September 16

Veterinary Professional Associate

What is your opinion of Veterinary Professional Associate? Do other states in the country have this? Other countries? [more inside]
posted by falsedmitri to Health & Fitness at 6:30 AM - 0 answers

Why do UK butchers use cleavers instead of bandsaws?

Whenever I buy chops, whether from a butcher, or prepackaged from a supermarket, there are usually some small bone shards that I need to be careful of when eating. I think this is because meat is chopped with cleavers (because I've observed this in butcher shops), instead of being cut with a bandsaw. Am I correct in my assumption, and is there a reason for this? [more inside]
posted by snarfois to Food & Drink at 6:19 AM - 2 answers

Best Of Etsy Digital Downloads & Printables

I've discovered etsy digital downloads which cover everything from posters to escape rooms, journals, and calendars. I'm trying to push through the dross though, do you have any shops, types of things you can find, or unique printables to suggest?
posted by Braeburn to Shopping at 3:45 AM - 0 answers

September 15

Proper Payment for a Petsitter?

Going on a trip for 10 days. We have found some people in the neighborhood willing to visit our rats to feed them, change water daily. No need to take them out of the cage. What would be the going rate for this? What if we also need them to put a dose of medicine in a spoon of baby food and hand feed one?
posted by Sophont to Pets & Animals at 10:58 PM - 4 answers

Please help me find one matching drawer pull!

My house came with these drawer pulls on all of the kitchen drawers…except one. I like them and want to keep them even as I strip and repaint the cabinets. Can anyone help me find one more? [more inside]
posted by centrifugal to Home & Garden at 10:06 PM - 2 answers

rolling the dice

Chemo versus different adjuvant therapy? See below. [more inside]
posted by Armed Only With Hubris to Health & Fitness at 9:36 PM - 9 answers

MetaFashionistas, I need your help.

I have to go to a wedding whose invite calls for "formal attire" (for people I've never met; one is a friend of Mr. Blah's). I do not want to spend money on this, but can I possibly combine items I already own? See inside for some details. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion at 6:42 PM - 25 answers

Is this broken stud on my engine a problem?

My wife was tightening a stud holding down the valve cover on our 2005 Camry, and it snapped off. There are seven other bolts holding it together; is this a serious problem? Is there a way to extract the stump without removing the entire valve cover? What should I expect to pay to have it removed? Picture of the broken item (on the left, circled in red), with a corresponding undamaged item (on the right , green) is at https://imgur.com/a/HaDnis2 [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt to Travel & Transportation at 5:47 PM - 10 answers

Name the Book: picture book about hiding from bandits in donkey basket

Probably published in the 1950s or 60s, this book was about a central or South American father and son who were transporting their goods (we think coffee) when they were set upon by bandits. The boy hides from them in the donkey basket.
posted by CMcG to Media & Arts at 4:32 PM - 2 answers

A recent podcast about water related fraud in the USA

In the past two weeks I've had a podcast episode promoted to me, possibly from within Spotify, but maybe elsewhere. In broad terms the story covered in the episode was about a small group of people who were falsifying results from water treatment/processing devices to their financial gain, this was happening in the USA. I'd like to find this podcast. There's more of what I remember inside. [more inside]
posted by southof40 to Technology at 4:03 PM - 2 answers

Music Video Posted on MetaFilter

Some time ago (but within the year, I think), someone posted a music video to MetaFilter. It featured a female vocalist and had an alt country sound. The video featured her running with a line of young men in what seemed like a small town track and field event, maybe hinting at repressed desire between the men (that might be me, though). Anyone have any idea what it was?
posted by GenjiandProust to Media & Arts at 2:59 PM - 4 answers

late diagnosed autistics: (when) do you disclose?

I’m curious how you approach disclosure and in what arenas (work, social, other). Do you do so case by case, by a hard and fast algorithm, other? I’m open to a bunch of perspectives including early diagnosed, other invisible neurotypes/disabilities and even second hand (ex. you have an autistic partner or close friend and want to share what works for them, etc). Open to both autism as a neurotype, and as a disability, schools of thought. [more inside]
posted by seemoorglass to Human Relations at 2:49 PM - 7 answers

Steps for recovering data from a failing SSD

I have an SSD in my computer that has stopped working and I have realized my backups were silently failing. The data isn't critical but I want to take a stab at getting it back. I have Windows, Linux, and Mac computers available to me so I can attach it to anything and give it a shot. [more inside]
posted by Tehhund to Computers & Internet at 2:05 PM - 3 answers

Haunted Hotels in or near NJ

My husband and I recently realized that our 13th wedding anniversary next year will be on a Friday the 13th (of June). Obviously, we need to go stay at a haunted hotel. [more inside]
posted by amro to Travel & Transportation at 1:35 PM - 2 answers

How to pay workers who don't want direct deposit

What's a good paycheck solution for a restaurant business whose employees are skeptical of bank accounts but paying significant check cashing fees (on the order of 9%) and have remittance needs? [more inside]
posted by anotherpanacea to Work & Money at 1:24 PM - 15 answers

How To Use All The Sweet Chili Garlic Sauce?

Each of my family members bought, and opened, a giant sweet chili garlic sauce container. We have a small fridge and I only have one solid recipe. My partner is a foodie. What else can I make that uses this up? [more inside]
posted by corb to Food & Drink at 12:14 PM - 19 answers

Belize in January on a budget

I would like to bug out to Belize in January. My vision is cooking for myself in an airbnb, close to ruins and with very easy access to snorkeling and grocery. I assume this is San Ignacio? Any hot tips appreciated. How hard is it is do this on a budget?
posted by bright and shiny to Travel & Transportation at 12:01 PM - 2 answers

Lift Up the Masses

Asking for a Boob-Owner: Are you interested and qualified to update this aging but useful bra-fitting post? How can I find a great fitting place near me? [more inside]
posted by j_curiouser to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion at 11:45 AM - 5 answers

Ninja Creami recipes pleasy

I was given this year's trendy kitchen appliance: a Ninja Creami! Now what? [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library to Food & Drink at 9:36 AM - 9 answers

Making RTO less obnoxious

My employer is insisting people come to the office three days a week starting October 1. To bribe us, they've offered $250 towards "hybrid work equipment". Do I actually want/need anything? If so, what? [more inside]
posted by hoyland to Work & Money at 8:56 AM - 14 answers

Upgrading the OS on an older MacBook Air - Help

Older MacBook Air running Catalina 10.15.7 and trying to update to BigSur to update Chrome with no success... [more inside]
posted by konaStFr to Computers & Internet at 6:32 AM - 7 answers

Name Games

Part of my lesson plan recently has been singing Willoughby Walliby Woo. I'm trying to brain storm other letters. [more inside]
posted by kathrynm to Education at 6:26 AM - 13 answers

Can I eat it, Hamburger Helper edition

I made this artisanal Hamburger Helper recipe (yes), ate some of it with my kids and then left it on the stove overnight. All told, out about 12 hours. Kitchen is not overly hot but not cool either (September in NYC). Recipe has ground beef, cream, and cheese. Eat or toss?
posted by Ollie to Food & Drink at 5:55 AM - 11 answers

What's the name of this firm foam exercise mat product?

It's been years since I went to the gym. But when I was last there, they had these very firm foam exercise mats. You couldn't roll them up (not a yoga mag), they didn't really give much, but they were light weight. I think they might have been 4' x 6' x .25". Does anyone know I'm talking about? My web searches have totally failed me.
posted by Mushroom12345 to Health & Fitness at 12:05 AM - 4 answers

September 14

New/used stuff

I'm moving and need to buy some stuff. I like getting most stuff used but I do not enjoy shopping. Looking for advice on how to get kinda nice, used stuff with the least amount of scrolling or tooling around hipster secondhand stores ...or...not sure this is the appropriate use of ask.me but.. if you like shopping, can you help me find these specific items? [more inside]
posted by latkes to Home & Garden at 8:59 PM - 12 answers

How to warm up a cool-tinted overhead light fixture?

If I buy full-color smart bulbs and play with settings on the very-warm-amber spectrum, is that likely to be enough to counteract the very cool blue-gray tint of the ceiling light cover in my apartment? More so than a "warm white" setting on a white-spectrum smart bulb? [more inside]
posted by lapis to Home & Garden at 8:52 PM - 8 answers

vocab/age query

Do you say amaze-balls? If you don't mind my asking, how old are you?
posted by Rash to Grab Bag at 8:23 PM - 42 answers

Rental agreement--what am I missing?

After a little over a year living alone, I'm planning to rent the second bedroom in my house to an old acquaintance. I've lived with plenty of people before, but always with larger groups in rented houses--this will be my first time creating an agreement with just one other person, in my house that I own. The things I plan to include are below the fold--what else am I not thinking of? [more inside]
posted by ActionPopulated to Home & Garden at 7:33 PM - 10 answers

Give me pause

I am interested in more songs that feature pauses within the music, like [more inside]
posted by jolenex4 to Media & Arts at 6:11 PM - 19 answers

Auto connect between Sony bluetooth headphones, Mac, and iPhone?

I have a Macbook Air and and an iPhone. Both are several generations old but in decent shape. I recently bought new Sony bluetooth headphones. I can connect them with the Mac OR with the iPhone, but if I want to switch between them, I need to go through the pairing process each time (including going to Bluetooth Preferences and clicking "Forget" for the headphones, etc.) Shouldn't it be smart enough to "remember" the headphones on both devices (this is how I'm told Air Pods work)?
posted by O Time, Thy Pyramids to Computers & Internet at 5:54 PM - 5 answers

My zipper is hard to work.

Can you help me lubricate a difficult zipper? [more inside]
posted by pdb to Travel & Transportation at 5:18 PM - 9 answers

Help me find this short story about a painter and a missing plane

I am looking for a short story I read in the late nineties. The main (only?) character is a young man. He is a painter, but has been drafted into the army. While he is supposed to be guarding a shipment of planes, one goes missing. I think it was a purportedly true story, by a painter whose name I recognized at the time. In my memory it was Paul Cézanne, but he died in 1906, too early to be the subject of this story. Do you recognize this? More story details inside. [more inside]
posted by Adridne to Media & Arts at 5:04 PM - 2 answers

Providence Car Service Recommendations?

My 82 year old mother has fled her wretched husband and moved into assisted living in Providence. She has announced she needs a car service. [more inside]
posted by DarlingBri to Travel & Transportation at 1:57 PM - 7 answers

Help me buy a second charger for my laptop

I'd like to get a second charger for my laptop, a Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X. What should I buy? [more inside]
posted by msbrauer to Computers & Internet at 1:18 PM - 5 answers

How to plant "annuals" inside during the winter months

I have some annuals, particularly begonias, growing outside (Zone 7b). I would like to take them inside when it gets colder and put them in containers I have with plant lights ("gro-lights"). [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster to Home & Garden at 12:04 PM - 5 answers

Do eyeglasses/sunglasses with an overhang/visor exist?

Imagine that each lens of a pair of glasses has a little visor, like a small version of the bill of a baseball cap. Either clear lenses or tinted lenses. Does this exist? Or has this existed historically? [more inside]
posted by hapticactionnetwork to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion at 10:51 AM - 12 answers

Are planes landing differently nowadays?

I've noticed that in the last 10+ flights I've taken, all of the landings have seemed very fast, with heavy braking. Is this just a coincidence or has something changed in aviation? [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa to Travel & Transportation at 10:49 AM - 8 answers

Advice for a road trip

I'm heading down the east coast today. I rented a car which has a great sound system but it's going to be lost on me since I don't have a good playlist. Can you suggest some great songs that I can listen to on the drive? [more inside]
posted by matt755811 to Media & Arts at 6:34 AM - 25 answers

Help this middle-aged man shed my dad bod.

I'm 50, and just joined a gym for the first time. I need some pointers on a good workout. [more inside]
posted by zardoz to Health & Fitness at 6:12 AM - 12 answers

September 13

Looking for an old webcomic

My wife and I are trying to remember an old webcomic that utilized stick figures. It is not XKCD or OoTS. [more inside]
posted by ericales to Media & Arts at 11:26 PM - 3 answers

Help my elderly parents organize their digital lives

My parents are in their late 80s and I'm noticing that more and more of our time together is spent helping them stay on top of basic daily online tasks: keeping track of accounts, logins, passwords, emails and notifications for banks and utilities and memberships. We need help. [more inside]
posted by gottabefunky to Computers & Internet at 10:47 PM - 2 answers

Help me daydream a Christmas getaway

I want to go on vacation during Christmas. Leaving from the US East Coast. Some place warm in temperature and chill in vibe, maybe? Willing to fly, but would prefer a direct flight. I don't mind flying on Christmas day itself (especially to save money) but would prefer not to land in a total ghost town with everything closed for the holidays. Where would you go if you had, say, 4-8 days? More details under the cut. [more inside]
posted by TwoStride to Travel & Transportation at 9:25 PM - 12 answers

Global Poverty Line in U.S. Dollars?

The World Bank places the Global Poverty Line at $2.15 per day, in Purchasing Power Parity. How much is that in U.S. dollars? If someone were to receive an annual amount of $2.15 per day in PPP, how much would that cost in USD?
posted by NotLost to Work & Money at 7:54 PM - 7 answers

How to tack down a large canvas photo print?

Some years ago we had family photos taken. Recently, the top edge of one of the large canvas-style prints has started peeling up, where it's folded over in order to wrap around the frame. Does anyone have specific advice about how to do this, or what adhesive to use? It's mostly out of sight, but we would like to glue it down. (I'm not sure which photo printing house did it.) Thanks!
posted by wenestvedt to Home & Garden at 6:43 PM - 2 answers

Cannes in late October

What's fun in Cannes (or reasonably close to Cannes), for a few days in late October? Open to all suggestions and advice! [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne to Travel & Transportation at 5:47 PM - 3 answers

Puff Pastry. I'm obsessed with it.

I've become a recent fan of puff pastry and the "season" for the all-butter French-made puff pastry at Trader Joe's has just started. Besides using it for slab apple pie and spinach pie, what else can I make with it? I saw this question and printed a few recipes, but I'm really interested in main dishes (with protein) and maybe some desserts. We're adventurous eaters and have access to ethnic grocery stores. What can you recommend?
posted by DrGail to Food & Drink at 3:33 PM - 23 answers

solar panel fix near Houston

Hello Hive! Does anyone have a good recommendation for an electrician near/south of Houston to take a look at why our solar panels are not generating? [more inside]
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd to Home & Garden at 3:31 PM - 7 answers

Essay collections for an 8th grader

I know an 8th grader who would benefit from reading more non-fiction. She loves fiction (mostly fantasy) but has decided she doesn't like non-fiction so she's not going to read it. But she actually does love learning new things. Are there collections of short non-fiction essays for the young teen set? [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust to Writing & Language at 3:07 PM - 11 answers

Not-quite-alarm to get me out of my chair at regular intervals

I'm seeking a certain type of alarm with just-picky-enough specifications that I'm having no luck with google, so I wanted to see if metafilter could help! [more inside]
posted by space snail to Computers & Internet at 11:30 AM - 9 answers

Is there a person out there who will make me a meal plan?

I would love help putting together a meal plan that is tailored to my preferences and restrictions (notably, being a vegetarian) that ALSO meets basic nutritional goals that I know most Americans/myself do not regularly meet (fiber and protein in particular, but also like food pyramid stuff). Who does that? [more inside]
posted by goodbyewaffles to Food & Drink at 11:20 AM - 9 answers

How can I save Reddit posts to Instapaper?

I use Instapaper as my "read later" app. It used to be that Reddit articles saved just fine. Looking through my Instapaper articles, there are plenty of old Reddit articles that still display correctly. But lately (the past few weeks? few months?), Reddit articles either don't save at all (failing with an error) or they save as gibberish. Does anyone know why this is and/or have a workaround? [more inside]
posted by jdroth to Computers & Internet at 9:55 AM - 6 answers

How do I install Minecraft on my son's android tablet

I want to install Minecraft on my son's android tablet which I have restricted with famikylink. When I go into thebplaybstire on his tablet I don't see Minecraft. I don't know why. How do I basically say "OK here I am I'm the parent. I want to do this. Please let me make this exception and install this."
posted by If only I had a penguin... to Computers & Internet at 9:39 AM - 1 answer

Help me DJ a GOTV party

Help! I need to pump up the jams this weekend but I'm feeling kinda lost. Please shower me with song suggestions for a postcards-to-voters get-together! I need help putting together a playlist that can keep the good vibes going for several hours, setting will be a mellow gathering in a home. [more inside]
posted by vortex genie 2 to Media & Arts at 9:19 AM - 7 answers

hemorrhoid pain during bowel movement

I have been strugging with h for a bit. (dont feel like typing out the word each time). [more inside]
posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness at 8:52 AM - 14 answers

Is this too much information?

I'm a freelance writer and I've become friendly/friends with the editor at one of the places I write for. Is it appropriate to let her know that I need (rather than simply want) more work? [more inside]
posted by anonymous to Work & Money at 8:08 AM - 7 answers

Problem with US Debt Collection Agency

How to proceed and settle with a credit collection agency that does not want my money? [more inside]
posted by anonymous to Work & Money at 7:35 AM - 6 answers

Apple iPhone 13 Mini is slow to take pictures

I bought an iPhone 13 mini from verizon a year and a half ago. It takes forever to take pictures. What's my recourse? [more inside]
posted by MisantropicPainforest to Technology at 6:17 AM - 7 answers

Sun lamp, full spectrum, what?

I want to make a little cosy-corner in my office where we can take meetings and get some light therapy. What sort of ceiling bulb or tube should I use? [more inside]
posted by Iteki to Science & Nature at 1:51 AM - 7 answers

Camping in Los Angeles County area this Sept/Oct

I'm planning to go camping for several 1-2 night trips in the LA County area this fall - what are your suggestions, given the criteria inside? [more inside]
posted by Red Desk to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation at 12:04 AM - 7 answers

September 12

Being intentional about where to set down roots

Nearing the finish line after 10 years of medical training and this feels like a good opportunity to relocate and set down roots for our family — the perfect place doesn’t exist, but any recommendations given our criteria? [more inside]
posted by masters2010 to Society & Culture at 9:49 PM - 35 answers