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You know when you hold your wrist super tight and let blood pool in your hand, how your hand feels all full of blood, stiff, and poundy? My head and neck feel like that. Full of pressure. Not painful, but noticeable and weird. How bad is this? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 9:57 PM PST - 9 comments

How hard is it to push different types of bike/bike tire through snow? [more inside]
posted by Comet Bug at 9:16 PM PST - 5 comments

I have an older (early 2000's) model car I'd like to gift my nephew. I'm concerned that I could be opening myself up to a liability, should the car be in an accident and/ or a mechanical failure is found. More inside. [more inside]
posted by Pretty Good Talker at 7:27 PM PST - 15 comments

My husband and I are in the early stages of planning a move from Ohio to Hungary and figuring out how to move our four spoiled felines. [more inside]
posted by bitter-girl.com at 6:57 PM PST - 17 comments

Which email client did Harvard use in 1995? Are there screenshots of the inbox and/or what an email would look like as it was being written?
posted by pxe2000 at 4:56 PM PST - 26 comments

For Spookymonth, I'd like to watch about half a dozen of the most iconic Universal Pictures and Hammer horror movies. Which ones make the cut? [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 4:02 PM PST - 19 comments

Do you have personal experience with at-home skin tag removal? [more inside]
posted by cozenedindigo at 3:52 PM PST - 26 comments

I tried a Revel moped in Brooklyn this weekend and loved it—so much so, I'm thinking about just buying a similar moped. What do I need to know about owning and operating one in Brooklyn? [more inside]
posted by critzer at 1:39 PM PST - 5 comments

I love the company I work for--we're a <50 person startup. It's become increasingly clear that my boss (the COO) and our Chief Sales & Marketing Officer not only can't stand each other but are unable to put aside their egos for the greater good of the company. [more inside]
posted by eggman at 1:06 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm having trouble adapting to an extremely slow paced environment but have no desire to leave so I'm just looking for tips on how to deal! [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 12:44 PM PST - 10 comments

I want to order a stamp to label and sell our local honey. I found this item on Etsy but have no experience with hand stamping. Am I better off with the wood stamp or the stamp & handle? Any experience/opinions to share? [more inside]
posted by hrhcc at 12:27 PM PST - 8 comments

I'd like to make this honey cake with added apple. But how much apple? And how? [more inside]
posted by joyceanmachine at 12:21 PM PST - 6 comments

I want to make a small batch of beans to go with some BBQ meats. I have an aversion to liquid smoke (snowflaky story that I won't get into). Do any of you have a go-to recipe for smoky baked beans w/o liquid smoke? I have a small dutch oven, but no pressure cooker. Please suggest actual recipes that you have tried rather than ingredients I could add (I am not a good or confident cook).
posted by Feminazgul at 12:20 PM PST - 18 comments

I need help finding footwear. Specifically, women's black dressy shoes for a fancy event in a few weeks. [more inside]
posted by iamkimiam at 11:51 AM PST - 9 comments

Please give me recent examples of greenwashing that I will not find in a simple web search. Especially interested in little-known examples. [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna at 11:24 AM PST - 8 comments

My girlfriend is having a hard time with her school psychology career. This is her third year on the job. She just started at a wealthy district after leaving a poor unorganized one. She can do each individual aspect of the job without too much difficulty, but it’s the volume of the work that is making her miserable. There is virtually no work life balance and if she’s lucky, she may be able to relax on Saturday. But she’s getting very little sleep and she regularly works from 6am to 9pm six days of the week. [more inside]
posted by ggp88 at 10:53 AM PST - 22 comments

Fellow MeFites on SSRIs: what do you take for a cold? [more inside]
posted by vanitas at 10:33 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm looking for a productivity system, most likely centered around an app, that is optimized for showing me what I've done. Too many approaches I've tried (ToDoist, Things, Remember the Milk) treat your completed to-dos as so much party trash, crossed off and gone, never to be seen again. I need the reinforcement of looking at lists and charts of what I've accomplished. More snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by libraryhead at 9:59 AM PST - 4 comments

I try to dress with a little style but am finding it difficult in hot climates I am travelling a lot - with a small bag - to very hot countries like Chile and Vietnam. How can I look good without dying of heat exhaustion, and while keeping my bags small [more inside]
posted by jander03 at 9:49 AM PST - 5 comments

Help me make an awesome Halloween costume. Necessities inside. [more inside]
posted by kathrynm at 8:56 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm looking for life size heads of famous people for a project involving makeup. Ideally with hair but we can wig them. Probably like 40-50. All different. All famous people. Is there's someone who 3D prints these things at a decent number somewhere in the world at a decent quality?
posted by rileyray3000 at 8:21 AM PST - 4 comments

Our PTA doesn't currently accept online payments, which is an inconvenience for many as they constantly need $5 here, $10 there. What's the best way for a PTA to accept online and track payments? [more inside]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:10 AM PST - 8 comments

While flying out of LaGuardia yesterday I was listening to the tower on LiveATC. I noticed that many of the planes on the runway I could see (31) began their takeoff rolls a couple seconds before they received takeoff clearance. This wasn't a typical 'rolling takeoff' in which the plane goes directly from the taxiway into their takeoff roll. The planes were told to line up and wait and came to a full stop at the end of the runway, and began rolling a couple seconds before the tower cleared them to take off. I have never seen this before and cursory googling doesn't turn anything up. Is this permissible, or is it pilots bending the rules at a busy airport?
posted by googly at 7:51 AM PST - 4 comments

Help solve the mystery of our electric bill, which was weirdly high for over 3 years and then magically fixed itself..... [more inside]
posted by Bebo at 5:14 AM PST - 18 comments

If you look at the brains of rats, cats, and humans, you can for example see that there is a biological substrate for the processing of vision; it varies in size, and a little in relative location, but what is present in one species is present in the other and has more or less the same structure and function. Are there homologues for the parts of bat brains that handle echolocation? [more inside]
posted by os tuberoes at 4:48 AM PST - 4 comments

Friend is currently AT&T on a family plan, and wants to get off of the plan onto his own, or with new company, but is unable to because the account holder holds the access pin that he doesn't know. He could just walk away from the account and start new somewhere with a new number but he has a lot tied to his number and would like to keep that same number at ant cost. Is there anyway to do this without the account holder giving the permission/access code? Can he go to a different carrier? It just seems crazy to me that he is locked into a contract, he pays for, that he can't find anyway to get off of whole keeping the same number? Thank you for advice!
posted by MamaBee223 at 2:37 AM PST - 18 comments

My boss has been more supportive than required in my career trajectory. What's a good birthday present? He likes sailimg, golf, is a science geek, has a PhD. I'm also interested in maintaining a professional relationshop when I leave. This kind of thing isn't my jam. What do other guys do?
posted by anonymous at 1:24 AM PST - 9 comments

Occasionally I harbour a fear that I will somehow get dosed with LSD/Psilocybin or accidentally consume a THC edible or the like. It's not an obsession or debilitating phobia that severely impacts my life, but rather a more annoying ongoing anxiety symptom that I'm looking to manage better. What's the best approach I could take in therapy to help work through this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:23 AM PST - 6 comments

So I'm off on 4-week trip all of October to Prague - Krakow - Budapest - Vienna, spending a week in each place. I'm a photographer so I need your recommendations for the best photographic subjects in these cities. And good vantage points for them. Or even picturesque day trips from them. Bonus points for non-touristy stuff to do.
posted by madman at 9:43 PM PST - 11 comments

These are the dissolving strips that numbed your throat, but they’re discontinued. They used benzocaine and menthol. I loved them. Does your country have some similar kind of dissolving strip for throat pain?
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 9:07 PM PST - 3 comments

The other day, the person I was cooking with had leftover salsa-flavored water from salsa-making and we used that instead of broth to make risotto. The result was delicious! What other unique flavored liquids could I try? I'm most curious about things that aren't broth but feel free to suggest unique broths.
posted by azalea_chant at 8:48 PM PST - 15 comments

I have been invited to a What We Do in the Shadows themed party, and I have been instructed to dress as one of the undead. What are some easy/cute/comfy ways do do that? [more inside]
posted by superlibby at 5:45 PM PST - 13 comments

I've been using Tinder for the first time, and have met some mostly great people. However, I seem to keep running into middle-aged men who are shaving a few years off their age. I don't care about age but I do care about honesty! [more inside]
posted by smorgasbord at 5:39 PM PST - 23 comments

Back in high school in the late '70s, we read a short story in English class. I only remember fragments, it was about a traveller who got lost, maybe in the Himalayas? Definitely somewhere in Asia, in the mountains. He was rescued by buddhist monks or nuns (maybe?), and the thing I remember most clearly was that they cleaned out his nose with some type of swab after they rescued him. I seem to remember this was part of a reader or anthology of short stories we had. If it helps, this was in Canada.
posted by nanook at 5:20 PM PST - 2 comments

My beans (red, but not kidney) smell funny as they cook. I have cooked beans from scratch before, but they never smell like this. Can I eat them? [more inside]
posted by tavegyl at 4:15 PM PST - 5 comments

These came up in the middle of a field in my neighborhood park. They remind me of inky cap or shaggy mane, which was why I stopped, but not quite. Did my neighborhood get a fancy edible mushroom windfall (unlikely), or are they something else?
posted by centrifugal at 3:28 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm turning 32 very soon and have worked as a teacher for my entire career (a little less than 10 years), and I'm considering making a career switch at the end of this school year. My one hesitation is that I don't hate my job. I actually like many parts of my day-to-day; however, I'm still early in my career and concerned about doing the same job in perpetuity, passing some type of "rubicon", and thereby being stuck until retirement. [more inside]
posted by orangesky4 at 3:22 PM PST - 10 comments

In the past couple of years I saw an article online about how/why Coldplay is the future of pop music (the title was close to that) -- based on the keys or frequencies or beats per minute of their songs, or some other impressively nerdy analysis. Does that ring a bell and/or can you help me find it? [more inside]
posted by argonauta at 3:20 PM PST - 4 comments

How can I restore 20+ year old "no-sew" applique (using fabric paint to seal the edges) to a usable and washable condition, preferably using traditional sewn applique for durability? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by oblique red at 2:57 PM PST - 2 comments

You're a skilled vegetarian cook and you don't shy away from any flavors/spices or international cuisines. What are your showstopper recipes? What do you cook that makes both vegetarians and omnivores say "wow"? [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 2:56 PM PST - 34 comments

It has recently become my practice when visiting Canada to partake of a strain of indica known as MK Ultra, put in earphones and get lost in good music. I am seeking music to add to my current playlist. Stereo-field shenanigans are especially good. (I have seen the previous question on this topic.)
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 2:40 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm looking for examples of horror films in the vein of IT FOLLOWS, THE RING, and THINNER, where a supernatural curse torments you until you pass it along to someone else -- after which you are freed from it.
posted by egeanin at 2:35 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm visiting Vancouver and Victoria in the next few weeks and am wondering if there are shops with needlework sections that are worth visiting? [more inside]
posted by poxandplague at 2:11 PM PST - 2 comments

I'll be travelling back from Buenos Aires to the US in mid-February. I have a few days to spare and I'm thinking of spending them in the Caribbean or Central America. Where? [more inside]
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 12:15 PM PST - 4 comments

in the mid 80s we were assigned a story [more inside]
posted by brujita at 12:00 PM PST - 4 comments

Could you recommend books, short stories, essays, graphic novels etc. featuring people who are alone (ideally physically isolated) and enjoy their solitude, or come to enjoy it? Examples and more details inside! [more inside]
posted by cimton at 11:15 AM PST - 24 comments

Vice has an article The Hidden Stress of Growing Up a Child of Immigrants with a throwaway reference to "'resilience'—a term that reflects the tendency of children of immigrants to be unflappable or have 'grit'". Can the hive mind recommend additional reading on personality differences due to growing up a child of immigrants? [more inside]
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 11:03 AM PST - 4 comments

I've had a nine-pound bucket of cleaned and processed ghost peppers (Bhut jolokia) in my freezer for five years. It's time to either use them or throw them out. Are they still good for cooking and canning? How could I tell? [more inside]
posted by hydrophonic at 10:44 AM PST - 7 comments

My brother and I have inherited a modest home in Austin. It’s a mid century 3/2, a little worn around the edges but otherwise fine. There’s nothing special about the house but it is in a spectacular neighborhood 2 or 3 miles from downtown. Should we rent it two or three times a year as a VRBO? [more inside]
posted by carterk at 10:42 AM PST - 9 comments

There was a group that could best be described as a jam band with a 'worldbeat' sound, I think from Minneapolis, that frequently played college towns in the upper midwestern US in the 90s and early 2000s. I really wasn't into them so I don’t recall their name, but they played so frequently at parties and other venues they were hard to avoid. The thing that’s stuck with me is a memory of an almost-phone-booth-size device they had on stage that seemed to be part of their audio setup. What was it? [description follows] [more inside]
posted by theory at 9:29 AM PST - 10 comments

Like a lot of people, I get an enormous amount of work email every day, and it's completely overwhelming. Right now, I'm using Gmail's webapp (with some Outlook email also forwarded into it; I have some problems getting attachments in my work Outlook account, so I usually use Gmail instead). I want to switch to a desktop app for the Mac. [more inside]
posted by pinochiette at 9:11 AM PST - 12 comments

I want to allow my children to only access YouTube videos chosen by me. I'm happy to pay money for this ability! My kids are 7 and 3, so I'd ideally be able to create a whitelist in advance containing various channels and individual videos. [more inside]
posted by WowLookStars at 8:05 AM PST - 6 comments

How to quit Facebook? [more inside]
posted by loveandhappiness at 7:02 AM PST - 28 comments

my credit is crap. help me buy a car. [more inside]
posted by megan_magnolia at 1:50 AM PST - 12 comments

My husband is just 49 and 2 days ago underwent a prostatectomy after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. [more inside]
posted by TestamentToGrace at 10:44 PM PST - 10 comments

About half-way through a trip (as I am now) I feel down about my impending return to work, because I don't want to get sucked back into the world I don't realize I'm in when I'm in the grind, a world which I likely won't be able to discern again until next vacation. Obviously general despair is not a good strategy - how else could I handle this?
posted by 7 Minutes of Madness at 9:22 PM PST - 7 comments

I’ve been wanting to declutter but often I find myself unable to decide whether an item is fit for giving to a charity such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, Purple Heart Pickup, and other such charities for gently used goods. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:15 PM PST - 19 comments

We’re working on the layout for a new living room, and there’s no natural place for a TV. We don’t watch a ton of TV, but I’d like the OPTION to watch something - big football games, Christmas movies with the kids, etc. - infrequent, Event TV. How do I have a TV without having to look at it most of the time? [more inside]
posted by zibra at 7:46 PM PST - 21 comments

I want to make a Hyperface-based Halloween costume. My plan is basically just to put a cardboard box on my head, cut some sort of eye slit, and glue the printed pattern on all sides of the box aside from a neck hole. Bonus if someone has very simple plans for a box that will stay on. [more inside]
posted by sindark at 1:54 PM PST - 12 comments

I am trying to find the audio or video of the commercial for H.O.B.O. Clothes, an independent clothing shop in the Capitol Heights area of Washington, D.C. The commercials would have aired in the early 2000s, and I'd love to hear the theme music again. It was an original jingle that mentioned the store by name. There are at least two videos on YouTube taken at/within the store itself, but the song in this video is not the jingle that I'm looking for.
posted by Transmissions From Vrillon at 1:15 PM PST - 3 comments

I live in New York and am almost 40, so it's increasingly important for me to have extremely comfortable, walkable footwear. But I also, like, emotionally need for my boots to be kinda tough-looking. I work in a creative field, but in an office, so I don't want them to be TOO casual (I do have a great pair with spikes all over but they won't do for work), but plain black Chelsea boots would make me die a little inside. Help me be extremely comfortable while still SLIGHTLY cool? Soooooo many snowflakes inside, I think about boots a lot. [more inside]
posted by babelfish at 12:04 PM PST - 17 comments

We're traveling to Istanbul and would like a personal guide to take us around to the tourist sites for safety and cultural reasons. How do we find someone?
posted by Ms Vegetable at 11:34 AM PST - 3 comments

An animation about - I think - a couple of characters lost at sea? [more inside]
posted by KChasm at 11:15 AM PST - 3 comments

Bunion-wise, I'm in the delightful stage between not anywhere near bad enough for surgery and never isn't a problem. I'm looking for ways to 1) stop it getting worse (KTape? Spacer thingies? What?) and 2) stop it hurting all the time (Voltaren? Magical shoes? I don't even know. NSAIDs don't seem to touch it.)
posted by HotToddy at 10:45 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm the lucky recipient of an older mac, not as old as previous questions though (mid 2012). What can I do to keep it running well and get the most out of it as a 32 bit machine when increasingly programs are 64 bit? [more inside]
posted by Braeburn at 9:55 AM PST - 14 comments

If I hire a house cleaner under the terms that it's $30/hour per person, and she has said she may or may not being a coworker, if she brings a coworker, what should I pay if she comes alone? I would think on the one hand, $30/hour/person is what we agreed to. But if I'm saying the job could be worth $60/hr, shouldn't I pay that if I'm basically saying that she's doing a two-person job herself? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 9:46 AM PST - 13 comments

Need some tips for human interaction as a single female [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 9:45 AM PST - 7 comments

I would like to incorporate some light massage into sexy times with my partner. What kind of lotion or oil should I use? I want something that doesn’t taste bad and won’t stain our sheets. And/or some easy, uncomplicated way of protecting our bed. [more inside]
posted by sock puppy at 9:00 AM PST - 12 comments

Following my question looking for a mechanical engineer (which has worked out well), I am now looking for someone to do website design, package design, marketing, etc. for the thing. [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 8:09 AM PST - 3 comments

Songwriters and pop music theory folks out there--help me out. I think that there is something very particular about the New Pornographers' chord progressions. [more inside]
posted by umbú at 7:51 AM PST - 11 comments

I keep feeling that Trump is making it way too easy to impeach him, because impeachment will ultimately help him and the Republicans. [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 7:15 AM PST - 27 comments

My parents are interested in "home swapping" with like-minded people around the US/the world. They'd like to travel to a place for a week to a month and stay in someone's home while the other homeowner stays in their home. Any recommendations on good websites (fee or non-fee based) that might include reviews, references, security deposits or anything else that seems like a good idea?
posted by arnicae at 7:15 AM PST - 3 comments

Last night there was a major thunderstorm that hit Chicago and several photographers captured a particularly huge lightning strike on the Willis (Sears) Tower. One post on twitter has the timestamp and I was wondering if there was anyway to find out specific details about the strike from lighting monitoring data available on the web.
posted by srboisvert at 5:57 AM PST - 2 comments

How to organize a Mandarin vocabulary book to look up new vocabulary words easily, when the Mandarin alphabet is so different than English? [more inside]
posted by shortyJBot at 5:28 AM PST - 6 comments

Lately I feel like my peer group are all going off doing ridiculous things - buying expensive houses, other spending decisions and just generally doing stuff in a way that diverges from my own perspective on how I want to live my life. I would say that I'm fairly accepting of these differences but I still feel like I'm putting a lot of mental energy into contrasting these different ways. Discussing and justifying our path with my partner (who's on the same page as I). Lately we felt that it would be good to have some positive role models of people who did things in a slightly different way. Head inside for a request for personal input and biography recommendations - so if you liked Murakami's "running" or Chris Hadfields "life on earth" please add your 2c. [more inside]
posted by mathiu at 4:55 AM PST - 13 comments

In the early aughts, certainly existing around 2002, there was a comedy site where users could ask a question to a website "machine" where if the question was selected, various characters would respond in character, in a chat format, usually to comedic effect. Help me find an archived site if it exists. [more inside]
posted by Karaage at 3:47 AM PST - 2 comments

What are good videos and books about high functioning autism, especially in adults? I would love to find great materials to help me think about autistic adults, especially those that are smart and high functioning in society, such that they are often passing as neurotypical. Fun materials like YouTube videos and comic books would be especially appreciated.
posted by mortaddams at 3:26 AM PST - 13 comments

For art purposes, I'm filling a plastic bin that's approximately the size of a small bathtub with 8-12 gallons of vinegar and then letting it evaporate. Will the acetic acid vapor that results require ventilation for sensitive houseplants and pets to remain happy? [more inside]
posted by vegartanipla at 12:25 AM PST - 11 comments

With some gentle prodding from my therapist, I'm back to online dating in my 40s (fwiw, I'm a woman in the US, looking for a man for LTR/marriage). In my past relationships, I fell pretty quickly for men, and could have done a better job of establishing what I wanted to get out of the relationship, rather than letting infatuation and insecurity push me to compromise my relationship goals. How do I make sure I'm asking the right questions up-front to make sure I don't fall too hard for someone incompatible? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:24 AM PST - 8 comments

I've been in multiple relationships with the same sexual frequency trajectory; Hot to cold within 2 years. Is it just the fact of life or am I the problem? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:23 AM PST - 31 comments

I have C-PTSD; I have tried a number of treatments, and nothing has really been working. Things are feeling more dead-endy than normal, and I don't know how to proceed or what treatments to seek. At this level of care it seems like I'm expected to 'choose your own adventure' through treatment. This is confusing and decision paralysis is a serious thing for me. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:23 AM PST - 12 comments

I've been watching handmade glassblowing and making videos (they're very soothing) and there's a lot of excess glass that gets broken off during the creation. Is this like clay and metal workshops where the leftover pieces can be set aside for reuse as lower-quality materials in other projects, or are they discarded outright? Bonus for historical workshops methods!
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 11:56 PM PST - 6 comments

I am hopefully about to sign a contract for our wedding photographer but wanted to check on a few terms to make sure they are normal or pretty standard. [more inside]
posted by cycleback at 8:41 PM PST - 8 comments

The pharmacy my doctor uses here (Mexico) is taking a lot longer to order in Cymbalta than they said. I see sites for online pharmacies that look legit (i.e., enough invested in the user interface that a scam seems improbable), but my doctor is skeptical almost to the point of insisting that they are scams. Does the hivemind have any positive firsthand experience to report? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:33 PM PST - 1 comment

I'm going to apply for a job for which the Canadian Securities Course is "an assett." I haven't taken the course. I will propose to take it. This will have more credibility if I have a plan. The problem is that I thought the job app was due in like a month and it's due much sooner. So now I'm rushing. Can you tell me A) How does this course work. Where do I look up course dates or whatever? and B) Can you point me to some Coles-notes type outline of the course -- I'm not looking for study materials, more an detailed paragraph-based summary of what the course covers just so I know what it is I don't know/know what I would be learning, so I can talk about it intelligently.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:57 PM PST - 7 comments

I'd like a large, plain, androgynous leather purse. Can you suggest one? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 6:17 PM PST - 10 comments

Are we the only ones having MAJOR quality issues with Oreos lately? What's happening? Why?! [more inside]
posted by Crystalinne at 5:58 PM PST - 15 comments

Appeared in one of the monthly scif-fi magazines in the '80s. Was about a dwarf with a knack or implant for cracking codes. He was hired to pull off a heist and there was a guy on the heist who became his friend. But the heist went wrong and things went bad. The code cracker wound up taking care of his friend. Anyone know the name of the story and author? I think it had 'Crystal' in the title.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:53 PM PST - 3 comments

Being in grad school and mostly anxious, I found that one of the best ways to unwind/de-stress was to smoke/vape/eat cannabis semi-often. I've also been reading The Red Book by Jung and keeping a journal of my dreams (and thoughts). I have started to notice this intensely real/vibrant gratitude. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by SkinsOfCoconut at 5:23 PM PST - 6 comments

I’m looking for the answer to what I thought would be a simple question: approximately how many tons of Product X can Ship Y carry? I can look up any vessel on various public websites and find out its gross tonnage and deadweight tonnage. Both of those are used to refer to the ship’s capacity. Great! But the better I understand them, the less helpful they seem. [more inside]
posted by leeloo minai at 2:49 PM PST - 11 comments

My new landlord prefers rent payments via "direct deposit", by which I believe he means direct ACH transfer. Apparently his other tenants manage this just fine, but my bank doesn't allow me to do direct-to-bank ACH transfer unless it's between accounts that I own. What is the best way to make a direct transfer to his account that is not a wire transfer and doesn't require him to sign up for something (like Zelle) in order to receive the money?
posted by rhiannonstone at 2:38 PM PST - 21 comments

I needs to connect to about 200 different SSH servers, login to a network device, and run a command and get some output. Help? If you suggest a tool other than node, please keep in mind it needs to run in Windows. Thank you. [more inside]
posted by signsofrain at 2:07 PM PST - 12 comments

I cry pretty easily in emotional upset. If I cry in the evening, I often look pretty awful the next day. My eyes aren't red but I look very tired and sometimes the areas under and above my eyes are really puffy. It's getting worse here in my 40s (like, a co-worker will ask me if I'm okay a few hours into the work day when I cried the night before). Can you help me? [more inside]
posted by bluedaisy at 1:50 PM PST - 14 comments

I used to get a BarkBox subscription but their customer service has gone way down and I’m just done with them. Looking for a new dog toy/treat subscription box. Anybody have one they like? [more inside]
posted by Weeping_angel at 1:27 PM PST - 2 comments

I just realized how soothing it is to watch the Great British Baking show. There is a plot of sorts to keep me engaged, a goal that they are working toward, but there is absolutely no risk of activating my fight or flight response. The narration is soothing and pleasing to my ears, and if I zone out a little bit I won't be frustrated about what I missed. So it is a great option if my body is just at a limit of intensity or overwhelm. I'm seeking other things to watch, read and do, that offer this kind of predictable safety so I can park myself there and give my body and brain a break. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 1:14 PM PST - 44 comments

I was melting chocolate chips for a recipe, added about a teaspoon and a half of margarine (Earths Balance if it matters) so it wouldn’t cool too hard, and for some reason it seized up into a thick chocolate sludge (somewhere between cookie dough and fudge in texture and density. I have about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of it. What can I bake that will incorporate this? [more inside]
posted by Mchelly at 12:26 PM PST - 12 comments

My dog really, really likes eating dead rodents and I really, really would like him to stop. How do I train him for something that’s a rare and surprise event? [more inside]
posted by brett at 11:35 AM PST - 12 comments

I got a slim pump-mister for dispensing hand sanitizer (mostly alcohol?) at an event, and loved it. What can I refill it with, and in what proportions? Is it just rubbing alcohol and water, mixed at 3:1 or something? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 9:31 AM PST - 6 comments

Is it possible to safely sell a laptop on eBay? [more inside]
posted by tintexas at 9:09 AM PST - 12 comments

My teenage nephews like them and when I have them over I'd like for us to play something. Can you recommend games that are charming and have plenty of laugh-out loud moments? I'd like to avoid twitchy games because we want a way to relax and have fun.
posted by storybored at 9:03 AM PST - 16 comments

I am thinking about to propose to my girlfriend in about 6 months. I know nothing about jewellery or engagement rings. Unsure about the budget. Help? [more inside]
posted by Sentus at 9:01 AM PST - 38 comments

A local driving school likes to use our neighborhood to teach parallel parking. I'm guessing that a local piloting school is doing the same thing, but would like to find out for sure why our airspace is so full of noisy little ships. [more inside]
posted by lordcorvid at 6:06 AM PST - 16 comments

TL/DR: I want to know officially going in that this longish-term plan of mine is structurally sound, compatible with building standards, permitted or permit-able, blueprinted (preferably), okay with the insurance company....etc. Not sure where to start. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:53 AM PST - 8 comments

I have diced cooked potato, avocado, boiled eggs, sauted mushrooms (potentially), spring onions, mayonnaise, sour cream, greek yoghurt, feta cheese, celery, lemons and lime. What would be the most amazing dressing to bring all these things together, plus I need to bulk it out plus also please tell me what to leave out. I have other standard seasonings and herbs and spices and so on. Leaving things to the last minute, as always!
posted by h00py at 5:37 AM PST - 13 comments

I work for a small, poorly-organized UK-based operation that runs pub quizzes in various venues. I was recently expecting to host a quiz but was replaced with a different host with very little notice. Am I entitled to the pay I would have earned? [more inside]
posted by chudmonkey at 5:14 AM PST - 6 comments

Hello, Americans! I am translating a book and I've just run into a reference I just don't get. I really hope one of you can enlighten me. [more inside]
posted by Skyanth at 4:49 AM PST - 14 comments

I lost one of my airpods yesterday. Boo. Should I pay the €69 for a a single replacement pod? Or is there something better out there (with, possibly, a lower price point) [more inside]
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 3:50 AM PST - 11 comments

What household items do you use not for their intended purpose? A friend recently showed me how to juice a lemon using a pair of tongs as the reamer. A Platypus Big Zip hydration bladder makes a great (and huge) ice pack. Shoes make great valet trays; you might forget your keys, but you'll soon realize if you've left the house without your shoes. [more inside]
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 10:11 PM PST - 85 comments

This morning, I found a small salamander in the road that had just been gravely injured. It was writhing in pain and it was clear it could not live from its injuries. I seemed to be in excruciating pain for several minutes, but finally closed its eyes and died in my hands. I've been deeply upset over this seemingly small event all day, and I'm wondering whether I should have done more to reduce its suffering. Should I have stepped on it? I am not sure I could have brought myself to do such a thing. What would you have done?
posted by tealcoffeecup at 6:23 PM PST - 28 comments

My housemate has a medium-sized dog and we have a fenced yard. I love the dog, but I'm not loving the poop! [more inside]
posted by bighappyhairydog at 6:17 PM PST - 32 comments

I've recently decided to build up a physical music collection for the sake of the "ritual" and "archive". Naturally, I went the vinyl route. However, seeing cassettes make a trendy comeback similar to vinyl, I wonder if going with CDs would have been the better route. For the purposes of ownership and ritual what are the merits of using CDs as your primary medium over vinyl? [more inside]
posted by galleta monster at 6:10 PM PST - 23 comments

When I was at the dermatologist, I asked about jojoba oil and pronounced both the j’s like j’s, like ‘JoeJonas.’ I’d never heard anyone say ‘jojoba’ aloud before. The doctor said, “I think it’s ‘ho ho ba..” and seemed embarrassed for me. Am I some kind of idiot? [more inside]
posted by dianeF at 5:39 PM PST - 52 comments

How do I turn my small studio apartment into a cat friendly zone? And how do I be a good cat steward? [more inside]
posted by apex_ at 5:17 PM PST - 16 comments

I want to break away from the Google octopus. I already use Startpage as my search engine, and recently noticed that they're offering an email service for $59 per year. (I've already signed up for their 30-day trial.) Can I get any "amens" about StartMail?
posted by BostonTerrier at 4:37 PM PST - 6 comments

I am interest in steps I can take and things I can do in my life and around my house/yard to prepare for the impacts of climate change I will experience. [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 3:53 PM PST - 21 comments

I'm part of a small software startup that needs at least one remote web application developer and possibly part-time design/UX help, but has a budget with only room for ¼-⅓ of market rates (what I'm currently working for). What are some avenues by which I might find competent developers / designers for whom this could nevertheless be a reasonable genuine opportunity, and what are some guidelines to doing this fairly and without regrets? [more inside]
posted by wildblueyonder at 3:46 PM PST - 5 comments

About 24 hours ago my left foot and right hand started getting "pins and needles" feelings. Mostly toward the tips of my toes/fingers, though it's gotten a bit more spread out and less specific-feeling since then. What is causing this? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 3:24 PM PST - 10 comments

I have wanted a Switch since I played Breath of the Wild at a friend's last Thanksgiving. I hear that a Switch can also do stuff like play YouTube videos? And I should make a decision about buying cartridges vs. online? I am finding this surprisingly difficult to figure out and am not sure I'm asking all the right questions. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by momus_window at 2:04 PM PST - 16 comments

What is a good Nikon based system for copying slides and 36mm negatives? I have an F Micro Nikkor 55mm modified for the new Al mount, extension tubes, and bellows. I just need a good film/slide holder to mount on the Nikkor. OR, any other good ways of doing this?
posted by Raybun at 1:59 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm just starting an MSc (conversion course) in psychology, and I'm getting very cold feet about it all. I know a lot of possible psychology career paths are super competitive, and I'm not sure about taking this financial gamble. I urgently need to decide whether to stay or not. I'm wondering if anyone here has any thoughts on whether this masters would be beneficial in terms of doing anything I'm interested in apart from the obvious choices. It's been a while since my first undergrad degree (in Maths). [more inside]
posted by tangerine_poppies at 1:58 PM PST - 2 comments

Apple has no option to turn two-factor identification off. On a device I paid for. WHAT THE WHAT? I have one phone and live alone. If I lose my phone when out, what I need to do is to log into my icloud, probably on borrowed computer, and FIND MY IPHONE. In order to do log in from a new device and find my phone, Apple must send a verification code TO MY LOST PHONE. Does anyone have a way out of this circular security theater hell? TIA
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 11:34 AM PST - 12 comments

Too much stuff -- how to talk to partner about decluttering or letting go of large quantities of childhood items that are taking over our home? [more inside]
posted by jschu at 10:28 AM PST - 48 comments

I bought a pair of Mephisto Match sneaker-style shoes for a trip to Europe 20 years ago and was amazed at the quality. Style was a bit odd and not the most fashionable, but the performance was incomparable. I'd like to get something updated but Mephisto's #1 shoe is… still the same Match. Help me update? [more inside]
posted by wnissen at 10:23 AM PST - 7 comments

I am doing some genealogical research into family history (mostly involving Chinese Exclusion case files), and I have come across a document that seems important but is very difficult to make out. Can you read it? [more inside]
posted by crazy with stars at 10:19 AM PST - 12 comments

I need a replacement for my silpat. On amazon.ca, I see silpat, Amazon Basics and PrettyCare. Is there a quality difference or can I just go cheaper? I use these a lot. [more inside]
posted by jeather at 10:16 AM PST - 9 comments

Help me find an employment lawyer in Maryland. I was an employer this year (hired a nanny), and I have a question about my legal obligations as an employer, and the possible ramifications thereof. I have never been an employer or consulted a lawyer before, so I'm not sure how this works, and it's a bit intimidating. Can I just get an hour (or probably way less) of someone's time? How can I find someone who'll give me a straight answer and not try to sell me unneeded services?
posted by toomuchkatherine at 9:15 AM PST - 6 comments

What's a good tie / fastener system for hanging lights outdoors? My attempt with zip ties didn't work because they're not UV-resistant. The fasteners have to be white. [more inside]
posted by Nelson at 9:10 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm looking for a men's body wash that's heavy on natural ingredients with a traditional masculine scent (vetiver, cedar, pine, tobacco, leather, etc.) Liquid form only - no bar soap, please. If it matters, I live in a humid, semitropical climate. No real skin issues but I tend to prefer washes that go heavy on oils and moisturizing properties.
posted by caveatz at 9:07 AM PST - 16 comments

I have phone service through Ting, an MVNO operating in the US on T-Mobile and Sprint networks. They are offering me a substantial credit, equivalent to 2-3 months of my service, to switch my SIM card from T-Mobile to Sprint. Should I do this? And why do they want me to? [more inside]
posted by epanalepsis at 8:28 AM PST - 6 comments

We just need a way to automatically notify ourselves that “hey, event A is X weeks away - reminder to do keep [particular database] updated!” in google calendar. My office coordinates and administers a large number of international programs and events. We do not have a dedicated project manager on our team nor are we likely to get one soon. I have been asked to look into automating google calendar reminders for the team re: the most crucial of our pre-program tasks. [more inside]
posted by seemoorglass at 8:14 AM PST - 6 comments

Are some people more likely to burn than others? [more inside]
posted by Biblio at 7:31 AM PST - 13 comments

As an early-30s lady, it would be nice to date again after sitting out for a couple of years. Only trouble is, I'm kinda bad in bed and it's been a real relationship-killing downer for everyone involved. Help? This is as NSFW as can be. There's more inside, but it's :( [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:16 AM PST - 31 comments

My wife and I are strongly considering adding a second floor to our home outside Boston (the growing 7 year old is starting to run out of room amongst other things). Ballpark seems to be between $100K-$200K (wide I know). We have about $100K-$200K in equity in the house (depending on who you believe). How should we finance this adventure? Snowflakey detail inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:14 AM PST - 3 comments

Why would apparently legitimate massage businesses have ads on sites associated with escort services? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:13 AM PST - 10 comments

I can't recall if I took my crazy meds* this morning. Should I go ahead anyway? [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad at 6:48 AM PST - 17 comments

A dear friend is about to undergo a double mastectomy. Before she does, she'd like to hire a photographer to take pictures of her boobs. Can you recommend a thoughtful, sensitive photographer in the DC area with experience shooting nudes or semi-nudes (preferably a woman)? Thank you.
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 6:42 AM PST - 4 comments

We kind-of broke up, he repented, we decided to see how things went, now after some time away from him I'm more sure than ever I want to break up but am scared of hurting him when he's in a really bad and fragile place due to a recent illness [more inside]
posted by fantasticbotanical at 3:33 AM PST - 46 comments

I remember several years ago (possibly a decade or more) reading a long-form article about a guy who stayed for a year in luxury hotels at very low prices by offering to stay for long periods. Can you find the article, and does this strategy still work? [more inside]
posted by chappell, ambrose at 3:04 AM PST - 4 comments

OK, so I own a 2012 Scion XB which I bought new in 2013. Since then, I've put a grand total of 17,000 miles on it. I live in the city. I bike to work. I'm basically that grandmother who drives to the supermarket once a week. I change the oil every six months, and I've replaced the front tires once because the tread was low. Rear tires are doing fine. Given my light usage, what kind of maintenance should I be looking out for? Brake pads? Belts? Spark plugs? What am i missing? [more inside]
posted by flod at 2:12 AM PST - 8 comments

We're redoing our kitchen flooring. We took up the old floor (floating laminate) and found sheet linoleum/vinyl that's been glued down underneath. From the 1970s era of the house, and advice from my neighbours, I am pretty sure there is asbestos in the lino and so we're planning to leave it in place. We're going to install a floating floor (marmoleum click tiles) on top, but I'm not sure how to go about levelling the floor. Or if it even need levelling. [more inside]
posted by beepbeepboopboop at 10:29 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm a PhD student (environmental engineering) in my fourth year, with plans to finish up by next summer. I'm on the fence about continuing in academia (although leaning harder on the "no" side) - however, I have two meetings scheduled rather spontaneously with two leading faculty members in my subfield, TOMORROW. What should I ask them about? [more inside]
posted by Paper rabies at 8:55 PM PST - 7 comments

So about 20 years ago a friend and I went walking south from Houston and Hudson Streets in NYC and somewhere a block or two from the Hudson River, maybe down near where the WTC used to be or Century 21 still is (?), we came across a row of about three very old houses. And now I can't find them and it's making me nuts. [more inside]
posted by Mchelly at 8:51 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm an American preparing to spend ~7 months in New Zealand, and can legally bring only 3 months' worth of generic Wellbutrin XR with me. I'd assumed I'd find a Kiwi doc to write a refill after 3 months -- but it turns out bupropion is only approved in New Zealand for use as an anti-smoking aid (eg Zyban) -- NOT for use as an antidepressant. How do I get meds for the rest of my trip without committing customs fraud or otherwise breaking the law? I'm willing to jump through bureaucratic hoops, I just don't know what they are. [more inside]
posted by lesserstressor at 6:48 PM PST - 10 comments

What is this thing for? [more inside]
posted by pompomtom at 3:55 PM PST - 11 comments

I have a six month old, a full time job, and recurring nightmares that are ruining my sleep and leaving me barely able to function. What can I do to stop the nightmares? [more inside]
posted by nerdfish at 12:56 PM PST - 44 comments

I had a meniscal debridement surgery yesterday morning that went really well - I have not had much pain at all in my knee. But the rest of my body is killing me. My muscles feel like I did hundreds of sit ups and push ups and ran a marathon during the surgery. I can barely move, I ache so badly. [more inside]
posted by Neely O'Hara at 12:32 PM PST - 8 comments

So I'm trying to figure out which parrot-related charity I should make a donation to. Intended to be given in the name of a workplace superior who's done me a solid and who is also really into parrots. [more inside]
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 12:21 PM PST - 9 comments

I have bluetooth headphones that I run with. I just got a new Fitbit. I'm having big bluetooth connectivity issues with the Fitbit and am trying to figure out if the issue is my phone or the Fitbit. Like I am 5: Is it possible to have two different devices connected to my phone via Bluetooth and communicating with it at once? (I.e. music coming out of my headphones + Fitbit communicating with phone GPS to map my run, like it's supposed to.) Am I just asking too much of my phone?
posted by soren_lorensen at 11:52 AM PST - 1 comment

I've got a small chip in my cast iron shower pan. What's the best way to fix it? I've seen a bunch of kits that range from white paint to UV cured epoxy. Has anybody done this? Or is it a job for pros, and what kind?
posted by Marky at 9:56 AM PST - 6 comments

I do most of my grocery runs without a car. I have a few insulated bags, but the insulation is really bulky. Is there an insulated bag that works well but is thin and compact? [more inside]
posted by kristi at 9:34 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm 45 years old but have thankfully avoided car accidents my entire life. Until I got a car I love... Then, 3 months after buying it, I got broadsided. I'm trying to navigate this and get my car back to pre-broadside condition (including the CarFax). Details inside, but help needed from anyone who's been through this, or especially insurance agents and car dealers. [more inside]
posted by arniec at 8:04 AM PST - 22 comments

After printing my most recent SS statement, I realized I had some questions about benefits. After lengthy web searches and investigating the SS.gov site, I can't seem to find what I am looking for. [more inside]
posted by jtexman1 at 8:02 AM PST - 8 comments

I'd like to get a smart trainer for me and my son to play Zwift. Is it possible to swap between my old bike (Giant Escape 2013) and my 8 year old son's bike (Islabikes Luath 26) on a single trainer? [more inside]
posted by Stark at 7:17 AM PST - 5 comments

In a particularly difficult name that tune, can you help me find a song that doesn’t have much in the way of sensical lyrics? It’s upbeat, kind of has a 90s mambo revival feel. Lyrics are something like “Doobitdy dibbity dee, la la la la,” repeat x3-4...key change... “Oooooh, sha la la la la, ooh sha-na-na-na, dibbity da da da da da.” Google has led me to many sha la la songs but still can’t find the one I’m looking for.
posted by stillmoving at 6:38 AM PST - 24 comments

I would like to replace a "storm" window with double pane glass. Can it be done? (More info and a picture inside.) [more inside]
posted by mbarryf at 5:56 AM PST - 9 comments

I prefer queer porn with diverse casts. I've got a strong desire to consume porn ethically, and subscriptions to actual ethical porn websites. And I'm still — this is awful — getting most of it on 4chan, despite I assure you hating its business model, its social norms, and 99% of its users. I end up doing this because I strongly prefer a few details of how the site is organized. Please help me find an ethical site that shares those quirks? [more inside]
posted by flexible-footwear figurine at 5:35 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm making a play list of 'happy piano' songs. These feature a rolling rollicking happy piano sound. Can you think of more? [more inside]
posted by freethefeet at 4:50 AM PST - 50 comments

I am trying to do a movie night with my two kids -- 3 and 5. They love it. The only problem is that most films are too long (even 80 minutes is pushing it) or too violent (never, ever watch the old Babar film.) Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by caoimhe at 2:19 AM PST - 35 comments

I've got two lists as sheets in Excel. Sheet 1 is all the organisations, sheet 2 is a subset of sheet 1 with all the organisations that have been processed. I'm trying to find all the unprocessed organisations. [more inside]
posted by iamkimiam at 1:17 AM PST - 4 comments

I am 11 weeks pregnant. I cannot, for the life of me, get anything done. Send help? Anonymous for workplace reasons. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:15 AM PST - 22 comments

After learning that a highly-anticipated film with big-name stars and a celebrated director was to begin shooting in Europe this year, I decided to send in an audition video on a whim, got a callback, then was offered a bit role in the movie a few months later. The experience was amazing and I'd like to do more of this, if not make a second career out of it. However, I have no formal training (other than a few amateur theater classes), have no connections in the entertainment industry, and have a completely unrelated day job doing admin stuff in a research institute. Where and how do I start? Most of the advice I find online is aimed at aspiring and more experienced actors, not at middle-aged office workers who suddenly find themselves thrust into show business. I'm a female POC EU national based in a Western European capital and have no dependents. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:15 AM PST - 4 comments

I feel kind of silly for even asking this question—it feels like I'm back in high school and bellyaching about dating all over again—but given that she (27) and I (31) are both kinda awkward and Not Good At Talking About Feelings, I don't know how to read this whole situation or how to calibrate my expectations or where to go from here. The gist: we dated, then un-dated two years ago, a bunch of things happened, but we've kept in touch all the while. I still like her, and feel like she *might* still like me, but I don't know how we'd move things forward given our current circumstances. More inside! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:15 AM PST - 16 comments

I have a bed frame similar to this Pragmabed Simple Adjust frame (mine is only adjustable at the head end, like this.) I like it a lot, except... [more inside]
posted by doift at 11:20 PM PST - 0 comments

Doing background for a short story, and I'm trying to learn more about what the crossroads of Hwy 61/49 in Clarksdale, MS would have been like in the early 30's when Robert Johnson allegedly sold his soul there. Any way to know if it was on the main drag, what landmarks might have been around it, if it was at all lit, etc?
posted by mermaidcafe at 9:38 PM PST - 7 comments

Is there a certain type of attorney who helps when you're being refused to be prescribed meds like benzodiazapines and Ambien? Doctors around here -- it's like they all got some memo saying never prescribe these things to anyone again unless they're frothing at the mouth. In a short amount of time I'm already tired of fighting this battle (and the prospects of continuing battle) and want some help with it. They know I'm not addicted -- I even withdrew from benzos completely at one time. What legal recourse is there for obtaining them again if I feel they are hepful?
posted by noelpratt2nd at 8:46 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm not at all a linux power-user, but I use linux and am still using a debian wheezy-based crunchbang system because it does almost all that I need and the crunchbang replacement bunsenlabs didn't work for me the couple of times I tried. The one major annoyance I have with this old system is that a recently downloaded version of firefox won't stream most videos, complaining that libavcodec needs to be updated. Should I be able to do that on my old crunchbang system to firefox's satisfaction? Or might there be another fix? [more inside]
posted by bertran at 8:07 PM PST - 2 comments

Do you get Sojourner's magazine? Can you tell me what the bogo promo is that is in the August/September 2019 piece? [more inside]
posted by aetg at 6:27 PM PST - 2 comments

I love the idea of having an office uniform, and it works for me about 2.5 weeks out of the month - skinny jeans, flats, somewhat tailored button-up shirt. However for the other ~2 weeks of the month, during menstruation and the come-down from menstruation, I have completely different preferences for textures, temperatures and fitted-ness of clothing. Can you help me figure out work uniform substitutes for when my body is feeling super-sensitive? [more inside]
posted by rogerroger at 6:13 PM PST - 29 comments

I'm looking for trailers for highly artistic, atmospheric exploration games, first person and non-violent. I have seen games like Everything but I'm thinking of something more human. [more inside]
posted by CynicalKnight at 5:15 PM PST - 9 comments

I would like to use my older iPad 3 to control a Powerpoint presentation running from my 2015 Macbook Pro. I would also like the iPad to display the currently displayed slide. What's the best way to do that? [more inside]
posted by crazy with stars at 4:54 PM PST - 3 comments

I feel a bit overwhelmed with ballet choices and I know NOTHING about ballet. Help me pick a show! [more inside]
posted by knownassociate at 4:42 PM PST - 7 comments

I'll be staying with a friend in Shoreline, WA next week and I'm looking for safe morning running routes. [more inside]
posted by kiripin at 4:37 PM PST - 7 comments

I am currently designing computer data-entry forms for a paper interview/survey for an academic research project. I am using MS Access and I'm just about done, but I'm wondering what my options might be for the future, because designing and programming Access forms is ... not fun. [more inside]
posted by jb at 4:29 PM PST - 10 comments

I've been having a hard time feeling connected to my friend lately because she has just been so intensely, belligerently negative. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:23 PM PST - 17 comments

What new kink nonfiction came out in last ten years or so that you were really excited about? Subject irrelevant. Have you found an amazing circle of trans clown fetish bloggers? Did you write a punk zine that will change my relationship with both capitalism and my urethra? Has a practical, down-to-earth instruction manual finally come out on a cool playstyle that people weren't writing about a decade ago? Whatever it is, I want to know. [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone at 3:21 PM PST - 4 comments

I need to line up resources for some people to prep for, and take, Exam 70-348. Does anyone have experience with this one? What online resources should I direct us to for study and prep? There seems to be a LOT of noise out there if you google the exam number, but not a lot of analysis or information about which of these organizations are worth paying. (There are a few prior questions here about MCP stuff generally, but nothing recent.)
posted by uberchet at 3:03 PM PST - 0 comments

Where does Greta's money come from? Trying to argue with her detractors, couldn't find references. There has to be some transparency and accountability somewhere, right?
posted by Tom-B at 2:50 PM PST - 8 comments

I'd like to read about people's experiences during the occupation: in particular, granular everyday details about life after the initial surrender and the early years of the occupation (1940–41). [more inside]
posted by Beardman at 2:10 PM PST - 8 comments

Inspired by this XKCD comic: What are some video games that incorporate the passage of time (real-world or in-game) in interesting, unexpected, or funny ways?
posted by jedicus at 12:42 PM PST - 35 comments

I'm traveling to NYC. I need to get from JFK to Penn Station in less than two hours. My time window is between 1:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Is that doable, and if yes, what's the best way to do it?
posted by CollectiveMind at 12:29 PM PST - 11 comments

Is there such a thing as a flat screen tv mount that will let me turn the tv all the way around, like an owl turns its head? I tried searching for "360 degree" mounts but that seems to refer to turning the tv from landscape to portrait. [more inside]
posted by bleep at 12:12 PM PST - 11 comments

Long ago, when the internet was barely even a thing and I had a student office job, you could download (I assume) a...a program which made a little sheep or a little anthropomorphic orange walk about along the tops of your browser windows, fall to the bottom of the screen and bounce cutely, etc. Does anyone remember this? What was it? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 11:52 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm looking for films, especially documentaries, that have used elements of direct messaging/fb/instagram comments in some animated way. [more inside]
posted by monologish at 11:47 AM PST - 9 comments

I have a Chromebook and really want to be able to play the Goose Game being discussed on the blue. Seems it is only made for Windows, Mac, or Nintendo Switch. I know I can modify the Chromebook somehow to run Windows games but my brain is tired and I haven't actually set that up before. Can someone explain like I'm 8 years old whether this is doable and the specific steps to do it? I have a Lenovo C330.
posted by crunchy potato at 11:16 AM PST - 5 comments

I’m in a probably codependent relationship with a person who I love intensely, feel incredibly warmly about, and get along with, but cannot make it work due to baggage and alcohol. We need to split, but keep bouncing back, partly because we each need to feel like we “won” at the breakup. How can we break this cycle and move on? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:11 AM PST - 17 comments

In a review of Taylor Swift's new record, one review referred to a key change in the song "Paper Rings" as "hammy". Why is this key change considered hammy?
posted by ersatzkat at 10:06 AM PST - 15 comments

My daughter is 7 months old and a twin. She started sleeping through the night on her own around 5 months, and was doing a really good job at that until a few weeks ago. Help us troubleshoot. [more inside]
posted by millipede at 10:06 AM PST - 12 comments

Is there a concise term for when researcher/writers familiar in one field, "discover" or research something that is a cornerstone of another field, but either don't credit the other work or (more likely) aren't aware of it. [more inside]
posted by kendrak at 9:51 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for anecdotes of where a person's insistent or excessive generosity causes stress or anxiety for the recipient. Can be fictional, nonfictional, from essays, television, literature, movies, etc. Thank you!
posted by Rora at 9:36 AM PST - 20 comments

Any idea where I can go to buy carnauba wax in Chicago? Small quantity (less than 10 ounces). My point of origin: Lincoln Park / Bricktown.
posted by amtho at 8:38 AM PST - 1 comment

I'm looking for two kinds of web content: 1. audio with transcripts and 2. articles with translations. Any languages are fine. [more inside]
posted by kristi at 8:33 AM PST - 13 comments

I grew up in a house where there'd be an occasional flea infestations due to climate, inside dogs, carpet, and it being in the preliminary stages of hoarder takeover. Parents would bug bomb while on vacation and it'd blow over. I recall what it felt like for arms/ankles to have fleas landing/fleeing (pun intended) and bites. Recently I get that same feeling and it's both triggering and somewhat worrisome because I don't know why and it's not infrequent. Any idea what's going on the physical or psychosomatic front? [more inside]
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:12 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm trying to help a family member find some free versions of meal planners similar to this one. It is for two adults who want to take the decision making out of meal planning. So just a few choices from each food group for three meals a day. They are omnivores who generally eat healthy foods and cook simply. Clean, whole foods, you might say. I want to give them a few pre-planned menus like this to choose from. [more inside]
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 7:42 AM PST - 3 comments

In the very near future, I'm opening up a facility with 30+ new staff divided evenly between 3 separate roles - I need to create work schedules for them. We have minimal funds to pay for software but I can't pull this off using the Excel spreadsheet I've been using for our existing tiny team (and it's already hurting my brain to consider this). Help! [more inside]
posted by VioletU at 7:22 AM PST - 7 comments

Looking for a planner or journal for a relative. Bit baffled by the range and variety out there. I have seen these questions: Day planners for the inexperienced and Planner Inspiration for Weirdos, but they are a few years old. Do I buy a journal and stickers and whatnot separately? Is there a range that is especially popular with teenagers? Relative is a little bit kawaii and a little bit weird, with arty interests. We are in the UK so trying to avoid anything with high international postage costs. Thank you.
posted by paduasoy at 6:15 AM PST - 12 comments

I wake up earlier than I want on weekdays, and am in a perpetual cycle of sleeping in on the weekends, then having Sunday night insomnia. I hear a lot of general advice that you should wake up at the same time every morning. I'm curious to hear from people who have taken this advice on the impact it had and whether they would recommend it to others.
posted by neematoad at 6:14 AM PST - 21 comments

I'm looking for singers who play some sort of very minimalist guitar accompaniment, perhaps a melodic or bass line rather than full chords or strong rhythm. I'd prefer music that would broadly fall into the genres of folk or world music, but open to others too.
posted by miaow at 4:11 AM PST - 17 comments

Question from an American learning to drive in England about the right way to go over bumps in the road that you can straddle. [more inside]
posted by johngoren at 2:37 AM PST - 19 comments

I have always been an anxious person but lately it's been ramping up at kind of an alarming rate and I'm finally admitting to myself I need professional help. I'm just not sure what kind of help it is... [more inside]
posted by thelasttango at 1:51 AM PST - 5 comments

Will the red light from the infrared cooker hurt my eyes? Are there any negative health effects from infrared cooking? [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 10:43 PM PST - 7 comments

I was going through a box of old stuff and found this small wooden slab with small holes in a row marked 1-9 (see pic). I have a vague memory of playing some kind of game on it, but can't remember what. The holes are about a quarter inch wide and I think they would accommodate some kind of pegs, although I seem to recall ball bearings. No markings or other game pieces/instructions found. Does this look familiar to anyone?
posted by mefireader at 10:07 PM PST - 6 comments

Our 16 year old cat is starting to not eat. Except, he will eat at the vet's. [more inside]
posted by tafetta, darling! at 8:35 PM PST - 15 comments

I am baffled by the conflicting information I find online about using my Virgin phone while in England and in Greece. Would really appreciate hearing anyone's experience here. My phone is a cheap android smartphone, my plan is Virgin, I'm based in the U.S. [more inside]
posted by goofyfoot at 7:41 PM PST - 12 comments

Let us suppose that I want to make some crafts to sell, and that I don't want to be bothered with shipping them. How could I sell them locally in the Toronto area?
posted by orange swan at 5:11 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm starting to feel like it's time for me to make a will. I'm in my early forties and enough people from my cohort have died unexpectedly that I can't just pretend I'l live forever. I don't have any kids or anything--what should I do with my estate? [more inside]
posted by exceptinsects at 5:08 PM PST - 22 comments

In a hasty finger fumble as transferred open tabs to a notepad, I closed the 100+ tabs I had open in Google Chrome on my iPhone. I don't have synch on, and "downloading my activity" as the user I'm logged in as on Google Chrome on my iPhone didn't help. Is there any way I can just download my full browser history off of the phone app like I would off of the full desktop browser?
posted by tilde at 4:46 PM PST - 1 comment

I'm trying to find the title of a book which takes the Roman engineer Vitruvius as its starting point and goes onto to discuss the influence of Roman building in later years. [more inside]
posted by southof40 at 3:48 PM PST - 4 comments

I'd love to read or watch some noir fiction featuring main characters who are queer women - in my perfect world, your standard 1940s/50s Raymond Chandlerish hard-boiled detective fiction, complete with femme fatale, but...queer. Tongue-in-cheek satire would also work. I've already seen and very much enjoyed Bound (and, for subtext, Simple Favor). What should I read or watch next?
posted by jlibera at 3:12 PM PST - 14 comments

I've gone to several primary care doctors at the Polyclinic over many years and am getting supremely tired of what I call "5-minute medicine", which consists of short, dismissive answers, not answering my questions in any depth, and recommending medications I don't need. I'd like to switch to a different organization and need recommendations for good primary care physicians in Seattle. [more inside]
posted by matildaben at 2:50 PM PST - 6 comments

What's an acceptable thing to say to someone who is saving multiple seats for people who come in later in crowded venues with open seating like music clubs, movies, etc. in the US. [more inside]
posted by Elsie at 2:43 PM PST - 22 comments

While helping a friend move his office, we came across a shelf full of antique typewriters. [more inside]
posted by Sphinx at 1:51 PM PST - 7 comments

I’m on the lookout for a travel bag to fit my many electronics. My main requirements are that it can fit everything (listed in main post), looks nice/professional, and can slot onto the handle of my rolling carryon. [more inside]
posted by caitcadieux at 1:44 PM PST - 6 comments

My partner and I (M-F couple in our early 40s, no kids) are thinking about a short trip to London. Our chief interest is visiting craft cocktail bars. What parts of town should we considering staying in? Thanks!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 1:26 PM PST - 8 comments

I can't drive, and everyone who's ever known me has agreed that I definitely shouldn't drive, due to malcoordination which is probably related to my autism. In London, people who can't drive for medical reasons qualify for free public transport. Friends have suggested I apply for this, but I don't know how to prove that I don't have the physical ability to learn to drive. [more inside]
posted by Acheman at 1:22 PM PST - 12 comments

I have a pair of earrings I love, but they're low quality and hurt my ears. Looking for a nicer alternative! [more inside]
posted by lakemarie at 12:53 PM PST - 8 comments

A component of an art installation I am planning involves igniting a signal fire at sunrise each morning using a magnifying glass. Short of conducting experiments with magnifying glasses large and small, is there a way to calculate how early in the morning one could achieve combustion and what size lens would be required to do so? [more inside]
posted by piedrasyluz at 12:26 PM PST - 32 comments

I've been dealing with plantar fasciitis for over a year now. I've tried every remedy that my doctor has suggested. The next step is custom orthotics. I've looked at a few companies online where they send you a foot mold that you return. Has anyone tried any of these services? If so, do you have one that you recommend? Or should I avoid the online route and head to a local place for fitting?
posted by slogger at 12:07 PM PST - 10 comments

We're invited to a wedding with "Brooklyn formal" attire and despite searching, I still can't quite figure out what would be appropriate to wear that wouldn't require buying an entirely new outfit. [more inside]
posted by laze at 12:01 PM PST - 19 comments

I'm going to sell antique (120-200 year old) wooden carpentry planes at the Alameda Antiques Faire. I've read suggestions from previous AskMes about art fairs. Is there anything different about selling at an antique fair that I should know? [more inside]
posted by not_the_water at 12:01 PM PST - 5 comments

I need to earn some money but I'm physically isolated and dealing with some health issues, at least for the time being. Is there online work that's somewhat flexible? Any income is better than none, so it doesn't need to be a miracle, just something to keep me busy and keep my head above water. [more inside]
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 11:37 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for ideas to support a dear friend who's entered the "caretaking for aging parent" stage of her life. Additional challenge: she lives in a different country. [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:33 AM PST - 4 comments

I am wanting to learn more about economics. I am currently minoring in political science (4th Year undergraduate student). Yet, I am terrible at maths -- the maths aspect might be difficult to understand. [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 9:23 AM PST - 8 comments

I will have to be in Stockholm for nine days in October, without credit cards or a mobile phone. How difficult is it going to be to get around/pay for things? [more inside]
posted by remembrancer at 9:11 AM PST - 12 comments

Obviously he’s posh on telly as well, but something about hearing the voice on its own makes his accent seem even more posh than when I can see him talking. So what’s that about? Linguists must have studied this sort of phenomenon, right?
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 9:00 AM PST - 7 comments

Is it possible, or realistically feasible, to row a drift boat or similar up the Rogue River from Gold Beach to Agness, OR? [more inside]
posted by ChrisHartley at 8:19 AM PST - 1 comment

11 months in, my boyfriend (now ex) has told me that he is ‘deficient’ and that he cannot love me in the way that I would like. He would be happy to stay with me indefinitely but thinks that it is better to let me go because of my age and because he is 'not enough' for me and that at 35 (I want kids), he should 'let me go'. This has increased the huge insecurities I already had. On the other hand, I feel like perhaps he was emotionally unavailable from the start and I should have just cut it off ages ago. [more inside]
posted by starstarstar at 7:20 AM PST - 39 comments

My chainlink fence has been damaged by something and it almost looks like the fence is being eaten. Here are some pictures. What's happening? [more inside]
posted by msbrauer at 7:01 AM PST - 24 comments

My 5.5yo child has recently started collecting rocks/pebbles when he's out and about. Can you recommend a good, child-friendly book I can give him that he can flick through and read about different rocks? Like, what's _____ book : rocks as this book : Pokemon? Doesn't need to be super simple in its contents, he's a strong reader and I'll also enjoy looking through it with him. Thanks!
posted by catch as catch can at 6:38 AM PST - 9 comments

Please recommend me great crime novels by women or nonbinary people ... in Spanish! [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 5:45 AM PST - 3 comments

The rescue recommended a dog to me, and I visited her at her foster home yesterday. She's lovely, but I'm just not sure. How can I know if I'm making the right choice? [more inside]
posted by rue72 at 5:20 AM PST - 27 comments

We'd like our bedroom lighting to look like patio lights -- the kinds with edison bulbs on strings. The room has exposed beams, and we'd string the lights on them. But all the strings we've found are made to be plugged in, and I don't know if they're bright enough to light a room. Can we get that look, but hardwired to a switch and made for lighting a room? [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 4:53 AM PST - 10 comments

Mefites who live alone/work full-time - how do you manage your online shopping/receiving parcels? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 4:36 AM PST - 16 comments

We are looking for a list of businesses that are driven by a single asset priced around USD 300k. [more inside]
posted by limagringo at 3:46 AM PST - 15 comments

We recently bought a 2013 Volkswagen from a Toyota dealership for $7500. We paid cash and signed an As-Is document. After driving the car for a week, the Check Engine light came on. We took the vehicle to the Volkswagen dealership across the street from the Toyota dealership, and they said there are $5800 worth of repairs needed on the car, primarily all in the engine. They also said that the repairs are extensive enough that the selling dealership had to have known about them when they sold it. [more inside]
posted by allison00 at 3:01 AM PST - 23 comments

He's a good match for me, we have the same values, but I cant get over his looks and age. What to do? I have not been in a relationship for ages because since my last relationship 10 years ago, I have struggled to find someone with the same values as me. I recently met a guy who is essentially a unicorn and i keep feeling he is it and I should stop looking. But he is 5 years older - which didnt seem a big deal when i was in my 20s but now seems to be? [more inside]
posted by philosophicalmusings at 1:36 AM PST - 21 comments

YANML. Physically disabled. Employed but with significant accomodations. Laid off. Believed and presented myself as able/available to work. Recent diagnosis suggests I was wrong (and delusional) to do so. Califorbnia SDI is side-eying me. Which experts should I consult and what should I do to convince Cal SDI that I'm entitled to benefits from the point of layoff until I improve and/or SSDI kicks in? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:48 AM PST - 5 comments

We use a “full body” bib for my 10 month old daughter’s meals, the kind with full sleeves that tie at the back. The problem is, they stink! I can’t get them to not stink. They are 100% polyester. I need solutions that can be done basically daily because they need to be reused the next day. [more inside]
posted by like_neon at 12:42 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm tired of listening to podcasts that end with an unsatisfying conclusion. I want something that has lots of surprising twists & turns, but concludes with all the loose ends tied up. [more inside]
posted by alex1965 at 8:35 PM PST - 14 comments

I was recently reminded of this video of 9-11 audio, and I wondered what else might be there with a similar sense of "listening to hsitory unfold." [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 6:08 PM PST - 9 comments

After moving into a new rental house we received some mail for previous occupants. One item was a box, within another box, that eventually was discovered to contain a new iPhone, but by this time the outer box and name of recipient was lost. What do I do with it? [more inside]
posted by TheRedArmy at 5:06 PM PST - 22 comments

I'd like to do a PhD in typography/graphic design, but I'm not sure how realistic a goal that is. [more inside]
posted by Chenko at 3:29 PM PST - 4 comments

How do I set up the most efficient system for selecting a few items from a text list, then pasting them into individual pages on my university's grading software? [more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu at 3:03 PM PST - 13 comments

My wife has spent the last decade trying to identify a hip hop song that was on a mixed tape that her older sister's best friend made her back in the late 90s. Unfortunately, she only remembers the chorus and we've had no luck finding it through Google or Genius. [more inside]
posted by Parasite Unseen at 1:53 PM PST - 3 comments

Not carryon -- I'm glad to check it. But the stupid thing (present from an ex, too expensive to throw away, I've found a home for it) doesn't fit in my luggage (it's about a yard long and 8" across the hilt) and I don't want to buy a giant new bag for it. I was thinking I could find a giant poster tube, but searching isn't giving me anything in the right dimensions. Anyone have either a source for a 9"x38 poster tube, or a better idea?
posted by LizardBreath at 1:41 PM PST - 17 comments

What should I do to maximize a mid-October visit to Space Center Houston? We will be staying at a nearby hotel and using uber. I have tickets for the Level 9 VIP Tour, which includes Space Center Admission for the next day. We are interested in seeing any iconic displays, Saturn V, mission control, space shuttle, Gemini/Apollo capsules, etc, and have no interest in gimmicky ones like Galaxy Lights. The more detailed and adult-oriented space, science, and engineering content the better. [more inside]
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 1:11 PM PST - 3 comments

I would like to browse through Instagram photos on my Mac and see big beautiful versions of photos. Instagram seems to think that no one should need to see anything bigger than a postcard. Huh? [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 12:05 PM PST - 5 comments

I find myself unexpectedly about to go to Barcelona for a week. There's work I need to do while I'm there. Are there interesting places where I can comfortably and unobtrusively sit with a laptop for a few hours? [more inside]
posted by tangerine at 11:58 AM PST - 5 comments

I've been gifted a bottle of "pillow mist" containing several essential oils. I have pet cats who like to sleep with me on my pillow. The pillow mist contains lavender, bergamot, mandarin, sweet orange, and geranium essential oils. Are any of these poisonous to cats? Is this stuff safe to use without hurting them?
posted by talitha_kumi at 11:32 AM PST - 8 comments

Help me decide on an idea for an 8,000 word dissertation I have to write to complete an English Literature BA I started some years ago. I haven't written so much as an essay in decades and I am currently overwhelmed. [more inside]
posted by Atom Collection at 11:04 AM PST - 3 comments

I have been working on my master's thesis for a year, and I am stuck on how to complete it. Is there a way I can complete a thesis with only 70 responses to a survey, or does anyone know a way of targeting a specific population (of high school librarians) to gain more responses? [more inside]
posted by DEiBnL13 at 10:57 AM PST - 14 comments

Where can I store a small overnight bag near the SLC airport for ~9 hours? [more inside]
posted by moons in june at 10:18 AM PST - 7 comments

Help a self-taught drawing wizard figure out perspective without being able to read very well. [more inside]
posted by quacks like a duck at 10:08 AM PST - 5 comments

For IMPORTANT REASONS, I want to watch as close to a full playthrough for That Goose Game as exists on the Internet. But I'm having problems finding any besides this 11 minute one that are just the game and the sounds of the game, without a voiceover. Do you have a link to one? [more inside]
posted by joyceanmachine at 10:07 AM PST - 4 comments

I need something, a poem, a book recommendation, a song, something to help me process the casual cruelty. [cw for animal death under the cut] [more inside]
posted by snerson at 10:00 AM PST - 8 comments

Though my iTunes playlists look and synch ok (e.g. this), the album view often looks like this (note: the duplicate iterations with icloud icon are never the iterations present in my playlists). Any idea what's going on? [more inside]
posted by Quisp Lover at 9:36 AM PST - 3 comments

I am sick of losing half of a pair of cute socks. I'd like to replace all my extant socks with identical socks so that any two will be a pair. However, if I'm going to make a significant sock outlay all at once, I want them to be THE BEST SOCKS KNOWN TO MAN. The Ubersock. Details on what that means for me indoors. (Difficulty level: fat legs.) [more inside]
posted by babelfish at 9:24 AM PST - 15 comments

What brands make comfortable closed-toe casual shoes? [more inside]
posted by loveandhappiness at 9:03 AM PST - 16 comments

Hi Folks, Quick question - what do you use to store sensitive files such as tax returns, medical records, etc. Dropbox doesn't offer encryption - I'd like a place to store the files in a safe way; also, if they can be stored online and not on my hard drive, that would safe me a lot of space.
posted by stevenpl at 6:44 AM PST - 17 comments

My wife and I need to refinance our mortgage in California. I've unfrozen my credit scores (which I froze after the big credit bureau hacks over the last several years.) The loan officer at our bank pulls my credit. Experian and TransUnion appear, but Equifax is blocked by "California legislation." I've been working on this problem for months now with no progress. Does anyone know what's happening and how to unblock this score? Thank you! Additional details about this financial mystery inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:07 AM PST - 3 comments

Kids and young adults used to collect baseball cards, stamps, and coins, but have times changed? What are the "hot" things that they collect these days?
posted by mortaddams at 5:21 AM PST - 14 comments

How do I find a good therapist who specializes in PTSD/C-PTSD, trauma/chronic childhood trauma, as someone not at all familiar with this type of therapy, the treatment options, or the language around these issues? [more inside]
posted by unannihilated at 7:30 PM PST - 6 comments

I was in Florence this week and my bag was stolen - it only contained a sketchbook and something with my school program name. Someone messaged the school saying they found it and wanted to know if the group was still in Florence so it could be returned or picked up at a specific police station. I am in Rome now. [more inside]
posted by cessair at 5:25 PM PST - 2 comments

Is the mistrust of blue dye pregnancy tests founded? [more inside]
posted by kinddieserzeit at 4:38 PM PST - 9 comments

My wife got this bronze/brass camel statuette at a thift store today. Can you help me learn more about it? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by Ike_Arumba at 4:20 PM PST - 6 comments

In my search for my next long term relationship partner (f seeking m) I’ve noticed I’m quite particular about looks - I tend to swipe left on guys if I don’t think they are “hot”. My sister says I should broaden my search to include guys that seem like “nice guys” from the profile (I’m on tinder and bumble) but are maybe only “kinda cute” instead of hot. Should I? [more inside]
posted by EatMyHat at 3:59 PM PST - 55 comments

I am in a pinch and am considering thawing two Whole Foods pie crusts, smushing them into a ball, then rolling the dough into a circle big enough to fit my tart tin (which has a removable bottom.) The diameter of the tart tin is larger than that of the original pie shell. Experienced culinary kludgers: what would you do? I don't have a food processor and don't have time and space to make a tart shell from scratch.
posted by Morpeth at 1:11 PM PST - 11 comments

I need some kind of therapist/counselor/psychologist to deal with anxiety/worrying/catastrophizing, in Seattle. [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 12:59 PM PST - 8 comments

This mystery museum artifact appears to be some kind of stone tablet with an inscription in what looks like Arabic writing?? Can anyone read this to help us identify what it might be or where it might be from? Any clues or hints would be more information than we have now, which is absolutely nothing. (Thanks, and I know this is a longshot!)
posted by gudrun at 12:57 PM PST - 6 comments

It's been just over 3 weeks since they got neutered but the hunger shenanigans have only ramped up in the past few days. The internet says that neutering will increase appetite and decrease caloric needs. The internet also says that growth spurts in kittens might result in them being extra hungry. [more inside]
posted by spamandkimchi at 12:47 PM PST - 15 comments

When I give someone a hug, I instinctively lean to my right. I was recently socially shamed for doing so, and told that I was doing it wrong. My question is whether there really is a standardized convention on which way to lean when non-romantically hugging someone. [more inside]
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 12:29 PM PST - 40 comments

The office recently acquired a Keurig . Ok, Karen bought in an old one after our department was far from the break/coffee pot aka a flight of stars. But whatever, we've been taking turns bringing in different flavors of coffee and tea and now it's my turn. I want to impress. What coffee and/or tea pods do you suggest that will wow my co-workers? Previously we've enjoyed medium/french roast, Cafe Bustelo, Dunkin' Donuts brand and similar.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:06 PM PST - 8 comments

I am learning to use Flask as you recommended and it's going great but I don't understand something. When I make a database instance and my Flask app sends data to it, where IS that data? My Flask app has a variety of files with file extensions unfamiliar to me, but I do not see the data that must be in one of them in any human-readable form. Please explain like I'm five. Seriously, like I'm five, please.
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 10:04 AM PST - 6 comments

We just bought a house that included some beautiful curtains and rods! Yay! Then someone broke in before we bought it and stole some of the art, and *one* of the curtains! Boo! Can you help me find this fabric and hardware? [more inside]
posted by cebailey at 9:51 AM PST - 8 comments

I recently replaced my Samsung Galaxy 5S with a Google Pixel 3a. The other phone on the plan is also a Galaxy 5. My old Galaxy 5S is disconnected and off. Up until I switched phones we were using - on average - 1200 MB data. In the first month of the new phone, we used over 16 GB. This is not sustainable. Help! [more inside]
posted by Gray Duck at 9:22 AM PST - 12 comments

I've been trying to remember this TV show or book or short story that was about videotapes left for a kid from a dying dad. I googled it and it's a bit of a trope: it's definitely not the Michael Keaton one for example. Some details I remember:

• Some videos were marked for every year
• Some were for different events like getting married or having a fight at school
• One of them the dad confesses he messed around

Does anyone know what this story is? It's been bugging me. Thanks!
posted by ScrubsKip at 8:57 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm currently living in Europe and have several trips I would like to take while I am here, many of which are only feasible by air travel due to time constraints or geographic constraints. I'm trying to live a more environmentally-friendly life (little/no meat consumption, low-impact consumer decisions, career oriented toward addressing environmental issues, etc.), but this is one area I'm very conflicted in. [more inside]
posted by unid41 at 8:45 AM PST - 34 comments

I have about seventeen thousand songs that I extracted from an iTunes deleted file using digital forensic software. I need something to help me automatically match up these songs to their respective album. Some were done but are not completed. Thus far I've spent two full days doing them by hand and I'm exhausted and just now got to the "A's" alphabetically! Is there anything I can do to facilitate this? I'm organizing files for PLEX server. (It has very specific requirements for file order)
posted by ~Sushma~ at 8:42 AM PST - 5 comments

I’m about to sign a lease for an apartment that’s great in most every way—new building, location in a walkable neighborhood, access to transit, clean, good layout—except for one thing that’s making me hesitate. The trash chute. It stinks. Is this simply an annoyance or a health hazard that I should think twice about? [more inside]
posted by bioubiou at 8:26 AM PST - 7 comments

Under what circumstances, if any, would an illegitimate child in the Southern US (e.g. Mississippi) have her father's last name instead of her mother's? (This answer has become much difficult to find since Jon Snow.)
posted by musofire at 8:08 AM PST - 2 comments

Do any songs you like mention viaducts and/or Frank Lloyd Wright? [more inside]
posted by ferret branca at 8:06 AM PST - 9 comments

Fall is my favorite season. October is my favorite month. I’ve had a lot of personal upheaval/uncertainty in the past few years but I’m finally feeling settled again. So: I’m bound and determined not to let October pass me by without really Octobering the fuck out of it. Some ideas I already have had below the jump! [more inside]
posted by Automocar at 7:49 AM PST - 19 comments

Dress up clothes for a 9-year-old girl who hates “girl” clothes? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:31 AM PST - 22 comments

Does this exist? I am part of a workshop using handcrafts to bring together a multi-cultural, multi-lingual, mixed-age group of women, with heavy emphasis on community building. We need a means to communicate between classes with announcements, photos, conversations, etc., but because of mixed tech accessibility, it's not as simple as just creating a Facebook group. [more inside]
posted by leticia at 6:58 AM PST - 7 comments

What is the etiquette for reaching out to someone because they have inherited a property you want to purchase? [more inside]
posted by Pwoink at 6:29 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for recommendations of good audiobooks, but with some specific criteria: collections of essays that are read/narrated by the author. Books like this that I've enjoyed: Lindy West's book Shrill, Scaachi Koul's One Day We'll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter, Kimberly Dark's The Daddies, and various David Sedaris books. I like these for content (often, memoir mixed with social commentary) but also because the authors are expressive/good performers. (Other topics are OK too, but I'd like to stick to nonfiction.)
posted by needs more cowbell at 6:06 AM PST - 14 comments

I have a foldout sofa bed that I need to sleep in every other night. This is too much usage for a sofa bed. It's getting beat up and very very uncomfortable. I need short term solutions to make it comfortable or to find an alternative that's not very expensive. [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 4:29 AM PST - 9 comments

I have some sausage skins that I soaked, didn't use then instead of draining and salting them, I put them back in the soaking water and left them in the fridge. Are they safe to use? [more inside]
posted by missmagenta at 12:30 AM PST - 3 comments

Tiny one had her screening and the psychologist recommended a type of therapy that I forgot to write down because there was just so much to take in. She's high functioning, smart and very verbal and she said it would suit her particularly. She said it's not social skills by rote but cognitive understanding theory of mind, empathy and perspective in a small group setting. I've been through the resources and I can't narrow it down nor easily contact her again. It's not peer socialisation groups, I asked at the time.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 8:49 PM PST - 11 comments

If glads (the flower) are cut back before they bloom, will they bloom again next year or should I just consider the corms a lost cause? What about flowers planted late in the season? [more inside]
posted by she's not there at 7:49 PM PST - 4 comments

Tried to PayPal some money to a friend. When I tried to send it to her personal email, I was told 'this person only accepts payments through her website'. She doesn't have a website. So I sent it to her work email instead. This was a bad idea. [more inside]
posted by mookieproof at 6:15 PM PST - 7 comments

What is the best way to clean a pair of leather lederhosen shorts? [more inside]
posted by JennyJupiter at 4:13 PM PST - 4 comments

A business whose name I regularly come across in my work is named after a widely-recognized symbol that’s a) copyrighted and b) associated with white nationalism, and it uses this image on its website. They have a federal license to do what they do and must also have a local business license. This got me thinking: Is/how is what people call their businesses regulated? This is in Washington state, if that matters.
posted by centrifugal at 3:12 PM PST - 9 comments

Here's what I've been reading about the Keto diet. I went on a Keto diet about a month ago, and I’m having trouble sticking to it. I really want just good simple fresh food without a lot of hassle. The “net carbs” approach sounds more like what I want to eat because you can eat more fresh greens and veggies, but I can’t get myself to calculate net carbs vs total carbs to save my life. So I try just using ballpark estimates of total carbs and I’m hardly eating veggies at all. Is there a simple way to learn to cook Keto with plenty of vegetables where I don’t need a calculator? I just want tasty meals and not just meat … simple but not boring. How do I do this?
posted by amartin at 2:49 PM PST - 15 comments

I’m looking for an online support group for people who are being harassed online and it doesn’t ever stop, and police won’t pursue. It’s been going on in this spate for 18 months and off and on for 7 years. My health is deeply compromised. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:04 PM PST - 6 comments

Alternatively, what Canadian online shopping websites allow you to filter by material? [more inside]
posted by mikek at 1:58 PM PST - 8 comments

My phone gets its last security patch next month and is otherwise perfectly fine. Can I keep using it? [more inside]
posted by paper chromatographologist at 1:35 PM PST - 5 comments

What are reasonable expectations in this situation? [more inside]
posted by Amy93 at 1:31 PM PST - 15 comments

I recently brought back a box of late 90s Magic: the Gathering cards from my mom's house, and while I definitely want to keep most of them, there are a few with some real value (in the $25-$200 range) that I neither feel sentimental about nor plan to include in any of the casual decks I'd be making. What's the best way to sell them? [more inside]
posted by Copronymus at 1:18 PM PST - 5 comments

I’d like to know what the typical dessert consumption is in the US for kids. I can’t find any data on this. Can you?
posted by bq at 1:08 PM PST - 14 comments

I have a backpack where the top faux-leather handle is coming unstitched from the backpack at one end. I want to get it reattached. Is this something a shoe repair place would do? [more inside]
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 12:33 PM PST - 3 comments

A family friend is being investigated for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and has given a confusing account of having to have an x-ray done while he was in a special glass cabinet. I can't think of any reason why a glass cabinet would be relevant, and can't see anything online about x-rays done in this way. Can any radiologists tell me what actually happened?
posted by sodium lights the horizon at 12:18 PM PST - 7 comments

Even if they weren’t so ugly, I still wouldn’t wear them because they have 1.5 inch heels, and I hate being almost 6’9” as it is. As for size 16 feet—they look like canoes Still, she was excited to give them to me, and they were a lovely gesture, and if it came down to wearing them or hurting her feelings, of course I’d wear them. I know many of you have been in the same situation—where lying and being a sneaky little shit weasel is the kindest thing to do. Let’s make this happen. What’s the first step?
posted by BadgerDoctor at 11:33 AM PST - 42 comments

I remember vaguely a scene in literature in which a woman goes out into the night alone and has a no-touch orgasm with the universe. Where does this scene appear? [more inside]
posted by gold bridges at 9:53 AM PST - 2 comments

Apart from the locations for his murals, what were some important NYC locations for Keith Haring?
posted by pxe2000 at 9:08 AM PST - 9 comments

Mr. DrGail and I are headed from our home in Chicago to St. Louis for the Historic Shaw Art Festival in early October. Besides spending a few days in and around the city, we're casting about for other places to go and things to do on our fall road trip. [more inside]
posted by DrGail at 8:50 AM PST - 8 comments

Where does the "We're the girls" TikTok meme come from? Is it from a musical? A camp game? Some kind of sorority thing? From nowhere? [more inside]
posted by mhum at 8:43 AM PST - 5 comments

My partner was just making a table that had a column containing only single letters. If it were containing only numbers, you might head that up with a #. Is there an analogous symbol for letters?
posted by hollyholly at 8:06 AM PST - 12 comments

1) Dragon wakes up in the city, does his morning routine, puts on a long coat, takes a subway, arrives at a drawing class, removes his coat, and strikes a pose on the model stand. 2) Artist painting a portrait (just the head) of a nude woman. He's asking "Why do you always take off your clothes when you come here? [more inside]
posted by ZenMasterThis at 6:35 AM PST - 5 comments

Hi Everyone When at the office I can use Outlook on the desktop to mail to a group/distribution list. When outside the office I would like to use my email distribution lists to send mail to a group however I cannot see it in the native iPhone mail app (I can see my contacts). The same for the Outlook app on the iPhone - I can see my contacts however there is no way to mail to a group. Is there and app or a way to send email to a group from my iPhone? Thanks!
posted by bright77blue at 6:02 AM PST - 3 comments

I am looking for a good layman's biography of Frederick Douglass. I am aware of Prophet of Freedom, but I am looking for something more approachable for a teenager.
posted by The Blue Olly at 5:44 AM PST - 5 comments

By all accounts, I’m a perfectly normal human being who is offensive to others in neither habits nor appearance. But I’ve got some really strong core beliefs that I’ve been adding evidence to since childhood that I’m gross and ugly and unattractive. Have you had similar ideas and worked through them? How did you do it? FYI, I’m in therapy, and working on this there.
posted by anonymous at 5:01 AM PST - 23 comments

How much can I negotiate a salary for a software engineer job at a large public project in Sweden? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:01 AM PST - 2 comments

Have you used Metacam for joint / arthritis pain in your older dog? I have questions about the length of treatment. (Only interested in answers for dogs, and do already know it can be dangerous for cats.) [more inside]
posted by taz at 4:59 AM PST - 10 comments

We need a sump pump for a crawl space that gets a puddle. I want to be able to select one that's not too noisy, that's energy efficient, and that will only pump if water gets to within a few inches of the floor's surface. I've been finding it a little involved to find this info about each pump. Is there a good write-up anywhere that compares these factors, or do you happen to know? [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 4:43 AM PST - 6 comments

I bought a Syma X22W quadcopter. But the apps in the Android app store by Syma do not seem to control it. When I download and open them, there are controls and options. But I can't get the app to connect to the phone, or the quadcopter to connect to the app. I can control the app with the handheld controller but not from the phone controller built into the apps. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 2:23 AM PST - 2 comments

Let's say I wanted to make a relatively simple one-page web app, but it should use a REST API and have user login functionality. [more inside]
posted by Umami Dearest at 11:45 PM PST - 7 comments

So we managed to find our way to New Zealand, but time was running tight at Hobbiton and we didn’t have time to pick up LotR gifts/etc. Unfortunately we missed the WETA workshops as well. Bizarrely we have not been able to find a single bit of merchandise in cities large and small throughout the rest of the country. Is this a licensing thing? Has the tourist industry just moved on? We’ve got Queenstown, Dunedin, and Christchurch left to go; is there any hope for us?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:10 PM PST - 8 comments

Applied numerous times for former dream job but was always runner up. Now it looks like I have a chance again but feel like I've kind of moved on mentally from that path, or at least haven't been thinking about it for a while. At the same time, a part time job in another department has opened up which would allow me more time to retrain a bit and consider other options. Input into best option? [more inside]
posted by knownfossils at 9:32 PM PST - 2 comments

I heard this CD by I think a couple in real life, very spiritual - guitar - where the only words in the lyrics I made out was the re-phrase: *I love you* but the song was in Hebrew. The vibe was mellow and laid back but musically rather well done. So, I'm seeking that artist if you know what I'm referring to - and also those similar in vibe to Ishai Ribo. THANK YOU for any help.
posted by watercarrier at 9:22 PM PST - 1 comment

I just bought a used car. According to the maintenance schedule, the timing belt should have been replaced by a previous owner, but I don't know if it actually was. Should I get it replaced just to be safe? [more inside]
posted by zeri at 6:27 PM PST - 12 comments

I've finally gotten a handle on some of the physical effects of my period (thanks, advil and exercise!), but still get my ass kicked by the emotional/mood effects, which include being very irritable, crying easily/often, and feeling a vague sense of existential despair for about 5 days. It's like a mini depression. Menstruating mefites, please share your tips and tricks with me for managing the emotional/mood elements of your period. I'm especially interested in tangible practices/activities, and open to herbal or mild medication, plus any/all other suggestions.
posted by sleepingwithcats at 6:27 PM PST - 23 comments

Should I see a doctor, or am I just being paranoid? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:03 PM PST - 11 comments

A friend is looking for an iOS app that allows them to enter or import a list of songs then keep visual track of how long it's been since they last played each song, making it immediately and increasingly obvious if it's been a long time. Ultimately, they want to be able to take a quick glance through the list and see which ones need the most practicing so they know to work on those first. Does anyone know of such an app, or have an alternative idea? [more inside]
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:50 PM PST - 4 comments

I need to pin a lot (20-50) dots on cities on 3 different versions of the same 2D world map (Locations of Activity A, Locations of Activity B, Locations of Activities A+B). We have already done this mapping a few times in various softwares, and every time we need to modify, it requires starting from scratch. There must be a dedicated program for this. What is the simplest way to accurately mock up this specific image in high quality? Previous attempts listed inside. [more inside]
posted by seemoorglass at 4:00 PM PST - 3 comments

If I'm reading an English mystery and there's a reference to an MP, how can I relate to that as an American? I just need a vague sense of how significant that person would be, nationally. Are they all household names? Or do people just know their local ones? (Do they even know their local ones?)
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:57 PM PST - 13 comments

I've been trying to find an article or reference showing that a giant layer of dust on stuff will lead to poor air quality. I need to give some proof or reference to a super-logical but otherwise rather intelligent and receptive person. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 3:36 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm interested in books and other resources to learn about money and wealth from a philosophical point of view. How money moves through the economy. What it means to be wealthy. How these relate to more tangible goods and services, and other things you can do with money like influence how resources are spent. I'm interested in this a foundational qualitative sense, not in terms of how to predict recessions or set monetary policy. [more inside]
posted by serathen at 3:11 PM PST - 12 comments

I fear this marriage can’t be saved. Married 15 years, two kids, middle and high school. Couples counseling, individual counseling ongoing. I don’t feel heard or understood in this relationship. I don’t see hope that we want the same out of a partnership. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:05 PM PST - 14 comments

Explain to me like I'm five how to put a nice HTML user interface on top of my Python code, how to bring together the parts. [more inside]
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 2:21 PM PST - 7 comments

I have had sinus drainage for like 2 weeks now, and I'm ready for it to be over. I have quirky issues with solving the problem however. Please hope me. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 2:18 PM PST - 14 comments

So, about 5 years ago I bought a used car from a dealership, but I didn't notice that it had a lien still on it until much later. Attempts to deal with it have been unsuccessful. [more inside]
posted by Hackworth at 1:18 PM PST - 6 comments

A friend and I are watching Netflix's Unbelievable and they weren't aware of the prevalence of some of the real-life things that are portrayed in the show. I am looking for resources. [more inside]
posted by zeek321 at 12:53 PM PST - 4 comments

I use a MacBook Air 2019 at work. Since it only comes with two USB C ports, I've had to purchase a Novoo USB 5-in-1 hub. It only comes with two USB ports, though. Can I plug a USB hub into it? More inside. [more inside]
posted by zooropa at 12:31 PM PST - 4 comments

After years of working on a keyboard I have a chronic shoulder problem and also wrist problems. Dragon no longer supports the Mac OS. Am considering getting a cheap PC laptop strictly for web research and dictation. Do you use NaturallySpeaking? Are you happy with it? [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna at 11:38 AM PST - 12 comments

Hi. I am from Canada, and I am not sure which MA programme would be best for me. uWaterloo offers an eight month co-op placement with their MA in Political Science programme. McGill also offers a twelve week internship placement with their Political Science programme. [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 10:53 AM PST - 5 comments

I have an old little vanity table that I'd like to repair. [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 10:49 AM PST - 2 comments

My partner & I recently moved to a new house in a colder climate. Our living room (L-shaped, good light, SW exposure) will have many plants. I’m having trouble finding design inspiration for the space. Almost every image of rooms with lots of plants has white walls. I’m not sure white is right for what’s also supposed to be a cozy living room. Plus, the winter palette of white / grey / brown leaves me craving colour indoors. So where can I look for more varied design inspiration? And does anyone have specific colour / design suggestions for me? [more inside]
posted by sixswitch at 10:05 AM PST - 30 comments

I'm an adventurous eater, and love food from all over the world. Please recommend some recipes for interesting, low-calorie vegetarian salads. [more inside]
posted by panama joe at 10:03 AM PST - 11 comments

Am going to make some simple PCBs with young folks and let them then solder them. I am thinking a simple flashlight (battery, led, switch, resistor) is a good one, but there's got to be lots of fun litte things we can build ourselves. [more inside]
posted by J.R. Hartley at 8:31 AM PST - 11 comments

I’m trying to create a list of unquestioned assumptions in American society. Help me add to it! [more inside]
posted by Pater Aletheias at 8:31 AM PST - 98 comments

This morning my father had an ablation for an AFib condition that I didn't know he had. He doesn't tell us (adult) kids about any health things that crop up until long after they are over. Have you managed to bridge this gap with a stubbornly reticent parent? How? [more inside]
posted by kimberussell at 8:23 AM PST - 17 comments

I am looking for a tool for making flowcharts or organizational charts that doesn't require that I am able to draw a straight line or make a straight line connect 2 boxes based on my ability to use a mouse to measure it exactly. [more inside]
posted by eleanna at 7:46 AM PST - 16 comments

Back in April, I filed for an extension to file my US taxes. I hadn't completed everything, and at the time, it showed that I would owe $2k. So I sent in the payment to the IRS to avoid getting dinged with penalties and interest. I finished up, and e-filed today. As it turns out, after going through everything properly, I'm actually due $1k! Will the IRS easily give me back the $2k I already paid along with the refund? Or am I going to have to jump through hoops?
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 3:12 AM PST - 11 comments

My partner is currently in Venice and desperately missing his cat. Where can he go in Venice, Italy to see cats? Preference would be a cat cafe, but will also accept bookshop cats, and cat colonies.
posted by Murderbot at 2:23 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm trying to explain to my students the US/Japan snack differences and it's time for some props. Gushers. Nerds. Corn Nuts. Flaming Hot Cheetos. BBQ flavored...something. Are there any big variety boxes on the market out there that are more low rent but also ship internationally?
posted by rileyray3000 at 12:36 AM PST - 4 comments

My 10yo (cis-gender) daughter is on the higher end of the weight range (100lbs, 54inches tall). Ms Catalyzer and I are having a hard time finding where to buy clothes that fit her - hopefully with minimal alterations. What are your recommendations?
posted by BustedCatalyzer at 10:31 PM PST - 11 comments

In a little over a week I am starting a spiritual challenge which requires me, among many other things, to only listen to music that "lifts my soul to God." Problem is I don't like listening to religious music very much. Help me find eclectic, brilliant, and interesting music from diverse secular sources that will make up my "Lift my soul to God" playlist. [more inside]
posted by cross_impact at 9:25 PM PST - 84 comments

Really simple: Do you have a Prime membership? Is it worth it? [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 9:25 PM PST - 11 comments

Can anyone explain why an Apple-refurbished iPhone X costs about the same as a new iPhone 11? I know why I’d pay up for the X (Qualcomm modem), but that can’t be Apple’s reasoning, can it?
posted by Quisp Lover at 8:05 PM PST - 7 comments

Question A. How do I offload photos from my iPhone without deleting them from iCloud? Question B. What cloud storage solution should I use to archive my photos? [more inside]
posted by arm426 at 7:52 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm looking for a new upright bag vacuum, around $250 or so. We have an older Panasonic upright bagless vac I have huge problems emptying (dust goes everywhere, including my face) and realized that a bag vacuum might be my solution. I'm quite short and would like something that's easy to use for shorter people. If anyone has any personal recommendations for short type vacuums, please post them. [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten at 7:44 PM PST - 5 comments

After deciding not to relocate, the wind's gone from my sails, and I'm confused as to why ? [more inside]
posted by kilohertz at 5:15 PM PST - 16 comments

I need to step up my game in taking photographs with my phone. What is your favorite lens kits for phones and books on being a better photographer? [more inside]
posted by jadepearl at 5:08 PM PST - 4 comments

What kind of fly is this, where do they live and how can I clear my backyard of them?
posted by zeoslap at 5:03 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm an solidly mid-pack trail and ultra runner who's been running for about 10 years. In the last couple years, I've started to struggle with a series of overuse injuries. I'm fairly sure they all share the same root cause: insufficient strength work, especially in my core, glutes, and hips. I really hate strength work, don't love gyms, but want to do a better job staying injury-free. Please help me figure out how to more seriously engage in strength work and stay injury-free! Specific questions inside: [more inside]
posted by jacobian at 4:35 PM PST - 12 comments

In the past six years, I've terminated three pregnancies, each within six weeks of gestation. My boyfriend has been supportive of these decisions, and I've had no regrets. By his own admission, neither does he in any impactful way (he may have passing 'what if' thoughts.) I want to ...memorialize these, uh, zygotes. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:01 PM PST - 14 comments

Do students in parochial school for elementary/middle grades have to write reports on saints? If so, which class would assign these reports?
posted by pxe2000 at 2:50 PM PST - 11 comments

Could you recommend an eye doctor in Seattle who is experienced in treating age-deterioration in patients whose eyes don’t work together? As a child I had strabismus which was treated with surgery and subsequently wore an eye patch. I think it messed up how my eyes coordinate, to the point that I read with my left eye and look at distance with my right. I was fine with the divided vision most of my life, except I couldn't play tennis and I also really struggle to see those magic 3D images/3D movies. [more inside]
posted by Dragonness at 2:49 PM PST - 2 comments

There's a loud server fan in the room next to me at work. It makes a steady drone at roughly 440Hz. I recall reading about how constant exposure to noises like this can induce frequency-specific hearing loss, e.g., you stop hearing the noise's frequency. Can you help me find a link to that research? [more inside]
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl at 1:33 PM PST - 3 comments

I have recently had a number of very frustrating interactions with some bodywork professionals (think athletic trainers, acupuncturists, massage therapists, and anyone else who has their own solo practice and typically doesn’t take insurance). They just don’t answer their emails or pick up the phone, and it’s driving me bananas. How do? [more inside]
posted by danceswithlight at 1:15 PM PST - 26 comments

Friend, with help of another friend, recovered data from my dropped hard drive. What should I pay her/them? [more inside]
posted by Sweetie Darling at 12:32 PM PST - 14 comments

I just saw The Band’s Visit and now I’m hungry for a lot more music in the same style. [more inside]
posted by Calibandage at 11:43 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm heading off to Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos (and points inbetween like Madrid and Jemez Springs) and am looking for recommendations for vegan restaurants or restaurants that have vegan menu items. I've consulted Happy Cow and all the usual websites but would love your recommendations. All price points welcome! [more inside]
posted by Pineapplicious at 11:40 AM PST - 4 comments

I can't find my wallet. I'm scheduled to fly domestically within the US tomorrow. I've read some online about providing alternative documentation for TSA and wanted to hear some firsthand experiences and advice from other MeFites! [more inside]
posted by overglow at 10:31 AM PST - 18 comments

What steps can I start taking to get myself comfortable for a move cross country to San Diego/LA from Washington DC? Complication: I'm very comfortable where I am now, both in terms of career and location. I'd like to hear specific steps mefites took to explore their own cross country move, bonus points if it's to southern california. [more inside]
posted by Karaage at 10:15 AM PST - 13 comments

So I need to learn as much as I can about new and newish thought in philanthropy, grants, nonprofit strategy, nonprofit finance, and navigating those worlds. Do you know about those things? Do you know what/who I should be reading, following, or listening to about those things? [more inside]
posted by skookumsaurus rex at 9:56 AM PST - 6 comments

Do you know of any restaurants in or around central London which feature custard on their dessert menu? Creme anglais is an acceptable alternative. [more inside]
posted by citands at 9:52 AM PST - 14 comments

I have a T42 IBM ThinkPad running Xubuntu 12.04. I would like to get my Wacom Intuos CTL4100 tablet running on it. I've tried, oh Lord, have I tried. [more inside]
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:39 AM PST - 6 comments

My sibling and I keep getting invited to a family member's social events - but we've been having serious issues with one of our parents who also tends to attend, so we've been politely turning them down for a while now; the rub is that they're wonderful people, and I don't want them to think we're avoiding them because we don't like them. How do I turn down this (and future) invitations from them, without letting them know about all the crazy family drama going on behind the scenes? [more inside]
posted by CottonCandyCapers at 8:42 AM PST - 23 comments

I have the option of relocating to either Denver or Sacramento, but I have only briefly visited either location. Tell me what's awful / great about both places? [more inside]
posted by The Blue Olly at 7:04 AM PST - 16 comments

We're a small office with some people working from home, and we use Thunderbird for email. I'd like to setup a common address book to be shared and updated between the clients, and be able to include photos of the addressee in the contacts. [more inside]
posted by monocultured at 6:27 AM PST - 3 comments

I got screwed over by my boss but I still have to work with her. How can I move past my feelings and work better with someone I now feel is untrustworthy? [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 5:08 AM PST - 13 comments

I have a hopefully straightforward skincare question but I am getting confused by the information overload available on the web. Very simply: how long does it take for skin to adjust to a new (but still, very basic) skincare routine? I have added a couple extra steps to my routine and now my skin looks good but feels dry and tight. Should I give it a week or two, or is this a clear indication that it isn't working? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 2:58 AM PST - 13 comments

A big part of my work in the Tech world has been to act as a sort of cultural translator between business owners in the U.S. and software developers in other places (like India). Are there people who do that for a living? Agencies? Who are they? What are they called? [more inside]
posted by jander03 at 8:33 PM PST - 7 comments

Please don't take offense to this but I've received a wonderful job offer in LA and completely and utterly hate the city after 2 weeks. I lived in a lot of places and even places I didn't particularly like, I didn't seem to hate it. A lot of people live here and love it, so I'm missing something. Details within. [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 8:02 PM PST - 37 comments

Assume I know about Amsterdam's hash culture yadda yadda yadda already. If I only get this one chance to visit Belgium and Amsterdam - I want to hear what you absolutely love about it if you live there or have extensive travel stories. And OF COURSE I want your best beer and frites rec's, please and thank you. [more inside]
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 7:59 PM PST - 13 comments

I would like to expand my repertoire of hairstyles. Snowflakes below. [more inside]
posted by yhlee at 6:52 PM PST - 4 comments

You're Jewish, but you're not planning on going to temple for Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur. Your kid attends a public school where these are not days off. Do you let them stay home, knowing you're not really observing? Just on the principle that no Christian kid ever has to go to school on Christmas or Easter, irrespective of the fact that they might not attend church that day? Opinions wanted as I consider what to do with my kid. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:25 PM PST - 37 comments

I've seen and heard the phrase "Speed kills" in a few different contexts, and I'd like to know where it originated. Where did it come from? [more inside]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 5:53 PM PST - 9 comments

A few online reviews say the KitchenAid range (dual-fuel double oven) I want to buy makes a humming noise at all times. Is this for real, or did a few people get lemons? [more inside]
posted by rouftop at 4:09 PM PST - 2 comments

About a decade ago, a radio show presented a catchy song, to explain to the layman what caused the sub-prime mortgage crisis. I distinctly remember "Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac couldn't get their money back." But that's all I remember of the lyrics. The show was probably NPR's Marketplace, but it may have been another similar radio show. The song was posted online, but now I can no longer find any record of it. Can you help me find it?
posted by matt_arnold at 3:53 PM PST - 2 comments

Has anyone here gotten a degree in art therapy, and if so, how did that work out for you? [more inside]
posted by Armed Only With Hubris at 2:43 PM PST - 14 comments

My boss is a jerk. Within 5 weeks of joining the team he had told me twice that I wasn’t suited to the role and should look for another job; he is dictatorial and has a command and control leadership style, is more comfortable with the blokes than the women but hates me especially and every time I have to interact with him it gives me a bad day. [more inside]
posted by EatMyHat at 2:13 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm traveling to Peru (Lima, Nazca, Huacachina, Arequipa/Colca Canyon, and Cusco/Machu Picchu) in December. What is most appropriate for a 31 year old, single, white, female tourist to wear? [more inside]
posted by raccoon409 at 1:50 PM PST - 6 comments

Are there any good, fun places in Vegas to sit and work on my laptop with good connectivity and possibly outlets where I can people watch? [more inside]
posted by Sayuri. at 12:40 PM PST - 9 comments

Polytalented professionals of MetaFilter, what is something specific that you discover, detect, discern, diagnose or deduce through a sense. [more inside]
posted by infinite intimation at 12:19 PM PST - 44 comments

I just ended things with this guy I was seeing very sporadically over about a year, and just for sex. Logically, he was bad for me in every way. So why do I feel so emotional about it? (more juicy details inside) [more inside]
posted by koolaidnovel at 11:27 AM PST - 10 comments

What obligations do I have with respect to copyrighted works included in an audio art project that will be submitted to festivals or broadcast in the EU? [more inside]
posted by jpziller at 10:54 AM PST - 5 comments

I sweat a lot, mainly from my face/head. Please help me figure out a way to wear sunscreen and/or moisturizer without looking like I forgot to close my car windows during a car wash. [more inside]
posted by gursky at 10:25 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm having a fairly minor cosmetic skin issue that I'd really like to solve. I'm also having intense and disproportionate anxiety about it that I'd reallyreallyreally like to solve. Looking for advice on either/both of these issues. [more inside]
posted by catoclock at 9:00 AM PST - 10 comments

I am a guy in his mid 40s. I would like take great care of my face and neck. I really don't want to do a bunch of research. I simply want to be told EXACTLY what to buy, where to buy it, and the exact steps I am supposed to do from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. [more inside]
posted by jasondigitized at 8:48 AM PST - 15 comments

Profanity filter: For a story I'm writing, I need some help with a bit of cursing in Spanish (specifically Mexican). Putting the rest behind the cut for bad language.... [more inside]
posted by velvet_n_purrs at 8:32 AM PST - 11 comments

Can you identify the signatures on this dollar bill? [more inside]
posted by msbrauer at 7:53 AM PST - 10 comments

I'm looking for a new therapist. I've found one that I like, but at our introductory session, she told me that I can't cancel my regular slot if I can't make it - so if I'm on holiday or out of the city, I would need to pay for a slot that I can't use. Is that normal? Or are therapists normally a bit more forgiving with their schedules? I'm in the UK, if that makes a difference.
posted by anonymous at 7:22 AM PST - 29 comments

Did you quit your high paying stressful job for a less money and less stress? Do you regret it?
posted by anonymous at 7:22 AM PST - 24 comments

I have a "well woman" appointment on Thursday where they'll do the pelvic exam and pap smear. Over the weekend, I had very rough sex and he came inside me (all consensual). Things are tender and likely swollen, and there is still semen slowly coming out. Should I reschedule my appointment, or will things be back to normal by then? I mostly just want the appointment to be able to be completed, and also not get comments from my gynecologist, who I don't have reason to suspect would actually make comments, but you never know.
posted by anonymous at 7:22 AM PST - 7 comments

I will be taking Amtrak's Texas Eagle line from Chicago to Austin, Texas next month to start a week-long bicycle tour with full camping gear. I have made a reservation for my bicycle on the train. But will I have trouble carrying on all my bike bags and camping gear? [more inside]
posted by crLLC at 6:45 AM PST - 16 comments

I have a very strong childhood memory of a song/video/poem that features the following couplet: Animal crackers in the sky / Moon nibbles one, and so do I. It is not the Shirley Temple song "Animal Crackers in my Soup." The melodies are similar, but the one I am thinking of is almost lullaby-like - gentle and light - whereas "Soup" has a sort of galumph to it. It is also associated with an illustration of a mouse, just black lines on a white background, with a simple efficient style, like Boynton, Silverstein or Lear. Leads and possibilities inside. [more inside]
posted by Rock Steady at 5:08 AM PST - 10 comments

This attractive lady appeared on my arm when I was doing some yard work. I put her on some wire netting so I could get some pictures, but the light wasn't very good. She has the body shape of one of the widow family, but the belly doesn't have the orange/yellow of a black or brown widow. [Album link, in case urls don't work] [more inside]
posted by tavella at 10:04 PM PST - 16 comments

Mr. McGee has joined a community choir, but does not read music. He would like to learn to read music. Can you point us to an good (free) online course that he could work his way through? A book would also be okay, but I feel like there's probably a great web-based course with YouTube videos out there somewhere so he could see it AND hear it. [more inside]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:17 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm buying a house but my mortgage is about to expire and the seller keeps pushing the closing date! What do I do? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 7:02 PM PST - 26 comments

In NYC, looking for a recruiter/headhunter to help me find a job, but I really don't fit into normal categories, nor do I know what kind of job I'm looking for or how to find it. [more inside]
posted by Spock Puppet at 6:24 PM PST - 3 comments

After 2 instances of unexplained vaginal bleeding, my GYN wants to do a D/C. [more inside]
posted by kathrynm at 5:39 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm looking for first-person accounts (or long-reads) about the experience of being forced to abandon a town in a valley that's scheduled to be flooded as part of a dam/hydroelectric plant project. [more inside]
posted by egeanin at 4:30 PM PST - 31 comments

Where can you and I donate to support the work of Greta Thunberg?
posted by KneeDeep at 4:25 PM PST - 2 comments

I will be spending both Eve and Day in one of the following five cities: Granada, Cordoba, Madrid, Seville, Lisbon. Help me figure out which is best (or feel free to recommend your own). [more inside]
posted by queen anne's remorse at 4:02 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm going camping with my kids and some friends in a couple of weeks. We usually go car camping but this time we'll be hiking in to our site. If it was just us adults we'd be fine with getting some dehydrated food packs and calling it a day but our kids will want tastier fare. What exactly is that? [more inside]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 3:41 PM PST - 29 comments

I get paid to park commuter bicycles at a really big bicycle valet parking lot. We each have to make a video about climate change for Twitter. My video will be entirely text. What useful and memorable snippets should I include?
posted by aniola at 3:11 PM PST - 5 comments

I’ve heard of people jumping to other jobs in order to be happier, but money is also no small thing... would it hurt my career earnings in the future to take a big pay cut? [more inside]
posted by buttonedup at 3:07 PM PST - 21 comments

Lately I've been binge-listening to Steely Dan, even though my usual taste in music runs more toward spare, angular post-punk. Are there any women artists with qualities similar to the ones I admire in their music -- the obsessive perfectionism, the complex arrangements, the cold, sardonic feel with an occasional hard-earned bit of warmth underneath? In any genre -- doesn't have to be jazz-influenced pop/rock at all.
posted by Ralston McTodd at 3:02 PM PST - 41 comments

How can I make multitrack synced video collages (like the acapella app) on my windows computer? [more inside]
posted by sully75 at 3:01 PM PST - 1 comment

How does Social Security work for people who haven't worked/earned much? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:13 PM PST - 13 comments

Who ARE these odd little hobbits that my grandmother loved so much? [more inside]
posted by letahl at 2:13 PM PST - 6 comments

A close friend of mine knows a Syrian family in Lebanon who has been through tragic circumstances in the past few weeks and is in a dire financial situation as a result. My friend wants to set up a GoFundMe for them. None of them qualify for setting up a GoFundMe, but I do. Does anyone have experience setting up an international GoFundMe, and do you have any advice? [more inside]
posted by Penguin48 at 1:22 PM PST - 1 comment

I've been in my industry nearly 10 years, director level. I fell in love with a little offshoot of my giant company, where they operate much the way a start-up does as they develop new business concepts: gather insights, ideate, do rapid prototyping, test/learn and eventually implement the best concepts. I do have pretty significant experience on the insights side, and in an objective sort of way (or so say past bosses and colleagues in anonymous peer reviews), I am really strong/known for good work in the ideation space: brainstorming, dreaming up new solutions/concepts, getting everyone to think differently, take risks, and get inspired. My recent projects have had excellent results. A contact invited me to an ideation workshop there. And my group did a terrible job. Help! [more inside]
posted by red_rabbit at 1:05 PM PST - 10 comments

I bought a brand new Android phone from Verizon about 6 months ago. It's a ThinQ. I've been using their messaging app by default. But the GIF app I downloaded never shows up on that keyboard. Can someone identify a good app for me that will let me use GIF with it? I'm kind of stumbling around and not knowing what I'm doing. Thanks!
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 12:47 PM PST - 8 comments

I have a friend (early twenties, shares an apartment with another friend of mine) with autism who needs help learning to clean up her living space. What are good resources for this? I'm especially interested in charts and stuff that break down exactly what "cleaning" means in a way that will be easy for her to follow. [more inside]
posted by an octopus IRL at 11:25 AM PST - 16 comments

My dragon boat team is on a trip to Ireland for a race. There are three of us who are the same age (in our 30s) while the rest of the team ranges in ages from 40s-70s. We have a great group and were all looking forward to this trip to have fun and enjoy one another's company. Prior to the trip, my friends who are my age (I'll call them D and S) for short, were all texting each other and had good rapport. I was especially friends with D; we sit together on the boat and had been texting on and off getting to know one another. She, D, S, and I have even hung out a few times outside of dragon boating. We're now halfway through our trip. I'm not sure what I did (though I think it's due to my horrible social skills), but D has become noticeably (at least to me) less friendly and distant with me. [more inside]
posted by starpoint at 10:54 AM PST - 29 comments

Due to a poor mix of research, ambition, and logistics, my mom and I have train tickets between London and Oxenholme (and back) next Tuesday. I hoped to see the Lake District, but we'll only have about 3 hours between arrival and departure in Oxenholme. Any thoughts on how to best use our time out of London (vacationing from the US)? [more inside]
posted by itesser at 10:47 AM PST - 14 comments

On very rare occasions (e.g. once a year, maybe every other year) I get a small "sore" spot in the corner of my mouth, right on the outer edge of the lip, but just barely. It is barely visible to others, which doesn't seem to correlate with what I think of as a "cold sore." I think it might coincide with that "time of the month" , stress, and/or feeling a tad rundown. If I open my mouth too wide, it's tight and kind of feels like I've split the skin. It gets a slightly rough scab-like texture to it and then goes away within a few days. What is this?!
posted by tealcoffeecup at 10:21 AM PST - 16 comments

BigLifeQuestionFilter: How long does it take to learn to be a decent professional programmer/developer/software engineer/whatever? And if so, do I want to? [more inside]
posted by mosst at 9:59 AM PST - 18 comments

How does a lone person grill a steak dinner and transport to a nursing home? (Snowflake details under the fold) [more inside]
posted by obliquity of the ecliptic at 9:48 AM PST - 19 comments

In construction engineering, can the following be correct? [more inside]
posted by noelpratt2nd at 9:12 AM PST - 3 comments

My mom and her friends are doing a quick trip to Rome at the end of October and have solicited my help in the planning. Mom and friends are in their mid-60s and it will be their first time in Rome (and Italy). [more inside]
posted by something_witty at 7:38 AM PST - 17 comments

I brought my 2011 MBA on a trip to Europe, not realizing that the cheap knock-off power supply that I use for it only works on 120 V. Do any of you happen to know if there is an electronics/computer store in, around, or between Wilhelmshaven Germany and Copenhagen Denmark where I might be able to buy a replacement power supply? I won’t be staying in the same place for very long on this trip, so mail order is not ideal.
posted by Juffo-Wup at 7:32 AM PST - 4 comments

I have to have a hysteroscopy to remove some uterine polyps. My doctor has offered sedation or general anesthesia. What are the benefits/risks of each? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:21 AM PST - 11 comments

A good friend of mine co-parents two elementary age children with the other parent. Until recently, they shared custody evenly and live blocks apart, so the children spent regular time with both parents at two homes. Sadly, the other parent got into an accident that left them with some very serious head injuries. How should my friend support their kids? [more inside]
posted by RajahKing at 6:21 AM PST - 11 comments

I am trying to find academic articles or opinion pieces on the right to hunt in Canada from an Indigenous perspective. Are there any good academic articles or opinion pieces on this subject? Looking for First Nations, Inuits, and Métis perspectives.
posted by RearWindow at 5:18 AM PST - 5 comments

I am looking for French courses in Quebec to do next year, can anyone point me in the right direction? More details inside. [more inside]
posted by iamsuper at 4:23 AM PST - 9 comments

I am a lit person, working on a piece of writing where RAM (random-access memory) crops up, as a metaphor. Help me grasp what RAM actually is, its core functions and properties, in very basic terms? [more inside]
posted by thetarium at 3:16 AM PST - 25 comments

I strained my lower back two days ago. I'm resting it, using Tiger Balm, taking NSAIDS, etc. However, I'm finding that certain things such as sitting on a wooden chair seem to make it worse. Rather than discovering "this causes agony" by trial and error, I'd love to hear what has made your lower back worse and/or better.
posted by rednikki at 2:08 AM PST - 16 comments

UK-finance filter. We will be selling my mum’s house in the UK. I’m her lasting power of attorney. I want to put proceeds it in a investment vehicle that pays out annually for nursing home costs and is otherwise hard to liquidate without notice. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:53 AM PST - 4 comments

In a new job, I have inherited a large number of scripts (coded in R) which produce Excel files for various purposes. Understanding what any bit of it does is fine - it's well commented and usually isn't doing anything esoteric - but I'm finding it hard to get a "big picture" of what hundreds of lines of code are doing. Can you recommend any guides on how to break down and document something without getting overwhelmed?
posted by solarion at 9:57 PM PST - 5 comments

Looking to stock up my audible library to help break up a long commute. Specifically looking for twisty mystery novels (or a series) written within the last 20 years, available as audiobooks, to suit my somewhat specific tastes. [more inside]
posted by LongDrive at 9:35 PM PST - 13 comments

For our fiftieth birthdays in December, a friend has bought tickets for us to see Phish in LI, NY. I last saw them play on December 31, 1989. Please, this is not a phishing scam—I need to do some catchin' up. [more inside]
posted by not_on_display at 8:27 PM PST - 17 comments

I'd like something that I can step into after a bath/shower without having to towel off. The most obvious choice is a bathrobe, but I would prefer something tighter fitting. Does this exist? If so, where can I buy it?
posted by jtothes at 6:03 PM PST - 13 comments

Was thinking about this video I know I saw online maybe in the year (or two) following 9/11. The song is a male singer, mostly reciting safety platitudes while the video is, if I remember correctly, mostly a man slowly wrapping himself in plastic/bubble wrap and duct tape. It had something to do with just feeling uneasy and unsafe with all the safety stuff we were told to do in the years after 9/11, possibly triggered by this. [more inside]
posted by jessamyn at 5:32 PM PST - 2 comments

Daughter Ashtray is considering heading to college for a degree in Fashion Business. So not the design component but the business end of it.Where to start? [more inside]
posted by ashtray elvis at 5:17 PM PST - 11 comments

My elderly, disabled dad owns a cottage at a secluded lake. It is not his primary home. It’s an investment property he uses for weekend vacations, but keeps mostly closed in the off-season. Unfortunately, it's not available to him because my brother is semi-squatting in it. [more inside]
posted by mr. remy at 4:45 PM PST - 42 comments

I bought one of these about 10 years ago. I'd like to sell it, but I don't know the music shops in my city. Where should I go?
posted by tylermoody at 4:19 PM PST - 4 comments

According to his friends, Walter Cronkite had three rules for aging: 1) Never trust a fart; 2) Never pass up a drink; 3) Never ignore an erection. Numbers 1 and 3 seem pretty self-explanatory, but I can't make sense of number 2. Assuming he's not advocating for geriatric alcoholism, what did he mean by that?
posted by joedan at 4:16 PM PST - 14 comments

We are going to be in Montreal for work in early to mid October, and towards the end of the month will be traveling to Toronto for our flights out of Canada. Towards the end of October, we want to get out of Montreal and stay somewhere we can see autumn colours. Can you recommend either an area where we should look, or even a specific place to stay, with the restrictions described below the line? We are limited by not driving (though could combine, within reason, bus+taxi or train+taxi). [more inside]
posted by tavegyl at 3:57 PM PST - 6 comments

Which music video featured a scene where someone collected their mail with a pair of tongs? [more inside]
posted by life in the sock drawer at 3:28 PM PST - 0 comments

I'm getting tired of saying "I read that online somewhere" without having any idea where I saw it. So I would like to create a collection of articles that I have read as I read them. This needs to be more than just a list of bookmarks because websites can disappear and I would like to maintain this information even if the source material goes stale. [more inside]
posted by metadave at 3:25 PM PST - 6 comments

Our son, 9.5 years old, is in the fourth grade and currently has an F in Math and a D in ELA. How do we best respond to this? [more inside]
posted by tafetta, darling! at 2:41 PM PST - 25 comments

What local or regional special events - cultural, sporting or otherwise - should we know about that have great local significance but also are a great time and inviting for outsiders to attend, that would be suitable as MacGuffins (putative excuses) for leisure travel? Little bullseyes are what we seek to aim at; not big all-encompassing events like Mardi Gras. [more inside]
posted by JimInLoganSquare at 2:30 PM PST - 14 comments

What kind of services/options are out there to help an older person buy a new car? [more inside]
posted by Mid at 2:13 PM PST - 12 comments

Is there an app that'll go through my growing collection of ebooks and index them according to Library of Congress number? Or one that does the Dewey way? It'd be great to have an index that I can browse by subject essentially.
posted by storybored at 1:07 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for gift ideas for a wonderful 12 1/2-year-old girl, our friends' daughter. We don't know any other kids this age, and we haven't seen her in about a year, so we don't know what The Big Things are for her peer group. [more inside]
posted by TEA at 12:47 PM PST - 8 comments

Is there an easy, effective way to supplement my houseplants’ light? [more inside]
posted by rebeccabeagle at 12:26 PM PST - 4 comments

Mefi, help me. My coworkers and I are trying to think of a movie where a character or characters are drinking the blue disinfectant at the barber shop. I’m seeing some reference to a Pete & Pete episode but that’s not really ringing the bell for anyone... Timer starts now folks, let’s see what you’ve got. Possible clue: I think it’s part of a montage?
posted by stinkfoot at 11:38 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm looking for someone with the skills and tools to perform some minor home repairs in my 2 BR Manhattan apartment—stuff like replacing some outlet covers, hanging a mirror, some small paint touch-ups, etc. I'm interested either direct recommendations, or sites where I can find someone. (I'm not interested in any DIY tips, though.) Thanks!
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 11:24 AM PST - 4 comments

Our chihuahua is becoming increasingly harder to pick up, I’m reasonably certain there’s nothing physically wrong with him. What do we do? [more inside]
posted by cakelite at 11:02 AM PST - 19 comments

What specific items of clothing, shoes or accessories have you found to be particularly useful when traveling? [more inside]
posted by christa at 10:39 AM PST - 29 comments

My publicly-visible past work doesn't look great for reasons largely outside of my control. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by cowcowgrasstree at 10:36 AM PST - 3 comments

So, the young human who lives in my house wants a penpal. She's a wholesome, happy tween. And we want to keep her that way. She says she "just wants to connect with and learn about someone else who has a different life." I'm thinking another tween, maybe someone outside the US who wants to practice their English. How do we find this person and connect them, without accidentally exposing her to a chester-chester child molester or something?
posted by pomegranate at 10:33 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm tired of having cold toes in the winter. And so is my cat! [more inside]
posted by kinsey at 9:57 AM PST - 9 comments

My adult daughter and I want to do a series of... podcasts? vlogs? let's plays? focusing on video game advertising. This involves going through Humble Bundle bundles, Steam queue, and various other listings about games, rather than reviewing/playing the games themselves. Starting budget goal: Less than $50, fewer than 10 hours of prep work. This is something we want to do for fun and maybe pizza money. [more inside]
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 9:28 AM PST - 2 comments

My 91 year old mother-in-law lives alone (California) and is in great shape considering her age, but we are very worried about falls. She has had different medical alert devices (phone and wearable/around the neck), but will never carry them with her - she currently has a Great Call Jitterbug phone. She says if we can find a watch that is a standalone device and does not require any other components she will use it, otherwise she just prefers to take her chances and not worry about it. [more inside]
posted by The Architect at 9:05 AM PST - 13 comments

Shortly my wife received a pacemaker, her bedside ECG reported a lower heart rate than the pacemaker was supposed to maintain. We both saw it, and the nurses charted it. Weirdly, the electrophysiology fellow insists that this never happened. And he's so hard to talk to that even if there is a perfectly reasonable explanation it's clear I'm not going to get it from him. How would I request to have another physician explain this to me? [more inside]
posted by meaty shoe puppet at 8:40 AM PST - 12 comments

Say you're choosing a career and your *only* criterion is that you want to work the fewest possible hours that will allow you to pay the bills. What options would you consider? [more inside]
posted by zeri at 8:35 AM PST - 25 comments

On Friday, a Maine law will go into effect prohibiting using/ touching a mobile while driving. I love using GoogleMaps/ Driving/ GPS. I listen to podcasts and music stored on my phone. On long highway drives, I occasionally make calls. Android, older car with audio jack, no bluetooth. [more inside]
posted by theora55 at 8:32 AM PST - 12 comments

My much beloved Samsung S5 mini is on it's last legs. What's my next phone? [more inside]
posted by freethefeet at 4:26 AM PST - 7 comments

Heya. So I'm involved in something where our opponent is someone whose political experience is very limited, and a large part of its extent is an internship with no less than the questionably honourable senator Jim Inhofe. What has he been up to? Nothing good, I expect. Can you fill me in? [more inside]
posted by Acid Communist at 4:15 AM PST - 19 comments

I'm a goldfish of procrastination and OCD - I expand to the options I'm given. And right now that's killing my writing. So I'm looking for a job with housing somewhere in the world (not the US) where I can get some writing done. The less populated and less hours the better. Ideas? [more inside]
posted by rileyray3000 at 1:45 AM PST - 8 comments

Does the repeated presence of tissues in this artwork by Japanese artist/ illustrator Misaki Tanaka symbolize something... [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 1:27 AM PST - 4 comments

I just had a very strange and worrying conversation with a friend. I am not sure how to handle it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:17 AM PST - 14 comments

I’m going to be holed up in a hotel room close to a cancer center for several months undergoing recuperation after a bone marrow transplant in Oct-Dec of this year. (Quick PSA: I’m healthy, ready and have a great chance of recovery and cure.) I’m really intrigued with VR gaming and I’m trying to figure out what to buy to stay occupied while healing up. [more inside]
posted by photoslob at 11:57 PM PST - 8 comments

I have a new crown that starts hurting about 20 minutes after eating until I brush and use anti-septic mouthwash for a few minutes until the pain stops. Any idea of how to fix this or who to go to if my dentist isn't helpful? [more inside]
posted by stray thoughts at 11:37 PM PST - 5 comments

I play in a band. Usually I'm a back-up singer and back-up trumpet and mascot/dance/sing-along leader. A year or so ago, the guitarist picked up a tambourine and a rectangular shaker and handed them over to me. I've done all right so far, but I feel like there is so very much more I could do on both fronts in a way that's good. We used to play with drummers much more often, but haven't had one of late. That means I'm the percussion and have learned on the job, but could learn much more. Halp? [more inside]
posted by lauranesson at 8:25 PM PST - 4 comments

I'll be in India for a month starting in about a week, as a visiting academic. I have never visited India before. I would appreciate information about academic culture and norms, and any info about how I should and shouldn't behave to be a good guest. I all coming at this from Australian academic culture but I am also familiar with European universities and North American universities so feel free to compare with those. [more inside]
posted by lollusc at 7:19 PM PST - 3 comments

An acquaintance from my teen years got in touch for support because I'm one of the few people he knows local to the hospital where he's getting his cancer treatment. It's a really bad type of cancer. I'd like to send something to his wife back home and could use mefite suggestions. Lots more details inside. [more inside]
posted by ocherdraco at 6:05 PM PST - 11 comments

I need a new pair of jeans, and would really like a satisficing cut/color: something that presents as sleek but unassuming (for a grownup professional), can be worn for smart casual workdays if needed, is not going to make me look like a fashion victim in 2 years. Is this still skinny jeans? If not, what is it? [more inside]
posted by Bardolph at 5:27 PM PST - 10 comments

I bought a roomba a little while ago, and I love it. My cat, on the other hand, does not. She has two cat trees that she can hang out in, along with many chairs, benches and a sofa where she could stay away from it's evil clutches. Not good enough, as far as she's concerned. [more inside]
posted by peppermind at 2:56 PM PST - 4 comments

It seems like a no brainer but the internet doesn’t have much. Has anyone done this? Thanks in advance for any tips!
posted by ftm at 2:36 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm quitting, after being an extremely minimal user anyway, and the one thing I actually care about getting is people's birthdays. I'm not finding an obvious way to do it, though. Things I've tried.... [more inside]
posted by epersonae at 1:29 PM PST - 9 comments

I have an old shirtdress that I love but that's starting to get some holes. I found it in a larger size on Ebay (mine is small and this is large). It's a simple dress that's fairly straight, and it has a sash at the waist to make it fitted. Is it possible this could be easily resized by a tailor? Would the collar fit incorrectly?
posted by pinochiette at 12:34 PM PST - 5 comments

I teach history at the university level. I regularly get questions from history majors, potential majors, and their parents about what in heck they can do with a BA in history. I found this recent question about what MeFites have done with their English degrees to be eye-opening and inspiring, and so I ask: if you have a history BA, could you please tell me about your employment path? How has your history degree shaped (or not) that path? Because I can't help myself, I've included some historical context for this question under the fold. [more inside]
posted by pleasant_confusion at 12:07 PM PST - 34 comments

Spouse and I are probably going to Shreveport for our next anniversary. Dates are 10/11 -10/14 and those dates are concrete. Fellow MeFis, what do you recommend to do in Shreveport? Preferences below the fold. [more inside]
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 11:39 AM PST - 9 comments

During some interviews for jobs out of state, we found out we've got a baby on the way...I still would like to move, but it doesn't seem feasible - I could use some ideas on how to best deal with this, or at least some opinions from the neutral hive. [more inside]
posted by kilohertz at 9:41 AM PST - 17 comments

How many different car models have ever been made for sale? [more inside]
posted by Sticherbeast at 8:59 AM PST - 19 comments

Tired of Warby Parker's options, where else can I find affordable prescription sunglasses that I can try on in person in New York? [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 8:56 AM PST - 7 comments

I’m looking for examples of typical, everyday North American traditions or habits that I can share with my adult ESL student from South Korea. For example, she was totally unfamiliar with the tradition of adding an extra birthday candle to the birthday cake for “one to grow on.” Not really looking for superstitions, but more traditional, everyday habits that are particular to North America (or specific regions of North America). Another example would be saying “Bless you” when someone sneezes. Thanks!
posted by bookmammal at 7:14 AM PST - 69 comments

Currently planing a Florida vacation for April or May of next year. I would like to view a rocket launch while there. Any hints for choosing my exact vacation date? [more inside]
posted by mirage pine at 6:12 AM PST - 4 comments

I really like these drop pendant lights that I saw recently at a Panera restaurant. I have been searching for them (or similar style) online to no avail. Can someone help me find them? Key requirements: brushed nickel finish, dark red/amber color mix, shape as shown in photo.
posted by Ike_Arumba at 5:21 AM PST - 6 comments

Is there a history of the early space age that covers the Soviet and the American programs? I'd prefer the history avoid the nationalism and technophilia that pervades most of the accounts of space exploration that I've encountered.
posted by rdr at 2:46 AM PST - 9 comments

Prompted by the recent English major thread... if you earned an MFA in creative writing, would you mind sharing a bit about your subsequent employment or publication pattern? If you paid anything for it, do you feel you recouped the value? To the extent you expected when you entered the program?
posted by gallusgallus at 12:53 AM PST - 6 comments

How accurate are the addresses on the sex offender notifications? If the offender is homeless, do they just assign him a real address in the general area? [more inside]
posted by Weeping_angel at 11:31 PM PST - 8 comments

Calling all mariners and USCG regulation experts, I need help! [more inside]
posted by vrakatar at 8:27 PM PST - 6 comments

Looking to go somewhere within driving distance of Richmond VA, Dec 26-30. Leaning towards Charleston SC. Will be my wife and I and two adult kids. Looking at rental houses / apartments in downtown area. Are there any particular areas would should aim for , or avoid? Also, feel free to share your must not miss things to do or places to eat / drink in Charleston.
posted by COD at 6:25 PM PST - 4 comments

The Rugby World Cup is coming up. Is there a way I can stream it on my Roku stick? I don't have cable and I am located in Canada.
posted by synecdoche at 5:27 PM PST - 1 comment

I'm looking for songs, essays, interviews, stories, etc. on the topic of "mourning your pre-baby life". [more inside]
posted by rossination at 5:02 PM PST - 13 comments

What can you tell me about this sculpture? [more inside]
posted by trinity8-director at 2:44 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm looking for movies and TV shows that are really good, but just happen to star a bunch of teenagers. I've avoided teen-oriented movies and TV shows my whole life...but I'm starting to think that I've been missing out on some good stuff. [more inside]
posted by Gray Duck at 2:01 PM PST - 63 comments

Our African Grey parrot, Gracie, has heavy-metal poisoning from zinc and is undergoing chelation therapy. The vet gives her a very good prognosis.. We have a lot of questions about what what our next steps for her cage and around the house should be. Please tell us what you know. [more inside]
posted by Orlop at 1:52 PM PST - 10 comments

I seasonally commute on a road bike and currently use gloves and leather grip wraps, but after about three years the grip wraps have started to wear through. This might be a) normal operating limits (three years!) b) because I didn't do anything much to keep the leather or gloves clean or c) because I got cheapish equipment. Is there a better way?? [more inside]
posted by lousywiththespirit at 12:58 PM PST - 8 comments

How does one find a “good” accountant, how do you know if they’re good, and how do in-person ones compare to companies like Bench? [more inside]
posted by Autumn Willow at 12:44 PM PST - 4 comments

I am tired of only being able to speak one language and I really want to try to learn Spanish. I did take it in late middle school, high school and for a year in college, which was obviously way too late in life for it to have really taken hold. But I'm ready to try again! Snowflake details below... [more inside]
posted by AppleTurnover at 12:35 PM PST - 8 comments

What mobile solution should I be pursuing to replace my iPod? Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by koucha at 12:04 PM PST - 7 comments

For a long time, if you asked me if I like Country music I would have just said, "well, I like Johnny Cash..." But the comments on this recent FPP sort of blew the doors off that facet of my musical taste. Can you recommend more music along these lines? I'm particularly interested in the raw-er sounding stuff. [more inside]
posted by Ragged Richard at 11:50 AM PST - 50 comments

Weird things found on a deck in Southwestern Ontario. [more inside]
posted by nerhael at 11:00 AM PST - 5 comments

Where can I browse pictures of casual (but nicer) men's fashion? I've always been a jeans-and-tee-shirt guy. But I'd like to upgrade to something a little more put-together. [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 10:34 AM PST - 8 comments

How have you & your lifelong partner handled a situation where you really really want to Do a Thing, and your partner really really wants you not to do that thing? [more inside]
posted by rd45 at 9:44 AM PST - 60 comments

I'd like a massage in NYC this weekend. Can anyone recommend a decent place with somewhat reasonable prices? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 9:37 AM PST - 8 comments

Third cruise visit to Cozumel coming up. This time the focus is maximum chill and room for creative productivity, (as opposed to adventure, shopping, sightseeing...) Help us find a cafe with the food, the coffee, and the atmosphere to just be who we be, but in Cozumel. Requirements after the break. [more inside]
posted by cross_impact at 9:23 AM PST - 2 comments

I want to be able to print a small number of bound, "real book" copies of my novel-length fanfic for myself and a few friends, at a reasonable price, WITHOUT the book getting put on any kind of public sales portal that would expose me to copyright lawyers for making money off my fanfic. Can anyone recommend a service for this? (More details behind the cut.) [more inside]
posted by oblique red at 8:28 AM PST - 13 comments

Hi Folks, I would like to understand why some retailers do not have online shops. I have seen some businesses with no online presence at all, and others that have great websites to showcase a product, but customers are unable to order products through the website. If you own a small business or work in one, what's keeping you from providing an e-commerce experience for your retailer? - Steven
posted by stevenpl at 6:44 AM PST - 20 comments

In George Eliot's Middlemarch, what the heck are Mrs. Vincy's pink strings? [more inside]
posted by saladin at 6:31 AM PST - 7 comments

What should a queer person interested in art and food do in Boston next weekend? [more inside]
posted by nuclear_soup at 6:29 AM PST - 8 comments

Did you graduate with an English degree? Would you mind sharing your employment history and thoughts on how the degree has helped or hindered your work life? [more inside]
posted by mecran01 at 5:30 AM PST - 76 comments

So C and I met at work, and became friends. By the time her contract ended we had started catching up for lunch offsite, and we were saying we should keep in touch, so I gave her my number and she gave me hers. Two weeks later I messaged her to catch up and we have caught up about once a month for the last six months or so, always at my instigation. [more inside]
posted by EatMyHat at 4:34 AM PST - 25 comments

Do you print a lot on cardstock (300gsm/110lb would be the thickest i plant to use)? What printer do you have and love? I do quite a lot of customized direct mailings to my customers. I will usually get promotional mailers professionally printed on one side on cardstock. I then need to be able to run it through my own printer at the office to customize the other side with address/name details, typically only text in black ink. Paper size would be up to A4/letter. B&W only would be ok. [more inside]
posted by PardonMyFrench at 4:13 AM PST - 2 comments

Looking for a software engineering job in a location full of contracting work... Are there any job search sites or strategies that will let me filter these out, so that I can see just the jobs where I will actually be producing software used by the same company that is employing me? (No problems getting a clearance, I am just over it right now and want to try something else.)
posted by anaelith at 3:53 AM PST - 2 comments

I need new clothes for work. Several outfits. To this end, I have booked a "wardrobe review appointment" at a department store. (This is at John Lewis in London, UK.) I have questions. [more inside]
posted by snarfois at 2:36 AM PST - 4 comments

So I have a team member (I am her boss's boss) that is going through a really difficult situation and I want to get her a small gift to remind her that she is brave and strong. Looking for something like a bracelet that would signal strength/hope/optimism [more inside]
posted by elvissa at 7:28 PM PST - 13 comments

I need to find someone to help me analyze data and trends in my company's growth to help me understand where it is financially, and to help me plan for the future. [more inside]
posted by Autumn Willow at 7:27 PM PST - 6 comments

This is Jake. He's 8. I just adopted him and his brother Junebug, 9. They did not have a great history. Jake is absolutely terrified of men, but because he's a brave boy, he's fiercely determined to protect Junebug and myself from their evil ways. Help? [more inside]
posted by frumiousb at 7:19 PM PST - 13 comments

I've signed up for an urban walk in my city. The plan involves walking eight miles in about four hours. That is somewhat more than I am used to, so I'm wondering if I should approach this with a bit of preparation. [more inside]
posted by a certain Sysoi Pafnut'evich at 7:09 PM PST - 13 comments

My nearly 80-year-old father has been seeing a young woman from Asia. My siblings and I are terrified that she's going to take everything and leave him with no money for the very expensive care he'll soon need. [more inside]
posted by Frenchy67 at 7:03 PM PST - 13 comments

So I'm finding that many of my adult friendships are somewhat asymmetrical--I'm contacting that person more than they are contacting me. I'm looking for a good book or thoughtful, longer article about adult friendships, as I've never had great social skills and I need to think about them in a thoughtful, deliberate manner. Thanks for your recommendations. [more inside]
posted by mecran01 at 6:49 PM PST - 7 comments

I want to take a videos on my iPhone and not have it take up space on phone. Is there a way to save videos directly to a cloud rather than my phone. It is for an oral history project where I am doing interviews which I plan to edit somehow and then put on YouTube. Thanks!
posted by esnyder.ks at 6:20 PM PST - 5 comments

My Google-foo is failing me. About a month ago, I started reading a very interesting article about a topic in mathematics. I read only the first few paragraphs before I got distracted by something. Now I want to finish the article, but I can't find it. [more inside]
posted by alex1965 at 6:14 PM PST - 2 comments

Is there a thesaurus for idioms? Previous Asks focus on trying to find idioms that contain a given single word, a dictionary for which exists. What I want is to look up phrases based on similar meaning. My specific need is looking up different ways to say "call [someone] on the telephone" ["give me up buzz", "hit up my cell"], NOT idioms that include the words "call" or "telephone".
posted by smokysunday at 5:03 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm a plus-sized "assigned female at birth" person looking for a sharp-looking, mens-style blazer/jacket. Having a lot of trouble finding what I'm looking for! [more inside]
posted by the sockening at 3:20 PM PST - 10 comments

My father has recently got his first (Android) smartphone, and is about to get a car where he can bluetooth the phone to the car. He would like to create driving playlists on his Windows desktop computer (from music files he already has) and transfer them to his phone. He's not terribly tech-savvy and had a serious falling-out with iTunes a couple of updates ago (no issues with using it before that). What are the best software-app combinations for him? [more inside]
posted by Vortisaur at 1:57 PM PST - 10 comments

I'm planning an event in a Google spreadsheet. I've set it up so the durations column always totals- that way I can ensure that the whole event is 120 minutes long, even as individual segment lengths change. Question: I also want a column where I can input a clock start time of, say, 3:45pm, and have the CLOCK start time of each segment automatically correct itself as I adjust the segment lengths. Is this possible?
posted by nouvelle-personne at 1:57 PM PST - 4 comments

I have very dirty aluminum siding on a house in the Midwest. I've tried many things, none work. Ideas? [more inside]
posted by 4midori at 1:37 PM PST - 10 comments

Please hope me figure out what to wear to dinner tomorrow night... [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad at 12:39 PM PST - 26 comments

A friend recently purchased what we believe is a Degas sketch; but we'd like to have it authenticated. Does anyone know a reliable - and frugal - means of doing this? Thanks in advance!
posted by longhaultrucker at 12:29 PM PST - 5 comments

I love the Hidden LA Facebook page for highlighting the offbeat, unusual, great things that go beyond the tourist-trap stuff for Los Angeles. I was wondering if there's something similar for the East Bay (specifically not San Francisco)? [more inside]
posted by toastyk at 12:27 PM PST - 1 comment

Redoing a bathroom. There's a single cold water line running to the sink and toilet. Water to the sink works fine, but not the toilet. Have put the water cutoff handle to 0 and 90 degree position to no avail, nothing changes. Here's a photo of the set up. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:55 AM PST - 8 comments

I strongly suspect I have autoimmune issues of some kind and am currently jumping through hoops to try to get them diagnosed. By all reports, this is usually a long and complicated process that involves a lot of being told that nothing is wrong or no one knows until possibly someone eventually figures it out. Can I rush this process and finish it before my insurance lapses in six months? [more inside]
posted by lgyre at 11:40 AM PST - 18 comments

I graduated from a state school in 2009 with a 2.77 overall GPA. I technically should have graduated in 2008, but was only going part time, so I stretched it out and became a "super senior." I'll be the first to admit...I struggled with undiagnosed mental health and alcohol abuse issues for the majority of my early-mid 20s, so I simply didn't apply myself as much as I could have. [more inside]
posted by theshmeek at 10:44 AM PST - 19 comments

She Bop hit hard in the '80s, and Down At McDonnelzzz hit hard in the aughts, but what are the other music videos (or cultural references) where hamburgers were strongly linked with non-deviant societal conformity?
posted by I EAT TAPAS at 10:17 AM PST - 14 comments

I'm a complete novice to running but would like to try and get into it. My main goal is to not get injured. What are some good, detailed resources? [more inside]
posted by wooh at 9:52 AM PST - 24 comments

The question is basically self-explanatory. If a shipment of manufactured product went to Canada or Mexico first, would it still be liable for the Trump tariff on Chinese goods when it entered the U.S.?
posted by zadcat at 9:43 AM PST - 3 comments

What could cause a delay in job offer/not offer after all of your references have been contacted and praised you highly? [more inside]
posted by missrachael at 9:39 AM PST - 11 comments

I'd like to paint my arms and most of my face green (think green like Elphaba from Wicked). I'd really like to do it and then go to work and not have the paint transfer onto clothes or, y'know, my office/colleagues. Is airbrushing the way to go? Specific product recommendations would be highly appreciated.
posted by arnicae at 9:27 AM PST - 5 comments

I've been eating more vegetarian dishes lately and have had fun learning a lot of new dishes, many of which are kind of all-in-one dishes like soups, "power bowls" or whatever you call them (rice, veggies, maybe beans, etc.), veggie stir fry, bean-based dishes, etc. However, I have realized that I miss simple veggie sides. What kind of vegetarian main dishes can I make to serve with some simple veggie sides? [more inside]
posted by sillysally at 8:38 AM PST - 25 comments

My love of Telephone Pictionary is well-documented. I'm currently running a year-long, 511-person "multiverse" game of Telephone Pictionary, and when I'm done, I want to be able to display the results online. I'm not a web designer (I know rudimentary HTML and once dabbled in CSS), but I'm willing to either learn a few things or pay someone to help. First, I need help thinking through how best to do this. Details within (including "What the hell is Telephone Pictionary?"). [more inside]
posted by sugar and confetti at 8:08 AM PST - 5 comments

For the first time in, like, ever, I'm doing more active thinking about retirement savings. I'm ready to take a trembling step up from my current "throw some money at my IRA once a month and also do any 401ks at my jobs" habit; I have two questions inside. [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:59 AM PST - 42 comments

Hairstylist gave me an amazing haircut, was also weirdly hostile and rushed. Should I go back to them? [more inside]
posted by whistle pig at 7:51 AM PST - 33 comments

Are there cultures where gifts/cards/flowers are given to mom on their children's birthday? [more inside]
posted by missmary6 at 7:40 AM PST - 7 comments

We are planning our winter vacation, two adults, two kids for mid February 2020 and hoping to go to a warm, sandy, snorkeling type of beach as low key as possible, but still in a resort type of situation. At the moment we think Mexico is out and we went to Sanibel last year and are looking for something more tropical and quieter this time around. We would want a kitchen of some kind and dont need activities per se, but snorkeling, kayaking and other any wildlife type excursions would be of interest. Cost is certainly a very strong consideration. Thanks for the ideas, thoughts and feedback.
posted by silsurf at 5:06 AM PST - 8 comments

My go-to source for buying off-lease refurbs, Arrow Direct, has gotten out of that business. Those of you who have purchased refurb computers, what are your preferred sources? [more inside]
posted by pmurray63 at 10:15 PM PST - 9 comments

I would love to throw a Halloween party and this year we have space to actually comfortably host more than 2 other people. And I realized I have no idea how to host a party with kids. And something tells me my old standby of copious amounts of beer, food, and music might not cut it with the under-5 crowd. [more inside]
posted by later, paladudes at 10:14 PM PST - 13 comments

We live in a rental house with a separately rented converted garage. A new tenant in the studio has two small terriers that make a ton of noise and have bitten my wife. Do we have any grounds to force the tenant to get rid of the dogs or to break our lease and move? [more inside]
posted by crazy with stars at 9:56 PM PST - 14 comments

My mother has reached a point where she needs frequent doctor visits, sometimes on short notice, and I am not always able to drive her and be there with her. She could also use some help with shopping errands. I've never had to find a senior assistance kind of service; there seem to be many in Pasadena, but I don't know how to find a good one. [more inside]
posted by StrawberryPie at 9:41 PM PST - 6 comments

I am going from New York to Toronto and back and wondering if there is a more scenic route than whatever google maps might suggest. Would love any Mefite recs on that route for easy and delightful scenic drive routes and/or rad stopping places. thanks!
posted by wowenthusiast at 7:32 PM PST - 9 comments

I am a school psychologist in a small public charter school (grades 6 – 12) in CA. Some of our students who are on IEPs or 504 Plans have access to audiobooks as an accommodation. I am looking for the most cost effective and timely way to get access to audiobooks for individual students. [more inside]
posted by yeahyeahrealcute at 6:56 PM PST - 13 comments

Questions about good couches have been asked before here but the common favourites (e.g. Macy's, Room & Board, Benchmade, Joybird) won't ship to Canada at all or have ruinous shipping & duties (often paired with impossible return policies). What kind of sofa, available in Canada, would you recommend? [more inside]
posted by congen at 5:33 PM PST - 11 comments

Please suggest good vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Berlin. [more inside]
posted by medusa at 3:56 PM PST - 13 comments

I am an old man, computer expert, long time resident legally in USA. Born in Winnipeg (actually St. Boniface at the time). Anyways, I'd like to get a Canadian passport. But I see no way I ever qualify. I'd add, maybe my family was sorta around since the 1700s in Canada, but I'm at a loss as to what to do. I can not cross the border according to what I see.
posted by baegucb at 3:51 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm looking for a kitchen radio that has both FM radio and bluetooth functionality. Ideally I'd get one of those cool bluetooth speakers but they don't seem to come with radio. Any recommendations?
posted by no regrets, coyote at 3:39 PM PST - 12 comments

I've been reading in the news about people in the US getting sick and dying from vaping nicotine and cannabis extract. I use the PAX2 to vape (legal) marijuana flower. Am I safe? [more inside]
posted by noxperpetua at 2:36 PM PST - 8 comments

What is the best non-fiction book written about the Occupy movement? [more inside]
posted by O Time, Thy Pyramids at 2:31 PM PST - 3 comments

We are looking for examples of buy-outs, and related Coast management policies e.g. disallowing new building in 100 year floodzones, disallowing modifications or reconstruction in 100 year floodzones, buyouts, infrastructure maintenance. Land converted to use as parkland, etc
posted by ebesan at 2:06 PM PST - 12 comments

It seems to me that children's books for kids under, say 10, are about relationships. For younger kids, they seem to be about individual behavior. As the kids get older (probably following their progression through elementary school), the relationship stories seem to get more complicated by dealing with relationship dynamics and interrelational politics. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 2:00 PM PST - 10 comments

What is the term for a chain of bad decisions based on misperception of a situation that leads to each additional decision making the situation worse? [more inside]
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 1:23 PM PST - 24 comments

Looking for recommendations to fill out our activities for an upcoming vacation in France. We'll be spending a few days each (driving between them) in the Loire valley between Saumur and Amboise, Burgundy between Beaune and Dijon, and then back to Paris in the 10th arr. [more inside]
posted by aught at 12:55 PM PST - 13 comments

I have boy/girl twins who will be 7 months old this coming Sunday. We've had the same bedtime routine for them since they were 2 weeks old (the same one our night nurse did--we just kept it up because it worked). Lately, it has been rough. Have we grown out of it? What can we do instead? Parents and other baby-adjacent mefites, advise me of ways to do this better! [more inside]
posted by millipede at 12:45 PM PST - 31 comments

I’m looking at getting a carry-on soft-sided duffle/suitcase/backpack (like the Osprey Farpoint/Fairview or the Lowe Alpine Carry-on 45). What recommendations do you have? [more inside]
posted by stillmoving at 12:34 PM PST - 22 comments

Can one extract a still frame from an analog videotape without using digital technology? Or are you stuck with taking photos of a monitor? [more inside]
posted by sock_slink_slink at 12:03 PM PST - 15 comments

Is there something specific you do every September 11 to mark the anniversary, beyond reflecting on the day or talking to others about your memories? For example, do you visit a specific place or read the same piece of writing? [more inside]
posted by sallybrown at 10:52 AM PST - 36 comments

We're moving for the first time since we accumulated a lot of stuff. We don't have a place to move into so we need to store stuff. We're overwhelmed by the options, especially since Pods says they can't help us. Help? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 10:11 AM PST - 14 comments

Does the Apple Watch 5 have fall detection? Nobody I’ve been able to reach at Apple seems to know. Do you?
posted by HotToddy at 10:06 AM PST - 5 comments

In our household we have a convenient area next to an outlet on our kitchen counter that has become the central charging station as well as the repository for both devices as well as accessories: portable charging packs, cables, earbuds, dongles, etc. We have tried a few different ways to organize this section but it inevitably devolves into a chaotic mess. How do y'all address this issue in your household? [more inside]
posted by jeremias at 9:25 AM PST - 22 comments

Several thousand people proactively signed up for our (ultra) low-volume mailing list many years ago and we're finally ready to send an update. The plan is to verify/clean the list via Neverbounce or emaillistverify, then send a couple hundred per day via Gmail (we've heard that mail from Constant Contact and MailChimp these days goes straight to "Promotions" tab on Gmail or "Other" tab in Outlook). Make sense? Or can we do better?
posted by Quisp Lover at 8:37 AM PST - 12 comments

I have about 12-18 eggs that are dated today. Should I hard boil them in order to keep them edible for longer? How long will the hard boiled eggs last? WTF do I do with that many hard boiled eggs -- or eggs in general -- anyway?
posted by rue72 at 7:34 AM PST - 23 comments

I'm going to a conference at Loyola University next week. I didn't register early enough to get in the main hotel. The shuttles they're setting up probably won't be enough for me. I could also use recommendations for vegan food in the area. Please help. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 6:37 AM PST - 14 comments

Looking for pics/links that if you were going through a really rough patch, would be a welcome distraction or mood lifter. I can't be the only one who keeps a collection of things like this. I've already exhausted my usual "I hope this picture of a hamster struggling to eat a piece of spaghetti brightens your day." stock, and need to replenish. [more inside]
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 6:14 AM PST - 40 comments

I live in Toronto, CA, and have eaten bacon and eggs for breakfast forever. But in the last few years there has been an increasing number of packs of bacon and cartons of eggs that definitely do not taste right. From any supplier. It's not me, or I would think they all taste bad, and most of the time everything is ok. Often, though...yuk. Even the dog sometimes rejects this bacon. [more inside]
posted by dustpuppy at 5:39 AM PST - 18 comments

We bought a house! We're closing on a wonderful house, built in 1936. We want to be wise and diligent owners, but we've never owned a house and we know little about maintaining one. We want to have a manual for things like repairs, maintenance, winterization, common problems, etc. Ideally, it'd have a checklist and we'd just keep going through it. If you live in a well-maintained old home, do you have a go-to guide for it?
posted by skookumsaurus rex at 4:33 AM PST - 10 comments

So I've got this Seagate 4 terabyte external hard drive. I don't use it all the time, but suddenly now when I plug it into my computer, it doesn't power up or connect. Seems like an enclosure problem, rather than a hard drive failure problem, right?. (I'm being optimistic here) What are my options for recovery? If I crack open the case of this thing, will I find a standard hard drive that I could plug into a generic enclosure? Open to suggestions.
posted by flod at 2:53 AM PST - 6 comments

Going to Durham for a couple of days. I know about the museum, the castle and the cathedral. What else is interesting locally? Wandering around is good; history, archaeology, books, art, gardens, quietish places to eat or have coffee. We will have a car so could go out of the city, but probably don't want to go too far.
posted by paduasoy at 1:28 AM PST - 9 comments

Can you recommend good quality podcasts for kids? [more inside]
posted by Dansaman at 1:23 AM PST - 10 comments

I've recently learned that my mother has been diagnosed with a cancer that won't be cured. Her medical team is figuring out a treatment plan that will keep things at bay to give her as much quality time as she can have. We are all devastated. I'm struggling with what/how much to tell my boss. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:13 AM PST - 32 comments

Every time someone in the household is sick, my husband gets sick too. How can I make him stop? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:13 AM PST - 32 comments

Could I have endometriosis and not know it? Or is it ovulation pain? Should I try to find out, or not worry if I am not experiencing severe pain? Plenty of details about my cycle etc inside. [more inside]
posted by kinddieserzeit at 10:38 PM PST - 9 comments

I overdid it on squats at one of those yell-y bootcamp-y gym classes and my right knee now has patellofemoral syndrome (pain around the kneecap). This was ~2 months ago. My knee still hurts when I hike or run up stairs. I am bummed. I'm going back to physical therapy next week, but in the meantime, it would be great to hear from people who DID recover from a knee injury. Is your knee as good as new? Did you discipline yourself to do your physical therapy exercises? Tell me your story of hope! [more inside]
posted by rogerroger at 8:07 PM PST - 20 comments

I looked through other questions with similar aims, but found most of the suggested options are now subscription-based, defunct, or too much/too little for what I'm after: [more inside]
posted by hypersloth at 6:50 PM PST - 5 comments

I feed my dog raw meat. For reasons explained inside, I would like it to sit out for her to eat slowly over a period of several hours. Is there a safe way to do this, or do I need to figure something else out? [more inside]
posted by quiet coyote at 6:10 PM PST - 13 comments

I recently renewed one of my perennial resolutions to get better at Chinese. My problem is that for diaspora reasons my proficiency is at a weird level that means I don't really fit with most language-learning courses. Are there any apps for people who can speak and understand Chinese but can't read? [more inside]
posted by storytam at 5:52 PM PST - 14 comments

I have a hip hop playlist for working out, and I've realized there's basically nothing on it from since the mid 2000s. Please help recommend newer stuff with a similar vibe as the tracks on my list... [more inside]
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 3:49 PM PST - 13 comments

You're a middle class parent with a bright kid. You navigated the US college system within the last few years. Your kid got in somewhere that won't break the bank, whether that's because it's a lower-cost school or you got lots of grants/scholarships/etc. How? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:33 PM PST - 40 comments

Each apartment I’ve lived in my address has changed. :( And when, for example, my aunt sends me a package four years after moving to my old address I’ll never see it. But with the contemporary computerized world why haven’t we changed that? I mean I figure you could just go to the post office and just get a “post number” that was unique to you for all time. And that number could be associated with your current address. Then people wanting to mail you will always put that “post number” on the package and regardless of where your living the package would arrive there! The problem of shipping to an old address would mostly be gone. I wouldn’t have to update my address on 500 DIFFERENT WEBSITES WHEN I MOVED!! Why hasn’t this change come to regular old snail mail? What am I missing?
posted by verytepid at 2:30 PM PST - 25 comments

Hello guys I am supposed go be 6 weeks pregnant and my betw hcg wenr from 1432 to 2109 in 46 hrs. I expected a higher rise and now my doc wants me to repeat the hcg. What has been your experience with hcg not doubling? [more inside]
posted by barexamfreak at 2:29 PM PST - 11 comments

What are your best tips / tricks / products for creating a nap environment and/or easing fussiness? [more inside]
posted by shrimpetouffee at 1:16 PM PST - 15 comments

Where would one find modern day clip-art? I'm looking for punchy, action-oriented, cohesive, clean, simple infographic icons that depict business process oriented action words like "send", "receive", "review", "schedule" etc. etc. This would be for use in a standard operating procedure manual. If this were the 90s I'd find something simple and halfway decent in clipart, but it looks like clippie bit the dust a while back. [more inside]
posted by seemoorglass at 11:42 AM PST - 12 comments

What are some fun day trips from Union Station in Washington DC by train? For the purposes of this question, I'm defining a "day trip" as three hours each way or less. I'm deliberately leaving this question open-ended, so just let me know why the place you have in mind makes such a fun day trip!
posted by capricorn at 11:17 AM PST - 13 comments

As a kid, I learned to read by listening to records with follow-along-books, on my trusty brown and orange Fisher Price record player. Now I have a three year old and I know he'd go nuts for something similar. I don't want to give him any kind of generic tech to solve this (no smartphone/tablets, etc.), but is there a modern equivalent? [more inside]
posted by amoeba at 11:11 AM PST - 9 comments

Does anyone have any recommendations for WOC therapists in the NY area? Looking in particular for someone to help with general anxiety. Thanks!
posted by something_witty at 10:28 AM PST - 1 comment

I've seen a host of topics about music recommendations here, even some very similar to my request, however they aren't quite I guess in the same vain as what I'm looking for. Any help? [more inside]
posted by MrFahrenheit at 10:17 AM PST - 35 comments

Looking for workbooks on anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Those that have questions that I can answer, think things through, that kind of thing. Do you have any recommendations?
posted by pleasebekind at 10:06 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm contemplating getting a pellet stove insert put into my 40's house with chimney. What should I be considering? [more inside]
posted by diode at 10:03 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm taking the 18-year-old to Pittsburgh for a college open house this Sunday. We're arriving around lunchtime Saturday and staying in the South Side. I'm looking for recommendations on places to check out in the city where college students typically hang out and do fun stuff. Thanks in advance.
posted by shallowcenter at 9:42 AM PST - 6 comments

Planned Parenthood opposes minimum marriage age legislation in California. Why? [more inside]
posted by Mitheral at 8:33 AM PST - 7 comments

Where can I purchase used / damaged / retired sails from boats or paragliding, kite surfing, etc? I am looking to upcycle and create some customs bags for my customers. I know there are companies like mafiabags who already make such bags but none are appropriate for my business. Also, what should I expect to pay? [more inside]
posted by dobbs at 8:12 AM PST - 6 comments

For work, we are doing an event where I need a code name. This is fun and silly, but customer facing so PG is required. What should my code name be? [more inside]
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 7:36 AM PST - 15 comments

I’ve looked everywhere (even the weird jbrick.com) and I can’t find instructions for how to construct a shofar out of legos! It doesn’t even have to be functional (although of course that would be awesome). Can anyone point me in the right direction??
posted by ericbop at 7:33 AM PST - 4 comments

I'm curious to know if they are due to medication, life experience, or both [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 7:01 AM PST - 12 comments

I like listening to news podcasts, particularly longer-form podcasts like NYT’s The Daily. However, I HATE the informality of the podcast idiom. I hate the “ums,” I hate the host as proxy for the listener, and (worst offense in my book) cheeky delivery. Can you recommend news (preferably daily) podcasts that are not podcast-y? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:21 AM PST - 12 comments

One of my cats is insistent on making noise in the dark hours of morning, when I am trying to sleep. This is a new behavior. Details and cat tax inside. [more inside]
posted by bile and syntax at 5:56 AM PST - 12 comments

I want to garden without buying plants, buying a bunch of stuff, or following finicky propagation procedures. Bonus Human Relations aspect at the end. [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 4:44 AM PST - 20 comments

I'm interested in wrapping my 90's Toyota in 3M vinyl, but I'm put off by the idea of a "lifespan" and 3M's lack of information on what this actually means. [more inside]
posted by sodium lights the horizon at 1:31 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm a 42-year-old cishet guy in the US. I'd like to start dating for the first time in my life. My experience in romantic relationships is greater than zero, but still pretty spotty. And I'm extraordinarily self-conscious about revealing this fact to a stranger. I feel like it's a huge red flag which will send women screaming in the opposite direction. Seeking advice (and maybe a few success stories to encourage me). Strap in; this is long :) [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:43 AM PST - 34 comments

In her last days my mom disclosed that she had doubts about who my biological father was. DNA testing after her death has confirmed her suspicions. Now what? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:42 AM PST - 14 comments

Through my support worker, I realised that when I promise to please people I usually create a pattern in my own brain that sets me up to fail. I challenged this and the support worker successfully showed me how when I work to please myself, I actually get things done. When I work to please people, unless I do the work right then and there, I fail and then wait to be sanctioned or yelled at. I need to tell people about this so they know how best to work with me. How do I do this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:42 AM PST - 6 comments

Mrs. Spitbull and I have made an offer on a house in the Berkshires (Western Massachusetts). Now we need a home inspector and a lawyer for the title search and closing. We have lots of names but would love a recommendation from Berkshire mefites for particular people if you have worked with them and liked them. Memail is active if you prefer not to respond in thread. Thank you! [more inside]
posted by spitbull at 10:11 PM PST - 0 comments

I have a Trello board and would like to have participants with limited access. [more inside]
posted by Number Used Once at 8:56 PM PST - 2 comments

My boss lost it and yelled at me at work today. In my opinion, it ventured into a personal attack. However, he apologized to me and, I guess... I'm supposed to accept his apology and go to work like nothing happened tomorrow? That doesn't feel right, he really hurt me. I don't know how I can pretend nothing happened. [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 8:36 PM PST - 27 comments

What app are you using to track your book reading? [more inside]
posted by latkes at 8:24 PM PST - 15 comments

My family and I (spouse and 11 year old daughter) are headed to NYC for Thanksgiving week for a getaway and to indulge our love of musicals. Our schedule works out so that we can leave NYC via LGA either Thurs (Thanksgiving day) or stay the extra night and head out on Friday. How hellish is it getting from the Upper West Side to LGA on t'giving day, knowing that we'll be within a few blocks of the parade route? [more inside]
posted by griffey at 7:57 PM PST - 1 comment

I make iced tea in a 2-quart saucepan then pour it into a gallon jug half-filled with cold water. It recently occurred to me that I could have colder tea more quickly if I put the water in the freezer while the tea is steeping. So... [more inside]
posted by BitterOldPunk at 4:54 PM PST - 36 comments

We have two cats. For the past few months, one or both (we think both) of them have have been peeing and pooping outside of the litterbox and we’re slowly going insane. Help! [more inside]
posted by insectosaurus at 3:36 PM PST - 15 comments

Hi. I am a fourth year undergrad, studying a minor in environmental studies and sustainability. I am taking a third-year capstone project course, but I am not sure if it can be considered a practicum for work experience? There's a lot of group research projects and individual research projects as well. I am not sure, since most practicums take place outside of the academic classroom, I believe?
posted by RearWindow at 3:20 PM PST - 7 comments

I am planning to purchase a used RISO duplicator to produce zines. Many models that would fit my budget claim to have a "Print Paper Size" up to 12 7/32 inches by 17 inches, but a "Maximum Printing Area" of only 8 1/4 inches by 14 1/16 inches. Can I position a set of 8 1/2 by 11 images to print on one side at a time of an 11 x 17 sheet to make a complete print? [more inside]
posted by Slothrop at 2:40 PM PST - 5 comments

Please help me find works of horror fiction that deal with demonic-or-otherwise possession and are told from the possessed person's point of view. [more inside]
posted by darchildre at 2:20 PM PST - 25 comments

Hi! Recommend me some artists (hopefully women but not absolutely necessary) like Banks. I will list some of my favorite songs below. [more inside]
posted by bookworm4125 at 2:15 PM PST - 6 comments

I want to paint a piece of plastic with tempera paint. I don't want to sand it because I'm lazy and it's a small fiddly piece of plastic. I will be using modpodge as part of the same project. The moppodge website claims that it bonds anything porous to anything non-porous (including plastic). So I'm thinking tempera paint is porous and plastic is not, so that's porous on non-porous. Can I paint the plastic, coat it with modpodge and leave it at that?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 1:55 PM PST - 7 comments

This is a weird situation, and I genuinely have no idea what do to. Long story short, the bank says that the members of my condo association aren't really the members of my condo association? And the deed is wrong? All we want to do is switch bank accounts for the condo association, damn it. [more inside]
posted by sarcasticah at 1:05 PM PST - 13 comments

Should I travel cross country to go help my sister help my parents clean out their house so they can sell and downgrade to a smaller house? [more inside]
posted by ljs30 at 1:02 PM PST - 34 comments

I quit Facebook in 2010 when I went back to school. It was great! I am now thinking of setting up a Facebook page to help manage my name as brand identity as I'm now an established medical professional. [more inside]
posted by cobaltnine at 11:53 AM PST - 9 comments

For a stay in London this winter for about five nights, with two grandparents and three families (call it 16 people total), what are the best options? I am curious about specific neighborhoods, and also types of lodging and ways to book it. Thanks so much! [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 11:34 AM PST - 2 comments

I recently heard a snippet of an interview. (It must have been on NPR, so this should be easy for you guys. ) [more inside]
posted by SLC Mom at 11:18 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for some gifting inspiration for someone (male-identifying) with the following interests: 1) Classic Sci-Fi - Particularly military sci-fi (Starship Troopers is a fave) and Heinlein 2) Cooking - Asian food and baking are particular interests. I might be looking for a really nice rolling pin for serious baking but unsure how to find such a thing. Apartment is very small so nothing of size is really on the list for inclusion here. 3) Video games - Borderlands, the Division 4) Audio books [more inside]
posted by Medieval Maven at 11:14 AM PST - 8 comments

I'll be in Australia for just under a month, traveling on my own. What's the most practical and cost-efficient way make my Pixel 3 useable while I'm there? [more inside]
posted by Narrative Priorities at 10:33 AM PST - 10 comments

Looking for recommendations for a group dinner with six people on a Sunday evening in November in Downtown Toronto near or easy to get to from the Westin Harbour Castle. No major dietary restrictions, although a place with a variety of options would be best. Preferably not loud/touristy. Budget is max $75/person (CAD) although it really doesn't need to be fancy.
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:27 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm trying to figure out how to organize my work projects at my new job and I'm having trouble finding something that meets all of my personal requirements. I need more of a journal type system I think, and I'm looking for suggestions. [more inside]
posted by possibilityleft at 10:16 AM PST - 7 comments

My 8 year old is interested in finding a robot/robotics model-type kit that he can build and work with on his own, w/little or no assistance from me. Looking for suggestions from the parents, teachers, and parent/teacher adjacent among you who have direct experience w/the options. [more inside]
posted by ryanshepard at 9:59 AM PST - 10 comments

If you LOVE "Succession", "Atlanta", and "The Leftovers", what else do you love? (I realize I'm sharply constraining response. That's my intention.)
posted by Quisp Lover at 9:45 AM PST - 23 comments

Our Toastmasters Club has a website that needs updating. We have less than 4 people who are going to give input. What's the best way of collecting this input? My first thought would be to get everyone in a room and have paper copies of all the pages and go over them together. (The website has less than thirty pages total). Is there a better way? And if we do use a group meeting, how best to solicit and record the feedback?
posted by storybored at 8:01 AM PST - 7 comments

My sister and her family are temporarily living in an AirBNB while they wait to close on their own house. In the rental, this animal skull is displayed on the mantelpiece. What is it?
posted by ocherdraco at 7:14 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm in the US, in a small mid-East Coast city. This year -- the past few months, really -- I keep noticing all these gorgeous blue cars. All these gorgeous shades of blue that I've literally never seen on a car before in my entire life. MeFi, did our blue paint technology suddenly level up? How did this happen now and not before? And can somebody do the same for green?
posted by pelvicsorcery at 6:23 AM PST - 19 comments

You're an office lady and wear dresses to work (barelegged in summer, or with leggings in other seasons). You live in a 4-season climate and sometimes you get all 4 seasons in a single day. You use public transportation and your own feet for your daily commute. What kind of shoes do you wear, especially during the transitions between seasons? [more inside]
posted by gakiko at 5:10 AM PST - 22 comments

Can I swap out 5% cider vinegar for 5% red wine vinegar in a recipe for pickled red onions? [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:10 AM PST - 10 comments

It's the start of autumn (fall), my favourite time of the year. But last year, this time almost entirely passed me by because I was really busy with work and I barely noticed the leaves changing and weather getting colder. This year I will also be really busy with work but I'm determined to make the most of this time of year. What are some autumnal activities I can do? What do you like to do when the weather is turning chillier? I have included examples of what I mean after the jump: [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 4:15 AM PST - 24 comments

I have a bunch of photographs which date from around 1949/50. They are of a post-war farm camp - that is, university students helping to get the harvest in. I'm not 100% sure it's in England as one of the photos has a friendly note from a Dutch student on the back. Looks like the students are international. Can anyone point me to where I can find out more about where it might have been? One of the wagons has the name T HESKETH or THESKETH on it and some numbers (a number plate?) [Image link] [more inside]
posted by glasseyes at 3:13 AM PST - 21 comments

In a month or so I will be starting a new job. It's the first time I've moved in over a decade, and can be considered "late career". (I'm in my 40s.) I would appreciate some advice on how I should approach the first weeks, both from a professional and psychological point of view. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:59 PM PST - 9 comments

The wife and I are considering a trip to Oaxaca. A couple we know who goes there every Christmas holiday (the husband is from Oaxaca) has warned us that travel there outside of the biggest holidays can be disrupted by protests, strikes, etc. that happen pretty regularly there - to the point that it can be very difficult just to get from the airport to the city (or vice versa). Just looking for a second opinion: are Oaxaca protests frequent and disruptive enough that it's kind of risky to plan a trip there not during a major holiday?
posted by Mechitar at 8:35 PM PST - 3 comments

Having arthroscopic hip surgery soon and the doctor recommended a cold therapy device or at the very least ice packs of some kind to relieve pain and promote healing. Which one should I go for? [more inside]
posted by sinfony at 6:59 PM PST - 13 comments

Is it currently safe to drink the tap water in Warsaw, Poland? [more inside]
posted by heatherlogan at 6:56 PM PST - 3 comments

I bought this illustration and three protest posters (1, 2, 3) at Goodwill and an estate sale, respectively. I think they're great images, but I want to be sure I understand what they are and their context before I consider displaying them in my home. Do you know more context of any of these images and protest posters? [more inside]
posted by limeonaire at 6:54 PM PST - 5 comments

My kid's friend always brings cute tasty gifts when she comes for playdates. Am I supposed to do this also? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 6:40 PM PST - 10 comments

I have a shop vac. I'd like to use it to brush my medium hair, double coat dog to cut down on house vacuuming. However I need a brush attachment for the hose. I have a bristle upolstry brush that doesn't work out the undercoat. Looking for a recommendation for hose brush for the dog (but if it did double duty for the cat that would be great too.) [more inside]
posted by Mitheral at 5:57 PM PST - 3 comments

I'm leading a study group online (via Google Hangouts) and it occurs to me that it would be really useful if I were able to write things that other people could see, rather than type. What's a good (cheap) way to do this? I'm eyeing the very low end drawing tablets, but am wondering if there are other options. [more inside]
posted by hoyland at 5:45 PM PST - 4 comments

For her bachelorette party, the bride would like to fly into Austin for a night and then go to a Texas Hill Country resort/ranch for a long weekend. I think this is a fabulous idea, but know nothing about Texas. Any recommendations for resorts/ranches in that area? Any tips for making this an amazing bachelorette weekend? [more inside]
posted by rue72 at 5:43 PM PST - 4 comments

The Circus Oz building in Melbourne has a very interesting design element on some of its walls - they've turned their posters and other paper ephemera into wallpaper. They didn't just stick them on the wall like you'd normally do with posters - they've managed to flatten it all into wallpaper sheets and put them up that way. Is there a way to replicate that with my own stuff, and if so how? [more inside]
posted by divabat at 5:18 PM PST - 4 comments

I'd like to get my boyfriend a German women's world cup jersey in a men's size medium or large. Does such a thing exist? I haven't been able to find it on the Adidas.
posted by ChuraChura at 5:04 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm trying to find a short story collection I read in the last 10 years, mostly horror I think, one story in particular sticks in my memory. [more inside]
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 4:59 PM PST - 9 comments

I have a very decadent Halloween party to attend this year and I want to totally slay the costume. I am a fairly experienced costumer, as I live in New Orleans (we dress up for literally any reason at all). Normally I LOVE coming up with a costume concept, figuring out how to execute it, doing all the crafting, and applying elaborate makeup. This year, I'm drawing a complete blank, and I've got less than a month to pull this together. Help! [more inside]
posted by tryniti at 4:58 PM PST - 39 comments

Mrs Mars is teaching herself web development. She’d like to have an actual book, both as a reference and because that’s her preferred way of learning. [more inside]
posted by Eddie Mars at 4:46 PM PST - 3 comments

I am looking for a particular type of ceramic travel mug. This mug should be: 1) made by a person with a pottery wheel, not made in a factory 2) have a ceramic lid, not a rubber or plastic lid. 3) otherwise resemble an industrially produced travel mug as much as possible, in shape and dimensions. 4)Hold at least 12 oz. of liquid, although this is the most flexible of the criteria. I am flexible on price and I anticipate that I will purchase this mug online. [more inside]
posted by unstrungharp at 4:27 PM PST - 3 comments

When I was little, I adored the Sesame Street song "Put Down the Duckie." But I was always confused by the celebrity mashup version, which included one guest who didn't sing in English. My parents thought she was singing in Hawaiian, but coming back to it after getting two linguistics degrees, I'm not certain. Can anyone here tell?
posted by WizardOfDocs at 3:34 PM PST - 6 comments

I took too much wellbutrin [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser at 2:36 PM PST - 8 comments

A while back I read a fascinating paper by a real mathematician (read: not a crank) who made the claim that the set of natural numbers is in fact finite. It was an entertaining read, but somehow I didn't bookmark it and I haven't been able to turn it up again. I'm hoping someone else at MeFi knows of it. [more inside]
posted by dbx at 1:24 PM PST - 4 comments

Hi I'm going to be moving to and living in Japan from the UK for a year or maybe two in November. I am currently a school teacher, so have virtually no knowledge of self-assessed / self-employed tax returns or procedures. I would be grateful for answers to a couple of questions. [more inside]
posted by mairuzu at 12:47 PM PST - 6 comments

I want to keep a list of links that I (and only I) can access from anywhere. And I want it to record (and ideally, let me sort on) the last day I clicked that link. So basically, bookmarks, and when I click the link, it updates the lastclick field and shows me a table with the bookmark and last-clicked data and let's me sort. I'm thinking maybe google docs? Maybe google docs+IFTTT somehow? How?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 11:58 AM PST - 3 comments

Hi folks! I'm going to make this bread minus the chocolate and would like to add a spice flavor to it. I'm thinking ginger, cinnamon, or something else warm. Two questions: (1) what spice would go well with this and (2) how much should I add to be able to taste it but not be overwhelmed by it. Thanks!
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 11:27 AM PST - 12 comments

Looking for suggestions/recommendations on how to best set up an iPhone for a teen (e.g., restrictions, monitoring apps, etc.). [more inside]
posted by Mid at 10:42 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm starting a small business, selling a product I have invented and have questions about shipping, be it USPS, UPS, Fedex, or other. [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri at 9:13 AM PST - 10 comments

We power washed our deck as a setup step to stain or paint it. Unfortunately the annual weather change has arrived and the deck is now largely stripped of stain. It’s unlikely that we will see a run of clear and warm weather until July. The deck cannot sit out a wet PNW winter in an unsealed state. I mean it could, but the wood will swell up like a sponge. What should we do?
posted by mwhybark at 8:56 AM PST - 12 comments

It's not so much a problem when I wear sneakers, although it can be. It's mostly a problem when I wear leather shoes/short boots that dip below the ankle. Also, the utopian ankle socks I'm imagining would fit comfortably at the toe, to counter ingrown toenail tendencies.
posted by Morpeth at 5:45 AM PST - 15 comments

I found a part in the rear footwell of my Honda Jazz (aka Fit). Photos are here. It seems to be some kind of cover, but where did it come from? [more inside]
posted by beniamino at 2:03 AM PST - 9 comments

I have an elderly friend living in the UK who needs access to Skype video conferencing, but he has difficulty typing, poor vision, and it would be hard for him to learn anything complicated. Is there a device for seniors I can get him? [more inside]
posted by Surprised By Bees at 1:22 AM PST - 7 comments

My elder kid is down with HFMD, and we're trying our best to prevent him from spreading it to his sister. How extreme do we need to be about this? [more inside]
posted by destrius at 1:07 AM PST - 6 comments

What are your favorite recipes for cooking a bunch of chicken legs or chicken thighs? [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 10:28 PM PST - 40 comments

To send a small video using vimeo, they ask you for your email and password. I don't seem to have a vimeo account anymore, and it's not letting me set one up. (Does it want to sync with my gmail password? I don't want to do that.) There is no space for "forgot my password" in the Vimeo box. This was going to be the whole question but there now is a snowflake meltdown inside. [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 6:40 PM PST - 6 comments

What would you recommend to do in Buenos Aries and Mexico City, based on these interests? modern/contemporary art, socialism/anarchism/antifascism/leftism, Judaism, government/civics, (vegetarian) food, animals, factory/food tours (learning about how anything is made), architecture.
posted by andoatnp at 5:19 PM PST - 8 comments

In trying to establish a timeline for an upcoming divorce mediation, I searched my ex-spouse's surname on my iPad and got many additional random hits across a couple of accounts - messages that have nothing to do with her. She's not cc'd or mentioned but is it possible I could be sharing info through some forgotten iCloud functionality?
posted by bonobothegreat at 2:30 PM PST - 3 comments

I am not computer savvy. My daughter has a Dell laptop running Windows 10. She can never seem to connect to wifi on demand. Every other device in the house can. If we reset the modem, that will solve the problem until the next time the computer is shut down or in sleep mode. This is driving all of us crazy. Any suggestions? (And explain them to me like I'm 5 years old).
posted by turtlefu at 2:22 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm hosting a meetup in Brooklyn next weekend and am looking for some fun activity for fellow mefites to partake in. [more inside]
posted by newpotato at 1:49 PM PST - 8 comments

In two weeks I will be driving from San Francisco to Seattle with my cat. I would like to split this drive up over two days and maximize the scenic beauty of the trip. What is the best route for us? [more inside]
posted by 4rtemis at 1:47 PM PST - 7 comments

I’m attending a conference in Atlanta next week and none of the colleagues I know will be there, so I’m on my own. I haven’t been there since the mid 2000s. I’ll have a per diem and some free time. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by centrifugal at 1:45 PM PST - 10 comments

The formula for critical speed of rotation includes the gravitational constant. Why? Including g seems to imply the unlikely idea that a rotating shaft won't go into resonant vibration in a zero-gravity environment, which is making me doubtful.
posted by clawsoon at 1:28 PM PST - 10 comments

I love the smell of Method “Fresh Air” laundry detergent. I’d describe it as powdery? And laundry-y? Without being perfume-y or fake, though it is definitely a soapy smell rather than a nature-y one. Are there other detergents/soaps/oils that have the same scent? Bonus: I also like there lavender and cedar scent, are there other duplicates out there? I have tried Ecover lavender and sandalwood but it smells like Nag Champa to me.
posted by stillmoving at 1:18 PM PST - 6 comments

I've had great nearsighted vision since I was a teenager. Lately, sadly, my nearsighted vision is going wonky and I think I need reading glasses. I also feel like I need computer glasses but the last time I went to the optometrist, she convinced me that I didn't. So there I am, daily, leaning forward over my keyboard to read things. Tell me how to try on, find, buy and use reading glasses and/or computer glasses. [more inside]
posted by amanda at 1:11 PM PST - 22 comments

and down the coast to Boca Grande. Small and local. Known or unknown.
posted by ebesan at 10:22 AM PST - 7 comments

(I swear I can't find this in Google.) Will the RT show up in my feed? It isn't. My profile says I RT'd it and it's at the top of my activity, but not in my feed. Therefore I wonder if it went out at all. Thanks.
posted by noelpratt2nd at 9:08 AM PST - 4 comments

I love singalong campfire songs where the groups sing different parts. Can you give examples, with links? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 9:06 AM PST - 12 comments

For some reason, drinking any reasonable amount of any (caffeinated) brewed coffee from Corner Bakery results in a migraine for me. Starbucks and Peet's brewed coffees don't do this to me, nor do Trader Joe's beans I've bought to brew at home. It's not just CB; it does happen with random other coffee I get in cafes and restaurants, but none I can name for sure other than CB. Any idea what aspect of their coffees might be the culprit, so I can try to avoid it? [more inside]
posted by wintersweet at 9:04 AM PST - 15 comments

Why do people insist on driving slowly in the left lane on the interstate? [more inside]
posted by King Bee at 7:44 AM PST - 58 comments

Busy journalist in career transition looking for advice from people who are very productive professionally but still manage to do other stuff outside work (ie. have a life). Details inside. [more inside]
posted by longjump at 6:25 AM PST - 7 comments

I just bought my first new laptop in about twenty years and am about to switch out to a bigger SSD and do a fresh install. Should I do a windows partition? Do SSDs even care? [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 5:51 AM PST - 11 comments

Looking for a fun family activity for tonight. [more inside]
posted by RoadScholar at 5:42 AM PST - 7 comments

We've been married for 10+ years, no kids. A few years ago we found a home and I bought it with my money (inheritance). It's in my name, but we talked about the possibility of making her a co-owner. Now it’s come up again, and she wants/expects to be a co-owner. That’s the way married couples do it, she says. Relationship background ahead… [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:45 PM PST - 65 comments

I have been told a job offer will be coming my way. But also, that I will have to stop taking freelance work on the side... what to do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 11:45 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm looking for dance music appropriate for kids. [more inside]
posted by kathrynm at 8:32 PM PST - 31 comments

I just recently found my GAF SC/92 Super 8 camera, and I bought a roll of Kodak 50D Super 8 film to use with it! Hooray! The motor works and I am going to run the film through it and get it processed to see if the camera works properly. I am excited to get into this old form of photography. I have some additional questions for anybody that is versed in this stuff. [more inside]
posted by gucci mane at 8:01 PM PST - 4 comments

Need inspiration for constructing a scene... [more inside]
posted by sprezzy at 4:27 PM PST - 11 comments

A patron asks (and I paraphrase): "I remember seeing George Clooney in a movie sometime between 2000-2015 or so. He is sitting on a log at the edge of a...swamp? wooded area?, explaining to a woman about what this area used to be, something about environmental destruction. What I remember most about the scene is the lighting, a warm pink haze. I dream about that haze." So which movie, and which scene, is she thinking of?
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:17 PM PST - 11 comments

I remember reading a story, probably in the 1990s about a trader who bought something like 7 million shares of a company instead of $7 million dollars worth of shares. I think this appeared in the Wall Street Journal. As I remember it, he wasn't fired, on the grounds that his employer had just spent millions of dollars educating him. (I know there's a similar story about Thomas Watson at IBM.)
posted by espertus at 3:22 PM PST - 10 comments

Is it rude to bring my own cup of tea - probably a cardboard cup with some coffee shop branding on it - to a sit-down restaurant? [more inside]
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 2:19 PM PST - 27 comments

I wanted to get back on Health Month as it was something that worked for me, but it looks like they have ceased operating the site. When I played there were a lot of mefites on a team there ... what would be a successor app/platform? I liked the community encouragement and kaizen approach, it was good for me to be able to stick to small, simple goals. [more inside]
posted by cgk at 2:06 PM PST - 1 comment

I know you don’t have to wear socks, but I don’t want fungi among I. My regular workout socks don’t have grip but even worse they slip around on my foot so grip probably wouldn’t help much. What are your favorite grippy, don’t slide on the foot Pilates/yoga socks? (Caveat, I’m a woman’s size 10 which is usually the upper end of sock sizes.) [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 1:20 PM PST - 3 comments

As part of a new branding campaign, Portland's KOIN has launched a new on-air look for its news. Wider shots, more color and most notably, a brighter and sharper image. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 12:10 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for videos similar to the videos Aaron Draplin has done for Skillshare . [more inside]
posted by backwards guitar at 11:50 AM PST - 3 comments

I've been asked to help out with a hiring event at work. How can I do my best at this task while also ensuring that a diverse population of candidates are sent on for consideration? [more inside]
posted by backseatpilot at 11:22 AM PST - 12 comments

Hi, are there any new things to do or places to go in Yakima that aren't covered by this question (2012) or this question (2014)? I'm only going to be there for a couple of days but I'm looking for a relaxing weekend. [more inside]
posted by matildaben at 11:22 AM PST - 8 comments

I had an in-person interview the other day, and I just thought of a question I'd like to know the answer to--but I forgot to ask it while there. I've already sent my thank-you note. It's a great question and I feel could only help reinforce my interest in the role, at the very least (I want to ask about whether I'll have a mentor at the organization), but do I still have an opportunity to ask it? [more inside]
posted by shelle at 11:14 AM PST - 5 comments

Seeking opinions and experiences on tablet + app combos for downloading/searching/viewing piano sheet music. Also wondering if foot peddle page turners are worthwhile. Wishlist: Ability to easily share my sheet music library with my mom! [more inside]
posted by tealcoffeecup at 9:46 AM PST - 3 comments

I want to learn some dance moves suitable for using when dancing alone to whatever range of dance music typically gets played these days at clubs, weddings and so forth. What moves should I learn and what freely available instructional videos should I use to learn them?
posted by orange swan at 9:45 AM PST - 10 comments

What are some great, make-the-hair-on-the-back-of-your-neck-stand-up live tracks (on Spotify)? Neon by John Mayer, Somebody to Love by Queen (Montreal)... what are your favorites?
posted by starman at 9:38 AM PST - 15 comments

(YANMD etc.) Short version-- after terrible experience with post-partum depression linked to my hormones/menstrual cycle. I've found medication that works for me. It's worked perfectly for the last 9 months. Then, this past month I had terrible, debilitating breakthrough symptoms during the second half of my cycle. My doctor is working with me on meds, but the second half of this cycle arrives this weekend and I am TERRIFIED. What do you folks who menstruate and have a tough time with it do to manage and process the experience? [more inside]
posted by jeszac at 6:55 AM PST - 13 comments

I randomly read an ad/blog post/promo/something on a local bookstore’s website (I think?!) about 2 years ago (I think??!) about a novel that I remember really wanting to read, but for whatever reason I did not purchase it at that time. Now that I have room in my life for pleasure reading, I have since forgotten EVERYTHING about it, except for the scant few details and fuzzy impressions included below. Is anyone out there a miracle worker/mind reader who can tell me what book this is?! [more inside]
posted by Dorinda at 5:23 AM PST - 15 comments

Why does my computer keep getting kicked off the wifi whenever another device starts using it? [more inside]
posted by vernondalhart at 3:46 AM PST - 15 comments

Is it possible to remove/clear the star ratings for every book I’ve marked as “Read” in Goodreads, while retaining the read status as well as any associated start and/or finish dates? [more inside]
posted by chrisph at 3:29 AM PST - 5 comments

So my work is at it again, trying so hard that they’re going to break something. Help me reality check my reaction; I am looking for input from queer community members, ideally from trans and NB and NGC peeps. What do we think about outing? [more inside]
posted by Iteki at 12:41 AM PST - 17 comments

My old car has a six-disc changer and I'm driving to Bakersfield. What six CDs can I reasonably easily find that will introduce me to the Bakersfield Sound? I'm a Jazz guy; the last 'country' album I bought was Terry Allen's Lubbock (On Everything). I've gathered some names but I want album recommendations. Thank you!
posted by niicholas at 8:45 PM PST - 13 comments

My home internet is stupid expensive, considering that I live in a major American city that has no weather. I want to cancel, and just use my phone as a hotspot when I use my laptop. I think that would work out fine (Do you?) except for one thing -- my gaming desktop computer can connect to the internet only by Ethernet. Can I install something in my desktop to allow it to use my phone's hotspot? If so, what is that specific thing? Thanks for any advice!
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 8:36 PM PST - 10 comments

How long after they're created will they still work? [more inside]
posted by Jamesonian at 8:25 PM PST - 2 comments

I came upon a print/drawing on textured paper that was framed with glass and realized it would look much better without the glass, but how do I protect it? [more inside]
posted by slow graffiti at 8:09 PM PST - 5 comments

I was offered by a friend to join his "family plan" and pay only $35 per month for unlimited data, which would include T-Mobile Tuesdays and free Netflix. Is this a good idea? [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 7:22 PM PST - 13 comments

A while ago I saw a clip going around Twitter from a French animated film where a woman (I think), roaring drunk, performed some possibly-alchemical magic. I remember was that the animation was gorgeous and anime-inspired; the main character might have had a short name. I believe the film was within the past 10 years and based on a longer work, like a comic or TV series. This has been bothering me for months. Does this sound familiar?
posted by lesser weasel at 7:12 PM PST - 4 comments

I am traveling for the first time to Hudson River valley in about a week. Just 2 days. Staying in Rhinebeck. Three ladies are looking for things to look at and eat. We like great food in restaurants that aren't stuffy. We love historic homes, art, museums, and beautiful scenery. I've started to look but it's a bit overwhelming. Looking for suggestions so I can start my working on my 2 day itinerary.
posted by beccaj at 6:52 PM PST - 20 comments

I find myself unexpectedly with an almost totally free day in DC tomorrow and am looking for something interesting to do w/in an hour or so of the city - something that would be relaxing and new-ish to someone who has lived here for a long time. [more inside]
posted by ryanshepard at 4:34 PM PST - 16 comments

While I was driving recently, my brakes went all the way to the floor before fully stopping the car. I drove home at a crawl as the problem continued, then they suddenly started working normally again. I explained this to my usually thorough and helpful mechanic, who has been driving it to test, can’t replicate or find any problem and now insists that it’s fine. Is it weird that I’m reluctant to drive this car? Would you drive it? If it is the master cylinder as the internet suggests, shouldn’t the mechanic be able to figure that out? And also if it is, if the brakes fail again will it be gradual again, or are they likely to fail completely?
posted by lgyre at 3:33 PM PST - 12 comments

I'm struggling to come up with a catchy name for a book club! I'm a middle school librarian and I am starting a quarterly book club at my middle school where we will be picking books that have been made into movies. We'll read the book, then discuss, make some sort of themed craft or project, then watch the movie while eating themed snacks. This is very last minute as I need to turn in my club request form tomorrow. Thanks hive-mind!
posted by firei at 2:41 PM PST - 31 comments

I already have an idea of what the responses to this question will be but I still can't help it. I'm a 27M and have had one previous long term relationship. While I know I have a decent personality/am relatively charming/am interesting enough for dates, I'm not exactly stellar in the looks department... [more inside]
posted by 47WaysToLeaveYourLover at 2:04 PM PST - 31 comments

I'm going to be taking a lot of jaunts to Palmdale, CA and I'm having trouble finding cool/homey/divey/funky places to hang out and drink or etc. Lancaster would be okay too but closer is better. Thanks in advance for any tips!
posted by ftm at 1:35 PM PST - 1 comment

I need an iPhone app that has pirate stickers/filters so I can update pictures of people I already have to make them PIRATES. [more inside]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:33 PM PST - 1 comment

What are the best current articles out there describing the underlying strategies, organizational and networking efforts, and related movement-building practices that went into effecting the neoliberal revolution? [more inside]
posted by eagle-bear at 12:12 PM PST - 8 comments

I have a general, largely theoretical understanding of what the dating experience looks like when someone is serious about you. But the "devil is in the details," and I'd love to hear anecdotes, stories, or specific examples from early dating stages prior to exclusivity. [more inside]
posted by postmortemsalmon at 11:50 AM PST - 19 comments

I need for my email to feed me a steady drip of training in Office 365, particularly Excel. Can you recommend a good Tip of the Day subscription or similar?
posted by HotToddy at 9:41 AM PST - 2 comments

I feel like, at 49, my ear-holes are closing up. I try with new music and it just slides through me. I can't bond with filler lyrics and I like bands. Help me find a way in. [more inside]
posted by argybarg at 9:22 AM PST - 62 comments

I am a teacher at a high school in Vancouver. We have an area of the roof that was designed to be used as an outdoor classroom, but there are currently only a few picnic tables out there. Help me make it more attractive with plants that will survive both drought and very rainy conditions. [more inside]
posted by figaro at 9:08 AM PST - 18 comments

I have some serious digestive issues, and have been toying with the idea of hiring someone to cook a meal for me a week, a big batch of something tasty that I could eat on three or four days. I'm not sure where I would find such a person, or even if it's a good idea or not. [more inside]
posted by backwards compatible at 8:54 AM PST - 7 comments

My son wants to spend a month in another country with his girlfriend next summer. He'll be seventeen, she'll be eighteen. Where do I start to figure out if this is a good idea? [more inside]
posted by saffry at 8:40 AM PST - 24 comments

Hosting a housewarming 10 AM brunch for about 20. Going to get champagne for mimosas..how much, and any particular yummy not $$ recs? Also may do white wine sangria. Will get coffee boxes from Peet's. Ideas for how much coffee and booze? For food I'm thinking French toast casserole, egg casserole, hashbrown casserole, bagels and spreads, bacon, vegan cheese dip, fruit, cheese and crackers, and some kind of baked good. Brownies? Cookies? I love to bake! And love making party food. Any tips/recs very appreciated!
posted by bookworm4125 at 8:39 AM PST - 16 comments

Is there a good term for the rhetorical tactic of responding to a suggestion of a specific course of action ("We should ban guns") with broadly agreed-on facts that don't address the suggested course of action? ("Obviously, murder is bad, and I can guarantee solving a problem with multiple causes is never straightforward.") [more inside]
posted by paul_smatatoes at 6:58 AM PST - 19 comments

Hurricane Dorian has closed schools where I live. My good friend who recently moved back to town was in a pinch for child care, so I am sitting at her house with a 8 year old boy for the next 7 hours. Complication: RAIN. [more inside]
posted by Stewriffic at 6:27 AM PST - 27 comments

We're in Vancouver for a week or so next month, and I'd be interested in going somewhere with interesting views, nature, and maybe a good pub. Slight problem: neither of us drive. [more inside]
posted by mippy at 6:05 AM PST - 9 comments

So I'm writing a story where a character is losing her mind and also writing a book, parts of which appear in the text. Her losing her mind affects the development of the chapters I'm including in the story. Looking for literary models. [more inside]
posted by angrycat at 4:39 AM PST - 36 comments

Why has cutting down on social media and general online time resulted in more dreaming? [more inside]
posted by sianifach at 2:03 AM PST - 8 comments

While I am not the palest person I know, I am definitely in the top 5% of least-sun-loving skin for Hawaii residents. I need a sunscreen recommendation. [more inside]
posted by DebetEsse at 10:53 PM PST - 5 comments

Feeling hopeless in a new town. How can I get back to not being angry and finding some hope? [more inside]
posted by buttonedup at 7:50 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm in a new city for what I expect to be a 2-3 year stint. I am less than thrilled about either (1) spending beaucoup bucks on new box springs + matress, or (2) throwing away said mattress when I leave town: the whole process seems frustratingly wasteful. This has me thinking about a futon + duvet (shikibuton + kakebuton) set à la https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futon . Is this a good idea? Where can I purchase such a beast (in the US)? Handful of snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by golwengaud at 7:41 PM PST - 17 comments

The hot-water faucet on my shower slowly reduces in flow rate over days & weeks. Slightly loosening & retightening the hex head fixes the problem temporarily, but it gets worse again before long. Here's what it looks like under that hex head. The tightness of that brass piece underneath doesn't seem to affect things. Everything inside looks sound & clean & functional. The cold water side is always fine. Can I fix this more permanently?
posted by jeffjon at 7:03 PM PST - 5 comments

For years I've spent time doing this and probably it's not needed; almost certainly any outfit who recycles paper encounters plastic windows in envelopes every day. But if I can make it easier/better at all I'm all about it. I put the plastic junk into my trash, which just goes to landfill, which isn't comforting either; maybe people who recycle paper also recycle the plastic junk they come across? Any insight(s) into this?
posted by dancestoblue at 6:30 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm an American, and I always thought Brits who are posh or wealthy or in top levels of government made a big deal about their super-perfectly tailored suits from Saville Row. So please explain to me, a totally ignorant outsider, why Boris Johnson is always so rumpled, with his pants hanging down and his shirt blousing out from the waistline. Is this a purposeful affectation to send a message? Is he just a slob? I'm sure there are levels of this that I can't even begin to know as a person from Los Angeles, so please explain them to me. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:40 PM PST - 34 comments

I'm on the verge of getting a new job. We've maxed out our out-of-pocket for 2019 and will have to max it out a second time because our insurance will change. This is getting very expensive. Are there things we should be thinking about that we aren't considering? [more inside]
posted by AnOrigamiLife at 4:46 PM PST - 17 comments

What are the best books/podcasts/vocab lists/online resources/whatever to learn as much practical French as possible in 10 weeks? Difficulty level: preparing to stay in Paris for a week, but happy if I only make a moderate ass of myself. [more inside]
posted by miltthetank at 3:42 PM PST - 16 comments

If your home’s water supply tests positive for high levels of lead, in a city with notoriously high lead in the water, what proven steps can you take to make the water supply safe?
posted by Jason and Laszlo at 3:35 PM PST - 8 comments

I want, but don't need, to lose 10 to 15 lb. I've read a lot of studies about how diets don't work, weight loss is impossible and "yo-yo dieting" makes you wind up heavier in the long run. Is it worth it for me to lose the weight? [more inside]
posted by vanitas at 3:11 PM PST - 28 comments

I'd like to start tracking my food again because I find it helps me be more mindful of what I'm eating (that second bowl of ice cream isn't quite so enticing when I'll have to log it!). But I don't like tracking calories and sorting out exactly how much of each item I've eaten, and I don't really trust the accuracy of those things anyway. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by bluedaisy at 2:43 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm having a problem loading parts or all of some pages, and having difficulty figuring out the root cause. [more inside]
posted by Chrysostom at 2:37 PM PST - 3 comments

A PhD candidate at a well-considered university recently contacted me to see if I would do copy, proof, and stylistic editing for her. Is there a going rate for this work, either on an hourly, per page, or per document basis? [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 1:43 PM PST - 8 comments

After an office move, I'm trying to scan slides with my Epson 12000XL GA scanner. Regular scanning works without issue, but my slides are only being partially scanned. Roughly one quarter scans and the rest disappears into weird lines. This happens on the regular Epson software and also Silverfast. [more inside]
posted by PussKillian at 1:30 PM PST - 4 comments

Okay, so without really thinking about it I was sometimes in the habit of...not refilling the water on the shared espresso machine at work* on the theory that other people never refilled it either so I often had to do it before making espresso. Though perhaps justified, this is obnoxious behavior and I am making a point of refilling the machine now. I would like to be a better - or at least less annoying - person by dealing with minor bad habits of which I may be only partially aware. What small annoying things have you stopped doing? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 1:27 PM PST - 48 comments

I'm looking for examples of terms that were created by a specific, known person, who had a particular way of pronouncing them, but that are pronounced differently by the general public. This can either be because the original pronunciation never caught on, or because they just changed over time. [more inside]
posted by ErWenn at 1:24 PM PST - 28 comments

I (mid-30s female) am going to Paris for work September 30 - October 14, staying in the 5th on Rue des Ecoles near the Panthéon/Sorbonne/Cluny Museum. The nearest Metros are Maubert-Mutualité and Cluny-La Sorbonne. I'll be by myself the whole time (apart from work hours). I have a little passable classroom French. What awesome things can do I in my fairly ample, but mostly after-hours and weekends free time? [more inside]
posted by CheeseLouise at 1:10 PM PST - 13 comments

Next week, I’ll be meeting with a dietician for eating disorders for the first time. I have loads of anxiety about this, and it would help me manage that anxiety if I could hear from others who have worked with a dietician (especially for eating disorders) what I can reasonably expect this initial meeting and subsequent meetings to be like. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:25 PM PST - 8 comments

Google Hangouts will shutdown in Oct. 2019 ... sort of (Ars Technica). Features will get ported to a new system, and there's one thing I want to know about: the sticker packs (screencap). Who made them, what do they represent, and how can I get an archived copy if they go away, short of screencapping each one? [more inside]
posted by filthy light thief at 11:30 AM PST - 3 comments

My four year old has decided he MUST be an oscillating fan for Halloween. We are not crafty people. Please walk me through how to build this in case I can't convince him to be Buzz Lightyear instead. [more inside]
posted by castlebravo at 11:26 AM PST - 36 comments

Given access to a well-stocked Vietnamese market and a pretty OK Indian grocery, and the need to make meals expeditiously, what would you put on your shopping list? Have: an Instant Pot. Am in U.S. and do not have: working knowledge of Vietnamese or Indian ingredients. [more inside]
posted by MonkeyToes at 11:20 AM PST - 11 comments

My partner and I have very different taste in film, but it would be nice to watch things we both enjoy! [more inside]
posted by zinful at 11:03 AM PST - 42 comments

What is a disease or condition that sounds scary, but is ultimately harmless or relatively non threatening? For example, if you went to the doctor and he said you had ___________ (scary sounding), but then he explains it is just ______________ (harmless). [more inside]
posted by roaring beast at 9:09 AM PST - 66 comments

I have to leave my current role so that I can join my spouse in another city. I am finding it impossible to make the jump. What to do? [more inside]
posted by socksister at 8:18 AM PST - 31 comments

What are some good shows or movies that have a cosy, charming feel? [more inside]
posted by loveandhappiness at 8:12 AM PST - 48 comments

Can you recommend any basic books on writing (particularly essay writing) for adults? [more inside]
posted by mosst at 7:30 AM PST - 7 comments

The money app Buxfer looks like exactly what I want in a budgeting software. But for some reason, I can't really find a ton of people using it, though it seems to have some clear advantages over Mint and YNAB (which I just couldn't get a grip on.) Am I missing something? Thanks!
posted by heavenknows at 7:23 AM PST - 3 comments

My dad died three weeks ago and he was a ...collector. My brothers and I are now facing the task of getting rid of all of this stuff and I've found myself struggling with the way that economics/"value" is mixed up in my head with the emotional attachments. I want/need to hear stories about how other people disentangled their heads and hearts in order to sell/give away their parents' treasured belongings. [more inside]
posted by correcaminos at 6:41 AM PST - 28 comments

I want to give them a few bucks each month, but should I donate directly to the national org? Or one of their state/local branches? Does it even matter? Does anyone know what the sharing percentage is from the national org?
posted by Automocar at 6:40 AM PST - 8 comments

My 5 year old has eclectic music takes that have recently taken her into recent-ish poppy dance tracks and non-dancy tracks that she can be silly to. I’d like to expand the playlist. Because I have to listen to this mix, I’m looking for suggestions that meet my own criteria. [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 4:51 AM PST - 7 comments

I think it's around 50 years old. I'm told that it works but I haven't plugged it in for fear of damaging it. Here's some pictures of the front and back. I have a raspberry pi model 3 b+, and I think it has a composite output through the audio jack. The plan is for an authentic NES emu setup. [more inside]
posted by adept256 at 4:15 AM PST - 10 comments

Is it possible to set up a (relatively basic nd cheap) printer so that only I and my co-teacher can use it for printing, even while it is located in a shared room that will be accessed by multiple other teachers and lots of students (while we are not there)? [more inside]
posted by Salamandrous at 4:05 AM PST - 7 comments

I have a 10 week old puppy. She was weaned and I took her home at 7 weeks. We've had a good (if exhausting) 3 weeks and . . . I'm about to leave for a month. She'll be going back to live with her mother and two of her siblings while I'm gone and I'm wondering what to expect when I return. We've had fairly good bonding time, but at her age will she even remember it?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:45 PM PST - 13 comments

I need some fun ideas that are inexpensive, not strenuous in the least, are within a 2 hour drive from Port Hueneme and will be memorable. [more inside]
posted by magnoliasouth at 10:35 PM PST - 2 comments

my washing machine has started leaking *for real* and i'm debating the merits of gambling a repair versus the huge purchase of new machine(s). dryer is fine, but it's a stackable -- so can i even mix and match? all comers for laundry appliance advice welcome! [more inside]
posted by tamarack at 9:40 PM PST - 4 comments

How do I get my daughter to chew with her mouth closed? [more inside]
posted by Dansaman at 9:36 PM PST - 11 comments

Following up this question about this poster I just framed, is there a specialized term for the small black and white images on the poster?
posted by ShooBoo at 8:41 PM PST - 4 comments

Hole's "Celebrity Skin" came on shuffle the other day, and my knee-jerk reaction was thinking about how horribly insane Courtney Love is. But then I thought -- wait, why do I even think that? I realized society told me to think that way. So I thought... who else? [more inside]
posted by knownassociate at 7:36 PM PST - 85 comments

I live near Port Orchard, WA. I am interested in learning to fish. Help! [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 7:09 PM PST - 3 comments

I’m feeling not present after life changes. How did you overcome? [more inside]
posted by morning_television at 6:42 PM PST - 7 comments

My friend lost my 2017 Toyota Prius key fob. I still have my spare key- but what's the cheapest way to replace the lost key? [more inside]
posted by yueliang at 4:51 PM PST - 13 comments

In Slack, someone tagged a comment with emojis in a witty way. I want to say, "ooh, nice emoji game," in emoji. How can I do that? [more inside]
posted by Pronoiac at 2:58 PM PST - 17 comments

Over a decade ago, our insurance agent misrepresented the details of our home (age, multi-unit vs. single family) in order to help us get a homeowner's insurance policy. There haven't been any problems, but is there a large risk of a future potential claim being denied? (Details below the fold) [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:50 PM PST - 12 comments

My husband is going through something very stressful. He said he wanted to learn meditation and I said that's great! He took some initiative and found this place near us and they want $800. Everything that I'm reading about it is pinging my scam/cult alarms like crazy but I don't want to discourage my hubby, since he needs something and this is something he found out about himself. Has anybody heard of this organization? Should I use my veto on this, or should we just see how it goes? [more inside]
posted by bleep at 2:48 PM PST - 21 comments

Hello! I'm planning a family trip to the Azores next year (2020). I looked at past asks, but I had some specific questions. [more inside]
posted by alathia at 2:17 PM PST - 4 comments

After living in the UK for 17 years, I've absorbed some basic understanding of the UK constitution (and Parliament in particular), but I am constantly realizing how little I know. What book would you recommend to help me go beyond the simple, Wikipedia-level understanding that I currently have? [more inside]
posted by yankeefog at 2:08 PM PST - 3 comments

While filling out the mammogram questionnaire, I noticed there was no way to indicate "Unknown" for any type of family history. Not just whether or not someone was diagnosed, but also when they were diagnosed. As a data person this concerns me - Unknown is not the same as No. Is this a thing (for Drs and researchers)? [more inside]
posted by evening at 2:00 PM PST - 9 comments

We have a 9 days in Provence - Cote d'Azure coming up in late September are looking for for tips and suggestions on routes, towns, places to stay, see, eat, walks - off the beaten path gems. [more inside]
posted by specialk420 at 1:44 PM PST - 5 comments

A plumber cleaned our flooding sewer drain, look in it with a camera, and said it needs to be descaled soon or else the backups would keep happening. The cost would be $1600. Does that sound right/reasonable? Our house was built around 1930 in Illinois.
posted by michaelh at 1:24 PM PST - 5 comments

If you are someone who has suffered through your LinkedIn account being hacked, what can you tell others about the response time to a report submission from the page that LinkedIn provides. Are there any estimates of the total accounts LinkedIn is trying to fix? Thousands, to be sure. Tens of? Hundreds of?
posted by John Borrowman at 1:02 PM PST - 1 comment