Ask MetaFilter

What are the best general audience books on physics, astronomy, and cosmology written in the last 20 years or so that cover recent developments in those fields? [more inside]
posted by jomato at 8:27 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm trying to recall a series of recordings that may have been featured or discussed on MetaFilter a decade or so ago. I've searched and come up with nothing. Here's what I think I know: [more inside]
posted by Transmissions From Vrillon at 6:30 PM PST - 3 comments

Hi trusty brains, I'm searching for a podcast/episode of a podcast. It's a story-telling podcast (like maybe The Moth? New Yorker Radio Hour? Risk? Selected Shorts?) but the episode includes a first-person POV story from a man who is reaquainted with a woman he met years ago who asks him if he remembers their lunch date. He does, and proceeds to recount the story (not being able to pay, being worried that he would not have enough money to pay for her extravagant lunch). At the end, we learn that the wife's husband owns the restaurant. Any ideas? THANKS! fwiw, the narrator has a British accent :)
posted by LemonGardot at 4:47 PM PST - 1 comment

Is Texas's new law banning abortion a rocket launcher that can be pointed anywhere, or am I missing something? [more inside]
posted by Hactar at 4:25 PM PST - 16 comments

How can I learn how to manage my "feelings at work" when my feelings are simply telling me that we dislike tedium. That's pretty much it. My brain is so busy telling me that we dislike tedium, which I already know and agree with, that it wears me out, and it results in me feeling sad and tired, using up all my mental energy until it's the end of the day and I didn't get the tedious thing done, again. [more inside]
posted by bleep at 3:26 PM PST - 12 comments

It seems that if you ask an Alexa-based device like an Echo Dot to "play [call letters]" it will go with whatever the top result is on TuneIn for that station, and often that fails, eg. by playing the pre-roll and nothing else. I'd like to cut TuneIn out of the loop. [more inside]
posted by tarheelcoxn at 1:07 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm always looking for new/unfamiliar music to listen to and have found that soundtracks often introduce me to good music and genres that I might not seek out myself. What other TV and movie soundtracks should I listen to for music discovery?? [more inside]
posted by switcheroo at 11:59 AM PST - 41 comments

I need a wardrobe, bed, some shelves, a couch, and a dining table. Where do I start? How do people do this? [more inside]
posted by toucan at 11:39 AM PST - 29 comments

I was a victim of sexual abuse as a child and have struggled with depression and relationships and sex as an adult. I haven't been able to engage in intimate relationships, and while I am in therapy I seem to be stuck in the same emotions (grief, anger, shame) that I feel around this incident and the impact it's had on my life. I would be grateful if anyone has suggestions on how to get unstuck, especially if they've been through this. I'm in a shitty place, so please be gentle. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:37 AM PST - 8 comments

Someone I know announced they are transitioning. There are lots of YA novels about young transgender folx, but what are some good books (novel or non-fiction) about what it's like to realize in middle age that you are not the gender you were assigned at birth?
posted by musofire at 9:45 AM PST - 9 comments

Do you know of any great refugee assistance organizations helping people in the Jacksonville, FL area? [more inside]
posted by saladin at 9:39 AM PST - 1 comment

Chartres or Metz: imagine that you can only visit one, for the cathedral. Which do you choose? Which town is better (or worse) to visit, otherwise? [more inside]
posted by Rash at 9:13 AM PST - 14 comments

I have always wanted to attempt scuba-diving but I have been hesitant due to my asthma history. Are there any scuba divers with asthma/history of asthma here and do scuba-dive? [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 8:21 AM PST - 14 comments

Within a few weeks, I'll be traveling several hours round-trip to pick up our six new dining chairs. I know I'll need to rent a vehicle for this purpose, but I'm unsure what size I need. I'm hoping either someone can figure it out precisely for me or there will be a consensus among the people here so I won't be caught short of space. [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 8:19 AM PST - 28 comments

My mother has been prescribed a medication for a debilitating condition. 48 hours later, she is looking for any excuse to stop taking it, even though the condition it treats makes her unbelievably miserable. How can I help her stick with this for long enough to see whether it works? (cw ED) [more inside]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 6:57 AM PST - 21 comments

I want to brush up on my French and would be grateful for recommendations. [more inside]
posted by sohalt at 4:16 AM PST - 29 comments

Can you recommend a good resource to give an entry-level web developer a survey or playbook of relevant topics in engineering? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:07 AM PST - 11 comments

I have made hundreds of thousands of pounds in ether cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) this year, and in my dazed and grateful state, I need a crypto and NFT-literate accountant to help me file my tax. Do you know of one, or know how to help me find one? Thanks so much! (My economic activity in the space is trading and creating NFTs for sale.)
posted by anonymous at 12:07 AM PST - 2 comments

I am a grizzled, bloodied embedded systems engineer. I’ve been poked by just about every pointy bit in the software development process from architecture to design to code to tools. I have emerged from the process with a solid conviction on how to do all of it The Right Way. I would like to meet my iOS counterpart, or even better multiple counterparts who strongly disagree with each other. Can anyone help point me to such people?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 7:29 PM PST - 4 comments

I just bought a condo which has a medium size walk in closet in the main bedroom. The bedroom is big enough for a wardrobe unit like the ones at IKEA. I’m considering buying one of those and using the walk-in closet as an office. Is there a reason I shouldn’t do that? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 6:35 PM PST - 35 comments

I bought a suit at Macy's for like $140 a year ago, and I want to buy the same suit, (or very similar) online. Looking online I can only find the pants. But I want the pants + jacket. Code: CA01129 and RN90736 I am 42R and 36W X 30L. I also linked the images of the tags if it helps. I'd like to buy these from a website if possible. And I want like 5 pairs of suits if possible. here is one tag here is another tag
posted by maxexam at 6:23 PM PST - 8 comments

I just found out today that while Ellis Island technically closed in 1954, the concept of "Ellis Island" as an "immigrant inspection station" that most people were taught in school in the US essentially ended in 1924 due to changes in the law. But we were always taught 1954. This came as a shock to me, since several family members emigrated to the US (specifically NYC!) in 1925-1954, and I always assumed they must have passed through Ellis Island. Putting aside simple pedantry (as in this awesome thread), "common misconceptions", tall tales that our parents taught us, and of course any political/religious issues, what are some other common oversimplifications that are at least partly true but misleading?
posted by Seeking Direction at 5:54 PM PST - 22 comments

Is there any way for multiple people to sign a pdf document that's in the cloud? [more inside]
posted by dhruva at 5:53 PM PST - 8 comments

We just finished watching Unge Lovende. What do we do now? [more inside]
posted by signal at 3:19 PM PST - 4 comments

Can the will of a person who has become incompetent still be modified, or is all opportunity lost as soon as that person loses their faculties? [more inside]
posted by Cardinal Fang! at 3:17 PM PST - 9 comments

I want a short, wide padded guitar strap. [more inside]
posted by The Vice Admiral of the Narrow Seas at 3:17 PM PST - 6 comments

It's a tiny baby plant, but it was with a lot of other tiny plants at a plant store, so I think maybe it's intended to stay small. I don't think it's a philodendron, mainly because the stems are pink, but my certainty is low. Any ideas what it is? Thanks.
posted by amtho at 1:51 PM PST - 2 comments

I had COVID this past week (I am guessing Delta, since I'm fully vaccinated with a confirmatory positive antibody test in June, but my PCR did not distinguish between Delta or other variants). Today is my last day of quarantine. How safe/risky would it be for me to fly sometime in the next month or two from Seattle to Chicago to visit my (vaccinated) best friend who has lupus and is on outpatient chemo? [more inside]
posted by cnidaria at 12:57 PM PST - 11 comments

Me and my wife have an incredible relationship, except that we get into fights. Weirdly, these are not fights about difficult-to-resolve disputes, in terms of live options. We're generally aligned on what we're actually doing with our lives. These are little tiffs over small details that flare up into hurt feelings that could be stopped early on if one or both of us just remembered to snap out of it and listen to the other person compassionately, but, instead, we get caught up. How do we not get caught up in escalating tempers? Do you have a good book of tricks to recommend?
posted by insteadofapricots at 12:29 PM PST - 20 comments

I've always preferred to use the "Duck Duck Go" search engine, for reasons of privacy, anonymous results, and avoiding the worst search cruft. But it seems like just lately my results are suddenly terrible/not useful--has DDG changed, and what should I do? [more inside]
posted by theatro at 12:05 PM PST - 22 comments

I've been looking for a wireless headset that is compatible with Microsoft Teams. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by CathyG at 11:41 AM PST - 17 comments

I am new to wearing glasses, and having trouble finding what I am looking for. [more inside]
posted by msali at 11:28 AM PST - 6 comments

What can I do to mitigate the risk of traveling (long-haul travel, developing country) during COVID? [more inside]
posted by mosst at 10:39 AM PST - 7 comments

Hi! We recently upgraded the hardware in our sanctuary for improved streaming, using 3 Canon VIXIA HF R800 Camcorders, each zoomed in on a different pulpit, and connected via HDMI to a Black Magic ATEM switcher connected to our Mac. The problem: every time we turn on the cameras, they revert to a default setting and need to be manually zoomed back to the correct focus. Is there a way to change the default zoom (like a preset?) so when we turn them on, each camera is zoomed in correctly without having to fiddle with each camera's settings before every service? Thanks!
posted by ericbop at 9:30 AM PST - 3 comments

I went to a family event yesterday (outdoors, we're all vaccinated, FWIW). The host has a dog (1/2 Dogo Argentina, 1/2 Lab) that does not know me. I was the last to arrive; everyone else was seated. When I arrived and stepped out onto the deck, the host's dog rushed toward me, whining and wriggling, and licked my feet over and over (I was wearing sandals). As I moved toward the one empty seat at the far end of the deck, it continued to nose me, rub against me, block my path, and lick my feet. I didn't give it any attention at all; just continued on as though it was not there. Once I reached my seat, the host called the dog over to her and said to the dog, "Come here, 'SageTrail' doesn't like you." Why did the host assume I didn't like the dog? Did I breach some sort of etiquette? For example, is it considered rude to not pet the host's dog when I enter their home?
posted by SageTrail at 7:54 AM PST - 56 comments

I just read this article about how comforting reads aren't necessarily... happy, but can be "beautiful or affecting version of the most difficult, unnameable feelings." (read the full article to get a better idea - it's hard to get the idea in a pullquote) Would love some recs from mefites who turn to books in this way.
posted by snerson at 7:47 AM PST - 15 comments

I've got to get a new Oxy tank to continue using my rig. Considering the cost of a new tank and my use case below would I be ok getting a little Oxy Mapp Kit with disposable bottles? [more inside]
posted by jmsta at 7:00 AM PST - 2 comments

Can you help me get my partial denture out of my mouth? I don't use any adhesive. [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 6:07 AM PST - 4 comments

Would you punctuate this sentence any differently? I made a "how to work from home" document that everyone should read. [more inside]
posted by zardoz at 5:29 AM PST - 11 comments

I have a friend group of angry anti-capitalist vegans. They want to play boardgames, but the themes of most boardgames really don’t work for them. They don’t want to colonize or resource-extract or build an empire or be the boss of animals. I think they would really enjoy any game with explicitly (even cartoonishly) leftist politics. Can you recommend anything? [more inside]
posted by Susan PG at 5:26 AM PST - 35 comments

He's not dead, just... Gone. More below. [more inside]
posted by antihistameme at 2:14 AM PST - 17 comments

in 2 weeks, contractors will begin the process of tearing down our kitchen and rebuilding. Yay! However this means that we will be without a stove, oven, dishwasher and washing machine for approximately 8 weeks.... [more inside]
posted by alchemist at 1:24 AM PST - 13 comments

I live in Germany, but still maintain my bank accounts and other things in the US, since it is unclear how long I will be here. At my family's address in the US I received a letter today that I owe over $1,000 to verizon and they are sending me to collections. They list several phone numbers (none of which are mine), and I have only one time had a verizon account several years ago, and it was prepaid. The letter appears real, and based on at least my initial call with Verizon's real customer service, they confirmed this and I'm waiting to hear back from their fraud department. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:01 AM PST - 5 comments

Ida is roaring through Louisiana and other states. Normally, I'd just send some cash off to the Red Cross, but I've been wondering if maybe there might be better choices. What charities would you suggest?
posted by Marky at 9:58 PM PST - 5 comments

New computer, new install of PowerPoint 2019. We want the hdmi to be the desktop and vga to be the projector. [more inside]
posted by notned at 8:53 PM PST - 10 comments

Solve our Covid-induced relationship problems! Our state is 40% vaccinated. Our county case rate is 30/100,000 and the 14-day change is +60%; the adjacent counties are 116/100,000 and 87/100,000. I take a drug that puts me at high risk of blood clots (potentially fatal if I also had Covid) and was double-Pfizered in April. Partner was double-Modernaed in February. [more inside]
posted by HotToddy at 8:20 PM PST - 29 comments

Is there such a thing as a Portable A/C unit that is compatible with a MERV-13 or higher air filter? Our apartment has no A/C, but we had to keep windows closed all weekend due to air quality, and it was quite overheated inside. We'd like to kill two birds with one (cool-to-the-touch) stone...
posted by rogerroger at 8:18 PM PST - 5 comments

My kid would like to make a few t-shirts of their own design, to raise money for a specific good cause. Is there a company that will do all the hard stuff for us? [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library at 7:47 PM PST - 6 comments

Id: you just woke up. Whenever you wake up, you pee. [more inside]
posted by Easy problem of consciousness at 6:17 PM PST - 25 comments

It seems like a person with rope, beads, and a history of making friendship bracelets could do it. Link inside. [more inside]
posted by Knowyournuts at 6:11 PM PST - 5 comments

It's recently occured to me that all of YouTubers I watch regularly are White men and most of them are from the US... While I enjoy what I watch and believe that those YouTubers are doing good work, I feel as though I must be missing out on important perspectives and different modes of entertainment... Am I correct that there's content from different creators which I'll enjoy as much, or is YouTube simply dominated currently by people who look and sound like me? [more inside]
posted by chudmonkey at 4:33 PM PST - 13 comments

I love Epic Everything Bagels by Dave's Killer Bread. The packaging says that each bagel has 13g of protein. How? [more inside]
posted by cadge at 3:19 PM PST - 12 comments

A while back - time has lost all meaning - I read an article online that was about how to improve your self-image and self-confidence. The gist of the article was to move through life as though everyone finds you irresistible. Does this ring any bells? [more inside]
posted by VioletU at 2:26 PM PST - 2 comments

I would like to use the word sober to describe myself, but feel messy about it. Details inside! [more inside]
posted by Kitteh at 12:20 PM PST - 18 comments

Dear mefites, I would like your help to find a strange book I heard about from a friend a few years ago. I’ve looked up several available details (more after the jump) with no luck. Your ideas and suggestions are, as usual, most welcome! [more inside]
posted by Matrod at 12:08 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for ideas online to decorate a guest bedroom, complete with shopping links. [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 11:52 AM PST - 7 comments

I want to stay in Airbnbs, various ones, for a month or two, in an urban area that hasn't been my home turf for some years. What can I do, and what search criteria should I use, to have reasonable assurance that I'm not putting my self or identity at risk?
posted by anonymous at 10:58 AM PST - 6 comments

Based on this thread, I read Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty and want more books to scratch that SF mystery itch. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by matildaben at 10:30 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm looking for an official source for the upgraded phase 2/3 dosing of the Biontech/Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for children news articles about an announcement on Tuesday the 8th of June 2021 (but no video/source data/full-text of a press conference or so). So I'd love to see a Pfizer press announcement/video - or upgraded study documentation with this: "Participants aged five to 11 years will receive a 10µg dose of the vaccine, while those aged six months to five years will receive a 3µg dose.". [more inside]
posted by mathiu at 9:45 AM PST - 2 comments

We're looking at a house that we like a lot but it's on a moderately busy street. What are your experiences living on a busier street? Did you mind the traffic noise (both while inside the house and outside in the backyard)? [more inside]
posted by unus sum at 9:14 AM PST - 41 comments

My S.O. is about to move into an office space but will still need to work at home as well. She's in the design profession and laptop monitors are too small for her. Right now I can think of a few ways we can do this. Price is definitely a factor, but so is convenience (she doesn't like to deal with a lot of setup, cables, etc). [more inside]
posted by malhouse at 9:11 AM PST - 11 comments

There is a Hummingbird in our bedroom (photo). As cool AF as it is to have this little guy hovering around like a drone - it’s long past time for it go. [more inside]
posted by inflatablekiwi at 6:34 AM PST - 6 comments

My parents just came to visit for a week. They are age 62-63ish. My dad's behavior throughout the week has been inexcusable. They are visiting again in two months. Can you give me advice on how to make this situation better? [more inside]
posted by bbqturtle at 5:56 AM PST - 46 comments

Why is a locked laptop suddenly playing loud music? [more inside]
posted by amro at 3:34 AM PST - 10 comments

I am struggling to find a website I came across last year that explained the reason for linear workflow and gamma correction. The blog/website was in multiple parts (I remember there being at least 12 entries) and it was quite humorous. [more inside]
posted by naskar at 9:26 PM PST - 2 comments

I filed NIE paperwork with the US State Department, for an employee of mine who was transferring from overseas. Now that they've arrived in the US, they are not doing any work at all -- do I have responsibilities to the State Department? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:59 PM PST - 8 comments

I have a 2010 MacBook Pro. I have to turn on apps and have forgotten my password. Is there a way I can find this or would it be best to go to Apple Store and get help?
posted by goalyeehah at 6:04 PM PST - 6 comments

Various people in my elderly (early 80s) parents' social circle have started expressing antivax sentiments and elements of the related conspiracy theories. My parents are both fully vaccinated but it alarms me to hear them say that so-and-so "makes some good points" about (e.g.) the microchip theory. I plan to talk to them about those conspiracy theories, their history and why they are wrong so that they'll recognize it when they see it and know to be suspicious. Is this a good strategy? Does anyone have any advice? [more inside]
posted by Squirrel Expert at 5:52 PM PST - 14 comments

I am mystified as to how I could have contracted HPV (cis female). I had my first abnormal Pap smear when I was 19. At that point, I had only had two sexual partners; both cis females. My first partner and I were each other’s firsts; my second partner and I both each other’s seconds, with her first (cis female) partner also being her first and vice versa. Content warning for more inside; possible sexual abuse. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:32 PM PST - 12 comments

The Getty Institute is planning a new exhibition, and the following caught my eye: "Supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities." What does an indemnity mean in the museum loan context? I know that the Getty must show proof of insurance to borrow an artwork, but how can the indemnity be donated? Does it mean that the FCAH pays the premium to insure the exhibits while the Getty has them?
posted by Atrahasis at 5:10 PM PST - 2 comments

Today we were driving through Colorado. A truck with a big American flag pulled in front of us and had a white sticker that said “Riders of the Storm - 2021” above an American flag. It almost looked like a political campaign sticker based on the design. When we Google that phrase and year, nothing pops up except “riders of the storm” which is not tied to any political or American campaign that we could find. We wondered if it was part of the people who “stormed” the Capitol in January? Does anyone know what the sticker means?
posted by buttonedup at 5:06 PM PST - 9 comments

How do I get my Harmony 650 remote to work with my Intel NUC? [more inside]
posted by droplet at 4:08 PM PST - 2 comments

Soy is one of my major migraine triggers, and I haven't eaten at an Asian restaurant in several years because soy is so prevalent in many Asian cuisines/dishes. I've been craving sushi recently, and wondering if I could safely get a chirashi bowl (just fish over rice) at a Japanese restaurant if I am clear that I am allergic to soy. Am I crazy for trying this? Any tips for making sure that the restaurant gets the order right? Would appreciate any advice/experience you could share.
posted by radioamy at 3:10 PM PST - 8 comments

This is a followup to my previous Ask, in which I got really good advice; namely, not responding to Dorothy. I did just that, did not respond at all. After some mulling over, I realized I was done with the friendship and would just do a slow fade. Unfortunately, she sent me a wall of text today, upset that I did not respond. I am stymied. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 10:03 AM PST - 27 comments

My kid needs to clean her old apartment and turn in the keys soon but she and her husband are ill. Her dad just drove 4 hours to be a hero by helping me. Need all your best tips because there is literally no one I can hire to do this. [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna at 9:24 AM PST - 23 comments

My partner accepted a position which requires occasional (2x-4x monthly) commuting into an office in the Southwest Waterfront area of DC. What area or towns within 60-90mins driving distance would be worth checking out as spots to live? [more inside]
posted by pilibeen at 7:54 AM PST - 25 comments

My husband waterproofed our new sneakers on the terrace (using some generic spray). Within half an hour, our shoes were crawling with slugs. Like, 5 slugs on each shoe! Why??
posted by Omnomnom at 7:52 AM PST - 3 comments

Someone who I have been in close contact with for the past week just got a positive COVID test result. They also, confusingly, have two negative test results, both from AFTER the positive result. How concerned should I be? [more inside]
posted by Dorinda at 7:41 AM PST - 7 comments

Three times this week, I've been told my email wound up in someone's spam folder. Using Gmail via the web on my Dell laptop. Two were asking if they had work for me, the third I was asking for clarification on marketing efforts on the part of the publisher of an author I work for. What am I doing wrong that this is happening?
posted by The Almighty Mommy Goddess at 4:48 AM PST - 14 comments

We adopted a rescue dog last year, and one of her issues is she is a bit scared of strange dogs and people. The "scared of dogs" means kenneling her will be very traumatic, so we're bringing her with on a three day trip to visit family, and we're staying in a hotel two nights (hotel says pets are allowed). I am looking for tips from anyone who has stayed in a hotel with a dog before. [more inside]
posted by AzraelBrown at 4:40 AM PST - 20 comments

I’m overweight and the last time I went to a high altitude place I had a hard time breathing. I’m planning a trip to Boulder Co. in a month. Aside from losing weight, is there any device I can use like an inhaler to breathe easier? [more inside]
posted by ggp88 at 4:06 AM PST - 22 comments

In the Latin loanword “saccharomyces” is the y a long or short vowel (and how is that established?), and therefore would the reconstructed classical pronunciation put the stress on the penultimate syllable, or instead on the third-to-last? [more inside]
posted by progosk at 2:48 AM PST - 23 comments

Naturally pessimistic/depressive temperament plus a history of very bad things happening to me = difficult to maintain sense of hope for the future. But living like this isn't serving me. Any hacks? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by CancerSucks at 9:57 PM PST - 21 comments

I have a hardcopy of Installation Art 1994 by De Oliveira, Oxley and Petry. It's very helpful when I want to free-associate (have a number of books in that line), as about half the content is landart/outside the gallery e.g. Heizer, Smithson, Turrel (altho' not outsider art). I'd like to find (and buy) more hardcopy books in a similar vein. [more inside]
posted by unearthed at 8:29 PM PST - 1 comment

Back in the spring, I signed up for teaching "in person" classes at my university. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but then Delta happened. Help me survive and give my students some good education... [more inside]
posted by soylent00FF00 at 5:03 PM PST - 25 comments

Are trekking poles designed to withstand the downward pressure of full bodyweight like canes are? Would they be a good solution for someone with a hip joint that sometimes gives out unexpectedly? My mother currently uses two sturdy wooden canes, one in each hand, and I wonder whether trekking poles might be a good, lighter-weight replacement? (Or maybe I should be looking at adjustable canes? Tell me what I don't know!) [more inside]
posted by knucklebones at 4:00 PM PST - 17 comments

On Sunday, I was next to a person for hours who got diagnosed with Covid the next day. How long do I keep testing to see if I got it? [more inside]
posted by jenfullmoon at 3:51 PM PST - 15 comments

Does anyone vend kits containing various manufacturers' N95 (preferred) or similar masks, so I can figure out which one(s) get along with my face best? The Respokares I currently have absolutely will not stay on my nose (despite the nose wire) after the first hint of sweat. Because N95s can be pricey and I don't want to hog supply, I'd like to do some trying-on.
posted by humbug at 3:40 PM PST - 3 comments

Hi. I am a Canadian university student in my final undergraduate year, and I am really eager to study at Oxford or Cambridge PhD/DPhil for the Social Sciences. What does it take to get accepted? [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 1:54 PM PST - 8 comments

What it says on the tin (details and dithering inside). [more inside]
posted by LadyOscar at 12:51 PM PST - 26 comments

flying into denver in mid-september to see family and have 3~4 days of free time to do a side trip with a romantic friend. looking for both hotel suggestions in Denver and destinations around and about. suggestions? snowflakes inside. Thanks Metafilter!! [more inside]
posted by wowenthusiast at 12:43 PM PST - 10 comments

Doo Wop (?) cover of Thot Ish? [more inside]
posted by Ideal Impulse at 11:14 AM PST - 2 comments

I recently rediscovered a copy of "Scary Stories for Sleepovers" I had as a child; the stories themselves turned out to be bland and awful, but it led to a craving for more short horror stories that might actually be good. [more inside]
posted by space snail at 11:07 AM PST - 15 comments

What is the workflow I need, and/or what settings do I need to enable, to get the relationship I want between photos on my Mac, on my iPhone, and on Chromecast? I have many questions about this - most of which probably just betray that I don’t really understand what ‘syncing’ is. [more inside]
posted by FavourableChicken at 9:07 AM PST - 6 comments

Two of my good friends have announced their engagement, and are getting married in October of 2022. I would like to celebrate/commemorate their negative-one-year wedding anniversary this October. Due to COVID, there will be no party. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by Gray Duck at 8:54 AM PST - 9 comments

I need to make a short video to thank the sponsors of an event we're throwing. I'd like it to look like their names written in the sand, and between each donor level, a wave comes up to wash the previous names away. I've never 'ordered' anything like this before so I'm not sure exactly where I'd look for someone to do this or what terminology I'd use to search for someone. Help?
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 8:35 AM PST - 4 comments

Please does anybody know anywhere that sells Rapunzel muesli in the UK? [more inside]
posted by runincircles at 8:33 AM PST - 3 comments

I am no conversationalist, a tad socially anxious and I've been on a years-long excitement diet. Also, I'm English, so this assignment will be a challenge. [more inside]
posted by ihaveyourfoot at 8:23 AM PST - 16 comments

In my (socio-economic-educational-professional-demographic) world of upper/upper middle class professional people getting an (crossover or regular) SUV as a family with kids is a MUST even in areas where you aren't driving alot (like a huge east coast city), driving through snow, hauling kids to soccer practice etc. Can you provide comments, magazines articles, etc that explains convincingly why a family sedan is perfectly adequate and even some cases much better of an option for someone who would like to keep this vehicle for 10 years or so? [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 7:08 AM PST - 47 comments

I promise I've read through past questions on finding a therapist in-network BSBS Ill PPO but I'm wondering if there's something I'm missing, just not trying hard enough, or that's just how it is? Been trying for a week, read through hundreds of listings reached out to 10 offices/therapists and got all "no new patients" or no response. Am I missing something or I need to bite the bullet and go out of network? [more inside]
posted by artificialard at 6:53 AM PST - 8 comments

I remember watching a video on the Internet (probably YouTube but might have been Vimeo). It was a middle-aged or older man talking about his cat. As he keeps talking, the viewer realizes that the man is completely insane and he's actually talking about Cthulhu. What was the name of that film? [more inside]
posted by Mogur at 6:23 AM PST - 2 comments

I will be sending an email about my mom to around 50 people (all bcc except one (who has agreed to this) on the To line) and hope to avoid getting caught in spam filters or be deleted manually by recipients as spam [more inside]
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 5:51 AM PST - 3 comments

For my second covid vaccine shot, it was at a remote site and "the printer was down" so they didn't put a sticker with the vaccine batch number and just wrote the date with pen... which looks like *I* just wrote the date with pen. Will this become an issue for future international travel? [more inside]
posted by bluecore at 5:42 AM PST - 23 comments

Has anyone ever come across any kind of ritual or practice where you acknowledge the good things your ancestors have given you ... without the intrusion of religion? [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 4:55 AM PST - 8 comments

What are early signs in a relationship that someone is emotionally mature and has emotional intelligence? Or warning signs of the reverse? Somewhat along the lines of this question but more geared to emotional availability than abuse. [more inside]
posted by orchidee at 2:32 AM PST - 14 comments

Short and sweet, yet hard to Google: Which plants are potentially deadly, not merely toxic, to cats? [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 12:03 AM PST - 7 comments

As a respectful visitor to Hawai'i, I'm rebooking my trip that was scheduled for next week. I have one shot to get my timing right. Can you help me figure out the best COVID timing in combination with minimizing my impact on Hawaiian residents? [more inside]
posted by librarylis at 11:56 PM PST - 7 comments

Who first designed/drew the first fantasy daggers and swords and how did the design spread so widely? (The ones with unnecessary split blades, spikes, hooks, holes in the blade, handles that would cut the hand, etc.) [more inside]
posted by Hactar at 10:52 PM PST - 8 comments

I often get hired as a software architect or more accurately a business consultant. I'm hired on often in environments that have custom software but don't have a culture of supporting custom software. Often these businesses are large and are rebranding themselves as a tech business (insurance becomes insuretech). When I get hired they don't seem to understand about technology, often spent a large amount of money doing things poorly and there's quite a bit of pride and people defending their previous investments. I don't think this is necessarily a software engineering problem, how do I approach these engagements to be a success? [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 8:07 PM PST - 8 comments

Looking for more kind hearted reality tv shows like The Mole. [more inside]
posted by Champagne Supernova at 6:31 PM PST - 20 comments

This AskMe reminded me of a long held question, most likely related: Why is it that when you watch a movie’s credits, you see information for every song used in the movie—songwriter, performer, publisher—but when you watch a TV show’s credits, they don’t even list the names of the songs?
posted by ejs at 6:22 PM PST - 4 comments

Here in Seattle I have a 2008 Honda Fit which I've been getting serviced at local dealers for its entire life. Recently, I've become a bit fed up with their recommendations, which I consider dubious and would like some advice about what service is really needed and where I should get it. [more inside]
posted by Cogito at 6:08 PM PST - 29 comments

There are a number of television shows that have famously had trouble seeing a DVD release or syndication due to music licensing issues: Wonder Years, WKRP in Cincinnati, etc. Is there a reason this appears to impact television, but not movies? Ferris Bueller contains a Beatles song in its entirety, but can be seen on cable tv all the time. Goodfellas contains clips from dozens of songs, etc.
posted by soonertbone at 3:58 PM PST - 14 comments

The US women's workout gear store Title Nine tops out at size 14. I need workout clothes (specifically hiking pants and leggings for pilates) but I'm a 16 or 18. Where should I be shopping?
posted by rednikki at 3:16 PM PST - 14 comments

I just had a poor interview and was cut off halfway through. I may be too honest about not working for some time, my resume says I'm working (for my own company), I tell that I'm studying related material, and that I've been focused on job searching. Also - imposter syndrome [more inside]
posted by Che boludo! at 2:02 PM PST - 19 comments

I need bra help. I haven't purchased a "real" bra since before the pandemic. I used to obtain my bras from Victoria's Secret. After years of bra discomfort, steeling myself for the languid disdain of VS teenaged employees, and being generally sick of supporting their evil corporate agenda, I'd like to spend my money on a feminist, body-positive, comfortable product that looks nice and feels good on. I am a sized 38F/DDD. I don't want to shop in a store; only online. Could you please recommend your favorite online bra store?
posted by omphale27 at 12:36 PM PST - 21 comments

After many failures, I finally found some Bluetooth earbud-style headphones that suited my needs (Anker SoundBuds Slim), only to have them be discontinued. Now I'm looking for a replacement that has the same qualities. [more inside]
posted by jb at 12:29 PM PST - 10 comments

What herb or spice do you add to legumes to minimize the farts? [more inside]
posted by aniola at 11:11 AM PST - 17 comments

I recently had a dispute with a close friend, and I’m really not understanding either what exactly went wrong or how to fix it. Warning: very long. [more inside]
posted by O Sock My Sock at 11:08 AM PST - 36 comments

I feel like I'm a skilled reader of medical communications but I cannot find an accessible source of info about specific medical contraindications to the available in US COVID vaccines? For example the CDC site does not provide like, a list. I need an easy to read (not fine print pharma paperwork if possible) reference to share with coworkers who have questions about the vaccine mandate and it's exceptions for healthcare workers in California. So this is not for folks who want to do a deep dive into all the possible risks and benefits. This is a way to provide a quick link for coworkers who want a medical excemption to the vaccine mandate. [more inside]
posted by latkes at 10:57 AM PST - 7 comments

Mostly concerned about the tshirt itself. 2021 suggestions? [more inside]
posted by bitterkitten at 10:53 AM PST - 6 comments

YANMD. TINMA. I have been having foot pain for a few months. My doctor has prescribed medication with a bunch of ingredients. Can you tell me how exactly a couple of them work, and if there's a workaround for a couple of side effects? [more inside]
posted by Nieshka at 10:29 AM PST - 11 comments

As usual, I had to crack open a can of tomato paste for a recipe that called for maybe half a tablespoon. What are your recipes to use up the rest of a can of tomato paste? Sandwiches, main courses, soups, beverages, breads, desserts, anything!
posted by miltthetank at 10:13 AM PST - 28 comments

I'd like to have a stack of at home covid tests for myself to use as needed. Where should I purchase reputable tests? [more inside]
posted by pumpkinlatte at 10:05 AM PST - 9 comments

How to resign in the best way possible? Featuring depression, medical leave, and being massively overworked. [more inside]
posted by joeyjoejoejr at 9:55 AM PST - 10 comments

Parents of Metafilter - what do you recommend keeping in the fridge for a high schooler to make their own lunch to take to school every day? [more inside]
posted by susiswimmer at 9:46 AM PST - 19 comments

I am looking for software that can help a teacher detect plagiarism among this year's essays (about 200) compared with last year's essays (also about 200). In other words, have any of this year's essays plagiarized from an essay submitted last year? All the plagiarism detection software I can find compares essays against the web, and/or against large databases of papers that students can buy. This is not the issue. Any recommendations or leads for software that will do this specific thing?
posted by sonofsnark at 9:32 AM PST - 10 comments

We're having a baby soon and under contract for our first house. Yay! It's full of lead paint. Boo! Specifically, there are 10 windows that have substantial peeling lead paint and are actively spewing an unacceptable level of lead dust into the environment. [more inside]
posted by ropeladder at 8:12 AM PST - 16 comments

If we took ten random unvaccinated (for COVID 19) people from the Seattle area, and ten random fully vaccinated people, who would be carrying more COVID viruses? I know the vaccinated people are far less likely to feel sick, but is either group more likely to spread the virus?
posted by The corpse in the library at 7:52 AM PST - 12 comments

Hello! I recently decided to treat myself to good headphones and got the Sennheiser Momentum 2 AEBT model. They are over-the-ear (I don't like buds), noise-cancelling, bluetooth, with built-in microphone. They're great! Except the microphone doesn't seem to work. Whether paired by BT or wired, when I test the microphone on my Windows 10 Lenovo laptop, the volume level barely gets to 2%. I've tried all I can think of (updating drivers, re-pairing, the usuals) with no dice. The problem is, I can't find anyone talking about microphones at all. [more inside]
posted by Legomancer at 7:23 AM PST - 21 comments

Longshot alert: I'm looking for a specific BC comic strip that I know only by secondhand description. [more inside]
posted by hayvac at 6:44 AM PST - 2 comments

Flying from Miami to San Francisco, I saw a town sited on three natural cliff-like terraces, probably in New Mexico. What was I looking at?
posted by namret at 6:43 AM PST - 4 comments

I used to watch anime regularly 15-20 years ago but got sick of a lot of the tropes (detailed inside). So I just stopped. But much time has passed and I can't write off a whole country's (or countries') animation. So could you recommend any titles? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:22 AM PST - 33 comments

A few years ago I took my first salaried position, with a large nonprofit, after a couple of decades of mostly wage-earning and a bit of contracting. My relationship with my employer has become unbalanced, and I don't know how to fix it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:10 AM PST - 16 comments

My veggie scraps have been sitting in a bucket un refrigerated for 3+ weeks. Can I still add to compost? [more inside]
posted by pmaxwell at 2:44 AM PST - 10 comments

I've realized I really enjoy a well done rivalry. While I'm open to/interested in anything, specific bonus points inside ;) [more inside]
posted by wooh at 12:40 AM PST - 16 comments

Life seems to be flying by and I want to enjoy the journey, not just the destination. We're especially busy in our lives right now which makes it feel like all our energy just goes towards getting through the day. How do you slow down and enjoy it, here and now? [more inside]
posted by masters2010 at 6:18 PM PST - 14 comments

I have a Win10 PC and a MacBook Pro. My PC already has a monitor attached, and I also have a second Dell monitor on the desk that I use as a secondary display for the MacBook (it is not always plugged in). I would like to be able to use it as a secondary for the PC as well, and switch between the controlling machine as necessary. I don't (necessarily) need to be able to share peripherals. What would be the simplest/cheapest reliable way to do this?
posted by softlord at 5:05 PM PST - 10 comments

What are your favorite current (within the last 5 years) read alouds for 4th grade girls at the beginning of the school year? [more inside]
posted by bookworm4125 at 4:55 PM PST - 8 comments

It starts out easy, with only these must-haves: 1. non-clompy 2. not open-toe 3. step-in, without a back high enough to get crushed. But the problem is my high insteps, high enough that most slippers press on the top-middle of my foot. So, 4. accommodates high insteps. [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 4:45 PM PST - 14 comments

I love particularly love her Chemtrails over the Country Club, Summertime Sadness, and Young and Beautiful. I don’t I know I guess they make me feel nostalgic for things I haven’t experienced. And also as though I’m falling in love. Sorry I’m not very articulate right now but it’s difficult to put into words how her songs make me feel. I guess I’m looking for novels that are timeless, breezy but deep, about love, and stepped in nostalgia for the past (real or imaginary).
posted by bigyellowtaxi at 4:07 PM PST - 15 comments

When my current partner of 6 months and I tried to cohabitate for the first time for a brief vacation, we had a large blowup largely caused by my actions as well as their lack of previous communication. Now they want to slow things down. I suspect I have difficulty intuiting others' feelings. How do I work on myself to improve our relationship in the long term? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:02 PM PST - 26 comments

My husband-elect owns a studio condo in Downtown Portland that can accommodate a 150-175 square foot lofted floor/mezzanine type space. We're looking into building one but have never done anything like this before and don't really know where to start on compiling a list of reputable contractors to contact for estimates. Any suggestions? Thoughts? Advice? [more inside]
posted by space_cookie at 3:55 PM PST - 4 comments

Does anyone know if this a possible side effect of either covid19 OR the moderna vaccine? I have awful hay fever much earlier, late spring early Summer, but I've never suffered with nasal congestion (that's the only symptom) like I am this year.
posted by dance at 2:51 PM PST - 20 comments

Would it be appropriating or offensive to get a tattoo in the style of a tarot card when I am not interested in tarot readings or a believer in divination? Would this be akin to intruding on another's religion, culture, or language? [more inside]
posted by BespokePuppet at 2:10 PM PST - 13 comments

A good friend of mine runs a service business. A few years ago, one of his customers became upset with the services provided. My friend did all he could to address the issue but couldn't satisfy the customer. My friend terminated the business relationship and thought that was that, but now the customer is threatening legal action. [more inside]
posted by storybored at 1:45 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for a way to automate the mass sign out from Messages via Jamf. [more inside]
posted by now i'm piste at 1:30 PM PST - 3 comments

I graduated college in spring 2020 and have been living with my parents for a year now. I'm non-binary, but not out to my parents. I'm unemployed and feel ashamed about the time I've wasted over the past year. I don't feel comfortable moving forward with HRT until I move out, which is frustrating. Recently I've been working on improving my mental health, but I feel overwhelmed by the possibilities for living independently. How can I make myself weigh the pros and cons, avoid procrastinating, and decide? [more inside]
posted by Lurch at 12:28 PM PST - 15 comments

In search of a deodorant from a company that doesn't test on animals! That actually works! [more inside]
posted by Paper rabies at 12:28 PM PST - 20 comments

I am looking for concrete examples, in the U.S., of out-of-pocket expenses (i.e., not covered by insurance or other assistance) due to disability or aging, the more specific the better. Examples for people who are not partnered would be especially helpful. I'm trying to get an idea of how much of a buffer I need in my retirement savings.
posted by HotToddy at 12:15 PM PST - 10 comments

My apartment complex has hot water that comes from a boiler. My building is is about 2 sections away from said boiler. My complex management is also not very forthcoming about water being shut off for whatever reason, but I've noticed that the bath tub starts to drip for about 15 minutes after they've cut off the hot water for a fix somewhere. None of the other faucets do this. The tub faucet is pretty new, maybe 3 years old. Is there an explanation?
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 11:40 AM PST - 2 comments

How do use (and where do I find) letter builder in procreate? I literally can’t even figure out where it lives. Also - any good beginners tutorials for procreate that include where to find the buttons and stuff and they don’t just assume I’m well-versed?
posted by jitterbug perfume at 11:32 AM PST - 4 comments

Someone is trying to share some big files with me via a Dropbox folder. They're too big for a free Dropbox account, so Dropbox is telling me I have to upgrade before I can access the files. The thing is, I don't need to use Dropbox for anything else in my life so I don't want to upgrade/pay, and all I want is to be able to download the files and get them off there. Is there a way to do this? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:22 AM PST - 7 comments

I will have Friday and Monday free bookending a conference. I've not been to Chicago since I was a kid so I don't have a frame of reference for how crowded places typically are on weekdays. I have some risk tolerance for being in public spaces with masks (and don't involve eating or drinking indoors) if they're not too crowded but definitely don't want anything with a dense crowd. The current forecast is moderate rain Friday morning and likely scattered rain Monday. [more inside]
posted by Candleman at 10:37 AM PST - 11 comments

Are there any national organizations or national campaigns working to extend unemployment insurance or provide other benefits for people who are unemployed, in regards to the September 5th deadline?
posted by davidstandaford at 10:23 AM PST - 1 comment

This might sound confused: because I am confused! My elderly relative is confused! It's possible that the phone company and the ISP are confused! I'm trying to help my relative get POTS landline phone and internet service working again. We think the phone was turned off because bills weren't paid. But now the phone company is saying that they need to install fiber optic service before the phone will work. [more inside]
posted by SandiBeech at 9:40 AM PST - 10 comments

My Bionaire Twin Window fan (top pick on The Wirecutter) stopped working (won't power on) and I'd really like to keep it out of the landfill. It was a gift from years ago so I can't return it. I suspect a fuse might have blown but I don't have time to become an electrical tinkerer and don't have anyone in my circle who is that person. [more inside]
posted by oxisos at 9:24 AM PST - 7 comments

I've been playing guitar for over 35 years, and bass recently. Over the last few years, I've noticed a strange feeling sometimes when I'm using a pick. I don't know where the pick is in by feel, it moves around and I get confused as to where the tip is, and fumble when picking it up. [more inside]
posted by signal at 9:04 AM PST - 13 comments

I never thought back-to-school shopping would involve mask buying but here we are. My 13 year old was remote for since about March 2020 and we've been isolating a bit so we never had daily mask wearing. Can experienced parents tell me what has worked for you in terms of daily mask wearing? Mask washing? Best practice? Which masks did you use? I'm not even sure exactly what to ask - except what did you learn if you had a kid going to school with masks?!
posted by ReluctantViking at 7:54 AM PST - 11 comments

I am putting together a birthday dinner for my girlfriend who can't taste sweet. I would like to make her a cake salé or other savory cake in lieu of a sweet cake but I have never made a savory cake before and I don't have time to try out any recipes before the night of the dinner. [more inside]
posted by a22lamia at 4:46 AM PST - 11 comments

Can someone please break down each Mario game available for switch and explain what the differences and pros/cons are? [more inside]
posted by jitterbug perfume at 3:02 AM PST - 11 comments

Due to the delta variant, I feel like I would be more comfortable wearing something "better" than a surgical mask for more high density areas like grocery stores and such. [more inside]
posted by madonna of the unloved at 2:45 AM PST - 23 comments

I'm looking for an antiperspirant or combo antiperspirant + deodorant but I'm not in the mood to pick through reviews online. Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by unus sum at 11:06 PM PST - 17 comments

Who needs to be involved? I like the house. The price is fair. We're friendly. I trust him. I'm interested. It's 100 years old. I know I need to have it inspected. He's taken excellent care of it over 20 years. There's a title company in our small town. Can they handle everything, what more to know, and other words of advice? [more inside]
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 10:56 PM PST - 10 comments

My folks are going on vacation in September, and I was thinking of joining them for the Swiss portion of their trip, but I don't have a good way of weighing the safety of this plan in light of COVID. [more inside]
posted by archagon at 9:42 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm trying to build up a little collection of podcasts that are focused on relaying data or information in a structured format. Examples found so far include Glenn Hauser's World of Radio and Amateur Radio Newsline (though the former is preferred because it's a bit gentler on the ears, and I will be napping to this stuff). Non-podcast examples: NOAA weather radio, BBC Radio 4 shipping forecast. Any data is OK! Just not as much banter, opinion, wit. Thanks for any suggestions.
posted by circular at 8:53 PM PST - 2 comments

I have read more than once that the average vegetarian (a) consumes more than enough protein, including all essential amino acids, for a healthy existence without even giving it much thought and (b) consumes nearly as much protein as the average non-vegetarian. But, on the other hand, there seems to be such a strong, deep-seated cultural message about vegetarians needing to make sure to get enough protein/eat a lot of tofu/make sure they eat both beans and rice etc. that I'm not sure who or what to believe. [more inside]
posted by rjacobs at 8:45 PM PST - 17 comments

What is your absolute favorite trail or thing to see in Glacier, Yellowstone or the Grand Tetons? What is your favorite restaurant or place in Jackson Hole? Especially unique (non-touristy) experiences and places would be wonderful
posted by glaucon at 8:32 PM PST - 5 comments

My ninety-year-old father loves to text on his old 3G Pantech P2030 flip phone. He loves being able to contact people without bothering them if they're busy. He's never had a problem with the technique of pressing the number buttons multiple times to get different letters; he probably does it without even looking very much, and always with perfect punctuation. Unfortunately, the old phone relies on 3G, which is going away in February. [more inside]
posted by metonym at 6:14 PM PST - 6 comments

How do I use my AirPods Pro with my Polk React soundbar, Xbox Series X, and LG BX 55” OLED TV? [more inside]
posted by antgly at 5:48 PM PST - 2 comments

What are your favorite instances in media of people pretending to speak a language they don't actually speak, either by memorizing phonemes or making stuff up? (Please skip the overtly racist stuff and focus on people who are punching up or at least punching laterally. No Chung Ling Soo, please.) [more inside]
posted by eotvos at 5:37 PM PST - 55 comments

I just opened a can of Goya organic low sodium black beans. It was very dry and the beans came all the way up to the top of the can -- virtually none of the usual liquid normally found in a can of black beans. . [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 5:31 PM PST - 8 comments

After many months of dithering (see previous Ask) I'm close to finally buying myself a badly-needed new laptop. I'll use it for video editing, game making, comics creation and other graphics-intensive tasks, along with lots of writing. I'll be buying this on Amazon because I've saved up nearly $1000 in Amazon gift cards. I'm hoping to find something for under $1500. I've narrowed down my choices to three computers and I could use some advice about which would be best, or if there's a better choice I'm missing. [more inside]
posted by Ursula Hitler at 5:00 PM PST - 9 comments

Hi - I have a couple of greasy stains on my IPE deck. Want to spot clean it without washing the entire deck so not considering Restore-A-Deck etc yet. Any suggestions how to spot clean greasy spots off IPE? Here's the spots -spot 1 | spot 2 Thanks in advance!
posted by Michal at 4:18 PM PST - 6 comments

We would like to replace all of the floors in our home and we'd like to do it with the least amount of hassle. Help! [more inside]
posted by too bad you're not me at 4:12 PM PST - 6 comments

Through either my own or the IRS' errors, my 2019 IRS tax filing is messed up, with the prospect of a very large tax payment and penalty. It's time to call in a professional to make sure I don't inadvertently make a not-great situation worse. [more inside]
posted by foodmapper at 2:06 PM PST - 4 comments

A new optician has had two tries to get my glasses prescription right and failed both times - have you any idea what is going wrong? [more inside]
posted by Flitcraft at 12:36 PM PST - 14 comments

Historically, I only rarely get fevers. But when I don't feel well, my temperature becomes lower than usual. [more inside]
posted by 41swans at 10:00 AM PST - 14 comments

I've been hearing within the past week that the current wave is expected to peak around September 7th. OHSU modeling shows this. [more inside]
posted by happy_cat at 9:51 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm desperately craving swimming outside off an uncrowded and clean beach or a desolate lake that's not so cold that I would need a wetsuit. Happy to hike up to 5 miles to get to such a paradise, but these days in should be in the continental US. Does it exist anymore? What are your recommendations?
posted by Last_wave_by at 9:42 AM PST - 20 comments

I am reminded me of how, in the movie, that NASA's mission control was portrayed as working with the astronauts on the crippled spacecraft to solve its O2 and electricity problem by using nothing beyond exactly what the astronauts had available to them. So my question is, knowing what we know now, were there at the time, any calculated odds that either those astronauts or mission control would or would not be successful getting the spacecraft back to Earth with its occupants alive? [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 8:48 AM PST - 13 comments

I have a SmartRG sr505n modem. It is seven years old. Should I upgrade to the newest model sr506ac? The thing is my electronics are mostly old. My PC is four years old, my TV is about the same, so it wouldn't be making use of the newer versions of wifi supported by the latest model. However, would the new modem have better performance and say, wider coverage?
posted by storybored at 6:02 AM PST - 10 comments

Recommendations for a good quality "cat backpack" that is breathable and durable? [more inside]
posted by bearette at 5:47 AM PST - 4 comments

There are a lot of creature feature sci-fi/horror books in the Jurassic Park mould. If Jurassic park didn't define the genre, it certainly solidified it. I'm interested in finding the ones written before Jurassic Park's influence. [more inside]
posted by Lorc at 4:30 AM PST - 21 comments

Just like it says, i'm seeking a simple, whole-body, dumbbell workout that I can print off and stick to the wall. This is for a 40-something, female-bodied, aerobically fit human who is wasting away due to covid restrictions / work from home. [more inside]
posted by MT at 11:39 PM PST - 8 comments

Please help me decide if there are alternatives to Quicken that meet my requirements. [more inside]
posted by SquidLips at 9:30 PM PST - 9 comments

I build and repair boats. Often, these boats are on the water. I have offered up a second pair of my glasses to the gods of the briny deep as of today, after an initial offering in December. I have tried various types of glasses retainers and found that they last a week, at best, before becoming useless by falling off the temple tips of my glasses. [more inside]
posted by ursus_comiter at 9:24 PM PST - 16 comments

What are the steps and priorities to landscape a back yard? My spouse and I bought a house this summer. We have a small yard. But I am still a little overwhelmed thinking about transforming the backyard. How should we approach this? [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 8:29 PM PST - 14 comments

My partner (we'll call him Martin; we don't live together) just found out his housemate/tenant (Jasper) isn't vaccinated against Covid. This came up because they are looking for an additional person to move in, and a potential tenant asked about vaccination status. It's a large house and there are currently three of them; both my partner and the other housemate (Darrell) are vaccinated. My partner isn't sure how to handle this. I'm also not sure how to handle this. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:02 PM PST - 20 comments

I would like to order a book that was recently published in Germany, but there doesn't seem to be any way to ship it to me in the US. The book is about a post WW II refugee camp where my mother and my late grandmother lived for a few years. My mother really wants this book, and I promised I'd try to get it for her. [more inside]
posted by alex1965 at 7:44 PM PST - 10 comments

The Boy Scout oath starts "On my honor, I will do my best/To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law..." Does this get recited at the beginning of weekly meetings? [more inside]
posted by mistersix at 7:14 PM PST - 19 comments

After having been completely flurked over by GoDaddy, I am looking for another domain name registrar. [more inside]
posted by Flock of Cynthiabirds at 7:05 PM PST - 16 comments

One of my neighbors has started smoking pot in their bathroom for multiple hours a day, every day. Prolonged exposure to smoke triggers nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and sometimes full blown anxiety attacks. I've reached a point where I want to communicate to them that their usage is causing me physical distress. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by Hermione Granger at 6:27 PM PST - 20 comments

My job doesn't have anywhere for workers to take meal breaks other than our cars. Some of us take the bus to work, so there's nowhere for non-drivers to go. We work in trailers, and definitely can't eat in them. The job site is new and we haven't had to deal with rain yet. In Seattle, is it required for an employer to give a sheltered place to take meal breaks?
posted by anonymous at 5:39 PM PST - 5 comments

Specifically the Chicago passport office, if anyone has recent experience there. My passport is expired and the first/only Urgent Travel renewal appointment I was able to get is 10:30am on the day I fly out of town (Friday 9/3). My flight is at 6pm. [more inside]
posted by All hands bury the dead at 5:29 PM PST - 11 comments

How can I use Google Maps to map out the rail trails of the Nova Scotia Coast? [more inside]
posted by Xurando at 4:45 PM PST - 7 comments

Looking for principles on recipe modification to reduce fat and sugar in sweet baked goods! [more inside]
posted by kanuck at 3:50 PM PST - 16 comments

All I want to do is stream YouTube on my (dumb) TV, blissfully free of freezes, endless buffering and clumsy controls. My Tivo is NOT cutting it for this. Which other device offers the most lovely YouTube streaming experience? I'm willing to buy a box or stick but not pay a subscription, and I pretty much only care about YouTube. I'm a cord cutter (no cable), and watch in HD not 4k, if that matters.
posted by bluesky78987 at 3:30 PM PST - 13 comments

How much trouble can we expect from a home in Ohio with part of the house and foundation dating from 1883? [more inside]
posted by imjustsaying at 2:51 PM PST - 8 comments

It's estimated that 10% of the population are getting a third shot. Should I go and get it now (regardless if it's a higher dose than the booster might be?) I'm a 54M and a parent of three younger kids. I've shed 80lbs in the last 3 years (currently 185) - BP is normal, resting HR is 50. I'm in good health, but not an athlete. [more inside]
posted by filmgeek at 2:21 PM PST - 33 comments

If I have a 2012 Honda Civic bought in Ohio, and I want to bring it to California -- what determines if it'll pass a smog check for CA registration? I have a vague sense that California's smog standards are higher than other states, but do automakers sell cars that only meet the regulations in the state the car was sold? Is there a way to tell if a car bought in Ohio should pass in California?
posted by mhh5 at 1:31 PM PST - 8 comments

I would like to buy each member of my in-person work team a set of non-disposable mean basics (a plate, bowl, cup and utensils) they can use at work instead of paper and plastic. Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by crepeMyrtle at 12:37 PM PST - 26 comments

Hello! I need to start working on my health- managing multiple issues. I love taking information in visually. Is there an app you would recommend (online) where I can track my health, and see the data? I want something that is easy and not overly complicated. I am just getting started on this health journey, so if there are programs that encourage small steps- even better! Thank you :)
posted by TRUELOTUS at 12:36 PM PST - 6 comments

Is there a browser extension (preferably for Firefox) that will automatically convert a mobile link to a desktop version? When surfing on a mobile device, of course, sites almost always automatically serve up their mobile version. But when on a desktop, if someone provides a mobile link, that's exactly what you get, and it's usually poorly formatted for a full-screen. So I'd love a tool that fixes that, if one exists. Thanks for your help!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 10:40 AM PST - 5 comments

The Oculus Quest 2 (no computer tether necessary) relaunches a 128GB version tomorrow for $299. I have played with VR once and it was a ton of fun, and I think I want to get one. But the tie to Facebook and the general gimmicky-ness of VR has me second-guessing. Do you have an Oculus? If so, can you share your impressions/reviews/advice about it and how you use it? All anecdata is most welcome.
posted by AgentRocket at 10:23 AM PST - 15 comments

In the last year or so I read a long poem (maybe a book?) that conveyed the idea that we work for most of our lives, toiling for what we want, only to realize in middle/old age that all that work was meaningless, that the treadmill only goes faster the farther we run, and now begins the harder work, of wanting what we have, and we're older so that's harder. I can't find this poem/book, can you help me? [more inside]
posted by Archibald Edmund Binns at 9:54 AM PST - 3 comments

Looking for blankets for our bed to replace some old fleeces we currently use. [more inside]
posted by ljesse at 9:52 AM PST - 5 comments

Looking for ideas on how to best visualize some data showing attendees at an annual community stakeholder event over time... Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by DTMFA at 8:49 AM PST - 7 comments

I have a long list of people (2000-3000). I know their names and smattering of other publicly-available professional details. What are programmatic ways to keep up with developments in their careers, news headlines, and other public information? [more inside]
posted by GPF at 8:27 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a big peach tree that has stopped producing fruit (around 15 years old). It's still a healthy, vigorous tree, so I was wondering if it's realistic to graft scions onto it and expect to get fruit from those grafts. Does the scion care how old the rootstock is?
posted by crookedgrin at 8:04 AM PST - 4 comments

Family will likely buy a car later this year. Our budget is probably $15k, but if a $5 or $7.5k bump gets us a much better vehicle will go so. You would love to get a smaller hybrid SUV/station wagon or even a hybrid sedan. What tips do you have to make this seamless as possible but without paying a huge premium? How far back in years should we go (I know there was a year that lots of safety improvements came in)? What is a good budget? [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 7:56 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm reading Sapiens, and I'd like to take a deeper dive into some aspects of early human life. Looking for nonfiction books aimed at adults (so not Clan of the Cave Bear). Snowflakes within. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 7:38 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm visiting the Rio grande valley and would love to see/touch the border wall here. Is there some place I can touch the border wall? Thanks!
posted by maxexam at 5:51 AM PST - 3 comments

I may soon be interviewing for a part-time developmental editing job for a press that specializes in computer books. Yay! What should I ask on the interview? [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 5:13 AM PST - 2 comments

I want to replace my current Android tablet with a Samsung one with S-Pen compatibility. Should I buy an older tablet that's the right size for me, or should I opt for a newer one that is bigger than I'm used to? Specifics inside... [more inside]
posted by mippy at 2:52 AM PST - 7 comments

A long time friend and roommate just bought a house – very exciting! I will be continuing to live with them in the new house, and am getting very stressed about how I will mentally handle once again living in a space that is not *mine*. Tips on how to create/cultivate my own space within the house and tips on coping with this anxiety are both appreciated. [more inside]
posted by unsettledink at 9:08 PM PST - 16 comments

Governor Murphy has left NJ with no remote option for children under 12 who are unvaccinated. Where can I move in the United States within the next 2 weeks that that will enable a remote option? [more inside]
posted by metatuesday at 8:52 PM PST - 26 comments

I'm building some hanging shelves outside which will support a lot of weight for a long time. What can I use as a suspension cable/rope/connector that won't degrade (rot, rust, or sun damage)? [more inside]
posted by amtho at 8:19 PM PST - 14 comments

As a T-mobile customer, what should I be doing to protect my online security? [more inside]
posted by diode at 8:10 PM PST - 7 comments

I got a tattoo yesterday (Saturday). I'm going camping at the beach next Thursday, just 5 days after I got it. I know, I know! What can I do to protect my pretty new flesh decor? [more inside]
posted by LeeLanded at 7:50 PM PST - 10 comments

I have lots of questions about what I don't know that I need to know to buy my wife a reel to reel style projector for her birthday! [more inside]
posted by BeeDo at 6:56 PM PST - 5 comments

My mom has Alzheimer’s and has been in an assisted living community since shortly after my dad’s death 2 months ago. It’s the best place for her and I visit her, but she has good days and bad days there. I’m looking for resources to help me cope with all this. Everything I’m seeing for family members is for caregivers. That’s not me. I don’t need help finding adaptive devices, respite care, etc. But I’m still dealing with grief, sadness, guilt, exhaustion… Do you have ideas for resources for this situation?
posted by bookmammal at 6:33 PM PST - 5 comments

Can someone recommend an anti-perspirant that's only effective for a few (12-24) hours? [more inside]
posted by ASCII Costanza head at 6:11 PM PST - 6 comments

Is it possible to purchase a small 7-day pill counter, with two sots per day? When look for one, even if my search contains the term "small", I get pill counters that advertise how LARGE they are, with pictures showing a dozen large pills stored per slot. I need something that will hold two small pills for the morning, and two small pills for the evening. Colorful is good. Simple mechanics are good. Does it exist? [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 5:24 PM PST - 14 comments

We have discovered a large puddle in our garage. The consistency is oily, but it doesn't match any fluids we could identify in our car, and the location of the puddle does not suggest that it came from the car (it's nearer to the wall shared with the house). How do we figure out what this is and how much to worry? [more inside]
posted by eirias at 5:13 PM PST - 10 comments

I am interested in getting a full English (or Irish, or Scottish) breakfast in New York City. I am a pescatarian, and my partner is an omnivore. I would very much like a vegetarian meal, but she'd miss the meat, so we'd like a restaurant that serves both. [more inside]
posted by zorseshoes at 4:38 PM PST - 1 comment

Enjoy our household dispute about which sink strainer is more disgusting. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 3:51 PM PST - 34 comments

We can’t eat outside anymore. We think someone nearby may have a nest. We don’t. What mix works the best to trap them as they fly around us. Thank you.
posted by Tziv at 3:10 PM PST - 8 comments

Does the perfect day bed or convertible sofa exist? I’ve never found one that is comfortable as a sofa for lounging, watching TV, playing video games, etc. and comfortable for one (or even better, two!) people to sleep on. Does this unicorn exist? [more inside]
posted by ellenaim at 1:57 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm recently out of debt consolidation and never want to go back. However, my savings are still meager and I'm terrified of sudden unexpected expenses, particularly on an upcoming road trip for a relative's funeral. What kind of credit card could I try to get that has a short credit limit and would be sealed in an envelope in my wallet to never be used except for a car or medical emergency? I don't see any other lifeline and I'm far past asking family and friends for help. Or tell me not to do this, I guess. There are so many options and I could use some guidance.
posted by anonymous at 12:27 PM PST - 14 comments

I am thinking about buying a Sony VO-5600 U-matic 3/4" player/recorder. This technology from the late 80's/early 90's was the television & production industry standard before Beta, SVHS, then Mini DV and finally, digital cameras. But I want to have a conversion service for old formats to digital and my assumption is there are bunches of old U-matic tapes out there with video people want saved, but with no players. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 11:44 AM PST - 8 comments

So my mom has reported reading a “couldn’t put it down” fiction book back in 2007 or 2008 and is trying to recall the title and more details about the book. Remembered details are sketchy but not entirely generic. [more inside]
posted by dreamphone at 10:11 AM PST - 9 comments

I have a Toshiba Portege R935-P330 that I'm trying to revive for my kids to use, and have some specific questions. [more inside]
posted by ryanshepard at 7:56 AM PST - 9 comments

my home office is carpeted and I'm having a bad time. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:54 AM PST - 10 comments

I made Photoshop picture books for the younger two of my friend's kids; now the oldest one wants one too. I'm stoked he likes them, and it's only fair, but I'm a little daunted by the idea of doing my little shtick for a much more sophisticated kid. He's well into chapter book age, number one, and number two, he's into taekwondo and Fortnite -- what story can I make about that? I saw this story about Fornite lore and oy vey. Can you suggest story ideas that lend themselves to pictures I can Photoshop this kid into?
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 5:29 AM PST - 3 comments

Really good, wide, moderately deep. [more inside]
posted by Chitownfats at 5:17 AM PST - 2 comments

I just watched Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth To Power and it was so motivating and inspiring. What are documentaries that you recommend that are about people overcoming obstacles/doing good/trying cool things and succeeding? Movies like Knock Down The House, Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band, Maidentrip.
posted by rogerroger at 9:45 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm thinking of making a version of thedinnerparty.org/, an org for people who've lost family members, but for people with family members in cults, and/or former cult members themselves. Seeking advice, and also perhaps cofounder(s). [more inside]
posted by skwt at 8:37 PM PST - 6 comments

Therapists tend to prefer white clients, and tend to not want to have clients that are not white. What should those of us who are not white do on our search for a therapist? [more inside]
posted by chernoffhoeffding at 8:15 PM PST - 26 comments

I am most interested in a list for someone with mainstream American taste who tends to think that the sweeter something is the better ... shopping for a lover of soda, pecan pie, chocolate chip cookies, candy bars, and gummi bears. They had indigestion from artificial sweeteners in the past, although that could have been because of excessive consumption. Ready-to-eat or easy-to-prepare foods would be better for my circumstances than complicated recipes. That said, any suggestions are welcome!
posted by mortaddams at 6:21 PM PST - 15 comments

I got a new 2020 MacBook Air and would like advice and feedback based on personal experience. How does Numbers and Pages compare with Excel and Word? Is there anything that I can do to increase privacy? Is there a way to take unnecessary apps off. (Apple Movie, Reminders, etc)? Any other fun or practical apps to download? Other random advice also appreciated
posted by goalyeehah at 5:07 PM PST - 11 comments

My cat goes bonkers for pipe cleaners. I shape them into bracelets, fold the ends over with tweezers so there are no sharp points, and she will chase them, kill them, and carry them happily around the house for weeks. I really don't think pipe cleaners are a good toy for cats, and I'm looking for a substitute. [more inside]
posted by Vatnesine at 5:02 PM PST - 35 comments

Despite poor response times and bad customer service, I've stuck with my ISP because my email address is tied to that ISP. I've had the same e-mail address for a quarter century. I don't want to give it up, but I've reached my limit after being on hold for Primus customer service (yes I'm naming the ISP as a warning to potential customers) literally all day. Now, I need recommendations for a (preferably) Canadian company that offers e-mail hosting and a (moveable and transferable) customized email address. [more inside]
posted by sardonyx at 3:28 PM PST - 16 comments

Are there groups that collect and prepare bicycles for use by recent U.S. immigrants? It seems like this would be the highest&best use for a lot of bicycles that are just taking up space in people's garages. [more inside]
posted by Baeria at 1:46 PM PST - 6 comments

I have a couch that is in good condition and is a unique piece that I'm sure someone would love. Problem is, I haven't found that person, and it's so heavy that I can't even lift one end and don't have the friend group to help. Any suggestions on 1)Who can get it out of my house and 2)Where to take it? [more inside]
posted by Pacrand at 10:20 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm in the UK, and I have a 12 month tenancy which I would like to end after 6 months because I'm buying my own flat. My AST has a 6 month break clause, but the contract doesn't specify anything about the clause. [more inside]
posted by Chenko at 10:05 AM PST - 5 comments

You are not my lawyer, and I am not seeking legal advice. I am in Virginia seeking a lawyer who will work pro bono to help with a claim involving harassment by a former employer. Legal aid groups haven't accepted this kind of case, and the law student clinics say they're not working on disputes. Does anyone have knowledge of Virginia lawyers or legal resources that might help? Please be very specific, i.e. "contact x or y group" rather than "call around to law schools."
posted by mermaidcafe at 9:51 AM PST - 5 comments

1) I recently bought a Joyo MA-10B portable bass amp. Sounds great for practicing on my passive Squier PB+J when I power the amp with batteries, however: [more inside]
posted by signal at 8:50 AM PST - 6 comments

Inspired by Sarah Pinsker’s incredible “And Then There Were (N-one)”, Knives Out, and the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney games, what are some mystery novels with a lovable, subversive spirit? Sci-fi/queer/radical themes to the front!
posted by elephantsvanish at 8:11 AM PST - 15 comments

I regularly host a quiz night at my local pub, and I like to include a "what's the secret connection?" round in each quiz. In these rounds, I ask nine disparate general knowledge questions, the answers to which all have a hidden connection, and then the last question is "what's the connection between the previous answers?" I've done it a few times now and I'm running out of ideas for the secret themes. Do you have any ideas? [more inside]
posted by littlegreen at 7:00 AM PST - 32 comments

I'm a 53-year-pld man going through the breakup of my marriage. I'm starting to date again. It's exciting and daunting and confusing! I'm looking to marshal up resources and ideas. Do you have some advice you can share? Something you with you'd known? I'm especially interested in any book(s) you can recommend. [more inside]
posted by LambSock at 5:48 AM PST - 26 comments

What’s your best advice to have a great conversation?
posted by jumanjinight at 11:50 PM PST - 20 comments

My nephew is nearly 4 years old and I'd like to give him a cookbook that can get him started in the kitchen with his parents. He likes to try to cook and has a wide ranging palate (he was once served Domino's pizza and asked for pickled beets to eat with it). I think it would be fun if he got to drive the process a little more with a book that he can select food from. Is he old enough for this, and do you have a book recommendation?
posted by Emmy Rae at 9:34 PM PST - 10 comments

Dear metabakers, I was just about to bake a carrot cake that calls for 3 large eggs. It turns out I have 2 standard large eggs from the supermarket and 4 medium-size eggs from a farm. Should I... [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 6:48 PM PST - 14 comments

I am in my mid 30s and coming to terms with being An Old, but it would still be nice to find new artists to listen to. Is there a way to do this that will find me stuff I like that's more curated than streaming services? [more inside]
posted by goingonit at 6:13 PM PST - 43 comments

I need flattering black pants for work that feel like pajamas but also make me feel polished. I also need them to be very machine washable because I work in healthcare and covid is creeping into my workplace. It would be nice if I could buy five pairs of the same pants and wash them after every wear, which is what I've done with scrubs. If I could find scrubs that looked polished/tailored enough, I'd go with that, but I haven't been able to find any that I like. It's also hard to tell if something feels right via online shopping, so I would really appreciate your recommendations! [more inside]
posted by gemutlichkeit at 5:17 PM PST - 18 comments

Who is the woman between Groucho Marx and W.C. Fields on the cover of the Portable Curmudgeon? [more inside]
posted by Pater Aletheias at 4:28 PM PST - 5 comments

WHAT IS PRE-INDUSTRIAL LEVEL? What is the actual target? I get that these are averages and not just a single flat number, but we have an idea, right? Why is it so hard to say "1.5 degrees over X TEMPERATURE" ( (or even 1.5 above (x1 thru x2))? What is the base we're comparing to, or even better... WHAT IS THE END GOAL GIVEN THE VARIOUS TARGETS of .5 - 4 degrees in the models? [more inside]
posted by symbioid at 4:21 PM PST - 6 comments

My DH wants to re-start in-person board games (with mitigation strategies). I am not comfortable with this. Sanity check and relationship management advice wanted. Snowflakes within. [more inside]
posted by DebetEsse at 4:11 PM PST - 33 comments

Had a bad time at the pharmacy, and was able to resolve the issue for myself with a different resource. I'd like to effectively convey what happened to the store manager so that no one else experiences it, though. I'd really appreciate your assistance planning the call (and/or the email to the corporate chain). [more inside]
posted by Iris Gambol at 4:05 PM PST - 8 comments

What are sources of inspiration for data engineering done well? Ideally not so much from a “design cloud architecture for a well-resourced firm” perspective but rather “fight in the messy data muck with public sector analysts and make their lives easier with automation/integration pipelines/etc”! [more inside]
posted by elephantsvanish at 3:42 PM PST - 5 comments

I could swear that I learned The Melodians' Rivers Of Babylon as a folky, non-reggae song growing up in the 80s, most likely as a singalong at a liberal Christian summer camp or other church youth group (or possibly at folk festivals). I definitely do not mean the Boney M version but a folk style that deemphasized the ska stroke. And definitely not the 1979 performance for the Pope. Does anyone else remember it making into that sort of canon?
posted by Candleman at 2:30 PM PST - 8 comments

My workplace isn't mounting much of a response to the Delta surge. I'm in a very small minority of employees who are surprised and upset about this laxness. I'd like some outside opinions on whether I'm being unreasonable. [more inside]
posted by akk2014 at 2:16 PM PST - 22 comments

I have a 2017 iMac and a 2020 MacBook Pro, and I want to use the former as an external display for the latter. Googling tells me Apple disabled this feature with the newer iMacs. Is there a good workaround? [more inside]
posted by hoist with his own pet aardvark at 1:59 PM PST - 4 comments

Have you gone from career misery to career euphoria? Or at least non-career despair? I am burnt out and need your story! Snowflakes within, of course. [more inside]
posted by kingdead at 1:41 PM PST - 8 comments

Asking for a friend, who has recently been approached by an vaccine hesitant person for some information on vaccines. Looking for your best up to date information on the vaccines that may help this person become NON-vaccine hesitant. [more inside]
posted by DTMFA at 12:31 PM PST - 5 comments

I am starting up a fully-online, non-synchronous course. How do I make sure my professors know who I am, for future letters of recommendation? [more inside]
posted by xo at 11:55 AM PST - 13 comments

I'll be travelling from the UK to Florida in late November to visit a family member, all being well. Can I get vaccinated while I'm there? Do I just walk into a pharmacy and ask for a shot? [more inside]
posted by hazyjane at 11:07 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm wanting to get a legal consultation for a somewhat specialized situation, but they want $400 for one hour. This is a roadblock, and my situation is as such that it might not even require that specific legal firm's representation. I cannot afford $400, but this firm specializes in the area I need help/advice with. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:12 AM PST - 24 comments

I want to get some fun facemasks with stuff printed on them. I was looking at Redbubble, but I can't tell the quality of the (non-fitted) masks. The reviews look sort of suspicious and vague. Is there a go-to place for printed cloth masks? [more inside]
posted by MetaFilter World Peace at 9:02 AM PST - 4 comments

I visit a news website and I get a popup saying something like "We'd like to share the latest updates with you." I can click on Allow or No Thanks. I always click on No Thanks, but what would happen if I made a mistake and clicked Allow? Would I just be asked to provide an email address, or would notifications start getting pushed onto my browser unwanted?
posted by Epixonti at 6:34 AM PST - 5 comments

I am weighing the features of two virtually identical condos and not sure how to choose. If you bought a condo, how do you make this decision? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 5:45 AM PST - 24 comments

Due to a limitation in some commercial software I use, I'm trying to find a (most likely and probably best) unix tool which would accept two incoming emails for the same recipient (within say a five minute period) and essentially merge them and re send out? [more inside]
posted by dance at 5:39 AM PST - 8 comments

Looking for Portuguese-language resources (websites, articles, advisory hotlines) to help a friend who does not speak English very well, and who is not technologically savvy. She asked me to help her understand the text message that T Mobile sent her. It was a standard looking disclosure about their recent huge data breach. [more inside]
posted by Sublimity at 5:30 AM PST - 2 comments

I was awarded a bonus at work last year after a long project. A second project of similar proportion was just completed, but no mention of a bonus. [more inside]
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 3:13 AM PST - 11 comments

My vaccinated(!) supervisor is in quarantine after being tested positive for Covid. He's better, but still mildly symptomatic (malaise, coughing, sore throat). He wants to lie to the authorities so he can get out sooner. [more inside]
posted by toucan at 2:58 AM PST - 7 comments

I am studying the Persian language on my own. A while ago I posted an ask about good pens to use for writing the Arabic script that is used for Persian. Some answers turned me on to using left oblique stub nibbed fountain pens for this. I found these very intuitive to use when imitating the naskh style. Other responders recommended using a pen with an architect nib. I have now acquired what looks to be a very nice architect nibbed pen but it is not at all intuitive how to use it for Arabic script. Google has been no help. Does anybody have any tips or know where tips might be found? [more inside]
posted by bertran at 2:11 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm having troubles with using github from Ubuntu and I'm getting to the point where I think paying for assistance might be the best option. Github has recently stopped users authenticating with uid/pwd which has left me unable to use github in the way I normally would. I've decided I need help because I've tried all the standard "this is how you fix your github/ssh problems". More inside. [more inside]
posted by southof40 at 1:44 AM PST - 9 comments

I have an Android 12 phone on my left with a CCTV app that ***cannot save to external storage*** and only has a 'SHARE' option. On my right I have OSX Big Sur. How do I send a recording from the CCTV app on the phone to the Mac? [more inside]
posted by TheGreenRye at 11:49 PM PST - 4 comments

I was dissatisfied with my experience with an interior designer, and I'm not sure how to handle it. [more inside]
posted by aquamvidam at 11:46 PM PST - 13 comments

How long will it take to get a new title from the California DMV after buying out a lease? [more inside]
posted by Dansaman at 7:30 PM PST - 4 comments

Our cats have fleas and I’ve got a bunch of questions. How should we plan various cleaning tasks and strategies to get rid of them as fast as we can? [more inside]
posted by ghostbikes at 6:40 PM PST - 16 comments

What did you confidently know was true, later belived to be false, but even later learned was true after all? [more inside]
posted by soylent00FF00 at 5:31 PM PST - 22 comments

International Association of Writers & Editors [more inside]
posted by firstdaffodils at 3:41 PM PST - 3 comments

My workplace sends out invoice paperwork with our delivery drivers. I'd like to scan those signed copies when they return. [more inside]
posted by komara at 2:28 PM PST - 12 comments

I like kefir regardless of how it's made, but if it's done with kefir grains it supposedly contains a much broader range of cultures (and a larger quantity) than if it's done with a freeze-dried starter. Is this actually the case? And if so, is there any store-bought dairy kefir available in the US that's made from real kefir grains? I know kefir can be made easily at home -- I'm asking for the times when that's not feasible and when it can't be sourced from local dairies.
posted by theory at 2:22 PM PST - 2 comments

Bolstered by the post on two jobs, one thing that's always vexed me is that I'm often hired for 3, 6 or 9-month engagements doing 1099 (corp-to-corp) work. I normally go through recruiters and the expectation is that I'm treated as a full-time employee even though I have no PTO, hourly and am contractually a vendor. I can easily take on multiple contracts and even manage meeting conflicts if I were transparent about it. I find employers do not like this. Are there recruiting firms or companies that want a true consultancy without the agency overhead? How do I navigate around this? [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 1:12 PM PST - 7 comments

Somehow, tried and true recipes containing sour cream are coming out too moist, almost raw. I have adjusted cooking time and am baking at 350-375 F. The surface appears done and a skewer inserted to test for doneness comes out without any crumbs, batter, or moisture, but when I slice the cake, it’s like it’s been soaked in liquid. What’s happening? [more inside]
posted by stillmoving at 11:37 AM PST - 18 comments

I have a little free garden in my front yard in which I grow some parsley, sage, rosemary and a burning desire to better help people engage with my free garden. [more inside]
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 10:51 AM PST - 21 comments

I bought a new bike a few months ago and I would like to keep it in good condition. I took my last bike for a yearly service at my local bike shop, and I intend to keep that up, but also what are some easy, quick maintenance things I absolutely should be doing to keep it running nicely? Difficulty level: I really don't enjoy doing bike maintenance and I have neither the time nor interest to upskill much in this area. Eg I pay the bike shop to fix punctures because I'd rather do that than deal with the hassle myself. [more inside]
posted by Cheerwell Maker at 10:30 AM PST - 22 comments

Will citric acid keep green stuff green the same as Fruit-Fresh? [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad at 9:38 AM PST - 5 comments

I did a short trial of progesterone and my waist size immediately grew (not at the smallest point, but at the belly button). I now have a spare tire that wasn't there before. Hormonal supplementation can be so unpredictable. I know this side effect doesn't happen to everyone, but when it does, what is the best and easiest way to reverse this? Will supplementation with estrogen be likely to reverse the growth of my belly?
posted by mintchip at 8:39 AM PST - 4 comments

A relative is being forced to return to work in September to a job in an open plan office where neither vaccination nor masks are required. We are looking at all options to raise the safety level. Would a desktop HEPA filter make sense? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 8:26 AM PST - 8 comments

I need help finding a book. A few years back I came across a textbook compiled by the former students of an Iranian design teacher. [more inside]
posted by BrStekker at 7:28 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm looking for the Perfect Fiction Writing App (tm) for the MacOS/iOS environment. I have tried most of the easily available/cheap varieties, and none are a perfect fit. I'm ready to look further afield. What are you using, and what do you love about it? [more inside]
posted by invincible summer at 6:52 AM PST - 9 comments

As I said in my comment here, my company is transitioning to a more relaxed dress code post-COVID. I'm mostly comfortable with the new standards, but need some help finding good men's shoe brands. [more inside]
posted by fortitude25 at 6:17 AM PST - 14 comments

Years and years ago I encountered a piece of weird fiction on the Blue. It was a blog by a researcher investigating a strange land. It was very Annihilation-esque, but it was a different story, written as an online blog. Other plot points I remember: human-bird hybrid skulls, the strange land expanding in leaps and bounds, the story ending in a set of creepy underground caverns. [more inside]
posted by Zarkonnen at 4:42 AM PST - 7 comments

Asking for a friend. I passed along the website, often mentioned here in the past, to a friend who enjoys dresses and she is thrilled. Then I realized I have never utilized it myself. Has anyone purchased from the site recently and been happy with the customization? Fabric? Service? Delivery time? If you don't care to answer here, memail or the email in my profile will reach me. Thx so much, I don't want to steer my pal wrong and... so much could have changed, ya know?
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 2:47 AM PST - 15 comments

In a fit of boredom and curiosity I agreed to participate in a zoom interview with something called Latitude Mental Health. They contacted me because I filled in their instagram questionnaire (what can I say, lockdown loneliness is making me do stuff I otherwise wouldn't do). I must admit the sci fi writer part of me is kind of intrigued by this mix of mindfulness and US Army credentials visible on their site. [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 2:22 AM PST - 2 comments

I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on April 29th and I lost my vaccine card immediately - either that day or the next. [more inside]
posted by bendy at 12:47 AM PST - 8 comments

A friend wants to put up a website to remember a loved one who passed recently. But it's still such a raw subject that the look and feel of popular memorial website-makers (examples: 1, 2, 3) are just...too much. However well intentioned, they're like walking into a funeral home, too triggering. Are there other options for this kind of thing that aren't "memorial websites" per se? An easy DIY setup, free or paid, where people can share words and images, controlled by a non-technical admin type?
posted by El Curioso at 11:34 PM PST - 7 comments

Water from my Brita tastes metallic and bad. What other kind of water filter should I try? [more inside]
posted by twelve cent archie at 7:42 PM PST - 14 comments

Me and my wife own a house in LA. We're sort of tired of city life, for now, and want to spend most of our time outside of the city. We have enough money for a down payment for a (modest) place in the Joshua Tree area. However, paying two mortgages would be ridiculous and beyond our means. What we want to do is make both homes AirBnB ready, such that we could move back and forth as desired, while recouping the mortgage on the property we weren't staying at. What could go horrifically wrong here? [more inside]
posted by insteadofapricots at 4:45 PM PST - 19 comments

What cute/useful gifts am I not thinking of for a family that has 2 cats, a dog, and is about to have a baby join them? [more inside]
posted by aecorwin at 4:07 PM PST - 4 comments

I have an out-of-date smartphone which I would like to give to a friend who has a flip phone now, but would like to experiment with a smartphone before making a commitment to buy a new one. Is it likely this will work and what do I need to do? [more inside]
posted by maxwelton at 2:58 PM PST - 9 comments

I have recently started being included in interviewing job candidates for my department for the first time. I have done a few and it seems like no matter how many questions I try to prep in advance I always awkwardly run out of them at the end. Do you have any general go-to's that you keep in your back pocket that always elicit something useful? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 1:58 PM PST - 41 comments

A teenager forgets they are wearing wired headphones (they forget to charge the bluetooth ones). They then rush off and boom! 3 sets of headphones destroyed by yanking & bending the 1/8" male stereo tips. I worry for my ports: 1x PC sound card port, 1x Galaxy Tab audio port, 1x USB-C Galaxy Tab charging port. How can I protect these ports? (To protect the headphones I amusing removable-cord headphones now, and hoping those ports don't break). Is there mag-safe for any of this??
posted by circular at 1:20 PM PST - 6 comments

How do I get a phone line in my new office? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 12:15 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm writing my memoir, A Poorly Drawn Life. Poorly drawn because I draw, um, poorly. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 9:21 AM PST - 15 comments

I find it refreshing when books reference texting, instagram, bluetooth, and other generally "current" daily living activities in the course of the story. So many seem to omit these details, I guess to avoid seeming dated in a few years. Any recommendations? An example I loooooved from a few years ago was Neal Stephenson's Reamde, but I like all genres other than politics. I listen by audiobook, if that affects your recommendation.
posted by bluesky78987 at 9:15 AM PST - 9 comments

What do people do with resealable standup mylar pouches (a.k.a. Doyopacks) when the contents are done? I get the plastic-and-mylar ones with a zipper seal, full of coffee usually, but they are also used for tons of other products. [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 9:10 AM PST - 4 comments

I've heard about a few school districts closing schools right away this fall due to rapid COVID spread. But they are places that weren't masking. Are there accounts of school districts with mask requirements closing down or experiencing rapid spread this fall? Thanks!
posted by Spokane at 9:08 AM PST - 5 comments

I am attending my cousin's wedding soon. I am about as nervous/careful about COVID as one can be, but I need help figuring out how to attend without also whipping myself into a worried frenzy. [more inside]
posted by jdl at 8:30 AM PST - 21 comments

I recently bought a Logitech H600 wireless headset. It connects with a USB nano receiver which can be stored in a storage port on the headset itself. The receiver went into the storage port with no issues but won't come out. There's usually a trick to these things. Anyone know what it is for this device?
posted by angiep at 8:24 AM PST - 5 comments

So, I'm late to the bandwagon, but I want to try to can tomato sauce. I was given a lot of tomato plants and they are doing very well. I've read a lot, I'm assembling equipment, but I don't understand how to inform the tomatoes to all ripen at the same time. How do you manage different ripening schedules? I just picked a huge tomato. But all of the others are green. Help?
posted by papergirl at 8:15 AM PST - 11 comments

I distinctively remember reading somewhere about an obscure financial journal article about a financial crisis in renassaince Italy. Most probably I saw it referred on twitter (perhaps by matt_levine?), but no matter how I search for it, I couldn't find it. Can you please help? [more inside]
posted by kmt at 3:05 AM PST - 4 comments

In your experience, should a dad discuss issues surrounding menstruation with his daughters? Or should he ignore issues that come up and/or let the mom have those conversations? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:17 PM PST - 50 comments

What sentences do you use during sex that illustrate good communication? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:17 PM PST - 5 comments

My landlord sent over a plumber who works for them who arrived at my door without a mask. Was I out of line asking him to wear one I provided? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:48 PM PST - 26 comments

I'm a new manager and, frankly, the place I'm managing is a fucking mess. The previous manager was awful and pretty much left the place in shambles. Right now EVERYTHING feels like a huge problem to me and I'm having difficulty figuring out what to prioritize, what's actually important vs what can wait, etc. Any advice? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:38 PM PST - 12 comments

There are two articles about product quality that I read several years ago, but I lost them and I've been searching for them ever since so I can cite them. They may have been posted to Metafilter, but I don't remember. [more inside]
posted by cosmic.osmo at 8:37 PM PST - 6 comments

If delta doesn't mess everything up, I'll have (probably) three days in Nuuk, Greenland in mid-Sept. Looks like Nuuk Water Taxi for a scenery/boat trip; any recommendations for engagement with modern Inuit culture? Open to any other suggestions as well.
posted by HaveYouTriedRebooting at 8:35 PM PST - 4 comments

Since getting Spotify, I've found that I don't really have a need for the many mp3's that I've downloaded since the days of Napster. I went through my collection and deleted many many mp3s. However, I'm now left with several folders that are empty or that contain a few images of album artwork or text files with details about the album. Is there an easy way to scan through all folders remaining on my external hard drive and delete any that don't contain any music?
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 7:45 PM PST - 5 comments

I need to obtain specific varieties of hardwood logs, not milled lumber, to grow mushrooms on. Weird thing is, there's no log store to go to. I don't know how to get some logs. [more inside]
posted by furnace.heart at 7:23 PM PST - 12 comments

I have donated blood (A+) a few times in the past year, and plan to continue doing so regularly. But I could just as easily donate plasma or platelets. Which of these products tends to be needed more? (This is all at a nonprofit; I am not looking for money.)
posted by NotLost at 6:17 PM PST - 10 comments

I have access to Olympics coverage for a few more days yet—what are some specific events that were exciting or touching or funny or weird or noteworthy in some way that I should be sure to watch? Don’t tell me WHY I should watch them, just be like, “Day 14, Women’s 1500 meter qualifying heats” or something like that. I’m afraid if I search for it online it will just tell me what happened and ruin the surprise.
posted by exceptinsects at 6:17 PM PST - 22 comments

I've often had a feeling - not constantly, but on and off - of feeling that I am doing everything wrong. Lately, it's been getting worse, so I'd like tips from anyone who's found a way to deal with feeling something similar. Apologies for the heaps upon heaps of beans inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:49 PM PST - 18 comments

Yes, it's another one of those "help me figure out what song I'm thinking of" posts! [more inside]
posted by Guernsey Halleck at 1:27 PM PST - 2 comments

I've been gifted a 2001 Hyundai XG300 4 door sedan [!] and I need to get a local mechanic to whip it into shape. [more inside]
posted by Space Kitty at 12:26 PM PST - 3 comments

I am wanting to start a YouTube Channel that focuses on literature review/discussions, politics, history (debate and events) social policy/cultural ideas, debate, and all kinds of intellectual and maybe travel vlogging if possible for history. [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 11:37 AM PST - 11 comments

My daughter, at ten, is showing the first signs of puberty. I have feelings because 11-16 were the worst years of my life. [more inside]
posted by Omnomnom at 11:35 AM PST - 15 comments

A friend has asked for some help with navigating unemployment insurance and has asked for my insight, but I haven't been on unemployment in over twenty years and I could use some help figuring out what's what. [more inside]
posted by Parasite Unseen at 11:21 AM PST - 5 comments

I have a paper shredder that came with its own bin and I knock that thing over just when I breathe its direction, it is so top heavy. Lid isn't latched or locked on, so every time, I get to vacuum up a bunch of nonconsensual confetti. Help me think of ways to keep this damn lid on, except for when I need it off, of course. [more inside]
posted by snerson at 10:59 AM PST - 23 comments

I have just upgraded from a Samsung S7 to a refurbished Samsung S8. In the past, switching phones has been a real logistical headache for me. What are the best ways for me to move contacts, apps, and messages to my new phone? [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 10:35 AM PST - 8 comments

I’m trying to track down my holy grail foaming toilet cleaner. Clorox isn’t being helpful and it’s going for >$10 on Amazon, which is chaotic evil. Does anyone have any insight as to where I might find this stupidly specific product? [more inside]
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 10:32 AM PST - 3 comments

A friend is asking for advice on the following situation: the last time they had a bank account (over a year ago, I think) they accidentally overdrafted the account by several hundred dollars. Friend payed back some of the money but was not able to pay it all due to being unemployed much of last year. They recently got a new job that will only issue their paycheck by direct deposit. [more inside]
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 10:31 AM PST - 20 comments

Can you recommend any contemporary love poems or poetry collections? Would be great if they are living poets, but also okay if not. [more inside]
posted by pleasebekind at 10:17 AM PST - 7 comments

From at least 1999 to 2002, the Feminist Majority Foundation sold swatches of burka to raise money and awareness for Afghan women. Can anyone find a photo of these swatches, or a screenshot of the store listing of this item? [more inside]
posted by andoatnp at 10:13 AM PST - 2 comments

We used to use Milk & Golden Honey Softsoap here at home, for years, refilling the little dispensers when they went empty. The scent was fine, not overpowering. Then during the pandemic, Softsoap changed the formula - and now Milk & Golden Honey smells like Triple Floral Blast. So we need to change hand soap brands... [more inside]
posted by mark7570 at 9:23 AM PST - 22 comments

I am trying to reduce my sugar intake. Seeking advice about certain aspects of this I'm struggling with. [TW: some talk of past eating disorder] [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 8:21 AM PST - 29 comments

My bed frame needs to be about 8 inches off the ground so it doesn’t block the vent. It’s a basic metal bed frame with hollow plastic legs that fit like a sleeve (not threaded). Where can I get replacement legs significantly longer than the standard 3-ish inches? Do they exist? [more inside]
posted by rue72 at 7:25 AM PST - 7 comments

About five years ago, the company I worked for used a time-logging site/app with a bakery themed name. The app's owners had a methodology of running a profitable web business that had a small base of paying customers. What was the app called? [more inside]
posted by popcassady at 7:14 AM PST - 6 comments

The state of the world is too much for me and nothing feels safe anymore. I would like to take a week off and go somewhere on the west coast where I can essentially hide for a bit and process my emotions. Where should I go, and how do I plan? [more inside]
posted by Hermione Granger at 4:32 AM PST - 29 comments

YANMD. Recently got a new car. Lately, my right heel has been in pain from driving. Help me understand what might be going on, and/or what to do about it. [more inside]
posted by queen anne's remorse at 9:21 PM PST - 6 comments

I knocked over a bottle of wine and it landed on the edge of my beloved glass induction cooktop, cracking it Now it appears that the mfr no longer makes this part, and there's no substitute. Please tell me there's a way to stabilize the crack so I don't have to replace the entire range. As you can see, it doesn't extend to where the element is. Surely this must be possible?
posted by HotToddy at 9:06 PM PST - 11 comments

My spouse and I have enabled location sharing (for years) and he can click on *info* in a text message from me and easily see my location. Despite all settings looking identical, I don’t see that for him. I can find his location on Find My iPhone, but that’s extra steps. [more inside]
posted by OrangeVelour at 8:34 PM PST - 5 comments

Confused snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by antihistameme at 8:18 PM PST - 3 comments

I recently had a hearing assessment with a very nice audiologist where I was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss. Her recommendation was approx $6K hearing aids plus approx $1700 after care package. I asked her what the outcome difference was as compared to Costco and her answer, to my understanding, was, basically, her expertise. From what I've gleaned the Costco hearing aids themselves would seemingly be quite sufficient for my needs. What is your experience with respect to the after care support provided by Costco.
posted by luge at 7:26 PM PST - 8 comments

My wife and I have been using iDrive to back up our family photos, videos and other important files for the past 5 years. Lately, I'm finding the service to be frustratingly limited and I'm interested in finding a better alternative. [more inside]
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 7:16 PM PST - 11 comments

My partner and I currently have flight, hotel and car reservations for travel to Kailua-Kona for mid-November 2021. We're trying to find reliable information on the current situation in order to decide if it's a good idea to travel in a couple months. [more inside]
posted by psauqee at 6:20 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm thinking of applying for a competitive grad school program. The department website has a statement about their attempts to foster diversity (which would, in this case, include me). Is it appropriate and/or a good idea to put something about ways in which I've felt marginalized and worked to overcome that in the intention statement that I need to include with my application?
posted by lgyre at 6:19 PM PST - 11 comments

Paperkid wants to do a martial art. I know nothing about this. There was some interest in Krav Maga. There are few studios around here, we visited two and neither will work for us. I am trying to develop a mental model of how they work (we really have to go twice a week at the minimum??) and how they all are different and how to pick one to start. It feels like it isn't an activity you can dip into easily. I need help: [more inside]
posted by papergirl at 5:09 PM PST - 13 comments

Does anybody remember the name of an 80's mall store chain that sold posters? It sold mostly posters of relatively "classy" artwork that was meant to be framed and hung on the wall as decor as opposed to movie or band posters like you would see at Spencer's (though they may have sold those too). I definitely remember seeing some Patrick Nagels. I think the posters were arranged by general topic and you could walk around the store and flip through them. It may have survived even into the early 90s. Ring any bells?
posted by Jess the Mess at 4:11 PM PST - 7 comments

My school board is meeting to decide whether to allow schools to go against the state mask mandate. I would like to submit thoughts against letting parents decide not to mask their children. I also do not really have time to write this from scratch. I imagine someone here has read such a letter or written one and would hopefully be willing to share. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 3:17 PM PST - 10 comments

Recently, many ads that I see or hear for movies and TV shows include the description "awards eligible." Why do they say this? When I'm deciding what I'd like to watch, I don't consider whether or not the film is "awards eligible." I don't care. Do they think I care? Should I care? There must be someone important who does care. Who? Why? Does the assertion help establish eligibility? What do they gain by using that second or two to say the words "awards eligible"?
posted by Corvid at 2:05 PM PST - 9 comments

DISH network is running ads for adding HBOmax memberships through DISH. They have previews —first episodes of some series— running on their Studio channel. I already have HBOmax through my Hulu Subscription. I can’t find those series at all on my HBO apps (phone, iPad, or TV set). What’s going on? [more inside]
posted by SLC Mom at 1:23 PM PST - 4 comments

I am scraping and painting a plaster wall. What I found under the wallpaper will surprise you! [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 12:04 PM PST - 15 comments

I want to see what was on my Google Calendar many years into the past. I can do this on desktop and see all the events, but if I go back using the Calendar app for Android it only shows a few recurring events. The Google Calendar mobile website has the same behavior. Is there any way — including another app — to look back several years on my Google Calendar? Besides requesting the desktop website. [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 10:20 AM PST - 4 comments

This is a tad neurotic, in an OCD way but, fuck it... [more inside]
posted by zenpop at 10:02 AM PST - 12 comments

Recommendations for books similar to Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine? I read it after seeing it recommended on here and really enjoyed it. [more inside]
posted by dianeF at 9:18 AM PST - 15 comments

I have a friend who has taken a new role as a quality assurance person, with some quality improvement expectations baked into the job also. It is their first time in a role like this, where the nature of the role pits them against the veteran workers. They are running into some issues and I told them I'd try to help. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 8:34 AM PST - 7 comments

This post on the blue resulted in some discussion of tracking books online, but I want more. Is there an online tracking system that does what I want? [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 7:21 AM PST - 23 comments

Russo's, a beloved market in Watertown, MA, will close this fall. I'm already mourning this loss, and am trying to figure out where to buy the many items that make this store so special. Is there another store in the area (close to Somerville would be ideal) that has DePasquale's Sausages, Mozzarella House cheeses, fresh pasta, olives, Rao's coffee, Colavita pasta, rotisserie chicken, and oh yeah - good and/or local produce? At a reasonable price? Thanks for any ideas on how to keep my favorite grocery run from becoming a multi-stop parade of sadness.
posted by poodelina at 7:14 AM PST - 10 comments

A beloved coworker is getting married and I’d like to send something more personal than an Amazon gift card, but our relationship is pretty work-centered so I don’t have a lot of insight into likes and dislikes. Known likes: board games, Avatar (Nickelodeon), environmental issues…it’s not a lot to go on. They are moving soon so something virtual is probably best. All ideas welcomed!
posted by chocotaco at 6:34 AM PST - 9 comments

In another, non-pandemic time, I might seek help in a residential center, or travel somewhere. But I am in a covid hotspot, and those aren't options. How can I best support my medication changes and get some semblance of my life back with 2 weeks off work? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:15 AM PST - 14 comments

I made an enormous amount (about a 1/2 gallon) of pluot jam and it's good, but sour and tart. I'd like to do more than put it on toast - how can I cook or bake with it? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 9:22 PM PST - 20 comments

My dear friend, P, is currently in the U.S. and is a U.S. citizen. His partner, A, is an Italian in Italy. They had hoped to get married in the U.S. in a couple weeks. But, because of COVID, A can’t enter the U.S. without first spending two weeks somewhere else. Kind folks of MeFi, does anyone know whether it would be doable for them to wed in Mexico or Canada, or where to look to start figuring it out? [more inside]
posted by ElizaMain at 8:02 PM PST - 22 comments

What’s some really nice thick felt? Google says 5mm is pretty thick? I only need <1 yard, so I’m not too concerned about price. It’s a gift for myself to make writing at my desk on my typewriter a little bit more quiet, because I’m moving in with a friend and don’t want to disturb him (as much). I’m not picky about color. Thanks!
posted by vocativecase at 7:57 PM PST - 6 comments

I will soon be teaching Of Mice and Men to high school sophomores. (Not my pick, let’s not derail if possible.) I would like to supplement with poems, essays, short stories, or prose passages about people at work in nature (or at least the outdoors). Anything come to mind? [more inside]
posted by argybarg at 7:56 PM PST - 23 comments

Seeking recommendations for a decent at-home first-aid kit. [more inside]
posted by Armed Only With Hubris at 6:38 PM PST - 25 comments

I'm noticing lately that a combination of bad sitting posture and my job has led to some soreness in my knees. Beyond trying to improve posture, is there anything I can do to help? [more inside]
posted by cozenedindigo at 6:34 PM PST - 10 comments

I saw a video on Instagram of someone doing a time-lapse type of drawing on an iPad. I would like to make my own. [more inside]
posted by jitterbug perfume at 6:31 PM PST - 3 comments

Because flipping Delta variant. How risky is (mostly outdoor) mingling, partying, and an overnight stay with a fully vaccinated group of people? Children are involved (but not attending). This is in Ontario, Canada. [more inside]
posted by Rora at 5:59 PM PST - 7 comments

Can anyone vouch for a selfie stick they've used? I can take a blind stab at getting one from Amazon, but I'd love a personal recommendation from the green. [more inside]
posted by pyro979 at 2:55 PM PST - 2 comments

What is the logo on the back of Army t-shirts? [more inside]
posted by pdb at 2:48 PM PST - 5 comments

I (40,F)found out my longtime coworker(66,M) is leaving and sent a farewell email and for some reason it's making me feel like crap that he's ignoring it. He still has two more weeks left and doesn't use company email since he's a contractor. [more inside]
posted by lohachata at 2:04 PM PST - 13 comments

Fun fact: turns out getting rid of furniture is ridiculously difficult, even when you offer the stuff for free. I’ve basically given up. Is there someone who can come round and dismantle it for me so I can dispose of it easily? Is this a thing? [more inside]
posted by holborne at 1:55 PM PST - 18 comments

[USA filter] I made a sort of flow chart for the three stimulus checks. Would like some feedback if it is correct before I distribute it.
posted by cda at 1:34 PM PST - 13 comments

In My Fair Lady, Eliza Doolittle sings "One day I'll be famous! I'll be proper and prim / Go to St. James so often I will call it St. Jim!" What's the St. James being referenced here?
posted by Tehhund at 1:14 PM PST - 3 comments

I've made some incredibly stupid career choices in the past decade or two, flamed out of a few jobs, and now - entirely due to my own failings - I'm facing unemployment in a couple of months. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:45 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm running out of drive for finding a job. I think what I want is a combination mentor / therapist / guidance counselor, who can help me make realistic decisions about what jobs to pursue, identify steps I need to take to develop my skills, help me stay accountable to completing those steps, and stick with me through my career to help me grow my career and not get stuck again. [more inside]
posted by rebent at 8:04 AM PST - 9 comments

A long time ago (before the messenger app) I removed the facebook app from my phone because privacy & security concerns. I have a Pixel. What's the current advice? Is it "safe"? [more inside]
posted by freethefeet at 3:48 AM PST - 6 comments

I have $200 Amazon.com credit, but live in the UK. I’m struggling to find stuff that feels like a great deal after taxes and import duties. [more inside]
posted by roofus at 3:05 AM PST - 11 comments

A closet in my apartment has a strong scent--like someone's cologne or aftershave or perfume, not just like laundry detergent or cleaning product. I want it to not smell like anything. What should I try? [more inside]
posted by rivenwanderer at 8:42 PM PST - 11 comments

We are in a block of townhomes. Family in the next unit has a plague of mice. We haven't seen or heard any...yet. What steps should we take now to prevent an overwhelming mouse invasion?
posted by rednikki at 6:56 PM PST - 18 comments

Does anyone know how I should attend the WA State Fair safely, during a pandemic, and with a sharp rise in the Delta Variant? Anyone know info about the Delta Variant and animals? What about the Delta Variant and throngs of unmasked people, both inside and outside? [more inside]
posted by spinifex23 at 3:52 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm in the early planning stages for some major renovations to my kitchen and multiple bathrooms in my house. I'm looking for some inspiration, especially for clever things I may not think of on my own. I'd love to know what things delight you in your own kitchen/bathroom. Do you have an amazing cabinet organizer, color combination, countertop material, sink feature, type of tile, showerhead, faucet... anything that you're glad you have or think is awesome? Please share. Photos and specific product recommendations more than welcome! [more inside]
posted by pupstocks at 3:13 PM PST - 75 comments

In my neighborhood there's 3 houses (mine included) that aren't in the neighborhood polygon in NextDoor for some reason. I have tried to use NextDoor's Contact Us to rectify this over the course of 6 months but have not received anything, no matter what option I seem to choose. My neighbors use NextDoor as a means to propagate information. I'm willing to try anything, including entering a new address, which NextDoor frowns upon. What's the best way to achieve my goals without having mail or something sent to my neighbors in the verification process? [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 2:00 PM PST - 4 comments

When I checked my online bank account this morning, it showed a pending refund from the IRS for $2,2XX. We received our federal refund back in March so I don't know what this could be. Any ideas? Checking the IRS website didn't provide any info.
posted by perhapses at 1:31 PM PST - 9 comments

Looking for resources that explain how to structure this. I would be the owner of a foreign company, but what is the relationship between the two entities? and how do I fit in in terms of receiving payment? [more inside]
posted by jander03 at 8:31 AM PST - 1 comment

Can you identify this mystery tree: leaf 1, 2, bark? [more inside]
posted by peeedro at 8:21 AM PST - 9 comments

My parents are not tech savvy at all and we're having increased problems video chatting. Best Facebook Portal/Google Home Hub/etc. device to use? [more inside]
posted by allthethings at 8:12 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm looking for examples of "low-tech sites" in this modern world: Daring Fireball, Paul Graham, Derek Sivers, Philip Greenspun, and so on. Content and viewpoint don't matter. I'm simply interested in modern implementations of minimalist websites to use as inspiration for reverting one of my own sites to something much "purer". (My site is a modern Wordpress blog with thousands of pages from the past fifteen years. Oy vey!)
posted by jdroth at 7:26 AM PST - 15 comments

My mother will not be returning to her manufactured home in a MHPark in Largo FL. I am far away from Florida and not going there. I have found clean-out services on the internet (any my brother in law is going to ask a realtor) but I want to ask here. If you have any recommendations for clean out services in Largo please let me know. I need someone who will pack up and ship her personal papers to me and remove the personal items, leaving the unit furnished for resale. Thanks.
posted by andreap at 6:04 AM PST - 3 comments

My mom and I had a friendly debate as to why the Mediterranean Sea is so pretty. My hunch was because, unlike most seas, its landlocked. [more inside]
posted by ggp88 at 2:00 AM PST - 21 comments

They're 2-3 mm long. Here is a picture. I typically see a half dozen of them on my bathroom floor tiles and find the occasional one in the rest of our home (5th floor condo in Seattle). What are they and how do I get rid of them? We have a cat, if that matters wrt poisons.
posted by mpark at 7:35 PM PST - 7 comments

Since moving to a smaller space, my roommate and I have discovered that our different tolerances for each others' noise are a bit more of an issue. Help me try to accommodate him while still satisfying me. [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:34 PM PST - 34 comments

Just ordered a refurbished computer. The situation feels pretty amateurish. Now that I've received it, what should I check or do? [more inside]
posted by slidell at 4:47 PM PST - 37 comments

Will this replace that on my ceiling fan? [more inside]
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 4:47 PM PST - 9 comments

I am sitting here weeping at the news coverage of what is and will happen to those the US (my country) has left behind as we pull out of Afghanistan. Women/young girls will be trafficked/brutalized. Men who "collaborated" as translators, guides or even cooks will be jailed/killed. People are desperate to get out! What can I do? Are there aide groups I can donate to? Write to my representatives? How could they not see this coming is another question, but... is there something practical to do, groups to support? I cannot just sit here and weep.
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 4:44 PM PST - 9 comments

When I removed a tampon today it was kind of split in the middle and a tiny part at the top (maybe 0.5 cm?) looked like it was missing. How likely is it that there's a piece of tampon floating inside me just waiting to kill me via TSS? Should I be going to the doctor ASAP? (Noting, of course, that YANMD) [more inside]
posted by xiasanlan at 4:30 PM PST - 13 comments

I noticed that my state's (MD) official record of COVID vaccination shows one of the lot numbers as different from my CDC card, though the other one matches. Is this important, and how could I fix it if it is? [more inside]
posted by advil at 4:02 PM PST - 3 comments

How can I either make or order some custom skins for my Nintendo switch? [more inside]
posted by jitterbug perfume at 3:14 PM PST - 3 comments

How to best ensure a house is secure and nothing damaging is going to happen after a sneaky and angry resident departs? [more inside]
posted by letahl at 2:47 PM PST - 40 comments

I've just returned to my home in the US from my first trip to Mexico City. I'm really interested in the history of the indigenous people of the Americas, especially in the differences between North and South American cultures and how they were each affected by the arrival of Europeans. Can you recommend some books on this subject? Thanks.
posted by something something at 2:41 PM PST - 14 comments

In the last few months, I read a Modern-Love-style essay (nonfiction, autobiographical) about a woman who wasn't sure whether she wanted to commit to the man she was seeing. He asked her to essentially make the choice to keep seeing him on a date-by-date basis rather making a choice to commit to be with him: if she was excited to see him the next time, then she should see him the next time. I'd like to reread it, but now I can't find the essay. Help? [more inside]
posted by deus ex machina at 2:28 PM PST - 2 comments

What nice haircare and body wash products are nice to have on hand for guests? [more inside]
posted by Uncle Glendinning at 1:53 PM PST - 14 comments

We having a camping trip this weekend with some of my daughter's “rising second-grade” class. Wondering if anyone has some good ideas for games of a group of about 10 seven-year-old kids could play together? [more inside]
posted by bitdamaged at 1:50 PM PST - 10 comments

I obtained some old audio equipment: four Shure M67 Microphone Mixers without visible issues, a M68FC Mixer in rough shape, two Shure M610 Feedback Controllers w/o visible issues, one Shure SR105 Power Amplifier with corrosion on the outer case, and three Rauland Borg TAX75C amplifiers with at least some exterior corrosion. Not being an audio guy, I'm looking for resources to help a beginner safely check these things and diagnose and remediate any issues.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 1:17 PM PST - 5 comments

I had been going to the same barber for a few years consistently with only occasional missed months. Nice guy but always seemed to have trouble with my hair (so, one of four haircuts were bad), and in 2021, ratio of bad to good got worse. So, past few months I scouted out other possibilities but couldn't find anyone better. Is there any way to go back to him without hurting his feelings or having it be awkward for both of us?
posted by Jon44 at 11:01 AM PST - 19 comments

I have a non profit, and recently, I purchased a van to help me do its work. There has been a wave of vehicle break-ins and catalytic converter thefts. My van is full of stuff that I'd use for events, like tents, tables, ... whatever. Not stuff I'd think anybody would want to steal in a vehicle I'd think nobody would want to vandalize, but you never know. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 10:31 AM PST - 8 comments

I have to go into my office one day next week. This is non-negotiable. How do I keep myself as safe as possible for the day, beyond wearing my KN-95 mask? Snowflake details inside. [more inside]
posted by rednikki at 10:23 AM PST - 14 comments

Is there somewhere I can look up reimbursement rates for therapy providers? Like how much insurance companies pay for services? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:03 AM PST - 6 comments

Looking to make a list of animals that are primarily matutinal. Not a complicated ask, but google is completely failing me here. :)
posted by curious nu at 9:53 AM PST - 5 comments

I know that in the US, several public health doctors resigned over government interference. Possibly it happened in other countries as well. I would like to know how that turned out - was it counter-productive? Did the government hire new public health officials who toed the line? [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 9:17 AM PST - 2 comments

My wife is beginning the start of exploring new jobs and hoping to help her brainstorm ideas. She's had basically a very different two part career- Five years as an attorney in litigation and five years as a office/executive assistant while getting her MFA in writing. These jobs would ideally be in DC, and she would be fine starting with someone very early career (1-2 years out of school). What are some job options for her to start researching? [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 8:53 AM PST - 10 comments

I've recently enjoyed a couple books that dive deep on what magic costs--Sanjena Sathian's Gold Diggers and Naomi Novik's A Deadly Education--and I'm looking for more to read along those lines: detailed mechanics and economic systems, with magic as the currency and thoughtful attention to economic metaphors. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted by miles per flower at 8:47 AM PST - 20 comments

I'm fitting a new dishwasher where no dishwasher was before. And the waste hose (exhibit A) is puzzling me. I've connected it, but it doesn't seem secure. UK plumbing standards apply. [more inside]
posted by Lorc at 8:24 AM PST - 2 comments

I decided to make strawberry shortcake from this recipe for tonight, and I got up early to roll out the dough and chill it. I felt very put together up until the part when I remembered that I FORGOT THE BAKING POWDER. WHAT DO. [more inside]
posted by Countess Elena at 7:53 AM PST - 4 comments

Where can I buy Caffeine-free Coke Zero in Sacramento, California? [more inside]
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 7:28 AM PST - 8 comments

So there's this cracked concrete highway support outside my office window. I'm no structural engineer, but this don't look right. [more inside]
posted by ZenMasterThis at 7:00 AM PST - 4 comments

How does a cohabitating couple handle a big disparity in experience "adulting" without falling into a parent/child dynamic? [more inside]
posted by btfreek at 6:33 AM PST - 46 comments

Thinking about a career shift from software engineering to something more hands-on — what jobs should I consider? [more inside]
posted by mekily at 6:31 AM PST - 10 comments

My cousin loves Glee and I want to get her a Cameo for her birthday. I don't know anything about Glee. [more inside]
posted by quadrilaterals at 5:56 AM PST - 7 comments

Psychologists, philosophers & geeks! Is an argument I had about emotional intelligence’s existence & definition semantic or ontological? I argued there’s a difference between colloquial pop-psychology definitions of a psychological ‘thing’ & specific scientific definitions of that ‘thing’ by an ‘operationalization’ process making abstract ‘things’ real by inferences from evidence of other ‘things’. E.g. Empathetic people w/ soft skills vs abstract measurable attributes that can predict outcomes. I was accused of arguing semantics. I don’t believe it was about differences between lay meanings & proof of existence – arguments from different universes. See inside. [more inside]
posted by Che boludo! at 4:20 AM PST - 8 comments

My entire adulthood, I've never been a great sleeper, and the coronavirus lockdown has made it worse. I do best when I go to sleep and wake up really late, but that isn't practical for me work-wise, especially with return to office looming. There is lots of advice online about healthy sleep routines. I am curious - have any of you managed to switch from night owl to lark and how did you do it? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 2:11 AM PST - 19 comments

I've got a "Personal Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record" in the form of a QR code image calling itself "SMART Health Card" from the State of California. What do I do with it? [more inside]
posted by anadem at 8:26 PM PST - 12 comments

My wife and I have a great kid that just won't sleep at night. We put a lock on her bedroom door to keep her in there when it's time to go to sleep, but we're kind of wondering if it makes us bad parents. [more inside]
posted by Fister Roboto at 7:42 PM PST - 76 comments

For the last several months, this clickbait has appeared, proclaiming "[Your state] launches new policy for cars used less than 49 miles per day." It suggests, but does not say, that it applies to auto insurance. What is going on here?
posted by yclipse at 6:33 PM PST - 4 comments

Looking for a 70's country song with a male singer, telling the story of him and another guy vying for this girl. It ends with him propositioning the other guy, after they both are turned down.
posted by geekP1ng at 6:28 PM PST - 1 comment

I recently bought a picture frame and would like to hang one of my photos on the wall. The only hook on the back looks like this, and the frame didn’t come with anything like a wire so I could hang the photo on my wall. Is there another piece I need to buy so I can hang this picture?
posted by pxe2000 at 4:56 PM PST - 7 comments

You've watched/listened to a documentary which makes artful use of archival and contemporary materials. This documentary also has a companion web site which highlights many of the materials in question. The site's design/organization makes these things accessible to both existing fans and neophytes. As someone currently working on a major doc project, please recommend your favorite site(s) along those lines for inspiration!
posted by mykescipark at 4:32 PM PST - 5 comments

I know an older woman who just had a second intestinal surgery. Normally I'd send a gift basket of food but not now. And I can't send another post-op gift basket. I know she's a former seamstress so I'd like to send her a beautiful coffee table book on...that stuff. Yeah I don't know the area. But maybe you do. give me a recommendation.
posted by rileyray3000 at 3:52 PM PST - 12 comments

I want to record and post a Zoom presentation to YouTube with a Powerpoint slide deck and my voice overlay. Does such a recorder reside within Zoom? I see inklings of it, but can't seem to run anything down. A very well-regarded user tells me he's done this, but I can't get any further aid from him. I' trying to see if I'm wasting my time, or if this possible. Thanks in advance
posted by lometogo at 3:41 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking for songs that reference or use religious imagery/concepts while pushing back against toxic Christianity or ideas associated with it. [more inside]
posted by brook horse at 3:28 PM PST - 36 comments

And if so, can you do it without needing an already extant business account at another bank? [more inside]
posted by Kitteh at 12:39 PM PST - 11 comments

Any last minute tips to minimize stress for my cat (tax) as we head off for vacation? [more inside]
posted by mark k at 12:19 PM PST - 26 comments

The darling daughter of one of my dear coworkers has COVID. She's only four, and it looks like it may be hitting her hard. I'm very worried and want to send little things to her via snail mail to keep her company while she recovers. Taking care of her mom in some way is also on my list. What would you recommend? [more inside]
posted by Hermione Granger at 12:13 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm searching like hell for a passage, maybe in Infinite Jest, when DFW riffs about immaculate youth without back acne who look like they're fed on dairy products, ending with some statement about the loneliness at the heart of desire, or something. Can anyone help me out here?
posted by insteadofapricots at 11:46 AM PST - 2 comments

Who can identify this not-so-little fellow? [more inside]
posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 11:45 AM PST - 17 comments

I am replacing a six year old Generac XT8000 along with its accompanying Reliance 6 circuit transfer switch. They both work and the generator has been recently serviced. It has performed excellently but with an increasing need for reliable power, I thought it is time to replace it since it is three years beyond its warranty. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 11:11 AM PST - 1 comment

I desperately want to watch the documentary/ short run tv series “I can go for that: the smooth world of yacht rock.” [more inside]
posted by trigger at 11:08 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm very confused. How do I get the files from Spotify for iOS on to Spotify for Desktop (Mac)? [more inside]
posted by zooropa at 11:00 AM PST - 6 comments

This passage from an analysis of the Philip K. Dick book captured my attention: “Some white Americans (especially those with positions in the government) darken their skin and hair to look more Asian”. I recall a review of the Amazon Prime series that mentioned something similar — ads in the show for hair-straightening potions for people to look more Asian. Can you help me find instances of this -- a review that mentions this or times in the show where the audience sees this?
posted by Borborygmus at 10:53 AM PST - 1 comment

I got a lump sum of $10k - but may have to give it back next year. What should I do with it now? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:17 AM PST - 8 comments

I’m a 30 year old virgin who would like to use tampons but struggling. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:17 AM PST - 46 comments

I have, for 20+ years, been blessed with the easiest marriage I know of. My wife and I are best buddies, never fail to make each other laugh, keep life in proportion, and look out for each other. But in the pandemic my mental health slowly degraded, my wife's work stress went to hell, and I not only wasn't there for her, I added my anxiety to her life. Now I'm in the darkest point of my life. Help. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:17 AM PST - 19 comments

This is an old standard - seeking a literary or semi-literary page-turner for my vacation. I haven't had time to read a novel in ages. My own preferences are inside. [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 9:04 AM PST - 20 comments

I recently graduated with my masters in computer science. I'm looking for my first developer job. I wish to be an individual contributor writing code, and I wish to contribute in the fight against climate change. I'd love any resources or advice for finding jobs like that. [more inside]
posted by lazaruslong at 8:22 AM PST - 7 comments

I'd like to get a color copy of my vaccine card printed on a hard plastic wallet card like a school ID. Bars, restaurants and theaters are starting to require them, and I'd like to not have to hand people my actual card or my phone. [more inside]
posted by mercredi at 8:19 AM PST - 7 comments

I am looking for an SPF moisturizer that will not make me look like I'm living at Versailles in 1760. Can you recommend a relatively sheer one that has at least SPF 30? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 7:37 AM PST - 31 comments

How do you go about picking a home insurance company? Do you go strictly on price? Is there a way to figure out who good/evil the company is at when you file a claim? More inside [more inside]
posted by FlatHill at 11:24 PM PST - 16 comments

Looking for a specific tumblr post and haven't had any luck digging it up. A while back I came across a very funny tumblr post entitled something like "You don't want to go to graduate school, you want to become a monk". The person who wrote it had made a series of PowerPoint slides comparing the life of a grad student to the life of a monk in a humorous way. Any MeFites know where to find this post?
posted by panther of the pyrenees at 10:21 PM PST - 3 comments

So I found masks that I love. They're comfortable. They fit. No gaps. My sunglasses don't fog up AND they have super-duper filtration (better than n95 for particle size penetrating, but of course n95 are fitted, so not actually comparable). Here's the thing: It's the filters that filter. And I'm worried that the mask fabric doesn't filter. And since the filters don't FULLY cover the mask surface, the masks aren't actually as effective as I hope. Should I be worried? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:21 PM PST - 10 comments

NYC Budget is nearly $100 billion, with the nearest city (LA) having one at $8 billion. The per capita spending is nearly 3x higher. How is it possible that the revenue for NYC is so much higher and how is possible that NYC spends so much? [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 6:27 PM PST - 16 comments

My wife finished her graduate program (yay!). Our insurance is ending on the 14th. It looks like the soonest I can get insurance through my employer or the marketplace is September 1st. How can we get a catastrophic (or otherwise) plan for two weeks? [more inside]
posted by Hactar at 4:26 PM PST - 7 comments

If you have personal experience, especially within the last few years, with using internet for business/video at a hotel in the Seattle area please help! [more inside]
posted by sockmeamadeus at 3:54 PM PST - 9 comments

I read about a word, I'm pretty sure in Arabic, for the collective goal or vision of a group journeying together. Anybody remember it? [more inside]
posted by lbergstr at 3:38 PM PST - 6 comments

My beloved grandmother has stage four breast cancer and is struggling with her appetite and losing weight. She’s had a poor appetite for a few years but recently isn’t eating much at all. I’m visiting her soon and want to try out some nutritious drinks that could help her get more calories and nutrients - she drinks one Ensure a day but doesn’t love it and finds it’s too thick for her. [more inside]
posted by ukdanae at 2:03 PM PST - 45 comments

I work in the 4D construction/VDC/BIM industry and the source of our models is usually Revit. Often times I have to show construction progress on a floor-by-floor basis of something like a central elevator column that is modelled in Revit as a solid wall the whole height of the building. I have yet to find a good way to "chop" up these Revit objects at a specified height without going into them individually. My best method so far was to export from Revit into DWG, then open in AutoCAD, where I can do a slice of many objects easily at each floor height. The problem with this is that I lose all the BIM data associated with those objects in the process. Also the 3D DWG imports into my end-use application looking terrible compared to the Revit import. Is there a software out there that allows me to cut up BIM objects and preserve the data?
posted by gzimmer at 1:49 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm using two different laptops (a new MacBook Air & an HP EliteBook 845 G7 Notebook) and cannot maintain a Zoom connection without freezing continually throughout meetings. [more inside]
posted by Four-Eyed Girl at 1:37 PM PST - 12 comments

Please help me read this Japanese phrase. [more inside]
posted by Joan Rivers of Babylon at 1:05 PM PST - 7 comments

I am trying to incorporate more healthy whole foods in my diet and I am wondering if there has been any fruits, nuts, or veggies that have helped with having more youthful healthy skin? Would having more kale and spinach smoothies help with clearer and anti-ageing skin? I have been having tahini every day which is loaded with vitamin E, which is good for the skin. I also do use facial moisturizer but I wonder if diet can also help with anti-ageing/youthful skin.
posted by RearWindow at 12:37 PM PST - 24 comments

Am I obligated to make good on a 13 year old check? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:12 PM PST - 44 comments

Where's a _good_ place to which I can donate glasses? [more inside]
posted by plinth at 11:38 AM PST - 3 comments

Like it says, does anyone have a recommendation for a cleaning person/service in San Francisco? We just need the basics - clean the bathroom and kitchen, vacuum up the cat hair, etc. I'd like to avoid an exploitative service. There's tons of folks listed on Nextdoor, Care.com, etc, but I'd love a recommendation from a fellow Mefite! Thanks!
posted by chbrooks at 11:21 AM PST - 5 comments

Is there a standalone calendar application that syncs with Outlook? I want to be able to check my calendar without opening up outlook email. Details below. [more inside]
posted by slimeline at 11:00 AM PST - 7 comments

I enjoy pottery but I have zero background in the arts and feel like I keep hitting a wall that comes from having basically no visual language, if that makes sense. I'm looking for two kinds of books: (1) book that cover surface decoration, and (2) books on principles of design more generally. [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 10:31 AM PST - 5 comments

I've got some vacation time coming up and I have decided I want to spend at least one evening having a classic sleepover party. Difficulty level: just for myself. I live alone, no one is allowed to come breathe their delta air in my home. [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 10:24 AM PST - 51 comments

My question is essentially a follow-up to my earlier ask. I'm looking for advice on how to clone a Windows boot drive from MBR to GPT. [more inside]
posted by JD Sockinger at 9:46 AM PST - 6 comments

I am desperately trying to find a way to make the Family Plan the default payment method with Lyft. With Uber it’s simple, you set it once and never worry about it again. With Lyft, it is impossible. It will always default to your personal bank account unless you remember to click the tiny, almost hidden, change payment option at the last step of the process for every single ride. There is no way to remove your personal payment info, and the Family Plan doesnt seem to be considered a true payment option within account preferences. I cant begin to describe the problems this is causing for me. [more inside]
posted by asimplemouse at 9:41 AM PST - 5 comments

I've tried a few therapists and I'm beginning to suspect I have misunderstood the nature and purpose of therapy. Are therapists really just supposed to listen to you talk and make sympathetic noises? [more inside]
posted by sotonohito at 9:10 AM PST - 39 comments

I recently left a company that is likely to IPO in the near future. I was there a long time and have a lot of vested options, which I never purchased, and which are all NSOs that don't expire for several more years. I have a vague understanding of the tax implications, but not what steps to take in what order. Please explain like I'm 5 what I need to do--what sort of professional I need to engage--to get the most out of the situation.
posted by anonymous at 8:57 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm looking for strategies for dealing with negative self-talk when outside events seemingly validate it/confirm it to be true. [more inside]
posted by iamsuper at 7:57 AM PST - 18 comments

My mom has mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s. She and I have an appointment next week with an elder care law firm to set up a durable power of attorney and, perhaps, to consider how else the firm might be of help at this stage in her life. However, I have no experience in working with attorneys, and I am a bit surprised by the kind of information they’re asking for before the consult—SSN, bank account numbers, etc. What should I know before this visit? (And,yeah, there are lots more details inside.) [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:53 AM PST - 13 comments

Hi dear foodfilter, I ended up with about a liter of bonus jarred pasta sauce (long story). It is weirdly, almost inedibly spicy. Ideas for what to do with this other than bin it? [more inside]
posted by athirstforsalt at 2:13 AM PST - 11 comments

Hi everyone. Some friends of mine are putting together a theatre piece and I'm helping them sort out some of the materials. As part of it one of the characters is "tagged" so wearing a UK style electronic ankle monitor. This is wildly outside my area of expertise and I'm coming up short trying to source one surplus or how to create one which would look passable from the front row. Any help greatfuly received.
posted by Hadrian at 12:43 AM PST - 6 comments

How to convince the skeptical that the 2020 election wasn't fraudulent? Bonus for sources posting in German, which anti-establishment Europeans might find trustworthy. [more inside]
posted by Rash at 10:49 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm feeling nostalgic and looking for American memoirs (or personal essays) that take place during this time period and reflect on it. [more inside]
posted by CancerSucks at 9:35 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm a fully vaccinated citizen of the USA. I'm planning on a trip to Scotland, where the self-isolation rules have recently been lifted, and where the definition of a "vaccinated" person have been updated to include those vaccinated in the USA. But it still seems that I have some protocols to follow, involving taking a test on and before Day 2. My questions center around this process. [more inside]
posted by avoision at 5:56 PM PST - 8 comments

I use a Windows 10 laptop (Thinkpad X1 Carbon 5th Gen) both with and without an external monitor. I'd like to be able to close the lid of the laptop without having it go to sleep, but only when it's connected to an external monitor. [more inside]
posted by toxic at 5:23 PM PST - 3 comments

I am getting off social media, have attempted to download all FB and IG data, and have failed miserable. I am not sure the issue lies in having an old laptop and iphone as I've have tried to download FB on a better laptop and have the same issue. Is this a common occurrence? How can it be solved?
posted by goalyeehah at 4:17 PM PST - 5 comments

I’m staying with my folks several days every week currently and need your best keto recipes that will be appealing/unnoticeable as such to cook and share while I’m here. [more inside]
posted by purenitrous at 3:44 PM PST - 21 comments

If I'm trying to track down copies of early German and French films (circa 1905-1921), where should I look? Archives, libraries, film societies? Difficult level: I don't read or speak German or French. [more inside]
posted by brushtailedphascogale at 3:35 PM PST - 5 comments

I have been in a good and stable job for a bunch of years and think I may have outgrown it—but I'm not sure how to develop my skills into a coherent career path from here. What resources should I seek out? [more inside]
posted by MetaFilter World Peace at 2:08 PM PST - 3 comments

Me and my beloved are getting married soon. We're close to 40 and, while very much in love, kinda allergic to flowery paens to the glories OF love. Give us your best wedding readings! [more inside]
posted by julthumbscrew at 1:55 PM PST - 20 comments

I want to invest in real estate. If I had invested in Austin real estate in 2001 I would have done very well. If I wanted to look out 20 more years, factor in climate change, changing demographics and changing market forces, which cities are poised to be the next Austin? According to this great NYTimes piece it may be Milwaukee or Detroit. Where do I buy and why?
posted by jasondigitized at 1:15 PM PST - 20 comments

What's your fave online source for furikake? [more inside]
posted by phunniemee at 12:58 PM PST - 10 comments

Is there any info yet on breakthrough cases in vaccinated people leading to cognitive deficiencies? [more inside]
posted by Beardman at 12:08 PM PST - 12 comments

went to a neat nature preserve/holocaust memorial in Long Island last weekend and have a hankering for more open-air nature-y day trip date destinations for adults accessible by car from NYC. [more inside]
posted by wowenthusiast at 11:48 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm looking for recommendations for a tripod with a boom arm that would support my Nikon D5600. I'd like something solid, but hopefully not too expensive
posted by Cogito at 10:23 AM PST - 1 comment

How comfortable would you be with an unvaccinated teenager babysitting in your house? Her family is anti-vax, but some of them already had COVID last year, although it is unknown if she had it because she never had symptoms and was not tested. [more inside]
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 9:49 AM PST - 51 comments

Our real estate agent is telling us that if we want to out an offer in on a house (we do have one in mind) we need a pre-approval letter stating that we don't need to sell our current home before purchasing another. Our bank doesn't do this. [more inside]
posted by theshmeek at 9:44 AM PST - 12 comments

I recently acquired a full-frame mirrorless camera after years of using compact small-frame cameras. Of course, I am enjoying the ability to shoot and edit in raw. However, my old work flow no longer works with the file re-namer that I was using. I need a new one! [more inside]
posted by Don_K at 8:34 AM PST - 4 comments

What are best practices for talking with vaccine-hesitant young adults about their concerns about the COVID vaccine? [more inside]
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 8:33 AM PST - 7 comments

I have a disabled relative on a fixed income in mid-sized town New Mexico (where I am not). Increasing vision problems mean they would like to switch to a laptop from their phone to have a larger screen. I have an old laptop I can send them, but I'm stumped by the internet connectivity possibilities. What are my real options? [more inside]
posted by SunSnork at 8:22 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm trying to do a records request and they need the phone number I grew up with and which I would have been too young to remember. But I know we were in the phone book. So how do I find one from Manhattan from the mid to late 1970's? And can I do it online?
posted by rileyray3000 at 7:51 AM PST - 8 comments

I have been moved to restart my periodic hunt for therapists, which sucks at the best of times and this time there's a new wrinkle: I'm moving from New York to Pennsylvania in the next 3–4 months. Can someone who understands state licensing help me figure out if there's anything to do but wait? [more inside]
posted by babelfish at 7:32 AM PST - 3 comments

What is the sound at the start & end of the song Fakin' It by Simon & Garfunkel on the album Bookends? There are what sound like marching band drums overlaid by a bagpipe sort of sound, but I haven’t been able to locate a better description or explanation than that.
posted by chr1sb0y at 6:40 AM PST - 13 comments

I want to plan a spa day for me (a guy) and some guy friends that don't normally spa day. I've never spa-day'd, but the things that seem to fit the bill are Mani-pedis/ massage/ steam/ facials/ maybe a cut/shave. But I don't fully understand some basics. [more inside]
posted by bbqturtle at 3:02 AM PST - 6 comments

Reading the Making a list, checking it twice thread, I wondered if it's possible to have a live list where changing a line down the list (and editing that line's content) results in that line popping to the top of the list, i.e. live auto-sorting. [more inside]
posted by unearthed at 12:05 AM PST - 15 comments

I manage a student employee who mentioned in passing that they were recently diagnosed with ADHD. Their work has had a lot of ups and downs, even before COVID, and we keep running into the same issues. I’m trying to figure out how to better approach managing in this case. If you have ADHD and are open to sharing—what are things a manager has done for you at work that help you be more successful and/or feel supported? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:07 PM PST - 15 comments

She got a pap smear, I was the last guy there and ipso facto...me. To my knowledge there's nothing on my nethers that looks like warts so this seem to be one of those asymptomatic ones. So what now? Disclose forever? Get the HPV vaccine? Wait two years? (Or given Covid, wait another 2 years). What's the protocol here?
posted by anonymous at 11:07 PM PST - 5 comments

I've got a contract with a large organization (as a sole consultant with a holist approach). [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:07 PM PST - 3 comments

YANMDentist. But you have been offered prophylactic dental sealants, as an adult. If you took them up on the offer: how'd it go? If you declined: any regrets? [more inside]
posted by queen anne's remorse at 9:18 PM PST - 9 comments

I sprang for Bose Quiet Comfort noise cancelling earbuds, but the noise cancelling feature gives me a headache and makes me nauseous. They sound great though! Can you recommend wireless earbuds that sound good, are not noise cancelling, and are comfortable? In fact, comfortable is the thing I want most of all.
posted by swheatie at 7:10 PM PST - 16 comments

The meat of my question is how much does the author make from the various formats? Hardback, paperback, eVersion? [more inside]
posted by Grok Lobster at 7:08 PM PST - 8 comments

I have a chorus audition coming up. Part of the audition will be hearing a few notes and then singing them back. Are there any good apps for practicing that? (There’s a strong likelihood that these will be canceled because of the dang pandemic, but let's not get into the covid of it all, please.)
posted by Charity Garfein at 7:04 PM PST - 4 comments

My dad is 84 years old. He has a Macbook Pro. He writes on MS Word. We'll establish a document that he's working on, put it on the desktop, give it a unique name that he recognizes... and literally 24 hours later there will be five copies of it on the desktop. This has been happening for years. He has, probably, 400 copies of this book project that he's working on. My siblings and I cannot figure out how he's doing this. [more inside]
posted by crapples at 6:41 PM PST - 18 comments

What’s this little bug from our washing machine? [more inside]
posted by rustcellar at 4:07 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm on Android 11 with Instagram 199.1.0.34.119. I have thus far declined to set up Facebook Accounts Center, because I don't want my Instagram and Facebook worlds connected. Is there still a way to enable the ability to like messages on Instagram with emojis other than hearts if I don't? Or could there be be some other reason why I can't use custom emoji reactions to messages? It's really getting old, only being able to react with hearts with no subtlety, ugh.
posted by limeonaire at 3:57 PM PST - 4 comments

Burnt-out higher ed. professional seeks new career path. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by DRoll at 2:34 PM PST - 8 comments

I want to sit in a rainstorm and generally enjoy rainy weather. A thunderstorm would be incredible. I'm based in LA. What's the closest/easiest, and/or most-likely place I could go to experience rainy weather or similar conditions? I'm open to creative suggestions and not too concerned about transportation.
posted by fake at 1:24 PM PST - 26 comments

Would you use a serial comma in this sentence? [more inside]
posted by purple24 at 1:08 PM PST - 12 comments

I currently live in Denver, and I am fully over it. Things I am seeking in my new home: overcast skies, rain, colder weather, clean air, liberal, has queer community, not ridiculously expensive. [more inside]
posted by sugarbomb at 12:41 PM PST - 38 comments

Please recommend some fun, engaging nonfiction books to help me learn more cool stuff about animals, plants, etc. Specific details under the cut. [more inside]
posted by darchildre at 10:47 AM PST - 19 comments

My nephew is about to start college this month, and I'm super excited for him! He's asked me for my advice on all the things I wish I'd known when I was in his position, and I have plenty of thoughts, but I'd love to query the hive-mind to see what you wish you'd known before you started college. Thanks so much!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 10:30 AM PST - 85 comments

I live in NYC. The water in my apartment tastes funny. I'd like to have it tested, or test it myself. What can I do, and what resources are available to me? [more inside]
posted by panama joe at 9:52 AM PST - 6 comments

Does each mathematician get assigned one (1) blackboard in an empty school room on which to scribble your life's work, muttering cryptic genius mumbles day in and day out? [more inside]
posted by MiraK at 9:51 AM PST - 30 comments

Who inspects trees for termite infestations? My neighbor's contractor told her that termites from our tree destroyed her garage, but the tree looks healthy. And an arborist I talked to said that seems highly unlikely, as termites live in the ground, not in healthy trees. None of the tree services I've found do termite inspections, and none of the pest control companies inspect trees. Who do I contact? Based in Chicago, if that helps. [more inside]
posted by goatdog at 9:32 AM PST - 15 comments

Sharepoint vs specific contract management software? [more inside]
posted by dpx.mfx at 8:13 AM PST - 11 comments

I am finally feeling like it is time to give up my beloved Swype on android. I want another app that allows me to swipe from the comma/period to the space bar to add punctuation. (I know how google keyboard does it and I do not like it for the comma or period.) Ideally the keyboard would allow me to use two languages at once, but this is not as important as punctuation. I am willing to pay money for this.
posted by jeather at 6:49 AM PST - 5 comments

UK-specific: Have you travelled to the UK recently and needed to take out a hotel quarantine package? What was your experience like? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 6:42 AM PST - 3 comments

My facebook was hacked yesterday and the password changed. How do I get back into my account asap? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 6:08 AM PST - 14 comments

I am having issues with anxiety related to the passing of a family member and a toxic job situation, and am looking for advice or guidance. [more inside]
posted by Soma707 at 11:56 PM PST - 8 comments

Any recommendations for erotic anime or animation that features actual adult characters? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:05 PM PST - 2 comments

Is there a breast pump that fits under a baggy shirt and is quiet enough to pump during zoom meetings? Freemie? Willow? Something else? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 9:34 PM PST - 11 comments

Scanning a lot of slides, and I too-frequently put a slide in upside down so that when I view it on the computer everything is reversed. I'm looking for a tool to automatically find those and maybe correct the ones it detects. [more inside]
posted by TimHare at 9:11 PM PST - 2 comments

Are there stylists who specialize in styling NB people? Other resources or tips? More specific asks inside. [more inside]
posted by sockkitude at 7:08 PM PST - 9 comments

As a reward for dealing with some hard things, I want to buy my kid this VERY BIG plush they are deeply obsessed with. It is in a warehouse in France that only ships within the EU. I know it will cost a lot, but what is a trustworthy way to get the plush reshipped from the EU to the US? [more inside]
posted by hungrytiger at 6:43 PM PST - 10 comments

In the 1980s I volunteered in a liberation theology Catholic bookstore and lunch spot. I bought my mom a coloring book there one day. As far as I recall, it was a very large thin book. The pages were intricate line drawings of our world sort of as it was then and would be if nothing got better -- urban decay, environmental degradation, sadness -- alongside streets of hippie, leftist utopia -- lots of coops and bike shops and people helping people. It might? have been called something like Earth Trek? Does this ring any bells for anyone? Googling has not been fruitful....
posted by shadygrove at 6:40 PM PST - 4 comments

I bought a roast today, but I realize I've never made a classic roast before. How long should I roast a 2.8lb "blade roast" for? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 6:12 PM PST - 8 comments

One of my neighbours recently installed a high pitched wind bell, which has been driving me to absolute distraction - a lot of anxiety, annoyance, general (covid-accelerated, I'm sure) crankiness. It got to the point that it was the tipping point for contacting a therapist I haven't been seeing for 5 years at least. [more inside]
posted by Jon Mitchell at 6:09 PM PST - 12 comments

My five year old MacBook Pro recently bit the dust and is too expensive to fix. Can I safely sell it? [more inside]
posted by steve.wdc at 5:44 PM PST - 6 comments

I put vinegar, water, and a small amount of liquid dishwashing detergent into a glass jar that had significant hard water buildup on it. The next day, the resulting solution looks odd and I can't figure out what the explanation is, or even what a plausible explanation could be. [more inside]
posted by Spathe Cadet at 5:21 PM PST - 5 comments

I’m ready to move in the US, but where to? [more inside]
posted by anotheraccount at 4:58 PM PST - 11 comments

My SO and I have decided to move in together (buying a place) and the timeline is ~Dec 2021/Jan 2022. We are both fully fledged adults with All Our Own Stuff. What is the best way to go about this? Spreadsheets? Tips? Thoughts? [more inside]
posted by Medieval Maven at 2:39 PM PST - 7 comments

Picture of the envelope and its contents. Any ideas what this could be, and why it would show up in our mailbox? [more inside]
posted by 2N2222 at 12:36 PM PST - 17 comments

I am trying to figure out what this switch/dial in my kitchen is for (if it has a purpose). This is in the Netherlands. More details inside. [more inside]
posted by littlegreen at 12:08 PM PST - 2 comments

I just got my voter guide for the Sept. 14 California gubernatorial recall. I'm clearly voting against the recall (question #1) but there is a second question (something like "If the recall succeeds, who should be governor?") with a list of candidates, mostly R but some D, and I can't find any official statements online for how Dems should vote. What are party leaders advising? [more inside]
posted by rogerroger at 11:42 AM PST - 8 comments

I have been wearing black pleated face masks with an adjustable nose piece and elastic ear loops throughout the pandemic. I'm looking for some cuter options to add into my wardrobe. [more inside]
posted by twelve cent archie at 9:54 AM PST - 16 comments

I will be spending around four days in Rome in September before striking out to Puglia. I've never really had an abiding desire to go to Rome, but it makes sense for meeting up with travelers coming from the States and other logistical reasons. I have two main questions — where to stay and anything special to see — with details inside. [more inside]
posted by dame at 9:14 AM PST - 26 comments

Hello! I'm looking for a ccg type card game for an older Android. (Moto 5e play, I think.) Must be free to play and not abusive. I don't care about genre, as long as the game is fun. Ideally without a lot of time demands, timed events, etc. [more inside]
posted by Jacen at 9:08 AM PST - 2 comments

I impulsively made flights to join my husband on a business trip with my kid the end of August. Now Covid cases there are rising and I took a look at the temperatures. Oof. Looking for help to find a great hotel with a great pool and good location and see a site or 2. [more inside]
posted by ReluctantViking at 6:57 AM PST - 23 comments

cat edition. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by snerson at 6:28 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm an early-40s lesbian tech worker with hair, a stemme/slightly MoC aesthetic, and newly relocated to Dublin. What hair salons might be a good fit for me? I have access to a car so I'm open to any location in the area, and I like to support LGBTQ-owned businesses when I can.
posted by 4rtemis at 6:12 AM PST - 2 comments

Every few months, we receive a random PayPal payment from someone, generally for an amount less than $5. What's going on? [more inside]
posted by redondo77 at 5:09 AM PST - 5 comments

Probably just getting old, but I've noticed I have "pins and needles" in my pinkies / ring fingers when I lie down for short rests and recently in the morning too. Is it my pillows (probably too many), my age (probably middle), health, or something else?
posted by KMH at 11:07 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm visiting a friend who is undergoing medical treatment at St. Josephs Hospital in Phoenix. It's a short trip. I'm flying in Friday, we are catching a Diamondbacks game Sat. night and I'm leaving the next day. Looking for recommendations on what to do on Saturday that doesn't involve being outdoors in 100 degrees. Maybe a good art museum or other indoor cultural spot? I'm not unfamiliar with the area but it's been about 10 years since I last visited. Not interested in shooting ranges or ATVs.
posted by jabo at 9:46 PM PST - 6 comments

In this music video there's a funk band playing in the outdoors, 1970s. Later in the video some young, attractive female folk dancers in uniform/costume (shorts & boots I think) come out and dance in a circle around the band, or near the band. Flute, guitar, organ, drums. Unsure of key exactly, but IIRC the tune starts out something like: E5-D5D5,B4D5-E5 / B4-A4A4,E4A4 / Bb4, Bb4 A4-G4,E4-D4E4. Thanks for any tips! Last saw it on Youtube maybe 12+ years ago.
posted by circular at 8:53 PM PST - 2 comments

I've been strongly considering going back to school and studying to become a therapist. However, between reflecting on my own harmful experiences with therapists in the past, and the lit I've read on the field's systematic problems in terms of race, class, captialism; the moral issues with the power imbalance; and a worry that therapy doesn't actually help anyone in a meaningful way—I'm not so sure I want to pursue it. Are my concerns legitimate? How do therapists navigate them? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:00 PM PST - 29 comments

A friend is coming to visit who recently got big into an old UK TV show that was never aired in the US. It did come out on DVDs in Region 2 and I have the box set. However, I don't know how to get them to play on my TV from a latptop, where I can watch in the correct aspect ratio (4:3). [more inside]
posted by kitten kaboodle at 7:00 PM PST - 8 comments

If you enter my address in to Google Maps, the map locates my address in the alley behind my building instead of to the front door, and the photo that represents my building on Google Maps is a photo of the back of the building taken from the alley. [more inside]
posted by tzikeh at 5:40 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm in my 50s, and thought I knew it all. In the past few weeks, I've learned that I was wrong (dead wrong!) about a couple of scientific "facts" that I had assumed were kind of "general knowledge" (for a certain nerdy sciencey kind of person). [more inside]
posted by soylent00FF00 at 5:10 PM PST - 55 comments

I recall an episode of the X-files, vaguely, where Scully and Mulder are both in their respective motels rooms, drinking. It's pretty flirty, pretty funny, and has a tone different than a lot of the show. [more inside]
posted by dirtdirt at 4:27 PM PST - 11 comments

I am trying to make my lifestyle slightly less digital. One step of this process has been to substitute reading on the Kindle or doomscrolling on my phone after dinner with a glass of wine and reading a big, hardcover book that's both beautiful and interesting. So far, I've had success with The Monocle Guide to Gentle Living; Alan Flusser's Dressing the Man; Schott's Almanac; and a few old editions of Intelligent Life Magazine. Any other recommendations? I am particularly interested in things that deal with self-improvement, redecorating my apartment - things that will stimulate me to make positive changes in my life!
posted by LingeringMoon at 4:16 PM PST - 12 comments

Why might our cat suddenly be drooling a lot? Vet is stumped. [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 2:09 PM PST - 14 comments

Once upon a time on the internet, there was a handsome t-shirt design with the legend OH MY GOD I WAS WRONG, IT WAS EARTH ALL ALONG from the Simpsons' "Planet of the Apes: The Musical." I think it was sold by a site like Television Without Pity, or Tomato Nation, or someone Tomato-Nation-adjacent? I tried to look for it today, but it must have been longer ago than I thought because I can find no sign of it. Anyone know what I'm on about? [more inside]
posted by backtotherain at 1:41 PM PST - 4 comments

I’m interested in trying out some new sports and active hobbies, but as an overweight woman that can feel really daunting for many reasons. Sometimes I’ll see other overweight/fat folks doing fun stuff like skateboarding or playing tennis, and it’s really inspirational for me to see that people in larger bodies can do things like that. I’m hoping to find some more inspiration from online sources. [more inside]
posted by imalaowai at 11:49 AM PST - 21 comments

Lately I've been having a lot of dreams where, in addition to the normal dream narrative stuff, everything is a struggle... I can't get socks on right, have difficulty working the pedals when driving, can't get my arms through the armholes of my shirt, etc, etc. Does this mean anything in particular? I'm having trouble googling it.
posted by ftm at 10:36 AM PST - 12 comments

I’ve recently realised that I’ve never really thought about the way I perform research the internet. For example, if I want to research a topic like the effect of lithium ion batteries on the environment., I will just type the phrase “lithium ion batteries environment” into Google. [more inside]
posted by jacobean at 9:05 AM PST - 15 comments

Is it okay to be a paint-by-numbers guy instead of a maverick creator? An organizer rather than inventor? A follower of rules rather than an entrepreneur? [more inside]
posted by ggp88 at 9:01 AM PST - 43 comments

We planned a group trip to Western Greece next week, but wildfires abound. [more inside]
posted by kolendra at 7:48 AM PST - 16 comments

I served on a Grand Jury (Bronx, NY) maybe 6,7 years ago. but I cannot find the paperwork from it. Having served on it, I am exempt from serving for a certain amount of time, but I do not remember. Is their a way to look this up? Records somewhere?
posted by ebesan at 7:34 AM PST - 4 comments

I’ve got about three weeks to find a new living arrangement with my two small dogs. Northeast IL, I work in Lake Forest. I have coworkers in Waukegan and Zion who are helping but I am worried about the timeline. Is a local realtor best and do you know one/how to find a good one? [more inside]
posted by Glinn at 7:28 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for the kind of slippers that my grandmother used to wear before they started putting foam in the footbed of every house shoe out there. They are mule style, preferably closed toe or peek-a-boo with just a wee bit of padding and a rubber bottom. The thick foam insoles throw me off balance and my balance is already very bad. Thank you.
posted by manageyourexpectations at 7:11 AM PST - 6 comments

Hi there - I hate storing things long-term in sacks, especially opened, partially-used sacks. Double that for anything that will irritate my airways if it's not kept under control. Today I have to open this around-a-gallon-sized sack of diatomaceous earth, and I need to figure out how to store the leftovers. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 6:54 AM PST - 12 comments

Anyone have recommendations on ADD coaches who do remote work? Bonus points for affordability, knowledge about organizational skills & productivity skills
posted by sirion at 6:29 AM PST - 1 comment

My left handed son plays golf. He would like a "60° wedge" for his 21st birthday. Knowing little to nothing about golf or purchasing golf equipment, I am at a total loss about where to look. What is a reputable store to purchase from and what should I look for in a good club?
posted by donpardo at 6:22 AM PST - 8 comments

My great-grandfather made this toybox for my father when he was a little kid, so it dates from the early-to-mid 1950s. It's painted with a semi-gloss paint, and is decorated with several decals or stickers that date from the 1950s—all of kids' mascots and characters like Roy Rogers. [more inside]
posted by Martienne at 3:46 AM PST - 7 comments

I have a one year old who I feel is going kinda stir crazy being cooped up inside due to Covid. We do take him regularly for neighborhood walks and parks but I've been too freaked to take him where there's any semblance of a crowd, and never indoors. [more inside]
posted by Forty-eight at 2:59 AM PST - 9 comments

UK question. I work in an unsupported essentially-solo public-facing position in a convenience store. I lost my closest family member around a year ago and the extended run-up involved vascular dementia. I have an older regular customer who is gradually succumbing to something similar (not a doctor). So far as I can tell, his support network consists entirely of a government-supplied care-assistant once a week/month, a young-ish neighbour who by good fortune alone is trustworthy to go purchase cigarettes and essentials with his card but can't/won't become more involved, plus somehow/logically myself - the part-time shop assistant in said nearby store. What do I do? He identifies me sometimes by name and sometimes by the name of his occasional helper. He asks me for help that I can't provide, despite my best efforts. I'm literally dying inside from the time I spent trying and failing to do the right thing to help my Mum. I want to help but I don't know what to do
posted by anonymous at 11:59 PM PST - 8 comments

I got bug bites last night that could be bed bug bites, but don't see signs of bed bugs. What do I do now? [more inside]
posted by medusa at 10:53 PM PST - 12 comments

Looking for a good deep dive on the human, global history of voting methods. Not looking for something necessarily American centric. Ancient methods of the written, oral and other types of tabulation of votes until current civilization (or parts thereof) are my preference. [more inside]
posted by goodnight moon at 10:04 PM PST - 1 comment

I am not active on Yelp, although I will post one or two reviews a year. I have 2 friends and, until today, no followers. Today, six separate people followed me on Yelp. Is there some kind of darknet spam phishing hacker evildoer possibility with this or is it just some kind of wacky coincidence?
posted by janey47 at 6:24 PM PST - 3 comments

I truly don’t understand how Dropbox functions. Here are some of my issues: [more inside]
posted by jitterbug perfume at 5:38 PM PST - 4 comments

Trying to determine whether a shadow-maybe-lump on my cat's belly is something worth urgent checking, or whether it can wait for a later check-up. [more inside]
posted by sailoreagle at 5:19 PM PST - 6 comments

Several years ago, by chance, I bought a few ounces of whole black peppercorns from the bulk section of the local food co-op. I used them in a pepper grinder. These peppercorns had an unusually strong flavor, which I liked. Where can I get more like this? I'm in the US. [more inside]
posted by akk2014 at 3:56 PM PST - 15 comments

Probable theft of small items either by landlord or cleaning person. Landlord lives on premises. Should I raise the issue of the missing items? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:02 PM PST - 25 comments

Asking for a friend traveling 1000 miles to NYC for surgery. They’re staying in Brooklyn, procedure is in Manhattan. The prospect of street hailing a cab before and after surgery is scary. They want to travel with a professional driver. In their small town, they call the cab company a couple days ahead to schedule a ride. I've searched for a central dispatch phone number without results. Are ride-hail apps like CURB or waave reliable?
posted by Jesse the K at 2:57 PM PST - 11 comments

I need a USB hub for my Macbook Pro that will deliver enough juice to keep all my devices happy. [more inside]
posted by ludwig_van at 1:49 PM PST - 5 comments

Bland house entrance seeking charismatic outdoor shade-tolerant plant that is safe for kids and pets. [more inside]
posted by Spokane at 1:19 PM PST - 10 comments

Please recommend an external caller ID box for a landline that can hang on a wall, and that doesn't need AC power. [more inside]
posted by Mister Moofoo at 12:09 PM PST - 1 comment

I'm trying to build this address sign. The instructions involve putting an untreated 1x4 into the dirt. Seems bad. I'm not into pressure treated lumber, so I'm deciding between a redwood 2x4 or a metal sign post. [more inside]
posted by Spokane at 11:30 AM PST - 15 comments

Can anyone recommend a website or app to do a (rough) transcription of a 15-minute interview? Free or cheap is preferred. Does not need to be perfect - I'll go back and manually correct any of the quotes I want to use. Thanks!
posted by andoatnp at 10:20 AM PST - 7 comments

My daughter and I are visiting colleges on the east coast — an area I know nothing about but am super excited to visit. We'll be there the first week in October (covid willing) and I've rented a comfortable car so we can enjoy the drives between colleges. Can you suggest certain routes, or special places to see? We won't have a lot of time between campuses, but we do want to see more than just the interstates. [more inside]
posted by Capri at 10:14 AM PST - 20 comments

I dislike most forms of cardio. I love dance. I've been trained in a classical dance form of my country for over a decade, so I'm a fairly competent dancer. I'm looking for great dance videos (like pop song videos/movies, for example) I can copy off from - just for personal entertainment and fitness/happy hormone purposes. Difficulty level- easy to medium. Link me, please. Thank you!
posted by Nieshka at 8:35 AM PST - 11 comments

I have some files that are missing from an SD card - I'm not sure how they were deleted, but they're definitely not there now. Is there any way to potentially recover them - along the lines of restoring to a previous version?
posted by ryanshepard at 7:20 AM PST - 4 comments

I use the free version of the Penzu online journal. I use both the android app, and the desktop browser version. I often upload images into journal entries from my phone. I'm mystified by the inconsistent way these images display and sometimes disappear. [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 2:41 AM PST - 2 comments

My daughter is 11, will be 12 this fall. We're contemplating lying about her age to get her vaccinated before school begins. Good idea or not?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:14 AM PST - 61 comments

What kind of bank account should we set up to for settlement money received after a lawsuit involving our condo? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:14 AM PST - 4 comments

In a few months I (F, 35) will move in with my boyfriend (M, 38). I make more more money than he does. Snowflake inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:14 AM PST - 39 comments

Last week, I was annoyed over an article I'd read about FB and decided to change the cookie settings on my computer. I accidentally deleted them and now, I can't get into my FB account. I can log in with my username and password, but it stops me there. That's in part because about six months ago, I also enabled two part authentication to make my account less susceptible to hackers and now, I can't find the six digit code. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 9:48 PM PST - 5 comments

How many diverse-from-each-other flavor profiles for vegan sauces/dips can you come up with? [more inside]
posted by aniola at 8:55 PM PST - 24 comments

How normal or abnormal is it to be able to see or otherwise sense one's own body moving as a result of one's heart beating, while at rest? Surely there is a term for this? [more inside]
posted by glonous keming at 4:25 PM PST - 20 comments

When I take a deep breaths in and out through my nose, my lower front teeth get a sensation that's sort of like being tickled. What's that about? My tongue can be completely covering my teeth when it happens, so I don't think it's that the teeth are actually feeling the air; I presume it's some referred sensation, but from where? Am I freakishly alone in this, or is it a known thing?
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:23 PM PST - 7 comments

Unlike most of ya'll, I've only used Zoom about 4 (casual) times in the past. I have agreed to lead two cooking lessons as a fun part of a conference, via Zoom. How do I make them look not like shit? I have a chromebook, two working iphones, access to a paid-for zoom account, and limited natural light in the kitchen. What tricks, programs, settings, etc can help me, especially for switching camera angles smoothly. [more inside]
posted by Grandysaur at 1:35 PM PST - 10 comments

I am an AFAB nonbinary person in my late 30s. In my very early 20s I was involved in an intense and damaging relationship with an older man in a position of power. This was not romantic, but a 'friendship' with a sexual element and a D/s element. I am still fucked up over it but the worst part is that I miss it. Help me feel less insane? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:57 PM PST - 21 comments

That’s it. My closet is full of mostly black, some red, peach, rust — but mostly black tee shirts. I have just lost 50 lbs and I would like to buy a few new tops. I have checked out: j jill, chicos, coldwater creek, woman within, jessica london , zuri, nordstrom and except for zuri (which at $120 per top is a bit $$$ for me) —- I am not seeing anything I want to buy. Big, blousy, or… crew neck tee shirts seem to be on offer. [more inside]
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 12:19 PM PST - 19 comments

Other than the fact that it's not eligible for Prime (but is supposedly new with free shipping), why is it $200 cheaper than anywhere else? https://www.amazon.com/iRobot-Roomba-7150-Wi-Fi-Connected/dp/B07GNRGDKP Thank you! :)
posted by Seeking Direction at 12:07 PM PST - 4 comments

My wife may have been exposed to Covid two days ago. But it's unclear, and she's quarantining, no symptoms. We have a concert tonight, Japanese Breakfast. We're both fully vaxxed (Pfizer), no symptoms. Do I skip the concert? [more inside]
posted by glaucon at 12:04 PM PST - 21 comments

Del Monte “No Sugar Added” 14.5 ounce canned sliced peaches, expiration date April 11 of 2020. The can is un-dented, and the top of the can is still nicely concave, indicating a good seal. They look mighty tasty on the label. Should I? Would you?
posted by BostonTerrier at 11:17 AM PST - 11 comments

What are you using? [more inside]
posted by firstdaffodils at 10:44 AM PST - 1 comment

Good news is I sold the old house (previous question). Now I want to get my wife and I into position to buy our own place together in 1-2 years. Where do we start? [more inside]
posted by possibilityleft at 9:59 AM PST - 21 comments

We are thinking about putting up a couple of cameras around the house for low level exterior security, but aren't really excited about having to pay a subscription and have everything be uploaded. From mr. brilliantine's initial research, it looks like we can go with the Apple option, which would require upping our icloud storage, or a entry-level commercial option that would allow us to keep the data here. Mr. b is computer savvy and comfortable with servers, but the ones we saw have a pretty high startup cost. Any ideas from the hive mind?
posted by brilliantine at 9:51 AM PST - 12 comments

Recently it has come to my attention that in households without a dishwasher, people's approach to washing dishes really differs. How do you wash a sink full of dishes? [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 9:01 AM PST - 45 comments

Happy Masks don't work well for me. The goes in and out through the top instead of passing through the mask. Can you either 1) Point me to a product that will help me "seal" the mask better (something I can take on and off, though, so probably not a sticker/tape) 2) Point me to a mask with that quality of filtration, but a different style fit. Ideally an origami-style fit, which I've found do not give me the eye-breeze that I get with happy masks. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:50 AM PST - 7 comments

I need to quickly plan a nice weekend in New Jersey with a friend. Where can we stay? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 8:48 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a vintage sifter. It came from a hoarder relative's house and is quite dirty. I want to clean it and use it, assuming I can do so safely. How? [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 6:46 AM PST - 8 comments

Does anyone have any slightly outside the box ideas for getting through overwhelming needle aversion, in order to get the COVID vaccine? I’m familiar with the standard tricks, but I need to pull out all the stops on this one. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:35 AM PST - 41 comments

I'm married and helping to raise my stepchild. My wife and I always planned on having a child together, but life got in the way and we spent years dealing with the fallout of crisis after crisis. It was never "the right time" for a baby, and we just stopped talking about it. I don't know how to weigh the pros and cons of trying to have a child at this age. I don't want to talk to my wife about it until I know how I feel, but I'm just torn and unsure of what to do. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:08 AM PST - 22 comments

I need the (German) lyrics for the 80's DDR classic Kein Engel - by towering bluesmen Monokel. Can anyone point me in the right direction? That is all.
posted by freya_lamb at 5:48 AM PST - 3 comments

In competitive diving, what is a “flying” dive and how does it differ from a “non-flying” dive? Why aren’t flying dives used in competition very often? [more inside]
posted by Johnny Assay at 5:26 AM PST - 4 comments

I am preparing to transfer from my current role to another part of a very large company. Never having trained my own replacement for a job, I am trying to strike the right balance between thoroughness and professionalism / not simply handing this person everything I've worked on in such a way that they'll be able to take full credit for things I actually built or initiated. Am I being too selfish and paranoid? [more inside]
posted by TinyChicken at 4:49 AM PST - 32 comments

So I haven't really played computer games in a long while, but I really liked it in the olden days. I recently bought an Nvidia Shield, primarily as a media player, but also because I'd like to get back into gaming a bit. However, I find myself a bit overwhelmed by the offerings. Please, point me to your favorites! [more inside]
posted by mirthe at 3:03 AM PST - 10 comments

An adult in the house with sent me a link to a product on Amazon. She sees a different main image on the link than I do, one that does not appear anywhere on the page that I see. We are clicking the same link (and, fwiw, on the same wireless network). What’s going on? [more inside]
posted by charmedimsure at 12:41 AM PST - 26 comments

My previous question was about joining a social sports league. Everyone was really good, much more than what I expected. I could tell that I was letting my team down a little bit and at this point I want to drop out. [more inside]
posted by sheepishchiffon at 10:59 PM PST - 18 comments

Could I have your best nature names? [more inside]
posted by firstdaffodils at 9:13 PM PST - 45 comments

I've been dating someone for four years. He is extremely kind, stable, playful, compassionate, but I have doubts. There is no The One, but... how do you know if someone's The One? Snowflakes inside. (late 20s, F) [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:55 PM PST - 28 comments

I have never in all my bra wearing years been happy wearing a bra. I’ve finally realized it’s not about fit or type, but rather a sensory aversion to any kind of pressure around my rib cage. I have a large-ish chest (42D) and while I mostly dgaf what other people think of my appearance, for snowflakey reasons I need to have some basic support/hiding of visible nipples for the majority of my days. What can I wear instead of a bra to achieve this? [more inside]
posted by nancynickerson at 6:36 PM PST - 32 comments

Future Mrs Bassooner (FMB) and I are getting married next spring and starting to plan a June 2022 European honeymoon (pandemic permitting, obviously). Our current rough plan is to spend 5 days in Paris, 5 days in Barcelona, and 3-4 days lying on a beach doing nothing. What beach should that be? [more inside]
posted by bassooner at 5:26 PM PST - 5 comments

What the title says - I want to watch a movie that's really fun, but not necessarily a comfort movie. [more inside]
posted by mnc at 4:01 PM PST - 107 comments

My favorite part of documentaries is when likable or colorful characters recount a story about some wild or irreverent thing they did. [more inside]
posted by Snarl Furillo at 3:15 PM PST - 41 comments

I have these expensive bluetooth headphones from Bose and I was wondering why if there's a reason why it can "connect" to both my phone and my computer at the same time, but not actually get audio from both sources at the same time, what is the utility of letting it connect at all? If I can only get audio from one at a time why even allow it to connect to 2 sources? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 2:37 PM PST - 11 comments

We (couple, 40s, no kids) had a vacation planned in 10 days on the gulf coast of Florida near Tampa Bay. Between the Delta situation and the red tide we're thinking about cancelling our Florida hotel and moving north to... Alabama along the gulf? Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by jabes at 1:37 PM PST - 10 comments

Suppose I have an email that refers to an event using one of a few common time/ date formats (like "Wednesday, 9/14 at 5PM"). Is there a way to convert this into a new event in Google Calendar or Outlook such that it auto-populates the time and date fields with the appropriate information, instead of making me directly input all those numbers? [more inside]
posted by Bardolph at 12:46 PM PST - 1 comment

I'm thinking about asking for a shorter work week, probably four days instead of five. I feel like I'm in a pretty good position to make the ask but I want to make sure that this is what I really want and that it would be worth it. I've read articles and books about a four-day work week/shorter work days, but now I want anecdata: what was it like when you scaled back your work week? Who does this kind of arrangement work well for, and who crashes and burns? Also, if you asked for this change, how did that work? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:56 AM PST - 30 comments

Hi. I am at a crossroads with deciding what kind of career to embark on as I am interested in academia but also work in environmental sustainability/green tech work. Would it be more realistic and practical to forgo a PhD in Political Science or History and instead pursue a Master's in Environmental Sustainability to find work? [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 11:50 AM PST - 19 comments

We city-folks just bought a small vacation cabin which the realtor told us was serviced by a Waste Management company. Turns out, it isn't. So we'll need to haul our garbage in our SUV to the town dump. What's the least-messy, least-hassle way to do this? Any advice/tips/tricks? [more inside]
posted by egeanin at 11:10 AM PST - 28 comments

I am embarrassed to say this, but I really cannot stand the case management elements of my role at work. I find it dreadfully boring, and it requires no skill compared to other things I do, or can do. I recognize that it is important, and sometimes even vital, to link someone to the right person or group for their specific needs. I understand that it matters, in a general sense. But my ADHD brain is not stimulated by it, so I end up not doing a great job at it. Help me figure this out please. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 9:47 AM PST - 8 comments

I’m really struggling right now, with a lot of that anxiety and worry centered on finding new employment. A blizzard of snowflakes ahead. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:07 AM PST - 11 comments

My wife is not happy with her orthopedist (we're in the US). It's nothing horrible – he just isn't very attentive or helpful, and she doesn't want to go back to him. Her doctor is part of a medical practice with five other orthopedists in the group. Can we reasonably ask the receptionist for an appointment with one of the other doctors in the practice? [more inside]
posted by alex1965 at 7:47 AM PST - 14 comments

I have a workbook with an input sheet and then sheets showing different views of the data pulled from the input sheet. My primary views are fine, but for secondary views I need to fill output rows by reference to input columns. Due to Reasons, I think I need to do this with either INDEX, OFFSET or INDIRECT(ADDRESS...) rather than Transpose, or Pivot Tables. I can make INDEX work to fill across, but it can't be copied down. Can you help me work around having to manually rewrite a formula for each ouput row? [more inside]
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:21 AM PST - 13 comments

An older family member has reached the point where they cannot reliably use their cell phone. They live in a congregate setting which commonly restricts visiting due to covid precautions, so the phone is their only connection to family and friends much of the time. So I would like to replace their current phone with something that is easier to use. I've unsuccessfully spent a couple of days looking for a phone that will be easy enough for them to use reliably... [more inside]
posted by dbx at 6:17 AM PST - 18 comments

I bought my sofa thee years ago. I don't have pets, but I don't use air conditioning very much in the summer, so I sweat. The sofa isn't stained in anyway, but I'm sure it's full of my body oils and dirt. The fabric is not as supple as it once was. [more inside]
posted by Roy Batty at 3:16 AM PST - 13 comments

I have an intense chemical sensitivity. It goes like this: a real orange: totally fine! Something with orange flavored chemicals in it? I will get wildly ill. [more inside]
posted by jitterbug perfume at 12:55 AM PST - 14 comments

Looking for recommendations for excellent postpartum yoga classes that are available to stream on-demand online (not looking for virtual “live” classes), are plentiful (don’t want to repeat the same three classes over and over again), are affordable (free is even better, but I’m willing to pay a reasonable fee for a great product), and (here is where I can’t find what I’m looking for) are actually physically challenging while remaining attentive to postpartum-specific needs (I really would like a moderate or tougher workout, not just sitting on the mat and doing deep breathing for an hour). [more inside]
posted by Dorinda at 12:28 AM PST - 7 comments

Suppose a person who is vaccinated, inhales "some" coronavirus-laden droplets. Surely that must happen -- it has probably even happened to me. (Perhaps it happens all the time?) How can one tell? Is it possible to distinguish between "living a pure life far from anyone who has even heard of the virus and definitely not inhaling any of it" and "partying at all the bars in Covid Central but miraculously never getting sick"? [more inside]
posted by spacewrench at 9:03 PM PST - 12 comments

Why don't US wildfire fighting agencies use more aircraft to fight fires? [more inside]
posted by Dansaman at 6:03 PM PST - 21 comments

I love my robot vacuum, but it just doesn't do a good job of picking up tracked cat litter. It just doesn't suck it up well. If I could switch to a robot vacuum that picks up tracked cat litter, I would have to use the big vacuum a lot less often. Do you have a robot vacuum that handles cat litter well? [more inside]
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 5:59 PM PST - 14 comments

I work in a 35+ person department in a large organization and we will soon be transitioning to hybrid work, with people only in the office 2-3 days out of the week. We're trying to figure out a calendar solution that will allow us to easily see who is in the office and who is remote on any given day. [more inside]
posted by shesbookish at 4:59 PM PST - 13 comments

I got tickets for New York City's Homecoming Concert and mentioned it on Facebook. A friend commented that they would love to get tickets but wouldn't physically be able to make it through the entire concert. I suggested the ADA seating in case they didn't know that was an option. Was I off base? [more inside]
posted by Neely O'Hara at 3:40 PM PST - 9 comments

What would you buy for a stylish teenager in your life? I’d like to send some nice back to school gifts to my nieces and nephews. Age range 11-17. [more inside]
posted by areaperson at 3:17 PM PST - 10 comments

Yesterday I bought a 6 pack of a craft beer (bottles) and today i see it says it is unpasteurized and that it is "Best to refrigerate." It's been in my hot car for 24 hours. [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 2:56 PM PST - 12 comments

My 9 year old daughter has just been to the dentist for emergency dental work. Woke up with bad tooth ache and the dentist managed to fit us in same day. X-rays were taken and three teeth were found to be badly decayed. One required immediate removal to alleviate the pain. I know YANMD [more inside]
posted by dance at 2:36 PM PST - 36 comments

My knees are toast but not bad enough for surgery. I need to add mild exercise to get some relief and have a couple options I need help with [more inside]
posted by RichardHenryYarbo at 2:30 PM PST - 9 comments

How do you deal with your spouse or partner’s annoying habits? Not serious character flaws, but minor and ultimately harmless habits like bad grammar, verbal tics, being messy, cracking knuckles, noisy eating, etc. Is it better to try to ignore them at the risk of letting them drive you mad and becoming resentful? Or is it better to try to correct them and become possibly just as annoying with constantly nagging?
posted by roaring beast at 2:09 PM PST - 26 comments

I'm a dual Canadian/U.S. citizen living in Canada. I am fully vaccinated. I'd like to drive to the States on Monday and come back Thursday. Do I need a covid test to get into the U.S. by land? I might think so, and yet... [more inside]
posted by veggieboy at 1:45 PM PST - 9 comments

This handsome early 20th century ukiyo-e woodblock print shows fifteen Japanese mushroom types. I'm fairly confident in having identified seven species, on the basis of this translation of the 1643 classic 料理物語 Ryōri Monogatari and a Polish mycologist's analysis of its chapter on fungi. Can you help attribute the other eight? [more inside]
posted by progosk at 1:42 PM PST - 14 comments

I understand that the used car market is wild at the moment. What, if anything, does that mean for a car that in normal times is probably worth like $200? [more inside]
posted by goodbyewaffles at 1:26 PM PST - 14 comments

I just left my long term mostly good relationship and I feel like I just jumped off a cliff and am in free fall. I think deep down I know it is what I needed to do, but it's not a simple situation and it hurts and I'm seeking guidance from others who've done the same. [more inside]
posted by monologish at 12:52 PM PST - 11 comments

I would welcome any ideas for ways to cope with a parent’s sudden illness, particularly for adjusting mentally/emotionally to their new condition and managing flashbacks of their worst days and symptoms. Additionally, I would appreciate any strategies for navigating differences in caregiving style with my mother, who is doing her best, but has a less patient and empathetic approach to providing care. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:48 PM PST - 9 comments

I have a 13 year old relative staying with me for a few days. I'm wondering whether I should be concerned about his affect. [more inside]
posted by SageTrail at 12:14 PM PST - 15 comments

I want to read non-fiction about bees. Ideally engaging narrative non-fiction. Lots of good bee facts. NOT JUST HONEYBEES! I'd like to read about local bees too! Different kinds of bees! BEEEEEEES!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 11:39 AM PST - 23 comments

How do I learn to love yogurt? [more inside]
posted by werty at 11:13 AM PST - 46 comments

You are an adult successfully medicating your adhd. What dosage of what are you on? [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 9:12 AM PST - 42 comments

I have to leave for the vet by car or by cab in fifteen minutes. I have borrowed a car. The "low tire pressure" light is on. The vet is 2 miles away. Can I drive?
posted by Frowner at 6:47 AM PST - 22 comments

I have been with my partner for almost five years. We have a two-year-old and are due with our second child in December. I’m struggling with our financial arrangement altogether, and with inequities in our division of childcare and housework. I see some risk in confusing these questions by asking them in the same post, though they’re very connected. [more inside]
posted by AlmondEyes at 6:18 AM PST - 46 comments

tldr is I have gastritis caused by taking a magnesium supplement. I've stopped the magnesium, felt better, but now the pain is back again. Seeing my GI specialist or GP is difficult as we're in the middle of a bad third wave and I'm only partially vaccinated. (I'm in South Africa). Also, the appointment is extremely expensive. So I need a reality check (hopefully from others who've had similar problems) Is this just a bump on the road to recovery? Or serious enough to make an appointment? Also appreciate any tips for managing gastritis. Would prefer no alternative diagnosis though - please don't tell me about the auto immune condition I might have. [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 6:08 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm looking to have a custom pendant made, with a quartz crystal and a piece of obsidian or similar. There are an infinite number of results on Etsy and similar for "custom necklace," but I am hoping someone has a good recommendation. I'm in Milwaukee but am fine doing it through the net.
posted by Slinga at 5:42 AM PST - 4 comments

I've noticed since working from home that I like to have little things around my home office for little work breaks. Ideally these would be little things which aren't too hard (at least initially, bonus points if they can be developed more), but take a little practice. Examples below: [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 4:08 AM PST - 19 comments

Sometime in the near future, I will have to build a webapp, and I have my choice of the technology to use for it. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by queen anne's remorse at 9:19 PM PST - 14 comments

I have heard in two different mainstream news sources recently that I should go get N95 masks because there "are plenty of them now". Where do I buy genuine 3M N95 masks without valves right now? No Amazon ( lots of counterfeits), other country equivalents, or other non-trustworthy websites. I'd be interested in main hardware stores (Lowes, Home Depot, others?) and reputable safety sites. I don't personally believe them when they say there are lots around, so show me where they are, thanks!
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 9:18 PM PST - 15 comments

When I travel I've resigned myself that 95% of the time on a trip I'll wear my hiking shoes and it'll be fine. They're perfect for almost everything. But not going out dressy. What I'd like is the equivalent of women's ballet flats - ultralight, collapsible, simple - but for dress shoes. And for MEN. Is there such a thing?
posted by rileyray3000 at 8:19 PM PST - 11 comments

Hello, I am back with another fresh exciting Ask about this accursed website i've found myself managing with at least full cpanel control (previous). So the hosting provider (and this isn't my own account, so i can't quickly raise a ticket and bother them) did the bare minimum and zipped up the entire contents of the server for me to download, which i've done. I'm told they've wiped everything and restored access but based on the path address it's clearly a different location (home2/... instead of home/). Is this the reason why when I'm trying to restore from UpdraftPlus in a fresh WP install, and it didn't work? (internal server error) Let's assume I've googled search terms, 'how to restore website manually' and its variations and it didn't quite help. [more inside]
posted by cendawanita at 7:41 PM PST - 9 comments

In a weird and super fun twist, I have two upcoming funerals for family members, one this Friday and one...soon. I need to buy either a plus size solid black dress that isn’t a sheath dress, or a fancy black jumpsuit and I do not have the emotional bandwidth to do this right now. The second funeral will be my mother’s. These funerals will both be in south Florida where it is extremely hot and humid, so I don’t want long sleeves. Can you please help me find something to wear?
posted by tatiana wishbone at 6:26 PM PST - 12 comments

Well, I've arrived in 2014 because I've just discovered quinoa. I've been making this "Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl with Broccoli and Tomato" recipe a lot for lunch lately and I LOVE it. Any suggestions for similar recipes with different flavor profiles? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 4:55 PM PST - 17 comments

If you look for recipes online, you know the kind of junk I’m talking about - all you want is instructions on making tomato sauce or whatever, but the site is packed with ads, photos, links, anecdotes, comments and oh, yes, somewhere in all of that, a recipe. You can always tell when you’ve landed on one because the scroll box is going to be tiny. Google loves to point you to them. [more inside]
posted by Epixonti at 1:24 PM PST - 24 comments

I have been wearing glasses for 50 years. I never had trouble with a new pair until now. What next? [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 12:59 PM PST - 14 comments

Help me find what has to be the least fun 2nd birthday present ever. 😷 My tiny twins are quickly approaching age 2 and it seems like we should start (ok, we probably already should have started) practicing wearing masks. This a weird rite of passage. My twins are quite tiny - they are 22 months old, in the 2-5 percentile for height and weight. They just now moved into 12-18 month clothing, which is baggy. Anyone have experience with toddler size masks? Small ones? [more inside]
posted by atomicstone at 12:30 PM PST - 9 comments

Like everything else in my house, my doorbell button is an anomaly with three wires. I am trying to replace the buttons, but no one believes me that there are three wires instead of two. Since it’s low voltage at the buttons, can I just short out combinations of two wires until the bell rings? What’s the third wire for? An illuminated button? [more inside]
posted by TinWhistle at 11:52 AM PST - 19 comments

Rain, sleet, or shine, you spend 4+ hours every day in the fresh air getting some exercise. A driver's license is not required for your position. Riding in a motor vehicle is also not required. You get paid an hourly wage because you are a legal employee, not a gig economist. You live in a city. What is your job? [more inside]
posted by aniola at 11:42 AM PST - 35 comments

I want one of those "NAME's First Day of School." "I'm in ____________" "My teacher is _______" "My favourite books are...." etc. boards. Having browsed some available online, none are exactly what I want. I'm pretty handy with inDesign and Photoshop. Surely somebody has made a template for these things so it has some nice chalk-fonts/ effects, some suggested layout guides etc. Something designed for making cafe chalk-marker menus or outside-the-cafe signs would also work, since the look is the same. Obviously I am willing to pay the creator of said template, but it's for non-commercial use, so let's not go crazy.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 11:24 AM PST - 5 comments

I need to stock up on masks for my elementary-aged kids who will be back in school in the fall for the first time since March 2020 (that is to say, they have not regularly worn maks all day yet in a social setting). Parents of kids who have optimized the tradeoff between cost/comfort/safety for your kids, what have you found works best? I'm looking for both styles and specific places to buy. [more inside]
posted by lab.beetle at 9:51 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm finally handing a big data entry task off to a capable co-worker. Yay! I have to document the whole process. Boo! Doing the task while pausing after every step to screenshot and explain it is tedious and I absolutely hate it. Is there a way to frame this in my mind to make it fun or interesting? [more inside]
posted by Recliner of Rage at 9:31 AM PST - 11 comments

After a lifetime of wearing glasses, I'm thinking about getting lens replacement surgery, and I have a few questions... [more inside]
posted by essexjan at 9:22 AM PST - 6 comments

New neighbors moved in upstairs in my old, three family brownstone building. The last neighbors were the quietest people on the face of the earth. I got used to their soundless existence above me for a number of years. I realize the new neighbors are just walking, which is well within their rights to do! But it's a thud, thud, thud when they walk. Hopefully I'll adjust. But any suggestions for speeding this process on my end? Mentally? I don't really think there's any sound mitigation I can do.
posted by swheatie at 8:34 AM PST - 14 comments

My Samsung j6+ with android 10 suddenly decided to read out loud when I have a whatsapp message or upcoming meetings. I never turned this on and there is no scenario where I would want this to happen. How do I turn it off? [more inside]
posted by signal at 8:27 AM PST - 12 comments

At our school, all teachers have to 'volunteer' for early morning screening of staff and students (our government wont pay for someone to do this, so it's up to us). It's become an eternal stressful bun fight due to the usual stuff: people not putting their names down, or not pitching. And then there's the tatty paper based list which circulates around the school, getting lost and scrawled on. I'm thinking an online shift roster might help, if it can do the following: [more inside]
posted by BrStekker at 1:16 AM PST - 4 comments

I’ve just started putting a part of my savings in stocks. I am not intending to buy and sell, I just want to sit peacefully on some stuff until retirement in twenty years. For that reason I am looking at some big stocks like Disney for example. But… [more inside]
posted by J.R. Hartley at 12:49 AM PST - 25 comments

I feel that I have no right to make art because I didn't go to art school and am just a amateur dabbler with delusions of grandeur who would look foolish to others. [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 9:06 PM PST - 48 comments

I've just accepted a new full time job after consulting for a bit. I've had a pattern of being unhappy in previous jobs because I feel like I've been stuck in an admin rut. [more inside]
posted by My Kryptonite is Worry at 7:18 PM PST - 7 comments

I went to my first and second Al-Anon meetings today. Can you help me find more resources for parents of alcoholics/addicts: personal stories, advice, etc.? Most of what I'm finding (apart from Al-Anon) seems to be SEO for residential rehabs, or geared towards adult children of alcoholics. It's specifically the experience of being a parent of an alcoholic or addict that I would like to read about. Thanks for any suggestions!
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 7:11 PM PST - 3 comments

So as long term AskMeFi readers know, I have a curse wherein noise disrupts my sleep no matter where I move. Most recently, I moved to an apartment four months ago that I explicitly picked because it was quiet at night and the bedroom was at the side of the house instead of the front or back (no street/alley noise that way). For four months, I slept well. Then new neighbors moved in, and it went downhill. [more inside]
posted by LSK at 5:48 PM PST - 22 comments

Our family of cousins and second cousins gets together for five nights every three years. Usually we do this in a place with a common gathering area and kitchen. The reunion fund pays for the common area and for the ingredients for dinner. Everyone pays for their own motel/hotel room. In lean years, some people (me) have stayed in nearby campgrounds. [more inside]
posted by SLC Mom at 3:59 PM PST - 14 comments

I keep trying and failing to jump back into online dating. It's been such a long time since I've been in the swim that it's taking a LOT of psyching myself up. (Not to mention Covid dysphoria.) In the past I did OkCupid, but now I'm thinking Bumble. But are there others I should consider? I'm in NYC, a cis het woman, early 50s, looking for relationship-minded guys. I'm not on Facebook, so can't do any that require that. Thanks for any recommendations.
posted by gigondas at 3:04 PM PST - 5 comments

Have you switched from an Android to an iPhone in the past year or two? Tell me about your experience, especially if you're pretty baked into the Google ecosystem or are otherwise a semi-power user. (If you switched to Android and loved/hated it, tell me about that, too!) [more inside]
posted by knucklebones at 2:55 PM PST - 18 comments

Last night I realized both of my newish piercings (earlobes) are slightly infected. I took the earring out of my left ear since it was the most irritated and today the hole is healed over enough that I don't want to push it. Should I take my other earring out, too? [more inside]
posted by Hermione Granger at 2:11 PM PST - 10 comments

There appears to be several sites offering MV tours. Cliff Palace is closed. What is the best option?
posted by ebesan at 1:59 PM PST - 2 comments

My coworker is becoming increasingly toxic, but my boss refuses to do anything about it. How do I keep from losing my sanity? Snowflakes inside… [more inside]
posted by lawgirl at 1:26 PM PST - 12 comments

Is anyone using the free app GoldenDict? I need help on how to reactivate it. [more inside]
posted by ragtimepiano at 1:23 PM PST - 3 comments

My coparent seems very confused right now. We communicate only on a coparenting app (OFW) due to a high conflict divorce. There was very little communication for the past month. Suddenly coparent is repeatedly making out-of-the-blue and difficult-to-understand accusations. There is some history of diagnosed (and undiagnosed) mental illness and/or mini-strokes for coparent. I'm not sure what to do. [more inside]
posted by u2604ab at 12:18 PM PST - 18 comments

Are there any health issues if I get another vaccination? I want my card to match my ID [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:12 PM PST - 5 comments

Any legal eagles on the green? Here's an example of a sticky issue that might come up at a certain workplace I know of: Let's say an employee has tested positive for COVID. They don't know if it's Delta or not. [more inside]
posted by cartoonella at 11:52 AM PST - 16 comments

I’m making roast chickpeas. I soaked a bag of then overnight and then spread them out on a baking sheet to dry on the counter before roasting but I didn’t get around to doing it yesterday. Now some of them have dark spots? [more inside]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 9:26 AM PST - 3 comments

You, a teacher, have perfected your last week of summer vacation. Tell me your secrets. [more inside]
posted by goodbyewaffles at 8:16 AM PST - 6 comments

I am about to drive cross country from Charlotte to Anaheim am and looking for places to go and things to see. This is a one-way trip and I'll be making it over the course of one week. I'm not a big camper (not against it though) and probably will be booking hotels throughout. Google suggested two routes - one through AR, OK, and NM and a more southern route through TX, NM, and AZ. One thing that interests me about the southern rote is that I'll be able to see some MLB stadiums I've never been to (Braves, Rangers, Diamondbacks). But I'm also interested in nice drives, and remote areas that have cool things to offer that I wouldn't otherwise know about (the Four Corners monument in NM seems like it may be worth a stop). Also love good food, breweries, etc. Any suggestions are much appreciated! :)
posted by matt755811 at 7:19 AM PST - 14 comments

I am currently working as an admin assistant for the NHS in the UK. I have been asked if I would like to undertake the role of contacting patients with Hepatitis C and persuading them to attend a clinic appointment. [more inside]
posted by charlen at 4:19 AM PST - 4 comments

We were given a few years ago the Noma guide to fermentation. We failed to ferment some berries at the time, but we've decided to try again this year and had much better success. However, we have no real idea what to do with the fermented berries and their tasty, tasty juice. So, what should we do with a bunch of lacto-fermented berries? [more inside]
posted by vernondalhart at 12:22 AM PST - 9 comments