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November 2011 Archives
November 30
I am a nerdy fun girl next door type who wants to give my guy a lap dance this weekend but I've never given, received, or even really seen one before. Please help me find good resources for technique and song selection.
I found
this video and
this article on Google, and both seem to be a good start, but results for "how to give a lap dance" kind of fall apart after that. Can anyone point me to sites/videos that give similar instruction?
I also need help with picking a song. I'm looking for a slower song with a seductive groove/beat rather than something fast. Ideas?
posted by scarnato at 11:48 PM PST - 26 comments 
Microsoft Word 2002, running on Windows XP, has started crashing when opening particular documents, but not others. Any troubleshooting advice?
[more inside]posted by russilwvong at 9:59 PM PST - 7 comments
I just got a couple of fantail goldfish, which I am keeping in a approx. 5 gallon vase. One of my fish has developed what looks like tiny bubbles on his fins. What are these?
[more inside]posted by melangell at 9:24 PM PST - 10 comments 
I'm not sure if this is even possible, but: where could I buy a lady's Regency-period ring?
Something like this would be perfect. I keep coming across awful eBay sites that have 'Georgian-style' attached to something that could have been made in China yesterday, for all I know. Something with a certificate of authenticity / valuation?
posted by obiwanwasabi at 9:20 PM PST - 12 comments
I've been trying to setup a wifi network behind a wireless bridge, and keep finding that internet speeds are 1/3 to 1/10 of those I get by when connecting directly to the bridge or source network. What gives?
[more inside]posted by unmake at 8:52 PM PST - 6 comments
An aquaintance of mine works for a defense contractor company as has a fairly high security clearance. They also have a serious drinking problem and have admitted that they are an alcoholic. However, they are afraid to go for treatment because they are concerned that they will lose their security clearance as a result.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:17 PM PST - 25 comments
I'm a straight chick, but I think that Mirah's songs (early stuff - first two albums) are super sexy. Can you recommend other musicians, albums, or songs with a similar aesthetic/tone?
[more inside]posted by telegraph at 8:10 PM PST - 12 comments
Can any web designers speak to what's up with the <marquee> tag? I want to use it in a tasteful, scrolling-credits-type way — is it even worth doing?
[more inside]posted by FreelanceBureaucrat at 8:07 PM PST - 7 comments 
There are approximately one billion models of light saber toys out there. I'm looking at reviews, but it occurs to me maybe someone here has a great rec for a sturdy, non-lame light saber toy.
[more inside]posted by pantarei70 at 7:59 PM PST - 7 comments 
I love natural, reclaimed and sustainable products for the home. I prefer simple designs and natural materials: wood, stone, leather, silk, etc. My favorite online shops are
VivaTerra and
Terrain. The problem is that they only ship to US. Do you know of a shop that will ship to Europe or a similar European online shop?
posted by leigh1 at 7:44 PM PST - 2 comments
Please help me make a plan to deal with the aftermath of this episode of severe depression. For various reasons I would really prefer not to be enrolled in college
again next semester. It's long, I'm sorry, but I wrote this too quickly to pare things out.
[more inside]posted by bilabial at 7:41 PM PST - 12 comments
Something in our bedroom is affecting my boyfriend's breathing and allergy symptoms. How can we figure out the specific cause?
[more inside]posted by pourtant at 7:25 PM PST - 17 comments
I am looking for an online resource for the correct formatting and layout of a news release. I have found several templates, but there is enough difference between them that I'm a bit confused. I have the essential structure and content down, but what I am looking for is what would be considered to "standard" correct formatting and layout.
Can anyone direct me to a good resource?
posted by parkerama at 6:26 PM PST - 10 comments
Tell me your best Charleston, South Carolina books. Looking for anything -- history, for locals, for travellers, fiction, picture books, memoirs. What 'gets' Charleston?
posted by sandmanwv at 5:58 PM PST - 6 comments 
You're in Hong Kong on 12/13 January. You want to take someone out for a fun night. Where do you go and what do you do? Definitions of fun and budget are inside.
[more inside]posted by girlgenius at 5:40 PM PST - 11 comments
My dad loves music, but every Christmas I end up getting him (a) winter gloves or (b) a stack of books that he's too busy to read. Given the following list of songs, artists, and genres he seems to like, could you recommend a few albums he might enjoy?
[more inside]posted by cimton at 4:51 PM PST - 48 comments
Help me find the right kind of notepad or sketchpad. Difficulty: a different request from everyone else who has ever asked this question. I'm looking for a notebook that is roughly legal sized without any lines, rules, or grids.
[more inside]posted by fremen at 4:08 PM PST - 8 comments
Hi everyone,
Hoping someone can help me sort this problem ...
It's a excel + microsoft word document + mail merge to outlook email to 50 people.
I am trying to help someone out - this is is as it just as it was described to me:
Track changes were accepted and turned off and the email looked as it should - so off went 50 customized emails.
..unfortunately the sent email then shows that all the emails are sent showing all of the tracked change revision markings!
Sorry if this is too vague. Thanks for your efforts :)
posted by anewnormal at 4:04 PM PST - 3 comments
Is it
true, what Ricky Gervais says, about how in contrast to Americans and their high hopes, British people are taught to expect disappointment? British people: What life advice along these lines are British people given, that might differ from such U.S. ideas as
Back to the Future's "you can do anything if you put your mind to it?"
posted by steinsaltz at 3:47 PM PST - 59 comments
Looking for an inexpensive source of current foreign coins that can be purchased by the pound. These would be a gift for a coin obsessed grandson that would be more impressed with volume rather than quality.
posted by Raybun at 3:10 PM PST - 3 comments 
What is the best technique/props for faking cutting your wrists with a razor blade?
[more inside]posted by jeroum at 3:06 PM PST - 16 comments
I've been learning new skills at my company that are far outside of my current job description. I've long ago realized that there's going to be a need for someone to take on these responsibilities beyond the one person we have now. And the time seems to be approaching! Please help me work through this and nail the salary re-negotiations.
[more inside]posted by Tequila Mockingbird at 3:03 PM PST - 13 comments
I'm keeping this question vague because everyone that discusses the "economic crisis" is vague. It seems to encapsulate the debt crisis, the whole banking fiasco, etc. So, I'll make my question simple. Can someone direct me to essays, books, etc. on this current "economic crisis" from a Marxist perspective? I would especially like it to be solution-oriented and not just rehashing the problem - and preferably solutions from a Marxist
economist.
[more inside]posted by Gerard Sorme at 3:02 PM PST - 9 comments
Is it possible to record video from two sources simultaneously on a Mac and/or sync up the video somehow?
[more inside]posted by hijinx at 2:40 PM PST - 6 comments 
I use Google Calendar, which I access either on iCal (Lion), my iPhone 4 (running iOS 5.01) and my iPad 2 (also running iOS 5.01). Sometimes, randomly, events I add to my calendar in iCal do not show up on my iPad or iPhone. However, when I go to Settings on the iOS devices, select "Mail, Contacts, and Calendars" and turn my Google Calendars off and then on again, everything works fine, and all events show up on all devices. How can I avoid having to manually do this, and have things just work.
[more inside]posted by 4ster at 2:36 PM PST - 4 comments
Explain to me Excel macros and how I can learn to program them (assume that I know absolutely nothing, because that would be correct).
[more inside]posted by so much modern time at 2:23 PM PST - 8 comments
Can anyone suggest reasonably priced, wireless, computer speakers that sound great?
posted by tangyraspberry at 2:22 PM PST - 3 comments
If you show up at an emergency room (in the US) with a limb in a tourniquet and claim that you got injected/infected/poisoned/exposed to something fatal on that limb (dimethylmercury for example, but others exist), will they amputate it on request?
posted by parallax7d at 1:46 PM PST - 36 comments
Looking for an iPhone app that helps me keep a tally of how much I am spending as I go -- cash, online purchases, etc. An on-the-fly "budget" that just counts down to zero.
[more inside]posted by amanda at 1:38 PM PST - 17 comments 
Pastry chefs: I'm making pastries with a very sticky cream cheese dough that needs to be rolled out thin. Advice on rolling without flouring too heavily with a granite countertop?
[more inside]posted by SpecialK at 1:36 PM PST - 19 comments 
If the expanse of the universe is infinite, does it necessarily follow that the number of stars and planets is also infinite?
posted by HotPatatta at 1:18 PM PST - 15 comments 
My partner killed himself yesterday, i am still in shock and haven't told people. I don't know how to deal with this and need help
[more inside]posted by servix at 11:38 AM PST - 59 comments
As a owner of a brand new house, I am deluged by offers in the mail for various forms of insurance, protection, or coverage for my home (examples: mortgage insurance, water line coverage). What forms of coverage/insurance are a good idea to purchase, and which are unnecessary?
posted by Deathalicious at 11:22 AM PST - 15 comments
I have some crazy shoes from Irregular Choice that have an adorable pattern on the sole. I haven't worn them anywhere yet, but I have a feeling that pattern will be completely destroyed the first time I do. Is there
anything I can do to preserve them?
[more inside]posted by katillathehun at 10:57 AM PST - 14 comments 
I have this cast iron
Ikea Identisk wok. After I first cooked with it many months ago, it got
these brown stains. I then set it aside, not knowing what to do. I hadn't seasoned it before. How can I clean/season/whatever it to make it good again, and how should I be using/cleaning it to prevent this from happening in the future? Or should I just go with non-stick for stir-fries from now on?
posted by shivohum at 10:42 AM PST - 7 comments
We are doing a campus wide migration to gmail, and that means I have a few hundred thunderbird users who need their settings changed to point to a new imap server (and change their username to username@foo.edu). What is the best way to get this done?
[more inside]posted by mrzarquon at 10:32 AM PST - 8 comments
Confused...not sure how to feel or what to think about recent news of a pedophile who worked at my children's daycare years ago.
[more inside]posted by daydreamer at 10:27 AM PST - 25 comments
Looking for a small "bookshelf" style hi fi unit. I have recently moved to the US from Australia and had to leave my great little hi fi behind. I am currently playing my CD's through a borrowed portable unit that sounds like a tin can and have been hunting for something better.
[more inside]posted by wwax at 10:18 AM PST - 9 comments 
San Jose, CA: Where to get mud flaps installed on a 2005 F-250 truck? I already have the rectangular flaps, but I need them installed.
[more inside]posted by wnissen at 9:51 AM PST - 3 comments
Looking for a painting created in the aftermath of Katrina. In it: two African American men with their backs to the viewer, walking along an empty highway, with the Interstate signs for Vieux Carre ahead of them. It was part of a fundraising competition. Does anyone remember this?
posted by media_itoku at 8:56 AM PST - 0 comments
Dobbs and I are going to Los Angeles from Dec 15 - 23rd. Recommendations for any film, music, theatre, or gallery events that should not be missed (screenings, tributes, retrospectives, concerts, etc)? Restaurant recommendations are also welcome. I'll be staying downtown and he'll be in West Hollywood. Also, as Canadians who've never been to LA in winter, what outerwear is appropriate (rain much? how cold?)? Thanks!
posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 8:32 AM PST - 16 comments
Why do I get so stressed out by the idea of confrontation, or of people being angry with me? I obsess about it for ages. How can I move past this constant need for people to approve of me?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:31 AM PST - 21 comments
I need to try to repair an Outlook 2007 .pst file that is larger than 2GB. We've already tried the built-in repair tool (scanpst.exe), but it failed. As usual, The Google is not the most reliable source of recommendations, so does anyone here have a recommendation for a 3rd party .pst repair tool?
posted by briank at 8:07 AM PST - 1 comments
Printer Ink - Is using no-brand "compatible" toner cartridges for a laser printer a false economy?
[more inside]posted by Faintdreams at 7:55 AM PST - 6 comments 
I'm having a major problem at work with our YouTube account and I can't for the life of me elicit any effective help from Google (pretty much restricted to forum postings with no response after a month). Can anyone advise about how to get help from Google?
[more inside]posted by dharma rascal at 7:51 AM PST - 1 comments
How do I figure out what I want to be when I grow up? I've been very lucky in my life so far—just a little bit of work has yielded me amazing opportunities that have more or less fallen into my lap. But I'm starting to realize that I have no idea how to set, develop, and follow through on goals on my own.
[more inside]posted by sockpuppet yo at 7:43 AM PST - 5 comments
Need specific mac buying advice: I marinated my 2008 MacBook in coffee this morning and will likely need to replace it after work today or tomorrow.
[more inside]posted by midmarch snowman at 7:24 AM PST - 19 comments 
Bonus and Incentive Scheme filter: tell me about your fantastic bonus scheme (or just those elements of your bonus scheme that are fantastic). What makes it great, what makes it work?
[more inside]posted by HopStopDon'tShop at 6:56 AM PST - 10 comments
Okay, I just finished watching the H Stern release of Super 8 and I have two very basic questions. [spoilers inside]
[more inside]posted by unliteral at 6:01 AM PST - 3 comments
Do you have a recommendation for a book about relationship ground rules and agreements in marriage? I'm interested in a book that might help someone to consider how they want to be treated, how to set reasonable expectations for interaction, and how to define what would constitute a good relationship for them.
[more inside]posted by OmieWise at 5:42 AM PST - 7 comments 
One of our office cleaning staff asked me if there are easy ways to learn how to use a computer. This totally threw me - I've a ton of experience about self-paced programming, stats, GIS, etc. - but no clue what to suggest for actually getting to grips for the first time with Windows, safe web browsing and so on. Wrinkle - it has to be free, Windows 7-based, and online - this isn't a paradox, she can open IE and navigate to a webpage.
[more inside]posted by cromagnon at 3:56 AM PST - 20 comments 
What quirky, totally creative, strange but enjoyable websites/projects that you enjoy?
I like these: Jessica Hagy's thisisindexed.com, Andre Jordan's abeautifulrevolution.com,
postcrossing.com (amazing project), xkcd.com.
Just tired of reading negative, fluff stuff. Looking for more projects like the above, can you suggest some?
posted by raghuram at 2:56 AM PST - 27 comments
What are some awesome things that are far easier to do when single? If you're coupled, what do you miss about being single?
[more inside]posted by sockomatic at 1:06 AM PST - 35 comments
Anyone with a cell phone can be tracked—their location, where they've been, who they've called, texts, etc and etc. A friend told me that there now location chips in every new vehicle sold in the US—is this true? Also: How long before the cars locations starts getting stored somewhere? And: How difficult is it to disable these chips in cars/trucks, can I do it myself, and/or how much does it cost to have this done?
[more inside]posted by dancestoblue at 12:43 AM PST - 19 comments
What is the name of this dish and how can I make it? Ingredients include: white fungus (I think), fresh tomatoes, lime, cashew nuts, shrimp. Eaten in Burma near the Thai border.
[more inside]posted by teem at 12:38 AM PST - 2 comments
November 29
Will black plastic sheeting insulate my windows as well as the commercial shrink-wrap stuff? I've used window insulator kits like
this and they work great. I was wondering if I could skimp. First, would any plastic do as well? I already use
this stuff to block light while I sleep. If that's not as good, is there something special about shrinking the commercial kit plastic with a hair dryer, or is that just for looks? I'd rather not borrow one every year.
posted by Noumenon at 11:47 PM PST - 14 comments 
My boyfriend and I have been together for 3 years. We are happy and are sexually active, but we just don't have sex. I know that everybody does it at any age now, and that everywhere you turn, you are somehow reminded of it, but is that so bad? Basically, when we first got together, everything was (of course) perfect. He was a virgin but I wasn't, and he knew that. I liked the fact that we had a lot of sexual tension but that he didn't ever pressure me to do anything I didn't want to. Basically, he wanted me to make the shots. And I feel almost like it's still that way now.
[more inside]posted by xopaigexo at 11:02 PM PST - 29 comments
Human or what? Kids found a box of bones (photo). Here's a photo
(http://i40.tinypic.com/dy40fp.jpg)
Sure you advise us to go to the police, but really .. any chance these are human ?
Thanks
posted by Xhris at 10:48 PM PST - 12 comments
Find true-life things that could make me paranoid that my cell phone could be hacked to spy on me.
[more inside]posted by RobotHero at 10:35 PM PST - 10 comments 
Are there such things as Mutual Adoption Clubs as imagined in Aldous Huxley's novel,
Island? I'm looking for something like this, also similar to a Kibbutz or Co-op where a few families that are close friends live near each other (Sharing a house, being neighbors, living in the same apartment building, or maybe just in the same neighborhood). Families share child-rearing responsibilities primarily. Does anyone do this in a more-or-less structured fashion?
[more inside]posted by cman at 10:22 PM PST - 9 comments 
How do I deal with not knowing how to make/change plans due to social anxiety? And the social consequences thereof?
[more inside]posted by 3491again at 9:58 PM PST - 9 comments
Is it illegal or just not very ethical for a not-for-profit to promise a prize drawing for raising a certain amount of money and then not follow through? I know YANML; I just need some info as I decide how to proceed.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:42 PM PST - 22 comments
He gets to call me "sis," but "bro" is taken by bros. What affectionate term can I call my brother?
[more inside]posted by Pwoink at 8:50 PM PST - 71 comments 
I'm trying to get my teenage niece into D&D from scratch but I'm bewildered by the range of Essential products. Which products are absolutely essential to get a beginners campaign up and running?
[more inside]posted by DuchessProzac at 7:41 PM PST - 10 comments 
I need to stop chugging 8+ cans of the vile (wonderful) liquid a day. Multiple previous attempts have failed.
I need (1) motivation and (2) a plan
[more inside]posted by kreestar at 7:05 PM PST - 71 comments 
BookFilter: I am hoping the hivemind can help me find a noirish thriller/detective-ish novel I read more than a decade ago about a socially awkward killer and his hot semi-girlfriend.
[more inside]posted by Forktine at 6:53 PM PST - 5 comments
Where can I find some great small gifts for my much-loved friends? My 4 pals and I get together every month for drinks, dinner, and friend-talk. Christmas is always a special gathering, with small gifts all around. I never feel like I hit the gifts right...they like jewelry, clothes, accessories etc., and they're all very crafty. I just don't have the eye for that stuff, but I love 'em dearly. $15-ish budget a piece.
[more inside]posted by Gusaroo at 6:45 PM PST - 9 comments
The discussion on "The Thing" from
here was interesting, and I finally managed to watch the 2011 "The Thing 0" movie. It was not as bad as a feared, and I liked how it connected well with Carpenters version. Any other connections? SPOILERS INSIDE obviously, you should have watched both 1982 and 2011 movies.
[more inside]posted by lundman at 6:41 PM PST - 3 comments 
This question but for NYC midtown. Coming up on an anniversary and need to escape our apartment and find a room with a hot tub! Preferably without selling a kidney. Super bonus points if you can also recommend a place to buy super-soft women's PJs in NYC.
[more inside]posted by Wretch729 at 6:33 PM PST - 1 comments
Moving to New York from Florida to take a job at the beginning of January, and i'm having some trouble finding a good place to live, mostly that I don't really know how to find good places that aren't on craigslist/padmapper. The friend i'm going to live with works in Greenpoint, so we're leaning heavily on that neighborhood, just off the Greenpoint or Nassau stops, so only one of us has to take the subway to work.
[more inside]posted by The Esteemed Doctor Bunsen Honeydew at 6:27 PM PST - 8 comments 
I'm planning to do a decent amount of flying in the next year, including a 15-hour flight. I'm looking for some advice on how to make the trips as comfortable as possible, and how to mitigate jet lag as much as possible. Oh - I can't read in moving vehicles, and I tend to get fidgety on planes. Help!
[more inside]posted by gchucky at 6:12 PM PST - 25 comments
My daughter was diagnosed with scoliosis 2 years ago, wore the boston brace for a year, but her curve had progressed to 50 degrees, which is the number to be operable. I would like to hear from people who had (or had their child) go thru surgery, or tried other alternative methods, like the Clear method. How is it living years after surgery, its success, or the success of Clear method or any other treatment? The idea of spine surgery for my child is overwhelming and scary and I would like any input from people and parents who experienced or are experiencing thru it. Thank you.
posted by anonymous at 6:10 PM PST - 4 comments
I think I need to tell my ex-FWB that I can't hang out with him anymore. I do, right? How do I... do that?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:09 PM PST - 15 comments
Long-shot-arama: 13 years ago, I read a poem at my daughter's christening and then promptly lost the piece of paper I'd read it from. It was all about the things I wished she would have in her life, and I'm 98% sure it ended with "but most of all, I wish you love". Ring any bells?
[more inside]posted by malibustacey9999 at 5:22 PM PST - 14 comments 
What indoor games or activities would you recommend for entertaining a small group of younger kids during a dinner party?
[more inside]posted by rube goldberg at 5:21 PM PST - 7 comments 
My upgrade to Lion killed off my favorite little mailserver app in the world!
[more inside]posted by zenpop at 5:14 PM PST - 4 comments 
In my Internet peregrinations I came across this:
'In 2010 there were 32,788 road deaths in the USA (Source: DfT). This equates to 10.6 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 3.1 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2010.'. I am trying to equate these statistics with relevant land areas vs population.
posted by lungtaworld at 5:08 PM PST - 11 comments 
Please help me come up with role play scenarios to assist me in practicing my telephone counselling skills.
[more inside]posted by KLF at 4:55 PM PST - 14 comments 
I need to get 0.5ml of medicine into a dog, twice a day, every day, forever. Outside of holding her down and squirting it her mouth and putting it on her food, how do I get it in her?
[more inside]posted by griphus at 4:39 PM PST - 33 comments
My 1987 Mercedes 300SDL abruptly and unexpectedly died recently, and the verdict finally came in from the shop today that short of replacing the engine (not going to happen), it's a lost cause. So, what now?
[more inside]posted by hafehd at 4:38 PM PST - 18 comments
Plant Naming Wizards! Can you please help me remember the name of this plant, so I can read about how to care for it before all it's leaves curl up and die?
[more inside]posted by anitanita at 4:14 PM PST - 3 comments 
I have GeekTool v3.0.1 running on 10.6.8. How can I get it to start up on login and just run in the background?
[more inside]posted by tommasz at 4:09 PM PST - 3 comments 
There must be a trick to wearing and removing soft contacts that I have not discovered. Please share it. Snowflake detail: I've been wearing hard contacts since I was twelve.
[more inside]posted by artemisia at 4:02 PM PST - 60 comments 
is there a word for 'a word that fits its own definition'? for example, sesquipedalian is a big word that by definition means "prone to using big words." is there a formal term for this type of thing?
posted by carlypennylane at 3:40 PM PST - 5 comments 
What are the essential spices to have around for cooking modern, eclectic/internationalized vegetarian food?
[more inside]posted by threeants at 3:38 PM PST - 17 comments
How do I not lose my shit to claustrophobia and insomnia on this ridiculous tour that I'm on?
[more inside]posted by aloiv2 at 3:29 PM PST - 21 comments 
Help me build the bitchin'-est home theater multi-node network for my house. Let your imagination fly!
[more inside]posted by hincandenza at 3:04 PM PST - 6 comments 
What cool places can I take classes, preferably accessible to public transit in the East Bay? Things like lit classes on specific subjects / authors, art history classes on specific artists / time periods, women's studies.
[more inside]posted by fireflies at 2:12 PM PST - 8 comments
I'm a member of a few different groups that periodically put together a bulk orders from wholesalers as a way to get a discount and also to bring products to our small island community that are hard to get otherwise. I'm managing one of these groups, and am finding that as it grows the amount of time spent keeping track of everybody's orders, calculating how much everyone owes, and dividing up the order after it's been received, has been increasing with each larger order. I've incorporated spreadsheets and a mailing list into my process but it still involved a great deal of manual processing. I've started writing some scripts to help out as well, but it occurs to me that others doing this must have faced these problems as well. I've tried some googling but haven't found much information out there, so I'm wondering how the rest of you do this.
[more inside]posted by Emanuel at 2:11 PM PST - 9 comments 
Comcast is trying to charge me a $359 "early termination fee" for canceling an internet service account that I've had for over three years. My contract clearly states in large letters that the term is 12 months. What can I do?
[more inside]posted by spilon at 2:04 PM PST - 20 comments 
Allergic to chrome-tanned leather: suggestions for brands of non-chrome-tanned leather products, or non-leather alternatives!
[more inside]posted by UniversityNomad at 1:57 PM PST - 1 comments
Can anyone recommend me a budget hi-fi system that can play vinyl? I am in the UK and have about £300 max to spend.
[more inside]posted by Pilly at 1:24 PM PST - 12 comments
We're getting hitched and we want to invite a lot of people. Come, poke holes in my plan and help point things out that I might not have considered.
[more inside]posted by pintapicasso at 1:23 PM PST - 34 comments 
Where can I find a comfy armchair for my office that is Cal TB-133 compliant, is not butt ugly, and is not over $400?
[more inside]posted by alicetiara at 1:15 PM PST - 2 comments
I'm about to teach a soldering class to kids, and it occurs to me that I may blow a fuse in the room that I'm doing the event in if I plug too many in at once... Any idea of how to gauge how many I can plug in simultaneously? This is the soldering iron I have.
http://www.elexp.com/sdr_5258.htm Ideally, I'll plug in 12 at once... thank
posted by davidvan at 1:13 PM PST - 6 comments
Help me save a troubled external hard drive! I'm using OSX and I'm fine with wiping it out and starting over. This may be complicated?
[more inside]posted by 2oh1 at 1:03 PM PST - 23 comments 
How do I avoid getting annoyed with my colleague? I feel he's trying to make me look small in front of the boss.
[more inside]posted by hazyjane at 11:57 AM PST - 13 comments
Need to pick up some wine between Oakland Airport and Inner Richmond in SF.
[more inside]posted by Danf at 11:41 AM PST - 8 comments
I'm in my 20s and I always thought my life would be better than this by now. I'd love some advice on how to make friends and be happier and improve my life generally.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:23 AM PST - 36 comments
I need a scary book for my sister.... who usually doesnt read such things. I read the other horror threads but none of them are quite right....
[more inside]posted by silverstatue at 11:16 AM PST - 31 comments 
Please point me to rebuttals to the argument that public employee unions have an inherent conflict-of-interest because union members vote for their own bosses.
[more inside]posted by mullacc at 10:59 AM PST - 10 comments
I'm want to cook my husband a special 30th birthday breakfast. The snag, I can't cook. Help.
[more inside]posted by Nufkin at 10:53 AM PST - 17 comments 
I'm looking for fabric to make a skirt or dress. I want a large format landscape printed parallel to the selvage,
like this, not a repeating print across the fabric
like this. Can you help me find one? Know of any fabric stores with this kind of stock? Google-fu has let me down.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:49 AM PST - 13 comments 
I am buying a house and the roof is questionable. There were missing tabs all over. A roofer came out and did minimal repairs at the current owners' expense but he says the roof has "2 to 5 years" left, maybe, depending on weather (we live in the midwest).
Would it be reasonable to ask for a reroofing allowance in purchasing this house?
[more inside]posted by arniec at 10:49 AM PST - 16 comments
Is there some version of a headhunter or career advisor who takes into account the skills you have beyond your resume, and helps you find jobs you wouldn't know about that fit those skills?
[more inside]posted by chonus at 10:43 AM PST - 3 comments
What's the best route for me, a mid-20s American professional male, to find a private sector job in a developing country (emerging market)? Not especially picky about the industry or country, specific details and requirements within.
[more inside]posted by the foreground at 10:40 AM PST - 3 comments 
Looking for resources for understanding low-level (or is that high-functioning?) spectrum disorders related to children/toddlers.
[more inside]posted by cavalier at 10:37 AM PST - 4 comments 
Is there a solid independent study showing the percentage of 1% wealthiest who were born into money vs. those born poor who worked for it?
posted by critzer at 10:31 AM PST - 9 comments
I'm having difficulty using WordPress to set up a professional website (not a blog). I'm completely new to the platform and have found WordPress.org to be unhelpful. Are there resources for absolute beginners to WordPress?
[more inside]posted by kim in chicago at 10:13 AM PST - 9 comments
Is anyone familiar with a product which would let you pair any Bluetooth headset, such as the motorokr's, with a desk phone, similar to the plantronics bluetooth headsets?
posted by TuxHeDoh at 10:02 AM PST - 5 comments
Why doesn't my chai taste like cardamom? What can I do to the cardamom to make its flavor more robust?
[more inside]posted by pyrom at 10:00 AM PST - 14 comments 
How can I take a more active role in my aging parents lives? More details and thoughts on finance and marital strife, and lack of open communication inside.
[more inside]posted by filthy light thief at 9:44 AM PST - 7 comments
I made pumpkin puree last Wednesday with the hopes of turning it into a pie. Alas, my sister brought the pie so I still have the puree in my fridge. I want to use it up - any ideas?
[more inside]posted by Elly Vortex at 8:59 AM PST - 34 comments 
Went on some dates with a friend, I'm not so into him, he's REALLY into me. How do I end this? I feel sick just thinking about it.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:55 AM PST - 34 comments
Adoption after infertility and loss: how did you reconcile the grief of not conceiving a biological child and come to find joy in the process of adopting?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:54 AM PST - 14 comments
Ms. Gogomickey just found out her birth father is from the Basque region of Spain. Any suggestions how to start a search given the extreme language barrier? She has a name and other specific information.
posted by gogomickey at 8:10 AM PST - 9 comments
If I buy a can of mixed nuts, I find whole Brazil nuts inside. If I buy Brazil nuts in the shell and open them myself, I invariably end up with a pile of smashed oily nut-meat with chunks still stuck to the shell. How, dear AskMe, do those magicians at the factory manage to open Brazil nuts and extract them whole? This question has driven me nuts (ha ha) for years.
[more inside]posted by caution live frogs at 8:01 AM PST - 14 comments
I need help selecting an external hard drive that will work to backup a linux with some rather large files on it and still be usable with a mac for occasional data storage. I'd like it to be at least 2 TB and vaguely reasonable in price. I've tried just searching for a hard drive online, but there seems to be some Mac and Linux specific things (or at least used to be) that may cause me problems, so I thought I'd ask for some guidance.
posted by katers890 at 7:59 AM PST - 11 comments 
NYC subletting question - paid a security deposit to the leasee, with the understanding that their sec. deposit was still in the escrow account tied to the apartment. Now owner claims we need to pay up again. Help?
[more inside]posted by coupdefoudre at 7:29 AM PST - 13 comments 
Which Sandman story (if any) is this? Might be misremembered, but the story was about three sons of a king who went on the traditional
Bildungsroman, and at some point discovered, each in a different way, the meaning of serendipity.
[more inside]posted by running order squabble fest at 6:37 AM PST - 7 comments
You’re throwing a party. How do you invite some, but not all, members of one of your social circles with the minimal amount of hurt feelings and drama?
[more inside]posted by bondcliff at 6:37 AM PST - 34 comments
I am looking for a new Aux-In Cable (3.5mm, male to male) to use my mp3 player in my car. I had a couple of cheaper retractable ones, but they usually break after a short period of use. I live in a cold climate and the cord gets cold in the car for long periods of time and I think this has an affect on its life.
I have seen some people with thicker aux-in cables in their car and I have searched, but I can't seem to locate one for a decent price.
Does anyone know where I might be able to buy a thick (preferably white, but not critical) 3.5mm Aux-in cable?
posted by dbirchum at 4:21 AM PST - 13 comments 
Is there a great, readable book for science-loving arts graduate about the AIDS pandemic?
[more inside]posted by tonylord at 2:14 AM PST - 13 comments 
Crockpot yogurt: I've tried this twice now, both times delicious and creamy...but the viscosity of glue. What's going on here?
[more inside]posted by iamkimiam at 12:54 AM PST - 30 comments 
November 28
I want to spend less time and effort on "maintenance" activities. What are some good not-widely-known methods, or (cheap/small) products, to get this stuff done more quickly and get back to the more interesting parts of your day? (Examples in the extended explanation...)
[more inside]posted by SpiralT at 10:25 PM PST - 25 comments 
Ace of Cakes meets Gordon Ramsay... The question is, what would you name a bakery in rural Montana that creates unique, sculpted cakes? More inside.
[more inside]posted by Jayed at 10:10 PM PST - 24 comments
My fiancé and I are eloping. Woo! We’re having a big ‘engagement’ party afterwards with our family and friends where we’ll reveal that we are married. But our family and friends live in multiple countries, as well as multiple states of Australia. We are a bit worried that people will be think, ‘I can’t make an engagement party, but I’ll go to the wedding’. Which, um, they won’t get to do. We know we won’t be able to get everyone to come to the party where all is revealed, but how can we maximise the number of people who do come?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:59 PM PST - 82 comments
I need to write narrative history for this paper. And I have no idea how. If you have tips for writing narrative or telling stories in general and narrative history in particular, those would be most appreciated!
[more inside]posted by kingfishers catch fire at 9:45 PM PST - 5 comments 
I'm
slowly trying to learn Adobe Creative Suite 5. Dreamweaver right now, but eventually Photoshop, and beyond. And I'm having the devil of a time. The books I've seen provide detailed reference, not early learner's concepts or graded tutorials. Videos overpower my 13" laptop screen, and provide me with no simultaneous practice, nor any easy future reference. Randomly Googled tutorials are better, but I've yet to find a graded series. I'm just looking for the Basics, at a very conceptual level, and I figure trial and error and a good reference book will lead me from there.
Do your know of any low- or no-cost graded tutorials?
[more inside]posted by Violet Blue at 9:10 PM PST - 17 comments 
Is $10,000 enough for me to move out of Florida (where I am currently) and make it in Los Angeles without a job lined up?
[more inside]posted by signondiego at 9:08 PM PST - 47 comments
Black Friday gave me a deal on a Nook Color that was too good to pass up.
I'd like to dual boot Android on it using the SD slot and make it a functional tablet, but there's so many Android flavors out there... which one should I use?
[more inside]posted by indiebass at 9:01 PM PST - 12 comments 
How to approach a quantitative analysis of consumer purchasing decisions in the freemium games market?
[more inside]posted by kprincehouse at 8:48 PM PST - 3 comments
I'm looking for more songs like
this and
this - long, wailing, meandering instrumental electric guitar music. Please recommend me some!
[more inside]posted by xbonesgt at 7:46 PM PST - 15 comments
Boston Mefites: I need to get from Woburn/Anderson to South Station on Wednesday morning, probably close to 7:00 AM, and I will have a heavy bag. Don't really want to take the T....
[more inside]posted by TWinbrook8 at 7:45 PM PST - 8 comments 
I have shortness of breath/cannot get a deep breath without forcing myself to yawn. Have you experienced this, and what is wrong with me?
[more inside]posted by bolognius maximus at 7:39 PM PST - 37 comments
Trying to buy a Lenovo small form factor PC, but not sure what wireless network card to get. Help!
[more inside]posted by Ephilation at 7:17 PM PST - 3 comments
I'm looking for a step by step guide to ipad 1:1 deployment in schools.
[more inside]posted by aetg at 7:07 PM PST - 5 comments
Catastrophefilter. Auto shop just called, say Subaru has seized engine. Baffling, because no warning signs. ~$5,000 for new one. Options?
[more inside]posted by Alaska Jack at 5:55 PM PST - 27 comments 
I like to watch The Ultimate Fighter and sometimes I see the taped-up hands of the fighters and there's something written on them in marker. What is usually written? Are those the initials of the person who taped them up? Why do they do this? Is it tradition? Is there a technical reason for it? I'm curious. Thanks!
posted by Sully at 5:53 PM PST - 5 comments 
Managers in health care offices: given my girlfriend's background and education, what's her best bet for landing a decent
office/administrative (i.e., not clinical/nursing) job in a hospital?
[more inside]posted by Rykey at 5:30 PM PST - 4 comments
I need to get a piece of 1" thick, 48"x24" wood cut to a simple pattern. The supplier should accept credit cards and be able to ship. Where can I email
this pattern to and have the work done?
[more inside]posted by lalochezia at 5:26 PM PST - 15 comments 
Can you help me think of a neat way to give money to my sister to use toward a trip to Germany? A German-themed presentation for giving her money for Christmas?
[more inside]posted by shortyJBot at 4:53 PM PST - 19 comments
Group A create a file and post it to location X on a shared server.
Group B need to know immediately when this file is available at location X.
It seems crazy that in order for Group B to know when the file is ready, Group A have to send a delivery email as well as post the file.
Is there any way an automated notification can be sent when a file is posted to a folder?
posted by forallmankind at 4:44 PM PST - 9 comments
Is it thoughtful or vulgar to leave a candle burning in the guest bathroom when you entertain?
[more inside]posted by Morrigan at 4:22 PM PST - 80 comments 
What surreal work of fiction details the increasingly adventurous menus of two obviously pseudonymed authors? I've lost my copy, the name, the author's names, and possibly part of my sanity.
[more inside]posted by inappropriatefeast at 4:16 PM PST - 4 comments 
F. Scott FitzgeraldFilter: "Everyone's youth is a dream, a form of chemical madness." I've seen this quote attributed to F. Scott. Did he actually say it?
[more inside]posted by toomuchkatherine at 2:45 PM PST - 5 comments
Where can I get a pair of thin-soled, comfortable leather moccasins that are the next-best thing to walking around in bare feet?
[more inside]posted by jsturgill at 2:29 PM PST - 7 comments
What to do about a friend living in an unhealthy situation? A friend lives in a house that is unclean to the point of being hazardous, and I don't know how I can help.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:59 PM PST - 27 comments
We're looking for an OCR program that will handle batch processing and columns automatically.
[more inside]posted by pahool at 1:47 PM PST - 5 comments
Has there been any controversy over whether 'What Child Is This/Greensleeves' is to be played in a major or minor key?
[more inside]posted by herbplarfegan at 1:42 PM PST - 11 comments 
DIY Holiday Gifts: I love sewing easy projects with fleece, but hate how all the patterns out there are stuck in the 80s. Help me find some more hip, updated and/or useful patterns!
[more inside]posted by Kindlekat at 1:38 PM PST - 17 comments 
Should I tell my (potential) new boyfriend about my marriage and divorce? Or can I keep this secret like I want to?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:36 PM PST - 53 comments
Anybody a Chris Ware expert out there? I'm trying to determine if I have a first printing of Acme Novelty Library #1. It's got a $3.50 cover price, but says nothing anywhere about which printing it is (though much of the text is so tiny it's hard to see). It DOES say "issue 1 volume 4" in one spot, but I don't think this has to do with printing _ I don't think there were more than three printings. I'm duking it out with a pal over this -- and I really want to be right! Thanks.
posted by tboot at 1:17 PM PST - 6 comments
I'm looking for an accurate inflation calculator that will tell me how much a certain sum in today's dollars would be worth in any particular year over the past 30 years. For example, if I have $1000.00 USD today, what would be the equivalent monetary value in 1982? Or 1993?
posted by thewalrus at 1:14 PM PST - 8 comments
I have been in college for 4 years and still don't know what to do in life. How do I find out what I want in life?
[more inside]posted by Parh6512 at 1:12 PM PST - 17 comments
Help me figure out how to manage an apparently needy co-worker who comes to me for what to me seems like counseling during work. (IANAC)
[more inside]posted by Feantari at 1:04 PM PST - 13 comments 
I live in Portland, OR and my grandpa in Minnesota gave me his old car which I drove out to Portland in September. Because of money issues (starting school, less work hours, etc) I did not get around to registering my car in Oregon within 30 days. I have some questions now that it's almost December and my grandpa just received a tab renewal notice in the mail.
[more inside]posted by Corduroy at 12:59 PM PST - 8 comments 
Rochester, NYers, Christmas music-ID buffs, or anyone familiar with Armand Schaubroeck: what is the song in the background of the classic House of Guitars Christmas television commercial?
[more inside]posted by ifjuly at 12:53 PM PST - 6 comments 
In the last
Roderick on the Line, John says that he always gets a houseguest a glass of water, before they ask - because 9 times out of 10, someone always loves a glass of water. I love this idea. What are some low-key courtesies you extend or have had extended to you by friends, romantic partners, suitors, etc. that show someone you're thinking about their needs and general comfort?
[more inside]posted by Apropos of Something at 12:46 PM PST - 55 comments 
High Heeled Shoes: I got two pair at TJMaxx recently, same brand - Tahari. On both, my heels kinda slipped out of the back when walking, but I normally put these Dr Scholl's heel liner things on the inside of all my heeled shoes and that fixes that problem. However, this only worked on one pair this time. Please hope me be able to wear these awesome shoes.
[more inside]posted by sio42 at 12:19 PM PST - 12 comments
Looking for the best carryon bag and the cheapest carryon bag dimensions up to 10 x 16 x 24 inches for travel to Mexico via Southwest.
[more inside]posted by banished at 12:15 PM PST - 13 comments
Book filter - I am looking for books and other resources that teach interpersonal communication skills.
[more inside]posted by 7life at 11:26 AM PST - 5 comments 
Is wearing fur actually any worse than wearing leather? There's a much stronger taboo against wearing fur, but I can't think of any reasons why it's worse than leather.
posted by PhillyNK at 11:22 AM PST - 42 comments
Looking for advice/tips on printing photos on canvas. Anyone have a service they like?
[more inside]posted by bodega at 11:09 AM PST - 7 comments
I've had some problems with my iTunes Library on my iPhone since signing up for iTunes Match and am hoping the hive mind can help. Specific details on album art, track navigation and song options ahead.
[more inside]posted by moviehawk at 10:57 AM PST - 3 comments
I've had enough of all of my Shure in-ear isolating earbuds dying on one side. My right bud died suddenly, and this is the third pair in a row. I've had this pair for less than 6 months. Could you recommend a durable pair of isolating/noise cancelling earbuds/headphones with a few requirements?
[more inside]posted by flibbertigibbet at 10:21 AM PST - 32 comments 
I'm looking for a secluded, peaceful cabin or hotel within cycling distance of any of the Amtrak Surfliner stations south of Los Angeles (Laguna Niguel, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Oceanside, Solana Beach, San Diego). It's for a short December getaway. Any recommendations?
posted by Conductor71 at 10:19 AM PST - 2 comments
I need some suggestions for an e-drawing set-up. My girlfriend has a Macbook and a 1st generation iPad. She wants to use some combination of these to start drawing with a tablet. What's the best rig?
[more inside]posted by one_bean at 9:54 AM PST - 14 comments 
Mefi Physicists / Material Science Engineers: What type of string material, when looped around and suspending an axle, will allow the aforementioned axle to rotate most efficiently?
[more inside]posted by satori_movement at 9:49 AM PST - 17 comments 
Looking for recipes that are low to very low calorie, filling and full of volume, made with whole foods and whole ingredients, gluten and grain free, and lower carb if possible. Thank you so much! I love really spicy stuff too.
posted by skjønn at 9:45 AM PST - 19 comments
So I've got a Kindle Fire - I don't need an interface to the Amazon ecosystem so I'll probably never use it - unless.... I root it. So...
[more inside]posted by mrs. taters at 9:01 AM PST - 10 comments
What are some other movies like Vanishing Point and The Warriors with a radio DJ-style narrator that exists in the same time and world as the characters?
posted by JauntyFedora at 9:00 AM PST - 20 comments
I want to show off my Christmas ornaments. I have a curious cat. Please help me brainstorm solutions! (details & constraints inside)
[more inside]posted by pointystick at 8:17 AM PST - 20 comments 
I made a stupid mistake a flushed Clorox wipes down my apartment toilet and it clogged the plumbing. What are my responsibilities as a tenant?
[more inside]posted by *lostatsea* at 8:07 AM PST - 33 comments
I flew back to the states from Istanbul yesterday and was detained briefly after my name apparently triggered a security warning. My question is, how do I find out what kind of warning is being issued. I assume it was the Turkish governments watch list because after sometime had passed, the authorities came over, returned my passport and told me they had called a US govt agency and I was free to board the plane.
[more inside]posted by adverse_conditions at 7:30 AM PST - 7 comments
Does my partner really need a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) when we have no reason to believe she has fertility problems?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:23 AM PST - 16 comments
Have you ever had this awful tender thing happen to the ball of your foot? How did it get fixed?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:22 AM PST - 14 comments
My girlfriend and I are planning on getting engaged soon--hooray! She would like to use some family heirloom stones for the engagement ring. We're not sure how to best proceed.
[more inside]posted by notswedish at 5:56 AM PST - 20 comments 
DIYers: How anally retentive with joint compound do you need to be to prevent visibility of seams after painting?
[more inside]posted by Gordion Knott at 5:06 AM PST - 14 comments
She doesn't want to talk about her past; I feel it's relevant to our relationship. Most of her close friends are ex-FWBs and flirt incessantly/proposition her for sex, she's secretive about things. I don't know what to do or what to say.
[more inside]posted by the milky bar kid at 4:29 AM PST - 67 comments
Random obscure record filter: Band was "The Delta *something*", 70s (synth?) cover album, abstract jacket.
[more inside]posted by solarion at 2:58 AM PST - 7 comments
November 27
Is there a way to disable Facebook notifications for when someone likes something you post/comment? I don't mean e-mail notifications, I mean the little globe icon notifications on the top left corner of the Facebook site. This is driving me crazy.
[more inside]posted by Nattie at 10:52 PM PST - 8 comments
I bought a
Belkin Easy Transfer USB Cable for Windows 7 thinking it would act much like a direct crossover cable connection would. Instead, it only seems to let me transfer the files and folders needed to set up your old Windows profile on a new copy of Windows, rather than giving me access to all files, folders and partitions, which is what I need. Is there a hack to get this cable to do what I want it to do?
posted by Effigy2000 at 10:51 PM PST - 3 comments
Looking for a story about the song "Fine Again" by Seether and a depressed teenager.
[more inside]posted by Gorgik at 10:16 PM PST - 2 comments 
TechSupportFilter: Laptop system freezing upon screen blanking -AND- driver fail issues (GeForce 360M edition).
[more inside]posted by Heretical at 9:18 PM PST - 7 comments
Vancouver, BC apartment brokers: any recommendations? Especially for one that will help me find an apartment that will allow me to have a dog
[more inside]posted by lesbiassparrow at 8:28 PM PST - 4 comments 
I am concerned about my nephew's strange behavior. He paces a lot, is extremely antisocial, and exhibits other odd behavior.
[more inside]posted by ElizabethEllis at 8:23 PM PST - 43 comments 
I'm going to Salt Lake City next year for a conference. Please help me figure out whether my idea to tack on a trip to the Grand Canyon in just a few extra days is feasible, sensible, brilliant, or not so smart.
[more inside]posted by Miko at 7:02 PM PST - 17 comments 
Men of Metafilter: you cut your own hair with clippers because it's that short and there's no need to pay someone else to do it. What clippers do you use?
[more inside]posted by Leezie at 7:01 PM PST - 36 comments 
From time to time I enjoy an adult beverage, but I don't like to taste my liquor. Basically, I like drinks that taste like candy. What would you suggest for me? Additional requirements below the fold.
[more inside]posted by spinturtle at 6:55 PM PST - 56 comments 
IT Band problems: Tried the foam roller, deep tissue massage, building the muscle and stretches (all to no avail). What are other remedies?
[more inside]posted by xinglin91 at 6:54 PM PST - 12 comments 
Best way to distribute my music to Spotify, Itunes, Amazon ECT? Secondly, how can I protect my songs prior to releasing them?
[more inside]posted by audio at 6:49 PM PST - 6 comments
I am unable to remember a Bosnian War (I think) film I saw randomly on cable about 5 years ago. American male lead. Spoilers within.
[more inside]posted by Punctual at 6:11 PM PST - 3 comments
Can anyone out there translate these two short phrases/sayings, probably idiomatic, from Swahili to English?
[more inside]posted by telophase at 6:02 PM PST - 9 comments 
I am a woman in her early 30's who has been diagnosed with ADHD (or ADD, I don't remember what behavioral health folks call it now) by four different pdocs. I am looking for a therapist in either the NW Suburbs or North Shore suburbs (preferrably those accessible via 294) of Chicago who specializes in dealing with people in my situation.
[more inside]posted by princesspathos at 5:54 PM PST - 1 comments
If the flat earth theory was unpopular in Europe, why did so few of them try to sail west before 1492?
[more inside]posted by tchemgrrl at 5:43 PM PST - 40 comments 
Need a gift idea for someone close to me who has a deep interest in the "original" King James (1611) Bible, this person studies the bible all the time and is very computer literate. Was hoping for some ideas.
posted by sandyp at 5:25 PM PST - 11 comments 
Help restore harmony to our home. Do we need a food processor? Do we want a food processor? (more inside)
[more inside]posted by kestralwing at 5:04 PM PST - 55 comments
How does one become a public speaking teacher? Is this an actual job? I am in the UK but worldly advice welcome?
posted by parmanparman at 4:53 PM PST - 11 comments
Are there any existential, motivational posters?
(not
these guys.)
I'm looking for posters that aren't motivational in the usual sense; hopeful, syrupy statements about the future and quotes about how life is beautiful isn't the sort of motivation I'm going for.
I'm looking more for blunt truths.
[more inside]posted by elleyebeebeewhy at 4:41 PM PST - 14 comments 
I plan to drive from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Lynchburg, Virginia, in my good-condition 2004 Hyundai Accent. My husband thinks the car will blow up on the way.
[more inside]posted by Jacqueline at 4:36 PM PST - 33 comments
Help-me-name-my-cats filter! Two freshly adopted kitties need names. Details and mandatory pictures inside. (Bonus: videos!)
[more inside]posted by kitarra at 4:32 PM PST - 50 comments 
Choose-my-laptop-filter. This is, in broad strokes, what I'm considering: 15" Lenovo W520 with the 1080p screen, 16Gb RAM and dual SSDs in RAID 0. Questions inside.
[more inside]posted by Leon at 4:24 PM PST - 4 comments 
How do billionaires/multi millionaires raise cash for very large purchases like for example a $500 million home? I ask since most of their net worth comes from their stocks which I presume they don't liquidate.
[more inside]posted by r2d2 at 4:06 PM PST - 15 comments
Hello MetaFilter, I am a marine sciences graduate student in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I will be moving to Morehead City next Fall for the second half of my masters program, and will need a car. I am not sure how I will be able to do this. (more inside)
[more inside]posted by oceanjesse at 3:18 PM PST - 10 comments 
Recently gotten interested in energy-efficiency design; that is, super insulation, ICF walls, triple-pane windows, with heat recovery ventilation. But (aside from experienced practicioners) discussions seem to go 1. they are converts, "green" is a religion, everything has to meet these sometimes costly/untested standards, and that trumps pocketbook costs. 2. skeptics, conveniently and defensively dismissing green building because it adds too much to the cost, and payback time will never justify the up-front costs. Help me to understand the ADDED costs of achieving higher levels of energy efficiency, going beyond the existing Building Code energy requirements, (e.g. using German triple-pane windows instead of domestic double-pane, how much more?) and how do you figure the spread out to the building's future use? Part 2 is that cost and efficiency are not the only metrics involved here. Air quality, landfill waste, health, manufacturing waste, etc are part of the equation also.
How does a Builder, Architect or prospective homeowner, new to this shifting landscape, start to understand, and explain it?
posted by ebesan at 3:00 PM PST - 12 comments
I have a close family friend who is currently a freshman in college. Long explanation inside, the general question is if I should talk to him about it, or tell the parents?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 2:37 PM PST - 61 comments
I am working on a short persuasive paper (about 1000 words) for a Narrative in the Novel and Film class, in which I must argue for the inclusion of a film of my choosing in a future iteration of the class. The film about which I have chosen to write about is
Il Conformista, which would (theoretically) be used in a section of the class called "Terror, Surveillance, and Human Rights". I've been having trouble finding critical essays about the film that specifically look at the film's portrayal of Fascist Italy. What are some good sources for essays on this film, or on the portrayal of WWII-era Italy in cinema? (I am not looking for reviews of the film, of which I have plenty.)
posted by pxe2000 at 2:20 PM PST - 3 comments 
Multi-site cms: I'm thinking of starting a website design /hosting business targeted at a few small business verticals I work with. What is the best cms to use to control many mostly standardized sites centrally but also allow for limited customization for the client?
[more inside]posted by mtstover at 2:09 PM PST - 5 comments
Sydney vs Melbourne as a pedestrian paradise: I am a sociologist doing a study which involves observing pedestrians/window shoppers/etc. I am based in New York City, which is fantastic for my field of work. In Feb/March, I plan to go to Australia for two months, to either Sydney or Melbourne. I have never been to Australia before. QUESTION: Which city has more of a "pedestrian culture"? That is, which is more of a "walking city?" (If you know New York City, my favorite place to observe is Union Square -- I am looking for a comparable location.) Would prefer a place filled with locals, not tourists. Thanks!
posted by laswingkid at 1:54 PM PST - 18 comments
I'll be in Irvine for work this coming week and will have Tuesday and Wednesday evening to myself. Please help me not waste those two nights in my hotel room eating overpriced room service.
[more inside]posted by Lexica at 1:47 PM PST - 8 comments
I'm trying to switch my older cat from a dry to a wet canned food diet, but every time I try she ends up with vomiting and diarrhea. Help!
[more inside]posted by emily37 at 12:49 PM PST - 16 comments
Comfort drinks/food: Can you suggest some good, full-bodied teas without the caffeine? What other drinks or foods should I consider? (Location: U.S.)
[more inside]posted by Eolienne at 12:37 PM PST - 28 comments 
I'm getting a new laptop. How do I make a backup of what's on the hard drive, before I blow it all away?
[more inside]posted by fvox13 at 12:35 PM PST - 8 comments 
Looking for a website that sells jewelry with a search option for specific themes. Specifically, I want to buy a bracelet with a camera charm.
[more inside]posted by alona at 12:30 PM PST - 8 comments
Please help me figure out *cheap* gifts for a ton of nephews and nieces. Caveat: I want to buy gifts, but I don't want to spend too much or work too hard.
[more inside]posted by devotion+doubt at 10:21 AM PST - 52 comments
Lately I have been binging on self-help books, surfing the internet for articles on family issues -- I just want an answer, to know what went wrong and how to fix it. But everything seems hollow. I feel horribly stuck and I desperately want to move forward and I don't know how. Lots and lots of details inside.
[more inside]posted by bunderful at 9:59 AM PST - 18 comments 
Asking for a friend: her unhinged, stalker ex-boyfriend's behaviour has escalated into violence. We are all very concerned. Any help would be appreciated, particularly if you know any details about dealing with this kind of situation in London.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:12 AM PST - 21 comments
Help me find a ski equiptment store I remember from my childhood in the Catskills or Berkshires or Adirondacks?
[more inside]posted by LittleMy at 8:29 AM PST - 2 comments 
Seattle 2 year old is going stir crazy every day and needs to get out of the house. We're getting tired of our usual local activities, what are some of your favorites?
[more inside]posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:21 AM PST - 15 comments
Buying a car from my mom in NJ for a token (i.e. far less than blue book) amount. What's the best (cheapest) way to get it legally registered/insured in Chicago, IL. Any pitfalls I should look out for?
posted by Oktober at 8:09 AM PST - 6 comments 
I got a pressure cooker! Hit me with your tastiest recipes y'all!
posted by beshtya at 12:45 AM PST - 17 comments
November 26
looking for a great Kitchen dish cloth: anyone have something they really like? Mostly for wiping up....
posted by dougiedd at 10:43 PM PST - 17 comments
If the Euro collapses, will the price of gold in US Dollars fall as people seek to hold a stronger currency?
posted by 5ean at 10:38 PM PST - 10 comments
Good Cisco technical training (CCNA) in the Detroit area?
Looking for a course the week of 12-16 Dec, somewhere in the Detroit area.. Anyone with first-hand knowledge of technical training in SE Michigan?
[more inside]posted by aarin at 10:02 PM PST - 0 comments
Friendship Help! Currently living with my boyfriend, my borderline-diagnosed best friend and her friend with whom she has a like/dislike relationship with and who I can't stand. When the lease ends, what should I do?
[more inside]posted by Saebrial at 7:58 PM PST - 25 comments
I'm trying to get into the spirit of Christmas, but not musically. Do you have favorite seasonal spoken word pieces, and can you tell me where to find them?
[more inside]posted by MonkeyToes at 7:38 PM PST - 20 comments
I have been driving for two years under permit. I took the written test. I just now have to pass the driving test. I am just as good as my friends who now have driver's license, except I didn't take the test. I am eighteen. Recently, my grandparents told me to get out of their lives, so I have no access to their car. But since I am in LA, it would be convenient if I can get a driver's license and rent a car. I can't drive unless I have a car. But then I can't get my driver's license without a car.
I barely have money, so I am on a tight budget. I can't rent a car because I need a driver's license. I also need someone over 21 to watch over me when I drive, but there were no close adults in my life except my grandparents.
How the hell do I go about this? Most of my friends don't have cars either, and the ones that do... I am not close enough to borrow their cars. I don't want to overwhelm them with my shitty family situation either.
Only if I had a car. I am in Los Angeles.
posted by kopi at 7:37 PM PST - 22 comments
Car has 2 mystery problems. Hoping to get a sense of what I might be looking at before I put myself at the mercy of the local mechanics. Details to follow.
[more inside]posted by Ys at 7:00 PM PST - 12 comments
Help me figure out if this is a relationship dealbreaker-- my husband recently dragged me out of my chair, against my will.
[more inside]posted by DianaV at 6:46 PM PST - 67 comments 
Please tell me quirky, fun, healthy, CHEAP things to do and places to see in Victoria (Australia) over Xmas break.
[more inside]posted by b33j at 5:41 PM PST - 7 comments 
What's a good Windows program that I can use to take photos with a webcam? Think Photo Booth for Mac.
[more inside]posted by apip at 5:18 PM PST - 2 comments
Considering a restraining order against an ex, but I have a lot of questions about the logistics and just generally whether it's going to make the situation better or worse. For example, I don't think he knows where I live- so how would it even work? Many more questions inside.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:31 PM PST - 23 comments
I'm female in my mid-twenties and due to circumstances have been a late entrant into dating. I've been out with several guys (ages 27 - 33) and am trying to get a better handle on how quickly things move forward in terms of physical/sexual. So while every guy, girl, and experience is different, could someone share what they might consider standard in their experience? I'd be curious to know what peoples' typical natural progressions are (for a person they're dating, not a hook up) in terms of the steps, not necessarily timing. For instance, do you generally do the first base/second base/third bases in order?
[more inside]posted by sowrite at 4:08 PM PST - 32 comments
Asking for a friend- I'm serious! Friend is headed to Tokyo this December, and is looking for some cool weird funny sexy sex clubs and/or shops. "More quirky than scary," she says. Any ideas?
posted by foxy_hedgehog at 3:45 PM PST - 4 comments
I used to have clear goals. Now I don't. Have you been through a foggy period in which you had no clue what you wanted to do with your life while everyone around you spoke with confidence about moving abroad, writing the book or saving the world? What can I do to shake myself out of limbo before 10 or 15 years fly by?
[more inside]posted by jessca84 at 1:41 PM PST - 25 comments
After sorting through a castle of boxes, I discovered hundreds and hundreds of loose photographs. The photographs vary in size from
3 x 5 to 8 x 10 and even a few 10 x13's. I have many albums, and they are full. I have several photograph boxes, also full. I would like to display as many as I can without being obnoxious but I'm looking for fresh ideas. What are some interesting, space saving artistic ways I can use and display my sea of memories?
[more inside]posted by gypseefire at 1:31 PM PST - 10 comments
I have an old chest of drawers I'd like to spruce up by painting and découpaging a poster on the front, a horizontal slice of poster on each drawer. I've chosen
Summer by Alphonse Mucha as the poster, but I have a couple of questions about how to get a poster that suits my purposes.
[more inside]posted by orange swan at 12:46 PM PST - 8 comments 
Seeking advice on a laptop/notebook for CAD. That may also (possibly) be able to run a Playstation 2 emulator.
[more inside]posted by hayeled at 12:18 PM PST - 3 comments
I have a monitor problem. Or maybe a motherboard problem. Or maybe both. Or maybe neither. But there is a problem with my computer, and I need some help diagnosing it.
[more inside]posted by Shohn at 12:08 PM PST - 4 comments 
I love the music from
this video that I discovered on Metafilter. Any suggestions for artists that make similar sounding music?
posted by TorontoSandy at 12:00 PM PST - 10 comments
My life currently involves a lot of travel. How do I maintain healthy habits (eating and exercise)?
[more inside]posted by Milau at 11:52 AM PST - 21 comments
What are the best Christmas/holiday programs available on streaming video? I'm especially thinking Netflix, but things available on Hulu, Amazon, etc. are also welcome!
[more inside]posted by mskyle at 11:30 AM PST - 16 comments
Now that the NBA has come to an agreement (or is very close to), that means I can purchase an awesome Xmas present for my pops! Which team would be the best/most exciting/fun to see play against the Chicago Bulls?
[more inside]posted by fuzzysoft at 11:21 AM PST - 7 comments 
What's a reasonable estimate for tenting and fumigating to remove dry-wood termites from a single story, two-bedroom house in the Bay Area in Northern California?
[more inside]posted by fartknocker at 11:15 AM PST - 2 comments
What are your favorite Christmas decorations? Which decorative items should I replace after losing most of them in a flood?
[more inside]posted by Nickel Pickle at 10:52 AM PST - 24 comments 
The once love of my life contacted me today to say her feelings haven't changed in the eight years we've been apart. Neither have mine. What now?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:21 AM PST - 71 comments
I feel silly asking this, but please help my robotic text messaging style convey more warmth.
[more inside]posted by mossicle at 10:19 AM PST - 25 comments 
YANAD, but my doctor is stumped. Symptoms: Painful prickly needles, ashy skin, angry red hives. Appears at times of stress. More inside!
[more inside]posted by GilloD at 10:15 AM PST - 10 comments
New checks came in and after my name the "Sr." designation is used. My father and I share the same name and technically I am a "Jr", though I have never used that designation either. I am concerned about identity issues, should I be?
[more inside]posted by The1andonly at 10:03 AM PST - 8 comments
I use my smartphone a lot and my hands/thumbs are getting sore. I know how to stave off pain from typing and hunching over my computer, but those techniques don't work for this. Can you recommend stretches or massage techniques?
[more inside]posted by heatherann at 9:03 AM PST - 6 comments
My grandmother in the process of dying is suffering through a sudden dementia?... delirium?... from her medical condition that is causing her to be extremely belligerent and hurtful to those around her. We know this "isn't her," but we don't know what to do, what time to spend with her, what is going on. I'm looking for perspectives on this.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:36 AM PST - 20 comments
My family refuses to use the correct pronouns for my partner. What is the best way to approach this?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:36 AM PST - 51 comments
Some tips for an older accountant trying to transition into a less-stressful work environment? Also, some culturally specific issues.
[more inside]posted by leedly at 7:17 AM PST - 5 comments
Concerned about "backlight bleed" on Samsung 40" I just bought, can you help me out?
[more inside]posted by ascetic at 5:53 AM PST - 6 comments
My father-in-law wants a sub-$500 desktop tower that will last him 5-6 years with minimal upkeep. All he uses are webbrowsers, spreadsheets, and Quicken. Most important features: upgradeability and reliable tech support. Can you recommend a SoCal vendor who can give him what he wants out-of-the-box?
posted by billtron at 5:15 AM PST - 19 comments
I want to learn about mindfulness, to be more mindful. Also known as witnessing or distancing. The ability to be both within and outside a given situation, not to be overwhelmed but to have a part of your mind observe yourself and others all the time. I think this is what very expensive education can teach you.
[more inside]posted by slimeline at 4:35 AM PST - 19 comments 
Is it proper for someone to make a profile page using a picture of myself grabbed from another website and make it public without my permission?
[more inside]posted by LittleMissItneg at 4:21 AM PST - 16 comments
I found a large bag of dried hibiscus while cleaning out the back of my pantry... and it must be around four or even five years old. Any problem using it?
[more inside]posted by taz at 3:45 AM PST - 9 comments 
My fella loves the "love/hate" monologue in
Do The Right Thing and in particular, Radio Raheem's blinging handwear. He's mentioned how cool this would look on his motorcycle gloves - how can I execute this in a way that isn't completely tragic [my opinion] and doesn't ruin the safety function of said gloves?
[more inside]posted by honey-barbara at 2:12 AM PST - 10 comments
November 25
I've been pleasantly surprised by how easy it's been to find decent plus-sized cycling gear--until the temperature dropped. Now it's time for a warmish jacket to wear on my morning commute and weekend rides and I can't find a thing. Plus-sized active women, where do you shop for outerwear?
[more inside]posted by rhiannonstone at 11:31 PM PST - 12 comments
What is the name of book where there's a floating city and an orb which allows detectives to travel to other time/city/dimension, but now there's a problem and they're stuck or maybe travel is blocked.
[more inside]posted by .shaun at 10:57 PM PST - 12 comments
I really like the preserves, biscuits and condiments from Fortnum and Mason and Harrods in the UK. Are there similar places in North America where I can mail order the same sort of goods? I'd also love to know where we could order clotted cream that we could have sent to us as we live north of 60 in the Yukon Territory, Canada.
[more inside]posted by YukonQuirm at 10:32 PM PST - 8 comments
Sorry to ask this but I can't figure out the "legit" sources of info and software to jailbreak my iphone 4s.
Please help!
[more inside]posted by Ponderance at 10:30 PM PST - 8 comments 
Beloved bicycle stolen. Suggestions for a 5'6" 145 lbs female, who rides about twenty miles a day through suburbia in north central Florida with a budget of under $400 and a limited knowledge of bike parts and specifics?
[more inside]posted by ajarbaday at 10:26 PM PST - 6 comments
Recommendations please for using a big screen LCD TV (40+"?) as a computer display. "Don't" is fine as a response but please justify. Cost is a significant issue; we can spend up to or little over $700.
[more inside]posted by anadem at 10:10 PM PST - 10 comments 
Help me catalog my youthful correspondence so that when I grow old and wither I may smile at a time well-spent but long-gone with those I love -- 21st CENTURY STYLE!!!11!!
[more inside]posted by Chipmazing at 9:32 PM PST - 5 comments 
Can you help me diagnose this weird medical medical problem? I occasionally feel temporarily faint, dizzy, unable to concentrate.
[more inside]posted by denverco at 9:25 PM PST - 28 comments 
Is it just me, or is it *impossible* to create a user account on this (oil and gas safety) website? Please help. My husband needs to take one of their online courses over the weekend so that he can start a job on Monday. He is losing his shit over this.
[more inside]posted by kitcat at 9:09 PM PST - 36 comments 
Is the Lusher-Tulane arrangement unprecedented, or business as usual as U.S. charter schools go?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:12 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm technology speak impaired. Is there a wireless ... thing ... of some kind that we can somehow attach to our old (but terrific sound quality) stereo system so I can stream music to it from my phone or laptop?
[more inside]posted by anastasiav at 7:52 PM PST - 28 comments
Help me find this coat. It's sold out on Modcloth and I can't seem to find it anywhere else. It's by Steve Madden and while I'd prefer to have it in blue, another color will be acceptable. I also need it in a medium. Thanks in advance!
posted by MaryDellamorte at 6:53 PM PST - 4 comments 
I got Logic Studio and installed it on my Mac, then realized I should have installed a bunch of the files onto an external hard drive instead of my computer's hard drive. I thought I would do a complete uninstall and then reinstall the way I should have initially, but from my research, it seems uninstalling Logic is kind of a big, scary deal. Can you please walk me through how to fix this situation using small, easy-to-understand words?
[more inside]posted by pupstocks at 6:44 PM PST - 8 comments
I'm almost positive that when Wolf Like Me, by TV on The Radio, was first released as a single it had a video that featured a Little Red Riding Hood motif where the parts of red and the wolf were inverted, and is entirely different from the current video. I can't find this, although I'm pretty sure I didn't imagine it. Did it exist? Was it a fan edit? Did it infringe on some copyright and get expunged from the Internet? Help!
posted by codacorolla at 6:42 PM PST - 4 comments
When an online application for graduate school asks for the addresses and phone numbers of the people who are writing your letters of recommendation, do they mean their office address and phone number? I imagine this is what they want, but I'm not sure. They don't specify.
I can of course call the school on Monday and ask if you think I should, but I'm trying to get as much of this done over the weekend as possible.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 5:28 PM PST - 14 comments
Asking for a friend: Do you remember this (possibly made-for-TV) movie from the 1980's?
A girl goes to sleep one night and wakes up as a boy the next morning. Her parents are scandalized when she wants her best friend (who is still female) to sleep over.
posted by gentian at 4:09 PM PST - 3 comments 
Where in the US or Europe should I live if my goal is to optimize the availability and variety of fresh fruits and vegetables?
posted by beerbajay at 3:29 PM PST - 22 comments
What video game magic do you love? Specifically, which video game franchises have the neatest graphical effects? What's cool about them?
[more inside]posted by Netzapper at 3:20 PM PST - 22 comments
How can I help my long distance boyfriend get through his grandmother's serious illness?
[more inside]posted by Emms at 3:18 PM PST - 6 comments
Quick, what's the strangest/most unusual/coolest holiday tree topper you've ever seen? Links appreciated, bonus points for light-up. No religious symbols, please.
posted by agregoli at 2:45 PM PST - 38 comments 
How do I post to Facebook using a PHP script that is running off a cron job, instead of in my browser?
[more inside]posted by Jezztek at 1:26 PM PST - 7 comments 
How do I attempt to make a new relationship into a long-distance one when there is a medical school residency involved? Only the snowflakiest of details inside.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:15 PM PST - 7 comments
I'm home over Thanksgiving break and my mom wants some house work done. Fun! But, I don't know how to do it. So, dearest MetaFilter, how do I install molding on the corner of a wall? (Picture on the inside.)
[more inside]posted by 47triple2 at 12:36 PM PST - 13 comments
Just starting to plan a trip to France (mainly Paris) and Germany (mainly Munich) with three kids ages 17, 14, and 11. We're from the US and do not speak German or French. We've done Europe before, but never these countries. We will go in June of 2012. I need resources so I can research the heck out of this thing.
[more inside]posted by crapples at 11:09 AM PST - 9 comments
How reliable is public transportation in LA? Can I trust it to get me to work on time?
[more inside]posted by garuda at 11:05 AM PST - 32 comments
Can anyone share the manual and/or tips for the Chef'sChoice Professional Sharpening Station 130?
[more inside]posted by JoeGoblin at 10:40 AM PST - 4 comments 
Was the notion in the 1980s that "mountain grown" coffee was a way to sell deforestation-causing coffee B.S.?
[more inside]posted by morganw at 10:13 AM PST - 7 comments 
I am at work, at a college, and there seem to be wifi hiccups throughout the day, moments where the connectivity is briefly lost. How can I log these interruptions so I can convince our technicians that there is a problem?
[more inside]posted by mecran01 at 9:12 AM PST - 13 comments 
Very vivid and intricate dreams - do you have tips on how to shake off lingering feelings in the morning?
[more inside]posted by apolune at 8:22 AM PST - 23 comments
Weird abdominal issues: I have a doctor's appointment for Tuesday and would appreciate thoughts on whether it's OK to wait until then.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:21 AM PST - 9 comments
What is a good medium for carving lanterns that is cheap, durable and non-flammable?
[more inside]posted by h00py at 8:19 AM PST - 11 comments
What size of truck engine is ideal to pull a twin axle boat trailer (we have a Supra wakesurfing boat)...does Toyota make a viable option?
[more inside]posted by AegeanBlue at 7:34 AM PST - 13 comments
What are some great standup comedy shows, specials or DVDs that I should see? I'm hoping to find titles of shows and specials that are especially worth seeing, eg. "Kill the Messenger" by Chris Rock, or "Money Shot" by Whitney Cummings, etc. Extra points if the humour is still funny nowadays (I've seen some landmark performances that just seemed a little dated, perhaps because they've been so widely imitated). Thanks.
posted by surenoproblem at 7:26 AM PST - 32 comments
Help me understand how Skyrim crashing on one PC causes other PCs on my network to hiccup.
[more inside]posted by Edogy at 7:11 AM PST - 5 comments
Does anyone know of a translation of Mari Natsuki lyrics for "My favorite things" or the lyrics in Japanese that I can plug into Google translate?
[more inside]posted by sciencegeek at 6:51 AM PST - 3 comments 
For Christmas this year I would love to give my family food-of-the-month type gifts from places like
Murrays and
Zingermans, but those places don't deliver to Canada, where most of my family members live. Can you recommend really great subscription/gift food that's either Canada-based, or delivers to Canada?
[more inside]posted by Susan PG at 6:26 AM PST - 13 comments 
Why is the Arab League sort of taking a harder stance towards Syria?
[more inside]posted by gt2 at 3:21 AM PST - 8 comments 
November 24
I installed a new video card and power supply in a new desktop computer, but the machine had problems (restarting occasionally for no obvious reason over a few weeks) and now the card seems dead. I need help figuring out what has gone wrong!
[more inside]posted by ZeroDivides at 11:52 PM PST - 9 comments 
JobFilter: I have a casual job. I just found out that my shifts over the summer holidays (in Australia) are going to be fairly scant. Where can I get a second job, on short notice, that will be fairly flexible in terms of hours?
[more inside]posted by lovedbymarylane at 11:46 PM PST - 3 comments
My friend brought me this terra cotta rattle/ball back from Japan. What is it? Japanese instructions included!
[more inside]posted by marylynn at 8:59 PM PST - 8 comments 
I'm a resident of Oakland, really close to Frank Ogawa Plaza where a love of things have been going down with Occupy Oakland. Usually I am out taking photos and such, and I was wondering what the feasibility of me getting a press pass was.
[more inside]posted by ejfox at 8:55 PM PST - 4 comments
Can you please point me to a fabulous wine decanter? Here's what I mean by fabulous:
1) Dishwasher friendly
2) Lead-free glass
3) Good lookin' and good quality in person.
4) Available for purchase online.
[more inside]posted by andreapandrea at 7:51 PM PST - 9 comments 
Does anybody know the name of a type of christmas-y sugar cookie with sprinkles that used to be sold in a cylindrical plastic tub?
[more inside]posted by SomeOneElse at 7:18 PM PST - 6 comments
I need about ten years of weekly advertisements placed in the classifieds section of an upstate, popular alternative newspaper. I've called around, and I cannot get the newspapers through inter library loan at my university. I cannot get the ads directly from the newspaper either, and I've exhausted every possible channel to do so. I think I am going to have to hire someone off of Craigslist, but I've never done this before, and would like some advice so that I ensure I get this to me in the most efficient format, at the lowest possible cost, without errors. I could use some advice on all aspects of the logistics of planning this, from start to finish. The project is important, and I have attention deficit disorder predominantly inattentive, which I think is why I've simultaneously procrastinating and over thinking this. I have a lot of questions, as you'll see.
[more inside]posted by scunning at 5:53 PM PST - 18 comments 
I'm in the middle of the process of getting porcelain veneers/crowns on my six upper front teeth. I underwent five hours in the chair yesterday and am now wearing temporaries for the next two weeks. One of these cracked off from the main "bridge" and is lifting up. Now what?
[more inside]posted by seesaw at 5:48 PM PST - 6 comments
I have an ASUS G60V laptop. My lcd screen is shattered, and now I need to use a repair CD. Laptop won't boot into external monitor in repair mode, so I can't see the screen. Any ASUS owners be willing to walk me through the BIOS menu steps to see if I can get my laptop to connect to the external?
[more inside]posted by siddhartha_in_costume at 4:58 PM PST - 2 comments
She accepted me as a facebook friend after a conversation. I sent a lame message. What do I do now?
[more inside]posted by veryblue1 at 4:36 PM PST - 26 comments 
How would placing two (or more!) Compact flash drives in my
T40 laptop and using them as a striped RAID 0 compare to installing an equivalent (PATA) SSD? Is there some other thinking-further-out-of-the-box way of getting lightning-fast disk performance into a Pentium M-class laptop?
[more inside]posted by Orb2069 at 3:47 PM PST - 8 comments 
I want to get my mom something she'll actually like for Christmas. This is seemingly impossible. What do you get for someone who already has everything they want or need?
[more inside]posted by meesha at 3:32 PM PST - 41 comments 
I need to remove various 0 byte "ghost files" from the desktops of a bunch of Windows 7 computers. I know DelinvFile works but is there a free alternative which actually works? I know it can also be done by turning off explorer.exe and going into cmd to delete them but what exactly are the steps for doing this? Any suggestions gratefully received.
posted by joannemullen at 2:55 PM PST - 17 comments
What are the best indie/avant/experimental/unusual/etc. films in the horror and sci-fi genres, currently available on Netflix instant?
[more inside]posted by jbickers at 2:41 PM PST - 23 comments
A software application needs to supply a fixed password to an outside hardware device that it talks to. How can that password be concealed from hackers who take apart the software or the computer it's running on?
[more inside]posted by Paquda at 2:25 PM PST - 17 comments
Gaming Monitors: Should I upgrade from my awesome Viewsonic P220f CRT to a Dell u2711 or Samsung S27A950D? Do I really have to choose between quality/resolution and speed? Trying to make a Black Friday decision.
[more inside]posted by Elminster24 at 12:42 PM PST - 8 comments
We purchased a precooked turkey for Thanksgiving from Zabar's. We are getting ready to heat it up. The turkey is wrapped tightly in an open weave netting type bag which is tied shut. It is then has a clear plastic bag over it. The instructions say: Do not remove from oven proof bag. We are several idiots in disagreement about whether the plastic bag is the oven proof bag. Is there someone here (preferable who has ordered from Zabar's) who can clarify?
posted by kimdog at 11:49 AM PST - 10 comments 
Please give me your suggestions for homemade holiday snacks that I can make and give to my co-workers. (Sorry, kind of long.)
[more inside]posted by methroach at 11:25 AM PST - 15 comments 
My friend wants to end a relationship with his girlfriend who he shares an apartment with. He is looking for some advice about how to deal with the apartment itself, since his name is on the lease. Should he pay her the money for the remaining months of rent in one lump sum? Or Should he suggest that they both move out, and then they split the cost of breaking the lease? And, if she wants to stay she can stay and pay full rent? He would love some ideas- its so hard to bring logistics into a very emotional situation. Thank you!
posted by Equiprimordial at 9:33 AM PST - 12 comments
Parental Computer Filter: Help me convince my father that leaving his computer on 24/7 is actually NOT a good thing to do, or tell me I'm wrong.
[more inside]posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:16 AM PST - 48 comments
It seems like many of the professional techniques for cutting vegetables will accept some unnecessary waste in order to optimize for speed or uniformity or presentation. For example, I'm thinking of cutting the stems off mushrooms to give the cap a flat base, or taking two transverse sections off the top and bottom of a capsicum/sweet pepper so it can unroll. Are there alternatives that waste less food while still being almost as safe and fast?
[more inside]posted by d. z. wang at 9:15 AM PST - 7 comments
I have never logged into Facebook on my iPad, but the Facebook social plugin on AVclub.com knew who I was anyway. What's going on?
[more inside]posted by yorick at 6:25 AM PST - 4 comments
I'm heading from Brisbane, Australia to Queenstown, NZ for 6 weeks of hiking over Christmas. Am I better off buying my outdoor gear in Aus or NZ?
[more inside]posted by dantodd at 5:14 AM PST - 12 comments 
Representing identity online - can you point me to interesting research into the way people represent themselves on the internet (and in particular Facebook)?
[more inside]posted by puffmoike at 2:09 AM PST - 6 comments
PECAN PIE! I'm thinking of substituting palm sugar (which has a vanilla flavor built in) for syrup. And I have other issues. Cornstarch or not? I'm adapting different techniques and I've never done this before - HELP!
[more inside]posted by jbenben at 1:04 AM PST - 21 comments 
November 23
In 1971 Artforum magazine published an essay,
'After Modernism', by American composer Morton Feldman, about Modernism's endgame and what it meant for contemporary painting. I have repeatedly looked for it online but have had no success. Just curious to see if it is on the intertubes somewhere, thanks.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 11:07 PM PST - 2 comments 
All my life I've been an overweight girl. Now, I'm size 8/10. Help me dress myself. (But: I can't wear everything. I have disfiguring scars.)
[more inside]posted by mathemagician at 10:37 PM PST - 25 comments
On the way home from work today I found an employee badge that someone appeared to have dropped and lost (it was right next to the bus stop I usually wait at). The badge's owner was nowhere in sight (it was a photo ID) and I don't know anyone who works for the company identified on the badge. What's the best / quickest way to get it back to its owner, especially given tomorrow is a (US) holiday?
[more inside]posted by aecorwin at 10:07 PM PST - 21 comments 
I'm going to be in Shenzhen for five days week after next, Monday-Friday. Travelling with my husband who will be working on the Wednesday and Thursday. What should we see and do, and what tips do you have for a culturally ignorant foreign female exploring Shenzhen solo?
posted by tracicle at 9:41 PM PST - 4 comments 
Anyone know why a brand new ZTE zxv10 w300 modem/router would continually kick my Apple Airport Express off the network?
[more inside]posted by kaboomer at 9:10 PM PST - 20 comments
What is the best and cheapest way to get from Denver International Airport to Red Rocks Community College?
[more inside]posted by atmu at 7:29 PM PST - 9 comments
I'm in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. What are some fun activities and places I can visit? Also where can I shop for cheap, good quality clothing?
[more inside]posted by naskar at 6:53 PM PST - 11 comments
Short version: I need to find a larger power supply that fits in a Dell Optiplex 780 Small Form Factor (the third from the left
here) so I can power a larger video card (and presumably the fans for it).
[more inside]posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 6:11 PM PST - 6 comments 
Relatives are going to buy me Christmas gifts whether I like it or not. Relatives have a different set of values than me. What should I ask for so that I don't end up with junk?
[more inside]posted by hishtafel at 5:38 PM PST - 55 comments
If somebody says "I love those awesome chords they use over each other in the
chorus. the F#/D# into the A/D and then A/B just sounds too epic!"
...how can I understand what they mean without being a music major?
[more inside]posted by circular at 4:24 PM PST - 8 comments
What will the fate of Jupiter and its moons be during and after our sun becomes a red giant? (or, please forward me to reliable sources with information beyond a first-order Google search)
[more inside]posted by ch3cooh at 3:59 PM PST - 8 comments 
Is there any robust evidence that different varieties of marijuana have different psychoactive or physiological effects?
[more inside]posted by dontjumplarry at 3:48 PM PST - 6 comments
What are your favorite fictional holidays? This winter, my partner and I want to celebrate as many Christmas-like made-up holidays as possible. Our list includes Hogswatch (Discworld), Winter Veil (World of Warcraft), Crimbo (from Kingdom of Loathing), Festivus (which is increasingly less fictional), Life Day (from the Star Wars Christmas Special), and the Ice Festival (from Maria V. Snyder's fantasy books). Are there any more that we can add to our calendar?
posted by Tesseractive at 3:16 PM PST - 27 comments
How to simulate chewing without using my mouth or teeth? Either an object or method/process. Odd, photography-related details inside.
[more inside]posted by book 'em dano at 3:08 PM PST - 10 comments
What was your experience transitioning from being a regular caffeine drinker to an occasional caffeine drinker? Did it work for you? Do you have any tips on success, any surprises I should watch out for?
[more inside]posted by razzman at 2:33 PM PST - 18 comments
Babyfilter: If you could get a re-do on your labor and delivery, what would you do differently?
[more inside]posted by litnerd at 2:15 PM PST - 48 comments
What's the genetic mechanism that produces a 'sport' in a cloned plant? I'm thinking specifically of apples.
[more inside]posted by schrodycat at 1:46 PM PST - 2 comments 
I'm a largely self-taught web designer (HTML/CSS/design) with fairly basic but competent enough programming skills (PHP/Javascript/Python) to do simple development and be able to understand roughly what's going on when I work with developers. What are some good things to learn (libraries, techniques, math?) in order to do more interactive and dynamic things on the web, particularly when it comes to data visualization?
[more inside]posted by OverlappingElvis at 1:32 PM PST - 5 comments 
Help us keep our sanity! What can we do with a hyperactive 2 year old in Boston on Thanksgiving?
[more inside]posted by synapse at 1:19 PM PST - 11 comments 
Last weekend I purchased a uniqueT-shirt at Bangkok's Jatujak/Chatuchak weekend market. I got home and found it's the wrong size. Help me figure out how to find and contact a single vendor out of the 15,000 stalls.
[more inside]posted by Xurando at 1:01 PM PST - 6 comments
Kickstarter is out: I'm not an American, and don't know any that can front my project. What's the best alternative?
[more inside]posted by Shepherd at 12:57 PM PST - 7 comments 
While nothing is certain, both the left and the right are noting the growing chances of a serious and devastating eurozone crisis, one which will not spare the US. What can people on the lower end of the income scale do to protect ourselves from what may become a terrible economic situation?
[more inside]posted by Hypnotic Chick at 12:56 PM PST - 8 comments
I get really frustrated with the process at my workplace, particularly meetings. After many details, I have a couple of questions about work (specifically software development and project management decisions) and how to deal with meeting-related frustration.
[more inside]posted by sarahj at 12:53 PM PST - 30 comments 
I got a job six months ago as a technical recruiter for a third-party contractor whose field techs replace parts for warranty customers. It's a family business with about a dozen employees in the office. Things are hinky there. Please help me understand what's going on and make a decision. Sorry, but it's very long.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:46 PM PST - 16 comments
A source has refused to talk to me. Should I drop it or take advantage of a recent opportunity?
[more inside]posted by Cwell at 12:42 PM PST - 22 comments 
Best resources for swim training? Looking for books, videos, etc, that provide drills and training programs for solo workouts.
[more inside]posted by Cool Papa Bell at 12:26 PM PST - 6 comments
I'll be flying into Atlanta and staying in the Rome, GA area over Thanksgiving. What parks and other scenic spots are nearby? I'm looking to explore the area on Thursday afternoon and all day Friday, so please provide any day trip (2-3hr max driving time) recommendations. Thanks!
posted by lychee at 12:23 PM PST - 8 comments 
Professional Training Provision. How cam my organisation identify and provide for training at two separate sites?
[more inside]posted by biffa at 12:15 PM PST - 3 comments
It's party dress time again, and I have a fantastic strapless, floor-length, tiered black chiffon number to wear to my office Christmas party. (Overdressed much?) Please tell me what I can do over the next 11 days to brighten up my skin, and particularly the skin on my back, so that my fellow employees aren't murmuring to each other, "So THAT's why she always wears a suit."
[more inside]posted by sillymama at 12:13 PM PST - 22 comments 
After spending most of the past year working on a cool project in a two-person team of contractors where we didn't have specified positions, what would be an appropriate job title to put on a resume?
[more inside]posted by andrewmarc at 12:13 PM PST - 5 comments 
I'm making a little bit of
cranberry sorbet (possibly with port) tomorrow as a palate cleanser and need suggestions for completing the dish-- maybe a complementary flavor of sorbet, a little savory cookie, or something else?
[more inside]posted by acidic at 12:09 PM PST - 11 comments
International customer service/refund issue. Help me reconcile whose fault it is that I'm out $90.
[more inside]posted by shew at 12:05 PM PST - 13 comments
Programmingfilter: I created a program to output Pascals Triangle in Java (in Arrays). How can i change the shape of the output from a Rightsided triangle into a (typical for a Pascals Triangle) Isoceles shape?
[more inside]posted by freddymetz at 11:58 AM PST - 9 comments
Looking for a cool, tech friendly, roomy, family car. Help us find perfection, oh hive mind...
[more inside]posted by neurodoc at 11:49 AM PST - 12 comments
How do I deal with jokes that are not funny (particularly pertaining to OWS) that I see on social network sites without getting too heavily involved?
[more inside]posted by hillabeans at 11:41 AM PST - 35 comments 
Looking for a nice, reasonable place for my family to stay near LegoLand in Orlando. Bonus for opinions on WorldQuest Resort .
[more inside]posted by qldaddy at 11:08 AM PST - 3 comments
Is there a darker side to bass guitar solos and if so, which bands/artists utilize it? Darker bands/songs with prominent bass also work.
[more inside]posted by biochemist at 11:02 AM PST - 20 comments 
Going to a VnV Nation concert TONIGHT! Suggestions for clothes/etiquette/hidden easter eggs? I'd like to get the most out of it I can! (Fun holiday question.)
[more inside]posted by aarwenn at 10:44 AM PST - 14 comments 
Which of the "strange" features of Relativity Theory can be accounted for by appeal to the latency of light, which cannot, and why?
[more inside]posted by Eiwalker at 10:41 AM PST - 21 comments
I'm attending a college tour / interview day with my son next week, He has already been accepted to this college, and offered a significant scholarship. He could be offered an even bigger scholarship, up to a full ride after his conversations with faculty that day. He'll get the tour, meet with faculty in his area of interest (history), attend a class, and have dinner there too. It's a very small (DIV III) liberal arts school. For those of you that have been through this, what do wish you knew in advance? I went to a large public school and never set foot on campus until I showed up for Freshman year, so I'm a little lacking on experience I can share with him on how he can get the most out of his half day on campus. If it matters, he only applied because they recruited him and made it easy and free to do so. This is not a school either of us had even heard of prior to then. That said, the school seems to be well regarded, in a nice location, and generally seems to be a perfectly fine place to get a BA in History.
posted by COD at 10:31 AM PST - 33 comments 
Quick and easy Toronto shopping filter: where to find a pair of novelty dinosaur slippers, in adult women's sizes? Downtown core or Yonge and Eg preferred; TTC access essential. Thanks!
posted by Schlimmbesserung at 10:20 AM PST - 4 comments
Do I need to shred the monthly balance transfer checks my credit card company sends me? Could someone else use them if they found them in the trash, or intercepted the mail? And has anyone had luck stopping them?
posted by smackfu at 10:15 AM PST - 13 comments
Security Deposit & Home Improve Filter: We moved into a brand new house and when we moved out, there were some damages on the floor. Turns out these “engineered” hardwood floor that requires a removal of an entire area for a few inches of damage.
1) Is this actually required to fix engineered hardwood floors?
2) Is this legal to charge us for an entire section of undamaged area for inches of damage?
Pics inside.
[more inside]posted by vocpanda at 10:06 AM PST - 17 comments
I am thinking about sending 25 Euro a month to
this charity (German language site), in order to provide schooling to one child in Kenya. How do I best check that this is a legit deal?
[more inside]posted by Omnomnom at 9:51 AM PST - 6 comments
Champion warfare according to Wikipedia is the type of battle where the outcome to decided by a duel between two opposing soldiers. This seems like a pretty common trope in ancient literature - David and Goliath or Hector and Achilles - but has it ever been recorded in real life?
posted by John Frum at 9:43 AM PST - 14 comments
[ClothingGiftFilter] I need a VERY STURDY hoodie/track jacket substitute for my husband. Price: up to $150.
[more inside]posted by Madamina at 9:29 AM PST - 10 comments
Do you mentor someone? Are you being mentored?
What advice would you give to someone who is new to mentoring?
[more inside]posted by pipstar at 8:58 AM PST - 7 comments
After my weekly therapy sessions, I'm beat. I want to have a hug and a long, warm bath, and curl up in bed with the biggest cup of tea known to man. Unfortunately, I have to do full day's work instead. I'm looking for advice on how to get through my Wednesdays for the next year.
[more inside]posted by Acheman at 8:47 AM PST - 14 comments
Tabletfilter: What are my options for a tablet computer with occasional 3g connectivity (not a monthly contract)? Preferably something powerful enough to handle video and other display-heavy apps.
[more inside]posted by rmd1023 at 8:41 AM PST - 3 comments
I need advice on how to raise disciplined, well-behaved children.
Lengthy details within. [more inside]posted by zarq at 8:28 AM PST - 48 comments
In a dark place, emotionally. Not ready to graduate, but not ready to continue with school. Help me figure out what to do.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:24 AM PST - 7 comments
Why did my favorite bar style option vanish from Microsoft Project 2007 after upgrading to Windows 7 and re-installing?
[more inside]posted by The Deej at 8:23 AM PST - 3 comments 
My mother's 60th birthday is next week and I want to get her something really special, but she's the single hardest person in the world to shop for.
[more inside]posted by TheGoldenOne at 8:14 AM PST - 32 comments 
I have a job interview next week. Meanwhile, my current supervisor is anxious to start the work plan and budget process for 2012. I feel dishonest committing to projects that I have no intention of carrying out. I need my supervisor as a reference and I can't burn this bridge - how do I tell my boss I'm interviewing elsewhere?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:58 AM PST - 10 comments
I am interested in hearing some historical and educational audiobooks/audiocasts. Anyone have any suggestions?
[more inside]posted by cloeburner at 7:50 AM PST - 13 comments 
I've recently begun buying Pat O'Brien's Hurricane glasses from thrift-stores, and I've noticed subtle changes among the ones I have (some do/don't say "Have Fun! on the back, for example). Is there a way to tell how old a Pat O'Brien's Hurricane glass is by its design?
[more inside]posted by 23skidoo at 7:01 AM PST - 3 comments
I can't update my Netflix queue. I can add movies, but when I click
remove a message appears that says, "Unable to remove movie." I use Firefox and Adblock Plus on OS X. If I disable Adblock this still happens. Any ideas about why this might be?
posted by partner at 6:48 AM PST - 4 comments 
Do you know of any literary quotes on the theme of self-disgust and shame when authors or characters realise they have turned into that which they once despised?
[more inside]posted by cincinnatus c at 6:23 AM PST - 13 comments
How do I turn off a ceiling fan that has been running for months, short of calling an electrician?
[more inside]posted by tryniti at 6:10 AM PST - 13 comments
Which sales role has more room for advancement - Direct Enterprise Account Manager OR Channel Partner Manager?
[more inside]posted by magazineaddict at 6:01 AM PST - 4 comments 
Ann Arbor filter: decent restaurants open for Thanksgiving dinner?
[more inside]posted by 5Q7 at 5:48 AM PST - 5 comments
I need access to the closed captions from broadcast / cable television, but can no longer use my local cable company. Is there a company that provides access to up-to-date and archived closed captions from major networks?
[more inside]posted by PantsOfSCIENCE at 5:30 AM PST - 5 comments
To be part of the so-called 1%
If based on income, how much do you have to make?
If based on assets, how much do you have to have?
posted by yclipse at 5:30 AM PST - 7 comments
I would dearly like to locate a screenshot of AmericanCensorship.org as it appeared one week ago. My attempts to do this have failed.
[more inside]posted by DarlingBri at 4:46 AM PST - 0 comments
Which Twitter users post high-quality daily tweets? (one-liners, inspirational quotes, love/sex tips, that kind of thing)
[more inside]posted by harwons at 3:57 AM PST - 17 comments
I'm a big follower of bot
Shirt Woot and
Teefury, both are sites that showcase a new t-shirt design a day at around ~$10 a shirt with cheap or free shipping. I recently discovered the existence of
Ript Apparel, which is more or less similar to the previous sites. I feel that Woot and Teefury have both gotten a bit too nerd-pandering in recent years, and am interested in new sites. I'm not into T-Shirt Hell or Snorg Tees as they are often text-based designs and I'm not really into pithy jokes on my shirts.
Uneetee is more of what I'm looking for, but I'm not too thrilled about their prices.
Design By Humans with the daily $15 deal is more of what I'm looking for, though their designs may be a wee bit
too artsy, and suffer from the opposite of Woot shirts- their designs cover too much of the shirt.
[more inside]posted by Apocryphon at 1:36 AM PST - 9 comments 
Recently, my computer has decided to be very particular about what it will allow to connect to the internet. Some programs, like uTorrent and Filezilla, can connect fine and have no problems. But things like self-updaters and Flash-based uploading cannot connect. The same thing happens on two different internet connections on two different wireless networks whose configurations have not been changed since before this started (I do not have a wired network to test). I have not made any significant changes to my computer since before this started. I'm running Windows 7 x64 Ultimate. What could be causing the problem? How can I fix it? What caused the problem in the first place?
[more inside]posted by clorox at 1:03 AM PST - 9 comments
November 22
My name is Matt and I'm from Wilkes-Barre, PA. I'm thinking about attending Northwestern College in the Twin Cities. Does anybody know anything about Northwestern College. Is it a good university? Is it too far from home for the education?
posted by mattnorthwesterncollege at 11:10 PM PST - 17 comments
I'm looking for an international news program service that I can access online. I don't have TV, so ideally i'd like a list of videos that give me the gist of what's going on in the world, preferably from multiple sources. I'd like something like a video version of Android's pulse app, where I could choose my sources, make a playlist of stories and sit back and watch/listen. I don't mind paying for it, but I'll need it available in both the U.S. and China. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
posted by eggrollover at 10:59 PM PST - 1 comments
This is a long shot, but my SO is trying to identify a film he saw 15-20 years ago, in France, that he would love to re-watch. Unfortunately, he's forgotten the title. The film may be French, but we're not 100% sure. He doesn't remember any famous actors starring. Can anyone help? Plot inside...
[more inside]posted by everydayanewday at 10:46 PM PST - 10 comments
I inadvertently left an open vial of super glue on top of my antique desk, and then leaned on it with my elbow. Now it's stuck on with a rock-hard ring that looks like a satellite view of a mountain range, a centimeter wide at its base and peaks of a millimeter or so. I've tried applying nail polish remover with little success: the glue is just too thick. I hesitate to scrape at it with a knife because doing so will trash the finish and perhaps gouge the wood, but I'm thinking that may be my only option. Any advice?
posted by BadgerDoctor at 9:50 PM PST - 14 comments 
I want to make infused herbal vinegars for holiday gifts, but I'm bewildered by all of the different recipes and ratios online. And I don't have enough time to experiment!
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:09 PM PST - 1 comments
Please help me find out the name of this song and who performed it. I'm pretty sure it was 1985 when I heard this song on the radio. It was kind of an oddball novelty song that used a lot of sounds like ticking and ringing clocks.
[more inside]posted by arkham_inmate_0801 at 8:55 PM PST - 9 comments 
What activities shall I take my two years old to? I have been getting great answers here over the years. thanks all!!
my son is about two and half now. my wife stays home, so he is not going to day care.
weekends are all about mall shopping and eating out, and not much else. i have this concern that we may miss out some great activities for a kid at his age.
welcome any suggestions on what we should be doing to give my son a great time....
location: NYC
posted by kingfish at 7:50 PM PST - 19 comments
We're doing Secret Santa at my work and the co-worker I chose loves really spicy food. I don't want to do just a gift card to a restaurant or grocery store or something. I'm thinking maybe I should make up a little basket of stuff and would love ideas of what to put in it -- and I'd love to hear any other ideas you have, too! We're doing this next week so I don't have time to buy online. I'm in the Bay Area, in case you have any ideas that could take advantage of stores around here (preferably San Francisco or Marin). Thanks!
posted by imalaowai at 7:36 PM PST - 17 comments 
If you take an adult male with average bone density and put them through 5 years of weight training which will increase their bone density from the weight-bearing exercise, how much more will their skeleton weigh?
posted by dino terror at 7:18 PM PST - 2 comments
New to the Seattle area (again, it's been awhile) and dying for some good Indian food. Where do I *need* to go? I'm not afraid with venturing out of the city if there's gems to be found.
posted by codswallop at 7:02 PM PST - 26 comments
I'm looking for advice on how to help my five year old with some behavioral issues.
[more inside]posted by Cuke at 6:57 PM PST - 19 comments 
I recently changed career focuses and the way I'm being treated suggests that my boss thinks I'm incompetent and not to be trusted. I don't know how to read the situation and I need perspective.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:11 PM PST - 13 comments
Where can I find interesting papers, discussions, blog posts, etc. about the disparity between benefits to personal health and population health when it comes to medical interventions and the ethical implications therein?
[more inside]posted by greatgefilte at 6:08 PM PST - 2 comments
Help me MeFites! Help me find the books that will allow me to space out during the holidays.
I'm looking for some engrossing, non-taxing, but not stupid, novels to read that will take me away from my ordinary modern life and its attendant pressures. Can you help?
[more inside]posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:22 PM PST - 49 comments
Stress is starting to hurt me. What can I do? How can I dramatically reduce stress in my life? And/or take a budget vacation?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:11 PM PST - 21 comments
I think I'm prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder, and would like to try a light box this winter to avoid the blues. Which one should I buy?
[more inside]posted by hot soup girl at 5:02 PM PST - 12 comments
What is the best method to force my remote users to backup their data. They all use MacBook Airs currently, and I'm looking for a good solution. I need something that they dont have to think about and they will be protected.
[more inside]posted by Slackjaw37 at 4:37 PM PST - 10 comments
Are there any good rental agencies in Portsmouth, NH?
My brother needs to find an apartment there in the next few weeks and Craiglist isn't turning up much. We are accustomed to the Boston area where there are countless rental agencies but it seems that Portsmouth doesn't have any.
posted by kmavap at 4:18 PM PST - 2 comments
Should I work at an ACS Call Center supporting Mac Computers? More specifically, would that give me any career advantages such as if I later wanted to work at the Genius Bar or other (?) mac related jobs?
[more inside]posted by DaftMythic at 3:42 PM PST - 5 comments
I have a Macbook Air from 2008, Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM. It's been unusably slow for the longest time but Lion seemed to revive it a bit, though the graphics performance (especially after waking from sleep) is still sometimes horribly sluggish. I don't think I can upgrade the RAM, not sure about the graphics card (suspect not), but see that you can buy a new SSD that's compatible. I'm tempted, but can't find any clear information on whether a SSD upgrade would really improve things. Does anyone know if it's worth itin terms of improved system performance? Thanks!
posted by dharma rascal at 3:41 PM PST - 15 comments
What reference management options exist for Google Docs? Failing that, what other web-based collaboration tools offer reference management, either built-in or by extension via plug-in?
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:05 PM PST - 7 comments
I've got high-speed Internets. Also, old-fashioned Fax machines and analog phones. Is there a Voice-over-IP box which _provides a DIALTONE_ and touch-tone-dialing functionality to analog phone devices?
[more inside]posted by shipbreaker at 2:47 PM PST - 10 comments 
Is a transdermal patch or topical version of a given prescription drug any less likely to cause side effects that result from taking the oral form?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 2:23 PM PST - 4 comments
Asking for a colleague:
"Back in October 2008, I found a free online app that uploaded data from Excel and produced (very pretty) charts and graphs. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep track of the website, and I’m having trouble tracking it down again. Most of the free graphing apps I’ve found online today require that you manually input the data; I’m looking for something that will more easily upload a set of data from Excel."
posted by lassie at 2:23 PM PST - 5 comments 
I just started volunteering at a hospital and got my first ever set of scrubs. The pants have two pockets on the butt, as one would expect, but one of them is
inside the pants, and one of them is outside. I find this arrangement totally fascinating and intriguing. Is there some reason for a pocket inside the backside of scrub pants, or did I just get a weird pair?
posted by ocherdraco at 2:17 PM PST - 10 comments 
I'm in New York City. I want to go skiing this thanksgiving weekend. None of the nearby resorts seem to be open (yet). What is my closest option? I'm willing to take a very long drive, but I'd like to avoid flying on thanksgiving. Thanks!
posted by falameufilho at 1:42 PM PST - 6 comments 
Is my boss a jerk / being overboard?
I've noticed certain behaviors about my boss that bother me, and I need some validation and outside opinion on whether my boss is being overboard. Everyone else at work seems to just shut up and accept such behavior. To what extent are these things acceptable in a work environment?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:22 PM PST - 29 comments
I work at an animal shelter and someone gave us white doves. There's a mom, dad, and son. Originally the son was very young and his feathers weren't grown in, so we kept them together. Now he is a young adult and both he & his dad are doing the "bow & coo" aggressive stance at each other. Should I separate him from his parents? I know doves shouldn't be alone, but they are getting territorial at this point, so what should we do?
posted by ktoad at 1:13 PM PST - 4 comments 
I have to fly out to Long Island, NY (Nassau Country) for a funeral. I don't have an appropriately somber suit or the time to get one before I leave, and I am what you call "big" (135 kg) but not that tall (175cm). Where can I get a suit on short notice, that is not too expensive (max. $500)? I would prefer not to have to go into the city, but will if that's my only option.
posted by derMax at 1:08 PM PST - 11 comments 
Is it stupid for me to get a cholesterol blood test the Friday morning after Thanksgiving? My doctor instructed me to fast for at least 7 hours prior to the test, but I just read something else online that said I should fast for more like 14 hours, and not drink alcohol for 48 hours prior to getting the test.
posted by queensissy at 1:00 PM PST - 10 comments 
Kitchen disposal's rubber splash guard hardly lets water pass through it - what are my options? Even after 6 mos of use, no sign of breaking in.
[more inside]posted by MuckWeh at 11:47 AM PST - 6 comments 
I'm looking for feedback on the best digital voice recorder to buy for my PhD research interviews. It must be compatible with my MacBook Pro laptop.
[more inside]posted by sassy mae at 11:33 AM PST - 11 comments 
I need help removing a U shaped toilet paper holder attached to a cabinet in my apartment. Pictures inside!!!
[more inside]posted by devonia at 11:29 AM PST - 9 comments 
Grandma needs a new camera and I'd really like to switch her over to a digital camera. But are there any cameras built for seniors?
[more inside]posted by BlahLaLa at 10:47 AM PST - 15 comments
How often should an old manual defrost refrigerator need defrosting, and when does excessive frost indicate a problem?
[more inside]posted by slow graffiti at 10:31 AM PST - 7 comments
I want a camera that a) is decent in low light, b) has or can be equipped with a fast, wideish lens and focus and take pictures quickly and c) ideally is smaller than most DSLRs.
[more inside]posted by pmv at 10:25 AM PST - 25 comments 
[asking for a friend] Trying to find DJ NFIN8 who used to spin at Retrospect, held at the Rogue in Scottsdale, AZ. We want to see if he is interested in doing our wedding.
[more inside]posted by phritosan at 10:13 AM PST - 5 comments
Received a small (huge for me) financial windfall. I have a vague plan on what to do with it. What is the title of the person at my local credit union with whom I should be seeking advice from? Bonus: is my vague plan a reasonable one?
[more inside]posted by porpoise at 10:10 AM PST - 30 comments 
I'm thinking about starting an indoor hydroponic garden soon, using a guide I found on
Instructables for DWC. What are some good vegetables/fruits to grow beyond tomatoes and herbs, which would ideally grow at similar temperatures and light levels as tomatoes and herbs? And what's the best place to buy seeds, either online or in the Princeton/New Brunswick, NJ area?
[more inside]posted by mccarty.tim at 9:54 AM PST - 8 comments 
What jobs/businesses have been negatively affected by the rise of information technology and social networking?
[more inside]posted by gnossos at 9:52 AM PST - 33 comments
Phone gurus: help me pick a new cell phone! My sad, sad Blackberry Curve is on its last legs, and I'm more than ready for an upgrade. Should I go with an Iphone, Samsung, Motorola, HTC or...[insert your great suggestion here]?
[more inside]posted by Bella Sebastian at 9:43 AM PST - 16 comments
My work and I have a last day in mind for me (I'm working and in school, and it just got too much this semester). However, a family situation came up, and I need to leave earlier than my last day. I need help on how to negotiate this with my work.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:32 AM PST - 9 comments
How much notice does my job need to give me if they are requiring me to work my regularly scheduled day off?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:09 AM PST - 9 comments
Lately, my wife only seems to be emotionally and sexually open with me if she senses there are other women (potentially) interested in me. I don't want to make her jealous...
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:04 AM PST - 43 comments
My office needs a seemingly simple database setup. I don't know what tool to use to set things up (or if we need to outsource it). Can the hivemind help?
[more inside]posted by philosophygeek at 8:39 AM PST - 12 comments
I'm trying to figure out where I should establish residency. I'm currently a NJ resident because I lived in a co-op apartment that I own there for about 5 years; I have been renting it out for about 2 years now. My current official mailing address is still in NJ (at a UPS store, so it just looks like a regular address). For the past year-ish, I've lived in CT in a house my father owns. Going forward, I will be living half of the time with my fiancee in Brooklyn and the other half here in CT. So, where is the best place for me to establish residency?
[more inside]posted by SampleSize at 8:33 AM PST - 10 comments
What happened to my motivation and discipline with exercise that I had so proudly acquired and maintained for 5 months?!!
[more inside]posted by daydreamer at 8:27 AM PST - 13 comments
I want to walk a half marathon. My city's marathon is next fall, so I have plenty of time to get ready. I found various training plans online that range from 12-16 weeks, but that's really not what my question is about. I'm wondering, since I have almost a year till then, what should I do be doing now? Does it matter? I'm in good health but haven't exercised consistently lately. Also, general walking-a-half advice is very welcome!
posted by trillian at 8:18 AM PST - 13 comments
On Seinfeld, Elaine worked at J. Peterman's place and had an office with
This Large Photo of a dock or some such thing on a lake. Can anyone identify that poster/print, photographer/artist name, and maybe point to a place to buy?
posted by Blake at 7:44 AM PST - 14 comments 
I'd like to create something like a "facts" list and post it online similar to the Chuck Norris Facts web site: http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/
[more inside]posted by deeman at 7:43 AM PST - 3 comments
I know the general practice for women is to date guys who seem into you, but what if guys don't seem into you?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:29 AM PST - 31 comments
I want to go on a vacation and include my best friend but no one can stand her fiancée and he certainly is not invited. I am definitely going and her feelings are going to be hurt if I don't ask them. How do I invite her without inviting him?
[more inside]posted by robstercraw at 7:27 AM PST - 16 comments 
I have eczema all over my dominant hand, which is making some day to day tasks difficult. What are some ways of getting around this?
[more inside]posted by mippy at 7:13 AM PST - 14 comments
I'm British and live in the UK, but get paid royalties by US companies (in the order of thousands of pounds). Some wire me the money but others give me cheques, which can take months to cash if the bank is being difficult. What are my most sensible options for getting money from the US?
[more inside]posted by humblepigeon at 6:43 AM PST - 18 comments 
I am looking for a Trans support group and/or therapist in Austin, TX. I have used the googles, but many of the resources listed are woefully out of date.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:39 AM PST - 8 comments
Looking for a web-based self-serve tool to manage existing distribution lists that will work with Exchange 2003 and 2010.
[more inside]posted by multiphrenic at 6:13 AM PST - 0 comments
Was smoking indoors at the New York Public Library (the main branch) ever permitted? I'm specifically interested in what the rules were during the 1920s. It seems like it would have been a terrible idea to allow it, but given the prevalence of smoking during that period, I'm curious as to if it was actually banned or not. I have been googling, but haven't been able to find anything helpful.
posted by Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo at 5:54 AM PST - 4 comments 
In your field, what's known to have a high learning curve but pays off in the long run?
[more inside]posted by spec at 5:30 AM PST - 28 comments 
I run a couple of django-based websites/webapps. What OS should I use for my VPS? The most important thing is security and easy installation of packages (including dependencies). I also prefer a system that is easy to maintain. Security is more important, but if all else is equal I would specifically love something with easy to make init-scripts. I know I can install third party packages to do just about anything, but I prefer a batteries-included approach if it exists.
[more inside]posted by davar at 4:58 AM PST - 12 comments
Please help me find a job that I can do with my environmental/renewable energy degree.
[more inside]posted by sockpim at 4:14 AM PST - 3 comments 
What are the major organizations that publish company profiles and/or reports on the ethics of their business practices?
[more inside]posted by god particle at 3:33 AM PST - 5 comments
A young, talented art student needs advice. She did a beautiful sketch for an assignment, but had a *really* hard time with watercoloring it.
Here's the final piece. It's set in a grotto-like space, with light coming from above near the waterfall, but she had problems making that area bright, making water further away really dark, with lighting, layering, shadowing, etc. She's great with acrylic, but unfortunately needs to work in watercolor again *soon*. She had a fairly basic student watercolor set, and used
Arches watercolor paper." Any advice on what she can do to rapidly improve in the medium?
posted by markkraft at 3:24 AM PST - 17 comments 
November 21
SongFilter: the line "symphony of roses" is all I could remember, and I don't remember the station on the radio I heard it on, but it was an indie station, I think. It was just on in the car and Google is failing me entirely. Anyone familiar?
posted by dubadubowbow at 11:18 PM PST - 2 comments 
My wife is locked out of her netbook (W7 Starter). We're far from home with no backup or password recovery disks. Can I create a backup from my son's identical netbook and install?
[more inside]posted by KokuRyu at 9:18 PM PST - 14 comments
I'm looking for an android sound profile app that won't crash my phone. Ideally, I would be able to create a profile that had my alarm and ringer at full volume while disabling all other sounds. The last one I tried made my phone run really slowly and freeze intermittently, and a few of the other ones I've looked at don't seem to distinguish between notification types - I need the alarm to be a different control from email alerts and stuff. I'd really appreciate a recommendation! My googling has failed. Thanks in advance, MetaFilters.
posted by prefpara at 9:12 PM PST - 12 comments 
I love my dog Buddy, and he loves me. He loves everyone, really. But starting a few weeks ago he has become very vocally NEEDY. He will not stop whining, and it's driving us batty. Can you dog-trainer-types out there help me figure out how to help him chill out?
[more inside]posted by That's Numberwang! at 9:04 PM PST - 15 comments 
Back when the House of Lords (and similar parliamentary bodies) had power, were party affiliations life-long commitments, or did people change parties, even without the pressure of constituent blocks?
[more inside]posted by Hactar at 8:49 PM PST - 8 comments 
I'm editing a non-academic, non-fiction book to be published by a university library. Should the book advertise my Ph.D. credentials? If so, how?
[more inside]posted by Orinda at 8:48 PM PST - 12 comments 
Looking for a book title. The book is about the change in parental-child relationships from the strict disciplinarian-distant parent model of old to the parent/friend relationship that many people embrace today. The book describes how the former model—in place around the world for centuries—led to martial societies, culminating in the bloodiest century in history before many of us began to throw out the old parenting model.
posted by Tom Blees at 7:12 PM PST - 5 comments
How do I be the best most supportive brother I can while my sister is going through a divorce?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:52 PM PST - 14 comments
Why do the Seymour Duncan 50's California pickups say "works especially well with rosewood fretboards", where can I get an unpainted '57 Stratocaster, and other variations on these questions.
[more inside]posted by jitterbug perfume at 6:10 PM PST - 13 comments 
I want to get specimens of some
sea snails for my research into textile dyeing but I have no idea how to go about it. I presume that there must be people who specialise in getting specimens of fish and other sea creatures for aquariums, but how do I find someone like that?
posted by Joe in Australia at 5:37 PM PST - 5 comments
I have just discovered needle felting! Where can I find inspiration for fun/nerdy projects, tips on technique, and any other useful bits of information? (Ideally for free...)
[more inside]posted by torisaur at 5:27 PM PST - 12 comments
Can you read the letters and numbers on the number plate in
this picture? For reasons that should remain confidential at this point, we are trying to track down the company that owns it. Unfortunately, the photo has a significant amount of motion blur (in two directions) and graininess, and Photoshop is not helping. (The only program that seems to handle the deblurring required, Amped Five, is expensive commercial software not available for casual use such as this.) This is a Swedish number plate, so the first three should be letters, the last three digits. Note how the last two digits look like '3' but not quite. None of the searches we have done on the
Swedish Transport Agency's web site match a semi of this size.
posted by gentle at 5:06 PM PST - 66 comments 
I'm making a short (20 second) animation in the style of
John Hubley's commercials and I'm looking for some music similar to
this ad to score it. It needs to be just bass and drums (mostly bass) with no trumpet or vocals or anything. I know Dizzie Gillespie
worked with Hubley so I've been listening to his last.fm station all day but I can't find anything that doesn't have too much trumpet. Public domain would be great (but not essential).
posted by Chenko at 4:52 PM PST - 3 comments
Ethics filter: Friend spilled a drink causing $750 damage to my laptop. Fair to request $750 from him? Can I apply that money to a new computer rather than just repairing this one?
[more inside]posted by losvedir at 4:32 PM PST - 54 comments 
Babysitting friend's budgie and let it out to have a fly. It hit a wall and fell to the ground beside my dog who promptly scooped him up but dropped him immediately when I yelled at him. I rushed him to an avian vet. The bird is in shock and in "critical" condition. Oh, please help. Vet expenses are going to be $400 and I don't even know if the bird will make it. But I don't care about the money. I care about my friend and my friendship with her.
[more inside]posted by heffalump at 3:41 PM PST - 37 comments 
Water in La Paz boils at 80º C. What effect would that have on the taste of tea? Would a La Pazian never get to taste the perfect brew?
posted by omnigut at 3:29 PM PST - 19 comments 
Vanity Fair feature on the future of book publishing? I've been told there was an excellent one about a year ago, but I cannot find it. Does it exist?
posted by rhymer at 2:59 PM PST - 4 comments 
Northern California Italian holiday gnocchi-like dish? A few years ago, maybe in Sunset Magazine, there was an article about festive holiday celebrations in Napa? Sonoma? Mendocino? and a beloved dish made in Italian delis that resembled gnocchi but had a different name. There might have been a recipe. I have mega-googled with no success. Mille grazie!
posted by lois1950 at 2:37 PM PST - 6 comments 
Gluten-free Thanksgiving. My youngest sister was diagnosed with Celiac disease at the beginning of this year. She will be coming home for Thanksgiving and I'd like to make some gluten-free dishes for our family pot-luck style dinner. The interweb is chock-full of gluten-free recipes, but I don't know which ones are good and which are just meh. Please share your favorite gluten-free Thanksgiving-y recipes!
[more inside]posted by netsirk at 1:38 PM PST - 29 comments 
I have an audio recording of a presentation and a PDF with the slides. What's the best way to post these online so people can watch it as a video, or at least look at the slides while listening to the audio?
[more inside]posted by modernserf at 1:13 PM PST - 2 comments 
Several years ago I remember reading a very well-regarded article about the financial realities of the life of a band when it gets signed by a music label. I think it was from Rolling Stone, but I couldn't swear by that fact. I recall that it laid out in detail about how the advances work, how exciting it is for the band at first, and then how the entire industry is built to completely financially destroy them. Does this ring a bell with anyone? My nephew is going to become a world-famous millionaire rock star, and I want to give him something to think about while he is working for that big break....
posted by Lokheed at 1:12 PM PST - 12 comments 
YANAL but I need to get some answers so I can stop obsessively worrying about whether or not I can get sued over this.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:25 PM PST - 23 comments
Heading to Costa Rica with an open itinerary tomorrow. If you've visited, is there anywhere in particular I absolutely have to go?
[more inside]posted by roger ackroyd at 12:18 PM PST - 15 comments 
How do I deal with unwanted advances from someone who I really, really want to be friends with?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:43 AM PST - 43 comments
$45K in school loans to private bank (Wells Fargo). Lawyer/collections office wants money. There is no money. Now what?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:43 AM PST - 10 comments
I need to cook a 16-18lb bird and a 19lb sirloin, and I want to do it with fire, but I'm not sure my plan is a good one.
[more inside]posted by cmoj at 11:38 AM PST - 5 comments
Can anyone tell me what the purpose of this "
Battery Connector" is?
We purchased some replacement batteries for blackberries, and while we can read the engrish, we don't understand what exactly is taking place when we follow the instructions. Help me mefi!
posted by TuxHeDoh at 11:36 AM PST - 7 comments 
What’s a sure-fire way of knowing the difference between “their” and there; I always end up getting confused between the two.
[more inside]posted by hadjiboy at 11:18 AM PST - 19 comments
I'm finally in a place where I can afford health insurance (catastrophic, at least) in Washington state. So far all I'm really doing is looking at plans on ehealthinsurance dot com...but if there are things to look out for or better ways to shop, I'd really appreciate the input. I'm healthy but nervous about being ripped off.
[more inside]posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:54 AM PST - 7 comments 
Looking for a few examples of popular music that builds and builds and builds, without letting you down. I should be able to give several examples, but the only one I could think of is Fleetwood Mac's
Silver Springs from 1997's The Dance. (Wish I could think of better examples, but that's the reason for this question)
Most other songs I know have a short step ladder effect that has minimal payoff. I'm looking for songs that keep building until they almost explode. I would prefer more popular music (pop, adult contemporary, rock, etc) but wouldn't mind some indy stuff too.
posted by unceman at 10:48 AM PST - 49 comments 
SadisticCinemaFilter: Film scenes in which person A deliberately and for no apparent reason hurts person B when person B obviously poses no threat whatsoever to person A.
[more inside]posted by gauche at 10:43 AM PST - 33 comments
How can my family and I (including 3 children) travel to Europe for at a reasonable cost next summer? We are open to flying into pretty much anywhere in Europe, as I think we can travel within Europe pretty cheaply once we get there-it's the cost of getting there from the West Coast of the US that has me worried. Of course, there is
[more inside]posted by purenitrous at 10:19 AM PST - 20 comments 
I own the
M*A*S*H - Martinis and Medicine Complete Collection. Along with all of the DVDs is a thick booklet that lists all of the episodes. I've misplaced that particular part of the box set and I'm wondering if anyone knows how I can go about getting another copy of that? Is there some way I can contact the company(Fox) that produces this box set and offer to pay? Or is this something that I should just accept as lost?
posted by Fizz at 9:58 AM PST - 2 comments
Have you advertised copyediting services at colleges or universities? How did you do it? Do you have any tips?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:48 AM PST - 2 comments
What are some good social clubs / activities / volunteer-type things in the Seattle metropolitan area? I want to make more friends.
[more inside]posted by lockstitch at 9:47 AM PST - 8 comments 
Is there a public test Windows XP machine online somewhere I can remote into with rdesktop and tsclient? I am trying to see how it is going to look and work when I remote into work machines on this Ubuntu box, but these are not yet set up. Other Windows are fine too.
[more inside]posted by By The Grace of God at 9:40 AM PST - 4 comments 
I can't seem to password protect my local network for my Imac & Mac laptops. Help me, please.
[more inside]posted by jammy at 9:32 AM PST - 16 comments
I want to send some post-interview thank you emails, but I don't have the email addresses of the people I interviewed with. Should I email the recruiting contact asking for the email addresses, or just leave it alone?
[more inside]posted by naju at 9:15 AM PST - 21 comments 
How to get all my contact info in 1 place? How do I grab contact info across networks like FB, LinkedIn, Twitter etc. and update & sync with Google Contacts?
[more inside]posted by manny_calavera at 9:12 AM PST - 4 comments
Outlook 2010 driving me insane. I prefer to look at my mail with a two-line preview in the main column, and then the full message displayed in a window off to the right. That two-line preview used to show SENT BY and then SUBJECT LINE. Somehow it has switched to WHO THE MESSAGE WAS SENT TO and then SUBJECT LINE. I really don't care who else got a message I also received, I need to see the sender. This seems easy to fix but I'm losing my mind trying to do it. Anyone know?
posted by GaelFC at 8:58 AM PST - 2 comments 
Where (online or in NYC) can I find a
really heavy curtain for an interior doorway?
[more inside]posted by ook at 8:32 AM PST - 9 comments
What are some examples of "proto-liberal" revolutions, or liberal revolutions attempted before those in the United States and France?
[more inside]posted by edguardo at 8:15 AM PST - 12 comments 
Basic,
cloud-based inventory management and control system for vendors to update stock levels?
[more inside]posted by eggman at 8:05 AM PST - 3 comments
I'm building a blog-like site that will have lots of old stories about a particular rural area. I'll be adding lots of supplemental information about some of the places, people and things the author talks about, and I'm trying to decide how to display it.
[more inside]posted by nosila at 7:51 AM PST - 2 comments
An elderly relative, once technically savvy, now goes into fugue states where, in his confusion, he dismantles computer and A/V setups, with no one in the household to reconnect them properly.
I'm looking for a way of securing A/V and computer connections while leaving the function of the devices still accessible. The alternative so far is spending endless hours with the cable company to get them to send someone to help, or paying someone else to come by. Phone instructions are no good, and there is no one in the household who can help.
posted by oneironaut at 7:42 AM PST - 20 comments 
I need a new TV. Which one has the best Internet Apps. My research shows that Samsung and Vizio are the best priced TVs with Apps but which one has the best experience are there other brands I should be considering? Details below.....
[more inside]posted by jmsta at 7:40 AM PST - 11 comments
We hope to take our daughter home early next year, but she will likely be only 4lbs plus then. We've been given a Phil & Ted stroller, but we'd like initially to use something that detaches into a car seat. We don't drive, but use a lot of cabs, walking etc. in Singapore. The reviews online seem more for people with cars or bigger babies. Any advice or recommendations for a light stroller that will detach into a carseat that can be used easily in a cab?
posted by viggorlijah at 7:11 AM PST - 11 comments 
I'm looking for a (Verizon) dumb phone that will silence the ring when any exterior button is pushed.
[more inside]posted by BrashTech at 5:59 AM PST - 6 comments
Buying new tires for my car for the first time ever. What kind should I get? What kind of up-sells/unnecessary stuff should I look out for? What about warranty? Should I get them from the dealer or a place like Firestone?
[more inside]posted by elizeh at 5:51 AM PST - 23 comments
Instead of charging my leisure battery my solar panel is discharging it. How do I diagnose?
[more inside]posted by jago25_98 at 5:50 AM PST - 5 comments
Please help me find a short story or poem that functions as an extended metaphor. Preferably one as obscure or ambiguous in its meaning as possible.
[more inside]posted by leibniz at 3:24 AM PST - 22 comments
What's the best way to remove a small grease stain and a pen mark from a down coat?
[more inside]posted by krisken at 2:54 AM PST - 8 comments
November 20
San Francisco financial district - where is a good indoor place to work for a few hours? My wife has a few hours tomorrow morning to kill before a meeting. She needs wifi, and the place should be generally quiet but still allow for occasional phone call (i.e. no library). Would prefer this not be a crowded coffee shop (i.e. no Starbucks or Peet's).
[more inside]posted by ccl6yl at 10:12 PM PST - 8 comments 
Can I create pivot table from subset of data? If not, is there another way to do what I want to do?
[more inside]posted by Diablevert at 9:56 PM PST - 6 comments 
What can I say to a 5 year old, when his parent is mentally unwell?
How can I explain, what can I do with him, and what structures can we put in place, to make his mother's (temporary, but severe) illness easier on him?
[more inside]posted by Elysum at 9:05 PM PST - 19 comments 
A few weeks ago, I encountered a liquid hand soap that had these little black particles suspended in it. The dispenser was just your typical brand-name, pump handle dispenser, but the spout was a little bit wider than usual to let the black "pearls" pass through, which would dissolve as I washed my hands. What brand of soap was this?
posted by archagon at 9:02 PM PST - 12 comments
I'm looking for a cookie recipe that is easy to make and will transport well.
[more inside]posted by k8lin at 8:27 PM PST - 20 comments 
Can somebody please explain to me image compression, specifically with regard to creating smallish PDFs from Indesign files that contain large linked vector graphics?
[more inside]posted by This_Will_Be_Good at 8:26 PM PST - 14 comments
My friend asked me to make a music video for his band, but I have never done this before. We don't mind it looking a little lo-fi. I am looking for tips and advice from people who have done this before. Please tell me the things you wish you had known before you embarked on this particular endeavour.
[more inside]posted by Sully at 7:59 PM PST - 15 comments
Is there any software (online or Mac) that will help me to make clean, simple custom maps for a classroom? Ideally, I'd start with a simple, blank outline map, then be able to add features one at a time. (For example, perhaps I'd select "Ohio River" from a dropdown menu, and then it would appear on the map.)
[more inside]posted by SpiralT at 7:42 PM PST - 10 comments
Are the Walking Dead comics as sexist as the show? I love post-apocalyptic literature. I hate sexism.
[more inside]posted by Mavri at 7:27 PM PST - 35 comments 
How do people get information about a company during its pre-ipo quiet period?
[more inside]posted by alms at 7:20 PM PST - 4 comments
AskMe has convinced me that cashmere scarf (or maybe even a scarf/hat/glove) set would be an ideal Christmas gift for a friend in the cold north. How do I make sure I'm buying the good stuff? (caveat: online)
[more inside]posted by stewiethegreat at 7:19 PM PST - 6 comments
[Synthesizer/Audio Software/DJ Filter] I need easy art sounds! I'm looking for a easy-to-use device or software that can make minimal music/sounds for my art video soundtracks.
[more inside]posted by Murray M at 6:16 PM PST - 8 comments
Travel suggestions please! Solo female traveling some time between February and May, looking for a good combination of activity and relaxing.
[more inside]posted by gursky at 6:16 PM PST - 8 comments
What's the name of the Formula 1 victory song that played during the late 80s/early 90s. My recollection is that it was also used in a popular arcade racing game at the time. It features heavy 80s synth.
[more inside]posted by geoff. at 4:45 PM PST - 8 comments 
I'm looking for a great value on everyday jeans. I don't mind spending decent money if that's what it takes, but I'd want that money to go towards quality materials and construction - I truly don't care about labels or fleeting fashions. I live in LA but I'd be cool with shopping online if that's where the value can be found. Anybody have pointers on places/brands that could help me out with this, or is it back to the Gap again?
[more inside]posted by captainawesome at 4:36 PM PST - 28 comments
My girlfriend is confused and bewildered about the possibility of having thyroid removal surgery. Of course there's more to it, so the entire extended explanation is in her words.
[more inside]posted by Imperfect at 3:40 PM PST - 26 comments
BLACKBERRY USERS: Is there a music app that will let me rate songs? (Also, as a new user, I'd love to learn what apps you think are essential/useful.)
[more inside]posted by Alaska Jack at 3:30 PM PST - 3 comments
I'm having an online discussion (which I am trying to keep civil) with a group of people who claim that the police in California have the
right to pepper spray anyone who does not obey a police order. How in the world can this be true? I'm not a lawyer - but my gut tells me that there has to be case law to the contrary. Help me out!
posted by dirtmonster at 3:22 PM PST - 20 comments
Advice for getting through the suckiness of the first several months or even year or two of starting a new business?
[more inside]posted by KimikoPi at 2:55 PM PST - 8 comments
Can you help me find floor plan/room layout software that will help my relative run a vendor sales event?
[more inside]posted by germdisco at 2:46 PM PST - 3 comments 
We're choosing between a used Audi TT coupe and a used Volvo C30 hatchback - anything we should consider? Do you own either of these cars? Hate them or love anything in particular about them?
[more inside]posted by letitrain at 2:42 PM PST - 14 comments 
I’ve had trouble getting shoes to fit for a long time, but it seems to be getting worse as I get older. Today, I outgrew my shoes in the middle of a two-hour hike.
[more inside]posted by maurreen at 2:26 PM PST - 15 comments
Smart people who did badly in college - how did you regain your footing and develop your work ethic and study skills?
[more inside]posted by sunnychef88 at 2:26 PM PST - 21 comments 
I have a secondary monitor on my iMac that is installed in a room 50 feet away from my main monitor. I need a way to see on my main screen, whatever is displayed on the secondary monitor. Using Mac OS X 10.7. Any ideas?
[more inside]posted by orlandop at 2:25 PM PST - 15 comments 
Kosher substitute for salt pork? We want to make an America's Test Kichen recipe for Thanksgiving turkey. It calls for salt pork to be laid along the back of the turkey during the first part of the roasting process (with the breast-side down),
like so. ATK says this is called "barding" the turkey, which they say makes the bird "self-basting."
[more inside]posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 2:22 PM PST - 18 comments
I'd like to go on a short, last-minute trip to the Grand Canyon this week. If I drive from Los Angeles on Tuesday morning and drive back on Thursday morning, can I expect snow-free roads?
[more inside]posted by HotPatatta at 2:17 PM PST - 3 comments 
We're considering a ski trip to Mount Snow, Stratton, or Okemo December 16th-18th. It doesn't look like there's snow on the ground yet, but we need to put in for vacation days early. Will we likely be OK, or should we forget about such an early-season trip given this year's weather so far? Thanks!
posted by unionsquarepark at 1:45 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm looking for novels that explore jealousy in romantic relationships, particularly featuring a partner who is jealous or insecure about the other person's romantic past. Ex-boyfriends/ex-girlfriends haunting the relationship would be excellent. Any recommendations? ("Literature" preferred--i.e., trashy novels aren't my thing.)
posted by melancholyplay at 1:25 PM PST - 25 comments 
What tips/lifehacks can you think of for the upcoming parents. Don't care how small the tips are - just avoid the obvious ones.
[more inside]posted by filmgeek at 1:04 PM PST - 50 comments
Can you help me to better understand bipolar mania/hypomania and the thought-processes of the manic mind?
[more inside]posted by MuChao at 12:49 PM PST - 14 comments 
(Relatively) bad marks: help me put it in perspective. What doors have I closed to myself?
[more inside]posted by Conspire at 12:35 PM PST - 26 comments
Looking for a mp3player for someone with a developmental disability - one that is fairly easy to navigate without the ability to read, and not too complicated in general. Any suggestions?
[more inside]posted by donabean at 11:52 AM PST - 11 comments 
What's the best way to get from Washington Reagan airport to a hotel near Tyson's Corner, VA?
[more inside]posted by tamitang at 11:34 AM PST - 14 comments 
Help me find a good US-based alcohol and/or drug treatment charity that's not affiliated with any religion.
[more inside]posted by Thin Lizzy at 11:34 AM PST - 4 comments 
A relative passed away. I've been asked by family to wipe her work laptop before it is returned to the company. I don't have any of her passwords. Is there a way to wipe it anyways and have it in a returnable condition?
[more inside]posted by alcopop at 11:25 AM PST - 23 comments 
Since you guys are so good at this and looking at baby names lists are already making my eyes bleed, I was hoping for some recommendations for a baby boy.
[more inside]posted by katers890 at 10:31 AM PST - 128 comments 
a friend's basement flooded, and the floor needs replacing (wood on a concrete slab). she asks if porcelain tile could be laid in, considering the (remote) chance it could happen again. I think so, but wonder about the contact layer, and leveling over the slab. what would you use? would you seal the edges to prevent water getting in there (freezing/expansion)? is porcelain impervious?
posted by ebesan at 9:53 AM PST - 10 comments
How long would the drive from New Haven to Washington, D.C., take on Wednesday evening? I'm trying to decide how horrendous the experience will be so I can judge whether springing for Amtrack tickets would be worth it. We'll be leaving at about 6 from New Haven. Specific experiences with that drive or a similar one before Thanksgiving would be appreciated.
posted by reren at 9:48 AM PST - 19 comments
Pandora, Grooveshark, Spotify... How can I keep track of music across all the music services?
[more inside]posted by Sufi at 9:46 AM PST - 6 comments
I have the opportunity to relocate to Dallas from Boston for my job -- what is Dallas like?
[more inside]posted by 6spd at 9:44 AM PST - 11 comments 
Falling for a woman. She just told me she just got out of a long term relationship (2+ years, ended this July) and wants to stay single for a while and work on herself because she always rushes into relationships. We've agreed things have been so easy, nice and right between us (3 weeks, 5-6 GOOD dates in), but she was very clear she does not want a committed relationship. I feel myself heading towards wanting just that. Am I headed to The Bad Place if I keep hanging out with her?
[more inside]posted by 3FLryan at 9:36 AM PST - 36 comments 
Should I go to a less expensive branch of a university from a distance (online) where I may end up commuting to? Or should I go to in-person courses at an (extremely) expensive university that is close to home and has a great department for my major? (Specific details inside!)
[more inside]posted by camylanded at 8:37 AM PST - 19 comments
How the heck can I get a cool job in New York with (almost) a graduate degree and (almost) no professional experience?
[more inside]posted by Mooseli at 8:05 AM PST - 27 comments 
I am a gay female in my late 20s who has understood my own sexuality for as long as I can remember and has been out to all of my friends for many years. My orientation is certainly not anything I would consider a defining characteristic about myself. The kind of profession I am in, the kind of experiences I have had and my life goals have greatly shaped who I am as a person, and have absolutely nothing to do with who I am attracted to.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:27 AM PST - 42 comments
As I head into the darkness of winter in Northern England, I'm starting to notice the same pattern I suffered from last year...sleeping even less than I normally do (4-6 hours instead of 6-7). I'm not even sleepy or remotely tired until 2, 3, sometimes even 4 am, when I force myself to fall asleep. I wake up at 8 or 9 (sometimes earlier). What could be happening here, physiologically or otherwise? If it's related to the lack of sun/light, how does that even work?
[more inside]posted by iamkimiam at 4:39 AM PST - 15 comments
We bought a plum tree, originally to keep in a pot in a patio, that location didn't work out, and now we think that if we take it out of the pot and plant it in the ground it will do better next year. How close to our house can we plant it?
[more inside]posted by foleypt at 4:20 AM PST - 9 comments 
My 13 year old wants a bass guitar for Christmas. People who have some idea about musical instruments, please tell me what I should be looking for in a beginner bass guitar.
[more inside]posted by malibustacey9999 at 1:32 AM PST - 41 comments 
hi, everyone! i'm making a mix of piano-based songs for my friend and i'd like for some of the songs on there to be more brightened but still be meaningful, of course. the type of songs i'm looking for are like "mouthwash" and "merry happy" by kate nash or "wings" by utada hikaru. something where it's still primarily piano. thank you for any and all suggestions!
[more inside]posted by thischarmingirl at 12:35 AM PST - 19 comments 
November 19
After 4.5 years my sister's partner is asking her to leave him. It could be they are just having a fight, or it could be that this is really the end. Do I tell her my opinion (I've never liked him and never will, and she should run while she can) or do I hold my tongue?
[more inside]posted by skauskas at 10:15 PM PST - 44 comments
I have recently purchased a Fondue pot and I want to serve chocolate fondue at a party. The Fondue place "The Melting Pot" near my house sells chocolate bars to use, but it would be expensive to buy a lot to fill my pot.
[more inside]posted by Jaelma24 at 9:46 PM PST - 13 comments 
So, i was just playing on minecraft on my mac, and this weird thing happened, where a tunnel of white streaming banners would come around me, and not let me see past them, unless i was under a tree, then i could see fine, kinda, like
this. What do you thinkg the problem is?
posted by sizzil34 at 8:32 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm trying to find a specific old comic which details the history of an alien humanoid civilization.
[more inside]posted by brownbat at 7:41 PM PST - 3 comments 
A while ago I read an awesome travel-blog-style series of forum posts by a couple who drove across Kenya (?) in a 4x4. Help me find it again? Or other awesome extreme-travel stories?
[more inside]posted by katrielalex at 5:05 PM PST - 9 comments 
What are the most reasonable, well-informed, and totally incorrect scientific papers?
[more inside]posted by Knigel at 5:02 PM PST - 31 comments
I've been using Registry Mechanic. The last version was the best yet, but then PC Tools was bought by Symantec. They have produced a new version, which is crap. Is there another good program that does what RegMech used to do?
[more inside]posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:14 PM PST - 9 comments 
Looking for a reasonably priced restaurant serving Thanksgiving dinner near the New Jersey Turnpike.
[more inside]posted by gazole at 3:41 PM PST - 6 comments 
When a learner's permit requires the presence of a fully licensed driver as a passenger, is that requirement satisfied even if that passenger is too impaired to drive?
[more inside]posted by Trurl at 3:39 PM PST - 20 comments 
Can anyone help me find good online critiques of fantasy? Tropes and cliches, characterizations, books, etc.
[more inside]posted by Danila at 2:58 PM PST - 7 comments 
How do I become a spreadsheet power user? And do I have to get Excel to do it? (Or can I stick with LibreOffice/Google Docs?)
[more inside]posted by Busoni at 2:54 PM PST - 10 comments
What are your favorite places in England to live and work with a lower cost of living than London?
[more inside]posted by snowysoul at 2:42 PM PST - 13 comments
Academic Filter: When should/how should you intervene on a problematic potential hire of a faculty member? (Special snowflake details inside)
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 2:42 PM PST - 16 comments
I'm looking for safe, legal ways to watch foreign movies online, particularly movies not in English, either for free or as rentals.
[more inside]posted by Countess Elena at 2:33 PM PST - 7 comments
I've been sexually assaulted and heavily/distressingly harassed by a number of different men throughout my life already. Now I'm trying to break it off with a close friend because I feel like I "need a break" from even being close to men and he won't stop even mildly pushing at this.
[more inside]posted by DisreputableDog at 2:28 PM PST - 24 comments
My grandma has been socially reliant on email for a decade or so now -- she emails her sister, her children, and her grandchildren. She's pretty deaf, so emails have been an especially good way of keeping in touch, as none of us live near her these days. Unfortunately, she's forgetting things now (she's 93), so what used to be possible for her now seems less so. What to do?
[more inside]posted by feckless at 2:28 PM PST - 10 comments 
I was overjoyed to move several hundred miles away from my parents. Recently, they've decided they want to spend more time with family, and as of this week they'll have driven to see us three times in a year with little to no notice. Is there any reasonably graceful way to discourage/reduce these visits?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:59 PM PST - 42 comments
Story-about-orbs filter: in my eighth grade English class, I read a sci-fi story about an extraterrestrial orb that was collecting specimens from Earth. I'd love to find out its author and name (and, optimally, a copy of the story itself on the web.)
[more inside]posted by punchtothehead at 1:45 PM PST - 5 comments 
Best free (or fair cost - some commercial programs are ridiculously over the $100 range) DVD burning program that takes PC video files (mp4, avi, mpg, flv, etc...) and burns them to DVD for watching on TV.
[more inside]posted by Stryke11 at 1:27 PM PST - 7 comments 
i've tried to go through the numerous "looking-for-sexy-music" questions that are out there, but none seem to deal with the specific type of songs i'm looking for: relaxing, sensual songs, usually slow with sexy female vocals and minimal or unobtrusive instrumentation. think along the lines of unwinding in a steamy shower with a candle burning as opposed to music to have sex to.
[more inside]posted by carlypennylane at 12:25 PM PST - 27 comments
I'm having trouble finding an academic paper management system that meets my requirements (Mac+Win, BibTeX, automatic PDF filing, easy to import etc).
[more inside]posted by robintw at 11:51 AM PST - 8 comments
I've dealt with depression and anxiety all my life, and have just realized that I have a stuttering problem. Now I'm wondering about the correlation.
[more inside]posted by sgass at 11:33 AM PST - 6 comments
Please help, hive mind! I left a banana in my neoprene lunch bag and it got really moldy on the bottom. The mold didn't go through the whole bag, but it's ugly and polka dotted on the inside. It's a "Built" brand bag, made of neoprene, if that makes a difference. I ran it through a (cold) wash cycle once, and it didn't do a darn thing. I'd hate to ruin the bag with bleach, but I'm not sure what else to do. Does color safe bleach get rid of mold?
posted by luciddream928 at 11:32 AM PST - 8 comments 
I'm embarrassed to use up a question on this Can I Eat This-filter, but...
So I have some bags of cranberries in the freezer... that have been there since last year.
Can I use them in making cranberry sauce without courting death or intestinal discomfort?
posted by canine epigram at 10:40 AM PST - 19 comments
I will be traveling on business to London Sunday to Friday, staying at the Four Seasons on Park and will be working most of my time there. Any down time will be after 5 pm, any suggestions on something to do/eat/see? I visited London when I was young and did many of the touristy things. I am most interested in just enjoying some of the city without making it too complicated. Also, curious about any suggestions of what things I should make sure to pick up in London for myself (sounds like there are so not to miss beauty products) and for co-workers/significant other. I was thinking of the Fortnum & Mason marmalade and possibly Scotch? This is my first time doing a big trip on business, any suggestion in that capacity would also be welcome!
posted by Carialle at 10:38 AM PST - 5 comments 
Our double-hung windows have sprung alumin[i]um jamb liners, a bit like
this. After taking the sashes out to paint and re-putty, how do you get them back in the frame?
[more inside]posted by holgate at 9:18 AM PST - 0 comments
"When economic theory collides with reality, prefer economic theory". Who said this, and what exactly did he say?
posted by falcon at 9:01 AM PST - 2 comments
I have 300gb of music, a house, several Mac laptops, a Mac G5, a router, two iphones, an ipad, and several external HDs where the music is stored. I would like to be able to play music anywhere in my house, control it wirelessly without the laptops and update libraries as well as all my devices with whatever I like anywhere in the house, without having to drag out the external USB HD to plug into various laptops like I do now. I'm willing to buy equipment to let this happen. Bonus if it lets me move movies onto a USB stick to plug into my nifty new tv. Details under the fold.
[more inside]posted by nevercalm at 8:49 AM PST - 14 comments
How can I give money to Elizabeth Warren's campaign without it causing my unusual name to be plastered all over the internet?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:43 AM PST - 20 comments
Partly on AskMe's advice, I bought a 2006 Miata. Got a good deal and love it, including the exhaust note. Road, tire and engine noise are part of the deal, I know, but they're louder than I'd like. Can you suggest fixes?
[more inside]posted by fivesavagepalms at 7:33 AM PST - 9 comments 
Malcom Gladwell's
The Tipping Point mentions a really good biography of Paul Revere. What is that book?
[more inside]posted by popechunk at 6:27 AM PST - 5 comments 
November 18
I thought I had forgiven my friend, but whenever it comes up I am disturbed by our differing accounts of the same events. Why does this bother me so much? How can I truly forgive her?
[more inside]posted by abirdinthehand at 9:58 PM PST - 33 comments 
I would love to buy, or possibly make, a giant Totoro plush pillow, something I could actually sleep on. If it's not big enough for me, I'd like one that would be big enough for a child to sleep on, and that I could rest on. Searching the internet at large turns up nothing, so I turn to y'all. Thanks!
posted by filthy light thief at 8:41 PM PST - 8 comments 
I absent mindedly opened an e-mail from the "United States Post Office" claiming that a package I had sent on the 12th had an incorrect address. Then I clicked on the attachment and that's when I realized I had done a very bad, stupid thing because the USPS doesn't have my e-mail for any reason. Yahoo's e-mail did a scan and it said the attachment was clean. Google tells me that this is a trojan. I'm running Malwarebytes as I type. What else should I do?
[more inside]posted by Constance Mirabella at 8:19 PM PST - 14 comments 
My
husband and I would like to go to New Orleans, LA in March, 2012. We're fairly laid back and not huge into the tourism craziness that I tend to associate with NOLA. It is possible to go to The Big Easy and, well, have a chill time?
[more inside]posted by two lights above the sea at 8:05 PM PST - 30 comments
I'm looking to find some Belikin beer (domestic to Belize) in Austin, Texas. I've already tried Specs, to no avail. Anybody have any idea if/where I might have some luck?
posted by Krazor at 5:10 PM PST - 9 comments
US savings accounts have poor interest (~1%). UK savings accounts are better (~3-4%). Aside from the economics for this that I likely don't comprehend, as a UK citizen working in the US, is there some way of moving money easily, getting an international account, or getting a good savings account in the US?
posted by paulesque at 4:12 PM PST - 19 comments 
I am looking for the most accurate calendar. With even increments and no exceptions(leap years).
[more inside]posted by digdan at 3:13 PM PST - 19 comments
I am looking for the best documented open source ASP.Net 4.0 website/application available. By 'documented' I am not referring to a user guide for the Wiki/Blog/E-Commerce site or whatever it is, I am referring to accompanying documentations which details how the code works, how it is put together. A document which would act as a guide to someone who was reviewing the code/design/database etc.. Documentation which would help a developer to understand the technical architecture and structure.
[more inside]posted by therubettes at 2:58 PM PST - 3 comments
I'm going to be in Washington DC from late November and most of December, training for a new job. They're putting me up in an extended stay hotel, but it's doubtful that I'll have a car unless I rent one myself for weekends. First time in DC!
I've never been away from home for for such a long period; I guess I'll turn off everything in my apartment except the fridge, have a friend pick up mail and help me deal with that kind of stuff, pay bills online.
What should (and shouldn't) I take? This comes after a lengthy bout of unemployment, so cash reserves are very very low. How do I get a bunch of stuff there without paying exorbitant airline fees? What else do I need to be thinking about?
posted by DandyRandy at 2:50 PM PST - 13 comments
Is there a remote that CONTROLS the music on the iPhone (4s)? Google searches reveal only how to use the phone as a remote for other things. I need to keep the iPhone hooked up to a speaker in the back of the room, and trigger it with *something* to make the music go on and off. Any ideas??? Thanks!
posted by largecorp at 1:03 PM PST - 8 comments 
I love the
Tsubo Millay shoes I just got, and would like to get more of this type of sporty shoes that still look smart. What are some other brands I should consider?
[more inside]posted by needled at 12:56 PM PST - 4 comments 
Is there an app that displays keyboard-editable hierarchical structure in the left pane and text editing/word processing in the right pane?
[more inside]posted by incandescentman at 12:33 PM PST - 1 comments 
There are a lot of iOS apps for timing contractions. The reviews are all over the place. Most of the apps do not seem to time the contractions from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next one, which seems to be the preferred data point for medical purposes. Other apps have other annoying features and problems. Which app did you use and how did it work?
posted by iknowizbirfmark at 11:39 AM PST - 11 comments
Where in Chicago should I look for a pleasant, airy, well-designed space for a single (very long) day for two writers needing a change of scenery to get some collaboration done?
[more inside]posted by jeanmari at 11:18 AM PST - 13 comments
Relaxing, comforting Christmas gift ideas for my extremely busy mom on a $150 budget.
[more inside]posted by jingle at 11:14 AM PST - 17 comments
Have you smoked a turkey for Thanksgiving? Want to give me the benefit of your experience?
[more inside]posted by rtha at 11:13 AM PST - 16 comments 
What band is this? 5 or 6 years ago at a work site, we were listening to someone's mix tape. There was a kind of lonely, mournful song, solo male vocals with a gravely voice. I asked who the band was, and the answer was something like "Sixteen Cylinders." I forgot about it all until recently. I haven't been able to find an appropriate cylinder-related band via google, youtube, or last.fm. Any idea what I might have heard?
posted by moonmilk at 11:00 AM PST - 7 comments 
I would like to become a professional writer, and possibly someday be a freelance writer. My background is in the humanities, but I’m wondering if seeking an advanced degree in science might help me in my endeavors. Or are there other options that I’m overlooking?
[more inside]posted by indognito at 10:45 AM PST - 9 comments
Excel - Find and Replace -- I use the excel function find and replace often. One spreadsheet finds it instantly. Another searches each cell and takes longer. I stopped updating the instant one before I noticed the effect. Windows xp -- Office 2007
I'd like to have more of the instant search.
posted by notned at 10:36 AM PST - 8 comments 
How can I convert a web site, which is organized as a table of contents linking to 200 or so individual html "chapters", into one ebook?
[more inside]posted by General Tonic at 9:51 AM PST - 10 comments 
I recently saw a video that makes me want to create a playlist of unusual/surreal Christmas music. That is to say, odd pairings or covers of classic Christmas songs. I have a small set of criteria inside. What do you got?
[more inside]posted by mrzer0 at 8:49 AM PST - 45 comments
Can I get 3G access on a new Macbook Pro? If not, what is the least expensive alternative for my situation?
[more inside]posted by kmel at 8:34 AM PST - 9 comments 
Please help me find fiction (especially coming-of-age stories; so-called Bildungsromans, the internet tells me; I didn't pay close attention in high school and college lit classes) set in 1970s through 1980s Chicago!
[more inside]posted by anaphoric at 7:53 AM PST - 9 comments
Regarding family and friends, how have you been able to let go of dark/problematic pasts, and moved forward?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:39 AM PST - 15 comments
My friend is turning 30 and thinks he's old. I'm getting him an old man starter kit: hard candies (Werther's Originals of course), Metamucil...what else should I include?
posted by echo target at 7:33 AM PST - 79 comments 
We recently purchased a home with a large backyard and a pool. The yard is fenced. I need a temporary fence for my dogs until it warms up and we can fix any spots the littlest dog can slip through. What should I get for a temporary fence?
[more inside]posted by bodgy at 7:28 AM PST - 5 comments
What's up with my cat's chin? My cat has a strange spot on his chin that looks sort of like a wart, and I'm not sure whether I should be concerned about it or not.
[more inside]posted by odayoday at 6:55 AM PST - 28 comments
We are considering giving our unborn baby its mother's last name as a last name and its father's last name as a middle name. How confusing will this be to strangers?
[more inside]posted by Sock Ray Blue at 6:15 AM PST - 46 comments 
Yesterday, someone apparently signed me up for monster.com, beyond.com, and jobfox.com. I know this because I received welcome emails from all three of them to my primary mail address and under my name. As far as I know, my primary mail address has not been compromised. What is going on here?
posted by fake at 6:04 AM PST - 38 comments
Marital strife filter: Was my husband out of line to invite three women to spend the night at our house when I was out of town?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:38 AM PST - 63 comments
Water: that convenient thing you can't live without. Tell me about a portable desalination / purification device.
[more inside]posted by chrisinseoul at 5:00 AM PST - 6 comments
Where in the southern Mediterranean should we go in mid-March? We're thinking of Sicily or Greece, but specific criteria inside the fold:
[more inside]posted by UniversityNomad at 3:15 AM PST - 14 comments
Why does this happen and is it dangerous? When I heat anything in the microwave for about two minutes or longer, the timer/clock display casts a blur on the glass in front of the numbers, i.e. if the display says 2:30, the glass in front of the display will have a very blurred 2:30 on it. From the front it looks like the display itself is blurry, but if you stand at an angle to the side you can see how far back the numbers are from the glass in front of them. The blur will disappear after a few minutes. Should I be concerned?
posted by Nattie at 2:56 AM PST - 8 comments 
My new flat has a prepayment meter for gas and electricity. I think we want to switch to a credit meter, but I'm not sure and I don't really know what I'm doing so I'm afraid of screwing this up. Help?
[more inside]posted by Put the kettle on at 2:41 AM PST - 6 comments
I am going to teach a Mac user basic HTML. Could you recommend a simple, preferably free, HTML editor for Mac?
posted by Termite at 2:28 AM PST - 16 comments
Do you interact with the proverbial familiar stranger? In particular, have you felt compelled to interact when crossing paths outside of the "usual spot"?
[more inside]posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 2:24 AM PST - 21 comments
November 17
I"ll be in the Willmington, Richlands N.C. area over Thanksgiving and the first week in December to visit my daughter. We both have slight physical problems that make long walks impossible. She is also new to the area and I'm am looking for fun places to go. Restaurants, tourist spots, historical sights, etc. Her husband is overseas in Aftganistgan, so I'm trying to fill a gap and cheer her up.
Thanks in advance.
posted by cliffster99 at 11:59 PM PST - 3 comments 
Should I ask more questions before saying I'll be a reference for someone who was recently "let go"?
[more inside]posted by YukonQuirm at 10:42 PM PST - 12 comments 
I've a monitor with DVI-D and D-Sub input. My graphics card has DVI-D, D-Sub and HDMI output. I'm connected via D-Sub right now, but I hear DVI gives better image quality. Is this true? And does HDMI have better quality than DVI? If so, would an HDMI-to-DVI cable give me better quality than vanilla DVI?
[more inside]posted by Senza Volto at 10:12 PM PST - 8 comments
What is the average length of tenure for a primary and secondary public school district Superintendent in the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut? The average superintendent has been employed as the superintendent in their current district for how long? Cites please.
[more inside]posted by JohnnyGunn at 8:44 PM PST - 3 comments
What's your secret for getting a flat belly? I would love to hear from you especially if you happen to be a bit plump.
[more inside]posted by xm at 7:42 PM PST - 51 comments 
I burned out. Help me get through writing a paper and studying for two exams this weekend.
[more inside]posted by squirtle at 7:39 PM PST - 9 comments 
The property manager of the house my wife and I shared with two of our friends last year has decided to keep the entirety of our security deposit and has billed us for an additional 2000 dollars in repairs. The more bullheaded of our friends wants to fight it in a litigious manner and get as much of the deposit back as he can. We just want to be done with it and pay our share of the damages. What are our rights in this situation?
[more inside]posted by triceryclops at 7:34 PM PST - 20 comments 
Good news everyone! I'm wasting an Ask on the term for hearing things in Professor Farnsworth's voice.
[more inside]posted by AmandaA at 7:30 PM PST - 6 comments
Someone who very rarely wears high heels just got a pair of snazzy high heeled boots that I'm now wearing to work every day. (About an inch and a half tall, thick heels not stiletto) It's a learning experience. I'm trying to figure out how to walk gracefully but I still seem to be clomping awkwardly. Is there a trick to this or just practice? Also, I've observed that some women move their hips when they walk (which I've never done naturally) so I tried that but it makes this weird sensation in my hip joints like "popping" kind of. Is that normal? Is it just because it's a different kind of movement? Or does it mean I'm terribly deformed?
posted by bleep at 7:25 PM PST - 27 comments
My roommate and I have just adopted a rescue cat and want to find out the best way to help him adjust to his new home/family. I am looking for some advice on how to handle behavioral issues in an effective yet compassionate way. Details inside.
[more inside]posted by thereemix at 7:03 PM PST - 10 comments
What is the fastest way for me to deposit/cash a large check in Hawaii (hopefully in the next two days) considering that there are no branches of my bank in Hawaii and that my account isn't eligible for "mobile deposit" via my smartphone?
[more inside]posted by unknowncommand at 6:37 PM PST - 11 comments
RelationshipFilter: Ok, based on advice from you folks and my friends (and therapist), I'm finally going to leave him. I talked with my best friend today and she agrees with me. I'm feeling really awful right now, I know I'm doing the right thing, especially when I look back on my previous questions. But I do actually like him and I just feel like crying. I know he loves and I love him, but as is so often pointed out, that does not make a relationship.
[more inside]posted by inmyhead at 6:02 PM PST - 36 comments 
Do you remember this YA book about two girls from different worlds spending a life-changing summer on the beach together? With a small bit involving Tarot cards? It's not Judy Blume's
Summer Sisters or Francesca Lia Block's
The Hanged Man.
[more inside]posted by rhiannonstone at 5:45 PM PST - 10 comments 
What should I do with alla this schmaltz? I've heard you can use it in cooking "like butter" (ok, I read that searching for schmaltz here on askme) - but do you have any suggestions?
[more inside]posted by pazazygeek at 5:37 PM PST - 14 comments 
I am using Mac OS 10.6.8 and Microsoft Word for Mac 2008 version 12.3.1. For some reason, when I am copying and pasting a section of text even within the same document, the footnotes are dropped, both the superscript number and the actual footnote. How can I get Word to copy and paste sections of text and leave my footnotes intact?
[more inside]posted by Original 1928 Flavor at 4:00 PM PST - 2 comments
This is a kind of random question, but I was hoping someone with a background in music theory & composition could help me figure out what's going on musically with a couple songs I like. The two songs in question are Nobukazu Takemura's Icefall (
link to song) and Arthur Russell's Being It (
link to song). I really like what's going on in these two songs, but I don't have enough knowledge of music to understand exactly what it is. I'm aware that I'm not giving you much to go on, but I'm having a difficult time knowing how to be more specific. I know they both seem to make copious use of echo, but aside from that, I'd just like to know a bit more about what concepts they're working with from a musical and compositional standpoint. At any rate, If someone could shed a bit of light on these two songs I'd be very appreciative. Thanks!
posted by OccamsRazor at 3:43 PM PST - 5 comments 
My partner and I have been trying for a while to conceive. We’ve used charting and ovulation predictors and, after six months, it’s not happening. I’m 38, he’s 37, and we want to get ourselves to a fertility clinic stat. Where we are, there are three to choose between. How do I make that choice?
[more inside]posted by t0astie at 3:31 PM PST - 17 comments 
I am a student living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I have a friend who has never been exposed to horror that is Pabst Blue Ribbon, and our morbid curiosity makes us want to track some down. Are there any bars/pubs/supermarkets that sell it?
[more inside]posted by luciphercolors at 3:22 PM PST - 12 comments
I have a niece who is skinny and very cool-looking in a glam, rock 'n roll way (for example, she was the David Bowie in an all-girl David Bowie tribute band). She loves to wear clothing from
Patricia Field. Now she's pregnant. What brands of maternity clothes would keep up the hotness aspect as she grows larger? Stores in New York City and/or websites would work best for me.
posted by DMelanogaster at 3:12 PM PST - 11 comments 
What skills and characteristics make someone better suited to a career in physical therapy versus occupational therapy?
[more inside]posted by Jaie at 3:02 PM PST - 4 comments 
Is it possible to export all of your own comments from an Invision Power Board forum into a text file?
[more inside]posted by dng at 2:24 PM PST - 2 comments
Travel around the holidays-filter. We have some time in late December (exact amount of time and dates TBD) and would love to go on an awesome trip - give us your best shot
[more inside]posted by jourman2 at 2:07 PM PST - 5 comments
Gmail + Thunderbird = spamfree email?
I use gmail (via google apps) for my small company's email. While it is generally good, the inability to permanently block a sender (e.g. businesses who won't remove me from their spam list) is frustrating, especially when the senders keep appearing in the daily quarantine report. Could this be solved by using Thunderbird as an IMAP client (and “whitelisting” the senders in Postini so they don't appear in the quarantine report)? Is there an easier or more elegant solution? TIA.
posted by quidividi at 1:59 PM PST - 12 comments
How many eggs can I eat? I'm a vegetarian on the South Beach diet. I'm healthy and have never had issues with cholesterol. What I'm wondering is, how many eggs is a reasonable number to eat? I've been doing at least one a day, often two. Is that too many? Does the vegetarianism mitigate it?
I really love eggs. But I do want my blood to continue to be able to fit through my veins...help me!
posted by supercoollady at 1:40 PM PST - 29 comments
Book recommendation filter: If you've enjoyed reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, tell me what other books in a similar vein you've also enjoyed.
[more inside]posted by oracle bone at 1:33 PM PST - 52 comments
YANAL filter: I am looking at either a short sale, a deed-in-lieu, or a foreclosure. How can I form an educated guess as to the likelihood that the lender will pursue a deficiency judgment?
(Details inside!)
[more inside]posted by missrachael at 1:32 PM PST - 2 comments
Help me be a smarter protester within the Occupy movement. Who REALLY is to blame? Can you help me make a list?
[more inside]posted by Mr Ected at 1:17 PM PST - 21 comments
I am converting a personal profile page into a fan page for someone. I have a question about how this will affect another Page this person is an admin for. Help!
[more inside]posted by Rudy Gerner at 1:12 PM PST - 4 comments 
I need your assistance in helping identify the most physically remote areas of the lower 48 that have towns and a population. Examples might be Appalachia, northern Maine, west Texas, the Oregon desert, but specific towns, general areas, personal anecdotes, histories or even hearsay would be appreciated.
posted by lstanley at 12:58 PM PST - 31 comments
We have a residential Wolf 36" gas range, and the oven temperature is off by about 20-25 degrees, according to oven thermometer.
I can't find anything in the Wolf literature that came with it about how to adjust the temperature. This is NOT the same kind of oven as in a previous MeFi question -- there the owner couldn't remove oven knob. Here, I can remove it, but there's no obvious thing to turn or fiddle with.
posted by mmf at 12:51 PM PST - 8 comments
What is the best/coolest/most cutting-edge multimedia content being created for tablets?
[more inside]posted by vecchio at 12:10 PM PST - 4 comments
I'm in the UK, near Bath. I just saw someone on a bicycle I really want. Silver frame, canti brakes, racer / tourer style. Brand name was approx 11 letters long and I'm pretty sure it began with 'van'. Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance!
posted by sann1657 at 11:44 AM PST - 6 comments 
What are the best industry databases for C-level and Director level contact information, specifically in Entertainment, Sports, Finance, and Fashion?
[more inside]posted by whimsicalnymph at 11:16 AM PST - 5 comments
Left the metal pop-top on the soup can when I microwaved it for lunch. I think the microwave is ok, but the really important question is: Can I eat the soup?
[more inside]posted by Sweetie Darling at 10:26 AM PST - 13 comments
[Directions] Fastest way to get from Newcastle to Belfast.
posting for a friend. [more inside]posted by anya32 at 10:22 AM PST - 7 comments 
With the boyfriend out of the job, money is a little tight for Christmas this year. I'd like to make an envelope advent calendar for the two of us - basically, I'll decorate and number the envelopes and inside each one will be a fun activity or item for us to share. Please help me fill my envelopes!
[more inside]posted by warble at 10:04 AM PST - 21 comments 
Please tell me about your hypnobirthing experiences. I would like to hear if it worked for you or especially if it didn't - why and why not - and I am specifically looking for information about your hypnobirthing classes.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:49 AM PST - 13 comments
Trying to decide between using PayPal & Google Checkout. Would love thoughts/advice from people who have been on the merchant side as well as you on the buyer side: which are you more comfortable with?
[more inside]posted by amanda at 9:24 AM PST - 28 comments
So despite being fairly knowledgeable about these sorts of things, I put on my own little "worst practices in computer security" seminar with my Mac Mini HTPC. And, surprise of surprises, it was compromised. Help me figure out if I've reversed the damage, won't you?
[more inside]posted by supercres at 9:24 AM PST - 17 comments 
Selling a financed car. Comfortably right-side-up on the loan. Should we sell it to a dealer or a private party? Complication: Moving overseas in just over a month.
[more inside]posted by dust of the stars at 9:07 AM PST - 4 comments 
Will adding a water tank to our propane heater help regulate the room temperature, or just suck up heat?
[more inside]posted by attercoppe at 8:46 AM PST - 8 comments 
I really like Atul Gawande's book "Better" as well as his article "Letting Go" - in general, topics about systems innovations in health care, especially end-of-life care. Anything else I should read?
[more inside]posted by leedly at 8:24 AM PST - 11 comments
Schengen logistics - US citizen, 3 months each in two different Schengen countries. Neither earning money nor studying with an institution. What do I do?
[more inside]posted by resiny at 8:15 AM PST - 23 comments
We want our kids to have some kind of
real Christmas experience this year instead of focusing on themselves and all the commercialism. Of course there are some details that need to be worked around.
[more inside]posted by TooFewShoes at 7:36 AM PST - 50 comments
I have a kitchen wall cabinet to install. I can't do any heavy lifting due to a back injury. Is this an insane way to install a kitchen wall cabinet?
[more inside]posted by ShooBoo at 7:23 AM PST - 13 comments
How best do I contact an (aged, not terribly well known) author? Via her publisher? Who do I address it to so it doesn't go straight in the bin? Are there any other ways?
[more inside]posted by ClarissaWAM at 7:23 AM PST - 7 comments 
Cousin arrested for alleged shoplifting. Charges dismissed, but civil claims persisted and sent to debt collector. Now what?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:22 AM PST - 13 comments
I'd like to broaden my ESL songbook, and give kids things to sing that would appeal to them.
[more inside]posted by nicolin at 6:42 AM PST - 6 comments 
What are your loca/and orfavorite savory items wholly encased in a pastry/bread? Should be more of a snack than a meal, and filled with cheese and or meat: This is my favorite kind of food.
[more inside]posted by sandmanwv at 5:55 AM PST - 67 comments 
I have a long day ahead of me. I have a migraine coming on. I'm out of my sumatriptan and I not longer have prescription coverage insurance. Help!
[more inside]posted by lizjohn at 4:24 AM PST - 21 comments
I'm looking for the cheapest and/or easiest way to capture and compile segments of certain television news and comedy shows in full HD from a standard set-top box, then export them as a single HD presentation (either as a file or maybe as a Blu-ray disk). Luckily, I'm not starting completely from scratch. I already have MacBook Pro (2010)
Final Cut Studio (the 2006 release I think but certainly not the most current version) and
Adobe Creative Suite CS5 Master Collection. What more do I need (some type of capture device I assume) and what's the best workflow given the heavy duty software package? This project is NOT intended for any kind of sale or public distribution but instead is part of a school project.
posted by Jamesonian at 4:11 AM PST - 2 comments 
Please give me some GREAT songs for a kazoo orchestra!
posted by superfish at 3:23 AM PST - 23 comments
How can I get better reception with my new Samsung Precedent cell phone
in my home?
[more inside]posted by boby at 2:14 AM PST - 0 comments
My sister was in a really bad car accident, and has been in rehab for months and months. Now she's getting a new car! I want to buy her traffic safety O-mamori (protective lucky charm). Is there any particular shrine famed for this particular O-mamori?
posted by ultrabuff at 1:53 AM PST - 5 comments 
Help me figure out the best way to bake 80 lbs of potatoes for hungry protestors, please?
[more inside]posted by Mizu at 1:10 AM PST - 18 comments 
November 16
Replacing battery in an Acer Aspire One with one from a different Aspire One design?
[more inside]posted by LSK at 9:58 PM PST - 1 comments
I got prescription orthotics made. They are "dress orthotics" (?) - i.e. they don't come all the way up under the toe, I guess to make them not so visible. But I don't understand how I'm supposed to wear them. If I take the original insoles out of my shoes, then there's a hard edge under my toes; and the ends of my toes are resting on the rough insole-less interior surface of the shoe. If I put the orthotic in and put the original insole over it, there isn't room in the shoe for my foot.
[more inside]posted by fingersandtoes at 9:15 PM PST - 7 comments
A friend of mine just got new glasses (for distance/night) and everything is super sharp... unless it's up close. Then, it's blurry. For instance, he can't read his phone at arm's length. He can read his phone perfectly without glasses and things become blurry for him without glasses at about 25 feet. I don't think this is normal for glasses. It's certainly not the way my glasses work. What say the hive?
[more inside]posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 8:58 PM PST - 25 comments
I've been working in my current position for a little over a year now, and I love most things about it. But: I'm very overworked, exhausted, and I can feel burn-out creeping in. If I leave to work at another organization, will I still be just as busy? Is NGO work only for the super-committed?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:19 PM PST - 13 comments
My house is worth $100K less than I bought it for. I have trouble making payments. Is there anything i can do?
[more inside]posted by digividal at 7:14 PM PST - 26 comments
I am trying to choose between two different health plans offered by my large employer - a POS80 and POS90 plan. The choice seems so clear to me (the lower-cost plan seems better) that I wonder if I'm overlooking something in making the decision. The difference in monthly premiums seems to be more significant than the difference in the deductible & out-of-pocket maximums.
[more inside]posted by Fran C. at 7:08 PM PST - 7 comments 
I have a new bag, a great leather briefcase from
Dr. Koffer. The leather has a great feel, and I love the bag. Except...it has been staining my pants. How can I clean the pants, and stop the bag from staining?
[more inside]posted by arnicae at 6:55 PM PST - 5 comments
I live in an old growth neighborhood with loads of 100+ year old trees. My neighbor has a particularly large front yard (depth not width) for the area and today a surveyor was out taking measurements on all of his trees (like 30+ of them.) Any idea as to what such a thing would be for?
[more inside]posted by Jacob G at 6:34 PM PST - 9 comments
A triathlete friend of mine has been serving, for free, as my running coach for a while, and it's time to say thank you—with presents. But what?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:02 PM PST - 7 comments
There's this woman I never wanted to be friends with, and somehow we've been friends for almost 10 years. Is there any way to stop being friends with her without hurting her feelings?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 5:13 PM PST - 27 comments
Is there a way to fix this infuriating Apple Safari/Google glitch? Perhaps someone who knows Javascript and/or Safari extensions could help me.
[more inside]posted by nowonmai at 3:57 PM PST - 4 comments 
Lazyweb: Have there been any studies of traffic accident rates after passage of the hands-free laws in so many municipalities in the USA?
[more inside]posted by mzurer at 3:56 PM PST - 3 comments 
In a couple days, I will be dressing up as Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran and serving waffles to gallery patrons in a performance art piece in Chicago. This is a live version of
this blog. The problem: I only know a little bit about Duran Duran, and even less about Nick Rhodes. Help me be the best Nick Rhodes I can be!
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:54 PM PST - 19 comments
Say hypothetically, that you had half of a pigs worth of unrendered and raw pork fat trimmings in your freezer, apparently about 20 lbs, that your butcher handed you when they returned the rest of your, now disassembled, half pig. What would you do with it?
[more inside]posted by Blasdelb at 3:45 PM PST - 19 comments
I am going to be testing monovision contact lenses for a few days. If you have tried them - how long did it take you to get used to them? And was it easy to switch backwards and forwards between glasses and monovision contacts?
[more inside]posted by nixit at 3:42 PM PST - 4 comments 
How / where can I take out a mortgage or refinance a house with a credit union that won't sell the loan to a big bank?
[more inside]posted by unclezeb at 3:30 PM PST - 13 comments 
Please help me find the right laptop! My current laptop-- a standard-issue 2008 MacBook-- is on its last legs. I need to replace it with something that will meet both my personal and work requirements, and will hopefully last a long time.
[more inside]posted by charmcityblues at 3:24 PM PST - 7 comments
I'm depressed, sometimes it's to the point where I really feel like giving up. I was depressed before, seen a therapist before, was on medication before, and I recovered. It's back, rearing it's ugly head. Is it always going to be like this? Am I going to fend it off time and again only to have it come back? and where do I find the strength to do that? How can I fight it now, when I don't have the things I had before?
[more inside]posted by previously at 3:23 PM PST - 16 comments 
I'd like to re-read the Chinese classical novel
Dream of the Red Chamber (
The Story of the Stone), but I'd like to know more about the world it's set in first. What are some recommendations for books about daily life and clothing during the Qing dynasty, particularly during the 1700s?
[more inside]posted by shirobara at 2:46 PM PST - 4 comments 
I'm participating in a Thanksgiving potluck this weekend. I've been assigned a corn based dish - possibly a casserole of some sort. I'm not a good cook, but can manage simple things. Does anyone have any favorite corn based recipes that are more involved than heating up frozen or canned veggies?
[more inside]posted by codacorolla at 2:34 PM PST - 31 comments 
Can someone recommend me a good immigration lawyer for EB-1a, EB1-b, and/or EB2-NIW?
[more inside]posted by jchaw at 2:24 PM PST - 1 comments
Best color picker? I have tried various things with differing levels of satisfaction, but I'd like to know if there's some really great one that I'm missing. Firefox addons, Windows software, or websites are what I need.
[more inside]posted by 6500xf at 2:13 PM PST - 6 comments 
Found a song on the God Hand soundtrack that makes me really happy! Looking for others like it...
[more inside]posted by Khazk at 2:10 PM PST - 2 comments 
I will be moving into my fiancee's house after we get married in the summer. How do we combine our stuff in a way that is fair to both of us?
[more inside]posted by asnider at 2:10 PM PST - 22 comments 
I'm cloning a hard drive. Windows can see the new drive and access it, but none of the cloning software can access it, no matter how I format or set it up. What's going on here, and how do I fix it?
[more inside]posted by dust.wind.dude at 1:50 PM PST - 7 comments
I have sensitive skin that dries out easily.
Which types of soaps, washcloths, etc. should I use to help treat my skin better?
[more inside]posted by GlassHeart at 1:48 PM PST - 39 comments
I'm looking for a very specific kind of printer that can print true black onto 4x6 card stock weight paper.
[more inside]posted by lazaruslong at 1:38 PM PST - 8 comments
How do I explain to my mom that her Yahoo email seems to be compromised, and what should I tell her to do about it?
[more inside]posted by rivenwanderer at 1:32 PM PST - 5 comments 
Help me accept my sex drive and become okay with fulfilling my sexual needs outside my sexless (and open) relationship.
[more inside]posted by chameleon at 1:29 PM PST - 16 comments 
We're honeymooning in Thailand for 2 weeks in February. I have questions about everything from jet lag, budgeting time between the north and the beaches, intra-Thailand travels, and the ethics of elephant rides.
[more inside]posted by Viola at 12:49 PM PST - 13 comments
My 6-year old nephew is currently obsessed with space travel. Having nerdy parents & grandparents, he already owns two supersized model rockets, and a whole shelf of books about the Moon, planets, and space in general. With Christmas approaching, I'd like to give him something different-but-related. Ideas?
[more inside]posted by M. at 12:38 PM PST - 30 comments 
Can you help me understand how to approach a couple issues of server security. (1) I want to run things in 'silos', so that if someone from the web has hacked and has code level access to example.com/blog they can't query the db of example.com/app (2) If they do get access to a user database, how do I make it harder for them to figure out passwords (beyond just storing them as md5)?
[more inside]posted by the mad poster! at 12:13 PM PST - 13 comments
Im 21 years old, depressed, stressed, and never had a girlfriend. What am I doing wrong?
[more inside]posted by Parh6512 at 12:13 PM PST - 19 comments
Is there an easy way for me to run a second monitor on my computer without a new video card?
[more inside]posted by Happydaz at 12:05 PM PST - 7 comments 
How can I prepare for an upcoming hearing for which we don't have a lawyer and where I'm desperately hoping for dropped charges or an acquittal.
[more inside]posted by brenton at 11:49 AM PST - 11 comments
I was an AD/Photoshop expert for years, but I've changed careers and my computer needs have become less hardcore than they used to be. I'm getting rid of old career/office stuff I don't need, but just realized I have an entire closet full of old Macs and hard drives that are full of all sorts of stuff I should probably sort through, consolidate, purge and/or save... How do people do that nowadays?
[more inside]posted by miss lynnster at 11:25 AM PST - 8 comments
What is the story behind the text "My brother raped me last night" that has been posted to hundreds of apparently random online forums recently?
[more inside]posted by msalt at 11:19 AM PST - 10 comments
Reached a point of desperation-- I'm looking for recommendations for an IBS-C elimination diet that defines, in great detail, what can and can not be consumed and what should be reintroduced and when. Also interested in anyone's experience with the process for this same issue.
[more inside]posted by mireille at 11:08 AM PST - 23 comments 
I'm trying to customize a default user profile in Windows 7 professional, with the intent of using it to create a mandatory profile. Microsoft requires the use of Sysprep. I am but an intern, and Sysprep confuses me. I can't get Sysprep to run with the command-line switches I need.
The SteadyState replacement saga continues...
[more inside]posted by UrbanEye at 11:00 AM PST - 2 comments 
I'm looking for a place online where I can get a bunch of non-prescription soft contact lenses that I could use to practice putting stuff into my eye.
I went for my first contact lens fitting about a year ago, and it took me a good 30 minutes of trying to get them in. At the end of this torture my eyes were red and teary and I had to keep blowing my nose. Things got busy and I never ended going back after the 3rd fitting (I have a crazy astigmatism that requires toric lenses and is apparently hard to fit). I also never got the hang of putting the lenses in without sitting in front of a mirror for a long, long time. Before going back, I'd like to get the hang of it. That's where you come in.
Since I don't have a prescription, I'd like to use lenses that don't correct vision. Maybe color lenses -- would that work? I'd imagine they're all pretty similar, or no? Are color contacts soft? Is there maybe a site that gives away samples lenses with no prescription somewhere?
posted by Feel the beat of the rhythm of the night at 10:56 AM PST - 18 comments 
Mortgage scenario question... Comparing two loans, FHA with 5% down or conventional with 20% down. What makes the most sense?
[more inside]posted by ShootTheMoon at 10:53 AM PST - 14 comments
Overnight Trip (from Paris) without a car -- which would be better: Avignon or Nimes? We will be on foot, staying just one night, and are into history, archeology, museums, good food. If one not better than the other, what differences should we know about?
posted by nancoix at 10:44 AM PST - 6 comments
I have a consultation with a plastic surgeon in NYC to talk about tattoo removal next week. I made the appointment based on unanimously glowing reviews posted online. Now, reading through the reviews again, I've been struck by certain details that make me wonder if these comments are mostly an astroturfing campaign. I've been waiting awhile for my appointment, so I don't want to cancel if I'm just being paranoid. Help me out, Mefi Sleuths.
[more inside]posted by specialfriend at 10:41 AM PST - 13 comments
Is there a Windows application that will search audio files for a clip? I'm not looking for a web search, but something that will take a short clip and look within larger clips for the same audio.
[more inside]posted by inthe80s at 10:24 AM PST - 1 comments
I just started playing World of Warcraft again after two years. In short: I'm a total noob again and I'm starting to tank heroic dungeons and it is... messy. Noxxic seems pretty good for basic gear/stat information, and the in-game Dungeon Guides are nice, but they're really terrible for reading on the fly and don't actually include popular strategies. Is there a good place where I can learn how to tank Cataclysm Heroics or am I fated to drag poor strangers along on my very painful learning curve? I don't love sifting through dozens of YouTube videos, but videos would be helpful.
posted by jph at 10:22 AM PST - 10 comments 
With a digital photo frame is it possible to specify the order photos are displayed? I'd like to have a random set, interspersed with occasional strings of ordered photos.
[more inside]posted by verisimilitude at 10:18 AM PST - 3 comments
Long-term love under siege because he can't seem to get his life started, and I think I am turning into his mom. Please help.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:17 AM PST - 55 comments
I love websites that allow me to make my own custom items. What services are there where I can submit an illustration or plans and get my own custom
something that I can keep or gift to others?
[more inside]posted by Alison at 10:04 AM PST - 10 comments
Looking for recommendations on good Men's Winter Coat manufacturers. Fur trim on hood preferable!
[more inside]posted by PetiePal at 9:26 AM PST - 9 comments
Re the decline of applause at symphony concerts: are there any classical/symphonic works that are still regularly applauded between movements, whether by convention or by spontaneous upwelling of feeling?
posted by flechsig at 9:20 AM PST - 13 comments
What is the average number of police horses that are patrolling Occupy Wall Street at any given hour?
[more inside]posted by Jon_Evil at 8:59 AM PST - 9 comments
I want to move in with my partner and move on with my life, but I'm stuck in needing approval from parents with beliefs I can't agree with. How can I handle this in a kind but firm manner?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:51 AM PST - 28 comments
How do you quickly and efficiently dispose of 60 years of household items while maximizing return? I am looking for tips, tricks and suggestions for dealing with a fair-sized estate.
[more inside]posted by pixlboi at 8:07 AM PST - 21 comments
In search of software for tracking stock options, deferred compensation and options-in-lieu-of-compensation. Does this exist?
[more inside]posted by sundrop at 8:04 AM PST - 2 comments
I want to launch an online petition on a substantive political matter that's national in scope (and to the extent it matters, center-progressive). I have a semi-private FB account that I prefer not to associate with the petition; I do not have a Twitter account or anything else (e.g., Change.org), but could make one. What is the best means of creating a petition, getting eyeballs on it, and garnering popular support? Thanks!
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 8:02 AM PST - 4 comments
I just got an iPhone 4S. I "restored" the new iPhone from an iCloud backup of my previous iPhone 3GS. It worked
almost perfectly, but roughly half my music won't play!
[more inside]posted by Cygnet at 7:46 AM PST - 9 comments
Can/do cell phone re-sellers (for the big four) offer better deals on PLANs or are they only authorized to offer better deals on PHONEs.
[more inside]posted by n-palmer at 7:41 AM PST - 3 comments 
Where can I buy this necklace? At the store the other day I saw someone wearing a heart-shaped pendant with a clear covering in the center that displayed lgbt pride colors. It looked kind of like
this, except there weren't any symbols in the middle, the rainbow colors were straight across instead of wavy and it wasn't a keychain.
posted by Autumn at 7:40 AM PST - 5 comments 
How can I work on a more "natural" delivery (emphasis, pitch, etc.) when reading books aloud?
[more inside]posted by yersinia at 6:55 AM PST - 9 comments
What is the brand name of this one particular kind of dinner roll? They look like little chef hats, they come in a white cardboard tray in a plastic bag, and they have those little dimples on top.
[more inside]posted by XtinaS at 6:17 AM PST - 8 comments 
Crap! My computer is borked and I don't know what to do about it. System Restore can't seem to find Windows, either.
[more inside]posted by Scientist at 6:15 AM PST - 10 comments 
I recently had urological surgery, and I'm on a foley catheter for the next two weeks. I'm female. How do I put up with it?
[more inside]posted by stoneandstar at 6:14 AM PST - 9 comments 
I am trying to establish a good backup strategy for my digital media assets (photos, music, and some home videos) and documents. Would love to hear from you on on whether this makes sense ...
[more inside]posted by justlooking at 6:03 AM PST - 5 comments 
Does anybody know of any resources, be they online or otherwise, for teaching the basics - the very basics - of iPad use to a computerphobic person? Things like "what does the home button do?", "what is the internet?", "what is a web browser?", "what is an app?".
More details below, but basically I am at the end of my tether with trying to provide technical support to someone with zero computer awareness or willingness to learn and I need to find some way of educating them to the point where they can at least recognize when something is a problem and when it isn't.
[more inside]posted by teselecta at 5:20 AM PST - 19 comments 
I usually consume books. Help me with tricks/strategies to savor and retain Murakami's 1Q84.
[more inside]posted by Xurando at 5:08 AM PST - 13 comments
Moving back to Canada on short notice... like, tomorrow. Ugh. Help me figure out the logistics of living in the Western world again!
[more inside]posted by hasna at 5:00 AM PST - 8 comments
Looking to implement the most effective reasonable set of best practices for preserving internet privacy and blocking commercial data harvesting. Seeking tips, tricks, hacks, and useful online resources.
[more inside]posted by spitbull at 4:25 AM PST - 5 comments
Help me find a new career (apologies for the long ramble) - I know there are lots of posts asking about switching to a more creative career, but I want to go the other way.
[more inside]posted by Megami at 1:47 AM PST - 9 comments 
November 15
How should prize money be divided in order to generate the most high-quality submissions to a contest?
[more inside]posted by nnevvinn at 11:26 PM PST - 15 comments
So I love this image, and want to use it for an art project. It's old, so I'm pretty sure it's public domain. I'll find out.
But meanwhile, does anyone know where I can find a hi-res image file of
this photo?
I tried emailing that website, but no dice.
posted by HylandErickson at 10:54 PM PST - 5 comments
Help me identify an 80s road trip movie about two young (as in middle school age) brothers searching for their father. Details inside.
[more inside]posted by smokingmonkey at 10:14 PM PST - 4 comments 
What's going on with my plantar wart? I've been treating it for nearly two months, but now it feels sore when I try to remove dead skin, and there's what looks like dried blood on one side of the wart. Is this a good sign?
[more inside]posted by jlibera at 7:59 PM PST - 18 comments
Does anyone know of statistics or studies regarding repercussions to women as a result of filing sexual harassment charges, or otherwise fighting back against daily harassment (cat calling, etc)? In the US, but interested in any data.
posted by korej at 7:57 PM PST - 5 comments
I need a free service that can send me warnings for scheduled events (birthdays, anniversaries), specs inside
[more inside]posted by CelebrenIthil at 7:31 PM PST - 16 comments 
My MIL is having an affair, is not being smart about it and I don't know how to be around her now.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:17 PM PST - 34 comments
Has anyone working fulltime under a manager negotiated a cut in their work hours, from the standard 40-hr work week to 30-32 hours? (But not due to childcare or other specific family/personal constraints, just for wanting more free time.)
[more inside]posted by mnemonic at 5:59 PM PST - 17 comments
I got a part-time job contracting for a non-profit. Turns out they have me as a 1099 contractor instead of a W2 as I'm accustomed to. What do I need to do or know?
[more inside]posted by never nice at 5:41 PM PST - 20 comments 
In the U.S., what options exist for a nearly immediate increase in hemoglobin levels (or iron) outside of a blood transfusion in a hospital?
[more inside]posted by who squared at 5:40 PM PST - 18 comments
Flickr is perfectly fine, but I hate that it switches up photo URLs/servers, so photos I post on my blog turn into 'photo not available.' Since that's what I mainly use it for, it's getting to be a pain. What do I switch to?
[more inside]posted by tmcw at 5:34 PM PST - 24 comments
Asking for a friend: Therapy options for a wheelchair-bound person in a tiny town in central Texas? (Skype or phone, maybe?)
[more inside]posted by Alterscape at 4:47 PM PST - 4 comments 
If a park ranger gives you a citation for violating the terms of a permit, is "Other rangers told me it's ok when I got the permit" a valid defense? Also, what are my obligations when no court date is specified on the citation?
[more inside]posted by ilikemefi at 4:42 PM PST - 15 comments 
I hear that now might be a good time to buy a house. I have no idea how this process works, having rented my entire life. Beginning with the basics, how does this work?
[more inside]posted by radiosilents at 4:17 PM PST - 17 comments
I know how to help myself through bad times, but how does a mom help her 20-year-old child through her first serious relationship breakup when the reasons for it are the same as her parent's divorce (boy cheats on girl)? What are the magic words?
[more inside]posted by kinetic at 3:31 PM PST - 28 comments 
I'm working on a project that takes credit card payments online but wants to avoid the overhead of PCI DSS by not storing people's card details. This is fine, but it seems to be making our checkout process unwieldy.
[more inside]posted by TheDonF at 3:20 PM PST - 6 comments 
I'd like to read about Shanghai in the 1930s. What (fact or fiction) books can you recommend?
posted by wyn at 2:56 PM PST - 15 comments
Assuming all other features of the bicycles are identical, and the price is the same, which brand is better: Batavus, Giant, or Raleigh?
[more inside]posted by lollusc at 2:52 PM PST - 22 comments 
I work in a nominally Catholic institution with a resident priest. I'll be working with him next week on publicising the upcoming Christmas events. Most people refer to him Father (firstname). I don't feel comfortable with that - so what do I call him instead?
[more inside]posted by cilantro at 2:45 PM PST - 86 comments
Looking for hardware/software that will scan a physical form with handwritten fields and generated accurate delimited text with it.
[more inside]posted by jsturgill at 2:25 PM PST - 2 comments
Two questions about putting Windows 7 on a MacBook Air. First, how do I get a Windows 7 ISO? Second, am I crazy to even do this in the first place?
[more inside]posted by Cool Papa Bell at 2:25 PM PST - 5 comments 
My hope is to find a secure and inexpensive method for collecting my client's B&B guest deposits online, but I am unsure how to proceed?! My newest client is an already existing B&B that wants to attract new guests, in return a portion of the stay rate (aka my commission) will be allotted for me and my services. Works for me in theory, but unsure how to go about collecting the funds...
[more inside]posted by jazzybelle at 2:19 PM PST - 1 comments
What are the best blackberry apps that take advantage of the bb 9900 touch screen. (Preferably Free)?
[more inside]posted by MechEng at 1:48 PM PST - 2 comments 
What are some genuinely enjoyable activities I can do for an aerobic workout that aren't too hard on the body?
[more inside]posted by Cogito at 1:44 PM PST - 31 comments
My friend paid for Yahoo Premium email service. His email account was hacked. And his account was locked down by Yahoo. Now I can't find any way to contact Yahoo Premium service, which he PAID FOR. Any ideas??
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:24 PM PST - 6 comments
We're trying to estimate just whether we'll get a refund or have to pay on a very simple, standard deduction, Federal return. Estimator apps vary widely.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:24 PM PST - 6 comments
Looking for group exercises aimed at professionals that can demonstrate how leadership works, or games the group can play where they have to organize themselves and perhaps undertake an activity or complete a task. Basically any ideas that are fun, gets the group laughing and thinking- and they leave believing I'm awesome.
posted by the noob at 1:00 PM PST - 7 comments
My mother is currrently in Asia and wants her tailor there to make a sack dress for my baby. The tailor wants to know
- neck size
- chest
- length (from base of neck to a hand's breadth above the knee)
BUT...baby will be wearing this next summer, when she will be a year and two or three months old, and I have no idea how big she will be!
[more inside]posted by Omnomnom at 12:39 PM PST - 7 comments 
My homebuilt, always-on HTPC has ground to a halt. It won't boot past the BIOS, which slowly - slowly - fills the screen like it's being downloaded by a very old dial-up modem. What's my "checklist" for zeroing in on the problem?
[more inside]posted by BobbyVan at 11:57 AM PST - 11 comments 
My friend and coworker is having a super shitty week. I want to send her a happy little picture or something like that - maybe a happy lolcat? - to bring a small bit of joy to her day. Suggestions?
posted by corn_bread at 11:39 AM PST - 59 comments
Comparing VPS vs. Shared Server performance. Are there some ways to compare server performance on a couple of hosting accounts I have. I'm interested in seeing how much better the VPS account performs and then deciding if that's worth the extra monthly charge. Or the inverse: is the shared server account adequate.
[more inside]posted by humboldt32 at 11:36 AM PST - 6 comments
I would like to build some built in shelves in my house. I have basic carpentry experience, and I have built basic shelves before. Would I be making a big mistake to try this? How much might I expect to pay a carpenter to do this?
[more inside]posted by OmieWise at 11:35 AM PST - 16 comments
I want to be a redhead. If you've been something else previously (especially a mousy brunette), is this a good idea? What works? What doesn't? What will people SAY????
[more inside]posted by tully_monster at 11:31 AM PST - 49 comments
How do I disable YouTube's safety mode? My spouse somehow enabled it last week and we've been gong crazy trying to get rid of it. I've tried Googling this, and done everything others have suggested (apparently this is a common problem) but nothing works. And yes, I've gone to the bottom of the screen and switched the safety mode to "off", but it goes right back on again. HELP! We have Google Chrome, if that matters.
posted by shelayna at 10:55 AM PST - 6 comments
Fruit tree planting question: Peach and plum trees are typically sold bare root, for planting in the winter, and most online planting guides deal with bare root trees. I wanted to get my trees in the ground before winter to give the roots some time to grow (Austin, Texas here), so I bought containerized plum and peach trees (that is, with a root ball and leaves), and I have planted the plum trees already. I am worried that I messed it up.
[more inside]posted by seventyfour at 10:51 AM PST - 5 comments 
What's a good, chill cafe for writing in Berlin? Preferably with Wifi. Any around Kreuzberg/Mitte/Neukölln?
posted by dontjumplarry at 10:49 AM PST - 9 comments
Why do some semi-trailers have a plastic barrel attached to a frame structure underneath the deck and behind the rear axle? They are on their sides, (GIS fails finding an example.) They look like they may be used to hold water and provide weight for braking.
posted by Keith Talent at 10:45 AM PST - 10 comments
I am looking to simplify my life. What is a very simple, compact, and good cell phone that would work with T-Mobile.
[more inside]posted by denverco at 9:53 AM PST - 6 comments 
I'm recently divorced, and I'm realizing that I have never lived alone. I've always had roommates, parents, girlfriends or my ex-wife. And, wow, am I having a hard time with living by myself.
[more inside]posted by bonecrusher at 9:37 AM PST - 59 comments 
NetbookSalefilter: I have two netbooks...A Dell mini Inspiron 910 w/ a solid state HD and Dell Latitude 2100 w/ a SATA hd. I like both and i want to sell one. Which one should i keep, i cant decide? Opinions Please.
posted by flipmiester99 at 9:20 AM PST - 10 comments
My roommate and I were planning to host Thanksgiving dinner for 12 people, but the gas has been turned off in our building and we don't know if it will be back on by next week and I have no stovetop or oven to use if it doesn't come back on. Help me figure out a plan B menu that I can cook with only a microwave, a toaster oven, and a 5 quart oval slow cooker.
[more inside]posted by Neely O'Hara at 9:01 AM PST - 19 comments
How do you grow an online community for a small trade association's 2000-something members?
[more inside]posted by windbox at 8:12 AM PST - 2 comments
I entered graduate school in literature six years ago, and since then I feel like I've lost track what's happening in contemporary literature. Help me catch up: What are the essential works of the last six years?
posted by gerryblog at 7:47 AM PST - 17 comments 
I recently moved to Cambridge from DC and I'm looking to find an inexpensive dry cleaner.
[more inside]posted by mhaw at 7:29 AM PST - 2 comments
My home computer seems to have been attacked, and possibly wiped of all programs and files, by some kind of virus. Is there hope for my computer or is all my data (which includes 75% of a rough draft of a novel) hopelessly lost?
[more inside]posted by orange swan at 5:33 AM PST - 21 comments
Do you know some
professional writer who is blind from birth?
posted by - at 4:50 AM PST - 11 comments
My partner and I want to make New Years Eve a special night. We're both in our 30's and the appeal of doing a rowdy alcohol soaked party blowout is wearing off, so instead we're aiming for classy and romantic, just the two of us. What should we do to make it feel more like a vacation rather than a staycation, and what should we do to make the night extra special? We're looking to maximize the romantic schmultz.
[more inside]posted by gwenlister at 4:01 AM PST - 11 comments 
My house is a mess - one of the reasons for selling - and I have no money. Where the hell do I start?
[more inside]posted by b33j at 3:27 AM PST - 42 comments 
Who is the actual back end provider of all the different hotel/travel reservations systems, (bonus: in Israel specifically)?
[more inside]posted by Izzmeister at 2:54 AM PST - 1 comments
I have Lupus, and one of the things I struggle with is
Lupus fog. One way in which this presents itself is that I tend to lose or forget or be unaware of the location of my wallet, and to help me with this I'd like to find a useful, high visibility wallet. I have been using a
Levenger International Pocket Briefcase, but I lost that one today and I think it's time I stopped buying black / dark wallets.
[more inside]posted by planetthoughtful at 1:14 AM PST - 11 comments 
Once in a while I'll see a truck behind me with a series of around 10 small light bulbs creating an S on the front grille. What does this mean?
[more inside]posted by simplethings at 1:13 AM PST - 10 comments
Christmas gift idea for 10 y/o nephew. Wii console game, FPS-style, but not Modern Warfare 3.
[more inside]posted by Diag at 12:57 AM PST - 9 comments 
Where in Brooklyn can I go with my crafts projects to hang out with other people who are working on their crafts projects, for free? I'm working on a number of portable crafts projects right now and I'd love to get out of the house and be with other people who are working on their own projects.
posted by ocherdraco at 12:27 AM PST - 5 comments
November 14
I am looking for a Flash (?) game I played back in 2003 that I have not seen since.
[more inside]posted by bagels at 10:33 PM PST - 2 comments 
Is it possible that my dog is taking four times as much Xanax as me?
[more inside]posted by Buffaload at 1