I'm revising a young adult novel that includes legal & police (sub)plotlines and have some questions. [more inside]
posted by changeling to law & government at 11:04 AM - 0 answers

I am 28 years old and just completed my first semester of college, which I was unable to do when I was younger for a variety of reasons. Is this is a good idea? Much, much more detail inside. [more inside]
posted by PrettyKnitty to education at 11:00 AM - 2 answers

I'm about to quit my job. I'm becoming increasingly aware that this is going to come as a huge surprise to my boss and coworkers. Should I have been dropping hints? [more inside]
posted by anonymous to work & money at 10:59 AM - 2 answers

Excessive knuckle-cracking is causing lasting pain in my hand, but I can't stop doing it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous to health & fitness at 10:57 AM - 1 answer

I'm spending my 40th birthday in Paris (early August). I want to have a memorable evening with my husband. Help me pick a fabulous restaurant, a great place for a dessert (either at the same restaurant or elsewhere) and an activity. [more inside]
posted by bodgy to travel & transportation at 10:50 AM - 2 answers

Anxiety along with a tendency to depression is kicking up lately, and I'm having a hard time finding non-disturbing yet entertaining things to distract myself with. I need recommendations of books that will be engrossing enough to keep me interested without dark/scary/disgusting/horrifying elements. [more inside]
posted by Serene Empress Dork to grab bag at 10:36 AM - 5 answers

What is it with CenturyLink, and some ISP in Hong Kong whose name I forget, that every so often it will decide that it can't "find" a web page... usually one that I was just at, and often including metafilter! Instead of going to the page I want, it redirects me to a CenturyLink search page, like this, which has the link I want at the very top (www.metafilter.com in this example), yet when I click on that link from their completely extraneous search page, it just goes back to the same search page?! [more inside]
posted by eviemath to computers & internet at 10:31 AM - 1 answer

My question is in regards to making sure I get paid for my work. I'll be billing private individuals as opposed to companies and thus am concerned there will be less incentive for them to pay for services rendered. [more inside]
posted by Dr. Lurker to work & money at 9:40 AM - 12 answers

I haven't owned a car since 2010, but now it seems like going back to a two-car household might be a good idea. My wife drives a 2004 Volvo S40 daily to work. She often gets home very late on weekdays, and usually takes it to meet her cycling group for the better part of a day on Saturday or Sunday, and I have started to feel like I'm too reliant on her schedule or my friends to get to weekend activities, or to duck out to get another few bags of mulch or can of paint, etc. [more inside]
posted by Kwine to travel & transportation at 9:36 AM - 9 answers

My dear friend who is known for making awesome mix tapes/CDs/playlists is getting married, and I'd love to give him an awesome mix CD as part of my wedding present. So, musical & in-the-know folks of AskMe, please give me your best suggestions for what songs should be on it! Artist suggestions welcome too, but ideally you will suggest specific songs. [more inside]
posted by aka burlap to media & arts at 9:32 AM - 24 answers

I direct a research center at a policy institute and I'm also an analyst. I need a project management system and I want a physical system, not software or an application. Other than whiteboards, what are my options? Among whiteboards, which are really useful? Right now I have an electronic calendar and various notes/lists to remind me to do things and frankly, it's not working. In the past, I've tried various to-do list applications, as well as Basecamp, and they did not work for me either. [more inside]
posted by crush-onastick to work & money at 9:26 AM - 2 answers

Ack, I need birthday gift ideas for my sister. She's turning 27, working in her first office job, is across the country from me. She loves...uh, organizing and cleaning things? And working out, I think? And...she has a dog and a new house? help [more inside]
posted by peachfuzz to grab bag at 9:22 AM - 17 answers

The Aseno family is planning to go to Singapore few days after this year's Eid (end of Ramadan). We know in other muslim countries, Eid celebration can last up for up to a week afterwards. Businesses (read: attractions and great food joints) usually take long vacations before they open again on regular hours. We're not planning to go touristy, but instead want to absorb local life style, eat and go where locals go. So, citizens of Metafilter, is it wise to travel to Singapore close to Eid, given our objectives, or should we wait another week or two until it's normal again? Or, if I may switch my perspective, are there anything that is worth traveling to Singapore during/near Eid?
posted by aseno to travel & transportation at 9:16 AM - 2 answers

I applied for a job 4 hours away. I've since decided that I do not want it. However, I'm worried that they will contact my current supervisor as a reference and she has no idea I'm considering leaving. [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso to work & money at 9:15 AM - 6 answers

We're looking for a 5-7 day surf school to give my sister as a graduation (from grad school) gift. She's fluent in Spanish, and doesn't need anything super luxury, just good instruction, good break, good vibes. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by copacetic to travel & transportation at 9:14 AM - 0 answers

Can anyone find or type down the script of this clip from the game StarCraft II? It's in Italian.
posted by sanskrtam to computers & internet at 9:13 AM - 0 answers

I am looking for some software (cheap, free) that will tell me which program is currently accessing the net AND how much traffic is being transferred. [more inside]
posted by gnossos to computers & internet at 8:59 AM - 5 answers

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a new Subaru Impreza, which I drive for 45 minutes twice a day. Now I'm developing pain in my right hip, and I suspect there's a connection, or something I'm doing wrong, posture-wise. [more inside]
posted by dywypi to travel & transportation at 8:45 AM - 9 answers

I am currently installing a HP Indoor-Outdoor Point-to-Point Dual Band 10/13dBi MIMO 3 Element Antenna (J9170A). It comes with three pigtails with N type connectors. I need to extend the pigtails 100ft but am unsure of which coax type to use. Thanks!
posted by cheechman85 to technology at 8:35 AM - 4 answers

Annoyingly, crunches irritate a bulging disc in my back. Since I'm not keen on having surgery just so I can do this one thing (the disc doesn't otherwise bother me, as long as I keep my core strong), what alternatives to crunches can I try? If it matters: I do already do push-ups, planks and side planks.
posted by elizeh to health & fitness at 7:48 AM - 12 answers

Summer’s here. In need of amazing novel recommendations. Particulars within. [more inside]
posted by xenization to media & arts at 7:37 AM - 35 answers

Those of you post-grads figuring it out in your 20s (or 30s) doing odd jobs, waiting tables, jobs not nec. related to your major, where are you now? What advice would you have if you could go back and do it again? [more inside]
posted by bluelight to work & money at 7:31 AM - 29 answers

I'm not looking to become a muscle guy, but I'd like a weight/exercise regimen that will help me tone my upper body. Can anyone give me a suggestion? [more inside]
posted by to sir with millipedes to health & fitness at 6:16 AM - 20 answers

Can anyone tell me if Audio Visual Entrainment (AVE) actually does anything? Does it actually help with depression/anxiety, or is it all just a bunch of hooey? Is it worth the money?
posted by PuppetMcSockerson to grab bag at 4:27 AM - 11 answers

I am in the UK. I live in Plymouth. My one year Vodafone contract is finally up and I hate them with a passion. I'd like to switch, but as a still relatively new ex-pat I don't know who to switch to. Can you recommend a provider to me based on my requirements inside? [more inside]
posted by olinerd to technology at 3:57 AM - 11 answers

International MeFites can you recommend great hip-hop either entirely in non-English language, or featuring mainly non-US English dialects? previously
posted by roofus to media & arts at 3:20 AM - 32 answers

YANAMD. I have many mosquito-bite like pimples on my arms, legs and parts of my back, which typically become itchy in the evenings. As I'm currently abroad and travelling I'm paranoid that it's the symptom of some rare tropical disease and I'm harbouring a parasite or something. Please put the mind of this hypochondriac at rest! [more inside]
posted by pikeandshield to health & fitness at 3:00 AM - 14 answers

Hi everyone I'm relocating for the first time ever out of the family home. Should I start should start house hunting now *for a rental) while I'm away, or wait till I get there (I'm very happy to hostel it for a bit, as I don't know of anyone in the area and I'm a bit funny about couchsurfing). Thanks!
posted by glache to home & garden at 1:51 AM - 12 answers

We are moving to Germany. I have to fly* but my husband is driving, from the UK to Germany. Our removalists will pack nothing perishable, including food in sealed containers, liquid toilettries etc. Can we just take them in the car? [more inside]
posted by Megami to travel & transportation at 12:40 AM - 8 answers

Can I make my connecting flight, DC edition. [more inside]
posted by Gringos Without Borders to travel & transportation at 10:08 PM - 12 answers

[Used Car Filter] My neighbour is selling his 1989 Volvo 240 DL Wagon for $1800 CAD. I currently own a 2009 Chevy Cobalt. We only want one car. Should I shed the Coby for the Volvy? [more inside]
posted by Catchfire to shopping at 8:48 PM - 28 answers

Contact by Daft Punk supposedly "contains audio from the Apollo 17 mission used by courtesy of NASA and Capt. Eugene Cernan". The sample says: "Hey Bob, I'm looking at what Jack was talking about and it's definitely not a particle that's nearby. It is a bright object and it's obviously rotating because it's flashing, it's way out in the distance, certainly rotating in a very rhythmic fashion because the flashes come around almost on time. As we look back at the Earth it's up at about 11 o'clock, about maybe ten or twelve diame...Earth diameters. I don't know whether that does you any good, but there's something out there." When I Google this I find only Daft Punk references. Is it a genuine soundbite from the Apollo 17 mission or did those wacky French robots make it up?
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 to media & arts at 8:33 PM - 6 answers

I self-published a non-fiction technical book recently. A Chinese publisher has just approached me and wants to buy the 5-year Chinese foreign distribution rights. How do I evaluate their offer? [more inside]
posted by anonymous to work & money at 8:31 PM - 5 answers

For the last three years, cooking oil splatters have generally built up on the wall behind our oven. I've tried getting the oil off with a number of different methods, but no dice. Any advice? [more inside]
posted by gchucky to food & drink at 8:30 PM - 25 answers

I'd like to make a zoot-suit, something like this. Where can I find a pattern?
posted by beshtya to clothing, beauty, & fashion at 8:30 PM - 6 answers

I love the iPad maps app, but it's light on detail. Is there a way to toggle things on like town boundaries and other political/cultural data? Or is there another app that does that?
posted by Camofrog to technology at 8:12 PM - 6 answers

What is the sample used in the original "99 Problems" by Ice T? I always thought it was great because I could swear it was the sound of an alien being killed in "Aliens". My friend who just listened to it, however, says "duh, it's a seagull." Anyone? Thanks mefiters! : )
posted by bitterkitten to media & arts at 8:04 PM - 9 answers

I am looking for a dental plan I can enroll in. My employer does not provide dental insurance. I live in Massachusetts. [more inside]
posted by melizabeth to health & fitness at 7:45 PM - 14 answers

Help me figure out what sort of project management certification I should get. [more inside]
posted by mammary16 to work & money at 7:11 PM - 5 answers

My husband and I may soon have two incomes. Hoorah! But how do we balance that with making food for our meals? [more inside]
posted by donut_princess to food & drink at 6:23 PM - 47 answers

Looking to spice things up in the bedroom through a five senses game. A card with each sense for him/her on it is mixed and then we have an enticing way to deal with that sense. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by anonymous to human relations at 5:57 PM - 7 answers

My cat George (previously, and with Conrad) has a rodent ulcer. [more inside]
posted by jeather to pets & animals at 5:52 PM - 7 answers

I need help constructing mental snowshoes that will prevent me from falling into deep drifts of work BS and frustration at a job I can't leave. [more inside]
posted by lastwomanstanding to work & money at 5:52 PM - 11 answers

I'm looking for examples of high impact organizational decisions based on faulty data that had long term negative impacts. (My use of the word "organizational" is meant to imply a "group of persons organized towards some end." Could be a corporation, or a not-for-profit, or a govt entity, etc.) [more inside]
posted by jeanmari to society & culture at 5:46 PM - 31 answers

I'd love to fill my apartment with Eames chairs and Braun speakers, but the great icons of industrial design are almost all hilariously expensive. So, on to plan B: What are the greatest knockoffs of great design? Here, for example, are some pretty good fake Eames chairs. Here is a serviceable copy of the Mondaine railway clock. Do you own a great knockoff of an iconic object, or something beautiful and functional that's heavily inspired by one?
posted by ecmendenhall to shopping at 5:39 PM - 7 answers

A few times, my partner has seen news (on Facebook mostly) from friends such as my siblings and their partners, before I have. I get very upset when this happens. Is this irrational? Is there any good way to cope with it? [more inside]
posted by skippy_gal to human relations at 5:29 PM - 29 answers

What steps should I take to switch to the aerospace industry from the academic world? [more inside]
posted by vernondalhart to science & nature at 5:08 PM - 9 answers

My children's adored grandmother is a smoker. She doesn't smoke in front of the kids but does take several smoke breaks a day, and while our two year old is oblivious, our four year old is probably close to figuring out what's up. Growing up, I had no relatives who smoked, and my parents pushed the "boy, smokers sure think they look cool, don't they look stupid though?" angle which worked fine on me. Obviously that isn't going to work in this case. How do you talk with young children about smoking as a Bad Thing when relatives smoke?
posted by rouftop to human relations at 4:51 PM - 29 answers

I am getting married this fall and still haven't found someone to do my hair or makeup for the big day. Looking for a stylist and artist that are affordable (we are on a tight budget). The wedding is in Wauwatosa, WI. Please help!! Thank you!
posted by biograd08 to clothing, beauty, & fashion at 4:43 PM - 4 answers

Is there a time to be alone/ How to feel like life is meaningful when I am mostly alone? [more inside]
posted by ichomp to human relations at 4:42 PM - 11 answers

A relative of mine's great-grandmother is having her 90th birthday party this Sunday, in New Orleans. She's expressed a wish to have each of the 25-30 guests receive a small present, up to $15 each. Any suggestions? It has to be something I can obtain and wrap before Sunday afternoon.
posted by Joe in Australia to shopping at 4:38 PM - 11 answers

I interviewed for this position over a month ago, and it went really well. According to a family friend who also works there (and informed me of the available position to begin with), I was a top contender for the job, but they ultimately went with another person with experience, whereas I had none (even though it was entry level - but I get it, experience is better than lack thereof. No hard feelings here). PLOT TWIST: Two days ago, I find out via friend that they just discovered this new person lied about having a degree, so she's as good as gone. Friend suggested I send a nonchalant email to remind them of my existence, hinting at the fact that I'm still available. How do I do this subtly without it sounding awkward as hell after over a month? I don't think I'm supposed to know about this turn of events because friend was pretty hush hush about it, and I certainly don't want to throw friend under the bus or get him in trouble. How do I go about this? [more inside]
posted by slightlyamused to work & money at 4:20 PM - 10 answers

In one of Kundera's books, he describes conversation so aptly that I've been using his description (with attribution) for years. But I really feel like I should quote it exactly and for as long as I've been paraphrasing him, I've been trying to remember which damn book it's in so that I can stop paraphrasing and start quoting. Help me, hive mind! [more inside]
posted by janey47 to writing & language at 4:01 PM - 3 answers

I know there are some good apps for line checking at Disneyland, but what I need are specific recommendations for some good ones. I'm not real particular but just want one that works well. Give me your best ones, and thank you!
posted by snoelle to travel & transportation at 3:53 PM - 5 answers

I love Jane's Addiction. They are the sound of the Devil telling me about sin and what you can get away with in the darker corners of a spiritual life. So the question is: who else is out there who can bring it like they do? I'm looking for the next Three Days jam in this Askme - thick, coiling, roiling, powermad music that is as much about drugged-up incense-laden crunch as it is about tuneful, stuck in your head like an icepick melody? Release the hounds.
posted by Lipstick Thespian to media & arts at 3:50 PM - 38 answers

Help me, etiquette mavens of AskMe! Fiance and I are in the midst of planning a wedding for this fall, but we just found out that he's losing his health insurance soon. How ok is it to have a courthouse ceremony now, but still hold a "real" wedding in the fall? [more inside]
posted by badgermushroomSNAKE to society & culture at 3:25 PM - 98 answers

Why don't normal hobbies and activities interest me, or why can't I stick with them? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by averageamateur to sports, hobbies, & recreation at 3:01 PM - 26 answers

I have often wondered how a person deals with taxes if he has a full-time position--say as an academic--but also does work for the govt in work, say CIA or NSA, that is not to be known or discussed with anyone. [more inside]
posted by Postroad to law & government at 2:46 PM - 17 answers

I'll be attending an outdoor music festival this summer, in which we'll be parking our cars a good distance from where we will set up our tents for camping. I'll need some kind of wheeled cart for transporting our bags, tents, etc., but which could fold up (or easily disassemble) and fit into my car, and I'm not sure what would work well. Looking for your ideas, or things that have worked well for you in the past. [more inside]
posted by see_change to sports, hobbies, & recreation at 2:12 PM - 18 answers

I need a recommendation for a 32GB USB 3.0 flash drive, please. [more inside]
posted by bluecore to computers & internet at 2:07 PM - 5 answers