June 2012 Archives
June 30
A place to wipe your shoes.
I would like to find this doormat. I thought it came from one of the big box stores, but I've gone through all the online inventories and can't seem to find it anywhere.
Too much alone time!
I'm having some anxiety about traveling alone. Please hope/help me! [more inside]
How can I teach myself feng shui? Any books worth recommending?
How can I teach myself feng shui? Any books worth recommending? [more inside]
Can anybody identify this mysterious brass disk?
When a friend's grandfather died, the family found a drawer full of mysterious brass disks. The grandfather had a lot of random scrap metal and other odd items around the house and grounds. The disks are pretty much identical and appear to be brass. My friend told me that at some point someone brought one to a jeweler or something and they were told that the disks were brass with a small amount of gold mixed in. [more inside]
How dangerous is a flaming car?
If a car becomes engulfed in flames, will it eventually explode like it does in the movies? [more inside]
Sleep training a toddler: Should we pick him up off the floor when asleep?
Sleep training a toddler: Should we pick him up off the floor when asleep? [more inside]
boobies!!!
I am a straight man and my manager is a woman. We work in an office environment. Sometimes she wears shirts that reveal a little cleavage. I don't want to look, but sometimes my eyes drift ... convince me this is something i shouldn't worry about. [more inside]
Loan Consolidation with a Perkins loan?
Should you apply for Special Direct Loan consolidation if you have a Perkins loan? [more inside]
What Netflix streaming movies are isomorphic to When Harry Met Sally?
What Netflix streaming movie should I watch tonight, given that When Harry Met Sally isn't available there? [more inside]
I want to read about Admiral Halsey. What's the best biography?
I want to read about Admiral Halsey. What's the best biography?
Chucks are my perfect shoe, except when it rains. Help!
I wear my Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars shoes everywhere, and they go with pretty much any outfit. I LOVE THEM! However, they get soggy at the slightest hint of rain. What's the next best all-purpose, all-weather, awesome shoe for a girl?
Is it bad etiquette to invite all family members but one?
Wedding invite etiquette: Is it bad etiquette to invite all family members but one? [more inside]
Footy in The D
Where can we watch tomorrow's Euro Cup final in Detroit? [more inside]
Seeking webcam with superb low light performance
I'm looking for a USB webcam with really good low light performance and full manual controls (exposure, focus, etc). A digital camera or camcorder that can emulate a webcam would work too. Bonus if it's known to work well with software like Processing, OpenFrameworks, and/or Jitter.
How on earth is this legal?
Is this a scam? Money laundering? Some other kind of shady deal? My housemate just had some weird money stuff going on and I can't see any reason anyone would do this unless it's something illegal. [more inside]
BMW expertise?
What's the best source for advice/info for BMW owners? [more inside]
How long do I have to be in France before my classes start?
Do I have to BE in France for 3 weeks prior to my classes starting for the 2B Visa (Canada-France Youth Exchanges Agreement)? [more inside]
Help me learn about the 30 Years War
Can you suggest some good books about the Thirty Years' War? I'm interested in reading some good history books about the wars and historical fiction set during the period. I know almost nothing about this period of European history, but am fascinated by the little I've heard. [more inside]
Looking for a doctor who isn't knife-happy
Austin-filter: I dislocated my kneecap and am looking for a recommendation for a sports medicine doctor who will give me a thorough exam including a knee MRI and who will advocate a conservative (non-surgical) approach unless surgery is absolutely necessary. They must take Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. Thanks Metafilter, I know you can solve this! [more inside]
Happiness is loneliness... cause I can't find this mix
You may be familiar with Dj Tomcraft and his song Loneliness. I'm searching for those exact same lyrics, but closer together and the song has more... tempo? [more inside]
Bricked my Samsung Galaxy S3
I think I may have "bricked" my new Samsung Galaxy S3. Please help! [more inside]
Good movies I can stream right now?
Something fun to watch on Amazon instant video right now? [more inside]
Nome for Dummies
[Alaska filter] We are heading to Nome, Alaska for six nights in mid August. We need your suggestions for everything to make our week great. [more inside]
Overambitious career goals?
How do I know if I'm being overambitious? [more inside]
Investing in art on a budget.
How can I find and buy art as an investment but without breaking the bank? [more inside]
Your persona here.
Examples of musicians with alter egos? [more inside]
Can't remember the name of a certain game. Care to help?
Game felt a bit like Mass Effect, but it predated ME. Searching has been fruitless thus far. [more inside]
Beauty products, tips and tricks for the perpetually fatigued?
I want to hear about all your amazing beauty products, tips and tricks that camouflage or minimise the appearance of fatigue in the wearer's/user's face. Help a sufferer of a chronic condition avoid questions about tiredness when they're so tired they already want to lie down under the table! [more inside]
Help me build some community spirit.
How can I encourage people to participate in our neighborhood association? What fun events can we plan for our community that will get people fired up about being a part of it? And last but not least, how can I encourage people to pay the very reasonable association dues? [more inside]
Songs about Lonliness
SongFilter! Help my find songs about loneliness and isolation, either sad songs about those feelings or happy songs about overcoming those feelings. [more inside]
Hope for Recovery and Repair?
Recovery from severe depression + sleep deprivation + personality change possible? [more inside]
On my honor, I will try...
Disruptive girl driving others out of my Girl Scout troop. What are my options? [more inside]
Dermatologist
Dermatologist for acne in Los Angeles? [more inside]
Help me with ideas to make my Chinese relative feel comfortable on her first visit to the U.S.
Help me with ideas to make my Chinese relative feel comfortable on her first visit to the U.S. [more inside]
interactive question
Javascript ? Interactive Multimedia Web Presentation ? Is it even possible ? [more inside]
Childhood Cinematic Trauma
Can you help me identify some movies that traumatized me as a child? [more inside]
What is "latency"?
In regard to satellite internet service, can you explain “latency” to me? I’m currently a Hughesnet customer and get a deplorable 1.5 mbps. A new satellite will go online later this summer, and though download speeds will supposedly greatly increase, I’m told there will still be a latency issue. I’ve poked around online, but the explanations don’t really address the practical issues, like, can I play realtime games online and finally log on to secure sites without them timing out?
Painting of two girls in CMA collection
I'm trying to identify an oil painting of two young girls that was (still is?) in the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. [more inside]
Juicy delicious lean hamburgers
Grilling season is here, and I'm looking for your tips on making juicy, delicious charcoal grilled burgers from LEAN hamburger meat. The more I search online, the more conflicting advice I find. [more inside]
"Footnote dots?" "Points of distraction?" "Embedded text?"
Let's say you're on Youtube, and you're watching a video, and on the progress bar there are little dots where, if you click on them, you get extra text or links or pictures pertinent to the video, ads, etc. What are those things called? [more inside]
Canary x Goldfinch mules for Newbies
My girlfriend wants to get a canary x goldfinch mule... what do I need to know? [more inside]
Memoirs from Scientists
Looking for more memoirs from scientists, along the lines of Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!, Robert Sopolsky's A Primate's Memoir, and Daniel Everett's Don't Sleep There Are Snakes. [more inside]
Managing your boss
Managing your boss or her expectations [more inside]
Help us build our studio
Artists: What are your must-have features for an art studio? [more inside]
Non-explosive explosions
What are some fun alternatives to fireworks for the 4th of July? [more inside]
Block and Tackle
Facebook. A friend of a friend tags 47 people in random pictures. I don't want to block my friend but I don't want to see another thing from this guy.
Charter fishing recommendation near Traverse City, Michigan
We will be leaving next week for a vacation to Michigan and would like to embark upon a Great Lake fishing trip of some kind. We're staying near Honor, MI and are happy to drive up to Traverse City if necessary. Can you recommend a charter fishing outfit - preferably one that is LGBT-friendly? [more inside]
How do you give clear signals that it's just not gonna happen?
How do you send clear signals when someone is flirty with you, but you are not interested, yet still like them as a person? [more inside]
Help me make my trousers shorter
Where should I go to get some simple adjustments to my suit? [more inside]
Looking for iOS app to broadcast my location
I'm looking for an iOS app that will broadcast my current location to a page with an embedded map, so that I can share the URL with family and friends as I travel across the country. [more inside]
Do I stay or do I go?
Do I stay in the position I'm in, where I've been promised an significantly better environment but haven't seen anything realized yet; or do I get a new job which may not be quite as fantastic but is what I actually want to be doing? [more inside]
Visual notepad reminder widgets for Android.
I'm looking for an Android app with a widget that displays on the home screen and will show me if one or more notes exists in the notepad. [more inside]
Fun core exercises?
What are some activities that are also good core muscle exercises? [more inside]
Guns aren't lawful; Nooses give; Gas smells awful; You might as well live -- And Other Inspirations.
I'm doing research for an artistic work exploring the theme of suicide, and I seek 1) a particular recent article arguing that life is not worth living and 2) the most provocative, interesting works on suicide from artistic, philosophical, social science, journalistic, religious or medical perspectives. [more inside]
I'm nonplussed by GoT, what now?
How to phrase my feelings about Game of Thrones? [more inside]
Please help me remember this word
Word filter [more inside]
Live and let go.
Seeking wisdom on possessiveness. [more inside]
Stop sparking!
The sparkers on my gas cook-top keep 'sparking' even when everything is turned off. There is no gas flowing to the range but the little spark plugs keeping sparking by themselves. From my lounge room I can hear them and it's getting worse and worse.
Any ideas? Should I just get someone in to fix it? European stainless steel cook-top around 10 years old. I saw this AskMefi, but it doesn't quite answer my question.
Authorization for Release And Use of Medical Information
What happens if I don't return the "Authorization for Release And Use of Medical Information" form for my Worker's Comp claim? [more inside]
June 29
What to do with Carob Molasses?
exotic ingredient: Carob Molasses - how do I use it? [more inside]
Painlessly manage a story website programmatically?
I'm a programmer, and I want to create a static website to host my stories. [more inside]
Invasive, external banner ads that won't budge are harshing my Netflix buzz.
How do I get rid of these banner ads in Netflix (below which say "Ads not by this site")? [more inside]
Need to make a cooling box
Is there a way to keep 8 bays of ink cartridges cool without air conditioning? [more inside]
Where Should We Live in North Chicago / Waukegan?
Where should we live in the North Chicago / Waukegan area? [more inside]
Best Options for Small but Heavily Trafficked Online Forum
I'm part of a 25-member private message board. We've been using pHpBB for years, hosted on one of our members' private website, but her space is limited and we have periodic issues with the database crashing as a result. What are our options? [more inside]
Shopping carts to accept credit cards over the Internet without leaving the site
Please help me understand how to accept credit card payments online for a fussy merchant, who wants to set up a shopping cart to sell luxury items, but fears using PayPal will make him look like he is "selling toys on eBay." [more inside]
Mac or PC for design work?
PC or Mac for would be web/multimedia designer? [more inside]
You've royally screwed me...
Is is normal for a dental crown to be so painful? [more inside]
Thundershirt versus frequent neighborhood fireworks
Thanks to a change in fireworks sale laws in my state, people are really lighting off their rockets and whiz-bangers and whatnot. My dog, she hates that. Does the Thundershirt actually work? Any other tips for chilling out explosion-averse dogs?
How do I get two toddlers to nap?
How do I get two toddlers (same age, not twins) to nap at the same time? [more inside]
Forever buying blue jeans
Am I supposed to buy jeans that fit me perfectly in the store, or jeans that are too tight but will stretch to be perfect? If the latter, how do I know how much they will stretch out (or, how tight is too tight)? [more inside]
Why does my cat love my panties?
Is my pee made of cat nip? Why does my cat go crazy rolling around in my dirty underwear? [more inside]
If you had an opportunity to interview a self-made millionaire, what would you ask?
If you had an opportunity to interview a self-made millionaire, what would you ask? [more inside]
Can I negotiate this salary?
I worked as a junior accountant in nyc for a year and had a salary of $37,500. I'm going for an interview at another company and want to negotiate a salary to my advantage. I'm looking at 48-50K. Would you say this is doable? Should I shoot for higher? 52K? I have knowledge of a particular software they are using. I have no idea what they have in mind.
Best country with no universal health care?
In the wake of the Affordable Care Act being upheld, there have been a lot of (joking?) references to Americans threatening to move to Canada to avoid socialized health care. But now I'm curious: if someone were really determined to move from America to a country with no kind of universal health care for its citizens, what would the most attractive option be? [more inside]
Venue recommendations for an album launch in London please!
Would very much appreciate recommendations for a venue to launch an album in London! [more inside]
Finding Good CBT
Looking into CBT for acrophobia. What do I need to know to evaluate practitioners and get the most out of this?
Google maps embeds ≠ $$$ ?
Can anybody confirm for me that I can embed a Google Map on a commercial website in an iframe, without hitting the 25,000 request limit on the Google Maps API, or incurring a lawsuit? [more inside]
Useful idioms
Business idioms that are actually useful? [more inside]
Knees need fixin'
Because of a change in insurance policies, I need to find a new orthopedist. Does anyone have any experience with NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases or any recommendations in NYC? [more inside]
Hit Me With Your Best Shots!
How do I decide how best to have my dogs vaccinated? And what vaccinations are really necessary? And possibly going against my vet’s wishes. Detailed snowflake inside. [more inside]
Low-exertion day trips/weekends from Seattle?
Low-exertion day trips/weekends from Seattle? [more inside]
Need a responsive webpage template
Where can I buy a responsive web template off the shelf? [more inside]
Get thee behind me, refined sugar! Come forth, fruit!
I know fruit is delicious and good for you. But how to make my brain believe it and eat it more? [more inside]
Nerd & Nerdling in the Nation's Capitol
Grown-up nerd and seven year-old nerdling are visiting Washington D.C. next week. ISO amusement, entertainment, novelty and awesomeness. Snowflakes aplenty inside. [more inside]
good heavens it is a full laptop
where on earth is the trash in easypeasy ubuntu linux on an eee pc? how can i empty it? [more inside]
What is this particular kind of button called?
Medicaid Spend Down for the Young and Able
Can anyone explain Medicaid spend down benefits for the non-elderly, non-disabled? [more inside]
How do I interact with an adult who may have Asperger's in a way that makes them feel comfortable?
How do I interact with an adult brother of my girlfriend I am meeting for the first time... who may have Asperger's/autism spectrum...... in a way that makes them feel comfortable? [more inside]
What's the deal with meditation?
How and why does meditation work? How does one do it properly (that is, in the way in which one may extract the most benefits)? [more inside]
Where can I find liquid baby powder?
Why is it so hard to find liquid baby powder? [more inside]
Source a quote about the pace of technology advances?
Years ago -- perhaps the mid-80s? -- I came across a prediction to the effect that "Technology will never again advance as slowly as it is advancing today." [more inside]
If Romney wins, can he kill PPACA?
Can someone explain to me how November's Presidential Election in the USA would impact the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act? [more inside]
What to do with a dying van?
What to do with a 2000 Econoline which is (not so slowly) dying? [more inside]
Vitamins for dad-to-be? Prenatal pops' supplements?
What vitamins or supplements should a father-to-be take before conception? Looking for quality swimmers! (Corollary, what foods to avoid?) [more inside]
Portland Stopover!
Attending the "Gentlemen of the Road" festival in Portland, ME on August 4th. Looking for information both on the festival and on where to stay the night (cheaply!) [more inside]
Spin Class to Go
So, I've been really loving spin class lately. However, the timings at my gym are such that I can only go 2 times a week. I'd like to spin 3-4x a week. Can you recommend any audio workouts (podcasts, etc) that simulate a spin class experience? [more inside]
Jambo Zanzibar
I've got a few months. How can I learn the most possible Swahili in this time? [more inside]
Purse repair in Chicago
Anyone know a good handbag repair shop in Chicago? I've got an expensive (leather, fabric lining) purse that I broke the zipper on and would like to have it fixed. [more inside]
What are some great resources on learning PMP and Project Management ?
What are some great books/resources for really learning and getting a master on Project Management? [more inside]
Artist/name of this song?
Songfilter: long conga fill for the intro, female singer, older tune, maybe of hispanic origin, lyrics are something like: "i've been locked away for so long, i forget why i'm even here" help! driving me nuts! [more inside]
Dealing with a boss who won't take no for an answer
I'm being asked to engage in business practices that are probably bad for my company in the long run and driving me nuts personally. I'm also a new temp and not in a great position to rock the boat. Is there any way to make this situation more bearable? [more inside]
A Queer Girl's Guide to NYC
I'm a woman in her mid-twenties who is coming to realize that she might like other women in the romantic sense. I'm in NYC. How/where can I meet and date other women and get to know NYC's queer scene? [more inside]
Traveling with baby
Flying for 10+ hours by myself with a 1 year old - crazy, or doable? [more inside]
Looking for GYN and GP in NYC
Moving to NYC, need recommendations for a gynecologist and a general practitioner. [more inside]
Sausage tourism in Munich and Austria?
I'm a big fan of sausage - all kinds of sausage. Street vendor sausage, fancy sausage, pork sausage, chicken sausage, beef sausage. I am traveling to Munich, Salzburg, and Vienna for a few weeks in July. Where can I get the best (for whatever definition of "best" suits you) sausages, whether it be a quick lunch at a vendor between sights or a sit-down dinner?
Coveting the Apple, but Wary of the Price
I'n seriously thinking of upgrading my 7-yr old Sony Vaio Notebook for the new MacBook Pro with retina display. Unless you think it's a really bad idea? Details of my computer usage and a question or three within. [more inside]
Help me sell myself more effectively.
Having trouble getting out from under the cloud of my resume. I worked in biotech for five years, and now want to transition into an advertising/design type career. I have the skills to transition, but all my work experience is routed in biotech.. what I am on paper is not what I am capable of in real life. [more inside]
Help me fool my film camera
How can I trick the auto-exposure setting on my film camera? [more inside]
See you around, bank!!
Paying off the mortgage - what do I need to make sure the mortgage company/bank/whoever does? [more inside]
How can I save an old cookbook?
So I've been given a well-loved copy of the 1937 Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook. Along with the cookbook are a bunch of recipes handwritten on random scraps of paper, such as napkins and envelopes. What should I do with all this? [more inside]
Help me hydrate - I need the perfect bottle
Does my ideal drink container exist? [more inside]
Comfortable Mac-compatible keyboards for people who type a lot: Y U NO EXIST?
So the 'H' key on my aluminum Apple USB keyboard gave up the ghost and I'm using the wireless Bluetooth keyboard while casting about for other options... [more inside]
Rent-A-Puppy
I'm not exactly sure how to phrase this question, but I'm looking to have access to a room full of puppies for an hour or two in DC. Help me! [more inside]
ID this shrub
Shrub ID Filter: Can you identify this shrubbery? [more inside]
Specific site for legal bootleg downloads -- help me re-find it please!
On my old computer (bookmarks now lost, sadly), I used to always go to a site that had free legal downloads of unreleased bootlegs of music shows. There was a bit of an emphasis on classic rock -- Dylan, Neil Young, Rolling Stones, etc. Now I can't remember what it was called! Can anyone help?
Falling off the sleep train
After four days of sleep training our 7 month old, we've had good results for night sleeping, but day time sleep has gotten progressively worse. We are on the verge of giving up on the day time routine, but don't want to stop just before things turn around. Help? [more inside]
How do I ban someone from liking my FB page?
I'm admin for a celebrity/personality/whatever page on Facebook, and am having trouble finding out how to ban someone we suspect will soon start creeping it up. [more inside]
Europe with a toddler?
Is France or Italy better for a 2-year old? [more inside]
Help: NYC apartment search
Help me move to NYC Part 1: Finding an apartment (Brooklyn? Jersey City?) [more inside]
Need stitches without the ER
My girlfriend just got a cut on her leg from a glass table, about 1/4" deep, maybe a little deeper. We think she needs stitches or at least antibiotics, but she doesn't have health insurance. What is the cheapest option to get looked at and treated? [more inside]
My ears are requesting some swoony swagger.
I'm looking for more songs like these three (male vocals, with dark and dour swoony swagger):
Elbow - The Fix,
The Damned - Torture Me,
Blur - To the End.
I already know about Murder by Death, Firewater, Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave, Joy Division, Morphine and Marc Almond...what am I missing?
Recommend me some interesting single author blogs.
Recommendations for interesting single author blogs? I am in interested in reading more "interesting people" who blog. I am looking for blogs written either exclusively or predominantly by a single author, regardless of topic - provided they are accesible to the general intelligent reader (so sadly that probably rules out mathematics blogs). Who should I be reading and why are they worth my time? [more inside]
Where in the world is this?
Can someone tell me where this picture was taken?
Suggestions for my OkCupid profile, and on how to initiate conversations with women?
My OkCupid profile--any suggestions? And what's the best way to initiate conversations with women? [more inside]
June 28
How to disable this new Facebook in-news-feed advertising?
How to disable this new Facebook in-news-feed advertising? [more inside]
Accepting LinkedIn invites from recruiters you don't know
What do you do if you receive a Linkedin invite from a recruiter of a company that you've had dealings with in the past, but not with the recruiter themselves? [more inside]
Name that Art!
Name that art installation at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in the Fall of 2007! [more inside]
I want a HD camera that can also do slo-mo filming.
CameraFilter: I am looking to buy a DSLR camera that can not only videotape movie-quality HD, but also film in super slo-mo. [more inside]
Hyperventilating kitten?
Kitten health panic question! Short version: Six-week old kitten hyperventilates when sleeping after meals. Breathing is extremely rapid and shallow, kitten can't be roused. Healthy, active, playful and feisty in all other ways. More details inside. [more inside]
Got a great new job - why do I feel so sad?
After eight years at an idiosyncratic dept at a major university, I got a "golden ticket" job at a hot new start-up in my field. I am thrilled. But I am also deeply sad about leaving my friends and colleagues. I mean, deeply, deeply, crying-about-it frequently sad. (More sadness inside!) [more inside]
Please help me get a flight quickly & cheaply!
Please help me get a flight quickly & cheaply! This may have been answered in a previous question - if so, please point me in the right direction, but I need input quickly. [more inside]
Why do I look best in the morning?
So, it seems like I look my best first thing in the morning (right after I wake up), and I lose that look after about 30 minutes. I can't figure out why this is the case - it seems people tend to usually think the opposite. I'd like to prolong this effect as long as possible, so any suggestions to that effect are also welcomed. Any ideas hivemind?
Famous poets traveling to new locations to test their ability
I remember reading somewhere that some famous, ancient (?) Japanese (?) poets liked to travel to new places where they were not yet well-known, in order to test their abilities and attempt to re-establish themselves as talented poets. Does this ring any bells? Do you know of any sources that talk about such a thing? Any examples of such poets? Anything similar in a field other than poetry?
Notolate
I've come into a pound of carob chips and a large tin of carob powder. My baking skills are elementary level. But I like carob for being carob and not just fake choc. Give me your fave recipes. Bonus if they can appeal to people unfamiliar with it so I can share my handiwork with them.
Planing to split the electricity bill with a new roommate - how should the bill be managed in terms of payment so that I protect myself?
Planing to split the electricity bill with a new roommate - how should the bill be managed in terms of payment so that I protect myself? I don't want to get screwed some how. [more inside]
Not sure if I should move in with roommates.
Not sure if I'm comfortable living with roommates. Am I being irrational? [more inside]
Best blogs, magazines, or forums investigating human condition?
What are some excellent magazines, blogs, or forums that investigate how we should live our lives--not from strictly scientific, academic, faith-based or new-age points of view (though some of any of these is fine)--but through a wider, more eclectic spiritual/ethical lens?
Name that classical trombone tune
Making the most of a layover in Iceland?
Four adults, two teenagers, two elementary-aged kids, and a 7 hour layover in Reykjavik. What can we do with that? [more inside]
Stupid IE.
CSS gurus: Please help me understand why IE is doing this stupid thing, and how I can fix it. [more inside]
No Christmas this year, maybe not ever again
How do I gently let my family and friends know well in advance that I can't do Christmas gifts this year, no way no how and do not want gifts when I can't reciprocate? [more inside]
Help me rekindle the romance and passion in my relationship.
How can my girlfriend and I rekindle our relationship after a few months of rockiness? [more inside]
No, we have no Grey Poupon!
My family hates the taste of Dijon mustard. But so many recipes that sound delicious include Dijon as an ingredient! Can I just skip the Dijon, or should I substitute something else? And, if so, what?
B is for Baffled
Name that swingin' kid-appropriate tune! [more inside]
I'm in love, how do I not go crazy?
I love her and she loves me. Help me not lose my goddamn mind. [more inside]
It snot quite the right salt...
What happens if I make my own neti pot solution using iodized salt? [more inside]
Recommended hot chocolate for hot water?
I'm looking for recommendations for hot chocolate mixes which don't require you to add them to milk (it's probably best if they already contain the milk, but that's not required as long as it doesn't taste thin and watery when you put it in hot water). I'm not lactose intolerant, but I don't usually have milk around, plus it's much easier & more convenient to heat up water. [more inside]
Can someone please explain why baby rice cereal goes sloppier rather than thicker over time?
I am currently feeding my baby rice cereal (just powdered rice) which I mix with a little hot water and breast milk into a sort of thick goop however I have noticed that if I leave it for around five or so minutes it begins to turn into a much runnier almost liquid consistency. I would have thought it would have got thicker over time. Could someone please explain why this happens?
Where would I find good examples of portrait sculpture in NYC?
Where would I find good examples of portrait sculpture in NYC? [more inside]
If the shirt fits…
Where to shop for fashionable men's clothes in NYC? [more inside]
Needing wood of a certain size
I am fixing the flooring in our kitchen and pulled out some pieces of white oak. They are 5/8" x 2 1/4" tongue-and-groove. The pieces have stamped underneath: "MO. HDW. FLG. CO. BIRCH TREE. MO.N.O.F.M.A." [more inside]
Driving from Barcelona to Girona
Barcelona --> Girona
We're picking up a rental car at noon in Barcelona in order to drive to Girona for dinner at 9pm.
Any suggestions for routes to take? Or stops along the way? Is there anything significant or beautiful that we should see along the way? Or is it worth taking a longer route in order to visit a town or site?
As long as we make it to Girona for our 9:00pm dinner reservation, we're open to any suggestions you might have.
Cold as ice and/or burning up for your love
I have a 1700 square ft. house. I have an air conditioner/heating system that is set up to operate with the whole house as one zone. I have one room that is out of proportion to the rest of the of the rooms in the house (much larger, much higher ceiling) that is always hotter in the summer and colder in the winter. So I'm thinking the solution is for that room to be separated into a second zone. How? [more inside]
Help with fixing or replacing my laptop.
Is my laptop toast and if so, what should I replace it with? [more inside]
Looking for Glue
Looking for an adhesive that can bond silcon rubber to ABS. Being able to fill small gaps would be a plus
How do you transcribe stuttering dialogue?
Poor understanding of grammar might cost me my job. Can anyone help an audio-typist fight back? [more inside]
the bed's worn and tired legs
What is this white/metal part on my bed frame called, and where can I get replacements? [more inside]
A warm place with no memory
Mexico beach filter: Is there anywhere I could go on the Yucatan for a low-cost, laid-back, bohemian-esque week on the beach this November? Or should I stick with the area around Zipolite on the Oaxaca coast? [more inside]
Selling Real Estate, and Not Buying Again Immediately
My house sold earlier this month. I am not buying a new house right away, but... maybe? How long can I wait? How will this affect taxes? And if I could buy property, should I in order to avoid penalties (if there are any)? You are not my lawyer or my accountant, but way more details with a little bit of drama after the jump. [more inside]
Lombard ---> ORD
What's the best/cheapest way to get three people from a hotel in Lombard, Illinois to O'hare on a Tuesday afternoon? [more inside]
Are all Ikea cam screws and locks plastic now?
I just received some replacement cam screws and locks from Ikea and the locks are plastic! Are all Ikea cam locks plastic now? Alternatively, do Billy bookcases come with plastic locks now? I bought mine years ago and they were metal.
Picture of what a cam screw and lock look like in case they go by some other name I don't know
Do they make a user's manual for the ISS?
Where can I find more detailed technical information about the International Space Station? In particular, how the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) and various atmospheric control systems (like the Elektron system) function? [more inside]
My employers need an electrician. I need advice on hiring one!
Hooray! I got my employers' approval to get some electrical work we've badly needed for a long time in our lab/office suite done. I have no word-of-mouth recommendations of local electricians to go on, so I'm checking around online and trying to get quotes. As such, I have a few questions on how to most effectively screen for quality, recognize a fair price for the work, and deal with the etiquette aspects of the quoting process. [more inside]
I don't want to be one of those marathoners stopping for a smoke break
if I quit smoking, how much faster will I run? [more inside]
is there a 12 step program for house selling?
How do I sell a house? I want the nuts and bolts procedural steps. FSBO? [more inside]
Need to lock down my home tower
Greetings! I recently bought a Gateway FX tower computer as a server and would like to secure it to the desk with a cable. I only see the smallest little loop in the back to pass a padlock though, nothing any bigger than a luggage padlock will pass thu it. (you could breach one of those with your teeth, I think! :D) I have looked all over the Gateway related sites and the user guides and find nothing that indicates any sort of hidden lock loop for a decent sized padlock. Any suggestions?
thanks in advance!
ConnieL
How to get over the golf hump?
You're a single digit handicap. You were more or less a hacker for years and years and years (hitting in the 90s+). How did you get better? I'm sure it means practice-- but how did you approach practice? How did you approach the game? [more inside]
NO cheeses for this missus
Help me pretend I am not missing cheese horribly! Suggestions for cheese & milk free dishes & resources. [more inside]
Postcards for the Pokey
My little brother is currently in jail, and will likely be staying there or in a similar facility for quite a while. He is only allowed to receive postcards, and softcover books mailed from Amazon or B&N. If either of these items violate the byzantine regulations (details contained within), they will not reach him. What are some creative things that are basically just pieces of paper (no paint, stickers, double layers, etc) I can send as postcards? What are some books that won’t be taken away for sex, drug, gang, etc content you’d recommend for a 23 year old male who never really read for pleasure, recently earned his GED, and likes Hunter S. Thompson? [more inside]
Take my money already.
I need to mail approximately $1,000 worth of euros from WA to NY. We received it from our bank through FedEx, but FedEx refused to accept the shipment when I tried to send it and said that the bank must have had third party insurance. What is the best way to get the money to the opposite coast within the next couple of weeks?
I'm a backa of PPACA
I've been working in health care compliance for a large insurance company. Now that the Supreme Court has upheld PPACA, I'd like to use my powers for good and not for evil. [more inside]
Moving to BC with a car
My wife and I are moving to British Columbia on temporary work permits, from the US, and we'll be bringing in a car. However, we want to drive up through Alberta (Burgess Shale tourism!) on our way to Vancouver, and I'm concerned that this may cause major headaches with regard to insurance, registration, licenses, etc. Please help us avoid border crossing nightmares! [more inside]
Help be unbreakup with my work
I recently posted a question on getting my confidence back after making a number of (considered major) mistakes in my work. Since then I've been having odd emotional reactions and I'd appreciate any thoughts as to how to manage and minimise them. [more inside]
Intro to Amateur Film?
I have an idea for an amateur film project I'd like to try out, only I've never so much as held a video camera. Where should I start learning? Ready to jump in with both feet. [more inside]
Any info on Gaziantep,Turkey?
My daughter just got a Fulbright ETA Fellowship to Gaziantep,Turkey. Anyone been there? Info on what to visit, where not to go? She lived a year in Istanbul in college and we traveled through European Turkey as a family several times when she was younger, but I am curious about how conservative this part of Turkey is. It is close to Aleppo, which normally I would encourage her to visit, but the recent Turkish/Syrian political situation may change my feelings on that. She is a very experienced traveller and open-minded to new experiences.
Oil rig work/ Job
Texas oil rig worker: ok....I will try to make this quick. Current network engineer for the past 12 years, completely burnt out. I have decided I want to work on a rig doing tough, hard, labor and work my way up from the bottom. No experience whatsoever in this realm or any manual labor. However, I'm in shape, physically strong, and a very hard worker. I'm looking ideally for an entry level (rig hand, floorhand, etc...whatever) where I work 1 or 2 weeks on and the same off, or something like that. [more inside]
When do I cut my losses on broken spokes?
I keep breaking spokes on my rear wheel! My bike is only a few years old (more than 2, less than 5), and I've broken 3 spokes so far this season. Help! [more inside]
What happens with a bankruptcy?
I am thinking I might need to file bankruptcy, but have very basic questions. Help would be appreciated. [more inside]
Dishes and Cans and Code
I am a possible budding industrial engineer with a background as a programmer. Help me decide what to do with myself. [more inside]
Where should we live?
Help us decide where to live - options inside! [more inside]
What athletic shoes are worth the bigger pricetags?
Best all-around athletic shoes? snowflakes after the break. [more inside]
He peed on my wife's leg
We have a neutered 15 month Irish Terrier. Very well trained and walked etc, a very content little fellow. I (the Dad in the family) take him on most walks and fun/training stuff. Today as my wife walked him, while stopped at a street corner waiting to cross, he quietly cocked a leg and peed on her leg! I've seen non-neutered dogs at the park do this but never our dog. He listens to both of us but I have most interaction with him. What does this behavior mean? What do you think is going on his head?
Help me keep a connection for ten seconds!
TechSupportFilter: Internet connection drops out after five seconds regardless of whether I'm connected via wireless or ethernet [more inside]
Good movies starring hrithik roshan?
Does anyone have any recommendations for good movies starring hrithik roshan? Ive just seen jodhaa akbar which was great....and kites, which wasnt so much. I think he can be a very subtle wonderful actor...does it depend on the director?
Help me to have a nice day in the Netherlands this Sunday on my long layover.
Help me to have a nice day in the Netherlands this Sunday on my long layover. [more inside]
All dressed up and nowhere to go?
Help me find or create a calendar of events in Orlando that would be suitable for a couple in a tuxedo and gown or cocktail dress. Not just things that are in the near future, but year round types of things! [more inside]
Where does "on the wrong side of square law" come from?
Where does this phrase come from? "On the wrong side of square law" is a science aphorism for a situation in which efforts must be increased at an exponential rate to achieve only modest returns. Does it have a specific origin or source?
shopping unique to nyc
What are some NYC-centric chains? [more inside]
Volvo FrontEndFilter: How much is this going to cost me?
My 1994 Volvo 850 Turbo sedan failed inspection for a tie rod, a ball joint, and front tires. I took it in and am sitting around waiting on my estimate. Just curious. How much should I expect to pay for this? Labor is $70/hr. [more inside]
Why is FOB often capitalized when referring to key fobs?
I regularly see people use the uppercase FOB when referring to a key fob, such as a car door lock remote, SecureID, etc. But, why?
The only reason I can come up with is that, with the advent of key fobs for computer uses, they were presumed to be advanced enough that they must be some manner of acronym.
"To scree" or not "to scree" - that is the question
[Asking for a friend]: There is some sci-fi book I read at some point which I think was famous enough to be known by lots of folks in which the term "to scree" or "to skry" (or something very similar) was used to see the contents of people's minds (?) or the future (?). Help. Whats the actual term? And, what is the book and or series and or author?
Buy one neutering, get one free?
CatFilter: My family recently inherited a bushelful of cats, including quite a few kittens who are getting to the age wherein they need to be fixed lest they start producing more (inbred, in this case) kittens with each other! There are a lot of cats, however, and minimal funding with which to fix them. Does anyone have any recommendations for the cheapest spayings/neuterings in the Northern Virginia area? Thanks!
Big Brother Google, leave me alone!
I would like to purchase an App for my Android Samsung Tablet, but am concerned about my privacy and GoogleWallet. [more inside]
Should I purchase a home that I found out, after submitting an offer, belongs to an alleged (charged but not convicted) pedophile?
Should I purchase a home that I found out, after submitting an offer, belongs to an alleged (charged but not convicted) pedophile? [more inside]
Please recommend movie scores and soundtracks that stand alone as works of art.
What are the best movie soundtracks and scores that can be listened to as musical experiences purely based on the music, not in relation to the movies they were written for? [more inside]
How does email tracking work?
We're trying to understand e-mail tracking (Mailchimp etc). It's confusing.
Help! [more inside]
June 27
Southwest Spirit Magazine Surfing Article
I once read an amazing article in Southwest's Spirit Magazine about a guy who takes businessmen surfing in southern California, often resulting in the businessmen quitting their jobs to become surf bums. Can anyone help me find it? [more inside]
What's the long term & retirement like for freelancers?
What is the long-term freelancer outlook like? Where "long term" equals 10 years in until retirement? [more inside]
Creamed me in his mom's minivan!
Corvette body shops in the Chicago, IL, USA area? [more inside]
Things to do/places to stay in Louisville, KY?
Really, really psyched to be going to the Forecastle Festival this year in Louisville, KY. Where should we sleep at night? And what shouldn't we miss in Louisville? [more inside]
Shopping cart for a static website?
I have a completely hand-coded website. I want to start selling things on the website, but I don't want to change the site's design. How can I most easily accomplish this? [more inside]
Schoolhouse on the rocks
My boyfriend might take a while to finish school. How can I be more OK with this?- Or should I? [more inside]
Have you seen the jack in the green?
Help me remember a long forgotten poem, Hive Mind! Here's what I remember: spring, a man growing horns and hooves, a fall into roots, red thread. [more inside]
What to do for five hours in Bali without much money
I'm in Bali on a work-related trip, but my colleague is jet-lagged and has cancelled the stuff we were meant to be doing today. So what is a good fun or relaxing itinerary for the next six hours, without spending too much money? I'll just hang out in the hotel pool if all else fails, but maybe Metafilter can come up with a better plan? [more inside]
Getting contacts off a stone-cold dead T-Mobile MDA?
How can I get contacts off a stone-cold dead T-Mobile MDA? [more inside]
I-80 road food?
Driving from Sacramento to Chicago along I-80. Any must-stop restaurants along the route (breakfast/lunch/dinner), without too much of a detour? [more inside]
buy here / pay here - but not too much, hopefully?
I need a reliable car that I can count on. I'm a person with pretty bad credit, but I have a steady income in a job I've had for a while. What are my options? I'm thinking hard about checking out a used car lot; what should I look for, loan- and car-wise? [more inside]
A tooth fairy gave me some teeth - what do I do with them?
So, what DOES the 'tooth fairy' do with Baby Teeth? [more inside]
This Cat's Never Gonna Leave the Bed, Will He.
New cat is not exploring new home. How do we convince him we are nice people? [more inside]
Best ThinkPad laptop for a student?
Best ThinkPad laptop for a student? [more inside]
Likert? I don't even know 'er!
I'm narrowing down the services I could offer when I become self-employed. Is survey design and analysis a viable service for a one-person business to offer, or do clients only trust big research firms with that sort of thing? [more inside]
Where should a single 26 year old guy look for work?
How can I decide where to settle down after graduating from grad school? I'm a 26 year old single guy and looking to plant roots. [more inside]
Shockingly Good Barbecue Smoker
Jerry-rigging a hot plate. Help me (a total beginner at electricity) not get myself killed, and maybe even learn something. [more inside]
Looking for a good memoir/autobiography
I like first-person accounts of intellectual/professional adventure. What should I be reading? [more inside]
What to do with anchovy paste?
I bought a tube of anchovy paste. I have no idea what to do with it. [more inside]
Patent Question
Rational design of drugs - patentable? [more inside]
Help me choose a camera!
I'd like to move up from a point-and-shoot camera to a sub-$400 starter DSLR -- but which to choose? Details inside. [more inside]
how to intelligently place a crop box
What command line tool should I be looking at for this slightly-intelligent batch image processing task? [more inside]
Am I putting too much pressure on my head in this position?
Am I going to hurt my neck while masturbating? I'm female. No, not talking about erotic asphyxiation. [more inside]
Cheap or free alternatives to Dreamweaver
I'm looking for an alternative to Dreamweaver for Mac. I'm really interested only in the html-editing shortcuts. [more inside]
Uncleanable dishes?
How can I remove greasy film from glass and plastic dishes? [more inside]
Should be Holland Park, but without the bark.
London Filter: Aunt and Mom plus one nephew looking for a place to stay mid-August. Any ideas that are three day weekend central to everything with some character? [more inside]
Help me get someone else to help my mom.
I'd like to have some one-time physical assistance/qualified help on hand to help my disabled mother go down a flight of stairs, but what kind of service should I be looking for, and how do I contact them? [more inside]
Game of Thrones is Getting Me Down
I need a great escapist doorstop novel, and I love some magic and weird creatures, but most big fantasy novels seem to be about BAND of WARRIORS leading to EPIC BATTLE and grimness and people dying. Battles bore me and I'm just not that interested in violence (including magical violence). I'm also interested in people without so much power-- so no royalty, super-wizards, or Chosen Ones. Can you recommend fantasy books that AREN'T about warriors, magical or otherwise? That feature intrepid traders? Cunning craftspeople? What are the bourgeoisie and the working stiffs up to in magic epic land? [more inside]
Human training.
My puppy has gamed a way for me to spend an extra 5 minutes with him in the morning. By peeing on the floor. [more inside]
What are some ways I can break my dogs possessive behavior when it comes to balls and Frisbees.
What are some ways I can break my dogs possessive behavior when it comes to balls and Frisbees? [more inside]
Color timelines of movies? Where did I see this?
FindThisOnTheWebFilter: I vaguely remember seeing something online where someone converted entire movies into a single long image like a timeline, to better see the colour balance over the course of the movie. [more inside]
What should I do about my perforated septum?
What should I do or know about my perforated septum? [more inside]
Vegetarian places along Rte 395
LionessIndex (my wife) and I will be heading north from San Diego to Yosemite in early July, via Rte. 395 (yes we have air conditioning). My wife is vegetarian, I am an omnivore but will gladly eat non-animal-product stuff. Where can we stop for meals? [more inside]
Pharma, here I come.
The newspaper I work for has asked me to take over reporting about the pharma business. I...know nothing about the topic or related topics. What should I be reading / doing to become an expert as fast as possible? [more inside]
Bad-tasting onions and garlic in a crockpot?
Do crockpots make onions and garlic taste bad in your experience? If so, why does it happen? [more inside]
Variety in work out plan.
I started going to the gym 5 days a week last year and am managing to hold steady with that. I do one hour a day, 15 minutes running, 15 minutes yoga, and 15 minutes weights. (The remaining 15 minutes is me lying on the ground breathing heavily at various points.) Should I be concentrating on one of the three at a time? [more inside]
It has been two months since my beloved grandmother died. I still think about her every day. Is this normal?
It has been two months since my beloved grandmother died. I still think about her every day. Is this normal? [more inside]
Help. I have forgotten how to shop for clothes for myself and don't know where to start.
I am job hunting and need to learn to buy clothes that compliment me and that do not convey the obvious discomfort that wearing a suit would convey. Also, I am so out of the loop for clothes shopping that I feel overwhelmed when I try to even think about shopping for clothes. (This question gets long.) [more inside]
My cat can't tell me when he's feeling better. How will I know?
My cat is sick. He's been to the vet. I'm still concerned. Hope me. [more inside]
Self-publishing e-books
I am considering self-publishing an e-book. What are some resources for creating the most professional version of an e-book? I'm talking about design, layout, distribution, etc. I'm looking for both tips and links to the best books/websites on the matter. I'm fortunate enough to have some money to spend, if that affects your answer.
Outlook 2010 tortures my poor corporate soul
Outlook 2010 Filter - Why oh why do the changes I make to body portion of .oft email templates not save correctly? Woah not all at once now! [more inside]
How can I manage collaborative voting on a CMS-based website?
Trying to solve a voting problem on a collaborative website. Say you were running an awards website and you wanted your judges to vote first on nominees, then on the winners. The system would go like this ... [more inside]
Send to Tivo. Simple as that.
Is there a Readability-like app for video that will send YouTube videos to my Tivo or Apple TV with one or two mouse clicks? [more inside]
Emphatically *not* gluten free.
Vegetarian recipes filter: I have a box of "vital wheat gluten" sitting around my pantry. What can I do with it that is vegetarian (lacto-ovo; no other food restrictions) and tastes delicious? I am pretty decent at both cooking and baking, so complicated recipes are welcome alongside simpler ones.
Freezer freezin' my toes!
Is there a sensible reason that freezer drawers on the bottom aren't made out of a solid piece of plastic to keep the cold air in? [more inside]
Workout websites/apps/suggestions?
Looking for workout routine suggestion sources, primarily for weightlifting routines. [more inside]
Reducing noise between doors
How to temporarily reduce sound through a shared door? [more inside]
Can I find someone to yell at me until I finish my work?
Is there audio I can download to encourage me not to give up on tasks? [more inside]
How do I deal with the groups of kids on my lawn?
Stayoffmylawnfilter: are my feelings unreasonable, here? [more inside]
Open-source thesis design?
Where can I find dissertations with excellent design? I would like to directly copy someone's LaTeX formatting for a hard-science thesis. [more inside]
Where can I sell a leather jacket in LA right now?
Where can I sell a leather jacket in LA right now? Is online or in store best? [more inside]
Telephone landline spammers suck!
UK: We have just had a telephone landline connected a few weeks ago and immediately started getting calls from these auto dialing message spammers / scammers about legal settlements and super funds or banks etc... There are 2-3 calls a day. Is there anything I can do about this to make them stop? [more inside]
Ice cube trays
I have two ice cube trays, identical in every way. Except! The ice cubes come out perfectly from one, but shatter into pieces from the other. Why? Can I fix it? [more inside]
Hello, Ruby Wednesday
Imagine I'm a transplant from 1950 who only has the vaguest idea of how the internet works. Now explain to me how to migrate a Ruby on Rails website from one server to another. [more inside]
I Still Love You, California! Goodnight!
Upscale and downscale food, drink and adventure in SF for 4-Jul Week? [more inside]
What's the state of the art in fun, inclusive party gaming?
What's the latest and greatest in party-style competitive or cooperative (ideally four player or even more) videogames? Our current selection is a little bit long in the tooth and I'm wondering if there's something I should be purchasing or downloading to freshen things up for this weekend. [more inside]
Prefixes in a series--help!
Grammar question: How to treat hyphenated prefixes when used in a series. [more inside]
I don't even want to know how bad I am.
How do I get over my fear of criticism, especially in an academic setting? [more inside]
How do I respond when people insult themselves while complimenting me?
How do I respond when people insult themselves while complimenting me? Especially, when those insults are race related. [more inside]
Help me hook my friend up! TV as a computer monitor question.
I have been asked to help a friend set up her (not yet purchased) TV as a wireless monitor for her computer. Can you explain it to me like I'm 5? [more inside]
Need some ideas to motivate employees to complete required daily paperwork.
I need advice as to how to motivate employees to complete their mandatory daily paperwork. Difficulty: tradesmen. [more inside]
How should I prepare for the looming demise of my personal laptop?
How should I prepare for the looming demise of my personal laptop? [more inside]
You're sheeting me.
Please recommend me some bedding (specifically, a sheet set)! [more inside]
Business Plan help! Inventory pricing woes.
I'm working on a business plan to open a specialty food store. Everything was going great until trying to price out the start up inventory. [more inside]
You Are Not My Urologist, but if you were..help me unblock! (slightly squicky details inside)
Hello!
I'm a 33 year old male (NYC-based until 8/1 when I will be in Atlanta) with a very frustrating issue that I'm hoping those of you in the field might be able to help me diagnose. I've been to several urologists who have not helped me very much (the list of things that have been done is included below). If nothing else, I would love a recommendation for a urologist in either city that wont just dismiss me out of hand and not take this seriously.
Throwaway email for additional details: helpmego@tempemail.net [more inside]
Have you made the switch from freelancing to full-time employment, and why?
I'm interested in hearing from people who intentionally made the switch from freelancing to (or back to) a more traditional work situation. What were your reasons? Do you think it was a good decision? [more inside]
How do I pick a website host? What questions should I ask? Hope me host!
I am looking for a webhost for my work website. What sort of questions should I be asking "Sarah in Utah" about their web hosting service? What should I be considering while making a decision? [more inside]
Pulling the plug on cable
I want to get rid of cable, but don't want to lose the content my wife and I like. There are too many options, so I need help piecing together the right setup. [more inside]
Good design goes to heaven
How to get started in graphic design? [more inside]
Help me kick my TV habit, please?
I'm having problems with my escapism. How do I kick my TV addiction? [more inside]
Details on Sandy Hook, NJ?
Searching for an old drive in and motel in southern Ontario.
Looking for 2 film-shoot locations anywhere in southern Ontario: an old (ideally, abandoned) drive-in theater and a small shabby motel.
multifunctional clothing
Shoes for underpronated runner
Does anyone have any running shoe recommendations for a Underpronation / supronation runner? [more inside]
What happened to alt.NPR?
What happened to alt.NPR? Has anything taken its place? [more inside]
rotten teeth
Cursed with rotten teeth! In spite of brushing and flossing, still tons of cavities every checkup. What will work to stop this? [more inside]
Learning to live with my past
How can I learn to live with regret and self-hatred related to my lack of relationship and sexual experiences? [more inside]
WANTED: shoe recommendations for a wedding photographer.
WANTED: shoe recommendations for a wedding photographer. [more inside]
beginner book on python
I have done some java but I am still a novice programmer and would need to start from a beginner's level. Could anyone please give recommendations for suitable good books. I will also try the official python tutorial as well, but I don't find online resources on their own to be as good as having a book to supplement helpful online materials.
Would rather not be a wallflower.
Please give me some strategies on navigation (and perhaps even enjoying) a party where I won't know anyone, and everyone else will know each other. [more inside]
Snagging a last-minute reservation at a fancy restaurant?
I'm going on a trip to New York in the middle of July, and I'd like to have a meal at one of the fancier restaurants in the city -- say, Eleven Madison Park or Jean Georges. Unfortunately, I didn't plan things out very far in advance, so I don't have a reservation. What should I do to maximize my chances of getting a seat? [more inside]
Help me fix my studio?
Is it possible to reinforce cheap laminated bookshelves to support a large collection of heavy, full-color, hardcover books? Is there such a thing as sturdy RTA shelving that doesn't start with E, end with t, and come from Ikea? [more inside]
Budget Insanity! Or, how am I so broke?
I'm starting a job where I will make $700/week, with additional overtime after 60 hours per week (pretty rare). The job provides excellent health benefits that cost $80/month. I live in Los Angeles, I'm trying to live within my means, and I'm freaking out. It's hard to tell if my budget is out of whack - can you help me? [more inside]
Looking for women
Lately I've been hooked on La Roux and Gossip, as well as Tegan and Sara. Where else can I find this sorta dance-pop / synthpop / electropop / indie rock mixed with dance punk plus strong female vocals and hopefully good lyrics? [more inside]
PS3 controllers going bad awfully fast
Playstation 3 controllers have both lost battery chargability, they were bought in late November 2011. Seven months ago. Is that just about par for the course? [more inside]
Terrifying Paintings at the Vatican?
Is there a secret gallery at The Vatican of terrifying images of Christian idols? [more inside]
June 26
Thick colored acrylic?
Where can I buy colored acrylic thicker than 1/4". [more inside]
Was having a baby a mistake?
I am the mother of a beautiful, 5 week old baby girl. I wonder if I've made the biggest mistake of my life. [more inside]
I want to learn about ecology, coming from a mathematical background
Help me learn about ecology. [more inside]
Bankrupt
I think I need to file bankruptcy. Guilt and shame. [more inside]
Sock Me Gently
Where can a guy with long legs and muscular calves get interesting socks that fit? [more inside]
Water started gushing from under my bathroom sink for no apparent reason. Why, and what's the best way to get this (potentially large) problem fixed?
Water started gushing from under my bathroom sink for no apparent reason. Why, and what's the best way to get this (potentially large) problem fixed? Details inside, obviously. [more inside]
ssscat - funny name, amazing results
Where can I buy refills for the sssCat cat training spray? [more inside]
Identification of a revolting bug in my house.
Found a bug in my brand new house that looks suspiciously like something that eats wood. This is a VERY BAD THING. Please help me identify. [more inside]
Should I be haggling or running away?
Should I buy a Subaru Impreza with a rebuilt title in Michigan? I'm looking at two Impreza hatchbacks, both 2006 models. One of them has about 60,000 miles, and according to the seller he has only replaced the hood and the front bumper. The other has about 50,000 miles, and the seller claims he has just replaced the rear quarter panel and the hatchback door. He's asking $7,900 for either one. Is this a scam? [more inside]
Remember my dinosaur song?
I'm trying to find a vaguely remembered childhood song about dinosaurs. [more inside]
Thinking of switching electrial provider and need some tips.
I am considering changing my electricity provider and I have never done this before. What I want to know are what things should be considered before making a switch such as this. My basics reasons are cost and that Comed, the local provider has treated me like crap over the years and I am tired of their corporate doublespeak and crappy service. [more inside]
Fun with Mac drives on my PC
I have an external drive, formatted for Mac, that needs a scheduled back-up in a Windows 7 environment (or some other solution). [more inside]
Good whiskey selection in Seattle?
Are there any liquor stores in Seattle that have a decent bourbon whiskey selection (since the law changed)? [more inside]
Songs to sign along with!
I'm learning sign language, and I thought it'd be fun to practice by making music videos. I'm hearing, but I'd like my videos to be interesting even without sound. Know any suitable songs for this? [more inside]
iTunes Missing Songs, Apple Fix Didn't Work
My iTunes is suddenly missing thousands of songs and all my playlists despite the music files still being there--have tried Apple's fix. [more inside]
How does Community Property affect property tax when someone passes away?
How is property tax assessed for houses that are owned as community property w/right of survivorship if one of the spouses passes away? I know that in California, at least, the value of the property is completely stepped up for purposes of calculating capital gains tax. But is property tax then also re-assessed at the stepped up value? [more inside]
Is there hope in finding love for someone like me?
How in the hell does anybody navigate the world of dating? [more inside]
Books on Block Clubs?
Can you recommend books or other sources of information on block clubs?
I am interested to read about how block clubs and neighbor alliances transform neighborhoods and citizens.
Should I go to my 10 year high school reunion?
10 year high school reunion this weekend. Wasn't going to go, now have second thoughts. My life isn't great and have underachieved. Is it worth going to for curiosity? [more inside]
Question about getting rid of PMI insurance
In order to get rid of PMI insurance. Do I need to pay it down to 78 percent of original loan amount? or 78 percent of the amount my house is worth at the moment? I have seen both as answers and can't seem to find a definitive answer. CA is my state.
How to move on from my abusive father?
Now that I know I hate my abusive father, what can I do specifically to move forward? [more inside]
Rented carpet cleaner seems to have killed a bunch of outlets/lights in my house. Any ideas?
Rented carpet cleaner seems to have killed a bunch of outlets/lights in my house. Any ideas? [more inside]
Can I haz secooritees?
What kind of security box should I get? Small/affordable ones please! [more inside]
What makes your therapist great?
Are there unique and non-obvious things your therapist does that have been helpful to you? [more inside]
No chopins, please.
My sister badly needs new shoes, but wants a comfortable pair of sneakers or flats that "would not be out of place in the French court." [more inside]
How Does One Notice or Become Better at Noticing Opportunity?
How does you notice Opportunity before anyone else does? How can you get better at noticing or finding Opportunity and making money out of it? [more inside]
Can someone recommend a good book on the history of immigration in the U.S.?
Can someone recommend a good book on the history of immigration in the U.S.? [more inside]
Wot Ape?
How were the ideas expressed in The Origin of Species received among country people and laypersons in Victorian England? [more inside]
Supply Chain Management for Small E-commerce Businesses
Is there a practical handbook or online course for an ambitious small e-commerce business on how to do supply chain management the right way? I'm particularly interested in logistics, warehousing and stock-keeping. Bonus points if this resource also aims to inspire you to innovate despite being a small business. [more inside]
Seeking evidence of Forever 21's overseas sweatshops
Are there any documented accounts of Forever 21 using sweatshop labor overseas? [more inside]
Help me find the perfect pen... 1000 of them!
Help me find the perfect pen... 1000 of them! I have a very specific type of marker in mind - in fact, I've already bought one of them - but I'm having trouble finding this type of marker available in mass quantity. Help? [more inside]
Agile & Scrum, SOAP, Huh?
Agile and Scrum methodology experience...I have none but I've got my foot in the door! [more inside]
How do you communicate Enterprise IT outages?
How do you communicate your internal IT outages? [more inside]
Attend Health Care Ruling
Is there any chance at all I'll be able to see the SCOTUS health care ruling this Thursday? [more inside]
Let's play find a photo!
Let's play find-a-photo! Last year, I saw a link to an old-timey black and white photograph of 3 figures, perhaps on a hill or some other outdoor place. One man was wearing a monkey mask, another (I believe) a wolf mask, and a woman had an enormous black veil that obscured her face. They were all in fancy dress. I believe it was an old photo, not a new photo made to appear that way. It was sort of creepy. [more inside]
hey, it's better than socks
Do you have FABULOUS bath towels? Tell me about them! [more inside]
Recommendations on a new green car purchase?
thinking of buying a new car. Priorities are :
1) green (fuel efficient)
2) safe
3) can seat 4-5
4) ideally will hold an 8-9 foot surfboard inside (not essential)
5) I drive about 30 miles a day
Amongst other options in looking at the new prius plug-in, how does one really calculate per mile costs? My concern is that in Hawaii, where electricity costs are through the roof, the savings accrued through plug in option are minimal and the costs not minor.
What other vehicles would one look into? I have the Hyundai Elantra, Fit, regular prius
This is starting to interfere with my work
I need a web-based typing tutor that is aimed at adults who still hunt and peck, not at children who can't type at all. [more inside]
Can I still be a teacher with a DWI arrest on my record?
Can I become a teacher with a DWI arrest on my record? [more inside]
August in Marciac advice
Has anyone attended any of the Jazz Master Classes at Marciac in August? Any words of wisdom to pass along? Where did you sleep? Where did you eat? What were the surprises? What do you recommend to a newcomer?
+ two extra questions on jazz workshops in general and on this jazz festival in particular.. [more inside]
My ratty slippers need replacing
I love these slippers but they're 12 years old and falling apart. The label says "Coming Home" along with "Made in Italy" and "RN 62390." Google is failing me. Any ideas how to find them? [more inside]
Confused about Internet access
In two weeks, I start a new telecommuting job, and I need to set up my home office. I'm totally confused about Internet access, though, and I have some questions... [more inside]
My skin is thirsty
What drugstore moisturizers should I try, to match up to what I like in Philosophy's Hope in a Jar, hopefully with a better (or no) smell, and a better price tag? [more inside]
Is it possible that a slightly rotten potato could taste far better?
I cooked some near-rotten potatoes and they offered a flavour far surpassing other potatoes. I long to taste it again. [more inside]
Kid with watch, saves day. Story at 11.
Merlin amazed by a digital watch! Help me remember a book I read as a kid! Normal guy gets zapped to fantasy other world/past. [more inside]
The good old (kids) hockey game
Hockey moms and dads: what are your fave minor (kids’) hockey websites? [more inside]
How can I stop wasting time?
I have 2 full months of mostly free time coming up. How can I work on things I need for school and my career instead of wasting every day playing video games and browsing the internet? [more inside]
All that shoreline, nowhere to wade?
Will you tell me about secret swimming beaches between or near Baltimore and Washington? [more inside]
Experience with thyroid medication for depression? (Ugh. What have I done by trying this?)
I'm on thyroid medication for depression -- did I just start a permanent sentence without realizing it? [more inside]
Help me highlight Asian characters in MS Word?
How can I find and highlight non latin characters in a Microsoft Word? [more inside]
Remember this sci-fi book with steam-powered Vikings in alternate reality Boston?
Help me remember the title of this science fiction book.
It had body-swapping into an alternate New England that had been settled by Vikings. The hero ended up in the body of a Norse Preacher/Clergyman, and the society had steam-powered cars. The hero used his knowledge of Lenin and Stalin's communist party tactics to become successful enough to track down the conspiracy that had snatched him from his own (our own) version of Earth. [more inside]
Can you recommend some good books about the Civil War to me?
I'm doing some research on the nineteenth century in the U.S. and I've realized I need to understand the Civil War better. Can you help me? [more inside]
Where does the Jamaica-to-Montauk train originate?
LIRR from NYC to Montauk. When you leave from Penn Sta, there's a transfer at Jamaica. Last time I did this, there were passengers already on the Jamaica train when it pulled in. They had the primo seats, naturally. Where did they get on? [The specific route I have my eye on leaves Jamaica at 2:09 on Tues July 3, arriving Montauk at 4:45 pm.]
Why can't I have DNS here, website there, and email somewhere else?
DNS here, website there, email somewhere else..is this possible? [more inside]
Name my blog for the curious cook
Name-my-blog filter: Can you help me name my food blog? [more inside]
Out on my skateboard the night is just humming
How stable are longboards compared to regular skateboards? If a regular board is 4 on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being like simply standing on solid ground) then a longboard set up to be stable would be X? (I'm interested in cruising around, but I don't want to bust my butt more than I need to.) [more inside]
Today is a Tuesday, right? I'm supposed to do something on Tuesdays....
I want to be able to stick to a calendar and I'd like to do it on my phone. Any tips? [more inside]
Find this YA sci-fi book!
Yet another name this 70s/80s YA novel question--illustrated underground city edition! [more inside]
Doing undergrad strictly for the job prospects?
Is it worth it to get an undergrad degree in accounting or finance for the post-graduation salary prospects, even though I might not be interested in the major? (Excessive detail inside!) [more inside]
Smart and Thrifty?
Recommendations for an inexpensive smartphone/plan combination? My wife pays $40-50 for her dumb phone now. Would love to pay the same or not too much more, but actually be able to take pictures, text without 3 keys per character, and sync her calendar. web surfing would be nice but is optional if the calendar works. Google Calendar would presumably require a data plan; but is there a windows/outlook calendar that would not? She has Outlook at work.)
Moving expensive desktop PC without a car?
How can I take my expensive desktop computer with me to move when I am flying? If I were driving, I'd just put the desktop tower in my car. [more inside]
Should I submit to a former employers demand to sign legal papers?
My former employer is asking for my signature on a document to assign patent rights to them as co-inventor for a patent I worked on while employed by them.
They are not interested in compensating me for my time. [more inside]
Suggestions on managing underwater mortgage and cross-country move
Due to a new job, my family and I (wife, 2 kids, 2 cats) need to relocate from the DC area to Oregon in the near term future, ideally before the start of the Oregon school year (approximately September 1st). The wrinkle: how to deal with our currently-somewhat-underwater house in the Maryland suburbs of DC. [more inside]
What to do after working for psychopaths
I was made redundant at my company. I've had a few interviews, but I haven't found anything I'm really excited about. What kinds of jobs should I be looking at given my work history? [more inside]
Help Me Write a Business Plan for Software? I think?
So I have an idea for software related to my industry. I've thought about it, sketched it out, looked at existing/similar products and talked to some friends in the same line of work -- and I still think it's a good idea. Next step is ...? [more inside]
What's the proper etiquette to ask for a parent's permission/blessing to marry her daughter?
Proper etiquette to ask parent's permission/blessing for marriage [more inside]
What's the best (easiest/cheapest/most realistic) way to turn an over-exposed sky more blue in my digital photographs?
What's the best (easiest/cheapest/most realistic) way to turn an over-exposed sky blue in my digital photographs? I know it's possible to use Photoshop to do this, but I don't own that software, and I'd rather not buy it if there's a cheaper, easier way to do this. I do use iPhoto, but I couldn't find a way to do it with that. Importantly - I'm hoping to find a solution that makes this easy enough to do for LOTs of photos. I would consider something like Aperture or Lightroom if that's a good option. [more inside]
Designs for a designer?
Suggest me a rewarding and inspiring career side-step.
I desperately need to find a new job, but the obvious ones directly on my career path are just not working for me.
I'm looking for a more creative/design environment which will value my engineering skills and to which I can bring my unusual innovative experience. [more inside]
Help me not be an ass when applying sound to moving/interactive images.
Would you please suggest literature that deals with the theory or practice of scoring music and sound to moving images. [more inside]
Why was there no northern Trail of Tears?
Indian Removal Filter: why didn't the US government attempt to remove American Indians from the northeastern US? [more inside]
Can this old CD ROM be resurrected?
Dear AskMe tech folks- there's an older CDROM out there that was designed to play and display on the IBM 286, Mac II, and Mac LC. Is there a tool, emulator, or hack out there that would allow me to play and view it on my current Apple (running OSX)? [more inside]
What to do with a broken lens?
A Canon 80-200mm zoom lens I've been holding on to has broken, and fixing it would be more expensive than a replacement. What should I do with it? [more inside]
Organize Firefox Bookmarks
Which HTML editor should I use to organize my Firefox bookmarks? [more inside]
Argh! Ants in the dorm!
I'm staying in a dorm and there are ants. How do I avoid carrying them home with me? [more inside]
Sucking on Words
Does anyone know if 'sucking on words' is an idiom or common phrase? If so, what is the meaning?
Portugal VS Spain — best place to watch
Tugafi: where in South London should i go to watch the Portugal/Spain game tomorrow? I'd like to watch in a Portuguese place, not a Spanish one. There are 30,000 Portuguese in South London, I think mainly around Vauxhall, Brixton, Stockwell. I know there are a bunch of restaurants on South Lambeth Road, but not sure how good they'll be for the football. We'll hopefully be between 5 and 10 people. Suggestions?
Did Mohamed Morsi really say these things?
Did Mohamed Morsi really say "The Koran is our constitution, the Prophet is our leader, jihad is our path and death in the name of Allah is our goal"? [more inside]
Good as Bourne?
Films of the Bourne Triloy genre? [more inside]
How to score a better deal on a cease & desist
LegalFilter: My patent attorney charges more than I can afford to write a cease & desist. should I shop around for a better deal (and how)? [more inside]
Adventures in Benelux trains
I'm in Eindhoven, I have a train ticket from "Any Dutch Station" to Brussels tomorrow. From then I need to get to London.
Is there any fun or interesting detour I can make? [more inside]
Where can I get mail order genetic testing?
Where can I get genetic testing done for drug metabolism, either in Australia or by international mail order? My doctor wants to know my genotype for a handful of cytochrome P450 enzymes. Tests like this aren't common practice here, so he's not quite sure where to send me. Can you recommend an affordable testing provider? [more inside]
June 25
Music for mixed feelings
Need some song recommendations for wildly mixed feelings. [more inside]
(How) Can I access my XBox 360's USB Hard drive as a network drive / streaming server?
Just got a free XBox 360 (bundled with another purchase). Can I use it (with an external hard drive) as a standalone (no PC attached) media server for storage and streaming of my music/video library? [more inside]
Need immediate dog wound/bandage advice!
Need immediate dog wound advice (yes, yes, YNMVet, but you are the hive mind). [more inside]
I broke up with my girlfriend but I am so confused. Should I get back with her?
Broke up with my gf and I don't know what to make of my feelings. should I get back with her? Should I just move on ? Should I go no contact? [more inside]
Michael C. Ruppert - fact or fiction?
What is the opinion of Michael C. Ruppert, doomsday prophet and author of books about the future? Is he considered knowledgeable or full of baloney? I saw a couple of books by him that look interesting but if he is just a nut with a platform, I'm not inclined to read them.
Help Me Get Rid of Feral Cats!
There are many feral cats in our neighborhood, which is extra annoying because 1) they drive my dogs bonkers, 2) they leave their droppings in our yard almost daily, which are super stinky, and 3) some spread fleas. Do you have suggestions for how to get rid of them? I may get cat traps from the humane society, and someone suggested sprinkling coffee grounds. Are there any other good ways to repel cats with something that is nontoxic for dogs?
Please help me looking for a film!
I'm looking for an Western animated film. It's a sci-fi movie with humans almost extinct. [more inside]
Are there any good Verizon android phones that are similar in size to the iphone?
Are there any good Verizon android phones that are similar in size to the iphone? [more inside]
Great gift idea for someone about to drive cross-country (USA)?
Great gift idea for someone about to drive cross-country (USA)? [more inside]
Special education jobs in Ohio
What are the job prospects for a special education teacher in the US (specifically Columbus OH)? [more inside]
How many ways can you cook an egg?
How many ways can you cook an egg? Looking for methods, not recipes. [more inside]
Awkward reference quandry... how to proceed?
It it unwise to bank on a prospective employer not calling my references unless I am interviewed? I'm applying for a job that is admittedly a long shot, and I’d rather not call and ask people to be my references unless I am actually in the running (for various snowflake reasons detailed at length within). Is it a horrendous faux pas to list references without asking their permission, if I'm fairly certain I won’t get called for an interview? On the other hand, is it a horrendous faux pas not to send references with my resume and cover letter, when the job posting specifically asks for them? [more inside]
How much would you want to know?
While the rumor is untrue, it touches something I never told anyone- should I spill the beans? [more inside]
Looking for examples of strong, athletic women that inspire you.
Looking for examples of strong, athletic women that inspire you. [more inside]
Like Being a Teenager
Still feel comfortable, happy and awkward around him. How can I stop the awkward part? [more inside]
Wishful thinking
Missing the Bay Area but headed to San Diego. What and where should I eat and drink? [more inside]
How do I replace my bike's skewers?
How do I replace my bicycle's skewers? How do I measure my bike to order the correct kind? Is this something better left to a professional? [more inside]
Does Getting Fired 20 years ago show up in a background check?
I was fired from a retail job back in 1994. I worked there 6 months. The firing could have been argued but I left. I have a job interview tomorrow requiring a background check. I don't want to lie but I don't want to tell the truth as it is so damn long ago and a ridiculous thing....and that job is long long long gone from resume replaced with great work and academic history. Does a routine background check dig up that old dirt? Thanks for your time and have a good week.
How can I account for a long break in my work history? Plus, I'm disabled.
Because of a disability, I have not been in the workforce for nine years. I am now looking for employment and would like some advice on how to account for the absence. [more inside]
I have nothing to wear!
Choose my shoes, episode 9.
I am going to a daytime wedding next month and have the dress... now what shoes do I get? Read on... [more inside]
What kind of bike should I get?
I need a bicycle. What should I get, what brands to consider, which brands to avoid? [more inside]
Where can I find cheap(ish) last minute-hotel accommodations in or around San Francisco?
Where can I find cheap(ish) last minute-hotel accommodations in or around San Francisco? [more inside]
What sort of plant is this?
Shadowy names?
What are some obliquely named bureaucracies, organizations, and companies? [more inside]
Webcomics as awesome as Teahouse?
What is as awesome as Teahouse (the NSFW webcomic)? It's elegant, funny, and sexy. Sadly it updates only once a week. Please recommend other fabulous webcomics. Extra points for sexy and elegant.
Where to rent van in DC
Where can I rent a 15 passenger van in the Washington DC area? [more inside]
To Pay or Co-Pay, That Is The Question
I'm currently in therapy and unsure of whether I should use my insurance for it (thus saving money, but raising the possibility that I may be denied insurance later for a "pre-existing condition") or whether I should pay out-of-pocket (losing money, but averting the risk of a potential insurance hassle down the road). [more inside]
Paddy in DC?
Where in the DC area can I buy Paddy Irish Whiskey? [more inside]
I love animals. How do I pursue my interest without joining the kids in the petting zoo?
Like most kids, I loved animals growing up. Unlike most kids, though, I never grew out of it! My passion has remained with me into my 30s. I still squat down on the sidewalk to watch an interesting bug walk by and stare at the ubiquitous squirrels outside. I want to know everything about all kinds of animals, interact with as many as possible and observe them in all environments. [more inside]
Mickey Filter
Any recommendations for cheap, good food in Orlando? We're tourists, but would love a place with a 'local' feel. Bonus for live entertainment.
First as tragedy, then as farce.
A question about friendship and subletting, with loads of little snowflake details inside. In short: what is the honorable thing to do when a friend decides to move abroad and sublet their part of a small two-bedroom apartment? [more inside]
Sweet Frames in Prometheus?
I am in search of the glasses that Rafe Spall wears in Prometheus. I haven't had any luck yet and I would appreciate any leads.
How do I bring up an issue when I'm not even certain about its root?
How do I bring up a relationship issue when I'm not even certain about its root? [more inside]
Lunch and a soccer match between JFK and Cold Spring Harbor
Please help me eat a good lunch and watch the Euro Cup final this Sunday while I'm traveling between JFK Airport and Cold Spring Harbor Labs via Syosset station and the Long Island Railroad. [more inside]
Things said can't be unsaid
How do you deal with the horribly cruel things people have said to you throughout your life? [more inside]
Please help me create a calender on Microsoft Excel using dates in the spreadsheet from another tab.
Please help me create a calender on Microsoft Excel as I can't find any help online. [more inside]
A cheap, relaxing week in August in Italy
I'm looking for a cheap, relaxing place to do very little (maybe sightsee a bit, eat, nap, take photos, etc), in northern Italy or Sicily, for a week in August (say, the 8th to the 15th). Total expenditure under €500 for the week would be awesome. Details within... [more inside]
Help a new nurse transition to the night shift?
I'm a new nurse and was offered a night position (11-7) at an awesome facility. Please give me tips for working the third shift! [more inside]
Please help me understand cable internet technology.
Please help me understand cable technology. Why is it that my cable company can deliver hundreds of high quality TV channels but not an internet service that seems just as fast? [more inside]
the flames...burning
Looking for constructive ways to deal with anger, post end of relationship. [more inside]
A biological explanation of food poisoning please
What is happening in the body when food poisoning occurs? Are the symptoms defensive actions or purely symptomatic? [more inside]
argh, is this seriously possibly typhoid?
I just returned from a month in a country where Typhoid is common, and I have been feeling really bad for these couple of weeks now, with a sore throat, cough, feverishness, and now lethargy/feelings of severe depression/delirium/confusion for a few days now. Now it looks like I have just developed a rash on my stomach that looks similar to the less-dire images I've seen online. It's been my joke-y diagnosis up until now, but does this rash mean I should go to the ER, or wait until tomorrow and try to see my doctor? [more inside]
Identifying Diets in the Wild.
Discreet supper party hostess seeks diet detectives. [more inside]
My robe is more wrinkled than I am
I just finished sewing a kimono-style bathrobe out of 100% woven cotton fabric. When it came out of the dryer, the belt, bottom hem, and front band were wrinkled enough that I had to iron them. Ironing a bathrobe is not what I signed up for! Short of taking the robe apart to put interfacing in to prevent wrinkles, is there anything I can do? In case it matters, I have a HE front-loading washer and the matching dryer; the robe was washed in warm water and dried on normal heat, then removed immediately. The fabric was washed once before being cut, and I was scrupulous about laying the pieces out on the grain.
Multimedia school?
Are there any universities/colleges/institutes that have an all-in-one program for video, photography, print and web design? My online searches have come up fruitless as most programs seem to be separated out. Location doesn't matter, nor does degree/diploma/certificate received. At the end of it I want to be able to shoot, light, edit, etc video and photos and understand and apply colour theory, typography, page layout, etc for print and web designs.
How can I get over my miscarriage?
How can I get over having had a miscarriage when there's a strong chance we'll have to make the choice not to have another child? [more inside]
Best Combo Washer/Dryer?
What's a good combo washer-dryer available for purchase in the US? [more inside]
Are we big meanies for not paying our son's college fines?
At the end of year 2, our son has a balance owing to his college of about $500, for parking tickets, library fines, etc. Unless this is paid, he can't register for classes for the coming year. Are we being mean not to pay it, or loan it to him? [more inside]
Where can I get waxed in Washington?
I want to get all of my pubic hair waxed for the first time. Where can I do this in Washington, D.C. that’s not too expensive and is convenient to Columbia Heights? [more inside]
What will make our cats get along?
Three cats in one house. One having trouble integregating. [more inside]
Work hard for your money.
Help resolve issues we're having with our realtor. [more inside]
Portable beginner telescope
Recommendations for a portable beginner telescope? [more inside]
Does anyone recognize this electrical connector?
Does anyone recognize this electrical connector? [more inside]
Mid-Twenties Mismatched Libido
Mismatched libido: we've been together for five years, we're both mid-twenties, she says "once a month would be okay." [more inside]
What do I need?
I'm buying a new laptop, and I need to be able to watch a lot of live-streaming on the web on it. So which is more important for that, RAM or CPU speed? [more inside]
Should I be worried?
What does it mean when things are very difficult rather early on in a relationship? [more inside]
Outdoorsy weekends around DC?
For a weekend, where can we escape DC? [more inside]
Money! It's a gas.
What got you over the psychological hump from struggling with money to becoming financially stable? [more inside]
Where should we live in Austin?
Where should we rent in Austin? Relevant details inside. [more inside]
All Philly in a Day
[PhillyFilter] You have a day to explore the city. What do you do? [more inside]
Can't remember a certain video off 1990s Beavis & Butthead.
Back during the original run of Beavis & Butthead, they were watching a video that featured 'skanking' dance moves, one being "Picking Up Change" and the other was some sort of "Pizza" dance, where a girl was swirling her arm up as if she were flipping pizza dough. :) There were a few other moves in it too but I don't remember them.
Anyone know what song/artist of the video was? Not like the world hinges on this; it's just been driving me nuts for years. Have googled and youtubed to no avail.
I need a special snowflake game recommendation!
Diablo is starting to wear a little thin. I need a game. I need some suggestions. I'm feeling a little... world war-ish. Please read on for my snowflake game requirements. [more inside]
Creative uses for cold packs? I have a lot of them...
Creative uses for cold packs? I have a lot of them... I have to take a medication that arrives via a mail-order pharmacy in temperature-controlled packaging that includes a cardboard box, a foam cube and a bunch of cold gel packs. The boxes and cubes can be recycled, but what should/can I do with the mountain of cold packs I'm collecting? [more inside]
one 二 three 四 five 六 seven 八 nine 十...
Why is it so hard to quickly count from 1 to 100 alternating between 2 different languages on each digit? Any cognitive scientists want to explain this? [more inside]
Wanted: Bike Routes in New England that meet specific criteria.
Please suggest bike routes in New England that meet some specific criteria. We took our son on a section of the East Bay Bike Path near Providence for his first bike ride last week and he loved it. He sits in an iBert on Mom's bike. We are looking for similar routes. In looking for similar I articulate what specifically I think is good about this path for us in the extended explanation. We can ride weekdays in addition to weekends. Thanks. [more inside]
These sites have DD+ sections, where's the A- section?
Where can I find awesome sexy lingerie for an IBTC member? Kinda NSFW, I guess. [more inside]
Don't go readin' my texts!..
...they couldn't if they tried?
Do employers read text messages on employer paid cell phones? [more inside]
Birthday gift for the girl who seems to have everything!
Birthday idea filter: need creative birthday ideas for a wonderful gal. As you might've guessed, it's coming soon - Wednesday to be exact. Difficulty: we're living in South Korea. [more inside]
How do I best support my father through a tough breakup?
How can I support my father through what's likely to be a really painful breakup? What support do you wish you had, or were you grateful to have, from your adult children while going through divorce? [more inside]
Should I get two cats?
I want to get two cats (or kittens). I have two small boys. Should I or not? [more inside]
And the voice of the dove WILL EXPLODE YOUR EARDRUMS
What bird did I just see harrassing a squirrel in my Toronto backyard? (Sorry, I couldn't get a camera in time so I have just a verbal description, no picture). [more inside]
What to see and do less touristy in Chicago?
Chicago: Not The Band Or The Musical! What would you do on a long weekend there? [more inside]
Road Trip from RI to CO
[Road Trip] My sister and I are road tripping from RI to Colorado, along a southern-ish route. What are some cool cities, landmarks, or things to do we should make sure to check out along the way? [more inside]
An age yet to come, an age no one gave a shit about
I want to skip the 10th book of the Wheel of Time series. Help me do so [more inside]
Times change, I need a new phrase for a difficult situation
Calories burnt while cycling
Can anyone recommend a reliable webtool to calculate calories burnt while cycling? [more inside]
Comfort foods that FILL ME WITH HEALTH AND VIGOR
I want your best recipes for turning comfort foods into health foods without sacrificing satisfaction. [more inside]
Can I create Wordpress users from existing CiviCRM contacts?
Can I create Wordpress users from existing CiviCRM contacts? [more inside]
If only literary inference was axiomatic...
How do I get better at reading literature? Looking for books, lectures, and your perspective. [more inside]
Footing rules in DanceDance Revolution
Is there an underlying logic behind the footing rules in DanceDance Revolution (DDR)? [more inside]
How to make my Kindle work good?
How do I get my Kindle 4 to recognize files I've put on it? [more inside]
June 24
What does "passing on the right" actually mean?
What does "passing on the right" actually mean? [more inside]
Breathable Carbon/Graphite ?
I recently was playing with a cold solder gun, and I found the concept interesting. Is there an equivalent that can be filter air? I am looking for a type of graphite/carbon that can pass through air, and heats up when electricity is applied.
Where can I find pregnant women like us?
What are the best intelligent, nonjudgmental online communities (like MeFi) for pregnant women and new mothers?
"You are going to SCHOOL!" "but what is a school?"
Got into an MFA! ...now what? [more inside]
Wall-mounted 2- or 2.5-speaker computer setup?
Can anyone recommend a speaker set like the Logitech X230 that can be mounted on a wall? [more inside]
Ugly Babies
Honest question about ugly babies - isn't it obvious when they are ugly? [more inside]
Could my foot be broken?
Someone stomped on my foot six weeks ago. It's still exquisitely painful with pressure, but no pain for walking. Do I need an x-ray before starting to run again? Assume 10 - 15 miles per week in minimalist shoes. [more inside]
Is a lease to a property considered an asset?
Is a property lease considered an asset in a UCC-1 financing statement? I recently sold my small business and am carrying a note for the buyer. His collateral: the assets of the business he bought from me. If the buyer defaults I will want to take possession of the assets, per the UCC-1. The foreclosure process is straight forward, but I do not know if the new lease he signed with my old landlord is considered an asset by the UCC-1. If it isn't, how can I retrieve my assets if he still "owns" the lease?
She that goes barefoot....
Minimalist Running Filter: How likely is it that I can get back into minimalist running again after minor injury? Details inside. [more inside]
How can I tell if this modem router can be configured for transparent proxy?
How can I tell if this Netcomm NB6+4WN modem router can be configured for transparent proxy? [more inside]
You've Not A Ride
Carless in Suburbia [more inside]
We love you no matter what the sexual orientation of your opposite sex sex partner...
How do I get over my mainstream ideals and let this friendship be its awesome self? [more inside]
I can has comforty goodness
I'm looking for a knit bamboo hoodie for adults. Example inside. [more inside]
Somewhere Over the Rainbow... We'll have a bunch of kids needing to be entertained...
We're having a rainbow-themed family reunion and I'd like to keep people moving with games. So far I've come up with RED Rover and a WHITE elephant. What other games have a color in the title? [more inside]
What is this book about a sad dragon trying to take care of a pet?
What is this book from my childhood involving an adorable reptile and his pet? [more inside]
What are some great documentaries about entrepreneurs and startups?
What are some great documentaries about entrepreneurs and startups? (Think: Startup.com, E-Dreams) [more inside]
Life with baby on the inside
What did you change in your day-to-day life during your pregnancy? [more inside]
Christmas time is here... auf Deutsche!
Help me plan an awesome Christmas vacation to Berlin! [more inside]
As a man of few hats, please help me find this adorable hat for the other Mr.Quesadilla.
I would love to buy this hat for my man and am not sure where to start(crop of image by Joe Jervis at joemygod.blogspot.com) . A magical link to the exact hat in question would completely rock my world, but terms to narrow down my search would be great as well--I don't know the name for that style of hat or how to describe it's appearance. I do have his hat size.
Thanks y'all!
Don't google image search "nude model."
Where can I find photographs of nude models for figure-drawing practice and non-commercial artwork? [more inside]
Help Me to Breathe
Does anyone know of any way to cure yourself of an Afrin (oxymetazoline HCl) and / or Dristan (phenylephrine HCl) addiction? [more inside]
Beauty between the sheets
I love writing letters to people - handwritten, with a fountain pen. Help me find a good paper for this purpose. [more inside]
Are we talking Road Warrior or Children of Men here?
Are we as environmentally screwed as I think we are? [more inside]
Got in an accident with a car that wasn't mine a few years ago - what does it mean for my insurance now?
2.5 years ago I rear-ended someone while driving a university vehicle on university insurance (in TN). Next month I'm buying a used car from a friend. Need help figuring out what this means for insurance. [more inside]
Family vacation with a child just under two = stress.
Our cross-country family vacation with a 21 month old is 5 days away and I'm sick with worry over numerous travel-related things. Tips and advice? [more inside]
I'm not fully attracted to the girl I am dating, but I love her personality and we get along great, what do I do?
I'm not fully attracted to the girl I am dating, but I love her personality and we get along great, what do I do? [more inside]
Just the old blood rising up through the wood floor again.
Do I need to sand & refinish my hardwood floors? I would really prefer not to. [more inside]
Looking for grandma's comic.
Looking for a web comic, pretty sure its XKCD, maybe seen on reddit, but search comes up empty. One panel is a skinny looking figure and captioned something like "on my way to grandma's house" (or "grandmother's" and the second is the same figure but much rounder and fatter with the caption "on my way home from grandma's house."
Wednesday in the park with Mom.
I'd like to take my 85-year-old mom to Delaware Water Gap for a picnic on July 4th. Mom has mobility issues (is unsteady on her feet) so our picnic spot and the route to it needs to be as short and flat as possible and preferably paved. But I'd like to get as scenic a picnic spot as I can. Any recommendations? [more inside]
My 12 year old stepson recently revealed he's been bullied most of the year at school. Help us help him!
How do I help my 12 year old stepson cope with being bullied ? [more inside]
Why has my acne become so much more potent, painful, and permanent?
YANMD: (Almost) all of a sudden, my acne has become more cystic, leaving deeper and darker scars, and when broken stinging more. Have I been doing terrible harm to my body? [more inside]
A little something to make me sweeter.
My social relationships start out as acquaintance with classmates, coworkers, and roommates. Then they progress to casual friendships, in which I hang out in bars and do small favors (help carry stuff, give rides). Then they stagnate or die. I have little in the way of family, so "chosen family" is an ideal that appeals to me a lot. Sadly, I have no one like that and things aren't moving in that direction at all. [more inside]
Perudo Online
Where can I play the dice game Perudo online for free, and without downloading anything? [more inside]
What to do about 8 year old stealing
I'm posting for my sister. Her question: I have an 8 year-old daughter, 4th of 6 kids, who is loving and fun a lot of the time, and tempermental and argumentative with her siblings more often than the other kids. I get reports from my older kids often that she has stolen their things and I have found ipods, my jewelry, etc. under her bed on more than one occassion. I hae spoken to her many times, have had her write letters of apology, give up something of hers, etc. Although she has many toys and things of her own, she always wants what others have and has a very dark green streak of jealousy. [more inside]
Another word for frape
Is there another word out there to describe "frape"? [more inside]
Do mastermind groups work?
Do Mastermind groups work? How do I find local mastermind groups? [more inside]
Remember me? We just met.
How would you handle a person who after being introduced well over 15 times, still acts as though it's the first time. And after being reminded you've met before, still doesn't remember you the next time? [more inside]
When can I let go of my dry socket fear?
Wisdom teeth were yanked out Friday- when can I quit being paranoid about developing a dry socket? [more inside]
Change is good, right?
Big changes afoot, but with attendant sadness at leaving good friends and things. How do you cope? [more inside]
80-year old wine?
I thinking of giving this as an 80th birthday present. But can it really be OK? I realise that in spite of being called 'vin doux naturel' it is fortified - but eighty years? [more inside]
Which piano should I keep?
Which piano should I keep? [more inside]
blank
I encountered this phenomenon from my practice as a graphic designer:
- it looks as though people with narcissistic streak and big ego - people who have problem with empathy - they also have a problem with negative space. They are anxious about it, they don't understand it and want to fill it with information. They don't "experience" beauty directly , but instead, they form "narrative" about it.
I often encountered this while working with medical professionals (where narcissism is quite common).
Is this something I imagined or is this something that's actually confirmed in psychology/psychiatry?
How to get my emotions to move on after a break up?
I know what I need to do to move on from a break up, but why do I still feel depressed and upset about it? [more inside]
They both seem right Which one is righter?
Sink first or tile first? [more inside]
All aboard!!
If you had a Japanese rail pass and were staying in Nagano Shinkansen area, what day trips would you take? [more inside]
Help us plan a special, multi-generational birthday in Paris!
Traveling to Paris next week with family, and looking for ideas for something special for my mother's upcoming 60th birthday... [more inside]
Where can I sunbathe & swim in Durham, NC?
Where to sunbathe / splash around in Durham, NC? [more inside]
Best cheap little wireless speakers?
What's the most portable, cheapest, best quality wireless/Bluetooth speaker(s) out there? [more inside]
Nonfiction books for 9 year olds
Great non-fiction books for a smart 9 year old search: my kindle owning niece is embarking on summer vacation. I'd like to gift her some good books to fill up her summer days... she reads a huge amount, and I'd really like to encourage this. She's nine but has a roughly 9th grade reading level, so she's definitely capable of handling somewhat advanced books, and she's curious about a wide range of things. Really I'm looking for pretty much anything non-fiction & interesting. [more inside]
Some semblance of normality?
I'm increasingly certain that my marriage is dying, and I need some help negotiating the time between now and my first realtionship counselling appointment. (Apologies for the long post) [more inside]
Need more slate
Can you identify this (possibly French) celebrity?
Vilkommen, Bienvenue, in German?
Is there a German translation of Kander & Ebb's CABARET? [more inside]
When will I graduate from beginning artist to something slightly better?
I've been sketching and drawing for about six years now. When I look at the stuff I've done recently compared to stuff I did five years ago, I really am hard-pressed to see any improvement whatsoever. How can I improve my drawing ability? [more inside]
How worried should I be about an increase in perception of saltiness, bitterness and sourness in foods?
Everything seems to taste more salty/bitter/sour over the last week or so. How worried should I be that it's a sign of a disease? [more inside]
Where to go after Paris and Strasbourg
I need some ideas on where to spend the last leg of our France trip (Details inside) [more inside]
Civilization 2.0
I remember reading an academic article which discussed the Civilization video game series, and I was wondering if any MeFites could help me find it again. It specifically dealt with the theme of playing a game as if you were a computer/AI, if that helps any.
Fashion a wardrobe bar?
I've got two wardrobe boxes... without the metal bar to hang the clothes on. What's the best way to fashion a bar from which to hang my clothes in these boxes for my upcoming move? [more inside]
June 23
Renter's remorse.
I just signed something a few hours ago to rent a room, and already, I'm regretting it. Is there any kind of "buyer's remorse" grace period in the state of California? I haven't given them the first month's rent or security deposit, yet. [more inside]
Who gave birth to this launch pad?
Rocket Slide! Any idea what company originally made this badass rocket slide? They were placed in community parks in the 1970s. Looking for the original manufacturer. My google-fu fails me.
Help me be less insecure
Insecure as hell. Hope me [more inside]
Looking for Dita Senator eyeglasses
Eyeglasses Filter: I'm a big fan of Dita Senators. But they're very expensive. Any chance there's a place to buy them online, or in Toronto, that won't cost $500+?
How to disperse the fog of comfort.
How do you fight the "fog of comfort" in a long term relationship? [more inside]
Where in Toronto can I buy a flask?
Where in Toronto can I buy a 3 oz. liquor flask in the next couple of days? And, if that doesn't work out, is it safe/okay to reuse a glass bottle that size to carry my booze around? I bought a flask sized bottle earlier and found it to be the perfect size for me. [more inside]
Yes, yes. But.
Do little girls like My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic? [more inside]
Can I afford to have ADD?
What can you tell me about adult diagnoses of ADD and how they work with health insurance, specifically the idea of pre-existing conditions? [more inside]
Actually, I don't care for Piña Coladas...
I have a whole case of plain ol' Bacardi rum. What's your favorite rum based recipe that doesn't require a top-shelf liquor? [more inside]
Help my heavy bag lose its love handles.
Can you help me find a long-term solution for combating the settling of materials in my 100lb heavy punching bag? [more inside]
options when butchering a calf
My dear friend has purchased a calf and has sourced her butcher. What does she tell her butcher in order to optimize her enjoyment of this bounty, given her culinary preferences? [more inside]
No passion in the world is equal to the passion to alter someone else's draft
Tell me about document control for the beginner, without specialist software? [more inside]
I want to buy a really specific piece of vintage/restored furniture
There's a piece of furniture I want, and I'm having a difficult time searching for it online in Australia. Any advice to help me find it, search for it, name it, or discover an easy way to locate one would be helpful. [more inside]
It's not EVERY cat, just yours
I think I'm allergic to my roommate's new cat. What can I do? [more inside]
Where can I sell a rare Baseball card set that's uncut?
Where can I sell a rare uncut 1999 Braves John Rocker set of 4 cards from the Boy Scouts of America Collector's Edition framed front and back? [more inside]
I am an idiot, Ask me how I forgot to bookmark that site!
My google-fu is failing me, in finding a link of curated "best of"s for Reddit's popular "I am a.... Ask me anything!" posts. Help!! [more inside]
I was scared I'd actually get Fire Power. I wouldn't know what to do with that kind of superiority.
Was I hallucinating? When I was a little kid in Army housing in Bamberg, Germany I saw a "Fire Flower" while I was out playing. Any help would be appreciated. [more inside]
ACH payments to vendors
Hi,
My company is trying to find a cheap and reliable way to send ACH payments to our vendors. Does anyone know any good ACH companies or banks that send ACH payments from our bank account to vendors bank accounts? I know Wells Fargo does but they charge 10 per month plus $3 per transaction. I don't mind paying a little more monthly but would like the transaction cost to be less because we pay a lot of vendors weekly. Any help would me much appreciated! :) Thanks!
what to do in Tampa with a toddler
Hello Mefites. I am a British person in my 50's, originally from Africa. I will be babysitting my 18-month-old grandchild in Tampa, Florida, in early August while her (British/American) parents are on honeymoon. I would be very very grateful for suggestions of fun things for a grandma and toddler to do in that week, bearing in mind I can't drive and will be taking public transport/walking with a pushchair. [more inside]
Should I risk smoking weed in France?
Should I risk smoking weed in (Nantes) France while on exchange from Canada? [more inside]
What kind of bike light is best?
Help me get a used truck
I need to buy a used truck (I dont have the money for a new one).
I have maybe around 7.5K to spend. Some people tell me that a gas engine with over 1K miles on is just asking for trouble, other people tell me they have over 2K on theres and its still running strong. [more inside]
Doorbell etiquette
You get home with two bags of groceries. Do you ring the doorbell so that your flatmate lets you in or do you drop your bags, fetch your keys and let yourself in? [more inside]
Need suggestions for a sub-$100 WiFi-router for a small house (which can also serve as a media server).
Need suggestions for a sub-$100 WiFi-router for a small house (which can also serve as a media server). [more inside]
What kind of flower is this?
Help me identify this flower. [more inside]
Help me park with Pride
Chicago PRIDE Parade parking question. What's my best bet for parking in the vicinity of the step-off point? [more inside]
Bad interface design or something more?
What is the purpose of the on/off switch on my car's cruise control? [more inside]
looking for therapist recommendations in Chicago
does anyone know of a good therapist in chicago? [more inside]
worried about our cat...
cat health woes: constipation & vomiting. please help. [more inside]
I was caught speeding at 97 in a 75... What can I do to get out of it?
I got clocked at 22 over the speed limit. The court date is September 10, the cop told me if I pay within the 20 days, they will drop it from 6 points to 4 points. Should I appear in court? What can I do to reduce this ticket? Will they reduce it if I go to court? How much will this raise my insurance? About me: 23, never had a ticket before this, pulled over once before and given a warning. The ticket is $250.
Stream laptop screen to TV?
Wondering if I can stream the screen image from my laptop to my TV... [more inside]
Sick of nothing but pavement, cars and strip malls.
Looking for a good, free place to go swimming or camping without tons of people within 25 miles of Lowell, MA. Feel free to message me privately if you don't want to let the whole wide world know about it. In a pinch we'd be willing to drive a bit further.
How do I break things off with a girl I just met?
Feeling guilty about breaking things off with a girl I just met. Sex is complicating this for me. Help? [more inside]
You want me to go where?
Bulls Head Staten Island. How to get there from manhattan? [more inside]
I know what I'm passionate about but I don't know how to get there
The other day, I had a moment that was both a moment of clarity and a moment of existential crisis. I'm having some difficulty with figuring out how to take my life from where I am now to where I want to be and I could use some guidance, some advice (sorry for the long post). [more inside]
Android phone buttons: we differentiate because we can!
Why do different Android phones have drastically different configurations of buttons (home, back, menu, search, etc.)? Does it make a difference? [more inside]
Scotland - Road Trip & T in the Park
Upcoming Trip to Scotland: Itinerary, Road trip & T in the Park [more inside]
Identify this bug?
Is this a termite or not? Should I freak out or not? [more inside]
Should I date now, or wait until some life improvements I'm working on come to fruition?
For the first time in my life, I feel confident enough to start dating. Thing is, my life situation isn't great at the moment, but should hopefully be better in the next 3-6 months. Should I actually start, or hold off? [more inside]
A very short-term romance. Worth it?
Found a great guy. Problem: he's moving to China for a year in about 3 weeks time. Worth it or not? [more inside]
What's the fastest, best home internet I can get in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY?
What's the fastest, best home internet I can get in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY? [more inside]
Civil partnership visa = civil union?
In UK/EU law does applying for a civil partner visa create a civil partnership? [more inside]
Bad at sex
What does it mean to say someone is "no good in bed"? What things do people do (or not do) when they're bad in the sack? [more inside]
Why do potential employers need access to past, present, and future health records?
Why do prospective employers ask access to past, current, and future health records? And can one decline? [more inside]
What's a clever gift for a couple jointly celebrating their 40th and 50th birthdays?
I'm looking for ideas for a gift for a couple jointly celebrating their 40th and 50th birthdays. [more inside]
Nicknames on my Android
My phone is driving me nuts filter: How can I search by nickname on my HTC One S Android phone? [more inside]
When does cruelty become pathology?
What qualifies as domestic abuse (or who qualifies as a domestic abuser) and what is just shitty relationship behaviour? Trying to come to terms with a long episode of nastiness in my past and failing. [more inside]
Whose money is it?
Whose money is it? [more inside]
No more cats or coffee for me
Is it possible to develop allergies or food intolerances as you get older, if you've never had a problem with them previously? [more inside]
What could be causing a 1991 Toyota Camry to intermittently not start?
What could be causing a 1991 Toyota Camry to intermittently not start? What can I do to try to get it to start? [more inside]
Whatever happened to Skeletor at TCBY?
Does anyone know a way to find the old web cartoons from monkeysrobots.com? [more inside]
June 22
refugee work in Istanbul
refugee work/volunteering in Istanbul [more inside]
1Password/Dropbox issues...
1Password trouble... I have two desktop computers using 1Password and the same Dropbox account. When I cut-and-paste passwords from it... no prob, works perfectly. When I use the browser plugins to log in for me... nope, wrong password. [more inside]
Tickled pink that the example travel location is Portland...
Help us make the most of 3 days in Portland. [more inside]
How do I start talking about a deeply embrassing secret?
I occasionally struggle with self-harm. While my support system knows this has been a problem in the past, they do not know that I sometimes still self-harm. I am deeply embarrassed, but would like to start talking to my therapist about this. How do I get over the embarrassment and proceed? [more inside]
Cool Socket.io Projects
I'm looking for projects done using socket.io, WebSockets, node.js, etc. Anything that is real time, collaborative, and creates an interesting shared experience. [more inside]
The first toys are the best toys
Can you help me find (a) Mr. Bun? Beloved childhood toy, gone these many years.... [more inside]
Memories of '69, '70, & '71
Help me review the front pages of US national newspapers for 1969 through 1971. [more inside]
Have you used 23andMe? How'd it go?
Have you used 23andMe? How'd it go?
While it's probably not very possible to fact check your risk for x y and z, did it get the basics right for you? Eye color, hair color? If it told you you were 1/12th American Indian, would it be a safe bet that this is actually true?
Any surprises? Any confirmation of something you had already suspected?
What last lines stand out in your head?
What are the best ending lines of poems/short stories/novels/movies? [more inside]
Another 20-something stuck in a rut
I'm an underemployed 20-something stuck in a rut. Input needed, special snowflake details within. [more inside]
Help me get published
Help me make a name for myself in the education publishing world. [more inside]
I just want one seamless file! Too much to ask for?
Audacity-filter : How do I merge three tracks together in Audacity when audio overlaps at the beginning and end of each track? I just need a seamless track! [more inside]
It's ninja turtles all the way down.
Why would a short section of street have 8-10 manholes? [more inside]
Very slow 3G in Paris
Parisian Mefites: How do you find the quality of 3G service in your city. [more inside]
Recommations for cat/pet sitters in Toronto? Help me feed my cats and go away too!
Does anyone have recommendations for pet sitters/cat sitters that you liked in the Toronto area? I have the opportunity to go away for July & August to my parents cottage on Prince Edward Island but to make that happen I'll need to arrange for someone to feed my two cats (Max and Bentley) while I'm away. [more inside]
All my life I have a lump...
YANMD, but help me decide if this is a benign cyst or a bigger problem [more inside]
Fresh coffee at home for one moderate coffee drinker?
I like coffee a lot, but I don't like a lot of coffee. How to I have fresh coffee when I'm just making a cup or two for myself occassionally? [more inside]
Can you really hold down a job? REALLY?
How do you figure out whether or not your mental illness is serious enough to (basically) permanently stop working? Are there books or worksheets you can use to sort this out? [more inside]
Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.
Several years ago, my husband's close friend died suddenly. Now the friend's oldest son is graduating from high school, and his wife asked my husband (and others) to pass on some personal accumulated wisdom and memories. What kinds of things should we address? [more inside]
Blisters, again!
I have painful blisters on my feet from walking much more than normal. What's the best way to manage (or prevent) them for the next few weeks? [more inside]
Teen car ownership and insurance
My 19 yo son is ready to buy a car. From an insurance perspective (cost and/or risk) does it matter if the title is in his name or mine? [more inside]
Is it time for us to split?
Is it time for us to go our separate ways? [more inside]
A bucket for his little brain
My 19-month old son refuses to wear his bike helmet. This is harshing my alternative transportation buzz. [more inside]
I'm a little teapot isn't going to cut it...
Help me find a karaoke song that fits my personality and musical abilities! [more inside]
Want to surf pictures of cute outfits like an ADD squirrel on PCP.
What are some good resources for looking at many different stylish outfits quickly and efficiently? I want lots of inspiration bang for my time buck! [more inside]
Portland for a weekend bromance
Heading to Portland, OR for the first time! Super excited, and could use your help with our special-snowflake travel needs. [more inside]
Where's Caravaggio?
Caravaggio-filter: help me find all the Caravaggios in Rome. Is there a list? [more inside]
I have to notarize some Canadian legal paperwork in the US. Running into problems.
I need to have some legal papers related to my aunt's estate signed. My aunt lived in Canada, and I am in the US (Oregon). [more inside]
Help with stubborn malware redirect.
Help removing a particularly stubborn piece of Malware. It's appears to be a rootkit that causes a Firefox redirect.(details inside) [more inside]
Music puzzle #3
Looking for songs that sound like the following: Crazy (Gnarls Barkley), Ghostwriter (RJD2), Clint Eastwood (Gorillaz)
How do I explain this in simple terms?
Please help me either articulate why a certain position is unethical - or help me understand how I am wrong. Is it right to charge someone more for a service based on their success in monetizing that service? [more inside]
Excel help
I have an easy (hopefully) question regarding time formatting in Excel. [more inside]
What is the best way find another full time (IT related) job that allows me to work from home?
I work from home doing IT support/project management for a large non profit. I think it might be time for me to find another job. What is the best way find another full time (IT related) job that allows me to work from home? [more inside]
Should I invite friends to our wedding I'm not that close to?
Should I invite friends to our wedding that I'm not that close to and/or haven't really stayed in touch with? Do people think of wedding invitations as obligations to give gifts? Would it be really awkward? Or am I over-thinking this and I should just invite whoever I want to invite? [more inside]
Do I have heat rash in my lady bits? What do I do?
Embarrassing lady business question. Specifically: heat rash (maybe?) on/in my vulva. [more inside]
Lists of sets of things.
I am looking for lists or sets of things that have 5-10 or so items. Like for instance asia, north and south america, africa, australia, etc...., red orange yellow green blue indigo violet. Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, etc.. Or Huron, Erie, Ontario, Michigan, Superior. Nothing esoteric please! Sets of things almost every (american) adult would be familiar with. Like Shortstop, pitcher, catcher, right fielder, and so on.
How to deal with this mismatched kink?
He's into being dominated; I'm not into dominating. He wants to visit a dominatrix; I'm terrified about what it might do to our relationship, but also worried about our sans-dominatrix relationship more generally. Help? [more inside]
Cone of mystery
Ceramicsfilter: I am looking at buying an older kiln off Craigslist, but no one can seem to figure out what cone this thing can fire to. i know this is a long shot, but my Google-Fu is letting me down big time on this one. [more inside]
Crafting ideas for a hodge podge of old photos?
Calling all artistic, creative MeFites! Help me figure out something creative and not insanely expensive to do with all of these awesome old photos of Memphis and Memphians! [more inside]
Chaining myself to the tree will probably not save it.
I have a huge elm tree in my backyard that has most likely been there since my house was built in 1925, if not before. Yesterday the city forestry guy came by and said that the tree *might* be showing the early signs of dutch elm disease. Is there anything proactive I can do to save the tree? [more inside]
Cloud Based Document Management System
Cloud based Document Management System (DMS): what is the lastest and greatest (Mid 2012)? [more inside]
Getting a shorted circuit to work again
One of our electrical circuits has stopped working (shorted?) after turning the AC on too high. I've taken a look in the circuit box, but it's not the type of switches I'm used to. Can you help me figure out how to get the circuit working again? Photo of circuit box. Photo of accompanying diagram.
Ex remained close with best friends. I can't deal with it now.
Ex-gf continued to stay friends with my closest friends. I haven't come to terms with it. [more inside]
How to address a co-worker shamelessly pushing her home business at work?
I'm looking for advice on how to tell a nice, but shameless coworker who keeps trying to sell everyone her "super juice" product that she really needs to stop. [more inside]
Lost in Translation
What language/meaning does this expression have: 花 鳥 風 月?
Help me fix my cracked ivory plugs
I need to glue/fix something weird. Help! [more inside]
What Did The Office Workers Of The 1600s Eat?
I always hear that the traditionally heavy US diet ( or any " traditional" cuisine, really ) was developed for people working long hard hours of manual labor, farm work, etc., so what did the people who had sedentary, less active jobs eat? What were the historical diets of people who didn't haul lumber through the woods or dig ditches, but recorded numbers or did accounting or translated documents?
Care to chime in on my sinus issues?
I would like to hear your experiences with sinus issues and your recommendations for mine. [more inside]
I am not a psychologist; is there a book that lets me play one in the mirror?
It seems like a lot of what psychologists do is provide tools for processing troublesome beliefs, experiences, etc. in a healthy way. Are there books that the hive mind would recommend that teach some of these tools to non-psychologists for the purpose of being able to use these techniques in their own lives? I've envisioning something less dense than a college textbook but more rigorous than a walk through the self-help section at a bookstore. Recommendations are welcome for general techniques/tools as well as topically oriented works, such as books focused on techniques specific for relationships, money problems, or other common sources of stress and conflict.
Buddhism for Middle Class Methodists
I belong to a progressive congregation of the United Methodist Church, and we often host educational series exploring other religions/belief systems (our congregation isn't of the "one true path to God" variety). This fall, we're planning a series on Buddhism. Our adult education committee has tasked me with selecting a book to study. [more inside]
Our answering machine isn't SkyNet...
More and more often, people calling seem to think that they have reached a real person when our answering machine picks up. For reference, what you hear when the machine picks up is "You have reached the [Family Name] residence. Please leave a message" followed by a relatively loud beep. However, people (not recordings) seem to leave a lot messages that sound like they expect responses from the machine. Why would this be? Could we/should we fix it? [more inside]
Small explosion.
Health-filter! I had a crazy reaction to a magnesium supplement- or did I? [more inside]
Help me get out of DC environs (but still commute to UMD)
I'm having trouble mashing up neighborhood recommendations, apartment listings, and public transportation maps. Could you advise me on places to rent way outside of the main University of Maryland campus/DC area (e.g. no Silver Spring!) that still let me commute into campus via less than 2 hour public transportation? [more inside]
Best recording of Threepenny Opera
What is the best recording of "Threepenny Opera" available in English? For "available", read "currently in print, or available via iTunes, Amazon, or Google Music".
What would it really be like to build a space colony?
What would it really be like to build a space colony? Asking for a friend, because I love the question, but am not a sci-fi person myself: [more inside]
Sleep apnea + allergies = bad sleep. Help!
I have sleep apnea, so I use a full-mouth mask when sleeping. I also have bad allergies, and I have found that for the last week or so, I'm waking up in the middle of the night, sneezing a bunch of times, and immediately get a stuffed nose that I can't clear, so I sleep the rest of the night without my mask. Any tips to combat this (meds don't help), either to keep me asleep, or help me once I wake up?
What are reasonable rates for Somerville moving companies?
What are reasonable rates for moving companies for a move within Somerville, MA? Any recommendations for good movers? Everything seems more expensive than last time I did this. [more inside]
Soccer books on the Kindle
What are some great soccer/football books available for the Kindle? I'm looking specifically for books that were released in the UK but not in the USA. I'm also looking more for magazine/non fiction type of writing rather than books about tactics or the more mechanical aspects of the game.
Seeking Shabbat in Accra
I am in Accra, Ghana on a business trip, and my colleague and I would like to find a shabbat service tonight. There is no synagogue in Accra, nor a Chabad presence. I've tried calling the Israeli embassy, but haven't been able to get through (possibly they work half day Fridays?)
Any ideas?
Cashmere is for the goats
A second-hand cashmere cardigan has far outlasted new items I've bought since I got it from a charity shop in 2005. Will this be the case with all cashmere, or is some better than others? [more inside]
What bank do you like?
I have Bank of America. What bank should I change to? Should I keep two banks? [more inside]
Replacement for Tom's Unscented?
Getting a horrible skin reaction to Tom's Unscented Deodorant. What's a good unscented replacement that isn't an antiperspirant? [more inside]
Did a toddler break my speakers?
I have a pair of vintage Bose 501 speakers that have worked great for the past five years. They are connected to a vintage Yamaha CR-820 receiver. A while ago, my favorite toddler pushed all the buttons on the receiver and the speakers stopped working. She came over again, pushed a bunch of buttons and it started working again. Next time: bunch of pushes, stopped. Now no button pushing seems to matter... is it broken? [more inside]
Suddenly constipated? Me? Actually yes. What to do?
Dear Penthouse Forum, I never thought I'd be writing about - oh wait.
Dear Metafilter, I never thought I'd be writing about GI issues but here goes.
After a three week bout with perhaps GERD, for the first time EVER that I can recall and I do mean EVER, I am quite constipated. [more inside]
Do I have bed bugs? pic attached.
Do I have bed bugs? pic attached. [more inside]
Tallying Information Desk Queries
Digital Tally Counter and/or Log Sheet: What should I use to tally the number of people who approach us at the Information Desk? [more inside]
Decorating Sliding Doors
Help me decorate the interior sliding doors in my apartment. [more inside]
Help me stand my ground against my ex.
I may have to see my abusive ex soon. Help me cope. [more inside]
June 21
Some people want to be liked, whereas others want to be admired. What causes this?
Some people want to be liked, whereas others want to be admired. What causes this? [more inside]
Video killed the... yeah.
I've just discovered the BBC 4 radio series Cabin Pressure, which I'm enjoying a lot, and now I'm looking for some other good, contemporary, fictional radio shows. Do those exist nowadays? How do I find the good ones? [more inside]
Can anyone recommend a nice weekend travel spot within 90 minutes of NYC where we could rent a cozy bungalow right on the beach for a couple of days?
Can anyone recommend a nice weekend travel spot within 90 minutes of NYC where we could rent a cozy bungalow right on the beach for a couple of days? Kid friendly a plus! Not looking for a club which would require membership. [more inside]
Canadian/International equivalent to American Science & Surplus?
Is there any online store even roughly equivalent to American Science & Surplus that ships to Canada? By "roughly equivalent" I mean "has a large selection of random science-y supplies/doodads/gizmos at reasonable prices."
Sarcastic love?
I'm looking for love songs that are sarcastic or that involve weirdos/regular imperfect people in love. Less sappy love-you-forever talk, more witty, loving barbs. [more inside]
One hand, no mouth
What one-handed instruments can I play and sing along with? [more inside]
Warm Worms
The US and Israel, according to all accounts, are behind the Stuxnet and Flame worms. Does the creation and deployment of these cyber espionage worms violate any treaties or international law? Does the creation and deployment of these worms violate any existing domestic law? [more inside]
Why isn't root beer popular around the world?
Why isn't root beer more popular outside of the U.S. and Canada? Many U.S. products, including soft drinks, do well in global markets, but the most delicious and authentic U.S. soft drink is hard to buy outside of North America. Why is that?
Help me choose an upgrade path for my vintage site and get my info to a database?
I'm looking for some guidance in my quest to enter a moderate amount of information into a database, and then choose an appropriate front-end to display that data with a small array of filters and search options. The project is not complicated; I mostly want to avoid wasting time learning things the hard way (in contrast to my usual style). [more inside]
Why yes, it is another diet question!
Like every other person on earth, I'm intrigued by the idea of a low-carb diet for weight loss and generally feeling
better on a daily basis. I've read lots of almost miraculous success stories, and since I need to lose ~20-25lbs and my
standard low-calorie, fruits/vegetables/whole grains thing doesn't seem to work any more, of course I'm thinking I should
at least try it. The problem is, most of those success stories include extreme euphoria over the opportunity to consume
all that yummy fat and protein, but I mostly really dislike fat and and don't particularly love protein either. [more inside]
Antivirus protection without the Internet
We have some never-on-a-network PCs set up in a lab at work; all are running Windows Vista. We need a good way to keep up-to-date antivirus software on them without relying on an internet connection. [more inside]
insurance reassurance
Where does one go for reliable information about any risks of using your health insurance policy? [more inside]
Masterlock? Maybe just journeymanlock.
We live in a two-story duplex in Portland, OR. It's a converted single family home with an interior stairway connecting the two units. There's a door at the bottom of the stairway which sort of locks but not really. How do we deal with this? Special snowflake details inside. [more inside]
Ick seaweed in Florida
oceanography Filter: Is this new seaweed permanent? [more inside]
Why are my lady parts so stupid?
My monthly cycle has become crazy, right as I'm trying to get pregnant. Help me figure out what is going on and what to ask my doctor. [more inside]
Listening is not the same as reading.
Should I strongly encourage my 12-year-old daughter to read a book that she needs to have completed before the start of the next school year, or since she'll be on a lot of buses travelling with a lot of time on her hands this summer, let her listen to the audiobook? Some other details inside... [more inside]
Police records of a murder
How do I get copies of a police report (interviews, the evidence, and the confession) from a murder investigation in which I was involved? [more inside]
What will my healed thumb look like?
You're not my doctor, and you don't have a crystal ball. But can you speculate what will happen to my thumb after I took a pretty good slice at it yesterday? Bonus worker's comp question. [more inside]
How can I enjoy Comic-Con as a non-ticket holding civilian?
I moved recently to San Diego. I enjoy the occasional comic book, video game or scifi movie, but I'm not fanatical about it. Comic-Con is coming in a few weeks. Are there any activities for someone who's kind of interested in the whole thing but not really committed, or should I stay away unless I am donning my Darth Vader outfit? I've heard tickets are ridiculously hard to come by, but is there somewhere open to the public I can go, do some people watching and maybe buy some wares?
What if there were less of me.
I'd like to lose some weight, but nothing I've tried has worked. I am starting to feel helpless and sad. What should I do? [more inside]
Put me out of my regexing misery.
I need a regex that will recursively match anything after a forward slash to the end of a URL. [more inside]
Which NAS boxes support DHX2 authentication?
Is there a NAS device that supports DHX2 authentication under $200, which holds 2TB? [more inside]
I'm sorry.
I'm a compulsive overapologizer. Help me stop. [more inside]
It's time to change for the better
Fast forward one year later, boss situation changed again. Help me make it change for the better this time. [more inside]
Groups devoted to legalizing assisted suicide?
What is the leading nonprofit organization(s) devoted to promoting legalization of assisted suicide in US states? [more inside]
Schedule A Hiring Authority
Has anyone been hired by a US government agency under the Schedule A Hiring Authority? [more inside]
"Tell him what he's won, Gardiner Westbound!"
Toronto commute filter:
How to escape from Chinatown to the Gardiner westbound? [more inside]
GI Joe: Real Canadian Hero
Did GI Joe fight for other countries? [more inside]
Highly visual climate science demos
Is there a demonstration of an aspect of climate science that could be performed for a television show, and which would be highly visually interesting? [more inside]
Is this diastasis recti? What can I do to get my belly back?
When I do ab/core exercises, my stomach looks like this. The internet tells me that this could be diastasis recti. What CAN I do to fix it AND strengthen more core too? [more inside]
Thermostat to help control ventilation intelligently?
Is there a sensor device or thermostat setup that can inexpensively switch on a fan based on the difference between two temperature points (one inside, one outside)? [more inside]
P for problem remembering
Looking for the name of a game with numbered cubes and soothing music. Scant details inside. [more inside]
Oh subaru, oh subaru.
Should we be wary of this rather low-mileage used car? What should we be looking out for? [more inside]
Help me help my girlfriend have her first orgasm
My 35 y/o girlfriend has never had an orgasm... [NSFW details] [more inside]
For the ODs/progressive wearers, blue glare with new progressives?
I did not get an answer from my optometrist/optician so I'm turning to the hive. Just got a new pair of progressive lenses and find that outside the central clear zone there is a blue shift/glare at the border of lights and corners of illuminated objects. More inside... [more inside]
nerdy overthinker needs a highlighter, heart and cold eye
yet another request for feedback on an OkCupid profile. Complex, nerdy overthinker in search of an editor who may be able to help focus an online persona. [more inside]
My father: not as evil as Darth Vader, at least.
I've found my father and decided to contact him after about 25 years of silence. I need to come up with something better than, "Hi. You helped spawn me. I have questions." [more inside]
website about sound engineering/production?
I'm interested in audio engineering/production/mastering etc . Is there a website that talks about different effects, characteristics of recorded sound, etc. and then provides samples of well-known tracks as examples? [more inside]
What are the bugs I found living on a messy desk?
What are these bugs I found while cleaning off a very messy desk? [more inside]
Do you know of any examples of public events that were proported to have happened, but didn't?
Do you know of any examples of publicly known historical events that have been purported to have happened, but later proven to have not happened? [more inside]
Help me fix my spotify online/offline switching
Please help me get my spotify app running on my Samsung SGS2. [more inside]
Good starting points for learning how to do empirical research?
Good starting points for learning how to do empirical research? [more inside]
beggars can't be choosers?
Prospective job seems to require too much- or am I overreacting? [more inside]
How does a tone relate to a frequency?
I have been playing around with Audacity recently trying to understand a bit more about sound in general. One question I'm having trouble wrapping my head around is: How does Tone and Frequency relate? For instance, the 2600 Hz is a high-pitched tone. Does that mean that anything that produced that same tone would be at 2600 Hz? And does it mean that for the entire range of human hearing -- all of those Hz -- that one tone corresponds to a particular frequency? I am looking for some basic explanation or even tools to play with...
Why can't I just get up early, shower and dress, eat, walk the dog, and go?
How can I train myself to get into work by 9AM when nobody but me seems to care at all what time I come in? [more inside]
The Future, Conan?
Help me find some informative scientific podcasts/lectures/audio books/videos about the future of man and technology. [more inside]
Help me to become rich when the global economy goes pop!
A friend has advised me of a way to rake it in when the economy goes boom. Can you guys have a look at this and see if he is wise or just deluded. [more inside]
Help Me Choose A Wireless Router That Plays Well With An HTC Thunderbolt
A few months ago I caught Amazon's sweet deal on an HTC Thunderbolt: A 4G phone for a penny, woo-hoo! All is good, except that no matter what I do it does not connect to my wireless router. Other Thunderbolt owner's have similar problems, and I've tried the suggestions from various Android and HTC forums, all to no avail. Now I'm ready to replace my router. Suggestions? [more inside]
Help me decode what looks like base64
I have a program that stores information in a database. Because this program doesn't have an API, any automation has to be done by writing directly to the database. Some of the database columns are encoded, so in order to write into them I need to know the encoding method. Can you help me figure it out? Examples inside. [more inside]
Buying new PC Speakers
Recommendations for PC speakers under $50. [more inside]
Hosts manager for windows 7?
How can I manage my hosts file in Windows 7? [more inside]
Cheyenne Bound. Need Local Navigation
What to do in Cheyenne with a 10 year old? [more inside]
When "belt it" isn't enough...
Help me find a not-outrageous tailor for casual women's clothing in Seattle. [more inside]
My supervisor has pointed out to me that I tend to take language very literally, and it's impeding my performance at my job. Help me rewire my brain!
My supervisor has pointed out to me that I tend to take language very literally, and it's impeding my performance at my job. Help me rewire my brain! [more inside]
Where can I go to school abroad for cheap?
Where can I go to school abroad for cheap? [more inside]
What sewing machine should I buy?
What kind of sewing machine should I get my beloved for her birthday? [more inside]
How to cover up a tattoo?
Tattoo cover up strategies needed. [more inside]
How to get over feelings of betrayal and build trust again in my marriage.
I want to get over feelings of betrayal and build trust again in my marriage. How do I bring it up to my husband? [more inside]
Scenic trucks?
Driving from Montreal to the Florida Keys, what's the best route? [more inside]
A Lot of Monitors a Few Computers
I would like to run a lot of monitors (100+) with a few computers. Functionality isn't important, the visual is. It's for an art space. Any suggestions?
USB3 for MacBook
Does anyone have a recommendation for a USB 3.0 ExpressCard 34 adapter for a late-2011 17" Macbook pro? [more inside]
How to get fresh air and secure windows at the same time?
It's very very hot today. My method of cooling the house is entirely fan based. I would like to be able to leave the windows cracked for the cats when I'm at work, and when I'm sleeping, but the first floor presents a security issue. What can you recommend to secure double hung windows? [more inside]
Building a deck used to just mean one thing, now we have ALL THESE OPTIONS.
(Reverse) tether me up
I have a Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Verizon, rooted/unlocked). I'm trying to share the connection from my laptop to the Galaxy Nexus (i.e., so the Galaxy Nexus can utilize the connection I have on my laptop). Can you help? [more inside]
Cars Behaving Badly
What's wrong with my car? I have a 1996 Ford Explorer and I think I may have killed it last night. After a long hot drive back from the beach in traffic with a little kayak on the roof (relevant in case I overheated something maybe), I stopped to drop off friends at their apt., and when I went to restart it it made a funny choppy noise. I tried to turn it off but it wouldn't turn off completely, even after fully removing the key from the ignition. Smokey details inside... [more inside]
Recommendations for comfortable car/RV to sleep in
What is the most comfortable car/SUV to rent to sleep in? [more inside]
Lightweight portable image annotation software sought.
I am looking for software (preferrably a portable app) which will allow me to embed an image or images into a file and allow me to add text to that file both above and below the image. I am not looking to edit the image. Word does the job perfectly well, but I don't have it on all of the computers which I switch between - annoyingly I switch machines a lot, but they are all windows machines. I would prefer not to use Open Office either and would prefer the software to be as light as possible. I would like to keep these files on my usb drive and keep the software application on there too if possible. This would allow me to plug in whenever I have a few spare minutes and acess to a computer. [more inside]
menswear for the tropics
Looking for menswear suitable for the office. Problem: relocated to a hot and humid tropical country, and my current wardrobe just isn't working here. And it's not even July/August. [more inside]
June 20
Preparing for a Possible HIV-Positive Result?
Preparing for a Possible HIV-Positive Result? [more inside]
Tips on Being an Exposed Academic Scholar
How does media exposure fit into an academic career? Should I be writing articles for general publications and/or doing interviews? Or am I wasting time I could be using to write journal papers? [more inside]
What is killing my lemon tree, and how to cure?
Help me save my lemon tree. It's got tiny black spots on both sides of its leaves, and small beige bumps on the undersides. It's been spreading for about a month, but I'm finally noticing that it's actually harming the plant and killing the leaves.
Badly damaged leaf: top, bottom, top close, bottom close. Early-stage leaf: top, bottom. Barely-affected leaf: top, bottom, bottom close. [more inside]
A bug to put on my wife's neck
Help me find the perfect bug necklace for a girly tomboy [more inside]
Why do so many (southern) Slavic surnames have the suffix 'ic'?
While watching the Croatian National team play in the UEFA Cup, it occurred to me that 9 of 11 starters had names ending in 'ic.' As a big tennis fan as well, I realize this is also true of virtually every male and female player from Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia. I'm asking purely out of curiosity, and was wondering if anybody could shed some light on how this one specific suffix became so common. Likewise, I'm interested in knowing if unto itself it means anything, as well as just about any other relevant info that the hive might offer--for example, why is the suffix so common among southern Slavs, but less common among non-southern Slavs? Thanks.
Looking for a soft or moist "dry" cat food.
Is there a "dry" cat food with a soft or moist kibble? [more inside]
Bring out your space related bits and pieces!
Looking for a good motto, quote, or possibly a graphic related to space exploration/research, intended to be engraved on a gift pocketknife. I need ideas! [more inside]
Senior citizen working off a ticket
How can a person work off a traffic fine in Los Angeles? Is there a program for those on Social Security? [more inside]
What is the best way to learn R?
What is the best way for me to learn R? In particular, what is the best website or online tutorials for learning to deal with large datasets. [more inside]
Living in a box, living in a cardboard box
Remodeling with an eye toward my own use (for the next 4-5 years) and rentability (in ~5 years?). [more inside]
You may not remember me, but I remember YOU-- jobsearch edition
Er... do I mention that I know the person I'm addressing the cover letter to? [more inside]
How do I resign as confidante?
I've unintentionally become the person that a coworker feels comfortable venting to, and in this case, I don't like it. How do I make it stop without causing too much trouble? [Hoo boy, this ended up long!] [more inside]
Is our global economy screwed?
So, how bad will the forecasted financial crisis be in 2013/eurogeddon? and what could be read to refute the total gloom and doom of these guys? And if the world economy starts sliding, what are the early signs before the shit really hits the fan?
Maybe I wanted to keep my wisdom (tooth).
Why not let my dental nature take its course, regarding my wisdom tooth extraction? [more inside]
And the Oscar for editing goes to...
Best/easiest youtube tutorials for leaning Adobe Premiere (CS5) [more inside]
how do you share your life when you're not sure where you're going?
How do you share your life with someone else when you're not sure where you're going? [more inside]
Two steps forward, one step backwards
I'm looking for examples that illustrate a particular concept: that a technological / social advance is often accompanied by a kind of regression to earlier practices, until people work out how to exploit the benefits of that advance. Help me nail down this rather nebulous idea! [more inside]
Where's Your Mom, Mommy?
How to explain to a five year old why you don't have a mother? [more inside]
I don't think "none of your business" translates well into Catholic
I'm in the process of applying for an annulment to my marriage in the Catholic church, and am already feeling incredibly violated and offended by what the tribunal wants to know in order to pass judgement. Help me figure out if I want to suck it up and proceed. [more inside]
Dulce de leche inspiration, please!
What are your favorite recipes involving dulce de leche? I'm looking for luscious ideas for a newly-made batch, and so far have only thought of rather standard baked goods (and maybe some ice cream with salted pecans). Advanced or complicated recipes welcome.
Cyber Affair
I don't feel guilty, am I an jerk? [more inside]
fix my diet
Help me fix my diet: Simplicity Edition [more inside]
How do I fix what my AWOL CPA broke?
I just found out my accountant screwed up and never filed my 2011 taxes. No one at her office is returning my emails or messages. My tax situation is now a complete mess. I don't know where to start to fix this. Help? [more inside]
Physical Mathematics?
Is there a book that teaches math via physics? [more inside]
Gateway Cuisine
What are the best "gateway dishes" for someone who wants to try authentic Chinese cuisine? [more inside]
Family ties
My Mormon parents won't meet, talk of, or accept that I am with my girlfriend. How do I navigate family events and holidays since I am very close to my family but I am also in a very serious relationship? [more inside]
Pick it up pick it up pick who up?
What are the best new ska/ska-punk bands out there now? [more inside]
How can I make sure I am ready for a 200km bike ride?
What do I need to prepare for an approximately 200km bike ride? [more inside]
Savings Bonds?
Savings Bonds Filter: Which bonds should I sell or continue to sit on? Picture inside. [more inside]
Sad, Skinny, Cellulite.
I'm a skinny girl, and I'm sad about my cellulite. What can I do? [more inside]
(Google) Scholarly Advice?
Google Scholar Search Term? [more inside]
You know, like Netflix....
I am looking for a shopping cart solution that specializes in subscription based sales. I have a small product that comes in several "flavors" that I would like to ship to each customer's house every month. [more inside]
Nobody likes you when you're wasted
Is there a tactful way to tell a friend that they are not pleasant to be around when they drink too much, an occurrence that happens every time we see them? [more inside]
Am I a bot?
Am I spamming the universe right now? [more inside]
Books for three little boys?
I need recommendations for books to give my nephews for their 2nd, 4th, and 6th respective birthdays! [more inside]
Help me pivot the pivot table back!
How to reformat pivot table data so that it works like any other spreadsheet? Simple instructions needed. [more inside]
Where can I buy black, thin, cotton tights?
Where can I buy black, thin, cotton tights? [more inside]
How to avoid hair clogs in a new bathroom?
My dream bathroom would include a sink that never clogs with hair. How close can I come to making this a reality? [more inside]
Completely "Dark" Alarm Clock (Revisited)?
Completely "dark" / humane alarm clock (revisited)? [more inside]
Falling down a ship's air intake
What would happen if you jumped or fell down a big ship's air intake? [more inside]
let Providence guide him
A friend is moving to Providence, RI - where should he live? Where can he find reliable apartment listings, or well-situated, reasonably priced apartment complexes? What else does he need to know? [more inside]
Seeking slow-paced nature anime.
I'm seeking a certain sort of anime--the slow-paced nature appreciation. Here is an extreme example. [more inside]
How can I be the best temporary caregiver?
I will be taking care of my friend after her surgery. Help me be the best caregiver ever. [more inside]
How to Hook up this Drip System?
How do I hook up this irrigation/drip system? I have an outside faucet for garden hoses. What do I need to buy, and where can I buy it? How does it work? Bought a house with this installed.
Care package!
American ex-pats living in Germany, what things that can be mailed did you miss from/about the US? [more inside]
When and where did I see Chicago on the "Chicago 16" tour?
Does anybody really know what time it was (in 1982, or 1983, when I saw my first concert...)? For a piece on first-ever concerts, I'm trying to figure out when I saw Chicago on their "Chicago 16" tour. I'm guessing it was 1982 and it was in St. Paul, Minnesota, so probably at the St. Paul Civic Center, though I can't swear to that. Are there any master concert lists for the band Chicago, or a ticket stub somewhere? I'd also be curious to see what we paid and if there was an opening act...
Help us plan our road trip!
A friend and I are planning a road trip from Boston to Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. We've got six days total (Friday, June 30th until Wednesday, July 4th). So far, we've booked Saturday and Sunday nights at a campground in Cape Breton, and we're planning to take the ferry from Digby to St. John on Wednesday morning (and finish the rest of the drive back that day). We'd love some advice about the trip in general and how best to spend our time! [more inside]
What makeup do I need for an outdoor wedding?
I'd like foundation and makeup strong enough to look good in photos from an outdoor wedding, but easy enough for a novice to apply. Do you have suggestions? [more inside]
Looking for ukulele groups/choirs in MD
Can you help me find a ukulele choir or group in Maryland, specifically Montgomery or Frederick Counties? [more inside]
How can I stop hurting myself when I exercise?
How can I stop hurting myself when I exercise? [more inside]
Where can I meet/hang-out/make merry with other young queers in San Francisco?
Where can I meet/hang-out/make merry with other young queers in San Francisco? [more inside]
Long Gone Alpine Campground Orchard Park NY
In the 1980s there was a campground in Orchard Park, NY (a suburb of Buffalo) on Ellicott Road. It closed sometime around 1989. It was called Alpine. I can't find a single mention of it on the internet and would love to know more about the place. It was right here. The camping is long gone, but the quarry is still there and some of the buildings are still standing. I only have fuzzy memories of going there as a kid and I'm trying to learn more about it. [more inside]
Music blogs
How can I make my music discovery process more effective and efficient? I listen to hip hop plus some alt R&B, electronic, and experimental. [more inside]
Help a n00b create a personal budget!
Novice/don't know what the hell I'm doing Filter: Moving away from home for the first time and need to create a budget! Any tips/help? [more inside]
Help me deal with this stress!
Help me deal with this stress! [more inside]
How can I automatically archive web pages I visit?
Is there an easy way to archive all the content of web pages I visit, saving the pages to my hard drive? [more inside]
educationfilter: I am becoming a teacher this upcoming year and I'll like to solicit the Hive mind's advice for the best, most innovative, effective educational bits of wisdom, advice, and methods you've done as a teacher or had a a teacher do with you or your class. Examples of precisely what I mean below the fold
educationfilter: I am becoming a teacher this upcoming year and I'll like to solicit the Hive mind's advice for the best, most innovative, effective educational bits of wisdom, advice, and methods you've done as a teacher or had a a teacher do with you or your class. Examples of what I'm looking for below the fold. [more inside]
To do well for myself or good for society
Advice needed on potential career paths in the public health field: how to decide between a financially lucrative offer and holding out for potentially getting another job to do "good" for society? Way too much detail inside: [more inside]
Recommend an insurance company, please.
I need to get homeowner's insurance for a property around Concord, NH. Can someone recommend an independent insurance agent in this area?
How to be an ethical landlord?
I am buying my first house and my friends will live there with me. What is the ethical way to decide what to charge in rent? [more inside]
Let's talk about sex
What would the ideal website of your local sexual health centre look like? Looking for links, ideas, general commentary... [more inside]
Is there a wide-angle zoom lens equivalent to the 50mm lens?
I need an all-around wide angle or zoom lens that's of good quality. I'm already really happy with my f/1.8 50mm, what's the zoom/wide angle lens equivalent of the 50mm? [more inside]
Google and Firefox not playing well together?
Google and Firefox not playing well together? [more inside]
Is this 2 year old stain fixable?
What are the chances that a 2 year old cake frosting stain will come off my dry-clean-only dress? [more inside]
What can you do for an acquaintance in ICU?
What can you do for an acquaintance in ICU? [more inside]
Mystery object-filter: shaker cap edition
Can you identify this tiny shaker cap found in my office building?
top view ,
bottom view [more inside]
Used bikes in Chicago
Where can I get a used bike for cheap on the north side of Chicago? [more inside]
Not that I don't love LaVar...
Everyone remembers Reading Rainbow, but what about other reading TV shows in the 1980s? [more inside]
Making a wide-screen background'ed website
Webdesign: How to make a wide-screen centralized background in HTML? Any tips? [more inside]
Why do people upload old 3d party stuff to YouTube?
Why (not how, why) do people upload old third-party content to youtube? Has anything been written on the subject? [more inside]
BREAKING: Simon Adebisi Wears Physics Defying Hat!
How realistic is the portrayal of the media's coverage of the prison on Oz? (No spoilers in the question, potential for some in the answers.) [more inside]
Help me remember a book title.
Over 20 years ago I read a novel, but can remember neither the author nor the novel title. I think it was an English author, I think the word "Spring" was in the title, and I think it was set in the post-colonial time period in India.
I do remember it was a story about a young teenage English girl who met and fell in love with an Indian teenage boy, and they thought she might be pregnant, so they ran away to Varanasi/Benares together to get married in spite of the disapproval of their families.
About 15 years ago or so it was made into a TV movie and shown on either PBS or Masterpiece Theater.
I've googled for "novels set in Varanasi," "post-colonial novels set in Benares," etc and came up empty. I'm confident I would recognize the title if I saw it, and it is not listed here, here, or here.
Do these (rather minuscule, sorry) details ring a bell for anyone?
Thank you!
I just want to get some dang shut-eye
Tales from the middle seat: I'm booked on a red-eye flight leaving Monday night. No problem, I'll just sleep on the plane. I've done it before and it's not so bad. Except. I booked my plane ticket a week ago, and I don't have a window seat. Help me figure out how to get some sleep without a window to lean on... [more inside]
Weird me out in Edinburgh
Last time you helped weird me out in London. Now help me go beyond the usual tourist activities up north in Edinburgh, please. [more inside]
Weekend in Burlington, Vermont
How to spend an AWESOME weekend in Burlington, VT? [more inside]
Workout to achieve "Abercrombie and Fitch" bodyshape?
Workout to achieve "Abercrombie and Fitch" bodyshape? [more inside]
I much like my head. I don't want to see it removed just yet.
Given that the copyright landscape is about to change in Canada, educate me about VPN services and securing my connection like I'm a n00b! [more inside]
Potty Training: Part 2
I've posted previously about potty training my dogs. I picked up a book, "How to Housebreak Your Dog In 7 Days," which was quite helpful except one thing: our work schedules aren't compatible with a regular schedule. [more inside]
Firefox Tiny Printing
Recently when I print with Firefox, it tries to squeeze everything into 1 page. The text is TINY. I have tried "Print 100%", Scale to Fit, Print regular in preferences (HP Laserjet 4200). I have tried to print with different drivers. Nothing I do save "Print 200+%" works, and that's absolutely absurd to have to do each time. Chrome prints things fine, but I really don't want to have to use a different browser each time... Anybody have an idea? Any info I seem to find on the web comes up with old FF2 and FF3 printing issues. Nothing with a more current version on the mozilla forums.
Internet Fruit Detective Squad, Assemble
What are these fruit, seen outside a 24 hour shop in North London? Are they (please god, let it be) tomatillos?
Enough is Enough -- is she Guilty?
Can anyone help me track down this factoid (if it's even true)? Way before podcasts existed, I remember hearing a radio host or music pundit call Barbra Streisand a career annihilator (though I think he had a catchier name for it). He claimed that she held a unique position in pop music: that every number-one charting artist who released a duet with her a) saw that duet reach number 1 on the charts, and b) never had another number 1 hit again. I have never been able to find this statement again anywhere. [more inside]
“Thanks to the interstate highway system, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything.”
ROAD TRIP! We're looking for a route from Buffalo to Nashville that lets us stop for great food, cheesy retro attractions and things each of us would enjoy. [more inside]
Tell me about the Wild and Wonderful parts of southern West Virginia
Virginia to Kentucky road trip. Looking for interesting places to stop in southern West Virginia along I 64. [more inside]
Meebo Replacement
Meebo replacement? [more inside]
23 going on 60.
Help me dress myself, 23-year-old-going-on-little-old-lady edition. [more inside]
Headin' out west...
Mr. Torisaur and I are going to be in Vancouver, BC from the evening of Friday July 13th until Tuesday the 17th, and then Victoria, BC from the 17th - 20th. Recommend us your favourite things to do! [more inside]
Looking for an iPhone tripod mount in meatspace
I am looking for an iPhone 4/4s tripod mount that can be purchased in a brick and mortar store. [more inside]
Please help me overhaul my international cellphone setup
I live in the US, but I spend quite a bit of time in the UK. Please help me overhaul my (currently ridiculous) cellphone arrangement, so that I can make calls cheaply, and be called by other people cheaply for them, in/from/to both places, preferably with email access too. [more inside]
Dumbo, meet SmartPhone
I've just bought my first smart phone. An android (HTC One X). What are your recommended apps? [more inside]
Hope me find an archery coach?
How does one find an archery coach? [more inside]
East Coast trip from Boston to DC -- ideas?
I'm planning on visiting the East Coast this July -- the area roughly from Boston to Washington, DC. I don't really have a set plan yet, aside from visiting NYC for a couple of days (up to a week), hopefully visiting Boston for a few days, and hanging out along the Maryland/DC border for a conference. Travel tips/suggestions? [more inside]
Help me pick a new computer
Processor and general build quality question: Should I buy a Samsung Series 3 305V5A-T04AU Notebook or HP Pavilion dv6-6B00TU Notebook? [more inside]
How to let go of anger?
How to let go of anger? [more inside]
Japanese for children
Are there any very basic resources to introduce spoken Japanese to young English speakers? [more inside]
June 19
The year of...
Can you bring me up to date with the state of Linux desktop environments? [more inside]
Finding a non-teaching job in Japan in limited time
Searching for a job in Japan... Can speak Japanese, but have only gotten job offers from low-paying ALT dispatchers so far. Visa running out. Other venues to search? [more inside]
Cheap food near Haight-Ashbury?
Cheap food near Haight-Ashbury? [more inside]
'cause i'm mr brightside
I like my friend but it's not mutual and I'm still working on getting over it. Recently she picked up someone at a club while I was getting us drinks, and I'm burning up with jealousy. How to deal? [more inside]
Would veterans dealing with PTSD and/or depression benefit from participating in auto racing?
Would participating in auto racing help Veterans dealing with PTSD and/or depression?
I am especially interested (although not exclusively) in getting feedback from few different perspectives:
1) Clinical Practitioners – Would this help or hinder someone dealing with PTSD and/or depression?
2) Veterans – Does this seem valuable from the perspective of someone dealing with PTSD and/or depression?
3) Racers – Any suggestions on what kind of racing might lend its self to this? (My thoughts were Autocross, Chump Car, or Club Racing) [more inside]
Finding a job with few references?
I quit my job today. I don't have another job lined up. I don't have a college degree or much work history. How bad is this? [more inside]
Alternatives to brushing cat's teeth?
What do we really need to do about our cat's teeth? [more inside]
Identify a dubbish song
NameThatSongFilter: Slow, song with a female vocalist for the chorus of "gangsta love" followed by a male ("never get enough no"). Possibly a ska band? [more inside]
Tattoo preparation for first-timer
Getting my first tattoo! How should I prepare? [more inside]
Thanks, But No Thanks!
How do I stop feeling so confined by other people's expectations? Personal details inside. [more inside]
Where to live in between Boston and Amherst, Mass?
Boston/Central Massachusetts Filter: My partner will be starting grad school in Amherst in the fall. I have a job in Boston that I'd like to keep. Where in central Mass should we look for an apartment? [more inside]
How do I edit and load educational videos into my kindle fire?
How do I edit and load educational videos into my kindle fire? [more inside]
Help me find myself, all suggestions are greatly appreciated.
I am lost, I am interested in being a positive influence to other people by making them laugh or helping them out with life problems. Need some suggestions. [more inside]
Kickstarter rewards
Kickstarter rewards. Is there any system in place to guarantee you will get one if you fund the project (and the funding is successful)? Do creators ever flake out and not send out the rewards? [more inside]
How can I reduce the amount of time I have to spend on my hair after sweating from exercise?
You have long hair. You exercise often. What is your routine? [more inside]
Hypothetical: Skin Graft Wedding Rings
Hypothetical Question: Would it be possible to trade skin grafts with someone (cosmetically/ superficially) in lieu of wedding rings? Would a plastic surgeon be willing to do it, if it is possible? [more inside]
How do I stop a cough when cough medicine doesn't work?
How can I stop a dry cough after cough syrup, cough drops, and various teas haven't helped? [more inside]
Please help me register my wheels!!
I really need help registering my car in CA. I realize questions like this have been asked before, but I would really appreciate guidance about what to do in my (not very snowflakey) circumstance. [more inside]
How to turn Skydrive off in Windows Live Mail
Using Windows 7, use Windows Live Mail for my email program.
I use an all-in-one printer to scan documents and send as attachments in emails. Now Live Mail automatically uses Skydrive for all attachments, I would like to just have normal jpg attachments without Skydrive. I read on Windows website how to set it not to use Skydrive in Hotmail but I need to know how to set it to not use it in Live Mail. Can anyone help me??
Trading Places
How do I leave grad school and go where I want to go? (snowflake details inside) [more inside]
Can this book be saved?
An editor asked for the full manuscript of my young adult novel. The problem? It isn't finished yet. What do I tell her? [more inside]
Very Specific Spreadsheet Question: Ranges
How do you make Excel automatically group years (1921, 1925, 1929) into decades (1920s)? [more inside]
Exercise: All or Nothing?
How beneficial are inconsistent gym visits when your usual summer exercise routine is wrecked? [more inside]
Business software that is underserved when it comes to ongoing training?
What are some business software products that are (a) widely used in the enterprise, (b) have a somewhat steep/deep learning curve, and (c) aren't over-served with training materials? [more inside]
How should I resolve my debt?
Debt Management Plan or Bankruptcy? or Option C? YANAL and YANML [IL filter] [more inside]
No, not THAT kind of weed.
Random plant in the garden: Weed or ...? [more inside]
ADoes anyone know what the lyrics are to the Pearl and the Beard song "Donny and Johnny"?
Does anyone know what the lyrics are to the Pearl and the Beard song "Donny and Johnny"? [more inside]
Neighborly questions
Neighbor questions-How much is too much? [more inside]
How on earth did I get a contusion???
Small raised contusion behind my left ear. No idea what this is or how it happened! Hitting hypochondriac panic mode! Help! [more inside]
Tampons for Dummies
Please educate me in proper tampon insertion. Seriously. [more inside]
Can you help me replace my printer with a better one?
Can you help me pick out a new multifunction printer/fax/scanner? My (small business) office printer died. It's okay, I hated it anyways. But I need to buy a new one pretty much immediately. Every printer gets mediocre reviews online (and rightfully so, they're all awful in their own special ways)-- but I'm hoping someone here can make a recommendation? Specs included. [more inside]
How was HBO's "In Treatment" filmed/produced?
I am very much enjoying HBO's In Treatment. I was amazed by the number of episodes in each season and then learned it was originally broadcast daily on week nights. How was this managed in terms of filming, cast availability etc.? Was it filmed entirely ahead of broadcast, as I understand HBO series tend to be? it seems unmanageable and risky otherwise.
What steps do I take to figure out who to be angry at?
My wife and I just moved into our first house this month. Hooray!
The people building a house next door say we have to move our fence [and tear down a shed-like thing attached to the garage]. Boo!
What do I do? [more inside]
hot water + food
How do I get hot water whilst traveling in the U.S.? [more inside]
Can you recommend a tax consultant for an American ex-pat in the UK?
I'm seeking recommendations for tax consultants in the UK, or in the US, or maybe both, to figure out where I need to pay taxes. [more inside]
Husbands responsibilities
As a husband and father of two, what are my responsibilities? [more inside]
How big a .jpg can I put there?
HTML: Is there a quick way to determine the width of a fixed-width column? [more inside]
Change the roof or change the A/C system?
Cooling the second story: Replace the roof or dual-zone the A/C? [more inside]
Podcasts about world events?
I would like to be more informed about world events. Can you recommend some podcasts that I can listen to? I'd like to have a variety of perspectives (both politically and geographically) but the main thing is that they are BOTH entertaining and informative. [more inside]
I want to generate some stats on my monthly spending
I'm interested in calculating monthly expenses. What's the best way of doing this, keeping in mind security concerns? [more inside]
Things to do in Urumqi when you're dead
What is there to do in Urumqi in the next few days on a restricted budget and with limited local language skills? [more inside]
What plant sticks its seeds to ostriches' feet?
Please help me remember a plant, or tell me if I've made this up in my head. [more inside]
Best Myrtle Beach vacation EVER!
Myrtle Beach, SC: what are your must-see/must-dos? [more inside]
Where did this poem come from?
Help me find what the recent limerick thread, and Sokka Shot First's comment dislodged from my memory: [more inside]
How to create easy editable signs?
How can I create large signs with fillable text fields that auto-scale? [more inside]
Just 14 more out-and-backs! (Sigh.)
What do you think about when you're swimming laps? [more inside]
How to send uplifting messages by email.
My wife is hiking the Camino in Spain, the same one as depicted in 'The Way' with Martin Sheen. She's having some difficulties adjusting and could use some uplifting messages. What can I send her? [more inside]
Trip to SE Asia in winter, but where and for how long! Please help!
The boyfriend and I are trying to plan a trip to SE Asia From Xmas Day to the first week of January. We are looking to fly to Bangkok or Singapore and then taking a train to the other, stopping at Kuala Lumpur and Penang on the way. Suggestions and tips on what to do, whether this is feasible or a good idea in that time of year would be greatly appreciated! We know there won't be enough time to do everything but aren't sure how much time to allocate to each city. We're open to any and all recommendations!
this seems too good to be true
Can you tell me if the camera packages at this discount online storefront are good value for money? [more inside]
Whether or not to take antidepressants
Is using antidepressants to get over depression triggered by a breakup a good idea? [more inside]
Things to see in Norway!
Where should I go in Norway, outside Oslo, in four days? [more inside]
Please help me go from one drive to two.
I have an early 2011 Macbook Pro. I am installing a 64GB SSD (for OSX Lion and applications) and and then repurposing my stock HDD as my drive for my Home folder (documents, etc) using an OWC Data Doubler (installed in my optical drive spot). I have a bootable SuperDuper backup and many Time Machine Backups (on external drives). Once everything is installed, how can I transfer everything from backups to their new locations without losing all my preferences, bookmarks, etc. [more inside]
Help get me into a pickle?
What recipes use a lot of dill pickles? Vegetarian preferred! [more inside]
Wordpress Workflow
I'm designing a custom Wordpress theme as part of a project. In addition to the typical Wordpress install, there's also going to be a social media plug-in on top of it (which has already been picked out and installed by another member of the project). This is the most complicated bit of web development that I've done, so I'm curious: what sort of workflow should I set up to make things easy on myself? [more inside]
Can I be a lech and a feminist?
Can a hyper-sexed, promiscuous man also be a good feminist? [more inside]
laptop instead of an airport?
Can I setup my PC laptop to receive audio like an AirPort Express? [more inside]
What Was Homosexuality Like Back Then?
What was the gay lifestyle like in past times (say, pre 1970s)? How was being gay perceived? [more inside]
What's the best blender for milkshakes?
What's the best blender for milkshakes? Detailed instructions on making a chocolate milkshake with said blender would also be appreciated. Thanks!
DIYY
Homemade yogurt filter! Hit me with your best plain yogurt recipes. [more inside]
Always Be Circulating
I occasionally like to stamp things (rubber stamps in ink on paper approximately the size of a dollar bill; I'll do a few dozen at a time). Does a device exist where I could feed lots of paper through and make a small ink stamp on each of them? [more inside]
What certifications/courses can I take (Quantitative Research Oriented) - Senior Management in a Nonprofit
Hi,
I'm at a senior-management position and currently head three departments including research, strategic relations and advocacy and digital initiatives at a very well known non-profit media media company for children. I'm wondering what kinds of certifications I can take to add to my professional qualifications/credentials. I'd like specific certification/course recommendations that have to do with large-scale quantitative research skills, project management, finance and such. Qualifications that can be pursued internationally are best - I'm based in India.
Question about the Vatican Museum lines.
Visiting Rome for one day this weekend and would like to see the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. I hear about about the long lines to get into the Vatican museums and Chapel. What's not clear to me is whether this is referring to the ticket-buying line or the museum entrance line. I know I can buy tickets in advance online so I should be able to skip the ticket line. Will the entrance line also be unbearably long?
North Cascades National Park or Glacier?
North Cascades National Park or Glacier? [more inside]
Mining the back catalogs for classic rock that doesn't suck
Classic Rock recommendations: I'm looking to go deep into the back catalogs of some of the more well-known names in classic rock (read: tired, overplayed, worn out, trite) to find rock that really rocks. [more inside]
Kitchen Exhaust Fans for Wallless Homes
I've been advised to get a 900cfm range hood for my loftlike kitchen/living area, but I really want a ceiling-mounted exhaust fan instead. What are my options? [more inside]
How 'bout I pay for your wedding if you sucker your friends into giving me money?
My father asked me to use my social networks to get my friends to use his business. When I balked, he tried telling me that if I did, he'd pay for my wedding with the money. Am I right to be offended? And what do I do? [more inside]
What should I rebuild my roof with?
I'm torn between just putting up asphalt shingles or splurging on a metal roof. Hoping to get recommendations on materials with a mind to efficiency and environmental sustainability. Also, who should I contact to plan a more efficient roof/home in Hamilton/Greater Toronto Area? What would be the best roof for planning a solar MicroFIT project? [more inside]
Who is Mrs Bear?
Can you identify this teddybear and tell me where I can buy another one like it? [more inside]
Exercises, stretches, or other ways to relieve repetitive strain in shoulder and upper back?
Exercises, stretches, or other ways to relieve repetitive strain in shoulder and upper back? [more inside]
Do I need an appellate lawyer or a FOIA lawyer?
I (mostly) won my FOIA case, pro se. They're going to appeal the decision. Ruh-roh.... [more inside]
I want to set fire to my kitchen utensils
Kitchen Organization 101: Is there any obvious and efficient way to organize the drawer in my kitchen that holds all my big/weirdly shaped utensils (ie. mixing spoons, measuring cups, spatulas, pastry cutter, salad server, tongs, etc) that DOESN'T involve having them in a holder on the countertop? We don't have the counterspace to spare. [more inside]
The guys I date tell me I deserve better. If not from them, who?
"You deserve better"...say my boyfriends. What's up with this trend? And if/since that means they won't do it, how can I actually get better treatment? [more inside]
Smoked Paprika recipes
What else can I make with smoked paprika? [more inside]
I got paid, then I got paid. What do I do with this money that's not mine?
I was paid twice. I talked to payroll. It's not their fault. It's kinda my fault and kinda my bank's fault. [more inside]
Unintentional Glitch Art
Weirdest Firefox problem ever. Some text, across different sites, appears scrambled -- or, more accurately is rot-2. Uninstalling, deleting profile and re-installing did not help. WTF? [more inside]
Tips for running a successful and simple ebay business?
My boyfriend and I are starting an ebay business selling baseball cards. I have no experience with this. Any tips or suggestions? [more inside]
Dark sky, cheap telescope, totally inexperienced operator. What can I see?
Astronomy/Skygazing Beginner: I'm gonna be camping out in a dark place, and I have access to a cheap low-consumer-grade telescope. Is it worth it to take it? What could it see? What could I reliably find? Three technically-competent operators, but zero experience/familiarity with the use of any telescope. [more inside]
Laser Hair Removal Tipping Etiquette
I recently purchased a living social coupon for 3 sessions of laser hair removal but am unsure of tipping etiquette for the procedure? Is it customary to tip for laser hair removal – and if so, how much? [more inside]
LASIK for bad eyes?
I am very nearsighted, and have an astigmatism in both eyes. I checked out LASIK 10 years ago, and was told that it hadn't developed enough to make it safe/effective for a person with my conditions. Has the state of the art improved with regard to laser correction of severe nearsightedness with astigmatism? Are there new techniques that could work better than LASIK? [more inside]
I need help planning our trip to Paris please.
I posted this question a few months ago and have since narrowed down our options. Need help deciding please! [more inside]
Civic making Beetle noises - is it safe?
Our car – a 2003 Honda Civic DX stick-shift – has started to make a rattling/ticking/whirring noise when it accelerates. Can we still safely drive it? [more inside]
Should I stick with Blackberry
What Verizon cell phone meets these requirements [more inside]
Have you seen the movie "Secretary"? Yeah, like that.
Asking for a Friend/CoWorker: Boss and underling develop feelings for each. Both break it off, but now friend is feeling hurt and rejected. What advice can I give her? [more inside]
Moving across the country! Boxes to ship! Help?
Moving from Brooklyn, NY to San Diego, CA. Have about 10-15 large/heavy boxes to ship to CA. A few boxes are primarily books and DVDs. The others are clothes and shoes. Nothing super fragile. I don't have a car. What is the best/easiest/most affordable way to do this? Halp!
take me out to the shake shack
Help me understand baseball in time for the Mets/Orioles game tonight! [more inside]
Mid grey, houndstooth, cut to flatter...
Just bought this jacket on a whim, and it looks great. At a bit of a loss as to what to match it with: any suggestions for shirt and tie pattern and colour combinations? I'm thinking of wearing it with skinny black jeans and my Doc Martens.
Even after multiple washings, these cloth diapers still stink.
Our cloth diapers have a permanent stink and lots of orange stains. What further laundry solutions should we try? [more inside]
My true love gave to me: A Kiskadee in a paw-paw tree!
How to get access to some music from my childhood? [more inside]
Does anyone here use a Roland SPD-SX? I have a bunch of questions about using one...
Does anyone here use a Roland SPD-SX? I have a bunch of questions about using one... [more inside]
What do these foods have in common?
I've identified the things my digestive system doesn't like, but I don't really understand why these foods are causing me trouble. Can you tell me what these foods (list inside) have in common so I can get a better understanding of what it is I am reacting to and so I can avoid other related things? [more inside]
Some assembly required
I like foods that require assembly of delicious and interesting components while eating. At the moment, I'm also not interested in cooking. Do you have any ideas? [more inside]
Posh meals on wheels
Can you recommend a gourmet food delivery service in the UK? [more inside]
Depression question: there are many like it, but this is mine.
Dealing with feeling lousy, and possibly capital-D depressed, when swamped with school demands and most of all, terribly uncomfortable with seeing doctors. How? [more inside]
"Police follow this vehicle"
I just walked past an armoured truck doing a cash drop to a bank. On the back was a sign saying "Police follow this vehicle". Is this a request or a statement? What's it trying to achieve and does it work?
June 18
Reverse Racism at Work?
While faxing at the front desk at my job, a few co-workers were sitting around chatting. An African American co-worker was telling few Hispanic co-workers a story about how her and her friends were overlooked while shopping at Coach, "because the clerk was only paying attention to the (mouths the word "white" while my back was turned) girls. She goes on the explain that they left the store and called to complain that they were ignored because of their race. I was the only white person there (and not part of the conversation) and I would never have been telling a story if the reverse was true, so was this racism in the workplace? I surely felt uncomfortable. What can/should I do?
Another word describe something very similar to a pallbearer
Is there a term other than "pallbearer" for someone who carries a corpse or ashes? [more inside]
Remember This Sexy "Greatest American Hero" Scene?
Looking for a particular "Greatest American Hero" episode. Connie Sellecca wearing little more than glasses and a shirt. Been hunting since I was twelve. Maybe technology has caught up with me? [more inside]
Books/Resources re: family violence
One of my parents comes from a difficult family situation. I have always assumed there was significant abuse and violence in the family; my parent has always denied that this was the case. Another family member has now confirmed my suspicions, and I'm looking for resources to learn more about the impact on my generation of adult children and our children of this sort of legacy of violence - where my generation was not directly victimized but grew up with parents who were. [more inside]
Today's special ingredient is: Chicken Stock!!!
What should I do with this small amount of extremely tasty chicken stock? [more inside]
Typical TVCs
What are some TV commercials of the past couple of years that showcase some of the cheesy tropes of American television advertising? [more inside]
Who's that guy?
Are you familiar with the circa 1960 Chicago White Sox? [more inside]
How creative is instructional design as a career?
How creative is instructional design? [more inside]
How do I eat without cooking?
I know how to cook from scratch. Help me not do that this summer. [more inside]
Mom stop it now.
What psychological malady did Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale, of Grey Gardens fame, suffer? [more inside]
Have we met before?
What's the opposite of someone losing facial recognition or facial pattern matching capacity? [more inside]
How do I move on?
Please help me move on. [more inside]
AC worth?
How much is an air handler and ac worth? [more inside]
How can I list my favorite blogs by the times of their last updates?
I'm trying to create a webpage that automatically lists all of my favorite blogs by the order in which they were last updated. What is the code that I should use? [more inside]
Need a toll calculator, plz.
How can I determine tolls along a route from Rhode Island to the Midwest? [more inside]
veterinary thank you gifts
Gift ideas for veterinary co-workers that have recently helped me with my cats? [more inside]
Android Music Player with precise movement controls
I want an Android "music" player app that will play MP3's and allow me to move forward/backward through the MP3 rather precisely (details inside) [more inside]
How to get a blog on Huffington Post?
How do you get a regular column/blog on Huffington Post, and how hard is it? It seems like so many people have one.
Academic housekeeping tips?
I've just finished my Ph.D. coursework. I need a brief mental rest from serious work! But I'd like to continue being at least marginally productive. Can you help me think of "academic housekeeping" tasks to do that will pay off in the long run? [more inside]
Should stop going to my new therapist?
Should stop going to my new therapist? Longish details inside. [more inside]
I mean, he deserves to fry, but so quickly?
Why is the Sandusky trial moving so quickly? In my area the high profile cases seem to take months, if not years, to come to trial, and then the trials themselves take weeks or months. Sandusky's trial started last week and I believe the judge told the jury that they will likely have the case on Thursday. Explain? [more inside]
One number to rule them all
I need a single phone number that I can use worldwide that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. [more inside]
Damn their warnings, damn their lies! They will see the people rise!
[QuoteFilter] Segolene Royal loses her parliamentary seat..."She then quoted Victor Hugo: "Traitors always pay for their treachery in the end." Where's the original from?
Two laptops, just taking up space
What can I do with these old laptops? [more inside]
Beady beards?
What culture(s) is the practice of putting beads or string around your beard from? (Just to clarify, I mean putting the facial hair into a 'ponytail' at the chin and then stringing the beads on.) [more inside]
good, cheap, fast....
Looking for a netbook that's great for general web surfing and streaming video. What is there that meets those needs? preferably, sub $400
Minimizing bluetooth interference with multiple devices running simultaneously?
Advice to minimize bluetooth interference and maintain connectivity across multiple devices in a huge public space? [more inside]
China visa woes.
I am traveling to China on July 17th to teach English to academics, having been invited by a college there. I'm applying for a Business F visa. Co-travelers have successfully received their visas through consulate X. Consulate Y is telling our agency that we need two letters, but the requirements for an "F" visa clearly state that one will suffice. It gets worse. [more inside]
My dog is itchy itchy itchy!
My dog seems to be allergic to something. Skin scrapes have shown it isn't mites or anything else. We've changed his food and other things in his environment, and he's still miserable. Pictures here. [more inside]
Where can I get screen printed posters made?
I've got some designs I want printed. Small run, around 25 pieces. I've been trying to get something set up with Holy Mountain, Shout Out Loud, etc. but it's been quite difficult getting a response. Any other suggestions I should check out? Both companies I listed use French paper, which is what I'd like to use.
How do I care for this thing?
When your relationship tree was just a sapling (and other sappy metaphors)
What do the first few months of a healthy, promising relationship look like? [more inside]
Will this RAM work in my Macbook Air?
Will This RAM work in my brand new Macbook Air? [more inside]
Gardening novice needs some help!
I have $150 to spend on my patio/deck garden in Seattle. What should I plant and how should I do it? [more inside]
Om nom nom... hey kid! Gimme back my taco!!
Long, busy summer running a day camp. Looking for quick, easy, yummy meal ideas.... help me not to starve! [more inside]
How do I explain to my five-year-old son why he hasn't been able to visit me?
How do I explain to my five-year-old son why he hasn't been able to visit me? [more inside]
What must we not miss during our honeymoon in Portland, OR in July?
What must we not miss during our honeymoon in Portland, OR in July? [more inside]
How was your recovery from Whooping Cough?
Question about typical recovery pattern from whooping cough. If you've had it, you can probably help me out. [more inside]
Good job, fork grabber. Try not to cry on your pasta.
My clinical depression is getting worse and I think I need to quit my job, but really need the income. I'm in Massachusetts. [more inside]
Do I tell my new job that I'm still obligated to do four more weeks of teaching on the weekends?
Do I tell my new job that I'm still obligated to do four more weeks of teaching on the weekends? [more inside]
We want beautiful pictures of our family without the tense smiles and the glassy eyes! How?
We would like to stop taking "say cheese!!!" pictures of our family, but we get uncomfortable when we're trying to do candids. How do they work? [more inside]
Faux Stone Everywhere
Wifey and I are looking for bathroom and kitchen tile, and we're frustrated by the amount of 'earth tone' colors -- yellows and browns and tans, which are generally the color of the things you want to flush away in the bathroom, if you get my drift. Where do we find bright, clean color tile these days? [more inside]
How to celebrate a major promotion?
How to celebrate an Air Force promotion from afar? [more inside]
Best network/graph theory software for non-techies?
I'm teaching a minicourse about networks, graphs, and computation to a non-technical audience (mostly grad students in the humanities.) What's the right software platform? [more inside]
Help me plan my short Grand Canyon Roadtrip
Metafilter, I need a road trip reality check and suggestions. I'm going on a short road trip to the Grand Canyon from June 28-June 30, departing from Riverside County in Southern California. I think I'm set on my plan for my trip to the Grand Canyon, but I'm looking for suggestions for the trip back. [more inside]
Help me make vegan fettucini alfredo
Help me find an awesome vegan alfredo recipe? [more inside]
Is this Dick Cheney's Secret Lair?
Help me plan my last minute dinner!
Hey, what should I cook for dinner tonight?
Okay, I apologize in advance for asking this question. I know questions like it have been asked many, many times before. But I'm suffering from brain freeze brought on by an over abundance of options and lack of time.
Specific requirements inside. Thank you for looking at my ridiculous question. [more inside]
Looking for a very basic virtual call-forwarding and auto-reception service
I'm looking for a very basic virtual call-forwarding and auto-reception service. I'd like a service where the actual caller is forwarded to an employee's cell phone number instead of a VOIP call from the service provider. [more inside]
Help me be the best data guy I can be
Part of my current job involves manipulating a large amount of data. I need to learn how to do this more efficiently and on a larger scale. What should I use? What should I learn? What is the best (free) way to teach myself? [more inside]
seeking marketing stats without being marketed to
Recommend blogs and/or sites that talk about *effective* advertising/marketing/direct mail without trying to sell me something? [more inside]
Seeking good songs for a song circle in the woods
Seeking song reccommendations for a song circle/singalong in the woods. I want songs that are simple to teach, fun to sing, sound good, and don't make you feel like a 10-year-old at summer camp. Drinking songs, sea shanties, rounds, folk songs, etc. [more inside]
The Forbidden Fruit
Can I become allergic to (almost) all fruits over night? If so, what can I eat/drink as substitutes? [more inside]
having trouble feeding myself!
I have a wheat allergy that I am terrible at managing, no real kitchen in my tiny apartment, no cooking skills, no time management skills, a fully-tested inability to wash food containers when I do manage to bring food to work, and sugar issues (hypoglycemia). As a roughly middle-aged human, I would like to try to get this under control and am looking for creative ways to do it/obvious ideas that haven't occurred to me. [more inside]
Black Belt Certification Issue - Tae Kwon Do
Should I keep training in this school for my belt, or move on? [more inside]
1930s Uniform Mystery
Can anyone help identify this 1930s-era uniform, and also possibly provide info on a small plane crash at the time? [more inside]
Quick trip to New Orleans?
I’ve been thinking about a return trip to New Orleans for a while now (last there in 2008), and came across some good off-season fares/hotel deals for August. Yes, New Orleans in August. (Probably too many) specific questions inside… [more inside]
That sounds extreme...
Fraking-Touchpad filter: My Dell Inspiron Touchpad completely ceased to work at all last night. Me and the Dell tech guy ran some diagnostics, and ascertained that it is NOT a hardware problem, it is an OS problem (I have Windows 7). He says my only option (aside from getting a external mouse and using that instead) is to wipe the whole OS and start over. Really? [more inside]
Are the 13" MacBook Air build-to-order options worth it?
With her black MacBook on its last legs, my sister is going to be getting a new 13" MacBook Air soon. The stock 256GB model includes a 1.8GHz Intel Dual-Core Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz processor and 4GB of (1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM) memory. The build-to-order options are a 2.0GHz Intel Dual-Core Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz and 8GB of RAM for $90 each (Education Store prices). Knowing that processor and memory upgrades aren't possible later on, would either of these options make a big difference in performance? She uses it mostly for Office documents, some CS5 work, streaming video, web browsing and music and is hoping to keep it as her main computer for at least 4 years. Thanks for any input.
How can I stop plant thieves?
Someone stole a potted plant off of my back porch. I'm assuming it was a neighbor or guest of a neighbor, because our alley is locked off. Anyway I am pretty sad and angry (who steals a plant??? It was a $2 farmer's market plant in a $15 pot), and also worried about my other plants. How can I protect them? [more inside]
(Don't) bite me - poisonous snake capture.
How can I -- or more accurately, one of my fictional characters -- grab a poisonous snake without getting bitten? [more inside]
Help me be less of a catastrophe
Trying to climb out of huge life hole. Complications: shame, depression and probable ADD, inattentive type. Before you suggest therapy, I have an appointment at the local community mental health intake place this Thursday. I just need to know I can get through this, and that others have made major life changes at 40+ that have stuck. I have few IRL friends I can talk to about this. [more inside]
With snowflake details inside, how would I go about navigating the waters of finding a partner for limited openness?
I think I may be interested in exploring an open relationship at some point down the line, but where do I meet others like me? [more inside]
How to tell my co-worker to stop working for free?
How to approach a co worker who is voluntarily working off the clock? [more inside]
HHH for the PG-13 Set
I greatly enjoy running the Hash, but I don’t like the songs (pdf); they are just way too crude for my tastes.
I have asked around and everyone assures me that all the hashes in my country—even those that are more “family friendly”—have the same songs.
For those of you with hash experience, do you find this to be true worldwide? Any other suggestions on how to get my goofy running, singing, dancing, shouting fix without having to sit through the X-rated lyrics?
(There was a similar question about this a few months ago specific to D.C., but I'm looking for more of a general perspective on hashing.)
Noisy enough for privacy?
Help me make our bathroom noisy enough for privacy in a small apartment? [more inside]
One-off photo retouching service?
I need a digital photo retouched. How do I go about finding the right person or business? [more inside]
How does a body look after two decades in a freezer?
CSI-filter: I'm writing a short story about the Mob and about a body that's been in a basement freezer for 20 years. I have some questions for anyone who might be in a position to know about these things. [more inside]
drug addled chimp?
Trying to locate a study in which they gave a chimpanzee (or other ape?) all the hard drugs he wanted (though it may have just been cocaine and/or heroin?) and found that with sufficient care, the subject actually lived a perfectly healthy and long life. [more inside]
fullscreen google maps?
Is there any way to view a google maps window that's embedded in a webpage in a new window all by itself? [more inside]
Show a couple of greenhorns a good time at Churchill Downs on Saturday
Wife and I will be headed to Louisville, Kentucky this weekend for a quick getaway. We'll be spending Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs taking in some racing. We've never been to a horse race before. We're not gamblers, but we're willing to wager a few bucks in the name of fun. What is the best way for two horse racing newbies to have a great day at the track?
How to put money to work... for me?
Given plenty of money, how would you improve your life in New York City? [more inside]
How to get a dispassionate appraisal of what a house is worth
What's the most dispassionate way to determine what a house is worth? Uncle owns a house and may sell it to us at a favorable rate, but we'd like to figure out a fair price to set overall, so that Uncle isn't shafted but we don't overpay, either. [more inside]
Passing the savings on to the peoples ...
Is there such a thing as a free, no-frills online store? [more inside]
How to work in/move to a gay supportive country where same-sex marriage is legal?
I'm looking to work in/maybe move to, a country where same-sex marriage is legal and gay people are treated equally. Any recommendations? Any advice from expatriates?
I've been in a committed and loving relationship with my partner for over 6 years. Looking forward, I would like to move to a country where I can get married, live, work, raise a family and be openly gay in a country with as much respect from the law and the community as everyone else. [more inside]
How Do I Move My Family Overseas Mid-Career?
How can I/we find a job out of the country now that we're midway through our careers (snowflakes inside) [more inside]
Language confidence
I was taught French through to Grade 10; however, have been far removed from it since then. I am too shy to try to converse in French with others; but would like to build the confidence to be able to. What are some good strategies for relearning a language and becoming more confident conversing in it at the same time?
Can you catch a cold by sharing a spoon?
How likely am I to catch an upper-respiratory illness through strictly oral/gastrointestinal means (like sharing utensils, etc.)? [more inside]
Non toilet paper cultures
Non toilet paper users, tell me all about your business. Tissues be damned. [more inside]
Where to go to in West Maui?
Maui beaches! Where to go? I'm overwhelmed with the choices. Staying in Nohonani condo next week (Lahaina) and with or without car, looking for nicest beaches to hit. [more inside]
Light, fast-drying, hand-washable travel clothes?
Where can I get light clothing that can be hand-washed, dry quickly, and look like normal clothes? [more inside]
How to Compose a Picture
I'd like to learn more about visual composition, especially for photography and painting. Are there any books or websites you would recommend as a primer to the subject?
June 17
"I sit at home most days." Oh.. that's nice...
In what kinds of situations might I be asked, "What do you do for a living?" or similar questions, and what can I say that won't turn people off (in professional or dating contexts) to explain or imply that I'm currently unemployed, disconnected with my field, and not looking for a job due to (an invisible) disability?
Looking for a convertible carry-on bag.
I'm looking for a carry-on bag that meets the following criteria: convertible, small enough to carry on a plane legally (US), all black, compression straps of some sort, and no wheels. Lower or reasonably priced options are preferred (~$80 or less is ideal). I'm considering the Rick Steves convertible carry-on, but am open to other options. [more inside]
ActionPopulated, Networker and Ass-Kisser Extraordinaire
You are a young unemployed recession poster child with a varied past work history and not-entirely-clear current career trajectory. You need business cards for networking events. What goes on the cards in the place where the job title would otherwise be? [more inside]
I broke my friend's cable TV connection. How do I fix it?
I broke my friend's cable TV connection. How do I fix it? [more inside]
What books can you suggest that share certain characteristics of The Dark Tower by Stephen King?
What books can you suggest that share certain characteristics of The Dark Tower by Stephen King? [more inside]
How fast can i get between domestic arrivals and international departures in the bangkok airport?
For those familiar with the Bangkok airport: On Wednesday morning, my flight from Koh Samui will land at 7:05 a.m. , and my flight from Bangkok to Taipei will take off at 8:25a.m. I'll have carry-on luggage only, and a Canadian passport. Will I have time to get from domestic arrivals to international departures in time to check in, get thru security and get on my Taipei flight? (They are two separate tickets.) Alternatively, will it be relatively easy to get on the later flight to Taipei if I miss the first? Its on China Airlines, I have no familiarity with their policies. [more inside]
I need a job that will a) allow me to pursue my interests and b) not make me miserable
Given my present situation, how do I find a day job that allows me to pursue my interests? If you've ever found yourself in a similar situation, how did you change things for the better? Exciting personal details inside! [more inside]
Abandon ship?
I have a big, messy question about anxiety, student debt, grad school, loneliness, and employment. Here’s the crux of it: Should I go back to my PhD next year? If not, what should my plan for the next few months be? [more inside]
Fixing a Relationship I Broke
Broke up with my girlfriend, but want her back. She's moving away. Some inter-faith drama as well. Thoughts? [more inside]
Boyfriend won't answer calls in front of me
I've been with my boyfriend in an exclusive relationship for 2 months, including dating time. Since early in the dating phase, I have noticed unusual behaviors from him. It has bothered me enough and I have made a plan to discuss with him. When he is out with me, he wouldn't answer his phone. Of course, he answers calls from his mom, sisters, friends...but there is a certain call he wouldn't answer. Without looking to see who's calling, he said "it's not important." But then (more than 1 hour later) he would check the voicemail/text and replied by text. My gut tells me it's from a girl and they could be going out together. Lately, his phone is always on vibrate. I see him only once a week due to distance and because I'm busy. [more inside]
I like to move it move it!
After nearly six years, I've decided to pull up stakes and move out of Boston. Tell me how to get excited about taking this leap, and, well, where to go! [more inside]
Father's Day, help me deliver the goods...
Father's Day Help Request: Name the book that meets the following, slightly circumspect, critera: Russian author (potentially female), very popular in the 1950s and 1960s (may also have been first published then), acted as a good example/expose/lesson in conservatism and liberalism? [more inside]
A tiny, excellent, flash game experience to convert non-gamers
I am looking for a tiny, excellent, flash game experience to get a group of non-gamers to understand the power of games... [more inside]
Am I overthinking this?
Coworker and I are spending time together outside of work, hitting it off, and I think she's interested. She's also on the verge of getting a divorce. Am I setting myself up for something bad? [more inside]
Help me find Xcode funnies
Pre-2012 WWDC, I'm sure I saw a somewhat amusing series of chats someone had posted between himself and Xcode. In a fake iMessage window. I wish I could find them.
Quiet, Chill Place to Watch the Fireworks in San Francisco for the 4th
I am looking for a place to watch the fireworks in San Francisco on the fourth with some annoyingly specific requirements. [more inside]
What'd I do to my bike?
I changed my bike tire for the first time. Now my shifter/derailer isn't working properly. [more inside]
Summer Synth Dance Party!
Help me build my "Summer Synth Dance Party" playlist! [more inside]
How to dAAte?
Met perfect girl. She doesn't drink. Turns out, she's in AA. What to do/where to go/how to support? [more inside]
Help Me Keep My Job
What should I include on my resume? [more inside]
Help me find the origin of this avocado spaceship?
Anyone know where this image of a (child?) (elf?) (pixie?) who apparently arrived in a flying avocado originated? For some reason it captured my imagination when I first found it posted to the web several years ago. The poster only knew that they had found it "somewhere on the web". It looks like there's a whole story there - maybe a sword (broken?) and some coins among the rocks, and a somewhat dejected looking young (?) humanoid sitting on the ground. Anyone know the origin or back story?
Wireless IP Camera?
Can MeFi recommend a good wireless/IP camera to me? [more inside]
Aside from gorging on crab
What can a guy do in Port Angeles, WA on an average summer day? [more inside]
Historical detail in Downton Abbey
Looking for more information on what life was like in the period depicted in Downton Abbey. [more inside]
Male characters good at keeping house
Where can I find male protagonists in fiction who are good (but not overly fastidious) at keeping house? I watched Weekend last night and felt one of the protagonists (Russell) was a good example. Hikaru Murakami's protagonists would be excellent examples as well. [more inside]
Pocket Anthropology
Is there a way to find out approximately when I left this wad of money in my (very old) jacket pocket, using statistics and date/number info from the bills? What would be the minimum number of bills needed for such a thing?
Best video viewer glasses for sleeping?
What are the best video viewer wrap glasses for sleeping? [more inside]
Sugru in NYC?
Where can I buy Sugru in Manhattan?
Best credit card for a grad student?
Starting grad school in August. It seems about time I got a credit card. Advice? [more inside]
I'm lazy and have no real yard. Do I still get to compost my kitchen scraps?
Are there any truly low maintenance, foolproof systems for low volume patio composting? And is it worth doing, if all I have is a patio where I can have potted plants of any size, but no yard to plant stuff in? [more inside]
There was this "study." Was there really?
Can you help me find these studies on patients' perceptions of quality time with their health care providers? [more inside]
How to deal with this co-worker?
How to respond to an unexpected, somewhat unwanted "favor" ? [more inside]
What kind of dress is this?
mojo...where art thou?
Post-separation/divorce depression...need a good therapist in Vancouver, BC. And also just general advice on getting back on my feet. [more inside]
Why did the human body evolve to crave nicotine?
Why did the human body evolve to crave nicotine? [more inside]
ebay transaction cancellation/resolution center/refund heck
Listed a laptop on Ebay, offering shipping only to US. Norse buyer did "buy it now." Buyer agreed to cancel transaction, but opened a separate "did not receive item" case in resolution center. Can I just refund the money and be sure I'm done with this, or is there some weird potential for him to try to double-dip on the refund? [more inside]
Low Ram Ubuntu Distros
Could you recommend a good Ubuntu based distro for old systems having under 512MB memory? Why should I choose that distro over others?
What games are good for an 8 and 18 year old?
What PS3 video games will I (19) and my little brother (9) both enjoy together? [more inside]
Can't Disqus on a Kindle Fire?
Is it possible to comment using Disqus on a Kindle Fire? The keyboard screen doesn't activate when I tap the comment box. Amazon forums mention the problem, but no solution.
Two days and a night in the Hamptons/LI - Is there Anything to Do?
The girlfriend and I have decided to take a two day driving tour of the Hamptons/Long Island. We'll leave tomorrow, Monday morning, stay somewhere, and come back Tuesday night. The thing is, neither of us knows anything about the area - we need advice on everything! Where to stay, what to see, where to eat. Some details inside. [more inside]
What should we engrave on our wedding bands?
What should we engrave on our wedding bands? There's a 10-character limit. [more inside]
Can you help me identify this plant/weed (found in New England)?
Can you help me identify this plant/weed (found in New England)? [more inside]
Conversation on difficult questions
ConversationFilter: How do you talk with someone when a topic you have opposing views on comes up? [more inside]
Any Great Games To Play With/Against My Daughter on Two Android OS Devices?
My 8yo daughter (in a few weeks) and I love playing Plants vs. Zombies, Angry Birds and other games on Android. We play them on my Xoom, Kindle Fire, and HTC Thunderbolt (phone).
Are there any good games like these (not first person shooters, please. She's 8 and we're Quaker) that would allow us to play against o with each other, one on the Xoom and the other on the Kindle?
Svchost.exe making computer unusable
Svchost.exe and Wuaudt.exe are eating up the memory of my gf's computer, making it so slow that it becomes unusable. What are they and how do we stop them? Backstory inside. [more inside]
June 16
Am I going to kill my car by keeping it stopped?
Is it a bad idea to slightly accelerate on a steep uphill slope to keep a car with an automatic transmission stopped? [more inside]
Outdoor chalkboard activities
Sketchy-meter going off
Some questions about some information asked for by a financial manager. [more inside]
Sculpture in Altstadt
A friend is in Hamburg, Germany and posted this picture of a public sculpture on his facebook. [more inside]
iMac Mac OS and Windows 7
I just bought a new iMac for home. I use one at work(Boot camp Windows 7) with programs like Maya, After Effects, Premiere etc and love it. Now with one at home I would actually like to use both Mac and Windows OS but have a hard time deciding what software to put where... Can someone help me figure this out? [more inside]
The Dog Who Screambarfs At Strangers
Strange and traumatic dog biology question! Not for the faint of heart. [more inside]
Ailing Father, Neglectful Stepmother, & a Confused Daughter
How do I address my father's illness, marital problems, and general malaise as a child who has long ago flown the coop and has no solid plans to return to her hometown? [more inside]
Is it possible to commission an artist?
My wife keeps a list of all the words our 1 year old has learned to say. As a present I thought it might be nice to commission an artist to make a collage of them that we could put on the wall. I'm in London, England.
I have no idea how one would do this, or if it would be affordable (I'd be prepared to spend up to around a thousand pounds). Can you commission an artist - and if so, how would you find one?
Where should he sleep?
I just found out that when your child reaches 35 inches, they're supposed to transition out of a crib -- and that's my son's height. I think he could probably climb/fall out of his crib at this point. But what if he's not ready for a toddler bed? [more inside]
Suddenly Widowed
My husband died recently. We were together for decades and have school-age children. His passing involved severe trauma, and we have social support and frequent therapy appointments to get us through the turmoil. Emotionally, we're holding up.
My question is about getting our affairs in order. [more inside]
I'm drowning in sorrow, water, frustration...
I have been battling with the sprinkler system at my house for almost a year (previously on MeFi) and I am about to give up as it appears that it has gotten the better of me, here is a brief history...
When we moved in the outdoor watering system was a mess, there were drip lines on 24 hours a day, many of the sprinkler valves were not working properly, etc. I have spent many hours fixing, replacing and getting a better understanding of what is going on out there, I found multiple system and wiring all dead from neglect, quite a mess. [more inside]
Looking for plumerias in Austin, TX
Looking for plumerias in Austin, TX. I'd like to buy a small-ish potted one. Do you know of any good local suppliers? [more inside]
I'm drooling as I type...
We're making a tomato based fish stew in our slow cooker, and the recipe calls for canned clams. We've got fresh ones, in the shell. Just toss these bad boys in there, or...? [more inside]
Vet found a hard mass in our dog's anal gland...
Vet found a hard mass in our dog's anal gland (sorry you just had to read anal gland). Could possibly be Anal Sac Adenocarcinoma, could be benign tumor. Looking for as much information as possible, including how risky it is for a 12 year old dog (collie/shepard -ish mix) to have to go through surgery. [more inside]
Is it illegal to make profit out of purchased government logos?
Is it illegal to make profit of products carrying a government logo? [more inside]
Roofer, insurance, legalese, scam?
I had a roofer give me an estimate. He would like to make a hail damage claim against my homeowner's insurance. I didn't know that we had had a hailstorm this year... [more inside]
The mystery of the illegal church!
The building I live in is host to an illegal church. Help me figure out what kind it is! [more inside]
Bike knowledge
Three bicycling questions put forth by a 52 year old entering his second year of triathlon training. Concerning: hill climbing optimal gears; efficiency on rides; will a better bike make it faster/easier.... [more inside]
Personal statement for graduate school
Applying for graduate school (PhD) in applied maths. Questions about personal statement. Relevant details within. [more inside]
Is there a way to untag Facebook photos of myself in bulk?
Is there a way to untag Facebook photos of myself in bulk? [more inside]
short term communications in Paris?
My wife and I are going to Paris for a few weeks. Yay! Unfortunately I'll be in and out of conferences for the first 5 days while she is out sightseeing. My schedule will probably be pretty unpredictable, so we'd like to have an easy way to keep in touch, but cell phone rentals seem pretty expensive, especially since we'll only need it for a few days. We don't even really need voice - texting would work. Any ideas for cheap, short-term communications in Paris?
outdoor kitty takes on the domestic life
Is my cat Daisy stoned on the feliway? Bonus question- how best to handle introducing her to the current cat occupant of the house who is hostile to everyone except my mom. [more inside]
Who should I be talking to about my debt?
I have about $10-20k of unsecured debt that is over 5 years old. The money has been discharged to collections and I have had judgements against me. [more inside]
Long national anthem
Was there an incident where a singer at a sporting event unexpectedly went on to sing the second, third, and/or fourth stanzas of the Star Spangled Banner, stretching it out to 5-10 minutes? I'm pretty sure I saw a clip of this on the Internet years ago, presumably something like what Borat did, but the Kazakhstan anthem fiasco is not the one I'm remembering.
Who can help me?
How do you know what type of mental health professional you need? [more inside]
They see me rollin' / They hatin' / 'Cuz the limit's forty-five and I'm drivin' twenty
My car, it acts... strange. What's wrong with it, and what am I looking at to fix it? [more inside]
Do astronauts suffer from hypnic jerks?
Do astronauts suffer from hypnic jerks? That sensation of falling as you're drifting off to sleep that causes your body to thrash to catch you, but you're already safe in bed. I would think that since astronauts have been constantly falling that their brain would be desensitized to it. Does anyone have some definitive answers?
Interview driving traffic to a website?
I have a two part question. I've just interviewed well known performer who has just released his first solo CD. He owns all of the rights to the lyrics and music, and his own company published the CD. A radio station I'm associated with plans to put the interview online, as well as broadcast it within the week. If the musician is OK with me putting it on my own website, how might it drive traffic to his site and my site? And is there anything extra I can to make it attract listeners and drive that traffic? [more inside]
Russian Translation
I have several identical Bonds written entirely in ?Cyrillic/Russian and would much appreciate their headings translated for me. (No need for a full translation!)
Here is a picture. [more inside]
How to stop being passive in romantic/social life?
I'm in a funk through completely failing to take my romantic/social live into my own hands. How do I fix this? [more inside]
Rent (not the musical).
Rent control, rent stabilization, free market. What's the difference between these categories with regard to apartments in New York City? [more inside]
Apple problems
Applefilter: I ordered an iPod touch from the official german apple website with an engraved message.
Two problems: They messed up the engraving and they left the package with a neighbour even though it explicitely says on the package that this is not allowed. I'm in Germany.
What can I do now? [more inside]
Things to do around Kure, Japan
I am heading to Japan for the first time. Looking for day trip suggestions and things to do near Kure. [more inside]
Seeking information about 90's era comic
Does anyone know anything about the comic strip known as IE Skin's Guide to All That There is To Know? This ran in the East Bay Express in the nineties. [more inside]
How can I find cheap but durable flooring?
Any advice on getting the cheapest possible decent quality flooring? How to shop for it? [more inside]
Is it time to un-hang my shingle?
I'd like you to tell me if I should quit my job (I'm a member of the "ugh, I.T." chorus), but the snowflakey part is that it's not just my job. It's my small business. And to some degree, it's all I've got right now. [more inside]
Finding Famous Franceses
Who are some famous and/or important Franceses? [more inside]
What's causing my crazy energy and how can I calm it down?
What's causing my early/mid-afternoon surge of lots and lots of energy? [more inside]
Natural vs man-made lakes
Anyone have any idea of the percentage of natural lakes vs. man-made in the United States? My google-fu is failing me. [more inside]
the world is full of paradoxes...ok, where are they precisely?
I'm looking for examples of objects / phenomenons / people that embody very opposite, paradoxical characteristics.
For example : a knife can be a life saver if used by a surgeon and can remove life if given to a murderer.
Another example : rain can be a god given gift in times of drought and also can cause deadly floodings.
And another example would be Dr Jekyll and Mr Hide.
Thank you in advance!
Get tons of family photos, letters and ephemera?
Where can I legally get/buy people's printed family photographs, entire photo albums, letters and personal ephemera? I might need hundreds of these and they must be originals. If the items were somewhat dated, say at least 20 years, that would be nice. [more inside]
A SciFi film with or about pipes or tubes?
Name This Film: I'm trying to remember the name of a dystopian/SciFi film I saw years back in the 90s, could have been from the 80s. The premise must have been similar to City of Ember, with a kid or teen in an underground city. I remember pipes or tubes featuring prominently, and think they were in the title too. [more inside]
Recovering from inspection at work
The organisation I work for recently had an inspection from Ofsted. We came out as well as could be expected, but I (and a colleague) am now finding it difficult to recover from the anxiety of the period. It has made us feel unconfident about what we do and we are finding it hard to focus. [more inside]
Have you ever studied in a foreign country, in the local language?
Getting a 2nd Bachelor's in a European country "as a local" - no courses in English. Please share any and all of your experiences! More details inside. [more inside]
How can you mitigate a severe reaction to cigarette smoking in social situations when surrounded by smokers?
Asking for my Mom: how does a non-smoker who has a severe allergic reaction to cigarette smoke mitigate the effects at a social event when they are outnumbered 6:2? [more inside]
June 15
As a male, I've never orgasmed from sex, teach me how
As a male, I've never orgasmed from sex, teach me how [more inside]
Suggest alternatives to some bands I like
I love the music of [specific artists inside], but I don't like the lyrics. Please suggest alternate artists for me to listen to. [more inside]
Love in the Time of Emergency
How can I gracefully accept being excluded from a family medical emergency? A recent surgery has brought up all sorts of family tensions. I'm doing the right things, but I still feel terrible, and need some guidance on handling my frustration, disappointment, and anger. [more inside]
An Italian Toast (but not the edible kind).
My dear mother wishes to have something special written in Italian engraved in her new dining room table. Are there any sayings or toasts that would be appropriate? (A few details below)... [more inside]
learning spanish together?
Does anyone have experience using a Spanish-language audio course as a couple? [more inside]
As a token of my gratitude, please take this _________________
Please help me brainstorm a good gift for my teaching mentor! [more inside]
Navigating the Trans Canadian Highway between Spanish, Ontario to Blind River, Ontario on bicycles.
Bicycle touring logistics: Navigating the Trans Canadian Highway between Spanish, Ontario to Blind River, Ontario on bicycles. Crazy? Any other suggestions? [more inside]
How can I make graduation invitations using CS6?
Graduation time! How can I make my own semi-fancy/straight-up-fancy graduation invitations? [more inside]
Identity details online - what now
Identity theft - passport number, date of birth and full name available on the internet. What do I do? [more inside]
Metal roofing plus vaulted ceilings: Too noisy?
Metal roofing plus vaulted ceilings: Too noisy? It's time to re-roof and we're considering metal roofing among the possibilities. We're hesitant because the bedroom has a vaulted ceiling and we're worried about noise when it rains. [more inside]
Dealing with muscle tightness from referred visceral pain.
Sporadic muscle spasms/tightness in my right flank have stopped being sporadic. It's now pretty much constant. It's going to be at least a month before I have health insurance again, so for now, going to the doctor is not really an option. I'm looking to explore all non-woo options to treat and prevent further episodes. [more inside]
How can an atheist/catholic marriage succeed?
I'm on the brink of proposing to my Catholic, Indian-American girlfriend. However, I come from a long line of athiests/humanists and I am starting to worry about how we will balance our backgrounds in raising our children. [more inside]
Car Buying Advice with Snowflake Details Inside!
How much should I pay for this car? How much should I expect for my trade-in? And how should I play the negotiation game? [more inside]
I'm looking for mac and/or web software that will make it easy for me to track the tasks I need to do.
I need the world's simplest time management/task management software for the Mac and/or web. Ideally free/open or cheap. [more inside]
Help me make my graphs pretty
Tips for making attractive charts/graphs? (In Excel/Illustrator, but I'm not bound to those). [more inside]
Last night I was threatened by someone on my property.
Last night I was threatened by someone on my property. What should I do to get over feeling vulnerable/anxious? [more inside]
Day travel ideas in New England?
New England Adventure Filter: Looking for suggestions for a short adventure with a lucky friend who’s (hopefully) real good fer adventurin’ with. A night’s drive radius from southeastern Vermont, tiny budget, dog and skateboard friendly. Ideas? [more inside]
So, is my reputation tarnished forever?
If I lie (a very big lie), can I ever redeem myself? [more inside]
My stomach don't work right and I don't know why.
I've tried soy milk and I've tried almond milk. I've tried various brands of each. I've tried chocolate (which was slightly less painful than the rest), vanilla, and unsweetened.
But it seems like no matter what I do, I still get the same kind of stomach cramps and bloating that I get from normal milk. What's the deal?
I tried the Lactaid pills and whatnot to try and help with dairy and they did absolutely nothing. And what's more, I rarely have a problem with anything besides milk. Ice cream, yes. But I'm good with cheeses, yogurt, pizza, etc.
Being friends with a guy while dating
How do you balance out dating and being good friends with a guy? [more inside]
Windows Backup/Restore Doesn't See Earlier Image
Windows Backup/Restore Doesn't See Earlier Image [more inside]
Work This Workshop! Work It!
What makes for a really, really kickass professional workshop? [more inside]
I know i'm probably not dying but I'm neurotic about my health.
How does a hypochondriac know he really should go see the Dr.? How should he talk to him about his anxieties? [more inside]
How do I take good quality pictures of myself?
How do I take good photos for an online dating site, as a guy who doesn't photograph well? [more inside]
Hey, how did we get here and who do we have to thank?
How many generations am I (or you) the product of? That is, how long is the continuous sequence of paired organisms in the chain of reproduction for a human in the 21st century? [more inside]
Where to raft in Georgia?
White Water Rafting in Georgia; where to go for a newbie? [more inside]
(non-cheesy) BOMBAST!
Looking for music that's BOMBASTIC but not CHEESY. Finish the sequence : Monument (Dirty on Purpose), Bolero (Ravel), Young Liars (TV On The Radio), Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen) [more inside]
You Done Left Fingerprints and all.
I had a peeper at my window. I suspect someone I barely know. How to proceed? [more inside]
What should I wear with this dress?
How should I accessorize this flapper-style black dress that I'm wearing as a bridesmaid? Seeking ideas on shoes and jewelry (and possibly hosiery or leg coverage). [more inside]
How to sell a valuable Grateful Dead poster?
An elderly family friend has an original poster (known as BG074) and program from the 1967 Jefferson Airplane and Grateful Dead concert at the O'Keefe Centre in Toronto. He is interested in selling the poster and program, and I've offered to help out. According to Wolfgang's Vault, "BG074 is among the rarest of posters. There are hard to verify stories that the original cache of posters was confiscated at the Canadian border by border patrol, but whether the posters were seized or simply put away by contented Canadians, this summer concert made a big impression." Accordingly, I've seen auctions and online memorabilia stores listing this poster in the $5,000 and up range, and the program for close to $1,000.
What is the best way to authenticate and sell these items? I contacted Wolfgang's Vault but they don't normally purchase individual items, and the art dealers I've been in touch with don't deal with rock memorabilia. Is there a Sotheby's of rock? Is eBay even worth considering?
Playing Cosmology of Kyoto (DOS) on a Modern Mac
Help me play Cosmology of Kyoto (I have a DOS disk image of the CD) on my Mac using VirtualBox. [more inside]
Retirement fund fun!
My 401(k) has changed - any financial gurus able to explain how I am going to be affected? [more inside]
I want my own private video server.
I have a ton of personal videos, but my laptop has a small SSD. I have another computer at home (and access to a VPS) on 24/7 with decent internet connection. What is the best way to stream files from computer to laptop when on the road? [more inside]
How to talk with my 8-yr old about suicide?
How to talk with my 8-yr old about his older depressed cousin's suicide? [more inside]
Why is a Chinese reader zipping through my (friend's) blog at a rate of one post a second?
Why is a "reader" zipping through a friend's blog at a rate of one post a second? [more inside]
Pranks with my friend's car
I'm taking care of my friend's car for two weeks while he's on vacation. What are some silly things I can do with his car as a joke that he can follow on Facebook? [more inside]
Is pledging really an advantage?
Does a Greek affiliation really help in the real world? [more inside]
How can I safely sell a videogame console?
What do I need to do before selling a videogame console? In this case, specifically a Wii and probably to Best Buy. [more inside]
What should I do with a free morning in Washington DC?
I will be landing in Washington DC at 8am on Saturday. I'm alone and have the morning free - what should I do? [more inside]
Contents under pressure
I'm packing for a move from a dry climate ~7,000 feet above sea level to a wet one ~300 feet above sea level. What precautions should I take to ensure all my stuff survives the trip? Anything else I should be mindful of for adjusting to the new environment?
help me find a job!
I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in digital media, and I'm certified in Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Pro X and Final Cut Pro 7 (level 1 and 2). What types of jobs should I look for/would I be qualified for? [more inside]
How to make a sad Father's Day better?
How should I make the best out of a bad Father's Day situation? My boyfriend is going through a nasty custody battle with his ex-wife over rights over their 2-year-old daughter. He will not be able to see his daughter on Sunday and almost certainly won't receive any communication from her. What can I do to make his day a little less painful? [more inside]
Do most men fear cooking naked?
Do most men fear cooking naked? [more inside]
Abominable Abdominals
Help me deal with my middle - either through weight loss or learning to cope. [more inside]
fitness gamification
Are there any diet/exercise mobile apps or websites that truly embrace gamification - turning daily logging of activity and food, or fitness/diet challenges, etc., into the kind of fun, immersive game that you'd play anyway even if it weren't beneficial? [more inside]
If we award medals for swimming backstroke why don't we award medals for running backwards?
If we award medals for swimming 100m backstroke why don't we award medals for running 100m backwards? [more inside]
Where can I listen to examples of really harmonically complex a capella online?
Where can I listen to examples of really harmonically complex a capella online? [more inside]
Ai dios mio, este jamón sabe como bellota; urk.
Nut allergies, acorns, acorn eating pigs, and acorn-eating-pig prosciutto. You are not my doctor, or my charcuterist. [more inside]
"Actually, it's pronounced "mill-e-wah-que" which is Algonquin for "the good land." "I was not aware of that."
Road trip: what should we check out in Wisconsin and Minnesota? [more inside]
How do I ask for a work/life balance?
I found a class I'd like to take after work. How bad would it look to ask my new boss if I could leave 5 or 10 minutes early to get there on time? [more inside]
How can I prepare myself for living abroad?
I'm moving overseas for 2 years. Now what? What can I do to help prepare? [more inside]
New B2C ecommerce platform
New B2C ecommerce platform - Magento or Open Cart?? [more inside]
What cloud services should I know about?
What are other cloud services I should consider as an IT admin for a small organization? Should I worry about knocking myself out of a job? [more inside]
My SO is unconcerned with how little time we spend together.
My SO is unconcerned with how little time we spend together. [more inside]
How to make native small talk
Hi! I'm learning Spanish at the moment, using podcasts and LiveMocha, mostly. I try to speak it as much as possible when doing the LiveMocha exercises, listening to the podcast conversations, etc, but I realise that what's missing is real live conversation with others. [more inside]
How do I find a job and move out?
What advice can you give to an unemployed graduate like me who wants to move out into the city? [more inside]
How do maker spaces benefit their communities?
I’m trying to get a non-profit “maker space” started. Our goal is to provide affordable access to a large workspace with nearly every kind of tool you can imagine (machining, woodworking, welding & metal fab, 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines, electronic test gear, etc). We’re also going to provide training and an opportunity to meet and maybe collaborate with other artists, craftsmen, inventors and “makers.”
I’m trying to develop a strong argument about how we can benefit our community and local businesses. So I’m looking for both input and help finding specific examples of how other maker spaces have done that. [more inside]
How do I tell a new family member to back off?
How do I tell a newly found family member to back off w/out hurting their feelings? [more inside]
attractive and affordable barn door hardware for the win?
Help me get through a flea bombing
Help me prep for setting off flea bombs. [more inside]
Arabic for Reading?
Partly inspired by this question: is there an equivalent to French for Reading but for Modern Standard Arabic? [more inside]
Is a 24" 1080p monitor a good purchase?
I'm going to buy a 24" 1080p monitor at the weekend to replace my ageing 17" (1280x1024) one. Given a number of factors, is this a bad decision? [more inside]
poke, scratch, sniff, tap, shuffle
I need to stop fidgeting. How? Help! [more inside]
running = weight loss?
Who can flow both this way and that?
So many rappers have a unique "flow"; Snoop, Busta Rhymes, MCA, Kool Moe Dee, etc. I find it interesting that so many of them have a singular style that they excel at. Suggest rappers that are able to switch between various distinct & different styles of delivery.
June 14
Health issues abroad
I am having my second herpes outbreak in a foreign country. [more inside]
2 job offers and applications still open for an extremely rare opportunity--what to do?
I have received 2 job offers and the deadline is still open for a third, only very distantly related job, but it's so rare I don't know if I'll get the chance again. One of the jobs wants to know by Mon. What to do? [more inside]
Where should I take an outdoorsy girl near (but not in) San Francisco?
Where should I take an outdoorsy girl near (but not in) San Francisco? [more inside]
Why do so many bands say they're influenced by The Pixies?
A lot of bands I like say The Pixies are one of the bands that most influenced them, so I downloaded some of their music, and I hated most of what I heard. What am I missing?
Mr. Vanity Klaw
How to get the perfectly imperfect haircut?
I've been struggling for years to keep my haircut in a disheveled state that I feel most comfortable with. Mainly, this involves doing it myself with clippers and scissors in the mirror while somewhat tipsy. I'd like to start getting it cut by a professional, but don't know how to express what I'm aiming for. [more inside]
OKcupid
One of those judge-my-OKCupid-profile things. [more inside]
Worth replacing UPS battery?
Is it worth replacing my UPS battery or buying a newer UPS that better fits my need? [more inside]
Help Me Make An Interactive Data Visualization
I want to make a map-based interactive data visualization (to be accessed on the Internet) and I have no idea where to start. [more inside]
iTunes Translations?
Nitpicky question: I'm not real happy with the name of the iTunes section "Audiobooks" - I'm usually using it to stash stand up albums or other stuff that isn't music. I'd like to rename it, something like "Performances." Is there a way I can tweak my (English) language files to make this happen? [more inside]
Mind the (hopefully consistently sized) gap!
How can I force all the gaps between photos to be the same size in InDesign CS6? [more inside]
What software should I use to turn pictures into movie clips?
What software should I use to turn pictures into movie clips? I have a GoPro camera set to take pictures at a set interval and would like recommendations on free/cheap software to use to make them into a time lapse video using a Windows netbook. [more inside]
Go with current local job offer, or wait for possible second in other state?
I just got a good local job offer here in the midwestern US, but there's also the possibility of an offer from a company out on the west coast. While I have been pining to move out west for a while, I feel it more likely than not I'd end up accepting the first company's offer. Should I drop out of the second company's search? [more inside]
Inexpensive dentist in NYC.
I'm in NYC and I may need to see a dentist, but I have no dental insurance. Recommendations? [more inside]
html tables are killin' me.
How do I import tables from HTML into Excel when some cells have multiple lines? [more inside]
Where to find 'scales of justice'
Where can I buy balance scales similar to the "scales of justice" in Australia (preferably online)? [more inside]
Best PDF annotation app for Android
Best PDF reader and annotating application for Android? [more inside]
g2m4 codec
Where can I find a free download for a G2M4 codec that doesn't include nasty viruses that will torture my computer? [more inside]
What should 22nd century California be like?
I'm writing a series of time travel novels. Since my first one is scheduled to be published in November, I've been debating what my next one should be. One idea I have is for a young woman in San Francisco or Los Angeles to find herself 100 years in the future (in 2110 or so), but I need some help imagining a realistic future. [more inside]
Lean Eating: worth it?
Tell me about your experience with the Precision Nutrition Lean Eating coaching program for women. [more inside]
Do I let my wife's baseless jealousy interfere with my career?
Setting: My wife is (IMO irrationally) jealous, and thinks that a co-worker of mine likes me. There is nothing there, and I have told her she is worrying needlessly, but she is still suspicious.
Complication: A position recently came up at work, in an area I prefer over my current job and with better job security. BUT, this co-worker is on the team.
Resolution: ??? [more inside]
I'll be back next year to talk about leather.
Cool wedding anniversary gift - Cotton Anniversary [more inside]
What would be the best choice for a fancy Sunday brunch in/around Boston?
What would be the best choice for a fancy Sunday brunch in/around Boston? Looking for a replacement for Aujourd'hui at the Four Seasons, which has closed.
Help me help a friend find a "low profile forest green one ounce cosmetic jar".
Help me help a friend find a "low profile forest green one ounce cosmetic jar". [more inside]
Rhode Island party spots
Providence Rhode Island one day party [more inside]
How to get equal pay for equal work
How do I diplomatically ask for equal pay for equal work? [more inside]
What's a good, affordable kitchen surface
Cutting board and countertop options? [more inside]
If I had GTD software I could probably get this research done myself!
I'm reading Getting Things Done, and I'm ready to join the cult of productivity! What is the best GTD-minded to-do list software or site, for a PC/Android user?
How can I attract clients when I am just starting out in professional dog training?
I am currently finishing up a program to become a certified dog trainer, and will soon be thrown out into the world to do what I will. I am not assuming that this will be a full time gig to begin with, and figured that I would do classes or private lessons on the side for a while. How can I do a successful job of marketing myself for these kinds of things? I have a couple of specific questions. [more inside]
Source for a quote
"Good Businesses look for a problem first of all and then try to find a solution."
I have heard variations of this quote numerous times. I am writing a business pitch and would love to find a source to someone who decent who said either this or something similar.
What should I do in the next month to prepare for a Crossfit class?
I’ve got a little over a month to prepare for a Crossfit beginners class. What do I do? [more inside]
Cool rimless glasses?
Help me find a new style of eyeglasses. Specifically rimless glasses. [more inside]
The Mystery of the Always-Backward-Funky-Forward Subaru
Our wagon has a quirky automatic transmission—the same problem with little change for six years: Sometimes it won’t shift into drive, but it will always always engage in reverse. The go-to fix? Drive backward to a slope that enables a rolling start forward, shift into drive and tap-tap the gas until, eventually, *clunk* it engages. Diagnosis? [more inside]
Want durable, well fitting custom T-shirts
I need custom T-shirts that are durable and don't fit funny. [more inside]
I love you so I can't see you anymore.
I've gotta stop having a crush on my friend or stop seeing her entirely. [more inside]
Empty Cigar Boxes, for Free
Where can I find empty cigar boxes for FREE (or nearly free) in the Minneapolis, MN area? [more inside]
I'd really like it if my boyfriend could touch my nipples again, thanks.
I'm not a mom, pregnant, nursing, or a runner, but I do have chronic eczema. My nipples are raw, painful, crusty, oozing messes and they have been for months now. I can't be the only one who has gone through this. Please help me. [more inside]
Help me find a blog.
Help me find a blog. [more inside]
Creative ways of including family and friends in a wedding
What are some creative ways of including or honoring special family and friends in a wedding, beyond the typical bridal party? [more inside]
Is the POP3 email protocol insecure (even with TLS)?
Is the POP3 email protocol insecure (even with TLS)? [more inside]
Projects vs. Next Actions
What are your most useful "next-action" and "project" verbs for GTD? [more inside]
Memory lapse and I need help
Trying to connect to the past [more inside]
It's a piece of cake to bake a pretty cake
How do I score my fantasy cake contest in the most fair manner? [more inside]
How much sick time is typically offered to employees?
How much annual sick time is typically offered by companies in California to their employees?
I have never disliked school before.
Help me be less sad, plz. [more inside]
Eating on the cheap in Vancouver.
Looking for inexpensive meals in Vancouver. [more inside]
Please don't startle me. Really.
Asking for a friend: How do I get people to stop coming up from behind me and scaring me at work? (particulars and instigating trauma inside) [more inside]
My career, let you show me it
Graduating with an IT degree at 31 - how to be attractive to employers, please? [more inside]
Sprucing up a junky old wood table
Ideas for refinishing an old dining table without stripping it? [more inside]
Credits for clip art
Converting GPS data to distance-time data
I have some .GPX/.CSV MyTracks GPS files that I would like to use to create distance-time graphs. I can do this using GPS Visualizer but this creates the graphs for me and what I want is the raw data.
Is there a website, program or script (Linux or Windows) that will allow me to do this? [more inside]
Why are Korean dramas so obsessed with first love?
Why are Korean (melo)dramas so obsessed with first love being your one, true love which can never be changed? [more inside]
Best sealant for acrylic paint / paper-maché?
I'm augmenting my bike helmet with a bit of paper-maché and acrylic paint. What should I put on as a final layer to make it water proof?
Help me dress like a grown-up, without blowing a grown-up's salary.
I have way, way, WAY too many clothes. I want to clear out my closet and replace most of this junk with a few tasteful, expensive staples that I rely on more often. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of money right now and will soon have even less upon entering grad school, so what should I be spending my money on? [more inside]
I never liked those screws anyway!
I torqued off the heads off of the screws that fix one of my car's rotors to the hub assembly, and I had to reassemble it and leave for work before I could extract the broken remainders and find replacements.
Now that I'm thinking about it, it seems like they only serve to hold the rotor in place when the wheel isn't there. Do I need to replace them?
Help my wife not go insane.
How can I best support my wife, a stay-at-home-mom, during the summer when she's home alone with a sometimes difficult ten year old boy? [more inside]
Z góry dziękuję!
What would teachers in Poland like from North America? [more inside]
Finding an endometriosis surgeon in New York City
Finding an endometriosis surgeon in New York City...what's with this "out-of-network" business? I am scared, and I can't find a doctor that will see me. [more inside]
Help me help this dog part 2!
How can I help my foster German Shepherd Dog chill out, have fun, move past an abusive past, and find a forever home? [more inside]
Help me; help my battery
Laptop battery filter: My Lenovo SL510 wasn't charging my battery, and I foolishly assumed it was the battery's problem and bought a new one. But the new one wouldn't charge either. Any advice? [more inside]
Plant or weed identification time.
What is this plant (or weed) growing in my back yard? It has multiple, thick stems with tiny thorns, green leaves that turn light green/reddish as the plant gets bigger, and a big root system with roots that are woody and slightly rubbery. It does not have any tendrils or flowers and left to grow, it begins to resemble a small tree. [more inside]
Help me find the perfect vacation spot on the Northeast US coast
The perfect east coast vacation spot? [more inside]
Best internet providers for a new grad student in Toronto?
What's a good and cheap internet provider for a grad student? Right now I'm considering Rogers, Bell, Shaw and Telehop Internet.
Look for the best price/performance ratio.. what were your past experiences with any of the aforementioned providers?
How do I get out of Guatemala city after I land?
I'm landing in Guatemala city at around 1:30 pm. I've been told I want to get out of the city to Xela or lake atitlan or Antigua as quickly as possible.
Once I land at the airport, how do I find a bus to my destination and where should I go first? (I'm staying for a few weeks, so I'm on no set schedule) [more inside]
How do I collaborate with my bossy coworker and her nervous supervisee?
How do I cope with a coworker bossing me when she's not my boss? Today my coworker straight up told me that she was delegating a specific project to me and her supervisee "to free up [her] time for other things." Although I want to work on the project, I don't want her thinking she can just delegate work to me whenever she gets too busy. Bonus: I’m finding it difficult to work with her supervisee. [more inside]
What Korean / Asian movies and dramas would I like?
I recently saw A Moment to Remember and my interest in Korean (and East Asian more generally) films and dramas has skyrocketed. Can you recommend some Korean (or other East Asian) movies and/or dramas, based what I've enjoyed?
I loved A Moment to Remember. I really liked Spellbound/Chilling Romance and Full House. I liked The Art of Seduction, 200 Pounds Beauty, and Dream High.
nice work--can I just take that from you? k-thx-bye
I have a really interesting idea for a web app that I've been kicking around for a while. Today I discovered a site that implements some of the core functionality, but seems to be a low-priority side project for the developer. I'm thinking about asking if he wants to work together. Good idea? [more inside]
Cross Platform Multiplayer Games
I have a iPhone 4 and a HTC Nexus One. I use the iPhone as my phone but the Android doesn't have a SIM card and I just use it at home on my WiFi. What awesome cross-platform multiplayer games can I play with my 7 year old?
Old dog, new tricks
Looking for advice on getting experience as an e-learning professional. [more inside]
Save the earth and save $$
My employer is NOT green, Help! [more inside]
Hey there. What are you?
Entomology filter: I've lived in Southern Ontario most of my life and I can't recall ever seeing this guy before. [more inside]
Academic networking for dummies, and more helpful hints
A couple months ago I found a very long document talking about academic networking. I believe it was written over 20 years ago but still seemed incredibly relevant. As a young student trying to get his footing in academia, I'd love to find this networking primer again, as well as other things to read that would be helpful. [more inside]
I Love You Mr Disposable Razors
Is it worth buying an electric razor, or is shaving underarms/legs with a regular disposable just as good? [more inside]
More jetlag, please?
Normally, waking up is a struggle for me, involving many uses of the snooze button. I was in Europe for almost two weeks in late May, and while I was there, I found that I was waking up rather early every morning, before my alarm clock, and felt incredibly refreshed and ready to go. [more inside]
Building fire escape to code
Fire escape construction help: I own and live in a residential house in the Bronx. For income, I rent out a room in the attic, but it needs some kind of fire escape to be insurable. Fire escapes can be rope ladders or wrought iron. How do I find out exactly what the law requires? [more inside]
How to take advantage of a parent's absence to reset sleep habits?
My partner, who usually nurses our son to sleep, is leaving town for a week. How can I use this opportunity to work on my son's sleep habits? [more inside]
Getaway (...or is it...Get Away?)
Please help me locate a site for a northeast trip that’s been about 10 years in the dreaming-of. I want a solitary weekend of reading, writing, reflecting, and a place to do it in. I want this place to be lovely. But not too expensive. Probably not in a city. Mani-pedi services need not apply. [more inside]
Can we stay this way?
How to thwart jealousy and possessiveness in a non-relationship relationship? [more inside]
Best supermarket hummus
What are the best brands of supermarket hummus? I live in Minnesota, so bonus points for hummus available here.
I need a scientific reason why dragons might be able to fly, given their unsatisfactory mass-to-wingspan ratio.
In the context of this fictional world, magic exists, but it abides by very strict scientific laws, similar to Equivalent Exchange. I need some rational-sounding explanation for why a dragon might be able to fly. [more inside]
Stompers Replacement
Is there a non-vintage, non-collectible, non-expensive source for small, motorized, toy monster trucks powered by a single AA battery? Think Stompers, but not vintage and $50.
How's work? Honestly?
It's time for my annual review and my job - and my boss - suck. So, what do I do? [more inside]
New MacBook Pro laptops and RAM.
Do the new mid 2012, non-Retina Display, MacBook Pro laptops have user replaceable/upgradable RAM and Hard Drives? I can't find a source stating for sure one way or the other.
I envy those who make art installations for a living
I live in Philadelphia. I love sculpture and art installations, but suck at finding them when they happen. Help me find RSS feeds or email services that'll tell me when cool art-type things happen nearby me! [more inside]
What was this hot sauce?
A few years ago, I spent three months in Guinea, where I repeatedly was served the most incredible hot sauce. What was it?! [more inside]
What's funny in a box?
Any ideas for presents for a young man who wishes to be a professional stand-up comedian? [more inside]
Where to find a reasonably priced studio flat or room in London?
Where to find a reasonably priced studio flat or room in London?
I've been looking for accommodation in London for quite some time now, but so far I've been unsuccessful (or.. unlucky) with searching in all the "usual" places (Gumtree.com, Findaproperty, flatland.co.uk etc.)
In the meantime, I need to move within a couple of weeks, and can't seem to find anything in East Central London (close to City University) that is not super expensive and/or managed by a (what i prefer to call) "greedy agent"... very frustrating :/
Pure math isn't even fun.
I have a very serious problem: I can't stop thinking about mathematics and it's interfering heavily with my sleep. [more inside]
orgasmatron
Is there a name or pathology for this kind of behaviour (in psychiatry)? Basically, it feels like I'm falling in love all the time - with human knowledge - and I keep on pushing the lever because it feels good. [more inside]
What is this song about a girl doing too much blow?
What song am I thinking of about a girl doing a lot of blow (and maybe getting scolded/dumped for it by a guy)? [more inside]
June 13
Awesome Sweet Red Wines?
Do you know some awesome sweet red wines available in Sydney (Australia)? [more inside]
What I need is an armor-plated bra.
You are a woman. You frequently go to concerts alone. You like rap and/or metal. What do you wear and what do you do at rap/metal shows to minimize molestation? [more inside]
When and where to get married and other issues
Please help me and my guy decide when and where to get married, and how to deal with various issues [more inside]
Stupid Drama: what the hell?
Conflict with friend's partner: do I pull out of this commitment, or am I overreacting? (petty and annoying) details inside. [more inside]
help open my door!
my doorknob is broken and I'm stuck in my bedroom! help me open the door? [more inside]
Elderly grandparents and young children
How do I best manage a visit to my elderly/dying grandparents with my young children? [more inside]
I want to put my money where my mouth is. Got suggestions?
How do I become a more ethical consumer? I'd like to primarily do business with organizations known for treating their workers - domestic and foreign - well. Where and how do I find them? [more inside]
Recent Korean Films Worth Watching
What are some recent (last ten year or so) Korean film that's worth watching? [more inside]
Help me find hot creamy winter recipes
It's getting towards the depths of winter, ski season has begun, and I find myself wanting to eat nothing but melted cheese, with buckets of hot caramel sauce for dessert. Can you help me find slightly less decadent recipes with the same mouthfeel? [more inside]
Value of antique charcoal drawings
Two charcoal drawings were left behind when both my parents recently transitioned. We are attempting to establish their value. Both appear to be very old, Dutch in nature and both feature large sailboats and people "working" on shore. Each is about 36 inches long and about 30 inches tall. The artists name appears to be Janssam or Janssau...the "end-swirl" of the last letter of the name curves up and hovers over the name, back to the first "s". I have a photo of one drawing but haven't yet figured out how to post a picture on this site. Any help or suggestion toward identifying these pictures is greatly appreciated.
Any fellow VHS nerds in the hive?
Where can I find (United States) VHS release dates for movies? [more inside]
Letter of apology from a murderer
The murderer who killed my friend and attempted to kill me wants to apologize. [more inside]
Day Trips for Cheap?
Looking for cool and cheap day trips accessible from Oakland. Preferably things like hot springs, nature/hiking, cheap wineries, etc. Any recommendations? Thanks for your help!
Me + loud typing = disaster
The sound of my coworker typing is driving me crazy. I'm not permitted to wear headphones. How can I deal with the noise? [more inside]
Online Backup for Mac OSC 10.4.11
What is a good online backup tool for Mac OSX 10.4.11? Carbonite doesn't service this operating system.
My laptop is a magic dust-creator!
Why does my laptop seem to produce its own dust? [more inside]
Good food without refrigeration
Help me pack a lunch for my 4.5 year-old daughter. [more inside]
How to make a magazine-style portfolio
Ideas for creating a magazine-style portfolio? [more inside]
How do I get animals off my property while killing the smallest number of them possible?
How do I kill the smallest number of animals? If I could get them all away from my house without hurting any of them, I would, but I don't think it's possible. Our yard is full of them, and they sometimes get in the house. There are at least three types of mice, moles, rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks. I love them and don't want to hurt them, but having them inside is generally agreed to be bad. [more inside]
ID theft?
Paranonia or ID theft? How do I find out, who to report it to? Details inside. [more inside]
A couple of days outside of Moscow
Where should I go for a couple of days outside of Moscow with my young son? [more inside]
Dizziness and Vertigo--Help Navigating Medicaid
Boyfriend has been experiencing dizziness, vertigo, and nausea for 4 days. Need help navigating NY Medicaid healthcare system to get this diagnosed. [more inside]
Wary of Robert Wagner
Please explain reverse mortgages to me and whether this is a good idea for my mother. [more inside]
Retreats, detox centers, mental hospitals -- help me find what I need
Best retreats, inpatient facilities (insurance or not), escapes, detox centers, and other ways that you changed your life dramatically for the better and kicked depression/anxiety once and for all! [more inside]
Safety First: The casual sex version
What are your safety tips for casual sexual encounters? (Probably NSFW text inside) [more inside]
Where can I find shoes I saw in the window?
I was in Chicago this morning and saw an awesome pair of shoes in the window of Akira Men's on North Ave, that I would love to buy, but I don't live in Chicago and it doesn't look like they sell their men's clothing/shoes online. Where could I find these shoes? [more inside]
Help me pick out a tmobile phone.
Help me pick out a tmobile phone. [more inside]
When should I replace my can opener?
How do I know when I should replace my hand-operated can opener? [more inside]
Long-Distance Hedging 101
How would you hedge against travel costs rising in the long term? [more inside]
When to prune a weeping pussy willow?
When and how should I prune my very sad weeping pussy willow? [more inside]
A skyscraper in Newark
I'd like to write a fictional short story about the construction of a skyscraper in Newark and an incident of corruption that threatens the structural integrity of the building (based loosely on the Citygroup Center incident. Note: I'm not saying this crisis was caused by corruption). I am seeking books, articles, photos and videos (especially), and general inspirational material on modern skyscraper construction and, particularly, any incidents similar to the Citygroup crisis. Additionally, anything worthwhile on the city of Newark (I've watched Brick City, which was the primary inspiration for the setting). Many thanks to all in advance!
What should I buy at the Kosher deli/market?
There is a Kosher deli near my new office. I'd like to have a look around and find some new stuff to try. I am almost completely unfamiliar with Jewish food. Where should I start? [more inside]
The sum of the square roots of any two sides of an isosceles triangle is equal to the square root of the remaining side.
My younger brother has just finished tenth grade. His math teacher was a martinet. His math teacher next year might turn out to be one too. How can I help my brother cope with this kind of instructor? [more inside]
How do I convince business people that managing data costs money?
Help me with some IT management philosophy. How do I convince people internally that managing data costs money? Gory details inside [more inside]
I've saved up $100k in my first year of work. I also have a Vanguard account. Now what?
So, I've saved up $100k in my first year of work, and I just got myself a Vanguard.com account. Now what do I do? [more inside]
"In space, no one hears you scream"
Should I watch Prometheus? I'm afraid of horror films. [more inside]
Is there hope?
Chronic depression coupled with intellectual existential nihilism, social ineptitute, and no friends. Perilously close to unemployment because I just don't care. I believe that life is meaningless, and mine especially will forever be devoid of happiness and love. I just want to give up. I think I've heard every common advice about depression. This is the extreme, shake me out of this version. Nothing works and my fundamental beliefs about existence are making me miserable but I still think they're true, and there's no escaping my thoughts. How does one go on? [more inside]
How to flip orientation of a MPEG4 video?
Looking for a simple, free or open source solution to flip mobile phone videos from landscape to portrait (and vice versa), preferable under Windows 7 (64 bits). [more inside]
A Compaq Presario V2000 for the Modern Man?
I have unearthed, from the bowels of my closet, a Compaq Presario V2000 that has been dormant for 4 or 5 years. It is in really good physical condition, but I need to know if I can use it for one main purpose: board game design. [more inside]
We're on a road movie to MN...
Help plan a one-way rental-car trip from Toronto to Minneapolis... [more inside]
Quit or stay
Another Ph.D quit-or-stay question: I'm really unhappy in my particular lab, and maybe unhappy with the whole idea of the Ph.D. I still like the idea of research - just want to work on a project that I'm interested in. What is the best way for me to be able to work on things that I like, possibly outside of a Ph.D degree program, but still in an academic lab? Looong snowflake details inside, summary at end. [more inside]
Can you recommend good vocabulary building apps for iOS?
I'd like to find an iOS app for my mom- she wants a word-of-the-day or other vocabulary builder for English. She's fluent but it's her second language, and she'd like to have a stronger vocabulary. Any suggestions?
"But you know, Bob, that will only make someone work just hard enough not to get fired."
Quality-of-life issues with an otherwise awesome job. How to deal with lazy coworkers and an incompetent manager? [more inside]
Help me find a pair of jeans with a large zipper pull!
Urgent birthday present vintage fashion help: Help me find a pair of jeans with a large zipper pull. [more inside]
Self-stick velcro won't stick
How can I make stick-on velcro strips stick to my ceramic bathroom sink? [more inside]
Use less paper, more automated, more awesome in our gamification
Help us gamify/badgify our game! With all this gamification buzzwordiness out there, there's a nice white label solution, right? [more inside]
Horses for courses... UK vs US English?
I'm a writer - with a British English education. I've just finished a young adult novel that I'm polishing to go on submission. Should I be making sure everything is in US English? [more inside]
Moved back home, depressed. Where do I go now?
I'm trapped in an untennable situation and am unsure how to get out. After leaving school for medical/depression related issues, I've been forced to move back home with my family. I have a couple of options that look somewhat promising in terms of escaping, but I'm paralyzed and don't know which way to go. Help? Typical snowflake stuff within. [more inside]
How much time do pilots actually spend actually spend piloting?
How much time do commercial pilots actually spend flying planes by hand these days? [more inside]
Are massage parlors cheating?
What do I do with a husband who has been getting handjobs @ massage parlors...help! [more inside]
All women become like their mothers, so says Ocscar Wilde
How can I have a better relationship with my daughter than I had with my mother? [more inside]
Visiting Vermont - what to see, where to live?
Hi,
We are planning to go on a road trip to Vermont (from Toronto) this summer. Any suggestions what we should do there? Places we must visit, etc.
Also, would like to know possibles mode of accomodation in the area.
Thanks.
I have a young dog but have run out of tricks.
I need help thinking up some new tricks to train my dog to do. [more inside]
Am I right in giving "Dress Up" a dressing-down?
My wife wants our daughter to have a makeover party for her 8th birthday. Manicures, pedicures, hair-styling and all that. Am I being overly-sensitive in thinking it's a bad idea? [more inside]
Anything like Perennial Plate?
Cue makeover montage
I am just terrible at being a lady. All the usual Beauty Stuff, stuff that it seems like everyone else was either born knowing or learned as teenagers, is a giant mystery to me. I need, like, a checklist or something for being a presentable-looking grownup. [more inside]
Movie Filter: Ventriloquists
Looking for a movie title: a very funny documentary about professional ventriloquists -- but NOT "Dumbstruck." [more inside]
How can I learn to not feel anxious when I've only gone one day without seeing my new partner?
What can I do to cope with relationship (adult) separation anxiety/missing someone strongly? It happens after just one day without seeing my partner. I don't want to get clingy or go through so much ickiness so I need some coping ideas! [more inside]
Things to do in Rogers, Arkansas area?
Gong to Rogers/Fayetteville Arkansas area for the first time this weekend to check out the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Any recommendations on food and other attractions of interest?
How do you turn your business into a company?
Do you have to know how to cook to own a restaurant? [more inside]
Runner needs bike advice
I'm a runner, trying to become a triathlete. Help me find a bike please! [more inside]
Plan My Vacation for Me!
Vacation Filter: The girlfriend and I are looking for a place within the US to take a beach vacation with dining and groceries a walkable distance away. Looking for recommendations. [more inside]
Hard headed?
You're a motorcycle rider in a state without mandatory helmet laws. You often or always choose not to wear a helmet. Why?
Is the internet a young person's game?
Is my business future really all about the internet? (personal, technical, philosophical details inside) [more inside]
I know this all sounds rather vague
I want to find more freelance writing jobs, but I have no idea where to begin. [more inside]
Hidden Gems in Sprawl City
You live or have visited a stereotypical, non-walkable, sprawling American city (or region). What are the urban streets (or neighborhoods) that are particularly beautiful, have mixed uses, sidewalks, and buildings close to the street (any combination of the above)? What's a good way to figure out where these places are? (Without going here or searching city-data?) [more inside]
Interstate car purchase headaches
I'm trying to figure out the logistics of purchasing a car in one state (MA) and registering it in another (TN). [more inside]
Would this be an example of letting my fears control my life?
Is leaving my job because of (possibly irrational) fears an example of avoidance? Or a realization of limitations? [more inside]
I'm falling apart when tired
When I get very tired my normally well under control anxiety goes through the roof. Can you help me understand what is going on and what I can do about it? [more inside]
How can I organise my work day more effectively?
I have a lot of autonomy in my job, along with a lot of responsibility. How can I get better at organizing my working patterns so that I get everything done, without always worrying that I should be working on some other task instead? Looking for recommendations for tactics, mindsets, books, apps, or whatever's worked for you. [more inside]
best cups for beer
Why does beer taste better in a glass cup than a plastic cup? Is it mental or does the plastic actually do something to make the beer not taste as good?
So apparently I'm kinky. Now what?
I've always been a rather aggressive lover, but it wasn't until I met my most recent girlfriend (who is a submissive) that I fully understood my sexuality. I enjoy BDSM, and I don't intend to stop enjoying that experience simply because my girlfriend broke up with me. (Snowflake details below, possibly NSFW.) [more inside]
We want to politely ask our roommate to leave and are wondering about how to do this nicely while also avoiding any possible legal issues in California
We want to politely ask our roommate to leave and are wondering about how to do this politely while also avoiding any possible legal issues in California [more inside]
How normal is it for my neutered male cat to act very un-neutered?
How normal is it for my neutered male cat to act very un-neutered? [more inside]
Snap Crackle Plop
Why is my mp3 voice recording riddled with skipping? [more inside]
edible dessert for "Surreal Picnic"?
I need to make an edible dessert for "Surreal Picnic". Help. [more inside]
Alternatives to thick acrylic gel?
I'm looking for possible cheaper alternatives/ substitutes for heavy acrylic gels for my paintings. The stuff I get at the art store is a little pricy for the amounts I like to use. I'm hoping there's some kind of (industrial?) paste out there that would act similarly. (basically, a thick medium that I can 'etch' then let dry)
How do I tastefully accept/decline a very expensive gift?
A good buddy of mine has offered to buy me an excessively generous gift. What do I say? [more inside]
Bulk domain name checkers?
What are the best online tools for checking domain name availability? [more inside]
What's this book?
What's this YA/children's book? A boy mysteriously arrives on earth somewhere like Tennesee or West Virginia. He can run fast and jump very far, heals quickly, gets along with animals and has no concept of violence, wars, etc. He's taken in by a family who also has children. Over time, they grow to love him and help him, while some neighbors are afraid of him and grow more and more violent. At the end of the book, his people are dancing in the hills/woods near a portal? and the boy invites the family that has taken care of him to return to his world with them. A few more details are after the jump. [more inside]
June 12
Is it more than just a cold?
I feel silly asking this, but... what are the signs that it's more than just a cold? Or, more to the point: antibiotics don't treat a virus. I realize this. What are the signs that it's something more than just a virus? [more inside]
What to look for the first time you view a home?
What do I look for during an initial walk-through of a house? [more inside]
I just got my washing machine and it's broken.
Help me repair my washing machine! [more inside]
Best way to install a blacklist on a Mac computer?
My dad's computer was (mildly) compromised a few months ago - he visited "one of those sites" and ended up clicking "ok" to the dialog boxes and installing an unwanted (and very hard to get rid of) toolbar, which also changed his search engine and home page. This happened TWICE, just a few weeks apart. I've since installed a browser add-on that will prevent that particular type of mischief from happening again. But... [more inside]
How do I move on from an ex boyfriend and meet new people?
How do I move on from an ex boyfriend and meet new people? [more inside]
Through the looking glass, to the yellow brick road
What well-known/classic stories involve someone being transported to a magical world, from which point onwards he/she is primarily trying to get home? Important: the main character must meet fantastical characters on the journey, who eventually become his or her allies or guides. [more inside]
What does "loneliness" feel like?
How does one know that they are feeling "lonely" vs "alone"? Have you encountered both and can you share how you overcame these feelings, if at all? [more inside]
What to Expect When You May or May Not Become Instaparents Tomorrow! No, jk, next year! No really, next week!
My husband and I are in the waiting stage of domestic newborn adoption with an excellent agency. We have reason to believe that our wait is likely to be a short one (0-6 months), and could go from "Hello, you've made a match" to "Guess what, it's time to meet the baby -- like, now" in a nanosecond (these are late 3rd trimester matches). In the meantime, we're trying to get ourselves ready to be ready to be parents, and to put our various houses in order before the much-longed-for life-altering event happens.
Parents of AskMe, what do we need to do to make ourselves ready? Added complications inside! [more inside]
Handy und Internet
Moving to Berlin from San Francisco in October, and I'd like some advice for finding both a cell phone plan and a broadband service for my apartment. [more inside]
Matchmaker, pick me a Mac
For you tech nerds - do you see it more worthwhile to invest in the new MacBooks or rely on Airs, with extra drives/support for doing occasional video and gfx work? Where is the future headed.
Convoluted Birth Control Pill Question
I take Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo birth control pills and accidentally started a new pack the day I was supposed to start the sugar pills. I've only taken one so far. While I can keep going and just skip my period if necessary, I'd rather not for timing reasons. What would the effects be of: A) Taking one pill and then stopping B) Not taking the first pill of the new pack next week?
Military term for deferring decision to a superior?
In the military science of Command and Control (C2), is there an official term for deferring a command decision to a superior ranking officer (i.e.
non slang for 'passing the buck' or 'kicking it upstairs'). Likewise,
is there a term for delegating a duty or responsibility to someone of
lower rank?
How do I convince my younger brother NOT to buy a motorcycle?
How do I convince my younger brother NOT to buy a motorcycle due to safety and other reasons. [more inside]
Exit strategy, please
I'm a math PhD student with two years left. I'm not sure I want a job in academia (but maybe I do). What should I be doing to maximise chances of success (whatever that means)? [more inside]
I'll take one big box of insurance
Costco Health Insurance? I'm comparing health plans for a small company (three eligible people). So far I've spoken to an insurance agent, but in my research I came across this site. Does anyone have any experience with Costco insurance - positive or negative, from either employer or employee perspective? [more inside]
What should I do with these old maps?
I've come into possession of some old maps, and I'd like some suggestions on what to do with them. [more inside]
Say Noooo! to the no-longer-available dress
I fell in love with this cute summer dress when I got the print catalog, but when I went to purchase it online, I discovered it is expected to be out of stock until summer is almost over. Sad trombone! Can you help me find something similar? [more inside]
How to sell an iPhone 4 safely on eBay
I just sold my AT&T iPhone 4 on eBay and I have a couple of questions. [more inside]
I would like to get started on knowing what the heck is going on in the ps3 jailbreaking world. So that I may possibly get started on one myself.
PS3 jailbreaking seems to be quite an ambiguous cloud of crap can anyone possibly clarify it a bit do you have any suggestions as to some solid and reliable sources of information software required and tutorials? [more inside]
I feel like a five year old with a boo boo. Help me take care of my knee.
I fell on a slippery sidewalk today, and came down hard on one knee. Help me make sure I'm doing the right aftercare, and help me plan for what I should do for my knee while I sleep tonight. [more inside]
I am a sick man... I am a wicked man.
I'm looking for examples of and quotes about cowards and wretches in film, literature, philosophy, and painting. [more inside]
What's the best way to get a large package delivered to my apartment?
I live in NYC and can't really have packages delivered to my apartment. Suppose I order a large package - what's the best way to get it home? [more inside]
Learn to drive stick-filter
Help me get over anxiety from learning to drive stick on surface streets in a moderately hilly town, please? [more inside]
text me
Meebo alternative? [more inside]
Help us save our coconut rice
Recipe Rescue: Help us do something with this borked batch of coconut rice. [more inside]
What's wrong with my car's brakes?
My brake pedal sinks when I turn on my car. And my brake lights flicker. What could be the problem? [more inside]
Vegan Gluten free Ensure?
Is there a vegan, gluten-free equivalent to Ensure? If not, what would be a close recipe?
and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke
Can you recommend a more righteously vindictive career than video game programming? [more inside]
New car! YAY! Missing Feature! BOO!
Have you seen anything like an attachable mirror to the passenger-side mirror that can be angled down to see where the rear wheel is in relation to the curb? [more inside]
How to cycle better with less effort?
As I get older and, perhaps, wiser, I'm looking for smarter ways to train for triathlons. I've had wonderful success with Chi Running and Terry Laughlin's Total Immersion swim program. Are there any similar programs for cycling?
Thanks.
Who has tried to sell a network/studio on an idea for a TV series by producing an episode on their own?
Who has tried to sell a network/studio on an idea for a TV series by producing an episode on their own? Stories of success and failures both welcome. [more inside]
Cipralex/Mental Health Professional and Client Relationship
I stopped taking my Cipralex a week ago, but noticed that I did not have any particular withdrawal symptoms. Does that mean that Cipralex didn't have any effect on me even while I was taking the medication daily?
How do I approach the topic with my psychologist since this was not something that the psychiatrist approved? How do I stop feeling so sad about no longer working with my psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse? [more inside]
Pass the password app, please
How does our small company need to manage our passwords? [more inside]
I need an affordable iPod dock that travels well. Yes, I've searched other AskMe questions.
I need a portable iPod all-in-one dock (like a boombox); something you put the iPod into and it just plays the music for about $50 or less. It doesn't have to have audiophile-quality sound. It just has to do its job, and be sturdy enough to travel a lot. [more inside]
Why am I so bad with directions? It's so bad I am inclined to think it's pathological. Also how do I become better with directions? And please don't say "Pay Close Attention" as I already do that and I still get lost
Why am I so bad with directions? It's so bad I am inclined to think it's pathological. Also how do I become better with directions? And please don't say "Pay Close Attention" as I already do that and I still get lost. [more inside]
Looking for car buying advice for the test drive process
What do I need to be thinking or asking about when I go for a test drive of some new cars? [more inside]
Where to go in west Michigan?
Interesting, quirky places to visit, explore within an hour of Grand Rapids? [more inside]
Bookmarklet help wanted
Help me find a good set of tools for creating bookmarklets. [more inside]
Dude, where's my pan?
What, if anything, should I do about my niece's inappropriate behavior on social media?
What, if anything, should I do about my niece's possibly inappropriate behavior on social media? [more inside]
Looking for SIM vendors in Milan, Malpensa Airport
Need help finding SIM card providers in the Milan / Malpensa airport. [more inside]
Jaws was never my scene. . .
Buying a bicycle for our 14-year-old. I know nothing. [more inside]
No spiders, please
How to make sure spiders don't (bite me as I'm packing, and then) move with me? [more inside]
Has L.A. changed since the 90s?
Has the Los Angeles area changed between the 1990s and today, in terms of the culture and overall "feel" of the region? When I lived there in the 90s, I felt like L.A. had become a harder, more hostile place than I remembered from my younger years, with heightened racial tensions and a generally meaner attitude. (Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't -- this was just my perception.) I'm interested to hear from anyone who's lived there over the last 15-20 years what changes they've seen, if any, in the culture, and if my impressions from the 90s reflected the norm or were more negative than most Angelenos'.
I am trying to co-ordinate large files (some files over 50mb) and folders with a group of people within a virtual library.
I am trying to co-ordinate large files (some files over 50mb) and folders with a group of people within a virtual library. People should be able to view the entire library of folders at once, and everyone should be able to upload and download the folders. It needs to be free, or very low cost.
Thinking of selling my 15" Macbook Pro
I’m thinking of selling my 15" Macbook Pro ("Early-2011"), but I’m wondering what’s the best (safest) way to do so—and if it would even be worth what I might get for it. [more inside]
And I always find something wrong, you've been putting up with my shit just way too long
Help me get out of my head so I can let a new relationship actually take place in real time. [more inside]
How do I embed code from the Facebook Api to get something like this working on my site?
How do I embed code from the Facebook API to get something like this working on my site? [more inside]
Is there any way to prevent external sites from linking to me?
Is there any way to prevent external sites from linking to me? [more inside]
The frat boy won, like they always do
So, this was me. The company came apart, most of us either quit or were fired. I'm sans job, and freaking out; so, should I get an attorney and try to collect on my (still numb and painful) shoulder? [more inside]
Does the likelihood of exposure merit action in this case?
Is there sufficient likelihood of STD exposure in this oddball circumstance to merit arrangements for testing and medication? [more inside]
Lightning flashes
"Lightning"-type flashes in my peripheral vision. What the hell? [more inside]
How to preserve my friendship with an ex now that I'm involved with a new person?
We dated for quite a while, but it didn't work out and we've ended up as good friends. But now I'm entering a serious relationship for the first time since it ended, and the shift in my attention seems to be rattling her. How can I handle this gracefully? [more inside]
Help me find a better pillow.
I think it's time for a new pillow - one that will help alleviate chronic neck/back pain. Preferably suited for back sleepers. I'll even settle for something that doesn't make the pain worse at this point - the last two weeks have pushed me to the limit.
Where can I rent a tux near Winter Park, Colorado?
My fiance and I have set a date and location! May 25, 2013 in Winter Park, Colorado! I need help finding and pricing places to rent a tux for the big day. The event is outdoors in the beautiful rocky mountains. I want a black tux with my groomsmen in Gray. We're looking for a place either in Denver or Winter Park because after the big wedding, her and I are flying out the next day for the honeymoon!
Who rents Tuxes near Denver or Winter park?
How much should I expect to pay for a rental?
When should I start looking at rentals?
Why can the reals be well-ordered but not countable?
Math-Filter - Set theory edition:
I am struggling with the difference between countable infinite sets and well-ordering. Longer explanation inside. [more inside]
Hanging out my shingle.
I'm a NYC area freelancer and I'm running out of work at the end of the month. How can I make sure I've always got a gig going on? [more inside]
Your recs for Niagara Falls
Favorite places to eat, drink, or entertain yourselves in Niagara Falls? We'll be there in July; we will have a car and passports; arriving and leaving through upstate New York, but staying in a hotel in Canada. The last Ask.Me about eating in Niagara Falls is from 2005, so I figured I'd ask again. [more inside]
Too many birds, and too many bird problems.
Name that bird! And also need some suggestions for keeping birds out of the pet food/water dishes. [more inside]
Winter Wonderland?
White Christmas 2012 Edition: Sault Ste Marie, CAN? Advice from those in the know, please. [more inside]
Post-interview Agony
Should I call? Should I wait? Post-interview agony. [more inside]
Getting Active
What sort of exercises can I do with my 4 year old? [more inside]
Help me help them!
How can I help the homeless of Toronto? [more inside]
Help me find this clip-art skull.
Where should we buy our next house? How do we narrow down neighborhood choices?
Where in Southern Maryland should a young family start looking for a home to grow in? [more inside]
Which filleting knife should I buy?
I'm going to buy a filleting knife as a gift. Which make should I buy? [more inside]
Upholstery Emergency!
Can I use broadcloth to make covers for dining room chairs? [more inside]
High-rest transit of venus images
Are the individual images of the transit of Venus in this NASA video available anywhere in high res? [more inside]
Board games to keep my tween and child busy?
Looking for (board/card) games my 12 year old (f) and 6 year old (m) children can play and keep themselves occupied for more than five minutes. Or even other activities Is it even possible? [more inside]
Looking for a family doctor/pediatrician for newborn in downtown Toronto.
Looking for a family doctor/pediatrician for newborn in downtown Toronto. [more inside]
The NLP Wall
What are some good references (papers or books) that address the difficulty of computers to understand natural language? [more inside]
Should we break up? The middle aged version...
Should we break up? The middle aged version...
I see these sorts of questions all the time from people in their 20s, but I'm a little older... [more inside]
What about I-bonds?
I'm looking to get a better return on part of my emergency savings fund, and I am interested in I-bonds. Have you purchased any, and if so, what was your experience? I'm also interested in hearing about other suitable investments. [more inside]
It wasn't Small Wonder.
Yet another "help me identify this half-remembered thing from my childhood" post. Please help me identify this vaguely-remembered anime about a robot child? [more inside]
How much to move your stuff?
What would the going rate be for paying someone in the north-eastern U.S. (not Boston or New York) to move your already packed apartment (including heavy appliances and furniture) into storage? [more inside]
Where do I start with purchasing individual health insurance?
Where do I start with purchasing individual health insurance? I lose my current coverage on July 31, and I've been avoiding dealing with this for as long as possible. Right now, I feel a bit overwhelmed, and don't know what information to trust or where to start. [more inside]
Help me locate a dress from Boden
Sartorial emergency! I accidentally put my wife's new summer dress in the dryer, and it shrunk. (D'oh!) I would like to buy her a replacement, but the online store says that her size/color is out of stock ... [more inside]
Looking to relocate from DC to the Midwest - help!
Advice/leads/jeers for a (US) Federal employee trying to relocate from Washington DC to the Midwest while hopefully staying in the Federal system? [more inside]
I'll always love you, but I'm worried about the mortgage.
Is my depressed partner about to get fired? Can I help him improve work habits or fix the depression so as not be fired? And how can I cope with my worries about this (and consequently, our financial future) -and in particular, bring them up to him- without blaming him for his job uncertainty, implying that he's bad at his job, or increasing his depression? [more inside]
I haven't yet even found the game.
iPad or Air?
Air or iPad? [more inside]
Where are VAs at these days?
Do you have any recent experience with virtual assistant companies like GetFriday and Fancy Hands? [more inside]
What if I just carry a cat around and hold it in front of my stomach?
Can I get help finding clothes (that I can order online) to hide this pregnancy I'm trying to keep unannounced as long as possible? [more inside]
Light backpack for work and travel
I am trying to find a light backpack that I can use daily to work and also for short trips, and that does not look too bad. More details after the cut. [more inside]
“When two divorced people marry, four people get into bed” Jewish proverb.
Is it ever OK to get involved in disagreements between my husband and his ex-wife? [more inside]
How are images scaled for high-resolution devices.
How do images with fixed pixel sizes, say on a web page, scale on a high-resolution (ie. "retina") display? [more inside]
June 11
How do I deal with someone who may have helped me, to good end, against my will?
I applied to speak at a conference based on a paper I wrote, and was invited to further write a paper for another journal.
I had told one of my co-workers I was applying for that conference. She's well-connected and high-up, and knew the conference organizer. Upon hearing of my submission, she said, "Oh, let me talk to the organizer. I'm sure we can get you in." I told her it wasn't necessary, but she's earnest and probably did it anyway.
I don't know if I was accepted my own merit, or because she influenced someone, or a mixture.
Should I give her a gift? I'm naive and would rather not be an ingrate.
Eating in-character for Cinderella - what would she eat?
What would Cinderella eat? [more inside]
princess sparkle
I have been tasked with manning a Princess Makeup Station at a birthday party for four year-old girls. What awesome things can I bring? [more inside]
Who are they?
Can you identify this mystery wedding photo? [more inside]
What is this animal?
How much does beauty matter?
“You’re gonna like the way you look… I guarantee it..." My long term partner thinks he's better looking than me, and admitted it. [more inside]
One Big House not Two Small Ones
The house next door to mine is on sale. If I could sell both houses I would double my money. What should I do? [more inside]
Will it rot before I do?
Why am I wrong to think that the wood on this house won't rot away or become a treat for insects? [Photo links inside] [more inside]
How is the body's set point determined
What is the mechanism by which calories gained from eating unnatural foods, i.e. foods full of chemicals and preservatives, changes a person's appetite or metabolism, leading to weight gain? [more inside]
Selling out right from the start?
Jobs/paying activities that involve specialist use of the voice? (Singing, announcing, etc) [more inside]
I feel like a quadropole-egic at my new job.
I need to become an expert in mass spectrometry. Help me, smart scientist mefites! [more inside]
Is my employer compensating coworkers and myself fairly? Need opinions.
Is my employer compensating coworkers and myself fairly? Need opinions. [more inside]
How can I improve my shoulder pain in the next few days?
I can't believe I'm wasting a question on this; but I think I have injured myself from studying. Help? [more inside]
Would I Be an Office Tattletale?
I have a newish job at a law firm. I like it. It's not in my field and I'm a bit overqualified, but I need the money and a sense of accomplishment. I work very hard, am trying to learn quickly, and have had excellent, enthusiastic feedback from my boss. However, a coworker who has some problems with my work style and constantly tells me I'm a sloppy worker wants to have a sit-down meeting with me at Starbucks tomorrow to discuss my work. This person is not my boss, and my actual boss has made it clear to me that this person is in no way my boss. Do I tell my real boss what this guy is doing? [more inside]
Calendar with Outliner? Or outliner with calendar?
Does exist? A calendar program with an outliner? Ages ago, I used a Mac program called InControl. You outlined projects and tasks in one pane, and dragged them onto a calendar in the next pane. This allowed you to plan your day very nicely. Any thoughts on a modern equivalent?
How can I save the audio from this streaming site?
How can I save the audio from this streaming site? [more inside]
Hold it right there!
Seven month old Yorkie puppy. Housebreaking is going well but we still have questions. [more inside]
I think it's time for therapy. Help me take MetaFilter's favorite advice.
I think it's time for therapy. Help me take MetaFilter's favorite advice.
I keep finding reasons not to do it, or coming up with questions I need to answer first. Please help me answer a few of those questions, and walk me through the process. [more inside]
She's Leaving Home Bye Bye
It's my kids's (only child) last nite in high school and I'm feeling sad (which is a rare feeling for me to have). What can I do to cheer up or should I just sit with it? [more inside]
Super Java
What are your favorite instances of beautiful, clever, useful, elegant, or neat-o Java from around the web? [more inside]
Help us figure out the best route!
Help us plan the best month-long route through Western Europe! [more inside]
Is there such thing as a procrastination coach?
Can I hire a "life tutor" to help me kick procrastination and organize my projects? [more inside]
So much for Girls Night Out.
My best friend always brings her boyfriend along when we get together without asking or prior warning. I hate being a third wheel and have told her so, yet it continues to happen. Is this the death knell for our friendship? (Special details of course.) [more inside]
Go away, green-eyed monster!
Getting jealous of my roommate's relationship in the aftermath of my own breakup. How do I cope with this more constructively? [more inside]
How do I opt out of the arbitration clause for AT&T U-verse?
My new AT&T U-verse contract has a forced arbitration clause but no information about opting out. Does that mean that I can't? [more inside]
The (imaginary?) whole wheat exception
True or false? The designation 'whole wheat' does not necessarily mean 'whole grain.' [more inside]
Recommend mystery fiction, especially mystery fiction by authors whose works were adapted into Alfred Hitchcock Presents episodes
Recommend mystery fiction, especially mystery fiction by authors whose works were adapted into Alfred Hitchcock Presents episodes [more inside]
How do I get over jealousy in a relationship?
I can't trust my girlfriend. I haven't been able to trust past girlfriends. Help? (snowflake details ahead) [more inside]
Can I avoid an ultimatum with my friends over drugs at festival?
I want to go to this festival with my friends but not if they're going to do tons of drugs. Can I avoid an ultimatum? [more inside]
I'm pretending this will help restart civilization after the apocalypse
What's the best way to store digital information in a buried time capsule for 50-100 years? [more inside]
The Science of Magic
I'm looking for examples of stories that feature magic depicted as a science. [more inside]
Chewy rice?
How do I get that soft, chewy consistency to the rice I make at home? I'm thinking about the consistency of the rice in bibimbap - or to get really specific, the rice at Astor Mediterranean in Washington, DC. [more inside]
Not an approved method of balancing airflow
My boss is using fiberglass insulation to block an air duct. Am I going to die of cancer because of this? [more inside]
Yo soy 132.. why 132?
Ths a new political movement in Mexico lead by university students called #YoSoy132. What exactly does their name signify? [more inside]
Concept2 training tips
I have a Concept2, a ton of motivation, and some clear cut goals. But lots of questions as well... [more inside]
Is there a catch to this Health Club membership?
Is there a catch to an athletic club like this? [more inside]
Is There a Quick and Easy Fix for My Paint-Chipped Porch?
I need to paint my previously painted cement block porch while putting in the least money, time, and effort. What can be painted over a chipped paint job without it chipping again? [more inside]
You're a teenager with a newborn. How can a stranger help you?
What does a 16-year-old mom need for her baby and herself? [more inside]
Early retirement account withdrawal
Need to pay off upcoming credit card bill. Can I use any of my retirement accounts to pay them off without incurring any fees? [more inside]
What the hell is "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" trying to say?
What do I need to know to improve
If I wanted to make a paying hobby out of restoring and updating old bikes, what are some resources that would help me improve my skills, research the right bikes/components, and find the right places to buy them? [more inside]
Tips for starting a research blog as a graduate student
I'm an advanced PhD student and I've decided I want to make a professional website, including a research/analysis/commentary blog about my work and my field. I'm looking for general advice about the blog. [more inside]
Recommendations for movers in Seattle
Moving company in Seattle recommendation please. [more inside]
How to share many pdf files with our many customers?
How to share many pdf files with our many customers? [more inside]
Upgrading from general to medical writing on the company dime
My employer is offering to help me train up to become a professional-calibre English-language medical writer. What resources are available to help me? [more inside]
Why does it hurt when I'm sad?
What is the unpleasant physical sensation I sometimes get when I am profoundly sad? [more inside]
Is there a secure online filing cabinet application?
Is there a filing cabinet app that is: secure, online, stable, metasearchable, user-friendly, and cross-platform? [more inside]
Help me help an eleven-year-old find her own normal.
She's not into what she thinks girls her age are "supposed" to be into. How do we show her that what she likes is what's normal, and maybe encourage her to reach out to find the other kids that like that stuff too? Is that what we should be doing? [more inside]
Books to read in my hammock
Please help me find decently-written, really gripping books to read this summer in my hammock. [more inside]
Unknown abdominal pain caused me to collapse. Not happy with GP's reaction
Unknown abdominal pain caused me to collapse. Not happy with GP's reaction [more inside]
18 and over
What commonly available products require age verification to purchase?
What kind of speedwriting should I learn?
How can I learn to write notes very quickly? [more inside]
New art in Helsinki
In Helsinki: your favorite contemporary art galleries? [more inside]
What should I do while I'm doing nothing in South Florida?
Spending a few days in the Florida Keys (and maybe a day in Miami?) with a college friend... I've never been to South Florida. What should we do/see or stay clear from? [more inside]
Erotic, moody song selections
I'm looking for songs with an ambient, erotic vibe. I'm digging Norah Jones new song "Little Broken Hearts," and have it filed with Sade's "No Ordinary Love," and Genesis' "Mama" in this category, but am looking for more suggestions for a full playlist. [more inside]
Do bedbugs like cars?
I'm paranoid about bedbugs, probably from reading too much Ask.Mefi. Help fill in the gaps for my one weak spot in a vacation plan. [more inside]
Footnotes to Sidenotes in Marked
I'm trying to use CSS to display footnotes as side-notes instead. [more inside]
Strategies for getting the best job possible when you know it's going to be short-term?
Strategies for getting the best job possible when you know it's going to be short-term? [more inside]
Trying to get my stuff to NY from Finland!
Shipping filter- Moving from Helsinki, Finland back to NY and struggling with getting my stuff shipped. [more inside]
Indy Ploy
Want to find a quote I heard recently about writing good characters. The idea was that a character should be really good at something, but constantly put upon, so that nothing goes their way. Indiana Jones was held up as being a perfect example. [more inside]
Will The Cloud kill my IT career before it even begins?
IT-worker-in-training here. I've been reading doom & gloom articles about how Cloud-computing and virtualization will kill the market for IT professionals due to automation and economies of scale. Question for people in the IT professions: should I be scared? [more inside]
How to begin paralegal-ing?
Paralegal career questions. [more inside]
Gift(s) to bring to a hospitable stranger in Venezuela?
I am visiting Venezuela and will be staying with a 30-something woman whom I have never met. What should I bring to thank her for her hospitality? I am in Brooklyn if that makes a difference.
Vancouver in January?
Should I visit Vancouver in January? [more inside]
Smart online jewelery purchasing?
I am buying a very specific ring, by a name-brand jeweler, for someone's birthday. I know nothing about jewelery, so my first instinct is to just pay full retail at the jeweler's website. Are there smart, safe places to look for used or discounted name-brand jewelery? Do sane people use Ebay any more?
My best friend is both angering and worrying me. I don't know what to do.
My best friend is both angering and worrying me. I don't know what to do. [more inside]
Let's do it again.
I can't help but think ahead for New Year's. Last year, I stood for 20 hours in Times Square and was on the TV broadcast. It doesn't get any better than that. I want to do something again. Where should I go? [more inside]
Help me make sense of an ending, or a middle, actually.
Question about a key plot point in Julian Barnes' Sense of an Ending (spoilers inside, obviously) [more inside]
Is This Smell Normal?
New sewing machine smells weird during use. Common? Should I be nervous? [more inside]
1938 Rose Bowl Program value?
While helping a widowed lady friend clean out her attic and closets for a move, we found an old Rose Bowl program for the 1938 game between Alabama and California. After exhausting all combinations of phrasing for searching Google and eBay, I'm coming to you. What makes this program different is that the cover is a black and white version of the official program—but this program was published by the Student Association of University of California. Does anyone know anything about this program? My friend is eager to "get rid" of stuff and is donating most of what we're finding to thrift shops or charity. But a few items we're unsure of value—if any—and thought someone on MetaFilter might know. Thanks!
What job do these skills imply to you?
[Career Change Filter] My friend is getting out of retail after 10+ years and has no idea what's next. What jobs do his strengths imply to you? [more inside]
There's like nine colours here, and they're all unpleasant.
I'm two months pregnant and have two months regrowth. One of these things I'd like to keep, the other not so much. Help me stay fabulous while I gestate! [more inside]
Give me hope and fish oil.
Help me get off of SSRIs! [more inside]
When to send the baby gift?
Question about giving baby gifts in a difficult situation. [more inside]
help identify these rocks
I'm visiting family and we want to know more about these rocks. What are they? How are they formed? When they break, what causes the breakage?
We are in the skirts of San Jose.
What to do with a preschooler in Brunswick, Maine
What should my preschooler and I do in and around Brunswick, Maine? [more inside]
Defragware Recommendations For a Mac?
Recommendations for software (preferably freeware but paid is fine too) that will defragment my Macbook Pro?
Bumped. Now what?
What to do in Minneapolis / St. Paul for today? Starting right now. [more inside]
Paleozoic nightmare
Horseshoe crab serial killer nonsense. Theories please [more inside]
Where to burn a CD
Where can I go to burn a CD? My laptop doesn't have a burner (or even a CD drive) nor do I want to buy one. I want to make one or two CDs from music I have on my ipod. [more inside]
This job is killing me.
Panic attacks are killing my self employment. What (work) should I do? [more inside]
How do I talk to PARRY?
How can I chat with PARRY, the paranoid schizophrenic chatterbot? [more inside]
June 10
How to plead not guilty for trespassing?
Advice on how to plead not guilty for trespassing (in court)? [more inside]
When you gotta go...
How can I help my 4-year old get over her new fear of public toilets? [more inside]
How stupid is it to consider an apartment above a pizza shop
Tomorrow I'm looking at an apartment that it turns out is located above a pizza shop. Given that this is usually a bad idea, how - if at all - can I try to predict whether it might be an exception to that rule? [more inside]
xxx Nothing Is Fucked Here xxx
What are some movie quotes that sound like mantras, maxims, or other sayings, and would thereby make good cross stitch samplers? [more inside]
Where do I go to get an expert eye diagnosis?
What is the best place in the country to get my eyes checked out? I went to Walmart's eye center but... [more inside]
is there a map app like google maps that will work on an offline iphone? a mac os x app will do, too.
is there a map app like google maps that will work on an offline iphone? a mac os x app will do, too. [more inside]
How much freedom to roam?
So what's the norm for kids running around the neighborhood and playing these days? As a parent, what would you like to happen when the kid down the street knocks on your door and asks if your child can play? [more inside]
I need something to listen to
Yet another "Here are my tastes in podcasts, how do I find these?" question! Are there more podcasts along the lines of Sound Opinions? [more inside]
Looking for cool stuff online for my four year olds.
I'm looking for websites that have cool, educational, entertaining and kid-safe stuff I can share with my two 4 year olds, perhaps similar to the kids should see this, and/or sites that suggest neat projects and how-to's my wife and I can work on with them to open their eyes to the wonders of the world around them. All suggestions welcome!
My apartment is suddenly in a state of electrical chaos
I just installed a new lightswitch in my bathroom. Now, when I turn my living room air conditioner OFF, the power in most of my apartment goes out. And even when the AC is on, the power level is extremely low. WTF??? [more inside]
Help me find a specific article/quote about sexism in the movie industry!
I recently read an article that contained a quote from someone in the movie industry about how it isn't currently worthwhile, or a priority, to make movies for a female audience/from a female perspective/ something along those lines. I have tried to find the associated article, but searching "movie industry women sexism" isn't very successful. I think I may have read the article at Jezebel. I may have even found it here. But I totally can't find it now. Help!
Nice to pee you again!!
How do I get my puppy to stop peeing in excitement whenever she sees me upon my return? [more inside]
MeFi Car People...Please Help!
I find myself having an extra car and a close friend who needs one. Difficulty: I promised to not sell this car. [more inside]
Should I ask out a librarian?
There's a girl who works in my university library who I find really attractive. We sometimes catch eyes and smile, although I find myself looking her way quite a lot, so that might not mean anything. The other day she commented on a book I was getting out and recommended me another that she thought I might enjoy. Most days, though, I just walk straight past her to get a desk. She'd recognise my face, but does not know anything about me (apart from what I am reading, sometimes). I know nothing about her apart from what she reads (stuff I also know a bit about). How would you proceed? I've never 'asked out' somebody before. But would it just come across as creepy? Should I ask her out? Or just talk to her more? I feel paralysed! What would be the thing to do, hive-mind?
My sister is waiting for a lung transplant. Help me reduce her anxiety.
My sister is in hospital waiting for a lung transplant. Help me keep her rampaging anxiety under control. [more inside]
Help me find this movie!
How can I view or purchase the scifi TV movie Target Earth / Taken Away (1998)? [more inside]
Roaring Brass
Recommend me some music with roaring brass. [more inside]
How long will this lettuce likely last?
I'm growing an organic garden with a friend this year. This morning, we harvested lots of salad greens and I took a paper bag of them home. They have not been washed, and they are in the paper bag sitting inside my fridge in the crisper drawer. How many days do you think it is likely they will last? Is there anything I can do to keep it fresh longer?
Free MySQL hosting for a college course?
I'll be teaching a class on "dynamic websites" to some designers. What's the best (and free) way to get them playing around with MySQL? [more inside]
Pittsburgh travel advice?
Pittsburgh travel advice? [more inside]
Hawthorne short story
Which Hawthorne story is this? [more inside]
...and the space he invades he gets by on you...
I need to find a sawyer in Austin, TX who will come to my yard and turn a 2' thick 9' long fallen tree trunk into wood sizes that I specify. [more inside]
Why does having a non-editable preview make writing on a computer so awesome?
When leaving a comment on mefi, does looking at that "live preview" window below the edit box make you a better writer too? What's up with that? [more inside]
Two of us are spending a week in Italy soon -- Rome, Florence, Venice. Help us find some cool places to stay!
Two of us are spending a week in Italy soon -- Rome, Florence, Venice. Help us find some cool places to stay! [more inside]
Which important human milestones 3 - 10 years out have a known date of occurance? I'd like to add them to my calendar.
Intermediate Future Calendar: After adding the 2015 New Horizons flyby of Pluto to my Google Calendar [14 July 2015; 11:47 GMT], I was filled with a desire to populate the semi-distant future -- say, the next +3 to +10 years -- with important human achievements/milestones that have a known date. What are these important dates? [more inside]
Why am I losing weight when I'm eating more?
Why am I continuing to lose weight when I've been increasing my caloric intake, and haven't changed my exercise habits at all. [more inside]
How to get my coworker to back off?
How do I get my coworker to back off and remain in the friend zone that he so desperately tried to put me in? Now that I don't want him, he wants me! He never told me about his girlfriend, brought her up one day, lied and said he broke up with her, and now he's in my face. I don't see him in that way anymore though. How do I get him to see that? [more inside]
Please help my hip!
Severe hip/leg pain diagnosed as bursitis - what else could this be?? [more inside]
Who can help me with a broken Hyundai Elantra in Denver, CO, ASAP?
Stuck in Denver, driving across the country. My car (2001 Hyundai Elantra) decided that death was preferable to Oregon. Help! Chain mechanic has no idea what's up. If you live in Denver and have ever used a Hyundai dealership or know a good shop that works on them, help! [more inside]
Focus and creativity help, please.
Please help me focus when I have multiple projects I'm excited about. [more inside]
Mad Men or Breaking Bad?
Mad Men or Breaking Bad? [more inside]
What's his issue?
New boyfriend is already irritable towards me? [more inside]
Game of Thrones potential spoilers - TV show vs. books
Game of Thrones: I recently finished watching the second season of the HBO show. Does the second book in the series contain any spoilers for what might happen in the third season of the TV show? [more inside]
Homemade napalm?
Any uses for old gasoline (petrol)? [more inside]
How to calibrate monitor without installing software?
Monitor Lizards Wizards: Is is possible to calibrate a monitor without installing software? [more inside]
Making more of my kinda weird hobby?
I like taking pictures of moths. Is there any way I can refine my hobby or challenge myself? [more inside]
Brighton UK - what's it like?
I've seen a job posting in Brighton, UK, and the job looks great. But I know nothing about the city. Help me figure out if it could be right for me! [more inside]
Petersburg and Moscow - how are they so expensive?
Petersburg and Moscow - how are they so expensive? [more inside]
New mattress - new neck pain, help!
First night on the new mattress and I feel horrible - do I need a topper or a new pillow or ??? We replaced our sagging mushy tempurpedic with a new latex mattress yesterday and while it felt awesome when we first went to bed over the course of the night I went from comfy to miserable. I woke up exhuasted, with a headache and tight neck and shoulders. My husband slept great and he is the one with serious back pain, so I want to make this bed work for us. [more inside]
31 and it worries me (and familia) that I'm not yet married
Does finding a partner really get that much harder after 30? I'm a guy in my early 30s and I am starting to feel it now. [more inside]
Downsides of Litter Free Household?
I want to toilet train our cat using CityKitty (previously on AskMe). Besides the potential for accidents, what are the downsides that I might be missing? [more inside]
experience with above ground pools?
Has anyone had experience with basic above-ground pools? [more inside]
Mushrooms! You are nice, but why are you in my soil?
I just opened a brand! new! bag of potting soil, and there are a bunch of mushrooms growing in it. Is this a sign that I have amazing! potting soil full of vitality, or a sign that I should return it to the store?
My little berry harvesters are ruining their shorts
How do you you get set mulberry stains out of clothes? I've tried pre-treating with Shout, Dawn, and just plain soaking (separate attempts).
London art?
Where can I buy original art in London? [more inside]
How and where do I get beach towels with a custom design "dyed" or "woven" into the towel?
How and where do I get beach towels with a custom design "dyed" or "woven" into the towel? [more inside]
Where to chamge oil
Where can I change my oil and kill time between DC, and columbus OH. [more inside]
How to keep google from associating my work account with stupid youtube videos?
I use multiple google accounts, and their multiple sign-in feature is generally very helpful to me. I have a work google domain account, managed by my company, and a personal google account. Lately, when I have gone to youtube or google voice, it often associates to my work account, which I do not want. I'd prefer that my work account is only associated with gmail. Is this possible?
Drowning in flood insurance legalese
I think I'm being scammed by my mortgage company to purchase flood insurance even though I feel certain I'm not in a flood zone. Do you have experience with this? Is their claim likely to be true? Is there an easy way for me to verify or disprove their claim? [more inside]
Help me deal with an evil coworker.
I really need some advice on how to deal with a coworker who loudly takes credit for the work we do as a team, among other things. [more inside]
Glass and Game of Thrones
I'm watching Game of Thrones and noticed that often the windows do not have glass, and yet I think I sometimes see glass trinkets. Glass seems like a very important technology because it keeps out bugs but allows in light, which sounds pretty useful when disease travels by insects and the winter is coming. When does glass begin to become a common-place part of domiciles, and what benefits did it mainly have for human civilization when it began to be more widely used in architecture? Is technologically feasible for the world of Game of Thrones, and if not, what are the main constraints?
What a drag.
It's possible to drag a message to a label in GMail by grabbing it from the leftmost edge. However, on a hi-res monitor, this can be quite difficult. Is there a hack or greasemonkey script that allows you to drag the message by clicking and dragging anywhere in the Subject rather than just the left edge?
Much more pain post spine decompression, why?
Spinal decompression therapy - lots of pain/worsening symptoms afterward. Normal? What next? [more inside]
I need to quantify myself
The mathematician Stephen Wolfram posted about his efforts at quantifying his activity over the past couple of decades. Of particular interest to me is his reference to having logged the keystrokes he's entered on his computer. Any idea how I could do that as well? [more inside]
Do exterminators often have to exterminate for themselves?
How common is it for exterminators to bring their work home with them and end up with bug problems themselves? [more inside]
Allergy or infection...
What's wrong with my tummy? Third day of achiness and intestines not doing their job. I'm concerned I have a food allergy but I would like some input to see if I'm a hypochondriac... [more inside]
Help, my house is being colonized by flies!
We are going to die under swarms of flies, how the hell are they getting in the house and how do we get rid of them? [more inside]
Must-have games?
What are must-have games for the Nintendo 3DS? I already own a Nintendo DSi but I couldn't resist upgrading. I like games of all kinds, I just want to enjoy the 3DS to its fullest. [more inside]
Calling all arborists. Need help identifying tree feature.
What could have caused this unusual feature in the bark of a mature post oak tree? Another view. [more inside]
Yet another question on hair loss...
I've got a really big head. I am also losing my hair. How do I best "own" my baldness when, well, my head shape is so unbecoming to not having a full head of hair? [more inside]
Will I be able to get into the UK?
Will I be able to re-enter the UK with a passport that expires in November (less than six months), and a visa that expires in January? [more inside]
Help my 21 year-old daughter stop being 16
How do I motivate my 21 year old to look for a job (and ultimately be a fine independent young woman)? (details below) [more inside]
What's so funny? ...Damned if I know.
I sometimes feel like I react too quickly or too slowly to things happening in the moment, especially in conversation. Does anyone else experience this, and if so what is it and how can I fix it? [more inside]
Psychology of core belief changes
Have you or someone you have known ever radically changed a core belief system? How and why does deep psychological change occur? [more inside]
They Took The WD40!
This is quite possibly the weirdest question I'll ever ask here: what is the best food safe lubricant/cleaner to replace WD40 in an industrial environment. [more inside]
Please help me help my mother with her wild blood pressure fluctuations.
Please help me decipher my mother's blood pressure issues, especially now that she just had to call 911 and go to the ER. [more inside]
Where can two people watch the Tony Awards in Seattle?
Where can two people watch the Tony Awards in Seattle? [more inside]
Dreading getting back into the dating game.
First date after a breakup. I am dreading it, and getting back into the dating game in general. I've never felt this way before. Has anyone ever experienced this before? Does jumping back into the dating game help these feelings go away, or would I be better off waiting until I feel excited about dating again? [more inside]
June 9
now the $6/gallon organic milk isn't good enough either.
Gross food safety/parenting issue of the day: I am freaking out about extra estrogen getting into my daughters' diet via cow's milk, as detailed in this article. My family has a propensity towards early puberty anyway and I really don't want to put my daughters at even more risk for this. My toddler drinks a LOT of milk -- she's a fussy eater and it's the only thing she always wants. I buy organic milk, but as far as I know the organic regs do not address the issue of whether the cows are kept pregnant. Do you know of any sources in the SF bay area for milk that isn't from pregnant cows? [more inside]
Normal Two-Year Old Behavior Occurring, Why Does Anyone Do This To Themselves?
My two year old likes to scream in my two month old's face. Please help me deal. [more inside]
How can I diagnose or treat exhaustion without seeing a doctor?
How can I diagnose or treat exhaustion without seeing a doctor? [more inside]
Suggestions for fascinating video interviews?
I've seen (practically) every video of Richard Feynman and Steve Jobs in existence. I am fascinated and learn something new every time I watch one. What else should I watch? Who else would I enjoy?
Sudden onset arthritis in a 37-year old?
Thirty-something woman with no history experiencing sudden-onset arthritis due to change in geography/altitude/climate? Details after the jump. [more inside]
I quit my job and am newly on an ssri
I need input on the best way to organizing my thoughts and do some damage control while newly on an ssri. [more inside]
Bought a replica I bought a used of the HM Eames Lounge but it needs some improvements. Who can help me
I bought a used "replica" of the Eames Lounge Chair. I got it home
and I discovered its in quite a bit rougher shape than I thought.
But the thing that annoys me about it is that it does not have a
fixed recline as it should have, it actually tips a bit forward instead.
Who can I pay to fix that? (what would such a persons job description be?) [more inside]
Crafting a momento from a hotel key card
What would be a romantic keepsake (intended for my wife) that I could craft out of a plastic credit card-shaped hotel door key?
Ideas for nomads in NYC?
Homeless in NYC for two - three weeks with two cats. Any ideas about where to live? [more inside]
Ok, it's possible I am just grasping at straws to find an excuse to own an iPad.
I'm trying to figure out if a iPad is what I'm looking for to help me reduce my physical books, particularly cookbooks and printed (from the internet) recipes. I want to know first whether iPad is the way to go for my specific needs (details within) and then, if an iPad is what I want, which generation iPad & apps would help me do what I want. Or maybe there is a better solution? [more inside]
After 6 months of therapy, I feel I have nothing to say anymore. Is this how it should be ?
After 6 months of therapy, I feel I have nothing to say anymore. Is this how it should be ? [more inside]
Searching for Foreign Websites
How do I search and get results from foreign websites? Even when I search for French material using Google.fr, I still get results mostly from American sites. How do I get mostly French sites? Let's say I wanted to find out what movies are playing at an art house theater in Paris, how would I get access to results from France or say Spain. Thanks!
Which "S" letter to use when transliterating to Hebrew?
When you transliterate from English to Hebrew, how do you determine the "S" for names? [more inside]
How do I make a good first impression on voters?
Going door-to-door to petition for a fresh young candidate -- me. What are some tips and advice to make the best impression on voters? [more inside]
My parents probably think I'm dead because they don't check their email.
Help me fix my Samsung Galaxy S Android phone that is suddenly not working. [more inside]
Death by arrow
How quickly does one die when struck by arrow? [more inside]
Spiders just waiting to take over the world.
Spider identification! Warning: not safe for arachnophobes! Please tell me what kind of spiders these are. [more inside]
What are some things that most scientists once suspected to be true that most scientists today know to be false?
What are some things that most scientists once suspected to be true that most scientists today know to be false? [more inside]
Who's a pepper?
I got a gallon of racho sliced jalapeno peppers that expire in August. How should I use them before then? [more inside]
Awesome natural optical illusion/effect
Is there a name for the strong optical effect/illusion that we experienced today, when looking elsewhere after watching a waterfall (165m height) from about 100m distance for about 20 seconds: that afterwards everything we looked at seemed to strongly contract vertically? [more inside]
Restrict a Wordpress browsing session to a specific category, based on user selection?
Wordpress filter: Easy way to let the user pick the area of the site they're interested in, then restrict the rest of that browsing session to categories and sub-categories within that area? [more inside]
Best pay-as-you-go cell phone plan for a few days in the USA w. a Canadian Samsung Galaxy S2
Is there a prepaid phone plan in the US that will let me use my Samsung Galaxy S2 at full speeds, for short visits (ie: without having to pay for a full month of use)? [more inside]
Name for roller blade wheel bolts?
What are the bolts in roller blade wheels called? The long ones where the bolt screws all the way into the other part. I need the specific type so I can find a smaller version for a different project. I just have no idea how to search for this.
Play video from a computer to an iPad?
I'm looking for an app to play video/audio that is stored on my Mac desktop to my ipad, while on my apartment's wireless network. I do not need to access these files from the outside world, but I do need to be able to run the files without being in front of my desktop. I'm looking for something besides using the iTunes sync function to load the video onto the iPad. Recommendations?
Where can I find this hard to find Monet?
Where can I find a reproduction print... even I guess a poster of this particular version of Claude Monet's Houses of Parliament? [more inside]
Should we use a pro photographer for our wedding, and why? How could we cut costs?
Should we use a professional photographer for our wedding? Is it worth it, and why? If so, how could we cut costs? [more inside]
Gift ideas for hobby farmers & child
I need some gift ideas, please. Giftee #1 is a very active three-year-old boy who lives out in the country and loves mud puddles. Giftees #2 & #3 are his parents, who are very into their hobby farm complete with chickens, ducks, sheep, horses, mules, etc. Price range for the parents is $100-$300; for the kid, I'm just looking for fun things that a little boy might like to do in the summertime--I'm willing to spend up to $100 but it doesn't necessarily need to be expensive, just fun. Also please note that it doesn't get very hot where we live. Thanks!
Introductions to illustrator?
I have a tablet, a computer, a copy of an older version of Adobe Illustrator, and a desire to create simple icons for one of my websites. [more inside]
Family photo recommendations
I'm looking for family photo recommendations. [more inside]
Space station photogaphy riddle
How to make the switch to special libraries?
Frustrated NYC public librarian needs career advice, please! [more inside]
Facebook's Skewing My Sense of Real Friendship
I'm a supportive, loyal, and giving friend. My friends do not treat me the same way. [more inside]
Oven broke, why?
Why are both my ovens all of a sudden tripping their breakers? [more inside]
What are these older people picking from the side of the highway?
I frequently see a trio of older (60 - 70) year old Asian people on the embankment of an on-ramp to the expressway picking or harvesting something. From what I can see it doesn't look like anything besides prairie grass. What could they possibly be picking? This is in the north suburbs of Chicago.
Extreme sensitivity
Anyone else extremely annoyed by anything touching their neck? Can this be overcome? [more inside]
what websites/apps for tracking the nutrition of my actual diet?
Nutrition website/app filter: I want to track the nutritional values of what I actually eat in relation to accepted norms of good health. I've used this website: http://www.myfoodrecord.com/mainnat.html, which sorta does what I want, but I'm left feeling there's probably something better out there these days. [more inside]
Accessing a subnet behind a VPN client from outside - possible?
I use (a variant of) TomatoVPN to allow a Linksys E4200 to connect as a client to a VPN server on a hosted machine elsewhere. Every machine behind the client can access the server too, and other clients connected to the server. But I cannot access those machines behind the router/client from a machine outside of their network. [more inside]
An odd property of Eigenvectors
The first eigenvector is related to the sum of the columns of a matrix. What is this property called? [more inside]
How do I not suck at life?
You procrastinate. You're disorganized. You make multiple careless mistakes weekly. How did you go from being a Bad Employee to a good one who actually contributes positively to your organization? [more inside]
How do I get email to an outside domain to my Exchange server?
How can I redirect all email coming to one domain to an Exchange server in another domain? [more inside]
Experiences w/Feliway spray?
What to expect from Feliway spray? (especially on rug/carpet?) [more inside]
Need a skype recorder recommendation
Need a recommendation for a Skype recorder for Windows 7. PowerGrammo seems to no longer be supported, Pamela is buggy as hell, and the free MP3 recorder for Skype cuts out. Details inside [more inside]
Law school/GDL in UK a good idea?
Should I go to law school? UK edition. This is very close to my situation, with the major differences being that I always really wanted to be a lawyer, and that I'm in London. Seeking some advice on whether this is a bad idea. [more inside]
Severe Head Trauma
Subdural hematoma in the 19th Century. Dead on the feet, or treatable? [more inside]
Do gameshow writers do their homework?
How much planning (or lack thereof) goes into the selection of knowledge-based game show categories & questions? [more inside]
So long, and thanks for all the genetically modified mice
What non-academic career paths are open to a freshly-minted biology PhD? [more inside]
Help me get the bullies out of my head so I can go to the gym in peace
You were bullied as a child, especially in gym class. You protected yourself from the mocking by being invisible and dropping those classes as soon as possible. You were embarrassed and afraid if people noticed the way you run or move. You didn't learn to dance because of this shame. As an adult, you have gotten over this fear/shame and have become physically fit and strong. How? [more inside]
I want to start strength training but I know very little about it. Where should I start?
I want to start strength training but I know very little about it. Where should I start? [more inside]
Career advice: choosing one offer over another
When given two job offers, do you go for the job you field you want at a lower tier company or a placed job at a top tier company? [more inside]
Smoothing creased foamcoare
Bought a piece of art (yay!) at a festival, and it got slightly damaged before I could get it home (boo!). It's a print on foamcore, 9x12", with no framing, and now it has a single, not-quite-straight crease across the back. No damage is visible from the front, except that the surface isn't flat. What's my best solution for flattening it out before framing?
Move now or later?
Should I move now or wait another year? [more inside]
What hatched from this thing's belly button?
What strange sci-fi movie or show am I sort-of remembering from ~20-22 years ago featuring a woman giving birth to an egg through her belly button? [more inside]
What early to mid 70s (probably made for TV) sci-fi movie am I half-remembering?
What early to mid 70s (probably made for TV) sci-fi movie am I half-remembering? [more inside]
June 8
Steady folding bike to stand on?
Which folding bicycle has pedals I can stand on when pedaling uphill? [more inside]
Our Haier is hot is it a lost cause or can it be fixed?
My fridge is hot, not just not cold but actually hot. Can I fix this or am I shopping for a new fridge? [more inside]
Good jazz in San Francisco?
Where do I find the really great jazz in San Francisco? [more inside]
I'm hiring a freelance programmer for the first time...what pitfalls should I watch out for?
I'm hiring a freelance programmer for the first time...what pitfalls should I watch out for? [more inside]
What's this book I didn't buy?
What book about white privilege did I look at that one time in a bookstore and not buy? Details inside [more inside]
where is a better dating location, SF or SF peninsula?
Where is the dating better for a straight woman: San Francisco or the Peninsula? [more inside]
Who should I notify about a data breach?
I just discovered a huge amount of sensitive data (Scanned credit cards / Driver's Licenses) on an unsecured Wi-Fi network. Who should I notify? [more inside]
Travelling with a Samsung Galaxy III to the US
I am travelling to the US in August and want to be able to use my smartphone for web browsing while I'm there without paying exorbitant fees from my local carrier (Telstra in Australia). Can you all help me figure how to do this? [more inside]
I'm tempted to sleep in the refrigerator.
I sometimes sweat profusely while I sleep and I'm wondering if there is any way to make this stop. If I make it too cold, I can't fall asleep, and if I fall asleep, I wake up drenched in sweat to the point I have to change the sheets. How do I cope with this? [more inside]
Excel copy/paste question
Probably a simple Excel copy/paste issue... [more inside]
What's good at-home work for a retired nurse seeking extra income?
My mom has been a nurse for 43 years and is about to retire. She'd like to pick up some extra income at home. Is anyone aware of at-home work that would use her extensive nursing knowledge? [more inside]
Suggest some gore-free quality television!
I adore Mad Men. I also can't handle gore. What other shows might I enjoy? [more inside]
Macro investment correlation
Has there been an inverse relationship between the availability of exotic investment securities and levels of traditional bricks and mortar lending? This makes some intuitive sense to me but I don't know where to start in trying to support/verify. Does anyone know what some relevant indices might be?
Interpret a status?
Can anyone seriously interpret this "status" posted by a friend for me? [more inside]
Help me write an anti-bucket-list
How do people learn to want more for themselves? My baseline standards for 'not failing at life' are way off. [more inside]
Toughest garden vegetable there is?
Toughest garden vegetable (or herb) there is? [more inside]
Do blotting papers just make your skin more oily?
Do blotting papers just make your skin more oily? [more inside]
Powerpoint, but only for five minutes, for better or worse.
Have you ever seen an Ignite presentation? What do you like and/or dislike about them? [more inside]
What does it take to make a great football club?
Please help me settle an argument about sports, specifically soccer (football). [more inside]
Is there a place for me and my sexuality?
Middle-aged, relatively inexperienced and kinky in the "wrong" way. Should I just give up hope? [more inside]
Modern mobile etiquette
Please explain to me as though I have lived under a rock: What are the modern norms among urban folk in the US regarding mobile telephones? SMS? Internet-capable phones and "apps"? When is it appropriate to take a call? To place a call? What do people do with their telephones that really pisses you off? When, if ever, has someone made your life easier by appropriate use of a telephone? [more inside]
Symbolic Representative Inspired Mission What Nows?
I'm heading up a program at the local humane society that's very similar to something like this. Or this. Or even this. This program type has been known as "symbolic gifts", "mission-inspired gifts" and even "fundraising catalog". These names are stupid. Help me think of something better! [more inside]
What if nobody buys our stuff?
What do we do with un-bid-upon charity auction items? [more inside]
Wait, what were we talking about again? Oh yeah, right.
Help with memory loss please! I am taking lithium for my mental illness, and although I've tried numerous other medications, it does the best at managing my symptoms with minimal side effects except this major one: I think I'm having a LOT of memory loss. I'm looking for coping strategies, techniques, etc that might help mitigate this. [more inside]
Help me chop up this meat.
We're getting a quarter beef. Any advice on the butchering order? [more inside]
Licking the cowlicks, short hair edition
I love Melissa McBride's haircut. It's basically the main (only) reason I watch "The Walking Dead." I would like it for my very own. However, I have a head full of crazy cowlicks. Would cutting my hair this short make me look like Alfalfa from Our Gang? [more inside]
My mind is blank all the time? How do I fix this??
My mind is blank all the time? How do I fix this?? (long read but please read) [more inside]
How can I expect nothing and appreciate everything?
How do I learn to live by the maxim "Expect nothing, appreciate everything?" [more inside]
Noise mitigation in an apartment with only partial bedroom walls?
Experiences and techniques for dealing with noise mitigation in an apartment with only partial bedroom walls? [more inside]
Need AM radio solution to drown out the silence!
Looking for recommendations for a portable AM radio and earbuds. [more inside]
My friend is in crisis. What can I do?
My friend is in extreme crisis after his wife of seven years left him completely out of the blue. I'm not sure what to do to help him. Relevant details inside. [more inside]
Help me track my income and spending.
Turn me into a god damn personal finance Tyrannosaurus -- I need ways to track spending on the go, Mint best practices and statistics tips for the always-late bill payer. [more inside]
Late night text? Next!
Is it rational that I'm turned off about receiving a first text at midnight by someone I have a 1st date coming up with? [more inside]
How do i talk to my doctor about switching my medications?
How do i talk to my doctor about switching my prescription from Vicodin(hydrocodone)/Tramadol to oxycodone? [more inside]
best drive to southern portugal?
Looking for suggestions on must sees as we drive from Lisbon, Portugal to Sagres, Portugal next week. We aren't committed to either the highway further inland or the coastline. Suggestions? [more inside]
Light summer reading needed
Help me diversify my summer fiction reading list. [more inside]
First IT Contract, what is procedure for extension
Should I ask my immediate boss for his opinion on a contract extension? [more inside]
Dart frogs for beginners.
I've been gifted a vivarium. Help an amphibian noob decide about a new pet. [more inside]
Teach me how to say "no, I can't lend you this"
Help me be more assertive when it comes to lending something (or, more specifically, when it comes to refusing to lend something). [more inside]
Dermatologist in Bellevue/Seattle area on short notice?
Looking for a dermatologist for acne treatment in the Bellevue/Seattle area that could see me--a college student here for the summer--quickly... any hope!? [more inside]
Flossing devices
Is there a non-flossing (maybe drug-related) use for those little plastic floss holders? [more inside]
What website shows the "view from a room?"
Where can I find "view from the room" photos of hotels, office space, or apartments/condos for sale or rent? [more inside]
Best place to learn english.
I have spoken english fluently since I was a child but I know many people that would like to learn or are trying to learn how to speak english. In my opinion the best method is full on immersion in an english speaking country. What would be the best country or place for this to happen? [more inside]
Scanning TrueCrypted hard drives
I'm looking for a good Linux distribution to run from a USB stick for virus scanning on Windows computers. Difficulty - these computers have their hard drives encrypted with TrueCrypt. [more inside]
Me - Husband - MIL
I want to keep my sanity when my MIL comes to visit, but this strange dynamic is making it very challenging. What steps can I take to make these times more bearable? [more inside]
Where can I use a drill press in Silicon Valley?
Where can a guy go in the SF Bay Area to use a drill press for a few hours? I'll bring my own bits. [more inside]
Peyote 101
I have a sick friend who is organizing a Healing Ceremony. It's a sundown to sun-up event centered around taking peyote. Questions inside. [more inside]
how does seeding work in france
How come in the frencch open semis, djokavic is playing federer? [more inside]
Why am I not in love with my girlfriend?
Why am I not in love with my girlfriend? I'm 25. She's 28. We're 7 months in and things are fine, but sometimes I wonder if things should be better. Am I over thinking things? Is more time going to change anything? Answers based off a guy's similar experience would be awesome, but all advice is appreciated. [more inside]
Solo Travel to NYC: Advice & Recommendations
Solo Travel filter: I'm traveling by myself for the first time to NYC July 4-8. Having never traveled by myself, I'm looking for tips and recommendations on the solo travel experience as well as solo activities that are relatively inexpensive or free. [more inside]
I'm burnt out, but still need to work.
Consultants/Advisors/Strategists/etc: How do you keep doing a good job for your clients when you're burnt out and do not give a shit about the outcome of your work? I feel mentally "done" with my career, but because i don't yet know what my next step should be, I need to stick at it for a while. And i need to not suck so much, even though i can barely interest myself in completing the work. [more inside]
Independent Contractor issues
What are the benefits of being an independent contractor? [more inside]
So peacekeeping...has that ever actually worked?
Assuming that some sort of UN/NATO/developed world interference can and will be undertaken, and without arguing over the propriety of doing so:
Looking for examples of and sources on successful humanitarian interventions or peacekeeping operations. Not necessarily the whole operation, either, even one element that's been particularly successful (or where there's consensus on how or why something went terribly wrong). [more inside]
Can I travel back in time to co-found after the product is live?
I started a company, but it probably would have been better to co-found. Do people ever do this sort of thing? How? [more inside]
Help a Kanto gaijin have a good one night trip in Osaka
Looking for places to go, eat, and stay in a very, very short trip to Osaka. [more inside]
learn data science
I'd like to learn about data science. Things like predictive modelling, regression and classification and so on. What would be good books or online courses to start with?
8xx88x. The guitar chord shape, not the smiley.
[GuitarFilter] Please help me name that chord shape! [more inside]
What sort of music is "Empress March" from Beatmania IIDX16?
What genre of music would you say this song (SLYT, 0:28) is, and where can I find more like it? [more inside]
I think I'm in a bad place, and I'm afraid to leave. Why?
I'm an depressed employee in what I think could be defined as a toxic work environment. Another opportunity is popping up elsewhere - why does it feel so hard to jump ship? [more inside]
Clean with the power of steam!
Do you use a steam floor cleaner? I've read all the reviews, now I'd like your thoughts ... a few special circumstances inside: [more inside]
How can I find out what's causing intermittent HDMI signal loss between my desktop computer and my monitor ?
I have been having intermittent HDMI signal loss and it is beginning to get worse. Does someone know how to find out what's causing the problem [computer: hardware or software, monitor, or HDMI cable] ? [more inside]
learn on your own
What are the best workbooks you would advise someone to use ? [more inside]
best way to migrate back into database work
I'm thinking of getting back into IT. What would you as a hiring manager want to see on my resume that might counterbalance the time I've spent out of IT? What would be the best way to approach this? [more inside]
June 7
How to become an administrator in higher education
How does one become an administrator in higher education [more inside]
It's now or never...I think
I am the sole assistant of a personal injury attorney. Like most personal injury attorneys, he makes money only if he wins or settles a case. [more inside]
Creative suggestions for landscaping a yard
I have a house that needs creative landscaping—but I'm in over my head. Can you recommend inspiring photos or magazines or websites, or some guides to getting started choosing ground cover, hedges, flowers, etc, for a landscaping newb? [more inside]
Mexico Oaxaca senior home/help
Mexico Oaxaca-What is the history or background of the poor old women who sell things at the Zocalo? [more inside]
Strange ping response..?
I have a home networking question! About my home network! Read more about it, after the break. [more inside]
Calling on Sushi Junkies!!
All you can eat sushi restaurants in Hong Kong? [more inside]
Renting in SF Bay area
Moving to SF Bay area from Canada (most likely SJ). Wondering - is first + last months rent + damage deposit normal, or just first + damage deposit?
How can I want to make plans
I have social anxiety that psychs me out about making plans. I moved to a new city about seven months ago and still haven't seen old friends and extended family members that I really should see. Even though I enjoy hanging out with them, thinking about hanging out with them can feel like a stressful chore. I'm trying to get it together to see them and start being social, but a) how do I explain that I DO like them and am not trying to be a dismissive jerk and b) how can I stop having this problem? [more inside]
Snacks that are low in calories AND pack a ginormous flavor punch?
Snacks that are low in calories AND pack a ginormous flavor punch? [more inside]
Ever owned an ant farm?
Experiences of owning an ant farm? [more inside]
Am I ready to settle for such a long contract?
I was enquiring about a 2 year position and got a really refreshingly honest, detailed and enthusiastic response from the manager. In fact he was so convincing I am almost tempted to settle for it. However, given all the pros and cons, I'm wondering if a) I'm ready to settle or b) he's done a really good marketing job, or c) I'm just desperate because I'm in the middle of hunting for my next contract and haven't been successful so far. [more inside]
I need a plan
My situation is as follows: I graduated from high school in 2008. I have since been taking classes very part-time working towards a B.S. in Biochemistry. I do not have any student loan debt and have been working in retail. The problems: [more inside]
Will I die in Nairobi?
I have upcoming business travel scheduled in Nairobi and recent reports have me more than a little alarmed. [more inside]
Is a flat roof in the US south a bad idea?
Flat roofs in the south: is there a major problem with having one on a house in Houston, Texas? Snow load is not an issue, and every commercial building has one. The specific context would be a garage with a flat roof with an outdoor seating area on the roof for nice evenings.
Is "yes, but..." okay?
What are the rules of social engagement for people with unpredictable health issues? [more inside]
Phone number for Rochester Democrat & Chronicle Newspaper
I need the phone number for someone at the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper who can stop the delivery person from putting HUGE ruts in our yard. We keep fixing them and he keeps making new ones. The ruts are contributing to erosion from rain that's causing problems. Low level customer reps and their supervisors keep promising us that someone from management will call and talk to us about it but they never do.
TV Cardigan - real Missoni?
Can anyone identify the specific cardigan that "Stacy" is wearing in this photo and video? [more inside]
Does anyone know the source of this parable?
Does anyone know the source of this parable? I am using it and want to quote a source if I can find one!
Once an enlightened master was asked by his disciples, “Master, it is so easy to reach God’s Love and, consequently, happiness. Why then are people so unhappy?”
To this the master answered, “Nobody wants it.”
But having seen that the disciples did not understand him, he sent them to inquire of people what they wanted.
When they came back, they said that they had encountered many people from various classes in life. And none of them had said that they wanted be happy and to reach God’s love. They all answered that they wanted to buy a new house, to attain a high position, to earn lots of money, to have many children, to become more spiritual and moral...
Cruel. Cruel cruel cruel.
I just found out that there's going to be a Superheros and Supervillains theme party at my college reunion next week, and I want to go as Evil Abed. Help me find the pieces, or at least decent substitutes! [more inside]
Plumbing Issues
S*!t Storm, literally [more inside]
Is this a word?
Svenskafilter: is there a Swedish word for the ends of food, e.g. the end of a roast, or the heel of a loaf of bread? Possibly starting with an "s". Might be some kind of regional word in northern Wisconsin. Not sure on spelling; might sound something like "skurla". Takk!
Math Geeks!! Assistance needed!!
How should a surcharge be calculated? [more inside]
So. Awkward.
Someone I sometimes work with asked me for a favor. I want to say no in the nicest and least dishonest possible way.
Help! [more inside]
How to deal with friend who owes me money coming back into my life
I lent money to my friend, didn't get it back. I learned my lesson and wrote it off. Now she's back in my life. What do I do? [more inside]
Great old lenses on Canon EOS mount?
John Carey uses an old Olympus 55mm 1.8 lens on his Canon 5D with beautiful results. Which other similar old lenses have you found great on a Canon EOS mount?
Robust cheap work video camera?
My work want to buy a video camera to record forum sessions, maybe do some interviewing and just generally have. The films it takes will then be put on youtube, so ease of use in getting the data off is important. What are good models to look for/avoid, and key techspecs to consider? [more inside]
Park PODS in Philadelphia?
PODS/U-Haul Box/ABF U-Pack etc. - Any advice on the feasibility/advisability of using a service like this for moving to a Philadelphia apartment without a driveway? I'm particularly concerned about parking the storage container on the street while unloading it. [more inside]
Identify these athletic shoes
What is real and what is not
Did I imagine this folk song? [more inside]
Baby baby I love you always forever come to my window kiss me
Best love songs of the 90s? [more inside]
Preaching Mr. Rogers?
I have known that Mr. Rogers, Fred Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister for about 10 years. What I have never been able to find are any surviving tapes or transcripts of his sermons or religious lectures. I would like to find if there are any. Does anyone have an idea of where to start looking or if there is a story about why none survive him?
Best way to approach this situation with my final grade: file a report or move on?
Best way to approach this situation with my final grade: file a report or move on? [more inside]
Snacks with an Ender's Game Twist
Help me come up with awesome Ender's Game-themed snacks for my book club. [more inside]
Help finding an ad for Marlboro Lights from 2007. Needle, haystack, whatevs.
Do you happen to have a 5 year old magazine with this Marlboro ad in it? [more inside]
Getting hit on, red flags, and Europe
How can I tell when someone is hitting on me, and what red flags can I look for? In general and also specifically for Europe. [more inside]
Help me not screw up my kid!
Please tell me about your toddler's difficult questions. [more inside]
How seriously should I take him?
How seriously should I take his repeated suggestions that I move to his town? [more inside]
Make it go when I walk up to it.
I would like to use a motion sensor/occupant detector to trigger scripts in a Linux box. I'm open to using a web cam, building something with an Arduino, modifying a commercial motion sensor, etc. [more inside]
Dog friendly places and activities in Portland, ME?
Dog friendly places and activities in Portland, ME? [more inside]
Why are there so many Shetland ponies in the Netherlands?
Dutch people: WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH ALL THE SHETLAND PONIES? [more inside]
Words and/or Text on iOS Devices?
iOS application recommendation: Is there a slideshow, flashcard, or similar app you think is particularly excellent? Please tell me about it! [more inside]
All scientists are mad, really.
Seeking novels about scientists! All genres welcome; women protagonists, protagonists of color and non-Western protagonists preferred; weirdos also acceptable. [more inside]
Introducing The Beatles et. al. to a 2.5 year old
I want to introduce my 2.5 year old daughter to songs & tunes that will stay with her for the rest of her life.
When she was born, I used to sing to her Ringo’s "Good Night" as her first lullaby, and recently when she found it on ‘her Youtube’, she was astonished & happy to rediscover it.
I want to feed her with many more great Beatles tunes to grow up with, as well as any and all other great & necessary melodies. [more inside]
Can anyone recommend any queer events/hangouts in New York City?
Can anyone recommend any queer events/hangouts in New York City? By "queer", I mean non-standard gender/sexuality and probably radical left politics. By "events", I mean DIY shows, potlucks, reading groups, screenings or whatever else. By "hangouts" I mean social centres, autonomous spaces, concert venues, cafes and bars.
A pain in the neck
I just had surgery on my foot. Why does my neck hurt? [more inside]
Marsh monitoring for dummies.
I'm working on setting up an outdoor webcam that can pan, tilt, and zoom with web (and possibly iPad/smartphone) access, and I'm having a heck of a time finding a good solution to do all of the above. Help? [more inside]
paying it forward
Today I acquired a Kindle 4. Yay! Now I have 400+ books I'd like to donate. I'd give them to the library but I know they regularly have clear-outs, and I'd like the donation to help as much as it possibly can to people who need it the most. Any ideas where they should go? I am in the Vancouver BC area. [more inside]
Fictional revenge
Your favorite fictional revenge scenes? [more inside]
What do do on my anniversary?
Help! My husband and I will unexpectedly be spending our rapidly-approaching anniversary in NYC. We need something romantic (for us) to do. Our original plan turned out to be based on a misunderstanding (We mistakenly thought the Museum of Natural History had a nice restaurant, which would have been perfect...food, wine, and a model of a giant prehistoric frog!), and we are now at a loss. [more inside]
please help me with my acne
Please help me identify my acne and give advice on how to treat it. [more inside]
Dante in Italian
Reading Dante in Italian when you don't know Italian.... [more inside]
How do I forget this guy and move on?
It's been years and I can't forget this guy. I don’t know what to do. Please help. [more inside]
How do I stop worrying about stuff?
I'm very worried. Worried we won't find an apartment, worried money will run out, worried my injury will never heal, etc. How do I stop it? [more inside]
keep me away from this crazy
My boyfriend's mother despises me and I feel the same towards her. She made some threats against me to my boyfriend that wass completely out of line. I want to be estranged from her, but my boyfriend doesn't want to. Help me navigate through this. [more inside]
Need help with deleting files from MacBook
How do I delete large amount of files off a MacBook? [more inside]
Resale value of iMac?
What's the best way to determine the value of a used iMac? [more inside]
Prisoner of Work Getting Released
Making a change from a job that has never been a great fit--long hours, high stress, high demands on availability--to something that should be a lot better. But I'm feeling burned out, scattered, underperforming, and foggy. What are your best tips for getting your head back on straight at work when you're leaving a job that wasn't good for you? How do I make a fresh start? [more inside]
I've never met you, this is crazy. What's your number? Don't call me, maybe?
What's up with 774-8283? This appears to be a spoofed phone number calling to harass people at random. How are they doing this, and what can be done about it? Question about American phone calls, probably won't apply internationally. [more inside]
Which brand of HVAC?
Different Central air conditioner and furnace brands? When it comes to HVAC, should we go with Carrier, Goodman, York, or Lennox? [more inside]
How should I deal with my bath problem?
We are having bath trouble. The bond between the structure of the bath and the acrylic surface has broken, and when you step in the bath, the acrylic warps/bubbles. The acrylic is definitely going to crack at some point! What can we do? [more inside]
Help me get my red enchilada sauce on!
I have a terrific jar of a sort of paste that my husband made from dried New Mexico and guajillo chiles that were skinned, seeded, reconstituted, blended into a puree, then strained (or perhaps run through a food mill - I was asleep). I'd like to use this paste as an ingredient in an awesome red enchilada sauce. Do you have recipes to share?
What should I be thinking about when I look for a house/cabin in the country??
What should I be thinking about as I search for the perfect house/cabin? City Mouse considers becoming Country Mouse. [more inside]
I know how far, just tell me how fast.
Recommendations for an Android run-tracking app? Complication: no data plan, no GPS. [more inside]
Securely delete files - Android
How can I securely delete files on my Android phone? I want to be sure that deleted files can not be recovered, i.e., photos, email, email attachments, evernote notes, etc. [more inside]
How can a former shy person go from merely functional to friendly?
I used to be very shy. Through years of pushing myself (I'm 33 now), I've become pretty amazingly functional. But I find myself in an unexpected spot. While I very much want to be around people and I can now handle it without freezing up, my experience of actually being around people is one of gritted teeth and willpower. There's very little joy in it. In theory, I'd like nothing more than a bushel of friends hanging out in my kitchen on a Sunday night. In practice, I push myself into social situations like dunking my arm in freezing water, pulling it out with a huge sigh of relief as soon as I let myself. That's not a recipe for forging new friendships, which I know take time and certain amount of vulnerability. What can I do to take myself to the next level -- from functional to genuinely friendly? Do people ever make it to the next level? On the phobia scale, it's not enough for me to be able to let a spider crawl on my arm without having a panic attack, I need to be able to lay down in a cave full of spiders and love it. (I've been in therapy for a year, but aside from that, I'd like to hear from you all.)
No I do not sparkle.
Summer SAD-- this constant light is killing me. Anyone have any ideas for getting through the next couple of months? Blizzard ahead-- you might want to put some chains on your tires before proceeding. [more inside]
AC unit for narrow windows?
How to cool a medium-sized room with extra narrow windows? We have heavy curtains and a ceiling fan already, but we'd like to know about our temporary ac options. [more inside]
My Best Friend's Divorce Includes Me
My best friend is getting a divorce. She won't talk to me for unknown reasons. I think we're done being best friends. Help me rationalize and cope. [more inside]
Apostrophe Help
Apostrophe help: System's' Anlaysis. Wiki does not have one, and neither does this page. Talk page says it should, but it shouldn't. Brethower (big name in the field) doesn't use one. I'm writing a resume for employers who maybe-do, maybe-don't have familiarity with the field. Should I say "System's Analysis," "Systems' Analysis," or "Systems Analysis?"
Books with characters who know they're characters?
What books feature characters who realize that they are characters in a book, or related concepts of that sort?
Suddenly Charged with Caring for Parents in an Accident who Probably Are Driving Me Insane.
I'm suddenly caregiver for my mid-70's parents after a serious car accident, and I'm completely lost, and while I'm sympathetic, I want them the heck out of my house as soon as possible. [more inside]
I want to get both of them in there
Help me work out how to alter this dress pattern for a big bust. A friend walked me through doing one with a bust dart, but I want to avoid frustration with this and hopefully get it right myself. [more inside]
What made your kitchen/bathroom awesome?
We just bought a house and have to gut the kitchen and master bathroom. Damn. ... but we get to rebuild whatever way we want. Outstanding. What made your kitchen/bathroom awesome? [more inside]
IRS, offers in compromise, tax advocates, levy avoidance
IRS-is-breathing-down-someone's-neck-filter. Can selling your house for more than you estimated in an established Offer In Compromise (OIC) trigger a reassessment of the deal? Is it still the case that opening a bank account in a different state will delay levying by the IRS, because they will have to track it down? Can getting in touch with a Tax Advocate expedite processing of an OIC, or delay levying until the OIC is processed? [more inside]
Could somebody please help me misunderstand black holes a little less badly?
Is the point singularity at the centre of a non-rotating black hole a proper spacetime point (i.e. an event) or does it have some sort of world line? [more inside]
How do you get to Eye of the Tiger mode?
How do you cultivate discipline as an entrepreneur, or even just in general? [more inside]
Park and Ride for Cheapskates
How can I avoid driving and/or paying (too much) for parking while visiting Toronto? [more inside]
Element themed songs
I'm looking for suggestions for element themed songs (hydrogen, helium.. etc) which are NOT Tom Lehrer's Element Song..?
How to make surfaces unwalkable?
I remember reading about a material that was designed to make walking across it very difficult if not impossible. [more inside]
Da-DUM Da-DUM Da-DUM Da
Calling all poetry nerds: How would you describe the metre of this poem? [more inside]
Russian Language - Can You Help?
Russian - What Does This Say? [more inside]
I'm trying to find a service that allows for customizable "widgets" for display on a large screen.
I'm trying to find a service that allows for customizable "widgets" for display on a large screen. [more inside]
June 6
A Kindle Cookbook?
What is the best, most orderly way to add and organize recipes on my Kindle Touch for optimal viewing? [more inside]
Market days in Northern France?
Can you recommend a good local market day in Northern France? [more inside]
Please be so kind as to help get my self-publishing adventure off the ground.
I want to make an interactive children's book app for iOS. I will be doing all the artwork and animation myself but don't know what would be a fair price to pay for a developer (coder?). [more inside]
Be my purse-fashion stylist?
Point me to some fashionable, lightweight purses that could attractively accommodate this camera insert and a smallish budget? [more inside]
Recent comedy novels
Comedy novels published since 2008, please. Seth Grahame-Smith excepted. (previously)
Wow factor needed for one hour, 95 high school grads.
Grad Night Party question. 95 high school grads, on our way to the first of two secret venues. We have an hour to kill at a nearby school. We have ice cream, cupcakes, cookies. It will be dark. What do you suggest to make it more fun? This is a no drinking, no drugs, kids on buses, with chaperones event. We have a few 100$ to spend. Oh, it's this Tuesday.
Thoughts?
Live action in a cinema?
Looking for examples of live performances at movie theatres [more inside]
London Airport. Which one?
We're passing through London at the end of August (post-Olympics) for a couple of days on our way back from Ireland. We leave London on a Wednesday at 9pm from Heathrow terminal 1. I have questions about airports for our arrival in the UK. [more inside]
What hoops must I leap through to get The Cat from here to there?
Deciphering government websites is not my forte. Please help me figure out what my cat needs in order to cross the border from Canada into the US. [more inside]
Friendships, relationships, and my screwed-up brain.
Friendships, relationships, and my screwed-up brain. [more inside]
My new sneakers are killing my feet! Help!
My arches are killing me! Do these sneakers need to go? [more inside]
Help and angsty feminist parent talk with the school and her daughter.
My daughter has repeatedly brought home books from the school library that I have a problem with. I'm a feminist and I'm anti-censorship. I'm lost. [more inside]
Help Me Find This Fable About Cheetahs
Trying to identify a myth/fairy tale I read in an issue of Highlights back in the 1990s. It has to do with how animals got their spots/colors, and how the cheetah, who was vain, waited too long and had to use the leftover paint colors to create its yellow coat, black spots, and black "tears". [more inside]
What are some good reads on Asperger's?
What are the best books to read about Asperger's? [more inside]
Original Wrapper
Where can I have produced my own brand of custom-wrapped individual rolls of toilet paper? [more inside]
Radiolab: your favorite episodes?
Radiolabfilter: I'm rolling up my sleeves to take a deep dive into Radiolab: your favorite episodes, Must hears, don't bothers. Mefite favorite episodes and top 5's requested. [more inside]
Unique Tool Filter
What can I splurge on? Tool Edition. [more inside]
What to do about my dog's mouth problem??
My adult dog lost a tooth a couple weeks ago after chewing on a Nylabone. I took the bone away, and was planning to make an appointment for cleaning/ scaling in a month or so, when I could afford it. Today I found another tooth and now I'm more worried that this is something that can't wait. Help please! [more inside]
Where can I visit from Tallahassee Florida?
What are the best places to visit in Tallahassee Florida or surrounding area? [more inside]
Venus, 1.5 Centuries Ago
In which Aubrey-Maturin Novel did the Transit of Venus appear? [more inside]
Help me remember what past me said
How can I get better at remembering the things I say in conversation? [more inside]
Is my power green?
In 2009, 91.2% of Seattle's electricity was from hydroelectric sources, and in 2010, 87.9% was hydro. Is the hydro capacity maxed out, or will it scale up to meet additional demand and maintain that ratio? Here's what I'm getting at: If I were to use more electricity than now, will that incremental power effectively come from non-renewable sources rather than ~90% hydro?
Flakey editors: the norm?
Are flakey editors and publishers the norm? [more inside]
Am I a lazy spouse
Job functionality inequality. OK married like a long time and this has always been an issue but more so lately. One spouse works a very physical job and one doesn't. [more inside]
I need to redirect about 10,000 URLs
I've got to 301 redirect URLs for roughly 10,000 pages on a pair of Drupal sites. That seems like a lot to stuff into .htaccess. Are there better alternatives? [more inside]
The business side of TV
I want to understand the TV industry from a business perspective. Things like, the relationship between production companies, networks, cable channels, and cable providers. Are there any (recent) books, as well as particularly insightful blogs or other online resources that get into the economic side of television?
Dog bit my wife - what now?
We have a dog with aggression issues who has now bitten my wife. Other than putting him down, we don't know what to do with him. I need some clearer insight than my emotionally clouded mind can give. [more inside]
How do I get my little garden to do its thing and grow some stuff
Gardening Filter : My tomato plants are flowering but not yielding any fruit! Am I doing something wrong? Or is it just not time yet? I have other friends who are already getting tomatoes this year. Is there anything I can do to help them out? This and other gardening queries. [more inside]
Should I tell my boss I'm looking for a new job?
Should I tell my boss I am looking for a new job? [more inside]
Adirondacks camping for the uninitiated.
My teenaged younger brother wants to go "camping in the Adirondacks" this summer. What is that and how do you do it? Assume I have no camping or adventuring equipment, special clothing, or wilderness survival skills of any kind. [more inside]
Help me help this dog!
I found a dog recently with some friends. He ended up in the shelter because he has a chip, but the numbers associated with his chip are disconnected and he is now up for adoption. The problem? He's a 7-year-old male German Shepherd. [more inside]
What's the best Atlanta-area mortgage lender? I would prefer a credit union.
I'm looking to buy a home. What's the best Atlanta-area mortgage lender? I would prefer a credit union. I am looking for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage. Excellent credit, zero debt, and would put down a 20% downpayment. I want to find the best available rate from a credit union. [more inside]
Gift for a DC cab driver?
I left my dead-battery smartphone in a cab to Dulles. I rudely took the driver's card on the way out even though I didn't want to. I phoned the driver an hour later, and he actually said he'd return it to me, but I didn't have high hopes. [more inside]
Help me gauge my anxiety levels.
How will I know if my anti-anxiety medication is working? [more inside]
Recruiting coffeehouse to neighborhood
How do I recruit a coffeeshop or small restaurant for my gentrifying neighborhood? [more inside]
"Red, Green, or Christmas?"
I'm dying for green chile. Try as I might, I can't find New Mexican green chiles anywhere in Sacramento. [more inside]
Midlander-born and raised, former resident of Greater Appalachia and New Amsterdam, current resident of the Left Coast, seeks definitive historical theory to explain his life experiences
Oh, shade, how I love thee
Building a pergola.. Ideas welcome, but a construction question - is there a reason why every plan I see says to set the posts, then put up the cross-beams? What is wrong with assembling two posts with cross beams already attached, then lifting that up and setting in your post-holes? [more inside]
Tivo Replacement options
My TiVo Series 2 has finally died. The hard drive has failed. I could replace the hard drive, but I'd like to upgrade my general environment. What are my options if I still want to be able to watch live TV with PVR functions? [more inside]
Concrete illustrations of complex theories
Other examples of true stories like Krugman's babysitting co-op and Radford's POW camp that illustrate complex and abstract truths, theories, and ideas with concrete language and more tangible, familiar, or interesting situations? [more inside]
Help me figure out how to get my language learning videos on Amazon Prime and Netflix.
I have a subscription video language learning product - it's a popular iPhone app, and we have two languages- (Spanish and English) - about 30 hours total. We built it in-house and we would love to stream at least a few teaser episodes on Netflix and Amazon. But since we created it, we don't have a distributor who can reach out to Amazon or Netflix. Has anyone done this that could put me in touch with someone? The typical searches have yielded little and emailing support@agiantstreamingmediasite will probably not work...
Hawaiian music for my grandfather's funeral?
My grandfather is 91 and we're helping him plan his funeral. At it, he wants Hawaiian music played. Apparently it's the music he used to hear at dances (in New Zealand) when he met my grandmother in the late 30s/early 1940s. According to the BBC, there was a fad for Hawaiian music in wartime Britain, especially a band called Felix Mendelssohn and his Hawaiian Serenaders, but I can't find much by them. Any ideas? I guess it would be a slow dance kind of song. [more inside]
I Need a Screenplay to Produce!
How do I find narratively sound scripts to produce in the Triangle area of North Carolina? (Writers need not be local). [more inside]
Mutaba. It rolls right off the tongue, doesn't it? Mutaba.
In a cloud of microscopic horrors, should I breathe through my nose or my mouth? [more inside]
My Spanish sucks and so does your English-- lets talk!
How could I go about setting up a language exchange partnership with a Spanish speaker in my community? [more inside]
Punk songs for a folk lover?
I normally listen to bluegrass/folk/classical, but I recently found out I really love Bad Religion's "Sorrow". What other punk tracks might I enjoy? [more inside]
Post-wedding agenda?
What legal and financial things do we need to take care of after we are married? [more inside]
Teach me your jam band ways
New to jam bands, how do you get into a new band when there's such an immense amount of material to go through? [more inside]
shared ownership: good or bad?
How do shared ownership schemes work when buying a property? Are they a good idea or not? I am based in London, UK. [more inside]
E.T., Phone Hope
Advise me on how to navigate my smartphone issues with the smallest out-of-pocket expense possible. [more inside]
70 flat miles: too much for a fit, beginner cyclist?
Should my sister do a 70 mile bike ride with me? [more inside]
Need help finding an eye doctor
Very nearsighted woman in need of new prescription. Looking for general advice in finding an eye doctor or recommendations in Southeastern Michigan*. Snowflake: No insurance. [more inside]
Let's not get back problems this young
What non-computer based activities can I use to teach video game development to 10-12 year olds? [more inside]
How do I deal with my child's food allergies?
My 15-month old son is allergic to egg whites and peanuts. How can I keep him safe? [more inside]
Weeding out weeders
Gardening newb question: nejiri gama vs. ho-mi vs. three-prong hand cultivator vs. Cape Cod weeder - which weeder for flowerbeds and a small raised garden? [more inside]
Weetzie Bat Fans--Theme Party Ideas?
Weetzie Bat Fans--Theme Party Ideas?
A friend and I are throwing a Weetzie Bat-themed potluck garden party, and are looking for your best decoration and playlist ideas. [more inside]
Real cooking, please!
Please help me find videos of chefs cooking (not performing) and/or a real, working restaurant kitchen. [more inside]
Tool for making nut milk.
I'm trying to find a picture of how one would use a stick or handle to more easily twist a straining bag or nut milk bag. [more inside]
What's the greenest way to boil my tea water?
What is the most environmentally friendly way to boil water for, e.g., tea? [more inside]
Can anyone give advice on moving to US/Canada for relationship?
He's American, I'm Canadian; we're not married - anyone have advice or experience with immigration either way to be together? [more inside]
Reasonable request or selfish?
Is it selfish of me to not want to give blow jobs during my period? [more inside]
Why is this X11 application open on my Macbook without my having installed/opened it??
Why is this X11 application open on my Mac all of a sudden? [more inside]
Was this behaviour inappropriate?
Some twenty years ago, I fell pregnant and had an abortion. Now my former partner has contacted me wanting to know more details. [more inside]
So so sleepy
Sometimes during the day, I'll be uncontrollably sleepy. I just can't keep my eyes open. The urge to sleep is so strong that I have momentarily fallen asleep before in the middle of talking to someone, and I mean one-on-one conversion with the person staring at me and me trying very hard not to sleep. Is this normal/how can I fix this? [more inside]
NYC PVB sticker adhesive
What adhesive does the NYC Parking Violations Bureau use to put those nearly unremovable "shame stickers" on car windows? [more inside]
Do it now, save it for later, what in the world to say?
How/when/if to break the news to a 5 year old that Daddy's being deported, & whether I should take said child to visit him in jail before he gets sent away. [more inside]
I really, really, really don't want him to be THAT guy.
My husband has the opportunity to buy a [lower-end luxury brand sports car] from an ill family friend for a great deal. I am totally against it. [more inside]
Suck Squeeze Bang Stall
Why is my diesel engine stalling every time I put a load on it? [more inside]
where in the UK should we move to?
where in the UK should we move to?
looking for a small berkeley/fitzroy with a canal where we can live on a barge :) [more inside]
Activating a reset iPhone in the UK without a SIm...?
UK specific iPhone/SIM question: I need to activate my old iPhone 3GS 16gB, preferably without my own SIM. I am giving it to my nephew as a games device, not to use as a phone. I have reset and now it insists on a SIM.
1. are there workarounds so I don't have to buy a SIM, activate it then throw SIM away?
2 This was my O2 UK phone [on a company contract], so if you know anything about the iPhone elsewhere, it probably won't apply.
3. If the answer to the above is 'jailbreak it', can I use iTunes after?
4. if the answer is 'use your old SIM just for activation', will this link it to iTunes in some way? Bear in mind, I still use my SIM in my newer phone [actually purchased more recently, but an 8gB 3GS in reality. Yes, I know...]
Cheers
John
Once in a lifetime trip for 4 tweens in New England
I have 3 boys, age 11, visiting CT for a week from GA. Ideas for day trips & experiences they will never forget. [more inside]
How to maintain healthy weight after loss while temporarily immobile
Asking for a friend. 2 years ago she lost 8 stone in weight through diet and exercise. She has maintained for a year using WeightWatchers and walking at least 100 miles a month plus cross trainer three times a week and some weights and crunches. Now she must have a serious operation which will leave her immobile in hospital for 2 weeks, immobile at home for 6 weeks, then gradually regaining mobility. Serious immobility, think skin graft type immobility. On the lower half of her body. She is desperate not to gain weight but there is not much support from the NHS etc. Has anyone been in this situation and managed not to gain too much? [more inside]
Avoiding the "ergo"
I want to learn more about the basics of discourse and rhetoric – to understand more formally the nature of constructing arguments and interpreting them. But I'm not huge on the classics, so I feel like going directly to Aristotle would make me lose interest right away. That said, I totally love intricate or intellectual examinations of ideas, so it's not like I need a dumbed-down text, just one that's not quite so stuffily written. Can you recommend me a book that'll help me learn what I want to learn?
Where can I find issues of 3-2-1 Contact magazine from the 1980's?
Is there a library or archive that might have issues of 3-2-1 Contact magazine from the 1980's? 3-2-1 Contact Magazine was a kids print magazine in the U.S. from the 1980's onward, related to the PBS show produced by the Children's Television Workshop. The best I've found from casual searches of Internet resources is a 138MB zip of scans, but this archive is too incomplete for my purposes. Is there a library or archive that would have something like this? Or were magazines not considered archive-worthy, and personal collections (eBay, magazine forums) are my only hope? [more inside]
June 5
What is this cord called?
During a move I lost the power cord to my zojirushi rice cooker. It looks like this. What is it called? I'm looking to get a replacement. [more inside]
Please help me with my Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde kitten
Please help me with my Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde kitten [more inside]
How to make the AIGA membership fun and exciting?
Screenwriting for fun and not profit.
I have no aspirations of being a screenwriter; I'd just like to write a screenplay. I've been jotting down and scrawling ideas, on and off, for the longest time. How do I connect 1 to 2a to 2b to 3? [more inside]
Is there a simple blog like Posterous that allows anyone to post images - but without any moderation or approval?
Is there a simple blog like Posterous that allows anyone to post images - but without any moderation or approval? [more inside]
LibertyPower energy scam
NYC: Some guy appearing to be from Con Ed came to my apartment, and got my girlfriend to sign up for something called Liberty Power. Research shows it to be a scam. What now? [more inside]
Anyone know the name of this painting at the Louvre?
Anyone know the name of this painting at the Louvre? It's an eighteenth-century work of two aristocratic ladies, young and not terribly attractive, standing side by side and wearing nothing at all but their jewels and sly smiles. One of them has her finger plugged casually--one might almost say absentmindedly--into the other's butt. I just told my fiance about it, and she refuses to believe that so august an institution as the Louvre would display such a painting, much less that it even exists. If I can prove I'm not making it up, I won't have to dishes for a week. Thanks
Must I sign a new lease?
Can my landlord require me to sign a new lease, even though we've been on a month-to-month basis for more than a year? [more inside]
Ginger Beer Explosion. Glass shards. Help?
How does one clean up a gallon of home brewed gingerbeer out of an oriental wool rug? [more inside]
Should I avoid dating someone who has this in them to do?
Should I avoid dating someone who, as part of a "game," punched a woman until she bruised severely? [more inside]
How do I know if breastfeeding is right for us?
How do I decide if breastfeeding is the right choice? [more inside]
"You realize, of course, that we could never be friends."
From friends to dating: advice? [more inside]
How Do I Know if I'm Shy
How do I know if I'm shy? [more inside]
Help me plan a long bike tour.
I'm planning a bike trip in July. Portland to Minneapolis? What are your experiences biking east from the West Coast? [more inside]
I want a time machine.
It's been 3 months since my boyfriend killed himself.
Just doing the basics takes so much out of me. The first month was a blur and everyone thought I was doing "exceptionally well". My tendencies are always to be very private and keep to myself. The only person I used to share my emotions with is dead. I have family but haven't been close to them in a very long time and even before never felt safe or able to share my personal life with them. Everything is very much on the surface. They were very dismissive when I spoke to them years ago about my depression and anxiety. Initially they were texting me to see how I was doing but I wasn't very responsive. The few family members that I am close to are focusing on me "moving on". And I hate hearing those words. even though they mean well. I have very few friends and I met them as a result of my boyfriends death. [more inside]
Books on writing a memoir, with extra credit: not your own
Books on writing a memoir, with extra credit: not your own [more inside]
I need to find a GoPro Wifi BacPac in the Boston Area.
Where can I buy the GoPro WiFi BacPac in Boston, MA (or very near Boston) in the next 24 hours? [more inside]
Songs of s/he said; s/he said
Songs of s/he said; s/he said? [more inside]
How long would it take for helicopters to rescue people in the middle of the Atlantic?
Say you're on a cruise ship in the middle of the Atlantic and something happens and it capsizes. How long would you have to be out there until the Coast Guard rescues you? Hours? Days? How fast can those big helicopters get to you? I am talking middle of the ocean here. Thanks.
Books about the Bay Area?
I'm feeling nostalgia for the Bay Area at the moment. What are some books that take place there? [more inside]
I found out my husband has me on a Facebook filter so I can't see his activity and talking to a woman he promised he wouldn't due to an emotional affair; what do I do now?
Husband left his computer on so I start to shut it down and see things he clearly didn't want me to see. I'm dazed and confused. What Should I do? Snowflakery inside. [more inside]
End-of-the-World-filter: Calming broadcast cued up?
Is there (or has there ever been) a special broadcast prepared for just before the annihilation of a nation? I remember reading about it somewhere but I can't find it. I seem to think the BBC prepared one, back in the day. Did it exist? Is it a rumor? Is there an American version? Where would I see it? [more inside]
As the sole shareholder of an S-Corp, is it my responsibilty to file the corporation's taxes?
Please help me settle a debate... who is responsible for filing a corporation's tax forms, a sole shareholder or an officer? [more inside]
It's a kazoo with strings, right?
How competent can I become at the ukulele in two weeks? [more inside]
+1 Parenting Skills?
How were your parents awesome? [more inside]
Where can I watch Filipino news with English subtitles?
How can I watch Filipino news (or any type of Filipino current events programming) in Tagalog with English subtitles? I only have a Roku - but if this can be accomplished with cable TV, Hulu Plus, etc., I'm all ears. I'm in Arlington, VA and have internet through Comcast. Thanks in advance.
A get-less-poor-quick scheme?
How can I make some extra money while working full time? [more inside]
Where Do I Go?
The world is my oyster: there are so many places I want to travel to, I am having trouble figuring out where.
Single male traveler, late 20s, looking to take a backpacking trip for a week. Where do I go? [more inside]
Moving away from DSLR Camera - Looking for a smaller/lighter alternative.
Hello Mefi!
My mother currently owns a Canon Rebel XSI with the default 18-55 lens. It has served her extremely well while shooting typical mom material. I typically leave the camera in P mode with a few good "auto" options and she goes to town with it. [more inside]
landscape architecture tumblr?
Please recommend blogs, tumblrs, pinterests, or whatever the kids are calling it, that collect beautiful renderings of speculative landscape, architecture, and urban design projects, especially utopian projects.
How to organize contacts systematically?
What is the best way of organizing and managing my thousands of contacts - software, best practices, general ways of thinking about the issue? [more inside]
Name That Movie
The plot: Four old friends, all women, have a bit of a reunion. One of them needs help IDing who raped her many years earlier when they were still teens, probably in high school.
This might be a Lifetime movie. I am hoping someone knows the name. [more inside]
Can you help find a misremembered book?
Another lost book question: I though FOR SURE it was Kick in the Head Stories, but upon rereading, it's not. Possibly misremembered, mildly NSFW. [more inside]
Help me pick a companion for my cat!
How do you choose a companion for an existing cat family member? [more inside]
Examples of well designed, accessible websites?
I am looking for examples of well designed, accessible websites. Specifically, those that feature font size and color scheme tools, but are still aesthetically pleasing (at least in their default state). Our specific audience has disabilities such as dyslexia, ADHD, vision impairment, etc.; the client in question is a school. [more inside]
DSLR filter: Help me pick my first non-kit lens!
Several years ago, I purchased a Canon Digital Rebel XT (EOS 350D) with the kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm). I've gotten a bit better since the early days, and I have a good eye, but I'm still not well-versed in the really technical stuff. In any case, I'll be taking a trip to Scotland later this year, and I'd really like to use my first overseas trip in over ten years as an excuse to upgrade my lens to something nicer. Complications: I'm also getting married soon and of course paying for said overseas trip, so my budget is pretty low, at least in terms of lenses—no more than $500, and preferably below $400. [more inside]
Y U NO RESPOND? U READ ALREADY!
Facebook has added read receipts that can't be disabled. This is a horrifying, non-negotiable dealbreaker. Technical ways to get around this without severing the only commonly used link to many of my contacts, and the link to the largest single pool of people? [more inside]
welding the heavens
Transit of Venus - the welding mask edition. [more inside]
I'd rather not sit down.
I'm looking for an inexpensive standing desk for use in an office where everyone sits. [more inside]
What are some science experiments that would be fun (and impressive) for a 4 year old?
What are some science-y experiments that would be fun (and impressive) for a 4 year old? [more inside]
Hack a Canon external Flash for high-speed video marking
How can I hack a Canon external Flash for my high-speed video application? [more inside]
Where does one buy specialty magazines without bookstores around?
Where can I find a copy of the new sci-fi New Yorker in the Financial District of San Francisco? [more inside]
What drug did I just see?
What kind of drug did I just see? [more inside]
Suggest a photography-related or cat-related or photography-and-cats-related gift.
Gift. The theme? Cats or photography or both. [more inside]
How to keep a policy institute looking fresh and fly on the web?
How to keep a policy institute looking fresh and fly on the web? [more inside]
Paying for prescriptions/referrals (OHIP)?
Paying for a prescription to see a physiotherapist in Ontario? [more inside]
Someone else got into an accident in my car. What now?
My girlfriend hit a car while driving my truck. I let the insurance lapse not too long ago. We switched cars not too long ago but haven't made it "official" so I still own mine and she still owns hers. My truck is fine but his car was pretty banged up. He's calling her tonight for insurance info, since he was in a hurry to get to work at the time. What now? We're in Ohio. [more inside]
Is this a specific accent? Or just affectation?
I'm not a native English speaker, so I'm not very good at identifying accents. So I turn to the hive mind to ask about the way Planet Money's Zoe Chace speaks. What kind of accent is that? Maybe it's not an accent and it's just affectation? I find it both fascinating and annoying at the same time.
Coconut infused simple syrup?
How can we make coconut infused simple syrup? [more inside]
Is it possible to turn Google Reader's starred items into bookmarks and vis versa?
Is it possible to turn Google Reader's starred items into Chrome bookmarks and vis-versa?
How do I help my smart, shy 9 year old daughter with issues related to body image, bullying, and (possibly) depression?
My wife and I are trying to help our oldest child with some issues that have been around for a while, but have intensified this year. [more inside]
How to get paid to work in disaster relief with a BA in English (or programs teaching abroad)
I would like to find would in disaster relief so I may travel and begin to pay off my student loans for my new BA in English. I'm also interested in teaching English abroad and have been trying to find programs in both of these fields, so if anyone has information on anything where one can travel, doesn't matter how terrible the pay just as long as there is one, again, I'm in debt. [more inside]
Not that kind of table dancing, Mom.
My family needs a new streaming music option for our Sunday night dinners. Semi-traditionalist snowflakes inside. [more inside]
How to transition from EA to editor?
I'd like a career transition from an Assistant to copy-editor/editor. What steps can I take while holding this job to help me prepare to be competitive for the new type of job? [more inside]
Where should I stay near White Plains, NY
I'm traveling to New York and looking for hotel recommendations. [more inside]
Help Name a Records Management Blog
Please Help Naming a Blog: I work for a government agency that helps other agencies (state and local) with records management issues and public records law. We've been instructed to start a Records Management Blog and are trying to think of a title for the blog. [more inside]
To Dream The Impossible Mailbox Dream
I moved my mailbox from the street to my front porch. This, according to my mail carrier, is "not possible", and my mail is no longer being delivered. What, if anything, is my recourse? [more inside]
Help! Stats!
Help with data analysis- Need an alternative to logistic regression to evaluate the individual contributions of highly correlated variables to outcome on a dichotomous variable. [more inside]
Park-n-Ride Chicago along I-88
Can I park overnight at the Forest Park station in Chicago? [more inside]
I have a birthday twin!
Birthday etiquette question involving siblings, one of whom shares my birthday. [more inside]
100LB Pound of Bentonite DFW
Where can i get a 100LB pound of Bentonite in the Dallas area?
What are my rights with a landlord trying to sell the house I'm renting?
I'm currently renting a house in North Carolina and the landlord has decided to try to sell it. What are my rights regarding showings, and what is my best course of action to try to fix this situation? [more inside]
Temporary housing in Buenos Aires
Renting an apartment for three weeks in Buenos Aires, five+ months from now. When should we start looking? [more inside]
Help me find the awesomeness of New York state. In November. Details inside.
Help me find the awesomeness of New York state. In November. Details inside. [more inside]
Where to meet single men (besides dating sites)
What male-dominated activities would be good venues for meeting single men? I'm a single 43-year-old woman, and not interested in the bar scene. [more inside]
What commercial things can I do with my artist loft?
How do I figure out what I can do with my weirdly zoned artist loft? [more inside]
how does voluntary commitment work?
I am considering voluntary commitment due to a bad last couple of days with depression, but I don't know if I can afford it, what to tell my employer and what the consequences of this will be in the future. [more inside]
Sex and the Negative Guy
Dear MetaFilter: I need advice on serodiscordant dating. (That is, when a HIV- guy starts seeing a HIV+ guy.) [more inside]
Put /var over thar?
How do I best set up Linux partitions & mount points on my old netbook with limited storage capacity? [more inside]
Thank you for the gift! Can you recommend an exorcist?
A good friend gave The Dutchwoman and I a piece of artwork she made expressly for us as a wedding present. It was very thoughtful, but the thing is like something out of a horror movie. The missus thinks maybe the friend was trying to curse her so the friend could have me for herself...and I can't rule that out. There is no way we are going to hang it on the wall in our home. Honestly, I feel a bit uneasy just knowing it's lurking, wrapped up in a bag in the closet. But I don't want to hurt the friend's feelings. Do we just hang it up when she's coming over? That would work...until we forget to do it once. I was thinking maybe we should just burn down the house and tell her it was lost with everything else, but then she might make us a replacement. Any ideas? What's the etiquette here?
Movable Type text replacement script?
Any Movable Type experts out there know of a script, or add-on, to make a simple, blog-wide text replacement? [more inside]
Advanced ESL activities for one-on-one tutoring?
What to do with very advanced adult ESL students? [more inside]
Teach me how to speak dog
Help me understand dogs. [more inside]
Sloppy MicroChips: Can a fair comparison be made between biological and silicon entropy?
Was reading about microchips that are designed to allow a few mistakes (known as 'Sloppy Chips'), and pondering equivalent kinds of 'coding' errors and entropy in biological systems. Can a fair comparison be made between the two? [more inside]
How to sell or give away a load of old Beano comics and annuals?
How/where to sell/give away a load of old Beano comics, annuals, magazines and suchlike as a job lot? [more inside]
iPhone voice memo lost to time.
My iPhone's Voice Memo app said it recorded a 21 minute interview, but when I pull the file, it's only 2 minutes long and 1.4 megs. Is the rest of it still on there, and how can I recover it? [more inside]
Android email question
Android email question... [more inside]
get out of here crap photos
What's the best way to get rid of unwanted photos in iPhoto for iPad (iOS)? [more inside]
How can I create an Outlook task in Excel 2007?
How can I create an Outlook task in Excel 2007? This seemed to have been fairly straightforward in Excel 2003, but I can't for the life of me locate this feature (if it still exists) in Excel '07, and my Google-fu has failed me.
How can I stop talking to myself?
How can I stop talking to myself? [more inside]
Can I win an eBay auction if the original winner pulled out?
Can I enforce an eBay seller to sell to me if I came 2nd in an auction, but the winner obviously pulled out? [more inside]
Why was Churchhill re-elected in the 1951 election?
Why was Churchhill re-elected in the 1951 election? [more inside]
Recommend comedy (in any format) in the style of "Mitchell and Webb"?
Recommend comedy (in any format) in the style of "Mitchell and Webb"? [more inside]
Is asking for immediate help from your partner unreasonable?
Is asking for immediate help from your partner unreasonable? [more inside]
Roomba Help!
Our 4 year old Roomba is no longer functional. We want another one! What model should we get, and where should we buy it? [more inside]
To claim or not to claim? To report or to ignore?
Small euro amount sent to my PayPal account by company with whom I have had no dealings. Test? Phishing? Scam? [more inside]
Give me your newfangled thingamabobs!
What Verizon phone would be best for 70-somethings learning how to text? [more inside]
Why can't I log onto the internet at the airport or hotel?
I have a Nook Tablet from Barnes and noble. Works perfectly at home on our wifi network. I have been on the road for the las few days and can't connect to any of my hotel or airport networks [more inside]
Travel ideas U.S. midwest
[Very last minute U.S. Midwest travel filter] Going to be in Bloomington for a conference and then have a couple days planned in Chicago...what to do with the three extra days? [more inside]
Mythology lovers, I'm looking at you
Please tell me about mythical creatures, particularly humanoid ones, besides vampires, and werewolves. My protagonist needs some origins. [more inside]
Where to find an ebook or pdf of "Harris and Me" by Gary Paulsen
Where can I find an ebook or pdf of "Harris and Me" by Gary Paulsen? [more inside]
Ceramic vs metal braces? What are the differences?
Ceramic vs metal braces? What are the differences? [more inside]
June 4
But irritability isn't a side effect of the drug!
How to best petition the FDA for a drug safety change? Specifically a relaxations of "safety" standards as relating to isoretinoids (e.g. Accutane, Claravis, etc.). [more inside]
Online vs Campus MS-GIS?
Master's Degree in GIS - Online vs. On Campus? [more inside]
The color of tea
Do larger tea companies put dyes in their teas or concentrate their ingredients to make a brew look more, uh, tea-y? [more inside]
I've achieved the perfect FWB situation. Except for that I can't stand him..
I've achieved the absolutely perfect FWB situation. Absolutely perfect aside from the fact that I can't stand him. [more inside]
Getting lost in translation
Can I be a good friend AND a good coauthor/cotranslater? [more inside]
Interesting coin donation ideas
Please give me your groovy coin donation ideas. [more inside]
How can two people watch the same video together at the same time.
Friend and I want to watch movies or video together at the same time. We are separated by several states, but connected by the Internet. How can we make this work? [more inside]
Car-top cargo bags work on short roofs?
Do car-top cargo bags really work on short roofs? [more inside]
Removing hardcoded subs from an avi
Is there a way to remove hardcoded subtitles from an avi file? [more inside]
Should I call her?
Should I call this woman? [more inside]
tech start up concerns
What should I look for in an employment contract for new startup? [more inside]
Looking for non-religious volunteer work in the Pittsburgh area
What kinds of volunteer work could I do that might give opportunities to get to know others, particularly in the Pittsburgh area? [more inside]
Can anyone help me decide on a location in Bar Harbor Maine?
I would like a second home in Bar Harbor Maine. Does anyone have any knowledge in terms of were the best place to live is? Any information would be greatfully helpful. I live on the west coast of Florida and have lived here for close to 9 years. I'm so tired of the heat! [more inside]
iPad 2 apps for a grandmother?
iPad 2 apps for 86yo grandmother? It's her birthday, and my dad got her an iPad 2 - what apps/set up would you suggest?
She uses her computer primarily for email, but doesn't get back to the room it is in often anymore. My dad has already set up her email and downloaded a book for her - what apps would you suggest? We're hoping she can easily learn to use it, and it will help alleviate her boredom.
She does not use Facebook, or any social networking.
Email address ideas for very common name
I have an absurdly common name and literally every combination of myfirst, last and middle initial are taken. I want to avoid using numbers and try to have a somewhat professional email address. Not for job hunting but in general. Preference is to use Gmail. Also I cant buy my own domain because I don't have a credit card and even if I did, my name is taken in .com and a few others I believe.
I was thinking about using a suffix... so firstname.lastname.___@gmail.com
Anyone have ideas to fill in the blanks? Thanks!
Causes of Psychological Disorders
I am working in a Autism lab this summer. I've been wondering whether it is a problem that so many psychological disorders are defined by symptoms and focused on treating symptoms. I think, and this isn't a particularly controversial opinion, that it is also important to investigate their causes. Are there any instances of really effective investigations of the cause/causes of psychological disorders (discussion open to any disorder)?
What to do in DC
You're a local in DC and you have a weekday off. What do you do? [more inside]
To COBRA or not to COBRA
I've recently changed employers. My insurance from the previous employer terminated on 5/31. My new insurance starts on 6/23. I can get COBRA for the interim if need be. The question is, do I need it? There is a grace period, such that I don't have to decide until after 6/23, at which time, if I didn't need it during the period, I could save myself about $500. However, there is the concern of the 'pre-existing' condition, ie that period where I would not have insurance can somehow cause me to have 'pre-existing' conditions, whether indefinitely or for some period of time after 6/23 I don't know. The new insurance is Presbyterian Health.
Can anyone advise?
Is there a Cloud Storage for Dummies?
I have about 8,000 photos on my home computer and I'd be bummed to lose them. It's time for me to learn about cloud storage. Halp? [more inside]
Menu Hell - Help!?
I'm trying to find a hilarious skit I heard on public radio. I am almost certain it was Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor but I can't find the show. Maybe someone will remember? It was a phone call to a company for help but it was Menu Hell and he said he didn't need "support" he needed help! The silly phone menu kept asking dumb questions and it turns into a circular kind of thing. It was truly funny and I'd love to know when and where I heard that skit. It seems like it was within the past couple of months and like I said, I'm almost sure it was a "Guy Noir" type skit on Prairie.
Help us eat healthy
Amy's Frozen Vegetable Lasagna. Regular or even the lower sodium. We LOVE it. For some reason it has disappeared from our local supermarkets. Today I went to Whole Foods, ShopRite AND Stop and Shop. They only had the tofu version. It's also not available anymore online through Amazon. Does anyone know where we can get it or why it is so hard to find?
Must not drop the ball - literally. What vitamins will help?
Emergency: must temporarily increase muscle endurance or life will be ruined within the next 24 hours. What can I do? [more inside]
Pastry Chef Gifts
Gift ideas for pastry chef that recently turned pro. [more inside]
I need dice dammit!
I need to buy/obtain at least one set of polyhedral dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20 (pos d00)) by Wednesday morning (6th June BST). Problem: I will be travelling to London Tuesday morning (5th June), and it's a public holiday, so not many shops, especially specialist gaming shops, will be open. Is there an online shop that will deliver in less than 24 hours, or will there be an IRL shop open in London on Tuesday? Thanks!
Can pants be tailored in this way?
I have jeans that fit great but are far more baggy than I'd like below the knees. Can the lower leg portion of pants be made more slim-fitting? Also, if anyone has recommendations for affordable but quality tailors in San Francisco who could do this, I'd appreciate it.
Neighbor's Nasty Animal Traps
My neighbors have booby trapped the wall behind my house and I'm not happy about it. Who can help me with this? [more inside]
What property management companies are tolerable in Portland, OR?
Looking for an apartment in Portland, OR, and I wondered if any MeFites know what property management companies to trust and/or avoid. [more inside]
What happens if you're diagnosed with a mental illness?
What are the potential consequences of having an official mental illness diagnosis on your record? [more inside]
How do I get slippery shoes?
I have carpet in my apartment and I like to dance I would like to be barefooted but the carpet makes it difficult to spin.
What can I wear on my feet for anti traction? [more inside]
In search of broadband
I have recently moved to Culver City (Southern California) and I need the best broadband available. [more inside]
It was delivered by UPS.
The Great Pea Protein Catastrophe of 2012 - Halp! Any Food Processing Engineers in the house? Alien Life Combat Specialists? [more inside]
Can you help me think up a creative way to announce my pregnancy to my small, close-knit office?
Can you help me think up a creative way to announce my pregnancy to my small, close-knit office? [more inside]
From dork to designer
I've landed a temporary graphic design job. When it ends, I'd like to be an attractive candidate for other graphic design jobs. What should I focus on learning? [more inside]
A night to kill.
Engrossing projects that I can finish in one night? [more inside]
At least our first argument about money as hubby-n-wife won't be with each other...
Rented Beachouse problems: What's the best/proper way to handle a situation where a rental house had problems? Some are severe others are just broken promises on the owner's part. Free wedding update inside! [more inside]
There's no good way to deal with this situation, but surely there are better ones.
I had to back out of my childcare job in a not-entirely-graceful manner for an emergency last week. Could I have handled this better? How do I proceed now? How should I proceed if something similar were to happen in the future? Snowflake details inside. [more inside]
What happened to my VLC media player?
What happened to my VLC media player? Suddenly all screwed up. [more inside]
Make with the arrows.
Another "what the hell is wrong with my OKCupid profile" question. [more inside]
I want to use my to-do list as a task log
I am looking for an online to-do list/task manager with one feature: [more inside]
Default Save As to msg in Outlook 2007 with no drag-n-drop
Is there any way to save Outlook 2007 messages in .msg format by default instead of HTML when you cannot drag-n-drop them to your local drive? [more inside]
What's the name of the sonnet form that looks like it rhymes, but doesn't rhyme when spoken aloud?
What's the name of the sonnet form that looks like it rhymes, but doesn't rhyme when read out loud? [more inside]
Don't Have a Man, Don't Need One, Thanks.....
I get hit on a lot at work. It's not flattering at all. I find it very embarrassing and demoralizing. I don't know how to cope. [more inside]
Help me get rid of the princess complex
I have no idea how to be independent. I’m in my early twenties, working and living in a big metropolitan city, finally in my own apartment with roommates but I’m very reliant on my parents to get by. I was also very reliant on my ex-boyfriend, whom I still love dearly, to take care of things for me and I want to change that now that I’m single. [more inside]
What to plant?
What can I plant that's edible and low-maintenance in Seattle next week? [more inside]
Can largescale 3D projections be diy?
Can anyone explain to me how 3D Projection Mapping is created and eventually executed? [more inside]
Hoping to recharge my mental and emotional batteries with some solitude
I keep thinking about solitude. I find myself drawn to the idea of a hermetic retreat lasting a week or more. I think I would like to be off the grid and perhaps even verbally silent for that time. I find myself imagining a facility in the woods of British Columbia that provides for the simplest of material needs and enables real solitude and introspection.
I have found several such retreats on the web but it seems they primarily religion-based and I am thinking I might be uncomfortable in such a situation as I am an atheist.
Have you had such an experience? Can you recommend any facilities that might enable such time? I would love to hear any insights you might have on the topic.
Audio Looping on Smart Phones
Smart phone question: Is it possible to be directed to a website and have a sound play on loop automatically (I suppose through Flash or HTML5). [more inside]
Silly question re: dress shopping in Boston
I live in Boston/Cambridge, late twenties of average height and weight. I usually go dress shopping in the sales rack at Banana or Ann Taylor or, for more casual wear, places like Marshall's or Macy's. But I'm looking to go on a special-occasion shopping trip for a special-occasion dress (the event being a spring wedding in London and the excuse being to reward myself for when/if I lose 10+ straggler lbs.) [more inside]
A meddler with a heart of gold
About four months ago my best friend and my husbands best friend hooked up and started a relationship. She has a kid and everything seemed fine until the weekend when we saw them all together. Questionable actions on the new boyfriends part. [more inside]
I need a superhero riding a unicorn made of ones and zeros and electrics.
Is there a software solution (not Add2Exchange or CodeTwo, already tried those) that can provide two-way sync between public folders contacts and iPhone/Android devices with consistent success? [more inside]
I should ask this question while I still *have* teeth.
I am a bad human being and have not been to the dentist in...well, a very very long time. Help me figure out options, like insurance and such? [more inside]
Is it better to get an MBA in the U.S. than elsewhere?
Is it better to earn an MBA at a 2nd or 3rd tier b-school in the U.S. or a top 5 b-school at a developing country? Especially if the student is planning on eventually returning to the U.S., will that MBA be accepted in the U.S. in terms of a job offer, considering it’s globally accredited? [more inside]
Goin' fishin'
Fishing and boating in Oregon's inland waters while on vacation - sanity check on regs and permits, please? [more inside]
Mystery bones in the woods
What a way to spend a Bank Holiday weekend
I had a bad allergic reaction to antibiotics on Saturday. Should I still be feeling crappy today? Uncomfortable details inside. [more inside]
Should I (re)read Game of Thrones
I tried reading Game of Thrones a couple of years ago, and I hated it. I maybe made it through half. Just watched the first season of the series and I (mostly) really liked it. Now that I have some interest in the characters, will the things I hated bother me less, or should I just stick with the show? [more inside]
Summer Work
I'm in between the end of a graduate degree and the start of a PhD. The internship positions I applied for over the summer all fell through. I'm able to stay with family in the interim, but really want to get a job to put money towards current loans, save a little bit, and pay for stuff around the house while I'm living here. What are your tips for finding a ~3 month gig? Specific details about my work history inside. [more inside]
Help me get a client's video to play on his site
I'm a part-time web designer. I've got some experience with video, but not a lot. I have a writer client who has a video trailer for one of his books. Can anyone tell me what I need to do to get this thing to play nicely with browsers other than IE? Or should I just say the hell with it and put it on YouTube with links? [more inside]
Who wants pancakes?
It has been a lifelong dream of mine to be able to cook more than two pancakes at a time. Given that goal, I'm looking for recommendations for an electric griddle. What can you tell me about yours? [more inside]
CTRL-Z on my first long-distance move?
Last year, my family uprooted from our long-time location and moved halfway across the country. I moved for the job, she and our kid moved for the location. Now, we want to move back at some point in the near future. I'd like to work for my current group at my employer and do so remotely. How can I best try to accomplish this? There is one friend-related detail to overcome, as well. [more inside]
What to wear for a black-tie event?
I'm scheduled to attend a black-tie dinner/gala in a less than three weeks, and I need some help figuring out what to wear. It's a private evening event at a national museum in Spain, and I will be about eight months pregnant. [more inside]
Give me your old wive's tales about dental health, please.
Please share your wingnut advice about healthy teeth and gums. [more inside]
NYC Bronto Sighting
There is a dinosaur painted on the wall of one of the buildings at 3rd Avenue and 13th Street in New York City. Who painted this? [more inside]
help finding an unnamed etsy vendor
LongshotFilter: looking for an Etsy vendor that seems to have gone away. They made canvas utility belts/pouch belts and had a logo something like this. Can't seem to find them now, but they had a sizable presence a couple of months ago. I don't remember their name, and I'm trying to figure out if they've shut down operations or are doing business elsewhere now.
Office phone won't work.
I need some help with my Avaya 1100 series phone, and our support guy is totally unresponsive. Anyone know anything about these things? [more inside]
iCal hiding all appointments
iCal is being a giant jerk. Halp? [more inside]
Presumably this is the point of an escrow account.
GMAC Mortgage is filing Chapter 11. Is there any reason to hire a lawyer? [more inside]
Do you remember this study about deep/meaningful conversations?
There was a study a few years back where they had two people meet and discuss a list of questions. The control pairs got a basic set of superficial interview questions (what's your name, do you have siblings, where are you from) and the other got a specially designed set of questions that increasingly went into meaningful, personal topics. At the end, pairs in the test group tended to report a deep bond with their partner and went on to become friends after the study. Can you find me the study and/or the questions?
Please dress me!
"Informal" dress code. "But you still should... you know, dress up." What do I wear?! [more inside]
Can I keep my friend from becoming a junkie?
A close friend recently revealed to me that she's been using heroin on occasion. She is unconcerned; I am freaking out. I need advice on how to handle this, or if I can. [more inside]
I won't give you the money, even though you may give me some money in the future, honest
Conflict-of-interest-filter: I work for X as a consultant. One of our roles is advising a client A how much they should pay Y. Recently the consultant arm of Y has approached me about potentially working for them in the future. I am genuinely interested in the job and have satisfied myself that I could consider this without affecting my judgement in advising client A, but am concerned about how it could look to outsiders. Advice? [more inside]
Which group of athletes is more abnormal in height?
Which group of athletes is further from the center of the bell curve distribution for height: Olympic gymnasts or NBA players?
Where to View the Transit of Venus Near San Francisco
The Transit of Venus is June 5! Where is a beautiful, romantic spot for viewing within 30-60 minute drive of San Francisco? [more inside]
Is a bachelor's degree necessary for ANY info tech position?
So I need a bachelor's degree to get a good IT job. Makes sense. Should I expect to need a bachelor's degree to get a better-than-food-service crap IT job? [more inside]
How can I create my own website aggregator?
How can I make a sharable aggregate of interesting news and blog articles with a set URL? [more inside]
America is a big place, where to go within it?
Help us plan a 10-day holiday in the US, without a car, leaving from Rochester, NY. [more inside]
Can I learn to write emails more quickly?
How can I learn to write emails quickly without agonizing over wording? I feel like it takes me ten times longer than it should. Even a simple two-sentence reply often takes me five minutes to compose and send, because I'll rewrite each sentence at least 3 times, then re-read it and tweak the wording endlessly. [more inside]
Best cell phone and plan in Edmonton?
I'm buying my first cell phone and would like input sorting out the best phone and plan in Edmonton. [more inside]
Getting in and out of Cincinnati's Riverbend Music Center
Getting in and out of Cincinnati's Riverbend Music Center [more inside]
How does a kid naviage the cutthroat world of hot sauce?
Advice for a 10-year-old who wants to be a hot sauce mogul? [more inside]
Daypack for the Grand(Prix)stand?
What to bring to Montreal for the race this weekend? [more inside]
A DSLR that shoots good video
My wife and I would like to get a digital camera, probably a DSLR, that will take good video as well as stills. We will be using it to shoot pictures of a baby...ok, our baby. [more inside]
How can I stop worrying about the revolution?
Part of my family was butchered by communists in their country of origin. How do I keep from worrying about civil unrest in America, particularly over economic inequality? How valid are these fears? [more inside]
Which work isn't working?
Would you leave a well-paid but badly-fitting job to do something you really cared about but for less money? [more inside]
Which credit card should I keep?
I have $25,000 of credit card debt, spread out evenly over 3 cards. My interest rates are 18% (on a card I've had for almost 20 years), 15% (on the card with the highest limit), and 13%. Which one of these should I keep to minimize my debt but maximize my credit score? [more inside]
"Daily look" & closet organizer app for Android?
A silly question: what "closet organizer/style manager" app for Android will allow me to easily take and store pictures of my actual outfit (ie. me wearing clothes), along with storing pictures of individual pieces from my wardrobe and their arrangements (ie. a "blueprint" for my outfit)? [more inside]
What's this dancing black frame thing?
Can somebody tell me what's going on in this video? As much as I feel terrible for the people there, I'm not talking about the scene(s) being shown, but rather the dancing black frame around the edges! [more inside]
June 3
Nancy Drew 10 years later
Help me play private detective! For a totally innocent cause, I promise. [more inside]
Help me make the most of my awesome new multi-cooker!
My awesome friends got me an electric multi-cooker! I'm a complete pressure/rice cooker beginner, so please help me make the most of it with your tips, tricks and recipe links. [more inside]
Recommend best site or store for Ralph Lauren and Lacoste sales?
Recommend best site or store for Ralph Lauren and Lacoste sales (Men)?
I see almost every Tom, Dick and Harry wear these brands these days.
I doubt everyone is paying $85 for a polo. Any suggestions on where/when clothes from these brands can be purchased at a discount?
Stores - NY/NJ
The next big poet.
I'm retreading T. S. Eliot's "The Wasteland" and wondering who the most important poets of the last decade are--who is Eliot's heir apparent? [more inside]
Who Is This Actress?
Can anyone help identify this actress? I saw this film a year ago and can't remember what it is! Photo.
Help me remain calm when talking to annoying flatmate!
Flatmate filter: I'm planning on having a calm discussion with one of my flatmates this weekend about some issues I know she has about the house, but that haven't been discussed in the open. I would like tips on remaining calm and collected in the moment. [more inside]
Can I visit the US and not jeopardize my tax status?
Help me with a "24 hour rule" in regards to expat taxes and being in transit. [more inside]
Help me awaken my inner hoarder
I want to start a collection of weird objects. But what should I collect? Details inside. [more inside]
Bridal Lingerie, EEK!
What the heck am I supposed to wear with this low-back wedding dress? [more inside]
New house!
We just bought a house... yay for us! How much would it cost to add a mud room? [more inside]
Someone is inserting ads into my Firefox Google SERPs
Something is hijacking my Firefox and stealthily inserting ads into my Google SERPs (and god knows what else). How do I figure out where its coming from? [more inside]
Outdoor Swimming in the Hudson Valley
[New York State Filter] Looking for suggestions on where to find great outdoor places to swim (easy rivers, lakes, swimming holes) in the Lower to Mid Hudson Valley (New York). [more inside]
Can I NOT burn bridges when leaving a great job? What about building new ones or maintaining the current ones?
Tips for leaving a job on the best possible terms? [more inside]
Help a Bar-Carny Use TEKNOLOJEE to Keep His Tent Numbers Straight
Help me find an iPhone app that will help me manage my beer tents inventory this summer festival season. [more inside]
What was Suzy reading?
Are the books that Suzy reads in Moonrise Kingdom real and are they available at my local library? [more inside]
Suggestions for Paris and Nancy with a toddler?
We are heading to Nancy and Paris France at the end of the week with our 12.5 month old, and we will be in each city for a week. I am looking for suggestions! [more inside]
Getting paid for writing?
Should I expect to get paid for the writing I do for newspapers and periodicals? [more inside]
Pulled pork wouldn't pull
What went wrong with my slow-cooked pork shoulder today? It came out differently than it usually does, and wouldn't pull apart with forks. [more inside]
Girl Scouts on the Mall + Capital Pride == ??
We are taking our daughter and one of her friends in her troop to the Girl Scouts Rock the Mall sing-along shindig next Saturday. That's also the day of the Capital Pride Parade. Whether/how to do both? Much snowflakiness inside. [more inside]
Engagement ring styles for large fingers that may shrink?
What style(s) engagement ring should I get if I intend to size it down (potentially significantly) in the future? Any tips on where to buy larger than standard size rings? Bonus points if they sell non-conflict diamonds or similarly pretty stones at reasonable prices. [more inside]
Still waiting...
Looking for a little perspective on communication styles to help ease some anxiety about a woman I've been out with a few times. (You guessed it--snowflake inside) [more inside]
Space invaders?
Are these meteorites? I've been moving them with me for years, always meaning to ask. [more inside]
A Ridgeback Voyager, or something else?
Should I buy a Ridgeback Voyager? If not, what comparable or better touring bike should I buy for under the magic £1,000 that will allow me to get it through my employer's cyclescheme? [more inside]
Suggestions please -- to help my Chinese ESL student socialize in the USA?
Suggestions please -- to help my Chinese ESL student socialize in the USA? [more inside]
Granite or Laminate Countertops
Laminate or granite for kitchen countertops? [more inside]
Does coffee that's been sitting around in the pot all day have less caffeine than freshly brewed coffee?
Does coffee that's been sitting around in the pot all day have less caffeine than freshly brewed coffee? [more inside]
What song is featured in this surfing video?
What song is featured in this surfing video? [more inside]
Sex advice?
I'm in my mid to late 20's, and am about to have sex for the first time in nearly a decade. And could use some advice. [more inside]
Help! My Brain is Trying to Kill Me!
Why did my depression go away immediately after I finally started moving towards treating it? Why did it come back? Is this something that's normal when you're trying to treat depression? [more inside]
Books on Non-Violent Conflict Resolution?
Books on non-violent conflict resolution? [more inside]
What is normal and how do I minimize any discomfort?
Are my boundaries "normal" or oversensitive, and should I apply them to this person I am soon to meet? Supersnowflakery within. [more inside]
Only qualified for retail jobs...how do I break away?
How do you branch away from a retail career when that's all you're qualified for? How do you cultivate the passion/resolve to find something better? [more inside]
A younger man dating an older woman
A 26 year old guy, dating a 31 year old woman, is it okay? [more inside]
Neighbour threatening cat.
Our neighbour of six months has been ignoring us since her arrival. On Friday she threatened to kill our cat after it hissed at her dog. Some perspective on what we might do would be useful. [more inside]
It's not easy, drinkin' greens.
Seeking "green powder" type supplement to add into my usual protein shakes. Can't be too nasty tasting, like the "green powder plus" I just gave away.
We found our dream house, but boy does it smell...
My fiance and I went house hunting today. We found a house that we both love. One problem, the attached mother-in-law suite stinks... [more inside]
Essay about ball lightning?
Help me find this essay about lightning! [more inside]
Polyglot, polyglotte, polígloto, polyglott...
What's your favorite "foreign"-language visual dictionary? Continental French and Latin American Spanish are preferred at this point, but I'm easy. [more inside]
Starships were meant to fly...and I was meant to have Nicki's swimsuit.
Please help me choose a medical insurance plan.
Please help me choose an insurance plan. [more inside]
Generic full length clothing for a tall dude
I'm a 6'4 dude, medium build, long arms. I wear 38/36 pants and a medium tall shirt. I am a non affiliated humanist. I would like ankle to knee length clothing, loose fitting and of plain style. Complication: cultural overloads. [more inside]
How can I best clean up after poppy seeds?
My beloved greatly enjoys bagels with poppy seeds. I feel like I can never get my kitchen truly clean of them. Help! [more inside]
Invest in my education or in some other investment?
Windfall of $50k! Invest in myself and get a biz degree or save it all for a rainy day? [more inside]
Between our attorney, the seller, and termites, I like the termites best!
Can we get the previous owner to pay up for termite treatment? Two years later? Details inside. [more inside]
Movie theaters can show any movie they want.
I'm trying to find information on a half remembered law about movie theaters and the movies they're allowed to show. [more inside]
It's creeping... but I would rather it DIE.
How do I really kill Virginia Creeper, for good? [more inside]
Why does Tumblr hate Missing e?
Why does Tumblr hate Missing e? [more inside]
Need cute boots for my narrow feet and narrow calves
Recently stumbled on this years ago question about a search for boots with narrow calves. I have this problem too! [more inside]
Personal Training 101
Tell me what I need to know about getting a personal trainer: common practices, pitfalls, pricing, etc. [more inside]
Rural Holiness Church Music?
I'm reading Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake-Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia by Dennis Covington and am very curious about the music in Southern rural Holiness churches -- the electric, ecstatic, kind. Aside from some amazing clips on YouTube, I haven't been able to find much of it to listen to. I'm hoping for recommendations of albums or complications of that type of music.
Top Tutes
Lynda.com has a very excellent video tutorial covering the essentials of Objective-C. Where else can I find tutorials of this caliber that cover the basics of Mac programming? [more inside]
Christian Martyrs
I have heard of a calendar depicting Christian Martyrs, and the ways they died (e.g. St Stephen/stoning) including paintings. Any ideas?
The meaning of life through short stories.
What short stories have further defined your conceptual understanding of "the meaning of life?" [more inside]
Advice for difficult creative partnerships
Creative differences: Is there any good advice or useful experiences out there about how to work diplomatically with bandmates or co-writers without murdering each other? [more inside]
Getting better at Spanish this summer
Best ways to enhance college Spanish in New York City this summer? [more inside]
MS tech support is useless.
Windows Explorer (aka "the thing I use to look at my directories of files" ) on my computer is crashing because of the "Visual C++ Runtime Library", but Microsoft's help library isn't very helpful. Can you guys do more? [more inside]
What happens if an open-source app intentionally violates a software patent?
Is it illegal to willfully recreate a patented software process in open-source software, and what would be the possible consequences? [more inside]
Batch save pictures to computer from my Pinterest board
I'm looking for some kind of script, app, tool, or hack to speed up the process of saving pictures from Pinterest to my computer as a batch. [more inside]
Torn between adventure and stability
Graphic designer hoping to do something more (documentaries and photography) at 31 years old. I'm at a new chapter in my life but unsure how to write it: after a recent breakup, I realized I have to go after what I really want, not hope to rely on someone else to get me there. The only problem is I am now very torn between going the "expected", more stable, route and taking a risk and seeing what happens if I just do what I love. [more inside]
Seeking clinic and urgent care recommendations in southern Baltimore suburbs
Just moved to Baltimore (working in Columbia), haven't had time to unpack let alone find a new PCP, and wouldn't you know it, i'm sick. Does anyone have any recommendations for a drop-in clinic or urgent care facility in the Laurel-Ellicott City-Columbia area that (a) won't charge ER rates and (b) has decent staff? I found several when I googled, but have no way to evaluate them other than google recommendations. Bonus points if you can ALSO recommend other good practitioners (I need a primary care physician, an endocrinologist and a dermatologist) in that area or the south side of Baltimore for when I have time to set up appointments for initial visits.
Neighbors are terrible, we want to leave, a year left in our lease
Can you break a lease because of terrible neighbors? [more inside]
I just want to be comfortable AND stylish....okay?
Is there such a thing as a "sneaker heel"? [more inside]
Saccharine sweet love songs?
Saccharine sweet love songs. Let me hear your favorites. [more inside]
How do online banking trojans work?
How do online banking trojans work? [more inside]
What do I charge in eggs for accommodating neighbor's hens?
Chickens and Hens: A neighbor wants to keep 6 chickens on my land. What is a suitable rent in terms of eggs? number? % of lay?
20 years ago I stuck it to the man. Now what?
How do I go about repaying 20+ year-old student loan debt? [more inside]
How to find a good tour company for a middle school trip?
I'm involved in organizing a trip to Washington, DC and Virginia for a group of about 25 Californian junior high students for next year. We've been looking at Worldstrides as a tour company. Anyone have experience with these guys - or any *really* positive experiences with other similar companies? [more inside]
June 2
Just about done with this game of life.
How do I cope with my seemingly pointless existence in life? [more inside]
Greek economic problems affect interest rates?
How will the Greek economic problems and related Euro currency issues affect interest rates and the property market in other continents, especially Australia?
How do I stop my strong feelings for my girlfriend from making me needy and thus sabotaging my own relationship?
The background: I normally don't have trouble dating but that's because I maintain an emotional detachment that makes it easy to plan and strategize - thus making calculated and well-planned decisions. Love, on the other hand, is something I almost never experience - but I seriously have it bad right now. It's impairing my judgment and it's become clear that I need help. [more inside]
MRI/MRA in Israel
Anybody know about the cost of getting an MRI or MRA in Israel (or Cairo)? This is my student insurance, and it puts imaging under "Included in the limits of liability". I'm not sure what that means. I am unable to get this done in the US due to scheduling conflicts. I'll be in Jerusalem this summer and then in Cairo this fall, but am not sure what my insurance will be in Cairo (and I also know less about Egypt's health system in general). Thanks!
Was läuft am Fernsehen?
I'm moving to Berlin next month. What should I watch on German tv? I'm looking for something, preferably weekly primetime, with a storyline that will pull me in, and language that's hopefully not too obscuredly regional or slangy or jargony. I could be happy with any genre. I'm looking to improve my German. Currently my German is clunky but functional. I will also of course be out and about, taking courses, finding my way around, speaking with people. Also, just, what's good on tv in Germany?
where?
I'm worried about the safety of my dad, and I'm not sure what to do. He helped me move to a new city. Things had been stressful for a while, and this evening he took his bag and left. [more inside]
"No offense, son, but that's some weak-ass thinking. You equivocating like a motherfucker. "
I want to buy a soda siphon. Any recommendations? [more inside]
How to stay emotionally strong after double whammy?
How to stay emotionally strong after double whammy? [more inside]
What is it??
Help identify this creature/thing! [more inside]
Important or interesting research done in your field?
What is some recent important or interesting research done in your field? [more inside]
I need to know what to say in the Emergency Room.
Which address should I give when I go to the Emergency Room? This is turning out to be a surprisingly stressful and complicated question. [more inside]
Should I move to Williamsburg, BK?
Should I move to Williamsburg, BK? [more inside]
Funny haha or Funny Strange?
I'd like to find some more stand-up comedians that have the kind of humor I like. Preferably people who are currently developing material. [more inside]
Zip line sag. Keep tightening or no?
Zip line filter: I'm building a zip line on our property. The issue I'm having is cable sag. Help? [more inside]
First time at EDC (Electric Daisy Carnival) Las Vegas - any tips?
First time at EDC (Electric Daisy Carnival) Las Vegas - any tips? [more inside]
what's sets us apart inside and outside of the industry door
job hunting filter: in biotech job market, what exactly an "industry experience" gives you and sets you apart from others who has no such experience [more inside]
The youngest video game designer.
My eleven year old daughter is showing interest in designing video games. What tools are out there for her to get her feet wet in placing elements on screen and creating interactions? Paid is fine as long as it's not exorbitant. [more inside]
Who knew Mott The Hoople even put out that many records?
Where do flea market vinyl dealers get their records? [more inside]
It's fantasy, it shouldn't be so limited.
There is no shortage of fantasy novels set in a fantasy world based on Europe. But what about fantasy worlds based on other cultures? [more inside]
Psychological addiction to Vicodin
How to get over psychological addiction to Vicodin? [more inside]
Plagued by ants, ants, and (hopefully not) an ardvark
Ants, scurrying rodents - what do I do with my WALL OF VERMIN? [more inside]
I'm looking for sound.
Tell me about sound effects for games. I'm designing the specifications for a mobile app, which will be a game. I need sound effects, preferably royalty-free, to accompany the game. [more inside]
Finding a side-career as an occasional artist
How do I find work as an illustrator / artist? I've been drawing for years and people think I'm good enough to ask me for the occasional commission / spot illustration. I'd like for this to happen more often, and maybe get paid now and then. [more inside]
A thousand Silkwood showers would not be enough.
A married coworker made a pass at me - help me stop feeling like I need to peel all my skin off. [more inside]
Why am I immune to all medication?
I have been almost immune to most medications for as long as I've been taking them, particularly pain medications, anesthesia, anxiety medications, benzodiapines, and psychotropic drugs (this one is iffy because sometimes they don't work on people anyway). I feel literally nothing even on high doses. Wtf? [more inside]
Help a shy four year old who is missing out.
How to help my four-year-old better cope with his extreme shyness, so he doesn't keep missing out on things he wants to do? [more inside]
How do I find another soundtrack writing job?
How do I go about getting another soundtrack writing job? [more inside]
Distant Reader
What are some techniques that I can use to become more of an active reader despite my dissociation? [more inside]
Mama, they took my Kodachrome away
Would it be feasible to restart Kodachrome film production and developing services on a small scale, in the way that The Impossible Project has restarted small scale production of instant film for Polaroid cameras? By feasible, I mean doing it at a scale that would make enough profit to keep one or two people employed to do the work.
How to produce a high-quality hard-backed book?
How do I turn a document into a high-quality hard-backed book? [more inside]
Trying to ID a HI song with a Hall and Oates sample.
Name that Hawaiian tune with a Hall and Oates Sample. Lyrics may have included "pacific girl" or "specific girl" . . . this is driving us nuts!
What were the roots of the classic Beach Boys sound?
What were the roots of the classic Beach Boys sound? [more inside]
How to Find The Average Commenter?
Harmonic or Arithmetic Mean?: I'm trying to settle an argument with my wife - is using the arithmetic mean or harmonic mean more appropriate when finding the "average" number of, say, online comments made by a large number of people, where a significant portion of them make only one comment and a few people make the bulk of the comments? [more inside]
All I know about Indiana comes from Parks & Rec
I'm going to be working in a corn field in Noblesville, IN, for three days. Do you have recommendations for either the field work or restaurants in Noblesville? [more inside]
how to tell my masculine girlfriend that i like femme presentation?
how to tell my masculine girlfriend that i like femme presentation? [more inside]
Patter in 90s Alt-rock
Looking for more examples of 90s alt-rock songs making heavy use of patter / spoken sections. [more inside]
Why hasn't the universe turned into a big mass of neutrons?
In Electron Capture, an electron falls into the nucleus of an atom and combines with a proton to form a neutron. A neutrino and a gamma ray are emitted. It's one form of nuclear decay, but relatively uncommon. Why hasn't this happened to every hydrogen atom in the universe already?
kitten troubles
I gave my mother-in-law my Mainecoon kitten. Since then, she has stopped using the litter box. Help! [more inside]
Nut butter hand cream: dangerous?
Is a hand cream with nut butters in it dangerous to other people with nut allergies once I put it on my hands? [more inside]
He's just not that into me, is he?
Is this guy flaky, or just not interested? [Warning: long explanation inside] [more inside]
How dangerous is this part of Seattle to walk around at 11PM at night?
How dangerous is this part of Seattle to walk around at 11PM at night? [more inside]
Conditional formatting, with limitations.
How do I set conditional formatting in Excel based on whether a list value has been selected in a range of other cells? [more inside]
Does any woman want to date a woman with no experience?
I'm a woman who identifies as queer and is out about it. Until now has mostly dated and had sex with men. I have always been more attracted to women though, and do not want to date guys any more as I just do not have the same romantic feelings and it turns out badly for everyone involved. But I am scared no woman will ever want to date me because of my lack of history dating women and my lack of confidence in talking to them. Apologies for the length. [more inside]
Why the **** won't Amnesia start?
Why won't Amnesia: The Dark Descent start? [more inside]
Children's books without children
Our child was reading The Pushcart War and it occurred to me that it is the only children's book I know of that does not feature any children as characters. Can this be correct, or am I just suffering brain-freeze? [more inside]
Common Law, Taxes and Immigration in Canada without SIN
My common-law partner and I are in the process of filing forms for her sponsorship of me to receive permanent resident status in Canada. She changed her marital status to common-law on her most recent tax forms (we have been living together since 2009). She is now being audited by Revenue Canada, since this reflects a change from her last tax return and how her GST/HST refunds are calculated. [more inside]
Literary translation journals? Or not?
Where should I try and publish a literary translation? [more inside]
How to navigate dating multiple people?
I've found "The One!" Actually, I've found two. What do I do? [more inside]
Guitar 101
I want to learn how to play guitar. I know nothing about guitars. Help me! [more inside]
Silfra diving
Road tripping around Iceland in August. I am very on the fence about booking a dive trip in the Silfra fissure. Would love to hear from people that did it. [more inside]
Warm weather picnic ideas
Looking for picnic food that doesn't require refridgeration [more inside]
Help plan our next blind taste test
My wife and I love to do blind taste tests for fun. We've done water, boxed macaroni and cheese, cola, and root beer (water was the most satisfying because the expensive store-bought waters did so poorly). I'd like to do a another soon (perhaps on Father's Day), but can't think of a good product to test. The ideal test subject would be a type of food or drink that is available in several variations at stores in the U.S. Coffee and wine would seem like good possibilities, but she doesn't drinking much and neither of us is a coffee drinker.
Recommendations for software to track article submissions
What's a good (Mac OS) application to track journal submissions and manuscript reviews? [more inside]
June 1
How can I swap the trigger and shoulder button functions on my controller?
I have an Xbox 360 controller pad, and Windows 7. I would like to swap the functions of the shoulder and trigger buttons. [more inside]
Cuckoo Clock Identification
I'd appreciate your help in identifying this cuckoo clock. Who made it? Is it for sale? If so, where can I buy it? [more inside]
My golf clubs want to be swung!
Recently diagnosed with Costochondritis. How long does it take to heal? What can I do in the mean time? My golf clubs are lonely! [more inside]
Channeling George Harrison
Musical Tourism: I'm traveling next week to Delhi for business, but will have a weekend for shopping, sightseeing. I'm a nerdy musician and would like to bring home a meaningful musical souvenir from India. Preferably an instrument I can play. What should I get and where should I get it from? [more inside]
Storyboards for Animators
Please help my animator friend find inspiring storyboards. [more inside]
Who's working on (or thinking about) the GMO battery tree?
Are there any sci-fi (or scientific) examples of people exploring the idea of "battery trees" - genetically engineered organisms which harness photosynthesis to store electrical energy? [more inside]
Why can't you give a pet a space burial?
Help me heal/cover these acne scars of fresh skin
So call me maybe! ...hey wait, you mean I've got to SUSTAIN a CONVERSATION on this thing this is CRAZY
How do you relearn the art/science/weird life skill of talking on the phone? [more inside]
How do I get through the day with two autoimmune diseases?
Within the last month, I've been diagnosed with two autoimmune disorders. I'm tired, everything hurts, and my life is pure insanity right now. What are your hacks for getting what you need when life simply isn't giving them to you? What about from the ones you love? [more inside]
I Can't Get Started
The starter on my '92 Dodge Spirit keeps dying, even after I replace it. Why? [more inside]
Of course, sir. I'll take care of it.
Help me find historical fiction starring the kinds of people described in this awesome comment. [more inside]
How do I know when to leave a good job?
I'm a software developer in my early 30s, working in the defense industry. I'm pretty happy with my job, but wondering if I should move on. I would be looking to move to the San Francisco area. My question is, how do I know when to leave a pretty good job? [more inside]
Rebuilding my credit after bankruptcy
Chapter 7 bankruptcy will be discharged in 60 days. What should I do to start rebuilding my credit? [more inside]
PG&E broke our bridge
A PG&E vehicle weighing 54,000 lb - much more than our bridge's H20 (40,000 lb) rating - broke our bridge. Five families are served by this bridge. I would like... [more inside]
Chemical smell begone!
How can I remove this chemical smell from a wool coat? [more inside]
Free Disk Space Disappearing
How do I eradicate an infection that eats my free disk space? [more inside]
delete shortcut problem
Deleting desktop shortcut deletes the file. What gives? [more inside]
Do I HAVE to keep this puppy?
Hope us navigate the dangerous waters of puppies and bosses... [more inside]
Blue screen of death problem
How can I fix my blue screen of death problem (XP)? [more inside]
Guitar-string-like neck sensation...
What's wrong with my neck and how can I alleviate it? [more inside]
Help me get my Xbox360 onto the American internet!
How can I make my Xbox 360 play nice with a VPN? Oh, and to further complicate matters, I want this to happen so that I can access Amazon OnDemand... From Canada. More inside... [more inside]
Impromptu Iceland
Four days free next week in Reykjavik. What to see and do? Love to get out into the mountains and glaciers, but also city things. Catch: no car. [more inside]
How to un-have a crush on a coworker?
I have a crush on my coworker. And an awesome partner who I am crazy about. How do I get rid of the crush? A few special snowflake details inside. [more inside]
How to include self-taught tech skills in my resumé?
Resumé filter: how do you tailor your resumé when you're applying to a job in which you have relevant (self-taught) skills, but no prior work experience in the field? [more inside]
Can regular Japanese folk read English words?
Work-related question: Can the average Japanese-only speaker read and pronounce English words? [more inside]
Charged sales tax for printing wedding invites - is this right?
Sales tax question: We hired someone to print our wedding invitations - we did all the design. The person we hired does this as a small side business in addition to her day job. We got the invoice for the printing today and there is a charge for sales tax. She is in the same state as us (CA) but in a different city. I was surprised at the charge - is this normal? I'm not sure what the status of her business is, if it's a sole proprietorship or a corporation or what.
You are not my estate lawyer, finance lady, or tax guy. Can you help me find that person?
Grandma set up an uneven trust and we want to distribute it equally. Who do we talk to and what do we ask them? Questions about imbalanced inheritances, DIY redistribution of wealth, and taxes within... [more inside]
What if it all falls apart?
Freelance freakout. Help? [more inside]
I want to do all of the cool things
I have a plan to visit NYC with my best friend next weekend. I've been to NYC about six or seven times now, and I have a few things in mind. Can you help me find some other cool things to do based on what I'm already thinking about checking out? [more inside]
flash game about drunk hedgehogs
Flash game in Russian about a drunk hedgehog? [more inside]
Can I afford this sports car of my dreams? Posting all my finances inside..
Can I afford this sports car of my dreams? Posting all my finances inside.. [more inside]
Unintended Consequences of Minor Rules in Sports and Games
What sports and games are now dominated by a minor or special-case rule? [more inside]
Early Newspaper Comic Strips
I have the full run of the Krazy Kat comics and really enjoy them. Does anyone have recommendations on other interesting or noteworthy early newspaper comic strips? Also, where can I find collected runs of these comics (used or new, in or out of print)? I would also be interested in any book that provides a readable overview of early newspaper comic strips. [more inside]
What to do in Falmouth, Jamaica?
So next week, my girlfriend and I are going on a cruise for our third year anniversary booked through Royal Caribbean that leaves from Florida and stops at Labidee, Haiti; Falmouth, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico. This is my first cruise, and my girlfriend’s eighth cruise. We have already booked awesome excursions in Labadee (parasailing!), George Town (turtle farm and stingray city!), and Cozumel (snorkeling boat tour!), but we are unsure what to do in Falmouth since it’s a relatively new port. (more inside) [more inside]
Cobbler/shoe repair recommendation in Vancouver, BC?
Cobbler/shoe repair recommendation in Vancouver, BC? [more inside]
Practicalities regarding moving apartments and finding roommates
Tell me about the practicalities of finding a new roommate/apartment. [more inside]
software to read text out loud?
I want text read out loud to me. Recommend a site, application or software? [more inside]
charity registration in Canada for dummies
how to register as a charity in canada? [more inside]
What do I do when I get email info intended for someone else?
I have a common name at a common domain name for email accounts. I sometimes receive emails that aren't intended for me - and this week, an email had info I didn't want to see. What do I do? [more inside]
Bringing sexy back?
I love my wife, and I'm attracted to my wife, but I don't think about having sex with her anymore, and we haven't had sex for over a year. We've had lots of problems, and we've worked through many of them, but this one is the toughest for us. Is it possible to rekindle our sex life after so much time? Has anyone been able to do that? If so, how? Throw away address: emailzzzzzzzzzz@gmail.com
Which _The Doors_ cds are considered the best?
I am confused about The Doors catalog. There are many versions. I am not sure which is the best. I know "best" is subjective. What I mean is not altered with remixing but simply the best remastered. Or if the original releases are still considered the best. I have the "Perception" set but saw a previous box from 1999 that I've read is better quality. Any input? This may be your opinion but your opinion is appreciated.
Fine me this Trampoline turned into a hammock!
Do you know the source for this awesome Trampoline into a Hammock project? [more inside]
The most beautiful blue of blues
Yves Klein blue paint dupe? [more inside]
Tap that.
How to make a (non-beer) tap? [more inside]
Where can I buy better bacon?
Where can I buy better bacon? I would be loathe to complain about any bacon, but let's be honest, grocery store bacon really pales in comparison to what you can get at good local restaurants. I'm in Sacramento. [more inside]
Glue to bond glass and ceramics
Suitable glue to bond glass to ceramics - must dry clear, and be dishwasher proof (or at least waterproof) [more inside]
What game is this?
I'm trying to find a game I used to play, just a couple of years ago. It was played in a web browser. There were no levels or objectives or other players; it was just you in a jeep driving around a 3-d racetrack set in a desert. It had a lot of glitches, such as falling down a hole that wasn't supposed to be there. There was weird music playing.
Is there a name for the kind of art that depicts early American towns as nearly two-dimensional?
Is there a name for the kind of folk art painting that depicts early American towns as nearly two-dimensional? [more inside]
Planning a road trip in Europe
I need some help planning a family road trip in Europe (Germany, Czech Republic and UK) this summer. Special details inside [more inside]
I like learning things
I just moved from Brooklyn to San Francisco and was wondering if there's anything like the Brooklyn Brainery here. [more inside]
Suggestions for a $6500 windfall?
I am about to receive a one-time windfall of about $6500 after taxes. I would like to hear suggestions for spending it that will result in happy memories, a sense of accomplishment, or acquiring something that we enjoy owning. [more inside]
Birthday timez!
I'm looking for a fun, whimsical birthday present for my girlfriend. I'm looking along the lines of this question, but for someone I know. Something unexpected, beautiful, and fun. My budget is about 100 dollars. She is a sports fan (basketball), a former journalist, loves to read, isn't really into music, loves gardening, and has a rabbit as a pet. She's thirty, turning 31. Any ideas would be most welcome.
What are the cool small towns in Texas?
What are the best small Texas towns? [more inside]
Recommend me finance resources for self-study
Hi Mefi,
I am an undergraduate university student who is thinking of self-teaching herself a bit of finance on the side for the next five years. My current major is english law.
Could anyone with knowledge of the topics I've listed recommend me the best way to get started? I was thinking of getting a math workbook of sorts before I actually delve into any one of the topics, but I'm not sure which kind to get. I am not familiar with the kind of math required to fully appreciate and understand these finance topics.
If anyone with knowledge and first hand experience with these topics (either through self-study, work or university course) could give me advice and insights into how to approach this as well as recommend some resources, I'd be most grateful.
Thanks again [more inside]
The best books on the history of Brazil
I just got back from Brazil and want to read about its history. What are the best books in English? I'm particularly interested in the period from the arrival of the monarchy in 1808 to the founding of the republic in 1889.
Help me watch my stories!
My laptop is dying. I don't use it for much, and am wondering if a tablet would be an okay replacement. If so, which one? [more inside]
ConsumerFilter: Buy this travel offer?
Anyone have any experience with purchasing & then redeeming a Travelocity Hotel Gift Card? [more inside]
What resources can I use to find a great roommate for my apartment in Oakland, CA?
What resources can I use to find a great roommate for my apartment in Oakland, CA? [more inside]
Common Sense is Not So Common?
Can you help me cultivate common sense? I am very book smart - gifted/high IQ, excel at work, etc. I am relatively street smart - no walking down dark alleys at night, etc. But I fail spectacularly at common sense, and I've given a few examples below. [more inside]
Name That Strange Plane!
I just saw a very odd aircraft -- a twin-engine passenger jet with an odd protrusion from the top front, taking off from Phoenix Sky Harbor. Any idea what it might be? [more inside]
He loves me, he loves me not- what does love look like besides a petal-plucked flower.
How do men act when they are in love with a woman? [more inside]
Can you ID this book?
Help me identify a book I read in the mid-90's! All I remember about it is that it was a crime novel, about a guy on death row, and the big surprise at the end of the book is that he and his lawyer (an ostensibly straight married man) wind up having some kind of sexual encounter before the client is executed. At least I think that is what happened - I could be making up some of the details. But hopefully this is enough to go on - thanks, book sleuths!
Looking For 5K Fundraiser Manager
I manage a small non-profit in New Jersey, and are looking for someone to manage a 5K race for us next year. I am looking for: 1) about how much this would cost us; and 2) for any suggestions of businesses that do this kind of work in the area. Thanks!
Should I be honest with my doctor about my pot use?
Should I be honest with my doctor about my pot use? [more inside]
Looking for places to travel to to learn, volunteer, study, or challenge myself.
I'm looking for ideas for anywhere in the world where I can travel to for periods of between 2 weeks to 2 months and do things like volunteer, study, learn, or challenge myself. [more inside]
cellphones are proof we live in the future
What cellphone and service should I choose for an upcoming 6-week vacation to Australia? [more inside]
Where is this picture of the Queen firing an SA80 from?
Where is this picture of the Queen firing an SA80 from? [more inside]
Should I refinance?
Is a refi just to get rid of PMI worth it? [more inside]
Heating an old house: Should the baseboard heating stay or go?
Heating an old house: Should the baseboard heating stay or go? [more inside]
Help me lawyer up!
I've got a special-snowflake immigrations issue that leads me to believe I no longer know enough to handle the problem. I need to meet with an immigrations lawyer/consultant. But how do I choose? (Location filter: Montreal) [more inside]
Best French grammar app or book?
I'm relearning French and I would like a really good workbook/program that focuses on grammar. I have vocabulary and pronounciation fine (Mindsnacks & Anki, Pimsleur and Michael Thomas) and I'm practicing reading and writing with several texts and Lang8.com. I keep tripping up on half-remembered grammatical rules, and I really want something I can work through at my own pace. I would much prefer an app with built-in drills, but I'll buy a workbook/textbook as well. I want something like Chapter 7: Passive verbs, Chapter 8: Interrogatives with an explanation of the rules, examples and then drills. Not a complete French course, but just grammar.
Health insurance question: Does the birthday rule force us to upgrade to a family plan?
Insurance coordination of benefits and birthday rule question: can my wife be forced to upgrade to a family plan? Details inside. [more inside]
Training a commuter to ride a century
Help transform a cycling commuter into a cycling centurion. Currently I cycle around 20 miles a day commuting, but would like to be able to knock off a century by the end of the summer (miles not km). Am happy with a basic training programme of increasing the miles at the weekend, but should the longer run be on a Saturday, for the recovery day before commuting again, or on a Sunday, for the recovery day from commuting all week? Come, let me show you all my sparkly snowflakes. [more inside]
2 for 1 Bookfinders Special
MeFi bookworms, do you know either of these books? [more inside]
Looking for magazines with a local cultural focus
What are the best small local-history/culture magazines or publications in North America? [more inside]
What's a good but still long-ish hairstyle for a guy seeking a job in London?
What's a good, long-ish haircut for a guy in London going back into office work after a long period away? [more inside]
Guys: He froze up in front of me, but does he have a girlfriend?
Guys: He froze up in front of me, but does he have a girlfriend? [more inside]
Month to month apartments near Ft. Lauderdale?
Where can I find a place to rent for 3-4 months (or month to month) in Florida near Boca Raton or Ft. Lauderdale this summer? [more inside]
Take this rate and STFU?
Started a new freelance gig and got my first paycheck. It's lower than I expected. Should I ask about this or would it make me look greedy? [more inside]
I simply KANT write my thesis...help me?
I need advice on how to finish this master's thesis that is consuming me with guilt, anxiety and helplessness [more inside]
How do I think (and act) rationally and prudently regarding potential lyme disease?
I'm a bit panicked about lyme disease and having trouble thinking things through rationally--I've heard nightmare stories about late-stage untreated lyme and that's outweighing whatever I read. Hope me? [more inside]