April 2
Life beyond Planter's?
Options for upping my snacking peanut game?
Visiting Raleigh NC
Any recommendations for interesting things to do in Raleigh, NC in the next few weeks, particularly with teens? Already looked into the major museums and parks, but interested in other experiences or things to see. Also, any good walking areas with shops/market type areas? (Prefer to stay within about a 15-20 min drive from downtown.)
Santa Fe - cliff notes?
Anybody here live, or lived, in Santa Fe, NM? I just watched a short about Gene Hackman and it made me want to live in Santa Fe. But I thought I could get some personal and authentic pros and cons from you folks, rather than read stuff that may or may not be accurate or honest or current. Related: Is it a good/not bad place for dogs? [more inside]
Open Source Licensing: How Does it Work?
Can I use GPL 2+ licensed software in an MIT-licensed project? [more inside]
Hospital system near Champaign IL
Saw the post about setting work boundaries on the blue.
Am trying to figure out where I went, for four weekends in a row to a hospital in the Champaign area in the mid 90's. they had a bunch of hospitals in the IL area. The town also was big on Auto Parts warehouses. And I assume those hospitals all got bought out and renamed by the new owners.
Does this ring any bells? [more inside]
Help for my digital shoebox
I am looking to find a miracle app that can sort my random "things to remember" into nice, ordered and easy to find categories, with minimal effort. [more inside]
Did Harlan Ellison write this?
Some short story narrated from the point of view of one of the players in a mediocre jazz band. They're auditioning a replacement player when one guy comes in and begins playing on a whole higher level than they ever could. When he finishes, it's clear to both the guy and the narrator that the band will reject him out of envy. I'm guessing the tale is of 80s vintage.
Tell me where to buy (or who designed) Beck's shirt in this music video
I am very into the black shirt that Beck is wearing in most of the video for Death Valley High (with Orville Peck). Any guesses where it's from or who the designer was? [more inside]
WHO felt like Chicken Tonight?
In the 90's, there was a product in North America called Chicken Tonight. You may remember the commercial. I'm trying to figure out what kind of families were buying this stuff. Bonus points for Canadians weighing in. [more inside]
Big white cloud looking right down on me
Given my reasoning within, what songs besides Big White Cloud would I like? (Please do not suggest Spotify or just listening to more John Cale - I'm very hit and miss with his work.) [more inside]
Did they oppose convoys, really?
I remember an old British TV comedy where a exasperated character shouts, "for God's sake, they even opposed convoys!". Showing his annoyance at their bureaucracy's stubborn opposition to common sense. Several years later I was stunned to discover that it was literally true! [more inside]
Sign ideas for April 5
Like many people I'll be out with a sign in a United States city this Saturday. What should it say (or picture)? [more inside]
Chop wood and carry water, I guess
Hi, all. I had an experience a few weeks ago that felt like a spiritual awakening. I now feel I’d like to “do something” with it, only I don’t know what. I’m looking for reading suggestions. [more inside]
Is this a song or have I imagined it?
What's that old-timey Vaudaville-esque song that ends with: "so, let's get on with, let's get on with, let's get on with the show!" [more inside]
How to convert a conventional generator to a pure sine regulated output?
I have a big solar system with quite a few batteries and inverters to supply 230V to our off-grid homes.
I also have a pretty reliable and existing 9,000W 32Amp 230V single phase petrol generator, and although it's not a modified sine wave, it isn't a pure sine wave either. It's just Hz & Amps fluctuate a bit with the engine speed changing during use.
How can I add a voltage regulator hardware module, onto the conventional generator, to convert it into an equivalent regulated pure sine wave power output? [more inside]
April 1
Joninės in Lithuania: Which Day, Exactly?
I will be in Lithuania during June. I'd like to visit a Joninės celebration.
I'm seeing mentions of June 23 and June 24...what day is this supposed to happen? Should I plan for the evening of June 23, or June 24, or is it specific to the town or location?
A good print-on-demand tee shirt site in 2025?
A few people over in the Socky thread expressed an interest in a tee-shirt, and I'm not averse to it. But, how? I don't have much money to contribute to capital or time or space for running a tee-shirt production and distributor, and I assume it's just a few people who would want one, so I guess print-on-demand is the best way to go. But with who? And how is it best to get started?
Looking for first-person audiobook suggestions
Due to circumstances I’m about to start listening to a lot more audiobooks, and I’m looking for recommendations within a few criteria: [more inside]
Another edition of ‘my Google text has shrunk’
I use Safari on an old iPhone. The text on the Google website has suddenly shrunk. [more inside]
High- or low-tech solutions for limiting screen time at home?
My partner and I want to significantly limit screen time at home for us, a teenager, and two pre-tweens. My partner wants to get a safe or some kind of lock box where we all keep our phones and tablets locked away the whole time we are at home. There is a lot we like about this idea, particularly that it is simple and all-encompassing. At the same time, we both have aging parents, the kids' other co-parents, and jobs that occasionally reach out with urgent or emergency needs. Is there a hybrid of this low-tech solution involving some other tech or creative thinking that will help us unplug at home while also staying connected for the important stuff? Some additional specific considerations inside. [more inside]
[mixology filter] make me a cocktail out of this popsicle
I am the owner of a Bubble Gum flavored Ice Tickles Freeze 'n' Eat Bar, because two years ago my girlfriend slammed her finger in the car door and this was the only ice we could find at the nearby convenience store. The only way I can conceive of to consume this thing is with alcohol; what should this cocktail be? [more inside]
Kid car crash query
My newly licensed teenager got in an accident on her second solo outing in my car last week. All involved are fine except for our poor vehicle. I'm trying to figure out the best plan of action. [more inside]
Getting a referral to a specialist?
I have crap health insurance with Anthem BCBS purchased on the New York State exchange. [more inside]
Help me warm my toes
Each bathroom in my late-70's house contains a little in-wall electric heaters. They look like this:
photo 1
photo 2
Can you help me replace them? [more inside]
What's the best way for an 8 year old to "build a tablet"?
I found my almost-8-year-old pouring over a book about minerals and asked what he was doing. He said that since I won't give him unlimited tablet time, he's going to build his own tablet, so he's learning how to do it. I think my response surprised him: "Great idea! Let's build a tablet!" Ok, so how do we build a tablet? [more inside]
Worth the squeeze
What apple juice brand can I buy that still tastes like full fledged apple juice? [more inside]
Better Toronto accomodation options than AirBnB or hotels?
It's time for me to book PickleFest accomodations for me and two others. The past two years we've stayed at AirBnBs but I don't feel good about doing that anymore. What are my alternatives? [more inside]
Silicone/wax ear plugs?
Can you tell me about silicone/wax ear plugs? Or whatever kind doesn't go in your ear canal? I'm looking for something to sleep in. [more inside]
March 31
Best cheapish eats in U District, Seattle
I have a doctor appt at the UW Roosevelt Clinic and want to get something good to eat for lunch beforehand. Please give me your U District restaurant recommendations. I don't care what it is or how much it costs as long as it's delicious.
High school teaching favoritism
What happens? Why does the teacher choose that particular student? How does the favoritism manifest itself? (Bonus points: What adverse reactions might either party encounter from their peers?)
Dog needs big balls
I want to get a horse size 40" ball like these but my GSD will deflate this in a matter of seconds. Do they make a solid rubber ball this large? [more inside]
Moving a window to another screen just using keyboard
Like many people I have two physical screens, and I’m becoming increasingly more keyboard oriented as I realise how much time and fiddliness a mouse involves. My system is Windows 10 22H2. One thing that really annoys me is that when toggling between open windows (Alt+tab+arrow keys) or creating a window (Window key E) is that I've found no way to move the new window to the other screen; I always have to use the mouse. [more inside]
How Do We Salvage and Set Up an Out of the Box Windows PC in 2025?
I have acquired this precise ThinkPad directly from Lenovo.com. What is the latest and greatest in making sure there's no bloat and plenty of security? [more inside]
Yet another "what to watch next"
Mr. rekrap and I are in search of our next long TV binges, with snowflakes and criteria inside. [more inside]
My puff pastry didn't puff.
I'm loving apples suddenly, especially cooked ones... escalloped or scalloped, whatever. [more inside]
Tinned lentils 2 years past best-by date
Okay to eat? Standard issue metal can of cooked lentils, no dents, rust, or bulging. Assume the lentils are okay but maybe not? Hive mind, please do your thing.
8 year old boy is behaving badly and I don't know what to do.
My 8 year old is behaving poorly on an extended vacation. We're camping with him and his two younger brothers. We're at our wits end and won't be home for another month. I'm after some ideas for corrective measures because at 8 there's not much we can take away and if we keep restricting screen time he'll be 18 before he's allowed to watch a movie.
Asking here because I don't trust parenting forums or Facebook and I'm not sure where else to turn. [more inside]
Travel Insurance
We're going to cancun with 2 adults and 3 kids in April. I want to buy travel insurance. [more inside]
What are good nontoxic ways to clean mould?
I have mould growing on my tiled bathroom floor just in front of my glass shower door (not inside the shower). What are good nontoxic cleaning options to clean up the mould? Would white vinegar do any good?
Connect external monitor to Android tablet
I'm finding it surprisingly hard to identify an Android tablet that can power, via HDMI-to-USB, an external monitor. [more inside]
Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, Financial Literacy oh my!
I'm currently in a middle management position trying to run projects and programs at scale. My clients and superiors increasingly want data-driven reporting, metrics etc. to back up project proposals and charters. I have some grad school training in data collection and analysis. I'm making this work in a rough way, but when I look around at the market for the job I want to have in 5 years, there's a heavy emphasis on being able to generate and prepare these types of reports. I'm trying to identify which kind of training would best help me be more fluent at this type of work. [more inside]
Every single image in my PowerPoint presentation is gone
I was working on a PowerPoint this morning. I saved it and closed it. When I re-opened it, every single image had been replaced by a blank rectangle with a red x in it and the words "This picture cannot be displayed." [more inside]
March 30
Slow travel: The solution for jet lag?
As you'll remember from the zombified stare of Bill Murray in "Lost in Translation," long-distance jet lag ain't no joke. When traveling between New York and Tokyo, day and night are reversed, and the symptoms--extreme fatigue, digestive issues and depression--linger for two weeks.
Obviously, the culprit in jet lag is the jet. Take away the jet, and you take away the lag. Nobody suffered from jet lag in the age of Ferdinand Magellan. So, slow travel is the key. [more inside]
Where in Europe (?) was this photo taken?
Do you recognize the landmark in this old photo of my father? [more inside]
Free legal advice in Maryland?
My elderly aunt has recently split from her partner. Her long-term savings (retirement savings) was somehow under his control and he is not returning it now that they’ve split. Obviously she needs a lawyer, but she is reluctant to spend a lot of money as she is extremely freaked out about money now, for good reason. Do you know what the options are? What kind of lawyer, and how to find this person, and if there are low-cost options? This is Maryland. [more inside]
How Best to Get the Word out about our Improv School?
I'm involved with an improv theatre school and we would like to get the word out in our City. We don't have a comms person, also we don't have anyone onboard with FB/Insta/Tiktok/social media expertise. We were thinking of getting a freelancer from say Fiverr but not sure if we'd be able to get someone who has the right improv tone of voice for it. What would you suggest? Btw, also curious as to what a freelancer charges these days. Is it better to pay by task or by the hour?
how seriously can i take my art?
i'm a self taught hobbyist sketch artist in my mid thirties - i have a mfa in creative writing, and make genuinely not-enough money in my current field of adjunct teaching and writing - recently i started taking a few art classes at a community art school and it has radically changed my relationship to my art. i am fantasizing about going to art school full time and dedicating myself to my art - is this reasonable or should i stick with keeping it a 'hobby'? more, long details within - [more inside]
Smart TV for Digital Signage?
I'm looking at getting at 55" TV for digital signage. Which is the best smart TV system for that? I'm hoping to be able to just drop images into a Google Drive or Google Photos folder and have them show up automatically rather than using a USB drive. [more inside]
How do I convince my parents that they need to start getting help?
I’m looking for advice or tips to convince my aging parents to get help around the house when they are resistant to doing this. Have you been an adult who eventually realized you needed assistance? Have you talked your parents into getting help when they thought they could take care of everything themselves? [more inside]
How to keep people reasonable?
Many older people in my life (60+) are having their beliefs drastically changed by things they see on social media, so in the last few years, their values have swung far over from where they used to sit. If I suggest new media for them to consume, they'll try it. So, what should I suggest? YouTube channels would probably be the best, but open to other platforms too.
Dividing gravy packet
I have a packet of dry gravy mix. It makes one cup [more inside]
Suggest to me famous dancers with good names for a sheep pedigree?
This will require a fair bit of explanation so I'm going straight to below the cut. [more inside]
Weigh Me Down
My weighted blanket suddenly doesn't feel heavy anymore. What is happening? [more inside]
Jerusalem in a minor key?
I'd like to hear a version of Jerusalem in a minor key. Bonus for other important songs transposed major to minor or vice versa. [more inside]
March 29
iCloud frozen in file upload for weeks
Recently, I noticed that the little pie indicator for iCloud in my sidebar was sitting with a mere sliver for days on end. It claims to be uploading four files. I can't get it to either finish, or stop. Help. [more inside]
Bath and home spa gift ideas?
I plan to give a gift to my sister of items for the bath or a home spa treatment, that type of thing. Do you have any suggestions? One thing she has been interested in in the past is a foot mask, but I am open to any thing related. We live in the USA, she in the Northwest and I in the Southwest.
memoirs or novels about mid-life (40s)?
Looking for engrossing, moving memoirs and novels about becoming middle-aged, but not about marriage or parenting/children. What's your favorite? [more inside]
Mold in my window AC
There is mold growing in my window AC unit (GE Profile PHC06/PHC08). It is definitely mold, not just dirt or dust. What should I do? [more inside]
What was this 1970’s book about a European man in Africa?
I would love to find a memoir I read in the late 70’s written by a European man in Africa who became known for being able to rid villages of black mamba snakes. There was much more to the book, but the snake wrangling was memorable. Or maybe I’m conflating more than one book? Thank you.
Kale tonight - how?
I have a giant pile of kale from a farm stand. So, picked literally this morning. Tonight for dinner we are having the tomato feta pasta that went viral during Covid. How should I cook this kale to complement that? [more inside]