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What is it called, when you have a process/method of doing something, that gets passed down, where it turns out that part of that process/method was due to limitations/situations at the time, and is not important to actual process of doing the thing at all? [more inside]
posted by lizjohn to Writing & Language at 8:37 AM on Apr 26, 2024 - 27 answers [12 favorites]

Are the at-home laser hair removal devices any good? [more inside]
posted by greta simone to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion at 9:33 AM on Apr 26, 2024 - 10 answers [9 favorites]

That's an open question! I met with a fancy client company this week, and the meeting involved use of an LG Cinebeam projector. It amazed me—I didn't realize the technology had come this far—and I'm curious if there's something more affordable that comes close on some of this model's features. [more inside]
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel to Technology at 2:11 AM on Apr 26, 2024 - 6 answers [9 favorites (8 in the past 24 hours)]

I fell in love with my husband in part because we shared anti-war values. It’s a topic that comes up often, especially given that he comes from an immigrant Israeli family (atheists, critical of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians). I am heartbroken and outraged by the Gaza war, he supports it. I’ve tried to manage this by avoiding the topic with him, but as time grinds on, I feel more and more confused as to who he is. Contempt and disgust are creeping in, and it is terrifying. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous to Human Relations at 5:09 AM on Apr 26, 2024 - 25 answers [9 favorites (8 in the past 24 hours)]

I’m working as part of a group, or have been asked to help a group of people with something. Everyone else seems to know what to do and springs into action. I’m not sure, so I ask someone how I can help, and people seem annoyed that I’m asking and tell me that my help isn’t needed. Then, the authority figure who assigned the work stops by and gets mad at me for slacking. [more inside]
posted by wheatlets to Human Relations at 9:19 AM on Apr 26, 2024 - 22 answers [8 favorites]

Here's my take: She looks like a plastic doll. She is massively, hugely, insanely popular; I don't know but my hallucination is that it's all teen girls. I have asked a few people in my milieu and gotten blank stares: "Oh, she's that billionaire." "Oh, she's pop music." (So are Be Theatles. So is Nirvana. etc) [more inside]
posted by dancestoblue to Media & Arts at 10:38 PM on Apr 25, 2024 - 54 answers [9 favorites (6 in the past 24 hours)]

Hello, Yorkshire people! Can anyone recommend a small market town for me (68F New Englander) as a base for walking the heathery moors in late July? [more inside]
posted by amphitrite to Travel & Transportation at 4:47 PM on Apr 25, 2024 - 10 answers [9 favorites (5 in the past 24 hours)]

I'm looking for dishes where the taste, appearance or "wow factor" is much more than the effort, time or money put into the dish. For the purposes of this question, there are no other restrictions.
posted by NotLost to Food & Drink at 4:18 PM on Apr 23, 2024 - 44 answers [86 favorites (3 in the past 24 hours)]

Can anyone recommend a USB-C keyboard that feels nice to type on? This is for my Android-based e-reader. Using a Bluetooth keyboard with it was glitchy, so I want something that is USB-C based (cable -- not dongle), and it's been harder to find this than I expected.
posted by matkline to Technology at 5:17 AM on Apr 26, 2024 - 10 answers [3 favorites]

Okay, explain this to me in tiny baby steps, like really "first plug in the cord"-level steps. I...need headphones for when I am doing chores. [more inside]
posted by Frowner to Technology at 7:30 AM on Apr 26, 2024 - 17 answers [3 favorites]

Did a Hofstadter write an essay satirizing "Ms." versus "Mrs."? [more inside]
posted by It is regrettable that to Writing & Language at 8:10 AM on Apr 26, 2024 - 5 answers [3 favorites]

I’m on the part of my home recording journey where I’ve started looking into GarageBand plug-ins. How do I use a saturator and/or spring reverb? [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 to Technology at 1:16 PM on Apr 26, 2024 - 2 answers [3 favorites]

So I have a budget for a project that will include a fairly uncomplicated website. The trick is that the state government appropriation for the project only runs another year, and I would like the website to be available for much longer. My idea is to use the project funds I have now to pay for at least a decade of hosting, maybe more. Where can I do that?
posted by LarryC to Computers & Internet at 8:08 PM on Apr 26, 2024 - 4 answers [3 favorites]

If I really want to think about stuff, my modus is, I go to a bar that is 5 minutes away, there usually is a seat at the counter, I sit there, stare at the bottles, drink a beer or three and ponder whatever is troubling me at the moment. There is music, it's lively, and I just let my mind do its thing. I can not do this at home, if I just sit down on the kitchen table, or on the couch I just can't get in the mindset and I feel kind of stupid, you know, just sitting there and staring in the void. I can do it when I am lying down before sleep, but if it's 20:00 this also feels strange. Listening to music does not make it better. I think it is the stimulus rich environment that is conductive to the process. I can think of other venues to do this but they are not dependably available, or near, when the need arises (usually after kid and wife are in bed or otherwise occupied). I guess most people do some mindless task or art or something, but I find I get easily absorbed in such activities . I don't know if walking around would work. So where and how do you *think*?
posted by SweetLiesOfBokonon to Religion & Philosophy at 1:38 PM on Apr 24, 2024 - 39 answers [21 favorites (2 in the past 24 hours)]

A friend's celebration of their 23rd anniversary includes a quiet movie night at home. They have some favorite standbys they've already seen, but I wondered if the hive mind might have any great suggestions. [more inside]
posted by kristi to Media & Arts at 10:32 AM on Apr 18, 2024 - 31 answers [12 favorites (2 in the past 24 hours)]

An old book I’m reading mentions essence of mereby. I’ve never heard of this and I am looking for more information. [more inside]
posted by Nancy_LockIsLit_Palmer to Writing & Language at 2:09 PM on Apr 25, 2024 - 18 answers [6 favorites (2 in the past 24 hours)]

I'm obsessed with BSA's raspberry sour, a non alcoholic beer that tastes like sour raspberries with a hint of beer or grain or something. I want to make something similar. [more inside]
posted by wheatlets to Food & Drink at 5:50 PM on Apr 25, 2024 - 5 answers [5 favorites (2 in the past 24 hours)]

For a birthday party, we're trying to come up with "pass the parcel" gifts (basically party favors distributed randomly such that each kid gets a random unique gift) for a group of 4-5 year olds and a few older siblings. [more inside]
posted by Spokane to Shopping at 8:46 AM on Apr 25, 2024 - 13 answers [2 favorites]

I have been looking for Assisted Living homes for my mother. How concerned should I be about the dingy external appearance of a location? [more inside]
posted by purplesludge to Grab Bag at 2:36 AM on Apr 26, 2024 - 5 answers [2 favorites]

I'm travelling to Kathmandu for a three week stay in June. I've never really travelled to this part of the world and my health anxiety is starting to kick off in anticipation. Looking for some advice for things I can do to prepare the best I can to avoid sickness, especially of the stomach kind. [more inside]
posted by sxtrumpeto to Travel & Transportation at 5:16 AM on Apr 26, 2024 - 10 answers [2 favorites]