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September 2010 Archives
September 30
I want to start using my crockpot to cook large batches of Indian food and freezing individual portions. I am soliciting your favorite recipes and any general advice you might be able to provide.
[more inside]posted by mellifluous at 11:44 PM PST - 11 comments 
Can I use Excel 2007's SUMIFS function to do the following on a budget/finance report worksheet:
Sum all of the transactions given a specific category AND a specific month.
[more inside]posted by man down under at 10:45 PM PST - 3 comments
I've recently acquired a promotional
record that claims to contain a message in coded DTMF tones (
mp3). I'm looking for the easiest, most user-friendly way to reliably decode high-speed bursts of DTMF tones. Bonus points for free solutions...
[more inside]posted by adamkempa at 9:51 PM PST - 8 comments
Is there a reason that drinking more water during the day would make me feel more thirsty and cause chapped lips?
[more inside]posted by Kimothy at 9:49 PM PST - 13 comments
What's the best (free) spaced repetition program right now? What additional memorization techniques do you recommend?
[more inside]posted by jsturgill at 9:27 PM PST - 15 comments
I need advice, Metafilter. I’m being bumped out of my office of 5 years to make room for a new hire and being put into a trailer 10 minutes away instead. Should I quit?
[more inside]posted by Jupiter Jones at 7:15 PM PST - 47 comments
Employer health insurance conundrum. They finally changed my health insurance this week, the insurance, but not the withdrawal from my check. Is there a time limit on this?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:08 PM PST - 5 comments
Going on a last minute trip to Portland Oct 5 through 9 and looking for a good hotel in the downtown area for my husband and self. I'm hoping to find something nice, must have wifi, under 200 (preferably closer to 100) walkable to downtown stuff, and on the quiet side.
We are there for the Guided by Voices show. I've never been to portland and have no idea what is there except they have a big bookstore I want to go to. Any suggestions for stuff to do in downtown area would be great - I will be doing more research online but I'm so tired from working since 5 am I can't stare at a screen anymore. thanks so much!
posted by Melsky at 6:59 PM PST - 18 comments
I'm looking for a parenting podcast to listen to. One thing I'm looking for is how to deal with typical strong-willed 5-6 year-old behavior. Thanks
[more inside]posted by crios at 6:47 PM PST - 4 comments
I buy fruit at the market for my toddler, but he doesn't always like it. Today's blackberries were too sour. Last week the apples were mealy. Sometimes the bananas get over-ripe before we can eat them all. What
easy things can I do to transform "bad" fruit into other things that are still healthy for a kid?
posted by xo at 5:23 PM PST - 23 comments
I need to have about 20 novels scanned, OCRed and professionally proofed for conversion to ebooks. Destructive scanning is acceptable. Have you had recent experiences with a company that provides such a service? What did it cost, and how was their proofing?
[more inside]posted by mumkin at 4:54 PM PST - 6 comments
I am a marketer/business-person and I want to transition into the health care industry. Help me talk like an insider at my next interview!
[more inside]posted by shotgunbooty at 4:48 PM PST - 5 comments
I live in Philly, and it's increasingly bad for my mental health that I don't have any single friends. Help me fix this.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:37 PM PST - 19 comments
NYC Dept of Ed filter: my friend got himself into a sticky situation at his new job (first job out of school) where he was being harassed by the principal. He documented everything but has not consulted a lawyer. He asked for some advice from elders in the DOE, was told to resign in a certain way and was told that this would not permanently remove him from the DOE system. This assurance may be false.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:07 PM PST - 6 comments
I live in Germany, and my German girlfriend's brother-in-law is originally from Nigeria. He is having trouble integrating. He's lived in the country (on and off) for 10 years, but continues to struggle with the language. To make matters worse, cultural differences are getting in the way of him establishing himself. What can I do to help him?
[more inside]posted by rhombus at 3:48 PM PST - 13 comments
Entering a 'friends with benefits' relationship and looking for fun and sexy ways to get to know each others kinks.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:43 PM PST - 4 comments
Does "maxiumum occupancy" in short term (2 months) condo rental apply to weekend guests? We're renting a condominium in Florida for 2 months. The rental agreement states that the maximum occupancy is 6 (three bedroom unit). We are a family of 6. My daughter would like to invite a couple of friends for a weekend (overnight guests), which would bring the number to 8 for two nights. Would this break the condo rules? What if they stay a week? If it's not permitted, are they allowed to have dinner with 8 people eating in the unit?
posted by kirsti at 3:00 PM PST - 9 comments
Me and the squeeze are headed to Texas for the
Austin Record Convention. We are pretty good crate diggers, appreciate bargains and are hoping to get some stuff we can't find by other means. I'm asking anyone experienced with that particular scene for some insight, as well as any tips from collectors on how to maximize the big convention experience. Thanks!
posted by bonefish at 2:50 PM PST - 5 comments
Why do TV journalists always get scientists to run a screen saver or mp3 player visualization in the background?
[more inside]posted by srboisvert at 1:52 PM PST - 20 comments
I have a tight IT band and a weak medial (?) glute which is allowing my knee to move inward, moving from tweaking towards injury.
I have seen the physio. Have 4 key exercises. Don't need more at the moment (thank you!). One involves rolling up and down a foam roller. I would rather cry in pain over this in the privacy of my own home. I have to do the exercises every day for 3.5 weeks so I can manage the half marathon I have planned (again, don't need advice on that, thanks - am being careful / will walk if have to etc etc)
So - where in the UK Midlands in a physical shop can I buy a foam roller to roll my leg muscles with?
[more inside]posted by LyzzyBee at 1:01 PM PST - 24 comments
I like that iTunes will automatically fill the free space on my iPhone with music, but I'd like it to do so only to a certain point, leaving a few hundred MBs available in case I want to shoot a quick video or download a particularly large app. Is this possible?
posted by moviehawk at 12:47 PM PST - 9 comments
Help me choose my thesis topic, which exists somewhere in the confluence of techno-sociology, media studies, developmental psychology, and the study of attention.
[more inside]posted by Roach at 12:30 PM PST - 5 comments
I am looking for an adjective that means something like 'sufficiently ambiguous (but encouraging enough) such that one can project their desires into [it] and find validation.' anyone got a fit?
[more inside]posted by armheadarmlegleg at 12:27 PM PST - 24 comments
I'm doing a presentation about conquering fear (of public speaking). Do you know any good jokes on the general subject of fear? Particularly on how fears can paralyze us, or how irrational fears can be?
posted by storybored at 12:15 PM PST - 11 comments
How did those of you with political or policy type of jobs get your feet in the door? Whether its campaigning, non-profit, policy or anything else political related, how did you get your start? More of course in the fold.
[more inside]posted by handbanana at 11:42 AM PST - 16 comments
Your recommendations for affordable self storage in Brooklyn or (VERY near to NYC) New Jersey?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:38 AM PST - 5 comments
I am helping to dress my man for an upcoming rock show. He will be performing in front of an amazing assortment of VIP's, including artists, tastemakers, and fashion icons. I don't know much about menswear, and he pretty much hates dealing with clothes, so I need some advice.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:34 AM PST - 18 comments
I have a pair of shoes I really like that I bought a while ago. I have the identification number but google isn't helping. Can you?
[more inside]posted by 47triple2 at 11:17 AM PST - 5 comments
Another what's the best software for this task question...what's the easiest way to identify and relabel observations with the wrong unique ID?
[more inside]posted by unannihilated at 11:07 AM PST - 3 comments
How do I get used to living in a state where religion plays a huge role in seemingly everything?
[more inside]posted by KogeLiz at 10:59 AM PST - 77 comments
Is there a site where I can mass-order small restaurant gift cards, preferably with some financial advantage?
[more inside]posted by Vorteks at 10:39 AM PST - 4 comments
I'm looking for an article about how the "good old days" (that the Party of No wants the US to return to) never really existed.
[more inside]posted by jcdill at 10:05 AM PST - 9 comments
This dress is absolutely stunning, but it appears to have gone 'out of print' a few years ago at J.Crew. Does anyone know of a similar one anywhere out in the cosmos? I'm aiming for a size 4, 6 or 8.
posted by ninotchka at 9:46 AM PST - 11 comments
How do you know if you are being honest with yourself? What's the difference between making excuses/rationalizing and being honest about the positive/negative of a situation?
[more inside]posted by sio42 at 9:38 AM PST - 28 comments
Someone recently moved, and tossed out some used bottles of alcohol (half-empty) among other non-garbage items they had put on the curb for trash pickup. My wife wants to use the left-overs for cooking. Is there anything to be concerned about?
[more inside]posted by purefusion at 9:17 AM PST - 65 comments
How do they make the TV show gangland? After googling, I can't see to find any interviews with anyone who works on the show. I'm looking for information regarding how they gain access to the gang members, what they go through gathering video on the street, things of that nature. Thanks!
posted by ejfox at 8:58 AM PST - 2 comments
I am opening an electronics repair shop in PA, I will be repairing cell phones, video games, and computers. Do I collect sales tax?
[more inside]posted by psiwave at 8:44 AM PST - 6 comments
I'm going to Las Vegas over the weekend and meeting with a friend for lunch on Sunday (and possibly also dinner) and we have some overlapping food issues that are making finding places a little tricky.
[more inside]posted by FritoKAL at 8:40 AM PST - 7 comments
I have some time in the next year and have give serious thought to going to school for Massage Therapy. Is this a good idea in our (America) current economic conditions? Is there a lot of job openings, as I've been told? It would be a seven month course costing roughly nine grand.
Beyond market climate conditions, are there any other things I should think about before deciding to get into this field? There's nothing about the job, that I know of, that I see as a negative. I've always been interested in health and fitness and have toyed around with this idea for the past ten years or so and I finally came around to checking it out. As a male in my mid thirties I've heard (from a masseuse friend) it may be a bit tougher for me, is that true or is there any such possible roadblocks? Do any massage therapists have any pet peeves about the job or is there something they wish they knew about before getting into the field?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:15 AM PST - 17 comments
What is a good pre-workout meal for morning strength training, and how long do I have to wait after eating to work out?
[more inside]posted by metakiwi at 8:00 AM PST - 10 comments
What is the easiest, most hassle free, and moderately priced way to create a link video link between two offices which are on different continents?
[more inside]posted by bryanboyer at 7:31 AM PST - 6 comments
Chantix: Please provide me some updated feedback on how it worked for you, particularly in the side-effects area.
[more inside]posted by sundrop at 7:03 AM PST - 17 comments
Is there a simple way to take a snapshot of a file structure/hierarchy on a Mac?
[more inside]posted by tawny at 5:27 AM PST - 7 comments
My mother never shaved her legs or painted her nails. It's too late now for me to be reading teenage magazines. Tell me how to do these things properly.
[more inside]posted by mippy at 3:19 AM PST - 54 comments
Now that I'm hooked on Hulu & Watch Instantly Netflix, will I be able to utilize them while traveling this winter? Or, are there similar websites that I can use to watch TV shows or movies on my Mac laptop from SE Asia and Australia?
posted by jsslz at 1:57 AM PST - 8 comments
A non-English colleague's non-English son is off to the University of Warwick in England tomorrow! What not-obvious but super-useful UK websites will help him take full advantage of his new-found freedom (and maybe even save him some money)?
[more inside]posted by mdonley at 1:22 AM PST - 20 comments
What advice would you give my friend to make him feel better during his (long overdue) rebellious phase against his overbearing mother? He's in his early 20s, from a Chinese-American family, and has made up his mind to stay home for financial reasons.
[more inside]posted by squirtle at 12:34 AM PST - 10 comments
September 29
I am going to be working regularly in Vegas for a week or so at a time. Where are good places (restaurants, bars, etc) to meet locals? Should be strip accessible as that is where my company puts me up.
[more inside]posted by ieatwords at 11:52 PM PST - 6 comments
Six months. Dozens of emails a week. But it turns out … he’s married, with kids. The thing is, I’ve known him more than 20 years. Help me frame this.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:08 PM PST - 62 comments
I heard some hippie-type on the NPR radio complaining that natural gas gives off those awful CO2 emissions that cause the greenhouse effect, Ozone layer, etc. Now excuse me for not watching that Al Gore movie, but this struck me as odd... ... isn't Natural Gas how most of the homes in upper North America are heated during the winter, every winter? Does Home Heating create even more "greenhouse gases" that cars do, is there a ratio somewhere? (homes 24% cars 15%)? Because we can greenly ride a bicycle to work, but we ain't gonna stop heating our homes ?!?!?????
posted by shipbreaker at 8:51 PM PST - 21 comments
Anyone know this questioner's conundrum? the statement I'm searching for describes the attempt of the speaker to "not think of you" and subsequent efforts to avoid the seemingly inevitable results of thinking about the elephant when trying like crazy not to, heeding the exhortation "DON'T THINK ABOUT AN ELEPHANT!". My inclusion of the elephant reference is as a descriptive aid, not part of the musing of the speaker, by the way.
Tao? Buddhist? Zen? Certainly meditative, but all I got on Google were answers pertaining to present-day songs and the like.....
Ugh. It is something of a brain-teaser, but highly enlightening in its treatment of helping one get around the mental chatter that seems to predominate thinking. Or, not thinking, in this case.
I can find it in none of my books, nor on the net.
I can't be the only one who has read this. Not certain about the era in which it originated, nor country, although if I were to speculate madly I'd say Japan, perhaps? Arrrgh. Frustrating. Damn ADD. Thanks, folks-I'll try and check back in ASAP.
posted by girdyerloins at 8:20 PM PST - 13 comments
Why is it that after breaking up with a guy six weeks ago whom I seriously dated for over a year (it was mutual and no drama, just kind of sad, bad timing) that I feel like I am cheating on him if I go out with someone else? And I have been asked out by some really great guys, but I don't want to go ... I really don't think I am still in love with the former BF but I thought by now I would at least want to go on a date ... I am guessing this is just a waiting game, things will change eventually but I am hoping for words of wisdom to help me move on ...
posted by justalkin at 8:15 PM PST - 9 comments
I want to buy a little wheeled TV cart to hold my 21" TV, VCR and DVD player so I can put it away in the hall closet when not in use. Where can I find a TV cart, on castors, wood tone, no wider than 30" inches, for $100 or so? Also, it must be available for purchase in Toronto or theoretically possible to have it shipped there.
[more inside]posted by orange swan at 8:08 PM PST - 12 comments
VideoProductionFilter, I'm doing a video project for school and I want to make the most realistic 1980-esque infomercial, complete with grainy/old-VHS look, sour, distorted sound, and muffled voices. How can I create these effects?
[more inside]posted by Taft at 7:30 PM PST - 5 comments
Now that telegrams are no more, how can I send congratulations to someone? Email and snail mail are out--this is a theatre opening, out of town, and the perfect occasion for a good, old-fashioned telegram. What do we do in this modern age? Thanks!
posted by largecorp at 7:09 PM PST - 17 comments
How can I transfer large voice memos (~300MB) from my Jailbroken iPhone 3GS to the web without tHe use of a computer (aka via AT&t's 3G network), and where can I store these files on the web via this process?
[more inside]posted by thankyoumuchly at 7:08 PM PST - 8 comments
I have a friend living in the US with US health insurance. He wants to move back to Panama, where he's from. He's recently had a heart surgery, and tells me that he won't be able to get health insurance in Panama as this would be a pre-existing condition there. It's not a pre-existing condition currently and is covered by his US health insurance. He therefore, doesn't think he can move back home. Its a stressful situation for him and I really wish I could give him some meaningful advice, preferably something that includes him retaining medical coverage either in US or Panama, and being able to move back to Panama. I remember from looking into this myself earlier that it did seem possible to retain US insurance coverage if you live outside the US but maybe only if you are a citizen. Please help!
posted by anonymous at 6:34 PM PST - 1 comments
What's the etiquette for contacting a cousin I haven't spoken to in eight years on facebook? How exactly to do it? Is it a bad idea? Unique circumstances inside.
[more inside]posted by slide at 5:52 PM PST - 16 comments
Homeland Security just searched my husband and accused him of holding drugs. He in no way comes into contact with drugs. What the hell? Help!
[more inside]posted by kpht at 5:44 PM PST - 15 comments
Women of Metafilter: did you have a loving relationship with your father when you were growing up? Did your father make you feel loved, supported, and valued? Can you tell me what that makes your life look/feel like today? I'm trying to understand how to move forward from a history with a sadistic, distant father, and it would help me to know what benefits you have gained from having a loving one, so that I can attempt to find those benefits for myself.
[more inside]posted by troublemenot at 5:42 PM PST - 26 comments
I want to build a misting fan, but I don't have easy access to a garden hose tap, so I want to use a pump to generate pressure. Where can I find such a pump?
[more inside]posted by DMan at 5:11 PM PST - 6 comments
We're going to be hiking to Everest Base Camp and right now we're trying to figure out the logistics of our very long commute. We're traveling to Nepal from the US, and will be landing in Delhi on October 9th around 9 PM. Our flight to Kathmandu leaves the next day at at 3 PM. Is it safe and/or reasonable to stay the night in the Delhi airport? Or would it be easier to book a hotel or homestay in the area?
[more inside]posted by ThatSomething at 4:58 PM PST - 11 comments
How can I force a laptop to use VGA out during boot up prior to windows loading so that I can get into the BIOS and change the primary display to be permanently the VGA out?
[more inside]posted by merocet at 4:52 PM PST - 15 comments
I'm starting to give up hope that I'll ever be normal enough to make
friends. I grew up with all online friends, decided to kick my social anxiety some two years ago, and went through all the hoops of that only to still have zero friends today. I've tried many things, which I'm going to list inside. I just want to know if there's anything out there, I don't care how crazy, that'll help me retain some friends.
[more inside]posted by biochemist at 4:26 PM PST - 46 comments
I am considering switching to the iPhone 4, which of course means switching to AT&T. I have never been on a GSM carrier before, and my home and office currently only get EDGE instead of 3G data, so I have some questions.
[more inside]posted by 4ster at 4:15 PM PST - 11 comments
Shoe question - I like brands such as Clarks, Born, Dansko, etc. for work and was wondering if anyone has suggestions of where to buy them. I'm looking for a bargain on these brands but with a good variety of styles to choose from.
Also if you have a favorite brand you'd like to share, that would be great. As much as I love the way heels and strappy shoes look, they aren't practical for all day wear and I'm a sissy about foot pain. I need shoes that look professional but are hopefully not too masculine and are going to be comfortable all day.
posted by greensalsa at 4:07 PM PST - 16 comments
Assuming knowledge of the theory behind logic gates and computation, when was the earliest people could have built a working working general purpose computer? Or to put it another way, imagine a modern day chip designer is trapped on a deserted island with no access to modern technology, but access to any necessary natural resources that he could acquire by himself, how could he go about building a general purpose computer to pass the time?
posted by empath at 4:05 PM PST - 20 comments
Science Fiction character identification: Which SF story had a sort of Friar Tuck like character who followed all faiths simultaneously and had the symbols for multiple world religions hung around his neck?
posted by Artw at 3:51 PM PST - 15 comments
The area between f(x), the x-axis and the lines x=a and x=b is revolved around the x-axis. The volume of this solid of revolution is b^3-a*b^2
for any a,b. What is f(x)?
[more inside]posted by stuart_s at 3:47 PM PST - 27 comments
My daughter's science homework is driving me crazy. It's one of these crossword puzzle deals. She's filled the entire thing out save one answer, and as I'm 30 I'm somewhat shamed that I cannot seem to answer a 6th grade science question. Maybe you can help.
[more inside]posted by kbanas at 3:36 PM PST - 10 comments
Have you corresponded with a prisoner? I am considering doing this, and I would like to hear experiences from people who have.
[more inside]posted by red clover at 3:27 PM PST - 11 comments
I recently saw a b&w photo of Jack Nicholson as Jake Gittes (Chinatown)--it was probably on the web and I'd like to find it again. It was an extreme close-up, forehead to chin, and Jack was wearing a hat and a nose bandage. I believe it was black and white. He was looking straight into the camera. It was not a still from the film and is not (to my knowledge) a famous picture as I remarked at how odd it was that I'd never seen it before. Anyone recall seeing this?
posted by dobbs at 2:58 PM PST - 6 comments
I know that casein-based products are boss, but which beverages should I get if I run out of kefir?
I mean, it's kinda awkward to eat ice cream alongside curry, so no desserts, please.
posted by DenLaerde at 2:30 PM PST - 6 comments
We're looking to sign a lease on the apartment we currently sublet, with the support of the current tenant. The management company has indicated they will increase the rent. We want to minimize (or eliminate) the increase. How to negotiate this tactfully & effectively?
[more inside]posted by limon at 2:29 PM PST - 3 comments
How can I tell Windows XP to make a beep, chirp or show a popup reminder every 10 minutes as long as I am logged on to my computer (and the screen is not locked)? I would like to save my eyes before I go blind.
[more inside]posted by kenbennedy at 2:08 PM PST - 6 comments
Social Media Groupies: I need ideas and input for implementing a process for creating and maintaining content for a fundraiser.
[more inside]posted by glaucon at 1:58 PM PST - 2 comments
In the state of Texas, who has the authority to release the victim of a crime's records to the defense?
[more inside]posted by xopaigexo at 1:38 PM PST - 5 comments
What new 2-player games in the vein of New Super Mario Bros Wii are out there? Or, what 2009-2010 games are online for 2-players in the same style?
[more inside]posted by cashman at 12:36 PM PST - 7 comments
I'm trying to get better at recognizing negativity gremlins, but I still have trouble circumventing them. Your tricks and tips, please.
[more inside]posted by peachfuzz at 12:30 PM PST - 25 comments
How can I help convince my spouse to support me in an entrepreneurial endeavor? She is risk-adverse and I'm sick of white collar jobs.
[more inside]posted by patrad at 12:17 PM PST - 32 comments
I hate voicemail. For my private cell phone, I use Google Voice, so I don't usually have to listen to messages, but can just browse them. At work, I don't have access to GV. What can I do instead? Specific questions inside.
[more inside]posted by ocherdraco at 12:02 PM PST - 17 comments
Group Activities, Games, and Challenges for Adults?
(who don't respond well to hokey or woo-woo stuff)
That require using teamwork and brainwork?
And don't need a lot of money or materials?
[more inside]posted by elleyebeebeewhy at 12:01 PM PST - 6 comments
I live in Los Angeles. I have a girlfriend. I have a favorite picture of her. She has a birthday coming up. I'd like somebody to take that picture and use it as inspiration for a painting that I can give to her. Does anybody do that?
[more inside]posted by tallthinone at 11:59 AM PST - 9 comments
Los Angeles Filter: I am a geeky/artsy gal who is currently based in NYC, who for various inextricable reasons is slated to get married in Los Angeles this summer. I am completely overwhelmed by LA and how little I know about it, but I am trying to make the most of the situation. I have a few questions which you LA-folk might be kind enough to help me with. I'm not the wedding-planning type at all, and so far my only main goal is that the wedding happen in an interesting place, which is somewhat compatible with my traditional extended family from their somewhat ostentatious culture. Big, giant sigh.
[more inside]posted by wondershrew with a helping of potato salad at 11:58 AM PST - 25 comments
Where in NYC can I volunteer late on week day nights or on the weekends? I need people-based organizations (so, not the ASPCA) with work that's not super stressful.
[more inside]posted by Viola at 11:56 AM PST - 7 comments
Considering starting a personal, moderately-multimedia blog. Leaning towards Blogger... but I have questions and concerns.
[more inside]posted by AugieAugustus at 11:54 AM PST - 8 comments
I just got a call from my insurance company telling me that someone had filed a claim against me for an accident I didn't have! They seemed to believe me when I said I didn't have an accident and are forwarding it to central claims. I'll hopefully get a call from them this afternoon with more information. Does this happen a lot? How would someone get enough information about me to file an insurance claim against me?
posted by chrispederick at 11:34 AM PST - 3 comments
Question about Civilization V; If one of my cities can build work boats and triremes, how come my other cities (that are near water) can not build/purchase them? They don't even show up in the build/buy list.
[more inside]posted by banshee at 11:22 AM PST - 9 comments
Some things I heard on the plan from a lady moving from Orlando - Follow up to "Will gators eat my kids?" question
[more inside]posted by jseven at 11:08 AM PST - 17 comments
I rode in a century ride last Sunday, It took me 11:34 on a mountain bike, with a 20lb frame, if everything else was equal how much faster could I have completed the ride, if I had a top of the line road cycle?
posted by kanemano at 11:07 AM PST - 13 comments
Looking for books or essays similar to Nick Hornby's Songbook (or other awesome pieces of creative non-fiction about music).
[more inside]posted by rockstar at 11:07 AM PST - 7 comments
Can my franken-laptop make it through the rest of the semester? Help me find out if I should invest anymore money into this thing, or throw it in the ocean.
[more inside]posted by shinyshiny at 10:35 AM PST - 6 comments
Looking for a peaceful, restorative mini-vacation to take at the end of October. Suggestions needed.
[more inside]posted by brina at 10:33 AM PST - 2 comments
I'm in what's supposed to be an immersive German language program, but my Internets are in English. Help me fix that!
[more inside]posted by coppermoss at 10:07 AM PST - 12 comments
Baby TEA's first round of vaccinations (at age two months) is rapidly approaching. Friends with kids tell me that this will not be pleasant for her or for me. What advice/warnings/words of wisdom can you give me before the big event?
[more inside]posted by TEA at 10:00 AM PST - 29 comments
Some researchers (pdf) have been able to acquire large state-level of databases from the state's Vital Statistics of every person's first name and race. I am having trouble navigating these websites though, and am not sure who to ask. I am interested in getting a list of all first names and race/ethnicity and gender of babies born in Texas for 1990 and 2000. If it's possible to get the data already in a spreadsheet, where name is a column, gender a column, race a column, and year a column, even better.
posted by scunning at 9:37 AM PST - 2 comments
I am trying to record a simple cover version of a fairly obscure song ("Mr Loveman" by Yvonne Carroll), but my confidence in my ability to work out even simple chord changes is pretty low and the song can't be found on any of the usual sites. Could someone please help me out with the chords here?
[more inside]posted by cincinnatus c at 9:32 AM PST - 9 comments
What is the easiest, cheapest, most effective way for me to set up a single motion-triggered surveillance camera at home to verify whether I have a creepy situation going on while I'm gone? If triggered, I want it to alert me remotely, stream video for remote live viewing, and ideally record to the cloud rather than locally for later viewing. I'd like an easy web/desktop interface to control it all. Have you tried one of those kits from X10 for this and did it work well for you?
[more inside]posted by Askr at 9:31 AM PST - 11 comments
Delicious Non-oily Trader Joe's Coffee? We use a superautomatic machine and "dry" or at least non-oily beans work best. We use and love Stumptown Hair Bender but think maybe we should at least try something else from time to time. Trader Joe's seems to have a wide variety of whole bean options at reasonable prices, but I can't see into the cans to determine which ones might be appropriate for our use. Can anyone recommend one of the TJ options for being both tasty and relatively "dry" of bean?
posted by cairnish at 9:28 AM PST - 11 comments
I recently bought a SteelSeries 7g and I just love it. My only gripe is that it's wired... I've looked around on the net for a wireless mechanical keyboard (ie. one with clicky keys) but no luck. Does anyone know of something like this, whether bluetooth or RF-linked? Otherwise, would it be possible/feasible to mod my 7g with the components from a wireless or BT keyboard?
posted by mandrake at 9:25 AM PST - 5 comments
Is anyone using bluetooth stereo earphones with an iPad? If so, what earphones make/model do you recommend?
posted by markmillard at 9:21 AM PST - 5 comments
How can I get Outlook to create a
text link to an email instead of a graphical icon link when drag-and-dropping into another MS app?
[more inside]posted by sprocket87 at 8:45 AM PST - 5 comments
Does anyone remember the name of the miniseries about a family of Mexican drug lords? It was on in the early part of the decade, 2002 maybe. Six episodes. Perhaps with Lou Diamond Phillips (although his IMDB page has nothing about it.) Specifically I'm looking for the theme, an instrumental perhaps by Calexico, (again nothing on their website about it.)
posted by Keith Talent at 8:38 AM PST - 6 comments
10th anniversary happening in about 2 weeks. Aside from repeating vows, having trouble finding inspiration to put some magic in this for her. Any ideas?
posted by scottymac at 8:29 AM PST - 7 comments
Cheap projector question for probably the millionth time on the green: Can somebody recommend a sub-$450 projector for watching movies at home?
[more inside]posted by Acari at 8:27 AM PST - 9 comments
SFW but probably TMI question about a change in bowel movements. Is there something wrong with my diet or is it something else?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:02 AM PST - 15 comments
I'm flying from BOS to BWI tonight after work. The TSA website explicitly says
knitting needles are okay in carry-on. I am only bringing carry-on. I plan on printing this page and bringing it with me, but should I still expect some grief?
posted by zizzle at 7:32 AM PST - 30 comments
what is a good app for a (brand new) runner to download on my blackberry?
[more inside]posted by sabh at 7:27 AM PST - 1 comments
I need suggestions for gentle, preferably clever or humorous signs reminding people to help keep the break room clean.
[more inside]posted by nickmark at 7:26 AM PST - 31 comments
I'm applying to a job where I recently worked for 2 years. In my cover letter and statement of interest, should I refer to my former co-workers (who are much older than me) by first, last, or full name?
[more inside]posted by jejune at 7:18 AM PST - 5 comments
Does anyone know of a reliable, easy-to-use upload script that can be used for business purposes?
[more inside]posted by exolstice at 6:57 AM PST - 4 comments
Research filter: I'm trying to find statistics about offshore oil/gas drilling in the gulf of mexico. Specifics inside.
I'm also wondering why Google Answers closed and if there are other paid research sites of similar quality?
[more inside]posted by jameslavelle3 at 6:39 AM PST - 4 comments
I'm looking for examples of musical artists that became
less commercial/mainstream/accessible as their careers went on.
[more inside]posted by the foreground at 5:03 AM PST - 66 comments
WritingFilter: Writers, what are some tips and tricks for coming up with awesome, totally original concepts? Or, conversely, what can I do to make sure my derivative stuff is top-notch derivative?
[more inside]posted by the NATURAL at 3:35 AM PST - 15 comments
In the U.S.: Do you use a press release distribution service that you would recommend? This is for a small business (with a relatively small budget) that at the moment mainly needs coverage in a metropolitan area, but which may soon expand to online sales so it would be good to establish as much visibility as possible. More details inside...
[more inside]posted by taz at 3:22 AM PST - 5 comments
Please help me find this book that was mentioned on one of my technical writers mailing lists that dealt with user communities, listening (maybe), social media and perhaps technical communication.
[more inside]posted by l'esprit d'escalier at 3:19 AM PST - 4 comments
What exactly is Colin Meloy saying when he singing "When wilt thou trouble the waters in the cistern" in the song "A Bower Scene" on the album "The Hazards Of Love"?
[more inside]posted by NoraReed at 12:06 AM PST - 13 comments
September 28
I'd like to set up a stolen photo equipment database. Ideally it would be searchable by brand, serial number, model, date, etc. What would be the best way to go about this for someone without technical expertise? No programming skills, limited html knowledge. Ideas are very welcome.
posted by ig at 10:56 PM PST - 8 comments
As the trustee for my parents' estate, what responsibility do I bear if I have ethical questions about how they treat my siblings in their will?
[more inside]posted by sapere aude at 10:13 PM PST - 14 comments
What should I do to treat my mouldy hiking boots? They were abandoned scandalously in the back of a cupboard for years, and when I pulled them out they had a fine coating of mould on them. I've left them in the sun for a few days, but what now?
posted by gerls at 10:11 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm looking for a word that describes consistent loops of music in one's head. Not just earworms, though of course earworms are part of it. I'm talking about a radio station in your head which plays a song more often than you ever heard in actual audio life.
[more inside]posted by goofyfoot at 9:38 PM PST - 9 comments
I automate a lot of tasks for my Web publishing company, but I'm not a developer. What kind of information worker am I, and does anyone need what I do specifically?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:21 PM PST - 4 comments
Is this an apartment scam?
A friend of mine is looking for an apartment in San Francisco. He found a posting on Craigslist and the price and location work for him but there are a few warning flags.
[more inside]posted by simplethings at 7:58 PM PST - 47 comments
Tell me about cleaning up a toxic creek. In this case, something like the Newtown Creek in NY, now a Superfund site.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/nyregion/28newtown.html
What is the process? Is it dredged? Dammed and drained? Dust, noise, time?
Please explain the engineering.
If the waste has seeped laterally, and it has, does that mean extensive excavation? What is the impact on the surrounding properties? What happens to property values, how do banks look at this, now and looking to the future?
Please explain from a Realtor's or developer's viewpoint.
posted by ebesan at 7:20 PM PST - 6 comments
Like many people in association management, I kind of fell into the position almost 10 years later. (I'm 35.) Fortunately/unfortunately, I'm still in the same position. How do I frame this as I job hunt?
[more inside]posted by meindee at 6:40 PM PST - 7 comments
Fellow mefites, I need your recipes for greens! My freezer overfloweth, as do the fields.
[more inside]posted by KathrynT at 6:40 PM PST - 32 comments
How can I overlay global literacy and economic (poverty) data onto a map?
[more inside]posted by k8t at 6:39 PM PST - 8 comments
Is there any way yet to buy a truly carrier-unlocked Dell Streak in the USA? The ones in the US for $450 are carrier locked. If I buy the model from the UK, with VAT, it'll be something like $700 after converting GBP to USD, and those are -also- carrier locked, to O2.
[more inside]posted by thewalrus at 6:19 PM PST - 4 comments
During a recent trip to the Mission District in San Francisco, I kept hearing a Spanish-language song with a pronounced violin section. What was it?
[more inside]posted by ciocarlia at 6:13 PM PST - 8 comments
Hello, I'm applying for a trademark. Is it best to just head over to the uspto.gov site and take it from there? or use any pro bono or paid work I could find from an attorney. A laymen such as myself could lost in the wrong forms? Thanks
posted by KHinds10 at 6:12 PM PST - 6 comments
I've come to the conclusion that I need a bed desk. Any good recommendations for the sub-$50 budget? Sub-$100?
[more inside]posted by ilikecookies at 6:01 PM PST - 9 comments
Business visa to go to India on October 15 - what's the best way to make this happen in time? Is a drive to the TraVisa office in Washington, DC, required? Also, from whom should these invitation/sponsoring letters be?
[more inside]posted by amtho at 5:46 PM PST - 17 comments
My girlfriend and possibly some of her friends would like to go as 40's cigarette girls for Halloween. Where can we possibly get off the shelf parts to create this outfit, yet not buy a pre-packaged, cheap-o costume?
[more inside]posted by Brainy at 5:41 PM PST - 7 comments
Where does the colloquial English phrase "I'm good" come from, and has it suddenly exploded in popularity?
[more inside]posted by bad grammar at 4:51 PM PST - 32 comments
Seems like a few years ago there were remakes of the impossible mission theme tune (stay awhile! stay forerver!) and a few others around. Now, I can't seem to remember anything about them - not even the appropriate search terms to use to find them.
posted by Ultrahuman at 4:45 PM PST - 6 comments
Something called "IRS Tax Relief Helpline" sends me junk text messages every day from a different number. How do I get them to stop?
[more inside]posted by vincele at 4:43 PM PST - 7 comments
I bought an Erhu (Chinese violin) in Shanghai and it kind of fell apart while I transported it back to Chicago. The string that acts as the nut has unwound and the strings and pegs have come apart. I'm looking for someone in the Chicagoland area that knows how to put this instrument back together!
[more inside]posted by yfatah at 4:39 PM PST - 3 comments
i just installed a new video caRD vn240gtmd1g and its workin and stuff but now i cant move the cursor in starcraft 2 everything else worlks fine i dont know what to do can anyone help?
posted by quseio at 3:59 PM PST - 7 comments
I figured out today that every single web browser on my machine (HP dv7t, Windows 7) - Chrome, FFox, and IE8 - fonts on some sites are displaying wrong. That's bad because I need to review sites for my job.
[more inside]posted by Medieval Maven at 3:42 PM PST - 3 comments
My boyfriend and I will be visiting my dad in China for two weeks at the end of October, beginning of November. I've been twice before (my dad has lived there for the past 12 years), but this will be my boyfriend's first time. We'd like a good mix of city and rural areas, and are tentatively planning four days in Shanghai, four in Beijing, four in Guilin, and four in Yunnan. However, we're open to other suggestions, so what do you think? Too much time in one place, not enough in another? Is there another must-see area? What should we do while we're in those places? Any ideas are welcome!
posted by odayoday at 2:58 PM PST - 7 comments
Where in Africa can I travel alone for a week (single female)? Company is paying for a flight ticket anywhere in the continent of Africa, but not expenses. Destination has to be fun, affordable and very very safe for a single female.
[more inside]posted by moiraine at 2:02 PM PST - 33 comments
I happened to stumble upon several health articles yesterday that mentioned that young, normal people should not feel a pulse in the little notch between your collarbones at the base of the neck. However, I can definitely feel a pulse in this area.
[more inside]posted by starpoint at 1:42 PM PST - 19 comments
Help me find a photographer for a small wedding near Front Royal, VA - in less than two weeks.
[more inside]posted by parudox at 1:33 PM PST - 7 comments
What comes after balance and practicality? Does it ever get not-boring? How can I resist backing away from success? Please talk some sense into me.
[more inside]posted by ramenopres at 1:23 PM PST - 7 comments
I need 144 (or maybe 36) different bad puns, "witty" sayings, and short jokes (plus accompanying pictures) about reading and books. Can you help me?
[more inside]posted by Mizu at 1:20 PM PST - 30 comments
My mom is trying to trace our family's geneology as far back as she can. She knows where people came from (Canada, France, Ireland) but we have no records further back than her grandparents, who came down from Canada.
[more inside]posted by unlucky.lisp at 1:17 PM PST - 5 comments
What sensual touch pleasures do you engage in as a single person? (Please keep it PG) Special snowflake single girl details...
[more inside]posted by shortyJBot at 12:34 PM PST - 34 comments
Over the past year or so, I've noticed a tremendous number of free or deeply discounted movie ticket deals. As a filmgoer, I love it -- but I don't recall seeing anywhere near this many deals in the past. What are the economics of the firms providing these discounts?
[more inside]posted by eschatfische at 12:33 PM PST - 7 comments
What is a gel-like material that I can use to suspend plant fertilizer so that it will release slowly over time?
[more inside]posted by freecellwizard at 12:28 PM PST - 4 comments
I'm in Paris (4e arrondissement) with my husband and our clingy 20-month old baby. No car. We're going to a farmer's market tomorrow, and plan to do a walking-around-looking-at-street-art/graffiti tour but need further ideas. Bonus points for minimal crowds, fun run-around room for baby, but with the possibility of really good coffee for mom and dad.
posted by lizifer at 12:15 PM PST - 4 comments
Car-purchase filter, and Cincinatti-area filter: I plan to parachute into Cinci this weekend and help my sister buy her first car. Help me do this right.
[more inside]posted by swngnmonk at 11:13 AM PST - 8 comments
Bay Area concertgoers: How early should I get to the Greek Theatre on Sunday for the Arcade Fire show?
[more inside]posted by eugenen at 10:59 AM PST - 7 comments
I'm acquiring a plasma HDTV, and I'm looking for cool things to do with it when I'm not watching movies or playing games on it.
[more inside]posted by pombe at 10:54 AM PST - 10 comments
Are honors societies helpful for adult students who already have years of job experience?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:58 AM PST - 5 comments
Looking for a PDF printer (or similar file printer) that can be used to print from remote locations.
[more inside]posted by dozo at 9:56 AM PST - 7 comments
I just got into road cycling this year. I bought a bike in February, and have been ramping up in miles and pace since then. I just did a metric century (actually ~67 miles) a few weeks ago, my longest ride yet, and it killed my left knee. With this in mind, how do I keep up my progress in the off-season and return harder better faster stronger? What else can I do to move up a division for next year? (Also-- your thoughts on trainer versus stationary exercise bike: give me them.)
[more inside]posted by supercres at 9:50 AM PST - 17 comments
Which car should we replace? My husband’s grandmother is going into a nursing home and has decided to give us her car. My husband and I both have a car and both need a car for work. So, which one do we get rid of?
Her car – 2003 Honda Accord, 25K, blue book value (per edmunds) $9000
My car – 1998 Jeep Cherokee, 215K, bbv $1700
My husband’s truck – 2003 Nissan Frontier, 75K, bbv $5000.
[more inside]posted by NancyR at 9:40 AM PST - 16 comments
Please point me to quality books, articles, etc which argue both for and against the use of quantitative research techniques in the social sciences, particularly in political science and public policy.
[more inside]posted by l33tpolicywonk at 9:11 AM PST - 14 comments
My friends and I would like to go on a vacation to Mexico this winter. I have done some research but all the options are pretty overwhelming, so I'm turning to AskMe for your advice. Details about what we are looking for are inside.
[more inside]posted by jouir at 9:07 AM PST - 10 comments
My boyfriend is part of a competitive league for X sport. He has a sticky situation involving a physically disabled person that he would appreciate your advice on.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:52 AM PST - 28 comments
I have just finished building this website... http://www.frankxcarter.com ...for a friend of mine. In Google Chrome the front page displays with no lines across the photograph and the link images {Journal, Photos, etc.) appear when you roll the mouse over the photograph. However, in Firefox there are thick horizontal white lines across the image and in Internet Explorer the rollovers don't display properly at all!
Any advice as to how I can rectify will be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Theo
posted by FuckingAwesome at 8:31 AM PST - 14 comments
Where can I watch American football (NFL) in Oxford, England (or London, for that matter)?
[more inside]posted by j1950 at 8:24 AM PST - 11 comments
I have a friend who has been diagnosed with Hepatitis A. She's had the virus for about a week. Is it safe for me to visit her? What precautions should I take.
[more inside]posted by Omon Ra at 8:04 AM PST - 7 comments
My kids are now 2 yrs and 7 months and we're going to be introducing them to peanut butter for the first time. Their pediatrician says it's safe. If you have direct experience with this can you please tell me at what age you introduced your kids to nuts and how it went? I'm specifically trying to figure out what possible allergic reaction warning signs we should be looking out for and how we should react to them.
[more inside]posted by zarq at 7:56 AM PST - 36 comments
I need an easy, yet cool-looking electronics project. In around one month, I'll be visiting Tokyo, including a day-long trip to Akihabara. Inspired by
this post I think it would be really, really cool if I spent part of that day buying parts in order to create something electronic. Difficulty: I have close to zero experience with electronics.
[more inside]posted by Deathalicious at 7:50 AM PST - 7 comments
The doors to my kitchen cabinets are now chalkboards. There six of them. Now what?
posted by sourwookie at 7:34 AM PST - 29 comments
We'll be moving into a rental office on a short-term (14-24 month) basis and we need to print new stationery. We only use about 125 envelopes a year (in two sizes: letter and card) and the minimum order quantity from local printers is 500 pieces. We've thought of printing envelopes with a logo and no return address and using a stamp or stickers to apply a return address, but the results have been tacky. With the move, we've ended up with hundreds of excess envelopes from previous addresses.
Is there a way we can solve this with something that looks good and doesn't cost a fortune?
All suggestions appreciated!
posted by quidividi at 7:27 AM PST - 7 comments
JavaFilter: I've pored over dozens of tutorials and read
Head First Servlets and JSP. I thought I understood how to utilize servlets in order to generate dynamic content. I can get a simple form/one page site going but am at a complete loss when trying to come up with a design for a full web application. My boss wants a demo by the end of the week (he has seen the single pages, now wants them to work together). My anxiety levels are skyrocketing as it has become clear I don't know what I'm doing. Details inside.
[more inside]posted by vilandra at 6:55 AM PST - 7 comments
I use
Videora to convert my videos (in DivX/XviD format) to something I can play on my
iPod Classic. Whilst it does mainly what I want, it also sucks. Please help me find a replacement that does more and sucks less.
[more inside]posted by mr_silver at 6:33 AM PST - 9 comments
I'm in NYC. I need an Anti-Vampire T-Shirt by Saturday Morning. How can I do this?
posted by The Whelk at 6:16 AM PST - 19 comments
Looking for a simple, web-based employee portal for schedules, messages, photo uploads, etc.
[more inside]posted by VuMastr at 5:14 AM PST - 3 comments
Researching issues surrounding websites with a database backend. Would really appreciate some pointers to get started - any recommendations on books/websites about website databases?
[more inside]posted by dragontail at 4:25 AM PST - 4 comments
Bands with the same name. Since you can't usually have a fist fight over it, how do you decide who wins?
[more inside]posted by theichibun at 4:20 AM PST - 21 comments
Excited for Hanoi and HCMC, but what should I visit between those two lovely cities in Vietnam?
[more inside]posted by bardic at 12:30 AM PST - 14 comments
I am planning on sending out a simple email newsletter for a museum composed in Outlook with tables. When I send this to my Yahoo account as a test, it's creating those damn links to pieces of the text that I didn't authorize. Do I have any control over not allowing these?
[more inside]posted by Foam Pants at 12:19 AM PST - 8 comments
September 27
Do you remember a recent-ish art-video where a woman is playing table tennis, in slow motion, and ends up dying horribly and her corpse being dragged away?
[more inside]posted by unmake at 11:58 PM PST - 3 comments
Help me get a care package of "Only in America" type stuff for some friends in Scotland.
[more inside]posted by arishaun at 10:07 PM PST - 32 comments
Please point me to some interesting links or books about Taoism (other than primary sources)
posted by MetaMonkey at 9:48 PM PST - 8 comments
Has anyone every had a New York City private school recommend a child take or retake the E.R.B.s with a specific proctor?
[more inside]posted by SarahWriter at 9:35 PM PST - 2 comments
I'm considering purchasing a 2009 VW Jetta TDI with 12k miles. During summer months, the owner used waste oil for fuel. (no separate tank or conversion kit). But we're in the mountains, and it gets brisk even in the summer. Should I walk away altogether? Can I ask a mechanic to specifically check out the fuel injection system? What else should I ask of the mechanic? Thanks.
posted by comah at 9:15 PM PST - 8 comments
Over the last few months I've visited a few botanic gardens and found several interesting plants that I haven't been able to identify.
Plant 1, the picture was taken yesterday at
Denver Botanic Gardens. The bush/tree was about 5-6 feet tall and the pods were about 4 inches long. I don't think the trunk visible in the background was part of the plant. It might be related to
Abrus Precatorius.
[more inside]posted by Confess, Fletch at 9:06 PM PST - 9 comments
Is there any easy way to find out the tax rate for different stores? For example, there are probably a dozen branches of some "big box" store within a 20 mile radius of where I live, but all are in different tax jurisdictions. For a big ticket item, finding the one where the tax rate is lowest could easily justify the trip. But how do you find it?
[more inside]posted by tomwheeler at 8:50 PM PST - 14 comments
Can anyone help me identify this song, given a description of the first 45ish seconds (no lyrics)?
[more inside]posted by mekily at 8:39 PM PST - 4 comments
Looking for a program or plugin that will let me select a bunch of data, copy it, and automatically paste it into a web form and automatically fill out all of the fields.
[more inside]posted by banished at 8:08 PM PST - 6 comments
Just ordered a Canon T2i DSLR with 430EX II flash. What other lenses and accessories should I get? What photo blogs / howto sites should I be reading?
[more inside]posted by buckaroo_benzai at 7:07 PM PST - 19 comments
How do I get a VPN (hotspotshield) to "turn off" so I can use the internet normally? Is it possible?
[more inside]posted by bearette at 7:01 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm bored and need a new, challenging career. I think I want to become a nurse practitioner. But, I can't start a program for 1.5 yrs. I REALLY can't do what I'm doing now for the next year and a half. I would appreciate some ideas/inspiration/reality checks, whatever you have to offer.
[more inside]posted by stewieandthedude at 6:32 PM PST - 8 comments
I have a number of DRM-ed iTunes songs that are not available to upgrade to iTunes Plus. If I burn the songs to CDs and re-rip them in AAC format (i.e., the original codec) at the same bitrate as the originals, will I lose sound quality? If so, is there a better way to strip off the DRM?
[more inside]posted by philosophygeek at 5:49 PM PST - 13 comments
I scraped my wrist eight days ago. The gash itself is healing up alright, albeit a bit slower than I'd like, and it looks like it might scar a little. But the surrounding area is red, blotchy, and bumpy like a rash, and it itches terribly. Should I be concerned?
[more inside]posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 4:57 PM PST - 24 comments
Tumblr question: How can I set my tumblr page up so that people can only get to a post if they have the specific link for that post?
[more inside]posted by reenum at 3:13 PM PST - 1 comments
Was there a hostage situation involving executives or heirs of Dow Chemical in the late 80's or early 90's?
[more inside]posted by heatvision at 2:54 PM PST - 4 comments
Walk me through this complicated transfer of two separate Verizon phone numbers onto an AT&T family plan.
[more inside]posted by billtron at 2:41 PM PST - 8 comments
I have a story in my head, and since we're relatively close to November, I figured I'd give NaNoWriMo a try this year to get it written. What are your experiences with NaNoWriMo, and how can I overcome my obsessive self-editing and various sources of distraction to be successful?
[more inside]posted by litnerd at 2:40 PM PST - 25 comments
Well, guys, it's hard squash season again (finally!) and I intend to roast and nom every seed I can get my hands on. What are your best pumpkin seed recipes and tips?
[more inside]posted by phunniemee at 2:22 PM PST - 13 comments
It's
that time again. Can you help me escape to somewhere quiet, remote, and definitely not of this continent (specifically, North America)?
[more inside]posted by xorowo at 2:16 PM PST - 16 comments
What are some movies that feature a plot twist wherein something is revealed about the main character's perception that changes the whole story...ie. he was dreaming, she is actually crazy, it was all in their heads, etc.?
[more inside]posted by dahliachewswell at 2:13 PM PST - 69 comments
Just opened word and discovered that instead of open and closed quotes, using shift+" actually creates « and », respectively. This is obviously annoying and I can't figure out how to change it back. Any help would be great! Thanks!
posted by WhaleRider at 2:09 PM PST - 7 comments
Is there anything similar to the Google Keyword Tool, which is no longer available as of today?
[more inside]posted by XQUZYPHYR at 1:54 PM PST - 0 comments
Need suggestions for keeping a close relationship with my distant nephew. He's almost eleven, and his parents have just let him join Facebook.
[more inside]posted by cyndigo at 1:51 PM PST - 12 comments
I am new to GraphPad Prism and love it, but am having trouble tweaking one of my layouts. In the layout, I have 4 graphs arranged vertically. When I select one of the graph objects, it appears to have extra white space above the graph part at the top of the object. I need to remove this space so I can size the graph evenly with the other graphs on the page (this graph must go at the top of the page and if I resize the object so that the graph part is the correct size, the object does not fit at the top of the page). How do I get rid of this white space? I couldn't find a crop tool in the program, program help files and the google failed me. I'm working with the 5.0 version, if that's important.
posted by shortskirtlongjacket at 1:41 PM PST - 2 comments
A few days ago, my husband brought home a bag of Archer Farms (Target brand) kettle-chips. The back of the bag said that they were prepared in "small batches." What is a small batch?
[more inside]posted by LyndsayMW at 1:04 PM PST - 10 comments
I am contemplating whether or not to enroll in an online MBA program. I am on the last term of my undergraduate degree and will be done on October 15th:) I am doing Liberty University's online program and will have a BS of Multi-Disciplinary Studies with cognates in Business and Psychology. I am weighing out whether to stick with Liberty and pursue their MBA program or to enroll in Walden for theirs. It seems impossible to find unbiased ratings online to adequately compare the two. Is there a significant prestige difference between them? Would earnings potential be higher at one over the other? Am I making a mistake all together in going for it online? I have a full-time job and soon to be two children that take up a lot of my time, so the online format is very helpful for my lifestyle. Thank you very much for taking the time to read my post. I appreciate any relevant insights or experiences that you could share. Have a great day!
posted by gibbsjd77 at 12:41 PM PST - 26 comments
My husband loves erotic photography and wants to start doing it. I'm not as thrilled, but I want him to have a hobby.
[more inside]posted by frosty_hut at 12:41 PM PST - 77 comments
Help me expand a small menu of Halloween themed cocktails, with a bent toward the classics.
[more inside]posted by kaseijin at 12:40 PM PST - 24 comments
I need to put together playlists for a new retail store Mrs. Webhund and I are opening soon. We're both totally NOT the musical types, but don't want to go the commercial "muzak" route.
[more inside]posted by webhund at 12:33 PM PST - 10 comments
125 page document due in in two days - has been behaving fine up to now, but all of a sudden it is messing about with my header styles so when I generate the table of contents I have random sentences from elsewhere in the document. I have been through the text twice now - first time to change all the sentences that had changed style back to the normal style - but when I reopened document it just reverted back to how it was before. Second time, I used the remove formatting function and reapplied the right style, but it has just reverted back again. What am I doing wrong and how do I fix it?
posted by janecr at 12:29 PM PST - 11 comments
Over last couple of years I have noticed an increasing number of people (male & female) wearing a particular scent. It doesn't smell like standard perfume or aftershave. It has a kind of herby / healthy scent maybe even a touch medicinal.
[more inside]posted by mairuzu at 12:19 PM PST - 34 comments
I would like to discuss with my boss the possibility of moving from full-time employee status to contractor. My primary question is about health insurance, though I have some more general questions as well.
[more inside]posted by Lutoslawski at 12:07 PM PST - 18 comments
How do I get Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for Macintosh to enter text on my pictures?
[more inside]posted by hdh at 11:43 AM PST - 6 comments
Is it my weight, or my being self conscious about my weight, that is making me unsuccessful picking up women?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:14 AM PST - 44 comments
Calling all snowbirds! I need your strategies for keeping snowbirding affordable and convenient. Tips, tricks, hook-ups, etc.
[more inside]posted by thorny at 10:49 AM PST - 3 comments
YANML: I have an easement through my neighbor’s property. I use it regularly and the neighbor and I get along just fine. The other day the neighbor approached me about extinguishing the easement. While he didn’t offer me any money or anything, he was clearly lobbing the ball to me to come up with what I would want to release the easement to him. I’m located in Alameda County, California. More than you need to know after the break.
[more inside]posted by phelixshu at 10:43 AM PST - 12 comments
I accidentally purchased a bottle of apricot brandy. It's not very good. In fact, it tastes pretty awful, even in cocktails. Any ideas on what else I can do with it?
posted by leedly at 10:43 AM PST - 23 comments
DaveMathewsFilter. Help me find everything that's ever been written, videotaped or recorded about Dave's songwriting process - everything from inspiration, where he writes, how he writes, with whom, what chords he defaults to when writing, etc.
posted by watercarrier at 10:41 AM PST - 9 comments
Does anyone have a recommendations for psychiatrists who can diagnose adult ADHD in Baltimore City? Calling JHU and UMBC medical center wasn't much help.
posted by josher71 at 10:28 AM PST - 2 comments
What is it called when a techno/similar artist mixes a song with chunks or samples of rock songs? What are some artists or songs that do this?
[more inside]posted by Diplodocus at 10:18 AM PST - 20 comments
What are some important things you should know before signing a lease on a commercial space? New building, storefront, Brooklyn. Help us get as not-screwed as possible.
[more inside]posted by soma lkzx at 10:10 AM PST - 8 comments
OK, here's a dumb one. Twitter keeps saying my photo is too big. Can't seem to compress my photos with either iPhoto or Automator. Help.
[more inside]posted by foxy_hedgehog at 10:07 AM PST - 5 comments
Does anyone know the name of the sculptor who created
this piece (sorry, only have that one cross-processed photo), or have an idea how I could quickly find out? It's at the MFA Boston (I think on the second floor). I've already clicked through their collection online and can't find it. Thanks!
posted by rottytooth at 9:33 AM PST - 2 comments
Asking for my bff: She and her boy are about to get engaged. Her mother has offered her a diamond that belonged to her grandmother. She really wants to use it, but it is a 1/4 carat round stone and she is having a lot of difficulty finding settings that will work with it. She knows it is a petite stone, and wants to find the best setting to show it off. She hates the plain four prong solitaire look.
[more inside]posted by MayNicholas at 8:45 AM PST - 19 comments
Does etiquette require me to replace the shawl of a dinner party guest that she ruined while out walking our property?
[more inside]posted by Nickel Pickle at 8:40 AM PST - 189 comments
What is the advantage of making a flow chart in Visio instead of Excel? I haven't played with Visio much yet, but I'm not seeing anything that's significantly better or easier.
posted by Caravantea at 8:37 AM PST - 13 comments
Which is a better way to stay hydrated while hiking outdoors: large quantities at infrequent intervals or smaller amounts frequently?
[more inside]posted by ErWenn at 8:34 AM PST - 11 comments
I've finally managed to attend a jazz class. Our first homework is to search for the available melodic options over the chord changes of an F blues (ie over each chord). Could you provide me with an annotated roadmap ?
posted by nicolin at 8:34 AM PST - 7 comments
will my ps2 usb rock band guitar and drums work on 360 rock band?
posted by lrodman at 8:29 AM PST - 5 comments
I have been thinking about pursuing a career in visual merchandising. The challenge: over 30 with no practical experience. Help me enable this dream!
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:10 AM PST - 3 comments
Every few
years I read a story about someone who can make artificial diamonds absurdly cheaply. Then I don't hear anything more, and I eventually notice that diamonds are not in fact absurdly cheap. What's going on? Are these stories just hype, or do the manufacturers just reach an eventual accommodation with De Beers?
posted by Joe in Australia at 8:05 AM PST - 30 comments
Seeking feedback on travel between Barcelona and Granada - short plane v. long train trip...
[more inside]posted by docpops at 7:46 AM PST - 14 comments
What is the best way to upgrade a jailbroken+unlocked iPhone 3GS from 3.1.2 to 4.x? (details inside)
[more inside]posted by lord_yo at 7:44 AM PST - 4 comments
About a week ago, I was lying down on my bed not feeling well emotionally - I had been very low feeling and had lots of anxieties and stressful feeling for months.
[more inside]posted by antgly at 7:17 AM PST - 11 comments
Looking for song lyrics that include the name "Jennifer" or "Jenny" for a playlist. Any suggestions? Many thanks in advance.
posted by cyrreb at 7:14 AM PST - 72 comments
I'm a newbie on all matters relating to air conditioning. Please help me buy and install a split air conditioner for my bedroom.
[more inside]posted by Gordion Knott at 7:11 AM PST - 2 comments
Is it possible to get a good-quality, long-term record player in London (or shipped to London) for about £70 or less?
[more inside]posted by Roz McClure at 7:06 AM PST - 8 comments
I need a large, clean image of the Rozerem print ad with Abraham Lincoln, a beaver and a jump rope. Google has found me some small versions, but they're not good enough. Can you help?
posted by Faint of Butt at 7:05 AM PST - 2 comments
First car accident ever, also first in the USA. Can you explain to me what I should do?
[more inside]posted by Tarumba at 7:03 AM PST - 23 comments
The new NHL season is fast approaching (yay hockey!) I'm living abroad for the year. How can I best watch full Flyers games online from outside North America?
[more inside]posted by Shesthefastest at 6:10 AM PST - 6 comments
Halloween-filter: Am I too ambitious to go as a damien hirst skull? Leaving aside hirst-hate of course, I'm thinking of tying my hair back and sticking rhinestones all over my face. How can I pull this off? Esp around eyes and teeth...
posted by nvly at 2:10 AM PST - 14 comments
I need to find out how my father died. It's not possible for me to contact relatives to get this information. Please help.
[more inside]posted by MiaWallace at 12:58 AM PST - 16 comments
September 26
Moving woes, including, but not limited to, a place I don't want to live, a strong-armed arrangement, and money I don't have.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:16 PM PST - 81 comments
When I enter numbers in an Excel 2007 spreadsheet, it automatically inserts a decimal before the final digit. How can I STOP it from doing this?
[more inside]posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 8:12 PM PST - 7 comments
I'm looking for a film and slide scanner and wonder what people suggest. Am I better off getting a dedicated slide/film scanner or do some of the higher end flatbeds work just as well (or better)?
[more inside]posted by Joseppi at 8:02 PM PST - 10 comments
Purchased MS Office 2010 Academic version yesterday. Exceeded 25 download attempts somehow. Is there another place I can download from?
[more inside]posted by fallsauce at 7:32 PM PST - 2 comments
I've just successfully installed Win7 onto an older but servicable PC in order to use it as a streaming media player in another room. Problem is that although it can
see all of the shared files, folders and drives on my main machine it keeps telling me I don't have the correct permissions whenever I click on them - but permissions are set to 'Everyone' and another machine (a netbook) I do the same thing with can see and play everything perfectly... can anyone offer any help or suggestions please, I'm at my wit's end! Thanks in advance!
posted by timpollard at 7:28 PM PST - 3 comments
Where can my wife and I go to watch live union rugby games in Brooklyn or Manhattan?
[more inside]posted by Xoder at 6:59 PM PST - 9 comments
I am an online publisher (have my own site) and want advertisers to advertise. I am pitching to an ad agency who has these accounts.
I want to look at a few pitch presentation decks. Any place online where there might be sales presentation to agency powerpoint decks?
posted by bostonman at 6:51 PM PST - 2 comments
I have a 4 year old Samsung ML-2510 printer that will no longer print. It takes in a sheet of paper about halfway, then stops for ~20 seconds then spits the page out a blank page. It will keep doing this until it runs out of paper. The red error light is slowly flashing. The problem appeared a couple of years ago, but I've always been able to get it to go away before. It worked fine the first time I used it this semester but stopped working the second time I used it. Since then I've only been able to get it to spit out one non-blank page, and that was involved in a paperjam. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get it working? I've tried Google and the Samsung site, but I get the same 4 questions answered over and over again.
[more inside]posted by Canageek at 5:19 PM PST - 7 comments
There was a fire in the next door apartment, and as a result many of our things were damaged. What should we be doing?
[more inside]posted by gushn at 5:02 PM PST - 17 comments
I've just canceled HBO in an attempt to save money... leading me to immediately realize that, aside from "Community", I don't watch anything on network TV. What's worth watching -- and which definitive episodes will have me hooked?
[more inside]posted by avidreader at 4:37 PM PST - 56 comments
Help me find relief from nosebleed problem while on waiting list for specialist appointment.
[more inside]posted by JoannaC at 4:12 PM PST - 11 comments
I'm looking for really beautiful, detailed wall maps of Ireland, The Canadian Maritimes and New England. Nice maps of Europe and US wouldn't hurt either.
[more inside]posted by sully75 at 3:58 PM PST - 10 comments
Best beach-vacation destination within 100 miles of St. Petersburg, FL?
posted by markcmyers at 3:00 PM PST - 6 comments
I was able to find "Hole in the Ozone", a song often played on Radio Aahs, by Bill Shontz. But I distinctly remember a Janet and Judy version. Does anyone have any recollection of this?
posted by boobjob at 2:51 PM PST - 0 comments
Is there anywhere where you can download a font like the one used in 16th-17th century books/manuscripts?
[more inside]posted by vanitas at 2:39 PM PST - 7 comments
I usually use Google Talk, and sometimes I drag my photos into the chat window, which allows the other person to view the photo. However, Gtalk doesn't allow multiple party chat, which is a pain because I sometimes want to show pictures to more than one person at the same time. Which chat programs allow you to drag-and-drop photos into the chat window while speaking with multiple people?
posted by shoyu at 1:36 PM PST - 5 comments
I want a desktop computer/video card capable of handling at least 4 monitors, but I'm having trouble figuring out exactly what I need (without spending thousands of dollars).
[more inside]posted by loquax at 12:56 PM PST - 9 comments
I'm looking for a short-term therapy to help me begin to change some very specific behaviors. What flavor is right for me?
[more inside]posted by ljshapiro at 12:56 PM PST - 6 comments
I know basic XHTML and CSS, and I'm almost done with my first Python book. I want to build a database-driven website. What should I learn next? Book/website recommendations and general advice welcome.
[more inside]posted by randomname25 at 12:49 PM PST - 29 comments
I'm looking for an affordable barber/stylist/whatever in Austin who's good with long curly (caucasian) hair. Bonus points for proximity to UT.
posted by nebulawindphone at 12:33 PM PST - 5 comments
I want to check various Microsoft Word documents against a list of thousands of words or phrases and highlight/flag each instance of any of those words or phrases in the document. I want a way to do this automatically instead of going down the list and manually Finding each one. Is this possible? Thanks.
posted by Jacqueline at 12:21 PM PST - 3 comments
What are the potential risks of leaving things plugged in on one end (to an outlet, to a computer) and free on the other end?
[more inside]posted by neuromodulator at 12:17 PM PST - 8 comments
I spend Sundays "mentally preparing" for work on Monday instead of enjoying myself. How can I change this?
[more inside]posted by jacobjacobs at 11:42 AM PST - 19 comments
I a doing a graduate degree in educational technology. I have two big projects to complete this year and I would like some help choosing useful/interesting topics.
[more inside]posted by Maugrim at 11:21 AM PST - 6 comments
Should I replace my ugly (more energy efficient) doors with some older, more attractive ones? If so, how to go about it?
[more inside]posted by Red Loop at 11:12 AM PST - 4 comments
How can I watch the new season of Dexter (on my media center Mac) without subscribing to Showtime? I certainly don't mind paying for the episodes but would like them in a timely manner. I do not live in a place where I can go to a bar that'll be showing it.
posted by jz at 10:41 AM PST - 12 comments
I'll be a student in the UK for at least one year. While there are many threads dedicated to unanimously deciding the process is a long, painstakingly near-impossible one, I've yet to see someone recommend a specific type of account and/or bank. (Especially since newer regulations have been implemented). If anyone knows of a FREE way of opening a UK bank account without an established residency, please share details. Thanks.
posted by Steve073190 at 10:04 AM PST - 10 comments
American traveller just landed in Dublin. Airline seat caused back pain. Traveller needs ibuprofen or Advil. How do we find this? It's Sunday afternoon. All we can find is panadol. Is there a way to get ibuprofen over the counter? Or even get it delivered?
Our location is near =
Inchicore Rd near the Kilmainham Gaol.
posted by valannc at 9:53 AM PST - 17 comments
I've been living in the south for about 20 years but I am originally from New England and have lots of friends who live in Portland. I'm ready to move and start something new. I am a massage therapist, but find I can't practice at the level that I used to and this makes it difficult to consider making a good living at it for the next 20 years or so. I have managed a successful massage practice but don't really want to do that all over again.
I have an entrepreneurial spirit, like a challenge, and am bored by routine... and I'm trying to invent a new business or career for myself. I have a little money to invest, but not a lot. I'm willing to learn a new skill, but not anything I'd need to go to school for more than a few months to learn (I do have a BA already.)
I'm hoping for practical real-world ideas, that will work in Portland.
posted by pinkbungalow at 9:50 AM PST - 6 comments
What would the 64-bit version of MS Office 2010 get me that the 32-bit version of MS Office 2007 would not?
[more inside]posted by dfriedman at 9:04 AM PST - 7 comments
Help this short, fat guy look attractive in a cost-friendly Halloween costume for an adult themed party.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:54 AM PST - 40 comments
I'm a single guy who would love to go out on a few pseudo-dates while on vacation. Also, I'm a Christian and want to keep it clean.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:14 AM PST - 21 comments
How can I tell whether vendors at my local Farmer's Market are
really selling locally produced meat, dairy and produce? What questions should I ask? Are there internet resources (websites or forums) that discuss particular vendors in my area?
[more inside]posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:54 AM PST - 10 comments
I'm designing my sister's album cover for her, and I would like some tips from people with experience in print design. I've used photoshop for quite a few years, and I'm OK at using it, but have never had to print anything professionally.
What I am doing for her is going to take some time and I don't want to finish and then find I have done some small thing wrong and have to start again!
Advice for doing this? What to do? What not to do?
Thanks...
posted by halcorp at 6:57 AM PST - 18 comments
I need a safe, reliable, and cheap car -- can you help me navigate the internet maze to find the most efficient sources on where/what to buy? New or used? etc.
[more inside]posted by LittlePumpkin at 6:48 AM PST - 11 comments
My daughter is hosting a potluck dinner for a group at our house. I volunteered to make and decorate a cake. What is a witty (short) phrase I can put on the cake for the "Queers and allies" group? I plan to decorate the cake like a pride flag, but would like to write something on it too.
posted by Lost at 6:23 AM PST - 11 comments
What sites are similar to Deal Extreme? I'm looking for a site that sells various merchandise at low prices, accepts Paypal payments, with free (or very low shipping fee), and that delivers to Southeast Asia.
posted by slashee at 3:45 AM PST - 3 comments
I’m looking for any video’s relating to how to run a design, tech or ad business the more educational the better. I’m hoping somewhere in the world there’s been some sort of fly on the wall documentary showing the workings of any of these types of business’s from the inside.
Help and recommendations appreciated.
posted by toocan at 3:29 AM PST - 1 comments
Is it going to be difficult for me to refinance my house .. and get a car loan .. or a loan of any type not having a regular income?
[more inside]posted by jason9009 at 1:07 AM PST - 8 comments
September 25
Hair-care newb wonders about longer styles for mature men with wild curls - what product to get, how to use it, and should I even?
[more inside]posted by Slap*Happy at 10:31 PM PST - 7 comments
For some unknown reason I've gained roughly 10 pounds in the last 1-2 months. I'd like to lose it for an event I'm going to at the end of October. I've never tried to diet before and I'm not sure what the most effective method is for short term loss. I will not be sustaining this diet for longer than a month.
[more inside]posted by WhitenoisE at 10:24 PM PST - 17 comments
How can I give an interactive demo of my product on my website ? Can I host a remote access solution on my website which connects to my computer and allows user access only to a particular application, so that he can work with the product and feel it himself.
[more inside]posted by inquisitive at 8:58 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm seeking travel options to go from LAX to Anaheim next week. I'll be bringing one backpack, and am also wondering if the Angel Stadium Amtrak/Metrolink station has 24-hour lockers, and how strict the stadium is about allowing bags...
[more inside]posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 8:31 PM PST - 5 comments
How safe do folks think 1password plus dropbox for syncing really is? Would you store financial information this way?
posted by dougiedd at 8:15 PM PST - 7 comments
[interwubsfilter] How can I connect my desktop to the internet using my laptops wireless connection?
[more inside]posted by sarastro at 7:59 PM PST - 3 comments
JoikuSpot Filter: Everything seems to be in order, but I just can't view any web sites. Please help!
[more inside]posted by murtagh at 7:53 PM PST - 4 comments
Which immersion blender should I buy? Which should I absolutely not buy? Primarily using it for soups for two people.
posted by nadawi at 7:11 PM PST - 27 comments
Do I need to buy CS5 just because I have to use the Classroom in a Book for CS5?
[more inside]posted by SMPA at 6:55 PM PST - 5 comments
I make kale chips using organic kale (from local health food store) and my dehydrator often. I
hate washing kale. It takes forever. Could I really do my body serious harm through my laziness? How likely is this?
posted by long haired child at 6:26 PM PST - 14 comments
Considering the future of the US economy, if one had a very large windfall of cash what should one invest in today for a steady, long-term income?
[more inside]posted by mintchip at 4:51 PM PST - 34 comments
Are these awesome posters in Japanese? If so, what do they say? Found them at an estate sale and the guy there thought they were from WWII. I don't think they're that old, but not sure.
[more inside]posted by allthewhile at 4:29 PM PST - 14 comments
Is there a realtime audio processing environment that is programmer-oriented? Like pure data, but text mode.
[more inside]posted by Netzapper at 4:26 PM PST - 7 comments
I have several lengthy documents I'm editing for a book. The author scanned his hard copy and ran the result through an OCR program. The OCR omitted most of the periods. Is there a way to make Microsoft Word 2000 or OpenOffice Writer 3 put the periods where they go, or am I doomed to putting them in as I edit?
posted by bryon at 4:07 PM PST - 10 comments
I'm a college student and I would like to begin cooking for myself in earnest next year. I love East Asian and spicy dishes, but I have limited time and resources (shared kitchen with 7). How can I be the least wasteful while still enjoying yummy healthy food?
[more inside]posted by monocot at 4:04 PM PST - 11 comments
I have a good job as an academic that benefits my career each day that I am there. I am hooked into a pretty cool network of scholars. Yay... but my commute is a nightmare. I am interviewing for a full-time faculty position that I will like and that will make my commute enjoyable and that will allow me to do the kind of scholarship I want to do.... but it may stain my resume. Yes, it is a for-profit school, but I get the sense that it is "one of the good ones," to the degree that that is possible. (It's not a chain, it has been around for many decades, they are moving in the right direction in terms of best practices.)
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:47 PM PST - 9 comments
I want to start batch cooking my lunches for the month. I want to create delicious, HEALTHY individually-portioned frozen meals that I can pop in the microwave. Other catch: they have to be relatively cheap to make. Suggestions for recipes that fit the bill?
posted by corn_bread at 3:40 PM PST - 15 comments
Vancouver, BC Filter: I'm moving out of the country in 3 days. Help me find a place to donate my potted plants.
[more inside]posted by kirstk at 3:32 PM PST - 5 comments
We recently moved out of an apartment with hardwood floors. The owner claims there is damage to the floor where we had a desk. He says he needs to "talk to his floor guy" to see how much it will cost to repair, which will then come out of our security deposit. I have no idea how much spot repair runs, and I'd like a general idea so that we can stand our ground in case he comes up with a high estimate.
[more inside]posted by DrGirlfriend at 3:27 PM PST - 7 comments
I have a TiVo, but I'm currently temporarily between internet providers. The TiVo programming data has just run out, and it looks like it's going to be at least another week before I have internet at the apartment. Any ideas on how I can get it updated?
[more inside]posted by Orb2069 at 2:55 PM PST - 9 comments
Prompted by the
recent Harlan Ellison thread I was reminded of a short story which I think was his in which a depressed and suicidal man freaks out an armed carjacker by threatening to kill him in an accident and leaves him trembling on the median. It was called something like "The More Dangerous Weapon". Google-fu is getting me to nowheresville. Can anyone help? Maybe it's not Ellison...
posted by chavenet at 2:29 PM PST - 13 comments
Single person, California Will -- can I really just re-write this California Statutory Will so everything goes to my god-child, instead of of my SpouseOrChildren? [Thence getting the print-out duly witnessed and notarized.] Is there a text or html file available of this Statutory Will boilerplate? (I can only find PDFs.)
[more inside]posted by Rash at 2:08 PM PST - 6 comments
There was a chipmunk lying on the bike path today. I assumed someone had hit it with a bike, but it didn't have any visible wounds or injuries. It was moving, but not much. Then a kid picked it up, and brought it to his mom, telling her it was still breathing. The mom said it looked like he had a mouthful of seeds and wondered whether it was choking. She cleared the chipmunk's mouth and then started heading home with it. At this point, the chipmunk was clearly moving, in what I'd call a twitchy kind of way. But it was consenting to be held in a person's hands.
Question: what could have been wrong with this chipmunk? E.G. do chipmunks actually choke on their food? Question 2: were kid and mom crazy to pick up a sick animal under these circumstances?
posted by escabeche at 1:51 PM PST - 26 comments
We have a friend who, through a series of bad decisions, ended up stranded in Florida with no income stream. We're trying to help her figure out the cheapest way to move within a month.
[more inside]posted by ®@ at 1:45 PM PST - 11 comments
I manage the Facebook page for our company and was recently prompted by Facebook to add a personal profile in order to manage the page. Now when I share items from other sites, they're posted on my profile page rather than our organization page. How do I fix this?
[more inside]posted by gfrobe at 11:47 AM PST - 3 comments
Help me start an annual 'birthday interview' tradition with my soon-to-be two-year-old. What questions should I ask her?
[more inside]posted by nuffsaid at 10:58 AM PST - 15 comments
What is the best/safest/most efficient way to send money from England to Peru, Ecuador and Mexico? What's the best international bank in Peru/Ecuador? What are the best travelers checks?
[more inside]posted by nickyskye at 10:55 AM PST - 7 comments
I've being researching about well-being and achieving this through self-disclosure (Pennebaker style) I've been narrowing my scope down to focus on how Pennebaker's style of writing has helped obese patients overcome psychological issues associated with obesity similar to other works on alcoholics and victims of traumatic experiences.
I'm not a Psychologist so a lot of the research out there is unknown to me, so does anyone know of any papers or authors that address this?
I've looked around but it might help if i have a lead or somewhere to start.
posted by jbw at 10:22 AM PST - 2 comments
What's the best way to get a good deal on a non-stolen PlayStation 3? New or used.
posted by unknowncommand at 10:20 AM PST - 3 comments
Looking for a specific magic card trick video I saw once... help me find it? Guy passes one card invisibly from one hand to the other.
[more inside]posted by jeff1010 at 9:33 AM PST - 2 comments
SaveMyWeddingVideoFilter: Recorded my wedding perfectly 1 week ago on a Sony DCR-SX44 video camera. Unbeknownst to me, I recorded the wedding and half of the honeymoon on the hard drive of the camera. This is where things go bad.
[more inside]posted by Atreides at 9:24 AM PST - 11 comments
Can a trainer help my little dog with her fear of bigger dogs? Can I? Difficulty: deafness, possible vision problems.
[more inside]posted by Countess Elena at 9:04 AM PST - 7 comments
I often use exposure bracketing with my Panasonic DMC-FX01. But now I have a problem, a huge chunk of my iPhoto library is taken up by trios of the same shot only one of which is actually needed for my archive. Is there some easy way to review bracketed sets and select one while deleting the rest?
posted by pasd at 8:58 AM PST - 5 comments
Any Medtronic employees out there? I'm considering a job offer there (Mpls location) and want to know how long you have to stay in your first position before transferring internally to a different one. Anyone know the policy?
posted by nancoix at 8:24 AM PST - 1 comments
I have just finished watching "The Wire" for the first time and I am looking through posts in the green and the blue about the show - and there's been a lot of discussion over the years! What are the absolute essential articles about the background and the making of the show that I shouldn't miss?
[more inside]posted by crossoverman at 7:31 AM PST - 16 comments
How can I best go about better recording the audio from a sound system, and then syncing it with video taken from the opposite side of the church? Also, how can I turn out multiple DVDs cheaply?
[more inside]posted by mccarty.tim at 7:25 AM PST - 8 comments
Say I might want to leave America. (Maybe on November 6, 2012! Somewhat joking about that, so don't get too distracted.) Where would I want to live? It's Mexico, right? But where? And also, am I being crazy in not thinking more of Europe?
[more inside]posted by RJ Reynolds at 6:41 AM PST - 21 comments
Please help me track down a childhood favourite book, about a miniature crystal cat that speaks to a lonely girl?
[more inside]posted by indienial at 5:28 AM PST - 13 comments
Seeking used car advice! I'm looking to find a used SUV or wagon that can be used to transport lumber and the like occasionally but can also serve to transport the family, including baby, when needed. I've heard the Honda Element is good because the back seats are removable. Any other analogous vehicles? We don't want to spend more than @ 11k if possible, which is why the Element might be out.
Please feel free to also refer to online guides where I might do research. My initial review is unfortunately turning up a lot of paid ads which aren't too helpful.
[more inside]posted by miss tea at 4:10 AM PST - 13 comments
September 24
Our cat has been salivating, lethargic, and had an irritated nose and tongue. Our vet diagnosed a spider bite. How long should the symptoms persist?
[more inside]posted by arnicae at 10:52 PM PST - 17 comments
Poetry filter: help me find a poem I read in high school. It was titled "the Octopus" and it was filled with metaphors for sex and sexual organs.
[more inside]posted by riddler at 10:09 PM PST - 4 comments
My optometrist just spotted a mystery mass in my left eye that's making my vision partially blurry. She's referring me to a specialist in Seattle who can see me in the middle of next month, but I'd really like to get an appointment sooner--and locally. Can anyone recommend a good, competent ophthalmologist with a decent bedside manner in Bellingham, WA?
posted by Janey Complainy at 9:26 PM PST - 6 comments
I'm interested in becoming a restaurant consultant. What books should I read?
posted by Infernarl at 8:32 PM PST - 2 comments
I have been with my girlfriend for what will be 4 months total as of October 4th. Still feels like the “honeymoon” period. Though, neither of us have had the best lives, so meeting each other was a blessing to say the least. Life changing in a lot of ways.
The only issue that seems to ever come up doesn't even directly relate to us or our relationship. It's her one friend of 3 years.
[more inside]posted by jolynntech at 8:02 PM PST - 21 comments
I'm baking whoopie pies and I don't have marshmallow fluff. Can I just melt marshmallows instead? In microwave or on the stove?
posted by leigh1 at 7:08 PM PST - 17 comments
I think I'm going to get my son an iPod Touch for his tenth birthday, but we're accident-prone people, and I know he'll also need a rugged case to take his tiny abuse. Can anyone recommend something?
[more inside]posted by littlegreenlights at 6:53 PM PST - 14 comments
Looking for the best solution for cataloging my vinyl collection - is collectorz.com's Music Collector my best bet, or is there something more customizable and/or tailored to vinyl collectors?
[more inside]posted by Banky_Edwards at 6:52 PM PST - 5 comments
Are there any notable books / web sites dedicated to explicating close reading / text explication / explication de texte, preferably with plenty of excellent examples and accompanying analysis?
posted by zenja72 at 6:42 PM PST - 2 comments
Law school student org drama. I'm the Pres of a very active student org. My VP is a good egg, but she's been acting "off" as late. I was talking with my Treas to figure out how to confront her about how she's been behaving. Plot twist: I then caught my VP snooping through my Gchat with the Treasurer. She didn't like what she saw. What's the best course of action, to help out all of us? Long explanation follows.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:22 PM PST - 29 comments
What are some famous and/or culturally influential books that are not hard to dive into?
[more inside]posted by mtphoto at 6:03 PM PST - 51 comments
What's healthier: 90% lean buffalo or a leaner cut of grass-fed ground beef?
Both are from Whole Foods, both come from animals that are fed a vegetarian diet and not given added hormones. I'm wondering about effects on longevity, chronic conditions, heart disease, etc.
Also, are chicken/fish healthier than buffalo? I've heard bad things about red meat but I'm not sure how much they apply to buffalo.
posted by JamesJD at 5:41 PM PST - 15 comments
How can I troubleshoot this MAC PRO G5 problem?
It's very slow, can't change system preferences, can't boot from second drive to run Disk Utility, the Dock is gone, five minutes to open a file...
[more inside]posted by lockedroomguy at 5:18 PM PST - 19 comments
Why do people say, "Can I come with" and "Do you want to go with"? That "with" hanging on the end of that sentence has always driven me crazy. I heard it twice last night on television. Isn't there supposed to be a noun or pronoun following that preposition? Is ending a sentence this way a regional thing? If it's grammatically acceptable, then why does it sound so utterly awkward to my ear?
posted by jackypaper at 4:46 PM PST - 62 comments
I've long wowed friends by pulling my amazing
FoldzFlat pen out of my wallet. But it just ran out of ink. Now that the cheap plastic ones have been discontinued, I don't want to pony up $25 for a metal one that's not even refillable. Is there an alternative?
[more inside]posted by grrarrgh00 at 3:50 PM PST - 12 comments
The household is throwing a small-ish cocktail party next week, and I've prepared a few homemade syrups and flavored vodkas for the occasion. Help me make the best use of them?
[more inside]posted by Narrative Priorities at 3:33 PM PST - 9 comments
I once read a poem in a literature anthology which said that the smell of boiling cabbage in a crowded tenement conveys desperation. My impression is that the poem may have been written 1940-1960 by a well-known American author. Can someone provide a citation for the poem?
posted by Abuissak at 2:34 PM PST - 13 comments
Why the sudden urge to have a baby with my partner when I wasn’t ever that into babies in the first place and I already had kids with someone else, and will it go away?
[more inside]posted by Zophi at 2:34 PM PST - 20 comments
What's the difference between Fair Trade Certified coffee and Starbucks Shared Planet coffee?
[more inside]posted by epj at 2:14 PM PST - 9 comments
I'm in the Bay Area, supposed to fly to New York tomorrow morning. For the past few days I've had moderately crappy sinus congestion. What can I do to make the flight as comfortable as possible?
[more inside]posted by telegraph at 2:10 PM PST - 24 comments
Making it simple, if possible: Is diesel a cleaner for the environment fuel than unleaded for a car that gets similar gas mileage? Basically, deciding whether to get a hybrid or a diesel car.
[more inside]posted by skepticallypleased at 2:05 PM PST - 13 comments
I quit my job. Do they legally need to pay me until the last day I state, even if they choose to have me leave sooner?
[more inside]posted by archimago at 2:00 PM PST - 13 comments
I've always typed quickly but a bit "wrong" (only 6-8 fingers). Is it worth re-learning to type properly?
[more inside]posted by razorfrog at 1:24 PM PST - 21 comments
I would to get a better idea for the history of pop, ideally all the way from Little Richard and up to 2010, though given that there is so much to cover, shorter pieces of this history are also of interest. I guess what I'm looking for is either a podcast or a TV series - something fun and interesting, and that at the end will give me a good feel for how different genres and bands fit together, who started what, and who influenced whom.
posted by Hediot at 12:47 PM PST - 8 comments
My geeky, standup and improv-performing friend is turning 50 today. I'm supposed to bring a joke to his party. I got nothing. Any suggestions?
posted by donpardo at 12:17 PM PST - 42 comments
I'm planning to assemble my own PC the first time and have several specific questions about components.
[more inside]posted by Perplexity at 12:04 PM PST - 19 comments
In high school (early-mid 90s), a textbook gave little two line ditties for various meters. I remember the one for anapestic tetrameter only:
I would like to be serious, but lo I cannot /
Anapestic tetrameter makes the verse trot
Which book was this? (It might have been yellow.) Even better, what are the other poems?
posted by jeather at 11:56 AM PST - 7 comments
Should I put my current job on my resume if I've only been there for 8 months?
[more inside]posted by Kicky at 11:21 AM PST - 13 comments
Need to get up to par in 2010 web training--social media, mobile devices, SEO/SEM...where in Chicago can I get this minus a degree?
[more inside]posted by stormpooper at 11:14 AM PST - 4 comments
I live in an oldish (1920s) apartment building, in a studio. A while ago I tried the time-honored "scream and rant to an empty room" method of anger management--and got a visit from a
dozen cops my neighbor called, and who went through my place to check that I wasn't axe-murdering someone or anything like that. This is, of course, not sustainable, but if I can't rant at home, where can I rant?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:24 AM PST - 43 comments
I’m looking to buy my first (used) car, but feeling kind of overwhelmed by the process. I don’t really have anyone in my life who is car-savvy. Is it a bad idea to ask my ex for advice or help?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:24 AM PST - 11 comments
Art novice filter: in my new office, there will be a space for a large piece of art, right next to my desk. It will hide things (computer monitor etc) some of the time and be 'rolled' away the rest of the time. I can purchase an image/print/painting, commission something or... I have no idea where to begin. Can you help?
[more inside]posted by HopStopDon'tShop at 9:23 AM PST - 2 comments
I'm assuming that there will be legitimate deductions I can claim for expenses come tax time (in Québec), and I'm wondering if anyone can advise as me to what they might be? Computers? Gas? Rent? Anything else?
[more inside]posted by Pazzovizza at 9:13 AM PST - 1 comments
The person I'm going out with claims they have no sexual imagination, essentially. Can this be true? What can I do?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:09 AM PST - 48 comments
I have a media server (a Mac Mini) with several external HDDs hooked up to it. I'd like to transition to a storage solution that will be both tidier and more cheaply/easily upgradable. Challenge: I am very serious about backups and don't trust a system like a Drobo to handle redundancy.
[more inside]posted by raygan at 8:46 AM PST - 10 comments
My friend is turning 30, and I want to get him a really special bottle of single-malt Scotch. I would appreciate your help with a recommendation. I have a few ideas inside.
[more inside]posted by Dasein at 7:55 AM PST - 39 comments
this isn't homework filter, I promise: what is the cosine of 30?
posted by pipti at 7:50 AM PST - 16 comments
A friend recently moved into an apartment and found a cabinet full of weird booze. So, what can we make with this strange list of alcohols? Full list inside.
[more inside]posted by jtajta at 7:34 AM PST - 32 comments
What are your favorite literary texts about oil and oil capitalism? I'm looking for anything from traditional realism to noir to science fiction, from poetry to film to comic books to video games to philosophy and theory. Anything could work. Bonus points if the focus is on globalization and/or Peak Oil and resource scarcity.
[more inside]posted by gerryblog at 7:15 AM PST - 18 comments
I have the cameras, the frames and the space but how do I hang them the same way they did in this photo?
[more inside]posted by grablife365 at 7:12 AM PST - 8 comments
Help me remind forgetful students (i.e. parents) of weekly lesson. Google Calendar and Gmail in place. Now, how to get reminders sent to them automatically?
[more inside]posted by skypieces at 7:01 AM PST - 4 comments
How can I get pseudo-mobile internet in France for just two months? There are wifi hot spots all over but the prices seem outrageous, presumably the unlimited wifi is only for DSL customers?
I'd happily tether to my N900 or buy a separate GSM modem. Any
recommendations? It seems odd if
Orange's Mobicarte the is the cheapest?
posted by jeffburdges at 6:47 AM PST - 5 comments
Is it possible for someone to hack into my Wii if I connect it to the Wifi network in my house? I really want to watch streaming Netflix movies on my Wii console, but my family insists that if I connect the Wii people will be able to hack into their Wii accounts and see all of their Wii Fit data like birthdays and weight.
posted by jihaan at 6:05 AM PST - 14 comments
Voodoo Filter: Can anyone explain this strange "
doll" I saw hanging from a door in Paris?
posted by Paris Elk at 6:04 AM PST - 8 comments
I'm spending the next 2 months in Beijing. Where are places that are slightly off the beaten path? Any favorite eateries, bars, clubs? Also, what are some places I could travel to when given a week of complete free time?
[more inside]posted by astapasta24 at 5:56 AM PST - 12 comments
What are some great traditions I can start with myself or with my family? Growing up, outside of your standard holidays, my family never had traditions like taking a yearly vacation, making cookies on Sundays, or going to all Notre Dame home games. Now that I am older, I want my own traditions. What traditions did you, your family, or friends have that I should be envious about?
posted by jasondigitized at 4:12 AM PST - 94 comments
I have some old work (couple of years) I neglected to invoice for. How do I maximise the chance of the chance of getting paid now? Given the time and the amounts legal action is not cost effective
[more inside]posted by epo at 3:53 AM PST - 8 comments
I'm learning English. Could you tell me the difference between "not bad" and " not half bad "?? It means, "very good"? If there is a kind of different nuance between the two, please show me how to use them.
posted by mizukko at 3:25 AM PST - 39 comments
Please help me find a song that still haunts me 20 years later. It was, I think, an Alejandro Jodorowsky film, somewhere in the middle of the film, two men are embracing, soaked to the bone and crying intensely, while a beautiful, lamentful duet is performed (in Spanish of course) by males and a guitar. It almost has the same effect as Rebeka Del Rios scene at Club Silencia in "Mulholland Drive", performing "Llorando", although much more intense. The scene and music are so perfect for one another, but I can't remember it for the life of me. Help Mefites!
posted by venbear3 at 2:02 AM PST - 4 comments
September 23
Are there any fairly dependable studies about depression and stay at home dads? Seems like everything I can find focuses on the moms. Daddy gets sad too.
posted by ducktape at 10:41 PM PST - 7 comments
How to contact someone in a non-creepy, non-presumptuous way when you've lost their phone number? Or is it better to just write it off and move on?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:54 PM PST - 28 comments
Please recommend a qualified non-woo-woo (intelligent, educated, up to date on the literature and able to deal with a thinking/introspective patient) therapist in the bay area (santa clara, san jose, sunnyvale, ...). Big plus if they take Cigna.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:53 PM PST - 4 comments
Help, please. I cannot get any page at all at Twitter to load -- it just kicks me back to whatever page I was on previously. This started exactly when I installed the latests AOL Aim program on 9.15.
I have updated my firefox browser, erased cache and cookies, and made sure JavaScript was enabled, and updated Java, but still no dice. Any ideas? I cannot even get to the Twitter help page or log in. Thank you so much.
posted by jfwlucy at 8:36 PM PST - 8 comments
I'm an undergraduate applying for a semester-long study-abroad program. I have to write my application essay both in English and in French. Would it be appropriate for me to ask one of my French professors to help me proofread the French version of my essay before submitting it?
[more inside]posted by datarose at 8:06 PM PST - 13 comments
I am volunteering for Jerry Brown's campaign for Governor in California - mostly phone calls and door knocking. Here's the problem: I'm campaigning
against Meg Whitman in my mind . . . but I need to know how to campaign
for Jerry Brown as well.
[more inside]posted by kensington314 at 7:48 PM PST - 12 comments
My fiancé and I are getting married next April in Los Angeles and we basically want to maximize the use of our available credit.
[more inside]posted by AsRuinsAreToRome at 7:03 PM PST - 7 comments
TranslationFilter, I was wondering if anyone could translate three kanji characters. I've asked around, and haven't found anyone, so I decided to turn to you guys hoping that someone would be able to.
[more inside]posted by pcowden at 6:38 PM PST - 8 comments
I just had an interview, and I know standard post-interview procedure is to send in an email thanking them for the opportunity. But ... I don't have my interviewer's contact info. In fact, when I asked for an email address at the end of the interview in case I had more questions and so on, his reply was "Best go through your HR contact; they'll pass on anything relevant." What should I do - should I send a thank-you note to HR? Send a note and ask them to pass it on? No thank-you note?
[more inside]posted by Xany at 6:22 PM PST - 12 comments
Is it possible to get tickets for the Arsenal Shakhtar versus Donetsk game on October 19 at Emirates Stadium? I'll be in London for a few days around then and noticed the fixture. Any idea of how much they will cost? If not that game are there other Premier League or good Football League Championship games in London where midweek tickets might be possible to get?
posted by sien at 6:16 PM PST - 7 comments
What web based email provider would you suggest as an alternative to my current one?
[more inside]posted by gman at 5:19 PM PST - 9 comments
A friend of mine who is an intelligent, hard worker, is looking for a job. She's been applying for a while, and I was truly surprised that she hasn't had an offer yet (academic post-docs) - until I saw her CV/ resume. It is not at ALL well-written.
[more inside]posted by Everydayville at 4:57 PM PST - 29 comments
I'm running a photobooth rental company, and need a new on-site dye-sub printer. I want one with fast prints and high capacity. I'd also like reasonable price (<$1000), and no tear-off strips on the prints. I've seen a few, but I'd love to hear people's experiences and recommendations.
[more inside]posted by jumpfroggy at 4:34 PM PST - 1 comments
I've got an .avi of a film, and a separate .txt file of subtitles, but playing it n Quick Time or Divx doesn't seem to bring them up (and it's not an option in the menu). Anyone know a quick and dirty way to make this work for Macbook Pro? Or do they have to be hardcoded somehow?
posted by dearleader at 4:12 PM PST - 8 comments
Given a known myopia prescription, and distance from monitor, could a filter be applied to an image so that it would be clear to me, without my glasses?
[more inside]posted by nomisxid at 4:02 PM PST - 8 comments
My adult life has been split between art (performing arts) and non-profit administration (major donor fundraising). I'm now approaching a point where I want to merge the two and create my own arts nonprofit. My intent is to start small. I guess I'm hoping to split half my time as a fundraiser/grantwriter/administrator and half my time running the program. Am I crazy? I dont think this thing will officially launch before the next year or two, so please pretend this will happen in a decent economy. I think I have a good service to provide, access to strong potential boardmembers, etc. Thanks, hive.
posted by mcgordonliddy at 3:34 PM PST - 11 comments
Need recommendations for a very nice upscale restaurant in downtown Toronto for a party of 10 for dinner ... on December 25th. Help please?
[more inside]posted by khregs at 2:49 PM PST - 6 comments
KittyFilter: Can I keep the cat who's been wandering around my apartment complex, first with a collar and now, mysteriously, without one?
[more inside]posted by notjustfoxybrown at 2:44 PM PST - 32 comments
I bought an artsy deck of playing cards--each card is illustrated by a different artist--and am looking for an interesting/creative way to display them: either the entire deck, or a few cards at a time. Any ideas?
posted by Ideal Impulse at 2:35 PM PST - 10 comments
My Windows XP Pro laptop blue screens every 10-15 minutes and runs really slowly, but I can slowly copy stuff off it to an external USB drive. What software can I use to do this copy that survive the blue screen and pick back up when I get it rebooted again?
[more inside]posted by cmm at 2:15 PM PST - 12 comments
I am currently researching a particular speech of Dr.Kwame Nkrumah for an oratory module on my Degree course and wondered if any one could advise me on how to locate (online/hard copy) a transcribed copy of the Motion of Destiny speech given by the man himself in July 1953 in Ghana.
posted by mycapaciousbottega at 1:52 PM PST - 2 comments
I've got several trips to the UK coming up. I typically only travel with my 3G iPad, and while the last few trips I've been lucky in finding wifi, I'm considering trying to get the iPad's data service working.
Anyone have recommendations for a prepaid data SIM that I can use with my iPad in the UK (requires a microSIM, not a normal SIM)?
posted by kaszeta at 1:15 PM PST - 10 comments
Looking for integrative medical/alternative health care providers in the Mississippi Delta; Jackson, MS; or Memphis, TN. If that's not possible, I'd like to find conventional providers who work on women's health issues and are caring, nice, and open-minded.
[more inside]posted by hansbrough at 1:14 PM PST - 5 comments
My ex, 30+ years of age, contacted me a few days ago to tell me I'd gotten her knocked up. Yesterday she said she wanted to keep it. She lives in NYC, where I lived until three days ago. I'm now in the UK. I can afford to jump on a plane back to NYC. So, who do I need to contact to get legal advice? How do I find out what my rights and responsibilities are? Two less delicate questions inside...
[more inside]posted by omnigut at 1:07 PM PST - 97 comments
What kind of school assemblies did you have growing up? Do any stick in your head as particularly interesting or important?
[more inside]posted by Hoenikker at 12:50 PM PST - 75 comments
Which alcoholic drinks would you recommend to someone who has GERDs? I would like to have a few drinks to get a little buzz going this weekend with friends without damaging my stomach. Also, what food and/or OTC would be good to take before and after drinking?
posted by anonymous at 11:47 AM PST - 11 comments
How do you get letters of recommendation for a grad school program totally different from your undergraduate discipline?
[more inside]posted by sureshot at 11:46 AM PST - 6 comments
My wife has an iPhone 3G that we'd been syncing with an old eeepc. The eeepc bit the dust, so the iPhone has the only copy of lots of photos. How do we sync the photos (not from the camera roll; the ones from the photo library) to a different computer? (Windows, please)
posted by drleary at 11:30 AM PST - 9 comments
I'm looking to purchase a camera for narrative filmmaking purposes, and am considering the
Canon T2i. Does anybody have experience with this camera?
[more inside]posted by brundlefly at 11:10 AM PST - 8 comments
Selling a house - Buyer offers to raise price if I pay closing costs. Anything I should be concerned about?
[more inside]posted by sisquoc15 at 11:06 AM PST - 17 comments
In 2006 my sister Emy took on a condo loan for her then-future mother-in-law, Mabel, who could not qualify. Things have not worked out as well as she planned. What recourse does she have?
[more inside]posted by vilcxjo_BLANKA at 10:20 AM PST - 15 comments
Where do people (in Seattle, specifically) who've cracked the seven-figure income bracket shop? Eat out? If my fairy godmother appeared today with her phat bankroll for a three-day makeover spree, where would she take me?
[more inside]posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:00 AM PST - 15 comments
My kid is bad. I need a book to teach me how to make her not be bad anymore.
[more inside]posted by ND¢ at 9:54 AM PST - 69 comments
Sometimes when I drink alcohol I get sort of an allergic reaction: skin rash (red spots on my face and shoulders) that feels a bit itchy. The first time that happened was about 2 years ago (never had that before and I'm 29 now) and now it occurs about every tenth (or so) time I drink hard liquor. It hardly ever occurs with beer or wine and it doesn't seem to be related to a certain ingredient (it happens with vodka as well as with Campari). Plus it doesn't seem to be related to the quantity of alcohol ingested. Maybe the cause is a certain kind of food in combination with alcohol? I haven't done enough "tests" to find out more.
What could that be and need I be worried?
posted by cronholio at 9:47 AM PST - 13 comments
My wife and I are looking for a new camera with which to take pictures of our son. We've got a Point and Shoot that we're not particularly happy with so will be looking at a DSLR. I like the looks of the Nikon D3100 that is coming out soon, but the D90 seems like it might be a better camera for not a whole lot more money. Is it worth the difference in price?
[more inside]posted by bDiddy at 9:21 AM PST - 15 comments
I recently played with an iPad, and I definitely see the appeal. I tend to hate touchscreens in favor of clickable keyboards, but I do see the use of touchscreens in web browsing, e-book reading, etc. I like the form factor and portability of the iPad, and I especially like the no-contract a la carte wireless options. Now that I've started to think about what I might use such a device for, what are my options?
[more inside]posted by RobotNinja at 8:38 AM PST - 37 comments
I'm interested in traveling with some of my college students overseas. Have you done this? Did you work with a company like EF Tours?
[more inside]posted by madred at 8:28 AM PST - 2 comments
I like to donate my spare books to the library. They always take them. Am I helping them?
[more inside]posted by musofire at 8:21 AM PST - 21 comments
How do I used spaced repetition learning to improve my life, beyond the obvious applications?
[more inside]posted by henryaj at 8:16 AM PST - 7 comments
Another half-remembered book from childhood: Friend of the narrator is brilliant, and coordinates or manipulates all the kids in their town into setting up awesome pranks. Pennies, soap, and aardvarks are involved.
[more inside]posted by longtime_lurker at 8:06 AM PST - 7 comments
Dad has a bookcase of Harvard Classics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Classics) his dad bought in 1910. Would like to give them to someone or an organization. They're not too rare; plenty on ebay. I'm googled out. Don't want to throw them away. Thanks.
posted by jara1953 at 8:05 AM PST - 6 comments
My sister loves to read. My mother and I have decided to chip in and buy her an e-reader for the holidays . At first I thought to buy her a Nook, since she lives within walking distance of a Barnes and Noble.. but after doing some preliminary research of pros and cons.. I am a little confused.
[more inside]posted by royalsong at 8:01 AM PST - 35 comments
I’ve recently, over the course of the last year, gone from being a pretty average person to being a raging germophobe, and I am exhausted. Instead of remaining on constant, high-alert paranoia, I would like to develop a set of rules that I can follow and rest assured that I’m doing what is reasonably possible to prevent germ-related catastrophe. I’m interested in knowing the chances of xyz germ contamination happening, and how to go about reasonable prevention that won’t disrupt normal routines or inconvenience others. What are your cleaning rituals, when do you take calculated risks, and when do you decide that worrying isn’t worth it?
[more inside]posted by pluot at 7:56 AM PST - 18 comments
I need some rather specific statistical data: the number of tourists to visit Berlin in the past few years, broken down by
age. [see more inside for details]
[more inside]posted by LMGM at 7:51 AM PST - 3 comments
Can I use my commute to work to improve my singing voice? I sit in the car for an hour and a half each day. Are there any training CDs I can use in that time to learn to sing? For the purpose of this question, let's assume I can generally stay in tune when I warm up.
posted by Dragonness at 7:35 AM PST - 9 comments
YANAD filter: took a new med, got hives. My doctor's advice on what to do next is troubling me a bit. Wondering if anyone who's suffered the same can tell me what their course was.
[more inside]posted by mylittlepoppet at 7:01 AM PST - 19 comments
I have an Android phone and using Google talk to chat with my friends. I want to connect my Google talk to MSN Messenger and Yahoo. Do you know a good and reliable connector that I can use?
I know there are other clients such as Ebuddy/Meebo, but I prefer Gtalk since it is very reliable and I don't want the battery life to suffer by using another app.
I did some Google search, many instructions and lists are outdated.
posted by bbxx at 5:48 AM PST - 4 comments
Besides letter-writing and reducing your carbon footprint, what else can one do about climate change?
[more inside]posted by theNeutral at 5:17 AM PST - 18 comments
Im looking for a movie that is about bad orphans from the 70's or 80's. The scene i remember is the adopted oprhans friends (also orphans) tie up the sister and wreck the house and one of them yells hurricane. I think it may be a b rated movie
posted by ice1sro at 4:09 AM PST - 4 comments
I need inspiration for a playlist - all songs about actors [OR by movie stars that don't normally sing]. So - Gorillaz - "Clint Eastwood", works well, as does Clint Eastwood - "I talk to the trees". I prefer songs
about the stars, but
by is acceptable too.
posted by dash_slot- at 3:04 AM PST - 91 comments
Where can I get hold of free or low-cost industry and financial figures for the UK over-the-counter pharmacy industry?
[more inside]posted by tawny at 2:58 AM PST - 3 comments
Please help me find this scifi book - this has been bothering me for 3+ years
[more inside]posted by smanek at 2:55 AM PST - 3 comments
My almost 13 year old daughter is bored with Yoville, Farmville, and other FB games. We're in search of free online games that allow her to design an avatar, compete for virtual prizes, and have moderated opportunities for interaction.
[more inside]posted by kbar1 at 12:03 AM PST - 15 comments
Attention TWINS!!! Never had twins in the family, now there are 2 fraternal girls on the way. We're excited for the special things they'll experience as twins, but only know the obvious things (share a womb, always have a playmate, share clothes, etc). Please share: What are some cool things about being a twin?
[more inside]posted by wannaknow at 12:00 AM PST - 20 comments
September 22
My mother in Vancouver sent me
this photo that she took while out on a stroll today. It's of a decorative weathervane on a building in Vancouver's west end (near Howe and Pacific I think she said), and shows a person reading (?) while seated backwards on a horse. Is there a story here? What is this referring to?
posted by woodblock100 at 11:48 PM PST - 3 comments
What's the language in these ads?
(And what country thinks of milk + pandas, or Chinese + cheese?)
http://laughingsquid.com/never-say-no-to-panda/
posted by kestralwing at 9:45 PM PST - 3 comments
My mom's new roommate has cat, I have a cat. Should the cats meet?
If I were a cat I would like to spend time with my own kind, and I feel my cat has been deprived of this experience.
(more below)
[more inside]posted by santogold at 9:40 PM PST - 18 comments
Suggestions for nonfiction books about people with immense character and integrity?
[more inside]posted by CZMR at 9:09 PM PST - 16 comments
Earlier this year I watched a demo of an upcoming multi-player, online video game. In this game, you explored and build structures and traps using an extensive toolkit of components. Some items had sensors that could trigger events on other items. Tower-defense + sandbox + player-vs-player. Help me remember the game's name?
[more inside]posted by phoeniciansailor at 9:01 PM PST - 6 comments
I used to live in a co-op, and our kitchen managers always stressed not putting cans or aluminum in the fridge. They said that it could cause botulism to grow. Fact or fiction?
[more inside]posted by archagon at 8:32 PM PST - 29 comments
How do I avoid alienating either of two friends who just broke up? I have to pull out of attending an event with one of them, so do I mention that it's because I'll be attending with the other, or say nothing about why, and risk running into them there?
[more inside]posted by lollusc at 8:09 PM PST - 13 comments
I own a really great skeleton. A company wants to rent it from me for 10 days. What is a fair price to charge for it?
[more inside]posted by andreapandrea at 7:47 PM PST - 22 comments
Double question involving Wonka's Everlasting Gobstoppers. The actual ones, not the fictional ones.
[more inside]posted by norm at 7:34 PM PST - 20 comments
What cool, reasonably small electric thing would you like to have running all the time in your kitchen, that you don't need to see, touch, or turn off and on?
[more inside]posted by woot at 7:18 PM PST - 22 comments
What should I do, show up to court and show my proof of insurance/pay a ticket OR not go to my first day of nursing school class?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:02 PM PST - 19 comments
I'm British, male, in my late twenties, straight, and it's years since I last slept with a woman. Years. I'm going to be in Las Vegas in a few weeks and I'm wondering about resurrecting my lost sexuality there. Please help me think this through.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 6:35 PM PST - 26 comments
So I am male to female pre-op transsexual, and living in the Philippines. I am curious if there are any effective transsexual dating websites out there that really give good results and not just really looking for sex? I am new to the whole online dating scene and I want to try it. Thanks a lot.
posted by anonymous at 6:33 PM PST - 2 comments
There was a cowgirl fair who road across the prairie; she rode side saddle and her front name was Mary. Obscure folk/children song lyrics...can you fill in the blanks?
[more inside]posted by LittleMissCranky at 5:55 PM PST - 4 comments
Wifey and I are on vacation. We’re currently in White River Junction, Vermont and heading towards western New York. We’d like to spend a night in a town or city that has a vibrant downtown with some interesting shops, restaurants, museums or other attractions. Saratoga is a good example of the kind of place we’d like to visit, but we’ve recently been there. Any suggestions? It doesn’t have to be directly on our route but we don’t have time for a huge detour.
posted by someonesomewhere at 5:24 PM PST - 19 comments
Car nausea solutions? Once a month or so, I get motion sickness when starting to drive. It is cured by eating something, so I keep car chips (baked) in the car. Problem? I've formed a habit of car eating, without the nausea! How do I stop? When I need a cracker to stop driving and vomiting, I need it quickly. What is the most unappetizing thing to keep in the car that can be grabbed quickly to abort nausea? Points for low sodium.
[more inside]posted by rainbaby at 4:28 PM PST - 19 comments
It went something like this, "How can you claim to know God's love when you don't understand Man's love, and Man's love is just a fraction of the Fathers.".
[more inside]posted by datacaliber at 4:14 PM PST - 15 comments
Please help me identify a book - I've tried Google so many times, it suspects I'm an automated robot
[more inside]posted by sleepcrime at 3:56 PM PST - 7 comments
IndoorPoolFilter In addition to heating cost, what issues should I be aware of when considering buying a house with an indoor in-ground pool.
[more inside]posted by aroberge at 3:45 PM PST - 6 comments
What are specific examples of societies/cities/etc. going through a rough period and then emerging due to certain policies/practices being put into place?
[more inside]posted by Echobelly at 3:27 PM PST - 12 comments
What's for dinner?
I am a reasonably skilled home cook whose skills fall into that grey area between "velveeta tuna cassarole" and "foie gras terrine with fermented plum gastrique;" my culinary skill has never failed to impress dates raised on the former, but this weekend I'm supposed to cook dinner for an experienced executive chef and I'm terrified. Suggestions for dinner, dessert, and an accompanying cocktail requested.
[more inside]posted by Juliet Banana at 3:26 PM PST - 58 comments
I'm looking for an online discussion-board or community centred around IT Management, especially in a large corporate environment. I would like to read and contribute real life dilemmas and answers on topics such as business alignment, strategy, business analysis, requirements gathering.
[more inside]posted by razzman at 3:10 PM PST - 3 comments
I've been commissioned with planning a cheap couple only wedding in Gatlinburg. What are some things I should know, how can I keep it cheap and what else can they do while there?
[more inside]posted by magnoliasouth at 2:24 PM PST - 16 comments
So my Depression-era grandma used to make us this drink consisting of (I think) ginger, vinegar, sugar, and water. The recipe went to the pearly gates along with her. Help.
[more inside]posted by moitz at 2:00 PM PST - 13 comments
Are files that were originally set up with Microsoft Excel 97 compatible with Microsoft Office 2000? Also I am assuming the Microsoft 2000 will run on Windows 7 Home Edition. Just need confirmation prior to purchasing a copy of Microsoft Office 2000. Thanks in advance.
posted by Mckoan1 at 1:59 PM PST - 8 comments
My boyfriend is supernice and supersweet and this freaks me out. I am not supernice or supersweet and the disparity between us freaks me out. What's wrong with me?
[more inside]posted by LokiBear at 1:48 PM PST - 52 comments
Children's book filter: Trying to remember the title/author of a book of mystery short stories I read as a kid.
[more inside]posted by JanetLand at 1:33 PM PST - 12 comments
I recently bought a Canon 5D Mk II DSLR and am curious about one of its features: "Highlight Tone Priority"
[more inside]posted by sindark at 1:32 PM PST - 2 comments
You are a foodie, you don't eat out often, and you manage to spend less than $400-500 on food a month for two people, including going out. How do you do it?
[more inside]posted by two lights above the sea at 1:02 PM PST - 67 comments
I spilled a bottle of drain cleaner in the back of my car, and I'm wondering what my next steps should be? There is a slightly chlroinated odour in the cabin, so I've been trying to drive with the windows down.
posted by matkline at 12:40 PM PST - 13 comments
Is there a name for the UI element with two list columns, and an add and a remove button between them that transfer list items from one column to the other? Is there a good free javascript implementation out there that would be easyish to integrate into a Spring Surf (Alfresco Share) application?
posted by Riki tiki at 12:31 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm not on Facebook and don't want to be. Nonetheless, everytime my Droid boots up, it informs me my Facebook login failed. How do I stop my Droid from trying to log me into Facebook and sending me irritating messages about it?
posted by bearwife at 12:10 PM PST - 9 comments
Should I talk to my Professors about my anxiety? Or do I continue to suffer quietly and underperform?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:56 AM PST - 20 comments
I've been an enthusiastic Bloglines user for years, and I've accumulated almost 1,000 items that I've marked as "keep new" which show up at the bottom of each of my feeds, waiting for me to finally get around to reading them. Now that I'm forced to switch (most likely to Google Reader), these items don't seem to get exported to the new reader. How can I retain these items as saved when I make the switch, so I don't have to try and read (or delete) all 1,000 of them by October 1st when Bloglines shuts down??
posted by ericbop at 11:53 AM PST - 12 comments
I'm going to travel a bit and might try to combine that with shopping. (a very novel notion, I know) Price-comparisons wanted.
[more inside]posted by monocultured at 11:31 AM PST - 3 comments
Could anyone identify this antique document written in an unknown script (Kashmiri?) and perhaps comment on its purpose? (Pictures inside)
[more inside]posted by Petromyzon at 11:29 AM PST - 13 comments
A very close family member is having scary surgery tomorrow. Me and my family members will be freaked out and bored at the same time in the waiting room for an extended period of time. Can you suggest some ways to amuse and distract ourselves?
[more inside]posted by pazazygeek at 11:25 AM PST - 26 comments
Camping filter: looking for fairly easy tent camping roughly halfway between Charlotte, NC and Philadelphia, PA.
[more inside]posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 11:08 AM PST - 8 comments
I work for a nonprofit that rents out smallish space for other nonprofits to meet in. We have one room that's big enough that soft talkers are sometimes hard to hear in back, and one of those soft talkers has recently asked if I can set up a wireless lavalier mic for her. So I need to solve too problems: the mic system, and the amplification system.
[more inside]posted by Erroneous at 11:07 AM PST - 3 comments
Anyone know good examples of stories with nonhuman points of view? Bonus points for having no human characters at all.
[more inside]posted by vienaragis at 10:57 AM PST - 56 comments
I'm looking for a vacation rental house in New England for Thanksgiving week. Can you tell me the best listing sites for such rentals, or give direct suggestions for rentals you've used that fit my criteria?
[more inside]posted by ocherdraco at 9:52 AM PST - 7 comments
I live in an apartment with someone who was, until recently, a good friend. We're both on the lease. I've been unemployed for some time & he agreed to pick up my half of the rent until I get a new job. That's recently changed & now he's threatening to throw my things out & evict me.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:14 AM PST - 30 comments
Okay, so I would love to go to John Stewart's Million Moderate March, but I need a really clever design for a sign to brandish. John himself gave a few suggestions, so those are taken. What's a self-deprecating moderate who's sick of the hyper-partisan political climate to do?
[more inside]posted by cross_impact at 9:03 AM PST - 65 comments
Obscure Product Filter: I'm trying to locate a lamp from my childhood. It featured an nondescript Philadelphia Eagles player (kind of in
this style, but three-dimensional) wearing a green uniform. It had to be from the 80s or very early 90s. If possible, I'd like to find somewhere that I could buy it.
posted by moviehawk at 8:45 AM PST - 5 comments
Anyone have any recent experience bringing a pet into Japan and avoiding quarantine? Advice about the formidable paperwork?
[more inside]posted by dmvs at 8:37 AM PST - 4 comments
(recession-is-over-yet-no-one-is-hiring-filter) Creative ways to find a job as a newly graduated Registered Nurse in New York City?
[more inside]posted by 5lbauthority at 7:56 AM PST - 18 comments
When figuring out baking ratios, is canned pumpkin considered a liquid or a dry ingredient?
[more inside]posted by pokeedog at 7:30 AM PST - 18 comments
Every time I load IE7 a page that I visited once months ago starts to load before my home page itself loads. How do I get it to go away?
[more inside]posted by winna at 6:28 AM PST - 8 comments
Mr. Meese and I have been together for 5 years, but I've just moved 2000 miles away from him. It sucks. One complicating factor is that we're now both working constantly -- ten to twelve hours a day -- and when we talk to each other on the phone, we don't talk about anything but work. What else can we talk about?
[more inside]posted by meese at 6:19 AM PST - 19 comments
I want to make a kind-of-scary movie not scary by editing out the scary parts. Can I do this relatively easily?
[more inside]posted by From Bklyn at 12:39 AM PST - 30 comments
At her DADT rally the other day, Lady Gaga's podium had a banner that read "#4THE4K Rally'. What does that mean?
posted by jsslz at 12:17 AM PST - 6 comments
September 21
Where can I find "Walk Like An Egyptian" sung in Arabic or Turkish or some other (belly-dance appropriate) language?
[more inside]posted by malibustacey9999 at 11:58 PM PST - 6 comments
Looking for a couples therapist in Tucson, Az. We're young, not married, but need some professional help. If you have specific recommendations, MeMail me. Otherwise, if you have a suggestion where to look for a recommendation, that would be great too. Thanks!
posted by ericc at 11:18 PM PST - 1 comments
Reliable FTP client for iPad, including direct editing of remote text files (ideally with some degree of syntax highlighting) and uploading of non-text files? All options I've found in the App Store have mixed-to-poor reviews.
posted by kalapierson at 10:23 PM PST - 5 comments
Do you know any tried and true methods of outreach to adult ESL program prospects? We need ideas for spreading the word about this program and hopefully, enrolling new participants. What has worked for your organization?
[more inside]posted by tamitang at 10:13 PM PST - 7 comments
I need to password protect a section of the website I built (Mac OS X, Dreamweaver CS4) for my daughter's very small nursery school. Our web host is suggesting we buy a SSL certificate. The information I'm interested in protecting is the names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of about 60 people - do I go with 128-bit or 256-bit encryption? 256-bit is more than twice the cost of 128.
posted by missuswayne at 9:27 PM PST - 21 comments
A website I designed has been branded with another web design firm's logo after very minimal changes - is this fair business?
[more inside]posted by inactivist at 9:19 PM PST - 6 comments
I want to be able to throw together a simple application that will allow me to visually play around with
R-Trees. What's the most accessible (read: easy, quick) way for me to be able to do this?
[more inside]posted by that girl at 8:51 PM PST - 5 comments
Asking for my mom. She's got a bunch of Scandinavian candelabras, the kind that need different bulbs depending on how many they use (wired in series). Most have 5 or 7 bulbs - no problem. But
this one has 11 bulbs, and we're having no luck finding replacement bulbs. Her usual store for replacements, in Portland OR, told her they don't make candelabras in that size - no help there. The store where she bought it, in Junction City OR, has closed. We've searched online to no avail. Any suggestions on where to find these would be appreciated.
posted by dorey_oh at 8:47 PM PST - 10 comments
Working with an ex. We just got out of each other's space. Now our only point of interaction is work. It is awkward and uncomfortable, not just because of the obvious but also because it seems he's going out of his way to be unpleasant. The job is great, the pay is amazing, and the company is awesome. I've been there for a year. He's been there for a year and three months. Quitting is not an option for either of us.
[more inside]posted by chichimimizu at 8:46 PM PST - 36 comments
I want to change my major from political science to astronomy, but I have no math/science background.
[more inside]posted by anonymish at 8:28 PM PST - 24 comments
If you have recently taken, or helped someone take the S.A.T. - What is currently best prep course for the S.A.T.? Kaplan? Princeton Review? I'm looking for up-to-date insights, so I am looking to hear only from those who have recently taken one of the courses, or are teachers with students who have taken one of the courses.
posted by cashman at 8:02 PM PST - 5 comments
Where can I find detailed Blueprint/ Design Layouts for various urban parks? Bonus: Stanley Park, Vancouver.
[more inside]posted by Jsn7821 at 7:37 PM PST - 4 comments
What is the most logical way to cater for a BBQ and bake sale (for a non-profit organisation) when we can't confirm numbers or rely on RSVPs?
[more inside]posted by Weng at 7:03 PM PST - 7 comments
I'm looking for the name of an anti-coercion notification warning system, and an example of any businesses that still use it. Thanks.
[more inside]posted by unrequited at 6:15 PM PST - 4 comments
Are there any coffee-table books with photos of power lines, linemen at work, and such? Ideally rural, last-mile type work (not the giant transmission lines).
[more inside]posted by evilmomlady at 6:02 PM PST - 11 comments
My goddaughter is 3 and a half (she's made it very clear that the 1/2 is important) and so I'm now allowed to take her out by myself without parental supervision. But I'm clueless as to what I can do with her that she will enjoy and am looking for suggestions!
[more inside]posted by finding.perdita at 5:37 PM PST - 38 comments
I'm the invited speaker at a reunion of 1995 law school graduates, and I've never gone to any school reunions. What should I talk about?
[more inside]posted by Alizaria at 5:36 PM PST - 4 comments
I'd like to find a conservative, reasonably priced barber in Boston who can give me (a 23 year old white male) a professional-looking haircut.
[more inside]posted by notswedish at 4:46 PM PST - 9 comments
I saw this mysterious item on a kayaking trip in Ten Thousand Islands in January.
I can't even tell if it's plant or animal or what. . .
This has been bugging me for a while, thought I'd try here.
For reference, according to my memory this object is about 8-10" long.
Any clues are appreciated!
[more inside]posted by abirdinthehand at 4:42 PM PST - 5 comments
What are some engaging films for both younger kids and adults that are mostly free of scary tension or evil villians?
[more inside]posted by lisa g at 4:34 PM PST - 63 comments
It seems like my relationship expiration date is set at 3 months in. What could I be doing wrong?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:50 PM PST - 21 comments
Asking for a friend: I am considering moving into a two bedroom apartment with a couple. I would have one room (the smaller one), and they would occupy the master bedroom. Their room is very large -- close to twice the size of mine. What would be an equitable split of the rent? All utilities are included in the rent.
posted by bluefly at 3:32 PM PST - 21 comments
Grilling: what should I put on a skewer? I am enjoying the urban luxury of my first ever charcoal grill, but after a summer of plain steaks, burgers and fish, I'm ready to branch out into the world of kebabs. What are some interesting X-on-a-stick recipes?
posted by CunningLinguist at 3:31 PM PST - 25 comments
100% by accident, I discovered a sex video of a coworker online. Normally, my course of action would be to forget it ever happened and never mention it to anyone. But this might be a different kind of case and I don't know what to do about it.
[more inside]posted by Seahorse, rode hard and put away wet at 3:24 PM PST - 87 comments
How do I go about creating a schedule for head-to-head matchups for a league with seven teams over ten weeks?
[more inside]posted by lulz at 3:13 PM PST - 8 comments
Our cat made it's way in to the heating duct in our apartment building in Brooklyn, and now she's missing. Help! What do we do?
[more inside]posted by fingers_of_fire at 2:59 PM PST - 19 comments
I share a gmail account with someone. I read the messages on Mac's Mail program, she reads them in Gmail.
I would like to be able to read them in my program and have them remain marked as unread in Gmail. Are there any plugins you fine folks can think of to help us out?
posted by munchingzombie at 2:54 PM PST - 3 comments
Does this sound like an onset of dementia, panic attack, short term memory issue or Alzheimer's?
[more inside]posted by zenpop at 2:51 PM PST - 14 comments
So I had a pair of Shure E4c-n I really liked that got destroyed. I am thinking about buying a pair of Shure SE425s. Are there any comparable earbuds I should be checking out? A couple other things inside.
[more inside]posted by bytewrite at 2:34 PM PST - 6 comments
[Web dev filter] I work for a small parenting publication that uses advertising on the website. My boss wants me to create an online system where a user can upload an image, choose from a number of different options (length of time the ad will stay up, number of pages on the site it will appear on, etc), then check out using PayPal. Am I crazy to think that there will be many problems down the road with this?
[more inside]posted by coupdefoudre at 2:31 PM PST - 16 comments
[bookfilter] Help me remember this non fiction book I read as a teenager about "mind power" (if I remember correctly)
[more inside]posted by patheral at 1:59 PM PST - 5 comments
For how long was Han Solo frozen in carbonite?
posted by R. Mutt at 1:54 PM PST - 7 comments
Typically, how many world leaders attend the UN General Assembly in Sept each year?
[more inside]posted by jchaw at 1:53 PM PST - 3 comments
Where can I get industrial strength hydrogen peroxide in Toronto (and is that what I need)?
[more inside]posted by SNACKeR at 1:52 PM PST - 18 comments
What should I learn/do to improve my chances of getting a web-related job/be a successful freelancer?
[more inside]posted by Memo at 1:51 PM PST - 4 comments
XML_Torture: Postgre database with massive data stored as XML. I need to export the XML, along with some other data, to PDF. I need to do this for around 15,000 records. And by next Thursday.
[more inside]posted by playertobenamedlater at 1:36 PM PST - 12 comments
anybody have experience with the gas company, National Grid, warranty/sevice plan for home heat?
[more inside]posted by daveo'h at 1:35 PM PST - 0 comments
We've had a couch in a storage unit for a few years now. We'd like to bring it back into our apartment. What precautions should we take before we bring it? (i.e. concerns about dust, pests, molds.) The couch is fabric (not microfiber to my recollection) and has not been wrapped.
posted by entropicamericana at 12:49 PM PST - 1 comments
How can I make photo slides from a digital camera? Also I need a light box to display them.
[more inside]posted by jddizzle at 12:41 PM PST - 3 comments
What do you look for when you’re looking at art online? Beyond the standard examples-of-work, bio, CV, statement, and contact information, what additional types of content (if any) might contribute to an informative, engaging website for a visual artist?
[more inside]posted by wreckingball at 12:37 PM PST - 10 comments
Help me discover the path to a job working on the clusters of equipment that sit on top of mountains.
[more inside]posted by Esefa at 12:06 PM PST - 4 comments
Can you recommend a family law/divorce lawyer in Austin, TX who is familiar with gay legal issues?
Difficulty: house, savings accounts, powers of attorney, medical directives, wills.
posted by dancestoblue at 11:36 AM PST - 2 comments
What is this raptor I hear every morning? I'm in Plymouth, MA near a large lake. It's not an osprey or bald eagle (I listened to all the raptors at
All About Birds), and unfortunately I have only seen it once (and not very well) so ID'ing it by sound is my only option. The problem is that it sounds like a Harris's Hawk, which only lives in the Southwest.
[more inside]posted by nekton at 11:30 AM PST - 5 comments
Whenever it's dark outside, my brain starts winding down for the day. This is fine in the summer, but right about this time of year it starts to suck a little. How can I get going in the evenings?
[more inside]posted by Metroid Baby at 11:21 AM PST - 24 comments
What questions can I ask to suss out the corporate culture of a new place to work? Also, how short a gig is too short a gig?
[more inside]posted by travertina at 11:20 AM PST - 13 comments
TeacherFilter: What kinds of rules and policies do you include in your classroom management plan for secondary science education? Either for specific circumstances (a cell phone policy) or in general (be respectful).
[more inside]posted by kro at 11:14 AM PST - 13 comments
Does Microsoft's Exchange 2010 streched DAG work as advertised for fail over in a disaster to a colo? How hard is it to fail over? Is it difficult to configure?
[more inside]posted by aacheson at 10:38 AM PST - 2 comments
I know we've got some fabulously crafty people hanging out on the Green. What have been some of your best appreciated,
cheap Holiday projects?
[more inside]posted by Ys at 10:32 AM PST - 47 comments
Currently I am a marketing writer in Massachusetts and I would like to develop some new skills for Web page Usability Best Practices and also content and design generation.
[more inside]posted by modoriculous at 10:31 AM PST - 5 comments
Yesterday, I was watching a bird trying to cross a street. It would start walking, and when a car came, it would freak out and fly back to where it started, then start walking again. This went on for a while. Why didn't it just fly over the road to the other side?
posted by reductiondesign at 9:38 AM PST - 19 comments
i am looking for a case for my new camera (
canon rebel xs). i would like it to fit the camera with the kit lens and maybe have some extra room for a wallet. it doesn't necessarily have to be a camera case, but something that would fit and pad my camera and protect it from rain. thanks!
thank you!
posted by sabh at 9:26 AM PST - 8 comments
Just had a breast reduction last Wednesday and I'm having a hard time coping with this. Insight from others who've had this procedure would be appreciated.
[more inside]posted by MaryDellamorte at 9:14 AM PST - 30 comments
Please recommend music I can listen to while I run! The more intense, the better. Video game music often works, but I'm open to anything that makes me feel like I never want to stop. Examples of what I love best inside.
[more inside]posted by shirobara at 9:03 AM PST - 23 comments
A friend is looking for the perfect electric blanket to keep her massage table warm for the people she will be massaging (nothing kinky, sorry to disappoint).
She's looking for electric blankets that heats quickly (under 15 minutes would be perfect), also required : a timer. This has to be an electric blanket for one person.
Any make/model available in Europe to recommend ?
posted by Baud at 9:03 AM PST - 5 comments
I have a series of text-based PDF documents that I need to export to Word, but the character encoding is messed up whether I use Reader's save to text or simply copy-and-paste. Help!
[more inside]posted by drlith at 8:34 AM PST - 9 comments
Need recommendations for producing charts within a web page. Snowflake details: Must produce an image (JOG, PNG, GIF) so that the entire page can be exported to a PDF. Must work with SSL. Google Charts works great but does not allow for SSL.
posted by juggler at 8:31 AM PST - 7 comments
I just plugged my work-provided iPad in to my office computer, and it's saying if I don't authorize this computer all the apps (that I paid for) will be deleted; but then it says 5 computers are already authorized so I can't! Please help.
[more inside]posted by misskaz at 7:42 AM PST - 4 comments
Calling upon the Hive Mind to once again exercise its SUPER DEADLY NINJA POWERS and identify another obscure, barely-remembered book! This time, it's an ancient kids' book.
[more inside]posted by julthumbscrew at 7:07 AM PST - 5 comments
Does it matter when my lease began if I'm no longer under the lease, but still occupying the premises?
[more inside]posted by slyboots421 at 7:06 AM PST - 24 comments
The temperature of the hot water in my shower was hotter today. Not scalding or uncomfortable, but hotter than I've felt it before. Why would that happen, and should I inspect the water heater? How do I do that, and what should I look for?
posted by bleary at 6:47 AM PST - 13 comments
A while back i saw a map of london, made using data of people's daily journeys. Anyone know what I'm talking about?
posted by compound eye at 4:48 AM PST - 8 comments
My necklaces are currently in a drawer, getting tangled up and forgotten. Any ideas on how to sort them out? NB I can't hang anything up on the wall.
[more inside]posted by mippy at 4:16 AM PST - 34 comments
How to negotiate difference of opinion between mum and dad on who should be present at baby's birth?
[more inside]posted by Kappi at 12:09 AM PST - 89 comments
September 20
I have a Blogger blog. People other than me have been semi-regularly sharing my blog posts on Facebook. Neat! But I don't like how Facebook
previews the content of my blog post. It shows a photo of my face (from my Blogger profile) and the permanent text from my blog's banner. I wish it would preview the beginning of the blog post (and, ideally, not show my face). This issue seems to be Blogger-specific.
[more inside]posted by John Cohen at 10:43 PM PST - 16 comments
I want to solicit donations with a money raised bar and everything to buy a bike for a good friend who just had her bike stolen.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 8:25 PM PST - 23 comments
i want to copy the starcraft 2 voice mp3s esp tychus in the odin but the sc2 file is one big file i cant open i would appreciate any help i could record it during gameplay i guess but it wouldnt b quite as good
posted by quseio at 8:18 PM PST - 8 comments
The British Consulate Visa Section in LA today COMPLETELY MISSED the fact my visa application was entitled to priority service from UK-Worldbridge Service despite the priority service notice being the first thing they would have seen upon opening the envelope. My university in Birmingham has been extremely bad at getting documents to me and I start in a week and a half. Is there any way I can notify the consulate that I have made a priority service application and so it should be treated as such?
posted by parmanparman at 8:17 PM PST - 5 comments
Our
small stationery project just received a cease and desist order from our dear leaders at Apple. YANAL etc etc, but I am feeling rage out of my eyeballs and am wondering if there is anything we can do, or if we just have to bend over and take it? Juicy details inside!
[more inside]posted by LongDrive at 8:17 PM PST - 15 comments
A small, cheerful, talented group of strangers will run into my girlfriend & I somewhere in NYC and break into song to help me propose to her. How do I find these fine folks?
[more inside]posted by shazzam at 8:08 PM PST - 22 comments
Why might my co-worker talk about the two of us hanging out after work and then never follow through? Details of our situation inside, of course.
[more inside]posted by houndsoflove at 6:52 PM PST - 34 comments
"If [blank] were [blank(s)] then [blank] would be [blank]." Have you heard this before? Like, is this a particular saying with specific words in the [blank]'s? Or are there different permuations? I've had this general pattern in my head all day and I can't for the life of me remember how I've heard it go. Please fill in the [blank] and help me get it out of my head.
posted by hegemone at 5:16 PM PST - 54 comments
Can anyone recommend some good resources - DVDs, websites, or books - for learning clawhammer/old-time banjo? I don't live anywhere near a teacher, and am starting from scratch with essentially no musical background.
[more inside]posted by pilibeen at 5:02 PM PST - 4 comments
I have an opportunity to do what I dream of doing, writing a food column, but utterly fail at journalism. What do I do get cojones and pursue this dream to something bigger?
[more inside]posted by Kitteh at 4:28 PM PST - 15 comments
If a collection goes to court, does the claimant have to be present? And a couple other questions about collections.
[more inside]posted by frodoxiii at 3:42 PM PST - 2 comments
We just bought a condo (with a large closet in the master) in a ski resort town about 1 1/2 hours from our home. we use it on weekends and for vacation. I have a question about keeping clothes there or packing clothes each time we go.
I thought originally it would make sense to keep clothes there but am finding it kind of makes me crazy.
It seems like unless I remember what is there, I am forever guessing wrong. For example, last time I was there I was with only one pair of underwear because I thought i had some there.
Anyone have any advice for me that will simplify my clothing life?
It almost seems easiest to just pack all of what i need for the weekend.
We go about 2 weekends per month and I visit random times alone during the month.
Thank you!
posted by seekingsimplicity at 3:37 PM PST - 20 comments
Help me with LaTeX (again)! I need to find a way to write decent Hebrew. I like the cjhebrew package, but I don't know how to change the font. I also tried using XeTeX, but I don't know how to get Right-to-left using it. Also, other problems. Warning: Long explanations involving Terminal and installing new packages that aren't on CTAN will go over my head.
[more inside]posted by lhude sing cuccu at 3:10 PM PST - 5 comments
I want to find some kind of retreat for my husband. Something over a long weekend up to a week would be ideal.
[more inside]posted by TooFewShoes at 2:34 PM PST - 27 comments
Have you been able to breastfeed successfully despite having tuberous (tubular) breasts? Do you know someone who has? Please hope me.
[more inside]posted by kitcat at 2:06 PM PST - 38 comments
Would any of you know of good, basic grammars or online (podcasts, &c.) resources for learning
Ga?
[more inside]posted by Tchad at 1:46 PM PST - 2 comments
I'm a total nerd and a social butterfly - not the stereotypical combination, but it can't be that uncommon. I love learning things, playing games, solving puzzles, abstract philosophical debates - and creating emotional bonds with people, making small talk, giving advice, maybe even a little gossiping. What kind of job might be a good fit for me? What careers/fields are both intellectually challenging and socially rewarding?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 1:37 PM PST - 31 comments
I've traveled through the Nebraska panhandle three times this summer, and each time my cell phone clock jumped two hours ahead of what it should have said (to the equivalent of Eastern Time). Can you explain it?
[more inside]posted by aabbbiee at 1:36 PM PST - 7 comments
Why is our cat chewing cords and straps in half; and may eat small pieces of it, but mostly leaves it? (Shoelaces, Bra Straps, Tank Top Straps, iPhone cords, etc.) Aside from the idea that cats seem to enjoy chewing and licking leathery things or plastic things, like plastic bags, is there a greater reason? Maybe psychological? He is fed 1/3 cup of food twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, I doubt he is hungry. Any ideas on a replacement? More inside.
[more inside]posted by sir_rubixalot at 1:20 PM PST - 31 comments
My fiancee, who is 5' 3" and used to weigh about 125 pounds, has recently lost her appetite and I'm starting to worry about her. In the past six months she has lost 10-15 pounds and is never hungry. Although she never ate much to begin with, I have noticed a big decline in how much she now eats. She also seems to be sleeping excessively and doesn't have much energy. I know that she recently started taking Celexa to treat anxiety, but could it really cause such drastic changes? Are there any alternatives that she could ask her doctor about?
posted by anonymous at 12:37 PM PST - 17 comments
Where would I find something like rehab... but without the drug bit? So basically like a retreat, but with talks/mutual feedback (trying to avoid the word "therapy")... and not excrutiatingly expensive.
[more inside]posted by ClarissaWAM at 12:30 PM PST - 17 comments
I'm looking for information about careers in audio, sound and music within the film and television industries. Info like how to find an entry level job/internship, size of the industry, average income, etc for jobs like sound designer, audio editor, production sound mixer, dialogue editor, composer, foley etc. Thanks!
posted by Charlie Lesoine at 12:05 PM PST - 2 comments
My brother is back in Chicago and looking for a job, preferably in the culinary world. But he's also looking to move away from retail and restaurant work, and is both unsure what's out there and wondering what other kinds of education he could do to improve his future prospects. Any suggestions?
[more inside]posted by Madamina at 12:04 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm looking for a digital picture frame that can play video and sound. I'd like to find something as close to 15 inches wide as possible. This is going to be used as a part of an exhibit, and must be no wider than 15 inches, total (screen + frame + anything else). There are no specific height requirements.
Thank you!
posted by nalyd at 11:59 AM PST - 5 comments
My 2nd baby is due today. Me, Hubby and first baby are all Libras. It'd be cool if baby #2 were 'in the same club'. How long do I have to hold on in order to make this happen? ie: What's the first possible minute this baby could be born a Libra instead of a Virgo? Is midnight on Friday the 24th accurate?
posted by carolekorea at 11:57 AM PST - 13 comments
I am looking for a source for filet crochet valances like this
one. Not looking for patterns, just finished items. I've seen these with a variety of figural shapes in kitchen windows all over Europe but can't find them the US.
posted by skidoom at 11:52 AM PST - 4 comments
Can you recommend fiction that is a crossover between noir/hardboiled detective stories and sci-fi/fantasy?
[more inside]posted by gritter at 11:48 AM PST - 64 comments
Teachers and other folks who work in the field of education: Where can I find out what’s currently popular/important in middle-school and high-school education? I’m looking for professional resources, trends, current education gurus—the kinds of things I’d find at Heinemann or at conventions like NCTE or IRA, but I’ve already been on the Heinemann site, and I can’t make it to conventions this year.
[more inside]posted by TEA at 11:34 AM PST - 6 comments
As ugly as they are, I'd like to find a plugin or other way to add Huffington Post style slideshows to a Wordpress installed blogged. Does anything out there exist?
[more inside]posted by Unsomnambulist at 11:15 AM PST - 0 comments
When I'm at the office, the Weather widget on my phone updates to show my location as "4." Huh?
[more inside]posted by emelenjr at 11:10 AM PST - 3 comments
Is there any value in writing out other people's work (by hand) as a method of improving one's own writing? In this case its poetry.
[more inside]posted by troubles at 10:56 AM PST - 12 comments
I was with my ex-wife for a long, long time. She cheated; we separated and ultimately got an easy divorce. We’ve each moved on, and I’m close to proposing to my girlfriend after about two years together. We’re a great pair. But I often feel unanchored, cast about by the knowledge that nothing lasts forever. Am I doing it wrong? Other divorced folks (esp. those on the dumped side)—what’s the path forward?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:31 AM PST - 18 comments
What would you start doing today, if you thought you were going to move from Boston to London in September 2012?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:16 AM PST - 17 comments
So I'm looking for stories of people who took up art or some other interesting practice later in life, say after 40, and did really well at it.
Grandma Moses is the typical example of late-life artistic accomplishment. Are there others we might not have heard of?
[more inside]posted by mecran01 at 10:00 AM PST - 21 comments
Which stand-up comedians tell personal stories as opposed to gags, one-liners and impressions? (I already know about Louis CK, Ricky Gervais, Woody Allen and Bill Cosby.)
[more inside]posted by grumblebee at 9:54 AM PST - 57 comments
I have my former roommate's security deposit. I don't know his new address. How do I get him the money slash how long do I have to keep trying to contact him before I'm allowed to give up and keep it for myself?
[more inside]posted by phunniemee at 9:11 AM PST - 36 comments
I am interested in getting into technical writing. I have a full-time gig presently, but what can I do in my limited spare time that will make me a more attractive candidate for tech writing jobs in a year or two?
[more inside]posted by gallusgallus at 9:04 AM PST - 6 comments
My laptop power cord's ground prong (the third prong) broke off, and it stopped working in most wall plugs. I ordered a new one and when it came, it didn't have a third prong, but it works fine. Why is that? And more importantly, is there some future situation where I'm going to regret not replacing the old one with a new, three-prong plug?
[more inside]posted by malapropist at 9:01 AM PST - 4 comments
What are the best reasonably-priced earbud-style headphones? I need a good set for use with an iPod and am looking to improve on Apple's white earbuds.
posted by killdevil at 8:55 AM PST - 24 comments
I'm thinking about moving to Paris, France in a year.
I'm a software engineer living in Canada. I will have a degree within the next few months. I have an EU citizenship (Portugal). I speak almost no French. What should I look into? Is this a terrible idea?
[more inside]posted by pmv at 8:26 AM PST - 11 comments
There is a set of three video promos running on the USA Network website. How do I download them?
[more inside]posted by prenominal at 7:57 AM PST - 4 comments
Teaching English to a class of university-aged students. There will be one laptop and one projector in the classroom. I've never used technology in the classroom before. Help!
[more inside]posted by mammary16 at 7:19 AM PST - 16 comments
Antique furniture repair/cabinetmaking. in Chicago. The place I used in the past to repair antique furniture is closed (the man retired). There was a sign on the door which did not suggest alternative shops. Any recommendations for furniture repair in the Chicago area?
[more inside]posted by crush-onastick at 7:16 AM PST - 2 comments
Is there a way to make coffee's effects wear off faster? It's just that I need to see someone and this coffee that I drank seems to be pretty strong on me today and is affecting my mood.
posted by antgly at 7:15 AM PST - 23 comments
Recommendation for a Chicago-area paintball field?
My friends are planning to play this fall.
Some things I'm looking for are:
1. Beginner friendly
2. Variety of fields
3. Inexpensive
I've googled and I've seen the websites. I'm looking to hear from people who have actually played at them.
Thanks!
posted by rsol44 at 7:07 AM PST - 4 comments
How does one go about selling a bunch (and I mean, a LOT) of fitness equipment (good, bad, and unknown quality), and also try to get a return on months and months of storage of this stuff?
[more inside]posted by Debaser626 at 7:01 AM PST - 5 comments
At year's end, I'm transitioning to a new web dev department that uses RoR extensively. Problem is, I've been a PHP/mySQL guy my whole working life. Help me bone up on my RoR, stat!
[more inside]posted by (bb|[^b]{2}) at 6:55 AM PST - 9 comments
Are people who work out regularly sore all the time? Or does that pass?
posted by smackfu at 6:49 AM PST - 22 comments
I have a Zoom portable digital audio recorder. I recorded a live band, but the volume level was too high, and now it sounds muffled. Is there anything i can do to fix it?
[more inside]posted by foodybat at 6:32 AM PST - 6 comments
Super-spoilery Questions on Justin Cronin's
The Passage (only read if you've finished the book, m'kay?).
[more inside]posted by joelhunt at 6:11 AM PST - 5 comments
Are this
flower and this
flower the same? In either case, what are they? (I love them). What is this
bug? I've seen 3 of them in my sink over the course of about 6 weeks. (I don't like them very much). Should I do anything about them? Thank you!
posted by Salamandrous at 5:39 AM PST - 14 comments
I want to make friends, I keep getting dates. I'm not interested in an exclusive relationship with anyone at the moment. How do I turn a first date into a friendship without bruising egos?
[more inside]posted by ista at 4:24 AM PST - 37 comments
Cue in cliche drama: I have a great boyfriend but a guy I had chased after earlier this year is still hanging in my heart because he only half-rejected me.
[more inside]posted by formaltide at 1:08 AM PST - 20 comments
September 19
Helping a friend out by driving his car up to Victoria from the San Francisco and leaving it there for him. Looking forward to the trip, but stymied by finding an affordable 1 way trip back to the Bay Area in mid-October. Flights from Victoria are about $300, which isn't horrible, but we would rather take a ferry back to the States and fly back from there.
[more inside]posted by pkingdesign at 11:43 PM PST - 15 comments
Volume control on my computer is laggy and slow and crashy. To the point where it's unusable. This has happened on every Windows computer I have ever owned. Is my volume control program allergic to me or is this a common problem?
[more inside]posted by brenton at 11:29 PM PST - 20 comments
what sort of device can I buy to show my google tasks next to a corkboard, so I see them on my way out the door?
do any photo frames do wireless sync? my first thought was a cheap old itouch, but the screen is tiny, and it does more than I need.
low power use would also be a plus (i.e. not a laptop or cheap desktop with wall mounted monitor, which I also thought of - I do have an extra 17" sitting around)
I could consider switching to another tasks app if required for the best solution, though I do enjoy gtasks in gmail and calendar.
posted by lrodman at 11:26 PM PST - 9 comments
Can anyone suggest good examples of ironic/self-referential (e.g. perhaps they acknowledge their own advertising purpose) *print* ads (or perhaps billboards) that also use some kind of popular culture reference (could be movie/music/trend/celebrity/subculture etc.)?
[more inside]posted by zresearch at 10:52 PM PST - 5 comments
Are there any websites or blogs that completely break down and analyze the musical composition and/or production of modern songs?
posted by fizzzzzzzzzzzy at 9:26 PM PST - 12 comments
I ran my 2000 diesel VW Beetle out of gas. Before taking it to the mechanic, I want to see if I can fix the problem. I'm pretty sure nothing I do will screw it up worse than it already is.
[more inside]posted by cereselle at 9:07 PM PST - 9 comments
Finally got a Tempurpedic, a really nice expensive thick one. Every morning I wake up with excruciating back pain. I sleep on my side or stomach. My wife says it hurts her back too, although not as badly as mine. We already got rid of our old mattress. Any thoughts on how we can salvage the situation? If not, I might be forced to go to the hardware store tonight to buy a piece of plywood to throw on top of the torture-device-of-softness.
posted by zachawry at 8:55 PM PST - 21 comments
Who was the stand up vaudeville comedian supposed to be on tonights HBO episode of "Boardwalk Empire"?
[more inside]posted by JohnE at 7:54 PM PST - 2 comments
How can I figure out if I would be able to collect a judgment against someone if I won a lawsuit (or negotiated a settlement in arbitration)? What are my chances of receiving any actual money if I were to win?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:08 PM PST - 9 comments
What should I know about buying a rental property? I have a down payment put together and am considering it. I have various anxieties about this detailed below.
[more inside]posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:40 PM PST - 13 comments
I will be applying for a master's degree program in Stockholm, Sweden. Can you tell me about the specifics of life in Stockholm—housing in particular—as well as Karolinska Institutet, or point me to places where I could get more information?
[more inside]posted by halogen at 6:29 PM PST - 7 comments
I enjoy sandwiches, but I am looking for an alternative filler to the standard meat and cheese that I would normally put in them.
[more inside]posted by 517 at 5:50 PM PST - 60 comments
Is it worth the effort/cost to try to repair a 20-year-old Korg digital piano? It was recently discovered to produce barely any audible sound from both the speakers and the headphone jack. Not looking to recoup any cost from it, just looking to avoid putting a lot of $ into it, in order to make it donation-worthy.
[more inside]posted by armoir from antproof case at 5:42 PM PST - 6 comments
Any recommendations for a good (selection, value) beer store in the NYC-area?
[more inside]posted by piro at 4:48 PM PST - 17 comments
How to handle my mother's 'friend' who behaves more like a frenemy and who's been trying to pry into my personal business. I've been trying to take the high road (and my mom's tactic is to ignore these comments). But it's also completely NOT appropriate for somebody who's supposedly her friend.
[more inside]posted by gov_moonbeam at 4:19 PM PST - 31 comments
How can I be more careful/detail-oriented at work? I don't know how to fix something when I'm already trying my hardest at it.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:00 PM PST - 14 comments
How would you react if your long-term boyfriend/girlfriend told you they have a past history of extensive physical, sexual, and emotional abuse? Or do you say anything at all? Relevant details inside.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:00 PM PST - 31 comments
Help me plan a camping road-trip (starting from Kansas City, MO) in early October? Challenge: 1 toddler & 1 pre-schooler.
[more inside]posted by jferg at 3:09 PM PST - 2 comments
Where can I find detailed, by state, employment statistics with breakdowns showing such variables as gender, race, education level, etc... online? (ideally for free)
[more inside]posted by gibbsjd77 at 2:41 PM PST - 5 comments
Does anyone know of a Sarah McLachlan special event in Dallas Texas around the 1st of November 2010? Not talking about the concert tour event, but some special fan event or something. It was mentioned on 102.9 FM in the last couple of days.
posted by ecollie at 2:05 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm looking for inspirational outdoors/endurance/adventure/running/biking blogs to read. Written by amateurs, preferably.
[more inside]posted by Sijeka at 1:42 PM PST - 5 comments
I'm planning a summer in Europe with a friend and I'm wondering what you think of the preliminary city list...
[more inside]posted by csjc at 1:37 PM PST - 27 comments
Does anyone know if it is possible to tour a cruise ship while it's in port without having to actually purchase a cruise trip ticket?
[more inside]posted by Cyrie at 1:29 PM PST - 11 comments
Secret of Monkey Island: Was anyone actually fooled? (Spoilers inside)
[more inside]posted by baf at 1:02 PM PST - 21 comments
Kindle 3 abroad? I'm looking to buy a Kindle and take it to Germany with me -- will I be able to download books from Amazon US without difficulties? Should I get the wifi or 3G version?
[more inside]posted by muckster at 1:00 PM PST - 8 comments
Calling All Current Middle School Teachers and Parents of Middle Schoolers For Technology Information
[more inside]posted by Elsie at 12:42 PM PST - 9 comments
Advice for going to art openings alone when you're not in the scene but seek quality conversation? In NYC.
[more inside]posted by taramosalata at 12:03 PM PST - 15 comments
I am sitting here drinking coffee from a Crate & Barrel jumbo mug (ie reasonably specialist item), made in China. What journey did it take from its origin in China to get to my kitchen? I'm particularly interested here in how freight & distribution of specialist items works - ie if you're shipping rice, I'm guessing you just fill an ISO container with rice and send it off, but if you've got lots of weird little things, how is the contents, packing, count, destination etc of a container determined?
posted by forallmankind at 11:53 AM PST - 21 comments
I'm working on a few research projects that address early web mapping. What are the essential articles, texts & blog posts that I should track down?
posted by serial_consign at 11:52 AM PST - 3 comments
A close friend gave me what amounts to a psychiatric intervention. How seriously should I take this and how should it impact our friendship?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:33 AM PST - 34 comments
Where can i find free online personality tests on different subjects? I prefer them to adhere to scientific standards.
[more inside]posted by ilike at 10:59 AM PST - 2 comments
My boyfriend makes more than twice as much money as me. What is a reasonable way for us to split expenses when going out?
[more inside]posted by lacedcoffee at 10:53 AM PST - 43 comments
Can you help me find a daily commute kind of backpack that is stylish in a sort of rucksack-y military boho kind of way, that will also be functional?
[more inside]posted by apostrophe at 10:43 AM PST - 10 comments
When I enable HTML in email messages in Entourage, the email and signature both become double-spaced. How can I enable HTML and send single-spaced emails?
[more inside]posted by nosila at 10:18 AM PST - 2 comments
We need some guidance in regards to preventing our elderly grandfather from being taken advantage of.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:14 AM PST - 8 comments
Does any company provide a food which, eaten alone, would provide a completely sufficient diet? Is this even possible?
[more inside]posted by insperatum at 10:05 AM PST - 14 comments
I would like to buy an iTunes Gift Certificate for someone in Canada. I'm in the US. Can I do this?
[more inside]posted by cjorgensen at 9:42 AM PST - 6 comments
I think I hit a serious glitch in Final Fantasy VII that would require me to restart from the very beginning. Help!
[more inside]posted by prunes at 9:23 AM PST - 17 comments
On the hunt for the best place to take an old friend to dinner for *really good* bbq pork fried rice in the general Seattle area. Would like recommendations for the best place both IN the I-District and outside.
The pork fried rice is the main target, but am curious about what sort of
advice the MeFi community has about good Chinese restaurants in
Seattle in general.
posted by dorgla at 9:19 AM PST - 8 comments
I need a simple code-free web site creation tool for my girlfriend that combines some basic CMS features with a WYSIWYG editor.
[more inside]posted by themel at 9:09 AM PST - 12 comments
Has anyone heard any recent news on James Turrell's Roden Crater project? I haven't seen anything reliable since
this 2007 NYTimes article.* Specifically, is the 2011 opening date still on?
(*either my google-fu is weak, or there's not a lot of good new information out on the internet.) posted by .kobayashi. at 8:53 AM PST - 2 comments
Looking for teenage party pictures (for an art project), the kind that kids get in trouble for posting on facebook: beer bongs, falling down, barfing, smeared make-up, frat parties at 4am, bruises, halloween sluts....kids living fast and dying young.
[more inside]posted by Jason and Laszlo at 8:41 AM PST - 10 comments
Help me find classic, vintage inspired (but not costume-y or actually used), work appropriate dresses, skirts and tops. Online okay, Toronto preferred, must ship to Canada and preferably allows returns for cash (not just in store credit).
[more inside]posted by elkerette at 8:33 AM PST - 8 comments
I have $1000-1100 to spend on a new laptop. Said laptop will be used as my work computer, but is also my computer, so I can use it as my primary machine in both places. Please spend my money.
[more inside]posted by dpx.mfx at 7:12 AM PST - 17 comments
I have a number of wav files, timestamped as hhmmss.wav and would like to combine them into a single file with all of the clips at their correct (relative) positions. Does anyone have any ideas of how to do this?
[more inside]posted by d7415 at 6:55 AM PST - 12 comments
What's a good place to go apple picking for my family? We are in the Cambridge/Arlington/Lexington area. We prefer places that have animals.
[more inside]posted by Mayor Curley at 6:54 AM PST - 16 comments
Television movie from the mid to late 80's. Probably on Nickelodeon.a About a kid that gets kidnapped by aliens.
[more inside]posted by iamck at 3:27 AM PST - 2 comments
When I was a kid I played a DOS game that involved a man running through mazes and avoiding man-eating worms to collect pieces to build a knight. The game ends with the completed knight fighting a dragon. Does anyone have any idea what this game was called?
posted by jordanian2 at 12:53 AM PST - 5 comments
Lazy Sunday Afternoon Jazz: I would like to live in the mood provided by
this cover song, please recommend similars (preferably stuff from the past 20 years, vocals optional, absolutely no Diana Krall pls, thx).
posted by querty at 12:52 AM PST - 13 comments
What 70s or 80s television show or televised movie featured a scene with an angled room, a hallway containing a light source, and a man walking through the hallway into the room? Crude pixel drawing of the scene included.
[more inside]posted by germdisco at 12:41 AM PST - 9 comments
September 18
This is driving me nuts: there was a series of four novels that has been recommended in AskMe threads a few times and all I can remember about it is pretty vague:
[more inside]posted by Lentrohamsanin at 9:25 PM PST - 6 comments
Hi,
I have a Manhattan Portage messenger bag. I've had it since 1996 and it's still in great shape. It's a fairly simple design with one small pocket on the inside. I'm looking for some sort of organizer. Something that can handle all the various wires, earbuds, papers and just general detritus that accumulates. I currently don't carry a laptop but I'm open to any form of organizer.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
posted by Shanachie at 9:06 PM PST - 9 comments
Is there any really (genuinely) weird hiphop/rap/R&B-ish stuff out there a la Tricky's
Pre-Millennium Tension?
posted by xmutex at 7:52 PM PST - 20 comments
Lost a link ... it was to a site that sold wallets and canvas bags and clothes. It was based in the north westish states ( I want to say a Dakota? ) and also had a bit of a thing where they never used models in their pictures, actual employees or real customers only.
I think I found it looking for zippered or taxi wallets about a year ago, and was impressed by their shoulder bags and purses, too.
posted by tilde at 6:43 PM PST - 5 comments
Career: deadend. Money: want to spend wisely. Unsure about alot. Need advice from the "hive mind"...
[more inside]posted by audio at 5:41 PM PST - 9 comments
I would like more music with vocals like that found in Uncle Neptune's
Tapioca Pudding Blues. Specifically, jazz music from this period with vocals sung through a megaphone. Any suggestions?
[more inside]posted by Fezboy! at 5:28 PM PST - 4 comments
What can cause a mild receding hairline in a young (26) year old woman,who had normal hormone and vitamin testing? Anyone experiencing this? (more inside)
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 4:25 PM PST - 9 comments
Are there kid-playable instruments (besides the recorder) whose notes can be sustained? Building or hacking or repurposing instruments is allowable. Brainstorming encouraged.
[more inside]posted by argybarg at 3:54 PM PST - 11 comments
I need to find a variety of gloves for kids, preferably cotton. Not really winter gloves. More of an everyday glove. And variety is key. I tried Etsy, Amazon, Google. Mostly finding wedding or Fancy Ball gloves. How about fake claws? Polka dots? Hoofs?
[more inside]posted by 0BloodyHell at 3:29 PM PST - 20 comments
If not a PhD, then what? Am I an idiot for wanting to pursue a PhD? If I don't do that, then what would a good alternative be?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:19 PM PST - 13 comments
My friend asked if I was bisexual and I am feeling really angry about it. Should I be mad at her?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 3:19 PM PST - 40 comments
If you have ever been involved with someone who turned out to be dangerous, what were the things you realize in hindsight were warning signs?
[more inside]posted by tel3path at 3:15 PM PST - 65 comments
I keep having to restart my computer to jiggle the SATA cable on my secondary HDD. If I don't do this, the computer drops the drive and gives error messages. How do I keep the cable firmly connected?
[more inside]posted by circular at 3:08 PM PST - 5 comments
How can I stop being weird while getting my hair cut so that I don't have to be so embarrassed by my awkward conversations and not want to ever, ever go back?
[more inside]posted by smirkyfodder at 2:48 PM PST - 33 comments
I've just started reading
2666...in Spanish. I'm proficient at reading Spanish, but I'm missing a lot of vocabulary, so the process is taking forever. How can I make it go faster?
[more inside]posted by invitapriore at 2:38 PM PST - 5 comments
As a 28 y/o guy living in NYC, there is no shortage of attractive women. I recently read
this, and would like to get some opinions from fellow MeFites...
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 2:38 PM PST - 58 comments
NYC rental filter: I'm looking into subletting an apartment in a co-op building. The landlords, looking for rental income while they wait for a better time to sell, added something to the lease that sketches me out.
[more inside]posted by enzymatic at 2:23 PM PST - 12 comments
I'm not sure if I fit into the typical "liberal arts graduate" box, so what jobs do I apply for? Please help me work through my ridiculous interdisciplinary special snowflake details.
[more inside]posted by thisjax at 2:15 PM PST - 4 comments
I've always been a "fixer/problem solver/peacemaker". How do I
really focus on myself instead of thinking about others?
[more inside]posted by MultiFaceted at 1:44 PM PST - 14 comments
Help me see unicode fonts on my browser (Firefox 3.6.10). Yes, I've seen
this and
this, but they don't help me. I need step by step instructions for idiots.
[more inside]posted by kingjoeshmoe at 12:59 PM PST - 10 comments
Halloween Costume Ideas. What would you make for a costume if you had unlimited amounts of cardboard and time?
[more inside]posted by MechEng at 12:41 PM PST - 18 comments
Well, my fiancee and I are looking to move to Jersey. She has a job in NYC (specifically Rockefeller Ctr). I am a student at Temple in Philadelphia. I'll be commuting back and forth to Philly once or twice a week (staying in Philly 3-4 nights and Jersey 3-4 nights).
[more inside]posted by Gaz Errant at 12:26 PM PST - 21 comments
Are there ways in which record companies (e.g., Sony, Universal Music Group, Warner Bros) actually profit from piracy?
[more inside]posted by toftflin at 11:48 AM PST - 26 comments
My boyfriend and I have been living together officially for about 4 months, and our relationship is only about 8 months old altogether. It's worked out fine for the most part, but now we're moving to a new place and I'm about to reach the end of my rapidly-fraying financial patience rope. (advance apologies for length)
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:12 AM PST - 25 comments
What will happen if a man and a woman submit marriage licenses in two separate states less than a year apart? Specifically, if they get married by a judge in Washington state, then ~1 year later get married by a pastor in Wisconsin and in order to avoid having all parties involved know about the WA wedding, sign another marriage license and have it submitted to the state of WI?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 10:12 AM PST - 50 comments
I’m writing a book for somebody else. The client will self-publish and I’ve made the assumption that the publisher doesn’t edit anything. Do I need to hire an editor?
[more inside]posted by powpow at 10:09 AM PST - 10 comments
Are there any examples of platformer games used for educational purposes?
[more inside]posted by gwint at 10:08 AM PST - 9 comments
I need some video editing software to produce a simple video of text, photos and soundtrack for You Tube.
[more inside]posted by jacobean at 10:03 AM PST - 3 comments
How can I best deal with the unwanted romantic advances of someone I will be seeing on a regular basis? Special snowflake details inside.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:55 AM PST - 28 comments
I just had an offer for my absolute dream job at a large British bank in New York rescinded 2 days before I was to show up for work. I had signed all forms and passed the background check, but I came up as positive on the (
gc-ms urine) drug test for - of all things -
benzodiazepines. I have never taken a benzodiazepine and am posting anonymously so you know I have zero reason to lie.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:55 AM PST - 14 comments
I use Chrome for Mac. Is there any way to open PDFs inline, avoiding the clunky save-to-disk rigmarole?
posted by dontjumplarry at 9:41 AM PST - 4 comments
Facebook is showing a naked picture of my back (with a distinctive tattoo) on one of their banner ads. I did not authorize and do not like this. What can I do about it?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 9:40 AM PST - 10 comments
Does the fact that I'm asking you all if I drink too much mean I for sure drink too much? or, Can you be an alcoholic if you only drink once a week?
[more inside]posted by earlofrochester at 9:23 AM PST - 28 comments
In light of last year's extensive recalls and "runaway vehicle" issues, is it safe to buy a new Toyota?
[more inside]posted by DMan at 9:12 AM PST - 17 comments
DressMeFilter. I'm transitioning from California grad student to East Coast professional. What do I need to wear and how can I do it affordably?
[more inside]posted by k8t at 8:33 AM PST - 24 comments
When mixing whey protein powder with milk, should the milk be hot, warm or cold? Or does it not matter? Does the powder need to completely 'dissolve'?
[more inside]posted by kid A at 7:34 AM PST - 19 comments
Sick toddler question: my almost 2 year old had a fever (about 103) that came on Tuesday night. He was so lethargic and complaining of neck and back pain (Both complaining and having a fever slow him down much are NOT like him) I took him to the hospital.
[more inside]posted by beccaj at 7:27 AM PST - 20 comments
French Movie Name. I just can't remember the name of that french movie, it's happens entirely in one night in all over Paris. There was a football (soccer) match, some guys were watching it on a TV in the street, the guy or someone near him broke it and they wanted to kill him and the movie went all insane going all over the place and all over Paris with people getting killed all over the place (for what I can remember).
posted by zouhair at 4:18 AM PST - 5 comments
September 17
I've decided to fade away from a specific friendship or at least take a break from it. The problem is, this person is my bridesmaid, my wedding is less than a month away and I have been allowing her actions to overshadow what should be a fun and joyous time for me and my fiance.
[more inside]posted by spec80 at 11:29 PM PST - 68 comments
I have a philosophy of language question. Or maybe it's actually a literary theory question.
[more inside]posted by ms.codex at 10:57 PM PST - 12 comments
Getting camping gear together... what should we buy next? We have just bought a tent (4 person), 2 chairs and 2 therma rests. We will be camping at a caravan park this time. What should we buy next? What are the priorities?
[more inside]posted by jojobobo at 10:50 PM PST - 16 comments
I live and work in midtown Manhattan and was walking home from work today when I was stopped by a woman. I'd guess she was somewhere between 50 and 70 - yes, I'm terrible at estimating age. She was dressed well and conservatively. She told me I reminded her of someone she used to know, that she lived nearby, and wondered if I'd like to get lunch or dinner with her sometime later during the week.
[more inside]posted by slide at 10:10 PM PST - 49 comments
We might be moving to the South Bay (CA). What neighborhood should we live in near the Cupertino area? Rent or buy, but must have a short-ish commute and be family-friendly.
[more inside]posted by raintea at 9:43 PM PST - 5 comments
Fruit and protein powder are pretty much all I eat, is this okay? A few questions about fruit and protein powder.
[more inside]posted by lattiboy at 8:25 PM PST - 32 comments
I recently bought a
Fendi Classico No. 4 as a self-reward for an accomplishment and because it's just perfect for me. But I don't own a lot of designer items or keep up with all the trends, so I'm a little clueless as to how to treat it! A few specific questions are below, but my general question is - what should I know about owning a really nice handbag like this?
[more inside]posted by katillathehun at 7:58 PM PST - 8 comments
We're buying a house. Due to a misunderstanding, we went through the closing today, but the bank isn't prepared to fund the loan. What can we do except wait? How do we do right by the seller?
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 7:49 PM PST - 13 comments
Artist name or where to buy, I saw several prints(of paintings) years ago. topic was humorous boating scenes. The one that comes to mind is "stalking barracuda" with a watercop hidden behind a mangrove island as drunken boater/fisher people fly through a "no wake" zone. there were others: "lookout" as the name of a crashed vessel. You get the picture? I'd love to find out where to buy them. Thanks!
posted by patnok at 7:42 PM PST - 2 comments
How should I go about tracking multiple objects in an environment requiring high precision? Is what I'd like to do even possible?
[more inside]posted by EsotericAlgorithm at 6:32 PM PST - 6 comments
MovieFilter: Help me find movies with scenes like the returning the painting scene from The Thomas Crown Affair (1999).
[more inside]posted by slavlin at 6:31 PM PST - 10 comments
What is the French movie, probably from the 90's, that concerns rabbits, an old man with a family and a farm? My friend watched it in French class back in high school (late 90's), and is DYING to see it again.
posted by phaedrus441 at 6:26 PM PST - 7 comments
I was just sitting outside on my friend's lawn with my dog, who was tied to a tree branch about 20 feet away (that I checked for strength before tying her up) and quietly watching squirrels. A woman walked by and smiled at us, and my dog lunged at her, breaking the tree branch, and proceeded to jump up on her and ram her nose into her, barking. I feel absolutely terrible and have no idea how to fix this.
[more inside]posted by emilyd22222 at 5:45 PM PST - 32 comments
A friend of mine is touting the glories of a macrobiotic diet, so I'm looking into it for myself. I'm put off by the ying/yang woo woo aspect of it, so I was looking at going vegan but with more whole grains and a lot of seaweed.
Surely I'm not the first person to think of this. Is there any literature out there that would be helpful? Is there any reason to really, for instance, avoid nightshade vegetables? Any reason to eat two bowls of miso soup or drink twig tea?
posted by kristymcj at 5:43 PM PST - 5 comments
Where is a good, inexpensive place for a spur of the moment trip to New Orleans this Saturday?
[more inside]posted by HSWilson at 5:33 PM PST - 14 comments
I've been reading about Temple Grandin's "squeeze machine," and I would really like to use it. (More info about what it is
here.) Are there any places in the NYC area where I could?
posted by sdn at 4:22 PM PST - 10 comments
Where can I find a good guide to target body types for a male seeking direction in his workout?
[more inside]posted by NBJack at 3:16 PM PST - 14 comments
Claw foot tub and water based paint stuck to it. Help a girl out. I want to take a bubble bath in a non-paint marked tub!
[more inside]posted by timpanogos at 2:39 PM PST - 8 comments
I have been hammering Google for about three hours now trying to find the answer to what I expected to be a simple question: WTF is up with regular expression backreferences in Perl? I cannot make this (simple) find-replace work.
[more inside]posted by caution live frogs at 2:38 PM PST - 14 comments
froze and thawed a bottle of coca cola. now half of the content is missing. is all that just the carbonation?
[more inside]posted by krautland at 2:17 PM PST - 15 comments
I've finished first year calculus (diff./int.), but I'm not sure I understand fully what I've learned. Can anyone point me to something, not too technical, that might help.
posted by larry_darrell at 2:08 PM PST - 11 comments
Cooking filter: I'd like to make some beef/lamb mixture meatballs for use in a slightly modified version of
this recipe and I'm not sure what proportions of meat and what mix of seasonings to use.
[more inside]posted by moxiequz at 2:04 PM PST - 6 comments
I was laid off from my job almost 2 years ago, and while it was depressing, I was unhappy and was starting to explore a new industry, anyway. In the past 2 years, I have spent a year and a half going back to school full time for a more specific degree that supplements my BA. I also took on a few internships along the way.
I graduated in January and have been looking for a full time position without any sort of success.
Clearly I am going about this in the wrong way; what should I be doing differently? More details below.
[more inside]posted by saturn25 at 2:01 PM PST - 16 comments
Does anyone know if the international edition of "A Concise Introduction to Logic, Tenth Edition" has the same problem sets as the us version? Alternatively, does anyone have the u.s. version who would be willing to compare? Failing those, does anyone know of a resource online where I could find out?
posted by vash at 1:26 PM PST - 3 comments
Pretend it's 2030 and you're making a Best Of The 00s music mix. What do you include? I pretty much ignored pop music for a decade and now I want to catch up and hear great stuff from this century.
[more inside]posted by The Whelk at 12:50 PM PST - 42 comments
Is there a term in linguistics for the residual accent a non-native speaker has when speaking English?
[more inside]posted by Biru at 12:29 PM PST - 11 comments
My house smells like decomposing critter. A critter died at a point in my chimney that it cannot be removed without removing the masonry and taking apart the chimney. (It died on the shelf above the damper.) The chimney dude recommended we just wait it out and said that with the average daily temp being 90+, it should be 'fast.' However, it's really damn disgusting and we're a week into a likely 2-3 week process. In the meantime, recommend any smells to help offset the stench?
[more inside]posted by lostinsupermarket at 12:27 PM PST - 24 comments
UK: rental deposit problem. What is our best option for recovering the deposit - we are not covered by any of the tenancy deposit schemes?
[more inside]posted by Marzipan at 12:26 PM PST - 7 comments
I would like to take a horseback riding vacation in Ireland focused on cross-country jumping. I might have some time in February, is this a good time to go?
[more inside]posted by gwen1234 at 12:08 PM PST - 7 comments
I need help identifying an anomalous EU-license plate that I saw in Salzburg, Austria a couple years back.
[more inside]posted by dunkadunc at 12:07 PM PST - 12 comments
Thinking of getting him a Barbara Stanwyck movie poster; is that good? Which one?
[more inside]posted by theDTs at 12:05 PM PST - 12 comments
I have just re-installed Windows Vista, and when trying to change power settings, rundll32 crashes. Help!
[more inside]posted by edbyford at 12:04 PM PST - 6 comments
Husband loses job, gains new job. Awesome! But I'm expecting a great job offer myself - on the other side of the country.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:03 PM PST - 9 comments
Several people I work with/socialize with/etc. fall into the same habit and I want to get a handle on what to call what they are doing so I can help explain it to them.
[more inside]posted by 2bucksplus at 11:50 AM PST - 55 comments
I know that you are not my doctor, but maybe you've had similar problems with your vag? I think mine's broken...
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 11:19 AM PST - 22 comments
I just discovered that I like hiking! What are some good hiking trails in the Washington DC/Nova/MD area?
[more inside]posted by BigVACub at 11:12 AM PST - 10 comments
Help me upgrade my audio! Mishmash of decades-old audio equipment isn't cutting it anymore.
[more inside]posted by somacore at 11:11 AM PST - 12 comments
Help me come up with something creative to do with a few dozen fortunes I've collected from fortune cookies over the years!
[more inside]posted by AngerBoy at 11:09 AM PST - 8 comments
My Panasonic home theater audio receiver died. I want to replace it but not all the other components of my system. How can I find compatible hardware before making a purchase?
[more inside]posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 10:42 AM PST - 7 comments
Help me filter my foodtruck twitter feed! I want to get only tweets referencing my street (so I can only see the foodtrucks who will be near me that day) without having to read 8000 other tweets. Iphone or web based please. Bonus points for easy -- I'm a twitter novice.
[more inside]posted by bluesky78987 at 10:35 AM PST - 5 comments
Can you recommend some books for women who don’t feel they’re good enough, skinny enough, have enough, or are nice enough. What are some books that would allow these women to relate and demystify the great American ideals so they can have a different perspective of their lives.
[more inside]posted by PeaPod at 10:11 AM PST - 19 comments
At the risk of being totally culturally insensitive... What is it with Europeans and superstitions about the temperature of drinks?
[more inside]posted by BusyBusyBusy at 10:07 AM PST - 56 comments
Myself and two friends have decided to do our annual reunion in Olympic National park but since we’re all short on vacation, we only have Friday night through Sunday afternoon. Is there a way we could somehow combine a 4-10 mile day hike with a coastal experience in this amount of time? I've seen the wta.org and nps.gov sites but I'm sort of overwhelmed by choice and looking for recommendations.
[more inside]posted by neko75 at 10:03 AM PST - 5 comments
A character in a book that is ... worried/afraid of reminiscing, for fear that it may taint their memory (or sense of self), or lessen the experience, or something similar? (might be Sartre's Nausea, but I can't find an appropriate quote.) Thanks!
[more inside]posted by paulesque at 9:38 AM PST - 5 comments
[Word Filter] Is there a term to describe the disappointment you feel at losing something that you never actually had and didn't really want or plan for? It can be in English or another language. Examples inside.
[more inside]posted by scarnato at 9:31 AM PST - 17 comments
I want to propose to my long-time partner, but an overblown wedding proposal sounds agonizing to me as an introvert. I am now thinking that I would like to aim my energy at finding the most
creatively minimalist proposal that I can. My partner is completely quirky, so the strangest ideas are totally welcomed. I'm overthinking this to the point of paralysis, and losing months of engaged bliss as a result! How the heck should I propose given all these elements?
[more inside]posted by asimplemouse at 9:30 AM PST - 37 comments
You are not a doctor, but you can hopefully help me determine which kind I need to go to.
[more inside]posted by olinerd at 8:39 AM PST - 17 comments
Help!! I have a new disk image on my mac, files have disappeared and I don't know which way is up.
[more inside]posted by bwonder2 at 8:31 AM PST - 3 comments
Yet another question on furnaces (actually, boilers)--this time, propane versus oil. Does it make sense to replace my oil boiler with propane?
[more inside]posted by Gordion Knott at 8:29 AM PST - 5 comments
Looking for Twitter feeds of companies that advertise deals and sales on their Twitter feeds.
[more inside]posted by reenum at 8:08 AM PST - 1 comments
Related back to
this question, we are finally pulling the trigger on a new furnace, hoping to get the work done before a state rebate program for such purchases expires. We have gotten several good bids, and are taking more, but the best one came from a guy who would also fix our insulation problem- for $7000. We're a little daunted.
[more inside]posted by pickypicky at 8:08 AM PST - 5 comments
I'm troubleshooting, DIY, a clogged toilet. Here's what is happening. What does it mean? (BTW, I have barely any experience with toilets, and while I have plumbed for a summer, I do not have any real knowledge of household plumbing).
[more inside]posted by scunning at 7:51 AM PST - 13 comments
I have the PSD, I have average knowledge of Photoshop, PHP, CSS & HTML and I have a Wordpress blog. What advice can you give me on making my blog look like the PSD?
[more inside]posted by jontyjago at 7:47 AM PST - 14 comments
How do I get the highest possible quality when ripping clips from DVD's? I've been using AoA DVD Ripper software to make .avi files, and while some of them look just fine you can sometimes see a huge difference in quality. Should I be using different software or settings?
[more inside]posted by hermitosis at 6:56 AM PST - 13 comments
I froze a flank steak after it was marinated. How will this affect the texture of the cooked steak?
[more inside]posted by yarrow at 6:51 AM PST - 3 comments
What would you recommend as the most comprehensive and helpful online site for searching for accommodation and holiday deals in Australia?
[more inside]posted by h00py at 5:42 AM PST - 7 comments
I am looking for suggestions on how to liven up a presentation about my job to a kindergarden class.
[more inside]posted by TedW at 5:41 AM PST - 17 comments
My mum and I have a fabulous relationship over the phone, but when we're in the other's physical presence, not so much. The thing is, she's generously offered to move from California to the UK for six months so I can go back to work part-time when my year of paid maternity leave runs out.
[more inside]posted by katiecat at 5:29 AM PST - 9 comments
Many, many years ago now I picked up a small toy Klingon battlecruiser, made by Corgi in the UK. It's still packaged (blister-packed) and although the packaging is a bit bashed that's the most unusual thing about it; it proudly declares it's from 'Star Trek II: The Revenge of Khan'. Now I know that was the original working title of STII but aside from this one item I've never seen any physical memorabilia-type items referencing it - I've tried Googling Corgi Collectors pages etc. but again, no joy - do any hardcore Trekkers out there have any idea what (if anything) it might be worth? Many thanks in advance!
posted by timpollard at 12:55 AM PST - 7 comments
TELEPHONE: (212) 354-5500
TOLL FREE FAX: 1-800-458-6515
TELEX: 220014
CABLES: "Seagull" New York . . . What?
[more inside]posted by clorox at 12:18 AM PST - 13 comments
September 16
Economics: Is free trade good? 90% of economists say yes. But free trade depends on comparative advantage, and comparative advantage depends on capital immobility. And capital isn't immobile anymore; everyone invests everywhere now. So what gives?
[more inside]posted by Dec One at 10:39 PM PST - 31 comments
Can you suggest some frequently-updated websites that work well on an older browser with a slow connection?
[more inside]posted by birch effect at 10:12 PM PST - 17 comments
Need help deciding on tile for our new kitchen backsplash! We recently moved into a renovated house, and it already has these
granite countertops. I'm not a huge fan of the color or strong veining, but they're new and we don't have the money to replace them. Our cabinets are currently
dark brown, though we might paint them a light grey or white in the next year or so. What kind of tile or marble should we use on our backsplash? Or should we just paint it another color with somewhat washable paint? We cook lots and there are already quite a few marks above the stove and around the sink.
[more inside]posted by barnone at 9:43 PM PST - 26 comments
I'm looking to add some complex product options to an existing Magento install that were previously done rather messily. This is proving troublesome.
[more inside]posted by setanor at 9:22 PM PST - 1 comments
What is your advice for a recent graduate who majored in math and who wants to eventually do research in a computational field, but really hasn't a clue what that would be. Specifically, do you know of any masters programs where I can prepare myself without exactly knowing what I'm preparing for.
[more inside]posted by fiddlesticks at 8:53 PM PST - 8 comments
So I'm in my final year of medical school. I have about 6 months of extraneous time on my hands. Help me find something both interesting and useful to do in Asia for those 6 months.
[more inside]posted by genmonster at 8:20 PM PST - 4 comments
I am lending a musical instrument to a local touring band. I should have the tour manager sign some sort of contract/agreement. Right? What should such an 'agreement' say?
[more inside]posted by palacewalls at 7:48 PM PST - 9 comments
I miss the Common Reader catalog. Have you missed it too, and do you know where to find a list of what was in the inventory?
posted by msamye at 7:46 PM PST - 4 comments
I really thought that small, cheap location aware devices existed and could be purchased but I can't find any. Do they not exist yet or am I using the wrong search terms?
[more inside]posted by 10ch at 6:41 PM PST - 11 comments
My Google-Fu has failed me - would an unused Andre the Giant Has a Posse sticker be worth any money?
[more inside]posted by Ruki at 6:27 PM PST - 11 comments
What's the best way to spec font sizes in CSS for a mobile web site for the latest versions of Android, Blackberry, and Safari Mobile?
[more inside]posted by kirkaracha at 6:25 PM PST - 1 comments
Long ago when I was a kid Cricket Magazine ran a recipe for "moon cookies" attributed to astronaut Michael Collins. These were no-bake spherical cookies that I seem to recall involved peanut butter, not the "phase of the moon" sugar cookies that my Googling is turning up. If anyone has a recipe that sounds like this, please help me find it in time for a "moon festival" party this Saturday!
posted by LadyOscar at 6:20 PM PST - 19 comments
How to get the best price on airline tickets when you are flexible on when and how you go?
[more inside]posted by JoannaC at 6:15 PM PST - 10 comments
What are some every day physical gestures, common behaviors, and/or spoken phrases stereotypically favored by elderly people?
[more inside]posted by np312 at 5:53 PM PST - 64 comments
Someone has been publishing my son’s cell phone number in ads for some land he has for sale. How can we get him to stop doing this? Plus: I know the guy’s first name and where he works and it’s close by. Minus: He insisted in an email that the phone number was his.
[more inside]posted by zinfandel at 5:48 PM PST - 32 comments
In preparation for Boardwalk Empire, what are the best books out there on political bosses, political machines, and their heyday on the American scene?
posted by LeonBernstein at 5:38 PM PST - 9 comments
What happens in the end to the character Brian "Smash" Williams on Friday Night Lights?
[more inside]posted by vincele at 5:11 PM PST - 6 comments
I ordered an iphone case online months ago and never received it. I have emailed 5 times to no response. What do I do now? ( KARVT | MacBook Skins)
[more inside]posted by femmme at 4:36 PM PST - 6 comments
[MSAccess Filter] HELP! I have been thrust into Access with no understanding of how it works beyond a 10-minute "use this" and "do that" session. Now I think I inadvertently deleted a couple of essential "forms." Can I get them back? Or rebuild them? I know the data must still be in there, but I don't know how to display it.
[more inside]posted by AnOrigamiLife at 4:07 PM PST - 7 comments
I have 20 lbs of beautiful antique and vintage buttons of every size, shape, material and form. I recuperating from surgery for the next 4 weeks. Can you suggest projects to utilize my time and materials?
[more inside]posted by kimdog at 4:05 PM PST - 22 comments
I have been offered a used iPhone by a friend who is upgrading. Can I still use its Wi-Fi without getting a data plan?
[more inside]posted by charred husk at 3:11 PM PST - 22 comments
I'm looking for an animated GIF of someone sending a series of texts that are an ASCII representation of the "Deal With It" meme. Where did I see this?
posted by joshuaconner at 3:11 PM PST - 3 comments
How should I colour each isocoles tetrahedron in a chain of 24 using three colours, so that when I fold up the chain into a rhombic dodecahedron each rhombic face is a single colour and is different to its neighbours?
[more inside]posted by Brentusfirmus at 3:02 PM PST - 10 comments
I have some questions about the use of normalized testing data to establish goals for struggling students.
[more inside]posted by alphanerd at 2:59 PM PST - 6 comments
I have a chance to name a new sandwich at a favorite lunch spot. I have a chance to name a new sandwich at a favorite lunch spot. I gave the owner the idea making some tweaks on an existing sandwich. He liked the idea and said it will be on the menu next week. Then he said I had to name it.
The new sandwich will be a Carolina style pulled chicken, marinated in Buffalo wing sauce with Gorgonzola cheese. All stuffed in a hallowed out sub roll to make a "handwich".
I've been racking my brain for a name that might incorporate a Buffalo/Carolina connection, but Buffalina or Carofalo are the lazy way out. Also, using my nickname "Eman" in the name of the sandwich would not bother me. So bombard me with your ideas.
posted by unceman at 2:53 PM PST - 40 comments
Now that Freedom for Mac costs money, is there an open source program that works similarly?
posted by outlandishmarxist at 2:47 PM PST - 4 comments
How can a neighborhood group help attract buyers to a (recent bank repo) house for sale?
[more inside]posted by dhartung at 2:46 PM PST - 7 comments
What are some long-distance things I can do to make my grandma happy? She is in a nursing home with Alzheimer's.
[more inside]posted by oblique red at 2:45 PM PST - 10 comments
Looking for books on genetics, archaeology, and anthropology for a 14 year old interested in history and non-fiction.
[more inside]posted by saffronwoman at 2:09 PM PST - 15 comments
Please help me understand the SPX CBOE option settlement calculation.
If the closing price today is 1124.66, and one of the first stocks open lower or higher, how does it influence the settling price? It is based on only the first stock opening, and the other 499 based on the Thursday? Or all of the 500?
posted by bright77blue at 2:04 PM PST - 8 comments
I'm usually at the top of the class where cats are concerned, but I'm too emotionally involved and could use some outside opinions.
Summary: found a cat, took it in on behalf of the owner - but it turned out to be a different cat. I would normally only take a cat in if I could look after it, and I'm not sure I can commit to the new cat - but how can I not? tl;dr inside.
[more inside]posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 1:16 PM PST - 25 comments
A friend and I are taking a road trip from Chicago to San Francisco. We'll be staying on I-80 for the most part.
Do you have any suggestions on places we should check out or places we should stay away from?
[more inside]posted by simplethings at 1:04 PM PST - 21 comments
I want to tell people about the fact that I've had two abortions, but feel kind of weird doing so long after the fact.
[more inside]posted by anonymous at 12:49 PM PST - 19 comments
Bookfilter - A friend recommended a book to me 15 years ago and I'm a) ready to read the book but b) am out of touch with the friend and c) cannot remember the name of the book!
[more inside]posted by Man with Lantern at 12:42 PM PST - 5 comments
Help me carry my (big) water bottle in or on my backpack with no built-in holder and no clear places to latch onto.
[more inside]posted by l33tpolicywonk at 12:40 PM PST - 17 comments
AmericaFilter: What experiences have people had with setting up
L3Cs to make films or film companies? (And for those from the UK, what experiences have people had with setting up
community interest companies to make films or film companies?)
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:11 PM PST - 4 comments
After several failed attempts to pack sandwiches and the like for lunch, I've at last accepted that there is no way I'm doing even a little cooking in the morning. But I'm sick of blowing all my money on lunch out. What should I do instead?
[more inside]posted by randomname25 at 12:02 PM PST - 32 comments
I have always found skunk odor and roses to share similar scent. In my opinion, it's strikingly similar, but almost nobody agrees with me. What chemical, if any, do they have in common?
[more inside]posted by gilrain at 11:31 AM PST - 20 comments
Need some help getting myself up to speed on being "the computer person." Just got a new job, which mostly involves handling lighting and carpentry tasks for a resident theater company. My responsibilities also include some IT stuff for their computer system. I'm looking for suggestions on how to be more of an expert and less of a-person-who knows-how-to-use-google.
[more inside]posted by edbles at 10:49 AM PST - 15 comments
What can you tell me about Agganis Arena at Boston University and the area it's in? I have a ticket to see Pavement there this Saturday, and right now it looks like I'll be going alone if I go at all. I'll also need a place to spend the night, since I'm coming from out of town. I'm a 20 year old female. Is this safe? Crazy? Risky but doable?
