Hi Everybody,
I'm new here. I'm trying to identify my next steps in life and am looking high and low for options, ideas and answers. I'm still working, but have also taken on more than a couple volunteer roles to try out a different industries. I found MetaFilter a few months ago and tho I haven't posted much, I've been reading and I thought it would be a good idea to put it to you. I want to apologize in advance for any newbie mistakes. And say thanks in advance for taking a minute to read this. Here goes.
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posted by round_four
on Apr 9, 2013 -
14 answers
My manager always teach a specific individual within my department.
I find this unfair and annoying at random times. Am I too sensitive/jealous about this situation? What advice do you have for me? Anyone experience the same situation? Anyone here know what my manager is planning to do? Is it time for me to look for a new job?
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posted by Mountain28
on Feb 23, 2013 -
2 answers
I'm feeling a bit burnt out from my job, and will be moving soon, so I've requested (and was approved) for two weeks of vacation at the end of February. Originally, I thought I'd be taking a university course, but I'm not. I'd rather not waste these two weeks, so I'd like to learn something completely new.
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posted by ethidda
on Jan 14, 2013 -
8 answers
I read
this article and I'm fascinated by the effects of current events on how money moves through the world and how money seems to affect other money. I've found a new interest! But, I don't even know what it's called! How can I study this?
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posted by windykites
on Nov 8, 2012 -
8 answers
Can you recommend me podcasts, books, TV documentaries, articles or journals (in English) where I could learn more about China, such as Chinese politics, history, culture and other important things?
posted by EatMyHat
on Oct 15, 2012 -
8 answers
I spend a lot of time sitting around waiting, with my iPhone. I also spend a fair amount of time having very similar conversations, in my very poor conversational spanish, with native-speakers who (usually due to tragic life circumstances) lack education in their own language. What I don't do is expand my vocabulary or learn proper grammar. As a consequence, while I can usually understand the gist of what people say and make myself generally understood, I don't understand the details, can't express myself precisely, and I'm not getting any better at any of those tasks.
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posted by Nx
on Oct 6, 2012 -
13 answers
I have a list of several hundred words that I know and like, but often forget to use in conversation or in writing (I compiled it by jotting down words I find myself fishing around for). I'd like to better familiarize myself with them, so that they're more in the "front of my mind" for regular use. Can anyone suggest an appropriate iOs app or Web app I can access on my iPhone?
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posted by Quisp Lover
on Oct 4, 2012 -
11 answers
I want to learn to make some serious chocolates, like the kind you buy in a heart shaped box but even tastier. I need technique and recipes to take me from learning to properly melt chocolate to making the creamy insides. Do you have books, videos, or websites that could help me?
posted by Foam Pants
on Sep 24, 2012 -
8 answers
I'm writing a book. I want to draw very simple black & white comic strip style cartoon drawings to go with it. PROBLEM: I can't draw. Heck, I don't even doodle. But I can learn! What books/websites/iTunes U/online classes/etc are out there? Got any advice or knowhow to pass along? Help me get started!
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posted by Mr Ected
on May 19, 2012 -
10 answers
My favorite study website removed its note-taking feature. I want to find another virtual backpack service with as many options as studyblue used to have. Any recommendations?
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posted by mekko
on May 11, 2012 -
5 answers
How do I obtain newer Foreign Service Institute language learning coursework and education materials?
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posted by andendau
on Mar 31, 2012 -
3 answers
I'm starting to learn Italian. Can you give me any tips and/or resources that helped you learn Italian? Preferably online/free; examples inside. Also, please give me fun Italian pop!
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posted by Admiral Haddock
on Mar 12, 2012 -
13 answers
Please explain skateboards to me. Decks, bearings, trucks, bushings, wheels. Hardness, softness, size, other attributes, etc.
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posted by jitterbug perfume
on Jan 15, 2012 -
7 answers
My little almost-4-year-old loves music and singing. I think she'd enjoy learning to play an instrument. 1) What would you instrument would you recommend? 2) What instruction method is best (most enjoyable and effective)?
posted by leotrotsky
on Jan 6, 2012 -
29 answers
Student Pilot Filter: can you recommend web resources for a student pilot: forums, blogs, podcasts, websites. (Et cetera.)
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posted by HopStopDon'tShop
on Dec 14, 2011 -
2 answers
I'm going to practice guitar half an hour a day for the next 56 days. I've never played an instrument before, and I'd like to learn basic social guitar. What goals make sense for that timeframe, and how should I practice?
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posted by jhc
on Nov 6, 2011 -
20 answers
Considering buying an old pickup truck (Hilux), and teaching myself how to maintain/repair it. Where to begin?
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posted by MetaMonkey
on Sep 3, 2011 -
9 answers
I'm going to learn to drive a car. I have never driven a car before (unless you count, like, dodgems). I'm in my late 30s, and have recently moved to a town on the edge of nowhere (in Wales). The idea of driving is beginning to make me nervous. It's a combination of the "it's hard to learn when you're old" thing, the "rural place so no dual carriageways" thing, and the "oh my all those cars seem to go so fast" thing. What can I do to make this easier? Are there any "learning to drive for dummies" books that are worth getting? Or should I just stop panicking, bite the bullet and book myself some lessons?
posted by handee
on Apr 17, 2011 -
38 answers
I'm a guy. I'm 31. I live in San Francisco. I've never really liked dancing in any sense of the word--how can I change this?
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 27, 2011 -
21 answers
I'm travelling to Hawaii this summer and want to spend a couple of days learning ukulele, steel guitar or slack-key guitar in the traditional Hawaiian style. I have some music background so I'm looking for more than just a tourist novelty class. Any suggestions from local experts?
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posted by ChristopherS
on Mar 7, 2011 -
6 answers
American citizen wants to spend some months living in a Spanish-speaking country and at least break even. Halp! Details within.
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posted by threeants
on Nov 30, 2010 -
13 answers
I'm creating and teaching a course on Wordpress. If you were paying to watch my videos, what would you hope to find in such a course?
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posted by brenton
on Sep 4, 2010 -
10 answers
Just spent ages playing a geography game (
Globetrotter XL) and my understanding of the globe is now way better.
What are some other great online games I might learn something from playing?
posted by MetaMonkey
on Sep 4, 2010 -
10 answers
Spare 5 minutes. What do I type into Google to learn or laugh?
posted by SueDenim
on Aug 31, 2010 -
14 answers
Name a movie (fictional, so no documentaries or historical retellings) that gave you some factual insight into the world.
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posted by soelo
on May 21, 2010 -
26 answers
Spanish was my minor in college (4 years high school + 3 years college) and I was able to speak pretty fluently for a non-native speaker. However, 12 years later and with little opportunity to speak Spanish, I find my skills are pretty bad. Though I can still speak Spanish I find I am very slow and need people to talk slowly. Also my Spanish reading skills are quite diminished. I remember a lot of vocabulary though my verb conjugation is pretty bad.
I now find myself commuting 1.5 hours a day (each way) so I was thinking this might be a good time to bring my skills back up to par. How effective are "Learning Spanish" audio books from the viewpoint of someone who used to be able to speak fairly good Spanish (like me!)? Any recommendations? Thanks.
posted by mountainfrog
on May 4, 2010 -
9 answers
Please help me teach myself about physiology and anatomy, and to generally understand the human body.
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posted by MetaMonkey
on Mar 26, 2010 -
11 answers
I want to create computer programs. What do I learn, and where do I start?
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posted by jnnla
on Jan 11, 2010 -
26 answers
my kids (ages 3 and 6) are beginning to learn chinese. i am looking for useful materials and strategies to get them fluent. i don't speak chinese.
one thing that helped a lot in learning spanish (their second language) was spanish language education software that targets native spanish speakers ages 3 to 5. does anyone have any recommendations both for the chinese educational software of this type and how to buy it when you don't speak chinese. there is absolutely nothing more daunting than a chinese language web site.
posted by alcahofa
on Nov 21, 2009 -
20 answers
