Ask MetaFilter

In an office job where the office is reasonably heated, I can feel my armpits begin to emit unpleasant odor after three to four hours. This is despite my application of "clinical strength"/72 hour roll-on deodorant in the morning before work (I've tried a few different common brands; Rexona, Nivea, Dove, etc). Why doesn't this work? Am I applying deodorant wrong?
posted by solarion at 7:11 PM PST - 40 comments

Can I transfer one Nintendo Switch account to another? [more inside]
posted by downtohisturtles at 5:34 PM PST - 1 comment

I have a Toronto-based phone on Freedom Mobile. I'm going on a roadtrip through Eastern Canada. "Nationwide Mobile" is $15 per gig on Freedom. I would like to have data and not pay so much. Can I buy a pre-paid...something? Instead? How does this work? What's the cheapest way to just get myself internet in the woods?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 3:48 PM PST - 6 comments

A relative has moved into assisted living; we'd like to be able to play classical music in the background in her room all the time. What's the easiest way to do this? We'd rather pay for something up front than have to pay for a monthly subscription for ever, just for simplicity's sake, but is that an option? I'm not against paying for a subscription, if necessary, as long as it is easy. We need something we can set for her no more frequently than once a week. [more inside]
posted by metonym at 3:17 PM PST - 30 comments

Sorry for the gross title, but I had my first chemo infusion yesterday and threw up in three bowls (bowls typically used for mixing food or having popcorn in). Is it safe to put those in the dishwasher? [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 2:58 PM PST - 29 comments

Sorry not sorry for the earworm. I have a lovely, older bike I purchased that I have been trying to get up on a rack for some time now. [more inside]
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 2:50 PM PST - 19 comments

I am doing a road trip with my GF and I was wondering: what is there to see between Omaha, NE and El Paso, TX? We are basically driving directly south from Omaha to El Paso, but I have not figured out the exact route besides knowing that I will have to stop halfway for a night before continuing onward. I don't care what it is: weird roadside attractions, excellent restaurants, cafes, bars, Americana, etc. I want it all!
posted by gucci mane at 12:46 PM PST - 12 comments

I love dangly earrings, but I don't have pierced ears. I don't intend to pierce my ears (I got them pierced when I was 13 and hated it). I also hate the feeling of clip on earrings. There's probably no particularly good reason to do something other than occasionally pine after nifty looking dangly earrings, but I want to think about it anyway. Let's get creative. How can I use dangly earrings to decorate my person without piercing my ears? (this is free-form. go nuts.) [more inside]
posted by ocherdraco at 12:44 PM PST - 18 comments

When I was little, my dad recorded bedtime reading for me since he was away a lot. He used his dictaphone. I want to do this for my kid. What's the simplest way in 2023? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 12:22 PM PST - 8 comments

I like to wear my (mirrorless) camera cross-body while I'm on photo adventures, but because I have a super short torso, very wide hips, and a large chest, it never sits quite right--it either dangles too far while I'm scampering around, or bounces off my hips too much, or is too tight to quickly & easily grab. If you are also short-torsoed and curvy, and you're happy with your cross-body camera setup, can you recommend a strap? Or suggest techniques and best practices, in case I'm just doing something wrong?
posted by rhiannonstone at 11:40 AM PST - 7 comments

I am travelling with my two year old and wife on Monday around noon to NYC and then going to an apartment by the Transit museum near borough hall. We will have a travel stroller, 2 backpacks and probably two carry-on sized suitcases. What are the exact directions that will lead to basically no more than 3 stairs at a time or and headaches--tell me which platforms, which stops, which entrances? [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 11:28 AM PST - 4 comments

I am a new member of the 2023 tech unemployment club. I would like to spend a large part of my free time building a free app to help people (particularly mefites). Tell me about your problem so I might improve the lives of your family or group. [more inside]
posted by jasondigitized at 10:50 AM PST - 32 comments

* who really dish on what is actually like to act, be famous, be recognized in public, deal with the media, deal with fans, and inhabiting a character. I would also like recommendations for books on acting and how it works.
posted by tafetta, darling! at 9:11 AM PST - 21 comments

At an indoor pool, I can keep to a more or less straight line by watching the pattern on the ceiling. When I swim outdoors, once I get past the flags, all I see is a field of blue, and I'm constantly weaving around, bumping into the ropes. How can I fix this?
posted by juliapangolin at 8:35 AM PST - 9 comments

Help me figure out where to stay/what to do in LA in October. The snowflakes I promised are within! [more inside]
posted by babelfish at 8:09 AM PST - 7 comments

I've been waiting on my security deposit from my old apartment. It was a furnished rental for 10 months. They took $300 out to replace all of the linens. Is this normal? [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 7:18 AM PST - 18 comments

What would this set of "Sir Jeffrey Hillpig-Smyth" tools be used for? The piece with small holes in one half seems to match a few lemon juicers out there, and the one with two brass cups could be a nutcracker, but I'm at a loss for the third. Any further information or descriptions would be appreciated!
posted by sagc at 7:15 AM PST - 12 comments

A friend needed some photos 400dpi or more and asked me to do it. I have a Samsung Note20 Ultra, and googling showed me the res was higher than that. However, all photos seem to be coming as 72dpi and I can't figure out how to change it. What am I not understanding here?
posted by dobbs at 7:00 AM PST - 20 comments

The Spanish verbs for "Create" (creer or creerse) and "Believe" (crear) look pretty similar to me. In fact, "Yo creo" could mean either "I believe" or "I create". To English speakers, I believe we look at these words as having quite distinct meanings: believing in something is not something we look at as having primarily creative action; likewise if we create something it does not imply that we believe in it. Is the situation different for native Spanish speakers?
posted by rongorongo at 5:51 AM PST - 8 comments

I'd like to buy my 6yo a digital camera. It's first big use will be an upcoming roadtrip/camping trip/music festival. Ideally I would love it to be waterproof. I don't want any games on it (why is that even a thing?). Bonus if it has wifi or bluetooth and can auto-upload to an android app. Also, decent picture quality would be nice. I wouldn't want to spend more than 100-150 CAD. Based on the reviews I was sold on the Olympus Tough TG-6, but that's like $600 which is way too much.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 5:19 AM PST - 5 comments

I would like to get a music streaming service. I assume spotify or apple. I listen to mostly Canadian folk music -- figure the kind of people you hear at Stanfest. I would like to be able to listen on a google home mini, on an amazon alexa, and on my android phone. More requirements/preferences inside... [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 4:08 AM PST - 8 comments

I am decluttering and working with a life coach on this. I am a reader of fantasy and I am wondering whether there is a way to gamify decluttering and home organisation through tropes from fantasy. I'm thinking on the lines of clearing a room being like exploring a dragon's hoard, taking stuff to a charity shop being a side quest, something about maps, rescue ... [more inside]
posted by paduasoy at 1:59 AM PST - 14 comments

I just tripped on a power cord, pulling the plug halfway out of the electrical socket. When I removed the plug to check for damage, I noticed the prongs were a bit bent of shape (they were on a slight diagonal instead of straight). I pushed them back into position and the device is working fine, but could there be damage to the electrical socket that could be dangerous long term?
posted by mydonkeybenjamin at 1:39 AM PST - 3 comments

Link 1 Link 2 What is this square, jewel encrusted thing? A broach? [more inside]
posted by Jacen at 7:59 PM PST - 9 comments

Have there been any innovations or improvements to pandemic face masks in the last year or so—especially as relates to comfort, fit, seal, durability? [more inside]
posted by rollcredits at 4:38 PM PST - 15 comments

What is the non-alcoholic limoncello that a friend would have tasted at the veggie restaurant Jardin in Madison, WI, recently? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 4:29 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm an artist from the USA, and I'm creating artwork while in Greece. It fits in my one checked luggage but will put it into either overweight or cargo status at the airport. I could do a second checked bag but I only have two arms for my one checked, one carry-on, and one backpack already and that's logistically going to be its own issue..? How much should it cost for each scenario inside and do you think it's better to try to ship or bring it with me and precisely how? [more inside]
posted by vegartanipla at 11:24 AM PST - 12 comments

Moving to Mexico for 6 months (possibly longer) this winter. Need advice on health insurance and moving some possessions if I stay permanently. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:48 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm in the planning phase of a project that will involve receiving short-ish (say, 30sec-3min) video submissions from members of the public. I'd like to make this as easy as possible for people to do. What are good, affordable solutions for something like this? [more inside]
posted by gauche at 9:21 AM PST - 3 comments

I have been friends with a person for many years, we've experienced a lot together. But I have always struggled with her tendency towards passive aggression, abrasiveness and criticism. She scolds me for being a bad friend and I'm wondering whether I am. Recently I asked her to not speak to me in such a harsh manner and it didn't go very well, and I don't feel enthused to carry on the friendship at the moment, but also worried I am not treating the friendship with the gravity it deserves. Please help me through my tangled thoughts? [more inside]
posted by popcorngirl at 8:07 AM PST - 13 comments

Not a recipe question! I have this set of cutting boards. But I use the yellow one (the one with the chicken on it) for vegetables. I would like it to have a creative way to take a sharpie to it and turn that chicken picture into something veggie related. I know there is literally no reason I need to do this. I know that I could just draw a giant tomato over top of it and color it in. But! Is there a more creative way, with fewer lines, to make that chicken into a vegetable of some sort? Bonus points if you can actually show it as a drawing in some way.
posted by Mchelly at 8:06 AM PST - 15 comments

On a recent flight between Canada and the US, my mother woke up to her seat mate groping her. In the moment she pushed him away and then stayed awake, but she didn’t want to wake up the whole plane by asking to be moved or making a fuss. I’m going to ask if she’d like to report it and do what I can to facilitate the process if she does. But … who does she or I report it to? What does this look like?
posted by congen at 7:42 AM PST - 11 comments

My wife and I are on our way (like, in the car as you read this) to New York's Finger Lakes for a much-needed vacation, and had planned to spend most of our time outdoors - hiking, kayaking, etc. Given the air quality numbers, this plan is... not looking great. So, what can we do instead? We'll be staying near Wayne but pretty willing to drive as needed to not feel like we've wasted our vacation. [more inside]
posted by Tomorrowful at 7:36 AM PST - 15 comments

The local coffee shop says we can use one of their empty pots. It's nice and big, a 34" diameter round clay pot. We'd like to preview the results before buying a bunch of plants that will die because it's too shady. Any websites allow that sort of mix and match visualizing?
posted by Carlo at 6:50 AM PST - 2 comments

Hi everyone; I would like to take a online course,but I'm not sure which one,lol. Is there a site out there that would help me choose? Similar to a site that helps you choose what laptop,car,camera would be best suited for you. Any ideas? Thank you:-)
posted by LOOKING at 6:44 AM PST - 11 comments

Where did we get the naming formula Center for X for an organization that deals with activity/thing X? [more inside]
posted by each day we work at 5:09 AM PST - 11 comments

I have two cats that need to put on some weight. What extra foods can I give them? [more inside]
posted by stillnocturnal at 4:29 AM PST - 16 comments

We are in a very smoky area, and people in my household have respiratory ailments. What if anything can we do to help maximize better indoor air through our central air conditioning?
posted by ojocaliente at 3:11 AM PST - 8 comments

I need help with figuring out next steps and options in what seems like a hit-and-run car accident (my car was parked at the time) with some weird additional details. [more inside]
posted by rachaelfaith at 8:32 PM PST - 9 comments

I would think it’s probably better to have higher humidity indoors, am I wrong? [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:00 PM PST - 8 comments

I make weird online projects despite not being great at coding. I have an idea for something where you have two images (A and B) on a site, and the user can "drag" one of the images (A) with their mouse, and it'll become one animated gif (animated A) as it is dragged, and a second animated gif (animated B) as it contacts the other image (B) which will then turn into an animated gif (animated B). How, easily? [more inside]
posted by history is a weapon at 5:58 PM PST - 3 comments

Please translate this note from my apartment maintenance guy. My Spanish isn't terrible, but his handwriting isn't working for me. [more inside]
posted by MuChao at 4:01 PM PST - 11 comments

What to wear on a short canoe trip? [more inside]
posted by cozenedindigo at 4:00 PM PST - 19 comments

What steps should a 1700-rating chess player take to improve their ability? [more inside]
posted by andoatnp at 2:48 PM PST - 3 comments

I am looking for a basic low cost mass SMS text alert system to notify our members about occasional news and alerts. We only send out messages once or twice a month at the most, so a per message fee is preferred to a monthly fee. [more inside]
posted by roaring beast at 2:26 PM PST - 5 comments

I have a small Joyo bass amp and a boss GEB-7 bass EQ connected to the same wall-wart adapter with a single daisy chain cable. When I turn on the amp, the GEB-7 toggles on or off. Why? [more inside]
posted by signal at 2:06 PM PST - 5 comments

I need to apply for a new passport, but I'm unsure if my current one is considered damaged. [more inside]
posted by matkline at 1:48 PM PST - 6 comments

Am meeting the SO's family in two weeks. They're a sports loving family, but I am not a sports loving person. Willing to learn though! What pages, sites, or people can I follow that do a continuing sports news and updates for a USA beginner or casual fan? Ideally something that talks a little bit about history for the season or overall, but isn't mired in said history. Something that'll make me a bit knowledgable about the current sport season in the States (i.e. baseball, football, basketball) as the year progresses, without drowning me in information and history.
posted by clocksock at 1:08 PM PST - 18 comments

A work colleague just had an emergency cesarean. Mom is fine fine, her premature baby is fine. Mom was released from hospital yesterday, baby expected to go home on Saturday. This is the mom’s first child. What can I send my colleague to provide some comfort or pleasure or utility that speaks to her super stressful but also successful experience? The parents had a baby shower so presumably they have the usual stuff. Also, she is in the SF Bay Area while I am in Sweden so keep that in mind. Thanks!
posted by Bella Donna at 12:52 PM PST - 11 comments

What it says on the tin--I am in possession of one fully unworn bridesmaid gown, and would like to sell it. What's the best place/way to do so? [more inside]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 12:46 PM PST - 5 comments

My mother is an internal medicine physician who is planning to retire next year. She's feeling a bit nervous about the prospect of going from 60 to 0, and is looking for ideas for ways she can spend her time in retirement — ideally in ways where her medical training and experience working with her (Mandarin-speaking) community can still be useful. I know she'll be happier if she feels like she's retiring "to" something, not "from" something. Looking for anecdotes about what other doctors have done in retirement (from doctors, their families, or friends).
posted by svolix at 12:40 PM PST - 16 comments

My mom is going through old family photos and came across this writing on the back of one. Any help with translation? Not sure what the language is.
posted by LKWorking at 12:17 PM PST - 13 comments

How do I get Google Calendar on Android to stop showing me work tasks? [more inside]
posted by pdb at 11:44 AM PST - 3 comments

My phone shuts down whenever I don't use it for a while. While it is shut down, I of course do not get notifications. How do I stop this? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 10:44 AM PST - 3 comments

I was vaccinated against rabies in the mid 2010s. I recall at the time hearing something important about it, something along the lines of - if you've had a rabies vaccine that has since worn off, and you get rabies, your rabies won't show up on a test. It wasn't that exactly, I don't think, but something similar, and of course I can't find it now because search engines are terrible.
posted by wheatlets at 9:21 AM PST - 8 comments

I am married to a person who has become increasingly manipulative. I know the stock answer is to DTFMA, but we have kids and so even if we split up, I still have to deal with this person. Specifically, she has a habit of trying to make me look bad in front of other people, and I'd like some advice on how to counteract that. I don't have any illusion that I'd be able to change my wife's behavior, but I would like other people to not see me as a loser. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:16 AM PST - 54 comments

Work colleague needs to track unfollows from their twitter account. low-cost service “unfollow” does not work. What does work for this in 2023, now that API access is now much more costly to developers?
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 7:19 AM PST - 4 comments

What’s something that people would intuitively think there’s a lot of, or at least a few of, but really, there’s only one? E.g., Beethoven operas; time zones in China; US presidents who never married (thanks, Mchelly!). [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 4:35 AM PST - 42 comments

I think I need space from a decade-long friend. I've learned a lot about friendship and cultivating secure connection in the past decade, but also struggle with codependency and finding the right/healthy point of connection. How do I find a place that feels most healthy in one of my more long-term, and also more difficult-at-times, friendships? [more inside]
posted by Sock Meets Body at 8:41 PM PST - 19 comments

I know this is a dumb question, but... I'm leaving for a vacation in the United States in a week how do I make sure my phone actually works when I'm there? I visited NYC a few years ago and I had *awful* coverage with my phone, it was a disaster. How do I remedy this? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 8:24 PM PST - 11 comments

This was me a few months back, looking for something other than wood sticks for my dog to chew on. I accidentally stumbled on the perfect solution - overgrown, thick woody turnip stalks, dried in the sun. I need more. Help this garden-incompetent person keep her pup happily chewing! [more inside]
posted by cgg at 7:12 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm going to be teaching AP Literature to high school seniors and want to build a unit around King Lear. (Yes, it's bleak and difficult but I think they can push through and triumph.) I'd like to make it the anchor text in a 12-week unit, which means I need some short fiction and poetry that I can tie together thematically so the works resonate against each other. More ideas below. [more inside]
posted by argybarg at 5:54 PM PST - 28 comments

Is there a place (building) in Illinois high enough that you could see the entire state on a clear day? How do I figure it out? My friend is from the Rockies and now lives in Illinois and if it's doable it might be a fun day trip when I visit. [more inside]
posted by momus_window at 3:37 PM PST - 22 comments

The directions say you can't put a Lucky Iron Fish in the Instant Pot, but it doesn't say why. Is it likely because they just didn't test it? Or is it because something bad will happen? [more inside]
posted by blnkfrnk at 2:42 PM PST - 8 comments

After years of indescribably severe depression, things are finally looking just a little brighter wiith the help of months now of very high ( 100 mg/daily, though this does need to be increased further given my history and BMI, I think) ketamine troches (meltaway cubes). Like for so much else these days, an online subscription service with cutesy text-based customer care was happy to step in. They’ve become entirely too frustrating to deal wiith and even their “hardship” price too high for a basic anesthetic that should be prescribed like any other, where medically necessary. Thing is, they’re the only one I could afford on *very* limited means. Help me find a more NBD, conventional phone-call-to-the-local-compound pharmacy route to relief? [more inside]
posted by marsbar77 at 2:17 PM PST - 15 comments

I just read a blog post by The Wrong Kind of Cheese about, among other things, “the Big Five personality traits” in the Five-Factor Model of Personality (also called The Big Five Model/CANOE or OCEAN). TWKoC said "I did a self-test at BigFive-Test.com (having searched for a free test, I picked one at random)" and that made me curious: is there an online Big Five traits test that is particularly credible or legitimate? [more inside]
posted by brainwane at 1:57 PM PST - 5 comments

What would you do if you suddenly came into possession of many plaster mouth/teeth molds? I can paint and do paper and fabric arts. I don't have any woodworking skills.
posted by tofu_crouton at 12:41 PM PST - 18 comments

I had a knee replaced in February, and recovery has been going very slowly. Part of why it's been so tough, physically and mentally, is having to take months off from the active things I love that help me relax and stay in shape--snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, etc. I'd like to find a professional who can help me get back on track, but not sure how to look for one who has specific experience in situations like this. [more inside]
posted by gottabefunky at 12:36 PM PST - 5 comments

In a gallery of the works of William and Evelyn de Morgan, I came across the sentence: "Then, innocently expecting the hydrogen to burn like a Christian, with a lambent flame scarcely visible in daylight, we put a match to the hydrogen bottle." Can anyone tell me more about "burn like a Christian"? Clearly it's capitalised so must mean something. My research has brought zero results. TIA.
posted by parmanparman at 12:24 PM PST - 11 comments

I’m having trouble figuring out what are good fish to eat weekly (sustainability, less mercury, etc). Also what are good recipes aside from just pan searing? [more inside]
posted by inevitability at 11:48 AM PST - 36 comments

I’ve had many indoor cats throughout my life, and I’ve always wondered if they were really thriving. I certainly would feel awful never getting sunlight or fresh air. Everyone I ask says something like “cats are different, they’re fine” but I’m never convinced since they never explain why. Does anyone have any sort of proof that indoor cats are happy or unhappy being that way? [more inside]
posted by wheatlets at 10:59 AM PST - 44 comments

Can you recommend some kind of advocate or helper I can hire for my mom who is in a nursing home (in FL), maybe once or twice a week to go in and see what she needs? Or something else? [more inside]
posted by Glinn at 10:34 AM PST - 7 comments

I bought a Logitech Rugged Folio to use with my iPad, because I have wrist issues and any sort of touchscreen finger motion is painful. For some reason, I can only use the down arrow to scroll on some sites. Even more baffling, sometimes it’ll work on certain sites, but not on those same sites at other times. There is no pattern I can detect, it seems random. [more inside]
posted by wheatlets at 10:31 AM PST - 3 comments

If you could, in the most earthly way possible could you help me show proper respect to the mother of my dearly departed friend? I have a long time friend name G. He and I were close some 35 years ago in high school and we stayed so very close as friends in the past 13 years since we moved back separately to our home town. He and i shared a one night stand one drunken night after college that was always a source of comic relief in our times of hardship during the pandemic, his friendships and mine were shared with some dozen or so fellow classmates but his seemed to fall away as his depression got the better of him over time. The friends were still fond but just not as formal as he an d I stayed. Sadly he died suddenly due to a heart condition (cont'd) [more inside]
posted by The_imp_inimpossible at 8:17 AM PST - 17 comments

I need a surprising, encouraging, or otherwise remarkable true fact about “one” and “all.” It should follow a format something like: “Only one X does thing Z. But all Ys do thing Z.” Or, “Only one X had ever happened. But since then, X has happened at all times.” Or, the reverse is just as good: "All Xs have Zs, but only one Y has a Z." [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 5:25 AM PST - 11 comments

Have you visited Rapa Nui? Is there a trick for lower-cost airfare? [more inside]
posted by curious nu at 5:00 AM PST - 2 comments

I would like to devote several months to getting my physical (and mental) health on track - where should I go, and how should I structure it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:46 AM PST - 7 comments

I'd like to print out some photos from my Google Photos account--actual, real deal prints to put in an album or hang in a frame. I've printed through Google's service with CVS but the quality was eh. Is there a way to get higher-quality prints?
posted by kingdead at 6:50 PM PST - 9 comments

I just ordered a new iphone through Verizon. Once I switch to the new phone, can I replace the SIM card in the old phone and use it when I'm traveling in the UK? Even though I've had the old phone several years and it's paid for, it appears to be locked. Will it become unlocked once I've switched to the new phone? Lastly, if this is doable, can I replace the SIM card here before I go? Thanks.
posted by gigondas at 5:10 PM PST - 13 comments

(My very first Can I Eat This.) Ground beef cooked on Thursday was deeply seasoned (fajita seasoning), cooked to medium/medium-well (no pink), and stored in a refrigerator in a sealed container that was opened once very briefly yesterday (for a few seconds). What says The Green? Thanks
posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only at 5:09 PM PST - 17 comments

Just got back from the store, where I bought a burrata (in water, in a small sealed plastic tub) whose sell-by date is later this week. But unpacking my bag, there were bits of burrata juice leaking here and there, and a trickle of it coming from under the sealed plastic lid. I can't identify any cut or puncture in the package, but it's definitely not a tight seal. So should I eat it?? [more inside]
posted by knotty knots at 2:53 PM PST - 4 comments

Looking for clothing that passes the Stupid Sexy Flanders test. Any type of clothing, as long as it can barely be felt on your body. What are your favourite articles of clothing that feel as little like wearing clothing as possible?
posted by wheatlets at 2:17 PM PST - 23 comments

I was a driver for 25 years and I can't possibly do it any more and I want a new job path to carry me to retirement and I'm wondering if HVAC might be right for me? [more inside]
posted by hippybear at 2:09 PM PST - 20 comments

The truly marvelous Internet Speculative Fiction Database makes their entire database available as a compressed MySQL file. I would love to get at that data to perform searches that their (otherwise wonderful--I love those people) website can't do, such as "Show me all editions of works by James Blish with covers by Chris Foss." [more inside]
posted by moonmoth at 1:28 PM PST - 19 comments

I'm back, with another 'do these vague TV show details ring a bell for anybody' question. [more inside]
posted by theatro at 1:16 PM PST - 4 comments

I like to wear short tank dresses around the house in summer, and prefer them to be close to 100% cotton (or hemp, or linen - any breathable natural fabric). I can deal with a small percentage of polyester or spandex or similar if need be. I like some modal and not other modal and I’m not sure why. [more inside]
posted by wheatlets at 1:07 PM PST - 15 comments

What is a neutral or benignly complimentary term for someone who thrives when they are working alone? I am trying to avoid terms that suggest ruggedness, avoidance, or group incompatibility such as lone wolf, cowboy, maverick or non-conforming. Individual contributor isn't specific enough since it could mean a team member, but HR-speak for such a person would be fine.
posted by michaelh at 1:07 PM PST - 24 comments

I can't fathom how best to approach this workplace situation. [more inside]
posted by charlen at 12:26 PM PST - 17 comments

If a person has a trust established, but created a substantial Certificate of Deposit account that is not transferred to the trust, what will happen in probate upon their passing? [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 12:01 PM PST - 5 comments

You all came through in my last clothing related Ask Me. Maybe you can for this one too? [more inside]
posted by Kitteh at 11:53 AM PST - 6 comments

Has there been any criticism of Haunted Happenings, the annual street fair in Salem, for glorifying the witch trials or being in poor taste? [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 11:35 AM PST - 4 comments

Pretty much the title... I used to have a persistent itch in a certain area and got a prescription for it, then my issue went away and I gave the rest of the tube to my dad, who also had an itching issue. [more inside]
posted by thelasttango at 9:56 AM PST - 3 comments

One of my gigs sometimes involves translating English text from Chinese equipment suppliers into French and I've run into a puzzle. [more inside]
posted by zadcat at 9:44 AM PST - 3 comments

Sadly, my favorite app for tracking package deliveries on both Mac & iPhone, called Deliveries, is hanging by a thread. Can you recommend any alternatives? Thank you! [more inside]
posted by DavidNYC at 9:31 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm in my 40s and have been working for many years as a bookkeeper/general admin in higher ed. I have recently started doing freelance bookkeeping on the side as well. I'm looking to move to a more professional job. What should my career be? [more inside]
posted by epanalepsis at 9:31 AM PST - 9 comments

Directed (rather than informal) conversation clubs/groups for a foreign language. If you have belonged to one, or facilitated one, would you share your best and/or worst experiences? [more inside]
posted by bricoleur at 8:59 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm staying in a rental house, and having a new friend over to watch a movie one evening. Awesome! They are vegan, and I haven't entertained since pre-pandemic and am totally stuck as to what snacks/drinks to serve. [more inside]
posted by 41swans at 8:52 AM PST - 22 comments

How long can I keep tea in the fridge that I brewed hot but want to serve cold over the course of a few days? [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 8:41 AM PST - 16 comments

When I share my screen to do a demo on Teams, my cursor does not show up in the correct place for viewers. [more inside]
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 8:31 AM PST - 1 comment

Can't update Google Chrome on my old MacBook Air... Can I? [more inside]
posted by konaStFr at 5:07 AM PST - 4 comments

Looking for some help to try and clean my computer (unused software, virus protection, bloatware, etc) for Windows machine (currently running Windows 10) [more inside]
posted by dbirchum at 5:00 AM PST - 6 comments

You're an unmarried US couple, in exactly the type of relationship that would match a very traditional concept of marriage: a loving and stable long-term cohabiting monogamous relationship where biological children are a possibility. Neither of you, however, has any strong feelings, positive or negative, about the legal concept of marriage - and so you want to weigh potentially getting married on a purely practical and rational basis. What are sources that lay out, in an up-to-date, comprehensive, and unbiased way, the purely practical (e.g. legal, tax) upsides and downsides of formally getting married versus unmarried cohabitation.
posted by anonymous at 3:02 AM PST - 37 comments

I have not rented a car in a long time and it always makes me anxious -- what insurance do I need? What does my (Bank of America) credit card cover? Am I being tricked into a car I don't want? Why is this so expensive? [more inside]
posted by caoimhe at 2:02 AM PST - 18 comments

I’ve never been able to good about iron supplements because I rely heavily on dairy through the day, especially in the middle, beginning and end of it. Yogurt, cheese, cream, big fan. Hate having to be finicky about timing. What are your tips for being compliant? [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 12:54 AM PST - 9 comments

I typically cook my own food, but on one or two weeknights nights I grab takeout and on weekends I will go to a restaurant once or twice with friends. These are not chain places with nutrition info online (or on a fitness app), so how can I estimate calories and macros? [more inside]
posted by CancerSucks at 12:45 AM PST - 6 comments

I've got regular culinary sage and pineapple sage growing in excessive profusion, and I have to cut them both back regularly, so I'm harvesting large amounts of both. The Internet is happy to provide me with many listicles asserting that consuming infusions of these leaves MIGHT have all kinds of great effects! Also rinsing my hair with them MIGHT be terrific too. Verily, all kinds of things might happen. Have you ever experienced any such thing actually happening? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 10:51 PM PST - 15 comments

I’m at a professional conference in Salt Lake City. I want to bring something of this place home to give to or share with my second grader. What do I want? I’m staying and working downtown and don’t have a ton of free time to go outside this area. We’re not Mormon. Ideas?
posted by centrifugal at 6:48 PM PST - 8 comments

The first, and for literally decades the only online community I participated in was what we then called a bulletin board (distinct from a pre-web BBS) called Rock Mall. This would've been mid-1990s, earlyish web, and I definitely was using a modem and a copy of Netscape Navigator to get there. Of this place I find no record. Has anyone got any ideas where even to look? [more inside]
posted by AbelMelveny at 5:48 PM PST - 4 comments

Years ago I used a Safari browser extension that took away a lot of the crap on Facebook -- many ads (but not all), and much of the extra crap (but not all of it). At some point that stopped working, and my feed + the side are cluttered with ads and junk. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 4:33 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm trying to run a small business, so I have my number on a website so potential customers can call and schedule a service visit. So I guess that's why I get so many scammer calls. I made the mistake of pressing 1 to connect to a person to tell them that is a business number and please stop calling, so apparently now i am on the "this number actually answers, so keep calling him over and over" list. [more inside]
posted by ambulocetus at 2:56 PM PST - 9 comments

I just lost a number of things I highly valued. I keep thinking of wishing I had "lived a better life" or somehow appreciated them more when I had them. But when it comes down to it, I'm not sure what other people mean when they talk about "being thankful" or "counting your blessings." Is it simply a matter of avoiding negative, destructive moods where you curse your fate or is it more a mindset of continuously, actively and deliberately celebrating the good things in one's life (e.g., by setting aside specific times to engage in some ritual or personal discipline).
posted by Jon44 at 2:51 PM PST - 25 comments

Looking for the name of a children's TV show from the early 90s that taught cartoon-style drawing. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by aquamvidam at 1:35 PM PST - 9 comments

I foster failed with an incredibly sweet feline leukemia virus positive cat a few years ago. She has started declining very rapidly over the past week (eating litter, lethargy) and I'm looking to hear more from folks who have gone through this. [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter at 12:54 PM PST - 3 comments

I got some fresh ones and I'm not sure if it's safe - I can't find any info online. I'm guessing it is because you can eat them but... I'd rather be on the safe side. I want to make a infusion, so possibly let them sit in cool/hot water for a long time to extract the minerals/flavors.
posted by starlybri at 12:45 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm learning an instrument and also learning how to read music, and it's become obvious to me that I need to devote some time to learning music theory. I've tried in the past and quickly found it to be overwhelming and confusing. What courses/video series do you recommend that are good at breaking down music theory, starting with the absolute basics? [more inside]
posted by averageamateur at 12:27 PM PST - 7 comments

Where to purchase Sodium Percarbonate in the US? Question is inspired by this recent comment. [more inside]
posted by Goblin Barbarian at 11:50 AM PST - 6 comments

In the US - I've had my credit files frozen at TransUnion, Equifax and Experian for a long time. Do I still need to check my credit reports regularly? [more inside]
posted by hilaryjade at 11:10 AM PST - 6 comments

I’m looking to stay in a unique non-chain hotel in/near downtown Seattle. Something similar to the Tabard Inn in Washington, DC. Budget is not an issue. I’ll be getting around by foot/public transit so parking also not an issue. [more inside]
posted by paulcole at 11:02 AM PST - 10 comments

I’m making two different types of cookies. Alice Medrich’s twice baked shortbread, and Ovenly’s peanut butter cookies. Both say to bake until “lightly golden”. I tried to do this with the shortbread, and overcooked them. I did some more research and found out that shortbread is supposed to be pale, not golden brown. The PB cookies are dark brown - made with eggs, PB, vanilla, and brown sugar - so I have no idea how they could ever get “lightly golden”. They already start way darker than that. What gives?
posted by wheatlets at 10:58 AM PST - 5 comments

I need a failsafe way of getting from Fredericksburg, Colorado to the Denver airport by a specific time in July. There's Ubers that go to and from that area, but in my experience sometimes you book the Uber then they don't show, or they take another job, or whatever. I can't have that happen in this scenario. Do you know any transportation services in the area? [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 8:38 AM PST - 5 comments

I have to write really, really boring case studies (technical) for work. There's only so many ways I can say "utilized GoLang to write extensions for Kubernetes in order to increase product ideation" or something like that. Has anyone done this and is there a trick or good/better way of getting this to work well so I don't spend all day saying the same thing over and over? A particular AI product that does this? Any other non-AI specific ideas on how to accomplish this would be really helpful. [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 8:32 AM PST - 8 comments

Have you had dating relationships that turned into friendships? How did that go? I’m especially interested in whether you were able to transition from “dating” to “friends” without a pause, or whether you took a break in between, but also into any stories, learnings, etc. [more inside]
posted by LambSock at 7:12 AM PST - 22 comments

Is there a grammatical term for a word that is not spoken in a sentence but is automatically filled in by the listener? The most common example is when someone exclaims "the hell was that?!?!". There is no "What" spoken at the beginning of the sentence but if the speaker starts the "the" abruptly, we kind of hear it anyway (or at least mentally fill it in).
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 5:13 AM PST - 9 comments

My girlfriend's friend has an extremely successful business in the same field as mine, and I'm deeply jealous. My girlfriend works for her friend. I can't listen to anything about her job because it's too upsetting. She says I need to get over it and fix that, fast, or she'll break up with me. Any advice for saving the relationship? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:52 AM PST - 36 comments

How does our condo association get a sub-contractor to pay for replacing a section of brand-new gutters he damaged? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:52 AM PST - 7 comments

My daughter bought a 2006 Honda Odyssey in December 2020 that she intended to drive from IL to CA (her second home). On 12/30/20, we discovered there was an issue with title. Unfortunately, my daughter died on 1/2/21 and her car has been sitting in my backyard every since, a daily reminder of unfulfilled dreams. I need to deal with this, but the issue is such an emotional minefield for me I can’t think straight. [more inside]
posted by she's not there at 10:30 PM PST - 11 comments

Can I still use perfumer's alcohol to make perfume beyond the expiry date? [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 8:43 PM PST - 4 comments

My hand soap clogs my sink drain. (But not my shower drain.) So I need to replace it. I usually use Dove Cool Moisture Beauty Bar. [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 3:05 PM PST - 12 comments

So… we have an opportunity to buy a house for almost half a million pounds. We can put in 2/3 of that but have to borrow the rest as a mortgage. Should we be doing this right now? Or should we wait until mortgage rates settle down? Will they settle down? Not sure what I’m doing. So any advice appreciated.
posted by my-username at 1:31 PM PST - 18 comments

Where do people find apartments in Los Angeles these days? [more inside]
posted by downtohisturtles at 12:24 PM PST - 4 comments

Hi. I am feeling so down because my boyfriend wants me to get better and improve myself. He is upset that it took me a long time to graduate with my undergraduate degree, but others are saying awesome, good for you. I have intellectual disabilities, and that is why it took so long. He gets upset that I don’t clean enough, and don’t work on my mental health enough, but it feels genetic at times and I am not sure if I should resort to antidepressants but it's on my list but I'm trying stress tablets/gummies first. He tells me to take an IQ test because I don’t clean properly and I’m a lazy person and I am but maybe it's a lack of motivation or something that is causing all of this. I feel so behind in life, and he points out I never worked full time and what have you accomplished so far in life? [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 10:52 AM PST - 54 comments

I’m looking for good visuals (animation, films, videos) that explain DNA/RNA double helix—can have narration or not.
posted by Ideefixe at 10:52 AM PST - 3 comments

Help us find a way to convince the local critters that Lily the dog lives on. Lily passed on last November. For 15 years she methodically patrolled and marked our property located in the woods in rural Vermont. She once chased a bear down our driveway. This spring and summer, a bear has knocked over our compost container twice, a deer has eaten the blossoms on our perennial phlox, and birds (vireos) have nested in the light on our front porch. Is there a way to convince critters that dog still lives here? I'm not interested in repelling critters but rather convincing them that it's not in their best interest to hang around here. I don't want to use coyote urine or anything similar. Any ideas?
posted by Xurando at 10:34 AM PST - 8 comments

I recently purchased a new home, and coming up will be 4th of July sales. What sorts of things should I make sure to purchase on sale? What sort of things should I wait to buy until Black Friday or some other regular sales cycle? What sorts of things do I want period, that I may not know I want? [more inside]
posted by Number Used Once at 9:39 AM PST - 16 comments

We will be driving from NYC to Baltimore on an upcoming holiday weekend and will need to stop to let the kid out of the car to run around. Where should we stop? [more inside]
posted by sciencegeek at 9:35 AM PST - 7 comments

I need to ship an awkward item that, it turns out, is 2" too long for UPS to handle. Recommendations? [more inside]
posted by Well I never at 9:08 AM PST - 27 comments

Looking for success stories of people whose depressed / traumatized significant others have moved on past their pain, without the other partner gaining new trauma to compensate. Content warning: depression, family trauma. [more inside]
posted by KMH at 8:39 AM PST - 9 comments

We ended up with a really crap deal when buying a vehicle last year, because of unexpected credit circumstances, and were advised to refinance in a year after making payments all nice and proper. Now what? [more inside]
posted by Lyn Never at 8:14 AM PST - 7 comments

I am interested in buying an e-bike for commuting and leisure trips, but am kind of intimidated by the array of choices. Recommendations please? [more inside]
posted by skewed at 7:46 AM PST - 18 comments

What to do with two kids in NOLA this weekend that doesn’t involve the Audubon museum or aquarium? [more inside]
posted by skewed at 7:17 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm worried I have mishandled anti-LGBTQ sentiment from an acquaintance and I'm not sure how to move forward. [more inside]
posted by Rora at 7:05 AM PST - 22 comments

I enjoy working on projects with my laptop in places outside my home. I like the background noise and the change of scenery to help keep me focused and break up the monotony. The only problem is, it's hard to find a good place to use my laptop in public. The obvious answer is a coffee shop, but I often like to do this in the evenings and at night, and coffee shops usually close before then. A library is another obvious answer, but likewise, the hours for the ones near me are limited, and I find it a bit tricky to see my screen because they keep the lights so bright. So aside from a coffee shop or library, are there public places where you like to sit on your laptop for a couple hours and browse the web or work on stuff?
posted by nathandyer at 6:59 AM PST - 23 comments

I anticipate that my latest blood test will reveal I finally have pre-diabetes. I say "finally" because my parents have assumed I'd have diabetes due to my sweet tooth for the past 25 years. Jerks. My doctor and I think it's a side effect of COVID because of the overlap in symptoms. However, if you have pre-diabetes, what warning signs did you have before being diagnosed? Was there anything in particular that made you go, uh oh? YANMD, I am just gathering data as I prepare myself for a big lifestyle overhaul.
posted by The Adventure Begins at 4:08 AM PST - 7 comments

Is there a way that I can hide a video from all youtube search results? There's a video which has a very disturbing photo that keeps coming up in my youtube search results despite having nothing to do with my search terms or my watch history. Is there a way I can hide it forever so that it doesn't come up in future searches?
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 2:26 AM PST - 7 comments

Teaching hospitals have a great reputation. But is it easier for mistakes to be made because of the training aspect? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:33 PM PST - 13 comments

For years I never threw out any piece of paper that was vaguely official. However, the accumulation is getting on my nerves. I started scanning & shredding and got through a good chunk of it. But it's eating up a lot of time. Here is my dillemma. On one hand I'd love to just throw it out (after a quick check for truly important items). On the other hand, what if some day, for some reason I suddenly need that gas station receipt from 2017? How can I resolve this? [more inside]
posted by trevor_case at 7:17 PM PST - 10 comments

This is going to be long but tldr, about two weeks ago my cat stopped eating and drinking. Trying to think outside of what the vet is saying. [more inside]
posted by one4themoment at 6:13 PM PST - 23 comments

I cannot for the life of me recall the name of this Scandinavian horror/thriller movie set in an abandoned asylum. Help. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by dazedandconfused at 5:15 PM PST - 5 comments

Animated music video, in a cartoon style, I think similar to Bakermat's Matt Baker videos, but also maybe a bit like SOURCE, from Fever the Ghost. [more inside]
posted by Baxx_24 at 4:48 PM PST - 3 comments

I’m trying to find a comic I recently saw about gender expectations. The panels on the left are of a mom telling her son not to play with stereotypically girly things. Panels on the right feature a mom allowing/encouraging their son to play with them. At the bottom the discouraging mom accuses the accepting mom of pushing her beliefs on her kid (who presents as vaguely non binary). Ring a bell?
posted by whisper_robin at 4:41 PM PST - 5 comments

I bought a ~six pack of assorted dog toys at Costco in late 2019 or so. They were my dog's absolute favorites but have all been lost or destroyed by now (I have a suspicion that the manufacturer treated them with something that smells really good to dogs). I imagine with Covid, supply chain issues, etc., they're long since not available but was reminded of them by a Reddit post and figure it's worth a shot. [more inside]
posted by Candleman at 4:34 PM PST - 6 comments

This long-time, dedicated A's fan has Feelings. I'm looking for two types of resources to help me deal: First, nuanced, in-depth writing (or video or podcast?) that explores and explains how this move to Las Vegas finally became a reality. Second, personal experiences of fans whose team moved away, or who moved away from their team. [more inside]
posted by rekrap at 3:35 PM PST - 14 comments

Why would the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia be the court that "oversees matters having to do with the Titanic"? [more inside]
posted by mccxxiii at 3:07 PM PST - 3 comments

I used to have a book about food and nutrition and I would love for my kids to be able to read it too. I was born in 1979 and I was about 8 when I remember reading it. I have searched and haven't been able to figure out what it was. [more inside]
posted by apricot at 2:05 PM PST - 4 comments

Are lay people qualified to provide first aid for fibrillation? [more inside]
posted by SageTrail at 12:15 PM PST - 16 comments

Recently, whenever I try to access gmail on my iPhone, I get a message saying they can’t verify that I am me. This happens with both my email accounts. When I log in on the Wi-Fi at work, it’s fine. I have the same problem when I use my phone as a hotspot and try to log in to gmail on my laptop. It’s not a new phone or number, and I haven’t changed providers or plans. What gives? [more inside]
posted by Comet Bug at 11:45 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm on the East Coast of Corsica (Linguizzetta), and I found a hissing stray cat in an abandoned cabin. The cabin is on a parking lot and definitely not inhabited (by humans). There's debris everywhere and the door is bolted shut, but accessible (with difficulty) through an open bathroom window. Problem: I see two kittens through the window, and they don't look good. They're thin and scraggly orange kittens, able to walk and (from my limited cat experience) probably between 8 and 12 weeks old? I don't know how they're getting water. I've put some canned food down on the floor, but I don't know what else I can do. And: I'm leaving tomorrow :/ [more inside]
posted by toucan at 11:42 AM PST - 5 comments

My 20yo son is experiencing thinning hair. Please teach me about this, so I can help him. Confusion level: family's other males haven't haven't experienced much thinning hair, even well into older age, so we are both confused about why this is happening, and also unfamiliar with any strategies to stop it, if possible. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:36 AM PST - 25 comments

I cannot believe I am asking this 3+ years into COVID but... I am home sick this weekend when I should be out performing my creative work, all because a friend hung out with my partner while she had a scratchy throat, who then passed it on to me. Help! [more inside]
posted by internet of pillows at 10:34 AM PST - 20 comments

I've received a variety of emails relating to claim settlements for class action lawsuits (recently: facebook, safeway, zoom). How do I know these are real and not an elaborate spam/phishing attempt? [more inside]
posted by hydra77 at 10:13 AM PST - 4 comments

I may be starting a new job in Boston, near the Financial District / Quincy Market / Downtown Crossing. I will need to drive 3 days per week, on weekdays. What's the best way to get reliable parking? [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 9:37 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm trying to collect the documents to eventually apply for dual Italian citizenship and it turns out that the only people who can get certified copies of birth certificates in NYS without a court order are the people named on the birth certificates (the child and the parents) (link). Unfortunately, my mother and grandparents are deceased so I guess I need a court order?? [more inside]
posted by kat518 at 9:32 AM PST - 10 comments

I can't handle the chaos of my household, is it possible to find a household assistant that I can afford, and if so, how? [more inside]
posted by pol at 9:30 AM PST - 28 comments

I have a cabinet that needs some new shelf pegs. The ones that it currently uses are unusual; they have an upward prong that fits into a hole in the shelf (images). I haven't been able to find a source for them. Can you? [more inside]
posted by ShooBoo at 9:24 AM PST - 5 comments

At my work (let's think of it as a ... dorm), there are lots of TVs around. They're off most of the day, and their primary function is so kids can watch TV and play video games in the evening. I’m looking for how to turn them into digital signs for as little money as possible. I feel like there should be some HDMI dongle out there that just has a browser on it I can configure so that the homepage is my digital sign. Does this exist? [more inside]
posted by chelseagirl at 8:59 AM PST - 7 comments

I had someone come to my house to give me an estimate on some work. He was giving a bit of a hard sell but not too excessive. Then he said it was a funny coincidence but his friend lives 4-5 houses down my street. He said the first name and breed of his dog but it didn’t ring a bell. It felt like a sales tactic to make me more at ease; is this a common/known sales tactic? [more inside]
posted by acidic at 8:20 AM PST - 16 comments

I'd like to find a way to substitute brown butter for regular butter in baking recipes, because I find it improves the flavor. [more inside]
posted by wheatlets at 8:13 AM PST - 5 comments

The situation: I have an indoor porch, very well exposed to the sun, and I want to fill it with plants without breaking the bank. I know NOTHING about how to spend money on this, how to take care of plants, or what I should be looking for. I'd rather DIY as much as possible than buy already growing plants. What do I need to know, and where can I look for more information? I cannot emphasize how little I know on this topic!
posted by LSK at 8:13 AM PST - 5 comments

If I pick up some vintage matchbooks, is there any reason I shouldn't burn them? Will they burn? [more inside]
posted by paradeofblimps at 6:47 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm becoming more concerned about my gas stove given the news lately. I've been thinking about getting a mini air purifier like this one (I have larger ones elsewhere in the house to help with allergies) on the counter next to the stove turned on when I'm using the stove/oven. Good idea/bad idea? Are there hazards/pitfalls to this approach, is there a better one? I would simply put on the range hood fan, but it sounds like that doesn't fully help the situation.
posted by tiny frying pan at 6:25 AM PST - 17 comments

I have some glamor items I think might be useful to an up-and-coming drag queen. Is there somewhere I could donate? Will mail anywhere in the US. [more inside]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:24 AM PST - 1 comment

I realised years back that I was attracted to men who weren't very nice to me or emotionally mature. Luckily I managed to overcome that. But I'm now realising that I do something similar in female friendships, because I don't have a clear picture of what healthy female friendships can look like. Can you give me some examples of non-toxic, nourishing relationships between women--either in media/literature, or from your own life? [more inside]
posted by guessthis at 6:01 AM PST - 13 comments

In the book " Seize the Day" by Saul Bellow. He saw his reflection in the glass cupboard full of cigar boxes, among the grand seals and paper damask and the gold- embossed portraits of famous men, Garcia, Edward the Seventh, Cxrus the Great. Please tell me who Garcia is.
posted by mizukko at 5:40 AM PST - 6 comments

My State Farm premium went up 127% - I dinged someone's car in a Staples parking lot in January plus apparently rates are weird. My local agent recommended a specific local agency, which gave me a slightly better rate from Erie Insurance. Is Erie Insurance a good company? Anybody? OR - can I contest the "points" on my license (in North Carolina) since the idea of this tiny dent in the other car costing >$3800 to repair is, while not surprising, sort of outrageous?
posted by amtho at 1:52 AM PST - 13 comments

I think it's a reasonably well known painting by a famous contemporary US painter who works in a purposefully kitschy Renoir/Kincaid-ish style. Three slim, upper middle class white women are laughing, holding cigars and glasses of wine. They're somehow confined (possibly in a window seat) in a way that groups them closely. One of them has her head wrapped to suggest that she may be undergoing chemo.
posted by brachiopod at 6:14 PM PST - 4 comments

In short: I would like to watch Judge Judy season 7 episode 5 (I think). Is it available anywhere?
posted by alexei at 4:27 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm taking over the mailing list for a local hobby group I help organize. How can I set up an email list for about 350 people that a) members can subscribe to or unsubscribe from on their own, b) only a small number of people have permission to send to, and c) does not require the group to have a physical address? [more inside]
posted by capricorn at 4:21 PM PST - 7 comments

Hi everyone. So, I had a job interview this month that was unexpectedly formal and I totally biffed it. I'm confident that it's probably all for the best, but I'm wondering if this format's the norm for particular types of jobs and/or employers. Can you take a look and let me know if there's a way to avoid applying to particular places where I'm likely to encounter this? [more inside]
posted by mochapickle at 4:17 PM PST - 31 comments

Looking for science or engineering non-fiction books to buy my father. He has dementia, but still likes to read difficult books. I haven't been too successful with the books I've given him recently, so thought I'd crowd-source some ideas (and he will enjoy that concept too). [more inside]
posted by paduasoy at 3:31 PM PST - 33 comments

In the past year I read an article (I don't know if it was recent or old) whose premise was something like: because owning equity in a publicly-traded company gives you a perpetual claim on property and the output of other humans while it is legally very different from being a feudal noble in effect there are more similarities than maybe we'd like to admit. I don't remember if it made a good points, but that was the gist of it. Doesn anyone remember that article?
posted by Tehhund at 2:44 PM PST - 2 comments

You work in downtown Seattle and like to get sandwiches for lunch. Where do you go? [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 1:58 PM PST - 10 comments

I think would like a t-shirt with an illustration of an octopus and the phrase "All Cephalopods Are Beautiful". I can't draw and I have no design sense. What's my best (cheapest) option with decent quality where I am exploiting artists and garment makers as little as possible? [more inside]
posted by an octopus IRL at 1:20 PM PST - 11 comments

I have time off this summer, and want to spend it cooking as many kid-friendly high-fibre and/or vegetable-based dishes as I can. Snacks, side dishes, lunches, hidden vegetables, not hidden. All of it. Where do I start? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 12:18 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm trying to create a transcript of a 10 minute portion of a video. Is there a better way than what I'm already doing? [more inside]
posted by daikon at 12:16 PM PST - 8 comments

Our dryer stopped heating a couple weeks ago. We finally got a repairman to come out today, and he has informed us that it's not a dryer problem, it's an electrical problem. Apparently the voltage from our outlet is pretty variable. Since he's not an electrician, he can't really tell us any more than that, and I don't know anything about electricity, so I'm hoping someone here can tell me a little more. [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 11:57 AM PST - 17 comments

I am wanting to audio/video record someone for an interview for my podcast, but the person only speaks French and hardly knows English. Is there some kind of software that can generate the interviewer speaking French and the live captioning come out to English? I will be using the podcast Riverside.fm software, but not sure if it is possible to somehow bring in the live captioning software to it or not.
posted by RearWindow at 10:57 AM PST - 4 comments

Where is the line, for you, between harm and abuse? How do you know if the person you're with is a mean, selfish jerk or an abuser? And if you do conclude that it's abuse, what does that change? [more inside]
posted by Questolicious at 10:42 AM PST - 34 comments

I should wear a hat to protect against the sun, but I hate hats, because they block my vision and interfere with my hearing. Please recommend ways to not hate wearing hats so much, and recommend specific hats I might actually like wearing. [more inside]
posted by kristi at 10:39 AM PST - 16 comments

Just started ritalin and the difference in my life is stark. I'm having trouble grasping why. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:33 AM PST - 29 comments

Snowflake details within. Not looking to run a porn site! Just want to make a personal site that may have some NSFW fan art and stuff like that. [more inside]
posted by damedeshou at 6:07 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm not quite yet fully bald but the writing is on the wall. Every bald person I've ever met has been united in their advice to make sure that your head is covered, especially in summer, because of sunburn! But I've never been a hat person and generally think they look terrible on me. Advice! [more inside]
posted by wooh at 5:57 AM PST - 33 comments

Hi all, my parents are getting older and are looking to discuss estate planning options with a lawyer to make sure their legal and financial ducks are in a row. Looking for recommendations for a trustworthy (pun!) and reliable Florida-based lawyer who specializes in setting up family estates and trusts. Ideally in the Jacksonville area, but my folks are willing to travel or zoom. Thanks in advance!
posted by Osrinith at 5:41 AM PST - 2 comments

When I was nine or ten I was told an incorrect story about Elvis Presley’s last words. The story was that Elvis had dropped an expensive watch which had broken, and that his father had started to pick up the pieces. Elvis was then meant to have said: “It doesn’t matter, it’s just money.” I know these aren’t his last words, but I’m curious if there’s any truth to this story. Did Elvis ever say something like this to his father? If so, in what circumstances?
posted by Kattullus at 4:25 AM PST - 4 comments

For a while I've increasingly had a weird muscle (joint?) symptom that I find impossible to research cuz I can't describe it succinctly. Maybe you even know what it is! [more inside]
posted by ClarissaWAM at 4:01 AM PST - 8 comments

I've been working in our Hangzhou office for two months. In a week I'm heading back to North America. I should buy my Hangzhou colleagues gifts, right? But what? What's the etiquette? There are stores that sell fancy liquor and tea to give as presents, but I don't think my 20something colleagues drink liquor at all or drink that much tea. (Coffee?)
posted by musofire at 2:15 AM PST - 9 comments

I am interested to know or read about any border cities, which exist on both sides of an international border, but where there is little or nothing to control movement of citizens from one side to the other. Where, for example, someone can walk down the street and suddenly be in another country. What's it like to live there, to work, to socialise, to interact with both Governments? [more inside]
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 1:10 AM PST - 26 comments

I’m a professional creative writer and I want to help other people do creative writing. Are you someone who teaches people about creative writing in a volunteer capacity? If so, how did you get there? [more inside]
posted by motherofdog at 11:44 PM PST - 3 comments

We are taking our bikes to France to ride in the countryside (yay), but first we will be in Paris for a few days. We are not able to store our bikes at our hotel in Bastille. It seems like there are a few bike storage rental options (train stations, private garages), but it is hard to tell how secure they are. If you have experience dealing with Paris bike storage, what was it like?
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 10:22 PM PST - 0 comments

You've been to a beach near Osaka. You had a great time. What beach was it? [more inside]
posted by brookeb at 10:21 PM PST - 1 comment

I would like to listen to the episode of the podcast Art is Not a Spectator Sport by Anne Goodman which is listed here , about James Hampton, but it is not actually playable from that site it seems. [more inside]
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 9:09 PM PST - 3 comments

My parents are no longer with us in body. But their 2-br apartment remains. And contains these items, among many others. Since my dad spent a few months in Japan courtesy of the US Army during the US occupation, he may have picked these up at that time. Or, maybe my mom bought them at the Met Museum Store. Any idea what they are? [more inside]
posted by Citizen Cane Juice at 7:27 PM PST - 11 comments

I’m looking for some software/script with keyboard support to swiftly sort a LARGE number of images one at a time visually? [more inside]
posted by bystander at 6:32 PM PST - 7 comments

I've lived with lots of dogs and cats, and they've all spent a fair portion of their day sitting and doing nothing. I've also lived with lots of people, and they tend to occupy themselves with something whenever they're sitting down. [more inside]
posted by wheatlets at 5:30 PM PST - 15 comments

Why did anyone start toasting subs? Like, toasted sliced bread on a sandwich I get. Grilled cheese sandwiches are fantastic. Panini took me a while to get my head around, but I get it. [more inside]
posted by Mister Moofoo at 5:01 PM PST - 23 comments

My son downloaded NBA 2K23 on his Switch. I am sitting next to him on the couch. We each have a controller: he has the two joycons attached to a whatsit that makes it look like a third party controller, and I have an Xbox-style third party controller. Both of them work on every other game we own. We would like to play against each other. Please explain how to make this possible because I've been reading stupid articles and watching videos for an hour and I still can't figure it out. [more inside]
posted by goatdog at 4:42 PM PST - 2 comments

This was so much easier when she was a kid. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 2:31 PM PST - 18 comments

I am building a little free library that I want to be lit :) I am able to find lights with detached solar panels like this one, but not something that fits all the points on my wishlist, more inside. [more inside]
posted by thewildgreen at 2:09 PM PST - 5 comments

I have: (legally purchased) installation CDs for Quickbooks99, Photoshop 5, Adobe CS4, and more; one internal and one external CD/DVD drive and external HDDs for backup; plus versions of Acronis (2014), R-Drive Image (7.0 - 2022), and access to Windows 7, Windows 10, and Linux. I need: to duplicate or back up these CDs to make sure I can install this software on new computers, far into the future, even if the original disks get damaged or lost. I don't know: how to do this without downloading some sketchy ripping program. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 1:14 PM PST - 15 comments

Help me plan my week in Amsterdam in July! There will be two of us, myself and a teen, and we already booked our tickets to the Rijksmuseum and to the Corrie ten Boom house (in Haarlem). We'd like to also do a canal boat tour and maybe go to Zaanse Schans but I did not want to book/schedule everything so as to give us some unstructured time to explore or sit around in a park or cafe sometimes. What low-key things could we enjoy otherwise? [more inside]
posted by M. at 12:59 PM PST - 25 comments

Looking for someone with financial expertise that specializes in online business in Canada. [more inside]
posted by pised at 11:15 AM PST - 0 comments

Can you help me identify the spaceship shown circled in yellow in this terrible image? It is a 3D recreation of a ship from some movie, TV show, or maybe prose fiction. [more inside]
posted by moonmoth at 10:48 AM PST - 7 comments

I have a Texas-shaped cookie cutter I'd like to use but I don't make cookies very often, aside from chocolate chip cookies, which probably won't work well. [more inside]
posted by *s at 9:45 AM PST - 11 comments

I was planning to make Bo Ssam for tonight. I prepped the meat with the sugar/salt mixture last night, and wrapped it up. However, plans have changed. I'll be dining out this evening, instead of eating roasted pork at home. [more inside]
posted by cleverevans at 8:58 AM PST - 4 comments

We're heading out to western Massachusetts next week (starting from Boston), and I want to make a day out of the drive. What are some interesting places to stop and check out along the drive? [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot at 7:59 AM PST - 13 comments

I sold my house today, and will walk away with $100k. I'm moving to Portland Oregon where I will rent for a year before trying to buy a house. My immediate financial future is uncertain. What would you recommend I do with the money? [more inside]
posted by rebent at 7:37 AM PST - 25 comments

I'm getting a hair transplant, teeth whitening, skin whitening and another minor procedure. Is there an app or website that I can play with to see what I'll look like after my procedures? I downloaded several on the app store but they all seem pretty crappy. Thanks.
posted by maxexam at 6:39 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm in Chrome. I search for something on google.com. When the results come up, the page keeps reloading at a rate of every second. It's really annoying. [more inside]
posted by EllaEm at 6:13 AM PST - 6 comments

My dog had most of her teeth pulled at the vet and the night she came home our other dog refused to sleep in the bed with all of us and has not come back to the bed since. No other behaviors are different. WTF is going on with this dog? [more inside]
posted by archimago at 5:56 AM PST - 9 comments

I know that “McMansion” isn’t a real architectural style. I know that no developer or architect will call a house they’re building a McMansion. But I also know that when I see homes of a certain particular style (built in the last 10-15 years, huge with showy windows, a bit of a mishmash of architectural styles)… that’s just what a lot of people call them. And the term seems to have stuck - depending on whether you own one or not, while it’s usually derogatory, it can be used ironically, or playfully. So I’m wondering, 100-150 years from now (assuming we’re not underwater in a climate change hellscape where it doesn’t matter) and architectural trends change, will houses of that style be known as McMansion style homes, the way we designate Queen Anne’s and Cape Cods and Tudor designs? Or is there some Architectural history governing board who decides these things?
posted by Mchelly at 4:51 AM PST - 28 comments

Hi everyone; Im looking for the Bugs Bunny Road Runner hour DVD collection(68-71). Does anyone know if this is available for purchase somewhere? Checked online,came across a few sites that look sketchy,perhaps someone could direct me to a site? Many thanks :-)
posted by LOOKING at 4:01 AM PST - 3 comments

My new job has intense irregular hours, and there's no set schedule to my life. I very very much want to establish an evening hour-long walk with my kid and dog (neither very keen on this, all happy once we go on the walk in the nearby park). I will happily ignore alarms, am not motivated at all by self-set rewards and by 7pm, will pay $100 to not have to go for a walk. How do I solve this? Playing on hard level of ADHD, autism and mild agrophobia for both kid and I.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 11:24 PM PST - 46 comments

I have an overnight connection in Shanghai next month by myself; here should I eat dinner? [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 9:01 PM PST - 3 comments

My oldest brother, estranged for 20 years, for no real reason, I think, except our age gap, has died at age 66 after suffering from MS for 30 odd years. I feel ... something ... but being on the spectrum may be why I can't identify it or what to do with it. Help me to understand. CW: sexual abuse [more inside]
posted by b33j at 8:52 PM PST - 10 comments

Please explain to me how I can get a policy with one of *these 6 health insurance providers* without going through my state's health connector system! Assume I am a loudmouth 12 year old with only basic computer skills. If I have to go through VT Health Connect, any tips? [more inside]
posted by Summers at 7:08 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking for recommendations for biographical literary fiction, with some specific criteria. [more inside]
posted by paper scissors sock at 6:58 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm playing Tears of the Kingdom and trying to avoid spoilers, so please be kind. So far I've visited several petroglyphs, but only two had exciting cutscenes happen at them (actually the cutscenes are kinda dull but you know what I mean). They now show up on my map as #1 and #2. Is it essential that I go to them all in a particular order, and if so how do I know what the order is? [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:41 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm almost certainly autistic, according to the DSM V, professional level tests, and general life traits. If I get a documented diagnosis from professionals, what else would I need to get on Supplemental security income, and or Social security disability insurance? [more inside]
posted by Jacen at 6:39 PM PST - 6 comments

A friend who strongly prefers quiet restaurants is coming to NYC. Not my area of expertise. I'm looking for a place for a weekday night dinner that is most of all quiet and conducive to conversation, but ideally also tasty and likely to be available around 6 pm on a Wednesday next week. Looking for a place near Penn Station (midtown west/chelsea generally fine) or near Union Square. Price not an object, but not looking for true fine dining (no Per Se or Eleven Madison Park). Thanks in advance!
posted by slide at 6:15 PM PST - 6 comments

There are phone cases with built-in battery packs. And there are phone-sized solar-panel battery packs. But I cannot seem to find a phone case with a built-in solar panel. [more inside]
posted by Jacqueline at 5:55 PM PST - 6 comments

i recently found my old Barbie Fashion Show (2004) disc and had a great time replaying it. now i have ideas that i'd love to add to the game but i can't open the file type they used. is there any way to open these proprietary files as someone who is tech savvy but not a coder [more inside]
posted by pfeffernusse at 3:53 PM PST - 16 comments

What's the best way to rip digital versions of my vinyl records? My priority is audio quality: I want the best quality digital copies possible (within reason). I listen to vinyl records on a RP-7000 MK2 turntable, with a Yamaha RX-V6A A/V receiver. Would the built-in preamp in the turntable (or the A/V receiver) be good enough for getting high-fidelity rips? If not, how should I choose a dedicated preamp? [more inside]
posted by Mavertan at 2:59 PM PST - 7 comments

My partner and I are on the hunt for new, semi-local adventures. With our work schedules, we have the flexibility for day trips during the week, or overnight stays. We are seeking recommendations for day trips within about an hour drive (can include interesing local attractions), and interesting locations (1-3 hour drive) to visit for overnight stays. [more inside]
posted by nayten at 2:40 PM PST - 13 comments

When I first joined Metafilter, I had this idea that I could keep my identity fairly private by asking innocuous questions and not sharing any identifying details. I'm realizing now, though, that anyone who knows me reasonably well would take one look at my question history and recognize me immediately. [more inside]
posted by wheatlets at 2:39 PM PST - 31 comments

Hey Metaminds - I am working on helping my significant other with business development for her San Francisco based cooking school (for kids), corporate cooking classes, event space. I am wondering if the folks here have suggestions for firms that do business development/sales on a purely contingent/performance basis? Could be virtual or remote? [more inside]
posted by specialk420 at 1:08 PM PST - 2 comments

Is there a utility that will look in the Windows Downloads library, and check each file to see if it exists elsewhere in the Windows libraries? One of us has hundreds of files in Downloads, and they believe that 98% of the time they move a download to a diffferent, desired, directory but it looks like they were copied rather than moved. We are searching for a utility to tell us that there's a copy elsewhere so we can delete the files from Downloads. Windows 10
posted by TimHare at 12:17 PM PST - 5 comments

As mentioned in a recent post, I started a new job 2 days ago. It's in a completely new sector and a new role, so I'm anxious to make a good impression. Not to mention, rents are increasing and it's a well paid and promising role in terms of progression. [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 11:59 AM PST - 8 comments

I've seen claims on some websites that shortbread gets better with age, even to the point of being better after a month. I'm a little suspicious, because my experience with flour baked goods is that they get stale - but maybe shortbread is low enough in flour to be okay? I'm curious what the ideal aging period for shortbread is.
posted by wheatlets at 11:02 AM PST - 6 comments

It's time, once again, to plan a getaway for the week before Labor Day to include Mr. DrGail, me, and our pup. We'd like to be within at most a two-day drive from Chicago, in a location no hotter and ideally cooler than home, and are looking for suggestions that meet our criteria/preferences listed within. [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 10:46 AM PST - 5 comments

We arrived for a 10-day stay at an Airbnb in London, and one of the showers in our 2.5 bathroom flat is inoperable. How do I best approach getting a partial refund? I’ve vrbo/Airbnb’d many times before but never had an issue where one of the basic amenities isn’t available. [more inside]
posted by msbubbaclees at 9:05 AM PST - 7 comments

I rent a house with hardwood floors, and the landlord was thinking of replacing the downstairs floor. She had a floor guy to look at them while she was not there. He pointed out a spot to me where maybe five boards have some give, and said don't step there. Can that be fixed without replacing the whole floor somehow? [more inside]
posted by catquas at 9:00 AM PST - 12 comments

LinkedIn keeps emailing me to tell me I have a new connection request, but when I sign in I have the same three requests I haven't accepted or deleted yet. Is this a glitch or is one of these people resending their request?
posted by sepviva at 7:02 AM PST - 7 comments

There's a lot of free-floating advice about trusting your gut or your subconscious or intuition or what have you. My question is, does this really work for people with severe anxiety? [more inside]
posted by Nieshka at 7:00 AM PST - 21 comments

Prefacing with IKYNMD, but I am, for the time being, researching and trying very hard to survive in Israel, against all odds. The odds being that I have hyperparathryoidism and cannot find a surgeon to do the surgery in Israel being that this is a *wait and watch* situation according to the guidelines in the Ministry of Health, and my calcium levels are only in the low 10's. My crappy insurance does not let me choose a surgeon. My heart is suffering. Read on. [more inside]
posted by watercarrier at 8:41 PM PST - 10 comments

Our 8yo has a cat allergy, originally detected by a bunch of sneezing and confirmed by a blood test. Our family REALLY wants a cat. We have found a Siberian cat breeder with 8-month-old kittens available. Siberian cats are known to have lower levels of allergens, but each cat has a different level. You can get each cat tested, but it's expensive and unreliable. We are meeting with the breeder and several of her cats this weekend. How can we maximize our chances of choosing a cat that our kid doesn't react to? [more inside]
posted by equipoise at 4:38 PM PST - 35 comments

I am looking for a short reading for a memorial service that will evoke the personality of the deceased - a woman who was known for kindness and generosity and who lovingly served the needs of her family throughout her life. She deserves something that truly evokes how much people loved her and how much she gave to others. [more inside]
posted by metahawk at 4:33 PM PST - 12 comments

I lived in SF for years and years, but it was time to go a little over 5 years ago. I'm heading back for a brief trip, and have found many of my favorite places closed or not quite what they used to be. I'll be going to several favorites that are thankfully still around (The Roxie! Forbidden Island!) but I'm hoping for any new hotness is that's opened since 2017 that you'd recommend.
posted by eschatfische at 4:06 PM PST - 6 comments

The recent post in the blue on Aspect Ratios mentions Motion Smoothing aka "Soap Opera Effect." How can I see what Tom Cruise is talking about without a TV? [more inside]
posted by Rash at 4:00 PM PST - 17 comments

I want to get promoted from a director role to a senior director or VP-level role. Is my best chance going at it internally at my company, or is there a decent chance I can get hired to a VP role at a new company by applying with only director experience on my resume? Anecdotes and data are both welcome.
posted by ttyn at 3:04 PM PST - 8 comments

Instagram is now insisting I must use the app to add or modify a bio link! Is there a workaround? [more inside]
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 2:15 PM PST - 2 comments

I am looking for recommendations for amazing fiction writers that I am unlikely to have heard of before. I have recently had really good luck with novels by some "hidden" authors (Catherine Chidgey's The Axeman's Carnival was incredible, as was Murray Lee's Compass). At the same time, I have a giant stack of half-finished books next to my bed that were highly promoted but I found were just kind of meh--dull and unoriginal. Who else is a sharp new talent worth chasing down?
posted by sonofsnark at 1:20 PM PST - 27 comments

New and persistent feelings of dread relating to my relationship. This is unusual for me and I don't want to blow anything up. How can I feel better? [more inside]
posted by beatrice rex at 12:55 PM PST - 11 comments

Hello fellow travelers. I’m trying to plan a big (for us) vacation for my family, Summer 2024. I am both completely ignorant of all the great options available and overwhelmed by the planning process. I thought that the best way to start would be to choose a destination. Fairly snowflakey “wishlist” below the fold. [more inside]
posted by pearlybob at 12:47 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm visiting San Antonio this week for work and will have time to explore during the evenings. I'd like to check out the neighborhood(s) that I would live if I had to live there (this is an exercise, I don't have plans to move to SA) . Details inside. Not sure if this place exists, but something close would be nice to check out: [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 12:28 PM PST - 5 comments

You know how scientists beat back this worm by giving it lots of sterile mates? Why don't they do something similar with cockroaches...Start with Manhattan. It's an island! [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:36 AM PST - 16 comments

I'll be in London by myself for a week in July. Do you have any museum tips or food recommendations? [more inside]
posted by swheatie at 7:37 AM PST - 30 comments

I'm going to a shelter next week to adopt a cat. I recently had a failed cat adoption experience which was really difficult. What can I do to make sure this time it doesn't fall through? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 7:27 AM PST - 16 comments

I have a personal Google account and a Google Workspace account for work. I want to be able to see both in Calendar, so I added my work account to my personal calendar, and this worked great. But now my personal Gmail (Android app) started showing my work emails and I DO NOT WANT that. How can I get it to stop without messing up my calendar?
posted by gakiko at 7:04 AM PST - 7 comments

I was attacked by a red-winged blackbird. I have questions. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 6:18 AM PST - 15 comments

A lot of cultures require shoes to be removed when entering a home, and some provide shared guest slippers. How is athlete’s foot not rampant if everyone is sharing shoes and walking around barefoot? What can you do if you enter someone’s home and their feet or another guest’s look sketchy and you don’t want to walk around barefoot in the same space? Do you just make an excuse and leave, or is it talked about more openly in these cultures?
posted by wheatlets at 5:02 AM PST - 22 comments

A friend who is a painter wants a website, and we're looking for something that will be very easy for a not-very-technical person to update, and is well suited to showcasing art. They currently only use Instagram but an actual website seems like a useful thing to have in addition, long-term. [more inside]
posted by fabius at 3:42 AM PST - 6 comments

Bought the watch in hopes I will get annoyed at myself and actually use this body I've got; this thing tracks every move. For an xtra 100 bucks could send and receive text msgs and phone calls, but if I've got my phone with me it'll do that anyways, and I pretty much have my phone with me all the time. Have you purchased a watch with the phone built in, why or why not, and has it been A Good Thing for you. [more inside]
posted by dancestoblue at 3:27 AM PST - 12 comments

I start chemo in about a week and an half, so decided to join my immediate/extended family to camp for this weekend, to grab the opportunity to see everyone before starting the process. Tonight, we were playing a game of high-stakes Yahtzee, and I had a bad trigger, but feel very guilty for my reaction. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 10:53 PM PST - 39 comments

I use an iPhone and MacBook Air for my day-to-day computing needs which include texting, email, social media, Netflix, YouTube, and online shopping. I don't feel very sophisticated when it comes to my online privacy and security. What should I be doing to protect myself and my identity online? I have been updating my passwords, but I don't know what else to do.
posted by anonymous at 10:03 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm curious to hear from anyone who has taken quetiapine long-term and has stopped & experienced any improvements in memory recall and learning. [more inside]
posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only at 7:46 PM PST - 1 comment

Some months ago I disabled Youtube on my android phone by going to the applications under settings and clicking "disable". I enabled it again some weeks ago but it doesn't work. If I click a youtube link it says "Custom [that's like the title of the little pop-up] Can't use Youtube while Restrict App usage is in use." Now I'm going camping and it sure would be useful to access various how-to videos if I need them. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:46 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm interested in one day taking a vacation where everything is just taken care of for me. A trip where I am involved in the itinerary at a high level, and somebody else works out all the details so I don't have to think. Where do I find a travel agent that provides this level of service for people, and how much could I expect to spend for the service itself? (Not a cruise, please!) [more inside]
posted by rouftop at 6:32 PM PST - 13 comments

How do I get my laptop to recognize a second monitor? [more inside]
posted by sardonyx at 3:59 PM PST - 18 comments

If I wanted to fly from the US and visit cities in Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon, what would be the ideal order of operations and timeline? [more inside]
posted by critzer at 3:30 PM PST - 4 comments

Help me find an easy, visually-pleasing photo-slideshow software. [more inside]
posted by Nightman at 1:21 PM PST - 3 comments

I swim breaststroke four times a week for 40 minutes a session. Due to dislocation/confidence issues, I stick to the one stroke. [more inside]
posted by einekleine at 1:03 PM PST - 5 comments

Mainly profit tbf. There are a lot of different options, which gives most bang for my buck if I want to share my skills and have people pay me for the privilege? [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 11:31 AM PST - 1 comment

We have an adjustable standing desk that broke on Friday and is now in a permanent "standing" position. It looks like it uses some kind of hydraulics system but we can't figure out how to repair it or if it's repairable at all. Pictures and details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 11:11 AM PST - 8 comments

What is the name (if there is a name) for the rhetorical device which insists that the listener identify with, or agree with, one extreme or the other? Common example: "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."
posted by John Borrowman at 10:48 AM PST - 8 comments

Today has been awful. I am due to start a new job tomorrow and today I received a message from my previous manager saying that they had gone through Skype messages at my old job and she knows I said derogatory things about her. The level of guilt and shame is immense. I will detail my idiot behaviour below. How can I deal with this. [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 9:26 AM PST - 30 comments

I can find plenty of sites that list the average yearly rainfall in, for example Mérida, Mexico. What I can’t find is the actual data that was used to arrive at the average. I’m looking for a site with charts (or hopefully data files) that have the rainfall by year for the last 10-50 years. Can someone with better Google skills help me out?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:10 AM PST - 4 comments

More and more, I'm finding bizarro search engine results that make me feel crazy. Recently, I was looking up whether it would be ok to eat ground beef that had gone a tiny bit brown on the outside. (I know it is, and knew that then, but I have OCD, so just play along.) [more inside]
posted by wheatlets at 8:52 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm hoping to make this recipe for twice baked shortbread. I always halve cookie recipes to start with. Typically this is easy as each cookie is shaped individually. This recipe calls for either a 9.5" round, 4x14" rectangular, or 8x8" square pan. I don't have any pans that are half this size. How would you halve the recipe?
posted by wheatlets at 8:16 AM PST - 7 comments

It's been 84 at least 12 years since I last wrote a proper paper and now I am embarking on a passion project that will involve a tremendous amount of research and writing and organizing. My abilities in this area have been replaced by the "ensure that this app or website make money" stuff required by my trade as a designer. How do I relearn how to do research for academic work? [more inside]
posted by The Adventure Begins at 1:40 AM PST - 9 comments

I've been a software developer for almost 15 years and I'm considering a career change. I still enjoy programming (and many of its associated activities, including design work and writing documentation), but at this point I'd prefer to do it as a hobby instead of it being the focus of my job. I'm hoping to hear from people who were software developers for a substantial period of time before changing careers. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:55 PM PST - 6 comments

I need book recommendations! One of my favorite genres is science fiction, but only hard sci-fi and speculative fiction, NO FANTASY. Trying to find a regular source of book recs is tricky because they all seem to include fantasy. Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by Threeve at 10:19 PM PST - 38 comments

I took in two kittens from this question, both males; one larger than the other. The larger kitten, Jasper, started suckling on his sibling, but that turned out to be the least of my worries. I don't know if it's his size or something, but he seems to have hit puberty faster than his sibling, before I could get him neutered, and is not...handling that well. [more inside]
posted by Ashen at 10:04 PM PST - 13 comments

Cat companions of Metafilter: if you have (had) a cat who was afraid of thunderstorms, what comforted them or helped them feel less scared? [more inside]
posted by eviemath at 9:03 PM PST - 4 comments

Can you suggest a good but inexpensive submission manager for a tiny magazine? [more inside]
posted by tavegyl at 9:02 PM PST - 4 comments

A little over three years ago I had a Jotul F400 wood stove installed. Not long ago the little arm to adjust air flow broke and now the heater is stuck on full air. The two distributors in Australia who actually bothered to reply to me have quoted me 6-12 months just to order the part in, issues with warranty and cost aside. How can I find the part that I want and get it here before winter ends? [more inside]
posted by ninazer0 at 6:49 PM PST - 15 comments

My local Trader Joes no longer sells the 100% Colombian Instant Coffee and has not had it for over 6 months. I really liked it - inexpensive, superb for backpacking, and good enough for daily use (when mixed with creamer etc.) [more inside]
posted by soylent00FF00 at 5:22 PM PST - 11 comments

Just saw that there is a family of groundhogs under my shed. Do I need to care about this? I have a few plants out there like blackberries and mint, but they're just kinda growing wild. I don't really consider it a "garden". Compost pile not too far from shed. Kids play in the back yard. No dog. I'm inclined to just let them be, but maybe I'm not thinking of something?
posted by pyro979 at 4:34 PM PST - 6 comments

I like to wear bright colors and bold geometric/floral/whimsical prints. I'm a man. How/where should I shop? [more inside]
posted by aws17576 at 3:55 PM PST - 24 comments

I’m undertaking a professional project with an organisation that funds clinical trials for breast cancer. I have a specific skill set that I’m bringing to the table, and while a deep understanding of the subject matter isn’t required, I’d like to know the basics (if there is such a thing) so I have more context. I’m looking for resources, ideally books, to start orienting myself. [more inside]
posted by third word on a random page at 3:02 PM PST - 5 comments

Hi! I'm running a live event in a couple of weeks. I'd like to make it easy for people to have some sort of way to connect after the event, chat with other people who attended, etc. I expect maybe a small handful of people might want to do this. Any ideas a good tool to do that? I've sometimes used whatsapp, sometimes facebook, sometimes discord. [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 2:23 PM PST - 10 comments

When I used to live in the San Francisco Bay Area, I would occasionally get spicy pork sausages - about the same size and shape as generic hot dogs, but very spicy, very greasy, and with a very snappy skin. I don't remember the brand name, but they were easily available in most supermarkets. They were not marketed as "Italian" or "Polish", etc. Now I live in New York City and I haven't been able to find the like for years. (1) What were they called, and (2) what is the easily-purchased Northeastern equivalent, if any? [more inside]
posted by moonmilk at 1:19 PM PST - 13 comments

Content note: Gore [more inside]
posted by ejs at 11:31 AM PST - 2 comments

I need a new bathtub spout with a shower diverter. I'd prefer it be about 7 inches long. Do you have a recommendation? [more inside]
posted by mr_bovis at 11:03 AM PST - 3 comments

I want to hire someone to edit an image, but I don't know how best to describe what I need done. What sort of image editing person am I looking for? [more inside]
posted by meese at 8:29 AM PST - 8 comments

Do you have advice for “cleaning” the volume slider on our 1983 Casio PT-50 keyboard? Hopefully without taking apart the keyboard. I’ve seen spray cleaner for potentiometers etc - safe to use without taking keyboard apart? It basically now has “loud” and “off” but my son would like to use it at various volumes. Seems like it’s dirty or corroded. pic
posted by chr1sb0y at 8:20 AM PST - 9 comments

Specifically, among urban gay men, what does the term "Straight Acting" mean? I co-chair the busiest emergency department in Washington DC. We're located adjacent to the two main gay neighborhoods in the city, and provide care to virtually the entire gay population of the city. "Straight Acting" is a term I often gay men used to describe themselves and other gay men. I don't really know what it means. Please explain. Thanks
posted by BadgerDoctor at 7:45 AM PST - 41 comments

I bought a book of Murdle logic puzzles. I have two questions: A) I can't for the life of me do the medium-hard ones where the lying starts. How do I logic the lying? B) My 6 yo was "helping me" (not actually for reasons inside) on the easy ones and would like some easier version of the same idea for kids. Do these kinds of logic puzzles exist for kids? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 5:45 AM PST - 12 comments

You needed to call adult protection in the state of Minnesota because your elderly/disabled relative or acquaintance seemed to be being neglected or abused. How did that go? What happened? Were you glad, in the end, you called, or the reverse? If you called because you're a mandated reporter, I am interested in your answer as well, but especially focused on loved ones' experiences and specific experiences, and am looking for Minnesota-specific answers.
posted by anonymous at 2:29 AM PST - 1 comment

i recently reconnected with a friendly acquaintance i've known for 19 years. i want to be supportive but don't know if it's…appropriate? warranted? i am not secretly asking about how to make this into a relationship bc obvs he's emotionally not in that place and neither am i. i want to know if it's appropriate for me to be supportive, and if so, how? i'd love to get some insight into his perspective as well, if you have gone through similar. really long two-back-story-stories follows. [more inside]
posted by violetk at 3:34 PM PST - 15 comments

I'd like to change careers from human services to something different. [more inside]
posted by kittensofthenight at 3:16 PM PST - 4 comments

FedEx sends me texts when a package is on its way. Generally, I get three: “a package is on its way”, “a package is out for delivery” and finally “your package from [sender] was delivered!” Is there a reason that they aren’t identifying the sender until after they’ve delivered it?
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 1:33 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm trying to get Packer for Ubuntu to install in a single copy and paste. I'm trying to avoid using a shell script for reasons beyond this question and would prefer a copy paste that outputs to a log file. My bash isn't that strong or I'm missing what some commands are doing. This has to be possible. Here's the multi-line command inside. [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 1:29 PM PST - 13 comments

The fridge that came with the house I bought is broken. Please help me decide whether I should fix it or get a new one. [more inside]
posted by number9dream at 12:36 PM PST - 16 comments

I use little round cotton pads daily to apply toner, remove makeup, etc. The basic CVS level brand seems to have gotten a lot worse over the last year or so, and I'm looking to level up. Do you have a recommendation for a high-quality disposable cotton round that is available through standard US retail channels? [more inside]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 12:29 PM PST - 12 comments

I am currently an art teacher in Texas who plans on moving to Oregon in the next year or so, where I would also like to teach. I'm trying to gather up the information I need now so I can get whatever certifications I may need out of the way sooner than later. [more inside]
posted by picea at 12:04 PM PST - 5 comments

What is the simplest way for me to purchase and own music in 2023? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 11:15 AM PST - 27 comments

My son has a really good head for math. He's been taking high school math as an eighth grader. I'm looking for good math stuff to keep his brain stimulated over the summer. I'm looking for stuff they don't shovel at you in school. I want weird stuff that will really push him. [more inside]
posted by squaregear at 11:02 AM PST - 29 comments

I found an index card with an untitled recipe in my handwriting. I have no memory of it and can't imagine what this recipe is for. Help! [more inside]
posted by aws17576 at 11:02 AM PST - 20 comments

What are the names for these two taskbar styles / UI paradigms? Style A: Every open window is shown individually on the task bar, with a small bit of text indicating what's in it (like the title of the web page in a browser window, or the name of a media file that's playing). Windows XP had this, I think Style B: No matter how many application windows are open, it's just a single icon, and you have to hover over it to see all the open windows and what's going on in them. [more inside]
posted by umber vowel at 10:58 AM PST - 4 comments

Please suggest translations for "princess" (or adjacent words) in other languages that are not obvious cognates of the word in English (IE: no "prin" sounds). [more inside]
posted by signal at 10:21 AM PST - 15 comments

How can I practice giving injections to my cat? [more inside]
posted by Mizu at 9:38 AM PST - 18 comments

I sit on the board of a nonprofit with members scattered around the globe. We have an issue we want to debate in writing over a period of weeks. Best way to do that? [more inside]
posted by mono blanco at 9:15 AM PST - 7 comments

I just (had to because I smashed the screen of my gen1 iphone SE) to a new iphone. I used idrive to transfer from the old to the new, but only some music transferred. How can I transfer the rest of the music? [more inside]
posted by bluesky43 at 9:14 AM PST - 5 comments

I have a friend who works catering, both in tipped positions at events (server, chef, event manager) as well as at the home base (managing the warehouse of equipment, loading trucks). Going over their pay stub, it's now clear they're only being paid a tipped hourly (minimum) wage for both, and then having a tip applied over this base wage - sometimes at a different rate based on position. [more inside]
posted by alex_skazat at 8:58 AM PST - 3 comments

There was a bad storm, my mom is taking care of my grandmother on hospice who requires 24 hour care. She has no power and minimal communication and none of the assistance in terms of aides she usually has. EMTs have been by, provided a breathing treatment for her this morning. Any leads for help? [more inside]
posted by AlexiaSky at 8:49 AM PST - 4 comments

After working in IT for a while I figure I want to take my career path in education/academia. Ex: University System Admin, College User Support, Elementary Computer Lab Technician , School District IT Assistant, High School System Admin or just something related to this. [more inside]
posted by iwantworklifebalance101 at 8:38 AM PST - 13 comments

Help me find a (no doubt terrible) story that I read on an early dial-up BBS in the 90s! Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Four String Riot at 8:37 AM PST - 2 comments

I have been working with a personal trainer for a couple months. I thought I was doing well but all of a sudden he said I’m not progressing fast enough and wants to completely switch up my workout. I am really feeling frustrated and blindsided over this. Am I being unreasonable to be upset about this? Or is he actually giving me good counsel? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 6:51 AM PST - 34 comments

I just tried to block the sender of a spam text on Messages on my Macbook Air. Instead I accidently clicked on "Send my location." [more inside]
posted by lesser whistling duck at 6:24 AM PST - 5 comments

If something started in 1973 and is still going, what has it outlasted? [more inside]
posted by babelfish at 6:16 AM PST - 30 comments

I am moving to Detroit or an inner suburb this fall. I have spent a fair bit of time there in the past but very little in the last 5 years. My partner and I (no kids) plan to live there for a long time. We value being connected with our community and neighbors. I would be grateful for any thoughts you had for living a good life in Detroit! [more inside]
posted by alsoran at 4:28 AM PST - 7 comments

I have been using cheap wired earbuds to listen to podcasts to help me get to sleep for many years now, but my new phone no longer has a wired connection. In the past over the ear headphones have been a bit too bulky and I would drop little airpod-type headphones behind my headboard far too often. What is a listening device that would work for me to fall asleep with but wouldn't get lost?
posted by crossswords at 8:56 PM PST - 22 comments

Help me identify an artist who I feel pretty sure was a staple of slightly kooky, artsy shops in the '90s and perhaps beyond. [more inside]
posted by babelfish at 6:28 PM PST - 4 comments

My job has increased in complexity, with a lot of goals, priorities, moving parts, key stakeholders and in particular lots of ways that information and requests come in. I am far from unique in this, but I am increasingly feeling overwhelmed. How are great middle managers, product managers, project managers, and other professionals managing this? What tools or techniques are you using? [more inside]
posted by jeoc at 5:55 PM PST - 14 comments

What’s a cheap & easy way to make very limited edits to a PDF document on an iPad? [more inside]
posted by LonnieK at 4:08 PM PST - 4 comments

I’m a self-employed artist and am struggling to grow my career. Looking for ways to build a more lucrative and sustainable business, despite social media’s unpredictable nature. [more inside]
posted by sucre at 3:09 PM PST - 18 comments

I belong to a dues-paying membership organization. Collecting dues is a huge fucking pain in the ass. What auto-pay services exist? Oh shoot, we will also need a bank. [more inside]
posted by latkes at 2:37 PM PST - 4 comments

A friend had a battery powered lawn mower about 10 years ago which was a nightmare to use: underpowered and low battery life. I see that battery mowers are really taking over the market. I have about a 3,000 square foot area to mow. it's not tidy lawn, it is clumpy and rough, and on different terraces so maneuverability is desirable. I don't mind a corded one but they are becoming scarce as well. Do you have experience with recent battery mowers?
posted by Rumple at 2:23 PM PST - 24 comments

I need to collect open ended responses in text form to one question. It needs to be anonymous and I do not want to direct people off my work website or use a 3rd party solution. I was planning to do it in MS Forms, but I can't figure out how to make the input field larger. Help. [more inside]
posted by mygothlaundry at 1:16 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm almost 40. I have no college degree. I've been out of work for almost a year. My patchy resume does not make me an oustanding candidate for anything I'm applying for, locally (small town) or remotely. What bootcamp/training program should I look at to maximize my chances of having a sustainable career within a year? [more inside]
posted by itesser at 1:13 PM PST - 8 comments

I hurt my thumb knuckle joint many year ago, and it's been stiff ever since, most days it even "sticks" once or twice and takes time and sometimes pain to loosen up. How, if it all, can I help it finally heal?
posted by KMH at 1:10 PM PST - 4 comments

I’m looking for a newbie-friendly tattoo artist/shop in the SF bay area with the following caveats: [more inside]
posted by the_shrike at 12:33 PM PST - 0 comments

Anything excellent on the hot glue gun front? I use them with (adult) students who have utterly bolloxed 4 (one expensive 3 cheap) this year. Requirements inside, one option is to just keep buying cheap ones, but I'd like to try a more sustainable option first. [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 12:25 PM PST - 2 comments

Help me parse the difference between introversion and social anxiety. And the difference between extroversion and confidence. Or tell me if these aren't particularly useful concepts. [more inside]
posted by bluedaisy at 11:52 AM PST - 15 comments

My friend and I have already talked several times, and now I don't think anything is going to change. I'm feeling bad about our differences in how we handle incidents that happen with our kids. I'm questioning their judgment and wondering if it's worth it for me to let time heal this wound. Should I just see how things go until something else happens? Or do I cut it off now? Tw: cSA [more inside]
posted by AnyUsernameWillDo at 11:47 AM PST - 15 comments

We're going to buy a cordless nail gun (it will be a gift). Looking online, the Milwaukee brand offers options in the angle: 21° and 30°. The tool will be given to a construction guy and used to build a house, so which angle should we get?
posted by anadem at 11:09 AM PST - 6 comments

I just read this comment on Ask A Manager, and it reminded me that people have said similar things to me: “I tried knitting when I was a Peace Corps volunteer and had to sit through 8-hour sessions without an agenda. I was told that my knitting was “distracting” – by a woman who had a three-months-old baby attached to her naked bosom.” [more inside]
posted by wheatlets at 10:58 AM PST - 34 comments

After the last dishwashing cycle, I found this ring lying on the bottom of our Bosch dishwasher. It obviously is a dishwasher part, but I can’t for the life of me figure out where it came from. [more inside]
posted by holborne at 10:10 AM PST - 9 comments

I've literally never bought a single Apple product before but I need one to use as an AAC device for my son because of the app we want him to use (Proloquo2go). [more inside]
posted by Forty-eight at 9:45 AM PST - 9 comments

I had a month of extreme stress and am now trying to recover/get back to baseline while in the confines of caretaking for small children. Open to any ideas. [more inside]
posted by neematoad at 9:42 AM PST - 9 comments

Is there any way to recover the data from my broken cellphone? [more inside]
posted by Apropos a pro's pose at 9:14 AM PST - 1 comment

I've been thinking of getting comics -- DC, in particular. My only experience with the medium is reading Watchmen and Sandman, in book form. Is there a current, or fairly recent, superhero comic that is easy for a newcomer, without decades of canon and lore required to enjoy it? [more inside]
posted by Flying Saucer at 8:08 AM PST - 26 comments

A university has accepted me into both their mechanical engineering and their software engineering bachelor's programs. I don't know any engineers, and some guidance from anyone in either field would help immensely. My goal is a stable career outside a major city. [more inside]
posted by cthlsgnd at 8:01 AM PST - 28 comments

I haven't had much success baking with natural peanut butter, but I've recently come across some recipes that claim they work well with it. I'm a little suspicious, because from what I've heard the reason natural peanut butter doesn't work well is because the oils aren't evenly distributed. Has anyone had success with a natural peanut butter cookie recipe? I'd love to make some with my homemade peanut butter.
posted by wheatlets at 5:23 AM PST - 15 comments

I have mixed feelings about my current job and I have an offer I feel lukewarm about. You are not me, but would you stay or go? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:03 AM PST - 10 comments

You are not my therapist, but I'm reaching out to the community for advice, information, or any random thoughts that could be helpful regarding psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy My counsellor is aware of my emotional state so please don’t jump to any conclusions about me being a danger to myself or others (I’m not, to either). Specifically, I would like to learn more about the criteria medical doctors consider when deciding to prescribe ketamine for off-label use. Additionally, I'm interested in understanding what the process entails if I am approved for treatment as well as potential outcomes. I don’t want to get my hopes up by thinking that I might be looking at complete recovery, but I’d like to know how much recovery I can realistically achieve. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:02 AM PST - 5 comments

So. I was staying at my friend's house without access to my usual streaming services and found a movie on Tubi to watch before bed. It turned out to be pretty good! BUT, I fell asleep before seeing how it ends, AND, it now seems to have been removed from Tubi's library! AND, Tubi apparently does not save your watch history if you're not signed in. ...and I forgot the title. [more inside]
posted by brightghost at 11:25 PM PST - 10 comments

My partner is a stagehand which means working late night gigs. Once or twice a week he won't get home until midnight or later, and I sleep horribly until he gets home. I think my brain is stuck in a half-awake mode, listening for him until I hear him come in. [more inside]
posted by Teadog at 6:32 PM PST - 14 comments

I resigned yesterday. It wasn’t the best or most professional way to resign, but it was necessary. Things are now weird. [more inside]
posted by antihistameme at 6:10 PM PST - 25 comments

I restarted Lexapro 5 days ago for PMDD symptoms, but it seems to be causing major nocturnal anxiety (I basically haven't been able to sleep for the last 3 days). How do I sleep at night? Will this go away if I stop Lexapro and wait it out, or has the Lexapro triggered some kind of underlying anxiety disorder that I should take different drugs for (like Buspar)? [more inside]
posted by icosahedron at 4:09 PM PST - 14 comments

"The clouds formed beautiful animals in the sky that eventually created a tornado to wreak havoc." I'm watching the weather in the South using a Twitter search for "tornado." The phrase above shows up because of that word. I've seen several apparently new Twitter accounts use this as a reply to this post. Google turns up the phrase at a single Instagram account and a few other sites. It looks like a code. Does anyone know what it's from or to what it refers?
posted by bryon at 3:09 PM PST - 2 comments

Talk to me about electric cars, their range, and how do people practically travel with them? [more inside]
posted by aetg at 2:20 PM PST - 31 comments

How does a 25 year old with anxiety disorder and depression find a job they can be successful enough to live independently? [more inside]
posted by maxg94 at 1:22 PM PST - 12 comments

Hi Metafilter. I am a meat eater. I've been making myself a bacon walnut apple salad and I have a vegetarian friend I want to make it for. I'm wondering what is a good bacon substitute - either fake bacon or something that rings all the bells of bacon. [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 1:08 PM PST - 28 comments

This has been floating around the internet. But where is it from? What's the original source, and who wrote it? Can anyone sleuth this out for me?
posted by shadygrove at 12:19 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm bringing my partner to an event tonight at my daughter's school. It will be all parents, many of which I've interacted with for years, and this will be her first time at one of these events. I'm getting anxiety about remembering people's names (or not) when it comes to introductions. [more inside]
posted by El Curioso at 11:47 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm looking for new activities where you go somewhere for a few hours or an evening, do some kind of activity while you're there, and you have a nice time. Then you go home and you're done. Ideal example: "Pay by the hour to play with puppies!". One-off or repeating is fine. A few small snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by bluesky78987 at 11:45 AM PST - 19 comments

I just recently got a nasty cold while traveling, and it made me wonder what all the symptoms actually mean and where all the different discharges actually come from. [more inside]
posted by monologish at 10:48 AM PST - 5 comments

I follow the directions most websites give - put one layer of peanuts on a baking sheet, don’t overcrowd them, bake on middle rack at 350 for 10 minutes, stir and give them a few more minutes if not done. I always end up with a sheet of half almost burned peanuts and half barely roasted. How can I get my nuts to roast evenly?
posted by wheatlets at 10:03 AM PST - 14 comments

I've just started at a new job. It's great in most particulars, but I have some questions about setting expectations. [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 9:26 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm applying for an H1-B visa to the US. I am Canadian. I need to tell them about my previous entries. When studying at an American archive in 2012, Customs in Detroit gave me a visa that allowed me to enter and exit the US to do this. I was not registered in a US school or working paid or unpaid for a US employer. I no longer have this passport with the stamp, as I returned it when I renewed it. How do I find out what type of visa I received in 2012?
posted by alsoran at 8:19 AM PST - 8 comments

So for health reasons, I am looking for a nice watch, that will do what it says it will, basically monitoring heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels. The only thing is, I don't want to be tracked, don't need internet, don't want blue tooth and just turning off those features won't pass. Is there such a thing as a smart phone that isn't that smart for people who don't want to be tracked and their every move going into a supercomputer? Thanks for any help with this.
posted by watercarrier at 7:54 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking for a podcast app for iPad that definitively does not show video. I've got a screen-obsessed kid who has been using Spotify as a YouTube substitute. I want to give him a way to listen to podcasts without any video. At. All. Google is useless on the subject (or my search strategies are off) and podcast app reviews are unclear. Help me!
posted by that's candlepin at 7:05 AM PST - 12 comments

I (very newly, i.e. under 2 weeks) work in the marketing department of a major Canadian university doing web strategy. This is a new role for my campus, and through a series of leavings, I have inherited the role of chairing a newly-formed web advisory committee which includes people from across the university as well as very high-level ex-officio members. I've never even been on an advisory committee, never mind chaired one. I also inherited our first meeting date, which is this Friday. Fortunately the agenda for that meeting is already set. Please share your best tips or even worst horror stories about how to be an effective chair. A few more details within. [more inside]
posted by warriorqueen at 4:23 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm looking for a calendar for my android phone. Don't need a datebook, don't need tracking. Just a calendar similar to Windows, I click on the time and it shows the month. Want jump ahead or behind, just click arrows for the month and year. If I click the Calendar app that came with the phone, "Google needs permission to create and display your events." I don't want to give Google permission for anything, I just want to know what day the 23rd falls on.
posted by Marky at 12:01 AM PST - 9 comments

I have a hotel reservation at a massive international chain. Due to medical emergency, I will not be able to make it, but the room is non-refundable. Representatives on the phone have reiterated this point. I am not objecting to this policy. [more inside]
posted by aramaic at 9:05 PM PST - 19 comments

Our travel consultant retired during the pandemic and we're looking to find a new one. Any tips or resources for finding a travel agent/consultant? [more inside]
posted by braveterry at 7:45 PM PST - 5 comments

I’m spending 3 nights in Grand Rapids beginning tomorrow…yay! This trip is two fold: go to an outdoor concert but also scout for relocation. What must I do? [more inside]
posted by signondiego at 5:17 PM PST - 10 comments

I like the idea of Windows Virtual Desktop in Windows 10, but it would be better if I could setup multiple desktops with apps that all load when Windows starts up. e.g. one VD that has email, calendar, another that has Excel, word, another for a browser. Are there other 3rd party apps that expand/improve upon Windows Virtual Desktop you found useful? Or have you found a way to accomplish the above?
posted by GernBlandston at 3:15 PM PST - 5 comments

I've seen a few mentions recently in the context of the brouhaha at Reddit about enshittification-style changes at Discord. But I use Discord and the only thing I'm aware of is a change to the formatting of usernames (which is still in the process of being rolled out), which seems to me to be not a big deal at all. Can someone explain what's afoot at Discord (if anything) and why people are upset about it?
posted by heatherlogan at 3:04 PM PST - 7 comments

I was jamming to some Enka today at work, and during Amagigoe by Sayuri Ishikawa there is this short section with layered guitars or harmonizing guitars or something, at 1:55. I know I heard that kind of thing before but wondered if anybody could recommend some fun old (or new??) tracks with that same kind of guitar vibe. Thanks!
posted by circular at 3:02 PM PST - 17 comments

I have a bad case of Hand Foot Mouth Disease. I’m just curious, from a biological standpoint, why do blisters form mainly on the hands, feet, and elbows … especially the elbows??? Why not all over the body?
posted by wutangclan at 2:31 PM PST - 8 comments

Hi! Please tell me about your favorite bars serving excellent cocktails in Minneapolis. Thank you!
posted by DavidNYC at 1:25 PM PST - 8 comments

I've got a foursome going to PHX next Super Bowl weekend for a golf trip. What area of the city should we stay in to maximize ease of access? [more inside]
posted by eggman at 1:24 PM PST - 0 comments

I'm looking to have some of my online course lectures transcribed for students that want to read them instead of watching them, but I don't have the time or willpower to do it myself. Thanks for your advice!
posted by Fister Roboto at 12:32 PM PST - 11 comments

Urban deer are leaving their scat all over the perimeter of the yard when they snack on shrubs etc. at hours where we are not there to see it. The "leavings" are like small piles of black jelly beans and really difficult to clean up. What can we do? Mostly worried about dogs who will eat just about anything.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 11:39 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm looking for summer school programs or daycare for my second grader this summer in Paris and Stockholm. She is fluent in French (and English, of course), but not Sweden. Would love any recommendations for daytime programs (not sleepaway camps) or activities in these two cities between late June and the end of August.
posted by johnasdf at 11:28 AM PST - 2 comments

How do you make the transition at work from young whippersnapper to elder statesperson, when you are still at the same company? [more inside]
posted by Melismata at 11:19 AM PST - 10 comments

Are there any horror novels / short stories that happen in brutalist buildings? A lot of the examples that I can think of are coloured by subsequent film/tv adaptations. My possibles are High Rise, Clive Barker's The Forbidden, maybe 1984 if we stretch to include dystopia. Any language or country of origin is fine.
posted by Ballad of Peckham Rye at 11:00 AM PST - 12 comments

My organization has been contracted to create 5-6 educational modules for a specific audience / purpose, but struggling to find one that feels like a good fit. Snowflakes inside... [more inside]
posted by wats at 10:56 AM PST - 2 comments

My kid is going from preschool to public kindergarten this fall. I don’t know how to prepare. What should I know as we make this transition? How did this switch change your day to day life? [more inside]
posted by inevitability at 10:42 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm planning some stuff in fall of 2024. My uni (big, central) hasn't published important dates beyond the 23-24 academic year. Labour day falls on Monday sept 2nd in 2024. The next Monday is Sept 9th. When would you gamble on classes starting?
posted by stray at 10:20 AM PST - 15 comments

My partner's going to be recuperating from a medical procedure this summer, and will have a lot of time to kill. She's curious about playing her first-ever console video game, so I'm looking for advice on farming sims or other wholesome-time-sink games, with some very specific criteria. [more inside]
posted by Tomorrowful at 9:53 AM PST - 50 comments

Help me ID a book from my childhood. Key memories: Southern, cemetery, maybe slavery? [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 9:39 AM PST - 7 comments

How does an adult learn to cook in an organized fashion? [more inside]
posted by theportablemilton at 9:38 AM PST - 7 comments

We just booked a trip to Quebec City for a long weekend in late July. We = Mr. Millipede, me, and our four year old boy/girl twins. What must we not miss? [more inside]
posted by millipede at 8:53 AM PST - 9 comments

We are staying two nights at the Boston Logan Hilton Hotel (the one attached to the airport), one on each end of a long trip. Can you recommend any places that will deliver dinner to us at the hotel (lobby or out front is fine)? Kid-friendly a must, something like decent pizza would be fine. [more inside]
posted by john_snow at 8:42 AM PST - 9 comments

I need to leave a job I like and where I accomplish a lot of good for financial reasons and I have a lot of Feelings. I would really appreciate an unbiased perspective on this. [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 8:24 AM PST - 21 comments

Yarnies only, obviously: I cannot for the life of me make a non-sock, non-shawf, large clothing item out of fingering yarn somehow. I just don't get this damn tiny yarn and how people get any kind of gauge with it. Anyone have any tips/resources/links as to what I am doing wrong or how fingering gauge is supposed to work? [more inside]
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:53 AM PST - 10 comments

I want books that inspire me to take care of my semi-wild yard, such as Braiding Sweetgrass. More details below the cut. [more inside]
posted by tofu_crouton at 7:38 AM PST - 12 comments

I need to scan a collection of about 5,000 loose papers to PDF with OCR. I've been using a Fujitsu ScanSnap s1300-i. It's great for scanning a couple things once in a while, but not for a job this size. Can anyone recommend a better device to tear through a huge stack of papers quickly? [more inside]
posted by trevor_case at 5:58 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm (hopefully) going to be a father soon. Hooray! However: Our social circles are mostly childless. We also both come from families whose childrearing philosophies we disagree with. So we both - I especially - feel pretty isolated. I'm hoping to find *some kind* of online community to engage with and help get support for the inevitable challenges. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:20 AM PST - 24 comments

I am looking for the same of a Holywood movie (from the 1950s or 1960s I think) [more inside]
posted by Quillcards at 2:10 AM PST - 7 comments

It's called "when I'm wearing my shades" and I had to do it was a kid. there were other songs about sunglasses at the time, but I can't find out anything about this. [more inside]
posted by lkc at 10:23 PM PST - 5 comments

I have a little vegetable plot where I grow some summer stuff successfully. My spouse keeps mentioning that it would be nice to have strawberries. But I know that if I try to grow strawberries on the ground, they're going to get ruined by pests before we get any. Is there a way? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:24 PM PST - 12 comments

I've owned a home for a few years. I seem to have no skill/aptitude/interest for looking after the things that a homeowner is supposed to look after to make sure my house is in good shape - cleaning eavestroughs, noticing things that need repair or are not as they should be. I'd love to hire someone to do that for me. Does such a person exist? What is the name of that job? [more inside]
posted by ManInSuit at 5:05 PM PST - 18 comments

What is wrong with it and how can I remedy this? [more inside]
posted by janey47 at 4:21 PM PST - 4 comments

I've always used a manual toothbrush. I now have receding gums and a couple of small gumline cavities. Should I go electric? [more inside]
posted by splitpeasoup at 2:21 PM PST - 18 comments

This week, I have an appointment with my MS neurologist. I am 100% straight-up asking for stimulants (again) and I would be really grateful if someone could parse the data in this study to give me a fighting chance of actually getting some. [more inside]
posted by DarlingBri at 11:15 AM PST - 15 comments

Research says I can take a Trailways or Flix bus directly from downtown Detroit, including the border crossing, but the bus doesn't get into Toronto 'til ~9pm. Alternatively, I could take the VIA train from Windsor for a 6pm arrival. That timing is ideal, but getting to the train station in Windsor from Detroit is a bit annoying. [more inside]
posted by luzdeluna at 10:22 AM PST - 4 comments

I've got an MP3 file with a lot of small clips of audio each separated by 1 second of complete silence. I'd like to split the file into one file for each clip. [more inside]
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:14 AM PST - 10 comments

Western US travel ideas July/Aug 2023 ( CO,UT,NV,CA,OR,WA,ID,WY) [more inside]
posted by Unioncat at 10:14 AM PST - 24 comments

What are some good podcasts for someone who is fluent/conversational in Taiwanese Mandarin but grew up in the US so would like to learn more about how "real" Taiwanese people speak (like slang, idioms) and more about Taiwanese culture and life in Taiwan?
posted by Forty-eight at 9:57 AM PST - 3 comments

I keep a gym bag in the trunk of my car. The bag contains an AirTag. I also have an AirTag hidden in my car. [more inside]
posted by Joleta at 9:49 AM PST - 5 comments

With many subreddits going dark for protest against Reddit's API costs, I'm looking for something to fill the void. Most other questions involving Reddit are about how to spend less time there - I guess this is kind of the same thing, but with snowflakes... [more inside]
posted by invincible summer at 9:34 AM PST - 10 comments

My wife has been tasked with getting a "nice" plant for a coworker in the Detroit area. This is where you come in. [more inside]
posted by number9dream at 8:52 AM PST - 8 comments

Searching for a recipe dating from the 1970s for a "Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake Pie" that was probably printed in a magazine advertisement for one of the ingredients [more inside]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 8:48 AM PST - 6 comments

What MacOS application can I run on the current version of the OS that has the WYSIWYG, drag-and-drop, intuitive flexibility of iWeb? I want to make static web pages. [more inside]
posted by MythMaker at 8:39 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm already thinking about our 2024 vacation. Our kids will be 8 and 10. Looking for recommendations outside of Europe, Canada, and the US. [more inside]
posted by pear at 8:35 AM PST - 25 comments

Basically any UK television show that isn't a Serious Drama observes the annual tradition of a Christmas special. Why, and why didn't this catch on elsewhere--or did it? Was there an ur-Christmas Special?
posted by pullayup at 7:43 AM PST - 17 comments

Can my client hire someone to help coordinate caregivers and programming for her adult child who has autism and cannot live independently? What types of professionals would I be looking for? We are located in the Greater Toronto Area. [more inside]
posted by dazedandconfused at 7:10 AM PST - 3 comments

My little bub is turning 5 and I'm looking for age-appropriate activities that don't involve winning/losing. [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 6:59 AM PST - 23 comments

I sit all day at a desk where my big monitor is on a pole and my keyboard is on an under-desk tray. I want to stand more of the day. How can I fix this without breaking the bank? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 6:45 AM PST - 13 comments

So, we all love the latest Zelda game (Tears of the Kingdom - TOTK), and so do the critics. But now that we and the game journalists all have hundreds of hours of playtime under our belts, have any thoughtful, well written critical takes on Nintendo's latest masterpiece been written? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious at 5:21 AM PST - 3 comments

I started dating an amazing person, but she probably never got over her last relationship. If i try to look at things objectively, I am afraid that pursuing this further is not the the greatest idea for a few reasons. Yet, that's exactly what I want to do. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Roe99 at 4:10 AM PST - 23 comments

It's so hot and I'm trying to figure out longer-term solutions to the heat problem in my house. Help! [more inside]
posted by caoimhe at 2:57 AM PST - 30 comments

I’m a mid-30s queer woman moving to Boston. I won’t have much of an in-person community at first but I’m interested in dating (specifically women and gendernonconforming folks). Which dating app would you recommend?
posted by anonymous at 2:39 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm a big fan of Pears Transparent Soap (Amber) and its scent. I'm looking for something very similar (or ideally identical to) as a daily fragrance to wear. I've had a look over t'interwebs and as yet, nothing seems to leap out. Is there hope? Is there a similar fragrance out there waiting for me to find that someone may know of? Or perhaps do I need to get something custom made? Please also take into consideration that I'm male, thus something suitable (scent-wise) would be appreciated. Thank you kindly!
posted by bootlaces at 2:23 AM PST - 5 comments

My wife and I - both cis-het Gen X - would appreciate recs for podcasts about sex. [more inside]
posted by Caxton1476 at 11:22 PM PST - 4 comments

We're arriving to JFK and trying to figure out whether to grab a taxi to our hotel (365 Park Ave. S), a Lyft/Uber or brave a subway/bus trip? We'll have rolling suitcases, a carry-on bag and not much more.
posted by lois1950 at 10:13 PM PST - 11 comments

My seven year old has discovered bath bombs and the suchlike. I hate highly scented products and would like to find something that doesn’t make me want to wrinkle up my nose and run away. Please recommend bath bombs, bath oils, bath powders, etc that will make the kid happy but not drive me crazy. [more inside]
posted by sciencegeek at 6:07 PM PST - 8 comments

I don’t know if I’m burnt out or my mental health is collapsing or what, but I’m starting to feel like my job is sucking the soul out of me, a la Dementors, but with meaningless corporate jargon and mountains of unclear expectations. [more inside]
posted by antihistameme at 6:06 PM PST - 19 comments

Wistful music and anything else that induces nostalgia have always made me feel sick. I'm curious why this happens and whether other people also experience it. Assuming that the answer to "Am I the only one who..." is always no, I'd like to know if others have written about this response. I'm also interested to know if other people have a similar response to wistful music even if it's not for the same reason. [more inside]
posted by henuani at 5:43 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm fascinated by the idea that the French revolution not only invented new base 10 Metric measurements for distance and volume but also for time. Are there many clocks that remain from the brief period where the French revolution tried using 10 day weeks with 10 hours per day. Are there any museums or monuments where I could see one of these clocks? Decimal time wikipedia
posted by vegetableagony at 4:26 PM PST - 8 comments

Are there any IMAP-capable mail clients that let you set the "Reply-To" header conditionally, say by either thread or message recipient? OK if this feature is only accessible via scripting, the client just needs to be able to do it. Even a good email library/toolkit might even be adequate.
posted by weston at 2:15 PM PST - 3 comments

Portable air conditioners like disappointing Frigidaire model are not designed to be disassembled and cleaned. But I'm wondering if this is possible, and how to proceed. Special snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by falcon42 at 1:00 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking for some sports-related ways to approach math for kids (middle school to early high school). Ideally, looking for high-concept approaches (e.g. "How can knowing about math help me to win at sports?") that could become long-form projects/investigations rather than short one-off activities.
posted by cincinnatus c at 12:32 PM PST - 11 comments

i am looking for a grill/barbecue restaurant in or near saint-nazaire france. [more inside]
posted by chasles at 8:05 AM PST - 4 comments

Anyone know this late '80s/early '90s song sung by a female vocalist? Remembered (and possibly misremembered) lyrics inside! [more inside]
posted by rednikki at 6:02 AM PST - 2 comments

We're considering a vacation in Tunisia for late February through early March of next year. The temps at that time will put the kibosh on ocean swimming, of course, but a stay at a town next to the ocean might be pleasant--as would desert trips. Questions . . . [more inside]
posted by Gordion Knott at 4:17 AM PST - 2 comments

My partner cuts my hair at home, and shaves the back and sides into a fade. After doing this, tons of tiny bits of cut hair stick around my scalp and neck, and it takes a lot of time and an uncomfortable amount of effort in the shower to 100% wash them away. Is there some tool, technique or substance that can speed up this process? [more inside]
posted by terretu at 2:17 AM PST - 20 comments

In the last three years, like most people, my life has been weird. I’ve spent much of it on my sofa, a lot of it in my bed tossing and turning and the rest in my desk chair which was originally just meant for 3-4 hours at home after work but switched to 8-9 hours at work plus 3-4 hours. I don’t know how to describe my back pain and can’t figure out how to find solutions. [more inside]
posted by bendy at 10:41 PM PST - 36 comments

We’ll be in Tokyo during the Adachi Fireworks Festival and it looks like it’s possible to book seating for 3 people through the Adachi Kanko net site. Can anyone help with the details of navigating the booking process? It sounds like the event will be very busy. Any advice for first time tourists? [more inside]
posted by apcmwh at 4:30 PM PST - 4 comments

I live in Chicago and I have a remote co-worker who lives in Quito, Ecuador. I would like to send her something that would be appropriate from/to a co-worker because she's been amazing on our most recent project. And my usual gift doesn't fly in this situation. [more inside]
posted by tzikeh at 3:45 PM PST - 8 comments

I love Maintenance Phase and If Books Could Kill and would like more podcasts like this. [more inside]
posted by Shepherd at 2:22 PM PST - 26 comments

Last night I attended my step nephew’s 8th birthday party at my dad and stepmom’s. During the party, his cousin, my other 10yo step nephew was being berated by my stepmom in the room over from everyone and I felt sick. Part of me wanted to go and confront her to stop verbally and emotionally abusing her grandson but everyone acted like it was okay and normal disciplining. Was it? [more inside]
posted by anon1129 at 2:10 PM PST - 37 comments

Can I write and sell a guide to how to use Gmail or Microsoft Office or an iPhone? I see them at Amazon but I don't know - do I need the company's permission?
posted by cda at 1:46 PM PST - 5 comments

My 11-year old daughter is travelling to Thailand as part of a group trip with Girl Scouts in two weeks. We will not be travelling with her. We'd like to get her a debit card, pre-paid debit card, or something similar, that she can use for daily expenses like food and souvenirs. What options will work best for her? She does not currently have a bank account, and does not have a cell phone (and will not have access to one on the trip).
posted by skwm at 1:28 PM PST - 11 comments

Will be back in Berlin later this month for 4 nights. Was there in 2020 for a super short visit. Y'all gave me some good advice last time; got any new advice? What should I eat, where should I go? Am a fan of food, thrift shops, flea markets, farmers markets, film, queer-friendly spaces, and good sex toy shops. Please note: I do not drink alcohol. Am not a vegan but am vegan friendly.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:29 PM PST - 3 comments

Hi. I am curious to know why are some board members paid to be on the board and others do not get paid? Does it depend if it is a non-profit vs corporate kind of thing? Do paid board members have more responsibility and work to do?
posted by RearWindow at 11:52 AM PST - 5 comments

Asking for a friend who is in Nevada and dealing with a boss who is possibly sexually harassing her. Looking for someone who hopefully works on a contingency basis or has low(er) fees since my friend is not flush with cash at the moment but really needs someone professional in her corner. Boss is well connected and my friend is not.
posted by tafetta, darling! at 10:20 AM PST - 1 comment

My MacBook Air ran out of battery power and isn’t recharging. I purchased new Apple brand cable and block. I left it charging a few hours yesterday and overnight. I cleaned out the ports, tried different outlets, tried switching ports, turning the cord upside down, reversing which end was where. The only tip I found online was to hold down the power button for a bit, but that hasn’t worked. What else can I try?
posted by mermaidcafe at 8:14 AM PST - 17 comments

My wife is starting chemo in a couple of weeks. She purchased the Dignicap scalp cooling system in hopes of keeping at least some of her hair, but she's now read a few things online indicating that it's not particularly effective with the chemo drugs she'll be taking. [more inside]
posted by grumblebee at 4:12 AM PST - 12 comments

I have five living siblings. We are there for each other when needed - except one is there when not needed. [more inside]
posted by SageTrail at 1:59 AM PST - 20 comments

I need to buy a laptop on which I can write papers, run large Excel spreadsheets, and occasionally watch Netflix. And I’d prefer not to spend much money on it. [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 12:02 AM PST - 17 comments

I have a YouTube account that I last uploaded video to 8 years ago - dmaportal. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 11:40 PM PST - 2 comments

Three words: CHEF CHELSEA CHERRY (P.S. I'm not shouting) ...Alphabetically, which word is CHELSEA closer to: CHEF or CHERRY? And, more importantly* why? Can you help me come up with a mathematical model for this? *this is not important at all. [more inside]
posted by 2oh1 at 11:27 PM PST - 42 comments

If I use an Orange Holiday Zen Prepaid SIM for Paris travel, I'll take out my usual SIM card and use the Orange Holiday card, along with a temporary French phone number I am issued. How can I do 2 factor authentication when the prompt is sent to my US-based number? [more inside]
posted by happy_cat at 9:27 PM PST - 10 comments

Hello, I am traveling to Paris from the US with an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S10e (SM-G970UZKAXAA). My carrier is Ting Wireless, which I don't think is relevant for this question, but just in case. I'm looking for a prepaid SIM card that will provide unlimited texting and data for Internet use. I'm a little mystified by what I'm finding online and would love your knowledgable recommendations. Thank you kindly.
posted by happy_cat at 7:24 PM PST - 6 comments

I've been "blessed" with sparse but incredibly coarse facial hair on my chin. I've been wet-shaving all my life but it's increasingly irritating. Would an electric razor be better? [more inside]
posted by splitpeasoup at 4:13 PM PST - 10 comments

What's a good book about World War II written in the last 10-15 years? [more inside]
posted by bondcliff at 1:59 PM PST - 19 comments

How can I get the feeling of going outside when I cannot go outside? [more inside]
posted by CMcG at 1:58 PM PST - 22 comments

I just had a repair completed on my residence's HVAC system. The repair person used DP 1030 inside the ducts to seal all the way around the supply ducting, where originally there had been gaps that let in unfiltered air from the attic. [more inside]
posted by Number Used Once at 1:41 PM PST - 3 comments

It's 1969 in Bethel, New York, and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young are easing into Judy Blue Eyes. [more inside]
posted by Gordion Knott at 12:57 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm taking the fam to the Bay of Fundy for a vacation. [more inside]
posted by Lawn Beaver at 11:30 AM PST - 5 comments

Lumi is getting close to 20. He always seemed to have minor problems with his hips since he was rescued from the woods and then got into a car accident when he was 8 (x-ray confirmed a broken hip) and now has clear trouble getting up and down stairs and jumping up to things (he more pulls himself up with his front legs). [more inside]
posted by Jon44 at 11:09 AM PST - 27 comments

I'm giving myself the gift of travel once I finish my Master's program. One week of going somewhere that (probably) isn't in the US where I can work remotely and vacation at the same time. But of course, I have additional criteria... [more inside]
posted by daikaisho at 10:37 AM PST - 16 comments

51 year old guy. Mostly decent health but I've had the elevation related racing heart in Mexico City. Currently living at sea level. Not climbing anything crazy but might do the basecamp. What can I do to prepare for the trip? Thinking about living in the heights of Colorado until the trip.
posted by rileyray3000 at 9:57 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm part of a pan-university consortium setting up a series of events across Canada. We'd like to find a way to have Teams or Slack-style chat, as well as sharing files and resources, and create a standalone presence for it. What do you recommend? [more inside]
posted by Shepherd at 9:09 AM PST - 6 comments

I had a colleague mention a study recently in which the content on TikTok in Asia is educational. [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 8:49 AM PST - 5 comments

I would like to prepare for a test given as part of an Art History MA where you are given a 500-word passage about art in French and must translate it so as to prove that you can conduct research in that language. There is no speaking/listening involved. How would you plan out a self-study program to get to this result? [more inside]
posted by xo at 8:27 AM PST - 8 comments

I'd like to give someone a gift with a deer theme. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:14 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm going to be in Denver and staying in the cherry creek neighborhood, and am meeting a friend who is also not from Denver Sunday evening. What restaurant(s) would the good inhabitants of Denver recommend? One pescatarian (leaning towards veggie) and one omnivore, assume we want to stay under $100/person, but we don't need fancy
posted by darsh at 6:12 AM PST - 12 comments

Looking for a financial planner in Ontario, preferably in Toronto. Maybe anywhere in Canada? Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by evadery at 5:56 AM PST - 2 comments

Does anyone have experience with Night Eating Syndrome (NES)? This is not snacking after dinner, rather waking from sleep with a strong urge to eat in order to fall back asleep. [more inside]
posted by guessthis at 4:59 AM PST - 25 comments

In other words, does paper have any nutritional value? (I'm assuming no shortage of water in my famine scenario, by the way.)
posted by Paul Slade at 12:41 AM PST - 16 comments

It used to be easy to go in a store and spend $2 on a spiral notebook whose cover featured bizarrely edited animal pictures or Justin Bieber in rather strange light. Looking online, I’m mostly finding fancy journals, tape-bound ones, and fairly plain covers. I want to buy a bunch from just one site and of course prefer lower prices , including shipping. Any ideas?
posted by mermaidcafe at 11:53 PM PST - 7 comments

Solo female traveller wants to fulfill lifelong goal of a Japan trip. I’ve accepted that all of the things I want to do will likely require multiple trips. For my first trip I’d be willing to go as part of a group. I’m an introvert and would appreciate a good balance of organized tours and activities and free time. [more inside]
posted by Juniper Toast at 10:22 PM PST - 17 comments

(YANMD) Help me to get medical professionals to listen to me and understand that when I say I have an extreme reaction to General Anesthesia and Propofol I mean it. [more inside]
posted by Xurando at 8:15 PM PST - 11 comments

We are able to extend a November European trip, adding on an additional city. Where should we go for a 4ish day trip? [more inside]
posted by walkinginsunshine at 5:41 PM PST - 18 comments

Trying to help someone in East Cleveland find a desperately needed job with minimal travel costs, both for getting the job and getting to work. [more inside]
posted by Busy Old Fool at 5:27 PM PST - 11 comments

Wondering if anyone knows of a good Wordpress plugin that accepts submissions & payment at once. Not just, like, 1 or 2 word files, but also images and multimedia (say, 10 photos at once, or a video or song). Essentially the opposite of a click-thru online store payment. Instead of buying, the user 'submits,' and then makes a payment. If not, can anyone think of a good workaround? [see extended explanation for details] [more inside]
posted by cotesdurhone at 4:42 PM PST - 4 comments

My son is struggle with math. He’s in first grade and they are currently covering word problems and basic addition involving regrouping and subtraction with two and three digit numbers. Are there any iOS apps that can help him with this? [more inside]
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 2:23 PM PST - 10 comments

Elbow to tip of middle finger is cubit, but we don't use cubit anymore. As an aside Is the distance of all adults elbow to fingertip the same? So, .... is always a meter, ... is always an inch etc. I couldn't decide on the category, so I picked on Education.
posted by amfgf at 1:41 PM PST - 46 comments

I'm hosting an event for 150 community leaders who live in a particular city. I want to use the event to weave these 150 people together into a more interconnected community. For example, before the event I will create a large poster that shows the event attendees and their connections with one another as revealed on LinkedIn. This poster will be a piece of artwork they can look at during the event. Upon entry to the event, I will also give each person something like a bingo card that they need to fill out during the event for a chance to win a prize. For example, one item on the card could be specific like, "Have a conversation with Sam Smith." Another could be more general like, "Have a conversation with an engineer in the renewable energy field." I love Kumu for visualization things like this, and it even shows metrics of connectedness. Is there software I could use that -- given a specific social network with specific nodes and connections -- it would recommend specific *new* connections to optimize certain connectedness metrics like degree centrality, betweenness centrality, etc.?
posted by daniel.poynter at 1:37 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm a therapist. My clients that I've seen longest, I've seen for about a year and a half. I love those therapeutic relationships and occasionally daydream of having a practice that is mostly people I've had for years, and then I think: wait, what? Is a year a long time? Is therapy supposed to do something more efficiently than that? I know there's not one answer here but it feels helpful to me right now to hear a bit more about how people think about this in a general, not very rigorous way. [more inside]
posted by less-of-course at 1:05 PM PST - 28 comments

I'm writing a Wikipedia biography for a friend of mine who is a musician, and I've got a problem to do with references. [more inside]
posted by cartoonella at 12:17 PM PST - 4 comments

I recently signed up for unemployment in Massachusetts after completing a contract position that ended on a positive note. They wanted information on all the jobs I've worked in the past year, which included one that ended badly. Will this affect my ability to collect? [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 12:16 PM PST - 6 comments

Which area of higher education offers a better career trajectory and potential transfer to other industries: admissions or advising? [more inside]
posted by HonoriaGlossop at 10:58 AM PST - 13 comments

I am looking for an apartment in a new city. My budget is pretty low. People keep suggesting I get roommates, and I don't know what to say to shut that down, especially since I don't need to disclose the real reason to everyone. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:16 AM PST - 35 comments

I have a Galaxy S23 Ultra. The stock Samsung keyboard sends my text input to Grammarly and Facebook, probably others. I don't trust the Google Keyboard. Is there a swiping-capable, non-spyware keyboard? Happy to pay for non-spying software, but prefer open source.
posted by fake at 9:58 AM PST - 5 comments

Because of my current financial situation, some of my large medical bills were forgiven, and the process was pretty non-onerous and non-byzantine, and I sort of want to thank someone, even though I mostly interacted by uploading and re-uploading documents to an opaque and anonymous web interface of a very large hospital system. For the thanking someone, does anyone have any suggestions for how to do this that would be non-cringe and actually be nice and non-stressful for the front-line people involved? [more inside]
posted by zeek321 at 9:37 AM PST - 11 comments

My surgery back in May went well without complications; the colon cancer was removed except for one lymph node. However, as I was officially diagnosed with Stage 3c, it was a strong recommendation from my oncologist to proceed with chemo. I'm still digesting and processing this news, and would like advice/tips/suggestions on some aspects surrounding the process. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 9:28 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm 33, my mother is 65. I want to help her ... but I'm also sure that if I could get my life sorted, she would be fine. [more inside]
posted by Didnt_do_enough at 9:03 AM PST - 20 comments

A friend is on a very restrictive diet while she tries to sort out some medical issues. She is going through a tough time, and I'm having her over for dinner. I would like to make something nice that she'll enjoy, including a main, a side dish, and a dessert, choosing ONLY from these ingredients which I will list after the jump ... [more inside]
posted by RubyScarlet at 6:28 AM PST - 34 comments

Our air is hazardous outside so we're trying to keep our indoor air as clean as possible. Our range is gas. What are some kid friendly dinners that don't make use of a oven or stove?
posted by donut_princess at 6:14 AM PST - 20 comments

I'd like to start working with some professionals to help me with estate and tax planning. What can I expect a "good" engagement to look like, ie what is a reasonable rubric to evaluate whether a firm or individual I'm talking to is "good for my situation"? For folks who have/are working with professionals in this sort of capacity, what was it like getting "set up" and what is the ongoing engagement like? [more inside]
posted by kanuck at 6:05 AM PST - 2 comments

We have a long planned shot trip via car to Quebec (City) for the Jazz festival the last few days of June and into July. It’s hard to get good information on the expected situation there in three weeks–naturally enough. Should we just cancel and plan to go some other time?
posted by nothing.especially.clever at 5:46 AM PST - 5 comments

I cat-sat my friend's cat a few days ago and the cat became ill and was dead by the time I got her to the vet. The vet said it was her heart - could I have saved her by acting faster? [more inside]
posted by paduasoy at 12:33 AM PST - 16 comments

Yesterday after many days of searching at the humane society, this little girl came into my life, replacing the sadly departed rescue Whisky, who was amazing. What should I name her? [more inside]
posted by OneSmartMonkey at 9:28 PM PST - 62 comments

Many descriptions I encounter about living life unpartnered/living alone center independence and freedom as key benefits. And I get why this often becomes the focus, and yet…it also seems like a recipe for loneliness for me. Looking for examples of single lives where interdependence and connection are core values. [more inside]
posted by verity kindle at 7:06 PM PST - 22 comments

I need to start reading before bed instead of looking at my phone. My head is pretty tired then though and can't handle anything heavy/serious/educational. Can anyone recommend some fiction books you consider light, fun reading?
posted by Saucywench at 6:52 PM PST - 22 comments

I would like to know the year, make, and model of this bus. That's it! Thank you!
posted by Joan Rivers of Babylon at 6:13 PM PST - 7 comments

My elderly relative needs help deciding if she should reschedule a furniture delivery for tomorrow due to the wildfire smoke and poor air quality. She is worried that either her furniture will smell like smoke or the delivery men will and therefore her small home will end up smelling like smoke or she will be exposed to unhealthy particles. Is this likely or does she not need to worry? [more inside]
posted by fies at 6:11 PM PST - 10 comments

I don’t have air conditioning, so there is no airflow or filtering happening. I’m not sure what else I can do to help. I’ll be gone for work for 3 days and I have to leave my cats, and I don't have much time or money to improve the situation. [more inside]
posted by asimplemouse at 4:24 PM PST - 13 comments

I am looking for an appropriate LGBTQ ally shirt. [more inside]
posted by ReluctantViking at 4:23 PM PST - 13 comments

Looking for trustworthy resources for less-usual canning recipes. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 3:17 PM PST - 5 comments

A family member took a video and switched from landscape to portrait midway. Help! [more inside]
posted by bergnotburg at 2:39 PM PST - 8 comments

It is a word for something people sit on, (so exclude a recliner). It has 4 (in most cases) legs. It could be made of metal, wood, bamboo for example. Isn't there another word (one word) for it?
posted by amfgf at 12:37 PM PST - 25 comments

I am looking to read more on the Scopes Trial, but specifically things that address the content of the textbook at the heart of the trial, "A Civic Biology." I am not looking for some kind of shallow "balanced" or "both sides" take on the trial, but I would love to read some things that grapple with the content of that book, whether contemporary accounts or more recent ones. [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 11:27 AM PST - 3 comments

Best women's water-proof hiking boots with ankle support? [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 10:08 AM PST - 13 comments

I was recently diagnosed and briefly (4 nights) hospitalised with sudden and severe iron-deficient anaemia. I've been back home for a week and a half and am waiting on results/further tests and (oh the joy) a colonoscopy next week. My haemoglobin levels dropped extremely rapidly but are back up a little since I've had two iron IV treatments. My GP and docs at hospital are a bit mystified, but things are moving slowly (I'm in the UK, so this is all through the NHS). My GP is doing what she can to keep investigating, and in the meantime has signed me off work and told me to rest while I receive treatment and investigation. I do feel a lot better than I did (horrible headache and pounding in ears has decreased) but I am very tired, and just... not sure how to be ill? While I feel better, I'm not at all living a normal life, so it's hard to know how I'd feel if I was trying to go to work/walk around etc. For those of you who've been in similar circumstances, how do you cope? Do you try to have a routine? [more inside]
posted by sedimentary_deer at 9:03 AM PST - 9 comments

We bought a house (yay!) and inherited a large-ish pool (also yay!). We also inherited a nonfunctional pool heater (boo!) which is pretty far from the gas meter (also boo!). Trying to figure out how to heat it up without breaking the bank. And, you know, the planet. [more inside]
posted by number9dream at 8:17 AM PST - 15 comments

I am in a bad way. My depression has been insurmountable and I feel like I am spiraling again. I currently do not have the financial means to even buy groceries and I'm panicking. I don't know what to do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:24 AM PST - 47 comments

I'm looking for an android web browser for kids that is set up to only present certain sites and will not leave those sites. Ideally it will just unlink or hide links to anywhere else (instead of a frustrating blocked message). [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 5:51 AM PST - 1 comment

TomboyX is no longer selling the long, lightweight pants I love, so I'm looking for other options. Snowflakes within. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 5:16 AM PST - 20 comments

Can anyone recommend an effective online marriage counselor for couples in long-distance relationships? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:14 AM PST - 3 comments

My favourite kind of comfort movie is visually and musically stylish, flows well, but is light on narrative. Exemplars are Luc Besson's Subway (1985), and Antonioni's Blow Up (1966). What other movies fit this vibe? Edge case: The Blues Brothers (1980) looks and sounds great, is a great ride, but is possibly too narratively cohesive for what I'm trying to pin down here. Where the story arrives at the end should almost not matter.
posted by threecheesetrees at 12:10 AM PST - 38 comments

Registered Counseling (talk "therapy") as an adjunct/ add-on to pharmaceutical interventions for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety. What kinds of things is it good for? [more inside]
posted by porpoise at 8:06 PM PST - 24 comments

Love Slack but can't afford the fees for the 50+ users expected for this project. I do need similar functionality (eg., discrete channels for sub sections). Suggestions for free or lower cost alts?
posted by pmaxwell at 4:34 PM PST - 21 comments

My job is extremely stressful and uncertain right now. My home situation is also extremely suboptimal, so it's just sort of miserable on all fronts. I have a doctor's appointment to talk about allergies on Friday. Can I also talk to her about this stress and maybe broach the subject of medical leave? [more inside]
posted by mygothlaundry at 3:57 PM PST - 11 comments

What kind of cactus does this cutting come from, and how do I propagate it? [more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu at 3:47 PM PST - 8 comments

I do not want any weight loss advice or even a hint of it. I am very heavy right now, I am trying to figure out ways to be more mobile in the body I have right now, I don't know who to ask or even what to ask, and my doctor hasn't made any suggestions. Regardless of why I am having mobility issues, I am having them and I deserve to be given information to make my life more livable, I'd welcome suggestions on who to ask and where to go. More inside. [more inside]
posted by A Fine Kettle of Socks at 2:46 PM PST - 23 comments

We have a turkey tenderloin that is supposed to bake at 350° for 60 minutes. But I need to put it in the oven and have it finish 90 minutes later. Can I just lower the temperature, and if so how much? I have a meat thermometer so I will be able to check its internal temp before I take it out. [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 2:02 PM PST - 5 comments

You are starting your new job and will be a 100% remote worker living many hundreds of miles away from most of your coworkers. You are not the only person who is 100% remote at your new company, but the majority of your coworkers work a hybrid schedule and come into the office anywhere from one to five days a week. What did your manager and team do to help you feel welcome and like part of the office "community"? [more inside]
posted by capricorn at 1:42 PM PST - 14 comments

I've received some very distressing news about a loved one that pulls at one of my worst anxiety triggers (imagine a worst case scenario. And then it comes true. That.) As it often happens, it comes with a cluster of other stressful events. I'm having trouble coping. [more inside]
posted by Nieshka at 12:38 PM PST - 11 comments

A dear teen in my life is in a big depression. How can I, a loving adult in their day-to-day, be most supportive while respecting their personal sovereignty and not taking on what's not mine to take on? [more inside]
posted by spindrifter at 11:57 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm a single middle aged woman with no children or assets. But I want to get my affairs in order. Easiest/cheapest way to do so? [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 9:14 AM PST - 24 comments

I want to purchase a couple sport jackets and maybe a suit and I can't seem to figure this out. Challenges: men's clothes, 5'3" woman's body, I prefer to buy used. [more inside]
posted by latkes at 9:04 AM PST - 17 comments

I will be visiting Koh Samui and Koh Tao in June (thank you to all the suggestions from this ask). I'm really excited to visit the islands and try out scuba diving for the first time and to do some snorkeling. Details below the fold! [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter at 8:25 AM PST - 2 comments

How to voice activate a Samsung A22 without Bixby, Google or Voice Assist [more inside]
posted by shaarog at 8:24 AM PST - 4 comments

Talk to me like I am five about what you do to keep yourself from always heading out to mow the lawn. [more inside]
posted by openhearted at 8:07 AM PST - 33 comments

I've recently discovered free streaming on Tubi and Shout Factory. I like well-written, smart TV (and movies) with likeable characters, ideally being kind to each other. What should I watch? [more inside]
posted by kristi at 7:49 AM PST - 18 comments

My darling little brother upgraded my flight as a birthday surprise. How do I enjoy this? Tell me ALL the perks and how to get'em! [more inside]
posted by BlueHorse at 7:42 AM PST - 17 comments

* when you cannot keep fresh lemons/oranges, juice or zest. [more inside]
posted by zaixfeep at 7:05 AM PST - 10 comments

I.m going to be coating a formica kitchen countertop using a counter kit (something like Rustoleum's counter coating kit). I'd like to chamfer the edge a little to make the finished counter appear more like a solid countertop. Something about the square edge feels less than luxe. Is it possible to get good results using a router, or will I suffer a world of chips? [more inside]
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 6:15 PM PST - 13 comments

I need a new iphone. [more inside]
posted by gigondas at 5:28 PM PST - 4 comments

I have published an "academic" book and would like to publish another one. Does this make me a fraud or imposter since I don't have a degree? [more inside]
posted by 8LeggedFriend at 4:26 PM PST - 30 comments

I'm developing an office add-in for Excel using the javascript library. When I debug it in Excel, a dialog pops up saying "To debug the webview, attach VS Code to the webview instance using the Microsoft Debugger for Edge extension, and click OK to continue." There is no extension called Microsoft Debugger for Edge in VS Code, and searching for it in google just leads to the same instruction I quoted. [more inside]
posted by signal at 4:01 PM PST - 2 comments

An executive member of my organization's board of directors is mourning his mother's death (she was quite old, and had been ill for a long time, if that helps you frame your answer). He is Japanese and lives in Japan. The rest of the board and org staff are spread all across the globe, and no one will be able to physically be there. What is the right way for our organization to thoughtfully and respectfully let him know we are thinking of him? [more inside]
posted by CookieNose at 2:50 PM PST - 3 comments

So last night we had marinara sauce with turkey sausage and chickpea pasta from Costco. I'm wondering what are some rich and tasty recipes that forgo the charade of alt-pasa and just have delicious sauces combined with beans? We make a good chili, of course, but what am I missing? Help me get on the bean train. What is the bean dish that you bring out when you want to summon the love and praise of strangers? [more inside]
posted by mecran01 at 1:51 PM PST - 35 comments

I have an exam tomorrow morning. I'm only half prepared because I have spent significant amounts of time procrastinating by watching pointless YouTube videos. [more inside]
posted by Sunflower88 at 1:07 PM PST - 17 comments

How do you invest in relationships? How do you create a trustworthy inner circle? Is having a trustworthy inner circle at the end of the day a matter of sheer luck? I am looking for insights and/or book recommendations on these questions. [more inside]
posted by Kitty_Levin at 12:35 PM PST - 12 comments

There is a genre of TikTok videos where it's half video of a person and half screen recording of their computer screen. Like these. How do I do this? What programs can be used (Mac or iPhone) and what is the process to combine them? Thanks!
posted by andoatnp at 11:26 AM PST - 2 comments

I keep the browser uninstalled on my android phone to limit distraction, and it is mostly OK except when I go to a restaurant with a QR code menu I'm out of luck. I would love an app which scans QR codes and shows the menu, but doesn't include a fully-functioning browser. Ideally I would also be able to order from the app, but at least I want to be able to see the menu. Does such an app exist, or any other ideas?
posted by catquas at 11:06 AM PST - 6 comments

I was looking for a copy of the Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain on Amazon, and I noticed that there are a ton of low-quality self-published versions on there. I have master's in book design, and I design KDP books for a living, so I could easily do a lot better. [more inside]
posted by Chenko at 10:35 AM PST - 11 comments

Asking for a friend: My company has a number of locations and i am looking for a vendor or app that will allow me to mount screens in lobby of each location as digital signage for marketing announcements. I want to be able to control the images on screen from the main office with minimal-no need for on-location staff to do anything. Thoughts on how I should set this up?
posted by wowenthusiast at 9:11 AM PST - 11 comments

A friend has given up print books for e-books (hand issues). She misses the marginalia she used to find in the library and used books she read, something I learned when I told her about a note I I found in a library copy of Ivan Turgenev's First Love. Please help me amuse and divert my lovely, literate friend by sharing your best marginalia discoveries. [more inside]
posted by ALeaflikeStructure at 8:59 AM PST - 21 comments

Where in the US or online can I purchase red hammered-finish paint? [more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu at 8:48 AM PST - 7 comments

I cannot really have a pleasant day dream about my big life dream because it turns into a night mare in which I am bloodied, betrayed, and helpless. (1) Is this what people mean when they say that their big dreams care them? (2) Besides getting a therapist, can you recommend any books or insights to help me figure this out? [more inside]
posted by Kitty_Levin at 8:35 AM PST - 16 comments

I have about 200 students. Each student will be completing about 75 tasks. I want to have everyone's progress in one place (ideally, on a Google Sheet). I also want each student to be able to see their progress and no one else's (ideally, automatically integrated with Google Classroom). I do NOT want to have to update everything in multiple places. I would rather not do any action 200 times. Is this possible? [more inside]
posted by MangoNews at 7:30 AM PST - 11 comments

About a year ago I bought a box of roller ball cartridges, but as I’ve used them I’ve noticed they’ve gone bad. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 7:17 AM PST - 5 comments

Was trying on a new pair of boots this morning at home, and (not really) hilarity ensued when the zipper separated below the pull (which is still firmly attached to both sides), trapping my (thick ankled) feet firmly inside. [more inside]
posted by remembrancer at 7:07 AM PST - 2 comments

It turns out I make a lot of assumptions about what other people are thinking and feeling and then I react with unfounded guilty and anxiety. Also, when people I love are feeling negative emotions I take those emotions on and feel them myself. How can I stop doing these things? [more inside]
posted by guessthis at 7:05 AM PST - 9 comments

I live in a flat on a tenement stair in a large Scottish city. There are several different, equally valid ways of specifying my address. Can/should I correct the apparent address mismatch on my credit file? If so, how? [more inside]
posted by Puppy McSock at 6:49 AM PST - 2 comments

This recipe looks great but the person I'd be sharing it with doesn't like coconut flavor. Do you think I could substitute heavy cream for the coconut cream, or any other ideas? [more inside]
posted by beyond_pink at 6:38 AM PST - 6 comments

Staff cuts/layoffs/redundancies create a leaner, more efficient workforce, right?* But what if staff cuts cause increased administrative burden and more work at the same time as decreasing the quality of service? Help me figure out the name of this effect and where I can read more about it. *(Wrong, obviously, but that's management's premise, so stay with me.) [more inside]
posted by Cheese Monster at 6:33 AM PST - 14 comments

I want to move my son from a Fire Tablet onto a normal android tablet. I'm looking for parental control software that will A) Open into a closed playground at startup B) Allow only apps that I give it and not have within-playground app installation C) Allow one of those apps to be Amazon Kids+ D) Not allow web browsing/searching or youtube E) Allow time limits and time goals on specific apps or groups of apps. Does this exist. What is it called? Open to paying. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 4:43 AM PST - 6 comments

I am so ashamed to be posting this but... I adopted a cat and it failed. We weren't a good fit. I had to pass her on into fostercare so that she can go on to be rehomed somewhere that will better suit her needs. I know she is okay, but I'm devastated, and I need some help moving on. Has anyone else been in this situation? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 4:16 AM PST - 37 comments

This coming winter I will be gone for work half the week. I live right on the water in a very old wood house, and usually heat with a woodstove, but do have baseboard heaters (with no thermostat function, just on or off), which I cannot afford to leave on for 3 days straight. I was looking at heated weight-activated cat beds, but nothing heats over 102 degrees, which is absolutely not going to be sufficient in those conditions. Any ideas welcome. [more inside]
posted by asimplemouse at 3:13 AM PST - 16 comments

Have you ever been the executor for a will that covered assets in several different countries as provided for by the Uniform International Wills Act ? I would like to hear from you. [more inside]
posted by rabia.elizabeth at 3:05 AM PST - 3 comments

Hi all, are there any tradespeople, bankers, shopkeepers here? How do you accept non-cash payments? Are there any other ways not a terminal? I would like to look into this, so I'm interested.
posted by Adamsn at 2:13 AM PST - 14 comments

I am looking for tools that create OPML or which create an RSS feed _and_ which allow me to save an with the XML of those documents. Do such tools exist?
posted by TimHare at 10:28 PM PST - 2 comments

I have a single 35 yo male friend in Los Angeles who has gone through some major business set backs, is struggling with anxiety, and depression and will soon have to move from his current living space in Los Angeles. He is in therapy. He has transportation and is thinking of returning to school. I would like to suggest public and private options available to him for housing, unemployment, social support systems, etc. [more inside]
posted by goalyeehah at 8:37 PM PST - 7 comments

Music lessons for eight-year-olds all seem to be about learning to play a specific instrument. I'm looking for lessons that are more like music appreciation classes, except more technical — something that will teach a kid how the music they like is made, then explore making pieces like them, both via composition and some simple instrument playing. [more inside]
posted by ignignokt at 6:23 PM PST - 15 comments

Are there any cool, mesmerizing lamps out there OTHER than lava lamps (and their various generic versions)? If I could put six lava lamps on this bookcase, I probably would, but the shelves are too short, and there's nowhere to plug them in. What might I look to buy instead? Bonus points for remote operated, fine with USB or battery. I feel like a lot of LED lamps are just kinda dorm-y or gamercore, and I want something funky and festive....
posted by Charity Garfein at 5:52 PM PST - 16 comments

A cheap 3 gig data plan with Virgin Canada has served me well enough on my android phone over the years because I could set a data warning/cut-off. I now have a new iPhone and I'm stunned to find this basic functionality is missing. Virgin doesn’t seem to offer any tools to control usage. [more inside]
posted by brachiopod at 3:43 PM PST - 4 comments

Do you have a smartphone, eyes over 45, and no hatred of texting? What is your secret? The right phone, screen protector, usage patterns, special exercises, keyboard attachment, a commune with no cell phones but miraculously good health care...any, any creative thoughts welcomed. This is a safe space for your synesthesia-SMS, I-only-text-the-dead, totally off the wall approaches. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 3:19 PM PST - 45 comments

I'm going to be furnishing a large space starting from almost scratch. How can I get furniture that is high quality (solid wood, all or mostly hardwood, joins instead of screws everywhere when possible), zero VOC (cushions that are filled with wool, cotton, latex, down, etc. rather than foam), and ideally no synthetic fibers (upholstery that uses wool, cotton, linen, silk) at the best possible price? The ideal style would be mid-century modern. [more inside]
posted by Number Used Once at 2:25 PM PST - 13 comments

We have a secure bike room, about a dozen bicycles, from small kid to beach cruiser. The floor is concrete; the walls masonry and the room spacious. I am looking for an inexpensive rack which does not need to be bolted to the floor or walls to help corral these bikes. Amazon has a bunch but I'd really prefer real recommendations from real folks. [more inside]
posted by crush at 2:03 PM PST - 7 comments

I am uploading a bunch of scans of a particular magazine to the Internet Archive, and I'd like to have them all together on a page like this. I'd search the FAQ, but I don't even know what this kind of layout is called. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks.
posted by themanwho at 12:52 PM PST - 4 comments

Our little gang is watching the last episode of Succession tonight. (No spoilers please!) What are some good videos or articles that we could read or watch to spur on our discussion of the ending and the series as a whole, after tonight's viewing?
posted by storybored at 12:47 PM PST - 9 comments

Following up on this one. How do I make my emails not end up in people's spam folders? [more inside]
posted by goatdog at 12:02 PM PST - 5 comments

This is a picture of the plastic pipes that are screwed together, joining my inflatable hot tub to its "control center (heater, etc.)." [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 10:09 AM PST - 18 comments

Unfortunately helping plan a memorial. Have you had experiences at memorial services that you found... helpful, useful, helped hold you and made room for your feelings, made people feel welcome, that we can repeat? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 10:08 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm looking for an online service where I can get a ~50 page color PDF file printed and shipped to me within the US. This is for personal use so I don't need any special finishing, etc. Has anyone used a service like this they would recommend? I'm familiar with FedEx Office and UPS' offerings in this space, but they charge $.61 per sheet - I'm hoping to find a more economical option if it exists.
posted by jason and the garlic knots at 6:52 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a somewhat petty situation and idk why it's bothering me so I just wanted some outside perspectives on what to do. [more inside]
posted by missybitsy at 6:44 AM PST - 21 comments

New broadband provider means new router/modem. The one it shipped with is a bit shit, so I am thinking of buying a new one. We have gigabit broadband that we use almost exclusively as wifi. Things I would like inside. [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 4:54 AM PST - 4 comments

It’s super complicated and my husband is extremely difficult to deal with. He says he loves me but from the rest of what he says I don’t think that’s probably true and he’s pretty confused and unhappy - life is hard right now. [more inside]
posted by flink at 3:38 AM PST - 27 comments

Deep bass in music can increase a person's feeling of power - what are other momentary actions (not like diet, exercise, learning a long- term practice like medicine) that work this way or have promise to, or work for you?
posted by anonymous at 2:09 AM PST - 19 comments

Fellow middle aged Asian diaspora folk: how do you decide whether to fly home for funerals and other family emergencies? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:08 AM PST - 5 comments

How do Migrant primary care givers juggle annual long distance child contact with the other parent and school holidays with 20 days leave? I am particularly interested in people's experience in New Zealand, but general strategies useful too. Feel free to Me Mail.
posted by anonymous at 2:08 AM PST - 3 comments

I am heading for a protest march in a few hours. The march is in a city I am staying in for a conference and I am going back today right after the march. This is not the US by the way. I am not new to protests but I am new to large ones. The march is expecting more than 200.000 people in a 2-million city. The protest is registered via official channels and some major political leaders (from the opposition parties) are attending so I am less concerned about police hostility (although who knows). My biggest concern is getting stuck and missing my train back home. How do I not get stuck in a crowd this big? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:22 AM PST - 5 comments

My sister is getting married next year, and she has been reluctant to use wedding host websites (like theknot.com) that share information with 3rd party vendors or anyone else. [more inside]
posted by dual_action at 10:52 PM PST - 8 comments

I have Windows 10 screensaver and power settings set to go to the screensaver after 4 minutes and turn off the displays entirely after 5 minutes. Neither are working, however: the displays remain powered after 5 minutes and the screensaver is never enabled. I am able to use the "Preview" button in the screensaver control panel to manually turn on the screensaver and blank the displays when I walk away from the keyboard. This isn't quite the same as turning them off, but will do in a pinch. The control panel is hidden away in Windows 10. How can I put the control panel into the dock, or add a keypress binding to go directly to Preview mode, or otherwise fix the settings without reinstalling Windows?
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 10:49 PM PST - 7 comments

Hi. I am thinking of starting a podcast video interview for literary writers and academics, and I have been wanting to pursue this kind of project for a few years now. [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 5:07 PM PST - 16 comments

The last two places I lived had a significant mold problem (including where I am living now). I am living in university apartments, and I don't think its just mold either, I think its a lack of regular cleaning and like other maintenance. since the pandemic - weekly vacuuming the halls to only between semester breaks or if/when someone complains. It's left me sick as a dog. I don't want that again, but it seems to take time for symptoms to manifest, and even longer to realize they're pretty significant. [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 4:35 PM PST - 5 comments

I am arriving around 11 pm at Seattle - And I have to pick up checked luggage from earlier flight. Will need to UBER/Lyft to Marriott Waterfront. Should I put in a reservation for the Uber? Or wait until I am there? Would a taxi be about the same cost? (Long story short— missed flight; I am an idiot.)
posted by calgirl at 2:29 PM PST - 10 comments

Never been in this part of the world before. Is there anything we should see along the road to Savannah? We have time to poke along. Interesting towns, shops, things we can’t see in Northern CA. Thanks!
posted by Gusaroo at 1:52 PM PST - 10 comments

The AC failed while I was traveling during a particularly humid time which led to mold breaking out in the ceiling in two rooms. The remediation plan has been thrown off by asbestos popcorn ceiling. Details within. [more inside]
posted by Candleman at 1:28 PM PST - 4 comments

I remember seeing a book in a few NYC bookstores this January that I meant to add to my reading list, do you know the title? Protagonist is guy who drifts through life, ends up moving to Maine at the end I think? There is a bear on the cover. [more inside]
posted by hermanubis at 1:21 PM PST - 2 comments

Just finished the fourth season of Barry and was disappointed. Too dark and lacking in insights that meant anything to me or humor or drama that felt original. What got me hooked was some of the off-beat humor in earlier seasons--in particular a scene where a (lesbian) couple is breaking up as we see Henry Winkler out the window being attacked one by one by dozens of dogs (final reason given for break-up "you just have too many dogs.") Anyhoo, based on that one positive and one negative pieces of evidence, would appreciate recommendations for other shows.
posted by Jon44 at 1:13 PM PST - 18 comments

Can you recommend podcasts about the history of Italy? Preferably available on Spotify. Grazie mille.
posted by HotToddy at 1:06 PM PST - 4 comments

I've been trying different variations for an hour or so with no luck. [more inside]
posted by the webmistress at 12:29 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking for an overview of the contemporary art world that answers questions like: How does someone go from art school to selling a piece for six/seven figures? How many works of art will a gallery sell in a year? How predictable is success in the art world? How do gallerists scout new talent? [more inside]
posted by hermanubis at 12:14 PM PST - 11 comments

I am at wit's end with meal planning. Is there an app or service that comes close to meeting these criteria? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by nanny's striped stocking at 11:34 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm going to meet up with friends in Charleston over the 4th July weekend, staying on the Battery. It's my first visit there, and everyone I ask this question of answers as if Charleston is their long-lost love. What is your favorite Charleston place or experience, that will lead me to feel that same way? Prefer artisanal, botanical, culinary, crafted, idiosyncratic, but open to any recommendations.
posted by mmiddle at 11:10 AM PST - 6 comments

I'd like help understanding why this communication issue is happening and ideas to resolve it so that both parties are satisfied. If you can articulate exactly what this communication issue is, that might help as well as we lack language to accurately describe it. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 9:59 AM PST - 40 comments

How do I take a photograph so it will be best suited as a videoconference background image? For example: Do I hold the camera down near desk-height, or higher, or lower? Wide focus or narrow? Sharp focus or soft? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 7:24 AM PST - 6 comments

Was my childhood a complete lie or was there a Maltesers chocolate ad in the 80s or 90s featuring Flashdance... What a Feeling (YT link) where upon having some Maltesers, this person starts dancing, on the walls! on the ceiling! with great lightness! [more inside]
posted by mkdirusername at 7:10 AM PST - 5 comments

So this weekend didn't work out. But i can go to the beach next saturday. Is there a beach (park/conservation area etc.) within a 2-hour-not-on-the-highway drive of Toronto where the picnic/barbecuing area is within view of the beach? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:50 AM PST - 5 comments

I feel like I remember someone saying “If you swallow a live goldfish first thing in the morning, it’ll be the most difficult thing you’ll do all day”. It was meant as an aphorism for getting your worst, most unpleasant task done first and then the rest will seem easy. So I’ve been thinking of hard tasks as my “goldfish” ever since. I said this to my friend recently and she had never ever heard this phrase before. I would like to figure out the origin - did I just make it up?
posted by fancyoats at 6:29 AM PST - 8 comments

I paid a bunch of money to have four giant arborvitae planted on April 5, and apparently it doesn't rain in Michigan anymore. More inside. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 4:27 AM PST - 8 comments

So I’m going to have to plan a funeral. No one’s died yet, but they definitely are going to. I’ve had earlier questions about this, but things are no longer hypothetical, though I probably have a lot of time. [more inside]
posted by Jenny'sCricket at 4:25 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm an alchoholic binge drinker. I drink way more than I should on the weekend. I am looking for something that can take the place of beer, but the catch is that I want it to sorta achieve the same feeling of being drunk. I know I should actually replace it with something like exercize or a passionate hobby, but I am NOT at that stage, and I also NEED to stop drinking. [more inside]
posted by ggp88 at 1:31 AM PST - 32 comments

Anxious since childhood, I had a bad episode in my mid-20s (about a decade ago) and started on Lexapro. I thought the meds would be a temporary fix while I got my shit together, but my attempts to quit have been disastrous and left me feeling worse than ever. I’m back on it again after a nightmarish meds-free year. How do I cope with the fact that I’ll be on meds for life? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:35 AM PST - 27 comments

A former colleague is interested in a job opening at the company I work for. She asked me to help introduce her to the right people. I certainly could but I don't want to. How do I extricate myself from this with the least amount of personal fallout? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:35 AM PST - 26 comments

I keep hearing stories of people who, despite the prognosis of their doctors, make more progress or have partial or full recoveries from some disease or condition that no one expected them to. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 11:48 PM PST - 10 comments

I’m going on a trip to an area I’m unfamiliar with and have been tasked with making the plans. I’ve visited Chicago before but this is the markedly different other side of the border. What are the ideal things to see do and eat over there for non outdoorsy people?
posted by Selena777 at 10:34 PM PST - 8 comments

I came across a formal photo of my Armenian great-grandfather, who lived as an ethnic/religious minority in Turkey before being killed in the Armenian Genocide (so the photo must be prior to 1915-1917) He's wearing a fez and has a waxed moustache. Were fezzes equally popular/stylish among Armenians and Turks at the time, or might this be an attempt to "pass" as Turkish to avoid getting genocided? I associate Fezzes with Turkish fashion. You certainly never see anyone wearing a fez at contemporary Armenian cultural events...
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 7:12 PM PST - 6 comments

A coworker periodically gives me homemade jam and yogurt in mason and canning jars and I don't want to return them empty. When I return them, what can I fill them with? (Or gift back alongside the jars?) [more inside]
posted by watrlily at 6:46 PM PST - 17 comments

As a woman who is equal parts unfeminine, kinda plain-looking, opinionated, and picky, I've never been very lucky with love. Until suddenly I was, and it felt like a small miracle... until it ended. How can I pick myself back up and get back to my Awesome Single Life without getting bitter or falling into despair about the idea of love and romance not being in my future? [more inside]
posted by btfreek at 6:19 PM PST - 14 comments

I converted an Ikea Milsbo into a plant cabinet and need to replace the grow lights I'm using. I'd like to get something appropriate but not too expensive. Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 5:35 PM PST - 3 comments

I have a friend who is blind. They use Alexa a lot to listen to audiobooks, music, etc. I found a bunch of obscure radio shows on Youtube, and I'd like to package them together somehow into an Alexa-accessible format and give them to my friend as a gift. How do I do this? (Snowflakes within.) [more inside]
posted by Ursula Hitler at 4:02 PM PST - 10 comments

So, I mean what is the word if let's say at a hospital etc., on the intercom, or in verbal exchange, there is "We need a .... in here ASAP", what word goes in the blank instead of "a patient attendant who is male/someone who can handle heavy patient."
posted by amfgf at 3:53 PM PST - 27 comments

What's the best way to attend something you adore, knowing you will see someone who no longer counts you among her friends? [more inside]
posted by Rumi'sLeftSock at 3:46 PM PST - 11 comments

I saw a presentation/slideshow a while back. It had a description of a brand's attributes, and then (on another page) the brand's logo. It was made to point out how a well-built brand is recognizable just from its attributes. [more inside]
posted by signal at 3:30 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm looking for recent poetry to help teach English intonation. I've looked at various poetry sites and books, but most seem to be free verse. Are there any relevant anthologies? Specific examples also welcome!
posted by Trifling at 3:27 PM PST - 7 comments

I’ve got some audio that’s from a speaker with a strong accent and the sound quality isn’t great. Is there something better than Otter for getting a rough transcript that needs less correction? Thanks!
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 1:58 PM PST - 6 comments

Posting for a friend. Her uncle passed away, leaving behind a garage full of audio and visual equipment that includes several camera lenses, lighting and sound accessories, speakers, carrying and protective cases, light reflectors, backdrops, a giant screen, boxes full of miscellaneous items, what looks like rigging, and a gazillion tripods. Based on some preliminary research, we think many of the items have at least some value. A sample of them can be found here. We're looking for someone in Massachusetts, or online, to take a look at everything and say, "Okay, I'll buy it all [or some of it] for this sum of money," or "Oh, I know a guy who'd be interested," or "You could try selling in at X." Thoughts or suggestions gratefully welcomed, we hate to just toss everything if we don't have to. Thank you!
posted by Melismata at 1:51 PM PST - 12 comments

We've lived in the forest for many years, and we've seen a lot of wildlife pass through. However, imagine what we are missing when we aren't looking! We'd like to purchase a game camera (or two) to put in the most likely corridor through our property. I'm hoping this community can help us choose the right one. [more inside]
posted by Don_K at 12:25 PM PST - 6 comments

I need to buy this little thing but I don't know its name! [more inside]
posted by plant or animal at 11:22 AM PST - 8 comments

I am a 1-year-old Irish setter who really, really wants to go on vacation with my two humans this July. But if you know any setters my age, you know that I require one of three things out of every day: to chase other dogs with great abandon around a large, happy enclosure, to run free in the woods, or to drive my humans crazy. [more inside]
posted by baseballpajamas at 11:14 AM PST - 5 comments

Recommendations for newsletters/books/articles/fiction/other media accurately depicting the day-to-day life of people in finance or investment banking? [more inside]
posted by joyceanmachine at 10:56 AM PST - 6 comments

More/alternate, non-gross uses for 20 quart/5 gallon/roughly 19 liter cookpot sought... any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by Crystal Fox at 10:51 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm in Toronto. I really want to go away this weekend. I have a 6 year old and a dog. Where can we go? Oh, and I'm scared of driving on highways if we're anywhere near Toronto (like two lanes of divided highway with no traffic, fine...but traffic or trucks...no way, no how). My son's passport is expired. We do not have camping equipment here (we own some, but not a tent and it's stored at my friend's house and she's out of town). Is there somewhere my kid, my dog, and I could go? I can drive for maybe 2 hours. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 10:34 AM PST - 14 comments

.We have a huge tree in our front yard that belongs to the city. The birds love the tree but the problem is we have bird poop all over the driveway. I have to have the cars in the garage at all times. How do I clean the poop droppings off the driveway. [more inside]
posted by Tziv at 9:55 AM PST - 6 comments

I've been a seasonal allergy person most of my life, but this past season has knocked me out and made me sicker than ever. I am here to learn from your combined wisdom. [more inside]
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 9:05 AM PST - 22 comments

Doing a 4-5 day trip to Iceland second week of July. Mostly need food and shopping recommendations bc we have accommodations and a few special excursions planned, but open to all suggestions! Please see below the fold for itinerary and questions! [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 8:22 AM PST - 16 comments

Twelve years ago, my friend was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Yesterday, he was told that he has been cancer-free for long enough that he no is no longer eligible for cancer-care services. I am wondering if anyone has gone through a similar situation and if you can recommend resources, articles, or ideas that can help shepherd him not this new stage of his life. [more inside]
posted by PatchesPal at 8:19 AM PST - 5 comments

About two years ago, I decided to take advantage of the sudden work-from-home situation and start Invisalign. I found an orthodontist nearby and initiated treatment. Now, two+ years and two failed attempts later, and I'm wondering what my options are. [more inside]
posted by tealcoffeecup at 7:59 AM PST - 13 comments

Another iPhone question: A few iOS' ago, the send button pulled up shortcuts to recent iMessage chats. It no longer does this. Help me get it back. [more inside]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:11 AM PST - 7 comments

If I like VOYAGER - "Promise" - Perth Symphony Orchestra X INNEKA (Electric String Version), what other songs am I likely to like?
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 6:13 AM PST - 6 comments

I need recommendations for an indestructible (okay,okay, best quality, most longevity) charging cable for iPhones. [more inside]
posted by Champagne Supernova at 5:37 AM PST - 15 comments

My teenager has diagnoses of ADHD, ASD1 and anxiety. He's often too anxious to go to school, and while he is very smart and expects to live independently as an adult, college, work, etc, it's hard for me to imagine how he gets from here to there. I'm not looking for advice as much as your story: if you really struggled with some or all of these as a teen, and your life is good now, how did that happen? What was helpful in your family or environment? What does your good life look like? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:14 AM PST - 18 comments

Is there any way to avoid forcing the employee to repay? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:13 AM PST - 23 comments

Is there a way to bookmark channels in YouTube without subscribing, or subscribe without videos showing up in subscribe feed? A lot of channels publish far more videos than I want to watch, but I still want to remember the channel and manually visit every once in a while without wading through the flood on my subscribe page.
posted by lemonade at 5:04 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm a fan of WTF with Marc Maron and Armchair Expert with Dax Shephard. Looking for more podcasts! [more inside]
posted by bearette at 4:27 AM PST - 7 comments

DNA testing filter - what's the current / future value of medical info that can now be extracted from consumer test services, in the context of a complete lack of 50% of family medical history ? [more inside]
posted by protorp at 2:52 AM PST - 3 comments

I like reading about the creative process and other big life ideas, but most of the thinkers in this field—or at least the well-known or most cited—are usually white people. Can you recommend people of colour whom I can read and follow? [more inside]
posted by pleasebekind at 12:38 AM PST - 6 comments

Have you/your organisation ever run an awards program? What strategies have you found that help or hinder the management of your awards program? [more inside]
posted by creatrixtiara at 10:29 PM PST - 1 comment

I quite often have a beard, and I prefer a longer one. However I am aware that beards reduce the effectiveness of masks worn to lower the risk of contracting COVID. So I have been either clean shaven or keeping my beard length to <= 5mm for the last couple of years. What are my best options in terms of mask shape/brand/type and beard length? My goal is to have the longest possible beard that is consistent with still having some protection against airborne virus.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 8:22 PM PST - 4 comments

I need help with my Pullman loaf. [more inside]
posted by oflinkey at 6:15 PM PST - 9 comments

I just finished reading Graham Greene's The Ministry of Fear, which I very much enjoyed. It reminded me strongly of Geoffrey Householder's Rogue Male, which I also recently reread. What other books like these should I read? [more inside]
posted by darchildre at 5:28 PM PST - 36 comments

My cousin died and left everything to a trust handled by a single practitioner lawyer. The proceeds are to to to me and a friend. My cousin died one year ago. At the end of December, the friend and I received a partial payout. Since then, we have received nothing and the lawyer has basically ghosted us. What can we do? Anything? [more inside]
posted by susandennis at 3:16 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm writing a magical realism fantasy novel about a woman who decides to become a witch. Please help me (and by extension, my character) learn about witchcraft traditions and lore. [more inside]
posted by orange swan at 3:01 PM PST - 18 comments

As mentioned in previous questions, my kid will be doing a summer internship in DC, living in Foggy Bottom and working in the Rayburn office building. What do you DC people wish we knew about public transportation in DC? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 1:23 PM PST - 36 comments

I'm unable to see comments on Instagram when I'm logged into a specific account. This is an account with 80,000 followers, and we have multiple people using the account to post from... everyone, regardless of device (Apple, Android, laptop, etc.) is having the same issue. Help? [more inside]
posted by Unsomnambulist at 12:20 PM PST - 1 comment

Wondering if any MeFites in the Seattle area have had good experience getting a residential cedar fence replaced and would be willing to pass on a recommendation. Bonus points if the company is minority/queer/woman-owned. [more inside]
posted by FallibleHuman at 11:47 AM PST - 2 comments

I've been in therapy for the past six months or so. I feel like the first few months were great, but my progress has slowed down significantly since then. I'm looking for ways to pick up the speed. [more inside]
posted by akk2014 at 11:29 AM PST - 9 comments

I feel like I'm climbing Mount Everest when maneuvering Midjourney, the generative artificial intelligence program. Are there any mavens here in the MF hive? [more inside]
posted by zenpop at 10:58 AM PST - 7 comments

I had to move to a house that's half the size of my previous one. I have a lot of junk that I use anywhere from a few times a year to once every 3 years (e.g., specialized ski clothing or that book holder that works well when I go to a certain lake to read). [more inside]
posted by Jon44 at 10:01 AM PST - 18 comments

i'm looking for a unicorn of a catholic parish in chicago. snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by maighdeann mhara at 9:45 AM PST - 5 comments

My very favorite app for navigating the DC Metro system, MetroHero, is shutting down at the end of the month. :( Please help me find a replacement--is there anything as good? [more inside]
posted by theatro at 8:03 AM PST - 2 comments

I recently ended a 2.5 year relationship after noticing some deeply unhealthy and harmful behaviors on my part that were affecting both the relationship and my own wellbeing. My partner believes breaking up is the wrong choice and that those behaviors could be worked through together. Does the fact that I've been miserable since then mean she's right? Big ol block of text with context below. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:07 AM PST - 42 comments

How can I overcome guilt about being a people-pleaser? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:07 AM PST - 8 comments

Looking for advice on avoiding occasional cannabis side effects. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:45 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm 35 and most of my dating app pics are from about a year or two ago, but I feel like I've lost approximately 30-40% of my hair since then in terms of receding hairline and thinning. Is this the type of thing women notice? I have a huge fear of misrepresenting myself on dating sites, and not sure whether I need to pause until I get a bunch of more recent pictures. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:31 AM PST - 32 comments

We love our nanny. She’s been with us for a year and she’s wonderful. Recently I came home to find an unused packet of Buprenorphine and Naloxone film. Internet research tells me that this is treatment for opioid abuse. What do we do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:31 AM PST - 26 comments

A relative used to work for Burroughs Corporation found some old stock certificates worth 20 shares. Burroughs merged with Sperry UNIVAC to become UNISYS in 1986, which is still a publicly traded company. I contacted Computershare, the transfer agent for UNISYS. They said the certificates "are not showing as outstanding in our system. This may be due to a transfer, sale, replacement, exchange or escheatment of the subject shares." [more inside]
posted by Borborygmus at 2:25 AM PST - 5 comments