So I'm feeling miserable a lot lately. What do you do when you're feeling bad, to cheer yourself up? Restriction: Must be something I can do alone.
posted by EatMyHat at 12:16 AM Apr 25 2013 - 46 answers [160 favorites]

If I were to choose 10 fiction and 10 non-fiction books to read within the next year to make me a better, more well-rounded conversationalist (for argument's sake, let's say within a college-educated professional audience), what books would give me the most bang for my buck? [more inside]
posted by dynamiiiite at 2:08 PM Apr 23 2013 - 37 answers [156 favorites]

After spending several years reading largely YA, I'd like to read some grown-up secondary world fantasy novels. Persnickety tastes below the fold. [more inside]
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 10:39 AM Apr 30 2013 - 58 answers [148 favorites]

We are looking for old-timey things to try that will enhance our lifestyle and save us money. [more inside]
posted by sadtomato at 3:05 PM Apr 27 2013 - 57 answers [143 favorites]

I want single-focus blogs about off-the-beaten-track subjects that are readable and interesting. [more inside]
posted by hepta at 2:01 PM Apr 30 2013 - 39 answers [143 favorites]

I aspire to write beautifully -- what is some great writing that uses colorful, creative language and style? [more inside]
posted by switcheroo at 10:02 PM Apr 29 2013 - 52 answers [129 favorites]

Hello darlings. I'd like your help, specifically in the form of looking at a painting and telling me if you recognize any parts of it from the city you live in, especially if that city is Boston. There's a fair amount of background in terms of what to look for, so please do bear with me. It's all relevant, I promise. [more inside]
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 10:39 AM May 14 2013 - 185 answers [115 favorites]

So, I've got evernote and now I have evernote premium for a while. I'm using evernote from a phone and a tablet as well as several mac/windows computers. What can I do to make this all more awesome? Suggested best practices for tagging things and organizing? I work in IT as a network engineer if there are any specifically useful angles, there. I'm not part of the GTD cult, so specific Evernote/GTD things aren't that appealing for me; I am a casual Omnifocus user, though.
posted by rmd1023 at 12:59 PM Apr 24 2013 - 17 answers [114 favorites]

Lately I crave very tasty vegetable and grain salads from very pricey cafes. Can any cookbooks or blogs teach me to cook something similar? [more inside]
posted by biscuits at 5:46 PM Apr 23 2013 - 25 answers [109 favorites]

I'm 30 years old and I just saw Casablanca for the first time. All of a sudden I understand why so many people joke about "always having Paris." And all of those references to gin joints. Can you recommend some other movies to me that are equally important for understanding American pop culture? [more inside]
posted by colfax at 3:45 AM Apr 28 2013 - 99 answers [102 favorites]

What are your "weeknight" go-to grillers? The patio is open for the season! However, I am stuck in a rut grilling burgers, chicken thighs and the occasional brat or steak. Setting up a morning marinade is fine, but I'm not looking for tend-the-fire-all-afternoon sorts of things.
posted by sarajane at 8:21 AM May 07 2013 - 35 answers [101 favorites]

Asking for a friend: I like to read, but I don't like reading Literature. I feel really crappy about this. What literary books might I like that do not read like literature? [more inside]
posted by goosechasing at 4:03 PM Apr 24 2013 - 51 answers [88 favorites]

I have been trying to focus on my work...Usually I'll work for 15 minutes, and would have the urge to surf the Net, check forums, read up on TvTropes... [more inside]
posted by crowbar_of_irony at 10:54 PM May 01 2013 - 16 answers [85 favorites]

There's a giant Korean supermarket not terribly far from where I live (the mega Hmart in Burlington). It's enormous--big enough to have small aisles dedicated to different Asian groceries--a Thai aisle, an Indian aisle, a Japanese aisle, etc. It's far more than I'd ever be able to explore on my own. What items available in a truly excellent Asian supermarket should I seek out? This is pretty much a pan-Asian free-for-all, so if you have a favorite Indonesian mustard, or an unforgettable Cambodian pickle, please share here. Bonus points for sous-vide-able items! [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 9:43 AM May 20 2013 - 52 answers [85 favorites]

Google Reader is going away soon. What should I replace it with? Specific requirements inside. [more inside]
posted by grouse at 12:38 PM May 12 2013 - 35 answers [83 favorites]

Something fishy is going on in my store, but I can't wrap my head around it. Why would a customer buy/return around $25,000 worth of merchandise over the course of a few months? [more inside]
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 10:38 AM May 01 2013 - 107 answers [82 favorites]

I'm looking for afternoon projects that: a) can be done with a friend b) require no skill in advance c) produce something worthwhile, whether it's useful or merely impressive d) cost under $100 for parts e) are something I wouldn't consider on my own Suggestions?
posted by LSK at 11:55 AM Apr 24 2013 - 20 answers [79 favorites]

I am teaching myself how to program. But there seems to be a big gap between intro courses/resources (CodeCademy, O'Reilly books, Learn X the Hard Way) and Actually Doing Things. Help me figure out a road plan? [more inside]
posted by Phire at 8:26 AM May 06 2013 - 16 answers [78 favorites]

Looking for more ethereal electronic (is that even what the kids call it these days?) music with a certain feeling to it - sort of happy, sort of sad, slightly otherworldly, all blending to create a dreamy, transcendant feeling. [more inside]
posted by lunasol at 9:52 AM Apr 25 2013 - 51 answers [72 favorites]

I'm looking for recommendations for contemporary(ish) literary fiction written by folks who are not white men. [more inside]
posted by shakespeherian at 9:23 AM May 07 2013 - 55 answers [72 favorites]