August 2012 Archives
August 31
How do I transfer a specific album from my iPad to my PC?
Trying to transfer a single photo album from my iPad to my Win7 PC. Why is this so freaking difficult? [more inside]
Why does my shell stick to my egg?
Simple question. How to hard boil an egg so that it peels easily. After 30 years of cooking for myself, I have lost my mojo and ability to do this. I just want to be able to peel my hard boiled boneless chicken without the shell sticking to the white and creating pock marks on my whites. [more inside]
How do I go about learning Braille?
Does anyone have experience learning to read braille (using my fingers)? How difficult is it? [more inside]
I suspect there is hidden mold in my new apartment. What now?
I suspect there is hidden mold in my new apartment. How do I know for sure, and what do I do to remove it/get the manager to remove it? I'm allergic so letting it be is not an option. [more inside]
How to get my ex back in this complicated situation?
My first love broke up with me 4 months ago. I had taken her for granted, albeit under difficult circumstances. I want to rekindle things but I know I've hurt her. If I don't try to rekindle, I think I'll regret it forever. How do I do that while respecting her feelings? [more inside]
What laptop do you recommend for a frugal CS student?
What laptop do you recommend for a frugal CS student? [more inside]
Does anyone know where this .gif is from?
Does anyone know which movie / show / video this .gif is from? [more inside]
Law clerk at small firm, partner lost his shit. Stay or go?
Lawyer filter. I'm a full time law clerk and part-time law student and need serious, objective advice regarding my boss and whether I should continue at the firm. [more inside]
Drip Drip Drip
Am I stuck with shouldering this or can I still go after the contractor? Water leaks from the upstairs shower into the kitchen on the first floor. This, after the bathroom was completely gutted and new plumbing, fixtures and tile installed. Problem is, the renovation was completed just over five years ago. [more inside]
Worth Teaching Old Dog New Tricks...?
Is it worth it for me to pursue higher education? Middle-aged, single parent, seasoned corporate employee and.... [more inside]
Replace my discontinued face illuminator makeup
Looking for a facial highlighter/blush to replace my discontinued favourite. [more inside]
Chopping open the onion
I want to read about the dark side of the Internet, preferably in the form of a narrative. [more inside]
Help me find my cable jack.
I can't find my cable jack. Help? [more inside]
Looking for some dialogue, maybe from Jane Austen
I'm trying to track down a piece of dialogue from a book, possibly written by Jane Austen, about people who seek out a friendship and then decide they don't like the other person. [more inside]
What's hot in Japanese drama?
What are the recent most popular Japanese dramas? [more inside]
Good habits for the highly effective computer scientist
I'm a physics graduate student and my PhD work is going to involve a fair amount of programming. Aside from the coding part, what habits and skills do I need to develop to become a competent programmer? [more inside]
The Great Meatball Mystery
This weekend, IKEA is offering a food special where the price of your meal is deducted from furniture orders of $100 or more. In the fine print, I noticed an unusual clause: "Swedish meatballs not included in restaurant offer at IKEA Carson." Everyone loves Ikea's Swedish meatballs, but is the meatball market really THAT much more robust in Carson, CA? What's the deal?
Songs to lift me up
I'm looking for recommendations for music that might make me feel better about myself. [more inside]
Ikea bed and mattress suggestions
Our bedframe is broken beyond repair. Perhaps this would be a good time to get a bed that is larger than a full. Our budget is Ikea level—so I have two questions: 1) Will their queen size beds comfortably support our combined weight of 500-550 lbs? 2) Are there any Ikea beds or mattresses that you particularly like?
Where can I get dried spices?
Where can I get tasty bulk spices at awesome prices online? I'm particularly looking for dried whole ancho chiles (which seem to cost upwards of $10/lb online) [more inside]
Surely sleep-driving is not the explanation...
Weird credit card charge..can you help? [more inside]
How to handle job interviews while going through chemo/radiation for cancer?
I'm in the middle of treatment for breast cancer (chemo and radiation) and am unsure how to handle sharing this information (if I should at all) during my job interviews. What is my legal obligation? What is my moral obligation? What makes the most sense for everyone involved? [more inside]
Tips and tricks for using Oxiclean.
I bought a box of Oxiclean. I have a bunch of dirty clothes. Now what? [more inside]
Why is a brand-new smartphone worth the money?
How do you use your smartphone to actually improve your life/work? How would you persuade someone upgrading is worthwhile with real-life examples? [more inside]
Help me be age-appropriate!
I recently realized I look, dress, and act like my mother. No, my grandmother. I'm 26 and I need help knowing how to look my age. Help? [more inside]
You're only pretending to be my friend
For the past week or so I have been receiving phishing emails at my non-Facebook email account which appear to be from my Facebook friends. The sender's name is one of my Facebook friends, but the email addresses are not their real email address. The subject line reads FOR (MY FIRST NAME) and the message contains a link (which I never click, of course). Clearly there has been some access to my friend list and my email address. I am not using any apps on Facebook, and never give apps access to my info—my privacy settings are pretty locked down, or so I thought. Facebook is absolutely no help on this. I can't find a way to even report this to them because their reporting mechanism asks for links and there are none. I've changed my password, and locked down my privacy settings even more. Any ideas about how this happened and how to fix the security hole?
Overnight parking in the Outer Banks?
Where can I park my car for a week in the Outer Banks (Nags Head, NC)? [more inside]
Is there a better way to do this?
How do you make sure you have a car seat waiting for you at a rental car company when you are travelling internationally? Details and crazy plan inside. [more inside]
Tell me why I should or should not incorporate in Ontario, Canada
I'm a web developer in Toronto who is currently operating as a sole proprietor. A prospective new client would really like to hire me for a major new project, but they can only deal with incorporated companies and cannot hire a sole prop. I'm looking for advice on incorporating from a) people in Canada and especially Ontario, but also from b) anyone who has any relevant advice about the experience of becoming an Inc., even if you are not Canadian. Yes, I will be engaging an accountant or lawyer for specific advice if I do decide to move forward, so I'm not worried that some specific advice may not be appropriate for my jurisdiction: I'm just trying to get a broad picture of what it's like (and some recommendations for lawyers/accountants). [more inside]
How can my sister start her new specialty retail food business?
How can my sister start her new specialty retail food business? [more inside]
How to take the mix tape online?
We used to swap mix CDs at Music Night, but one of us moved. How can we keep it up across the miles? [more inside]
Unwilling threesome
My boyfriend has been sneaking porn into bed to secretly look at while having sex with me (pictures on cell phone while behind me). He has been doing this for a year. How do I deal with my resulting body issues and how do we repair intimacy? [more inside]
Life like Walden
After many years of living a very social life in a very big city I find myself living alone in a very remote part of the world. Seeking advice and insight into a life of solitude. [more inside]
Do I tell the debt collection firm I have nothing?
Question about debt collections. Do I tell them I have no assets? [more inside]
Young woman health care San Francisco
Assisting young adult female in San Francisco with primary care and birth control -- best options? [more inside]
Large capacity PDF 2 Fax service?
PDF to Fax service that can handle ludicrously large files and number of pages? [more inside]
Awesome, unusual, old, poignant audio interviews or speeches
Can you help me find some really interesting, slightly obscure, and (hopefully) poignant interviews, speeches, or recordings of texts? Ideally online? Extra-ideally for FREE? [more inside]
I need to know what I'm doing and when I need to do it.
I am looking for a wonderful timer program for Mac (OS X 10.7.4 +).
It needs to have a Cocoa GUI (meaning a GUI that isn't ugly, and isn't unnecessarily complicated), the ability to run multiple timers, and the ability to name timers with a decent amount of detail. Sound is an important feature, too.
Command line alternatives are also cool, but not ideal.
More information inside: [more inside]
Another hymn from the cathedral of drift.
Help me ID this vintage Brazilian tropicalia (???) song! [more inside]
Can Quickbooks reports be customized for a 5-4-4 fiscal quarter?
My retail business has non-calendar fiscal months on a 5-4-4, 13 week quarter. How can I assign custom fiscal month dates to Quickbooks to create budgets and reports based on the right periods? Or, what other accounting software handles this well? [more inside]
Household Magic
What modern products and technologies work "like magic"? [more inside]
Oxford: Open Sesame!
Visiting researcher (also, a rower) at Oxford- in a land of gated communities- how do I 'get involved'/'dive in'? [more inside]
What PHP frameworks and libraries make you more productive?
New PHP project in the works that I'm going to us as an excuse to learn a new-to-me framework. Kohana and Laravel are at the top of my list, but is there anything else I should consider? The project will be relatively simple, so a microframework might also be appropriate. [more inside]
Custom printer t-shirt & hat wanted
Recommendations for printing a custom t-shirt and baseball cap? [more inside]
Nice looking net radio player for Mac.
I'm looking for a Mac app that can play internet radio and has a nice looking and easy-to-use interface. [more inside]
Kids' Microscope in Montreal?
I want to buy a microscope for an 8-year-old kid. [more inside]
Book recommendation for Software Product Management Interviews
Looking for book recommendations for Software Product Manager interview questions. [more inside]
Baby on a bus situation
So it looks like I might need to start taking the baby on the bus to her daycare, which is downtown. I say baby… she's pretty much a toddler now, being just under one and a half, and pretty squirmy with it to. My preferred travel option with her when on foot is to put her in a backpack, which she loves and which chills her right out, but we also have a stroller. So… what is the best way to carry her on the bus? I've considered just standing with her in the backpack the whole way, but it seems like there might be a safety concern. There's taking the backpack off and keeping her in it, which seems like it might have similar concerns. Taking her right out of the backpack and putting her in my lap seems like it might be the most safety conscious option, but that assumes a seat and that she will stay put - that later condition being highly unlikely. And then it may be the same deal with the stroller. Thoughts?
One Day in Chicago
I'm going to be in Chicago for 30 hours at the end of September on an international layover. I've never been before and want to squeeze in a lot in the time that I have. What should I do? [more inside]
They thought they were just here to do something vaguely sciencey. UNTIL EVERYTHING WENT HORRIBLY WRONG. Also there's a hurricane or something.
In need of some guilty pleasure sci-fi thriller books à la Michael Crichton. [more inside]
Chicken versus egg versus back pain
Back pain and swallowing difficulty - is the shoulder pain causing the swallowing situation or the other way around? Your experience wanted as I wait for my doctor visit. [more inside]
Actually PHP, your mom is an unexpected T_ELSE
PHP / Wordpress filter: I need to hide some aspects of my site behind if ( is_user_logged_in() ) functions, but being a newbie to PHP I don't think I'm getting the syntax right. Specific code is beneath the jump. [more inside]
Information security info via Twitter?
Following Jacob Appelbaum and Bruce Schneier on Twitter has led me to some interesting articles / videos, etc. RE: information security, surveillance, and online censorship -who else should I be keeping an eye on?
Locate fuses on old GE stove
My neighbor has an old GE Automatic Calrod stove. Recently the oven stopped working (baking and Grilling) Assuming that the elements are ok, I'm guessing that a fuse somewhere in the stove needs to be replaced. If so does anyone know where the fuses are on these things. I'm asking Meta Filter because I'm reluctant to have a good poke around as the stove is really dirty. Link to the picture is obviously not the actual stove in question.
Do I have to go shopping before this wedding?
Some friends of mine got married last month in India, and they're having a large evening reception this weekend. I know that colorful is the way to go, but all of my colorful dresses are too casual. What I have left is a mostly black dress with a few grey panels, and a mostly white dress with a light blue floral print. Would either of those be ok, or should I go shopping this weekend? The bride had previously said that "a dress you would wear to an American wedding" is fine, and I don't want to pester her asking for specifics when I'm sure she has other things on her mind right now!
Saving an Excel file with images as web page - why are thumbnails being created?
Saving an Excel file with images as web page - why are thumbnails being created? [more inside]
What's a warm low-key place in Europe in November?
I'll be recovering from some cosmetic surgery in mid-November of this year and looking to combine the downtime with a month-long working vacation somewhere in Europe, someplace warm. Where should I go? [more inside]
How do you eliminate the Apple ID login popup window on a Mountain Lion install for newly created users? In both 10.8 and 10.8.1?
How do you eliminate the Apple ID login popup window on a Mountain Lion install for newly created users? In both 10.8 and 10.8.1? [more inside]
Master's in disaster
What's the 'right' reason for taking a master's course? [more inside]
Gorillas in the midst
I'm going to be in Tanzania with a friend in a couple of months after some medical volunteering in Kenya, and I'd like to see gorillas while they're still around. Does anyone have a recommended group to do this through, or one with a good reputation?
Help me get the most out of my commute
My commute is now me driving alone - what can I do to stay "busy" in the car? [more inside]
IIS with nested virtual directories
I have a situation with aliases/virtual directories that would be easy for me to solve in Apache, but with IIS I'm jumping through some hoops. Am I on the right track, or is there a better way? [more inside]
My long-distance best friend is depressed and suicidal. Help me help her!
My extremely-gifted best friend halfway across the world was depressed and then recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Now she's nearly suicidal. I'm in over my head and I don't know what to do... [more inside]
August 30
Can anyone recommend a good female primary care physician in the Worcester, MA area?
Can anyone recommend a good female primary care physician in the Worcester, MA area? Someone fat-friendly or HAES-promoting is a bonus. [more inside]
Selling loads of householed stuff, alternatives to ebay and craigslist
Selling stuff without using eBay or Craigslist: what are those app/photo driven services, or other alternatives? [more inside]
how do I de-fatstinkybutt my cat
My cat is fat, lazy and does not groom nearly as much as she should. How do I remedy this? [more inside]
How To Sell Comics in a Post-Wizard World?
Please help me make as much money as is possible from liquidating my comicbook collection. [more inside]
B-A-N-A-N-A bread recipe
WANTED: your finest banana bread recipe that doesn't require eggs. BONUS: the bread travels well in the US mail. TRIPLE WORD SCORE: the recipe requires yogurt. [more inside]
The dedicated detectives who investigate these super-random internet questions are members of an elite squad...
Ridiculous question: Doppelganger or actor? Who is the guy in this Scott Brown campaign ad?! [more inside]
Do I need a cleaner or an organizer for my disaster of an apartment?
Do I need a housekeeper / cleaner or an organizer? I think I'm somewhere in the middle but there's no one in the middle apparently, so which way should I go? (USA, DC area) [more inside]
How do I arrange a day boat cruise in alappuzha, India?
Three friends and I are staying in Cochin this January. We want to take the train to alappuzha for a day. Most of the online searches I've done have involved multi-day house boat cruises. Has anyone taken a day cruise in alappuzha, and if so, how did you arrange it?
How do I get cheaper phone service for a small business?
How do I get cheaper phone service for a small business? [more inside]
Jumping cholla batman!
Where can I legally collect cholla cactus wood in the Palm Springs area? [more inside]
20-something seeks reassurance about lack of headway in life
I am in my mid twenties having some kind of ridiculous quarter life crisis. How can I constructively think about a Timeline For My Life? What are the things I should actually be putting my energy toward worrying about at this point in my life? [more inside]
Very confused and nervous
How do I support my friend with postpartum depression without being judgmental, even though I am sometimes concerned about her baby? [more inside]
How to unscrew very tight screws?
Looking for tips for unscrewing very tight screws that are down in a well. [more inside]
Breaking an unhealthy thinking pattern
How can I encourage myself that it's okay to do something even if other people have done/experienced that very same thing? [more inside]
Pie chart in Word with dollar amounts?
How to make a pie chart in Word with dollar amounts, not percentages? [more inside]
Can I Convert Video Footage to Animation?
Can I Convert Video Footage to Animation? We are making a video documentary about college students and their attitudes towards dating and sex. Much of the documentary involves one interviewer interviewing different people on the same set. As you might guess, many of the potential subjects are reluctant to speak candidly onscreen, BUT, most of them will consent to their voices being used…I am wondering if there is some not-crazily-expensive way to take a video interview and, using some kind of software, animate it, turning the interviewer and subject into animated avatars. The animation does not have to be super super high quality—a fairly simple avatar for each of the people onscreen will do…We have a lot of technical and post-production people on the crew, so someone involved probably has access to almost any software program available…Any help—especially specific programs or plug-ins—would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Is he or isn't he "into it"?
He's just not that into you. How much of this is true and how can one ever really know? Scenario/question after the jump. [more inside]
Games and Apps Deveopment 101 for a Teen?
I'm asking for my 14 year old son...how does one get started in developing games and apps? [more inside]
How do multiple users update conditions from the field?
What's the best way for mulitple users to update an online "conditions report" via cellphone? [more inside]
Photos/Timelapse on a Trip
I'm going to be taking a five-day motorcycle ride, and would like to do a few things with digital photos along the way. Canon S95, Gopro, tablet questions inside. [more inside]
Like A Flashcard
App suggestions iOS - need a random card generator app. Extremely simple requirements. [more inside]
The loose translation must have lost her...
What are some good examples of popular English songs translated into another language? [more inside]
How to be considered for multiple, unrelated jobs at the same company?
I am looking for advice on applying for multiple jobs at the same company. [more inside]
Central American school marching bands?
Private school drum-focused marching bands in central America-- what kind of music is that? Where can I read more about it? Where can I find examples online? [more inside]
After the break; what does it mean and where did it originate?
After the break; what does it mean and where did the phrase originate? [more inside]
Need a list of essential gear for frequent business flyers
Need a list of essential gear for frequent business flyers [more inside]
Eat your dinner or you get it for breakfast. Cat.
Cat food filter: When presented with the same brand and same flavor of wet cat food, my cat will wolf it down at my mother's house and at a friend's house, but not at my house. He used to eat it constantly at my house as well, but suddenly stopped last spring. What gives? [more inside]
Yes, another pet question: I want to exercise my kitty more.
My cat, Mister has gotten lazier since we got him back from my friend. I'd like to find something to perk him up and make life interesting for him because I don't think it's good for him to just sit around and be bored, or more likely sleep, all day. Suggestions? [more inside]
Does (Canadian) campus/community radio airplay earn royalties via SOCAN?
If I release a new album to CANADIAN campus/community radio stations for airplay, and it is played, can I potentially earn royalties if the album is registered with SOCAN? [more inside]
Warm (Cracked) Leatherette
How do I keep a leatherette sofa from cracking (and deteriorating)? [more inside]
Can We Move Kindle Content to a New Account?
My wife would like to de-register her Kindle from my account and move it to her own Amazon account that she has sole control of. Is it possible for us to move some (but not all) of the digital content to her new account? [more inside]
How can I carpool over the GWB?
I want to take advantage of the carpool lane ($3.50 vs $12)on the GWB coming in from NJ. What's the best way to do this if I am forever alone, and not travelling during rush hour to pick up sluggers?
Where to meet a development exec near Penn Station?
I'm meeting a network development exec near Penn Station next week for a mid-morning coffee over which we'll be discussing a show I've pitched. His assistant has asked me to pick the spot. Help? [more inside]
A way to keep my recent past from being forgotten?
Is there a use for the Samsung Galaxy Mini Diary App that doesn't publish to Facebook? [more inside]
Zoloft didn't work well. Now on Stablon (tianpetine). Any experiences?
Zoloft didn't work well. Now on Stablon (tianpetine). Any experiences? [more inside]
Seasonal variation in UK Airbnb/ hotel seaside occupancy rates,
Seasonal variation in demand for seaside resorts, especially with AirBnb in Brighton, UK.
I am thinking of taking on a two bed flat, but part of my decision rests on the ability to rent out the spare room on a short term basis. I have a fair idea what summer demand is like, in Brighton for AirBnb, but no idea about winter demand .
Any anecdotal advice about booking hotels or Airbnb in Brighton (or any similar place) would be very useful.
Do you reckon 50% down? More?
Dear Employer: Take a chance on meeee <3, Me
What should I do after I graduate (museum/non-profit/other)? Where should I live (stay in New York or go elsewhere)? [more inside]
Something well-designed to get me well organized
Tell me of the most beautifully designed, paper-based gtd / organizers / planners in the land! I want nice typography, attractive materials and maximum usability in one package. Is this possible? [more inside]
You helped me stay light... now help me rejoin the dark side
Another help me not screw up my hair question. MeFites helped me through my last at home hair event, hoping you guys can do the same now! [more inside]
Negotiating a Salary for New Job Offer in Libraryland.
I have been offered a position as librarian in a very rich area of California. Though my qualifications (5 yrs experience w/ MLS as librarian in busy urban area), they offered the base amount in salary range, when adjusted to where I live now, is somewhat less as far as I can tell by about $2000. I asked to negotiate salary. This field is tough to move around and this is one of the best libraries in the country. Pay is low in libraries regardless and lower now because of the glut of degrees. The HR person is contacting me soon and I am not sure how to negotiate and feel in a position of little power. [more inside]
How to build muscle with bodyweight alone
Looking for a bodyweight training program that doesn't involve chin-up bars or any equipment. [more inside]
Did the restaurant really serve me dyed tuna sashimi?
I ordered sashimi at a sushi restaurant a few days ago, and the piece of tuna left red smudges on the pile of daikon it was placed on. Are there any reasonable explanations for this? [more inside]
Should I pay $300 more for a plane ticket to Europe to keep the peace with friends?
Traveling to Europe with friends. They want to combine plane fares and split the ticket costs evenly. Problem: this means I'll be paying $300 more than what my round-trip ticket would cost if I bought it separately. Should I agree to it? [more inside]
Skyfoam
Any idea how I could get my hands on a foam printer? To rent, preferably. To buy, maybe. Or building one, doable? [more inside]
How to construct an online playlist?
I want to be able to upload MP3s to a server and then play those audio files in a playlist on a website. I know one can manually link to each audio file. but it would be great if there was some online software that would display the audio files in a good looking playlist. What are the options, both free and cheapwise?
They don't bore you! Give me your favorite examples of effective reports.
Here's a question for all you designers, policy people, business and non-profit types. Can you think of your favorite examples of reports available online- whether they be policy papers, business plans, annual reports or otherwise? "Favorite" can mean any number of criteria, such as use of design, video, narrative structure, how information is presented, or style and structure of organization. [more inside]
Feeling like a fraud when faced with compliments about my looks: How to Deal
How do I stop from feeling like I am a fraud (because I have a lot of flaws) when people tell me I'm physically beautiful? This insecurity in my looks/my reaction to compliments is affecting my life in a lot of ways. I'd appreciate any and all advice on how to deal with this! [more inside]
Of Fathers and Sons and DNA
My father's grandfather was adopted with very little paperwork or evidence trail as to his biological origins. Earlier this year, my father's uncle got his DNA tested. Unfortunately, the closest Y-DNA relative we've isolated from the tests is 13 generations back. But, I have a related question: All of the matches, through multiple services (having manually entered the data into other services) have a wide variety of non-repeating last names. Given that Y-DNA matches father-to-son, wouldn't there be at least some names repeating? [more inside]
Starting a non-profit in architecture - where to start?
I am an architect and recently laid-off. I want to use this time as an opportunity to start an architecture non-profit that assists communities to create their own public spaces. Think community centers, playgrounds, libraries, farmer's markets, etc. I am relatively young, naive, and idealistic. Where do begin? Whom do I speak to? How do I start? Any words of advice will do. [more inside]
Recommendations for Cleveland Neighborhoods
Clevelandfilter! Moving to Cleveland, please help me choose which neighborhood would be best for me. [more inside]
How long will it take me to learn Wordpress and create/implement a theme?
I am fairly new to Wordpress. Will I be able turn wireframes I design into a useable theme for a somewhat-complex website in 3-4 weeks? [more inside]
My imagination has been debunked!
In the past 24 hours I've discovered that both of my "million dollar" ideas (for websites/services/apps) are already out there and established. To me, these weren't just "good ideas", they were "innovations" I was emotionally invested in and slowly working towards. How do I move on? (in two parts) [more inside]
Flap and Jacket Copywriting
Many of you have worked with book jacket writing, according to answers to this question in 2007. I have the perfect background to do this: years of editorial experience in book publishing and a fledgling copywriting career. What can you tell me about it now? And who should I approach for freelance work? [more inside]
the canine's incisor
I have an older dog whose front tooth is loose enough that I can wiggle it with my fingers. I'm taking him into the vet tomorrow, but before I do, I'm wondering: is it possible for the vet to remove a dog's tooth without putting him under anesthesia?
Spotify controls in the iPhone tray?
Trick with Spotify and iPhone 4S that I did accidentally but can't replicate. Help? [more inside]
Help her learn Alg II by Tuesday
Sister just learned she has to take an Algebra II test on Tuesday that covers the whole shebang. She's forgotten (repressed?) most of it. What's her best bet for an Algebra II crash course that will go over all the topics? She's very smart, but not a math person.
Kindle Fire settings question
How can I set my Kindle Fire so that the screen doesn't shift from portrait to landscape and back, depending on how I hold it? What I want to do is to lie on my side in bed reading on my Kindle Fire, but the text stays vertical no matter what I do. Is this even possible?
Inform my kid without scarring her psyche
Wanted: daily news source for upper elementary student. [more inside]
Spa town between Verona and Venice
Is there a small town, possibly a spa town like Merano or Wiesbaden, between Verona and Venice? That's not too expensive? And I don't need to hire a car for?
ZOOM!
What percentage of desktop web browsers are set to a zoom level of 100%? [more inside]
Supporting someone in psychiatric care
My brother is being admitted to an inpatient facility. How can I support him, and can you calm me down about the long-term picture? [more inside]
How can I write my dissertation at home?
How can I write my dissertation at home? [more inside]
Where in Boston can I enjoy a Scofflaw cocktail?
Where in Boston can I enjoy a Scofflaw cocktail?
When does the flu vaccine get updated, and how do I know?
How do I know when the "new" flu shots come out? CDC and similar web sites say that I should get my flu shot "as soon as they become available", but most drugstores now offer the flu shot year-round. [more inside]
Can the bank really send my grandmother's savings to the state for inactivity?
My grandmother just received a notice from her bank that if she didn't act soon, her bank account would be closed for inactivity and the money given to the state. Is this real, or a misinterpretation? Is it legal? If so, what can she do to stop this and also avoid it in the future? [more inside]
She'll Love Them, Yeah Yeah Yeah
I am seeking a very specific item to freak out/delight a friend - those lifesize cardboard standup things, but depicting all four of the Beatles from the ABBEY ROAD cover. Anyone have any leads on where I can find this? [more inside]
True North Ereader
Canadians who own Kindle or Kobo, opinions please [more inside]
Normally the awkwardness is part of my charm
How do I minimize awkwardness when I see a couple I stopped being friends with because, in part, I found myself falling very hard for one of them? [more inside]
Wait until losing last 15 lbs before upgrading wardrobe?
Wait until losing last 15 lbs before upgrading wardrobe? [more inside]
How do I elegantly present tabular, statistical data online?
How do I elegantly present tabular, statistical data online and automatically?
I'd love some examples of beautifully presented tabular data online - something that works natively in a browser, ideally also on a tablet and mobile as well. Some interactivity (sorting, filtering) also OK but priority is usability and elegance like you'd find in printed statistical abstracts. Bonus points for open source web tools / frameworks that could help automate this from a database! [more inside]
Hope for an Intractable Situation?
I am in what seems to be an intractable situation, due to a number of major errors on my part. Help needed for someone on the edge of a precipice. [more inside]
NYC accountant for tax delinquent?
I have several years of un-filed taxes. I'm in NYC. I've been, mostly, a freelancer. Things are getting scary. I need an understanding, skilled, non-judgmental accountant. [more inside]
VPN NAS H.E.L.P
What router / NAS combination (or just NAS) do I need to pre-configure and ship to a friend of mine so that I can send files to the NAS over the internet?
He is not at all computer savy. What I am hoping for is a VPN or similar that I can log into without his help and push files / pull files from the drive.
Eastern European history book recommendations
Reading recommendations for a trip through Europe? [more inside]
Quotes for a coworker's goodbye card
Need a movie, comic, or not-sappy quote to write in a card for a geeky coworker who is moving on to a better job. [more inside]
Okay to move out but still be together?
Moving out but not breaking up? [more inside]
Amtrak shipping for dummies
Shipping stuff tonight on Amtrak for a cross-country move. Give me the nitty-gritty details! [more inside]
How might I have better conversations with my in-laws?
How can I change the conversation dynamic with my in-laws? I'm so frustrated!!! Help! [more inside]
Can I get ownership transferred on an FB business page?
A business was leased to another party and they set up and curated a business page on FB. When the lease expired they left and set up a competing business. They took the FB page with them and changed the name on the business page - keeping all the old content and relationships.
How do I get the page back? [more inside]
The bells, the bells, they deafen me
So we've discussed what to do if you're wanting to have fun with call-center scammers who claim they're from Microsoft. What to do to stop them, though? [more inside]
Rollercoaster video
Please help me find the perfect roller coaster video. It is a first person view of a roller coaster ride with a speed value on the video. [more inside]
"Somebody That I Used to Know" is an Elliott Smith song, godammit
Catch me up on what's happened in rock music in the last 10 years? [more inside]
Gear geekin
Starting package of gear for live electronic music? [more inside]
August 29
Should-I-eat-this-filter: Should I drink day-old green tea?
Silly question but, is it ok to drink green tea I brewed yesterday and left in the fridge overnight? It's kinda weird - dark and bitter. [more inside]
Casual dinner near Bart in SF
What are your suggestions for a casual, inexpensive restaurant close to a Bart station in San Francisco? [more inside]
How can a US resident watch episodes of the new season of Downton Abbey?
I'd like to supply my wife with the new season, Season 3, of Downton Abbey as soon as possible. The complication is that it doesn't air here in the US until January 2013, whereas it reportedly goes to air in the UK in September 2012. Is there some way I can (legally) do this? For example, can I exchange money for this convenience? [more inside]
Help me build a DIY UAV to make small DEMs!
I want to put together an unmanned aerial vehicle for capturing aerial photos over a small area (probably <1 km2). Ultimately, I would like to be able to extract a digital elevation model from those photos. How can I get started? [more inside]
Simple web site creation
Path for simple website. [more inside]
Death of the Magii?
Classic Movie Question: Movie where the wife and husband kill each other. [more inside]
Do I have to pay this debt?
Do I have to pay this debt? It's a seven year-old health bill in the state of Wisconsin that I don't remember incurring. [more inside]
Not getting any younger
Lately when I look at myself in the mirror I look old for my age (36). But I don’t want to look old for my age. I want to look amazing for my age! What are some daily regimens I can follow to preserve what’s left of my fading beauty (hah) for as long as possible? [more inside]
Confused about paying credit card in full - how does it work?
Confused about paying credit card in full - how does it work? [more inside]
How to _easily_ encode a CD to MP3 using LAME with full tags?
How can I easily RIP a CD to MP3 using the LAME encoder, with full tags? I'm essentially looking for a LAME encoder that has the convenience and tagging abilities of iTunes. [more inside]
Help Me Help Bi-Polar Partner
My partner suffers from bi-polar disorder, manic mood swings, and chronic fatigue syndrome. I need help. Books and personal experience please. More details inside. [more inside]
hello world?
I have a home imac and a work mac mini. I would like to drive the mini via the imac, while the mini is connected to a VPN. [more inside]
Is it safe? Is it?!
How safe is a virtual machine for testing unknown software or browsing unknown websites? [more inside]
Give me your rules of thumb!
What are some quick tricks or rules-of-thumb you use to help plan/organize/live your life? [more inside]
How to survive a marital separation arrangement?
Please help me buckle down and survive the 16 months I have left before my husband abandons me and our kids. [more inside]
Bad ideas quickly pushed through
Does this phenomenon, that happens in small startups have a name? Can you point me to any discussion on the topic? [more inside]
How early to buy Seoul baseball tickets?
Buying Seoul baseball tickets in advance for a group: How early? [more inside]
Research experience for grad school
As an undergrad looking to apply to grad school, I have been looking into getting some research experience in my field (Psychology) for all the obvious reasons. I possibly have a lead and now a question. [more inside]
Awesome up my trip, Winnipeg edition.
What is awesome to do in Winnipeg or Grand Forks? Food, science, art, outdoors all welcome. Weirder is gooderer. Guy Maddin tours? Ukrainian men's baths? Nerd stuff? Veg friendly food especially welcome. Mefite guided tour suggestions will be entertained.
Knitters are to Ravelry as Sewers are to....?
Is there a community web site for sewers that is comparable to what Ravelry is for knitters? This means, in case you're not familiar with Ravelry, that I can use it to document my sewing projects, look at other people's sewing projects, search for patterns (or pattern reviews), and share information with other sewers in the forums.
Can you suggest some books for an Ebola leisure reader?
Can you help me expand my “popular epidemiology” book collection by recommending books that are similar to The Coming Plague by Laurie Garrett and the following titles? [more inside]
dealing with two cars at sacramento airport
What's the best way to drive from San Francisco to Sacramento airport, with luggage of my own, meet a couple who are flying in, drop my car off at long-term parking, and pick up the rental car we'll share? [more inside]
Why doesn't my boyfriend respond to my jokes and stories?
Sometimes I can't tell if my boyfriend likes me. [more inside]
Do P&C agents and adjusters love giving referrals to restoration co's?
P&C agents and adjusters: are you marketed to by restoration companies (water, smoke, mold, and so on)? Is it helpful or annoying, and do you make referrals? [more inside]
Navigating dysfunctional friends breakup
A couple who I am friends with are going through a bad breakup. Can I remain supportive, neutral, and also safe? How? [more inside]
Fuck iTunes
Can't figure out how to transfer music from old iPod Classic to new iPod Touch on PC. [more inside]
Russian translation of Sun Tzu's "Art of War"?
I'm looking for a Russian translation - public domain, or otherwise - of Sun Tzu's "Art of War". Thanks for help, in advance.
What is the best way to get to San Francisco Airport from the East Bay?
What is the best way to get to San Francisco Airport from the East Bay? [more inside]
Cat Feeding Advice?
I have a few questions about feeding our four month old indoor cat, Captain Tightpants, a grain free diet. [more inside]
In Russia, State Fairs are Sexy
Why are Russian dating and adult sites linking to my blog, and should I be concerned? [more inside]
Cold storage.
I would like some sort of cooler to store a pint of microgreens from Union Square Market this Saturday, for ≈2 hours. [more inside]
Adding A Thumbnail To Chrome's Most Visited Page
Can I edit the thumbnails on the "Most Visited" page in Google Chrome? [more inside]
Mortgage math is hard.
Please help me understand this mortgage math. [more inside]
Why is the soda fountain foamy?
Two soda fountains. Two paper cups full of ice. The first fountain consistently dispenses soda into its cup with very little foam. You could fill it all the way up to the top without having to stop once to let the foam subside.
The second consistently produces a very foamy drink, so that you have to stop, let the foam subside, fill again, stop, start, etc. until your cup is full.
What's the difference? Why the foamy soda? [more inside]
Sound system gonna bring me back up
Can you help me figure out the right sound system for my parents? [more inside]
How to at least break even on my broken car?
How do I sell a non-working car and potentially purchase another as economically as possible? [more inside]
Transportation: check. Location: check. Grub:...
Help me find a great caterer for an employee event in Seattle. [more inside]
High blood iron, contradicting blood results. How do I advocate for myself at my next appointments?
Went to the doctor for extreme fatigue, breathlessness, hair thinning, joint pain, and irritability. Blood results show high iron. How do I advocate for myself properly during my upcoming appointments? [more inside]
Good toys to encourage a two-year-old to play by herself?
My daughter's second birthday is coming up. I'd like to see her begin to play more on her own (she has no siblings). What toys or games have occupied your two-year-old in independent play? [more inside]
Train Of The Damned
How to fix a lousy afternoon commute routine? [more inside]
I don't fit in to the speedy culture.
What are careers that value perfectionism and meticulousness over speed? [more inside]
How can I help my husband recover from extensive hemorrhoid surgery from a thousand miles away?
My husband will be having big hemorrhoid surgery while I am unavoidably out of town. What can I do before I leave to help him as much as possible until I return? [more inside]
Girl, you're a woman ALREADY so stop lazing around!
Help me be a grown-up. I am turning 25 soon, and I'm beginning to realize that I don't really enjoy living like an irresponsible kid anymore! [more inside]
I want to archive a page with a bunch of live video streams.
I have, for work, a web page that is a thumbnail view of 12 (eventually 20) low frame-rate video streams. Think security cameras. I need to record this. [more inside]
How do American programs get footage of Cuba?
Cuba featured heavily in last night's Covert Affairs. How does a film company feature Cuba without hitting the USA's anti-Cuban financial rules? [more inside]
N is for Neville who died of ennui while working a $10/hr temp job
How can I entertain myself at a super boring temp job? [more inside]
Men: How was your mom awesome during your teen years?
Men: how was your mom awesome during your teenage years? [more inside]
Finding a comedy site ca. 2001-2 featuring a guy dressed as a robot?
Anyone remember a very old comedy site/blog that featured a guy dressed as a robot staging antics all over Plattsburgh, NY? [more inside]
Portland : help my girlfriend and I plan a couple awesome walking tours!
Help my girlfriend and I plan two awesome walking tours of Portland, OR! [more inside]
Legit? Or crappy mechanic?
Should I be responsible for auto mechanic snapping my wheel studs? [more inside]
How to Cover Gaps between wood planks?
I have a small paddock in my horse pasture that is used for both tack and hay storage and grooming. It is very crude: tin roof and wood planks with large gaps in between them. Last winter, I used tarp to cover the walls in the tack/hay storage room, but the wind blew them in and over time it was not effective. Without re-building the paddock and spending a lot of money, what is the best way to cover those gaps in between the wood planks? The gaps are probably around 2". Thank you!
When do Miranda Rights need to be read?
Are there any time that the police don't have to read you Miranda rights, when you are arrested? [more inside]
How to balance time together in a relationship?
What's a normal amount of "together time" in a committed relationship? I've been with my boyfriend for about 6 months, and have known him much longer than that (many years) as friends. We are both in our 40s and both are separated from our spouses. [more inside]
What to do about Facebook Hate Ads?
How can I report or block an offensive sponsored post on Facebook? [more inside]
Is there anything I can do to prevent loose skin after weight loss?
I feel like I'm right at the point in my weight-loss journey where I'm about to start getting loose skin on my belly and butt -- I'm talking about the kind of skin people have after weight loss that kind of hangs from their formerly-larger parts and can be quite uncomfortable. How can I prevent this? [more inside]
My name is Christopher John Francis Boone
Please recommend books that are similar to 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' (not just ones about autism). [more inside]
DIY Thermochromism
Where do I find a small square of material that changes colour by touch? Is this even possible? [more inside]
winging a diaper change
Can you wing changing a diaper? [more inside]
The number you have reached.....
I blocked a phone number thinking it would you know prevent someone from calling me. I've since seen on various forums (like ask yahoo) that the call will go through but will show up on my phone as "blocked number." Is that true? [more inside]
Do you have a talent?
I'm trying to remember a comedian who did a stand-up bit about his family members all having a talent. [more inside]
Games to play indoors with a Husky-cross puppy
I have a beautiful, fun and energetic puppy. A Husky cross (we don't know what the other half is, but it must have been small). She loves to play games. Me and my partner alternate working from home during the day. What fun games can we play with her at home, indoors, that don't distract too much from our work? [more inside]
Smörgåsbord
Where to eat in Helsinki, St. Petersburg, and Moscow? [more inside]
Where should I take my wife for a birthday surprise?
Help me plan an awesome and affordable surprise birthday trip for my pregnant wife between Christmas and New Years. Details inside. [more inside]
How have gay men interacted with and regarded lesbians, and vice versa
Would like insight and education into the various ways that gay men -- both as individuals and as a group, both historically and currently -- relate to, regard, and interact with gay/lesbian women, and vice versa. [more inside]
Why does everyone whisper and mumble on phones nowadays?
Please help me with recommendations for a mobile/cell phone for my hard of hearing Father in Law. [more inside]
What should I do with this stray cat family?
What do I do about this stray cat family with kittens? I would be OK doing TNR, but I don't want to return them to my backyard because my neighbors catch strays and kittens and kill them. I've reached out to local groups for help but they have no room and won't lend me traps because I don't want to return the cats to the same location. [more inside]
More notice vs. more stress?
How do I time submitting my resignation, in order to best give my employer(s) time to prepare, without adding too much additional stress to a big upcoming project? [more inside]
Can you go through international sperm donation and artificial insemination without breaking the bank?
How do you go about international sperm donation with a specific donor? Single, fertile (I think) woman in US; single infertile man in the UK. [more inside]
Sorry, but we can't actually have penetrative sex...
How to handle dealing with vaginismus and dating? [more inside]
How to know if it's safe to leave windows open?
How do I gauge whether it is safe in my neighborhood to leave the windows in my house open/unlocked (a) when we are asleep, and (b) when we're not home? [more inside]
It's raining, it's pouring, the drip drip is boring
How do subsequent insurance claims work in conjunction with previous claims? Isaacy Details inside. [more inside]
Long-sleeve shirts that don't make me sweat
I'm looking for very cool, light-weight long-sleeve shirts. I have scars on my forearms that I don't like to answer questions about, but my work uniform is short-sleeved. In the past I've worn long-sleeve t-shirts underneath, but I already have a tendency to overheat and these can make me really hot. So what are the lightest weight, thinnest long-sleeve shirts available? They need to be fairly tight-fitting to go comfortably under my work outfit. I'm a lady, if that matters.
Lost 100lbs, had a baby & gained it all back. Help?
Before I had my child, I lost almost 100lbs. I have since gained it all back due to post partum depression. How do I get back on track with a child? More detail inside [more inside]
Railway Signal Geodata Translation
Does anyone know of a way to convert Network Rail Engineering Line Reference linear positional data into OSM Eastings and Northings En Masse? [more inside]
All together now: "Eat the Rich!"
How can I keep editorializing out of my upcoming speech, and make it as straightforward and educational as possible? [more inside]
Why kill the tiger?
This report from a few days ago got me thinking. When a dangerous zoo animal, like a tiger or a lion, kills a (negligent?) caretaker or escapes and kills another human, why is it (usually?) killed? I know that humans kill dogs that have bitten someone, but these animals are in a cage anyway, so I don't get it. They're in the cage to prevent them from killing humans, right? So what's the point? Not vengeance, surely?
Knee feels fine now. How long should I wait before I go back to running?
About a 10 days ago I tweaked my knee while running. It feels fine now. How long should I wait before I go back to running? [more inside]
What qualifies as entrapment?
Could one argue entrapment successfully for illegal use of car pool lane if there is heavy traffic caused by ongoing traffic enforcement? [more inside]
Health-focused, fat-friendly dietician, pls
Can you recommend a registered dietician in NYC (or who does Skype appointments) who focuses on health at every size instead of weight-loss and fat shaming? [more inside]
What typeface is this?
What typeface is this?
Recipe incorporating preserved cumquats?
I preserved a lot of cumquats in liquor. The liquor is nice, but the cumquats themselves too are sour and bitter to eat. Is there a recipe I could use them in? I'm thinking something like a fruitcake, but I don't know how to incorporate them.
Acoustic guitar song from This American Life's David Rakoff feature?
Name that tune? Background intro music for This American Life, the episode "Our Friend David." Slow acoustic guitar chords are the only key feature I can identify. [more inside]
Renting in the UK
Moving to England! Help us make our UK renting experience go as smoothly as possible. [more inside]
Delicate Situation, a bit complicated
How long should I wait to tell my friend about my feelings? So here goes (sorry in advance for the very long post, please stick with me). First time around that I ask for advice on any website... [more inside]
Suggest Brazilian positive hip hop artists
Please suggest Brazilian hip hop/rap artists for me to check out that have a very positive/happy vibe rather than a gangster-y, macho-y sounding delivery. I don’t speak Portuguese, but love the sounds of the Brazilian accent (no English please), combined with fluid lyrical delivery. Actually, if you know any Portuguese artists, I’ll take those too. Thanks
HTML Job Search
Can I use a form/survey on an HTML page to enter data and have the entered code append to the end of a URL that, apart from the variable suffix, remains constant? [more inside]
August 28
Price benchmaks
What are your benchmark items for determining if a store is expensive or not? [more inside]
My older mother needs a very simple but cool camera
Very Simple Camera For Older Person [more inside]
Alternatives to Mint/Yodlee in 2012
For being 2012, I am frustrated in not being able to find alternatives to Mint and Yodlee, both of which I despise both for lack of decent support and poor execution in design and performance. There MUST be beta's out there that google fails to reveal, by eager entrepreneurs wanting to take advantage of the opportunity by the poor performance of these financial management programs. Any leads you can provide?
Instagram/Facebook?
Instagram/Facebook issues - How do I get pictures not just on the little instagram portion of the timeline and get it to post them to my Facebook page? [more inside]
Do I also have the right to interview several lawyers?
Don't talk to the police is convincing and sound advice. Getting a lawyer to represent you so that the police don't trick you into a conviction is a great idea. However, when someone is unexpectedly taken into police custody, how they find a suitable attorney on the spot to defend them? [more inside]
Beauty Privilege?
Is woman's value really only physical? [more inside]
help (transport) computer
Anywhere to get custom-custom messenger bags? No, not like the Timbuk2 website. Must hold enormous laptop. [more inside]
How can I find an LDS missionary to be penpals with?
Is there a way to find an LDS/Mormon Missionary to be penpals with? [more inside]
Want
Anyone know what kind of glasses Steve Carell was sporting on his last appearance on The Daily Show? [more inside]
Unique RPG Dice please!
Help me find unique dice! [more inside]
Goodbye, good old tree!
How would you go about celebrating a tree? Ideas for a small group art party, BBQ, tree-love, silly thing.... [more inside]
Roadtrip advice needed: Portland and other areas!
Roadtrip advice needed: Portland and other areas! [more inside]
How to heat our home this winter?
Is it worth it to use space heaters (instead of the built-in baseboard heaters) to keep warm this winter? If so, how? [more inside]
You sunk my battleship!
How do I pick my battles in everyday life? [more inside]
What do you think about the new Google tablet?
Is the new Google tablet worth it or practical? As a non-tech savvy person, who has only ever used a desktop, and would like to buy an affordable tablet it would be great to get experienced tech savvy thoughts about this new gizmo that popped up on the Google front page today. Is it safe to walk around with one's tablet connected to wifi, if one's tablet is meshed with one's Google account? Can hackers then access one's Google account easily?
A cost-effective way to flexibly back up 200GB~ of photos online?
A cost-effective way to flexibly back up 200GB~ of photos online? [more inside]
Ideas for Campus Campaign Against Chick-fil-A
What ideas do people have for a college campaign to get our Chick-fil-A removed from campus? A group of us have been meeting, talking, planning, strategizing, and I would love to hear any thoughts from other people about how to be effective and efficient with this. [more inside]
endoscopy expectations
Upper Endoscopy experiences please. I'm freaking out. [more inside]
How to deal with uncomfortably flirty behavior at work?
Not sexual harassment but still uncomfortable. How to deal? [more inside]
A recommendation for a psychotherapist in DC?
I'm looking for a psychotherapist in Washington, D.C. and would appreciate a recommendation. I've been seeing a psychiatrist for a year, but don't feel that I'm making much progress with her. Though she's been helpful in certain ways, she jumps too quickly to (often-erroneous) conclusions, she puts too much weight on things I said months ago in passing and she doesn't inspire confidence in me that she sees a bigger picture or is connecting the dots in a way that I can't alone. [more inside]
Help Me Deal with Lots of Photos
How do you use iPhoto on a regular basis if you keep your library on an external drive? [more inside]
A Room of One's Own
Looking for a artist studio/workspace kind of deal in Manhattan. Challenges: affordable, soundproof, pay-per-use. [more inside]
Seeking GeekSquad alternatice for business locations.
Need a GeekSquad alternative for business. Must serve all (or most) of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. [more inside]
addicted to praise
I am utterly enthralled with validation and praise, to an unhealthy extent. I want to change this. [more inside]
Book recommendations for Marine with PTSD
Book recommendations for a Marine with PTSD? I'm looking for some escapist adventure/expedition books that do NOT involve people dying at the end or eating their friends. [more inside]
One-person freezer meals?
Teach me how to make, freeze, and reheat meals for one person quickly, cheaply, and easily... [more inside]
Roam, roam on the range?
Can you help me understand how cellphone roaming works in 2012? [more inside]
Rehabilitation motivation
Please recommend books or blogs that document full/near-full recovery and rehabilitation after an injury. [more inside]
ask.lawyerfilter?
I am currently involved with a criminal case. I have a lawyer, but would like a resource for multiple opinions on some questions I have related to the case. Is there a forum frequented by lawyerly types? A paid website where I can poll a panel of lawyers? Any offline resources? Thanks you.
Looking for a variety of good music criticism
Crowdsource my syllabus: I'm looking for the best relatively short music review essays, in a wide variety of writing styles and formats. [more inside]
When the Big One Hits
Best way to store contacts online for a headcount during a natural disaster? [more inside]
Would you write a billion-dollar check?
So Samsung has been ordered to pay Apple ONE BILLION DOLLARS. Let's assume this is final, and ignores appeal, etc. How would this actually happen? I can't see it being a big check delivered on stage. Bank transfer? Scheduled payments over the course of XX years? (Freightcars loaded with pennies delivered in spite?)
How could one avoid detection by ANPR cameras? Hypothetically, of course.
An article about ANPR cameras in the paper today had a quote from a policeman saying that a particular driving style could prevent detection. I am curious about what he meant by that, any ideas? [more inside]
How do I de-stink my cast iron pan?
I need advice on cleaning a seasoned cast iron skillet: how to remove lingering odor without damaging the pan. [more inside]
After all those papers, how do I not know how to reference this?
Having some difficulties with figures and my MSc thesis. Help? [more inside]
Comfy walking sandals needed
I guess it's been a long time since I've looked for walking sandals, but still I'm shocked that my old standby is no longer available. What should I wear now that Doc Martens no longer makes shoes I want to wear? [more inside]
What should I put in a care package?
A family member is having brain surgery next week. What can I put in a care package to make her recovery more pleasant? [more inside]
Don't get me wrong, syllabus week sucks.
The semester has just started, and I'm feeling extremely overwhelmed. Some advice would be appreciated. [more inside]
...and all I got is dirty looks by the neighbors.
Other than grass, what can I plant in my pervious concrete paver driveway in Seattle, WA? [more inside]
A city where time stands still?
FictionFilter: I was going to use a fictional city, but decided to opt for realism. What is the most white bread, vanilla, time-stands-still city in the United States? I'm thinking 1958 in 2012. I know that is 'literally' impossible, but as close as you can come. [more inside]
Building an online dropbox for magazine photo submissions
What's my best option for a skinnable, low-fuss, online “mail slot” where people can submit photos and descriptions for a magazine? Me: reasonably Web-capable, have my own hosting service. The readership: largely seniors, not very Web-savvy. [more inside]
Female doctor recommendations for 60 yr. old woman in East Bay, CA with a host of neglected medical issues.
Female doctor recommendations for 60 yr. old woman in East Bay, CA with a host of neglected medical issues. [more inside]
Help a sister out!
How do I make my much younger half-sibling a part of my life? Last week, I found out that my dad's wife is pregnant and due in December. I am 24. Aside from being pretty weirded out, I'm worried that my half-sister will never know who I am. Beanplating inside. [more inside]
Oh look, more lembas bread.
Going to DragonCon. Help me feed myself with minimal fuss. Snowcones inside. [more inside]
Myths about lawyers
What are some common myths about the lawyer-client relationship? What common expectations from clients are unethical if the lawyer were to perform them? For example, loaning money to a client against a future settlement.
Photo Hunt
Where can all of my wedding guests post their photos to a group site, in the most painless way possible? [more inside]
oh no no bo bo!
im finding it hard to balance giving my new cat attention without reinforcing negative behavior. he seems starved for attention, but also shouldn't even be rewarded with even a glance when acting up. the problems seem small enough to nip in the bud. but how? are there any cat whispering techniques? [more inside]
What are these tiny white pellets on my desk?
What are these mystery pellets on my desk? [more inside]
Uses for an iPad in a house full of tech?
As a person who has a good laptop and an iPhone, what uses for the iPad (2nd Gen, 16 gb) am I overlooking? Differences from this question under the fold. [more inside]
Mass customization of URLs/QR Codes
I want to have a large number of unique URLs, all pointing to the same content. Like a million of 'em, so we can track individual recipients' behaviors online; one URL (or set of related URLs) per recipient (say we're sending them an email or a postcard with a QR code). [more inside]
How to use up a freezer filled with bananas
What are some interesting recipes with frozen bananas as an ingredient that aren't smoothies or banana bread? [more inside]
Coming to a head but not getting ahead
My employer seems to be pushing me toward filing an EEOC complaint or resigning my job. What do I do? [more inside]
Which Internet Should I Get, Internet?
Who do you recommend as an Internet provider? [more inside]
Where should a Chicago girl move?
Is there a place in this world for a picky Chicagoland girl to move? [more inside]
Whatever turns your crank?
Resourceful mefites, can you help me crank my hand crank radio with a stationary bicycle or elliptical trainer? [more inside]
Lampshade painter?
Help me find a lampshade artist I can commission to paint chandelier shades. [more inside]
Minority-friendly dentist in Portland, OR?
Is there a good, honest, minority-friendly (esp. Asian) dentist on the west side of Portland, OR? [more inside]
Name my new company please?
Help me name my new service! I'm opening a consulting service specialised in improving listings for bed&breakfast websites like airbnb, home away from home, 9flats etc... and I'm struggling to chose a name. Tell me what you think? [more inside]
Looking for a new or different High School math test generator, and Apple programs or apps for use in the classroom
I'm looking for software for a high school math teacher: first, a better/newer test generator, and second, in-classroom programs, bonus points for apps for an Apple laptop and/or an iPod touch. Details inside. [more inside]
How to balance my career and my health!
How can I balance managing a chronic condition with advancing in my career? [more inside]
What are some good nearby NYC travel destinations?
New York City to where? We have multiple four-day weekends coming up and some wanderlust. What do you recommend? [more inside]
Help me get my dad's lovelife on track
My dad has not been in a relationship since his split from my mom 19 years ago. He's turning 60 next year and I want him to finally be able to find someone to grow old with. He lives a few Provinces away - how do I broach this with him. [more inside]
Hi-temp indicators?
Is there anything which will give a visible indication when the temperature is between 180-195deg C? Indicator needs to be multiple use, so reversible operation. Also needs to be passive.
Strips would be ideal, but dont go hot enough.
The only thing I can find is sodium which goes red around this temperature. This is not a particularly practical solution though! Is there anything produced for ovens, or industrial processes which I'm missing?
Air conditioned spaces at the MN State Fair
Where are the air conditioned spaces at the MN State Fair? [more inside]
Great fight scenes from literature
I'm looking for great fight scenes from literature. I've seen the questions on fight scenes from movies and I'm not looking for those (or TV or comics). Books only, please (I suppose plays count, but you can safely assume I'm familiar with every fight scene from Shakespeare). [more inside]
Portrait of the artist as...
Name-it filter: blog of artists’/designers’ early work [more inside]
Patching paint
Emergency repair advice needed [Asking for a friend] Difficulty level: illegal sublet and probably not legal security deposit [more inside]
Can I/should I get a "prescription cat?"
Getting a prescription cat... How to, should I, and can I? [more inside]
Pimpin' my Mac-in'
Is there an app that does for Macs what Rainmeter does for desktop? I'm not just talking monitoring, like Geektool does; I'm looking for folder/bookmark opening and app launching. I'd like a desktop that gives me one-click access to various places on my computer and online, but that also lets me customize it visually. If there's no one app that does that, how might I go about creating that kind of environment on my own?
weather modification as art?
I'm looking for examples of fiction, serious proposals, or maybe even actual events in which weather modification technology was used as an art form. [more inside]
How do I move files *from* my Mac *to* my iPhone?
MacBook -> iPhone Filter: I have a MacBook Pro (running 10.6.8), and I have an iPhone (the last model before Siri; not jail broken and would prefer to keep it that way). Since I spend more time on the Macbook, I generate most of my files there, besides .mp3s (such as documents/text files, PDFs, and .jpegs found on line or taken with Photo Booth, etc.), whereas except for listening to iTunes and making actual calls, I mostly use the iPhone for killing time, or would like to anyway, only I haven't found a good way to move my text files, PDFs, and .jpgs from the MacBook over to the iPhone. How do? [more inside]
Random photos without context sought
Help me find photos from a wide variety of sources without any context [more inside]
Help me find a digital time clock solution for work!
Help me find a digital time clock solution for work. Snowflakey details inside.. [more inside]
Tax my HSA!
I'm straightening out my taxes for 2010 and 2011, and I had a couple of questions about HSAs that I hoped you guys would be able to help me answer. (I know you're not my lawyer). [more inside]
What to expect when you expect to be a dad?
Are there solo participation (as in not couples) classes for expectant fathers in any high schools or colleges in the USA or Canada?
The sweat that killed my pretty
Super last minute plea for help: I am going out for a super fancy pants dinner tomorrow night with my partner. The problem is that it is going to be hot as hell and I'm a person who sweats a fair bit. Help me save my hair, makeup and keep the back of my dress from getting soaked with sweat. Please... I beg of you... For once I want to end the date as pretty and put together as I was when the date started. :( [more inside]
Strategy for removing hardcoded links from a Wordpress theme?
Strategy for removing hardcoded links from a Wordpress theme? [more inside]
Keeping a dozen balls in the air.
I'm the middle of some very stressful life-events... What can I do to keep my stress levels down and my temper in check? My strategy for previous stressful situations is just accepting the stress and the misery and knowing it will pass. Does anyone have any ideas on how to counteract the misery? [more inside]
August 27
Specific resource recommendations for kitten placement in the South Bay Area?
My SO's parents have been hosting a pair of foster kittens since said kittens were born to a feral momcat in their yard on May 26 of this year. They're now old enough to be adopted...but I'm having a terribly hard time figuring out how to help find them homes. I'm in the Bay Area, California (near San Jose) and while there seem to be a number of cat rescue groups, I have no idea how to choose one or go about contacting them. Flurry of kitten-shaped snowflakes within. [more inside]
Lock lock!
What to do with this weird key? [more inside]
A short time from now, in a land far, far away
You guys have been great to me so far. So I want to try again: Anywhere in the world, 3-5 days, flight time doesn't matter, all that's needed is beauty, seclusion (or close to it), and a feeling that all I am comfortable with has melted away.
Where should I go? [more inside]
Wads of small bills at JFK Airport - how to change?
This past weekend I had a huge moving sale, and ended up with about $1500 in small bills ($1s, $5s, $10s, $20s). Between cleaning my apartment and packing everything up today, I forgot to go to the bank and deposit the money into my account. Tomorrow morning I fly out of JFK (Terminal 4, specifically) to move to San Francisco, and since my flight is early there's no time to go to a bank. I feel weird traveling with these huge wads of cash, especially as it's all small bills. Right now it's all stuffed into a cigar box in my carry-on. I don't think it will fit in my wallet. Will the currency exchange places give me $100s (or better yet a money order) for my cash, and will I find one before passing through security? Will TSA steal from me, or give me a hard time for carrying these wads of bills? Is there possibly a Bank of America branch in JFK? What should I do? I don't think I'm comfortable depositing this much cash through an ATM, and anyway it would take forever.
DJ Roomba in the hizzouse
My husband wants a hackable Roomba for his birthday. [more inside]
What tech is out there for babies and their geek parents?
I'm a gadget geek about to have my first baby. What tech do I now have an excuse to get that might help make things easier or even more fun? [more inside]
This American Life Song ID Request
Song ID request: This American Life episode "Special Ed," roughly at the 51:00 mark. Instrumental, post-rock maybe? Link inside. [more inside]
Screen capture software options for application documentation
What are good tools for making app documentation videos, which focus on the specific region of interest? [more inside]
Also do those exist/work
Therapist or dating coach? [more inside]
How can I display the image from my telescope on my computer screen?
I'd like suggestions/recommendations on a solution that will let me display the image from my telescope onto a computer screen. [more inside]
Im an Industrial Engineering Major student.
Is Macbook Pro with Retina display worth it for college? [more inside]
Easy side dishes to go with chili?
Easy side dishes to go with chili? [more inside]
Is there a medical term for my spelling goofs?
I am finding lately that as I type things in a hurry I'm increasingly misspelling common words. Is there a name for this oddity? Examples inside. [more inside]
"Best Video Downloader" a gift or harbinger or doom?
Why did "Best Video Downloader" attach itself spontaneously to YouTube? It's an icon below the little video screen, and it works perfectly. I did nothing to get this. I like it. I'm downloading like a downloading fiend. Am I doomed? Is my computer set up for tragedy? What's the catch?
My son was just diagnosed with Nonverbal Learning Disorder. Tips and advice for coping please!
My 12 year old son was just diagnosed with Nonverbal Learning Disorder. Please help me to not catastrophize. [more inside]
Is my apache/php server being hacked?
I have a simple php script. A few times a day, some user has reported that he is seeing the php source code. I can't reproduce it. But I was able to see the source as it appeared on their screen, and there is a weird anomaly. [more inside]
sad swelling music
Looking for sad music: instrumental, ambient, classical or swelling musical scores. [more inside]
um .. uh .. ok?
Can a psychiatrist, not a psychologist, give an ADHD diagnosis? My health insurance people really tried to steer me towards a psychologist and not a psychiatrist. Why might they do that? The cynic in me says it's cheaper for them and less likely to lead to a diagnosis.
Sudoku-esque game search
Have you played the game The Heist from the app store? It features four different puzzle types. I am really fond of the sudoku-esque puzzle that uses figures instead of numbers and a different grid layout. Is there a name for this type of game? Can you recommend similar games? I don't really like the other three puzzle types and I have played all 15 of the one I do like. TIA!
Our bed is sagging: Can we fix it?
My now-wife (then-girlfriend) purchased a new queen-sized mattress from Macy's about 3 years ago. We've recently noticed that the bed is sagging on both sides where we sleep, and the middle and sides are firmer and the way they were when she purchased it. It has a split box spring so that it could fit up her narrow staircase in her former apartment. We no longer have that restriction. So, is this the fault of the split box spring (and should we replace it with a normal one), or is it simply a problem with the mattress? What can we do to fix it, if anything? [more inside]
Cool clothes for the discriminating kindergartner
Where to buy girls' clothes that aren't pink and/or sparkly? [more inside]
Venue for longer short stories
What print fiction magazines accept longer short stories? [more inside]
Should I give this friendship another chance?
A close friend, "Tom" has just gotten engaged to somebody, "Jane", who, in the recent past, despised me for reasons unknown and said terribly hurtful things to me. I am 100% ready to be pleasant and graceful about this, but Tom wants me (and my spouse) to be good friends with Jane. I am not interested in this. Help me figure out how to navigate this situation. [more inside]
What should I do?
I've only been at this job a few weeks, but I'm worried it's going to interfere with my college work (it hasn't yet). Should I stay at it or no? How could I get out of it if I left? [more inside]
Mystery writing on teapot
Can anyone figure out the language/writing on the bottom of this teapot? If it helps, it was probably purchased in the NYC area between 1940 - 1970.
My Paper of Record
I want to subscribe to a news publication, printed on paper, that will be delivered in the (United States) mail (remember that? neat service!). I'm looking for your recommendations for something that will make me happy in a few different ways: [more inside]
novels where protagonist gets in shape
I'm looking for novels where the protagonist loses weight / gets fit. This doesn't need to be the central thing in the book, but while the protagonist saves the world from the zombie apocalypse, finds true love or destroys the ring in the fires of Mordor, can s/he also get in shape? [more inside]
Spice variety is the spice variety of life
I need new Seasoning. What should I season eggs with, for breakfast? [more inside]
Help me pick out my new slow cooker
What size slow-cooker should I get? [more inside]
Netflix with Dolby Digital+, older receiver
Netflix using Roku now appears to only support Dolby Digital Plus. My existing receiver does not support Dolby Digital Plus. What are my best options? My Receiver has 7.1 analog plugs, plus supports dolby digital and dts ex. It has coax and optical inputs but no HDMI. (I am currently using an external HDMI switch that has these as an output, but as I understand it DD+ does not work with optical.) [more inside]
Waiting, waiting, waiting....
My mother is going to die, probably very soon. How do I deal with waiting for it to happen? [more inside]
Blackberry/iPhone sim compatibility
Can I put my iPhone 4 AT&T sim card in an AT&T Blackberry Curve 8310 and still send and receive calls and SMS messages without accruing additional fees or contract extensions? [more inside]
Anxious and depressed
I find day to day life really stressful, and I'm not sure what I can do about it. [more inside]
Is my podiatrist making stuff up about nerve damage and rashes?
Is my podiatrist making stuff up about nerve damage and rashes? [more inside]
Approach to organ donation question once on permanent deferral?
Asking for a friend: how should one fill out the organ donation question on forms if it is already known that s/he would be permanently deferred from donation of any organs, blood, or other tissue? [more inside]
Unexpected Phone Interview!
Posting for a friend, who writes:
I am currently an academic with a humanities PhD, doing the whole adjunct thing. I have been pursuing non-academic careers for a while, and things might finally be starting to pay off in the form of a phone interview. Trouble is, I haven't had an interview for anything in ten years. [more inside]
Uni of Redlands vs Uni of Arizona for MS-GIS
I got accepted to the MS-GIS program at the University of Redlands as well as the MS-GIST program at the University of Arizona. Looking for experiences, advice, opinions. [more inside]
How do I pronounce al-jabr and al-Khwarizmi?
In a lecture I am planning, I will mention that the words "algebra" and "algorithm" come from a book called al-Jabr w'al-Muqabala by Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī. I don't speak Arabic but would like to pronounce the names as accurately as possible. Can anyone advise me on Arabic pronunciation?
SATA3 splitter
SATA3 Channel Splitter or Convert SATA2 Channel to SATA3? [more inside]
Monsterize him!
Weren't there some websites where you could "monsterize" photos? The ones I can find are defunct - maybe they're seasonal. He's begging to be Eddie Munster-ed for his October birthday.
Kinder Eggs and Codeine Cough Syrup: Contraband across the Canadian border
I'm taking my boyfriend to Canada for the weekend. We're looking for small items that you would find in Canada but not in the USA. Any suggestions? [more inside]
What to do about a freeloading brother and an enabling mother?
What to do about a mentally unstable brother who's taking advantage of my elderly mother? [more inside]
What is 10,000 Acres?
I am trying to find common equivalents for various acre sizes. What is a thing/place many people are familiar with that is (more or less) 50 acres? 100 acres? 200 acres? 1000 acres? 2000 acres? 10,000 acres? [more inside]
What Would John Wooden Do?
Rugelach Help
Baked too many rugelach...can I freeze them? [more inside]
How to prevent ex-wife from using my house for custody
My ex-wife told me she's using my house to keep our kids after school on her custody days. Aside from the issue of whether it's OK for a 9 year old to be alone at home for up to 3 hours a day, she has BPD (or whatever it's now called) as well as a history of snooping and taking my things without asking. I don't want her in and around my house when I'm not there. How can I prevent this? [more inside]
Any suggestions for strategies or resources for finding jobs abroad?
Any suggestions for strategies or resources for finding jobs abroad? [more inside]
Basic, boring, but durable t-shirts
Help me find durable, affordable basic t's and tops for ladies. (Size XXL) Preferably online. [more inside]
How can I talk more good?
Can you give me some resources and tips for improving fluency in a language I can speak, but not speak well? [more inside]
Help me plan the best seventh birthday ever.
Help me throw an awesome birthday party for an about-to-be seven-year-old. [more inside]
How do you know the point at which your car becomes a money pit?
At what point with my current used car (2001 Honda Accord) is it financially smarter to try to sell it and find a new used car than to keep putting money into repairs? How do previous and future repairs, age, mileage, brand, location, and the current economy affect this decision? Somewhat detailed history of the car inside. [more inside]
Help me use my barcode scanner please
Hi - I would really like some advice on how I can improve my shop's ordering/stock level management. I'd like to go for a technological solution. [more inside]
There are members only jackets, what about members only neckties?
Can I wear these ties if I'm not a member of the Legion? [more inside]
Looking for a private shared address book
Looking for a shared private address book phone app. [more inside]
Connectivity issues--can ping out, no browsing, can't reach email servers
Can ping, can get DNS, machine says its connected to the internet, but no browsing and no email [more inside]
I'm at the end of my server-related rope
My lab has a Django database and MoinMoin wiki on a severely aging Mac (Leopard, 10.5) server. Please, people who keep up with this sort of software, tell me: what's my best course of action for modernizing it? More info and options inside. [more inside]
All it's cracked up to be?
The college experience: How important is it really, and other questions. [more inside]
Help clue me in on the meaning/significance of this souvenir.
What is this Greek pendant? [more inside]
Help me find this management company for Independent Contractors
While researching healthcare, I came across a firm that works sort of like a back office for independent contractors. You set your rates, clients, but for a fee the billing goes through them, they take out taxes, offer benefits, etc. I can't find the link or recall their name. Help?
How do I get more quality REM sleep?
I'm not a poor sleeper, but I want to sleep more and especially get more REM sleep. How can I do it? [more inside]
Getting Grandma on FaceTime
Getting Grandma on FaceTime [more inside]
Accepting credit cards when you are broke
Is there any way to accept credit cards via Square or similar WITHOUT having an expensive cell phone plan or shelling out lots of money? [more inside]
Help me get started with a tea garden
What herbs can I grow to make my own tasty, medicinal, and/or magical teas? I'd love to hear your tea recipes, too.
What's my loan payoff strategy?
I need some help with student loans. I took loans out in 2008 and 2009. Two subsidized and two unsubsidized. Now I'm on half-time school deferment and I'd like to take advantage of this! [more inside]
Help me pick a new road bike!
I'm thinking of getting a new road bike, and would like some help in picking one. [more inside]
Removing plaster from wood paneling
What is the quickest/easiest way to remove, what seems to be, a very thin layer of plaster that was applied over wood paneling. [more inside]
Fair price of old TV
Hi
I am responsible for compensating a two year old TV bought for $900 then. (A guest in my party broke and no one is owning up...ex-landlord is behind me now)
Similar model (brand new) is $600 now all included and being demanded 600, citing the higher price paid then.
What is a fair price that I should pay?
How do I make a convincing reply ?
....please help....
hiding from spammers
Does obscuring email address and telelphone numbers using hexadecimal notation or other techniques in the source code still inhibit spambots? And does blocking IP addresses that the spambots use have any effect? [more inside]
Is it possible for a normal middle class to have a well designed home like those in Dwell?
Is it possible for a normal middle class to have a well designed home like those in Dwell? [more inside]
Looking for Classical Greece themed art
Help me look for Classical Greece themed art for Monty Python-esque animation backgrounds! [more inside]
HSA = Health Sadly Absent
What's the best way to sell my company on getting better health insurance? [more inside]
How to tell when (or even if) it's safe to force a hard drive to dismount on a server?
How can I know what harm I could do by dismounting a secondary drive on my server? [more inside]
Is this prof hitting on a lesbian student?
I am getting an "icky feeling" from a professor from a nearby university. He hasn't said anything suggestive, but he keeps trying to get me (and just me) to hang out with him. I can't tell if he is a lonely old dude without friends or what. Also, I am a lesbian.
How do I make sure I send a clear message that we are only friends and absolutely nothing more? [more inside]
Don't want drama but don't want other girls being lied to
I recently broke up with my boyfriend of three and a half years. In the time we were still living together but broken up I found out he was starting several relationships. Should I let these women know? [more inside]
.NET Game Developer Seeks Peers For Learning
You are a .NET developer who has written turn-based games in .NET and would be willing to discuss architecture concepts with someone who wants to learn from your experience.
I am a .NET developer who is up to his eyeballs in writing a turn-based game for .NET and is stumbling over some architecture items. [more inside]
Frequent moving - with Stuff
Sturdy furniture for the often-moving. [more inside]
Where to go in Turkey
I am going to Turkey for two weeks next spring -- the last week of April and the first week of May. Other than Istanbul, where should I consider going? [more inside]
Hobbies! Culture! Art! Beauty!
Developing cultural taste/becoming an expert at new hobbies... are there general principles? (snowflakes inside) [more inside]
My wallet's the one that says busy mother f*cker...
Don't-have-time-to-do-my-own-research filter: I want to get my friend one of those "Bad Mother F*cker" wallets. But I try not to buy leather products so would prefer one that isn't made from an animal. I live in Australia. Which site should I buy from? [more inside]
Canapes & Logistics
Canapes & Logistics: how to create a great, professional party in limited space [more inside]
how best to care for old and cherished books?
I need a more in-depth guide on the proper care of my old (1800-1960) books. I know the basics, (no sun, no moisture, no dirty hands) but I have some questions whose answers I cannot find. [more inside]
Website design tools
Simple HTML coding question: what tools do people use to replicate header and footers across pages when hand coding HTML websites? [more inside]
Am I sleep-spilling?
What caused this mysterious wet spot on my bed? No, I didn't wet the bed, and it's not sweat. [more inside]
Appliance color
I am remodeling my kitchen. All walls are traditional square 50s white tile with black borders from floor to ceiling. The counters will be white linoleum, the cupboards white, and the floor will be wood (brown). The stove is a white 1940's gas range. Should I buy white fridge and dishwasher, or stainless steel? I'm leaning toward white to maintain continuity with the cupboards but think stainless steel will keep the look more modern, but the entire house (a 1915 bungalow) has a strong retro vibe. Pastel appliances are out of my price range. What do you think?
Is it alright to piss in a wetsuit in the sea?
Is it alright to piss in a wetsuit in the sea? [more inside]
Help me find some dubstep.
I don't know much about electronic music. I know I like the deep, twisting, inertial sounds and rhythms of stereotypical dubstep. But whenever I go through "best album"-type lists of dubstep albums, almost all of them are more subdued. That's not to say I don't like them -- the oft-recommended London Zoo and Untrue now have a permanent spot in my music rotation -- but they just don't have that intense WUB WUB WUB feel. Here's a good example of what I'm looking for. What are some great albums with music in this style?
Need a "Swedish" phone but I live in the US
I will be travelling a lot to Sweden and I would like to purchase a Samsung Galaxy S3 made for Europe/Sweden while still in the US. [more inside]
IF: 'Are you sure you want to quit? Y/N?'
I like the idea of playing interactive fiction, but my (limited) experience so far has almost convinced me I'm too obtuse for it! How do I learn to play well, or are some minds just not IF-inclined? [more inside]
August 26
Help me have the best Melbourne break EVER.
I'll have four days in Melbourne a couple of weeks from now. What should I do? I'll be alone, staying in the central city and hiring a bike. I'm interested in: scenic cycle routes, standup comedy, hanging out in pleasant places with a book, cheap but delicious ethnic food, contemporary theatre, massage and other spa-like pampering, outdoor markets, interesting bike shops, nice bars for a quiet solo drink, small music venues and artisan chocolate/baking/sweets. And anything else wonderful and uniquely Melbourne that you think someone with those sorts of interests might like. (Vintage shopping too, but I've already got lots of advice on that from this question) Melburnians, I am so desperately in need of a break. Please help me have the best weekend ever!
Forwarding from SIP to landline, no monthly fee?
How can I forward a sip address to a landline, with only a fee for the call itself? [more inside]
Should I stay or should I go (ski trip edition)?
How much harder is it to ski (x-country) carrying a heavy pack? How much harder is a four day trip than a two-day one? How hard is it to switch from one type of ski to another? Can I do this? [more inside]
seeking near misses (musically speaking)
What's your favorite NON-hit these days (musically speaking)? [more inside]
Got any futuristic exploration or research concept websites?
I'm looking for "what-if" websites that combine words, imagery, and other media to project cool science or exploration concepts onto the web. Two examples I have are here and here although I'm open to more than just Mars exploration stuff. [more inside]
Where is the best place to view the 2012 Geminids meteor shower (Dec 13/14) in the SF Bay Area..... where there will NOT be any chance of fog?
Where is the best place to view the 2012 Geminids meteor shower (Dec 13/14) in the SF Bay Area..... where there will NOT be any chance of fog? [more inside]
Do you drive a 1985 Mercedes 300d or are you familiar with them?
Do you drive a 1985 Mercedes 300d or are you familiar with them? Do you know why my driver and front passenger seat belts are suddenly not engaging? [more inside]
What am I gonna do with all this ass inside these jeans?
For my girlfriend:
Often the waist on my jeans is too loose, and I look like a plumber when I don't wear a belt. Are there any brands of jeans that have butt/thigh room without a loose waist, perhaps? Or is this a problem for a tailor to solve? I am in NYC, so I have access to approximately every store in the world, but I don't like spending all of the money. I usually wear size 6 or 4 or so.
Help me pick a shrink!
Please recommend for me a psychiatrist in the Tampa Bay area, specializing in anxiety and relationships. [more inside]
Growing apple trees in RI?
Can anyone tell me about growing an apple tree in Rhode Island (zone 6b) without too many chemicals? Is it possible? Are Golden Delicious a good choice? [more inside]
Career Choice: Information Architecture or Public Health Evaluation?
Which field should I pursue--information architecture or public health program evaluation? Two very different directions, and I'm not sure how to decide between them for graduate school and my career path. [more inside]
Ice Ice Baby
Metafilter, please fill my new freezer! Double bonus points for teaching me how to freeze PIE. [more inside]
Unfortunately Libre Office is not where I want to go today
Where can I download a legit installer for MS Office Standard Edition 2003 with volume licensing? [more inside]
Help me make the best tomato marinara sauce in the world. I want to make it from scratch. I want it to be the sort of thing youd see in Godfather or Goodfellas where it has to stay on the stove for like 3 months to achieve perfection. This is my holy grail.
Help me make the best tomato marinara sauce in the world. I want to make it from scratch. I want it to be the sort of thing youd see in Godfather or Goodfellas where it has to stay on the stove for like 3 months to achieve perfection. This is my holy grail. [more inside]
Not another refurbished phone, ohgodpleaseno
Will an iPhone meet my needs? After the last couple weeks I am fed up with Droids and need something that is going to reliably do what I need for work... mainly take a large number of pictures. [more inside]
Who diagnoses add anyways?
I don't have a primary care doctor, who should I see about referrals for ADD/ADHD evaluation? [more inside]
Customer Service Rep Bored With Routine
What can I do to make my job as a customer service representative more enjoyable? [more inside]
Sweet olive oil tortas?
I bought a package of sweet olive oil tortas. Now what? [more inside]
Help me make my quiz bowl team awesome!
I'm starting a middle school quiz bowl team. How do I make it ridiculously fun? [more inside]
What plant is this? (KY)
Rap song with indian singing sample
Identify-that-song-filter: What is the current top-40's rap song with sample of high-pictched male(?) indian singing looping repeatedly in the beat? [more inside]
How to get internet working with Motorola 3360 and WRT160N V2
Internet connection stops when connecting wireless router (WRT160N) to DSL modem (Motorola 3360). [more inside]
How do I change careers into the UX field without further education?
What's the best way to move into a career in UX/interaction design without professional experience or the degree to match? I'm moving to Chicago and looking to start a career change, and I don't know where to start. [more inside]
Help me find the gold-level things to do in Silver Lake
(L.A. Filter) Introduce me to Silver Lake, CA and environs, please. [more inside]
Identify this classical music.
Can you identify this piece of cello music? It's been driving my friend nuts for years .
http://youtu.be/kTnIB61Hjiw?t=21m27s
The music starts at 0:21:29, but the link should start at that point automatically.
Metal in Medford
Anyone have experience or advice booking gigs in Northern California and Southern Oregon? [more inside]
My son plans to work FT for a year to save for college. How can he invest his $ to get more bang for his buck?
My son plans to work FT for a year to save for college. How can he invest his $ to get more bang for his buck? [more inside]
Getting rid of cat odor - special snowflake - cat no longer in house
Getting rid of cat odor - special snowflake - cat no longer in house [more inside]
To prof or not to prof
Recommendation Letters filter: grad school in MPH and no academic references? Snowflakes within. [more inside]
Clearly too dumb to be doing this, Ubuntu wireless no worky
Wireless no longer working after upgrade to Ubuntu's Precise Pangolin. I've got just enough knowledge to be confused. Please explain what to do like I'm 5 years old. [more inside]
Recommend me a good quality forum on Cloud Computing?
Recommend me a good quality forum on Cloud Computing? [more inside]
Digital TV converter box and Computer DVR suggestions
Looking for recommendations for two tv things. 1) A Digital Converter Box for television 2) Something that would allow me to DVR over-the-air tv using my computer. [more inside]
I broked my computer in every possible way, how do I fix it?
How do I access the contents of an HDD from an iMac G5 (PPC) without the original computer? [more inside]
Goggle Sanitation on the Cheap
How do I build a UV sanitizing goggle cabinet? [more inside]
Moving to the Washington or California: A question in many parts
Several opportunities for my family to move to the States from Canada have come up and we are considering moving however we, early 30's SAHM and Husband + toddler, have no idea how basics such as down payments, mortgages, health insurance and retirement accounts work down there. We are considering a move to Bellevue, WA or Mountain View, CA so any advise on deciding between these two would also be great :)
We are well versed in how all of these things work in Canada and are current home owners, so Bonus points for any side by side comparisons of how the American and Canadian systems differ or are similar. [more inside]
How real is this reality TV I'm watching?
Reality TV: How "real" are the dangers, how "neutral" are the camera crews? [more inside]
How do I *actually* find cheap hotels and flights
I'm organising a "big" holiday for this Christmas. I've searched for cheap flights and hotels but there are a million different websites out there.
How do I actually get the best value for money? Which websites would MeFites recommend? Are there any good (step-by-step?) guides available? [more inside]
My tongue feels burned and hurts whenever I swallow, what would help it heal?
What will help me heal a tongue "burned" by an old Cold-Eeze lozenge? [more inside]
I swear I did not cut down the apple tree!
How can I improve backyard fruit tree fruit? [more inside]
Throat pain
I have a pain in my upper chest, presumably in my esophagus. How urgent a medical condition is this, and which doctor should I see? [more inside]
snakeplant help please
My snake plant is dying, and growing some kind of fungus. The leaves were coming out, one by one, looking like this: I thought I was overwatering, until I turned the whole plant around, and saw this: ;
I assume these are related to each other, but what is it, and what should I do? I'm guessing that just digging out the whatever-it-is won't be enough.
Encrypting a partitioned backup drive with TrueCrypt
How do I encrypt a partitioned backup drive with TrueCrypt? [more inside]
Can you name the location in this picture? From a magazine ad
Saw this ad in the New York Times magazine, and we were wondering where in the world this is. Can anyone name this location?
Click Here For Picture
Camel Lights remind me of my friends down on the West Coast
Why do people choose - or stick with - the brand of cigarettes that they smoke? Is it taste, image, or habit? [more inside]
HELP! (Theft of our info)
Burglary - 2 computers, and ALL of our documents. What steps to take? [more inside]
Lashes are lashing out
I developed a mascara allergy on Thursday at a dentist appointment. No, it doesn't make any sense to me either. What do I do now? [more inside]
Hope me buy a computer!
Help me buy a new desktop computer when I'm not really sure what I need. [more inside]
What do I need to know for a short trip to Bogota, Colombia?
I'm traveling to Bogota, Colombia for work in a couple of weeks and am looking for advice and suggestions on several aspects of the trip. [more inside]
When you come to a fork in the road, take it: Seattle or San Francisco?
You've been offered the same position with the same company in your choice of two offices: Seattle or San Francisco. The salary is the same in both positions but, due to a cost of living adjustment, the pay is higher in SF. What are some of the factors you'd consider in deciding where to go? Which would you choose and why? [more inside]
What should we serve for a delicious wedding brunch buffet?
Have you been to a wedding that served a brunch buffet? What did you eat that you loved? [more inside]
Mawwiage, Mawwiage Weception Is What Bwings Us Togever Today.
What are some good restaurant/bar venues in DC to host a medium-sized reception in mid-October? It's for a low-key wedding reception for friends. Considerations are: availability of private or semi-private space that can accomodate 40-50 people, relatively inexpensive catering menu, and a huge bonus would be something that offers outdoor/rooftop space. [more inside]
Very nervous about my upcoming move!
Is it normal to be petrified about a move? Wondering if what I am feeling is normal fears/doubts or a sign that I am making a mistake? [more inside]
Tax on Early iRA Withdrawal
Looking at cashing in a post-tax IRA for purchase of a second home. Realizing there are tax and penalties to be applied, this still may make sense. Because the IRA funds are post-tax, however, what exactly will be our total tax liability be? [more inside]
"Your favorite show is Dancing with the Stars? Um. Wow, okay, next?"
Wise ones: I am having trouble coming up with a ice break activity thing for my required lit class [more inside]
Doctor won't take low T possibility seriously.
How do I get a doctor to take my concerns about low testosterone seriously? [more inside]
Help me find a poster of this tarot card!
Where can I find a poster of the Two of Swords tarot card from the Rider-Waite deck?
English copyediting rates in the EU
What is the going rate for freelance English copyediting in the EU (specifically the Netherlands)? [more inside]
How do I deal with overbearing parents?
How do I get along with my opinionated, controlling and overbearing mom during her visit without fighting thereby worsening our relationship? [more inside]
I've overinflated my car tyres. What's the worst that can happen?
I have inflated my car tyres to just under the "max inflate" number, printed on the tyres (they're at 42 PSI, max inflate is 44). I then looked in the vehicle manual, which said that they should be at 33 front, 30-32 back depending on load. Now for my actual question(s): Do I need to go back to the garage and let some air out? What's the worst that could happen? [more inside]
Save my home from the 1980s!
I recently moved to (West) London from overseas and have to do some reasonably major renovation work on a 2-bed flat. This will include re-doing the floors, removing the dreaded "woodchip" wallpaper and therefore possibly re-plastering, replacing or fixing Artex-ed ceilings and possibly some dated/inefficient windows, and re-doing a kitchen. I am not sure what type of professional to call to get an overall plan and estimates or where to look for such professionals. [more inside]
Help picking out a CNC Machine
Looking for advice on purchasing a CNC machine. I know there are a lot of crafty people on here and thought this might be a good place to ask. [more inside]
Mystery boat filter.
Can you identify my mystery sailboat and sail? [more inside]
New laptop vs. iPad: What would work best?
My MacBook is starting to die on me. I've been thinking about my options for a new computer. The thought crossed my mind the other day, "Why don't I just get an iPad to replace my laptop and call it a day?" But I have a few questions, mostly pertaining to being a writer with an iPad. [more inside]
August 25
Japanese translation. Difficulty: penguins.
It's closest I'll ever get to time-traveling
Is there a resource online for searching films/shows by time period depicted? [more inside]
Trains...no planes or automobiles.
I would like to know if the Amtrak station in your city is right in the heart of the city or requires additional transportation (i.e. more than a mile or two of walking, bus or taxi) to get to the "things to do." [more inside]
MLB.com GameDay for the Flappers and Fords Crowd
I remember reading about, and maybe seeing pictures of, baseball scoreboards for people who couldn't go to the ballpark could follow the game back in the early twentieth century. I want to know everything about them. [more inside]
Pie-less cultures and fraction learning?
Are there cultures that don't have pie and/or how did you learn about fractions? [more inside]
Why did my friend stop talking?
Why do friends sometimes stop talking to you for no reason? [more inside]
Doctor told me I don't need HIV test
Does it make sense for my doctor to tell me I don't need an HIV test, because I'm a heterosexual male and I only had unprotected sex with one person in the last 6 months? [more inside]
How to come up with story ideas in a flash?
Help me prepare for a writing contest! In September I signed up for a competition where I will have 48 hours to come up with a short (<8 min) film script. They will reveal a specific "catch", a theme, prop or other constraint which must be incorporated into every entry. [more inside]
Remembering a Viennese Expressionist play
Trying to remember a Viennese Expressionist play: psychological black comedy about a prostitute, an evil old degenerate, and an epic mind-game battle to see who's first to drink a glass of poison. [more inside]
Is there a good substitute for family connection?
How can I help my grandma feel less lonely? She has dementia and alzheimers, but it still pretty together most of the time. She should be surrounded by family, but isn't- we are all so spread apart. . . [more inside]
Wireless internet up, PC internet down
My wireless internet works fine. My PC, with ethernet line to same router, has no internet connectivity. What could be happening? [more inside]
Friends: 10 down, 4 to go
Susan talks non-stop and believes many conspiracy theories. Help me understand her so I can remain her friend. [more inside]
Light up her life: find an LED version of a 40W incandescent
Looking for a LED light that gives an equivalent brightness and spectrum as a 40W incandescent. Can you help me? [more inside]
Is Mint.com Really Secure?
A member of my family insists that using Mint.com to track my spending and all of my accounts in one place = a bad news bears security problem. Read this old thread. What's the latest on Mint's safety levels? [more inside]
Helloooooo Canada!
Two single girls driving up to Toronto from Indianapolis for a 4 day weekend.. what should we do and other questions! [more inside]
tell me more about Margaret Fishback [Antolini]?
help me further get to know my favorite poet. [more inside]
give me a home
Thinking of retiring in 10 years. Where? [more inside]
When home decor ideas hit a brick wall
Help me decorate to divert attention from a large expanse of exposed brick in a small bedroom. [more inside]
El Paso After Hours
Late night food options in El Paso? Difficulty: Sunday night, downtown, after midnight.
Who decides when to call the Life Flight?
I am unconscious, I've been in a terrible accident and I am in a rural area in the United States. Who decides whether I should be flown to the nearest city or taken to the local rural hospital that may not be equipped to handle my emergency? [more inside]
Would You Move for Better Schools?
Moving to a better school zone. Should I do it? Tough decisions concerning moving, staying put, and financial future. [more inside]
How to read Google eBooks on a Kindle?
No longer a Luddite! I've finally given into reading books electronically on my Droid phone, and am now hooked. Paper no more! I've amassed a nice collection of Overdrive library books, Kindle titles and Google eBooks (depending on whose prices were better) on my phone but it's too tiny for extended reading, and doesn't do well in sunshine, and the battery gets rapidly drained. [more inside]
The light, it burns!
Best non-comedogenic physical sunblock on the market? [more inside]
What are the essentials for remote computing?
What tech specs are most essential for working remotely via Citrix? Longtime Mac user here, have never bought a Windows machine. I need to buy a laptop to work remotely for my job (paralegal at a mid-size law firm). I will be logged into my Firm's network, and running a variety of software programs off Citrix (iManage Desksite, Filesurf, Word, Hotdocs template manager, Adobe Professional, etc). What key features should I be looking for? Is 8GB of RAM enough? Recommendations for specific brand names are also welcome.
Looking for scanner suggestions
My Doxie Go scanner (and Eye-Fi card) got boosted, and I need to replace it. I was happy with my Doxie, but before buying another, I'd like to see what other options I have, and I'm looking for suggestions. [more inside]
Internet friendship ends badly. What now?
I'm posting this anonymously because "Angie" read it (unlikely, but not impossible), I think it would genuinely hurt her feelings. Also, I feel like an idiot to be posting this at all. This is kind of long and pathetic. Sorry. Summary: Internet friendship crashed & burned, I feel badly about it, what can I do to get over myself? [more inside]
Stand and deliver! Your Money or Your Wife('s)!
Should I pay off my wife's student loans? Should we file our taxes jointly? 60K in student debt! [more inside]
Piano substitute for a traveller?
What portable, acoustic instrument is easiest for a keyboard player to pick up? [more inside]
I am looking for a site that aggregates all the Apps in Apple's App Store and arranges them in order by their average rating (five star being the highest) and the number of people who voted for it.
I am looking for a site that aggregates all the Apps in Apple's App Store and arranges them in order by their average rating (five star being the highest) and the number of people who voted for it. I'd like to use this as info for crowdsourcing and finding apps that might be of use to me and that have been of great help to other users. [more inside]
I need recommendations for tasty side dishes
I'm looking for 2 recipes for side dishes that are: unique, okay to be served cold, and will bowl over a potluck dinner crowd full of foodies. [more inside]
How will Dolphin Browser be ruined in order to make it profitable?
How is Dolphin Browser (formerly Dolphin HD) going to make money? It seems to be a company with no revenue plan. Should I be worried? [more inside]
Help me leave New Orleans before I even get there
I would like to take a two day trip less than 4 hours from New Orleans on public transportation. Where should I go? [more inside]
KPop: A History?
What are some good resources and musical groups for someone who would like to get into kpop? [more inside]
To pseudonym or not to pseudonym?
Is using a pseudonym right for me? I'm a fiction writer, not a talk-radio host! [more inside]
Friend on Bike Tour Needs Place Tonight in PDX
Friend is on bike tour, just got food poisoning. Needs place to stay in Portland, OR tonight. Hostels are full. He says he is not throwing up any more just has no energy. Anyone know any cheap hotels between downtown and north (he will be heading north as soon as he gets better).
Should we teach our baby to sign?
Should we teach our baby sign language? [more inside]
What should we do in RDU? Days: two.
We are visiting Raleigh/Durham for a weekend to see if it's a good fit. What kinds of things should we do? [more inside]
Career anxiety
From public policy research to software consulting... tips how to find my niche? [more inside]
x + y = A in pre-calc. Help me solve for x and y!
What do I need to know to be ready for pre-calculus? [more inside]
the banchan is my favorite part
I've been enjoying eating at restaurants in LA's Koreatown that cater to a mostly Korean crowd. Please help me figure out how eat politely, or at least not rudely. [more inside]
What to do in Barcelona?
I'll be in Barcelona for a few days this upcoming week with a friend, and we're staying in the Las Ramblas area. What are some fun things to check out while there? [more inside]
Stay home with kids or accept an entry-level job?
After being out of the job market for two years and becoming a stay-at-home mom, should I take an entry-level job, even if it's a big step down financially? [more inside]
Is my boyfriend entitled or am I being a jerk?
My boyfriend of 6 months is great in many ways: kind, supportive, funny, etc. But (of course) there's one thing about him that's been bugging me, and I can't tell if I'm being unreasonable or not. The best way I can come up with to describe it is that he seems to feel... entitled. [more inside]
Name that Instrument
The ancient Chinese developed a pun-based system of message-coding...
A (white, American) friend's parents gave me a clock as a gift, which in China is really not done. This was clearly not malicious, so I'm not offended and my parents are getting over it, but I'm wondering whether there's any way to tell them not to give this particular gift to any other Chinese people they may know. The problem is that I don't know any way to broach the subject that wouldn't call attention to their faux pas, and it's entirely possible that they just don't know any other Chinese people, in which case I'd much rather avoid embarrassing them. Should I say anything, either to them or to my friend their son?
Should I go coocoo for Coocan?
I have an opportunity to buy Coocan Korean cookware. Should I give them a go? [more inside]
Who will wash my clothes?!
Trying to find a laundry/dry cleaning service in NYC. [more inside]
Help me find a therapist
I need a bus-accessible therapist/grief counselor in Austin, TX [more inside]
Who to hire to improve Curb Appeal
We are thinking of painting/residing our house but are lacking in design sense! We think we want a BIG change, but do not know where to start in improving our curb appeal. We would like to hire someone to help with the house design but do not know where to start. Can you point me in the right general direction on the type of person to hire for this sort of thing? General info is welcome, we live near Pittsburgh,PA if you know specifics.
What's a good outlet for me?
I'm looking for literary/media outlets specifically relevant to purveyors of rambly, tangential narrative mostly-autobiographical non sequiturs (i.e. the sort of writing that's my stock in trade). The recent death of David Rakoff has managed to make my old joke about just accumulating all my writing in a well-marked little box so I can be discovered posthumously seem a little less funny, given that I'm only a few years younger than he is and have been steadfast in my dedication to purposely sabotaging every opportunity that comes my way. Thing is, I have a terrible confession— [more inside]
physically disabled and unable to afford legacy health insurance
My mother is physically disabled and unable to afford legacy health insurance. We need to reduce costs some how but don't know where to turn. [more inside]
Would an accounting diploma program help me get a job?
It's time for a career change, but I'd like some help confirming if this diploma program in accounting would help me land jobs, despite not having a university degree. [more inside]
New Start, New Location
My boyfriend and I want to move far enough away from where we live now that we're able to start something *new*. Help us figure out where to move that we will enjoy and how to move there. Details behind cut. [more inside]
August 24
Looking for bird guides to Asia.
I'm in Japan and looking for the best bird guides for the whole of South-East Asia. [more inside]
What is "Breath of the dead lover?"
Has anyone heard of an alcoholic drink possibly of Czech origin, called "Breath of the dead lover?" [more inside]
So now I have anatidaephobia but for pumpkins
Anyone remember a terrifying children's book about fleeing from a slowly rolling pumpkin? [more inside]
New or refurbished iPad "3"?
Is it better to buy a new or refurbished ipad "3"? Apple is selling a refurbished current generation iPad 16GB Wireless for $50 off the retail price. Comes with 1-yr warranty too. My husband thinks it's not a good enough deal and that I should go for a new one. I'm tempted to save the $50. What would you recommend?
What should we see on the next six days of our cross-US drive?
We are currently on the move to Kingston, ON from Vancouver BC, and we are looking at finding interesting things to do along our cross-US trip. Here is a map of the next six days of driving. What absolute must-sees are there along this path? [more inside]
I don't want to bend over to put on my exercising shoes!
I want a women's slip-on walking shoe with enough support to walk several miles in without making my feet hurt. Suggestions for brands or styles needed. [more inside]
star spangled banner, mefi
Help me find this book I read in 7th grade [more inside]
Kind of maybe moving, Mr. Landlord
Job opportunity has quickly come up in new city, but nothing settled. Would have to be there October 1 though, what do I tell landlord? [more inside]
Skinny people die
I have been overweight all my life, as has all of my family. I have noticed that as we age, get sick, and eventually die, between the sick and die part they get skinny! So each time I lose weight and look at myself I look like a cancer patient waiting to die and I gain it back. I've talked to a counselor who did a lot of hmmm and mmms which was too expensive to repeat. Any ideas how to fix my psyche and eventually fix my physique?
I am too old for a sexy sexy texting relationship...
After taking some time off from romance, I found myself happily being circled by a guy I'm attracted to... but so far he appears to be the flirty "all talk, no action" sort. I've not dated many of this breed so I'm out of my element and have just been laying low and staying patiently ladylike. I'm in my 40s though, and I'm not gonna lie... I'm in the mood for some action and too old for games. My patience is wearing thin. Hope me! [more inside]
Good books about Houston/the Houston area?
What are some good non-fiction books about Houston, TX and environs? [more inside]
I am interested in using a journal for self-improvement and personal growth and need some suggestions for resources and aids to take my practice further.
I am interested in using a journal for self-improvement and personal growth and need some suggestions for resources and aids to take my practice further. [more inside]
Like me, only better.
I want to make a fake dating profile to do research. Is this unethical? [more inside]
Top Gear Car Rental Edition
What is the best car (make/model) for me to rent? [more inside]
What was this insect the burrowed into my hair?
Calling all Mefi Entomologists! On a trip in the Peruvian Amazon (Manu National Park), I broke a small log that was suspended over a shallow creek. Apparently, it held an insect nest, because ten seconds later everyone in our group was jumping around and batting at these tiny flying insects which buzzed straight into our hair and got tangled up. They didn't sting, but our guide described them as "haircutter bees" and said they would bite through strands of hair. They were smaller than honeybees and all black, I believe. Anyone have any idea what this insect was or a Latin name?
My car won't start! Sometimes!
I know you're not my mechanic, but are you a mechanic? Because I have a very strange electrical problem with my Jetta that I can't begin to troubleshoot. [more inside]
Have you tried a meal-planning recipe subscription?
If you've used a meal-planning service: how was it? Do you recommend it? I read this article in the New York Times and am intrigued. The companies mentioned in the article are Saving Dinner, the Fresh 20, the Six O'Clock Scramble, and eMeals.
Just one for breakfast, thanks: what shake mix should I buy?
What meal-replacement solution will give me the easiest, most tasty breakfast without requiring a second mortgage? It should be something that can either be kept in a file cabinet at work and grabbed at need or something that I can grab out of the fridge on my way out the door. [more inside]
USA house name?
Does anyone in the USA officially name their main residential house, along the lines of how some people name their houses in the UK? [more inside]
On purchasing a hand built bicycle
Perhaps a bit too late to ask...
Spending tomorrow in Amsterdam with my family. Ideas? [more inside]
Good professional grade used or new digital camera for under $350-400?
Photographers & photo enthusiasts: Can I find a good professional grade used or new digital camera for under $350-400? [more inside]
Morning Outings for Small Kids
Suggest a novel activity for small (2 & 3.5 yo) kids for a (preferably east-) Bay Area Saturday morning. [more inside]
Vulgate H's in Names
In the Latin Vulgate, what is the story of the extra H's in proper names? [more inside]
INS vs True Love
Immigration Calibration: if the love-of-his-life returns to the Phillipines, will he ever see her again? Or rather, give me a general sense of how easy it would be for her to get another tourist visa to US; get visa to travel here for wedding, live here after marriage. [more inside]
We're going Krazy Glue crazy!
Is there a heavy duty lock made that is tamper-proof from pranksters wielding Crazy Glue? [more inside]
So, two priests are sitting in a tree...
I am looking for the name of a painting, may have been in a version of The Art Book. Google has failed me for years. [more inside]
Possible pairing of prozac and paxil?
(YANMD filter)
Would (according to your personal/second-hand experience) taking paxil (10 mg a day for 2 days, leftover from a previous prescription) over the weekend until I can get back to the doctor to refill my routine long-ish term 20 mg a day prozac prescription: [more inside]
How do you keep your place in an audiobook on an Android device?
How do you keep your place in an audiobook on an Android device? [more inside]
Should a 6 year old play games on the iPhone?
6 year old playing games on the iPhone? Too early? [more inside]
Will I ever trust him again?
Can I get over this? [more inside]
I've run out of tiles to count
What kinds of mental games can you play to soak up time? You're in a meeting or sitting through a presentation. You don't need to pay attention, but you can't leave. What do you do?
Logo/Branding - Help?
Should I buy a logo, a huge branding package, or something in between? [more inside]
Grant to make public high school auditorium handicapped-accessible?
Are there any grants available for public high schools to make their facilities (specifically the auditorium) handicapped and wheelchair-accessible? I've been told that there might be federal funds available for this purpose but I don't know where to start looking. We're in New Jersey, could there be state funds for the same purpose?
Spinning Beach Ball of Doom
Mac Lion Filter: Autosave in Word = GIANT FAIL. [more inside]
Does anyone recognize this music? [Radiohead Coachella 2012]
Does anyone know the intro music to this Radiohead concert? There are 3 tracks before Radiohead takes to the stage, and I was wondering who it was. Thanks.
Remove header image on image post pages in Wordpress
Wordpress: help me get rid of the header image on image post pages. [more inside]
talking to strangers waaaahaa
Studying abroad for a semester. I'm rather shy, so any advice for getting out of my shell and making the most of my time in a foreign country? [more inside]
The old Cat and his Box
I need some suggestions on how to deal with problems with my geriatric cat and his litter box. [more inside]
What's the statute of limitations on a fist high stack of parking tickets in the Big Apple?
Let's say I have a stack of parking tickets in NYC in the 1990's and early 2000's. What are the chances they're going to come up if I get a license in NYS again? [more inside]
Help me find a recent article/blog about people behaving like corporations?
I read (and failed to bookmark) an article or blog post a week or two ago that drew parallels between the idea of "corporate personhood" and the "quantify everything, optimize your own happiness" ethos shared by many young people today. Basically the gist of it was that many people were emulating corporate "persons" rather than real people as role models. Can you help me find it?
Accessible attractions in Barcelona
My sister is travelling to Barcelona, Spain in November. She'll be at a hotel on the Plaza Catalunya for 3 days before leaving on a cruise ship. Sadly, she's on oxygen 24/7 and will be using a walker for short distances and an electric scooter to tour around the city. She'd like recommendations for food and must-see attractions within scootering distance. We've collected info from Google travel results, but they don't address accessibility concerns She plans to go to the Dali museum on a day trip, but other suggestions would be wonderful.
Where can I get body art quality henna in Austin, Texas, this evening, or in Philadelphia this weekend?
Where can I get body art quality henna in Austin, Texas, this evening, or in Philadelphia tomorrow? [more inside]
Video card recommendations
I have an older Gateway PC acting as my media center/file server. I have it hooked up to a 42" 720p Samsung Plasma TV via VGA from the on-board connection on the PC. As such, the resolution is not very good: 1024x768 and the picture doesn't really fit on the screen. Can you recommend a cheap video card (under $50) that will let me connect via HDMI and show things at a decent resolution without stretching or cropping the picture? No gaming, just playing video files.
Google Apps for small biz
I'm helping someone setup google apps for a small biz. Already signed up for google apps and bought the domain name through google (enom.com). Need help building a document repo out of GDocs and redirecting the main domain (example.com and www.example.com) to a website hosted on an outside hosting server. [more inside]
Any android based game suggestions for a 30 minute workout?
I'm looking for new games to play on my Android phone while I'm doing cardio. Do you have any suggestions? [more inside]
I am not an artist but I play one at work?
Employer is holding a staff art show. I would like to participate but I am not an artist. Is this a horrible idea? [more inside]
Identification Multiplication
Is it possible to have a driver's license from one state and a state ID card from a different state? [more inside]
Cloning Apples
Part of a project I'm working on involves getting around 20 iPad 2s to all be the same. I'm not an Apple person at all, and this is the first time I've seriously used either the iDevice ecosystem or iTunes in any real capacity. Is there a way to make this as painless as possible? [more inside]
The woman I've been dating did something to hurt me really badly, and I don't know how to proceed.
The woman I've been dating did something to hurt me really badly, and I don't know how to proceed. Yes, this is long. [more inside]
What is ADD diagnosis / testing like as an adult?
Did you go through diagnosis / testing for ADD as an adult? Please tell me about your experience. [more inside]
Restaurants for groups in Manhattan
I need to organize a breakfast, lunch and dinner in Manhattan the third week of September, and need some help deciding on where to go - there are just too many places to wade through on Google/Yelp/etc. [more inside]
Interesting "alternative" things to do in / around Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria?
Interesting "alternative" things to do in / around Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria? [more inside]
Anyone know anything about Vipassana Retreats?
Anyone know anything about Vipassana Retreats? [more inside]
Help us find and Mac and PC compatible multi-user drawing app
My friend and I want to draw together. Two potential problems: First, I'm in Seattle, she's in Michigan. [more inside]
Educational games on Mac for young kids?
My pre-k boy LOVES video games and adventure/superhero TV shows. It would be great to harness some of that love for learning purposes. What are your recommendations for software or online games that do that? We're a Mac household. [more inside]
30th birthday present for an older brother living in Japan. Home comforts need not apply.
In two weeks it is my sibling's 30th birthday. He lives in Japan. I live in Western Europe. What can I get him? Inspire me! [more inside]
My wife and I have no watched a movie in 5 years. What should we see?
My wife and I have no watched a movie in 5 years. What should we see? [more inside]
Digital Electronic Signature Capture for android
I would like customers to be able to digitally sign an electronic invoice on a Samsung SII. I see there are a few apps out there that do this but they seem to get mixed reviews. Do you have specific experience with an app of this type (signature capture) that you can recommend? [more inside]
Where can we dance to Vonda??
Do bars like the one on Ally McBeal really exist? Tell me where! Anywhere in the world will do, but it must fit the bill. [more inside]
Welcome me to the working world, maybe
Career Starter Q: If you are working a job that's a bad fit for you- 1) how did you get it? 2) how do you survive it (especially workplace dynamics)? [more inside]
How does electricity work?
I need a primer on how (electrical) power works. [more inside]
is there an aliexpress for online lessons?
What do you know about learning Mandarin via Skype? [more inside]
August 23
How to Quit a teaching gig in Japan a little ovet a week before starting?
Teaching job for a dispatch company in Japan starting in two weeks. Had a panic attack and decided I want to quit, with no time for 30 days notice - how to do so with as few problems as possible? [more inside]
Flathead Valley help
I need place to stay (hotel, motel, hostel, airbnb,vrbo, share) this weekend. Would like to be close to Kalispell Regional Hospital in Kalispell, Montana 8/24 - 8/27. [more inside]
Exterminating in one's car
Quickest way to get rid of tiny black ants in your car? [more inside]
I'm *not* going to stand outside holding a boombox over my head.
How to get a company to reconsider me for a job? [more inside]
bring back the vocal please
I got a new PC, it turns songs into Karaoke songs, the beautiful vocal channel is missing. Help! it's so annoying to be stuck with this situation. Thanks [more inside]
Father-son weekend in Milwaukee
Help me plan an awesome father-son trip to Milwaukee with my 7-year-old! [more inside]
How to get sense of humour back?
I feel like I am losing my sense of humour and am Lady Serious so much of the time. How do I get it back? [more inside]
Seeking nice dinner for two in Hoboken
What are some tasty places to eat dinner in Hoboken? [more inside]
I really like my ex. Help!
First time round, he got his heart broken. Five years later, we meet again. I really like him but he’s not long out of a relationship. [more inside]
What is your experience of escorting, first or second-hand?
A close friend thinks she might try working as an escort, and I'm worried that my reaction to this is based on limited and biased information. Do you have first or second-hand experience of this? [more inside]
Eww-lbow
So... over the course of the day my elbow has gone weird looking - it's red and swollen and sort of squooshy feeling. The skin feels warm to the touch and it is tender. Doctor Google tells me it's probably Bursitis. So... I should probably go get it checked out. But is it a rush to the docs tonight thing or a wait to tomorrow thing?
Invest $60000
$60000. How to best invest my money? I recently purchased a home and am thinking about putting most of it towards the principal and using some to pay off my student loans. I'm also thinking about using the money towards investments but don't know much about the investment world. I would love to invest in something safe with a good return. I'm also somewhat young, 34, and feel like I should really be thinking about my family's future. Any suggestions on how to best use/invest my money would be much appreciated. Thanks for your time!
I'm in ur general vicinity makin u sneeze ur face off - Cat allergen super powers
Why is one of my cats capable of causing great sneezing and burning eyes from mere contact, and the other seemingly powerless to cause more than a little itchy nose if hair is practically inhaled? Obligatory photos at the end. [more inside]
How do I upgrade the SSD I boot from?
What's the best way to upgrade my hard drive on my desktop? I have a 40GB SSD that I boot from, and I want to upgrade that to an 80GB SSD. What's the best way to move all of my information from the old drive to the new one, and then have the computer boot from the new drive? [more inside]
Ain't the first $10, won't be the last $10...
Steam newbie screw up: Have I wasted $10 on this game, or is this fixable? [more inside]
Are babies immune to claustrophobia after 9 months in the womb?
How do I choose between a day care that is logistically superior but in a depressing basement and a snazzy day care that has better facilities but is more inconvenient? Both take good care of babies. [more inside]
The Iceman Wondereth
How much is an ice cube from my fridge worth? [more inside]
Streaming for DJs?
Is there a Streaming track service specifically for DJs? [more inside]
Commuting by bike - soup to nuts
Biking to work. Don't even own a bicycle. I have a month to prepare. Please impart your wisdom on this newbie. [more inside]
Book with man depriving senile mother of water?
There's a book (possibly a movie or tv show) with a scene in it of an evil man slowly depriving his senile mother of water and keeping her in a very hot room in a bed with the covers on until she dies after several days. There is one moment when she regains lucidity and almost calls the police, but he stops her. What am I remembering?
Can I start over in my own town?
New leaf, same old city? Seeking advice—both practical and symbolic—on attempting a "fresh start" in a city I've lived in for 10 years. [more inside]
Non-fluffy flexibility-promoting exercise classes in Philadelphia?
Where can I get the body workout without the soul workout - in Philadelphia? I'd like to find an exercise class that focuses on flexibility and reducing tension - without the spiritual stuff usually abundant in yoga classes. [more inside]
Off the sauce, now what?
Made a big healthy change but now feeling distant in my relationship. Is this normal? So what's the next step? [more inside]
Bored out of my gourd.
Bored out of my gourd! Help a SAHM cope with all the children in school full-time now. [more inside]
Tired of dr's and Fat.
Looking for suggestions to handle the medical proffesion constantly telling me that my only problem is that I am FAT. [more inside]
Crew-Themed Bake Sale
I need ideas for homemade items for a crew-themed bake sale. [more inside]
How do I protect my possibly developmentally-challenged brother in law who is intent on getting married to someone we barely know?
I need help in guiding my brother-in-law, who may be developmentally challenged, with some important life decisions. I am pretty much his only family contact, am at a bit of a loss, and not quite sure where to start; (slightly lengthy) details inside. [more inside]
My Pussy Is Not Rioting, Thanks.
So I've got some questions about my (aging) vagina. [more inside]
Looking for female recording engineers in Chicago.
Looking for female recording engineers in Chicago. [more inside]
Barack-ing the vote?
Should I vote in the upcoming presidential election? If so, for who? [more inside]
Site navigation examples
I'm looking for websites that use tabbed site navigation on the site. [more inside]
This article is wrong, right?
Serve me up some political news
I need a (daily?) podcast to keep up with (mostly?) American politics. [more inside]
What is your home-made sports drink and why those ingredients?
What is your go-to recipe for home-made gatorade-type sport drink? [more inside]
Recovery from trauma - help me educate myself?
I was in a traumatic event a few years ago which was followed by shock and near complete amnesia. Recently I've been getting memories back, and, following different triggers, experiencing physical and emotional exhaustion. Help me understand what to expect, and how best to deal with it ? (More specific qs after the cut) [more inside]
Slow-paced, no-death video games?
What video games might I like? Difficulty level: very picky. [more inside]
Mixing business with pleasure
Boss found out I'm applying to grad school- am I in trouble? [more inside]
Movies where the bad guy was right?
Can you think of some movies where the bad guy is sort of right, or at least has a good point? [more inside]
How can I be more effective at business development?
Do you work in business development? Please tell me how you spend your time. [more inside]
Do I keep my cannabis-smoking secret from my 15 year old brother?
Do I keep my cannabis-smoking secret from my 15 year old brother? [more inside]
Make me a super-photographer
Please suggest a Canon lens for a trip to Yellowstone. Long story. [more inside]
They work, but is it worth it?
Looking to buy an old gas stove and old electric chest freezer (pre-60's). Advice wanted! [more inside]
Highway 16
Doing fieldwork along Highway 16 in northern BC for the next few days – traveling from Prince George to Prince Rupert and back. Anyone been there and have any last-minute travel advice? Thanks!
Safe and restricted chat program to use with 12yo niece?
Safe and restricted chat program to use with my niece? (12yo) [more inside]
WOMEN who get lash extensions - is this a good business idea?
FOR WOMEN WHO GET EYELASH EXTENSIONS: Is this a good business idea (i.e. - would you buy this service?) [more inside]
Things to do in the Miami area... during a tropical storm.
I am meeting my parents (both in their late 60s - early 70s, but fairly active) in Miami for the whole of next week. They're flying in from abroad and I am flying from California. We had plans to drive around the area a little bit and see the sights with not a lot of planning, but that was before Isaac came along. I haven't seen my parents in a while and it will be good to spend some time together, so I am not cancelling the trip. What are some good things to do in the Miami area in the wake of a tropical storm? We'll be staying in South Beach and we have a car. Tips of great restaurants, museums and (indoor?) activities are appreciated.
I would like to fit the entirety of my brain into a plain-text database.
Android and Win7 compatible. Tag-based and cross-referenceable. Future-proof. Fast. I have a feeling that my perfect, personal information database solution is lurking right under my nose. But where is it? [more inside]
Is this solution as awesome as it seems?
Help Me Get My DIY On In The Bay
I just moved back to the Bay Area and am trying to get my DIY on again. Please recommend resources and spaces for ceramics, knitting, and sewing lessons/classes/circles in the East Bay or SF. [more inside]
Mac-compatible headset for Skype
Looking for a headset w/mic for Skype. Specific requirements inside. [more inside]
Help me find the commercial for Federal IT services that includes a GLaDOS-like voice
What is that radio commercial for Federal IT services that sounds like GLaDOS from Portal, and how can I find a copy of the ad? [Washington, D.C. area radio] [more inside]
Seeking healthier perspectives during a rough time
I will soon be breaking up with my very dear partner. Typically, this is the point at which my life goes off-track for the next few years and I lose all perspective and any mental health I've achieved. I want to approach this period in a very different way this time. My question is how to avoid both zoning out/creating a protective fog/rewriting the past to be less dramatic than it is, and avoiding the other extreme of drowning in guilt for my partner's pain and their wasted energy and my destruction of our planned future. [more inside]
Random Instapaper article selector
Is there any app, function in an app, website, script, or anything of the kind that will take my Instapaper Read Later list and select one of the articles there at random for me to read? [more inside]
Back me up on this
What are the best backup solutions for Windows 7 these days? Looking at all types of backups - whole system restores including installed programs, manually/automatically copying data to a second hard drive/flash drive/SD card, and cloud storage. [more inside]
What can I mail in a care package to friends that are going to Burning Man?
I want to send a care package to my friends at Burning Man, what should I include? [more inside]
Jeez, are you okay over there?
I'm fairly new at my job (about six weeks in), and I have a co-worker who coughs all day long at ~30-second intervals. All. Day. Long. [more inside]
NECCO Wafers at the South Pole?
Admiral Byrd took 2 1/2 tons of NECCO Wafers to Antarctica? Citation needed. Can you help? [more inside]
Paging MeFi Medical Sleuths!
Name that medication! Vaguely remembered medication from the early to mid-1980s. I was mildly depressed, feeling in a rut. I went to a Kaiser psychiatrist in San Diego, CA. He prescribed a small, white pill that I took for a relatively short time (don't think I refilled the 'scrip)--it was great, no side effects, just elevated my mood enough that I could do other stuff to help myself: started exercising, lost some weight, got out of the house more...just felt better. The records from that time are long gone--I checked. Any ideas about what it might have been? [more inside]
Identify this board game...
Identify-this-board/card-game-filter: you play 'answer' cards and the most appropriate one wins. [more inside]
First Love Issues
Why do I often dream of my ex? [more inside]
What is the model of this car's engine?
Where can I find information about the engine specifications of a car down to its manufacturer and model number? [more inside]
Please assist my mental pull up
My gym has an assisted pull up machine that provides varying degrees of assistance depending on how much weight is selected. I'm pretty sure it's lying. [more inside]
How to pick a table clamp for an arcade controller?
What kind of clamp would you use for holding a small control panel on a table firmly? [more inside]
Where to camping/cabin-ing near NYC with no car?
What are the best spots for camping/cabin-ing near NYC if you don't have a car? [more inside]
lovestory
(re)met the daughter of a family friend last weekend at a wedding. We hadn't seen each other since we were 6 or 7 and she is two years younger than I am. The challenge--spent three hours together, live 600 miles apart, and I can't stop thinking about her. A few more details, but the question is "How can I see if this has potential to go somewhere?" [more inside]
Video lectures for the knowledge hungry
You are probably familiar with TED, a fantastic collection of talks on a wide range of topics available online. What other, similar collections are there? [more inside]
Where to stay and what to do in SF?
Where to stay and what to do in San Francisco for our honeymoon? [more inside]
Did I break my face?
10 days after a particularly potent dose of MDMA, I'm experiencing jaw popping and soreness. Can I do something to make this go away or have I caused permanent damage? [more inside]
Modifications for house
Modifications to house to walker/wheelchair... [more inside]
Privacy from ISP?
An un-sketchy (not free? not ad-supported?) ssh web proxy? [more inside]
Largest Civil War Cemetery
Is Vicksburg National Cemetery the largest Civil War cemetery?
Fluoroboric Acid and Zinc
Will hydrogen tetrafluoborate (fluoroboric acid) dissolve zinc? [more inside]
101 Ways to Entertain a 6 Year Old
In a couple of weeks, I'm going to be babysitting my 6-year-old nephew for several days. What are some fun ways I can keep him entertained at home? [more inside]
Which dictionaries are prescriptivist/descriptivist?
Is there some super-secret linguistics resource that sorts dictionaries by prescriptivism/descriptivism? Either in a binary chart or along a spectrum? Which dictionaries are known to fit these categories, and which are known to straddle them?
Facebook's 'eavesdrop' setting?
So what function of Facebook is it that lets my friends see the comments I've made on pages I like - which they have NOT liked - and comment on them? I've gotten into several conversations lately made more uncomfortable by someone not in the community I'm commenting to jumping in and making a comment about my participation. I thought I had my settings pretty nailed down, but can't figure out where this one is. Thanks. [more inside]
Can you identify the origin of this beret flash?
Help me go wireless.
I want to be able to access my hard drives wirelessly, and I don't know where to start. Plus bonus question. Help! [more inside]
Should we switch daycares?
After a transition to a new room at daycare, our ratios went way up and the teacher seems very overworked. Is it time to switch centers? [more inside]
How do other cultures deal with diabetes?
I recently discovered that I am well on my way to Type 2 diabetes. So I am taking the steps recommended by my docotor and everyone else: trying to lose weight, cut out sugar and simple carbs, etc.
I am curious about cross-cultural recommendations for pre-diabetics. For example, perhaps some European countries seem to think that taking B vitamins can keep diabetes at bay? Or there is some folk wisdom that recommends using teaspoons of vinegar before (after?) meals to help regulate blood sugar?
And yes, I realize that type 2 diabetes is much more common in the US than elsewhere. I'm hoping to steer this conversation away from "Americans are lazy gluttons" and more toward "here are some potentially helpful things to do that an American doctor wouldn't know to mention."
How do they get cranes down from the top of skyscrapers when they've finished with them?
How do they get cranes down from the top of skyscrapers when they've finished with them? [more inside]
Why does my PC lose Internet connectivity when I connect to a VPN service?
I am trying to setup a router with DD-WRT & OpenVPN so that I can stream content from Netflix/Hulu etc. when living outside the US. However, every time I connect to the VPN service my PC connected to the router loses internet connectivity. [more inside]
August 22
Frightened dog is frightened... I'd rather she not be.
So, my dog, Brandy, is having difficulties with our new place and it has me confounded. [more inside]
Bought a Toyota, how do I make it last a long time?
I recently bought a 2011 Toyota Corolla with 37,000 miles on it, it's Toyota certified. I drive about 2000 miles per month (probably more). When I'm done with college, I'm hoping to move closer to work at reduce my overall commute by 50% or more, but right now I'm stuck at 2000ish miles a month (lots of alone car time). [more inside]
How do I find the right neighborhood to live in?
What should I be doing to find the right area for me and my family? [more inside]
RStudio equivalent for Python
What is the closest equivalent to RStudio for Python? [more inside]
Could well water cause kidney stones?
Could my kidney stone have been caused by the copious minerals precipitating out of my well water? [more inside]
I queried the HiveMind; I wrote my question
Can anyone tell me what this Aztec literary/oratorical technique is called? [more inside]
Is it better to be officially autistic rather than openly strange?
Is it useful for me, as someone in my late forties, to seek a diagnosis as a high-ish functioning autistic (which, after some research, I'm fairly sure I am) in order to have a clear identity rather than being "that creepy old man". Which isn't terribly good for my self-esteem among other things. [more inside]
Should I go back into academia?
I'm in desperate need of direction in my career and don't know how to make a decision. [more inside]
Survey sayyyss..... ASMR!
Filling out surveys gives me ASMR! Please help me find more surveys to complete, and thus ensure endless nights of tingly brain. [more inside]
Help me support my dad after the death of both his parents.
My father's parents just passed away, two weeks apart exactly. How do I support my dad through this time? [more inside]
How can I best use social media to promote women in computer science on campus?
I'm newly in charge of social media for my campus' Women in Computer Science group. What should I do to be the best at this? [more inside]
Name that blog
Starting a blog that shares snippets of advice from old books. Help us name it, please. [more inside]
Amazon pays non-USA affiliates directly ?
Non-USAian Amazon Affiliates - do you get paid directly from amazon and in money rather than Amazon credits ? [more inside]
Who can recommend Spanish-language music and PC games?
I like PC games and metal music. I also need to learn Spanish. I'd like to use Spanish-language media. Can anyone recommend any good Spanish-language PC games? Or bands similar to Bad Religion in Spanish? [more inside]
You Got Me Workin' Workin' Day And Night (I'm So Tired Tired Now)
I'm starting a new weekend overnight shift. Got any tips or tricks to help me be at my best while doing this? [more inside]
Need quality driving lessons in Toronto.
Where's a good place for an adult to take driving lessons in Toronto? [more inside]
Straight girls, man
I have a massive schoolgirl crush on this girl I know, and it's growing. I'm going to see her again after a few weeks of being away...how can I (relatively) quickly and tactfully find out if she's gay? I have no idea how often I'll see her after this. [more inside]
Is there anything I can do to help my ill friend?
My friend is ill with a condition that might be psychosomatic. She doesn't believe or trust her doctors, and she is continually diagnosing herself with new illnesses. What's the best way I can be supportive? [more inside]
Baby/Toddler likes to bite mama while breastfeeding...what do we do?
Our lovely baby boy (11 months old, with two sharp and pointy bottom incisors with two more coming in on top) has started biting mama fairly regularly while breastfeeding over the past few days. What are some things we can do? [more inside]
The ows are not what they seem?
¡Left Handed Typing Alert! After a week of basic tenderness/muscle pull feeling centered between my shoulderblades, I've awoken today with an incredibly acute pain that's basically taken away the use of my right (dominant) arm. Help me pre-game the upcoming doctor's appointment to try and narrow down/assuage the cause as soon as possible. [more inside]
Phantom push notifications from Words With Friends. WTF?
Phantom push notifications from Words With Friends. WTF? [more inside]
Is my salary holding me hostage?
I have a job. It's a pretty good job and I've been around here for a while. Some recent changes (some at work, some in life) and some things that haven't panned out like I envisioned have me looking around. But in my brief survey of the landscape, I think I may be stuck here because the salary ranges in my area for the skills I have are around 30% lower than the ~$85k I make in my current situation, which would simply not work for my budget. What fields or opportunities might I be overlooking? [more inside]
What to expect from a fibroadenoma removal?
I am having a benign fibroadenoma removed from my breast. What can I expect during and after the surgery? [more inside]
"We've met before, haven't we?"
I love Robot Chicken. I love the 100th Episode. When our hero escapes, he returns home to find a dvd waiting to be played. What movie does this scene reference, when the Mad Scientist catches himself in the mirror? [more inside]
Make like a tree and leaf
How do I get rid of a tree? Catch: The tree is already in pieces. [more inside]
Real hobbies... I want them!
I want to gain new hobbies that will help me make friends. Problem - I don't really like sports, games, nature, crafty things, or creative things. What else am I not thinking of?! [more inside]
Please help me book a killer company outing
Where to take a company group of 18 people for a 3-hour activity in Seattle? [more inside]
Torn between shielding my daughter and needing her help
How can I encourage my adult daughter from my first marriage to voice her opinions in my current divorce proceedings (of my second marriage) without it feeling like I'm dragging her into battle? [more inside]
Renaming my company
Help me rename my company! [more inside]
Personal shopper please
I want to upgrade my point'n'shoot from a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS6 to something else. Camera people, please help me out. [more inside]
Heaven sounds
Looking for "angelic" music. [more inside]
My boyfriend doesn't brush his teeth at night. I think it's gross.
My boyfriend doesn't brush his teeth at night. I think it's gross. [more inside]
Applying for a job for the third time
I want to apply for a job with a small organisation. This would be my third time to apply in three years. How should I approach it? [more inside]
The Kids' Thesaurus is not a Thesaurus
Trying to find the title/author of a book called, I think, "The Kids' Thesaurus". It was not a thesaurus. [more inside]
checkButton1 = Tkinter.Checkbutton(master=root, command=lambd GAH FORGET IT I GIVE UP
I'd like your recommendations for online learn-to-touch-type software! [more inside]
Nexus 7 wifi connectivity problem
I got them ol' wifi blues: I took the plunge and bought a Nexus 7, primarily to use for reading textbooks. While it works great on my home wifi, at school, it is unable to connect (apparently Jelly Bean and enterprise wifi don't play nice). Can you help me identify what's causing the problem and fix it? [more inside]
Automated Garage Door Broken
After record heat waves here in Wisconsin, one day my automatic garage door closed, and as it touched the ground, I heard the top panel of the door "pop" into place. From that point on, it won't open without someone there to manually lift it through about 50% of the way open. Suggestions? [more inside]
What Bird Did I See?
Need help identifying a bird I saw today. I was driving along Jordan Lake, near Chapel Hill, NC. A large bird flying over the lake folded its wings in slightly, and glided down, in a slight partial spiral, to the lake surface and grabbed a fish. I'd guess I was about 200 feet away.
I've seen eagles and osprey at the lake. This bird was that size, with a very large wingspan.
Coloring: Appeared black; may have been dark brown.
Markings: White on the trailing underside of the wings, at least one-half the width of the wing, beginning at the body and continuing approx. 80 percent of the way to the wing tip. I didn't notice any other markings.
Refresher History Books for Dummies?
What are your favorite US/World/European history books to re-educate a woefully forgetful 23-year-old mind? [more inside]
Sister wants to try to make a bad relationship work. What do I say?
My sister is engaged to a man who has been displaying controlling, dismissive, manipulative behavior. From her description, it doesn't sound like it crosses the line into outright abuse. The relationship is failing, but she still wants to try to make it work because he moved across states to be with her. How can I talk to her without alienating her? [more inside]
Help me find this hinge off my kitchen cabinet
Help me find this hinge off my kitchen cabinet- [more inside]
COBRA, no Starship
How precisely do we handle payments for medical appointments until COBRA kicks in? And is there anything new I should know about COBRA post-Obamacare? [more inside]
Name those socks.
Some of my favorite parts are VERY unhappy right now.
Clothes Detergent Filter! What are good and easily available fragrance-free detergents that work well when hand-washing garments? [more inside]
How do I network by e-mail in a business environment? I am a student.
How do I stay in touch with people that I meet at networking events at my school and in the Atlanta area (I go to Georgia State)? [more inside]
A Buddhist reader
I would like to read some of the Buddhist sutras but I have no idea where to start. I am looking for both A) a wide (not limited to a single tradition) anthology I could use to get an overview of what is available and to guide further reading and B) sutras that are particularly well translated into English and/or have a particularly good commentary.
Seeking double-decker trains out of Boston.
Boston commuter rail double-deckers (bilevel trains). Can anyone confirm which routes and/or times are serviced by double-deckers? Neither the MBTA website nor customer service seems to know. [more inside]
What is the best method to project my Windows 7 laptop's screen wirelessly to my HDTV?
What is the best method to project my Windows 7 laptop's screen wirelessly to my HDTV? [more inside]
Parents vs. Job.
Parents vs. Job offer... [more inside]
*insert witty title here*
Can anyone help a glazing (pottery, not cinnamon buns) newbie find or formulate a glaze recipe that will match our existing dishes? [more inside]
More on-line pants please
If you wear Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda jeans, what other pants (brands, models) fit you? Hate in-person shopping, and would love to buy more pants on line. [more inside]
What to Expect with High Doses of Vitamin D to Correct Deficiency?
I was just diagnosed with moderate Vitamin D deficiency. Can you tell me about your experience on the 50,000 IU once a week treatment and Vitamin D deficiency in general? [more inside]
New garage construction reco in Chicago
Recommendation for garage builder in Chicago area, and any tips or thoughts on getting an old garage demolished and a new garage built? [more inside]
original price Selectric 3
I just bought an IBM Correcting Selectric 3 typewriter. I am obsessed.
I just can't find the original 1980 selling price. Does anyone know?
Searching for snub-nosed spoons
Where can I buy silverware with flat-tipped spoons like this? My old roommate had some, but he doesn't recall where they came from.
How much gas can a furnace use when it's 85F outside?
I haven't even turned the heat on yet and my gas bill is already as high as it was last winter. WTF? [more inside]
Readings on changes of power?
Can you recommend books/articles about the dynamics of political power transitions? [more inside]
Where were you when the lights went out?
It looks like we are going to have a tropical storm pass by where I live tomorrow. From my experience this means a couple of days without electricity. Could you suggest activities that will help keep my five year old son (and wife and mother-in-law and myself) engaged if there is going to be no television, internet, kindergarten, and lights? [more inside]
AllSummerInADay-Filter
It's time to play "Name That Book/Story Based on a Few Maddeningly Vague Details, Sci-Fi Edition". [more inside]
Short of packing myself in a box...
I'm moving. I want to do it in the most efficient way possible. Absent a magic wand, any tips/best practices/suggestions/lessons learned? [more inside]
Northern California and Oregon Coast road trip questions
Northern California and Oregon Coast road trip questions: specifically a place to stay on the coast within 2 hours North of San Francisco, advice on Sonoma and where to camp on South and Central Oregon Coast! [more inside]
Goosebumps-like book
A sci-fi teen book from the 90's? [more inside]
Floorplan for the shop of our dreams
I'd like to purchase floorplans for a building / shop / barn that looks like this or this. [more inside]
Help me decide how to spend 15 to 30 minutes a day of reading time.
Help me decide how to spend 15 to 30 minutes a day of reading time. [more inside]
What's the recovery time on transplant surgery?
I'm starting a master's course soon. My mother is giving my brother a kidney a month later. Am I going to be needed at home? [more inside]
UK Android tethering on the cheap?
At the end of this month I'm coming to the end of my mobile 'phone contract with T-Mobile UK and am looking for the cheapest way (presumably SIM only) to run my Android smartphone whilst being able to tether it to my Android tablet - does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for plans/providers/cunning ruses to get a great deal, please?
Help me be the best consultant I can be
I am in a great position (professionally speaking) and I don't know how to best take advantage of it. Please help? [more inside]
You mean I'm only spending two hours a week on Project X?
Is it possible to extract all meeting data from Outlook to quantify time use? [more inside]
Re-registering my car out-of-state
Registered car out of state and not living in that state. Will I run into any trouble? [more inside]
Help!
I need to make some life changing decisions right now. I finish my bachelors degree in business administration soon and need to specialise myself for my masters. I want to stay in business, but I havent found my "niche" yet. More inside! [more inside]
Third world woman needs consciousness raised
Enlighten me on current state of the art thinking, discourse and vocabulary around gender politics please. Terminally unique details inside. [more inside]
Should I read Hunger Games 1? I've already seen the movie.
Stupid question: Should I read Hunger Games 1? I've already seen the movie. This is normally a no-brainer because usually book >> movie: in this case, I have seen the movie first and have the book on-hand already, plus tonight I have a book swap and dibs on many other books that I don't know yet! Bonus: your opinion on reading parts 2&3.
August 21
Woman or Man? Guess or Known quantity?
I am dating a guy because I am a dumbshit. Now I have met a wonderful girl. I don't know what to do. [more inside]
Affordable Student Housing in SF
I'm looking for the San Francisco equivalent of Australia's UniLodge - basic student housing without tons of frills. Do they exist? [more inside]
macbook old keyboard coffee
I spilled coffee on my old (2006 polycarbonate) MacBook. Now the trackpad works, but not the keys. How can I diagnose and fix my laptop keyboard? [more inside]
DMSO? DM SO what.
Best gloves for incidental DMSO exposure? [more inside]
Freeing myself from paxil; suggestions welcome!
On paxil for 10 years and want to go through life med-free. Please share specific tips or knowledge about managing my experience. Snowflake inside... [more inside]
What do I need to know before seeing Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice?
What do I need to know before seeing Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice? [more inside]
Selling a car from afar, help me avoid pitfalls!
I am moving from Colorado to New Jersey and unfortunately have not managed to sell my car. I am at a loss as what to do with the car but taking it with me is not an option in the short term. I have a friend who can take care of the car and possibly show it to interested buyers but I am unaware of the limitations or pitfalls of this process (aside from inconveniencing my friend). What would be the issues I would have to deal with? Is there a way other than craigslist that I should by trying? Carmax is too far to try out. Any other ideas?
Should I go to the emergency room?
YANMD - I'm on vacation (different state) and have been in pain for about the past week. The pain has gotten worse. Should I head to the ER, or suck it up until Thursday, when I take a flight back home? [more inside]
The oldest story ever told.
Do we all need therapy? What in the hell is going on? [more inside]
Powerpoint tabs like they used to be
Powerpoint Windows 7 -- I'd like the slide show to be a separate tab on the task bar the way that it used to be in xp.
Leaving Portland
Fastest breakfast on the northbound way out of Portland (OR)? [more inside]
Best CMS for a simple site?
Best CMS for a simple site? [more inside]
If you give a dog a donut...?
Pre-school filter: I'm looking for children's books about food. [more inside]
Permissions on files, so many files
I have an old hard drive that was password locked. I can't boot from it, but I can get to the files. I have to change permissions for every single file before I can copy it over, is there a way to do that for everything at once? [more inside]
Should I quit being a lawyer to become a counselor?
I'm a lawyer who's thinking about going back to school to get my masters in counseling to become a counselor. Is this a bad idea? What's it really like to be a counselor? Would I like it? [more inside]
How good is NRAS?
Do you have any experience of investing in an NRAS (National Rent Assistance Scheme) house in Australia? Or the Australian property market in general? [more inside]
How do I stop IR remotes interfering with my other electronics?
My subwoofer and amp both respond to the other's IR remote control. [more inside]
Short funny stuff.
I need some great short texts (video clips, short stories, poems, comics, cartoons, pictures) that are funny. Ideally, I want a range of humour here: from Jackass to Shakespeare, from xkcd to Twain...pretty much anything someone finds funny at any level. Should be appropriate for mature 17-18 year olds. [more inside]
greener grass is itchy
Sometimes when I run through tall grass it makes my legs itch. Why does this happen? [more inside]
How is webbe formd?
Durrrrrrr... What's a startup? [more inside]
Recovering from child sexual abuse online
I'm finally processing the reality of being a victim of online enticement by a child predator. Besides therapy, are there any good resources for helping deal with the shame? [more inside]
New job, old job, school, and ageing
New job, old job, school, and ageing? Or just a failure? [more inside]
I'm in a terrible fix
How do you NOT have sex on the first or second date? [more inside]
Who will sell me the perfect black jacket?
I lost my perfect black jacket. What now? [more inside]
Does maintain premises in good repair mean I need to fix the washer?
Washer broke and we think it's the motor. Landlord said it's old and it's on us to repair if we want but she wouldn't be surprised if the machine's time was just up and she wasn't going to replace it (nor ding us on our security deposit if we moved out and it was still broken). I don't agree that we should just deal with it. How would you, as a normal human who has rented places before, interpret the relevant section of the lease (inside) and take this up with her? [more inside]
Need movie suggestions!
What would be a good movie choice? [more inside]
DIY Brass instrument repair?
How do I hammer my brass instrument back into shape? [more inside]
Vague description filter
What was this long essay about World War II that I read on the internet a few years ago? [more inside]
Photo projects to iPad
Two lemons don't make lemonade (car question)
I have two vehicles: a 1998 Toyota Tacoma (220k mi.) and a 2003 Honda Civic (90k mi.) that I use alternately for my daily 80 mile commute to work. Each vehicle is in need of repairs that are approx. $600-1000 per car. Having two vehicles is getting to be more trouble that it's worth, but I'm not sure what to do. [more inside]
Step 1. ??? Step 2. ???? Step 3. Deliciousness!
What are some good template recipes? Series of such recipes are especially appreciated! [more inside]
Best iPad musette for keyboard and ...
Musette bag for iPad plus keyboard or small laptop? [more inside]
Seeking hair color inspiration
So after bottle-dying my hair a few times, I'm at the point I think I want to take the plunge and get my hair colored by a professional. Yay! Except I'm not sure exactly what I want... [more inside]
Fastest thumb drive for less than $100?
What is currently the fastest USB 3.0 thumb drive I can get for less than $100? [more inside]
Pay for Not-Play?
Should my kids have to do their chores in order to earn their allowances? We are going to start paying allowances to the two oldest of our children. They will be allowed to spend only some of the money and will have to save a portion and donate a portion (we'll give them each four charities to choose from at the end of the year). However, my wife and I can't decide whether the kids should be required to complete their chores in order to earn their allowances. [more inside]
To switch or not to switch?
Thinking of leaving one of the larger banks for either a community bank or credit union. The problem? My only two credit cards are also through the bank I'm considering leaving. What to do? [more inside]
Cut it out you yahoos!
My wife's computer keeps opening widgets.yahoo.com in a new window again and again and again.... I've poked around, disabled the one thing I thought might be involved in the issue and nothing's changed. Does anyone know how to kill this thing? [more inside]
How to buy a used scooter?
How should I go about buying a used scooter? [more inside]
Access 2010 Headache! Please help provide relief.
Access 2010 stumper! I need to be able to query for members, submembers, and sub-submembers! Oye! [more inside]
Moving sucks.
Possibly moving to Denver from out of state. How do I find a school for my small children? [more inside]
How do I help a very pregnant friend whose support network is falling apart before my eyes?
How do I help a very pregnant friend whose support network is falling apart before my eyes? [more inside]
Help me show my mother-in-law that the iPad "just works"
My 70+ year old mother-in-law just bought herself an iPad. Great! Except that she has LITERALLY never used a computer in her life. How should I approach teaching her how to use it? [more inside]
I don't want to hit you, Visio, but I will if I have to.
How do I add a whole lot of pictures to Visio 2010? [more inside]
Need recommendations for brands of lens filters
Photographers: Please recommend good, relatively inexpensive clear and polarized lens filters. [more inside]
Seeking Info on Best Practices for increasing quality of life for rural low income families
I'm looking for Best Practices worldwide for improving conditions for low-income families. Do any of you know of organizations with available data on specific ways that their programs have increased opportunities and quality of life for low income children and families? [more inside]
Please help me verify the electrical work of my apartment maintenance high-schooler.
Please help me verify the electrical work of my apartment maintenance high-schooler. I don't trust the work he has done. [more inside]
Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3.
Applying for PhD programs. My GRE scores have expired, and I'm signed up to take both the general test and the EngLit subject test within a month of each other. Is this insane? [more inside]
Acoustic Guitar Shopping Filter
Does anyone make something like a Yamaha APX Thinline but with a thicker neck? [more inside]
Coupons and Meal Planning
Someone please explain the basics of grocery store coupons and meal-planning as if I were a child. [more inside]
Don't you dare do those delicious buttermilk pancakes in front of my children, you monster.
What would happen if you used "bath salts" as bath salts? [more inside]
What happened to the lock on this door?
Why does my apartment door no longer lock the way it did? [more inside]
How to get Mac mail to use the right account?
Mac mail sends with one gmail account but the recipient sees it sent from another gmail account. Help? [more inside]
Mystery blue powder from the 1920s for polishing crystal?
What is this mystery substance? In an episode of Upstairs, Downstairs, Rose and Daisy are cleaning crystals from the chandelier. Rose explains that "...then you give the pieces a wipe-over with this powder blue before the final polish and that gives the glass an extra sparkle." Screengrab here. [more inside]
"It only hurts when I exist"
Is this a symptom of a panic attack? Is there a medical term for it? [more inside]
Opening the World of Open Mapping?
Please give me a thorough, basic summary of open mapping (open source mapping) so I can add pretty, complex maps to websites without making it a full-time job. [more inside]
How to talk about odiforous intimate parts
How do you go about asking the girlfriend about the way her lady-bits smell? [more inside]
spam sausage spam spam bacon spam tomato and spam
Getting spam through the contact form on my site - a lot of it seems to be text from posts on a public forum - what's the point of that? [more inside]
Why not lower income taxes and increase capital gains taxes?
Has there been any serious discussion or analysis of "swapping" capital gains tax rates (by raising them) and income tax rates (by lowering them)? [more inside]
Help me get the stank outta this coat?
Square, squat and framed
Help me hunt down more/larger rectangular frame cosmetic bags [more inside]
Should I reveal to my upcoming quasi-blind quasi-date that I look different than he expects me to?
Should I (and if so, how should I) reveal to my upcoming quasi-blind quasi-date that I look different than he expects me to? [more inside]
What are some cities/neighborhoods to live in that are bike commutable (<45 minutes) to 24th and Olympic (Santa Monica)?
What are some cities/neighborhoods to live in that are bike commutable (<45 minutes) to 24th and Olympic in Santa Monica? Are there any specific trails or routes I should be paying attention when hunting for housing? Any specific intersections to be avoided? [more inside]
I want seven swans a-swimming.... in tea
I received this swan teapot for Christmas 2011. Now I'm on a mission to turn it into a tea set by buying a tea tray, sugar bowl, creamer and half a dozen cups and saucers that go with it. And I also need to learn to make tea properly, as opposed to thowing a tea bag in hot water, Canadian-style. I think my best bet for getting a swan tea tray is to keep an eye out for a secondhand wooden tray I can paint with a swan motif, but I haven't found the other items yet. Super Shoppers of MeFi, what items can you suggest that will be perfect for my swan tea set?
what is a downthemall equivalent for safari
Mac osx 10.6. Sick of the spinning ball when I use firefox. Slowly moving to safari however I am married to some of the mozilla plugins.
What is a downthemall equivalent for safari that is free?
Thanks hive
Need spine and pocket label printer options
The library's decades-old Okidata label printer is on its way out. How does your library print spine and pocket labels? [more inside]
Need a good laptop bag.
I need a good, hip, stylish, messenger-type laptop bag. Not Timbuk-2, not Chrome, not anything too "Hi! I do business!" looking... [more inside]
Password manager for Windows and Android?
I'm looking for a password manager that will work seamlessly across multiple PCs and my Android phone. [more inside]
Help me remember this book
Help me remember this book that I checked out of the library... ghost story set in New England (I think Maine, but I'm not positive), begins in more or less present day, with an old woman telling the story of the summer she was a teenager and fell in love for the first time. Most of the story takes place in that summer, but also a lot of scenes from the mid-to-late 1800s. [more inside]
Ebay selling strategies for men's suits?
What is the "best" way to dispose of a closet full of men's suits and shirts? [more inside]
Q briefs (no, we're not talking underwear)
What is your take on qualifications briefs? Are they really better / more useful than resumes? Has anyone used a qualifications brief and gotten job offers? [more inside]
Paging Dr. Freud--and his 21st century medical school reading list.
Paging Dr. Freud--and his 21st century medical school reading list. [more inside]
How Can I Retrieve the Self?
Where did my "old self" go, and how can I get it back? [more inside]
Correcting without Lecturing
How do indicate your disapproval with a superior's action without lecturing? [more inside]
First Things First. What Was the First Thing Again?
If I wrote down all the witty/funny/odd/insightful things that cross my mind all day long, I'd have tons of ideas for creative projects. The problem: I'm missing the part of my brain that says "Hey, write that down!" [more inside]
Should I ask my mentor for a recommendation letter?
Should I ask the mentor from my current employer (who doesn't know I'm leaving) for a recommendation letter? [more inside]
Recommendations for couples' counseling in PDX
Can you suggest a good marriage/couples' counselor or therapist in Portland, Oregon? [more inside]
Help a visitor to Secaucus get to NYC for the evening.
Secaucus and NYC evening travel questions [more inside]
What are the economics of an independent Quebec?
Can anyone point me to a financial analysis of what would happen if Quebec separated from Canada? [more inside]
Need Google+ photogroups help?
Need idiots guide to Google+ photo hosting pages? On holidays with sporadic Internet, so limited ability to google or view instruction videos. Spanish friend asked for help por fa [more inside]
Busted.
What do you do for stress relief when you can't work out? [more inside]
Help me find this striking web site.
Help me find a striking web site belonging to a London design agency - its design centres around a very bold typographical navigation system. The company has a simple, short, one word name. [more inside]
How can I become expert at distinguishing a person's home province in China, based on their speech patterns?
How can I become expert at distinguishing a person's home province in China, based on their speech patterns (accent)? [more inside]
Skinner and the talking throat
Calling all behaviorists! Did B. F. Skinner write that the throat, not the mind, is doing the talking when someone speaks? I believe I have read somewhere in his writings that the only thing that can be known about human speech is that the throat makes certain sounds as a response to certain stimuli. I'd like to find the source for this. Do I misremember him? That would be equally helpful to know.
The Authority on Asiatic cooking methods...
Larousse Gastronomique and Julia Childs cookbooks are in some sense considered reputable authorities on French Cooking, similarly The Silver Spoon is a reputable encyclopedic study of Italian cuisine and cooking.
Are there similar reputable and exhaustive books for various Asiatic Cuisines such as; Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Indian, South East Asia etc? [more inside]
August 20
What hardware should I choose for my guitar build?
I'm taking a guitar building class as an elective, but have little to no knowledge about guitars. Advice/opinions on my build options? [more inside]
How do I impress upon my doctors that a prescribed medicine is contraindicated?
How do I talk to doctors when they prescribe something that I believe is contraindicated for me if they don't believe or care? This keeps happening and I'm kind of sick of being a guinea pig to only have exactly what I said would happen, happen. [more inside]
Book with razor foot tickles and burning baths?
Bookfinder filter: Book from 60s or 70s. People on a tropical island, who would have their feet tickled with razor blades, and would bathe in scalding hot water.
I told a girl that I still have feelings for her and now she has stopped talking to me
I told a girl that I still have feelings for her and now she has stopped talking to me. I feel like such a loser right now, I'm not sure what to do next. [more inside]
Couch to 5k for biking?
Is there an equivalent of the Couch to 5k program for biking?
Looking for a new 4+ button scroll mouse for Win 7
I'm looking for computer mouse suggestions: at least 4 button (right, left, forward and backward for internet browsing) plus a scroll wheel, for Windows 7, your best buys for the money. More details inside. [more inside]
Good options for young adult novels I can read with my community college developmental writing classes?
What are some good options for young adult novels I can read with my community college developmental writing classes? The novels don't have to be "young adult" per se, but they should be engaging and high interest. [more inside]
If you take a walk out in the street, chances are there's someone that you'll meet.
Becoming a "regular" at a bar or cafe: is that even a real thing? [more inside]
Storage key combination lockbox for a big key?
What's a good storage key combination lockbox (the kind realtors/landlords sometimes attached to the front door of properties) that can accommodate a big rental car key fob? [more inside]
Suggestions for good online resume generators now that emurse is gone?
In the past I really liked emurse.com for resume writing. I could enter my information, build and customize resumes easily, and export them (in various styles) as attractive Word documents. Now that AOL has killed emurse, the two sites it offers as alternatives don't have the above functionality. Can the hive mind recommend a replacement? [more inside]
Zeus for Toddlers?
Looking for picture books of classical mythology (especially Greek) diluted for a 3-4 year old! [more inside]
Ekke Ekke Ekke Ekke Ptangya Ziiinnggggggg Ni!
Where can I purchase a plastic herring between 1-3' long? (Or, failing that, a plastic fish about that size that can be brandished as a sword/saw)? [more inside]
Choosing a Premier League team—Spurs or West Brom?
Should I back Tottenham Hotspur or West Bromwich Albion? [more inside]
Screen protector for new ipad?
I heard the glass on the new ipad is Gorilla Glass and does not need a screen protector. Is that true? I will be using a stylus, so I want to get a screen protector if I need one right away. If you are using a screen protector, which one are you using? Thanks!
0 to hero - need help to run a 12+ mile fire/ice-water/barb-wire/mud obstacle course in only 39 days!
0 to hero - need help to run a 12+ mile fire/ice-water/barb-wire/mud obstacle course in only 39 days! [more inside]
Vegan marshmallows in T.O.
Where can I find vegan (non-gelatin) marshmallows in Toronto? [more inside]
I know you like to think your ish don't stink.
In the Outkast song "Roses," is Andre saying "Poo-poo" or "boo-boo"? This seems to be a popular point of debate on the Internet.
Looking for World Wars as movies link
Help me find this World War 2 discussion. [more inside]
Do I need therapy to shake off my paralyzing feeling of loneliness?
Incredibly lonely and unmotivated. Do I need therapy? [more inside]
Lone Wolf, the early years
What should I do for my new puppy when I have to be away for long periods? [more inside]
baby playlist
Happy baby playlist! Looking for suggestions for a playlist of happy rock/pop songs (not lullabies) to sing to Baby Yarly. So far, I've got Feelin' Groovy, Three Little Birds, and Good Day Sunshine. What else?
OS X Mail practically unusable since upgrading to Mountain Lion.
OS X Mail practically unusable since upgrading to Mountain Lion. 2.66 GHz Intel Core i5 with 16 GB of ram... [more inside]
Where can in get a bag like this in the UK?
What's the nearest thing to this Aeronaut bag that I can buy in the UK? Essentials are carry-on size plus convertibility to a backpack.
How to get Amazon to think I'm in France?
How do I get Amazon to think I'm in France?
Amazon-filter: I live in the U.S. and would like buy Kindle-books from the Amazon.fr (France) store. How do I get Amazon to think I'm in France? [more inside]
My lifetime ran out, so I guess I need zombie hosting
What would be the best hosting option for good control over email and basic web capabilities? [more inside]
Why am I being woken up by phantom odours?
What might be causing nocturnal phantom odours? For the last couple of months, I have woken up abruptly from deep sleep by a very strong odour (scent varies). My partner is not awoken by these "smells" and I don't think it's worth disturbing his sleep over for corroboration, because the smell goes away right after I wake up, which has led me to believe I am dreaming/imagining it. [more inside]
The perfect bicycle?
Help me build (and paint) my perfect bicycle. Or get the next best thing. Or go with something cheap. In London. [more inside]
Strength and Conditioning for a nearly 10-year-old?
[KidsSportTraining/StrengtheningFilter]My son has been asked to play "up" an age division in soccer (football). He is excited about this, but a little nervous about some things... [more inside]
Is there anything I can do to get rid of old self injury scars?
Is there anything I can do to get rid of old self injury scars? [more inside]
Birth Options in Iowa City
I'm looking into having a midwife assisted birth in the Iowa City area in March. Anybody have any suggestions? I am completely unfamiliar with the options available there. [more inside]
How to resolve fix-it ticket on car I no longer own?
In California, I got a fix-it ticket because my license plate had some of the reflective sheen scraped off. I have since sold the car without getting the fix-it ticket signed off. My appearance date is in a couple of weeks. I don't have the car anymore, so I can't get it signed off. What do I do now? [more inside]
When should I struggle against my frugal nature?
Which groceries are worth spending more money on and which are not? [more inside]
Which router for sis?
Which wireless router for my sister? [more inside]
Hang on scoby, scoby hang on.
Can I save my scoby? [more inside]
Too bad I can't paddle to work...
A potentially great kayak-buying opportunity. What should I be asking? [more inside]
How can I make ridiculously good coffee at my desk?
How can I make a fantastic cup of coffee at my desk at work? What equipment do I need? [more inside]
Please don't give me that pitying look of horror.
Anyone have any positive stories to share involving simultaneous end of marriage, job departure and moving? [more inside]
Fifth grade appropriate, positive, and catchy songs that have some enriching or interesting vocabulary?
I've been trying to help my wife with this over the last week. She's looking for "school-appropriate, positive, and catchy songs that have some enriching or interesting vocabulary."
They have three main requirements:
1. The lyrics have vocabulary and other literary devices that they can use as teaching points.
2. The song is "catchy". (something 10- and 11-year-olds and their teachers will enjoy)
3. The song has a positive message. [more inside]
Major Mistress Mystery Missed: Madame Makes Masses Manic!
In 2010, the granddaughter of Marthe de Florian died at age 91. An apartment she had kept locked in Paris since 1940 was finally opened and among the items found in the apartment was a gorgeous painting of her grandmother by italian artist Giovanni Boldini. Every article about the discovery focuses on Marthe & Giovanni and the painting. My friends and I are far more interested in the granddaughter...
Can you help us find details? [more inside]
What laptop or tablet has everything I want?
Help me work out the best laptop/tablet to take away from home! [more inside]
Song identification filer: Indie Folk Version of Feste's Song?
Song identification filter:
I heard a song on Los Angeles independent radio the other day that included lyrics from "Feste's Song" from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Some how my duckduckgofu hath failed. Details follow. [more inside]
Can I expect my partner to distance himself from someone who hurt me?
You have been in a healthy relationship for a long time? Help me figuring out how to feel and what to do about a conflict of interest between my partner and me concerning a third person. [more inside]
A better ink is possible!
What kind of screen printing ink doesn't make a thick plastic-y layer on clothes? [more inside]
How long does trigger finger last?
I have developed trigger finger in the ring finger of my non-dominant hand. How long should I expect this to last? [more inside]
What are the most useful iPhone apps for Boston?
What are the most useful iPhone apps for Boston? [more inside]
Chisel me of a chunk of dessert, will ya?
Food chemists! Help me make a sorbet! Challenge level: Spoonable AND sugar free. [more inside]
Open source biology software projects
What open source medicine/biology related software should I get involved with? [more inside]
Insert line here from that song about short people
Fellow short people, how do you deal with movies, concerts, and theater? I'm 5'1" and frustrated. [more inside]
Forgotten gem.
I'm trying to recall a Star Trek short story published 25-30 years ago. I have no author or title. It was in an anthology. [more inside]
Help me grow delicious produce!
I am in Guelph, Ontario. My partner and I just bought a house, so I have a yard of my own for the first time ever. Point me to some resources for a gardening novice in this part of the world to dig into (no pun intended) over the cold months! [more inside]
Can I make any of these plugins work with Adobe Audition?
Can I make any of these plugins work with Adobe Audition?
I've tried to install them, but they won't appear in the menus. [more inside]
Cost savings outweighed by hassle of change?
Do you find that the hassle of changing vendors sometimes outweighs the savings you would receive from changing? [more inside]
Convert a route on a Google map into a list of directions
Books/advice on how to let go of perfection and be happy with where you are?
Books/advice on how to let go of perfection and be happy with where you are? [more inside]
What's a reasonable hourly rate for private consulting?
How much should I charge for consulting, when it's about something (grad school admissions) where consulting is uncommon? I've never done this, so I'm not sure what a reasonable hourly rate would be. [more inside]
How do I deal with an oversensitive, constantly negative friend?
How do I deal with an oversensitive, constantly negative friend? I am the only "real friend" X has, so I don't feel comfortable totally breaking off the friendship, but interacting with X frequently leaves me wanting to scream. [more inside]
Good books about a bad thing.
Looking for good books on cancer. [more inside]
The Quest for the Forbidden Snacks
Help me find Reduced Fat Doritos in NYC [more inside]
What with, brass buttons?
Is it worth having a Kindle when I have no money? [more inside]
What are "vital minimum wages" in Ecuador?
What are "vital minimum wages" in Ecuador? [more inside]
Remove Acer front panel
How do I get the front panel off to install a second hard drive in my new computer? [more inside]
It rubs the lotion on its skin. It does this whenever it is told.
Lots of leather, lots of products. Are leather care products interchangeable? [more inside]
Something old, something new
Do you have any short story recommendations? Difficulty level: In the public domain. [more inside]
resume gap vs retail?
Which would look better: a four year post-grad gap on my resume, or having worked those four years in a supermarket? Also, ideas for picking up relevant experience? [more inside]
Last minute dash
Life falling apart filter. Under consultation for redundnacy at work and have just moved out of marital home following break down of marriage. On waiting list for marriage counselling to determine next steps and now living in a spare room locally whilst I take stock of recent events. I have a week vaction booked off work next week (w/b 27th) and my wife has said I can take our kids away (5 year old and 2 year old). I'm in the UK and looking for suggestions of places to take them on a relatively modest budget next week. I would like to go abroad if possible and there is availability on the Eurotunnel to Calais but I have never driven in France and I am a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of the Continent. Ideally I would like to find somewhere with activities for the kids, appropiate accomodation and a bit of space / quiet in a rural location. Last minute to Spain is anything but cheap given lack of flights. Should I look to stay local or should I take the plunge and head to France? Availability of self-catering cottages / campsites in the UK is problematic at this late stage [more inside]
Dreamy atlantic blue song
Song ID help: spacey, dreampop, female vocalist(s), with the refrain 'memories of Atlantic blue.' [more inside]
Sleeping in Switzerland
I am taking a last-minute, whirlwind tour of Switzerland from August 29-Sept 7th, and need budget lodging recommendations. [more inside]
What's a ballpark price to move a two bedroom apartment's worth of stuff about fifteen blocks in NYC?
What's a ballpark price to move a two bedroom apartment's worth of stuff about fifteen blocks in NYC? [more inside]
I wanna stitch on the edge!
Hand Embroidery Filter: How do you keep something taut enough (ie handkerchief, tablecloth) to embroider around the edge of it? [more inside]
Tyrell Corp logo?
Blade Runner nerd question: I'm trying to confirm that the logo for the Tyrell Corporation that shows up in this google image search is actually found somewhere in the film. Screenshot or time code anyone?
Ideas for iphone plan...
Another iPhone question. My iPhone 4S was included in the severance when I left my job a couple of months ago (that is, I was allowed to buy it for a reduced price). I was offered the option to "assume billing responsibility" but let the deadline pass - partly out of laziness and partly because I suspect the company hadn't paid the bill and wanted to pass it on to me.
What's my best option for using my iphone at this point? It'd be nice to keep the number but not a huge cost if I don't. I'd be happy to go pre-paid rather than a contract. I use text and data a lot more than voice. I occasionally send and receive international texts. I also have a google voice number and would be happy to be able to link with that, or even use that number exclusively.
Cable-ese to standard phone number?
I found this phone number in a diplomatic memo, and am interested to know how it would be rendered in the traditional XXX-XXX-XXXX U.S. phone number format: (81-3) 3XXX-5XXX.
Thickness vs. PSI in Concrete
I am in the process of replacing my almost 20 year old asphalt driveway with concrete and am looking for some advice on what I should be looking out for when picking a contractor.
One guy quoted me $5.75/sq. ft for a 4.25" thick driveway, rated at 6500PSI. Another guy quoted me $6/sq. ft for a 6" thick driveway at 4500PSI. Both will be reinforced with steel rebar and I am doing just under 900 sq. ft. This will be completed in the Twin Cities, MN metro area so it will have to withstand the harsh winters the years we do have them.
Trying not to get kidnapped
Is it safe to travel to Egypt right now? [more inside]
Pitfalls or advice for a family of 4 driving a rental car from upstate NY to FL right before X-mas?
Got any advice or pitfall warnings for a family of 4 who may be driving a rental car from upstate NY to St. Augustine, FL, on December 22-23 (weekend)? [more inside]
What kind of a name is ZaReason anyway?
What kind of power supply (and cooling system) should I get for a tower with an 8-core processor? [more inside]
Should I voluntarily provide information from my doctor to my employer?
My employer wants all employees to provide lab results in order to receive a deduction in insurance premiums. OK, or a little too Big Brother-ish? [more inside]
Home rental lease for 18 year old daughter?
My 18 year old daughter is renting a "college rental" house with three other 18 year old females. I've just read her lease and I have a question about the portion I have to sign... [more inside]
Can you think of Sci–Fi films where people are bombarded with Advertising?
Can you think of Sci–Fi films where people are bombarded with Advertising? [more inside]
Social Anxiety - Best prescription for you?
For those of you with true social anxiety or generalized anxiety, what prescription drug worked the best for you with the fewest side effects? How much better did you feel on a daily basis, and were the side effects worth it?
What am I doing wrong with my eye makeup?
I volunteered to do my own makeup for a wedding in which I am one of the bridesmaids. I don't typically wear much makeup, but I thought, how hard could it be? I got a bunch of nice stuff from Aveda and am testing it out, watching tutorials, etc. but I seem to be having an eyeshadow fail (and maybe some other stuff). [more inside]
Am I trying to rationalize a relationship that doesn't work
A man is in love with a woman but admits to disliking and resenting her children. Am I trying to rationalize a relationship that doesn't (and will never) work? [more inside]
Lets play scrabble
I'm pretty good at Scrabble. I'd like to get even better and maybe play in tournaments. What does it take to get to this level? And how can I tell whether I have what it takes? Is there any chance of making a part-time income from this or would it just be for the love of Scrabble? [more inside]
getting the real deal about colleges
As an international student (equivalent 'rising senior') in high school, how can I discern what a college or university is really like, past all the glossy paper? More questions, and details, within. [more inside]
August 19
How to get the most out of a trip to Jordan
My employers are paying me to travel somewhere in the Middle East for two to three weeks for "professional development," with the aim of getting Arabic immersion experience outside of the gulf. I'm looking for some interesting things to do. Details below the fold. [more inside]
SF eviction: before, during, and after
A troubled tenant in my San Francisco building is at risk of eviction. How will this unfold? [more inside]
Good Masters Programs in Urban Planning?
What are some good MA programs in Urban planning in the US? With emphasis on working from the architectural side on large scale developments, particularly in relation to tourism. [more inside]
How do I win my ex back?
First date with ex-boyfriend went well... what's the next step to eventually winning him back? [more inside]
Fashionable shoes that will stand up to lots of walking without breaking down?
Female urban walkers: please recommend to me some stylish shoes that i can pound the pavement in, without the shoes falling apart after five or six months of wear. I'm ready to spend the money to buy some shoes that i can love for at least a couple of years! [more inside]
How come you can't hear yourself speaking on a cell phone?
Why can't you hear yourself on a cell phone? Land lines, even old analog ones, feed the sound of your own voice back to you, so you can more easily gauge how loudly you are talking. Why don't cell phones do that? [more inside]
My dog has fleas
My dog has fleas. Please help me get rid of them. [more inside]
How do I approach contract negotiation without making things really tense?
What are some common "win-win-style" tactics or phrases used during contract negotiation to get portions changed/removed? From time to time I need to write or talk about those issues without escalating any tensions. [more inside]
When did I move to the UK?
How do I get a Nexus 7 weather card actually display the weather for my area. [more inside]
Prepaid iPhone plans for Aussies road tripping the USA
Arriving in Los Angeles with Australian unlocked iPhone 4S in two days. Need a good data, international text plan with ability to hotspot to run a wifi only iPad. Pre-paid T-Mobile or AT&T seem the go. But what's the catch if any? [more inside]
Lost Title Replacement in Ohio
Does anyone know if in Ohio replacement titles are given on the spot, or mailed in weeks? [more inside]
Please don't think of this as political
Regarding legitimate rape (ignoring the peculiarity of this phrase) is there actually a mechanism or mechanisms in human females that prevents pregnancies following a rape? [more inside]
Was it a bad idea to put Advantage II in the refrigerator?
What is the best place to store my pets' flea medication. I had it in the fridge for the last few weeks. Is it ruined? [more inside]
When eat meets shovel
How do I get my toddler to stop shoveling in his food and take his time? [more inside]
Clean wax out of my carpet?
How to get liquid car wax out of my carpet? [more inside]
Windows DVD Maker centering videos?
Windows DVD Maker - the files I want to burn are 16:9. The setting for DVD Aspect Ratio in WDM is 16:9. The TV it is being played on is 16:9. The resulting DVD is 16:9 but... [more inside]
Women's Lingerie
Women's Lingerie stores (online or offline) [more inside]
Senkaku/Diaoyu
Please help me understand, or point me to resources that will help me understand, what is going on in the Japan/China Senkaku/Diaoyu dust up: analysis of root causes, ideas about the broader implications, particular reasons why this is so fraught, &c. Thanks.
Spaghetti Surprise!
I added some red wine to a hot pan containing some carmelized onions and garlic and spices and just-added cold ground turkey. FWOOM the wine ignited as if it were brandy in souvlaki. Wha? [more inside]
Help Me Establish A Double Life
I enjoy using Facebook for entertainment purposes - I get a ton of party invites and information about my friends that way. However, I believe Facebook can also be a useful networking tool for my professional career, and I've underutilized it in that capacity because I'm hesitant to friend my co-workers or managers. [more inside]
Do other countries do this?
Cheap clothing worldwide: OK I see ads for very low dollar cost clothing which leads to short lifespans for those clothes and a never ending repeat cycle. Is this something other countries outside the US do for their garments? Do say German middle class parents buy cheap items for school or do they buy better grade products and buy them less often? Is the Wal-Mart/Ross/K-Mart junk clothing limited to the US? Same with cheap shoes, are the quality shoes found in German or Swiss or French stores better and therefore longer lived?
Graphing Politics
Why doesn't Obama or any politician for that matter use graphs to explain things? For all of their sophistication in Internet and social media, why doesn't the Obama campaign just go on television and show the American people a damn chart? Are we that stupid or am I missing something here?
How does science education work?
What's important for me to know about being a science teacher, since I've only taught math but will now be training teachers of both contents? [more inside]
(oven) stoveTopIron
ISO awesome cast iron skillet recipes (wait for it...) which specifically start on the stove top, finish in the oven. I've been searching Google and I've found a couple I like, including pan pizza (who knew? not me...) [more inside]
Help a geek out in the kitchen!
Please help me figure out how to select good recipes for day-to-day cooking, as a functional cook with plenty of cookbooks and reasonable cooking abilities, but limited instincts/experience! [more inside]
Finding a lost camera?
What other avenues should I be pursuing to find the camera we lost on our honeymoon in Utah? [more inside]
What's a solid non-iTunes podcatcher with authenticated feeds support?
What's a solid non-iTunes podcatcher with authenticated feeds support? [more inside]
Best Southern California Weird Honeymoon Destinations?
What are the most creative and cool honey moon ideas for southern california? [more inside]
Bangkok & Toyko this November: What area to stay?
My husband and I (both 27) are going to be traveling to Bangkok and Toyko in late November and are trying to figure out what neighborhood is best to stay. Budget isn't an issue. Ideally we'd like to be close to the subway/public transportation in both places.
Any ideas on good hotels in neighborhoods you'd recommend? For Bangkok we've heard that Sukhumvit is a great area. For Toyko, we heard Keio Plaza in the Shinjuku area. Not sure if that it is too much of a business/corporate area.
We appreciate your help!
Bra-buying in Berlin for Beginners
Where should I go in Berlin to buy good bras? What are the good European brands that can accommodate a plus size, busty gal (I think my Euro size is ~85E)? I've recently moved here from the U.S., where I know how to do all this. I'm prepared to spend some money for quality. I don't think I need a fitting, but I need to know where to go and what brands to look for. And what's bra buying etiquette here, i.e., can I try them on in the store? I don't want to do it wrong! Those Karstadt shop ladies can be really bitchy, and I don't want to get yelled at.
Air Canada: Easy to buy. Impossible to refund.
I have a cash voucher from an airline. HELP! [more inside]
Is the IMac faster than the MacBook Pro?
My older Mac mini cant handle my music making needs anymore.
I use it to run Logic, Reason, and many soft synths. as well as record
8 channels of audio and applying effects etc.
I am not sure if I should get an Imac or a MacBook Pro. [more inside]
comfy shoes for women
Wife is getting shin splits. Walks a lot for her job. You chics out there--what is the most comfortable athletic or casual shoe you've ever worn?
How do I build a rear bicycle wheel for use on the indoor trainer?
I want to get a new rear wheel for my bike so I can swap it out when I put it on the indoor trainer and not wear out my current tires. How do I do this? Do I just need another wheel, another hub and another cassette? [more inside]
DIY Budget Natural & Organic beauty podcasts wanted
Does the podcast equivalent of bella sugar or the beauty section of xo jane exist? I'm looking for lighthearted, fun, podcasts about beauty, makeup, hair, nail polish, etc. Especially for ones with a focus on cheaper budget/diy/drugstore/natural& organic beauty things. I don't mind hearing about some expensive stuff, but if the entire pocast is just shilling really expensive brand name stuff I'm not interested.
Off to the Highlands I go!
Where should I go for a short trip (3 days) to the Scottish Highlands? [more inside]
2 dimensions isn't enough!
I'm looking turn a topo/height map into a 3-D model. Where can I cheaply print a one-off 3-D model? I don't want to sink too much money into buying my own printer yet. [more inside]
What do I do with my hair?
I'm 32 years old and I've never learned how to properly care for my hair. How can I make it look appropriate for my professional job? [more inside]
Any helpful hints/tips to guide me in my meeting with a club manager regarding events I would like to throw?
I have a meeting tomorrow with an university club manager regarding events that I would like to throw. I have never done this before - any tips/tricks on what I should bring, what I should have prepared and how to negotiate the best pay for me? [more inside]
How open can/should I be with my boss/manager?
How open can/should I be with my boss/manager? [more inside]
Where can I find actual currants in Chicago?
Where in Chicago can I buy black or red currants? [more inside]
Charging and loading a Kindle abroad
US Kindle usable in UK/Europe? How to charge and how to load books? [more inside]
South London adventures
What should we do and where should we eat in Brixton, UK? [more inside]
Chess Pie for Dummies
Can I use stone-ground cornmeal in a recipe for chess pie? [more inside]
My kingdom for some GOOD soy margarine!
Food locator question for SoCal Mefites: Where (and what brand) can I buy a soy margarine, no dairy component, that comes in sticks, that is NOT Nucoa? [more inside]
Dark days for the middle class
What has Obama done to help the economy? [more inside]
How do I grab all tweets from a hashtag?
How do I download all tweets associated with a particular hashtag? [more inside]
Backups...
Offsite backup options that are not Dropbox? [more inside]
New Orleans wedding musicians
Can anyone recommend a small jazz or blues band (3 or fewer musicians) to play a short wedding reception in a small space in New Orleans in October? [more inside]
How do I get better at managing multiple social cues?
How do I get better at managing multiple social cues? [more inside]
The Commish
I might be the commissioner for a 12 team fantasy football (NFL) league this year. What can I do to be the best commissioner possible? I'm looking for any and all suggestions, annecdata, and websites that would help me make the season fun and engaging for all parties involved. [more inside]
Was my behavior disrespectful?
I would like some outside opinions on an incident that occurred yesterday that is still bothering me. [more inside]
Surely my teeth won't fall out if I wish hard enough, right?
Do cavities ever just... go away? [more inside]
Drawing Lines in the Sand
My neighbor built her fence on my property. Many many years ago. Is it too late to do anything about it? [more inside]
How do you embed or stream a video via a swf?
I need to embed a video in a swf banner ad. I have no idea how to do this. Can someone walk me through it? [more inside]
Hack my chicken stock!
I want to make the best chicken stock/broth imaginable (and thereby, the best risotto). I have a pressure cooker, I have a recipe to start with. Any other hacks to amp up the flavor? [more inside]
Adventures of the lazy cook
Vegetarian cooking on the quick, in advance [more inside]
Everyone is leaving me! How I do deal with everyone else moving away and moving on while I'm stuck here?
Everyone is leaving me! How I do deal with everyone else moving away and moving on while I'm stuck here? [more inside]
Looking for advice on choosing not to engage in discussions of politics, personal beliefs, and morals.
Looking for advice on choosing not to engage in discussions of politics, personal beliefs, and morals. [more inside]
Mars related art photography
Help me find a photograph from the seventies or eighties of a space-suit-clad person climbing a martian mountain. [more inside]
Replacing Skype?
I use call forwarding, Skype-to-go, and Skype online numbers extensively. Recently they changed their cost scheme. What can I use to replace it? [more inside]
If three-quarters of Washington isn't already on on psych meds, they should be
Does being treated for anxiety disorder pose a threat to the career of a mid-level Treasury employee? [more inside]
Big League Football
How do I create a fantasy football league with 20 or more participants? [more inside]
Timely London Suggestions.
[visiting London post-Olympics filter] Is there anything in London this week that is not to be missed? [more inside]
Want a compact multimedia player
What is a good modern music player? [more inside]
Questioning the Water Bobble
I've been using the Watter Bobble filter bottle, but I'm having misgivings about cost and hygiene. Mostly hygiene. [more inside]
Painting pixels
Looking for advice, tips, links, book recommendations etc about getting into digital art. [more inside]
Poor cell signal in new flat. Cellphone repeater question.
Poor cell signal in new flat. Cellphone repeater question. [more inside]
August 18
Without insurance, 24-year-old dies of toothache...
I have gingivitis. I don't have health insurance, nor do I really have money. [more inside]
Will Hamachi get my kid in deep sushi?
My twelve-year old is asking me to install Hamachi so that he can play Terraria over the Internet. Should I do it? What are the risks? [more inside]
Passing position of public trust investigation?
My employer is going to soon require that myself and other employees receive a "Position of Public Trust - High" classification. My credit is not good and I'm married to a person who is not a US citizen, though is a permanent resident and is from a country that the US likes. There's a couple of other minor snowflake bits, but, overall, how big of a deal is this going to be? [more inside]
Resources on Adult Attachment Therapy?
I may be starting adult attachment therapy in the next week, on the advice of a crisis counselor and after a few years of on-and-off treatment for anxiety and depression that's not getting me very far. Point me to some quality, hopefully easy to find resources that can spell out what the experience might be like. [more inside]
Recommendations for hot air balloon or helicopter tour in DC?
Recommendations for hot air balloon or helicopter tour in DC? [more inside]
She won't eat green eggs and ham.
Cat food: wet/dry beanplate version. [more inside]
Film noir-ish writing spots in Manhattan?
I'm looking for film noir-ish locations in Manhattan to sit down and write! [more inside]
tips and tricks for rag curls for fine hair?
i feel like everytime i do rag curls i'm doing it wrong - my hair ends up like i used my crimper from the 80s, instead of hypercurly. advice? (hair is well-conditioned and naturally wavy.)
Perpetually friendzoned? No idea what I'm doing
I need a crash course in how to pick up/approach girls. [more inside]
Should we vote to approve our NYC co-op board's proposed 2% flip tax (transfer fee)?
Should we vote to approve our NYC co-op board's proposed 2% flip tax (transfer fee)? [more inside]
I'm going to have an awesome freezer
BakingFilter: I'm trying to clean out the fridge and use up some things - and one thing I want to do is make up a whole bunch of turnovers using jam and puff pastry, and then freeze them. The question is: WHEN should I freeze them, before or after baking? (Bonus question - if after baking, how would I reheat them?)
One night in New Orleans and Nashville
One night in New Orleans and Nashville. Where to stay, what to do? [more inside]
Blink and You'll Miss It
Where can I find the wallpaper from the beginning of the Doctor Who episode Blink? [more inside]
When was the French printer "Panet & Imbert" in operation?
I have an antique French olive oil label. The printer's name and location appear in small print at the bottom: "Panet & Imbert" - Marseille". I would like to know when this printer was in operation. I have not found anything useful about this on the Internet.
Desalinated Drinking Water Price
What is the selling price of desalinated drinking water? [more inside]
What is the housing situation like in Yellowknife for single guys?
What is the housing situation like in Yellowknife? [more inside]
Good car rental place in Manhattan?
We live in Manhattan NYC and need to rent a minivan to take our son's stuff up to his college on Sunday September 2nd (two weeks from tomorrow)...but it's getting complicated... [more inside]
fondue partay!
My lady is at home prepping for a small fondue party that we are hosting this evening (less than 10 people) while I am stuck at work and unable to help. Beer, cheese, and dipping accouterment have been purchased. What can I pick up on my way home from work that would serve as a fantastic side dish? [more inside]
Grating grates!
I recently had the hardwood floors redone. The floor guy did a great job, except dropped the ball in the floor registers, now what? [more inside]
How to develop a viper's tongue?
How can I learn to think on my feet and be quick with witty/snarky responses? [more inside]
I'd really like to like this job
I have a job that I like (or at least I like sometimes) with a boss who alternately micromanages and is totally hands-off. Morale at the store is really low, particularly lately, as we've had several big tasks to juggle. I need advice on how to deal with it. Snowflake details inside. [more inside]
How do I screen scrap a changing website?
How do I save a (that is constantly getting updated) webpage automatically every time it changes so that I can parse the page later with a program? Note I am trying to save someone else's website that is being updated. I want to extract their data. Screen Scrapers I have seen don't do what I want and I am not sure what this feature is called if it exists. [more inside]
calling all HR/recruiters...resume update?
I've recently (yesterday) been promoted to a new position at work. I have been actively applying for jobs for some time now. As I continue my search, should I alter and update my resume to reflect the new impressive job title? Or will the recentness of the promotion look odd to recruiters and HR? [more inside]
Help me come up with the youtube kpop playlist to end all youtube kpop playlists
Help me come up with the youtube kpop playlist to end all youtube kpop playlists [more inside]
I must have control!
I need a recommendation for a wireless gamepad for my late 2008 iMac running Mountain Lion; OR advice/troubleshooting on how to get a PS3 wireless Sixaxis working. [more inside]
Where can I find engineering work off the beaten path?
Asking for a friend: just out of college and looking for a job. I've gotten as far as I can through Googling and my personal network, but browsing through endless generic online job sites hasn't brought results. I can move anywhere, commit to any length of time, and don't much care about the pay. How do I narrow it down? [more inside]
Seattle children potential homelessness
Seattle child services question: pending homelessness for 2 undocumented children... [more inside]
Potatoes okay after a hot summer in the ground?
Should-I-Eat-ThisFilter, gardening edition: while cleaning my garden after months of neglect, I found a ton of gorgeous fingerling potatoes. The bad part: they've been in hot soil all summer. I didn't even know they were there. [more inside]
Have leaders of non-Christian religious faiths spoken out publicly on the immigration issue in the United States?
Have leaders of non-Christian religious faiths spoken out publicly on the immigration issue in the United States? [more inside]
An Apple mouse costs 5 times a much!
Can I get a PC mouse to work on an iMac? [more inside]
Pre-teen boy in Chicago in mid-September: what should he do/see? The sky's the limit....
Fun things for an eleven-year-old boy to do in the city of Chicago, September 14-17. Money is no object. I need as many interesting suggestions as possible! [more inside]
What was the EC Comic with this alien story?
Please identify this science-fiction EC Comics story involving a mind-controlling alien. [more inside]
How to best show off partly curly hair?
After a lifetime of stick-straight limp hair, I've finally gone curly! . . . partly. What do do with hair that is half straight and half curly? What haircut can I get to maximize the curl? [more inside]
Cardio/calorie blasters for upper-body?
As a woman, is there cardio I can do to help build strength and some bulk in my upper body? [more inside]
enery shot without artificial sweeteners
Where can I find a 2oz energy shot that's not made with artificial sweetener? [more inside]
Can you help me identify this indie film from the last half of the 90s?
Can you help me identify this indie film from the last half of the 90s? It was shown repeatedly on either IFC or Sundance in that period. Set in LA, it seems now like a precursor to "mumblecore" films with non-actors poorly recorded with only a bit of a plot.
The protagonist was male, shorter, dark-haired, and kind of aggressive in the way he would talk to people; I especially remember he would mostly repeat what other people would say, maybe two or three times, rapidly, with this angry tone. [more inside]
Stranger than Fiction
What film is this? [more inside]
Help me find fabulous, head-turning fall shoes or boots for $300-$500.
Can you help me find fabulous, head-turning fall shoes or boots for $300-$500? [more inside]
Future proofing against being passed over for a job?
I'm a web developer, and I'm growing concerned that somewhere down the line from my career, I'll be passed over for jobs because of younger people. Is this concern justified, and if so, what steps can I take to prevent it? [more inside]
How to dispute a move-out bill?
How do I go about disputing this apartment move-out bill? [more inside]
Slow Rider
How do I slow down traffic on my quiet residential street? [more inside]
All the King's horses and all the King's men
Suppose there is a person who was broken into many pieces. Scientists can look at bones and say where on the body they came from. Can they do the same for pieces of flesh and muscle? [more inside]
Launched myself into uncertainty, now what?
I quit my "Dream Job" after 5 months, currently face-to-face with the unknown. Advice? [more inside]
Not so funmood
How do I completely remove the funmoods search toolbar from Windows 7? [more inside]
SEA -> JAC by Air and Land
What's the most scenic way to make a combined flight / drive to Jackson, Wyoming from Seattle? [more inside]
Or I can just start slappin' 2x4s together.
I have designed a house (in Google Sketch Up) that I intend to build. I have not insignificant relevant experience, but I'm neither an engineer nor an architect. Can I just give my design to any old architect and have them turn it into a coherent blueprint for a house that won't collapse? How much should I expect a thing like that to cost? [more inside]
Too many Pintos on the Dance Floor
So many pinto beans . . . [more inside]
Do candidates outside the US release tax returns?
Do presidential/prime minister candidates in countries other than the United States release tax returns? [more inside]
Setting up an iPad via Wifi
Can you set up an iPad via wifi? [more inside]
DIY Satellite Dish Realignment
My satellite dish may have slipped slightly out of alignment. Is realigning it a DIY job, or should I call a professional? [more inside]
Sesame Street Song
Asking for a friend: long lost song from Sesame Street. [more inside]
overthinking a plate of house mice.
Mousefilter: a house mouse got its back half stuck in a box fan last night. We heard it squeaking and rescued it (and I got nipped). Nurse line tells us to keep the mouse, just in case, and page our doctor. We did. This morning, when we came out, it was on its back and non-responsive, but still breathing. What do we do? [more inside]
I would like to learn more about the Australian Aborigines
I would like to learn more about the Australian Aborigines [more inside]
Bellboyyyyyy!
I missed the 2012 Olympics. I've heard there was a great scooter portion. I'd like to see this, but can only find video from within the club that rode. Does anyone know a link to video of the scooter ride from the audience/media viewpoint?
How many stars we see are already gone?
How many of the stars whose light we see at night are actually already dead/gone/disintegrated? [more inside]
Should I just pay off my student loan?
Should I just pay off my student loan? I owe $4800 for federal subsidized/unsubsidized loans. I have a three month grace period and already paid off $700. The thing is, I have $6000 in my bank, and if I pay off my loans, I'll have about $1000 (enough to keep my bank from charging me minimum balance fee) and also qualify for food stamps. The food stamp would really help because I have physical illnesses that keep me on a strict diet, and I don't see myself going desperate only with a $1000 now that I have a job that fully pays my rent. I don't really need $6000 for anything. It pretty much just sits there. [more inside]
August 17
Meeting the sexual needs of a disabled man
How to meet the sexual needs a disabled person? [more inside]
Help a mental case when it comes to sex
Help me understand the psychology of Orgasm. [more inside]
Security Clearance Blues
What are my options with a lengthy wait on an interim security clearance? [more inside]
Oh my God, they're so...
What other bands have a similar sound to Gotye's State of The Art, Hearts A Mess and Thanks For Your Time? [more inside]
CSS Filter: Can I get some auto-height up in this biach?!
CSS Filter: I have a standard three column layout. I cannot figure out how to get the left and right columns to have a height that automatically stretches to the length of the center column. [more inside]
Tips for empty stomach heartburn?
I'm fairly certain I have GERD & I am making an appointment with a specialist, but in the meantime, what are your tricks for avoiding or quashing ye olde heartburn? [more inside]
What is it like to work as a care worker?
Asking for a friend: What's it like to work as an in-home, community care worker for the elderly? [more inside]
harding icefield trail turn back point
How far along Alaska's Harding Icefield trail did I get? [more inside]
How do I Tumbl my blog?
How can I set up my Blogspot blog to automatically also post to Tumblr? [more inside]
Do You Know What It Means to Rediscover New Orleans?
Best way to rediscover New Orleans for a former resident and a best way to discover it for her newbie husband? [more inside]
Old Cassette tapes - keep 'em or chuck 'em?
40 + years of sermons on cassette tape - now all converted to .WAV. Throw away the tapes or keep them? [more inside]
Automatic photo slideshow from Facebook feed
Wedding slideshow brainstorm: Is there a way to have an automatically updated slideshow running from a Facebook photo feed? [more inside]
We require more dictatorial duck-billed diplodocuses
Alternatives to Tintin that are not Asterix for a 5 year old? [more inside]
What is this brown-bodied, red-headed, winged insect?
Another insect ID question: what's this thing that was in my NYC apartment? It might be a biting insect, but it's obviously not a bedbug. [more inside]
What is the happy medium?
How do I come to terms with the fact that my apartment will never be as neat as I would like? [more inside]
How to interact with the person my wife had an emotional affair with?
My wife has been having an emotional affair with another man, a married co-worker. Help me get what I want out of my first social interaction with him since the news broke. [more inside]
Newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and overwhelmed with how much I don't know. Bonus: help me find a doctor in Washington, DC who I can trust?
Newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and overwhelmed with how much I don't know. Bonus: help me find a doctor in Washington, DC who I can trust? [more inside]
What the heck ARE these things?
Can you help us identify this interesting little garden insect? [more inside]
How do I explain that I've never had a salary?
My salary history is ridiculous and piecemeal, in part due to working abroad for much less money than I would have made in the U.S. and also just being generally underpaid. I am not opposed to disclosing it to employers when asked, but am afraid the complexity would be a turn-off. How do I signal to employers that I'm not trying to be coy but that I don't really have a salary history that is going to be useful for them in determining my potential salary? [more inside]
A Nice Night Out Near Augusta, Maine?
Recommend me a nice/ special occasioin restaurant within an hour's drive of Augusta, ME? [more inside]
What should I ask my doctor to test for?
Chronic fatigue + thinning hair, what should I ask the doctor to test for? [more inside]
How do I sleep sleep with my partner?
How do I sleep (as in, catch some z's) with my girlfriend? [more inside]
Why Don't Westerners Wear Robes in the Desert?
In the heat, Bedouins wear long, flowing robes. Westerners wear shorts and short-sleeved shirts and wide-brimmed hats. What are the advantages of the robes? [more inside]
Should we live on a yacht in London?
My boyfriend and I are moving to London in the next few months. Are we crazy to consider sailing his 10m yacht there and living on it in a marina, especially going into the winter? [more inside]
How can I learn how to work on my new 30-year-old VW Rabbit (Diesel)?
Best shop manuals and online forums for vintage VW Diesel Rabbit owners? [more inside]
therapist/life coach in southeastern Michigan
Need a therapist, or help.. something. Preferably one that uses a sliding pay scale. Somewhere in southeastern Michigan.. ideally somewhere wayne county or the eastern end of washtenaw county. [more inside]
What is the best way to "slick" my hair a bit, but won't make me look like a creep?
Male, late 30s - what is the best way to "slick" my hair a bit, and won't make me look like a creep? [more inside]
Glass-casing a laptop?
A certain relatively expensive, recent (2011) but not current computer is for my needs the apotheosis of laptops. I can buy another one, but how long should I think it can be glass-cased before it starts to rot? [more inside]
search Twitter by date + hashtag?
Is there a simple way to search Twitter for all posts containing a specific hash tag across a specific date range, e.g. search for #humblebrag for the period April 1, 2011 to March 1, 2012? I'm trying to avoid the slow process of working the infinite scroll to view older posts that I have yet to read. Using Win7 and Firefox 14. Thanks.
Help finding cheap college text books
What are some sources for inexpensive college text books (used, rentals, etc.)? [more inside]
What does it take to be a genetic engineer?
What does it take to be a genetic engineer? The sort that modify gene sequences to make organisms better suited for humanity. Is it possible to be a self taught genetic engineer with textbooks and home made lab equipment without endangering myself? I can spend 10-20 hrs a week on this endeavor. Going to college doesn't seem like a good idea due to my work schedule and because I already have an advanced degree and don't see the appeal. [more inside]
Oh iced coffee, why you make me feel this way?
I drink iced coffee from Starbucks once or twice a week. My standard order is a grande with two Splendas and 2% milk. I've noticed that by the time I get to the end of my drink I have that shaky and empty feeling that usually means my blood sugar is low. I don't notice any particular sugar/caffeine high while I'm drinking it. I usually sip on it while I'm working at the computer, so it takes about 45 minutes to finish the drink. What could be causing the sugar-crash feeling? Is it all in my head? [more inside]
Budget rivets for budget fidgets?
What store would have a rivet-like thing (small!) that I could pick up today or tomorrow to make a more discreet version of this style bracelet? [more inside]
ID this book, 1970s YA edition.
Help, mefites! Y'all're amazingly great at tracking down obscure music and books with little info, so I hope you can help me.
Two YA books, both read in the late 1970s:
1 - urban kid gets involved with a gang called the Scorpions. Also, his family was so poor he had to eat cereal with water.
2 - fantasy novel - there were goblins who were destroyed/harmed by butter.
Any ideas?
What is the best way to clean sleeping bags?
I forgot to remove my sleeping bags from the attic when the exterminator fired off a bug bomb to deal with our scorpion incursion. Now the bags are coated in fine white dust, and I'm terrified to use them. How can I safely clean them without ruining them? (For that matter, is the dust that big of a deal? Can I simply wipe it off and get on with life?)
How to handle theft from a hotel in Ireland when visiting from USA?
While on vacation in Dublin, Ireland, my cousins' cellphones and some cash were stolen from their hotel room. The hotel staff were less than helpful about the situation. How do they proceed? [more inside]
Worry about Anemia or let it slide?
Having a hard time getting a doctor's appointment, feeling run down and probably anemia has gotten VERY bad. Ok to wait, or step up the urgency? [more inside]
How can I make my time with a Nordstrom personal shopper awesome? Also, what is a reasonable budget for a quality work wardrobe?
I'm meeting with one of Nordstrom's personal stylists tomorrow to update my work wardrobe. It needs a pretty serious overhaul. How can I make the best use of this time? How much should I budget for this trip? [more inside]
Movie sequels which feature original as movie within a movie
Movie within a movie sequel? Both Beethoven II and Seed of Chucky, are sequels where there is a movie being filmed, and the movie being filmed is the original movie of the series. Are there more like this? [more inside]
my favorite poem in Japanese
Quick Japanese translation request ^_^
天も地もなしただ雪の降りしきる
I've seen the googled translations, but would like a bit more in depth of how its being translated and other workings. E.g. is the snow pouring (heavy snow) is there no land or no earth, or what is not in existence here, what is? Thank you Japanese friends!
Rune priest ability tracker?
Nerd alert: I'm playing a new rune priest in D&D. The class has tons of active and passive area effects to keep track of, which makes it both fun and challenging. Does anyone know of a worksheet I can use to make this easier? Something that I could glance at quickly to see what effects are active. I can certainly write one myself, but I'd like to save time if possible. Thanks!
How to backup remote web server and email on servers?
Backing up a web server and the email on it to a local machine, how to do? [more inside]
How do I start being skechy?
What are good resources for someone looking to start writing sketch comedy? [more inside]
Transplanting success in the hot sun
Tell me your suggestions for transplanting plants when the temperature is hot. [more inside]
Fiddle Me This.
Any violin geeks out there? [more inside]
I need a phone to hold me over until my upgrade on Verizon
I need a Verizon phone to carry me over until the new iphone release. What's a decent cheap phone to get without doing the contract renewal or using up my upgrade? [more inside]
Recommendation for CBT therapist in Raleigh?
Recommendations for a CBT therapist in Raleigh or downtown Durham, NC? [more inside]
i'll let you be in my dream if i can be in yours
help! a quick quote on love from greek poetry and mexican poetry for a wedding toast. [more inside]
Accounting Invoice
How can I best handle an invoice from an accountant that does not seem reasonable to me? [more inside]
I can do this. I once promoted a dinner party that got 15 people. So, I just need to do that again, times 100.
I suddenly find myself in a position where I am trying to promote an event to get thousands of participants. But I have never promoted an event before, and I have no budget! Help me get some ideas on how to get the word out. [more inside]
Getting an entry-level job in a medical office. (Medical assisting vs. front office stuff)
How should I go about getting an entry-level job in a medical office? Medical assisting vs. front office stuff. (Snowflakes inside.) [more inside]
What is this type of chart called and/or how do you create one in Excel?
what breed are these puppies?
What breed are these puppies?
Tell me about a fictional peoples.
Does there exist a demographic of humans currently living in the United States of America that are "on the fence" about who they will be voting for in the upcoming 2012 presidential elections? Additionally, I'd like some sort of description of these people. [more inside]
Secular songs of communal joy
Secular songs of communal joy? [more inside]
The United States of Polos?
Are there are any attempts to catalog the different American regional fashion (hair, clothing etc) styles? I'm looking at blogs, books, infographics (in humorous or non humorous fashion) that discuss my observation that Americans dress differently, even during similar temperatures and situations or certain categories of people (i.e. college aged male frat guys). [more inside]
Professor Creepy Comes to Town
Former professor made a pass at me. This was upsetting because I consider him a mentor and didn't think he had those kind of motivations towards me. Now he is in town and wants to take me out. What should I say? [more inside]
Recommend a weapon and duty gear.
I'm going to be working as an armed guard and would like your recommendations for firearm and duty gear! [more inside]
How can I watch this years Vuelta a España online?
How can I watch this years Vuelta a España online? [more inside]
An array of choices....
Looking for advice from other mefites on how to best use the additional disks I've purchased to expand my current home Linux server. RAID5/6? Native ZFS raidz? Something else? Also curious about use of iSCSI instead of SMB for things like Time Machine, etc. [more inside]
keeping the crush crushy while apart?
new lover-type going away for a month... thoughtful gestures for the duration? [more inside]
No really, I need more songs like Call Me Maybe.
The things we do for our kids: Music edition. I need music to dance with with my baby during his night time fussy periods. Embarrassing examples of what works well inside. [more inside]
I used to have nightmares about this
Assuming I'm not crazy, how do I stop my hair from thinning? [more inside]
Is it common for people to compartmentalize their friends and not introduce their friends to each other?
Is it common for people to compartmentalize their friends and not introduce their friends to each other? [more inside]
Lac Leman Statue Hunt
Help identify this Geneve statue! [more inside]
Recommendations for great books about probability and risk.
Recommendations for great books about probability and risk. [more inside]
Where to get powdered paint from?
Where do I get powdered paint from similar to Holi, the Indian Festival of Colour? [more inside]
How can I get offsite backup for the 5gb data a day my library volunteer role generates?
Help me back up offsite the huge files I'm generating in my new voluntary role (c. 5Gb per session)! [more inside]
What are the best hardware solutions for a good Go To Meeting conference call?
Is there a non-headset way of eliminating echo and feedback in Go To Meeting? [more inside]
Asking for letters of recommendation by email?
Thinking about applying to graduate school while living off-campus-- when and how to ask for letters? [more inside]
Where can I get steamed cake?
Where I can get "steamed cake"? [more inside]
Is Assange more at risk of deportation in Sweden?
Is Julian Assange at greater risk of being extradited to the US in Sweden than he is in the UK? [more inside]
I'm Making a Messenger Bag
I'm making a messenger bag, and I seek a particular type of fastener. [more inside]
How long do babies play?
Google and Google Scholar are not helping me answer this. I'd like to know what the typical/bell curve range of attention span and play episodes (not eye contact) are for infants and young toddlers (under 2). I can find decent info for older kids, but all the child development studies I've found seem to assume an implicit range for "short/long". I'm especially interested in solitary play episode length with a single object.
August 16
Is there anything worth seeing at the Yolo County Fair?
Has anyone ever attended the Yolo County Fair? How good is it? [more inside]
My life is a tangled mess...
I'm a 20 year old college student and I was recently cut off from my parents. I have literally NOTHING -- no health and car insurance, no money, no extra clothes other than the ones I ran away wearing, no car, no phone, and etc. Please help me get my life back together! [more inside]
Jung and the Shadow
When and it what volume did Jung introduce the concept of the shadow, and what else should i read about it? [more inside]
Negotiating on benefits: Sure, you can supplement my take-home pay with chocolate.
I know how to negotiate on salary. Tell be about negotiating on benefits. What have you asked for and received that really sweetened a job offer for you? [more inside]
Calligraphy in my yard, perhaps.
This patio seems to be calligraphy. I can't read it. [more inside]
How bad is it?
Moment of crisis. Wife was fired from nursing job; now she's concerned that future nursing jobs may be partly or entirely beyond her reach. [more inside]
Help me kill my eMac
Help me kill my eMac (snowball) [more inside]
sleeping near the fishes.
Looking for an affordable, funky inn or B and B in Monterey so we can hit the aquarium first thing the next morning. [more inside]
Looking for a job (with MS) in Seattle
A recent diagnosis of MS, a year of living off my savings (no unemployment) and a need for some thoughtful advice from the hive mind. More inside. [more inside]
Is it okay to ask my depressed partner not to tell me certain things when he is upset?
Is it okay to ask my depressed partner not to tell me certain things when he is upset? [more inside]
Where can I find the right mental health provider for my friend?
Central Texas Filter: I need recommendations for mental health providers (especially in the Austin area) who specialize in treating profoundly gifted adults with severe mental health issues (including suicidal ideation) and/or sleep disorders. [more inside]
Inoculation against the Dotty
Advice needed for how to play nice with a neighbour-relative who is sweet to the point of cloying and whose opinions and behaviours frequently illustrate that we share a different reality. [more inside]
Canon 5d video n00b
Canon 5D filter: I'm going on a trip to Honduras with a NGO in November to photograph their work developing clean cookstoves for families. I'm cool on the photography front, but need help figuring out a relatively lightweight rig for video using my 5d mk ii. [more inside]
Touring Turin?
Going to Turin for a couple of days in September... probably. What should we see and where should we stay? Or should we go somewhere else close other than Turin? This will be after Venice and Florence and before Milan.
What would an early 50's man with MS like to volunteer for?
What would an early 50's man with MS like to volunteer for? [more inside]
Garden of Eden treasure?
I'm familiar with Genesis 2:11-12 which briefly mentions the existence of gold in the area surrounding the Garden of Eden. But are there any other ancient references, be they apocryphal, Talmudic, or in folklore, that links Eden with some sort of material treasure? [more inside]
Where should I take the kids before going to Disneyland?
Where should I take the kids before going to Disneyland? Our family of four, including a tween and young teen are scheduled to arrive in Anaheim on a Saturday about noon, and we are going to the park the following day. What can we do the afternoon and evening of arrival? Huntington beach? I don't want to wear anyone out the first night.
Can I use a French sim card with my Droid Razr?
Can I use a French sim card in my Droid Razr? [more inside]
I seem to have misplaced my motivation.
What motivated you to get through college successfully? [more inside]
Might be getting CRPS, what do I need to do?
Might be getting CRPS, what do I need to do? [more inside]
Tips and Tricks for a large group at Disney World?
I've seen questions about Disney parks on here, but I'm looking for specific tips for a trip with tons of little kids - both in Florida theme parks and on the Disney Dream ship. What has worked for you? [more inside]
iOS Developers! Take My Money! Photo App Neede!
I'm a very happy owner of a new iPad. I also have the cheap, Chinese knockoff equivalents of the Apple Camera Connection Kit (1 for CF cards, another for SDHC and variants). They work great and cost me next to nothing. I shoot raw and fine quality jpeg pictures. How can I transfer only my jpegs to the iPad without tranferring the raw files (in this case .NEF at the same time? [more inside]
Travel blogging with the iPad
I'm about to embark on a 5 1/2 month gig playing on a cruise ship in Europe and The Caribbean, and I would love to regularly publish a blog for my friends and family to follow my journey. Level of difficulty: iPad only. [more inside]
Tutoring student with likely neuro problem isn't getting help. Course of action?
I have been tutoring a teenage student for several months and have observed some unusual things, some of them quite worrying. His parents asked me to help him get his online classwork done (he's in a full-time online high school). He had done next to no work on his own, but it seemed he was capable enough, especially with his math assignments, although he needed a lot of prompting and hand-holding for written work. However, he seemed to have trouble walking (odd gait, sometimes crashes into walls) and couldn't type or write very well (holds a pen very awkwardly, very poor handwriting, types with one finger and literally can't strike two keys at the same time). More worryingly, he can't seem to concentrate and often just stares off into space with his eyelids drooping. This problem seems to be getting worse, and on a recent day he told me he needed to "keep [his] brain absolutely empty to get rid of [his] tiredness." I get the impression his vision may be deteriorating too; he seems to have trouble reading text on his computer screen now, which I had not noticed until recently. [more inside]
Dressing as Mr. Wednesday: How can I fake a glass eye?
Dressing as Mr. Wednesday: How can I fake a glass eye? [more inside]
trying to find a This American Life episode...
trying to find a This American Life episode.... [more inside]
What happened to the Japanese blog Pink Tentacle?
Will Pink Tentacle ever come back? [more inside]
I want to start to learn PHP *TONIGHT* on a Mac! What the hell do I need and is there a good site/tutorial/book that is best suited for the job?
I want to start to learn PHP *TONIGHT* on a Mac! What the hell do I need and is there a good site/tutorial/book that is best suited for the job? [more inside]
We had to go deeper
Does anyone have any experience with using cell phone signal amplifiers? [more inside]
God screw the goddamn queen
Universal swear words in latin-american spanish? All I know is Mexican. [more inside]
Where did this come from?
USMAIL Filter: I received an envelope, with one blank sheet of paper inside. Any way to identify exactly where it came from? [more inside]
Best way to help a depressed houseguest
How can we help our houseguest who is severely depressed? Is it okay for us to require our friend and daughter move out, even if she hasn't been able to find somewhere else to live? [more inside]
How do I handle an ultimatum from my girlfriend?
My girlfriend has given me an ultimatum regarding anxiety and travel. Is this a problem or an opportunity? [more inside]
Healthy coping mechanisms for being a trans teen
How to help a trans teenager feel like he has more control over his life? [more inside]
Help me plan a trip to Cuba!
Cuba vacation! Leaving from Montreal, mid-late October. [more inside]
What kind of cockroach is this?
Please help me identify this cockroach species. [more inside]
Knee deep in fun fur and EL wire
What are your recommendations for Burning Man clothes for a female? [more inside]
a helping hand in finding a helping hands?
Helping Hands -- the adjustable magnifying glass with attached clips thingie for soldering and crafts and such -- does anyone have recommendations for a specific model? [more inside]
Take this job and shove it.
Where can I read online stories of day-to-day work drudgery? Looking for true stories involving the Sunday Evening Blues™, sick feeling in the stomach upon arriving at work, wardrobe anxiety, things like that. [more inside]
Which microSD/SDHC cards are best for Zoom H1?
Which microSD/SDHC cards are best for Zoom H1?: I have a Zoom H1, and plan to get a few more microSD/SDHC cards for it. Are there any rankings, rules-of-thumb, opinions or other considerations wrt best choices? [more inside]
Prevent Electrical Tape Designs from Peeling Back?
Have you ever heard of people using duct tape and electrical tape to create art? I've been doing it since middle school, but lately, my designs are suffering from the tape refusing to hold its place, and it eventually will wrinkle, shift, and completely come undone. Need help thinking of a solution to prevent it from happening. [more inside]
How to find people on the internet?
Best online services for finding lost friends? [more inside]
How the hell do I teach sixth grade social studies?
How the hell do I teach sixth grade social studies? [more inside]
This isn't one of the "figure flaws" they list in magazines.
I'm just under 5'5". Unusually (I think?) for someone of average height, I have long legs *and* a long-ish waist. This is possible because the distance between my shoulders and under-arms is, apparently, according to the shirts of the world, unusually short. [more inside]
What is a reasonable expectation for couple time?
What is a reasonable expectation for 'couple time' on a typical evening? [more inside]
Multiple successful musicians?
What musicians were members of more than one big, successful band? [more inside]
Most Reliable & Best MPG used Car
UsedCarFilter: My budget is $8500...What is the most reliable and best MPG used car can i get? 90 percent of my driving will be Highway. Reliable and high mpg are a must. Thanks in advance.
I have a terrific recipe to marinate Mahi for fish tacos. Can this be used to make a tofu/tempeh version with much success?
I have a terrific recipe to marinate Mahi for fish tacos. Can this be used to make a tofu/tempeh version with much success? [more inside]
Am I going to be audited?
So I was just wired ~$23,000 into my checking account from a foreign bank. How much (if any) tax do I have to pay on this? [more inside]
Can I clear up my acne scars?
I'm in in my 40s. I have scars on my face from teenage acne. Is it too late to do anything about it? [more inside]
Keep me healthy and happy
Bored with lunch. Healthiest salad combos? [more inside]
Plumplumplumplumplum
Once again, we have an overabundance of plums. Hit me with your best plum recipes-sweet, savory, canning, whatever. We have Santa Rosa, Italian prune, and some unknown purple variety that's pretty sweet. I'm a competent canner and also have a dehydrator. [more inside]
Ehrlichia tests?
Any advice or experience with Ehrlichia in dogs? [more inside]
Firewall between work and personal writing.
How can I build a wall between writing I do for my employer and writing I do on my own time? [more inside]
The perfect birthday poem for an adolescent girl.
Help! Looking for a poem to include in a birthday card to my daughter who turns 13 tomorrow. [more inside]
How many houseguests can I accommodate after giving birth?
How many houseguests can I accommodate after giving birth? [more inside]
Underground Uppsala?
Where do all the weirdos hang out in Uppsala? What are the good punk/metal/jazz/whatever venues? Are there any social centers/autonomous spaces/hacker spaces? Which organizations are dealing with leftist politics? Are there any cooperatives? ETC! [more inside]
I'd kill for her
Vegetarian parenting, infant edition. [more inside]
Complex market research project needs hope
How can I use some sort of GIS or market analysis software in the project I've been assigned? [more inside]
Who is responsible for repairs after a rental house fire?
Asking for a friend- Who is responsible for the cost of repairs after a house fire? I am renting the house. I have renters insurance. The fire report said no negligence on my part. I'm located in California. [more inside]
Need recommendations on stories of journalists living in exotic locales and covering colonial life, OR stories of people traveling on long voyages by ship.
I need recommendations on stories of journalists living in exotic locales and covering colonial life, OR stories of people traveling on long voyages by ship. [more inside]
Quickest way to alphebatize and combine paperwork from unsorted piles?
Quickest way to alphebatize and combine paperwork from unsorted piles? [more inside]
What makes this game genre so popular?
What makes you gravitate toward time management and city simulation games? Looking for anecdata and citable studies. [more inside]
Total Annihilation
Is it possible to play the original Total Annihilation online (on e-WarZone etc.) on my mac? [more inside]
How do I save to a text file in Excel 2011?
I'm on a mac. A colleague sent me an Excel file (.xls) which I looked at in Excel 2011. It looks fine. I would like to save the file in some sort of text format, so that I can open Terminal and look at it in less. I realize that the columns won't align nicely, that's fine. What I don't want are all the weird characters that show up (from differently formatted line endings, etc). I've tried saving as "Tab delimited text," but that has the problem with the line endings. Which format should I use?
We are visiting Paris for 5 days in mid-September. Where should we stay?
We are visiting Paris for 5 days in mid-September but don't yet have a place to stay. We'd like to find something unique, central to the city, friendly, and affordable (<$100/night). Any recommendations? [more inside]
making friends in a second language
Making friends in a second language: Can you explain to me why it doesn't matter? [more inside]
Extra people listed on a foreclosure action
My mother in law was placed permanently in a nursing home last year. It took about 14 months, but her home has finally gone into foreclosure. This is fine with us. We were served with the papers on her behalf last night, and I noticed that there were additional defendants besides her listed on the form. Are these corporations/people responsible for having themselves removed from the suit if they are not actually involved? [more inside]
Help me pry open my oyster, please.
How should I approach planning for my new goals? [more inside]
Dining while driving
What are some dinner foods that I can eat while driving? [more inside]
Commute to Rowayton , CT
Is a daily commute from Manhattan 34th St , 9av to Rowayton, CT doable? Has anyone done that? Is it like more than 2 hours? [more inside]
Can we chat about it?
Need a chat/forum-solution for a limited time. Since I've been out of the loop for some time I look to you, mighty Mefites, to hear you personal choises and recommendations. [more inside]
how do i fix this fake iphone?
My friend bought a fake iphone online. Now it isn't working properly - it resets randomly and plays music randomly. I can't find any docs online. How do I fix it? It is a Java phone, adual sim i5 tv. Many thanks.
Need help finding Khan Academy's phyical address
I'm trying to find the exact physical location of Khan Academy offices. I think they're in Mountain View, CA, but they may have moved a short distance away. I can find no reference on their website to a physical office; they have a PO Box listed, but I need to know where their physical offices are located. Any help is very much appreciated.
TV to watch irons go by
I like watching light drama/90s sitcoms while I'm doing chores or want to relax for a bit. I've run out of my favourites, and there's probably a lot of stuff I've missed due to being too young or not staying in enough when they were broadcast. What next? [more inside]
Suggestions wanted for internet blocking software.
Suggestions for internet-blocking software for OS X 10.8 wanted; alternatives to Freedom and Anti Social. [more inside]
Preparing for an interview with a thin resume
How do I prepare for an interview for a job that I want, but am most likely not qualified for? [more inside]
August 15
Can you help me find a copy of this court case?
I found a link to an old court case involving a relative of mine. Google Books won't show me the whole thing - can anyone find it elsewhere or suggest how I can get a copy? I don't have access to legal databases. This is the link, and my relative referred to is Erno Scheiner.
Help us figure out where to celebrate NYE in Europe!
Where to travel for Xmas/New Year's in Europe? [more inside]
Help me find the name of an obscure mlb relief pitcher?
Trying to figure out the name of an obscure MLB relief pitcher with a unique windup [more inside]
Two Years Too Late Apology
How to go about sending an apology after two years of no contact with a former friend? Snowflake! [more inside]
How to build my own artificial jellyfish?
I've been obsessing about the artificial jellyfish lately and I want to know how difficult it would be to make one myself. [more inside]
"Treat him mean to keep him keen"?
I'm a nice, friendly person, not a passive doormat, just... nice. But apparently I need to be a mean bitch. I thought "men love bitches" was just a cliche... [more inside]
I am getting fired. Help my life not fall apart around me.
I know that I am going to be fired. I do not know how to proceed. [more inside]
What can I *add* to my life to help with my binge eating and/or desire to lose weight?
What can I *add* to my life to help with my binge eating and/or desire to lose weight? Additionally, what texts or exercises helped you work past bingeing? [more inside]
MetaBiography
Help me find a way to get others to tell stories about my long-deceased father online. I'm thinking a Wikipedia-type, open-source place where folks can go and log in (or not) and add their portions of the story of his life. I imagine childhood friends sharing vignettes from 5th grade, high school girlfriends, co-workers, people I don't have access to adding stories.
What to do about my mother in law and her parenting?
My Mother-in-law is sending her children to my house as punishment and it makes me very uncomfortable and I need help figuring out how to get her to stop. [more inside]
navigating SEPTA
Going to Philadelphia for the first time in a couple of weeks and need tips about making the best use of public transportation. [more inside]
How can I order a basket of tasty treats for family vacationing in Switzerland?
My in-laws are vacationing in Beatenberg in Switzerland. I want to get them a basket of great food delivered to their apartment. How do I do this? [more inside]
Family Ties
Relative robbed our grandma who has Alzheimer's... took $10,000 worth of gold belonging to me. Not the first time. What to do? [more inside]
It sounds awesome, unless it doesn't! How is the perceived pitch of my recording changing on different sound systems?
My recording sounds fine on some sound systems, but occasionally seems off-pitch on other setups. I have no idea what's going on. Help me understand this, and prevent it in future? [more inside]
vacationing with my phone
Seeking hotel recommendations in either the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or Hawaii. [more inside]
Baby monitors please!
Please recommend a baby monitor. [more inside]
How to prevent art theft without watermarks?
What is the best way to prevent art theft without putting a huge watermark on a piece? [more inside]
Newborn insurance?
Is there an insurance option for this snowflake situation? [more inside]
Where and How to Watch Non-US TV Series?
Forbrydelsen, The Bridge, Borgen - all these great Danish and Swedish television series. Where and how the heck can I watch them? [more inside]
Moving clips from iMovieHD to iMovie '11
I have many short movies in iMovie HD. I need to select clips from these movies and paste them into a new movie in iMovie '11. How do I do it? [more inside]
Bluetooth headphone recommendation with Windows 7
Looking for Bluetooth headphone recommendation to replace Motorola S305 which don't work with Windows 7 [more inside]
Kittens cannot live on motor oil and fan belts alone. Right?
You might remember me from such questions as "There's a cat wedged in my car" and now that the cat isn't wedged in there but instead entertaining the entire household with hysterical kitten antics I have a concern about feeding him. [more inside]
How do you promote yourself with a pen name while keeping your 'real' name as private as possible?
How do you promote yourself with a pen name while keeping your 'real' name as private as possible? [more inside]
Book People: what are the best resources to hear about new books?
Book People: what are the best resources to hear about new books? [more inside]
Moving away to university in September. What can I do to meet people, and improve my abysmal social life, confidence, and interpersonal skills?
Moving away to university in September. What can I do to meet people, and improve my abysmal social life, confidence, and interpersonal skills? [more inside]
Safe physical activity while on coumadin
How cautious do I need to be with physical activity while on blood thinners (coumadin/warfarin)? [more inside]
Spanish reading for the beginner?
Recommendations for beginning Spanish reading? [more inside]
Gamification of Dissertations!
I am in a cohort of a few PhD fellows who, at the time we could really use each other for support, find ourselves scattered to various corners of New England. How can we motivate each other when we don't see each other on a regular basis? [more inside]
where can I pre-present my paper?
I have to do a 45 minute presentation at a summit next month. I need to give this presentation the practice it deserves. But, everyone is on vacation in England and the school year does not begin until after the summit. I am in England, I have little money, and I really need an audience who know about social enterprise and journalism to tell me what I need to do more clearly for this presentation. can you give me any advice? the conference is in four weeks.
Can This Sauce Be Saved?
Is this mexican-type enchilada sauce redeemable? [more inside]
How to get awesome
What does it take to get movie star super-buff? Like Kate Beckinsale, Colin Farrel, Jessica Biel level buff? [more inside]
Need help with restaurants in Washington DC please.
Need help with two types of restaurants in Washington DC please. [more inside]
Time to fly?
How did you - or someone you know - decide the time had come to get your own business off the ground?
What to watch after Breaking Bad?
Have loved Breaking Bad, but it's nearing its end. What are some other high production value TV thrillers should I watch? I like season-long story arcs, suspense, and excellent writing and acting. I love BBC's Sherlock, 24, Dexter, The Sopranos, and Game of Thrones.
Is a nearly free masters degree worth it?
Can get a bioinformatics masters degree for nearly free - should I do it? [more inside]
Anti-choice except for my daughter
Is there a link to something moderately believable on the internet talking about an encounter with an anti-choice protester and her daughter in a Planned Parenthood waiting room? [more inside]
Where can we memorialize our dad OUTSIDE a cemetery?
Park benches, Disneyland bricks, memorial reefs... what are some other ways to memorialize someone outside of a cemetery? [more inside]
How stupid is this stupid hard drive question?
How bad an idea is storing my backup disks (hard drives in my car)? [more inside]
Help me support him without being his mother.
New-ish guy friend I've been dating is experiencing a (potential) flare-up of an old, painful and worrying health issue/injury. How can I support him without going overboard into mothering mode, overstepping his/my boundaries, or otherwise screwing things up? [more inside]
The amount of movies set in Paris is too damn high
Help me find a romantic movie set in Paris, further details are fuzzy. [more inside]
Agencies in Sweden that work with refugees?
Is anyone here familiar with organizations in Sweden that work with Iraqi refugees, especially in the Stockholm area? [more inside]
Help me write a pretty syllabus.
Help me write a pretty syllabus. [more inside]
What nootropics work?
How many users have experience with nootropics? The ones who do; what do you use/do? [more inside]
Do people marry someone similar?
My friend has heard that people marry those who are similar to themselves (in looks, age, social class, education etc). He worries this will rule out all the "good" women.
Help me advise him how marriages really work. [more inside]
Moved back to the Netherlands, and I'm hungry.
Mefites of Holland! Send me to your favorite ethnic grocery stores and trattorias in de Randstad. Bonus points for North Holland (esp. Haarlem-A'dam-Alkmaar), and you win 1,000 internets if you know of a real Mexican, Thai or Indian grocer anywhere within 250k of Amsterdam.
Factors to consider when choosing a cancer treatment center
Please give me recommendations on good Bay Area cancer treatment centers. [more inside]
finding good student violins
My daughter has been taking violin lessons for about 5 years now. Her current violin was a beginner/student violin we bought from a music rental company in the northeast. Her instructor has recommended that we need to get a better violin for her, as she is progressing and is reaching the limits of this violin. Living in Maine, there aren't that many local outlets for reasonably priced/good quality student violins, so there are few options other than the internet. Please help me narrow down my choices. [more inside]
What do I do now that I don't do drugs?
Please help me find some alternative activities to drugs and booze - stuff to keep me diverted and entertained during the long nights of insomnia and loneliness I'm looking forward to over the next few months. I'm looking for both general and specific recommendations - books to read, films to watch, games to play, things to cook and activities outside the house I could get involved in. [more inside]
Help me solve my problem
I have issues with anxiety in relationships, but I recently started seeing a wonderful man, and will start going to a therapist soon. However, I'm looking for techniques or ideas to help manage my anxiety while I'm searching for a steady therapist. [more inside]
Is an online MBA worth it?
I am thinking of pursuing an MBA in IT Management and have been accepted into an online program. But I've heard it said that if an MBA doesn't come from a top-25 or top-50 school, it may not even be worth having in the eyes of job recruiters and hiring managers. What's the real story? [more inside]
How do I hack my appliances?
I am interested in the Internet of Things and would like to learn how to make machines, specifically appliances and the like, respond to sensor data, price signals, etc. Where do I start? Arduino? Zigbee? Is it even possible to augment a toaster or refrigerator or washing machine in this way? Specific book and/or website recommendations are appreciated. Thanks.
I need to get all of these DVDs out of my living room
How do I convert my movie library to digital? [more inside]
Apps for tracking restaurant recommendations?
Is there a good app for tracking restaurant recommendations? [more inside]
Help us decide if our budget allows us to purchase a multi family home!
[BudgetFilter] We're about to purchase a 3-unit multi family home in a desirable downtown area near a large park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The rental market in our city is very strong and continues to get stronger. Does this potential budget make sense and put us in a good financial position for the future? Details and actual budget numbers within. [more inside]
What should I do with this year to increase my chances of teaching next year?
I am just finishing up a phd. I'll be defending in September, getting the actual degree in October (I hope). I'd like to get a job teaching English in a private high school, but obviously I'd be applying for the following school year, not the year that's about to start. So what should I be doing this year? I need to support myself, of course, but I'd like to do so in a way that will make me more attractive to schools. I already sub at one school, and am planning on trying to get on the sub lists for some other schools. But is there anything else? What are some short-term or part-time means of employment that school administrators would like to see on my resume?
Looking for the Energizer Bunny of gum.
What's the longest lasting (in terms of flavor) gum? [more inside]
Songs/Poems/Writing (brief) done by people near the end of their life, especially those who knew it was near their death.
We have a venue and put on a monthly variety show. Up until now there hasn't really been a theme, just lot's of variety. I'd like to focus one of these on Songs/Poems/brief writings that were done by people who were dying and knew it. I think Freddy Mercury did a few songs celebrating life, I know that Warren Zevon did. Anything you can give me would be appreciated. And it doesn't really have to be celebratory.
How can I encourage my friend to come out of his shell?
O wisest MeFites, do you have any ideas about how to foster intimacy in a friendship with someone who is emotionally guarded and shut down? [more inside]
Suggest some quicker ways for producing 20-30 traditional mail shots.
Suggest some quicker ways for producing 20-30 traditional mail shots. [more inside]
What should I do in Palo Alto tomorrow?
I'm going to Palo Alto/Menlo Park tomorrow. I'm going to have an afternoon to kill by myself -- if I only have one afternoon, what should I do, and where should I eat in the South Bay Area? [more inside]
Paying Mom Back
Should I give my mom money so she can stop working? [more inside]
Different parenting styles.
I have been married for around 5 years, it's a good marriage. My wife suffers from depression, which has made it difficult at times, however we have worked through these periods. Now we have a daughter, she is 11 months old and perfect in every way. My wife has very restrictive views on parenting, which are pretty different to mine, how do I manage this? [more inside]
Can quads and denim mix?
Leads for finding sexy fitting jeans for a short lady with massive thighs and some booty? [more inside]
Please help find a source for a specific ghost story
Please help me ID/ find a source for a specific ghost story about starved ghost children eating the new occupants of a house! Quickly... [more inside]
HTML not supported
I am using Serif Webplus Free Edition to build a website. But I am unable to link the pages to each other as the built in site checker recommends. I can't generate .html or insert .html. The pages themselves are labled index.html, page1.html, etc. But when I preview it in Internet Explorer, the navigation bar won't take me to following or preceeding pages. Is the problem with me or the software? What am I doing wrong?
Renter's Insurance in California?
Renter's Insurance in California? [more inside]
To resuscitate or not to resuscitate
How do you reconcile end-of-life decisions with your partner? [more inside]
Validating data for data validation.
[ExcelFilter] Can I use one data validation list drop-down menu to specify which values will show up in a separate data validation list drop-down menu? [more inside]
Wondering if a new S1500 scanner is worth the expense
Document Scanning -- I have a fairly old Fujitsu FI-4120c scanner I use for scanning double sided documents. I'm wondering whether a newer S1500 is worth a buy? [more inside]
This is a joke, right?
Rather out of the blue, my husband of 7 years brought up the baby question, about 5 years after our last conversation on the topic. I came back to him later that evening with one "neutral" (and sufficient) class of reasons why I was not interested in forming another babby: I don't want to give up my current freedoms to go back to the baby/preschooler parenting lifestyle. But behind that there is a big pile of more emotionally charged reasons that I didn't mention, and I don't know if I should. [more inside]
Whence this feline other?
Please help me learn about the evolution and cognition of house cats. [more inside]
Should Windows 7 be automatically restarting while configuring updates during startup?
Should Windows 7 be automatically restarting *while* configuring updates during startup? [more inside]
Enable my addiction
Search interface for Zappos.com that includes more granular price information? [more inside]
Charge!
I'm trying to find a USB hub with at *least* 4 ports that will charge all my devices as a standalone charging station, not plugged into a computer. It is difficult to distinguish from product descriptions which devices expect to have a computer attached. [more inside]
Computer-liquid interaction
Can my laptop be repaired? [more inside]
Cleaning up my alcoholic sister's poo...
Found my sister yesterday in a poo covered apartment. I had her sent to the hospital (which she was released from 2 weeks ago). She was drinking again but now her apt, carpet, floors, mattress and sofa is covered with poo. I just opened the windows and locked the door when they carted her out. It needs to be cleaned up but should SHE do it or hire someone to do it or should I get it cleaned up and/or present her with the bill? Will a regular cleaning service do this or do I need some sort of specialized service?
I've talked to some people and arguments for having me clean it up is:
someone out of the hospital really doesn't have the strength to deal with this.
arguments against is:
she needs to see/be responsible for her life and the results.
I don't know what to do. Any thoughts?
My mom won't bathe.
Ideas to help a mom who won't shower or bathe. Lots more details inside. [more inside]
Help me find this olympics gif.
Help me find this olympics gif. [more inside]
How to get PDFs from shared drive onto multiple iPads?
Help me set up a system to make PDFs available from our corporate network to our users' iPads. [more inside]
Nature's egg timer?
What readily available materials change state at a constant, predictable rate in an easily observable manner? [more inside]
Egyptian Arabic Translation into English please
Eyptian Arabic Translation Needed:
انا دلوقت فى القطر لما اروح هكتبه وابعتهولك
What does this mean in English?
I tried Google translator and Bing, but it came back gobbledygook.
Thank you!
How to fix my gums
My gums appear to be falling apart. Is there ANYTHING I can do about them before I get scolded by my dentist? Tell me about the time you fixed your gums on your own. [more inside]
Well I gave it five stars David
I've seen very few movies. Educate me about the classics of world cinema. [more inside]
Uniquely Columbian recipes?
A relative is about to head off to Bogota for work. What uniquely Columbian food can I make for the going-away picnic?
My turntable's too fast
My turntable plays records too fast. It has no adjustment knob. How can I slow it down? [more inside]
I need your used laptop expertise
Pre-Used Laptops - Recommend a Workhorse [more inside]
August 14
My first heartbreak and confusion is keeping me from moving on
My ex-boyfriend and I (27 and 28, respectively) were together for 9 months. The last 3 months were a little rough because he has serious insecurity issues and they manifested in our relationship in multiple ways. As soon as I thought we were hitting our stride around the 9 month mark, he went away for the weekend for a "boys' trip" to the beach and sent me a Facebook message to break up, to not speak or see each other ever again, and refused to give me a reason. Since then he calls me, crying, begging for guidance...what is happening? [more inside]
Photoshop stroked objects and drop shadows
Photoshop semi-newbie here, using CS5. When I create a rectangular selection on a new layer over a layer with a photo, then apply a stroke to create a simple frame, I'd also like to create a subtle drop shadow that would stay outside the shape. That is, the drop shadow should show up on the outside edges of 2 of the sides of the entire rectangular selection, but not inside the other 2 edges. The drop shadow should not be applied to the stroke itself. [more inside]
Are old friendships really that much richer than new ones?
Is it really so bad that I don't have friends from high school anymore? [more inside]
For f's sake
How do you write your lowercase 'f's? All above the line or partly below? I'm trying to work out if this is a US/UK-specific thing. [more inside]
Who is this Hindu icon?
Seeking information on how to fight/delay eviction in Washington State, King County
I'm seeking information on how to fight/delay eviction in Washington State, King County. [more inside]
Is my hamster sick?
My dwarf hamster has dirty back and bottom, I immediately thought it was a case of wet tail having heard of the disease before but she shows no other signs of this or any other illness. Should I be worried? [more inside]
Crickets, Singing Crickets -- Where to find them in Seattle
We, my tenants and I, have been buying crickets from Prtvo and letting them loose in the flower beds so as to provide a summer night's ambiance for our urban courtyards. And it works, after a fashion. But pet store crickets intended for iguana maws are not the singingest of crickets. They chirp. Which is OK but... [more inside]
"Why am I supposed to divide here?"
I need books that are good at explaining how to explain things to children. [more inside]
When my husband files for divorce, what is my next step?
YANAL, but I need some direction. I think my husband is going to ask for a divorce, and I am clueless as to the next steps. He significantly outearns me... [more inside]
What's the best way to close a deal with a client?
What's the best way to close a deal with a client? [more inside]
Looking for songs about grasslands and prairies
Looking for songs about and inspired by grasslands/prairie. [more inside]
I need a time machine
A little more than a month ago, I started a full-time telecommuting job that I thought was my dream job. When I took it, I was working part-time (and had been since my son was born two years ago). This is my first full-time job since becoming a mom. I now think I made a big mistake. [more inside]
How much will fixing my car cost? Is it safe to drive?
My relative backed into my '09 Civic in the driveway. The front emblem and fender are bent; it appears that the radiator is bent as well. The car starts without problems. What am I looking at? Should I drive it into the shop, or have it towed? Relative doesn't have the wherewithal to fix this; should I make a claim against my own insurance?
A Gay is Looking for Fashion Advice
What are the best agressive, alternative, out, fun, political, pro-gay shirts? I'm looking to update my wardrobe with some more queer clothing and am looking for suggestions. [more inside]
How do I manage this hellish office?
How does one 'fix' the culture of a toxic office? How do you get employees with resentments and a variety of interpersonal issues to work together as a team? [more inside]
How do I talk about my family
How do I talk to potential romantic partners about my rough childhood and my mentally ill mother? [more inside]
How do you get "eyes on the back of your head"?
How to have eyes on the back of your head and stop a teenager in their tracks when bullshitting and breaking the rules? [more inside]
I'm tired of sitting in a leaky rowboat... I wanna run a tight ship!
I am *finally* getting an assistant to help me tackle my workload and upcoming projects, which has been a chaotic undertaking for one person. She's really smart and retentive in exactly the way an awesome assistant should be... we're determined to get super organized as a team so I want to start off on the right foot and be able to focusing on monetizing instead of answering email all day. Here's my question: what are the best apps/sites/software nowadays to manage and document big workloads, contacts, meetings, tasks brainstorms, and overall projects and stay organized easily as a team? I know there has to be some great new stuff out there that I haven't heard of. [more inside]
Reading textbooks on an Android tablet
If I get a Google Nexus 7, will I be able to use it to reliably read textbooks? My college primarily uses Pearson textbooks for the courses I'm taking. Does anyone have experience with those textbooks on an Android tablet? [more inside]
Hey, I have a great idea: Pinterest for web sites. Oh, wait.
Browser based programming environment?
I want to set up a browser-based programming environment for my projects that I can access from the web whenever I'm not at home. [more inside]
Making sense of Sun Control Window Film
Should Solar/Sun Control Window Film be applied to these windows? I'm trying and failing to make sense of the specifications/numbers... [more inside]
Can you help me plan a three week honeymoon to Australia?
Can you help me plan a three week honeymoon to Australia? Looking for general travel tips as well as recommendations for individual places to visit and stay. Thanks! [more inside]
What novels will nurture my inner entrepreneur?
There are plenty of non-fiction books on the subject of startups and entrepreneurship. But what about when you don't have the energy to learn? Please recommend me some novels on the subjects of creating products, building companies, etc. Inspiring tales of business and innovation... [more inside]
Help me find an antique/vintage pearl ring in the Toronto area
Recommend jewellers in the Toronto area where I might be able to find an antique/vintage pearl ring to give my partner for our 5th wedding anniversary! [more inside]
Just Say Yes or No!
What's the best way to ask people to do what they say they will do and to answer emails? [more inside]
Part Time Going Full Time?
How practical is a full time position while taking on a full time course load? [more inside]
Remember the name of a Pre-OSX Mac game where you swung around dots with a bar?
This old Macintosh game sprung to mind, but until Google has metadata for game mechanics, I will have a hard time finding it. Do you remember its name? [more inside]
Help me hook up my cable box
Let's see if Mefi can help me hook up my cable when the cable company could not. [more inside]
EMS and Police peeps: want to hear your thoughts and opinions!
For the EMS/medic/police/etc. group, a question - how do you cope with what you see on a daily basis? Does it wear on you, psychologically? Any other tips for someone looking at going into the EMS field? Tips for one looking into the police field, specifically women officers? [Bunch of long-winded questions inside! =P] [more inside]
What are the fringiest, niche-iest fan conventions in America?
What are the fringiest, niche-iest fan conventions in America? [more inside]
Need help identify bird tweet
How do I sew this type of applique?
Master Seamstresses and Tailors: I have the dress. I have the applique. Help me sew them to make them one! [more inside]
iPhone & Wireless Connection?
Is there a fast way to log iPhone on to my school's wireless network? [more inside]
(pun) name that blog!
word-play and pun lovers: please help me name my blog! [more inside]
A fellow tenant in my 40+ unit Seattle apartment has a master key.
A fellow tenant in my 40+ unit Seattle apartment has a master key. It opens my door. What is the appropriate action for me to take? [more inside]
*Yawn* Oh look, it's you again...
Stalker filter: How do I make sure I've covered my bases online? [more inside]
How to organize and share articles?
What's the best way to organize and share web-based articles between a few dozen people? Right now we're using Lotus Notes and it is really bad. [more inside]
Helping, selfless, yet jealous?
On rare occasions, I dislike this feeling I get when I'm helping others. Why do I sometimes feel jealous if those that I help, spend time being helped by others? I should be happy for them, right? It is rare, but it happens and it is bothersome! [more inside]
Just moved in, took 5 days for the loud neighbor-hammer to drop.
We moved in 4 days ago to a downstairs corner apartment. It's been quiet, until last night (Monday) at 1 am when the neighbor decided to play some combination of thrash metal and 90s technopop. This lasted for about 5 songs, before I went up, and in the politest way possible introduced myself, and asked if the guy could turn down the music because we couldn't sleep. And also not to hesitate to let us know any time we were too loud. He was nice enough, introduced himself, and immediately turned it down to maybe 15% of the volume it was before. Too bad that even this was too loud; [more inside]
Small liberal arts in Portland: What say you?
Reed College, Lewis And Clark: Do you go there? Did you go there? Do you know people who went there? Did you live near and/or deal with students from there? [more inside]
Star Wars: Is episode I a good start?
Star Wars: “IV, V, VI, I, II, III” or “I, II, III, IV, V, VI”? If you’ve never seen any of the movies, how would you like to be introduced to them? Better question would be this: how should a person be introduced to them? 1st world issue details inside. [more inside]
How to run 20 feet of 3.5mm to RCA cabling?
What's the cheapest/simplest way for me to run sound from my iPod/laptop (3.5mm jack) to a stereo (RCA) about 20 feet away? If it were a shorter distance I'd just get a standard audio cable, but I'm worried that something like this will lose a lot of signal/fidelity. [more inside]
What paint can I use on my textured desktop?
My Ikea Dave desk is showing its age. The desktop is made of fiberboard with "epoxy/polyester powder coating;" it's textured. What sort of paint can I use? [more inside]
Suggested Medium for an Outdoor Beast Head
We had a new heating system installed that created two new pipes sticking out of the back of our house that belch steam. I thought it might be cool to build a huge beast head to hang over it so it looks like a smoke belching beast on the back of our otherwise sensible looking home.
Aesthetically, I will just lay all my cards on the table and say that I was envisioning the beast head being built up mostly from flat scaley pieces like an AJ Fosik sculpture or a parade dragon.
I have an artistic background and some experience with wood and clay sculpture, but I don't know how to weld or do anything exotic with plastics or anything, so I am in search of a medium that is hopefully cheap, preferably beginner friendly, and can stand up to steam and the outdoors in general (in upstate NY where we get all the seasons). Any suggestions?
Help my transition from politics / public affairs to the media / digital media / information industry.
Looking for practical advice and fresh perspectives on how to get a (non-journalism) job in the Australian media / digital media / information industry. [more inside]
How do I handle my doctor's office's incompetence?
My psychiatrist's office is behaving in an incompetent manner and I am furious. Aside from finding another doctor, how should I handle this? [more inside]
To Buy or Not to Buy; That is the question
What is a good mini tablet to gift an 8-yr old? External Storage is critical as this will be used primarily as a wi-fi device and on long drives. [more inside]
Help settle a theoretical traffic debate
Sometimes a driver of one car will "wave on" a driver of another car. Could the waving driver be held liable for a resulting accident? [more inside]
Who knew Zombies could help you stay in shape
Thanks to recommendations on this site, I have been loving Zombies, run. I'm loving it so much, I'm running 6 times a week. I'm note sure how long it is, but the fall is the best time of the year to run, and is right around the corner. I'm looking for any recommendations on other games you can run to.
Saving money with the internet.
What are some less obvious ways to save money using the internet? Examples below the fold. [more inside]
Tracking email replies
What is the best way to schedule and track anticipated replies to emails in Outlook? [more inside]
Help me keep my SmartyPants image shiny.
Considering the huge amount of oil/energy expended driving trucks full of food all over the country, would it make more sense to increase our train infrastructure (is that even possible?) to move more food? That's the question, but not why I've come to Metafilter. [more inside]
Where to go for Monday night trivia in Toronto?
Can you recommend a Monday trivia night in Toronto? [more inside]
Strange whispers and tunnel vision?
I remember a strange phenonenon that occurred a few times when I was a child. Voices accompanied with an odd "telescoping" of my vision. A few years ago I read a description of this, but my search powers are failing me. Ring a bell with anyone? [more inside]
Question about nuclear pulse propulsion
As I understand it, the idea behind "nuclear pulse propulsion" is that you have a spaceship where you explode nukes behind the ship, and then the ship sort-of "rides the shockwave", the nuclear explosions propelling the ship forward. But how can that possibly work in the vacuum of space? If there's no medium, like air, there's no shockwave, right? So what, exactly, would be propelling the ship forward?
how to develop a good sense of humor
how to develop a good sense of humor? [more inside]
Find protein-rich, carb-light pressure cooker recipes.
Recommend me protein-heavy, carbohydrate-light (weight-lifting friendly) pressure cooker recipes. [more inside]
For those of us not wearing Affliction T-shirts
I'd like to read substantive writing about MMA that does more than just follow the news. If possible, I'd like to participate in thoughtful discussion about it. Ideally, I'd like a blog, column, or forum that gets updated regularly, but books are fine, too. [more inside]
Should I move my suburban family to Los Angeles?
Should I move my suburban family to Los Angeles?
I have an interview this week for a job located in Santa Monica. A Great Job. I'm worried / concerned / freaked out about moving my comfortable family from their comfortable house and comfortable schools to expensive West Los Angeles. [more inside]
I wasn't invited to my friends' baby shower. Was I snubbed, or is this just the way things are done in Babyshowerland?
I wasn't invited to my friends' baby shower. Was I snubbed, or is this just the way things are done in Babyshowerland? Flurries inside. [more inside]
Just tell me what's under the box!
Question about the Mars Curiosity rover and its power source. [more inside]
What would be some good rules for a robot golf tournament? And how many years before a golf-playing robot could beat a pro?
What would be some good rules for a Robot Golf tournament?
And how many years can we expect to wait before a golf-playing robot could beat a pro? [more inside]
Help us find a Pittsburgh-themed activity for our dad!
My siblings and I are struggling to come up with a birthday present for our dad, who's turning 60 in a couple weeks. My sister-in-law heard about a thing in Philly where you can go on a tour of the city and learn to take pictures with your fancy digital camera, but we can't find a Pittsburgh equivalent. Help us, please! [more inside]
Electro recommendations sought. All sorts. That's all. Thank you.
Electro recommendations sought. All sorts. That's all. Thank you. [more inside]
I can't think of one, I'm exhausted
My 90 year old grandmother is barely conscious, rarely eating, and is losing her mental faculties. I visit her every lunchtime to try and get her to eat. My mother (her daughter) takes the evening shift for dinnertime. I'm not coping well. Any suggestions to help me make this easier, so I'm not sobbing my heart out every day? [more inside]
My neighbour cries a lot, and I'm worried
My neighbour is clearly in distress - what do I do? [more inside]
WW1 Documentaries and Books
Care to recommend some in-depth documentaries (and books, or anything online) about World War One? [more inside]
SPFwhatnow?
Help me figure out how to take proper care of my skin. [more inside]
How to go about getting fired?
Recently got fired, how do I go about with the situation? [more inside]
44 USC and Federal Photocopiers: Illegal?
How much in-house print and/or photocopy production can federal offices perform without violating 44 USC § 501? [more inside]
What's the name of this short story about a boy who buys a ship's figurehead?
Please help me remember the name of a supernatural short story about a boy who buys a ship's figurehead at an auction. Plot summary inside. [more inside]
August 13
Which to put on? When to take off?
2 Condom Questions - especially looking for a woman's (or partner's) P.O.V.: Is there a preferred kind, and, when... [more inside]
I have feelings for my friend...how do I get out of the friend zone?
I started having feelings for my good friend and mustered up the courage to tell him, but he says he doesn't feel the same way, yet still wants to remain close friends. I'm not happy with that. How do I get out of the friend zone? Or should I just get over it? [more inside]
Please help me recycle/donate my old laptops.
What to do with old laptops? I have one 13 year old Dell Latitude, doesn't turn on, probably useless (?) and a 4 or 5 year old Inspiron1505, still works okay, should have utility for someone. I'd like to know how to best dispose of the old one, and best securely wipe/possibly donate the more recent one. Are these appropriate/feasible goals? I have a ceramic drill bit if drilling through hard drives is required, and I live in a city, so I expect I'd have a range of options if things need to be done.
Thanks in advance for your help! Any and all replies are appreciated.
Young Adult fiction search
Is there a good database for YA fiction of the 90's? [more inside]
Where should we live in Vancouver area?
My husband is considering a job offer in Vancouver. His office would be in the Downtown Eastside. We have two kids who are entering Grade One and Senior Kindergarten. Which neighbourhoods should we look at that would allow us to live car-free with minimal commute time near good elementary schools? [more inside]
Adult dog going to the bathroom inside the house
My 5 year old dog is suddenly peeing in the house. Help me figure out why (possible side effect of medication?). [more inside]
Help me heal my heel!
Will my plantar fasciitis (plus heel spur/bursitis) keep me on the sidelines now that I finally get a shot at having my own life? How do I cope with this as an unemployed/uninsured overweight person who has no choice but to be on their feet all day? [more inside]
How to buikld an improv troupe - yes, and?
I am trying to form an improv practice group that will become (I hope) a performance group. I need tips across the board - how do we find rehearsal space for free/cheap, how do we run our practice sessions, how do we make the leap from practice to performance? What other questions am I not even thinking to ask? [more inside]
The intersection of grief and breakfast
Should we have another child? Two is enough for me.
I have two kids. My wife wants another. I don't. How do we decide?
I have two boys. Ages 6 and 2 1/2. My wife is saying we should have another child because she wants a girl. [more inside]
What sort of technologies can help / support the animal health pharmaceuticals business? I am not talking about general enterprise technologies such as ERP or SharePoint.
What sort of technologies can help / support the Animal Health pharmaceuticals business? I am not talking about general enterprise technologies such as ERP or SharePoint. I am looking for technologies that can specifically help the Animal health business. For example a technology platform that helps vets gain information about diseases. Any suggestions or thoughts? Any tech that can maybe assist with solving a problem currently faced by Animal Health pharmaceutical business.
depressed and failing at working
Hi, I'm a depressed person and reached another bad place in my life. My work is severely lacking and people notice. How do I sort out this one? I feel like my life is on repeat... [more inside]
Tube guitar amp blowing fuses - suggestions?
My Egnater Tweaker 40w head is blowing fuses. Possibly lightning-related, or possibly not, but I need to fix it. More details inside. [more inside]
Will it explode or just sit there?
Can I leave an empty enameled cast iron kettle on a hot woodstove? [more inside]
How to handle my friend?
Dealing with a friend who is in a bad place in her life - how can I handle this situation with grace and as few hurt feelings as possible? [more inside]
Need to update a will
Anybody have any recommendations for a lawyer in or near Alexandria, Virginia? [more inside]
"Do you take this man...?" Probably not.
How do I figure out if I want to get married, without, you know, getting married? I feel like I need to figure this out, because I'm at an age that a lot of guys I date definitely *do* want to get married, and I don't want to waste their time. [more inside]
Help me re-home my rss feeds.
I've been using NetNewsWire on the mac since I helped beta test it prior to its release(11+ years), and need a new place to spend most of my internet time. More than 200 daily read feeds later I need a modern reader that can actually deal with modern flash/java/whatever items without crashing of freezing for minutes at time. Anyone recommend something that runs well on 10.8 and can hookup with my google reader account?
How can I fix my XP computer from UBCD?
How can I run chkdsk (or something similar to fix my XP computer) from UBCD 4.1.1? [more inside]
Residence near Argonne National Laboratory
Chicago Area Filter: International co-op student trying to find a 6-month housing lease near Argonne National Laboratory on the outskirts of Chicago. What areas around there should I search? Are there any I should avoid in my search? [more inside]
Why does my mouth feels weird?
I recently quit using Snus. I have been chewing a lot of gum- mostly cinnamon and mint. Why is my mouth so weird and fuzzy and why can't I taste anything? [more inside]
Everything begins and ends at the exactly right time and place
I recently watched "Picnic at Hanging Rock," which was made in 1975. I loved that although the movie was set in 1900, the makeup and hair was so 1970s - long straight middle-parted hair, cats-eye black eyeliner, frosty eyeshadow, an updo that could only have ever been constructed under one of those bubble hairdryers. What are some other "period" movies where the hair and makeup betray the era it was made in? [more inside]
pummelvision replacement?
Waa!? Pummelvision shut down! Now how am I supposed to convert my hundreds of wedding photos into a 2 minute video, with music? Please, please, please tell me there's an alternative way to do this - weather an automatic service, or a stand alone program, or some multi-step conversion nightmare. Thanks!
How can I customize my wireless mouse buttons to paste a couple of preset phrases?
How can I set a mouse button on my wireless Logitech mouse to play a series of keystrokes when pressed? [more inside]
Locked out!
Help me open my friend's apartment front door. He has two keys (his and wife's) and he closed the door while key #2 was already on the lock inside. Now key #1 doesn't fit in, it doesn't get in all the way on the lock. [more inside]
Help me preserve my sanity long enough to escape my parents' household.
I'm a recent unemployed graduate who's stuck in an abusive household. Please help me develop a wellness strategy. [more inside]
Oh, is this your bed? I just peed on it.
We have a rescue dog, about 1.5 years old. She is our second dog. The other is about 5 years old, also a rescue. The problem we are having is that the younger dog pees on our bed. Further exciting details inside. [more inside]
Are these little dots on my cordovan leather wallet normal?
A new cordovan-leather wallet has a number of small pock-marks on the finished surface. They are a bit grayish on the brown leather and look like they appeared after tanning. The vendor says it's a normal part of the cordovan tanning process. Is that true? Will they go away as the leather ages? [more inside]
Need a family law attorney in Austin or San Antonio
Can you recommend an attorney in San Antonio or Austin, Texas, specializing in family law, specifically child custody and support issues? If it matters, the prospective client is the father.
How do I gracefully wrap up my co-op internship?
I'm finishing up at a co-op internship in two weeks. I'm a bit nervous about the wrap-up. [more inside]
In search of a barista how-to
I'm looking for a full color book of espresso drink making techniques. Bonus points if it includes info on latte art. [more inside]
Why not remove batt insulation from basement ceiling joist bays?
I live in a 1993-construction modified cape-style house, in New England. Three floors, ~1900 square feet. The rim joists in the (unfinished, unheated) basement have been air-sealed with Great Stuff expanding foam. Do I really want or need fiberglass batting in the basement ceiling joist bays? [more inside]
I may be the most computer savvy person here... that does not mean I know anything
I need to send a merged email from a Gmail address. Problems have ensued. [more inside]
I am looking for a book that lists the favorite/most influential books of a wide array of writers, thinkers, scholars, philosophers, experts, intellectuals. The book in question has a list of the books that most influenced the legal scholar Richard Posner, a thinker whose intellectual origins I'm curious to investigate.
I am looking for a book that lists the favorite/most influential books of a wide array of writers, thinkers, scholars, philosophers, experts, intellectuals. The book in question has a list of the books that most influenced the legal scholar Richard Posner, a thinker whose intellectual origins I'm curious to investigate. [more inside]
Goodbye, sweetie pie
Has anyone successfully given up refined sugar (long term)? What were the benefits you noticed? [more inside]
Need a last day of work treat delivered for the lady friend.
It's the lady's last day at work this week and I'd like to send her something nice. Flowers won't do it, I'm looking for cookies, cake or other tasty treats. I'm in LA! [more inside]
U.S. Public opinion versus institutional implementation
What are some contemporary examples of significant discrepancies between policy, the platforms of the major parties, and public opinion, as reflected by polls, in the United States?
Check(list), please!
Does this app exist? Users download a prefab checklist on to their ipads, fill it out for multiple instances as they rate services in different locations, then forward the results to an email of their choosing. [more inside]
Help me find a place to stay for my honeymoon in Hawaii
We're doing our honeymoon in Hawaii, either the Oahu or Maui. We're looking for a quite place June 3, 2013 - June 10, 2013. We're looking for a condo with a kitchen and that's ADA accessible [more inside]
shrink it, shrink it, shrink it like a polaroid picture
"[Blank] It" song lyrics? [more inside]
The path to programming rockstardom
What distinguishes the ninja/rockstar (Ruby) programmer from the understated kind? [more inside]
My Trig Teachers Name Was Mr. Angle But That Didn't Make Him A Good Teacher.
My math skills are no where near where I'd like them to be. Can you recommend a self-paced math learning site? Pretty much any branch of math can apply. [more inside]
Looking for a book -- preachy scifi environmentist/natives v. westerners edition
Looking for a book. It's based in a nearish future where something (I think the destruction of the moon) has given the Earth a ring. The protagonist was a young Inuit (I think) girl. I think the cover was blue. [more inside]
Intuition doesn't account for circumstances.
I've been dating a great guy who happens to be a celebrity. Now he's wrapped up in a movie and I'm trying to figure out if wants me to kiss off or stick around. [more inside]
How does adrenaline work?
Adrenaline and sobriety, how does it work? [more inside]
Canadian Mortgage Broker?
I live in Vancouver Canada. I'm starting to research buying my first place. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations in terms of a mortgage broker? [more inside]
How can I improve my cat's carrier anxiety?
My cat is normally very calm and laid back, but he gets extremely anxious in the carrier. I'm about to fly cross-country with him again, and last time is was a disaster. How to improve his carrier anxiety? [more inside]
Things are bad.
Our marriage is crumbling, and it's taking me with it. [more inside]
Toes-down best pedicurist in Hollywood?
Please recommend the best plan of action for a man in Hollywood, CA who has some fairly wicked ingrown toenails. [more inside]
What is the legality of cloning a credit card that I own?
What is the legality of cloning a credit card that I own? [more inside]
Ode to an Apple
I love apples (the fruit). For me they have all sorts of pleasant associations with childhood and family. Who is more eloquent than I and has written lovingly about apples? I'm looking for poetry or prose, fiction or non. (Inspired to ask this today by this amusing little post on the blue.) [more inside]
Tips for interviewing with a crisis hotline
What are some great tips for interviewing for a crisis hotline? [more inside]
Dog Shedding Solutions?
I can make a new dog every day with the amount my dog sheds. Any solutions for dog shedding? [more inside]
Protecting my iphone photos
How can I protect my iPhone photos from being downloaded via USB? [more inside]
New iphone, new contracts, minimal pain and suffering.
What's the least painful way to move to a family plan AND have both of us end up with the new iphone when it comes out? [more inside]
What's the best route from Orange County Airport to San Juan Capistrano during rush hour?
What's the best route from Orange County Airport to San Juan Capistrano during rush hour? [more inside]
Rootsy, Brazilian music in an Brazilian Expat bar in Lisbon, Portugal. What kind of music were they playing?
I was in Lisbon a few months ago and found 2 Brazilian “ex-pat” type bars with INCREDIBLE live music. I want to know what type it was. I believe it was in Barrio Alto, the big street for nightlife, but these bars really didn’t seem very touristy. I think I stumbled onto some kind of subculture. [more inside]
Traveling on the cheap when you're a hollow log
What is the cheapest way to send bulky items from the Dominican Republic to the U.S.? Time isn't important. [more inside]
How do I make a meet & greet photo more Rihanna-ish and less Britney-like?
Does anyone have ideas for fun backstage meet and greet photos? [more inside]
The ultimate banana split.
How can I make an incredible banana split? [more inside]
non-judgmental, thorough dentist in Toronto?
I have just moved to Toronto, and am looking for a good dentist. I am a grad student at U of T, so something that can be covered by their dental plan would be nice (although not absolutely necessary). The main thing is that they have to be thorough, non-judgmental and be willing to listen to descriptions. I need regular cleaning and check-ups, and want to have a place I trust if god forbid I have dental problems down the road. [more inside]
Help me find two YA novels featuring crazy animals!
Help me remember the titles of two books I read as a kid. I've Googled extensively and came up empty on both. [more inside]
Tingling fingers and toes, difficulty taking hot baths or showers, cold limbs
Tingling fingers and toes in the morning, cold limbs, tiredness after a hot bath and shower. I have a bunch of symptoms that don't seem too unusual, but I still wonder if there is something wrong with me? [more inside]
Two-part asthma question
Two asthma questions. [more inside]
How can we help our son know his father?
My husband has a few more months before cancer takes his energy, and then his life. We have a 17 month old son. My husband plans to write some letters to our son, but beyond that, I am not sure what to do to help my son know his father. Any ideas? [more inside]
Shifting tumblr pieces.
How do I edit the tumblr Effector Theme to make these small changes? [more inside]
Looking for small business mediation services in NYC.
Looking for small business mediation services in NYC. [more inside]
Name one kid-friendly activity between Minneapolis, Minnesota and Norfolk, Nebraska.
Taking a road trip with a 6 year-old and an 8 year-old around Labor Day weekend. Unfortunately, it must end in Norfolk. Looking for ways to make it fun for the kids. Open to quick stops or day+ diversions, happy to drive out of the way if the cost/benefit is there as the time-line is open-ended. Thanks for any suggestions!
Am I Eating Too Many Carbs or Not Enough?
Self-directed low carb/paleo diet. Totally wrung out after 30 minutes in the gym. Am I doin it rong? [more inside]
Choosing a computer for long-term installation
Help me choose a computer to be the brains of a long-term art installation. The main criterion is that it should sit there and behave well for months and years. I don't need the absolute best graphics or processing power. [more inside]
relationship beanplating: edition 1,232
realtionship question filter: things dragged on for half a year very casually. I've decided I'm not getting what I need out of this. Should I try to turn it into something more serious or has this ship sailed? [more inside]
How to discuss breast augmentation with my girlfriend?
How do I discuss breast augmentation with my girlfriend when she brings it up to me? [more inside]
What is the easiest way possible to enable printing from an iPad?
We bought an older relative an iPad for ease of use in email and web browsing. He wants to be able to print things from it. He does not have wifi. What is the very easiest way to enable him to print emails and web articles? [more inside]
is there a low-carb diet for data - help me fit into my macbook air!
Moving from a MacBook to a MacBook Air - where are 20g of gremlins hiding? Also, any other migration tips for not carrying over unused data and applications? [more inside]
The music, it washes over me
I find that songs like Caliban's Dream and Alone in Kyoto keep picking away at my brain. I'm looking suggestions for music that has that dreamy, ethereal or almost lullaby feel - something to just drift away on. [more inside]
Why did that go through?
Using funds from still-uncleared checks? [more inside]
Stick with Flickr Pro or go with ????
It's time to renew my Flickr Pro account and I'm hesitating. Should I stick with Flickr or not? [more inside]
How to try throwing sports in middle age
I am a deeply middle aged woman, have never been an athlete, and am suddenly consumed with desire to learn to throw a javelin. How can I make this happen? [more inside]
Help me become a vegetarian cooking goddess
Elegant, healthy, protein-filled vegetarian recipes for the complete novice. I am cooking challenged! [more inside]
What can I do with myself?
I'm about to begin a job search. Help me think of as many different jobs/fields/careers I could do. Special snowflake details inside. [more inside]
Unwelcomed wake-up call.
Out of town neighbor with a burglar alarm that activates periodically. Solutions? [more inside]
Is this as impossible as it seems?
How do I date, as a late-30's woman who still wants kids? [more inside]
Where can I find information about staffing best practices?
Where can I find information on how the best companies in the world deal with their staff? (eg, Fortune's Best Companies to Work For)? [more inside]
Seeking a Personal Trainer on the Move!
Help me think of ways to "work-out"/be physical in the backseat of a moving vehicle! (Unfortunately, the obvious response of "SEX!" is very much not an option in this case...) [more inside]
August 12
DIY Felt/Flannel Story Pieces
What is the best method for making my own flannel or felt story board and story pieces? [more inside]
"In Sickness and Health" might not have been said but was always implied
He's sick and relying on me. I can't always be perfect in my responses or my inner most thoughts. Now what? [more inside]
Should I use a floor bed for my infant?
My 4.5 month old is getting too big for his cradle and the time has come for us to decide: crib or floor bed? Does anyone have any experience with having a baby sleep on a "Montessori bed" or mattress on the floor rather than in a crib? Do you have any advice to offer? [more inside]
Music to accompany sunrise, after being out all night
Searching for "sunrise" sets, albums, and songs: powerful and restorative music to cap an adventure or an epic night. [more inside]
Here a Turk. There a Turk. Everywhere a Turk Turk
Have you ever used Mechanical Turk to validate, classify, and clean data sets that would otherwise be mind numbingly impossible for someone to do? If so, were the results useful? What are some tips to make sure one's Mechanical Turk experience goes off without a hitch? How do i best check their work. [more inside]
Parents Won't Store My Stuff Any More
Kind of a two-part question: 1) Looking for affordable, secure, climate controlled storage units north of Kansas City, and 2) dealing with the illogical sense of feeling abandoned by my parents as they talk about being unable to store my stuff in the future. (Sorry, a bit long inside) [more inside]
La grace que je vous souhaite, c'est de n'etre pas papouete
Advice/Thoughts for a recent college grad who doesn't like his job.
I just graduated college and have been working full-time for one month. I really don't like my job because I think I ended up in the wrong industry/type of business. I'm hoping for any suggestions, advice, or thoughts about how I can go about figuring out what industry/type of business/job would be a better fit for me. I am talented, smart, and hard working, but I feel like I am wasting my life because I'm not interested in my company or the work we do. [more inside]
Should I lie about my age on my dating profile?
Should I lie about my age on my dating profile? [more inside]
I missed the boat so long ago and I've been trying to move on.
Most songs are about the artist's relationship... with other people. I'm looking for songs that are about the artist's relationship with him/herself. [more inside]
Does anyone know how those ultra-high pixel dense Google commercials are made?
Does anyone know how those ultra-high pixel dense Google commercials are made? [more inside]
Dollars -> shekels in Los Angeles
Where to get Israeli shekels in Los Angeles? [more inside]
Music played during London 2012 closing ceremony
What was that music they were playing during the closing ceremony when Marisa Monte came on stage? [more inside]
Did they piss off the Queen?
So why no Rolling Stones at the Olympics opening or closing ceremonies? They were willing to reach to Take That and ELO, but not one of the great English bands?
Where's the best place to learn a foreign language?
I'm going to quit my job and spend 6 months living in another country learning a language. I'm looking for your personal experience with excellent schools. Where should I go? [more inside]
Share the cell data?
How best to share my Internet connection from my Nokia E63 S60 to my iPad? [more inside]
Looking for the best rabbit cage
Looking for recommendations for a rabbit cage [more inside]
Dudes being dudes in music videos
MusicVideoFilter: Please help me on my quest to compile a definitive list of really cheesy 1980s music videos of a particular type. Specifics inside. [more inside]
How to find work/life balance in an accounting career?
Just how bad is the work/life balance in accounting and related finance careers? [more inside]
Lost dog in Philly
Stray dog in Philly - what happened to Phillyblog? Or other ideas. [more inside]
Will an ASUS Zenbook Prime survive a daily bicycle commute in a rear pannier?
Will an ASUS Zenbook Prime survive a daily bicycle commute in a rear pannier? [more inside]
What's it like to live in Shanghai from a native's perspective?
Recommendations for Chinese literature that presents average Chinese citizens in context of a modern Chinese urban setting [more inside]
Can you help my little sister find a laptop?
I'm looking for a laptop recommendation on behalf of my little sister. She has a budget of $700 and is looking for something in the 15" class that plays Blu-Ray movies. [more inside]
Help me build a geodesic dome
Tell me everything I need to know to build a standalone geodesic dome building, please. [more inside]
Close the gates! If we have them.
Are there any cities that still have effective gates? [more inside]
Door Split Deal? Uh...yeah, let me Ask Mefi what that is first real quick...
I've been asked to take over booking for a couple local bands. I've done this quite a bit but we function as a venue so it was from the other side. Can you hope me figure this out? [more inside]
All that scratching is making me itch.
New turntable is misbehaving. Would like the green's advice before I call in the pros. [more inside]
Help me troubleshoot my video playback
Online videos play with no sound. [more inside]
The moving typography writes, and having written moves on
What is this called and how do I make it? [more inside]
It's OK, I have many XYZ-American friends
I'm looking for racial comedy, in English, available on video, or less preferably mp3. It doesn't need to be the exclusive topic of the comedian, but it should play a part. No preference for a specific racial background, although East Asian would be interesting to see, since I haven't seen much of it before. Examples: Maz Jobrani, Canada's own Russell Peters, Chris Rock.
Wait, did Bill Gates just walk into my house and card me?
I inherited my desktop Mac from my girlfriend last year when she got a new one. We now live together and have our computers on the same network, and now MS Office complains that I don't have a license for this computer. Do I have any options other than buying a whole new MS Office license/package? [more inside]
How can I find good a lawyer if I've never used one before?
How can I find a good lawyer if I've never used one before? [more inside]
If you speak Icelandic, please read!
Do you speak icelandic? If so, you could really help us out! [more inside]
Just do it-blog edition
How do I get into the mindset of blogging? [more inside]
What's wrong with my grape vine?
UnhealthyGrapeVineFilter: Can anyone help me identify what's causing this leaf discolouration on my grape vine? Is it anything to worry about? I'm not sure if it's natural colour change, disease, mineral deficiency or more than one of these things happening at once. The vine is two years old, fruiting quite heavily, on a very sunny south aspect on a poor mix of clay and various stones. I don't know the variety but it's a standard garden centre dessert grape. The photos are in a what I think is a chronological sequence:
http://imgur.com/a/2uITk
Project management / shared to-do list software for families?
Project management / shared to-do list software for families? [more inside]
A few screws under the hood of my car need replacing. What's the best way to get replacements?
The head of a screw under the hood of my car (in this instance, it's the one that attaches the mass airflow sensor to something) is stripped. It's a screw with hexagonal head which can fit a standard phillips head screwdriver.
I'm going to get it out, but when I replace the sensor I can't put it back with the stripped screw, I'll need a new one. Is there some standard way to replace these screws with similar ones without going to the manufacturer of my car? [more inside]
A great Italian wine gift?
Asking the advice of the MetaFilter Special Gift Squad, Italian Wine Division. [more inside]
How can I make StackOverflow useful again?
StackOverflow used to be my favorite resource for coding questions, but in the last few months it's usefulness has dramatically decreased, and I'm wondering if its just me or are others having the same issue. More importantly are there any tips or hints that will help restore its usefulness as a tool? [more inside]
Normally I make a point of staying out of the deep end, but sometimes I realize I'm never more than a step away from it...
Artistic musings on the catastrophic loss of loved ones, and/or the possibility of ever really "getting over it"... [more inside]
Brooklyn fruits?
What fruit tree is blooming behind my apartment in Brooklyn? [more inside]
Where should I buy Genmaicha with Matcha?
I have recently developed a taste for Genmaicha with Matcha (green tea with roasted rice), and I am looking for a recommendation for an online source, the loose variety.
Know a lawyer in Mumbai?
Family law in Mumbai? Wondering if anyone has recommendations for lawyers practicing in Mumbai/Bombay... An older (60s) Indian couple I know appears to be heading for divorce, and I am trying to help the woman as best I can. Unfortunately, there are a number of complicating factors, and I do not personally know any lawyers in Mumbai, so I thought I would ask here. I realize it's a long shot, but it's worth a try... [more inside]
Can I live-stream Sunday morning US political chat shows?
Is there a way to live-stream the Sunday morning US political chat shows like Meet the Press, Face the Nation, etc? [more inside]
Where can I buy giant sheets of industrial bubble wrap?
Where can I buy industrial bubble wrap? Must be min 25’ on one side, opaque to UV, and as light and strong as possible. [more inside]
Duplicate file names... in the same folder
In Windows 7, I have several examples of identically-named files in the same folder. As far as I know, this shouldn't be possible. Any ideas about why this would have happened and how to fix it? [more inside]
What's the easiest way to remotely share a Mac's screen over the Internet?
How can I control/observe my parents' iMac screen remotely from my own Mac when I'm at home? They made the switch and now I'd like to be able to share their screen to remotely help them figure out, fix and set up things as they need it. There's Back to My Mac, but as I understand it, this is for when both computers are my own and I sign into iCloud on both machines. It looks like I can use Messages, but I'm not clear on what kind of chat account I need? I'm aware of Skype, LogMeIn, etc., but can I do this without additional software? The Sharing panel in System Preferences? Any thoughts? Thanks in advance. Both iMacs are running Mountain Lion.
Can we has lunch?
Easy lunch ideas? [more inside]
Colitis in cats?
Colitis in cats? What to do? Diet? Help! (long and poop-related...sorry) [more inside]
Help me change and reaffirm my mindset that I need to stop doing drugs.
How do I stop doing drugs when it is so involved with my friends and my own personal view of artistic creativity? [more inside]
Joining the 21st century.
iPad in South Korea? Buy it here in America or in SK? [more inside]
New inexpensive SFF PC for lightroom?
I would like a small new desktop PC. I would like it to be faster in Lightroom. I would like to spend as little money as humanly possible. What's my best strategy? [more inside]
Russkaya popsa? Otlichno.
I use music a lot in my classroom. This year will be no different. Help me put together the best possible back-to-school playlist of school-friendly pop songs…with one caveat: they can’t be in English. [more inside]
Mind Blowing
Please help me stop worrying about sex (and everything else). [more inside]
I'd like to show you where I'm going with this...
The turn signals on my 2003 Volvo S60 only work once the car is fully warm. In addition, they then often work on the outside of the car without lighting the indicators on the dash. I really dislike not being able to signal in traffic and need this fixed. [more inside]
Should we get a fixer-upper dog (pardon the demeaning phrase), or keep looking?
Is it a bad idea for my partner and I to get a nippy and high-energy - but smart and trainable - hound dog as our first dog together? [more inside]
Is it ok to have bacon cheeseburgers if I am skinny?
I don't really exercise and my diet is poor. I never really worried about this because I have been naturally thin my whole life, but now that I am older (35 year old male) should I be concerned that my insides are turning to mush? [more inside]
What kind of sex ed did I have?
History of public school sex ed, Michigan version.What kind of sex ed were public school students supposed to get in Michigan in the 1980s? What was sex ed like for Michiganders back then? [more inside]
Is this a normal reaction to Zoloft or should I be concerned?
I've recently started taking Zoloft (sertraline), and I'm not sure whether my reaction warrants a visit to the psychiatrist- but I feel weird. [more inside]
Can web forums and email live together in harmony?
I'm part of a long-standing email list community (both digest and non-digest individual mail versions) where some folks would like to be able to move to some kind of web forum type format, but others would like to hang on to their plain old email mailing list format. Is there any software out there that would work well to allow for an email interface to a web forum? Or some other way to get the old school email folks and the people who want something more like phpbb to all talk amongst themselves without too much pain for either group?
What is a good career for someone who doesn't want one?
I don't care about having a career. Now what? [more inside]
Computer boots to blank screen many times before loading - help!
When I start my computer, it loads to a blank screen and freezes. It has to be restarted anywhere from 2-20 times before it finally boots up. It has been F-Disked and still does this.
What could be causing this and what could I do about it? It's a PC running Windows Vista. I've had it 3 years and it's done this the whole time I've had it. Thank you!
August 11
Name/Find that shirt!
This is the nicest men's shirt I've ever seen! what the heck is it? [more inside]
Where does experience come from?
What projects could I work on and tactics could I employ to make myself a compelling internship candidate in consulting? I have little relevant experience but significant passion and interest. [more inside]
Can I use american fabric steamer in European electrical network (220-240V)?
I want to buy a fabric steamer to iron curtains, but not sure which model to choose (details inside) [more inside]
A difference of millimeters?
Idiot-on-a-bicycle-filter: Seatpost edition. [more inside]
"Cooks Illustrated" for Vegans?
Help me find a Cooks Illustrated/America's Test Kitchen magazine or website for vegans? [more inside]
Catharsis for babies, I guess??
Sad songs for toddlers [more inside]
How to deal with possibly litigious client
We're a small auto-repair business. How do we deal with a potentially litigious client? [more inside]
Design the Internet. Go.
Good resources to learn current HTML and CSS for web design? Especially looking for best practices for creating blog websites for modern browsers and devices. [more inside]
Other motivations in weightlifting besides beating your own records?
How can I regain my motivation for weightlifting, when it feels like I am going in circles? [more inside]
Where can my girlfriend and I go see Glenn Miller play live?
Where can my girlfriend and I go see Glenn Miller play live? [more inside]
Help, I need to organize 120 hours of music!
I've come into the position of being responsible for DJing a certain amount of music. I have a big archive of music but it's completely disorganized, and there's a lot that just doesn't work at all. Software suggestions for organizing it? [more inside]
Help me remember this website!
Long shot question: I am trying to remember a news/interesting stuff website. The content has pictures, linked essays, sometimes both. The essays are along the lines of Longform.org. The design is yellow and black ... of this, I am sure. The "about" states that it is curated by one woman, please donate. I think the logo has a brain in it, but don't let that throw you off.
Short sale fell through, now what?
First-time (attempted) homebuyer woes: After 7 months, our short sale deal has fallen through. The added complication: we already live in the house. What do we do now? [more inside]
Please help me identify this bird.
Can my smartphone simultaneously (i) accept input from my mouse and (ii) send output to my monitor?
Can my smartphone simultaneously (i) accept input from my mouse and (ii) send output to my monitor? [more inside]
Silicon Valley salary negotiation?
Considering a position as a Senior Software Developer in Mountain View, CA. The company has already indicated that they want to hire me - we are in the salary/compensation negotiation phase and I need some advice. [more inside]
Help me not get MRSA.
How do I avoid getting MRSA while I help my infected daughter and grandson? [more inside]
Anxiety related to the change in the light-- how can I handle this better?
Just before fall every year I get this overwhelming anxiety attack that is about the change in the quality of the light-- the sunlight gets this "clear" quality that genuinely makes me feel as though the world is about to crash down on me. This usually puts me in bed for three days and informs my mood for at least two weeks, and it's textbook anxiety stuff. But I wonder-- is there a name for this particular source of anxiety? Is there a framework I can use to deal with it? Because it's so intense for me that all medications fail and even though it always resolves itself, I need a better way to deal with this annual issue. [more inside]
oh my gawd becky
What workout DVDs will help me get a great butt? [more inside]
How to rock a grill like Ryan Lochte
How can I make an American flag, red white and blue, grill for my teeth that looks like the $25,000 custom grill gold medalist Ryan Lochte rocked at the Olympics? Jeah! [more inside]
Crime is everywhere, crime, crime!
Help me get my head on straight regarding a recent suspicious activity report we submitted and the police visit that resulted. [more inside]
Why did LA get sprayed with a pesticide?
Was a pesticide sprayed over Los Angeles in the late 80s? [more inside]
Help with EDD unemployment benefits
I am in California and have some questions regarding the Employment Development Department. [more inside]
Should my friend ship her cats to Dubai?
Moving cats from New York to Dubai - advice? [more inside]
Finding the Campaign Stops
How can I find Presidential Campaign stops around my home in Central Florida? [more inside]
Poems I can, like, sing to!
Who are the best lyricists in your favorite genre of music? [more inside]
Where can I meet bisexual guys in Sydney (as a female)?
Where can I meet bisexual guys in Sydney (as a female)? [more inside]
The comforter set from HIMYM (marshall and Lily's guest room)
I am trying to find the comforter or duvet cover seen in "How I Met Your Mother" in Lily and Marshall's guest room. First appearing in the episode "Karma" and again in "Burning Beekeeper" it is white with a soft lavender and grey abstract leaf pattern. I've been google searching religiously for about four months. If anyone can help me or knows the pattern and where it comes from, I will be so grateful. Thank you. Here is a link to a pic from the episode "Karma"
You’re a market researcher. What do you do all day?
How do you market researchers do what you do? I’m curious about the profession and I’d like some information on how researchers actually spend time. Special projects at my design service firm often include an element of conjecture about potential audience. When we work on projects that might be legitimately useful or tool-like, I’d like to introduce some rigor into our process and know better when to think about hiring a contractor or outside vendor for research. [more inside]
How much spending money does a college student need?
Monthly "allowance" for a college student? [more inside]
My mother feels defeated by her child support battles
My mother hasn't received child support payments from my father for over a year; I think she's become incredibly depressed about her treatment by the legal system, and has come to believe that no matter what she does, she'll have to bear the full financial burden of raising my sister. Help me inspire her with a rational reason why she should keep trying. [more inside]
Help Me Find This Petition Against the UN Partition Plan for Palestine
Help me find the petition, published in The New York Times, condemning the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine around the time it was passed in late November 1947. [more inside]
Please help my chest muscles grow.
I can has blog?
A few weeks ago, I asked for ideas for hobbies to keep me occupied while living on a small island in Alaska. A number of people suggested keeping a blog, and that appealed. So now I'm asking for help and resources to do it right! [more inside]
Yes, I understand Mother.
I have a poor relationship with with my parent and looking for advice to improve family relations. [more inside]
Cystoscopy questions
Cystoscopy questions - likelihood of procedure on first visit, pain etc. [more inside]
Has Santorum ruined the sweater vest?
Calling academic fashion mavens! Can I rock this look (tweed jacket & sweater vest) as a woman? [more inside]
In Bruges
Any pro tips for a weekend in Bruges without a car? Needless to say, we like beer and we like food, hence the trip to Belgium What is not to miss?
Best way to track migraine data?
My doctor suggested I keep a written diary to try to find migraine triggers. I'd like to improve on the concept and make it digital, trackable, and graphable. What would be the best method to use? [more inside]
Help me feel better about my slow walking!
Please help me feel better about walking at a pace of 15 min/mile! I usually walk my two dogs for an hour every evening at what I thought was a fairly fast pace. I recently downloaded an app to my iphone that tracks my walking and provides my pace which turns out to be a snail like 15 minutes per mile. Yikes - that seems so slow - I just need some encouragement that I'm not a big loser!
How can I stop thinking about a girl I like, who's too young for me to say anything to, at least enough for me to focus on my work?
How can I stop thinking about a girl I like, who's too young for me to say anything to, at least enough for me to focus on my work? (Snowflakey details inside.) [more inside]
cover of "pumped up kicks"
What is this mellow, electronic version of "Pumped Up Kicks" I am hearing? [more inside]
Should we sign up for DirecTV?
Should we sign up for DirecTV when we know we will move within the contract period? [more inside]
Am I overthinking this or finally trying to excercise logic?
Go with the flow or bail? I'm a 33 y.o. female, looking for something serious, have been single for over three years, just came out of a bad dating situation and boom! met an awesome dude. But he's moving in five weeks and intends to leave the country in less than two years. [more inside]
Maybe the peacock is delivering an intellectual, urbane joke?
Can anyone translate the characters on this wall hanging thingamadoodle? [more inside]
Help me network a little less awkwardly (what to do with my ham hands?)
I am in between jobs, just moved to a new market and have been advised my alma mater's career counselor to set up coffee dates with alums who are working at places that I am targeting. How can I go about doing this in a way that balances networking etiquette and making the most out of these meetings? [more inside]
Spam Attack! Help!
Help! 10,000 new messages, all junk! What's going on? [more inside]
Am I sleep Ok-Cupiding?
My ex is showing up on my recently visited list on Ok Cupid without me having visited his page. What could be going on? I just changed my password but I'm 99% sure no one knew it before and I wasn't signed in anywhere else. I browse anonymously and I've 'hidden' him so he shouldn't know of this profile's existence (created post breakup). Wtf?
Does anyone know the algorithms here well enough to tell me what the hell could be up? [more inside]
Sometimes, I overshare. How do I get over it?
I acted like an eyebrow/waxing session was a therapy session. I am a loyal customer of two years and I feel humiliated and don't know if I should go back to the spa after doing such an awkward thing. Advice? [more inside]
JavaScript quandary
In JavaScript, I can't think of any situation in which nested if statements can't be replaced by more concise code that employs the logical operators &&, || and !. Can you think of any?
What's the best place for a picnic on the Stanford campus?
What's the best place for a picnic on the Stanford campus?
August 10
What's next a personal mobility device?
Really? Prozac for the cat? You can't be serious! Halp! [more inside]
Should I take this copywriting job if I want to be a writer?
I was hoping to be offered a writing job on the editorial side, but instead I'm going to be on the business/advertising side. What does this mean for me? [more inside]
FL Studio: How to perform live?
DAW/ConcertFilter: Help me take music I've written in FL Studio and perform it live. I'd really like to avoid walking onstage and pressing "Play". [more inside]
how to stop obsessing over your byfriend and act possesively?
how to cure from codependency? i am in a relatiosnhip with a guy for 8 months. we had some problems because i made him my life, i hink about him 24/7, i stress out about texts, phone calls and i panick if i do not get any. i am afraid i smother him. he asked me he would like to be again the independent girl i used to be when he met me. now, i feel posesive nd jelous if he goes out with his family or visits his mom. i feel i am ridiculous but i can't control myself. i feel i am obsessed with him
How do I stop my tongue being so gross?
My tongue is white and cracked. How do I stop it being so gross? [more inside]
why can't I keep a job?
I keep getting fired from jobs, and I think my poor social skills play a major role. I don't know how to change this pattern. [more inside]
STFU
Do you take or have experience with propranolol for anxiety or behaviour management? [more inside]
How can I my get Windows 7 computer to not kill my Airport Extreme - every time?
Why does my new Airport Extreme go offline every time I try to use my Win7 machine? Like, blinking orange light offline...I'm tearing my hair out trying to fix this! [more inside]
What's this action/post-apocalyptic Kiwi movie?
Help me identify this recent New Zealand movie about teenagers who return from a camping trip to find their city under attack. [more inside]
Interviewing athletes at the Olympics?
In the Olympics, when an American athlete finishes competing, cameras show up in their faces, and the athlete gets interviewed. If they won, then they get to talk about the win. If they lost, then they get to talk about how it felt to lose out there in front of 40 million viewers.
Here is the question: What obligation does the athlete have to participate in the interviews? What is it that stops them from saying 'screw this' and skipping the interview? [more inside]
Moving logistics
Moving out of town on short notice, house to sell, tenants etc. Advice? [more inside]
Workaround for TV & HTPC
Can I convert HDMI to component for my HTPC? [more inside]
How's the Castro Castle?
So, I just booked 3 nights at the Castro Castle in San Francisco. How is this going to be? [more inside]
Help me plan my trip to Asia!!
Help me plan my trip to Asia!! [more inside]
I don't know Art, but I know what he looks like.
When working with a paid character portrait artist, how much "editing" is allowed? [more inside]
Help me find a place to live in Cambridge MA (2012 edition)
As seems to be yearly tradition, I'm asking the hivemind for help moving to the Cambridge area. I've just been offered a job at MIT that starts Oct 1, and will be moving from the west coast but leaving most everything behind. [more inside]
Using Apple's Native Notes and Reminders for GTD with Mountain Lion
GTD Question for Apple users: Is anyone using the baked in notes and reminders apps successfully for their GTD workflow? I've used a lot of third party apps, but with Mountain Lion it now seems worthwhile to use the apps Apple syncs automatically. Thoughts? Links? Suggestions? Thanks.
Mac tech-support in Indy?
Mac small-business tech support in Indy? [more inside]
Signs that I might be pregnant (since I'm trying to get that way)?
Questions about pregnancy: I'm pretty clear on how babbys are formed, but I don't have any personal experience about the signs that my SO and I have been successful in our no-birth-control-and-hope-for-a-new-human experiment. [more inside]
How should I act when I think that we might break up?
How should one act in a relationship when you are thinking of breaking up with them? [more inside]
How does one monitor accreditation for a school?
How does one monitor accreditation for a school at a university? A job description lists monitoring accreditation standards for a school -- both regionally and also with a particular accrediting body for that discipline (say, like APA for psychology). It also must take into account oversight of extension campus accreditation. What would you assume this responsibility requires? [more inside]
Recommended PS3 repair specialist in Vancouver, Canada?
Recommended PS3 repair specialist in Vancouver, Canada? [more inside]
Long distance relationship with unattractive boyfriend who knows too many people from my past
How do I get over the fact that people find my boyfriend unattractive, how can my boyfriend and I make our long-distance relationship more romantic and interesting, and how do I deal with/get over the fact that he knows people from my past that I wish I didn't ever have to run into? [more inside]
Dog hair everywhere! Except on my dog :-(
Yesterday, I picked up my 18-month-old pit bull-type mix Chance after three weeks of boarding. His coat is in bad shape in he is shedding unimaginable amounts of hair. What's the best approach to get him healthy again? [more inside]
It is possible to be a skinny lardass?
I have literally (yes, literally) never stepped foot in a paid gym in my life. I'm a 27-year-old male, who (despite being almost rail-thin) is only "in shape" enough to bike-sprint the 1.7 miles to work, then back in the evening. It's time to change that, so I signed up for the small, limited (cheap!) gym on campus. Other than "get the professional help of a personal trainer", what should I do there? [more inside]
Blemishes, man.
How can I treat painful hormonal lip-line acne? [more inside]
Attention, San Diego: Show Us Your Dark Underbelly!
I loved the "show me the hidden side of L.A." question. But I'm gonna be visiting its mild-mannered southern cousin, San Diego. Show me the hidden side of THAT! [more inside]
What could cause prolonged menstrual bleeding/constant spotting?
What could cause prolonged menstrual bleeding/constant spotting? [more inside]
I want to surprise my boyfriend with an international vacation. How do I do this given logistics? Special snowflake details inside.
I want to surprise my boyfriend with an international vacation. How do I do this given logistics? Special snowflake details inside. [more inside]
Why does PayPal want me to have a crappy password?
I'm trying to change my PayPal password. Normally I would copy-paste the new password in from KeepPass (or gedit), but PayPal disables copy-paste. That means I need to accurately type in a bunch of fiddly deliberately-hard-to-memorize characters, which only show up as asterisks, TWICE. Which apparently I am incapable of doing, whereupon PayPal kicks me out for two hours before letting me try again. Please help me figure out a workaround to solve this stupid problem. [more inside]
NY to LA Transplant Question
I was just offered a job in Los Angeles starting April of next year. We are considering it, and just starting to look around on Craigslist etc at housing/ neighborhoods. I am wondering which areas are good for our "prerequisites" which are really just things that are ideal and are in no way deal breakers: [more inside]
Where can I get a really great haircut in Chicago?
Where can I get a really great haircut in Chicago? [more inside]
cancer, cancer everywhere. how can I help?
Two friends affected by cancer: how can I help them given distance and financial restrictions? [more inside]
Reasonable Eats in the Napa/Calistoga Area
We're driving back from Harbin Hot Springs to the Bay Area on Monday (through Napa, Calistoga, Healdsburg, etc.) and we're looking for a place to have a reasonably priced dinner (though I know some places will be closed on a Monday). This means nicer than deli sandwiches but no Cyrus, no French Laundry, etc. Any recommendations?
So many irons in the fire
A special edition two pound coin from 2006 depicts the famous roof of Paddington Station, to commemorate Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The edge inscription reads "SO MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE". Why? [more inside]
Help me find this novel set in Australia
"Name that book" - a novel set in Australia, deals with a young male protagonist with a somewhat crazy father and no mother. There are also South-Asian smugglers and lottery tickets involved? [more inside]
Can I add a second news page to my wordpress website?
I run my record label website using wordpress. There is the main page where i can post news updates, pictures, video's, etc...
Is there a way to add a second separate updatable page on the same site?
(more to follow) [more inside]
Progressive Retail Displays
Looking for sites in U.S. like UK's RED for some progressive looks for my quantity of media. I prefer the sleek designs, metal over wood but am open to your taste. Any ideas?
professional couch warmer
I recently moved, am unemployed and finding it really hard to get motivated. What tips/tricks/apps/whatever have helped you keep to a schedule when you don't have any other reason to? [more inside]
Brief solo visit to Seoul
Forty-something woman traveling to Seoul solo for work. Advice needed-- etiquette, dining, shopping, sightseeing. [more inside]
How to make my weight loss a non-issue in conversation
How can I be polite and yet shut down conversations about my weight loss at an upcoming family gathering? [more inside]
Do I respectfully acknowledge to my colleague that I find him hot?
Tell a friend/colleague who I have no intentions of dating that I find him very attractive? [more inside]
In this week's edition of 'codacorolla struggles with php'...
Wordpress question: I have two different types of post categories on the site that I'm designing. Is it possible through plug-ins (or otherwise) to create links from the front page to the posting screen so that either one of the categories is pre-selected for the post? [more inside]
The Maine Event
Looking for travel suggestions for Downeast Maine (far northern coast) for our trip this week. Bonus points for any must see short detours to take on our long road trip from Boston Logan to the northern coast and back? We are traveling with 3 year old Mini Murrey. [more inside]
Mystery weed ID
I need help identifying this plant: photo 1 / photo 2. It's growing on the edge of a parking lot in Largo, MD, USA.
Who are You Wearing at the Games?
I'm curious about the process of uniform design and selection for the Olympics, specifically the U.S. team (not opening ceremony uniforms), but tidbits from other countries are welcome as well. [more inside]
Which is better for the environment? A new Prius or a used gas guzzler?
I have an ongoing (friendly) disagreement with a guy I know. He drives a Toyota Prius because it's "better for the environment" than buying, say, a new Subaru Outback. Fine. I get that. But my argument is that it would be even better for the environment if he were to buy a used Subaru Outbook. I've never run the numbers, but it seems to me that if you were to buy the most gas-guzzling of used cars, the fact that you're not causing a new vehicle to be produced would make up for the lack of fuel efficiency. Can you help support my position? Or, alternatively, give me solid numbers as to why I'm wrong? Are there websites that have run analyses on this sort of thing already?
Name me a "casual restaurant on the water" in Seattle.
"Someplace casual and on the water" in Seattle ... which restaurant should I take a party of 7 to this coming Friday night that fits these criteria? [more inside]
Help make searching for a fire pit the opposite of "the pits."
Is there a cheaper alternative to a new, store-bought fire pit/bowl that I'm not thinking of? (The cheapest I've seen is about $50.) [more inside]
Force-hide menus and status bar in a Mac app?
A Mac app in which I want to force-hide the top menu bars and bottom status bar (not possible natively within the app): what third-party utilities or UI-hacking tools could help? [more inside]
Please help me find this pen.
I am searching for a ballpoint pen - Papermate Pendulum. Can anyone help me find some? [more inside]
Gotta be a reason, right?
It's easy for people to assume that the usefulness of something to them is the same as its wider purpose for existing. What's the quotation, literary situation, fable, or famous saying that sums up this phenomenon in far pithier or funnier terms than the ones I'm using? [more inside]
Quote search, a man and his dogs.
Looking for a quote or passage about the dogs a man has throughout his lifetime... help pull this mental sliver for me. [more inside]
Plunder Economics 101
The gold-coin contents of the cliche' pirate/dungeon treasure chest, how much would that be worth today? Assume a stereotypical treasure chest, knee high to an adult, filled with gold escudos in excellent condition. How much would the chest and contents sell for? Could you sell it?
Members only!
Help me Flash Recovery and / or root my Nexus...
Help rooting and/or flashing Recovery on a Galaxy Nexus (Jelly Bean) on a Mac? I'm stuck. So I followed these instructions / video and all seemed to be going well until I got to Step 7. [more inside]
This is a towering achievement...
Please give me lots of word-play and puns that are associated with bells. [more inside]
Designing an international corporate homepage in 2012
Looking for some user studies/research about homepage redesign for large global companies. [more inside]
Suggestions for Brazilian Music
I'm looking for a Brazilian piece of (folk?) music to use with a short video I'm making on football/soccer. [more inside]
Chronic minor urinary problem + doctor issues.
I've had a chronic/recurrent urinary issue for a few years and doctors have been consistently unhelpful. Do I need to insist on a referral to a specialist, try something else or just chill out? Gross details inside. [more inside]
PDF copy/paste repeats text - help?
When I copy/paste text from this PDF, the copied text is repeated and sometimes includes additional text. Why is this and how can I fix it? [more inside]
Air conditioner seeking to un-kick bucket
Air conditioner won't turn on. Before I shell out for a new one, is there any hope of saving/troubleshooting it? [more inside]
Getting more equity out of food-making sweat
Which foods are actually cheaper to make at home using store-bought ingredients? [more inside]
Fast, Interactive Tcl Graphs
I'm looking for a good, simple plotting package. [more inside]
DVD recommendation: like "Le Merle" but Region 2?
I'm looking for DVD recommendations - collections of films similar to "Le Merle" but available in Region 2... [more inside]
hopefully there won't be any spiders
Curiosity is making me curious. What would it feel like to stand on the surface of Mars? Let's say, first of all, it's without a space suit -- what would kill me first? The carbon dioxide in the atmosphere? The temperature? Then, if we found some way to breathe and function normally, what would it be like to be there? Would it be hot? Cold? Too windy to stand up? Paint a picture for me, if you can.
Nicknames. Just say no.
How do I tactfully ask people whom I don't know very well not to call me by a nickname? [more inside]
Sinking while trying to complete undergrad
Hi all. I've seen questions touching on similar points but none that really pinned down the more important particulars of my own situation, so here goes nothing.
I'm a twenty two year old student now in what will be my sixth year of undergrad. I got to this point because, after my first two years went rather swimmingly, I suddenly fell pray to a mystery syndrome, complete with crushing, unrelenting mental fogginess, high anxiety and severe depression. My life has become an obsession with trying to find a cure for whatever this is, (medication for depression, therapy, supplements, sleep studies, hypnosis, meditation, lifestyle changes, etc. Nothing has worked and so I won't bore you with the details here.
My problem is really my current standing in school. What was once a shining record with a 3.6 gpa and distinctions is now a narrative of consistent failure and I need to know where to go from here and most importantly, how to do damage control. [more inside]
how might you cope with childhood trauma?
How might you cope, if you were traumatized as a child by something you saw...? [more inside]
Exporting Gmails With A Specific Subject Line
How do I go about exporting a set of emails from 3 gmail accounts with a clearly defined subject line (i.e XXX DATE) from one sender when other senders also send the same subject line? [more inside]
What are some songs like Fanfarlo's Good Morning Midnight?
What are some songs like Fanfarlo's Good Morning Midnight? [more inside]
August 9
What is that delicious wallpaper paste?
This morning I had this really nice Israeli spread - and I hesitate to use that word because it's quite liquidy - which I would like to know more about. What's in it? Can I buy it anywhere else? What is it called? The name is comething like "chrinach," it's considered a student food (cheap, easy to make), and it has a salty, maybe malty or yeasty taste. Making it is easy: start with a concentrated paste, add water little by little; add salt, garlic. Has the color and texture of wallpaper paste, but tastes awesome. Goes great with bread, vegetables. What is it!?
Interesting reusable GPX logs?
Where can I get hold of an interesting GPX export I can use for testing some code and (maybe) showing the results on my personal website? [more inside]
introduction to programming
I'm to give a half an hour talk to a group of year 12 (snr high school) students as a really brief introduction to software development. Half an hour isn't a lot of time. Has anyone got an idea of an activity this small group (+/-10) can undertake to get them thinking as programmers? I'm generally casting around for ideas.
Gifts for Farmers
A very particular kind of thank you gift. I'd like to make (possibly purchase, but not ideal) gifts for the folks who farm our home/estate vineyard. It's the hardest I've ever seen anyone work, in any year. They went NEXT LEVEL on us this year. It's shaping up as a great vintage, but still. These folks went beyond. I have some skills in the gift-making department, but this has to be crazy special. [more inside]
Help me cover my ass....literally.
Help me cover my ass....literally. [more inside]
How do I fix my issues with women and problems with people in general?
How do I fix my issues with women and problems with people in general? [more inside]
Elegiac Music Recommendations
Music recommendation filter: propulsive, elegiac, sinister, orchestral and/or choral, at least somewhat melodic music. Examples inside. [more inside]
Bluesy jailhouse band, Cool Hand Uke, needs instrument repairs
What's the deal with my new uke? What do I need to do to get it in tip top playable uke condition? [more inside]
Protien powder that doesn't break the bank. Or my stomach.
Palatable, affordable, and hypoallergenic protein powder: too much to ask? [more inside]
Seamless syncing suggestions?
How to sync my iPad/Outlook calendar to my Blackberry? Bonus points for WiFi or Bluetooth options. [more inside]
How do you eat your pie
I've noticed that if I order pie at a restaurant, most times, they serve it crust side facing me instead of pointy side facing me. Do most people eat their pie crust first?
Can I handle getting my first credit card as a americorp employee?
Can I handle my first credit card with the earnings that I get from Americorp? [more inside]
How can I keep my Google results from becoming awful?
How can I block certain sites from Google search results while preventing Google from tailoring search results just for me? [more inside]
Fiancee did cocaine and I'm not okay
My best friend of three years, lover, and fiancee did a line of coke today. Intellectually, it shouldn't be that big of a deal, but I cannot stop freaking out. How can I be okay with this, and with him? [more inside]
But I like reading email on my touch
4th gen iPod Touch can't get email (gmail) anymore. Why? [more inside]
Recommend me a last.fm-style website for movies, books, and TV shows.
Is there a last.fm-esque website for movies? I want something that allows me to keep track of what I've watched (really, any media tracking website) [more inside]
What did we see in Chicago this morning?
What did we see in downtown Chicago this morning - was it a very strange and awful accident, or a TV/movie film location? [more inside]
Help me define X and Y when Z equals ridiculously hot.
What exercise and diet will turn pretty-good-for-33 into ridiculous-in-a-good-way? [more inside]
Assemble JPGs into a PDF?
I have a folder of JPG files. I want to create a PDF with one of those JPGs on each page. I don't want to spend any money. I am using a Windows computer. [more inside]
Am I eligible for health insurance?
Do you guys think I will be approved or denied health insurance based on the following factors? [more inside]
life on mars?
Watched the landing, live, in Times Square! I was thrilled, awed and inspired. Some great posts here, and lots of data on the NASA site. But 1. I'd like someone to explain the science better; what are we likely to find out? and how can that benefit the world? 2. The implications of actually finding signs of life, at whatever level.
Maybe I should just get her a kiddy pool. It'll be the kitteh pool.
My cat pees with her butt hanging outside the litterbox. How can I get her to just move forward a teeny bit? [more inside]
How to become a civil liberties crusader
Public interest law transition-filter: I am a lawyer in a private-sector transactional practice. I would like to be a public interest lawyer doing litigation or policy in national security, civil liberties, surveillance or drug liberalization. [more inside]
Music for baby boomers to get down to
Need suggestions for funky tunes for baby boomers to get down to. [more inside]
Help this Mac user learn PC software for job hunt
How can I improve my computer skills for job hunt when I use a Mac and the software is for PC? [more inside]
Pithy expressions of impermanence
What are some brief poetic expressions of the concept of impermanence? [more inside]
Clip Clop, Footage Drop
Audio-visual help, please: I need a camera/monitor setup that allows me to film things, show that footage live on a screen as it's shot, and record that same footage as clips that I can quickly share later. [more inside]
Golf Tourney Watching Tips
Heading to my first ever professional golf tournament on Saturday (PGA Championship). Other than the obvious (no pictures, etc). What should I expect? DO you have tips?
Where to stay in KC?
Looking for Kansas City accommodation recommendations for a group of 8 in September. [more inside]
I'm job hunting again and it isn't going well.
What can a high school graduate with no college experience do to pad her resume? [more inside]
Help me to stop making simple errors
I am making stupid mistakes at work and I need a strategy to help myself overcome them. Sorry for the length. [more inside]
What should I know about buying a house with solar heating?
We're getting ready to buy our first home and a house we have on our short list has a solar heating system. We know nothing about solar heating. What questions should we be asking the current homeowners about it? Are there any downsides to owning a home with this, maintenance costs, etc? We're in the Midland area of Michigan.
Take my wife, please: marriage advice
I'm getting married soon, and would appreciate your best non-clichéd advice. [more inside]
European Broadband
Why is Western Europe dragging its heels on implementing Fiber based broadband? [more inside]
Can I play Bioshock on my Macbook Air?
Can I play Bioshock on my Macbook Air? Will it be a pleasant experience? Will I have problems with overheating or with a less-than-ideal interface? [more inside]
Help me sort out my feelings about spending money on a wedding party
You live in NYC, and you want to have a party to celebrate your very simple City Hall marriage ceremony. But it's complicated. (money issues and feeling guilty inside!) [more inside]
Now how will I watch "MacGuffin: The Un-Findening"?
How do I tell Comcast I don't have a piece of equipment they claimed they sent me and avoid getting charged insane fees? [more inside]
Google Reader differing font sizes
My Google Reader has suddenly begun using different font sizes for the body text for different sites. [more inside]
I need rain boots that look good and feel good
Any recommendations for rain boots that look good while not killing my feet? [more inside]
How do I reinstall a mac OS or clean my macbook of files without a DVD player?
I have an old white Macbook (5ish years old). I want to give it to a friend, but want to do a wipe of the computer and reinstall the OS before giving it away. However, the DVD drive is dead, which prevents me from doing a clean wipe of the computer. How do I clean my computer to ensure all personal docs and file are gone, and/or do a full OS reboot so I can give it away?
How to decline drinking for networking repeatedly while not appearing uptight.
In the past year, a lot of networking opportunities have involved drinking. "Let's grab a drink together," "We're having drinks and reading our work at my place," "You should grab a drink with my friend so-and-so, he'll tell you the downlow on this job," etc. Which is all fine and dandy except for the drinking bit... how do I decline to drink and still take advantage of these? [more inside]
Creating an android media center.
How can I turn android into a kickass media center? [more inside]
Your favorite Mount and Blade: Warband Mods?
What are your favorite mods for Mount and Blade: Warband? I like the vanilla game mechanics well enough, especially with the Diplomacy add-on, and I'm not a big fan of fantasy worlds with orcs and magic. Ideally, I'd love to find a well done Warband mod that gave me the same mechanics and balance, but in a new location with new factions and geography. But I'm willing to hear anything about your favorite Warband mods. Thanks! [more inside]
Need to clean nail polish stain off hardwood floor, help!
Doing cleaning for moving out. We had nail polish stain on our hardwood floor. Need advice how to clean it up. [more inside]
What can I do about the cars honking at the school bus?
Cars honking at the school bus [more inside]
How do I move the moving pictures from the camera to the computer?
I am in the application process for a really awesome job, and I just found out I have my second phone interview on Monday afternoon. Yay! It's a producing job at a start up web content company, and based on the first call, they're going to want to hire someone who can move data from cameras (sounds like I would be mostly working with DSLRs) into Final Cut Pro and prepare it for editing. I currently work in TV, where this job belongs to the assistant editors, and I don't even know how to begin to figure out this process. Please give me some weekend reading material to help me figure out if this is something I could quickly learn how to do. Thank you! [more inside]
This gradient effect is harder than it looks
I'm a coder and a total neophyte regarding graphics and design. I see this kind of single-color gradient everywhere, but simply cannot manage to make one myself. [more inside]
I'm going to need something stronger than brain bleach.
I accidentally saw child pornography on Twitter. Could I get into legal trouble for this? [more inside]
Where is the least annoying/most helpful Breaking Bad fandom on the internet?
Breaking Bad fans: Where are your favorite places to discuss and/or obsessively read about Breaking Bad on the internet? What websites/podcasts are doing the best recaps? I'm also interested in being able to pose questions about references to past seasons and that sort of thing, so I can make the most of the last season!
Where to play golf eat BBQ in SC
My wife and I are going to South Carolina for a week to major in playing golf with a minor in eating BBQ/Southern food. I need some help picking where in the state to head. [more inside]
Preschool in Chicago
I need information about preschool daycare options in Chicago. Neighborhood is restricted to 45 minutes door to door commute (in good weather) to both the Loop and the Medical District WITH NO DRIVING. Bus or train is fine, but no more than one transfer. This is not a "which neighborhood to live in" question--it's a "What are available preschool daycare options in neighborhoods that meet these commute parameters" question. [more inside]
I just want real food.
I want to eat like it's 1909 and have no idea how to plan meals. I will learn to cook. Does anyone have advice and/or resources for me? [more inside]
Last one in the clay ball room is a 썩은 달걀
Are there any Korean-style spas in Minnesota? In the Midwest? [more inside]
Pool Solar Cover Reel Recomendation
Can anyone recommend a good Solar Cover Reel for an 18'x36' size pool?
All the reviews seem bad and the industry as a whole doesn't seem on the up and up.
I'm currently looking for one that will go over my low profile diving board and have found the following one for $399 that seems the best one I can find. - "http://www.solarcovers.com/product/solar-cover-reels/commercial-reels/commercial-grade-reel/commercial-grade-solar-reel-for-pools-up-to-20-ft-wide-locking-casters-included" -
Can you let me know what you recommend for a different one or what your opinion is of the one I found? I hate to spend sooo much money on something that might not be up to par. Thanks!
tunes to ashtanga to!
Looking for the best new and old yoga music! [more inside]
Car-filter: What's this noise?
Diagnose-weird-noise-in-car-filter: What's making this noise? [more inside]
Current Mac automatic iTunes rating software.
Looking for software to automatically rate songs in my iTunes library on my Mac (Mountain Lion). I have Autorate, but it hasn't been upgraded in three years and no longer works reliably with my iTunes library as of my upgrade to Mountain Lion. I've also searched Doug's Applescripts and come up dry. Difficulty: large library (18K local songs) + iTunes Match (made no difference with Autorate but has been an issue with other metadata apps).
DSL XTREME or DSL XTREME 6.0?
I'm moving to a new apartment in Louisville, KY and I need to decide on some sort of internet package. AT&T is apparently what most people in the area choose, so I've been looking at their options. I think that I might want either their DSL XTREME or DSL XTREME 6.0 but I don't want to pay for more than I need. I need to be able to download and upload music and videos, and I stream a lot of television shows and movies through Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming sites. I also need to be able to use Skype. Which option would be the better one?
What do I do about my significant other's friend who takes cash under the table and pays no taxes, but calls us "suckers" that do pay them?
One of my significant other's friend runs a business that takes "cash under the table" and brags about his nice new toys, and teases us about what suckers we are that we have to pay taxes. This infuriates me. What do I do? [more inside]
Help for a bipolaroid afraid of free time
I've been diagnosed with Bipolar II. I've been having a very hard time as of late, in part because of previous inadequate or incorrect treatment, and my new doctor has recommended I take medical leave for the rest of the year. In the past, I haven't done well with unstructured time, and I want to make sure that I spend this break as (therapeutically) productive as I can. [more inside]
Boston Area Specialist in Treating Lyme Disease?
Lyme Disease specialist in the Boston area? Asking for a coworker who has been terribly stricken with Lyme in the past year and wants to find someone in Boston who really can help her out. [more inside]
How can I keep using Gmail, PayPal and Bank of America 2-step verification after moving from the US to Bulgaria?
How can I keep using Gmail, PayPal and Bank of America 2-step verification after moving from the US to Bulgaria? [more inside]
Easy Bake Coven
After seeking Metafilter’s help for my Sock Puppet Party, Grilled Cheese Party,
Blanket Fort Party, Cupcake Candyland Party, and John Waters Party, I need your assistance planning Easy Bake Coven, a party that combines delicious baked goods with the occult. Picture the teenage witches from The Craft organizing a cookie exchange.
[more inside]
How Do Adults Find New Jobs?
How do I handle leaving a job for another one? Resume and procedural questions inside. [more inside]
Boilers boilers boilers
Can you tell me how to buy a boiler? [more inside]
Thou art mine Desire no longer
Spare Android phone, now what? [more inside]
What is this tool for?
Am I too old to start over again?
Unable to find consistent work since 2009 I'm thinking of reskilling again. I'm 38. Is this too old? [more inside]
librarian angst talking blues
I'm on the edge of starting an online MLIS degree. I know that the conventional wisdom is that this is a bad idea, but I don't feel like I have any other options. Am I about to make a serious mistake, or could I be an exception? Were all of the dire warnings about becoming a librarian due, in part, to general economic malaise, or is the profession in trouble? [more inside]
No honk car lock
Is there a way to deactivate the horn honk when locking a car with the key remote? Or some other trick to lock a VW Jetta without having the horn honk? [more inside]
Reclusive mum and family issues
What to do about reclusive mum and family situation [more inside]
Flickr, Smugmug or a WordPress plug-in? Snowflake details within.
I have a website for a book, to which I would like to add photo galleries. The site is built using WordPress and is on an external host (i.e. not WordPress). There would be fewer than 200 photos, with captions, and each would be 1–3 MB in size. [more inside]
Lost Link for Learning Languages
Somewhere earlier this year? there was a link to a language learning site which started you off on basic vocabulary. On answering questions a plant grew or shrivelled accordingly. I need to find that site again.
Obrigado.
August 8
small, cheap, fairly smart phone?
Can you recommend a small, cheap, fairly smart phone? [more inside]
How to connect a subwoofer to studio monitors?
How do I connect two studio monitors and a subwoofer to my keyboard? (I get sound out of the woofer but not out of the monitors.) [more inside]
Blue Olympic Pole Vault Cattah!
What is the story on the 2012 Olympic Women's Pole Vault stuffed kitteh? [more inside]
Is there an optimal way to hang towels on a heated towel rail?
Is there an optimal way to hang towels on a heated towel rail? [more inside]
When you need a skull, where do you go?
How do archaeologists know where to dig? [more inside]
Bikini, how do I love thee?
Please please help me repurchase this specific style of bikini! Color is (mostly) immaterial.
Barring that, a bikini that looks cute but also DOES NOT FLASH when actively diving, swimming, facing intense waves, etc. No halter tops, probably no sports-bra-esque tops. [more inside]
JLLERT - German printer?
Information on JLLERT (German printer?). I have an old German olive oil label. I am trying to determine just how old it is. In small print, it reads "JLLERT No. 7516 (or 4516)". I suspect that JLLERT is the printer's name. The label was used by August Grill (Schorndorf), a store that was in operation from 1912 to 1965. I would like to know when JLLERT was in operation.
*boom*
[YouTube Filter] Help me find a fourth-wall breaking short animation. [more inside]
Super-adhesive Uro-Bond IV : where to buy in SF Bay Area?
Where to find Uro-Bond IV in San Francisco Bay Area? [more inside]
Which non-camcorder gadget is best for video capture?
How do point-and-shoot cameras, laptop cams, webcams, and phone cameras compare in terms of video capture and streaming capabilities? [more inside]
dissolve in hot water
Finding a Disability-Friendly Technical Job
I can't keep living on disability. I can't go back to school. I'm not good with people. How do I find a part-time job that I can do? Are there no very-part-time CS jobs aside from freelancing? [more inside]
Long Or Short? The Beard Question
Should I trim down my beard for a job interview? [more inside]
How do I make peace with my 51-year-old baby brother?
How do I talk with my brother about shared childhood experiences, some of which he may be suffering over? [more inside]
Any advice for a frustrating, 15-month old hand injury?
Any advice for a frustrating, 15-month old hand injury? [more inside]
Help Me Feel Better About My Choice of Major
Should I be studying what interests me (philosophy) or what is marketable/employable (computer science)? [more inside]
I want the windows to go down...
Please help me reattach the power window switches to the inside of my car door. I need information about replacing a trim part on a Chrysler, and/or creative suggestions to mounting the switch unit. [more inside]
What's the best and cheapest way to get between Johannesburg and Cape Town?
What are safe, inexpensive travel options between Johannesburg and Cape Town? [more inside]
Can we get our baby to sleep alone without a few nights of crying?
Baby light thief is almost one year old, and won't nap on his own unless he's exhausted, won't go to sleep on his own, and usually wakes up once in the night. Please help us get him to sleep on his own and stay asleep, and without crying if possible. [more inside]
Non-parametric models for a non-normal outcome with multiple explanatory variables?
StatisticsFilter, non-parametric edition: I'd like to test if my non-normally distributed outcome is significantly different between two groups adjusting for a third variable. [more inside]
Is it possible to get through a hard time in a relationship?
Tell me about how you worked through a difficult period of your relationship and had it turn out well. [more inside]
Would it be a smart move to start schooling for a career in welding?
Would it be a smart move to start schooling for a career in welding? [more inside]
2 networks, 1 PC
I'd like to select which network interface is used for Internet access on a per-application basis. How do I do this on 64bit Windows 7? [more inside]
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Help me find more variations of this movie cliche: People driving in a car when someone/thing pops out from the roof (blocking the windshield).
As in this Harry and the Hendersons clip. [more inside]
Hope Me Reboot My Career, This Time As a Programmer
I'm a 41 year-old father/husband considering a career reboot. Considering programming. How to get started at my age? Snowflake questions inside. [more inside]
Edit manuscripts, like in the pencil days. On a Mac
Remember editing text (I mean, writing) with a pencil? Like you would as a teacher or senior editor correcting somebody else's manuscript?Can I do something like that on my Mac (10.5.8)? I've been using Preview to add highlights, notes and simple graphic elements, but what I want is... [more inside]
Help me identify some infrastructure along the interstate in NV and UT.
Help me identify some sights I saw on a recent Nevada / Utah road trip (antennas, houses, earthworks). [more inside]
A tale of two tailors
ChicagoFilter: I need two tailors. A cheap one for skirts and such that are out of my range to hem or take in. Also a good tailor who might be able to get me an inch on a vintage dress. [more inside]
Om nom nom.
I'm adapting a yummy sandwich recipe to an entree salad, how I can lightly dress these greens with crisped pancetta, burrata and heirloom tomatoes? [more inside]
Saved the galaxy a third time. What now?
Finished ME3. What should I play now? [more inside]
Probably the funniest bit ever about being lactose intolerant
Help me identify an Afro-Caribbean comedian I saw on UK Comedy Central at 2 in the morning a couple of nights ago. Details about his routine inside. [more inside]
Which companies offer free gifts or deals if they know it's your birthday?
Just received a postcard from Sephora informing me that they have a free birthday gift waiting for me in the store. Which other companies offer free gifts or deals if they know it's your birthday?
These shoes must be made of unicorn leather.
You know those cool wingtip 1920s shoes the guy wears in Boardwalk Empire? I need 'em. [more inside]
Creative, hip ideas for making door signs!
Creative, designer-y ideas needed in making door-signs! [more inside]
I know how to fix a Mac, now I need to know how to break one.
How can I make a Mac app crash reproducibly with the solution being to trash the app's preferences and have them rebuild automatically? [more inside]
Singleton relocation, relocation with the UK
I am trying to come up with a list of options for relocation witin the UK.
I run an online business which can be run from anywhere so commute is not an issue. Cable fibre optic internet is a must. [more inside]
Pick up medical records on changing providers?
I recently changed jobs--and health insurance providers. As a result I need to change dentists (and possibly GPs). I am in good health--should I bother collecting my dental/medical records and giving them to the new doctors? I am entitled to them under HIPAA, right? [more inside]
Help me get out of the military industrial complex
Working for a defense contractor is getting me down, help me stop working for the Man? [more inside]
behold my contradiction! We're picky foodies!
Montreal Dining Filter: My partner and I are having a HELL of a time deciding on a restaurant for a romantic dinner out in Monteal in a few weeks time. We're picky eaters that really enjoy good gourmet food... A contradiction but true. AU SECOURS! [more inside]
Can I save money by getting a window air conditioner and using my central air less?
Will turning up the thermostat on my central air and buying a window AC unit for the one room I use the most make a significant difference in my electric bill? [more inside]
DIY Home Security questions
DIY Home Security: where to start? I'm investigating all the myriad options for hardware and monitoring services, and I am overwhelmed. [more inside]
Car sitting 101
Why are there so many people sitting in their cars in the grocery store parking lot? [more inside]
How do I share my abusive childhood experience with my in-laws?
How do I "read in" my in-laws on my childhood physical/verbal abuse?
My wife's immediate family is very close and I spend a fair amount of time with them (I see some of them weekly and all of them at least once a month). One part of my life that I've only shared with my brother-in-law and his girlfriend (in a very generic way) is that I was sadistically abused by both of my parents for a good portion of my childhood. This has created a barrier between us and while I've only heard whispers about it from my wife, I know they sense that I don't give them much in terms of who I am and what I'm feeling. I've known them throughout my relationship with my wife which started over 16 years ago, so there's a lot of history there. [more inside]
What is the best invoicing app for Android?
You are a freelancer. You invoice your clients. You have an android device, and you have a great app you use. What app is it? [more inside]
Wait, that's illegal. So what, everyone does it here. No one cares.
I'm curious. Are there illegal, but acceptable, practices in your neck of the woods? [more inside]
Where can I find a Sortfolio clone?
My rented basement apartment flooded and I can't live there anymore. What next?
I rent a basement apartment in Washington, DC in a neighborhood that recently experienced serious, repeated dirty water flooding due to issues with the water system (specifically, Bloomingdale).
I evacuated amidst the first of three floods and I haven't lived there since. I don't believe I can move back in, so I'd like some help understanding what I am supposed to do next. [more inside]
One of my cats is a mouser. Is this a feature or a bug?
One of my cats is a mouser. Is this a feature or a bug? [more inside]
How can I strengthen my case for medical financial aid?
How can I strengthen my case for medical financial aid? (Long snowflake story within.) [more inside]
Which e-reader or tablet is best for, you know, e-reading?
In terms of readability and eye comfort, which of the following devices is best-suited for reading basic e-books with black text: a dedicated e-reader like a Kindle Keyboard, or a backlit tablet like an iPad 3, Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire? [more inside]
Where can I find a good programmer, and how on earth do I budget for them?
Where can I find a good programmer, and how on earth do I budget for them? [more inside]
Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul.
How and where do I buy a motorcycle in NYC? [more inside]
Below the staff is my happy place
Alto vocal coaches in the Boston area? [more inside]
Business card help
Please help me figure out what to do about my business card. [more inside]
Trying to make it work: Tax Edition
What is the best way around this mortgage and first time homebuyer tax credit situation? [more inside]
Breed of the dog in the movie The Wake Wood?
There are SPOILERS in this question. I was wondering if anyone knows the breed of the second dog in the movie The Wake Wood, starring Aiden Gillen. [more inside]
For example, last night I devised and wrote this post in my head.
I sometimes have the type of trouble sleeping where although I am objectively tired, I can't "shut my brain off" and end up lying awake with my eyes closed. What can I do with my brain during these times? [more inside]
The feasibility of painting on fabric or vinyl.
I've been commissioned to paint a mural on some sort of material that will be 20'x20' and will be displayed outdoors. What material would be most receptive to paint, flexible and long-lasting? [more inside]
Help me cook my web dev chops.
I'm looking for practice-oriented websites and blogs about web development. Specifically, I'm interested in writing pertaining to Python, Django, and front-end techniques (HTML5/CSS/Javascript), though a bit of PHP/Wordpress-specific info couldn't hurt. Examples inside. Help learn me, please! [more inside]
Lights Out for Safety? I Think Not!
Why are my neighbors turning off their car's headlights before they pull into their driveways? [more inside]
Proper website required!
Best web practices for a global company's website? How to handle content and translation..? [more inside]
Should I support flyer distribution?
Should I take the flyer/free newspaper offered to me in the street? I am torn between helping the guy get home sooner, and not supporting an environmentally harmful practice.
How does the ocean biome collapse?
I have a very broad question about the expected collapse of the ocean biome, and a bunch of related detail questions. [more inside]
How do I answer their questions about God?
I agreed many years ago with my wife that our children would be raised Christian. I am not Christian, nor have I ever been. I was raised as a Unitarian Universalist and am now an agnostic and secular person. How should I respond to religious questions that my kids ask me? I don't want to go back on our agreement, but I also need to be true to myself and don't want to lie to the kids. [more inside]
Get me off of Facebook
Will someone please explain to me, assuming I am a stupid 5-year old child, how to get off Facebook. "Settings" is useless. Maybe there is a trick I don't know? Thank you.
TV and BluRay 2.1 System ?
New TV + BluRay 2.1 system to improve and simplify [more inside]
August 7
Gassy baby is gassy
Please give me your best tips to burp a six week old, or otherwise soothe a gassy infant. [more inside]
I should just bail, right?
Should I give notice one week after moving in? [more inside]
Is it a fool's game to travel to D.C. right before the election?
Travel filter regarding D.C., near election time...Has anyone ever traveled to D.C. say a week or two before the election? Mrs. Nash and I are headed to a wedding in Charlottesville the weekend of 10/27, and thought we'd make a short vacation trip down to D.C. before the wedding, but hotel prices seem to skyrocket in mid to late October, which got me thinking that there are probably all kinds of political types headed to the area in the two or three weeks leading up to the election on 11/4. Has anyone ever visited D.C. during this timeframe? If so, what was your experience like? Was it insane and best tackled on another trip?
Family Leave Act - Illinois - how much notice?
How much notice would a person have to provide their employer (large hospital but she works in a smaller satellite medical office of less than 50 employees)in order to qualify for emergency medical leave? [more inside]
Foundation Theory: To touch, or not to touch?
ADA Residential Design Filter - Exterior Hardscape - The Sheltered Walkway. Can it touch the foundation, or not? [more inside]
My body is depressing me
I have stretch marks. I'm a 19-year-old lady. How do I get over feeling self-conscious about them? [more inside]
Should a lawyer sign an NDA for a job interview?
I'm a lawyer at a large firm. I represent a lot of tech startups and as a general practice, lawyers at my firm don't sign NDAs to avoid potential problems and conflicts of interest. I'm interviewing for an in-house counsel position and they are insisting I sign an NDA. Any advice? [more inside]
Stuck in the middle of spouse and parents
Stuck in the middle of spouse and parents - How to tell parents to lay off? How to support spouse while also seeing my parents/visiting my hometown when I want to? [more inside]
Blame it on my wild heart.
Are there guitar chords for this version of Stevie Nicks's "Wild Heart" on the internet anywhere? [more inside]
Help me design a metal bracket
I want to know the minimum thickness for a steel bracket that attaches a table leg to a table top. [more inside]
Healthy, ethical, sustainable dog food?
We're looking for healthy, environmentally-friendly, non-factory-farm-supporting dog food -- any brands or ideas? [more inside]
Pick a god, any god
Why is it that many devout religious people are tolerant of other faiths that completely contradict their own, but fear and mistrust atheists? [more inside]
Can't find a scene from Batman Begins that I remember from the theater
I remember a scene from Batman Begins when Wayne is putting together the costume down in the cave. At one point he is working on the cowl and turns it over in his hands and you see two white dots near where his neck would be when he wore it. When I saw it and then I heard the voice in the movie I immediately thought they were voice modulators. I've watched the DVD, I've looked at deleted scenes, I've hunted through the internet, and I can find no reference to this scene.
Was it possible I saw a miscut of the movie with a scene that wasn't supposed to go out?
(Or more likely) Is it my faulty human memory playing tricks on me?
Has anyone else seen this scene?
Unusually Fit
What are some unusual exercise/fitness/physical activity ideas in the San Francisco Bay Area, for example House of Air or Jukari?
I Have (a/no) Idea How This Cat Got Wedged Inside My Car... help me get him out?
A tiny kitten has decided to hide underneath my car (like, up in some crevice). Any tips for getting him out? [more inside]
How do I keep my wood heater glass clean?
I have moved into a house with an inbuilt wood heater. Its not necessary for heat, but I am enjoying having a fire in there every other night. But the glass on the front blackens within a couple of burns. I am cleaning it weekly with oven cleaner. I have tried keeping the fire at the back. Is there anything I can do to keep the black off?
I do not like the cone of shame.
I am cat sitting for a professor; the cat has a sore on her tail and won't stop worrying it. After a vet trip (antibiotics, 5 days of pain medicine, and the addition of a cone), it keeps scabbing over ... until she catches it and bites the scab off. How do I keep her from totally destroying her tail in the next week? [more inside]
I need eight days a week. Or more.
I don't understand how people with homes, jobs, kids, families, hobbies, televisions and pets DO everything. What am I doing wrong? Help me make the most of every minute! [more inside]
Please help me transition from a 2004 desktop to a 2012 laptop
My parents just gave me a birthday cheque that I am supposed to use to buy a new computer. Yay! But I've never bought a brand new computer and would like some advice as to what I should buy and where. [more inside]
Open Source fonts - Anything close to what I seek?
Hi, from my research it appears that Cochin and Modern No. 20 are only available as paid fonts. I'm looking for free, open source approximations of these fonts for use on a web project. Any recommendations?
Trailburger!
Quick..... Where can i get the best burger in portland, oregon within walking distance of Pioneer Square? [more inside]
How to group these HP LaserJet printers?
Logical groupings for list of HP LaserJet printers? [more inside]
Is it worth attending Minecon?
Is it worth going to Minecon (the annual Minecraft conference)? Also a Disneyland Paris question. [more inside]
Great thank you gift for mechanic/shop? Around 50 bucks?
Great gift ideas that would delight a mechanics shop. Diesel repair in TN, if that matters. In the $50-75 range. [more inside]
Pet Microchip choices
My veterinarian offers HomeAgain pet microchips. The company wants a $17.99 per year fee. I find that there is also a site: RFID-USA that offers registration at a one-time expense and no yearly maintenance fee. Is this a good option in lieu of the HomeAgain continuing yearly fee. [more inside]
How do you salvage perfectly good but filthy electronics and tools?
Your best hacks for cleaning filthy items such as computers, electronics, tools? [more inside]
How would someone in today's age of documentation handle the practical aspects of immortality?
(sci-fi filter) How would someone in today's age of documentation handle the practical aspects of immortality? [more inside]
Is it poor form to ask clients of your company for a reference?
I'm looking for the best way to ask clients of a company for work references, if this is done much, and to identify the risks associated by doing so. [more inside]
What are the best commentaries on Kant's Critique of Pure Reason?
What are the best commentaries on Kant's Critique of Pure Reason?
salsatime!
I need your best salsa recipes suitable for canning. [more inside]
Considering an MA.
My employer will pay for 75% of my tuition in a graduate program. Would a Master's Degree in Communication Studies be a worthy option? [more inside]
I am about to destroy this car.
I could use some help figuring out why my brake system's messed up. I asked before in this thread and they gave me some ideas, which I followed up on. But... [more inside]
The V&A just about killed me.
I'm fascinated by unusual jewelry with a history — medieval memento moris, ARP whistles from the Blitz, Victorian nude stanhopes, that sort of thing. I don't care at all about precious metals and gemstones (real or fake), but rather about the story behind them. Cheap, mass-produced mementos and handmade crafts seem to carry more history than high-end jewels, but they're difficult to search for. Boring, pretty things always swamp me when I search for "costume" or "antique" or "estate" jewelry. Other than Monica Laughlin's excellent series of Hairpin posts, where can I discover more history-through-jewelry?
I'm hoping for book recommendations, websites, stories, articles, or online shops. [more inside]
On Demand Work From Home; suggestions?
Digital Widgets: What kind of work can I do online that I can do as I'm available? Is there something I could just log in, pick up work, do that work for a couple hours, and get paid on a regular basis (weekly, monthly)? My skills are web design, front end dev, and graphic design. [more inside]
Self-referential song by Mason Williams?
Self-referential song by Mason Williams or Smothers Brothers 60's 70's; lyrics about the song structure, ex: "this is the bridge, it takes you to the end of the song", verse, chorus, etc., all in appropriate places.
Saw it performed on U.S. television in that era.
Can an item an an oven (eg a roast) get hotter than the temperature you've set the oven to?
Can an item an an oven (eg a roast) get hotter than the temperature you've set the oven to? [more inside]
Have the haircut, need the hat
Vintage hat identification - Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina. Does anyone know the name of this style of hat? [more inside]
Name that soundalike
Name-that-song filter. What song from the late 90s/early 2000s opens with the opening bassline from Tongue Tied by Grouplove? It runs from 0:29-0:40 in this video. The song I'm thinking of has a high pitched, girlish sounding female vocalist who follows the bassline with something like "lately i've been blah blah blah with you blah blah blah whoa oh oh oh oh". It's a clubby bit that might have been used as a sample rather than played as a whole song. I remember hearing it often in the last decade or so on the radio in California. [more inside]
Container gardens
Is coarse sand a cheap alternative to perlite, coconut coir or vermiculite when you want to use it in container garden? [more inside]
NYT puzzle. Help.
PuzzleFilter - Must. complete. this week's NYT variety puzzle [PDF]. Help. (Selected answers after the jump) [more inside]
Email addresses and other people
I've been using Gmail for several years as my primary email address and have an address that has no numbers tacked on to the end. Over time, more and more people are giving out my email address instead of their own. I'm sure they're doing this mistakenly and not maliciously, but so many websites don't have email verification set up that it's getting really irritating to get, for example, Louisiana Republican mailings when I'm a Canadian citizen. It can often take days or weeks for the unsubscribe to kick in (these 10-21 day unsubscribe policies are ridiculous, but they're out there).
Often, people (as opposed to organizations/companies) will also email me, thinking that I'm their friend, because they forgot a number or something at the end of their friend's email address or some such thing. This is equally annoying, but at least all it (usually) takes is a quick email saying "hey, check with your friend because this isn't their email address, thanks". But that's still somewhat irritating.
I do not want to give up my current Gmail address. What can I do to cope with all this? [more inside]
What to do with underwater house as part of an estate?
Possible inherited underwater house in New York, what to do? Walkaway? Advice? [more inside]
Help me find the perfect Docs!
I finally saved enough cash to buy a pair of Docs...but the style I want is all gone! Can Metafilter track me down a pair? [more inside]
Can you cook with an electric grill on a balcony?
Can I keep it electric when cooking on my balcony? [more inside]
Help me time-warp my home office into something amazing.
Help me time-warp my home office into something amazing. [more inside]
Garmin Signal Strength in a pocket.
Garmin Forerunner 305 Filter - So the wrist strap on my Garmin that i use for MB and running just broke. If i put it in a pocket of my CamelBak, will it still get a signal? Just as accurate?
TIA!
Like Quicksilver but for outlines.
Is there a web-based (or Mac+iOS) outlining tool which allows you to enter a task or item to be placed on the outline without selecting which section it should go into first - but is able to quickly assign that task or item to a section from the keyboard without a cut and paste operation? [more inside]
Help me find carpooling partners
I'm having trouble finding carpooling partners in the northwestern exurbs of Baltimore. Please help. [more inside]
Blu Kuban Begone
I recently bought a used Galaxy sII which works fine. However, it has something on it, a ROM updater (?)called "Blu Kuban", that I can't seem to remove. What is this and how can I get it off my phone?
Help me knit a hexapuff, please.
Help me knit a hexapuff, please. [more inside]
Who watches your kids when you go on vacation?
Parents of MeFi: What on earth do you do with your children if/when you go on vacation and don't want to take the kids? [more inside]
County-level taxing authority?
What states, other than Tennessee, restrict county-level taxing authority to a single elected body? [more inside]
Laptop or NO Laptop.
Has my father messed up this online order? [more inside]
Self-help books for dealing with alcohol abuse
I abuse alcohol. I'm looking for self-help books. [more inside]
Computing for a 90-year-old?
Computing for a 90-year-old? Gramps might finally be interested in the wonderful world of the Internet. [more inside]
Best bespoke shirtmaker: GreenShag or Trend Custom
[Canadian Bespoke Shirt Filter]: Green Shag vs. Trend Custom Tailors for a true bespoke shirt. Please tell me of your personal, recent experiences with either tailor. [more inside]
PowerPoint communication failure...
I have PowerPoint X for Mac. I'm trying to send a bunch of presentations to someone with a PC, and the photos aren't showing up because they're too big. She was able to open them on another Mac in her office, and instructed me to save them with a "pptx" extension. For some reason this isn't an option. Any ideas? [more inside]
Where should we go on short notice?
Help us plan a trip on REALLY short notice! [more inside]
Virtual personal trainer?
I need a virtual personal trainer. Know of any sites that will send me a daily exercise routine? [more inside]
Need recommendation for a lightweight photo editor
Lightweight Photoshop/Picasa alternatives? Main need is photo filters/effects. [more inside]
Great American Songbook of Love?
Please recommend classic, Great American Songbook-style slow love songs. [more inside]
Strange dark substance in my soap
I just found a soft, dark mass in a bar of white soap. WTF could it be? [more inside]
What is the best way to digitize all my old notes from school?
What is the best way to digitize all my old notes from school? [more inside]
Lost from 70s classic Scifi?
Does anyone know of any influence from Philip Jose Farmer's Riverworld series and Zelazny's Creatures of Light and Darkness on the tv show Lost? The joining of the two seem very likely sources for the show's concept.
Seeking information about brain-computer interfaces
Where can I find information about brain-computer interfaces and software available now for the severely physically disabled? I have been able to find many products, through web searching, but no site that compares them and shares the experiences of users. My goal is to help a family member who could benefit from such technology.
The benefits of alcohol without the alcohol?
I am increasingly finding that I dislike the (emotional) effect alcohol has on me when I have anything more than a single drink, particularly when tired. I also dislike the fact that I have almost a physical need to drink in the evenings (I think "alcoholic" would be being overly melodramatic in my case, but the need is there all the same). Is there any way to get the health benefits of alcohol without the temptation of an open bottle of wine? [more inside]
Microsoft Office Professional Plus 10 authentication code help, please?
I bought a Thinkpad through Gumtree (UK) last year and now Microsoft Office Professional Plus 10 is asking me for an authentication code. When I got the computer, windows had just been installed but I don't know if I got a trial version or a corporate version that was imaged onto the machine. Do I need to pay for an authentication code or is there a way to otherwise disable the authentication request message?
Looking for Fan Vane-type Anemometer for Scientific Experiment
I'm looking for a no-frills fan vane turbine type anemometer for use in scientific experiments. Must have way of communicating with computer or DAQ board. [more inside]
Fleas got into my sewing stuff--do I need to throw it all out?
Alrighty. We were about to move into a new house, and found AFTER I'd moved several plastic tubs of sewing stuff (LOTS OF CLOTH) into the house that it was terribly infested with fleas. Do I just need to throw it out, or is there something I can do? [more inside]
Do I need a mold specialist, a window guy, a general contractor, or all three?
I have to replace a rotted out bathroom window by the shower, but I'm pretty confident that there's a bad mold problem in the shower wall beneath the window. Who should the first call be made to to resolve this? [more inside]
Bumper Bully?
What is the Best Bumper Protection device? I have a new car and live in the city where I have to parallel park on side street (unmarked spaces) daily. My car is white. Every white car I see in the city has black scuff marks on the rear bumper from parking. I have seen ads for Bumper Bully and Parking Armor. There are others as well. Does anyone have experience with any of these? [more inside]
We don't want to kick out our reclusive roommate, can we salvage this?
Need advice on dealing with a reclusive flatmate in a social and cooperative living situation. There may also be a cultural misunderstanding happening that I'm not picking up on. (She's Japanese) [more inside]
Hybrid mechanic in NYC?
Searching for a hybrid mechanic in NYC. I asked this a few years ago, but I never found a satisfying answer, and I'm hoping someone has some new ideas. [more inside]
Do not speak to me in the imperative mood.
My partner sometimes speaks or writes to me in the imperative mood ("Do this, then do that." "Take the car to the shop.") It is an issue because I feel she is speaking to the staff, and I am not the staff. I have objected to this behavior continuously over several years. We are in couples' counseling, but it does not seem to be working. We're apparently at an impasse. [more inside]
Is there hope for my cactus?
I have a little cactus on my desk. I don't know what kind it is. For the last several months, it's looked just fine. This morning, it's turned a brownish-green and started wilting. Is it just dead suddenly, or is there something I can do to save it? Here's a picture of it.
help me take the best care of my new kitchen
I'm re-doing my kitchen, and it's almost done. Help me take care of it, to keep it looking awesome for a very long time. [more inside]
Help me keep track of cash spending.
I need an iOS app to track cash spending, preferably with a quick category function. [more inside]
Ducks are for quacking, not for cooking
What can I use as a vegetarian substitute for duck pan juice so that I can make a tasty fruity sauce for my halloumi? [more inside]
Being a Better Friend and Person
How do I move past being hurt from unrequited love, in order to have a friendship with this person? [more inside]
What are the after-effects of sexual harassment?
I recently had to report my supervisor for sexual harassment. Now what? [more inside]
Interface for R scripts
What should I use to write a quick little front end to access a bunch of R programs? [more inside]
Color accuracy in photos?
Why can’t I get accurate color in my flower photos, especially blues and purples? Are there adjustments I can make to my Nikon Coolpix L18 to improve color accuracy? I’ve tried a lot of combinations already but haven’t hit on the solution. If you don’t have a fix for the Coolpix, can you recommend a particular camera that’s above average for color accuracy?
Why isn't my MacBook waking up?
Upgraded MacBook Pro RAM, now having trouble getting it to boot up. It will not turn back on after being in sleep mode overnight, otherwise it has no issues turning back on after sleep mode. [more inside]
Are there any corporate CEOs who have embarked on a side-business of writing self-help books or giving tours?
Corporate CEOs turned Self-Help gurus? [more inside]
What can I do with a weekday morning in Edinburgh?
I'm arriving at Edinburgh airport at 7.45am on a weekday, and taking a train from Edinburgh Waverley at 1.30pm on the same day. What can I do or see in Edinburgh (including getting breakfast somewhere) and ensure I catch my train at 1.30pm? More details inside. [more inside]
How to clean a book, soiled with fruit flesh (peach)?
How can I clean this soiled book? The mess was caused by a ripe peach being mushed against the book. [more inside]
How much should I pay for someone to assemble my computer?
If I got someone else (in the UK) to assemble my computer from the various components I've bought, how much should I expect to pay? [more inside]
Bots typing away with nothing to say.
What exactly is going on with people I don't know showing up as "X is typing" on one of my instant messengers, but never actually saying anything? Is this some sort of oblique scam? [more inside]
See my playlist. Please extend it!
See my playlist. Please extend it! [more inside]
Someone gave my name and phone number to creep online. What now?
Someone gave out my name and phone number in a potentially creepy chatroom. What do should I do to protect myself? [more inside]
Flickr pictures won't display
Forgive me if this is a) really basic and b) has been asked before (I have searched the questions, honest!). My mother has a Pro Flickr account, but is unable to view her pictures, getting only the broken image link in the photo box. How can I fix that please? [more inside]
Paypal premier to Paypal business - what happens next?
I currently have a PayPal Premier account I use for payments to my business (which is permitted under their terms and conditions). But it has a limit on funds that can be received, so I will need to "upgrade" to a business account. Has anyone done this and are you able to tell me what, in essence, happened to the fees? I have calculated that at the moment, they apply fees of c. 5% on average, so I add a percentage to my clients' invoices (with their permission) to share the loss incurred. But it's not clear at all from the various fees and charges in PayPal's tables what actually happens to the average fees. Surely someone on the Green has been through this and can share their experiences (feel free to memail me if you want to keep it private). [more inside]
August 6
Crack my back
Hi
Sometimes my back and neck gets so tight that I think this would be useful.
Please let me know if anyone has had any experience with this kind of back popping. Anyone aware of this service being offered in the Houston area would be really helpful
Should I watch The Shield if I can't like bad cops?
Can you help me decide if I should watch The Shield? [more inside]
Shingles: Am I still contagious?
How long is Shingles contagious? If you had shingles: how long did it take before the marks were totally gone? [more inside]
Learning geometry from television
Help me remember this old video series that used early computer/video animation to illustrate geometry/calculus concepts. [more inside]
Blogging Made Difficult
I'm trying to make my tumblr blogs show up on my Squarespace website. I'm not quite sure how to ask this question, so be gentle! [more inside]
Nature + science = baby?
Looking for an obstetrician in Minneapolis or St. Paul, as well as general guidance on natural childbirth options/timelines. [more inside]
Hey kids, lying is bad...
So I'm thinking it's a bad idea to include a chapter by Jonah Lehrer in my college's first-year experience course, given that it would be placed right after our discussion on academic dishonesty. Can you help me think of a replacement? [more inside]
Please recommend light audiobooks for a long car ride
Please help two different people agree on audiobooks for our upcoming (tomorrow!) road trip [more inside]
Don't want to return to sender...
In the US, can you still forward USPS mail for free by writing the forwarding address on the front? [more inside]
Can't poop for the life of me. (Maybe NSFW)
Can't bring myself to poop in public. Absolute brick. Need help on how to break this up (pun intended). May not be work safe, and sorry if it's a bit on the TMI territory. [more inside]
Updated keyboard tray advice?
Keyboard trays for ergonomic joy and wrist, arm and neck bliss: any new suggestions? [more inside]
How can I launch a vintage repro line?
I'm interested in getting reproductions of vintage clothing made. Am I better off finding a local seamstress, or should I scale up? [more inside]
What's the name of this cooking method?
I've developed a cooking method recently where I cook some seasoned meat or fish in a fry pan with a bunch of oil and butter. Then, when it's done, I take out the meat and throw in some cut up veggies to soak up the juices of the meat along with all the remaining nicely charred spices and oil. Mmm. So good. So easy.
Why have I never heard of this? I would like to explore what other people have done with this seemingly obvious idea, but I'm not sure what it's called. Is there a specific name for this?
Are my Sennheiser headphones fixable or should I replace them?
Help me figure out what's wrong with my headphones (Sennheiser HD 280 pros) and how to fix them, or decide on a replacement pair. [more inside]
I Ought to Be in Pictures?
What are the realistic odds of a movie studio buying rights to fiction? What steps could one take to even attempt this? [more inside]
Saving web images without right-click on the mouse?
I'm sure not knowing this makes me an idiot, but I need quick help saving a few images from NASA's site to my hard drive without the ability to right-click. Right-clicking on my optical Microsoft mouse has apparently just died; I'm getting no menu when I right-click on an image (everything else is working fine; changing batteries doesn't help). For now I'm alt-left-clicking to highlight the image and then copying it, but is there another way to pull up the menu that usually appears when you right-click a web image in Windows? [more inside]
Is the union screwing me in advance?
I'm applying for a union (CUPE) job that I am almost 100% sure I am going to be offered. I think I am worth more than the union mandated payscale. What extras can I request/negotiate? [more inside]
My uterus ain't having it.
IUD insertion failure... should I try again? [more inside]
Please help me negotiate with this family that I am now a part of
So, my inlaws are visiting, I'm not sure how to iron the details out with my SO. We have very different ideas about how this should transpire. I am also having trouble dealing with the culture of their family I'm trying to be as short as possible. Thanks. [more inside]
dog at keyboard.jpg - Help me figure out how to order/build a pc
You know the meme of the dogs who have no idea what they're doing? That is me trying to order/build a video editing/gaming PC. Need help or directions to a good source of same. [more inside]
Oh just pass me the spackle already!
What are the best foundations for my skin? In particular, ones that don't make my skin look even worse! Basically, I have oily skin, black heads on the nose and chin, and frequent breakouts in the t-zone. I also have a ton of broken blood vessels around my nose and mouth and larger veins around my eyes and temples. More info on my regimen after the break... [more inside]
The Helpless Help
I'm hoping MeFi can help me with the why and how of an unusual business situation. I own a small marketing agency. An elderly woman wants to retain me to make a Facebook page and write about how she was wronged/is still being wronged by a pair of judges who will not drop a case that should be dropped. In addition to calling out the judges she will make a larger point that judicial character reform is necessary. [more inside]
Do I have to choose between my son, or, my dad & stepmom?
My father and stepmother have rejected my son, after I placed him in an Open Adoption following his birth earlier this year. How do I deal with important family events where both parties would be welcome and invited? Snowflake details within. [more inside]
divorce settlement hindsight advice
About to start discussing divorce details. What do you wish you known, what would you have done differently, what do you regret, what are glad you did? [more inside]
Snail trails on Garmin Nuvi 255W
Snail trails on Garmin Nuvi 255W. When out and about this device is now making pale blue 'snail trails' on the map tracking the car from A to B.
It is working as it should otherwise.
Does this mean that the device is on its way out? I checked some forums but could find any mention of this bizarre behavior.
intervew + funeral
How to handle interview + time off for funeral? [more inside]
Are women at more risk of violence than men at night?
Are women actually at more risk of violence than men at night? I'm looking for crime statistics and well supported research (such as reports and journal articles) on violence (such as muggings, assault, etc ) and gender. [more inside]
Always hungry
Sick and tired of being hungry, and would love to hear from anyone who has had this same struggle and eventually figured out what was going on / what to do about it. (Anonymous b/c of medical information given inside.) [more inside]
What to do with landlord drama?
Getting screwed by landlord on sublet to lease breaking swap. Any advice? [more inside]
Physically active job ideas?
What are some jobs that I could do in Toronto that would keep me physically active (more than just walking a lot) without requiring going to college? [more inside]
Sturdy and Steady.
Please give me your suggestions for large, very sturdy grocery/laundry carts. Said cart will have to do duty carrying groceries from my parking space to my apartment (which is across and down the street) but more importantly, it must be able to handle 1-2 35 pound containers of cat litter on occasion, when I need to buy for the boys. Good wheels are a must for when the weather gets snowy, but I do have an elevator (after about 4 steps). Price is not a huge issue, but I would love to keep it under 75$.
Please suggest a comedy show in Chicago (Second City show is sold out).
Does anyone have a suggestion for a comedy show tomorrow night in Chicago? The Second City show I was interested in is sold out.
I am visiting Chicago and tomorrow is my only night to see a show.
Should I fight this ticket?
Is it worth fighting this New York traffic ticket? [more inside]
Help me make southwestern corn chowder
In about an hour I will be making a southwestern corn chowder for my family without a well-defined recipe. Help me do it right. [more inside]
A question you can't refuse to answer
What is the name of the music that starts at 1:42 in this soundtrack? This is during the festa in Godfather II, right after De Niro offs the fat man.
I'd like to get back into the field of creative media.
I'd like to get back into the field of creative media. Help, please. More details inside. [more inside]
Who painted this painting?
Who painted this painting? I can't read the signature but want information about this artist? Rob Soba? My GoogleFu has failed me here. Photos of paining and close-up of signature here.
How to get a document from gmail to Pages on the iPad
How do I get a .doc or .rtf document from gmail to Pages on my iPad? [more inside]
Feeling better, except for the headaches, nausea, and ridiculous sweating
Help me find a new antidepressant, or manage the problems with the one I'm already on. [more inside]
Need A New Roof
Tell me what I need to know about replacing a roof myself, versus the cost of having someone else do it for me. [more inside]
Balkan beats + Ira Glass = best run ever?
Is it possible/simple/affordable to mix/layer/? music I own under a podcast? [more inside]
Work Pivot Table Magic...
Excel Pivot Table Help - My google-fu and excel-fu have failed me, I'm working on a tracking pivot table that will display total number of attendants in a class (broke out in gender) for each day based on a start and end date. [more inside]
Best way to straighten my hair?
Best way to straighten my hair? [more inside]
How can we plan this beach getaway vacation without going too far from NYC?
My friends and I live in NYC. We want to spend a night at a local beach (Far Rockaway, Sandy Hook, Fire Island, whatever). Ideally, this would consist of a trip via public transit to a beach, and then staying at a reasonably priced hotel close to said beach. If possible, we'd like to avoid renting a car or splurging on a vacation rental. [more inside]
Firefox spell check -- How to default to English (United States)?
Why is the spell checker in Firefox defaulting to Dutch, and how can I make it stop? [more inside]
Proper protocol after auto accident claims request?
(CA) Driver who hit me is uninsured and I've begun the claims process with my ins. co. Should I give uninsured driver a head's up? [more inside]
Monopoly for the 2010s?
What are some board games that are like a modernized version of Monopoly? Specifically: games that simulate the existing U.S. or global economy, with all the dynamics of lending rates, inflation-deflation, economic cycles, and so forth, and which help give some food on real-world issues for thought during play. The less "dry" and fun, the better, though I know that's a tall order. We have games like Agricola and Settlers of Catan, which are great but those are more in the realm of resource management. Also if there are any computer or console videogames worth considering, that's fine too, but board games would be better.
Where to find Disney movies with their original audio?
Where can I found Disney classic films with their original audio? [more inside]
Post-Traumatic In-Law Disorder?
An in-law said a bunch of hurtful things to me and now I can't get over it. How do I get past anger and resentment—and the worry that the in-law's hostility to me will harm my kids—so we can get on with the business of being a family? [more inside]
I want to leave, but I don't know how!
I want to move across the country, but I'm scared of change. I didn't used to be. What happened and how do I get over it? [more inside]
Why can't amtrak turn a profit
Why is Amtrak not profitable despite massive subsidies? And just how environmentally friendly is Amtrak? [more inside]
Friend is nearly blind, jobless, losing home. Resources?
My friend, near Atlanta, GA, is nearly blind with cataracts in both eyes. She is jobless. Her house is in foreclosure, and I have just discovered that it will go up for sale on the 4th. She's completely isolated, and has no transportation. Family is not a viable resource. [more inside]
Help me purchase an HDTV!
I haven't seen a post for this in the last year. Help me buy a nice 32-42in TV by answering a few questions about my price range, TV options, etc :) [more inside]
Can I drive in Portugal as a 2-year UK resident with a California Driver's License?
I'm an American with a current California driver's license. I've been living in the UK for over a year, so I can't drive here without getting a UK license. I'm going to Portugal next month. Can I legally drive there? [more inside]
stop neighbor's barking dog
How can I stop my neighbor's dogs from barking? [more inside]
I will give you a phrase cookie if you stop being racist
What are some "home-spun" phrases that someone might not think are racist, but actually have racist origins? Or phrases that originated in a non-racist fashion, but are now considered racist? (Like "call a spade a spade" or "free, white, and twenty-one") Bonus points if you can give me non-racist substitutes I can offer an older relative. [more inside]
Best temp agencies in LA?
What are the best temp agencies in Los Angeles? [more inside]
I want to 1) Make money and 2) Travel the world - ideally together! Any ideas where I could start?
I want to 1) Make money and 2) Travel the world - ideally together! Any ideas where I could start? [more inside]
Tips on setting up an art studio
Need tips on setting up my art studio [more inside]
Climbing & adventures for kids in Fontainebleau?
Recommended family adventures in Fontainebleau and Sancerre, France? [more inside]
Network All the Things!
I finished the half-assed ethernet setup we inherited with our new place. Now tell me everything I can plug into it. [more inside]
Just basically tell me how much to exercise, k?
How much exercise is enough or ideal or normal... or? [more inside]
Help me catch a fish in Wisconsin
Please tell me the minimum set of things I need to buy if I want to catch a fish in a reservoir in Wisconsin? [more inside]
Garbled Chrome Text, help
Chrome Browser and Mac: I have a text problem. [more inside]
What are the general qualities that make someone marriageable?
What are the general qualities that make someone marriageable? I need to develop those qualities. [more inside]
Shaving causes skin irritation
How to avoid skin irritation from shaving? Best creme for women? [more inside]
I sort of lost it at a semi-work function. Should I apologize to my colleagues who were present?
I sort of lost it at a semi-work function. Should I apologize to my colleagues who were present? We work in the web industry and were having a sort of day where we all get together in one room and fix bugs, discuss new features, etc. Present were people from our company as well as other users of the software. [more inside]
Mac Pro fan speed problems caused by firmware update
Is it possible to downgrade the SMC firmware on a MacPro? Or is there some other way to fix a fan speed problem which was introduced by updating the firmware? [more inside]
Fleur de Sel Appreciation Society
What are some good uses for my fleur de sel? What makes it so special, anyway? [more inside]
Workshop in NYC
My friend just moved to New York and is looking for a wood workshop / foundry at which to build a furniture prototype. Does anyone have any recommendations for one in Manhattan, Queens or Brooklyn? He is willing to pay a membership fee if necessary. Thanks.
What is this bugger?
Please tell me these aren't bed bugs (pictures attached). [more inside]
Cars: smart keys, stupid passengers
What would happen if I tried to turn off a push button/smart key car while driving? I was in a car where it was on the gear instead of near the steering wheel, and I got curious when I realised I could easily turn the car off, or try to. I'm especially curious what would happen at high speed. (Not curious enough to try it, but curious enough to use up this week's question.)
Help me read things like Discworld
What light, humorous, and humanist genre fiction should I read after I finish the Discworld series? [more inside]
In my universe the dipper points to the South Star
Batshit insane filter: I recommended to a friend, 1Q84, the best book I've ever read. He loved it. I had lunch with him this week and he said he thought he was in an alternative himself, as one night he looked up at the Big Dipper and it appeared to be backwards, pointing toward the south. Yikes, I had the same experience myself recently. Whats going on here? Is it an astronomy thing or will Tengo and Aomame appear soon?
Cheap apartment in Tokyo, fast?
Need to find affordable housing in Tokyo ASAP? [more inside]
How do I prove I'm at least as not at fault as the other guy?
On Friday morning I was in what I consider to be a no-fault fender bender, but Illinois isn't a no-fault state. The other party has already contacted my insurance; I'm not sure what I should be doing to best protect myself. Details inside. [more inside]
My tomatoes - they've got the black lung.
What has happened to my tomatoes? And can I save the rest of the poor things? First time gardener inquiring within. [more inside]
Be the you you never wanted to be today!
Boot camp for personality. Put me in 7 unusual situations that boost confidence, character, and charisma. [more inside]
Interview attire: UK academic edition
What should I wear for my job interview. Difficulty: UK, technical position at an academic institution. [more inside]
19th Century Dueling Societies
Is it possible to find detailed, English-language information on the initiation rituals, and other rites and customs, of 19th-century German dueling societies, or "burschenschafts"? I've found some excellent overviews (like this one) but I'm looking for a step-by-step account of exactly how a new member would be initiated. [more inside]
August 5
Mac brain transplant
Can I just take the guts out of my old Mac Pro and put them in my new Mac Pro? [more inside]
I put my dishes in the drawer.
What's your opinion of drawer dishwashers? [more inside]
How heavy is it, really?
Settle an argument. A 150 person falls and grabs something as they do. Assuming they have kung-fu grip, how much weight does the thing they grab need to be able to withstand without tearing, breaking, whatever. I say the weight of the person. They say it's their weight and g-forces combined. Who is right and if they are, how do you calculate those g-forces? And if they are twisting as they fall, does torque figure into it?
Meta-Curiosity
Where can I find technical information about MSL/Curiosity's telemetry (bandwidth, protocols, contents)? [more inside]
Say What, Young MacGuffin?
In the movie Brave, the character Young MacGuffin spoke the Doric dialect. Does anybody know what he was actually saying?
TA considerations...
I was asked to TA next semester. What do I need to consider before I accept the position? [In the US, if that matters.] [more inside]
I need a clothing organization system that isn't a dresser and also isn't my floor.
I need a clothing organization system that isn't a dresser and also isn't my floor. Help! [more inside]
Roses.
Help me find a rose-scented body wash from my Parisian past! [more inside]
Hobbit Harmony?
Is there a good FULL a cappella version of the song/poem “Over the Misty Mountains Cold” which will tide me over until Howard Shore’s movie version is hopefully released uncut? [more inside]
Help me find a winter jacket (not a coat).
For this winter, I want an inexpensive ($100 or so) men's jacket that is light and warm, even in really cold conditions. Jacket, not a coat... [more inside]
How can I get an item I had to leave in Hong Kong if I'm now in the U.S.A?
How can I get an item back from Hong Kong if I'm in the U.S? [more inside]
No one likes to see a government folder with his name on it.
What are your recommendations for Anonymous VPN services? [more inside]
Fire! Nom nom nom.
What is your favourite car camping, open fire, simple to prepare food appropriate for kids? Besides hamburgers, hot dogs and chili? [more inside]
Help me relax about relaxing!
My husband and I have booked a hotel for a long weekend in Eastham (Cape Cod), just after Labor Day. I am getting anxious about what exactly we will be doing during that time, rather than looking forward to the time. Please help me to (loosely) schedule time and/or suggest things to do (especially those that are pet-friendly) while we are there... [more inside]
How to deal with draconian personal trading restrictions when working in a Wall St bank
I've just accepted a job at a large Wall St bank. I have a large amount of cash to allocate at the moment and don't want to leave it in the bank earning zero interest. However, I am designated a "sensitive person" for compliance purposes in the new job and am subject to very severe restrictions on personal trading. How do people in similar situations manage their personal finances? [more inside]
Tennis instruction/clinics in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur
Any places to get tennis instruction/clinics in either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur while visiting? [more inside]
What a pretty mystery you, you suddenly turned out to be
I saw Lyle Lovett last night (he puts on a great show!) and would like to learn to play one of the songs in his set. The song is Understand You, and I need piano sheet music, with lyrics. The closest my googling gets me is guitar chords, but I don't know what to do with them. The original songwriter appears to be Eric Taylor.
Où sont les audiobooks d'antan?
Where are the audiobooks in French? There are thousands of books on audible in Spanish, but none in French. [more inside]
Scheduling Shared Equipment
SchedulingFilter: We have five widgets and ten people who want to use them. How do we keep track of who's using a widget and which ones are checked out? [more inside]
Switching from a major oil/gas shop to a small consulting firm
A 20-something petroleum engineer friend of mine is thinking about switching from a major oil/gas company to a small-ish consulting firm in NYC named GlobalData. He's looking for some general advice. [more inside]
Help a Housing Newbie in NYC
How do I navigate looking for a room/roommate in NYC? Hope me, AskMe! [more inside]
What is this painful bump on my lip?
Fungal lip infection, cold sore/fever blister, something else?? [more inside]
Suggestions that may improve my OKCupid profile or conversation initiations?
Suggestions that may improve my OKCupid profile or conversation initiations? [more inside]
Tardii? Tardisis? Tardisopoli? THEE TARDIS!!
Dr. Who fans: What is the 'official' plural for Tardis? [more inside]
planning a trip to Panama & Ecuador
My wife & I are in the early phases of planning a trip to Panama & Ecuador. You can see more details inside (so far pretty much everything is subject to change). If you have any experience with either or both of these locations I would be grateful for your feedback. [more inside]
Affordable pet MRI
How to afford MRI/Spinal Tap procedure for a dog (in northeast US). Need to make decision in next 12 hours. [more inside]
Find me more Missing Links.
A recent (for me) music find, The Missing Links. I liked the one tune and so got their album and now I'm hunting for more like it. They sound kind of like The Stooges with a great keyboard player. What else sounds like the Stooges with a great keyboard player?
Throw me your obscure and not so obscure 60's garage punk recommendations!
Bass Aackwards: Dating Style.
If I had only known how awesome you are I would have never moved in with you... [more inside]
I also HATE using tampons, pads leak, and menstrual cups freak me out with an IUD
Oh wise Metafilter IUD users, please tell me your experiences switching from a Paragard to a Mirena. [more inside]
Which cloth diapers, car seat and strollers should I be looking at?
Baby gear advice, the EU/Italy edition. I need some MeFi help for winnowing down the plethora of choices so friends and fam stop bugging me about my baby registry. Advice on cloth diapers, car seats & strollers sought... [more inside]
He needs to cool off fast!
Need help finding the right air conditioner. My son cannot find a window unit for his apartment - the window is a bizarre 15.25" wide, 11" high. According to calculations, he should need something that pushes out no more than 6,000 BTUs, but his current portable is rated at 8,000 BTUs and is still not cooling off the room. The brand name is "Roam-Air" an older machine my husband took from a building that was closing down. My son lives in Queens and it's HOT....any suggestions?
No alcohol at barcamps...
How should I effectively promote a regional barcamp/unconference? [more inside]
Family Lawltimore
Can you recommend a family lawyer in Baltimore? [more inside]
Will this plant kill my toddler?
Is this plant toxic? [more inside]
What's this song from the Olympics?
SongIdentifyFilter: We just heard this song during the Magnificent 7 special during the Olympics, but we can't place it. Help! [more inside]
You don't benefit from procrastination in a bureaucracy.
If my insurance coverage ends after an appointment but before all the paperwork has gone through, will they still cover it? [more inside]
Beefy blunder
Can I cook and eat it? Roast Beast Edition. [more inside]
Time to go, how to go?
I think it's time for my wife and I to separate, but I have no idea exactly how to go about it. Help me out, hive mind. [more inside]
What are the names of these plants?
Identify this plant. [more inside]
the New School's online degree programs?
I've been looking at Media Studies grad programs and the most attractive I'm come across is the Media Studies Masters at the New School.
The catch is, I really don't want to move to NYC.
Does anyone have experience with the New School's online MA programs? I've only been able to find one blog post about doing this particular program online, where the student was sort of defending it like, "This is NOT University of Phoenix!"
Or thoughts on online MA's in general?
I've taken one class online (through MassArt) and I learned a lot, but never felt like "Dang! That was a great class!" Which may or may not have anything to do with it being online....
Looking for suggestions for a inexpensive beach-front hotel within 45 minutes of Boston.
Looking for a inexpensive hotel within easy walking distance of a beach that's also within a 30-45 minute metro trip to the Boston aquarium. [more inside]
find my art via GPS
Hi mefites,
I'm researching for an art project that needs a robust GPS unit they can put in a project that will be mobile around a few mile area. The GPS needs to be fairly robust in terms of ability to withstand shakes and jounces, being upside down or turned and twisted. We're not talking bouncing it like a basketball but rather the unit will be in a larger package moving about and being shifted around a lot.
We need to be able to find the unit via GPS for a 24 hours run time. Actually, the run time needs to be at least 12 hours but using 24 hours as a way to give some leeway.
When I say GPS, really it's a GPS plus the ability to signal someone where it is located. It seems to me like a cell phone would qualify for this. What are some of the options?
Robust, power miser, and locatable in a 5 mile wide area. That's about it. Thanks for any tips on this.
Ex reluctant to move out
How can I get my ex out of the apartment ASAP? [more inside]
How to reward a free car ride?
A colleague of mine and her husband are going to give me a car ride to a work site about 210 miles away. I offered to give my colleague gas money but she refused. Any suggestions on gifts I can give as a token of appreciation without seeming condescending? [more inside]
Keeping a laptop cool
How can I stop my laptop from shutting down unexpectedly while I disinfect it? [more inside]
Please help me find these 1970s robot toys.
I'm try to find a series of robot toys I had in the early 1970s. I've tried various relevant search terms on Google, AskMe and eBay, but have come up empty. Maybe you can help based on the details I remember. [more inside]
How does the "auto" setting on my car a/c work?
Does the "Auto" setting on the air conditioner in my car work the same way as it does in my house? [more inside]
Breast discomfort
Aesthetic/comfort issues in the boobular region. [more inside]
Seeing Portland, OR without a rental car?
Me and the wife will be flying out to Portland, Oregon roughly six months from now to check out the city to see if we want to relocate. We were thinking of not renting a car and just using light rail to get around, since good public transportation is a major factor of why we want to relocate. How good or bad of an idea is this?
Sourcing giant 40's electrical throw switch..
Where can I get a giant electrical throw switch?
I've been tasked with finding & buying a gigantic ( ideally 1-2 foot long ) lever. It will go up on the wall of our web development office and it will be labeled "Interwebs: on/off". Where can I find some kind of switch that is worthy of turning the internet on or off?
That's the immediate problem, but let me give you the background - I'd love other ideas too: [more inside]
Coffee, Tea or Me
Where did the phrase "Coffee, tea or me? -- Coffee please" came from?
Is everyone who grooms the ladygarden secretly itchy?
Trimming my pubic hair is almost unbearably itchy. Is this fixable? [more inside]
Mother's memory loss
How to talk to my mother about her encroaching dementia? [more inside]
Why does sustained exercise sometimes make me very unwell for hours or even days?
Why does sustained exercise sometimes make me very unwell for hours or even days? I lift heavy weights at the gym three times a week with no problems, I get enough sleep, I eat very healthily (but perhaps my intake is low on carbs like bread, pasta or rice). But every now and then, when I do a sustained cardio type exercise for about an hour or a little more (playing a sport, taking occasional breaks for water, etc), I start to feel fatigued before everyone else does, then I feel extremely sick to the point of having to sit down, not wanting to move. In extreme cases, I've been unwell for more than two entire days after. [more inside]
Lo-Tech Games
Game-loving MeFites: Know any games that make use of a computer, but aren't computer games? [more inside]
New netbook's display gives me headaches
My netbook is giving me headaches and sometimes migraines. Help me adjust my display? [more inside]
iPhone Not Restoring
My iPhone 4 with IOS 5.x is not turning on anymore. I've tried all the suggestions I could find on the internet and nothing works. [more inside]
August 4
Reassign Mouse Button (program) Function
How can I assign a command to a mouse button so that a .jpg will open in MSPaint? [more inside]
What Font is this?
Does anyone know what the font (or close to this) is used in this illustration? Ive searched retro script fonts but with no luck...
Pourquoi mon shampoing en français?
Why do so many bathroom/toiletry product labels have (usually poor) French translations (in US markets)? No other household products have these translations - just bathroom stuff.
I'm the cool aunt, I'd better make this pretty damn funny since we vetoed the hookers and blow idea
Help me come up with a loooong list of newly-available opportunities conferred upon one's 18th birthday in the US beyond the obvious biggies. My niece is celebrating her 18th birthday with me, wants to take advantage of her new adult status, and I want to present her with a ludicrously long and goofy list of "celebratory options." [more inside]
Name that Game
I'm trying to find a computer game I vaguely remember. It was an indie game with I think top down combat with mechs. The main feature I remember was the weapon customization was done by sort of wiring components together in a flowchart. I can't for the life of me remember any more useful details, and it's driving me nuts!
Compressible Feet
What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of having compressible feet when you are a ballet dancer? [more inside]
Which audio synthesis environment should I focus on?
Which audio synthesis environment should I focus on? I need to be able to read the contents of a folder and select a sample at random, but can't confirm that functionality before diving in. [more inside]
productive social justice
How can I assert my support of issues that matter to me without going hog wild and kicking a lot of people out of my life? [more inside]
How to deal with an extroverted best friend?
How to deal with an extroverted best friend? [more inside]
Passport Emergency
Friend is going to Hawaii in the Morning, sunk 10k on the trip already, his passport needs renewal. and he just realised this. Lives in Toronto, Monday is a stat, any ideas?
A Teva by any other name would smell as bad
What kind of sandals can I buy as a non-stinky alternative to Tevas? [more inside]
The New Age of Empires for my New Age?
The last computer game I enjoyed (years ago) was Age of Empires: Rise of Rome. I'm a 'man' now and have a Retina MacBook; what's the closest new thing to that? [more inside]
Throne Me
I recently got invited to a Game of Thrones party, where we need to dress up as characters from "a Game of Thrones." I have never watched or read the series. [more inside]
Mine Krapht
Minecraft laptop on a budget; Please help me choose between these two before tomorrow! [more inside]
No picture from HDMI Blu-Ray player to DVI-D with HDCP monitor?
There's no picture when I connect a Blu-Ray player with HDMI out to a computer monitor with DVI-D with HDCP monitor? I'm assuming I need to change the settings of the Blu-Ray player. I've been able to successfully connect other HDMI devices to this monitor. Ideas? [more inside]
Tips for leading singing
I need tips for leading a group of about 30 youth, ages 11 to 18, in singing (hymns, contemporary Christian, camp songs, et cetera). Most of the youth know these songs already but some don't like to sing. Lyrics will be projected on a wall. I will be playing guitar and maybe ukulele. I am 17 and introverted, but I think I can do this! [more inside]
How to be a good godmother?
How can I be a good, long-distance (secular) godmother? [more inside]
Where to put the down..
Not asking for specific investment recommendations, but general "conventional wisdom" on how best to sock away money for a down-payment on a house. [more inside]
New hot tub - best "natural" additives to keep it bacteria free?
Recently purchased a hot-tub - don't want to use chlorine / harsh chemicals - what are some more healthy alternatives? [more inside]
Older elite athletes?
Does anyone know of any elite athletes who got a late start on their sport? In particular cyclists? (but really any sport) [more inside]
Doctor, Dentist, Indian Chief
Good afternoon. I am in the market for a doctor, of the general practitioner variety, a dentist and a new laboratory in NYC. Any referrals you could provide would be greatly appreciated. [more inside]
U wan Cyber?!
Looking for video of lawmakers making ridiculous claims about cyber warfare [more inside]
Hey, Potential Employer, Guess What?
So, I'm trans, have a really horrible job where I can't reveal it and I need to get a new one. There's one issue that I've been struggling with: All of my legal documentation is still under my old name, which means I'm going to have to disclose my trans status at some point. But how and when? [more inside]
Other stories that could tie in to Pussy Riot
Contemporary Russian punk, protest, artistic, and musical climates in re: Pussy Riot detainment. [more inside]
Leftover Rib-eye Steak
How should I prepare a leftover ribeye steak? [more inside]
How not to be James Frey or Jonah Lehrer.
How careful and upfront do I need to be when writing an alternate history blog if I don't want to be a total asshole? [more inside]
Has anyone ever made an olympic, or world record in a qualifying round of the olympics without winning the gold medal in the final?
Has anyone ever broken an olympic, or world record in a qualifying round of the olympics without winning the gold medal in the final? [more inside]
Bike problems
BicycleFilter: So I don't know anything about bikes. Help me fix these problems with mine! [more inside]
Daf Yomi for Dummies
Is there a podcast, website, or lecture series aimed at non-Jews trying to study Daf Yomi? [more inside]
What baby stuff should I buy secondhand?
What kinds of baby/toddler things are ok to buy secondhand? [more inside]
Door holding etiquette - advanced level
Advanced door holding etiquette. I found this question and answer but it didn't address a variant that I'm always running into. Details inside. [more inside]
I want it gone--all gone
Best way to dispose of lava rock [more inside]
Recommend a reminder / alarm app
I'm looking for an iOS (iPod Touch) app that will allow me to set up a whole lot of alarms like this: At 9:00 AM every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, make a noise and pop up a notice that says, "Go to Gym." [more inside]
LA to DC - Fabric and leather supply stores
LA to DC Crafting - Fabric and Leather supply stores? [more inside]
Political Scientist As A Job Title?
Can "Political Scientist" be a non-academic job title? [more inside]
What is the best way to carry a pug on a bike?
What is the best way to carry a pug on a bike? [more inside]
Are there closed questions in philosophy?
I've seen posts on the current problems of philosophy, but are there any closed/solved questions of (academic/western) philosophy? [more inside]
Aggression from random strangers
I seem to draw aggression from random strangers. I don't know why. I don't know if I'm imagining it (but I don't think I am). And since I don't know why it happens, I don't know what I can do to stop it. [more inside]
How scared should I be of a loose tie rod?
Safety/severity questions with a bad tie rod. [more inside]
Dark mapping app for overnight cycling
I'm going on an overnight bike ride tonight, and I think I'm fine with all my supplies except for routing. I've got a handlebar mount for my phone, but I need a mapping app which I can use overnight which won't affect my night vision, and will save energy. Is there an Android app which I can import a .GPX file into and which can follow my progress and make sure I don't miss any turns on a minimal grey on black street map? I'm in the UK and all the route will be on Open Street Map.
It didn't end the way I thought it would end.
I am terrified that I'm repeatedly sabotaging my relationships with my trust issues. Please help me get a grip or perspective. I don't know what to do. I turned 28 a month ago, and the prospect of hitting the reset button this time--I had joked before about getting old, but this was the first time I truly felt the weight of it. [more inside]
One website solution to rule them all
Is there a open source or inexpensive (its for a charity) web based solution that contains a cms, a blog (wordpress), an extensible forum (phpBB), a digg like system for voting on submitted links (pligg), and less important an image gallery that allows members to upload their photos. [more inside]
August 3
Romanic Backdrop in New Zealand
Suggest the most romantic, picturesque, and remote place in New Zealand to pop the question. [more inside]
Tinseltown Sex Therapist Wanted!
Where can I find a good sex therapist in Los Angeles? [more inside]
They didn't teach me this in grad school...
Problem: what to write on the "expected salary" line. Difficulty level: academia-to-industry transition. [more inside]
What will my school district do with me?
I am a technology specialist for a large public school district. In my school, I am a "prep" teacher. Classes come to me, the teacher leaves, and I have them for 50 minutes. Last year, for various reasons, I developed a phobia of being alone in charge of 25-30 kids by myself. I kept seeing danger to them and being unable to help.
I took a leave from the middle of April through the end of the year. I tried to get an ELL position; that's my other license. ELL is small group and/or co-teaching and I would be just fine returning to it. [more inside]
Help me find the perfect shirt!
I love Julie Deply's shirt in Before Sunset. Where can I get a shirt exactly (or almost exactly) like that? [more inside]
Is the Call of Cthulhu expansion Delta Green worth playing in 2012?
Role-playing geeks: is the Call of Cthulhu Delta Green expansion still worth playing, or is it "too old" to be modern by now? [more inside]
Small wireless strobe trigger?
What can I use to trigger a strobe light or a flash that is small, handheld, wireless, and not too expensive? [more inside]
Name 2 things that have gone to the political right in the last 20 years.
Name 2 things that have gone to the political right in the last 20 years. [more inside]
Happy jazz music for cocktail hour
Please recommend your favorite upbeat, happy jazz songs. [more inside]
Help, my relatives are visiting in 3 days
Where can I buy a folding guest bed (preferably, but not necessarily, with folding frame) in the Boston area this weekend? [more inside]
Help Me Not Break My iPad
"New" iPad(3) case with the sole purpose of preventing screen shattering body flex? [more inside]
Name of Designer + Developer collaboration site?
Help me remember the name of a site that was setup for designers and developers to share project opportunities to work together. [more inside]
How to spot-treat my upper arms and waist with exercise?
So I know you can't spot-treat areas of the body with exercise/weight loss, but if I DID want to spot-treat my upper arms and waist, how would I go about doing this? [more inside]
Urgent scabies care
I have all the symptoms of scabies and no doctors are able to see me until September. What do I do??? [more inside]
A medical operation that's SFW
I am having a routine operation in December. I don't want to tell my Manager exactly what it is. I need suggestions of non-embarrassing, routine, 1-2 week recovery operations that I can cheerfully tell my Manager I'll be undergoing. [more inside]
How do I get WordPress authors to show on posts and not pages
WordPressFilter: How can I make a WordPress author have their name show up in the posts they make, but not the pages they make? [more inside]
I no longer trust dropbox. What better replacements are there?
I no longer trust dropbox. What better replacements are there? [more inside]
today is
Website question, now to automatically change data based on current date [more inside]
Declension mode
How can I brush up my language skills, given I seem to have a difficulty with rote learning? [more inside]
Nigeria
Where can you buy Neosporin creme in NIGERIA,Abuja? It is URGENT! [more inside]
Where to appraise my vinyl?
I have 100s of old vinyl records left by my wife's grandparents. Where can I get them appraised (hopefully for free or a nominal fee)? [more inside]
Do I need to address this?
Worth getting an X-ray? [more inside]
find myself a city to live in
In what medium to large city (or any place with a medical hub) could I buy the cheapest 1br or studio condo? Snowflake details inside. [more inside]
How do I choose a reputable firearm appraiser?
I've an antique rifle that I need to sell. So many appraisers/auctioneers/consignment places on the web. How do I choose? [more inside]
What should I do with $43,000?
What should I do with $43,000? This needs to last the rest of my life. [more inside]
K-Cup Drink Recommendations
K-Cup Keurig Coffee Maker Drinks: what are the best quality, most caffeine, lowest price K-Cup drinks. I got this sampler and it's good. But I want more for my office - best caffeine for the buck is what my folks want.
Any other K-Cup usage hints, tricks, tips welcome as well.
Is there a simple (client-side) way to allow web access to one domain only on a machine?
Is there a simple (client-side) way to allow web access to one domain only on a machine? [more inside]
So why see the world when you got a beach?
I'd like to acquire a very serious daily SPF regimen. What products should I use? [more inside]
Hormonal Birth Control Question #3493, you are our next contestant! Come on DOWWWWN!
I've been on Ocella (Yasmin) for about 4 years now. Like a great relationship, things started out wonderfully, but I think my baby-making hormone changes are coming between us. [more inside]
This chandelier is too orange!
My friend got this hanging bronze chandelier. In the online catalog, it looked the pretty much the same lit up (it is now not available). But once delivered and installed it lights up very orange... [more inside]
Goin' Down the Road
Moving from Ottawa to Toronto. I want to know more about the city I'm about to live in. Bonus question: How do I move my cat? [more inside]
How do you force yourself to do something you're not internally motivated to do?
Need specific advice on finding motivation for work in a PhD program. Snowflakey background information included of course. [more inside]
Magnetic License
How can I automatically populate some fields in a program from a driver license using a magnetic strip reader? [more inside]
How-much-is-this-worth-filter
Help me keep Chinese hackers at bay
Help me block China [more inside]
Reason vs emotion: Can't afford baby. Want a baby
Coming to terms with circumstances. Baby fever edition. I need help doing it. How did you decide to be ok with waiting to get pregnant? Alternatively, how did you decide to go ahead and attempt pregnancy even though it was a bad idea financially in the short term? What books or articles or blog posts can I read (the library is right down the street!) that address this? [more inside]
Pronunciation of Stegastes leucostictus
Help me pronounce this scientific name: stegastes leucostictus. [more inside]
Help with tech support for Posterous/Twitter? Or recs for other solutions?
Does anyone have any information about emergency contacts at Posterous (or someone at Twitter who is minding the Posterous store) for an online app problem that is creating a security breach for a class I'm teaching? [more inside]
Where can I buy (recently) past editions of newspapers from around the US/world?
Any resources for purchasing newspapers from around the US and the world for a specific, fairly recent date? As many different editions as possible desirable; I'm making a time capsule for a friend's new baby! [more inside]
How to expand my social good project?
I'm trying to feed a few homeless people with a little side project I started, any suggestions for getting more people to participate? [more inside]
Help me sort out my feelings about my job. Is it time to find something new?
Help me sort out my feelings about my job. Is it time to find something new? [more inside]
Better late than never!
Last minute honeymoon--need input on the most awesome, strange, memorable places to stay on our road-trip between Seattle to Portland, and then down the coast to San Fran. Other "must see" advice is most welcome. [more inside]
My Dog Will Eat All Your Food
Strange Dog Behavior Filter: Whenever I take my dog to my friend's house (one particular friend, we're there often), she runs right to their water/food bowl (they have a dog) and eats and drinks everything. [more inside]
Hire me, sil vous plait?
Does anyone have experience jobhunting as an Anglophone in Montreal? Where should I be looking for English jobs, should I just forget finding one and learn French ASAP, and is this going to be as big a problem as I fear? Et aussi une grand plaque de fèves. [more inside]
What is this craziness about?
I am a woman and I have been friends with a guy for about a year now, and I'm about to pull my hair out. How do I deal with someone that I don't know where their head is at? Is it me? Is it him? What the hell do I do with this? [more inside]
I'm asking for a friend, I swear...
Ok, aside from any morality issues, what are the actual dangers of using pirated software? [more inside]
Is there anything about this tattoo I should know?
Does my tattoo idea have any bad connotations I should know about? [more inside]
What's my best bet for Mars lander coverage?
What major television network and/or webstream should I use to watch the Curiosity landing this weekend? [more inside]
I can have clobbering time?
East coast Canada, where can I find nerf/foam swords? Local stores appear to be sold out, but suggestions of places I might not have thought of are helpful. US websites have a lovely selection, but the Canadian versions are less helpful (is this a restriction i didn't know about?). Need them for this weekend. I didn't think this was going to be hard!
Not looking for a detailed plan, just a quick
Saving for retirement - the advice and calculators out there are too complicated and I constantly question my assumptions. Is there a good rule of thumb to use until I visit an advisor? [more inside]
Techie Birthday Present
My wife's birthday is coming up in early September and I need help finding a birthday present Fast as I'm going to be tied up the next couple weeks. She likes "toys" like remote control cars, helicopters, preferably that she can build herself. I got her a helicopter last year and a remote controlled car kit already so those ideas are out. She has a basic arduino kit and is always looking for a new project. She also likes cool gadgets for cooking, grilling. And she's into all kinds of music. She has an iPod, iPad, a Mac, a PC (several, actually). I'd like to keep it under $150 if possible. Your ideas would be most appreciated!
Danceable remixes of songs your dad probably likes
I recently discovered this hiphop mashup of Paul Simon's Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard. Do you know of any other uptempo, danceable remixes/mashups of older songs that would normally play on the easy listening station?
Volume 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations, are you saying what I think you are?
Are bitmapped fonts still not copyrightable? How have you used bitmapped fonts in your work? [more inside]
She's full of seeeeeecrets
I've recently been watching Twin Peaks again, and I've been wondering... to people who actually watched it air in its original run, what was it like seeing something like this on TV? Did you have watching parties that I've heard so much about? Was the reveal of the killer and the twists and turns along the way surprising? Did you watch until the end of the second season, and were you disappointed when it got the plug pulled on it? [more inside]
Two days at a non-Disney amusement park...$500? Wat?
I live about 4.5 hours south of Cedar Point in Ohio. We want to go for a couple days. Can you help me plan it so that it doesn't cost almost as much as a week in FL? [more inside]
Workout ideas to keep hourglass shape
I'm looking for workout ideas for an hourglass shape, so I can stay curvy but be more fit and toned. I don't go to the gym because I don't want to look like I go to the gym - I'd rather have a Beyonce or 1960s bikini kind of shape. [more inside]
Does this friend-with-benefits want moar?
A friend-with-benefits asks me - "Don't you want a boyfriend?" What does this mean? [more inside]
All I want is the tee of my dreams.
I am looking for a 3/4 sleeve scoop-neck women's tee shirt, and I'm not sure where will meet my priorities. Help? [more inside]
Best comfortable dust respirator
I'm after recommendations for the best dust respirator to use for long periods of time, specifically for charcoal and graphite dust.
In my artwork I'm using a LOT of charcoal and graphite powder, I'm inhaling too much so want to get a respirator. The ones I've had in the past I've found hard to wear for long periods of time. I'd like to be able to wear it for say 3 or 4 hours at a time - or if that's asking too much, at least an hour, I could always go for a cup of tea every hour or so... Suggestions of brands, models, types, are all welcome.
New relationship jitters?
Please help me be happy about my new relationship and stop nitpicking every little thing. [more inside]
Google oversteps yet again.
I logged into Google Chrome on my home computer this morning without thinking much about it via my Gmail account. I immediately noticed my bookmarks bar, web history etc. have all been transformed into the settings from my WORK computer and my home computer bookmarks are gone. I signed out of Chrome, but the work bookmarks are still there. How do I fix this?
That's One Old Twinkie
I bought a couple of Twinkies today and just noticed that their expiry date is August 2007. My SO has misgivings about eating something so, well, old. I contend that Twinkies are basically Cold War-era bunker spec foodstuffs. So: Perfectly Fine, or Deadly Poison?
August 2
How to quit drinking without AA
Help me quit drinking without using AA [more inside]
How to have a healthy lifestyle in my relationship?
How can I create a healthy lifestyle in my relationship? Also, how can I support my boyfriend’s weight loss? Is this possible? We are in our mid-to-late-twenties, he is a few years older than I am. [more inside]
Can you help me remember this show?
I'm trying to remember an HBO series that was mentioned on AskMe recently. It lasted for only one season, and had to do with romantic relationships and marriages (I think) and was a character-study sort of show. Help?
Recover hacked VPS logs
Is there any way to recover data from a VPS that suffered a rm -rf? [more inside]
Is this a get micro-rich in micro-seconds scheme or something more?
Can high frequency trading be justified on any social benefit grounds or other orthodox market theory? [more inside]
Argentine Andes
What is the best way to see the Argentine Andes/Patagonia? Specifically looking for tours we can sign up with or itineraries we can follow. We have about 7 days. [more inside]
Why is Cat Dooku walking backwards
Can't remember novel about NY preppies
Trying-to-remember-book-read-long-ago Filter: [more inside]
If he would poop somewhere else it wouldn't be a problem.
Did a pigeon adopt our car? [more inside]
Help me build the best computer lab possible!
I have the opportunity to build a state of the art academic computer lab. If you were one of our students, what would you want in the lab? [more inside]
The source of "do and then you'll be..."? Looking for suggestions.
The source of "do and then you'll be..."? Looking for suggestions. [more inside]
Help design my menu!
What food should I serve at my slopeside bar? [more inside]
How does teaching translate to other work?
To former teachers: in what ways did teaching prepare you for different jobs in your post-teaching career? [more inside]
What kind of peppers are these, and when will they be ripe?
What kind of peppers are these, and when will they be ripe?
I got a pepper plant from the farmer's market on a whim, and it's started making a bunch of tiny little peppers. Except! I lost the little tag that says what kind of peppers they are and I have no idea when they'll be ripe. I do know the guy said they're edible, they are not just ornamental, but I can't tell, and there are all sorts of colors going on with these cute little guys. [more inside]
Scotch but not American whiskey upsets my stomach. Why?
Why does single malt scotch, but not whiskey, upset my stomach the next day? [more inside]
Identifying a Half-Remembered Movie about Alternate Realities
Looking for a movie about alternate realities. [more inside]
???
Help me find a comic that was/is available online. [more inside]
Suggestions for web-based client management software at reasonable price?
I'm in need of client and accounts management software that is suited to newspaper (or at least publications) operations. It needs to be free or very inexpensive, web-based, and user friendly. [more inside]
Photo settings for sport ...
I have a entry level/basic Canon DSLR, can anyone advise on what settings/technique I need in order to take a similar picture as that contained within this link (cyclists with blurred background)? Thanks in advance
How can I fake a good set of eyebrows?
What's the best way to enhance eyebrows with makeup in a natural looking way? Powder? Pencil? Give me your recommendations. [more inside]
Character name in Play It Again Sam
OK Woody Allen fans, I've got a question for you. In the movie "Play It Again Sam" he has a date with a woman. What is her name? Her monologue goes something like this (I originally performed it in French) "Before tonight the doctors affirmed that I was frigid. Thank you for proving the contrary. When Dick and Linda spoke of you, they described you as a monster of intelligence, but they never told me that you were also a savage beast". I need the character's name for my resume. Thanks!
Hospitals in San Francisco
What Hospital(s) would a tourist who had an accident in San Francisco likely be sent to? [more inside]
Oh where is my alarm clock...
Is there a place where I can find pictures of Timex alarm clocks from the 80's? [more inside]
SF on Tech Civilization Before Ours
I'm intrigued by the notion that our civilization is not the first technological civilization to arise on Earth. After all, our ancestors several tens of thousands of years ago were as clever as we are.
I'm looking for SF treatments of this notion. Recommendations?
Non-fiction claiming to evaluate actual evidence of such a civilization is welcome, too.
I vant to PAHMP. ME. AHP.
I vant to PAHMP. ME. AHP. [more inside]
Decent Android phone, no contract. Possible?
Looking for the best Android smartphone to buy for a pre-paid service, preferably GSM based.... [more inside]
7.5 year pitch?
Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new 7.5 year cycle of Talmud study known as daf yomi. I'm planning to jump right in and begin the new cycle, but I thought in addition to studying Talmud, it might be fun to tackle an additional long-term project at the same time. Any suggestions for something (book/film/tv series? lego models? new language or skill? physical challenge?) that would keep someone busy for the next 7.5 years?
Mounting a poster on painted wood with high gloss finish
I want to mount a poster on painted black wood and then add a nice gloss. I currently have ModgePodge and Envirotech High Gloss Pour. The ModgePodge worked well on a ceramic tile and card stock for beer coasters I was designing but the gloss still had air bubbles despite the equal mixing and required stirring. I live in an apartment and cannot pour on a large area as the poster. Is there a work around...a brush on finish or spray that will be clear? I do want the gloss and not just a polyurethane spray (I do own that, though).
One of these things is not like the other one.... (or is it?)
LPCC or MFT Filter: Are the NCE and NCMHCE tests similar enough in content to use this study guide? Details inside. [more inside]
Tell me what electronic cigarette to buy.
Tell me what electronic cigarette to buy. Looking for: ease of use. Not looking for: muss, fuss. [more inside]
Co-Worker-With-Benefits Gone Awry
How do I put the pieces of my self-esteem back together after I got involved with a co-worker/good friend (with a girlfriend) and I am constantly reminded that it backfired? [more inside]
Guilt Hole, you're hard to dig out of!
I am racked with guilt after royally screwing up a relationship with potential. I need to forgive myself for acting crazy. How do I do that? [more inside]
Protecting myself from any further harm by scumbag doucheface.
I was sexually assaulted a few days ago by a formerly-close friend of mine. What steps do I need to take now to protect myself later? [more inside]
Men's haircut on Sunday in Colchester, England?
Is there anyplace I can get a men's haircut on (this coming) Sunday in Colchester, England? Or are all the barbers closed on Sunday?
Groupers
Online groups: is it still Yahoo vs Google? [more inside]
Seeking helpful tax professional in Durham/Chapel Hill?
It's time to hire help for tax stuff. Any recommendations (including self-recommendations, if you want) for someone around Durham-Chapel Hill, NC? Need help with: working in multiple states (NYC, RTP), lots of travel & business expenses (probably including deductions we don't know about) and maybe other stuff. [more inside]
DIY LED Light Panel
I would like to learn more about electronics and circuitry by making a LED light panel. I have questions about how to calculate the number of LEDs I need, soldering, and how to diffuse the light. [more inside]
Help me get rid of this awkward thing
Years ago I acquired an authentic German Nazi flag and I don't know how to properly get rid of it. What is an appropriate way to handle a ~80 year old historical item that I don't wish to keep and also don't want it to end up on some skinhead's wall? [more inside]
Dallas TX, where to find homeless or hungry individuals?
Where could I go in Dallas TX this weekend to hand out hot food (ie, not canned good, but food to eat right then) to around 10-20 homeless or hungry individuals?
Should I stay and give a new relationship a chance, or move for a new job?
A year ago, I moved across the country for a new job, and unfortunately, I ended up hating it and quitting recently. Now my lease is about to expire, and I have a job opportunity back in the city I left (3,000 miles away). I would go back, but I've just started a new relationship and don't know what to do... [more inside]
Go Mommy-O!
Could you recommend some bold, brassy, sassy swing music, especially where sung by women? [more inside]
So, what do YOU fry your porkchops in?
What is the healthiest cooking oil ? [more inside]
Road trip routing
When driving a roadtrip from Toronto / Buffalo to Newfoundland should I go through Canada or the US? [more inside]
Using an AT&T iPhone in Spain's wine country
Using an AT&T iPhone in Spain's wine country without breaking the bank. Advise me, if you please. [more inside]
Doc Management solution?
Looking for a digital doc management solution that seems pretty simple but maybe not? Details inside. [more inside]
Cthulize a small lamp
MakerFilter: at work, I have a couple of LED lamps we use to monitor build status. Help me Cthulu-ize them. [more inside]
What is this mystery language?
Help me rent a car in London
Can I rent a car in London without having held a licence for more than 1 year? [more inside]
The Best of Contemporary Literary Characters
Please help me find contemporary literary/fictional characters that make you want to love them, hate them, or -- even better -- both. [more inside]
Microsoft Office document forensics, original author?
Microsoft Office forensics: Is there any way to discover the true original creator (or pinpoint a machine or login, maybe) of a Microsoft Office 2007 document after it's been moved around and edited--AND the author field under the document's properties within Office was only listed as "Generic"?
Maintaining resolution of graphics in Microsoft Word
With a vector source file, is it possible to create a high quality graphic letterhead in Word? No matter what format or resolution I make the logo image for the header, it ends up low quality/pixel-y when printed. What should my format/resolution/workflow be? [more inside]
Be polite, HELO or EHLO first
My emails from @yahoo.com to @ucla.edu are giving me a delivery failure notice with the reason "Remote host said: 503 Be polite, HELO or EHLO first. [MAIL_FROM]". What does this mean and how can I fix it? [more inside]
Question about JavaScript variables
In JavaScript, if I define a variable within in a conditional block, is the variable defined through a type of hoisting even if the condition isn't met? [more inside]
Los Angeles birthday exchange
Help me cheat to think of a themed birthday present. The theme is Los Angeles. [more inside]
Help me choose a gift
What should I get my boyfriend for our anniversary? [more inside]
Things to see in Amsterdam?
We (a middle-aged couple) are going to be in Amsterdam for two days early next May. What are the must-see attractions for someone who will be there only a short time? Thanks.
Think zebras.
In what might be the strangest location possible, I have come into possession of an actual zebra skin (with provenance dating to 1976). I don't really want it. What can I do with it? [more inside]
Usana vitamins
Usana vitamins, better than the norm? [more inside]
Owning music is so ten years ago
iTunes match question: If I "match" 40 gigs of music off of my laptop, I know I can then download tracks to my iPhone whenever I want, but could I ever re-sync it back to another Mac? How about a PC? Do those tracks have DRM on them? [more inside]
Choosing the right tree for my daydream...
I want to plant a row of (ideally flowering fruit) trees in my sunny yard to create a romantic arbor under which to throw glorious dinner parties for my friends. Any suggestions for which trees to plant? [more inside]
Where can I buy fresh concord grapes online?
Where can I buy fresh concord grapes online?
"Children almost always hang onto things tighter than their parents think they will." Right? RIGHT?!
Our daughter has come to an age where she wants to try more and more thrilling amusement park rides. We have come to an age where we don't.
How do parents with their own fears let their kids go and have fun on the thrill rides, when accompanying them is becoming less and less of an option? And, if the anxieties are such that even watching them from the ground is too gut-wrenching, and sitting at home while the kiddo goes with others is still quite nerve-wracking, what might work to deal with those fears? [more inside]
What is thisJ
A person I correspond with ends every email with the letter J. At first, I thought it was just a typo, but now I see it's consistent over dozens of emails. Now I'm curious if it's a thing, or if maybe it's some artifact of some unencoded character, or what. [more inside]
Need recommendation: guidebook for living in Barcelona
My son will soon be traveling to Barcelona, Spain to attend a five-month student exchange program there. He may end up staying longer. What are the best guidebooks for an American living in that city/region?
Codes and signals
I'm interested in learning about types of codes and signals that people use to translate language in various circumstances. [more inside]
Does Facebook publish photo upload statistics?
Does Facebook publish statistics? I'm specifically interested in statistics about photo uploads and camera metadata / popularity. [more inside]
New or refurbished iMac?
New iMac or refurbished? Help me weigh my options. [more inside]
Get a Canadian a Passport in Chicago
My friend, a Canadian citizen, is visiting me here in Chicago. First day here, she had her messenger bag with her passport (and all her cash, and her laptop) stolen. Where the hell do we go from here? How do you get a Canadian with no ID a Canadian passport? How does she board her flight in a few days? [more inside]
Tips for selling a piece to an antiques dealer?
I have an item I'd like to sell to a local antiques dealer. It's a mid-century modern piece and the dealer recently listed a similar item for $1200. Mine would need a bit of refinishing, but what's a fair offer? [more inside]
Is there truly a 40 hour work week out there?
Are there any truly 40 hour a week jobs out there that pay well and don't involve working evenings? [more inside]
New doors, new seal
I recently installed new doors in my house, I have three entry doors that I need to finish with weather stripping and a door sweep.
The doors are Douglas fir, single light doors. None of them get any direct rain, just mostly it is a air and bug protection is what I am looking for.
I think everything at Home Depot and the local "Door store" are pretty ugly, I looked online, but immediately overwhelmed by the choices and nothing stood out as being all that different from what I was seeing at the Depot.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Henry
Lesbian overthinks her gender expression. News at 11.
I'm a 22-year-old lesbian. I have never made any effort to look hot, but suddenly I want to, and it's raising some serious identity issues for me. [more inside]
How do I end the cycle of self-sabotage?
How do I end the cycle of self-sabotage? [more inside]
Understanding current gene therapy research
How can I learn enough about biology and genetics to understand current research into cystic fibrosis? [more inside]
How does 21 day hung steak keep fresh?
My local supermarket's best steaks are hung for 21 days apparently, and are red and fresh. However, when I used some the other day, and put some uncooked leftover back in the fridge, it went brown and started rotting within a couple of days. How does the butcher manage to hang the meat for 21 days without the same thing happening?
What filesystem should I use to share between windows mac and linux?
I have a 1TB external hard drive that I want to use with Linux, Mac & Windows 7. What filesystem should I format it with? [more inside]
GYOapp
Could I build an app? Is there an app for that? [more inside]
I am most definitely not gelling.
I work eight hour days where I'm doing a lot of walking and heavy lifting. I need some comfortable but affordable ($70) shoes that provide good support. Any suggestions? More inside. [more inside]
August 1
Small ensemble "classical" music that's not what I'm used to.
I want to find small ensemble "classical" music that I really like but don't know how to find or even really describe - "clean" and "structural"? Maybe it's "modern" but it's less abstract and more classical in scale and construction than the modern/experimental music I'm familiar with. [more inside]
Where should I go backpacking in Los Padres National Forest?
Where should I go backpacking in Los Padres National Forest? [more inside]
Where to go? What to do?
My planned holiday to Europe in Sept/Oct has been postponed, and now I have three weeks to go..... somewhere.
I'm female, early thirties and will be flying out of Sydney. I enjoy my own company and love to travel. Please suggest places to go and things to do that I will enjoy by myself. Preferences after the jump. [more inside]
Best device/devices to stream music from a HD to surround sound receiver and read e-books?
I need advice choosing electronic device/s to perform 2 different tasks (e-books and streaming music from an external HD to Surround sound receiver) [more inside]
USB3-->USB2 Woes
I'm getting awful speeds transferring to a USB 3 external drive from my USB 2 Macbook Pro. [more inside]
So, are we uh like, a thing?
Is it assumptive for me to bring up a DTR at this point in our lovey-dovey friendship? [more inside]
Thanking the Anonymous?
My girlfriend lost her purse with just about everything in it several weeks ago. It was found, with everything intact (phone, passport, SSA card, credit cards, $200 wallet, etc) and found it back on our front porch 2 weeks later. How can she thank everyone involved? How can we find out who to thank? [more inside]
How to create an effective flyer campaign?
How can I start and maintain an effective flyer campaign for a martial arts group? [more inside]
Is there a happy ending to breaking a contract and quitting your job?
I want to quit my job.. but I can't. I'm unhappy. I'm lonely. And I don't know what to do. [more inside]
Help me decipher this handwritten placename!
Bad scan, old handwriting; can anyone decipher this handwritten Irish placename? [more inside]
Where to consign in Chicago?
I'm looking for recommendations for consignment stores in or around Chicago where I can sell my collection of vintage clothes. [more inside]
Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Blade Runner. Harrison Ford. A gun, a gun, a whip.
Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Blade Runner. Harrison Ford is in all three movies, and he has a recognizable/signature weapon or tool in each one. Are there any other similarities between the three? [more inside]
Invasion of the Pod Plant... What is it?
Who Is He?
Who is he? [more inside]
Waterproofing: What to Expect
Waterproofing: we just got an estimate for our basement. What's best for us, and is this a good estimate? [more inside]
The chisel isn't cutting it. No, seriously, it's not cutting at all.
How do I remove a small concrete shower pan lip without losing my sanity in the process? Special snowflake details inside. [more inside]
Why do I crave chocolate every day?
I'm not sure what's wrong with me. If I don't have an entire bar of dark chocolate each day, I have what I guess is called a panic attack. Details within. [more inside]
Best way to stay in touch with family back in the States?
Moving to Germany next year, how best to stay in touch with everyone back in the US? [more inside]
finding good budget accommodation near art students league
I will travel from Ireland to study at The Art Students League on 57th St. Any recommendation on finding an adjacent good room to rent, or within easy access in a safe secure neighbourhood, as my budget is very tight. I would also be happy to swap accommodation or hospitality/study period. Thanks
How to get complementary colors in powerpoint?
Powerpoint Chart Colors Question: can someone tell me how to calculate the R/G/Y values for similar colors? [more inside]
Do I really need to keep free tagging on my sites?
It's 2012 and ten of my sites, all driven by syndicated content, have tagging. What value does tagging/folksonomy bring to the table, if any? Is it time to retire tagging? [more inside]
How much would you pay to keep me from making more babies?
Is there a website I could use to find anonymous donors to help pay for my vasectomy? [more inside]
Help my friend eat out on her trip!
My friend is travelling to San Fransisco in a few weeks (from Australia) with another stop in New York. She has fructose intolerance. What are some places she could eat in these two cities? [more inside]
How do I be a great SAHM for my baby?
Can you give me your best tips, tricks, and general guidance for being a stay-at-home mom of an older baby? As of next week I will be caring for our 8 month old by myself full time, and I'm scared! [more inside]
How can I stop traumatic flashbacks linked to my pet's death?
My pet died suddenly. How can I stop traumatic flashbacks and focus on happy memories? [more inside]
Another Change of Address Form?!
My SO and I are giving cohabitation a lengthy and gradual trial period. What do I need to know? [more inside]
Overwhelmed Mom Trying to Write a Dissertation.
How can I write my dissertation as a mom of a young child with so much on my plate? How can I prioritize over the next year to GET IT DONE? [more inside]
Please help me find a cruise to fit all my allergies!
I have some diet restrictions, I'm looking for a cruise line that can accommodate them for our Honeymoon next June.
1. I need gluten free options
2. I need gluten free & vegetarian options (IE, soups without meat & gluten, or salads etc...)
3. I need the meat to contain no addativies, injections, brines, etc... it needs to be all natural (ex, like sprouts or wholefoods)
I've found carnival has options 1 and 2, but not 3.
Any cruises that can meet all 3?
General allergies: fish, nuts, some citrus, sulfites
Can an Apple Airport Express extend any wifi network?
Can an Apple Airport Express extend any wifi network? Or only ones created by Airport Extreme routers? [more inside]
Technical Writer Seeks Non-Conglomerate for Employment-based Relationship
How can I find a job at a smaller company given my recent work experience (technical writing)? [more inside]
Stopping dribbles of rusty coffee coming through concrete wall
We have tiny but ugly drops of rusty coffee coloured water seeping through our toilet wall. The toilet is a tiny U shaped room with water coming through the two walls that are external. The thick layers of existing paint were holding it back but gradually peeling up in a few places. I hacked back the old paint and put on three layers of oil-based concrete sealant paint but the seepage is coming through that like it's not even there. What's the next step? I'm not sure that stopping the water coming is an option, since the walls are structural and thick concrete.
Getting more music in my life
Can you help me simplify the project of getting more music into my life on a daily basis? I am at home alone most days and would love to have more music on in the background as I work.
I get overwhelmed with all the choices. Spotify? Pandora? iTunes radio? Do I pay for the upgrade so I can avoid ads?
Is getting good music in my life time-consuming? Do I just need to devote some time to the project or is it relatively easy? [more inside]
Healthy muffin recipe needed
I am looking for the healthiest muffin the world! (But it has to be delicious) [more inside]
Phytic Acid: How Much Should I Care?
Is phytic acid in raw nuts an 'actual thing'? And is this really something I need to worry about if I eat vast quantities of nuts daily? I have been experimenting with eating raw food, and feeling better than I ever have (which is totally perplexing to this inveterate skeptic.) But I keep reading about the importance of soaking nuts to decrease the amount of 'phytic acid' which reduces absorption of minerals and other useful things from food. [more inside]
Need help navigating Montreal with two stops along the way.
Montrealers - does this driving plan (Ottawa to Vermont, with two stops in Montreal) make sense, or can you suggest better alternatives? [more inside]
Looking for a place to get awesome nail art done in Vancouver BC
Looking for a nail salon that does really fierce designs, ideally a WAH Nails or SuPa Nails equivalent in Vancouver BC? [more inside]
Help me find pretty rocks. That's all.
Where can I buy pretty rocks and crystals in Los Angeles? [more inside]
Who decides how many freebies I get?
As sort of a parallel to this earlier question, how do flight attendants decide how much free booze to give out? [more inside]
How long is too long to use major life trauma as an excuse?
How long is too long to use major life trauma as an excuse for everything in my life falling apart? [more inside]
What should I read at my sister's wedding?
Looking for suggestions for readings that I can give at my sister's wedding. Specific requirements inside. [more inside]
Why are Amazon eBooks suddenly so expensive, and will the prices go down again?
Alright. Why has the price of ebooks in the Kindle store (suddenly?) risen so dramatically? Will this trend reverse? [more inside]
Down in Jungleland.
Looking for a book that was set in NYC with a main female character that may or may not have been a door-to-door make-up salesperson in a dangerous neighborhood. Book had an odd shape and didn't appear to be self-published (I saw it at Borders) and was probably published within the past five years. Main character encounters a woman that appears to be the victim of domestic violence but... [more inside]
How to support the abused
I've started to date again after the end of an eight year relationship. The good news is I've met an amazing woman and we're starting to develop a more serious relationship. The part I (male) need help with is that it turns out she was physically, sexually, mentally, and emotionally abused in several previous relationships over the course of about 15 years. How do I support her as a new relationship partner? Can you recommend any good resources for me to read? [more inside]
Can I negotiate my medical debt?
Can I negotiate my medical debt? [more inside]
A job recommendation from beyond the grave
What, if anything, can I do professionally with my late mentor's very general job recommendation? [more inside]
What are some tomato-heavy freezer recipes.
This month I will have a boatload of tomatoes at my disposal. In February I will have a new baby. Is there anything I can make and freeze now that (a) uses a lot of tomatoes and (b) will still be good in six months? [more inside]
I know seven ways to knot a tie, but not a way to clean it
Oh great neck accessory wearing people of metafilter. How often do you clean your ties? How do you go about cleaning your ties? [more inside]
Fun kid-friendly games for 1st Gen iPod Touch
Fun, simple, kid-friendly games/apps for a 1st Generation iPod Touch? [more inside]
Plus, if I moved to Canada I could get that sweet iron ring.
Civil engineers, talk about yourselves! What do you do, what's your average workday like, what kind of money do you make and how did you get to the point in your career you're at right now? [more inside]
Pick my phone plan!
I already have an iPhone. I'm now moving from Canada to the US. What's my best option for a phone plan? Please note: starving student status in full effect. [more inside]
How do I frame the question and look for help creating a website?
How do I ask for help and where do I look for intelligent, experienced help in creating a user-controlled website for a wholesale company based in NYC? Any ideas about the ballpark cost to create a wholesale company website? [more inside]
Can I adapt to high energy situations?
Can high energy be learned? [more inside]
Can you suggest an inspiring leader?
I need to find an inspiring leader. S/he does not have to be english speaking or from politics. Dead or alive. Please let me know why you find him/her so inspiring. If you have non-obvious links to/about the person, please post too. Thanks!!
Diplomatic and tactful
In what ways are you diplomatic and tactful in your relationship? What areas do you tread lightly and how do you do that? How do you use persuasion in your relationship to get what you want? [more inside]
Where to go on our weekend roadtrip?
Portland, Oregon. Bend, Oregon. Salt Lake City, Utah. These are possible destinations for my family as we embark on an end-of-summer roadtrip. Help us decide! [more inside]
Help Support My Boobs! Um, With Your Advice, That Is.
I need the Uma-Thurman-in-"Kill-Bill" of bras: pretty yet nigh-unto indestructable. [more inside]
They call me Ol' Dainty Fingers Jefferson
What's a good bass for a person who plays a short-scale guitar? [more inside]
Will Boston Ivy harm my stucco siding?
I have mature and well established Boston Ivy (not English Ivy) growing on the side and front of my stucco house. I am worried about damage to the stucco, but I am finding conflicting information about whether I should remove it. Does anyone have any clear guidance on this? More details inside. [more inside]
Where is the drainage divide of San Francisco?
Where is the drainage divide of San Francisco, separating areas of the city that drain to San Francisco Bay from those that drain directly to the Pacific Ocean? [more inside]
What cognitive biases should everyone know?
What are the five cognitive biases that everyone should know? [more inside]
What video editing/effects software should I get when my hands are tied?
What video editing/effects software should I get when my hands are tied? [more inside]
How to delegate Google Apps contacts outside of domain?
Paid Google Apps accounts cannot share (delegate) contacts with users outside of its domain.
Has anybody come across this issue and been able to work around it? [more inside]
Nothing with Katy Perry on the cover, please.
What magazines should I subscribe to? Particularly with a crafty, healthy, or food bent? [more inside]
A running treadmill under $1000?
A running treadmill under $1000? [more inside]
Computer Network Solutions for a Basement?
How do I get internet access into a finished basement? [more inside]
My apartment is not your toilet.
I'm out of ideas - help me convince my cat that the litterbox is a good place to be. Long explanation with as many details as I can think of inside. [more inside]
Algonquin in the winter
Algonquin Park in the winter. Do you have experience/advice/recommendations? [more inside]
What countries are the most wheelchair-friendly for travelers?
Have wheelchair, will travel. My husband and I want to see the world! He uses a (manual) wheelchair. What countries are the most wheelchair-friendly? [more inside]
Looking for fiction about therapy or mental health treatment.
Looking for fiction about therapy or mental health treatment. [more inside]
How can I attach a pullup bar to my rack?
I have a weightlifting rack which is made of square, 2" steel tubing.
What's the easiest way to attach a pullup bar to it?
More generally, what are good ways to attach things to it in general? I'm thinking both of pre-made and DIY.
Bonus points for suggesting novel things to attach.
What are some nerdtastic symbols for me to stencil?
What are some geeky symbols, icons, or logos that I can create stencils out of? [more inside]
Utility costs for commercial rental space?
I'm working on the business plan for a "Maker Space" we're trying to start in Rochester NY. I'm trying to estimate utility costs (heating, cooling & basic lighting) for different size spaces (5,000, 10,000 & 20,000 square feet) that we might rent.
I know that asking what you pay may not be too helpful because utility rates, climate, building construction and use can vary greatly. But that's what I'm asking -- how big is your building or rental space and how much do you pay on the average each month for utilities? I'd also like to know if there's a good rule of thumb to use or if there is some other way to find out what we need to know.
english, please...
Could you read some Japanese (or possibly Chinese?) characters for me? [more inside]
Why so much Javascript-loaded content?
Why is the page content loaded by Javascript? [more inside]
Make me a cool cat.
Where is the best place to research / purchase moderate to high quality automotive window tint and what brands are reliable and quality products? Other tint installation related input likely appreciated as well... [more inside]
In to Africa - films and literature
Are there any new recommendations for books and (especially) films about Africa? I prefer themes other than war and violence if possible. [more inside]
Trying to diagnose a creak on my road bike, and figure out what I can do about it.
Trying to diagnose a creak on my road bike, and figure out what I can do about it. [more inside]
Addressing: the question
Looking at the Universal Postal Union pages on the matter, addresses on envelopes are usually right-justified and appear below the stamp. Why is this the case. Also, are the UK and Ireland the only exceptions?
Virtual Lecture Series
I"m looking for other online video lecture series on Economics or Philosophy, similar to this Reading Marx’s 'Capital' Volume I with David Harvey. Or alternatively more intellectual "Book Clubs / or Reading groups in London (UK) that do similar sorts of "heavy" books rather than the latest Tom Clancy. [more inside]
Cats need easy-to-clean water fountain
Need easy-to-clean pet water fountain for cats. [more inside]