These questions have answers marked "best" by the asker.

April 22

In Search Of: Thin, Rough, Quick Drying Towels

Ok, this will probably sound weird but I hate soft and fluffy bath towels. They shed and never absorb moisture which defeats the whole purpose of having a towel. The only place I've ever been that has the perfect towels is my nearby spa and they don't know where theirs come from. Where can I get some that are thin, kind of rough, and also super good at drying? I need both body and hair towels. Microfiber is not a good fit.
posted by The Adventure Begins to Shopping at 6:03 PM - 21 answers

Working with Polycarbonate

I want to attached this lexan top to this desk stand. [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri to Home & Garden at 3:20 PM - 5 answers

Hi Grandma, Relax, We have a Newborn

We're having our second in less than two weeks, and my parents are coming to watch our toddler and will help for a day or two. I'd like a script to help my mother not be overbearing with the newborn and try to do too much as she did with newborn last time. Help me with a strategy/script on this that makes this likely and ensures my wife gets to spend quality first couple days with the baby. Snowflakes inside [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv to Society & Culture at 7:19 AM - 15 answers

The cost of living... with a canine companion

Dog companions: what's your monthly budget and cost breakdown for taking care of your furry friend? [more inside]
posted by rabia.elizabeth to Pets & Animals at 5:11 AM - 12 answers

Charles Buhler reactionless drive math error?

A story about a NASA engineer discovering a new force of nature which enables reactionless propulsion popped up some days ago. I was intrigued at first but this all sounds very scammy. One commenter had to say this about the math in the underlying patent: "Lol the math is so bad. He "derives" the formula mv=t*dU/dx, but U switches from the total potential energy in the first equation to something like the potential energy density in that equation. The total potential energy U is not a function of x so dU/dx is zero and his whole argument falls apart." The equations can be found in the patent on page 20. And also at the end of the article I linked to in the beginning. But I have no knowledge of physics, is this piece of math indeed obviously false?
posted by SweetLiesOfBokonon to Science & Nature at 3:24 AM - 15 answers

April 21

Protein calories not adding up

I know that the numbers on a nutrition label are estimates, usually rounded up to nearest whole number, but this seems weird. Can of skipjack tuna says it has 31 grams of protein but the calorie count is 113. If protein has 4 calories per gram...what gives? Should I assume the calorie count is wrong or the protein count?
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee to Grab Bag at 5:47 PM - 2 answers

Not quite an excessive amount of lemons…. Yet…

I have 3/4ths of a cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice, a few more to juice and realized I don’t have a real plan. What is your favorite lemon based recipe? [more inside]
posted by larthegreat to Food & Drink at 11:44 AM - 10 answers

Is this really what HIPAA means?

Kid Blah, age 21, is doing a semester abroad & requires a doctor appt. when he returns home. I have just been told by the doc's office that I can't schedule the appointment because of HIPAA. Is this for real?? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa to Health & Fitness at 11:16 AM - 19 answers

Backpack for EDC

Favourite backpack broke. Sad. Need new one. Must be 18-25L, laptop compartment, blue or green, external water bottle side pocket, good internal organisation e.g. pen holders, smaller pockets, not too outdoorsy, not too formal, water resistant and handsome looking. Not much to ask for? Any price is a good price.
posted by MT to Grab Bag at 6:49 AM - 14 answers

Have any science fiction stories been set in humanities departments?

What science fiction stories, short form or novels, have been set in university humanities departments, excluding satires? I’ll settle for stories where some of the principal characters are scholars of the humanities.
posted by Kattullus to Media & Arts at 1:23 AM - 25 answers

April 20

What is this kind of frame called?

I dig the frame on this picture. More specifically, I like its octagonal shape and how it kinda resembles an early CRT tube. I would like to shop online for a similar thing and am wondering if this style has a name that will help me search?
posted by Sauce Trough to Media & Arts at 7:45 PM - 4 answers

You have 90 days

I will be laid off from my job in 90 days. This job has been utterly exhausting and demoralizing and I am thrilled that the end is near. I would like to use the next 90 days to start the burnout healing process and maximize getting all my affairs in order before hitting the job market again. What tips do y'all have? [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter to Work & Money at 11:44 AM - 12 answers

Butter and Flour and Convenience

My local supermarket carries this - frozen puff pastry that has been pre-cut into modest squares. I tried something with them last night and I'm a big fan now. What else can I do with them? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos to Food & Drink at 9:09 AM - 18 answers

“Implantation”?

What does “implantation work” mean in the tech world, maybe business or finance? I googled the term but got dental / medical definitions.
posted by mmiddle to Technology at 4:35 AM - 8 answers

Men's “Evening dress” for museum show opening - what's that look like?

I'm attending an exhibition opening in a major European Antiquities museum as an outside creative who worked on a display - does this require me to wear anything more than pressed slacks and a blazer? a tie? Talk to me like I'm an older guy who generally avoids formal-ish gatherings, has zero fashion sense, who's current wardrobe is strictly work-from-home and doesn't know anyone else attending well enough to ask advice.
posted by brachiopod to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion at 1:55 AM - 18 answers

April 19

DIY Dishwasher Installation?

We currently have a pull-out portable dishwasher and we'd like to get and hook up a permanent dishwasher. Is this doable for somebody that doesn't know any plumbing beyond righty-tighty/lefty-loosey? Anything I'm not thinking of? [more inside]
posted by ropeladder to Home & Garden at 6:46 PM - 9 answers

strap

How to rethread this strap? It is not a ratchet strap
posted by falsedmitri to Home & Garden at 4:04 PM - 7 answers

Step-tracking app for things besides steps

What are some good android exercise-tracking apps that track and reward all forms of exercise and not just steps? [more inside]
posted by eraserbones to Health & Fitness at 3:58 PM - 3 answers

Sewing More than Fabric

What machine do you use for crafting? [more inside]
posted by feistycakes to Media & Arts at 12:55 PM - 6 answers

Power supply for IOmega SCSI ZIP100 drive?

What power supply should I use to revive one of these? The manual is very vague, and it’s an antique…
posted by pompomtom to Computers & Internet at 4:35 AM - 7 answers

SIBO, potat-oh, FODMAP-oh...

You or a loved one have experienced mysterious gut issues in the last few years. You found good information somewhere, acted on it, and now said gut issues are largely a thing of the past. What did you learn and how did you act on it? [more inside]
posted by rabia.elizabeth to Health & Fitness at 12:27 AM - 22 answers

April 18

What if all jurors are threatend after jury is seated and trial started?

As I understand it in a criminal trial there are some alternate jurors who hear the case but are not involved in rendering the final verdict. What happens if the defendant, just before deliberations begin, threatens to beat up all the jurors who vote to convict? If there are not 12 alternate jurors to replace the ones now fearing for their lives what is the outcome? And anyway, the alternate jurors will also be intimidated by the threat. Would you have to start the trial over? Will there be a default ruling of guilty by the judge?
posted by SweetLiesOfBokonon to Law & Government at 2:48 PM - 8 answers

What should I read about Quebec?

We're taking a family trip to Quebec Province, what novels should I read? [more inside]
posted by vunder to Writing & Language at 12:34 PM - 17 answers

Mechanical Keyboards with Kalih Prestige Silent switches?

Are there any other mechanical keyboards available for purchase that use Kalih Prestige Silent switches? I know that Varmilo sells them (see this example) but I am not a big fan of the the color schemes. Bonus if they are less expensive than the Varmilo keyboards. I am looking for a tenkeyless (no number pad) model.
posted by dhens to Computers & Internet at 8:39 AM - 9 answers

Can't find a specific city in Facebook events

I have a strange issue with Facebook events lately. I like to browse Facebook events in cities nearby occasionally. But lately I can't find any events in Philadelphia, PA. I can type in pretty much any other city in the "Location" box on FB Events. I can't find a setting related to this anywhere. This used to work as of maybe a week ago? It's a little difficult to google.
posted by cozenedindigo to Computers & Internet at 7:35 AM - 3 answers

How do you fit in exercise working from home while working long hours?

If you work from home and have a heavy workload with long hours, how do you find time to exercise? [more inside]
posted by whitelotus to Health & Fitness at 2:45 AM - 24 answers

April 17

How to focaccia ENTIRELY in the bread maker

I have a bread maker. I don't have an oven to use. I do have an air fryer. The recipes I see for focaccia bread only uses the bread maker to make the dough while doing the shaping and baking separately. With the understanding that I might not be making focaccia bread per se, can I just use a typical recipe but for the entire bread making cycle in the machine? What adjustments should I make? Otherwise, how should I interpret the recipes so I'll just make a proven dough that I can portion out to bake in the air fryer?
posted by cendawanita to Food & Drink at 7:06 PM - 5 answers

Which UK city should I visit?

I'm going to be spending a few days in the UK likely in the late fall or winter and these cities are my options: Bristol, Durham, Rugby and Glasgow. Which should I visit? [more inside]
posted by lizard2590 to Travel & Transportation at 9:18 AM - 12 answers

Bedbugs - only one partner has them

My spouse and I are traveling and staying in a few different lodgings. I have developed symptoms of bedbug bites, starting 3 or 4 days ago. He hasn't developed any symptoms. [more inside]
posted by happy_cat to Health & Fitness at 4:43 AM - 17 answers

April 16

What brand of scarf is this?

What brand of scarf is this? Came across this scarf at a thrift store. Can not read the name on the logo. Google image search is failing me. Any ideas?
posted by Ike_Arumba to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion at 4:20 PM - 3 answers

Online therapy for teen

My 16 year old daughter has asked to see a therapist. Thing is, I'm currently unemployed and uninsured -- so this will be entirely out of pocket, and I'm looking for affordable options. Online is fine. Even preferred. [more inside]
posted by nandaro to Health & Fitness at 3:31 PM - 14 answers

Respect my sister's wishes, or pursue options?

My sister wants my mom to come live with her due to her Alzheimer's; I am asking for a little time to find out what our options are re: assisted living. Is that a big ask? [more inside]
posted by Kitteh to Human Relations at 1:24 PM - 31 answers

Best practices for microwaving frozen burritos.

I learned from someone on here to put a damp paper towel over a frozen burrito when microwaving, and, voila, no more rock hard tortillas! However ... sometimes the paper towel sticks to the burrito. Plus, I'm sure there is advanced technology for this! Any other tips?
posted by bluesky78987 to Food & Drink at 11:54 AM - 16 answers

Curious about this odd cat behavior

I've had cats my whole life, but had never seen this behavior before. Our Older Cat (4) is beloved by our newer, younger cat (2). Younger Cat ADORES Older Cat and seems to get jealous/FOMO whenever we pet the Older Cat -- but not for herself. If she sees us petting him, she will immediately run over to wherever we are and start grooming Older Cat herself. Almost as if to say "that's MY job." What's up with that? [more inside]
posted by egeanin to Pets & Animals at 11:14 AM - 4 answers

Timing a Pricy Plane Ticket Purchase

My wife and I are planning a vacation from the U.S. to Australia and New Zealand in December, flying business class, which will be an expensive flight. Is there any particular way of knowing when in the next eight months the price is likely to be the lowest? Is there any advantage to buying through an aggregator site vs. the home site of the airline we choose? [more inside]
posted by Horace Rumpole to Travel & Transportation at 10:47 AM - 13 answers

Adding garlic to a soup too late

I forgot to add garlic with the onion at the beginning of my vegetable soup. Normally I would have fried the garlic separately and added it, but I felt too lazy and just threw some raw chopped cloves into the soup after the water had been added. Will it make a huge difference? Should I fish the cloves out of the soup now that I have the chance?
posted by iamsuper to Food & Drink at 10:41 AM - 9 answers

Can You Recommend a 3D Scanning App to Scan Interiors?

I'm planning a remodel and I'd like to scan a few rooms in my home using an app on my phone. [more inside]
posted by cleverevans to Technology at 9:36 AM - 4 answers

Help me assess the morals of applying for a C-Suite role

I'm currently working as interim CTO at a technology company. I'm a contractor, and I'm considering whether or not to apply for the role on a FTE basis, but I'm worried about just adding yet another middle-aged white male C-suite member to the world. [more inside]
posted by gmb to Work & Money at 7:33 AM - 15 answers

Any problem with being a "no show" on a connecting flight?

Let's say I have booked a flight from Paris to Chicago via New York. But I have decided I want to stay in New York for a couple of days before flying on to Chicago. Is there any problem with just not showing up for the connecting flight and booking a separate NY to Chicago flight for later? I will have to get my luggage in New York anyway so that's not an issue. I just want to check if there is any negative consequence to being a "no show" on a flight I have checked in to. (Bear in mind that I will have a flight back to Paris a couple of weeks later with the same airline).
posted by rouleur to Travel & Transportation at 7:13 AM - 17 answers

April 15

Incredibly middle-aged question about home appraisal, taxes, blah

This is a question where I partly don't know what I don't know, so I have to bumble my way toward asking what I'm asking, but essentially I'm trying to figure out what's up with my home appraisal and whether I should be contesting it and, if it's too complicated to answer here, who I should be even asking. This in Texas and I'm not sure to what extent the question is localized. [more inside]
posted by less-of-course to Work & Money at 3:41 PM - 12 answers