My family has lost touch with my oldest brother. He is retired and reclusive by nature but we would still like to know where he is living. The last thing we know is that he sold his home in California some time in 2009 and then seems to have disappeared. He may have moved out of the country as I can imagine he wasn't very happy with the Obama election and he had mentioned in the past his desire to move away from the U.S. either to Ireland or Buenos Aires. Can anyone suggest a few good "finder" sites, hopefully free or nominally priced?
posted by Tullyogallaghan on Oct 29, 2009 - 8 answers

Library of the future? [more inside]
posted by fifilaru on Oct 23, 2009 - 25 answers

How can I develop a thicker skin in my role as a public performer? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 23, 2009 - 18 answers

Is she being honest/should I give up (online dating related)? [more inside]
posted by plungerjoke on Oct 20, 2009 - 31 answers

I am looking for a sound recording of a party ambience where many people are chatting, laughing - the kind of sound where you would expect to hear in a party, maybe about 15 minutes long. I found a good example of what I am looking for here . Except this sound sample is too short for me, I am looking for something like this one at least 15 minutes long. So when it repeats it is not easy to detect that it is looping. [more inside]
posted by neworder7 on Oct 5, 2009 - 13 answers

Are there any stories of people notable/talented/successful in their field who started out being completely crap? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Oct 5, 2009 - 32 answers

How do I meet people in this somewhat unique situation? I know this has been addressed over and over, and all over google, but I like to think my situation is somewhat unique. It probably isnt! [more inside]
posted by yarrr on Oct 2, 2009 - 24 answers

I'm looking for blogs about psychology, storytelling, emotions, why people do the things they do, the human condition, or just good blogs with people's stories. [more inside]
posted by salvia on Oct 2, 2009 - 7 answers

How can I sharpen my skills in photographing people? [more inside]
posted by sciencemandan on Sep 21, 2009 - 12 answers

How does one make friends on an online dating site? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 18, 2009 - 15 answers

Baby Name Block: I'm pregnant with my third boy. I'm so totally out of boy names it isn't even funny. I have a total block. Help me get inspired by participating in this exercise. [more inside]
posted by Bueller on Aug 30, 2009 - 80 answers

I saw a music video recently with a gigantic white guy and black guy walking around what I think is New York City. The music was hip hop with some pop. Unfortunately those are all the details I can remember. Any ideas?
posted by dcams on Aug 16, 2009 - 4 answers

I'm trying to make an large/exhaustive list of different types of human communication, especially (but not at all limited to) the digital variety. Help me out? [more inside]
posted by Jebdm on Aug 15, 2009 - 26 answers

How does one build one's skills to become a world-class technical evangelist? [more inside]
posted by TheOtherSide on Aug 11, 2009 - 4 answers

Is there an online white pages for Iran? [more inside]
posted by Galen on Jul 9, 2009 - 3 answers

Although I've always considered myself somewhat misanthropic, I've been finding more and more that I'm stimulated by higher-level or professional interaction with others. What professions might give that stimulus, that aren't predominately negative (i.e. inbound customer service calls, police work, or criminal defense lawyering)?
posted by Picklegnome on Jul 3, 2009 - 20 answers

How do I reduce the amount I'm threatened on the street in an urban environment? [more inside]
posted by wastelands on Jun 22, 2009 - 47 answers

Social Filter: Do I have a problem? (long alert) [more inside]
posted by the NATURAL on Apr 15, 2009 - 54 answers

Miko says: I've seen a lot of similar "SCIENCE!" tricks done at the bar. In fact, I've known some bartenders who collected them and mastered them in order to perform for customers and thereby increase their tips and build their crowd. One of the most wonderful nights I ever had working was when a group of Navy engineers... [more inside]
posted by Pants! on Mar 9, 2009 - 12 answers

What to do when the degree of lonliness is too much? I am in a long distance relationship which is starting to get to me. I'm trying to make friends here but it's very hard to do in the DC metro area. Do you guys have any suggestion in keeping one occupied? [more inside]
posted by LilSoulBrother85 on Feb 5, 2009 - 7 answers

Is moving in with a friend always a bad idea? Are some people just better suited to live by themselves? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 10, 2009 - 38 answers

At my usually super-quiet night job, I've been approached by two suicidal-talking strangers in the past week and a half. It seems likely to happen again and I'd like to find some kind of basic training for what to say and do. I'm in NC. [more inside]
posted by auntbunny on Jan 2, 2009 - 11 answers

I'm off work the next four days over the New Year's holiday & weekend. I am usually a very social person, but I live alone and I don't have much of anything planned this weekend. And I'm worried about spending the whole weekend alone, because I think I will get really lonely and unhappy. How can I enjoy myself? [more inside]
posted by inatizzy on Dec 31, 2008 - 20 answers

Is it possible that hanging out too much with the same circle of friends can be... inhibiting? [more inside]
posted by Myles on Dec 15, 2008 - 24 answers

Interpersonal relations quotes: I'm painting my room and I want a good quote to go on the wall. [more inside]
posted by alona on Dec 15, 2008 - 19 answers

Pursue him or leave him be? [more inside]
posted by als129 on Dec 2, 2008 - 31 answers

I feel like I might be a closeted touchy-feely person. When I don't get frequent hugs/cuddles/human contact, I definitely feel the loss. Yet I find myself almost completely unable to initiate friendly contact with people unless we're intimately accquainted. How do I go about avoiding feeling physically isolated? Longer explanation, examples, etc. inside. [more inside]
posted by coppermoss on Nov 20, 2008 - 21 answers

How to meet academic/intellectual/geeky people when you work in a mechanical trade (millwright), and can't feasibly go to college at the moment although you want to badly? [more inside]
posted by tehgeekmeister on Nov 18, 2008 - 17 answers

I can't stop antagonizing people. How do I stop? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 12, 2008 - 23 answers

How come we don't have another Einstein of our era? [more inside]
posted by rintako on Nov 10, 2008 - 32 answers

I was engaged, but never married to, a guy 11 years ago - somehow our names and my mother's address are linked together in several combinations out in cyberspace and on direct-mailing lists. How can I unlink them? [more inside]
posted by amysk on Nov 9, 2008 - 6 answers

SocialSkillsFilter: How can I become better at reading people, and telling whether or not someone is interested in pursuing a friendship farther? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 2, 2008 - 12 answers

Why is it that any portrayal of police officers in movies, or television always include a love for donuts? [more inside]
posted by lifeonholidae on Oct 30, 2008 - 23 answers

My father disappeared completely from my life over 20 years ago. Supposedly he's dead, but there's no death certificate. He can't be found. Do you know of any FREE resources I could enlist to help me untangle the mystery? [more inside]
posted by karizma on Sep 17, 2008 - 21 answers

I just started a new job I am happy with as it is interesting and pays great. However there are some people in the department that are really negative. This includes people who are training me! [more inside]
posted by regularperson on Sep 13, 2008 - 18 answers

In the United States, what legal rights are there for dead people? Does the constitution have stipulations for the rights of dead Americans and non-Americans who die in America? Also, how long - hypothetically - does a person need to be dead until their body becomes public property and, in the case of those who die leaving kin, are dead bodies 'owned', and for how long?
posted by parmanparman on Sep 11, 2008 - 15 answers

So, I've got a small group of young college friends, about 10-15 people. I'm looking for fun running out door games with lots of competition. And when the winter hits some fun competitive indoor games. Any ideas for both indoor and outdoor games?
posted by BoldStepDesign on Sep 1, 2008 - 13 answers

What is this children's papercraft book? Simple cut-out paper people (like gingerbread men) go on adventures (at sea, in the forest?) [more inside]
posted by slightlybewildered on Aug 19, 2008 - 0 answers

Disappointed in people sometimes? [more inside]
posted by jumbotron08 on Aug 6, 2008 - 24 answers

Interested in starting a charity, what now? [more inside]
posted by jwfree on Jul 25, 2008 - 8 answers

What do you think of a person when you find out that they are foreigners. I'm specifically asking if you have noticed yourself acting differently to a person with an accent. Lengthy description follows. [more inside]
posted by the_dude on Jul 9, 2008 - 42 answers

How do I track down the amazing 8th grade teacher I had in 1994? I've tried all the obvious things, but no luck... [more inside]
posted by ardief on Jun 23, 2008 - 14 answers

Should I attend this party? Or rather, how can I justify not going. [more inside]
posted by frosty_hut on Jun 20, 2008 - 27 answers

How do normal people go about finding casual sex? For someone who thinks that taking advantage of drunk girls in clubs is immoral and adult match-making websites are scams or dangerous, is there any outlet to meet nice (albeit frisky!) gentlemen and ladies? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 20, 2008 - 20 answers

What are some relatively obscure examples of someone who said no to something? [more inside]
posted by wordsmith on May 16, 2008 - 25 answers

QUICK! Should I ask this guy to a party tonight? [more inside]
posted by als129 on May 3, 2008 - 43 answers

I'm really, really bad at remembering the names of new people that I meet. How can I get better at remembering new names? [more inside]
posted by Effigy2000 on Apr 21, 2008 - 23 answers

Point me to some books and/or websites that give advice or recount experiences of dealing with awkward situations that most sources usually avoid. [more inside]
posted by gregb1007 on Apr 21, 2008 - 4 answers

There is a boy. I work at the same place as him, but in a completely different department. Face time is minimal -- what is the least freakish way to start a conversation? [more inside]
posted by als129 on Mar 26, 2008 - 30 answers

I am NOT good at setting boundaries with people. For example I have a male neighbor who is as nice as he can be but is VERY talkative and boring to me. He drops by our house unannounced and has hours to spend talking with me. I have to cut him off and I am not good at it. [more inside]
posted by seekingsimplicity on Mar 5, 2008 - 26 answers