and Enhanced IDs. .. [more inside]
posted by Liquidwolf at 3:54 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by Liquidwolf at 3:54 PM PST - 14 comments
Easy tool for coding/tagging/grouping items?
I have a set of ~300 projects in an Excel doc. Each project has a title cell, and a description cell with a couple sentences in it. I'm supposed to tag/code each of these projects to establish what the universe of topics is, so that we can eventually group similar projects together for various communications purposes. Is there a better way to do this than Excel? [more inside]
posted by matrixclown at 3:26 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by matrixclown at 3:26 PM PST - 6 comments
Wordpress volunteer application plugins.
I'm looking for recommendations for Wordpress plugins for managing volunteer (and/or employee) applications, with an eye for open source, free and secure. [more inside]
Same as in town, but simpler
I'm looking for a tool or app that makes it easy for someone to check how much money they have spent on Adwords each month without logging into Adwords. [more inside]
posted by michaelh at 1:49 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by michaelh at 1:49 PM PST - 4 comments
nerdfilter: Latin prefix question
Dear Latin Knowers: what is the deeper semantic difference between the morphemes "ab" (away, from) and "se" (away, apart.) [more inside]
Help finding a contemporary orchestral music piece/composer
I'm having trouble finding a contemporary orchestral piece that I heard on spotify a few months back. Remembered details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by piratebowling at 12:58 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by piratebowling at 12:58 PM PST - 3 comments
I just want to stop forgetting Samurai Cat exists
What's the best way to keep track of movies and TV shows that I have watched, am currently watching, and want to watch? [more inside]
In search of a math toy(?) from the 80s
I once had a blue(?) math device, but I have no idea what it was or what exactly it did. See my description and let me know if you know what this thing was. [more inside]
posted by bobbyno at 12:09 PM PST - 14 comments
posted by bobbyno at 12:09 PM PST - 14 comments
Meditation & Tinnitus
Question for the good people of the shire, specifically meditators w tinnitus... [more inside]
Long-term travelers health insurance. Difficulty: US residents
We are US residents who will be traveling out of the country for 6 months, possibly more (Europe, SE Asia, Oceania). We have looked at GeoBlue for international health insurance and are wondering what our other options are. Who have you used and do you like them? We're also wondering if there's any point in retaining our (expensive, no coverage outside of the US) policies while we're traveling. Thoughts?
posted by rednikki at 11:04 AM PST - 7 comments
posted by rednikki at 11:04 AM PST - 7 comments
How do I buy a decent ping-pong/table tennis paddle?
Price point of $50 and then $100 -- what are the thigns to avoid or look for, and what are decent brands? [more inside]
Why might it be selfish to not have children?
This question reminded me. My SO was working with a client who asked them if we have children. After replying no and adding that we won't be, the client stated emphatically, "Oh, that is so selfish." Rudeness aside, I've heard this before, and I just can't get my mind around why that could possibly be selfish. In fact, it seems like the opposite is true, or at least could be true in some circumstance, where wanting a child could be for selfish reasons. [more inside]
Moving to Mexico and finding work... possible?
Considering a (mostly hypothetical) move to Mexico but the information I have found suggests that the visa requirements are too restrictive for the type of work I would do. Has anybody made the move or have any knowledge/experiences? [more inside]
Experience forgoing agent when buying your house in San Francisco?
I am evaluating buying a place after living in San Francisco for 20 years, as I believe I will be here for the rest of my life and would like to build some equity. I am hoping to find a small place for myself within the city, nothing fancy. I am single, and chances are will remain so (a topic for another day). [more inside]
How to deliberately induce low hemoglobin
Is there any way that I can deliberately induce low hemoglobin? I have chronic extremely low ferritin and iron saturation, for which I have previously received IV infusions that helped tremendously, but my current insurance company won't cover them because my hemoglobin is stubbornly hovering one point above the level at which they will approve them. Is there anything I can do to temporarily push this fucker down just a titch so I can get my infusion?
Ties between autoimmune disorders, tests, and what to ask the doc
You are not my doctor, I have doctor appointments. I am looking for anecdotes, experiences, ways to approach an upcoming doctor appointment, and how to handle discussions with my current GP.
RE: Hashimoto, hypothyroid, and a positive Celiac blood test. [more inside]
posted by oflinkey at 10:40 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by oflinkey at 10:40 AM PST - 3 comments
Headhunter wants to submit me at a company I'm already interviewing at
I'm interviewing at a company that I want to work for. A headhunter at a placement firm wants to submit my information to the same company for another role. The direct application role is full time the placement role is contract. Not sure what to do. [more inside]
How to receive calls+texts to my US number while traveling in Europe?
I'll be traveling in Europe for three weeks (Italy, Czechia, Greece). I plan on getting local SIMs for data/voice in each country. However, I'd like to continue to receive text messages and possibly phone calls made to my US number. What's the simplest way to do that? [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 10:01 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by Winnie the Proust at 10:01 AM PST - 10 comments
Seeking World's Heaviest Sleep Mask
I want to buy a sleep mask, with the primary feature being that it's heavy, and puts a lot of weight on my face. It seems like most that are sold note that being "lightweight" is a feature and none seem to be interested in the other way around. Basically, I'm looking for a weighted blanket, but for my upper face. Do you have one you like that you can recommend? [more inside]
posted by juniperesque at 9:40 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by juniperesque at 9:40 AM PST - 9 comments
Party costumes for non-costume people?
Mr. Blah, KidBlah and I have to attend a family party with a "Disney inspired" theme. We're not Disney people. We're not costume people. What should we wear? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 9:03 AM PST - 52 comments
posted by BlahLaLa at 9:03 AM PST - 52 comments
When recipes call for chicken broth...
What is the assumed composition of the "broth"? Just the liquid that chicken was boiled or poached in? Or that liquid simmered with veg (carrots, onion, celery) and herbs, maybe even spices, and then strained? I see people using boxed chicken broth in U.S. cooking shows, but I don't know what the box ingredients are, and thus what (I imagine) most U.S. recipes mean when they say "broth." [more inside]
Is this a scam or just run of the mill predatory banking?
For my first birthday, I was given some Disney stock. I have never touched it in any way, apart from occasionally cashing the $2.00 interest checks they send me every year or so. Over the years, the shares have divided and last time I looked, it was worth about $800.
Yesterday, my mom (who is a co-owner of that stock, since I was an infant when it was given to me) received a letter purporting to be from the company that manages that stock, saying I owe them $27.27 and they will send it to collections if they don't get it in 30 days. I never opened an account or signed anything. She also said that my sister had Mattel stock and had a similar situation that turned out to be legit.
This still feels scammy and weird to me--in particular the grammar in the letter and the fact that the company refers to itself three different ways in the space of three paragraphs is ringing all kinds of alarm bells. Is this legit? What should I do? [more inside]
Functional & Ethical SEO for Wordpress
Am I tagging images and using keywords properly and fairly on my Wordpress site? [more inside]
Which Windows Laptop should I buy?
I am looking to buy a Windows Laptop for running a CCD camera connected to a spectrograph. We've been limping along using a first generation MacBook Air running Windows, but I'd like to use some end-of-fiscal-year money to buy a replacement Windows machine. My requirements are inside. [more inside]
Examples and/or name for this film shot?
There is a shot of someone rushing to deliver news used in TV and movies. I feel like it's common but I don't know if it has a name or what search terms to use to find examples. [more inside]
Negotiating with HVAC contractors
Our 20 year-old, weirdly-installed air conditioner died last week. We had the unit replaced, and and after the work was done they informed us of a major change they made to its structure that will require more work and more money. This wasn't reflected in the initial assessment, so it came as a shock. Can you help us understand if we have a legitimate beef here, and if so, suggest ways to ameliorate the situation with the contractors? [more inside]
Where to stay in Medellin, Colombia?
I'm planning a solo trip to Medellin, Colombia. Where should I stay (neighborhoods and/or specific accomodations) for the 2-3 weeks that I'll be there? [more inside]
Tell me all about your experiences with eshakti
I found several dresses I love on eshakti and I'm almost ready to buy from them, I just have a bunch of questions first [more inside]
Be my Own Yoga Instructor
I can't always make it to the yoga class at my gym but I feel immensely better when I do. I've managed to memorize the sun salutation sequence but the other flow sequences? I get lost without an instructor. Is there something like flash cards that show transitions in a logical sequence that I can use to memorize them? [more inside]
What was this app? Does it still exist?
Several years ago, I used an app (iOS) to take pictures of my food. Here's what I remember: [more inside]
Research Analyst Interview Questions
I have an interview at a smallish university in my area as a Research Analyst. What kind of interview questions, particularly in a post-secondary setting, are typical of this position? [more inside]
What are your anxiety maintenance routines/resources?
I'm looking to know about your anxiety maintenance routines and resources - books, videos, workbooks, etc. [more inside]
posted by notorious medium at 5:56 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by notorious medium at 5:56 AM PST - 11 comments
What are your favorite podcasts for learning about new music?
At this point in my life I'm only learning about new music via YouTube video soundtracks, and I want to fix that. What are your favorite podcasts for discovering new music? I'm interested in all genres but less interested in classical and opera. Thanks!
Alternatives to storing recipes
I'm a reasonably skilled cook, and the idea of storing an individual recipe for each dish doesn't quite sit well with me. Especially since I never seem to go back to recipes. I would however like to have some method of being organised, storing cooking information in writing, and smoothening out my workflow. Help me find a system? [more inside]
How hectic is Prague Pride?
I had intended to head to Prague for a weekend in August to go to a specific event. I now realise it's the same weekend as the Pride festival and as much as I love and support Pride activities I'm not keen on being caught in a crush. Should I rethink my plan? [more inside]
posted by freya_lamb at 3:31 AM PST - 3 comments
posted by freya_lamb at 3:31 AM PST - 3 comments
June 5
Who is this author?
I've given up after thirty minutes of searching.
This author is a spiritual writer. He wrote a fantastic short essay about church and I think it was in a travel writing volume (one of the Travel Best American series). He writes in a very profound and descriptive way. I'm sorry I don't have any more information.
Best Picnic Foods
Now that the McGee family are (almost) all geographically co-located, we're having a monthly gathering, and I'm the next host. I'd like to host a picnic! What should I make for it? We're looking at 5 adults and 5 children (ranging from 9 months to 9 years). [more inside]
Celebratory brunch recs on the North Shore?
My husband and I are planning to do something worth celebrating this Friday! We're looking to grab brunch to do said celebrating somewhere in either Salem or Beverly, MA starting on the early side of the brunching hour - probably around 9:30 or 10AM. Any recommendations for a celebration-style place that might be open at that time? [more inside]
posted by quatsch at 6:43 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by quatsch at 6:43 PM PST - 6 comments
Are we an honorary low-income family?
Even though we are not low income, my family receives services from what is otherwise a low-income assistance program. Several area businesses use eligibility for that program as a proxy for eligibility for other subsidized benefits. Is it OK for us to use those other benefits? [more inside]
Spoil Riverdale for me
I enjoyed the first season of Riverdale, but stopped watching in the second season when I disliked the main arc of (at least) the first few episodes. Where should I start watching again? [more inside]
posted by Margalo Epps at 5:45 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by Margalo Epps at 5:45 PM PST - 6 comments
Please help me bargain with my CPA over email
Our tax person is raising their rates this year because the new tax law has made their job a lot more complicated. This seems reasonable to me, but the level of increase (2x) does not. she has strongly hinted that she could give us a better deal if we were not happy with the new price, how do I ask for this better price politely? [more inside]
posted by insoluble uncertainty at 2:41 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by insoluble uncertainty at 2:41 PM PST - 19 comments
Capping a water heater supply line
The Americans: "proshchay" seems to be the hardest word
In the wake of The Americans ending, please recommend great podcasts/fiction/nonfiction/shows/films/etc. to scratch my continuing itch for the Cold War and/or espionage! [spoiler-free] [more inside]
Necklaces that don't rip my hair out
I've tried lots of different styles of clasps and chains on my necklaces but they ALL get stuck in my hair and end up tangled in it. I'm tired of ripping my hair out but can't find anything that works - what works for you? [more inside]
Debt consolidation for SO's debt
I'm looking to take out a large (to me) debt consolidation loan to reduce the payments for my SO's debt. Does anyone have experience with SoFi or any other online lenders? [more inside]
posted by Bucket o' Heads at 12:29 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by Bucket o' Heads at 12:29 PM PST - 16 comments
Is it just me?
I've been seeing this J-B Weld ad on TV recently, and every time, it bothers me. It feels like there's a really Trumpish racist message to it. Am I reading too much into it?
posted by Kirth Gerson at 12:26 PM PST - 60 comments
posted by Kirth Gerson at 12:26 PM PST - 60 comments
Electrical cut out, damaged equipment — what happened?
The electricity in my apartment cut out today, and killed some (quite expensive) electrical equipment of mine, apparently due to an exposed cable that had gathered water. I am useless at DIY. Please help me understand what exactly happened, and how to avoid this happening again. [more inside]
Is this a normal sanitary cut for a cat?
Warning: cat vaginal opening pic if that's a problem. I took our cat in for a sanitary cut yesterday (clearing the long hair from around the anus to prevent excrement from catching in it). I've only done this once before and this time it looks like a real hack job to me. What do you think? [more inside]
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 11:03 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 11:03 AM PST - 5 comments
Looking for an NYC store that sells Katharine Hepburn style pants
I'm looking for brick and mortar stores in NYC that sell Katharine Hepburn style pants, fancy enough for a wedding. [more inside]
When to Take a Cat Who is Disdaining Her Food to the Vet
I have a cat with known urinary tract issues who is on a special diet to treat them. Every so often she becomes listless and starts refusing her food. I take her to the vet, to the tune of several hundred dollars, and they let me know everything is fine and normal. In a few days, she is back to her usual self. [more inside]
Moto...Rick? Mo-Torik? New music for the gym sought
What new music are you listening to at the gym this year? It can be new-new or just new-to-you. My vague preferences inside. [more inside]
Best way to automate screnshots from a list of URL's in OSX
On a regular basis I have a list of web URLS (mostly from Instagram, Flickr and Twitter) that I need to collect screenshots of. I have been doing this manually, but would like to automate the process; i.e. I generate a list of URL's and it gives me screenshots of each page. I am on a Mac/OSX. Thanks!
posted by brbmaroon at 9:13 AM PST - 5 comments
posted by brbmaroon at 9:13 AM PST - 5 comments
Do people regret having kids?
Partner and I are trying for a baby but I'm finding myself very ambivalent about it still. I don't know if that's down to laziness and fear, essentially, or if my gut is saying "don't do this". So many people say you'll be glad when it's here but is that always true? [more inside]
posted by socksually active at 9:00 AM PST - 105 comments
posted by socksually active at 9:00 AM PST - 105 comments
Backup Heat for Snowy, Semi-Remote Areas
This is kind of a follow-up to this previous question, coming at it from a different angle: Link [more inside]
posted by tobascodagama at 8:51 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by tobascodagama at 8:51 AM PST - 6 comments
Organ donation vs other body donation options
I'm an organ donor, but I'm wondering if I should consider something else like a whole body donation. I haven't had luck doing research into the pros, cons, and details of either option, as most websites are either trying to sway you or are so vague they're not helpful. Maybe MeFi can suggest sources or explain the options and benefits? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 8:36 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by Tehhund at 8:36 AM PST - 8 comments
Memento mori for the modern age
In an era of increasing death positivity, I'm wondering what kinds of options are available today for mourners that might like to hang onto a physical part or representation of their departed loved ones in a beautiful or practical way. I've heard of Victorian death masks and hair jewelry and the like, but do services like this still exist and, if so, are there other options as well? A cursory internet search turned up things like cremation diamonds and jewelry, but I'm curious what other kinds of possibilities are out there.
Help me find a mosquito vaccine that doesn't exist
10 years ago I traveled to Montenegro in July and was immediately attacked by mosquitoes. I'm allergic. Doctor gave me an injection and I had no allergic reactions for the rest of the summer. Other doctors have never heard of such a thing. What was it? [more inside]
Summer with Limited Wifi Coming Soon
The access to constant online content needs to be limited and not by me nagging all the time. [more inside]
What does this mechanical calculator from 1906 do?
I came across this mechanical calculator in a window recently. Here's a close-up of the dial.
What was its purpose?
posted by A. Davey at 7:03 AM PST - 15 comments
posted by A. Davey at 7:03 AM PST - 15 comments
Not quite sure how to handle this.
My 14 year old daughter and a member of the coaching staff of her club are texting a little more than I am comfortable with. How should I approach this? [more inside]
Are guinea hens the worst or the weirdest or the cutest or all three?
My husband and I will be building a house on our 13 acres of woodland in Bennington county Vermont. We have a billion ticks. We want to get guinea hens and people either love or hate them, anyone have experience they can share with me? [more inside]
Kefir emergency
The temperature in my kitchen went up drastically when I was at work yesterday and when I came home, my first stage curds were completely tangled with the grains and I can't separate them. [more inside]
What were your best approaches to potty training?
I'm tackling potty training my almost 3 year old little girl this weekend using the three day method. My question is sort of two-fold (what is the best approach to my specific situation (below) and did you have luck with pull ups or just sticking to panties only at nap/night. [more inside]
posted by MamaBee223 at 5:24 AM PST - 10 comments
posted by MamaBee223 at 5:24 AM PST - 10 comments
Scullery Maid to C-Suite
Did you work your way up the ladder to become a senior executive/VP/C-Level person? What advice would you have for someone about to move from director-level management to an executive team? [more inside]
Negotiating rent discount due to needed repairs
So the nasty maggot freezer? Turns out it works fine, but it failed due to an electrical problem. The same problem has prevented us from being able to use outlets in all bathrooms. We told the landlord of the initial issue on 5/21 and still no repairs have been made. What are our rights? [more inside]
said I would think about knee surgery. Help me think about it.
I'm leaning towards the surgery, but I'm always terrible in the moment of thinking what I should ask a doctor. I asked him what he would do if it was his knee and he said "it's so hard to know". Very helpful, thanks man. I told him I would have to think about it. Help me think about it. [more inside]
posted by Jenny'sCricket at 2:44 AM PST - 17 comments
posted by Jenny'sCricket at 2:44 AM PST - 17 comments
What style or kind or specific coat is this?
In the trailer for Suspiria linked on the blue yesterday, at 0:51, can you tell me what kind or style or specific coat that is that the woman is wearing? [more inside]
June 4
expensive cleaning for cheap sentimental article?
A family member recently gave me an appliquéd wall hanging, which was a gift to him when he was very little from another family member, a very colorful world traveler. The item itself was (at the time) a cheap tourist item, and at >75 years old, is now fairly dingy. I had it evaluated by a textile conservator and the cost to get it cleaned up is approximately 10x the reasonable value of the article. I'm having trouble deciding whether or not to go ahead with the process. [more inside]
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 9:40 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 9:40 PM PST - 11 comments
Sober-minded
Am I drinking “too much”? The science is too confusing and I don’t know if this is normal or not. [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 9:39 PM PST - 22 comments
posted by stoneandstar at 9:39 PM PST - 22 comments
Vienna! All by my lonesome!
I'm going to be in Vienna by myself in early July. What's a great bed and breakfast to stay at, and some fun stuff to visit/see? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 7:43 PM PST - 15 comments
posted by silverstatue at 7:43 PM PST - 15 comments
My child is being bullied by a friend - what are our next steps?
During my child's birthday party last weekend, we noticed that one of her friends was particularly rude. [more inside]
Tolls from Wisconsin to Michigan
In a few days I will be renting a car from Enterprise and will be driving from Milwaukee to the lower peninsula of Michigan. I plan on taking I-294 so how much should I expect to pay in tolls? Will I be able to pay in cash? How many tolls are there? Will there be an extra hurdle to clear because I will be driving a rental? [more inside]
What will replace my Moleskine Extra Small notebook?
Moleskine discontinued the notebook I've been using for bullet journal/GTD combo. for two years now. What can I use now?
[more inside]
posted by derbyshire at 5:51 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by derbyshire at 5:51 PM PST - 10 comments
My bachelor party wasn't one & I got a little insulted. Let it go or ?
Should I let go being kind of pissed off after some no-show groomsmen, and unwanted/unnecessary criticism from the best man? [more inside]
So, do I take the job?! (even if it means a BIG move)
As my current contract wraps up, I've started to apply for jobs both in the town I'm currently living as well as in the town I'm from.
And as life would have it, I very unexpectedly just got offered a job back in my old hometown. So, do I take it? Complicating details within. [more inside]
Passing down graduation gowns: how to mark?
My student group is starting a graduation gown collection to pass on to other members as the years go by. I'd like to be able to write the names of the students who wear the gowns inside the gown somewhere -- some connection to previous members of the group. I have two thoughts on how to do this, but don't know which is better or if there's something obvious I'm missing. The 1st batch of gowns are acetate (I think one of the gowns is a polyester blend of some kind) and I'm unsure how that affects things. [more inside]
Feeding a fledgling blue tit
Hello there, hoping someone with experience on this matter can give me some advice.
What would one feed a fledgling blue tit if you couldn't see parents around? [more inside]
posted by stevedawg at 3:22 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by stevedawg at 3:22 PM PST - 6 comments
When you run up an escalator, is that more steps or fewer?
Say you have a really long escalator, like inside many subway stations. If you run up the steps, are you stepping on fewer steps than you do if you walk up at a fast pace? At a normal pace? Or is it the same number of steps because you're still traveling the same distance, which requires a certain number of steps to reach? Or fewer steps because you're going faster than the rate of speed of the escalator itself? Assume you're not skipping any steps on your way up.
posted by Mchelly at 3:02 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by Mchelly at 3:02 PM PST - 19 comments
I Need a Fabulous Dress
I have been invited to a wedding at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. The dress code is "creative formal." I need to find a fabulous statement dress to wear. Help! [more inside]
posted by GoldenEel at 2:03 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by GoldenEel at 2:03 PM PST - 19 comments
How to plan for taking over a family rental property
For the past few years, my father has been renting out a family beach house to cover costs. It's becoming very stressful for him, and my siblings and I would like to take over, starting next year. Lots of questions about property managers, taxes, family dynamics, etc. inside. [more inside]
posted by pretentious illiterate at 1:09 PM PST - 11 comments
posted by pretentious illiterate at 1:09 PM PST - 11 comments
What are the components of a software QA infrastructure...
...and how do they interact with each other and the broader development cycle?
I'll be starting a new job where I'm tasked with setting up the QA infrastructure at an online publisher. Currently the devs write unit tests, but the rest of QA is done quite informally, and they're at a point where they need to formalize it to reduce bottlenecks. I am doing a bunch of research, naturally, but I'd love to hear from people in the trenches. [more inside]
Magazines similar to Scientific American Mind?
My MIL is exceedingly hard to gift for. The only gift she's ever gushed over was a subscription to Scientific American Mind. Sadly, the mag has recently gone digital-only, which isn't an option for her.
Can anyone think of any publication that similarly offers mid-length features with actionable, minimal-to-midrange-woo suggestions for improving cognition and health? If it helps narrow your focus, the only book I've ever seen her read is Toxin Toxout.
Help with choosing a therapist for anger management
My work has recently become stressful, and is likely to remain so for a while. There is a particular aspect of it that is triggering some pretty serious anger although I'm unable to pinpoint why. Increasingly, I've had to take a walk around the block before sending out emails, and have also occasionally taken this anger out on my family at home. This cannot continue. [more inside]
posted by Everydayville at 10:17 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by Everydayville at 10:17 AM PST - 12 comments
Eating an elephant one bite at a time--how to plan a strategic review?
I'm the chair of a non-profit that has never had a strategic review or done any kind of long-term planning. It's become obvious that we can't continue this way and so I have taken on responsibility for getting the ball rolling. The problem is that I have no idea where to start. I'm looking for your tips on things to read, how to frame out the initial questions, which areas to consider, what methodologies are available, major pitfalls to avoid, how to manage client and staff sensitivities, etc.. [more inside]
posted by rpfields at 9:44 AM PST - 6 comments
posted by rpfields at 9:44 AM PST - 6 comments
What's it like to be a guest at a medical conference?
My boyfriend has invited me to come to a medical conference in San Francisco this September. What's the experience like for plus ones? There's a dinner one night that mentions guests, but no other information on the conference site unless you're logged in. I'm perfectly happy to do my own thing all day (and most nights if necessary) but don't really know what to expect ... other than I'd better upgrade my wardrobe I guess. Me = cishet female. Thanks!
number search optimal strategy
I recall hearing about a "golden number" when playing a number guessing game, such as "guess the selected number between 1 and 100 when after guessing you are told your guess is high or low". Most online references recommend successively dividing the remaining range in half, but i recall reading that a strategy of dividing the remaining range roughly 1/3 and 2/3 allows you to eliminate 2/3 of the range often enough that it results in less guesses on average. Anybody ever heard of this?
posted by grahahw at 8:50 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by grahahw at 8:50 AM PST - 9 comments
The dreaded "career development" conversation.
Relatively new boss wants to have a conversation about career development. I feel like I've always been bad at this sort of thing. Help? [more inside]
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 8:34 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 8:34 AM PST - 8 comments
The Glenn Gould of other instruments
I like Glenn Gould. Who are other musicians that have a similar mastery of their instrument? I’m looking more for musician suggestions than individual songs, but if there are songs or performances I should start with I’ll take those too. [more inside]
Water inside and erosion outside
I live in a townhouse with a basement. Outside, our yard slopes up -- you have to walk up three steps to the door, and the yard is sloped up to roughly the level of the door. We've lived here 10 years, and suddenly we have two alarming problems.
Inside, we have some water incursion in the unfinished basement -- basically, some wet cement when it rains. Outside, the sloped yard is starting to erode. The water incursion is on the same wall the yard slopes up to. Are these problems related? [more inside]
Spontaneous trip to Cuzco! Now what?
Cuzco for the flâneuse : looking for ideas for walking/short bus trips in town. [more inside]
Developing a social life in downtown Detroit?
I've got a close friend from college that, due to job circumstances, has relocated to Detroit about a year ago (from previous stints in Eugene and Chicago), and is having some difficulty establishing a social life. Any pointers to social activities happening in Downtown, midtown, or New Center? [more inside]
posted by kaszeta at 5:51 AM PST - 11 comments
posted by kaszeta at 5:51 AM PST - 11 comments
A Brace of Fat, Spoiled, Homeless Roosters
I live in south-central Ontario, and my village was recently rezoned from “semi-rural” to “residential” in order to accommodate the construction of new homes.
Meanwhile, my daughter, who wants to be an ornithologist when she grows up, has a number of birds in her care, including two roosters she raised from chicks.
New people moved into the new homes, and somebody called the town with a noise complaint about the roosters, and now we’ve been ordered to get rid of them. [more inside]
Leaving academia, librarian edition
What are some good alternative careers for an academic (data) librarian? [more inside]
Help me automate web data entry for my job
I'm looking for some insight on the best way to go about automating data entry into web fields. [more inside]
I want a raise. Now what?
My company said "money is tight" when I was brought on. Now they want to make additional hires. I want to talk to my manager about a raise, but not sure how to proceed. [more inside]
how do car tires work: purchasing and installation
HOW IS TIRE WORKED. I need to replace my car's P195/65 R15 tires, ideally 89H load/speed rating or better (I'm just going by what the manufacturer originally installed). I have never done this before and my budget is cheap. Can I buy online? How much should I expect for installation and alignment (my car pulls, I figure I need an alignment)? Can I go to a general mechanic or do I need to go to a specialty tire place? Location and so much more within. [more inside]
Plan perseverance vs flexibility
How can I balance my natural doggedness when following a planned course of action with the need to respond to new variables? [more inside]
June 3
How do I return a found phone?
I just found a dead, pin protected phone that seems like it had been lost for a while- how can I return it to its owner? [more inside]
Thinking too hard about jet lag
When crossing the international date line, does that change which "direction" you're going? [more inside]
posted by lesser weasel at 10:54 PM PST - 10 comments
posted by lesser weasel at 10:54 PM PST - 10 comments
Video recording outside the home
I need to start recording street activity outside of my home. How do I do this? [more inside]
Trees can't move, can they?
Do tree branches hang lower when it rains? [more inside]
What perks or treats are within a flight attendant's discretion?
Inspired by this question, I've been meaning to ask a similar one. If a flight attendant wants to be nice to you, what is s/he allowed to do/likely to do? I assume upgrades are out of the question, but extra food, if available is not. Drinks? Anything else? [more inside]
Spider filter: should I be glad, worried, or neutral about this spider?
This spider built a web inside a ceramic mug in my garage. I'm not arachnophobic in general, but I'm converting the garage into a pottery studio and would love to know if anything living out here is bad news. Thoughts on what kind of spider this is?
posted by centrifugal at 7:43 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by centrifugal at 7:43 PM PST - 7 comments
Miss Manners Filter: When is it rude to ask for a favor?
A friend's wife is angry at me for asking her husband for a favor. He said 'yes'. He could have said 'no'. She says I was rude for even asking. Is it rude to ask? [more inside]
posted by frumiousb at 6:48 PM PST - 88 comments
posted by frumiousb at 6:48 PM PST - 88 comments
Vancouver BC with kids?
Vancouver is incredible in the summer but we'd love suggestions for things to do with a 9 year old and a 1 year old. And also suggestions for things adults with such children in tow could enjoy.
CALM CAKE
New Ontario license plate numbers are of the form AAAA-000. They've recently started on C, and over the past few days I've seen three examples of something that I've never seen before: Words in what appear to be standard-issue, non-vanity license plates. There were two instances of CALM, and one of CAKE. Does this happen all the time and I just don't see it? Did a couple of words slip through the filtering process? What's going on?
I don't find it entirely shocking!
Help me figure out why my solar powered garden electric fence does not hold a shock along it's whole length. [more inside]
Refreezing thawed meat
I accidentally thawed more meat than I can use in the next week. I've always been taught you shouldn't refreeze thawed meat — but, like, should I really throw the whole surplus pound of pork shoulder away? On a scale from "Eh, it's still ok for stew" to "You will get so sick you'll wish you were dead," what consequences are we talking about?
posted by nebulawindphone at 2:54 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by nebulawindphone at 2:54 PM PST - 8 comments
Consistently excellent fantasy series'?
Out of the fantasy loop for a while - what should I be exploring? [more inside]
posted by turbid dahlia at 2:54 PM PST - 36 comments
posted by turbid dahlia at 2:54 PM PST - 36 comments
NCAA March Madness change in rules for 2018?
I read somewhere that the rules for March Madness 2018 had changed slightly, and that these changes gave Loyola an advantage and helped them get as far as they did. However, I can't find/don't know how to look for information about this. Is there a good resource for these rule changes and their effects on the 2018 tournament? Bonus points for something easy to read for someone who just got into college basketball this year.
posted by pxe2000 at 2:06 PM PST - 2 comments
posted by pxe2000 at 2:06 PM PST - 2 comments
Best 0% Transfer Credit?
Best 0% Transfer Credit? I need to get my credit finance charge lower, 0%, if possible. [more inside]
Home irrigation systems are an abomination
One or more of the zones in my home irrigation setup will not turn off. I am at my wit's (and body's) end trying to solve this problem. Details of long suffering inside. [more inside]
Is my contractor just not that into me?
At what point do I give up on hearing back from my contractor for a job and how do I handle that. [more inside]
weekday london
What is best done in London on a weekday in July? I've lived here for a million years so this is NOT a tourist question. I've got a 2 week 'staycation' in our fair city and I want to know what you, a fellow Londoner, would do in the middle of the week which is more pleasant than done at the weekend. [more inside]
Help with leg cramp
My right calf has been cramping up all day? How do I make it stop? [more inside]
Decorations for the shameless decadence decade (the 80s!)
Throwing a party in a couple weeks. Theme is 80s decadence in the vein of Bret Easton Ellis— over the top 80s shameless decadence, American Psycho/Dorsia style. But LA, not NY.
So... ideas for decorations and/or food? So far I’m thinking mirrored trays with piles of flour on it. Some LED lights on baseboards. Some weird videos playing on the big-screen TV?
Thank you!
What bed?
I have a collapsing bed. It's a wood frame with slats, and the slats keep popping out of their rests, because the central metal rail/support has distorted. I think it's a basic design flaw, as the single vertical supporting rod gets skewed if the bed moves at all, and then the weight of self+partner just pushes things skew. So, what to do? [more inside]
Serious documentaries on magick?
I'm looking for good, objective, journalistically respectable documentaries about modern and historical esotericism, occultism, magical societies, hermeticism, ritual and ceremonial magic, folk magic and "witchcraft" (e.g., Stregheria), etc. (Organizations which lack the magic, but share the preoccupation with ritual and mystical aesthetics – e.g., Freemasonry – are fair game too.) [more inside]
What should I look for in a mattress on a low budget?
I want to replace my ancient mattress but I have limited bucks and have never bought a mattress before. [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 6:28 AM PST - 31 comments
posted by whitelotus at 6:28 AM PST - 31 comments
7th Organizational Wonder of the World: Backpack with all the pockets
I'm looking for next level, portable organization.
Imagine the storage potential of an apothecary cabinet, but made of soft, lightweight, waterproof material and has straps on the back. There should be many spacious, well structured pockets.
Bonus points for style that is designy or cute as opposed to sporty or military. [more inside]
posted by this-apoptosis at 5:48 AM PST - 14 comments
posted by this-apoptosis at 5:48 AM PST - 14 comments
Oops, you mean this reclining couchette isn't an economy class seat?
This is a two part question: 1. Economy class fliers, have you ever just sat down in first/business class on a flight and got away with it? 2. Flight attendants, what would happen if someone did this? Have you ever caught someone sitting in the wrong area? Did you let them stay?
Insanity - But True. Man PURPOSELY Infects Himself with Ear Mites. Name?
So I read about this (Dr.?) or lab guy who purposely put ear mites into his own ear to gauge wth a cat would feel like and wrote to report on it. I remember that he described the sensation like insane whooshing screeching sounds. [more inside]
posted by watercarrier at 1:14 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by watercarrier at 1:14 AM PST - 4 comments
June 2
Help me get back to my practice
I'm a music student, and I've been doing very well the last 2-3 years getting more and more serious about it, practicing several hours a day and enjoying my daily routine. Over the last month I've had to do a bunch of family-related travel that really threw me off my routine, and it's now been a couple of weeks that I'm back home but just can't get myself to practice more than an an hour or so a day. [more inside]
Chicken Husbandry In Los Angeles
I am a caretaker on a friends property. She is putting in beehives and a chicken coop. While I was raised on a dairy farm, I know little about chicken care. I prefer learning hands on. Does anyone know of any classes in the Los Angeles/Pasadena area. If not, online suggestion appreciated.
posted by goalyeehah at 10:06 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by goalyeehah at 10:06 PM PST - 3 comments
Help me make the most of summer even when I hate it
Sunny, warm weather makes me sad for some reason [more inside]
I need more sounding boards
I find it really helpful to talk through ideas, feelings, and intellectual topics with other people, and I'm seeking opportunities to do this more often. [more inside]
How Bureaucracy Works, The Show
I have enjoyed the heck out of Animal Airport on Netflix, a show wherein plucky animal handlers at Heathrow battle...late planes! And...improperly completed paperwork! The cute animals are a bonus, but I think what I really like is the behind the scenes look at how complicated systems are worked out day to day. So now I'm wondering...what else can I watch? [more inside]
posted by theweasel at 3:39 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by theweasel at 3:39 PM PST - 26 comments
Where to find large fresh sardines
I've eaten grilled sardines at street fairs (e.g. Portugal Day in Newark) that were noticeably bigger than the ~6-7-inch variety I've found at international markets. Were they really sardines? Or does sardine mean something different in that cuisine? [more inside]
Crosswords for couples to do as partners?
As a follow up to this excellent answer to “Partnered relaxation rituals”: What are the best crossword puzzles at a middle-highbrow literate level (but not ultra-highbrow/ later-week-nyt-level) for couples to do together, in person, at the end of the day. Bonus request : interesting formats or ways to do these puzzles that make working as a couple fun.
Collaboration tool snowstorm
What it says on the tin, I need a collaboration tool and have little idea where or how to begin looking for one, as I've never needed one before. Lots of snowflake detail inside. [more inside]
Suspiciously distant use-by date?
Can refrigerated ground beef really be good for multiple weeks? [more inside]
posted by sometamegazelle at 2:07 PM PST - 6 comments
posted by sometamegazelle at 2:07 PM PST - 6 comments
(U.S.) Civil War historic sites in the South without revisionism?
I'm headed down south for a road trip with my dad next week. Our itinerary is extremely loose, but we're likely to hit Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and possibly the north/east of Georgia. My dad has an interest in seeing some Civil War historic sites. I haven't been to any, so I don't know what to expect. I'm wary of the possibility of whitewashed/revisionist history. Looking for recommendations for southern Civil War sites/memorials that are (a) interesting, and (b) do history honestly and well.
Russian oligarch
Why are Russian billionaires called "oligarchs"? And why are Western billionaires NOT called "oligarchs"? [more inside]
posted by lewedswiver at 1:34 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by lewedswiver at 1:34 PM PST - 7 comments
Want all MLB postseason games over laptop
Cheapest way to get access to all... [more inside]
posted by noelpratt2nd at 1:21 PM PST - 16 comments
posted by noelpratt2nd at 1:21 PM PST - 16 comments
Kidney Stent Removal
I currently have a kidney stent put in under general. I know it doesn't come out under general, and I. Am. Terrified. So, tell me how yours went? [more inside]
posted by DarlingBri at 12:58 PM PST - 19 comments
posted by DarlingBri at 12:58 PM PST - 19 comments
Help me recall the details of this cool team building exercise
I am writing to see if you could walk me through the exercise, or if you could point me in the right direction to find more information.
As I recall, the class of students was divided into small groups. The facilitator then told the students something to the effect of they needed to order pizzas, and the way this was presented was that it was a challenge to see how quickly this could be done.
The students naturally ordered only for their small groups; however, it would have been more efficient if they placed one large order for the entire class.
I want to make sure that I get the language down correctly when presenting this exercise to make the point. [more inside]
What's the best combination of weight, cost, size and availability?
I want to make a small (8" x 8") piece of plywood very, very heavy by affixing something to the top of it. It could be a single solid object, or a container filled with a very heavy particle (sand, metal pellets, whatnot). The weight on top of the plywood can be up to 4" in height but no higher. I'd like to do this as cheaply as possible.
What will give me the best combination of (a) weight, (b) cost to purchase, (c) availability and (d) size?
Athanasius Kircher's Connections Between Eastern & Western Religion
I'd like to know more about Athanasius Kircher's work connecting eastern and western religions. But Kircher's extraordinary breadth makes it hard to zero in on any one aspect. [more inside]
Food for the Tonys - difficulty: gluten-free, vegetarian, make-ahead?
For years I've wanted to have a Tony viewing party! Well, for the first time this year, I have two friends coming for dinner and viewing! Difficulty-level: one is vegetarian and the other is gluten free. I'll be home in the morning, but then gone from 2:30-6:30, and they are coming at 7. Ideas for food that I can make ahead of time that is both vegetarian and gluten-free? With bonus points if it can be a pun or tie in with any of the Tony nominees this year. (dinner and dessert ideas welcome!)
How do I get my hair like this again?
Last weekend I got my hair cut and the stylist put some loose wavy curls in I really liked. Because I didn't expect to like it (and because I can't see without my glasses on), I didn't pay attention to what tool she was using--I assumed curling iron, but it might have been a flat iron? And she didn't use much product, seemed like just one Aveda styling spray. Here's what it looked like. What tool, product, & technique do I need to make it look like that again myself?
posted by rhiannonstone at 10:21 AM PST - 9 comments
posted by rhiannonstone at 10:21 AM PST - 9 comments
Where should we live? -- SF Bay Area edition
I'm looking for a place that has an easy commute to UC Berkeley (either via car, bus, or BART), and where I can get a 1- or 2-bedroom apartment for $1700/mo or less. Is it possible? [more inside]
I probably need a new career, but where to begin?
I am currently in a job that teeters back and forth between "tolerable" and "barely tolerable."
I spend a lot of my time there daydreaming out the window that there might be something better out there for me. But is there? And if I leave, will I ever again have a window? [more inside]
posted by space snail at 8:11 AM PST - 8 comments
posted by space snail at 8:11 AM PST - 8 comments
Bow tie gift counterpart for non-bow-tie wearers
I’v been sewing bow ties for some friends who have been super supportive of me over the past year. They’re a perfect project; they require only a very small amount of fabric, and they sew up in a couple hours. But there are some other friends in the same category who don’t wear bow ties. What sewn gift could I make for those friends? Quilting cotton is the fabric I have most readily at my disposal, and what I would prefer to use.
What to do about my mom
I've recently entered a whole new level of weird and awful with my mom and I'm feeling a bit lost on how to deal with it all. It's a long and ugly story but would appreciate insight from anyone who's dealt with potential estrangement from toxic parents and/or has thoughts on what comes next. [more inside]
Like The Good Life but...you know...now
I'm looking for UK specific accounts of people incorporating smallholding / homesteading into their lives in some meaningful way. Books (if there are any), blogs, Instagram accounts, etc. [more inside]
Your Own Personal Bible
The personal assistants in this Buzzfeed Ladylike video mention having a "client bible" they use as a reference for their clients so they don't have to bug them all the time for info such as insurance details or logins. What sort of things go into such a bible?
Appropriate present for graduating high school senior?
I've had regular contact, professionally, with a male high school senior who's graduating and wondered what an appropriate gesture / present would be. Any suggestions appreciated.
June 1
It's what people used to call a platter of legumes.
"What's A?" "It's what people used to call B." Without any other context, is "A" an old name for "B", or is "B" an old name for "A"? [more inside]
we can't be the only ones - can we?
My kid's high school graduation tickets are lost.The graduation is tomorrow [more inside]
posted by velveeta underground at 10:31 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by velveeta underground at 10:31 PM PST - 9 comments
Comfortmaker hvac
Hello all
I live in florida and I consider changing my old a/c with a comfortmaker brand a/c. Anyone has that in their house? What is your experience?
It itches! Make it stop!!
Three weeks ago I got what I thought was poison ivy on my knee. Fast forward to this week and I start developing a rash/hives on my arms, legs, hands, and feet. Went to an urgent care doc who said I was having an ID reaction to a fungal infection. Has anyone else had this type of thing (either an ID reaction or a fungal infection that's not the usual athletes foot)? What should I be doing to get things under control? [more inside]
Making banana pancakes, pretend like it's the weekend
What is your very best foolproof, scaleable banana pancake recipe, that can sit around for most of the morning?
I have A LOT of brown bananas. I'm running banana pancakes as a breakfast special tomorrow morning, so am looking to make a big batch (like 1/2 gallon). The batter will sitting in the cooler to be ladled out to order.
Our kitchen does not have buttermilk in house, nor lemon juice to make my own.
Dairy and gluten are fine.
Whats your most foolproof recipe?
Hey Ladies (and sheep)
I found this art at a thrift store. The more I look at it, the more I like it. I would like to know more about it. [more inside]
posted by maryr at 6:26 PM PST - 4 comments
posted by maryr at 6:26 PM PST - 4 comments
Where is KOIN?
Until today, Portland, Oregon TV station KOIN (Channel 40, DT Channel 6), came in crystal clear. But today, on the day they told viewers using antennas to rescan their TV to find it at its new frequency, it has disappeared from the channel list. A neighbor can get it through their antenna. [more inside]
What is the word for this culinary technique?
I like lots of different kinds of hot sauce, but eventually the fridge door gets full of a bunch of partially full hot sauce bottles so I started mixing them. Once a bottle of hot sauce gets to the 10% left level, I pour whats left into one old Louisiana style bottle. This bottle is never emptied all the way and it has over time had dozens of different hot sauces poured into it, so its flavor is constantly evolving. It is not really the solera technique, but is it something else? Is this approach used anywhere else in traditional cooking methods or is it just a weird old person thing?
posted by mumblelard at 5:47 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by mumblelard at 5:47 PM PST - 8 comments
How to get started with an Instapot?
Based on a survey of my friends, I seem to be not the only person who purchased an Instapot and then...just never tried using it. Honestly, the learning curve seems so steep. So many instructions! Halp. Any thoughts on the easiest way to jump into this thing? [more inside]
What to do with leftover broth? Complication: Sweet.
I had chuck roast in the crockpot all day with quince jelly, bell peppers, onions, and water. It was delicious but now I have a ton of leftover broth that is too sweet for a typical soup. How can I use it?
posted by donut_princess at 5:23 PM PST - 8 comments
posted by donut_princess at 5:23 PM PST - 8 comments
How to bootstrap a book club?
I've taken over as organizer for a previously active book club that went dormant for the last two years. I've never done anything like this before so I'd love some basic guidance on how to get this off to a good start. Details within. [more inside]
posted by 4rtemis at 5:21 PM PST - 3 comments
posted by 4rtemis at 5:21 PM PST - 3 comments
Just been thrown out of my friend's house; I was rude, but now what?
My friend has been in what I would term an emotionally abusive relationship for several years. I have maintained a cordial if wary relationship with her partner for the sake of keeping in touch with her and their child. Unfortunately, tonight, as the partner was yelling and kvetching as my friend was trying to watch a much anticipated TV show, I called them out on it in not my finest style; got told to "get the fuck out of my house". Left immediately, but now what? How would you move forward? Epic snowflakes. [more inside]
posted by doornoise at 5:02 PM PST - 12 comments
posted by doornoise at 5:02 PM PST - 12 comments
Volume of a sword versus a ring
Please help me settle an argument regarding swords and rings. [more inside]
posted by Sternmeyer at 5:00 PM PST - 5 comments
posted by Sternmeyer at 5:00 PM PST - 5 comments
Can I eat this: cinnamon from a jar that melted
I left the (Costco sized) jar of cinnamon in the car on a hot day. It melted a bit and the jar warped. Is the cinnamon safe to eat or should we be concerned about off gassing?
Could I be allergic to moisture? A lipstick paradox
Beauty gurus of MF, help me understand lip products: Why do so-called moisturizing lipsticks dry my lips out more than wearing nothing at all? Why is my least drying lipcolor actually a matte lip stain, and where can I find more of this stuff for less than $38? [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 4:34 PM PST - 9 comments
posted by serelliya at 4:34 PM PST - 9 comments
What does one need to know about starting an association?
Is there any thing you need to know when starting your own association? For example, let's say it's called "World Association of People Who Do What I Do for Work," or WAPWDWIDW, and you've set up a website, you put together a newsletter, and have an option to join and pay membership dues. It's for-profit, but you don't anticipate making more than a few hundred bucks a year for the next few years. What else needs to be done? What needs to be known about? Thanks!
Meshing Around
I have a push-out window (pretty much just like this) for which I'd like to get a temporary screen. I only need it for a few weeks out of the year (when it's both hot enough and mosquito-y enough) so I can live with something that isn't exactly beautiful. I just need something that will screen the window yet still allow me to close it with relative ease when needed. [more inside]
posted by paperback version at 2:56 PM PST - 7 comments
posted by paperback version at 2:56 PM PST - 7 comments
How to deal with feeling guilty over treating myself?
I'm turning a milestone age this year and have a nice stash of money saved up. I decided to buy myself a big birthday present with it. But now that I'm about to spend all that money, I'm feeling a tremendous amount of guilt. Instead of feeling like, "I earned this through a lot of hard work, I saved and waited a long time for it, I deserve to treat myself," the guilty feeling is kind of ruining my excitement over the purchase. How do I deal? [more inside]
posted by keep it under cover at 2:45 PM PST - 26 comments
posted by keep it under cover at 2:45 PM PST - 26 comments
Foods for Grief
Last week I posted a question about coming to terms with the terminal illness of a parent. This question is related to that one (I'm on a mobile so I'm not going to include a link) in that I need suggestions on what to eat and drink during this time. [more inside]
Encrypt external hard drive on Ubuntu
How can I encrypt a 200GB folder on an external hard drive? [more inside]
I've been hearing it for a *minute*
Over the past few years, the usage of "a minute" to mean "quite a while" has expanded into the white, midwest-american culture in which I spend all my time. It really ticks me off! I would like it to not tick me off, so I am trying to learn more about the history of this usage. My google-fu is failing me, so I turn to AskMe for help. Where is this from? Who popularized it? What is the correct way for me to use it? How can it be used incorrectly? Please don't wait a minute to answer!
Why would people be interested in the number 3203 right now?
A friend has owned the domain 3203.com for many years. While he occasionally gets offers to buy the domain, the number of offers has risen sharply in the past few weeks. The amount of money being offered has also increased significantly. He has asked what people want the domain for without success. Does anybody know why "3203" would interest people right now?
posted by thinman at 11:11 AM PST - 12 comments
posted by thinman at 11:11 AM PST - 12 comments
Do I have diabetes for insurance purposes in the US?
You are not my doctor you are not my insurance company and I’m not trying to commit fraud im trying to just save everyone a lot of trouble.
I’ve had A1C over six a while. Last time it was 7. Now I’m on 1500mg of metformon no insulin. I don’t have to test my blood, but I don’t over do it on carbs, get plenty of fiber and protein etc. [more inside]
How to replace discontinued L'Occitane hand soap?
How can I find a good replacement for the discontinued L'Occitane Welcome Home citrus hand cleansing gel? [more inside]
Google storage without Google Pay
Last year, Google Pay yanked my account and refused to tell me why. I need to buy storage space for my Gmail and Drive. Last year a friend sent me some info on how to use an iTunes gift card and my phone, which worked. I need to renew this year and I don't see the option again to pay on my iPhone through the Drive app. Google will not work with me at all. How can I renew my storage without Google Pay?
Single-car crash, relatively minor property damage. What do now?
Yesterday afternoon a driver drove onto our sidewalk, took out two trees and a utility pole (!), before hitting a steel/concrete bollard and flipping. He's fine, but our sidewalk is a mess. Insurance-- how do? We're in Philadelphia. [more inside]
Gift ideas, times thirty.
MeFi is my advice ninja!
My best friend in the whole wide world is turning thirty in a couple of weeks. I work in a different state and cannot be there on her special day. Boo. But I am flying down the next weekend to celebrate between birthdays (our birthdays are in the same month) and I want to carry her gift with me. GiftSSSSS. Details below the jump. [more inside]
Supplemental Oxygen
My husband is on oxygen (3 1/2 ) and believes he should take it off for 2 minutes every hour. Is this appropriate? His sats rapidly drop down to low to mid 70s. ALso, how to keep cannula on during sleep. Thank you.
I am going to make my co-worker spit.
I made a bet yesterday with a co-worker. He said he would give me 50$ if I could make him either 1) spit his drink out or 2) had his drink come out his nose.
So, uh,.... any suggestions? Because I could really use that 50$. [more inside]
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 6:43 AM PST - 23 comments
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 6:43 AM PST - 23 comments
Deborah Tannen, where are you when I need you?
I want to attend a class that starts a half hour after my shift. The organizer emphasized that it was for ALL not just teachers. [more inside]
Treatment for Treatment-Resistant Depression
I have had Treatment-Resistant Depression most of my life and have tried many treatments without any relief. Details inside. [more inside]
Scarce sandwiches of the Emerald Isle
My partner has fond memories of eating delicious ham sandwiches, served with a side of crisps, in the pubs of Ireland, during his student days. Sadly, he says this classic pub staple is increasingly difficult to find! He's about to travel from Australia back to Ireland, and is hoping to partake of some great, old school ham sandwiches while he's over there. Can you suggest any great sandwich-serving pubs in Dublin, or in the Cork City area?
posted by brushtailedphascogale at 5:11 AM PST - 4 comments
posted by brushtailedphascogale at 5:11 AM PST - 4 comments
Memorable or lovely swimming in NYC?
I'm going to be in NYC (staying in Brooklyn) for the first half of June. I've had some memorable swims and paddles while travelling, and I'm looking for suggestions of anything really good in New York - sea/ocean, indoor pool, outdoor pool. What's good? [more inside]
posted by carbide at 2:44 AM PST - 25 comments
posted by carbide at 2:44 AM PST - 25 comments
Lying and withholding information as adaptive traits in minorities?
I'm fumbling with my words a bit because I've never had to explain this out loud, but I'm looking for resources or advice for convincing a very mainstream person that people from more marginalized populations often need to lie or withhold information in order to operate smoothly in mainstream society. [more inside]