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This is growing in Barcelona. Grows very quickly. Amaranth?
posted by conifer at 10:21 PM PST - 3 comments

I pulled the elastic (one big loop that ties) out of some cotton masks to wash them and realized I don't know how to easily rethread it. [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 9:43 PM PST - 15 comments

My toddler plays with MS notepad.exe to make ASCII tables, word art and so on. On the one hand Notepad is great because it's a minimal tool with very little distraction. But there are two specific quibbles which make it a little frustrating and make me wonder if there's a better alternative out there. [more inside]
posted by splitpeasoup at 9:33 PM PST - 12 comments

My wife and I had an argument tonight about the safety of our children. She thinks I'm overreacting. Am I? [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 7:11 PM PST - 63 comments

Ramblin' Jack Elliott's 1968 version of "Goodnight Little Arlo" has this verse: In Tatsee we cruise the Belt Parkway / Drive all up and down the road / Past Brighton and Coney and old Sheep's Head bay / Find a puddle and drive on home. There's some obvious references to Brooklyn but I've never heard Brooklyn or any neighborhood within called "Tatsee." What does Tatsee refer to?
posted by johnnybeggs at 5:34 PM PST - 4 comments

Making a graphic to go with The Lost Joseph in Farsi. How to divide the poem into pieces? [more inside]
posted by sciencegeek at 3:59 PM PST - 6 comments

I’m starting a conflict resolution and engagement business and need feedback / ideas on a name! [more inside]
posted by My Kryptonite is Worry at 2:59 PM PST - 14 comments

I've found a formula that really works for me in fiction: strong women characters + a retelling of mythology or folk tales. Some good examples include Circe by Madeline Miller and Spinning Silver and Uprooted by Naomi Novik. What else should I try? Other elements I'm into but are of secondary importance to what I listed above: witchcraft (women coming into their power), a story that weaves together separate narrative threads mid-way through the book, and longitudinal looks at people's lives. I'm not into hetero romance so much, but I'll put up with a little bit of it if I must. I don't want it to be the main event. Whatcha got?
posted by sugarbomb at 1:58 PM PST - 48 comments

Due to safety concerns and a recent fumes scare, I'm finally thinking of retiring my three Teflon pans. Thing is, I LOVE them. I cooked on a cast iron pan once and everything stuck to it and it was impossible to clean. What I love about Teflon is that the clean-up is so easy, it's easy to flip eggs or meat since everything slides in it, etc. Should I get cast iron and why? If so, which brand/model? What are the other options for someone who is relatively rough on cooking equipment?
posted by ClaireBear at 1:51 PM PST - 80 comments

I tore down an old shed. There were some gorgeous weathered softwood boards underneath the shingle siding, which I have carefully denailed. I planned on using them for the ceiling in my (unheated, currently unfinished) mudroom, but there are spots that aren't as sound as I'd like. If I treat them for dry rot before finishing (probably with a low-gloss urethane), am I inviting calamity into my home?
posted by kate4914 at 1:50 PM PST - 5 comments

This looks like a simple recipe but I have questions about the timing of adding ingredients. [more inside]
posted by andruwjones26 at 1:39 PM PST - 7 comments

Getting a recliner, this will be my first. Will watch TV in it, and hopefully read without falling asleep. Need help sorting through the features and options, although I understand from previous questions that it really comes down to "go to the store and the chair will tell you which is comfortable". What features did you wish you got, or wish you had saved money by not getting? [more inside]
posted by bluesky78987 at 1:37 PM PST - 1 comment

What are some good reasons to NOT refinance my house? [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow at 1:22 PM PST - 8 comments

Should I fire my lawn company for accidentally breaking a sprinkler and not showing back up to fix it? [more inside]
posted by ljs30 at 1:08 PM PST - 11 comments

Dark Sky is about to shut down their website, darksky.net. Is there another weather website that is similarly simple and clean? I just want local forecasts that I can use to plan my day and my week. [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 12:09 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm back, again; please don't judge me. I am waiting on a consult with a family law attorney. I need a little help thinking through all the stuff I might not anticipate if I move forward with a divorce. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 10:52 AM PST - 49 comments

I need to have the exterior of my new house painted either this year or next. I'd like to change the paint scheme, but I live by myself and I have colorblindness. How do you recommend I go about selecting colors that will not result in something hideous? [more inside]
posted by entropicamericana at 10:38 AM PST - 23 comments

I'm very much getting through the sort of week after which I'd reward myself with some sort of good, or at least novel, booze. Except I'm not drinking right now. What do you do or buy to reward and sustain yourself in tiring times, that isn't something to get smashed on? [more inside]
posted by ominous_paws at 9:09 AM PST - 45 comments

What is going sour in my muffins? The batter is good, but sometimes I take a bite of the finished muffin and there's this horrible curdled taste. Please help! [more inside]
posted by rue72 at 8:38 AM PST - 24 comments

I've realised recently that I feel a deep sense of personal responsibility for fixing problems that couldn't possibly be my sole responsibility to fix (e.g. problems at work or in society that go beyond the remit of any single individual). This often leads to intense feelings of guilt that I wasn't able (/wasn't responsible enough) to solve the problem. I suspect I would be happier and less stressed if I could let go of some of this sense of responsibility. But how? [more inside]
posted by terretu at 8:10 AM PST - 14 comments

Is there any mealkit delivery service where the veggies don't show up all beat-up and half-rotten? [more inside]
posted by panama joe at 7:58 AM PST - 25 comments

I know this might be unanswerable given that I know no specifics, but a relative is considering buying a summer lake cabin in New England, about 950 sq feet, and has no idea how much it would cost to make it four-season. Any kind of ballpark? Is this like a 10k operation or a 100k operation? Your personal experiences and wild guesses are welcome.
posted by Ollie at 7:45 AM PST - 10 comments

I'd like to read the best biographies of historical figures that people of MeFi consider important, interesting. The best would be one authorative biography per person, the one considered to be authorative, even if it has it's own problems. Examples inside. [more inside]
posted by kmt at 6:30 AM PST - 25 comments

Which is likely to be lower risk - a 50 minute train journey or a 35/40 minute taxi ride? [more inside]
posted by knapah at 4:16 AM PST - 16 comments

I need some gentle escapism. Bonus points if it's available on audible. I enjoy fantasy and science fiction as well as young adult, but am open to anything, really. Something like "The Goblin Emperor" , Becky Chambers wayfarer books, or the Murderbot books, maybe? I'm open to romance, historical fiction, whatever, as long as it's relatively gentle and hopeful. I'm struggling with severe anxiety and can't handle anything too real right now.
posted by Zumbador at 1:38 AM PST - 37 comments

If you had to (I mean, HAD to--assume the decision has been made) drive from Portland, Oregon to New Jersey in the next week, in a fairly well-outfitted camper van, what supplies and precautions would you take to ensure as safe & comfortable a journey as possible? Bonus: any suggestions for camping spots or sights seeable in a COVID-safe way? That's the gist, but particulars below the cut. [more inside]
posted by adastra at 11:16 PM PST - 15 comments

Several years ago, I read a non-fiction book written by a man in his late 20s or early 30s who examined the "retirement community" culture in the United States. He visited several different types of these communities, and I think at one point he lived in an all-inclusive gated community in Florida. This should be easy enough to Google, but I'm struggling to find terms specific enough! It was an entertaining and light, escapist read and I'd love to revisit it. Thanks!
posted by easy, lucky, free at 10:41 PM PST - 7 comments

I want to learn how to oil paint (still life) and it needs to happen at home. I am a beginner and have been too scared of failing to pick up a paintbrush since high school art classes. To go through with learning, I need the pressure of a live class to actually do it. It can’t be prerecorded. It can’t be learn at your own pace. I need to feel like I would let down a teacher/class if I didn't show up. [more inside]
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 9:24 PM PST - 9 comments

I created a customer satisfaction survey in Google Forms using my personal Google account. However, this survey is for work use so I would like to send the form to a new, work-specific Google account. I'm new to Google Forms, and thought it would be as easy as emailing or sharing a document, but it doesn't seem to be that straightforward. Can you help?
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 8:58 PM PST - 4 comments

I am extremely conflict avoidant, and now it seems to be triggering panic attacks. If you’ve dealt with this, what are your coping strategies and tools? [more inside]
posted by scrump at 8:48 PM PST - 5 comments

I would like ot have my computer automatically download my google photos photos to my desktop. Ideally I would like them to go into folders sorted by month, but I suppose I can do that myself if necessary. I would like this to happen both immediately for all my old photos and the automatically for future photos. How?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:45 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm typically an English speaker, but am spending more time talking in Spanish lately. My Android phone keyboard app is terrible. It tries to correct every second word to English and getting to the diacritics is endlessly frustrating. Does anyone have a bilingual keyboard that they like and isn't terribly annoying? The number of options are daunting and the first few I've tried are actually worse than the original. I'm happy to pay for a good one. [more inside]
posted by eotvos at 8:29 PM PST - 5 comments

Has anyone here given up caffeine? I am about a month into not consuming any, and while I initially – once I cleared withdrawal – felt some benefit, I'm now second guessing this decision. I feel like, especially during the middle of the day, I'm lacking energy, something I would normally address with a cup of coffee. I'm sleeping/eating/exercising a decent amount, so there's nothing else obvious I feel I could change. I work an office job. Is this as good as it gets? Any advice? Stick with it? [more inside]
posted by usr2047 at 7:57 PM PST - 17 comments

I support Planned Parenthood with my dollars. Is this the most effective way to support reproductive rights considering the relentless determination of righteous conservatives to control women's bodies? I already vote accordingly and make sure my representatives hear from me on these issues. I'm also very concerned about the threat to ACA coverage for all aspects of women's health, including contraception, pregnancy and delivery as a consequence of continuing opposition to the ACA itself. It's so upsetting and enraging that I feel an urgent need to put my donations into the hands of the best prepared organizations to support the rights of women. Those with an inside and informed perspective- where do you donate? What would you suggest to those with a few dollars to donate?
posted by citygirl at 6:58 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm about to start a new bullet journal and enjoy adding helpful reference pages to them. I've found a Greek alphabet page helpful, as I teach math, and am wondering what other reference pages I could add. Samples that already exist in bujos are helpful, but not necessary. [more inside]
posted by wiskunde at 5:24 PM PST - 12 comments

Family member who is 70+ and considered high-risk for Covid because of diabetes and recent history of cardiac disease, now needs cataract surgery. The doctor didn't say now-now. Help me weigh the risk involved in a possible exposure at the hospital/follow up appointments and via any complications that might occur. [more inside]
posted by alady at 4:58 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm trying to remember or find the name of a female art photographer I encountered around a decade ago in NYC. [more inside]
posted by MeadowlarkMaude at 4:41 PM PST - 2 comments

Someone close to me is saying bizarre, inaccurate, hypocritical and frankly hateful things on social media attached to their real name and it's really distracting me and I find I can't stop thinking about it. I don't want to "start drama" but I also can't seem to let it go, I am a talker and that's the only way I can seem to get around things is getting them off my chest. But just talking to someone who doesn't care either way isn't helping. How are you all dealing with similar issues? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 4:30 PM PST - 6 comments

My wife's newish 27" computer monitor today, all of a sudden, has water behind the glass screen. How can we get it out? Images: https://imgur.com/a/lnLL2Zg [more inside]
posted by signal at 2:43 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking for a manufacturer capable of producing tens of thousands of custom facemasks. Open to all suggestions and resources — including articles about ideal facemask design (e.g., fabrics, shape, etc.)
posted by shrimpetouffee at 1:52 PM PST - 8 comments

how much truth is the right level of truth for a guest? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 1:27 PM PST - 65 comments

My 5 year old son gets up earlier than his brother and we have been watching “the planets” with Brian Fox. We LOVED it. It had a lot of images and scenes of planetary events and worlds and Brian Cox explained things very well. There were hardly any professors speaking in their office. I would love to know any ideas you all might have. Is there something like this about trains or dinosaurs? Any other interesting subjects? Any more about planets? Any animal ones that tell more of a story?
posted by pairofshades at 12:59 PM PST - 11 comments

In "The Crying of Lot 49," is there a mascot named for San Narciso college? If not, what should the mascot be?
posted by longhaultrucker at 12:56 PM PST - 3 comments

my nephew is a rising 4th grader and is really hooked on prodigy. he creates endless accounts set to first grade so the math questions are easy and really loves the pokemon-esque qualities it has - basically pet collecting and world exploring... [more inside]
posted by elgee at 12:54 PM PST - 8 comments

I asked my employer if they'd be open to me Working From Away permanently, and it looks likely they'll say yes. I am thinking of leaving the big city I moved to and returning to the big town/small city I had lived in previously, and WFA there. Is this wise? Escapist? [more inside]
posted by Sock Meets Body at 11:47 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm looking for condoms that don't leave an unpleasant flavor (or smell) on penises or vaginas. [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 11:40 AM PST - 6 comments

I have just been made part time in a role I actually quite enjoy (I work in non-profits, in a relaxed, junior position after years in senior roles, so I can focus on my writing while learning more about the non-profit sector), however I am conflicted on how I feel about the decision. [more inside]
posted by foxmardou at 11:26 AM PST - 3 comments

What books should I read to help with my avoidant behaviour? [more inside]
posted by miles1972 at 11:16 AM PST - 6 comments

So someone in my family has set up my grandfather to print wirelessly from his iPhone to his new inkjet printer. (ARGH!) He only prints emails to this printer, and only from the native mail iPhone app. His problem is that the type size once printed is too large. I don’t believe there is a way to scale when printing from the phone. Is there way I can set his printer to scale down everything it receives? Do you have any other ideas to reduce the printed type size? Thanks!
posted by brbmaroon at 11:14 AM PST - 1 comment

I have a cavity, maybe, and a choice between two dental clinics which are very different. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 11:09 AM PST - 4 comments

I have a 11-yr old Toyota Corolla, a standard transmission with 300,000 KM on it. I just recently got my mom’s car, also a 11-yr old Corolla, which is an automatic and has under 100,000 km - I just put $1000 into maintenance on it. Both cars are doing fine. I would like to sell one of these cars. Which one should I sell?
posted by storybored at 11:00 AM PST - 9 comments

I have two computers. A work computer and a personal computer. At times throughout the day I'd like to switch between them ideally through some easily triggered means such as separate button or a key combination. [more inside]
posted by EsotericAlgorithm at 10:48 AM PST - 5 comments

I recently put together a pretty budget-friendly outdoor theater set-up that consists of a projector, 92" portable screen, and a single 28" soundbar. My backyard is relatively small and located on a corner lot with one nextdoor neighbor, separated by a 6 foot wooden privacy fence. How can I limit the speaker noise that carries over into the neighbor's yard? [more inside]
posted by shornco at 9:45 AM PST - 5 comments

If you were a fresh college (white) grad from the midwest working as an accountant at a magazine, or a kid from Yale working as an i-banker at JP Morgan, or working in a non profit as a program manager, what was life like? Where did you live and socialize? Anecdotes, movies, articles are great. The 'normal' yuppie version of Magazine piece of this would be great. [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 8:20 AM PST - 15 comments

I live in the US, in a state where infection rates are increasing. My school district has made it clear that we are expected to teach in-person this fall, and they are taking a few inexpensive safety precautions. My friend thinks I'm a jerk for quitting. Am I? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:52 AM PST - 57 comments

I'm looking for options for remote work for a BSN. [more inside]
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 6:36 AM PST - 6 comments

After a few days of wonky Internet I decided to do a periodic reset, and unplugged the modem and router across the house. The wifi network is still appearing, though, and phones and desktops are connecting to it (without internet), even after “forget this network”, it’s findable and connects. I can’t ping or connect to other devices in the house, though. What’s up with the “ghost” network?
posted by Shepherd at 5:02 AM PST - 4 comments

I really, really miss live journal. Is there anywhere online with that kind of feeling/community, but also, not dead? [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 12:59 AM PST - 18 comments

Do you have a multipoint bluetooth headset that you are happy with? Cannot find one that will play nice with my laptop and phone at the same time. [more inside]
posted by each day we work at 12:08 AM PST - 4 comments

Talk me through applying Raid Flea Killer like I’m 5. [more inside]
posted by thesmallmachine at 11:32 PM PST - 7 comments

Pretty much what it says on the tin. Is there a cheap app I can use? If I can do this on garage band (which I feel like I have on my ipad) what's the basic how-to. The plus: I don't care if the sound is good. I just want to be able to sing a vocal track, then lay another over it and possibly one more. The minus: I don't think I'm super at navigating tech stuff though I'm on screens all the damn time. Like I find Audacity fairly confusing. I need a little walking-through. Thanks!
posted by less of course at 10:23 PM PST - 4 comments

My 5-year-old has recently discovered Google Earth. How can I turn this into something at least somewhat educational? [more inside]
posted by zardoz at 9:56 PM PST - 9 comments

Forgot I had a bunch of "emergency" Kirkland water bottles in my apartment storage space (where they've been for at least a year) where the 90+ degree temperatures have caused the thin plastic to become even more, say we shall, malleable. Read conflicting data about whether it'd be safe to drink from them (due to chemicals from the plastic being released into the water), but would it be okay once they've cooled off after a few days? Or should I go ahead and dump them (water in sink, bottles in recycling bin)?
posted by gtrwolf at 9:24 PM PST - 13 comments

Would it be okay to perform a mystery shop at a store where I sorta kinda work at? [more inside]
posted by ditto75 at 8:49 PM PST - 8 comments

My wife and I have a 1.5 year old; I run a small business where I'm the only f/t employee. Her job doesn't give her much leeway to help with childcare during business hours; I'm burning myself out juggling full-time work and full-time childcare. Worth it to temporarily become a stay-at-home dad? [more inside]
posted by allthethings at 8:17 PM PST - 16 comments

My kids have just played a short hike on a spare computer: http://ashorthike.com/ Its a lovely game where you explore an island and climb a mountain. There's no shooting, nothing inappropriate for young kids It's a bit like a point and click adventure, except you can walk (fly,climb) around freely, which means the youngest sibling (3) can follow what the others are doing and have a turn without needing to be able to read. And it all runs happily on a mediocre computer with onboard graphics. Oh and it cost five dollars in the bundle-for-racial-justice-and-equality: https://itch.io/b/520/bundle-for-racial-justice-and-equality Multiplayer games that on the same machine or network, that can be played with keyboard and mouse would be especially well received. They've played a couple of Sokpop games too, but not found anything quite like a short hike https://sokpop.itch.io/ Any suggestions?
posted by compound eye at 6:55 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm a bi woman. My partner is a bi man. I discovered he is on Grindr. I'm not inherently against it, unlike askers past, because we're poly. I'm not here to persecute him for it. No moral panic. We're both bi and I get turned on by women too. But I want to understand how he's using it. I would like to just ask him, but for some reasons, I don't think he'll react well to my knowing that he's using it. How might I best ask about this? [more inside]
posted by Calcifer at 6:30 PM PST - 16 comments

Is a calorie still a calorie? [more inside]
posted by unstrungharp at 6:20 PM PST - 6 comments

I legally restructure land to make it saleable or usable. I've been asked to investigate an area of unprotected mainly wetland, about 500Ha (1250acres) here in NZ. I have some ideas but wonder if any of you area aware of interesting examples from across Earth - I find metafilter opens my mind even to things in my backyard, and ideas hiding in plain sight. [more inside]
posted by unearthed at 5:35 PM PST - 12 comments

I’m looking for the 990 form from a nonprofit, but can’t find any recent filings. [more inside]
posted by likethenight at 4:36 PM PST - 13 comments

The bird was heard but not seen yesterday in Pine County, Minnesota, USA, in thick woodland along the Willard Munger State Trail. The call had an odd, reverb-y, quality, like the bird was creating a couple different tones simultaneously. There seemed to be a call-and-response with other nearby birds happening. Here's a brief clip of some recordings pasted together (with the gain boosted and EQ'd to reduce electronic hiss). Here's an original clip (not boosted or EQ'd) for purists. Any idea what it is?
posted by theory at 3:52 PM PST - 7 comments

Let's say you have a pool and a backyard built for entertaining. You welcome friends/family to drop by and hang out in a casual, relaxed (and now socially-distanced) way. What are your go-to munchies for these occasions? Looking for both snacks and mains ideas that are easy and reliably delicious. Help me take the thinking out of this!
posted by yawper at 2:50 PM PST - 14 comments

Should I interrupt this backup to reboot? My laptop is slowly getting worse, I'm going to take it for service tomorrow, and I switched backup strategies to make a Windows 7 disk image, deleting my old backup in the process. Currently my disk image backup (Windows backup), begun yesterday afternoon, has stopped progressing since this morning; the progress bar has stopped at ~95% full/done! I'm not sure whether another attempt would work well. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 1:40 PM PST - 5 comments

I have an old mixer (no USB) and XLR mics, but my PC has no Line In jack, only mic and headphone. Is there a way to make this work that is cheaper than just buying a new mixer/audio interface with USB ($50-$100)? I'm currently using a USB microphone, but looking for a audio quality upgrade with an XLR mic for recording vocals/streaming.
posted by roaring beast at 1:36 PM PST - 7 comments

Looking for African American/ minority architect recommendations in Boston area for a small residential renovations project. [more inside]
posted by zeikka at 1:35 PM PST - 2 comments

In this Covid time, we started a bit of an herb garden.Our dill plants are super popular with the dozen or so black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. We find this kind of exciting but now feel responsible for their well-being. I think they're going to eat all the dill in short order. I know they also eat parsley and carrots and fennel...but I don't think we can get enough in the ground for them. So....could we maybe transplant them into a terrarium and just feed them parsley and dill from the grocery store? Then let the butterflies go?
posted by Wink Ricketts at 1:21 PM PST - 4 comments

A few years ago I read an interesting PDF about the Internet and similar technologies. I can't find it anymore. The gist of it was that unlike the Cliffs Notes history of the Internet—Arpanet => Internet => WorldWideWeb => Today—it's not implausible that other competing technologies could have expanded and merged to link together the globe. The paper didn't go into too much detail: it was about a dozen pages long. But it covered some other technologies like UUCPnet and France's Minitel. Can you find this paper?
posted by Monochrome at 12:34 PM PST - 2 comments

I was already an obsessive worrier before COVID. Now it's like all my fears have been made real in the world. I also have a brand new case of agoraphobia. Sometimes I go days or weeks without leaving the apartment. I live in a populated area that is for the moment on the downward curve. We have a backyard in apartment of the building I would like to use but I may have to pass others indoors to get there. My question is twofold: [more inside]
posted by captainscared at 12:25 PM PST - 21 comments

I recently got so intrigued by a mention of "buttered eggs" in Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter Views the Body that I dug up this great blog entry, followed the recipe, and made 'em. Delicious. Now I want to undertake more literary cooking. Ideas, great hive mind?
posted by bearwife at 12:00 PM PST - 32 comments

Hi! Do you have a recipe for a Bajan (Barbadian) fish cutter, preferably the fried sort? Since I can't visit Barbados right now, I'd love to recreate a taste of the island at home. Thanks so much!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 11:49 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm trying to make some decisions around behaviors during the pandemic. Notably: I'm trying to decide whether to send my kid back to daycare. My personal approach to risk (both my emotional response, and my rational decision-making) is helped a lot my knowing the odds. I realize there are a lot of unknown factors, but I'd love to try and get some ballpark sense of the odds of a number of things happening. [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 11:08 AM PST - 19 comments

I often have tunes running through my head, and I'd like to be able to get those tunes out of my brain through my fingers to an electronic piano keyboard as fluently as possible. Learning to read music, proper piano technique, etc. are not priorities for me. Can you recommend online courses that focus on this one particular skill, or exercises and techniques that worked for you personally?
posted by moonmilk at 9:20 AM PST - 11 comments

I want to treat the ash wood benches but what can I use that won't smell? [more inside]
posted by InkaLomax at 9:04 AM PST - 13 comments

I recently found the first season of this show on You Tube, but haven't been able to find any of the other seasons? What gives? [more inside]
posted by mulcahy at 8:40 AM PST - 33 comments

I'm looking for the music equivalent of Judd Appatow's Sick in the Head (interviews with comedians) or Jessica Livingston's Founders at Work (interviews with startup founders) -- a book of compiled interviews with well-known musicians about their personal experiences and professional journey. Preferably present-day female musicians (especially singer/songwriters) as this will be a gift for my 15-year-old niece. Does anything like this exist? Alternative gift recommendations for a multi-talented young musician welcome as well. [more inside]
posted by ElfWord at 8:16 AM PST - 6 comments

I need a new toaster and my most important consideration is that it be easy to clean. [more inside]
posted by gerstle at 7:56 AM PST - 5 comments

Most of the proposals I have seen for reopening schools after the pandemic call for some kind of cohort or alternate attendance plan. I’m struggling to understand any science behind why this might actually be safer. More inside. [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 7:05 AM PST - 27 comments

What are those big trees in the front? [more inside]
posted by angrycat at 4:37 AM PST - 4 comments

How do I work out a minimum price to ask for when selling property? [more inside]
posted by kinddieserzeit at 3:22 AM PST - 16 comments

Any recommendations for computer desks that are easy to put together? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 8:26 PM PST - 6 comments

Can you point me to any sources that address the value of website design stability vs. tinkering? [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 7:49 PM PST - 9 comments

It seems pretty common in metaphysical/new age/to some extent even psychotherapy type environments. The basic idea is that doing what you want is actually good for everyone, because mostly we all just want to survive, be healthy, have friends, live in safe, functional communities where other people also have their needs met, etc. So the goals aren't that morally unusual, but the idea that we will get to this point by pursuing self-interested desires, without any specific moral framework, is what's somewhat unique about it. [more inside]
posted by lgyre at 6:53 PM PST - 23 comments

Have you crossed a land border from the US into Canada recently? How'd it go, and what did you need to show them as far as a self-isolation plan? [more inside]
posted by robot inside a grid at 6:12 PM PST - 9 comments

My wife and I are looking for a home to buy. We've already worked with one real estate agent in that she's shown us a few houses and met with us for discuss what we're looking for in a future home. However, for a variety of reasons, we're considering switching to another real estate agent and we have a couple of questions below the fold. [more inside]
posted by Fister Roboto at 5:40 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm considering a move to a small town or an exurb of a metro area. Where should I look and is it even a feasible idea? [more inside]
posted by deathpanels at 5:05 PM PST - 21 comments

Am I financially supporting a conspiracy theorist by belonging to this Facebook group? [more inside]
posted by Daddy-O at 4:50 PM PST - 4 comments

I just finished reading the (extremely excellent) book The Spy and the Traitor, about KGB agent turned MI6 spy Oleg Gordievsky. I was struck by how the most important, world-changing intelligence he made available was not really "secret" - it was information that each side would, ideally, want the other side to know, but had no way of communicating in a way the other side would believe. Is there a name for this concept, so I can read more about it? [more inside]
posted by dmd at 4:42 PM PST - 2 comments

I experienced a brief moment of depth-perception weirdness today, and I'm interested in finding a clear explanation. [more inside]
posted by pipeski at 3:49 PM PST - 14 comments

Who said "Security is inversely proportional to convenience"? I first heard it in the early 1990s, but it easily could be centuries old. Quote sites aren't helping out.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 3:25 PM PST - 3 comments

Trying to decide how risky it would be to go back to Durham/Chapel Hill NC for the next year. Our lease is up, it's very expensive here, and we need to take care of things in NC. We'd already have a place to live in NC. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 3:25 PM PST - 16 comments

I need to drive from a southern state* to CT in the next two weeks for Reasons. I got the COVID19 antibody test this week and I tested negative for antibodies. I plan to do a drive-through COVID19 active infection test, and then leave as soon as I get results confirming I don't have an active infection. I plan to quarantine for the entire time I'm at my destination. I'm driving a car with North Carolina plates and I'm really anxious about getting stopped along the way, either in NY or CT, by police enforcing the tri-state quarantine. What happens when/if I get pulled over? Is there any chance they will tell me I simply can't enter the state or to turn around? Is there any chance I'll get stuck in CT and be unable to return home? [more inside]
posted by tealcoffeecup at 2:14 PM PST - 6 comments

I have a need to cook a large halal meal for an observant family, with enough for leftovers, but don't have good recipes. Help! [more inside]
posted by corb at 1:29 PM PST - 12 comments

I have a friend whose mental health issues has resulted in a kitchen that is a total disaster. As a one time gift to my friend, I would like to find someone asap to come in a clean all the dirty dishes without expressing any judgement about the mold in the pots. My usual word of mouth approach doesn't work when I live cross-country. Where does one look for this for south Asheville?
posted by metahawk at 12:14 PM PST - 2 comments

Can all of the olives on this page be made from the same tree? Or are different kinds of olive trees needed to make different kinds of olives? (Or are all the differences made from harvesting or curing, etc.?)
posted by andoatnp at 11:37 AM PST - 6 comments

There were a ton of great answers for my food that makes you happy question. This is the drinks version. Say you're sitting on a covered patio outside of your cabin in the woods, watching a stream flow by, it's 95°, and all is right with the world. What are you drinking to stay cool?
posted by ChodenKal at 11:36 AM PST - 74 comments

Where should we go skiing/snowtubing in the winter in the U.S.? [more inside]
posted by Ms Vegetable at 10:26 AM PST - 11 comments

Rather than buy an under desk treadmill (expensive) I’d like to buy a used treadmill and remove the handlebars to use it under a desk. I don’t know which treadmill brands or models are the best for this use case.
posted by melodykramer at 10:10 AM PST - 2 comments

I have some stairs that lead down into a salt water bay. The steps that are wet grow algae that is slick and hazardous. I need to find a solution so that no one gets hurt. [more inside]
posted by Midnight Skulker at 9:52 AM PST - 8 comments

We've started sparingly watching TV with our 15 month old, and there are really only two shows that she likes that I can tolerate. I'm looking for interestingly animated, fun, age appropriate shows that I can watch with her. [more inside]
posted by nerdfish at 9:23 AM PST - 36 comments

We have a very majestic echeveria with sentimental value, and it's currently having an infestation of something. How do I fix it?? [more inside]
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 9:15 AM PST - 11 comments

I decided since this was one of my big birthdays I'd like to do something, and my sister's birthday is very close to mine, as well as my beloved niece. A (well-distanced) picnic in the park sounded fun, but I'd to do something besides the boxed lunches (a brilliant idea I got from a service I attended last week). [more inside]
posted by Rumi'sLeftSock at 9:00 AM PST - 3 comments

My daughter is scheduled to start at FIDM in LA this October and is looking for an apartment in Santa Monica or near FIDM in LA (less so)... [more inside]
posted by docpops at 9:00 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm always on the lookout for rarities from Sara Carter, so does anyone know what's up with this 2010 album from Goldenlane Records/Orchard Enterprises? In addition to the cuts from Historic Reunion, here are a lot of instrumentals that sound like Maybelle on autoharp, some with Maybelle on vocals, and then "No More Goodbyes" from Sara (not on Historic Reunion). Any thoughts?
posted by 8603 at 8:51 AM PST - 1 comment

My four year old was a very late talker, but has largely caught up -- yay! She still struggles a bit with following direction exercises (i.e., three step directions.) Does anyone have any advice on how to improve this? [more inside]
posted by caoimhe at 8:40 AM PST - 7 comments

What have been your favorite online quarantine performances and how are finding them? I've enjoyed John Doe on Facebook (which includes a cover of 'Here Comes A Regular' about 45 minutes in) and Rhett Miller on StageIt. I'm mostly interested in rock, country, soul and blues, but please post anything you think is a great performance.
posted by donpardo at 7:19 AM PST - 13 comments

I have a little backyard. But I find it impossible to sit in and enjoy because of ALL THE BUGS. [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 6:30 AM PST - 20 comments

I spilled a bit of coffee on my laptop (an HP Pavilion) this morning. I tried to mop it up, and stupidly kept using for a couple minutes - but the trackpad was not responding to my finger and the cursor kept jumping around, so I stopped. It is now turned off, the battery removed, and it is propped up. Upside down, in front of my air conditioner, where I will leave it for the rest of the day. Anything else I should or could do, or watch for?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:42 AM PST - 7 comments

I’m teaching my partner to drive stick and am looking for suggestions of places to practice in Seattle. [more inside]
posted by Cogito at 1:24 AM PST - 10 comments

I realize that lately I've been disappointed by my family and I have no idea what to do when I have to write in basic questions like emergency contact or arranging caretaker after anesthesia. Is there someone I can call/hire for me just for emergencies? [more inside]
posted by chrono_rabbit at 11:41 PM PST - 15 comments

Through a friend who works in a loosely regulated bulk food store, my community house (6 people, one cat) has come into possession of 54 lbs of ground sumac. Don’t know the quality, but seems ok? We need ideas of how to use it up. [more inside]
posted by leafmealone at 11:24 PM PST - 13 comments

Can you point me to a document to guide me through the process of increasing inclusion and diversity within an organization? Ideally I'd like to get us to the point of saying "Black Lives Matter", making a formal statement/process around inclusion, and taking specific actions (scholarships, training, etc). But there's a lot of ground to cover between here and there -- and judging from the strong emotions that have surfaced in our conversations so far on this topic, that ground is a bit of a swamp! [more inside]
posted by cnidaria at 11:06 PM PST - 18 comments

My boyfriend and I want to get married. I'd rather elope, but he wants a wedding. We're compromising with something small and non-traditional. But what? [more inside]
posted by ohsnapdragon at 9:34 PM PST - 16 comments

I worked on a music video back in the early 90s. I think the band had only one hit song, but it was big enough that MTV played it fairly regularly for a little bit. I can't remember the name of the band or the song. [more inside]
posted by WalkerWestridge at 9:10 PM PST - 4 comments

How do I get my real-life apartment to resemble or evoke my Animal Crossing house? [more inside]
posted by divabat at 6:31 PM PST - 9 comments

Looking for scary movie recommendations for a six year old (so within specific parameters). [more inside]
posted by hapaxes.legomenon at 4:30 PM PST - 41 comments

It appears that someone applied for unemployment benefits under my name in NY and I'm not sure how to proceed. [more inside]
posted by NormieP at 3:55 PM PST - 6 comments

Hi.Its me and my ? a bit of a silly question this time.Yes ,my husband and I are still separated.We had a discussion 2 days ago, where I came clean and told him why I may take him back.He also stated that my loudness caused 95 percent of the lack of emotional intimacy/ closeness problems ( no mention of the addiction/abuse). Then this evening , someone whom I value greatly said things that make me second guess my decision to leave him... I lost alot of hope ..it feels like one step forward three steps back . [more inside]
posted by SarahSarah at 3:42 PM PST - 40 comments

My wife got me a Steam giftcard for Father's Day to buy games to play with my almost 4 and 5-year-old kids. With the Steam Summer Sale ongoing, I'm looking for recommendations on things to buy and play. [more inside]
posted by RyanAdams at 3:31 PM PST - 10 comments

What do they call it when a song sets up an expectation of the tempo which the vocal melody then thwarts? [more inside]
posted by johnofjack at 3:23 PM PST - 3 comments

In the 24 or so hours leading up to a first date, I get evil butterflies -- I feel nauseous, jumpy, terrified, and unable to focus on anything. I feel panicked and like I would rather do anything in the world than go on this date. I've broken down in tears in front of friends before because of this feeling. It's really, intensely unpleasant and I need to find ways of managing it better because it's hurting my dating life and also the rest of my life. (To be clear, I'm experiencing social anxiety, not anxiety about being physically threatened by my date.) [more inside]
posted by mekily at 3:11 PM PST - 7 comments

My family and I are planning on taking an essential plane ride sometime in the near future. What are the current best practices to keep us and other travelers safe and to reduce our exposure to coronavirus? [more inside]
posted by lakemarie at 3:03 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm looking for documentaries I can stream about bands or artists that do a deep dive into their history or follow them for a period of time. Examples inside. [more inside]
posted by bondcliff at 2:37 PM PST - 40 comments

I'm interested in using self-hypnosis to improve my attention, reduce procrastination, increase confidence, and so forth. [more inside]
posted by Archipelago at 2:25 PM PST - 1 comment

I just received a spam call that rang until it would have normally been triggered to go to voicemail, but then the ring just dipped for a second and then it restarted the ring sequence without going to voicemail or hanging up. It rang about six times the normal ring length before I finally declined the call and blocked the number. How did this call bypass my cell phone's normal behavior? [more inside]
posted by vegartanipla at 1:57 PM PST - 5 comments

These Pusheen stickers came in a random assorted pack and seem to be referencing specific characters. Googling hasn’t gotten me anywhere. Can you tell me who they’re supposed to be?
posted by brilliantine at 1:53 PM PST - 2 comments

I have just found out my beloved young kitty is dying. He has a stone blocking his ureter which will eventually cause his kidneys to fail in a few months. I'd like to know how to get through this and a bit of reassurance that I'm doing the right thing. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:21 PM PST - 8 comments

Asking for my (cis) boyfriend: What is the best way to pass and/or overtake other runners on the street -- especially women and AFAB people -- without making anyone feel threatened, patronized, unnerved, or just generally shitty? Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by cabbage raccoon at 1:09 PM PST - 25 comments

We (m/m non-monogamous couple) have been in hard isolation since the middle of March, basically. We both have other partners that we've been seeing in a masked, socially distanced way. This isn't ideal and we miss them, but we both have pretty serious health issues that make it highly likely that a COVID infection would be disastrous. Now my partner's other partner wants to talk seriously about being able to have sex again, and I have concerns. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:02 PM PST - 13 comments

I used to live near a street called Rapelye in Brooklyn. Later, reading about my family history, I learned that—coincidentally—the street was named after an ancestor. (The family name was originally Rapareillet, Dutch-ified to Rapelje). The family farm was apparently in a different part of Brooklyn. I'm wondering how I could find out how a tiny street in Carroll Gardens happened to be named after someone in the family.
posted by pinochiette at 11:46 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm inspired by the other permanent marker question today. I love the old Extra Fine Tip Sharpies. They're between the standard "fine tip" sharpie and too-fine "ultra fine" -- kind of like a permanent felt-tip pen. I used them to write on paper (even though they would bleed). But now they're discontinued. [more inside]
posted by rdn at 10:51 AM PST - 10 comments

Do you know of any good online resources/tutorials for a 13-year-old who wants to learn how to type?
posted by shallowcenter at 10:50 AM PST - 8 comments

How is the term BIPOC supposed to be used? Is it supposed to only refer to Black and Indigenous people of color, or is it supposed to include Black, Indigenous, and all other people of color? [more inside]
posted by toastyk at 10:21 AM PST - 15 comments

I have a small business that has now outgrown its Wordpress e-commerce site (Frankensteined together by me, a non-techie). The site includes a blog and a remotely hosted podcast, and has become a bit of a monster to administer. How can I find a reliable developer/webmaster who will build me a new website that I can tweak as needed, and spend a couple hours a month administering it/troubleshooting? [more inside]
posted by Atrahasis at 9:54 AM PST - 5 comments

I am trying to find a comic by Chris Ware that I believe was printed about 15-25 years ago. It was about an early recording artist in the US who was black and recorded a "laughing song." [more inside]
posted by piratebowling at 9:26 AM PST - 3 comments

Two years ago, I moved to a new city for a great job. Job is still great (better than I expected, actually), but I'm very lonely and homesick outside of work. How do you learn to make a home when all the usual options are on lockdown? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:31 AM PST - 8 comments

What kind of caterpiller is this? can my son and I raise it to a beautiful butterfly? How? It's on a spruce tree if that helps.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:25 AM PST - 14 comments

I bought a bag of pretty-looking peaches whose mealy interiors are a disgrace to June peaches everywhere. Not edible even for a rather forgiving peach lover. [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 8:12 AM PST - 11 comments

I've heard mention of an unemployment compensation "clause" regarding continued payment after a furloughed employee has been called back to work, but can't find confirmation of this. [more inside]
posted by SoftSummerBreeze at 7:56 AM PST - 6 comments

What's a good choice for a permanent marker for a specific kitchen task? [more inside]
posted by LonnieK at 7:31 AM PST - 11 comments

Over the past 6 months I've developed a lot of lower belly fat that under certain circumstances makes me look oddly pregnant. The trouble is that this area *hurts* and is an ongoing source of pain, heaviness, and pressure. I also have a lot of lower back pain, a frequent need to pee, and frequent IBS-like symptoms. Is this just part and parcel of weight gain, or am I missing something?
posted by Kitchen Witch at 7:00 AM PST - 25 comments

I will be staying in Zurich for three months or so, working (but with no per diems). I'll be staying in a serviced apartment with a kitchen, which is great, but I know even for groceries/toiletries Zurich is known for its eye-watering prices. I'm currently in London — is there anything day-to-day I should bring with me that is outstandingly expensive to buy in Switzerland? I'm a woman, mid-thirties, looking forward to the great outdoors.
posted by teststrip at 2:21 AM PST - 12 comments

I've mentioned in several contexts here that I struggle with PTSD. I'm very underemployed, so my economy is in free fall. I need to do something now, and I 'm not doing and haven't for several months on end. How can I get myself to do something for me? [more inside]
posted by mumimor at 1:51 AM PST - 10 comments

This seems like it should be fairly straightforward, but I find I keep struggling with describing this when I'm asked about my heritage. Both my parents are/were from a different country than the one where I grew up and live. Before one of my parents died, I would respond 'My parents are Xish, I was born here'. [more inside]
posted by rrose selavy at 1:11 AM PST - 21 comments

Hi, AskMe. :) I come to you with a question out of my childhood, just because it's been on my mind tonight and I'd love some information if you have any. When I was a kid in the 90s, I had access to an audio version of the World Book ENcyclopedia. I"m 99% sure it was the WorldBook. It came on audio tape and had some kind of analog indexing system. [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 8:19 PM PST - 7 comments

I am a university lecturer in Oz. I teach, among other things, film and media. Part of that is showing films to the class, everything from contemporary cinema and blockbusters to public domain but difficult to source material. Group screenings previously happened via DVD on campus but we have moved online. [more inside]
posted by geek anachronism at 7:43 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm not holding it together very well and was struggling even before the pandemic hit. I'm overwhelmed and alone and need practical help, preferably that's not just "call this phone number." [more inside]
posted by cabingirl at 7:38 PM PST - 35 comments

Please help me find casual shoes, not running shoes, that meet these criteria for motion control and anti-pronation. [more inside]
posted by falcon42 at 6:31 PM PST - 5 comments

Living with bunch of roommates in the Bay Area. I want out. Complicating factors: rent strike, vindictive landlord, COVID-19. Please advise. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:14 PM PST - 17 comments

What are the best items to order in a cafe or restaurant, to ensure the best profit margins for the business? I’ve heard that coffees are quite cheap to make, and obviously a glass of wine has a large markup. Will the most expensive thing on the menu necessarily translate to to more profit?
posted by Naanwhal at 6:14 PM PST - 9 comments

For decades, we were told to cover up to avoid skin cancer. But then in the past year or two I started seeing articles around saying that actually some sun exposure was good, and that avoiding the sun could actually be harmful. What's the latest thinking on this?
posted by The corpse in the library at 5:32 PM PST - 12 comments

I am reading L. M. Montgomery's Emily of New Moon series for the first time and I have a couple questions - one plot-related and one where I'm curious what the characters are doing. [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 4:35 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm looking for a wall sconce shade for this lightbulb that's in my enclosed porch. Picture here. I feel like something has to exist to cover this without it looking silly, but I cannot find it and feel like I'm missing a Google search term or something. [more inside]
posted by Sparky Buttons at 3:20 PM PST - 19 comments

Is there a time limit by which a merchant must "complete" a credit card transaction? That is, if you sign the receipt on DATE, is there a maximum number of days they have to actually complete the transaction through their credit card processor or otherwise they forfeit your money? [more inside]
posted by mccxxiii at 2:13 PM PST - 8 comments

I’m looking for hair styling products for my thick, cowlick-ridden, straight hair. Its texture is somewhere between fine and coarse (but closer to coarse). After going without a haircut for three months due to Covid, it's medium length (maybe 6” or so on top?). I'd like to style it into something like a quiff—swept backwards loosely, maybe with a little volume in the front, but not slick and combed like a pompadour. [more inside]
posted by jroybal at 2:04 PM PST - 5 comments

I bought 12 black racerback tank tops from Garage in the mall in the late 2000s. They are all falling apart because it has been literal decades. Help me find a replacement! [more inside]
posted by euphoria066 at 2:01 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm doing a family tree for an acquaintance whose surname is familiar in Quebec and which I had always taken to be Italian. Some digging has turned up the interesting information that in fact it's probably of Hungarian origin, but has undergone lexical transformations. I want to see if it's possible to find out what it originally was. [more inside]
posted by zadcat at 1:20 PM PST - 5 comments

I throw our coffee grounds in the vegetable garden as a cheap fertilizer/pest repellent. Can I do the same thing with tea leaves? [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot at 1:11 PM PST - 11 comments

We moved to Winston Salem, and we want to use a credit union. What are your recommendations? [more inside]
posted by The Vice Admiral of the Narrow Seas at 12:48 PM PST - 3 comments

We live in Wellesley, but would love a larger house, more land, and a pool--none of which are really an option at our price point in our town. I'm looking for suggestions of towns further out that might be viable relocation options. [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 10:31 AM PST - 14 comments

My youngest turned two. Only three weeks ago. Twice now she has escaped from her crib at night. We found her asleep in the rocking chair in her room this morning. I don't know how she's getting out. It doesn't seem to be with the help of other objects in the room. I'm sure this will lead to all kinds of shenannigans. It seems like we will now have to transition her to a bed. Advice? [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 9:31 AM PST - 29 comments

My bilingual son is doing some interesting things with language. Parents of bilingual kids, is this something that you saw? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 9:26 AM PST - 14 comments

We are shopping for a new mattress. We're not yet sold on any particular brand or material yet. However, we find that most reviews online are done in the 'honeymoon' period, when the mattress is new. The few that are longer-term reviews often say things like, "this mattress was awesome for the first two years and then it started sagging and causing backaches". So, good people, can those of you that have had a mattress that retained its form and comfort for many years please tell us what brand and model you have? Our back, hips, knees, and brains thank you!
posted by Don_K at 9:01 AM PST - 31 comments

In recent weeks, I'm realizing my current position at my place of work may be more tenuous than I thought. It feels like the big boss is unhappy with my work/me and possibly "out to get me". In addition to measures I'll take to not get canned, is there anything I should/could be documenting for potential legal considerations, and any reason to do so? Details below. [more inside]
posted by RajahKing at 8:47 AM PST - 8 comments

Are there high-quality studies that show that turmeric is anti-inflammatory? [more inside]
posted by aniola at 8:42 AM PST - 7 comments

We are interested in purchasing one of those modular backyard sheds where they ship it flat pack to you and you hire a contractor to install it and lay foundation, add electrical, etc. It would be used solely for an office for me and my husband. Are any of these costs tax deductible? [more inside]
posted by KatNips at 8:33 AM PST - 9 comments

We don't have room in our homes or lives for hard shell kayaks. We mostly paddle on gentle waters. We would like the option of bringing a picnic along for the ride. Do you have an inflatable kayak or have experience with them? Give us your tips, recommendations, things to look for!
posted by amanda at 8:28 AM PST - 15 comments

There's a person I need to occasionally contact. He's responsible for a lot of my childhood trauma and currently descending into what we suspect to be frontotemporal dementia, with a marked decline in empathy and increase in aggression (verbal, thus far). I'm the only person still talking to him maybe once a month, and each time I'm shaken to the bone. What can I do to make the stress pass more quickly? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:13 AM PST - 10 comments

A French woman ("Mme. Toché") came to Brazil in 1907 to give a conference and enlisted the help of Brazilian journalist João do Rio (the narrator). I can more or less understand Portuguese, but this is Brazilian Portuguese from 1907 there's a part in the article that I have trouble figuring out. Article extract below the fold. [more inside]
posted by elgilito at 6:50 AM PST - 2 comments

Wanted: queer poets of any era who wrote English verse in Common Meter or in another frequently used hymn meter. (If you can sing it to the tune of something commonly sung in American churches, or to the tune of something you learned in summer camp — or, yes, to the Gilligan's Island theme — it probably counts. Emily Dickinson and Blake are famous examples of this. If it's in iambic pentameter, like most of Shakespeare or Milton, it doesn't count.) [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone at 6:45 AM PST - 7 comments

Someone who is very close to me has a conversation style that is interesting at best, deeply frustrating at worst. Whenever they engage in this manner of discussing something with me I find it difficult not to get annoyed. How can I deal with it better, as a grown-up? [more inside]
posted by gmb at 6:10 AM PST - 39 comments

I'd like to ask someone for a testimonial, but I don't want them to feel bad or awkward if they don't want to give me one. How do I do this? I'd like to give them an easy way out if they want to say no. [more inside]
posted by iamsuper at 5:26 AM PST - 7 comments

A meme I saw some time ago (which I unfortunately can no longer locate) contrasted how Westen superheroes wear masks versus East Asian ones. The Western heroes tended to hide their upper face but keep their mouths exposed, while the Eastern heroes were more likely to hide their mouths but expose their eyes (and particularly their eyebrows). Is there some kind of cultural thing going on here? [more inside]
posted by destrius at 12:49 AM PST - 10 comments

Having previously asked about how to reform my chest freezer so I didn't hate it to death and implemented some of your suggestions, I have decided I can't take it anymore and I have to buy an upright. Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, and all the local appliance stores are out of stock. Sears won't have what I want until September. It seems unlikely that anyone is going to ship me a freezer that I order online. Am I just shit out of luck?
posted by HotToddy at 8:22 PM PST - 13 comments

"Quakers will have the moral upper hand, and porridge." Is this a saying or related to one? [more inside]
posted by Orlop at 7:16 PM PST - 21 comments

My hundred year old bedroom closet is neglected and haunted by terrible craftsmanship and I want to transform it into a smart storage space. It is currently inefficient and depressing to open in the morning. Here is a photo of the closet. The bedroom is miniscule too, and I want to make this closet the only place where this season's clothes are kept. Can you tell me what you, or Bobby Berk and Tan France would do? [more inside]
posted by oxisos at 6:58 PM PST - 8 comments

Recently, I've run across two pretty good songs about the current pandemic: Lockdown Blues by Iceage and 2020 Vision by Danny Schmidt. I'm figuring there must already be lots of songs specifically about this. I'd like to hear more. What do you got? [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:15 PM PST - 29 comments

It’s time to deposit the haul from my daughter’s bat mitzvah, and we’d like to put the money into a savings-type situation where it could do the least evil (in terms of big banks) and hopefully even do the most good. Any suggestions? Are there Black-owned local banks that you would particularly recommend? Low-risk investments that focus on Black communities? Thanks for your suggestions!
posted by ericbop at 6:07 PM PST - 3 comments

My brother's gf asked if I could include her brother on my drive to visit them later this week. I declined, mainly due to mental health concerns. Am I being reasonable? [more inside]
posted by stella1 at 4:28 PM PST - 47 comments

I'm writing a fictional character who's an MD, though I haven't yet determined what kind of doc he is. I was initially thinking a surgeon of some sort, because he may be facing a malpractice suit. But I may jettison that plot line. Right now, I just want to try on different ideas. If you have firsthand knowledge, can you generalize about the types of people who go into different specialities? I also welcome stories of people who subvert stereotypes. Thank you!
posted by swheatie at 4:24 PM PST - 4 comments

Any suggestions for how to achieve a good co-parenting relationship when you plan to separate from your partner while a new baby is on the way? [more inside]
posted by CosmicSeeker42 at 4:11 PM PST - 7 comments

Help me identify a (British) bird call from a not very good recording. [more inside]
posted by pipeski at 2:41 PM PST - 8 comments

I've never been much of a sleeper and have often suffered from insomnia. Lately it occurred to me that I don't enjoy sleeping and I'd like to change that. Sleeping has become even more annoying and difficult these last few months as I've suffered a worsening tear in my rotator cuff and no positions are comfortable. [more inside]
posted by iamkimiam at 2:18 PM PST - 16 comments

What's your favourite mask and why? [more inside]
posted by zamboni at 1:49 PM PST - 17 comments

What books can I recommend to my father that might make him actually question his staunchly Republican, pro-Trump political stance? Middle-of-the-road stuff he might actually read, rather than "left wing trash" he would toss in disgust. [more inside]
posted by timepiece at 1:42 PM PST - 27 comments

After braving COVID-19 in our Manhattan apartment with no childcare, full-time jobs, and 16-month-old twins, Mr. Millipede and I are looking to sell said apartment and decamp to an enormously big house with outdoor space and nature and a spare room so next time there's a global pandemic, family can come quarantine with us and help. We are city people, but we appreciate a quaint town. We know this will be a big change. We have some questions. [more inside]
posted by millipede at 12:48 PM PST - 23 comments

When I wear a cloth face mask the material starts to pull in/stick to my face a bit around my nose and mouth as I breathe in. I know that means I'm getting a good fit, but it annoys the shit out of me, especially on longer walks where my mask gets humid. Does anyone make a frame that I can put over/under my cloth mask to keep it farther away from my face? I'm picturing like a little plastic cage that goes under my mask and gives me some breathing room within it, sort of short-dog-snout shaped. [more inside]
posted by c'mon sea legs at 12:36 PM PST - 6 comments

I need to replace the flapper in the tank of my Toto toilet. I bought a random "Toto compatible" flapper on Amazon and it doesn't work reliably. It runs a lot and has to be fiddled with to sit properly and cut off the flow of water. [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 12:35 PM PST - 10 comments

I enjoy a mobile puzzle game called Fill (Google Play, browser-playable knockoff). You're given a grid with some number of cells blocked out and a starting position. The object is to fill all of the remaining cells using a single continuous line. I can easily generate puzzles of this sort with dice and graph paper, but is there any way that I, a functioning innumerate, can know with certainty if a given configuration is solvable? [more inside]
posted by wreckingball at 12:34 PM PST - 23 comments

Considering a move from Brooklyn to Richmond, Virginia! Tell me everything I need to know! [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 12:12 PM PST - 16 comments

I want to be inspired by female characters who are able to say difficult things, articulate their needs, and create honest, meaningful relationships. [more inside]
posted by Frenchy67 at 10:49 AM PST - 21 comments

I got a fire 7 kids edition for my 5-year-old. I mainly got it for him to use to skype with his grandparents. I'm *possibly* interested in a few other apps (The camera. Maybe an educational game or two, maybe a browser restricted to a couple of sites), though skype-only would be okay. But when I set it up (with Freetime unlimited), the home screen fills with an endless stream of incredibly enticing/distracting content options. Is there a way to set it up without all those icons?
posted by ManInSuit at 10:27 AM PST - 12 comments

My desktop has been having really annoying wifi issues, think dropping connection briefly every 15 seconds, and I think I've narrowed it down to being a card issue. I'd love recommendations on a wifi card that will work well and hopefully eliminate the frustrating drops! [more inside]
posted by Carillon at 10:13 AM PST - 9 comments

So I just found out that as an ex-wife who was a stay at home Mom during our marriage, now that I am old enough to get Social Security, I will get half as much as my ex-spouse. I mean I know I can't change the policy of the SSA, but can someone please explain to me the policy reasons behind giving one partner half the amount of the other. When married, we agreed that we wanted someone home to be with kids, and one to be out earning the money for the entire family. [more inside]
posted by mmf at 10:03 AM PST - 17 comments

I work at a doctors office in a major metropolitan area. Since we have been back from COVID lockdown, the regulations have been feeble at best, and the environment in the office is so toxic and cliqueish to begin with, my being a vocal, outspoken former hypochondriac with OCD tendencies is not only getting me into trouble somehow, but also has led to a bit of bullying from my apathetic, thinks this virus is somehow political, coworkers [more inside]
posted by Quincy at 9:47 AM PST - 7 comments

I seem to remember reading, many years ago now, about a Japanese word that refers specifically to the kind of love that manifests as a deep contentment on feeling one's lover warming their cold feet on one's body. Is there actually such a word? Bonus points: where am I likely to have read about it?
posted by flabdablet at 7:45 AM PST - 5 comments

I am getting a nasal swab test for Covid today because of a possible exposure. It is a free test and I don't know what the qualifications are of the testers. [more inside]
posted by Tim Bucktooth at 7:33 AM PST - 24 comments

What are some good blogs/sites that are like kottke.org? [more inside]
posted by JPowers at 7:00 AM PST - 9 comments

I need a roofer who can do a small (I hope!) repair job where some shingles have fallen off my roof. Previous roofer-finding methods seem not to work anymore. How can I find one? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 6:43 AM PST - 8 comments

I've been back at drawing and sketching a bit for the past couple of years, and I'm wondering if I should be looking at a drawing tablet for what I want to be doing, but I've got no idea where to start. [more inside]
posted by Ghidorah at 3:51 AM PST - 9 comments

Can anyone explain why out-of-print books sometimes roller-coaster so dramatically in price from one day to the next on Amazon Marketplace? I ask because my own book got some unexpected publicity recently, which sent used copies on a wild price ride. Most recently, the book's price there has moved from £3,722.99 to £3,764.99 to unavailable in the space of just four days. There doesn't seem to be any change in supply to explain this. What am I failing to understand? [more inside]
posted by Paul Slade at 1:17 AM PST - 7 comments

Don't shout at me. I'm not American. But this question just came to mind. I would kinda assume that it's part of the curriculum in the US? Anyway the context is that it's one of the most powerful and eloquent and straightforwardly true things I've ever read. I actually remember reading it for the first time right now. I got tears in my eyes. [more inside]
posted by Pyrogenesis at 12:51 AM PST - 29 comments

My desktop twitter account has stopped displaying any images at all. Well, maybe a couple of the account circles are filled in, but it's mostly a landscape of gray circles and colored squares and white non-playing video squares. This is disturbing enough, but my phone's twitter feed is not only fully populated with expected images but also has entries in it which are not part of my desktop feed first time ever for that. Any experience with this? Also weird deletions of tweets as I was making them. So surreal. Feels like gaslighting. Help?
posted by hippybear at 11:16 PM PST - 12 comments

I know that most animal cells are about the same size; an elephant just has many more cells than a mouse, say. But what about animals that are already so small you can't see them except in a microscope, like dust mites? (I know that amoebas etc are single celled organisms, I'm talking about mites which are arachnids) how can they have normal sized cells when they are practically the same size as animal cells?
posted by Pastor of Muppets at 10:00 PM PST - 5 comments

One tenant signed lease renewal, other three roommates decided to vacate. What to do? [more inside]
posted by The Hamms Bear at 8:47 PM PST - 13 comments

Is there a way to cope when I've never been in love, am unhappy about it, have been unhappy about it for years, and don't see it realistically changing soon? [more inside]
posted by ChoiceSorbet at 8:00 PM PST - 19 comments

It’s becoming more apparent that I’m gonna need to update my iMac’s aging OS and I need replacement ideas for Adobe programs. [more inside]
posted by jabo at 5:53 PM PST - 10 comments

I received the $1200 from the US Government in stimulus funds. However, I had a baby after January 1st this year and did not receive the $500 child benefit, probably because my child was not listed as a dependent on my 2019 taxes. Is it possible for me to receive the $500, and if so, how do I do that? My sleep-deprived self has not been able to find the answer on the IRS website, please help.
posted by epanalepsis at 5:38 PM PST - 3 comments

Should I get tested for ADHD as a 30-something adult woman? Also, if I have ADHD, what are the next steps? [more inside]
posted by octopodiatrist at 5:14 PM PST - 15 comments

I wrote a short story about a (fictional) pretentious artist making a new installation which relies heavily on extreme UV light. Only I didn't quite realize that the room would be dark, not bright. Oops. Trying to fix this. More below the fold. [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 5:09 PM PST - 17 comments

Hello, my dearest MetaFiltereans. My grandfather recently suffered a serious medical episode that sent him to the hospital and will require a long recovery. He's back home now, but he'd love your cutest and funniest animal videos to cheer him up. Thank you so much for your help!
posted by DavidNYC at 3:55 PM PST - 25 comments

A friend of mine is trying to track down a poem she half-remembers. The difficulty is that she read it in translation. It was originally in Spanish, she believes. This was her message to her friends:

I thought it might have been a translation of Neruda, but it’s not in any of my books. Googling the line has not produced any results. The line I as I remember is “what courage did it take to fill the empty spaces of your map with bloodstains”.

[more inside]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 12:56 PM PST - 1 comment

Posting this question for a friend: Each year, I claim my daughter as a dependent on my tax return. My ex-partner does not work and does not file taxes. However, she claimed the pandemic child benefit ($500) before I submitted my taxes this year. [more inside]
posted by swheatie at 11:58 AM PST - 3 comments

My new job is extremely fast-paced social media manager / graphic designer. I work freelance and supply all of my own equipment. My 2015 Macbook Air just is seemingly not cutting it. I'm eyeing a new 13" MacBook Pro (1.4GHz quad‑core 8th‑generation Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz, 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory, 256GB SSD storage) but is there anything else I should consider before I hit "purchase"? More details inside. [more inside]
posted by seemoorglass at 11:57 AM PST - 16 comments

If you've tried an exercise bike desk, would you recommend one? I imagine it being a little uncomfortable on the butt. Is there a particular one you would recommend? I'm basically too lazy for a standing desk but I'd like to get some movement into my day.
posted by kitcat at 11:41 AM PST - 9 comments

At the beginning I binged all kinds of technical articles about the latest in COVID research and felt that I was almost keeping up with available science. Then I burned out. I am hoping to find a recent, accessible but not overly simplistic overview of what we now know about COVID transmission, treatment, research etc. [more inside]
posted by latkes at 9:51 AM PST - 15 comments

If it’s not depression then what is it? [more inside]
posted by Asian_Hunnie at 9:31 AM PST - 20 comments

How differently can two people perceive the same person and why? Not chatfilter (I hope) - the question comes of a specific event which has now been tickling my brain for several days. [more inside]
posted by Crystal Fox at 9:31 AM PST - 16 comments

I am in a customer-facing role, and my workplace is planning a limited reopening to the public. Because of some snowflake details (within), I'm worried that the full public health implications of reopening haven't been considered. Can you help me brainstorm questions / suggestions for management? [more inside]
posted by toastedcheese at 9:27 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm looking for simple meals that invoke a feeling. I have access to your average, middle America grocery store. Let's say you're spending a few days alone at a cabin in the woods. The weather is beautiful, you're in your comfiest PJs and all is right with the world. What simple vegetarian/vegan meal do you make for yourself?
posted by ChodenKal at 6:24 AM PST - 53 comments

There is a series of audiobooks that are only available in certain territories at Bookbeats.com. I would like to sign up for the two week free trail at Bookbeats in one of those territories, but it is out of my country (US). [more inside]
posted by silsurf at 4:54 AM PST - 5 comments

Over a year ago, we moved into a house with a mottled, matte concrete countertop, probably sealed with penetrating sealer. We've just been cleaning it with vinegar/water or with general purpose cleaning sprays. It's developing wear but so far seems okay. But I see recommendations online to periodically wax and seal concrete countertops. What's really necessary and why? [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 4:48 AM PST - 6 comments

For instance I know there's some animus between Yorkshiremen and Lancastrians. Do they have special insults for each other? Yorkie Pies or something? Or Glaswegians vs. Edinburghers? Or Scousers vs. Mancs? Has anyone made a local insult guide to the UK?
posted by rileyray3000 at 3:40 AM PST - 16 comments

Google is confusing me: what are some good wireless headset options or setups for streaming with audio (and maybe video) commentary from a Nintendo Switch? [more inside]
posted by divabat at 3:19 AM PST - 1 comment

I have read multiple times in German media that women are more frequently myopic than men. Is there any recent-ish study corroborrating that or have they all been parroting each other for the past ~15 years? Asking because I don't want to quote this information if it turns out to be ridiculously outdated.
posted by Omnomnom at 1:21 AM PST - 4 comments

I've been in therapy for the past five years flip-flopping between two modes of solving a problem:  That my job/industry is not for me, and we need to figure out what else I can do VS. I genuinely don't know what else I can do, so until then I can learn coping mechanisms for dealing with my career which I have trapped myself in.  I feel like I've hit a wall with both of these strategies and don't know what to do next. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:17 AM PST - 29 comments

The DMV is only taking drop-off and mail-in registrations for new car purchases, because of COVID. I didn't realize the turnaround for them to mail the plates is ten days. Does anyone know any workarounds for this? We have non-negotiable plans to take care of family out of state sooner than that, and I could sure use some help. [more inside]
posted by mahorn at 10:16 PM PST - 4 comments

Hello, all. Help me think more clearly about that ol' question: Should I finish the PhD or not? Now with pandemic-related complications! This is a total brain dump, and probably sort of hilarious. Contingencies abound. Sooo many more snowflaky details inside... [more inside]
posted by Orlando_Vita at 9:00 PM PST - 15 comments

Whenever rain is depicted in a film, it's a downpour. Right? I've seen a thousand scenes in movies that take place during a gullywhumper, but I don't know if I've seen any that show a milder type that in the real world makes up 90% or so of rainfalls. Know of any scenes in movies that depict a mist, a drizzle, perhaps a "wintry mix"? Fill me in below, please! I'm not formally researching this; I'm just curious about what seems to be a consistent misrepresentation of weather in film.
posted by Mechitar at 5:52 PM PST - 20 comments

When I was an urchin back in the early 1940s my mother sometimes had me along while visiting her friends. The conversations I remember were about women's health issues. They did not expect the urchin was listening and still wants to know what on earth were they talking about some 75 some odd years ago. [more inside]
posted by Raybun at 5:48 PM PST - 9 comments

While I realize that there are lots of different types of synesthesia, a common example is seeing numbers as being specific colors. But, say, if "6" is "blue" and "9" is "red," how would someone with synesthesia experience a 6 being slowly turned upside down into a 9? [more inside]
posted by Bugbread at 5:46 PM PST - 8 comments

My friend's daughter (early 20's) has talked about possible catastrophe, a genuine apocalypse in their lifetime from climate Change. While talking (to my limited knowledge) about the real dangers we are facing, I realize that she is anxious right now from Covid quarantine, and the coming election. How can I talk to her about this?
posted by ebesan at 5:42 PM PST - 16 comments

My YMCA has reopened, and is starting to offer cardio classes for a "limited number" of participants. My previous class mostly included people 45-70 years old, and usually had about 22 participants. I feel emotionally that the Y is making poor decisions offering cardio classes in enclosed spaces without masks, but I'm not sure what the scientific evidence is. Instructions who have chosen not to start their classes because of Covid worries have been told they would be terminated. Am I being too cautious? Or is the Y losing the narrative?
posted by Malla at 4:51 PM PST - 12 comments

I'd like to install one or two rain chains at my house. There are lots of options online, but I am thinking about making them instead. I can get the chains easily, but where would I find metal cups or buckets? Or is there another interesting item to use? [more inside]
posted by bluedaisy at 4:32 PM PST - 2 comments

My manager, who is a highly successful and capable woman, says “irregardless”. My instinct is to leave well enough alone, but if it were me, I would be absolutely mortified and want to correct that ASAP. What’s the ethical course of action?
posted by Dragonness at 3:53 PM PST - 44 comments

This sweet doggo literally followed me home last night from over a half a mile away. No collar, no microchip. I put a pic up on a lost pets Facebook group but right now it looks like I have a new dog. And I need to call him something. That’s right, it’s time for a dog naming post!!! Preferences/description inside. [more inside]
posted by Weeping_angel at 1:58 PM PST - 70 comments

I wanted to get my Dad coffee from Go Coffee Go for Father's Day. I am having technical difficulties. Anyone have an actual phone number so that I can actually call them? I suspect that there are technical issues going on that they may or may not be aware of. [more inside]
posted by 101cats at 1:21 PM PST - 2 comments

I am very overweight, have high blood pressure (very well controlled), and diabetes type 2 (not so well controlled). I have sleep apnea and can't tolerate a C-PAP machine. And last year I had a small stroke. For my entire life I have been absolutely unable to motivate myself to move my butt. I have been working with a therapist for a long time and we talk about this issue regularly. I'm afraid I'm going to die or--more likely--become disabled. [more inside]
posted by primate moon at 1:03 PM PST - 39 comments

I'm looking for a stylus which works well with the 1st generation iPad Air, for sketching etc. Reviews are all over the place. Does anyone have any recommendations?
posted by Kiwi at 12:36 PM PST - 4 comments

We have these placemats from Ikea. The other illustrations are pretty clear--pear, bell pepper, avocado, etc. What the heck is this thing in the middle?
posted by stillmoving at 12:19 PM PST - 34 comments

How can I interact with an old iPhone with a broken screen to get data off of it? [more inside]
posted by rouftop at 11:54 AM PST - 6 comments

Here Is a plant that is in my garden. When I moved here ten years ago it was on the deck in a pot. Do you know what it is? [more inside]
posted by shibori at 11:54 AM PST - 6 comments

Is there any way to get a product from Made.com (a rug) in the United States? They do not ship there.
posted by lewedswiver at 11:47 AM PST - 3 comments

After some symptoms took me to the gynecologist (previously I'd been getting checks from my family practitioner), it looks like I have some issues that will result in a hysterectomy. But the question of a bladder sling has come up, so I'm hoping to get advice. Medical stuff about innards to follow. [more inside]
posted by PussKillian at 11:13 AM PST - 12 comments

I am looking for the most snowflake of masks: (A) multi-layer (preferably 3+), (B) multiple types of fabrics (details inside), (C) nose wire, (D) adjustable ties with a toggle, and (E) pleated. If the pleating is not possible though, so bet it. I have found masks with some of these characteristics but none with all five (or even just A through D). I cannot sew worth a damn and have no sewing machine so making my own is not an option. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:06 AM PST - 6 comments

What to purchase with a small budget to improve a HyFlex or totally online course? [more inside]
posted by cycleback at 10:54 AM PST - 4 comments

I have an iPhone 6s with up to date OS, and a relatively modern iMac (i5) that I unfortunately updated to Catalina. Since the update I have been almost unable to load music (or audiobooks) onto the phone. I now use Bound for audiobooks and dl content from Dropbox. I desperately need a way to do something similar for music. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by OmieWise at 10:38 AM PST - 4 comments

I checked to see who is on my ballot for tomorrow's New York State Democratic primary and aside from the expected races of presidential primary, congressional representative and state senator, there are also races for "delegate to national convention" and "female state committee." What is the "delegate to national convention" race? [more inside]
posted by andrewesque at 10:04 AM PST - 10 comments

We are moving across country and our car died in desert in Arizona. We'd like to get a rental car and get going on our way, but what can we do with the car itself? [more inside]
posted by amoeba at 9:59 AM PST - 4 comments

The world has changed and we're not likely to ever truly go back. Can you help me with specific product suggestions in the lighting, microphone, webcam, and headphone realm based upon some snowflake-but-probably-not-all-that-unusual criteria and budget specifications? I want to make sure I'm not making a terrible mistake before I recommend/purchase a non-trivial number on a finite budget with as little regret as possible. [more inside]
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:26 AM PST - 9 comments

A companion and I would like to go on a weekend getaway / road trip. Help me figure out how to make this both safe and enjoyable in the time of COVID. [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 8:25 AM PST - 13 comments

My sister's landlord is selling the place. She's getting ready to move out now so that's fine, but should we reveal apt issues to the broker? [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 8:01 AM PST - 16 comments

Got a couple of tweens (11- and 13-years old) hanging around the house this summer. Though we have a basic daily plan, we could use some prompts to inspire self-directed "learning" of a carefree, summery sort. [more inside]
posted by dreamphone at 7:39 AM PST - 21 comments

So I'm trying to get to the bottom of UK garden allotments. According to wikipedia (HERE) "Each plot cannot exceed forty square rods (1000 m2) and must be used for the production of fruit or vegetables for consumption by the plot-holder and their family (1922), or of flowers for use by the plot-holder and their family." So you can't sell the extra at a farmer's market?
posted by rileyray3000 at 7:25 AM PST - 3 comments

Shit happened and I gained 30kg. When I stand up or walk for more than 20 minutes (and I used to be able to walk all day) the back muscles just above my butt scream. I also have a huge front (breasts & belly). Is there anything I can do to ameliorate the back pain while I lose weight? (Extra difficulty: recovery from respiratory disorder that leaves me severely fatigued everyday. )
posted by b33j at 5:56 AM PST - 21 comments

I’m turning to the wisdom of the green to help me buy a pre-built gaming desktop computer. There are too few reviews, and I’m just not at all up to speed on how to compare and evaluate specs. Also, in-stock seems to be a challenge right now, so it's less about the ideal computer at this price point and more about selecting from what is readily available. [more inside]
posted by walkinginsunshine at 5:34 AM PST - 7 comments

I live in the UK, and recently procured a US-made small guitar amp, wired for US use. I am horribly ignorant about electrical currents. I presume I need some sort of converter (beyond the basic US/UK plug converter) so I can rock out without blowing up my apartment. But which one do I need? Amp is a Harmony Model H510. Specs are 117V 60Hz 22 Amp. Any tips really appreciated!
posted by Jellybean_Slybun at 5:28 AM PST - 9 comments

When costumes from TV shows are labelled 'Hero' by the wardrobe department, what does it mean? [more inside]
posted by penguin pie at 5:05 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm in Tenerife, Spain. I have two broken Pixel 3A phones. I would like to get them refurbished by Google so that I can resell them. I can't work out how to do this. [more inside]
posted by jpziller at 4:48 AM PST - 1 comment

I need to get over my fears so I can host a moderated panel event this week. Complication: I used to have a stalker and the group I'm representing has haters. [more inside]
posted by Pademelon at 4:33 AM PST - 4 comments

Yesterday Mr. eirias noticed that the back glass on his iPhone 8 is shattered, one of those spiderweb patterns that would be beautiful if it didn’t indicate damage to an expensive pocket computer. He has his phone in a case that fully encapsulates the back except for the camera. How critical is it to replace the glass?
posted by eirias at 4:02 AM PST - 5 comments

Being bullied in middle- and high-school have really impacted on my self-esteem as an adult. In addition to therapy, which I am undergoing, does anyone have any advice, "hacks", resources etc to share with me? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 3:19 AM PST - 7 comments

In western Mass, in an average big lake (I care most about this lake, SW of Greenfield), what range of the year is swimmable without a wetsuit? I'm happy swimming when both air and water temps are at least 60F/15C (and if air and water temps are often different in MA, let's say my standard is a water temp of 60 or above).
posted by kalapierson at 1:04 AM PST - 5 comments

Most novels written by men have pretty awful female characters. I can't explain in what ways they are awful, except that they seem to be identified more by their sexual characteristics than as human beings. I'd really like some recommendations of male novelists who write women well.
posted by Chasuk at 9:36 PM PST - 48 comments

Partner has fluctuating levels of motivation for treatment/change. I have fluctuating levels of interest in another person in my life. What to do. [more inside]
posted by unstrungharp at 9:20 PM PST - 14 comments

Giving our dogs Trifexis (a combined flea and heartworm preventative) has always been a bit traumatic, so I've started grinding up the pills to powder in a mortar and pestle and mixing them with wet food. [more inside]
posted by slappy_pinchbottom at 9:17 PM PST - 4 comments

Should I visit friends in Phoenix AZ during Covid 19? [more inside]
posted by ljs30 at 8:29 PM PST - 22 comments

We have an old home from 1929. The basement does not smell like fresh spring air, for sure! As a result, when our HVAC runs the AC the air that comes through does not smell awesome. Can we do anything? [more inside]
posted by anya32 at 6:49 PM PST - 12 comments

Recently the Groups feed on my Facebook app has started showing posts from groups I'm not in (but that FB thinks I would enjoy, I guess?) The problem is that they clog up the feed and makes it hard to read the posts from the actual groups I'm subscribed to. Is there a way to hide these?
posted by cozenedindigo at 5:38 PM PST - 6 comments

You know those cordless grass shears? Example. I am reading a lot of conflicting information about what they can cut. Some people say small branches, other people say nothing but grass and even then it gets bogged down if the grass is too thick or dry. I would consider springing for these if they would help me trim back English ivy, lemon balm, dead Siberian iris foliage, etc. Or is there some other tool that would help me do this? Traditional hand tools are getting to be too hard for me to use.
posted by HotToddy at 5:07 PM PST - 4 comments

Seeking your ideas for a day or two of staycation that will not involve traveling more than half a mile from home, on foot. [more inside]
posted by ferret branca at 3:48 PM PST - 19 comments

Because of no elective surgeries allowed during the covid lock-down, I chose to get a Cologuard screening vs a colonoscopy. The doctor told me my insurance would cover it 100%. He was wrong. [more inside]
posted by SageTrail at 3:23 PM PST - 4 comments

It’s the end of a beautiful tropical yellow road for my iPhone 5c. My phone call quality has plummeted this year, so I'd like advice on what phone to buy next, while 1) buying used, 2) staying in the Apple ecosystem, and 3) preparing for 5G. [more inside]
posted by Slothrop at 2:03 PM PST - 17 comments

I’m a midwestern transplant to the Philly area where I’ve lived for 13 years but now need recommendations for where to move in the twin cities area with a family. Looking for personal experience with different neighborhoods/suburbs and commentary on raising a family there. Also asking here because we’re not ready to share with most of my family/friends quite yet! [more inside]
posted by moshimosh at 1:56 PM PST - 25 comments

I have an idea for an audio-muxing system to transmit multi-track audio over a standard analog transmission. I am wondering what would be required to build this... [more inside]
posted by symbioid at 12:20 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm in the market for an immersion blender. Many appear to have reviews criticizing their flimsiness and poor durability. Please recommend an immersion blender that is durable and robust - and ideally not nightmarish to clean. Thanks!
posted by ClaireBear at 11:30 AM PST - 27 comments

Lots of articles this morning, including the NYT, talking about how the kpop fans spamming Trump's Tulsa rally hijacked it, how? [more inside]
posted by Cosine at 11:08 AM PST - 29 comments

In the past few years, I've found it harder to concentrate on reading for pleasure- I keep making it only halfway through books. But I miss my voracious reading days! So I need a recommendation for a book that's so engaging that I'll actually look forward to picking it back up. [more inside]
posted by quiet coyote at 11:06 AM PST - 46 comments

I haven't painted a room in decades. Please walk me through it from start to finish. It's a bedroom, currently a bright color and going to a muted, lighter color. The walls are all in good shape (no repairs needed) and the ceiling doesn't need to be repainted. [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 10:54 AM PST - 21 comments

My soon-to-be ex boss did something really insulting on Friday and I am having a hard time letting go of my anger about it. What would you recommend? [more inside]
posted by Kitchen Witch at 10:28 AM PST - 23 comments

We are growing vegetables in raised boxes, and they happen to have a lot of these mushrooms growing in them. They look kind of cool, but a) what are they and b) should we be concerned about the vegetables (particularly the root ones)? [more inside]
posted by vernondalhart at 10:27 AM PST - 7 comments

What precautions should I not forget to take as I travel home finally? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:06 AM PST - 14 comments

What are some great apps and games for kids age 4-7? They can be educational or just mindless fun. Some favorites include Subway Surfer and Fruit Ninja. The only requirement is that they be playable offline, like in the car. Thank you!
posted by malhouse at 9:15 AM PST - 1 comment

I have a 10x10 chain link dog pen like this one (it contains chickens, not dogs) I'd like to move it to a different spot in my slightly rough lawn every month or so without enlisting extra helpers to potentially get covered in chicken manure. I easily moved and assembled the panels myself, but is there a way to slide it in one piece with one person? I was thinking of using PVC pipes to make smooth rails to slide it on but would like advice from anyone who's tried something similar before.
posted by genmonster at 8:56 AM PST - 10 comments

Hi it's another question from me regarding my leaving / staying with my addict + abusive husband . He has been staying separately now for three months...in which time he was supposed to stop his ' alcohol ' addiction.He is also being very kind to me.( I do know about the cycle of abuse but I'm hoping this time he'll try harder...).Which makes me wonder why I left or doubt myself...the child is still not changing their stance on me leaving. [more inside]
posted by SarahSarah at 8:55 AM PST - 27 comments

We are looking for a spot in, generally, western NY/PA for a lake house-type family vacation. Vaguely near Erie, PA or the Allegheny National Forest or even Youngstown, OH. Ideas? [more inside]
posted by Mid at 6:10 AM PST - 6 comments

Still questioning my gender and sexuality in my 30s. Help me figure it out? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:03 AM PST - 15 comments

I would like to know the sources that Trump supporters/ Republicans/ and others who are more dismissive of the pandemic use to inform themselves Covid19/ deaths etc. I'm asking this question after seeing this recent Breitbart tweet (I'm looking for serious answers... not smart-assy/ name-calling ones- please/thank you)
posted by anonymous at 6:02 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm an American physically in China who wants to vote by mail without spending a ton on postage [more inside]
posted by wooh at 1:11 AM PST - 6 comments

If all goes according to plan, we’ll be adding a member to our family next week, and we need suggestions for names! [more inside]
posted by bluloo at 11:36 PM PST - 40 comments

We donated to a community land trust the house we owned outright. It will be affordable forever. Are we supposed to tell people when it comes up or keep this to ourselves? Why or why not? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:45 PM PST - 13 comments

We recently bought a house. We are *thinking* of replacing the tile fireplace surround around the gas fireplace, but we're not sure what's going on with the insert. There is tile surrounding the entire fireplace, and underneath. Along the tops and side of the tile (but not along the floor tile), there's a wood border with metal grommets that come out easily. We've never seen anything like this. [more inside]
posted by ancient star at 10:15 PM PST - 5 comments

Is there anyway to import books into Calibre from a Kobo ereader? [more inside]
posted by Mitheral at 9:26 PM PST - 1 comment

I'm putting some posts up on CL for the first time in like a decade, and I'm getting inundated with scammers trying to use CL's Two Factor Authentication system to associate my phone # with their email account. What's the point? [more inside]
posted by sideshow at 9:01 PM PST - 3 comments

I draw a lot of pleasure from a kinda specific youtube music video genre: bands that are (now) perhaps a bit past their heyday, doing big hits from their heyday, in a stripped down acoustic setting which transcends the original song. Examples: Take On Me by a-ha, Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap, Cute Without The E by Taking Back Sunday I'd love lots more links to this thing, of any musicians you like.
posted by lazaruslong at 8:45 PM PST - 13 comments

There's some scientific evidence plus the ever-available first-person accounts on the internet of people using raw garlic to cure or advance healing of a UTI. But, I can't find anything evidence-based around how much to eat to harness its antimicrobial effects. [more inside]
posted by MissPitts at 6:49 PM PST - 10 comments

Why are all these beautiful dragonflies and damselflies suddenly hanging out in my city backyard? [more inside]
posted by centrifugal at 6:41 PM PST - 3 comments

My 18 yo daughter was raised in medium sized cities/towns. She's wants to try out The Urban Experience. What does she need to know? [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 6:18 PM PST - 31 comments

I need to be able to use dual monitors or an ultra wide monitor, a wireless mouse, and a wired keyboard (w/ USB) between two separate lap tops. I do not want to have switch cables all of the time to do so. [more inside]
posted by tafetta, darling! at 5:38 PM PST - 10 comments

We dropped our external hard drive (Seagate Backup HUB). It now makes bad noises when I try and plug it in (and is also not recognized). I believe it's still under warranty, which seems to include "Rescue Data Recovery Services." I'm looking for tips, advice, and personal experience with this service. Will it matter if I had partitioned the device into multiple sections? [more inside]
posted by taltalim at 4:55 PM PST - 2 comments

I have a Sony Hi-Res Walkman that can receive files from other bluetooth devices, but I can't find any information in the Sony documentation that indicates whether this can be done from a Windows PC with bluetooth capability. (In some cases it would be useful for me to transfer files this way instead of plugging in the Walkman and recharging.) Does anyone know if it's possible to do this, and if any third-party software is required (though I know there is nothing from Sony itself to facilitate bluetooth file transfer)?
posted by tenderly at 4:45 PM PST - 0 comments

The rear shift cable snapped on my 2013 Trek 1.5 road bike recently. Replacing the shift cable is generally an easy repair, but I managed to get it jammed into the shift lever. While trying to make this work, I broke off the gear indicator lever. My first thought was just to replace the shift lever, but that’s proved more difficult than I expected. I had been planning on replacing this bike with a higher-quality road bike soon, but I would strongly prefer to keep this one going through this year. [more inside]
posted by andrewraff at 3:15 PM PST - 4 comments

Who sang the lead on the track John Donne Song, on the Album Sweet Child by Pentangle from 1968? [more inside]
posted by Quillcards at 3:03 PM PST - 4 comments

Are there kids books (or other media) that have whodunit/light mystery plot lines that don't involve the police? The conclusion to most of the Cam Jansen books seems to be the police arriving to arrest the criminals. I vaguely recall Scooby Doo episodes ending similarly, and I can't remember Inspector Gadget beyond the fact that Penny always had to solve the mysteries and there was some kind of arch-villain, but I imagine they also wrapped up each episode with an arrest? I often read together (over Zoom of course) with an 8-year-old and would love to find books with a "solve the mystery" approach that breaks this cop-centric mold.
posted by spamandkimchi at 12:45 PM PST - 9 comments

My daughter just graduated from school in the Midwest and starts her post collegiate life next week in Des Moines IA. (Yay!) I own the car she had at college and it is titled in VA. I want to sell it to her for a dollar. How do I do this? [more inside]
posted by COD at 12:19 PM PST - 5 comments

I want to bike across the Wright Memorial Bridge (west to east, from the mainland to the Outer Banks) and can find very little information. Is this feasible? Has anyone done it in the last decade? [more inside]
posted by kingoftonga86 at 11:56 AM PST - 4 comments

Hi folks. My garage has a pair of gutters on it, with one downspout per gutter. Each gutter is about 20 feet long. The two gutters are both in pretty rough shape and I should get them replaced. Assuming I just want standard gutters with screens over them and new downspouts, how much should that cost, roughly? I would have them installed professionally—I wouldn’t be doing it. Anything I should know? This is in Wisconsin.
posted by Slinga at 11:17 AM PST - 8 comments

What’s the best hardware solution to let my five-year-old video-chat with grandparents that allows for mobile, active play, moving between spaces, etc. [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 10:26 AM PST - 8 comments

Hiya - where can I find procedures for a club/ community/ cooperative on how they handle abuse in their group? I don't think I have to re-invent the wheel here for what steps to take before booting an offender out of an inclusive group. Internet results are pages of anti-abuse, or anti-racism group or communities. Thanks
posted by turkeybrain at 10:02 AM PST - 5 comments

I saw the movie Ad Astra in the theaters when it first came out. Before the show, one of the previews was a courtroom drama where, IIRC, a Black man was being tried unfairly. I vaguely recall that it may have been set in the southern U.S. I think most of the cast was made up of pretty well known actors. Thank you!
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 9:43 AM PST - 6 comments

After contracting probable-covid two months ago, I'm now dealing with lingering post viral fatigue. I've learned from online resources that the key to recovery is not only to restrict physical exertion, but also to try to limit thinking, stress and worry. I have absolutely no idea how to do the latter. More inside. [more inside]
posted by FifteenShocks at 9:26 AM PST - 28 comments

I'm seeking your positive/negative experiences with sites that sell so-called "museum quality" art prints, like art.com. Have you purchased a (large) print from them and been happy with the results? Did shipping work out okay? Are there good sites out there that do this that you recommend but don't show up on the first couple pages of Google search results for art prints? I know that buying prints directly from the museums that hold the artwork is a good bet, but I'm seeking feedback on non-museum sites here. [more inside]
posted by codhavereturned at 8:35 AM PST - 4 comments

I have a Thinkpad X220 Tablet with an i5-2520M CPU, 8 gb of ram, and an SSD. It's set up as a dual boot system with Ubuntu & Windows 10. Ubuntu runs fine, especially now that I've increased the ram to 8gb, but Windows 10 is often painfully slow to use even after a restart. [more inside]
posted by needs more cowbell at 8:30 AM PST - 13 comments

I have a widget which I will soon be selling on my new website. The website is being developed in WordPress and will use Blue Commerce. I need to select a payment provider. The 2 choices seem to be stripe or PayPal. [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 7:25 AM PST - 12 comments

YANMD, of course. I have been on statins for over 20 years and am a 56 yr old female. Always a healthy weight, exercising, healthy diet. I have genetic predisposition to high cholesterol, including high HDL, LDL and tricgylcerides. Most recent test this week was 323 total cholesterol on 40 mg statins. I think my doctor is going to call me Monday and have me either up my dosage or switch statins or both. I'm worried about muscle wasting. Any experiences with this? Any advice is appreciated, especially if you're like me and inherited this condition.
posted by DixieBaby at 6:31 AM PST - 6 comments

Help! Long Tall Sally are closing down. Where can I buy women's clothes and shoes that ships to mainland Europe?
posted by Braeburn at 2:48 AM PST - 3 comments

Infants don't have a circadian rhythm. When did humans evolve a circadian rhythm? Did the Tiktaalik have a circadian rhythm?
posted by jago25_98 at 2:14 AM PST - 7 comments

I have a group of four to six 8x10 paintings on wooden boards that I'd like to display in a group in a modern guest space. This and this appealed to me - something like an "open shadow box"? Any suggestions about where to have something like this made? I don't want the front of the paintings covered, I really like the texture, but like the sense of them floating in the center of an open space. Extra points for brushed aluminum or silver or something with a very modern appearance.
posted by arnicae at 11:23 PM PST - 5 comments

Tell me everything you know about raising money to give to someone who is getting out of a domestic abuse situation. Are we talking GoFundMe here, or something else? [more inside]
posted by anastasiav at 8:59 PM PST - 11 comments

If I have the url of a Youtube playlist, is there a simple way to get a list of video titles and urls that appear in the playlist? The playlist contains over 100 videos, so it's not something I want to do manually.
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 7:47 PM PST - 6 comments

Short version: Gynecologist says I am post-menopausal, despite meeting none of the criteria including cessation of periods. He thinks my menstruation is post-menopausal bleeding and that I must be ill in some way. I have the overwhelming need to argue with him, but I am fairly sure it will lead to a crappy result. Somewhat ragey snowflake details inside that will likely influence your answer. I have already spent a bundle on testing and need to find a polite way to put the brakes on this. Help me find one? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:33 PM PST - 24 comments

"Are you men or damned pederasts!? How can you paint like that?" – I'm trying to find the art that offended Nikita Kruschev, where can I see it online? Google seems to find only texts about it, I 'm curious to see the images.
posted by Tom-B at 5:05 PM PST - 1 comment

I'd like to work remote...like really remote - can my cell phone hotspot help me do that? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 4:42 PM PST - 16 comments

I was driving around a slightly conservative area of the country today and I noticed four different black and white US flags - not a "thin blue line" US flag (or any other colored line), only black and white. What does this signify? [more inside]
posted by saeculorum at 3:39 PM PST - 11 comments

Looking for a solution to set up a very local system for people on my road to record items they have to lend, services they have to offer, things they are looking to donate/find a new home for, just for a handpicked group of local residents. [more inside]
posted by Dext at 3:24 PM PST - 8 comments

I switched from Windows to Mac in 2013 and haven't had a Windows machine since. I'm considering switching back, and am wondering what brands/models might hit the things I like about Macs - without the drawback of paying a lot of money for faulty hardware. [more inside]
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 3:00 PM PST - 4 comments

I have a petite baby grand Kimball piano which is in excellent shape and features wonderful sound. (Note: This is not the "LaPetite" label Kimball.) I'd like to determine how old it is. [more inside]
posted by ragtimepiano at 2:43 PM PST - 3 comments

Today I discovered 2 files/applications on my Dell desktop/homescreen that have never been there before and I don't know how they got there. Can I just delete them? Are they nefarious? What's going on here? [more inside]
posted by pjsky at 2:04 PM PST - 4 comments

I am looking for goofy observations and non sequiturs specifically about pregnancy, babies and parenting. Think Shower Thoughts or Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey. I've found a few online but I bet you could come up with some even better ones! [more inside]
posted by prewar lemonade at 2:01 PM PST - 2 comments

My friend asked me to look into suggestions for what kind of laptop to get for school. She's doing a PHD in nursing and wants something fast, lightweight, portable & reasonably priced. I've been out of the Windows laptop game for awhile so I was wondering if you guys had any pointers. [more inside]
posted by bleep at 2:00 PM PST - 8 comments

What music would be good in the background for a space heist RPG? [more inside]
posted by metaBugs at 1:25 PM PST - 20 comments

I've been missing Miami's Cuban bakeries. My plans to visit have been put on hold indefinitely, so I'm looking for options to have a few items (cuban crackers, cuban bread and pastries) shipped overnight to my house a few states to the north. Does a service that does this exist? [more inside]
posted by Alison at 11:59 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for a photo book printing service (like Shutterfly, etc.) that has a particular feature/book style: I want to essentially create a book of contact prints/sheets of a large number of photos and have it populate automatically by date. [more inside]
posted by gwint at 11:50 AM PST - 4 comments

I have a 128GB Samsung EVO microSD card. I used it without incident in my Nintendo Switch for a year. I recently upgraded and put a larger microSD card in the Switch, so it was time to reformat and repurpose this one. Then things got weird. [more inside]
posted by radiosilents at 11:31 AM PST - 8 comments

I could use advice on building a fictional antagonist: Imagine you are an absolute brat and terror of a princess (think fantasy / historical rather than contemporary), and you finally have a lady-in-waiting. What do you have her do from the mundane (fixing your hair, getting you dressed) to the inane, the ridiculous, the horrid, and the impossible?
posted by kyliej at 11:14 AM PST - 24 comments

How does "Q" sign their messages so that readers know it is the real Q talking? [more inside]
posted by Mid at 11:02 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm listening music while I work from home, which is something I never did before, and have only recently realized that there are Phil Spector/Wall of Sound songs outside of the girl groups. I want more of these! Some of what I've been listening to: [more inside]
posted by jabes at 10:33 AM PST - 19 comments

As my profile indicates, I used to live in Columbus, Ohio. I still have a lot of family and friends there, and I visit as often as I can. But Christopher Columbus is not a great namesake for a modern, progressive city, and with recent events, I've heard some talk that the city should change its name. I obviously don't have a say since I don't live there anymore, but it is a concept about which I frequently think and speak, so I would be affected. I'm interested in hearing about how this works. [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 9:34 AM PST - 13 comments

My friend/almost-partner and I spent a wonderful 3 months living together and being exclusive during the Rona. Now she would like to step back for a bit and make sure of where we are and I’m having trouble letting go of jealous/possessive feelings so we can enjoy our time together. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:17 AM PST - 14 comments

I have an elderly relative whose everyday-use nickname is not Trip or Bo but a shortened slur, and has been that way since around the Great Depression. We need to not do this anymore. How to start? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:15 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm picking up Spanish again and I have run into the same problem I have had for years--I can't roll my Rs. I have no idea how to do it. I've had people explain it to me, I've watched YouTube videos, I've done the "pronounce it like the double T in 'butter'" trick, which kind of works, but I can't keep it up/extend it. If you are also someone that struggled with this, how did you learn to do it?
posted by Automocar at 8:37 AM PST - 13 comments

As I browse the web on my phone, a few times a day, a word will randomly get selected, then an option will pop-up to allow me to copy/share/select/search the selection. This causes the browser, and sometimes the entire phone to freeze. A minute later, I get offered the option to kill the browser or wait, at which point I can usually choose wait and the freeze will end, and I can close the little pop-up. Is there a reason why this happens and can I stop it? [more inside]
posted by jacquilynne at 8:20 AM PST - 2 comments

We have a 4 yo and 1 yo. The 4 yo found our exercise bands (like the blue and green ones in this set, each is about 1 meter long laid flat) and started playing tug-of-war with us using the bands and whatever else they can come up with. But are they safe to leave in the play area where the 4 yo alone? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 7:56 AM PST - 16 comments

The first time I heard famous singing dog K.K. Slider singing K.K. Samba in Animal Crossing New Horizons, it was so familiar to me that I was sure it was a ripoff of a real classic samba. But as far as I can tell from the googles, it's original to the Animal Crossing series. Why did I already know it? [more inside]
posted by moonmilk at 7:53 AM PST - 6 comments

You are not my accountant: I just realized I'm late paying my quarterly estimated taxes by a couple days. Will I get hit with a fee if I pay them late? TL;DR - probably don't need to make the payment anyhow because my business is at a standstill. [more inside]
posted by aloiv2 at 7:32 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm not going anywhere this summer, so I want to take some time to put all the cool photos and memorabilia I've collected over the years into some kind of...form. Something more involved than a photo album, but not like a scrapbook with the fancy stickers and the expensive paper. What could this look like, and what would I need to buy to make it happen? [more inside]
posted by goodbyewaffles at 7:21 AM PST - 9 comments

So I was in the middle of making a dessert recipe and I accidentally used cumin instead of cinnamon. I am certain I can make something savory out of this but I don’t know what. [more inside]
posted by Mchelly at 7:05 AM PST - 22 comments

Have to be smart and very well done all around. I'm open to everything except romance and comedy. Big on fantasy and drama with some sci-fi. What movies can you recommend to just escape for an hour or 2?
posted by watercarrier at 2:42 AM PST - 29 comments

My son has not been to primary school (he's 10 in UK so going to secondary school in August) since the lockdown began months ago and it looks like the school will only give him ten minutes in the school to get his books and be on his way. I want his end of term to be memorable and fun, preferably something he can do (socially distant) with friends to mark him leaving primary school. What can we do to make it fun? [more inside]
posted by Vroom_Vroom_Vroom at 10:25 PM PST - 8 comments

I've edited the .m4a files to meet the <25 mg. limit on Audio Recorder, but the files aren't showing up in my mail when I try to mail them to my gmail. I see no instructions to help me accomplish this. Can you help me?
posted by summerstorm at 10:20 PM PST - 10 comments

Someone gifted me some of their sourdough starter. It's sitting in my fridge and I have no idea how to turn this into a loaf of bread. Where are the *most basic* instructions for people who are not bakers, who have no idea what they are doing, etc. I really need the *simplest* possible instructions because googling is getting me stuff that is decidedly not simple. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:40 PM PST - 17 comments

Can you recommend a source for durable compression clothes (shirts, tights) for kids with sensory issues? [more inside]
posted by medusa at 8:02 PM PST - 6 comments

how do i keep focused on my desired outcomes out of an upcoming work/hiring conversation when i am very upset about how a particular item was handled in this process. i am bad at masking my feelings in these situations and letting my emotions get in the way. [more inside]
posted by lescour at 7:57 PM PST - 7 comments

I’ve realized that to me, the most compelling TV shows have an antihero protagonist along with some lovable sidekicks. We just finished Homeland, and before that watched Ray Donovan and Breaking Bad. Please recommend some more shows where you can’t decide whether the main character is a good guy or a bad guy but you love them anyway. [more inside]
posted by tatiana wishbone at 6:59 PM PST - 52 comments

I need a couple of new pairs of heavy canvas work pants; Can you help me find the perfect pant? [more inside]
posted by furnace.heart at 5:37 PM PST - 14 comments

The US-based 501c3 non-profit I work for will be holding an online fundraising gala this year and would like to include an auction. My cursory googling gives me lots of options but no real sense of functionality or trustworthiness. [more inside]
posted by sciencegeek at 5:27 PM PST - 3 comments

I made the NYT carmelized shallot & Anchovy pasta paste, put half of it straight from the pan into a jar, then left that jar out overnight. oops. I put it in the fridge in the morning, and have opened the jar since (the lid popped! and it smells okay... I would cook before eating, but is it okay?
posted by wowenthusiast at 5:25 PM PST - 19 comments

Google Voice has just announced that "Notes in Voice will be removed soon." Unfortunately, our team at work uses Google Voice messages with notes (in the GV legacy interface) as part of our workflow and have for ten years. Can you recommend a similar service that we can forward our phone number to that will play a recorded answer to callers, record caller messages, transcribe the messages with speech-to-text, and offer a text field for notes to be added to messages? We'd prefer not to roll our own using open source PBX packages and so forth but if you can recommend something that seems easy, go for it.
posted by TurkeyMustard at 5:18 PM PST - 3 comments

I bought a new (used) car from a Nebraska dealership last October and registered it in Iowa where I live. I am filing my taxes, and H&R Block is suggesting that as an educator I can get a tax deduction on the "vehicle tax." What do I deduct given the wonky wording on my receipts, and is this only valid if I itemize? [more inside]
posted by vegartanipla at 5:12 PM PST - 2 comments

I am giving serious thought to retiring, wholly or partially, in the next two to three years. I would like to start doing some basic research about places to live. [more inside]
posted by jtexman1 at 3:53 PM PST - 21 comments

I do a bicycle-related fundraiser every year. This year it's off, but I'm doing my own, and I need some ideas about how to make it work. [more inside]
posted by pdb at 3:12 PM PST - 8 comments

We have a small home with an attached guest house which was marketed as a 3/2 single family residence (SFR) in California. We bought it several years ago in a municipality with very stringent inspection requirements. We haven't made any changes to the house. We are refinancing and our appraiser says that it is not a 3/2 SFR, it is a 2/1 home with a 1/1 guest house which he says makes our guest house "illegal" and that our lender is going to have "major issues with us" and the city "may require demolition". [more inside]
posted by arnicae at 3:01 PM PST - 17 comments

Does my ficus plant, Ferdinando, have scale? Possibly mealybugs? (Are these different things? I am so confused) Here's some pics of what I found, mostly under the leaves where they join the stem. [more inside]
posted by Eumachia L F at 2:02 PM PST - 3 comments

I've wanted for a long time to learn modern Demotic Greek. Especially now that social distancing means there are way more resources online, what's the best out there? I'd love resources that MeFites have personal familiarity with. I do have people to practice with. [more inside]
posted by capricorn at 1:33 PM PST - 5 comments

How is raising two children different than raising three? What are the benefits and disadvantages of either number? [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna at 1:25 PM PST - 24 comments

I've decided I no longer want to be married and need to tell my husband. I brought it up tentatively right before Covid hit and we went into lockdown. I've been in a terrible limbo ever since, and I'm finding it difficult to decide when and how to talk to him. [more inside]
posted by a.steele at 12:48 PM PST - 27 comments

Sometimes the flip-up cover for the garage door keypad is completely open. It's not us: the garage door is broken so we haven't used it in 4 months. Could the wind be responsible? If someone is doing this, why?? I found it open again today & it's starting to freak me out. [more inside]
posted by Baethan at 12:28 PM PST - 13 comments

It was a small, iridescently-colored but dark red (head & neck) and blue (body) bird. The two calls it made, it repeated as it traveled further and further away in the treetops. I'm in eastern Massachusetts, in a dense suburban area. This footage was taken on an early evening in June.
Here's a link to 16-second video. Please ignore the cardinal. Thanks for your help!
posted by not_on_display at 12:28 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm an artist and I sometimes make small clay sculptures and get them fired. I don't know a ton about this process on a technical level. I want to learn to sculpt one of something (out of whatever, but ideally something that doesn't dry out too quickly) and make a bunch of them out of some kind of clay - porcelain? ceramic? I'm not even sure what this would be called, but ideally not resin, though I would consider it if necessary – using molds. [more inside]
posted by lgyre at 12:25 PM PST - 4 comments

We have been doubling up on our takeout orders to minimize trips out of the house in the pandemic while still trying to support our favorite local businesses, and keeping the second half of the order as leftovers. My husband accidentally left his second burrito bowl in the large takeout bag and it was forgotten overnight nestled beneath too many (no such thing) bags of tortilla chips. [more inside]
posted by alygator at 11:47 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm starting my programming journey (again) and am figuring out what's the best way to learn. What book, online resource, video series, etc., did you find most useful in becoming a Python master? [more inside]
posted by miltthetank at 11:35 AM PST - 19 comments

That's it. That's the question. I grew up eating bagels in Manhattan and environs and I've never found a bagel in Chicago worth a damn. Any suggestions? I have a car, so nearby suburbs would be fine, but I'm not looking to make a road trip. I'm on the north side of the city.
posted by tzikeh at 11:23 AM PST - 18 comments

“An estimated 92 percent of all women who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome choose to terminate their pregnancies, according to research reviewed by Dr. Brian Skotko, a pediatric geneticist at Children's Hospital Boston.” However when I went looking for women sharing their first person accounts of getting an abortion in this scenario, I found one (via Shout Your Abortion). Where are the first person accounts? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:06 AM PST - 8 comments

A neighbor is flying an American flag that contains the 'thin blue line'. It's not one of the black and white styles, it's red, white & blue, with the addition of the thin blue line. I need to make it go away. [more inside]
posted by SoftSummerBreeze at 9:56 AM PST - 49 comments

Help me up my game for recording zoom sessions and asynchronous tutorials for this fall's classes. What equipment do I need? Extra level of difficulty: closeups of soldering/stitching/making. [more inside]
posted by media_itoku at 9:45 AM PST - 7 comments

I was recently talking to someone about books we bailed on as kids because we encountered something too troubling to deal with at the time. I could only think of one example, a psychological horror(?) novel from the late 1990s or very early 2000s. It was pretty much the only book I didn't finish back in the days when I finished everything, and I'd like to try reading it again if I can find it. WARNING: Mentions of fictional sexual abuse below the fold. [more inside]
posted by northernish at 7:57 AM PST - 0 comments

My family has had a vacation booked for the July 4th weekend in Florida since the beginning of the year. I'm starting to get nervous about staying in a house with a bunch of other people given the current circumstances. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by ajax287 at 7:09 AM PST - 58 comments

Is there a web site that will explain the content of pending Congressional Bills, or bills signed into law, in plain English, or at least in not-so-opaque language? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:46 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm looking for water pump recommendations for use moving water between rain barrels and a garden. I'm flexible on setup - can be in the water barrel or out, electric or solar. What do you use that you're happy with?
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 5:34 AM PST - 12 comments

I was laid off from my job last week, and since I don't have my own laptop, my employer is being kind enough to let me pay to keep my work-issued MacBook Pro. They will charge me $610, plus an additional $150 to install a personal version of Microsoft Office. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:14 AM PST - 28 comments

I have a question for diorama fans and experts. I was at a recently opened attraction yesterday that had scale-model dioramas of cities, and there were tiny cars running along the tiny streets, which I had never seen before. Is this an old technology that I never noticed, or something new? How does it work?
posted by Umami Dearest at 9:47 PM PST - 5 comments

How can I learn to deal with people who don’t follow up? [more inside]
posted by ljs30 at 9:16 PM PST - 14 comments

Legal Minds: how likely is it that Trump could actually deploy the military to take over from/help the police in the many protests? I know enough to know that using the Insurrection Act isn't just something that the president can do on a whim because he threatened to in front of some cameras. [more inside]
posted by theora55 at 7:42 PM PST - 5 comments

I love the vocal breaks in songs like Wherever Is Your Heart by Brandi Carlisle when there’s a vocal solo and she sings ”God forgive my mind...”. Janis does it a lot too and you can hear it in Zombie. Can you recommend other songs like this? Thank you!
posted by ftm at 6:26 PM PST - 16 comments

Hi, AskMe. :) I've always had a casual interest in Magic: THe Gathering, but now have found myself curious enough to start diving in. It is perhaps a poor time to do so both because of the current plague and because, well, I'm not really sure how much actual trading/collecting of cars I'll be able to do. [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 5:46 PM PST - 6 comments

Instead of endlessly scrolling through titles on various streaming platforms, are there other ways you've found to find something you're actually in the mood to watch? [more inside]
posted by acidnova at 4:07 PM PST - 11 comments

I’ve been cleaning my phone with alcohol swabs since corona. I put it on a wooden end table after cleaning one day and it left a transfer of the back of the phone including a reversed logo on the table. How do I clean it off, if that’s even possible? Regular cleaner and alcohol have done nothing.
posted by vanitas at 2:47 PM PST - 13 comments

Good Ai-ish website or program in which one can input a long text and it will produce a shorter humorous or unusual 'mash-up' from it [more inside]
posted by cotesdurhone at 1:49 PM PST - 5 comments

Hi y'all, I'm back with another bathroom reno question! Last month I asked this, and the helpful answers led us to choose a honed marble basketweave rug with a simple black border, inset into running-bond pattern of 12x12 honed white marble tiles. This is almost all thinsetted onto the floor, and it looks great. The final step is grout choice. Please help! [more inside]
posted by ClaireBear at 1:41 PM PST - 13 comments

I purchased some KN95 masks -- they are now easily available from any number of vendors, eBay is flooded with them. However, the masks I purchased, which of course looked just fine on the model wearing it, they are about the size my fist, and are barely adequate, They are not in fact adequate at all. Have your purchased KN95 masks that are easily large enough for you? Looking to spend $1.00 -- $1.50 apiece, 10-25 masks. Any help appreciated.
posted by dancestoblue at 1:40 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm looking for fun things to do with a group of 10-15 teens over Zoom for about an hour. I'd prefer something that is more interesting and interactive than your normal board games (bingo, scattergories, taboo, etc.) or simple games (charades, scavenger hunt), especially if it could involve more interaction or even creativity. It doesn't have to be education or team building focused, but just engaging and fun for all participants.
posted by roaring beast at 1:22 PM PST - 12 comments

My seven year-old niece is a big fan of Wonder Woman in general and particularly The Legend of Wonder Woman. She and her parents slowly read through the volume together this spring, and it was apparently a big hit. Where could I get more in this vein?
posted by boghead at 12:57 PM PST - 4 comments

My phone has no sound on phone calls, but the mic does not appear to be broken. [more inside]
posted by jb at 12:45 PM PST - 7 comments

My sister is getting a kitten, and picking it up soon and definitely wants to get a cat tree beforehand to distract from furniture and floor scratching. I'm the family researcher, so I told her I'd look into it. But there are so many choices and things to think about! Help me help her! [more inside]
posted by Aranquis at 12:41 PM PST - 19 comments

I remember that there used to be internet indexers, but don’t remember much beyond their sheer existence. Google is doing a version of this (All, Images, Videos, News, Shopping, etc), but I think it is insufficient and at times self-serving. I think the internet should be indexed. Do internet indexes still exist? If yes, what are they? If no, why not? [more inside]
posted by doggod at 12:22 PM PST - 18 comments

I grew up in Florida, but I don't associate myself with there and only bring it up when people ask where I'm originally from. For the question I'm asking about, it's usually a general "Where are you from?" in which case I usually say the place that I most recently lived. Is that fair? Despite living abroad and a few other places domestically, I most identify with "home" being Minneapolis although I only lived there for 27 months. It was also until recently the most recent place that I lived. But I'm now getting ready to move from Chicago to NYC. So what's an easy way to tell people where I'm from? Typically it would make sense to say Florida, but then they jump to conclusions that I moved to this place right from Florida. Or is it really as simple as saying "Oh I grew up in Florida but have lived all over"? Although I've never used that one because it invites a long conversation.
posted by signondiego at 11:30 AM PST - 46 comments

I need something not too expensive to replace my ailing Android. [more inside]
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 11:13 AM PST - 8 comments

I'd like to give an adult relative an Opinel pocket knife as a gift, but there are a lot of options! I'm looking for advice on size and blade material. [more inside]
posted by neushoorn at 11:08 AM PST - 22 comments

I have a bad habit of leaving my wooden spoons soaking in the sink, and I need to replace a couple that have cracked. Recommend me your favorite wooden spoons for cooking! Prefer to order online. Thanks!
posted by skycrashesdown at 9:54 AM PST - 16 comments

I recently got into country music! There are a number of artists I like -- can you help me spot the pattern and find some more? [more inside]
posted by panama joe at 9:06 AM PST - 48 comments

As a boy, I devoted my allowance money to rocks, minerals, and gemstones. The resulting collection fills a medium-sized tackle box, and includes some cut gemstones and large crystals. I'd like to sell it, but I have no idea how to find a buyer, nor how to choose a fair price once I do find someone. I don't even remember what most of the objects in this collection are, making it very hard for me to just scour ebay or whatever. Any tips? [more inside]
posted by dbx at 9:00 AM PST - 8 comments

A friend mentioned seeing a quote on Instagram recently regarding the destruction of property being an appropriate response to a justice system that values property over human life. The key words might vary -- appropriate/justified/expected, justice system/society/world, etc. -- but the sentiment remains. He can't remember the exact quote or source. I'm having no luck searching via Instagram or Google. I would love to find this quote. Thank you.
posted by Majorita at 8:00 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm going on a week-long camping trip in the mountains in a couple of months. It has been a very long time since I've been camping and I don't know anything about the latest cool stuff. Do you have absolutely indispensable camping/backpacking gear recommendations? Examples: underlayers you really love, the perfect stove or mattress pad, an emergency beacon . . . What sort of things are you always glad to have or wish you had? What about homemade gear? Also, I'm a cis-woman, in case there's neat gear specific to that whole situation. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:54 AM PST - 28 comments

I'm currently at a rental where I can't make extensive renovations to the walls. I have lovely white tiles in the shower/bath, and I bought what looks to be a pretty standard weight shower rod/rail that I hang the shower curtain on. Every single thing I've tried - various tapes and online hacks - doesn't seem to work and the shower railing comes down in about a month. Help me fight the Tile Gods and win. [more inside]
posted by rmm at 5:34 AM PST - 15 comments

I know I can look on Psychology Today site, but a recommendation would be most helpful. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:26 AM PST - 5 comments

Caveat: This may not be possible. Given lightning map data or any other source, would it be possible to get a real time lat/long of lightning strikes and therefore write some code to show where the closest lightning is? [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 5:16 AM PST - 6 comments

Hi everyone, I need help with two things: 1) thinking of an activity I can get my all-white colleagues to do (led by me, a white woman) and 2) navigating the fact that my manager wants to take a picture of us doing this, which feels self congratulatory and I want no part of. More inside. [more inside]
posted by EarnestDeer at 3:32 AM PST - 16 comments

That's it. A pudding recipe that was referred to in (I think) one of the Penguin cookbooks, that must be made with cherries and can't successfully be made with any other fruit. I want to know what it was. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by Logophiliac at 10:18 PM PST - 12 comments

What makes animal crackers taste distinctive? [more inside]
posted by rustcellar at 8:49 PM PST - 14 comments

My subject line is the basic question, simplified. People who grew up more-or-less middle class, with an intact family and such, have resources and still can make mistakes. But people who have spent a lot of time with or without certain things must find moving up hard to adjust. They might not know financial systems, social and cultural norms, etc. [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 7:27 PM PST - 15 comments

I received a stimulus check from the US government, but I live in a country where none of the banks allow the deposit or cashing of US checks, and I don't have a US bank account. I would like to sign this check over to a family member. However, this family member is currently in Ecuador, and does not have a bank account in Ecuador. Are banks in Ecuador likely to allow an endorsed check to be cashed by a non-resident person without a bank account? [more inside]
posted by bakerybob at 5:54 PM PST - 5 comments

My mom is in her 70s, but cognitively has struggled greatly since the lockdown began and has some early stage memory loss. We don't feel she's safe at home alone anymore. My brother in Phoenix and I in Albuquerque want to get my mother and her two cats from Illinois to Phoenix without having to fly or drive out there and back. [more inside]
posted by answergrape at 5:53 PM PST - 8 comments

For those unfamiliar, according to Wikipedia, "Finders, keepers is an English adage with the premise that when something is unowned or abandoned, whoever finds it first can claim it." It would also be great to find examples of sayings in other languages about how people own the fruits of their labor. Thanks in advance!
posted by mrmanvir at 2:59 PM PST - 14 comments

Looking for websites offering wide selections of screws/nuts/bolts/washers, where I can choose various smaller quantities, like 25/50/100 of each item. I have checked out the main ones (mcmaster/fastenal/grainger), but those ones are expensive. I'm hoping to find out about others where I can choose these quantities and are much less expensive. Thanks.
posted by atm at 1:22 PM PST - 11 comments

I recently had a handful of plant medicine experiences that have me wanting to explore some spiritual ideas, but I'm overwhelmed at the places to start. I'm looking for some writings or other resources that might explain the ideas I've encountered. Ideas include: Ancient Memories, Experiences outside of time and space, generational trauma, astrology, tobacco, and Ram Dass [more inside]
posted by jander03 at 1:16 PM PST - 5 comments

Unflavored electrolyte powder with magnesium and without sodium? [more inside]
posted by joyceanmachine at 1:15 PM PST - 13 comments

I'd like to find some toys that aren't cars and trucks. Are there toddler toys that are bikes, skateboards, etc.? I'm looking for toys to play with, not to ride on or in. [more inside]
posted by stillmoving at 12:58 PM PST - 10 comments

What is this New Mexico militia fellow wearing around his neck in this photo?
posted by Chitownfats at 12:21 PM PST - 10 comments

Seems that this eBay seller doesn't actually keep any stock. Instead when you purchase on eBay, they use their personal Prime account to buy a cheaper item through Amazon and send it free. Against eBay's TOS. I use eBay to avoid Amazon, so was annoyed to receiving this "gift" (no return details or invoice) this morning. Left neutral feedback. Now they're trying to bribe me to remove it. What to do? [more inside]
posted by doornoise at 12:07 PM PST - 20 comments

Help me understand this elided word in the lyrics. [more inside]
posted by johnnybeggs at 12:05 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm reading some focus group interviews for a health agency on the west coast of the US, and the term "piss" has come up in association with contracting Hep C. I suspect it might be crystal meth, since that's been mentioned in other segments, but I would like to know for sure.
posted by Alex Haist at 11:43 AM PST - 12 comments

I’m updating a training I wrote several years ago in a past job. Handouts include a booklet for parents on identifying symptoms of kid depression and seeking treatment. I think it’s outdated, but what do I replace it with? [more inside]
posted by centrifugal at 11:02 AM PST - 2 comments

Has anyone proposed a method whereby your "true" odds of having Covid-19 can be determined given the rates of false-negative/false-positive results for a particular test? [more inside]
posted by aramaic at 10:54 AM PST - 7 comments

I want to buy a poster--a physical, hang-on-the-wall poster, with a specific phrase on it. I have no artistic ability, so what I'm really hoping for is some sort of service where there are designs with 'YOUR PHRASE HERE' options,. Somehow, I can't find anything like this. It must exist, right? Can you point me to it?
posted by meese at 10:21 AM PST - 6 comments

It's that classic parent-friend story: we met when our babies were brand new, and now they are old enough to have personalities, and kind of don't get along. She's mad about it. I'm not sure what to do. [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 9:57 AM PST - 27 comments

Can someone help identify what this bug is? It's the second time I've found one in my converted attic, and need to figure out how urgent it is to track down the nest. [more inside]
posted by hwyengr at 9:41 AM PST - 11 comments

Is this "silver ion" sanitizer I just received from China useful for anything? I ordered it months ago, it just arrived, and it turns out it contains no alcohol. I think I should probably discard it, but I wondered if anyone has information on it or an alternative use for "gel" [more inside]
posted by amtho at 9:12 AM PST - 17 comments

I filed my Federal tax return two months ago. It was on paper because I did not wish to pay for tax filing software or professional help for a job I can do myself. Now it looks like I was short-sighted about the implications of the virus and the defunding of the IRS. [more inside]
posted by Midnight Skulker at 8:35 AM PST - 4 comments

TLDR: Help me kill Microsoft Edge. The 6/15/20 WIndows update caused Microsoft Edge to try and take over my computer. Annoying pop-ups, let's get started as the only possible action, no x to shut the &*(&*&* browser, do you want to make Microsoft Edge your default browser. If I delete Microsoft Edge will it do anything bad to the OS?
posted by jointhedance at 7:56 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm looking for a trustworthy left-of-center daily newspaper covering US and international news. I'm bailing on the New York Times after decades of loyalty. The Washington Post would be the obvious choice, but I can't get over their triumphalist, almost clickbait-y style. [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone at 7:28 AM PST - 31 comments

The Red Cross is going to test all donors for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Yay! What are the details on the test? [more inside]
posted by wnissen at 7:03 AM PST - 3 comments

I really want to stop but don't know how to without telling him I've lied and undermining his trust in me and our sex. But if I don't tell him and just stop faking, he's going to wonder what's up. Can you help me find a way to address this? [more inside]
posted by starstarstar at 5:03 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm reading Andrea Wulf's bio of Alexander von Humboldt, and there is a discussion of Humboldt's large graphical representations of nature and ecology which he referred to as 'naturgemälde.' So apparently gemälde means portrait or picture, or something like that ... but are there nuances here that are escaping my non-German-speaking understanding? Thank you! [more inside]
posted by carter at 5:03 AM PST - 3 comments

How do I get rid of a mildewy smell that developed around my HVAC after it leaked? [more inside]
posted by colorblock sock at 11:00 PM PST - 5 comments

Are there any online discussion groups that are support groups for family members of those who have died from drug abuse? My father in law passed away a few weeks ago and my wife is struggling with unraveling her conflicted feelings about it.
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 9:12 PM PST - 5 comments

The book with this exact title that one can find easily is about personality disorders. The one I read in college and remember as maybe interesting was about immigrant women in support groups and was also, I think, a critique of self help movements of the time (the early 90s.) All I remember about the author is that she had, I'm almost sure, a name that struck my ear as Jewish. Any leads? I have googled to no avail.
posted by less of course at 8:56 PM PST - 3 comments

I (non-teacher, non-STEM person) have an hour a week over Zoom/FaceTime with a 10-year-old who likes STEM but (maybe more importantly) needs some regular time with a friendly face while his parents work full-time over the summer. Looking for projects we can do together and/or any other ideas to keep him entertained and sane! [more inside]
posted by pgoat at 8:16 PM PST - 11 comments

An earthquake that occurred in South America in the 1990s was felt in the northern US and Canada -- because the quake was unusually deep, seismic waves had propagated through the Earth's mantle and surfaced thousands of miles away. I remember feeling a strong swaying motion in Minnesota and reading news reports about it affecting Ontario too, so maybe there was some interaction with the Canadian Shield? Where and when exactly was this earthquake? Bonus points for links to interesting articles or scientific papers about the event.
posted by theory at 7:01 PM PST - 6 comments

I need to record a large conference call so that I can transcribe it later. What's the easiest, most rock solid way to do this? (Tech details below the fold) [more inside]
posted by Narrative Priorities at 3:10 PM PST - 16 comments

I was planning to take the Johnson O'Connor aptitudes test this year to help me find a career better suited to my skills, and therefore less viscerally frustrating to me. (I am successful at what I do, but unhappy.) But... with 'rona, it's not clear how long I'll have to wait to take it, since the local office is currently closed. Hopefully if I make some educated guesses of my own aptitudes, AskMe can help interpret and recommend possible career paths! I know my guesses won't be as good as the actual test -- so if you know of an online career test that is actually an aptitude test, not an interest test, please let me know! [more inside]
posted by cnidaria at 2:58 PM PST - 8 comments

We need a bread box. We've needed one for a while, but now that getting more bread requires either masking up and venturing out to the grocery (which we would like to do as infrequently as possible) or baking our own, keeping baked goods fresher longer has become a priority. If you like your bread box, please tell me about it! [more inside]
posted by Lexica at 2:56 PM PST - 12 comments

Hello! I'm asking for a friend. Do you know of a non-Jewish Civil War general (Union?) who was married to a Jewish woman? Thank you for your help.
posted by 8603 at 1:39 PM PST - 3 comments

I am in the process of formatting a chapbook. I've downloaded some ready-to-go templates and have watched numerous how-to's on You Tube. Both are confusing. On the downloads I am unable to enter text. On the You-Tube videos, the Word page image on-screen they use to walk me through my process is different than on my MacBook. I do get to the end and I am still unable to enter text. [more inside]
posted by goalyeehah at 1:01 PM PST - 3 comments

My fiancé in short, has no need for me or my opinions, advice or help. I have been the same person with him as I am with everyone and that is I offer help when I see they have a need for it, or give my advice when they pose a dilemma. The only problem is he never takes my advice, or he says "I think I can handle it". In a lot of instances his handling of it did not go as planned and the advice he shunned would have helped him. (For instance I told him not to take his phone on a recent camping trip and he did anyway and it fell out of the boat into the lake). I'm not allowed to say I told you so, but its in my mind. Does this happen to every couple and is it as big a problem as I see it as?
posted by The_imp_inimpossible at 12:58 PM PST - 49 comments

A friend has been carefully quarantining for weeks, but yesterday they got their car serviced. They wore a mask, half the other people waiting in the waiting room wore masks, and no staff were wearing masks. I'm living with two immunocompromised people... [more inside]
posted by zeek321 at 12:41 PM PST - 25 comments

Here's a picture of rocks around my pond. You can see that I have planted some small plants in pots. I hate them. i would like to glue 5 rocks together to make a planter (one for the bottom, four for the sides). What is the best adhesive to do that? I'd like to try to make it water-tight because these are water-friendly plants. thanks.
posted by DMelanogaster at 12:16 PM PST - 20 comments

I have an ATT prepaid plan. It's supposed to take money out of my account and then renew my plan every month, but it never does, it just lets me know that it tried and failed (yeah right. it just doesn't work). Usually I just go online and fix it. Now I can't because my debit card is broken. But I can't call my bank to fix it. Nor can I add my bank account directly because I can't authenticate using my phone. Please hope me. [more inside]
posted by bleep at 11:30 AM PST - 5 comments

There's a power field nearby that is mostly grassy field but has a wooded ravine going through it. What would the downsides be of me planting some raspberry bushes along the edge of the ravine and field? [more inside]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 11:15 AM PST - 14 comments

I love my Birkenstock Arizonas (the classic, stereotypical sandal you think of when you think of Birkenstocks). My father-in-law also loved his. When he passed away, the sight of my Birkenstocks around the house always makes my wife sad, because they remind her of him. So, I'd love to find some new sandals that don't scream "my Dad is dead". What are some roughly equivalent sandals I can switch to? [more inside]
posted by bobot at 10:01 AM PST - 15 comments

What’s it like to sell an as-is home? My elderly father in law is staying with us due to no downstairs bedroom or bathroom in his home while he is recuperating. He’s pushing 80 and has lots of health issues so I don’t see things getting easier. His home is in pretty bad shape. Terrible yard, crumbling pool, termite damage, broken garage doors, broken front door...however it is in a very desirable area in southern California.
posted by gryphonlover at 9:40 AM PST - 23 comments

I like the idea of a big Rubbermaid type bin as a cat box - keeps things contained, less fiddly, but I have questions about best practices and whether it's really a good idea. And what kind of litter to use? Is there a more sustainable litter? [more inside]
posted by amanda at 9:18 AM PST - 23 comments

Our almost-4-year-old really loves books, and seems to be taking an interest in letters and words. We're not in a rush to get him to read, but are there books that we can read to him that are especially good for developing reading skills? At his own pace, not drills or deliberate memorization or anything like that.
posted by Tehhund at 7:21 AM PST - 14 comments

I was sweeping a walkway when the metal broom I was using snapped partially in half, and hinged back and bit a good chunk out of my finger. If at all possible I want to avoid paying for medical treatment. Would this be ok or do I really need to bite the bullet and $eek treatment? [more inside]
posted by nirblegee at 7:12 AM PST - 20 comments

Freelance artists: I'm an experienced illustrator doing some design for animation. I always prefer a flat rates instead of hourly because I work quickly. The client agreed to a flat rate for some of the work but now prefers to do an hourly rate for the same work moving forward. ... [more inside]
posted by Liquidwolf at 6:52 AM PST - 15 comments

How do I tell my fiancé when he already has enough going on? [more inside]
posted by Asian_Hunnie at 6:11 AM PST - 14 comments

Of late I feel like I cannot work... but I must work. Working from home has gotten harder and harder, I hate it and there seems like no end in sight. Home is full of distractions and I just cannot work at home but I have to. How can I work from home in this situation? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 5:32 AM PST - 11 comments

I do this a lot, and only just now realised that not everybody does. I'm trying to figure out if this tendency in me is related to other issues I have. To do this it would be helpful to get a sense of if other people do it (and if so, when). [more inside]
posted by forza at 4:24 AM PST - 32 comments

Who is doing the insurance underwriting for so many Police lawsuits to soon appear? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:48 AM PST - 11 comments

I have a Macbook Air and an iPad, and I've wanted to try playing some games again. My special pony wishes and kinds of games I like below the fold. It needs to be something I can play on my admittedly not game optimised environment. I haven't played games on any serious basis in likely 10-12 years. [more inside]
posted by frumiousb at 9:12 PM PST - 18 comments

Is it possible to customize the order in which the bibliography fields appear when creating a new citation source in MS Word (Office 365 or MS Word 2016)? At the moment the fields I use most are near or at the bottom of the list. [more inside]
posted by angiep at 9:05 PM PST - 2 comments

I wanted to go out and celebrate the Solstice--or the 4th--or my birthday-- and got then I got a little sqiucky before I reserved it. [more inside]
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 5:53 PM PST - 12 comments

My friend wants to drive from Los Angeles to Maine at the end of June (2020). How practical is this given the pandemic situation? (Motels open? Gas stations operating? Food available?) Any thoughts are welcome, especially if you've done this recently.
posted by Beginner's Mind at 5:20 PM PST - 6 comments

What are some things that I could add to my office, workday or routine that would give me something to look forward to, make the place homier, help me feel less lonely, bring a little enjoyment to the work day, etc? [more inside]
posted by Brain Sturgeon at 5:16 PM PST - 12 comments

I wish to recreate an '80s era IBM typeball font for personal use since I like it. [more inside]
posted by Evilspork at 5:02 PM PST - 4 comments

Hi.I had made up ( sort of) my mind to leave my long term marriage last night , after partner got angry and accused me of being the reason for his woes.We are currently separated.The last two interactions with him we're unpleasant. There are no minor children involved , and I can leave ...there have been years of control and verbal abuse issues as well as I suspect he doesn't really like my company...he does love me. He came over this evening and we discussed the way forward , he expressed his pain and hurt due to the separation and cried a bit ( not to gain sympathy he was in pain emotionally ). [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:04 PM PST - 36 comments

My parents are now in their late sixties, and I'd like to record interviews with them that I could keep forever. I think it would be really neat to be able to show them to my own grandkids one day, for example. There's only one problem: I'm a complete ignoramus about recording and storing video. How should I record, lightly edit, and store digital video recordings of my parents? [more inside]
posted by Chuck Barris at 2:42 PM PST - 7 comments

My spouse and I are planning a move to Toronto from Chicago. I've been to Toronto a few times (family from Ontario) and my spouse has been there once, but we're feeling overwhelmed looking at all the different neighborhoods (and...suburbs? absorbed suburbs?) Can you help us find a place to live? [more inside]
posted by robot inside a grid at 2:22 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm in the market for a new sofa, and although there are some good AskMes about sofas the answers focus on how well a sofa has stood up for the last 10-15 years. There is a phenomenon of stores getting good brand recognition, then reducing quality, so I'd like some more recent data. Have you bought a sofa/couch new in the last 1-2 years? Were you impressed by the quality? If so, what company was it (and which model)? Conversely, are there furniture companies that have declined in quality? [more inside]
posted by rogerroger at 1:19 PM PST - 25 comments

I have 2, 2TB spinning drives in RAID 1. [more inside]
posted by fvox13 at 1:17 PM PST - 5 comments

I'd like to start running again. It's been a couple of years since I was in any way serious about it; I'm back to the beginning in terms of cardio stamina (i.e. I could run a mile, but I really, really, really don't want to.) Last time I was running semi-seriously, I lived at sea level and on a flat surface. Now I live at 7000 feet up in the air, and at the top of a steep hill (9% grade in places). How do I do this? Am I doomed to the treadmill until I get my stamina back? Further complications under the cut: [more inside]
posted by byzantienne at 1:04 PM PST - 12 comments

Many times I'm in discussion about BLM and DTP. How do I effectively address an argument that immediately turns to (what I see as disingenuous) black-on-black violence when talking about BLM and DTP? [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 12:55 PM PST - 20 comments

Where can I get royalty free audio? In particular ... [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 12:36 PM PST - 3 comments

I am looking for a podcast which explores the history of a specific character or storyline in Marvel comics What I don’t want 1: any pod which features comedic “banter” - a personal gripe which way too many pods suffer these days 2: anything focused mainly on the MCU series of movies and tv shows An example of one that is similar to what I seek is Marveling at Marvel’s Marvels but I found the resident “funny” guy very grating and couldn’t listen past a few minutes - tried both an early show and one of the latest but still same
posted by mrbenn at 12:21 PM PST - 2 comments

So, given that I'm home constantly and need to avoid disturbing neighbors with my music/movies/phone conversations, I bought a pair of Jabra Elite Active 75t headphones. But... they suck at connecting to both my phone and my laptop. It's a nightmare of constant fiddling. (And to boot, Jabra tech support says their chipset does not support laptops and so they can't help with that half, just their failure to work with my Pixel phone.) I'm planning to return them. What are my other options? [more inside]
posted by cnidaria at 11:09 AM PST - 17 comments

I love the recent direction many indie-pop bands are going in, with a detuned, mildly atonal, reverb-soaked sound, like STRFKR's Future Past Life or Gwenno's Le Kov. I'm aware of any number of older titles that do something similar (Broadcast often being exemplars), but what other recent releases (say, past 5 years) share that kind of dreamy, mutated sound?
posted by eschatfische at 10:10 AM PST - 13 comments

How do adults in your community find out about reliable babysitters, tutors, and dog walkers? Are there any examples of community websites that help with this kind of thing. Our local facebook webpage is always filled with random requests for babysitters or other random help and I can't help but think there has got to be a better way for our community to do this. Does your neighborhood have a good solution for this? I want to help my hood and the kids within.
posted by jasondigitized at 9:57 AM PST - 9 comments

We adopted a dog a few months ago. He's awesome. Good natured, energetic, and sweet. He's always been good with kids, our son and others. But on Friday a few kids came over for a water gun fight (socially distanced fun! try it!) and the visiting kids were aggressive with spraying him. Since then, he has taken to being standoffish around kids, even ours occasionally. He sometimes growls now (softly, but still) at kids who reach to pet him (when he used to love attention from kids of all ages.) How do we get him to trust kiddos again? [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:35 AM PST - 18 comments

I'm close to my family and, until lockdown, met up with some of them once a week for an evening meal. Lockdown is easing in my country and they want to start doing this again. I'd like to make it more enjoyable and less stressful for me. How can I do this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:01 AM PST - 5 comments

I’d appreciate some advice on keeping this plant healthy! [more inside]
posted by brilliantine at 8:12 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm trying to figure out if there is a way for me, someone with rudimentary html, etc. to create some sort of random selection generator. I would like to have my patrons click a button/something which says "give me a random suggestion!" Clicking that link would result in them being taken to a random suggestion after clicking it. Is there a way to do this? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 7:16 AM PST - 7 comments

We are probably not going to send our almost 3 year old to her preschool program in the fall. I would like to take on beginning a preschool at home. I’m looking for suggestions for subscription services where EVERYTHING is provided in the subscription. Requirements inside. [more inside]
posted by CMcG at 6:45 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for the specific coordinates of the black hole that was first photographed last year (in M87). Looking to engrave it in my wedding ring. [more inside]
posted by mathiu at 5:51 AM PST - 9 comments

I am looking to compile a long youtube playlist of driver's eye view videos, or other videos that scratch the same itch. I've been watching a lot of train journey videos and find it relaxing to have these playing throughout the day silently in the backround on my tv. I am looking for recommendations for train journey or other types of driver's eye view videos (hiking? boats? car drives?). Or even ideas on what search terms I could use to find these videos more easily?
posted by fourpotatoes at 5:42 AM PST - 9 comments

My husband has a pounding headache and fever. What do I do, like now, and tomorrow? I'm panicking just a little and having trouble thinking straight. Can you help me put together a step-by-step plan? [more inside]
posted by Spokane at 4:49 AM PST - 29 comments

Hello all! My other half is massively into opera. Me... not so much. I would like to get into opera as a genre, and would really love to hear about operas that are innovative, tackle contemporary issues, and ideally are written by people from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the field. Ideally I’d love to be able to watch or listen to these operas (in whole or in part) online, but even a link to a synopsis would be great. Thanks!
posted by laumry at 3:08 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm currently struggling with toxicity and emotional abuse targeted at myself but mostly my spouse and would appreciate uplifting success stories to see me through it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:13 AM PST - 11 comments

That rhymes, doesn't it?! For the past 3 months I've been a couch potato. The most walking I do is in the grocery store, these days. Going on a daily walk would be the easiest way to get active, but I can find a million reasons why I don't want to go on one. Help me get out of my head and send me on a walk! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:12 AM PST - 36 comments

I seems to have uncontrollable anger towards one of my colleague... [more inside]
posted by dadaxiang1204 at 11:59 PM PST - 15 comments

I've recently noticed instances of usage of the singular tense for referencing indefinite objects and I am curious if there is a term for that usage, if it's regional or age-based, or derived from usage in another language, or what. It's difficult to explain and frustratingly non-Google-able (at least for me). [more inside]
posted by majorsteel at 8:21 PM PST - 31 comments

Recently I asked a question about working with my daughter to be more chill around the dog, a 2 year old Boston Terrier. Now I have a new weird dog problem, and it seems to be....me? [more inside]
posted by cheese at 7:48 PM PST - 10 comments

This is a multipart problem. Firstly, my personal issues that I'm working on but can't overcome overnight and are causing me to feel powerless and depressed right now. I'm afraid of conflict but am working on it. Secondly, my home is my sanctuary. I lived in this apartment for 2 years, the first with a truly bad neighbor (let dogs use the balcony as the bathroom, subwoofer daily, stomping, throwing things) and then the neighbor after him was so quiet I could hardly tell she lived there and it was bliss. I signed my lease because I was so content and it would have been difficult to move now and look for a place with COVID going on. [more inside]
posted by korrasamus at 7:39 PM PST - 14 comments

Pretty much what it says on the tin. I had a slew of mosquito bites in SE Asia, and one bite kept being scratched/shaved open. It's better now, but still flares up occasionally, especially after bathing. I only just realized that this has now been A DECADE. Why? It's not as maddening as it was years ago, but I still find myself scratching it. Is this something I should bring up with a doctor? Suggestions? Thanks!
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 7:05 PM PST - 12 comments

I had a nervous breakdown. How do I "fix" this? [more inside]
posted by GiveUpNed at 6:47 PM PST - 11 comments

A character in the novel I'm writing (set in the early 90s) is a recent film school MFA graduate. Either UCLA or USC. She went in thinking she wanted to make fictional films, but switched to documentaries. I'm looking for stories, anecdotes, tidbits, about the film school experience/culture, if there is such a thing. Anything would be helpful! Thanks.
posted by swheatie at 6:06 PM PST - 14 comments

While recently clearing out a shed which has been there at least the 30 years in our family, found this "Alligators" "sign". Can you help identify? [more inside]
posted by uncaken at 5:50 PM PST - 4 comments

Realizing that over time and for a variety of reasons I have become disconnected with my physical body and live mostly in my head. I'm looking for stories from others-- how did you get over it or rekindle a better relationship with your body? [more inside]
posted by actionpact at 5:02 PM PST - 15 comments

My partner and I have been reading Hemingway books to each other before bed each night, as we have found them to be the right recipe of enriching literature + easy listening after a long day + a some armchair travel while we're lockdown. Besides Hemingway, which classic books (novels or memoirs) offer this same recipe for a pre-sleep ritual? [more inside]
posted by egeanin at 4:59 PM PST - 21 comments

So I'd only lately discovered the amazing language learning tool that is/was Pottermore, and the amazing things that can/could be done with access to DRM-free ebooks and audiobooks in multiple languages (in terms of e.g. aligning audio and text and creating audio-enabled flashcards to support an L2 reading program). Are there any good replacements out there? [more inside]
posted by Not A Thing at 4:28 PM PST - 1 comment

I have a welt on my hip and want to know what caused it. [more inside]
posted by Joan Rivers of Babylon at 4:06 PM PST - 5 comments

A dear friend of mine died a couple months ago; their roommate is still caring for their cat, but has physical health issues that make this untenable for the long term. I am trying to help my friend’s roommate find a local home for the cat, but nothing has panned out so far. I would love to adopt him myself, but I live across the country (USA). What would be the safest way to achieve this if it came to that? [more inside]
posted by aecorwin at 3:51 PM PST - 18 comments

How can I adapt this hand-cranked bobbin/pirn winder so I can wind onto 1/2 inch PVC tubing? [more inside]
posted by janell at 2:41 PM PST - 8 comments

"More to be pitied than condemned": Who coined this phrase? [more inside]
posted by MinPin at 1:32 PM PST - 19 comments

Well, maybe not literally. But sometimes I feel as if I'm walking on air. I'll explain what I'm talking about inside. [more inside]
posted by Transl3y at 12:49 PM PST - 5 comments

Should I see a therapist or can I do something else that might be of some benefit? [more inside]
posted by loveandhappiness at 12:48 PM PST - 15 comments

There isn't a single vegetable I don't love, except bok choy. So of course my CSA is brimming with it. Please direct me to your delicious bok choy recipes that will make me wonder why I ever thought I didn't love it.
posted by HotToddy at 11:47 AM PST - 23 comments

I'm looking for cozy mysteries that were originally written in languages other than English, to read either in the original or in translation, depending on if I know the language ;-) [more inside]
posted by SymphonyNumberNine at 10:49 AM PST - 11 comments

So I'm an expat whose taxes are dependent on staying out of the US 330 days a year. When Covid hit my short term gig let me extend for a bit but it's over as of August. So where CAN I go next? I can go back to the US but if things don't change, I'm stuck there. So where CAN a US citizen go at this point or (more specifically) by August?
posted by rileyray3000 at 10:13 AM PST - 13 comments

It's driving me crazy not to remember these two German words. They are terms for two different world views: One is loyalty to/faith in ideals, institutions, abstractions; the other is loyalty to people, leaders, community norms, the in-group. [more inside]
posted by argybarg at 9:39 AM PST - 2 comments

In the late 1980s I read a novel about a wacky young filmmaker. It was a faux biography, absurd and funny and weird. One scene I remember vividly was that as a child this filmmaker caught a reel of film on his foreskin, creating (painful, bloody) havoc. The title I believe has the word "Shark" in it. Something like "The Shark Tales" or "The Shark Fin Tales." I was in the UK when I read this book, the author was probably English but I can't be sure of that. And of course I can't remember the title or author; anyone have any ideas?
posted by chavenet at 9:18 AM PST - 2 comments

Difficulty: Canada. I've been taking this opportunity to improve my sewing skills by making masks (just for myself so far as they are very bad) with old pillow cases and random pieces of fabric I have around. Recently I found a place with elastic in stock and ordered a bunch! But now I need to buy more fabric and I'm having trouble. [more inside]
posted by 100kb at 8:43 AM PST - 12 comments

I've just finished Stephen Nachmanovitch's Free Play, and I found it's mix of discussion of the creative process with a pinch of self help, and an overall pretty gentle tone really helpful. I'd like to read more things like that. [more inside]
posted by threecheesetrees at 4:27 AM PST - 3 comments

What specific news outlets would be interested in companies who profess to care about anti-racism and publish lovely statements but actually provide services to hate groups? How can I contact them anonymously? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:19 PM PST - 14 comments

I am interested in finding a therapist and/or doctor in the SF Bay Area who can help me reduce my drinking. I think this is called the harm reduction approach, but part of my confusion is that I'm not even sure about that. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:19 PM PST - 5 comments

What exercise can I do immediately post-mastectomy (once surgeon says it's safe to be active, but not to carry any weights or stretch my arms at all)? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:19 PM PST - 9 comments

My AC is leaking. Or my wall is leaking? I don't know what's happening, please help me. [more inside]
posted by colorblock sock at 10:36 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm really digging The Scaredy Cats Horror Show, and would love to know if there are other similar podcasts out there. The main draw is having a few hosts with great chemistry who discuss a film they've recently watched, focusing a bit on their reactions, a bit on general film/genre theory, a bit on specific trivia... I mean basically The Scaredy Cats Horror Show but more. MORE. [more inside]
posted by erratic meatsack at 9:55 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking for recommendations on where to buy good quality non-medical masks as we enter this new phase of "reopening." [more inside]
posted by sjswitzer at 7:07 PM PST - 28 comments

I am a 57 year old man working in a butcher shop in California. Physically, all was well with some issues from an old elbow injury that did not affect my work. When Covid-19 came around and the quarantines were announced, we were deemed essential and had to radically change the way we did our customer service. Essentially, like Amazon, we began processing online orders for pickup, along with traditional butcher shop tasks. [more inside]
posted by goalyeehah at 5:03 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm trying to remeber the name of a children's book about a farm house in the country that ends up being in the city as development have grown up all around it.
posted by mcbeitz at 4:40 PM PST - 4 comments

There seems to be a sine wave in the daily covid-19 data for USA daily deaths and daily new cases. Is this an artifact of data collection procedures, or is there a correlation with day of the week? I'm looking at data from NYTimes, Johns Hopkins, & the EU CDC. Here are a few charts that show the trends I'm asking about. What gives?
posted by at at 4:34 PM PST - 5 comments

Bit of a complicated situation (isn't it always with health insurance and the US): Can someone point me to the regulations around how long before a green card holder is eligible for Medicare? Trying to work out whether they would need to wait 5 years or not. Snowflake details inside... [more inside]
posted by thefuzzypanda at 3:34 PM PST - 3 comments

I'd like to either purchase or make speakers that are very low frequency so that the sound they emit can't really be heard, but only felt. [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 3:30 PM PST - 20 comments

Who the man in the civilian suit and dark glasses sitting the back of the jeep where George Rodger is standing photographing the crowd at the liberation of Paris in 1944? [more inside]
posted by Quillcards at 3:16 PM PST - 3 comments

I’ve been having trouble recently with ruminating to the point of difficulty sleeping after I have a debate with someone about politics. I think of all the points I could have/should have made that I didn’t think of at the time. [more inside]
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 3:14 PM PST - 16 comments

My younger cousin (who still lives at home with parents), came out to me as nonbinary some time ago, and, more recently, has asked that I use they/them pronouns for them. Great! I have other enby friends for whom I have had little difficulty making the change. But my cousin is not out as nb to literally any of the people in our family, so (at their request) I'm still using their old pronouns with all the people I actually discuss them with. This means it's been a lot harder to make the change this time, but I really want to honor my cousin's request and not misgender them when I think about them. How can I practice this so that I can make it stick, when I can't practice in normal conversation? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:06 PM PST - 11 comments

Help me understand my Etsy fees / payment discrepancies. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:02 PM PST - 1 comment

I have a friend from high school who lives in my city. We've fallen out of touch but we're Facebook friends. She's always been struggling with mental health issues on and off for as long as I've known her, but yesterday she made some posts that indicate some unusually paranoid / delusional thoughts and asked for help. Is there anything I or her other friends can do to help her? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:02 PM PST - 8 comments

So I got a text today from a phone number that I don't recognize. The content of the text is an entire email thread from my own gmail. How did this happen, and should I be concerned?? [more inside]
posted by merejane at 2:58 PM PST - 3 comments

Guidance for quality CBD oil recommends finding organic products free of heavy metals and pesticides, with accurate labelling, that have been tested by a 3rd party lab. I’m having a hard time finding this. Any recs for specific products obtainable in Ontario, or for sites I can use to find them? [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 2:48 PM PST - 2 comments

I am in possession of a list of folktales and myths. The titles have been translated from Japanese. I assume the translator doesn't speak English well or is using Google Translate, because there are some very unusual things in there, however, they are identifiable. This list includes the tantalizing title "Compared the Back of Acorns." Does anyone have any idea what this is? [more inside]
posted by Missense Mutation at 2:24 PM PST - 4 comments

If you steep dried hibiscus flowers in hot water, you get a pink "ink" that can be used to draw or paint with. It dries blue on white paper. Why is that? [more inside]
posted by xo at 2:22 PM PST - 4 comments

What else do I need to do to my work laptop and accounts to protect my privacy before I return it? [more inside]
posted by Kitchen Witch at 2:21 PM PST - 8 comments

I have a history of people disliking me after getting to know me. This has created a feedback loop unfortunately. I want to be okay with this and feel okay with being alone. [more inside]
posted by sheepishchiffon at 2:13 PM PST - 6 comments

What do I need to secure my kayak to the roof of my car? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 2:05 PM PST - 6 comments

What are some good chapter books or series to read to my six year old kid at bedtime? I'd like to make our reading list more diverse and inclusive, while keeping it age-appropriate and enjoyable for my kid. Looking for both specific book recommendations and suggestions for generally how to pick what to read to him. [more inside]
posted by beandip at 1:29 PM PST - 19 comments

I am looking for narratives, preferably novels, of a protagonist going back home after an extended period of time to look for something: an object, a person, or something intangible, like a story, a recipe, etc. [more inside]
posted by TheGoodBlood at 1:27 PM PST - 10 comments

I have a list of demands related to the recent protests I'd like to post on a sign outside my house. How do I use a computer and 8.5x11 paper to print these demands large enough to put on a sign of my desired size? [more inside]
posted by Karaage at 11:57 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a Magic Keyboard for my iMac. The space bar is half-failed, meaning that it only really springs back on the left side and not the right. And yet the actual thing that gets pressed by the bar is in the middle. I mostly space with my right thumb, so this doesn't work for me. Can I fix this myself? Is there a way to buy the one tiny part I need? [more inside]
posted by jessamyn at 11:35 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm trying to fight an unhealthy addiction to the news/soap opera hybrid we have in the United States. But I want to stay aware enough to at least try to make a tiny difference. [more inside]
posted by troywestfield at 10:55 AM PST - 19 comments

I have shingles for the first time. It started with intense head and neck pain on 6/8; on 6/10, I woke up with a big red rash on my forehead. I’m taking an antibiotic. The head and neck pain are gone and I’m using a paste of baking soda and water for the itch, which helps a lot. [more inside]
posted by htm at 10:50 AM PST - 17 comments

I was intrigued by this (there are three photos) at an estate sale this morning; intrigued enough to buy it (for a whopping 50 cents) even though I have no idea what it is. [more inside]
posted by the webmistress at 10:46 AM PST - 7 comments

Looking for an app that will basically do it all for me, and pop up warnings in my Google calendar when I am likely to be premenstrual and the likely start date of my cycle. A separate app to check isn't going to stick so well. Does this exist?
posted by crunchy potato at 9:35 AM PST - 5 comments

I love podcasts and I love learning about history. I'm sick of only hearing about Western/European history. My sweet spot is 45 mins + per episode, anything pre-1900. Hope me. [more inside]
posted by thetarium at 8:58 AM PST - 8 comments

There is a kind of antique tool sometimes called a "milliner's plane", but I can find no information on what they were for or if they actually have any connection to millinery. Who used them and for what purpose? [more inside]
posted by jedicus at 7:50 AM PST - 12 comments

Thinking about a career change involving coding. Can you help me figure this out? [more inside]
posted by skwt at 7:16 AM PST - 10 comments

I have started seeing a therapist to deal with my severe fear and anxiety, triggered by the current situation. She's using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She's helping me a lot but I can only see her a limited number of times due to the cost, so I hope I can find other resources out there to help me. [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 6:38 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm looking for children's books about everyone being valuable, but NOT because they have some kind of interesting attribute or useful ability. [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 6:32 AM PST - 13 comments

For fun, for profit or ... ? [more inside]
posted by ZenMasterThis at 6:12 AM PST - 11 comments

Lately, I've been thinking about my progress w/my therapist who has missed 2x sessions with me. I'm wondering if I'm just overthinking it or is it time for a change? [more inside]
posted by chrono_rabbit at 6:04 AM PST - 9 comments

I get headaches (not full-blown migraines, usually) and a general feeling of malaise when it is hot and humid and the pressure is low. I'm looking for suggestions on how to alleviate these. If you are similarly affected by the weather, how do you deal? [more inside]
posted by tavegyl at 4:37 AM PST - 15 comments

The pandemic has made my social world suddenly smaller, a thing I think is probably true for many of us. My household has found ways to keep one on one connections alive through video chats and postcards and whatnot. As I look to summer and fall, with neighborhood festivals canceled and school still up in the air, I’m wondering what can be done for maintaining the sort of weak-tie connections that make a community feel like home. [more inside]
posted by eirias at 4:05 AM PST - 4 comments

I just joined an online tarot forum that maintains a database of resources (Deck Library), where users can post their reviews of items they own and use. The database is sparsely populated compared to the number of resources available on the market. When I asked why, one of the reasons given was that users had to post their own photo of cards from the deck they were reviewing, rather than using stock images created by the publisher. This raised a two-part question in my mind: [more inside]
posted by turtlegirl at 3:15 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a website which consists entirely of my own writing. I posted the first essays there in 2009, where they're remained available ever since, and the most recent ones this morning. In these circumstances, what date(s) should I use in the site's blanket copyright notice?
posted by Paul Slade at 2:37 AM PST - 3 comments

How is it that Hungarian can call a new world vegetable by a name based on a region in a distantish European nation? [more inside]
posted by colin_l at 2:03 AM PST - 4 comments

I am fascinated by people who acquire dazzling artistic or technical skills, and then apply them to intentionally silly ends. For example: the beautiful stagecraft on display in the Shia LaBeouf music video, or Mark Rober and friends spending six months building the world's strongest trampoline, or pretty much anything Weird Al has ever done . What are some other examples of this kind of thing? And is there a word (in any language) that means "a silly thing done astonishingly well"?
posted by yankeefog at 1:51 AM PST - 26 comments

Iceland's eastern region, along the coast and around the Lagarfljót – I want to learn about any interesting geography / natural features that are unique to the east AND/OR are relatively little known. Especially any relating to water and its different states (glacier–river–ocean).
posted by kalapierson at 11:43 PM PST - 1 comment

I am a freelancer with a regular client whose fees are denominated in USD. She is paying me through paypal. Should I request for USD or to be paid in my local Asian currency given that paypal has a terrible currency conversion rate? [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 10:32 PM PST - 20 comments

My partner will be having a prostatectomy in the nearish future. Sex has always been our primary way of relating and connecting and while my main concern is supporting him I am trying to prepare myself for the changes that are coming. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:29 PM PST - 5 comments

Tongue partially in cheek as I ask this, but I'm still somewhat concerned. I posted this question about my prescription for Hetlioz. It seems to be on the verge of being sent over here now, but of course there's another wrinkle… [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 9:15 PM PST - 3 comments

Someone posted a "we should all be colourblind and this would end racism" themed meme on fb. I believe this person is naive, not evil, and would be receptive to a different viewpoint. But my googling and Metafilter searching have note turned up anything useful. Looking for something clear, analytic without being Social-Theory-with-a-capita)-S-H., and on the question of colourblindness specifically, not racism in general. Ideas? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:23 PM PST - 8 comments

I, a 55 year old woman, am passing small amounts of blood, and what appears to be small chunks of tissue in my urine. My Nurse practitioner ordered a urine test which came back positive for blood and "a trace amount of nitrates." She says this indicates I have a urinary tract infection and she sent it to another lab for further testing to see which antibiotics she she should prescribe for me. She expects test results by Friday. I agreed to no antibiotics until she knows which kind of bacteria she needs to treat. But I'm still freaking out. Can you help me feel better about this course of action or, alternately, if necessary suggest another one. More details follow. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:00 PM PST - 11 comments

So today I was diagnosed with a partially detached retina and, after pneumatic retinopathy, must sleep on my left side at least until tomorrow and perhaps for a few days afterwards. But my normal sleep pattern is to start out on my right side and then, sometime while I'm sound asleep, shift over to sleeping on my back. Please help me with some ideas about how to change this! [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 6:42 PM PST - 10 comments

The man on the left in this photo is my grandfather. Does the script offer a clue as to who the guy on the right might be? [more inside]
posted by jon1270 at 6:41 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm trying to find examples of giant hollow man (or human figure) that people go into. Ideally five. One in each limb and then one in the body/head. Like Voltron. But searching is bringing up all the wrong things. Is there some sort of technical term I'm supposed to be using here for big human figure with people in it?
posted by rileyray3000 at 5:22 PM PST - 12 comments

My city (on the north side of the East Bay in California) has been experiencing unusually loud, unusually frequent fireworks over the last few weeks (our local Facebook group HATES it), and I've been seeing mentions of the same thing here and there over twitter and in articles like this one about Boston. I was wondering if this is also happening anywhere else? Are there any other articles being written about it?
posted by bleep at 5:16 PM PST - 52 comments

Everywhere on the internet is happy to tell me that I need "heavy curtains and pelmets" to properly insulate my windows, but does not say what that means. Is a single layer curtain made from a fabric with a blockout backing "heavy"? A two layer curtain with front fabric and a separate blockout lining? Or a full-on thermal insulated curtain? What's the minimum I need to largely eliminate heat loss and gain through my windows, and what are the pros and cons of different options? [more inside]
posted by neatsocks at 4:56 PM PST - 9 comments

I have discovered an online treasure trove of articles and other resources for a nonfiction book project I'm working on, but I am at a loss how to organize them in any sort of logical, accessible way. [more inside]
posted by Clustercuss at 3:53 PM PST - 4 comments

I read a book in the 60's written by a young black women who grew up the deep south. She wrote about the horrible things she had heard and experienced. I thought it was called Black Like Me but I keep getting the other book. Does anyone know the book I mean?
posted by mcbeitz at 3:06 PM PST - 7 comments

There are so many that I have no idea how to choose. Just a simple one to do the job. I'd like to have one in the home during these corona virus times. Thank you!
posted by Tziv at 1:43 PM PST - 10 comments

I am a woman in a junior technical role at a big corporation. I have observed that the women in my org tend to end up in managerial roles relatively quickly rather than further building their subject-specific expertise. I am feeling myself being encouraged (via the assignments and projects I'm given in comparison with those given to my male colleagues of similar seniority) in the same direction. Is this a known phenomenon in the wider working world, and if so do you have links to further reading on it and its consequences?
posted by btfreek at 11:38 AM PST - 16 comments

My SO and I are in escrow on a cute little condo in a highly desirable area. We have wanted a place in this complex for MONTHS, and were ecstatic when our bid was accepted. Inspection went well, and all looked good. Yesterday, we visited the condo and had an interaction with the neighbor that left us concerned. More below the fold. [more inside]
posted by onecircleaday at 11:23 AM PST - 51 comments

What kind of bike do I want? [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 10:03 AM PST - 20 comments

I have Photoshop CS4 running on my MacBook Pro (Mojave 10.14.6). I use it almost daily. I've been running it for years with no problems. This morning when I I tried to open it, the icon in the dock bounced once and then I got the "Photoshop quit unexpectedly" window. I have changed literally nothing on the computer between yesterday and today. Help!
posted by tzikeh at 9:39 AM PST - 7 comments

As an academic I get a lot of spam, predatory publication invitations, phony conference invitations, etc. I usually delete and move on. Is Scientia simply another thing that will try to get the author to pay for being included or is it a genuine commercial publication? Yes I've Googled and looked at its online presence and at one conversation saying it's a predatory journal but I would like a more definitive answer if anyone has knowledge of Scientia.
posted by nantucket at 9:32 AM PST - 2 comments

How do I get in touch with the person who programs music for the Washington Nationals’ home games? [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 9:27 AM PST - 3 comments

Kitty came to us malnourished and full of parasites. She is now on Revolution, has tested negative for Feline Leukemia, and gotten All The Vaccines. She is very happy, and doesn't look like she's starving anymore, as she's now at about 8 pounds. Nonetheless, she still looks... scruffy. Solutions sought below. [more inside]
posted by Crystal Fox at 8:44 AM PST - 27 comments

I've searched and can't seem to find an official source of statistics for the number of healthcare facilities in a country. My current plan is to work with the WHO data here and multiply it by national population, but do anyone know where this information is available directly?
posted by whitewall at 8:25 AM PST - 1 comment

Pigeons are pooping on my deck (in Brooklyn, NY). A LOT. I've lived here 20+ years and this is an unprecedented amount of pigeon poop compared to past years. Is there an ecological explanation for this? [more inside]
posted by moonmilk at 7:37 AM PST - 12 comments

Like many MeFites, I'm generally supportive of organized labor and think that unions in the US should be much stronger than they are. Also like many MeFites, I think that police unions are a public menace and should be disbanded. Is there a good structural way to think about this? What makes the PBA different? [more inside]
posted by Ragged Richard at 7:27 AM PST - 31 comments

Looking for a gift for a birder who doesn't like to own a lot of stuff. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 7:05 AM PST - 23 comments

Are Zenni sunglasses amber lenses the nice kind or the vaguely gross kind? [more inside]
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 6:57 AM PST - 8 comments

Has anyone tried those monthly subscriptions to science experiment or engineering/mechanics kits for kids? Are there any kits you can get a single one and stand out as being worthwhile for long term use? [more inside]
posted by xarnop at 6:48 AM PST - 6 comments

I've always been a fairly empathetic person and feel for people when bad things happen. But ever since having a child, that empathy dial has ratcheted up to about a twelve. Will this tone down or change over time? [more inside]
posted by stillmoving at 4:28 AM PST - 17 comments

As it turns out, one of my now ex-facebook friends is deeply TERF (the UK version). Gah! I need to educate myself, but my time is severely limited, as is my bandwidth for mental health reasons, and I am not on twitter, which seems to be a problem. I apologise. If, to start with, I read one thing about trans rights and TERF tactics, what should it be?
posted by Omnomnom at 4:08 AM PST - 13 comments

I have a dear friend who is rapidly losing his sight. There are plenty of ways to get iPhone to read a website aloud, and several iPhone apps that can (for example) read the text on a sign or in a book and instantly translate it into a different language for you, but I haven't been able to find a simple app where you can just point your phone at a sign or magazine and have it read aloud. Help? [more inside]
posted by Ursula Hitler at 3:45 AM PST - 9 comments

My band hired a technician to record an album. How do we defuse potential copyright issues before they arise? [more inside]
posted by kolendra at 3:44 AM PST - 5 comments

Through the course of my jobs, I help recruit folks: some people I know through my network, some people in the industry. It's sometimes a rewarding experience, but I feel guilty the moment that they have a hard time at the company and much guiltier if I leave the company before they do. I feel like I led them the wrong way, or let them down. Is this normal? Can I change this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:24 AM PST - 6 comments

One of my employees is a young black man who is being relentlessly profiled and harassed by neighbors and property managers at his apartment because they think he’s a “thug” or a drug dealer < Tonight, a neighbor called the police on him and he reached out to me in panic and frustration. What can we do? [more inside]
posted by chara at 11:22 PM PST - 18 comments

We have a whole set of small locking glass apothecary jars like this that we use for spices. For some of them (garlic, mustard powder, paprika, etc), the gaskets have been degraded by corrosive volatile compounds in the spice. We'd love to replace the gaskets, but can't seem to find any place that sells them on their own. I know there's a factory somewhere that makes a gajillion of these an hour - I just want a dozen!
posted by profanon at 8:06 PM PST - 12 comments

Let's say I was born and raised in Country X. Recently in a group conversation, an acquaintance who is Xian-American and who has been to X three times in their life said something disparaging and stereotyping about X and justified it, saying something like "X is sooooooo backwards, I know this to be true because I'm Xian." How do I respond in a situation like this? [more inside]
posted by Sparkling Natural Mineral Water at 6:35 PM PST - 19 comments

I would like a speaker that can connect to WiFi and play music streamed from my computer. Searches for this mainly bring up smart speakers, but I don't want to be recorded, just play music. Does this exist? [more inside]
posted by medusa at 5:51 PM PST - 17 comments

I would like to write a SF/F novel this year, no matter how bad!!! Any suggestions on setting myself up to cross the finish line? [more inside]
posted by elephantsvanish at 5:11 PM PST - 11 comments

My co-workers and I want to have an office pool where we guess the date that we'll be returning to work from Coronavirus. We could use some kind of manual way of tracking it (with a spreadsheet), but I'm wondering if there are any websites that might facilitate this sort of thing.
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 4:18 PM PST - 4 comments

Now in the northern hemisphere, it's summer and that means bug bite season. I always get bitten a lot and my bites usually itch like hell. Is there a bug bite remedy you swear by? Salt has helped when the bites are open, but I'm trying to nip them before they get too angry.
posted by starlybri at 2:58 PM PST - 44 comments

An electrocardiogram is commonly called an EKG in American English after the German name Elektrokardiogramm. Are there are other common non-organizational abbreviations/initialisms/acronyms in English that use the initials or shortening of a foreign language original? [more inside]
posted by Jahaza at 2:30 PM PST - 33 comments

I'm writing a character from a smallish town in Missouri (pop. under 50k). However, I've never actually visited Missouri! What types of texturizing details might a person actually from Missouri know that I might not know to look for on google? E.g., do Missourians have any special outlook on central AC versus external AC units (particularizing in many places)? Is there a state beer you see everywhere? What denomination of Christianity do most people practice? Were there any big trends in the early aughts? Culture that everyone was or is consuming (everyone I knew as a kid loved the Left Behind books)? Are there any Missourian attitudes or clichés (besides "show-me state") that only native Missourians know? What do Missourians who go other places get tired of hearing when they say they're from Missouri? What do they miss, what do they notice once they leave? I'm thinking this fictional place will be in the four-state area (Missouri, OK, Kansas, AR). Do people actually say "four state area"? Lol. Much appreciated!
posted by ennuisperminute at 12:15 PM PST - 75 comments

The Wikipedia article for the shooting of Charles Kinsey says that the officer who was disciplined was required to write "...a 2,500-word essay on communication and weapon discharges." Where can I read that essay?
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 11:49 AM PST - 2 comments

For example, NYMag's Strategist or Wirecutter. I enjoy a good recommendation and am looking for more. [more inside]
posted by hepta at 11:21 AM PST - 17 comments

I have been asked to host an hour long online happy hour type event, for around 16 coworkers. The invite list is mixed from neighboring teams that don't work together often, so we don't already have established connections. What are some ideas so that this will be fun, and a good use of everyone's time?
posted by whisk(e)y neat at 10:10 AM PST - 11 comments

This is probably obvious but... it's not obvious to me. I have a small baggie of sourdough starter that I bought from a small local bakery. It has been in my fridge for a month or so. [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 10:10 AM PST - 11 comments

I've noticed a weird issue with Tik-Tok embedded videos in other sites; it looks like someone is sitting behind the scenes and endlessly pressing the "enter" button at the bottom of the video to insert lines of space again and again underneath the video. Is this a bug I can do anything about or just something that is what it is? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:42 AM PST - 6 comments

I would very much like to read the comments in the George Floyd post (the most recent one) of this Instagram account (a classmate has posted a petition that's connected to information in there). I do not have and will not get an Instagram account. I've tried different browsers, but that's not working. How can I read these comments? Thanks.
posted by amtho at 8:58 AM PST - 8 comments

I got frustrated with my local store not restocking the regular-sized curry paste jars for ages so I ordered a huge bucket of red curry paste (the Thai Kitchen one) online. Now that it's arrived I'm a little intimidated! [more inside]
posted by randomnity at 8:14 AM PST - 23 comments

My kid (6 yo) is super into nature. She wants to grow bugs and observe them. We have grown caterpillars, ladybugs, and tadpoles. We are looking for new ideas and anything else that is nature-inspired. We grow seeds and have done owl pellets and grew a slime mold and grew bacteria. We also observe local wildlife every day. We are in south Florida if that matters. Thanks!
posted by mrfuga0 at 8:07 AM PST - 26 comments

The public high school I graduated from years (decades) ago has always had a lot of ignorant racist students. And in some cases the teachers were no better. Obviously this is a multi-faceted problem with no easy solution. But are there any discrete things I could do, perhaps through donation or endowment, to make a dent?
posted by malhouse at 7:59 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a wired usb printer attached to a desktop. I'm tired of carting files from the laptop to the desktop when I want to print. It seems like there should be a utility that will send my file from the laptop to the desktop and have the desktop print it. Does this exist? Both computers are windows.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:54 AM PST - 6 comments

We need some advice on protecting/transplanting our tomato plant [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad at 5:03 AM PST - 11 comments

I'd like to switch from Virgin to a good broadband provider, ideally one that will let me use my own router. Recommendations for good companies and good routers to use would be perfect. [more inside]
posted by lucidium at 2:55 AM PST - 10 comments

I seem to have lost my ability to delay gratification. I used to be quite disciplined - I had no problems working on my goals, sticking to a diet or keeping up an exercise regimen. But for the last couple of years, I am less and less willing/able to do hard things, even when I want them. Help pls? [more inside]
posted by gakiko at 2:27 AM PST - 22 comments

We use Gantt for project management across two time zones, however every tool that we've seen only seems to support milestones to the day, and we need to enter them to the hour and then have those hours translate across different time zones depending on the other parties involved. With all the standalone Gantt tools and Gantt support in popular PM apps, are there any that support this more granular type of use, or should we be using another method or scheduling tool?
posted by LongDrive at 12:09 AM PST - 5 comments

I work in a team of three - one of us does a slightly different job and two of us do the same job. There are long term projects we work on plus reactive work that comes in. How do we divide it up between ourselves without the boss having to get involved? [more inside]
posted by hazyjane at 11:41 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm giving my extra tomato starts to people in my community garden whose plots were assigned after the local plant sales. We've been asked to label donated starts bilingually. What are the terms for slicing tomatoes, paste tomatoes, and cherry tomatoes in Spanish? I could just write the varieties' names, but I assume most people don't geek out about tomatoes as much as I do. Thank you!
posted by centrifugal at 11:24 PM PST - 12 comments

I should be in the process of scheduling a final oophorectomy which will complete a hysterectomy. The unknown is freaking me out even though I don’t really have other options. [more inside]
posted by Crystalinne at 9:03 PM PST - 12 comments

Our deck is being replaced this week after we found serious structural issues. We had to get it done as soon as possible, so we chose a contractor we used once before for a small project, who was recommended by friends, whose work we've seen. Today the deck boards began to be installed and they have A LOT of knots. The deck boards are SPIB stamped standard grade (SPIB STAND R.E.D. KD19 HT 341). There is no issue with the work, everything looks very well done. I'm just surprised and concerned about the deck boards. If you're a contractor, or someone experienced in these matters - is this an acceptable grade of deck boards? Are the knots going to cause any problems with the wood rotting or with maintaining the deck? (Should I ask them to rip it up and use a better grade of wood?!) We're outside of Charlotte NC in the US, in case that matters. Thanks MetaFilter!
posted by racersix6 at 7:28 PM PST - 12 comments

I just launched a non profit with a social justice mission. I've been planning it for a few years. It just happens to closely align to the recent social justice marches over the death of George Floyd. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 7:14 PM PST - 7 comments

What neat inventions and very important ancient historical events are younger than 3,200 years old? [more inside]
posted by Jacen at 7:03 PM PST - 32 comments

What dishes can I get that are not made of plastic, microwave safe, and less likely to break when dropped by children and me? [more inside]
posted by medusa at 6:36 PM PST - 28 comments

I work for several different companies. I live in Kansas and work in Kansas and Missouri for 3 different companies. I have state taxes taken out of all 3 in 3 different ways. [more inside]
posted by Lost at 6:31 PM PST - 4 comments

My sister has a scapholunate ligament tear. She’s seen two surgeons, one who recommended a dorsal capsulodesis and one who recommended a Brunelli 3 ligament tenodesis. She sees a third surgeon next week and may be offered yet another option. If you know about either of these surgeries or other wrist surgeries, can you weigh in on which surgery is considered best, how to make decisions between two or three different procedure options, and any personal experience with wrist surgery and recovery? Thanks!
posted by bananacabana at 5:49 PM PST - 1 comment

Is there anyone I can pay who can check what properties a registered company in the UK owns? There is a database query you can do if you download a big dataset from the land registry but that seems complex/overkill for one search.
posted by Mistress at 5:39 PM PST - 5 comments

I have been considering a product like this or this for when I would normally need my external monitor for work that requires more screen real estate. I bought two of of these side mount magnetic holders for my iPad to see how I liked a second monitor hooked up to my laptop and realized I’d rather have the screen attached above rather than on the side for the kind of work that I do. The magnetic holders I bought suck and will be returned, so looking for another solution. [more inside]
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 5:18 PM PST - 6 comments

I bought some cheap pickles from Trader Joes. When I opened them, some were sticking up above the brine and were soft, so I decided they might not be safe to eat. Are the rest of pickles, which were submerged, probably fine? (I did eat one yesterday and have suffered no ill effects.)
posted by pinochiette at 5:17 PM PST - 6 comments

Like it says on the box. : ) Are they? [more inside]
posted by bitterkitten at 5:07 PM PST - 6 comments

I have a Plantronics edge Bluetooth headset for about 2 weeks. I went to use it a few days ago and the audio speaker works fine, but all of a sudden it won't use its own mic to pick up sound, instead, it uses my phone's mic. I tried cleaning the headset, upgrading firmware, discharging and recharging all the way, nothing has helped. Thanks in advance@
posted by maxexam at 4:10 PM PST - 5 comments

The insurance company of the guy who hit my car just asked if I had collision coverage. Is there any reason not to tell him? [more inside]
posted by victoriab at 3:16 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm looking to get a new bike for commuting and all-around riding and am leaning to something in the cyclocross/gravel bike mold. My budget is around $2,000 CAD ($1,500 USD/£1,200). What should I be looking for? [more inside]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:55 PM PST - 26 comments

I am looking for software which will take strings of text or images with an associated date or time and place them proportionally on a timeline. At one scale, that would mean placing things by year on a timeline of decades; on another, placing things by day over a span of several years; and on another, placing things by minute or second within a shorter span. [more inside]
posted by sindark at 1:14 PM PST - 7 comments

Once email has been downloaded onto my laptop, I want it stay there. Also don't want sent mail from my computer to appear on the ISP servers. [more inside]
posted by Lesser Shrew at 1:10 PM PST - 10 comments

I have a twin long duvet with a cotton duvet cover. My family likes to lie on top of the cover to watch TV or read and every time they get up, it's always super creased and sinks in, which bothers me. The made bed never looks made. I'm looking for a suggestion for a duvet cover that will not crease easily and is comfy material to lie on. Thanks you!
posted by Tziv at 12:52 PM PST - 10 comments

I live in a space with 4 cats (belonging to two of my roommates, one of whom owns the house). Sometimes I like to have my door open so I can socialize with my human roommates and have accepted that cats (and cat fur, and bits of litter) in my room are unavoidable consequences. But sometimes I want peace and privacy, not furry critters scratching at my door. Help me calibrate my actions and expectations. [more inside]
posted by itesser at 11:49 AM PST - 17 comments

Can you suggest shows that analyze or argue with video clips, to teach media literacy and critique, in a "cool" way? Compelling, lots of clips, and thought-provoking or funny commentary? Examples inside. [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 11:47 AM PST - 5 comments

Like many freelancers out there, I'm trying to navigate the unbelievable tangle of unemployment insurance for the first time. Getting through to someone at the Oregon office requires literally hours of constant redialing. Is there an app for that? Or some other secret, maybe a Fiverr kind of thing, that means not having to hit buttons hundreds of times when you could be, y'know, working or looking for work? I'm on an iPhone 7 (yes really) and Google only turns up suuuper sketchy apps with awful reviews.
posted by gottabefunky at 10:22 AM PST - 7 comments

It's been a hot minute since I've seen some trivia name team suggestions on mefi. I work for a company involved in the legal weed scene and we have a monthly trivia event. As someone who is horrible as trivia, but excellent at asking the internet questions, what are your dankest trivia team names?
posted by zsh2v1 at 10:16 AM PST - 19 comments

When people say "Abolish The Police," what do they mean? [more inside]
posted by the man of twists and turns at 9:36 AM PST - 25 comments

I have a 2011 Canon 5D Mark II DSLR that I bought used in 2015. I am very fond of it. It will not turn on - and yes, I have charged the batteries and cleaned the terminals and etc., etc. I can't decide whether to try to get it repaired - complicating factor: there is no camera repair place within 2 hours drive of me - or replace it with either the same camera or a slightly newer used camera. It is too old for Canon to repair it. [more inside]
posted by mygothlaundry at 9:29 AM PST - 7 comments

I am prone to nightmare, night terrors, sleep terrors, and many years ago, intermittent sleep walking. The latter 3 conditions have been addressed through medication. The nightmares remain. It's become stressful to need to sleep knowing that good sleep may not come. How do you manage your bad dreams?
posted by Kitchen Witch at 9:09 AM PST - 21 comments

I've been getting a weird intermittent sensation in my left elbow/arm/hand for the last few months. It doesn't sound exactly like the things I've read about (cubital tunnel/ulnar entrapment/golfer's elbow) but I don't know enough about those conditions to know if what I'm experiencing is a less-common manifestation of one of those issues or something else. [more inside]
posted by terretu at 8:32 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking into getting some custom shirts for my company. Before we go with the default embroidered-logo polos...is there something a bit more unique and stylish out there? These are to be worn by installation engineers working on hospital equipment, so they should be professional, packable, wear well, and be comfortable for physical work. If we do end up going with polos, any recommendations for particularly nice ones?
posted by SampleSize at 8:15 AM PST - 14 comments

Over the past month or so, a group of my internet friends has been playing Diplomacy (on backstabbr and playdiplomacy). We're kind of tiring of Diplomacy, but have really enjoyed playing something multiplayer, async and web-based. Surely there are more games out there like it we could play? [more inside]
posted by so fucking future at 8:14 AM PST - 5 comments

I have 2000+ MP4s of varying lengths that I need to automatically chop down to the first 3 minutes in length, and end up with new MP4s each 3 minutes long. [more inside]
posted by sandra_s at 6:51 AM PST - 6 comments

I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow, but I'm so curious what this could be. More below the fold so as not to waste space here. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:16 AM PST - 7 comments

I do payroll for a construction company in Illinois. The boss wants to, and has in the past, refused to pay the hours a crew spends if they have to go back to a site to fix their own mistakes. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:12 AM PST - 6 comments

So I may take a political job that will very likely result in real blowback. Right now I've deleted and limited all my social media presence to reduce identifiability and the effects on other people. My worry is someone finding recent custody and support filings to get at children whose lives I do not participate in. How findable are these based on a person's name?
posted by anonymous at 5:12 AM PST - 4 comments

Please help me identify this ceramic thing. [more inside]
posted by leigh1 at 4:43 AM PST - 8 comments

I am a cis het woman suffering from a "female" disease. How can I include trans individuals into my online discussions? [more inside]
posted by LoonyLovegood at 1:16 AM PST - 32 comments

Please help me find this (almost certainly extremely outdated) book about the nature of revolutions! The details I remember, under the cut: [more inside]
posted by C. K. Dexter Haven at 12:16 AM PST - 5 comments

Help me compile a list of situations where computer engineers have been asked to change engineering terms to avoid being racist, sexist, etc. Examples within. [more inside]
posted by i like crows very much at 12:04 AM PST - 24 comments

I want to find progressive, highly reliable/factual news websites that cover science, environmental concerns, as well as both U.S. and world government behavior in front of and behind the scenes. And any other sites that seem worthy of spending time there. [more inside]
posted by sugarbx19 at 9:29 PM PST - 3 comments

I've been dilligently recording down household income and expenses for a decade now, but I realised that I don't really do anything with that data after entering it in. What are some charts and reports I should generate from the data in order to be more in tune with my finances and perhaps figure out how we could better manage our money? [more inside]
posted by destrius at 9:24 PM PST - 4 comments

Any suggestions as to what it is and how to deal with it would be sincerely appreciated. Here's a picture of the offensive growth.
posted by ptm at 8:48 PM PST - 9 comments

My wife has four shiny, and, alas, expensive road and track bikes. They're indoor creatures when not in use (10000+ miles per year...), and we have a small apartment where I cannot attach things to the ceiling. Can anyone recommend a good looking bike rack or racks, of wood or metal, that might help corral them without looking like the rack belongs in a garage?
posted by cowcowgrasstree at 8:32 PM PST - 9 comments

My colleague is going on maternity leave soon, and we're all working from home. How do we replace the personalization of the group card and well-wishes we had at the office? [more inside]
posted by tamarack at 7:34 PM PST - 12 comments

Hi, AskMe. :) I've recently rediscovered my liking for Ulysses, and wanted to find out what else is in a similar… Style isn't quite the word, but I'll use it anyway. Many details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 7:25 PM PST - 13 comments

Hi! This coming Sunday will be a Milestone Birthday for me and all the things that I would like to do to celebrate it are not possible at the moment. Will you help me figure out how to make some lemonade out of the pile of lemons I've been sitting on since the middle of March? [more inside]
posted by fingers_of_fire at 7:09 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm about halfway through the ABC series Emergence, which unfortunately only ran for 13 episodes before being canceled. I LOVE IT SO MUCH. Can you find me other TV shows, movies, and books in a similar vein? [more inside]
posted by leftover_scrabble_rack at 5:42 PM PST - 15 comments

My background is in visual art (BFA, MFA, ten years undergraduate teaching and professional experience), and I'm looking to respecialize in art therapy. To be eligible for an MA art therapy program, I need to pick up an additional 24-30 undergrad credits, mainly in psychology. I would prefer to do this remotely, given my own and *gestures despairingly in every direction* general circumstances. Is this possible? If so, how do I proceed? and are there particular universities/programs (Canada/USA) that I should be looking at? [more inside]
posted by wreckingball at 5:24 PM PST - 9 comments

I am looking for a way to be able to get together virtually with some friends to play Bridge. I have found a number of sites that have chat functions - but ideally we would like to be able to see each other on video. Do you know of any Bridge programs (online or apps) that would allow this? (Or do we just have to use Zoom alongside another Bridge site?). Second order question: what online Bridge sites do you prefer for playing with a closed group of people you know? Many thanks, MeFites!
posted by sonofsnark at 4:43 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm a project manager who works in international development, particularly in areas related to capacity building, education and rights. I recently finished a project and I'm going back to school in the autumn. I'd like to do something useful for the next couple of months. But what? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by chappell, ambrose at 4:42 PM PST - 2 comments

Sometimes, when I’m really tired in the evening - or especially when it’s late at night - my legs ache. This has been going on since I was a teenager and I have never been able to figure out what it is. [more inside]
posted by insectosaurus at 4:36 PM PST - 18 comments

Recommend me food and cooking YouTube channels with Black or Latinx hosts. [more inside]
posted by quaking fajita at 3:00 PM PST - 16 comments

Someone very close to me has been diagnosed with cancer. I will be this person's primary caregiver throughout their treatment. They are starting chemotherapy shortly, and are scheduled to have a port inserted. [more inside]
posted by Kangaroo at 2:35 PM PST - 13 comments

What bands are doing interesting things during the shutdown? [more inside]
posted by number9dream at 2:22 PM PST - 14 comments

All my short stories are saved as .doc on my iMac (OS Catalina). Any document I try to open comes up in textedit only. I was going to subscribe to Microsoft Office for Word but the recent reviews have been just terrible. I am trying LibreOffice instead. Unfortunately, Submittable only takes .doc or docx. What are my options here?
posted by uans at 2:08 PM PST - 23 comments

Audrey is wearing it in Season 2, Episode 3 of Homecoming. Can you identify the maker and style of the blouse? Looks like navy blue with a jaguar and bird print? Here is a screenshot.
posted by stillmoving at 11:51 AM PST - 3 comments

While cleaning out a stack of papers that had been sitting around for a few years, I discovered underneath them a Kindle Fire (5th Generation) that I recall having won as a door prize in a raffle. To my surprise, after I found it and plugged it in, it has come back to life despite sitting completely depleted since 2017 at the latest. What do I do with it? [more inside]
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 11:48 AM PST - 8 comments

I came into possession of a Mac mini (2014 series) with Thunderbolt 2. Other than the graphics card, it has pretty great specs. I'd love to hook up a 5k monitor to it and play some games. I'm wondering if anyone has successfully connected an external graphics card ("eGPU") to this model of computer via a Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapter?
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 10:53 AM PST - 5 comments

Our family just adopted this good dog, a 35-pound, mixed breed, hilarious, 7-month-old boy. But what is his name? [more inside]
posted by pril at 10:18 AM PST - 103 comments

I have a residential alarm system monitored by NextAlarm.com. They are discontinuing service on 30 June. I'm looking for a replacement UL-listed monitoring company that can provide proof-of-service so I can get an insurance discount. Looking for someone who can do basic Internet-based monitoring cheaply and well. [more inside]
posted by sourcequench at 10:15 AM PST - 2 comments

How do I calculate the horizontal force applied to the rail of a scissor lift if someone attached to the rated attach point were to fall out? [more inside]
posted by jwhite1979 at 10:11 AM PST - 12 comments

The pandemic has me concentrating on plants, something I don't have a great history with. Help me understand houseplants in regards to my particular apartment / window situation. Photos inside. [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 10:11 AM PST - 6 comments

I know we have talked about this before in AskMeFi, but I think I need some current help. Like quite a few of us, I belong to NextDoor, because they're my neighbors, and there's tons of discussion of the protests. And the racists are out, barely in disguise or not at all. I actually think some of them are persuadable people and I believe in dropping good seeds even in barren ground, but I could use some more handy cites. [more inside]
posted by bearwife at 9:58 AM PST - 13 comments

I'm looking to buy a first car for my small family (1 child), in Germany. I need some help choosing and also trying to understand how this works in Germany. [more inside]
posted by melamakarona at 9:56 AM PST - 3 comments

In Back to the Future Marty wakes up in Loraine's bedroom (1955) and at one point Loraine comments that she'd never seen purple underwear before. Was suburban male underwear in 1955 not coloured / plain white? If so when did coloured underwear generally and purple specifically become popular/normal?
posted by Mitheral at 9:26 AM PST - 14 comments

I live in a big city where it is very frequent to encounter strangers having mental health crises. Based on your personal experience trying this or having someone do this with you, is it helpful for someone to approach and ask what's wrong? What are the pros and cons of bystander intervention? [more inside]
posted by peppercorn at 9:25 AM PST - 10 comments

I have 60 year old iron-frame windows in my house. Either in the original construction or in the years since gaps have appeared. They range from 1/32 to 1/4 inch. When the rain blows from a particular direction they leak like sieves. [more inside]
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 8:26 AM PST - 11 comments

Is there a good, basic summary about Balzac’s conflicts with typographers and why he only had one trusted typographer in Paris?
posted by pxe2000 at 7:53 AM PST - 3 comments

Over the last year, I've seen ads for washable underwear, and it's overwhelming. So many brands, so few reviews. What have you tried? What's worked? I have minor incontinence -- a few drops a day. I'd like to do away with liners, which are landfill hogs. Recommendations?
posted by anonymous at 4:49 AM PST - 11 comments

What it says on the tin. I grew up in a sporty family where everyone exercised for fun, except me. Many years later, I learned I had pretty bad asthma, and that's why physical exertion always felt like death. Now I am struggling with my weight and I *need* to exercise, but I am super-embarrassed, and I need to get over that. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:49 AM PST - 41 comments

I need to take a day trip from New Jersey to Massachusetts to pick something up from a friend's porch. I will be driving. Will I be stopped at the state border(s) for driving out of state? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:47 AM PST - 15 comments

How do I come back from nearly two decades of workaholism? I've been going full-speed at my career for ~18 years, and I think I've broken my soul. I know this isn't right, but I have no habits, no hobbies, no friends, nothing left outside of my job to build on. [more inside]
posted by inland400 at 3:53 AM PST - 16 comments

What are the best resources for understanding Police Abolition and Reimagining Public Safety? Especially interested in 1) full conceptualizations of the day-to-day methods for maintaining public safety 2) explanations that are not highly academic or theory based, i.e. plain language 3) works by Black and Queer folks.
posted by hworth at 3:44 AM PST - 7 comments

My dad often travels to Europe and enjoys each country's unique culture. Unfortunately, he feels that nonwhite people are not "really European" and detract from his experience of Europe. Help! [more inside]
posted by rose-selavy at 10:58 PM PST - 47 comments

I live in NYC and *really* do not want to get onto the subway for quite a while, at least not during rush hour. I'm thinking about getting a fairly expensive one. Is it worth it? [more inside]
posted by holborne at 10:38 PM PST - 18 comments

I want to start an online book club. Given the current societal issues, what are some good books to start with? [more inside]
posted by inevitability at 8:21 PM PST - 11 comments

I have a small history of prior scans (CAT, MRI, X-ray - see below). Would having a routine health/check MRI scan of my brain pose any risk? [more inside]
posted by mairuzu at 6:57 PM PST - 18 comments

My partner has idiopathic intracranial hypertension. They experience exercise intolerance. They want to exercise without feeling horrible afterwards. How? [more inside]
posted by brook horse at 5:56 PM PST - 11 comments

What kind of Upstate NY bug hangs out at the beach and whose bites don’t hurt or itch, but do bleed? [more inside]
posted by Kriesa at 5:46 PM PST - 8 comments

No one is more surprised to suddenly find that Lady Sparrow and I are now deadly serious about changing our diets to lose weight and get more healthy. It would be nice if there was some sort of digital solution that would let us enter food, track calories, perhaps even have a favorite meal that we could call up from memory and not have to manually enter each time. [more inside]
posted by seasparrow at 3:38 PM PST - 21 comments

I have a tetsubin that I got in 2006 that is cast iron with some kind of inner lining. Today some dark flakes came out of the spout when I was cleaning it with a bottle brush. They were between an eighth and a quarter of a square inch each. Can I still use it? [more inside]
posted by soelo at 3:26 PM PST - 5 comments

People around me are convinced that a well-organized, national terrorist group called antifa is responsible for recent protests devolving into rioting and looting. I don’t believe it, but how can I learn more? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:07 PM PST - 24 comments

My fiance startled me terribly with a hard doubled-sided poke from behind and I went full Rottweiler on him. [more inside]
posted by MissPitts at 12:57 PM PST - 40 comments

I would like to watch a streamed movie together with my father several states away, and I would like us to be able to voice chat with each other while the movie is running as if we were sitting in the same room. What is the least complicated way to do this without compromising audio? [more inside]
posted by apparently at 11:32 AM PST - 14 comments

Is the SpyderX colorimeter really trash, as I’ve seen some anonymous internet users say? I’d like to calibrate my dual iMac and 4K monitor setup, and I can get a good deal on a Spyder. But I don’t want to throw money away. [more inside]
posted by scarylarry at 11:16 AM PST - 2 comments

I need to help my elderly mom buy a reliable and safe car. Purchasing a used car from Hertz Car Sales seems like a good option but I need help with the details. More inside. [more inside]
posted by Goblin Barbarian at 11:05 AM PST - 8 comments

What mid-90s computer icon am I thinking of? I can't quite put my finger on it, and it's driving me crazy. The icon included a sphere, a cylinder and a pyramid (I THINK?) clustered on the right, and I think they were shaded with gradients. I thought maybe it was a button in Claris Works if that helps narrow the era/genre, but as far as I can tell, the "drawing" icon is not it. Based on unsuccessful scouring, I *think* this was either Windows 95 or OS 8, but maybe not.... [more inside]
posted by Charity Garfein at 10:33 AM PST - 15 comments

I recently posted about my highly anxious and neurotic dog. I have to go out of town in July for 2.5 half days. I need to figure out a game plan. [more inside]
posted by Aranquis at 10:17 AM PST - 9 comments

I have a crippling fear of being abandoned by my partner, in particular being abandoned for a younger woman. I feel like it makes it hard for me to fully commit to my partner, fearful about the future, and extremely suspicious of men in general. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:24 AM PST - 42 comments

After putting hot water in our glass pitcher, the side of our pitcher cracked right above where the handle attaches to the side. See picture 1 and picture 2. So now we need to figure out what we will do next. [more inside]
posted by springo at 9:08 AM PST - 11 comments

My son is almost 16 months old and REFUSES to use any kind of sippy cup. We have tried very bottle-nipple-like ones, straw ones, 360-style ones, regular soft-spouted ones.... and he rejects them all. We know this should have happened earlier, and we were trying from 10 months onward. His twin sister has been on a sippy cup since 12 months, but he shows no interest in her cup. Help. [more inside]
posted by millipede at 9:06 AM PST - 16 comments

We have a cat that is very curious about the outdoors and tries to bolt out the door whenever we open it. We were thinking about getting him a leash and harness and allowing him to play in the yard. Will this satisfy his urge to go outside? Or will it just teach him how awesome the outdoors is, and make him want to bolt more? [more inside]
posted by christinetheslp at 8:59 AM PST - 17 comments

It was about how some people (conservatives? white supremacists?) think that the purpose of the government (or law? or police?) is to regulate and protect - protect them, while regulating others. It was relevant and pithy and piercing. I thought I saw it on Metafilter, but my search of my favorites has been fruitless and Google even worse (quarantine brain :( ). Thank you!!
posted by Salamandrous at 8:24 AM PST - 2 comments

In Virginia Lee Burton’s book Mayebelle the Cable Car, there’s text when the cable car is taking a sharp turn: “K out for the curve!” What does this expression mean and what’s its origin?
posted by CMcG at 7:44 AM PST - 6 comments

If you had to make a rubric for evaluating romantic partners what would be on it? [more inside]
posted by Rubbstone at 7:01 AM PST - 20 comments

I am a video editor looking for the best way to record a video conference for later editing? I assume something like Zoom and a camera phone but how do I do that combination and get good audio via an external mic? Will zoom compress audio? Anyone had success with this in general? I'm open to any tools/apps Thanks so much.
posted by captainscared at 6:07 AM PST - 7 comments

Have you been able to collect food scraps for compost in an apartment without it smelling like rotting veggies? Tell me how. [more inside]
posted by geegollygosh at 5:56 AM PST - 26 comments

Have giant calves with square muscles like the left side of this picture. This despite not having worked out kinda ever and being only averagely overweight. I don’t love the aesthetics, but I’m more concerned about function. More deets and questions inside. [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 5:17 AM PST - 11 comments

Is there a correct term for an author who identifies themselves with a description of their status alone? [more inside]
posted by einekleine at 4:10 AM PST - 20 comments

I'd like to buy my father a gift for Father's Day from an independent bookshop. Ideally a t-shirt or tote bag advertising the bookstore and a new copy of The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I'm having trouble finding one online that sells both of these items. [more inside]
posted by hazyjane at 11:23 PM PST - 12 comments

A while back the New Yorker ran a little piece about soondubu jjigae with a recipe at the end. It's something I was going for like once a week before All This Happened. I have a lot of the ingredients, but then there's a subset of ingredients for the broth you cook it all in, an anchovy broth, and it is entirely ingredients I don't have (dried anchovies, daikon, scallions, kombu, bird's-eye chilis. OK I do have water.) Might I be able to substitute something else and have it be still pretty good? The recipe says "or water" but I'm wondering about a happy medium.
posted by less of course at 10:48 PM PST - 10 comments

At a BLM rally in Sydney yesterday the police standing nearest to me were wearing vests that had a large empty circular plastic socket on them. Does anyone here have any idea what that's for? You can see it in this picture from an unrelated news story. [more inside]
posted by lollusc at 10:12 PM PST - 2 comments

We were always planning to elope and then have a big party later, but now, thanks to the wonders of video teleconferencing we are planning to get married in our apartment, with our cats, and our families and friends watching from a safe distance over video, in less than two weeks! Please help us brainstorm ways to make this special and memorable in a way that respects who we are as people and as a couple, with a limited budget, limited time, and limited access to shopping. [more inside]
posted by Alterscape at 9:59 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm considering a job with a large multinational logistics company. I'm networked with several people there, including leadership over the position(s) I'm exploring. I can ask them questions, but I'm curious if there are other ways to figure out what the company is like. What are some resources I can use to answer questions that might help me learn more about whether I'll be happy there? I'm liberal, working in corporate law for a "progressive" law firm, but I'm growing tired of the field. Logistics is more interesting to me, but I'm wondering if there are ways to figure out the companies stances on various social, political, ethical issues. I mean, I know that the official line might be "neutral", which might be bad enough. But are there other ways to do research?
posted by anonymous at 9:23 PM PST - 3 comments

My kid was in a Japanese re-enactment drama. It showed on TBS in Japan and I'd really like to see it! Can you help me figure out how to? [more inside]
posted by stormygrey at 8:47 PM PST - 4 comments

After the pandemic is over, I want to marry my partner. I don't want my dangerous stalker to ever find out about her or that we are together. [more inside]
posted by CancerSucks at 7:41 PM PST - 22 comments

When I was a kid I remember poring over some books of great photos my parents had and I clearly remember an ultra-beautiful black & white photo of two ballet dancers -- she was white, he was black. I think the photo is from the late 50s to early 70s. It was a posed photo, not an action shot of a performance, and the quality of the photo was more dreamy than sharp. Because my memory is telling me these were famous American dancers, I'm wondering if anyone knows this photo or who they were?
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:35 PM PST - 11 comments

How much money does Facebook/Google/MSFT/etc. make off of me as a user? Let's say I don't pay money for a subscription or buy ads or use a premium version or anything but I do use Facebook, Gmail, Edge, etc. How much do I generate in revenue for these companies just by using their "free" apps/services?
posted by macadamiaranch at 6:22 PM PST - 3 comments

I love history. The more I read, the more things seem to fit together. But I'm sure that I either misremember or forget a lot of stuff. So, like taking on any new hobby, I'd like to get acquainted with the basic tools of being a historian, and learn where people go for new discoveries and news. But... I don't even know the right words to search. [more inside]
posted by rebent at 6:08 PM PST - 6 comments

How do you decide where you should move when you want to move but don't need to move? We know what we like, but are also very adaptable. We want to focus on the north but not far north of the central USA. We are not career minded but do need to find work. We would like to buy some land (5-40 acres or so) and / but it doesn't need to be productive for hunting or farming, just for tromping around on. Who do you talk to for help about these questions? How do we google? [more inside]
posted by J0 at 4:56 PM PST - 14 comments

So I've got this big bag of frozen veggie-sausage breakfast patties (I think Morningstar brand) that I bought when some vegan family members were staying with us. Now I don't dislike them but I'm just not that into eating breakfast sausage patties to begin with. I had some luck putting them in omelets, but there's just so many of them, and I don't eat omelets very often. Does anyone have any recipes/suggestions for what to do with all this sausage? [more inside]
posted by ErWenn at 3:09 PM PST - 23 comments

This question pertains to the U.S. only. I am looking for legal decisions on the matter, not arguments on ethics. thank you.
posted by Jason and Laszlo at 2:09 PM PST - 9 comments

Looking for a piece of art I saw on Twitter within the past two weeks, referring to the poem "The Tiger Is Out", almost certainly associated with the BLM protests. It was black and white. The tiger was scraggly and wild eyed and snarling with a rope noose around its neck, the broken end of the rope flailing. Kind of a dynamic three quarter portrait facing the right? I've been trying to find it again and I'm seeing similar artistic concepts but not this exact one that really struck me.
posted by foxfirefey at 1:38 PM PST - 7 comments

As of last week, my 6 year old Chromebook is no longer getting software updates - this is part of Google's stupid policy of limited software support. How concerned should I be about continuing to use the Chromebook? It would suck big time if someone cracked my Gmail password. However I won't be using it anymore for banking, Amazon or any other money-related transactions. Should I stop using it for email and Facebook? [more inside]
posted by storybored at 1:10 PM PST - 7 comments

Please help me ID these plants? [more inside]
posted by pepper bird at 1:03 PM PST - 7 comments

Is it possible in June 2020 for an asymptomatic person to get tested for covid-19? I am able to pay, as I don't imagine my health insurance would cover it. I would like to visit an immunocompromised relative but I don't want to unknowingly infect them.
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 1:01 PM PST - 9 comments

Dear Askmefites, i'd like you to share your opinions (other than asking me to move on which is what my goal is) on what i find a puzzling situation. Basically, I am now in the post-break up for a short-term but intense dating/relationship: instead of replying to my messages, Dude decides to tag me privately on social media with song lyrics of always remembering someone, citing a romantic movie plot about lovelorn lovers to describe how the male protagonist loves the female protagonist. What could this be about? Gentle repeat: i'm not asking for comments along the lines of "move on and stop thinking about it", as i am clear that moving on _is_ my goal; am in the midst of processing the pain and grief and i'd say i'm still in the early stages of moving on. It's just that i also welcome any interpretations of this puzzling behaviour. [more inside]
posted by eustaciavye87 at 12:34 PM PST - 24 comments

Our old bathtub gets slippery and I need help keeping it clean and safe. [more inside]
posted by RichardHenryYarbo at 11:53 AM PST - 13 comments

My dad has Parkinsons and has trouble staying in the car for long distances, but it would be great for my parents if they could go on longer trips. I think the biggest issue he has is its hard to not be able to lie down whenever he wants. And he's veeery sensitive to air quality. My mom isn't the best driver. And I think the kitchen and other amenities would be less important than driving around. Any recommendations for a good RV to try renting here?
posted by earlsofsandwich at 11:22 AM PST - 7 comments

The doors to my shed are not very secure. Please help me figure out how to better secure them. [more inside]
posted by entropicamericana at 10:11 AM PST - 6 comments

My mom remembers an expert on a podcast she listened to recently saying something like "[coronavirus research] is too urgent to move quickly" or "too urgent to rush." She thinks it may have been Radiolab, or Nature magazine's Coronapod, or Lab in the Time of Coronavirus. Can anyone identify the episode and the expert?
posted by babelfish at 10:07 AM PST - 2 comments

Which questions should I ask of a home builder, specifically a tiny house builder? [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 8:16 AM PST - 3 comments

A draft of mine has been criticised for faulty agreement. The bit in question is: “He was no Condemned Soul. Those fellows could never have upset S’s life as he was about to do.” [more inside]
posted by Segundus at 7:28 AM PST - 24 comments

I have this cat fountain and I hate it. To clean it I have to carry it to the sink and I always cause a minor flood. i've had it for years, and right now no matter what i do it's so noisy, like too much water dripping at once (even though it's actually just trickling as usual). I think I want to replace it. Any recommendations for a good fountain that I can clean out easily??
posted by DMelanogaster at 7:13 AM PST - 13 comments

I really like the song Idag by Daniel Ogren.. unfortunately there are no Swedish lyrics online and I don't trust myself to just type them out phonetically to translate them. Does anyone speak Swedish who could give it a go for me?
posted by Roger Schredderer at 6:48 AM PST - 3 comments

Help me find a lake, river, or swimming hole in the US midwest with the clearest possible water. Minnesota, Missouri, and Illinois are fair game. I live in Iowa, but I already know there is no clear water here. [more inside]
posted by crapples at 6:07 AM PST - 11 comments

What is this MacOS "Easter egg" I remember fondly - but vaguely - from my elementary school computer lab days? [more inside]
posted by easy, lucky, free at 1:27 AM PST - 9 comments

I frequent a forum for fans of a particular male-dominated, niche hobby. I don't know this hobby very well and joined the community to learn more about it. Almost all of the active users are young (under 40), straight, white men. I believe there are fewer than 10 active women in the community. The moderation team is all male, except for one woman. There's a constant, low-level hum of sexism, and I'm sick of it. I was approached by a head mod after an argument about it, and I don't know what to say or do. Help? [more inside]
posted by Stoof at 11:35 PM PST - 20 comments

I'm staying with my parents during the pandemic. I cannot leave. I cannot go out. I have no one to talk to. I'm so lonely. How can I connect with other human beings in a friendship-like way. At night. Preferably typing [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:14 PM PST - 15 comments

My partner and I didn't intend to move in forever when they joined me in my apartment at the start of the stay-at-home orders, but three months in, we're going to make it permanent. We're still under a stay-at-home order (though more relaxed than at the beginning -- moving is permitted). How do I get them on the lease with as little potential (legal) risk as possible? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:14 PM PST - 6 comments

In the 5 most significant relationships in my life, I have become tired of the person after around a year, won't leave the relationship because I'm scared of hurting them, then when my indifference becomes more obvious, the other person leaves me—and then I'm devastated for a long period of time - what is wrong with me? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:14 PM PST - 13 comments

My daughter was finally diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum last year. She's been reading lots of discouraging statistcs about poor outcomes for Autistic people in education and employment. How do I best encourage her? [more inside]
posted by slightlybewildered at 8:15 PM PST - 18 comments

My kid is now a tween and she wants a phone. I don't want to buy a new one for reasons, so I'm looking for a decent used one that really doesn't need a cell phone plan. I'm thinking that her getting on the wireless network here at home, at grandma's, and the wireless network at her buddy's house where they spend a lot of time playing outdoors (she doesn't go into the house if you are wondering). What kind of service could she use that allows her to call us or text us (and vice versa)? Is there one? She had to create a Google account for online class meetings. Would that suffice?
posted by NoMich at 4:50 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm not satisfied with my employer's 'apolitical' response to the BLM/police protests. I know, because they mentioned that several employees had asked for one, that I'm not alone in caring about the issue, but WFH and company culture leave me no good way to find out who these other people are. Or is there one? [more inside]
posted by jinjo at 3:51 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm giving up Amazon! (Years late, but better late than never). I'm looking for locally owned stores I've found Crush-LA for art supplies, Monopole for wine and Vromans for books. I'd like to support a small business that ships (doesn't need to be California-based) from whom I can buy the sorts of things you'd get at Walgreens/CVS: OTC meds, dry goods, toiletries. Also self-stable groceries. Doesn't have to be the same place. POC or woman-owned businesses active in their local communities a plus! Thanks! [more inside]
posted by arnicae at 2:49 PM PST - 13 comments

I just read this great poem, The Curator. Did this really happen - Hermitage guards giving tours of the empty frames during World War II? [more inside]
posted by kristi at 1:36 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm trying to learn more about business intelligence tools like Power BI or Tableau. I get that you can use these tools to explore datasets and build nice dashboards. But, everything I've seen in examples is also possible in Excel with pivot tables/charts, data models, and slicers. What am I missing? [more inside]
posted by philosophygeek at 1:35 PM PST - 9 comments

I would like to know price of every stock on the NYSE on a given date and time in history. I would like to download this information in CSV format. Where can I obtain this information? Can pay for it, if necessary.
posted by panama joe at 12:51 PM PST - 8 comments

The online eyeglass stores I've searched thus far do not provide progressive lenses with prisms, which is what my prescription requires. The frames online, however, are infinitely less expensive that those at brick-an-mortar stores. Is it..."acceptable"...to bring a pair of frames purchased elsewhere to a local shop and have them grind and install the lenses? Will I be charged some sort of "premium" for not buying frames from said shop? (I've tried phoning a few local optical stores nearby to inquire about this, but all are still closed due to the pandemic.) [more inside]
posted by Oriole Adams at 12:33 PM PST - 12 comments

I stopped at my local mom and pop for a bag of cooked then frozen enchiladas and promptly left the freezer open a crack -- overnight I suppose. [more inside]
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 10:10 AM PST - 5 comments

My daughter has graduated from medical school. She will be beginning a residency in emergency medicine. Needless to say, I'm enormously proud of her. I've been thinking about giving her a gift of some kind that would be meaningfully related to her accomplishment and her future career, but I don't have any good ideas. [more inside]
posted by Transl3y at 10:09 AM PST - 13 comments

I received a food care package from a coworker and didn't notice a shrink-wrapped aged 12 months section of Piave cheese sitting underneath the other goodies. It's been unrefrigerated for about a week (the package arrived chilled). Will eating it ruin me?
posted by mkb at 9:44 AM PST - 7 comments

I drop my phone. A lot. I'm buying a new iPhone SE this week and I really want to protect it well. (I'm considering AppleCare, too.) I couldn't find an AskMe on this that's newer than 2018, so ... please share your suggestions, especially if you're a serial phone dropper like me!
posted by trillian at 9:26 AM PST - 30 comments

I've got a router in the front of the boat and relay in the back of the boat. My phone can see both, but not well enough to actually get data. How can I get my phone to drop the other wifi when it's closer to one that actually works? [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 8:59 AM PST - 26 comments

I'm looking for a book about problem solving. Not problem solving in a particular domain, but more of a methodical approach, with common pitfalls, outlined in a manual-like format that could serve as a reference guide. [more inside]
posted by deathpanels at 8:38 AM PST - 7 comments

Did you self-diagnose autism? I want to hear about it. How did you do it? How confident were/are you in your diagnosis? [more inside]
posted by Bambiraptor at 8:34 AM PST - 11 comments

Say Google finds my search term in a multi-page PDF. If the PDF is an image, I can't ctrl-f to find my search term. Any way to find it without reading the whole document or downloading it and OCR'ing it myself?
posted by Xalf at 8:17 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm trying to run two monitors off my laptop, and I'm having a very specific problem. [more inside]
posted by pdb at 8:09 AM PST - 11 comments

What would cause a radish look healthy and strong from the ground up but not have an edible root? [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot at 7:20 AM PST - 5 comments

I’m searching (and searching) for high-waisted, side-phone-pocketed bike shorts (so far so good) made from cotton, a cotton blend, or at least a non-shiny cotton-feeling fabric (that’s the hard part). [more inside]
posted by chocotaco at 6:37 AM PST - 8 comments

$100 showed up in my bank account via Cash.app. Now, someone is asking me to send them $100 to fix their "mistake." I don't want to be an assholes if this was a real mistake, but I also don't want to be scammed out of $100. Savvy people of Metafilter, please help me figure out what to do. More details inside. [more inside]
posted by ElizaMain at 6:20 AM PST - 23 comments

I manage a team of seven people, mostly Americans, in a international health organization based in the US. I am white female. I would like to show my support for my employees (of all races, but especially black). I don't want to ignore what's going on in the world, both with the recent brutality and resulting protests, but also acknowledging that racism didn't begin this week. But I also don't want to make people uncomfortable. [more inside]
posted by oryelle at 6:04 AM PST - 3 comments

I 'm not job-hunting but ran across a job posting that I would be very interested in. It would be my first time applying to an executive-level job and am looking for resources or advice about what might be different about expectations and process. [more inside]
posted by sepviva at 6:03 AM PST - 5 comments

We need to change the access to our unconditioned basement. In the future, when people (plumbers, electricians, etc.) need to quote jobs and to use it, we don't want the access to be off-putting, including if they need to carry heavy, bulky things. Are alternating tread stairs a good solution in our situation? [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 5:55 AM PST - 21 comments

I can no longer ignore or pretend I can change the incredible racism of my aging parents. They are blocked from contacting me for now but I will probably need to continue this... indefinitely? I am overwhelmed by both anger and grief. Please share any advice you may have for navigating through this situation. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:33 AM PST - 18 comments

How have people in other places and times dealt with long-term military-related upheaval? Can you share books or point me to personal experiences? Example: do people just go to work and not discuss it with colleagues to avoid disagreement? Do they go home and play video games? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:33 AM PST - 6 comments

I really enjoyed some non-fiction titles as illustrated, graphic novels, even as manga. I am talking about this, or this, even these. These are just some of the ones I am most familiar with, but I wonder what else is out there. What are your recommended or favorite non-fiction illustrated books?
posted by sol2k at 3:44 AM PST - 12 comments

Around this time every year my fridge starts making a loud buzzing sound that I think has to do with its fan or something plus the rising ambient temperature. Sometimes it stops on its own, but right now it is loud enough that I need to keep it unplugged so as not to disturb my neighbors tonight. What can I do to prevent my food from going bad if I need to keep the fridge unplugged for 5 hours or so?
posted by Kitchen Witch at 1:17 AM PST - 13 comments

Help me make the most of my money buying nutritionally dense ingredients. [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 11:22 PM PST - 23 comments

Some tree removal workers accidentally broke my beloved wind chimes today, and I'm attempting repairs. What should I use to replace the string? Is there a weather-resistant metal chain that is 1/8" or 3mm in width available? What color should I go with? [more inside]
posted by vegartanipla at 10:25 PM PST - 5 comments

We are limping to the end of 3 months of homeschool + working from home, and the prospect of 3 months of summer vacation + working from home is bleak. I am looking for tips, ideas, commiseration, and suggestions for how to make this time easier and more enjoyable for my 7-year-old, my husband, and me. [more inside]
posted by Maarika at 8:17 PM PST - 12 comments

Hi, AskMe. :) I have a prescription for medicine for non-24 Sleep Disorder, which has dogged me for years due to my blindness. Filling it has been difficult. I'm just curious as to why> [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 7:58 PM PST - 8 comments

My wife and I have a 3 hour car drive tomorrow. She is interested in trying out podcasts for the first time, but she hasn’t historically enjoyed spoken word media in the past. What podcasts should I recommend to her? [more inside]
posted by bbqturtle at 7:23 PM PST - 33 comments

What are some terms I can search to find the type of art I'm looking for? [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 7:12 PM PST - 7 comments

I've been taking screenshots of public social media posts that I'd like to reference for later use. The screenshot is useful for sharing but I also like to track the original URL. Is there any sort of Android app that could track the URL I have for each image, almost like tagging images in an image gallery? The fewer clicks needed to add, and then copy back out, the better.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 6:56 PM PST - 0 comments

Recently, probably on Twitter, I saw some art that someone did that took aggressive patriotic flag shirts and replaced the American flags with pride and trans flags. Now I can't find it, can you help? [more inside]
posted by possibilityleft at 6:54 PM PST - 2 comments

A woman I work with and have become quite friendly with has just bought a townhouse. Please help me come up with a nice housewarming gift! [more inside]
posted by bookmammal at 6:49 PM PST - 14 comments

My wife was just offered a new position and she's in the salary negotiation phase. What are some tips to getting the highest salary offer her tentative employer is willing to offer? Should she mention a specific number, or start vague? Thanks!
posted by Fister Roboto at 6:49 PM PST - 9 comments

I really enjoy reading John Buchan; The Thirty Nine Steps, Mr Standfast and Greenmantle (among others). The depth of feeling for individual people, places and regions draws me into these spaces. I'm seeking authors in the same genre, preferably set in the time from circa 1905 onwards up to now, ideally set mainly in Europe and Russia. [more inside]
posted by unearthed at 5:50 PM PST - 12 comments