Ask MetaFilter

We've been fighting a mouse infestation at our house and we're succeeding on multiple fronts, but the oven is really gross to the point that I haven't even fired it up in months. It's a crappy rental-grade gas oven and I decided to upgrade it with a new Black Friday sale oven. What do I need to do to be ready for an install? I am sure it's going to be pretty nasty. Do I just need to be ready to scrub the floor when they pull it out or are the installers going to be jerks if they see mouse poop?
posted by anonymous at 11:01 PM PST - 9 comments

Everyone's always on about how you can enlarge vectors endlessly without losing quality. But what about shrinking them. If I have a fairly detailed vector of say a wreath and then I shrink it down to put on the door of a house that's in the background, is this going to print like a muddled ugly mess? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 10:42 PM PST - 10 comments

I've seen a phrase used on Twitter and in Silicon Valley adjacent discourse about the phenomenon of elites splitting off from society - not in the sense of separatism but in the sense of speciation. Please help me remember this phrase - I believe it's two words, probably three at most - as my brain has completely lost it and it will help with some research.
posted by decathexis at 9:43 PM PST - 5 comments

Not in a smoke control zone. 5 kW or under. I have an instinct that buying used is bad, yes? There is lots [more inside]
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 7:12 PM PST - 6 comments

Long story short, I went out of control using silicone caulking this afternoon and got a noticeable amount on a pair of jeans. Can these jeans be saved? How do I remove the caulking?!? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 6:51 PM PST - 6 comments

I need a pillow so my baby can sleep on my lap, and I can be a good dad. [more inside]
posted by Luminiferous Ether at 5:18 PM PST - 9 comments

I'd like recommendations for a stationary bike for a woman in her 70s who needs to keep moving to keep pain and stiffness at bay. Something sturdy and *not* recumbent, maybe 'smart' enough to communicate with her Apple Watch but not a Peloton. [more inside]
posted by kimberussell at 5:15 PM PST - 3 comments

Where can I find a complete list of Caldecott and Newberry books with info as to their AGE appropriateness?
posted by longhaultrucker at 4:11 PM PST - 4 comments

Someone I care about has an incurable medical condition with unbearable symptoms. Their straightforward treatment options have failed. What's left are rare or customized options that would require specialists at several different practices to communicate closely and work together. This is basically impossible, because modern medicine is an Orwellian shitshow. What they really need is something like a case manager — someone to advocate for them, coordinate care, keep calling offices that don't return calls, and understand things like insurance and billing. Is that something an adult living independently outside an institution can get? How would we go about getting it for them? [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone at 3:59 PM PST - 19 comments

I'm looking for a blog I used to read maybe 10-12 years ago. It was written by a lady in London. She posted a map of her suggested walking tour along the South Bank. She and her husband had adopted the 2 oldest cats at a shelter. At one point the cats were obsessed with toy frogs. At another point the people had a baby.
posted by dorey_oh at 1:45 PM PST - 1 comment

We're adopting a feral rescue cat. It will live in a shed in our garden with a cat flap in it. We will never approach it (people have died*), just feed it and provide shelter. We've never had a cat! What do we need to know? *an exaggeration, but according to the rescue place folks, not by much [more inside]
posted by greenish at 1:39 PM PST - 17 comments

What's the reasoning behind countries allowing and encouraging expat voting? Wouldn't people who have left their countries for N number of years be disconnected from the day-to-day reality? [more inside]
posted by simmering octagon at 1:25 PM PST - 25 comments

We just adopted Max and we’ve been calling him Maxcy but I just looked up Maxcy Gregg (I’m in S.C.) and that’s a big bummer. Can you suggest a new long name? [more inside]
posted by ftm at 1:23 PM PST - 22 comments

I have one day tomorrow to catch up on some work on something I've had a decent set of writer's block on, but there's a ton of expectations and perhaps my reputation at my job is on the line (maybe it's not, but it feels that way). If you have somewhat of a distracted mindset and have recently just gone real productive with one day of blocked of work, how did you do it? What tricks or mindset should go into this? [more inside]
posted by sandmanwv at 1:11 PM PST - 4 comments

I've written some D&D 5e adventures, and I'm evaluating building them as a third-party (second-party?) video game module. Neverwinter Nights (NWN) from 2002 has the Aurora toolset which allows third-party module creation, but NWN is D&D 3e. Does anyone know of an existing or planned D&D computer game that has a similar module toolset? It doesn't look as if Solasta: Magister or Baldur's Gate 3 has this tool.
posted by jibberish at 12:34 PM PST - 1 comment

And people on the receiving end of this dynamic, what do you do when a person you care about never reaches out? [more inside]
posted by danceswithlight at 11:18 AM PST - 25 comments

I tend to think in metaphors, sometimes in a visual, almost visceral way, and the one that's pervading my thoughts right now as someone in the US is a very panic-inducing, game-over one. I'm looking for something more encouraging to replace it with, but it needs to be somewhat specific, not generic pleasant "imagine you're relaxing next to a babbling brook" stuff. [more inside]
posted by needs more cowbell at 9:38 AM PST - 18 comments

We're both excited about using a cycle turbo trainer over winter & lockdowns, but there are so many different platforms that it currently feels like a CHORE working out which to give our money and data to. Looking for guidance/recommendations (some pernickety preferences within). [more inside]
posted by Joeruckus at 8:21 AM PST - 6 comments

I was raised on Lyle Lovett and Bonnie Raitt. I love that they tell emotionally real stories about individual characters that aren't just battle-of-the-sexes caricatures (on either the macho side or the down-with-men side). And I love that their musical style mixes in blues, soul, maybe a tiny bit of Laurel Canyon, etc. Who else should I be listening to? [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone at 8:09 AM PST - 61 comments

I will be working at the polls on election day from 5am to at least 9pm and am trying to figure out what food to take with me. We theoretically have two one hour meal breaks, which may or may not actually happen in full. There will not be refrigeration or reheating possibilities, but I do have an insulated lunchbox kicking around somewhere. I am a vegetarian who gets seriously hangry and can be revived by protein in particular. What should I buy? [more inside]
posted by hoyland at 7:23 AM PST - 19 comments

I'm going to buy a Playstation 4. Help me decide if VR is worth it for me. I'm also interested in your game recommendations. More on my gaming style and interests inside. [more inside]
posted by roolya_boolya at 6:24 AM PST - 20 comments

There have already been a few posts along these lines, but they aren't very recent. What are some good iPad apps for people with dementia? In particular, I'd like for them to be able to record themselves talking and telling old family stories. (Doesn't matter to us if they're no longer entirely factual.) They do have a caregiver, but I don't know her comfort level with technology.
posted by Soliloquy at 1:29 AM PST - 3 comments

I have an opportunity to re-furnish a modest living room. I know what I like when I see it, I just have a hard time translating that sense into "buy this thing, put it in that spot, paint that wall this color" etc. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:26 PM PST - 15 comments

I have an application with "targetFramework=4.8" in the web.config. It is meant to be run under IIS10/Windows LTSC 2019. It is the only application we do not have the source code to and that runs under Windows, making our software development and deployment bifurcated. Can we run it under Kestrel/Mono or some other scheme that gets it under Linux? There might be support within the application for legacy .NET things but we're okay with some things no functioning. Spinning up an entire Windows Vagrant image on OS X is killing us. [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 9:11 PM PST - 15 comments

Looking for recommendations on Where To Stay (towns, hotels) — and where to avoid stopping — when driving myself, a tween girl, and a geriatric dog from Olympia WA down to the SF Bay. [more inside]
posted by armoir from antproof case at 8:44 PM PST - 13 comments

I’m looking for unusual sex acts, something like the Superman, but for women (more dirty details inside) VERY NSFW [more inside]
posted by LizBoBiz at 5:29 PM PST - 7 comments

I want to get a Pacific Northwest native art tattoo but I'm a white guy. Can I do this without misappropriation? [more inside]
posted by geckoinpdx at 4:44 PM PST - 33 comments

I spent about $200 on a box of KN95 masks and they smell strongly like chemicals. I don't dare wear them or give them to my family. They're light blue and made of thin(not stiff) material if that rings any bells. [more inside]
posted by nantucket at 4:18 PM PST - 7 comments

This style of casters (locking, side-mountable to lumber with a 3/4" width) is perfect. A 30-50 day delivery, not so much. Please help me find something similar that's available from Amazon/Big Box store? [more inside]
posted by MonkeyToes at 3:06 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm being "gifted" a car by a friend in California and within a few days driving it to my new state of residence, (Kansas), can you help me sort through how it's best to transfer ownership based on registration rules? [more inside]
posted by BeatriceB at 3:02 PM PST - 4 comments

Having a zoom Holloween party- what games are fun to play in a zoom meeting? [more inside]
posted by xarnop at 2:53 PM PST - 8 comments

I adored Abby Howard/Sarah Winifred Searle's Unhealthy. I would loved to read more comics (of any length) about people dealing with body image issues/disordered eating/related topics. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:07 PM PST - 4 comments

Sometimes I realize Excel has inserted hundreds of thousands of rows below my last edited cell. [more inside]
posted by spbmp at 1:38 PM PST - 6 comments

An ice cream maker that sat unused for a long time is CRAZY LOUD when we use it. Any suggestions on making it quieter? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 12:42 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm considering a wintertime quarantine project where I'll recount various things that just kind of didn't work out. Not big, evil schemes, like Theranos, and not disasters like the Titanic, but well-meaning, or well-intentioned, or different takes on things that were sent out with much fanfare but then fizzled away because they were the wrong things at the wrong time. (examples inside) [more inside]
posted by xingcat at 12:15 PM PST - 73 comments

It's starting to get cold now and I need to figure out what to wear so that I can keep biking to work. I'm looking for everything from hats/earwarmers I can wear with my helmet down to socks. [more inside]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 11:40 AM PST - 25 comments

I used to have a Garmin Forerunner 405. It was great (except that the bezel input thing was dumb), but all I really need is start, stop, and real time distance and pace. [more inside]
posted by atomicstone at 11:04 AM PST - 6 comments

We have family game time on weekends - kiddo plays iPad, wife plays on switch and I play on PlayStation 4. Just looking for a game that doesn’t have a massive amount of swearing or huge amount of bloody violence. Perfect recent games were Horizon Zero Dawn and Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order. [more inside]
posted by UMDirector at 10:44 AM PST - 13 comments

What is the easiest and most user-friendly way to share recipes with people online? Basically, I'd like a place where my colleagues and me can add recipes so they will be easily located and have the same basic layout.
posted by retrofitted at 10:29 AM PST - 6 comments

I will be returning to the office soon (boo), and it comes to my attention that my wardrobe is now entirely made up of holey leggings and amateur wrestling tees, which probably doesn't fit my supervisor's definition of "business casual." I'm also in the middle of a years-long conscious consumerism kick, which has made me interested in clothes that are 1) Going to last a long time and 2) Are made sustainably/by small businesses/support communities. Snowflakes inside! [more inside]
posted by theweasel at 9:22 AM PST - 15 comments

We are making a commemorative book for one of our clients (M&M's candies). We are trying to include some "feel-good" quotes about the M&M's brand - anything that has been said about the brand, in trade magazines, song lyrics, printed books, said in the news...anything positive. Because this is a work project I can throw some money at this but am having trouble finding a researcher. [more inside]
posted by brbmaroon at 9:18 AM PST - 5 comments

I have a sink drain that routinely has vinegar poured down it. Today I noticed a lot of black gunk around the drain stopper that I'm concerned may be mold (or just general toothpaste and shaving crud). I'd like to hit it with some bleach, but I don't want to gas myself to death. How long do you need to wait or how much water do you need to use to diffuse/dissipate vinegar before adding bleach to something? Or, is there something I should use instead of bleach in this situation?
posted by willnot at 8:23 AM PST - 13 comments

I have access to a large lake that is usually used by people with their powerboats and pontoon boats and jet skis. I would like to get on the water more often and am looking to buy something that suits my needs that meets my snowflake requirements. [more inside]
posted by Karaage at 8:16 AM PST - 11 comments

Hello! I have a miniature toy chair that smells horribly of manufacturing chemicals. I have experienced this in the past, and usually just setting it aside in a well-ventilated area and forgetting about it for a while (after a quick alcohol wipedown) has been enough to cause the smell molecules to disperse. Not this time. [more inside]
posted by 41swans at 8:09 AM PST - 4 comments

My ancient yard-sale machine has decided now is the time to fail me. I am a basic sewer, hoping one day to be able to make a skirt and install a zipper, etc. I think a Brother or a Janome. Is there a model you would recommend? Can I just order one online, or is this something I have to see in person? I live in Toronto, downtown, but have a car. Budget around $300.00. Thanks.
posted by uans at 8:06 AM PST - 24 comments

I am looking for a heating pad for menstrual cramps that I can wear, that is reusable, and that lets me walk around (no cord connecting me to a wall). [more inside]
posted by congen at 8:03 AM PST - 7 comments

My home network has gotten kinda silly and huge and isn't performing how I'd like it to. I'm using a combination of devices to serve content and services but my topology is ridiculous. Hoping someone has ideas or suggestions to help me streamline. Much more details inside. [more inside]
posted by TomMelee at 7:47 AM PST - 6 comments

I really feel like I need an emotional release, and I’m having trouble finding a literal place to do so. [more inside]
posted by Definitely Not A Robot at 7:02 AM PST - 14 comments

I can hardly believe I'm asking this question, because my worst nightmare as a parent happened on Wednesday -- my baby fell off the bed onto hardwood floor. [more inside]
posted by Forty-eight at 6:49 AM PST - 36 comments

I might want a new twitter account which is wholly separate from "main". Ideally I would like to use this to talk about things which I would not talk about on my main account. I want to find ways to ensure as limited crossover as possible (for obvious reasons). [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 5:53 AM PST - 9 comments

I've recently been experiencing bad insomnia. I need to know if there is hope! Is this something that might come right, or do I need to make an appointment with my GP or my therapist? Making appointments are expensive so would like to avoid if possible. Sorry for the length of this post :/ [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 1:59 AM PST - 11 comments

I asked my seven-year-old what her favorite shirts are and she said she likes the shirts that have "diagrams and instructions". [more inside]
posted by potrzebie at 11:41 PM PST - 10 comments

My dearly beloved Italian Greyhound who was named by this very site has made it to the tender age of 9, but still is not properly potty trained and is starting to take a toll on our house. I still think he has another 5-6 years left in him - is there any hope of housetraining him, or should I just give up on the idea? [more inside]
posted by LongDrive at 10:09 PM PST - 7 comments

NPR glitched halfway through a great story. Can you point me to the ending? [more inside]
posted by slateyness at 6:57 PM PST - 7 comments

How do I support my family member who just found out her baby has serious birth defects? [more inside]
posted by mermily at 6:21 PM PST - 17 comments

I'm trying to learn how to be more loving and kind toward myself. In search of resources less annoying than listicles and less intimidating than massive books (I have piles of books that could probably help me with this and I'm struggling mightily to do any serious reading at all). [more inside]
posted by bunderful at 4:55 PM PST - 17 comments

I am getting an iPad Air 2020 and want to get stuff squared away. I only see USB-C hubs available for the iPad Pro. Which, if any, USB C hubs can I use with the iPad Air? Do hubs even work with the iPad Air? [more inside]
posted by jadepearl at 4:47 PM PST - 7 comments

I’m looking for a book: (1) written for the mainstream (not academic), (2) critiquing the obesity epidemic as a concept, and (3) that ties this critique to examining larger social issues such as neoliberalism and capitalism. Think “Dopesick” or “Dreamland” but for obesity as a health crisis.
posted by CMcG at 4:47 PM PST - 17 comments

I am writing a demographics paper for a graduate program I'm in, and I am not sure of the best way to graph several different variables. Talk to me like a child. [more inside]
posted by Corduroy at 3:47 PM PST - 7 comments

I want to carve a pair of Halloween rutabaga lanterns. I did not find any rutabagas today at PCC. What stores in Seattle have a large selection of vegetables where I could find one?
posted by cnidaria at 3:40 PM PST - 11 comments

I don't know whether to kill off an online friendship or try to keep it alive. I've never met this woman in person, but I have a weird connection with her and I'm afraid cutting her off might be, well, cruel. But she is making me crazy. [more inside]
posted by cartoonella at 2:50 PM PST - 24 comments

Please help me not send a card to an ex-online date with mental health issues. My own history of depression and family trauma is hijacking my break-up feelings. [more inside]
posted by radiantsquirrel at 2:41 PM PST - 14 comments

I would like to see a glassblower doing something interesting with cheese, please.
posted by aniola at 2:10 PM PST - 15 comments

I have some professional development funding to use up, and would like to use it for courses related to data analytics and visualization, but there are a few catches that are making this harder than it should be... [more inside]
posted by PaulaSchultz at 2:00 PM PST - 6 comments

My doctor has me taking the second-lowest dose of Rosuvastatin (Crestor) after a blood test unexpectedly revealed I have very high LDL and total cholesterol. I'm going to do this for three months, then do another blood test. Can you tell me what it was like for you to take statins? What was good, what should I look out for? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:40 PM PST - 15 comments

Hi! I am sewing a thing (long furby sea monster) and I need some help figuring out how to space little pieces that will be sewn into a seam 1) evenly along the length of the seam, and 2) so that the space between them will be equal between one piece and the next, minus the seam allowance. There's a tl;dr, picture, and [more inside]
posted by fiercecupcake at 1:15 PM PST - 9 comments

I'd like to explore solutions for keeping my ageing cat warm at night. [more inside]
posted by biffa at 12:23 PM PST - 26 comments

Publications in France (& other non-English speaking countries) that publish literature (stories, etc) in English? [more inside]
posted by cotesdurhone at 11:24 AM PST - 6 comments

Someone hired me to transfer old VHS tapes for him. We agreed on a price and I transferred them. He's come back and asked about some issues with the digital files that I'm 95% sure are just problems with the tapes and I'm not sure what the best way to deal with it is. [more inside]
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 9:10 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm sure this must have been asked before, but I can't find anything quite like it, so: my family will not be celebrating Thanksgiving/Hanukkah/Christmas in person, but I'd like to still do something that feels special and tradition-y while celebrating virtually. I'm happy to do some legwork to make this work, so i'd like to start prepping now. What ideas do y'all have? [more inside]
posted by mosst at 8:25 AM PST - 10 comments

I've been watching a lot of Twitch content in recent months, and have found quite a number of fun, interesting UK-based comedy/performance art channels that I've enjoyed. But where are the American versions of this? [more inside]
posted by GamblingBlues at 8:22 AM PST - 2 comments

I got a new prescription, and discovered I need readers. Glasses I still have with an older prescription work just fine at all distances I need them for, so I wear them. Driving is fine. Reading a computer screen is fine. Reading a book is fine so long as I turn on a light. I'd like to continue wearing the older prescription, but the glasses are really worn. What can I do?
posted by atchafalaya at 8:17 AM PST - 6 comments

I feel very stagnant in my current position [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 8:02 AM PST - 14 comments

I'd like to find a DSLR or mirrorless body that's useful for video conference/streaming, and also just a nice body to shoot with. My current DSLR body is a D80 and I own a small amount of cheap Nikon-compatible glass, but I'm not wedded to the Nikon ecosystem. [more inside]
posted by Alterscape at 7:31 AM PST - 6 comments

I sold an item on ebay, and the payment was sent. Then I received an email that the funds were being held. Then it got weird. [more inside]
posted by Mchelly at 7:18 AM PST - 6 comments

I need Excedrin but I'm in Canada, where they no longer sell it. My usual sources are not options right now so I'm thinking of buying off Ebay. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:16 AM PST - 11 comments

If I were somebody who was considering buying a hospitality business - say for example a boutique brewery/restaurant - employing something of the order of ten people, what should I be looking to use to run the registers, keep track of pays, inventory, sales and so forth, generate business activity statements for the Australian Tax Office, and generally play nice with accountants and banks and related professional advisors? [more inside]
posted by flabdablet at 5:28 AM PST - 6 comments

To make the longest possible story short, I’m 30 and haven’t worked for pay more than maybe 2 days in my life. Not that I’d planned it this way. I was even, for a while, branded the golden boy of my family and circle of friends in not so many words. But the same things that served as inspiration porn for the first third of my life had all the while been hard at work hiding mountains I now don’t know how to move. I have cerebral palsy, I stutter, and see no end to a saga with treatment resistant depression and brain fog. I need to work. What do I do? *Warning: definite wall of text* [more inside]
posted by marsbar77 at 1:16 AM PST - 38 comments

A friend of mine was trying to switch his Apple Mail IMAP account from using 1 provider he no longer has access to to another provider, but using the same emall address. Now all his old email has disappeared. Is it still there on his Mac but hidden and recoverable? [more inside]
posted by mistersix at 11:25 PM PST - 15 comments

Last time I ended a long term relationship it was a mutual decision. I still almost failed out of graduate school, wrecked my career path and was barely functional. Help me not do this again. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 11:09 PM PST - 5 comments

What's the etiquette for tipping DJs on Twitch? [more inside]
posted by too bad you're not me at 9:03 PM PST - 4 comments

It’s getting colder, her birthday is coming up, and my girlfriend has been fruitlessly searching for the perfect Big + Tall sweater for months! Help me help her :) [more inside]
posted by Summers at 8:54 PM PST - 14 comments

My dog is already diagnosed with hypothyroidism and has been on medication for a year. He has a checkup tomorrow morning and I can’t remember how I’m supposed to prepare him for a blood test. [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow at 8:51 PM PST - 6 comments

I just bought a USB C SSD, to plug into a MacBook Air that has only USB C ports. The SSD came with a USB C->USB A cable, plus a USB A->USB C adapter. What? [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 8:37 PM PST - 14 comments

I've been learning drums for about a year. Feeling uninspired and unmotivated lately. I want to watch live performance videos of excellent music with great HD closeup shots of the drummer. I especially enjoy studio/"unplugged" type videos but stage performances are fine too as long as you can see the percussionist clearly. Any genre as long as it's good; bonus points for female drummers and drummers who look like they're having a blast. What have you got?
posted by mekily at 8:33 PM PST - 20 comments

Kid-friendly history books? Even if they're not written for kids, as long as they've got big pictures and maps and not too many graphic pictures of casualties, they'll work. [more inside]
posted by joyceanmachine at 7:20 PM PST - 12 comments

Our upstairs toilet is having a problem with what I think is phantom flushing. My google research tells me the part that is going up and down is the float cup. Every few days we get a *terrible* sound that makes a pipe rumble and sounds like air to my untrained ear. Do you know what is happening and what we should do? [more inside]
posted by anya32 at 6:47 PM PST - 6 comments

I keep Timeshift up to date to facilitate reload if the machine gets unhappy and/or fussy. But my puter got unhappy and fussy at the encryption login; I couldn't get near Timeshift, or anything else. Most all was backed up using external drives, lost a few files plus had to reload Mint, no big deal. I did encrypt it again because hey, Linux Mint, easy-peasy. But supposing the machine gets south-footed again, how can I get to Timeshift? And what the hell happened to lock me out -- never happened before or since.
posted by dancestoblue at 6:20 PM PST - 3 comments

Using a scooper, a small nail from the scooper unknowingly fell in my ice cream bowl, while I was eating ice cream and banana bread. I bit (not hard) on the small nail, not knowing it was a nail. I thought it was a hardened chocolate chip, so tried chewing it again, no go. Took it out of my mouth and freaked out. Thank goodness I didn't bite down hard on it. My teeth is still a bit sore. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 5:27 PM PST - 7 comments

We recently adopted a 3.5 month old kitten from a local shelter. I have two kids, 5 and 1, that are still very excited about the cat but have yet to fully learn the proper way to handle him. Our 1-year old will often grab him by the tail to pull him out from under tables or we may find him running down the hall with the cat clutched under his arm. We're doing our best to supervise and teach proper handling, but as with most kids, things take some time to sink in. [more inside]
posted by stranger in the village at 5:13 PM PST - 19 comments

Prefer relationship-oriented over hook-up apps (had my share of that in the 80s). I'm currently downlownstate (near Champaign), but will likely move to a larger city within the year, probably Chicago - would not hesitate to drive that far to meet someone.
posted by she's not there at 4:37 PM PST - 7 comments

My problem is akin to this one, in that I want to delete some information stored in the Chrome Autofill section. But I cannot for the life of me find the information that I need to delete. [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:36 PM PST - 5 comments

I need to give a number of web UX/UI designers a very solid crash course in designing for Bootstrap. We are trying to build a company-wide design system and have not been setting up artboards correctly in Sketch to align with Bootstrap columns, margins, etc. We’re all using different numbers and it’s chaos. If you had an hour to give an intro to Bootstrap (we’ll probably be going with version 4.5) over Zoom, what would you use as a resource to make that happen? [more inside]
posted by Kitchen Witch at 2:16 PM PST - 1 comment

I need your ideas for modifying my exercise bike so I can use it while recovering from left shoulder surgery. It's super uncomfortable to lean only on my right hand. It would be much more tenable to sit upright while using my right hand to keep my balance, but I can't figure out what to do to make this possible. Any suggestions?
posted by HotToddy at 11:41 AM PST - 20 comments

I am volunteering as an election worker on November 3. I'm not particularly at-risk, but I am anxious. Help me optimize safety. [more inside]
posted by Former Congressional Representative Lenny Lemming at 10:33 AM PST - 26 comments

I am so anxious about this I can't even think straight. My vehicle needs somewhere between 8K and 12K to be repaired. Since my husband caused the damage making a mistake doing the oil change, the repairs are not covered under warranty. We don't have this kind of money just sitting there. What do we do? [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 9:12 AM PST - 27 comments

I have an old iMovie project that I made in 2005 and haven't touched since. I have access to a Mac again, and I'd like to import that into my iMovie 10.1.16, but iMovie doesn't seem to recognize the project - it just treats it as a set of folders. Is there a way to do this? I've read a few guides but none of them seem to address this issue. [more inside]
posted by Tehhund at 8:14 AM PST - 2 comments

My spouse's employer recently held an online meeting where their new policy of having employees currently working from home use their own time off (vacation/sick etc) to cover time lost because of power outages at their home due to weather. the employer is not covering power, internet or equipment for the work done from home. This doesn't seem right. Is it? (You are not my lawyer.)
posted by aesop at 7:45 AM PST - 18 comments

Yes, it's yet another face mask question. More details inside the fold, but the short story is that I'm looking for a reusable mask that doesn't fasten around the ears. [more inside]
posted by cheapskatebay at 7:25 AM PST - 31 comments

I need a cornbread recipe to use for Thanksgiving stuffing. Last year, I made cornbread which was delicious, toasted it and it got even more delicious, and then once I put it into stuffing, it turned to mush. I want cornbread with texture, with chew, in recognizable chunks. What should I be doing differently? One small complication: cornbread recipe must be dairy free (eggs are fine), I can use almond/soy/oat milk. I'm looking for tips, recipes, or advice. Thank you!
posted by papergirl at 6:57 AM PST - 9 comments

My most excellent boss is moving up and leaving us, and instead of signing her card with the usual junk we sign those kinds of cards with, I'd like to write a quotation or perhaps a song lyric about being, I don't know, rudderless, without guidance, etc. Maybe even abandoned. The more over-the-top the better -- this is meant to be silly. Any ideas out there?
posted by JanetLand at 6:44 AM PST - 15 comments

Who are the main educationalists, authors (or people from any field) who are against rote learning? [more inside]
posted by jacobean at 6:22 AM PST - 12 comments

My whole life, my long-term recall of events has been poor. Once something is beyond approximately 5 years out, I often forget many events that other participants remember (don't you remember when we went to X and saw person Y). I don't think of these things as too substantial, because they're genuinely not that critical to remember, but other people have commented about my really poor memory in the long-term. In the short and medium term, and when I need to remember something (e.g., for exams, for work, etc.) my memory is normal or even above-average when I make an effort. However, I would like to improve my ability to recall things in my personal life. One technique I'm considering is journaling to become more reflective, and perhaps to serve as a reference. [more inside]
posted by unid41 at 3:39 AM PST - 12 comments

I'm already seeing someone but we're not official. Another guy I like is asking me out. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:12 PM PST - 15 comments

Have you experienced a situation where you are doing something, and then you suddenly realize that you are in the middle of doing something else, with no memory of how you got there? Has this happened more than once? What is it called? [more inside]
posted by leahwrenn at 8:51 PM PST - 16 comments

We're looking for a good scary movie (but not too scary) to watch with our 9 year old. We need recommendations! [more inside]
posted by DTMFA at 6:34 PM PST - 24 comments

Can any of my fellow fremdschämen sufferers tell me how they reacted to the new Emma movie? I love Jane Austen, but I've been known to walk out of the room when characters in a movie or TV show are embarrassed or humiliated. I don't want to pay for the movie if I won't be able to finish it.
posted by ChodenKal at 6:30 PM PST - 7 comments

A friend wants to watch a spooky movie on Halloween. She's asked me to pick the movie. The thing is, she doesn't really "do" scary movies – she gets freaked out by them, so she's kinda climbing out on a limb here. What's a good movie that's heavy on spooky themes and atmosphere, but light on scares? (Gore and jump scares are probably off-limits.) [more inside]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 4:53 PM PST - 46 comments

I have my eye on a product in a shop 1200+ miles away from me and, sadly, the shop has such antiquated policies that it will neither ship it to me nor allow me to pay for it over the phone. There must be a way to have someone make the purchase, pack the item for mailing, and deliver it to a post office. Educate me, please!
posted by DrGail at 3:39 PM PST - 4 comments

A young girl is buried and then months or years later is exhumed and is alive [more inside]
posted by Quillcards at 3:19 PM PST - 2 comments

Today for the second time in a month, I got a call on my cell phone that I did not answer. After the usual ring tone stopped, a song started to play. [more inside]
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 3:03 PM PST - 11 comments

... because they strongly strongly prefer their home cuisine? This is not a matter of bringing some dried fruit and nuts in case you get stuck at a bus depot. This is the bringing tubes of gochujang (Korean red pepper paste) to the hotel restaurant or packing a whole suitcase full of microwavable rice packs and instant ramen to Spain so you don't have to rely on the local food, which may not be to your taste. [more inside]
posted by spamandkimchi at 1:36 PM PST - 55 comments

I'm in a blazing hot COVID state and have to go to physical therapy 4x/week so I am now in the market for genuine N95/KN95 masks. Amazingly I am unable to find a list of reputable vendors online. Plenty of guides to identifying counterfeits, but I just want someone to say "buy from this place." Can you?
posted by HotToddy at 1:13 PM PST - 14 comments

Does the hive mind understand what the thinking of these HA officers is? Did they possibly make mistakes in their approach? Should I talk to my downstairs neighbor, telling him to always first contact my other neighbors and leave me alone? Should I file a complaint on him, on the HA? Has this happened to anyone else in the hive? Can this just happen so easily? Is this a downside of renting from a social housing association (paying double rent as higher income earner)? How to de-escalate the madness? [more inside]
posted by Mariemma at 12:25 PM PST - 18 comments

How do you know a job offer is legitimate and not just a phishing scam for sensitive information? (Scenario below) [more inside]
posted by turtlefu at 12:19 PM PST - 7 comments

I've got an idea for a little web "quiz". It would be kind of similar to the original Facemash where two photos are displayed and the user selects one. There was a time when I could have written this myself, but I haven't written code in a long time, and I don't have a lot of free time to get back on the proverbial bike right now. It seems like this is something that someone else has already done, and I could just plug my photos and text into, doesn't it? [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 12:09 PM PST - 1 comment

Same (or similar?) picture in each panel of a person with a full shopping cart full of wine. On the left the character is saying, "don't worry, I'm not an alcoholic, I'm just having a party" and on the right the caption is, "don't worry, I'm not having a party, I'm just an alcoholic." [more inside]
posted by dirtdirt at 10:44 AM PST - 3 comments

As I've gotten older, I have found that I can only sleep in exactly one position. As I've gotten even older, even that position doesn't feel sustainable due to a number of factors. Can I learn how to sleep in other positions? Is there something I can buy to fix this? Where do I even begin tackling this? Stomach-sleeping edition, so, so many details within. [more inside]
posted by taltalim at 10:10 AM PST - 11 comments

There is a great range of prices for a replacement battery for my laptop from the manufacturer, so I am not sure where to buy it. [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 10:03 AM PST - 10 comments

There are two books i want to buy, and i am being particular about the quality of each, but for different reasons. How do you decide which edition of a book meets your criteria, especially when shopping online? [more inside]
posted by OHenryPacey at 9:13 AM PST - 8 comments

Musicians often say 'understanding modes really changed the way I view music'. I think I understand them but don't see what's so paradigm shifting about it. Please enlighten me. [more inside]
posted by signal at 5:20 AM PST - 15 comments

Does an open-source or cheap DIY multi-room speaker software or hardware thing exist that will let me use my old speakers like a Sonos multi-room setup? The more I read, the more confused I am. [more inside]
posted by saysthis at 4:59 AM PST - 10 comments

I am building a website for a non-profit. We would like to share the videos of quarterly presentations on different topics (~1 hour). What is the cheapest or free way to do this? What size should the videos be for powerpoint presentations? [more inside]
posted by abirdinthehand at 10:54 PM PST - 5 comments

Feral kitten we got when he was very young, whom we raised with lots of love and tenderness, went from being super sweet for the first month or two (slept every night in our arms, purred a lot, only bit us 10% of the time) to 90% biting us and 10% sweet/purring, and now only sleeps under our bed. He is however extremely food-motivated so I was wondering if there was a way to train the biting out of him? [more inside]
posted by egeanin at 10:42 PM PST - 28 comments

I need help finding a graphics card for my PC that will allow me to connect two monitors to my computer via either two hdmi cables or an hdmi and a displayport cable. [more inside]
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 9:38 PM PST - 8 comments

Waaaaaay back near the start of the Trump administration (around the time of the North Korea trip), the Washington Post ran a story about a man who was deliberately filtering all news out of his life. It went viral, and there was much heated discussion of it around the web. Has there ever been a follow-up to that story? Do we know what happened to this man and his project? I am madly curious.
posted by Going To Maine at 9:22 PM PST - 4 comments

When I started professional software development, the industry seemed to be moving loosely from waterfall to agile. We didn't have the tooling that's pervasive today, but physical boards moved digital and it feels like a lot changed. It seems the only thing that's really stayed the same is daily standups, which I have a strong dislike for. What's working for you? I've seen some new methodologies/tools like coda, has the tooling changed for the methodology? Are strict backlog grooming/sprint planning/retrospectives worth it or are there better way to track metrics? [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 8:43 PM PST - 4 comments

A long time ago I became enamoured with a puzzle of what I believe is a classical painting that has a similar set up to Alphonse Mucha's Four Seasons but can't remember what it was. Help? [more inside]
posted by vespertinism at 8:29 PM PST - 3 comments

What types of small boats or similar might we see on our walk across the Pacific (if we're really lucky)? [more inside]
posted by aniola at 8:10 PM PST - 3 comments

I can't figure out how to google this. I have blue eyes and so do both of my parents. But I'm curious about how having recessive genes from both sides affects gene expression. [more inside]
posted by NotTheRedBaron at 6:55 PM PST - 5 comments

The time has come to replace my beloved 2001 Prius. I'm determined to get something with the same or better gas mileage (>40 mpg) and am looking at plug-in hybrids, with short range electric capacity and hybrid motor, like the Subaru Crosstrek PHEV. My major complication is that I have no place to plug in a car. I live in a multi-unit building with no garage or driveway, on a city street with difficult parking. Can I make this work? [more inside]
posted by gingerbeer at 6:52 PM PST - 18 comments

I’m a bi/pan cis woman married to a cis man with two biological kids, living in the burbs. I’m not exactly closeted, but neither am I super out. I’m wondering if I can find a queer community irl or online, and I have a couple specific questions. [more inside]
posted by House of Leaves of Grass at 6:14 PM PST - 9 comments

a few years ago i was over at my aunts house and some food show came on where the talent/talking heads was a food guy with a heavy southern accent and an endless supply of colorfully worded expressions about food and life. He wore kind of flamboyant suit jackets as i recall and my aunt said he had maybe one some kind of food show talent search? white guy, brownish redish hair maybe a goatee but i could be wrong about the details of his hair and facial hair. He was so funny! My aunt has no idea who i am talking about. Perhaps you do?
posted by wowenthusiast at 6:07 PM PST - 7 comments

What's the best way to give money to a stranger with likely addiction issues? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:40 PM PST - 17 comments

There is a load-bearing wall between a kitchen and a living room. I am interested in removing all of it except 2' on each end. The wall is just over 14' in total, so I am looking to remove the middle 10-10.5' feet of it. My question is: (i) Is 10.5' too large a span to remove, (ii) If not, approximately how tall a header will be needed to support this? (I won't act on any ballparks provided - just trying at this stage to imagine the visual result of such a project). Approx. cost?
posted by ClaireBear at 5:30 PM PST - 12 comments

I am a Social Science student and I am finding statistics to be quite valuable and exciting. I am beginning to think that pursuing a Master's in Statistics (or Biostatistics) or Data Science focus woule be an ideal degree, especially if I can somehow combine it with Sociology/Political Science in government or tech companies with a social aspect to it. Yet, I have always been slow with maths and I struggle with it at times - currently working on Algebra I so far. [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 5:24 PM PST - 10 comments

Well, really just Freezer Stink. I have a refrigerator/freezer with the freezer on top. When I open the door to the freezer, an unpleasant smell wafts out. It smells like spoiled food, mostly like spoiled milk. [more inside]
posted by janey47 at 4:32 PM PST - 2 comments

If I wanted to explain to a random website owner why they needed an SSL certificate, where could I point them? I'm looking for something clear, unintimidating, and ideally affiliated with a reliable non-profit organization. [more inside]
posted by kristi at 4:32 PM PST - 6 comments

My mother's house suffered a water leak in February and has been getting a long and complicated set of construction and repairs. This has been lengthened, of course by COVID concerns so I've been trying to roll with it as best I can. I just received some photos of the final appliance installs and I think they look wrong enough that they need fixing but would like second opinions. Could you look at this oven/range hood alignment, and this washer/dryer alignment, and this radiator alignment and let me know if you think that is acceptable? [more inside]
posted by jessamyn at 3:19 PM PST - 39 comments

I just found out my roommate is planning on traveling to Florida over Christmas and I'm having trouble keeping it together. [more inside]
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 2:30 PM PST - 52 comments

I was recently fortunate enough to be able to pay off all my debt--except my defaulted federal student loan. I have a really hard time seeing this decade-plus-old debt as real and consequential, and paying anything toward it feels like throwing money into a black hole, when I could instead use that money to support my less-well-off family, maintain an emergency fund, and save for retirement. Is continuing to ignore it going to bite me in the ass later? You are not my financial advisor, of course. I'm looking for info on practical (not moral/ethical) consequences. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:05 PM PST - 11 comments

My doctor has recommended pelvic floor physical therapy, which I am going to do although I am not happy about it. If you have done pelvic floor physical therapy, especially if you also have trauma, I am very interested to hear from you! [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:03 PM PST - 11 comments

My almost three year old saw Singing In The Rain for the first time and loved it. I’m not super familiar with movie musicals other than SITR. Can you recommend musicals for us? Ideally with a lot of big exciting musical numbers.
posted by supercrayon at 1:34 PM PST - 34 comments

We'd like to stay in the Twin Cities for a month or two to evaluate if we'd like to relocate there. Snowflake details follow... [more inside]
posted by whisper_robin at 1:13 PM PST - 4 comments

My 88-year-old mother was diagnosed with a meningioma (non-malignant brain tumor) many years ago. She undergoes semi-annual MRIs to track the growth of the tumor, even though her neurologist doesn't recommend surgery at her age. They apparently are mainly tracking its growth to determine the type/amount of pain meds they prescribe. Before she gets the MRI she has an Rx to take beforehand: one pill at home, and then one pill while en route to the clinic. (Is this typical? I don't know.) [more inside]
posted by Oriole Adams at 1:11 PM PST - 25 comments

I heard this song a few days ago, in a noisy area where I couldn't hear perfectly, but it sounded great and I want to know what it was. The words were something like, something something but "you'll never be a rock star." [more inside]
posted by sleevener at 12:27 PM PST - 10 comments

Inspired by this question, what are your favorite non-religious short poems, quotes or otherwise lovely texts to print on my holiday cards I send each year to my (B2B) customers? My business is related to plants so bonus points for something plant-ish. [more inside]
posted by PardonMyFrench at 11:41 AM PST - 4 comments

Sewing experts of Metafilter, help! I found a great face mask that I just had to have (adorable bunny face pattern). Unfortunately, it is much too large for me, and I am struggling to figure out a way to make it fit. It's a standard "flat" type of mask without pleats. Link to the general idea included below. [more inside]
posted by chatelaine at 11:29 AM PST - 6 comments

I sent a bank document for printing to the library using an address which queues files for a paid printer which - it turns out - is not being used for the current COVID printing process. The library assistant released the file - I believe in PaperCut MF - but it didn't print at any of the current (free) branch printers, so we're guessing it's been sent to that paid printer (physical location unknown). Can this job be cancelled/ will the file print out if/ when the printer comes back online?
posted by my log does not judge at 11:05 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm trying to understand why shopping is often listed as a low risk activity for COVID exposure. If COVID is transmissible by aerosol as the science seems to indicate, shouldn't spending time in an indoor, semi-ventilated space be considered a higher risk? Or is it because of the lower concentration of people and expected spacing and movement (compared to say, sitting in a restaurant)?
posted by roaring beast at 10:48 AM PST - 26 comments

I have a PS4 and would like another recent-ish (2015 and after) 1st or 3rd person shooter type game, that's my jam. Cool weapons and good story doesn't hurt. [more inside]
posted by the webmistress at 10:15 AM PST - 24 comments

I need a new pillow. I mostly sleep on my front or my side. I lie on my side or back and read. It needs to smooshily support my neck. Further details inside. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 9:37 AM PST - 8 comments

Made some rosemary roasted lentils to add to salads, and left in the pantry in an airtight container. How long can they keep this way, and what can they do to me if I eat them past that time? [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 9:37 AM PST - 5 comments

I have a Samsung and would like to save my text messages on my PC or in Google Drive. I don't need to back them up for transfer to another phone. I want them saved somewhere else so I can delete a bunch of what's on my phone to free up storage.
posted by Mavri at 9:33 AM PST - 5 comments

I find it hard to get him to concentrate on more than one issue at a time – so if I send an email with three questions in it, he may only answer one of them. I feel like I am nagging having to repeatedly email the same questions to get a clear answer. I don’t think he is doing this deliberately/maliciously, and with other tics in his behaviour I wonder if he has undiagnosed ADHD. Can you recommend approaches that will help me get and keep his attention? [more inside]
posted by AFII at 8:57 AM PST - 32 comments

My birthday is tomorrow. I flew out to visit my parents, and so far nothing is planned. I asked for a specific restaurant and after reminding them they said it was booked. And....no effort to figure out something else. I'm feeling disappointed and considering flying home early. [more inside]
posted by treetop89 at 7:41 AM PST - 42 comments

I've got digital files of some bright, cartoony artwork that I'd like to print out in the most permanent and beautiful way possible for display in my home. A little googling suggests that I want a giclée print on some kind of acid-free paper -- but even with that info, I'm overwhelmed with the possibilities. Help me do this right! [more inside]
posted by yankeefog at 4:44 AM PST - 2 comments

Does the choice of ereader matter when you subscribe to a magazine in Amazon.com's Kindle store? I'd like to buy a monthly subscription to "Asimov's Science Fiction" magazine through Amazon.com, but I do not own a Kindle. I read ebooks with a Kobo. [more inside]
posted by Kevin Street at 1:59 AM PST - 11 comments

How do I sort though all the possibilities? My head swims when I read about all the options. Just when I think I have found "the one," I find that it is now unavailable, or has poor reviews. Should I even read the reviews? Fading vision, hearing loss, occasional issues with hand and arm strength factor in selection. [more inside]
posted by woman at 11:37 PM PST - 14 comments

Outside the new local bakery there's an architectural bench feature. I want to replicate it to replace the cushioned love seat in my living room, but I'm lost even as to how to start thinking about it. [more inside]
posted by bixfrankonis at 10:31 PM PST - 9 comments

Which brands make warm mittens for long, narrow hands? [more inside]
posted by Comet Bug at 7:33 PM PST - 4 comments

A neighbor is moving out of state later this week with her husband and wonderful dog. They live a few houses away, and we often stop while out on walks to let the dogs romp around in their backyard. I’m wondering how my dog will take it when they are no longer there (and it’s kind of bumming me out, to be honest). [more inside]
posted by dreamphone at 6:00 PM PST - 6 comments

I impulsively bought some licorice salt, because I love both licorice and salt. What should I do with it? One friend recommended shortbread cookies with the salt on top -- anyone got a good recipe that would work well with that? What else? No dietary restrictions, plenty of good grocery stores nearby.
posted by The corpse in the library at 5:49 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm looking for information on the guitar Stephen Stills is playing here, here, and here. [more inside]
posted by stinkfoot at 5:20 PM PST - 11 comments

The closer we get to election week, the more I realize how badly I want to get out of Dodge for a bit. I'm not healthy right now; I don't exercise, I sit all day, and I spend most of my time getting a digital tan. It would be great to go somewhere that would jump start my ability to just live again. Where in LA or a few hours north of LA could I go to reboot? [more inside]
posted by Kitchen Witch at 5:17 PM PST - 5 comments

I've been thinking a lot about getting a cat lately. I can't decide between one cat or two. Complication: small apartment. [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 5:02 PM PST - 24 comments

I'm looking to use my experience with informal but real-life Project Managing in a wiggly industry, and try to expand my job opportunities to a more stable career, by getting a PMP Certification and therefore, in my mind, "formalizing" my knowledge. My question is regarding the value of test preparation certification courses, not getting ripped off financially, and, quite frankly, if I'm heading in the right direction. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 4:02 PM PST - 7 comments

What is your favourite kitchen tool or accessory? [more inside]
posted by orange and yellow at 3:21 PM PST - 68 comments

Article I, section 8 gives Congress the power to declare war on behalf of the US, but who has the legal authority to surrender on behalf of the United States? Is it the President, under his or her authority as Commander in Chief and/or his or her authority for foreign relations? Or would it be Congress again? [more inside]
posted by Mogur at 2:42 PM PST - 5 comments

I have, for the first time ever, reached my data limit in my household. My usage has not changed. Please help me figure out what on earth is happening. [more inside]
posted by charmedimsure at 2:25 PM PST - 10 comments

So, I'm considering some longshot applications. I'm a CS Major I didn't take as much math as stats majors or math majors. I took the usuals Calc, Linear Algebra, Stats, Probability, Operations Research and I guess you could say AI and Operating Systems involve a lot of math. I don't suppose this is common? I'm mainly looking at programs in Canada with universities that have strong research in mathematical finance and actuarial science. [more inside]
posted by Tarsonis10 at 1:25 PM PST - 6 comments

Hi fellow mefiters, When I was a teenager (30 something years ago), I received a very curious and strange, yet intriguing gift. It was a Socratic solid 3D puzzle made of plastic sticks with strings attached to them, forming a dodecahedron with a plastic brown translucent sphere inside. I have been trying to find this for more than 20 years without success. More after the jump... [more inside]
posted by Matrod at 1:00 PM PST - 6 comments

With all the Zoomin' I'm doing these days, I'd like to use my AirPods Pro with my Windows laptop (Dell XPS) and not have wires dangling from my ears on the calls. I can pair and connect the AirPods in "Bluetooth & other devices" but they do not show up as an output device in "Sound". How can I make this work? [more inside]
posted by oakroom at 12:49 PM PST - 1 comment

I live by myself, and I'm at my least productive when I'm in my apartment. This applies to work projects and normal deadlines. I'm at my most productive when I'm at a coffeeshop in the middle of strangers, and listening to white noise. I've always been this way, as far as I can remember. [more inside]
posted by kinoeye at 12:32 PM PST - 12 comments

I enjoyed the books Back to Blackbrick by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald and When Marnie Was There by Joan G Robinson. They are both stories about children who meet a younger version of a grandparent, in some form. What other books are like this? [more inside]
posted by smcg at 12:22 PM PST - 12 comments

Interest rates for refinancing a home seem to be lower than our current rate -- but only significantly if I look at places like this or that credit union (I'm using Bankrate and other sites to get my info.) How can you decide if a bank/credit union is reputable? What are the issues here?
posted by DMelanogaster at 11:06 AM PST - 10 comments

My 8-year old son is wild for Gravity Falls, and is very into things that have a similar vibe: Ancient Egypt, Mesoamerican cultures, secret codes, mysterious secrets, hidden rooms, cryptids, conspiracy theories, myths, black holes, space-time. I am homeschooling him due to COVID-19, and the key to keeping him engaged is to make use of his interests. What fiction and non-fiction books, tv or movies, video games, subjects of interest, historical events, etc. would a Gravity Falls-loving kid be interested in? [more inside]
posted by shirobara at 9:43 AM PST - 21 comments

Yes, I know it was one night only--but someone must have videoed this, people record everything, right. Anyway, my google-fu is failing me. Any help is appreciated.
posted by Rumi'sLeftSock at 9:42 AM PST - 3 comments

Big voiced soprano wants to sing old-timey music and sea chanteys. I don't like the (typical) sound of big classical-style sopranos singing that material: often they don't "cross over well." What do? [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 9:37 AM PST - 6 comments

COVID is hard, and close (late-70s) family member is suffering like we've never seen her before. She has always had (manageable) anxiety, but now she is depressed to the point of paralysis. Please help us identify COVID-safe inpatient treatment options in the Iowa-to-Chicago area. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:28 AM PST - 4 comments

I want to learn how to do chainstitch embroidery using a machine. This seems like a hobby that you have to go all in on financially before even trying it. Is this a bad idea? If not, where do I start? [more inside]
posted by quiet coyote at 9:25 AM PST - 3 comments

I cook for food insecure and unhoused folks at least once a week. Everyone especially loves comfort food like tamale pie, spaghetti and meatballs, red beans and rice, etc. I like to change things up frequently so people don’t get bored. Please share your favorite large scale recipes (12, 30, 50 servings and up.)
posted by sleepy psychonaut at 9:23 AM PST - 11 comments

I really love Google Cloud Print and for "reasons" they're killing it in December. What are my alternatives? Right now I have an HP LaserJet connected to a Windows 10 desktop and have it exported as a Cloud Print printer and can thus print from any computer I own including android tablets and phones and can do that from anywhere. [more inside]
posted by octothorpe at 8:53 AM PST - 5 comments

You are not my doctor, I have a doctor, you are not my endocrinologist, I have one and an appointment in the future, but until then I have questions. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:49 AM PST - 5 comments

I get lonely at night, and don't have anyone to talk to. In pre-covid times I had a few activities I went out and did in order to meet and talk to people, or at least to get out of the house, but obviously, that's not possible right now. Are there places that people go to hang out on line just to talk? Special requests inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:49 AM PST - 14 comments

I am a US citizen living in the US. About 15 years ago, I completed the paperwork to be recognized as a citizen of Canada by right of birth (one of my parents is Canadian). I need to renew my US passport for the second time since then, and can't remember exactly how I handled the dual citizenship issue on the form, specifically the "Acts or Conditions" statement, the first time. I want to avoid committing perjury! I also want to renew my passport. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:48 AM PST - 6 comments

I have a pile of fresh arborist wood chips (1.5 cubic yards) that I want to compost. I plan to layer the chips with green materials. Should I cover the pile with a tarp to prevent rain and snow from leaching out the nutrients? I am concerned because I live in an area that gets a substantial amount of rain in the fall and spring and at least several feet of snow in the winter. I would remove the tarp occasionally to spray the pile with water to keep it moist. Would a tarp encourage the growth of mildew?
posted by kirsti at 8:42 AM PST - 4 comments

Can't use Chrome because Google. The latest big Firefox update is unintuitive and clunky. What's the best Android phone alternative that isn't going to give all my information away, track me, and has ad-blocking abilities? I tried the DDG browser but do I need a separate ad-blocker?
posted by humuhumu at 2:06 AM PST - 15 comments

As we get close to introducing baby to solids, I need to make some decisions about whether or not to introduce certain potential allergens. [more inside]
posted by kinddieserzeit at 11:14 PM PST - 12 comments

Has anyone read anything in the New Approaches to America Series, or failing that are you familiar with an author? [more inside]
posted by mark k at 9:19 PM PST - 0 comments

I need some professional sweaters for work that are WARM. I say "WARM" because all of the professional looking sweaters I see are delicate and lightweight and simple won't keep me warm. I'd love to wear Patagonia or REI outdoor sweaters all winter long because they'd keep me warm, but they aren't professional. Help?
posted by Toddles at 8:51 PM PST - 25 comments

The built-in feature is slow and apparently doesn't allow one to transfer an entire (very long) thread. There seem to be dozens of apps - please recommend your favorite tried and true. Thanks
posted by she's not there at 7:26 PM PST - 3 comments

I'd like to learn more about designing picture books. My googling just turns up "remember not put text in the gutter" advice for super-dummies. I need advice for regular dummies. I am at this moment grappling with how to place two full-page images on a spread without it looking weird, which they seem to whether the image are quite similar or a little different. But I have lots of other things I'd like to learn. Can you either tell me what you know or tell me what to read? [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:18 PM PST - 12 comments

The frost hit before I managed to pull everything inside. Now I've got a lot of zucchini and tomatoes that are not currently frozen, but have been. Most of the tomatoes are still green. Any ideas of vegetarian recipes that will make use of all of this produce. [more inside]
posted by lab.beetle at 6:52 PM PST - 12 comments

In an effort to improve my Spanish, I’ve been watching Netflix captioned with Spanish subtitles. It’s pretty oversimplified, as are most captions, but every so often there are colloquialisms thrown in. I’m curious about the regional dialects Netflix might be using. [more inside]
posted by Fuego at 6:50 PM PST - 3 comments

I have ongoing problems with muscle tension in my neck and my shoulders. I have never had any sort of device to help out other than a tennis ball and a foam roller. I'd like to treat myself and get a massager. But...which one? Tell me! Especially if you have first-hand knowledge! [more inside]
posted by Gray Duck at 3:17 PM PST - 8 comments

Seeking recipe for not-too-sweet, firm vanilla/almond cake. I'd love it to have a lovely, fluffy texture (but still firm, unless that's impossible -- either texture is OK, both would be great). I don't care if it's white or yellow. Will frost with orange frosting. Recipes I find don't specify "not too sweet". [more inside]
posted by amtho at 3:12 PM PST - 16 comments

The wifi in our home doesn't reach my son's bedroom reliably. This is unfortunate, given that he needs to attend high school via zoom 5 days per week. Our wireless router is located centrally in our unfinished attic. I would like to add a second wifi router that is in the attic but closer to my son's bedroom. It will be easy to connect the two with an ethernet cable. [more inside]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 1:07 PM PST - 23 comments

I just ordered twenty-five pounds of my favorite chickpeas. I'm looking for the best way to store them. I really don't even know what size I need for that amount. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 12:53 PM PST - 15 comments

For those of you working on piecing together your family genealogy, what threshold of evidence do you use to feel confident of a link in your family tree? [more inside]
posted by umbú at 12:39 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm handmaking eye pillows - like the ones you use in yoga - for everyone for Christmas. What's the best filling for them? I'm looking for something that won't go mouldy or smell bad even after several years, but will weight the bags down nicely and feel pleasant. I'm looking at flax seeds, lentils, rice etc but finding it difficult to work out how they compare. [more inside]
posted by Acheman at 12:34 PM PST - 14 comments

Anyone here already inventoried all the online photo cards options? Here's what I want to do: upload a photo for the cover of the card. Overlay some text on top of the photo, choose a font, make it orange, position it. Then on the inside, put a photo above the words "Happy Halloween. Love, A, B, C." Have the company print it and send it to about five people. I keep striking out. Anybody have an idea which photo card company can do this? Thanks!
posted by slidell at 11:36 AM PST - 4 comments

I broke the golden rule of never discussing politics and religion at work. I need advice on how to admit to my mistake of an uninformed claim I made. [more inside]
posted by loveandhappiness at 11:34 AM PST - 16 comments

Just got a tile each for me and the mrs. Can we add all the tiles to all our devices? Like can I alert her keys from my iPad? Or should we use sharing for that? Can I shave the tile app on my work phone and my iPad and my home android etc all at once?
posted by Iteki at 11:15 AM PST - 2 comments

Looking for recommendations for an electric percolator that has a sufficiently long perc cycle, and then keeps the coffee hot afterwards. [more inside]
posted by alex1965 at 9:42 AM PST - 8 comments

My husband loves these types of puzzles. He is a mathematician and solves even the toughest ones pretty easily. Looking for suggestions on tough puzzle or logic toys/games that will challenge him.
posted by mrfuga0 at 9:10 AM PST - 13 comments

I have one open slot in my Mac Pro & would like to install larger drives in my external RAID 1 enclosure, then copy the files from one of the old drives. Is it that simple? [more inside]
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:51 AM PST - 8 comments

I have a tiny, battery-operated TV that I loved to watch, that became obsolete with digital broadcast signals. Is there a converter that I can use to watch TV again with it? I believe it has an RCA jack.
posted by SillyShepherd at 8:28 AM PST - 12 comments

Both US citizens, both in NY state, both women, and we don't plan to move in together. It's just that one of us is unemployed, and so can no longer afford much-needed health insurance. Would it be legal for us to marry? We anticipate the situation will change in a year or so, and we'll just get divorced then. FWIW we love each other very much. As friends. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 5:48 AM PST - 12 comments

Earlier this week, I read an article about the rate at which mail-in ballots are being rejected, which made me sad and scared. Today, I learned about volunteering to help people fix their ballots! I live in a delightfully liberal city, and am primarily worried about the national election, so volunteering with a local organization probably isn't optimal. What's the highest-leverage way to volunteer?
posted by Metasyntactic at 2:16 AM PST - 8 comments

I am on such a quest and it has been exhausting. All I want is TELL THE TIME AND COUNT MY STEPS AND DO SO RELIABLY AND NO I DON'T WANT TO DOWNLOAD THAT APP. I'm overwhelmed by google and shopping options and reviews, though none of them look quite right. Does no one else need a lo-fi, clutz proof, durable pedometer watch? [more inside]
posted by goodnight moon at 10:19 PM PST - 10 comments

I have a job interview scheduled for early next week, but I've been feeling like shit for the past week. How can I go about building up my confidence/preparing for the interview in the next few days? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 8:12 PM PST - 20 comments

I have 6 nieces and nephews between the ages of 3 and 7. My heart hurts being unable to see them all this year. Help me think of creative and realistic ways to stay in touch. [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 5:42 PM PST - 12 comments

For various reasons, I'm renting a drafty, poorly insulated house this winter. I only plan to live in this house for one winter. Is there any money well spent to improve the warmth and efficiency of the house given the short time scale? [more inside]
posted by lab.beetle at 4:03 PM PST - 39 comments

We are trying to play the co-op version of Pikuniku, which requires you to attach an external controller. We don't own a gaming-specific controller. What can we do instead? We did find ControllerMate but don't know if it will work for us. [more inside]
posted by nat at 2:52 PM PST - 6 comments

yes you read that right. I want to drink more alcohol. deets inside. let's do this. [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 2:18 PM PST - 69 comments

Pretty much as it says on the tin - need some winter clothes, and I need some recommendations for unicorn women's sweatshirts. My main criteria is that they need to be reasonably long. [more inside]
posted by Paper rabies at 1:52 PM PST - 19 comments

I'm an old internet person, and have stuck with POP3 email (i read via PC and one phone) mostly because I don't really love the idea of deletions syncing between devices. There may be emails that are relevant to me on my computer but not on my phone. Currently i can delete them from my phone view with no consequence. With IMAP if i were to delete it/archive it, it would be lost on [more inside]
posted by softlord at 1:50 PM PST - 7 comments

So, I guess this comes from grad school applications. I'm applying to grad school in Canada. I want to get an MSc(thesis) in math or computer science. I'm also an international student. Quite frankly I hate the process of applying. It takes incredible effort and there's really no certainty of anything. I don't know how to cope with that. [more inside]
posted by Tarsonis10 at 12:47 PM PST - 7 comments

I am looking for tips on how to improve my workplace communication skills. I'm a 30-something woman with over 10 years of experience in a (male-dominated) field. I feel like I can never get a word in edgewise at meetings, and it is really affecting my confidence. [more inside]
posted by Anonymouse1618 at 12:28 PM PST - 26 comments

What tips or tricks or do you have when you are searching for specific Asian ingredients but you don't know what they look like or where to find them in a large Asian grocery store? The workers are so busy, they don't always speak English and I don't want to bother them. It's tempting to ask people in the aisles, but that's not fair; you don't want to be making assumptions about what cuisine they know, what languages they speak, etc. [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 12:22 PM PST - 27 comments

Moved houses over a month ago, kitty was fine until last week when he started hissing at his reflection. What should we do? [more inside]
posted by cooker girl at 12:01 PM PST - 7 comments

My non-profit runs a reading program where kids ages 6-10 meet with adult volunteer "reading buddies" once a month to chat, do arts & crafts, and read books. In Before times, we gathered in person and had a cart of children's books that kids could pick from to read with their buddies. In Pandemic times I'm looking for an online platform that would allow the kids and adults to have access to a collection of eBooks while meeting remotely over a platform like Zoom, the idea being that we can screenshare over Zoom so that the kids and adults can all see the book. [more inside]
posted by sleepingwithcats at 11:41 AM PST - 6 comments

We want to move the wall outlet where the internet cable comes out to a different wall in the same room. Is this an electrician? Our internet service provider? Someone else? [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 10:38 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm a man approaching 40, and I think I am not very good at friendships. I can connect with people, but in a way that I feel doesn't go super deep. I also find that over time, I tend to get tired of the people that I'm closest to. This happens in both my platonic and romantic relationships. I feel like every kid instinctually knows how to have and how to be a best friend. What have I forgotten? How do I be a better friend? [more inside]
posted by LRAD_der at 9:54 AM PST - 8 comments

My boyfriend has a beard, and I want to get him (some) beard related stuff for Christmas. I want to not buy crappy stuff. Can you help me? [more inside]
posted by Medieval Maven at 8:56 AM PST - 13 comments

I would like to decorate some cotton face masks with paint or HTV. A fitted mask is better than a pleated one, which would hide the decoration. I have a big beak and a pretty big head in general. Any recommendations for sources? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 8:31 AM PST - 5 comments

I have to drop my ballot at the ballot box at Truman College (46th Ward), and before I head out, I want to know where on the campus I can find it. I live nearby, but I'm not psyched about walking there and then wandering around trying to locate it. Thanks.
posted by tzikeh at 8:10 AM PST - 4 comments

Hi there - I'm trying to decide between an ablation + IUD vs laprascopic hysterectomy for treatment of crazy heavy and long periods + fibroid. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:08 AM PST - 16 comments

I'm getting inundated with spam calls about my social security number. How can I stop this??? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 7:48 AM PST - 10 comments

I have dramatically increased my water intake over the last several weeks. I was most likely chronically dehydrated before and now I seem to be retaining all that new water. [more inside]
posted by tafetta, darling! at 7:42 AM PST - 10 comments

I have an ex from over a decade ago that has taken up way too much real estate in my mind and I need them out. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:57 AM PST - 7 comments

I love cats and dogs and have investigated adopting either a cat or a dog on numerous occasions but there's one thing that always stops me: that my elderly family live abroad and I need to be prepared to travel back there at short notice, and for an open ended period of time, if necessary. Can people help me problem-solve this? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 6:35 AM PST - 27 comments

A while back my wife an I remodeled a bathroom. Everything went well and the contractors we had all seemed really competent but.... A couple months afterwards the hot water from the sink started having a really nasty mildew odor. The shower which T's off from the sink two inches away in the basement has no such issues, nor any other faucet in the house. We've tried running it a bunch to flush whatever it is out, but that hasn't helped. How do we fix this? (PEX tubing if that helps.)
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 3:23 AM PST - 7 comments

My son turns seven in a few weeks and I'm looking for his birthday present. We typically do one large-ish present and a few smaller ones, but open to changing that up. But all the toys he's received recently have palled on him after a couple of days of play. What toys did your kids (or you) play with over and over again and genuinely enjoy for the longest time? Trying to decrease pandemic-necessitated screen time as well. [more inside]
posted by yogalemon at 11:13 PM PST - 22 comments

My backyard is fully fenced with a 6' privacy fence, "pretty side" in, fully installed by the previous owner of my house and now fully owned by me. My neighbor wants to make a change, and I'm trying to figure out how to be neighborly and still do what's best for my property. I'm not trying to spend money wantonly, but I want to make the smartest choice for aesthetics and future property value, and if that means sinking some money into the project then so be it. [more inside]
posted by mccxxiii at 9:25 PM PST - 19 comments

I am looking for recommendations on what candidates to donate to. That is, where our campaign contribution could make the most difference. We are thinking about four donations of $25 each and leaning toward U.S. Senate candidates. But I could also be interested in candidates for state legislatures, in states where redistricting for congressional districts could be pivotal.
posted by NotLost at 9:01 PM PST - 13 comments

I read a study or an article a few months back that described the efficacy of therapy in terms of years progressed. As in, they asked study participants how many years of growth they had experienced while in therapy. And through this they found some sort of expected ratio like "one year of therapy produces the same amount of personal growth as non-therapy (normal) years" Do you know what this study or article is?
posted by lalunamel at 7:45 PM PST - 0 comments

I have a Fitbit Inspire HR, and I just noticed that my heart rate spiked to 130 BPM from 74 BPM while I was asleep last night. [more inside]
posted by cozenedindigo at 7:29 PM PST - 7 comments

My Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 370 won't charge its battery! This is a used laptop, recently purchased off ebay. I tried a new battery to no avail. It works fine plugged in to AC, but immediately upon unplugging the computer turns off. Windows either says the battery is at 0% or 100%. Windows, tlp-stat and the Ubuntu Power Settings dialog all claim it's charging, but acpi says it is "charging at zero rate". [more inside]
posted by sibilatorix at 7:01 PM PST - 9 comments

I love to bake quickbreads: banana muffins, pumpkin bundt cake, zucchini bread, etc. They're just so comforting and delicious, and usually pretty easy for me as I'm still a fairly novice baker. I have recently discovered that cinnamon is a migraine trigger for me, which is a huge bummer because it's in basically all of my favorite recipes. I'd love to hear your favorite quickbread recipes that don't include cinnamon, because I need some inspiration!
posted by radioamy at 6:08 PM PST - 24 comments

Are there Gov't or Private Grants available for people to buy a business? Or lists of angel investors that are looking for places to invest their money? Thank you.
posted by longhaultrucker at 5:55 PM PST - 4 comments

I need to author some step by step tutorials for using command line tools together. I've seen some slick frameworks that make it easy for users to copy the exact command needed to run it in the terminal and see what the output should look like but am striking out on finding such a tool. [more inside]
posted by Candleman at 3:32 PM PST - 3 comments

I requested a review copy of an academic book, and they weren't willing to send the hardcover copy but sent me a free ebook. It is an epub book in .mobi format. I have been trying to read it in Calibre, but it's so frustrating, and I would love to keep it in Amazon's Kindle Cloud Reader, which I use fairly frequently on my Macbook. It would be idea to have it alongside a few other texts there, be able to highlight, etc. Is this possible? I think I can download a Kindle app for my computer, but I really just want all of my ebooks in one place. Thanks!
posted by betsbillabong at 3:26 PM PST - 5 comments

I would like to avoid being murdered by my children. Should I try to buy a PS4 with a bunch of games instead or attempt to purchase a PS5? It seems that all pre-order options are closed at this point.
posted by O Time, Thy Pyramids at 2:52 PM PST - 10 comments

I live alone. I had plans to hang out indoors with a friend who also lives alone over the winter, once a week. My circumstances and options changed, and I asked her if we could hang out indoors every other week so I could combine households with another friend part time. Friend one has not responded well. I admit that my ask was selfishly motivated, and she has every right to be unhappy with me, but have I been as truly awful as she says I am? How should I handle this moving forward? [more inside]
posted by bridgebury at 2:51 PM PST - 19 comments

I've been writing a ton over the past few months, mostly just personal stories of life events from memory, but I'm interested in exploring that skill and improving with an online class or workshop. [more inside]
posted by elvissa at 2:50 PM PST - 3 comments

What board games are (or are readily modified to be) as safe as possible in the plague times? [more inside]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 2:35 PM PST - 12 comments

I've had very bad luck sticking LED lights on various surfaces. I've tried both mounting squares that come with the lights and separately purchased double-sided mounting tape but the longest that they stay on is a week. The lights are really lightweight (cheapo plastic pucks several inches in diameter) so the weight shouldn't be an issue. The surfaces I tried are smooth inside walls of a cabinet and the underside of a steel shelf; completely clean and dry so incorrect application shouldn't an issue either. I do need the tape to be removable - I don't mind using a goo remover to remove traces of adhesive but I don't want to permanently damage furniture. Thanks for your help!
posted by cyberian at 2:26 PM PST - 13 comments

What non-zoom/meet/teams online meeting systems are you using to teach classes? [more inside]
posted by signal at 2:11 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm upgrading to newer devices, and none of them have 3.5mm audio jacks! Do I need to go wireless with Bluetooth headphones, or should I seek out USB-C headphones? [more inside]
posted by sibilatorix at 2:03 PM PST - 9 comments

I'm following the #EndSARS anti-police protests in Nigeria and have been wondering: Police violence in the Americas (US, Brazil) is an essentialy racist question. Is this also true in Nigeria to any extent? I realize that the answer is probably "it's complicated"; so I'm not looking for a simplistic answer, I just want to understand Nigerian society better. [more inside]
posted by Tom-B at 2:03 PM PST - 2 comments

This bush is growing outside my door. Looks kinda like bay leaf... [more inside]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 1:52 PM PST - 7 comments

It's the idea that your friends and acquaintances knowing each other, rather than you just having a bunch of isolated individual friendships, contributes to wellbeing? Or maybe it's just a word for this kind of network interconnection. I read something about this, but I forgot.
posted by lgyre at 1:32 PM PST - 12 comments

Keystone Shops, a medical marijuana dispensary chain in PA, sent out an email yesterday to 266 patients with all 266 of our emails in the To field (many with full names also listed next to the email address). They haven't acknowledged this in any way – which in a sense is even worse than the breach itself and what it means about their standards for storing and working with patient data. What are my rights now regarding my own data? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:36 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm studying Japanese, and I haven't had luck in finding an iPad program that can do what I want. I'm also interested in alternative methods of going about what I'm doing. Google Docs is the closest to where I've gotten where I want to be. Here's an example. I want to write down Japanese text I am reading, and I want to be able to highlight each part of the text and make notes: this is the word's meaning, this is the word's reading, etc. etc. This way, I can read a text without distracting annotations, but can make reference to my notes on the text whenever I need or want by clicking on the part of the text I'm interested in. [more inside]
posted by TheLinenLenin at 11:20 AM PST - 3 comments

In 2001 I bought a musical teddy bear for my then newborn child. At age 20 he still loves it (and it still works!). I am looking for something similar for my new granddaughter. [more inside]
posted by ubiquity at 11:19 AM PST - 4 comments

I only have a small, yoga-mat sized space to exercise, and I can't be jumping around too much in my apartment. Can you recommend any good workouts that I could follow on YouTube? Bodyweight, stretching, yoga, cardio... I have found a few good ones by searching apartment-friendly or small space, but I'm wondering if there are any good ones that aren't advertised as such. Thank you!
posted by iamsuper at 11:05 AM PST - 16 comments

What will we encounter on our walk* across the Pacific Ocean? [more inside]
posted by aniola at 10:58 AM PST - 16 comments

We've searched high and low for a replacement. Description, pictures and video below the fold. [more inside]
posted by slkinsey at 9:39 AM PST - 8 comments

I was hired to transfer some VHS tapes for someone and amongst the many tapes are a few that are homemade sex tapes and I'm not sure what to do about that. [more inside]
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 8:57 AM PST - 36 comments

Can I *really* put two different UPS return shipping labels on the same box, as [clothing company]'s customer service has assured me I can? [more inside]
posted by quiet coyote at 8:53 AM PST - 10 comments

I've hit a roadblock in my genealogical research, specifically on my Scottish-born 3rd great grandfather. How can I get around it? [more inside]
posted by orange swan at 8:52 AM PST - 13 comments

I see whole prime packer briskets at Costco from time to time for a really great price, and I'd like to buy one sometime to cut up for freezing. How should I cut them up? What should I do with them once I have? Any guidance would be appreciated! [more inside]
posted by skewed at 8:46 AM PST - 9 comments

Employers really, really like when you're good at things. [more inside]
posted by coffeeand at 8:45 AM PST - 16 comments

Essentially, I'm curious to hear from people who are extremely emotionally invested in being a fan of something...it could be anything, though I guess I'm thinking like, sports teams, or hardcore BTS fans, or super fans of a given music group or something, but it really can be anything. I want to know what it is like. What does it feel like? [more inside]
posted by wooh at 8:25 AM PST - 22 comments

I don't know anything about classical music, and yet the names Perlman, Du Pre, Ma, Rostropovich, and Heifetz are familiar to me because the violin and cello makes soloists world famous. Between the two instruments is the viola, which, while vital to an orchestra, seems largely disregarded as a solo instrument. Is it fair to say nobody gets world famous playing the viola, and that compared to kindred instruments, it's sort of disregarded?
posted by BadgerDoctor at 8:18 AM PST - 14 comments

We are going to do an outdoor Thanksgiving with physical distancing! Help me plan for comfort and safety. [more inside]
posted by wnissen at 8:11 AM PST - 7 comments

I belong to a writer's group where we critique each other's short stories. Before covid, I would print a hard copy and then scribble comments directly on the it. Now we no longer do hard copy. What's the fastest and easiest way for me to scribble comments on a pdf and email them? I've thought about printing out a copy, scribbling and then scanning but that's a hassle. I def don't want to type my comments in because the mousing takes time. Is a digital pen worthwhile? If so, what sort of tech do i need?
posted by storybored at 7:50 AM PST - 9 comments

We bought a house! The roof is leaking. I have questions. [more inside]
posted by Bebo at 7:05 AM PST - 13 comments

I mistakenly told my 5-year old information he wasn't supposed to know and definitely cannot share. What do I do now? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:41 AM PST - 16 comments

I had a not so great interaction with my therapist today. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:40 AM PST - 18 comments

How to better handle the situation and communicate with my stepson since I don't want him to come back to my house right now ? [more inside]
posted by nicolin at 6:00 AM PST - 21 comments

I lean toward being non-confrontational. Sometimes when I gather my courage and make a request or comment that feels loaded/may not be received easily, I end up feeling really shaky both during and for quite a while afterwards. [more inside]
posted by needs more cowbell at 7:25 PM PST - 23 comments

I have suddenly and inexplicably developed an intolerance to beans and related legumes. Kidney beans are the worst. Even a small amount makes me horribly bloated. What can I make that's similar to Cajun red beans, but without the beans? [more inside]
posted by alex1965 at 5:50 PM PST - 16 comments

I'm finding myself having VERY mixed feelings about a possible career opportunity. I feel like I should be excited, because if it would be great for my career if it pans out, but I'm not really excited about it anymore. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 5:25 PM PST - 7 comments

I have a 9" round cake pan. I need recipes. [more inside]
posted by SemiSalt at 3:29 PM PST - 21 comments

Is it possible to learn to uncomplicatedly enjoy a good but transitory romantic relationship, or are some people just inherently wired to seek a long-term "forever" partner? (For extra spice, throw in a dash of pandemic-level "what even IS the future, anyway?") [more inside]
posted by btfreek at 2:32 PM PST - 16 comments

Has anyone picked up the Fall's 1982 boxset (compiling, well, their 1982 tracks) and, if so, can you say if the Fall in a Hole live tracks are actually of good quality for once? (Previous reissues have suffered from being taken from skipping vinyl). I actually already have most of the tracks on the boxset but would gladly plop down the bucks just for good-quality Hole tracks.
posted by gtrwolf at 2:32 PM PST - 2 comments

Does anyone know if the major browsers read the caches of other browsers installed on your system? I’ve been toying with using different browsers for different life-functions to reduce the effectiveness of tracking, but the effort will be useless if these applications are reading data from other browsers stored on my machine.
posted by Silvery Fish at 2:21 PM PST - 16 comments

Will having an antihistamine in my body (common pill like Benadryl) help at all in not getting bitten by noseeums? Or at least dulling the bite and itch? I'm not talking about an ointment after the bite...
posted by noelpratt2nd at 2:17 PM PST - 6 comments

I've always felt like my apartment was a little on the hot and muggy side, but was chalking it up to me being sensitive to heat - until I got a thermometer and hydrometer and realized it's NOT my imagination. How can I de-moist and de-hot the air? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:14 PM PST - 26 comments

Someone I care about is very close to being homeless in the Duluth/Superior area. Trying to figure out how to find cheap housing quickly. [more inside]
posted by sock puppy at 2:12 PM PST - 4 comments

My 13yo wants to take acting classes, and is open to taking them online. He is a complete beginner. Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by Orlop at 1:50 PM PST - 3 comments

I am doing the complicated work of writing up a detailed healthcare proxy for myself. I need assistance describing "reasonable measures" for situations involving mental disability as well as general things people often miss on their own forms. I'm curious what advanced medical researchers/cutting edge practitioners would write up for their peers to review. [more inside]
posted by arimathea at 12:50 PM PST - 4 comments

We just adopted two adorable kittens (teenagers really, about 5 months old), one of whom had an infection in his eye that meant we needed to smear antibiotic ointment in it twice a day. My husband did the majority of the medicating as he's a better cat-catcher than I am, but now the medicated kitten is skittish around him. How do we repair the relationship? Cat tax and more details inside. [more inside]
posted by wuzandfuzz at 12:30 PM PST - 12 comments

Jason Mendoza speaks in a distinctive way in The Good Place. Is it an accent, and/or does it sound like anyone famous, or is it an idiosyncratic thing? [more inside]
posted by creepygirl at 12:19 PM PST - 13 comments

I've produced many TEDx events in the past and would like to produce an on-line variation that is fun and does not have TED pretentiousness. It will be to honor a visionary architect on his 125th birthday. I know of sites like Idealist and have used it for past events. This time I would like a team made up of personalities with a hacker/DIY attitudes rather then those doing the event to ride the TED-wave for resume purposes. BIL Conference is an example . [more inside]
posted by goalyeehah at 11:36 AM PST - 7 comments

I'm asking this on behalf of my sister, who is an interior designer and needs a new laptop. She's looking for something that can run AutoCAD LT and Photoshop smoothly, but is also highly portable and has a removable touch-screen. [more inside]
posted by DingoMutt at 11:25 AM PST - 3 comments

Walk this very nervous potential pet owner through the steps to getting a dog. [more inside]
posted by rouftop at 11:10 AM PST - 19 comments

How can I share a list of half-day holidays to my fellow Outlook users, similar to n Outlook.HOL file (which only includes full-day events)? [more inside]
posted by wenestvedt at 10:47 AM PST - 3 comments

Help me identify a street food in NYC. Difficulty: 38 years ago. [more inside]
posted by LonnieK at 10:41 AM PST - 9 comments

Back in the day we used a Xerox machine. Now I want go a bit more pro without breaking the bank. I have an 96-page InDesign file I want to turn into a perfect-bound mini-book. It's mostly images -- a mini photo book -- so we're talking full color. I want to be able to review a proof, and I'm thinking an initial run of 20-50 books, depending on the cost. I'm in NYC if that makes a difference. Your recs?
posted by timnyc at 10:36 AM PST - 3 comments

Now that so much higher ed has gone remote, it occurred to me that I might be able to use my EU passport to take courses – or potentially even a whole program – at a European university with free or free-ish tuition, while still living in Canada. The courses would have to be in English, however. Am I just daydreaming, or does this exist? [more inside]
posted by Beardman at 9:15 AM PST - 4 comments

On one hand, I reckon that if the light is flat, you can't make it less flat by wearing fancy goggles; on another, folks on youtube/ ski forums swear they see an improvement. I have Oakley Prizm sunglasses which definitely accentuate colors, but I'm skeptical that lenses like these could create more contrast in snow in flat light. Am I missing out?
posted by my log does not judge at 8:22 AM PST - 10 comments

Our amazing rescue dog, who we have had for less than a year, just a had a small growth removed from his elbow. It was biopsied and turned out to be a soft tissue sarcoma (specifically, a hemangiopericytoma), grade III (the worst/highest/most malignant grade). He is only about 6 and has absolutely zero symptoms or pain, but the oncologist tells us that the median survival time for this type of cancer is 8 months. We don't know what to do next. [more inside]
posted by catoclock at 7:52 AM PST - 22 comments

My 5yr old nephew is having to self isolate for the next 2 weeks, including over half term. We want to send a package with activities to keep him amused (and help his parents keep him amused). [more inside]
posted by biffa at 3:51 AM PST - 16 comments

I remember reading a contemporary Japanese novel, in the same vein as Oe or Murikami, about a single man living in an apartment complex (?) and he kinda had a fling with a lady. At one point he bonds with a gay man (?) trans woman (?) and muses to himself: “someone so sensitive to the warp in themselves must surely be so sympathetic so my own weirdness” Or something like that. I definitely remember “warp” being part of the line. What’s the quote, and what’s the book?
posted by Grandysaur at 9:42 PM PST - 2 comments

Mini years back, a family member had a cookbook. It had different chapters which were each based around a theme, and the idea was that you would pick one theme for each day of the week and then the chapter would have multiple choices for you to make for that theme. Can anyone identify this book? I would really like to get it again! [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 8:26 PM PST - 1 comment

I'm curious about the origin of the legendary martial arts skills and training at the Shaolin temple. I know there's some basis in reality (the monks fought in a couple wars, etc) and I know that there was a resurgence in interest after the wuxia cinema craze of the '70s. But there has to be more than that! [more inside]
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 8:07 PM PST - 7 comments

I know the answer is "don't do this." But REALLY, can I do this? [more inside]
posted by Sterros at 6:47 PM PST - 38 comments

My elderly mother just shared with me that she is due a pension from Germany for the years my late father worked there as a professor. She lives in the US. She has asked me to help her collect it and am at a loss as to how to even begin. [more inside]
posted by Flock of Cynthiabirds at 5:11 PM PST - 10 comments

I want a long handled back scrubber with a scrubby part like a Salux cloth. No luffa, nylon poofy scrubby, or bristled one. Does such a thing exist and if not, any idea how I could fix an actual salux on the end of a wood handle?
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 4:12 PM PST - 7 comments

As above - how do I tell if these Twitter suspensions are permanent or not? It’s confusing and hard to tell what’s recent 2020 info and also what’s a punitive short term ban for spamming or what have you vs a long term ban for abuse.
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 3:48 PM PST - 0 comments

Seemingly simple question to which I cannot find the answer: Can I put Apple Music songs from my monthly subscription on any MP3 player like the SYRYN? [more inside]
posted by BeeDo at 3:42 PM PST - 4 comments

Do you experience a wheezy noise from your upper chest area when you rotate your upper body? If so do you know why? [more inside]
posted by spamandkimchi at 2:57 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm getting divorced and I'm at the point in the paperwork where I get to pick a new name! Help me with name ideas, or suggestions for how to pick a new name! [more inside]
posted by deadcrow at 12:24 PM PST - 28 comments

I went from a hands on service delivery role to an admin one. I'm not great at this. But I also never had the bulk of my job be reports, paperwork, organizing, project management, etc. I am not really bad at it I don't think, but I'm very mediocre. Which in my mind means bad. Help me? [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 11:38 AM PST - 13 comments

I want to write something, more or less permanently, on a painted interior wall, but also make sure it can be painted over in the future. What product should I use? [more inside]
posted by TrixieRamble at 11:13 AM PST - 9 comments

The UK television presenter Sandi Toksvig (born 1958) recently claimed that she had never farted in her entire life. Surely that's medically impossible? [more inside]
posted by Paul Slade at 11:07 AM PST - 21 comments

The poem is about a child (maybe son?) who feels intimidated by their father's greatness. I can't remember who it is by. Towards the end, there is a line about how the child saw the length of the father's shadow (or something like that) "and ran". [more inside]
posted by monkeys with typewriters at 11:07 AM PST - 5 comments

I'm trying to remember an old point-and-click adventure game. It was set in a bar, but the bar was more of a hub than anything else. The bar had all sorts of weird patrons and several of them had extended quests you could do. One was a vampire and you had to help him in Transylvania. I think you had to win back his ex or something? And there was an adventure in space. [more inside]
posted by Garm at 10:58 AM PST - 5 comments

Are there organizations--either affiliated with the Democratic Party or with external groups--that need volunteers to help ensure that voters are able to vote on election day, and that all the votes are counted, and re-counted if necessary, in November? [more inside]
posted by kensington314 at 10:51 AM PST - 5 comments

I like to keep my phone mostly on vibrate/silent, BUT I need to get a loud notification for phone calls. I keep missing important phone calls if I don't carry my phone with me around the house literally everywhere (which I would strongly prefer to not do). If it's in the next room, I need some kind of audio notification. [more inside]
posted by danceswithlight at 10:43 AM PST - 11 comments

How can I get my (work) Gmail calendar to show on my (work) Outlook calendar (they are the same email address)? [more inside]
posted by too bad you're not me at 10:32 AM PST - 5 comments

My husband and I are going on a 15 hour road trip for Christmas, from Florida to Ohio. We are driving instead of flying to avoid any additional exposure since the family we are going to visit are older and have some health issues; so limiting risky exposure is super important to us. [more inside]
posted by Sara_NOT_Sarah at 9:14 AM PST - 22 comments

This feels like the wrong time but now I want a house. Apparently, so do many other people, especially in the area that I currently live in (Essex County NJ). Houses are selling at way over asking and we have been outbid multiple times. I have very specific requirements that pretty much mean I will not be able to find what I want. [more inside]
posted by mokeydraws at 8:46 AM PST - 9 comments

I have a queen-size wooden bed frame that matches my other furniture. But it's on the wrong side of the country from me. Small moves quotes have been ridiculous—$800 from one company, and $4000(!) from another. Craigslist hasn't been fruitful. Ideas? [more inside]
posted by migrantology at 8:41 AM PST - 14 comments

What is your advice for setting up meetings in Zoom that are more like panel discussions rather than open meetings, but not large enough to require a Zoom Webinar? [more inside]
posted by washburn at 7:54 AM PST - 6 comments

About how long, in real time, did it take the Millennium Falcon to travel in hyperspace from Tatooine, in the Outer Rim, to the Alderaan system, in the Galactic Core?
posted by 1970s Antihero at 7:48 AM PST - 4 comments

I've been using AntennaPod on my Android phone for a while and syncing to gPodder.net. I would like to start using Pocket Casts instead. I know I can do a OPML export/import to move my subscriptions, but is there any automated way to let Pocket Casts know 1) which episodes I've already played 2) which episodes are currently in my queue?
posted by Tehhund at 7:45 AM PST - 0 comments

You are someone with strong family ties. I would like to know how you did so and how to emulate that. [more inside]
posted by xenization at 6:34 AM PST - 14 comments

I've got 30 small items I want to sell but don't want to use my ebay account, or start an Etsy one. Does anyone have a recommendations for an alternative website where I can easily list and sell these items? I probably won't use the site again after this so I don't want to get into a commitment with an online store. Would Shopify be good for this? Thanks in advance.
posted by Liquidwolf at 6:13 AM PST - 10 comments

(YANML) The company that I work for has been acquired by another company (found the information here: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ica-lic.nsf/eng/h_lk00014.html in Acquisition Notifications). This happened over 6 months ago and the employees have not been informed. [more inside]
posted by Laura in Canada at 5:51 AM PST - 4 comments

I've never been big on Halloween decorations, but lately I've been wanting to have a large, realistic-looking raven looming over the front door. But I don't want to get some taxidermied bird, the fake ravens available to buy are much too small for the Tower of London-size birds I have in mind, and I don't want to damage the door frame with nails or other destructive ways of mounting it. Any ideas on how to go about this?
posted by Soliloquy at 1:37 AM PST - 7 comments

I've perfected my use of G-suite over the past 10+ years and now have a job that requires usage of the full Microsoft suite including Teams, Planner, Sharepoint etc. I find it annoyingly not G-suite. Outlook is absolutely the worst of all, though the web version is a little better than the one of my computer. How can I best replicate my G-suite experience with Microsoft programs? Unfortunately due to legal requirements around the job, I am completely restricted to what Microsoft has to offer. [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 9:45 PM PST - 5 comments

And old friend has gone down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole and i'm not sure whether I should continue that friendship. [more inside]
posted by NotTheRedBaron at 8:33 PM PST - 21 comments

In the tv show Giri/Haji, they used this interesting narrative technique out of the blue. What are some other films or tv series that make use of a more surreal or experimental film technique within the context of a mostly plot-driven film? [very vague spoilers about a narrative technique in giri / haji, but no plot actual spoilers] [more inside]
posted by i like crows very much at 7:27 PM PST - 27 comments

I only use propane to cook, and use @ 30 lbs a year, I think. My local propane supplier got bought out, and the new company keeps trying to charge a new fee for tank rental. Have talked my way out of previously, don't think that will work any more. it's already expensive because I don't use a lot, and I'm stubborn, frugal, and despise add-on pure profit fees and corporate greed. Can I have my stove connected to the smaller tanks used by gas grills? I'm guessing the right sort of plumber might do this.
posted by theora55 at 7:16 PM PST - 12 comments

I've seen a few contoured foam pillows that have a cutout space so that you can lie on your side and read while wearing glasses. (Ex: 1, 2.) This is a thing I would like to do but have trouble doing, at least with my current glasses and regular pillows. Have you tried these special pillows? Do they work? Is there something I'm not thinking of that makes them less awesome than they sound?
posted by needs more cowbell at 6:32 PM PST - 2 comments

My son, 20, has executive function disorder, ADHD and ASD. He has always had trouble with organizing his time but is really struggling right now. He is a sophomore in college living at home and just can’t get it together. I’m willing to try anything. [more inside]
posted by Biblio at 6:29 PM PST - 6 comments

I need help finding a piece of software that will let me transfer several large files from a computer running Windows XP. [more inside]
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 6:15 PM PST - 17 comments

For Reasons, I'd like to take my own passport photo and then have it printed by a service and mailed to me or picked up. What's the best, fastest service that I can use to get this done?
posted by thelasttango at 5:46 PM PST - 8 comments

I miss pursuing activities that get you a little plaque or badge (e.g. Scouting or Duke of Edinburgh Award). Is there anything like that for adults? I don't mean the "adulting" merit badges you buy yourself, but something where you get some kind of external validation for learning skills and/or contributing to the community. I'm wondering if I should just join Rotary. Thanks!
posted by leotrotsky at 5:30 PM PST - 22 comments

My C:\Users\(name) folder has 2 One Drive sub folders. One contains the contents of the One Drive. The other is named SkyDrive in its path even though it has One Drive as its external label. SkyDrive contains mostly recognizable flotsam with the exception of a Documents folder that contains 4 registration entries with various dates in 2016. The flotsam files are dated up to 2017. [more inside]
posted by Raybun at 5:10 PM PST - 2 comments

I am especially looking for resources about Marxist, feminist, queer, critical race, and psychoanalytic theories, as used to study the arts and humanities. I would love to find great articles and videos, and I would prefer to avoid opaque jargon. Thanks!
posted by mortaddams at 3:40 PM PST - 4 comments

I’m seriously needing funny videos to help me out of a mental funk. [more inside]
posted by waving at 3:39 PM PST - 34 comments

My new neighbors smoke inside constantly. What can I do to make the smell in my apartment less strong? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:02 PM PST - 9 comments

We are finally moving to our dream, stand-alone single-family home in a fairly non-descript neighborhood with other stand-alone homes. After years of living in a townhouse with an open parking lot, we became a bit curmudgeonly and don’t interact much with our townhome neighbors, but I would like to go back to being a lightly friendly neighbor with the residents near my new home. How can we best approach the process of introducing ourselves to our new neighbors given the pandemic? [more inside]
posted by hellogoodbye at 2:51 PM PST - 18 comments

I'm looking for an escape room, or similar puzzle room, that my Girl Scouts can do together via Zoom as they work on the Game Visionary badge. It needs to be appropriate for 13- and 14-year olds, collaborative, and fun. There will be anywhere from four to ten players, and I won't know ahead of time how many people will show up. Any suggestions?
posted by The corpse in the library at 2:19 PM PST - 5 comments

I need a recommendation for a good estate lawyer in the Seattle area, preferably on the Eastside (Bellevue, Redmond, Issaquah area). This is for an estate that includes a home mortgage and title to be resolved.
posted by anonymous at 2:11 PM PST - 1 comment

I am feeling uninspired by my kitchen and cookbook shelf and would love pandemic-friendly cookbook recommendations. Have you recently found a cookbook that has improved your eat at home all the time life? I’m particularly interested in ones with recipes that don’t require a full summer vegetable/herb garden (because it’s snowing right now) or stops at multiple grocery stores.
posted by Maarika at 1:51 PM PST - 13 comments

There's a chapter in Randy Frost & Gail Steketee's book "Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and The Meaning of Things" that details an incredible story about a successful female documentary filmmaker in the 1970s who hoards over 200 cats and who works with a female psychiatrist...and the psychiatrist hoards over 600 cats! I'm actually a documentary filmmaker myself and I'm dying to know if any of this story is publicly available so I can track it down. Details about the case and the people involved were changed in the book to protect their identities so I can't even be sure of the most basic details of the story. It says this all happened in NYC but it could just as easily have been another city - maybe LA given the filmmaking connection? Anything you might know about this would be a great starting point for me to dig more. Thank you.
posted by Bobby Bittman at 1:24 PM PST - 0 comments

Old school buildings in NYC do not have central HVAC and very limited window openings. Hallways and stairwells have no air circulation. How many school buildings in NYC are like this? And where are they? [more inside]
posted by Sophont at 12:50 PM PST - 4 comments

I'm looking for the original, shutterstock version of this image, so I can buy it. Simple, right? It has the shutterstock watermark, and should be easy to find with keywords like woman work laptop striped shirt. Nope. Been searching for over an hour, no luck. Tried google image search, no luck. Please suggest alternate search strategies or even better, hep me find the image?
posted by signal at 12:28 PM PST - 10 comments

What are the page-turningest, hottest, most fun, hands-down-best contemporary romance novels of the last few years? Any sub-genre.
posted by latkes at 11:24 AM PST - 23 comments

I just spent 24 hours with a relative, who is my age, who has a debilitating illness affecting both their physical capabilities and their brain. I did not have much to do, apart from preparing meals and giving them their medicine, which left lots of time to think. That was a problem. [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna at 10:58 AM PST - 6 comments

I've recently committed to getting a car, but don't have anywhere to put it. I live in the limbo that is Portland, Oregon's dreaded Zone N, the result of which is that I am apparently not eligible for any street permit parking. Worse still, all the lot/garage options I've been able to find even semi-nearby are upwards of $75–150 a month. This… isn't workable. How/where do people who live in inner SE park affordably? [more inside]
posted by caliche at 10:54 AM PST - 9 comments

Any recommendations/ personal experience with cheap (non Logitech) webcams in 2020? (Ideally <$20 USD). There are times when I am obligated to be on webcam, but don't want to share my face nor my work space in full high definition glory. [more inside]
posted by oceano at 10:24 AM PST - 2 comments

As a child I watched a PBS show that explained the Doppler effect by having the viewer imagine what they would see if they were riding a super fast bike, and what they would see if they looked behind them (red shift). Please help me... What show was this? [more inside]
posted by Stu-Pendous at 10:11 AM PST - 3 comments

We have some perfectly serviceable names but nothing really sings, you know? [more inside]
posted by *s at 9:15 AM PST - 64 comments

As Halloween approaches I'm looking for some "scary" movies to watch with my family. Looking for suggestions of the best (or "worst" best) movies that will entertain the family and broaden our horizons, movie-wise. Ideally on Netflix, Prime, etc. [more inside]
posted by jzb at 8:58 AM PST - 38 comments

My rice cooker is this Cuckoo model, which I've had for a quite a few years. I swear that when I first got it the rice it cooked was way better (back then I thought the rice was delicious, now it just seems average and unremarkable). I mostly use the same brand of rice - Hinode Calrose white medium grain - so either the cooker's getting worse or Hinode quality is decreasing. Does this happen to rice cookers: that the quality of the cooked rice can decline over time and they need to be replaced?
posted by my log does not judge at 8:55 AM PST - 8 comments

I can search the web and find dozens of recipes and lists-of-recipes aimed at using up green tomatoes. Tell me about ones you've actually tried and enjoyed. [more inside]
posted by deludingmyself at 8:52 AM PST - 7 comments

There are uncountable "boarding school" books - both of the magical and nonmagical variety. Are there any written from the teachers' perspective?
posted by dmd at 8:52 AM PST - 22 comments

My phone number is on a lot of spammers robo call lists. I am very regularly asked if I have been involved in a car accident. Is there and app I can install to record these spam calls and send them somewhere for enforcement? [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 7:55 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm hoping to find some great memoirs or essay collections to read, and I am looking for something rather specific -- a person (ideally a "regular" person -- not a celebrity or well-known writer/artist) moves to a new, unfamiliar city, and writes about their experiences and observations living in that city. Ideally, the tone would be primarily lighthearted/humorous, but with poignant, bittersweet moments, and emotional depth. Thank you for any recommendations!
posted by Ser Dirtnap at 7:54 AM PST - 14 comments

Do live interviewers in phone polls know who's paying for their poll? Would they tell me if I asked? Do pollsters know anything about my political affiliations or how often I've voted in the past? [more inside]
posted by Spathe Cadet at 6:57 AM PST - 5 comments

I live on the top floor of a 3-floor building. Since mid-September, most days promptly from 6:45-7:15am, I've been hearing a mysterious knocking noise coming from overhead. The sound pattern is akin to someone is dropping a tennis ball repeatedly on a surface above me. The last few days this escalated to the ball bouncing noise being complemented by an occasional banging that sounds like someone hammering with a rubber mallet. Does anyone have any idea what this could be?! [more inside]
posted by aaanastasia at 6:55 AM PST - 24 comments

I'm thinking of making a career change in the near-ish future, but I need help figuring out what that change might be. I think I need to talk to a career counselor, however I've never worked with one before, so I don't know how to choose one. What should I be looking for? What should I be wary of? Difficulty level: Melbourne, Australia.
posted by threecheesetrees at 6:43 AM PST - 3 comments

Most of the charities I can find are focused on conservation. While I support these, I'm more interested in giving money to groups advocating for political change. Only constraints are that they be a charity based in Canada.
posted by yeahwhatever at 12:26 AM PST - 3 comments

Who should I follow on GitHub that's producing some quality JavaScript applications? Doesn't really matter what they are doing, but the code that makes you wish that you wrote it. I think at one point, one of the founders of Optimizely was committing great code. I'm more partial to backend practices. Second, I'm having to architect or guide an application that will have developers of varying skillsets commit and it'll be in Javascript. What's some advice you have? Examples inside: [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 12:01 AM PST - 12 comments

As I'm thinking ahead to how to prepare for this upcoming fall/winter, I decided I'd like to up my Christmas decor/celebration game this year. Do y'all have any tips or ideas on how I can better decorate my apartment and/or celebrate this holiday season? [more inside]
posted by sums at 11:02 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm currently using a 2014 Lenovo X1 Carbon, and I'm looking for an upgrade on display and style. My dream laptop: <3 lbs.; 12-14"; powerful enough for browsing, streaming, & Zoom; has a great display, good camera, and decent battery life; runs Linux with no issues; has a trackpoint (without or with a trackpad); and has an attractive aluminum case that does not have an apple on it. I don't think that exists, so what's the closest thing? I'm willing to compromise on just about anything but the size/weight and the apple. [more inside]
posted by rhiannonstone at 10:34 PM PST - 10 comments

It's (going to be) that time of year again, where I find gifts for people who already have everything. Recommend me some good nonfiction books from this year or last (but not too good, or they'd already own them). *or something else I can give them; clever solutions welcome
posted by queen anne's remorse at 9:06 PM PST - 23 comments

I hired a French tutor to help me pass a test. I have passed it. The French tutor thinks so I don’t need any more help with grammar and mechanics, and then I just need to expose myself to more language and watch/listen for fun. Looking for recommendations! [more inside]
posted by ficbot at 9:00 PM PST - 7 comments

How can I safely travel from Ontario to Missouri this winter to help my 83-year old mother? The Air Canada flight I booked for December to February has been cancelled, leaving me unsure of my options. [more inside]
posted by prairiecatherine at 8:13 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm going camping on October 31st with a few friends. What are some fun but minimally scary things we can do to celebrate Halloween? [more inside]
posted by silverstatue at 8:11 PM PST - 11 comments

I have impulse-purchased some dried fava beans from Bob's Red Mill and I'm looking for good recipes to make later this week. After Googling I'm feeling drawn to this recipe for Bessara but I'm interested in any other recommendations! I've only ever made fava beans fresh before.
posted by skycrashesdown at 7:38 PM PST - 5 comments

After learning about the history of the free breakfast program, and looking forward to Judas the Black Messiah, I'd like to learn more about the history of the Black Panthers. Searching for good books about this is somewhat complicated by items and information about Black Panther the Marvel character - which is great, but not what I am looking for. What are great books about the history of the Black Panther movement in the US? [more inside]
posted by jeoc at 7:33 PM PST - 7 comments

I *think* I want to expand my range of indoor/dark exercise options and am considering getting a smart trainer for my road bike. Should I? If so, what should I get? [more inside]
posted by charmedimsure at 7:21 PM PST - 11 comments

Baked some delicious bagels. Realized there was a small plastic item w/ a small battery in it that melted on the bottom of the oven. It did not touch the bagels but there were fumes. Can we eat these delicious bagels? (I already ate half of one. It was delicious.).
posted by bookworm4125 at 7:08 PM PST - 8 comments

For the past ten years, about every two years, the muscles parallel to my spine go into spasm. It can happen from lifting something heavy, or it can be triggered by banal things such as standing up from a sitting position, crouching, leaning over, or for no apparent cause. The pain can vary from an inconvenience, to being so bad I struggle to walk and once I even fainted. Right now, my back muscles have been spasming for a month, and every time things feel like they’re improving, something triggers the spasms again. What can I do to prevent this? [more inside]
posted by Sock, Sock, Sock, Sock, Sock, Goose! at 5:22 PM PST - 21 comments

I want to start supporting small local businesses, preferably in person, but I've gotten too used to buying things off of Amazon just at the moment I need them. How do I break out of this nasty habit? [more inside]
posted by Jess the Mess at 3:14 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm listening to the old NPR All Things Considered theme from between 1983 to 1995 (https://youtu.be/u5MKiTdWo4E) and have always heard Morse code. I can't figure out what it's saying. I hear either - dit-dit / dit-dah-dit-dah-dit or dit-dit / dah-dah-dit-dah-dit. What is it actually saying and is it something composer B.J. Liederman inserted as something for insiders?
posted by CollectiveMind at 2:43 PM PST - 9 comments

I cooked some black beans last weekend and froze them. Yesterday, I let them thaw in a ziplock bag on the counter all day. I moved them to the fridge when I realized they'd been at room temp for "awhile" (maybe around 6 pm?). They've been in the fridge overnight. No bad smell, taste fine. Can I boil them in a soup and eat them?
posted by slidell at 11:04 AM PST - 21 comments

....for a mystery story I'm writing. Is there a mountain or escarpment that someone could "accidentally" fall off. The victim is fairly well off, so I'm picturing a big house near some dangerous plunges.
posted by storybored at 10:59 AM PST - 13 comments

Please help me solve this mystery! My brother has a vague memory of watching a movie on tv in the early 1980s when he was approximately five years old. The characters were dressed as fruit akin to the Fruit of the Loom characters. And he specifically recalls a scene featuring the apple character being roasted on a spit over an open fire. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:00 AM PST - 2 comments

I am thinking about getting a bidet. I would want something relatively temporary and portable (and less than $50), because I rent and hope to move in 12-18 months. Do you have any recommendations? ... Also, I would like any general bidet information. I have never used one. But I want to be prepared in case there are more shortages of toilet paper this winter.
posted by NotLost at 9:23 AM PST - 20 comments

We're planning a large-scale kitchen renovation and I'm looking for a gas range that can fit a flat-bottomed 14" wok next to a large stock pot or dutch oven on the adjacent burner. Do I need a 36" range, or is 30" fine? [more inside]
posted by serelliya at 11:22 PM PST - 11 comments

Sometime around 2009-2014, I played a browser-based indie game, but now I can't remember what it was called. For some reason it's driving me crazy that I can't think of it. Does anyone else remember this game? [more inside]
posted by biogeo at 9:09 PM PST - 4 comments

My favorite anime used to be Sailor Moon, but a rewatch of all its episodes (both the originals and the reboots) have made me realize that Mamarou and Usagi's relationship was really sad and toxic, especially once Chibi Usa shows up. What other animes are fun and thrilling like Sailor Moon and have romances that don't follow the same dysfunctional dynamic? Please exclude Avatar/Legend of Korra from your recommendations.
posted by Kitchen Witch at 8:11 PM PST - 24 comments

The low-cost high-SPF sunscreen I've been using has tripled in price for some reason, and I'm looking for a new one. Is there one you like? [more inside]
posted by Lexica at 8:07 PM PST - 14 comments

My partner and I play a lot of tabletop rpgs but by far our most intensive prep goes towards Dark Heresy. I want to put together a DM kit for them as a Christmas present. What should I put in it? Extra points if you have a good idea for what I should put the kit in.
posted by Marinara at 7:16 PM PST - 12 comments

My garage door extension springs are getting stretched out and janky, so I want to replace them. Problem is, they are supposed to have a color coded mark on the ends but it looks like it wore all away, so I have no idea which weight rating to use. I read that 140 lb is pretty typical, but that's just a guess based on internet searches. If my door is much lighter, am I doing any harm by over speccing the springs? Thanks!
posted by gzimmer at 6:22 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm helping my mom gather the docs she needs for retirement and other benefits, which includes marriage certificates and divorce decrees. I can order them online from the applicable county's deeds office or VitalChek, but she doesn't remember the exact date or which county she got married in--and there are at least 12 possible county options. I can't find it in the place I usually find public records details (ancestry.com), and Intelius was a huge waste of time & money. What legit service can I pay to find this info? [more inside]
posted by rhiannonstone at 5:40 PM PST - 3 comments

We flushed the hot water tank today - we live in a hard water area, and do this annually. Now we have low water hot water pressure from all faucets - what should we check? [more inside]
posted by hilaryjade at 5:17 PM PST - 4 comments

Though I’ve tried to deny it, I’ve become involved with some drama at work. It’s consuming my thoughts and I'm sick of these mind games. How can I stop this? Snowflakes inside… [more inside]
posted by Kobayashi Maru at 3:36 PM PST - 21 comments

What are the ways to show videos on Facebook Live from a Facebook Page? [more inside]
posted by andoatnp at 2:51 PM PST - 6 comments

Yes, the cuteness is important! I went to a bike shop and found an amazing electric bike, The LaFree E+ 2 electric bike in seafoam green. I test rode it and really loved it. They only had small in stock (which is what I rode) and I need a medium. But apparently the color has been discontinued... [more inside]
posted by Threeve at 2:30 PM PST - 9 comments

my stepdad has been my dad since i was three. he's the one who raised me. lately i'm thinking a lot about having him adopt me legally, but can we still do that at my age?
posted by megan_magnolia at 2:11 PM PST - 10 comments

I have a medium-sized porch in Chicago, and I want to be able to use it for as much of the fall and winter (lol) as possible. But it’s a wooden porch, and fire safety is of course a concern, plus real space heaters are largely sold out. And I love DIY versions of things, so... [more inside]
posted by Charity Garfein at 1:25 PM PST - 19 comments

I'm an avid cyclist. Cycling buddy keeps urging me to ride his tandem with him. [more inside]
posted by SageTrail at 1:14 PM PST - 17 comments

My "holy grail" totally unique electronic device was discontinued so to ward off my extreme anxiety about mine breaking/dying, I bought a backup. Would it be better to alternate between the two devices, use it once to make sure it's not a dud then wait until my old one breaks, or not turn it on and just hope for the best? [more inside]
posted by acidic at 1:04 PM PST - 7 comments

I'm hosting an outdoor, socially distanced movie-screening in my back yard. It's one week away, and I still haven't picked out a movie. Snowflakes within! [more inside]
posted by FirstMateKate at 1:03 PM PST - 32 comments

I work for a university in the U.S. that's tax exempt. I'd like to run some social media ads (probably FB/Instagram, possibly Twitter) about a free virtual conference we're holding. Will we get charged sales tax? If so, do you have any idea how to submit a tax exempt form to the relevant parties? [more inside]
posted by chimpsonfilm at 1:03 PM PST - 5 comments

I traveled in Moscow and what was for a few weeks longer called Leningrad on a sort of homestay program shortly after graduating high school. I actually found one of my hosts on fb and said hello. I'd love to find the other but there are...challenges. [more inside]
posted by less of course at 11:30 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm interested in learning about the history and cultural traits of product companies with multi-generational staying power and continuous innovation over time. Some change to core lines of business is fine, indeed inevitable, but you should be able to trace some kind of continuous product lineage back to the beginning. What are some good books or long-form articles that provide insight into these organizations? [more inside]
posted by 4rtemis at 11:19 AM PST - 15 comments

I'm looking into learning full-stack web development as a hobby. There are a ton of resources out there for learning, but they seem geared in a particular direction, which seems less useful to me, because I do programming for my work, but mainly stats/ML stuff in Python and R. Is there a way you think would be good that would allow me to get my hands dirty and learn a lot? [more inside]
posted by vocativecase at 9:46 AM PST - 8 comments

Only this past week I discovered Digger and just binge read it. What others like it have I missed? [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 9:02 AM PST - 6 comments

The Court is due to take up the Affordable Care Act on November 10. What are the possible implications of that review if Biden wins? [more inside]
posted by jtexman1 at 8:14 AM PST - 4 comments

So I neglected our hot water heater for basically 9 years. It's now making weird noises. Should I try to drain it, replace the anode, etc., or is it too late? [more inside]
posted by Mid at 7:33 AM PST - 12 comments

After living here for years, I finally get to choose paint colors for my currently all-white apartment! I am paralyzed with indecision! Please help! [more inside]
posted by showbiz_liz at 7:13 AM PST - 26 comments

At the population level, how much do people in the UK spend on their cars? Do they normally pay outright, with loans from banks or dealers, lease-to-buy, etc? What are typical prices for new cars, what's the median price paid for cars in various categories, etc? I'm interested in population-level stats/summaries/analyses of car purchases and lifetimes, not individual anecdotes.
posted by metaBugs at 6:50 AM PST - 1 comment

My therapist says I'm so anxious I can't access any of my other feelings. But when I do access sad feelings, I find it very difficult to cry, which I think might help me feel some relief from the anxiety (and also frequent anger/frustration I feel). Does anyone have any tips for crying more? And stories of how this has benefitted them? I think there's a little voice in my head that's like 'This is pathetic and embarrassing' and can't let go. [more inside]
posted by starstarstar at 2:19 AM PST - 19 comments

Where can I buy a print of C3PO Descending A Staircase by John Mattos? [more inside]
posted by hellopanda at 1:34 AM PST - 3 comments

Exactly that. Trying to find a glue that works for ceramics at a high temperature but can't seem to. It's the lid, broken into about 5 distinct pieces. It's new so I'm hoping to repair rather than buy a new one!
posted by starstarstar at 12:22 AM PST - 17 comments

(If if if) ACB gets confirmed, SCOTUS destroys ACA, Biden loses or Dems fail to get a Senate majority, and I have a pre-existing condition at age 35. What now? Especially looking for comments from health policy-savvy MA residents. [more inside]
posted by CancerSucks at 10:44 PM PST - 6 comments

Family documents, diaries and journals, the book I wrote but never published... my personal archive is growing as I age, and I'm wondering about storage and retrieval for future years (and future generations.) [more inside]
posted by Jason and Laszlo at 10:22 PM PST - 5 comments

Seems like all the newish secure email providers keep trying to ultra-simplify their web/app interfaces. I get that for mobile that might be a thing, but even for my notebook, I want all the columns! Suggestions? If I had my way I'd say "gimme secure email product X, but let me have my Roundcube GUI" - doesn't seem to be a thing. I think for desktop clients there are options (trusty Thunderbird and maybe emClient), but not for web.
posted by bitterkitten at 6:01 PM PST - 2 comments

Where should I stay with my (small, clean, very good) dog near the First Hill Surgery Center in Seattle? He is super excitable around traffic so I need someplace calmish. Airbnb is fine but what neighborhood am I looking for? No more than say 20 minutes away very early on a weekday morning. Thanks!
posted by HotToddy at 5:30 PM PST - 5 comments

I’ve always had stripy eyelids, one side more than the other, which has become worse recently with age and disturbed sleep. I don’t really care, but I recently watched a few video call recordings of myself... and I guess I do care. Not just because it makes me look incredibly unattractive but also because I look sleepy and bored even though I wasn’t. I’m on video calls all the time. Are there any non surgical tricks that will help?
posted by redlines at 4:34 PM PST - 18 comments

My productivity at work has slipped greatly since March 2020, and has worsened in the last month. I'm wfh in a role that involves moving pixels and data around. Help me come up with strategies to turn it around. [more inside]
posted by dog-eared paperback at 4:01 PM PST - 8 comments

I am in search of women's low-rise (7-8 inch rise) comfy lounge pants or joggers, which is proving frustrating in 2020. The lowest styles I can seem to find are mid-/ medium-rise pants, but because of my body proportions, these end up uncomfortably high on me. I'm looking for online options that ship to Canada, and I'm very willing to pay more for good quality and ethical manufacturing; my preferred fabrics would be natural (cotton, bamboo, wool) or a blend with at least some natural fibre content. [more inside]
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:04 PM PST - 11 comments

I'd like to create little diorama-like scenes to play with my cool new mirrorless camera. The twist? I'd like to have little moving things in there to make it more fun for video. Any small, whimsical objects that you can recommend, especially ones that move around on their own? [more inside]
posted by nosila at 2:04 PM PST - 11 comments

I need quality leggings for the winter. I know what I want, but I don't know how to shop online for it. Snowflake details inside. [more inside]
posted by catesbie at 1:23 PM PST - 9 comments

I want to show a 'blank' chart (eg a bar chart, or even better - a composite radar chart) for a prescribed set of topics. Each topic's score starts at 0, but by mouse click (or finger tapping) the score can be increased from 0 up to, say, 5. As the user scores each one, we see a more complete chart. At the end, the data (score for each topic) gets retained. Does such a tool exist? (online, app, or via a feature in a bigger product) [more inside]
posted by Chipeaux at 12:38 PM PST - 4 comments

Google will not let me calculate the amount of hours required to walk to Japan from San Francisco (and swimming was not listed as an option, not that I plan to swim). For the purposes of a unique MF meet up, how might I figure out the number of hours it would require to travel from SF to Tokyo if one were able to walk on water?
posted by Bella Donna at 12:33 PM PST - 6 comments

I am a PhD student with a couple of years before I finish. I don't anticipate wanting to apply for postdocs/professorships, etc. after I graduate. I talk with some people who have gone into tech after finishing PhDs in my field, and the work they do sounds like it would really depress me. My research involves doing stuff with a bunch of buzzwords: 'scientific computing', 'machine learning' with 'deep neural network architectures', 'data visualization', statistical modeling, very much 'big data' kind of stuff. Is there a niche for me to work that will be gratifying? [more inside]
posted by vocativecase at 11:54 AM PST - 20 comments

I had a small crack on the back on my iPhone that I tried to epoxy- it came out a little weird??? But I just now dropped my phone and now the whole back is cracked. Can I just put a screen protector over the back? Or what other case is the best to keep my phone working? I think what I have isn’t enough and I would like this phone to continue to work for another 2-3 years. Sigh.
posted by pairofshades at 11:24 AM PST - 11 comments

I'm making a book illustrated in paper cut-out style (i.e. it looks like shapes cut out of paper and glued onto the page). All is going ok except for making a recognizable picture of my son. I'm willing to do a little bit of drawing on the paper shape to make features but I don't know how. He has no nose. Please help me. Illustration and photo here. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 11:16 AM PST - 10 comments

I am teaching on Zoom. [more inside]
posted by chaiminda at 11:16 AM PST - 8 comments

I have a blood blister under my second toe. It eventually pops (by which time the blood is all dried, so no mess), and then starts to reform. So far this cycle has repeated three times. It doesn't hurt at all. Is this something I should worry about? Is it something that has a name that I could look up somewhere? Thanks for any info.
posted by ubiquity at 10:37 AM PST - 6 comments

So Wallace Shawn, famous lisper, can apparently turn his lisp off at will. How common is this ability? [more inside]
posted by mpark at 9:55 AM PST - 13 comments

What is the current landscape for architectural software (plans, visualizations, VR(?), open-source, paid)? [more inside]
posted by Sreiny at 9:33 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm a man in his 50's who has trouble perceiving his own emotional state. I should talk to someone about it. What sort of therapist should I be looking for? [more inside]
posted by five toed sloth at 9:13 AM PST - 8 comments

I got contacts 2 weeks ago as something I've wanted to do for a while. They showed me how to put them on in the office and had me to it myself. I spent almost two hours there, and only got them on at the end due to luck and pressure (they said if I didn't get them on within the next 5 minutes, I'd have to leave without them). I just can't get them on anymore now that I'm at home. [more inside]
posted by lpctstr; at 8:58 AM PST - 37 comments

I'll be moving one bedroom's worth of stuff, plus a desk and computer, from one Brooklyn neighborhood to another -- about two miles. Looking for first or second-hand recommendations of affordable moving companies that have been doing a good job in the Current Circumstance. Moving by the end of the month, because I'm in hell. [more inside]
posted by Narrative Priorities at 8:53 AM PST - 10 comments

Our family is not great at eating at the table. It's something we stopped doing after my eldest with ADHD consistently took 45 minutes to eat her food. But I want to change this. We've been playing Mad Libs at the dinner table and it's fun and makes us all want to be there. What else can we play? I've seen this question, but it's geared a bit older and for a larger group. In our case, there are 2 adults and one 10 year old. She's not great with spelling or math. [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 8:37 AM PST - 12 comments

I was in a Zoom call with my colleagues who were, unusually, at the office. I was going to ask them to unplug our mini-fridge while they were there. But then I thought, the office is going to be heated according to a thermostat all this winter. The refrigerator is doing work which will dissipate into the room as heat, and so the work done by the heating system will be reduced. So is there actually a net increase in energy usage?
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:05 AM PST - 17 comments

I think I want to try using a SAD lamp. If you use or have used one, did you feel it had an effect? How often/when did you use it? Do you have a personal recommendation for a specific type or brand? I’m interested in responses from people who have actually used a SAD lamp, please!
posted by bookmammal at 7:05 AM PST - 27 comments

I've been very unfortunately diagnosed with normcalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism and so have found myself researching every aspect of this disease. Am looking to under the nature of the parathyroid adenoma - how is grows, why it grows, is it parasitic? fungal? bacterial? Is it living tissue? Can anyone answer these questions? TIA!
posted by watercarrier at 6:41 AM PST - 5 comments

I am working with a non-profit that uses Google Suite for their office technology. I am trying to implement some dashboards and data tracking. In Office 365, I would use Power Query to automatically pull new data from additional spreadsheets in a specific folder into the dashboard file. Is there a parallel feature in Google Sheets?
posted by philosophygeek at 6:15 AM PST - 3 comments

I have been in a relationship for some time now. My boyfriend is a really nice person who I love and loves me. He treats me with respect, he listens to me and he is a very good friend. I also treat him with respect and in a loving way and we get along well. We rarely fight and he can count on each other. However, I have been thinking about leaving him and for a while… The problem is that I do not feel particularly attracted to him, although I do find him to be good looking… there is just not that attraction so we rarely have sex. I also don’t feel emotionally connected to him, he is a very cold person, in the sense that he doesn’t express emotion (either positive or negative), he is also very unromantic… he rarely compliments me and I don’t feel sexual or sexy around him… I feel that I get along with him but I also feel that we don’t really know each other well, he is not a curious person, he barely asks questions about me and our conversations are pretty mundane… And he is not creative so it’s me who has to come up with ideas about things to do… [more inside]
posted by Fromthesouth at 5:57 AM PST - 12 comments

Hello; Anybody using Resistance bands? I would like to know your experiences,tricks,as Im thinking of buying this to lose weight,gain muscle. Also-if you have a web site that would be good for beginners,please share. Thank you :-)
posted by LOOKING at 5:54 AM PST - 6 comments

Hello Hive Mind. I'd like to read up on long term planning. Not the "Long Now" style very long term planning, something more personal, human scale. Long term plans, one can see come to fruition or at most takes three generations to take effect. How do people, organizations plan? What tools they use? How do they manage a collection of plans and interdependencies between them? How to update said plans when new information make them outdated? Some examples inside. [more inside]
posted by kmt at 5:35 AM PST - 5 comments

A stray cat has adopted my mother. She has also had kittens (of course). One kitten is upstairs in my mother's spare bedroom closet, and the other is in the porch. The mother cat seems perfectly happy to be in the high traffic area of the porch and hangs out with the kitten there, and the kitten upstairs is still alive and moving about after two weeks, so presumably the mother visits her as well. A couple of questions below the fold. [more inside]
posted by purplesludge at 3:18 AM PST - 3 comments

I make a bunch of food then store individual servings in lidded glass containers. Some of the plastic lids aren't designed for long life, and I can't find a good replacement. [more inside]
posted by amtho at 9:47 PM PST - 5 comments

No matter how I store an open stick butter or where I put it in my fridge, it gets a funky smell/taste (maybe kinda pungent oniony?). I've tried Ziploc bags and plastic wrap and Tupperware, but it seems to happen regardless--sometimes the same goes for blocks of cheese. The butter is usually either Kroger brand or Land O' Lakes. Any ideas/fixes?
posted by mermaidcafe at 9:00 PM PST - 22 comments

I really love throwing a Friendsgiving potluck for a group of local friends every year, and I don't want to lose the tradition to covid. But a lot of people (including me) are pretty burned out on freeform Zoom socializing, so I'm thinking of trying something still virtual but with a little more structure. Help me make this enjoyable and a little special, and not a fiasco of awkwardness. [more inside]
posted by jameaterblues at 8:47 PM PST - 16 comments

There's a Women's March Saturday, originally conceived as a protest against filling RBG's seat during the election, when Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland wasn't even given a hearing, despite being way earlier in the election. I'd like to express my outrage at the hypocrisy, partisanship, cheating and foulness of Mitch McConnell, but a paragraph of rage is not a great protest sign. What should my sign say?
posted by theora55 at 8:35 PM PST - 11 comments

I want to start a business one day. Perhaps, I'm just letting other people's fears and misconceptions influence me. I've always been of a mind that you don't necessarily need to have a ton of capital to start a business, especially in my field - - software engineering. [more inside]
posted by Tarsonis10 at 6:25 PM PST - 23 comments

I'm on the hunt for sites to pitch/obtain backlinks from that have to do with analyzing television comedy shows or sitcoms from a scholarly perspective, or at least post essays/blog posts about it. Ideas? [more inside]
posted by knownassociate at 6:08 PM PST - 5 comments

My MacBookPro (16-inch, 2019, with 2.3GHz 8-core Intel Core i9 running Catalina 10.15.6) has suddenly developed a problem connecting to WiFi. About 1/3 of the time it cannot find any WiFi networks unless I run Wireless Diagnostics. It is not a distance issue or an issue with the WiFi network as this has happened in four separate places. In all of those places, I had connected before that very day, and re-opened my laptop to find zero networks in my WiFi listings. Turning it off and on again doesn't help. I assume it is a software rather than hardware issue since it does find all networks once I run Wireless Diagnostics. Any ideas?
posted by rednikki at 4:16 PM PST - 5 comments

I am trying to track down a series of photos a father took of his teenaged daughter that I saw many years ago on his personal blog or maybe Flickr. All I remember is that the photos seemed too voyeuristic to be taken by the father and that the subject, a Grunge/Punk teenager smoked a lot. I know some of the photos were taken in the Baltimore area because I distinctly recall my old coffee shop hangout being in them. Ring any bells?
posted by extraheavymarcellus at 4:06 PM PST - 0 comments

Our friend is missing since Friday, after a solo hike. Are there Mefites out there who can give some info on: - Weather/trail conditions (time & location) in any of the hiking areas in Manning Park? - Time/place you may have seen a 25 y/o male, solo hiker, wearing black pants and an orange rain jacket, with a 60 l olive green camping backpack on any of the trails. More info & pics here (CBC). [more inside]
posted by ipsative at 4:05 PM PST - 7 comments

Wallace Shawn has a lisp, but I have a definite memory of seeing him on screen speaking without a lisp, pronouncing perfectly normal esses. Unfortunately, my definite memory does not include details such as the show or movie. Does anyone else have a similar memory but with more information? [more inside]
posted by mpark at 3:49 PM PST - 8 comments

I would like to get into Cast Iron frying pan cooking. I have done a lot of online research and wondering if its worth it... [more inside]
posted by konaStFr at 3:36 PM PST - 45 comments

After raising about $36,000 USD in various fundraisers for two friends with life-changing diagnoses, I'd like to explore finding others to offer services to. Yes, people can fundraise with GoFundMe, etc., but often aren't successful, or don't easily have someone to manage such a large undertaking. (I'm not looking for a predatory arrangement. I have significant professional fundraising and communications experience, and when I applied this to needs for remaining solvent, independent and housed while living with cancer and treatment, it was **tremendously** helpful for my friends, and very fulfilling for me.) I envision both teaching people to manage fundraisers for needs for a vulnerable person with a life-changing diagnosis (medical travel, bills and payments, medical expenses, housecleaning, mortgage, etc.) or managing it myself for a percentage of the donations received. (I've been doing this for awhile, and have a system coming together.) BUT -- when I reach out to medical social workers, patient navigators at cancer centers, etc., I almost never hear back. I have cold called, left messages, and sent emails. Assuming that my approach and my materials are not the problem, am I missing something? Who are the people who might know who really needs this kind of help, and how do I reach them?
posted by Jennifer S. at 3:27 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm looking to hire an engineer at work, and I want us to do a better job hiring women and minorities. The engineering skill set I need is esoteric, and I don't know anything about hiring. [more inside]
posted by garlic at 2:07 PM PST - 15 comments

I have an Amazon Alexa in my home office connected to my computer. Works well except for one very odd thing. When my computer makes an 'alert' sound — Alexa does not say 'bing'— instead she says a random string of letters and numbers. [more inside]
posted by Lescha at 2:01 PM PST - 2 comments

I've done some cursory Googling, but cannot find what I'm looking for and now turn to you for assistance. [more inside]
posted by daikaisho at 1:28 PM PST - 5 comments

I'm on a project where we do basically 50-75% of Powerpoint. We are not moving away from this. I'm extremely slow and super frustrated with putting my ideas on Powerpoint slides where it's taken me two weeks to do something that should take me 3 days if I just had to type it in a bunch of e-mails. I'm so behind and have so much writer's block. Help me get over this! What are your ways of thinking about building decks and diagrams? Tips like start in word and copy in. Etc
posted by sandmanwv at 1:24 PM PST - 7 comments

I got married last month. It was the wrong choice. What are my options? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:11 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm nearing middle age and have had a career in advertising achieving lower level executive success. I always enjoyed marijuana. I've grown my own in a closet for close to 15 years and have had great reviews. If this were coffee or a food truck, I'd start selling out of my home. I've become pretty passionate about my product. If this were a completely legal business like starting a brewery or roasting coffee, we'd just do it. Despite our large network, we don't have any connections to help us out. How do we (or I) break into this market and sell weed? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:11 PM PST - 11 comments

This blog would have been up somewhere in the 2006-2012 range. It was a DIY home blog. The name of the blog was something involving the savagery of nature -- tooth and claw, bone and claw, red in tooth and claw, something like that (but I'm pretty sure none of those). The aesthetic of the (female) blogger was sort of gothic, colonialist, and she might have been British. Lots of fake tiger skins on the floor, dark jewel-toned hues, imposing leather chairs, and so on. I have a vivid memory of a blog post she did with incredible faux bois and faux malachite finishes on a thrifted dresser. [more inside]
posted by shadygrove at 12:09 PM PST - 4 comments

I had to get a new power cord for my laptop. I have a question about using the new AC adapter with the old cord. [more inside]
posted by roaring beast at 11:30 AM PST - 2 comments

What Nintendo Switch games can you play with multiple people per console, multiple remote households, and with only a single left/right pair of Joy Cons per household? [more inside]
posted by miltthetank at 11:29 AM PST - 6 comments

A Facebook post has been making the rounds lately, and I'm trying to determine the actual origin of a quote that's being attributed to Baruch Spinoza. [more inside]
posted by akk2014 at 11:19 AM PST - 8 comments

Looking for an issue tracker that's: free, fast, hosted or very simple to deploy, easy for non-techies to use, allows uploading or pasting in screencaps. [more inside]
posted by signal at 11:11 AM PST - 7 comments

We're in the process of moving from one house to another, and in doing so we will need to put our refrigerator in storage for about a month. It won't be connected to power. Will that be a problem? [more inside]
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 10:56 AM PST - 17 comments

Found dozens of razor blades at a nearby park. They were hidden under clumps of dirt near home plate/bases on a baseball diamond and strewn around walking paths. It seems there is some precedent: Michigan Illinois Texas (We're in Maine) I guess I can understand general anti-social behavior and copycat stuff, but is there anything more to it? It has us creeped out and with our antenna probably a little oversensitive from the current political climate, I just figured I'd ask if anyone knew about it.
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 10:26 AM PST - 4 comments

I recently got a new job, and with this new job of course comes new health insurance. By some miracle, this company gives me a choice between three different health insurance companies. Making things difficult: they all charge exactly the same premium, they all have the same deductible, and my doctor accepts all three. How on earth am I supposed to pick one? [more inside]
posted by Ampersand692 at 10:18 AM PST - 11 comments

Extroverts of Metafilter, especially those who are single/live alone: How have you coped with not being able to socialise during the pandemic? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 10:10 AM PST - 8 comments

Hi All, PEr a suggestion in my previous thread, I'm asking for non-government stimulus options for my mom's business. It's somewhat unusual, details below the fold. [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 9:28 AM PST - 3 comments

I've had plenty of times when I have woken up w numbness/tingling in my hands, and it goes away pretty quickly. This morning, I woke up with pins an needles in my right ring and pinkie (pinky? Hmm) finger that have persisted for three hours, not improving any nor getting any worse, just still there. I'm sure it is another manifestation of cubital tunnel stuff.. I've had troubles like it before, just never persistent like this. have you had this go on for a few hours ? What happened next, did it go away and then you forgot about it and moved on? (Fingers crossed). Thanks metafilter.
posted by elgee at 9:19 AM PST - 14 comments

It’s probably about a 2009 Prius, it’s a grinding noise when starting up. Or shortly after starting up. Looking for a reliable mechanic south of the Bay Area, closer to San Jose or Cupertino. [more inside]
posted by tilde at 8:55 AM PST - 8 comments

I have to write the stupid written part of the driver’s test. (Let my license lapse before graduating to the highway so I have to start over). I have ZERO intrinsic interest in Ontario’s (completely unenforced) traffic laws and I hate that I have to do this (even if it’s because of my screw-up). Really need my stupid license though. [more inside]
posted by cotton dress sock at 8:54 AM PST - 16 comments

I need a twin over full size bunk bed where the top bed can handle 200+ lbs, for sale in the USA. I swear I tried to google it already. Like, a lot. Help? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 8:45 AM PST - 5 comments

I found a piece of large wooden furniture on Chairish that I love! Even with shipping costs, the price is right, but I'm nervous about damage or other transit problems, especially because the item would be coming from the opposite coast. The Chairish reviews I can find are pretty bad, too. (On the other hand, I also read a ton of Carvana horror stories, but ended up having a great experience with them.) Anyone ever buy from Chairish? Should I do it?
posted by the_blizz at 8:10 AM PST - 1 comment

My boss agreed to write me a letter of recommendation for law school! (So happy/excited/relieved to have her support). She asked me to create a list or outline of points that I especially want her to hit in the letter. That sounds like a great idea, except...what should those points be? Are there certain traits, interests, experiences that are especially important for a law school recommender to highlight? [more inside]
posted by rue72 at 8:08 AM PST - 7 comments

So I bought a house at auction and there is a culvert underneath with a diverted stream in it, that evidently I OWN at least whilst it’s under my land. How do I insure this and who do I get to inspect it? The council, Environment Agency and the water co have been called and do NOT own it. I know, it’s weird.
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 7:20 AM PST - 5 comments

If you wanted to help someone learn how to interview better, what tools/classes/coachings/etc. would you recommend? Bonus points for stuff that's really structured and well thought through.
posted by sirion at 6:55 AM PST - 4 comments

On a tip from a relative I applied for a short-term $20/hour canvassing position at an organization called VoteBlue. I'd love the work, but have questions about working for a company I can find no information about at all. Does anyone know about VoteBlue? Are they legit? Who are they? etc [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:54 AM PST - 3 comments

For the past few years, I've suffered from occasional, spontaneous, painless but very noisy intakes of air into my stomach. They feel somewhat like a cross between a burp and a hiccup, but with air solely going in and not out (and none of the pain or repetition of hiccups). I've raised this with medical professionals who are stumped as I cannot reproduce it in a clinical setting. Does this action have a name? [more inside]
posted by wackybrit at 5:27 AM PST - 4 comments

Please help me identify a jack/connector on my old stereo. [more inside]
posted by jon1270 at 5:23 AM PST - 8 comments

I'm looking for a way for a small activist group to collectively store & access online documents like minutes and collaborative project proposals. Needs to be easily accessible with minimal technical hassle. [more inside]
posted by BrStekker at 10:44 PM PST - 6 comments

3 weeks ago, I bought a vacuum-sealed package of raw, hardwood smoked bacon, put in my fridge and proceeded to immediately forget about it. I just pulled it out. It says "Use by November 22" and does not smell (I didn't open it yet). Is this safe to eat? When I google, the Internet says that bacon does not last in the fridge for more than 1 week or so, but the package says "Nov. 22". If I open it and it doesn't smell bad, am I good?
posted by rogerroger at 9:48 PM PST - 8 comments

I'm feeling really miffed by the way my (mostly wonderful) therapist of 4+ years has handled a recent situation of mine, and wondering if I should bring it up in our next session. I don't want to rock the boat, but I also feel like it would be almost absurd not to bring it up, if only to let them know that this is uncool for future situations with patients. [more inside]
posted by knotty knots at 9:14 PM PST - 24 comments

I need assistance from a specific person at a business. This person, for whatever reason, dislikes me. How can I convince someone to help me when they clearly don't want to? [more inside]
posted by robot inside a grid at 7:16 PM PST - 14 comments

What does B.B.B. mean on my Google Pixel 4XL start-up screen? [more inside]
posted by Xurando at 6:29 PM PST - 6 comments

So, this is something that's come up lately with my parents. They're very conservative and I am not. Sometimes they say some things that are shocking for me to hear and I can't stand it. Lately I've been realizing that I'm the opposite of what they are. [more inside]
posted by Tarsonis10 at 6:26 PM PST - 15 comments

I need to figure out an online job type that will work with my criteria and pay about $1000/month. [more inside]
posted by aniola at 6:18 PM PST - 12 comments

My work holds an employee appreciation lunch every January. I have been on the committee to help plan it for a long time (10+ years) but this year it will be virtual. Halp! [more inside]
posted by tacodave at 5:57 PM PST - 15 comments

Not asking how long probate should take, rather, how long does the executor/lawyer have to settle an estate? [more inside]
posted by InkaLomax at 4:55 PM PST - 8 comments

Thinking about how the US baseball championship is in no way a World Series - we don't even play Japan. And that India or Australia might actually like baseball if they tried it. So help me name teams around the globe, guidelines inside. [more inside]
posted by bartleby at 4:50 PM PST - 17 comments

I have a 30 pound Terrier and 67 pound pittie/border collie. Is there a bed that suits them both? [more inside]
posted by mulcahy at 3:22 PM PST - 15 comments

Looking to expand my global kitchen repertoire. Philadelphia has cheesesteaks, Louisiana has gumbo, Poland has pierogies ... Australia and Tanzania have ??? What would be good examples of delicious regional specialties that you might not commonly find in an "ethnic" restaurant in the US? Thanks in advance!
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 3:20 PM PST - 25 comments

After reading and really loving the Christmas music suggestion question, I thought I should come to the fine folk of MetaFilter to ask for some new gym songs. My playlist is weird, my coach is tired of it (LOL), and it needs some freshening up. The last question was a couple years ago, and there is a lot of music out there. [more inside]
posted by Medieval Maven at 2:22 PM PST - 9 comments

Want to get into critical role and started yesterday on part 1 of campaign 1. An an hour in and enjoying it except for... [more inside]
posted by J.R. Hartley at 1:43 PM PST - 9 comments

First time quarantine birthday for an 8 year old. What have you seen that resulted in an actual fun party instead of a zoom mess of kids talking over each other? I also need to know what options exist for keeping a medium size group going on zoom for 2-3 hours while not hitting the free time limits. Recommendations for entertainers that perform over zoom also appreciated. [more inside]
posted by benzenedream at 1:21 PM PST - 10 comments

My daughter would like a chocolate cake with raspberry icing for her birthday this year. Do you have any tried-and-true recipes for a delicious raspberry frosting? Difficulty level: Several dietary restrictions. [more inside]
posted by mbrubeck at 1:01 PM PST - 11 comments

I have an easy job that pays my bills and lets me have a lot of free time. It is also pretty clearly in the category of Bullshit Jobs. Over time, I have started doing the least possible, sometimes doing a bad job, and I pretty much get away with it. I'm not super motivated to become wonderful at my job, but don't want to be an asshole. I know it sounds straightforward but I don't know what to do. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:30 PM PST - 15 comments

Asking on a friend's behalf: "I currently live in a large California city and want to move to somewhere rural in California. It can be right up to state borders, but it must be within the state of California. Please help me figure out where to move to!" [more inside]
posted by brainwane at 11:49 AM PST - 22 comments

Come into possession of some v elderly Mission 700 speakers. One woofer sounds "blown". What now? [more inside]
posted by chappell, ambrose at 10:39 AM PST - 5 comments

As of this morning, the "arrangement record" button in Ableton doesn't actually start recording on an armed track--it will count in, but will not actually start recording (same result if I press record on my MIDI keyboard's transport controls). However, I can start recording by clicking the record circle on an individual clip, or if I have a clip highlighted and click "session record." Is this just a bug in the 10.1.25 update, or have I changed a setting by accident? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 10:02 AM PST - 3 comments

I'm considering buying a wetsuit but I'm worried it might be too small for my generous tummy. [more inside]
posted by popcassady at 9:38 AM PST - 7 comments

My nephews aren't going trick or treating this year, because pandemic. Since we play D&D frequently, I've gotten the go ahead to come up with a Halloween "dungeon" (or town, fortress, whatever) that they can explore and find characters who will give them magic items (aka Halloween candy). Help me come up with characters and fun interactions (especially those that let them roll dice or use things from their character sheets). Keep in mind that both boys should be getting exactly the same amount of candy from each interaction. [more inside]
posted by ocherdraco at 9:12 AM PST - 11 comments

My brother owns a used record shop & winds up with many unusable records that can't be recycled in my province. Environmentally speaking, is old vinyl safer in a landfill vs being reused in a consumer product? ie shredded & used as aggregate/filler in concrete or melted into a decorative planter [more inside]
posted by i_mean_come_on_now at 8:44 AM PST - 7 comments

We're looking for a keyboard that will allow recording, connection to computer, and multitrack recording. Help? [more inside]
posted by xarnop at 8:05 AM PST - 9 comments

My desk gets quite dusty, and cleaning it by removing everything is time consuming and annoying. Is there a better way? [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 5:58 AM PST - 13 comments

I dropped my Android phone in a lake briefly. The screen doesn't work but the rest of the phone does. My new phone arrives in a few days. What do I need to do? [more inside]
posted by msbrauer at 5:53 AM PST - 6 comments

I recently read a quote and am trying to find it again. I think it was by a famous chef? Paraphrased, it said "Don't be afraid to use a lot of pots and pans during cooking". Something about how saving on the washing up can ruin a good dish. Any ideas?
posted by drunkonthemoon at 5:04 AM PST - 1 comment

I hired a tile guy to remove the linoleum in my kitchen and bathroom before tiling. I’m not on site but I can tell from pics that he left linoleum down. He tiled most of the kitchen but hasn’t grouted yet. Do I ask him to rip up a line of tiles to check? Do I let it go? I hear there are two schools of thought on whether it matters that there’s linoleum under the tiles. [more inside]
posted by lillian.elmtree at 4:50 AM PST - 9 comments

I am a huge Christmas person and I start listening to Christmas music basically non-stop in November. To prepare for the advent of me pressing play on the most wonderful time of the year, I would love recommendations of full Christmas albums to add to my collection. [more inside]
posted by cpatterson at 1:55 AM PST - 46 comments

You got your Crowdcast event closed captioned after the fact. How did you do this? Difficulty level: do not know what I am doing. [more inside]
posted by babelfish at 9:48 PM PST - 1 comment

I rely on brown rice and beans for my diet because they are cheap and healthy but I have a busy schedule. Is a pressure cooker like the Instant Pot the answer to my woes? [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 9:13 PM PST - 29 comments

I haven't had a haircut since covid started. I'd like to try a new, probably shorter style, and some stuff has happened to my skull that makes it a bit different. Curious about suggestions for my face shape. [more inside]
posted by ikea_femme at 9:11 PM PST - 11 comments

I'm currently stuck at advanced beginner driving and trying to map out what are intermediary steps between my current skills and my goal, with some anxiety complicating the matter. [more inside]
posted by internet of pillows at 8:44 PM PST - 15 comments

We'd like to go on a vacation, possibly for a long weekend or possibly for a week. We're looking for suggestions for where to go that's drivable from the SF Bay Area, but more importantly, what to do given that we're not very outdoorsy. [more inside]
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 8:13 PM PST - 8 comments

This article posted on the blue today about a would-be libertarian utopia undone by the totally predictable outcomes of having that many libertarians in one place plus bears scratched a deep itch I didn’t even know I had. Please give me more media about similar groups of oddballs undone by combinations of entertainingly petty human drama and consequences that seem patently obvious to everyone but those involved. [more inside]
posted by ActionPopulated at 8:02 PM PST - 22 comments

Hi AskMe, I normally wouldn't post a political question because I'd probably just end up depressed, but I happened to watch this interview, and am trying to figure out where I stand on it. I'd appreciate some information and perspectives. I'm very much anti-Trump and support getting as much stimulus as possible, but am still troubled by this. [more inside]
posted by Alensin at 7:29 PM PST - 17 comments

Last year, everyone had to buy each family member a mug. We ended up with about 24 great mugs in the house, restocking our depleted ranks. We've got five adults and one kid for this year's Christmas and we'd like to do another circle of buy the same gift type for everyone else. Socks have already been veto'd, and I'm not sure what would make a good ubiquitous item - we haven't broken enough mugs yet for another mug go-around. I prefer to shop early so ideas?
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 7:10 PM PST - 32 comments

I'm new to the musicals genre. Many of the book musicals I want to see are no longer being performed live. I just watched Mel Brook's "The Producers" movie with Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder. It preceded and was the inspiration for Mel Brooks' 2000 "The Producers" book musical. And that led to the movie, "The Producers" in the spirit of the musical. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind at 6:39 PM PST - 24 comments

This is sort of a 15-year follow-up to this question, and most links are dead. Is there an app or website that simulates a control panel, whether it's Star Trek or air traffic control or a cockpit or just sci-fi screens? [more inside]
posted by Flying Saucer at 6:14 PM PST - 9 comments

How do you navigate office politics with moody, unpredictable people without making yourself a target? How do you stay calm and deal with backstabbing, manipulative coworkers that gossip and cause drama? Snowflakes inside… [more inside]
posted by lawgirl at 6:09 PM PST - 10 comments

We just bought a house! But most of the bulbs in the recessed ceiling lights have blown, and I can't for the life of me figure out how to change them. Can you help us to escape from eternal twilight? [more inside]
posted by Yo Soy La Morsa at 6:09 PM PST - 4 comments

Trying to find Hebrew TV and movies to help a partner improve their listening and comprehension. [more inside]
posted by cycleback at 6:04 PM PST - 13 comments

I saw a series of clips yesterday on a Facebook video, one of those things where they give it a click-baity title like "bully gets what he deserves" and then puts together a few scenes from a movie that is never identified. Nobody in the comments knew what it was either. Maybe you will recognize it? (Obvious spoilers below the break) [more inside]
posted by Lokheed at 4:34 PM PST - 2 comments

I have an old copy of the Hal Leonard Ultimate Jazz Fake Book. Over the years I've noodled through all the songs at least a couple of times. I have at least a vague idea of where all the songs fit in jazz history... all except one. Fool That I Am, written (so far as I can tell) for the 1980 romantic comedy Coast to Coast and performed by Rita Coolidge. Chords, melody and recording style fit into none of the jazz eras or idioms that I'm familiar with. How did it end up in the fake book?
posted by clawsoon at 4:29 PM PST - 2 comments

“If I tell you three times it is true“ This is a quote from a Lewis Carroll poem that figures in a science-fiction story about earth at war, attacked by super advanced aliens who intercept and decode all communications and thereby threaten to destroy Earths civilization. T I read it a long time ago. Please help me find it again for my granddaughter. [more inside]
posted by SamFrancisco at 3:18 PM PST - 6 comments

Recommendations for literature and writing about modern LGBT+ life? Fiction, non-fiction, novels, short fiction, essays anthologies, all appreciated. [more inside]
posted by joyceanmachine at 3:01 PM PST - 12 comments

Pretty straightforward question, I guess: should I travel to Ohio for an optional election-related trip? Please help me figure it out. [more inside]
posted by holborne at 12:07 PM PST - 18 comments

Please share your favorite recipes for breads that are suitable for sandwich-ing. [more inside]
posted by darchildre at 11:42 AM PST - 14 comments

I need to merge together MKV files on a windows computer (not online because these are confidential work files.) There must be a free program that does this, but my googling throws up only online solutions. Generic "merge video" utilities don't seem to do MKV. I should have been able to google this, but I can't find anything.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 10:43 AM PST - 13 comments

I am now working from work full time and share an office, so I am wearing a mask the majority of the time. In addition, I no longer have access to unlimited disposable masks, so I am only using cloth. This means I have to clean my masks more frequently, so I am looking for some best practices / "life hacks" you know regarding the care of reusable cloth face masks. [more inside]
posted by Sparky Buttons at 10:09 AM PST - 39 comments

I'm trying to find a support to use with a webcam for playing board games and Magic: The Gathering online with friends, but it's proving difficult. [more inside]
posted by Merzbau at 9:56 AM PST - 5 comments

We're in the runup to the holiday season and this has been a particularly trying year. I'd like to reward my team with a virtual holiday party, conducted over videochat. We have a ton of fun budget left unspent, but there's a significant catch: I can't spend it on food or drinks directly. Can you help me figure out a way to make this work? [more inside]
posted by kdar at 9:55 AM PST - 12 comments

I'd like to move, and traditional methods of searching for houses/land are failing me. Details inside. Please help make this seem less hopeless. [more inside]
posted by mr_bovis at 9:15 AM PST - 7 comments

(Please assume for purposes of this question that we can't currently rewire our house so we're working with putting in a mesh system.) Having trouble deciding which mesh network to purchase. [more inside]
posted by skycrashesdown at 8:22 AM PST - 10 comments

Are there any libraries that have Rolling Stone magazine archives from 1975? I have a Boston Public Library card and I need a story for an article that’s due next week.
posted by pxe2000 at 8:13 AM PST - 6 comments

I have weak WiFi in the basement where my office is. I have an Orbi mesh network, a gigabit switch arriving today, and no idea how to provide service to the wired and wireless devices that need a connection. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock at 7:22 AM PST - 6 comments

I need to make a "statutory declaration" in front of an "authorised witness" for my foreign passport renewal, and it seems my best option for an authorised witness is someone who is a notary. I'm confused about notarizing vs witnessing and how these map onto each other internationally. [more inside]
posted by needs more cowbell at 5:56 AM PST - 10 comments

I’m looking for a gift for my mom’s 70th birthday. I was thinking of something monogrammed or personalized, maybe jewelry. I’m concerned with it looking cheap if it’s from Etsy. [more inside]
posted by dianeF at 3:31 AM PST - 9 comments

I never wanted to wait until my mid/late 30s to get married and have kids, but... that’s what is happening to me. Help me feel better about it? [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar at 10:41 PM PST - 48 comments

Looking for funny serial podcasts to keep me entertained while folding clothes. [more inside]
posted by rouftop at 9:26 PM PST - 18 comments

Adobe Acrobat Reader is updating itself every day. What the heck. How do I turn it off. I couldn't find a preference or setting to do it.
posted by storybored at 7:39 PM PST - 9 comments

Partner works for the government and is in a position to retire in their late 40's with a full pension. Partner plans to take this option and wants to set up life so that they have no major bills and can live a life of near-complete freedom and leisure. It is making it impossible for us to contemplate moving out of a small condo and into a home with more space for a family. Partner simply will not entertain the idea of having a mortgage. I tried pointing out the ways in which the lifestyle they are imagining for themself is not realistic for anyone but the wealthy. Partner did not take it well, and I don't know how to communicate with them further about these big and important decisions. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 7:23 PM PST - 49 comments

There's a neighborhood park with a very large, perfectly circular grass field with many dandelions. The circumference is 1/3 mile. The center is not marked in any way that I can see, and I would like to find a way to do this that is not disruptive/dangerous. Only I and the people I tell would know about it. [more inside]
posted by oxisos at 7:08 PM PST - 21 comments

Seeking books like “Hyperbole and a Half” for a bright 9 year old who doesn’t normally like to read. [more inside]
posted by nicodine at 7:02 PM PST - 11 comments

My father scanned a bunch of family photos in the early-2000s. If I wanted to print these photos to display, what's the best way to go about it in 2020? [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 6:53 PM PST - 6 comments

Our household wants to get rid of one of our two cars. I'm looking for advice about which car to pick, and how to sell in this time of pandemic. [more inside]
posted by Flock of Cynthiabirds at 6:14 PM PST - 8 comments

I bought a straw-covered throw pillow at the thrift store. All the tags are gone and the cover is not removable. How do I clean this? [more inside]
posted by music for skeletons at 5:31 PM PST - 2 comments

My mental health is suffering from all this time indoors, away from people except for the same people constantly. Can you help me think of ways to make this all less despair-inducing? How are you maintaining sanity, a sense of novelty, and a sense of connection? Things to buy, rituals, self-talk, vision boards...I'll take any approach that lessens the ennui. [more inside]
posted by crunchy potato at 5:29 PM PST - 20 comments

How can I make my cursor more visible to my students when I screenshare in a Zoom, besides increasing its size? [more inside]
posted by charmedimsure at 3:35 PM PST - 5 comments

Our landlord says he can have our peeling tub/shower re-enameled, but that we would have to vacate the apartment for 48 hours. Are there any other options? [more inside]
posted by cakelite at 1:13 PM PST - 13 comments

Should I get a dog? Lots of pros, a few cons. Some people in my life are extremely supportive, encouraging and wonder why I don't already have one. Meanwhile some other important people in my life strongly disagree, enough to give me some serious paws (hah!). Obviously I will make my own decisions, but I need an (relatively!) unbiased Nth opinion, which is where the awesome mefites come in! [more inside]
posted by cgg at 12:58 PM PST - 27 comments

I have a Macbook and a ton of files are just...gone. I am despondent. Please help. [more inside]
posted by bookworm4125 at 12:22 PM PST - 13 comments

I skimmed a book once, it was interesting, and now I want to find it - but the details I remember are scant [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 12:05 PM PST - 10 comments

I’m scheduled for shoulder surgery in Seattle next Monday and have freaked myself out reading articles about surgery and COVID-19 like this one. I’m in pain, I have reduced range of motion, but it’s been like this for a year and a half already. Should I wait? Please help me think this through.
posted by HotToddy at 9:32 AM PST - 24 comments

I don’t know what’s worse, the fact that I’m wasting a question about this, or the fact that I did it in the first place. I have a work-issued laptop, which I’m not using today because I get the holiday off. To move it out of the way, I set it on the radiator behind my chair, which I often do - when the heat is off. Except today, I turned the heat on. How bad did I mess up? [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 9:06 AM PST - 12 comments

My wife's old cat (RIP) was diabetic and she used to have to give him insulin shots. This insulin came from a regular human pharmacy but was dirt cheap. Yet I hear stories about humans dying from rationing their insulin because they can't afford more. What's going on? [more inside]
posted by komara at 8:41 AM PST - 8 comments

She clawed through the carpet under the door last night. face/desk. help me come up with an enrichment plan to prevent these shenanigans in the future. ...also welcoming encouragement. [more inside]
posted by snerson at 7:11 AM PST - 9 comments

Another what-media-did-I-consume question. I've got the line "One in a million wasn't good enough for you" stuck in my head, and I haven't been able to figure out the song it's from. [more inside]
posted by sagc at 7:06 AM PST - 3 comments

I seem somehow unable to sort through the implications of NJ Public Question 3, whether or not to delay legislative redistricting so that Census results can be more fully counted. Can you help me not waste my vote? [more inside]
posted by alleycat01 at 6:41 AM PST - 4 comments

Every single night one (or more) animals use our garden as a public toilet, leaving behind 15-20 identical looking poos. What animal is making our garden a health hazard for the kids? [more inside]
posted by mr_silver at 5:31 AM PST - 30 comments

My kid isn't even ten, but they've become obsessed with hip-hop and as they go deeper, it's clear that they're getting more interested in less kid-friendly material (music which I love, but not for their sensitive ears). I need to put together a massive list for their voracious appetite that is interesting, engaging, and excellent. [more inside]
posted by history is a weapon at 5:27 AM PST - 23 comments

I have a 10YO and 7YO obsessed with Minecraft. They want to 1) download mods and 2) play on servers with other people. Is this safe? [more inside]
posted by Ollie at 4:49 AM PST - 7 comments

I think I have moderate salmonella poisoning and have spent the last hour and a half trying to stabilize my stomach and bowel. I may need to get myself to an urgent care center or an ER. If I call an ambulance, how will the EMTs handle me having ongoing, simultaneous vomiting and diarrhea? Writing this during a brief reprieve and am embarrassed by the prospect of losing my dignity.
posted by Kitchen Witch at 2:55 AM PST - 17 comments

So, I find, streaming channels have shows for young kids, adults, and teens, but they don't seem to have a lot for kids that have aged out of kids stuff. [more inside]
posted by ixipkcams at 10:17 PM PST - 25 comments

For years, I and many other people who live in my condo complex have used a concrete walking trail behind an adjacent neighborhood, and people who live in that neighborhood have used a similar trail that goes behind our complex. Today, I was confronted by a person who lives in that neighborhood and asked to stop using their trail. Help me figure out how to navigate this low-stakes legal/ethical situation. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:00 PM PST - 49 comments

Virologist Robert Gallo recommends getting the live, attenuated nasal spray flu vaccine (FluMist) if you have the option, on the theory that the live virus will prep your immune system to mount a more effective response to the coronavirus (or anything else) in the months ahead. This article came a bit late for me, as I already received a flu shot from my GP in early September. YANMD, but should I seek out the nasal spray version as well? It couldn't hurt, right? Or could it? [more inside]
posted by mumkin at 7:38 PM PST - 9 comments

My dog is fecally incontinent. How do we keep her poo contained? [more inside]
posted by mrfuga0 at 4:07 PM PST - 12 comments

I would like to write better poetry. What is the right class for me to take? I am in the SF Bay Area but I suppose doesn't matter in the COVID/Zoom age. [more inside]
posted by latkes at 3:38 PM PST - 6 comments

Where can an agender female-bodied person get a suit in NYC, at the last minute and at not terrible expense? [more inside]
posted by cosmic owl at 2:03 PM PST - 12 comments

The old school blog hosting website my parents use is shutting down, but they still want to blog! What am I looking for in a Wordpress manager? Are there other non-Wordpress options? [more inside]
posted by likethenight at 12:43 PM PST - 8 comments

As part of a yearly process, my company has offered all employees a "bonus" in terms of RSUs (restricted stock units). I'm leaning towards accepting this grant, but I'm a bit uncertain given potential tax consequences. (I'm relatively new to the company, so this seems to be my first time.) [more inside]
posted by thoughtful_analyst at 11:49 AM PST - 13 comments

After asking this question, I was able to get my dad's turntable up and running. I'm kind of into my new "hobby," but I'm back with a few questions about listening to old(er) vinyl records a) how to clean them properly and b) how to repairing albums. [more inside]
posted by VirginiaPlain at 11:29 AM PST - 7 comments

I live in a two bedroom, main floor suite in an old character house with my partner and nine year old. I think it’s roughly 900 square feet. We have a baby on the way, and we love our home and don’t want to move. We have more stuff than space. Thinking of engaging a professional organizer to help us figure out how we can all fit in here; wondering if it’s worth the expense. Snowflakes under the cut. [more inside]
posted by unstrungharp at 10:22 AM PST - 13 comments

My brother died suddenly, and I'm the executor of his will. My brother had some mental health issues, and we (the family) think he may have hidden stashes containing guns, cash, and maybe gold or other valuables. We've spent two weeks looking and have found almost nothing. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:00 AM PST - 42 comments

I was something simple, entertaining, and a single volume (not part of a series). [more inside]
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 9:39 AM PST - 27 comments

I need a simple online note taking tool that lets me use shortcuts or autocorrect in a specific way. My hospital EMR has this neat feature that lets users define strings of characters (preceded by "\") that insert blocks of text that we previously created and stored in the system. I love this feature and would like to use something like this for my own note-taking outside the hospital. [more inside]
posted by M. at 9:13 AM PST - 19 comments

What are some tips on finding a keyboard teacher is ok with having fun and doing less structured lessons that focus more on encouraging a love of music and creativity? [more inside]
posted by xarnop at 8:29 AM PST - 7 comments

I changed the oil in my 4 cylinder, 9th Gen Accord yesterday and accidentally put a bit too much in. It looks like it's about a 1/8" to a 1/4" past the max fill dot. Maybe a quarter of a quart too much? Is that too much? [more inside]
posted by NoMich at 6:59 AM PST - 6 comments

I'd like an eInk weather station to mount to the wall in my house. Everything I've found so far is either tiny, requires me to 3D print & solder it together, or looks like it was put together by Victor Frankenstein himself. Are there really no good-looking, decent-sized eInk weather stations out there? I'm perfectly happy to pay serious money. [more inside]
posted by alby at 6:14 AM PST - 5 comments

We have this set of knives, they were a gift many years ago (I wanna say... 2008 ish?). But one of them snapped in an unfortunate garlic smushing instance. I am assuming there's no way to fix it, but is there any way to get a matching replacement? [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 3:45 AM PST - 20 comments

I'm doing some research on interrelated organisations. I was initially mapping it on paper, but it has grown out of control. But I'm struggling to find the right software to help me manage it.... [more inside]
posted by cgfoz at 3:43 AM PST - 6 comments

My 3 yr old long haired cat Princess is behaving a peculiar way and I'm in tears because not only can I not afford a vet e.r. visit, i cant make a regular vet appt until Tuesday because of Columbus Day. I noticed all day she is holding her tail at a straight line from her back sometimes slightly lifted but roughly 180•. It seems to [more inside]
posted by The_imp_inimpossible at 1:53 AM PST - 11 comments

Is there a place where I can find data related to deaths in a specified Canadian province from any cause in a given time period? I feel like it should be easy to find, but my searches are coming up empty. Ideally, I'd like if it also included 2020 data. Bonus points if there's also data at the municipality level. Thanks.
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 8:02 PM PST - 4 comments

Looking for some recommendations for some short & poignant songs. Or just thoughtful and maybe emotional and melancholy a bit. Or short & cute, that works too. Under 3 minutes preferably, and under 2 minutes even better. [more inside]
posted by cats are weird at 7:45 PM PST - 70 comments

How does texting to get out the vote work? Is it possible to use a computer rather than a phone? [more inside]
posted by kristi at 5:29 PM PST - 13 comments

My 9-year-old read "The Martian" for the first time about six weeks ago and is now on his third read-through of it. He reads it for HOURS at a time. So, I want to get him more books like The Martian! Specifics within. [more inside]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:32 PM PST - 54 comments

I want to set up a virtual headset so I can have multiple virtual monitors. It should connect to my work Windows 10 PC. Does anyone have experience with this is recommendations? [more inside]
posted by metamonday at 4:21 PM PST - 3 comments

There's been talk of unionizing at my hospital. Most everyone here in the ER seems for it. Someone reached out to a union rep and if there's enough interest he will hold a zoom call with us to answer questions. What should I expect? [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 4:17 PM PST - 6 comments

My lovely cousin had a baby girl just a few weeks ago. An amazing thing at any time, but she has struggled with years of infertility and was devastated by a full-term stillbirth a few years ago. So, we want to celebrate this family extra hard-in Covid, via zoom. Help! [more inside]
posted by purenitrous at 3:44 PM PST - 6 comments

I love using Flickchart to keep track of the films I've seen, but tired of waiting for them to expand the site to other areas. Are there any other good websites or programs where you can build a ranked database of media using repeated 1-on-1 comparisons? [more inside]
posted by Rhaomi at 2:16 PM PST - 1 comment

My daughter is a registered voter and, since late August, a college student living outside the US. Can I forward her ballot to her outside the country? [more inside]
posted by yqxnflld at 1:35 PM PST - 3 comments

I live in a part of the world where my therapy options are pretty limited. Can you help me locate a good online therapist? [more inside]
posted by thenickeldropped at 12:24 PM PST - 9 comments

I want to give my nieces (7-yo and 5-yo) small gifts for Halloween during the coming two weeks. I'm thinking a couple of cute and fun small things that altogether cost $10-20. If you have any ideas about making fun Halloween cards, I would love to hear about them! We all live in Sweden. [more inside]
posted by Foci for Analysis at 12:11 PM PST - 8 comments

As every reader of Miss Manners knows, it's rude to point out the rudeness of others. But what about when someone is being pandemically rude? [more inside]
posted by eirias at 10:56 AM PST - 21 comments

Part 1. Thursday I took a nice drive to a small town to walk in the town square, take photos and just relax. Just as I got out of my car, and before I even put my mask on, a man stumbled out of the bar (directly in front of where I parked) hacking his brains out and not covering. I mean he couldn't have timed it more perfectly if we were making a movie. He was 8-10 feet from me. [more inside]
posted by Rumi'sLeftSock at 10:56 AM PST - 16 comments

Working from home like a lot of folks, and would like to connect a dual-monitor setup to two different machines (one work-owned, one mine), and easily switch between them. What's the best way to do this? [more inside]
posted by SuperSquirrel at 10:13 AM PST - 6 comments

In the last week I can no longer send email from gmail using my comcast address. My comcast address has been my send from default address in gmail for years. [more inside]
posted by flummox at 9:42 AM PST - 2 comments

I have never made a pot roast, and never used an InstantPot. I was gifted one and decided to make pot roast, only to find that the recipes all have more ingredients than what is available to me. I'm sure it can be made with what I have but I don't know how to adjust the liquid ingredients and how to increase the salt and pepper for lack of other spices. I have a 3 pound chuck roast, russett potatoes, whole fresh carrotts, chicken bone broth, kosher salt, black pepper (whole, in a pepper mill), crushed garlic and olive oil. [more inside]
posted by racersix6 at 9:39 AM PST - 18 comments

I've never used plant poison on "weeds" before, but .... [more inside]
posted by hollyanderbody at 9:37 AM PST - 11 comments

If I publish a book of photographs of someone else's artworks (with commentary by me), am I the "author" of that book? [more inside]
posted by chocolatepeanutbuttercup at 9:34 AM PST - 3 comments

I have a collection of old photographs that are in the 3" x 3" range, and a few even smaller. I'd like to have them framed individually, rather than putting a bunch of them in one larger frame. I've called several custom framers in NYC and they all say they can't frame anything smaller than 6" x 6". Do you know someone who can? Please recommend me your renegade framers. [more inside]
posted by Mender at 9:24 AM PST - 7 comments

In Spring and Summer 1933, my great-grandmother, an immigrant American Jew, went alone on a trip to Russia and Palestine. She took a Soviet steamer around the Black Sea to Batoum. At Poti, one of the ports on the way, another tourist boarded. He didn't speak English. She calls him Herr Kliss. [more inside]
posted by shadygrove at 9:11 AM PST - 9 comments

I'm a New York City resident, currently in North Carolina for a few weeks where I will be purchasing a car through private party sale, then driving back up to NY. Last time I bought a car was 15 years ago, through a dealership. I have no idea what I'm doing. [more inside]
posted by greta simone at 8:58 AM PST - 1 comment

I'm looking for ways to optimize the nutty goodness that comes from almond flour, but aren't necessarily tailored to other dietary concerns. [more inside]
posted by Dashy at 8:48 AM PST - 14 comments

When I first started college in 1996, I remember my friend telling me about a site where I could dial in and get cracks for various software. I went there a few times, but can't remember the name of it. I have no interest in pirating software; I just want to see if there are any articles about it. Here are the details I remember: - I remember it being exclusively for Mac applications. - It was really only possible to get on early in the morning and for only 20 or so minutes.
posted by reenum at 9:38 PM PST - 6 comments

I have 2 cups of buttermilk. I want to make buttermilk biscuits and have never made biscuits before. Recommend your best recipes for a beginner! That's it, that's the whole question.
posted by skycrashesdown at 9:16 PM PST - 17 comments

Can anyone recommend an ultrasonic cleaner (eyeglasses, jewelry, dental appliances, etc.) that will work for a decently long time and be effective at cleaning? [more inside]
posted by amtho at 7:04 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm hoping you can help me find a short, nice quote for our holiday card that acknowledges the horribleness of 2020 without being too hokey or depressing. [more inside]
posted by pintapicasso at 5:28 PM PST - 24 comments

I find it incredibly frustrating that my 61-year-old mother can't seem to answer any question that requires her to explain a thought, feeling, or emotion. [more inside]
posted by 8LeggedFriend at 5:00 PM PST - 42 comments

I am due to fly from Milano to Berlin on Sunday afternoon for work. I am struggling to understand if this is a good idea or not based on the numbers but I really don't know if it is a good idea or not. [more inside]
posted by socky_puppy at 2:51 PM PST - 8 comments

I am something of a go-to person for occasional verse among my friends and acquaintances, and a friend who is retiring has asked me to read a poem at his retirement party. Help me find my way to the right one. [more inside]
posted by Orlop at 2:35 PM PST - 8 comments

I have been estranged from a family member for over 15 years. Over this time they've stalked me and other members of my family, and I've been very clear that we do not want any kind of contact. The estrangement had been working until today. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:00 PM PST - 9 comments

USPS Informed Delivery said I would receive my Election 2020 ballot today, along with another mailpiece for my roommate. My roommate's mailpiece arrived; my ballot did not. It wasn't in the mailbox. What steps should I take? [more inside]
posted by thoughtful_analyst at 1:16 PM PST - 14 comments

I have a boiler. I would like to put a painting where a thermostat for one of my zones lives. Are there any two-piece thermostats wherein the part hooked up to the heating system wiring is just a plain, flat panel that wirelessly connects to a thermostat that sits elsewhere in the room? [more inside]
posted by nosila at 12:58 PM PST - 6 comments

Looking for ideas and suggestions for how to make my basement home office, which is below ground and has only two small basement windows, much more cozy for the upcoming winter. [more inside]
posted by nightrecordings at 12:54 PM PST - 14 comments

Question for people who live in hot climates: how do you keep your makeup from melting off your face when you could fry an egg on the pavement? [more inside]
posted by Crystal Fox at 12:32 PM PST - 15 comments

I'm pretty sure I once followed a link (maybe from the blue?) once many, many years ago to a page about a fantastical geological phenomenon involving shards or spikes of stone being fired out of the ground, without warning, fast enough to break the sound barrier. It sounded preposterous, but I found out about John McPhee's books on geology from the citations, so I'm pretty sure it's true. Now, I can't find a single citation. Unfortunately, it's not in Basin and Range, which I found cheap at a used book store, and I thought maybe asking here for a citation (or even the name of the phenomenon!) would be faster than reading the other 3 books. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?
posted by paul_smatatoes at 12:21 PM PST - 9 comments

Can I bring homemade pesto to a small gathering? Details after the jump. [more inside]
posted by WalkerWestridge at 11:50 AM PST - 18 comments

We've only known something was wrong since March 2020, but the parent (70s) realized something was wrong May 2019. Things were stable until a week ago when they began to have hallucinations, paranoia, and anxiety, and their spouse is no longer comfortable leaving them alone. [more inside]
posted by jessica fletcher did it at 11:18 AM PST - 15 comments

I like puzzles, and I especially like crowd scenes with a lot of people or creatures doing things. Like Where's Waldo, but not necessarily that artist. Can you recommend some good ones that I can buy online?
posted by blnkfrnk at 10:36 AM PST - 17 comments

I'm looking for personal stories of how you navigated the time in between when the possibility of divorce was broached, and it happened (or didn't). How long did this time go on? Was couples therapy involved? Do you have any tips? Personal situation within. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:28 AM PST - 13 comments

I have landscaping company with a very specialized focus (mostly native plants, very low maintenance, low water needs plants). My dream is to write a DIY book about it for the general public. Need help! [more inside]
posted by Sentus at 9:50 AM PST - 7 comments

A year ago I read Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. (Loved it.) Right now I am reading The Body Keeps the Score. I am two chapters in and have some non-negligible doubts/reservations*, but I feel like it's a book people who think about mental health are talking about. I'm wondering, for career-related reasons, what some others are. [more inside]
posted by less of course at 9:44 AM PST - 23 comments

How does a single shoe end up on a roadway or equivalent location? I presume someone lost it, but how does that happen? Is its mate lost nearby? [more inside]
posted by mightshould at 9:35 AM PST - 14 comments

My son's teachers sent home some photos of his class and it appeared that several students weren't wearing masks and weren't socially distanced. I'd like to bring this up in an email to the teachers, but I'm struggling how to phrase it. [more inside]
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 9:02 AM PST - 6 comments

I love my job but my job may go away next summer. What can I study cheaply to help me be more employable? I would be amenable to online volunteering to build my resume. Details within. [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 8:08 AM PST - 4 comments

I am scheduled for my 3-year colonoscopy (timing due to the type and size of the polyp they found) and after I scheduled for a Friday afternoon appointment, I did some searching online. Bad idea, I know. But I found some medical articles (peer reviewed, even!) about lower rates of detection and accuracy with afternoon appointments. Add to this what I read about how often polyps are just... missed, and I am filled with worry. [more inside]
posted by fleecy socks at 7:32 AM PST - 15 comments

I'd like to generate a list on Gmail of everyone I've ever sent an email to, or who's sent an email to me (for the purposes of generating various mailing lists). I've not been rigorous in adding contacts as they come in, so that list is incomplete. But it seems there must be a way, within Gmail or some external program, to do this?
posted by dearleader at 7:20 AM PST - 2 comments

I have just started a new job. I need to use up my leave by the end of the year and I want to do so... mindfully. What can I do to make leave different to not-leave. [more inside]
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 4:20 AM PST - 9 comments

How can I find someone to hold my hand through learning how to buy a business? I am interested in buying a business. It is an existing, profitable business that's existed for a quarter of a century. I have a friendly rapport with the business owner, who is looking to retire. I am familiar with the costs of running similar businesses, but not as an owner. I know nothing of dealing with banks, lawyers, etc. The business is in Vermont. [more inside]
posted by Grandysaur at 11:28 PM PST - 12 comments

Dear All, the title says it all. This is another break up question that focuses more on the how of grieving the loss of a relationship, and the difficulties that come along with remembering the tender moments. It does not help that i have a really sharp and stubborn memory where i remember things even from years ago vividly. [more inside]
posted by eustaciavye87 at 9:53 PM PST - 11 comments

These may not even exist. I'm looking for examples of kids books where the character needs to pick up a series of things in order to ultimately meet some sort of goal. Especially interested in examples where the things are revealed one at a time. I realize this is vague...see the more inside. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:56 PM PST - 26 comments

Asking for a child: is there a Halloween costume available to buy that is similar to this snow warrior costume?
posted by medusa at 4:31 PM PST - 12 comments

You have a Fujitsu heat pump. Does it have a setting in which the fan stays on while the heat (or cooling) cycles? [more inside]
posted by inexorably_forward at 4:29 PM PST - 7 comments

Is “English (Qatar)” correct for the US? [more inside]
posted by Thorzdad at 4:19 PM PST - 5 comments

Paypal just abruptly limited my account due to "significant changes in account activity" and is asking me to upload proof of supplier info. This is not possible as I have no suppliers -- I use PayPal to buy things and send money to friends. What do I do? I cannot see evidence of any fraudulent activity in my account history, just my usual Doordash orders.
posted by Kitchen Witch at 3:02 PM PST - 10 comments

I am terribly embarrassed and angry about this, but unknown someone(s) got a hold of my Amazon Prime Video payment info and rented a whooooole bunch of movies on my dime. Like, 60 of them. I was not aware of the issue until today, when I started digging into my bank statements and a discussion with my partner about movies I thought she'd rented but, as it turned out, had not. [more inside]
posted by mcbeth at 1:54 PM PST - 13 comments

Sometimes I have super dumb impulsive ideas. I want to build (with bricks) a large firepit on the front lawn. Where we can sit in this coming Canadian winter, and drink hot chocolate, and wave at people walking their dogs. Why not just buy a portable one? Meh, where's the fun in that...Anyhow, is this quite simply a stupid idea? I need to know so that I can begin without consulting my husband, who will definitely think it's a dumb idea. [more inside]
posted by kitcat at 1:53 PM PST - 20 comments

My husband and I have had a tough start to marriage, primarily due to lots of difficult external circumstances. We decided to get marriage counseling as this experience has revealed some underlying communication issues that we want to work on. During our first session of marriage counseling, the counselor asked specifically about our sex life. My husband replied that it was "fine". When the counselor asked him to elaborate, he said that he's had stronger sexual connections with other previous partners, but he's fine with how things are sexually between us. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:40 PM PST - 36 comments

I'd like to refresh my t-shirt options, but almost all the shirts I have came from clothing swaps, so I don't know where to look for what I want. Also less than $20/shirt would be good. [more inside]
posted by danceswithlight at 12:35 PM PST - 4 comments

I am a software developer but not a web developer. I kind of ignored the NoSQL advances since as far as I understand it, it’s for people whose database is really just a key value data store and all their queries are going to be simple key lookup for the record. Is there a reason to use a NoSQL if the data isn’t quite so simple? [more inside]
posted by DoveBrown at 12:29 PM PST - 9 comments

Looking for Youtube critics and essayists that aren't as well-known. [more inside]
posted by Ndwright at 11:26 AM PST - 6 comments

I'm torn on this coat I got from Norway (it's returnable) I like the functionality (magnetic closure is very cool) and the look of the body of the coat but the enormous lapels are giving me pause. Not only are they big, but there's no crisp crease between the lapel and the collar of the coat, giving the lapels a bit of a floppy look. (I'm wondering if a seamstress could hot-press in a crease to improve that.) FWIW, I'm tall and thin with narrow face. Any feedback appreciated.
posted by Jon44 at 10:32 AM PST - 17 comments

As it gets colder, my skin is getting dryer, especially on my face. I've used moisturizer in the past, but my skin is super oily, so it generally makes me uncomfortable. I'm looking for a product that will keep my skin hydrated without causing me to gush oil, and is available in stores so that I won't have to order it online. Some details and a bit of vanity inside. [more inside]
posted by kevinbelt at 10:29 AM PST - 27 comments

We'd rent an entire house, and wouldn't eat inside restaurants or otherwise be indoors with anyone not in our tiny pod. We'd also rent a car. We are both high risk. We're just both also losing our minds here in Brooklyn. How much risk do you think we'd be adding?
posted by schadenfrau at 10:21 AM PST - 31 comments

COVID makes me want my own wheels [more inside]
posted by winterportage at 9:59 AM PST - 27 comments

We sleep three to a bed — and the middle person gets the short end of the support stick, since bed slats are built to be between, not under, the sleepers. Even most box springs are built around a center support, so going the old-school route won't help. Have you ever seen a bed frame built to be evenly supportive (and flexible) across the bed's entire width? Or are we going to be stuck with a mattress sitting on the floor/plywood on the bedframe forever?
posted by you're a kitty! at 9:03 AM PST - 13 comments

Is there anything I can do to help my 2007 Honda Fit from dying frequently? [more inside]
posted by past unusual at 8:52 AM PST - 21 comments

My wife is looking for a new doctor (Portland, OR / Providence Insurance) that won't brush off a cluster of weird symptoms or longterm, low-level pain. [more inside]
posted by furnace.heart at 8:18 AM PST - 12 comments

I would like a treadmill, but none of the ones I am looking at seem to meet my needs and it's driving me crazy. You would think the features I want would be on the majority of treadmills, but nope. I would love someone to prove me wrong. [more inside]
posted by cjorgensen at 7:46 AM PST - 6 comments

Looking for SYMPATHETIC fiction OR nonfiction accounts of people who were recruited and served as spies for a Communist country against capitalist empire. Book, movie, TV, podcast, all OK. (Yes, I've seen "The Americans.") [more inside]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 7:29 AM PST - 14 comments

Our five year old keeps waking up at 5am. He spends the morning (or all day) incredibly grouchy, tired, and miserable. It's affecting everyone in the house and he's really unhappy. We are running out of ideas for what to try next. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by EllaEm at 7:19 AM PST - 24 comments

I really can’t stand the tiredness induced by city driving. It’s a horrible type of tiredness which seems to linger. [more inside]
posted by jacobean at 6:42 AM PST - 5 comments

My wife and myself will find ourselves in Edinburgh next week, just in time for the closure of pubs and restaurants. Both of us will be working. We are staying in a hotel between the Dean Village and the West End. They are not offering food due to the new restrictions but have placed microwaves and cutlery in all the rooms (!). [more inside]
posted by einekleine at 5:29 AM PST - 6 comments

This Halloween we are exchanging gift baskets with friends instead of trick or treating. I'm looking for interesting, unique candy and other Halloween themed presents to put give to our friends. [more inside]
posted by catrae at 5:28 AM PST - 13 comments

Our school has received 2 grants: a $1500 grant for computer class (think AP CSP), and a $500 grant for Web Design class. For the computer classes, we already have new-ish PCs, and some chromebooks, and we're using the CODE.org AP CSP course and well as lots of other programming sites. I'm thinking of getting Raspberry Pi kits, micro:bit kits, or Arduino kits. For the Web Design, I can't think of anything to spend money on. [more inside]
posted by cyclicker at 12:07 AM PST - 5 comments

What it says on the tin. The next two months are going to be a hellish nightmare of non-stop 80-hour work-weeks, and I'm looking for books to keep my spirits and motivation up. [more inside]
posted by luminary at 11:50 PM PST - 17 comments

Seeing a lot of chatter online about making sure your mail-in ballot signature matches whatever the state has on file, which got me wondering how close of a match it has to be? Signature consistency isn't a universal skill, and there's a spectrum between a perfect match and total mismatch. Is it being compared by humans or machines? Are the humans trained in signature identification at all? Is there a review process for flagged signatures? Is the voter notified and is there any way to contest the invalidation? [more inside]
posted by p3t3 at 10:35 PM PST - 6 comments

YANMD. Does not taking Li at night prevent sleep problems? In order to help address the fact that I am quite literally going to lose my fsckin mind if I don’t start getting some better sleep, can I start taking the Li during the day? If yes, what side effects can I expect, and for what period of time? Any other downsides to regularly taking Li during the day instead of at night. [more inside]
posted by armoir from antproof case at 10:11 PM PST - 7 comments

How do people who drive long distances in remote areas calculate their margin of safety for carrying fuel? [more inside]
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 10:07 PM PST - 13 comments

I'm hosting a virtual meeting with several monolingual Spanish speakers from Argentina later this month, and several monolingual English speakers from the US. As long as we're all on Zoom, we'd love to hire a Spanish-to-English interpretation service who will use Zoom's fancy translation features. Ideally, we'd find folks who would make our Argentinian attendees comfortable. This is for higher ed, but for a conversation about labor law, so bonus points for anyone who may have familiarity with legal/organizing terminology / pro-worker politics. We've got one lead, but need to sort this out sooner than later, so would love to have a few backups. Any suggestions?
posted by rdn at 8:34 PM PST - 2 comments

I'm looking for nutritious foods requiring minimal prep that a single person can keep around for days when they are too sick to cook or go out. [more inside]
posted by whitelotus at 8:25 PM PST - 17 comments

What do red, orange, and blue flags signify? [more inside]
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 8:15 PM PST - 4 comments

I planted some red osier dogwood seeds (well, berries) a couple weeks ago, planning to let them stratify over the winter so that they would germinate in the spring. However, they all seem to have germinated immediately (see picture). Are they doomed? [more inside]
posted by Dr. Send at 5:00 PM PST - 4 comments

I need to send some documents by mail or courier from the US (major East Coast city) to New Zealand. What's the best courier option in terms of minimizing COVID-related delays right now? I don't want to spend a ton of money and don't have a specific deadline but I'd prefer for it not to take weeks and weeks. (Recent-ish personal experience would be great if anyone has it.)
posted by needs more cowbell at 3:54 PM PST - 16 comments

I have a 2016 Asus desktop, Windows 10, mostly rebuilt last spring. My wireless mouse abruptly stopped working properly a couple days ago. It slides around, the cursor disappears, the buttons either won’t work or work too well - and nothing I have tried, including replacing it, has worked. [more inside]
posted by mygothlaundry at 3:52 PM PST - 6 comments

My partner and I really like the values expressed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (love is patient, love is kind...) but are non religious and are looking for something to hang on the wall. Can you recommend any verse/lyrics/quotes/passages that put you in mind of this passage? Thanks in advance!
posted by ftm at 3:31 PM PST - 5 comments

In the coming days/weeks I will be unusually likely to cross paths with firefighters and other professional "helpers" who, among other acts of valor, saved my house and my community at no little cost to themselves. Many of them continue to circulate in my neighborhood to answer questions, provide reassurance and solve technical issues associated with the original emergency. I need to know how to properly acknowledge them and appropriately express the overwhelming feelings of gratitude and awe I am experiencing right now. [more inside]
posted by flowergrrrl at 2:55 PM PST - 12 comments

It's time to replace some window shades. About six or eight years ago, I bought some cordless shades from a smallish manufacturer. The cordless mechanism has failed more than once in all of them. They've been good about repairing them at no charge except shipping costs, but I don't want to go back to them. Shopping around, it seems that most shades sold these days are cordless. So my question is, how reliable will cordless shades be these days? Options include Bali, Levolor, or the big orange store house brand. Or your recommendation.
posted by beagle at 1:15 PM PST - 17 comments

I have BitDefender on my Mac. From time to time I click on its desktop icon and have it do a full-system scan. Sometimes, at the start of the process, I get a popup asking me to give the program full disk access, which I do not wish to do, so I just close the popup and proceed with the scan. Today, though... [more inside]
posted by Epixonti at 1:11 PM PST - 5 comments

Please recommend the best research-based books about parenting young children. I'm particularly interested in research about temperament and "goodness of fit" between parents and children, but any books about very young children that are based on current psychological or neurodevelopmental science are welcome.
posted by epanalepsis at 1:04 PM PST - 6 comments

Is there a good guide for how to use Pip to install packages for ArcGIS Pro? Or do you have advice for a better way to do it? [more inside]
posted by Alex Haist at 1:00 PM PST - 6 comments

I had a 12 megapixel Jpeg that I compressed for email. I would now like to make a large print of the jpeg which would be too pixelated at the compressed size. Is there a way to reverse the compression? If so, how?
posted by luvmywife at 12:55 PM PST - 12 comments

Some time in the next two months I (US-based, US citizen) will be starting an extended visit to the UK as part of setting up for a relocation to join my fiancee (UK-based, UK citizen) there. I would like to bring my cat with me. Prior to COVID this process was reasonably straightforward but options look very limited now. Maybe there are more options/solutions available than I think? [more inside]
posted by 4rtemis at 12:26 PM PST - 11 comments

For a number of years, I've been carting around about 7 or 8 antique chairs in various states of disrepair (a few examples located here). It finally hit me that I was never going to do anything with these and perhaps someone else would make better use of them. What's the best way to divest myself of these? [more inside]
posted by jeremias at 12:25 PM PST - 6 comments

I am going to be given a beginner level Ramsay mechanical aptitude test as part of a robotics and mechanics training course opportunity in two weeks. What are my best resources for studying? [more inside]
posted by Jacen at 12:09 PM PST - 0 comments

I'm interested in the proper, scientific names for my plants so I can look up the best way to care for them rather than winging it as I have been. Pictures here.
posted by She Kisses Wyverns at 11:46 AM PST - 9 comments

What is this fabulous yellow suit that fashion icon Richard Ayoade wears in this clip? [more inside]
posted by chrchr at 11:05 AM PST - 2 comments

I'm currently working from home while house sitting in a lovely house with a nice kitchen. As we turn to fall, I'd love to think a bit outside of the box in terms of what I could be having for lunch. Desires below the fold. [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 10:24 AM PST - 20 comments

Looking for songs that are hopeful and not romantic in nature. Bonus if lyrics point to patience and the fact that most awful things change time if we can just hold out. Themes of compassion/self-compassion also good.
posted by bunderful at 9:58 AM PST - 42 comments

I'm leading a UU service, and my topic is how asking the right questions can be a way into listening. I need a couple more poems and/or songs to use. Trying to avoid things that are explicitly romantic. I have this poem and this song. Links, please. Any short text or video is okay--could be from a talk or a short interview or whatever.
posted by mermaidcafe at 9:53 AM PST - 3 comments

What are some resources for getting into a Bit Locked hard drive or Lap top? [more inside]
posted by snsranch at 9:46 AM PST - 3 comments

I don't like being cold. And I don't like being stuck at home with no friends. Thus, I need to heat my large screen porch. [more inside]
posted by missjenny at 9:11 AM PST - 7 comments

Looking for an excellent attorney dealing with construction, Buildings Department issues, etc., in New York City. Thank you.
posted by DMelanogaster at 9:02 AM PST - 0 comments

Our child is doing online classes via Microsoft Teams. We do not have a laptop or webcam so we use an iPhone, which is not great. We were thinking about getting a webcam but now we're thinking it may be a better value to get a tablet in the upcoming Amazon Prime sale. However, Fire tablets apparently don't do Teams. What other <$100 CDN Teams-friendly brands or models should we keep an eye out for, either available from Amazon Canada or another Canadian retailer? [more inside]
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 8:47 AM PST - 4 comments

I have an episode of a game show saved using the DVR feature on the AT&T Now app on my Roku. I also have a Macbook Air. I would like to save a 20-second clip from that episode (both audio + video) onto my Macbook. How would I do this this? Difficulty level: don't want to spend money.
posted by miltthetank at 7:27 AM PST - 8 comments

I have never done any meditation in the past, and its something that I would like to try. Looking for suggestions/tips for a beginner. [more inside]
posted by konaStFr at 5:58 AM PST - 20 comments

Chicago early voter here- I have my filled out ballot and cannot find my return envelope. [more inside]
posted by kittysockpuppet at 5:09 AM PST - 8 comments

So when Canadians go home for a month or more which health insurance company do you go with? Why do they all look so scammy? [more inside]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 11:37 PM PST - 3 comments

I posted previously about my startup. It got traction with some investors, but the recent Covid closings in major cities pretty much put an end to it. In the interim I managed to curate a pretty awesome network of sort of influential people, or rather I managed to find people who were good at networking who curated the list. What's the best way to pivot from help me with my company to do you know if anyone is hiring? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by geoff. at 9:57 PM PST - 5 comments

Looking for some small (1 and 1/2 inch diameter) thin porcelain (has to be light) saucers or shallow cups, for weighing and dispensing medicine to critters licking it off the dish. Light weight, reusable, shallow and small. Been searching but all the condiment dishes I see are too big and too heavy. Anyone know of just the thing? Thanks!
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 9:53 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm looking at laptops and not particularly interested in a gaming laptop, but it seems like the gaming laptops have much better specs (CPU, RAM, storage) per dollar than the non-gaming ultrabooks. Other than the obvious bulk/weight difference are there any other disadvantages I'm missing? [more inside]
posted by straight at 9:53 PM PST - 21 comments

I know that talking to people six feet away without a mask reduces transmission risk, I’d just like to know how much. Is transmission 99% less likely? Totally minuscule? How about twelve feet? Any good data on this? Opinions of clinicians on the ground? [more inside]
posted by insteadofapricots at 6:31 PM PST - 21 comments

I'm finally working again, earning about half as much as I did in that office job, as a warehouse supervisor. I'll be leading a team of 6 - 12 delivery crew, but without being their actual boss. As an anxious 36 year old, I could really use some advice. [more inside]
posted by rebent at 6:13 PM PST - 6 comments

My mom is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. For Christmas this year, I would like to get her some comfy and/or comforting things (blankets, lounge clothes, slippers, snacks/treats, skincare products, etc.) and am looking for recommendations. [more inside]
posted by yeahyeahrealcute at 5:29 PM PST - 14 comments

Where (if possible) am I able to check what signature California has on file for my voter registration? [more inside]
posted by downtohisturtles at 5:29 PM PST - 7 comments

Since my parents moved closer, they’ve been criticising my choices non-stop and showing blatant favouritism to my sibling. I’m realising that the relationship I thought I had with them was glossed over due to distance and I’m struggling to come to terms with the changes without causing irreparable damage to the relationship. [more inside]
posted by Riverside at 4:22 PM PST - 14 comments

I'm in the UK for the foreseeable future, caring for a sick parent. Help me stave off cabin-fever (by going outside). [more inside]
posted by girlalex at 4:11 PM PST - 9 comments

My family found a lovely patch of land in the mountains between Central and Western Oregon last year for a great price. The problem that we're running into is we can't seem to find any contractors who are willing to take us from bare land to a finished vacation home/cabin/A Frame/manufactured home, etc. The property is about an hour and a half away from any real cities or towns, and no one I've called seems to want to do the follow through for us to develop and build. [more inside]
posted by Happydaz at 3:18 PM PST - 21 comments

We are losing our kitchen for a month. All we will have is a refrigerator, a toaster, a microwave, and a blender. I am looking at takeout and frozen dinners! Any ideas?
posted by ebesan at 2:22 PM PST - 18 comments

I need a new TV for the regular TV-related things. I am overwhelmed by options. [more inside]
posted by hepta at 1:21 PM PST - 16 comments

I had a root canal on tooth #4 in 2015. It already had a crown on it but was continuing to give me pain. In March 2016 I had an apicoectomy because I still had pain. There was a big pocket of infection. It has continued hurt since then. A dull ache all the time. Generic ora-gel helps a bit and I use it many times a day. I've had my bite adjusted multiple times which has not helped. It is only like a 3/10, but is distracting. What else should I be asking my dentist to look at? I just want the tooth GONE but cant afford an implant.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 12:22 PM PST - 12 comments

What are some shows that share the following similar properties to the mini-series The Sounds? [more inside]
posted by Parasite Unseen at 12:01 PM PST - 1 comment

I do occasional contract jobs for a single client in my specialty niche, once or twice a year taking several weeks each. I've been charging the same $100/hour rate since 2017 and wonder if it's time to bump that up, perhaps to $125/hr ... so asking here if that seems reasonable. Have contract programming costs increased by a quarter over the past three years? I've been retired a while and have no real contact with "software engineering" now, nor contacts to ask.
posted by windsock at 11:29 AM PST - 11 comments

What can I buy to turn my over-ear headphones into a headset to improve my audio quality on zoom calls? [more inside]
posted by Braeburn at 8:52 AM PST - 7 comments

I'd like to go home for the holidays because I'm really not doing well mentally. Help me do this responsibly. Snowflakes ahead. [more inside]
posted by Definitely Not A Robot at 8:28 AM PST - 10 comments

When I discovered how easy it is to make gyudon, it changed my life. Please recommend your favorite Japanese and Korean recipes that don't require a lot of time or kitchen space!
posted by moonmilk at 8:03 AM PST - 19 comments

In need of comfort food, I turned to The Old Favourite. It went badly. Please diagnose my mistake. [more inside]
posted by nosila at 7:59 AM PST - 27 comments

Me and a couple of my 40 something buddies have been keeping in touch via GroupMe. While it's better than the group text that we were previously using it's still lacking some features that we'd like. The biggest one is threaded conversations, are you aware of any instant messaging app that allows you to go back and reply to a specific message in the conversation stream?
posted by jmsta at 7:41 AM PST - 11 comments

What firepit options are safe on a wooden deck?
posted by LonnieK at 7:14 AM PST - 15 comments

I have some bedsheets that I'd like to get cleaner than the machine cleans them. I've heard about laundry stripping but I have a UK-specific question about the stripping mix, as over here it's not legal to sell true borax (sodium borate) and only "borax substitute" (sodium sesquicarbonate) is available. [more inside]
posted by terretu at 6:16 AM PST - 6 comments

Help! I can't get more than the first episode of Critical Role Campaign 2 podcast to load in my podcast app. [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 4:37 AM PST - 2 comments

My house is off a major street that has been the site of very loud protests for the last week. I have to wake up at 4:30am for sporadic work and the protests have been going until after 2 am. Would you rent a whole Airbnb for a month when you won't need it 3/4 of the time, or got to a hotel to get some sleep? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by sock,sock, sock, sock, sock... sock sock at 11:33 PM PST - 13 comments

What's a good course for someone who already does art to take it to another level? [more inside]
posted by Cozybee at 9:09 PM PST - 8 comments

My brother and his wife had a baby in early September. I’m visiting in November and plan on using my skills as a chef to stock their freezer and treat them to one restaurant caliber meal at their home. that makes up for not getting them a baby shower gift. What do I get them for Christmas? They like food, skiing, have very particular aesthetic tastes, and are both normal and practical. [more inside]
posted by Grandysaur at 9:09 PM PST - 22 comments

Have you ever read a short story where the characters spend a large part of the time talking about specific works of fiction? I'm interested in how the author does it, given that the reader may not be familiar with the story in question.
posted by storybored at 9:05 PM PST - 9 comments

I am thinking of buying an Apple Watch 4, but I don't have an iPhone (or an Apple computer), but rather an Android phone. I know most of the functionality of the watch should be fine, but are there any major problems with this? [more inside]
posted by zardoz at 8:24 PM PST - 7 comments

I like flavored drip coffee that can be bought in bags at the grocery store. The kind that tastes like vanilla or cinnamon without the addition of other ingredients. [more inside]
posted by aetg at 8:03 PM PST - 10 comments

I damaged my ear lobe with earrings. Can you help? [more inside]
posted by NotLost at 7:07 PM PST - 10 comments

Hello! I am looking for some reassurance that this period shall pass too! My baby is 6 months now and we have lots of feeding issue. He had really bad reflux early on- we suspect now silent reflux. The reflux caused bottle aversion. I am following a plan made by Rowena Bennet to feed him based on his hunger cues and to respect his wishes, but I am having such a hard time and baby still wouldn’t take a bottle easy- he hs to be in a very calm state, happy and content before he would take the bottle. Before he even needed to be asleep before taking the bottle but now I feel he is a little better. He is on omeprazole. Any similar stories? What was the resolution?
posted by barexamfreak at 6:14 PM PST - 7 comments

Can anyone help ID this mystery fabric? Probably cotton canvas or quilting cotton, possibly from a Japanese fabric company as the original source is a sewist located in Europe who likes to use Japanese fabrics.
posted by serelliya at 5:59 PM PST - 2 comments

I bought a house with a backyard this summer (yay!) The backyard currently has a number of raised beds filling the center of it; there are also beds around the perimeter. It's very pretty but does not leave room for my kid to play, and I have also always promised myself I'd get a hot tub when I bought a house. Who do I need to hire to make this happen? [more inside]
posted by betsbillabong at 4:39 PM PST - 7 comments

I'd like to commission an artist to do an illustrated family portrait for Christmas presents. Looking for artists who are queer, people of color, women, non-binary, trans and/or otherwise under-represented in the art world who do beautiful, playful, interesting, commission work. Thinking of a cartoony-style, but open to more fine art style too. Who should I check out?
posted by anonymous at 4:36 PM PST - 11 comments

Our visit to New York State from Montreal is going longer than we expected, and my daughter is out of meds. Short of going to a local doctor and showing them empty bottles of medications, is there a way I can obtain meds in the US based on a Canadian prescription? Or can Canadian pharmacies ship down here? I hear it is illegal for a friend to mail them?
posted by musofire at 3:28 PM PST - 7 comments

I am a U.S. citizen living in Ecuador on a standard 90-day tourist entry stamp. I have always dreamed of visiting the Galapagos Islands. When I try to book a plane ticket to the islands online, there are always two results -- a domestic fare for official residents of Ecuador, and a fare for foreigners (which is more than twice the price of the domestic fare). Is there any way for this budget traveler to secure the domestic fare without being noticed as a foreigner and having to pay the difference at the airport? [more inside]
posted by fenwaydirtdog at 2:11 PM PST - 8 comments

I work off a NAS, and use DigiKam on my desktop for photo management. Via NAS, those same photos are available via the Files app on my iPad, and I would love to do the photo organizing/management I do on my desktop (tagging photos, organizing into Year-Month-Event folders) from the comfort of the couch on my iPad. Does anyone know of an app that plays nicely with the rest of my setup?
posted by po822000 at 2:07 PM PST - 0 comments

I have to appeal a determination of ineligibility for unemployment in NJ. I believe this was a simple error, but I'm nervous about how it will go, how long it will take, whether I need to hire a lawyer. If you have appealed (successfully or otherwise), how did it go? How was the telephone hearing? Did you have representation? How long was the process? Thank you!
posted by anonymous at 2:02 PM PST - 2 comments

My girlfriend and I are looking forTV comedies to watch that we haven't see yet. Some of our faves inside! [more inside]
posted by DavidNYC at 1:56 PM PST - 55 comments

Dear askmefites, I’d like to have a Thanksgiving in these pandemic times that I’ll be grateful for, not regretful of, so could you please check my thinking and help me navigate social expectations around forming a family bubble for the holiday? [more inside]
posted by starelephant at 1:23 PM PST - 13 comments

What's the piece of music used in this Channel 4 (UK) documentary about Trump? [more inside]
posted by popcassady at 12:16 PM PST - 1 comment

I have recently learned that I can draw. Given this information, I would like to draw. But I don't know how. Please point me to resources for how to learn to draw for someone who a Ted Talk has told can draw, but who up until now thought she couldn't draw. I'm not interested in photo-realistic sketch type drawings. I want like whimsical kids books type drawings. [more inside]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 12:00 PM PST - 15 comments

My other half and I are staying home and having a two person Christmas. The local heritage pig farmer can get me whatever cut of happy free range gloriously delicious pig I want. What cut do I want for my Christmas dinner?
posted by The Last Sockpuppet at 9:16 AM PST - 11 comments

My Pixel 3 has been acting erratically for a while, and now appears to be trapped inside a restart loop which cannot be interrupted. If I can't get the phone to work long/well enough to do a factory reset, what are my options? [more inside]
posted by Narrative Priorities at 9:11 AM PST - 8 comments

Why are men's underwear packed in ziploc (resealable) bags? [more inside]
posted by notsnot at 8:56 AM PST - 25 comments

Please share your best tricks for looking forward to and embracing winter and cold and dark! My mental health is pretty good right now, all things considered, but I never really look forward to the shortening days and it seems like life is gonna be extra rough this year.
posted by ferret branca at 8:25 AM PST - 42 comments

I want to buy shelf-stable stuff like shaoxing wine, doubanjiang, kombu, Thai curry paste, and other things I used to buy in quantity at Asian grocery stores like H Mart. I'd rather not buy them on Amazon if possible. [more inside]
posted by MetaFilter World Peace at 6:04 AM PST - 10 comments

I have a business idea around content/research that I need to turn into a few actions and I'm stuck in a few points so I'm hoping the hive mind will help me get past them. Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by longjump at 5:38 AM PST - 5 comments

I'd like to be able to step back from the news sometimes, but still find out promptly, via a low-key alert, when something of major significance happens. If nothing big happens on a given day, I'd want zero alerts that day. Is there an app (or twitter feed, or other method) for that? [more inside]
posted by daisyace at 5:33 AM PST - 13 comments

A USB drive with some important-but-not-irrepleaceable folders is suddenly showing all .lnk files. What do? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Tamanna at 11:23 PM PST - 6 comments

I'm interested in non-fiction books written maybe between 1970-2000. For example, I just picked up The Unconscious Civilization, which won awards and popular acclaim in its time, but which I've never heard anyone refer to in the past 20 years. (and which has a total of 27 reviews on Amazon) [more inside]
posted by mikek at 11:12 PM PST - 42 comments

I have a strange nook in my bedroom that I decided to put my meditation cushion in for sitting practice. Here is a picture of the nook in question. How can I make this space extraordinarily pleasant and conducive to meditation practice? [more inside]
posted by vocativecase at 9:33 PM PST - 22 comments

I'm having surgery tomorrow to repair a fractured kneecap and I'm a-skeered. If anyone has a moment to talk sense into me that'd be great. [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:00 PM PST - 34 comments

Good, cheap tablet for reading comics? [more inside]
posted by signal at 5:49 PM PST - 16 comments

Is there a credit card that freely allows spending but automatically pays itself off (and requires this auto-payment to function?) Basically, a debit card with the better fraud protection of a credit card. Asking for someone recently out of debt. They do not trust themselves to use a regular credit card and stay on top of payments. They would be willing to pay a fee for this and forgo reward points, since the card could not possibly make money on interest. They don’t want to use a gift card or child’s limited card.
posted by michaelh at 5:25 PM PST - 16 comments

What is the best translation of Kierkegaard’s Either/Or for someone coming to it cold and not for a class? I’m looking for something with reasonably accessible language, and I haven’t read any book-length Kierkegaard. [more inside]
posted by pxe2000 at 4:09 PM PST - 7 comments

We are early-stages building a wood-burning fire pit, the stone kind. What are your thoughts/suggestions/previous experiences with fire pits/fire pit wishlists? We're looking to innovate and...may be competing with friends. [more inside]
posted by Phyltre at 3:05 PM PST - 3 comments

My daughter is immunosuppressed, and is really struggling with the isolating we are having to do, especially as we move into winter and her opportunities for outdoor meet-ups are going to become more scarce. [more inside]
posted by fizban at 3:04 PM PST - 4 comments

Please help me come up with a name for this 1.5-2 year old male pug that I just adopted from a shelter/rescue. Here’s a pic of this sweet boy. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 2:24 PM PST - 30 comments

Last year after moving cities I knew I’d have to up my game to fight SAD. I decided to try and build a morning routine around some indoor gardening (started with sprouts) under a SAD lamp. It was alright, so I expanded, bought some grow lights and started some containers. My old awkward SAD light is hanging out dusty in a corner. I spend maybe 20-30 mins puttering under these lights, 4-5 mornings per week. They are mostly white spectrum LEDs but I know these units also have some blue / red / IR / UV leds in the mix. However, this previous question made me realize I should do a safety check. Internet’s not being super helpful. So... should I give up trying to get my daily light therapy from “quantum board” grow lights?
posted by sixswitch at 2:22 PM PST - 8 comments

I hope to do some sailing on Austin Lake in SW Michigan next summer. What kind of boat should i be looking for? I'm a life long sailor, but mostly on 30+ foot keel boats so i am not very knowledgeable about my options. [more inside]
posted by Horselover Fat at 12:59 PM PST - 7 comments

I once read that when Bob came to Frank to see about Zappa producing his next record, Zappa said, "Why don't you make a rap record?" Or was it rap... What was it? Is this apocryphal?
posted by noelpratt2nd at 12:17 PM PST - 1 comment

My tween kids and I just watched "The Farthest: Voyager in Space" and absolutely loved it -in part because of its disciplined use of original/raw imagery over artistic re-creations. What are some other documentaries which don't put lipstick on science? [more inside]
posted by MiraK at 12:15 PM PST - 16 comments

I want to get a grow light for some herbs (no not that herb, not that there's anything wrong with that). I have potted basil, rosemary, and lavender that I will be moving inside soon. I'm just lazy enough to be the first thing that appears on amazon. Can I do better?
posted by falsedmitri at 10:57 AM PST - 7 comments

Does anyone who knows Wordpress / coding know what CSS to plug-in for a Wordpress-based website into the custom CSS to limit the width of the content just on a single particular Page? [more inside]
posted by cotesdurhone at 9:20 AM PST - 3 comments

Trying to find the best approach to treat these conditions. I like to start from the position of "Pretend I am a professional athlete, and my career depends on resolving this. What should I do?" [more inside]
posted by 4midori at 9:03 AM PST - 5 comments

Please explain how to use bike gears to me as though I am a 10 year old who just got their first geared bike. Let's say I'm riding along in a flat road and my gears are set so that this is comfortable. Now I see a hill! What do I change my gears to, and when do I do it? Then what? What if it's a giant hill? What do I do after the hill? What do I do when I'm going down a hill?
posted by xo at 7:56 AM PST - 25 comments

my house is going to be undergoing some renovations, including the demolition of a perfectly good chunk of house. Is there a way for things like windows, bathroom cabinets, tub, sinks etc to find a good home, rather than just go to the junk pile? [more inside]
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:44 AM PST - 12 comments

I am looking for some good plants for my balcony this winter. It is southeast facing and gets a lot of sun, in zone 6/7 (Central New Jersey). I am looking for types and sources for hearty winter plants that get a bit of height, if possible. [more inside]
posted by k8lin at 7:16 AM PST - 1 comment

Launching a subscription box business. Need sales website. What should we use? [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 9:21 PM PST - 4 comments

You, a relationship-minded person, took a break from dating in order to grow as a person, and it worked. Tell me your story. [more inside]
posted by Amy93 at 8:52 PM PST - 19 comments

What kinds of effects could I expect from going back on testosterone after 6 years on estrogen, as a former trans woman, current gender squiggly AMAB person? [more inside]
posted by elephantsvanish at 7:49 PM PST - 4 comments

I have been using two of these air purifiers in my apartment all year. Lately very expensive filters ($20 each) have been lasting about a week before they get filthy and make my allergies worse. I need a replacement and would love your recommendations. [more inside]
posted by Kitchen Witch at 7:29 PM PST - 8 comments

Amazon says that I'll get a refund, but I'm curious about how this happened. I ordered an item from Amazon and according to the tracking information, it was shipped by FedEx and was delivered today... to New Braunfels, Texas. I don't live in Texas and never have. The shipping information on the Amazon order was correct. So what is likely to have happened? [more inside]
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 6:21 PM PST - 11 comments

What can you tell me about non-profits that only exist to provide other non-profits with infrastructure and services such as office space, staffing, accounting, IT etc with the purpose of enabling these non-profits to focus on their core mission. Is this a thing? Why not?
posted by Foci for Analysis at 2:29 PM PST - 12 comments

What is flattish and light and cheap and fun and mailable that is not a sticker? [more inside]
posted by charmedimsure at 1:57 PM PST - 24 comments

I want to look on other sites for pants similar to these. They are very wide-legged pants in cotton/linen/flax, ideally with an elastic waist, pegged at the ankle, maybe with elastic. But they are not harem pants as they have a defined crotch, and they are only very loosely pegged, with what amounts to a still-somewhat-wide leg opening. That site has clothing of really crappy quality that takes a long time to ship from China, and I'd like to find a better source for similar pants. Links to sites for browsing OK, but I'd prefer direct links to similar products or productive search terms.
posted by QuakerMel at 1:19 PM PST - 10 comments

An acquaintance would like to vote in Ohio but must not receive any postal mail that reveals that they plan to vote or have voted. So, no voter registration cards, no mail-in ballots, nothing at all from the state that talks about voting. Is this possible, or will Ohio always mail you something if you register to vote? The deadline is the 5th --- help! [more inside]
posted by Chef Flamboyardee at 1:06 PM PST - 10 comments

Feeling very silly asking this but here goes: I've been playing Zynga's Wizard of Oz Magic Match 3 for ages. I'm having problems with the game (like not receiving earned rewards) and both their in-app customer support and email support have been awful. Even if it's a personal reply that acknowledges my problem, they just thank me for my feedback and refuse to do anything. Is there a better way to get through? I don't really want to switch games.
posted by mermaidcafe at 12:42 PM PST - 1 comment

I had to restore my computer (Mac) from a backup from a couple of months ago. I use Dropbox and now it has files from those months ago that had been deleted/reorganized in the intervening months. Shouldn't Dropbox's sync have fixed this? What can I do to fix this?
posted by sciencegeek at 10:30 AM PST - 3 comments

I need a creative cocktail recipe to give to a friend as part of a group gift later today, ideally with some ingredient I can give to him along with the recipe. I'm not a big drinker and don't know much about cocktails. Help! [more inside]
posted by quiet coyote at 9:55 AM PST - 14 comments

We’ve been living in our house for a few years now and have lots of wall space that needs filling. As someone with a BFA, I remember all too well the struggle to make money with my art. There are so many talented people out there — how can I find them so I can buy their work (or prints of their work)? [more inside]
posted by summerteeth at 9:39 AM PST - 22 comments

A few years back I saw a music video that I'd like to revisit, but I can't remember the name of the artist or the song. *sheesh* I'm guessing many folks here have an interest in and deep knowledge of contemporary music, so I'm sure someone can answer this. [more inside]
posted by Atom Collection at 8:30 AM PST - 2 comments

Please tell me what kettle to buy! My main criteria is that unlike the cheapo plastic one my flatmate got from Sainsbury's this one pours properly without dribbling water everywhere. [more inside]
posted by Gin and Broadband at 5:03 AM PST - 13 comments

There is a small old window in our house (in UK) that we have never been able to figure out how to open. It ought to open like a door, there's a handle on the left and it should swing out. But there are two latches keeping it closed. Bottom one is easy to figure out, but the top one is a mystery. Pics showing the mystery latch from the front and from the side, and one of the window as a whole. Advice?
posted by jebs at 4:27 AM PST - 3 comments

Can you please help me work out how to empty a compost bin which is full of partially composted weeds and grass and a lot of dangerous spiders? [more inside]
posted by kinddieserzeit at 2:03 AM PST - 17 comments

I've been harassed off and on by a colleague from my workplace for the past 5 months. This person has been off-site, but will be returning to work in a few weeks and I can't bear facing them. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 12:06 AM PST - 15 comments

I have to drive into Montreal from Ontario on Saturday. From what I can tell all the highways into the city are shut down due to construction. I need directions that will get me into the downtown core. [more inside]
posted by sardonyx at 7:27 PM PST - 5 comments

I live in a recently renovated apartment in the US. My apartment has plentiful three prong power outlets, mostly two-to-a-panel. However, there are also a few single outlet panels, sometimes right next to the two-panel variety. The outlet itself is round and protrudes out from the panel a bit. Additionally, these don't seem to work? What could possibly be the reason for this?
posted by whisper_robin at 6:11 PM PST - 8 comments

Decades ago my grandfather purchased 2 spots for him and my grandmother. And according to family lore he also bought 6 or 8 more for the kids etc. [more inside]
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 5:38 PM PST - 6 comments

What’s the best (non-yellowing) resin to apply over a decoupage piece that already has Mod Podge Hard Coat as a first top layer? [more inside]
posted by shelle at 5:24 PM PST - 0 comments

We bought this sideboard less than a year ago. We are very happy with the style and function, but the veneer scratches and marks SO easily. Is it possible to sand the top and coat it with something protective? Lacquer, varnish, polish??? [more inside]
posted by beccyjoe at 5:03 PM PST - 11 comments

I keep repeating a particular pattern of behaviour: work towards a desired change, get very anxious when it looks like the desired change is actually going to happen, and pull the plug on it to return to the status quo. I read so much about 'leaning into uncertainty' etc, but I simply do not know how to do that. How do you actually make a change in your life that looks good but could be risky? [more inside]
posted by unicorn chaser at 4:45 PM PST - 9 comments

Am going to London tomorrow with my husband and three small children. For sightseeing and fun. However...so much of what we would normally do is either fully booked (due to it being a rainy Saturday in October) or closed due to the 'Rona. Any tips, which won't break the bank, and possibly not already all over the "10 best things to do in London with the kids!" lists as I've scoured them all!! :-D Thanks all. Dropped the ball on this one...shoulda checked the websites BEFORE booking train tix. Kids are 9, 5 and 5 (twins).
posted by dance at 3:42 PM PST - 5 comments

When my main working browser window gets too busy with tabs, I like to move some of the less-important tabs to a new window to come back to later. I do this by picking up one tab and pulling it off, and then the next, and then the next, so I've got like seven new windows, and THEN I drag them one-by-one all into one window. Is there a way in chrome, or an extension available, that would let me say "Okay, you five tabs, go make a new window" or "you three tabs, hop into the window where I sent those five"? [more inside]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 3:21 PM PST - 12 comments

I recently installed a Luxe Neo 120 bidet and want to make some simple written instructions for any guests who may be unfamiliar with bidets or feel intimidated by the prospect of using one. I'm looking for suggestions for phrasing that can address common concerns in a disarming, friendly, and possibly humorous way and brief step-by-step instructions for use. [more inside]
posted by metaphorever at 2:49 PM PST - 7 comments

If Beale Street Could Talk is one of the recent classics I've missed, but from what I've read and seen it seems like a melancholy, darker film in overall tone and I'm trying to stay away from such things for mental health reasons. [more inside]
posted by feelinglistless at 2:47 PM PST - 6 comments

I've been a 100% mac user for the past 10+ years but now need to buy a Windows laptop for my teacher training course, and I feel like I'm about a million years old trying to figure out what to buy. Please help! Snowflake details inside [more inside]
posted by hibbersk at 1:59 PM PST - 9 comments

It's not found anywhere online that I know of [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 1:06 PM PST - 9 comments

I am a pathology resident, if you know what I mean. I have a pair of medium-brown leather shoes with bloodstains on them. Can you recommend a specific product to mitigate them? I'm not expecting to get them out entirely. Thank you!
posted by 8603 at 11:56 AM PST - 4 comments