March 28
Broken rib - average painkiller use
A relative has broken a rib and is in a lot of pain. They received two days' worth of opioid painkillers at the hospital which have been used and they are still in too much pain to sleep or work. Before requesting an additional prescription, we wanted to know what the typical prescription is for a broken rib. [more inside]
Investing home sale proceeds, looking to future property purchase
Age 50. Recently sold my home, netting about $140K. Have some questions about short- to mid-term savings, risk vs. reward, etc. [more inside]
Forgot Gmail password, scared of being locked out
My very tech-unsavvy friend has forgotten her Gmail password - for over a year. She is still logged into Gmail and able to use it on her iPad and iPhone (both the Mail app and the Gmail app). But she doesn't know the password, has no backup authentication account or phone number registered with Gmail, and is terrified to try anything because if she gets locked out of Gmail she's screwed. How can she safely reset the password? [more inside]
Eurovisioning in NL/BE
I'm traveling with my wife and a friend in early May, so instead of sitting on our Kentucky couch watching the Eurovision Song Contest, we'll be on the road in continental Europe, which seems like it could probably be a more fun way to experience it, if we know where to go! [more inside]
1880s USA: Cat on Transcontinental Train
Seeking nonfiction narrative of rail travel with a cat across the United States, heading east or west, in the 1880s. [more inside]
Room design app from blueprint
I've got wierd room (entry way, livingroom, dining room combo). I've got a picture of the blueprint with measurements. I'd like to do some visualizations for home design and furniture placement in 3d rendering. What program app should I use? [more inside]
How can I screenshot a film on MacOS/iOS?
Over the past twenty years, I've purchased 1037 movies via the iTunes store (or whatever Apple calls it these days). I'm now getting into art. I would dearly love to screenshot some of my favorite scenes so that I can use them as reference for drawing/painting. By default, Apple prevents screenshots of DRM content. I can (and do) bypass this using BitTorrent to download copies of media I legally own, then screenshotting via VLC. I'm wary of this method for a variety of reasons. Is there a way to grab a goddamn screenshot in MacOS or iOS without resorting to "piracy"? [more inside]
LastPass - consolidate records with email vs. phone vs. username
LastPass creates duplicate records for websites or apps that allow you to log in with either your email, username, or in some cases phone number. I know it's possible to add additional form fields to each LastPass vault entry but the process is opaque. Can someone walk me through how to do this? Note: I am aware of the issues with LastPass, and this is not a question about whether or not I should use LastPass. [more inside]
We're downsizing...or are we?
We're looking to downsize to a smaller, less expensive house. My wife, theoretically in agreement with this idea, is balking at making offers or counter offers. We've been at this for two months so far, and I'm losing hope. Advice welcome. [more inside]
Is it possible to get personalized pens printed same-day in Toronto?
Turns out my kid would *love* personalized pens for their birthday. Their birthday is Saturday. Tomorrow, Good Friday, is a holiday here. Is there a way I could make this happen?
Paying rent and getting credit for it?
In a new apartment and considering rent payment options. I could pay my rent by credit card, and there would be a 3% fee for doing so. The portal where I set up the rent payment also suggested I might want to report the rent payment to the credit agencies for a $6 per month fee. [more inside]
I bought a pair AirPods Max which turned out to be fake.
And my iPhone got fooled and thinks they're real! [more inside]
Have you seen the bee emoji used for "please"
Have you seen the bee emoji used for "please", and if you have, what city/country are you in?
People on my local Buy Nothing group use the bee emoji for "please", and I am wondering how widespread this is.
March 27
Mosquitoes in my lucky bamboo
How can I prevent mosquitos from breeding in my lucky bamboo when I can't easily change the water? [more inside]
Do you know matchmaking where different entry fee players get matched?
Do you know any instances where two people of varying price/entry fees are matched together in any other implementation (game/real world/match.com etc)? Something like I am staking / risking something different than you, but we are being matched. Or I am entering a tournament/battle/game/system at a different price/risk & you/others are doing it at different price/risk. The outcome can be different (dependent on my input) or same (independent of input).
It would really help if someone know of any instances of these.
Need help finding a guitar strap over 72 inches
Does anyone know where I can order one longer than that? [more inside]
Music education for the middle-aged
Please recommend books, videos, free courses, podcasts, and such that will help me learn two things:
1. How music works. From “what is a scale” on up.
2. “Our Musical Heritage”, as the course was titled, back in my undergrad days. [more inside]
Conversational Japanese Tutor
I’m looking for an online Japanese tutor for weekly sessions improving my comprehension and speaking. I’ve done a couple of units of Pimsleur Japanese and can hold a simple conversation. Which online tutoring service (or other online options) should I choose?
Dental issues with cats -- advice?
Our 3 year old cat has just come back from his first teeth cleaning appointment -- and they ended up removing 7 teeth! Poor kitty! We've been advised to try brushing his teeth. He probably will fight it tooth and nail. Any product recommendations to help with this? Also things like probiotics/water additives/food supplements/food brand recommendations that have worked for you around dental care? [more inside]
Capsule shopping in New York
Between Covid, getting older, and getting fatter, my wardrobe is no longer sufficient and I need to go shopping for some decent capsule pieces. I want more brick and morter stores in New York that are like Madewell, Everlane, Sezane, COS, Uniqlo, Muji and carry plus sizes in the store (so many Uniqlos make you order anything over a 10 these days, killing me!). [more inside]
Does anyone have any advice for crossing the USA border? (J-2 visa)
I am a Canadian citizen with a Canadian passport, as is my spouse. My spouse has been hired in the USA on a J-1 visa for a one-year role. I am travelling down to live with them for this year, and then we will return to Canada together. I am seeking advice for the process of actually crossing the border, and the possibilities of working my current remote job while I'm down there. [more inside]
Linkedin Reach out Script to People I Actually Know
I'm starting networking with folks on LinkedIn. These are first connections who I've worked with in past or just straight up friends. I am networking with them to understand more about their company (I am not targeting roles yet), their roles, how they got their job etc to help me with my job search. I have not talked to many of these people in 5,10,15 years. What's a good reach out script?
Looking for a child development video I saw on Threads
I saw an awesome video on Sunday of a young child demonstrating emotions. It was on Threads and I didn't save it, and now I want to watch it again. It was from an account I don't follow. Searches within Threads and Instagram (in case it was cross-posted there) haven't turned up anything. Has anyone perhaps seen this video (details below) or have any ideas of how I can search for it? [more inside]
Lawyers in Nashville
Can anyone recommend a good personal injury lawyer in Nashville? [more inside]
Recommendations for collaborative, easy remote smart photo frame?
Is there an extremely user-friendly smart photo frame that can be controlled remotely by multiple people? [more inside]
Good food options for vegetarians & vegans in Brighton, UK
Over the Easter weekend I'm taking a daytrip to Brighton with a friend. I'm vegan and like to eat all kinds of foods that fit that bill, including fake meats. My friend is vegetarian and doesn't like fake meats, but does enjoy things like tofu and paneer. We're looking for restaurant suggestions where we can both get a good meal. [more inside]
Hoop Dreams Aren't Just for Kids: Adult Women's Basketball in Atlanta?
Pretty much what the title says...trying to find an adult women's basketball league in the Atlanta area. We're in Cobb, but would be willing to drive anywhere in the metro area. Suggestions? Thanks in advance!
PC AirPlay skipping
How do I diagnose/fix a PC hosting iTunes that frequently hiccoughs on playback through AirPlay. Details inside - [more inside]
Are These Migraines?
I get frequent headache-like things that share some characteristics with migraines. I'm looking to crowdsource diagnosis/treatment possibilities (YANMD - I've been to my doctor and optometrist about it). Symptoms inside. [more inside]
systemd service that handles USB drops-outs
How do I write a systemd service file that will notice USB failures, and restart the service? [more inside]
I made the same stupid mistake at work twice
I'm in the middle of a shame attack right now as I've made the same mistake twice at work. How do I get through this? [more inside]
March 26
Excel test for job application
What is the best way to update to quickly update meagre Excel skills for a job application test? [more inside]
Resizing portrait and landscape photos to same aspect ratio
Squarespace Guy told me that in order for my photos to appear best on my online product catalog, they need to all be in the same aspect ratio. The difficulty is that some images are portrait and some are landscape. I know I can use white space as needed. But what's a good aspect ratio?
custom keyboard/app/toggle that would help organize my pics?
I'm on the lookout for a specialized tool that can help streamline the process of sorting through my extensive photo library, and I'm wondering if such a solution exists. [more inside]
Help me win Easter!
What's a beautiful show-stopping dessert I can make for my family's Easter dinner? [more inside]
What do I wear to tai chi? And work.
I'm starting a tai chi class tomorrow. It's in the middle of my work day. What do I wear? Do I need to change? Or is it possible to wear the same clothes? [more inside]
article, op-ed, or blog post about burnout causing inability to speak
Sometime between 3 months and 2 years ago, I read a first person account from a woman -- I think a medical professional, maybe a surgeon -- describing periodic burnout episodes which caused her to be unable to speak, or nearly unable to speak, and to be otherwise unable to function as a "normal" person. I'd love a link to that account, or possibly others as specific and compelling. [more inside]
Turn a poll into a live-updating bracket?
Is there a website/app that would allow me to set up and populate a tournament-style bracket (best candy bars, 80's baseball names, etc), and then have participants (either via website or app) pick the "winners" of each matchup via a live on-screen poll, and then pick the winners of each subsequent round to determine an ultimate winner? I'm picturing a similar setup to poll anywhere, where each participant votes on their phone and the results show up on the screen, updating a bracket as we go.
Help me enrich a US Middle School library's Spanish-language collection
One of my friends is a middle school principal in a very conservative district. I have been sending him lots of progressive and LGBTQ+ Young Adult books and graphic novels for the school library, and he is thrilled to report that those titles are almost constantly checked out! I'm looking for more. [more inside]
~How~ to search for a seasoned therapist & psychiatrist?
With 0 referrals, how might a person with multiple challenges and decades of working on 'em find a fitting therapist and psychiatrist? [more inside]
Tickets for Candidates Tournament
I'm heading to Toronto with my brother for the (Candidates Tournament) in late April. Tickets appear to be sold out and my brother was only able to get one ticket for Thursday April 18 and one ticket for Saturday April 20. I'd love to find a way to buy tickets so we can both attend at the same time, and happy to pay a premium, but doesn't seem like there are resellers. Does anyone have any idea on how or where to buy additional tickets? Thanks!
Trustworthy way to send PDF as a FAX on a Mac?
I'm looking for either an app or web service where I can pay a reasonable price to send some medical info to a doctor's fax machine from my Mac. So I'd like it to be trustworthy and private, and have confirmation that the document is sent. [more inside]
Multiculturalism in Slovakia c. 1900: Melting Pot or Salad Bowl?
My wife's father's ancestry was always kind of vaguely handwaved as "Austria-Hungary," but I know Austria-Hungary was more of a political union than any kind of overriding cultural identity. Her paternal grandfather emigrated from Slovenia, and his cultural identity seems pretty clearly aligned with that from his immigration paperwork. OTOH … [more inside]
When did my mono symptoms start? When might they end?
I'm almost 40yo and I tested positive on the "mononucleosis, heterophile Ab, serum" test in late February. I already have chronic fatigue though, so I don't know what my mono symptoms began. [more inside]
A follow up to my automated transcription question
I told my editor about Whisper, and she sounded skeptical because Whisper uses open AI. I really don't understand anything about any of this, so can you explain to me so I can explain to her how Whisper is privacy-safe? Or is there something I need to do on my end, beyond just downloading Whisper to MAKE it safe? Again, I'm not knowledgeable about this stuff, & I just have a basic Macbook. Thanks.!
Bakers of Askme!
I am making a half recipe of Irish Soda Bread (pretty much like this but also with an added egg.)
To answer any questions about why one would make only a half loaf of somethign so lovely as Irish Soda Bread instead of saving the other half for later: I only had half the amount of buttermilk and no cider vinegar in the house.
Should I cut the baking time in half? [more inside]
Sell all my stuff in NYC?
I'm looking for a NYC service or individual who, for a fee and commission, will sell an apartment's-worth of belongings via eBay, The Real Real, Poshmark, etc. [more inside]
Dog personality changes on prednisone
You may have seen my previous questions about my (now not so) sweet boy. He's been on prednisone for 2 months and he's really starting to have some personality changes that are pretty intolerable. [more inside]
Best place to stay between Tampa and Wilmington NC?
I'm happy to just say "forget it, book the Embassy Suites by the Savannah airport and call it a day." But I have some family obligations in Tampa FL next week, and other family obligations near Wilmington NC, so I'm trying to sweeten the deal for my spouse with an overnight or two at, say, the cutest B&B in downtown Savannah? Or the nicest little hotel on Tybee Island? Or a night in Kiawah? Charleston? [more inside]
Safest ticket marketplace in the UK?
I am in the US and am traveling to the UK this summer. I am trying to acquire tickets to a sold out concert (Taylor Swift, if it matters) as a surprise for my boyfriend. I am constantly checking Ticketmaster and AXS, the official resellers, but am wondering what other sites are reputable in the UK. Googling brings up a zillion sites and I am wary of getting scammed. Any advice?
Remind me of a verse, Beowulf edition
Many years ago I came across a small verse in an English translation of Beowulf. For whatever reason it has stuck with me, but despite searching a lot of translations since then I have been unable to locate it again. [more inside]
Looking for biology/naturalist educational tour kind of experiences.
I've got a 16 y o kid who is interested in biology/entomology/ocean. Looking to incorporate that with anything from a day trip, weekend trip, or week long trip.
While time and money are things we don't have lots of extra of, I am considering Osa Peninsula for a trip in February (there's a "bug lady" that does night tours).
Wondering if there is anything in the US (bonus for New England area) that was a good experience that's a bit higher level than the typical lobster boat kind of tour. More hands on.
It could be anything from a 2 hour tour with a naturalist, to all day, and maybe even week long.
PS Thanks to his awesome teachers, stuff that didn't seem that interesting coming from mom seems super interesting now!
Primer on taxes as policy?
I am looking for a primer on taxes as policy -- the pros and cons income tax, property tax, sales tax, wealth tax, etc., and about whether any of them are easier to implement or change, or more or less acceptable to voters, etc. I am interested in general but also especially as applied to U.S. municipalities.
Abstaining from alcohol makes my mornings worse?
When I have 2-3 alcoholic drinks before going to bed, the next morning I wake up easily and refreshed. When I do not drink alcohol at all, it feels like I've been hit by a train the next morning. This happens consistently, even after 1-2 months of not drinking, and even when I make sure to stay hydrated. I also do not use an alarm clock most mornings (I wake naturally), so it doesn't seem like I should be waking up in the middle of a sleep cycle. [more inside]
How did you navigate a serious threat to your long-term relationship?
If you've been through the break up (or near break-up) of a very long relationship/marriage that was not broken, but your partner fell in love with someone else... what advice would you give yourself at the beginning? What do you wish you knew? [more inside]
March 25
noise reducing (not cancelling) earplugs (not headphones or earbuds)
I am looking to hear experiences from those who have used Loop Engage or similar earplugs which aim to soften noise experience, not block noise such as for concerts or power tools. [more inside]
Best response to someone presenting a widely shared idea as their own
As a hypothetical response to people in Manhattan pontificating at brunch, Garrison Keillor once said "we all read this morning's New York Times, we don't need to hear the audio edition." (I've also seen this depicted in Hollywood movies--someone pretending to have original thoughts on a matter when they really come from a popular editorial.) So, sounds like it happens fairly often. [more inside]
Silver Dealer within an hour of Boston
I have a bunch of plate and sterling silver from various ancestors that I'd like to sell, locally around Cambridge, MA, if possible. [more inside]
RICS Building Survey for buying a flat?
We're about to put in an offer on a flat in Edinburgh, Scotland. We've gone over the home buyer report extensively and there was one issue that received a "address at some point in time." My instinct screams to get a more comprehensive survey, with a discount in price if any major problems are identified, but I'm not sure.
Also, a sub-question about rising damp. [more inside]
Flatbed scanner recommendations?
Any recommendations for a good flatbed scanner? I would use it to scan color images for use in digital collages, so mostly 8.5 x 11 inches max at about 600 dpi. Looking to spend $100-200.
Thanks!