1261 Ask MetaFilter answers by dersins (displaying 1 through 50)
I'm teaching a unit on American horror fiction to 11th graders, and the curriculum I inherited is made up of 100% white, 100% male authors. I would like to to supplement that with other voices. I'm looking specifically for contemporary short horror fiction by American authors who are not dudes and / or not white. Again, we're talking high school kids, so nothing too graphic / inappropriate, but I am also willing to consider at least rubbing up against the boundaries of propriety. This is not an area in which I am at all well-read, so no suggestion should be considered too "obvious."
comment posted at 11:30 AM on Jan-29-17
I've been trying to remember both the wording and the source of a quote I once heard to the effect of "If you want to make a loud noise, be so quiet you can hear the crickets, then take away the crickets." I heard (or read?) this in the context of writing poetry, and I feel like it may have been connected to Basho in some way--but I might be thinking that just because he wrote about crickets a lot. I have googled to no avail, but I may just suck at googling.
comment posted at 3:58 PM on Jan-17-17
One of my favourite short love poems is Shailja Patel's 'First Dates in Utopia', which has a gentleness and loveliness to it that I associate with shy folks like myself. What are your favourite poems or lines of poetry about love that is awkward, hesitant and quiet - filled with silences and mis-timings? NOTE: I'm not looking for poems about unrequited love, but rather connections made or being made whilst shy.
comment posted at 8:18 PM on Oct-23-16
comment posted at 8:23 PM on Oct-23-16
It could be a novel, a non-fiction book, a diary, poem or play. Bonus question: how about the weirdest book from other global literary traditions?
comment posted at 10:59 AM on Jun-22-16
I am in my 40's and college educated. I've always been told that my language skills are impeccable, but I feel like there's room for improvement. For example, I recently read an article that contained the words "milieu" and "métier," and had to look them up.
comment posted at 10:04 AM on Mar-4-16
What puzzles, games or new activities can I do to keep improving my critical thinking, analytical, and logical abilities? AKA "Continuing Ed" for liberal arts graduates who have a hard time with "2 + 2" (when they're intoxicated, anyway...).
comment posted at 10:17 AM on Mar-4-16
I've been having a bit of a rough time for the last while, and I'd like to try to start writing to help me work through some things. Turns out, that's easier said than done. Can you help me get going?
comment posted at 3:30 PM on Feb-25-16
I've been working through a career change decision and it involves going back to school. Did you change careers in your 30s and go back to school? Did it work out? (More details/specifics, but I'm interested in eventually practicing Clinical Psychology).
comment posted at 9:06 AM on Oct-9-15
We will be spending a few days in Portland, Maine, at the end of August. What should we do? Where should we eat? What shouldn't we miss?
comment posted at 7:20 AM on Aug-17-15
comment posted at 3:00 PM on Aug-17-15
How would you evoke the spirit of the early, pre-Internet 90s, besides using the media, news, fashion and technology? Better description inside.
comment posted at 2:38 PM on Aug-3-15
I'm looking for tasks where (1) each person consistently does it in a particular way, (2) believes that everyone else does it that same way, and (3) is wrong about (2).
comment posted at 8:09 AM on Jul-30-15
I really enjoy Robb's "in death" series and recently discovered Alex Hughes' Mindspace series which I enjoyed tremendously. (And, many, many years ago, likely before most of you were born, I read Asimov's stories and will always remember fondly R. Daneel Olivaw.) What other detective series set in the future should I read?
comment posted at 1:41 PM on Aug-5-14
Please suggest some interesting answers for this question (for a fictional book).
comment posted at 8:05 AM on Jul-21-14
As part of the eternal quest to have interesting things to read on the train, I've been trying to find more sources of good long form writing on football (the Soccer variety for those who know it as such).
comment posted at 5:44 PM on Aug-18-14
I'm getting sick of writing to the same music. Suggest me new stuff please. Nitpicky particulars and what I'm listening to right now inside.
comment posted at 10:44 AM on Jan-18-14
In my past as an active alcoholic, I received two DUIs. Since the last one, I've embraced recovery, and it's completely changed my life for the better. I want to transition into counseling from working in education, especially in recovery counseling as an LCDC. How will my criminal record impact my ability to do this?
comment posted at 12:32 PM on Jan-17-14
I'm a relatively new transplant to Oregon, so I didn't find out about the Oregon Political Contribution Credit until last April. And then I promptly forgot about it until I heard a fairly annoying ad on the radio reminding people today is the last day to make a contribution. Should I donate my 50 bucks to any particular cause?
comment posted at 10:00 AM on Jan-1-14
I'm looking for a tried-and-true recipe for creamy Greek salad dressing. When I lived in the Boston area, the Greek salads I got from my neighborhood Greektalian pizza places (like Aram's #2), as well as from the small local pizza chain Upper Crust, came with a wonderful creamy, tangy dressing. Here in California and everywhere else in the country as far as I can tell, Greek salads come with a vinaigrette-type dressing, and searching for Greek salad dressing recipes returns nothing but vinaigrettes as well. I've spent some time experimenting with ingredients, but I'm hoping someone here is familiar with this type of dressing and has a good, tried-and-true recipe. Are you? Do you? I'm looking for recipes only, please, not suggestions for what might be in the dressing.
comment posted at 4:06 PM on Aug-24-13
I am trying to identify a tree (or shrub thing pruned into a vaguely tree-like shape) that I walk by every day. It has purplish/magenta-ish blossoms and it smells lovely. No it is not a lilac. It is currently in bloom (in the Pacific Northwest). Pics inside.
comment posted at 10:19 AM on Aug-25-13
I like to rap, and I really like to rap at work. However the silly, popular, well-known verses I've memorized are getting a little stale and I'd like to learn some more. My key requirement is that they can't be misogynistic, cussy, or overly tasteless. What are the catchiest popular rap verses that are safe for work?
comment posted at 1:07 PM on Aug-17-13
The producers of a very famous reality show* are going to be in my place of employment today, "casting" employees to be part of a possible new reality show. What do we need to know to before we talk to them?
comment posted at 10:00 AM on Aug-17-13
I feel like an idiot "wasting" a question on this, but it's driving me crazy and I am experiencing uncharacteristic google failure. Some time in the last few months I read reviews of a book of cover art from self-released LPs. The hell was that book called?
comment posted at 8:47 AM on Jul-30-13
What are your favorite main-dish recipes that require NO cooking? As in, not even boiling pasta?
comment posted at 12:32 PM on Jun-25-13
Strolling along, enjoying Prince's first album and marveling that he wrote, recorded, and produced the album himself...oh, and played all the instruments. Ditto much of Mike Oldfield's works. It's not hard to find one-person singer-songwriter albums (Neil Young, Tori Amos, etc.), but they rarely go into the complexity or variety of instrumentation that Prince and Oldfield go into. Like if you didn't know any better, you'd think it was at least for or five people in the band. And damn, it's not like this person is a guitarist who can also play bass... he/she is adept at any instrument they touch. What are some other albums/artists like this? (Credit will also be given for example like Dave Grohl, or other notable multi-instrumentalists)
comment posted at 9:44 AM on Jun-16-13
I just learned that my dad already has the 2 spy/crime novels I was planning to get him for Father's Day. Can you offer me some alternative suggestions?
comment posted at 10:09 AM on Jun-15-13
I was just reading about poet Mary Oliver, who lives in Provincetown, Massachusetts. I've also heard of arts communities in Santa Fe, New Mexico. What are some other small-ish towns that have strong communities of artists and writers (especially writers!)?
comment posted at 10:26 AM on Jun-15-13
Hi. Does anyone know who made the following video clip? Was it a music video -- I don't recognize the artist. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
comment posted at 5:55 PM on Jun-14-13
Kitten adoption - How to predict future domestic short-hair happiness?
comment posted at 12:14 PM on Jun-7-13
A friend found this picture in the basement of his apartment building, and it's killing us to try to figure out who it is. A roomful (OK, a barful) of people were convinced that it is "someone", but we can't quite place who. If it weren't for the teeth, I'd almost say it's Andy Griffith, but, you know, perfect teeth.
comment posted at 9:37 AM on Mar-14-13
comment posted at 12:23 PM on Mar-20-13
Looking for a pretty, small, old, and inexpensive hotel within a short drive (up to 4 hours) of Seattle.
comment posted at 2:15 AM on Mar-5-13
My partner and I are looking into buying a house Do we need to get married in order to have protections relating to said house (including inheritance of the house if one of us dies + the ability to sell the house and divide the money if we break up)?
comment posted at 11:46 PM on Feb-28-13
I want to create a playlist that has themes along the lines of 'everything is going to be all right.'
comment posted at 10:57 PM on Feb-22-13
comment posted at 10:57 PM on Feb-22-13
comment posted at 8:41 AM on Feb-23-13
I need new swear words. The old ones aren't doing it for me any more. The more offensive, violent, bizarre, and onomatopoetical, the better.
comment posted at 8:58 AM on Feb-11-13
comment posted at 9:33 AM on Feb-11-13
I'd like to get some help for a new trendy, southeast Asian restaurant name. The restaurant will be limited service (fast-casual), similar to a Chipotle. Some names that I like: 1) Papaya 2) Spice 3) Samosa Any help would be greatly appreciated. Let me know if you have questions, and I can try to answer them. Thanks! Eric
comment posted at 11:10 PM on Jan-21-13
I was wondering if there are good examples of crime novels set on farms or based around agriculture. Novels like In True Blood, or Gillian Flynn's Dark Places or the new Image Comics series Revival. I'm interested in discovering if there's more crime fiction not set in cities, but more rural and based around farming.
comment posted at 9:12 AM on Jan-14-13
LTR ended without a word. We're going to have to see each other a lot. How should I handle this?
comment posted at 9:23 AM on Jan-14-13
After burning my second pot and almost poisoning myself by not quite turning the knob off, it's clear that I need remedial gas stove cooking classes.
comment posted at 9:27 AM on Jan-13-13
What are your best tips/tricks/hacks to not feel like hammered sh*t first thing in the morning?
comment posted at 6:48 PM on Jan-10-13
What are those tiny, tiny changes ("life hacks," in the parlance of our times) that make a minute long task take thirty seconds, or a ten second task take five? Examples inside.
comment posted at 12:49 PM on Jan-3-13
How can I renegotiate my salary in light of this job posting?
comment posted at 12:11 PM on Jan-2-13
Good warm jacket suggestions
comment posted at 11:18 AM on Dec-22-12
I got into the Empire State Building Run Up! Um...now what?
comment posted at 9:18 PM on Dec-19-12
comment posted at 9:17 AM on Dec-20-12
I recently came across this awesomeness of a Daal recipe. It blew me away, not only with its amazing flavor, but the fact that you actually don't have to cook. I mean you chop one onion, dump all the ingredients in and less than 30 minutes later, you have an amazing meal. Which immediately made me wonder, are there any other awesomely tasty recipes out there which I could add to my repertoire of fast and easy?
comment posted at 10:05 AM on Dec-13-12
comment posted at 11:30 AM on Jan-29-17
I've been trying to remember both the wording and the source of a quote I once heard to the effect of "If you want to make a loud noise, be so quiet you can hear the crickets, then take away the crickets." I heard (or read?) this in the context of writing poetry, and I feel like it may have been connected to Basho in some way--but I might be thinking that just because he wrote about crickets a lot. I have googled to no avail, but I may just suck at googling.
comment posted at 3:58 PM on Jan-17-17
One of my favourite short love poems is Shailja Patel's 'First Dates in Utopia', which has a gentleness and loveliness to it that I associate with shy folks like myself. What are your favourite poems or lines of poetry about love that is awkward, hesitant and quiet - filled with silences and mis-timings? NOTE: I'm not looking for poems about unrequited love, but rather connections made or being made whilst shy.
comment posted at 8:18 PM on Oct-23-16
comment posted at 8:23 PM on Oct-23-16
It could be a novel, a non-fiction book, a diary, poem or play. Bonus question: how about the weirdest book from other global literary traditions?
comment posted at 10:59 AM on Jun-22-16
I am in my 40's and college educated. I've always been told that my language skills are impeccable, but I feel like there's room for improvement. For example, I recently read an article that contained the words "milieu" and "métier," and had to look them up.
comment posted at 10:04 AM on Mar-4-16
What puzzles, games or new activities can I do to keep improving my critical thinking, analytical, and logical abilities? AKA "Continuing Ed" for liberal arts graduates who have a hard time with "2 + 2" (when they're intoxicated, anyway...).
comment posted at 10:17 AM on Mar-4-16
I've been having a bit of a rough time for the last while, and I'd like to try to start writing to help me work through some things. Turns out, that's easier said than done. Can you help me get going?
comment posted at 3:30 PM on Feb-25-16
I've been working through a career change decision and it involves going back to school. Did you change careers in your 30s and go back to school? Did it work out? (More details/specifics, but I'm interested in eventually practicing Clinical Psychology).
comment posted at 9:06 AM on Oct-9-15
We will be spending a few days in Portland, Maine, at the end of August. What should we do? Where should we eat? What shouldn't we miss?
comment posted at 7:20 AM on Aug-17-15
comment posted at 3:00 PM on Aug-17-15
How would you evoke the spirit of the early, pre-Internet 90s, besides using the media, news, fashion and technology? Better description inside.
comment posted at 2:38 PM on Aug-3-15
I'm looking for tasks where (1) each person consistently does it in a particular way, (2) believes that everyone else does it that same way, and (3) is wrong about (2).
comment posted at 8:09 AM on Jul-30-15
I really enjoy Robb's "in death" series and recently discovered Alex Hughes' Mindspace series which I enjoyed tremendously. (And, many, many years ago, likely before most of you were born, I read Asimov's stories and will always remember fondly R. Daneel Olivaw.) What other detective series set in the future should I read?
comment posted at 1:41 PM on Aug-5-14
Please suggest some interesting answers for this question (for a fictional book).
comment posted at 8:05 AM on Jul-21-14
As part of the eternal quest to have interesting things to read on the train, I've been trying to find more sources of good long form writing on football (the Soccer variety for those who know it as such).
comment posted at 5:44 PM on Aug-18-14
I'm getting sick of writing to the same music. Suggest me new stuff please. Nitpicky particulars and what I'm listening to right now inside.
comment posted at 10:44 AM on Jan-18-14
In my past as an active alcoholic, I received two DUIs. Since the last one, I've embraced recovery, and it's completely changed my life for the better. I want to transition into counseling from working in education, especially in recovery counseling as an LCDC. How will my criminal record impact my ability to do this?
comment posted at 12:32 PM on Jan-17-14
I'm a relatively new transplant to Oregon, so I didn't find out about the Oregon Political Contribution Credit until last April. And then I promptly forgot about it until I heard a fairly annoying ad on the radio reminding people today is the last day to make a contribution. Should I donate my 50 bucks to any particular cause?
comment posted at 10:00 AM on Jan-1-14
I'm looking for a tried-and-true recipe for creamy Greek salad dressing. When I lived in the Boston area, the Greek salads I got from my neighborhood Greektalian pizza places (like Aram's #2), as well as from the small local pizza chain Upper Crust, came with a wonderful creamy, tangy dressing. Here in California and everywhere else in the country as far as I can tell, Greek salads come with a vinaigrette-type dressing, and searching for Greek salad dressing recipes returns nothing but vinaigrettes as well. I've spent some time experimenting with ingredients, but I'm hoping someone here is familiar with this type of dressing and has a good, tried-and-true recipe. Are you? Do you? I'm looking for recipes only, please, not suggestions for what might be in the dressing.
comment posted at 4:06 PM on Aug-24-13
I am trying to identify a tree (or shrub thing pruned into a vaguely tree-like shape) that I walk by every day. It has purplish/magenta-ish blossoms and it smells lovely. No it is not a lilac. It is currently in bloom (in the Pacific Northwest). Pics inside.
comment posted at 10:19 AM on Aug-25-13
I like to rap, and I really like to rap at work. However the silly, popular, well-known verses I've memorized are getting a little stale and I'd like to learn some more. My key requirement is that they can't be misogynistic, cussy, or overly tasteless. What are the catchiest popular rap verses that are safe for work?
comment posted at 1:07 PM on Aug-17-13
The producers of a very famous reality show* are going to be in my place of employment today, "casting" employees to be part of a possible new reality show. What do we need to know to before we talk to them?
comment posted at 10:00 AM on Aug-17-13
I feel like an idiot "wasting" a question on this, but it's driving me crazy and I am experiencing uncharacteristic google failure. Some time in the last few months I read reviews of a book of cover art from self-released LPs. The hell was that book called?
comment posted at 8:47 AM on Jul-30-13
What are your favorite main-dish recipes that require NO cooking? As in, not even boiling pasta?
comment posted at 12:32 PM on Jun-25-13
Strolling along, enjoying Prince's first album and marveling that he wrote, recorded, and produced the album himself...oh, and played all the instruments. Ditto much of Mike Oldfield's works. It's not hard to find one-person singer-songwriter albums (Neil Young, Tori Amos, etc.), but they rarely go into the complexity or variety of instrumentation that Prince and Oldfield go into. Like if you didn't know any better, you'd think it was at least for or five people in the band. And damn, it's not like this person is a guitarist who can also play bass... he/she is adept at any instrument they touch. What are some other albums/artists like this? (Credit will also be given for example like Dave Grohl, or other notable multi-instrumentalists)
comment posted at 9:44 AM on Jun-16-13
I just learned that my dad already has the 2 spy/crime novels I was planning to get him for Father's Day. Can you offer me some alternative suggestions?
comment posted at 10:09 AM on Jun-15-13
I was just reading about poet Mary Oliver, who lives in Provincetown, Massachusetts. I've also heard of arts communities in Santa Fe, New Mexico. What are some other small-ish towns that have strong communities of artists and writers (especially writers!)?
comment posted at 10:26 AM on Jun-15-13
Hi. Does anyone know who made the following video clip? Was it a music video -- I don't recognize the artist. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
comment posted at 5:55 PM on Jun-14-13
Kitten adoption - How to predict future domestic short-hair happiness?
comment posted at 12:14 PM on Jun-7-13
A friend found this picture in the basement of his apartment building, and it's killing us to try to figure out who it is. A roomful (OK, a barful) of people were convinced that it is "someone", but we can't quite place who. If it weren't for the teeth, I'd almost say it's Andy Griffith, but, you know, perfect teeth.
comment posted at 9:37 AM on Mar-14-13
comment posted at 12:23 PM on Mar-20-13
Looking for a pretty, small, old, and inexpensive hotel within a short drive (up to 4 hours) of Seattle.
comment posted at 2:15 AM on Mar-5-13
My partner and I are looking into buying a house Do we need to get married in order to have protections relating to said house (including inheritance of the house if one of us dies + the ability to sell the house and divide the money if we break up)?
comment posted at 11:46 PM on Feb-28-13
I want to create a playlist that has themes along the lines of 'everything is going to be all right.'
comment posted at 10:57 PM on Feb-22-13
comment posted at 10:57 PM on Feb-22-13
comment posted at 8:41 AM on Feb-23-13
I need new swear words. The old ones aren't doing it for me any more. The more offensive, violent, bizarre, and onomatopoetical, the better.
comment posted at 8:58 AM on Feb-11-13
comment posted at 9:33 AM on Feb-11-13
I'd like to get some help for a new trendy, southeast Asian restaurant name. The restaurant will be limited service (fast-casual), similar to a Chipotle. Some names that I like: 1) Papaya 2) Spice 3) Samosa Any help would be greatly appreciated. Let me know if you have questions, and I can try to answer them. Thanks! Eric
comment posted at 11:10 PM on Jan-21-13
I was wondering if there are good examples of crime novels set on farms or based around agriculture. Novels like In True Blood, or Gillian Flynn's Dark Places or the new Image Comics series Revival. I'm interested in discovering if there's more crime fiction not set in cities, but more rural and based around farming.
comment posted at 9:12 AM on Jan-14-13
LTR ended without a word. We're going to have to see each other a lot. How should I handle this?
comment posted at 9:23 AM on Jan-14-13
After burning my second pot and almost poisoning myself by not quite turning the knob off, it's clear that I need remedial gas stove cooking classes.
comment posted at 9:27 AM on Jan-13-13
What are your best tips/tricks/hacks to not feel like hammered sh*t first thing in the morning?
comment posted at 6:48 PM on Jan-10-13
What are those tiny, tiny changes ("life hacks," in the parlance of our times) that make a minute long task take thirty seconds, or a ten second task take five? Examples inside.
comment posted at 12:49 PM on Jan-3-13
How can I renegotiate my salary in light of this job posting?
comment posted at 12:11 PM on Jan-2-13
Good warm jacket suggestions
comment posted at 11:18 AM on Dec-22-12
I got into the Empire State Building Run Up! Um...now what?
comment posted at 9:18 PM on Dec-19-12
comment posted at 9:17 AM on Dec-20-12
I recently came across this awesomeness of a Daal recipe. It blew me away, not only with its amazing flavor, but the fact that you actually don't have to cook. I mean you chop one onion, dump all the ingredients in and less than 30 minutes later, you have an amazing meal. Which immediately made me wonder, are there any other awesomely tasty recipes out there which I could add to my repertoire of fast and easy?
comment posted at 10:05 AM on Dec-13-12